South Africa: KZN calls for declaration of state of disaster

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council has called for a state of disaster to be declared in the province, following heavy downpours that wreaked havoc in different parts of KZN.

Declaring a state of disaster will enable the province to apply for emergency funding from National Treasury and grant authority to reprioritise our current budgets in order to address the reconstruction work necessary to bring the province back to normal, said Premier Sihle Zikalala.

The province has been on high alert following heavy rains that started damaging eThekwini since the weekend of 9 April 2022.

The water level has been rising, including the river between Mega City in uMlazi and Lamontville.

The Provincial Executive Council, chaired by Zikalala held a special Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, where it received reports on the disaster incidents, including the effects of disaster response and interventions from the Provincial Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster Management, chaired by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Sipho Hlomuka.

Zikalala noted that since Monday, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal experienced what is one of the worst weather storms in the history of our country.

The heavy rainfall that has descended on our land over the past few days, has wreaked untold havoc and unleashed massive damage to lives and infrastructure, Zikalala said.

Zikalala, together with MECs, Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), Mayors and councillors, visited different parts of the province to assess the damage caused, but also to pay respect to people who have lost their lives.

The Premier said that assessment to date indicated that many people lost their lives with eThekwini reporting 45, while iLembe District in areas including Ndwedwe and KwaDukuza reported more than 14 people who have tragically lost their lives.

He noted that the disaster has affected all races and sectors of society, including rural, townships, informal settlements, suburbs and luxury estates.

Undoubtedly billions of rand worth of damage has been caused to homes, places of work, roads, bridges, electricity and water supply, and other critical government infrastructure. None of our districts has been spared, but eThekwini Metro has been the epicentre of this disaster with most of the rain and the worst damage.

The municipalities most affected by heavy rains, damaging winds and flooding were Ilembe, Uthukela, uMgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, Ilembe and Umzinyathi, Zikalala reported.

He added that some communities adjacent to rivers are still being cautioned to relocate to a safer place, and many have been evacuated and are housed in community halls and other areas of safety.

Some rivers in Amawoti and Quarry Heights are also overflowing, and residents are advised to move to alternative accommodation. Stapleton Road in Pinetown was also flooded and motorists were encouraged to avoid it.

The Amanzimtoti area has also been flooded and the Citys Roads and Storm water teams were in the area unblocking drains to minimise flooding, the Premier said.

The Provincial Cabinet also visited a number of families in the Georgedale and Sankotshe areas, where some families lost five members during the rains.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today visit the flood-stricken parts of KwaZulu-Natal to offer support to affected communities and assess the response of government and civil society to this critical situation.

Looting of containers condemned

Meanwhile, Zikalala has also condemned reports of looting of containers which were affected by the rains, as the raging Umlazi River threw them into the N2.

We will not allow what is a tragic development in our province to be taken advantage of by criminals. Law enforcement agencies have been deployed and we call on all law enforcement agencies to ensure that all property is protected from criminality and that law and order is maintained during this period, Zikalala warned.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-04-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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The Baltimore Police Department makes an inviting target for critics these days. Not only does the citys high homicide tally continue apace, but other crimes from robbery to carjacking have been rising in recent months, too. Police accountability and a court-supervised consent decree to address longtime racial inequities that were spotlighted by the Freddie Gray uprising seven years ago are, at best, works in progress. And did someone mention public corruption? Not only was yet another veteran city police officer found guilty of criminal misconduct this week as a federal jury convicted former Detective Robert Hankard Monday on charges of corruption and conspiracy but his case was yet another spinoff in the federal investigation of the Gun Trace Task Force, a legacy about to be made even more infamous by the HBO TV series, We Own This City, set to be released in less than two weeks.

In such a moment, Mayor Brandon Scotts decision to modestly increase Baltimores police budget, as was also announced on Monday, deserves some attention. Not only because it reflects a level of pragmatism and political discipline uncommon for a young, first-term mayor (who turned 38 last week), but because it also embraces the reality that Baltimore needs the best from its police department. Whether that means paying more to attract recruits to a currently understaffed department or, more ambitiously, to pay for 35 civilians who would assist in investigations where possible as well as help staff a violence prevention outreach program, the money would appear to be well spent.

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Mayor Scott can, of course, expect to draw fire from those who favor a defund the police strategy as well as those who think hes not been supportive enough of officers. The latter group will surely include local right-wing media and the local police union which has concluded the Mr. Scotts efforts to date to reduce violence represent a failed progressive social experiment. Both will no doubt be triggered again by his proposal to eliminate 30 vacant uniform positions. Yet the loudest voices in Baltimore will probably be those of certain civic leaders who believe a more active police department, whether under Commissioner Michael Harrison or probably anyone else, is more likely to worsen the situation.

Heres what Mayor Scott understands well. Baltimore needs a better, smarter, more trustworthy and community-connected department. And hiring civilians to help where possible is a wise choice. What is especially intriguing is how the department might use the staff in its Group Violence Reduction Strategy, a program begun on a trial basis last year at the Western District. The idea is to help families associated with violence (judged either to be potential victims of it or to perpetuate it) with counseling and services such as addiction treatment or job training. Can the cycle of violence that plagues Baltimore be interrupted? Given how often todays victim becomes tomorrows shooter, the concept is sound. And it is clearly not accomplished by merely serving warrants or making arrests. This is the equivalent of fire prevention  instead of only fighting fires, why not take steps to keep them from igniting in the first place?

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Meanwhile, whats wrong with hiring civilians to supplement the uniformed officers who carry a badge and gun? Given the unhappy history of police corruption and fraught relations with certain communities, how is that not worth the attempt? At the very least, civilians can free officers to perform the duties more appropriate to their training such as responding to 911 calls or patrolling the streets. And, as noted by a past study of police department staffing, Baltimore employs fewer civilians than is typical among peer agencies across the country.

The logic behind this proposal is sound. Its the politics that are challenging. How much easier would Mayor Scotts path forward be if he could simply post on social media caustic comments about gun violence or police corruption convictions. As a member of the City Council, Mr. Scott favored spending less on police. As mayor, he has so far demonstrated a more balanced approach having increased the departments budget last year as well. This is not the easy path and its not certain to succeed given all the myriad factors that contribute to gun violence in Baltimore, but its the best available and the mayor deserves credit for sticking with it.

Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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NONFICTION: A celebration of community-driven book selling and a guide to keeping bookstores alive in an economy that undervalues literature.

"In Praise of Good Bookstores" by Jeff Deutsch; Princeton University Press (208 pages, $19.95)



The Seminary Co-op Bookstore in Chicago is among the most venerated in the world, so it's fitting that its director, Jeff Deutsch, has written a book attempting to define what makes a successful bookseller.

It's a vital task, especially since, as Deutsch points out, "there is no good business model in the book industry"  at least, not the kind that aims to "support books whose publication is driven by cultural and literary value rather than media attention and rapid sales." Books must exist, but their existence cannot be predicated on high profit margins.

Deutsch writes passionately and eruditely about the value of literature, the community it can engender, and the patience required to sell books with integrity, but "In Praise of Good Bookstores" is more than a mere paean to independent brick-and-mortar shops. Deutsch also presents models for their continued survival.

One such example is the kollel, the institutions in which Jewish scholars are provided financial support to study rabbinic literature like the Talmud, "a model whereby some community members make their daily work their regular concern so that other community members might make the study of Torah their regular work."

The other model is the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, in which scholars are allowed, according to its founder Abraham Flexner, the "unobstructed pursuit of useless knowledge."

Another model is the Seminary Co-op itself: In 2019, it became the first not-for-profit bookstore. Deutsch cites Lewis Hyde's distinction between "worth" and "value" as an important one in the realm of books: "A commodity has value and a gift does not," Hyde wrote in his influential work "The Gift." "A gift has worth."

Bookstores are expected to function within an economic system that prizes commodities over gifts, so perhaps nonprofit status is a way to ensure that not only could such a place continue to serve its community but also that it can do so without depending on flashy titles or sidelines (non-book items that are also sold at bookstores and which are often their only profitable merchandise).

Deutsch has a knack for aphorisms, as in, "The chef's wisdom: time itself is an ingredient," and "There is something to glean of the totality of human experience in a space comprising its varieties."

A proclivity for succinct wisdom makes sense for Deutsch, who throughout his book quotes writers like Paul Valery, Joseph Joubert and Yoshido Kenko, who are all known for their aphorisms. These aren't the only sources he cites, borrows from and quotes; he incorporates a diverse selection of writers. To name a few: Eve Ewing, Francis Bacon, Italo Calvino, Cicero, S.R. Ranganathan and Hanif Abdurraqib.

Deutsch too often relies on quotations from these various authors and thinkers to make his points, which can be slightly irksome because of the exposition required to introduce them all. Moreover, Deutsch's own skills as a stylist are stunted by the constant interruptions.

Then again, perhaps a book celebrating bookstores ought to be just like the institutions it praises: stuffed to the brim with voices.



Jonathan Russell Clark is the author of "An Oasis of Horror in a Desert of Boredom" and the forthcoming "Skateboard."
NONFICTION: A survivor bravely confronts the trauma caused by Northern Ireland's protracted, deadly conflict.

"Thin Places" by Kerri ni Dochartaigh; Milkweed Editions (280 pages, $24)



When Kerri ni Dochartaigh was 11, she recalls, someone lobbed a firebomb at her house, chasing her family into the street. On this and other occasions, her youth was upended by Northern Ireland's horrifying sectarian violence.

But because many of her neighbors had stories that were at least as disturbing, she suppressed her feelings, fearing that her "trauma wasn't hard enough earned."

After years of quietly coping with "unquantifiable loss," ni Dochartaigh opted for a new path  she'd write it all down, relinquishing as much of her pain as possible.

The result is "Thin Places," an evocative memoir about surviving the Troubles, the deadly three-decade struggle between Britain  personified by the country's mostly Protestant troops  and Northern Ireland's Catholic majority.

Ni Dochartaigh, who is in her late 30s, was born to a Catholic mother and a Protestant father. In Derry  the city where a 1969 street battle launched the Troubles  her parents' religions made the family a conspicuous target. During her youth, violence in Northern Ireland was commonplace. When she was 6, she writes, "a British soldier was shot dead six feet in front of" her. When she was 16, a good friend was murdered.

"Thin Places" follows ni Dochartaigh as she flees Northern Ireland and lives a "rootless" existence. She dulls her pain with alcohol. She attempts suicide several times. Eventually, for reasons she can't explain, she feels "called back" home. Brexit  Britain's decision to sever many of its ties to the European Union  incites renewed tension at the Ireland-Northern Ireland border, reminding her that peace isn't guaranteed.

She finds comfort in nature. "Thin Places" begins and ends with lovely glimpses of moths that "dance." The title invokes the ancient and elemental: "Heaven and earth, the Celtic saying goes, are only three feet apart, but in thin places that distance is ever shorter." Watching curlews in flight and sitting beneath old trees, she appreciates the "places that make us feel something larger than ourselves."

Ni Dochartaigh writes lyrical sentences, but she can be repetitive. Like moths, she writes, time itself "dances." So do words, flames, the Northern Lights, "the border between reality and nightmare," birds, memories and moments. "There are places that dance on the caves of our insides," she insists. This may be true, but good luck fact-checking it.

The same goes for much of this book. Even for a memoir  the genre is notoriously loose on what constitutes a fact  "Thin Places" is notable for its frequent dearth of specifics supporting her assertions. Writing of the murdered British soldier, for instance, she tells us that his death occurred "less than a minute's walk from" the home she lived in when writing part of this book. This is interesting, but as presented, it's not demonstrably true.

But ni Dochartaigh's commitment to confronting her pain is beyond dispute. "I wanted to hold them close," ni Dochartaigh writes of her memories, "to give them the room they needed  to give me the room I needed  to heal." Her book will inspire many trauma survivors.



Kevin Canfield is a writer in New York City.
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. April 7, 2022.

Editorial: Free speech fumbles

What to make of the current University of Wisconsin System brouhaha over a free speech survey? It sure doesnt feel like all the facts are known yet.

A handful of details are clear. The system planned to send students a survey asking their thoughts on how free speech rights are handled on campus. Jim Henderson, the former interim chancellor at UW-Whitewater, resigned over the plan. Thursday, the day on which the survey was apparently scheduled to be sent out, it was put on hold.

Henderson told the Wisconsin State Journal his resignation followed an about-face on the issue by Michael Falbo, the systems interim president. Falbo, in turn, said concerns from the systems chancellors led him to decide against the survey.

That stance was reversed after Falbo said Tim Shiell, director of the Menard Center (which was tasked with carrying out the survey) blamed those concerns on incomplete information. And it was Shiell, apparently, who on Wednesday sent Falbo an email delaying the survey until next fall given current circumstances.

There are local ties to the story beyond the fact local communities host UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout. The Menard Center is at UW-Stout in Menomonie. It was founded after a grant from the Charles Koch Foundation, a well-known backer of conservative causes. The name changed after the Menard family, also major donors to conservative causes, gifted it $2.26 million.

We see several things worth untangling here. Lets start with that last paragraph.

We know the very name Koch is like waving a red flag in front of the political left in much the same way the name Soros is to the right. But theres a difference between donations and control. None of the coverage weve seen indicates the Menard Center or Shiell are stepping outside the bounds of academic activities.

It is true that the question of whether students with conservative views are punished on campus has long been a conservative talking point. There have also been a handful of cases in which such accusations seem credible.

It seems Falbo has mishandled the situation. When you reverse decisions multiple times within a short time span, people rightly begin to question why. At minimum, it appears Falbo failed to communicate with the chancellors effectively. A statement he released said some chancellors were disappointed in his decision to proceed with the survey. Its a curious choice of phrasing, one that suggests ire directed at him specifically as much as the decision.

But the overriding issue here is what free speech means and how it is handled. Thats nothing new to college campuses, though it often seems those involved fail to understand the fundamental concepts involved.

Speech has comparatively few restrictions, as befits a right laid out in the First Amendment. Slander and fighting words arent protected, nor is the oft-cited example of yelling fire in a crowded theater. The exercise of free speech does not, however, ensure avoidance of consequences or counterspeech. Protests fall within protected speech as surely as the speech being protested.

People often forget that freedom of speech does not extend to every time and place. Private businesses can restrict the distribution of leaflets on their property, for example, despite that being a form of speech. And college campuses can take steps to protect order on their campuses when protests interfere with functions. A protester being asked to leave an auditorium after disrupting a guest speakers address is not a violation of their rights.

Recent years have seen a series of incidents nationally in which a failure to understand what freedom of speech is resulted in conflicts on campus. It has occasionally been improperly wielded as a cudgel to silence people whom others simply do not wish to hear, with targets spanning the range of political and social views.

Free speech is not a guarantee your views will be embraced. Nor does it give license to act in a way that others cannot be heard. And, like all rights, it assumes a degree of responsibility in its use. Ideally, the concept of campus free speech would simply be a given rather than being used as a political football. But we dont live in a world of ideals.

Its still not too much to expect, though, that those at the head of Wisconsins universities would be able to deal with free speech without fumbling this badly.

Wisconsin State Journal. April 7, 2022.

Editorial: Run, Tommy, run: The GOP field for governor is inexperienced and conspiracy driven

The Republican field for governor is thin on experience and appeal.

Tommy Thompson could quickly change that.

Still indefatigable at 80, Thompson would bring some much-needed accomplishment and purpose to the Republican primary for governor, should he run. We hope he does, with a decision expected this month.

This isnt an endorsement of Thompson for governor. We wont make that recommendation until the fall. And the last time around, our editorial board recommended Democrat Tony Evers for governor. Evers has been an important check on the excesses of one-party rule, which the Republican Party had enjoyed for eight years.

Still, Thompsons infectious optimism for getting things done would be a welcome improvement to a GOP gubernatorial primary that, so far, has fixated on divisive priorities and conspiracy myths.

Thompson would give Republican voters a much better choice  assuming he doesnt kowtow to former President Donald Trump, whom he visited at Trumps resort in Florida last week. Trumps self-absorbed fixation on the past isnt a winning message for the future.

The three main candidates for the Republican nomination are wanting.

Rebecca Kleefisch served in the do-little job of lieutenant governor for eight years under former Gov. Scott Walker. To her credit, she led state efforts to address homelessness and hosted some business forums. But not much else.

Kevin Nicholson, a former Marine with financial backing from an Illinois billionaire, wants to fight the Republican establishment  a narrow mission. Nicholson lost the GOP primary for U.S. Senate four years ago and has never served in public office.

Rep. Timothy Ramthun of Campbellsport is only in his second term as a state assemblyman and seems obsessed with wild claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Recounts, election reviews, audits and court rulings have proven his suspicions false.

Thompson would bring a strong record and broader vision to the race, having served as governor longer than anyone in state history from 1987 to 2001. Thompson also led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More recently, Thompson proved effective as president of the University of Wisconsin System, rising above petty politics and pulling state residents together around the value of higher education.

Its possible Thompson may be too reasonable and professional to survive in todays Trump-worshipping Republican Party. But if he runs as himself, not as a Trump apologist, anything is possible.

Thompsons legacy has been built on innovation, consensus and hard work. Thompson likes to be decisive, but he also knows how to listen and cut deals to satisfy most people.

Working with others to fix problems might seem quaint in todays us-versus-them politics. But a healthy dose of Tommys old magic might be just what the Republican Party in Wisconsin needs.

Racine Journal Times. April 8, 2022.

Editorial: A new gem rising on Madisons Capitol Square

The State Capitol in Madison has long been the crown jewel of Wisconsin, drawing thousands of visitors to its ornate halls, soaring rotunda and Senate, Assembly and state Supreme Court rooms.

Soon it will be joined by another gem on Capitol Square, a modern, glassy and classy four-story Wisconsin Historical Society Museum.

Preliminary plans for the structure show a glass-sheathed facade facing Capitol Square at 30 N. Carroll St., next door to the Overture Center, and an award-winning design firm, the SmithGroup has been enlisted to join the design team for the history center.

This is a pivotal moment in bringing our vision to life and for the future of history, said Christian Overland, director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Indeed it is.

SmithGroup will partner with Milwaukee-based Continuum Architects and Planners on the design phase this summer. Continuum has won an award for tis design of the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison and SmithGroup has a portfolio of working on some top museums, including the National Museum of African History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and Alumni Park on the UW-Madison campus.

The vision calls for a 100,000-square-foot museum, which will double the current museums exhibition space. For the past forty years the museum has been housed in an old, former Wollf Kubly hardware store on the Square which was not adequate for the Historical Societys large collection of historical assets. That structure will be demolished.

According to news reports, the Wisconsin Historical Society has secure $100 million for the new museum through government funding and private donations. That puts it within shouting distance of the $120 million projected cost to make it reality.

If all goes well, construction of the stylish new home for Wisconsins history could begin in early 2024. We look forward to the opening and for the chance for state residents to visit the new museum and enjoy the sweeping views of the Capitol from the museums rooftop deck.

We hope it will be the gem that is envisioned. It will be good company for our grand Capitol.

This roundup has been corrected to add seven paragraphs that were cut from the bottom of the first editorial by the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.

END

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Idaho Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request by the Roman Catholic Church in Idaho to intervene in a lawsuit over a new Idaho law banning nearly all abortions.

The court did not explain why the church was excluded after the Diocese of Boise on Monday asked to be allowed to join the lawsuit in support of the ban.

Idaho last month became the first state to enact legislation modeled after a Texas statute banning abortions after about six weeks. The Idaho law would allow the potential fathers, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles of embryos or fetuses to sue abortion providers for at least $20,000 in damages within four years after the abortions. Rapists cant file a lawsuit under the law, but rapists' relatives have permission to do so.

Planned Parenthood of Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana and Kentucky sued over the law, calling it unconstitutional and the Idaho Supreme Court last week blocked the abortion ban from taking effect while the lawsuit is underway.

The Diocese of Boise on Wednesday didn't immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment about the high court's decision.

In the request to intervene, attorneys for the church said the Diocese has maintained a vested interest in the dignity and sanctity of all human life, including life of the unborn.

The bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Peter Christensen, wrote in a legal filing that the church helped convince state lawmakers to approve the abortion ban.

The lawsuit is one of many legal fights going on nationwide over access to abortion. The U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority signaled willingness in a Mississippi case to severely erode or even strike down Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide until a baby can survive outside the womb. Numerous states with Republican majorities are poised to follow the strictest interpretation of the ruling.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Two people were arrested Tuesday after someone fired multiple shots from their vehicle toward another moving car on the Beltline, Monona police said.

"We are very fortunate that no one was physically hurt as a result of this brazen act," Monona Police Chief Brian Chaney Austin said in a statement.

One of the vehicles was hit multiple times by bullets, but the occupants were not hit. Chaney Austin said police believe the shooting was "targeted."

One of the people who was taken into custody, Matthew M. Rhone, of Fitchburg, was tentatively charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety for the shooting, Chaney Austin said.

The gunfire and subsequent investigation resulted in the closure of the Beltline for about 40 minutes, but the Beltline was safe and reopened shortly before 5 p.m., Monona police said.

Monona police responded to a report of a weapons violation on the Beltline at South Stoughton Road around 3:40 p.m., Chaney Austin said. A witness told officers that multiple rounds were fired as the vehicles drove eastbound and gave police detailed descriptions of the vehicles involved.

The suspect vehicle was spotted as it drove onto Interstate 94. Officers pulled over the car and arrested the two people inside, Chaney Austin said. Their identities were not released. A firearm was recovered during the stop.

Around 4:10 p.m., all eastbound lanes of the Beltline were closed while officers recovered evidence from the scene of the shooting, Chaney Austin said. The closure caused traffic backups, but all lanes were reopened by 4:50 p.m.

Rhone was also tentatively charged with carrying a concealed weapon, criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and bail jumping, Chaney Austin said. He was taken to the Dane County Jail.

The Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff's Office and Wisconsin State Patrol also responded to the incident, a Dane County dispatcher said.

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A 31-year-old woman was the person who died at a local health care center after getting injured during a Friday apartment fire in Jefferson County, the medical examiner said Wednesday.

Tramesha Smith, a Watertown resident, died at the Watertown Regional Medical Center following the fire at Watertown East Apartments, 1153 Boughton St., in Watertown, the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. Her cause of death was not released.

Watertown fire crews responded shortly before 3:50 a.m. to a report of a large amount of smoke coming from an apartment unit in the building, the Watertown Fire Department said.

Firefighters entered the unit, and started a search, the department said. The Watertown Police Department notified the firefighters that some of the occupants were able to escape, but others might be stuck inside.

Smith was found inside the unit, still alive, the Fire Department said. She was taken to the medical center, but died from her injuries.

Firefighters contained the fire to that apartment unit and extinguished it, the department said.

Two neighboring units in the eight-unit apartment complex had minor smoke damage, causing those occupants to temporarily get displaced. The Red Cross assisted those residents, the department said. The other occupants, who had been evacuated, returned to their apartments.

In total, the fire caused more than $30,000 in damage, according to the Fire Department.

Watertown police and fire are still investigating the cause of the fire, with help from the State Fire Marshall. There were no working smoke detectors in the apartment, the Fire Department noted.

Emergency crews from Ixonia, Waterloo, Johnson Creek, CLR, Lebanon and Lake Mills assisted on scene.

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The murder of a 24-year-old Madison man in November started with a drug deal and ended with a gunfight, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday.

Although details and a motive remain sketchy in the Nov. 17 shooting death of Eric A. Ranson, investigators say Ranson was killed after a friend, Justin J. Burage, said he persuaded Ranson to come out of his East Side home just after midnight to sell him $40 worth of marijuana. When he did, gunfire erupted between him and two or three other people.

Chabris E. Link, 32, of Chicago, is now charged with first-degree intentional homicide, while Burage, 33, of Madison. faces the same charge but as a party to the crime. Madison police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer did not immediately respond to an email asking whether the investigation into the case remains open and police believe there are more suspects.

The five-page complaint in the case was filed Friday but sealed after a judge agreed publicity about the charges could put Link, Burage and police in danger or spur the suspects to flee.

It says Ranson was in the unit he rented in a duplex in the 3500 block of Home Avenue when Burage arrived to buy the marijuana and called Ranson to ask him to come outside to make the deal, although Ranson wanted Burage to come to the home.

Burage told investigators that he bought the marijuana and the two had a short conversation, and as Burage started to drive away he heard gunshots.

Surveillance video from the scene, however, showed Ranson leave his home with a handgun and approach an SUV on the street before two people in front of the home who appeared to have been waiting for him opened fire, according to the complaint. Ranson fires back as he falls backward, the complaint says, and a person can be seen firing at Ranson from the right.

Ranson was found by police just inside his front door with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead about a half hour later at the hospital. Investigators found money, damage to the home's porch, a black Smith & Wesson M&P 40 handgun, and multiple 9mm and 40mm shell casings at the scene.

Receipts found in Link's BMW SUV, cellphone data and surveillance video place him in Madison on Nov. 16 and 17, according to the complaint, and he was treated for a gunshot wound to his leg at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois, on Nov. 17, when he identified himself to police as his brother and falsely claimed he'd been shot while on the interstate. He was arrested Jan. 27 in an abandoned residence in Chicago where a 9mm handgun was found, the complaint says.

Ranson had felony convictions in Dane County for theft and possession of THC in 2021.

Burage has five other open felony cases in Wisconsin for charges ranging from bail jumping to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Link has two other open felony cases in Dane County for armed robbery, recklessly endangering safety and other charges.

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Finding his motivation perplexing, a Dane County judge on Wednesday sentenced a man who in 2020 set fire to the belongings of three people experiencing homelessness and damaged a shelter at James Madison Park to three years of probation.

Circuit Judge Chris Taylor added an incentive to stay out of trouble to the sentence she handed Kerry M. Meighan, 51, of Freeport, Illinois. She initially sentenced Meighan to a year in prison but suspended that sentence and placed him on probation. The prison sentence would kick in if his probation is revoked.

Im giving you a chance to prove yourself, Taylor told Meighan. If you dont comply, you will serve time. It will be up to you.

Meighan pleaded guilty in July to arson of property other than a building for setting fire to the tents, which were set up at the shelter at James Madison Park on East Gorham Street. The fire happened on Sept. 18, 2020.

Assistant District Attorney Tracy McMiller said the fire destroyed all of the possessions of two women and a man, leaving them only with the things they were wearing or carrying when they had left their tents that day.

The fire also caused $7,445 in damage to the shelter, which Meighan was ordered to pay as part of his sentence.

McMiller said security video showed Meighan sitting on a bench near the shelter, and then after the three people left, he walked back and forth between the bench and the tents. After the last time he walked away from the tents, flames could be seen coming from the small encampment.

A witness told police that while watching firefighting efforts, Meighan could be heard saying that the three people still shouldnt be there and if theyre still there, theyre dead. The witness said Meighan seemed to be enjoying the fire.

McMiller and Meighans attorney, Ryan Frank, agreed to seek three years of probation, but McMiller also asked that Meighan serve a year in jail as a condition of probation.

In court Wednesday, Meighan said he wished the victims had been in court so he could apologize to them.

Unegregiously, I did an act that cause the harm to the stuff they had ascertained, Meighan said. I apologize to them.

Taylor said she found it perplexing that despite his own experiences with homelessness, Meighan set fire to the belongings of others who were homeless. Then, despite pleading guilty to an intentional act, he appeared to back away from accepting blame in a state Department of Corrections presentence report.

I reject that, Taylor said, telling Meighan that he pleaded guilty to an intentional act.

You struggled with homelessness, Taylor said. You acknowledge how hard it is to find basic necessities.

That makes this crime perplexing and inexplicable to me, Taylor said. Its perplexing the way theres not more empathy displayed toward these people.

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The recent article by Laurie Schwartz on the new Harborplace ownership (New Harborplace ownership offers optimism for second Inner Harbor renaissance, April 8) is encouraging and gives hope to citizens of Baltimore. We truly miss our Inner Harbor and we need disparately to get it back. Give credit to David Bramble who appears to be approaching this in the right manner by sending out a message to Baltimoreans to participate in this this by making it inclusive so that all of us can have a share in the outcome.

One thought would be to bring back the connection of the Inner Harbor to the Baltimore Harbor Waterfront Promenade that was once planned to become a 7.5 mile path from Fort McHenry to the Museum of Industry through the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Canton to the Canton Waterfront Park. In recent days, the Promenade has likewise undergone deterioration due to neglect and poor maintenance. No city official appears to be in charge of the Promenade. Bricks are coming out of place that can be dangerous to walkers and bikers going along the path. Improper lighting has also become a factor.

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Connecting the Inner Harbor with pathways in and out of the Inner Harbor can enhance more pedestrian activity to this central area. Even better, the Promenade that comes down to Canton will be able in the near future to connect to the Frederick Douglass segment of the 35-mile trail of the Baltimore Greenway Trail Network which when completed is planned to connect with 75 neighborhoods in Baltimore City.

As Mr. Bramble and the city develop the new Harborplace, it is important to see the need to include connections to the Inner Harbor such as the Baltimore Harbor Promenade and the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network.

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Raymond Bahr MD, Baltimore

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A Milwaukee man allegedly fled a Baraboo traffic stop and led police on a chase into Columbia County that reached 120 mph and eventually ended in Marquette County, authorities reported.

Dvarion M. Beamon, 27, Milwaukee, remains in custody following the alleged chase with police that began in Baraboo.

Beamon is facing one felony count of vehicle operator flee/elude officer and misdemeanor possession of THC. Both counts have a repeater modifier, which if convicted could lead to a harsher sentence.

He is facing a $10,000 fine and one year and six months in jail with two years of extended supervision if found guilty on the flee/elude charge. He is facing a $1,000 for THC possession with six months in jail. With the repeater modifier, his operating privileges could be suspended between six months and five years.

Beamon is also facing numerous traffic charges stemming from the alleged police chase.

At his initial appearance on April 6, Columbia County Judge Todd Hepler set Beamons cash bond at $10,000 with standard felony conditions.

According to the criminal complaint:

Columbia County dispatch received information from Sauk County dispatch of a vehicle fleeing Baraboo police. Officials said the vehicle was last seen on Highway 33 heading towards Columbia County on April 5 at 12:08 a.m.

Columbia County officials were looking for a Chevrolet Equinox, allegedly driven by Beamon, near the Sauk/Columbia County border on Highway 33. A Columbia County Sheriff lieutenant saw the suspected vehicle around 12:15 a.m. and began to follow it.

The complaint alleges the Equinox accelerated and did not slow down when the lieutenant turned on their emergency lights and siren.

The vehicle proceeded northbound onto Interstate 39 at speeds of approximately 120 mph, the complaint said.

A deputy with the Marquette Sheriffs Office deployed road spikes just south of the 100 mile marker on the Interstate. The vehicle slowed down and took the exit near mile marker 100 and stopped at the intersection of County Highway P and CX in Marquette County.

Beamon allegedly exited the vehicle and began yelling about the initial stop in Baraboo. The Columbia County lieutenant reported Beamon was currently on parole for two previous flee/elude convictions.

The Equinox was searched and officers allegedly found a half smoked marijuana blunt in the cup holder of the vehicle.

The complaint alleges the blunt tested positive for the presence of THC.

Beamon is set to be back in court on Wednesday for his preliminary hearing in front of Columbia County Judge Andrea Von Hoff.

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NEW YORK  A man with Wisconsin ties who posted numerous social media videos decrying the U.S. as a racist place awash in violence and recounting his struggle with mental illness remained at large Wednesday, a day after an attack on a subway train in Brooklyn left 10 people wounded by gunfire.

Mayor Eric Adams said in a series of media interviews that investigators now consider Frank R. James a suspect in the shooting. Police had initially said the 62-year-old was being sought for questioning because he had rented a van possibly connected to the attack, but weren't sure whether he was responsible for the shooting.

Adams, speaking to NPR on Wednesday morning, did not offer details on why officials were now seeking James as a suspect beyond citing "new information that became available to the team."

"We are going to continue to close the loop around him and bring him in, and continue the investigation into this horrific act against innocent New Yorkers," the Democrat said on MSNBC.

Authorities said James was a New York City-area native who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that no one answered the door at James' last known Milwaukee address in the city's Harambee neighborhood.

A neighbor, Keilah Miller, 32, who lived in an adjacent apartment at the address, told the New York Times that James was "gruff and standoffish" and "a really weird neighbor."

The gunman sent off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said. Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but all 10 wounded in the shooting were expected to survive. At least a dozen others who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

The shooter escaped in the chaos, but left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van  the key led investigators to James.

Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop  a licensed firearms dealer  in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011, said a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official said. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.

Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.

In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators have also been reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms - replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against other Black people  as they try to discern a motive.

In one video, posted a day before the attack, James criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.

"You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people," James says. "It's not going to get better until we make it better," he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were "stomped, kicked and tortured" out of their "comfort zone."

In another video he says, "this nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death. There's nothing going to stop that."

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts "concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.

Several videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor's plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system "is doomed for failure" and refers to himself as a "victim" of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams' plan to end gun violence.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.

"I said, 'God, everything is in your hands,'" Jacques said. "I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened."

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jim Mustian, Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.
Wisconsins highest court has declined to hear a case involving a Georgia timber companys quest to build a frac sand facility on rare wetlands in western Wisconsin.

The Supreme Court issued an order Wednesday denying Meteor Timbers petition to reconsider findings of two lower courts and an administrative law judge who revoked the companys permit for the proposed $75 million project.

The one-sentence order did not state the courts reasoning and noted only that Justice Rebecca Bradley dissented. Meteor was assessed $50 in court costs.

A state appeals court last year upheld a lower court ruling that the Department of Natural Resources violated the law when it issued the company a permit to fill 16.25 acres of wetlands in Monroe County.

The three-judge panel found the DNR lacked sufficient information to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed project and improperly amended a permit that was granted despite dozens of unanswered questions.

The rescinded permit would have been the states single largest destruction of wetlands for a frac sand project.

The high courts decision ends a nearly six-year legal saga that spanned two administrations, multiple courts, and shifting markets for the sand used to extract oil and gas from deep rock formations.

Meteor applied for the permit in 2016, saying it needed to fill the wetlands to build a processing and rail loading facility to serve two nearby mines on land the company acquired when it purchased nearly 50,000 acres of Wisconsin forest.

But in the years since the initial application, Wisconsins sand industry has seen bankruptcies, consolidation and closures amid competition from mines in Texas. Just last month a mine in Blair that cost more than $104 million to open sold for just $6.5 million.

Company representatives had not responded to a request for comment.

Midwest Environmental Advocates, which challenged the permit on behalf of the Ho-Chunk Nation, called the order a victory for the Ho-Chunk people, the state and all those who value our natural resources and the publics role in protecting them.

We wont take any time to rejoice  this planet is still suffering from overexploitation, Ho-Chunk Rep. Conroy Greendeer Jr. said in a statement.

Our next generations simply will not survive if we allow polluters to contaminate our beautiful landscape without remediation and without remorse. While Meteor Timber may have lost this case, it is the Earth that bears the scars of the battle.

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WASHINGTON  Shirley Troutman, a judge on New York's highest court, was working last week when her daughter texted messages that included a clapping hands emoji. Soon, her phone was buzzing with other celebratory messages. The applause and the excitement was for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court and will become its first Black female justice.

Jackson will become the court's 116th member. That's special for Troutman, who is the 116th member of her court, too.

As a judge, as a Black woman, I am extremely proud and wish her the best, said Troutman, who took her seat earlier this year and is the second Black woman to serve on her court. She said she cried tears of joy when Jackson was confirmed.

Troutman is among 17 Black women and 14 Black men currently serving on their state's highest court, according to the Brennan Center for Justice in New York, which has tracked diversity on those courts. A majority of the women joined the bench within the last five years and, like Jackson, shattered a barrier, becoming the first Black woman on their state's high court. In interviews, some of those women described not only their own delight at Jackson's confirmation but also suggested there's more work to be done to make America's courts more reflective of its citizens.

I am so proud and optimistic about her accomplishment and what this means, said Justice Melissa Long of Rhode Island's Supreme Court.

Long, who joined her state's high court in 2021, also feels a great sense of connection to Jackson. They were born 10 days apart in 1970 in Washington, D.C. Long's parents had married in the city because laws against interracial marriage, struck down by the Supreme Court in 1967, prohibited them from getting married in Virginia.

Being the first Black woman and first person of color on her state's five-member court feels like a responsibility, Long said. It's an important responsibility, but it does feel like a responsibility.

That's in part because diversity overall on state courts is lacking. People of color make up 17% of the judges on state supreme courts, but as of last year, 22 states had high courts where no member identified as a person of color, according to the Brennan Center. In 11 of those states, minorities make up at least 20% of the population, according to the Brennan Center. About 30% of all federal judges, meanwhile, identify as people of color.

Those numbers help explain why the Brennan Center's Madiba Dennie says shes wary of people thinking that Jackson's confirmation means: We did it. We have a Black woman on the Supreme Court now. Theres more work to be done, she said, with huge disparities throughout the rest of the federal judiciary and at the state judiciary as well.

The history of Black women serving on their state's highest court goes back to 1988 when Juanita Kidd Stout joined Pennsylvania's highest court. That was seven years after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. Stout served for a year before she reached the mandatory age of retirement. Today, the four men and three women on Pennsylvania's highest court are all white.

Other state high courts are more diverse. Maryland has two Black women on its highest court, the Court of Appeals, where members wear red robes with white collars and are called judge, not justice. Judge Shirley M. Watts joined the seven-member court in 2013 and Judge Michele D. Hotten in 2015.

In California, Justice Leondra Kruger was among the women President Joe Biden considered nominating to fulfill his campaign pledge to put a Black woman on the Supreme Court, if given the opportunity. In Ohio, Justice Melody Stewart was a classically trained pianist before making the switch to a career in law. And in Washington, Justice G. Helen Whitener is one of two gay justices and one of seven women on state's nine-member high court.

In Massachusetts, Kimberly Budd serves as her court's chief justice, a position she has held since 2020. North Carolina's Cheri Beasley served as the chief justice of that state's Supreme Court and is now a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for the 2022 U.S. Senate election.

Louisiana also until recently had a Black woman leading its highest court. Bernette Johnson was elected to the court in 1994 and served as its chief from 2013 to her 2020 retirement. Today, Justice Piper D. Griffin is the second Black woman and third Black person to serve on that court.

Griffin called Jackson's confirmation surreal" and humbling. It was one of those things that you never think you'd see in your lifetime. You know, it's kind of like you, you're hopeful, but you're never expecting it," said Griffin, who was elected to her position in 2020.

Griffin said her phone blew up when Jackson was confirmed. I got lots of exclamation points," she said. One friend, knowing Griffin couldn't watch Vice President Kamala Harris announce live that Jackson had been confirmed, recorded the moment on her phone and texted it to her. Over and over and over again friends texted one word: Yes!
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  The co-chairs of the late-U.S. Rep. Don Young's reelection campaign have earned endorsements in their bids for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat.

Republicans Josh Revak and Tara Sweeney are among a field of 48 candidates running in a June 11 special primary. The four candidates who get the most votes in the special primary will advance to an Aug. 16 special election to determine who serves the remainder of Young's term, which ends in January. Young, a Republican, died last month at age 88.

Young's widow, Anne Garland Young, in a video produced by Revak's campaign, said Revak had earned Young's trust and respect and that as the man of unique integrity he is, Josh will work tirelessly and honestly for our beloved Alaska in the U.S. Congress," Alaska Public Media reported.

She said she had heard Young encourage Revak to run for the seat Young had held for 49 years, the media outlet reported. Revak, a state senator, once worked in Young's office. She said Revak told Young that out of respect for him and his legacy, he could not and would not seek Alaskas lone congressional seat, at least as long as Congressman Young was running.

Sweeney has been endorsed by the ANCSA Regional Association, which has set up a third-party group to support her bid, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The third-party group, known as a super political action committee, cannot coordinate its efforts with Sweeneys campaign.

The ANCSA Regional Association board is comprised of leaders of 12 Alaska Native regional corporations. A statement announcing the endorsement said the board's decision recognized the historic opportunity before Alaskans to elect the states first Alaska Native and female U.S. House member.

Sweeney is a former assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior and was previously an executive with Arctic Slope Regional Corp. She understands rural and urban Alaska and knows how to work effectively in Washington, D.C. and in Alaska, Kim Reitmeier, president of the ANCSA Regional Association, told the newspaper. Reitmeier did not say if the decision was unanimous.

Other candidates include Nick Begich, a co-chair of Young's 2020 reelection campaign, who launched his own campaign for the House seat last fall and has touted endorsements from Alaska Republicans and Republican organizations.

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Al Gross, an independent, announced a bipartisan campaign leadership team that includes former Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney  a Republican candidate for attorney general hoping to win over conservative voters ahead of the August primary  filed a complaint Tuesday calling on Gov. Tony Evers to remove five members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Toney said the election commissioners broke the law when they refused to send special voting deputies into nursing homes during the 2020 election, one of many longstanding charges of election malfeasance made by Republicans.

The commissions directive led to the Racine County Sheriffs Office recommending charges against the commissioners last year, saying that a lack of voting deputies led to residents with diminished cognitive abilities to vote in the election. Such voters are allowed to vote unless prohibited by a court order.

The Racine County District Attorneys Office declined to take up the charges, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The Milwaukee and Green Lake County district attorneys offices also declined to file charges, saying there was a lack of evidence that election commissioners committed a crime.

The Fond du Lac County District Attorneys Office also doesnt have jurisdiction, Toney noted. Case law and statutes requires election law violations to be filed in an offenders county of residence.

I think its important, as we see voters and members of our state who wonder why isnt Racine doing something, or why arent other offices doing something? Toney said at a press conference Tuesday at the State Capitol.

What we saw from the Wisconsin Elections Commission is they in fact went rogue, Toney said. What they did was illegal.

The commission has long contended that no crimes were committed in their directive to halt special voting deputies. The directive was made unanimously by the bipartisan commission in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic out of fear of spreading the virus to nursing homes.

State law

Under state law, clerks must attempt to send voting deputies into a nursing home twice before mailing a ballot. The commissions direction waived the requirement of two in-person attempts before mailing the ballot in response to feedback from clerks that nursing homes werent allowing deputies in because of COVID.

The commission reversed its guidance on special voting deputies in March 2021.

The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which conducted a review of the 2020 election, found that the election commission didnt follow the law in its directive to not send special voting deputies to nursing homes.

By not seeking a legal opinion from the attorney general on the directive, election commissioners broke the law since they didnt have the authority to take election powers away from the governor and the Legislature, Toney contended.

Toney also said he has not asked Republican leadership to remove their appointed members of the election commission.

Under the complaint process, the elections commission will determine if there is probable cause to refer the complaint to the district attorneys offices.

The election commission does not comment on confidential complaints, said spokesperson Riley Vetterkind.

Campaign battles

Locked into a mud-slinging campaign with former state lawmaker Adam Jarchow in the Republican primary for attorney general, Toney dismissed the idea that his complaint is a political move to boost his campaign.

Were not here to get into the politics, Toney said. The reason that this is important is to defend the integrity of our election and to make sure the public has trust in our election commission.

Toney said no one else with the Fond du Lac County District Attorneys Office worked on a complaint except a staffer who made edits.

In a statement, Jarchow called Toneys public foray into the 2020 election saga a political stunt, saying that Toney didnt pursue criminal probes into the election until becoming a candidate for attorney general.

My focus is on restoring order and keeping our citizens safe in Milwaukee, Green Bay and other places across the state where violence is out of control, Jarchow said.

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The ballots cast in the Racine Unified School District's $1 billion 30-year referendum, which passed by five votes in 2020 following a recount, will not be reviewed by an outside group, the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday.

This decision will likely allow RUSD to finally move ahead with projects put on hold while the fate of the referendum was in the hands of the courts.

With the Supreme Court ruling, it has also been affirmed that just any member of the public does not have the right to review ballots in a recount.

The group that brought the lawsuit alleged that votes were not counted properly either the first time (which found the referendum passed 16,748 votes to 16,743) or during a recount in Festival Hall (which found the referendum passed 16,715 votes to 16,710.)

Those seeking another recount  led by James Sewell of Racine, the late George Meyers, and former city aldermanic candidate Dennis Montey, with support from the local group H.O.T. (Honest, Open, Transparent) Government  had argued that fraud was committed by the Board of Canvassers, but had no evidence to back up the claim. Theres been no evidence of ballot tampering or anything of the sort present.

Sewell does not identify in his petition for review or brief precisely how the Board of Canvassers failed to follow its statutory duty in conducting the recount, he nevertheless claims error, wrote Justice Patience Roggensack, a conservative, in delivering the unanimous decision. All of the ballots were reviewed and recounted by hand in open sessions of the Board of Canvassers. Accommodations, including the use of large projection screens and moveable carts to transport ballots so that closer inspections could be made of requested ballots, were provided to participants in the recount.

Among the reasons the case was taken on by the Supreme Court was that it raised a novel argument about how recounts are to be conducted. According to state statute 7.54, In all contested election cases, the contesting parties have the right to have the ballots opened and to have all errors of the inspectors, either in counting or refusing to count any ballot, corrected by the board of canvassers or court deciding the contest. The ballots and related materials may be opened only in open session of the board of canvassers or in open court and in the presence of the official having custody of them.

Those seeking another recount argued that, since they demanded a recount in open court, one must be carried out in addition to the one carried out by the Board of Canvassers. The Supreme Court and attorneys representing RUSD disagreed. They said that since one or the other type of recount was carried out, the statute was followed.

The Supreme Court also ruled that the challenge was improperly raised since the allegations of errors were related to the Board of Canvassers that carried out the recount, but allegations of errors were not directly raised regarding the original count itself, which also found that the referendum had passed.

Today is a great day for Racine Unified students and for our entire community. We are eager to get to work creating excellent learning environments for our students! RUSD spokesperson Stacy Tapp said in an email. We will immediately begin reviewing our long-range facilities master plan and updating timelines and budgets. Much has changed in two years.

Among the edits to the districts future plans that have been instituted since the referendum passed but the challenge forced RUSD to pause have been changes to the order in which outdated schools are being closed.
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President Joe Biden was blamed as gas prices shot up earlier this year. Now that the prices are coming back down, he's getting no credit. In reality, there is little that a president can do to affect the price of oil and gas.
BEIJING (AP)  Some residents of Shanghai were allowed out of their homes as the city of 25 million eased a two-week-old shutdown Tuesday after a video posted online showed what was said to be people who ran out of food breaking into a supermarket.

About 6.6 million people can go outdoors, but some must stay in their own neighborhoods, the online news outlet The Paper reported, citing city officials. The government said some markets and pharmacies would reopen.

A health official warned Shanghai doesn't have the coronavirus under control despite easing restrictions.

The epidemic is in a period of rapid growth, said Lei Zhenglong of the National Health Commission at a news conference. Community transmission has not been effectively contained.

The abrupt closure of most businesses starting March 28 and orders to stay home left the public fuming about lack of access to food and medicine. People who test positive for the virus are forced into sprawling temporary quarantine facilities criticized by some as crowded and unsanitary.

Meanwhile, the American government announced all non-emergency U.S. government employees would be withdrawn from its Shanghai Consulate. A foreign ministry spokesman defended China's handling of the outbreak and accused Washington of politicizing its evacuation.

Also Tuesday, the government of Guangzhou, a manufacturing and trading center northwest of Hong Kong, announced a new round of virus testing for its 19 million people. Most access to the city was stopped after 27 infections were found Monday.

The unusual severity of Shanghais shutdown appeared to be driven as much by politics as by public health concerns.

The struggle in Chinas richest city is an embarrassment during a politically sensitive year when President Xi Jinping is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as leader of the ruling Communist Party.

Chinas case numbers are relatively low, but the ruling party is enforcing a zero-tolerance strategy aimed at isolating every case. Some officials have been fired for failing to act aggressively enough, which gives others an incentive to impose extreme measures.

The government reported 24,659 new cases through midnight Monday, including 23,387 with no symptoms. That included 23,346 in Shanghai, only 998 of whom had symptoms.

In Shanghai, more than 200,000 cases but no deaths have been reported in the latest wave of infections.

The government eased restrictions by announcing residents of areas with no cases for at least two weeks can leave their homes starting Tuesday. It said they could go to other areas that also had no new cases during that time but were urged to stay home when possible.

Such prevention areas have about 4.8 million people, The Paper reported, citing city officials. It said all but 500,000 of those were in less crowded suburbs.

An additional 1.8 million people in control areas with no new cases in the past week are allowed out but can't leave their neighborhoods, the report said.

Another 15 million people in quarantine areas that have had infections in the past week still are barred from leaving their homes. The report gave no indication of the status of the remaining 3.4 million people in the official population.

The shutdown of Shanghai, home of the world's busiest port and China's main stock exchange, has prompted fears manufacturing and global trade might be disrupted.

Automakers in Shanghai, a manufacturing center, have suspended or reduced production due to interruptions in supplies of components. The port's management says operations are normal, but European Union Chamber of Commerce in China has estimated the volume of cargo it handles every day has fallen 40%.

Residents complained the shutdown left them without access to food or medicine and unable to look after elderly relatives who lived alone.

The government distributed packages of vegetables and other food for a few days at least twice to some households. Others said they received nothing.

A video that circulated online Saturday showed what a caption said were people in the Songjiang district breaking into a supermarket and carrying away cartons of food.

Police denied the event occurred in Shanghai. A police statement Tuesday said the video was posted by a man in Kunshan, west of Shanghai, but not when or where it was shot. It said the man received unspecified administrative penalties for disrupting public order by fabricated facts.

The Associated Press was unable to find the source of the video or when and where it was shot.

Official plans in late March called for suspending access to districts of Shanghai for four days at a time while residents were tested. After case numbers soared, that changed to an indefinite citywide shutdown with only a few hours notice.

Despite a promise by city officials to improve food supplies, residents said online grocers often sold out early in the day or were unable to deliver. Vendors said they added hundreds of employees to speed deliveries.

The State Department last week advised Americans against travel to China due to arbitrary enforcement of laws and anti-virus restrictions. It cited a risk of parents and children being separated.

On Tuesday, a State Department statement said the U.S. government decided it is best for our employees and their families to be reduced in number due to changing circumstances on the ground.

The foreign ministry criticized the announcement and said China's anti-virus work is scientific and effective.

The United States should immediately stop attacking Chinas epidemic prevention policy, stop political manipulation with the epidemic issue and stop smearing and discrediting China, said a ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

AP video producer Liu Zheng and researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and researcher Chen Si in Shanghai contributed.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
HEYBURN  A plane crashed on top of the Gem State Processing building Wednesday morning killing the pilot.

According to the Minidoka County Sheriff dispatch, the crash was reported at 8:36 a.m.

The pilot didnt make it, Cassia County Sheriffs Lt. Kevin Horak said.

The pilot was the sole occupant in the plane, according to the Heyburn Police Department.

Horak said the plane was coming in for a landing at the Burley airport and hit a structure on the Gem State potato processing plant.

No Gem State Processing employees were injured when the plane crashed.

It was delivering mail, he said.

Federal Aviation Administration investigators are headed to the scene from Salt Lake City, Horak said.

According to the FAA website, the plane is a 2013 Cessna 208B fixed-wing single-engine turbo-prop plane. The plane is registered to Spirit Air Inc. in Salmon.

Investigators will document the scene and examine the aircraft. Part of the investigation will be to request radar data, weather information, air traffic control communication, airplane maintenance records and the pilots medical records. NTSB investigators will look at the human, machine and the environment as the outline of the investigation, Holloway said.

At this early stage of an investigation, NTSB does not state a cause but will only provide factual information when available, said National Transportation Safety Board Spokesperson Keith Holloway.

A preliminary report will be available in about 12 business days, and it can take up to two years before a probable cause and final reports are available.

The Heyburn Police Department was dispatched to the scene along with the Cassia County and Minidoka County sheriffs offices. Minidoka County Fire Protection District, North Cassia Fire and Burley Fire Department along with emergency medical services from Rupert also responded to the scene.

The crash is under investigation by the FAA in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board, which is reviewing statements from witnesses and additional evidence to determine the cause of the crash.

The City of Heyburn sends its condolences to the family of the pilot, the aviation company and to the Gem State Processing family during this difficult time, Heyburn Police Chief Ryan Bertalotto said in a statement.

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The Maryland Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected a challenge to a General Assembly-approved map of state legislative districts that multiple lawsuits from Republican politicians and voters contended violated provisions of the states constitution.

The ruling allows the new districts for electing members of the General Assembly to go into effect for the July 19 primary elections without further delay. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to appear on the ballot is Friday at 9 p.m.

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The plaintiffs primarily alleged that about a dozen districts on the map are irregularly shaped or weave across rivers or county lines in a way that violates provisions in the state constitution. The constitution calls for legislative districts to be compact and for lawmakers to respect natural geographic boundaries and the borders of political subdivisions, like counties or cities, while drawing the maps.

But Alan M. Wilner, a retired Court of Appeals judge appointed to oversee the case, had recommended in a lengthy report filed last week upholding the General Assemblys maps and rejecting the Republican lawsuits. Wilner had heard extensive expert testimony about the maps during a two-day hearing in late March.

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His recommendation was considered by the appeals court before it ruled after a Wednesday hearing.

In his recommendation, Wilner wrote that compactness is clearly an important element and, in some instances, may be dispositive because of its nexus to gerrymandering. But it is not the only element, and historically has been regarded as being subject to other considerations.

Those considerations, he wrote, include ensuring districts have equal populations and comply with the federal Voting Rights Act barring election-related discrimination.

One group of plaintiffs included Republican state delegates Mark Fisher of Calvert County, Nic Kipke of Anne Arundel County and Kathy Szeliga, who represents parts of Harford and Baltimore counties. Other challenges, including another filed by state lawmakers, were heard simultaneously.

Those Republican delegates and others accused Democrats, who controlled the redistricting process and hold wide majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, of skewing the map to give their party an advantage in elections.

Fair Maps Maryland, an advocacy group aligned with plaintiffs in the case, had challenged Wilners conclusion, but the high court disagreed, finding the map consistent with the requirements of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland.

The court issued a five-page order and said it will give its reasons later in an opinion.

Maryland history will not remember this day kindly, Doug Mayer, spokesman for Fair Maps, said in a statement issued Wednesday evening. The idea that the same toxic process that produced the unconstitutional congressional map also produced a constitutional legislative map is inconceivable.

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We appreciate the Court of Appeals recognizing the General Assembly followed the Maryland and U.S. Constitutions when drawing a new state map, House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson said in a joint statement. Democracy has been well served today.

About four hours before Wednesdays ruling was made public, the lawyers seeking to overturn the new legislative districts appeared before the Court of Appeals to ask that it reject Wilners recommendations and strike down the map. A panel of seven judges heard the case, one via video.

A victory in the legal challenges, would have forced a hasty redrawing of the electoral lines and could have upended plans for Marylands already delayed primary.

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Elections officials had warned in a legal filing on Monday that a Court of Appeals decision throwing out the legislative maps would leave them too little time to implement any changes before the July primary. The State Board of Elections also warned that postponing the primary later than Aug. 16 would endanger plans for the Nov. 8 general election.

During the arguments, which lasted 2 1/2 hours, three sets of lawyers suing to overturn the maps reiterated their contentions that Democratic lawmakers ran afoul of the state constitution while crafting the boundaries.

Two of the lawsuits, taken together, pointed to about a dozen districts drawn for seats in the House of Delegates, contending lines that stretch into odd shapes, jump over rivers without a bridge, or cross county borders should be deemed illegal. Another lawsuit challenged Marylands long-standing practice of using a mix of smaller single- and larger multimember districts for the House of Delegates, saying it treats voters represented by a single delegate unfairly.

Assistant Attorney General Ann Sheridan, who defended the maps on behalf of the legislature, countered that the mandate for map drawers to give due regard to boundaries like county and city lines is just one of several competing requirements. Sheridan said the legal challengers hadnt offered enough proof that lawmakers overstepped when crafting the map.

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Sheridan repeatedly pointed to the General Assembly districts drawn in 2002 by the Court of Appeals after it struck down maps proposed by Democratic Gov. Parris Glendening. That map, which Sheridan said was drawn without partisan political influence and strictly followed constitutional requirements, included a number of oddly shaped districts that crossed county lines. It also used a mix of multi- and single-member districts.

Maryland Policy & Politics Weekdays Keep up to date with Maryland politics, elections and important decisions made by federal, state and local government officials. >

Sheridan contended that the map approved by the General Assembly in December was largely based on district lines crafted in 2012 that withstood repeated legal challenges, with most changes necessitated by population changes in different parts of the state.

Maryland Republicans had scored separate a legal victory earlier this year in legal challenges to proposal new congressional district lines, also approved by the General Assembly, that would have strengthened the Democratic Partys hold on seven of the states eight U.S. House seats.

Judge Lynne A. Battaglia, a retired Court of Appeals judge appointed to handle those cases, struck down that map as unconstitutional and called it extreme partisan gerrymandering by Democrats.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, a Democrat, initially planned to appeal Battaglias decision, but dropped the appeal after Republican Gov. Larry Hogan agreed to sign off on another congressional map passed by Democrats in the General Assembly. The final map appears to still favor Democrats, but gives Republicans a much better shot at holding one congressional seat and possibly challenging for another.

Battaglia was a judge on the Court of Appeals in 2002 when it struck down the General Assemblys legislative map and crafted its own. Getty, the current chief judge, was a Republican state delegate at the time and was among the plaintiffs behind the successful lawsuit.

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Maryland has 47 state senators, each having their own district, and 141 delegates.

Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Barker and Emily Opilo contributed to this article.
VERNON, France (AP)  Far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Tuesday described France as a nation that would put its peoples voices at the center of the political process if she is elected president in 12 days.

Le Pen, a solid nationalist, faces centrist President Emmanuel Macron in a presidential runoff on April 24. He placed first and Le Pen second in Sundays first-round presidential vote that eliminated 10 other candidates. Both Le Pen and Macron are now aggressively campaigning to win an election that could upend Frances system of governance and Europes dynamics should Le Pen be victorious.

In a dramatic change, new laws could be passed or old laws modified in a referendum proposed by citizens, with conditions such as 500,000 signatures backing the proposal . Such a system was demanded two years ago by the sometimes violent yellow vest movement for social and economic justice that challenged Macron's government as being too business-friendly.

In Sundays first round of voting for the country's next president, the far-right, including Le Pen and two other parties, together won 32% of the vote, compared to Macrons 27.8% support, although he was the top individual candidate. Still, that means far-right voters can be expected to factor into Frances political future not just in the next two weeks, but for years, even if Le Pen loses.

Le Pen also wants two-thirds of the 577 seats in France's lower house of parliament to be allotted by the proportional system to better reflect voters' choices. Her anti-immigration National Rally party currently holds 8 seats.

Le Pen claimed that democracy would be the main beneficiary of these changes, giving citizens who represent what she calls the France of the forgotten a say in how they are governed.

Having referendums can contribute to France's democratic culture, Le Pen said Tuesday at a news conference in the Normandy town of Vernon. A small crowd of local opponents cried Facist! while supporters shouted back Marine, president! as she left the hotel to meet the press.

During my mandate, I count on consulting the only expert that Emmanuel Macron never consulted the people, Le Pen said.

Le Pen would also return the French presidency to a seven-year non-renewable mandate, instead of the current five-year term that can be renewed once.

"I want to be the president who gives back the people their voice in their own country, she said.

The French Constitution would have to be revised to make possible the referendum concept possible, and vital subjects like nuclear power could not be put to a vote.

Also needing a constitutional change would be Le Pens plan, if elected, to ban Islamic headscarves in French streets. That's a big step further than current laws, which ban headscarves in classrooms since 2004 and face-coverings in the streets since 2010. With an estimated 5 million Muslims in France, headscarves are commonly worn by many Muslim women.

We must leave no space, not a thumb space, for Islamists, Le Pen said, adding that she wants to liberate French Muslim women from the yoke of radicals.

France has faced several deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in the past decade, including the 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 people dead.

Follow all AP stories on France's 2022 presidential election at https://apnews.com/french-election-2022.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Washington, D.C.  Agriculture plays a central role in many of Idahos communities and accounts for nearly 20 percent of our states economy. Idahos 2nd Congressional District contributes the 13th largest supply of total agricultural products to market and boasts the second most valuable dairy industry of any congressional district. Southern and Eastern Idahos contributions to feeding our country and our world cannot be overstated.

I have used my time in Congress to support producers, ranchers, and agricultural communities whenever I can. In the 117th Congress, I have succeeded in protecting Idaho agriculture from federal overreach and have used my role on the House Appropriations Committee to champion several important Idaho priorities and provisions that look after Western interests.

During the Obama Administration, I repeatedly used my role as the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, and my membership on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee to block the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from expanding their regulatory jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA). I heard consistent concerns from farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and many others about the extremely broad definition of the waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the CWA. While I support the goal of ensuring a clean water supply for our nation, I remain deeply concerned that the Biden Administration is working to expand the definition of WOTUS once again at the expense of our rural communities. I will continue to work to block any federal overreach on WOTUS, to bring certainty and predictability to all those who depend on it.

I have also used my role on the Subcommittee on Interior and Environment to prevent an Endangered Species Act listing of the greater sage grouse. An ESA listing for the sage grouse would undermine the collaborative work being done to manage sage grouse habitats at a local level by the individuals who work, live, and recreate on Idahos land, and I fought hard to restore a listing prohibition again in the fiscal year 2022 (FY2022) spending bill that was recently signed into law. Preventing an ESA listing for the greater sage grouse ultimately gives Idahoans the control they need to manage their land, and I am proud to support measures that achieve that end.

I also secured direct funding for Idaho in the fiscal year 2022 spending bill through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process. This funding will go directly to worthy Idaho projects aimed at sustaining Southern and Eastern Idahos role as a major agricultural leader.

After the Obama Administration threatened to shut down the Dubois sheep center, I worked with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to block this action. Last year, I secured $4.2 million to improve the decades old infrastructure and ensure the long-term success of the station. This station is a critical facility providing unique research for the sheep industry in the West. Because of its location and expertise, researchers at the sheep station in Dubois are conducting research that no other facility can do, including studying the impacts of interactions between domestic animals and wildlife.

I also secured funding for the establishment of the Idaho Grain & Ag Center. The Center will receive $787,000 to develop a hub for research collaboration, a promotional component, sufficient meeting space to bring large groups together, and technology to connect with growers around the state and the nation. The Center, which will sit adjacent to the Idaho Statehouse, will solidify the importance of agriculture to the state, be a model of innovative public-private partnerships, and serve all of rural Idaho.

The last project that I was able to secure funding for is the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch field station at the University of Idaho. Located in Hailey, the field station will provide:

Hands on learning for public, postsecondary, and K-12 education groups;

Scientific equipment and space for research demonstrations on livestock grazing and sage grouse management, cattle management and wildlife friendly fencing, water quantity and quality conservation, and techniques to combat invasive annual grasses and associated wildfire; and

Upgraded telecommunications systems to facilitate classroom connectivity and research training.

The field station will enhance workforce training in Idaho by providing opportunities for high school and community college students to pursue postsecondary education. It will also provide demonstration of best practices for integrating working rangelands with conservation interests in the Western United States.

Whether it be delisting wolves, making sure Idaho interests were represented in various Farm Bills or the USMCA, I am proud of the work I have done with and for Idaho agriculture. As the 117th Congress progresses, I will continue to fight for the needs of producers, ranchers, and agricultural communities.

U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson represents Idahos 2nd District.

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This legislative session, the North Carolina House has passed numerous bills to support those who serve and protect our communities. From firefighters and paramedics to law enforcement and correctional officers, we have made it a priority to ensure that they have the resources and funding they need and deserve.

Now more than ever, we need to stand up for law enforcement officers. While some politicians push to defund the police, we are working to further support, train and equip these brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

Sadly, one issue many law enforcement officers face today is mental health illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 1 in 4 police officers have thoughts of suicide at some point in their life.

That is why we passed into law, House Bill 436, which expands access to mental health resources for law enforcement officers by increasing and improving wellness training, support, and screenings.

Furthermore, many first responders experience horrible scenes and events which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). House Bill 492 helps address that by allowing first responders, whether a law enforcement officer, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, paramedic, or emergency medical technician, to receive workers compensation benefits for PTSD.

With so many first responders suffering from mental illness due to experiences at their job, making sure they receive compensation for both mental and physical injuries is critically important.

To that end, the state legislature created a new $7.5 million assistance program in the budget to help firefighters diagnosed with work-related cancers. We also passed House Bill 355, which bans toxic firefighting foam that has been linked to cancer.

Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. These provisions will provide additional protections for firefighters, as well as support should they face a cancer diagnosis due to their service.

With violence against police officers on the rise over the past few years, it is important we do more to protect those who keep our communities safe.

According to the FBI, there was a 51 percent increase in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty from January 2021 to September 2021. In 2020, over 60,100 law enforcement officers nationwide were assaulted while performing their duties. Many times, their equipment is also targeted and damaged.

That is why we approved House Bill 36 to increase the punishment for firing at an emergency vehicle and House Bill 761 to enhance penalties for breaking into a law enforcement vehicle. We also passed House Bill 418 to make it a crime to threaten to hurt, harm, or kill an officer.

Lastly, we approved House Bill 805 to impose stronger penalties for those who engage in violent protests. The First Amendment guarantees the right to peacefully protest  but that does not include rioting, looting, and destroying property.

As legislators, we have a duty to support those who are on the frontlines responding to emergencies and keeping our communities. Rest assured, we will continue to stand up for our North Carolina law enforcement officers, first responders and firefighters.

Rep. Dudley Greene serves the citizens of Avery, McDowell, and Mitchell counties. He is a former Sheriff of McDowell County. Rep. John Bell is the North Carolina House Majority Leader. He represents Greene, Johnston, and Wayne counties.
Shrimp Nation, the largest seafood restaurant chain in Saudi Arabia, plans to open its first branches in the UAE with an investment value of AED 10 million ($2.72 million), Trade Arabia reports.

We are delighted to expand and open branches in the UAE as well as other countries in the Middle East, as part of our short-term expansion plan. We believe that the UAE offers one of the best and most dynamic economic environments where we will be able to prosper and open more branches over the few coming years, Mohammed Belal Abualizz, CEO said on the plans.

As a rapidly-growing seafood chain in the region, the main force behind our success is our experienced and passionate employees who continuously strive to provide our customers with fresh and tasty seafood delights while ensuring exceptional customer experiences.

The restaurant brand is a Saudi Arabian chain that specializes in seafood recipes. It offers seafood dishes inspired from a number of cuisines including the French, Spanish, West African and American.

Apart from the UAE, the expansion also includes Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt.
Somalias first all-womens radio and television station has opened in the capital, Mogadishu. Bilan Media, which is supported by the United Nations, will produce content to address womens issues and advocate for womens rights in what is considered a conservative country.

The launch of Bilan Media marks another step forward in womens efforts to secure their place in Somalias patriarchal public arena.

Bilan means light and bright in Somali. For the founders, it is about shedding light on the most important issues affecting women.

According to Nasrin Mohamed Ibrahim, the editor-in-chief of Bilan Media, the project is designed to overcome the many challenges facing the womens community.

She says the new channel will focus on news and features about women. In Somalias conservative society, issues such as rape, sexual assault and womens medical problems are often ignored, she says.
In northeastern DRC, the last members of the presidential task force who have been held hostage by the Codeco armed group for more than two months are now free. Former warlords Thomas Lubanga and Floribert Ndjabu, respectively coordinator and deputy coordinator of the team of emissaries sent to Ituri to negotiate a cease-fire with the militiamen, have been released. The circumstances of this end of the ordeal remained unclear until Thomas Lubanga spoke personally.

We were in a bottleneck. There was no way out for us because of the bids that were put up on us by our captors. We were trophies for our captors with which they could blackmail us as much as they wanted and for months, said Thomas Lubanga after his release. At the foot of a hill in the town of Lopa, several dozen kilometers from the capital Bunia, he was welcomed by the army and his family.

A total of eight members of the presidential task force were taken hostage on February 16 by fighters from the armed group Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codeco). The delegation included former warlords Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga  once convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in the early 2000s  Floribert Ndjabu, Professor Jean-Baptiste Dhechuvi, Janvier Ayendu Bin Ekwale, two Congolese army colonels and the groups driver. The first hostage, Professor Jean-Baptiste Dhechuvi, was released on March 21, followed by three others, including General Germain Katanga, on April 4.

Thomas Lubanga assured that their release, on Monday at around two oclock, had been made possible thanks to perfect coordination of our armed forces with the colonels who were (hostage) with us. We have benefited from professional guidance from the operational sector, the Republican Guard. It is a liberation of warriors, of bravery, Mr. Lubanga added before being rushed to the capital Kinshasa in the early afternoon with members of the task force of which he is the coordinator.

The militia was demanding an end to the state of siege, the release of prisoners and an amnesty. Several dozen detainees believed to be Codeco fighters were released by Congolese authorities in Bunia in late March in exchange for the release of the first four hostages.

Ituri and the neighboring province of North Kivu have been under siege for eleven months. The measure has so far failed to end the abuses of armed groups in the region. Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, heading a strong government delegation, began a five-day visit to the region on Monday to assess the measure, which has been criticized by the opposition and civil society.
A farmers wife breastfeeds her baby while two other women give water to a child from a pitcher. From The Five Senses Series by Fredrick Bloemaert, after Abraham Bloemaert, 1632-1670. Credit: Frederick Bloemaert (printmaker), Abraham Bloemaert (designer), Nicolaes Visscher (I) (publisher), image from Rijks Museum, Public Domain (creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

A 19th century rural Dutch village had unusually low rates of breastfeeding, likely because mothers were busy working, according to a study published April 13, 2022 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Andrea L. Waters-Rist of the University of Western Ontario and colleagues.

Artificial feeding of infants, as opposed to breastfeeding, is considered a fairly modern practice, much rarer before the advent of commercially available alternatives to breast milk. However, studies of past populations in Europe have found that breastfeeding practices can vary significantly with regional cultural variation. In this study, researchers examine a 19th century dairy farming rural village in the Netherlands to explore factors linked to lower rates of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding leaves its mark in the bones of infants in the form of altered ratios of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. In this study, researchers tested isotopic signatures in the remains of 277 individuals, including nearly 90 infants and children, from Beemster, North Holland. They found little to no evidence of breastfeeding, surprising given that this community exhibits features commonly associated with breastfeeding communities of the time, such as a Protestant population of moderate socioeconomic status, and mothers commonly working in or near the home.

Since other evidence indicates that mothers in 19th century Beemster were commonly working as dairy farmers, the researchers suspect that a high workload and a ready supply of cow's milk as an alternative infant food source were important factors contributing to these low rates of breastfeeding. At a few urban archaeological sites, mothers who worked long factory shifts have been found to have low rates of breastfeeding, but a similar phenomenon has not been found in a rural population until now. Future study on more sites will help elucidate how regional cultural practices impacted rates of breastfeeding over time, and in turn, how these factors have impacted infant health over recent centuries.

The authors add: "Artificial feeding of infants is not just a recent phenomenon. Female dairy farmers from 19th century Netherlands chose to not breastfeed, or to wean their infants at a young age, because of the availability of fresh cow's milk and high demands on female labor."

Explore further Practices supporting breastfeeding help moms achieve goals

More information: Isotopic reconstruction of short to absent breastfeeding in a 19th century rural Dutch community, PLoS ONE (2022). Journal information: PLoS ONE Isotopic reconstruction of short to absent breastfeeding in a 19th century rural Dutch community,(2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265821
Children and their caregivers arrive for school in New York, Monday, March 7, 2022. The Biden administration will extend for two weeks the nationwide mask requirement for public transit as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was set to extend the order, which was to expire on April 18, by two weeks to monitor for any observable increase in severe virus outcomes as cases rise in parts of the country. Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File

The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is extending the nationwide mask requirement for airplanes and public transit for 15 days as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was extending the order, which was set to expire on April 18, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.

"In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC order will remain in place at this time," the agency said in a statement.

When the Transportation Security Administration, which enforces the rule for planes, buses, trains and transit hubs, extended the requirement last month, it said the CDC had been hoping to roll out a more flexible masking strategy that would have replaced the nationwide requirement.

The mask mandate is the most visible vestige of government restrictions to control the pandemic, and possibly the most controversial. A surge of abusive and sometimes violent incidents on airplanes has been attributed mostly to disputes over mask-wearing.

Separately, the Biden administration also extended for 90 days a public health emergency that has been in effect since early 2020. That allows temporary continuation of a range of public health measures that do have broad support, from more generous Medicaid coverage to flexibility around telehealth.

The mask requirement for travelers was the target of months of lobbying from the airlines, who sought to kill it. The carriers argued that effective air filters on modern planes make transmission of the virus during a flight highly unlikely. Republicans in Congress also fought to kill the mandate.

Critics have seized on the fact that states have rolled back rules requiring masks in restaurants, stores and other indoor settings, and yet COVID-19 cases have fallen sharply since the omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

"It is very difficult to understand why masks are still required on airplanes, but not needed in crowded bars and restaurants; in packed sports arenas; in schools full of children; or at large indoor political gatherings," Nicholas Calio, the CEO of industry trade group Airlines for America, said Wednesday in a letter to the heads of the CDC and the Health and Human Services Department. "Simply put, an extension of the mask mandate does not make sense."

A person wearing a face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walks in Philadelphia, Feb. 16, 2022. The Biden administration will extend for two weeks the nationwide mask requirement for public transit as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was set to extend the order, which was to expire on April 18, by two weeks to monitor for any observable increase in severe virus outcomes as cases rise in parts of the country. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, FILE

There has been a slight increase in cases in recent weeks, with daily confirmed cases nationwide rising from about 25,000 per day to more than 30,000. More than 85% of those cases are the highly contagious BA.2 strain. Those figures could be an undercount since many people now test positive on at-home tests that are not reported to public health agencies.

Severe illnesses and deaths tend to lag infections by several weeks. The CDC is awaiting indications of whether the increase in cases correlates to a rise in adverse outcomes before announcing a less restrictive mask policy for travel.

A poll in mid-March by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Americans are evenly divided over keeping the mask rule for transportation.

The poll found that 51% wanted the mandate to expire and 48% said it should remain in placein effect, a tie, given the poll's margin of error. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the rule, and Republicans were even more united in opposing it. Vaccinated people and those with chronic health conditions favored keeping the rule, but by smaller margins.

Airlines imposed their own mask mandates in 2020, when the Trump administration declined to take action. Unions representing flight attendants, which once backed mask rules, now decline to take a position because their members are divided over the issue.

It is unclear whether eliminating the rule would make people more or less likely to travel on planes or subways.

Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Air Lines, said that some people might start flying if they don't have to wear a mask, and others might stop flying if other passengers are unmasked. He called both groups "fringe," and he predicted that many people will continue to wear masks even if the rule is dropped.

As for the broader public health emergency just extended by the Department of Health and Human Services, the administration has promised to give states 60 days' notice before ending it.

Winding down the emergency declaration could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid recipients to find new sources of coverage, require congressional action to preserve broad telehealth access for Medicare enrollees, and scramble special COVID-19 rules and payment policies for hospitals, doctors and insurers. There are also questions about how emergency use approvals for COVID-19 treatments will be handled.

Explore further US extends mask rule for travel while weighing new approach

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Image of the ultrastructural morphology exhibited by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Credit: CDC

Many patients recover from COVID within a week or two, but at least one in five experience persistent or new symptoms more than four weeks after first being diagnosed.

Long COVID is a growing concern. But we still don't have a clear definition and there are insufficient data to provide a trajectory or a timeline for how long it lingers. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has proposed a working definition: "Signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID-19 but continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. It usually presents with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which can fluctuate and change over time and can affect any system in the body."

Although some symptoms resolve over time, others persist or re-emerge. There are many individuals with symptoms lasting 12 months or longer.

Downstream damage can affect the brain, heart, lungs, pancreas (causing diabetes) and other organs. However, we know that vaccination is protective against long COVID, whether given before or after the initial infection and illness.

On average, the risk is higher for people with more severe disease, but many develop long COVID after a mild initial illness. Long COVID is more common in women than men, but there is no consistent relationship with age. Although the initial viral illness is more severe for older people, this is not true for long COVID.

Long Covid in New Zealand: Sufferers warn of virus' long-term impacts https://t.co/v5bDM0mXZ2  Crawford Kilian (@Crof) April 8, 2022

Common symptoms of long COVID

Most studies show a general pattern of higher prevalence of long COVID for people with more severe illness. The estimates of prevalence range from from 19% to 57%, with one outlier at more than 80%.

The three largest cohort studies place it at 19% to 30%, showing long COVID is common enough to be a major public-health threat, independently of acute COVID.

It is becoming increasingly clear that long COVID is much more than a collection of symptoms. Rather, it is a recognisable clinical syndrome (or set of syndromes) with well described underlying pathology.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can contribute to long COVID in a variety of ways. It can cause direct damage to tissue as well as microscopic blood clots, which sometimes result in deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke.

The immune system can itself cause damage when it begins to attack normal tissue or produce a cytokine storm. All of these effects are seen in COVID-related brain damage, which is likely to be the result of infection, microclots, lack of oxygen and an activated immune response.

Impacts on the brain and heart

A study across 62 healthcare organisations reported that, among almost 250,000 patients with COVID, 33.6% were diagnosed with neurologic and psychiatric conditions in the following six months, with 12.8% being new-onset conditions. For ICU patients, the comparable estimates were 46.4% and 25.8%.

Specific outcomes included stroke, Parkinson's, dementia, anxiety and psychosis. A large study of US veterans reported elevated risk of anxiety and depression. Studies in the UK and China established evidence of cognitive decline, again related to the severity of the initial illness.

A brain-imaging study in the UK involved participants who were initially scanned pre-infection, making it possible to see clearly the timeline of changes. The COVID-affected group showed damage to brain tissue and an overall reduction in brain size compared with those who had not been infectedchanges that occurred with even relatively mild infection.

The most comprehensive study of cardiovascular complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection involved a cohort of more than 150,000 US veterans and more than 11 million controls. It revealed an elevated risk of new-onset stroke, heart arrhythmia, pericarditis and myocarditis, ischaemic heart disease and clotting disorders.

As with the brain, risks and burdens were evident even among individuals who were not hospitalised with acute infection and increased in graded fashion across non-hospitalised, hospitalised and intensive care. Other studies have shown inflammatory changes in the heart and markedly reduced oxygen supply to both blood and tissue.

Long COVID affects lungs and other organs

COVID can result in prolonged changes in both the lung blood supply and immune system, which may produce lethal lung disease and seems likely to cause persistent lung damage in those who recover.

A meta-analysis of eight studies with more than 3,700 patients reported 14.4% of those hospitalised with COVID developed diabetes. Patients with pre-existing type 2 diabetes are already at higher risk, but this provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can cause new-onset diabetes.

The virus can also damage muscles, which plausibly explains the very common symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain. Immune abnormalities probably contribute to the chronic inflammatory aspects of long COVID. Kidney damage occurs early during long COVID, particularly among those with respiratory failure. Clots in small blood vessels can cause erectile dysfunction.

Long COVID in children

Post-acute effects have been described in all infectious childhood diseases and COVID is no exception. It is useful to consider the persistent effects of COVID in children in three main groups:

multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a rare but severe syndrome that occurs from two to five weeks after the initial illness

longer-term symptoms grouped under the umbrella term of long COVID, with similar symptoms to adults

tissue-level damage (heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain) that may be silent during childhood but cause chronic disease in later life.

LongCovidKids is an international charity supporting children and their families with #longcovid. With New Zealand's Omicron we expect there to be more children suffering from #longcovid so #longcovidkidsnz is being established as part of the wider group. 1/n  Long Covid Kids New Zealand (@LCKNewZealand) April 9, 2022

Minimising harm from long COVID

Prevention measures currently in place are not enough, given what we now know about the full population impact of widespread COVID infection. Prevalence is much less clear in children but the impacts of the pandemic could potentially last decades. Damage to tissues that may be undetected in childhood could emerge as chronic disease as the pandemic generation ages.

We now have a good sense of the services we need in Aotearoa for long-COVID patients.

There is strong and consistent evidence that vaccination protects against long COVID. However, recurrent infections with Omicron (and any future variants) suggest we need a "vaccine plus" approach while we wait for universal, sterilizing vaccines.

Public-health measures such as mask wearing remain highly protective because they are effective for all variants. But most of all, New Zealand urgently needs to deliver a high standard of air quality in all indoor settings, especially schools. These vital protections against airborne viruses are essential to ensure New Zealand can safely navigate the remainder of the pandemic without generating a long shadow of chronic disease.

Explore further Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Images at 600x magnification showing: healthy lung tissue with open alveoli (left); severe SARS-CoV-2 infection with tissue damage and immune cells (center); visibly reduced level of destruction and improved gas exchange following combination therapy (right). Credit: FU Berlin l Judith Bushe / Anne Vo

There is a steadily growing arsenal of drugs for COVID-19. Researchers from Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and Freie Universitat (FU) Berlin have studied the mechanisms of action of antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs. Their findings, which have been published in Molecular Therapy, show that treatment effects were best with combination therapy involving both types of drugs. This treatment regimen also had the additional benefit of increasing the time window available for antibody therapy.

SARS-CoV-2 infections continue to result in hospitalizations. According to estimates by the Robert Koch Institute, the current COVID-19 hospitalization rate is approximately six to seven per 100,000 of the resident population. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients now have access to a range of drugs that can reduce the severity of the disease, or in the most severe cases, reduce the risk of death. Some of these drugs target the virus itself; others fight the inflammation associated with infection.

First-line treatments include monoclonal antibodies and dexamethasone, a drug with strong anti-inflammatory properties. Antibody treatments neutralize the virus by sticking to the surface of its spike protein, preventing it from entering human cells. This type of treatment is used within seven days after symptom onset. Hospitalized COVID-19 patients who require oxygen therapy usually receive dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid, which has been used for approximately 60 years to treat inflammatory conditions caused by an overactive immune response. In COVID-19, too, the drug has been shown to reliably dampen the body's inflammatory response. However, as the drug is associated with various side effects, including an increased risk of fungal infections, it should only be used in a specific and targeted manner.

Researchers from Charite, the MDC's Berlin Institute of Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB) and FU Berlin have now studied the mechanisms of action of both types of treatment. "We uncovered evidence to suggest that combination therapy of antibodies and dexamethasone is more effective than either of these treatments alone," says first author Dr. Emanuel Wyler, a researcher at the BIMSB's RNA Biology and Posttranscriptional Regulation research group, which is led by Prof. Dr. Markus Landthaler.

As not all lung compartments can be studied using lung tissue samples obtained from patients, the research group's first step last year was to search for a suitable model. That task fell to co-last author Dr. Jakob Trimpert, a veterinarian and research group leader at the FU Berlin's Institute of Virology, who subsequently developed COVID-19 hamster models. As animals which both contract the same virus variants as humans and develop similar disease symptoms, hamsters have proven the most important non-transgenic model for the study of COVID-19. Symptoms and progression, however, vary between different species of hamster. While symptoms usually remain moderate in Syrian hamsters, for example, Roborovski hamsters will develop severe disease reminiscent of that seen in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care.

"In the current study, we tested the effects of single and combined antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapies for COVID-19, meaning we used the existing models with monoclonal antibodies, dexamethasone, or a combination of the two," explains Dr. Trimpert. The FU Berlin's veterinary pathologists then examined infected lung tissue under a microscope to establish the extent of lung tissue damage. Dr. Trimpert and his team also determined the quantities of infectious virus and viral RNA present in the tissues at various time points. This enabled the researchers to check whether and how viral activity might change over the course of treatment. "Thanks to a detailed analysis of various COVID-19 parameters, which is only possible in an animal model, we were able to improve our understanding of the basic mechanisms of action of two important COVID-19 drugs. Moreover, we found clear evidence of the potential benefits associated with a combination therapy of monoclonal antibodies and dexamethasone," says Dr. Trimpert.

Using single-cell analyses, the researchers demonstrated the drugs' effects on the complex interplay of various cellular signaling pathways and the number of immune cells present. Individual cells obtained from a particular sample were loaded onto a chip, where they were first barcoded and then encapsulated into minute droplets of aqueous fluid. Once prepared, the single cells underwent RNA sequencing, a process used to establish the sequence of genetic building blocks that a cell has just read. Thanks to barcoding, this RNA is later identifiable as originating from a particular cell, enabling the researchers to determine cellular function at the single-cell level with a high degree of accuracy.

"We were able to observe that the antibodies are effective at reducing the amount of virus present," explains Dr. Wyler, adding, "This was not much use in our model, though." This is because it is not the virus that damages the lung tissue, but the strong inflammatory response triggered by the virus. The immune cells fighting the invading pathogens release messenger substances to call in reinforcements. When these defensive forces arrive in large numbers, the lungs can become clogged. "Obstructed blood vessels and unstable vessel walls can subsequently result in acute lung failure," explains Dr. Wyler.

A surprise came in the shape of the well-known drug dexamethasone. "This anti-inflammatory exerts a particularly strong effect on a specific kind of immune cell known as neutrophils," says the study's co-last author Dr. Geraldine Nouailles, Research Group Leader at Charite's Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell responsible for mounting a prompt response to viral and bacterial infections. "The corticosteroid preparation suppresses the immune system and prevents the neutrophils from producing messenger substances which would attract other immune cells," explains Dr. Nouailles. She continues, "This makes the drug extremely effective at preventing an escalation of the immune response."

The best treatment outcomes were achieved when the researchers administered a combination of antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatments. "This type of combination therapy is not included in existing clinical guidelines," emphasizes Dr. Nouailles. "What is more, current guidance stipulates that, in high-risk patients, antibody therapy can only be given in the first seven days following symptom onset. In clinical practice, dexamethasone is only used once a patient requires oxygen therapy, i.e., at an extremely advanced stage of the disease. Its use in combination, however, opens entirely new treatment time windows." This new approach must now be evaluated in clinical trials before it can be adopted in clinical practice.

Explore further Understanding lung damage in patients with COVID-19

More information: Emanuel Wyler et al, Key benefits of dexamethasone and antibody treatment in COVID-19 hamster models revealed by single-cell transcriptomics, Molecular Therapy (2022). Journal information: Molecular Therapy Emanuel Wyler et al, Key benefits of dexamethasone and antibody treatment in COVID-19 hamster models revealed by single-cell transcriptomics,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.03.014
GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday said it had agreed to buy US group Sierra Oncology, a specialist in medicines for rare forms of cancer, for $1.9 billion as the British drugs giant restructures.

The purchase, worth the equivalent of 1.7 billion euros, aims to support the development of new medicines alongside Sierra's bone marrow cancer treatment Momelotinib.

The deal, set to be completed this year, represents a near 40-percent premium to Sierra's closing share price on Tuesday, GlaxoSmithKline said in a statement.

Momelotinib could help address the "significant unmet medical needs" of patients with the blood cancer myelofibrosis and anaemia, said GSK chief commercial officer Luke Miels.

"With this proposed acquisition, we have the opportunity to potentially bring meaningful new benefits to patients and further strengthen our portfolio of specialty medicines," he added.

The acquisition comes as chief executive Emma Walmsley seeks to reshape GSK after she faced fierce investor criticism over the company's delay in producing COVID jabs and treatments.

Activist investors have slammed GSK over its failure to swiftly produce a successful COVID vaccine, in contrast to Anglo-Swedish rival AstraZeneca.

GSK is in the process of demerging its consumer healthcare arm Haleona joint venture with US peer Pfizerto concentrate on its main pharmaceutical business.

After rejecting a bid worth 50-billion ($65 billion) for the unit from consumer goods titan Unilever, GSK plans to list the newly-named Haleon on the London stock market.

The division's products include Sensodyne toothpaste, pain relief drug Panadol and cold treatment Theraflu.

Explore further Drugmaker GSK names healthcare spinoff Haleon

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New research led by the University of Aberdeen has shown that poverty is already affecting the growth of unborn babies from as early as mid-way through pregnancy.

This is the first time that size differences have been found at such an early stage of development, and also the first time it has been compared across continents.

The multi-national study gathered details of ante-natal and birth size and related it to household income. The results showed that across the countries studied, babies were smaller at birth if they came from a lower income household and this discrepant size was already apparent at 20 weeks gestation.

The negative health outcomes associated with smaller size before and at birth are already known; these include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, asthma, ADHD and early death.

This study, which is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, related poverty to birth and pre-natal size while accounting for other factors including mother's age, height, number of other children and smoking.

In collaboration with colleagues around the world, the researchers analyzed data from around 22,000 individuals from nations including Scotland, England, Saudi Arabia, U.S., Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Sweden and France.

Professor Steve Turner who led the study explains: "There is a well-recognized health inequality where quality and duration of life are lower among the most poor. This divide is present both within and between countries.

"What this study shows is that the inequality, as seen by reduced size in fetal life, is present long before birth and this poverty gap widens between twenty weeks gestation and birth.

"Basically, regardless of whether you live in Saudi, the US or Europe, and accounting for things that might affect fetal growth, if your parents are poor you will be smaller before birth and at birth compared to if your parents were not poor. This is problematic as small size before and after birth puts an individual at increased risk for many serious illnesses in later life."

The authors hope that this study will encourage healthcare providers to recognize the health risks associated with lower income for mothers and their unborn children, and to provide more support and guidance to mitigate the risks.

Professor Turner adds: "We suggest that the mechanisms that drive this inequity may be explained by pregnant mothers from poor households having difficulty in accessing or engaging with antenatal care.

"We would like to see healthcare providers around the world strive to increase engagement with pregnant mothers living in poverty. This engagement will reward all of society by putting unborn children on a trajectory to a longer and healthier lives."

Explore further Worldwide study reveals air pollution link to unborn baby growth

More information: Steve Turner et al, Household income, fetal size and birth weight: an analysis of eight populations, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2022). Journal information: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Steve Turner et al, Household income, fetal size and birth weight: an analysis of eight populations,(2022). DOI: 10.1136/jech-2021-218112
O-GlcNAc glycosylation (alarm hand) senses helminth infection, activates STAT6 (hammer), and in turn alarms immune cells via cytokine secretion. Credit: Artwork by Lan-Tao Gou.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people are infected with parasitic helminths worldwide, but the prevention and treatment of helminth infection remain challenging. Research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School looked at if exposure to pathogens, in particular helminths, can stimulate the immune system and reduce predisposition for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

"We know that intestinal epithelial cells are first responders to invading gut parasites, through secreting cytokines that alarms and guides immune cells for worm expulsion," said Hai-Bin Ruan, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the U of M Medical School. "We found that a unique glycosylation within epithelial cells, termed as O-GlcNAcylation, can be activated during helminth infections to orchestrate alarmin secretion and facilitate anti-helminth immune responses."

There is a growing interest in the use of helminth therapy for IBD, but clinical data have been inconclusive and the direct use of helminths has obvious safety and efficacy concerns. A greater understanding of host defense mechanisms against helminths is essential for the development of effective and safe treatments for intestinal infections and inflammation.

Published in Immunity, the study found that:

O-GlcNAc glycosylation modifies and activates the STAT6 protein, a master transcriptional regulator of the type 2 anti-helminth immunity;

STAT6 O-GlcNAcylation in epithelial cells alarms immune cells by instructing intestinal stem cells to make more "tuft cells" and epithelial cells to form membrane pores (composed of GSDMC proteins) to meditate alarmin cytokines; and,

GSDMC is induced and activated in IBD preclinical models.

"Our study established a novel post translational regulatory switch to turn on epithelial alarmin responses to fight helminth infections," said Ruan.

The research team plans to investigate how O-GlcNAc glycosylation is activated by helminth infections and how GSDMC protein is cleaved to form active membrane pores in human IBD in the future.

Explore further Host-microbe interactions in the gut

More information: Ming Zhao et al, Epithelial STAT6 O-GlcNAcylation drives a concerted anti-helminth alarmin response dependent on tuft cell hyperplasia and Gasdermin C, Immunity (2022). Journal information: Immunity Ming Zhao et al, Epithelial STAT6 O-GlcNAcylation drives a concerted anti-helminth alarmin response dependent on tuft cell hyperplasia and Gasdermin C,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.03.009
In a recent study, Dr Matt McCrary and his colleagues revealed that repeatedly engaging with music has a real, tangible positive impact on our overall health. Credit: Shutterstock

What's your favorite genre of music? Do you prefer Bach over Metallica? Or perhaps David Bowie is more your jam than Ed Sheeran?

When it comes to the most impactful music in terms of health and well-being, does genre matter? Not really, according to current research. There is clear evidence that listening to the music you like can help improve your mood and decrease anxiety, for example.

Dr. Matt McCrary from UNSW Medicine & Health says engaging with musicwhich includes listening to music, playing an instrument or singingelicits an emotional response, which also has a physiologic component.

"The specific 'hows' and 'whys' regarding music's ability to elicit this emotional response is still the topic of much debate but it appears to be related to the creation of an emotional connection between musicians, who create sound with an emotional intention, and listeners, who receive this emotional information," explains Dr. McCrary, who is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW Sydney.

Dr. McCrary says the physiologic implications of this emotional response are a broad activation of many brain regions and autonomic nervous system activationspecifically, of the "fight or flight" (sympathetic) response during most music engagement, followed by increased "rest and digest" (parasympathetic) activity after the music stops.

"My working hypothesis is that repeatedly engaging with music and eliciting these autonomic nervous system activation patterns increases our ability to respond effectively to stress, which in turn improves our overall health and well-being."

And coming back to whether you prefer contemporary pop, heavy metal or classical music, there is currently no evidence to support whether a particular genre is better than another, just as long as it's music you enjoy.

"The most impactful music on health and well-being appears to be the music that you like the most, as playing and listening to it corresponds to the strongest emotional and physiologic response. For some, this may be classical music, and for others, it may be heavy metal," says Dr. McCrary.

Interestingly, engaging with music elicits similar autonomic nervous system activation patterns that we experience when participating in exercise. However, Dr. McCrary says the magnitude of these responses to music is of a lower amplitude when compared to exercise.

In a recent paper published in JAMA Network Open, Dr. McCrary and his colleagues revealed that repeatedly engaging with musicwhich could be listening to music, playing an instrument, or singinghas a real, tangible positive impact on our overall health. This tangible positive impact of music appears to be about half the impact of the positive health effects of regular exercise.

"This study provides the first quantitative evidence of clinically significant improvements in well-being and health-related quality of life associated with music engagement. Additionally, by focusing on studies that used the SF-36the most widely used short-form health surveythis analysis enabled the magnitude of the impacts of music interventions to be compared and contextualized for the first time against established interventions such as exercise and weight loss."

Based on the findings of the study, Dr. McCrary says he was pleasantly surprised to find the impact of music interventions is, on average, tangible, quantifiable, and statistically and clinically significant.

"The most exciting thing about these results is the insights they provide into the potential impact of music on our overall health. For example, exercise is associated with the prevention of 1.6 million annual deaths. If music can have half this impact, we're looking at the prevention of 800,000 annual avoidable deaths. So, the potential here is exciting if we can figure out how to target and maximize music's effects," explains Dr. McCrary.

"Previous systematic reviews used narrative methods to synthesize the broad range of, often conflicting, results regarding music's health impact. This is to say, this study aimed to be very direct and quantitative, taking a 'cold,' impartial approach to music's effects, and I wasn't sure that the impact of music on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) would be quantifiably significant."

The researchers acknowledge that the individual variation in results is broad, meaning the impact of engaging with music at an individual level is still unclear. The analysis also couldn't provide any insights into how to optimize music "prescriptions," for example how long or often to engage with music.

"The practical implication of these limitations is that, while we now have a better sense of the average impact of music interventions, much more work needs to be done to enable music to be reliably prescribed for maximum health benefits in a given individual."

Dr. McCrary says the next big step to realizing music's health potential is the creation of a framework to enable music's health effects to be reliably prescribed across individuals.

"This framework has been developed theoretically, adapting key insights from the development of reliable exercise prescriptions. The immediate next step is to empirically test this prescription framework and see if it can consistently produce positive health outcomes in various real-world settings, for example clinical rehabilitation and public health programs. The aim is to begin doing it by the end of this year."

In the words of the great Swedish supergroup ABBA, thank you for the music.

Explore further Cold chills and aggression: Recent study examines responses to aversive music

More information: J. Matt McCrary et al, Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life, JAMA Network Open (2022). J. Matt McCrary et al, Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life,(2022). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3236 J. Matt McCrary et al, Mechanisms of Music Impact: Autonomic Tone and the Physical Activity Roadmap to Advancing Understanding and Evidence-Based Policy, Frontiers in Psychology (2021). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.727231 Journal information: Frontiers in Psychology , JAMA Network Open
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A COVID-19 vaccine effective against multiple variants is possible before the end of 2022, the head of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said Wednesday.

Chairman Albert Bourla said the firm was also working on producing a vaccine that could provide good protection for a whole year, meaning people would come back annually for boosters, as with influenza shots.

"I hope, clearly by autumn... that we could have a vaccine" that worked against not only the dominant Omicron but all known variants, he said.

"It is a possibility that we have it by then. It is not a certainty," he told a media briefing organized by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) big pharma lobby group.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is one of the most effective against COVID-19.

Though, like other jabs, it has seen waning effectiveness against the now-dominant Omicron variant of the virus, it still offers strong protection against serious disease, hospitalization and death.

IFPMA director general Thomas Cueni said the world had to learn to live with the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, saying: "We are beyond the time when you can eradicate SARS-CoV-2."

Bourla said there was a risk of vaccine fatigue, predicting that few people who have so far declined the chance to be vaccinated would change their minds, and suggesting that fewer people would come back for fourth doses than came forward for a third, booster dose.

"What the world really needs is a vaccine that will last a year. I think this is what will become the optimal public health solution," he said.

"It's way more easy to be administered and have the population be compliant with that.

"It is very challenging, technically, to do it with this virusbut we are working on it."

IP waiver plan blasted

The World Health Organization is aware of 153 COVID-19 vaccines that have been in clinical developmenttested on humansand 196 in pre-clinical development.

But so far, the UN health agency has only authorized eight vaccines and versions thereof: those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Bharat Biotech and Novavax.

The IFPMA briefing condemned suggestions that intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines should be temporarily lifted during the pandemic, in a bid to increase production.

"I'm stunned that the proposed IP waiver is still debated while supplies are far outstripping demand," said Cueni.

With more than a billion vaccine doses being produced every month, Eli Lilly chairman David Ricks called it "a solution looking for a problem", while Bourla branded the idea "insane".

In a later WHO press conference, the UN health agency's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the vaccine supply situation had dramatically improved in recent months.

The problem, she said, was more one of logistics and getting doses into arms in countries, especially in Africa, where only 13 percent have been fully jabbed.

"We are able to now supply as many doses as countries want, on demand, to them. The issue now really is on delivery," she said.

Explore further Vaccine supply outstrips demand, access inequity remains

 2022 AFP
At the ETH AI Center, Alexander Marx tackles medical questions in data science. The purpose is to bring together theory and practice. Credit: ETH Zurich / Nicola Pitaro

Data contains much more than just the information on the surface. With statistics, deeper cause-and-effect relationships can be brought to light. This is what Alexander Marx is researching as a Fellow at the ETH AI Center using artificial intelligence. One of his goals is to be able to make predictions regarding diabetes in children.

In diabetics, hypoglycemia usually doesn't occur randomly, just as a stock market price doesn't crash for no reason. That means both are also predictable, at least theoretically. In practice, however, such forecasts have so far succeeded only in the rarest of cases. But if Alexander Marx's project is successful, that will change for children with type 1 diabetes. "We're working on predictive models that can detect early on if there is a risk of hypoglycemia during the night," explains the ETH AI Center Fellow, adding: "When children engage in vigorous physical activity during the day, their blood glucose levels can drop below a critical threshold while they sleep. With a reliable forecasting model, this risk could be avoided."

Bringing cause-and-effect networks to light

Marx is exploring this hypothesis as part of Julia Vogt's Medical Data Science Group. "I come from more of a theoretical background and have worked mostly with artificially generated data. The AI Center's purpose is to bring together theory and practice, which I find exciting. I now have to make my theoretical concepts work with real data."

Marx acquired his academic credentials at Saarland University in Saarbrucken, Germany. After completing a Master's degree in bioinformatics, he stayed on there to write his doctoral thesis at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics. His thesis examined causal discoverystatistical methods that can be used to create causal graphs from observational data, which make cause-and-effect networks visible.

Deriving predictions from correlations

One way to apply these methods is to use survey data to identify all factors that are suspected of having an effect on a particular variable. A general example would be how a person's income depends on their age, place of residence, gender, education, marital status or number of children. Based on the correlations found, predictions can then be made for individuals who were not surveyed. Marx clarifies that to do this, it's not even necessary to define the entire dependency chains; it's enough to elicit the smallest set of factors required to make a prediction.

From synthetic data to clinical reality

With the help of artificial intelligence based on simulated data, Marx used these methods to study how the activities of about 500 selected genes in a human cell are related. Ideally, these methods can be scaled up in the future to include all of a cell's 25,000 or so genes. Such computer analyses of gene networks would easily and quickly provide biological and medical research with a comprehensive understanding of the processes that take place in a cell. Achieving this through laboratory experiments would require enormous effort, as the scientists would have to switch off each gene individually using genetic engineering tools and then measure how this affects the activity of all the other genes.

For the projects Marx is tackling at the AI Center, he needs to take causal discovery methods to a new level of complexity. Instead of using full observational data sets or synthetic data, as with gene expression, he now works with real data from clinical practice. This makes the task markedly more difficult, as he soon found out: "In reality, individual pieces of information, measurements, or entire data sets are often missing, and how the data is collected also always differs from hospital to hospital and sometimes even from physician to physician."

Eliminating irrelevant correlations

The clinical data that Marx analyzes for his prediction model in collaboration with physicians at the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) includes time series of pulse rate and blood glucose levels, as well as information on physical activities, caloric intake, insulin injections and sleep quality. It's then a matter of filtering the data to exclude any correlations from the model that are not related to the research question.

If the forecasts for a treating physician are to be robust and comprehensible, the number of factors must be kept as low as possible. Either way, it is too early to predict whether the model will be successful in practice: "With our project, we are venturing into areas that we haven't mastered yet with the methods available."

Nature, mountains and climbing in community

In any case, the young researcher has got off to a successful start in Zurich. "When I first came here in the autumn, I felt at home very quickly. The city is very beautiful and the mountains are really close by," he says. A passionate rock climber, Marx particularly likes being so close to nature, especially the mountains. "Climbing lets me switch off and focus my attention completely on the grips. There's also the climbing communityI like to do things together with other people." In Saarbrucken, he was far away from the mountains and so mainly did bouldering indoors. Now that he's based in Zurich, he's looking forward to being able to visit alpine terrain more often.

Extraordinarily international and interdisciplinary

Marx likes the AI Center just as much as he likes the city of Zurich and its surroundings: "The Center is extraordinarily international. There's also a great variety of subject areas. It's impressive and inspiring to be able to have peer-to-peer discussions with leading authorities from different scientific disciplines as a normal part of the daily routine."

The AI Center's interdisciplinary character is not limited to social interaction, however. Alongside bioinformatician Julia Vogt, Marx has a co-mentor in Peter Buhlmann, who specializes in high-dimensional statistics. These can be used to examine data sets in which many attributes are associated with each object. This includes the diabetes data that Marx analyzes. In addition, there is also an established collaboration with the Biomedical Informatics Group led by Gunnar Ratsch, who conducts research at the interface of machine learning and bioinformatics.

Learning from different data sources

Marx himself is active in multiple subject areas. He has another project in which he explores what's known as multimodal learning. Here, the goal is to find commonalities in data from different sources. For example, he combines results from positron emission tomography (PET), which produces a 3D visualization of anomalies in tissue metabolism, with results from X-ray-based computed tomography (CT), which reveals density anomalies in layers of tissue.

A combination of the analysis of the two imaging methods, automated by machine learning, could drive major advances in tumor diagnostics. The vision is an AI system that finds the commonalities in the two data sets and applies them to issue reliable diagnoses and prognoses.

First experience as a lecturer

At the moment, Marx is looking forward to his first lecture course, which he will give this coming Summer Semester together with colleagues from the AI Center. "I've always enjoyed working with students, and the Master's students at ETH are at a very advanced level. The discussions always generate input that I hadn't considered myself," Marx says. His fellowship thus allows him not just to hone his scientific skills, but also to gain initial experience as a lecturer.

Marx doesn't yet want to venture any concrete predictions about his own future, saying: "After my first experiences here, I'm confident that my time at ETH will prepare me excellently for both career optionsacademia and industry."

Explore further Spatial scientists use satellite technology to detect andeventuallyprevent genocide
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New developments in technology may provide tools to help patients and health care providers make cost-informed decisions and connect patients to additional resources if they cannot afford their prescribed medications, say University of Michigan researchers.

A pair of new U-M studies uncovers the barriers that both patients and providers face in understanding the costs for prescription medications and medical tests. Health care costs in the United States are continuing to creep upwards, with out-of-pocket spending for patients increasing about 5% in 2019 alone.

Additionally, costs are a major barrier to people taking their medications as prescribed, and high out-of-pocket costs are associated with prescription abandonment at the pharmacy. These issues are more pronounced in people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

This struggle is familiar to many families, including Tiffany Veinot, associate dean and professor at the U-M School of Information.

"When I was young, I had a family member who couldn't get medications for months for a progressive health condition because of financial difficulties," she said. "He suffered greatly."

Veinot has spent her career working in health informatics and health equity. But this personal connection spurred her new research into how health care practitioners can address affordability issues for patientsand how patients can have more information about costs and have more input into cost-related decisions.

The U-M scholars teamed up with researchers at the Health Services and Informatics Lab at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. The Mirro Center is part of Parkview Health, a health care system serving northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio, which also funded U-M students to work on the project.

The research team, which also included U-M doctoral students Olivia Richards and Karalyn Kiessling, doctoral graduate Bradley Iott, and Parkview staff looked at how out-of-pocket costs were communicated, both from the health care provider and patient side. Their research is published in the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association and JAMIA Open.

Parkview sought to improve their responses to social needssuch as issues with financial challenges, food security or transportation or social support networksthat affect patient well-being, Veinot said.

In interviews with patients and health care providers, the research team asked what sorts of conversations were happening between providers and patients around the costs of medications and tests, particularly while still in the office. Specifically, they wanted to understand the barriers to having these open discussions.

"Cost conversations don't necessarily happen and we were trying to understand why," said Richards, who worked with patient interview data.

The interviewers asked patients if they were willing to share personal information with their providers regarding issues like income troubles or medical debt, which can affect their ability to pay for care.

These in-depth conversations do take place in some settings, but currently they tend to be reserved for serious illnesses like cancer, said Kiessling, who worked on the topic from the providers perspective.

"You might have that conversation more about a chronic illness like diabetes as well because treatment is expensive," she said, adding that there is a desire from both patients and providers to have these conversations more often.

The researchers uncovered that patients were willing to share information on their social needs, but often felt like cost conversations weren't always happening at the right time.

"Patients would look up at the clock, and think "I don't think there's time for me to explain that I had a death in my family, I had to take four buses to get here, I don't know if I can come back in two weeks," or whatever the situation might be," Richards said.

In addition to a lack of conversation, patients often faced a "cascade of work" on their part to address financial hardships once they got a prescription. Richards described a litany of tasks ranging from traveling on multiple buses to the pharmacy, to having circular conversations between pharmacies, insurers, and physicians.

"There's harm being caused by the way the system works right now. It's not really designed in a patient-centered way," said Veinot, adding that there is an intense social cost for some patients. "It can be very embarrassing for people to get to the pharmacy, and then suddenly they have to refuse a prescription because they can't afford it."

Practitioners also struggled with a lack of information and communication about potential hardships. Even when social needs information was collected, it wasn't always available for practitioners to access.

Kiessling said that there are issues with the information being buried in the health records, permission problems with software and lack of information sharing within a health system. There was also a general lack of information on medical costs for providers that was accurate, and tailored to a specific patients' insurance plan and other financial considerations.

Veinot said providing clear costs for medicine and testing could be tackled from a policy angle or an information-sharing system or both. New laws could make health care costs more transparent, but changing policy requires political will and can take years. She said focusing on improving information tools that help bridge the information gap may help to address this problem in the present, even as policy change is sought.

"Technology can act as a bridge to assist in this process," Kiessling said.

They are looking at information-based tools that would identify patients facing affordability challenges, provide cost comparisons for providers and patients, streamline medication assistance referral systems, and provide decision aids to facilitate cost conversations.

Explore further Kids with complex conditions often lack adequate in-network care

More information: Olivia K Richards et al, "It's a mess sometimes": patient perspectives on provider responses to healthcare costs, and how informatics interventions can help support cost-sensitive care decisions, Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (2022). Olivia K Richards et al, "It's a mess sometimes": patient perspectives on provider responses to healthcare costs, and how informatics interventions can help support cost-sensitive care decisions,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac010 Karalyn A Kiessling et al, Health informatics interventions to minimize out-of-pocket medication costs for patients: what providers want, JAMIA Open (2022). DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac007 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Credit: CDC

Meningitis vaccines could help improve protection against gonorrhea amid rising cases globally and increasing bacterial resistance to drugs used to treat the infection, according to findings from three linked papers published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which, if untreated, can lead to serious health conditions, including infertility in women, transmission to newborn babies, and increased risk of HIV. More than 80 million new cases of gonorrhea were recorded worldwide in 2020.

Declining effectiveness of drug treatments for the bacteria responsibleNeisseria gonorrhoeaeand the lack of a licensed vaccine to prevent the infection have raised concerns about the possibility that gonorrhea may become more resistant to treatment, or even untreatable, in future.

Meningitis vaccines have been recommended by the WHO as part of its roadmap to reduce the global burden of meningitis. This includes offering meningitis vaccines as part of routine childhood immunization strategies. Since meningitis vaccines have become more widely available, studies have shown they also offer some protection against gonorrhea, and that even partial protection could reduce cases of the infection considerably. However, questions have remained about the impacts and effectiveness of using meningitis vaccines against gonorrhea.

In 2016, the WHO set a target to reduce gonorrhea incidences by 90% by 2030, however an effective vaccine has yet to be developed. The three studies suggest that the 4CMenB vaccine may offer significant protection to young adults, and to men who have sex with men who might be at higher risk of infection.

Meningitis vaccine 4CMenB provides 40% protection against gonorrhea

An observational study led by Dr. Winston Abara, of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, used health records to identify laboratory-confirmed cases of gonorrhea and chlamydiaanother leading STIamong 1623-year-olds in New York City, NY and Philadelphia, PA, from 20162018. These cases were compared with immunization records to determine people's vaccination status with 4CMenBwhich is licensed for use against meningitisat the time of infection.

There were more than 167,000 infections (18,099 gonorrhea, 124,876 chlamydia, and 24,731 co-infections) among almost 110,000 people. A total of 7,692 people had received the 4CMenB vaccine, with 4,032 (52%) receiving one dose, 3,596 (47%) two doses, and 64 (less than 1%) more than two doses. Full 4CMenB vaccinationreceiving two doseswas estimated to provide 40% protection against gonorrhea. One vaccine dose provided 26% protection.

Dr. Winston Abara said: "Our findings suggest that meningitis vaccines that are even only moderately effective at protecting against gonorrhea could have a major impact on prevention and control of the disease. Clinical trials focused on the use of 4CMenB against gonorrhea are needed to better understand its protective effects and could also offer important insights towards the development of a vaccine specifically for gonorrhea."

The authors acknowledge some limitations. The findings may not be generalisable to wider groups because the data used were from people aged 1623 years in two large urban settings in the U.S.. Additionally, use of surveillance data means it is possible some participants' infection and vaccination status were misclassified, affecting the analysis.

Two-dose course of 4CMenB is 33% effective against gonorrhea in adolescents and young adults

South Australia's ongoing 4CMenB vaccination program is the most extensive globally, initially involving infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with a continuing state-funded program for infants and adolescents. In an observational study led by Professor Helen Marshall, of the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide, researchers assessed the effectiveness of 4CMenB against meningitis and gonorrhea as part of an infant, child and adolescent vaccination program.

The authors analyzed meningitis and gonorrhea infection data held by the Communicable Disease Control Branch, and 4CMenB vaccination records from the Australian Immunization Register. To estimate the effectiveness of 4CMenB against gonorrhea, patients diagnosed with chlamydia acted as controls because of similar sexual behavioral risks reported in patients with either infection.More than 53,000 adolescents and young adults received at least one dose of 4CMenB during the vaccination program's first two years. As well as being highly effective against meningococcal B meningitis and sepsis, in adolescents and young adults a two-dose course of 4CMenB was 33% effective against gonorrhea

Professor Helen Marshall said: "While recent studies have provided evidence that 4CMenB vaccination is associated with reduced risk of gonorrhea, the vaccine was only offered to adolescents and young adults for short periods. The unprecedented scale of South Australia's 4CMenB vaccination program offers valuable real-world evidence of the vaccine's effectiveness against meningococcal B meningitis in children and adolescents, and gonorrhea in adolescents and young people. This information is vital to inform global meningitis vaccination programs and policy decisions."

The authors acknowledge some limitations. While a meaningful reduction in the rate of gonorrhea among adolescents and young adults was not observed, this was likely due to small case numbers in this age group. The reported effectiveness of 4CMenB against gonorrhea is consistent with other studies. Co-infections of gonorrhea and chlamydia may play an important role in disease spread and severity, but factors associated with rates of co-infections are not well understood. However, the analysis shows 4CMenB effectiveness was similar whether co-infections were included or not.

Writing in a linked Comment on both observational studies, Professor Jason Ong, Dr. Magnus Unemo, Annabelle Choong, Victor Zhao, and Dr. Eric Chow, who were not involved in the studies, highlight key measures to adopt while efforts to develop a gonorrhea vaccine continue: "In the meantime, we must continue to strengthen prevention efforts, improve access to early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment (index cases and sexual contacts), ensure quality-assured global surveillance systems to inform treatment guidelines, and invest in rapid, reliable point-of-care tests (for detection of N gonorrhoeae and its antimicrobial resistance) and the development of novel therapeutic antimicrobials."

Vaccination based on infection risk could prevent 110,000 cases in England and save 8 million over 10 years

Until now, no study has assessed both the health impact and cost-effectiveness of using a vaccine to avert gonorrhea infections.

A modeling study led by Professor Peter White, Imperial College London, UK, is the first analysis of the health and economic effects of using a vaccine to protect against gonorrhea that accounts for its impact on future rates of infection.

A simulation model was developed to compare three realistic vaccination approaches among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in England: vaccination of all men attending sexual health clinics; vaccination following a confirmed gonorrhea diagnosis; or vaccination based on risk of infection.

Based on their analysis and a balance of cases prevented vs the cost of vaccination, the authors recommend vaccinating MSM at highest risk of gonorrhea infection with 4CMenB, which would prevent an estimated 110,000 cases and save 8 million over 10 years.

Professor Peter White said: "With a gonorrhea-specific vaccine likely to take years to develop, a key question for policymakers is whether the meningitis vaccine 4CMenB should be used against gonorrhea infection. Our analysis suggests that giving the vaccine to those at the greatest risk of infection is the most cost-effective way to avert large numbers of cases."

The authors explain that their estimation of the benefit of using 4CMenB to protect against gonorrhea is conservative. Due to a lack of data at the time of the study, it was assumed a first vaccine dose offers no protection so only those who received a second dose were protected; however, the study by Abara and colleagues suggests one dose offers some protection, increasing the benefit of vaccination. Additionally, vaccination will reduce the future impacts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)which are likely to be substantialmeaning that vaccination would be even more beneficial than currently estimated, but further studies are needed to assess the potential future burden of AMR.

Writing in a linked Comment, Dr. Mingwang Shen and Dr. Lei Zhang, who were not involved in the study, highlight the significance of the findings reported by Professor Peter White and colleagues, saying: "The key message of the study is that vaccination using the 4CMenB vaccine according to the risk of the targeted MSM population is likely to be cost-effective, even if the vaccine were to have a relatively low efficacy and a short duration of protection. Such a strategy should be recommended and rolled out in a high-income country setting such as England."

Explore further Meningococcus B vaccine prevents disease with 79 per cent effectiveness in under-18s

More information: Winston E Abara et al, Effectiveness of a serogroup B outer membrane vesicle meningococcal vaccine against gonorrhoea: a retrospective observational study, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2022). Winston E Abara et al, Effectiveness of a serogroup B outer membrane vesicle meningococcal vaccine against gonorrhoea: a retrospective observational study,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00812-4 Bing Wang et al, Effectiveness and impact of the 4CMenB vaccine against invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea in an infant, child, and adolescent programme: an observational cohort and case-control study, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2022). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00754-4 Lilith K Whittles et al, Public health impact and cost-effectiveness of gonorrhoea vaccination: an integrated transmission-dynamic health-economic modelling analysis, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2022). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00744-1 Journal information: Lancet Infectious Diseases
Credit: Shutterstock

Several Australian states have used mandates to drive up COVID vaccination rates. Governments justified the mandates on the basis of preventing the spread of disease and protecting the vulnerable.

Now many states are rolling back these mandates, with Queensland removing the requirement to show you're vaccinated before entering cafes, pubs, galleries and other public spaces from tomorrow.

It would be nice to think that when mandates have served their purpose, they can be removed. In practice, removing mandates may affect public attitudes about the importance of vaccination and the likelihood of getting boosters.

Remind me, what were the mandates?

Public space mandates involve governments mandating that venues (such as restaurants, libraries and sporting venues) check individuals' vaccination status and exclude the unvaccinated. This is facilitated by vaccine passports and certificates.

Government employment mandates involve governments requiring workers in specific industries to be vaccinated. Businesses and organisations may also implement their own policies requiring the vaccination of their staff, their clients, or both.

Most states and territories embraced public space mandates and all have required vaccination of aged and health-care workers.

But many are on their way out. NSW eased its requirements last year. South Australia has recently revoked mandates for police, teachers and transport workers. Queensland's new policy is noted above.

Victoria, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory are sitting with their existing requirements for now.

What could happen next?

It's unclear what impact removing vaccine mandates will have in Australia. However, we can learn from other public health measures and COVID vaccine mandates implemented overseas.

Seat-belt laws converted a government requirement into a widespread social norm. Car manufacturers reinforced the norm with vehicles that beep at us when we don't comply.

But just because something has become habitual doesn't mean we can lose the law. If governments removed the seat-belt law now and expected us to comply because we are informed, educated, and socialised, some people would still conclude that seat belts are no longer important. Removal of a requirement can send a bad message.

The Italian government learned this when the region of Veneto suspended childhood vaccine mandates for four childhood vaccines in 2007. Officials thought the region's wealthy and educated population would continue to vaccinate their children if the regional government provided strong education and messaging.

They were wrong. Their strategy worked until there was a national vaccine scare in 2012. Vaccination rates in Veneto plummeted faster than anywhere else in the country.

Eventually, the national government mandated more vaccines for the whole country.

Other countries have already experimented with introducing, removing, and sometimes re-introducing mandates. Some, such as Austria and the United Kingdom, have flip-flopped, providing little opportunity to study the impact of their mandates' introduction or removal.

Israel, which vaccinated its population promptly with Pfizer to the envy of the world, used a "public space" mandate (with an opt-out of a negative COVID test). The mandate has been switched on and off depending on the disease situation at the time.

Unfortunately, Israelis' uptake of subsequent doses has dropped over time, but its government still ended the mandate in February.

Mandates are also not without risks and costs. They can provoke reactance, making those who are reluctant to vaccinate more determined not to do so. They may also prompt activism against vaccines and mandates.

High vaccination rates help contain COVID

One of the biggest challenges is nobody knows what the next phase of COVID will look like. Neither infection nor the current vaccines provide long-lasting immunity. We don't know whether the next strain will continue the trajectory towards less serious symptoms started by Omicron (and helped by high vaccination rates).

Whether we continue to be able to stay on top of COVID and whether the disease continues to remain less severe in most people infected will depend on maintaining high vaccination coverage rates.

Governments across the nation and the world have struggled to get third doses into populations at the same level and with the same enthusiasm people showed towards the first two.

Uptake in paediatric populations is also lagging in Australiaand there are no mandates.

Now adults are being asked to prepare for and accept our fourth doses.

Australia's vaccination roll-out has plateaued, with booster rates remaining sluggish and uptake for kids shots all but stalled. The government is now asking at-risk Australians to get a fourth dose of the vaccine.@JulieLeask https://t.co/BYtLn1wCW0  RN Breakfast (@RNBreakfast) April 6, 2022

Leading the way

Western Australia has one of the highest rates of uptake in the country, with 76.7% of people aged over 16 triple dosed. This compares with the national average of 52.3%.

It's no coincidence the state's employment mandates, which cover 75% of the workforce, require workers have their third dose within a month of becoming eligible.

The WA mandate did not contain three doses to begin with, but it was very easy for the government to build it in.

Faced with rolling back the mandate or keeping it operational for the fourth dose, the government will have to grapple with whether the population continues to support these measuresand there are definitely people who reluctantly accepted two doses and are not prepared to keep having more.

WA's public space mandate only covers two doses for now.

WA's COVID vaccination experience has shown that mandates, including for third doses, drive high levels of uptake, and are easy for governments to implement.

However, much of the rest of Australia is moving in an opposite direction to WA in removing its mandates.

As we live through the continued natural experiment of living with COVIDand not allowing it to defeat uswe now move into a new phase of making sense of what to do with the policy instruments governments used.

Explore further Study examines attitudes to vaccine mandates

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Hemodialysis treatment can be efficient at replacing some lost kidney function, but patients can experience complications and side-effects. Credit: Shutterstock

Around one in 10 Canadians has kidney disease and millions more are at risk. According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the number of people living with end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure has grown 35 percent since 2009, with 46 percent of new patients under the age of 65.

Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for kidney failure patients to clean and filter their blood of waste products, salts and excess fluid. However, this membrane-based therapy is not perfect, and hemodialysis patients experience acute side-effects, life-threatening chronic conditions and unacceptably high morbidity and mortality rates.

While hemodialysis treatment can be efficient at replacing some lost kidney function, patients experience some complications such as blood clots, heart conditions, cardiac arrest, blood poisoning, anemia, high/low blood pressure, bone diseases, itching, sleep problems, heart inflammation, fluid overload, infections and muscle cramps.

As a membrane science researcher, I am working on creating hemodialysis membranes that are more compatible with the human body than current membranes. My short-term aim is to achieve reduced patient side-effects and increase quality of life.

My long-term goal is to design an artificial wearable kidney based on a membrane with greatly improved performance compared to those in use in hospitals today. This is the only research program in Canada to address key problems associated with dialysis membranes.

In a hemodialysis session, a patients blood is diverted to a machine to remove waste products and excess fluid. Credit: Shutterstock

Problems and challenges with hemodialysis

First, dialysis treatment is expensive, costing the Canadian health-care system more than $100,000 per patient per year. And while it does prolong life, it presents a number of challenges.

In a hemodialysis session, a patient's blood is diverted to a machine to remove waste products and excess fluid. A typical patient requires three dialysis sessions per week, each taking four to five hours, so even mild interactions between a patient's blood and the dialysis membrane may lead to big problems over time.

Because the membranes in use today cannot perfectly mimic the function of a healthy kidney, some toxins can be poorly filtered from the blood, new ones can arise from blood-membrane interactions and blood clotting can occur.

The five-year survival rate for hemodialysis patients is 35 percent, and only 25 percent for hemodialysis patients with diabetes; both values are considerably worse than the five-year survival rate for cancer patients of approximately 64 percent.

Additional kidney failure patients are now requiring treatment as more than 30 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 develop kidney injury. Some studies in Canada showed that around 54 percent of the Canadian patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 developed acute kidney injury. Although the rates of acute kidney injury have fallen from the early months of the pandemic, high-risk patients should have their kidney function and fluid status monitored closely.

Amira Abdelrasoul uses Canadian Light Source synchrotron to get answers to several key questions about hemodialysis. Credit: Amira Abdelrasoul

Research program progress

My research group is working on creating hemodialysis membranes that are more compatible with the human body than current membranes. The first step was to conduct in-depth investigations of the membranes available in Canadian hospitals to determine how patient side-effects are related to the characteristics of the membranes and the clinical practices employed. We are getting answers to several key questions and taking steps towards new designs and new membrane materials.

Innovative imaging techniques available at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron at the University of Saskatoon have allowed my team to visualize and track the behaviour and deposits of blood proteins inside the membrane channels. This is important because these protein deposits can bring about severe inflammation and are undesirable. Imaging at the CLS allows real-time 3D visualization at high speeds.

We are currently using customized gold nanoparticles to label and track specific blood proteins, which have different shapes and sizes, through the filtration process. This is a huge advance over other imaging techniques that only allow us to see the top layer of the membrane.

We can now monitor the flow at every layer of both new and existing hemodialysis membranes, which means we can assess protein deposits on the dialysis membrane surface, accumulation and blockage of the membrane pores at all points in the process.

Photo A, showing protein deposit on current clinical membranes. Credit: Amira Abdelrasoul, Author provided

Using advanced software, the 3D images we obtain are being converted into valuable models that can predict how these blood proteins behave when they interact with different types of membranes. These models also enable us to understand when, how and why proteins accumulate and block the membranes for different clinical conditions.

Impact for patients

We are using this information to provide doctors with tools to optimize clinical practice and minimize the patients' side-effects. For example, one recent study was the first to be able to predict the inflammation that patients may experience after a dialysis session.

Photo B shows significantly lower protein deposits on newly developed membranes. Credit: Amira Abdelrasoul

Importantly, we are using all of this information to develop new membranes that better mimic the filtration ability of a healthy kidney. Again using gold nanoparticles to track blood proteins, imaging techniques at the CLS show the amount of attachment on current clinical membranes (Photo A) is greater than on membranes we developed with our new coating (Photo B).

The information from all of our studies is being integrated to allow us to tune membrane characteristics for individual patient characteristics, which directly works towards our goal of improving patient quality of life.

The results of our work will reduce acute side-effects and life-threatening chronic conditions, and increase the quality of life and survival of the millions of people who suffer from kidney failure.

Explore further A new coating to protect kidney failure patients on dialysis

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Bond was set at $100,000 for a Hamilton man arrested on suspicion of trying to have sex with two minor teenagers.

Tucker S. Neville, 27, faces four felony charges of sexual abuse of children. If convicted, Neville could receive multiple 100-year prison terms.

Last November, authorities set up a fake social media profile for a 13-year-old girl. They received messages from an account belonging to Neville.

In their communications, the fake girl told Neville her age immediately. Neville responded saying "(I don't care) about age but the law does," according to Missoula County charging documents.

The two messaged for several days. Correspondence started becoming sexual, with Neville pressing the girl about various sexual activities and asking for photos, court documents read. Throughout their conversations, Neville expressed concern about the girl being underage and getting caught.

"I know (it's) wrong because you are younger. I just don't wanna get in trouble," one message reportedly said. Neville expressed interest in meeting up with the girl when he got back to Montana.

Law enforcement set up a second profile of another fictitious 13-year-old in February. Her profile made contact with Neville and told him she was friends with the first teenager. He asked the second girl if she wanted to "join" in sexual activities with the other girl, according to charging documents.

Several times Neville became frustrated with what he saw as a lack of consistent communication from both girls.

In early April, Neville initiated meeting up with the two, saying he could get a hotel and pick them up. He wavered a little in communication, again over concern about getting caught.

On Monday, Neville made a resolute decision to meet them at a hotel in Missoula. He went to pick up the two girls at a predetermined location where officials were waiting. Neville was arrested.

In his interview with authorities, Neville admitted to speaking with the two 13-year-olds online and wanting to have sex with them. He said he knew the age of consent in Montana is 16 and that both of the people he was talking to were under 16.

Missoula County Attorney Carrie Garber asked for $100,000 bail, saying a high monetary hold is necessary to prevent any future attempts of similar behavior. Public Defender Brian Yowell requested a lower bond amount and said community safety concerns could be addressed through release conditions.

Neville's next hearing is set for April 25. He is prohibited from having any contact with minors or using social media or dating sites.

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A Hot Springs man died in a fatal accident early Monday morning near St. Regis in Mineral County.

Around 6 a.m., a 2014 Ford F350 was traveling southbound on Highway 135 at Old Mill Loop. The truck crashed into the back of an Idaho logging truck as it pulled onto the highway, a fatality report from Montana Highway Patrol said.

The driver, a 74-year-old Hot Springs resident, was transported to Mineral Community Hospital where he died from his injuries.

The driver of the pickup was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and speed is a suspected factor, the report said. Possible alcohol and drug use were not detected by officials.

Road conditions were bare and dry. The driver of the logging truck was not injured.

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If a domestic violence survivor is strangled by a partner, the likelihood of that person being killed is 10 times greater.

That fact has prompted Missoula criminal justice personnel to adopt a countywide strangulation protocol  the first of its kind in the state of Montana.

The protocol has been over a year in the making by Missoula's Just Response team. It helps law enforcement and criminal justice workers respond to strangulation cases to help survivors avoid going through the trauma and victimization all over again.

Prior to the protocol, reporting individuals traveled to five different locations for interviews and processing where they had to repeat their story each time, said Missoula Police Detective Nathan Griesse, who specializes in strangulation and domestic violence investigations.

Strangulation is a felony charge signed into law in 2017. Strangulation is different from choking, according to Just Response. Choking is having an object lodged in your throat, whereas strangulation is caused by manual force on a person's neck using hands, an arm, knee or a ligature.

"It's common to have no external signs of strangulation, but have internal neck damage," a Just Response advisory states. "This could lead to stroke or even death days or weeks after the incident."

Sadly, weve seen a steady growth in the number of strangulation incidents locally, Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst said at Tuesday's signing.

In 2021, the Missoula County Attorneys Office charged 191 interpersonal violence cases, 25% of which involved strangulation charges (defendants can also be charged with partner/family assault in addition to strangulation in the same case).

Strangulation has been coined as the last warning shot to murder by the Training Institution of Strangulation Prevention, Griesse added.

In 2019, Just Response sent a team to the advanced course on strangulation prevention. The team learned the tools necessary to effectively respond to strangulation calls, Griesse said. Before this, Missoula had one person in the field who spearheaded strangulation training: Cat Otway, a forensic nurse examiner at First Step Resource Center.

"This dream of having a countywide protocol has finally become a reality," Otway said at the event. "Since strangulation is one of the most violent forms of domestic violence, this protocol will now give strangulation victims a better chance for survival by treating their life-threatening injuries."

The protocol's ultimate goal is to simplify the process from that first 911 call to the final court hearing, making it easier for domestic violence survivors to report abuse.

If a person makes a 911 call reporting an abusive or physical disturbance, dispatchers identify over the phone if strangulation is present. If it is, medical and fire are immediately activated, Griesse explained. These personnel also get trained to better help people reporting strangulation.

Law enforcement is receiving training specifically in regards to understanding strangulation, Griesse said. From (identifying) signs and symptoms to why a survivor acts the way they do, (its) really to help support and put these cases together.

Increased educational resources for survivors is also a priority. Information about medical risks, lethality and the importance of getting to the hospital if imaging needs to be done to identify internal injuries are all a part of the education component, he said.

Ensuring that survivors don't have to continually relive trauma of physical abuse is a goal, too.

Thats the point, is to (lessen) the amount of times they have to share their experience so they're not revictimized and traumatized every time they have to talk about this," he said.

Griesse said he hopes these efforts will increase the countys prosecution and charging rates for strangulation cases.

The protocol isnt a new concept in the nation, but it is the first of its kind in Montana. Griesse said Missoula drew inspiration from Maricopa County in Arizona and San Diego County in California.

A countywide protocol is seen as best practice to reduce the chance of future domestic violence-related homicides, he said.

Missoula police are set to host training sessions in May. Other county personnel have already begun training.

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The Montana Department of Environmental Quality will appeal a recent decision that found the agency inadequately analyzed the potential environmental impacts of a proposed copper mine near a tributary of the Smith River.

State District Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray ruled late last week that DEQ erred in its issuance of a mine operating permit for the Black Butte Copper Project near White Sulphur Springs. The judge found the agencys determination that storage of tailings, and specifically a plan to use cement to stabilize and store tailings, reached unsupported or questionable conclusions.

On Tuesday, DEQ told the Montana State News Bureau that it would appeal Bidegarays decision to the Montana Supreme Court.

We care about protecting water quality, the iconic Smith River and upholding the laws of Montana  thats why our team of experts thoroughly analyzed the permit application and required stringent measures to protect Montana, DEQ Director Chris Dorrington said. Before, and after, becoming director I have been involved in this mine permitting process and know it is one of the most protective permits DEQ has ever issued. DEQ plans to appeal Judge Bidegarays decision on this sound and defensible permit.

The Montana Environmental Information Center, Montana Trout Unlimited, Earthworks and American Rivers together filed the lawsuit last year against DEQ and mine owners Tintina Montana Inc. The commissioners of Meagher and Broadwater counties intervened in support of the mine.

On Tuesday, Derf Johnson with MEIC applauded the courts decision.

Our position is that the judge was right on the law, he said. She did her homework and its disappointing DEQ will appeal this decision rather than deny the permit. If DEQ appeals we will defend the decision vigorously in the Montana Supreme Court.

Tintina first applied for an operating permit in 2015 and DEQ issued the permit in 2020. The plan calls for a 13-year production period, producing 14.5 million tons of copper ore over the mine life.

In 2020 the company began its first phase of surface construction but had not yet begun mining phases.

The mine has seen support for its economic potential with hundreds of jobs slated to come to White Sulphur Springs during construction, mining and reclamation.

But conservation groups have long opposed the mine due to its proximity to Sheep Creek, a tributary of the Smith River. The Smith, known for its limestone canyons, is the states only river requiring a permit to float with thousands of applications each year.

The copper deposit resides in a sulfide ore body. That means mitigation measures are required to store tailings and prevent pollution to the creek. Tintina sought and received approval for a 72-acre tailings facility that would store tailings in a cement mixture that, once hardened, would prevent material from destabilizing and causing pollution. Additional tailings would be stored below ground.

Bidegaray found DEQs conclusions unpersuasive on several fronts and ruled the agency failed to fully analyze the long-term stability of the tailings facility as a result. She specifically took issue with conclusions that tailings would quickly harden into a solid mass; that tailings would be insulated from oxygen and water that could result in degrading acidification; and that tailings would not be susceptible to liquefaction due to an earthquake or mine blasting.

DEQs inadequate or irrational analysis with respect to any one of these assurances alone is enough to render DEQs decision to permit the Black Butte Copper Mine arbitrary, capricious and unlawful, Bidegaray wrote (emphasis in the original). Yet DEQ failed to support all three assurances with adequate testing and analysis.

DEQ in issuing the permit determined the use of cement would provide additional pollution protection and that the facility designs alone were sufficient to meet state environmental requirements. The state found that the mine proposal is not predicted to harm the Smith River and that the company had met the necessary steps to mine under Montana law.

The Smith is safe. This mine plan is solid as a rock. It will not move, it will not leak, it will not fail. It is the safest and most stable mine plan ever proposed in the state of Montana, and probably in the world, Sarah Clerget, an attorney for DEQ, said during oral arguments in Meagher County last year, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.

The judge, however, found environmental analysis relied on a higher concentration of cement than might typically be used and that plans to add layered tailings before lower layers fully set were not appropriately analyzed under Montana law.

DEQs own consultants had recommended a different treatment process, whereby miners would remove the acidic pyrite waste to a separate underground storage and lower the risk of pollution getting in the creek and river. The agency also dropped suggestions to use a stronger cementing process for the above-ground tailings, the Missoulian reported Monday.

Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources.

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New guidelines and timelines for Montana landowners to apply for a free either-sex elk hunting tag will go before the Fish and Wildlife Commission for approval on April 19.

Prior to that, the commission is holding a work session to discuss the program on April 18 at 3 p.m.

The change in the agreements, known commonly as 454s because they were created by House Bill 454, was motivated by a controversial approach the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks took last year. For decades, only a few landowners participated in 454s, but last legislative session the tags were modified and interest among landowners jumped.

The legislative change dropped the number of public hunters the landowner had to allow onto their property in return for the free elk tag. In the past, for each elk tag the landowner had to allow four public hunters access. The change cut that to three with the landowner able to pick one of the three hunters. Last year, 13 landowners applied for the tags, some of which were awarded after the rifle season was already underway. The free landowner tags are only good on their own property.

Some conservation and hunting groups decried the process, but FWP officials said because of the way the legislation was written they felt obligated to authorize all applications. Given the outcry, however, FWP Director Hank Worsech vowed to make changes.

We saw the need for a clearer and more transparent process for how these agreements are made and what they involve, Worsech said in a statement. The changes weve made will ensure that is the case going forward.

Details

The landowner tags would be available for any hunting season, including the elk shoulder seasons, but not for special circumstances like game damage.

The statute says the landowner can be awarded a "license, permit or combination of the two. FWP explained the combination like this: A nonresident landowner may have been unsuccessful in the nonresident elk license drawing, but under the 454 agreement could get the elk license and a bull permit.

For public hunters to take part in the access program where there are limited permits or cow-only licenses, FWP will select people off the list of successful applicants. In hunting districts covered by a general elk license, the department will offer a sign-up period followed by a drawing. The drawing dates and process are still to be outlined.

There is no acreage requirement in the statute, the property just has to be "large enough, in the department's determination, to accommodate successful public hunting."

Some general license either-sex areas may be limited to cow elk only harvest on a general license, depending upon terms of the agreement.

Feedback

Thomas Baumeister, a former FWP employee and member of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said he was pleased by the revisions.

The department is attempting to do better by putting a process in place, Baumeister said. I think it had more specificity than I had anticipated.

Under the new guidelines, landowners will have to apply for the free tags between April 15 and May 15. After the deadline, the regional staff, licensing, parks and outdoor recreation staff will review the proposals to see if they meet the requirements.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will sign off on the 2022 agreements at its June 23 meeting. The applications proposed for approval will be posted online two weeks prior to the meeting so the commission can take public comments.

This is an earlier deadline than Hope Stockwell, chief of Montana Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division, provided to an FWP council in March. A month ago, she said the applications would be taken from landowners June 1-30 for with the Fish and Wildlife Commission approving the agreements in August.

Cap

Also under the new proposal, the number of landowners awarded an elk license or permit will be limited to 10% of the permit or license quota for the hunting district. The department used this example: If a hunting district has 100 permits, 10 new permits would be available for these agreements.

Capping the number of new permits available for these agreements makes sense given that we expect more landowners to participate than last year, but were not sure what the interest will be, Worsech said.

If the requests for permits or licenses are more than 10%, FWP would hold a random drawing.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Montana chapter coordinator Kevin Farron wrote that his group wanted the cap as part of the quota rather than in addition to the biologist-recommended quotas. The group would also like to see the landowner permits drawn at the same time as the public draws its tags on April 1.

Marcus Strange, of the Montana Wildlife Federation, said his group is gratified the director is trying to provide some clarity to the issue. His group would like to see more input from FWP biologists on the 454 agreements.

Baumeister said he is looking forward to working with FWP to make the program even better in the future, but he already sees it as a better deal for the public than landowner preference tags, which awards elk tags to landowners through a drawing where their odds of success are high.

The 454s might be a better, more equitable deal, because they require some public access in exchange, he said.

The details on how landowners can apply for the agreements or for more information, go to FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/public-elk-access-agreements.

The Fish and Wildlife Commissions April 19 meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. with the 454 agreements scheduled for 9 a.m. Members of the public can go online to sign up to comment on the proposal or to watch the meeting via Zoom.

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Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday announced an 11-person advisory board to assist with vetting applications for the upcoming vacancy for a district court judgeship in central Montana.

Chief Justice Mike McGrath of the Montana Supreme Court notified Gianforte on March 11 that Judge Jon Oldenburg will retire on July 2. The 10th Judicial District covers Judith Basin, Fergus and Petroleum counties. The Governor's Office is accepting applications for the bench through April 19.

Representing the interests of their communities, members of our judicial advisory councils play a critical role in identifying candidates to fill judicial vacancies that interpret laws, not make them from the bench, Gianforte said in a press release. I look forward to the 10th Judicial District advisory councils work over the coming weeks and receiving their recommendations.

The committee members include law enforcement officials, business owners in agriculture, attorneys and former lawmakers.

Kris Birdwell, attorney at Stogsdill & Birdwell, PC;

Bonnie Boettger, former probation and parole officer for the Montana Department of Corrections;

Bill Cassell, Petroleum County Sheriff;

Diane Cochran, deputy county attorney for Fergus County;

Nathan Descheemaeker, cattle rancher and board member of Petroleum County Conservation District;

Justin Jenness, Lewistown Police chief;

Jim Peterson, rancher and former legislator'

Betty Sampsel, owner of Hughes Newford Co.;

KellyAnne Terry, chair of Fergus County Port Authority and Lewistown city commissioner;

Oliver Urick, attorney at Urick Law Firm; and

Bing Von Bergen, owner and operator of Von Bergen Farms.

The deadline to submit applications for the appointment is 5 p.m. on April 19. Applications will be made available to the public, which can offer comment on the candidates from April 20 through May 19.

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Wildlife across the United States is in peril. State fish and wildlife agencies have collectively identified over 12,000 species of mammals, birds, fish and insects, many of which you have likely never heard of, as in need of proactive conservation measures. If passed, Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (RAWA) will provide the funding necessary for such efforts.

Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (RAWA) will provide funding necessary for conservation efforts.

Recovering Americas Wildlife Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation. It was originally drafted a few years ago but was reintroduced by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) in July 2021. It currently has 32 bipartisan cosponsors. The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the legislation to the Senate for final passage.

The summary of the bill, which is formally titled S.2372, states, This bill provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, territories, or the District of Columbia; and (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding for a grant program. The grants must be used for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species. In addition, the bill requires certain revenues generated from fees and penalties for violations of environmental requirements to be used as a source for the funding.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) serves as the collective voice of state, provincial and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. The organization issued a press release acknowledging the advancement of the act and their support for final passage.

In the release, Senator Blunt said, Protecting habitats and wildlife is not only important to states like Missouri  with some of the best hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation in the country  its important to communities all across the nation. By encouraging states, territories, and Tribes to make significant contributions to voluntary conservation efforts, we can preserve our nations wildlife for future generations. I appreciate the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies for being a strong advocate in this effort, and I look forward to their continued partnership as Senator Heinrich and I keep working to get this landmark legislation to the presidents desk.

Story continues

Senator Heinrich, who represents New Mexico, is a Missouri native and accomplished big game hunter. He is also the only federal legislator Ive shared a meal within their home. When visiting the Senator in New Mexico, he personally prepared a dish of spicy caribou stew from a bull he took in Alaska for me and my friend, Jesse Duebel. I know his passion for wildlife is authentic and its reassuring to know we have elected officials like Heinrich serving the interests of those who love wildlife and wild places.

The outdoors have once again proven to be a real uniting force. Im so proud of the bipartisan leadership and widespread support that is moving the Recovering Americas Wildlife Act forward. Senator Blunt has been a great partner and EPW Chairman Tom Carper and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito helped us advance this landmark conservation legislation. I am confident that if we can keep up our momentum, we will pass this bill through the full Senate with broad, bipartisan support, said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The significance of this bill is monumental. Without a serious influx of funding for critical habitat work, we will continue to lose species to extinction. When considering the loss of a single species forever, I believe it is fair to say, that is a priceless cost. How to you put a financial value on the loss of the passenger pigeon or phantom shiner.

This Recovering Americas Wildlife Act is the single most exciting wildlife conservation bill in a generation, said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. This legislation will benefit nature, outdoor recreation and our overall quality of life, leaving a lasting conservation legacy for all Americans.

Heinrich speaks from a deep love of wildlife. His home is adorned with mementos from past hunts. When he speaks about conservation, he is doing so as an individual who walks the talk. Having him, and one of Washingtons leading statesmen in Senator Blunt, leading the efforts to pass RAWA gives me great optimism that we will see this legislation enacted.

Heinrich continues, Without enough resources, state, and Tribal wildlife agencies have been forced to pick and choose which species are worth saving. Instead of doing the proactive work that is necessary to maintain healthy wildlife populations on the front end, they have been forced into using reactive measures to rescue species after they are listed as threatened or endangered. We urgently need to change this paradigm and save thousands of species with a solution that matches the magnitude of the challenge. The Recovering Americas Wildlife Act offers us a constructive path forward. Passing RAWA into law will mean our grandchildren will be able to experience the same rich and abundant American wildlifefrom bumblebees to bisonthat we have been so lucky to grow up with.

See you down the trail

For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on www.driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.

This article originally appeared on Evening World: Driftwood Outdoors: Recovering Americas Wildlife Act one step closer to reality
VALDESE  Individuals and families interested in celebrating Easter with a visual re-enactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ will have the opportunity on Easter Sunday.

The Waldensian Trail of Faith will host its new Easter sunrise production, Resurrection Light, at 6:45 a.m., on Sunday, April 17, at 401 Church St. NW in Valdese. The event is free and open to the public.

After the 18-minute drama, attendees will move to the replica of the Temple of Ciabas, located in the small village of Angrogna, Italy, for a short service. Participants will be offered a bagged breakfast after the the service, compliments of the Trail of Faith.

The Waldensian Trail of Faith has hosted an Easter drama for around 25 years, said former N.C. Sen. Jim Jacumin, president of the outdoor museum, who came up with the idea to have the drama on Easter Sunday.

It was a natural setting with the cave and the oldest Protestant church in the world right next to it, Jacumin said.

The drama was written by Karen Knight, president of Heartsongs Ministries Inc., Jacumin said. She is best known for playing Mrs. Noah in the production, Noah, The Musical, at Sight and Sounds Millennium Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Branson Missouri.

She is one of the finest Christian ladies youll ever meet in your life, Jacumin said. We sort of came together. Its almost a miracle that we met and all of this came about.

In 1993, when they were building the Trail of Faith exhibits to represent 2,000 years of Waldensian history, the replica of the cave was important because in Italy, the Waldensians had to hide in a cave in order to worship. Many of them were slaughtered when they were discovered.

For the Easter drama, Jacumin wanted to add a huge stone to place in front of the cave to represent the tomb of Jesus. To make the resurrection more realistic, Jacumin also decided to make the stone roll away on its own.

The idea came to me about how to sort of do it, he said. The details werent working for me. I kept praying about it, and the vision came to me for how we could make it move without people being able to tell how. That is how I designed that aspect of it. My grandson and I made the rock out of cement. Matt Littles company, Fabrication Associates Inc. in Charlotte, actually formed the stone angles and the channels that it rolled in, which would have been several thousands of dollars in fabrication work and they ended up giving it to us. Then, Parker Welch from the North Carolina Zoo actually painted the concrete to look like rock.

The two-ton rock required large equipment to move it from Jacumins home to the Trail of Faith. Jacumins neighbor, Andy Taylor, and his father, Phil, had the needed equipment and volunteered to move the rock free of charge.

They are a wonderful family in the community, Jacumin said. Ive known them for years and they are totally God fearing people.

Many churches in the area do not offer sunrise services on Easter Sunday, Jacumin said.

We would really like to invite each of them to make the sunrise service at the Trail of Faith their annual event and join us in that, he said.

This year, the stone will roll away by itself, accompanied by music, and the Lord will rise in a cloud to the top of the cave where he will address his followers, Jacumin said.

The feeling is so intimate, like you are actually there experiencing it, he said. It really stirs your emotions. It shows how much Jesus loves us and how much it cost him.

For more information, contact the Waldensian Trail of Faith at 828-874-1893 or trailoffaith1893@gmail.com, or visit www.waldesniantrailoffaith.org.
The Morganton City Council voted in favor of a rezoning request for two tracts on North Green Street at its meeting earlier this month.

The unanimous vote came after a public hearing that saw members of a neighboring subdivision speak against the rezoning, saying they were concerned the proposed development on the tracts would cause them to lose the privacy they have enjoyed for years.

Craig Stone of Wynnefield Properties and KRP Investments, which requested the rezoning from low intensity district to medium intensity district with a restricted residential overlay, also spoke at the public hearing, saying his companies have operated Meadowbrook Apartments, and have some other communities under construction in Hickory and Valdese.

The companies hope to develop a complex to be named Deer Pointe Apartments on the property at 1121 N. Green St. He said the complex would have 72 units and would see an investment of about $14 million.

Neighbors were concerned the apartment complex, which they believed would be three stories tall, would cause them to lose privacy, bring more traffic to the area and cause their property values to decrease.

Another woman was concerned there could be graves from the Advent Christian Church cemetery and Quaker Meadows Historic Foundation cemetery that are unmarked and may be spread out beyond the cemeteries property lines. She was worried development could disturb unmarked graves.

City Attorney Louis Vinay reminded the council that, when considering rezoning requests, they cannot consider the specifics of any proposed projects. Instead, council members only can consider whether the change in potential uses is appropriate or needed for an area.

Phillip Lookadoo, the citys director of development and design, said changing the propertys zoning to medium intensity district would grow the maximum number of residential units allowed per acre from six in low intensity to 10 in medium intensity. Certain requirements must be met for properties to have the maximum number of units.

He said the N.C. Department of Transportation is looking at the request to find out if a traffic impact analysis would be necessary when the property is looking to be developed.

Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Cato said she could empathize with the neighbors who worried about their property values and privacy because she had been in a similar situation, but said the council wasnt greenlighting a specific project.

The need for housing is so great, Cato said. What were doing tonight is not saying that we rubber stamp a project that wants to use this land. We are saying that this is a piece of property that we have that has an opportunity to bring to this town more housing.

Also rezoned were four lots on South College Street to high intensity district from medium intensity.

The lots previously comprised the old Morganton High School and Junior High School. Another rental company, Peachland Rental Associates, requested the properties be rezoned.

Lookadoo said the property now could get up to 20 units per acre.

Council members also voted to approve a $425,703.87 contract with Gannett-Fleming to finish 100% of the designs for the College Street right-sizing project.

That firm already completed 25% of the designs for the project, and the city has obtained about $2.65 million in grant funding for the project.

City staff members also will be working with W.K. Dickson & Co. Inc. to submit applications for funding for water and wastewater projects.

The projects in question will be work on the Silver Creek pump station and the wastewater treatment plants coagulation and sedimentation basins, which are estimated to cost a combined $9.46 million.

Council members approved a contract worth up to $15,000 with W.K. Dickson to apply for different funding opportunities. The city first will seek 100% grant funds, but also will accept low-interest loan funding if grant funding cant be identified.

Also approved by the council were:

Budget amendments for insurance reimbursements.

Waterline easements for the Murphys Farm Apartments on Enola Road.

Creation of an American Rescue Plan Act and special projects manager position.

Waterline relocation construction for an NCDOT project.

A contract for the restroom facility project at Shuey Park.

A preliminary plat for West Union Terrace along Lyman Court.

Chrissy Murphy is a staff writer and can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Follow @cmurphyMNH on Twitter.

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The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation have closed on a purchase of more than 2,000 acres in McDowell County.

The purchase, which happened March 30, was for 2,249 acres that will become part of Bobs Creek State Natural area.

The purchase is the last of three acquisitions for the new state natural area and increases its total size to more than 6,000 acres. The first two phases of the project, about 3,700 acres, were purchased in 2019.

The lands former owner, conservationist Tim Sweeney, donated about one-third of the propertys value in the sale. Once it is open to the public, the state natural area will be managed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation for low-impact recreation, water quality protection of numerous streams in the Broad and Catawba river basins and preservation of rare plants and diverse natural ecosystems documented by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Future passive recreation opportunities could include hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation and scenic enjoyment.

The Bobs Creek State Natural Area protects water quality along 5 miles of source streams that drain to Muddy Creek, the Catawba River and the Second Broad River through an extensive network of riparian buffers on the property. The Muddy Creek watershed is one of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Qualitys priorities for stream and water quality improvement.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to protect these extraordinary lands of the foothills for generations to come, Dwayne Patterson, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, said. Our conservation partner at Foothills Conservancy of N.C. and the foresight and generosity of Mr. Sweeney have allowed us to continue to make great strides in protecting some of our states most sensitive and outstanding natural resources. We are grateful that they continue to entrust the long-term stewardship of these lands to us.

The phased purchase of Bobs Creek State Natural Area over a four-year period of time demonstrates both perseverance and strong partnership by all parties involved in the permanent conservation of this incredible natural landscape, which will offer public benefit in the form of landscape scale open space protection for future public recreation, said Foothills Conservancys Executive Director Andrew Kota.

Funding for the third phase of the project included grants of $1.2 million from N.C. Land and Water Fund; almost $1.52 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund monies provided by the N.C Division of Parks and Recreation; and grants from Fred and Alice Stanback and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Our partnership is grateful to the N.C. General Assembly for passing legislation in 2017, and to Gov. Cooper for signing the bill to authorize Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Kota said. We are also grateful for conservationist Tim Sweeney and his effort to secure the land and patiently own it while Foothills Conservancy and N.C. State Parks raised the funds to purchase the property at a discounted price for public ownership. There are also many other public and private funders to thank for making the three transactions possible, including conservationists Fred and Alice Stanback, The Cannon Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and several grants from N.C. Land and Water Fund and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund programs.

The Division of Parks and Recreation manages more than 252,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolinas state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 22 million visitors annually.

The Morganton-based conservancy is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(3) nonprofit, the conservancy has conserved more than 64,000 acres in its service area covering Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford counties and three major river basins, the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin.

Information about the conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found at foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.
The McDowell County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing woman.

Rita Faye Cook, 60, was last seen near the intersection of N..C 226 South and Highway 64 in Union Mills at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12.

Cook is 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 80 pounds. She has long brown hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a red turtleneck and blue jeans and operating a 2014 Burgundy Ford Focus with a North Carolina tag of EDX-4675, according to a news release.

Anyone who sees Cook or knows of her whereabouts is asked to call 652-4000.
Some people may unnecessarily lose health insurance coverage in the shuffle of paperwork and deadlines when a change triggered by the end of the pandemic-tied federal public health emergency is expected to take effect later this year.

The termination of the emergency will start a major shift in how the state of Montana reviews who is qualified for health insurance coverage through most adult Medicaid programs. That process, called redetermination, has been on hold in states across the country during COVID-19 in an effort by the federal government to make sure people could access health care during the pandemic.

We have heard national organizations and other states say this is going to be the biggest transition in coverage since the Affordable Care Act was rolled out, said Olivia Riutta, the outreach and engagement manager of the Montana Primary Care Association. This is a lot of Montanans who are potentially going to shift how they get their health insurance.

Amid a lull in COVID-19 cases nationally, the state of emergency is set to expire April 15. The federal government has indicated it will issue another extension that could come with a 60-day notice signaling the end of the emergency.

The policy that will end when the emergency does is called 12-month continuous eligibility. It means that when someone is qualified for coverage under Medicaid, they remain so for a year. Before the pandemic just four states provided some sort of 12-month continuous eligibility for adults covered by Medicaid, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. But it was a distinctive feature of Montanas Medicaid expansion program that extends traditional Medicaid coverage to adults earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level.

Last year, however, the GOP-majority state Legislature passed a budget that the state health department said directed it to end continuous eligibility on the Medicaid expansion program.

That was done by budgeting for a higher reimbursement rate. The state is paid back 89% for services provided to expansion patients, but that would increase to 90% if continuous eligibility was eliminated; that bump was reflected in the state budget.

In December, the federal government approved Montanas application to end continuous eligibility for those covered under Medicaid expansion, once the federal health emergency ends.

Though the state had previously applied to end continuous eligibly for another segment of Medicaid that covers parents or caretakers and adults with severe disabling mental illness, only the change to the parent/caretaker population was approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That will take effect when the public heath emergency ends too.

Projected changes

With the looming end of continuous eligibility for those covered under Medicaid expansion because of legislative action and the federal government lifting protections for most other adults on Medicaid, Montanans who are insured through those programs will need to be able to respond in a timely fashion to communication from the state health department when it starts doing redeterminations to see if people still qualify for coverage.

There are not clear estimates of how many people could lose coverage, either because they no longer qualify for it or because they werent able to communicate with the department.

The state projected about 2.6% of people covered by Medicaid expansion will lose coverage when continuous eligibility ends. That's based on past estimates showing how much enrollment increased because of the continuous eligibility policy.

But instead of calculating that as the number of people affected, the department presented figures in "coverage months," or each month of coverage that would no longer be provided. For Medicaid expansion, the estimate was 29,082 fewer coverage months. That'd equate to a savings in the state budget of about $22 million and a corresponding loss of federal matching funds.

The lack of specifics about how many people will lose coverage frustrated Democratic state Rep. Mary Caferro, of Helena, during a legislative interim meeting last August.

We are talking about peoples health care and peoples lives. Using sterile language  those are peoples lives," Caferro said.

The department did not provide estimates of how many people could lose coverage under traditional Medicaid when asked for this story. The change is for adult populations only; children covered by Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids will continue to receive 12-month continuous eligibility.

Communication is key

The redetermination process will involve a lot of back-and-forth between the state health department and those covered under Medicaid. That can be challenging to keep up with for people who might have moved during the pandemic and not updated their contact information with the department or lack access to regular mail delivery, the internet or a cellphone, Riutta said.

When the public health emergency ends, all affected Medicaid enrollees will receive a notice from the Department of Public Health and Human Services informing them of the change in the continuous eligibility policy, department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said in a recent email. This notice will remind enrollees about their obligation to report changes in income, family size or other circumstances that might affect their eligibility. This has always been required of enrollees, but the department could not act on it during the public health emergency. If someones situation has changed significantly, the department will communicate further with them to determine if theyre still eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Back in August when pressed by legislators on the interim committee that oversees the health department, the states Medicaid and Health Services branch manager acknowledged some people might lose their coverage because they arent able to stay in touch with the department.

There are another group of people that are at risk for losing coverage because they're not responsive, said Marie Matthews, who held the job at the time. Part of those people may not be responsive because theyre not eligible anymore.  Part of those people may be non-responsive because the paperwork process is a process. It is incumbent upon the department to make sure we are looking at the slices and doing our best to make sure people who are eligible for the program have access if they want it.

The number of people covered by Medicaid in Montana rose dramatically during the pandemic. In March of 2020, there were 86,788 adults accessing insurance through the expansion program. That rose to 113,850 at the start of this year, a nearly 32% increase. In traditional Medicaid, enrollment went from 42,454 to 58,847 over the same period, a 38% jump.

During the pandemic, as folks were losing hours, were losing their jobs, what we saw was Medicaid really did its job, Riutta said. It was and continues to be that safety net for Montanans who were facing a lot of uncertainty and still needed access to health care.

That leaves a lot of people for the state health department to contact. Given all the changes many families and individuals experienced over the last two years, finding the correct contact information could prove difficult.

If you think about housing insecurity or instability, folks who may have moved during the pandemic, have changed employment, its critical that the department is reaching out to enrollees early and often and through various modes of communication to make sure that folks know and understand what this means for them and how they can get their information updated, said Heather O'Loughlin, co-director of the Montana Budget and Policy Center.

Efforts from the state

Ebelt said the state health department is taking several measures to try to avoid anyone missing messages about their coverage.

The best thing Medicaid enrollees can do right now is to update their contact information with DPHHS so that they receive any notices sent to them, Ebelt wrote in an email.

The department is also launching a campaign Ebelt said that includes a robust communication plan so that Montana families understand the process, timelines and impacts.

Other efforts the department promised include adjusting the automatic renewal process to handle as many cases as possible and aligning the Medicaid renewal process with the renewals for food assistance or other programs so that both families and department staff can consolidate efforts.

The department is also planning to increase training for its employees that determine eligibility, but OLoughlin said shes concerned about the administrative burdens.

Theres no question the department is stretched thin right now, OLoughlin said. It is experiencing similar workforce challenges that many businesses and employers are facing right now. I think theres a lot of concern around the departments capacity to take on eligibility redetermination for the population were looking at.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid provided guidance to states about the best way to complete redeterminations with minimal errors.

CMS is concerned that if states attempt to initiate more than 1/9 of their total caseload in a given month, there will be an increased risk that state processes will not meet federal renewal requirements, and eligible individuals will be erroneously determined ineligible or lose coverage for avoidable procedural reasons, the guidance reads.

The state health department didnt have details about the timeline for the process in Montana once the federal emergency ends, but Ebelt said the state is preparing now, and this work will be ongoing.

Riutta said shes heard from the state health department that it plans to stretch the process over several months, though its not clear yet how many that might be.

One of the things we know is that what DPHHS has said is that theyre having a workforce shortage like the rest of us, Riutta said Our hope is that gets spread out as much as it can because I think its going to be a lot of work for the department to process all of those redeterminations and answer all of these questions at the same time folks are still applying for Medicaid as they normally would.

Riutta also said means of contact beyond letters in the mail are critical.

Being creative in ways of engaging and reaching folks is going to be super important if were going to be successful, Riutta said.

Other avenues for coverage

If someone is found to no longer qualify, Ebelt said the department will send them a mailed notice. For people with online accounts, they can pick to receive notices by mail, online or both. Ebelt also said the department will send text reminders to people who have not returned their renewal packet by a certain date or those whose mailed notifications are returned to the department.

The department is also working with community partners, Ebelt said, to inform them of the upcoming changes so they can help people navigate the changes too. That includes sending people information about the federal health insurance exchange set up under the Affordable Care Act.

The Montana Primary Care Association also operates Cover Montana, which was awarded the federal grant to help people in Montana navigate getting coverage on the exchange. DPHHS is partnering with Cover Montana and directing people to the organization for help.

Riutta said her group is focused on two sets of people  those who are still qualified but might lose coverage because of communication issues and those who are no longer qualified but can get insurance elsewhere like the exchange.

We are concerned that folks are going to fall through the cracks because its a lot of people and peoples lives are complicated and we talk to people all the time who maybe they dont open their mail for a handful of days and thats the difference between having a gap in coverage or not, Riutta said.

Losing coverage is a challenge for people who are already accessing health care because it can mean either having to pay expensive out-of-pocket costs or a pause in treatment for chronic conditions that can lead to bad outcomes.

For a patient who is seeing a specialist, finding coverage means making sure a new plan includes their doctor in addition to fitting in their monthly budget. During the pandemic, the federal government boosted subsidies for people buying plans on the exchange, but that's set to expire at the end of the year. Part of the Biden administration's Build Back Better plan could extend them, but it's stalled in the Senate.

Tracking what happens

Back in the August meeting when pressed by Democrats opposed to ending continuous eligibility, state health department Director Adam Meier said the move equates to no longer paying for coverage for when people are not qualified for it.

The change will basically be that were basically shifting to what 48 other states do in terms of returning to the basic Medicaid eligibility, Meier said. What were really doing here is changing back to the default of what Medicaid defines nationally as the standard for eligibility. In terms of changes to individuals, theres not a whole lot of change on their end in terms of whats required by them.

Matthews said the department would watch certain data points to try to determine if people were improperly losing coverage and use that information to act.

I'm never going to know if 100% of the people who want to be on the program and are eligible for the program are on it. What I can do is watch information to see if we see an uptick in (data showing people moving on and off the program). Then I can help drive discussions on how do we reduce that?  Our goal is to make sure that we operate programs that are accessible and manage and support individuals who have a harder time managing those program requirements, Matthews said.

 ... We want to make sure that we do a good job of not losing people (over) paperwork and for people who are no longer eligible for the program to move onto programs they're eligible for."

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Police believe a man fired several shots inside and outside a residence on South Dakota Street Tuesday afternoon but say nobody was hit.

Someone called police about the incident at 2:35 p.m. and officers went to the scene in the 200 block of South Dakota, Sheriff Ed Lester said in a news release. He said officers arrived in less than two minutes.

The male suspect, 53, was detained at the scene and a handgun was recovered, he said. No one was injured.

Witnesses heard people arguing and the suspect had allegedly fired shots both inside and outside the residence during the disturbance, Lester said.

He said there was no ongoing threat to the public and an investigation continues, but he expected charges to be filed soon.

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A man recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for crimes he committed in jail asked a judge Wednesday to spare him from another decade behind bars for setting himself on fire while being arrested at a Butte convenience store.

Twenty years in prison is saying Im a waste of life, 36-year-old Joshua Roy Smith told District Judge Robert Whelan.

Prosecutors said Smiths criminal history and actions justified consecutive 10-year terms in the Montana State Prison and as part of a plea deal Smith had agreed to, they were dropping seven other felony charges in the two cases.

Whelan said 20 years was appropriate in part because Smith had assaulted two officers out there trying to make the community safe.

Smith was charged with multiple felonies in both incidents and in the deal with prosecutors, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting an officer in each case. Three weeks ago, District Judge Kurt Krueger sentenced him to 10 years in prison for the jail crimes.

The first case stemmed from an incident on a late November night in 2019 at the Thriftway convenience store at Front and Utah. An officer saw him in the store, knew he was wanted on warrants and tried to arrest him, prosecutors said.

Smith had a can of spray paint in his hoodie pocket and during a struggle was somehow able to spray and ignite it with a torch lighter. His hoodie caught fire but the officer managed to put it out with his hand and with help from a customer, pinned Smith to the ground until other officers arrived.

On Dec. 31 that year, while jailed for the fire incident, detention officers discovered that caulking around the sink in Smiths cell was gone and the sink could be completely removed. There was other damage, too.

While escorting Smith to the booking floor, he knocked one officer down, got inside an administrative office and tried to get through the window into the public area. He was pulled back but struggled with two other detention officers before he was subdued.

Like he did before Judge Kruger three weeks ago, Smith apologized Wednesday for his actions and said he had been jailed for more than 800 days. He said his mother died during that time and he needed treatment for addiction but was ready to turn things around.

All I want to do is make my mother proud of me, he said.

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Gov. Greg Gianforte called for conversations of respect and the elimination of name-calling to foster strong, bipartisan relationships in the future at Monday evenings Mansfield Dialogue at the University of Montana.

Roughly 120 people attended the event in person at the University Center ballroom. Hundreds more participated virtually across the state.

This is one of the most ideologically diverse rooms that I have been in in Missoula and I just want to say my appreciation to each of you for braving the weather and coming out this evening, said David Bell, chair of the Mansfield Center Advisory Board and president and CEO of ALPS Property and Casualty Insurance Company, who moderated the dialogue.

Right off the bat, Bell and Gianforte discussed the governors habit of breaking bread with others and how those interactions can build mutual respect on the path toward bipartisanship.

Throughout Gianfortes professional career as a software engineer and businessman, he frequently entertained guests at his home in Bozeman  a trend that continued into his service as a U.S. representative as well as governor.

I think that as Montanans we share so much more in common than what separates us, but without a relationship its hard to find it, Gianforte said.

I think my job is to build bridges and I dont know a better way to do that than over a meal, he continued later.

Bell pivoted the discussion to ask for specific examples of how Gianforte has fostered bipartisanship, which was a common question submitted in advance by attendees.

Gianforte called every legislator after being elected in 2021 to talk about their views and what issues were most important to them, he said. He noted that while he and Sen. Ellie Boldman (D-Missoula), who was in attendance, might not agree on everything, they do work together to address common concerns like the welfare of children in foster care.

Throughout the evening, the governor hung his hat on signing almost everything that made it to his desk during the most recent legislative session, with the exception of 17 bills that he vetoed. About 69% of the 577 bills that Gianforte signed into law from the session were approved by more than the majority of Republicans, both Gianforte and Bell pointed out multiple times during the event.

Rep. Jessica Karjala (D-Billings) asked why almost every single bill that Democratic legislators sponsored was killed by the Republican majority, and if the governors office did anything to facilitate the passage of more Democratic bills.

According to an analysis by the Montana Free Press, under a third of the 319 bills and resolutions introduced by a Democrat passed that session. Of the 994 pieces of legislation introduced by Republicans, 610 became law.

I will say I signed the vast majority of the bills that got to my desk, Gianforte said. "There were very few and the ones that I could not sign were generally because there was some drafting error and there wasnt enough time to fix it."

He lauded bipartisan victories from the session like new programs to engage students with trades education, expansions to mental health treatment and addiction recovery, increasing teacher pay, support for missing and murdered Indigenous people, and several others.

One specific policy story Gianforte provided of bipartisanship was from his time as a U.S. Representative serving on the Natural Resources Committee, which he described as being one of the most hyper-partisan committees in Washington. During that time, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) told Gianforte that he and some other representatives would be traveling to Yellowstone National Park to see the wolves. Gianforte invited the group to his home in Bozeman for a meal after they flew in.

The representatives were late to their lunch with Gianforte because their two-wheel-drive sedan was stuck in 2 feet of snow in a field across the river from his home.

So I put my boots on and I had to posthole out over the river and I didnt know what to say, Gianforte said. So I said, welcome to Montana and they all had to posthole into the house.

We had a nice meal. We didnt talk about politics, were just enjoying each others company, he continued.

Huffman later became chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, which came in handy when Gianforte needed to secure funding to pay for the repair of parts of the St. Mary Canal that had failed following heavy spring rains in 2020.

Jared Huffman had no reason to let me get a funding bill through Natural Resources to pay for the repair of St. Marys, but I went and asked for a favor and I reminded them theyd still be stuck in the snow field if I hadnt dug him out, and he gave me the hearing and we got the bill passed and we got the funding, Gianforte said.

At the end of the event, UM President Seth Bodnar presented the governor with a wood carving of Mike Mansfields outline with the quote Yep next to him, made by Jon Bennion, a member of the Mansfield Center Advisory Board.

This effort and the other efforts of the Mansfield Center is not to sway peoples opinion in one direction or another, Bell said. "Its to promote the opportunity for us to come together to identify ways in which we do share a common bond."

But as the governor pointed out, whats necessary is respect, he continued. "And whats necessary to eliminate is name-calling and other things that break down relationships."

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Concerning Jeff Reeds recent damnation of those of us who want to protect our last roadless lands (Montana Standard, March 16), I must ask: who is the real problem? Is it those Montanans who want to protect of our last wild heritage or the collaborators poised to give up half of it to claim a faux victory?

For more than five decades, I have been a staunch advocate for wilderness, including spending several years on the Montana Wilderness Association council, American Hiking Society board and several other pro-wilderness nonprofits. When I gave talks on wilderness preservation. I always started out with a clean sheet of typing paper, saying this is the size of our wilderness about the time Columbus or the Vikings were discovering us, 100 percent wilderness. Giving out relative dates, I ripped the paper in half again and again and again, until I had a little one-inch square of paper representing our remaining roadless lands today.

And now that were down to the last 6 percent or less, I would say, politicians still want balance even though anything close to balance is no longer an option. Balance means going down to 3 percent, then more splits after that.

Nowadays, people like Jeff Reed, and many supposedly pro-wilderness groups sound just like those politicians willing to give up prime swaths of our last roadless lands to get any wilderness bill passed. Sadly, our primary voice for wilderness in Montana, Wild Montana, is among the groups willing to give up wilderness to get wilderness. You have to wonder why the nonprofit decided to remove the word wilderness from its name.

Here in Montana, we still have approximately 6.3 million acres of roadless land, much of it (about 4 million acres) some of it already protected as wilderness and parks. Thats roughly 7 percent of the state and 23 percent of our public lands. That means 77 percent of our public lands have already been balanced away to various resource developments inconsistent with wilderness values. You build a road into a roadless area, and its non-wilderness forever.

I stand with those who want to protect all of our last unprotected roadless lands, about 2.3 million acres, half of which are temporarily protected as wilderness study areas. We have already given up much more wilderness than we should have, and should not give up another acre. If thats the definition of a purist, well, then, I am proud to wear the label. And I am not alone.

I am not against collaboration or negotiating with resource-extraction stakeholders, but this is hardly a new idea. I was on the MWA council in 1983 when we passed the last major wilderness bill in Montana, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. In our collaboration, we were faced a most difficult decision, a choice between not getting any wilderness bill or giving up the Jack Creek drainage between Ennis and Big Sky, the vital link between the bulk of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and the Spanish Peaks. I was one of the no votes on the council, but the majority prevailed and gone forever was our chance for a united wilderness in the Madison Range. If anybody has been up in Jack Creek above Big Sky lately, they know how it all turned out.

Going back further to 1978 and the creation of the Absaorka-Beartooth Wilderness, which was almost two separate wildernesses. We purists were faced with another tough choice, give up the Big Timber to Cooke City corridor for a new road or hold out for a unified wilderness. This time we held our ground and prevailed. Thanks to the purists, there will never be a road separating these two magnificent wild areas. I wonder how todays collaborators would have voted.

I have no problem including non-wilderness provisos in a wilderness bill. For example, Im agreeable to more logging in that 77 percent of our public lands already laced with roads. I can agree to allowing mountain biking in protected areas (even if they cant be Big W wilderness) and setting aside already-roaded areas for motorized recreation. I am okay with any statutory protection of our last roadless lands. But I am not willing to give up wilderness to get wilderness.

Todays collaborators crossed the red line when they decided to give up key wilderness study areas and other prime roadless lands in an attempt to get any wilderness bill passed. Thats when we purists started opposing these complicated collaborative bills like Jon Testers Forest Jobs bill, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act and the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Bill, all of which gave up key roadless areas to achieve a shallow success. Same goes for the current collaborative process for the Gallatin Range.

Read between the lines in Jeff Reeds commentary. What he is really saying is that we purists have been able to put up some roadblocks to plans to further balance our wilderness heritage, and that frustrates him and his brethren. In response, I say collaborate away, but dont give away our last roadless lands. If we can agree on that point, then, we can all come together, as it should be.

Bill Schneider is a retired outdoor writer who formally wrote a weekly Wild Bill column for the non-defunct NewWest.Net online magazine. He resides in Helena.

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Gray wolves in the Northern Rockies need federal protection to stave off the onslaught of measures the states have passed to kill as many as possible.

Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Jim Risch of Idaho recently blasted U.S. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland for her opinion piece questioning how states are managing their wolves, based on a series of measures several states have taken. Its worth taking a look at both Montanas and Idahos moves to see why Haaland is justified in considering restoring federal protection.

Our organization, Wolves of the Rockies, joined several other groups last year to form the #RelistWolves Campaign to urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore protections for wolves under the Endangered Species Act. That move was made after legislatures passed a series of bills that amount to an all-out assault on wolves.

These include allowing baiting, night hunting with special vision devices, snaring, and an unlimited take of wolves, as well as bounties on the species. The goal is clear: kill as many wolves as possible and drive them down to a bare minimum number.

Why do we need such extreme measures that completely disregard any sense of fair chase in hunting, endanger other wildlife, and make our states and their hunters look like extremists?

Admittedly, we are wolf advocates. We see their place on the landscape as signs of a functioning ecosystem, one that includes the suite of predators as well as prey. However, that doesnt mean were against hunters. Wolves of the Rockies respects hunters for the role they play in conservation, and their success leading the restoration of wildlife is incredible. I have friends who are hunters, and even though I personally dont hunt, I respect them for their work conserving habitats and helping fund wildlife conservation and management.

But after reading the Risch and Daines column, one wonders whether they just took talking points from the extreme anti-wolf crowd.

Idaho has authorized baiting, night hunting, snaring, and unlimited take. Its agency has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on wolf bounties, paying the Foundation for Wildlife Management, a group that pays its own board members with bounty money. Idahos law has a goal to kill up to 90 percent of the wolf population.

Montana passed similar, draconian measures including baiting, night hunting, snaring, and bounty payments. These actions come at the same time that Gov. Gianfortes FWP says its desperate to kill elk  a guise to give bull elk tags to major campaign donors.

Both states have made it clear that theyre not done. More extreme measures are on the way, including the potential to legally reclassify wolves as predators so they can be shot year-round and poisoned.

No species has ever been so aggressively killed immediately after coming off the Endangered Species List and no species deserves such indignity. There is no other animal in which we manage to have a bare minimum number, including other predators like mountain lions and black bears.

Montana and Idaho have shown that they cant be trusted to manage wolves, and until they come forward with reasonable regulations that maintain some sense of ethics, federal protection is warranted.

Marc Cooke serves as president of Wolves of the Rockies, an advocacy group that supports gray wolves. He is a veteran and speaks frequently about the ecological value of wolves on the landscape.

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ARCHIVED - New cruise ferry launched between Ireland and Spain



The tourist-orientated liner will begin operating trips to Spain in November

Brittany Ferries has announced the arrival of its new cruise ferry, a passenger ship which will operate between Ireland and Spain from November. The impressive 214.5-metre liner will be capable of carrying more than 1,000 passengers and will signal a shift between the two countries in tourist transportation.

Currently, travel from Ireland to Spain has limited facilities for passengers and is mainly focused on freight, but the new Galicia, which was originally launched in December 2020, is a more tourist-oriented ship, and boasts onboard shopping, games rooms, sundecks and ocean view cabins with video-on-demand staterooms.

The ship also features a tapas restaurant and a fusion of Spanish, French and international flavours at the main restaurant, Azur.

Passengers can enjoy "a Spanish city feel" at the Plaza Mayor bar, and there is a premium private lounge offered alongside the regular lounges.

The new journey will operate between Rosslare and Bilbao; the current route aboard the Connemara takes between 27 and 33 hours depending on the day of departure, with at least one night on board.

The fare for the Galicia route has yet to be published, but one way trips for two passengers and a car on the Connemaras simple, but comfortable, no-frills service currently cost between 223 and 468 euros.

The Galicia will continue to provide a strong cargo offering, Brittany Ferries Chairman Jean-Marc Roue said.

"However, our research has indicated that there is a demand from Irish people who want to spend their holidays in Spain, and Galicia will certainly be a much more pleasant experience for them."

Image: Brittany Ferries
ARCHIVED - Spain: the fourth most popular destination in the world at Easter



Spain has already recovered 87% of pre-pandemic international reservations

With countries across the globe seemingly emerging from the tail-end of the sixth wave and international travel opening up once more, Spain is again topping many lists as a safe destination as has ranked as the fourth most in-demand country for tourists in the world this Easter.

This glowing validation has been celebrated by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdez, who this week highlighted the fact that to date, Spain has already recovered 87% of its pre-pandemic international flight reservations and demand in recent months has grown exponentially.

You might also like: Tourists warned of huge car rental shortage in Spain

From the data it would appear that the impact of the war in Ukraine and the rise in prices in everything from fuel to groceries has done little to put off tourists in the short-term, and the figures achieved so far this year by Spanish airports appear to support this assumption.

Even before Easter traffic hit, Aena closed the month of March, which was marred by cold weather and torrential rain, with a total of 15.5 million passengers: thats a recovery of 78.1% compared to the same month in 2019 and an incredible jump of 387.1% from last year.

The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas reported the biggest recovery by far in March, totalling 3,557,755 passengers, followed by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, with 2,701,372, Malaga-Costa del Sol, with 1,178,907 and Palma de Mallorca, which saw 1,098,167 passengers pass through his doors.

During the first three months of the year, some 37,898,456 passengers have travelled through the airports of the Aena network.

Image: Archive
They are from the government and they are here to help you.

With the clock ticking down to Tax Day this coming Monday, most people have already filed their 10-40 forms and hopefully will be getting some money back after the 2021 year. I have to admit every year I want to shoot my TV out every time some smug anchor does a sing-song story highlighting Tax Freedom Day, when your taxes are now paid and the rest of the year is yours. And yes, when I interviewed Joe Biden during the campaign, on a particularly cold day, I was able to restrain myself from commenting, It sure must be cold. You have your hands in your own pockets.

Taxes, however, are the cost of doing business in this country. Of course, the American way is to try to pay as little in taxes as possible while still getting the same service from the government. They say the only constants in life are death and taxes. Recently property owners in Muscatine County learned there may be a change in their tax bills in the future. Death, however, has pretty much remained the same.

A few weeks ago, property owners in Muscatine County got a bit of a shock when they got the assessors valuations of their property only to find that they had increased dramatically  10 to 25 percent. This would be a welcome thing if they were looking to sell, however, given it is a tax assessment, many are concerned it might mean their property taxes are going to go way up this year. The best answer is  no one knows yet.

Every two years the county assessors office reassesses all properties. Changes in value are based on such things as local market trends, the study of the housing market, and the value of like properties. It actually does not reflect the market value. It is also to be used for the 2023-24 tax year, and none of the taxing bodies have set their budgets for the 2023-24 fiscal year yet. That comes next January.

In some ways, the valuation spike is almost to be expected. Right now the housing market in Iowa and especially in Muscatine County is going crazy with values climbing.

People who feel an increase is an error may appeal to a Board of Review, which operates independently of the assessors office, which is run by the Iowa Department of Revenue. For more information on this, contact the county assessors office at 563-263-7061. BTW  dont ask about taxes at this point. The assessors office doesnt calculate taxes or determine tax rates. Taxing bodies such as the county board of supervisors or school district boards set their tax rates  the rate of taxation required to raise the money levied.

In figuring out what an estimated tax bill would be, people need to look at the total levies from the taxing bodies their property is in. This would include the county levy, school districts, and cities. Again I say it  the budgeting process for all those taxing bodies wont start until next January with a deadline of early March to get levies into the state. It goes into effect on July 1, 2023.

This year Muscatine County saw a pretty sizable decline in its tax rate. Because the state is now funding mental health services, the county was able to lower its askings by $1.5 million. The property tax levy will be $6.86 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, down from $7.59 per $1,000, making it the lowest it has been since 2018. The amount of taxes the county is projecting to collect in the next year is also decreasing.

Do we have all that? Good. Lets completely negate that. Some property may also have a rollback from the state, which will further lower taxes, with the state backfilling the money to the taxing bodies. There is a cap on each class of property limiting the increase to 3 percent, after which the state rollback takes over.

Basically, it is way too early to get out the tar and the feathers just yet. The best thing people who are worried about their property taxes can do is watch their elected officials and see if they plan on growing soon.

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MUSCATINE  Once a year, area Christian motorcyclists come together in a show of strength and togetherness.

The Pearl City Disciples will host their annual "Blessing of the Bikes" event at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 1, at First Baptist Church, 3003 Mulberry Ave., in Muscatine.

It feels wonderful to be putting this event on again," Pearl City Disciples chapter president Craig Carey said. "Were praying that the Lord will move and well get a larger attendance this year, and itll just keep growing every year. Thats our vision and, hopefully, its his, too.

The Pearl City Disciples are a local chapter of the Christian Motorcycles Association, an organization established in 1975 and has grown to 190,000 members.

The CMA was started by a pastor in Arkansas, Carey explained. He began riding with his son to a lot of different events in the area, and he noticed that there was no Christian presence in the biker community. So he felt like the Lord led him to start the CMA, so he did and now were in 40 countries around the world.

This is the fourth year the event will be in Muscatine, having started at a Blue Grass church. Since moving to Muscatine, the event has grown thanks to members' efforts, Carey said.

(The blessing) is a way to connect to the biker community in the local area," he said. "Its a way to bring them together into one place and to share the love of Christ with them."

Senior Pastor Jerry Jeter of Pleasant View Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tenn., and a member of Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry will deliver a sermon at 10 a.m.

Some of our folks who went to Tennessee a few years ago ran into him down there and got to know him, so they extended their hand to him to see if he would come up and give the message, and he agreed to do that. So hes going to be bringing the word of God, Carey said.

As for the blessing, he said members will pray for a safe riding season. Four other CMA chapters from Eastern Iowa will be in attendance.

While it is a motorcycle event, Carey still invited the public to join in even if they dont ride or have a motorcycle.

Wed love anybody who would like to come to be there," he said. "Well have food, music, vendors, and youll get to hear a good message and enjoy the day with us.

Guests will also have the chance to win different door prizes, with the grand prize being a bike lift.

There is also a group ride planned for Saturday. For information see Pearl City Disciples Facebook page.

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South Africas mobile network operators have to go to extreme lengths to protect the infrastructure installed at their base stations from theft and vandalism.

Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy told MyBroadband that base stations are increasingly being targetted for theft and vandalism by organised crime syndicates.

Base stations of local network providers are increasingly being targeted for theft and vandalism and what we are finding through our investigations is that organised syndicates are coming up with unique approaches to commit this crime, Kennedy said.

He added that multiple incidents of break-ins at Vodacoms base station sites occur daily and that network providers lose hundreds of millions of rands due to damage at their base stations.

It is estimated that local cellphone network providers lose hundreds of millions of rands worth of damage to its base stations annually as a result of theft and vandalism, which ultimately impacts the cost of mobile services, he added.

MTN has noticed similar trends regarding crime at its base stations, with the network operators security measures preventing the theft of 2,174 batteries between January and March 2022.

This is according to MTNs executive for corporate affairs, Jacqui OSullivan, who added that the network operator had recovered 259 stolen batteries over the same period.

MTNs effort in increasing security measures and introducing high tech solutions and on the ground strategies to prevent battery theft and vandalism at cell tower base stations is starting to see success, she said.

OSullivan said 32 suspects had been apprehended over the three months.

MTNs interventions

OSullivan explained that MTN began its optimisation and resilience programme on backup power and security in 2020.

Some of [the] actions taken include beefing up security significantly. Measures include hiring the private security company Bidvest, installing CCTV, cementing/hardening our battery storage and introducing cement and heavy steel safehouse carriages, she said.

According to OSullivan, MTNs efforts have been successful, with the company observing a 70% reduction in battery incidents from an average of 180 per month between January and December 2019.

This year, for the first quarter from January to March, the number went down to less than 54 battery incidents resulting in a reduction of over 70% in battery losses, she said.

Vodacoms interventions

Kennedy explained that Vodacom had to implement new security measures to protect its base stations.

We have ramped up the fight against this criminal activity, implementing new security measures to make sure that the thieves are caught and prosecuted, he said.

The new security measures include:

Applying a combination of epoxy and glass around a batterys housing to prevent criminals from cutting through the battery housing with tools such as grinders

Cementing the batteries in vaults and installing concrete cubes to house its batteries

Replacing lead batteries with lithium-ion batteries

Using the latest security technology to beef up security at its sites

In far-flung areas of our country, partnering with local community members and SAPS to secure sites

Working closely with law enforcement agencies and security companies to arrest thieves for prosecution

Kennedy added that local communities are its number one line of defence against vandalism.

Therefore, we urge anyone who sees suspicious activity around our base stations to report it to the police by calling our toll free number: 082 241 9952 or SAPS on 10111, he said.

The clear message that we want to send to criminals is that if you target our base stations, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted, Kennedy added.

Now read: Telkom and Icasa settle spectrum auction fight
Having a website for your brand is vital in the modern age, and South African businesses have a range of hosting providers from which to choose.

It is crucial that you choose the right hosting service for your needs to ensure that you get reliable performance and sufficient resources.

MyBroadband compared shared web hosting packages from Afrihost, Xneelo, and 1-Grid, to see what one could expect to pay to host a basic website for a small business.

Considerations to make when comparing hosting providers include the cost of the service, the amount of storage allocated, and the level of customer service given by the provider.

When it comes to service, Xneelo has the highest rating on HelloPeter of 4.66 out of five. 1-Grid has a rating of 4.43, and Afrihost has the lowest rating at 1.52.

However, it is important to note that Afrihosts web hosting service is only one of its products, and most complaints relate to its Internet service provider operations.

We selected products from the hosting providers that offer similar pricing and benefits to keep the playing field even. We compared Xneelos Standard, Afrihosts Silver Pro, and 1-Grids Medium packages.

The most cost-effective is 1-Grids Medium package at R120 per month. Still, it should be noted that pricing doesnt differ significantly between suppliers  Afrihosts Silver Pro package is R129 per month, and Xneelos Standard product costs R149 per month.

It should also be noted that neither 1-Grids nor Xneelos packages include a website builder. Xneelo charges R39 per month, and 1-Grids website building packages start at R109 per month.

On the other hand, Afrihosts Silver Pro package includes the use of a website builder in its monthly fee.

When it comes to storage allocations, all three packages offer up to 10GB of storage. However, Xneelos Standard product falls behind on the availability of MySQL databases, with only five SSD databases.

Both Afrihosts and 1-Grids packages allow their customers to use 100 MySQL databases.

A summary of the packages compared is provided in the table below.
A messy battle over South Africas new traffic fine law is headed for the Constitutional Court. Three separate applications involving different government entities are now before the court, causing major confusion.

On 13 January 2022, the Pretoria High Court ruled in favour of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), declaring the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act and the AARTO Amendment Act unconstitutional and invalid.

AARTO and its envisioned amendments aim to change how traffic offences and infringement are issued in South Africa.

This includes a demerit system that would punish motorists with points on their licence for each traffic infringement.

Amass enough points, and your licence could be suspended. Get your licence suspended enough, and it could be cancelled.

However, primarily AARTO hoped to switch most traffic violation handling into administrative processes instead of legal ones.

But a judge has ruled that the law unconstitutionally intruded on provincial and local governments executive and legislative powers.

Outa explained that standard procedure when a law is declared unconstitutional requires the High Court judgment of unconstitutionality to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court.

On 3 February, Outa applied for the confirmation.

The four respondents in the matter then had 15 days to file a notice of intention to oppose Outas application.

That included the ministers of transport and cooperative governance and traditional affairs, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), and the RTIA Appeals Tribunal.

But only transport minister Fikile Mbalula filed a notice to oppose the confirmation on 24 February.

The minister was also required to file an answering affidavit explaining the reasons for the appeal within the next 15 days. However, by 12 April, this had still not been done.

It is thus unclear whether the Minister is, in fact, opposing Outas application, the organisation stated.

In addition, no other parties have filed an intention to oppose the confirmation of invalidity.

Separately, the transport minister and RTIA filed their notices of appeal to the High Courts order at the Constitutional Court on 7 February 2022.

On the same day, Outa filed a notice of intention to oppose the appeal.

The matter shall be disposed of in accordance with directions given by the Chief Justice. These directions are still awaited, Outa said.

Outa said it was confident in its case and had asked that the matter be heard as quickly as possible so that there was a decision before Aarto rolled out nationally on 1 June 2022.

RTMC comes out of nowhere

On 8 March, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a state-owned entity that reports to the Minister of Transport, applied to the Concourt for permission to intervene and be joined as the fifth respondent in the case.

The RTMC wants to join the appeal against the High Court judgment. Failing that, it intends to oppose Outas application for confirmation of constitutional invalidity.

On 15 March, Outa filed a notice of intention to oppose the RTMCs intervention in the case. It followed up with its answering affidavit supporting this opposition on 7 April.

In this affidavit, Outas Advocate Stefanie Fick highlighted RTMCs failure to participate in the High Court matter since it was launched in July 2020 and heard in October 2021.

Between the institution of the matter and the hearing, the litigation received extensive publicity in national and regional newspapers, on radio and in news broadcasts on television. The media also reported on the court hearing in October 2021, Fick said.

The RTMC is a state-owned enterprise whose shareholders are the Minister of Transport (the first respondent in the matter) and the provincial MECs for Transport, who serve on a shareholders committee that meets four times a year and is involved in the governance of RTMC.

In light of the close relationship between the minister, the shareholders committee and the RTMC, and the widespread media coverage of Outas constitutional challenge to Aarto and the Amendment Act, it is inconceivable that the RTMC was not aware of the litigation when it was first instituted or that it did not become aware of it before 18 October 2021, the date of the hearing in the high court, Fick stated in the affidavit.

Fick said the RTMC should not be allowed to intervene and argue the previous matter that the high court had decided on, again.
Lets start this super-sized column by cracking the books, Dear Readers. No, not musty old textbooks. Im talking about tales of piracy, treasure, adventure and horror by a celebrated 19th-century author with a famous local connection 

***

From RLS Middle School to the RLS Museum, its hard to miss the mark Robert Louis Stevenson left on the Upper Napa Valley. You probably know that he and his wife, Fanny, spent their unusual honeymoon on Mount St. Helena, but you probably havent seen the actual cabin. Now you can, with local guide Ken Stanton leading a hike at RLS State Park at 11 a.m. Friday, April 22. Visit the cabin where the original Silverado Squatters did their squatting, and see Mount St. Helena through the eyes of a literary genius with a love of nature and a flair for the dramatic. Register at stevensonmuseum.org.

***

Not up for a hike? Attend Stevenson Poetry Night at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Stevenson Museum next to the library. Hear some of RLSs own works, enjoy a reading by Napa County Poet Laureate Marianne Lyon, and read your own favorite poems  or even an original piece. Admission is free, but those who wish to read are encouraged to sign up online at stevensonmuseum.org.

***

The St. Helena Historical Society will host an open house at its Heritage Center at the former St. Helena Catholic School on May 1. Get a peek at the new fire exhibit, as fireman Art Carr and Fire Chief John Sorensen share stories and the tools of their trade. More details to come.

***

Candidates for supervisor and sheriff will speak at a candidate forum sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers at 5 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St. The forum will be moderated by KVON host/producer Barry Martin. RSVP at eventbrite.com.

***

Ralph R. Trecartin will be inaugurated as the 24th president of Pacific Union College at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the PUC Church in Angwin. Local music buffs will be delighted to learn that acclaimed soprano Marnie Breckenridge, a member of PUCs Class of 1993, will provide special music.

***

Downtown businesses are offering their next Sidewalk Sale May 6-8. Find deals on spring attire and home decor, and grab a free sip of wine at the St. Helena Chamber of Commerces Welcome Center from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

***

And now some items from last weeks column that were omitted from the print version of the Star 

***

How many District 3 supervisor candidates have knocked on your door? Ive had two out of six so far. You can get to know Anna Chouteau, Anne Cottrell, John Dunbar, Matthew Hooper, Cio Perez and Rafael Rios at a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Napa County at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, via Zoom. Check the events calendar at lwvnapa.com for a link.

***

Of course, thats far from the only race appearing on this packed June ballot. The league is also hosting a candidate forum for sheriff candidates Jon Crawford and Oscar Ortiz at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. Link available at the aforementioned website.

***

You can also help oil the gears of democracy by working at one of the countys nine vote centers May 16 through June 7 and/or Oct. 17 through Nov. 8. Hourly pay starts at $17.31. Apply at countyofnapa.org/715/Napa-County-Careers, and tell Registrar of Voters John Tuteur that Aunt Helena sent you. (Not that hell particularly care  I just like saying that!)

***

Im pleased to bring you an academic star, and no ordinary one. St. Helena High School alum Kate Johnson, soon to graduate from Columbia University, has been awarded a coveted Fulbright Scholarship to spent nine months in Bologna, Italy. Kate, whos been fascinated with bees ever since she worked with beekeeper Rob Keller at the St. Helena Montessori School, will be studying viruses and bacteria in bee products like honey, beeswax and propolis. Huzzahs to a budding scientist with a bright future.

***

Mark your calendars for St. Helena Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon on April 23 at the Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus. Bring your e-waste, pharmaceuticals, and papers that need to be shredded. And while youre there, make a donation to the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center.

***

Dont forget the Napa Open Space Districts annual celebration on April 20 at Skyline Park. Toast the districts 15th anniversary with wine and light refreshments. Free tickets are available at Eventbrite.

***

The St. Helena Farmers Market doesnt open until May, but with a donation of $250 you can get a snazzy tote bag stuffed with merchandise from this years vendors. This is a great gift idea for a special someone who loves the market. Details at sthelenafarmersmkt.org.
The City of St. Helena is rethinking downtown parking requirements that have been criticized as a barrier to business development.

The City Council directed staff on Tuesday to remove parking requirements for new downtown development and eliminate the current $7,000-per-space parking in-lieu fee as part of a comprehensive update of the citys zoning code.

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The city will also commission a downtown parking study. A consultant will determine how many new parking spaces are needed, identify future parking sites, establish the cost of adding new parking, and recommend a new in-lieu fee.

Meanwhile, the city will work with the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce on community outreach involving parking. Stephanie Iacobacci, a vice president at the Chamber, pledged to help the city find actionable steps to solve parking problems.

We dont  need a parking study or a consultant to let us know that theres a parking shortage in St. Helena, said Iacobacci. We hear from our merchants that there is.

The current city code requires businesses to supply a certain number of parking spaces. If a new business cant meet that target  as is often the case in crowded downtown St. Helena  it must pay an in-lieu fee of $7,000 per required space.

That amount was based on a 1999 study that determined the city would need a 30-space parking lot at a cost of $210,000. The city later created a 28-space parking lot near Oak Avenue, but the $7,000 fee stayed on the books, and the citys Parking Impact Fund grew to almost $645,000.

The General Plan calls for the city to pursue acquisition of the PG&E lot on Mitchell Drive, but its unclear when or if that will happen.

Contamination on the site poses challenges and liability, but if we need a parking lot, in many ways its ideal, said Councilmember Lester Hardy.

Speaking for the Chamber, Iacobacci said the Mitchell lot would be an excellent site for a parking lot serving the downtown.

In-lieu fees in nearby cities vary widely. Calistogas ranges from $2,842 to $23,985 per space, Healdsburgs ranges from $6,506 to $15,730, and Napa charges $23,000 per space. Sonoma and Yountville dont accept in-lieu fees.

A fresh parking study will result in a new in-lieu fee reflecting todays parking needs and construction costs.

The study would cost roughly $50,000. The council plans to use the Parking Impact Fund to pay for it.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at (707) 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

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Burgers and fries? Joel Gott has you covered at Gotts. Need a caffeine jolt? Head over to his Station coffee shop.

In the mood for pizza? Sit tight. Hes on it.

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Gott recently acquired the former That Pizza Place on Spring Street, just steps from the Station, and plans to start serving up pizza and salad in late April or early May.

The Kenney family, who ran That Pizza Place, were ready to retire so it was perfect timing, Gott said.

The pizza place will offer pizza and salads to go in the afternoons, with an emphasis on online ordering. In the mornings it will function as a prep kitchen for the Station, freeing up Gott's other kitchen in the former Cindys space on Railroad Avenue, where French Laundry alum and St. Helena firefighter Elliot Bell is opening a new restaurant this fall.

The branding of the new pizza place is still being worked out, but it might tie in with the Stations.

Gott hopes the addition of pizza will bring more people to the outdoor seating area outside the Station, which he envisions as a sort of communal outdoor dining room for nearby restaurants.

I like the idea of people getting a sandwich at Giugnis or bringing a burrito from Daniel (Villasenor) at Villa Corona or getting some avocado toast from the Station and everybody eating here, Gott said. Thats the new way people like to eat.

Gott also hopes to someday offer local home delivery from Gotts, the Station and the pizza place.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at (707) 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

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The City Council has settled on Oak Avenue as the best route for the downtown segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail.

The council voted 5-0 Tuesday in favor of a route from Main Street to Mitchell Drive to Oak Avenue to Adams Street to the corner of Adams and Railroad, where the trail will link up with the Wine Train right-of-way.

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Unlike in past proposals, no parking spaces will be eliminated, allaying the concerns of landlords and business owners who said the parking spaces in the Oak/Adams area are critical to their success.

The new plan calls for a Class III bike route on Mitchell, Oak and Adams in which cyclists would share the road with drivers. Instead of a separate bike lane, the Mitchell-Oak-Adams stretch would be equipped with bike boulevard amenities aimed at reducing the volume and speed of vehicular traffic.

By recommending a route, the council gives the Vine Trail enough information to apply for grant funding. The elements of the bike boulevard will be fleshed out during the projects design phase.

Kudos to your staff for coming up with a route thats within your General Plan, that is safe, and will make the connection between the northern and southern segments, said Chuck McMinn, founder of the Vine Trail.

With its narrow traffic corridors, highly sought after parking spaces and intermingling of commercial and residential areas, downtown St. Helena has offered the most perplexing puzzle yet for the Vine Trail.

Residents and businesses have been split as to whether the trail should use Oak Avenue, Spring Street, or a more meandering route east or west of Main Street.

Some even endorsed a none-of-the-above option, saying cyclists should be free to explore the city on their own without designating a route that would eliminate parking spaces, interfere with deliveries, or disrupt residential neighborhoods.

The council couldnt reach consensus during a March 22 hearing. Instead they directed staff to report back after further study of the bike boulevard concept.

That direction led to the compromise approved Tuesday.

Vine Trail organizers hope to fund most of the $30 million Yountville-to-St. Helena stretch with a $19 million Active Transportation grant. The county and the Vine Trail would each contribute $5 million, and the Vine Trail is seeking a $900,000 contribution from the city, although the city hasnt agreed to that amount or identified a funding source.

Annual maintenance of the trail within city limits is estimated at $28,000. The Vine Trail has suggesting splitting that cost 50-50 with the city, but the two sides havent developed a cost-sharing agreement.

St. Helena resident Kim Phinney called the new alignment a win for Church Street residents whod objected to putting the trail in front of their houses. However, she was skeptical that the city can make the project work financially.

So were saying yes, but we absolutely know theres no funding for it, Phinney said, noting a $1 million shortfall in the citys next budget.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at (707) 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

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Tuesday, April 5

0722  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop at Main/Elmhurst.

0751  A caller saw a man throw trash out of his trailer onto the sidewalk on Hunt Avenue.

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0836  Report of an unwelcome person causing a verbal disturbance on Dowdell Lane.

0950  A caller asked police to check on her friend who lives on Silverado Trail. The caller was transferred to the sheriffs office.

1032  Report of an illegally parked trailer on Spring Mountain Road.

1052  Report of a dog barking nonstop every day near Magnolia Avenue.

1153  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Pratt Avenue.

1352  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Sylvaner Avenue.

1517  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Spring Mountain Road.

1533  Report of a reckless driver speeding on Madrona Avenue.

1914  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Madrona.

1923  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Grayson.

2043  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Madrona.

2102  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Grayson/Main.

2353  Following a traffic stop at Main/Vidovich, police arrested a 35-year-old Sacramento man on suspicion of DUI.

Wednesday, April 6

2025  An officer cited someone for driving with expired registration near Adams/Railroad.

2034  Police checked on a barking dog complaint near Mariposa/McCorkle.

2053  A dog was found on Magnolia Avenue.

2145  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Silverado/Pope.

2210  An officer cited someone for driving without a license near Main/Mitchell.

Thursday, April 7

0136  A wallet was reported stolen at a bar. As dispatch was on the phone with the caller, someone brought the wallet to the police station.

0937  A mountain bike worth $3,999 was reported stolen from Monte Vista Avenue. It had been locked to a vehicles bike rack. Someone cut the lock and stole it.

0959  The owner of a dog came to the police station to pick up his pet.

1108  Second-hand report of a road rage incident near the Pope Street Bridge.

1510  Following a traffic stop on Main Street, police arrested a 47-year-old Vallejo woman with two outstanding warrants.

1800  Possible drugs were found near Main Street. An officer retrieved them.

1822  Police cited a vehicle for illegally parking in a blue zone.

1847  Report of landscaping noise coming from Brown Street. An officer found a homeowner using a leafblower. Everything was OK.

1901  Report of a drunk woman unable to pay at a Main Street business.

1939  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Pine.

1940  A caller was concerned about a dog in a parked car on Spring Street.

2046  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Pine.

Friday, April 8

0431  Report of a doorbell ditcher on Spring Mountain Road. Police checked the area.

0811  Report of a double-trailer dump truck using the Sulphur Springs/South Crane/Valley View/Allyn route instead of sticking to the truck route on Main Street. An officer contacted the company and reminded them of the truck route.

0840  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Vintage.

1110  Police cited a car parked in front of a fire hydrant on Main Street.

1121  Medical aid at a Main Street hotel.

1349  A person asked for help finding a vehicle that had been towed and stored by another agency.

1432  A lunchbox was found at Lyman Park. Police collected it for safekeeping.

1602  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Sulphur Springs.

1827  Report of an abandoned vehicle on Pope Street. Police marked it to be towed in 72 hours.

1915  During a traffic stop near Main/Adams, police arrested a 27-year-old Santa Rosa man with a felony warrant.

2024  Report of a sprinkler system overwatering a landscaped area near Adams Street and causing water to flow down a driveway. The matter was referred to City Hall and Public Works.

2154  Report of a possible drunk driver on northbound Highway 29 near Hoffman Lane.

Saturday, April 9

0027  An officer gave someone directions to Middletown.

0436  A woman asked to talk to Public Works about brown water coming out of her faucet on Voorhees Circle.

0848  A dog found on Hunt Avenue was returned to its owner.

0934  Medical aid for a fall victim on Pope Street.

1317  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

1343  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Elmhurst.

1433  A person asked to talk to an officer about a missing iPhone.

1638  Following a traffic stop on Main Street, police arrested a 30-year-old American Canyon man on suspicion of DUI.

Sunday, April 10

1233  A purse was reported stolen from a Main Street business at around midnight.

1921  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

2031  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop on Main Street.

2157  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Vidovich.

Monday, April 11

0825  Medical aid for a 14-year-old boy who fell off his bike near Crinella/Park.

1007  Second-hand report of an elderly fall victim near Charter Oak/Allison. Police checked the area and didnt find anyone who needed help.

1109  Report of a streetlight out at Starr/Harvest. The caller had already contacted Public Works.

1205  Multiple reports of a downed tree blocking the northbound lane of Silverado Trail near Pratt Avenue.

1241  An officer taught a fifth-grade DARE class.

1244  Report of a tree down on White Sulphur Springs Road.

1343  Report of two school buses parked on La Fata Street, one for about three weeks and one since Friday.

1620  Two-car minor-injury accident on Silverado Trail.

1714  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Spring/Main.

1949  Report of a reckless driver almost illegally passing vehicles and almost causing three accidents.

2334  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Main/Hunt.

2339  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Highway 29/Inglewood.

Tuesday, April 12

0721  Lift assist for a woman who fell out of bed on Crinella Drive.

0805  An officer taught a DARE class to seventh-graders.

0827  An officer cited someone during a traffic stop near Pope/Peppertree.

1141  An officer cited a vehicle parked in a red zone near Church/Hunt.

1253  An officer taught a DARE class to fifth-graders.

1346  A bike was reported stolen from a a vehicle's bike rack near the downtown. The suspect drove away in a gray four-door.

1411  Someone broke into a car parked in a Highway 29 parking lot and stole a backpack containing a laptop, a duffel bag containing electronics, and several purses.

1528  Report of an ongoing problem with motorcycles blasting loud music as they travel down Main Street.

1631  A car hit a fire hydrant on Fulton Lane. Nobody was hurt.

1720  Report of a reckless driver on Main Street.

2246  Following a traffic stop near Main/Grayson, police arrested a 52-year-old Angwin man on suspicion of narcotics possession and probation violation.

Wednesday, April 13

0158  Report of a drunk driver on Main Street. Police arrested the 25-year-old Angwin man on suspicion of DUI.
Life is the sum of all our choices  Albert Camus

Several years ago, I wrote a column for graduating seniors deciding where they wanted to begin college in the fall and for high school juniors engaged in the college search. The advice provided back then is still relevant today.

April is when many seniors anxiously await word about whether they have been admitted (or not) to the colleges to which they have applied. April can be a time of stress, excitement, or disappointment. However, it should also be a time to celebrate achievements that cannot be negated by thin white envelopes.

It is important to remember that where students go to college is far less important than what they do in college. Ask the Steven Spielbergs of this world  turned down by their dream schools before achieving remarkable success in their lives.

April is also a time for making important choices guided by thoughtful decision-making.

Whether students are juniors or seniors, following are some questions students (and their parents!) should ask of the schools where they might spend several years and up to several hundred thousands of dollars.

1. What percentage of students who enroll at your college return for the second year? How many graduate in four, five, even six years?

2. What are the graduation rates for women, for men, for first-generation students, student-athletes, students with disabilities, or students of color?

3. What are your graduation rates in specific majors/programs? For example, even when they have strong academic backgrounds, women and students of color are often less likely to complete majors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). More campuses are aware of these inequities and make explicit efforts to improve learning and success for all students.

4. How large are typical classes for entering first-year students? How many full-time, adjunct (part-time) faculty, or graduate students teach first-year classes? How accessible are professors to provide academic advising and offer guidance regarding graduate and professional school?

5. When students encounter academic or personal difficulties  as many first-year students will  what support programs are available? Do these programs seek out students, or wait for students to seek them out? More campuses are taking an active outreach approach to help their students succeed because students are often reluctant (embarrassed) to seek assistance, thinking they should achieve on their own.

6. What kinds of employers actively recruit on your campus? Does your career center provide specific support for students who are not business, science, or technical majors? Is your alumni network local, regional, or national? This is especially important for students leaving their hometown area but plan to return after graduating.

7. What kinds of careers, starting salaries, and graduate/professional school acceptances have your graduates in the 75th percentile obtained in the past 3-5 years? Many colleges will talk about their superstars, but it is more informative to learn what happens to students who are more typical.

8. What kinds of internships, research collaborations with faculty, service learning, or other co-curricular opportunities exist to enable students to learn more about how they would like to spend their working lives? I recall surveys of professionals who later regretted their career choices because they did not really understand what attorneys, accountants, or middle school teachers did!

9. What student satisfaction or other surveys have you conducted, and what do your students and alumnae/I say about their experiences at your campus?

10. How much financial need do you meet through grants, scholarships, work study  through loans? I usually advise students to avoid taking on heavy loan burdens for undergraduate education, as this can limit their options for graduate/professional school, taking time off after graduation, volunteering, or pursuing careers that may not pay salaries that will allow them to follow their values and visions.

Finally, community colleges provide high quality educations and are extremely affordable. NVC and Santa Rosa Junior College offer Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs that lead to good jobs immediately after completion. They also offer transfer programs to public and private four-year institutions.

US News rankings have more to do with what students bring to colleges  grades, test scores, AP courses  than what colleges do to help their students succeed. Rankings and hoodies that impress your friends wont matter if you dont feel at home at your college.

Students should choose a college that is the best fit for them and good choices are the result of careful decision-making.

Tom Brown is a St. Helena resident who served as a dean at Saint Marys College of California for 27 years. He currently is a consultant and speaker at colleges and universities that are seeking to keep more of the students they enroll. Send comments, questions or suggestions for future columns to: thedean@tbrownassociates.com
"Diamond Park" by Phillippe Diederich; Dutton (275 pages, $17.99)



The story of four teenagers on a road trip to pick up a vintage car turns into a pedal-to-the-metal crime thriller in Phillippe Diederichs new young adult novel, "Diamond Park."

This is the second YA book by Diederich, after the award-winning "Playing With the Devils Fire." He has also published a novel for adults, "Sofrito," and, under the pen name Danny Lopez, a series of detective novels set in Sarasota.

Diederich, the son of Haitian exiles, was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Mexico City. He has taught in the creative writing program at the University of South Florida and lives in Houston and Sarasota. (He contributed a story, Jackknife, to "Tampa Bay Noir.")

The narrator of "Diamond Park" is 16-year-old Rafael Herrera, although everyone calls him Flaco. (The nickname means Skinny.) He lives in Houston with his hard-working mom, his Tio Felix and his aunt, Ana Flor, who is still deep in grief for her only child, Flacos cousin Carlos, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Like many teenagers, Flaco cant wait to move on to adult life; hes a talented artist, but college is a difficult goal for a kid from a family that barely scrapes by financially.

In the meantime, Flaco spends his spare time sitting in Carlos old Buick with his two best friends, smoking weed and spinning dreams.

Tiny is a sweet kid whose sunny disposition is offset by his constant worry about being deported  his family came over the border just a few years before. He is, Flaco says, Like for real Mexican from Mexico. ... Im Mexican but Ive never been.

If Tiny is the angel on one of Flacos shoulders, Magana is the devil on the other, the kid who always has a scheme thats thrilling but scary. As "Diamond Park" begins, he announces to Tiny and Flaco that theyre all skipping school the next day so he can go buy a car from his godfather.

Maganas father is in prison, but hes told his son that the boys padrino, Rayo, has a 1959 Chevy Impala convertible hell sell for $1,000.

Flaco is skeptical: Right away I figured it was bullst. A 1959 Impala is as badass as it gets, a one-off model. The most unique Chevy ever built. Car looks like a spaceship. It was the only year it came with the teardrop lights under the folded fins  and convertible?

But hes up for a road trip, whether the car is real or not. The next day, while hes on the way to join Magana and Tiny to ride the bus to the small town of Diamond Park, Flaco runs into his pretty neighbor Susi, whom hes had a crush on forever. She wants to go along, so the four of them head for Diamond Park.

Rayo, it turns out, is all muscles, has a tattoo on the front of his neck that runs around his shoulder like a spiderweb, and isnt all that thrilled to see Magana. There are two other men with him, one of them, called Anaconda, even scarier than Rayo.

The car, Rayo tells them, is at a farm a few miles away, and his friend (the not-scary one) will drive them there in his VW Beetle. But theres not room for all of them, so Susi ends up staying behind. Flaco objects, but Magana says, Shell be fine. Well be right back.

The Impala is real, but by the time the boys get it to run and get back to Rayos house, one man is dead, another has vanished, and Susi is handcuffed and being led to a police cruiser.

Shes arrested, but they wont leave her behind a second time. Before long, Flaco and Magana are heading into Mexico, driving that Impala, rotten tires, steaming radiator and all, in search of the missing man.

Diederich builds the novels suspense skillfully, and he creates engaging characters  the dialogue among the three boys is especially effective, funny and often profane (in English and Spanish). For YA readers or adults, "Diamond Park" is worth the trip.
Nearly six years after restoration construction was completed at the former Cargill salt ponds in Napa, the previously industrialized marshes are alive with wildlife activity.

The wind whipping across San Pablo Bay doesnt stop the rabbits, ducks and other resilient species from foraging through the exposed mud and relying on the tides for their livelihood. While the project is far from being deemed a complete success, these critters and their continued presence are a clear indicator for California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff that their efforts are, to some degree, working.

Karen Taylor, a CDFW environmental scientist split between the Napa-Sonoma Marshes and Petaluma, has been working as a marine biologist in this region for nearly 17 years, and firsthand watched the shift from salt harvesting to habitat preservation within the wildlife area that encompasses the Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration Project.

There are still wetland drainages and there are still areas where there is no vegetation, as to be expected, but to be able to not find sanitation plates and erosion pins  I mean, none of this vegetation was there, said Taylor.

After the salt ponds were purchased by the state from Cargill in 1994, the land sat largely idle until the first phase of tidal restoration began in 2005. State agencies also purchased additional land, about a mile across the Napa River, from Cargill in 2003, which then became its own restoration project known as the Napa Plant Site Restoration Project.

Between these two projects, Taylor and her team manage over ten thousand acres of land, keeping up with mowing, weeding, spraying, surveying and the like as owners of the property. And while final phases of the projects have been completed for years now, the CDFW still needs to keep up with the post-construction monitoring, reporting and compliance that needs to be done.

Following the project's completion in an American Canyon Eagle interview, Taylors supervisor Larry Wyckoff reiterated that the intent of the project was to revive the salt ponds by restoring them to a mosaic of habitats, which would benefit rare, threatened, and endangered species, as well as a broad range of other fish, wildlife, and plant species. And according to the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Francisco Bay has lost an estimated 85 percent of its historic wetlands to fill or alteration  meaning a massive loss of habitat, too.

The restoration projects initial goals included ways to bring back native populations of special-status species like the salt marsh harvest mouse, creating a habitat for endangered fish and aquatic life, and maintaining ponds of different depths for both shorebirds and diving ducks, so keeping track of the species returning to the area is a large part of the restoration gig.

Taylor says the wildlife response was almost immediate following the completion of project construction, with continued growth in populations as the habitat develops further and vegetation matures.

It was just amazing, she said of the transition. As the habitat is changing, I think what is exciting for me even after doing this for 17 years is that I never know what I am going to see when I come out here. I have seen harbor seals, sea lions, otters, brown pelicans which would normally not be here, a bald eagle trying to get a coot  you never know.

The CDFW also leads a Napa Sonoma Marsh Restoration Group, which meets each fall to discuss project progress, share data acquired that year, and provide a space for different groups and agencies to collaborate. As a result, Taylor and her team have become a source of knowledge not only as biological monitors, but also as educators and purveyors of public access to wildlife areas.

This is one of the largest restorations in the West Coast and the Bay Area, so it has been exciting to be a part of that since almost the beginning for me, said Taylor. We have learned a lot on both restoration projects about what we are able to do, and hopefully people can learn from our successes and the issues that did pop up.

You can reach Sam Jones at 707-256-2221 and sjones@napanews.com.

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Bay Area transit agencies said Tuesday they plan to increase security on their rail systems in light of a shooting on the New York City subway.

The shooter, who remains at large, donned a gas mask on a subway train in Brooklyn around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday before he released a smoke canister and began shooting into a crowd of people on the train.

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At least 10 were injured by the gunfire, with five victims in critical condition, according to first responders in New York City. None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.

BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez said every uniformed officer in the transit agency's police force would be deployed across the train system throughout the day, an increased police presence compared to the agency's standard day-to-day operations.

"Our primary concern obviously is the safety of our riders and our employees, and today we just added a little extra emphasis and put anybody that was in the uniform out into the system," he said.

Alvarez said that while it can be difficult to stop an attack before it happens, BART does have more than 4,000 working cameras throughout the system and a full-time video recovery team.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority said in a statement that it would also increase patrols on its light rail trains and at light rail stations.

The VTA also said that a pair of bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol the transit system randomly throughout the week to ensure that riders feel safe.

The VTA added that there are no specific threats to its system and that the increased patrol presence is not a response to a credible threat.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency also said there is no credible threat to its system or other transit systems.

"We are devastated to hear the news and our hearts go out to our transit colleagues in NY and everyone impacted," Muni said in a statement. "We are working closely with SFPD and monitoring the situation locally."
After Sacramento cleared a highly-visible homeless encampment on the corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Howe Avenue Monday, activists argued the sweep's legality, citing a 2018 federal appeals court decision.

The decision, known as Martin vs. Boise, has prevented the city in the past from sweeping homeless camps on publicly owned land without providing shelter to individuals.

The Boise decision had ripple effects across the West Coast, including in Sacramento County, which has more than 5,500 unhoused people, according to the 2019 point-in-time count. The 2022 count took place in February and will be released later this year.

California cities have struggled with how to manage homelessness since the 2018 decision, with many local governments attempting to move camps in accordance with guidance from the ruling, which mandates providing adequate shelter to individuals. For example, last summer Venice Beach officials cleared out homeless tents from the city's boardwalk and relocated the unhoused individuals into temporary housing.

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What was the precedent for the ruling?

A group of homeless people living in Boise, Idaho, sued the city in 2009 over an ordinance that banned sleeping in public places.

In 2014, the city of Boise changed this rule and prevented homeless people from being punished for sleeping outside when shelters were full. However, the issue persisted even when beds were available due to shelters' limits on how long people could stay as well as certain religious requirements.

Judges from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal in 2018 interjected and said cities could not punish homeless people sleeping in outdoor public areas "when those people have no home or other shelter to go to," according to the opinion.

The panel, which ultimately sided with the group of six homeless people, came to the consensus that the ordinance violated the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment.

The 9th Circuit is considered the largest appellate court, with jurisdiction spanning nine states and two territories across the western United States as well as Hawaii and Alaska. It is headquartered in San Francisco.

In February 2021, Boise reached a historic settlement in the case and updated ordinances to protect the rights of those unable to access a shelter based on "disability, sexual orientation, or religious practices." This is to ensure people without housing are not issued a citation when shelter isn't available to them.

The city also said it would invest more than $1 billion dollars towards preventing homelessness and creating or rehabilitating overnight shelter space.

What does it prevent?

In short, the ruling prevents local governments from citing people camping in tents or otherwise on city-owned property when no shelter is available.

Beyond this restriction, the decision is open to interpretation and does not entirely prevent cities from criminalizing people sleeping outside. Under the ruling, cities are allowed to remove homeless camps near "critical infrastructure" such as levees, according to Sacramento's frequently asked questions page.

"Once a concern or complaint has been received via 311, the City will determine whether, under the law discussed above, any action can be taken and by whom," the city's website says.

A 2019 amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief, submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, argued that the Boise decision was "ill-defined and unworkable" and "creates more questions than answers."

The 36-page document, compiled by California State Association of Counties and 33 local governments, also raised concerns over what constitutes an available shelter bed.

The Supreme Court did not take the case and the 2018 decision stands.

According to a 2019 Bee report, after the Boise decision the city and county stopped citing homeless people for unlawful camping on public property unless police could find them an open shelter bed, offer transportation to it, and the person rejected the offer.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The state housing department is gearing up to send stern warnings to cities trying to skirt a new housing law advocates hope will bring more affordable housing.

Senate Bill 9, a state law that went into effect Jan. 1, allows property owners to build duplexes and in some cases, fourplexes, on most single-family parcels across the state. Cities, more than 240 of which opposed the bill, have pushed back against the state with ordinances that would severely curb what property owners can build.

The Housing and Community Development Department confirmed it has received complaints about 29 such cities it told CalMatters it plans to investigate. If it determines cities are indeed defying state housing laws, the department will send letters that offer technical assistance, and request a plan to fix those issues within 30 days.

The first of those letters will be sent out "relatively soon," according to David Zisser, who leads the housing department's newly created Housing Accountability Unit. Zisser said he hopes the department won't have to issue letters to all the cities they investigate.

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"By the time we send out a few letters, my hope is that jurisdictions will start to see themselves in those letters and start to make corrections to their own ordinances," he said.

If a second warning letter fails, the state attorney general's office, with whom they have been coordinating closely, would step in.

In fact, Attorney General Rob Bonta has intervened twice already. Pasadena carved out exemptions for landmark districts within the new law, which could apply to vast swaths of the city. Bonta told the city last month they could face a lawsuit if they didn't reverse course. In a response letter, the city's mayor said they are in full compliance with the law.

In February, Bonta also called out Woodside, a wealthy Silicon Valley town that claimed its entirety was protected mountain lion habitat and therefore couldn't accommodate duplexes. It quickly reversed course following the state's warning.

Both cities were on the housing department's list of 29 cities.

The state housing department doesn't have authority to enforce the duplex law, according to Zisser, which is why the cities on their list will be investigated for defying the 16 housing statutes under their purview, one of which limits a city's ability to restrict the development of new housing.

Who's on the naughty list?

Temple City, a Los Angeles suburb of 36,000 with a median home value of nearly $1 million, crafted an ordinance in December -- ahead of the law going into effect -- with a list of more than 30 development and design standards property owners must meet in order to develop new homes under the state's new duplex-friendly law. The purpose of the ordinance was not a secret.

"What we're trying to do here is to mitigate the impact of what we believe is a ridiculous state law," said councilmember Tom Chavez during a Dec. 21 city council meeting, in which they unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance limiting the effect of the duplex law in the city. He acknowledged the state may push back.

Traditional single-family zoning -- with room for one house for a single family with a front yard and a backyard -- is what has always attracted people to Temple City, said William Man, another councilmember.

"SB 9, at least in principle, is dismantling that before our eyes," he said.

Temple's ordinance says property owners must get rid of their garage or driveway before getting a building permit, and residents of the new unit will be banned from obtaining street parking passes. New tenants can't own a vehicle and must intend to walk, bike or take ubers around the suburb, according to a planning memo.

The city is also demanding that all new units meet the highest level of LEED certification, a designation typically held by premium office buildings like Facebook's Headquarters in Menlo Park.

Finally, the new ordinance says new homes can be no larger than 800 square feet -- also the minimum set by state law -- and must be rented at below-market value to be affordable to low-income families for 30 years, a standard that is echoed across multiple cities' anti-duplex law ordinances. A family of four would need to make $94,600 or less to qualify, and could only be charged 30% of their total income in rent, or $2,365 a month.

The affordability requirement threatens the viability of these projects, according to Muhammad Alameldin, a policy associate at UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation who has been reviewing multiple ordinances for an upcoming analysis.

While developers who build affordable housing usually rely on subsidies from the federal and state governments to operate, "These are just homeowners who have no assistance from their localities or from anyone, and lack technical expertise," he said.

Another city on the housing department's list: Sonoma, a historic city north of San Francisco known for its ritzy wineries. Besides requiring similar affordability covenants for new housing, Sonoma now requires that any prospective duplex property have at least three mature trees and 10 shrubs. The new duplex unit or singular house would have a maximum area of 800 square feet, and at least 600 square feet of shared yard space.

The count of cities with restrictive ordinances is higher among some pro-housing advocacy organizations, like the California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund. They identified more than 55 cities by following city council and planning department meetings in which "it's pretty clear the intent is to limit the use of SB 9 as much as possible," said the group's executive director Dylan Casey.

The typical median income across the 55 cities was $129,000, while the average home cost $1.9 million.

"With few exceptions, these are mostly the very expensive, very high-income suburbs that are rushing to prevent implementation of SB 9," Casey said.

A few other cities have engineered creative strategies to work around the law without catching heat from the state yet.

Absent from the state's watch list is Laguna Beach, a surf town in Orange County, which is playing with geometry to ensure property owners don't split their lots, according to Isaac Schneider, co-founder of Homestead, a startup that helps homeowners develop Accessory Dwelling Units and more recently, split their lots under the new duplex law.

Schneider said the law's power lies in lot splits, whereby property owners can cut their land in half to create smaller, more affordable parcels and thus spur homeownership. Laguna Beach's ordinance says the owner can't do that, unless the new lot is a perfect rectangle.

That presents an issue, Schneider explained, because the line for most lots would need to be drawn behind an existing house -- in the backyard. But in order to have street access, as required by law, planners normally create a flag shape, with a driveway or other access point to reach the new house without demolishing the existing structure. (Sonoma's ordinance also bans flag lots.)

The ordinance also requires the new lot to border the road for at least 30 consecutive feet. However, the typical lot is 50 feet wide in Laguna Beach, Schneider's group found. That means if a house is situated in the center of the lot, a lot split would require demolishing the existing home.

"They've made a math problem you cannot solve," Schneider said.

When CalMatters asked if these restrictions would render most projects infeasible, Laguna Beach Community Development Director Marc Wiener wrote in an email: "The intent is that subdivided lots have standard property boundaries and that there is adequate vehicle access to both parcels. Most lots are rectangular and meet the 30-foot frontage requirement, therefore it is not viewed as a limiting factor."

While the duplex law was a nail-biter in the Legislature, and continues to incite resistance among cities, it has barely made a dent in housing production. Planners in Bay Area cities haven't heard a peep from property owners looking to split their parcels or build a duplex.

Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, says the law has only been in effect for 90 days, and resistance from cities is just a feature of housing legislation in the state.

"It's not surprising at all that there will be resistance and cities will try to find loopholes," he said. "We just need to enforce the law, and we now have the attorney general and (the housing department) willing to do that plus private litigants who will sue if need be. And if it turns out that there are loopholes that need to be closed, we can do that."

But cities are also reverting to legal challenges. A group of four LA County cities, led by wealthy Redondo Beach, filed a lawsuit March 29 in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the attorney general's office, claiming the state "eviscerated" cities' land use control.

Bonta's office issued a statement in response: "We look forward to defending this important law in court and we will not be deterred from our ongoing efforts to enforce SB 9 and other state housing laws."

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In the mosquito breeding rooms of British biotech company Oxitec, scientists line up fresh eggs, each the size of a grain of salt. Using microscopic needles, the white-coated researchers inject each egg with a dab of a proprietary synthetic DNA.

For four days, Oxitec technicians care for the eggs, watching for those that hatch into wriggling brown larvae. Those "injection survivors," as the company calls them, face a battery of tests to ensure their genetic modification is successful.

Soon, millions of these engineered mosquitoes could be set loose in California in an experiment recently approved by the federal government.

Oxitec, a private company, says its genetically modified bugs could help save half the world's population from the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can spread diseases such as yellow fever, chikungunya and dengue to humans. Female offspring produced by these modified insects will die, according to Oxitec's plan, causing the population to collapse.

"Precise. Environmentally sustainable. Non-toxic," the company says on its website of its product trademarked as the "Friendly" mosquito.

Scientists independent from the company and critical of the proposal say not so fast. They say unleashing the experimental creatures into nature has risks that haven't yet been fully studied, including possible harm to other species or unexpectedly making the local mosquito population harder to control.

Even scientists who see the potential of genetic engineering are uneasy about releasing the transgenic insects into neighborhoods because of how hard such trials are to control.

"There needs to be more transparency about why these experiments are being done," said Natalie Kofler, a bioethicist at Harvard Medical School who has followed the company's work. "How are we weighing the risks and benefits?"

She pointed out that the possible benefits of the technology in California are lower than they would be in more tropical regions of the world where mosquito-borne disease outbreaks often threaten humans. California has never had a case in which an Aedes aegypti was found to transmit disease.

Nathan Rose, Oxitec's head of regulatory affairs, said the company chose California because the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have spread rapidly after being discovered in the state about a decade ago. The tiny, aggressive day-biters can lay eggs in a space as small as a water-filled bottle cap left in the backyard.

Rose noted that the company found its mosquito reduced the population in a Brazilian neighborhood by 95% in just 13 weeks.

So far, Oxitec has released little of its data from that experiment or from a more recent release in the Florida Keys. It hasn't yet published any of those results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal  publications that scientists expect when evaluating a new drug or technology.

On March 7, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it had granted Oxitec a permit to release its transgenic insects on 29,400 acres in the counties of San Bernardino, Fresno, Stanislaus and Tulare.

The company plans to start the release in northern Tulare County in the Central Valley, where it has partnered with the local mosquito control district based in the city of Visalia.

The experiment must still be approved by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Threatening invasive mosquito on its way to Napa County With the "yellow fever" mosquito coming this way, Napans need to eliminate standing water where they breed.

Inserting synthetic DNA into mosquitoes

To create its mosquito, known as the OX5034, Oxitec started with Aedes aegypti captured in Mexico's Chiapas state. Its scientists then inserted into the insects a synthetic DNA sequence they call the "self-limiting" gene.

When the engineered male mosquitoes are released into neighborhoods and mate with the wild bugs, the gene works to kill the female offspring, Oxitec said. The male progeny fly away to mate with more of the local mosquito population, further spreading the company's gene, which it says is lethal only to the Aedes aegypti and not other species.

The company said that because it is releasing only males there is no danger of the public being bitten by an engineered insect. Only female mosquitoes bite and carry disease.

Oxitec scientists also inserted a fluorescent marker gene into the modified bugs. That gene produces a protein to make its mosquitoes glow when exposed to a specific color of light so that the company can track them.

The company plans to use the data from the California experiment to try to gain full commercial approval of its engineered mosquitoes from the EPA  a goal that would substantially increase the private company's value. It uses the same technology in myriad other invasive pests, including the fall armyworm and the soybean looper, which it hopes to sell in the U.S. and around the world.

Oxitech is owned by Third Security, a private company in Virginia founded by billionaire Randal J. Kirk. The former lawyer became wealthy through founding and investing in pharmaceutical companies. He received more than $1 billion in 2007 when his company New River Pharmaceuticals and its attention deficit disorder drug called Vyvanse were purchased by Shire.

More recently, Kirk has focused on experimental products created through genetic engineering. Another of his investments is the genetically modified salmon created by the company AquaBounty to grow faster with less food. AquaBounty is now farm-raising the modified fish for commercial sale at facilities in Indiana and on Prince Edward Island.

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Experiment in the Central Valley

When it comes to the environment, growing modified fish inside a factory raises different issues than releasing winged experimental creatures into the wild, which the company hopes to do soon in Tulare County if state regulators agree.

Oxitec has proposed releasing its mosquitoes at 48 different locations in the county. Under the plan, the company said it would release a maximum of 3.5 million mosquitoes a week.

"This is alarming," said Angel Garcia, who lives near Visalia, where the first engineered bugs may be released. "Residents have not been consulted and they have not consented to being part of this."

Garcia, who does outreach to local residents as part of his job for the nonprofit group Californians for Pesticide Reform, pointed to a hiring event that Oxitec hosted in Visalia on March 17. A company flyer said it was hiring field and lab technicians.

"It's as if this is already a done deal," he said.

Rose told The Times that the company was still waiting for state approval while also continuing with plans to build a research facility in Visalia to aid in the work.

State officials said they plan "a rigorous scientific evaluation" of the company's proposal that will take at least several months to complete. They said public comments can be emailed to mosquito.ra@cdpr.ca.gov until April 19.

Among scientists' concerns is that releasing the genetically modified mosquitoes into neighborhoods could create hybrids that are hardier and more dangerous to humans than the state's current population.

The EPA said it had reviewed a 2019 study led by researchers at Yale who found that DNA from the Oxitec bugs had been transferred to the local mosquito population in an area of Brazil  raising questions of whether the experiment had unintentionally created hybrids that were more robust. When that study was published, Oxitec complained that the researchers had exaggerated their findings, and the journal's editors later added a note to the article that some of the language may have been misleading.

EPA regulators agreed that what the Yale scientists had found  the transfer of DNA from the corporate-created mosquitoes to the wild population, which is called introgression  was a concern. They said the probability of this happening with the OX5034, the strain of bugs the company wants to release in California, was "likely to be significantly higher" than what the Yale study had found with an earlier generation, according to a memo written by EPA scientists.

Rose said Oxitec expected the introgression. He said the company had designed its mosquitoes so that their DNA soon disappeared from the wild population. That happens, he said, because not only do the mosquitoes with the company's genes have female offspring that die, but they are also more vulnerable to chemical insecticides than the Aedes aegypti now in California.

An EPA spokesperson said regulators expected that mosquitoes with the corporate genes "would disappear from the environment within 10 generations of mosquitoes because they are not able to reproduce as successfully as local populations."

To prove this, the agency has required Oxitec to monitor neighborhoods for mosquitoes that have DNA from its engineered insects until none have been found for at least 10 consecutive weeks.

The Central Valley's large agriculture industry poses another risk for the experiment because of farmers' use of antibiotics on citrus groves and in livestock.

Oxitec uses the antibiotic tetracycline to raise its bugs and mass produce them. When larvae of its modified mosquitoes are exposed to tetracycline, the females  which bite humans  can survive.

Because of the risk posed by the antibiotic, the EPA required Oxitec not to release its mosquitoes within 500 meters of any commercial citrus grove, livestock facility or human waste treatment plant.

The agency also required Oxitec to search for any female mosquitos that survive and alert regulators if any are found. The EPA said it could shut down the experiment if problems are found.

The EPA added that it believed the release would have "no discernible effects" on endangered species or other wildlife including birds, bats or fish.

Technology and regulation

Through genetic engineering, scientists have gained increasing powers to reshape nature. Already, modified crops such as glyphosate-resistant corn are common in American fields, making farming easier and earning huge profits for their corporate developers.

But as the science grows more complex and moves from plants to animals, some scientists worry that regulators are overmatched. They fear the EPA's regulations are not strong enough to protect the public and the environment.

"We are concerned that current government oversight and scientific evaluation of GM mosquitoes do not ensure their responsible deployment," Kofler and four other academic scientists wrote in 2020 soon after Oxitec proposed its first release in Florida.

The group detailed how the EPA was reliant on internal data from the biotech companies in making its decisions. That data could be biased, they said, because the companies have a conflict of interest since they could profit if the technology is approved.

Instead, EPA scientists should seek the opinion of independent experts to help decide whether to approve the products, they wrote.

The EPA spokesperson said that the agency had policies to ensure the corporate data "represent sound science" and that it had sought advice from other sources before approving Oxitec's California trial.

Kofler said the group worried that the EPA was "getting caught a little flat-footed."

"It's not a modern enough regulatory structure," she said, "for a very modern and complicated technology."

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
According to information published by Taiwan News on April 11, 2022, Taiwan may consider purchasing decommissioned U.S. Navy littoral combat ships (LCS), Vice Defense Minister Alex Po said.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship USS Montgomery during a port visit to the Philippines (Picture source: U.S. DoS)

The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a set of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the United States Navy. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals." Littoral combat ships are comparable to corvettes found in other navies. The Freedom class and the Independence-class are the first two LCS variants.

The Freedom-class is one of two classes of the littoral combat ship program, built for the United States Navy.

The ship is a semi-planing steel monohull with an aluminum superstructure. It is 377 ft (115 m) in length, displaces 3,500 metric tons (3,400 long tons), and can achieve 47 knots (87 km/h; 54 mph).

The design incorporates a large, reconfigurable sea frame to allow rapidly interchangeable mission modules, a flight deck with an integrated helicopter launch, recovery, and handling system, and the capability to launch and recover boats (manned and unmanned) from both the stern and side.

The Independence-class is a class of littoral combat ships built for the United States Navy. The hull design evolved from a project at Austal to the design of a high-speed, 40-knot cruise ship.

The ships are 127.4 m (418 ft) long, with a beam of 31.6 m (104 ft), and a draft of 13 ft (3.96 m). Their displacement is rated at 2,377 tons light, 3,228 tons full, and 851 tons deadweight. The standard ship's company is 40, although this can increase depending on the ship's role with mission-specific personnel.
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is expected to announce as soon as Wednesday another $750 million in military assistance for Ukraine for its fight against Russian forces, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told Reuters, the latter reported.

The equipment would be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorize the transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

The White House said last week that it has provided more than $1.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
YEREVAN.  Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia writes: The Goris-Kapan highways 21-kilometer section, which [PM] Nikol Pashinyan handed over to the Azerbaijanis after the 44-day [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [in the fall of 2020], has become a deserted road.

The Azerbaijani side has installed barbed wire and concrete barriers here, which proves that neither Armenians nor large Iranian trucks travel through these roads.

At first, high-ranking RA officials were assuring that we could also use that road by paying customs. It turned out to be a lie. Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards are standing on both sides of the road.

Judging by this photo taken two days ago, this part of [the] Goris-Kapan [motorway] is no longer trafficable.

Let us recall that as a result of snatching this road, the Shurnukh, Vorotan and Bardzravan settlements [of Armenia] were also isolated, which became enclaves and remained in the hope of the bypassing roads that are difficult to pass.
The chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Fr. Koryoun (Hovnan) Baghdasaryan, has posted on Facebook a statement of the Patriarchate, which refers to the restrictions that have been imposed on holding the "Light" ceremony, expressing disagreement with the respective decision of the Israeli police.

"Statement by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the Light ceremony ahead of Easter, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem has to issue this statement informing its faithful of the restrictions that the Israeli police are attempting to impose this year," the statement reads, in particular.
The Pentagon is considering the possibility of providing a new package of military assistance to Ukraine. The package may include Mi-17 helicopters and Hummer SUVs, The Washington Post reported, citing President Joe Biden's staff.

The initial package included howitzers, coastal defense drones, as well as radiation, chemical, and biological protection equipment.

But it is not clear yet whether all this will remain included in the final package.
U.S. President Joe Biden bemoaned the spike in gas prices as being driven by a dictator who committed genocide half a world away in a speech Tuesday that was an apparent reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine, NBC News reported.

In remarks in Iowa, the president blamed Putin for recent price hikes at the pump. Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away, said Biden.

The president had stopped short on April 5 of calling the atrocities in Bucha, Ukraine, a genocide, when asked by reporters whether Russian actions there fit that definition.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said then that the killings documented so far in Ukraine did not rise to the level of genocide as defined by the U.S. government.

The State Department has a lengthy internal process for determining if mass killing amounts to genocide, including collecting evidence over a period of time.

The U.S. defines genocide as an act against members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the killings in Bucha a genocide.
Yerevan.Today: Azerbaijani journalists are in Armenia

Candidate with Turkish citizenship and served in Turkey army is nominated for US Senate

Opposition Yerevan rally participant remanded in custody

Armenia Investigative Committee comments on cases of blocking streets with trucks

Resistance Movement holding rally in Vanadzor

US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Syria

Women kick off march in downtown Yerevan

Man found dead under Yerevan bridge

Armenia Judge Boris Bakhshiyan released from custody

Armenia President meets with Security Council secretary

Biden demands to stop leaks of US intel sharing with Ukraine

At least 22 dead in explosion at 5-star hotel in Cuba

Newspaper: Armenia PM had arrangement with ruling political teams parliament faction

G7 leaders to discuss possible new sanctions on Russia

Armenia Security Council chief: No talk of withdrawing Russian peacekeepers from Artsakh?

Resistance Movement heading towards Vanadzor by motorcade

Newspaper: Armenia consumer market inflation was 2.3% in April compared to March

Pentagon announces additional $150M in aid to Ukraine

Sri Lanka's president declares state of emergency amid mass protests

Austria needs several years to give up on Russian gas

Biden to sign new arms package for Ukraine worth at least $100 million

Armenia's third President Serzh Sargsyan in France Square

Armenia parliament speakers mother spits at protesters

Resistance Movement to hold rally tomorrow in Vanadzor, women's march to take place in Yerevan

2nd Chamber of Istanbul Regional Court dismisses appeals by lawyers in Hrant Dink case

European Parliament: Ankara deliberately 'destroyed' its chances of joining EU

NEWS.am digest: Large scale protests continue in Yerevan, people forcibly arrested

Scholz to take part in G7 Ukraine discussion with Zelenskyy

Germany to supply Ukraine with seven self-propelled howitzers

Resistance Movement rallies in France Square

Al-Monitor: More niceties, zero progress in third round of Turkey-Armenia peace talks

Apple, Google, Microsoft to introduce passwordless authorization before end of 2023

Japan may start letting tourists into country in June

Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into hooliganism committed by marchers in downtown Yerevan

Six people injured in building explosion in Madrid

Dollar, euro continue rising significantly in Armenia

Swiss police seize more than 500kg of cocaine from cargo for Nespresso factory

Law enforcement apprehend 59 people during Fridays civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

Karabakh official: Azerbaijani truck committed deliberate crime in Artsakh

Policeman hits woman during protest action in Yerevan

Committee to Protect Journalists: Armenia law enforcement obstruct journalists covering Yerevan protests

Armenia ruling force MP calls on police to inspect opposition 'shelters' where drugs may be kept

Artsakh Police investigating Armenian car crash caused by Azerbaijani convoy

Situation gets tense on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan, ex-president Kocharyans son also there

Police apprehend 48 people during civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

Police special forces forcibly remove Armenia ex-Police chief from opposition march in Yerevan

Situation gets tense during opposition march in Yerevan

Ararat Mirzoyan briefs US Senator McConnell on details of Armenia-Turkey normalization process

Azerbaijan holding international regatta in occupied Armenian Mataghis town of Karabakh

Many members of US Congress give green light for F-16s to Turkey

Law amendments propose that Armenia councils of elders members will also be able to be elected community leaders

Resistance Movement holding marches in Yerevan in 4 directions

Armenia parliament holding special sitting

Copper prices falling

Armenia FM Mirzoyan, US Senator Menendez stress inadmissibility of provoking tension by Azerbaijan

Oil rises in price

Bishkek reports that Uzbekistan border guards shoot, kill 3 Kyrgyzstan citizens at border

Azerbaijani military convoy throws Armenian taxi into gorge in Artsakh (PHOTOS)

Armenia Police: All roads open in Yerevan, provinces

Armenia FM in US, meets with International Republican Institute Eurasia regional director

US Strategic Command chief warns of deterrence crisis against Russia, China

Armenia ex-Prosecutor General, Investigative Committee former chief to remain in custody

Newspaper: Armenia President reacts to oppositions struggle

Mississippi becomes last US state to recognize Armenian Genocide

Resistance Movement rally ends: Citizens remain on France Square

Erdogan and Macron discuss Turkey-France relations and Ukraine

CNBC: Elon Musk to become interim CEO of Twitter

Saghatelyan: Tomorrow from 12:00 we will completely paralyze Yerevan from four directions

Finland ready to cut off gas supplies from Russia

Resistance Movement marchers return to France Square

NEWS.am digest: Large scale protests continue in Yerevan, people forcibly arrested

Greece accuses Turkey of stoking tensions in Aegean Sea

Resistance Movement rally starts in central Yerevan

US Embassy in Havana resumes issuing visas to Cubans

Bloomberg: UK and Japan will help Asian countries reduce dependence on Russian oil

Dollar, euro gain considerable value in Armenia

FLYONE ARMENIA cancels Yerevan flights to, from Lyon, Paris until June 10

Annual inflation in Turkey reaches 69.97% in April

Armenia population as of January 1 announced

Poland builds 50 kilometers of fence on border with Belarus
London police issued fines to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak for violating anti-covid restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. So, on June 19, 2020, Johnson celebrated his birthday with a party in the government building, violating the lockdown announced by him.

As the head of the British government said on Tuesday, April 12, he has already paid a fine and apologizes for what happened.

Johnson became the first British Prime Minister to be punished for breaking the law in office. He also refused to resign, as demanded by the opposition.

The first reports of parties taking place at the government building on Downing Street, despite the strict anti-COVID rules in place at the time, appeared in December 2021.

Johnson's birthday celebration on June 19, 2020 was reportedly attended by up to 30 guests. A lockdown was in effect in the country, and groups of no more than six people were allowed to gather outdoors. According to a Downing Street spokeswoman, Johnson attended the celebration for less than ten minutes.

In total, according to the BBC, police are investigating violations of quarantine restrictions at 12 gatherings on Downing Street and other government buildings. More than 50 fines have already been issued.
One of the shareholders of Twitter sued the American entrepreneur and the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, for failing to disclose his stake in the company by the deadline and for being able to purchase shares at a lower price.

In early April, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, announced that he owns a 9.2% stake in Twitter, after which the company's shares jumped in price by more than 20%.

In a filing, plaintiff Mark Bain Rasella alleges that Musk began acquiring shares in the company in January and owned more than 5% of the shares by April 14. In accordance with the rules of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Musk had to inform the agency about exceeding the threshold of 5% within ten days, that is, until March 24. The billionaire instead continued to buy securities and provided data only on April 4, when he already owned more than 9% of Twitter shares.

Investors who sold their Twitter shares between March 24, 2022, when Musk was due to announce his stake on Twitter, and April 4, 2022 missed out on the resulting share price appreciation as the market reacted to Musks purchase, and suffered damage, the document says.
The negative prevails in all of our feelings about 2021. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia

He said that as of today, the number of Armenian casualties of the 44-day Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war in the fall of 2020 is 3,825, and that most of their bodies were found or identified and buried in 2021.

"Why did it happen like this? I will answer this question myself. From the beginning I have accepted my guilt and accountability for both the war and the defeat, but I have not accepted and do not accept the accusations leveled against me by the opposition after November 9, 2020, accusing [me] of handing over lands and thus of treason as well," the Armenian PM said.

He noted that in a recent interview he hinted that if they want to attribute an objective accusation to him, he should be accused not of handing over land, but of not handing over land.

"Yes, I want to admit that I may be guilty of it. It is my fault that I did not stand before our society in 2018-2019 and did not voice that all our close and distant friends expect us to hand over the seven known regions to Azerbaijan in this or that configuration, and lower the yardstick we have set for the status of Artsakh.

It is my fault that I did not tell our people that the international community unequivocally recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, expects us to recognize it as well, expects the Azerbaijanis who left Karabakh to be fully involved in the matters of deciding and governing the future of Nagorno-Karabakh.

It is my fault that I did not say clearly and unequivocally that even the proposed scenarios unacceptable to us were not acceptable to Azerbaijan, and the representatives of the international community were sometimes telling us clearly, sometimes diplomatically, that if all this is accepted by the Armenian side, Azerbaijan still needs to be convinced that it accept [as well].

I had to present all this in detail to our people; not doing this is my real fault for.

Such a wording of the accusation is not at all an attempt to alleviate the situation, but on the contrary, I aggravates it even more because by handing over [the aforesaid lands] I might have saved thousands of lives, whereas by not handing over, I in fact became the author of decisions leading to thousands of casualties," said PM Pashinyan. "This is more than a treachery; it's wrong," he added.
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Armenia has never provided this much assistance to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) as it does now. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

He considered the most important achievement of 2021 to be the ensuring of macroeconomic stability in the difficult post-war period, which, according to him, was being exacerbated also by the internal political and coronavirus crisis, uncertain security environment, and alarm bells.

A considerable part of these additional expenses was directed to the solution of the socioeconomic problems of Artsakh, which was wounded by the war. And against this background, when the government [of Armenia] implemented a 136 billion dram program in Artsakh from November 2020 to the end of 2021, and has envisioned 144 billion drams in funding from the 2022 budget, there are people who dare to say that Armenia has washed [its] hands of Artsakh. Armenia has never provided this much assistance to Artsakh as it does now," Pashinyan said.

In the reporting year, an unprecedented amount of capital expenditures was realized100% more than planned at the beginning of the year. According to Pashinyan, such an indicator has never been in the history of Armenia.

"As a result, the number of jobs in December 2021 was 659,471, which is an absolute record for the entire history of the previous period in Armenia. (). The average and gross salary has increased considerably," said the Prime Minister.
The phone talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan was constructive, said the Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov, haqqin.az reports.

He noted that during the talks, further steps were discussed in continuation of the agreements reached by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the EU, reached in Brussels.

The minister recalled that the parties are facing issues related to the peace treaty, the process of border delimitation, as well as humanitarian issues.

Speaking about the creation of working groups to prepare a peace treaty and delimitation of borders, one should expect principles in terms of its format, level and compliance, Jeyhun Bayramov said, adding that Azerbaijan is taking positive steps in this direction and expects the same from Armenia.
I am guilty that in 2018-2019 I did not stand before our society and did not voice that all our friends expect us to hand over the seven known regions to Azerbaijan in this or that configuration and lower the yardstick we set for the status of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], that the international community unequivocally recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, expects us to also recognize [it]. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

"This is not the end of the story because it is one thing to talk about it with the people in time, it is second to convince the people of concessions, and the third issue to bring all that to fruition.

In order to talk to people about it in time, I first had to convince myself that it was the right way. And I confess to myself, I could not convince.

I could not convince myself because we have been telling the Armenian society for 25 years that all the hardships we have suffered have a greater purpose, and that is the freedom of Artsakh. ()

I could not convince myself because when I was getting familiarized with the negotiation documents, I was becoming convinced that [then-President] Serzh Sargsyan was not exaggerating at all when he said that Armenia was ready to leave the 7 regions, but every time Azerbaijan was positing new demands and that Azerbaijan's expectations are unrealistic and unacceptable to us.

I also could not convince myself also because when I realized that [then-President] Robert Kocharyan was not exaggerating at all when he was stating that Armenia also has an issue of territorial integrity.

It was difficult to become convinced that as a result of 30 years of hardship, one can simply hand over the fruits of victory and get nothing in return. To accept this meant to admit that by declaring a state, we have created a facade and completely and utterly failed the work of institutional establishment of the state," Pashinyan said.

According to him, the situation is the same in terms of content, and he cannot repeat the same mistakes.

"Today, the international community clearly tells Armenia that being the only country in the world that does not recognizeat a bilateral levelthe territorial integrity of Turkeys ally Azerbaijan is a great danger not only for Artsakh, but also for Armenia.

Today, the international community is telling us, Lower our bar on the matter of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh a little, and you will ensure great international consolidation around Armenia and Artsakh. Otherwise, the international community says, Do not pin hopes on usnot because we do not want to help you, but because we cannot help you," said the Prime Minister of Armenia.
In 2018 and 2019, I had to inform the people that all our friends and partnersboth distant and closeare expectingin this or that configurationfrom us to hand over the infamous seven regions around Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] to Azerbaijan. Also, they had proposed to us to lower the bar, which we set ourselves, for the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

According to him, the international community recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and expects the full involvement of the Azerbaijani population who left Karabakh in the process of determining the future status and fate of Karabakh.

"By handing over the territories, I perhaps could have saved thousands of lives. [But] by refusing to do that, I, in fact, became the culprit of the death of thousands of people," Pashinyan added.
The story of the invasion of Parukh village, which is in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), showed that Azerbaijan is not going to be satisfied with psychological terrorism, and the de-Armenianization Artsakh through armed terrorism is one of its main and key tasks. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

"Questions also arise here in connection with the activities of the peacekeeping contingent. But at the moment we consider it important that the Russian peacekeeping contingent take measures to remove the Azerbaijani units from its area of responsibility; this is also a serious test for the peacekeeping mission.

The fact that yesterday the Russian peacekeeping contingent did not allow a group of [Armenia National Assembly] NA MPs to enter Artsakh causes puzzlement. This practice contradicts the provisions of November 9, [2020] that the Lachin corridor is envisioned to ensure the connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. No kind of inspection function is envisioned at that corridor, especially to ban the movement of NA MPs," Pashinyan said.
The peace agenda has no alternative for Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

Pashinyan reflected on the trilateral meeting held in Brussels on April 6, noting that as a result of that meeting, he agreed that the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan shall begin preparations for a peace agreement between the two countries.

"Yes. Signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan as soon as possible is part of our plans. But I must say that we have no illusions here either because we do not rule out that Azerbaijan will attempt to bring the peace process to a standstill as quickly as possible, turning it an occasion for new aggressive actions against Armenia and Artsakh."

We have the same calculation in connection with the [Armenia-Azerbaijan border] delimitation works because we do not rule out that Azerbaijan will use this process to formulate territorial claims against Armenia, declaring de jure that it has no territorial claims at all," he said.

Pashinyan stressed that Armenia has come to the conclusion that standing at the same point and not making some progress in the process not only does not reduce, but also exacerbates the risks.

"This is the reason why we have also reached an agreement in Brussels on the [border] delimitation matterto set up, by the end of April, an Armenia-Azerbaijan bilateral commission on delimitation and border security, and to start working," he said.
The bilateral commission on delimitation and border security, as its name suggests, will have a dual mandate. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

"The first is the actual [Armenia-Azerbaijan border] delimitation work; that is, the demarcation work. The second is to ensure security and stability along the border. This means that the commission will have some authority to monitor the border situation, as well as the opportunity to come up with a concrete proposal aimed at increasing the level of security and stability at the borders. If necessary, the international expert potential also can be engaged in this process.

I would also like to inform that we are currently working on the format and staff of the commission, and we should try to clarify the staff by April 30 at the latest. In the meantime, our relevant officials shall work with the Azerbaijani side and reach a common ground on this organizational issue," Pashinyan added.
As in the case of demarcation [of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border], the strengthening of the international legitimacy of Armenia's position on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] is extremely important for us. And in this respect, the settlement of the lawsuit that Armenia filed on September 16, 2021 against Azerbaijan with the International Court of Justice [(ICJ)] is significant. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

According to him, this lawsuit is based on International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and we hope that the settlement of the lawsuit, which, unfortunately, will not be too soon, will be a significant factor in protecting the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and will raise the bar of the international community's perception of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Bringing examples of Azerbaijan's racist policy against Armenians, the PM stressed: "We must use all these facts in detail at the International Court of Justice. We shall make these facts the justification of the need to launch effective mechanisms for the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

And, of course, we shall use these facts to substantiate our positions in the peace talks and ensure their international legitimacy."
By fixing our positions on the actual process of organizing peace talks, we had conveyed it to Azerbaijan through the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, stated that we were ready to start peace talks on that basis, and asked the Co-Chairs to assist in organizing or holding those peace talks. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

In Brussels, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan were instructed to begin preparations for a future peace agreement and to launch talks and contacts in this regard. Following the publicizing of this information, we were criticized for actually abandoning the idea of holding talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The reality is a little different. We have not given up on that idea, we support that idea; but you also know that the relations within the Co-Chairs are extremely tense due to the events in Ukraine. (). And even now, given this tension, we cannot passively wait for the co-chairs to act. On the other hand, the start of bilateral talks in no way prohibits the involvement of the co-chairs in the process. And we will support that idea.

And yes. We are convinced that the preparation of the process should start without delay, and we shall hope that the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be able to fulfill the given instructions in due time. It is important to note that today the entire international community is ready to support the process, and this opportunity must be truly seized.

However, the direct involvement of international partners in a number of issues on the peace agenda is noticeable to the naked eye. You know that there is an Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral working group on the opening of regional communications, co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers. ().

By the way, Azerbaijan is trying to bring the process to a deadlock here as well, by trying to turn our interest in the matter of opening the roads into a corridor conversation. But as I have stated many times, this approach is absolutely unacceptable to us.

It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan is trying to implement the agenda of opening regional communications in such a way that as a result, the blockade of Armenia will not be overcome, but, on the contrary, will deepen. Or become a new justification for an aggressive policy towards Armenia. This is the reason why we shall show maximum flexibility in this issue, at the same time clearly defending our principled positions and the territorial integrity of Armenia," Pashinyan stated.
Turkey's top prosecutor has ordered the detention of 91 people on charges of links to Kurdish rebels, ratcheting up pressure on the PKK ahead of next year's elections, Bloomberg reported.

So far, police have detained 46 suspects, including some former municipal officials from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to prosecutors, they are accused of funding the PKK, which is seeking Kurdish autonomy in southeastern Turkey.

The Turkish government stepped up pressure on pro-Kurdish forces after the Peoples' Democratic Party helped Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, win mayoral elections in Ankara and Istanbul in the 2019 local elections.
(HBO)  Against the backdrop of increasing animal feed prices and unstable chicken market caused by COVID-19 that trouble a large number of chicken farming households, farmer members of Tuan Chuyen Livestock Farming Service Cooperative in Phu Thanh Commune, Lac Thuy district, are still able to make profit from their work.

A worker of Tuan Chuyen Livestock Farming Service Cooperative, Phu Thanh Commune (Lac Thuy), separates cocks and hens after they are moved out of the incubator.





The cooperatives chairman and director Trinh Van Tuan said that the cooperative has established partnership with 100 chicken-farming households, called satellite households, forming a large-scale production that helps the farmers stablise prices and prevent inventory.





On the one hand, the cooperative is responsible for providing farmers with young chicks, feed and instructions on proper farming technique and committed to purchase eggs and commercial chickens from all satellite households. On the other hand, satellite households are required to raise their livestock in accordance to the provided instructions and training.





Thanks to these efforts, the cooperative has emerged as a reputed provider of young chicks and commercial chickens nationwide. It now owns 36 incubators, capable of providing 80,000 - 100,000 offsprings weekly, which are usually transported to HCM City and the island of Phu Quoc by air.





The cooperative also has four stores in Hanoi, two in Ha Long City (Quang Ninh), and one in Lao Cai. Each can sell around 2 tonnes of chicken per day.





Getting together in a cooperative has helped its members and satellite households to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Cao Van Dan, a farmer from Phu Thanh commune's Bot village whose family is a satellite household, said he has received support in purchasing young chicks, building the farm and distributing the products.





Now his household is raising about 8,000 chickens, providing the cooperatives with some 800 eggs daily. Last year, turnover from his chicken farm reached 500 million VND.





The cooperative currently employs about 40 local workers, and generates 100 billion VND in revenue and 5 billion VND in profit every year.





The business model deployed by Tuan Chuyen cooperative has proved profitable and enabled the district to improve Lac Thuy chicken trademark, said Hoang Dinh Chinh, deputy head of Lac Thuy's division of agriculture and rural development.




It is clear that in the current complicated geopolitical situation, the Republic of Armenia must pursue an active foreign policy, and the international contacts held at the level of the Prime Minister give a certain idea of that activeness. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

"The key and main goal of all these contacts is one: In this new situation, to better understand what the world thinks and wants, and to make our thoughts and desires more understandable to the world. At the same time, to make what we think and desire more in line with global trends, to pursue a balanced foreign policy as much as possible, to pursue a balancing foreign policy.

In this sense, I consider our regional policy important. We are trying to further intensify our traditionally active contacts with Iran and Georgia; at the same time starting talks with Azerbaijan and Turkey as well. Of course, we do not have any illusions here; but I believe it is obvious that the conversation [with Turkey and Azerbaijan] shall continue with the aim of becoming a real dialogue, and it is in the national interests of the Republic of Armenia.

The national interest is the national interest of our country, the factor that shall become our motivation in all actions," the Armenian PM added.
A number of anti-COVID restrictions in Greece will be relaxed, in particular, from May 1 to August 31, the need to display certificates of vaccination against coronavirus and COVID-19 at the entrance to catering establishments, department stores and other objects is cancelled, said Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris, TASS reports.

According to him, from May 1 to August 31, it will not be necessary to show certificates of vaccination against coronavirus and a previous COVID-19 disease, new decisions on this measure will be made on September 1.

From June 1, the wearing of protective masks in indoor areas is cancelled. Since May 1, self-testing has been canceled in schools [with the help of kits for COVID-19 distributed free of charge in pharmacies to schoolchildren and students]. Students will return to educational institutions without self-testing after the Easter holidays, the minister said.

As the head of the Ministry of Health noted, from May 1, only unvaccinated workers will be required to do express tests once a week for admission to the workplace. From May 1 to August 31, any quantitative restrictions on the presence of people in restaurants, cafes, cinemas, stadiums and other public places are removed, their loading is allowed at 100%. From April 15, the previously introduced fine of 100 euros for unvaccinated citizens over the age of 60 is also cancelled.
We have mentioned many times that the proposal of a mirror withdrawal of troops has never been a precondition. We just think that a normal border delimitation process is possible only with respect to the borders where there is a certain level of security and stabilitywhich, unfortunately, cannot be said about the current Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armeniaand commenting on the criticism of the opposition.

Some members of the opposition have accused him of abandoning his own proposal of a mirror withdrawal of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.

"Our concern that in parallel with the delimitation, Azerbaijan wants to maintain military tension along the border with Armenia in order to justify its territorial claims and formulate new demands against our country was finally accepted by the international community.

However, we have already reached the dangerous point where the proposal for the mirror withdrawal of troops can be misunderstood. This proposal can be perceived as a policy aimed at creating another deadlock. That is why, as I said at the March 31 government sitting, we expressed readiness to show flexibility, and we are showing that flexibility in Brussels. We hope that the international community will pay more attention to the security situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," Pashinyan said.
Chile is lifting all anti-covid restrictions on the entry of tourists from April 14, Deputy Health Minister Cristobal Cuadrado said.

Foreigners, including those from Russia, will no longer need a vaccination certificate and PCR test approved by the local Ministry of Health. It is enough to fill out an entry declaration no later than 48 hours and take out health insurance covering the treatment of COVID-19.

However, for movement within the republic - by plane or other transport - a sanitary pass is still required. Therefore, if such trips are to be made, it is better to get the approval of the immunization certificate in advance.
The leitmotif of 1998 was that then-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan considered it acceptable that the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) issue be resolved in phases, whereas subsequent Presidents Serzh Sargsyan, Robert Kocharyan, the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities were saying no, the issue shall be resolved in a package. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated about this Wednesday during the National Assembly (NA) debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

"The negotiation paper that is put on my table, the title was as follows: On the first stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and further steps. That is, the person [i.e., Serzh Sargsyan] who said that the phased solution is a defeat left a piece of paper on the negotiating table in 2018, the title of which is this. ().

But always keep in mind that the question is whether or not Azerbaijan agrees with all this. They say we would have resolved the Karabakh issue this way, that way. Dear people, you should have resolved it! They present the ideas in the unsigned papers as a victory," said Pashinyan.

He recalled that Serzh Sargsyan had said about this matter from the NA rostrum.

"They tell me how it happened that you fell into the trap in 2019. Falling into the trap was that a negotiation package appears where Armenia is expected to now hand over seven regions to Azerbaijan. We were not in the trap; that paper recorded what Serzh Sargsyan announced from this rostrum. It was the result of his last negotiations because in 2019 we did not even start negotiations; we did not talk about substantive negotiations at all.

Today they say, Could you have prevented the war? We could have prevented the war, as a result of which we would have had this same situationof course, without casualties," Pashinyan said.
The United States, not Russia or China have become the main threat to the peaceful exploration of space, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday, TASS reported.

"The US has repeatedly played up the so-called outer space threat from China and Russia in disregard of the facts. In fact, the United States is currently the biggest threat to outer space security," he told a briefing.

According to the Chinese diplomat, Washington is trying to slander Beijing and Moscow's efforts to explore the universe in order to "create a pretext for the militarization of space by the United States."

"The US sticking to the Cold War mentality and shifting its own responsibility," Zhao Lijian said.

As he clarified, the United States funds both government and commercial space projects that are actually carried out for military purposes. The official also recalled that the United States continues to actively build up the capacity of troops to conduct combat operations in near-Earth space.
Samsung will start supplying used parts for smartphone repair, Business Korea reported.

Media sources said that the Korean company will use more recycled parts to repair smartphones. Apparently, service centers and end users will be able to take advantage of the offer. The journalists explained that in this way, used parts of devices can be recycled and reused for repairs.

According to experts, Samsung intends to make the repair of its devices cheaper and reduce the negative impact on the environment. The company's decision is in line with its sustainability strategy, which, for example, made its flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S22 series, partly made from ocean debris.

Journalists noticed that if this program is implemented, the cost of repairing smartphones can be significantly reduced. So, at the moment, replacing a damaged phone screen costs about 200,000 won. When using used parts, the cost of maintenance will be reduced by at least half.
Turkey has allocated ships for the evacuation of people from Mariupol and expects positive progress in this matter in the near future, said Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar.

As Turkey, everything necessary for the safe evacuation to take place, including the allocation of ships, has been done and continues to be done, he noted.

The minister added: "We expect some positive developments in this regard in the coming days. The humanitarian situation there has deteriorated recently. Together with the Turks, all kinds of preparations have been made to evacuate all civilians."

"There is a dual issue, part of the city is under the control of Russia and the other part is under the control of Ukraine. As a result, we strive to realize whatever needs to be done in humanitarian terms, he said.
Finland will decide on NATO membership within weeks rather than months, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said, CNN reported.

Speaking in Stockholm after a bilateral meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Marin said it would be better to coordinate with Sweden to make similar security decisions.

We need to have a vision for the future and use this period to analyze and also to establish common views when it comes to security, Marin said. "I'm not going to give a timeline, but I think it will happen pretty quickly. Within weeks, not months."

On Wednesday, the Finnish Parliament received a white paper on changes to the national security environment. The report is expected to be signed by lawmakers and made public later today.

Andersson said Sweden is still considering the decision.
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Germany to supply Ukraine with seven self-propelled howitzers

Resistance Movement rallies in France Square

Al-Monitor: More niceties, zero progress in third round of Turkey-Armenia peace talks

Apple, Google, Microsoft to introduce passwordless authorization before end of 2023

Japan may start letting tourists into country in June

Investigative Committee: Criminal case opened into hooliganism committed by marchers in downtown Yerevan

Six people injured in building explosion in Madrid

Dollar, euro continue rising significantly in Armenia

Swiss police seize more than 500kg of cocaine from cargo for Nespresso factory

Law enforcement apprehend 59 people during Fridays civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

Karabakh official: Azerbaijani truck committed deliberate crime in Artsakh

Policeman hits woman during protest action in Yerevan

Committee to Protect Journalists: Armenia law enforcement obstruct journalists covering Yerevan protests

Armenia ruling force MP calls on police to inspect opposition 'shelters' where drugs may be kept

Artsakh Police investigating Armenian car crash caused by Azerbaijani convoy

Situation gets tense on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan, ex-president Kocharyans son also there

Police apprehend 48 people during civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

Police special forces forcibly remove Armenia ex-Police chief from opposition march in Yerevan

Situation gets tense during opposition march in Yerevan

Ararat Mirzoyan briefs US Senator McConnell on details of Armenia-Turkey normalization process

Azerbaijan holding international regatta in occupied Armenian Mataghis town of Karabakh

Many members of US Congress give green light for F-16s to Turkey

Law amendments propose that Armenia councils of elders members will also be able to be elected community leaders

Resistance Movement holding marches in Yerevan in 4 directions

Armenia parliament holding special sitting

Copper prices falling

Armenia FM Mirzoyan, US Senator Menendez stress inadmissibility of provoking tension by Azerbaijan

Oil rises in price

Bishkek reports that Uzbekistan border guards shoot, kill 3 Kyrgyzstan citizens at border

Azerbaijani military convoy throws Armenian taxi into gorge in Artsakh (PHOTOS)

Armenia Police: All roads open in Yerevan, provinces

Armenia FM in US, meets with International Republican Institute Eurasia regional director

US Strategic Command chief warns of deterrence crisis against Russia, China

Armenia ex-Prosecutor General, Investigative Committee former chief to remain in custody

Newspaper: Armenia President reacts to oppositions struggle

Mississippi becomes last US state to recognize Armenian Genocide

Resistance Movement rally ends: Citizens remain on France Square

Erdogan and Macron discuss Turkey-France relations and Ukraine

CNBC: Elon Musk to become interim CEO of Twitter

Saghatelyan: Tomorrow from 12:00 we will completely paralyze Yerevan from four directions

Finland ready to cut off gas supplies from Russia

Resistance Movement marchers return to France Square

NEWS.am digest: Large scale protests continue in Yerevan, people forcibly arrested

Greece accuses Turkey of stoking tensions in Aegean Sea

Resistance Movement rally starts in central Yerevan

US Embassy in Havana resumes issuing visas to Cubans

Bloomberg: UK and Japan will help Asian countries reduce dependence on Russian oil

Dollar, euro gain considerable value in Armenia

FLYONE ARMENIA cancels Yerevan flights to, from Lyon, Paris until June 10

Annual inflation in Turkey reaches 69.97% in April

Armenia population as of January 1 announced

Poland builds 50 kilometers of fence on border with Belarus

Azerbaijan promises Europe gas in the hope of loyalty to Baku's crimes

Australia allocates $1.4 billion to modernize its Navy

Peskov says events unrolling in Armenia are countrys internal affair

Grigoryan: Discussions on setting up Armenia-Azerbaijan commission may be completed in near future

Red Cross: No Azerbaijani detainees in Armenia

Armenia official: Peace agreement with Azerbaijan also means solution to Karabakh issue

Armen Grigoryan: There is need to get answers to questions in order to organize Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders meeting

Security Council chief: Baku's statements on Armenia territories belonging to Azerbaijan do not contribute to peace

Armenia official comments on Azerbaijan president's words about 'Zangezur corridor'

Armen Grigoryan: Armenia and Azerbaijan could exchange enclaves

FT: Erdogan used mediation between Russia and Ukraine

Person dies after being hospitalized from one of tents at France Square in Yerevan

Armenia to get 22.6M loan from International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Armenia ruling force MP: Oppositions goal is not saving Karabakh but changing of power

President says Artsakh continues to maintain its vision for future, toward independence

Oppositions uncrowded marches show lack of public support, says Armenia ruling force lawmaker

Trade in Armenia increased by over $1 billion, PM says

Scuffle breaks out during civil disobedience march in Yerevan, police attempt to apprehend opposition MP

Pashinyan to Bennett: I am hopeful that Armenian-Israeli relations will flourish in near future

Armenia ruling power legislator: This opposition has always run away from truth
Immediately after the incident with the ban on the entry of Armenian National Assembly deputies to Karabakh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia contacted the authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Russia, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

His remarks came at the Wednesday session of the National Assembly, responding to the questions of the MPs.

The parliamentarians in particular asked what measures have been taken to avoid future cases of entry bans to Karabakh.

"Since it became known that the MPs cannot enter Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, we of course have taken measures. We, at a high level, contacted both the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh and the authorities of Russia. We were assured that the entry of the Armenian NA deputies to Nagorno Karabakh was forbidden, in order to avoid any possible provocation. As for our position, it is clearly presented in the statement of the MFA. In particular, we are talking about the trilateral statement of 9 November, 2020. There are no restrictions on movement in the Lachin corridor, and citizens of Armenia, especially the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, should have unimpeded access to Nagorno-Karabakh," Mirzoyan said.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it expressed concern over the fact that the Russian peacekeeping contingent soldiers did not allow a group of deputies of the National Assembly to enter Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The action contradicts the trilateral statement of 9 November, 2020, which provides for uninterrupted communications between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia through the Lachin corridor. All parties to the statement should strictly adhere to its letter and spirit, and fulfill their obligations," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Pashinyan has once again demonstrated his personality of a liar and manipulator, third Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said, referring to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statements today.

"The person occupying the chair of the Armenian Prime Minister in today's speech in the National Assembly once again showed all his essence of a liar and manipulator. He again lies and tries to mislead the public when speaking about the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict.

Throughout my term, I have never negotiated a stage-by-stage solution to the Karabakh conflict.

Either the Prime Minister of Armenia has not yet understood the difference between the stage-by-stage and package options, or he has used his main weapon - manipulation.

I have publicly mentioned several times the difference between the stage-by-stage and package options, and I have also explained in detail that the package option can't be implemented in a day or an hour, but must be solved stage-by-stage. Let him reread the interviews I gave at various times, however difficult it may be for him to understand the difference between the two options and the specifics.

By the way, what I said on the above-mentioned topic was confirmed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. I am not even talking about the confessions of Aliyev, who was described by him as 'constructive'," Sargsyan said.
Mayor Gavin Buckleys proposed $170 million operating budget for next year doesnt raise taxes and includes a 14% increase in police funding.

Buckley introduced the spending plan to the Annapolis City Council on Monday. The 2023 fiscal year begins on July 1.

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As required by City Code, I have submitted a balanced budget. There is no tax increase, Buckley said during his State of the City address.

It was the first such speech hes delivered in person since 2019. In it, he highlighted the work of each department and credited all of them with frugal spending that allowed the city to save federal American Rescue Plan Act funding from this year to use over the next two budgets.

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Next years budget is a 12% increase over the $152 million budget approved last year, though, with three months remaining in the fiscal year, projected expenditures are closer to $146 million.

The plan increases the Annapolis police budget to $25.2 million, a 14% increase over this year. It funds 124 police officer positions, the same total as the current budget, though the police department hasnt reached those numbers in years due to attrition, competition from other jurisdictions and other factors. As recently as January, the department had 107 sworn officers. Buckley announced Monday that eight new officers had been hired this year.

The police budget also includes $156,000 for a computer-aided dispatch system and $148,250 so the department can comply with the sweeping law enforcement reform legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2021.

The Finance Committee, a standing committee chaired by Elly Tierney, a Ward 1 Democrat, will begin deliberations on the operating and capital budgets over the next three weeks. Tierney and her fellow committee members, Democratic Alderwomen Sheila Finlayson, of Ward 4, and Karma ONeill, of Ward 2, will deliver a report to the full council next month. A public hearing and consideration of budget amendments will follow in June. The final budget must be adopted by June 30.

Buckleys budget includes about $5 million in nonrecurring expenses, including a combined $2.1 million on roadway and sidewalk repairs, though a Main Street rebricking project has been pushed to fiscal year 2024.

Several priorities voiced by council members are reflected in the budget, including $50,000 for a citywide survey proposed last year by Finlayson to gauge what city services are most important to residents. Another $25,000 would go toward hiring an outside consultant to review the citys permitting process, a proposal suggested by Tierney.

Another $42,000 in the public works budget is earmarked for improvements at the Wells Cove landing in Eastport, where two residents are suing to allow water access.

The Annapolis fire budget, the citys second largest by funding and staff, would get a 7% bump next year up to $23.3 million. The budget includes one-time funds for a hazardous material identification device, station alerting system and gym equipment. The increase is largely due to salary and benefits increases as well as funding for a new quality assurance officer position.

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The budget funds several other new positions, including a second watch commander in the Harbormasters Office, a zoning compliance officer in the Department of Planning and Zoning, a community engagement administrator serving in the Office of Community Services, four new Finance Department positions and an environmental compliance inspector and stormwater manager in the Department of Public Works.

Those additions are offset by several positions from this year that would not be funded in fiscal 2023, including an elections assistant, and two senior accountant positions.

Buckley also delivered a $168 million capital budget and improvement program, a wish list of projects throughout Annapolis that the city expects to undertake over the next six years. The proposal includes $62 million in total spending for fiscal year 2023. About two-thirds of that money, $41 million, is allocated for the City Dock redevelopment project set to begin next year.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

Several campaign promises made by Buckley to expand water access and make the city more walkable are also in the capital budget, including $22,000 for restoration work at Hawkins Cove, $56,000 for the West-East Express bike path that would connect the Historic District to the Parole area.

Another $8.5 million would go toward the acquisition of 5 acres off Bembe Beach Road where a public park will be constructed to honor the last remnant of two historic Black-owned beaches in Annapolis. About $1.2 million would be spent on renovations at the Stanton Community Center, and $1 million would pay the initial costs of the mayors plan to acquire an electric ferry.

No ARPA money in 2022 fiscal year

With less than three months left in the current fiscal year, the city is projecting it will collect $147.4 million in revenue while spending about $146.1 million, a difference of $1.3 million.

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The city announced Monday that general fund revenues are set to exceed projections by nearly $5 million thanks in part to the parking fund taking in $2.3 million more than was anticipated when the budget was passed last year. At the same time, belt-tightening by department directors, such as a reduction in grant spending, allowed the city to spend $3 million less over the course of the year.

The projections mean the city will be able to save the remaining $6.43 million in ARPA funds it received during the pandemic and roll over the money into the next two fiscal years.

After Congress passed the emergency aid bill in March 2021, the city received a total of $7.6 million that, unlike prior federal funding, could be used on operating expenses. About $1.17 million was allocated in fiscal year 2021.

Now, the city is expected to split the remaining money over the next two years, with $1.5 million to be used in fiscal year 2023 and $4.9 million carried over to fiscal year 2024.
Story Highlights Africans more approving of Russia's leadership than the rest of the world is

West Africans more likely to approve of Russia than those in the East and South

Most sub-Saharan Africans at risk of food shocks because of the war in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While most Western countries have strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rest of the world hasn't reacted in the same way.

Responses in Africa, for example, have ranged from solidly supporting Ukraine to condemning NATO's response. Gallup surveys in Africa show these actions largely follow a general divide in support for Russia's leadership across the continent before the Ukraine crisis.

African Approval of Russia Remains Low, but Higher Than Global Average

Overall, median approval of Russia's leadership stood at 42% across Africa in 2021, which is lower than the approval ratings of the leadership of the U.S. (60%), China (52%) and Germany (49%).

However, approval of Russia's leadership remains consistently higher in Africa than the global median of 33%. Africans have held a more positive view of Russia for some time, reaching a peak of 57% approval in 2011, before opinions started declining over the past decade.

Line graph. Trend line showing median approval ratings of Russia's leadership across Africa and worldwide, from 2007 to 2021. In 2021, a median of 42% of Africans approved of Russia's leadership, versus 33% approval worldwide.

Russian Leadership Most Popular in West Africa

Support for Russian leadership is most strongly concentrated in West Africa, particularly in Mali, where 84% of residents approve. Although Mali has recently received renewed Russian interest, including the arrival of Russian mercenaries to replace outgoing French forces at the behest of the Malian government, Malian support of Russia has been among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade.

Substantial majorities in fellow West African nations, including Ivory Coast, Guinea and Gabon, also express support for Russia.

Approval of Russian Leadership Is Highest in West and Central Africa, 2021 Approve Disapprove Don't know/Refused Change, 2020-2021 % % % pct. pts. Mali 84 8 8 +25 Ivory Coast 71 20 9 +17 Guinea 67 11 21 -5 Gabon 64 21 15 +13 Togo 61 12 27 * Cameroon 60 21 19 -1 Republic of the Congo 54 25 21 +1 Nigeria 53 13 35 +13 Burkina Faso 50 15 35 -3 Sierra Leone 50 9 41 * Ghana 49 12 39 +10 Benin 38 21 41 +2 Senegal 36 14 50 +5 * Not asked in 2020 Gallup

However, residents of Eastern and Southern African nations are more restrained. While a higher percentage of their populations express support for Russian leadership compared with the global average, this opinion is held by a minority of residents living in the East and South. Large proportions of the population in these nations are also unsure about their views on Russia, particularly in Zambia, where 66% of residents didn't know if they approved or disapproved of Russian leadership in 2021.

Approval of Russian Leadership Is Lower in East and Southern Africa Approve Disapprove Don't know/Refused Change, 2020-2021 % % % pct. pts. Kenya 45 37 19 0 Mauritius 43 35 22 -4 Malawi 42 33 25 * Mozambique 41 27 32 * Namibia 40 46 14 +5 Zimbabwe 39 35 26 +8 Uganda 37 39 24 +1 Tanzania 32 34 34 -1 South Africa 30 26 44 -4 Zambia 22 12 66 -20 * Not asked in 2020 Gallup

While reasons for this support vary, much of it may be tied to recent Russian economic and diplomatic outreaches to the continent. Russian trade has become increasingly enmeshed in Africa over the past two decades, not only in terms of natural resources like wheat, oil and gas, but in military equipment and support as well.

Russia is the largest provider of military arms to sub-Saharan Africa, with exports increasing 23% over the past four years. Some of this has come in the form of direct action as well, with Russian private military contractors deploying to 19 African nations since 2014.

Long-standing Russian history in the region may also play a role in the complex relationships that exist today. The former Soviet Union was a large supporter of anticolonial movements during the Cold War, including anti-apartheid activists in South Africa. This has led to a dichotomy whereby South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blames NATO for the war in Ukraine, yet just 30% of South Africans approve of Russia's leadership.

Most Severe Impacts Are Likely to Come

While the initial fallout from economic sanctions and disruptions in supply chains have already been felt around the world, more substantial effects are likely to emerge in the coming months. Even though the conflict in Ukraine is a world away, sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, is vulnerable to disruptions in food supplies, with a large proportion of the population experiencing food insecurity.

Russia and Ukraine account for 30% of global wheat supplies, with many nations in Africa importing a significant amount from the two countries. Substantial majorities in many African countries report not having enough money to buy food in the past 12 months. The Southern African nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia face an acute risk, with close to four in five residents having difficulty affording food in 2021.

Most Africans Remain Susceptible to Food Shocks Have there been times in the past 12 months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed? Yes No % % Zimbabwe 80 20 Zambia 79 21 Sierra Leone 77 22 Gabon 76 24 Benin 74 26 Cameroon 74 26 Malawi 73 27 Nigeria 71 28 Republic of the Congo 69 29 Kenya 69 31 Guinea 68 31 Namibia 66 34 Uganda 66 34 Ivory Coast 65 35 Togo 63 37 Ghana 61 39 Mozambique 60 37 Mali 57 42 Senegal 54 44 Tanzania 54 45 Burkina Faso 53 47 South Africa 48 51 Mauritius 31 69 Gallup, 2021

Implications

The ongoing conflict in Europe has already produced economic and diplomatic shocks that are being felt worldwide. After these initial disruptions, the full effect of sanctions and diminished exports from both Ukraine and Russia will begin to impact many nations globally, especially those in Africa. Under these additional strains, it remains to be seen what effect the ongoing crisis will have on Africans' views of Russia's leadership.

Read Gallup's latest Rating World Leaders report to see how the leadership of Russia, the U.S., Germany and China compare worldwide.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

For complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
The University of Miami will showcase its impactful work as a driver of innovation and entrepreneurial thought across a range of disciplines, including health tech and climate tech, at the upcoming eMerge Americas conference, Transforming Miami into a Global Tech Hub, April 18-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

University of Miami President Julio Frenk and Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, will be featured speakers during the two-day conference, which is a premier tech event drawing attendees from around the globe.

We are so proud to continue our longstanding participation in the eMerge conference, said Duerk. It is a wonderful and important opportunity to highlight some very special innovations, groundbreaking projects, and companies emerging from the University of Miami as we carry out our research and translational mission across all our disciplines. eMerge offers us the opportunity to network with top technology leaders from Miami and across the U.S. and the region, as well as share our knowledge and learn from others.

Among the projects and spin-offs that the University will feature is Heru Inc., a software platformdeveloped by clinicians and scientists at the Universitys Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the nations leading eye hospitalthat works with commercially available augmented and virtual reality headsets to detect eye disease at a fraction of the cost of other tests. Conference goers will be able to wear the headsets for an interactive experience.

Another project, called SEAHIVE, focuses on protecting coastal cities, such as Miami, from the effects of climate change. Designed by an interdisciplinary group of University faculty members, this modular system made of hexagonal concrete units mitigates wave energy more effectively than a seawall while providing a safe habitat for marine life. A smaller prototype of the system, which works in conjunction with natures own protection, such as mangroves and coral reefs, will be on display at the Universitys booth on the expo floor.

A commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and fostering partnerships with local and global communities is part of the Universitys culture and is the foundation of U Innovation, which encompasses several programs that convert big ideas into commercial innovations.

Among the U Innovation programs featured at eMerge will be Cane Angel Network, which unites entrepreneurs and investors from the University community to provide startups with early-stage funding and a network of advisors.

Also featured will be the Wallace H. Coulter Center for Translational Research at the Miller School of Medicine, which creates practical applications of biomedical and bioengineering research to create products and procedures that will have a positive impact on public health.

The University also will feature a space dedicated to celebrating Women in Technology at the U, which will display a selection of photos and biographies of women at the University who are distinguished leaders in research and entrepreneurship.

Prior to the opening of the eMerge conference on April 18, the University and the Knight Foundation will host a panel called Knight Conversation on Miami at the Intersection of Tech and Democracy, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room 202 at the convention center. Frenk will lead the discussion along with Alberto Ibarguen, president of the Knight Foundation; and host Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald columnist and CNN political analyst. Panelists will include Rony Abovitz, chief executive officer of Sun and Thunder and founder of Magic Leap; Jaret Davis, co-managing shareholder of the Miami office of Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; June Teufel Dreyer, University of Miami professor of political science; Carlos Trujillo, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States; and Yelena Yesha, Knight Foundation Endowed Chair of Data Science and AI at the University of Miami Institute for Data Science and Computing.

Members of the University community will also take part in panels and discussions during the conference, including:

Monday, April 18

Duerk will emcee a session on the Launch Pad Stage titled Hemispheric University Consortium Social Ideas Challenge, a unique international contest seeking entrepreneurial ideas with social impact in university communities, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Frenk will participate in a panel discussion titled The Future of Education Is Being Shaped by Tech and Innovation at 2:40 p.m. Other panelists include Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, and Jaret Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig.

Tuesday, April 19

Joe Echevarria, UHealth chief executive officer and executive vice president for health affairs, will take part in the Main Stage Founders Factory panel, Founders Factory Makes Its Big Bet on Health in Miami, at 10:55 a.m. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will moderate the discussion.

For more information on the eMerge conference and to access a complete agenda, visit https://emergeamericas.com/agenda/2022-agenda-new.

Registration for the conference is free for University of Miami students, faculty, and staff. For details on how to register, visit https://messages.miami.edu/messages/2022/03/03-22-22-emerge-americas-2022.html.
Health authorities said on Wednesday that free rapid Covid-19 antigen tests will be provided to people aged 60 or above from next week, to encourage them to self-test regularly.At a press conference , undersecretary for health Chui Tak-yi said starting next Tuesday, 680 places  including district health centres, elderly social centres and elderly day care centres  will hand out free kits to their members or service recipients.Each person is entitled to five sets of test kits each time, and staff members can exercise discretion and give out the kits to non-members, Chui said.He said this would hopefully help detect infections earlier."Elderly people belongs to high-risk groups... Currently we have effective antiviral medications, when given in the early stage of the illness, on symptoms onset, it will reduce the risk of [the illness] getting more severe, or even death," he said."With this effective treatment measure, early diagnosis is important for the elderly. So I think it's important to provide more accessibility to this age group."He said the arrangement will run till May 31.The plan was announced as Hong Kong reported 1,272 new Covid infections for the day, a slight drop from the day before.Among the new cases, 734 were found through PCR tests and the rest were detected via rapid tests.Twelve of the new infections were imported from places including Shanghai, Nepal and Germany.Meanwhile, another 62 patients with Covid had died, including 54 who passed away in the past day.The fatalities in the Omicron outbreak now stands at 8,735.Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific and All Nippon Airways have been banned for operating flights from London and Tokyo respectively for one week after their flights in recent days were found to be carrying passengers who tested positive for Covid upon arrival.______________________________General Covid-19 situation: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/ Covid-19 testing: https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/ Community testing notice: https://bit.ly/3ivX2Ce Community Clinics for Covid-19 patients: https://bit.ly/3q3tz6G RAT reporting platform: https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/ Vaccination programme: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/sen/ Vaccination pass scheme: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/vaccine-pass.html Hotline for Covid-positive patients: 1836 115
In a rare public appearance alongside his Belarus counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, Putin dismissed the discovery of dead bodies lying in the streets in the Ukrainian town of Bucha as "fake", the BBC reported.

He insisted that Russian military's goals in Ukraine are "noble".

The Russian President said talks with Ukraine had derailed because the Ukrainian side had made "fake claims" about war crimes and extra demands for security guarantees.

"We have again returned to a dead-end situation for us," he said.

He added that Russia would continue its operation to defend the Russian speakers of eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lukashenko said allegations of atrocities in northern Ukraine were "a psychological operation carried out by the English" in Ukraine, BBC reported.

Ukraine and Russia are building up their military forces in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas as Moscow switches the focus of its offensive, BBC reported.

The US and Britain say they are looking into reports that chemical weapons have been used by Russian forces attacking Mariupol.

--IANS san/

( 206 Words)

2022-04-12-22:10:03 (IANS)
ORLANDO, Fla.  Pastors, including one in Bowie, have filed at least three federal lawsuits in recent weeks against the African Methodist Episcopal Church along with several subsidiaries and financial firms the church used, alleging tens of millions of dollars from a pension fund were mismanaged and missing.

The retired and current pastors in Florida, Maryland and Virginia filed the lawsuits against the oldest historically Black denomination in the U.S. late last month. They are seeking class-action status on behalf of thousands of other AME pastors and church officials throughout the country who lost money through the pension fund.

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The pastors, who were required to participate in the retirement plan, said they have been unable to get access to their money.

The lawsuit filed by the Florida pastor, the Rev. Charles Jackson in Orlando, alleges the church and its related financial institutions were negligent and breached their fiduciary responsibilities. Jackson is seeking a jury trial and punitive damages in the complaint filed in federal court in Tennessee.

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Bishop Wilfred T. Messiah delivers an invocation during the opening worship service at the African Methodist Episcopal Church conference, July 6, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. Retired pastors have filed at least two federal lawsuits in recent weeks against the African Methodist Episcopal Church and several subsidiaries and financial firms the church used, claiming tens of millions of dollars from a pension fund were mismanaged and missing. (John Raoux/AP)

Many Class member  including Plaintiff Reverend Jackson  are retired and have suddenly learned that resources they relied on to support themselves, to depend on in times of bad health, and to simply enjoy during retirement, have been stolen from them by people they trusted, the lawsuit said.

In their lawsuit filed in Virginia, the Revs. Derrell Wade and Reuben Boyd allege that between $80 million and $90 million was unaccounted for by either 2020 or 2021.

In his lawsuit, the Rev. Cedric Alexander of Bowie said the then-chair of the churchs retirement fund invested money in undeveloped land in Florida and a now-defunct capital venture outfit, and gave a promissory note to an installer of solar panels. The lawsuit alleges violations of a federal law protecting employee retirement funds.

The churchs retirement fund chair invested Plan assets in imprudent, extraordinarily risky investments that ultimately lost nearly $100 million of Plan participants retirement savings, the Maryland lawsuit said.

In a statement Tuesday, the church said it was limited in what it could say because of the litigation but noted that it had resumed some distributions to fund participants starting last month.

Bishop Anne Byfield, front right, president of the Council of Bishops, speaks during the opening worship service at the African Methodist Episcopal Church conference on July 6, 2021, in Orlando, Florida. (John Raoux/AP)

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

We appreciate our communitys concern and remain grateful for the patience of our clergy, staff and members as we continue to investigate this matter, the statement said.

In a message posted to its website late last month, the church acknowledged that retirement fund participants may have been the victim of a financial crime.

After a new administrator of the churchs Department of Retirement Services took over last year, financial irregularities were uncovered in some retirement fund investments. The church has hired an outside legal firm and forensics experts to conduct an investigation, the statement said.

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The AME Church takes financial irregularities and disclosures seriously, and we are committed to the restoration of any impacted retirement funds, the statement said. We are also committed to making every fund participant whole by restoring their full investment plus interest.

Attorney Greg Francis, who is representing Jackson, the Florida pastor, said he hoped the lawsuits will eventually be consolidated.

Jackson, 72, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he feels betrayed.

When you take advantage of my money, you lose my trust, Jackson said. You lose the trust of your employees.
Stow (Ohio) [US], April 13 (ANI/PR Newswire): Razorleaf Corporation, a leading PLM consulting and systems integrator, today announced the opening of Razorleaf Pvt Ltd, located in Pune, India, to support customers across Europe and North America as part of its 2022 growth strategy. The India team expands Razorleaf's technical services to provide highly competitive PLM software development, integration, test automation and design automation services. The office will support various PLM platforms including Dassault Systemes, Aras, and Autodesk, Razorleaf's CLOVER platform, Manufacturing Suite for Aras, and 3dxtools. "India offers an enormous talent pool and we are excited by the large number of highly skilled PLM professionals we have been able to identify and bring onboard to grow our global-support team," says Luc Van Hemelrijck, Director, Strategic Alliances, Razorleaf BV. "Having our own facilities in India will allow us to better control costs for our clients, world-wide, while maintaining the high level of quality we are known for providing." "With economies and businesses growing throughout Europe and North America as the world comes out of the pandemic, good, skilled PLM professionals have become difficult to find," said Eric Doubell, CEO, Razorleaf. "Our clients are increasingly looking for ways to accelerate their PLM projects with access to more talented resources. Our investment in India is one of the ways we are working to satisfy these needs." Founded in 2000, Razorleaf is a consulting & systems integrator with specialized expertise in PLM, integration, design automation, and test automation services. We are focused on helping manufacturing organizations connect products and processes across the digital enterprise to drive more value from the innovation process. Led by a highly skilled and seasoned team of experts across the United States and Europe, Razorleaf transforms businesses by offering comprehensive consulting and implementation services focused on managing the digital thread across the product life cycle and supply chain. For more information, visit http://www.razorleaf.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/280911/razorleaf_corporation_Logo.jpg This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PR Newswire)
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 13 (ANI/PNN): Goenka Global Education, with more than 15 years of experience in education, launches the Finland International School (FIS) in Pune, Maharashtra on April 9, 2022. The event primarily focused on the introduction of the Finnish curriculum in India, the importance of pedagogy and personalized learning for the growth and development of students. The Principal of Finland International School Pune, Minna Repo addressed the audience with her presentation on the educational reforms brought about by Finnish education and encouraged the students and parents to focus on the holistic development of the students. The event was attended by some well-known personalities of Pune along with Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan. Many students and parents attended the event as well, wherein they received some new insights on the institute and the curriculum offered. Mika Tirronen, Senior Specialist at the Finland Embassy, also virtually addressed the audience at the event. Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan said, "Being a mother of a 4-year old has completely changed my perspective on life. The curriculum here at Finland International School Pune will definitely bring a positive change for the children, as holistic development is the most important in this current time. As a parent, this is definitely a very impactful change and I wish the very best to this esteemed institute for their vision and purpose." Goenka Global Education is an enterprise that is committed to offering holistic and transformative education through innovative and experiential learning environments. They believe in the use of disruptive technologies to raise the standard of education. Students are nurtured and trained in different aspects of learning to face the challenges of the real world. The education curriculum is centered around empowering students with the right kind of thinking, abilities and skill sets which ensures that they are successful in every walk of life. Shashank Goenka, Managing Director, Goenka Global Education said, "We, at Goenka Global Education, are always focusing on improving the quality of education for the students. The idea is to bring about a curriculum that is globally recognised and impactful. We are constantly seeking ways to improve the lives of students as well as parents. With the Finland International School in Pune, we are confident that this institute will impact the lives of this generation in phenomenal ways. With this initiative, we are focusing on pedagogy and working in harmony with the National Education Policy 2020, introduced by the Government of India to enhance the quality of education in India." Finland International School Pune is focused on creating a learner-centric classroom, where skills will be honest and aptitudes will be enhanced. They will be enabling access to the outside world through workshops and internship opportunities for the students. Collaboration, compassion, creativity and curiosity will encompass the classroom transactions. Futuristic projects, which are self-designed to solve problems will be encouraged. They are focused on creating a balance wherein the students will be rooted to the local history and values, along with appreciation of global needs and norms. They are not only working towards building an empowering educational system, but also building an infrastructure model which is student-friendly and inspiring. Well-designed learning spaces are a boost to the performance and growth of the learners. Therefore, the FIS campus has been designed in a way to encourage and motivate the students to enjoy learning in their own unique way. Minna Repo, Principal, Finland International School said, "Finland International School in Pune has a vision of providing the best Finnish practices to the Indian students. The institute has been set up with the purpose of empowering students to develop their knowledge, skills and create a mindset of growth and evolution. We are constantly working on providing personalized learning solutions to the students, based on their unique capabilities and talents. We believe that each individual is unique and the only competition they ever face is with them. We are bringing the best Finnish practices in India, thereby creating a global ecosystem for the Indian students. The concept of 'phenomenal-based learning' is the highlight, wherein the students learn the concepts by applying them in the real world. We are extremely positive with the response we have received, and looking forward to creating an impact for the coming generations." Finland International School Pune has created a curriculum that is student-centred. Their aim is to excel at the K-12 school segment, and offer a curriculum that includes the IGCSE, IB and Finnish. The students will receive dual matriculation certificates, from Finland Board and International Board. 70 per cent of the faculty at FIS will come from Finland and the other 30 per cent will be Indian teachers who will be trained to provide the best education practices to the students. This is the first-of-its-kind Finnish school in India, which aims at creating a sustainable education model for the students, providing all citizens with equal opportunities. Moreover, importance has been given to the pedagogical possibilities of play for the child, thereby promoting learning as well as the well-being of an individual. Finland International School Pune has started admissions from April 6, 2022 at their campus. Finland International School is an initiative by Goenka Global Education with more than fifteen years of experience in education. Goenka Global Education believes in nurturing children to become Global Citizens, such that they identify as an integral part of the emerging world community and share values, responsibilities, empathy and respect for differences and diversity. The vision is to build a culture of excellence by partnering with teachers and organizations empowering students with a holistic education, life skills, and values that enable them to become global citizens. Goenka Global Education has introduced the Finnish curriculum in India in association with Educluster Finland. Finland International School Pune wishes to serve both the Indian and the expatriate communities in Pune. The students will receive dual matriculation certificates, from Finland Board and the International Board. EduCluster Finland is co-creating the Finnish International School in India as an important starting point in their journey in India. The first school in Pune will be a state-of-the-art school, where that aim at synergizing Finnish best practices with the Indian educational approaches. This will improve the education situation locally and introduce an internationally advanced education system in India. Established in 2010, EduCluster Finland Ltd. engages in global operations pioneering expertise over the entire Finnish educational spectrum. EduCluster Finland co-develops leading-edge educational solutions with its three owners: the University of Jyvaskyla, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Jyvaskyla Educational Consortium Gradia. Educluster Finland has partnered with several education providers across the globe. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
State-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) has suffered a major cyber-attack in its field headquarters in eastern Assam's Duliajan, with the hacker demanding $75,00,000, officials said on Wednesday. OIL's Manager, Security, Sachin Kumar, who filed an FIR with the police on Tuesday night, said that their server, network, and other related services were affected due to the cyber attack of ransomware on Sunday. The OIL, however, said that exploration and production work of the company have not been affected due to the suspected cyber-attack. OIL spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika said that there has been no impact on the production and drilling activities due to the cyber-attack. "The production and drilling activities are not fully reliant on IT resources. The software which deals the business functions including payments to vendors and contractors also has not been affected and is functioning as usual," Hazarika told IANS. Sachin Kumar, in his FIR, said that presently, OIL server, network and other related services are affected. OIL is a public sector undertaking, and due to this ransomware cyber attack, OIL and the government exchequer has incurred huge financial loss as business through IT has been seriously affected," he mentioned in his complaint to the Police. Quoting a communication from Deputy General Manager, IT, Keshab Bora, Kumar said that on Sunday a cyber attack of ransomware occurred on one of the work stations of the G & R (Geological and Reservoir) Department. "After their preliminary investigation, it came to their notice that OlL's network, server and clients PCs are facing network outage. Further, it also came to their notice that, thee cyber attacker has demanded 75,00,000 USD as a ransom through a note from the infected PC," the FIR said. OIL is India's second largest national 'Navratna' company after ONGC in terms of total proved plus probable oil and natural gas reserves. --IANS sc/vd ( 317 Words) 2022-04-13-20:00:04 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the event organisers were also responsible to protect the life and liberty of the victims in the 2006 Meerut fire tragedy, which claimed the lives of 65 persons and left 161 or more with burn injuries. It directed the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to entrust the work of determination of compensation to a judicial officer of the rank of district judge/additional district judge at Meerut within two weeks. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and V. Ramasubramanian noted that the victims or their families visited the exhibition on the invitation of the organisers and not that of the contractor. It added that the organisers cannot now take shelter on the ground that the contractor who was given work order on March 9, 2006, was an independent contractor and the victims should seek remedy from him. "As observed earlier, the contractor has worked for the organisers and not for the victims. Hence, the organisers alone are responsible to protect the life and liberty of the victims," said Justice Gupta, who authored the judgment on behalf of the bench. The top court judgment came on the petition filed by the victims of the fire tragedy, which occurred on April 10, 2006 - the last day of the India Brand Consumer Show organised at Victoria Park, Meerut, by Mrinal Events and Expositions. The bench noted that the mere fact that the cause of the accident is unknown does not prevent the plaintiff from recovering the damages, if proper inference to be drawn from the circumstances which are known is that it was caused by the negligence of the defendant. "The Court Commissioner found that the contract with the contractor was neither a turn-key project nor was he appointed as an independent contractor. Therefore, the argument of the organisers that they are not liable for the acts of omission or commission on the part of the contractor was rejected by the Commission," it said. The bench said in respect of criminal charges, an accused can be tried by a court of law and not merely on the basis of the report of the commissioner under the Inquiry Act. "Such report is not conclusive and an independent action has to be taken by the state or by the victims against the organisers before the competent court of law to prove the criminal offences said to be committed by certain accused," it added in its 52-page judgment. The bench did not accept the arguments of senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, representing the organisers, that the court commissioner has not given any conclusive finding on the cause of the fire, saying it is not relevant in determining the civil liability. "The court commissioner has rightly fixed the liability on the organisers to the extent of 60 per cent, and on account of negligence in performing statutory duties by the officers of the state, the state has been burdened with 40% of the total liability. We do not find such distribution of liability suffers from any illegality which may warrant interference by this court." The bench asked the judicial officer to work exclusively on the question of determination of the compensation on a day-to-day basis. it noted that the amount paid by the state government and a sum of Rs 30 lakh deposited by the organisers has been disbursed to 52 of the victims. "The said amount, excluding the ex-gratia payments made, be taken into consideration while determination of the amount payable by the organisers and the state," it added. Rejecting the proceedings conducted by the Commission under the Inquiry Act, the top court had appointed retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice S.B. Sinha as a one-man commission to look into the incident. The state government had earlier paid Rs 5 lakh each to the deceased, Rs 2 lakh each to the victims suffering serious injuries, and Rs 75,000 each to the victims, in view of a previous order by the apex court. The Union government had separately paid ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 lakh each for the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those with serious injuries. The top court has listed the matter after four months. --IANS ss/vd ( 713 Words) 2022-04-12-20:31:28 (IANS)
After reviewing social media activities of party MPs on different topics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised them to increase their presence on these platforms. Interacting with the BJP MPs from different states during the recently concluded budget session, Prime Minister Modi asked them to become more visible and active on social media platforms. Prime Minister Modi regularly calls meetings during parliament sessions with BJP MPs from different states. Sources said that during such interactions the Prime Minister discussed social media activities of party MPs and advised them to increase their presence. A party insider said that social media activities of BJP MPs were reviewed on over a dozen topics and it was found that no one was active on all the parameters set by the Prime Minister Modi. "There were over a dozen topics and it was reviewed whether the MPs had tweeted on all the topics or not. Surprisingly, it was found that most of the MPs had failed to tweet on all the topics mentioned in the list," he said. It is learnt that MPs were given the report whether he or she had tweeted or not about the topics identified by the Prime Minister. "While some were handed over the report in an envelope, while some including senior leaders were pin-pointed by the Prime Minister for tweeting on particular issues or topics. To one senior MP, the Prime Minister said he had not tweeted on a couple of issues. The Prime Minister told them about specific topic they failed to tweet," a party insider said. Sources said that among the topics on MPs tweets were reviewed included 'Operation Ganga', 'party victory in recent assembly polls', 'vaccine drive for 12 to 14 years', 'countering opposition', 'exposing opposition politics', 'positive media coverage', 'positive op-ed/column', 'updates on BJP', 'promotion of Pariksha Pe Charcha', 'Mann Ki Baat', 'hashtag related content' and others. "Prime Minister Modi asked MPs to become more visible and active on social media platforms to explain to people about government works," a BJP MP said. --IANS ssb/pgh ( 353 Words) 2022-04-12-20:36:09 (IANS)
Jan alias Jan Ali Kashif is the third terrorist to have been designated as a terrorist by the Centre in the last five days.

According to the Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jan is accused in various cases and is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency, including for the Pathankot Air Force station terror attack of 2016.

"Ali Kashif Jan continues to operate from the JeM launching detachments located in Pakistan and is involved in recruitment of cadres for their training and coordinate attack plans at targets in India," the MHA notification said.

Born on January 30, 1982, Jan is a resident of Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He is the operational commander and part of the core planning committee of the Jaish-e Mohammed, which is listed as a terrorist organisation, the MHA said.

Jan was the handler of the Pathankot Air Force station terror attack in January 2016 in which seven security personnel and one civilian were killed.

--IANS ams/arm

( 218 Words)

2022-04-12-20:36:24 (IANS)
To achieve the goal of reaching out to people living in the far-flung and border areas through the platform of DD Free Dish, the government has proposed to distribute 1.5 lakh free Dish in such areas where cable service is not available for which tendering is under process and will be completed soon. Union Secretary, Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Apurva Chandra, on Tuesday visited the far-flung areas of Kangan sub-division in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir to assess the outreach of DD Free Dish in the area. He complemented the Doordarshan Kendra of Srinagar for performing its duties efficiently despite many challenges faced in the past. He said that the Kendra is aptly representing the local culture and traditions through its programmes reaching the people with authentic information. On the occasion, the Union Secretary also interacted with the people using DD Free Dish at Margund Kangan, who shared their feedback about the programmes available on various channels especially DD Kashmir. --IANS zi/arm ( 176 Words) 2022-04-12-20:50:14 (IANS)
An Ugandan national has been arrested for smuggling nearly 100 capsules containing heroin, valued at over Rs 6 crore, by concealing them inside his body, Customs officials said on Tuesday. The accused, identified as Dickson Twijukye, landed at the IGI on March 31 while he was placed under arrest on April 9 after the capsules were retrieved from his body through an operation. A Customs official said that the accused was intercepted after he had crossed the green channel and was approaching the exit gate of the international arrival hall. His hand baggage was checked but nothing suspicious was found. However, on medical examination, some material was found to be secreted inside his body. "A medical procedure yielded recovery of 99 capsules which resulted in recovery of a total of 921 grams off-white colour substance found to be heroin having international market value of Rs 6.447 crore," said the Customs official. --IANS atk/vd ( 165 Words) 2022-04-12-22:48:41 (IANS)
The Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry on Tuesday published a set of amendments to the EIA notification that provides for exemption of environmental clearance to several projects, including defence related/border areas projects, up to 25 MW thermal plants based on biomass, or expansion of terminal building of airports. The proposed amendments to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 are regarding requirement of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for the projects deemed as public utility works, as per the notification published on Tuesday but bearing the date of April 11. The Environment Ministry has already proposed a volley of amendments that have been deemed as "dilution: of the EIA process and criticised heavily by environmental activists. Those amendments, introduced in 2020, are yet to be finalised. Coming on the back of that, these amendments are further likely to draw flak. The exemptions come with the condition that standard environmental safeguards for such projects would be followed by the agency executing such projects or the incremental environmental impacts can be catered by providing for environmental safeguards which can be built into the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) at the time of grant of such clearances. "Such exemptions are bound to happen keeping in view the requirements of the people. Our only concern is that these EMPs are not followed honestly. We need a stringent mechanism for it," said a senior Ministry official. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav told IANS: "The Ministry is alive to the concerns about proper EMP implementation. We are working out the modalities to address all such issues and will soon come out with a policy regarding the same." Currently, thermal power plants up to 15 MW based on biomass or non-hazardous Municipal Solid Waste using auxiliary fuel such as coal, lignite/petroleum products up to 15 per cent are exempted from the requirement of EC. The amendment proposes no EC would be required for such thermal plants up to 25 MW. Taking into account the issues of livelihood security of fishermen involved at fish handling ports/harbours and less pollution potential of these ports/harbours compared to others, and that such exclusive ports cater to the small fishermen whose boats have lesser pollution potential, the Ministry has proposed to increase the exemption threshold in terms of fish handling capacity for ports/harbours which exclusively handle fish from 10,000 tonnes per annum to 30,000 TPA. It has also proposed to exempt from the requirement of EC for highway projects related to defence and strategic importance in border states that are sensitive in nature and, in many cases, need to be executed on priority keeping in view strategic, defence and security considerations. "However, these would be subject to prescribing Standard Operating Procedure along with standard environmental safeguards for such projects for self-compliance by the Agency executing such projects," the proposed amendment said. The amendment proposed also sought to exempt expansion of airports but only when it involved expansion of terminal building areas. "Most of the expansion activities with regard to existing Airports are related to Terminal Building expansion without increase in existing area of the Airport, rather than expansion of runway, hanger etc., and therefore involves only incremental environmental impacts which can be catered by providing for environmental safeguards which can be built into the Environmental Management Plan at the time of grant of such clearances at the local level," the Ministry's proposal said and mentioned the relevant parameters. The Ministry has also proposed to exempt the additional width at toll plaza and junction improvement at intersections from being included in Right of Way for National Highways more than 100 kms. --IANS niv/vd ( 613 Words) 2022-04-12-22:52:02 (IANS)
Voicing concern over growing attempts to create communal hatred in India, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday warned that the sectarian strife will push the country back by 100 years. He said that if the current trend of creating communal divide for political gains goes unchecked, the country will have to pay a very heavy price. Addressing a news conference, he slammed ruling BJP at the Centre for whipping up communal passions and spreading hatred between different communities. He alleged that the policies of the BJP government were pushing the country towards a disaster. "It will take 100 years for the country to recover," he said. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said the country suffered in every aspect under BJP rule. "The GDP has come down, the economy is in bad shape, unemployment is rising, industries are getting shut down, cesses and taxes are being hiked indiscriminately and prices of essential commodities are rising," he said. The TRS chief alleged that the BJP was drunk high on power and whenever real issues are raised, it comes up with Kashmir Files, Pulwama or something to garner votes. KCR alleged that during Ram Navami, trouble was created in states like Gujarat and Karnataka where elections are due. "They do this drama before elections. Stones are pelted to create tension and they then try to politically capitalise on the situation," he said. He said the policies of BJP have created problems in Bengaluru which was built as Silicon Valley of India with the hard work of many governments in the past. The TRS leader mentioned about bans in Karnataka on hijab, halal, vehicles driven by Muslims and boycott of shops owned by Muslims. "Will this not have any backlash," he asked. He pointed out that there are 13 crore Indians who are employed in various countries. "What will happen if they are sent back. Will the BJP give them jobs? It is already unable to provide jobs to the unemployed in the country as existing industries are closing down. What will happen if investors don't come to invest in the country," he asked. KCR said he would intensify his efforts to play a vital role to save the country from the disaster by creating awareness among people. He believes that people in India are enlightened and they will come forward to save the country. --IANS ms/vd ( 409 Words) 2022-04-12-22:54:06 (IANS)
The Harford County Board of Education has developed a teen parent policy, which was presented to the board at Monday nights school board meeting.

The new policy is designed to help pregnant or parenting students to complete their high school education and get a diploma. The policy addresses absences from class, home instruction policies, unequal alternative learning environments, support for childcare, and transportation among other issues.

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The teen parent policy meets a mandate of the Maryland State Department of Education, said Kimberly H. Neal, general counsel for Harford County Public Schools, in her report to the board.

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Pregnancy and teen parenting are significant contributors to high school dropout rates, Neal said. Her report states that, nationally, less than two percent of teen mothers obtain a college degree by age 30 and a third of children born to teen mothers dont go on to earn a high school diploma, according to the National Womens Law Center and the National Campaign.

No data was provided on the teen parent dropout or graduation rates for Harford County Public Schools. Members of the board did not comment or ask questions after the presentation.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

The policy requires high schools to help pregnant and parenting students with their absences and workload. Students will be allowed to make up work, and schools will be required to have a written attendance policy.

High schools also will be required to provide a designated breastfeeding space and give mothering students an excused absence while using it.

The new policy also addresses challenges for parenting students, such as finding day care and transportation for their child so the parent can stay in school, finding money for childcare and the need to advocate for their rights as defined in Title IX, according to the report.

Parenting students will be assigned to a staff member who will help them find affordable resources. The school may consult with school social workers and/or school pupil personnel workers regarding community resources.

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The draft policy presented to the board for approval is based on the state department of educations model policy. Both policies have the same requirements, but HCPS will require schools to give more training to teachers. The Maryland State Department of Education has set a June 1 deadline for the new policy to be implemented, Neal said.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan on Tuesday expressed profound grief and anguish over the accident on the railway track near Bathua in G Sigadam Mandal in Srikakulam district in which five persons lost their lives and several others were injured. "I express profound grief and anguish over the accident on the railway track near Bathua in G. Sigadam Mandal in Srikakulam district in the late hours on Monday, in which five persons were reported to have lost their lives and several others were injured," the Governor said. Governor Harichandan offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. The Governor has been informed by the officials that the accident occurred when the passengers got down from Guwahati express and they were hit by oncoming Konark express while crossing the tracks and the injured have been shifted to hospital. At least five people were run over by a train in the Batuwa in the G Sigadam zone of the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday night, police said. The passengers who died were from Guwahati-bound superfast express and had got down onto the adjoining railway track when their train stopped due to a technical glitch. The Konark Express coming from the opposite direction ran over these people, the police said. (ANI)
He has sent his resignation letter to Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Among many important cases, the Birbhum, Rampurhat incident was the last where he fought for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

The Calcutta High Court on April 8 handed over Trinamool Congress leader Bhadu Sheikh's murder probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) saying that the case is interlinked with the arson at Birbhum's Rampurhat which resulted in the death of nine persons.

As many as nine people were killed in the Rampurhat area of West Bengal's Birbhum last month after a mob allegedly set houses on fire following the killing of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh.

All the bodies were charred to death beyond recognition. The bodies were immediately shifted to Rampurhat College and Hospital for holding post-mortem examination. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday in the national capital and is likely to discuss the impact of the GST system on the state resources, development of Naxal affected districts and coordination with the central paramilitary forces. "Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will be in Delhi today, April 13, and meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to likely discuss the impact of the GST system on the state resources, development of Naxal affected districts and coordination with the central paramilitary forces," informed Chief Minister's Office. Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had said that under the Centre's special thrust on the expansion of road network in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxal affected areas, 10, 600 km of roads have already been constructed with an expenditure of approximately Rs 13,000 crore. The Minister said that the Central government has taken various initiatives on the development front in LWE affected areas with a special thrust on the expansion of road network; improving telecom connectivity; financial inclusion of local population; skill development and education facilities. Besides, the Minister said 2,343 mobile towers were installed under Phase-l and a work order has been issued for 2,542 towers under phase-II of the Mobile Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sanjeev Kumar Balyan on Tuesday visited Odisha's Koraput district and took stock of various developmental projects under the Government of India.

State BJP General Secretary, Golak Mohapatra said, "Ten Union Ministers will visit 10 aspirational districts of Odisha to review the progress of various developmental projects till April 20. The Ministers will submit their reports to the Central government."

He said that the ten aspirational districts of Odisha are- Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Koraput and Gajapati.

Mohapatra further said that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will visit Dhenkanal district on April 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Similarly, in the coming week, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will visit Malkangiri, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda will visit Nuapada, Minister of State for Rural Development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti will go to Balangir.

"Minister of State for Food, Industry and Jal Shakti Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of State for Law and Justice SP Singh Baghel will go to Gajapati and Nuapara districts respectively," he added.

He said that Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha K, Minister of State for Commerce Som Prakash and Minister of State for Education Subash Sarkar will visit Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kandhamal respectively.

The Aspirational Districts Programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2018 as part of the government's effort to raise the living standards of citizens and inclusive growth for all.

A total of 117 Aspirational Districts across India have been identified by the NITI Aayog based upon composite indicators from health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development and basic infrastructure. (ANI)
The Chief Minister on Tuesday arrived in Gujarat's Jamnagar.

President Ramnath Kovind on Sunday inaugurated the annual Madhavpur Mela and said the five-day cultural fair is a "festival of uniting people of the country through feelings".

He also expressed hope that the annual cultural fair will have a special place in the traditions of India.

The week-long 'Madhavpur Mela' is held in the village of Madhavpur near the sea at Porbandar in Gujarat and celebrates the marriage of Lord Krishna with Rukmini.

Madhavpur Mela begins on Ram Navami, the day marking the birth of Lord Rama as per the Hindu lunar calendar. (ANI)
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday called upon all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to improve cotton yield and productivity in India to enhance farmers' incomes. Expressing his concern over the low yield of Indian cotton compared to other major cotton growers in the world, Naidu said that steps must be taken to guide the farmers through better research and by adopting best practices. The Vice President called for increasing the global competitiveness of Indian cotton textiles and "capitalize on our traditional strengths, shift to modern agronomic practices and consolidate our position as a global leader in the cotton industry". Noting the importance of the textiles sector as the second-largest employer in the country after agriculture, Naidu emphasized on improving farm productivity, increasing mechanization, upskilling textile workers, and hand-holding small firms to give a boost to the sector. Naidu also suggested diversifying into specialty cottons such as the extra-long staple (ELS) cotton and organic cotton. The vice president made these remarks at the golden jubilee Celebrations of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) - Cotton Development and Research Association (CDRA) here. Referring to the importance of cotton to the Indian economy, the Vice President said that cotton also has a "great symbolic value to our civilizational heritage". He recalled that cotton played a crucial role in our freedom struggle, starting with the 'Swadeshi Movement'. He said that by connecting all sections of society, "cotton was one of the most important binding factors for people to fight against the British Raj". Naidu expressed his concern over that despite being the largest cotton producer (23 per cent) in the world and having the highest area under cotton cultivation (39 per cent of world area), the yield per hectare in India remained at a low of 460 kg lint per hectare when compared to the world average of 800 kg lint per hectare. To address this, he called for improving the planting density, taking up mechanization of cotton harvest and giving a thrust to agronomy research. Recalling the benefits of the first Technology Mission on Cotton, the Vice President said there is every need to renew the Mission in an upgraded format. "We need to improve our seed technology, increase yield, adopt global best practices, produce clean and high-quality cotton and brand it better to improve the farmers' income," he added. The Vice President noted that while India has a strong global footprint in cotton yarn, it has to improve its competitiveness in fabrics and apparel. He called for hand-holding small firms and upskilling textile workers to give a fillip to the sector. The Vice President said government schemes such as the Amended - Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS) and SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector) are aimed at achieving these objectives. While noting India's improvement in export competitiveness of traditional textiles, Naidu said "we cannot ignore sunrise sectors such as technical textiles, which are seeing a rapid rise in demand across the world". On this occasion, Naidu conferred awards to excelling cotton scientists and farmers in CITI-CDRA Project Areas. He also released a Coffee Table Book - 'Millennial Shades of Cotton' at the event. (ANI)
Amid row over the alleged gang-rape and death of a minor in West Bengal's Nadia, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma slammed the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, for her remarks on the case terming it "unfortunate". "Her (WB CM Mamata Banerjee's) statement over the incident is very unfortunate. Being a woman, she should understand the pain of another woman. She pointed fingers at the victim, it was wrong," said Rekha Sharma while speaking to ANI on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned if the girl was actually raped or had a love affair that got her pregnant. "How do you know if she was raped? The police are yet to ascertain the cause of the death. I had asked them. Was she pregnant or had a love affair or was sick? Even family knew it was a love affair. If a couple is in a relationship, how can I stop them?", the chief minister said. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday sought a response from the state government over the alleged gang rape and death of a 14-year-old girl in the Nadia district's Hanskhali. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the Hanskhali rape case. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in West Bengal's Nadia district. The victim's family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case. A case under sections 376(2)(G) (gangrape), 302 (murder), 204 (tampering with evidence) of the IPC and relevant sections of the POCSO) Act was registered in the case. (ANI)
The TDP leader slammed the minister, claiming that he had "advised media persons to worship Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy if they wanted house sites".

The TDP leader in a statement hit out at the minister, saying "it shows mental bankruptcy on the part of Venugopala Krishna to pass humiliating comments against journalists".

"We have democracy and not dictatorship that anyone will worship the Chief Minister like a modern-day Nero," Srinivasulu said.

He further advised Venugopala to open his eyes and see that the Andhra Pradesh people were living in a democratic system, not an autocracy.

"Ever since the YSR Congress came to power, journalists are facing many challenges in their day to day duties. There is no atmosphere in the state to write stories on atrocities and offences without fear," he added.

The TDP leader also stressed the need for the media to overcome the ruling party's threats and assume greater responsibility in civil society.

Srinivasulu also demanded that the minister should apologise to the journalists.

"The ruling party should be satisfied with the fact that they got the Cabinet to worship Jagan Reddy. The ministers are already worshipping the CM," he said. (ANI)
Farmers on Tuesday staged a protest against the Centre at the residence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Arvind Dharmapuri, dumping paddy outside his house in the Nizamabad district of Telangana. The protesting farmers alleged that the Centre has betrayed them by not procuring paddy from them. "He (the BJP MP) is hiding in Delhi and has betrayed us as Dharmapuri's yet to take cognizance of the paddy procurement issue. The Centre must procure paddy from us," a farmer told ANI. Reacting to the protest, Dharmapuri claimed that the people who were agitating at his house were not real farmers, but "daily-wage labourers" hired by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA Jeevan Reddy. After Dharmapuri accused the TRS MLA of orchestrating the protest, Reddy said that Telangana farmers are unhappy with the BJP's "step-motherly treatment", asking the Centre to explain the efficacy of the "One Nation One Procurement Policy". "Telangana farmers are unhappy with the BJP's step-motherly treatment to the state. We'll fight for the rights of our farmers. We need an answer from the Centre on the 'One Nation One Procurement Policy' and as to when will they start paddy procurement from Telangana," Reddy said. However, the Centre on Monday said the procurement in Telangana under the central pool has increased tremendously over the last five to six years. Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said on Tuesday that the state government has decided to purchase paddy from farmers within three to four days. He requested all the farmers in the state to not sell their crops at a rate lesser than the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The Telangana government has been demanding from the Centre to procure the entire paddy stock from the State. Last year, a delegation of Ministers from the state met union Ministers to press for the paddy procurement from the state. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party Madhya Pradesh state President, VD Sharma on Tuesday charged the tweet of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh as a "part of the international conspiracy" to disturb the peace and environment of the country and demanded an Intelligence probe into the matter. Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, "Digvijaya Singh has always hatched conspiracies against the country. It is not only a tweet but a part of the international conspiracy to disturb the state's and country's environment. Intelligence should probe this. Sonia Gandhi has made him in-charge of agitations, to be visible on media." Asked about the Opposition's objections against bulldozers being used to demolish the houses of the accused, the BJP leader said that Congres has always stood with the culprits and questioned the party's "advocacy" for the accused. "Congress has always stood with such people (culprits). Does Congress agree to the stone-pelting on the Ram Navami procession? Why is the party advocating for the people against whom the administration is taking action?" he said. "The way people not only pelted stones at the procession of Ram Navami but also attacked them strategically, and arson at so many places show that it is not a normal incident. It is a conspiracy. The government is working to punish the culprits and they will not be forgiven," Sharma added. Meanwhile, the Congress leader on Tuesday wrote to the Police Commissioner of Bhopal and demanded legal action against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for "posting fake video of Rahul Gandhi on May 16, 2019" on Twitter. "I have demanded legal action against Shivraj ji on the basis of playing this false fake video on his Twitter. There can be no different interpretation of the law. The case should be registered, no matter if a common man commits a crime or a Chief Minister," Singh tweeted in Hindi and attached the letter to his tweet. Madhya Pradesh Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh for allegedly conspiring to instigate communal violence by posting misleading tweets. The FIR was filed based on the complaint of one Prakash Mande, a resident of Bhopal. The case was registered under sections 153A, 295A, 465, and 505 (2) of IPC. Mande complained that Singh posted a fabricated photo that might instigate communal violence. The FIR mentioned the tweet by Singh in which the Congress veteran said, "Did the Khargone administration allow a procession carrying weapons like sticks and swords? Will bulldozers run at the homes of all those who throw stones, irrespective of religion? Do not forget Shivraj ji, you have taken an oath to run the government impartially." As many as four houses and three shops near Mohan Talkies, 12 houses and 10 shops in Khaskhas Badi area, three shops in Aurangpura area and 12 shops in Talaab Chowk were demolished. Approximately 16 illegal sites were demolished near Ganesh Temple in Khargone. (ANI)
Joan Henderson Hodous has had an unfinished painting of what she calls her thinking room on her easel since January. She said the painting, like others she has had trouble staying focused on, is a selfish mistress.

Not that her house is short of her work  the walls of her Bel Air home are covered in giclees  or digital prints  of her many paintings. Some are surrealist abstract work; some are paintings from her 20 years spent in Key West; some are just bowls of fruit. No matter the style, however, she self-identifies as a colorist.

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Beyond paintings, her house is filled with treasures from her extensive travel over the years: a chandelier from Prague, chairs from Alhambra, Spain, and candlesticks from Berlin. And, of course, a table from Havre de Grace.

I am the house, Hodous said. Everything has a story. I couldnt tell you everything.

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Hodous is a fourth-generation Harford County resident. She grew up in Jarrettsville and graduated from North Harford High School. When she was 18, she painted her first barn.

Why barns? I like the quiet of it, Hodous said. I like the smell of it.

In 2019, the Maryland Center for the Arts held an exhibit of her barn painting collection, with 24 paintings of Harford County barns from Bel Air, Darlington, Fallston and other places.

No matter where I went in the world or where I was, Hodous said, I always came back to Harford County, and I painted another barn.

Hodous has been a longtime proponent for the arts. She taught art for a few years at Pimlico Junior High School in Baltimore starting in 1957. In 1970, she opened her own art studio in Bel Air where she taught arts classes  mostly painting  to women and children. Fourteen years later, she opened A Creative Place, where she and other local artists could sell their work. She also has a book, titled It All Counts, filled with her paintings and accompanying poems.

I was extremely bored being a housewife, she said, and anything that I could study, I studied.

At nearly 87 years old, Hodous impact on the county is still felt today. The Harford County Council recognized Hodous as a Harford Living Treasure at its meeting Feb. 1.

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Her efforts in promoting womens rights have also been a significant portion of her legacy. She was appointed to the countys Commission for Women in 1976, around the same time she wrote a column for The Aegis titled In Support of Women. She said these efforts were met with great hostility.

Women thought that I was taking away their rights, Hodous said, and they didnt realize they didnt have any rights.

She recalled one man, a school principal, once told her that he didnt want his tax dollars going toward the Commission for Women. So she replied, Well, you have two daughters, dont you? Your daughters, youll find, dont have any rights.

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While on the commission, Hodous helped found the Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center, a nonprofit providing resources to victims of abuse. The first helpline for SARC was set up in Hodous kitchen in 1978.

Her work didnt end there; around the same time, she was appointed to The John Carroll Schools Board of Trustees and the Maryland Values Education Commission.

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When youre hot like that, standing out like that, everybody wanted you then, she said. I dont like to say that, but it is true.

John B. Kane, a retired lawyer, recommended Hodous to be recognized as a Harford Living Treasure.

I would consider her to be a Renaissance woman of the 20th and 21st centuries, just an extraordinary person, Kane said. Shes been an educator, an advocate for womens rights, a journalist, an author, a [poet], a painter  and she did it all primarily in Harford County.

As far as Hodous work today, shes spending much of her time in her Bel Air home caring for her husband Fred, who she lovingly refers to as Buzzy. Maybe shell finally get around to finishing her thinking room painting.

Ill be working till I die, she said.

Artist and Harford native Joan Hodous, who was recently named as a Harford Living Treasure, stands in one of the rooms in her Bel Air home Wednesday, March 30, 2022 surrounded by several of her barn paintings and other interesting items collected over the years. (Matt Button / The Aegis/Baltimore Sun Media)

Artist and Harford native Joan Hodous, who was recently named as a Harford Living Treasure, talks about one of her current paintings and some of the struggles in pulling the peice together as she sits in the kitchen of her Bel Air home Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Matt Button / The Aegis/Baltimore Sun Media)

Artist and Harford native Joan Hodous was recently named as a Harford Living Treasure. Hosous' name on one of her many paintings in her Bel Air home Wednesday March 30, 0222. (Matt Button / The Aegis/Baltimore Sun Media)

Artist and Harford native Joan Hodous, who was recently named as a Harford Living Treasure, flips through her book " It All Counts" searching for a specific poem as she sits in the kitchen of her Bel Air home Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Matt Button / The Aegis/Baltimore Sun Media)
"90 pilots have been restrained from flying the Boeing 737 MAX. They will have to undergo training again to the satisfaction of DGCA," DGCA Director-General Arun Kumar told ANI.

However, the restriction does not impact the operations of MAX aircraft, he added. "SpiceJet currently operates 11 MAX aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft", said DGCA Director-General.

Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available. The pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.

The DGCA's move comes after a 737-800 plane operated by China airline crashed in mountains in southern China killing 132 people on board last month.

Indian airlines like SpiceJet, Vistara and Air India Express operate Boeing 737 aircraft in their fleets. (ANI)
The Archdiocese of Thrissur criticised the functioning of Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi in an article published in its mouthpiece "Catholic Sabha", arguing that the faction-fighting in the opposition party is allowing the rise of the Aam Admi Party (AAP). The article highlighted the lack of leadership in Congress, arguing that the AAP is positioning as the national alternative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It also argued that the factional feud in Congress is the reason for the emergence of the AAP as the new national alternative to the BJP. It stressed that Congress is losing its opposition party status. "Congress calculates that it can gain in the elections from the anti-incumbency factor, farmers' protest and its secularism plot. The lack of leadership and fight among the party leaders are hurting the interest of Congress," stated the "Catholic Sabha". According to the article, Congress remained a mere spectator while not offering any solution (to issues) while the BJP went ahead with its agenda of a 'Congress Mukt Bharat'. "Even though Priyanka Gandhi experimented in the Uttar Pradesh elections, congress was not in the picture (electoral battle). All know the reasons for Congress' defeat in the elections. But no one is ready to bring a solution. The Congress leaders were supporting the BJP's agenda of a 'Congress Mukt Bharat' by fighting among themselves," added the article published in "Catholic Sabha" under the title "Is the Congress party distancing itself from the proposed national alternative." The article criticised Rahul Gandhi's 'double' stand for not taking charge of the party president but controlling the organisation from behind the curtains. It stated says "gone are the days when the name 'Gandhi' was enough to secure victory". It further argued that India will soon transform into 'Hindusthan of the Sangh Parivar forces with consequences for democratic and secular values". (ANI)
ATS team took Murtaza Abbasi for a medical check up on Tuesday at Sadar hospital, Gorakhpur to show his hand injury. Dr Singh further stated that besides the hand injury there was no other physical injury on the body of the accused.

"Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi has sustained no other injuries than the ones being already treated, for which the doctors have bandaged Murtaza's hands and performed an X-ray to identify other injuries," said Dr J.S.P. Singh, Medical Superintendent of the hospital.

"No such evidence can be substantiated which would suggest if the accused is mentally unfit," he added. Earlier on 4 April 2022, Murtaza's father stated that he (Murtaza) was mentally unstable and thus had no intentions to commit the offence.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh had taken Murtaza to the hospital for his medical examination.

Murtaza was shifted to the Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) headquarters in Lucknow on April 6 for investigations.

On 3 April 2022, a man forcibly tried to enter the Gorakhnath Temple premises and attacked the on-duty police personnel with a sharp weapon.

Not ruling out the terror angle in forcibly entering the Gorakhnath Temple and assaulting the police personnel, the Uttar Pradesh government had handed over the probe to the Anti-Terrorism Squad after the accused got arrested. (ANI)
After the recent communal violence witnessed in some parts of the country over Ram Navami processions, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday demanded the Centre and the state governments to curb such acts immediately. Calling the incidents 'anti-Muslim mischiefs', JIH Vice President Salim Engineer said, "The same pattern was seen in all these places where processions were first taken out on the occasion of a festival, special flags were waved, weapons, especially swords and knives, were openly brandished and provocative and disparaging slogans were raised against Muslims and Islam. "Attempts were also made to damage some mosques. In some places, property and shops owned by Muslims were also damaged. Incidents of arson and looting were also noted. All these incidents reflect the growing atmosphere of unrest and hatred in the country." Engineer said that it is a matter of great concern that some state governments through their actions are now inculcating a feeling in the people that they are the governments of a particular people of the country, while governments should treat all citizens fairly. "This attitude of some state governments has emboldened the miscreants. Reports are being received from many places that the police are targeting the victims instead of taking action against the culprits. Large number of innocent Muslim youth are being arrested and false charges are being framed against them. In Madhya Pradesh, there are cases of extreme cruelty where people's houses are being demolished by bulldozers," he said. Condemning these incidents, Engineer said, "JIH believes that these incidents are the product of the hatred that is being spread across the country. Some political leaders known for their vitriolic speeches are also responsible for the violence. They should be arrested immediately. These ongoing incidents are undermining public confidence in the government and the administration. "It is also the responsibility of the Central government to take notice of the situation and call upon the state governments to take timely and stern action against the elements responsible for the violence as well as the forces inciting sectarian hatred. Action should also be taken against the police officers who are biased and guilty of dereliction of duty." Engineer went on to say: "JIH has been working for the establishment of law and order in all these areas since day one. JIH leaders are trying to liaise with state officials and the police and press for effective action. A central delegation is also reaching Madhya Pradesh where the situation is quite grave. "Efforts are being made to establish law and order in these areas in collaboration with civil society groups and leaders of different religions. Efforts are also being made to take legal action against the oppressors and provide legal assistance to the oppressed." On Tuesday, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind held a meeting with the JIH state leadership of all the affected areas, reviewed the situation and gave necessary instructions to the state leadership and to the departments concerned. According to its state leadership, various efforts are being made to provide immediate assistance to the distressed victims, including legal action against the oppressors and rioters. The JIH appealed to the Muslim community to continue building the country and society while adhering to the highest values of prudence, patience and justice in the current situation. Engineer said, "Don't be instigated by any kind of provocation or fear. Fight the situation within the law without any psychological pressure and keep trying to improve the situation in coordination with just people. Fight hatred by sharing love. "These are the Islamic teachings and this is also the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was a mercy to the worlds. In this blessed month of Ramadan, let us also take special care to offer prayers for the betterment of the situation and peace and order in the country." The JIH has also appealed to the leaders of all political parties and all conscientious citizens to feel their responsibility in this situation and play an active role in maintaining law and order and preventing this 'cycle of hatred, poisonous speech, and violence'. --IANS miz/arm ( 696 Words) 2022-04-13-20:36:04 (IANS)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has come into power after many to and fro motions in the country's political system. Sharif's celebrations of becoming the country's premier come with a daunting uphill task in hand, both politically and economically, as he gets a meagre welcome to a country in crisis. Tensions are already dwindling as the new premier is settling into the system. But the prevailing uncertainty in relation to the political crisis, glaring on the country's face, seems far from over. For PM Sharif, two main challenges are ready to latch onto him, ruining his honeymoon period on the Prime Minister's seat. The first is the political instability and its direct effect on the political and democratic crisis. Despite Imran Khan's desperate efforts to remain in power through compromises, pressure tactics and failed political manoeuvrings, he still enjoys a massive support among the people of the country, who show their strength when they came out in huge numbers across Pakistan, enough to create pressure and unrest for the Sharif government. The public pressure is now going to be in full swing with Imran Khan holding public gatherings in major cities across Pakistan and publicly declaring Sharif's government as a puppet hybrid government brought into power through an 'international conspiracy' for regime change. Sharif's government is faced with multiple challenges, still existent in the parliament, even after his arch political rival Imran Khan is not in it. It is the management of a coalition government, formed with alliance of other major political parties, who have joined this alliance not only to oust Imran khan, but for their vested political interests. With Sharif standing as Prime Minister, he carries a heavy weight of commitments, he and his partner parties like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have made to smaller parties, who are now looking towards them to fulfil what they promised. The second most difficult task for Sharif is the country's crippled, wrecked economic condition, which is no less than a royal mess. Political decision by the former Imran Khan-led government to not increase the petroleum prices, coupled with the lack of reforms, has added to the already existent long-term, intractable problems. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) faces an extraordinary difficult situation on economic terms. The economic mess is now standing parallel to the decisions this government will take going forward. If it takes the right decision keeping the country's economy in view, it will be faced with a strong backlash from the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the streets, social media and on television screens. Only time will tell how this new government of Shehbaz Sharif will work its way out of what it has gotten itself into, especially when it has come to power protesting against Imran Khan's inability and failure to bring economic stability in the country. But it is a fact that the win over Imran Khan and what's been left behind by Khan for Sharif to handle, is in itself, a serious, critical and major challenge. --IANS hamza/arm ( 517 Words) 2022-04-12-22:17:44 (IANS)
As Shehbaz Sharif got elected as the new prime minister of Pakistan, a US expert has called for a "new approach" toward a country that has not responded well to the niceties shown by Washington. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday hours after being elected by the National Assembly of the country. He was elected as the Pakistan Prime Minister in the same National Assembly session which saw the ouster of Imran Khan, in accordance with the order of the Pakistan Supreme Court. Writing for The Washington Examiner, Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), said Washington has downplayed the reality in Pakistan and asked for a "new approach" toward the south Asian country. Rubin argues that the US must revoke Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status and designate Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency as a foreign terrorist organization as well as the country as a state sponsor of terrorism. "Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan should be declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country," he added. According to this US scholar, the State Department should close its consulates in Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar. "To balance this, the State Department should order the closure of Pakistan's consulates in Boston, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. In short, it is time for a policy that ends US strategic incoherence toward Pakistan." Rubin pointed out Pakistan's failure to ensure financial transparency. "The country has made no serious effort to address money laundering and terror finance concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force, perhaps believing that China will diplomatically prevent serious punitive action." In a recent development, Rubin highlighted the appointment of an openly terror-supporting diplomat to be Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. Former PM Imran Khan had acknowledged the presence of some 30,000-40,000 armed terrorists operating on Pakistani soil. This should be enough to designate Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism. The US expert also agreed that Pakistan too has suffered at the hands of terrorists while arguing that this is true, it is like an arsonist complaining about burnt hands. "While this is true, it is like an arsonist complaining about burnt hands. When Pakistanis make the argument, they should find doors slammed in their face. Niceties have not convinced Pakistan to cease its behaviour," he said. (ANI)
The human rights issues included credible reports of extrajudicial killings by security forces; forced disappearances by antigovernment personnel; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces, the report said.

It also includes reports of serious restrictions on free expression and media by the Taliban, including violence against journalists and censorship; severe restrictions on religious freedom; restrictions on the right to leave the country.

"Significant human rights issues occurred before and after August 15. Details of which group or groups perpetuated these human rights issues are addressed throughout the report," the US State Department said.

"Widespread disregard for the rule of law and official impunity for those responsible for human rights abuses were common. The pre-August 15 government did not consistently or effectively investigate or prosecute abuses by officials, including security forces. After taking over, the Taliban formed a commission to identify and expel 'people of bad character' from its ranks," the report said.

The State Department said the report strives to provide a record of the status of human rights worldwide, covering 198 countries and territories.

The reports paint a picture of where human rights and democracy are under threat.

The report highlights where governments have unjustly jailed, tortured, or even killed political opponents, activists, human rights defenders, or journalists, including in Russia, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria. (ANI)
Washington [US], April 13 (ANI/Sputnik): US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that his team remains in close contact with the New York authorities after the mass shooting at a Brooklyn subway station and amid the ongoing manhunt. "My team has been in touch with Mara Adams, New York's police commissioner, and the Department of Justice, the FBI working closely with the NYPD [New York Police Department] on the ground," Biden said. "We're going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities and as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days." New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the suspect has not been identified and authorities do not know the gunman's motive at this time. A total of 16 persons are hospitalized after sustaining injuries in the shooting. Ten of them suffered gunshot wounds and five are in critical but stable condition, according to the New York City officials. (ANI/Sputnik)
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday praised the US for helping India during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. During an interaction with students of Howard University in Washington, Jaishankar recalled how the COVID experience has been enormously stressful for all the countries. "If there was a silver lining to it, it also showed what friendships and relationships across the world could do...We have three vaccines in India, that we're producing, which are a direct outcome of our relationship with the US," he said. "When everybody who could make vaccines was busy making vaccines. It then became difficult to get the supply chains going. It would tend to get disproportionately sucked by some places. I remember at that time, reaching out to (US Secretary of State) Antony Blinken," the minister added. Jaishankar said he counts it as the great achievement of 2021 that India could scale up production with the help of the US. "I must say...Blinken really went out of his way to move the American system and get things done," he said. He again recalled how India went through a very severe wave of the Delta variant. "We had enormous demand for oxygen, respirators and certain drugs which were particularly effective for Delta treatment. A lot of countries came forward but a country that really stood out there was the US," Jaishankar said. Blinken also delivered remarks and participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University. Both foreign ministers interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and with US students, scholars, and researchers. While addressing the audience gathered at Howard University, Jaishankar said policymakers in both countries are sharply aware of the immense difference that their educational collaboration can make. "On the Indian side, our 2020 National Educational Policy prioritizes international cooperation in education," said Jaishankar. "On the American end, we recognize the renewed focus on the STEM sector, including in activities like the Quad. My colleague, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is looking forward to engaging more intensively in developing this important facet of our relationship," he added. This event was seen as an opportunity to build off Monday's announcement during the 2+2 Ministerial of the formation of a 'Working Group on Education and Skill Training.' (ANI)
According to the media outlet, Pakistan Prime Minister's first foreign visit has often been to Saudi Arabia and China due to the country's strategic relationship with both.

According to sources, PM Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Saudi Arabia will perform Umrah and meet the Saudi leadership.

Saudi Arabia in the past has extended financial bailout packages to successive Pakistani governments, in fact, Riyadh gave former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government a USD 6 billion bailout package.

It is unclear if the new premier will also seek financial assistance, given that Saudi Arabia provided USD 3 billion dollars to Pakistan not long ago, The News International reported.

While after the Saudi visit, the premier is also expected to travel to China.

According to The News International, Shehbaz is known to enjoy a good reputation amongst the Chinese leadership because of his administrative qualities. During the previous PML-N tenure, Shehbaz played a central role in accelerating China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday after being elected by the National Assembly of the country. (ANI)
The foundation of Howard Countys nationally recognized quality of life is our exceptional education system.

One of my most meaningful responsibilities as county executive is to provide needed resources that create a nourishing environment allowing our students and educators to flourish.

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My proposed capital spending plan builds on our strong foundation and seeks to expand opportunities for all, containing an historic $105.9 million for school construction  the most in the past 20 years. This proposed funding provides all the construction resources requested by our Board of Education and the Howard County Public School System, who have been tremendous partners in advancing our public school system.

Our proposed fiscal 2023 capital budget advances the priority projects of the school system as part of our ongoing efforts to address school overcrowding, including the New High School #13 in Jessup; the Hammond High School renovation/addition; and the highly anticipated and long-sought replacement for Talbot Springs Elementary School, which will be open for the 2022-23 school year.

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With careful planning, access to adequate resources, and a commitment to collaboration, we are addressing crowding by creating 2,400 new seats for our students in Howard County by the end of 2023. We should all be proud of our progress to reach this point as we work together to address the challenges faced by our school system.

While new schools and additions are vital to creating ready and successful students, it is equally critical to maintain our existing schools.

In Howard County, 65 of our 76 schools, or 86%, were built before 2000 and require maintenance attention like every well-loved building of that age.

Since 2018, we have increased county funding for systemic renovation by more than $20 million, which is more than 50% higher compared to the previous four years, but we still have projects awaiting completion. Many of our facilities are facing deficiencies that need support to maintain a proper learning environment, including overdue HVAC and boiler replacements, upgraded windows and doors, and more. We have made much progress, but are still working diligently to address every need.

Included in my FY23 budget proposal is more than $30 million in total funding for systemic renovations such as the Manor Woods Elementary School HVAC and Wastewater Treatment Plant, the completion of the Guilford Elementary School exterior windows and doors, the West Friendship Elementary School well and the completion of the Jeffers Hill boiler replacement projects.

This budget also fulfills requested funding for deferred maintenance, special education program needs, indoor environmental quality, and school security measures.

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This year, we also worked collaboratively with our dedicated state partners to ensure state funding can be used more efficiently and cover more construction projects.

The Maryland General Assemblys passage of the Build to Learn Act in 2020 will deliver $145.2 million over 10 years to Howard County, but under the way the law has been interpreted, that funding can only be spent on a renovation if the project costs at least $4 million. For maturing counties such as Howard, which must preserve and enhance our existing facilities, the needs are too great which makes that figure too high.

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During this years legislative session, I supported Senate Bill 40 and its House companion (HB68) which would drop the spending limit to $100,000.

By prioritizing these investments and ensuring adequate funding, we will be able to cover more projects and help more students.

Overall, our commitment to school construction funding has increased by nearly $80 million since 2018, compared with the previous four-year period. We have also paved the way for new school construction projects in the future, securing property for a new Turf Valley Elementary School, identifying Troy Park as the location of the new High School #14, and successfully advocated to expedite the beginning of the Oakland Mills Middle School renovation and addition by three years. We have worked tirelessly to build reserves and make strategic financial decisions to make these investments possible, while also maintaining our AAA bond rating from all three credit rating agencies.

I believe that our spending plan and our partnerships have placed us on the right path, for our students, their families, and our educators. Through our partnerships and collaboration, we will do everything in our power to ensure our students have the opportunity to grow and our educators are supported in their endeavors. Our students will be ready and successful for generations to come.

The writer is the Howard County executive.
A day after India-US announced the intent to establish a new Education and Skills Development Working Group, a Washington-based expert said that higher education cooperation between the two countries will help deliver the real promise of diplomatic relationship. "Great today to be at Howard University to have a meeting with the Secretary of State and India's External Affairs Minister to talk about the real promise of US-India higher education cooperation," Richard Rossow, Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies at Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ANI. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University. Both foreign ministers interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and with US students, scholars, and researchers. Talking about the key takeaways from this interaction, Rossow said the high-level takeaway is that both ministers got together to talk about higher education. "When you talk about 200,000 Indian students coming here, number of US universities that have research partnerships there-a lot going on that underpins many other elements of our relationship," he added. At the working level, Rossow said that the ministers announced during the 2+2 Summit on Monday that they created a new working group on higher education skills development. "Trying to underscore and underpin this vital element of our relationship that sits there, very exciting to see this much attention," he said. On the question of what more can be done in the field of higher education, Rossow said "Once the American business realise that India is today and certainly will be in future a critical part of global investment and trade regimes, they got to send signals to MBA students that you need a little bit of background if you gotta succeed in big corporate America." Answering a question about the 2 + 2 dialogue, the senior fellow said," It's great for the two countries to get together when there was a lot of tensions building up over the difference of opinion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine." "Second, you did see some significant announcement on the Space Situational Awareness," he added. Jaishankar earlier said that a key driver in this change has been the human element which includes 4.4 million Indian diaspora that has defined India's image in US society. "The 4.4 million Indian diaspora has literally defined our image in this society and helped forge relationships that are an enormous source of strength for us," he said. Highlighting the "deeper academic" ties between the United States and India, Blinken said that the partnership is absolutely crucial and pertinent for addressing the problems of the 21st century. He said that at least 200,000 Indian students are studying in US universities. This Howard University event comes a day after India and US reiterated their support to further strengthen cooperation in the field of education and skill development through joint collaborations and promote student and scholar mobility to build people-to-people linkages between the two countries. "In this regard, the ministers announced the intent to establish a new India-U.S. Education and Skills Development Working Group," the joint statement on the Fourth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue read. (ANI)
"Reached Honolulu in Hawaii for a visit to the Headquarters of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). I shall also be visiting the Headquarters of US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces, during my brief stay in Hawaii," tweeted the minister.

On his arrival from Washington DC, Singh was received by Commander, USINDOPACOM Admiral John Aquilino. The USINDOPACOM and Indian military have wide-ranging engagements, including a number of military exercises, training events and exchanges.

Singh will be visiting USINDOPACOM headquarter, Pacific Fleet and the training facilities in Hawaii on Wednesday (local time) before returning to India. He is also expected to lay wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and visit the headquarters of the US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces during his brief stay in Hawaii.

Notably, Singh arrived in Washington DC on Sunday as part of his five-day US visit, which included the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on April 11.

The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was held on April 11 in Washington.

During the dialogue, the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties.

Before the 2+2 Dialogue, Singh also held a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Defence separately in Pentagon. (ANI)
London [UK], April 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The United Kingdom will not stop oil and gas production in the country despite ongoing large-scale protests by environmental activists, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng said on Wednesday. Climate activists from the Extinction Rebellion movement began a series of large-scale protests dubbed April Rebellion in London on Saturday, demanding an immediate end to all new investments in fossil fuels. Earlier on Wednesday, the movement reported that protesters, including scientists, were gluing themselves to government buildings and posted video evidence on Twitter. "My message to XR activists gluing (?!) themselves to my Department: You cannot - and we won't - switch off domestic oil and gas production. Doing so would put energy security, jobs and industries at risk - and would simply increase foreign imports, not reduce demand," Kwarteng tweeted. Meanwhile, Moscow expelled a senior Czech diplomat in a tit-for-tat response to Prague. According to the Foreign Ministry, it summoned the Czech ambassador earlier in the day to protest Prague's recent decision on expelling a senior Russian diplomat. "The ambassador was handed a note from the ministry about the announcement of a senior diplomat of the Czech embassy in Moscow a persona non grata in response, who was ordered to leave the territory of Russia before the end of the day on April 16," the ministry said in a statement, Sputnik reported. According to the UK's Extinction Rebellion website, protests are also scheduled for April 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17. In April, the Extinction Rebellion joined forces with other movements to block oil facilities across the UK in an effort to draw attention to the environmental damage and corruption that fuel extraction causes. More than 200 people have been arrested across the UK for obstructing businesses, according to the police. (ANI/Sputnik)
Miftah Ismail, former Pakistan finance minister is likely to be named as the new finance chief of the country ahead of crucial talks with the International Monetary Fund as the country's economy is in dire straits. The new economic team will have to deal with depleting foreign exchange reserves that have dropped to levels that can fund just a couple of months of imports. Newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may name Ismail and the rest of the cabinet within 24 hours, Geo tv reported citing Uk media. According to reports, Ismail is said to be among the officials responsible for negotiating with the IMF to resume the USD 6 billion programme that went into jeopardy after former Prime Minister Imran Khan unexpectedly decreased energy prices, despite an agreement with the lender for the opposite. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had expressed concerns over the financial impact and financing sources of Imran Khan's relief package on electricity and petroleum prices. The Dawn newspaper had reported that the international body was left unconvinced by the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) government's justifications for the announced amnesty scheme. Pakistan's total debt and liabilities jumped to the record PKR 50.5 trillion at the end of September 2021, an addition to PKR 20.7 trillion in the past 39 months. There was an increase of nearly 70 per cent in total debt of the country. Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif may take some time to appoint a new Cabinet as he knows the fragile nature of the ruling alliance and wants to take along all his allies, according to a media report on Wednesday. The MQM-Pakistan (MQM-P), which was a key constituent of the Imran Khan government, has decided not to join the federal cabinet and extend outside support to the government formed by new Prime Minister. Citing The News International, Geo News reported that MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the party is more interested in getting commitments made by coalition partners fulfilled. MQM-P was a key ally of the alliance led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its switching sides to the opposition parties led to the fall of Imran Khan government on Sunday. Siddiqui said that his party had discussed the formation of the new cabinet with the leaders of coalition partners in detail, reported Geo News. (ANI)
"The United States congratulates newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and we look forward to continuing our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan's government," Blinken said in the statement on Wednesday (local time)

The United States values its relationship with Pakistan and recognizes its role as an important partner on a wide array of mutual interests for nearly 75 years, the statement said, adding that a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan is essential for the interests of both countries.

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday evening hours after being elected by the National Assembly of the country.

Prime Minister-elect Shehbaz Sharif was administered the oath by the Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani after President Arif Alvi fell ill.

Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former leader of the Opposition, was elected the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly of the country earlier today.

"Mian Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif has secured 174 votes," announced PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq, who was chairing the session after the resignation of Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri ahead of the vote. (ANI)
Morning, New York City! It's Wednesday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in New York City.

First, today's weather:

Periods of sun. High: 68 Low: 61.

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Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

An unidentified man wearing a gas mask opened fire on a train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, on Tuesday, shooting ten straphangers and injuring sixteen in total, leaving New York City in an 'active shooter situation.' At least five were in critical condition. He remained at large throughout the day, leading many schools throughout Brooklyn to go into lockdown. At a press conference MTA chief Janno Lieber described the day's events as similar to 9/11. (New York City Patch) Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin has resigned after being arrested on Tuesday over accusations that he was bribed by a real estate developer who secured multiple donations to his campaign. Governor Hochul accepted his resignation, although his name may still appear on the ballot in June's Democratic primary. (New York City Patch) Three people were shot in broad daylight at 4:30 p.m. in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, just hours after the previous shooting in Sunset Park. All three were rushed to the hospital. (New York City Patch) A growing movement is afoot to counteract Mayor Adams' homeless encampment sweeps, which have been ramping up for the past several weeks. Groups, including Vocal NY have released alternative strategies that they believe would get homeless people off the streets fasternamely by providing them with permanent housing rather than shelters. (New York City Patch) Mayor Adams plans to resume his typically jam-packed public schedule after finishing his five-day COVID quarantine, while continuing to wear a mask. He doesn't believe New York City needs to reinstate its indoor mask mandate at this time, unlike Philadelphia which has recently done so. (New York City Patch)

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Today in New York City:

Cocktail creation with Good Time Mixology, at MOXY Hotel (6 p.m.)

Volleyball Classes at Central Park on The Great Lawn (6 p.m.)

MindTravel Elemental w/ Murray Hidary in Sony's 360 Reality Audio (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

A driver was cited after plowing her car into an Upper East Side restaurant's outdoor dining shed. (New York City Patch)

Astoria is the place to be right now for Mexican food! Check out these four new restaurants that just opened up and find your dream burrito. (New York City Patch)

Taylor Swift is "feeling 22" again. She'll be the commencement speaker at NYU's graduation this Spring, along with receiving the honorary title of 'Doctor.' (New York City Patch)

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 Dashiell Allen

This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch
More than a dozen gangs in the Los Angeles area are targeting people and robbing them of watches, jewelry and expensive items, police said.

The thefts are a part of a trend that the Los Angeles Police Department called "follow home robberies," in which suspects target victims, follow them and then rob them as they go into isolated areas, such as their homes.

A police spokesperson said Wednesday that at least 17 gangs, operating independently, are believed to be connected to the robberies.

In one alleged attack, on Monday, a woman leaving a jewelry store in downtown Los Angeles was followed by two people in a silver Dodge Challenger, police said in a news release. As she approached an intersection, one of the people got out of the Challenger, approached her car and used an unknown tool to shatter her driver-side window.

"The victim attempted to drive away but was unable due to heavy traffic. When her vehicle stopped, the victim exited her vehicle and ran westbound on 8th Street seeking help," police said.

The robbers, one of whom is alleged to have been armed with a gun, chased the woman in their vehicle, struck her with their car and got out. The victim "immediately removed her watch and threw it on the street," police said. The robbers grabbed the watch and fled.

The woman sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. No arrests had been made Wednesday afternoon.

Another attack happened last year as the victim left a design school. Police said the male victim was returning to his business when he noticed that a white Maserati was following him. As he pulled up to his business, the Maserati drove up alongside, and three people got out.

"The victim attempted to run away from the suspects but was chased and pushed to the ground. While on the ground, one suspect pointed a handgun at the victims head and demanded the victim remove his watch. Two additional suspects then removed the victims property. During the robbery, a fourth suspect removed the victims personal property from his car," police said in a separate news release Friday.

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The victim estimated that $604,000 worth of items were stolen, including two watches, a laptop and an iPad.

Cheyenne Hale, 25, of Los Angeles, was arrested April 6 in connection with that robbery. He is being held in lieu of $90,000 bail, jail records show. An attorney was not listed for him.

Several other robberies have been connected to suspects Matthew Adams, Jayon Sparks and Eric Wilson, police said. The crimes happened from January to March, they said in a news release.

Sparks and Wilson were arrested March 24, and Adams was arrested March 31. Sparks was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of possession of a firearm, and Adams was charged with seven counts of robbery, two gun enhancements and other crimes. Both remain in jail on bail.

Wilson was charged with one count of possession of a firearm and released on bond. Police did not say how he is believed to have been involved in the crimes.

Police Chief Michel Moore said Tuesday that two murders have been associated with the follow home robberies, and he urged the public to be mindful of their surroundings.
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Just because the federal government cant get its act together on something, that doesnt mean individual states cant try and pursue the same thing on their own. Just look at whats happening right now around the country with stimulus checks, with more than one state right now proposing new injections of free money into their citizens bank accounts or mailboxes via check.

Political will collapsed in the US Senate to approve another round of the monthly child tax credit checks in December. Since then, states have stepped up to propose everything from stimulus payments to basic income guarantees. To even gas rebates, because of the high prices at the pump.

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One of the latest examples along these same lines? Pennsylvania, where Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed direct payments of up to $2,000 for state residents with an income of $80,000 or less.

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$2,000 in free money for Pennsylvanians

The cost of everything from gas to groceries is rising, and for Pennsylvanians living paycheck to paycheck that can mean painful decisions, Gov. Wolf said, according to a news release from his office. Pennsylvanians deserve to be supported and the opportunity to thrive. Yet my Republican colleagues are sitting on more than $2 billion of support that will need to be returned to the federal government if they dont pass a plan.

This has come about because the state is apparently sitting on more than $2 billion in federal American Rescue Plan dollars. Money, more specifically, that remains uncommitted for now. Gov. Wolfs proposal taps $500 million of that funding to send out the free money to state residents.

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Its part of an overall $1.7 billion proposal from the governor that includes $225 million in support for small businesses. Plus $204 million for direct property tax relief, $325 million for Pennsylvanias healthcare system, and $450 million to invest in conservation, preservation, and revitalization of Pennsylvania communities.

Importantly: If Pennsylvania doesnt make a decision on spending the Rescue Plan money by December 31, 2024? The funds will return to the federal government.

Stimulus check update

This comes as other states around the US are weighing a similar stimulus-related calculus. In California, gas prices are especially soaring right now. So, no surprise, its considering handing out free money in the form of gas rebates for residents.

More than a handful of states are also experimenting with basic income experiments. Which are stimulus checks of a different sort, in that its basically free money given over an extended period of time.

In Georgia, for example, officials decided to provide 650 women an average of $850/month over two years. Its reportedly the largest guaranteed income project in the South to date.

In Massachusetts, meanwhile, a $500 stimulus has been going out in recent days as part of the states Essential Employee Premium Pay program. For that program, the state legislature set aside $460 million for the payments. With $500 payments already going out to 500,000 people in the first round.

Click here to read the full article.

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
At least two artists say their sticker designs have been stolen by Chinese fast fashion firm Shein. TikTok/ @berrycutestudio, @shopdannybrito

At least two artists say their sticker designs have been stolen by Chinese fast fashion firm Shein.

TikTokers @berrycutestudio and @shopdannybrito join others who have accused the brand of ripping off their work.

Despite the controversies, Shein remains popular with young shoppers and is now valued at $100 billion.

At least two artists have accused Chinese fast fashion company Shein of stealing their sticker designs, joining others who claim the controversial online retailer has plagiarized their work.

Janie, an artist with the TikTok username @berrycutestudio, who has 166,500 followers, said in a now-viral video last month that stickers featuring a cow character she created were being sold on Shein's website.

"Give small artists a break Shein," the user wrote in the caption, alongside hashtags including #stolenart and #arttheft.

In the video, she holds up a sticker featuring a character she designed  Bella, a cow with strawberries on its head  before showing a webpage that appears to be Shein's website hawking stickers of the same character. On Janie's website, a single sticker sells for $3.50, while Shein charges $1 for 44 cow stickers.

The TikTok video has racked up 2.1 million views and generated more than 2,400 comments, with many saying that they had seen this happen with the fashion retailer before. "Omg I'm so sick of SHEIN. They keep taking designs and photos without asking," one user wrote.

This month, Janie said in an update that Shein's cow character sticker listing had been removed, though she has yet to "receive a proper response from them."

Meanwhile, graphic designer Danny Brito claimed in a TikTok video in February that one of his mirror decal designs had also been copied by Shein.

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In a clip, Brito shared a yellow decal featuring the words "[screaming internally]"  a reference to the popular meme  was being sold on Shein's website.

"You might be saying to yourself, 'Danny, it's just some letters. How can they copy that?'" he said in the video, which has more than 23,500 views. "But I had the idea to turn this meme into a mirror decal four years ago, and I've been selling it consistently in my shop for four years."

Brito's sticker is listed on his Etsy shop for $8, while the similar Shein sticker was sold for $1 each, according to the clip.

"It's really unfortunate when someone like Shein, that is known for constantly ripping off artists, steals my design, steals income from me, steals my way to, you know, pay my bills," he added.

In a separate video posted a day later, he wrote: "Still nothing from Shein, no contact, no apology, no compensation." But the decal can no longer be found on Shein's site.

For years, designers and artists have criticized the Chinese company for stealing their work. Last year, Nigerian crochet clothing brand Elexiay accused Shein of copying one of its sweater designs featuring a cross-body pattern and long sleeves.

Oil painter Vanessa Bowman told the Guardian last month that one of her works appeared on a Shein sweatshirt without her permission.

Despite the controversies, Shein remains popular with young shoppers and is now valued at $100 billion, making it worth more than H&M and Zara combined.

Insider has reached out to both artists as well as Shein for comments.

Read the original article on Insider
FIRST ON FOX: In an open letter to President Biden Wednesday, 46 retired U.S. generals and admirals voiced their opposition to the ongoing negotiations with Iran on striking a nuclear deal.

"In Ukraine, we are bearing witness to the horrors of a country ruthlessly attacking its neighbor and, by brandishing its nuclear weapons, forcing the rest of the world largely to stand on the sidelines," the letter, penned in coordination with the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), said. "The new Iran deal currently being negotiated, which Russia has played a central role in crafting, will enable the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to cast its own nuclear shadow over the Middle East."

Top military officials expressed concern that the Biden administrations determination to re-enter a nuclear deal with Tehran could weaken the U.S.s position to hold Iran accountable.

BIDEN WARNED BY IRANIAN AMERICAN SCIENTISTS, SCHOLARS OVER PERILS OF REMOVING TERROR STATUS

Despite warnings from member nations like the U.K., France and Germany, the U.S. abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 under the Trump administration over what it regarded as weak points in the deal.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), did not report that Tehran had violated the JCPOA, but Irans continued deployment of ballistic missiles  capable of carrying a nuclear warhead  prompted the U.S. to withdraw from the agreement.

Retired Air Force Gen. Charles Wald, who also formerly served as deputy commander of U.S, European Command, said he supports finding a solution to the nuclear issue in the Middle East through diplomacy, but argued no deal is better than a bad deal.

"The idea of an agreement is a good idea. We agree with diplomacy," Wald told Fox News. "But we agreed with a fair agreement that would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon breakout and then have weapons delivery systems that would then change the dynamic in the Middle East  particularly for Israel but all other countries too."

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Wald said one of his chief concerns with the latest deal is that the Biden administration is not considering Irans role in fueling terrorism and backing rebel groups in the war in Yemen  a war that has prompted one of the greatest humanitarian crises.

A huge mural of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, includes an inset of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on March 8, 2020, in Tehran, Iran. Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

DEMOCRATS BAND TOGETHER TO RAISE CONCERNS WITH IRAN NUKE DEAL REVIVAL: 'WE CAN'T STAY QUIET'

President Biden made re-entering a nuclear agreement with Iran a chief priority of his administration and indirect talks through European allies have been on and off for roughly a year.

But reports surfaced late last month suggesting the administration was considering a request from Iran to remove its top military branch, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations.

In exchange, the U.S. has called on Iran to end its support for terrorist organizations fueling unrest in the region  but several groups from Iranian American scientists to retired military commanders have little faith Iran will live up to this commitment.

"Thats a red flag," Wald said in reference to removing the IRGC as a designated terrorist group. "That just doesn't sit well with us because the IRGC is the most malicious group in the region."

The retired general said the death of 600 U.S. military members could be attributed "directly" to IRGC, and noted they continue to attack U.S. and allied forces in the region.

Talks between western nations and Iran appeared to be stalled and officials involved in the negotiations remain tight-lipped on deal specifics.

Wald said he would need to see "unfettered access by the IAEA" and assurances that Iran will not continue with its ballistic missile system even if a nuclear agreement is reached, in order for him to support a deal with Iran.

"The Iranians will push up to the point where they know something bad is going happen to them," Wald continued. "So the more difficult we make for them to operate with impunity, the more they're going to take advantage of it."
April is Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the unique struggles military children face and celebrate their resiliency.

Military-connected children shoulder the burdens of service, facing unique challenges from a young age, according to the months proclamation, signed by President Joe Biden. They move frequently with their families  leaving friends, schools, and communities behind. They say goodbye to deploying family members, not knowing when they will see them again.

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The Fort Meade Child and Youth Services staff play a large role in the life of military children on the post. Francisco Jamison, whose father served in the military, is the Fort Meade Child and Youth Services division chief. This self-proclaimed military brat has spent his adult life working with military youth.

If you are that military child you are dealing with a lot of change, he said. The average civilian child doesnt move eight to 10 times, changing neighborhoods, changing friends, changing schools. That is a challenge for a young person and life is hard enough without all that. To add that constant uncertainty to life makes it much harder than your normal, your average child.

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A military childs life of constant change does come with some benefits, according to Jamison.

The good thing is they got a lot of experience with diversity, he said. Thats the beautiful thing about being in the military. You experience every culture, every religion, every background, every race. Its a one team, one fight mentality.

On April 5, six military children participated in an Anne Arundel County Public Schools Growing Up Military panel discussion, where they talked about how being a military child shaped who they are.

Military children who attend Anne Arundel County Schools participate in a Month of the Military Child panel discussion April 5, 2022. The students talked about their unique experiences growing up with military parents. (Courtesy Photo)

Elisha Williams shared some of his experiences as a military child during the panel discussion. He is an Annapolis High School senior. His father serves in the Air Force.

My dads been deployed about four times, he said. The only one I really remember is when he got stationed over in Afghanistan for about 10 months. This was my freshman year going into high school, so Im going through a big change in my life but hes not there. It really teaches you to appreciate the time that you have with people because often we dont really value our family time as much as we really should. Youve got to make the most of the time with them while theyre still there.

Finola Quinn, an Annapolis High School junior, also participated in the panel. Her father is a Marine. The family moved a lot and lived overseas for about a decade.

Moving that much does teach you to develop skills to adapt to new places, to adapt to new cultural environments, she said. It gave you a skill set that I wouldnt say most kids have.

The Fort Meade CYS staff offer numerous opportunities for military children to connect with other military children through special events, sports, and clubs.

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We are very happy to be the leading force on the garrison for children and youth activities, Jamison said. That runs the gamut from child development centers and child care all the way through high school. Teen Center is a fantastic program for ages 11 through 12th grade. It is an after-school program and its free to anyone who is eligible for CYS.

To watch the AACPS panel discussion, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5XW2pBsfgI.

To learn more about the Month of the Military Child listen to episode 54 of the Fort Meade Declassified podcast, which can be streamed on Digital Meade, Spotify, iTunes, or iHeartRadio.
The Daily Beast

Getty ImagesAmber Heard sobbed uncontrollably on the stand Thursday as she recounted a wild fight with her then-husband Johnny Depp in Australia in which he allegedly penetrated her vagina repeatedly with a liquor bottle, leaving her retching and bloodied.The March 2015 trip for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean 5 was tumultuous from the start, Heard said during her second day of testimony in the trial over Johnny Depps $50 million defamation lawsuit. One day, after he had been drinking,
Time

This weekend Formula 1 will make its Miami debut, replete with South Beach excess. The $2 billion racing circuit, which holds events all over the globe, is booming in America, as evidenced by seats to the May 8 Miami Grand Prixsponsored by Crypto.comgoing for in excess of $23,000 on the secondary market; one hotel in the area charging $125,000 per night for a suite on race weekend; and the dry-docked yachts sitting in fake turquoise water at the Miami International Autodrome, the 19-turn track outside Hard Rock Stadium that cost about $40 million to build. The city will be teeming with exclusive parties; celebrities expected to be in attendance include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tom Brady, the Williams sisters, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, and Travis Scott.
The Daily Beast

U.S. MarshalsThe getaway car Alabama prison guard Vicky White used to escape with a murder inmate has been found about 100 miles away in Tennessee, a small breakthrough in the escalating manhunt for the missing pair.Vicky White, 56, and Casey White, 38, who are not related, had developed a special relationship before she signed him out of lockup a week ago under the guise of taking him to a court appointment that actually did not exist.Authorities say the two had unusual contact since 2020 tha
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Unidentified armed men killed seven border police and four National Guard members in separate attacks in different parts of Niger, the government said on Wednesday.

Both of the attacks were on Tuesday - one on a police post in Petelkole, on the western border with Burkina Faso, and one on a National Guard position in Djado, in the northern region of Agadez, a government statement said.

Niger, like its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, is battling groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State which have killed thousands and displaced millions across West Africa's Sahel region.

The attackers also stole vehicles from both security posts and more than 10 people were wounded, the government said.

Niger's interior minister said security had been reinforced in both zones following the attacks.

(Reporting by Boureima Balima; Writing by Nellie Peyton; editing by Grant McCool)
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan group of lawmakers called on the Army to address its alarming problem of suicide in Alaska, requesting plans to improve living conditions and ensure soldiers have timely access to mental health counselors, a key finding of a USA TODAY investigation into suicide deaths there.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and Alaska's Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan wrote to Army Sec. Christine Wormuth about the Army's suicide crisis that is responsible for the confirmed or suspected deaths of 17 soldiers in Alaska in 2021. The total, first reported by USA TODAY in January, is more than the previous two years combined.

The epidemic of military suicides across America cries out for immediate action, especially in Alaska where twice as many service members died in 2021 compared to 2020," Speier said in a statement. "I have spoken previously with the spouses and parents of service members who have died by suicide there, as well as other service members and behavioral health care providers overwhelmed with demand in the region."

'Like suffocating': An Alaskan army base is the epicenter of military suicides. Soldiers know why

Speier and Sullivan plan to travel to Alaska to speak with Army leaders on efforts to save soldiers from suicide.

"It is a tragedy that the scourge of suicide disproportionately harms Alaska's military service members and their families," Sullivan said. Alaska is home to thousands of military service members and more veterans per capita than any other state. But along with that proud distinction, our state also has horrifically high rates of military suicide."

Sgt. Meadow Adkins received mental health treatment following her third attempt at suicide. She hopes her story helps others.

Alaska has the second highest rate of suicide in the nation, behind Wyoming, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the active duty military as a whole, the suicide rate increased from 20.3 per 100,000 troops in 2015 to 28.7 per 100,000 troops in 2020, according to the Pentagon. The military's suicide rate is similar to that of society. However, troops are subject to far greater oversight than civilians and the Pentagon expects a lower rate, Defense officials have said.

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Suicide in Alaska for the military was almost exclusively an Army problem in 2021. While there were 17 confirmed or suspected suicides among soldiers, just one airman of the 10,000 stationed there died by suicide there, according to the Air Force.

Wormuth was in Alaska Wednesday, where she met with soldiers and their families and behavioral health specialists, said her spokesperson, Lt. Col. Randee Farrell. Wormuth intends to respond directly to the members of Congress who wrote to her.

"She is very concerned about deaths by suicide and is working with the (Pentagon) to prioritize the support needed to respond to the issue in Alaska and across the Army," Farrell said.

There are about 11,500 soldiers stationed there, most at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks.

Fort Wainwright, in Alaska's frigid interior, is the epicenter of the Army's suicide crisis. USA TODAY spent several days there in February and had access to soldiers of all ranks who spoke openly about delays in receiving counseling. They also talked about the challenges of living in Arctic conditions of extreme cold and lack of daylight, physical isolation and problems with finances and relationships.

'It broke my heart': A mother lost her son to suicide. The Army sent her a botched report on his death.

USA TODAY published its account April 4. The lawmakers' letter was sent to Wormuth April 8.

"Our inquiries and conversations have made several things clear: service members stationed in Alaska are under an out-sized level of stress from several angles, including behavioral health specialist shortages, financial challenges, infrastructure and transportation limitations, and the adjustment to living in a remote location with extreme cold weather," the lawmakers wrote to Wormuth. "The problem is especially acute at Fort Wainwright, a duty station for which many are not adequately screened or prepared."

One soldier told the paper that he was informed that he would have to wait a month to see a counselor after nearly ending his life the night before. A Defense official involved in overseeing health programs said the soldier probably should have been seen immediately or admitted to an emergency room. The Army, in a statement, acknowledged that some soldiers in Alaska had experienced delays in receiving care.

"The behavioral health capacity at Fort Wainwright and Fort Richardson is insufficient because there are insufficient numbers of providers," according to the lawmakers' letter. "As it stands right now, there are 11 unfilled civilian mental health provider positions at Fort Wainwright. This has put unbearable pressure on the uniformed and civilian providers who are filling those billets, increasing the likelihood that they quit and further exacerbate the problem."

They asked Wormuth for a plan with a timeline for sending more behavioral health counselors to Alaska and expanding counseling by video.

"We need to do everything in our power to turn this tide and be there for our service members  to get them the proper help they need so suicide is never the answer," Murkowski said in a statement. "This includes working to ensure there are enough mental health providers to serve those who are defending our nation."

The letter also called on Wormuth not to send soldiers with current or recent mental health issues to Alaska, or those from warm-weather locations for their first assignment to the state. The lawmakers also asked for a plan to create incentives for serving at Fort Wainwright, including reducing tours there to two years from three.

If you are a service member or veteran in crisis or having thoughts of suicide (or you know someone who is), call the Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army's Alaskan suicide crisis spurs bipartisan call for action
The first bus of migrants from Texas southern border arrived in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning, one week after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to send migrants to the nations capital. in protest of President Bidens immigration policies. However, despite Abbotts pledge to deliver the migrants to the steps of the United States Capitol, they were reportedly dropped off nearby, outside Fox News D.C. bureau.

According to CNN, at least five of the migrants who disembarked in D.C. Wednesday said they were asylum seekers from Venezuela. They said theyd arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday, where they were processed by federal authorities and then released from custody while their cases make their way through the immigration court system. After they were released, the migrants said they were offered a voluntary bus ride to Washington.

Biden refuses to come see the mess hes made at the border, Abbott posted on Twitter, along with a link to a Fox News story about the buss arrival. So Texas is bringing the border to him.

First Texas bus drops off illegal immigrants blocks from US Capitol in Washington, DC.



Biden refuses to come see the mess hes made at the border.



So Texas is bringing the border to him.https://t.co/wHZkwnD305  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 13, 2022

But back in Texas, the Republican governor was the one being blamed by local officials and business leaders for creating the latest border chaos.

In addition to transporting migrants to Washington  which Abbotts office clarified would be done on a voluntary basis, after the migrants have been processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security  the governor announced last week that he had ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin enhanced public safety inspections for commercial vehicles entering Texas from Mexico.

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Both moves were part of what the governors office described as the first in a series of aggressive actions by the State of Texas to secure the border in the wake of President Biden's decision to end Title 42 expulsions. Title 42 refers to an emergency public health order that has allowed authorities to turn away most migrants at the border since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Homeland Security has said it is bracing for a likely surge in illegal migration at the southern border, ahead of the Biden administrations plan to lift Title 42 restrictions next month.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott answers questions at a press conference at the Department of Public Safety on April 6 in Weslaco, Texas. (Joel Martinez/The Monitor via AP)

While Abbott explained that the enhanced inspections were intended to prevent a significant rise in cartel-facilitated smuggling via unsafe vehicles upon the end of Title 42 expulsions, he warned that it would likely dramatically slow traffic across the border  prompting immediate concerns for truckers, business leaders and local officials about the economic impact of this new directive.

According to the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University, nearly $442 billion in trade between the U.S. and Mexico flowed through international ports of entry in Texas in 2021.

One week later, those concerns appear to have been warranted. On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a fact sheet stating that unnecessary inspections being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the order of the Governor of Texas were causing lengthy delays for trucks along the Texas-Mexico border, with wait times at some border crossings exceeding five hours and commercial traffic dropping by as much as 60 percent.

At some border crossings, protests by Mexican truckers against the new security measures have brought traffic to a halt. That was the case on Monday along the international bridge between Pharr, Texas, and Reynosa, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which, according to the Texas Tribune, is the busiest trade crossing in the Rio Grande Valley and handles the majority of the produce that crosses into the U.S. from Mexico, including avocados, broccoli, peppers, strawberries and tomatoes.

By Tuesday, the Dallas Morning News reported that, according to Dante Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas Independent Producers Association, the logjam had stalled $30 million in fresh produce in traffic over the border.

Local trade associations, officials, and businesses are requesting the Texas state government discontinue their additional border truck inspection process, because it is not necessary to protect the safety and security of Texas communities and is resulting in significant impacts to local supply chains that will impact consumers and businesses nationally, the CBP fact sheet noted.

Asylum seekers from Cuba gather around a fire they made in Yuma, Ariz., to warm themselves from items other migrants left behind, such as shoes, clothes and trash, on Feb. 22. (Katie McTiernan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Among those calling for Abbott to stop the additional inspections is Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, who called the measures political theater in an open letter addressed to the governor.

Your inspection protocol is not stopping illegal immigration, Miller wrote. It is stopping food from getting to grocery store shelves and in many cases causing food to rot in trucks  many of which are owned by Texas and other American companies.  The people of Texas deserve better!

Beto ORourke, Abbotts Democratic challenger in the states upcoming gubernatorial election, echoed Millers comments at a press conference in Pharr on Tuesday, saying that the crackdown on commercial trucks "is killing businesses and the Texas economy."

"It's going to be very bad for the Texas economy. It's going to be very bad for the national economy," said O'Rourke, who also recently joined the growing chorus of Democrats whove criticized the Biden administrations decision to lift Title 42 without outlining a clear plan to address a potential migrant surge.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement Wednesday calling the inspections ordered by Abbott unnecessary and redundant and stating that Governor Abbotts actions are impacting peoples jobs, and the livelihoods of hardworking American families.

Abbotts office did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the first group of migrants to accept a state-sponsored ride from Texas was being greeted by immigration advocates, who helped them get bus tickets to their final destinations in Miami and other cities, where they are expected to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

While advocates condemned the stunt as dehumanizing, some noted that Abbott had unintentionally done some good in the process.

"Advocates have long called on state and local governments to support migrants who need assistance getting to their ultimate destination, so ironically, the bussing plan is halfway to a good idea, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy group, told Yahoo News.

Still, Reichlin-Melnick said it was clear the plan was "nothing more than a political stunt," and accused Abbott, who is up for re-election, of "attempting to weaponize migrants for political gain."

Asylum seekers are people," he said. "They're not pawns in some politician's reelection.
Asheville police are investigating the city's fourth confirmed homicide in 2022 after a man was found dead in a roadway, according to a press release.

ASHEVILLE - Police are investigating the city's fourth homicide of the year, a shooting fatality that left a man dead in a roadway in a West Asheville neighborhood, according to a news release.

Police were dispatched around 11:30 p.m. April 12 to the 300 block of Fairfax Ave., where they found 27-year-old Lamichael Shawn Carter dead, according to the release.

Shootings in Asheville: Asheville woman arrested, charged with 1st-degree murder in weekend double shooting

Detectives and forensic technicians with APD's criminal investigations division responded and are "following up on leads and processing evidence," the release said.

Carter's death is the third city fatality by gunfire in 2022. Asheville police reported 10 homicides in 2021, 11 in 2020 and six in 2019.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to share anonymous tips by texting TIP2APD to 847411, using the TIP2APD smartphone app or calling 828-252-1110.

This story will be updated.

Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email coehrli@citizentimes.com or call/text 252-944-6816 for tips.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville police: Man found dead in road on Fairfax Ave., 4th homicide
ASHEVILLE - Police are investigating an April 12 shooting in Central Asheville that sent an elderly woman to the hospital, according to a press release.

The woman's injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

Police were dispatched around 9:40 p.m. to the 400 block of Depot Street to investigate a report of a gunshot wound that the woman suffered while inside her home, according to the release. A patrol officer provided medical assistance with a tourniquet to her arm before EMS arrived, the release says.

She was transported to Mission Hospital for treatment.

"The victim informed officers that she was sitting on the couch when she heard a noise that sounded like a loud pop as the shooting took place," the release says.

Detectives are investigating where the shooting occurred, according to APD.

Police say another April 12 shooting left a man dead, the Citizen Times previously reported. His body was found in a roadway in West Asheville, and the department marked his death as the city's fourth homicide this year.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to share anonymous tips by texting TIP2APD to 847411, using the TIP2APD smartphone app or calling (828) 252-1110.

Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email coehrli@citizentimes.com or call/text 252-944-6816 for tips.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville shooting sends 1 to hospital, injuries non life-threatening
The attorneys for the man known as Joe Exotic have filed for a new trial.

Joseph Maldonado, whos at the center of the Netflix docuseries Tiger King, was resentenced earlier this year for a 2020 murder-for-hire conviction. He originally was sentenced to 22 years in prison, but a federal judge reduced that sentence to 21 years in January.

Maldonados attorneys are appealing that new sentence and are looking for more years to be knocked off.

Joe Exotic is in a North Carolina prison undergoing cancer treatments.

VIDEO: Joe Exotic tells FOX23 abut his upcoming nuptials
(Netflix)

Viewers have been reacting to Netflixs heartbreaking new film The In Between, starring Joey King, Kyle Allen and Kim Dickens.

The film was released by Paramount+ in February but was only released to Netflix this week.

It follows a teenage girl, Tessa (King), whose budding relationship with Skylar (Allen) is hit by tragedy. However, she realises she can still speak to him, with the pair growing closer as she learns more about herself.

I just watched The In Between on Netflix and I think I cried the entire movie, one fan wrote on Twitter.

Another said: Just watched The In Between on Netflix and it has just killed me.

The film was also praised for its portrayal of love: The In Between on Netflix hits you so much harder when youre with your soulmate because you could never imagine the pain if you lost them. Joey King what a performance.

Everyone please go watch The In Between on Netflix, Ive literally never sobbed so much at a romance movie, or any movie, in my entire life, another said.

One fan joked: Just watched The In Between on Netflix.... I was crying like a two year old. Brilliant film, just cuts like a knife into your heartstrings. Worth a watch just have hankies on stand by.

King previously starred in Netflixs 2018 summer hit The Kissing Both, which became on of the streaming giants biggest films despite being panned by critics. She has since appeared in two sequels, and is lined up to star opposite Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon and Sandra Bullet in the forthcoming action comedy Bullet Train.

The In Between is out now on Netflix UK.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman discusses plans for the renovation of the Doll Furnished Apartments into a new transitional housing community, during an announcement held on the recently purchased property in Glen Burnie on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Brian Krista/Capital Gazette)

An apartment complex in Glen Burnie will be converted into transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness after the county purchased the property for $3.19 million of American Rescue Plan money, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced Tuesday.

The Doll Furnished Apartments, which will be renamed Heritage at Madison Park, will provide emergency and transitional housing for the countys homeless population. It will feature 16 units, eight one-bedroom apartments and eight two-bedroom units. Its a property the county had been eyeing for this purpose for several years, said Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County Chief Executive Officer Clifton Martin.

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Before the acquisition, the apartment complex was used as housing for people working in town for short periods of time.

Our county has had a housing affordability crisis for many years that has not been addressed adequately, Pittman said, adding that more than 300 people experience homelessness every day across Anne Arundel County.

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Arundel Community Development Services, which works on housing and other community facilities in the county, will provide about $1 million in loans to cover the cost of renovations, while the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County will cover operating costs.

This project is really neat because it is going to provide kind of a steppingstone for individuals and families that are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homeless to help them get on the path to get more secure and more sustainable in their own permanent housing, said Erin Karpewicz, CEO of Arundel Community Development Services.

The redesigned facility is set to be completed by June 30, 2023. The home of the former apartment complex owners, adjacent to the complex, is slated to become an on-site resource center, Martin said.

Were going to renovate the apartments because, even though they are impeccable and beautifully preserved, they do need a dash of 2022, Martin said of the units that date to the 1960s.

The facility also will offer mental health and substance abuse services for residents. The Housing Commission will partner with an on-site nonprofit service provider to lead the services and help coordinate with the Department of Social Services, the Mental Health Agency, Office on Aging and Disabilities and Workforce Development among other relevant agencies.

Breaking News Alerts As it happens When big news breaks in our area, be the first to know. >

This is why I ran for office, Pittman said, "to be able help the folks in our county that need it most and make sure that, when we have a good economy, that everybody is uplifted and has opportunity.

Career training services in partnership with the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation and others will be offered as well as mobile meal services and health management programs for disabled and elderly residents. The Housing Commission will then work with residents to get them into permanent housing.

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Martin said he hopes the county will be able to build even more units on the property in the future.

I feel like Ive had a child almost with this today, with the pride that I have, because its been a long time coming, Martin said.

While the county has other transitional housing programs, this one is different, Karpewicz says.

This one brings together some unique attributes including fully furnished apartments, unique approach to case management, and a housing voucher when clients leave after one year, she said.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday to update him on ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine, the White House said.

Zelenskyy said in a tweet following the call that the leaders had discussed "Russian war crimes" and "additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid," and "agreed to enhance sanctions."

NBC News reported this week that the White House was preparing to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine with equipment that appears specifically aimed at helping Ukrainian forces fight Russia in the eastern Donbas region, according to three senior administration officials.

Biden said Tuesday that he considers Russia's actions in Ukraine to be genocide, going a step further rhetorically than he has in the past. Following Biden's comments, Zelenskyy, who had accused Russia of genocide on April 3, called the statement the "true words of a true leader."

The two leaders last spoke on March 30, following Bidens trip to Europe.
President Joe Biden is getting both praise and criticism after doubling down on describing Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine as "genocide" -- the first time he's used the term since the invasion began nearly 50 days ago -- even as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for weeks has claimed that is what's happening on the ground.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended his use of the term, as she did when Biden called Putin a "war criminal" and when he said "cannot remain in power," saying Wednesday the president was simply expressing "what he feels."

"The president was speaking to what we all see, and what he feels as clear as day in terms of the atrocities happening on the ground, as he also noted yesterday," Psaki said, before tempering his use of the term. "Of course, there will be a legal process that plays out in the courtroom but he was speaking to what he has seen on the ground, what we have all seen in terms of the atrocities on the ground."

The president was speaking to what we all see, what he feels is clear as day in terms of the atrocities happening on the ground," White House press sec. Jen Psaki says after Pres. Biden uses term genocide to describe violence against Ukrainians. https://t.co/ES46BUdKl2 pic.twitter.com/gaT52njxmd  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

Pressed directly on whether Biden's comments might conflict with the U.S. policy, Psaki dismissed concerns and repeated the requirement of a "legal process" which can sometimes take years.

"He was not getting ahead of that. He was speaking on what he feels he sees on the ground," she said.

MORE: Biden blames 'Putin's price hike,' says gas prices shouldn't depend on his committing 'genocide'

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"I do not think anybody is confused about the atrocities we are seeing on the ground -- and different leaders around the world describe it in different ways," Psaki added later on. "It is unquestionable that what we are seeing is horrific, the targeting of civilians, hospitals, children. The president was calling it like he sees it, and that is what he does."

Asked if Pres. Bidens use of the term genocide was unscripted, White House press sec. Jen Psaki says he is allowed to make his views known at any point. We shouldnt misunderstand...where he stands in the totem polewhich is at the top. https://t.co/V9w4Y8pcXa pic.twitter.com/eWPAQTMvLR  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

State Department spokesperson Ned Price gave a similar line at his briefing Wednesday, saying Biden used the term based on "impressions that he has seen and that we all have seen," but noted the U.S. is working with international lawyers to determine if Russia's crimes meet the legal threshold.

During prepared remarks in Iowa Tuesday blaming inflation and gas prices on "Putin's price hike," Biden said, for the first time, "Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should on hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 12, 2022, en route to Washington, D.C. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

His use of the word raised questions among Washington reporters about whether it was an ad-libbed moment or a policy shift from the White House -- until Biden later insisted he meant exactly what said.

"Yes, I called it genocide," Biden told reporters after his remarks. "Because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian. And the evidence is mounting. It's different than it was last week, the more evidence is coming out of the -- literally, the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine and we're going to only learn more and more about the devastation."

For the first time, Pres. Biden uses the term "genocide" to describe Putin's actions in Ukraine. "Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should on hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away. https://t.co/2zuzc3h5yn pic.twitter.com/3kZIarNfsA  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

Genocide is defined as an act "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group," according to the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Biden went on to acknowledge the U.S. government has an internal, legal process for designating whether genocide has occurred but still stood by what he indicated was his opinion.

"We'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me," Biden added.

Looking at the Kremlin's words and deeds, it's becoming clear that Russia's crimes committed in Ukraine can amount to genocide. All those guilty must face justice and be punished accordingly. Estonia will support investigations every way we can. 2/2  Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 13, 2022

PHOTO: Journalists gather as bodies are exhumed from a mass-grave in the grounds of the St. Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints church in the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, Urkaine, on April 13, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelenskyy has argued -- and pleaded -- for weeks that Russia has met this definition and called on Western leaders to use the same term, so was quick to applaud Biden's comments as "true words of a true leader."

True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.    (@ZelenskyyUa) April 12, 2022

The Kremlin, meanwhile, blasted the comment as Putin indicated this week indicated his invasion won't stop until his goals are met and said peace talks with Kyiv had reached a "dead end."

"We consider this kind of effort to distort the situation unacceptable," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. "This is hardly acceptable from a president of the United States, a country that has committed well-known crimes in recent times."

It's not clear how many Western leaders will go as far as Biden and Zelenskyy -- or what will take for them to reach the same conclusion.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on the development of the Russian Arctic zone via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, on April 13, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

No other Western nations have made the determination, aside from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tying Russia's crimes to the term in a tweet. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Wednesday he's more "careful" with his words than the American president, saying only that "war crimes" have been confirmed.

"So far, it has been established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and bring them to justice," Macron told France 2 in an interview.

"I am very careful with some terms [genocide] these days," he added. "I'm not sure the escalation of words is helping the cause right now."

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia says 1,026 Ukrainians surrendered in Mariupol

Asked directly by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce about Macron's criticism Wednesday, Psaki declined to comment.

Macron also rebuked Biden's language last month, when asked about Biden calling Putin a "butcher" and saying he "cannot remain in power" during remarks in Warsaw.

"I wouldn't use those terms, because I continue to speak to President Putin," Macron said in another interview with France 3. "Because what do we want to do collectively? We want to stop the war that Russia launched in Ukraine, without waging war and without escalation."

PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 9, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Biden stood by his words then, saying he was "expressing moral outrage" but also clarified that he wasn't "articulating a policy change" amid some fallout.

MORE: Biden makes 'no apologies' for saying Putin 'cannot remain in power'

It's unclear now what pushed Biden to change his stance on using the term "genocide" -- because asked directly last week if he thought the atrocities documented in Bucha were genocide, he said no.

"I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha," Biden said on April 4. "He is a war criminal -- but we have to gather the information, we have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue to fight, and we have to gather all the detail so this could be an actual -- have a war crime trial. This guy is brutal. What's happening in Bucha is outrageous, and everyone sees it."

Asked directly, "You agree this is genocide?"

No, it is a war crime," Biden replied.

PHOTO: A man lights a candle during a Sunday service in an Orthodox church in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 10, 2022. (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

MORE: Russia could mask chemical weapons with riot control agents: Pentagon update Day 48

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan followed Biden's comment the same day by saying the administration had not yet seen the "systematic deprivation of life" necessary to meet the definition of genocide.

"This is something we, of course, continue to monitor every day. Based on what we have seen so far, we have seen atrocities, we have seen war crimes. We have not yet seen a level of systematic deprivation of life of the Ukrainian people to rise to the level of genocide," Sullivan said.

ABC News Conor Finnegan, Sarah Kolinovsky, Molly Nagle and Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

Biden gets praise, criticism for calling Russia's actions in Ukraine 'genocide' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Black history could soon be a required course for Tennessee students.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis), passed the state Senate Tuesday on a vote of 273.

Today, the Tennessee General Assembly said every child should have access to history lessons that share a richer, more complete story of America, said Sen. Akbari. The achievements of great Americans  black, white and brown  are accomplishments for everyone to learn from and celebrate.

Last week, the state House passed the companion legislation sponsored by Rep. Yusuf Hakeem (D-Chattanooga) on a vote of 802.

The bill is designed to educate students on Black history and culture.

The instruction of Black history and culture would be mandatory in grades 5-8, including the contributions to the countys development made by Black people.

The Tennessee Department of Education would also include multicultural diversity when developing frameworks to be taught to students in each grade.

If signed into law, the legislation would direct local school districts to provide a course of instruction on Black history and culture to students beginning in the fall of 2025, not increasing the cost of this years budget.

The bill now heads to the governor for his signature.

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EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Elizabeth Warren and policy advocates tell theGrio that $50,000 debt forgiveness could close the racial wealth gap and relieve millions of Black borrowers.

The debate over canceling student loan debt is getting louder as an impasse continues in Washington about how many thousands of dollars in student debt to cancel. But there are also arguments that debt forgiveness could change the financial outlook for Black borrowers, particularly Black women.

As college students around the country graduate with a massive amount of debt, advocates display a hand-painted sign on the Ellipse in front of The White House to call on President Joe Biden to sign an executive order to cancel student debt on June 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Million)

Although the Biden-Harris administration recently extended the moratorium that pauses student loan repayments until Aug. 31, members of Congress, advocates, and borrowers themselves are still calling on President Joe Biden to go further with the cancellation of student loan debt.

President Biden has previously supported eliminating $10,000 per borrower, but members of his party, like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have called for canceling at least $50,000.

One of those Democrats leading the charge for student cancellation is U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

If the president of the United States would cancel $50,000 of student loan debt, which he has the power to doabout 85% of the people who have student loan debt would see all of their debt wiped out, Senator Warren told theGrio in an exclusive interview.

Drilling down into the weeds of the matter, there is also racial imbalance as Black and Latino borrowers have been most impacted by the financial burden of student loan debt over the decades.

Warren has seen the number crunching, especially regarding race and student loan debt repayment. We have now studied people 20 years out. So 20 years after you borrowed money to go to college, the average white borrower owes about 5% of what they originally borrowedthe average Black borrower owes about 95%, said the former Democratic presidential candidate.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., hold a press conference in the Dirksen Senate Office Buidling to introduce the Student Loan Debt Relief Act to cancel student loan debt for millions of Americans on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

So youre watching the pieces, magnify each other and seeing the racial wealth gap, even as people work harder and harder, you see that racial wealth gap not shrinking.

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Senator Warren said the money saved from debt cancellation could go to wealth building like buying a home and creating a business, and it would mean that then we could focus on getting the remaining 15% or so into repayment plans they could manage.

Warren claimed that canceling student loan debt would close the wealth gap between Black and white Americans by 27 percent. The former Obama advisor for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said, canceling $50,000 in student loan debt would be the single most powerful thing the president of the United States could do all by himself to help shrink the Black, white wealth gap in America.

But the White House has yet to budge on its position that student debt cancellation should go through Congress and not the executive branch. At a press briefing last week, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the administration has not ruled out debt cancellation through executive action, emphasizing that the president would encourage Congress to send him a bill canceling $10,000 in student debt, something that he talked about looking forward to signing on the campaign trail.

Senators Warren and Schumer have allies in their quest to have $50,000 worth of student loan debt canceled by the federal government. Data shows that loan cancellation would significantly aid Black women borrowers disproportionately impacted by student debt.

Victoria Jackson, Assistant Director for Higher Education Policy at The Education Trust, conducted the National Black Student Debt study of 13,000 people, including 100 interviews, and found that Black women are hit the hardest after borrowing the most out of any racial or ethnic group and also by gender.

We see that for federal undergraduate borrowing, Black women, on average, are borrowing $38,800, and for their graduate degrees, theyre borrowing over $58,000.

Jackson said the studys goal was to highlight the voices of Black borrowers, adding, For so long, the stories of Black student debt had been told by people who werent Black and people who werent listening to Black borrowers.

The studys overall findings were that student loan debt is not good debt, that student loan debt is a lifetime burden for debt, and that over 80% of the borrowers in the study believe that the federal government should cancel all student debt.

The Too Much Talent Band and local activists have a joyful protest of music and dancing outside of The White House to Cancel Student Debt on March 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Million)

Ameshia Cross, Assistant Director of Higher Education Communications for The Education Trust, noted that women make up two-thirds of the $1.7 trillion owed nationally in student loan debt.

[It] makes sense because more women are going to college and receiving degrees than there are men generally. But for Black students, because largely they dont have parents that are able to fund all or even part of their college, in many cases, Black students, whether theyre male or female, end up taking out more student loans, Cross told theGrio.

She also noted that Black women and Black graduates, in general, have such a large student debt burden [and] are often mired with having to take care of family situations at home, send money back home while theyre in college, take care of things that arent necessarily expected of your average college student.

I think that all of those things, in addition to graduating and not having the same job opportunities as a white student with the same degree are things that make the burden even higher for Black students.

Warren also highlighted a harsh impact on Black women working to obtain more degrees to compete for good-paying jobs.

What Black women often discover is that the white guy can get the job of principal or superintendent of school just with a bachelors degree. But a Black woman cant compete for that job and sees that she needs to credential up, get a masters degree, get even a Ph.D. so that she can go ahead and compete on what she hopes is going to be a level playing field, Warren told theGrio.

Flanked by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a press conference about student debt outside the U.S. Capitol on February 4, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Now what the data from now show is that a Black woman with an advanced degree on average makes $37 an houra white man with no advanced degree makes about $46 an hour.

Senator Warren has long said that student loan debt is about racial justice and gender justice, explaining Black women are trying to shoulder more debt and still have lower earnings, adding, Its about how we build an America where everyone has a chance to build a future.

Education, its cost and the debt that follows can be a vicious cycle for Black students and students of color looking to gain entry to Americas middle class that a college education often provides.

Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, told theGrio exclusively, I would say while they are students, some overextend themselves with work to reduce their loans which impacts academic performance and prevents them from accepting unpaid internships which often lead to lucrative careers.

Kimbrough went on to say, Long-term debt has a multiplier impact on Black students as they earn less than white peers with comparable degrees and experiences, so it takes longer to repay and therefore reduces generational wealth-building so that their kids wont have large student loan debts.

Jackson of The Education Trust contends that canceling at least $50,000 in federal student loan debt would alleviate the debt burden for over 90% of Black people with student debt.

While the Biden White House appears adamant that student debt cancellation should be done legislatively through Congress, Cross expressed concern given the hyperpartisan environment on Capitol Hill.

You would be remiss to say that we havent heard some of the comments from conservative wings about who they think should qualify for certain student debt forgiveness and who they dont, she said. In addition to the fact that there is an overwhelming push from those who have had the luxury of already paying off their student debt or coming out of college with very little student loan debt because their parents took care of the debt burden, who quite frankly, think that everybody should have to pay it back regardless of their circumstances.

Cross added, Looking at the upcoming midterms and the fact that without the stroke of the presidents pen, if there is an idea of going through Congress, this will be a very uphill battle.

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The post Black women are more burdened by student loan debt. Senator Warren says cancellation could solve it appeared first on TheGrio.
The co-founder of Black Lives Matter (BLM) slammed the U.S.s "triggering" charity transparency laws after the organization's purchase of a $6 million Los Angeles mansion was exposed.

Patrisse Cullors, a BLM founder, said she found it "triggering"  emotionally compromising  when she hears about financial documents being made public.

"It is such a trip now to hear the term '990,'" Cullors said at the Vashon Center for the Arts Friday. "I'm, like, ugh. It's, like, triggering."

BLM CO-FOUNDERS CONSULTING FIRM PULLED IN OVER $20K A MONTH AS SHE CHAIRED LA JAIL REFORM GROUP

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors under fire for using donations to purchase $6 million dollar mansion Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Viacom

"I actually did not know what 990s were before all of this happened," Cullors continued.

Cullors claimed that activists lives are put at risk and that they endure trauma by having to disclose their charities finances, while also claiming the system "is being literally weaponized against us," the Washington Examiner reported.

"This doesn't seem safe for us, this 990 structure  this nonprofit system structure," she said. "This is, like, deeply unsafe. This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with."

A woman holds a Black Lives Matter flag during an event in remembrance of George Floyd and to call for justice for those who lost loved ones to police violence outside the Minnesota State Capitol May 24, 2021, in Saint Paul, Minn. Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images

"People's morale in an organization is so important. But if their organization and the people in it are being attacked and scrutinized at everything they do, that leads to deep burnout. That leads to deep, like, resistance and trauma," Cullors added.

BLM DEFENDS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR MANSION PURCHASE IN LENGTHY TWITTER THREAD

Cullors blasted the media scrutiny of BLM as an "experiment" that will be used as a means to bring down other activist groups similar to her organization.

"They know what they're doing: how to create the infighting, how to create the distrust," she said. "We have to stop it before they do it. We have to shut it down. We have to be showing up against it."

Patrisse Cullors, one of the three co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, participated in a peaceful march in Hollywood June 7, 2020. Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Cullors left her leadership post with BLM in May 2021 amid scrutiny of multiple real estate purchases.

She also used the $6 million mansion purchased by the BLM Global Network Foundation as a "safe place" for at least four nights during an FBI investigation into a death threat made against her.

Cullors is facing renewed scrutiny over the multimillion-dollar mansion, with the BLM co-founder defending the purchase in a lengthy Twitter thread Monday.
The Blytheville School District announced a new superintendent hire.

The Blytheville community will be able to meet, Dr. Veronica Perkins, at a drop-in event at Arkansas Northeastern College in the Nucor Community Room.

The event will be held on Apr. 20, from 5 p.m - 7 p.m.

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Collin Carter and Emma Griggs (right) look out over Mather Point at Grand Canyon National Park.

Former park ranger Michael Yochim begins his most recent book, and his last, by invoking the sentiment, first stated in 1983 by environmentalist Wallace Stegner, that "national parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst."

Yochim's own idea  to write about how national parks are increasingly afflicted by climate change  came to him around the same time as his 2013 diagnosis with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an incurable neurodegenerative disease that gradually robs those afflicted of their ability to move, eat, breathe or survive.

"If we don't curtail our carbon emissions soon  and radically curb them," he wrote, "my experience may well become the universal experience."

A view of Zion National Park, which is part of "a really iconic landscape" in the Southwest that Steven Kannenberg, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Utah, said will be affected by the 'unprecedented' juniper tree dieback.

He cites findings from a 2018 study that, due to their locations in vulnerable Arctic, high-elevation and southwestern desert ecosystems, many national parks are warming much faster than the rest of the country: 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit per century in parks compared to 0.7 degrees nationwide. Having spent his life appreciating these iconic landscapes, Yochim worried what would be left of them even after he was gone.

Across five chapters of "Requiem for America's Best Idea," published in March by the University of New Mexico Press, Yochim describes his worsening symptoms in parallel with lyrical observations of what we stand to lose in five of our most beloved national parks if climate change goes untreated.

Trekking through change

Yochim's intimacy with and affection for America's best idea rises from each of his 296 pages, as visceral as his anguish over the looming end of his adventuring days. It's a wrenching read.

In Chapter One, he notices early symptoms of ALS  muscle spasms and weakness  while hiking with friends in Washington state's Olympic National Park. He hadn't yet been diagnosed, but he had started to worry. Similarly, he wrote, there were 266 glaciers dominating Olympic's stunning landscapes in 1970. Few could know then that in 2009, there would be only 184. And since 2009, melting has reached four times the rate of the eight decades prior.

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Seven months into his diagnosis, Yochim spent two weeks rafting through the Grand Canyon with two of his brothers, the story of which he chronicles in Chapter Two. At this point, his disease was affecting his balance and he nearly fell in the river while climbing into the raft. He discussed a 2005 study that used tree-ring data to determine that the period between 1950 and 2000 was the warmest in the Grand Canyon's 1,425-year record, with the related 19% drop in Colorado River flows noticeable on his trip. Projections, he continued, are that the river could lose 55% of its volume by 2100.

Next, Yochim's journey takes him to Montana's Glacier National Park, where he had hoped to mark his final visit with a weeklong-hike but had to settle for scenic drives after a rapid loss of mobility. Still, he said, the park's "Going-to-the-Sun" road offers incredible views while showcasing the region's modern lack of snowpack. The higher average temperatures at fault also threaten pikas, the beloved mouse-like mammals that live on high-elevation rocky slopes and squeak adorable warnings whenever a human comes near.

In the last two chapters, Yochim pilgrimages to two of his and America's favorite parks, Yellowstone and Yosemite. By the time he left Yellowstone, he no longer had the dexterity to drive. Just before he visited Yosemite, he was told he would soon need a wheelchair. Here, Yochim reflects on the toll that wildfires and drought, both exacerbated by climate change, take on these landscapes. Giant sequoia trees, majestic elk, charismatic "picket pins" squirrels and colorful butterflies are succumbing to larger blazes and longer dry spells than were historically part of the natural cycle.

After completing these trips, Yochim wrote much of this book using eye motion technology because he could no longer move other parts of his body. A photo in the book shows him strapped upright into his chair facing his computer. The extraordinary feat seems to make its own case that, with enough motivation and the right tools, daunting tasks like climate mitigation are definitely possible.

The case for saving what we can

Yochim's distress over the fate of the parks, or his own, was not misplaced. In February of 2020, he succumbed to his illness while sitting at his desk. Friends and family completed and readied his book for publication, per his request that maybe national parks could still be saved even if he could not.

"Will our actions reflect us at our best  or at our worst, as it currently appears?"

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The book is heavily sourced, with hundreds of end notes and scientific references. By the year 2100, he wrote, scientists predict that average temperatures in U.S. national parks could rise by as much as 9 degrees Celsius if warming is not slowed, a diagnosis that would seal the fate of many species now inhabiting these areas just as much as Yochim's diagnosis sealed his.

Deer Creek Narrows within Grand Canyon National Park.

It matters, he argued, because parks, in addition to being iconic vacation escapes and some of the last rich reservoirs of biodiversity, are a vital source of human wonder and inspiration. He maintained this is true even for those who cannot physically visit.

"Even if we have never been to the parks, even if we don't have pictures of wilderness areas, wild places inspire and confer peace of mind. Just knowing they exist brings calm."

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After bringing readers along for evocative recollections of his traverses across five parks over five chapters, Yochim used his last moments to issue a plea for readers to preserve inspiring wilderness for future generations and fellow creatures, to limit how much we let climate change diminish natural beauty and to honor ourselves by preserving America's best idea.

"Both are stories of urgency: just as I don't have much time left, we don't have much time left to protect the parks from the worst of climate change," he wrote. "Ultimately, both are stories of loss: the one inexplicable and inexorable, the other unnecessary and still preventable."

Saguaro National Park after a recent monsoon rain.

With the 56th report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change out just last week, the world's top scientists say the time is right to ramp up action to curb global greenhouse gas emissions, and they've spelled out how. And with the U.S. Department of the Interior sponsoring park appreciation events all next week, the time is also right to go see the national treasures at stake.

On Saturday, America's best idea is free

To encourage visitors to witness everything America's national parks have to offer, and maybe inspire support for their protection, every year in April the National Park Service hosts a National Park Week, with events planned at many of the nation's 63 national parks, 129 national monuments, over 2,600 national historic landmarks and more.

This year's National Park Week kicks off on Saturday with free entry to all sites. The celebration lasts through April 24, with virtual and in-person activities each day.

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On Saturday, rangers at Saguaro National Park outside Tucson will lead a 6-mile hike to historic Hope Camp starting from Loma Alta Trailhead at 8 a.m. Paleontologists at Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park east of Flagstaff will showcase how they clean fossils in the park's museum demonstration lab starting at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., the Tumacacori National Historical Park in the Santa Cruz River Valley south of Tucson will host a cultural demonstration of tortilla making. And at 11 a.m., park rangers at the Grand Canyon will tell those assembled at the south rim's Yavapai Point Amphitheater the region's "unique geologic story preserved in its walls."

More events are scheduled throughout the week at the 22 national park service units located within Arizona.

For those not able to travel but still wanting to take part in National Park Week, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, which extends 1,200 miles from Nogales, Arizona, to the San Francisco Bay area, is hosting a Facebook event where participants can visit their favorite local trail and share their experience by posting a photo on social media with the hashtag #AnzaTrailVirtualFunRun.

This last event may have been most meaningful to Yochim, who used his final months on earth to make a case for the importance of natural areas to disabled people in particular who, though they may never be able to visit, deserve to know that wild things still roam free and undiminished natural beauty still exists. It's up to all those who are able, in any way, to limit climate change in order to protect "our best idea."

Joan Meiners is the Climate News and Storytelling Reporter at The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Before becoming a journalist, she completed a Ph.D. in Ecology. Follow Joan on Twitter at @beecycles or email her at joan.meiners@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: If national parks inspired you, a new book says it's time to save them
BOSTON  Thomas Koonce, one of two Brockton men who received the Bay State's first commutations for murder in a quarter-century, will soon depart prison after 31 years behind bars.

The Parole Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to award parole to Koonce, a decision that will allow him to return to the community, with some conditions in place, nearly three decades after he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering Mark Santos.

In its decision, the board said Koonce has "taken responsibility for the death of Mr. Santos and has spent his incarceration working towards his rehabilitation," describing him as "remorseful and empathetic towards the Santos family and the community."

"He has had an excellent adjustment and has taken extraordinary steps to improve himself and the lives of other incarcerated individuals including initiating Restorative Justice and continuing involvement in the Second Thoughts Program," the board, which is chaired by Gloriann Moroney, wrote.

Thomas Koonce of Brockton, left, listens on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 during his commutation hearing before the Governor's Council.

"He has been a mentor and facilitator to many in the incarcerated population. Mr. Koonce's self-development has also included achieving a bachelor's degree and vocational skills. Much of his rehabilitative work occurred prior to any opportunity for parole."

When he leaves MCI-Norfolk, Koonce will be required to go to the Criminal Resources for Justice program at Boston's Brooke House, a transitional residential home for men departing incarceration, for four months as a condition of his parole.

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He will then be released to an approved family-sponsored or independent living home plan, where he will be subject to electronic monitoring, supervised to ensure he abstains from drugs and alcohol, expected to comply with a substance abuse evaluation plan, and required to remain home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Koonce will not be permitted to have any contact with the victim's family, which has previously opposed his push for release. He must also participate in counseling to help him adjust to life outside prison.

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U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris testifies in favor of commutation of Thomas Koonce's sentence on Jan. 26, 2022. They were in the same prison for nine years.

In 1987, during an altercation between groups of people from New Bedford and Brockton, Koonce fired a gun out of a vehicle window, striking and killing the 24-year-old Santos.

Koonce, a U.S. Marine veteran, rejected a proposed deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to manslaughter, which would have carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A Bristol Superior Court jury in 1992 convicted him of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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At his commutation hearing in January, Koonce, now 55, opened his remarks by apologizing to the Santos family, saying he knows their lives "will never be the same."

"I take full responsibility for taking his life," Koonce said of Santos. "My life will be forever dedicated to giving back to society."

The Santos family unsuccessfully urged the Governor's Council to reject a push to reduce Koonce's sentence, likening their suffering in the wake of Mark's murder to a life sentence.

"If Koonce's sentence is shortened, what board should we go to for our sentence reduction?" the Santos parents wrote to the panel. "Our family is asking your honor not to renege on a promise the state of Massachusetts made to our family in 1992. It was the promise of life in prison without a chance at parole that ensured our family that we deserved justice for our loved one."

Koonce became eligible to seek release on parole after earning support for a commutation bid he launched in 2014. Following the Parole Board's recommendation, Gov. Charlie Baker in January announced he wanted to reduce the sentences of Koonce and 48-year-old William Allen to second-degree murder, which would allow them to petition for parole.

The Governor's Council on Feb. 16 unanimously approved both commutation petitions, representing the first time since 1997 that the elected panel commuted a first-degree murder sentence and only the second time in the past 25 years that it awarded any commutation at all.

"I just want to be clear that I think that both of these men should have been convicted," Councilor Terry Kennedy of Lynnfield said at the time of the commutation vote. "They both committed very, very serious crimes and young men died as a result of their actions. ... It doesn't mean that they're innocent of what they did. And they've paid a very high price for what they did. But I think they've both paid enough."

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton's Thomas Koonce granted parole after 31 years in prison
As news unfolded throughout North Philadelphia that the suspect in the Brooklyn subway mass shooting, Frank James, had ties to the area, even hard-scrabbled residents were taken aback by the brazen attack.

Frank Robert James, 62, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Manhattans East Village neighborhood after someone called police, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

James rented a U-Haul van from the location on West Hunting Park Avenue in North Philadelphia; New York law enforcement officials have said the van played a crucial role in James' carrying out the mass shooting.

More:What we know about Frank James, suspect arrested in the Brooklyn subway shooting

For subscribersHow the Brooklyn subway shooting unfolded

Theresa Reynolds lives on Allegheny Avenue, within walking distance to the U-Haul's rental location. Reynolds recalls being saddened at the news, and then outraged by the Philadelphia connection.

"When I first heard the shooter (could possibly be) from North Philly, my heart kind of broke. We in this neighborhood already have a bad reputation and these streets have a bad reputation, so actions like this only makes us look worse," Reynolds said. "So he is from Wisconsin? He came from Wisconsin to here and then went to Brooklyn to shoot up the subway? My heart is breaking for the victims. Trust me, North Philadelphia is better than this."

This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a Crime Stoppers bulletin displaying photos of Frank R. James, who has been identified by police as the renter of a U-Haul van possibly connected to the Brooklyn subway shooting, in New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. New York Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday, April 13, that officials were now seeking James as a suspect.

New York police said in addition to Philadelphia, James also had addresses in Milwaukee, and may have driven from Milwaukee to Philadelphia before the shooting.

Philadelphia Police Public Affairs confirmed that James had a residential address within the city, but cited departmental policy in not releasing the suspect's address.

However, that didn't prevent James' address from reaching the public, and Philadelphia police said they already had to deal with several confrontations between James' family members and an irate pubic.

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Back on 18th Street near Venango, residents there said they had never seen James before, but hoped for his speedy capture.

"Look, there is a lot of shooting and drama around the way, but this is something that no one has ever seen or wanted here. Weren't some young people shot? I can't imagine getting on (SEPTA's Broad Street Line) with my two daughters and then having to duck for our lives," said Muhammad Greene, who would only say he lives in the area. "I have to get the sub right now to get to an appointment, and this is going to make me look at everyone twice."

Greene said he leads a small anti-gun violence program in North Philly, and as such, he didn't think this shooting was something that evolved from the streets. Instead, Greene questioned James' mental state and if he got the help he needed before allegedly conducting a mass shooting in Brooklyn's subway.

"Around here, someone gets shot, you usually know for what and what it was about, right? There is simply no rhyme nor reason to this guy's actions," Greene said. "I'm sure he didn't know those people he shot, and didn't have a beef with people just trying to get to work or wherever.

"Something must have been off with him, and no one ever saw it or helped him through it."

Samantha Markles said the shooting had a different effect: She will avoid the subway for the time being.

"If it can happen in Brooklyn, it can definitely happen here," Markles said. "I take enough chances taking public transportation as it is. The next time I need to get downtown or South Philly, I'll catch the bus or call an Uber. Can you imagine a shooting on the sub here? There would be nowhere to run."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: North Philadelphians shaken by mass shooting in Brooklyn subway
Don't miss CoinDesk's Consensus 2022, the must-attend crypto & blockchain festival experience of the year in Austin, TX this June 9-12.

Sina Estavi, best known for buying the non-fungible token (NFT) of Jack Dorseys first-ever tweet, is attempting a comeback after two failed cryptocurrency ventures and nine months in prison  and asking the same investors to trust him again.

Following Estavis May 2021 arrest in Iran on charges of disrupting the economic system, his CryptoLand exchange folded, leaving customers unable to access their funds, and the price of his Bridge Oracle projects BRG token tanked. Now out of prison, the Iran-born crypto entrepreneur says hes trying to make it right with holders of those almost worthless tokens, which were issued on the Tron blockchain.

Last week, Estavi offered to let holders swap those tokens for a new version of BSG running on the Binance Smart Chain. Unlike its namesake token, the new BRG can be sold on several exchanges.

The catch? He wants the original BRG investors to send him their phone numbers and some TRX tokens (the native currency of the Tron network) to verify their holdings. Hell send them their new tokens within a month or two along with the TRX tokens that were sent for verification, he claims.

I want the crypto community around the world to support me and for us all to support each other, so that we can continue to be powerful and go further and help the blockchain, Estavi said in Persian, in one of several interviews with CoinDesk.

Many Bridge Oracle investors said they have their doubts, for numerous reasons. For one thing, Estavi launched and promoted the new token before working out how to repay investors in the old one.

Read more: Jack Dorseys First Tweet NFT Went on Sale for $48M. It Ended With a Top Bid of Just $280

This gentleman did not swap a single bridge and started to [list new BRG] in new exchanges, a Bridge Oracle token (BRG) holder who goes by Mohamad, told CoinDesk via the Telegram messaging app, referring to Estavi.

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Another reason investors are wary is that, according to them, Estavi did not provide definitive details about the potential swap until after being bombarded with questions about it. The swap was officially announced following last weeks announcement that he had put the Dorsey NFT up for sale.

He listed the digital collectible on the OpenSea market for $48.8 million, more than 16 times what he paid for it last year. As of Wednesday, when the auction ended, the highest bid was a mere $280 and Estavi said he may hold onto the asset.

CoinDesk spoke to at least 10 BRG investors who are waiting to receive new tokens.

It was more like a promotional show, said a user who goes by Farhad, speaking in Persian of Estavis offer. It seems that there is no swap.

Anxious investors

A community of BRG holders have banded together in a Telegram group to follow updates on the token and make sure they get their money back. (Few if any are native English speakers.)

Estavi did not swap our tokens (25,000 holders) on the Tron platform, please support holders, he is misusing [the] crypto environment to get rich, another BRG holder, who goes by Taha, told CoinDesk via a Twitter direct message. Taha said he owns 500,000 old BRG tokens stored at two exchanges.

Estavi told CoinDesk he only asked users for small amounts of TRX, never more than 0.1% of the total number of BRG tokens in a given wallet, to verify their holdings to initiate the swap. An investor who held 290,417 BRG, for example, sent 147 TRX (about $8.70) for the verification. Anyone looking at the Tron blockchain would be able to confirm that the wallet that sent 147 TRX also held 290,417 BRG.

After users started complaining that even 0.1% was too much to ask, Estavi said on April 11 that hed set a new ceiling in absolute terms: Now users would be asked to send no more than 30 TRX (about $1.80) to verify their BRG holdings. A BRG investor confirmed to CoinDesk that 30 TRX is the new ceiling, and recent transfers to the designated Tron wallet for the swap fall under this threshold.

In a token swap, two parties agree to trade one token for another. One of the parties will give an agreed amount of one asset to the counterparty, and in turn receive a certain amount of the other. Normally, when blockchain projects migrate from one chain to another, swap requests can take up to a few days to process. The period for swapping tokens can vary depending on the rules set by the project involved, and there are some safeguards in place to prevent someone from taking off with users funds.

In this case, Estavi says the swap is to be conducted manually, by which he means users will receive their new tokens in a month or two.

Read more: Buyer of Jack Dorseys First Tweet Reportedly Arrested in Iran

CoinDesk reviewed incoming Tron transfers to the address listed by Estavi and the amounts match the ranges Estavi mentioned.

But the request for TRX tokens to verify holdings of BRG on the Tron network, and the fact that Estavis team initially planned to ask users to share their private keys as a method of verifying their holdings, has spooked some investors.

They just want their money back, in some form.

Consider that we dont want to ruin the project, we want to get our rights, said another BRG investor, Hawk.

Jail time

Meanwhile, Estavi is once again making headlines after listing Dorseys tweet NFT for sale. He pledged 50% of the proceeds from the auction, which was set to end on Wednesday, to charity.

In an interview with CoinDesk, Estavi described his arrest and the trauma of the month he spent in solitary confinement. Estavi insists he has been a victim of cryptocurrency but that hes back and more powerful than before.

He also said that he is determined to return funds to his investors. But his splashy return has only enraged some of his original investors and crypto watchdogs.

After Estavi was arrested last year and his assets were seized by Iranian authorities, BRG plummeted, leaving holders with nothing. Customers of his exchange fared no better. In July 2021, CryptoLand investors in Iran reportedly took to the streets to protest the loss of their funds. It is unclear how much money in total was kept on the exchange before it closed.

But after nine months in custody, Estavi was released without explanation, the charges against him seemingly dropped. Since then he has regained access to his social media accounts, and has secured verification badges for his personal Twitter account (which was verified prior to his arrest) and for the account for Bridge Oracle. These badges, also known as blue checks, signal to Twitter users that a well-known users account has been verified. They are hard to come by.

Estavi also launched the new BRG token, this time on Binance Smart Chain (whose native token is BNB), to the dismay of original BRG buyers who are still waiting to recoup some of their losses.

NFT celebrity

In March 2021, Estavi purchased the NFT of Dorseys tweet for $2.9 million and was suddenly all over the news. He was even interviewed for an article by BBC in which he compared Dorseys NFT to Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa. The NFT was akin to an autographed baseball card or record album; while the tweet was in the public domain, the tokenized version was unique.

On May 17, 2021, according to Estavi, armed officials broke the door to his apartment in Tehran. He was later blindfolded and taken to a prison, Estavi said.

After his arrest, Estavis Twitter account was seemingly seized by officials. A tweet stated that The owner of this media outlet was arrested on charges of disrupting the economic system, by order of the Special Court for Economic Crimes.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, following the news of Estavis arrest the market capitalization of the Tron version of BRG fell from around $1 billion (on May 16) to $38.9 million seven days later and retraced only a fraction of the losses in December after he revealed he was out of prison.

Estavi claims he was at Ward 2A in Tehrans Evin prison, known as one of the most notorious jails in Iran. He says no physical harm came to him, but he was questioned daily until late into the night, and did not have a lawyer assigned to him.

Teary-eyed during a Zoom call with CoinDesk, Estavi said the experience was emotionally taxing. He recalled the month he spent in a two-by-three meter room in solitary confinement, only being allowed to walk around blindfolded.

I never want to think about those memories, Estavi said later in a WhatsApp message.

After six months, Estavi was moved to a public ward in November (which is when he began working on restarting his projects, as his activity on official Telegram accounts for CryptoLand shows). He stayed there for three months, after which he claims he was released and off the hook.

I could not be charged and I did not commit any crime. Does anyone stay in prison when no one has committed a crime !? Estavi said on WhatsApp.

CoinDesk was unable to independently verify Estavis account of the arrest and time spent in prison. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cyber Defense Command did not respond to a request for comment. Its website is no longer working. An in-depth, archived article that originally appeared on the website hints at why the IRGC, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, was suspicious of Bridge Oracle. The article refers to Bridge Oracle, in Persian, as one of the dubious projects that has suffered a lot in various levels of implementation and design and says the project used immoral methods to attract users to various Telegram groups.

The U.S. government has designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organization and claims the Iranian agency was behind a 2020 coordinated campaign of identity theft and hacking  in order to steal critical information related to U.S. aerospace and satellite technology and resources.

Read more: Iran Moves to Restrict Crypto Exchanges Under 'Currency Smuggling' Laws

Estavis sudden release has raised eyebrows in some crypto circles.

Mohammad Jorjandi, owner of Webamooz, an independent cybercrime investigator based in Virginia who has been following Estavis case for a year, is among members of the Iranian crypto community who have questioned Estavis return, including in the Webamooz Telegram channel that has around 450,000 members. Webamooz frequently discusses individuals in the Iranian fintech space who are suspected of shady practices.

Jorjandi, who says he lost access to his own Twitter account for sharing personal information of suspected crypto scammers, shared in the Webamooz chat and to CoinDesk a post that suggested Estavi may have asked a Tehran court to set him free to raise money through the sale of BRG tokens to refund Cryptoland users. Jorjandi did not provide proof that the court allowed Estavi to go free to raise funds.

I'm not in any side but when he [does] not gives CryptoLand users money back (because he doesn't have or doesn't want to show) but start to sell BRG again it's clear that [the court] let him to bring money from ANYWHERE even [a scam], Jorjandi said in a written statement.

Jorjandi shared an unverified document, which he said first appeared in a Telegram group of people who lost money in CryptoLand, on the Webamooz Telegram channel. Jorjandi said the document appears to be a letter to a prosecutor and it suggested Estavi sought permission from a local court to list BRG tokens only on foreign exchanges. Estavi disputed the documents authenticity, calling it a simple paper that had nothing to do with him.

You call this a document? Estavi said in a WhatsApp message, referring to the paper, adding, I do not accept such a thing.

Jorjandi also said that Estavi had been an outspoken supporter of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his social media channels, which Jorjandi said may have made him an IRGC political target under the moderate government in power at the time of the arrest. Ahmadinejad was a hardline conservative who was known for fiercely defending Irans nuclear program as president from 2006 to 2013. Separately, Estavi told CoinDesk that he believes one of the reasons he was arrested may have been because of his popularity on social media and for showing support for Ahmadinejad. Estavi also insisted he is not a political person.

Estavi would not discuss the conditions of his release with CoinDesk. But he said he was working on getting his investors their money back on his own volition.

It is important to me that people get their property and I try to do that, Estavi said.

Yet, Estavi said that after giving half the proceeds of the potential NFT sale to charity, he wanted to channel the rest to support blockchain projects, and named only one example: his own enterprise, Bridge Oracle.

When asked why he wouldnt use the proceeds from the NFT sale, which he had expected to total tens of millions, to repay BRG investors, Estavi said: I repeat this: We are preparing and creating a technical infrastructure for swap tokens. The tokens will be swapped soon. (The question turned out to be academic, with the highest bid for the NFT only three figures and Estavi now saying he may never sell the asset.)

The much-awaited token swap

On Nov. 13, 2021, Estavi posted the first messages on the CryptoLand Telegram group since his arrest in May 2021. In one voice message, reviewed by CoinDesk, Estavi tells BRG holders to keep their tokens where they are, and that holders will not bear any losses. Hawk took this to mean Estavi will return users their tokens without condition.

But in a later message (originally in Persian), reviewed by CoinDesk, he announced a special airdrop, or giveaway, in proportion to their BRG assets but only for holders and friends who have purchased the original BRG after the date of his arrest.

Separately, during an Instagram Live session on Feb. 24, 2022, reviewed by CoinDesk, Estavi set the opposite condition for swaps:

Because of what happened after my imprisonment we have no option but only swapping before my arrest date, this is before May 17, 2021. Ill not swap after that day because if not, we wont be able to save the project. Because we want it to be as powerful as it was before. Were trying to negotiate with exchanges to refund USDT to anyone who purchased BRG after May 17.

On March 14, 2022, Estavi announced his return to the crypto world in a Twitter post accompanied by a video. That day, the Bridge Oracle Twitter account announced that the BRG token, originally of the Tron network, would be relaunched on the Binance Smart Chain; $5,000 worth of new BRG tokens would be given away to 100 lucky winners, the post said.

Since then, the new BRG token has been listed on at least four separate platforms: BKEX, PancakeSwap, XT.com, Poloniex and BitMart Exchange.

What happened to me and Bridge #BRG ?



I'm back...

I'm a victim of cryptocurrency, they tried to destroy me, but now I'm here and I will continue, much stronger than before

#BRGArmy is back...



Whatever you need to know



 https://t.co/bmYtlgZ2iI  Estavi (@sinaEstavi) March 14, 2022

Meanwhile, holders of the original BRG tokens were starting to worry because there was no clear update on whether or how they would be able to swap their old tokens for new ones.

On March 23, 2022, Estavi posted a message on the Bridge Oracle Twitter page with an update on the swap that brought unwelcome news to BRG holders: I hope you understand that we can not run the previous contract again because of the problems in the past, and we have to do the swap process manually, and this process can be time consuming.

The post did not specify what the problems were.

Finally, on April 7, 2022, the same day as Estavis big announcement about the NFT sale, Bridge Oracle announced on Twitter that the swap was finally happening.

A number of users quickly called attention to potential irregularities in the swap process.

According to Estavis post, the Bridge Oracle team has set up a bot to add wallets to a swap list, after which the swap is conducted entirely manually. To qualify for the swap, users must first enter a valid phone number. If the bot approves the number, the wallet address that contains the BRG tokens can then be submitted.

If the wallet is successfully added, the bot asks the user to send varying amounts of tron tokens (TRX) to the following address: TZ2DmsPixv8nLEbnxd2hrJ5pFFxF4J7dt6. The requested TRX is to confirm a user has control of the wallet they have added.

According to BRG holders who have been trying to successfully initiate the swap, the amount of TRX they have to send to the address is proportional to the number of BRG held in their wallets.

But unverified screenshots of swap bot exchanges circulating via social media among skeptical BRG investors show, for instance, 20,367,369 TRX (worth around $1.2 million U.S.) being requested to confirm a wallet containing 3 million BRG, rather than the 3 million TRX ($179,000) one would expect under Estavis initial 0.1% formula.

The screenshots that are floating around have alarmed users like Taha, although he has an entirely different problem. He has some 500,000 BRG sitting in two crypto exchanges that he cannot move. Estavi says his team is negotiating with exchanges to get tokens released but did not detail any solutions.

Unverified screenshot of

Another unverified screenshot of

According to data on blockchain browser TronScan, the wallet has already collected just under around 48,000 TRX tokens (around US$2,900). The wallet has only been active for just over a week and a majority of incoming transfers to the wallet occurred after the swap announcement on Twitter. Estavi said the wallet is only being used for managing the token swap.

One investor scoffed at the slow and cumbersome process for the manual swap, which falls short of Bridge Oracles rhetoric of innovation (its tagline is Lets Bridge the Worlds).

The method of swapping BRG introduced by [Estavi isnt] relevant to blockchain! this investor wrote in a Telegram chat, adding sarcastically: Its a new concept!

When asked if any of them had received any new tokens yet, as part of the swap, one investor, Shapoor, replied to the group with: noooooooooooooooooooo

Desperate for answers, the BRG investors in the Telegram group with Taha and Hawk also reached out to the exchanges that listed the BRG tokens. One exchange they wrote to was CoinEx which had previously listed the original BRG token on Tron.

We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience, the reply from CoinEx read, adding, As we have indicated very clearly that due to the inability of the BRG project team offering on-chain transfer of BRG token, the transaction of BRG has been terminated not only on CoinEx but also the whole blockchain.

CoinEx told CoinDesk via an email that because the original BRG token on Tron was suspended by the BRG project team, there was no way to deposit/withdraw BRG to/from somewhere. CoinEx also said it will be paying close attention to the project.

Investors also wrote to BKEX, a relatively small crypto exchange registered in the British Virgin Islands, which was flagged by Forbes in 2019 for replicating and publishing Binances trading history as its own. BKEX recently listed the new BRG token launched on the Binance Smart Chain. BKEXs customer service responded to a user saying customers will have to go to the project party to communicate and deal with it and that it cant help with the problem.

BKEX did not respond to a request for comment by press time. In a blog post, BKEX disputed the Forbes article. While thanking Forbes for the coverage, BKEX said that its understanding of the principles of cryptocurrency trading is still relatively shallow, and it fails to understand the cross-platform arbitrage behavior of institutional traders.

When asked why he decided to re-launch the BRG token on the Binance Smart Chain, instead of keeping the original on the Tron network, Estavi said its because BNB blockchain is more powerful and more suitable for our work schedule. We started a large project on Oracle and needed a powerful blockchain.

He said his target market is never Iran and that he works with international standards. On April 8, Estavi announced yet another BRG giveaway on Twitter. Estavi told CoinDesk the new BRG token would be listed on 11 more exchanges in the coming days.
Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Radius Residential Care Limited (NZSE:RAD) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

See our latest analysis for Radius Residential Care

Is Radius Residential Care fairly valued?

We have to calculate the value of Radius Residential Care slightly differently to other stocks because it is a healthcare company. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.9%. Relative to the current share price of NZ$0.4, the company appears about fair value at a 2.0% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

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= NZ$0.02 / (5.9%  2.0%)

= NZ$0.4

dcf

The assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Radius Residential Care as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.913. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Radius Residential Care, there are three further aspects you should further research:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Radius Residential Care has 5 warning signs (and 4 which don't sit too well with us) we think you should know about. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every New Zealander stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- A top lawyer for the state of California has resigned, accusing the governors office of interfering with a discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard Inc.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Melanie Proctor, the assistant chief counsel for Californias Department of Fair Employment and Housing, said in an email to staff Tuesday night that she was resigning to protest the fact that her boss at the agency, Chief Counsel Janette Wipper, had been abruptly fired by the governor. Both lawyers had already stepped down from the Activision lawsuit earlier this month without explanation. A representative for the two attorneys confirmed that Proctor had resigned and Wipper was fired.

The allegation and loss of the top two lawyers on the case raises questions about the fate of the Activision lawsuit, which accuses the Santa Monica, California-based video game publisher of sexual discrimination and misconduct. The case is currently pending in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit, which detailed Activisions frat boy culture, led to employee walkouts, calls for the chief executive officer to resign, condemnation from its business partners and a stock plunge that culminated in Microsoft Corp.s agreement earlier this year to purchase the company for $69 billion.

Proctor said in the email to staff that in recent weeks, California Governor Gavin Newsom and his office began to interfere with the Activision suit. The Office of the Governor repeatedly demanded advance notice of litigation strategy and of next steps in the litigation, Proctor wrote in the email, which was seen by Bloomberg. As we continued to win in state court, this interference increased, mimicking the interests of Activisions counsel.

Story continues

Erin Mellon, communications director for Newsom, said that claims of interference by our office are categorically false and the governors office will continue to support DFEH in their efforts to fight all forms of discrimination and protect Californians.

Proctor wrote that Wipper had attempted to protect the agencys independence and was abruptly terminated as a result. I hereby resign, effective April 13, 2022, in protest of the interference and Janettes termination, Proctor wrote.

Wipper is evaluating all avenues of legal recourse including a claim under the California Whistleblower Protection Act, said her spokeswoman, Alexis Ronickher.

A spokesperson for the governors office referred a Bloomberg request for comment to a spokesperson for the DFEH, who said they would not comment on personnel matters. DFEH will continue to vigorously enforce Californias civil rights and fair housing laws, a spokesperson said.

The shakeup comes just two weeks after Activision reached a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $18 million over a similar lawsuit. In a series of court squabbles, Californias lawyers had attempted to block that settlement but were ultimately rejected by a federal judge.

Critics pointed out that $18 million was low for a company of Activisions scale, and that Wippers department had gotten Riot Games Inc., a far smaller company, to pay $100 million last year to settle its own discrimination lawsuit.

Wipper started at the DFEH in 2018 and was reappointed to her position last November. She cultivated a reputation as a legal bulldog, pursuing splashy cases against tech companies such as Tencent Holdings Ltd.s Riot and Tesla Inc. One member of the department, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said that Wipper was widely respected and that she had overhauled the agency for the better. Detractors accused her of being too aggressive at a public agency rather than deferring to civil rights plaintiffs lawyers.

Jennifer Reisch, an attorney who has worked with Wipper, praised the agencys transformation in recent years. For the first time in its history, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing had a strong litigator who was actually flexing the significant muscles that statute and regulations provide to protect workers in its state, she said in an interview.

In her resignation email, Proctor slammed the governors office, writing that justice should be administered equally, not favoring those with political influence. She encouraged staff to continue working on the agencys ongoing litigation to the best of your abilities.

(Updates with comments from governors office in the fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
(Reuters) - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered in the besieged port city of Mariupol and urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender.

There was no comment from Ukrainian officials on the statement made on Kadyrov's Telegram channel. Ukraine's General Staff, in its morning report on Wednesday, said that Russian forces were proceeding with attacks on Azovstal and the port.

Russian television showed pictures of what it said were marines giving themselves up at Illich Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol on Tuesday, many of them injured.

It was not clear what plant - Azovstal or Illich Iron and Steel Works - Kadyrov meant when he talked about the 1,000 surrendered Ukrainian marines.

"Within Azovstal at the moment there are about 200 wounded who cannot receive any medical assistance," Kadyrov said in his post. "For them and all the rest it would be better to end this pointless resistance and go home to their families."

Kadyrov is an ardent supporter of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and has deployed many of his fighters in Ukraine to bolster Russia's drive to "demilitarise" and "denazify" Ukraine.

In earlier postings, he vowed to proceed with the capture of Mariupol and to press on to take all other Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv

Russian television pictures showed what it said were Ukrainian soldiers being marched down a road with their hands in the air. One of the soldiers was shown holding a Ukrainian passport.

(Reporting by Ronald Popeski; Editing by Robert Birsel)
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China is trying out reduced quarantine times for overseas arrivals and close contacts of positive cases in eight cities, in a potential easing of some of the world's most stringent pandemic entry controls, financial media outlet Caixin reported.

Shanghai and Guangzhou are among the cities picked by the State Council for a trial that will see quarantine times reduced to 10 days from 14 days currently, plus seven days of health monitoring with regular testing as before, Caixin said.

The State Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While many major economies have began to ease COVID controls in a bid to live with the virus, China has kept in place strict measures and has sharply reduced transport links with other countries as part of efforts to halt the spread of the virus.

Shanghai is in the midst of China's worse outbreak since the virus emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, reporting more than 25,000 local cases on Wednesday even after locking down the city of 25 million people. Restrictions were eased in 7,000 areas of the city on Tuesday.

The trial will help authorities to better understand how antigen testing can be used in pandemic controls and to better determine the optimal isolation period, Caixin said.

Shanghai has reduced loads on international flights by foreign airlines at 40%, down from 75% previously in a bid to reduce imported cases, sources told Reuters last week.

The other cities in the trial are Chengdu, Dalian, Suzhou, Ningbo, Xiamen and Qingdao.

Caixin said the trial should have begun on April 11, but it appears it is being rolled out in a piecemeal fashion.

A staff member of a quarantine hotel in the southern coastal city of Xiamen said their hotel was selected for the 10-day quarantine trial, but staff at several other hotels in the city and one in Shanghai said they had not been notified of any changes.

(Reporting by David Kirton, Beijing newsroom; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Sources told Reuters that CNOOC had launched a review of its global portfolio as it prepares to list on the Shanghai stock exchange this month. imaginima/Getty Images

CNOOC is preparing to exit the US, UK, and Canada because of sanctions concerns, sources told Reuters.

One senior industry source told Reuters that the assets were "marginal and hard to manage."

Following an executive order by Trump, CNOOC was delisted from the NYSE in October 2021.

CNOOC, a Chinese state-owned offshore oil and gas producer, is preparing to exit its operations in the US, UK, and Canada because of sanctions concerns, regulations, and costs, industry sources told Reuters.

A senior industry source told Reuters that CNOOC wanted to sell "marginal and hard to manage" assets in the three countries. They said that CNOOC's top management found it "uncomfortable" to manage the Western assets because of regulations and high operating costs.

CNOOC had entered the three countries through a $15 billion acquisition of Canadian oil and gas giant Nexen that closed in 2013.

The company had been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2001 but former President Donald Trump's administration added CNOOC to a list of countries it claimed were owned or controlled by the Chinese military in December 2020. Following an executive order by Trump, CNOOC was delisted from the NYSE in October 2021, the company said.

It was removed from the blacklist by President Joe Biden's administration in June 2021.

"Assets like Gulf of Mexico deepwater are technologically challenging and CNOOC really needed to work with partners to learn, but company executives were not even allowed to visit the US offices," the senior industry source told Reuters. "It had been a pain all along these years and the Trump administration's blacklisting of CNOOC made it worse."

The sources told Reuters that CNOOC wanted to exit the operations because of concerns in Beijing that the assets could face Western sanctions. US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman said last week that if China helped Russia "in any material fashion" amid sweeping sanctions from the West, China itself could also be sanctioned.

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CNOOC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

The sources told Reuters that CNOOC had launched a review of its global portfolio as it prepares to list on the Shanghai stock exchange this month.

CNOOC is planning to buy assets in Latin America and Africa as it prepares to leave its Western operations, the sources said. In its 2021 annual report, the company said it was eyeing the Bohai and South China seas as well as parts of Guyana for production growth.

Reuters reported that CNOOC is China's biggest offshore oil and gas producer. It produced, on average, around 1.57 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2021, of which 62,000 were from sites in Canada and 80,000 were from sites elsewhere in North America, it said in its annual report. Reuters calculated that CNOOC's assets in the US, UK, and Canada collectively produce around 220,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

In the US, CNOOC owns onshore assets in the Eagle Ford and Niobrara shale basins and also has offshore stakes in the Stampede and Appomattox fields in the Gulf of Mexico. In the UK, it operates three sites in northeast Scotland, and has oil sands and shale gas assets in Canada.

The West has imposed huge sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in late February. This includes targeting its huge oil and gas industry. US President Joe Biden has pledged to ban Russian energy imports, Germany halted plans for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and Lithuania said it became the first EU country to completely cut off Russian gas imports.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Minister Files Federal Lawsuit After U.S. Capitol Denies Permit for Him to Hold Good Friday Prayer Service on the Grounds of the Capitol NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christian Defense Coalition

April 13, 2022



WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, is seeking a preliminary injunction to conduct his Good Friday Service which is now before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.



A decision is expected by late Thursday afternoon.



Currently no permits are being granted for peaceful free speech activities on the public grounds immediately surrounding the US Capitol Building.



It is deeply troubling while the Biden Administration and Speaker Pelosi are calling for freedom and democracy in Ukraine, they are denying Americans the right to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms on the grounds of the US Capitol.



By denying American citizens to peacefully conduct free speech events on the grounds of the US Capitol, the First Amendment is being crushed and trampled by our own government.



Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, states; "It is deeply troubling while the Biden Administration and Speaker Pelosi are calling for freedom and democracy in Ukraine, they are denying Americans the right to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms on the grounds of the US Capitol.



"The 'People's House,' as the US Capitol Building is so rightly called, must be a place where all Americans are afforded the right to come and peacefully celebrate and express their First Amendment rights. Tragically, those rights and freedoms are being denied and prohibited.



"Business is going on as usual at the Capitol. Members of Congress and their staff are entering and using the Capitol. Vendors, the media and their crews, invited guests, lobbyists, tourists and so many more are also allowed to enter and use the Capitol grounds.



"Yet, I am being prohibiting from holding a Good Friday Service to pray for God to bring healing to our nation and bring hope and comfort to all those struggling around the world, especially for the people of Ukraine. I have filed this federal lawsuit to ensure the 'People's House' is returned back to the people and the First Amendment is once again celebrated and honored at the United States Capitol." Rev. Mahoney is being represented by Harmeet Dhillon/ Dhillon Law Group Inc. and Joshua Wallace Dixon/ Center for American Liberty.



For more information or interviews call

Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741



SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition



CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741



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BEIJING (Reuters) -China's imports unexpectedly fell in March as COVID-19 curbs across large parts of the country hampered freight arrivals and weakened domestic demand, while export growth slowed, prompting analysts to expect a worsening in trade in the second quarter.

The softer trade figures are likely to reinforce expectations of more policy support from the government, with an adviser on Wednesday calling for cuts in banks' reserve requirements and interest rates to boost a flagging economy.

Inbound shipments fell 0.1% in March from a year earlier, marking the first decline since August 2020, customs data showed on Wednesday. That compared with a 15.5% gain in the first two months of the year and an 8% increase forecast by analysts in a Reuters poll.

The decline was broad-based. China's imports of crude oil tumbled 14% in March and gas import volumes were the lowest since October 2020. Purchases of copper fell 8.8%, as COVID outbreaks hurt manufacturing and industrial demand for some raw materials remained soft.

Exports - a major driver of the economy - rose 14.7% in March, beating analyst expectations for a 13% rise, although slowing from a 16.3% gain in January-February.

"Due to the severe disruptions in factory operations, road transport and port congestion as a result of the worst COVID-19 wave and the most severe lockdowns since spring 2020, we expect export growth in dollar terms to slump to 0.0% year-on-year in April, while import growth is likely to drop further to minus 3.0%," Nomura said in a note.

Many analysts expect trade conditions to worsen in April, on slower customs clearance and as the impact from a lockdown in Shanghai is felt.

China's efforts to curb its largest COVID-19 outbreaks in two years have restricted activity in several cities including Shanghai and forced companies from Apple supplier Foxconn to automakers Toyota and Volkswagen to suspend some operations.

That likely reduced demand for imported raw materials for Chinese factories, according to Zheng Houcheng, director of the Yingda Securities Research Institute.

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"The pressure on the global economy is likely to drive down commodity prices over the medium-term, which would hit China's exports, in both volume and value, in the second half," said Zheng.

China's strong trade performance seen over the past two years is set to slow this year as other countries emerge from COVID lockdowns and higher energy prices and global logistics disruptions caused by Russia's war in Ukraine squeeze exporters.

Factory activity in March fell as the declines in export orders accelerated, recent manufacturing surveys showed, with firms reporting clients cancelled or suspended orders due to the uncertainty over the Ukraine war.

Qi Yong, general manager at a consumer electronics distributor Shenzhen Muchen Technology Co, told Reuters that orders from European clients fell 20% in March from a year ago, although outbound shipments for North America remained brisk.

Qi said this was due to "the war-induced weak purchasing power and risks of economic slowdowns in European economies", adding that "exporters with exposure to the bloc may continue to feel the pinch".

China posted a trade surplus of $47.38 billion in March, more than double the forecast $22.4 billion, thanks to the unexpected decline in imports. It reported a $115.95 billion surplus in January-February.

(Reporting by Stella Qiu, Ellen Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Recently, New Hampshire Senate Republicans introduced a bill to radically change the way New Hampshire runs elections, with potentially wide-ranging and disastrous consequences for eligible Granite State voters who are deployed military personnel. Senate Bill 418 is the latest baseless attempt by Republicans to change our elections, and this one includes a fatal flaw that threatens to disenfranchise members of our military serving overseas. As a veteran, I am extremely concerned.

Russ Kelly

I became eligible to vote and cast my first ballot while serving in the U.S. Army. Military service was important to me because it was an opportunity to defend our countrys democracy. The bedrock of our democracy is free and fair elections. Our overseas active-duty military are able to vote under a federal program called the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voting Act (UOCAVA). This federal law mandates that ballots are sent to our overseas active-duty military 45 days in advance of the election. This is where the problems with SB 418 begin here in New Hampshire. The date of our state primary is late, and we have only 56 days this year between the primary and general election. Under this proposed law, elections would not even be certified for 14 days  which means there are not enough days following our state primary in September of this year to comply with federal law.

In a hearing that took place last year to move the date of the state primary earlier in the year, many active duty and military veterans testified in favor saying that even with 45 days it can be very difficult to cast their ballot in time. If New Hampshires active-duty military members have less than 45 days, it could very well cost them their right to vote in our elections.

The worst part of this is that the Republican State Senators who voted for this change appear to know this law could disenfranchise members of the military, but they voted for it anyway. When the bill was first introduced, this problem was pointed out by the public and members of the committee. The Secretary of State informed the Senate committee that this law could prevent active-duty service members from voting, and they were going to have to find a solution. On the Senate floor, Republican Bob Guida, the sponsor of the legislation, confirmed this problem, and then all but one Republican Senator voted for it anyway.

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Fellow veterans packed the hearing room at the New Hampshire House committee meeting last week. Veterans who previously voted under UOCAVA spoke about how important it was to them to participate in our democracy while serving overseas. One spoke of the challenges in casting his vote while actively serving in a war zone.

When I served overseas during Operation Desert Storm, the last thing I or any fellow soldier ever worried about was whether our country  or our home state for that matter  was going to allow us to cast our ballots. Every vote is important, but it seems especially shameful to discount the voice of our active-duty military. Much like the Senate, members of the House committee understand the dangers to active-duty military if they pass this bill. The only remaining question is whether members of the House will listen or continue to push forward this legislation knowing full well the damage it could do. The New Hampshire House still has an opportunity to stop this bill. The committee vote is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th. Please contact your state representative on behalf of our military service members and tell them to oppose this reckless legislation.

Russ Kelly is an Army veteran who served on active duty as an Intelligence Analyst in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He currently lives in Brentwood, NH, and runs his own communications consulting business. The opinions expressed here are his own as a private citizen.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Protect our militarys right to vote in New Hampshire
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California shoe store owner opened fire at two shoplifters, police said, but mistakenly shot a 9-year-old girl about to get her picture with a mall Easter bunny. The store owner fled the state and was arrested in Nevada, authorities said Wednesday.

Marqel Cockrell, 20, was chasing the shoplifters out of the store Tuesday evening at the Mall of Victor Valley in the small city of Victorville when he fired multiple shots at the shoplifters, Victorville police said in a statement.

"Cockrells shots missed the shoplifters and instead hit the 9-year-old female victim, the statement said.

The girl, identified by family members as Ava Chruniak, had been getting ready for pictures with the Easter bunny in the mall when the shots were fired, said her grandmother, Robin Moraga-Saldarelli. The girl was left with three gunshot wounds, including two in her arm, Moraga-Saldarelli said.

One bullet fractured a bone.

And its the kind of fracture they cant surgically fix. Shes going to have to wear a special brace for it, and its going to take a lot longer to heal, she told Fox 11 TV in Los Angeles.

Itll be awhile before the bone heals and then we will see the extent of the nerve damage, but shes a trooper. She really is a tough little kid, Moraga-Saldarelli told KNBC-TV.

Deputies responding to the reports of gunfire found Ava wounded at about 6:30 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said.

She was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition, officials said. The malls stores were locked down and customers sheltered inside as deputies searched for the shooter.

Cockrell, a co-owner of the shoe store Sole Addicts, was arrested in his car at about 9 p.m. in Clark County by the Nevada Highway Patrol, Victorville police said.

He was being held Wednesday for lack of $1 million bail at the Clark County Detention Center on an extraditable warrant, for attempted murder, Victorville police said. An extradition hearing was scheduled for Thursday and jail and court records did not indicate whether Cockrell had an attorney representing him who could comment on his behalf.

Im glad they caught him and he will definitely pay for this. I really hope they throw the book at him," Moraga-Saldarelli told KNBC-TV.

The mall was closed Tuesday after the shooting and reopened on Wednesday.
Every investor in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. We also tend to see lower insider ownership in companies that were previously publicly owned.

With a market capitalization of US$100b, Altria Group is rather large. We'd expect to see institutional investors on the register. Companies of this size are usually well known to retail investors, too. Taking a look at our data on the ownership groups (below), it seems that institutions own shares in the company. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about Altria Group.

View our latest analysis for Altria Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Altria Group?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Altria Group. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Altria Group, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Altria Group. The company's largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc., with ownership of 8.5%. Capital Research and Management Company is the second largest shareholder owning 8.3% of common stock, and BlackRock, Inc. holds about 6.5% of the company stock.

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On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Altria Group

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Altria Group, Inc. in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$60m worth of shares. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 40% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Altria Group you should know about.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Cuba Gooding Jr pleaded guilty on Wednesday (13 April) to one count of forcible touching following a protracted criminal case.

The Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire was accused of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019.

The single guilty plea came nearly three years after Gooding's arrest in the case that saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get the charges reduced or dismissed. It had been scheduled to go to trial at least twice, with an April 2020 trial date scuttled as coronavirus cases surged in New York and the state shut down most court matters.

Gooding, 54, was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police he squeezed her breast without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square.

A few months later, he was charged in two additional cases as more women came forward to accuse him of abuse. The new charges alleged he pinched a servers buttocks after making a sexually suggestive remark to her at TAO Downtown and forcibly touched a woman inappropriately at the LAVO New York nightclub, both in 2018.

Gooding pleaded guilty to the LAVO nightclub allegation.

Gooding had previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanor counts and denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyers have argued that overzealous prosecutors, caught up in the fervour of the #MeToo movement, are trying to turn commonplace gestures or misunderstandings into crimes.

The judge had ruled that if the Gooding case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Those women, whose claims did not result in criminal charges, were among 19 other accusers whom prosecutors were seeking to call as witnesses.

Along with the criminal case, Gooding is accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman in New York City in 2013. After a judge issued a default judgment in July because Gooding hadnt responded to the lawsuit, the actor retained a lawyer and is fighting the allegations.
Cuba Gooding Jr. pled guilty to forcibly touching a woman in a New York City club, The New York Times reports. Over the last 20 years, the actor has been accused by more than 20 women of groping or forcibly kissing them.

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub.  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 13, 2022

Gooding was arrested back in June 2019, following an incident at a club in Manhattan, Variety reports. A woman told police that the actor squeezed her breast without her consent at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge. Afterwards, several other women accused Gooding of similar behavior. A server at Tao Downtown restaurant said the 54-year-old pinched her buttocks in 2018, while another woman said he forcibly touched her in an inappropriate area at the LAVO New York nightclub the same year.

Gooding previously denied all accusations and pled not guilty to other misdemeanor charges. But he pled guilty to one charge of unwanted sexual touching on Wednesday, The New York Times reports.

In a 2019 court filing, the district attorneys office in New York said that Goodings prior acts demonstrate that his contacts with their intimate parts are intentional, not accidental, and that he is not mistaken about their lack of consent.

According to Variety, Gooding was also accused of raping a woman in 2013 in August. The woman said the assault occurred in a New York City hotel room, though he has denied allegations.
CANANDAIGUA  A Waterloo man was arrested Tuesday morning after a wild turn of events that started with the alleged theft of two TVs from the Walmart in Geneva and ended with a crash near Eric's Office Restaurant in Canandaigua.

DeJohn O. Butler, 22, of Waterloo, is facing several charges, the most serious including reckless driving and third-degree assault, according to Ontario County sheriffs deputies. His 14-year-old passenger was not charged.

According to deputies, a citizen called 911 about the alleged theft and the citizen then followed the vehicle the two people left in before losing sight of it on County Road 4 in the town of Seneca. About 15 minutes later, a deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description on Route 488 in Hopewell.

The vehicle fled as the deputy approached but the deputy did not pursue, according to a Sheriffs Office account of the incident.

The deputy soon discovered the crash scene.

A vehicle making a left-hand turn onto County Road 28 from North Road was struck, deputies said. A decorative pillar at the restaurant was struck and knocked to the ground, deputies said.

The two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene, but were apprehended shortly after by deputies and state troopers, deputies said.

DeJohn and his 14-year-old passenger, who was released to a parent, were not hurt in the crash. The driver of the other vehicle was taken by Canandaigua Emergency Squad to F.F. Thompson Hospital for treatment of a shoulder injury and released, deputies said.

State troopers and Canandaigua police and firefighters also assisted at the scene.

Butler will answer charges in Geneva Town Court and Canandaigua City Court.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: DeJohn Butler charged after alleged theft, crash in Ontario County NY
A dispute has erupted at the UN cultural agency over Russia's hosting of its World Heritage Committee in just two months, which Western nations say they will boycott over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is due to host the annual meeting of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in the city of Kazan in its Tatarstan region from June 19-30.

The meeting is notably tasked each year with deciding which sites and monuments will be given the organisation's coveted World Heritage status -- and which could be stripped of the label if countries have fallen short on looking after them.

The meeting is one of the few international events that Russia is still scheduled to host after President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which according to UNESCO has caused damage to almost 100 cultural sites.

But in a sign of the West's difficulties in building a broad international coalition against Moscow, the campaign to strip Kazan of its right to host the event is proving an uphill battle.

Just a week before official invitations are set out, the mainly Western nations opposing Russia's right to host the event are racing against the clock to try to convince the committee to find another venue and strip Russia of its presidency of the group.

"It's complicated," an ambassador of a Western nation who asked to remain anonymous told AFP in Paris, referring to the reluctance of some countries to isolate Russia at an institution that traditionally encourages dialogue in the face of crises.

- 'Inconceivable' -

It was decided in July 2021 to award the meeting to Kazan, the cultural centre of Russia's Turkic Tatar minority that has long billed itself as a meeting point between different cultures and religions.

British Culture Minister Nadine Dorries said in March that it was "inconceivable" Russia should host the meeting, and that Britain would not attend if it did.

Ukraine's Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko echoed her call, saying Russia's goal is to "destroy Ukraine" and suggesting the session should be moved to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

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On April 8, 46 states led by Britain wrote a letter to all members of the World Heritage Committee saying they "would not attend a meeting of the Committee either in Russia or under Russian presidency."

It said such a meeting is "impossible" while Russia is destroying "outstanding universal value" in Ukraine.

UNESCO has said dozens of sites and monuments in Ukraine have been damaged in the Russian invasion.

"The credibility of UNESCO and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage is at stake," said the letter, signed by Britain's ambassador to UNESCO Laura Davies on behalf of the 46 countries.

Since then, intense behind the scenes discussions have been taking place to find an agreement.

"In non-Western countries, there is certainly disapproval of Russian aggression in Ukraine, but this disapproval does not amount to condemnation and even less a desire to break with Russia or isolate it," said Michel Duclos, a former French ambassador to Syria and special advisor to the Institut Montaigne think-tank in Paris.

- Elusive consensus -

UNESCO is at pains to emphasise that the decision on the meeting is not taken by UNESCO's leaders but by the members of the World Heritage Committee.

The 21 countries that make up the World Heritage Committee and to whom the UK letter was addressed include Argentina, India and Saudi Arabia.

Two-thirds of the members must agree to hold an extraordinary meeting on the issue, where a decision on the Kazan meeting could be decided by consensus or majority vote.

But while London should have no problem in persuading the European members of the committee -- Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria and Greece -- to come on board, it is another matter for states like India.

"Several countries on the committee have already given us their support," said a source close to the campaign, who asked not to be named, insisting on the "disastrous" image of a meeting in Kazan if it went ahead even while boycotted by a quarter of UNESCO members states.

In the absence of consensus, one option could be to postpone the session for several months - a scenario excluded in the letter by the signatory countries - or to host the meeting in a neutral place, such as the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

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Clay Center, KS (67432)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Federal officials say it may be necessary to reduce water deliveries to users on the Colorado River to prevent the shutdown of a huge dam that supplies hydropower to some 5 million customers across the U.S. West.

Officials had hoped snowmelt would buoy Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border to ensure its dam could continue to supply power. But snow is already melting, and hotter-than-normal temperatures and prolonged drought are further shrinking the lake.

The Interior Department has proposed holding back water in the lake to maintain Glen Canyon Dam's ability to generate electricity amid what it said were the driest conditions in the region in more than 1,200 years.

The best available science indicates that the effects of climate change will continue to adversely impact the basin, Tanya Trujillo, the Interiors assistant secretary for water and science wrote to seven states in the basin Friday.

Trujillo asked for feedback on the proposal to keep 480,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell  enough water to serve about 1 million U.S. households. She stressed that operating the dam below 3,490 feet (1,063 meters), considered its minimum power pool, is uncharted territory and would lead to even more uncertainty for the western electrical grid and water deliveries to states and Mexico downstream.

In the Colorado River basin, Glen Canyon Dam is the mammoth of power production, delivering electricity to about 5 million customers in seven states  Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. As Lake Powell falls, the dam becomes less efficient. At 3,490 feet, it cant produce power.

If levels were to fall below that mark, the 7,500 residents in the city at the lake, Page, and the adjacent Navajo community of LeChee would have no access to drinking water.

The Pacific Northwest, and the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico and Texas are facing similar strains on water supplies.

Lake Powell fell below 3,525 feet (1,075 meters) for the first time ever last month, a level that concerned worried water managers. Federal data shows it will dip even further, in the most probable scenario, before rebounding above the level next spring.

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If power production ceases at Glen Canyon Dam, customers that include cities, rural electric cooperatives and tribal utilities would be forced to seek more expensive options. The loss also would complicate western grid operations since hydropower is a relatively flexible renewable energy source that can be easily turned up or down, experts say.

Were in crisis management, and health and human safety issues, including production of hydropower, are taking precedence, said Jack Schmidt, director of the center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. Concepts like, Are we going to get our water back just may not even be relevant anymore.

The potential impacts to lower basin states that could see their water supplies reduced  California, Nevada and Arizona  aren't yet known. But the Interior's move is a display of the wide-ranging functions of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, and the need to quickly pivot to confront climate change.

Lake Powell serves as the barometer for the rivers health in the upper basin, and Lake Mead has that job in the lower basin. Both were last full in the year 2000 but have declined to one-fourth and one-third of their capacity, respectively, as drought tightened its grip on the region.

Water managers in the basin states  Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado  are evaluating the proposal. The Interior Department has set an April 22 deadline for feedback.

___

Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
Warning: This article contains mentions of a person who was severely burned after being set on fire.



Police are searching for a suspect accused of setting an elderly man on fire in Honolulus Chinatown on Tuesday morning.



The attack, which was captured by a surveillance camera, occurred at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza in the 100 block of N. Beretania Street at around 8 a.m.





Honolulu police are searching for a suspect who allegedly set an elderly man on fire in Chinatown on Tuesday morning. The horrific attack happened about 8 a.m. and left the victim seriously injured. #HNN pic.twitter.com/PVfUD7Ddrt

 Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) April 13, 2022







Surveillance footage of the incident shows the suspect trailing the 79-year-old victim before using what appears to be a lighter to set his shirt ablaze.



A bystander reportedly appeared and helped extinguish the flames. Honolulu firefighters and Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene afterward.







Image: Chinatown Cultural Plaza



The victim reportedly suffered first- and second-degree burns to his back and neck. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.



According to reports, the suspect is homeless and fled the scene on foot. He wore a T-shirt, jeans and a blue beanie. The authorities have stated that he remains at large, and the incident is being investigated as a first-degree assault.



Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Honolulu at (808) 955-8300.



Feature Image via Chinatown Cultural Plaza

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Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 30, 2020. Patrick Semansky/AP Photo

Mark Meadows was booted from North Carolina voter rolls after voting in Virginia in 2021.

The move comes amid a state investigation into his registration and questions of possible voter fraud.

The former North Carolina congressman was registered to vote at a mobile home where he'd never stayed.

Mark Meadows, the former North Carolina congressman and chief of staff to President Donald Trump, was removed from North Carolina's voter rolls on Monday by local election officials amid uncertainty about his residency in the state, North Carolina news outlet WRAL first reported.

Democratic State Attorney General Josh Stein launched an investigation into Meadows' voter registration following reports that Meadows was registered to vote in 2020 from a mobile home in Scaly Mountain. Meadows didn't live at the mobile home.

"Macon County administratively removed the voter registration of Mark Meadows under [state law] as he lived in Virginia and last voted in the 2021 election there," said Pat Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina elections board.

In September 2020, just six weeks before the election, Meadows listed the mobile home as his primary place of residence and registered to vote there, despite the home's former owner telling the New Yorker that the former congressman "never spent a night in there."

If true, that would mean Meadows may have committed voter fraud under North Carolina law.

"I've made a lot of improvements," the mobile home's new owner, Ken Abele, told The New Yorker. "But when I got it, it was not the kind of place you'd think the chief of staff of the president would be staying."

Meadows sold his home in Sapphire, North Carolina in 2020, and maintains a condo in Virginia with his wife, Debra. According to WRAL, state voting records show that Debra is still registered to vote at the mobile home. But in 2021, Meadows registered to vote in Virginia, which had a competitive gubernatorial race.

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Meadows declined Insider's request for comment through his spokesman, Ben Williamson.

The one-time head of the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus, Meadows became Trump's chief of staff in March 2020 after serving in Congress since 2013. He's also become one of the central figures in the January 6 committee's investigation into the Capitol riot, with recently-revealed text exchanges between Meadows and both Ginni Thomas (the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas) and Donald Trump Jr. raising new questions about his actions leading up to the attack.

The House of Representatives voted to hold Meadows in criminal contempt of Congress in December after he defied a subpoena from the committee. The Department of Justice has yet to file any charges against him after receiving the House's referral.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON (AP)  When President Joe Biden declares Russia's Ukraine war genocide, it isn't just another strong word.

Calling a campaign that's aimed at wiping out a targeted group genocide not only increases pressure on a country to act, it can oblige it to. Thats partly because of a genocide treaty approved by the U.N. General Assembly after World War II, signed by the United States and more than 150 other nations.

The convention was the work of, among others, a Polish Jew whose family was murdered by Nazi Germany and its accomplices. The advocates pushed for something that would make the world not just condemn but actually prevent and ensure prosecution for future genocides.

In comments Tuesday, Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian. Other world leaders have not gone as far. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russias behavior in Ukraine doesnt look far short of genocide, but the U.K. has not officially used the term, saying only a court can make such a designation.

A look at whats involved in that decision, and what it means when a world leader declares a genocide:

WHAT DOES GENOCIDE MEAN?

Its a surprisingly modern word for an ancient crime. A Jewish lawyer from Poland, Raphael Lemkin, coined it at the height of World War II and the Holocaust. Lemkin wanted a word to describe what Nazi Germany was then doing to Europe's Jews, and what Turkey had done to Armenians in the 1910s: killing members of a targeted group of people, and ruthlessly working to eradicate their cultures.

Lemkin paired geno, a Greek word meaning race, and cide, a Latin word meaning kill. Lemkin dedicated his life to having genocide recognized and criminalized.

In 1948, after Adolf Hitler and his accomplices systematically murdered 6 million Jews in Europe, the U.N. General Assembly approved the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

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WHAT'S THE LEGAL DEFINITION?

Under the genocide convention, the crime is trying to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in part or in whole.

That includes mass killings, but also actions including forced sterilization, abuse that inflicts serious harm or mental suffering, or wrenching children of a targeted group away to be raised by others.

IS RUSSIA COMMITTING GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE?

The case may hang in part on Putins own words.

Russian forces are widely accused of carrying out wholesale abuses of Ukraines civilians, including mass killings.

Those would be war crimes. But do they amount to genocide?

It's all about intent, argues Bohdan Vitvitsky, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and former special adviser to Ukraines prosecutor general.

Any attempt to determine whether the crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are driven by genocidal intent must necessarily focus on the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vitvisky wrote for the Atlantic Council think tank this week.

Putin long has denied any standing for Ukraine to exist as a separate nation, or Ukrainians as a separate people. He cites history, when Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, and later of the Soviet Union.

In a long essay last year, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Putin made clear the depth of his determination on the matter. He called the modern border dividing Russia and Ukraine our great common misfortune and tragedy.

Putin and Russian state media falsely call Ukrainian leaders Nazis and drug addicts." Putin has called his military campaign in Ukraine one of de-Nazification.

Gissou Nia, a human-rights lawyer who worked on war crime trials at the Hague, points to two alleged acts by Russia in Ukraine as also possibly showing intent of genocide: Reports of deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and an account, from Ukraine's government, of Russian soldiers telling 25 detained women and girls in Bucha that the Russians aimed to rape them to the point that they never bear any Ukrainian children.

WHY DOES IT MATTER IF WORLD LEADERS USE GENOCIDE TO DESCRIBE RUSSIA'S ACTIONS?

Embedded in the genocide convention is an obligation that the U.S. and other signers of the treaty have treated warily  if they acknowledge a genocide is occurring, they're committed to ensuring investigation and prosecution, at the least.

People and countries committing genocide shall be punished, the treaty declares, seeking to crush any wiggle room.

U.S. leaders for decades dodged using the word genocide to avoid increasing the pressure on them to act as mass killings targeted classes of people or ethnic groups in Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq, Rwanda and elsewhere.

Regretting his failure to do more to stop the killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis by Hutus in Rwanda in 1994, Bill Clinton in June 1999 became the first U.S. president to recognize an act of genocide as it was playing out, saying Serb forces carrying out a deadly campaign against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo were attempting genocide.

NATO intervened, lobbing 78 days of airstrikes that forced Serbian fighters' withdrawal from Kosovo. An international tribunal charged Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic with war crimes, although Milosevic died before his trial concluded.

Starting in 2005, world also leaders embraced  in principle  responsibility for collective action to stop genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Atrocities and targeted campaigns against groups continue around the world, however, and the so-called responsibility to protect is seldom invoked.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE U.S. DOES DECLARE RUSSIAN ACTIONS TO BE GENOCIDE?

U.S. leaders long have feared that acknowledging genocide would require them to intervene, even to send in troops, with all the risks, costs and political backlash that would entail. It's been a main reason leaders limit themselves to angry statements and humanitarian aid.

Biden is adamant the U.S. will not use its own military to confront Russian forces on behalf of Ukraine. Doing so would risk World War III, he says.

He and allies in Europe and elsewhere already are intervening by sanctioning Russia and by sending weapons and other support to Ukraine for its defense.

Biden and other Western leaders also have called for war crimes trials. The International Criminal Court already has started an investigation. But longstanding U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, over worries that U.S. troops could face prosecution there one day, complicates such prosecutions. So can Russia's veto power on the U.N. Security Council. And practically speaking, bringing Putin before a court is a long shot.

In the past, Americans' opposition to entanglement in foreign wars also has helped discourage U.S. leaders from doing more to stop possible acts of genocide.

But Russia's invasion of a neighboring country and brutality against Ukraine's people have angered Americans in a way that genocidal campaigns in Cambodia, Kurdish areas of Iraq and elsewhere did not.

A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 40% of people in America believe the U.S. should have a major role in ending Russia's invasion. Just 13% think the U.S. shouldn't be involved at all.
Rancho Cordova, Calif.  A Rancho Cordova father and son were rescued after their car crashed 500 feet off a cliff in Mariposa County Monday, CBS San Francisco reports.

It happened at the height of wild weather in the region.

The outcome could have been tragic if it hadn't for a "quick response" that Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremey Briese credited to the sharp eye of a Cal Fire firefighter who just happened to be passing by.

The roads were a mess, but the firefighter, who was heading back from a call, noticed a road marker was down and pulled over to figure out why.

The California Highway Patrol said Scott Anderson, 51, was traveling with his 11-year-old son when he lost control of his Toyota while making a turn in the rain. The car flipped several times before tumbling into a ditch, out of sight.

Related video: Drivers of two separate vehicles rescued after being trapped

"The Cal Fire employee noticed signs of possibly a traffic accident or this delineator down," the sheriff said. "They're brave actions and their skills were able to find this vehicle."

The four-hour operation was complicated by rain and steep terrain but was pulled off by sheer

"The area that this car went off is an extremely steep canyon and it's an extremely rural area of the county," Briese said.

A small army of search and rescue teams needed lots of strength to pull the two up the cliff.

"I know the ropes they were using were 600-foot ropes, and once they reached the patients, they had about 100 feet left," Briese said.

Anderson and his son suffered moderate injuries, authorities said. At last check, they were still in nearby hospitals. Investigators said both were wearing seatbelts.

"Definitely, somebody was looking out for them," Briese said.

The CHP said alcohol and drugs weren't factors in the crash.

Mike Pence gives speech at University of Virginia amid speculation about 2024 presidential run

Labor Department: Inflation jumps to highest level since 1981

Police identify person of interest in Brooklyn subway shooting
A man on the run from Colombian authorities since the 1994 murder of his wife and shooting of his daughter has been found living in Massachusetts with a new family, the FBI said.

William Hernando Usma Acosta, 61, fled Colombia 27 years ago after he shot and killed his wife and shot his daughter as she tried to intervene, according to the FBI. He was convicted in absentia in Colombia for both shootings.

Usma Acosta was found living in Belmont under the alias Carlos Alberto Rendon. He was arrested Wednesday as he headed to work in Waltham.

Colombian authorities sentenced Usma Acosta to 45 years in prison and 10 years of Restricted Citizens Rights in 1996. That sentence was later reduced to 28 years and six months under new guidelines.

The FBI said Usma Acosta crossed into the United States from Mexico in 1995. As Rendon, he married an American citizen three years later and obtained permanent resident status while living in Somerville, according to the FBI.

Since then, he moved to Belmont with his wife and son.

The FBI says William Usma Acosta has been on the run for 27 years.

He submited a Colombian birth certificate and fingerprints when he applied for naturalization in 2020. The FBI said it matched those fingerprints to Usma Acostas, which were provided by the Colombian National Police, and found that his birth certificate was fake.

William Hernando Usma Acosta is a convicted cold-blooded killer who thought he could evade justice by entering the United States and creating a new identity for himself so he could live under the radar. He needs to face justice for what he did, and todays arrest ensures that he will, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not be a safe haven for those wanted in their native countries, and the FBI will continue to leverage our international partnerships to remove dangerous fugitives like him from our communities.

Immigration authorities will begin proceedings to extradite Usma Acosta to Colombia.

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Swimmer Lia Thomas on the podium after winning the 500 yard race at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Former Vice President Pence said Emma Weyant was the true victor in the NCAA swimming tournament.

In making his comments, Pence rejected trans swimmer Lia Thomas' first-place win in the competition.

In recent years, conservatives have railed against trans athletes competing in sports at schools.

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday dismissed transgender swimmer Lia Thomas' NCAA Division I championship win, declaring that the victor was University of Virginia swimmer Emma Weyant.

While speaking at the University of Virginia during an event hosted by Young America's Foundation, Pence sided with Weyant, the runner-up to the University of Pennsylvania's Thomas in the 500-yard freestyle women's race. The competition result has become a cause celebre among conservatives who are vehemently against transgender athletes participating in sports for their schools.

When a student in the audience lamented that the university's "tradition of excellence" was recently "upended by the woke left," Pence was then asked what he would say to Weyant, who the student claimed was "was robbed of a medal."

"Thank you so much for that thoughtful question. Emma Weyant won that race," Pence said.

He continued: "I know that in his State of the Union address, President [Joe] Biden promised to stand for the God-given right of men to compete in women's sports."

Since taking office, Biden has spoken up and advocated for the rights of LGBTQ Americans and recognized last month's Transgender Day of Visibility.

Laughter erupted in the audience after Pence's statement.

"Common sense needs to reign, and it will reign. Women's sports is a pathway toward achievement and excellence," the former vice president said.

He added: "I expect there are some outstanding women athletes in the room today  maybe some looking on. And we need to defend the integrity of women's sports in America for the benefit of women everywhere."

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Pence's comments mirror that of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida  who is up for reelection this fall and has become one of the most recognizable potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates in the country.

DeSantis last month refused to validate Thomas' win and issued a statement declaring Weyant  a Florida native  to be the true victor.

"It is my determination that men should not be competing against women such as Emma Weyant, robbing women and girls of achievements, awards, and scholarships," he wrote, calling Thomas a "male identifying as a woman."

Former President Donald Trump in recent days has also stoked Republican angst over the issue, arguing that GOP control of Congress in 2023 would mean conservative issues would gain prominence in the national dialogue in the lead up to a potential rematch between the former president and Biden.

"We will not by the way, have men participating in women's sports," Trump said during a Saturday rally in North Carolina, in what has become a rallying cry for his supporters in recent months.

Pence has also reportedly been mulling a 2024 presidential bid of his own, which would put him in a direct path against his former boss  and potentially DeSantis.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast

Fox News overtly anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and coverage of Floridas Dont Say Gay bill has generated outrage from elsewhere within the Murdoch media empire.

An employee networking and resource group for Fox Corporations LGBTQ staffers and allies earlier this month condemned the conservative cable giants hateful coverage of the new Florida law and issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity. The denunciation was in response to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) removing Fox Corps status as a preferred LGBTQ employer over its recent on-air rhetoric.

Fox Pride denounces statements made regarding sexual orientation and gender identity on FOX News in the past week, read the lengthy message posted on April 5 to the groups company-wide Slack channel, which includes staffers from Fox News, Fox Weather, and other Fox brands. The note was verified and reviewed by The Daily Beast. While the internal support and resources Fox Corp. offers to LGBTQ+ employees are amazing and supportive, the public facing messaging and rhetoric is the opposite. We find it disheartening and a step backward in the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

The internal Slack message was first reported by media gossip site FTV Live.

The message, labeled as being from the Fox Pride Board, received dozens of positive emoji reactions from Fox-wide Slack users, including hearts and various pride flags. It is unclear when and how the note of condemnation was sent to Fox Corp brass.

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The statement continued: FOX News is one of the most watched cable networks in the nation and we must be mindful that the impact these words have on the LGBTQ+ communityespecially youth. LGBTQ+ youth have the highest rate of suicide and words matter. Hateful words and generalizations about sexual orientation and gender identity have a direct impact on peoples lives. We are working to address and make sure our voices are heard.

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As the companys employee resource group, FOX Pride supports causes important to the LGBTQ community and fosters a work environment where all of FOXs LGBTQ colleagues feel 100% authentic and professionally supported. Another message in the Fox Pride chat room invited members to participate in an open discussion to have a safe dialogue about discriminatory anti-LGBTQ laws around the country.

When reached for comment, a Fox Corp spokesperson wrote: We are fully committed to freedom of speech and freedom of the press because we know these precious rights as well as diversity of thought and opinion benefit us all. When reached for comment, a Fox News spokesperson referred to the same statement.

Tucker Carlson Brags to Megachurch That He Is Totally Unvaccinated

Starting last month, after Disney spoke out against the vaguely worded Florida bill banning discussion of sexuality and gender in school classrooms, Fox News hosts and commentators began melting down on air with a deceptive smear campaign targeting the Mouse Houses support for the LGBTQ community.

With the networks wall-to-wall segments soon veering into outright homophobia and anti-trans panic as hosts claimed Disney was pushing a progressive LGBT agenda that supported the chemical castration and grooming of young kids, the HRC on April 1 demoted the networks parent company from its list of top workplacesstrictly in response to Fox News recent coverage.

Fox News has a history of sharing misinformation and disinformation about the LGBTQ+ community. We know from our own research, which we put out earlier this week, what their disinformation and misinformation means for the LGBTQ+ community: perpetuating stigma and marginalization of transgender and non-binary people, HRC senior press secretary Aryn Fields said in a statement.

We can no longer allow Fox Corporation to maintain its score if Fox News personalities and contributors continue to deny the existence of transgender people, minimize the violence transgender individuals face, refer to parents of LGBTQ+ youth as perverts, or equate leaders of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion efforts with sex offenders, she added. Each of these actions happened in the last 72 hours. Enough is enough.

While Fox News has only ramped up its anti-LGBTQ Doom & Groom rhetoric since then, Fox Corporations LGBTQ employees and allies have, indeed, made their anger known about the damage the network has done to the companys reputation.

As one Fox insider told The Daily Beast, many of the companys LGBTQ employees are very outraged, especially as the networks personalities are targeting Disney for doing what [Fox is] doing internally in terms of promoting inclusion.

Additionally, this insider expressed how much Foxs rhetoric has potentially damaged the company as a whole and angered employees across the corporation.

The thing is, internally, the company values diversity, explained the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. They invest in it and foster it from a management perspective. The on-air Fox News product, however, spits in the face of it. The employees are getting sick of it.



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By John Irish and Tassilo Hummel

PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron launched a scathing attack on far-right rival Marine Le Pen on Wednesday, saying her true "authoritarian" intentions were showing after she banned a team of reporters and did not rule out a return to the death penalty.

Macron, a pro-European centrist, became president in 2017 after easily beating Le Pen when voters rallied behind him to keep the far-right out of power. This time, he faces a tougher challenge.

Slightly behind in opinion polls, Le Pen has successfully softened her image and tapped into anger over the cost of living and a perception Macron is disconnected from everyday hardships. Some polls show her victory in the April 24 runoff is within the margin of error.

"Despite all the efforts, the true face of the far-right is coming back. It is a face that doesn't respect freedoms, the constitutional framework, press independence and fundamental freedoms, rights," Macron told France 2 television.

Such comments are the start of an "authoritarian drift," said Macron, who has of late categorised Le Pen's manifesto as full of lies and false promises that conceal a far-right agenda ultimately leading to France leaving the European Union.

Le Pen said the show whose journalists were refused accreditation was entertainment rather than journalism and that she reserved the right - now as a candidate, and later as president if elected - to choose who may attend her news conferences.

She retorted that Macron was showing his "weakness" and was in no position to give lessons on how to handle the press.

Macron has had a bumpy relationship with the media during his presidency and last week was criticised for refusing to take part in several prime time shows ahead of the first round.

"He'd be better off going into the substance of my project. It is known, transparent. We can discuss it and argue over our disagreements," Le Pen said at a campaign stop outside of Paris.

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FREXIT?

Later on Wednesday, Le Pen - a eurosceptic who had long professed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin - gave a news conference on her foreign policy plans, which she said was aimed at clearing up what she called misunderstandings.

"Nobody is against Europe," said Le Pen, who has ditched plans to leave the EU or the euro, which cost her votes in past elections.

She said she aimed to reform the EU from the inside, in what critics say would be a "Frexit" departure from the bloc in all but name.

LEFTWING VOTES

Ahead of the second round, both candidates are seeking to win over left-wing voters, especially from hard-left third-place candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Melenchon's party launched a consultation on Wednesday to ask his supporters if they planned to vote for Macron, put in a blank ballot or not vote.

"Neither Emmanuel Macron nor Marine Le Pen are up to the task," Melenchon wrote. "However, the two are not equivalent. Marine Le Pen adds a dangerous ferment of ethnic and religious exclusion to the project of social damage that she shares with Emmanuel Macron."

Even after the consultation closes on Saturday, Melenchon signalled he would give voters no instruction on what they should do on the 24th - whereas other parties have urged voters to back Macron in order to block the far-right.

Macron, who already had said he would increase pensions this summer if re-elected, told TF1 television that it would be a 4% increase. On Monday, he opened the door to potentially pushing the retirement age from 62 at the moment to 64, rather than to 65, his initial proposal.

Macron's efforts to woo leftwing voters could be hurt after former conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, a reviled figure on the left, endorsed him and forced Macron to deny there was any wider political agreement.

Macron will need a new majority after legislative elections in June and political sources have said Sarkozy's endorsement could pave the way for an alliance between the centre-right Les Republicains party and Macron's LaRem.

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Pineau and Geert de Clercq; Writing by John Irish and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Toby Chopra and Howard Goller)
The suspect in the subway shooting in Brooklyn, New York, appeared to post videos of himself on social media expressing bigoted views, violence and criticism of New York Mayor Eric Adams' policies addressing public safety and homeless outreach on subways.

New York police on Wednesday arrested Frank R. James, 62, as a suspect in the rush-hour attack, which wounded at least 10 people and led to the injuries of 13 others Tuesday morning. He had previously been just a person of interest.

A $50,000 reward was offered to find James, who police said had addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia.

Police said James rented a U-Haul van, the keys of which were found at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood.

One of the photos police shared was a screenshot of a video from the "prophet oftruth88" YouTube channel, a platform on which James appears to express controversial views and go on lengthy, profanity-filled rants. As of 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, the channel had been taken down.

He talks about death in several videos and discusses a "race war" and the desire to "exterminate" certain groups of people in one clip. In another, posted April 6, he says there needs to be more mass shootings, claiming the problem wouldn't be the shooters but rather the environment they exist in.

In a video posted Monday, James said he had experienced the desire to kill people but didnt want to go to jail. In another, uploaded March 18, he claimed he suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

In another video, posted Feb. 27, he appeared to be disappointed that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was recently confirmed to be a justice on the Supreme Court, was married to a white man.

Image: Emergency personnel including the FBI search a moving truck (John Minchillo / AP)

James also used YouTube to share his thoughts about the mayor. In a video posted Feb. 23, he slammed Adams' homeless outreach efforts on subways, indicating that he experienced homelessness himself. He again criticized the mayor's plans for public safety on trains and his efforts to help homeless people in a clip uploaded March 1.

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James' posts date to 2016. He has used slurs, denigrated women and made racist comments  some of them against Black people. He documented his journey from the Midwest to Philadelphia in March, often talking to the camera as he was behind the wheel.

Adams acknowledged the controversial posts on NBC's "TODAY" show Wednesday morning before James' arrest was announced.

"I was briefed by the police department on some of his social media posts," Adams said. "He appears to be all over the place, according to the briefing."

"I just think we need to focus on his apprehension at this time, and the police department is going to use those posts and all of evidence that were gathering. Not only to apprehend him  we also must make sure that hes prosecuted," Adams said.

The mayor's security has been beefed up since Tuesday.

The gunman donned a gas mask and set off two smoke canisters before gunfire erupted aboard a Manhattan-bound N train as it rolled into the 36th Street Station around 8:30 a.m., Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

Image: Frank James,Frank R. James (NYPD via AP)

The shooter opened fire at least 33 times, Sewell said at a news conference Tuesday evening.

None of the wounded have life-threatening injuries.

The attack, coming as reports of violent crime on subways are rising, has fueled unease.

Investigators at the subway station recovered a gun with a magazine attached, two additional magazines, ammunition, a hatchet and a container of what is believed to be gasoline, police said. They also recovered a bag containing consumer grade fireworks.

Police had said they were looking for a man believed to be about 5-foot-5 and 180 pounds, who was wearing a neon orange vest during the attack.

Clearly this person boarded the train and was intent on violence, Sewell said.
Prosecutors on Wednesday searched a Buitoni frozen pizza factory in northern France, the suspected source of an E. coli outbreak that has left dozens of children sick, as well as the headquarters of its owner Nestle France, authorities told AFP.

An investigation into involuntary manslaughter and deceitful practices was opened on April 1 after authorities learned of more than 70 infections, which may have caused the deaths of a one-year-old and an 18-year-old.

The search at the Caudry factory operated by Buitoni, which is owned by the Swiss food conglomerate Nestle, was confirmed by a police source and the Paris prosecutor's office, which is leading the investigation.

Nestle France, whose headquarters outside Paris were also raided, announced a recall of the affected Fraich'UP pizzas on March 18, and authorities ordered a halt of their production at Caudry after carrying out two hygiene inspections.

The inspections "revealed a deterioration of food hygiene controls", the presence of "rodents" and insufficient measures to prevent pests from contaminating a food production site, authorities said in the shutdown order.

Escherichia coli bacteria can lead to severe and long-lasting health complications, including acute kidney failure. French authorities say the reports of possible infections began to occur in late February.

Recalls were also ordered in Belgium and Luxembourg, with the affected pizzas distributed in 20 other countries, including 15 in Africa, according to the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.

Buitoni has said it is cooperating with the investigation and promised to take "appropriate measures" in the wake of the outbreak.

The health scare comes after nine European countries reported a total of 150 salmonella cases thought to be linked to a Kinder chocolate factory in Belgium that has since been closed.

"Most cases are children under 10 years of age, with many being hospitalised," the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority said in a statement Tuesday.

Kinder's owner, the Italian confectionery giant Ferrero, has apologised for the outbreak at the height of the Easter holiday season.

gd-cab/js/jv
31-year-old Jerry Rodriguez has officially been charged by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office with the murder of 41-year-old Salvador Olivera.
The Georgia State Patrol is at the center of a campaign controversy between the top two Republican candidates for governor.

At question: Is the GSP an elite law enforcement agency in Georgia or not?

Perdue said Tuesday that he didnt think the Georgia State Patrol is an elite law enforcement agency anymore, but he didnt blame the GSP, he blamed Gov. Brian Kemp.

Weve got to get our State Patrol back to the elite level that it always was. Somehow, its been left to deteriorate by a lack of leadership from the governors office in the last three years, in my opinion, Perdue said.

Perdue and Kemp are locked in a bitter campaign battle for the Republican nomination for governor.

The patrol has struggled with the same issues facing other law enforcement agencies across Georgia since the pandemic began, notably recruitment and retention of troopers.

Perdue insisted he could fix the problems.

TRENDING STORIES:

This needs to be rebuilt and its going to take a little time. Its not going to happen overnight, Perdue said.

But Perdues comments struck a nerve in some GOP lawmakers, including former GSP Col. Bill Hitchens, who is now a state representative.

They issued a joint statement, saying:

Former senator Perdues comments regarding the Georgia State Patrol are extremely disrespectful and show a blatant disregard for the distinguished service of our state law enforcement.

Kemp pushed back hard too.

At the event where he signed the permitless Constitutional Carry bill into law, he told Channel 2 Action that he believes the GSP remains an elite agency.

In campaigns, Im used to being attacked, especially by people who dont have their own record to talk about. But Im not going to allow people to attack the Georgia State Patrol. Theyre elite men and women who have been serving our state admirably for a long time, Kemp said.

Channel 2 Action News contacted GSP for a comment on this story, but we didnt hear back. Generally, GSP doesnt usually respond to comments made during campaign season.

RELATED NEWS:
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pressed Mali on Wednesday to move towards fair elections and cease working with Russian military contractors if it wants to fully reactivate the European Union's training of the country's armed forces.

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Monday the bloc will halt part of its training of Mali's armed forces, citing a lack of guarantees from Malian authorities that Russian military contractors would not interfere in the work.

Mali's transitional government, which took power in a 2020 military coup, is battling Islamist militants and has enlisted the help of private military contractors belonging to Russia's Wagner Group.

"It is clear that in this situation ... the Sahel and above all Mali can only be stable if elections are not postponed again and again, and also regarding the security situation, if Russian actors are not worked with," Baerbock told reporters in Mali.

Borrell said on Monday the Wagner Group, which is already under EU sanctions accused of human rights abuses, was likely responsible for killing civilians during a military operation in a central Mali town in late March.

Baerbock called on Mali's transitional government to move towards fair elections and also to make progress on reforms, especially to tackle corruption.

"Thirdly ... especially with regard to the EUTM (training) mission, we cannot continue to cooperate if there is no separation from Russian forces. That is not the case at the moment," she added.

(Writing by Paul Carrel, Editing by William Maclean)
(AP)

Warning: This article contains content relating to suicide.

True crime buffs, listen up. The Girl from Plainville has just dropped on Hulu in the US and follows the true story of the texting suicide case where Michelle Carter was charged with manslaughter for boyfriend Conrad Roys death.

The series is set to explore the young couples relationship, the circumstances surrounding Roys death and the medias coverage of the case.

It stars Elle Fanning as Carter and Colton Ryan as Roy. Chloe Sevigny is also in the cast, playing Roys mother Lynn.

While the first few episodes of the series are now available in the US, there is no word yet on when it will be available for UK audiences. Although, with Hulu shows such as The Dropout available on Disney+ in the UK, its likely The Girl from Plainville will drop on the platform in the coming weeks.

Who is Michelle Carter and what happened to Conrad Roy?

On 13 July 2014, the body of Conrad Roy was found in his truck in a parking lot in Massachussetts, US. It was determined that he had killed himself by carbon monoxide asphyxiation.

Roy, who was 18 when he died, had been suffering from anxiety and depression. Carter, who was 17 at the time, was his long-distance girlfriend.

The pair met in 2012 in Florida where both of their families were holidaying, and they maintained a long-distance, mostly text-based relationship, despite living just an hour away from each other.

An investigation by authorities found a string of text messages between Roy and Carter in the weeks leading to his death. The texts showed Carter encouraging Roy to commit suicide.

On the day of Roys death, Carter sent a message to him which read: You keep pushing [sic] it off and say youll do it but you never do. Its always gonna be that way if you dont take action.

An investigation by Esquire, which the new series is based on, found that Roy had told Carter that he was feeling suicidal in June. He told Carter they should be like Romeo and Juliet to which Carter said: WE ARE NOT DYING. Thats not funny. I thought you were trying to be romantic.

Story continues

However, her tune changed later that month, as she began suggesting different ways to commit suicide to Roy. After Roy told her he was going to do it on July 3, Carter told him that carbon monoxide was the best option.

You better not be bullshitting me and saying youre gonna do this and then purposely get caught, Carter wrote. She also asked him if she could tell people she was his girlfriend when he died.

Roy spoke to Carter on the phone before he died and detectives discovered what was said through a text from Carter to her friend. It read: I could have stopped him. I was on the phone with him and he got out of the car because it was working and he got scared and I f***ing told him to get back in. I could of stopped him but I f***ing didnt. All I had to say was I love you.

In February 2015, Carter was indicted for involuntary manslaughter which is to kill someone unlawfully but unintentionally.

What was Michelle Carters sentence?

At her trial in August 2017, Carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two and a half years in prison, but just 15 months of this was made mandatory by the judge.

She was also sentenced to an additional five years probation. She was initially granted a stay of execution of her sentence and ended up starting her jail time in February 2019.

However, Carter only ended up serving just 11 months of her sentence due to good behaviour and was released in January 2020.

A spokesperson for the Bristol County Sheriffs Office told Buzzfeed at the time: Ms. Carter has been a model inmate in Bristol County. She has attended programs, had a job inside the jail, has been polite to our staff and volunteers, has gotten along with other inmates, and weve had no discipline issues with her whatsoever.

Where is Michelle Carter now?

Now 25, Carter has kept a low profile since her prison release over two years ago. Conditions of her release have meant she has been on probation until this year, which makes it unlikely that she has left the US.

Her probation ends in August this year and it also prevents her from profiting from any publicity surrounding the case, but she will be able to make money from it when her parole ends.

If youve been affected by anything in this article and dont know who to turn to there are free helplines available to support you. In the UK and Ireland  call Samaritans UK at 116 123.
MarketWatch

In the last several months you may have seen news headlines announcing that the Social Security program will be insolvent by 2033. While news of Social Securitys potential lack of funding is a real concern, its important to remember that insolvent is not the same as bankrupt. If nothing is done to fund the system at current levels, it is estimated that the program will be able to pay only 76% of what is owed to retirees beginning in 2034.
EXCLUSIVE: GOP House lawmakers are calling on the Department of Justice to brief Congress on the investigation of Hunter Biden and his business dealings, arguing that few details have been disclosed to the public.

"[L]egal questions plaguing Hunter Biden continue to arise and cast doubt on President Joe Biden and his administration," Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., and 14 other lawmakers, wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The Washington Post confirmed the authenticity of Hunter Biden's infamous laptop this week. Randy Holmes via Getty Images

They argued that the investigation raised questions that involved potential violations of criminal or civil law by President Biden or other senior administration officials.

Their letter comes amid a probe into Hunter Bidens income and payments he received while serving on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

The lawmakers said "little detail" of the investigation, headed by Delawares U.S. Attorney David Weiss, has been disclosed to the public.

VALERIE BIDEN OWENS: CHINA SCANDAL TRUMP'S WEAK LINK TO ATTACK HUNTER

"It is imperative that the Department of Justice brief Congress on the nature of Mr. Weisss investigation into Hunter Biden," they said. "Congress has a constitutional obligation to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch and a moral obligation to examine if the President of the United States or any senior official in his administration is ethically compromised or injured."

President-elect Joe Biden embraces his son Hunter Biden after addressing the nation from the Chase Center November 07, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware. Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images

The GOP lawmakers said Congress needs to be informed of the DOJs inquiry into Hunter Bidens alleged profitable relationships with foreign nationals in China, Serbia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. They also homed in on Hunter Bidens alleged sources of income from Ukrainian natural-gas company Burisma, Chinese company CEFC, his laptop containing "potentially compromising material," and his efforts to help White House chief of staff Ron Klain raise $20,000 for the Vice Presidents Residence Foundation.

HOUSE OVERSIGHT REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR HUNTER BIDEN TEXT PROBE: I WANT TO KNOW WHOS POPS'

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Major media outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times have authenticated the trove of emails from Hunter Bidens laptop, which was first reported by the New York Post.

The letter was signed by U.S. Reps. Bob Good of Virginia, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Jeff Duncan and Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Mary Miller of Illinois, Chip Roy and Michael Cloud of Texas, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jody Hice of Georgia, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Ken Buck of Colorado, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Vicky Hartzler of Missouri.

The investigation into Hunter Bidens business dealings has already presented a political headache for the Biden administration heading into the 2022 midterms.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on gas prices in the United States fromthe South Court Auditorium of the White House on March 31, 2022, in Washington, DC. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The White House has stood by the president's assertion in a 2020 debate that his son had not had unethical business dealings with Ukraine or China.

The investigation could also force a delicate decision for the Justice Department, which has sought to assert its independence and has publicly stressed its willingness to let the facts and evidence, not political decisions, guide its investigative and charging decisions.

Hunter Biden confirmed the existence of an investigation into his taxes in December 2020, one month after the presidential election. He said in a statement at the time that he was "confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors."

The breadth of the subpoena highlighted the wide-ranging scope of the investigation into Hunter Biden, though there is no indication that the probe includes any scrutiny of the president himself. Biden has said he did not discuss his son's international business dealings with him and has denied having ever taken money from a foreign country.

Fox News' Adam Sabes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New cigarettes VLN King and VLN Menthol King are for sale, April 11, 2022, at the Circle K convenience store in Wheaton. The cigarette is the first to be authorized by the FDA to be marketed as product designed to help smokers cut back. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Cigarettes that recently gained authorization from the Food and Drug Administration to be marketed as products that can help smokers cut back are hitting Chicago-area stores this week  the first place in the country where they will be sold.

The cigarettes, called VLN King and VLN Menthol King, are the first combustible cigarettes to gain authorization from the FDA as products that can help reduce exposure to, and consumption of, nicotine for smokers. The cigarettes contain 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes. Theyre made by 22nd Century Group, a New York-based company that produces them by genetically modifying the roots of tobacco plants so that they produce less nicotine.

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The FDA is requiring that the company include the phrase Helps you smoke less, when advertising the cigarettes as products that can reduce exposure to nicotine  a decision that has drawn criticism from health advocacy groups.

The cigarette packages must also carry conventional warnings about the dangers of any cigarette, such as cancer, heart disease and exposure to carbon monoxide. The special authorization does not mean the products are FDA approved or considered safe. Rather, theyre intended for current smokers, to help them smoke fewer cigarettes. The FDA does not approve cigarettes, but it regulates their manufacture, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale and distribution.

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Having options like these products authorized today, which contain less nicotine and are reasonably likely to reduce nicotine dependence, may help adult smokers, said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDAs Center for Tobacco Products, in a news release when the cigarettes gained the marketing authorization in December. If adult smokers were less addicted to combusted cigarettes, they would likely smoke less and may be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals that cause tobacco-related disease and death.

Starting this week, the cigarettes will be in more than 150 Circle K stores in the Chicago area, priced between $9 and $12 a pack, depending on local taxes. The cigarettes will be sold in the Chicago area as part of a 3-to-6-month pilot, after which 22nd Century and Circle K intend to expand sales nationwide to more than 7,000 stores in 48 states.

The company behind the cigarettes chose the Chicago area for its U.S. pilot because its one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country, and because of its diverse population, said John Pritchard, vice president of regulatory science for 22nd Century Group. As part of the special FDA authorization, the company must continue to monitor the products and conduct studies, once theyre on the market.

The company is not affiliated with traditional Big Tobacco companies, but is open to licensing its products, he said.

Were excited about what this means for helping adult smokers, Pritchard said.

The percentage of people who smoke cigarettes in the U.S. has dropped dramatically over the years, from 20.9% of the population in 2005 to 12.5% in 2020, or more than 30 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Illinois, 14.5% of adults smoked cigarettes in 2019. Still, cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly half a million deaths in the U.S. each year, and, in 2015, about 68% of adult cigarette smokers said they wanted to quit.

Cigarettes of today have two fundamental flaws: One of them is theyre harmful because theyre smoked products, and second is theyre highly addictive because nicotine is delivered at high levels into the lungs, Pritchard said. A VLN cigarette is still combusted, it is still smoked, but the public health disaster really comes from a combination of both those fundamental flaws.

Studies show that using cigarettes with such low nicotine levels likely reduces nicotine dependence, which is expected to lead to less smoking in the long run and, in turn, less exposure to the toxins that lead to illness and death, according to the FDA.

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While other products exist to help people smoke less  such as nicotine patches and gums  the VLN cigarettes provide an alternative for people who are attached to the ritual of smoking a cigarette, Pritchard said.

Several Chicago-area experts say the products sound promising, though some prominent groups have criticized the FDAs decision to allow them to be marketed as products that can help reduce nicotine consumption.

Dr. Tariq Butt, president of the Chicago Medical Society, said though the ultimate goal is for patients not to smoke at all, the VLN cigarettes are something doctors might want to consider as a way to help people smoke less.

Signage for cigarettes VLN King and VLN Menthol King for sale at the Circle K convenience store, April 11, 2022, in Wheaton. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

And Salahuddin Syed, an addiction psychiatrist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, said the products could be useful, especially for people who like the feeling of taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

I think this could help address that ritual smokers are addicted to, Syed said. I think we need all the tools we have to help people decrease exposure to these harmful products.

Still, he cautioned that he wouldnt want people to think the VLN cigarettes are safe, nor use the facts that they have less nicotine and gained the special FDA authorization as an excuse to start smoking or keep smoking.

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Andrea King, who directs the Courage to Quit tobacco cessation program at University of Chicago Medicine, called the cigarettes a very interesting product. She said shes curious to see how well they will work in the real world, given that many smokers are reluctant to switch brands. She also noted that if smokers supplement the VLN cigarettes with their usual cigarettes, that might not lead to as much of a reduction in smoking.

The problem is were not in a vacuum, King said. These other products are right there.

A number of prominent groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association have expressed similar concerns. The groups, along with several others, wrote a letter to Zeller at the FDA in early March asking the FDA to revoke its decision on the marketing of the VLN products.

They alleged that the decision exceeded the FDAs statutory authority, and that whats needed is an industrywide reduction in nicotine in cigarettes. They wrote that introducing VLN cigarettes into a marketplace where highly addictive combustible products remain readily available and are widely promoted, yields none of the public health benefits of a product standard and, indeed, will be a public health detriment. The public health benefits of low nicotine products will be realized only through an industrywide mandate; they cannot be achieved on a product-by-product basis.

The company must request authorization from the FDA to continue the special marketing of the cigarettes after the current order expires in five years. The FDA also may withdraw the current order if its no longer expected to benefit the health of the population as a whole, such as if former smokers or young people use the cigarettes, or if theres a decrease in the number of current smokers who completely switch to VLN cigarettes, according to the FDA.

lschencker@chicagotribune.com
Gov. Greg Abbott has agreed to ease state inspection requirements for commercial vehicles at one Texas-Mexico border crossing, partially backtracking on his directive after nearly a week of intense backlash and substantial delays at the border.

Abbott said Wednesday that state troopers will no longer inspect every commercial vehicle entering the country through the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge after coming to an agreement with Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda.

The two states share about nine miles of border and one port of entry, which processed about 40,000 commercial vehicles during the first two months of the year.

"I understand the concerns businesses have about trying to move products across the border," Abbott said. "But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border."

In exchange, Garcia said Nuevo Leon would agree to enhance security enforcement measures at the border.

But this agreement still leaves every other Texas-Mexico bridge subject to the inspection mandate, offering little relief to businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. So far, the additional inspections have been limited to bridges in El Paso and Laredo.

Abbott said he wants to work with governors of the three other Mexican states bordering Texas  Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Chihuahua  to come to similar agreements, noting that those conversations are slated to start Thursday.

"Until, however, those agreements are reached with those states, the Texas Department of Public Safety will continue to thoroughly inspect vehicles entering the United States from every Mexican state except Nuevo Leon," he said.

A long line of trucks sits stalled at the Zaragoza International Bridge from Ciudad Juarez to El Paso on Tuesday.

More: Texas inspections of cross-border commercial traffic choke international trade

Clogged bridges at Texas-Mexico border clogs traffic, might hamper economy

On April 6, Abbott imposed the extra inspection requirements for commercial vehicles, directing the DPS to inspect every incoming truck after it clears federal customs checkpoints and drives onto Texas soil.

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The result has been hourslong delays at key bridges connecting both countries and massive disruptions to the manufacturing supply chain, which could soon be felt by U.S. factories, consumers and the Texas economy.

"Border bridges have become clogged because of a policy by Texas to thoroughly inspect vehicles coming from Mexico," Abbott said at Wednesday's event.

It is unclear whether the inspections are bolstering immigration or drug enforcement, however. When he first issued the order, Abbott said DPS troopers will be conducting the same inspections on commercial vehicles at the border that they conduct on other state roads.

During those reviews, troopers typically identify possible safety issues with a vehicle such as faulty brakes and defective tires. They also check whether drivers are in compliance with state and federal laws, including whether they have the appropriate license to operate their vehicle and whether they have violations of hours-of-service requirements limiting how many consecutive hours they can spend behind the wheel.

Abbott said the inspections conducted so far found that almost 25% of vehicles entering Texas from Mexico "were unsafe for Texas roads and were removed from service."

More: First bus of migrants arrives in Washington from the Texas-Mexico border

But John Esparza, president of the Texas Trucking Association, said the state inspections are duplicative of efforts already underway at the border. Rather than improving safety, he said they are resulting in significant congestion and worsening existing supply chain issues.

The current situation on the border simply cannot be sustained, Esparza said in a statement. As delays increase at the border, deliveries are postponed or canceled, perishable goods spoil, and grocery and retail store shelves begin to empty. Exports in Texas also await empty trucks on the Mexican side of the border and the lost revenue due to these delays will be felt by consumers as the price of goods increase across the country.

Tensions have continued to rise since the directive was implemented. On Tuesday, hundreds of truckers began blocking traffic across the Zaragoza International Bridge in protest of Abbott's policy and extremely long wait-times. Truckers typically wait two or three hours to cross the bridge into El Paso from Juarez, but this week the lines have lasted for 10-plus hours.

More: Long border wait times persist as Abbott pressures Mexican states to increase immigration enforcement

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's truck inspection mandate called 'unnecessary inspections'

The delays have resulted in a 60% drop in commercial traffic at the border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protections. The agency said the delays are a direct result of "additional and unnecessary inspections being conducted" at Abbott's request.

Abbott said his order was a direct response to the Biden administrations decision to end Title 42, a Trump-era coronavirus policy that allowed the federal government to expel asylum-seekers before they were given the opportunity to make a case for staying in the country legally.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that Abbotts inspections are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains" nationwide.

The continuous flow of legitimate trade and travel and CBPs ability to do its job should not be obstructed, she said in a statement. Gov. Abbotts actions are impacting peoples jobs, and the livelihoods of hardworking American families.

More: Operation Lone Star needs another $531 million, National Guard leader tells lawmakers

Abbott also faced calls to end the effort from the governors of Tamaulipas and Coahuila.

Tamaulipas Gov. Francisco Garcia Cabeza de Vaca and Coahuila Gov. Miguel Angel Riquelme Solis sent a letter to Abbott on Tuesday, urging him to reconsider the state inspection requirements that they say are creating havoc and economic pain on both sides of the border.

Unfortunately, political points have never been a good recipe to address common challenges or threats, the letter reads. However, taking advantage of collaborative opportunities to address issues is the best way to solve problems. What we have today is a no-win situation for anyone.

Esta tarde, junto al Gobernador de #Coahuila, @mrikelme, enviamos una carta a nuestro homologo de #Texas, @GregAbbott_TX, solicitando respetuosamente que reconsidere las politicas de inspeccion de vehiculos de carga implementadas en los puertos fronterizos de su estado. pic.twitter.com/iIdKN1wKHR  Fco. Cabeza de Vaca (@fgcabezadevaca) April 13, 2022

The leaders expressed concern about high logistics costs and environmental damage associated with the delays at the border.

Trade security between Mexico and the United States is national security for both countries and we realize that there are serious issues that must be addressed, and we think it is important we all come to the table, they wrote. We must find another way than blocking international commerce.

Gov. Greg Abbott

Abbott said he was prepared to hear from government officials in Mexico, noting that "it is a very high price to pay with regard to what is going on on the border."

"Sometimes it just takes action like that to spur sitting down and working things out," he said.

Data reporter Caroline Ghisolfi contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott eases border inspection requirement
A gunman opened fire at six people in a moving car on Sheridan Street in Pembroke Pines, and detectives want tips on who the shooter is, police say.

The bullets were fired around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday along the roadway of 7800 Sheridan Street, near the border with Hollywood, according to Pembroke Pines police. Memorial Hospital Pembroke is in the area.

Police say the group had left Davie and were driving through Pembroke Pines when someone in another car shot at them. The shooter then drove off.

Our agency is investigating a shooting which occurred last night along the roadway of 7800 Sheridan Street. Six victims in total are involved & at least one suspect. One victim received minor injuries during the incident & additional property damage occurred in Hollywood. 1/ pic.twitter.com/jHG5RlyFI9  Pembroke Pines PD (@PPinesPD) April 13, 2022

One of the people was grazed by a bullet, police said. No one else was injured. The gunfire also struck two homes (one that is abandoned) and a vehicle in Hollywood, police said.

Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is asked to call police at 954-431-2200.
In April 2014, the FBI  complete with a command vehicle, tents, ATVs and squad cars  surrounded the home of a popular community member on his Rush County farm. TV helicopters flew above the scene, which was about 35 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

Don Miller, who was 91 at the time, had stored on his property thousands of cultural artifacts  a collection that stunned even scholars  from Native Americans and countries around the world. So the FBI's Art Crime Team, which deals with cultural property crime, was deployed to rural Indiana.

The FBI repatriated 361 Chinese cultural artifacts to China on Thursday at the Eiteljorg Museum. It was the biggest return of items of this type from the U.S. to China, according to the FBI.

Here's what we know about the case, which blew up the international news.

Who was Don Miller?

Most news accounts of Miller's life mark his biggest adventures beginning when he joined the Army Reserve after growing up in Rush County. While stationed in New Mexico, he said he helped work on the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb during World War II.

Don Miller was at an orphanage in Fedja, Haiti, in this undated photo. His church, Moscow Christian Church in Moscow, Indiana, helped to sponsor a missionary effort in Haiti that supported the construction of churches that are also used as schools and helped sponsor the orphanage.

According to IndyStar archives, Miller had pictures of himself outside a bunker before the first atomic explosion in 1945 in Los Alamos.

Miller worked for three decades at the Naval Avionics Center in Indianapolis. A former co-worker of his told IndyStar in 2014 that Miller used much of his vacation time to go on archaeological digs. He also was a philanthropist in his community and, with his wife, Sue Miller, participated in decades of Christian missionary work in places such as Haiti and Colombia.

Don Miller died at age 91 in March 2015, nearly a year after the FBI came to his home. He did not face charges in connection with his collection at the time of his death. Since then, the FBI has not made any charges or arrests in connection with his collection, according to Tim Carpenter, the FBI's Art Crime Team Supervisory Special Agent.

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Carpenter told IndyStar at the repatriation ceremony that he hesitated to be specific on why Miller wasn't charged.

"Mr. Miller passed away before our investigation was complete," he said. "We want to note that Mr. Miller was cooperative with the FBI. He cooperated with us from the outset."

Carpenter did not comment on whether anyone in connection with Miller's collection would be charged in the future. He said parts of the investigation are still ongoing.

Miller's wife Sandra Hawkins, sister-in-law, five nephews and two nieces survived him, according to his obituary. Sue Miller died before her husband.

Reporting this story took time. Support reporters who bring you news that matters.

What artifacts did he have?

According to the FBI, agents found about 42,000 items, half of which were Native American and the other half of which were from countries around the world. The items included pre-Columbian pottery, an Italian mosaic and, shockingly, enough human remains that would make around 500 people. The bones mostly came from ancient Native American burial sites.

THhe latest: FBI seeking owners of seized artifacts, bones

IndyStar archives note China, Russia and New Guinea as places where the artifacts were from. The size of Miller's holdings stunned those working on the project. The FBI took more than 7,000 of the artifacts that it found to violate state, federal and international treaties.

I have never seen a collection like this in my life except in some of the largest museums, Larry Zimmerman, a professor of anthropology and museum studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, told IndyStar when the story broke in 2014.

Don Miller, pictured in red, stood at a new church construction in Haiti during one of his mission trips in this undated photo.

Miller was happy to show his artifacts to those who were interested, and he welcomed visitors by playing a 1927 Wurlitzer pipe organ. He agreed to interviews for a series of stories by Elizabeth Dykes, who in the 2000s was a reporter for the Rushville Republican.

Dykes said she saw a Nazi helmet and shrunken head as part of his collection. Other visitor accounts included seeing Ming Dynasty jade and a 60-foot anaconda skin.

In the summer of 2014, Miller loaned arrowheads, pottery and tools to the Shelby County Historical Society's Grover Museum. The exhibit had been in the works before the FBI investigation, according to an Associated Press story at the time.

Some of the items Miller owned were showcased in a 1998 IndyStar article about his collection. It mentioned two dinosaur eggs thought to be laid in China, a dugout canoe Miller said a South American indigenous man made him, a wooden cowbell from Tibet and arrowheads from the American West.

Lit-up glass cases in the basement were full of other labeled artifacts, according to the story.

How did Miller get the artifacts?

"We will not comment specifically, but have stated publicly that he obtained pieces illegally or improperly," said Carpenter in an email sent to IndyStar.

It might be a case where the stories about the items come out as they are repatriated. The U.S. Embassy in Canada, for example, tweeted in October about two mammoth tusks that were returned to the country. It stated that Miller acquired them during a trip in 1960 to Calgary and the Yukon border with Alaska and then took them to Indiana.

How did he get them across national borders?

Carpenter hesitated to answer how Miller moved the treasures from other countries to his Indiana property. But he said previous restrictions weren't as stringent as they are now.

"If you're talking about moving objects into the United States maybe back in the '50s or the '60s or the '70s, it may have been a little easier to just drive the stuff across the border through customs," Carpenter said.

Customs has "a lot of threats that they have to deal with and maybe they're not specifically trained or sufficiently trained to look for cultural property. They're busy looking for guns and drugs and weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Where did Miller keep the collection?

Some were stored in two residences, one of which he lived in and the other of which was unoccupied, according to IndyStar archives. The rest were spread among outbuildings on his farm in Waldron.

At the time of the raid, Robert A. Jones, the special agent in charge of Indianapolis' FBI office, said Miller had tried to preserve the items but his efforts weren't at the level of museum standards, according to archives.

How did the FBI find out?

The bureau received a tip in 2013 that Miller had human remains, according to the FBI. In 2014, Special Agent Drew Northern said the FBI had been "in contact with Miller for several months" and that the bureau reached out to Miller first, according to IndyStar archives.

In an email to IndyStar, the FBI said Miller took the pieces "illegally or improperly." Carpenter said in the release that the Rush County man cooperated with the bureau as they seized artifacts that were wrongly acquired.

The Rushville Republican stated that the FBI said Miller may have "knowingly and unknowingly collected artifacts, relics and objects of cultural patrimony, in violation of several treaties along with Federal and State statutes."

Which artifacts were illegal for him to have?

The laws on collecting and removing cultural artifacts are complicated.

"Even just figuring out which ones are illegally possessed in the United States is an enormous task when he's purchased them over so many years, so you can see why this is such a difficult problem to solve," David B. Smith, a Virginia attorney with knowledge about asset forfeiture, told IndyStar in 2015.

Smith said that each artifact must be considered separately. Date of purchase, trade law at that time, the country's law and cultural importance must be taken into account.

What is the FBI doing with them?

Before Thursday's ceremony, the FBI had repatriated artifacts to American Indian tribes, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Spain, Cambodia and Iraq, among others, Carpenter told IndyStar. That accounts for about 15 percent of what the FBI seized, according to the release.

The bureau is looking for the items' proper owners, and to that end has set up what it calls an invitation-only website. Through that portal, it will receive more information from other countries' governments and Native American tribes.

The bureau has asked them to inquire if artifacts belong to them by emailing artifacts@fbi.gov.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Don Miller's Indiana farm and FBI seizure of artifacts: What happened
Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, left, speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Kremlin, Ukrainian politican, was arrested on Tuesday.

The millionaire tycoon and politican has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

If Russia had taken Kyiv, many experts believe Medvedchuk would've been installed as the new leader.

On Tuesday President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Viktor Medvedchuk  a pro-Putin, Ukrainian politician and millionaire tycoon  was arrested after escaping house arrest earlier this year.

Medvedchuk is not a likely household name outside of the region, but his longtime influence in Ukrainian and Russian politics has made him a key player in the current conflict, as well as a rare member of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.

Over the last three decades, Medvedchuk has utilized his close relationship with Putin  who is godfather to Medvedchuk's youngest daughter  to install himself as one of Ukraine's most powerful backroom politicians, as well as one of its richest, with an estimated worth of $620 million.

Once nicknamed the "Gray Cardinal" due to his incomparable power and inconspicuous demeanor within Ukraine's political system, Medvedchuk in recent years has been granted a new moniker by his critics: The Prince of Darkness.

A close relationship with Putin

Putin and Medvedchuk's longstanding friendship dates back to 2003, when Alexander Voloshin, who was then serving as head of the Kremlin administration, introduced the two, according to a 2018 Independent profile on Medvedchuk. The two men quickly discovered that they shared "close worldviews," with a notable distinction.

"Putin thinks we are one nation, but I think it's not one nation, but two Slavic nations, with intertwined histories, religion," Medvedchuk told the outlet of Ukraine and Russia. "I tell him this all the time. I don't think it's one nation. You simply can't say this."

Putin has frequently and falsely insisted that Ukraine is not a sovereign nation, but a historical and cultural part of Russia. Experts have said Putin's obsession with subordinating Ukrainians was a factor in his decision to invade the country earlier this year.

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But this point of disagreement did not keep the two men from growing closer. Medvedchuk has visited Putin at home in Moscow and Sochi and joined the Russian president to watch Formula One races and combat Sambo tournaments, according to The Washington Post.

Mikhail Zygar, a Russian journalist and author of "All the Kremlin's Men" wrote in his book that Putin believed no question involving Ukraine could be dealt with without Medvedchuk.

Medvedchuk, for his part, told the Independent that it would be a "sin" for him not to use his close relationship with Putin in Ukrainian political dealings  a mindset that helped bolster Medvedchuk's influence and standing within both Russian and Ukrainian politics.

A necessary emissary

In the aftermath of Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, the US government sanctioned Medvedchuk, accusing him of contributing to the conflict in Ukraine, and undermining democratic processes and institutions within his own country.

In a 2016 interview with Radio Free Europe, Medvedchuk said that Crimea is legally a part of Ukraine, but "de facto, unfortunately, it belongs to Russia." He added that the land was unlikely to be returned to Ukraine, accusing the Ukrainian government of alienating its residents to the point that they accepted Russian control.

As tensions erupted in eastern Ukraine with Moscow-backed separatists following the annexation, Medvedchuk styled himself as a necessary emissary between Ukrainian and Russian officials, passing messages between the two countries and assisting in prisoner negotiations, according to The Post.

Medvedchuk was not shy about touting his political importance, telling the Independent that he was passionate about prisoner negotiations because he wanted "people to be home with their families."

"I know I'm the only one who can do it," he told the outlet in 2018. "Others tried and failed."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest associates, Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, left, speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 18, 2019. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Leader of a pro-Kremlin political party

In November 2018, Medvedchuk highlighted his role as a singularly influential power broker between Ukraine and Russia to get himself elected chairman of the Ukrainian political party For Life which would later merge into the Opposition Platform - For Life political party.

Medvedchuk has rejected claims that the party is pro-Russian, despite a platform that undeniably advocates for closer ties to Moscow and frequently echoes Kremlin propaganda.

As Insider previously reported, Medvedchuk was thought to be Russia's top choice as a replacement for Zelenskyy as the Kremlin's puppet leader in Ukraine following the invasion. If Russia had taken Kyiv, many experts believe Medvedchuk would've been installed as the new leader.

But Medvedchek's role as a Ukrainian-Russian broker was cut short in 2019 when Zelenskyy won the presidency.

In February 2021, Medvedchuk's assets were frozen after Zelenskyy signed a decree accusing the politician of financing terrorism by channeling money from a Russia-based refinery to separatists in the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine  allegations which Medvedchuk denied.

Three months later, prosecutors accused Medvedchuk and a fellow opposition lawmaker of high treason and placed Medvedchuk under house arrest. The Kremlin decried the move, calling the arrest a "witch hunt."

Viktor Medvedchuk was arrested and accused of treason on Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram

Escape and arrest

Just days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in late February, Ukrainian officials said Medvedchuk had escaped from house arrest.

A lawyer for Medvedchuk told Reuters that his client had been forced to move locations because of threats from nationalist groups amid the conflict.

But on Tuesday, Ukrainian security services confirmed that they had arrested Medvedchuk hours after Zelenskyy posted a photo of a haggard-looking, handcuffed Medvedchuk on Telegram.

"You can be a pro-Russian politician and work for the aggressor state for years. You may have been hiding from justice lately. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform for camouflage," the security services said in a post.

"But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! Shackles are waiting for you and same goes for traitors to Ukraine like you," the post said.

The security services post cited Ivan Bakanov, head of the secret services with saying that his operatives conducted a "lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation" to secure Medvedchuk's arrest, Reuters reported.

The move comes after Zelenskyy in March said the Opposition Platform - For Life, as well as some other smaller Russian-linked political parties in Ukraine, had been suspended in Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LAKEWOOD, OH Lakewood Mayor Meghan George delivered the State of the City address Tuesday night at the new Cove Community Center.

George was sworn in as Mayor of Lakewood on January 1, 2020, though this was her first in-person State of the City address due to the pandemic.

Here are some of the highlights:

On former Mayor Madeline Cain, who passed away on April 4:

"For those of you who knew her, you would remember her warm smile and her sound character. Madeline had a lifetime of public service. As mayor, she remained steadfast in her commitment to human services and was successful in expanding those services that will be provided here today in the new Cove Community Center. Thank you Madeline for leading the way. "

On the new Cove Community Center:

"Taking on such a large-scale project in the midst of a pandemic has been a huge undertaking. But we knew the importance of this building and the services provided by Human Services, and are proud of this beautiful space. We are excited to have this facility open and to start serving the community of Lakewood."

On the state of the city of Lakewood:

"I'm happy to report that our city is healthy, strong and our future is bright. Lakewood is truly a special place. It's a community where all are welcome and all can find a home. Our city celebrates diversity and offers an opportunity for families and people from all walks of life to experience a high quality of life in an affordable manner. This is one of the things that makes Lakewood different, it is part of our city's values and character. Lakewood is a place for everyone and we want to keep it a place for everyone."

"We are very fortunate to have so many inviting parks and other community assets that contribute to make Lakewood welcoming for all. Today, we are excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of another important public asset for Lakewood (the Cove Community Center)."

On using federal relief dollars during the early months of the pandemic:

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"Even though we were dealing with challenges that no one else had seen prior, we knew everyone else was facing the same uncertainty and hardships and we saw how our community pulled together as one to get through the worst parts of the pandemic."

"One thing that the pandemic did provide our city was a unique opportunity to leverage federal relief dollars to address key municipal challenges that included using funds for immediate emergency needs through our programs for residential rent relief, small business assistance and homelessness prevention. Those (Lakewood) programs acted rapidly to get dollars into the hands of the people who needed them most, and did so faster than almost any other community in our state."

"Lakewood leveraged our relief funds to keep 227 small businesses open and over 1400 residents in their homes. Can you imagine how different Detroit Avenue or Madison Avenue would look without those 227 businesses?"

On Using American Rescue Plan Act funds:

"Lakewood rightly takes pride in our historic character, but having a historic community also means that key parts of our municipal infrastructure are very old and in serious need of major upgrades."



"By leveraging a large portion of the ARPA dollars to address those infrastructure costs, we have been able to reduce previously approved rate increases. This puts real dollars back in the hands of every ratepayer, now and in future years. The savings we will accrue by making this move add up over time and will allow us to keep our services strong, our bond ratings high and our community affordable for people from all walks of life."



On crime and safety:

"Lakewood is fortunate in how safe that we are. Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck recently released the police department's annual report. Although the national trend on crime is increasing dramatically, the report shows that crime in Lakewood is either flat or falling compared with five years ago.

"My administration's approach to crime is strategic. We provide our officers with the tools and equipment they need to play their part in keeping Lakewood safe. Over the past year, that meant new tools, equipment and vehicles, as well as 40 new specialized cameras that our officers use to track crime."

"However, we must also have an appropriate response to incidents, which includes: prevention, fund and support effective youth programming and prevention strategies, invest in recreation assets such as our pools and recreational facilities."

"Enforcement: (We must also) continue to support robust community policing strategies, continue our investments in crisis intervention training and continue investments into technology to help solve crimes."

"Partnership and advocacy: The city cannot address these issues alone. We need to continue working with state legislators on policies that will reduce the ability for criminals to obtain guns."

"Community Accountability: We will continue to work with community partners to ensure that our parks and public spaces remain active."

"We need to continue to work with police and the Anti-Racism Task Force on appropriate responses that include everyone."

On recent and future developments within the city:

"This year we will break ground on major improvements to Foster Pool that will make one of Lakewood's most used and cherished public facilities better than ever. Recently, we've made significant investments to Madison Park, Clifton Prado Park, Wagar Park and Kauffman Park. We've completed safety improvements Detroit/Sloane intersection."

"We are currently working with Cuyahoga County, the city of Rocky River and the Cleveland Metroparks on how to improve the pedestrian connections between our two communities, including to repurpose excess traffic lanes on the Lake Clifton Bridge to create a scenic overlook. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it's how essential having many high quality, outdoor recreation spaces and parks are to a healthy community."

"With that in mind, we are currently exploring two potentially transformative projects that would add public access along our greatest natural asset, Lake Erie. The first is a planning process to determine whether we can add a public pier, to provide better direct access to the lake. The second is an effort with Cuyahoga County to assess the feasibility of adding a multi-use trail with a focus on the area in front of the Gold Coast neighborhood."

"With both projects in the early stages, they are very promising and my administration will make every effort to vet them and explore creative ways that we or other partners might finance their design and implementation."

This article originally appeared on the Lakewood Patch
All HSBC branches will provide victims of domestic abuse with a safe space (HSBC)

HSBC has pledged to provide people experiencing domestic abuse with access to a safe space within every UK branch.

Each HSBC branch will provide an area for people to phone a helpline, contact a support service, or speak to a friend or family member.

The move is part of domestic abuse charity Hestias UK Says No More campaign, which was initially launched in pharmacies and aims to increase the availability of specialist support for victims of domestic abuse.

Some 4,000 HSBC employees have received specialist training as part of the scheme.

It comes after figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that in the year ending March 2021, the number of police reports made in relation to domestic abuse in England and Wales had increased by six per cent compared to the year before.

In that year, 613,929 incidents were reported, up from 581,659 incidents in the year ending March 2020.

The ONS said that the change marked an end to the trend of consecutive annual decreases seen in recent years.

When broken down month by month, the data showed that the percentage of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by police in England and Wales were largest in the months corresponding with the strictest Covid lockdown restrictions.

The UK Says No More campaign was first launched by Hestia in 2016, in an effort to provide open-source tools and resources for individuals and organisations to take action against domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Jackie Uhi, head of branch network at the bank, said: HSBC UK is proud to play a significant role in breaking the silence around domestic abuse.

By providing a safe space in each of our branches, located at the heart of local communities, HSBC UK will help Hestia reach victims of domestic abuse, ensuring they get the specialist help and advice they need.

Patrick Ryan, chief executive of Hestia, added: We want to ensure that anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse has access to specialist help and advice and that they have the opportunity to build a life beyond the crisis.

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By working with HSBC UK it allows us to widen our support network for victims to over 6,000 safe spaces.

We hope many more businesses will follow HSBC UKs lead and support this scheme.

Minister for safeguarding, Rachel Maclean, said it was essential for victims and survivors of domestic abuse to have access to support and advice.

HSBC UKs commitment through the Safe Spaces initiative aligns with the governments Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan which aims to achieve a stronger and more effective system across society to tackle these awful crimes, she added.

The fact that victims and survivors will be able to access a safe space at their local HSBC UK branch to safely call a helpline, support service or loved one will prove invaluable in helping to achieve this goal.

Additional reporting by PA
South African rangers were on a hunt Wednesday for crocodiles that went missing from breeding ponds after heavy rains swamped a crocodile farm, a conservancy said Wednesday.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, a conservation centre put out an alert on Twitter warning that 12 crocodiles were washed away from the Crocodile Creek Farm in an area called Tongaat.

Seven "crocodiles have been recaptured and we are currently looking for the outstanding five," the conservancy said on Twitter.

The heaviest rains in 60 years lashed Durban's municipality and surrounding area this week killing nearly 260 people.

sn/gw
Hyundai will manufacture EVs in the US starting in December this year with the electrified Genesis GV70 crossover model, the company announced at the NY Automotive Forum in a video seen by Automotive News. It's part of a grand plan to invest $7.4 billion in the US by 2025 to develop a family of EVs and smart mobility technology.

Hyundai will start electrified production at its Montgomery, Alabama plant in October with the Santa Fe Hybrid, the company announced at a ceremony with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. It'll invest $300 million to start with, creating 200 new jobs at the plant (its only manufacturing facility in the US). The company currently builds the Elantra sedan, Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs and Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle on the Montgomery assembly line.

Hyundai will begin manufacturing the Genesis GV70 EV in the US later this year

The Genesis GV70 EV was quietly revealed late last year at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China. The company has yet to announce US specs, which may be why it didn't mention the GV70 EV at all in its press release. However, the Korean version will come with an 800 volt charging system and 77.4 kWh battery good for about 400 km (247 miles) of range according to the Korean testing cycle.

It also features two electric motors that produce 482 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, considerably more than the ICE version of the GV70. According to photos, the luxury and tech-adorned interior will be similar to the one on the current gas-powered GV70.

It's taken Hyundai awhile to establish US EV production dates, and follows recent, similar announcements by Toyota and Volkswagen. All three companies, which operate non-union plants in the US, opposed the Biden administration's plan to provide extra tax incentives to unionized automakers. At the same time, Hyundai's unionized workers in Korea want the company to boost domestic EV production rather than investing abroad. It has to balance all that with US vehicle import tariffs, set at 2.5 percent for cars and 25 percent for pickups and SUVs.
Chicago police Officers Donald Smith, left, and Tyrone Newell keep watch as commuters safely board and exit their trains at the CTA Red Line State/Lake subway station on April 12, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

A month after police and CTA officials announced increased security on the citys transit system, a series of attacks highlight the challenges city officials face in tackling transit crime.

In just over one week, at least five attacks that put people in the hospital were reported on or near the CTA, including a fight that led to a beating and stabbing outside of the Roosevelt train station downtown and a shooting on a bus in Lawndale, according to Chicago police. Police also reported another attack on a CTA train platform last week, but CTA said an initial review of video did not show the person who said he was attacked to have been on nearby trains or at the station.

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The attacks come as CTA is grappling with spikes in violent crime and complaints that more riders are breaking rules that prohibit smoking, drinking and other nuisance behavior on trains and buses. Police and CTA officials on March 9 announced plans to address crime and rule-breaking, saying they would be doubling the number of unarmed security guards and adding more police officers and supervisors to patrol the transit system, including on the busy Red and Blue lines, with a focus on gang and narcotics crimes.

CTA is not the only transit system where officials are looking to crack down on crime. In New York, Mayor Eric Adams has made cracking down on crime, especially on subways, a focus of his early administration. Tuesday on the subway in Brooklyn, a gunman in a gas mask and construction vest set off a smoke grenade and shot at least 10 people. At least a dozen others were treated at hospitals for smoke inhalation and other conditions, according to hospitals.

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In Chicago, the additional police were deployed the day after the early March announcement, police spokesman Tom Ahern said. The unarmed security guards are in the process of undergoing training and being sent out, CTA said. In recent weeks, the number of guards on the system has increased from about 150 per day to an average of 210 per day.

Commuters leave and board trains at the State/Lake CTA Red Line station on April 12, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Its too soon to tell if the strategy is working, but it ultimately could under certain conditions, said John Eck, a professor at the University of Cincinnati who studies policing and crime prevention. Transit advocates and union officials called for other options, including rider input and a return of transit police and conductors.

Violent crime was comparable in the weeks immediately before and after the announcement of increased police and security, a Tribune analysis of Chicago police data shows. In the three weeks before, 42 violent crimes including robberies and more aggressive assaults and batteries were reported to Chicago Police, compared with 48 after.

The data doesnt include the attacks in the first weeks of April. On April 4, the operator of a Red Line train was pushed onto the tracks after he was called away from the train at the Granville stop on the North Side by a person who said they needed help retrieving a phone from the tracks. He was taken to the hospital due to feeling soreness throughout the body, police said.

The next night, a man was taken to the hospital after he was beaten at the State/Lake station on the Red Line.

Friday evening at the Roosevelt station downtown, a group got into a fight on the mezzanine that spilled out onto the street, where a man was beaten and stabbed in the chest, police said. Five juveniles, ages 12 to 17, were charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and cited for trespassing on CTA property, and one was also issued a weapons citation, police said.

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Early Sunday, a 31-year-old man got into a verbal fight with another man on a bus northbound on Pulaski Road in Lawndale. The driver heard multiple shots then stopped, and a man ran off the bus. The 31-year-old was shot once in the right leg, and taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

Tuesday, a 40-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he was stabbed near the Chicago Red Line station, according to police. A witness told police the man was on a Red Line train around 11:45 a.m. when he got into an argument with someone that turned physical, and the man was stabbed in the abdomen.

Police said a man reported another attack April 6 at the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station. He said he was approached by three people who demanded his property, then stabbed in the arm. The CTA said it was reviewing security camera footage and had not found any evidence of an attack on CTA property or that the man who said he was stabbed was at the station or on a train.

Asked about CTA crime at a news conference Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the additional police presence was starting to see dividends and highlighted the private security.

We would ask, and I think it is happening, that riders, when they see something, to say something and report any kind of criminal activity, she said. We literally can have zero tolerance for any kind of criminal activity on the CTA, and will be very aggressive in enforcing that, as we have been.

Chicago police Officers Donald Smith, foreground, and Tyrone Newell head to the platform on patrol at the State/Lake CTA Red Line station on April 12, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

CTA officials said in a statement they were working with Chicago police during the investigations, and regularly work with police to strategically deploy guards and officers based on trends. They said the system is carrying about 800,000 passengers a day, and incidents of crime compared with the number of riders remain low.

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Our approach to addressing safety and security on the system is adaptive, so what were doing right now is looking at the information we have, looking into the cases that have been reported, identifying opportunities where we can adjust the deployment of resources, and this is the case throughout the year, CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said. We know that these will be effective measures, were just adapting and trying to put the resources in the right places.

How effective police will be in deterring crime depends on how targeted the strategy is, Eck said. When concentrated at certain times and specific places  for example a few train stops on one line  a flood of police is likely to be more effective, he said. Spread across a wide area, such as an entire transit system, success is less likely.

When police are able to block someone from committing a crime, the person is generally more likely not to commit the crime at all than to try to go somewhere else to commit it, Eck said. So concentrating police at the places where someone is most likely to try to commit the crime in the first place could be effective.

There is reason to believe that this could help, he said. Its not an inevitable circumstance.

But the heads of the unions representing bus and train operators and other employees called for other measures.

One of those was the return of train conductors, said Eric Dixon, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, who also said he was a former conductor. He appreciated the additional police, but said private security were not helpful.

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Rather, conductors could provide a second set of eyes while the operator is focused on running the train, serving as a deterrent to mayhem on the tracks or at stations and quickly radioing for help, he said.

CTA phased out conductors in the 1990s.

Its extremely hard being responsible for an eight-car train, he said. You cant see whats going on on that entire train. But at least if you have someone in the middle of that train, he can go back and see whats happening.

Dixon and Keith Hill, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, which represents bus drivers, also called for CTA to have its own police force. Transit police would know the system and the recurring problems on certain routes better than Chicago police, who are spread among many duties, Hill said.

Hill called for stiffer jail time for people who assault operators or passengers.

All were asking for is to be safe while we work, he said.

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A CTA Orange Line train passes above as Chicago Transit Authority workers march in the Loop to bring awareness to assaults on bus and rail operators on Dec. 11, 2021. CTA employees and labor union representatives called for increased policing on bus and rail systems, in addition to stronger prosecution of offenders. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

The transportation advocacy organization Active Transportation Alliance called for a different approach altogether. Rather than private security guards contracted by CTA, transit ambassadors who are full-time employees with ongoing training in de-escalation could help those experiencing challenges on public transit and be a resource for riders with simple questions, spokesman Kyle Whitehead said.

Theres a level of planning and resources that goes into a transit ambassador program that is different than hiring a private firm to do security on trains, he said.

CTA said in the statement the guards are not intended to be a replacement for law enforcement. They are intended to educate and inform riders about CTA rules and be an extra set of eyes on public transit who can report incidents to police, the agency said.

When it comes to violent crime, Whitehead said citywide conversations about how to address crime should apply to public transit, too. Rather than CTA and city officials deciding to add police, they should solicit input from communities and riders about what would make them feel safe, Whitehead said. Police may or may not be part of that, depending on the feedback.

How can the city design a process thats inclusive and transparent? he said, So that it results in a comprehensive strategy to improve safety on transit and keep riders safe and keep operators safe.

The Associated Press contributed.

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sfreishtat@chicagotribune.com
SPRINGFIELD  A measure aimed at addressing high-profile smash-and-grabs and other organized retail crime was among the scores of bills passed during the General Assemblys final sprint toward its Saturday morning adjournment.

Its backers, among them the Illinois attorney general and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, called it one of the strongest actions in the nation to define organized retail crime while increasing prosecutors ability to hold criminals accountable.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul supported a measure that passed the Illinois General Assembly to crack down on organized retail crime.

Republicans, for the most part, voted for the bill, but several GOP lawmakers called it watered down and removed their names as cosponsors after a late amendment was filed to appease crime victims groups and civil liberties organizations.

House Bill 1091, which will still need approval from the governor to become law, defines organized retail crime in state law with the intent of reducing offenders ability to avoid prosecution.

Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs, chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said it is aimed at trying to prevent the big fish from coercing the small fish into stealing.

Senate Amendment 4 changed the focus of the bill to identify ringleaders, or managers, of organized retail crime rings, creating greater penalties for them than for the low-level individuals who steal from stores and may be victims of human trafficking.

That amendment states an individual commits retail crime and is subject to a Class 3 felony charge when, in concert with another individual or group, the person knowingly commits retail theft from one or more retailers.

Committing assault or intentionally damaging property of the retail establishment would also fall under the definition. Anyone committing a battery as part of such a crime could be charged with a Class 2 felony.

A person is guilty of being a ringleader of an organized retail crime operation if they recruit individuals, supervise finances or direct others to commit retail theft with intent to resell merchandise that exceeds $300 in value. Ringleaders can also be found guilty if merchandise is stolen while in transit from the manufacturer to the retail establishment.

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Ringleaders, or managers as they are called in the bill, would be subject to Class 2 felony charges.

After midnight in the Senate, HB 1091 passed 42-10, later passing the House 96-5 with Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons, of Urbana, and Chicago Reps. Curtis Tarver, Mary Flowers, Will Guzzardi, and Kelly Cassidy voting no.

The effort to address organized retail crime is also backed by a $5 million investment within the state budget, allowing the attorney generals office to award grants to states attorneys and law enforcement agencies that investigate and prosecute organized retail crime.

During the House floor debate, Minority Leader Jim Durkin, a Western Springs Republican who voted for the measure, said he was disappointed the bill was the best we could do.

Durkin tied his argument back to a criminal justice reform passed by Democrats in January 2021 that Republicans have repeatedly seized on to call Democrats soft on crime.

Those repeated criticisms of the criminal justice reform known as the Safety, Accountability, Fairness, Equity-Today Act, have, to a large extent, driven some of the public safety-centric proposals pushed by Democrats this year, including the retail crime measure.

Durkin focused his arguments Saturday on the SAFE-T Acts creation of a cashless bail system that does not take effect until Jan 1, 2023. Under the cash bail provision, bail bonds and conditions of bail will be replaced by a system of pretrial release to be developed by the Illinois courts based on a detainees alleged crime, their risk of not appearing for their court date, and the threat or danger they may pose to the community if released.

Exceptions from pretrial release under the new law include forcible felonies such as first-degree murder, sexual assault, arson and any other felony involving the use or threat of physical force; stalking and aggravated stalking where the defendant poses a threat to the victim if released; abuse or battery of a family member where their release poses a danger to that family member; gun crimes where the defendant poses a threat to a specific person; and cases where the defendant is considered a flight risk.

Durkin said that under the cashless bail provision of the SAFE-T act, offenders could be charged but released from custody to commit smash-and-grab thefts again.

Were not doing anything to discourage or deter the people who are destroying the River North (Chicago neighborhood), businesses on the South Side, the West Side, everywhere else in Chicago that have had to deal with this in the past year-and-a-half, Durkin said.

Durkin praised a section of the bill which requires online marketplaces to keep records on sellers, but he said Amendment 4 watered the bill down.

The legislation requires third-party sellers to verify the user's identity with a bank account number or other information to prevent stolen goods from being sold online. Third-party selling marketplaces, such as Amazon or eBay, would be required to suspend sellers who knowingly sell items that were stolen or are believed to be stolen.

The measure also allows the the state attorney general to call a statewide grand jury to prosecute organized retail crime.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul in a news release said the legislation will provide law enforcement with more tools, building on an existing Organized Retail Crime Task Force through which his office partners with law enforcement agencies to investigate organized retail crime.

Organized retail crime is committed by sophisticated criminal enterprises that harm our communities in ways that extend beyond lost revenue and stolen products, Raoul said in a news release. These complex operations rely on thrift and resale of stolen products to fund and perpetuate the cycle of violence through even more dangerous illegal activities like trafficking drugs and firearms.

Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, noted concerns during a committee hearing that removing language pertaining to the 1970 organized crime-related Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, would weaken the bill.

But Rob Karr, IRMA President, said the statewide grand jury will be more efficient and give the same powers as the RICO law but on a smaller scale.

The measure would allow prosecutors the ability to consolidate charges against an offender in one county even if a ring of smash-and-grab thefts happen across multiple counties. A statewide grand jury will have the power to investigate, indict and prosecute violations of organized retail thefts.

These are people who are stealing things and monetizing them and then using those monies to fund other illicit activities such as drugs, human trafficking, Karr said in a follow-up interview after the subject matter hearing.

Victims of organized retail theft  including retail establishments  will have a right to at least seven days notice of all court proceedings under the bill.

While Senate Amendment 4 was filed in response to civil liberties and victims rights organizations who feared that some of the lower-level individuals committing retail crime may have been forced into it as human trafficking victims, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, still opposed the final language.

She shared a story of how a police officer discouraged her mother from reporting her abusive father. She said the bill sends a message to survivors that retailers are more important than victims of domestic and gender-based violence.

If you vote yes for this bill, you are telling me, and every survivor in the state of Illinois, to pound sand, Cassidy said. You are telling me and everyone in the state of Illinois that you care more about the retailers and the businesses in your districts than the victims of a violent crime.

Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored HB 1091, said he filed HB 5748 to address the issues Cassidy brought up regarding domestic and gender-based violence. That measure would give other victims the same seven-day notice as outlined in the organized retail crime bill.

That bill was filed on Friday, April 8, and has not been considered in either chamber.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government that is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: House Bill 1091defines organized retail crime
Laura Soriano opens the thick wooden doors and invites us through. The facade, which bears the words in Spanish, Blasphemy is Prohibited, dates to the 18th century, and as we begin our tour I assume we are entering a church.

But stepping inside there are no walls. Instead, the arched doorway opens onto a street, now a dirt road, where homes, churches, a theater, dance hall, and bank stood before the Battle of Belchite in 1937. And it has sat like this for more than 80 years  a time capsule of utter wreckage and ruination.

At any time a contrast so stark and tangible  stepping from peace to war  would be disconcerting, but coming two weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine made it feel even heavier, and our tour guide was quick to draw the parallels. Just as Russian bombs had destroyed a maternity ward in Mariupol  and were later to strike a theater where Ukrainians had taken refuge  so had destruction rained down on civilians here.

Ms. Soriano points to the basement of a crumbled home. Thats where women and children sought safety, she says, the same thing happening now in Ukraine.

Belchite isnt the most well-known battle of the Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936 with a coup led by Gen. Francisco Franco. But its one of the few places in contemporary Spain where you can feel the horrors of the war, not just read about it, visit a memorial, or see it depicted in art or film. And the sites own evolution in meaning to Spain may point to a political maturation underway as societies confront their pasts and the ideologies that have torn them apart.

Tucked in the barren hills of Aragon in northeastern Spain, Belchite was initially controlled by Francos Nationalist forces, before it fell to the Republicans in August 1937 during a 14-day battle that became an international symbol of Spains divisions. It also exemplified the polarized politics of Europe in the 1930s.

Six months later, Francos forces retook Belchite.

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About 5,000 died on both sides. But Franco decided to keep Belchite in ruins instead of razing it to rebuild. It was an act of propaganda: The dictator eventually built a new town next door, while leaving the old one untouched as a constant reminder of the barbarism of his enemies.

It was not a memorial to the dead or an act of peace. At no point in the near 40 years of dictatorship did Franco have the slightest interest in what we might call reconciliation, says Paul Preston, a renowned historian of the Spanish Civil War and author of The Spanish Holocaust, among other books on the conflict.

But Francos living ruins eventually did become a symbol for peace, and for many a stark expression of the barbarism of fascism.

In the early year of Spains transition to democracy after the death of Franco in 1975, the site of Belchite slipped into obscurity, says local resident Juan Carlos Salavera Pardos, who administers a Facebook page called Belchite, Between Oblivion and Memory. Its only in recent years its emerged as an anti-war monument.

Bearing witness

Walking through the abandoned town gives a sense of bearing witness on this day as heavy storm clouds gather. Bullet holes mark the facades. At one of the standing churches, visitors must tread carefully because gaping holes from missiles have made parts of the roof unstable.

The acts of war from 80 years ago continue to mark lives here. A mass grave was uncovered last fall, and two weeks before our visit in March a bomb lodged high up into the wall of the cathedral was finally removed. All these years later, authorities discovered it had been active this whole time.

Spain has had an uncomfortable relationship with the legacy of its civil war  preferring to forget it rather than confront it. For years Belchite was an open site and anyone could roam around; many took away materials from roofs and old doorways. Growing up here, Ms. Soriano didnt learn anything at school about the battle site.

Today its open to guided tours, and Ms. Soriano tells the complex history of damage wrought by both sides. School groups often join her tours, she says, to learn about conflict resolution and empathy-building. They talk about current wars. She says they will be redesigning the curriculum to include Russias invasion of Ukraine.

David Malet, an associate professor of justice at American University who studies foreign fighters, says he sees an evolution in postwar societies. The norm used to be that killing sites were maintained to remind us of what they did, but its become common for societies to memorialize sites that remind us of what we did. He sees this transition as a sign of political maturity.

The new town of Belchite is a bustling place  a typical Spanish town where seniors pack the cafes at midmorning. But the memory of war has always been close. In a town of 1,500, almost everyone carries a story about the 14-day siege.

As Ms. Soriano recounts the names of owners of various houses and businesses in old Belchite, these are not just the names of historic figures but people her great-grandparents knew. Her grandmother, who just turned 89, was 4 years old during the Battle of Belchite. She was just asking us at lunch yesterday, How can war in Europe be happening again?

For me, says Ms. Soriano, it pains me to see what families are going through, everyone leaving their partners, their spouses. They dont know if they will live or die. They dont know where they will be going or where they will be ending up. They just know they are far from home, and they dont know if they will have a home if they return, she says. I do think we feel it closer here.

Read this story at csmonitor.com

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By Aftab Ahmed and Aditi Shah

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's plan to make six airbags mandatory in passenger vehicles will make cars more expensive and drive out a chunk of potential buyers, the chairman of Maruti Suzuki, the country's top-selling carmaker, told Reuters.

Such a move will hurt sales of small, low-cost cars and put more pressure on companies already facing high costs, R.C. Bhargava said, pushing back publicly on what the government considers a major safety initiative.

India, which has some of the world's deadliest roads, released a draft proposal in January mandating six air bags in all passenger cars manufactured from Oct. 1. The draft rules, part of a series of road safety measures, are yet to be finalised.

Sales of small cars have been declining through the pandemic and these kinds of cost increases will only mean that they will go down further, while big and expensive cars continue to grow, Bhargava said.

"This will hurt the growth of the small car market and the smaller and poorer people, who cannot afford the more expensive cars," he said.

India is the world's fifth-largest car market, with annual sales of around 3 million units a year, and is dominated by Maruti Suzuki, majority owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor, and Hyundai Motor.

In the country's price-sensitive market, the majority of cars sell for around $10,000-$15,000.

Providing driver and front passenger airbags in all cars is already mandatory. Adding another four airbags will increase the cost by 17,600 rupees ($231), according to auto market data provider JATO Dynamics.

In some cases, the cost could be higher as companies will need to make engineering changes to the car's structure to accommodate the additional airbags, said Ravi Bhatia, president for India at JATO.

"Companies will need to decide whether it is feasible to make the changes and if the model will sell at a higher price. The damage will be significant at the lower end of the market where there is huge price sensitivity," he said.

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More than 133,000 people were killed in 355,000 road accidents in India in 2020, government data showed. Car passengers accounted for 13% of deaths.

India's road transport ministry is firm on its plan and is pushing automakers to agree to the rules, two sources told Reuters.

The ministry estimates four additional airbags to cost no more than $90, but even then it is facing resistance.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has asked the ministry to "review and reconsider" the rules saying "side and curtain airbags are not mandated anywhere in the world".

In a letter to the ministry in February, the industry lobby group warned that with the cost of cars steadily rising in recent years enough time must be given for the airbags rule "to reduce risk of impact on industry growth".

Reuters has reviewed a copy of the letter which has previously not been reported.

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has told the ministry they can meet the additional demand for airbags but would need 12-18 months to ramp up local production.

The ministry, SIAM and ACMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Aftab Ahmed and Aditi Shah; Editing by Mike Harrison)
Iowa's solicitor general was arrested following an incident late Friday night at a Des Moines bar.

Jeffrey Thompson, 64, of Des Moines was charged with assault, a simple misdemeanor, in the disturbance at Blazing Saddle in the East Village. A criminal complaint accuses Thompson of swinging multiple times with a closed fist at a bouncer who was trying to escort him out of the bar.

Following the alleged assault, a judge ordered Thompson not to contact the victim. Thompson was released on $300 cash bond and pleaded not guilty on Monday. A pretrial conference was scheduled for May 3.

More: Judge says state lawyers can defend Kim Reynolds against suit from ousted administrator Foxhoven

An assault conviction carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $855.

The solicitor general is a member of the state Attorney General's Office and represents the state's interest in legal cases.

Lynn Hicks, chief of staff for Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, said Thompson informed Miller of his arrest and continues his responsibilities for the office.

"Jeff has done incredible work for our office and in service to the state," Hicks said in an email. "This is a private matter that Jeff will have to address."

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa solicitor general Jeffrey Thompson charged with assault
Several electronics companies, including iPhone and Macbook makers, have halted production in the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Kunshan, adding to supply chain woes under Beijing's strict zero-Covid measures.

The business hub of Shanghai has become the heart of China's biggest Covid-19 outbreak since the virus surfaced more than two years ago.

The city of 25 million has remained almost entirely locked down since the start of the month, while other areas have rolled out less severe restrictions to stamp out Covid flare-ups.

"Local operation in Shanghai area has been temporarily suspended in response to Covid-19 prevention measures," said Macbook maker Quanta Computer in a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

The Taiwan-based firm's expected date of resumption will be advised by authorities later, the notice said.

This came a day after iPhone assembler Pegatron announced it had temporarily suspended work as well, and was "actively cooperating with local authorities" to resume operations soon.

The suspensions apply to two of its subsidiaries, in Shanghai and nearby Kunshan city, the Taiwanese company said.

Stay-at-home orders and stringent testing rules have strained supply chains in and around Shanghai, home to the world's busiest container port and a critical gateway for foreign trade.

China reported nearly 28,000 local virus cases on Wednesday, the vast majority in Shanghai.

Many factories have been forced to halt operations as virus cases have surged, while some staff have been living in their workplaces as businesses struggle to operate.

- Logistics problems -

Pegatron and Quanta Computer's suspensions are the latest blow to Apple, which has seen disruptions at other suppliers' assembly lines in recent months as Chinese cities struggle to curb virus outbreaks.

In March, another major supplier Foxconn halted operations in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen.

Foxconn has "resumed fundamental operations" in Shenzhen as of late March, the company said.

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Consultancy group Trendforce said in a recent report that manufacturers may have just a few more weeks worth of inventories as logistics problems grow over the imposed restrictions.

Chinese authorities have struggled to maintain the flow of goods across the country as tough virus controls slow movement.

A Transport Ministry circular issued late Tuesday barred the "blocking of road transportation" vehicles and personnel, ordering more efficient Covid-19 screening along transport routes.

Anxious about the spring farming season and food supplies, officials in virus-hit areas such as the northeastern province of Jilin have also issued travel passes to let agricultural workers return to farmland on chartered buses.

"The Chinese economy has been facing a rising risk of recession since mid-March", Nomura analysts warned this week, citing severe disruptions to the delivery of exports, with coastal areas hit hard by controls to rein in the virus.

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RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli soldiers shot dead three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, one a teenager and the other a lawyer, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as troops mounted more sweeps in the territory after deadly Arab attacks in Israel.

The Health Ministry said soldiers shot and killed a 14-year-old near Bethlehem. The Israeli military said he had thrown a petrol bomb at the soldiers, who "used live ammunition in order to stop the immediate threat."

In a separate incident, a Palestinian was killed by Israeli military gunfire in Nablus, on a main street near Joseph's Tomb, the ministry said, referring to a Jewish shrine where Israel carried out repair work on Wednesday after Palestinians had vandalised it.

The ministry identified him as Mohammed Assaf, 34, a lawyer who worked for a department of the Palestine Liberation Organisation that documents and lobbies against Israeli settlement activity on land Palestinians seek for a state.

An official from the PLO anti-settlement unit said Assaf had been driving his nephews to a nearby school and had stopped on the side of the road to watch events unfold when clashes erupted at the tomb.

A military statement on West Bank operations on Wednesday said an "armed suspect" was hit near Nablus. It was unclear whether it was referring to Assaf.

Israeli troops had secured the area around the tomb while the repair work was under way. The military said hundreds of Palestinians threw stones and petrol bombs at the soldiers, who responded with live fire and riot dispersal measures.

Near Ramallah, the Palestinian Health Ministry said another Palestinian was killed in clashes that erupted after Israeli forces carried out an arrest raid. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military or police.

Footage showed dozens of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli armoured vehicles and occasional gunfire could be heard.

The Shin Bet domestic security service said three Palestinians planning to carry out an imminent attack against Israelis were apprehended in that raid. Around 20 people described as terror suspects were detained in Wednesday's operations, according to military and police statements.

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The Israeli military stepped up its raids in the West Bank following attacks by two Palestinians from the territory and three members of Israel's Arab minority which have killed 14 people in Israel since late March.

More than 20 Palestinians, many of them gunmen, have been killed by Israeli forces since January.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it held Israel "fully responsible for the repercussions" from the military's actions and a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas appealed for the international community to intervene.

Israel has accused the Palestinian Authority of not doing enough to rein in militants and of encouraging violence against Israelis by paying stipends to families of Palestinians in Israeli jails, some of them convicted of deadly attacks.

The bloodshed has coincided with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when Israeli-Palestinian violence has erupted in the past, and last May spiralled into an 11-day war between Gaza militants and Israel.

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, Writing by Jeffrey Heller, Editing by William Maclean, Howard Goller and Diane Craft)
There arent many teams that act less predictably than the New Orleans Saints when it comes to the NFL draft, but some consensus on what the Saints are planning could be building among those in the know. ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Jordan Reid recently published 2022 mock drafts keying in on New Orleans. While they disagreed on which prospect the Saints will spend their first draft pick on at No. 16 (Kiper likes Northern Iowa left tackle Trevor Penning, whereas Reid sees Mississippi State blindside blocker Charles Cross making it to New Orleans), both analysts are predicting that the Saints choose Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams at No. 19.

Its easy to like that matchup. Williams broke out in a huge way for the Crimson Tide in 2021, dominating every opponent he lined up against while facing some of the toughest coverage assignments in the nation. Hes a big-play threat on every down and would add a couple of different new dimensions to the Saints offense  once hes healthy. Williams is also recovering from ACL surgery in January and hopes to be cleared to play early as a rookie, maybe even getting some reps in training camp. And the Saints have an inside scoop on his recovery after hiring Alabamas sports science director Matt Rhea, though by now every team should have a good idea of Williams medicals.

But what do these analysts have to say about Williams fit in New Orleans? Heres what Kiper had to say about the match:

Even if Michael Thomas comes back healthy, the Saints should address wide receiver with one of their two first-round picks. Williams would have been in the discussion to be the No. 1 wideout in this class, but he tore the ACL in his left knee in the national title game in January and could miss a little time in 2022. He could be a superstar once hes healthy; he has explosive speed and was uncoverable for the Crimson Tide last season. ACL injuries arent even close to career-ending anymore, so I dont see this as a risky pick. Williams is worth it.

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And here is the view on Williams joining the Saints from Reid:

Williams would have been in contention to be the top wide receiver before he tore his ACL in the national title game in January. He has tremendous vertical speed that places stress on defenses. In need of a wide receiver, the Saints could bet on him overcoming the injury as he said at the combine that the injury will take five to seven months to overcome. Pairing Williams with Michael Thomas gives the team a dynamic outside duo.

So whats the deal here  is the Saints interest in Williams that obvious? Or is this just a coincidence? Its clear that New Orleans needs an upgrade at receiver, and while the first round is flush with options this injury to Williams could push him down to their pick at No. 19. Its probably just happenstance that both of these mock drafts from ESPN have the Saints picking Williams there, but if that helps speak it into existence you wont hear me complaining about it.

List
LONDON (Reuters) - The Royal Court of Jersey has imposed a formal freezing order on $7 billion worth of assets linked to Roman Abramovich while police have searched properties linked to the billionaire, the British Channel Island's Law Officers' Department said.

Abramovich was among several wealthy Russians added last month to British and European Union sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and governments have since been taking action to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them.

In a statement, the Law Officers' Department for the self-governing British Crown Dependency said Jersey Police had on Tuesday carried out searches of premises suspected of being connected to Abramovich's business activities.

"The Royal Court also imposed a formal freezing order on 12 April, known as a saisie judiciaire, over assets understood to be valued in excess of US$7 billion which are suspected to be connected to Mr Abramovich and which are either located in Jersey or owned by Jersey incorporated entities," it said.

The Department said it would make no further comment at this stage. No one from Jersey Police could be reached for comment.

Earlier this month, the Caribbean nation Antigua and Barbuda said it was willing to help Britain seize yachts owned by Abramovich. Superyachts linked to the businessman, together worth an estimated $1.2 billion, have also been docked in southwest Turkey.

Abramovich had sought to sell Premier League soccer club Chelsea before he was sanctioned, but that process was taken out of his hands by the British government after his finances were blacklisted.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Over the years, I have written about Stephen Wade whenever he returned to Chicago. But when talking to him a few days ago from the home he has shared for decades with his wife in a Washington, D.C. suburb, I realized that in many important ways he has never left.

Growing up in Chicago was an intoxicating experience, he said.

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Wade will soon be back home for a few days. He will be doing research at the Newberry Library for his next book, which is about American folklore. He will revisit, as he always does, some of the touchstones of his youth, some of them vanished (Maxwell Streets old market), some transformed (the Earl of Old Town is now Corcorans Grill and Bar) and some still flourishing, such as the L and the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Most conspicuously, Wade will be appearing there in concert on April 23. The show is billed as A Storytellers Story and it was to have taken place in April 2020, and then April 2021, both having been canceled due to you-know-what.

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Stephen Wade in 2011. The musician, author and storyteller hails from Chicago and returns regularly to perform. (Mary E. Yeomans photo)

The full title of the show is A Storytellers Story: Sources of Banjo Dancing and its title is taken from the title of Sherwood Andersons 1924 autobiographical memoir. It should jog some pleasant and exciting memories because it is meant to mark  delayed as it has been  the 40th anniversary of the show that launched Wades career.

Some of you likely remember it, if perhaps unable to recall its full title, Banjo Dancing, or the 48th Annual Squitters Mountain Song, Dance, Folklore Convention & Banjo Contest and How I Lost. It was the one-man show that premiered in 1979 in a small space at the Body Politic Theatre. The Tribunes theater critic, the late Richard Christiansen, wrote that it was an extraordinary performance  sheer inspiration, calling Wade a genuine original and a terrific discovery  such a giving performer, so happy in his art and so invigorating in his presentation.

The show became a phenomenon, moving to the Apollo Theater here and later to Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., where it was greeted by this, from David Richards, a critic for The Washington Post: Among the enduring Washington institutions  the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the inaugural parade  it will soon be necessary to include Stephen Wade.

That rave and the shows intrinsic joys  music, songs, stories, clog dancing  turned what was to have been a three-week engagement into a 10-year stay, with Wade giving more than 2,100 performances for some 350,000 audience members.

He would keep creating. There would be more performances, notably of a long-running show called On the Way Home, CDs and a lot of writing. There was the 2012 book The Beautiful Music All Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience (University of Illinois Press). He had spent 18 years working on the book, which tells of 13 performances that were part of Library of Congress field recordings, the stories behind the music and the people who made it. I wrote when it was published that these stories are compelling, moving and revelatory. In playing the part of investigative reporter and sensitive listener  and writing in graceful style  Wade gives new and vivid life to long-gone performers and their singular songs.

Then came the CD Across the Amerikee: Showpieces from Coal Camp to Cattle Trail, filled with solo and display music, loosely defined as music created for listening rather than for dancing or other activities.

Stephen Wade with his banjo in May, 1979 in Chicago. (Earl Gustie / Chicago Tribune)

In many ways, the past is always present in Wades life and work, and no more so than in his most recent album, A Storytellers Story: Sources of Banjo Dancing, which is the basis for his Old Town School show. The CD has 20 delightful tracks and is accompanied by a 44-page booklet. In it, Wade writes of the morning before his first public performance of Banjo Dancing, on May 15, 1979, Despite the passage of 40 years since that debut, certain memories remain. That morning I listened to Bill Monroes Bluegrass Instrumentals album. His rusty-throated mandolin scraping with fearless assertion, his accompanists restating his tunes with intricacy and resonance, filled a reservoir with inspiration that I knew I would soon require. I wanted those sounds welling in my mind.

He goes on: This album looks back on a set of influences and experiences  musical, narrative and historical  long before set in motion and shared by many that led to that date I remember vividly still. Banjo Dancing came from an unlikely group of writers, musicians, actors and orators.

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I have known this performer since we were teenagers, and he remembers moments of our shared youth that have escaped my memory but remain vividly in his. He has ever been and remains, even talking on the telephone, remarkable friendly and self-effacing.

He has ever been shadowed by the past and its people, many of them now ghosts. In the booklet with his new CD is a wonderful 1975 photo, described by Wade as one of John Prine, Steve Goodman, Harry Waller and me in Toronto at the Mariposa Folk Festival  a particular trip marked a busmans holiday for Goodman and Prine, who brought me there, housed me, introduced me around, got me on stage and literally picked up the phone a few days later to obtain work on my behalf. This selfless intercession led to my finding a career beyond Chicago and launched a process that four years later culminated in Banjo Dancing.

That photo will be part of the upcoming show, one of many photo slides that, Wade says, will suggest certain songs, very historical and personal, with a focus on Chicago, on the Old Town School, and my predecessors.

The Old Town School of Wades youth was located on North Avenue, its original location where young Stephen Wade arrived in 1972 and where he began taking banjo lessons from Fleming Brown. Wade always refers to Brown as a great and wise teacher. He would dedicate Banjo Dancing to Brown, who died in 1984, by which time Wade was no longer in Chicago.

The great Chicago banjo player Greg Cahill has a lengthy and fascinating interview with Wade in Banjo Newsletter. He first met Wade in the back of the Earl of Old Town in the early 1970s, and he told me, I hated to see him leave Chicago but felt proud that this gem of a historian/performer/writer from our town would be recognized as such by the rest of the world.

A Storytellers Story will be April 23 in the Maurer Concert Hall at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.; tickets $30 at 773-728-6000 and www.oldtownschool.org

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rkogan@chicagotribune.com
Lawyers for actor Johnny Depp sought on Wednesday to discredit a claim by his ex-wife Amber Heard that he threw a mobile telephone at her in May 2016 and hit her in the face.

The testimony, by Isaac Baruch, a longtime friend of Depp, came on the second day of the blockbuster defamation case filed by the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star against Heard.

Depp, 58, filed the suit after Heard, 35, wrote a column for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse."

The actress never named Depp, whom she met in 2009 on the set of the film "The Rum Diary," but he sued her for implying he was a domestic abuser and is seeking $50 million in damages.

Heard, who was married to Depp from 2015 to 2017, countersued, asking for $100 million and claiming she suffered "rampant physical violence and abuse" at his hands.

Heard has alleged that Depp hit her in the face with a mobile phone on the evening of May 21, 2016, during an argument.

Police were called but did not file a report.

Heard asked for a divorce two days later and sought a restraining order against Depp on May 25, appearing in a Los Angeles court with a mark on her face.

Baruch, who lived in the same building as Depp and Heard, testified that he saw her in the corridor a day after the alleged phone-throwing incident.

Baruch, who has known Depp since 1980 and had his rent and some of his expenses paid by the actor, said he asked Heard if Depp had hit her.

"She goes, 'yeah, he threw a phone at me and hit me,'" Baruch said, adding that he inspected her face.

"I'm looking at her forehead, I'm looking at the side of her eye, I'm looking at her cheek, I'm looking at her chin, I'm looking at the other side of the face, I'm looking at the whole thing and I don't see anything," he said. "I don't see a cut, a bruise, swelling, redness."

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Baruch said he gave "her a hug and kissed her" on the side of the face where she was allegedly struck.

Baruch said he learned several days later that Heard had asked for a divorce and he saw a picture of her in the news with a mark on her cheek.

He said he had never known Depp to be violent or witnessed any physical violence between the couple.

Heard's lawyers told the jury on Tuesday that Depp physically and sexually abused Heard during drug- and alcohol-fueled benders during which he became a "monster."

Depp filed the defamation complaint against Heard in the United States after losing a separate libel case in London in November 2020 that he brought against The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater."

cyj/cl/dw
By Joori Roh

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's health ministry said on Wednesday it will administer a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for people over 60 as the country continues to battle the highly contagious Omicron variant.

"The government plans to expand the fourth round of vaccination to those aged 60 and older," Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol told a meeting, adding the infection rate in the age group has continued to rise to stand above 20%.

The country had previously begun providing second booster shots to high-risk groups, including those in nursing homes, as a surge in Omicron infections drove cases and deaths to record highs in recent months.

The Omicron-induced surge in cases appears to have peaked, with the daily infections falling to a third of the record figures marked in mid-March.

South Korea reported 195,419 new coronavirus cases as of Tuesday midnight, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) data showed, bringing the country's total tally to 15,830,644 infections and 20,034 deaths.

The country will open booster shot reservations for the elderly on Monday and begin offering inoculation from April 25, KDCA Director Jeong Eun-kyeong told a press conference. At least 10.6 million people are eligible for the latest plan.

Jeong, however, said the health authorities are not planning to expand the second booster shot programme to a wider age group.

So far, 316,608 people have received the second booster shot, with around 33 million people - 64.2% of the total population - having received the first booster shot

The health ministry also said it will announce any amendments to the current social distancing rules on Friday.

The country loosened COVID-19 measures earlier this month, pushing back the curfew on eateries and other businesses to midnight, and allowing wider private gatherings of up to 10 people.

Meanwhile, Son Young-rae, a health ministry official, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that a complete removal of all limits on the opening hours of businesses and private gatherings were some possible measures being considered as the effectiveness of the distancing measures "have been declining".

He added the current mask-wearing mandate is also on the list of measures being reviewed.

(Reporting by Joori Roh and Josh Smith; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Kenneth Maxwell and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk during their meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia on July 18, 2019. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File

Moscow denied a Ukrainian offer to swap a captured Putin ally for prisoners.

Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian politician, was captured by Ukraine's security service on Tuesday while fleeing house arrest.

Medvedchuk chaired a pro-Russian political party and is thought to have been Putin's pick to replace Zelenskyy as a puppet leader.

Russia shot down Ukraine's offer to swap captured Kremlin ally Viktor Medvedchuk for Ukrainian prisoners, seemingly cutting ties with the oligarch who has close personal connections to Putin.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Medvedchuk is "not a citizen of Russia" and has nothing to do with President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation," Interfax reported.

"He is a foreign political figure," Peskov said. "We don't know at all whether he himself wants some kind of participation on the part of Russia in resolving this libelous situation against him."

Ukraine's security service on Tuesday said it captured Medvedchuk while he was trying to flee the country, after escaping from house arrest in February. The Ukrainian tycoon faced treason charges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered Russia the chance to swap kidnapped Ukrainians for Medvedchuk, who chairs a pro-Russian opposition political party.

Putin and Medvedchuk are close allies. The two have reportedly gone on vacation together and Putin is the godfather of Medvedchuk's youngest daughter.

Medvedchuk  who was thought to be Putin's choice to serve as a puppet leader to replace Zelenskyy if the Ukrainian government was toppled  also has an estimated net worth is $620 million.

Medvedchuk was sanctioned by the Obama administration for undermining democracy in Ukraine after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Translations by Nikita Angarski.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Lafayette councilman is seeking attorneys fees from the director of conservative website Citizens for a New Louisiana in response to a public records lawsuit launched by the site.

Michael Lunsford, who runs Citizens for a New Louisiana, sued Lafayette City Councilman Pat Lewis, a Democrat, in October over a public records request Lunsford issued in June for communications between Lewis and Kevin Blanchard, who runs the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support local journalists like Andrew Capps

Lunsford initially sent a request in May, which Lewis responded to. He then filed a second request in June that named Lewis, but was only sent to Blanchard, according to a recent court filing by City-Parish Attorney Greg Logan.

Lawsuit: St. Martin Parish wants Lafayettes spoil banks lawsuit thrown out for being in Lafayette

Logan argued that Lunsford never actually sent the second records request to Lewis, making his lawsuit against the councilman frivolous and giving Lewis the right to have Lunsford pay his attorneys fees.

Michael Lunsford at the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board. Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

This request was not sent to Lewis or counsel for (Lafayette Consolidated Government), Logan wrote. Lunsford does not allege he has been denied the right to inspect any records by Lewis, nor does he allege a failure to timely comply with the request.

Lunsford waited nearly five months after Lewis voluntarily and completely responded to his public records request to institute this legal proceeding, which fails to state any cause of action against Lewis, he added.

Courts: Advertiser to appeal after judge denies records in teen's death

Logan did not specify how much in attorneys fees the city is seeking from Lunsford in his filing. The case is set for a hearing before 15th Judicial District Court Judge Marilyn Castle on April 24.

City-Parish Attorney Greg Logan at a meeting Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

LCG is also seeking attorneys fees in its case against comedian John Merrifield, whose fake Facebook Antifa gathering in River Ranch in 2020 led the city to sue him for the costs of its police response to the satirical social media event.

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Merrifield initially sought to have LCGs case thrown out on the grounds that it was a frivolous attack on his free speech, but that argument was rejected by judges at all levels of the Louisiana courts, including the state supreme court.

While LCGs case against Merrifield hasnt been resolved, his failed efforts to have the case thrown out have LCG seeking attorneys fees from him for the cost of those proceedings, which LCGs attorneys have set at $33,047.

Fifteenth JDC Judge Thomas Frederick heard arguments in that case Monday, but has not yet ruled on a dollar figure.

Follow Andrew Capps on Twitter or send an email to acapps@theadvertiser.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Citizens for a New Louisiana faces city's attorney fees in records suit
With just over a week to go until Oscar Franklin Smith's slated execution date, a judge denied a last-minute motion to reopen the man's triple murder case to examine new DNA found on a weapon used in the slaying.

"There is not a reasonable probability that the recently discovered DNA evidence would have prevented Mr. Smith's prosecution or conviction," Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelina Blackshear Dalton wrote in her 13-page order. "Nor is there a reasonable probability the recently-discovered DNA evidence would have resulted in a more favorable conviction or sentence for Mr. Smith had the DNA evidence been presented at trial."

More: 'The boys were brutalized': The triple murder case that sent Oscar Franklin Smith to death row

More: Oscar Franklin Smith, on Tennessee death row, seeks new hearing, clemency as execution looms

A photo exhibit used during Oscar Franklin Smith's 1989 triple murder trial depicting him at the age of 40.

Smith, a Tennessee death row prisoner, is slated to die by lethal injection on April 21 after being convicted of the 1989 murders of his estranged wife Judith Robirds Smith and her sons from another marriage, Chad Burnett, 16, and Jason Burnett, 13.

Their brutal stabbing and shooting deaths took place inside a home on Lutie Court in Nashville's Woodbine neighborhood.

"Given the extensive evidence of Mr. Smith's guilt produced at trial," the judge wrote, "the court concludes Mr. Smith would be unable to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the DNA evidence establishes he is actually innocent of the offenses for which he was convicted."

More: What methods of execution are still in practiced in the United States?

The article in the July 27, 1990 issue of The Tennessean: Oscar Frank Smith will be sentenced to death after being found guilty in the murder trial of Judith Robirds Smith, and her two teenage sons, Chad and Jason.

Brutal triple murder

Smith, now 72, has maintained his innocence since his arrest on Nov. 6, 1989.

"The criminal court refused to hear Mr. Smith's claim that DNA evidence shows that an unknown assailant  not Mr. Smith  used the bloody murder weapon found at the crime scene," Smith's federal public defender Amy D. Harwell said in a statement after she appealed the judge's decision handed down Monday.

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Police never found two of the three murder weapons  a .22 caliber pistol and a knife. But they found an awl, a leather working tool shaped like a pick, at the crime scene in the kitchen.

The court speculated unknown DNA on the awl is the result of contamination due to mishandling of the evidence and based its decision on the presence of Smiths DNA on his wifes shirt, Harwell said.

The evidence at trial was that Smith spent the day with his wife  drinking coffee at the Waffle House and then traveling to the Gold Rush on Elliston where they sat side by side having supper," she said. "That his DNA is on his wifes sleeve is unsurprising and should have been of no consequence to the Courts decision. If the court suspects that the chain of custody of the evidence was compromised or the evidence was tainted, the court should conduct a hearing  not deny one."

Harwell also said one trial juror said they would not have voted Smith be sentenced to death had they known about the unknown DNA evidence.

The court, in a one-page, one-sentence motion filed Tuesday, denied Smith's appeal.

Smith's attorneys were reviewing their next steps as of Tuesday afternoon.

A pending clemency petition

Meanwhile, in a clemency petition filed last month to Gov. Bill Lee, attorneys with the global law firm Baker Botts argued Smith's sentence should be commuted to life without parole.

There is "no question our criminal justice system has failed in Oscar's case," the attorneys wrote.

Appeals in the case are unlikely to wrap up before his execution date next week. Smith asked Lee to at least grant a temporary reprieve so he can exhaust his pending judicial matters.

Smith has been on death row for more than 32 years. If Lee does not commute Smith's sentence, his death will mark the state's first execution since early 2020.

He was first scheduled to be executed in June 2020 but had two execution dates rescheduled since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Natalie Neysa Alund is based in Nashville at The Tennessean and covers breaking news across the South for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Court denies motion to reopen Oscar Franklin Smith triple murder case
The Los Angeles Times has filed a lawsuit against the city in hopes of obtaining records relating to a high-ranking fire official who was reportedly drunk while on duty.

The newspaper in a suit filed late Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court claimed the city had not adhered to the California Public Records Act. The city denied the Timess request for documentation relating to the incident involving former Chief Deputy Fred Mathis, the suit states.

Mathis was reportedly under the influence of alcohol while responding to Mays Palisades Fire, which was believed to have been sparked by an arsonist.

The city did not reprimand him and instead took actions such as allowing the time period of the incident to be retroactively marked as sick leave for Mathis in city timekeeping records, according to the Times. Mathis later retired with a $1.4 million payout.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) and his staff have remained quiet on the issue in addition to denying records requests, the Times claimed.

Under a body of law that goes back almost 45 years, public agencies, including the city, must disclose government records reflecting well-founded allegations of misconduct against public employees such as Mathis and Terrazas, the newspaper wrote in its suit.

Mathis reportedly claimed no wrongdoing in a statement to the Times.

All of the allegations you have presented to me are false and unsubstantiated through the investigation initiated by the department, he told the outlet.

Garcettis office did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- More than 30 Taiwanese companies including Pegatron Corp. and Macbook maker Quanta Computer Inc. have now halted production in the electronics hubs of eastern China to comply with local Covid-related restrictions, spelling more trouble for an already fragile global tech supply chain.

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On Wednesday, Quanta said it was suspending a Shanghai plant to comply with government restrictions. At least 30 other companies are suspending output in nearby Kunshan until April 19, they said in filings to Taiwans stock exchange. Some said the effect on their finances is still unknown, while others expect no major impact. Kunshan, a bustling city that hosts Apple Inc. suppliers including Pegatron and Luxshare Precision Industry Co., began a city-wide lockdown in early April.

The companies make parts for consumer electronics products ranging from PCs and smartphones, with many of the components critical for their global customers. The global supply of key tech has already been hobbled by Chinas zero tolerance toward the virus and its measures to stamp it out in cities such as Shanghai and Kunshan.

On Tuesday, Pegatron suspended its iPhone assembly campuses in those two cities as China struggles to control the worst virus outbreak in two years. Other key Apple Inc. manufacturing partners including Luxshare and Compal Electronics Inc. also have major operations in Kunshan.

Widespread Chinese lockdowns have begun to exact an unquantifiable toll on the worlds No. 2 economy, the biggest buyer of semiconductors and the largest producer of electronics from iPhones to PCs.

Disruptions to local manufacturing are set to worsen the logistics hurdles of global companies already grappling with a shortage of cargo capacity thats pushed shipping costs to record highs and a prolonged chip crunch. Gaming consoles, server computers and electric vehicles are among products facing further supply challenges.

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Many of the most critical factories in Kunshan and Shanghai have managed to keep humming by operating so-called closed-loop systems that are quarantined from much of the outside world. But worsening logistics jams are constricting shipments of components, draining inventories to the point where some manufacturers including Pegatron and Quanta are down to just a few weeks stocks, Taipei-based consultancy TrendForce estimated.

Local officials on Wednesday placed two Kunshan districts with significant electronics manufacturing into lockdown for an indefinite period, while for certain other districts the lockdown was extended by seven days.

Some contract electronics makers have been unable to secure CPUs, battery modules and panels amid prolonged lockdowns, and certain manufacturers are facing a shortage of multilayer ceramic capacitors for servers and automotive products.

The biggest problem for MLCC suppliers at this stage is they cannot deliver materials to Shanghai and Kunshan, TrendForce said in a note on Tuesday. Limited manpower and logistics and suspended transportation options mean [contract electronics makers] can only rely on onsite inventory to barely meet the needs of production lines, further exacerbating component mismatches.

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This isnt just about me. I have a wife, a teenage bonus daughter and twin 3-year-olds and I take any threat against them very seriously, said Sellers.

A North Carolina man is charged with harassing Black civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers by sending him racist and threatening messages online.

As reported by The Post and Courier, Grant Edward Olson Jr., of Asheville, North Carolina reportedly sent about 65 threatening messages to Sellers on social media. Olson was arrested and booked in the Richland County jail on April 8. Hes been charged with stalking and assault or intimidation due to political opinions or the exercise of civil rights, according to arrest warrant affidavits in the case.

Bakari Sellers / Getty

The 48-year-old sent racial slurs and threats to Sellers and his family via Instagram. Sellers, a CNN pundit, released a statement Monday thanking the State Law Enforcement Division for arresting Olson.

This isnt just about me. I have a wife, a teenage bonus daughter, and twin 3-year-olds and I take any threat against them very seriously, Sellers said in a statement, News Channel 12 reports.

They shouldnt be subject to threats and intimidation like this. No one should. This isnt a political debate. This isnt the new normal. Its a crime, pure and simple, said Sellers, who ran for lieutenant governor for South Carolina in 2014.

I want to thank SLED Chief Mark Keel, Behavioral Science Director Mike Prodan and all the officers at SLED for their quick and decisive action in protecting me and my family, he said. They have not only demonstrated the highest standards of commitment and professionalism, but they proved once again how critical it is that we support and fund this important work.

News Channel 12 reports Olson sent vile messages to Sellers between Feb. 25 and March 24. In one message, Olson said he was armed. In others, he referenced the killings of Black Americans.

Olson intended to intimidate Sellers because of his political opinions and work as a civil rights attorney.

Story continues

He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

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The post Man charged with stalking CNN analyst, civil rights lawyer Bakari Sellers appeared first on TheGrio.
KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday in a show of support for the embattled country, after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody offensive until its full completion.

The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia  all NATO countries that worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls  traveled by train to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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In one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. In the seven weeks since, the ground advance stalled, Russia has lost potentially thousands of fighters  and the war has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee. The war has also rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europes post-Cold War balance.

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U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Russias actions in Ukraine a genocide for the first time, saying Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.

Zelenskyy commended Bidens use of the word, saying calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil.

We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities, he added in a tweet.

The European leaders visiting Ukraine planned to deliver a strong message of political support and military assistance, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also planned to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians. Nauseda said the leaders visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities has been found.

This is where the dark side of humankind has shown its face, he wrote on Twitter. Brutal war crimes committed by the Russian army will not stay unpunished.

Men wearing protective gear exhume the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

An expert report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. The report was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published Wednesday by the Vienna-based organization that promotes security and human rights.

The report said that there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

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Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and has said it would investigate.

Putin, however, has denied his troops committed atrocities, and on Tuesday insisted Russia had no other choice but to invade, saying the offensive aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to ensure Russias own security. He vowed it would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.

He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Following those setbacks, Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence. Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

Britains Defense Ministry said Wednesday that an inability to cohere and coordinate military activity has hampered Russias invasion to date. Western officials say Russia recently appointed a new top general for the war, Alexander Dvornikov, to try to get a grip on its campaign.

A key piece to that campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have besieged and pummeled since nearly the start of the war. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak tweeted that the citys defenders were short of supplies but were fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city.

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Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade had surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV channel the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when the surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television on Wednesday broadcast footage that it said was from the port city showing dozens of men in camouflage outfits walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag on a staff in one hand and the handle of a stretcher in another. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and its roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

Another Zelenskyy adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, did not comment on the surrender claim, but said in a post on Twitter that elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the country is investigating a claim that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. She said it was possible phosphorus munitions had been used in Mariupol.

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Phosphorus munitions are not formally classed as chemical weapons, but they cause horrendous burn, and deliberately firing them into an enclosed space could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

In Washington, a senior U.S. defense official said the Biden administration was preparing another package of military aid for Ukraine to be announced in the coming days, possibly totaling $750 million.

While Biden used the word genocide about Russias actions, he said it would be up to lawyers to decide if the countrys conduct met the international standard for genocide.

French President Emmanuel Macron declined to use the word but said it has been established that war crimes have been committed by the Russian army.

We must find those responsible and bring them to justice, he told France-2 television.

An International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes is underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscows retreat from the Kyiv area, where Ukrainian authorities say more than 720 people were killed, with 403 bodies found in the town of Bucha alone.

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ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who visited Bucha, said in a tweet Wednesday that Ukraine is a crime scene and the court must pierce the fog of war to determine what has occurred.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, only allowing them outside to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury those who died in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, the residents wrote the names of those who perished during the ordeal. The list counted 18 people.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, said resident Valentyna Saroyan. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... She died as well. Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.
A man was found fatally shot in the parking lot of a Family Dollar in Kansas City late Tuesday night in the citys third reported homicide within the span of a day, according to police.

Police were dispatched around 8:30 p.m. to the intersection of 39th and Indiana Avenue in the Oak Park Southeast neighborhood on a reported shooting, Officer Donna Drake, a police spokeswoman, said at the scene. There officers found a man inside a car who had been shot.

The gunshot victim was taken by ambulance to the hospital and pronounced dead roughly 30 minutes later, Drake said.

It remained unclear Tuesday what led up to the shooting. Officers kept the corner of Indiana and 39th blocked off with police tape as detectives looked to interview possible witnesses and crime scene investigators sought other evidence.

Police had no suspect information to immediately provide and there was no known motive for the killing Tuesday night, Drake said.

The killing was the third of unrelated fatal acts of violence that occurred within the span of 12 hours Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, police were called to Northeast Middle School in the South Indian Mound neighborhood on a reported cutting. Inside a school bathroom police found a male student with stab wounds. He was taken to the hospital and, hours later, police announced that he had died. Another student was detained as a subject of interest.

In the West Blue Valley neighborhood, police were called around 4 p.m. to the intersection of 12th Street and Hardesty Avenue on a reported shooting. A woman was found dead there near the street beside a large apartment complex.

The tally of homicides in Kansas City so far this year stands at 40, according to data maintained by The Star. Last year there were 157 killings, the citys second-deadliest on record.

Kansas City police are asking anyone with information about the killings to contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or through the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
A man's death inside a Central El Paso apartment is being described by police as a murder case.

The man was found dead Sunday afternoon by patrol officers checking on his well-being in an apartment in the 1800 block of Montana Avenue, west of Cotton Street, police officials said.

The man's identity has not been confirmed and his family has yet to be notified, police said Tuesday in a news statement.

Violent crime: Two wounded in shooting near Clark Drive in Central El Paso

More: El Paso man assaulted, stabbed at Grandview Park

Detectives are searching for a car missing from the scene. The car is a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra with temporary paper buyer plates of 47503S5.

A police spokesperson initially described the incident as an investigation into a "suspicious death." The case by Tuesday was described by police as a "murder."

A cause of death has not been disclosed as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information on the homicide and the missing car may call the police Crimes Against Persons Unit at 915-212-4040 or may anonymously call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477 (TIPS).

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 915-546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

Homicides 2022: Assault, self-defense claims in deadly Lower Valley shooting

More: El Paso man arrested on murder charge after friend dies days after stabbing

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Car missing after homicide in Central El Paso apartment, police say
Michael Dwight Clay, 30, is wanted on a criminal homicide charge after a fatal shooting in East Nashville earlier this month, police said.

The shooting left 37-year-old Tywane Miller dead and a woman injured the afternoon of April 1, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. The shooting happened in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven market that is set to open soon at the intersection of Gallatin Avenue and Maxwell Avenue.

Clay also faces an aggravated assault charge connected with the woman's shooting, MNPD said. He was still on the loose as of Tuesday night.

Anyone who sees Clay or knows his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

PREVIOUSLY: Suspects still at large after man killed in East Nashville shooting, SUV carjacked on I-40

How the shooting unfolded

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. on April 1, MNPD said. An investigation showed Clay was in a white Ford Flex that blocked in a Toyota sedan as it tried to leave the 7-Eleven parking lot. Miller was driving the Toyota.

At least one person got out of the Ford and fired shots at the Toyota, police said. Miller was fatally shot, while a female passenger suffered non-life-threatening wounds to her jaw and hand.

The Ford then sped off and was spotted by an officer on Interstate 24 near the Shelby Avenue exit, MNPD said. A high-speed chase ensued and proceeded onto Interstate 40 east, where the Ford ran into the center retaining wall and four other vehicles. Nobody was hurt, police said.

The Ford then came to a stop on I-40 east between Fesslers Lane and Elm Hill Pike and its three occupants fled and ran into the westbound lanes. The occupants then carjacked a 2013 Subaru Forester SUV driven by a Nashville man, according to police. The man was hit in the head with a gun but not seriously hurt.

The Subaru was discovered abandoned later that night in a Bordeaux neighborhood, according to police.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Police: Man wanted for criminal homicide in East Nashville shooting
Marjorie Taylor Greene blamed gun control for preventing Brooklyn subway victims from defending themselves against an active shooter.

The Republican congresswoman used the shooting to argue against gun laws after the attack left at least 29 people injured.

With New Yorks strict gun control laws, how many innocent people were carrying a gun when the bad guy with a gun broke the existing laws and started shooting people? she said in a tweet.

Bad guys dont care about gun control and gun control only stops people from being able to protect themselves.

With New Yorks strict gun control laws, how many innocent people were carrying a gun when the bad guy with a gun broke the existing laws and started shooting people?



Bad guys dont care about gun control and gun control only stops people from being able to protect themselves.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 12, 2022

At least 10 people were shot in the attack, with the other victims injured by shrapnel, smoke inhalation or in the crush of panic caused by fleeing passengers.

A weapon was recovered at the scene along with a bag of smoke canisters and fireworks in what officials believe was a premeditated attack.

In response to New York Governor Kathy Hochul committing resources to fight a surge of crime, Ms Greene said passing constitutional carry legislation would drop crime to extremely low levels.

Gun control laws only create victims bc bad guys dont care about laws. Allow people to defend themselves and others, she said.

Guns dont kill people. Murderers kill people and sometimes they use a gun as a tool to kill people. They also use knives, hammers, cars, their bare hands and other ways to kill people. But a good guy with a gun uses the gun to defend himself and others around him, she added in a separate tweet.

I carry a gun, sometimes quite a few.



I will ALWAYS DEFEND Americans RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS!



As a woman & mother, I will unload my clip on a killer attacking me, my family, or others.



Then I will reload.#EndGunFreeZones  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 12, 2022

This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that while the Democratic Party was facing a "perfect storm" of problems, a slate of "unacceptable" GOP candidates could still mess up the Republican Party's midterm chances. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Mitch McConnell said some GOP candidates winning primaries might ruin the party's midterm chances.

He said it was "actually possible" for the GOP to lose, despite the Democratic Party's problems.

"You can't nominate somebody who's just sort of unacceptable to a broader group of people and win," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that it was still possible that the Republican Party might lose the midterms if it were to field a slate of "unacceptable" candidates in key races.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, McConnell said that the GOP's chances of wresting back control in the Senate were good, barring wildcard candidates that could mess up the party's chances.

McConnell said that the 1994 elections were the best year the Republicans had seen and said he thought the atmosphere moving into this year's midterms "is better than it was in 1994."

"From an atmospheric point of view, it's a perfect storm of problems for the Democrats because it's an entirely Democratic government," McConnell said. "Which leads you to ask the question: 'How could you screw this up?' It's actually possible. And we've had some experience with that in the past."

"In the Senate, if you look at where we have to compete in order to get into a majority, there are places that are competitive in the general election," McConnell added."So you can't nominate somebody who's just sort of unacceptable to a broader group of people and win."

He added that in the past there had been instances of "bizarre people" that got through the primary elections but whose chances at winning seats fizzled out by November when the midterms swung around.

"So far, I'm optimistic that in the places that are going to determine who the next majority leader is, we're going to have fully electable nominees," McConnell said, highlighting states like Georgia, Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Ohio.

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"Having fully-electable nominees is critical from the Senate," he said.

The GOP currently holds the minority in the Senate but needs just one additional seat to move the current 50-50 balance in its favor.

McConnell did not say who he thought would be "unacceptable" as a Senate candidate. However, former President Trump drew the ire of some conservatives by endorsing Mehmet Oz  better known as Dr. Oz  in his race to become a Pennsylvania senator.

Some Trump-backed candidates like Pennsylvania Senate candidate Sean Parnell and Missouri Senate candidate Eric Greitens have had scandal-plagued runs. Parnell suspended his campaign after facing domestic abuse allegations from his estranged wife, while Greitens is currently fending off allegations of physical abuse made by his ex-wife.

In February, the New York Times reported that McConnell was quietly working behind the scenes to try to ensure some candidates backed by Trump, whom he was said to have called "goofballs," didn't win their Senate primaries.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Refinery29

Its not every day that you take Internet star and actress Barbie Ferreira to a nudist camp, but thats exactly what Refinery29 did. As part of the ongoing series How To Behave, Euphoria star Ferreira sought out to interrogate public opinions on body image, body hair and nudity. The 25-year-old hasnt been immune to public scrutiny about her weight. As someone who lives outside of the sample size, she has spoken out about the backhanded compliments shes received. Its not radical for me to b
Gov. Phil Murphy, amid an uproar on the right about New Jerseys sex education curriculum standards, announced Wednesday that hell direct the state Department of Education to review the standards and provide further clarification on what age-appropriate guidelines look like for our students.

Unfortunately, our learning standards have been intentionally misrepresented by some politicians seeking to divide and score political points, Murphy said in a statement. At the same time, we have seen a handful of sample lesson plans being circulated that have not been adopted in our school districts and do not accurately reflect the spirit of the standards. Any proposed educational content that is not age-appropriate should be immediately revised by local officials.

Murphy told reporters Monday hes willing to entertain revising the standards.

Context: The State Board of Education released its Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Student Learning Standards in 2020. They're slated to take effect this fall.

The response to the standards when they were approved  eight of the board's 13 members at the time were named by former Republican Gov. Chris Christie  was relatively muted. But they became more controversial in last years gubernatorial campaign, and have reached a fever pitch recently as an almost inverse reaction to Democratic outrage against a Florida law that puts restrictions on classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The New Jersey standards say students should be able to identify oral, vaginal and anal sex by eighth grade. By fifth grade, they state, teachers should explain common human sexual development and the role of hormones (e.g., romantic and sexual feelings, masturbation, mood swings, timing of pubertal onset). The standards also say students should be able to differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity by the end of grade five.

Also wrapped up in the debate are two laws Murphy signed in 2019 and 2021 that would require that middle and high school students be taught about the societal contributions of LGBTQ people and people with disabilities and highlight and promote diversity of gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, and religious tolerance to students in grades K-12.

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The controversy: State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) touched off a firestorm when she highlighted an advocacy group's sample lesson plan that was distributed by the Westfield Board of Education. The sample plan delved into gender identity.

Schepisi's comments were picked up by the conservative blog Save Jersey and then spread throughout national conservative media.

You might feel like youre a boy even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are girl parts, the sample lesson plan by the group Advocates for Youth states. You might feel like youre a girl even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are boy parts. And you might not feel like youre a boy or a girl, but youre a little bit of both. No matter how you feel, youre perfectly normal!

Westfield Schools Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez said the sample lessons are not included in the districts curriculum.

Schepisi also cited a video from a series called AMAZE, that was produced by the Rutgers University group Answer along with Advocates for Youth and Youth Tech Health. The video, which is geared toward kids aged 10-14, tells students that watching pornography is normal but does not reflect reality.

The state Department of Education includes a link to Answer on its website, as one of nine links to resources for social and sexual health.

DOE's response: Mike Yaple, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education, defended the standards in an email Wednesday.

Yaple said the standards are designed to ensure that all students acquire the health and physical literacy skills needed to pursue a life of wellness at developmentally appropriate ages, including knowledge and skills related to sexual health. Any allegations to the contrary misrepresent the standards.

Yaple also reiterated that the state DOE does not mandate specific curriculum, and it is the responsibility of local school districts to create curriculum, tailored to and in consultation with their communities.

Whats next: Murphy did not go into detail about what the Department of Education review process would look like. Murphy cant revise the state standards unilaterally. If he does believe revisions are necessary, they will need to go before the state Board of Education.

The governor said in his statement that it is paramount that our standards also promote inclusivity and respect for every child, including LGBTQ youth.

In New Jersey, parents always have and always will have a say in their childs education, which includes opting their child out of any health lesson that they would rather discuss in the privacy of their own home, he said.
Security personnel stand guard in Kukawa Village in the Kanam Local Government Area of Nigeria's northern Plateau state, April 12, 2022, after resident's houses were burnt down during an attack by bandits. / Credit: AFP/Getty

Johannesburg  Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed there will be "no mercy" for gunmen who killed more than 150 people in a series of weekend attacks in the country's north. In some of the worst violence Nigeria has seen this year, armed gunmen on motorcycles raided and razed a group of villages in the northern Plateau state, highlighting growing insecurity in the region.

Villagers have been scouring bushes and other terrain for missing loved ones since the Sunday attacks. Many locals were shot trying to flee from the gunmen. Residents have said women and children were abducted by the attackers, but the number of those abducted remained unclear.

More than 80 victims were buried earlier this week in mass funeral services in the four villages, as additional security forces arrived in the area.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, President Buhari urged residents to "expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors and those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course."

A burnt house is seen in Kukawa village, in the Kanam Local Government Area of Nigeria's northern Plateau state, April 12, 2022, after an attack by bandits. / Credit: AFP/Getty

Eyewitnesses said more than 100 houses were set alight, as well as a cell phone tower. Telephone service was already unreliable in the remote region, making it difficult for residents to call police for help, but also for news of the attacks to get out.

Analysts say criminal gangs, known in Nigeria as bandits, from the bordering northwest Kaduna state have become more brazen in recent years. The region has seen clashes between local farmers and herders over access to water and land for years, which evolved into criminal gangs that carry out revenge killings.

On March 28, bandits targeted a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna state, blowing up the tracks, killing eight people and kidnapping dozens more. Several videos of the hostages have been released, showing them in a forest surrounded by armed men, pleading to the camera for the government to help.

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More than a dozen soldiers were killed last week by gunmen who attacked an army base in Kaduna state.

Nigerian security forces say they're stretched too thin as they battle a 12-year jihadist insurgency by the Boko Haram extremist group and the regional ISIS affiliate in the northeast of the country. That conflict has driven more than 2 million people from their homes and left more than 40,000 dead since 2009.

The Northern Elders Forum, a council of local leaders, issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Buhari to resign immediately, arguing that he's failed to deal with killings, kidnappings, and general insecurity in the country during his seven years in office.

Russian official warns of attacks on Kyiv, Mariupol, more: CBS News Flash April 11, 2022

Mike Pence gives speech at University of Virginia amid speculation about 2024 presidential run

Labor Department: Inflation jumps to highest level since 1981
With the ongoing climate crisis and the looming possibility of nuclear war,Noam Chomsky, 93, often hailed as one of the worlds most important intellectuals alive, warns that were approaching the most dangerous point in human history.



The renowned linguist and social critic has lived through several consequential events of the 20th century. In a recent interview with The New Statesman, he recalled feeling terrified while listening to Hitlers speeches on the radio at the age of 6 and writing about the 1939 fall of Barcelona at the age of 10.









It is now, however, that Chomsky says we are facing the prospect of destruction of human life on Earth.







Climate change



Climate change has been the central topic of Chomskys most recent works, in which he writes about the inextricable tie between global warming and capitalism. He has deemed Earth as unsalvageable within the time scale that capitalist countries such as the U.S. have made for it, even with the establishment of policies committed to decreasing carbon output.



There is no one other than Donald Trump in history who has done more to try to drive the human race to extinction, said Chomsky, who added that nothing else mattered if the future was destroyed. He listed Trumps policies focusing on maximizing fossil fuels and cutting back regulations that addressed climate change.



Chomsky also likened Trumps fanaticism to Hitlers Nazis rallies, describing, in particular, the strong base of Republicans against addressing climate change as a truly dangerous insurgency. He described the partys disregard of global warming as a death warrant for humankind.







Russia-Ukraine



Chomskys father, who was of Jewish descent, was born in present-day Ukraine. When asked what Russian president Vladimir Putins motivations for invading Ukraine might have been, Chomsky declared that it is not enough to simply write the conflict off as a matter of Putins twisted mind.



Putin is as concerned with democracy as we are, Chomsky told the Statesman, referring to the U.S. history of political and economic reach in the East. He cited September 2021, when the U.S. sent Ukraine advanced weapons in the name of enhanced military cooperation, as an example.



Chomsky also pointed to Iran in 1953, Guatemala in 1954, Chile in 1973 before saying, But we are supposed to honor and admire Washingtons enormous commitment to sovereignty and democracy.







Story continues

Russia-China



When asked about Russias relationship with China and whether he thought there was a chance of them joining forces to become a superpower under the current circumstances, Chomsky responded that it was a relationship based on strategy rather than a true partnership.



Drawing comparisons to the lack of global military support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which he has denounced as a crime disguised as noble intentions, Chomsky predicted that China, along with the rest of the world, would remain largely absent from the war in Ukraine.







Featured Image via The New Statesman (left), BBC News (right)

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CARLYLE, Ill.  A Kentucky man jailed in connection with the fatal shooting of an Illinois deputy and a subsequent carjacking in neighboring Missouri last year failed in an escape attempt, authorities said.

Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, escaped from his cell at the Jefferson County Justice Center early Sunday morning but was captured by Mount Vernon police, who had established a perimeter around the lockup, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said.

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The perimeter had been established because the jail was on night shift lockdown status, the Southern Illinoisan reported.

No other inmates were involved, authorities said.

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A tractor trailer is stopped behind police tape as law enforcement investigate the scene of a carjacking and shooting at a QuikTrip in St. Peters, Mo., on Dec. 29, 2021. (Hillary Levin/AP)

Tate discovered a way to get out of his cell because of a flaw in the original construction of the jail, investigators said, adding that jail property was damaged.

Tate is charged with murder in the death of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley last December. Riley was fatally shot after responding to a call to motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals.
North Korea released its first feature film in five years yesterday. Titled A Day and a Night, the movie is about a heroine who uncovers a plot to overthrow the government.



The movie was produced by Korean April 25 Film Studio, whose name references the day that the Korean Peoples Army was founded and is known for producing military-themed films.



In the film, an army nurse [exposes] plots by anti-party, counter-revolutionary factionalists, despite threats to her life, according to state media.









The nurse appears to have a remarkable resemblance to North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns wife, Ri Sol-ju, who is described as having a pretty, round face with smiling eyes and hair kept in a simple do, with a soft curl at the bottom.



In the trailer, the heroine is dressed mostly in a simple black and white dress but is also shown wearing the traditional Korean hanbok dress in multiple segments. Happy nature scenes, in which the protagonist is seen dancing or laughing in her hanbok, are contrasted with dark, military scenes, depicting the government traitors. The background characters are also shown as happy and hardworking, all with smiles on their faces, as they interact with the main lead in the town she lives in.



According to the Korean Central News agency, the state news agency of North Korea, the film supposedly explains in detail the idea that it is a sacred duty and obligation of citizens to defend their leader, at the risk of their lives, and safeguard their system.



The film also marks the 10-year anniversary of the countrys rule by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who came into power at the end of 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il.







Feature Image via DPRK Videos

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EL PASO, Texas  Hundreds of trucks lined up Tuesday at the Zaragoza International Bridge connecting El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Some truckers slept in their cabs. Others stood outside for fresh air. One skipped rope to pass the time.

What began as border crossing delays last weekend turned into protests this week at crossings that handle $440 billion in goods annually. Truckers usually wait two or three hours to cross the Rio Grande here. After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced new state trooper inspections at ports of entry, truckers this week suddenly found themselves in 10-plus hour lines.

Truckers began blocking traffic across the Zaragoza bridge on Monday, the only way they said they knew how to get attention to their ordeal. By Wednesday, the protests had spread and threatened supply chain delays and even produce carried in unrefrigerated trucks, Bloomberg reported.

Abbott and the governor of Nueva Leon state announced an agreement Wednesday ending the added inspections at one crossing, and the Texas governor urged three other Mexican governors to reach similar deals.

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Truckers block the entry into the U.S. and the entry into Mexico at the Zaragoza International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez on Tuesday to protest the extended hours since Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott implemented a total revision of trucks coming in from Mexico.

By noon Tuesday, truck drivers had also blocked the commercial lanes at the port of entry in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Companies had routed truckers to Santa Teresa to avoid the Texas inspections.

Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported, Mexican truckers blocked the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, which carries the most trade among the crossings between the two countries.

Wednesday afternoon, Abbott appeared in Laredo with Samuel Garcia, governor of Nueva Leon, to announce an end to the Texas inspections at Nueva Leon's lone crossing point after Garcia pledged additional security steps on the Mexican side. That bridge is northwest of Laredo and about 120 miles from the Pharr-Reynosa bridge.

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Abbott said the inspections would continue at other crossings along Texas' 1,200-mile border with Mexico until other Mexican governors struck similar deals. He blamed the Biden administration's immigration policies. "If you want to get relief from clogged border crossings, call President Biden" and urge continuation of the "remain in Mexico" policy. The administration is seeking to end the Trump-era practice of sending immigrants back to Mexico to await asylum hearings.

US, Mexican governments blast inspections

White House press secretary Jen Psaki earlier Wednesday called for Abbott to halt the "unnecessary and redundant inspections," saying they are "causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Tuesday had criticized the Texas inspections.

"The longer-than-average wait times  and the subsequent supply chain disruptions  are unrelated to CBP screening activities and are due to additional and unnecessary inspections," the statement read.

Trucks back up at the Bridge of the Americas on Tuesday.

Mexico's Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the new measures and said the Mexican government had raised the issue with Abbott's office and the U.S. government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs rejects these state measures, which are seriously jeopardizing the commercial flow between our countries," the statement read. "As an inevitable consequence of these provisions, businesses in Mexico and the United States are losing competitiveness and revenues."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, called the inspections a catastrophic policy, the AP reported.

Truckers kill time at the Zaragoza International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Tuesday after a blockade was implemented by the truckers to protest the extended hours since Friday after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott implemented a total revision of trucks coming into the U.S. from Mexico.

Abbott's order cites cartels, immigration

Abbott last week ordered state police to inspect shipments into Texas to ensure that Texans are not endangered by unsafe vehicles and their unsafe drivers. His order also cited cartels that smuggle illicit contraband and people across our southern border.

In the first six days of Abbotts decree, Bloomberg reported, almost 12,000 violations were cited, many for things such as defective lighting and brakes, and 79 drivers were placed out of service.

Truckers interviewed said they already face strict inspections and questioned why Abbott singled them out. Most of the truckers cross back and forth between Juarez and El Paso multiple times a day, delivering goods to warehouses where they are transferred onto long-haul trucks.

"The warehouses in El Paso are going to start running low," said Cristian Munoz, also waiting at the Ysleta Bridge. "I don't think the U.S. government will listen to us if we complain but maybe they will listen to those companies."

Munoz, 25, was one of the truckers who crossed at Santa Teresa on April 11 to avoid the Texas inspections. He got home at 11 p.m. after waiting more than 10 hours to cross. Tuesday he lined up to cross the Zaragoza bridge at 3 a.m., bringing more food for the wait.

No one knows whats going on, he said. We were caught off guard.

"If we don't cross the merchandise, the companies don't get paid," Munoz said. "This is unnecessary. I understand they have to be strict in the inspections, but this is over the top."

A blockade by Mexican truckers at the Zaragoza International Bridge between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was implemented on Tuesday as a protest against the crossing delays after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Department of Public Safety to check every truck coming into the U.S.

Some truckers came from Chihuahua, a four-hour drive, and had no choice but to sleep in their trucks overnight when they were unable to cross.

Trucks carrying medical equipment, hospital linens and auto parts were lined up at Zaragoza and Santa Teresa, representative of the many industries in Juarez that U.S. consumers depend on.

Truckers block the entrance into the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, going into New Mexico on Tuesday. The truckers blocked the port as a protest against the prolonged processing times implemented by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott which they say have increased from two-three hours up to 14 hours in the last few days.

Produce shortages foreseen

Nick Delgado, president and owner of Quality Food and Veg, one of El Pasos largest produce distributors, said trucks hauling produce from Mexico for his company have seen delays of 10 hours to two days in the McAllen and Hidalgo areas because of the extra Texas inspections.

We have truckloads every day crossing from Mexico into Texas with avocados, tomatoes, and other produce that are sold to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and other institutions, he said.

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If this goes on, it will dry up supplies and we wont be able to get it in, Delgado said. This will hurt the food chain. Consumers will start seeing shortages, and that also will cause prices to increase, Delgado said.

Commercial trucks wait to enter the U.S. at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in New Mexico on Monday.

Alan Russell, CEO of El Pasos Tecma Group of Companies, which operates about 35 maquiladoras, or factories, in Ciudad Juarez, and operates a trucking company, said the Texas inspections definitely slowed commerce down, but did not stop it as, he said, the protest blockades have done.

Its hard to tell how long this will last. Our supply chain has been interrupted enough (by pandemic-related problems), and this is just another straw on the camels back, Russell said.

This will impact consumer goods if products and manufacturing components cant get out of Mexico into the United States, Russell said.

El Paso Times reporter Vic Kolenc contributed to this report.

Staff writer Martha Pskowski may be reached at mpskowski@elpasotimes.com and @psskow on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas-Mexico border clogged as Gov. Greg Abbott orders inspections
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A Vancouver woman accused of hurling racist slurs and throwing a cup of coffee at an Asian Canadian coffee shop manager in March last year was filmed directing a racist slur at a camera operator while she headed to court on Friday. Astrid Maria Secreve, a co-defendant of the mischief case with her ex-husband Michel Jean-Jacque Berthiaume, was heading to a courthouse in Richmond, Canada, when she was approached by a CTV News crew that reportedly included a camera operator of Asian descent. Secreve responded with an expletive followed by an anti-Chinese slur, CTV News reported.
Emergency personnel gather at the entrance to a subway stop in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. AP Photo/John Minchillo

The "person of interest" in the Brooklyn subway mass shooting has now been upgraded to a "suspect," officials said Wednesday.

Frank R. James has been deemed the suspect in Tuesday's shooting that left 10 struck by gunfire, said NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD.

Police are continuing to search for James, who they say fled the scene after the shooting.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York Police Department announced on Wednesday that the "person of interest" in the Brooklyn subway mass shooting has now been upgraded to a "suspect" in the case.

Adams broke the news on WNYC radio, saying that 62-year-old Frank R. James is the apparent lone suspect in Tuesday's shooting aboard an N train, which left 10 people hit by gunfire and more than a dozen others injured.

Shortly after Adams' comments, the NYPD said in a tweet that James "fired numerous gun shots inside an 'N' line subway car" as it pulled into the 36th Street station in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn during Tuesday morning rush hour.

Police are continuing to search for James, who they say fled the scene after the shooting.

Adams said on MSNBC on Wednesday morning that "there is no evidence that indicates at this time that there was an accomplice" and that "it appears" that the shooting suspect "was operating alone."

The gunman in the subway shooting wore a gas mask and detonated two smoke grenades moments before he opened fire on the Manhattan-bound train at around 8:30 a.m., causing pandemonium, NYPD officials said on Tuesday.

The suspect fired 33 times with a Glock 17 9mm handgun, authorities said. Five of the 10 people shot were critically wounded, but miraculously there were no life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Police recovered the handgun, three extended magazines, and a hatchet at the scene, as well as gasoline, fireworks, and a key to a U-Haul that authorities said was rented by James.

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Authorities located the U-Haul cargo van for the key on Kings Highway in Brooklyn.

James, who police say has ties to New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio, was initially identified by the NYPD as a "person of interest" in the shooting on Tuesday evening.

It has emerged that James previously posted YouTube videos complaining about the rise of subway crimes in New York City and blaming Adams for them, among other topics.

Read the original article on Insider
Two possible tornadoes were spotted in Williamson County on Tuesday evening, officials said. No injuries have been reported, according to a county news release.

It said a few homes have minor damage.

Sheriff's deputies reported a possible tornado at 5:24 p.m. north of Florence and another possible tornado spotted at 5:36 p.m. north of Jarrell,.

The Williamson County sheriff's office closed Interstate 35 at mile marker 278 as one of the possible tornadoes appeared about to cross the highway, the release said.

"Williamson County is still under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. tonight, so we encourage our residents to stay tuned to local weather forecasts and know where to go if the tornado watch turns into a warning, County Judge Bill Gravell said in the release.

'I thought I was going to die': Central Texas communities recover from outbreak of tornadoes

Two tornadoes hit Williamson County on March 21, damaging more than 1,200 homes and businesses, especially in the Round Rock area, and severely injuring a 91-year-old man in Granger.

The man suffered a broken back and a broken neck but is recovering in a rehabilitative center, Gravell said on Tuesday.

A third tornado also started in Elgin in Bastrop County causing damages on March 21.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Possible tornadoes spotted near Florence, Jarrell in Williamson County
PANAMA CITY BEACH  Officials are considering that the city spend $26,000 on two dual-purpose narcotic detection dogs for the Panama City Beach Police Department.

The purchase will be considered by city councilmen during their meeting Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. at City Hall. If approved, the new dogs will replace two of the four K-9s currently working with Beach police.

"K-9s play an important role and are valuable members of our law enforcement team," PCBPD Deputy Chief Chad Lindsey wrote in an email. "This purchase is to replace two valuable members of our K-9 team who have served this community well."

Zeus is one of four K-9s working with the Panama City Beach Police Department. City officials will consider the purchase of two replacement K-9s in a City Council meeting on Thursday.

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Lindsey also said department officials "probably" will look into adding more K-9s in the future.

During the recent "Panamaniac" weekend  which occurred almost three weeks ago and created a dramatic influx of crime in Panama City Beach  a video circulating on social media showed how one officer with a K-9 was able to quickly disperse an unruly crowd of hundreds.

It was during that weekend the Beach Police Department, Panama City Police Department and Bay County Sheriff's Office arrested a combined 161 people in just two days. The departments also confiscated 75 illegal guns in the same time period.

Officials with the Panama City Beach Police Department say K-9s are valuable members of local law enforcement. They also say the department probably will consider adding more K-9s in the future.

The unsanctioned event gained traction on social media, and local law enforcement officers have since arrested two of the people who were responsible for promoting the gathering on charges of inciting or encouraging a riot. Both men are from Alabama.

The agenda for Thursday's meeting shows that the two K-9s being considered for purchase are from the Houston K9 Academy in Houston, Texas.

Beach officials noted that the city put out a request for bids for the K-9s in December 2021, "long before the March unrest."

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No bids were received, so Beach police officials requested quotes from three K-9 vendors, of which the Houston K9 Academy submitted the lowest.

The bid includes training for the dogs, which, if the purchase is approved, will occur at the Dothan Police Department in Dothan, Alabama.

Both dogs being considered are of the Belgian Malinois breed.

"The K-9s are another tool law enforcement uses in various situations," Lindsey wrote. "They are an important component to our operations."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach considers replacing two police dogs for $26,000
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TwitterWhen police knocked on Osie Taylors door on Wednesday, looking for a 9-year-old boy who had been reported as missing, he immediately offered to help search areas where he knew local kids would often hang out and play.He didnt have to go far. In a wooded area behind his public housing unit in New Kensington, on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, he confirmed everyones worst fear: The body of Azuree Charles, his neighbor, was there under a lawn chair. He was clothed but missing his socks and s
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Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/GettyAre you or a loved one feeling serpentine lately? The QAnon-right thinks your COVID-19 vaccine might have been laced with snake blood to inject you with Satans DNA.The false claim is the subject of a new documentary by a far-right bounty hunter turned podcast host. Its just as baseless as other vaccine conspiracy theories before it (remember the 5G hoax?), but the fraud is going viral on right-wing social media. Theres a lot of debate whether its c
Frank James

UPDATE: Frank James has been arrested and charged in connection with the subway shooting

The New York Police Department has identified Frank R. James, who is linked to an address in Milwaukee, as a person of interest in the New York subway shooting that left at least 29 injured Tuesday.

James, 62, has ties to both Wisconsin and Philadelphia, authorities said.

"We are endeavoring to locate him to determine his connection to this subway shooting, if any," New York Police Chief of Detectives James Essig said at a news conference.

Police said he was not in custody as of late Tuesday night and no charges had been filed.

A Milwaukee police spokesman said the department was not currently involved in the investigation and had no information. A Milwaukee police official earlier had referred questions to the local FBI office. When contacted by a reporter, the FBI Milwaukee office referred questions to the New York City Police Department.

James does not appear to have any criminal record in Wisconsin, according to a Tuesday night search of state and Milwaukee municipal court records.

In a video dated March 20, 2022, and posted to social media, a man who appeared to be James is seen driving, saying he was on his way to Philadelphia and leaving Wisconsin.

"As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is good riddance and I will never be back again alive ..." the man said in the video.

He described it as the "first leg" of his trip.

He ranted about a variety of subjects, including Ukraine, nuclear war, race and traffic in Chicago.

At his last known Milwaukee address in the city's Harambee neighborhood, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter knocked on the door. There was no answer.

A neighbor, who lived in an adjacent apartment at the address, told the New York Times that James was "gruff and standoffish."

Keilah Miller, 32, said James moved into the unit less than a year ago. Miller said she heard James yelling on the phone several times and that they had an altercation when she accidentally left her key in her lock.

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She said he would walk down the street just about every morning but never say hello.

"He is a really weird neighbor," Miller said.

Police say James rented a U-Haul van in Philadelphia. Keys to that van were found inside the subway train.

The shooter in the incident is accused of setting off smoke bombs and opening fire on commuters on the New York subway in Brooklyn.

At least 10 people were shot and at least 19 others were taken to hospitals for injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to shrapnel wounds.

Authorities say the gunman fired 33 times with a Glock 17 9mm semi-handgun, which was found in the subway. Searching the subway car, investigators also found two non-detonated smoke grenades, a hatchet, gasoline, fireworks and keys to a U-Haul van.

The key led police to James. Authorities found the van in Brooklyn and were searching it.

A man named Frank James from Milwaukee purchased the brands of fireworks visible in the photos from the scene, said William Weimer, vice president and general counsel at Youngstown-based Phantom Fireworks.

James spent $93 at a Phantom Fireworks showroom in Caledonia, outside of Racine, in June 2021, according to a receipt Weimer provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

He bought "canister smoke," which produces white smoke, among other items. Earlier Tuesday, photos of the fireworks products found at the scene had circulated on social media and made their way to Weimer.

"We identified those four items as something that could have come from Phantom," Weimer said of the photo.

They searched records from 2022 for a purchase containing all four products but did not find one, he said. Once police identified James as a person of interest, Phantom searched by his name and located the Wisconsin purchase made last year. The information was given to law enforcement, Weimer said.

New York City police commissioner Keechant Sewell noted investigators were pouring over social media posts appearing to come from James where he mentioned homelessness and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. She said the mayor's security detail would be tightened out of an "abundance of caution."

New York police are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-577-TIPS .

Journal Sentinel reporters Bill Glauber, Cary Spivak and Mary Spicuzza, and USA TODAY contributed to this article.

Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Frank R. James person of interest in subway shooting has Milwaukee tie
Chicago residents can start applying for the citys $500-per-month basic income pilot program in less than two weeks, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday.

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Dubbed the Chicago Resilient Communities pilot, the cash assistance program will accept applications from 9 a.m. April 25 to 11:59 p.m. May 13. It will be one of the largest guaranteed income pilots in the U.S., with $31.5 million total going to 5,000 families in $500 payments.

A May lottery will determine who gets selected. Eligibility includes being an adult resident of Chicago, having suffered economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic and earning at most 250% of the federal poverty line, which is $57,575 for a household of three. Only one person from each household can apply. All residents can apply regardless of their immigration status.

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot, shown at a City Council meeting in March, announced the guaranteed basic income program last year. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

The city unveiled plans for the pilot last year.

More information is on the citys website, including a sign-up for those who want to be alerted when the applications open: chicago.gov/cashpilot.

The Chicago Resilient Communities pilot is a way for us to efficiently support the communities and households that were hardest hit by the pandemic with dignity as well as build on our work to eradicate poverty, Lightfoot said in a statement. Im deeply proud to launch the largest cash assistance program of its kind in the country as we continue to provide economic relief to residents and strengthen our city.

Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons.

Several nonprofits and social service agencies were selected to help lead the pilot. GiveDirectly, which has experience with running other guaranteed income pilots, will be the main administrator. YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago will oversee outreach and recruitment, while five other organizations will focus on specific communities in that outreach.

Those five groups are: Center for Changing Lives, Phalanx Family Services, Pui Tak Center, Spanish Coalition for Housing and United African Organization. Some target populations include those experiencing homelessness, residents living in the U.S. without legal authorization, people with disabilities, veterans, unaccompanied youth and non-English speakers.

Lastly, the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab will conduct a study on the pilots results.

Suburban Cook County is also slated to launch a guaranteed income pilot for its lowest-income residents. Officials running that $42 million program have yet to announce further details, but theyve said it will debut in the next year.

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NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the violence on a rush-hour train, which left people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was due to appear in court Thursday on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in videos on his YouTube channel about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his struggles with mental health care in New York City, and he criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there's no indication James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

James didnt respond to reporters shouted questions as he was led to a police car Wednesday afternoon. He was transferred hours later to federal Bureau of Prisons custody and was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him.

Police had urged the public to help find him, releasing his name and photo and even sending a cellphone alert before they got a tip Wednesday.

The tipster was James, calling to say he knew he was wanted and that police could find him at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but he was soon spotted on a busy corner nearby, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

Passer-by Aleksei Korobow said he saw four police cars zoom past, and when he caught up to them, James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on.

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There was nowhere left for him to run, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

The arrest came as the gunshot victims, and at least a dozen others injured in the attack, tried to recover.

I dont think I could ever ride a train again," Hourari Benkada, a Manhattan hotel housekeeping manager who was shot in the leg, told CNN from a hospital bed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited victims as young as 12 in a hospital Tuesday night. One had been heading to class at Borough of Manhattan Community College when he was hit by either a bullet or shrapnel and needed surgery, the governor said.

Guatemalas Foreign Ministry said an 18-year-old Guatemalan national, Rudy Alfredo Perez Vasquez, was hospitalized but out of danger Wednesday after being injured in the attack.

James detonated two smoke grenades and fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun in a subway car packed with commuters, police said.

When the first smoke bomb went off, a passenger asked what he was doing, according to a witness account to police.

Oops, James said, set off a second, then brandished the gun and opened fire, Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

When the train stopped at a station and terrified riders fled, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

But James left behind numerous clues at the crime scene, including the gun  which he bought in Ohio in 2011  ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline, a bank card in his name and the key to a U-Haul van he rented Monday in Philadelphia, according to police and a court complaint.

Tucked in an orange workers' jacket, which he apparently tossed on a subway platform, was a receipt for a Philadelphia storage unit. Authorities found ammunition, targets and a pistol barrel in the storage locker and learned hed been there on Monday, the complaint said.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators believe James entered the subway system.

Surveillance cameras captured the van arriving from Philadelphia early Tuesday, and a man wearing what appeared to be the same orange jacket leaving the vehicle near the station.

James was born in New York but had lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, authorities said. Bruce Allen, a neighbor near a Philadelphia apartment where James stayed for the last couple of weeks, said the man never spoke to him, even when moving in.

James had worked at a variety of manufacturing and other jobs, according to his videos. Police said he'd been arrested 12 times in New York and New Jersey between 1990 and 2007 on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to possession of burglary tools, but he has no felony convictions.

His hours of disjointed, expletive-filled videos range from current events, to his life story, to bigoted remarks about people of various backgrounds. James is Black.

Some videos complain about Adams, mental health care James says he got in the city years ago, and conditions on the subway. In one post, he fulminates about trains filled with homeless people, the court complaint noted.

In another, he denounces the treatment of Black people in the U.S. and says, "The message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Jude Jacques, who takes the subway to work as a fire safety director two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

___

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Deepti Hajela, Jim Mustian and Nardos Haile in New York, Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia, Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee, Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, and Sonia Perez D. in Guatemala City, Guatemala, contributed.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released all evidence, including body camera footage, from the raid that resulted in the controversial killing of 22-year-old Amir Locke in Minneapolis.

All 12 officers who took part in the February raid were wearing body cameras, giving the public numerous perspectives of how the raid transpired. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension also released hundreds of photographs of the raid.

Mr Locke was staying at an apartment in downtown Minneapolis that was being rented by his cousin, a man whose brother was a person of interest in a killing in St. Paul in January.

Mr Locke was asleep when a Minneapolis Police Department SWAT team, executing a no knock warrant on behalf of St. Paul Police, used a key to unlock the door and rushed into the apartment just before 7am on 2 February screaming police and search warrant.

An officer kicked the couch where Mr Locke was sleeping, at which point Mr Locke sat up and turned toward the intruding officers holding a gun.

Officer Mark Hanneman then shot Mr Locke three times, twice in the chest. Mr Locke died roughly 15 minutes later. Only ten seconds elapsed from the time when the officers entered the apartment to when Mr Hanneman shot Mr Locke.

The killing immediately raised questions about the embattled Minneapolis Police Department, which has a long history of racism and was nearly disbanded by voters and replaced with a Department of Public Safety in a 2022 ballot measure that ultimately failed but received 44 per cent of the vote in Minnesotas largest city.

St. Paul Police said that they applied for knock-and-announce warrant, but that Minneapolis police insisted on a no-knock warrant. Mr Locke was not named anywhere in the warrant, nor was he a person of interest in the killing under investigation.

He had planned to move to Dallas to pursue a music career the week after his death.

Mr Locke had a permit to carry the handgun he raised after being awoken by the officers. Mr Lockes cousin only found out Mr Locke had been killed during police interviews following the shooting.

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In the days after the killing, hundreds of people in Minneapolis demanded justice for Mr Locke in protests in both in the citys downtown and outside the home of Minneapolis police chief Amelia Huffman.

Several days later, thousands of students in both Minneapolis and St. Paul walked out of class and demonstrated at the governors mansion.

Mr Hanneman was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and a review from the Hennepin County District Attorneys office and the state Attorney Generals office.

Last week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County District Attorney Mike Freeman announced that they would not file charges against Mr Hanneman for the killing.

Mr Ellison, the former congressman who successfully prosecuted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd last year, said that it would be unethical for us to file charges in a case in which we know that we will not able to prevail because the law does not support the charges.

Still, the killing of Mr Locke has prompted significant changes in Minneapolis. Mayor Jacob Frey placed a moritorium on no knock warrants in the city in the days following the killing, and officially banned the citys police department from requesting or executing no-knock warrants last week.

Under the citys new policy, officers will be required to clearly announce themselves and wait 20 seconds before entering a premises to execute a warrant and 30 seconds for warrants executed between 8pm and 7am.
A crime scene investigator photographs evidence markers at the scene of a shooting in downtown Sacramento on April 3. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Police have identified a man they believe is among those responsible for the shootout that killed six and wounded 12 in downtown Sacramento this month, officials said Tuesday, but they have exhausted all leads and need the publics help to find him.

In a news release, Sacramento police named Mtula Payton  a 27-year-old with a long criminal record  as one of five alleged shooters who fired off more than 100 rounds in the early hours of April 3 in a gun battle that caught dozens of downtown patrons in the crossfire in the worst instance of gun violence in the United States this year.

Three fathers, two young women, and a homeless woman popular in the neighborhood were killed.

Initially, police described the shooting, which took place just blocks from the state Capitol, as involving a man firing from a car driving up 10th Street. Within days, police said the evidence had led them to conclude it was a gang-related shootout that involved at least five shooters. Only one gun was recovered at the scene.

In their news release Tuesday, police also named a second alleged shooter, Smiley Martin, 27, who had previously faced gun charges in connection with the incident. Martin is in the hospital being treated for gunshot wounds but will move to the Sacramento County jail when he recovers.

A third man, Dandrae Martin, 26, brother of Smiley, has also been named as a shooter, although not yet formally charged. He is currently in jail on gun charges.

Police said they believe the shootout was sparked by a fight between two groups of men, whom police said they believe are affiliated with local street gangs.

Police said they have made multiple attempts to locate and arrest Payton, to no avail. Were asking that anyone with information about Payton or others involved in the shooting share it, police said.

Before the shooting, Payton was already wanted on multiple felony warrants, including domestic violence and gun charges. The most recent warrant  for domestic violence  stems from the afternoon of the shooting, when police were called to the home of one of Paytons relatives and encountered a woman with injuries she said Payton had inflicted. Payton was not there, but after talking to the woman, police issued an arrest warrant.

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This undated photo provided by The Sacramento Police Department shows Mtula Payton, who is wanted on multiple felony warrants, including domestic violence and gun charges. (Uncredited / Associated Press)

We are examining all aspects of this incident to understand it as thoroughly as possible, police said in their news release.

Courts records also show that Payton has a long history of gun charges, among other alleged crimes.

He was arrested and charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a gun in 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. The guns included a .22-caliber revolver, a .30-caliber rifle, and a .45-caliber handgun.

With him during his 2021 arrest was Devazia Turner, one of the men who was killed during the shootout.

Payton was also charged, over the years, with second-degree robbery, possessing marijuana for sale, stealing from Macy's and driving without a license. The disposition of all those cases was not immediately clear. In 2017, Payton was convicted in Sacramento Superior Court of assault with a deadly weapon.

Records also indicate that all three named suspects in the deadly shooting are now alleged to have been involved in domestic violence incidents in the past, a factor that gun violence researchers say has a correlation with mass shootings.

Dandrae Martin served time in Arizona on domestic violence charges stemming from an attack on the mother of two of his children in which he allegedly hit her face, choked her and stepped on her neck.

Smiley Martin, Dandrae's older brother, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in California after he was charged in a domestic violence incident in Sacramento in which court records say he beat the victim until blood covered her eyes, and later whipped her in the face and arm with his belt.

Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester said her department is working to conduct a thorough investigation so the district attorney can present cases that will bring justice to the families of the victims and our entire community.

She added that the investigation has moved very quickly in this first week and it will continue until we can present prosecutors and the public with a complete picture of this terrible crime.

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free P3 Tips smartphone app.

Garrison reported from Sacramento. Times staff writers Anita Chabria in Sacramento and Richard Winton in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Prince Andrew spent two days alone on a luxury California estate watching porn on cable TV.

The claim was made by former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown in a new bombshell book thats coming out on April 26 titled "The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor  The Truth and the Turmoil."

It explores the "scandals, love affairs, power plays and betrayals" that have rocked the British royal family over the last 20 years. It promises to feature new revelations based on Browns access to palace insiders.

The bestselling author previously wrote a biography on the Princess of Wales titled "The Diana Chronicles," which was published in 2007.

JEFFREY EPSTEIN TOLD PEOPLE THAT PRINCE ANDREW WAS A USEFUL IDIOT, BOOK CLAIMS

In her new book, the 68-year-old alleged that the Duke of York "was always as oversexed as a boob-ogling adolescent."

"I am told that former US ambassador to the UK Walter Annenbergs wife, Lee, was appalled when the Duke made a private visit in 1993 to Sunnylands, their magnificent Palm Springs estate in California, and holed up in his bedroom for two days, apparently watching porn on cable TV," she wrote, as quoted in an excerpt published by The Telegraph.

The alleged incident occurred following Andrews separation from Sarah Ferguson in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 1996. Anneberg passed away in 2009 at age 91.

Andrew, widely reputed to be the favorite of Queen Elizabeth IIs three sons, was once a popular royal and acclaimed by the British press for his active service as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War. He went on to earn the nickname "Randy Andy" for courting glamorous girlfriends.

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Prince Andrew on board HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, in which he served as a helicopter pilot.  Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

However, Andrew began losing his popularity and was dubbed "Air Miles Andy" due to accusations of a lavish playboy lifestyle that was funded by taxpayers.

Brown described how Jeffrey Epstein boasted to his pals about using the princes friendship.

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"Privately, Epstein told people that Andrew was an idiot, but  to him  a useful one," Brown wrote. "A senior royal, even if tainted, is always a potent magnet abroad. Epstein confided to a friend that he used to fly the Duke of York to obscure foreign markets, where governments were obliged to receive him, and Epstein went along as HRHs investment adviser. With Andrew as frontman, Epstein could negotiate deals with these (often) shady players."

According to Brown, it was Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of press baron Robert Maxwell, who introduced the pair. Brown claimed Maxwell "fell madly in love" with Epstein "but the affair was brief."

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in New York City, circa 2005. Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

"As a strong-willed, mature woman with a short pixie haircut, she was nothing like the pliable, pre-adolescent waifs Epstein liked to dominate," Brown wrote. "Their relationship quickly turned transactional: Epstein made the money, and Ghislaine made the introductions. Unable to hold his sexual attention, she found a way to keep him at her side by recruiting nubiles (as she called them) to service his insatiable needs."

According to the excerpt, Epstein found ways to keep his new royal pal entertained.

"Epstein made Andrew feel he had joined the big time  the deals, the girls, the plane, the glittering New York world, where he wasnt seen as a full-grown man still dependent on his mothers Privy Purse strings or on the harsh pecking order of the Palace," Brown claimed. "The Duke was always as oversexed as a boob-ogling adolescent."

"The privacy of Epsteins homes was a valuable prerequisite to a prince always trying to avoid Palace censure and the scorn of the press," she wrote. "On visits to New York, instead of staying as expected at the British consulate, Andrew stayed just five blocks away with Epstein so often, he was given his own grandly decorated guest suite. The sardonic Epstein christened it the Britannica Suite."

PRINCE ANDREWS DAUGHTERS, PRINCESS EUGENIE AND PRINCESS BEATRICE, ROPED INTO FRAUD CASE TIED TO ROYAL

Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, right, attend the Royal Ascot Ladies Day. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

In the book, Brown explored the connections among the trio and how they used each other for personal gains.

"Prince Andrew was Ghislaines biggest social catch to present to Epstein," she wrote. "He was easy to entertain and satiate. Andrew, Epstein and Ghislaine became a peripatetic social trio  the Three Musketeers of Lust  showing up together at Ascot, joining a shoot at Sandringham, and stepping out at the Queens Dance of the Decades at Windsor Castle in June 2000. Andrew insists that Epstein was there only as Ghislaines plus-one  but three months after the Sandringham weekend, in March 2001, there they were again, partying together, this time in London."

"It is the events of that weekend that would seal the Duke of Yorks destiny of descent and disappear him altogether into a lifelong pit of shame," the excerpt concluded.

A palace spokesperson didnt immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment concerning Browns book. However, a spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the palace doesnt generally comment "on such books."

PRINCE ANDREW USES EX-WIFE SARAH FERGUSONS INSTAGRAM TO WRITE A NOW-DELETED MESSAGE USING HRH TITLE

Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown previously wrote a biography on Princess Diana. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

In February, Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre in her sex assault lawsuit against the British prince. The-38-year-old alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions. The now-62-year-old repeatedly denied the allegations. The American woman reached the settlement with Andrew after the judge rejected the princes bid to win early dismissal of the lawsuit earlier this year.

In a letter to the judge from Giuffre's attorney David Boies, a statement was included that said, in part: "Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffres charity in support of victims rights. Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffres character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks."

According to the statement, Andrew acknowledged that Epstein trafficked "countless young girls" over many years and said the prince "regrets his association with Epstein and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others." He also pledged to support the victims of sex trafficking as part of demonstrating his regret.

Giuffre asserted that she met Andrew while she traveled frequently with Epstein between 2000 and 2002 when her lawyers maintain she was "on call for Epstein for sexual purposes" and was "lent out to other powerful men," including Andrew.

VIRGINIA GIUFFRE VS. PRINCE ANDREW: BOTH SIDES AGREE TO DROP CASE AFTER $16M SETTLEMENT

Her lawsuit said she suffered significant emotional and psychological distress and harm. She has alleged she had sex with Andrew three times: in London during a 2001 trip, at Epsteins New York mansion when she was 17 and in the Virgin Islands when she was 18.

Andrew repeatedly denied Giuffres allegations and has said he cant recall ever meeting her, although a photograph of Giuffre and Andrew together in a London townhouse, his arm around her bare midriff, was included in Giuffres lawsuit against him.

Inconsistencies in her statements over the years that would have been highlighted by Andrews attorneys at trial may have motivated her, in part, to settle, though she has explained them as innocent mistakes that occurred when recalling traumatic events years later.

Andrew spent years combating concerns about his links with Epstein, who took his life at age 66 in 2019 in a Manhattan federal lockup while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, now 60, was convicted of related charges.

PRINCE ANDREW BELIEVES 'HE HAS A FUTURE AMID SEX ABUSE SETTLEMENT, EXPERT CLAIMS: HE WONT GO AWAY QUIETLY

Virginia Giuffre holds a photo of herself at age 16, when she says Palm Beach multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein began abusing her sexually. Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

A settlement of the Andrew lawsuit would follow deals reached by Giuffre years ago to resolve separate lawsuits against Maxwell and Epstein. It was recently revealed that Epstein settled for $500,000.
Apr. 13Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield vowed Tuesday that his office will support victims of sexual violence, as he joined representatives of AWAY, formerly Women's Resource Center, in Shoemaker Square to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Sexual assault and sexual violence are not only legal issues but are public health issues," Hatfield said. "Though the utilization of economic, physical, or psychological power, predators forever change the mental and/or physical health of their victims.

"I am committed to assisting victims of sexual violence by standing up for them in the court of law.

"Together, we can work to un-silence these voices," he said.

AWAY representatives jointed Hatfield, Raleigh Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brian Parsons and members of law enforcement as they hung teal ribbons in Shoemaker Square and around Beckley in honor of victims of sexual violence and as a pledge to support victims.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

AWAY is a private, non-profit agency that supports victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The organization released data that an American is assaulted every 92 seconds.

While men are victims of sexual violence, women are disproportionately targeted for sexual violence, with nearly 1 in 6 women having experienced rape or attempted rape in their lives, AWAY reported on social media.
The New York Times

Russias war against Ukraine has leveled cities, killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions of others from their homes. But quietly, some military analysts and Western officials are asking why the onslaught has not been even worse. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Russia could be going after Ukrainian railways, roads and bridges more aggressively to try to stanch the flow of Western weapons to the front line. It could have bombed more of the infrastructure a
The Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov "indirectly transferred assets" including the Dilbar yacht to his sister, according to the EU. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images, Sabri Kesen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

German authorities have impounded a $750 million superyacht associated with Alisher Usmanov.

Police said an investigation into "offshore concealment" found the owner was Usmanov's sister.

Dilbar was speculated to have been seized last month, but officials denied it at the time.

Germany's Federal Police have seized the largest megayacht in the world after determining it to be owned by the sister of Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.

The police said they were able to find the owner after an investigation into "offshore concealment" and that the boat would remain at a shipyard in Hamburg.

The European Union's sanctions lists include Alisher Usmanov's sister Gulbakhor Ismailova and say that he "indirectly transferred assets," including Dilbar, to her.

The 512-foot yacht was thought to be under German government control in March when it was spotted at the Blohm+Voss shipyard, where it had been undergoing a refitting since October. Officials denied those reports at the time.

Shortly afterward, the yacht's crew was fired after wages could not be paid because of sanctions, Forbes reported.

With two helipads and the largest indoor pool ever installed on a yacht, Dilbar is worth between $600 million and $735 million and costs $60 million a year to maintain, according to the US Treasury Department.

The UK government estimated Usmanov was worth $18.4 billion from interests in metals, mining, and telecoms, and the EU called him one of "Putin's favorite oligarchs."

Dilbar is named for Usmanov's mother.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Artem Severiukhin has had his racing license revoked by Italian motorsport authorities.

Severiukhin appeared to make a Nazi salute while celebrating a Karting win in Portugal Sunday.

The Automobile Club d'Italia said his actions undermined "humanity, dignity and civil coexistence."

Artem Severiukhin, the 15-year-old Russian kart racer who appeared to make a Nazi salute on the podium of a recent race, has had his racing license revoked by Italian motorsport bosses, who accused him of showing a lack of respect for humanity.

In a statement published Tuesday, the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI)  Italy's motorsport governing body  said that after holding an extraordinary meeting of its sporting council, it had decided to take away Severiukhin's license. The Russian teenager has been competing under the Italian flag since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"Severiukhin has shown a lack of respect not only for the universal values that have always inspired every sport, but also for humanity, dignity and civil coexistence," the ACI's statement said, adding that the gesture was "unspeakable and unacceptable."

Severiukhin caused outrage in the world of motorsport Sunday when he raised his arm in what seemed to be a Nazi salute, having taken victory in the opening round of the European Karting Championships, which took place in Portimao, Portugal.

Standing on the podium to celebrate his win, Severiukhin pounded his chest before raising the salute, then bursting into laughter which lasted for several seconds.

After the apparent Nazi salute, Severiukhin was almost immediately dropped by his team, Ward Racing, and is currently under investigation by the FIA.

He has since apologized for his conduct, calling himself a "fool," but denying that he supports Nazism or fascism in any way.

"Standing on the podium, I depicted a gesture that many perceived as a Nazi greeting. But that's not true. I have never supported Nazism and consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity," he said in a statement on his Instagram page.

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"I know it's my fault, I know I'm a fool, and I'm ready to be punished."

The removal of Severiukhin's license in Italy means that for the time being, he is likely unable to compete in any further events in the European karting season, unless another European nation is willing to grant him a new license.

The ACI said it did not rule out further punishment for Severiukhin but did not specify what form that punishment could take.

Read the original article on Insider
As the latest deadline for Chicago police officers to get the COVID-19 vaccine came and went Wednesday, the remaining holdouts in the department found themselves once again facing off with the city over who would blink first.

Under a court-ordered arbitrators ruling in February, the approximately 12,000 employees of the Chicago Police Department had until Wednesday to get the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the first shot of the Johnson & Johnson version.

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That decision came after months of contention between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara over her vaccination requirement for all city employees, a rivalry that played out in public finger-pointing and, at one point, dueling lawsuits.

As of Monday, 2,120 Police Department members remained unvaccinated; the city did not have more updated figures on Wednesday. But not all unvaccinated cops face losing their police powers as a result of failing to comply, as 1,439 of them have approved religious and medical exemptions.

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That means up to 681 police employees  or 5.5% of the Police Department  could be refusing to get the vaccine without a valid accommodation in place. Those who arent waiting on a pending exemption could be placed on no-pay status, should the city decide to enforce its mandate by stripping their police powers as it has in the past, albeit gradually.

A much greater number of department employees have been denied their exemption request: 3,254. And 571 are still waiting on a response to their applications.

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Fifteen Chicago police employees were on no-pay status as of Wednesday, according to department spokesman Tom Ahern. He and the mayors office did not respond to questions on how urgently they would move on penalizing more officers, though in the past Lightfoot has warned all that city employees still defying the vaccination order will lose pay.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot answers questions during a news conference about Chicago city employee COVID-19 vaccination requirements at City Hall on Oct. 14, 2021. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

All city employees, including Chicago police officers, who fail to comply may also face disciplinary action, up to and including termination. These decisions will be addressed at an individual and department level, and are being undertaken in a manner that will not impact public safety or the continuity of everyday government operations, her office had said in a March statement.

Catanzara did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, though he posted a YouTube video Monday that discussed the topic, including: Were not letting it sit as is. Were going to address the issues that remain  This just needs to stop, and the city could put a stop to it tomorrow.

The police union leaders standoff with City Hall began last August, when Lightfoot announced her directive that all city employees had until Oct. 15 to report their vaccination status but could choose to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, rather than get shots, through the end of the year. After some verbal sparring that included Catanzara likening the mandate to Nazi Germany  for which he apologized  the two sides filed lawsuits against each other in October.

The citys claimed that Catanzaras repeated comments instructing his union members to defy the mandate constituted an illegal strike, while the FOPs lawsuit centered on Lightfoot implementing the policy without collective bargaining, according to court records.

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The city ultimately tossed its challenge, though not before one judge put a temporary restraining order on Catanzara, forbidding him from making public comments encouraging his members to disobey the citys vaccination rules.

Meanwhile, the FOP succeeded in getting the Dec. 31 date for members to be fully inoculated briefly suspended by a judge, who said the matter needed to go through arbitration. But the union was dealt a blow when the arbitrator in February said the city did not violate its collective bargaining agreements with the FOP and other police unions in laying out its COVID-19 vaccination policy last year.

The arbitrator ruling set a March 13 deadline for officers to receive a first dose of the shot, with a second shot due by April 13, though it allowed for extensions when someone has made a good-faith effort to get a first-shot appointment.

Attempts by the union to scuttle that decision have so far been unsuccessful.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

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Eritrean asylum seeker Hanna Araya sells freshly baked bread during the lunchtime rush at a London market -- as she waits to see if she can remain in the UK.

For six months, the 19-year-old has volunteered for Breadwinners, a charity offering asylum seekers and refugees work experience and paid employment on their market stalls across London and in nearby Brighton.

"It's really (been) a big impact for me, because it's been challenging to get here and to get the first job in the UK," Araya told AFP of the opportunity provided by Breadwinners, whose slogan reads "Fresh Bread, Fresh Start".

"So now I get confidence, I would love to work in the future, maybe to be a nurse or radiologist," she said from the stall in Greenwich, south London.

- Ukrainian refugees -

In Britain, an asylum seeker who is allowed to remain permanently in the country obtains "refugee" status, in turn enabling them to gain paid work.

At the end of September, Britain had nearly 84,000 outstanding cases for refugee status, up 41 percent year-on-year, the latest official data showed.

Founded in 2016, Breadwinners has helped 208 refugees, the vast majority of whom have gone on to university or to find paid employment.

Over the past decade, UK sandwich chain Pret A Manger has hired refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Sri Lanka and Yemen.

"There are so many things refugees can bring to a company, from hard work... to infectious smiles," said Alice Sloman, a manager at Breadwinners.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in millions of new refugees seeking sanctuary elsewhere in Europe.

Only around 12,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK since the start of the war owing to a slow administrative process compared with other countries.

"At the moment we haven't employed any Ukrainian refugees but we welcome everyone to join our programme, regardless of which country they were born in," said Sloman.

"We would love to have Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers join our team."

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Some major UK employers have publicly said they are willing to take on Ukrainians fleeing their country, including food-to-clothing retailer Marks and Spencer, supermarket Aldi, mobile phone group Vodafone and accountants PwC.

Bread & Roses, an NGO helping women refugees become florists, said it had noticed a difference in how the West had welcomed Ukrainians compared with other nationalities fleeing their homes -- including from Syria -- and has called for equal treatment.

"We support the speed and openness with which Ukrainians are being welcomed to seek sanctuary," it said in a statement.

"But we believe that this should be the rule, rather than the exception, for how we treat refugees."

- Job skills -

Some sectors in the UK, notably hospitality and logistics, are struggling to fill vacancies following Brexit and after people switched jobs during the pandemic.

Official data Tuesday showed record overall vacancies in Britain, while wages are being eroded by the highest UK inflation in decades.

Breadwinners' own programmes help asylum seekers and refugees to polish their English and to prepare for job interviews.

Refugees can also get their first paid job with Breadwinners awaiting employment elsewhere.

"Breadwinners has helped me with improving my customer service skills," said Vanessa Nwosu, a Nigerian working alongside Araya to sell sourdough and cereal bread.

"It's also helped me in learning about confidence.

"How to treat people and stuff like that... Now I know how to smile and talk to people so it's really helped me in that aspect," added the 29-year-old, who hopes to work for a non-governmental organisation.

ved-bcp/imm
A U.S. Marine Corps captain and three prospective Sikh recruits are suing the Marine Corps after being told not to don religious articles during boot camp and overseas deployment.



Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, who currently serves as Battalion Fire Direction Officer for 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California, joined the Marine Corps in 2017 and had to make the extremely difficult decision to shave his beard and cut his hair. The 27-year-old was permitted to keep his turban, long hair and beard after filing a request in March 2021.



He is now allowed to don his religious articles while on duty in the U.S. However, the Marine Corps still prohibits him from doing so during boot camp and while deployed overseas.



Toor and three prospective Sikh recruits, Milaap Singh Chahal, Jaskirat Singh and Aekash Singh, filed a lawsuit targeting hair and beard restrictions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday. The lawsuit also names other officials, including Marine commandant Gen. David H. Berger, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, according to court records.



Toor and the prospective recruits claimed that the Marine Corps forced them to choose between a career of military service and their Sikh faith. Toor also added in the lawsuit that being obliged to shave his beard on deployments would compel him to violate his religious beliefs or face harsh penalties. The repercussions may include dishonorable discharge.



I have proven my commitment to the Corps through my four years of service, and Im ready to deploy just like any other service member, Toor said in a statement. I cant do that, however, as long as Im left on the bench because of my religious beliefs.



We remain ready to meet the high mental and physical standards of the Marine Corps because we want to serve our country alongside the best, the prospective recruits said in a joint statement. We cannot, however, give up our right to our religious faith while doing so  not least of all because that is one of the core American values that we will fight to protect at all costs as proud U.S. Marines.



The Marine Corps stated that there can be no full religious accommodations for Marines because beards and religious articles offend the uniformity that the Marine Corps claims is critical, according to the lawsuit.



The Marine Corps also said that beards could interfere with the effectiveness of gas masks. However, representatives of the Sikh men argued that the Marine Corps changed its shaving policy in January to allow service members with medical conditions to forgo the rule.



The mens attorneys also pointed out that other military branches, such as the Air Force and the Army, have no restrictions that target religious articles.



Treating a Sikhs beard, a core tenet of the faith, as merely optional is unacceptable, Giselle Klapper, a senior staff attorney at the Sikh Coalition and one of the mens attorneys, said. It is time for the USMC to recognize what the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and armed forces around the world already know: Articles of faith do not preclude Sikhs from capable military service.



Feature Image via Pixabay

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Reuters

President Vladimir Putin will send a "doomsday" warning to the West when he leads celebrations on Monday marking the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany, brandishing Russia's vast firepower while its forces fight on in Ukraine. Defiant in the face of deep Western isolation since he ordered the invasion of Russia's neighbour, Putin will speak on Red Square before a parade of troops, tanks, rockets and intercontinental ballistic missiles. A fly-past over St Basil's Cathedral will include supersonic fighters, Tu-160 strategic bombers and, for the first time since 2010, the Il-80 "doomsday" command plane, which would carry Russia's top brass in the event of a nuclear war, the Defence Ministry said.
Steven Seagal reiterated his support for Vladimir Putin and his allies at a party in Moscow for his 70th birthday, it has emerged.

The star of several Hollywood action films, including Under Siege, attended a dinner held in his honour at a restaurant in Moscow on Sunday (10 April).

According to The Times, the allies present at the event included Russian state TV host Vladimir Soleviev and Russian journalist Margarita Simonyan, both of whom have been placed on an EU sanctions list in response to Putins invasion of Ukraine.

In a video circulated on Twitter, Seagal, who previously called Putin one of the greatest world leaders, if not the greatest world leader, alive today, could be seen calling everyone in the room my family and my friends.

He added in English, with a translator by his side: I love all of you and we stand together, through thick and through thin.

Seagals praise of Putin comes as Russias invasion of Ukraine enters its sixth week. In March, Seagal told Fox News Digital that he looks at both Russia and Ukraine as one family.

Most of us have friends and family in Russia and Ukraine, he said at the time. I look at both as one family and really believe it is an outside entity spending huge sums of money on propaganda to provoke the two countries to be at odds with each other.

Steven Seagal praised Putin at his birthday party in Moscow (Getty)

My prayers are that both countries will come to a positive, peaceful resolution where we can live and thrive together in peace, Seagal added.

In 2018, Russia appointed the Above The Law actor as a special envoy to improve ties with the US.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Seagals responsibility would be to facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges.

When Seagal received his Russian citizenship in 2017, Ukraine barred him from entering the country, as fighting between Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces escalated in eastern Ukraine.

The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.
Humanity's expansion across the globe is inextricably tied to the environmental conditions that our early ancestors faced. On Wednesday, a research team from South Korea's Pusan National University revealed research from supercomputing modeling that suggests just how much of humanity's rise is thanks to changes in prehistoric weather.

The Pusan team, led by climate physicist Axel Timmermann, used an "unprecedented transient Pleistocene-coupled general circulation model simulation in combination with an extensive compilation of fossil and archaeological records to study the spatiotemporal habitat suitability for five hominin species over the past 2 million years," per the study published in Nature.

That 2-million year model, which the team refers to as the 2ma simulation, "reproduces key palaeoclimate records such as tropical sea surface temperatures, Antarctic temperatures, the eastern African hydroclimate and the East Asian summer monsoon in close agreement with paleo-reconstructions," to ensure a realistic representation of how the rain patterns in Southern Africa were likely shifting at the time.

Basically, the team was looking at how the 41,000-year cyclical patterns of precipitation and temperature change caused by the Earth's axial wobble impacted the availability of resources for early humans and our close cousins. By combining the synthetic data generated by the 2ma simulation with the hard evidence of fossil and archaeological findings, the team puzzled out the places where homo sapiens and our genetic offshoots were most likely to inhabit.

The Pusan team noted a few surprising trends emerging from the data. For example, the researchers found that around 700,000 years ago, Homo heidelbergensis (suspected to be the progenitors of both Neanderthals and modern humans) began expanding from their traditional range. They were able to do so because our planet's elliptical orbit created wetter, more habitable climate conditions at that time to support the expansion. The simulation projected the movement of these wet spots across the Earth and the researchers found evidence within the fossil record that moved along with them.

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The global collection of skulls and tools is not randomly distributed in time, Timmermann told Nature. It follows a pattern.

Timmermann explained that these results could support the single-evolutionary-path hypothesis, which posits that climate change 700,000 years ago led to hotter, drier conditions in South Africa and h. heidelbergensis' evolutionary response to those changes eventually gave rise to Homo sapiens.

"We acknowledge that our species subdivisions may be controversial and that these do not necessarily require constancy of morphology, habitat and behaviour," the team wrote. "However, even though some species attributions such as H. heidelbergensis could be questioned, we remain confident that the majority of the record presents little challenge considering that 86 percent of the core data belong to the well-defined, widely accepted H. neanderthalensis or H. sapiens record and tool-making traditions."

These findings won't likely end the debate on humanity's beginnings but rather add to our growing patchwork of understanding.
Travel Industry Implements New Measures And Prepares For Impact For New Omicron Covid Variant

People in masks wait for their plane departure in Houston on Dec. 3, 2021. Credit - Brandon BellGetty Images

After two years of pandemic living, Americans are collectively ready for a vacation. About 85% of people in the U.S. expect to travel this summer, according to data from the industry trade group U.S. Travel Association. Many others arent even waiting that long. Almost 2.3 million people passed through U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints on April 10, only slightly fewer than on that date in 2019.

No matter how much we might like to, though, its not always possible to take a vacation from COVID-19. The virus is still circulating widely, including in popular tourist destinations like the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy. That means getting sick while traveling is a real possibilityand one that can turn into an expensive and stressful logistical headache.

What happens if you get COVID-19 while traveling internationally?

To enter the U.S., international travelers currently need either a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within one day of their flight or proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. (This policy applies to both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, but children younger than 2 are exempt.) Without one of those documents, you cannot board a U.S.-bound flight. If you test positive, you should isolate and delay travel for 10 days, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But where do you stay if you need to quarantine abroad? And who pays for extended accommodations and rescheduled flights?

Specifics vary from country to country, but the short answer is that travelers are often on the hook. Exceptions to the test-to-return policy may be granted on an extremely limited basis, such as in the event of an emergency medical evacuation or humanitarian crisis, the CDC saysbut the average vacationer wont have many options beyond paying to extend their stay.

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Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than anticipated, the U.S. Department of State writes on its website. This includes being ready to cover additional lodging costs, flight ticket change fees, and any other additional expenses they may incur due to the unexpected extension.

Some travel insurance covers extra expenses incurred because of a COVID-19 case, but policies may not cover all costs related to an extension, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association. Travelers concerned about this potential disruption in their travels should first look for a policy that includes sickness or quarantine as a covered reason, and then determine which benefits quarantine falls under and the limits of those benefits, they wrote in a statement.

A spokesperson for the State Department said travelers who must isolate should contact their hotels and airlines to arrange accommodations and re-book travel, and, if necessary, seek assistance from their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The spokesperson added that U.S. citizens traveling abroad are subject to local quarantine rules, which may differ from those of the U.S. CDC.

Certain countries maintain quarantine hotels where travelers can quarantine upon arrival (if required by that country) or ride out their isolation periods. USA Today reports that some resorts even offer discounted rates to guests who have to extend their stays to isolate. Its smart to check ahead of time, however, as these hotels arent available in all areas and their costs vary widely.

Aliya Waldman, who is 29 and lives in Missouri, stayed in a quarantine hotel after catching COVID-19 during a March trip with the Birthright program, which organizes visits to Israel for Jewish young adults. Waldman was required to stay in the hotel for a full week, even though she tested negative after five days in isolation. She believes the costs of her stay and new return flight were covered by Birthright, but says the experience has made her think twice about traveling abroad independently during the pandemic. I wont be able to afford getting stuck in another country, she says.

Its not clear how long international travelers will have to abide by the CDCs testing requirement. Four trade groupsthe U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commercerecently urged the White Houses coronavirus czar to suspend that policy, since many Americans have some immunity to the virus from vaccination and prior exposure, and are thus at lower risk than they were earlier in the pandemic. While providing little health benefit, this requirement discourages travel by imposing an additional cost and the fear of being stranded overseas, they wrote in a joint letter.

What happens if you get COVID-19 while traveling within the U.S.?

There is no negative test requirement for most domestic transportation, only a mask mandate that the CDC said will be in place through at least May 3. But that doesnt mean you should get on a plane, train, or bus if youre sick. The CDC says not to travel if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive and not yet completed an isolation period. Without a testing requirement in place, though, that guideline depends heavily on the honor system.

Nonetheless, travelers who test positive for COVID-19 within the U.S. should self-isolate where they are, if theres no way to get home via private transportation. Finding a place to do so can be tricky, though. Some U.S. cities with hotel quarantine programs, including New York City and Philadelphia, are winding them down, and Airbnb says guests should not check into a listing if they have COVID-19. Competing rental platform Vrbo, however, told Conde Nast Traveler that its private properties can be an ideal lodging option for guests who need to quarantine or self-isolate.
HOUSTON (AP)  Members of a Texas House committee on Tuesday repeatedly pressed a prosecutor to use his authority to stop the April 27 execution of a woman whose conviction is being questioned amid growing doubts about whether she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter.

But during a sometimes contentious hearing, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz initially resisted calls from lawmakers that he ask a judge to recall the death warrant for Melissa Lucio, suggesting at first he didnt have the power to do so, then later saying there was no legal reason for him to act as various appeals court are still considering requests in her case. He later declared his belief the execution would be stopped.

I believe the (Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) will issue a stay and that is the way the system works, Saenz said.

But lawmakers on the Interim Study Committee on Criminal Justice Reform expressed frustration during the meeting in Austin that Saenz would not push the pause button himself.

Washing your hands to make this decision yourself to me is very shocking, said state Rep. Jeff Leach, the committees chair.

Saenz pushed back, saying he disagreed with claims by Lucios attorneys that there was new evidence that would exonerate her.

I am not washing my hands of this. I am dealing with it and there are hard decisions to make. You disagree with me but that doesnt mean I am washing my hands of it, Saenz said.

Saenz later said that if an appeals courts didnt take action to stop Lucios execution, he would work to delay it so the various legal claims pending in the case could be reviewed.

State Rep. Joe Moody said he believed if there are mistakes in a case, it is the duty and the moral responsibility of a prosecutor to right those wrongs.

But Saenz disagreed, saying courts call the errors, not me.

Tuesdays hearing was led by Leach and Moody, who are part of a bipartisan group of more than 80 Texas House members who are troubled by Lucios case and believe new evidence shows she did not fatally beat her daughter Mariah in 2007 in the South Texas city of Harlingen.

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The lawmakers last month sent a letter to the states Board of Pardons and Paroles and Gov. Greg Abbott asking them to grant an execution reprieve or commute her sentence.

Leach and Moody were among a group of seven lawmakers who last week visited Lucio on womens death row in Gatesville, Texas.

Prosecutors have maintained Mariah was the victim of child abuse as her body was covered in bruises. A medical examiner testified Mariah died from a blow to her head. Authorities say Lucio had a history of drug abuse and at times had lost custody of some of her 14 children.

But Lucios lawyers say jurors never heard forensic evidence that would have explained Mariahs various injuries were actually caused by a fall down a steep staircase. They also say Lucio wasnt allowed to present evidence questioning the validity of her confession, which they allege was given under duress after hours of relentless questioning.

Several jurors from her trial have also expressed doubts about her conviction.

One of those jurors, Johnny Galvan Jr., appeared before the committee. In a statement that was read by his daughter, Galvan said he believed Lucios lawyers failed to present pertinent evidence in her case and he felt pressured by other jurors to sentence her to death.

I will be haunted by Ms. Lucios execution if it goes forward, Galvan said.

Earlier Tuesday, Lucios attorneys announced a fifth juror has questioned the conviction. An alternate juror has also expressed doubts.

I believe Ms. Lucio deserves a new trial and for a new jury to hear this evidence. Knowing what I know now, I dont think she should be executed, Melissa Quintanilla, the jury forewoman, said in an affidavit.

Saenz said his office had contacted the seven other jurors who sentenced Lucio and six of them had not changed their minds while the seventh had died.

After the committee meeting, Sonya Alvarez, one of Lucios sisters, said her family was encouraged after hearing Saenz say he would stop the execution if the courts didnt act.

Were just hopeful ... that hes going to do the right thing and allow this new evidence to be presented, Alvarez said.

Lucio, 52, would be the first Latina executed by Texas since 1863 and the first woman since 2014. Only 17 women have been executed in the U.S. since the Supreme Court lifted its ban on the death penalty in 1976, most recently in January 2021.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70

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This story has been corrected to show that Lucio would have been the first Latina to be executed by Texas since 1863, not ever.
Authorities were searching for a man identified Tuesday as another gunman in a California shooting that left six people dead and 12 injured this month, police said.

Mtula Payton, 27, was one of at least five suspects who investigators in Sacramento think opened fire in a busy downtown area April 3, the police department said in a statement.

Payton is the third suspect identified in what authorities have described as a barrage of gang-fueled gunfire.

Brothers Dandrae Martin, 26, and Smiley Martin, 27, were arrested in the days after the shooting on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Smiley Martin faced an additional charge of possession of a machine gun.

Dandrae Martin, the first suspect to be apprehended, had not been charged with any crimes directly linked to the shooting, according to online jail records.

His brother was wounded and hospitalized with serious injuries. The records show that he is not in jail.

It wasnt immediately clear whether the men have lawyers to speak on their behalf. Online court records didnt list any.

A third person arrested on gun charges after the shooting hasnt been identified as a suspect.

According to the police department, Payton has multiple outstanding arrest warrants, including warrants for domestic violence and gun allegations.

His location was unknown Tuesday, the police department said, adding that detectives have exhausted all leads trying to find and arrest him.

The police department asked anyone with information to contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers.
Shyann, Amanda, Ryan and Sebastian (Andrea Van Orsouw Photography/PA Real Life)

A remarkable five-year-old who learned to read before he could walk has wowed millions of people online with his photographic memory and ability to write in 10 different languages after sharing his gift on TikTok with his 400K followers.

When tiny Sebastian Esposito was 18 months old, he became obsessed with a wooden letter puzzle and began spelling out words like cat and dog  going on to write more than 200 words by the time he was two, as well as learning the entire Russian alphabet.

Now five and in kindergarten, where his classmates are still learning their ABCs, Sebastian has a reading age of 18, has memorised the Greek, German, Armenian, and Turkish alphabets and can recite the entire periodic table of elements by heart  although he cannot yet tie his shoelaces.

Proud dad Ryan Esposito, 30, a mine worker, who lives in Albuquerque, USA, with his photographer wife Amanda Esposito, 33, her daughter from a previous relationship, Shyann, 14, and Sebastian, said: Every parent thinks their child is special. But I knew Sebastian was really special.

When he started to spell words backwards, I thought maybe he was an alien. And he picked up all these words so quickly. It was incredible.

Four-year-old Sebastian (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: We think he has a photographic memory. Anything he sees he just stores in his head and never forgets it.

Sebastian has a condition called hyperlexia, which is when a child has a reading ability well in advance of their age and has a fascination with numbers or letters.

Three-year-old Sebastian obsessed with letters (Collect/PA Real Life)

He was diagnosed aged three as well as being found to have autism, a developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

When Sebastians family first started posting videos of him online, it was to raise awareness of his condition and they never expected the short clips to go viral  with some attracting nearly 20 million views.

Amanda, Ryan, Sebastian, Shyann and Amanda (Andrea Van Orsouw Photography/PA Real Life)

The most popular TikToks, which he posts under the name @litttle.einstein, often show him writing out an entire alphabet or every font on Microsoft Word, as well as listing every country and capital in the world from memory.

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Ryan said: He can list every single country in the world and their flag, their capitals and where they are. He can tell a country from the outline.

Sebastian is obsessed with alphabets (Collect/PA Real Life)

Seeing him flourish like this is so brilliant. We dont feel like we deserve such a blessing.

Were just trying to spread awareness about his condition, as even we as a family look at him differently because of the way he is.

Sebastian is obsessed with letters (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: Sebastian cant really speak with his words, its quite difficult for him. He has all of these thoughts, but he struggles to communicate that way.

He has an amazing mind, but he needs to write it down and he can let you know exactly how he is feeling.

If he falls down and hurts himself, its tough for him to let us know, so it can be really difficult.

Sebastian loves flags (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: We want people to know that every kid isnt the same. But they are all brilliant.

Sebastian cant put on his own shoes, but he can write in Russian  and thats fine.

What was meant to be one of the best days of the young familys life on July 19 2016 when Sebastian was born, quickly became their worst, as both he and his mum were just moments from death when he became jammed in the birth canal.

Sebastian loves reading (Collect/PA Real Life)

Medics warned Ryan that the pair would not survive if the baby was not delivered within 30 minutes, reducing him to floods of tears.

Ryan said: I couldnt believe what was happening. It was the worst day of my life, but also the best as Sebastian was born.

The alarms started going off. The nurses even threw me out of the room.

Sebastians birth in 2016 (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: I took off crying and then they told me I could cut the cord because he was fine. He was blue when I saw him though, he didnt even look alive.

Incredibly, both mum and son survived the dramatic delivery, but Sebastian was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at the Presbyterian Hospital of Albuquerque, where he remained for nine days.

Ryan was told his son would probably have significant developmental issues, but the first-time dad was not worried at all, as he just wanted to hold his baby.

Three-year-old Sebastian colouring (Collect/PA Real Life)

He said: When we were told he could have difficulties, we werent concerned at all. We just wanted him to be okay.

Once we took him home, we were just your average paranoid parents, always making sure he was still breathing.

We could tell his cognitive ability was there, so it didnt matter to us if there was something wrong.

Three-year-old Sebastian (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: I was just glad he and his mum both survived.

Sebastian only started crawling when he was nine months old and did not begin to walk until he was nearly two.

Despite struggling with speech delay, the perceptive tot was easily potty trained, as his quick-thinking parents started to use wooden letters to spell out instructions.

Two-year-old Sebastian drawing on a wall (Collect/PA Real Life)

Ryan said: As hes speech delayed, these games and puzzles are the way I can communicate with my son.

Its how we potty trained him. We wrote it down. We told him to pee and do a number two in the toilet.

Wed write down questions like what he wanted to eat and he would tell us.

Two-year-old Sebastian learning the alphabet (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: Now he can tell us anything with written words. Thats how we taught him.

Ryan initially tried to engage in more traditional father-son activities with Sebastian, like playing with toys or throwing a ball about, but he realised that his little boys one true passion was reading.

On Sebastians first proper Christmas in 2018, he was given a Russian alphabet puzzle and Ryan said he could not have been happier.

Sebastian loved drawing letters (Collect/PA Real Life)

He added: His very first Christmas, we got him a Russian alphabet puzzle and he reacted like a kid whod received his favourite bike.

He just loves reading and he becomes completely obsessed with it.

Instead of playing with toys, Ryan engages with Sebastian by giving him spelling challenges, logo guessing games, or font quizzes, where he types out every font on Microsoft Word.

Five-year-old Sebastian (Collect/PA Real Life)

Armed with the knowledge learned from his hundreds and hundreds of books, Sebastian has yet to back down from a challenge.

Ryan said: He is so, so passionate. We tried to get him to play with trucks and cars, but its not what he wants.

All he cares about is learning. He has plenty of toys, but they are just covered in dust.

All he cares about is learning. He has plenty of toys, but they are just covered in dust

When they see what he can do, I worry people think were forcing him to learn. But its all his own doing.

Learning is his version of playing with toy dinosaurs. He loves spelling challenges, or guessing logos, or writing out fonts.

And Ryan says Sebastian teaches him something new each day.

Four-year-old Sebastian reading (Collect/PA Real Life)

He said: I feel like Ive been learning so much thanks to Sebastian. He has taught me that Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world.

He knows the entire periodic table of elements by heart, I couldnt even tell you 10 of them.

Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world Genghis Khan has 16 million descendants living today Who every US president is and what their signatures are The Dutch alphabet is basically the same as the English alphabet Most languages are derived from Latin

He added: I can list most African countries in the world now thanks to him. Ive learned so much just from playing with him.

Being Sebastians dad has made me more compassionate and more understanding about other people and their kids as well.

You can follow Sebastians brilliant videos on Instagram or TikTok on @litttle.einstein.
Elon Musk attends TIME Person of the Year on December 13, 2021 in New York City.

Theo Wargo/Getty Elon Musk

Elon Musk's connection to Twitter is the subject of a new lawsuit.

Musk  the wealthiest person on the planet  recently purchased a 9.2 percent stake in the social media platform, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission document filed on April 4. That makes him the company's largest shareholder.

Now another Twitter shareholder, Marc Bain Rasella, claims investors lost out on gains because the Tesla CEO waited too long to declare his massive purchase, Bloomberg reported.

Filed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, Rasella's lawsuit contends that Musk was supposed to notify the Security and Exchanges Commission of his purchase by March 24, according to a copy of the court documents posted by NPR.

For more on Elon Musk, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

By delaying the disclosure, Musk was able to buy more shares at a lower price, and cost other investors potential profits, Rasella claims.

Representation for Musk did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Rasella's court docs say the suit was filed on behalf of Twitter investors who sold their shares from March 24 to April 1, except for Musk, his family and affiliates.

RELATED: Elon Musk Becomes Twitter's Largest Shareholder After Questioning Tech Giant's Free Speech Practices

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"When Musk finally filed the required Schedule 13, thereby revealing his ownership stake in Twitter, the Company's shares rose from a closing price of $39.31 per share on April 1, 2022, to close at $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022  an increase of approximately 27-percent," the court docs say.

The suit alleges Musk "knew or recklessly disregarded" his obligation to notify the regulators.

"[Musk] saved approximately $143 million on his Twitter purchases by delaying the filing of the required Schedule 13G/D and purchasing additional shares at deflated prices," the suit says.

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RELATED: Grimes Says Elon Musk Sees Son X  A-12 as a 'Protege': He's 'Bringing Him to Everything'

The tech mogul, who has more than 80 million Twitter followers, made his investment in Twitter after accusing the company of "failing to adhere to free speech" practices and giving "serious thought" to starting his own social media site.

RELATE VIDEO: Elon Musk and Grimes Split After 3 Years: 'We Are Semi-Separated but Still Love Each Other'

Though Musk is now Twitter's largest shareholder, he decided not to join the company's board following his investment.

"Elon's appointment to the board was to become officially effective 4/9, but Elon shared that same morning that he will no longer be joining the board," Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said in a tweet. "I believe this is for the best. We have and will always value input from our shareholders whether they are on our Board or not. Elon is our biggest shareholder and we will remain open to his input."
Dr. James F. Linzey Prays at Bataan Death March 80th Anniversary Dr. James F. Linzey at the 80th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March in Poway, California NEWS PROVIDED BY

Military Bible Association

April 13, 2022



POWAY, Calif., April 13, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Dr. James F. Linzey of the Military Bible Association: Saturday, April 9, 2022, was the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II and the day, 80 years ago, the Bataan Death March began. This was the forced march, under gun point of the Imperial Japanese Army, of up to 80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war from Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan and Mariveles to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, through San Fernando, Pampanga.



The distance that the POWs were marched was 69 miles. During the march, up to 18,000 Filipino soldiers and up to 650 American soldiers died. During the march soldiers suffered severe physical torture and many were killed.



The commemoration on the 80th Anniversary at Poway Veterans' Park in Poway, California, was organized by Commander Don Biadog, CHC, USN (Ret.), a former Command Chaplain of MCAS Miramar in San Diego who is also a native Filipino. The purpose of the commemoration was to honor the victims and their descendants and relatives for the tragedy that befell them.



Commander Biadog expanded the ceremony to honor all veterans, saying, "We must never forget the undaunted courage, unwavering tenacity, and the ultimate sacrifice of our WWII veterans who fought in the Philippines. The 80th tribute honors and remembers the fallen and the survivors and the families of WWII heroes."



I had the privilege of making remarks about World War II, writing and presenting the Bataan Death March Memorial Prayer for the occasion to a packed out crowd of several hundred people after the USMC Color Guard from MCAS Miramar posted the colors, and presenting a copy of The Presidents' Bible to the guest speaker, movie producer Francis Lara Ho. My three takeaways from the event are as follows: Honor

One may suffer defeat while maintaining honor. These soldiers suffered a temporary defeat, even if killed in the process. But many of them did so honorably by not forsaking God and glorifying God in their hearts through it all. Likewise, this applies to our everyday experiences. No matter how terrible our treatment might be by anyone or any circumstance, God expects us to handle these honorably in thought, word, and deed. For the Word says, "No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13, MEV).



Love

Love repels fear and might also repel our enemies. They may destroy our reputations with deception in the minds of their friends. When they do, they are actually exhibiting hatred of their friends because deception is based on hatred. They may hurt us physically or even kill us if they could get away with it, but they cannot touch our souls, for our souls belong to God if we have surrendered to Him. And they may try to instill fear within us, but love casts out all fear, for the Word says, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love" (1 Jn. 4:18, MEV).



Victory

Victory comes with a cost. Nothing is free. Someone paid for whatever we have. Sometimes others pay for what we have, our parents paid for what we received through much of life, and Christ certainly paid for our sins on the cross and gave salvation to us who received it. But we ourselves must pay for most of what we attain in life. Those who fight in war must pay the price to win. Their lives, and those for whom they fight, depend on their diligence and preparedness to achieve the victory. Spiritual warfare parallels war between nations and conflict with people in our lives. The cost of victory is paid on our knees and in the Word and by acting on the wisdom God gives us when we are in the midst of any conflict. The Word says, "For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12, MEV). In closing, I would like to share the Memorial Prayer of the Bataan Death March Creator of the universe,

We mourn for those who died

In the Bataan death march of 69 miles,

Whose souls then left this earth.



O God who rules the heart and mind

And takes away all fear;

O God who saves with tender might

And calms the wind, draw near.



Thy presence, felt with boundless love,

Wherever they may go;

Thy Spirit, gentle as a dove,

Be Thou the God they know.



Eternal Father, strong to save,

In prayer before Thy Light;

In solitude of sovereign grace,

We thank you for their might. Amen. About the Author:

James F. Linzey served on the translation committee for the Modern English Version Bible, and is a retired Army chaplain with the rank of Major, having served for nearly 24 years. His parents were World War II hero Captain Stanford E. Linzey, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), and Dr. Verna M. Linzey, who was declared by Admiral Frederick C. Johnson to be the Mother of the Fleet of the US Navy for building the largest Sunday School program in the US Navy at NAS Moffett Field.



SOURCE Military Bible Association



CONTACT: James F. Linzey, 760-855-3905



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Ald. Daniel Solis speaks while Alexander Gourlay of Walgreens and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel listen at a news conference June 18, 2018, at the old post office in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

A seemingly routine arraignment for former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis took a turn Wednesday when prosecutors revealed that the city may try to intervene in the bombshell case as a victim of Solis alleged corruption.

The revelation came shortly after Solis, the former 25th Ward alderman who wore an undercover wire to help build cases against Ald. Edward Burke and ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, entered a not guilty plea to a bribery count filed last week.

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The arraignment was the first public hearing stemming from Solis unprecedented deal with prosecutors, who have agreed to drop the case against him in three years in exchange for his extensive and continued cooperation.

Solis plea was a formality and the hearing, which was held by telephone due to COVID-19 protocols, was largely by-the-book.

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But before the proceedings wrapped up, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu told the judge hed learned earlier Wednesday that the city of Chicago may want to intervene in Solis case as a victim, and would object to the exclusion of time, a routine move that avoids conflict with a defendants speedy trial rights.

Bhachu said that while the U.S. attorneys office always invites the participation of victims in criminal cases, he thought it was doubtful that the city would legally qualify as a victim given the facts of the Solis case.

After hearing from both sides, U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood agreed to give the city attorneys a week to appear and make a filing concerning the potential request. A status hearing was set for April 21.

Hours later, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has been highly critical of Solis deal, issued a statement that called him out for violating the public trust in profound ways but stopped short of any seeming attempt to derail the deferred prosecution.

Instead, Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, said she had instructed the Law Department to file a victim impact statement with the court.

Such statements are typically part of a defendants sentencing hearing. But if Solis is never convicted, its unclear what, if any, weight a judge would give to unsolicited comment from the city, placing the move more in the realm of public impression rather than giving it any real teeth.

Because of all of the crimes that have been put on the public record, Solis victimized the residents of his ward and residents in the entire city, all of whom were deprived of the integrity and honesty that should be sacrosanct with all public officials, the mayor said. No one is above the law and Chicago residents expect that their elected officials will be held accountable.

Its not the first time Lightfoot has been critical of Solis. After the Tribune reported on Solis collecting his pension after leaving office in 2019, Lightfoot said she was confident he will face a moment of reckoning.

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What that will be, when that will be, that is not under my control, Lightfoot said that fall.

She has since publicly and privately criticized the deal prosecutors reached with Solis, calling it unconscionable that he might not face a conviction or lose his pension.

Meanwhile, Wednesdays hearing marked the first time  and possibly the last  Solis will be required to appear in court other than to testify or see his case officially dropped.

How long that will take is an open question. Burke, who has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges, still has no trial date nearly three years after he was indicted. Madigan, meanwhile, was charged only last month in a separate racketeering case that could take several years to go to trial.

During Wednesdays 45-minute hearing, Solis spoke calmly and succinctly as he answered a series of questions by the judge about his understanding of the proceedings and competency to make decisions.

My name is Daniel Solis, the 72-year-old former alderman said when asked to identify himself. Later, when asked to enter his plea to the charge, Solis said, I plead not guilty, your honor.

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Solis was allowed to remain free on bond pending resolution of the case.

The deferred prosecution deal was signed by Solis on the day after Christmas 2018 and kept secret for nearly 3 1/2 years before the U.S. attorneys office on Tuesday finally put it on the record.

The bare-bones, one-count criminal information alleged Solis corruptly solicited campaign donations from an unidentified real estate developer in exchange for zoning changes in 2015, when Solis was head of the City Council Zoning Committee.

A statement of facts, which Solis admitted to as part of the deal, linked the scheme to $15,000 in campaign donations related to the Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, a developer backed by Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf that was seeking Solis help with zoning on a project to put a residential building on the former Carmichaels Chicago steakhouse.

Unbeknown to Solis at the time, the FBI was listening in on his phone calls, and agents recorded a July 2015 conversation where one of the aldermans aides warned about the optics of hitting up the groups top executive, Tom Meador, for campaign donations so soon in advance of approving their zoning change.

Ald. Daniel Solis, 25th, during a City Council meeting presided over by then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Dec. 10, 2014. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Solis disregarded the advice, telling the aide that Meador and his associates should be able to structure it so it would not look suspicious, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed in 2019.

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They should be smart enough to figure out how they can give me a contribution, you know, not necessarily connecting with them, so Im just gonna tell them, Solis allegedly said on the wiretapped call.

Yeah, absolutely, Im sure, the unidentified aide replied, according to the affidavit. Hes got like 25 LLCs.

On Aug. 26, 2015, two other executives from Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group  Al Lieberman and Robert Judelson  each donated $5,000 to Solis campaign fund, according to details contained in the deferred prosecution agreement and state election board records.

Two days later, Solis asked one of the developers representatives if they were going to his annual fundraiser in September 2015, which the representative confirmed, according to Solis agreement with prosecutors.

Solis chaired the Zoning Committee meeting on Sept. 21, 2015, where Developer As zoning change was recommended. On that same day, a third executive from the company donated another $5,000 to Solis 25th Ward fund, the agreement stated.

The change was passed by the full City Council three days later, with Solis voting in favor of the project, the agreement stated.

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No one else has been charged as part of the alleged bribery scheme.

Chicago Tribunes Gregory Pratt contributed.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Two men accused of pretending to be federal agents to dupe Secret Service and other federal officials are set to be released to home confinement pending trial, but District of Columbia Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey granted the Justice Department's request to stay the ruling until 9 a.m. Wednesday to give prosecutors time to appeal the decision.

The FBI alleges that Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, have been posing as various officers and employees of the U.S. government, including members of federal law enforcement agencies, since February 2020.

Harvey said Tuesday that the defendants, accused of impersonating federal officers, were not dangers to the community and do not pose a risk of flight and obstruction. If there is no successful appeal, they will be released with GPS monitoring to the Virginia homes of their respective parents, who will serve as custodians.

Based on the current, single charge brought against the two men, Harvey said detention was not a presumption, and prosecutors had to either bring more serious charges against them or prove they pose a danger.

Harvey said prosecutors failed to provide evidence they had any connection to foreign intelligence.

In this Oct. 11, 2019 file photo, a view of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington. / Credit: Susan Walsh / AP

The pair are accused of obtaining paraphernalia, handguns and assault rifles used by federal law enforcement agencies. The FBI claimed they used their false associations with the U.S. government "to ingratiate themselves with members of federal law enforcement and the defense community."

According to the affidavit, Taherzadeh, pretending to be a member of the Department of Homeland Security, provided U.S. Secret Service members and a DHS employee with rent-free apartments, "iPhones, surveillance systems, a drone, a flat screen television, a case for storing an assault rifle, a generator, and law enforcement paraphernalia."

There is not yet evidence they tried to bribe any other federal agents, Harvey said.

In Taherzadeh's case, the judge ruled the government hasn't yet proved he knowingly violated conditions of release on a previous charge in owning a gun. And, based on the evidence currently before the court, Harvey said it appeared that the reason for the men's impersonation was "they just wanted to feel like they were on the same level" as other federal agents.

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Harvey said the government "appears to have a strong case" against Taherzadeh in terms of convicting him on the current charge, but said nonetheless that "in a case like this, release should be the norm."

"When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail," Taherzadeh's attorney, Michelle Peterson, said in court on Monday. She asserted her client is assisting in the investigation and is not a danger.

Regarding Ali's case, Harvey suggested he was not likely to flee because of his "extensive" connections in the U.S., including his wife and children. And his travel to the Middle East, as alleged in court documents, is not reason enough to detain him. The danger the pair posed, he said, is "the ultimate question," and the government has so far failed to make that case.

Based on the record before him, the judge said he could not hold the men.

His attorney said Monday that Ali would be "forever scarred" after the media "frenzy" surrounding the case.

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A British judge on Wednesday sentenced Islamic State group follower Ali Harbi Ali to a whole-life prison term for murdering lawmaker David Amess in a knife attack last year.

"This is a murder that struck at the heart of democracy," judge Nigel Sweeney said as he handed down his sentence at London's Old Bailey courthouse, noting the 26-year-old defendant had shown "no remorse or shame".

Sweeney added he had no doubt it was an "exceptional case" that merited the sentence, which comes two days after a London jury unanimously found Ali guilty of the ferocious knife attack last October.

It was the second murder of a British MP in five years and prompted calls for better security for elected representatives.

Wearing a black collarless robe and flanked by security guards, Ali pursed his lips briefly as the judge handed down his sentence.

He had told the trial that he had no regrets about killing father-of-five Amess in revenge for votes in parliament for air strikes in Syria in 2014 and 2015.

- 'No elation' -

Ali stabbed Amess more than 20 times with a foot-long carving knife as the Conservative member of parliament met constituents in a church in Leigh-on-Sea, southeast England.

The whole-life sentence means Ali will never be eligible for parole.

The far-right extremist who murdered Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 is also serving a whole-life sentence.

In a statement following the sentencing, Amess' family said it provided "no elation" and that nothing could ever compensate for the "appalling and violent manner" in which he was murdered.

"We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives," it noted.

It breaks our heart to know that our husband and father would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help. How sickening to think what happened next. It is beyond evil."

Amess was a long-serving member of parliament for the ruling Conservative party, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the sentencing.

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"We will never allow those who commit acts of evil to triumph over democracy," Johnson said in a tweet.

- 'Scoped out' minister -

Ali, from north London, arranged an appointment with Amess, 69, by telling the politician's office that he was a healthcare worker and wished to talk about local issues.

Knife-wielding Ali was apprehended at the scene of the murder in a church by two police officers armed only with batons and spray.

He had sent a manifesto to family and friends to try to justify his actions around the time of the attack.

The court heard that Ali said "sorry" to Amess before killing him, after which his assistant Julie Cushion said he appeared "self-satisfied".

Jurors were told Ali had no mental health issues and he accepted much of the evidence against him.

He became self-radicalised in 2014, going on to drop out of university, abandoning ambitions for a career in medicine.

Ali, who comes from a Somali family and said he had a childhood "full of love and care", considered travelling to Syria to fight but opted instead for an attack in Britain.

He bought a knife six years ago which he carried in his bag throughout the summer of 2021 as he "scoped out" possible targets, jurors heard.

He scouted parliament but found police there "armed to the teeth", the court heard.

Ali carried out online research on other MPs, including senior Conservative Michael Gove.

He staked out Gove's London home but rejected plans to murder him after Gove split up with his wife and moved out of the family home.

cjo/pvh
Food prices in some Syrian regions are up by as much as 67 percent amid Russias invasion of Ukraine, according to a report.

The report from Mercy Corps out Wednesday said that in addition to the spikes in food costs, Syria has seen shortages in sunflower oil, sugar and flour.

Prior to the invasion, Syria, which had over 4 million food insecure residents in its northwest region, had already seen an 86 percent increase in the cost of food between January 2021 and January 2022, Mercy Corps said.

Even before the war in Ukraine, bread was already becoming increasingly unaffordable, Kieren Barnes, the Syria country director for Mercy Corps, said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Cindy McCain, who serves as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, said Putins war is forcing us to take from the hungry to feed the starving.

Rising prices force hard decisions to cut rations in some of the most desperate humanitarian crises in the world, including Afghanistan and Yemen, she added.

McCain also referred to Ukraine as one of the major bread baskets of the world, as the country has served as a major wheat provider for the U.N. World Food Program (WFP).

Internationally, food prices have also hit record highs amid Moscows attack on Ukraine.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organizations Food Price Index, which measures the change in international food costs monthly for different commodities, rose 17.9 points between February and March, the highest levels seen in the indexs history.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Reuters) - An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff, Serhiy Leshchenko, denied in an interview with CNN that Zelenskiy had rejected a visit offer from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as reported by the Bild newspaper.

Steinmeier said on Tuesday that he had planned to visit Kyiv with his Polish counterpart and the presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia "to send a strong signal of European solidarity with Ukraine ... (but) that was not wanted in Kyiv".

Bild reported that Zelenskiy had rejected Steinmeier's plans to visit due to his close relations with Russia in recent years and his years of support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a project designed to double the flow of Russian gas direct to Germany but which has since been cancelled.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by Jon Boyle)
STORY: In an early morning address, he said it was "important for our security forces and military forces to consider such a possibility." Ukraine's security services on Tuesday said they had arrested Medvedchuk, who is President Vladimir Putin's closest and most influential ally in Ukraine.

Zelenskiy also mocked Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who on Tuesday expressed confidence his goals, including on security, would be achieved.

"How could a plan that provides for the death of tens of thousands of their own soldiers in a little more than a month of war come about?" Zelenskiy asked.

The Kremlin says it launched a "special military operation" on Feb. 24 to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext.
LONDON (Reuters) -A senior British minister said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not set out to break COVID laws with malice and is mortified after he was fined by police for attending a gathering during lockdown, as calls mounted for Johnson to quit.

Johnson, his wife Carrie and finance minister Rishi Sunak were fined on Tuesday for breaching laws the government imposed to curb the coronavirus, drawing a wave of condemnation, including from the families of those who died alone during the pandemic.

Senior ministers have rallied round Johnson while a number of previous critics in his Conservative Party have said now was not the time for a change in leadership given the war in Ukraine.

However, David Wolfson, a junior justice minister, did resign on Wednesday, saying "recent disclosures lead to the inevitable conclusion that there was repeated rule-breaking, and breaches of the criminal law".

The prime minister initially told parliament that no parties took place. But police are investigating 12 gatherings after an internal inquiry found his staff had enjoyed alcohol-fuelled parties when social mixing was all but banned in Britain.

Johnson, whose received the 50-pound fixed penalty notice over a gathering on his birthday in June 2020, has since said he attended some of the events, raising the prospect that he could face further fines.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported late on Wednesday that Johnson faced a second fine for attending a leaving party for his former director of communications, Lee Cain.

"The event that took place on Nov, 13, 2020, to mark the departure of Lee Cain is considered to be the most serious breach of the coronavirus regulations among the events that the prime minister attended," an unnamed source close to the police investigation told the newspaper.

Johnson said on Tuesday that it had not occurred to him that he was in breach of the rules, rejecting calls for his resignation.

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Transport minister Grant Shapps said Johnson had not meant to mislead.

"I'm not saying that the prime minister isn't a flawed individual. We're all flawed in different ways," Shapps told Sky News. "The question is did somebody set out to do these things with malice?"

Johnson won a landslide election in 2019 on a promise to complete Britain's exit from the European Union, but his premiership has been marked by a series of dramatic events, from suspending parliament over a Brexit impasse and his own experience of COVID.

His fine is believed to represent the first time a British leader has been found to have broken the law while in office.

Sunak, a former banker who became chancellor on the eve of the pandemic, took seven hours to release a statement in which he apologised, prompting a report in the Times newspaper that he had considered quitting.

Some Conservative lawmakers still said Johnson should go.

"I don't think the PM can survive or should survive breaking the rules he put in place," one, Nigel Mills, told the BBC. "He's been fined, I don't think his position is tenable."

(Reporting by Kate Holton, Michael Holden and Muvija M; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Elaine Hardcastle and Grant McCool)
LONDON (Reuters) - The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) voiced concern on Wednesday over a UK scheme that allows British residents to house Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, saying the programme could be exploited without adequate safeguards.

The British government introduced the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme last month, allowing Britons to sponsor Ukrainians and provide them somewhere to live for a minimum of six months.

The UNHCR said it was aware of an increasing number of reports of Ukrainian women feeling at risk from male sponsors, and that it believed women and mothers with children should be matched with couples or families rather than with single men.

"UNHCR highlights the need for adequate safeguards and vetting measures to be in place against exploitation, as well as adequate support for sponsors," the UNHCR said in a statement.

So far, some 43,600 applications have been made for the scheme, although just 12,500 visas have been issued to Ukrainians, with those involved saying the process was proving slow and complicated, partly due to British security checks on those seeking to come to Britain.

The U.N. agency said it was also worried about the consequences should the refugees' host prove to be a threat, and about the minimum six-month duration.

"Housing a stranger in an extra bedroom for an extended period is not, for some people, sustainable," the agency said, adding the need for background checks and providing financial support was overwhelming local authorities.

The British government said those housing and sponsoring refugees from Ukraine had received background checks and visits by local officials to ensure the accommodation was fit for purpose.

"Attempts to exploit vulnerable people are truly despicable  this is why we have designed the Homes for Ukraine scheme to have specific safeguards in place," a government spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Farouq Suleiman; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
The UN envoy to Yemen called Wednesday for "serious engagement" to uphold the war-torn country's truce, which has offered a rare respite from violence.

Hans Grundberg spoke at the end of his first visit to the rebel-held capital, where he held talks with Huthi rebel leaders.

The two-month ceasefire took effect 11 days ago.

"While we see that the truce is broadly holding, we need to be mindful of the challenges, too," the Swedish diplomat warned at the end of his three-day visit.

"We are relying on the parties' continued commitment and serious engagement in upholding the truce."

The renewable ceasefire comes seven years after a Saudi-led coalition began its military intervention in Yemen, after the Iran-backed Huthis took control of swathes of the country including Sanaa in 2014.

Grundberg said oil tankers had begun arriving at the port of Hodeida, one of the terms of the truce intended to ease the "fuel crisis" in Sanaa and elsewhere.

"Intense work" is underway for Sanaa airport's first commercial flight in six years, another feature of the pause in fighting, Grundberg said, while talks have started on reopening key roads in Taiz and other governorates.

"Despite reported violations that we are concerned about, we have seen a significant overall reduction in hostilities and no confirmed reports of air strikes or cross-border attacks," Grundberg added.

In another hopeful sign, Yemen's president last week handed his powers to a new leadership council tasked with holding peace talks with the rebels.

More than 150,000 people are estimated to have been directly killed and millions displaced by the fighting, triggering what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

str/mah/th/it
University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax has sparked online outrage again for her comments about Asian immigrants.



Wax, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Eastern Europe, criticized immigrants who criticize the U.S. during an interview with conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson on his Fox News show Tucker Carlson Today on April 8.



The 69-year-old professor stated that Blacks and non-Western groups have a tremendous amount of resentment and shame against Western peoples for [their] outsized achievements and contributions before specifically calling out Brahmin Indian immigrants.





Penn Law professor Amy Wax tells Tucker Carlson that "Blacks" and other "non-western" groups harbor "resentment, shame, and envy" against western people for their "outsized achievements and contributions." pic.twitter.com/jpQmOU554C

 nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) April 11, 2022







Heres the problem. Theyre taught that they are better than everybody else because they are Brahmin elites and yet, on some level, their country is a sh*thole, Wax said. Theyve realized that weve outgunned and outclassed them in every way They feel anger. They feel envy. They feel shame. It creates ingratitude of the most monstrous kind.





Wax then attacks Indian immigrants for criticizing things in the US when "their country is a shithole" and goes on to say that "the role of envy and shame in the way that the third world regards the first world [...] creates ingratitude of the most monstrous kind." pic.twitter.com/dUL9coinS9

 nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) April 11, 2022







She also criticized South Asian doctors at Penn Medicine, stating, They are on the ramparts for the antiracism initiative for dump on America.



A video clip of her comments, which was shared to Twitter on April 11, went viral with over a million views. Her comments have drawn criticism from viewers, including her own colleagues and peers.



In which Prof Amy Wax resents that she sees all the brown faces at Penn Medicine and wants to ask them why did you come here? Penn Law School lecturer Neil Makhija tweeted. Meanwhile, most were born in the U.S. and Americans all their lives. And are probably going to be the ones to treat her if shes in the hospital.



Story continues



In which Prof Amy Wax resents that she sees all the brown faces at Penn Medicine and wants to ask them why did you come here?

Meanwhile, most were born in the U.S. and Americans all their lives. And are probably going to be the ones to treat her if shes in the hospital. https://t.co/xPURh649oQ



 Neil Makhija (@NeilMakhija) April 12, 2022







Some of us Indian American docs @PennMedicine do our part to make America the great healthcare system you describe. So, yeah, we have the right to criticize it too, Penn Medicine professor and pediatric urologist Aseem Shukla tweeted.





Hey Amy Wax @pennlaw, some of us Indian American docs @PennMedicine do our part to make America the great healthcare system you describe. So, yeah, we have the right to criticize it too.

Caste Brahmins 3rd world shithole countiesyup, in 2022!pic.twitter.com/I0rtMNf2l2



 Aseem Shukla (@aseemrshukla) April 12, 2022







This is the most despicable piece of TV I have seen in a long time, interventional cardiologist Jeffrey Bruckel tweeted. The outright racism is straight out of the 1950s. This needs to have consequences. @PennMEHP @upenn needs to dismiss this professor immediately.





This is the most despicable piece of TV I have seen in a long time. The outright racism is straight out of the 1950s. This needs to have consequences. @PennMEHP @upenn needs to dismiss this professor immediately. https://t.co/7tsg4XTklL

 Jeffrey Bruckel MD MPH (@BruckelJeffrey) April 12, 2022







Wax attracted similar controversy for her January appearance on the The Glenn Show podcast, where she said, The United States is better off with fewer Asians and less Asian immigration.



Dean of Penns Carey Law School Theodore Ruger previously condemned Waxs anti-intellectual and racist comments and invoked a faculty review to sanction the tenured professor.



University of Pennsylvania declined to comment on her latest remarks but said that her views do not reflect our values or practices.

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Air travelers, some with face masks and others without, line up for their flights on April 19, 2022 at Midway International Airport in Chicago. A federal judge overturned the CDC mask mandate for federal transportation including airplanes and trains. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Philadelphia this week became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate because of a sharp increase in reported coronavirus cases, perhaps leaving some wondering whether Chicago will be next.

Philadelphias Health Commissioner, Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, said in a COVID-19 briefing Monday that Philadelphia was averaging 142 cases every day  a count 50% higher than what officials saw in the area 10 days ago. Add to that a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Northeast portion of the country, and it would be natural for Chicagoans to wonder whether a step back is imminent.

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But maybe not so fast.

Dr. Rachel Rubin, senior medical officer and co-leader of the Cook County Department of Public Health, said health care professionals are concerned but hopeful that COVID cases of the BA.2 subvariant  or stealth omicron  wont rise to levels seen in recent days in Europe and Asia.

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We cant quite say yet where its gonna go, Rubin said. There are reasons for us to be optimistic that it wont be as high of a spike or a rise as we saw in January from the original omicron  because a lot of people did get the original omicron and they will have at least some immunity to this one for a period of time.

A person wears a mask below their chin while walking among others on North Michigan Avenue on April 11, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The vaccination rate in northern Illinois is also considerable, she said in a Tribune interview Tuesday.

Those put together make us somewhat hopeful, but its still watchful waiting, Rubin said.

Watching trends, Rubin wants people to begin to think about wearing masks indoors again, but a mandate? Were not there yet.

Dr. Amaal Tokars, acting director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, agreed. In a news conference call Tuesday about new COVID-19 data reporting guidelines implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she said mask mandates are something that her office is not talking about currently given the fact hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low.

While case rates for COVID-19 are slowly rising in areas of the state, including four counties in the very southern portion of Illinois that are rated high by CDCs new metrics, she said her office is considering those spikes carefully.

We are going to do what we think is wisest and best based on the current circumstances that we see, Tokars said, noting transmission in Illinois appears low overall. We really want to encourage all who are not up to date or who have never got vaccinated to do that. Protect yourself and your family. Thats where we are just now. And well see what happens in the future.

In a statement, Chicagos public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady thanked everyone for being vaccinated and boosted, actions that keep local risk levels low. The Chicago Department of Public Health reported Tuesday that hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 here are as low as theyve been since the start of the pandemic.

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Vincent Gagnepain, 33, wears a mask while waiting for the bus in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood on April 11, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Over the last week, an average of 414 Chicagoans each day had a positive lab test for COVID-19, up from an average of 284 cases the week prior.

But down from the prior week, Chicago is averaging 6.43 new COVID-19 hospitalizations and fewer than one COVID-19 death per day. At this time, in all of Chicago, there were only 10 COVID-19 patients utilizing ventilators  a low not seen since July 2021.

Were now following the CDCs COVID-19 Community Levels, which do not rely on case numbers alone to determine our risk levels but also look at severe outcomes and COVID-19s impact on our hospital systems, Arwady said. And by those metrics Chicago remains in low risk, thanks in large part to our vaccination rates here in the city.

Dr. Emily Landon, chief health care epidemiologist at the University of Chicago, said COVID dashboards, local and national, are good for awareness, but people should not be basing their life decisions on their numbers.

Just because there isnt a mask mandate doesnt mean you dont need to wear a mask. And just because theres an uptick in cases doesnt mean were going to have another big surge, Landon said.

Landon believes the 400 average will be more of a blip. She said if 400 is the ceiling, she doesnt think a full mask mandate will be necessary.

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But if that figure becomes the floor and continues to rise, then maybe a mask mandate will be required, she said.

I think individuals should not depend upon a mandate to make decisions about what they should do, Landon said. If the area where a person lives has a lot of cases, then they may want to where a mask inside.

A person wears a face mask at Halsted Street and Armitage Avenue in Chicago on April 11, 2022. The city of Philadelphia is reinstating its indoor public space mask mandate after a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

My recommendation is the three Cs  good guidance in general for people to make their own decisions on masking. The three Cs are closed spaces, close contacts and crowds, Landon said. If youre in a closed space with other people, thats a higher risk, consider putting a mask on. If youre going to be having close contact with people that arent your family or close friends, then maybe you should put a mask on.

Theres no way to have zero COVID-19 risk, she said, but people can reduce their risk by being aware of their circumstances in a given situation.

If youre vaccinated, its been a while since youve had a booster or youre immunocompromised or youre wanting to protect people, Landon said, those three Cs are the times when you really need to reach for that mask.

drockett@chicagotribune.com
University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax shares her views on Blacks and other minorities with Tucker Carlson (Fox Nation / Tucker Carlson Today)

A Pennsylvania professor is facing a fierce backlash after she made a series of comments attacking non-white Americans in an interview with Tucker Carlson.

Amy Wax, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, made the remarks on Tucker Carlson Today, a show on Fox News streaming service, Fox Nation. In a lengthy diatribe, Prof Wax took aim at Blacks, Asian Americans, Indian women, and other targets.

I think there is just a tremendous amount of resentment and shame of non-Western peoples against Western peoples for Western peoples outsized achievements and contributions, Prof Wax told Carlson on Friday. Leaving aside American Blacks, who I think do feel that resentment and shame and envy  I mean its this unholy brew of sentiments.

Carlson did not challenge her. Seconds later, the professor took aim at Asian and South Asian, Indian doctors at Penn Med.

Take, you know, the Brahmin women who come from India and they climb the ladder, they get the best education, we give them every opportunity, and they turn around and lead the charge on were racist, were an awful country, we need reform, Prof Wax said. Heres the problem: theyre taught that they are better than everybody else, because they are Brahmin elites, and yet, on some level, their country is a s***hole  excuse my language.

The teacher then explains her theory that these immigrants resent Americas wonderful, developed scientific and medical establishment, and lash out by accusing it of racism.

They realize that, you know, weve outgunned and outclassed them in practically every way, and what do they feel? Prof Wax went on. I think the role of envy and shame in the way that the Third World regards the First World is underestimated.

I think youre exactly right, Carlson replied.

Amy Wax is a racist. Period. https://t.co/FJb9cOGEBh  Hindu On Campus (@hinduoncampus) April 12, 2022

The comments have outraged teachers and students across the country.

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Amy Wax is a racist. Period, tweeted Hindu On Campus, an organisation that fights anti-Hindu bigotry at American schools.

Its just kind of sad when you have someone so dumb on the faculty of one of the best law schools in the country, one of Prof Waxs colleagues, Penn Law lecturer Neil Makhija, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In an email to The Independent, Prof Waxs employer disavowed her remarks.

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School has previously made clear that Professor Waxs views do not reflect our values or practices, the school said. In January 2022, Dean [Theodore] Ruger announced that he would move forward with a University Faculty Senate process to address Professor Waxs escalating conduct, and that process is underway. At this time, as required by the University Handbook, and to preserve the integrity of the process, we will not make any public statements until the proceedings have been completed.

The Independent has reached out to Fox News and to Prof Wax herself for comment.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned China on Wednesday that its lack of participation in the Western sanctions campaign against Russia could affect countries' willingness to work with Beijing.

Washington and its allies in Europe and elsewhere have responded with fury to Moscow's attack on Ukraine, sanctioning Russia's financial system, aviation sector and other major parts of its economy in a thus-far fruitless effort to get President Vladimir Putin to back down.

"China has recently affirmed a special relationship with Russia. I fervently hope that China will make something positive of this relationship and help to end this war," Yellen told the Atlantic Council.

"The world's attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by China's reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia."

China as well as India are two major economies that have not taken part in the retaliatory measures, and Yellen said Beijing's policy could have lasting implications for a country that is pursuing territorial disputes against its neighbors.

"China cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if does not respect these principles now when it counts," she said, in a reference to China's claim over Taiwan.

- 'On the fence' -

Yellen also spoke to countries that "are currently sitting on the fence" when it comes to Moscow, "perhaps seeing an opportunity to gain by preserving their relationship with Russia and backfilling the void left by others."

She warned that such policies "are short-sighted," adding: "The future of our international order, both for peaceful security and economic prosperity, is at stake."

"The unified coalition of sanctioning countries will not be indifferent to actions that undermine the sanctions we've put in place," Yellen said.

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With the World Bank and IMF set to begin their spring meetings next week, Yellen also called for reform to the two major economic institutions, saying the war in Ukraine proved the necessity of change.

"We will... need to modernize our existing institutions -- the IMF and the multilateral development banks -- so that they are fit for the 21st century, where challenges and risks are increasingly global," she said.

"Some may say that now is not the right time to think big. Indeed, we are in the middle of Russia's war in Ukraine," Yellen said. "Yet, I see this as the right time to work to address the gaps in our international financial system that we are witnessing in real time."

These measures should force the Kremlin "to choose between propping up its economy and funding the continuation of Putin's brutal war," she said.

She reflected on the massive economic collapse the Covid-19 pandemic caused in 2020, saying that while rich nations were able to spend to support their economies, efforts to help poor countries were less successful, causing "a divergence in global prospects."

Yellen said the governance of the IMF should be considered "to ensure that it reflects both the current global economy and also members' commitments to the (lender's) underlying principles and objectives."

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File photo: Virgil Griffith was arrested in November 2019 (Facebook/Virgil Griffith )

A cryptocurrency expert, who travelled to North Korea without permission in 2019 and advised Pyongyang on how to use digital currency to avoid international sanctions, has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison.

Virgil Griffith was arrested in November that year and charged with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which prohibits any US citizen from exporting goods, services or technology to North Korea.

On Tuesday, Griffith was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison.

Griffith is an American citizen who chose to evade the sanctions of his own country to provide services to a hostile foreign power, the prosecutors said. He did so knowing that power  North Korea  was guilty of atrocities against its own people and has made threats against the United States citing its nuclear capabilities.

In April 2019, Griffith travelled to North Korea to give a presentation on how the country could avoid international controls by using virtual money.

The Singapore-based, US-born cryptocurrency expert had pleaded guilty to conspiracy last year in a district court in Manhattan and admitted that he travelled to Pyongyang even when the US had denied him permission to travel.

On Tuesday, defence attorney Brian Klein said Griffith was a brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession with North Korea.

He viewed himself  albeit arrogantly and naively  as acting in the interest of peace. He loves his country and never set out to do any harm, Mr Klein said.

Adding that he was disappointed with the 63-month prison sentence, Mr Klien said he was, however, pleased the judge acknowledged Virgils commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute.

Last year, when Griffith pleaded guilty, the defence attorney had said: Setting aside what happened, he has made important contributions to society that we will raise with the court. He also has many wonderful qualities, and no one should define him by this mistake.

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In 2019, US attorney Geoffrey S Berman had said Mr Griffith sent highly technical information to North Korea, knowing that this information could be used to help them launder money and evade sanctions.

Griffith jeopardised the sanctions that both Congress and the president have enacted to place maximum pressure on North Koreas dangerous regime, he had said.

Additional inputs by agencies
Apr. 13Two men were taken into custody by Westover Police officers after large amounts of drugs were discovered inside the mini fridge of their motel room.

According to criminal complaints, Patrolman Carver of the Westover Police Department was on a foot patrol of the Econo Lodge Motel in Westover.

While walking by a Dodge Dart in the parking lot of the motel, Carver detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When the officer looked through the driver's side window he was able to see a platter on the center console with marijuana sitting on top of it in plain view, the complaints said.

After running the vehicle's registration information, Carver located the vehicle's owner, Antoine D. Bailey, 23, of Philadelphia, Pa, in a room at the motel. According to the complaints, a second man, identified as Nicholas Z. Miller, 22, of New Castle, Del., was also in the room.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted by Carver where he located numerous amounts of wrapping paper, empty marijuana bags and a small amount of marijuana.

A search of Bailey's person was then conducted, the complaints said, where Carver found about 52 ecstasy pills.

Carver, joined by Sergeant Hilling, obtained and executed a search warrant for the motel room where the two men were staying.

During the search, officers located about a half pound, or 226.8 grams, of methamphetamine hidden in the mini fridge of the motel room, along with a digital scale, the complaints said.

Miller is being charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to deliver 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which is considered a felony. His bond was set at $10, 000.

Bailey is being charged with possession with intent to deliver a schedule I or II narcotic and conspiracy. His bond was set at $55, 000.

Both men were taken to the North Central Regional and are scheduled for preliminary hearings April 22 in Monongalia County Magistrate Court.
The Russian military, in retreat after defeat in the cities around Ukraines capital, left behind such horror that war crimes investigators are likely to be kept busy for months, if not years.

Bodies were strewn across the northern countryside, including Bucha, where city officials said at least 400 civilians were killed, with more than 260 buried in mass graves. Dozens were found on the streets outside their homes, their hands bound, with some shot in the head. In Mariupol, Russian forces allegedly fired indiscriminately and used bombs to level an art school where some 400 civilians were sheltering. WHO has verified 64 attacks on health facilities.

War is cruel, but international humanitarian law experts say the atrocities emerging from Ukraine are not how modern conflict is supposed to look. The International Criminal Court prosecutor has already started an investigation and the French Interior Ministry of Justice has sent doctors and more than a dozen crime scene investigators to Ukraine to collect evidence for possible war crimes charges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other leaders have said what the Russians are doing in Ukraine amounts to war crimes. Last month, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv called it a war crime to attack a nuclear plant.



Now, the United States, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are investigating reports of alleged chemical attacks in Mariupol, bolstering evidence of possible war crimes if confirmed.

What is happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone sees it, President Joe Biden said last week amid the Bucha revelations. It is a war crime.

But war crimes cases are notoriously difficult to prove and prosecute. Even with the right evidence and eyewitness accounts, the murder of civilians by Russian forces may not present a clear cut case. The international legal basis for prosecution is not universally accepted, and context, intent and often geopolitics matter. War crimes have often been too slippery to stick, with obvious offenders sometimes escaping conviction. And because of these complications, the accused can wait decades to face any form of justice. Heres a look at the challenges facing prosecutors in search of justice in Ukraine.

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What exactly are war crimes?

To understand what makes a war crime, its important to know the laws of war. Those rules, collectively known as international humanitarian law, stem from international treaties that have aimed to find the balance between military necessity and the protection of human life.

Our general understanding of what makes a war crime is essentially whether there have been grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, which were established in the aftermath of World War II to ensure that civilians caught in the midst of war and combatants who could no longer fight were protected. A grave breach would include wilful killing, serious injury and torture, as well as legal and humanitarian failings, such as depriving a prisoner of war to a fair trial, excessive demolition to populated urban centers and taking hostages.

And while a war crime is an egregious violation that goes against the agreed upon principles of warfare, experts note the legal definition has been elusive in prosecution. While targeting civilians in a conflict zone would constitute a war crime, civilians dying as part of an armed conflict may fall short of that bar.

Legal scholars note proportionality also falls into war crimes consideration: that while civilian casualties can and do happen in conflict, there is an obligation by combatants to ensure the toll is not excessive in relation to the military advantage anticipated.



Very often, militaries will make arguments that they were primarily going against military targets, that they didn't expect that the incidental loss of civilian life would be so high, there was an intelligence error or technical mistake, or that there was information on combatants and fighters being present, said Ioannis Kalpouzos, a Harvard law professor and co-founder of the Global Legal Action Network. This information is not necessarily easy to disprove and has led to significant difficulties in bringing such cases [to the courts].

A case thats been elevated could land at the ICC, which examines allegations in three core areas: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. What separates a war crime from these other gross violations is that the offense has to have happened during an armed conflict  not its causes or post-war fallout  and that the acts in question are directly correlated to the war.

So is it context that makes something a war crime?

Youre getting warmer. Lets say a fighter pilot is flying a mission over Ukraine. If they are shot out of the sky and killed in combat, then it is an unfortunate but legal consequence of war. But if that pilot survives the crash and is killed while surrendering as they leave the disabled aircraft, that could be considered a war crime.

Theres a whole concept of whether persons or individuals are actively participating in hostilities, which is used to determine whether they may be lawfully targeted in certain conflicts. In international armed conflict, fighters cannot be prosecuted for participating in hostilities, thats called combatants privilege, said Susana SaCouto, director of the War Crimes Research Office at American University Washington College of Law. But if you target either a civilian, a POW or a wounded soldier then that is considered a war crime.

Still, what makes a violation a war crime in one international treaty or convention may not make it a war crime in another.

Take a look at the hallmark for humanitarian treatment in conflict that is often cited in war crime charges. Since being drafted and updated in 1949, the Geneva Conventions have been ratified by 196 states, including all member states of the United Nations  but it doesnt have a specified definition of war crimes. Instead, it focuses on protecting people who are no longer in conflict.

On the other hand, the Rome Statute  the defining treaty for the ICCs prosecution  does include war crimes in its charter but only counts 139 signatories, with 123 ratified states. The U.S. has signed but not ratified the Rome Statute, along with Russia and Ukraine.



But the ICC can exercise its jurisdiction in non-member states so long as those parties consent or are referred to the court by the U.N. Security Council. Since Russia has veto power at the Security Council it will be completely unlikely that an investigation will be approved through those chambers. Therefore the road to war crimes prosecutions in The Hague, the Dutch city where the ICC is headquartered, is rooted in Ukraine offering the ICC jurisdiction on its land.

What complicates achieving a guilty war crimes verdict further is that some countries, which in this case would include Russia, may choose not to abide by the ICCs treaty. The United States, which is not a ratified member of the ICC, has chosen to use its own rulebook to combat claims of war crimes by its citizens.

The U.S. military does not charge its own service members with war crimes, instead the U.S. military finds an article of Uniform Code of Military Justice, said Chris Jenks, a former army officer and now law professor at Southern Methodist University. So it further confuses it from the American perspective when the U.S. does not apply the term war crimes internally, but externally.

Could whats happening in Ukraine be considered a war crime?

After receiving 39 referrals from member states by March 2, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan was authorized to open an investigation into the situation in Ukraine. Since then, the number of referrals has risen to 41 states.

While the ultimate decision falls on a judicial body, there are apparent war crimes and clear violations of international humanitarian law occurring in the war in Ukraine, according to Amnesty International.

Many Ukrainian civilians are losing their lives from strikes that are emanating from the Russian military, from very conventional weapons that are simply used in an unacceptable way, said Daniel Balson, advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International USA. There's no way to conduct non-precision guided munition strikes in heavily urbanized areas. We're talking about weapons that have a wide blast radius, that are fundamentally indiscriminate that they cannot be steered to a particular target and they're being used in areas that are very built up and very populated; this in and of itself is a human rights violation.



Balson also points to the recent discovery of civilian deaths in Bucha and the use of Russian cluster bombs that the organization has documented striking near a hospital in Ukraine.

While neither Ukraine nor Russia are signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions treaty meant to prohibit all use, transfer, production and stockpiling of cluster bombs, Balson notes that since there are 110 countries that have signed onto the agreement it is now considered part of customary international law.

What does punishing a war criminal actually look like?

Legal scholars say that we should expect a number of different entities  including the ICC, special tribunals, courts in the United States and other international and state bodies  to investigate war crime allegations in Ukraine. Eventually, there might be trials in Ukrainian courts, with the most grave cases prosecuted at the ICC.

But dont expect the convictions from the ICC to come anytime soon. Consider the example of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, a former senior militia commander in Darfur, who has been accused of war crimes in Sudan between August 2003 and April 2004. Nearly two decades after the atrocities in Darfur left 300,000 people dead and displaced millions, his war crimes trial only began in The Hague last week.



The delay is rooted in the ICCs judicial structure, which only allows for a trial if an individual is physically present in the courtroom. The likelihood that Moscow will refuse to extradite Russian troops or generals accused of crimes in Ukraine means that these cases may take decades to prosecute. But when an individual in ICC custody is found guilty, lengthy sentences usually follow.

Bosco Ntaganda, former chief of staff of a Congolese armed militia group, had his 30-year sentence confirmed in 2021 after he was found guilty of 13 counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity that occurred between 2002 to 2003.

Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was the last to face war crimes charges for atrocities committed in Europe, as he presided over the Bosnian War, the Croatian War of Independence and the Kosovo War in which at least 130,000 people were slaughtered in the 1990s. After five years of trials that began in 2001, Milosevic was found dead in his cell of an apparent heart attack. No posthumous verdict was issued.

Are there possible war crimes happening in other parts of the world right now?

Yes. The ICC alone has 17 investigations ongoing across the world, the majority on war crime charges. It has eight defendants in ICC custody on war crimes charges, with five trials ongoing. There are 11 defendants still at-large or in pretrial.
New York authorities have arrested Frank R. James, 62, for Tuesdays subway attack that wounded at least 10 and injured 13 others, according to reports.

Although authorities said the motive is still unclear, James has made YouTube videos ranting about New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the citys mental health system, preparing for a race war and a desire to kill. James referred to himself as a victim of Adams mental health policies in the videos.

Authorities have identified Frank James as the suspect behind a mass shooting in subway cart in Brooklyn on April 12. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube/prophet oftruth88)

Adams said he was briefed on the videos on Wednesday morning during an interview on MSNBCs Morning Joe and said the police department has zeroed in on apprehending the suspect. James was nabbed in Manhattan by Wednesday afternoon and is facing federal terrorism charges and could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

I just think we need to focus on his apprehension at this time and the police department is going to use those posts and all of the evidence that were gathering not only to apprehend him, we also must make sure that hes prosecuted, Adams said.

According to reports, the shooter put on a gas mask before setting off two smoke canisters and opening fire on other passengers in a subway car during rush hour in Brooklyn. He shot 10 people, and 13 people were injured in the pandemonium that erupted. None of the injuries are life-threatening.

Authorities said the shooters gun, 33 shell casings, 15 bullets, a hatchet and a bag filled with fireworks and smoke bombs were recovered on the scene. Police linked James to the gun and keys that were also found.

According to officials, James rented a U-haul van in Philadelphia that was later discovered in Gravesend, Brooklyn. Authorities believe they acted alone.

Authorities said has an arrest record in New York that stems from 1992 to 1998. He has been arrested nine times in New York for the possession of burglary tools, criminal sex acts, theft of services, criminal tampering and on a New Jersey warrant.

He was arrested in New Jersey three times for trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct. The last arrest in New Jersey was in 2007.

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New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said they are not calling the videos threats, however, they were general topics of concern.

A YouTube user identified as James has amassed more than 4,000 subscribers on the social media platform. The account for prophet oftruth88 was terminated for violating YouTubes Community Guidelines on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, James posts date back to 2016. He used profane language, disparaged women and made racist comments against white and Black people.

James took issue with Judge Ketanji Brown Jacksons marriage to a white man, and in another video said the Ukraine-Russia conflict was a prelude to a national race war, according to reports.

Theyre white. Youre not. Theyre doing that to each other? What do they think theyre going to do to you? he fumed. Its just a matter of time before these white motherfers say, Hey listen, enough is enough, these [N-words] gotta go. Whatre you going to do? You gonna fight. And guess what? You gonna die.

James also talks about his own death in the videos and wanting to exterminate certain groups, according to reports. In another clip, posted April 6, the suspect talks about a need for more mass shootings.

In a video posted the day before the attack, James said he had a desire to kill people, but he didnt want to go to jail, NBC News reports.

I was briefed by the police department on some of his social media posts, the mayor said. He appears to be all over the place, according to the briefing.

James also claimed in videos that he suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. In another video from Feb. 20, he reportedly sits in front of photos of who he claims were the mental health outreach workers he dealt with while he was in crisis in the 1970s through the 1990s in New York.

So as you listen to the mayor talking about how they want to bring in health workers, they want to help the homeless  theres no help, he said. Its going to fail! Because all these mf-ers are predators. Theyre homosexual predators trying to turn everybody out.

Adams told reporters he was unaware of what James was referring to in the video about the citys mental health system.

People look at the mental health system, and they question some of the things that have happened throughout the generations, Adams said. Our goal is to fix our mental health system. But its clear that this individual wanted to create terror and violence.

Adams said he is considering installing gun detection devices on the citys subway system and working with the transit authority to figure out why cameras at the subway station were not working.

We must have a safe, reliable, dependable subway system, he said. Oftentimes, when people hear of metal detectors, they immediately think of the airport model. Those are not the only models that are available. There are new models that are being used at ballgames, ballparks, hospitals where youre not stopping to go through your belongings. Youre simply walking through a device.
Nelson County Public Schools can expect to receive $1.5 million more in county funds than the $15.6 million the county contributed to the schools budget in fiscal year 2022.

The school board requested a $19 million contribution from the county for fiscal year 2023, a $3.4 million increase from the current budget. The board of supervisors reached a consensus on how much to fund the schools and wrapped up planning for its 2022-2023 budget at an April 5 meeting.

The schools increased request is largely driven by proposed increases to teacher and support staff salaries. The school board intends to establish a $20 hourly minimum wage for support staff and to make adjustments to the higher end of teacher seniority scales. The salaries of teachers whove worked with the division longer currently fall far behind the divisions competitive starting salary in state rankings; adjustments to the salary scales are a major priority for the school board.

With Supervisors Ernie Reed and Skip Barton arguing for an increase of $2.5 million to $3.2 million but David Parr, Tommy Harvey and Jesse Rutherford arguing for $1 million to $1.5 million, the board reached a consensus to fund the schools an extra $1.5 million beyond its fiscal year 2022 contribution.

Over the course of the meeting, the board concluded fully funding the schools $3.4 million requested increase would require an increase to the advertised real estate tax rate in addition to the use of $2.2 million of unallocated funds from the countys recurring contingency and an increase to the transient occupancy tax. The board reached a consensus at its March 15 meeting to advertise a real estate tax rate decreased from 72 cents per $100 of assessed value to 65 cents based on an inflated 2022 real estate assessment. Rutherford said fully funding the request would require increasing the rate to 69 cents.

At this point the question is, how much do we want the taxpayer of Nelson to be contributing to this particular budget request? Rutherford asked.

Reed said an investment in school staff at all levels is an investment in the county, not just to the students needs, not just to the teachers in terms of their quality of life, not just the administration and not just the support staff who are living just below, just at or just above the poverty level.

I see nothing extravagant in what theyve asked for in terms of their salary increases, Reed added.

Barton reiterated his support for full funding.

We serve the taxpayer but we also serve the nonvoting public, which is the children. Education, high-quality education, is a necessity. Now there is a cost to that. We have to recognize that cost, he said.

I dont think we have a choice, Barton added, saying public schools and NCPS in particular are in a crisis period.

Despite calling the schools budget request unprecedented, Parr said he could understand the increase: especially the support staff and the salary scales and how grossly underpaid many of them are for the work that they do. I dont necessarily feel that it is our responsibility to resolve that problem  I think there are opportunities within the schools budget to address that  but I do feel that there is an opportunity for us to help.

Parr said he could not justify funding a $3.4 million increase.

As to the increase in the real estate tax rate that full funding would require: Ive already gotten pushback from quite a few members of our community why its not lower. So I would be hesitant to increase that number beyond the $.65, Parr said, settling on $1.5 million as the highest he could support funding the schools.

Reed said adjusting the salary scales was his main concern and is long overdue. He argued salary increases would attract long-term teachers and retain experienced educators, and the division hasnt been able to fill all funded positions regardless, meaning some salary increases will go unallocated and be available for the school board to make capital improvements.

Conversations grew tense after Barton said he hadnt witnessed the board be generous towards the schools during his teaching tenure with the division. Other board members scoffed at his comment. He asked the board what they found humorous about the discussion.

Im not laughing at the children of Nelson County, Parr said. Im laughing at the idea that this board has not been generous to the schools.

Harvey said the county has always separated the schools budget from all other departments requests and theyve been given the max.

Listen, you forget that I spent 30 years in the school system, Barton responded, and I would see where that money would come from and what we needed and what we didnt get. So dont give me this idea that this board has always maximized the amount of money thats given to the schools.

Were generously asking more from the taxpayer every time, Rutherford said, referencing other Virginia areas that havent funded schools capital improvements.

Youre asking the schools to take a look at their budget and make $2 million worth of cuts, Reed said.

Rutherford responded every agency has to make cuts to their budgets.

Its artificial; its not a cut, Carter said.

Reed compared the boards response to the schools request to its address of fire and EMS requests: We dont roll our eyes, we dont laugh, we dont say its ridiculous, we dont say its unprecedented, were generous. We do it. We do those things that they ask of us and we follow the leadership of those people who are specialists in those areas and who know it because they do it. And I think thats a good model, he said.

The eye roll had nothing to do with the schools budget, Parr responded. The eye roll had to do with the disrespect to this board historically and their support of the schools.

Barton said education is the most important thing in Nelson County and during his time with the schools we could have used a lot more money.

Barton added he could not believe the schools would request $3 million more than what they needed: I believe in their integrity, as well as I believe in your integrity.

Harvey said, They know thats not going to happen, responding to Bartons Why? with When have we given any kind of $3.4 million increase in a single year?

Barton said the request comes from an extraordinary year. Rutherford argued it has been an extraordinary year for everyone, Harvey adding especially the taxpayer.

Parr said he respected Bartons years in the classroom but hoped the board would recognize his experience building budgets on the school board for 16 years: I understand how that works.

Reed asked Parr if the schools always ask for something they dont think theyll receive. Parr said his was a pretty loaded question and passive-aggressive.

Parr said the schools have rarely had a fully funded budget request.

Every time they have not gotten 100% funding of their budget the school system has not imploded.

He said he would love to fund a $20 hourly minimum wage for every schools employee and be in the top 25th percentile on the pay scale.

I get all of those wants. I did it, I lived it, I understand it. I also understand that when that moneys not allocated, thats when the real roll-your-sleeves-up work starts to happen and you have to figure out how to work with what you have.

The board will authorize a public hearing on its completed budget, to include a $1.5 million funding increase to the schools, at its April 12 regular meeting.

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For the first time since 2019, the mayor and vice mayor of Lynchburg will step behind the podium in City Hall and deliver the State of the City speech to city officials and residents alike at 7 p.m. Monday, April 18.

The speech, usually delivered in front of a packed city council chamber, has been on pause since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. This year, it will take on a different look and be hosted virtually on the city's Facebook page, as well as on LTV, the city's public access television channel.

Mayor MaryJane Dolan and Vice Mayor Beau Wright will give speeches that summarize the city's state over the past year, according to the city's website.

This will be Dolan's first State of the City address as mayor, although she has spoken during the ceremony in the past when she served as vice mayor.

This also will be Wright's first State of the City address as vice mayor, as he assumed the role in 2020.

The mayor and vice mayor also will recognize one organization and four individuals for their contributions to the community, followed by a short video honoring their accomplishments, a news release stated.

According to the release, Centra's Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department will receive the Mayors Caregiver Award for "their employees unending dedication and selfless service."

Pam Watson, public safety communications supervisor with the city's Emergency Services Department, will receive the Mayor's Award of Excellence in Public Safety. John Rose, a refuse associate in public works, will receive the Mayor's Award of Excellence in Public Works.

Two Lynchburg residents also will receive the Mayor's Neighborhood Partner Award, Nathaniel X. Marshall and Dr. Todd Olsen, the news release said, as Marshall and Olsen "partnered to reduce barriers and build collective bridges to foster and support Lynchburg area youth, especially at-risk children, through the transformative power of sport and play."

"We are excited," Dolan said in the release, "to not only provide updates on our great city, but to also honor these deserving people. The past two years have been challenging for many of us, and we could not have gotten through it all without each other."

 Bryson Gordon

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U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., spent time Wednesday in Central Virginia, visiting Amherst and Bedford counties, touting the recent bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act made into law last year and showing the effect it will have on local communities.

The stops were part of a four-day schedule that took the senator around Virginia. In Bedford, Warner stopped at the Goode Fire and Rescue Squad building for a roundtable discussion on broadband in the county, and the opportunities it can provide for residents, including telehealth, which the senator stressed is so important following the COVID-19 pandemic.

If youre going to do telehealth, Warner said, youve got to have broadband. Broadband use to be a nice to have, but now, one lesson Ive hoped weve all learned is that broadband is an economic necessity.

Additionally, Warner, who was known for his work in telecommunications in his life prior to politics, said the pandemic accelerated the use of telehealth and necessity of broadband by almost a decade, as it shined a light on the connection gap in America.

At the roundtable with representatives from the Bedford County Board of Supervisors, broadband provider Shentel, Centra Health and several other businesses and community leaders, Warner emphasized the importance of making sure promises made on broadband are promises kept for the residents.

Ive seen this movie so many times, the senator emphatically told the roundtable, a large telco says they are going to provide coverage and dont, or skim the cream in a rural community. With this accountability piece, and the fact that we have this much money, it will not be for a lack of money, it will be a failure to execute if we dont do this right.

Warner said there is a total of about $700 million for Virginia from the American Rescue Plan Act and the infrastructure bills, part of which will be used to fund broadband expansion in rural areas. At the time the bill was passed, nearly 473,000 lacked access to broadband, according to a statement from Warners team.

Bedford County has been ramping up its broadband installation in recent months, thanks to federal ARPA dollars that have been used to close that connection gap for the rural parts of the county.

Last month, county supervisors approved just more than $80,000 in ARPA money to be used to install fiber along 5.4 miles down Audubon Drive, which is off U.S. 501 about a mile north of Boonsboro Elementary School. That project will include broadband for up to 25 additional locations in the county, and should be finished by June 30.

Frankly, Warner said, the history for support for building out broadband has been pretty poor. A lot of money spent, and candidly, a lot of money wasted.

At the end of the day, if within three years we dont have in Virginia 98% or 99% coverage with high-speed affordable broadband, its not going to be because we didnt have enough money. Its going to be because we screwed up.

Later Wednesday, Warner walked the banks of the James River in Madison Heights alongside Bob Hopkins, executive director of the Amherst County Service Authority, and a few other Amherst officials. The senator listened to officials addressing the need for a $2 million project to stabilize that area near the U.S. 29 Bypass from land erosion threatening a major utility line.

ACSA seeks $2 million for installation of a stone revetment to completely stabilize a sanitary system line. Warner also met with Amherst County officials shortly afterward in a building within the state-owned Central Virginia Training Center property to discuss a range of other needs and concerns facing the county.

Warner said failure of the sewer line because of erosion would be a disaster and he will look into avenues for helping secure the $2 million.

This is the kind of common sense infrastructure needs that weve got all over Virginia, Warner said. And we finally have the resources to make it happen.

He said the $6.1 million in federal money to Amherst County from the American Rescue Plan Act, $2.2 million to the Town of Amherst and $4.4 billion overall to the commonwealth of Virginia represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get major capital needs done.

I dont think we will ever again, in my political lifetime, ever see those kind of dollars float one time, Warner said. So I want to make sure they are well distributed.

Tom Martin, vice chair of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, thanked Warner for his visit and said area officials appreciate the open line of communication.

To me, thats very impressive, Martin said to Warner of the visit and working to address challenges. I think you know, and Id ask you to remember, that the needs of small communities are just as important, to us, as the larger communities. We have the same infrastructure needs. It doesnt matter which locality you go to, the issues are kind of the same, just different scales.

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Maureen Brusznicki, of Chicago, looks at a display with her children Ben, from left, Elinor and Juliet in the "Weather to Climate" exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago on April 11, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Alvaro Ramos knows the word sustainability can cause peoples eyes to glaze over.

Staff members at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum hope a new Sustainability Center set to open in 2023 will demystify the term.

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Humans from all cultures with different values and practices have learned to live within their means and balance the environment, said Ramos, chief curator and vice president of museum experience. That is what we want to show people. Its not just about the latest and greatest green technology or integrating new software to help you save energy. Its really about your values, how you connect with everything in your life.

Run by the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the museum is breaking ground this summer on the $1.5 million center, which will cover 1,100 square feet and is being funded by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant, private donors and a capital campaign.

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The center will provide the latest information on ways to protect the Earths natural resources and include a common room for the public to share ideas, ask questions and find information.

Imagine a library crossed with a community center crossed with a coffee shop, a hangout, a place where you can go to a workshop or listen to a speaker whos talking about sustainable practices or do your own research, Ramos said.

Another important role of the Sustainability Center will be reinforcing the idea that individuals can do simple things in their everyday lives to help the planet in a big way, according to Deborah Lahey, president and CEO of the science academy and the nature museum.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago on April 11, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

I think we can each make a difference to change things. The Sustainability Center will be one more tool to do this, Lahey said.

Museum staff members led by Ramos are creating the centerpiece for the exhibit, a giant, interactive spherical sculpture.

The sculpture will represent our planet and our place on the planet, Ramos said. It will be centered in the room with a lot of multimedia elements, projections, tablets.

Visitors will also experience a green wall of living plants within the exhibit.

Sustainability is a big umbrella with lots of big buckets, for example, how your relationship with food and agriculture contributes to the climate crisis, Ramos said. We want to draw the visitor in with the basic understanding that there are four sustainable components critical to life  food, water, energy and culture/economy.

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Over the past decade, other institutions in the area have also been trying to raise public awareness about sustainable practices and make them a priority for the next generation.

In 2013, Loyola University launched the Institute of Environmental Sustainability, followed by the School of Environmental Sustainability in 2020, according to Nancy C. Tuchman, founding dean of the school.

The institute works on projects such as designing energy efficient classrooms. Cuneo Hall in the school of nursing is touted as being 60% more energy efficient compared with similar buildings. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a host of environmental studies, including health, restoration and sustainability practices in agriculture..

College of Lake County in Grayslake offers an associates degree in sustainability. Its green initiatives include the creation of a green roof, reducing waste and water usage, and using a geothermal heat exchange system, which has lowered energy costs by 50%.

At the nature museum center, visitors will also learn about the history of sustainability.

Ramos said showing how cultures throughout time practiced sustainability can encourage and inspire humans in the 21st century. Ramos envisions pop-up displays that tell stories of success.

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The stories will reflect everyday people who have done amazing things, to help the Earth, he said.

For example, visitors might hear the story of a zero-waste Chicago restaurant or a woman who saved one of the last remaining parcels of virgin prairie.

We want people to see its totally possible for you to set a goal and then achieve it within your world, he said. We want to illustrate examples of this. That will be an ongoing series.

Lahey added the center will also serve as what she calls a digital incubator, a laboratory with ever-changing digital exhibits.

A display in the "Weather to Climate" exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago on April 11, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

We are in the midst of developing the virtual museum, which is the digital counterpart to the physical museum in Chicago, she said.

She added that the center upholds the mission of the science academy since it opened in 1857, which is to connect people to nature and science and be a spark for people to think about how they live their lives in the world.

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She pointed to one recent example, the Chicago Conservation Corps, a program in all 50 wards of the city, that helps community members carry out sustainability projects.

They come to us for training on projects they have imagined to take back to their communities, Lahey said.

One woman living in Uptown has taken large plastic bags and turned them into sleeping mats for homeless people. A man in Humboldt Park helped improve composting regulations in the city.

I really love this because its something they are passionate about and theyre doing it, Lahey said. They come to us with a kernel of an idea or fully formed idea. In an eight-week session they learn how to execute it.

Some 800 community leaders have been involved in the 10-year-old program, she said.

Were on the cusp of some major changes at the museum, the biggest changes weve had since the commission of the museum building on North Cannon Drive in 1998, Ramos said.

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Indeed, the museum is set to open its $4 million exhibit called Natures Play Space, designed for young children, this fall.

It will be a childs first adventure into a nature museum, Lahey said. They get to explore the wonders of nature, the incredible beauty of being outdoors and all of these gorgeous mysteries. Then it becomes important for them to celebrate it.

And that, she said, will lead them right to the doors of the Sustainability Center, where theyll learn ways to save what they have come to love.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the fiscal year 2023 county and school budgets this week.

The meeting took place one week after a public comment hearing, during which county residents had an opportunity to offer their opinions concerning the proposed budgets.

Both budgets passed 7-0.

Chair Vic Ingram, of the Tunstall District, commended the budget process as a success, which he attributed to Interim County Administrator Clarence Monday and Finance Director Kim Van Der Hyde.

Let me thank you Mr. Monday and Kim for the fabulous work that you guys did to not only give us a balanced budget, but no tax increase, stated Ingram.

In an emailed response to the Register & Bee, Westover District Supervisor Ron Scearce attributed the success of the budget to decisions made by previous administrators, as well as prior increases in both meals and sales taxes.

Scearce said a huge effort that helped in keeping the property tax rate low were the efforts of David Smitherman and Richard Hicks in accepting outside garbage from multiple communities last year.

Monday acknowledged this boon in his official budget letter to the supervisors, in which he laid out the specifics of the 2023 proposals. He shared the Dry Fork Landfill currently generates $1.78 million annually, and indicated the county will continue to seek to expand monetization opportunities for this resource.

Monday explained at the April 4 public comment meeting that these proposed budgets are tentative pending the passage of the commonwealth of Virginias state budget.

There is no state budget thats been adopted at this point, Monday said. I will remind you, board members and members of the public, that what we are operating under would be good-faith estimates of the revenue, he explained.

Should these estimates turn out to be lower than the reality, Monday indicated this can be corrected with future budgetary amendment votes.

According to the official Pittsylvania County website, the total proposed county budget of $218.87 million represents an increase of $7.55 million from fiscal year 2022.

Most of the increase is the result of State and Federal Funds, the website states.

The 2023 school budget is currently set at $122 million, with contributions from local coffers totaling $21.09 million. Monday indicated the school budget is included within the overall County budget.

Concerns over fiscal waste

As most of the discussions and debate concerning the 2023 budgets took place in closed session, the Danville Register & Bee reached out to all seven Pittsylvania County supervisors via email for comments.

Scearce responded and shared his disappointment that the county was unable to decrease the property tax rate, as had been his hope.

...When you have extra costs like paying $209,000 in an unnecessary severance pay, and earmarking $500,000 in this years budget of the estimated $1 million property reassessment cost ... keeping the property tax rate level was the best we could hope for this year, he said.

The unnecessary severance pay refers to the ousting of former County Administrator David Smitherman in a controversial move that has marred the board with tension and disrepute since January.

The $500,000 earmark will go toward the required 2024 property value reassessment, as the board voted in March to nullify the 2022 assessment conducted by Brightminds, LLC after public outcry.

Jim Scearce, of the Pittsylvania County Tea Party, was the only member of the public to speak at the April 4 public comment hearing. He said the reassessment debacle will cost Pittsylvania taxpayers on both ends, as Brightminds had identified more than 4,800 taxable structures that the previous assessment company Wingate Appraisal Services had missed.

Brightminds reassessment brought up many unanswered questions, one of those being that they identified over 4,800 taxable structures that were not on the current tax log, Jim Scearce said.

These new structures were estimated to have a value of $100 million, he said. In the current real estate tax rate, that would have brought in an estimated $620,000 of tax revenue to the county.

Jim Scearce called on Ingram and Commissioner of the Revenue Robin Goard to take action to ensure that these 4,800 structures are properly assessed and included within the tax logs, citing the public interest of Pittsylvania taxpayers and fairness to those who currently pay taxes on identified taxable structures throughout the County.

As reported by Jim Scearce, Goard has the authority to conduct these assessments, and that the board of supervisors has the ability to request assistance for these assessments from the state taxation office.

Learn more about the budgets at https://www.pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/budget.

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors will convene at 7 p.m. April 19 for its regular monthly business meeting in Chatham.
An Emporia nurse who stole vital prescriptions from elderly patients and replaced them with over-the-counter medications at long-term care facilities in Emporia and Lawrenceville was sentenced Tuesday to three years in federal prison. The nurse used the pilfered painkillers for herself and caused patients as old as 86 to endure unnecessary pain.

Wanting to send a message to the medical community but recognizing that the defendants troubled upbringing may have played a role in her actions  and that she had led an otherwise exemplary life  U.S. District Court Judge John A. Gibney Jr. sentenced Jeneen L. Bailey, 57, to 36 months in prison on her earlier guilty pleas to two counts of tampering with a consumer product.

Gibney departed downwards from discretionary federal sentencing guidelines  which called for an active prison term of between 51 and 63 months  but rejected a defense plea for probation instead of incarceration. The judge noted that many federal courts have departed downwards in punishment in product tampering cases similar to Baileys.

One of the things that bothers me about these cases is the helplessness of the patient, Gibney said in comments from the bench. Later, the judge said he believed that sending a message to the medical community is very valuable in imposing a punishment to deter others in the profession.

According to federal prosecutors, Bailey diverted prescription controlled substances such as Oxycodone, Norco and Percocet from eight elderly patients suffering from serious ailments  including bone cancer, diabetic neuropathy and dementia  and replaced them with common, non-prescription medications such as Tylenol and stool softeners.

Bailey, with 25 years of nursing experience, removed the prescribed medications from sealed blister packs that various pharmacies had provided for each of the individual patients. After removing and replacing the medications, Bailey used clear tape to make the blister pack appear untouched, prosecutors said in court filings.

The patients in Baileys care ranged in age from 63 to 86 and resided in Accordius Health in Emporia and Envoy in Lawrenceville, both of which are long-term healthcare facilities licensed to provide patients prescribed drugs for pain control and other conditions.

The medication diversions occurred between Dec. 18, 2019, to Jan. 20, 2020, at Accordius, and from Jan. 21, 2020, to May 15, 2020, at Envoy, according to court documents.

Several of the patients suffered, but none died, as a result of the medication switch.

While at Envoy, Bailey stole prescribed pain medication from a 74-year-old female patient suffering from a wound that progressively got worse during her stay and ultimately required an above the knee amputation after the wound worsened. Bailey replaced the patients prescribed painkiller with over-the-counter extra strength Tylenol.

In another case while working at Accordius, Bailey diverted medication for an 86-year-old female dementia patient who suffered from chronic pain, triggering a change in her behavior that developed into heartbreaking bouts of anger towards the patients son. On each shift after Bailey worked, the patient reported a higher pain level than the previous shift, prosecutors said.

Bailey used a trusted position as an LPN at long-term care facilities responsible for overseeing elderly, vulnerable patients to do harm to the patients who relied upon her, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Simon Jr. and Michael Moore wrote in a sentencing memorandum for the government. The duty owed to the patients by Bailey and others similarly situated is critical to the public safety.

In an interview after her arrest, Bailey told an agent with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that during the time she diverted the medications, she believed some of the patients could deal with not receiving their prescribed substances better than she could, because Bailey was working and moving about.

[T]he defendant inexplicably placed her own pain management issues ahead of the patients she served, prosecutors said. Her actions place these patients in greater pain and danger.

Bailey consumed the stolen medications to help control pain she developed over the years that originally stemmed from a herniated disc in her lower back more than a decade ago. She subsequently re-injured her back and her condition progressively worsened while working long shifts, according to letter she wrote about her medical issues included in her court file.

Baileys attorney suggested his client  like many others in her profession  had developed a substance abuse problem. And when the pain from the crushed nerve in her back became unbearable, she tried to work through the pain, and was too independent to ask for help or accommodations, Assistant Federal Public Defender Joseph Camden wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Camden said Bailey learned to become self-reliant out of necessity, after growing up with an abusive and alcoholic mother. She could not depend on anyone else, the attorney said.

Prosecutors noted that Bailey consistently maintained that she does not have an addiction problem, and her attorney noted Tuesday in court that Bailey doesnt feel she needs to undergo substance abuse treatment. Instead, Bailey found her own way to maintain sobriety through strong self-discipline and coping with the pain in her back, mainly through exercise and taking breaks when needed, Camden said.

Although Bailey believes she can avoid abusing painkillers on her own, Camden said she is willing to participate in any treatment program the court may order. The judge on Tuesday ordered her to participate in a 500-hour intensive substance abuse program operated by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

In comments before the court, Bailey acknowledged she made poor choices and recounted what led her to steal and switch the medications. I have good days and I have had bad days, she said, adding, Ive lost a lot in the last six or seven months.
The battle over whether parents, or public schools and elites should decide what goes into the minds and souls of students has entered a second stage.

The Washington Times reports LGBTQ activist groups are complaining about parents who object to children as young as five being taught gender issues and reading books that contain profanities and anti-police messages.

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, who directs the disingenuously named Office of Intellectual Freedom for the American Library Association (ALA), is quoted by the newspaper as saying, A parent or group should not have the right to restrict through government action what another parents child may choose to read. That will come as a surprise to many parents who have a right to believe their childs school lunch will not contain harmful substances, as well as the right to keep their kids from having a secular-progressive political agenda tainting their minds.

Caldwell-Stone has it backward. It is not the conservative and religious parents who have stirred up this hornets nest. Its the left-wing secularists who are indoctrinating children and stealing their innocence. I suspect many parents want teachers to stick to traditional subjects. Parents can teach whatever they wish to their kids at home. The public schools should focus on catching up to China on subjects like science and math, as well as teaching the full breadth of American history.

Caldwell-Stone apparently missed the significance of last Novembers election in Virginia, which saw Gov. Glenn Youngkin ride to victory, largely on the issue of parental rights. Last week, Youngkin signed into law a measure that requires the states schools to notify parents if their children are assigned books or other materials with sexually explicit content.

In New Jersey, educators are taking the opposite approach. According to the New York Post, first graders will learn in sex education classes gender, gender identity, and gender role stereotypes from a film called Pink, Blue and Purple. Lets see how long it will be before New Jersey parents follow those in Virginia and show up at school board meetings, demanding the right to protect their children from what the education establishment and left-wing activists want to impose on them.

How is it that parents are encouraged to exercise parental control over their childs computer and movie choices (there are apps and icons for this), but when it comes to their schooling they are told to butt out?

I doubt cries of censorship from the ALA will have the impact it did in the 1980s when the organization made similar claims about intellectual freedom over sexually suggestive books some wanted banned from libraries.

Few, if any, issues rank higher for parents than the well-being of their children. It is why school choice is an option in growing numbers of states. According to the website edchoice.org, There are 76 educational choice programs  in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The one thing elected officials fear most is when voters start paying attention to what they are doing.

For parents who live in states that dont offer the school choice option they should, if possible, pull their kids out and put them in private schools, or home school them.

If private or home schooling are not feasible, parents can start showing up at school board meetings and demand their rights to be the primary educators of their children and the ultimate determinators when it comes to what they learn. Showing up and protesting at school board meetings worked in Virginia.

Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.
Japan's major ruling party is seeking to restrict the veto power of UN Security Council permanent members, following Russia's use of it in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

The Liberal Democratic Party is set to submit its proposals to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Thursday.

LDP lawmakers questioned Russia's right to veto a resolution calling for the withdrawal of its troops from Ukraine. They noted that Russia launched the assault on Ukraine even though it is a permanent member state of the UNSC.

They said this underscores the need to reform the United Nations, since the international body is evidently not functioning as intended.

The lawmakers want Japan to work closely with Germany, Brazil and India to increase the number of seats on the council. The four countries have for years sought permanent membership.

The proposals also call for removing from the UN Charter provisions referring to countries like Japan and Germany as enemy states because of their defeat in World War Two.
DES MOINES  The Iowa House addressed the growing problem of catalytic converter theft by requiring recyclers and scrap metal dealers to keep a confidential log of paperwork authenticating ownership.

Senate File 2287 requires the seller to provide an original receipt for a replacement catalytic converter purchased fewer than 30 days before selling it to a scrap dealer or a junking certificate for a vehicle issued fewer than 30 days before the sale of the catalytic converter.

What this bill does is to make sure that there's a paper trail for those who would break the law and to give a tool to law enforcement, said Rep. Cherielynn Westrich, R-Ottumwa.

The bill also would be required to keep a confidential register or log of each transaction, including a copy of the information required by the bill.

Westrich did not offer data on the number of thefts, but said she heard from many people about catalytic converter thefts and the cost of replacing them. Victims, she said, include transit authorities.

The cost of a catalytic converter theft, including replacement, loss of the use of the vehicle and alternative transportation, can range from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

It reported catalytic converter thefts jumped from 1,298 in 2018 to 3,3,89 the following year to 14,433  a 325 percent  in 2020.

This is a much-needed legislation  because there is a huge uptick in the catalytic converters thefts, said Rep. Charlie McConkey, D-Council Bluffs.

The bill passed 88-5. A Democratic amendment to require that a violation of the law had to be intentional in order for a scrap metal dealer to be prosecuted was rejected along party lines.

As of March 15, 35 states were either considering or had passed legislation to address catalytic converter thefts.

A catalytic converter, which looks like a small muffler in a vehicles exhaust system, converts hazardous emissions into less hazardous gasses. A variety of precious metals are used in catalytic converters, with prices ranging as high as $20,000 per ounce for rhodium, nearly $3,000 per ounce for palladium and $1,100 for platinum, according to the insurance bureau.

There is a clear connection between times of crisis, limited resources and supply chain disruptions that drives catalytic converter thefts, the bureau said.

The bill goes back to the Senate because the House amended it.
DES MOINES  After years of debating, negotiating and rejecting proposals to change the states 44-year-old bottle bill, lawmakers are on the cusp of approving major modifications to how  and where  Iowans redeem their beer and soda cans and bottles.

It has taken a while to get to this moment, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said Tuesday afternoon.

I understand theres a little angst that perhaps were going to try this and its going to fail, he said, acknowledging Senate File 2378 wasnt everything that Iowa House members wanted or hoped for. At some point, we got to have a little faith.

By a 70-14 margin, the House approved the bill that includes changes the Iowa Senate will have to agree to before SF 2378 goes to the governor to be signed into law.

In addition to raising the handling fee from 1 to 3 cents per container and letting retailers that meet certain condition opt out, Lohse explained SF 2378 increases enforcement through the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, offers distributors a 1-cent credit against their taxes for each container they handle and increases legislative oversight.

The bill, he said, is a bipartisan attempt to address long-standing issues with the bottle deposit law to make the system sustainable for consumers into the future.

However, others said consumers are being ignored.

While I know reforms were needed, I fear the reforms being proposed today will make it more difficult for Iowa consumers, said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City.

Supporters talked about what grocers, distributors and redemption centers want, but what I have not heard is what the consumers want. Reducing convenience by letting retailers opt out will reduce the success of the bottle bill, Mascher said.

Even supporters had their reservations. As a restaurant owner and a consumer, Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, had difficulty embracing all of the changes. Her concern has been ensuring that consumers in her rural district have a place to return their empties to get their 5-cent per container deposit returned.

If it were up to me, wed be repealing this law today, Lundgren said. So I think that anything that were doing that allows an option for our consumers and our constituents to return their cans is a good move forward.

Rep. Amy Nielsen, D-North Liberty, who worked on the bill with Lundgren and Lohse, agreed critics had valid points.

But its been a great collaboration and I really feel that we have come up with some good things in this bill, she said.

Raising the handling may lead to more redemption centers, and opening up opportunities for mobile redemption centers in convenient locations, including grocery store parking lots, are positive changes, Nelsen said.

And, unlike the Senate version, the House did not include a sunset provision because the public does like the bottle bill, overwhelmingly supports the bottle bill, Nielsen said.
Calling him a tireless advocate for Iowans who has fought and delivered time and time again for Iowans, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has endorsed Sen. Chuck Grassleys re-election.

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, is seeking an eighth term. He has fought tooth and nail to root out waste and corruption in our government, the New York congresswoman said.

Im honored to join President Donald Trump in endorsing Chuck Grassley, Stefanik said.

In her endorsement, Stefanik, who was a domestic policy adviser to President George W. Bush before being elected to the House, noted Grassleys efforts since 2019 to uncover deeply troubling financial entanglements of the Biden family and the communist Chinese regime involving President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, and brother, James Biden.

Im proud to join Sen. Grassley in calling the media out for their blatant cover-up and censorship of the Hunter Biden scandal, she said.

Grassley, who served in the House before being elected to the Senate in 1980, welcomed the endorsement from Stefanik  a powerful voice for conservatives in Congress.

She calls it like it is and fights for whats right, Grassley said.

Grassley faces a primary challenge from state Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City.

Few conservatives in Congress have accomplished more than Grassley., according to Stefanik, who pointed to his work as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman to confirm hundreds of Trumps constitutionalist judges to the federal courts and led the confirmation of two Supreme Court justices to lifetime tenure, cementing the high courts conservative majority.

Hes also stopped far-left judicial nominees, led the way to expose wrongdoing at the Department of Justice and FBI, root out corruption in the federal government and uncover the truth so that justice can prevail, she said.

MATHIS FUNDRAISING: State Sen. Liz Mathis, D- Hiawatha, raised more than $715,000 in the first quarter of 2022, according to her Federal Election Commission report.

Mathis, who is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, ended the quarter with more than $1.3 million cash on hand and has raised over $1.9 million in the 2022 election cycle. She trails Hinsons cash on hand by less than $500,000.

Mathis said 78% of campaign contributions came from Iowans.

Like our neck-and-neck poll results, our first-quarter fundraising is another sign that this campaign is building momentum to win, Mathis said. While Ashley Hinsons campaign continues to burn through cash, our team is focused on building a campaign for the long haul.

Hinsons campaign said it will report raising over $950,000 in the first quarter of 2022.

Although the new northeast Iowa 2nd Congressional District, which includes Linn, Black Hawk and Dubuque Counties, is considered likely Republican by election prediction sites, Mathis said her campaigns internal poll of 623 voters indicated she had 42% support to Hinsons 43%.
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Driving north on Interstate 294 you might notice a billboard that reads My hijab, my right featuring an illustration of a Muslim woman with her arm raised to make a fist. The ad is part of a campaign organized by local Islamic organizations to raise awareness of the violation of the freedom of religion right of Muslims in India that has arisen in the last three months. The second goal of this campaign is to clear negative stereotypes about the hijab and oppression.

In the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka, young women were denied entry to school and colleges because the state put a strict policy that prohibits uniforms to be worn with hijabs, said Aamer Abdul-Jaleel, a Chicagoan and organizer of the My hijab, my right campaign with the local chapter of the Muslim organization GainPeace Chicago.

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The reason this billboard is relevant now is because the right to wear the hijab for the Muslim women and the rights that we take for granted in this country  freedom of expression and freedom to wear what we want  they are being taken away in many parts of India, said Sabeel Ahmed, director of GainPeace Chicago, a group that wants to raise awareness and popularity on this issue in the U.S., via its campaign with the Council of Social Justice and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

The My Hijab My Right billboard off of I-294 near North Avenue in Northlake on April 1, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Muskan Khan during an exclusive interview at her home in Mandya district of Karnataka, India, on Feb. 10, 2022. A video widely circulated on social media showed Khan, a college student in a headscarf, being harassed by a crowd of Hindu men. (Anadolu Agency)

The woman illustrated in the billboard is Muskan Khan, an Indian girl who became one of the main images of this movement as a video of her being heckled at her college by a crowd of Hindu male students went viral on social media. Other Muslim women in India have also been victims of lynching, and once the people of our communities in Chicago heard (Khans) story, they understood the motive of our campaign and supported it, Ahmed said.

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Its been 23 years since I came to the States and none of my relatives who decided to wear a hijab in India like my mom and my aunts were never harassed, said Samia Abdul-Jaleel, a Chicago resident and India native Muslim woman who helped with this initiative. My relatives never experienced any racism or discrimination (for being Muslim), and it makes me sad to see how things are changing.

GainPeace representatives explained that these measures were being taken in India because of the rise of a political party that holds the Hindu majority in the state. According to the 2011 census of India, there are 172.2 million Muslims in the country, making it one of the top three countries with the largest Muslim population.

I see how that narrative could be out there, but its just not rooted in my reality, said Shereen Husain, board member and secretary of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. (Wearing a headscarf) is something that we choose to observe just like any other tenet of faith, and it is something personal to each person.

Over the summer there were times that I get a lot of questions from people from other faiths like: Wow, youre wearing a full sleeve and youre covering your hair like, arent you hot in this 100-degree weather?, Abdul-Jaleel said. But I felt very confident and very strong, so I actually took these occasions in a positive way to teach them about my religion so they could respect it as I respect other religions.

Some leaders in the community, however, think the message should have a clearer focus on the situation in India.

I understand the sentiment and I agree that the Islamophobia and the attacks against particularly Muslim women students in India are very heinous, and we should all speak out against it, and we should be aware of it, said Hind Makki, an interfaith and anti-racism educator based in Chicago. But I felt like the billboard was not very clear about it.

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Although there is a portion of it that does talk about standing in solidarity with the oppressed in India and worldwide, Makki said that most Americans are still not aware of the situation in India. A person driving on 294 seeing the billboard for like two seconds might be a little confused about the situation in India. Especially because the main point is about a woman defending her right to wear a headscarf, but that is a protected right in the United States.

Makki, who has been involved in activism campaigns, said that a hashtag or advertisements in local newspapers would be a better way to raise awareness. The billboard has three hashtags: #MuskanKhan, #HijabMyRight and #EducationMyRight.

I think that if Americans knew about (the situation in India), they would care about it because its about the protection of religious freedom, and thats an issue that Americans do care about, Makki said. So I think, maybe less focus on the image of a woman wearing a headscarf and more on the fact that India seems to be rolling back its protections of its religious minorities. And Im saying that because Im a Muslim woman, I wear a headscarf and this piece of clothing that I really spend maybe 30 seconds thinking about wearing every morning just to decide which matches the outfit that I want to wear is something unfortunately, other people have politicized so much ... I think that the issue in India is more than that.

Ahmed, the GainPeace director, has received two messages (like Makkis opinion) out of a hundred positive ones. He and Abdul-Jaleel said that this was the best way to communicate the message because they cannot write a whole paragraph in a billboard.

Dr. Sabeel Ahmed at the Muslim Community Center on April 5, 2022 in Arlington Heights. Ahmed is executive director of GainPeace Chicago and wants to raise awareness of violations of Muslim rights in India with the My hijab, my right campaign his organization along with the Council of Social Justice and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

GainPeace hopes that people call the hotline (1-800-662-ISLAM) on the billboard or visit the website gainpeace.com to learn more about the situation in India, and get any questions answered about the Muslim religion, which there might be during the month of Ramadan. The hotline has received around 35 calls so far.

The billboard facing south on the northbound side of I-294, a half-mile before I-290, will be on display until April 22 and the GainPeace chapters in Detroit are working on putting a billboard with the same design in their community.

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Mosques all over Chicago are organizing events where non-Muslims can join their Muslim neighbors to break fast and learn about their traditions. Additionally, Ahmed said that many mosques in the Chicago area are meeting with local representatives and legislators to raise awareness of the human rights issues in India involving Muslims.

When our neighbors come inside the mosques and break bread with us, its just a whole different feeling, Aamer Abdul-Jaleel said. They leave happy because theyre just reading and hearing about Islam through the media, which doesnt necessarily portray Islam in a positive light. But when they see whats going on and they see what the prayer is like, they are like: I cant believe we used to live here for so many years and we never entered into the mosque. 

tmijares@chicagotribune.com
Italys ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Buccino indicated Tuesday that it is impossible to hold elections in the oil-rich African country whose running is being claimed by two rival administrations.

Baccino made the remark during a round table organized by the Luiss University in Rome, Libya Update reports.

The situation on the ground is complex, the ambassador stressed. A framework has emerged with two governments that both consider themselves legitimate and that do not seem willing to negotiate.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Premier of the Government of National Union (GNU), has refused to relinquish power in favor of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha appointed as the Prime Minister by the countrys parliament in February.

The parliament argued that Dbeibehs term came to an end on Dec. 24, the day the country failed to hold presidential elections expected to endow Libya with a central government since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, assassinated in a NATO-led uprising.

Baccino however emphasized the necessity to keep the electoral perspective alive in the country.

The Italian diplomat also brought up the perspectives of gas production in the North African country, saying Libya can boost its gas production by 30% with investments not exceeding one billion dollars.

Yet, increasing gas production requires a solid and joint executive authority in Tripoli, he said.

Increasing oil production from 1.2 million barrels per day to 2 million is a realistic goal that can be achieved within a year and a half or two years if the appropriate conditions and investments are made available, he added.

The Italian ambassador pointed to the vast potential of the agro-industrial sector, which he said would be very beneficial for the Libyan people, who have suffered from transformation periods in recent years.

Last week, the Italian Minister for Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani, confirmed that Libyan gas was part of Romes plans to replace Russian supplies, disclosing that his country would clinch its first deals to find an alternative following the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Morocco has been selected to host the next meeting of the FAO regional conference for Africa in 2024. The decision was made during the 32nd Session of the FAO Regional Conference convening in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, April 11-14.

The regional conference is FAOs highest governing body in Africa. The Malabo meeting is held as a hybrid event, with African government officials attending in person or remotely via videoconferencing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants are discussing FAOs new strategic framework which aims to help African countries achieve a better production, nutrition, environment and better living conditions, leaving no one behind.

The agenda also includes debates on ways to mitigate covid-19 impacts on the agri-food sector, the prevention against future pandemics, investment in agricultural products across Africa and the inclusion of women, youth and the poor people in agri-food transformation.

Participating countries will share best practices, explore partnerships and opportunities for innovation and digital technologies to help improve food security and address other challenges in the region.
The military junta in Algiers is running out of imagination and ideas as it desperately resorts to the same old accusations to try to stop a momentum in favor of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara region.

This time, Algerias foreign ministry issued a statement accusing Morocco of targeting civilian truckers outside Moroccos internationally-recognized borders.

The accusation mimics November claims by the Algerian regime which said Morocco hit three trucks and threatened to retaliate.

The henchmen of the Algerian military junta in the media said the attack took place within Mauritania. Nouakchott discredited the reports dealing a blow to Algerian propaganda.

Assuming the attack was true, Morocco has made it clear to Algeria and the Polisario that it is attached to peace and the UN ceasefire agreement of 1991 but would not hesitate to respond to any aggression on its Saharan territories, including east of the security wall.

The Polisario and Algeria have been speaking of an imaginary war east of the berm without offering any evidence until now. Assuming the civilian trucks were hit, the question is what are they doing in what the Polisario and Algeria describe as a battle ground?

Algeria and its puppet the Polisario are used to fomenting tension as the Security Council prepares to be briefed on the Sahara.

By the past, they used to rely on banditry by blocking a border passage that links Morocco to Mauritania until the Royal Armed Forces cleared the area once and for all.

Now, Algerian rulers have only propaganda and they are fooling only themselves. No state has backed or expressed condolences to Algiers when it alleged that Morocco killed its truckers in the Sahara territory.

The Security Council will hear the new UN Envoy to the Sahara Staffan de Mistura, whose job is to kick start the UN process according to the same round tables format and with the participation of Algeria.

As it seeks to distract attention by sending its truckers to violate Moroccos genuine borders, Algeria is trying to distract from its recent diplomatic setbacks.

The latest UN Security Council resolution 6202 insisted on the participation of Algeria.

Prior to that resolution, Algeria said it will not take part in the round tables. Morocco insists on negotiations with the participation of Algeria as the real party to the Sahara conflict.

Algeria is also helplessly watching global powers supporting Moroccos sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Recently, Spain joined the US, Germany, France and Israel as well as most African and Arab states in backing the autonomy plan.

On the ground, Morocco is investing in its southern provinces, the most peaceful area in the wider Sahara and Sahel regions.

Algeria has better stop trading in the lives of its truckers and ask drivers to use the unpaved roads that links it to Mauritania without violating Moroccos borders or else face consequences.
A portion of the sales between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. will be donated to the two men to use as they for their their families in Ukraine or for other needs to which they would like to contribute.
Our prayers go out to his family and community as they mourn his loss, Ricketts said. The bravery shown by Fire Chief Krull exemplifies the selfless service that makes our state great. As we reflect on his heroic sacrifice, were reminded of the courageous firefighters working in harms way across Nebraska to protect lives and property. We salute their dedication and pray for their safety.
Chemicals dumped in landfills killed dairy cows, and attorney Robert Bilott has fought a two-decade battle to hold the DuPont chemical company responsible.

His story inspired the motion picture Dark Waters and the documentary The Devil We Know. He authored a book, Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyers 20-Year Battle Against DuPont, published in 2019 by Atria Books.

Bilott spoke Tuesday at the North Platte Community Playhouse as part of the Town Hall Lecture Series.

One of the things Ive been working on for the last 22 years or so, Bilott said, is trying to spread the word about what frankly, I think, is a huge public health threat.

The threat, he said, is exposure to a synthetic class of chemicals called PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Its one of these terms that is hard to translate, Bilott said. Because of that, you see it referred to now as forever chemicals.

PFAS are artificial chemicals that didnt exist on the planet prior to the 1940s and are now being found in virtually every living creature on the planet.

They are in human blood, theyre in the blood of polar bears, the stuff is being found in Arctic ice caps, Bilott said. These are incredibly persistent biocumulative, toxic chemicals that have spread throughout the planet on a scale and scope I dont think youve ever seen before as far as environmental contamination.

He said it has happened over the last 50 to 60 years under everyones noses without anybody realizing it was happening.

Because these chemicals, unfortunately, were manufactured and continue to be manufactured by companies who knew how toxic and dangerous these materials were, Bilott said, but withheld that information from the rest of the world.

Bilott got involved when a dairy farmer, who lived near his grandmother in Parkersburg, West Virginia, called him about his cattle dying. Through the process of talking the case over with his colleagues at the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Cincinnati, Bilott took on the challenge.

The farmer said he discovered a foam was coming out of a pipe from a local landfill and into the stream that ran through his property. It was a stream his cattle drank from. After he observed his cattle growing tumors and dying despite proper feeding and care, the farmer, Wilbur Tennant, decided to take action.

It is only through some litigation that the information finally started to make its way out to the rest of the world in the early 2000s. Bilott said.

Despite pushback from DuPont, Bilotts work has resulted in the companys phasing out the use of the toxic chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

He said the hope for the future is that people across the country stand up and demand changes in regulations to prevent these and other chemicals from infiltrating drinking water, groundwater and aquifers.

The PFAS and PFOA chemicals are found in computer chips, masks used during the COVID-19 pandemic, waterproofing products including makeup and more.

Bilotts purpose is not only to educate the public to the dangers of the chemicals that have now been found to cause six major diseases including two types of cancer, testicular and kidney cancers.

The good news is we are seeing laws change, Bilott said. Theyre beginning to restrict the dumping of chemicals as well as requiring companies to disclose information about the toxicity of those chemicals.

More information about Bilott can be found at taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott or on his Facebook page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011053335860.

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On January 28, the pews of St. Patricks Cathedral were crowded with police officers, hundreds of them, while thousands more lined Fifth Avenue outside the church. They were there for the funeral of Detective Jason Rivera, who had been killed along with his partner, Wilbert Mora, while responding to a domestic-disturbance call at an apartment in Harlem a week earlier. During her eulogy, Riveras widow, Dominique Luzuriaga, paused frequently to fight back tears.

Luzuriaga spoke of her grief over losing her big spoon, recalling how he would always give her three kisses after driving her home. And then she turned her attention to another man. The system continues to fail us, she said. We are not safe anymore, not even the members of the service. I know you were tired of these laws, especially the ones from the new DA. I hope hes watching you speak through me right now. She stopped and looked up at the dozens of rows of officers in front of her.

The crowd began to applaud: a smattering at first, but then the entire congregation rose to its feet. Outside, as snow fell on the thousands huddled in the cold, they too began to cheer for Luzuriaga  and against the newly installed Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg. At that point, Bragg had been on the job for just four weeks.

In fact, the district attorney was watching her speak: He was there that day amid the applauding officers in the church. She asked me to listen. I was sitting there and listening, and I still have her words in my mind, he said when I interviewed him in his office a few weeks later.

Asked about the difficulty of that moment for him, Bragg replied, Nothing more difficult than what she has experienced.

Before Bragg took office in January, there had been only three elected Manhattan district attorneys in the last 80 years. Its an office that, by virtue of its jurisdiction  encompassing a borough of more than 1.6 million people, including the most important financial institutions in the world  plays an outsize role in the nations justice system. It also has a history of high-profile leaders: Robert Morgenthau, who was district attorney from 1975 to 2009, prosecuted John Gotti, former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski, and the Central Park jogger case. His successor, Cy Vance, won a conviction against Harvey Weinstein and ended his tenure in the midst of a criminal inquiry into the business practices of former president Donald Trump.

Bragg was sworn in on January 1. He came into the job endorsed by Establishment law-enforcement and political figures like former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Representative Jerrold Nadler, and former congressman Charles Rangel. At the same time, Bragg was championed by several criminal-justice-reform advocates who saw in him the promise of progressive district attorneys who have taken office around the country in recent years. During his campaign, Bragg had pledged to support diversion programs rather than prosecute a long list of lower-level crimes. He spoke often of his personal experiences growing up in Harlem in the 1980s: confronting both gun violence and biased policing. He called the impact of petty-offense prosecutions on Black and brown communities morally indefensible. He was the only Black candidate in the race.

In a memo dated two days after he took office, Bragg made good on his promise to pivot away from prosecuting minor offenses. He instructed the assistant district attorneys to stop charging a variety of low-level crimes and to avoid seeking jail time for certain robberies, assaults, and gun-possession cases in which no other crimes were committed. Seeking jail or prison sentences, he wrote, should be reserved only for the most serious offenses  including murder and sexual assault.

In my adult life, I have posted bail for family, answered the knock of the warrant squad on my door in the early morning, and watched the challenges of a loved one who was living with me after returning from incarceration, he wrote. Late last year, during a stretch of multiple shootings within three blocks of my home, I had perhaps the most sobering experience of my life: seeing  through the eyes of my children  the aftermath of a shooting directly in front of our home as we walked together past yellow crime-scene tape, seemingly countless shell casings, and a gun just to get home.

Braggs policy changes were aggressive, but they werent wildly revolutionary. Across the country, progressive local prosecutors like Chicagos Kim Foxx, Philadelphias Larry Krasner, and San Franciscos Chesa Boudin have de-emphasized misdemeanor prosecutions and looked for alternatives to incarceration, although they have often faced resistance. Even in New York City, Braggs policies had important precedent. Vance stopped prosecuting marijuana possession, prostitution, and fare evasion. And the Brooklyn district attorney, Eric Gonzalez, offers a diversion program for first-time offenders caught with guns that lets them avoid jail and, instead, receive the assistance of a social worker.

But it was Braggs Day One memo, as it became known, that sparked an immediate firestorm.

HAPPY 2022, CRIMINALS! proclaimed the cover of the New York Post. Armed robbers, drug dealers and burglars, rejoice! You have a friend in new Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.

The citys newly installed police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, wrote in a letter to tens of thousands of members of the department that she was very concerned about the implications to your safety as police officers, the safety of the public, and justice for the victims. A major concern, she indicated, was Braggs instruction that his prosecutors decline to charge anyone solely with resisting arrest; that charge, he said, should be prosecuted only alongside another, more serious crime.

The police unions, predictably, bashed Bragg, saying he was endangering their members and that his policies would usher in a crime-ridden return to the old days, as one union official put it. The Detectives Endowment Association asked Governor Kathy Hochul to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee Braggs cases.

Hochul, in turn, took the unusual step of meeting one-on-one with Bragg and telling the Post editorial board beforehand that she wasnt weighing removing him from office  a comment that only served to highlight the fact that she could. (Hochuls reaction was surely influenced by an ad run by one of her Democratic primary challengers, Tom Suozzi, in which he said that he would oust Bragg after taking office.)

Bragg also faced internal dissent. It wasnt so much the policies themselves that proved objectionable, although some prosecutors expressed confusion about whether the new protocol would be retroactive. Rather, according to people close to the office, it was in part Braggs rhetorical approach that rankled the longtime assistant district attorneys, who viewed the infusion of Braggs personal history into a policy document as far too political for their sensibilities.

If you give your stump speech, its not going to go over well internally, a former assistant district attorney said. The legal staff is very pure in their perception of their motivations and their mission, and any hint that it is guided by political motivations is deeply unpopular within the office.

Joan Vollero, who was a senior communications adviser in the office until last summer, said the memo blindsided some members of staff. I think there is some genuine excitement and enthusiasm for Alvin Bragg being the new DA, and I think that people want to be co-conspirators in his vision, she said. But they want to be brought into the fold  rather than dictated to from on high.

While the memo was causing an uproar, Bragg faced a second crisis. The two prosecutors leading the Trump investigation, Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz, had been urging Bragg to indict the former president before the grand jurys term expired, according to a person familiar with the matter. When Bragg disputed the strength of the evidence, Dunne and Pomerantz, widely admired figures in the world of white-collar prosecutions, resigned. This time, Bragg faced questions about his judgment not just from conservative circles but from a broad field of observers, many of whom were furious that one of the most serious potential legal threats to the former president had apparently been torpedoed. In his resignation letter, Pomerantz called Braggs decision misguided and completely contrary to the public interest.

Bragg has released a statement claiming that his prosecutors are still exploring evidence not previously explored, but according to a person briefed on the matter, the case against Trump is effectively on hold. When I asked Bragg about the future of the probe, he insisted that the investigation was ongoing. We have a team of extraordinary prosecutors working every day. As you know and can appreciate, were just constrained from being able to talk about what were doing. The last thing I want to do is impair any investigation  including this one.

Bragg had come into office with big expectations placed on him: He was the reformer who was going to end the worst imbalances of the citys criminal-justice system. He was also, some hoped, the guy who was finally going to criminally charge Trump, bringing a conclusion to an investigation that had stretched years and reached the Supreme Court twice. Within two months, both narratives had all but collapsed  and Bragg was left fighting to ensure that his term as district attorney wasnt doomed so soon after it began.

Bragg is by no means a newcomer to New York law enforcement, but he has virtually no prior experience with the gauntlet of New York City politics or media. Hes genial and unimposing with a round face and a salt-and-pepper goatee. A Harvard Crimson profile of him written when he was a senior, in 1995, noted that his friends called him Big Papa. He continues to teach Sunday school at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, which he has attended since childhood.

Braggs resume has the hallmarks of most elite, accomplished lawyers  private school (Trinity) followed by Harvard undergraduate and law schools. Alongside the diplomas in his office hangs an award for winning a law-school competition judged by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. He served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and as chief deputy attorney general of New York, where he supervised the lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which ended with Trump ordered to pay a $2 million settlement.

Braggs background, however, differs from many of his peers in some distinct ways. As he recounted frequently on the campaign trail, he had a gun pulled on him six times while growing up  three of those times by NYPD officers. During the pandemic, his young son told him he was worried about wearing a face mask because he didnt want to be mistaken for a robber. When Bragg worked in the U.S. Attorneys office, he was one of fewer than ten Black prosecutors in an office of roughly 200.

These days, Bragg seems weary but optimistic after the first few bumpy weeks, as he describes them. I was surprised by the intensity and prolonged nature of the reaction to the rollout of his policies, he said.

It didnt help that the memo came out just before a surge in high-profile public-safety incidents. In mid-January, a man shoved a woman onto the subway tracks as a train pulled into the Times Square station, killing her. Days later in East Harlem, a man fatally shot a 19-year-old cashier during a botched robbery at a Burger King. On January 19, an 11-month-old girl was shot in the face by a stray bullet in the Bronx. Then, of course, there were the deaths of Rivera and Mora.

Bragg suffered from the contrast with Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop. While Bragg was talking about sending young offenders to diversion programs, Adams advocated a crackdown on low-level crime and encouraged police to once again enforce quality-of-life crimes like graffiti. Adams, unlike Bragg, is a longtime politician who is particularly skilled at optics and messaging.

And so rather than the mayor bearing the brunt of public concerns about safety in his first few weeks, it was Bragg who was made the bogeyman.

When Black mayors come to power, theyre always accused of being soft on crime. But Eric Adams isnt like most Black mayors, said Christina Greer, a political-science professor at Fordham University. Hes not a lawyer; hes a blue-collar police officer. You cant use Eric Adams as your proxy for soft on crime. So it falls to Bragg.

Bragg acknowledges that the tumult of the first few weeks has shaped the way he works with Adams. Were kind of forging governing relationships in the middle of this, which, you know, I dont think thats how anyone would have necessarily thought the year would have started.

After Sewell, Adamss police commissioner, wrote her letter attacking the Day One memo, Braggs internal and external advisers debated how to handle the fallout. Some advocated for a complete repeal of the memo, suggesting Bragg say he should have sought input from others before altering the offices policies. Others argued that doing so would send a message to the police, to the public, and, yes, to the New York Post that Bragg was a pushover.

The strategy they settled on split the difference. In a series of public appearances, Bragg apologized for confusion created by the memo. The document, he said, left many New Yorkers justifiably concerned for how we will keep them safe.

Ive got a lot to learn about comms and messaging, Bragg said. Lesson learned.

He appointed a new prosecutor devoted to gun violence, Peter Pope, a veteran of both the district attorneys office and the attorney generals office, who is regarded by colleagues as extremely aggressive in his approach to investigations and prosecutions.

But the criticism didnt abate, and law-enforcement officials were confused: Did Braggs verbal statements override the contents of the written memo? And so on February 4, Bragg issued a second memo.

In it, he wrote that the default in gun-possession cases would be felony prosecutions; his first memo didnt identify such cases as among those for which his office would seek incarceration. He said commercial robberies would be charged as felonies if they involved the use of guns or fake guns  revising his previous statement that robberies would be charged as felonies only if there was a genuine risk of physical harm. And with regard to resisting arrest, he said his office will prosecute anyone who harms or attempts to harm a police officer. (It was still not clear from the second memo, however, whether the office would prosecute stand-alone cases of resisting arrest. A spokesperson for the office said it will apply the charge if there is harm or an attempt to harm a police officer  including as a stand-alone charge in certain extraordinary and/or aggravating circumstances.)

Those who supported Braggs candidacy and advocate for criminal-justice reform were dismayed by his move. What kind of message is now being delivered to the line prosecutors and to New Yorkers? Udi Ofer, the deputy national political director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said to the New York Times. Its giving in to the tough-on-crime narrative that has brought us this mass incarceration crisis in the first place.

At the same time, many of Braggs initial detractors, including cops, still werent satisfied. The criminal element heard his first message loud and clear, said Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives Endowment Association. They dont care about his second memo. The tone is being set on the streets by his new policies. And time will tell.

If Bragg has been shaken by the past three months of controversy, he doesnt show it. In his telling, the second memo, rather a bit of frantic cleanup, was a chance to share his criminal-justice philosophy with his constituents. Not to be too much glass-half-full, but it gave me an opportunity to, in my own words, explain to people what the vision is and talk about how to accomplish that and how safety and fairness are not oppositional, Bragg said. They are, I think, indispensable to each other  inextricably interwoven. My life sort of illustrates that  having had public-safety challenges and police-fairness challenges growing up. And in my career, Ive sort of been at the intersection of a career in prosecution but also kind of focused on these fairness issues.

His biggest difficulty now will be to get Sewell and the police department back on his side. Philosophically and strategically, there are two broad camps among many on how to move the needle on public safety, said Phillip Atiba Goff, co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, a criminal-justice research center. One is, you cant work with law enforcement. Theres no negotiating with them. The other is that you have to work with law enforcement to get a lot of stuff done.

There are reasons to hope that the relationship can be repaired. Several of Braggs former colleagues from when he was a prosecutor pointed to his ability to earn the respect of the federal agents working his cases, a group that can skew more blue collar than the largely Ivy League prosecutors of the Southern District. Sometimes agents feel like prosecutors couldnt relate to their objectives or the communities they were trying to protect, said Randall Jackson, who worked with Bragg in the U.S. Attorneys office. What agents loved about Alvin was he was an elite prosecutor whos supersmart, but hes a regular guy from Harlem. Bragg has a rarefied pedigree, Jackson said, but hes an extraordinarily straightforward person and relatable to almost anyone.

Carrie Cohen, who oversaw Bragg when he was a young prosecutor in the public-integrity unit of the attorney generals office, described him as easy to supervise, because he was eager to learn and not defensive at all, so he accepted criticism extremely well and also was able to integrate all of the feedback into improving himself.

Cohen recalled supervising one of the first depositions Bragg ever took, in a corruption case in Buffalo, where she said he learned in the moment how to craft more incisive questions while dealing with the barrage of sticky notes she passed to him during the process. He has a very non-egotistical, very warm and friendly demeanor, she said.

When Bragg and another prosecutor, Peter Skinner, tried a money-laundering case at the U.S. Attorneys office, Skinner left court one day to find more than a dozen messages waiting on his cell phone. It was his wife telling him that their roof had fallen in and rain was pouring through the ceiling while she was home with their two small children (the judge didnt allow anyone, attorneys included, to have phones in the courtroom).

Later that day, Skinner was set to handle whats known as a charge conference  a crucial discussion before the judge in which the parties discuss how the jury will be instructed to determine whether the defendant actually broke the law. I get off the phone and everybodys looking at me, and Alvin was just like, Dude, youve gotta get home. Just go. I will cover the charge conference alone. Just go. Well deal with it, Skinner recalled.

It was no small thing, Skinner said. It was a complicated charge. It was all these counts; it was interlocking conspiracies. He wasnt afraid to just do it. Hes a supersmart, super-capable guy, so he was able to do it and do it well. The defendant in the case was convicted and sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison.

I think the world of Alvin, Skinner said. You couldnt pick a better trial partner.

People who have worked with Bragg pointed to his intellectual curiosity and openness. Toward the end of his time in the attorney generals office, he was appointed special prosecutor for police-involved deaths. For each case, he and his team would have sessions, sometimes hours long, in which they would debate whether the person under investigation should be prosecuted. In one instance, everyone, Bragg included, came to the conclusion at the end of a session that the case shouldnt be charged.

But a summer intern in the office had a legal theory in favor of prosecution, and she proposed it to her supervisor, who had her write a memo about it and passed it to Bragg. Bragg ended up agreeing with her and recommending prosecution to the attorney general.

In the DAs office, Bragg has been meeting in recent weeks with prosecutors in groups of 20 and seeking feedback  after having told the Times in an interview before taking office that he wouldnt tolerate internal recalcitrance by those who disagreed with his policies.

For prosecutors in the office, witnessing the chaos created by a full-on hate fest of the new DA and his policies wasnt easy, as one of the unit chiefs put it. It was a stressful time for people, because they didnt know what it meant and they didnt know how to interpret what was going on, he said, adding that people were nervous.

On January 20, Bragg called a meeting of the entire office on Zoom. He said, It is on me, these miscues, and he basically acknowledged and took the hit for that, the unit chief recalled. And I will tell you, people could not believe that a DA would ever say that to them, he said. People felt he was acknowledging there were some fuck ups, but, when the dust settled, he was committed to these reform principles and he had the staff back.

Most politicians I know would go through a couple of weeks like this and immediately commission polling, said Eric Soufer, a political consultant who once worked with Bragg in the attorney generals office. Im sure that hasnt even crossed Alvins mind, he said. I think thats really refreshing. It also means that, once in a while, hes going to do things differently, and I think thats a credit to his character  but its also an opportunity for his opponents to seize on it, because they know hes not going to immediately go out and do some sort of stunt that puts them on their heels.

Braggs lack of experience in handling the press contributes to this problem. When he was special prosecutor for police-involved deaths at the attorney generals office, he got some media training: Democratic strategist and former White House communications director Anita Dunn prepped him for an appearance on MSNBC. During an early press conference, one colleague was tasked with reminding Bragg to wear collar stays.

At the time, I thought that was intense scrutiny, he said of the role. I think this is now intense scrutiny.

The outlet that has given him the most trouble is, of course, the Post, and he bristles when I mention it. He avoided citing the tabloid by name but referenced it by describing a cover that featured photos of three Black officials, himself included, used to illustrate a story about how an institute at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice teaches DAs to free criminals, while white people associated with the program, including Vance, were depicted only on the newspapers inside pages.

I asked if he thinks he has been treated unfairly by the Post. I certainly cannot speak for the motivations or editorial selections of any paper, certainly not that paper, he said, but hes not oblivious.

By late March, Bragg seemed resigned to the criticism, which showed no signs of slowing. In a phone conversation, he said he was concentrating on a handful of other priorities  amping up the offices hate-crimes unit, which is handling more cases now than at any time since its creation; hiring new leadership for the sex crimes division; and devoting more resources to tenant-harassment cases, which Bragg believes will escalate in the wake of the expiration of the states pandemic-era eviction moratorium.

Bragg also mentioned a personal long-term career interest: the use of white-collar investigations and techniques to impact street crime  in other words, taking a case involving guns or drugs and finding a way to turn off what Bragg calls the money spigot when bringing a charge involving the guns or drugs themselves proves difficult.

He continues to believe that his policies will promote both racial equity and public safety. The reality that we dont talk about enough is that your witness today is your victim tomorrow is your defendant on Friday, and Ive sat in a room with people who are disinclined to cooperate on a very serious matter because of the experiences theyve had with the system in the past. To me, thats all bound up in issues of race, issues of equity, issues of fairness  they all feed into safety issues.

Even as others around us were focused on other things, Bragg said, thats where his attention has landed. I think, ultimately, the public narrative is to be told through the work, and the body of work will speak for itself. Its too important to be distracted.

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After deliberating for about six hours on Wednesday, the jury in the Derrill Richard Rick Ennis capital murder trial left the Lee County Justice Center for the evening.

Ennis has been charged with two counts of murder: capital murder kidnapping first degree and capital murder burglary first degree or second degree.

He was arrested and charged in 2018 following a cold case investigation of the June 2006 disappearance of Lori Ann Slesinski of Auburn. Slesinskis car was found engulfed in flames at the dead end of Dekalb Street in Auburn, but her body was never found.

The 12-member jury met on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to review evidence and took a lunch break in the middle of the day. At around 4 p.m., the jury made a request to go home for the day, and Judge Jacob Walker granted it.

William Whatley, one of the attorneys on Ennis defense team, said members of the jury were asking for access to a computer so they could watch video of Slesinski at Walmart on the Saturday she went missing and also listen to a recording of the phone call that Ennis made from jail to his former boss from Virginia.

Over the last eight days of the trial, the jury has listened to testimonies from Slesinskis mother, friends and co-workers; Ennis former roommates, co-workers and friends; and law enforcement officers and forensic specialists.

The jury heard closing statements on Tuesday, with the prosecution focusing on evidence it believed showed a struggle between Ennis and Slesinski, and with the defense asserting that the case was built on circumstantial evidence.

In her closing statement on Tuesday, Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere said, I think we can all agree there should be no reward for someone whos good at dumping a body. You should not get a prize for body disposal. You should be held accountable for their murder even though you were really good at dumping it.

At the same time, the defense called into question the motives of the cold case team. The 18-month investigation was not an investigation or reinvestigation of Lori, said attorney Todd Crutchfield. It was an investigation on Rick.

The jury will reconvene Thursday morning to continue deliberating until a final verdict is made.
Growing up on Chicagos West Side, it was always made clear to Avalon Betts-Gaston how she should wear her hair.

Straight hair was good hair; her natural coils and curls were bad hair, Betts-Gaston said. Even once she gave herself permission to see her hair as beautiful, Betts-Gaston said that, as a lawyer, she still faced restrictions on what was acceptable.

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In my own safe space, I was able to embrace who I was, but when I walked out the door, I knew I had to put on another person, said Betts-Gaston, 53. Society wasnt ready to embrace me even though I was ready to embrace myself.

Last week, Illinois legislators passed without opposition a measure that would ban discrimination based on hair textures and styles in the workplace.

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The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair  or CROWN  Act amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to make explicit that race includes associated traits such as hair texture and styles. The bill now awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzkers signature.

No one should have to miss out on a job opportunity or miss a school graduation because of the hair that grows naturally out of their head, state Sen. Mattie Hunter, a Chicago Democrat and the bills sponsor, said in a statement. Its 2022. As a nation, we should be past this petty discrimination.

State Sen. Mattie Hunter outside Mercy Hospital in Chicago on Oct. 23, 2020. Hunter is the sponsor of The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act. (Youngrae Kim / Chicago Tribune)

If it is wrong to judge by the color of ones skin, isnt it also wrong to judge by the way one styles their hair? Hunter said.

In recent survey of more than 2,000 women, about half of them Black, conducted for Unilevers Dove personal care line, Black women were more than 80% more likely to agree with the statement, I have to change my hair from its natural state to fit in at the office.

The study also found that Black women with natural hairstyles are perceived as less competent and thus are less likely to be recommended for an interview compared to Black women with straight hair or white women with straight or curly hair.

In partnership with Dove, the CROWN Coalition started its campaign to fight hair discrimination in 2019, with California being the first state to codify the ban in law later that year. More than a dozen states have since followed suit, and the issue is being considered at the federal level, with the U.S. House of Representatives passing the act last month.

Last year, Illinois passed the Jett Hawkins Act, which bars schools from prohibiting hairstyles such as dreadlocks and braids. The law is named after a 4-year-old boy who was told his braids were against the dress code at Providence St. Mel in Garfield Park, the private school he attended.

Pritzkers office did not respond to requests for comment about the CROWN Act, but when he signed into law the Jett Hawkins Act last year, the governor said in a statement that nobody should be made to feel less than for how they express themselves.

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For decades, Betts-Gaston straddled the two worlds many people of color faced, forced to be someone thats not 100% yourself in order to be successful in career, job or workplace, but free to express herself privately through her hair.

But working for the advocacy group Illinois Alliance for Reentry and Justice, Betts-Gaston said shes finally able to wear her hair in a natural style.

Not all workplaces will become tolerant of natural hair immediately, Betts-Gaston said, but when this bill becomes law, it will empower women of color to say, Hey, you cant do that to me. 

That change is going to be immediate, Betts-Gaston said. Slowly but surely, as pushback occurs, then the workplace will begin to change.

cspaulding@chicagotribune.com
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One of Auburn Universitys most respected professors and a biomedical sciences student with immense potential are this years recipients of the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Scott Kramer, the JE Wilborn Endowed Chair and professor in the College of Architecture, Design and Constructions McWhorter School of Building Science, and Madison Hogans, a biomedical sciences and pre-med major in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, have been selected for the 2022 honor. The award is given annually by the university to individuals who embody high qualities and nobility of character.

Kramer was selected for his impact in the classroom and the local and global community. The innovative professor helped turn the building science school into a service-learning program and has led numerous teams of students, faculty, industrial professionals and company groups in efforts to improve economically challenged communities around the world, including Ecuador, Haiti and Panama. Kramer and his teams have constructed homes, community centers, churches, medical care centers and schools in those countries using local materials and construction techniques.

Within the McWhorter School of Building Science, he is the service learning coordinator and has helped revise the building science curriculum to require a service learning class for every senior. Kramers students work with other faculty and nonprofit organizations to serve community needs in Opelika, Auburn and the Lee County area.

A selfless educator, Kramer encourages his students to build through an iterative process of making, remaking and refining and is highly revered by his students and faculty peers.

Hogans has made the most of her time at Auburn, working hard to become a leader among her fellow students in and out of the classroom. During her freshman year, Hogans participated in EMERGE, a student leadership program on campus, and worked as a student ambassador for the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM. Also during her freshman year, she worked with Dr. Bruce Smith of the College of Veterinary Medicine on research relating to gene therapy and presented that work at the fall 2020 Phi Zeta Research Day.

She served as vice president of the COSAM ambassadors program from 2020-21. During that time, Hogans led the Black History Month initiative, for which she created a virtual and interactive learning experience that highlighted lesser-known Black leaders in STEM. In her constant quest to help others and make processes easier, the first-generation college student created a 70-page manual about the medical school application process after personally going through the complicated steps. The document lives on the COSAM website and has reached virtually all students in the college.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award has been presented at Auburn since 1951 as a reminder of the noblest human qualities exemplified by Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a prominent humanitarian and first president of the New York Southern Society, now the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation.

In addition, SueEllen Marie Broussard, a hospitality management and hotel and restaurant management major, has been selected to receive the W. James Samford Jr. 72 Memorial Scholarship. The award is named in memory of James Samford, a 1972 Auburn alumnus and member of the Auburn Board of Trustees from 1987 until his death in 2003. Broussard has been a campus leader who has worked with the Be the Match on Campus bone marrow registry and the War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen and was named a Distinguished Young Woman of Marengo County.

The Presidents Award and Samford-Cannon Foundation Award recognizes one graduate in each school or college who has completed at least three semesters at Auburn with a minimum grade-point average of 3.40 and possesses outstanding qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and promise of professional ability. All honorees were celebrated at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 12.

This years Presidents Award honorees are:

Hannah Cecile Lemel, College of Agriculture

William Lane Mullins, College of Architecture, Design and Construction

Kennedy Laine Jarvis, Raymond J. Harbert College of Business

Eric Alejandro Marin, College of Education

Liana Grace Wood, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Ilya Eva Kristensen, College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences

Oluchi Lynda Aroh, Graduate School

Tatum Reece Snelling, College of Human Sciences

Emma Marie Poole, College of Liberal Arts

Brooke Rosabella Bayuga, College of Nursing

Linda Tran, Harrison College of Pharmacy

Madeline Grace Bruderer, College of Sciences and Mathematics

Ryan Jordan Farrell, College of Veterinary Medicine
The world was already struggling to combat a global energy supply squeeze well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now, as world powers seek to condemn the Kremlins actions in Ukraine by crippling the Russian economy, its becoming increasingly clear that energy sanctions will be a necessary part of any meaningful global response. In order to hit Russia where it hurts, however, those doing the sanctioning are also going to feel an economic backlash as the exit of Russian oil, coal, and gas from the global energy supply leaves many European and Asian countries scrambling for new sources of fuel.

In fact, the threat posed to Europes energy security by sanctions on Russia have left European leaders gridlocked and struggling to agree on how, what, and how much to boycott. Unable to come to an accord around Russian oil and gas, which provide nearly half of Europe's energy imports, the European Union has agreed to start with a Russian coal ban, slated to begin in August. While this may seem like a weak and belated effort when compared with the magnitude and urgency of the atrocities unfolding in Ukraine, this relatively small step will leave the continent scrambling to find 40 million tons of replacement coal.

Thanks to the lingering effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, a global energy supply squeeze has led many of the worlds countries back to coal as oil and gas prices skyrocket. This means that weaning the world off of Russian coal imports will be an even bigger challenge for European and Asian countries that have ratcheted up their coal consumption in recent months. In 2021 alone, European imports of Russian coal increased by 22.4%. Coal prices are already near a record high, and the instatement of the European boycott in August will drive them even higher.

Related: Worlds Largest Oil Trader To Completely Phase Out Russian Crude



Even so, the coal ban will have a much greater impact on Russia than it will on the European Union. Its bad news for Putin, but wont devastate the EU, Fortune recently reported. For one thing, European buyers have already begun their shift away from Russian coal, and the August deadline, which Germany pushed for, will ease the burden of finding new sources of coal in a hurry.

The European Union is far from the only economic bloc that will be scrambling to find new sources of coal. Many Asian nations, too, will be looking for non-Russian imports. Notably, Japan recently announced that it, too, will ban Russian coal imports in a surprise policy shift that was a reversal of the nations previous refusal to extend its embargo to the Russian energy imports that Japan heavily relies upon. Russias cruel and inhumane actions are coming to light one after another all over Ukraine, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Friday. We will ban imports of Russian coal.

This means that some of the worlds biggest coal consumers will be competing in an already tight market for new coal supplies. Top global coal exporters Australia and Indonesia have already hit their production limits, and South Africa, another major coal producer, is facing logistical problems in their own coal supply chains. According to Fortune, the European Union will likely be looking to the United States and Colombia for coal imports come August, and Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic will be ramping up their domestic production levels. China, too, will be massively increasing its production levels. While Beijing will not be exporting domestically produced coal, the production increase will lessen demand for international imports, thereby freeing up some supply on the global marketplace for other nations scrambling to keep the lights on without cutting a check to the Kremlin.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Russia is ready to sell crude oil at pretty much any price, but only to friendly countries, Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov told Russian news agency Interfax.

Commenting on oil price forecasts, Shulginov said that these will need to be revised soon in light of the changes in the geopolitical and economic situation. He added that while a price range of between $80 and $150 per barrel of crude was possible, Russia was ready to sell its oil at any price range because its priority was to keep its oil industry going.

"A price range of $80 to $150 per barrel is generally possible," Shulginov told Interfax, "but it is not our job to play guesswork with prices. Our job is to ensure the continue operation of the oil industry. We are ready to sell friendly countries oil and oil products at any price range."

Separately, commenting on news about foreign companies' exit from the Russian energy industry, Shulginov said this exit is, for now, hypothetical. These companies, he said, would first need to find a buyer for their Russian business.

The minister's statement suggests sanctions, although not directly targeting Russia's oil industry, are beginning to bite. With lower sales due to the sanctions, Russia may soon need to start shutting down wells because it is running out of storage space, and new facilities are being built with haste.

The limited storage capacity has been a problem for a while but has only come into the spotlight now that Russian oil cargos are being shunned by Western buyers. According to the International Energy Agency, Western sanctions could reduce Russian exports by some 3 million barrels daily this quarter.

This would mean a 3-million-bpd shortfall in global supply with no immediate replacement. Also, if fuel exports are included, the shortfall could become even greater, as OPEC's secretary-general warned the EU this week during talks in Vienna.

"We could potentially see the loss of more than 7 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil and other liquids exports, resulting from current and future sanctions or other voluntary actions," Mohammed Barkindo said. "Considering the current demand outlook, it would be nearly impossible to replace a loss in volumes of this magnitude."

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Oilfield service companies have not escaped the fallout, either, though more diverse exposure globally may help them mitigate the financial impact.

Big Oil, particularly BP, has been hit hard, and the next quarterly financial reports may drive stock prices even lower.

The war in Ukraine has sparked an exodus from Russia, and some of the biggest oil companies in the world are writing down billions of dollars in assets.

Executing a plan some eight years in the making, Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February 2022. So savage, and indiscriminate was this attack that comparisons with the worst of World War II are beginning to be made in the non-stop press coverage. The Western world, recoiling in horror at the sight of bombed-out buildings and a civilian exodus that quickly swelled into the millions, soon sought to punish Russia by levying sanctions designed to cripple the Russian economy. After the first few days, it became apparent that the Ukrainians were going to mount a credible defense, and the Russian goal of a lighting strike to replace the government in Kyiv was not going to be realized. This war was going to drag on. As the images of what soon came to be called-war crimes piled up, Western companies doing business in Russia soon found that it was impossible to continue this practice and began pulling out of the country.

Among them a number of oil majors and large oilfield service companies quickly cut ties, removing their people, and abandoning equity and commercial interests in the country. BP, (NYSE:BP), Shell, (NYSE:SHEL), and Schlumberger, (NYSE:SLB) in particular have announced their intention to take major write-downs against first-quarter earnings. Will it be a train wreck for these companies? Possibly, as an article carried in Bloomberg notes, nobody wants these assets. Figuratively speaking, they glow in the dark.

In this article, we will avoid the geopolitical discussion around the invasion. You can find those discussions anywhere. Instead, we will focus on the likely impact of these write-downs on the near-term performance of the stocks mentioned. There are recent parallels in each case that may prove instructive, that we will reference.

BP

One of BPs crown jewels has been its ~20% stake in Rosneft, the Russian oil giant. As of the most recent reporting period, at 1,111 mboepd Rosneft contributed about half again the 2,332 mboepd reported as standalone BP in Q-4 for FY-21. In other words, BP just lost 32% of its daily output. Rosneft also contributed the largest portion of BPs Replacement Cost Profit-a Net Income equivalent metric.

The company has been shopping the Rosneft stake hard, as this Bloomberg article notes. U.S. accounting rules require the mark to market of distressed assets, and recently the company has posted its intention to take up to a $25 bn non-cash impairment charge against Q-1 earnings. Companies usually recover fairly quickly from these non-cash impairments, so I dont expect a big hit to the stock on that account.

Of more direct concern would be the loss of revenue and earnings Rosneft brought. A quick back-of-the-envelope check suggests that revenues and EBITDA will be reduced by ~$20 bn and ~$4 bn respectively. Those figures do not include the nearly $3.5 bn in dividends paid to BP by Rosneft in 2021.

Currently, BP is selling at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5.6X, well in a comfortable range for a capital-intensive industry. With a $25 bn charge, cash flow will be negative, making a GAAP analysis difficult. On an adjusted basis the calculation would be impacted by the loss of $4 bn in EBITDA and shift the multiple to 6.5X. In that event the stock price would adjust to about $26 per share, down from the present $30 per share.

Shell

The company is a partner in the much-discussed Nord Stream II gas pipeline, among other projects. So far it has announced about $3.5 bn in write-downs from Russian assets. A Guardian article has it pegged at $5.0 bn. Whichever it is, they are considerably less exposed than BP, and these non-cash charges will be just a ripple on their earnings statement.

More concerning to long-term investors should be their declining reserves and daily output. This loss of Russian upstream assets detailed below is significant and inconvenient as Shell has been pruning its upstream oil and gas portfolio since the Dutch court decision. Last fall it sold its Permian position to ConocoPhillips for $10 bn, losing about 220 K BOEPD as a result. The companys daily output has been declining for several years, dropping from about 2.6 mm BOEPD in 2018 to about 2.2 mm BOEPD in 2021. The loss of its Russian daily output will subtract another 140K BOEPD from this declining output. Some of the projects that Shell is abandoning include:

Sakhalin-2

Shell has a 27.5 percent interest in Sakhalin-2, the joint venture with Gazprom, an integrated oil and gas project located on Sakhalin island. Other ownership interests are Gazprom 50%, Mitsui 12.5%, and Mitsubishi 10%.

Salym

Shell has a 50 percent interest in Salym Petroleum Development N.V., a joint venture with Gazprom Neft that is developing the Salym fields in the Khanty Mansiysk Autonomous District of western Siberia.

Nord Stream 2

Shell is one of five energy companies that have each committed to providing financing and guarantees for up to 10% of the estimated 9.5 billion total cost of the project.

Gydan

A joint venture With Gazprom Neft (Shell interest 50%) to explore and develop blocks in the Gydan peninsula, in north-western Siberia. The project is in the exploration phase, with no production

Including the loss of its Russian output, Shell is trading at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5X presently which is in very comfortable territory, and will probably enable the market to look past the write-downs and production declines. What might give investors pause is their trading multiple to Flowing Barrels. On this basis, Shell is valued at $114,500 per flowing barrel, a pretty steep metric for many oil companies. BP for example trades at ~$53,400 per flowing barrel.

Schlumberger

An FT article estimates the companys direct investment in Russia over the last decade at $10 bn. As with the two operators weve discussed it is likely that Schlumberger will take a charge of the full amount of this investment. The Financial Times reports that SLB gains about 8% of its annual sales from Russia, and that could be cause for more concern than the non-cash write-downs.

Related: Putins War Set To Cost Europe Twice As Much As COVID In 2020

SLB reports something on the order of $200 mm for the quarter and $750-$1 bn in annual sales, from Russia. The company is likely to report OCF in the range of $2.0 bn to $2.1 bn for the quarter of Q-1, 2022. Margins have been creeping toward the mid-20s, and I expect they will be sustained in that range. Bottom-line, I think the strength of the overall services market will be enough to offset the loss from Russia. We have a direct corollary to this belief in the recent past.

In Q-3 of 2019, Schlumberger took a $13 bn charge for the value of two acquisitions (Smith International-2010 and Cameron-2015). The stock actually gained afterward on the strength of its earnings and EBIT margin toward the high $30s. I think we have a similar situation for Q-1, but exacerbated only minimally by the lost revenue for Russia

So far none of the analyst firms are taking down estimates for the company. Goldman has maintained a BUY rating with a $51 target. If they deliver the revenue and margin growth I expect, the market will quickly look past the Russian effects, and send shares toward my forecast of $55.

Your takeaway

From this high-level analysis, it appears that BP will be impacted by the loss of Russian revenues and assets enough to see a hit of ~20% on their share prices when details are announced. Given the strength of the oil market, I dont expect this to be a long-term result, and I dont foresee any impact on the company's stated plans for continuing its dividend and share repurchase plans.

Shell has twice the mass of BP and is less exposed to Russia. My feeling is that investors will quickly look past the charges taken against Russia. Of more concern, as I noted above is the increasingly stretched valuation in terms of their daily production. Over the short term, I dont foresee a share price hit from Russian assets, but declining production may eventually take the share price lower.

Schlumberger is a global service provider to the oilfield. While the incremental losses of revenue will impact regional results, its product and service offering is diverse enough that it can make up Russian losses in other markets.

All told each of these three companies will be impacted to some degree as discussed by leaving Russia over the short term. Over the next few years, the oil market is going to be so robust that it will be able to sustain revenues and earnings from other sources and remain viable investment vehicles for growth and income.



By David Messler for Oilprice.com

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Commodity major Vitol plans to wind down its activities involving Russian crude oil by the end of the year, Bloomberg has reported, citing a spokesman for the company.

Trade with Russian oil "will diminish significantly in the second quarter as current term contractual obligations decline," the spokesman said, adding, "we anticipate this will be completed by end of 2022".

The report notes the announcement was made following an urge from the Ukrainian government addressed to the four major commodity traders to stop dealing in Russian oil, the revenues from which, the Ukrainian government says, are used to finance the war in Ukraine.

Vitol had previously signaled that it was planning to cease trade in Russian oil at some point. Yet it also needs to decide what to do with its stake in the giant Vostok oil project led by Rosneft.

Vitol, together with Mercantile & Maritime, bought a 5-percent in the Siberian megaproject before the pandemic. With reserves estimated at 2.6 billion tons of crude, equal to some 19 billion barrels, the group of fields that the Vostok Project spans could produce up to 100 million tons of crude annually once it reaches full capacity. Rosneft itself estimates the fields' reserves at up to 44 billion barrels.

Now, with all the public pressure on businesses to exit Russiaand many already doing itpressure may increase on private companies such as the commodity trading major, too.

Last month, unnamed sources told Reuters that Vitol has long-term contracts with Rosneft until at least October this year. Long-term contracts with private commodity traders are not normally made public.

Per that report, oil traders expected both Vitol and fellow commodity major Trafigura to continue trading Russian crude this month and next, although perhaps in lower volumes "given the potential difficulties in selling the cargoes to EU buyers."

The European Union has been discussing a potential oil embargo on Russia for weeks now, but the only thing that seems to have been established is that if one is ever agreed, it would be a gradual wind-down of imports rather than a sudden suspension.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The geography of Egypt already makes it one of the most important trade hubs in the world, and now it has the potential to become a major energy hub.

North African energy producer Egypt has an opportunity to become one of the most important energy hubs on earth.

To begin with, it has become a focal point of European gas companies as the continent attempts to wean itself off Russian gas. At the same time, Cairo is attempting to take advantage of the global call for more clean energy. The Egyptian government is currently assessing its options to put in place a $40bn hydrogen strategy in 2022. The first steps towards this aggressive strategy are already receiving support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The EBRD has signed an MOU with Egypts Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to set up a framework to assess the potential of low-carbon hydrogen supply chains. Based on the EBRD info, which has been confirmed by Egyptian counterparts, the MOU covers mapping the current and future expected international supply and demand of the hydrogen market. It will include analyzing existing and potential hydrogen production in Egypt, while at the same time a valuation assessment of storage, conversion, and transport of hydrogen will be carried out. Egypts Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat stated that the hydrogen strategy will fall within the governments broader plan to use clean and renewable energy. The new $40 billion hydrogen strategy will entail a production capacity of 1,400MW by 2030.

Alongside this $40bn strategy, Egypt has allocated several new areas around the Suez Canal Economic Zone for green hydrogen production. Egypts Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced this allocation during a meeting with the EU Commissions VP Frans Timmermans in Cairo. Both parties have been discussing increased cooperation in the energy sector, all with the support of Egyptian president El Sisi. The EU Commissioner is in Cairo in preparation for COP27, which is going to be held in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022. Both parties have also reiterated the importance of cooperation when it comes to ensuring LNG and green hydrogen supplies for Europe. Egypt would play a central role in ensuring those supplies, acting as an energy hub. Egypt and the EU have also proposed the setup of a Mediterranean Green Hydrogen Partnership, focusing on hydrogen trade. In recent weeks, several new project proposals have been published, including a 1GW liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) hub at Egypts East Port Said by US-based H2 Industries. At the same time, German engineering giant Siemens Energy plans a green hydrogen pilot project, while Belgiums Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering Group is vying for another one. In 2021, the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE) agreed to set up a 50MW-100MW electrolyzer facility to produce green hydrogen for green ammonia with Norways Scatec and UAE-based Fertiglobe. Italian oil and gas major ENI signed an agreement in 2021 with Egyptian Electricity Holding Company and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company to assess blue and green hydrogen projects. Egypts TAQA also signed an agreement to set up a pilot project for green hydrogen as a fuel for tourist buses with Germanys MAN Energy Solutions.

Related: Worlds Richest Have Taken A $400 Billion Wealth Cut Amid Ukraine Crisis

In March 2022, Norwegian company Scatec announced that it would build a 1 million tons per year green ammonia facility, with an option to reach 3 million tons per year, in Ain Sukhna, a Red Sea port within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Last month, Yehia Zaki, chairman of the Suez Canal Commercial Zone, stated that there are plans to construct a further 220,000 tons per year green ammonia plant, with an estimated cost of $1bn. The green hydrogen would target maritime transportation companies as clients. The project plans emerged following discussions that Danish shipping giant Maersk held to set up green marine fuels production in Egypt. Maersk signed an MOU on March 28 with Egypt for a feasibility study, transforming hydrogen into green methanol.

Last week, Abu Dhabi company Al Nowais Group reported that it has submitted a proposal to the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity for a merger of its 500MW solar power projects with ADIA, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (SWF), hydrogen projects in Egypt. ADIA would become a partner in the ammonia production project.

The above moves are substantial, especially when looking at the growing role of Egypts offshore natural gas production, and the upcoming major Israeli natural gas exports to LNG regasification plants in the Nile Delta. Egypt could soon become a major energy hub by combining natural gas (LNG) in the East Med and its clearly commercially attractive position as a hydrogen producer and exporter. Egypts geographical importance as a trade route connecting Europe with Asia means it is uniquely positioned to impact the makeup of shipping fuels. If Cairo pushes for a major maritime bunkering position, combining Alexandria and Suez to use LNG and Hydrogen for shipping, new strategic options are going to be available. Making the Suez Canal area a low-carbon arena would be a win-win situation for all.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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An Aurora man has been charged with shooting a neighbors dog in the head, officials said.

John Fazzini, 61, of the 300 block of Aster Court, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, reckless discharge of a firearm and criminal damage to property, according to a news release from the DuPage County States Attorneys Office.

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Fazzinis bail was set at $100,000 in DuPage County Court Wednesday morning.

Aurora police responded to investigate shots fired in the 300 block of Shadybrook Lane around 9 p.m. March 10, according to the release. They found an 8-year-old German shepherd lying on the front porch of a home. The dog, named Jameson, had been shot in the right side of his nose, with the bullet exiting below his left ear, officials said.

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Police said that around 8:45 p.m. that evening, members of the family which owns the dog, including a 10-year-old girl, were out walking Jameson when they encountered Fazzini across the street, walking his dog.

Fazzinis dog began to bark and Jameson allegedly wiggled out of his harness and approached Fazzini and his dog, according to the release.

Police said the familys dog ran circles around Fazzini and his dog before trotting toward them. When he was four to five feet away, without warning, Fazzini shot Jameson, according to the release.

After he was shot, the dog returned to the front porch of his familys home.

The dog was taken to a local veterinary hospital and is now at home recovering from his injuries, officials said.

It is alleged that without provocation Mr. Fazzini pulled out a loaded handgun and shot a family pet just feet away from family members, including a 10-year-old girl, DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Fazzini was taken into custody Tuesday on an active arrest warrant following a traffic stop by Aurora police. He is due back in court May 4.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
As much as 80% of Russian raw materials are traded through Switzerland and its nearly 1,000 commodity firms.

According to ship tracking and port data, some of Europes biggest commodity traders have continued to lift large volumes of Russian oil.

Its seven weeks into Putins war in Ukraine, and while many of the worlds biggest companies have stopped doing business with Russia, a few seemed to have missed the memo.

It's seven weeks into the fastest-growing humanitarian crisis since World War II, and the war appears to have entered a new phase with no obvious route to end the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called the war in Ukraine a "tragedy" but insisted that Russia had "no choice" but to invade its western neighbor. Putin added that economic sanctions imposed on his country have "failed," asserting that the Russian economy is steady despite the blows.

With some of its $630 billion in foreign currency reserves still accessible, it might take some time for Moscow to feel the full effects of western sanctions. But the country is bound to do so before long, with much of the world now opting not to buy Russian oil and gas.

Oil prices and energy stocks are still trading at multi-year highs after international refiners adopted a self-imposed embargo, with many reluctant to buy Russian oil and banks refusing to finance shipments of Russian raw materials. Refiners and banks are unwilling to do business with Russia due to the risk of falling under complex restrictions in different jurisdictions. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared in early March that the EU "must become independent from Russian oil, coal, and gas. We cannot simply rely on a supplier who threatens us." On March 8, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. was "banning all imports of Russianenergy. That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at [our] ports, and the American people will deal another powerful blow to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war machine."

Unfortunately, for all the tough talk about abandoning Russian energy commodities, Russia is still managing to sell a good amount of its oil and gas thanks to some of the world's biggest commodity traders having little compunction about financing Putin's war machine.

According to ship tracking and port data, Switzerland's Vitol, Glencore, and Gunvor as well as Singapore's Trafigura, have all continued to lift large volumes of Russian crude and products, including diesel.

Indeed, Oleg Ustenko, economic adviser to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, has written to the four companies demanding that they stop trading Russian hydrocarbons immediately since export revenues are funding Moscow's purchase of weapons and missiles.

Switzerland's Golden Calf

A lot of the blame falls on Switzerland, with 80% of Russian raw materials traded via the Central European nation and its nearly 1,000 commodity firms.

Switzerland is an important global financial hub with a thriving commodities sector despite the country being far from all the global trade routes and without access to the sea; no former colonial territories, and without any significant raw materials of its own. In fact, Oliver Classen, media officer at the Swiss NGO Public Eye, says that "this sector accounts for a much larger part of the GDP in Switzerland than tourism or the machinery industry." According to a 2018 Swiss government report, commodity trading volume reaches almost $1 trillion ($903.8 billion).

Related: Oil Sands Financing From Canadian Banks Doubles

Deutsche Welle has reported that 80% of Russian raw materials are traded via Switzerland, according to a report by the Swiss embassy in Moscow. About a third of it is oil and gas, while two-thirds are base metals such as zinc, copper, and aluminum. In other words, deals signed on Swiss desks are directly facilitating Russian oil and gas to continue flowing freely.

Which definitely is a big deal considering that gas and oil exports are the main sources of income for Russia, accounting for 30 to 40% of the Russian budget. In 2021, Russian state corporations earned around $180 billion (163 billion) from oil exports alone.

Again, unfortunately, Switzerland has been handling its commodities trade with kid gloves.

According to DW, raw materials are often traded directly between governments and via commodities exchanges. However, they can also be traded freely, and Swiss companies have specialized in direct sales thanks to an abundance of capital.

In raw materials transactions, Swiss commodity traders have adopted letters of credits or L/Cs as their preferred instruments. A bank will give a loan to a trader and as collateral, receive a document making it the owner of the commodity. As soon as the buyer pays the bank, the document and thus ownership of the commodity are transferred to him/her. The system gives traders more credit lines without their creditworthiness having to be checked, and the bank has the value of the commodity as security.

This is a prime example of transit trade, where only the money flows through Switzerland, but actual raw materials usually do not touch Swiss soil. Thus, no details about the magnitude of the transaction land on the desk of the Swiss customs authorities leading to highly imprecise information about the flow volumes of raw materials.

"The whole commodities trade is under-recorded and underregulated. You have to dig around to collect data and not all information is available," Elisabeth Burgi Bonanomi, a senior lecturer in law and sustainability at Bern University, has told DW.

Obviously, the lack of regulation is very appealing to commodity traders--especially those that deal with raw materials mined in non-democratic countries such as the DRC.

"Unlike the financial market, where there are rules for tackling money laundering and illegal or illegitimate financial flows, and a financial market supervisory authority, there is currently no such thing for commodity trading," financial and legal expert at Public Eye David Muhlemann told the German broadcaster ARD.

But don't expect things to change any time soon.

Calls for a supervisory body for the commodities sector based on the model of the one for the financial market by the likes of Swiss NGO Public Eye and Swiss Green Party proposal have so far failed to bear fruit. Thomas Mattern from the Swiss People's Party (SVP) has spoken out against such a move, insisting that Switzerland should retain its neutrality, "We do not need even more regulation, and not in the commodities sector either."

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com



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Chinese CNOOC, the offshore oil and gas producing giant, is getting ready to quit its businesses and assets in the U.S., the UK, and Canada, over concerns that it may come under secondary sanctions over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing industry sources.

CNOOC has stakes in operating fields in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and in Canadian oil sands projects, after it bought Nexen of Canada nearly a decade ago.

CNOOC is estimated to produce around 220,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) from assets in the U.S., the UK, and Canada, according to Reuters calculations.

However, according to Reuters sources, the Chinese offshore giant is now preparing to leave the three western markets amid tense China-U.S. relations, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn.

Last week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told a hearing at the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that China could become a subject of sanctions if it supports Russia in its war in Ukraine.

It gives President Xi, I think, a pretty good understanding of what might come his way should he, in fact, support Putin in any material fashion, Sherman said, as carried by Reuters.

CNOOC plans to exit its North Sea operations, including one of the top producing oilfields in the UK, Buzzard, banking and industry sources told Reuters in March. The Chinese giant has reportedly hired Bank of America to help it with the sale of the North Sea assets, which could fetch as much as $3 billion, the sources said. Preparations for a North Sea exit are part of a new strategic shift for CNOOC, which looks to focus now on Latin American, African, and domestic offshore assets, abandoning businesses in the mature markets, according to the sources who spoke to Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Libya can raise its natural gas production by 30 percent with an investment of up to $1 billion, Italys Ambassador to Libya, Giuseppe Buccino, said at a round table discussion at the LUISS University in Rome this week.

If Libya manages to overcome political disputes, it would have more stability that would favor economic development, the ambassador said, as carried by Italian news agency Nova News.

Regarding Libyas target to boost its oil productioncurrently at 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd)its realistic to expect that the North African OPEC member could reach 2 million bpd in a year and a half or two years, if there are favorable conditions and adequate investments, Buccino said.

Libya is one of the countries to which Italy is looking for more natural gas supplies, along with Algeria and Azerbaijan, Italian Energy Transition Minister

Roberto Cingolani said earlier this month.

Last year, Libya exported around 3.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Italy via the Greenstream gas pipeline.

In March, Cingolani said that Italy, which depends for 40 percent of its gas demand on Russia, would need at least three years to replace Russian gas supply.

Italy and other EU member states have accelerated plans to reduce their dependence on Russian gas following Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. The high dependence of the EU on Russian gas doesnt allow it, for now, to sanction Russian gas exports or to place an embargo on imports of Russian gas in response to the war in Ukraine.

Italy signed a deal on Monday with Algeria to receive 40 percent more gas from the African gas exporter via the existing pipeline in the Mediterranean. Italys Eni will increase the quantities of gas imported through the TransMed / Enrico Mattei pipeline under the long-term gas supply contract in place with Sonatrach starting from the next autumn.

Other deals will follow, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, noting that the deal with Algeria is a step toward reducing reliance on Russian gas.

Another EU country on the Mediterranean, Greece, plans to step up efforts to explore for natural gas in an attempt to reduce its 40-percent reliance on Russian gas, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Major crude trading houses are set to slash their purchases of Russian crude oil and crude products starting mid-May, anonymous Reuters sources said on Thursday.

The move that will see a curtailment of Russian crude purchases comes as traders steer clear of any actions that would violate European sanctions against Russia that go into effect on May 15, although a ban on Russian crude oil does not currently exist.

Still, traders are planning to cut their purchases of the pariah-spawned crude as they try to follow EU sanctions that restrict Russias financial activities.

The current EU sanctionsalthough an outright ban has been discussed without successdo not include crude purchased from Gazpromneft or Rosneft if they are necessary to maintaining energy supplies. The ambiguity of the word necessary, however, is causing trading houses to wonder whether serving as an intermediary qualifies.

Vitol said earlier this week that it would wind down all its activities involving Russian crude by the end of this year but will diminish significantly in the 2nd quarter. The major commodity trader did not mention May 15 specifically.

Trafigura said it would fully comply with EU sanctions, and anticipated that its traded volumes of Russian crude would be reduced even more after May 15.

Shell, another major crude trader, has already stopped buying Russian crude.

The European Union has been discussing a potential oil embargo on Russia for weeks, but the only thing that seems to have been established is that if one is ever agreed, it would be a gradual wind-down of imports rather than a sudden suspension.

Germany in particular has stated that at this time, it cannot afford to cut itself off from Russian crude oil. Some German lawmakers, however, are pushing the EU to break away from Russian crude with the aim of disrupting Russias revenue stream from crude.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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As many Western buyers shun Russian oil, gas, and coal, Moscow will find new customers for its energy products both domestically and overseas, Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

As for Russian oil, gas, coal, we will be able to raise their domestic consumption, stimulate higher complexity of feedstock processing and raise energy supplies to other parts of the world -- somewhere, where they are really needed, Putin said during a meeting with the cabinet and company representatives, as carried by Bloomberg.

Traditional buyers of Russian oil in the West, including international oil majors, have said they are backing out of new deals to take and trade Russian oil, following Russias invasion of Ukraine at the end of February.

Buyers in Asia are taking some of the oil unwanted in the West, but logistics, high freight rates, insurance, bank guarantees, and payment hurdles prevent willing buyers in Asia from purchasing all the oil Russia has traditionally sold on the European market.

Moreover, the European Union imposed last week a ban on imports of coal and other solid fossil fuels from Russia as of August 2022 as part of the fifth round of EU sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian oil production fell in the first week of April by 4.5 percent compared to the March averagethe steepest decline in output since May 2020, according to Russias energy ministry data seen by Bloomberg.

Between April 1 and 6, Russia pumped the equivalent of 10.52 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil, per Bloomberg calculations based on energy ministry data in tons. Thats some 500,000 bpd below the average Russian production for the whole month of March.

For the first time since July 2020, Russias crude oil production slipped below the 10 million bpd mark on Monday, two anonymous Reuters sources suggested.

Russian oil supply is expected to fall by 1.5 million bpd in April, while shut-ins are forecast to accelerate to around 3 million bpd from May, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its April Oil Market Report today.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP)  President Joe Biden is set to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as he presses world leaders to take a hard line against Russia's Ukraine invasion.

India's neutral stance in the war has raised concerns in Washington and earned praise from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who lauded India this month for judging the situation in its entirety, not just in a one-sided way.

Most recently, India abstained when the U.N. General Assembly voted Thursday to suspend Russia from its seat on the 47-member Human Rights Council over allegations that Russian soldiers in Ukraine engaged in rights violations that the U.S. and Ukraine have called war crimes.

The vote was 93-24 with 58 abstentions.

In the virtual meeting, Biden will talk about the consequences of Russias war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Sunday.

They'll discuss strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she said.

India continues to purchase Russian energy supplies, despite pressure from Western countries to avoid buying Russian oil and gas. The U.S. has also considered sanctions on India for its recent purchase of advanced Russian air defense systems.

Last month, the state-run Indian Oil Corp. bought 3 million barrels of crude from Russia to secure its needs, resisting entreaties from the West to avoid such purchases. India isnt alone in buying Russian energy, however. Several European allies such as Germany have continued to do so, despite public pressure to end these contracts.

Indian media reports said Russia was offering a discount on oil purchases of 20% below global benchmark prices.

Iraq is Indias top supplier, with a 27% share. Saudi Arabia is second at around 17%, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 13% and the U.S. at 9%, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

Biden and Modi last spoke in March.

___

Sharma reported from New Delhi.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

April 10

The Washington Post on Haiti needing help from Washington:

Haiti passed a grim milestone in February, when the traditional presidential inauguration day came and went with no president taking the oath of office, no realistic prospect of presidential elections, and no established consensus on how to restore some semblance of functioning democracy in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. Meanwhile, the Biden administration props up an interim prime minister whose writ, so far as it runs, is to preside over a government with no claim to legitimacy.

That prime minister, Ariel Henry, was named to the job by President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated two days later, before Mr. Henry could be sworn in. On Feb. 7, Moises term expired. Mr. Henry has said he will organize elections this year, but that promise is empty, given how far-fetched it is that balloting could be staged amid rampant insecurity and the current power vacuum.

A potentially hopeful sign was the emergence last year of a coalition of civic organizations that proposes installing an interim government for two years, after which elections would be held. The coalition, which calls itself the Montana Accord, after a hotel in the capital where it meets, consists of political parties, faith groups, professional associations, human rights organizations and trade unions.

However broad-based, the coalition has no more constitutional legitimacy than does Mr. Henry. Moreover, its plan to run the country with a prime minister plus a five-member council exercising presidential powers is unwieldy, to say the least. Even if it assumed power by some unforeseeable means, there is no credible prospect that it would establish control over the nearly 15,000-member police force, which is rife with corruption. Without that, chances are nil that it could stabilize Haiti, mount elections and resuscitate the economy.

The country of more than 11 million has just a handful of elected officials, the terms of scores of others having expired in the absence of elections. Mr. Henry took office largely on the strength of support from a U.S.-led group of ambassadors. But the government and national institutions are in shambles.

Moreover, Mr. Henrys commitment to bring Moises killers to justice has proved not just hollow but suspicious after a report that he was in contact with a key suspect before and just after the assassination. Although signs point to the involvement of drug-trafficking figures in the presidents killing, most of the kingpins who have been implicated remain at liberty. Haitis own authorities have made no meaningful progress in the murder investigation. Meanwhile, according to The Post, U.S. prosecutors, who allege that the killing was partly planned in the United States, have charged two suspects and are seeking the extradition of a third.

The Biden administration has ruled out sending troops, instead paying lip service to finding a Haitian-led exit from the crisis. If there is such a way out  a big if  it might consist in a consensus between the Montana Accord coalition and Mr. Henrys own forces. Forging such an agreement should be high on the Biden administrations agenda. But there is little sign Washington is paying attention to events in the impoverished country  despite its long history of devolving into crises that then become impossible to ignore.

April 6

The New York Times on documenting war crimes in Ukraine:

The apocalyptic images of bodies sprawled in the mud among twisted tanks, charred walls and splintered trees in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities speak to the brutality of the war that Vladimir Putin started. The knowledge that more such horrors, many more, will be revealed as Russian troops retreat cries out for a reckoning.

President Biden called for a war crime trial, and President Emmanuel Macron of France declared there were clear indications of war crimes. Human Rights Watch reported documented cases of rape and summary executions. Ukrainian and international investigators have already begun collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. It is imperative that this work be done promptly and scrupulously.

It may appear unduly legalistic to parse evidence or to question witnesses as countless civilians cower in their homes hoping against hope that Russian shells dont hit their apartment buildings. The very notion that warfare can have rules, suggesting that there are correct ways to inflict death and destruction on an enemy, is difficult to grasp, and prosecuting commanders carries the risk of appearing as victors justice.

For at least 75 years, the international community has undertaken a real but incomplete effort to define wars of unprovoked aggression as crimes in and of themselves. In the words of the Nuremberg tribunal, To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.

In Ukraine, there is no question that Russia is the aggressor, that Bucha, the Ukrainian town that had been occupied by Russian forces for five weeks  and Mariupol and Kharkiv and Chernihiv and Kyiv and scores of other cities and towns  would be peacefully greeting spring had Mr. Putin not ordered an unprovoked war to satisfy his ambitions of empire and the destruction of a neighboring nation. Ukraines resistance is unquestionably self-defense, and the nations of the world are within their rights to impose sanctions on Mr. Putin and his country. Concerned nations are also right to help arm the Ukrainian military, if only to make the price of aggression so high that he, or at least those around him, might come to their senses.

Yet the world has also identified crimes that are unacceptable even in the fog of battle. Objectively gathering and documenting evidence is a powerful way to cut through the muck and preserve the possibility that someone might someday be held accountable. It holds out the possibility, however slim, that someday a judge will declare the orders to fire on a village or hospital illegal and that that legal judgment might one day serve as a deterrent in the next war. War crime investigations are a powerful political tool that can be used to underscore the dignity of victims and the lawlessness of the invaders.

An array of international criminal laws emerged after World War II, most famously the Geneva Convention of 1949, which aims to hold combatants personally responsible for war crimes  such as intentionally slaughtering civilians, torture, wanton destruction of property, sexual violence, pillaging, conscripting children. Other measures included the Genocide Convention and laws prohibiting crimes against humanity.

The Russian Armys actions give every appearance of violating these rules, and investigations have already begun in the International Criminal Court and some other courts. The indiscriminate shelling of cities and towns, the killings evidenced by the mass graves discovered in Bucha and the bombing of a Mariupol theater are among the many actions that could be deemed war crimes. The entire invasion would appear to be a crime of aggression, which would presumably reach Mr. Putin. If these crimes are determined to be part of a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population based on a state policy, they could also amount to crimes against humanity.

Russia, for the record, says the atrocities in Bucha are all staged. And it may well be that investigators will find evidence of atrocities committed by Ukrainian troops against Russians or collaborators. All the more reason to conduct a thorough accounting.

Delivering justice  collecting the evidence, securing an indictment, holding a fair trial  is hard, time-consuming and expensive. As such, few instances of war crimes lead to punishment. Though the I.C.C. can initiate prosecution on any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime on its own, a charge of the crime of aggression  the one most applicable to Mr. Putin and his lieutenants  would have to be initiated by the United Nations Security Council, where it would face a certain Russian veto. In addition, Russia does not recognize the I.C.C. and would not surrender suspects.

Ukraine also is not party to the treaty that established the court but has allowed it jurisdiction over crimes committed on Ukrainian soil. The United States, for its part, has its own history of hostility to the I.C.C., and when accusing Mr. Putin of war crimes, Mr. Biden did not make clear what forum should be responsible for prosecution.

Yet none of these hurdles should preclude a search for justice. Even if the process is difficult and stretches into months and years, it is important that history be left a forensic, credible, verified and judicially processed record of the specific crimes in Ukraine. Those responsible should be named, their actions specified, and if at all possible, the guilty should be locked away. The very fact that Russia is arguing that the atrocities were all concocted requires a detailed and incontrovertible judicial response.

The Biden administration and its allies have done an admirable job of puncturing the Kremlins propaganda with accurate intelligence. An authoritative record of war crimes would serve the same purpose for the future.

It would be good for the Biden administration to find a way to cooperate with the I.C.C. in collecting evidence, even if it is precluded by law from helping to finance the effort. There are other options: A special tribunal could be established without a U.N. endorsement, and several nations, including the United States, could claim universal jurisdiction and hold their own trials. But too many investigations would dilute the public impact of the legal process, and no tribunal carries the authority or mandate of the I.C.C.

However it is done, seeking justice against Mr. Putin and others responsible for war crimes in Ukraine is a goal for the longer term. Russia is not retreating. It is repositioning its forces for an assault in the east. And Russias participation in sputtering peace talks is looking increasingly like a ploy. The horrors of Bucha have prompted talk of offering Ukraine deadlier weapons and imposing yet more sanctions. These must be the focus of the Wests efforts to help Ukraine.

But it is also imperative to make sure that the horrific evidence of criminal atrocities on display in Bucha and so many other places is promptly collected while it is still there and that witnesses are questioned while their memories are still raw. Posterity must know what really happened. Justice must be given a chance.

April 8

The Wall Street Journal on former U.S. President Barack Obama's history with Russia:

Russias bloody invasion of Ukraine has sparked an Olympic sprint of sorts as politicians run away from their abysmal records regarding Vladimir Putin. Few are running faster than former President Barack Obama, who this week tried to rewrite the history of his own Russia policies.

As somebody who grappled with the incursion into Crimea and the eastern portions of Ukraine, I have been encouraged by the European reaction (this time), Mr. Obama said at an event in Chicago. Because in 2014, I often had to drag them kicking and screaming to respond in ways that we would have wanted to see from those of us who describe ourselves as Western democracies.

As for Mr. Putin, the former U.S. President purports to be surprised by the Russian leaders brutality. I dont know that the person I knew is the same as the person who is now leading this charge. He was always ruthless. You witnessed what he did in Chechnya, he had no qualms about crushing those whom he considered a threat. Thats not new. For him to bet the farm in this wayI would not have necessarily predicted from him five years ago.

Mr. Obama managed to say all this with a straight face while speaking at an event about disinformation in politics.

Start with Mr. Obamas claim he was a champion of harsher measures against Russia after the invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. His Administration imposed only mild, targeted sanctions on Russiaand then joined with Moscow to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. He refused to sell Javelin antitank weapons to Ukraine. Germany pushed ahead with its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in this era with nary a peep from Washington until the Trump Administration.

Mr. Obama also cant claim as much ignorance as he does now about Mr. Putins intentions and methods at the time. Mr. Putin had risen to power allegedly by bombing apartment buildings in Russia, as U.S. intelligence no doubt knew or highly suspected, and even Mr. Obama concedes Mr. Putins 1999 assault on Grozny in Chechnya was ruthless.

There also were the 2006 assassinations of journalist Anna Politkovskaya and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko, Mr. Putins provocative speech criticizing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Munich in 2007, and the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia.

In 2009 Mr. Obama nonetheless dispatched Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Geneva to negotiate a reset on relations with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. In 2012 Mr. Obama accused Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney of hewing to a retrograde 1980s foreign policy for viewing Russia as a threat, while telling Putin henchman Dmitry Medvedev when he thought no one was listening that hed have more latitude to cut Mr. Putin some slack after the U.S. election.

Some reset. In addition to the Crimea and Donbas invasions, 2014 saw the shoot-down of a Malaysian Airlines flight by Russia-linked forces in eastern Ukraine. Russias cluster bombing of Aleppo in Syria followed in 2015-16. Mr. Putins suppression of domestic dissent accelerated, and he amped up his rhetoric against NATO and an independent Ukraine. And dont forget the meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, which Mr. Obama punished with wrist-slap sanctions only after Donald Trump won.

Mr. Obamas main concession to Russian reality was to lobby NATO allies to increase their annual defense spending to 2% of GDP, although for the most part they ignored him. One can almost understand why they did, since they saw him cozying up to Mr. Putin on Iran while talking down the Russia threat.

All of this is relevant now because the Biden Administration is loaded with men and women who worked for Mr. Obama and shared his misjudgments about Russia. The conceit in many quarters on the left is that Mr. Putin has changed, or is deranged, such that his Ukraine invasion couldnt have been foreseen.

But Mr. Obamas weakness toward Russia, reinforced by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is one reason Mr. Putin felt he could act with increasing aggressiveness and get away with it. No one should believe Mr. Obamas varnished Russia history.

April 8

The Los Angeles Times on steps Congress can take to battle the climate crisis:

The latest United Nations climate report couldnt be clearer: We are at a planetary crossroads.

If we dont act now to go beyond current pledges and cut fossil fuel emissions in half by 2030, it will be impossible to keep the heating of the Earth below a crucial 2.7-degree Fahrenheit limit and avoid increasingly severe devastation and suffering. We can still avert catastrophe, but there is only a narrow window left to end the era of fossil fuels.

In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, scientists from across the globe spell out, in cautious yet exacting language, that what is blocking the replacement of dangerous fossil fuels with clean renewable energy is not technology, but politics.

One factor limiting the ambition of climate policy has been the ability of incumbent industries to shape government action on climate change and lobby more effectively than those who would gain from carbon-cutting policies, the report says.

Politicians, and the self-interested fossil fuel companies they serve, are the reason we are spiraling toward calamity. Wealthy countries like the United States, whose dumping of pollution into the atmosphere has done the most to cause the climate crisis, have a responsibility to take the lead, and our elected leaders need to overcome resistance from dirty industries.

There are steps President Biden and Congress can and should take immediately to spur the adoption of renewable energy, like wind and solar, electric vehicles, water heaters, heat pumps and battery storage, while taking on the oil, gas and coal industries whose products are fueling wildfires, storms, heat waves, drought, global instability and war.

Without any action from Congress, Biden can use his authority under the Defense Production Act to quickly ramp up the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy technology, including efficient electric heat pumps, which are air-conditioning like appliances that both heat and cool homes and will immediately reduce fossil fuel consumption by replacing models that burn climate-polluting natural gas.

Biden has already invoked the cold war-era law to encourage domestic production of critical minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicle batteries, and before that, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. And he banned imports of Russian oil and gas by executive order. The invasion of Ukraine has only underscored the global security imperative of ending our reliance on fossil fuels. If war and disease are reasons enough to warrant such action, the climate crisis is an even greater one.

Using defense powers to boost U.S. production of heat pumps at low cost has reportedly been studied by the White House. The idea has been gathering support among environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers as a way to respond to climate change and help Europe reduce reliance on Russian gas, similar to the Lend-Lease program that the U.S. used to help allies during World War II.

If Biden wont act on his own, Congress should push him.

A bill introduced Wednesday by U.S. Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) would do that, using the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production of renewable energy technology. The Energy Security and Independence Act would invest $100 billion in reinvigorating the domestic clean energy industrial base, provide $30 billion to help weatherize and insulate 6.4 million homes and $10 billion to procure and install millions of heat pumps, significantly reducing consumption of imported fossil fuels, according to a summary from Bushs office.

But lawmakers need to do more. They must find a way to pass key climate provisions from Bidens all-but-dead Build Back Better Act, including renewable energy incentives for wind and solar and electric vehicle tax credits that would accelerate these zero-emission technologies. They can also get behind the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax, a bill introduced last month by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) that seeks to deter the petroleum industry from profiteering as gas prices surge by returning some of its revenues to consumers in quarterly rebates.

This kind of climate action may seem unlikely or even laughably ambitious, given the dysfunction in Congress, its failure to respond to decades of escalating warnings from scientists and the stranglehold of polluting industries. But if there ever were a time to press hard and go big to save our planet, it is now.

April 10

China Daily on NATO's distrust of Beijing:

With the international community in danger of separating along the fault line of drastically different visions of the world order, the geopolitical landscape may become more difficult for Beijing to navigate without timely, efficient strategic communication to mitigate, if not dispel, increasing strategic distrust.

Since the start of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, Beijing has followed a path that is divergent from the United States-led West. But it argues that promoting peace and talks is the right and best possible way to de-escalate the crisis.

Unlike the United States and its NATO allies, which have resorted to increasing military support to Ukraine in the hope of bringing Russia to its knees, China has issued persistent calls for restraint and a negotiated end of the conflict, and it has provided humanitarian assistance to mitigate the suffering of civilians.

Beijing has made its decision based entirely on the situation at hand, in accordance with international law, as well as the spirit of the UN Charter.

Thus NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg identifying peace-brokering Beijing as an emerging threat at the transatlantic security alliances foreign ministers meeting last week will certainly have raised eyebrows among those who appreciate Beijings approach. To them, his remarks are both ridiculous and unjustifiable. But then, he has persistently sought to fan the flames of division.

Stoltenbergs remark would be easily dismissible if NATO were not taking the rise of China into account when seeking to reposition itself.

Although it might appear natural for the transatlantic security mechanism to take note of that prominent factor and its global impacts, that was not the thrust of Stoltenbergs comments.

Instead, Stoltenberg was taking China as a threat to the so-called rules-based international order. He said NATO would for the first time write China concerns into its Strategic Concept because China is actually undermining the rules-based order.

In his eyes, Beijing is not only unwilling to condemn Russias aggression, but has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path, even trying to bully countries all over the world with coercive policies.

Those are serious allegations that will inevitably influence NATOs actions, especially if they are fully incorporated into a collective strategic document. Yet, they show a complete disregard for Beijings upholding of the rules-based international order, Beijings long-standing advocating of the right of countries to choose their own development path, Beijings vision of state-to-state relations, and everything Beijings diplomacy of peace stands for.

The alarming nature of Stoltenbergs words were highlighted by the invitations extended to Asia-Pacific countries to participate in the NATO meeting, as this was an explicit attempt to expand NATOs influence to the region.

Considering that the conflict in Ukraine is an outcome of NATOs constant expansion, and that NATO is a Cold War-era specter seeking to resurrect itself, the Asia-Pacific countries should be wary of NATOs designs for the region.

April 8

The Guardian on dilemmas presented by the war in Ukraine:

Thousands of civilians, including many children, were waiting to be evacuated to safety in the Kramatorsk railway station in eastern Ukraine on Friday morning when two missiles, later reported to be cluster weapons that are banned under international law, exploded in their midst. At least 50 people died, and more than 100 others were injured. A message in Russian on the surviving casing of one missile read For the children. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, understandably described the attack as the action of an evil that has no limits.

Even amid so many other horrors in Russias war on Ukraine, the Kramatorsk attack stands out for heartless brutality. It is a week now since Russian forces began to retreat after their invasion stalled around Kyiv. During that time, reporters have filed horrific revelations of the carnage and destruction that the defeated Russians left behind them. Evidence from places such as Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Borodianka, in all of which Ukrainian civilians appear to have been summarily murdered, has appalled the civilised world. War crime charges rightly seem certain to be brought against Russia. Now the crimes of Kramatorsk must be added to the charge sheet.

The past 10 days mark an important change in the dynamics and location of the Ukraine war. But it is not a simple or conclusive change yet. Ukrainian resistance, aided by western weaponry and technology, has secured a notable military victory by forcing the Russians to retreat. Kyiv is, for now, able to come back to a kind of life; a few refugees have begun returning from the west, and western leaders, including the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, have travelled there to show solidarity. Russian troops have now left the Sumy region in the north-east. Ukraine has also regained control of its border with Belarus.

But the war itself is far from over. Moscows forces are regrouping in the east, following Russias decision to make the Donbas region its primary focus. This is somewhat easier territory for them logistically and politically. It heralds a further assault in Mariupol, fresh offensives in Donbas (of which the missile attack on Kramatorsk station is part) and against Odesa, all of which will stretch Ukrainian supply lines and resources. As a result, President Zelenskiy has increased his calls for further western military aid.

After a week like the last one, he has morality more than ever on his side. He is also likely to feel less pressure to seek a compromise peace deal. Yet by making these appeals, the Ukrainian president has helped to trigger a new and intense phase of debate in the western democracies about how far they are really willing to go in supporting Ukraine militarily. This has exposed genuine differences about real dilemmas. The Czech Republic has supplied Soviet-era tanks, Poland is considering following suit and Slovakia has sent air defence systems. The U.S., Britain and France are more cautious, yet all of them have been quietly and incrementally crossing the military threshold they adopted in February that only defensive support would be given. Some in the west, including the Commons defence select committee chair, Tobias Ellwood, want them to go further.

This important argument is now taking place in real time. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs welcome visit to Downing Street on Friday was very much part of this process; an announcement about anti-tank weapons was expected. Britain, like all the western allies, needs to be more open about the choices that we and our allies face as a result of the new phase in Ukraine. At the very least, there is now a powerful case for parliament to be recalled before Easter, so that the very serious military options now under active consideration by governments can be more openly examined.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CHICAGO (AP)  The widow of a northern Illinois police officer who killed himself amid an investigation of his alleged theft of thousands of dollars from a youth program was sentenced on Tuesday to two years probation for her role in the scheme.

Melodie Gliniewicz, who pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of deceptive practices in exchange for prosecutors' agreement to drop several other charges, faced a maximum sentence of three years in prison. But Lake County Judge James Booras' sentence was not surprising given that prosecutors did not ask that Gliniewicz be sent to prison.

In sentencing Gliniewicz, Booras said that there was no indication that Gliniewicz took any money from the Fox Lake Explorers Post that her husband oversaw. Booras said her involvement was totally the result of her late husband, Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joe Gliniewiczs scheme to use thousands of dollars from the programs funds to pay for a vacation, meals, health club membership and other personal expenses.

Further, he said, The defendant appears to be rehabilitated."

The sentencing came after an all-day hearing during which Gliniewicz tearfully told the judge that she did not know the extent of her husband's use of the money from the Fox Lake Explorers program and, in fact, paid money back when she learned what had happened.

I never took a cent from the Explorers fund, no matter what has been reported," she said.

Gliniewicz said she has been punished daily for what her husband did, telling the judge that she has been unable to find a job because of my name and that her husband's grave has been defaced by vandals.

The sentencing is the latest chapter in a bizarre story that began after Lt. Gliniewicz was found shot to death on Sept. 1, 2015, shortly after he radioed a dispatcher to report that he was chasing three suspects on foot in the community about 45 miles (72.42 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.

The discovery of his body, with two bullet wounds in his torso, sparked a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers from area law enforcement agencies, helicopters, heat-sensing sensors and K-9 units, as local residents locked themselves in their homes out of fear that the killers were on the loose.

Weeks later, officials made a stunning announcement that the popular lieutenant known as G.I. Joe" and whose funeral procession attracted thousands of people who lined the streets to pay their respects, had staged his suicide. Officials later sad the 30-year department veteran stole thousands of dollars from the youth program he oversaw.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village on Wednesday as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools.

Homes were among the structures that had burned, but officials did not have a count of how many were destroyed in the blaze that torched at least 6.4 square miles (16.6 square kilometers) of forest, brush and grass on the east side of the community of Ruidoso, said Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the Lincoln National Forest.

Rabon announced emergency evacuations of a more densely populated area during a briefing Wednesday afternoon as the fire jumped a road where crews were trying to hold the line. She told people to get in their cars and go.

So far, no deaths or injuries were reported from the fire, which has been fanned by strong winds.

The winds prevented forced a suspension of the aerial attack on the flames and kept authorities from getting a better estimate of how large the fire has grown. But some planes returned to the air as winds subsided late in the day, and seven airtankers and two helicopters have now been assigned to the fire, Forest Service officials said Wednesday evening.

While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, fire officials and forecasters warned Wednesday that persistent dry and windy conditions had prompted red flag warnings for a wide swath that included almost all of New Mexico, half of Texas and parts of Colorado and the Midwest.

Five new large fires were reported Tuesday, and nearly 1,600 wildland firefighters and support personnel were assigned to large fires in the southwestern, southern and Rocky Mountain areas, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Hotter and drier weather weather coupled with decades of fire suppression have contributed to an increase in the number of acres burned by wildfires, fire scientists say. And the problem is exacerbated by a more than 20-year Western megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change. The fire season has become year-round given changing conditions that include earlier snowmelt and rain coming later in the fall.

In Ruidoso, officials declared a state of emergency and said school classes were canceled Wednesday as the village  about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of El Paso, Texas  coped with power outages due to down power lines.

The residences that burned were mostly a mix of trailers and single-family homes, and close to 4,000 people were displaced by evacuations that were ordered Tuesday. That number was expected to grow with the latest call for residents to leave.

Village spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said authorities spent part of Wednesday surveying as much damage as possible before the winds kicked up again. Air tankers also were able to drop a few loads of slurry, and more air support was expected Thursday.

Right now, everybody is just rallying around those who had to be evacuated, Gladden said. Were just trying to reach out to make sure everyone has places to stay."

Donations were pouring in from other communities in southern New Mexico. State officials said emergency grants have been approved that will provide resources to firefighters and for other emergency efforts.

Ruidoso in 2012 was hit by one of the most destructive wildfires in New Mexico history, when a lightning-sparked blaze destroyed more than 240 homes and burned nearly 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

Rabon said Wednesday that no precipitation was in the forecast and humidity levels remained in the single digits, which would make stopping the flames more difficult.

"Those extremely dry conditions are not in our favor, she said.

Another wildfire in the Lincoln National Forest northwest of Ruidoso burned at least 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers) after it was sparked Tuesday by power lines downed by high winds. Crews confirmed Wednesday that 10 structures there were lost.

Elsewhere in New Mexico, wildfires were burning along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, in mountains northwest of the community of Las Vegas and in grasslands along the Pecos River near the town of Roswell.

In Colorado, crews were battling wind-whipped grass fires that had destroyed two homes and forced temporary evacuations.

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Davenport from Phoenix.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
To cover staffing shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, CHI Health and other health systems have had to rely to varying degrees on medical staffing agencies to help fill gaps in their workforces.

Now, CHI Health has created an internal travel program that is allowing nurses, technicians and others to take six- to 12-week assignments at 28 hospitals in four states: Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota. The workers will receive pay comparable to what they would earn with an agency.

The internal travelers, however, also retain the benefits of being full-time employees, including paid vacation, health insurance and a 401K. The health system saves by cutting out what it pays to agencies.

During the omicron surge in February, CHI Health spent more than $8 million on traveling staff, up from the $1.8 million a month it had been paying, said Timothy Plante, division vice president of nursing.

We believe this is a win-win with our employees and the entire health system, he said, as were able to cut the costs of outside travel agencies and work with our own talent pool and reward our own employees and give them the opportunities theyve been looking for.

Plante said he thinks health care will have more such innovations. Younger health care workers, he said, have a greater interest than those of previous generations in changing roles earlier in their careers. They want to grow and see more of the country.

So far, 40 to 50 employees have signed on to the travel pool. It includes two tiers, one for employees who want to stay in Nebraska and another for those willing to travel to the other three states.

Plante said the health system hopes to build the pool to about 100 providers, including nurses, technicians, radiologists, pharmacists and laboratory scientists. CHI Health is seeking both internal and outside applicants. The caveats: They must have some experience and be willing to drop what theyre doing and go where theyre sent.

The program builds on a smaller internal travel pool CHI Health started several years ago.

Kate Szymanski, a registered nurse, started with the program in February 2017 because she wanted to expand her nursing skills. She spent her first traveling stint at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Shes now working in the emergency room at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island. In between, she has worked in various levels of care and different settings, including psychiatry, a pediatric emergency room and a rural hospital.

This has been an opportunity to do stuff that you would not be able to do in a normal travel position, plus staying with the organization, she said.

Benae Ingram said the pandemic changed how health care workers looked at their profession. A CT technologist, she was an instructor at Emory University in Atlanta when the pandemic hit. She watched students deal with their first big health crisis.

She wanted to work with patients again, so she signed on with an agency. She arrived at Schuyler Hospital in Schuyler, Nebraska, in September 2021. She liked the community and the care the hospital was providing. With staff short, even hospital administrators pitched in, with the CEO working with patients in the emergency room. Ingram decided to join CHI Health and is now on assignment at St. Francis.

When youre in a crisis, any business that can reinvent the wheel is going to survive that crisis, she said. With this travel program, CHI has reinvented the wheel, because no one else is doing this. I want to be a part of that, and thats why I joined CHI.

Traveling internally, Ingram said, also eliminates the need to interview for new positions and go through each new facilitys orientation and clinical training every time she changes assignments.

With CHI, theyre going to send me where they need me and the hospital that Im going to go to. Theyre going to be confident I know what Im doing because Ive worked at other CHI facilities, she said.

The program also gives the health system a way to keep employees who otherwise might seek agency traveling jobs.

MaKalia Abrahamson, a registered nurse, was in an administrative role at Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy. Knowing hospitals were struggling with patient care, she wanted to help. She contemplated an agency but didnt want to leave CHI Health, which she had been with for 13 years.

She now is on her first internal travel assignment at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. Not only was she able to stay closer to home, she also kept her benefits.

I actually came back to the bedside, she said, and I have absolutely loved it so far.

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South Holland police said Wednesday they are being assisted with an investigation of a shooting Sunday afternoon at a gas station that left a 21-year-old man dead.

The victim, identified as Jaylon Jones by authorities, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiners office, although it and South Holland police gave different information about where Jones lived.

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The medical examiners office said the victim lived in the 16800 block of Prince Drive in South Holland, while South Holland police in a news release Wednesday said Jones lived in Chicago.

A spokeswoman for South Holland said police verified Jones lived in Chicago and his parents live in South Holland at the Prince address.

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South Holland police said they were called at about 5 p.m. Sunday for a shooting at a BP gas station, 951 E. 162nd St.

Police identified Jones in the release as the victim, and said he appears to have been targeted.

Jones was pronounced dead shortly before 5:30 p.m. at the scene, according to the medical examiner.

Police said they are being assisted in the investigation by the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, and ask anyone with information to call 708-331-3131, Ext. 2.

Police are talking to eyewitnesses to the shooting and reviewing video surveillance camera images, according to the village spokeswoman.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Snow goose is off the menu at the big cat house.

Coveralls, gloves and clean boots are the strict dress code in all the bird holding areas.

And birds are no longer being transferred among zoos for reproduction or other conservation reasons.

Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has enacted greater restrictions as this years outbreak of bird flu has gotten closer to its premises, said Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, the zoos director of animal health.

The zoo has narrowed to essential personnel only those who can enter areas where birds are kept and is now requiring those people to change into clean boots, coveralls and gloves when they enter the bird holding areas.

Additionally, the zoo is not accepting its usual donation of snow geese from hunters as food for its carnivores. It has also suspended the usual practice of transferring birds to and from other zoos. The zoo is gathering special clothing and other supplies so that it is prepared if the virus is found on its grounds.

Woodhouse said the zoos safety efforts so far have proved successful. The zoo has 150 species of birds totaling about 1,000 birds.

Except for those birds in the aviary that cant be brought inside, the zoo is quarantining all of its birds in buildings away from the public. The aviary itself is closed to the public.

Woodhouse said there are two scenarios in which the virus could be found at the zoo:

A wild bird on the zoos grounds could be confirmed as harboring the virus. If this happens, the zoo will close the Lied Jungle and Desert Dome to lessen the chances that someone will carry the virus into one of those buildings, Woodhouse said. (The zoo has no plans to close the aquarium because the penguins are sequestered behind glass.)

One of the zoos own birds could be found to be infected. This would require isolating the infected bird and could require euthanizing some of the zoos birds to prevent the spread of infection, Woodhouse said.

At Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, a dead wild duck found on the grounds of the zoo in early March was tested and found to be carrying the virus. The duck was found following severe weather, and zoo officials say they believe it was fatally injured in those storms. Blank Zoo had already isolated its birds indoors before the duck was found, and none of its birds became infected, a spokesman for the zoo said.

At farms and commercial operations where the virus has been found, state and federal animal health officials have required that all birds be euthanized.

The Henry Doorly Zoo has been conferring with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials about whether it could avoid euthanizing all of its birds if one is infected. Woodhouse said she is confident that the zoo will be able to contain any infection and keep many of its birds alive even if a confirmed case is found among its collection.

We have as much interest as (the state) in not having avian flu spread on our property as well as out in the community, she said.

Mike Stepien, a USDA spokesman, said the agency thinks that most zoos, if not all major zoos, have taken significant steps to protect their birds and prevent the spread of the virus.

In terms of how to handle an infection on a zoos premises, he said, the federal agency distinguishes between captive wild birds and captive domestic birds.

If a wild bird in a zoos collection becomes infected, the zoo would be allowed to treat the bird as long as it is kept in isolation.

In contrast, if a captive domestic bird became infected, such as a chicken in a farm exhibit, then the zoo would be expected to euthanize that bird.

In the zoos favor is its ability to keep groups of birds isolated from each other and from the public and to strictly limit access by workers. Commercial poultry operations, in contrast, house hundreds of thousands of birds and, with more employees and supplies coming in, theres a higher chance of spread.

The viruss effect on birds varies by species. Those most likely to die from the virus are Galliformes, ground-dwelling birds such as chickens and turkeys. At the zoo, this primarily means guinea hens and quail.

In terms of other species at the zoo:

White-naped cranes may be vulnerable because thousands of wild Eurasian cranes have died from the virus in Israel during this outbreak.

Eagles, which have been found dead in the wild, may be susceptible because they feed on infected carcasses. The eagles at Simmons Safari Park in Ashland, Nebraska, are provided feed and do not have access to carrion.

Penguins, flamingos, songbirds and parrots dont seem particularly vulnerable, Woodhouse said.

On March 1, the zoo took its first steps toward quarantining its birds. That was when the virus was confirmed in a farm flock about 20 miles to the east in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Then, on March 24, an infected goose was discovered at Carter Lake, about 5 miles from the zoo.

The last time a highly infectious variant of avian flu swept across the country was in 2015, when millions of birds were culled from flocks. Although Omahas zoo took some of the same biosecurity measures then as now, that outbreak didnt prompt the zoo to shut its birds away from the public because no infected birds were found close to the Omaha metro area, Woodhouse said.

She and others say they are hopeful that the outbreak subsides by early summer, when the spring waterfowl migration is over.

Spread of the disease is largely blamed on the droppings of wild birds, such as ducks and geese, which often show no signs of illness. But studies suggest the virus can be tracked into secure chicken and turkey barns on equipment, workers, mice, small birds and even dust particles.

This is why the zoos increased biosecurity measures are so very important, Woodhouse said.

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The shiny shovels were ceremonial, but the hope was real for Deanna Villa.

Five years ago, Villa was living under a bridge in South Omaha before homelessness outreach workers took her to the Siena Francis House shelter. Now, she lives in an apartment in a Siena Francis supportive housing complex.

By next year, the 54-year-old Villa could be living in a home of her own, one of 50 tiny houses about to be built near 16th and Charles Streets in Omaha, close to the downtown Siena Francis shelter and all its services. She contemplated that as she dug dirt Tuesday with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and other dignitaries during a ceremonial groundbreaking.

This looks like its going to be a good opportunity for me to really have a place of my own, Villa said, with an added thought that made her smile. With my own bathroom.

Siena Francis, working with Arch Icon Development, is building The Cottages by Siena Francis just north of its campus. They describe it as a micro-community of single-occupant homes providing opportunity and housing for persons who had experienced homelessness.

The houses will be about 275 square feet each, a little smaller than the average American hotel room. Each will have a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room. People will have their own covered porches. Theyll have a community center, laundry, bike storage and storm shelter.

People will pay rent for their houses. But the rent will be subsidized, so theyll have to pay no more than 30% of their income.

The $8.2 million development is being funded by a variety of sources, mostly state and federal affordable and low-income housing tax credits. Its scheduled to be completed by March 2023. The first several houses, which are being built by students at Metropolitan Community College, are expected to be delivered this spring.

It is, Siena Francis Board Chair Phil Webb quipped Tuesday, a groundbreaking development.

The houses are designed to provide the next step for people who have experienced homelessness and are progressing in programs and settings such as Siena Franciss permanent supportive housing. Theyre aimed at helping end chronic homelessness.

The Cottages by Siena Francis house development is an important step to create opportunities to make transition from homeless, to housing, jobless to employment and successful futures possible, Stothert said. We are grateful to the Siena Francis House, its leadership, partners and donors to make this commitment to affordable housing.

She announced during her remarks that she will create a new position in the Mayors Office to work exclusively on a comprehensive strategy to end homelessness. She plans to fund the position initially with federal American Rescue Plan Act money, and then incorporate it into the city budget.

Linda Twomey, executive director of Siena Francis House, said it served 3,000 individuals in its programs in 2021 and provided more shelter than any other year in its almost 50 years of existence.

So we know that theres a need for these 50 houses, Twomey said. We know that we will fill them up immediately.

Many of the people who move into The Cottages will come from Siena Francis permanent supportive housing apartments, which come with a high intensity of services, Twomey said.

Not only will that provide more independent living for the people in the houses, it will open up space in the apartments.

It allows us to take the people in the community with more needs onto our campus and to kind of walk them through a continuum back into the community, Twomey said.

On any given day, about 900 people are on a list of people who are considered homeless and in need of supportive housing in Omaha, she said.

Howard Traster, 67, has lived in the Siena Francis apartments for almost seven years, he said. He had landed at the shelter after he lost his job at a hospital and his roommates kicked him out of their basement apartment.

They helped me out, put clothes on my back, gave me a place to sleep and put me back on my feet, he said.

He hopes to move into The Cottages.

Itd be like a home, being all alone and just kind of doing my thing, Traster said.

Villa was suffering the effects of a traumatic assault when she was living on the street. The apartments and services at Siena Francis are helping her recover and get prepared for living independently.

They let you heal in your own time, she said.

Asked if she liked the idea of living in a tiny house, Villa said, Oh yes. As long as its mine.

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Brooklyn subway suspect tipped off police to his location

NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train has been arrested and charged with a federal terrorism offense. Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the motive remains unclear, and there is no indication the suspect has ties to terror organizations. The 62-year-old Frank R. James was taken into custody Wednesday, about 30 hours after the violence. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him. Two law enforcement officials say the suspect called police to say he could be found at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood. The two officials werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Presidents from countries on Russia's doorstep visit Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep have underscored their support for Ukraine in a visit to the embattled country. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia all worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls. The trip Wednesday by the countries' presidents comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody offensive until its full completion. In the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire.

Texas keeping most truck inspections despite border gridlock

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will continue truck inspections that have gridlocked the U.S.-Mexico border for days. The two-term Republican governor said Wednesday he would not repeal his new policy at all bridges until there are more assurances of security. Abbott did lift inspections at one international bridge after announcing what he said was an agreement for more enhanced security with Nuevo Leon, Mexico. But the most dramatic backups of commercial trucks along Texas 1,200-mile border have occurred at other bridges that do not share a border with Nuevo Leon.

When Biden 'speaking from his heart' doesn't speak for US

WASHINGTON (AP)  Theres no such thing as a purely personal opinion from the Oval Office on major matters of policy. But in several remarks about the Ukraine war in recent weeks, President Joe Biden has been voicing opinions that are not in step with U.S.  and his  policy. He's labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. He's appeared to advocate regime change in Moscow. And now he's branded Russian war actions as genocide. In each case, the White House has sought to clarify his remarks, and to say he is not changing policies but speaking from his heart.

Video: Michigan cop on Black man's back, fatally shot him

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Video shows a Michigan police officer struggling with a Black man over a Taser before fatally shooting him in the head while the man was face down on the ground. Grand Rapids police released video from different sources Wednesday, nine days after Patrick Lyoya was killed during a traffic stop. Key footage came from a passenger in the car. Video shows Lyoya trying to run and a struggle over the officers Taser. The new police chief in Grand Rapids says he released the videos in the spirit of transparency. State police are investigating the shooting. Chief Eric Winstrom says the shooting is a tragedy. City Manager Mark Washington says he's bracing for shock and anger by the public.

'Prophet of Doom': Subway suspect left ranting video clues

NEW YORK (AP)  The suspect arrested in the Brooklyn subway shooting that left 10 people wounded by gunfire also left behind a trove of angry YouTube videos. Police were studying them Wednesday for a possible motive. Frank James seemed to vent about nearly everything in his videos. Racism in America, his struggles with mental illness, New York Citys new mayor, 9/11, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and Black women. In one, he said: This nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof, and its going to die a violent death."

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr pleads guilty to forcible touching

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018, calling himself a celebrity figure who meant no harm. Gooding also publicly apologized for the first time to two other women who accused him of similar behavior in separate encounters. His admissions were part of a plea deal that came nearly three years after the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested. The case saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed. Wednesday's deal lets Gooding avoid any possibility of jail time if he continues alcohol and behavior modification counseling for six months.

France's Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has warned against sending any more weapons to Ukraine. She also called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down. Le Pen is an outspoken French nationalist who has long ties to Russia. She is seeking to unseat President Emmanuel Macron in France's April 24 presidential runoff. On Wednesday, Le Pen pledged to pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union. Her domestic critics and Frances EU partners both worry that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war against its neighbor.

Heal Thyself: Most who tear Achilles tendon can skip surgery

LONDON (AP)  New research suggests that surgery may not be needed for most Achilles tendon tears. Doctors have long been divided over whether its better to fix a torn Achilles tendon with surgery or just treat it with a brace and physical therapy. In the biggest-ever study investigating which treatment is best, scientists in Norway tracked 526 patients who had standard surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or no surgery. They reported Wednesday that they found only slight differences in how everyone had recovered about a year later, although there was a slightly higher chance of a re-injury in those who didn't have surgery.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WASHINGTON (AP)  When President Joe Biden declares Russia's Ukraine war genocide, it isn't just another strong word.

Calling a campaign that's aimed at wiping out a targeted group genocide not only increases pressure on a country to act, it can oblige it to. Thats partly because of a genocide treaty approved by the U.N. General Assembly after World War II, signed by the United States and more than 150 other nations.

The convention was the work of, among others, a Polish Jew whose family was murdered by Nazi Germany and its accomplices. The advocates pushed for something that would make the world not just condemn but actually prevent and ensure prosecution for future genocides.

In comments Tuesday, Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian. Other world leaders have not gone as far. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russias behavior in Ukraine doesnt look far short of genocide, but the U.K. has not officially used the term, saying only a court can make such a designation.

A look at whats involved in that decision, and what it means when a world leader declares a genocide:

WHAT DOES GENOCIDE MEAN?

Its a surprisingly modern word for an ancient crime. A Jewish lawyer from Poland, Raphael Lemkin, coined it at the height of World War II and the Holocaust. Lemkin wanted a word to describe what Nazi Germany was then doing to Europe's Jews, and what Turkey had done to Armenians in the 1910s: killing members of a targeted group of people, and ruthlessly working to eradicate their cultures.

Lemkin paired geno, a Greek word meaning race, and cide, a Latin word meaning kill. Lemkin dedicated his life to having genocide recognized and criminalized.

In 1948, after Adolf Hitler and his accomplices systematically murdered 6 million Jews in Europe, the U.N. General Assembly approved the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

WHAT'S THE LEGAL DEFINITION?

Under the genocide convention, the crime is trying to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in part or in whole.

That includes mass killings, but also actions including forced sterilization, abuse that inflicts serious harm or mental suffering, or wrenching children of a targeted group away to be raised by others.

IS RUSSIA COMMITTING GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE?

The case may hang in part on Putins own words.

Russian forces are widely accused of carrying out wholesale abuses of Ukraines civilians, including mass killings.

Those would be war crimes. But do they amount to genocide?

It's all about intent, argues Bohdan Vitvitsky, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and former special adviser to Ukraines prosecutor general.

Any attempt to determine whether the crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are driven by genocidal intent must necessarily focus on the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vitvisky wrote for the Atlantic Council think tank this week.

Putin long has denied any standing for Ukraine to exist as a separate nation, or Ukrainians as a separate people. He cites history, when Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, and later of the Soviet Union.

In a long essay last year, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Putin made clear the depth of his determination on the matter. He called the modern border dividing Russia and Ukraine our great common misfortune and tragedy.

Putin and Russian state media falsely call Ukrainian leaders Nazis and drug addicts." Putin has called his military campaign in Ukraine one of de-Nazification.

Gissou Nia, a human-rights lawyer who worked on war crime trials at the Hague, points to two alleged acts by Russia in Ukraine as also possibly showing intent of genocide: Reports of deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and an account, from Ukraine's government, of Russian soldiers telling 25 detained women and girls in Bucha that the Russians aimed to rape them to the point that they never bear any Ukrainian children.

WHY DOES IT MATTER IF WORLD LEADERS USE GENOCIDE TO DESCRIBE RUSSIA'S ACTIONS?

Embedded in the genocide convention is an obligation that the U.S. and other signers of the treaty have treated warily  if they acknowledge a genocide is occurring, they're committed to ensuring investigation and prosecution, at the least.

People and countries committing genocide shall be punished, the treaty declares, seeking to crush any wiggle room.

U.S. leaders for decades dodged using the word genocide to avoid increasing the pressure on them to act as mass killings targeted classes of people or ethnic groups in Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq, Rwanda and elsewhere.

Regretting his failure to do more to stop the killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis by Hutus in Rwanda in 1994, Bill Clinton in June 1999 became the first U.S. president to recognize an act of genocide as it was playing out, saying Serb forces carrying out a deadly campaign against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo were attempting genocide.

NATO intervened, lobbing 78 days of airstrikes that forced Serbian fighters' withdrawal from Kosovo. An international tribunal charged Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic with war crimes, although Milosevic died before his trial concluded.

Starting in 2005, world also leaders embraced  in principle  responsibility for collective action to stop genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Atrocities and targeted campaigns against groups continue around the world, however, and the so-called responsibility to protect is seldom invoked.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE U.S. DOES DECLARE RUSSIAN ACTIONS TO BE GENOCIDE?

U.S. leaders long have feared that acknowledging genocide would require them to intervene, even to send in troops, with all the risks, costs and political backlash that would entail. It's been a main reason leaders limit themselves to angry statements and humanitarian aid.

Biden is adamant the U.S. will not use its own military to confront Russian forces on behalf of Ukraine. Doing so would risk World War III, he says.

He and allies in Europe and elsewhere already are intervening by sanctioning Russia and by sending weapons and other support to Ukraine for its defense.

Biden and other Western leaders also have called for war crimes trials. The International Criminal Court already has started an investigation. But longstanding U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, over worries that U.S. troops could face prosecution there one day, complicates such prosecutions. So can Russia's veto power on the U.N. Security Council. And practically speaking, bringing Putin before a court is a long shot.

In the past, Americans' opposition to entanglement in foreign wars also has helped discourage U.S. leaders from doing more to stop possible acts of genocide.

But Russia's invasion of a neighboring country and brutality against Ukraine's people have angered Americans in a way that genocidal campaigns in Cambodia, Kurdish areas of Iraq and elsewhere did not.

A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 40% of people in America believe the U.S. should have a major role in ending Russia's invasion. Just 13% think the U.S. shouldn't be involved at all.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
PHOENIX (AP)  U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema called Tuesday for increasing domestic oil drilling to make up for the loss of Russian imports that has contributed to high prices at the gas pump.

The Arizona Democrat, who is often at odds with the progressive wing of her party, called for an all-of-the- above energy strategy," which generally means promoting the production of both renewable and fossil fuels. She said the U.S. dependence on foreign oil jeopardizes its security and that of its allies.

The reasonable way to address what is going to be an oil shortage in America is for us to responsibly increase our own domestic oil production, Sinema told business executives at a luncheon for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The U.S. cut off imports of oil and gas from Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, but Russia remains a major energy supplier to Europe.

We can help our European allies do the same, but it is incumbent on us to help fill that gap," Sinema said.

President Joe Biden has announced a plan to reduce gas prices that includes record releases from the strategic petroleum reserve and called on Congress to charge oil companies that aren't drilling in areas where they are approved to do so.

The United States and its allies must provide more support to Ukraine and impose even more punishing sanctions to tighten that economic vice on Russian oligarchs and President Vladimir Putin, she said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
NEW YORK (AP)  A gunman wearing a gas mask set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets inside a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.

Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren't sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.

Authorities were looking at the man's apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten security for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts concerning.

The attack transformed the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground train, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station and bloodied people lying on the platform as others administered aid.

Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.

When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.

Im just grateful to be alive, he said.

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. The shooter's motive was unknown.

Sitting in the back of the train's second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. A riders video shows a person raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound.

Passengers in the smoke-filled car pounded on the door to an adjacent car, seeking to escape, rider Juliana Fonda, who was in that adjoining car, told the news site Gothamist. Fonda is a broadcast engineer for Gothamist's owner, public radio station WNYC.

Investigators believe the shooters gun jammed and kept him from firing more, said two law enforcement officials who werent authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Essig said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.

Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people. One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things.

Several videos mention New York's subways, and Adams is a recurring theme.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun crimes and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, warned at a midday news conference.

In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians who didnt hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said.

High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.

Im definitely shook, the 15-year-old said. "Even though I didnt see what happened, Im still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the citys subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime  especially in the subways  an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasnt immediately clear whether any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred.

The mayor, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
ELWOOD, Neb.  Firefighters from more than 25 Nebraska departments joined family members and friends Wednesday to honor the life of Elwood Fire Chief Darren Krull.

Krull died April 7 when the SUV in which he was riding collided head-on with a truck hauling water to a wildfire near Elwood. The blaze spread rapidly and has burned 35,000 acres.

At the entrance to town, fire departments from Holdrege and Broken Bow teamed to stretch an American flag between their aerial ladder trucks on Nebraska Highway 23. Firetrucks and emergency vehicles from more than two dozen volunteer fire departments lined a residential side street and wrapped around a town block.

At the Elwood Fire Hall, a black sash was draped on the front door and the truck bay doors.

An estimated 250 people packed the sanctuary and fellowship room of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. In front of Krulls flag-draped casket, the Rev. Aaron Witt read a portion of the Firefighters Prayer, ... Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age ...  and from John 15:13, which reads, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones friends.

Its the love of God, Witt said, that worked in Krull and in all firefighters, giving them the strength to answer a call any time of the day or night, leave their families to help someone else and run into flames while others run out.

When people go out to fight those fires, we see God. When we see people volunteering and giving food and supporting our communities, we see God, Witt said.

Krull grew up in Glenvil, graduating from Sandy Creek High School in 1986. He joined the Glenvil Volunteer Fire Department and later moved to Overton, where he became fire chief in 2003. He later moved with his family to Elwood, a Gosper County town of 700 people where he worked as the manager of the towns Aurora Cooperative.

He has been the Elwood volunteer departments fire chief since 2018.

Firefighting was Krulls passion, Witt said, but his life was his family. He loved being a mentor and teacher, but also enjoyed spending time with his eight grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Cheryl, woodworking and cooking.

Krull was known to take meals to Gosper County dispatchers who were scheduled to work on holidays. He even taught his corgi mix dog, Ace, how to pray before meals.

Earlier, Elwood Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Clause said Krull was always mellow at the scene of a fire, no matter how crazy the situation was. He knew how to keep the other firefighters calm.

He was a great leader for the department, Clause said.

At the end of the service, Witt had firefighters stand and read the Firefighters Prayer in its entirety. Tears flowed as a Gosper County dispatcher gave a final page for Krull across emergency radios.

Krull was to be buried at Hanover Cemetery near Glenvil.

Also, Florida teenager Zechariah Cartledge of Running 4 Heroes was to run 1 mile carrying an American flag in Krulls honor.

According to the Running 4 Heroes Facebook page, Cartledge runs 1 mile for every first responder who dies in the line of duty.
A new dark money group is targeting State Sen. Brett Lindstroms campaign for Nebraska governor.

Its ad tries to paint parallels between Lindstrom and President Joe Biden and points to specific votes Lindstrom has cast in the Legislature.

Liberal Brett Lindstrom is no conservative, he just plays one on TV, a voiceover says.

The group behind it is called Say No to RINOs, an acronym for Republicans In Name Only, and federal records show it has placed ads in markets across the state, outside of Omaha.

Campaign managers for the campaigns of other top contenders, Conklin Co. CEO Charles Herbster and Columbus hog producer Jim Pillen, said that the two candidates did not donate to the group.

A Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission filing shows that the PACs registration was accepted April 7. Andrew La Grone, a former state senator, is listed as its treasurer. Public records show property at the groups listed address is owned by La Grone and Sen. Julie Slama, who are married.

Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed La Grone to the Legislature in 2018, and Slamas appointment took effect in 2019. Slama went on to win a hotly contested election to keep her seat in 2020, while La Grone lost to Sen. Jen Day.

La Grone, an attorney and former legislative legal counsel, did not respond to a voicemail or text message Wednesday, and The World-Herald did not receive a response to an email sent to the PACs listed email address.

Corben Waldron, Ricketts spokesperson on political matters, said in an email that the governor did not contribute any money to Say No to RINOs and is not otherwise involved in the new attack ad or its funding.

Ricketts, who has backed Pillen in the governors race, has leveled criticisms at Lindstrom that mirror those in the new ad.

Bretts not a conservative, he said in a recent interview. He has a lot of bad votes.

Lindstrom and his campaign have pushed back against such critiques. His campaign has pointed out his record of supporting tax cuts, and Lindstrom said in a recent interview that critics have picked a handful of votes out of thousands hes cast as a senator.

Wednesday, campaign spokesperson Pat Trueman called the attacks desperate and dishonest and again pointed to the candidates record on taxes.

Bretts positive and conservative message stands out in this increasingly negative environment and is resonating with Republicans, Trueman said.

Third-party attack ads started surfacing last month in the GOP gubernatorial primary, with ads from two other dark money groups  one attacking Lindstrom and another attacking Herbster. Ricketts confirmed that he contributed money to Conservative Nebraska, the group attacking Herbster.

At the time, Randall Adkins, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said outside groups spend money strategically, and it typically indicates the targeted candidate is doing well.

Unlike the most recent buys, the group that previously targeted Lindstrom, Restore the Good Life, bought ad spots only in Omaha.

The Pillen campaign isnt aware of any third-party ads attacking Pillen, according to spokesman Matthew Trail, and Herbster campaign manager Ellen Keast isnt aware of any additional ads attacking Herbster.

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Melodie Gliniewicz is comforted by her defense team after she gave an emotional statement during her sentencing, April 12, 2022, at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. She is surrounded by Vasili Russis, from left, Andrew Kelleher Jr. and Don Morrison. (Brian Hill / Daily Herald)

Melodie Gliniewicz was sentenced to probation Tuesday, ending a six-year courtroom saga that began after her police officer husband staged his suicide in 2015 to make it appear he had been killed in the line of duty.

In a Lake County courtroom, the widow of Charles Joe Gliniewicz tearfully accepted responsibility for her part in the financial mismanagement that compelled her husband to take his life.

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Gliniewicz, 57, said she knew her husband had been commingling personal money into an account for an Explorers youth law enforcement program that Joe Gliniewicz, a Fox Lake police lieutenant, oversaw as adviser. She said she would reimburse the Explorer account to make up for money her husband had spent on personal items.

I would write checks to the Explorers account because inaction would have been worse, she told Lake County Judge James Booras.

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She was charged in 2016 with financial crimes, and pleaded guilty earlier this year to a count of deceptive practices.

She faced up to three years in prison, but the judge Tuesday sentenced her to 24 months of probation, and said Gliniewicz could enter Lake Countys Second Chance program. If she satisfactorily completes the terms of her probation, which includes 150 hours of community service, the felony conviction would not go on her record.

The judge also sentenced her to 90 days in the county jail, but he stayed the order. The jail time would be negated if Gliniewicz completes the probation.

Melodie Gliniewicz speaks to her attorney Don Morrison during the sentencing for her felony conviction in connection with the financial misdeeds of her late husband, disgraced Fox Lake police Lt. Joe Gliniewicz Tuesday April 12, 2022 at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan. (Brian Hill / Daily Herald)

Lake County prosecutors urged the judge to not admit Gliniewicz into the Second Chance program.

Assistant States Attorney Jeffery Facklam said records showed an Explorers account debit card controlled by Joe Gliniewicz had been used 2,400 times for purchases over a number of years, including a trip to Hawaii. The fact that Melodie Gliniewicz later reimbursed the Explorers, whose money primarily came from public donations, was not the point, he said.

This is about public trust in managing charitable contributions, Facklam told the judge. The Explorers account, he said, was not a line of credit to go on vacation.

Gliniewicz attorney Don Morrison said no money was stolen and that his client had a relative lack of culpability. Afterward, Morrison said he was happy with the judges sentence.

If there was ever a Second Chance case, this was it, he said.

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Via her attorney, Gliniewicz declined to comment.

The judge said he did not accept Gliniewiczs explanation that simply reimbursing the Explorers negated the benefits the family enjoyed.

This was criminal conduct, and she was pleaded guilty to it, Booras said.

But in fashioning the sentence, the judge said he thought Gliniewicz, who had no previous criminal record, was a good candidate for rehabilitation.

Joe Gliniewicz was found shot to death on Sept. 1, 2105, after radioing that he was following suspects into a wooded area. His death prompted a huge police response.

But Fox Lake village officials had begun asking Gliniewicz questions about the Explorers funds at the time of his death, and authorities later determined he had taken his own life.
Few Nebraska legislative districts were altered as dramatically during the 2021 redistricting process as District 18  a fact reflected by the candidates running to represent it.

Three people are vying for the north-central Douglas County seat: Christy Armendariz, Clarice Jackson and Michael Young. They bring different backgrounds and political leanings to a race in a district that is politically competitive and more diverse than before.

Education, either directly or indirectly, is a top priority for all three candidates  all of whom live in Omaha.

Armendariz, who works in strategic sourcing at Nebraska Methodist Health System, said she would like to see a renewed emphasis on core subjects, such as math. In campaigning, she has heard from business owners who are frustrated by a seeming lack of preparedness, including some young people who struggle with reading and math. Armendariz does not view that as the fault of teachers, who she said are being asked to do too much.

I would like to see the public schools be empowered to be able to teach the basic subjects to a high level, and if there are distractions in the way, remove those distractions, she said. We need to teach our kids the basics. Thats what we built our public schools for.

She said her position is not meant to signal a stance on topics that have become political lightning rods, such as the states proposed health education standards that drew fierce opposition in 2021.

Jackson, who founded a nonprofit assisting and advocating for people with dyslexia, wants the state to expand school choice options. She has supported previous efforts to provide tax credits for donations to private or parochial school scholarship funds. Those bills have repeatedly failed to overcome filibusters in the Legislature.

Jackson said the debate often frames school choice supporters as opponents of public schools, which she said is false. Jackson draws on her own personal story when discussing the issue. Her daughter, Latecia, struggled in public school and made it to fourth grade without being able to read simple three-letter words, Jackson said. Eventually she learned the underlying problem stunting Latecias learning: dyslexia. Her academics, and overall outlook, began to turn around after Jackson enrolled her in private school.

However, Jacksons son thrived in public schools.

I believe that all schools are important and have a benefit, she said. It just depends on that family and that child, because all children learn differently.

Young, a small-business owner, highlighted the correlation between property taxes and education.

In talking with voters, Young said the No. 1 issue he hears about is property taxes, and its not just about the cost or burden. Nebraskas current tax structure is not designed to help the state be economically competitive and it disproportionately puts the burden of funding public schools on property taxpayers.

Young would like to see more state dollars go to public schools, in theory reducing their reliance on property tax dollars. Efforts attempting to do just that have failed to pass in the Legislature.

As a product of the Omaha Public Schools, Young said he would be an advocate for public education.

The state of Nebraska needs to take a bit more ownership and a bit more pride in our public school system, he said.

The redrawn District 18 in the race is notably different than the one that twice elected State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, a Republican who is barred by term limits from seeking a third term. The district largely flipped with District 10, which is represented by Sen. Wendy DeBoer, a Democrat.

The old District 18 was nearly 80% White and largely consisted of northwest Omaha.

The new district is nearly 71% White and now includes Bennington and several small chunks that fall within Omaha city limits, including an area abutting both sides of Interstate 680 north of Fort Street.

Armendariz and Jackson are registered Republicans, while Young is a registered Democrat. Party affiliation does not appear on the ballot for legislative races.

Young previously served on the Metropolitan Community College board and the Metro transit agency board. He said those experiences differentiate him from the other two candidates.

His campaign also emphasizes equity and he believes his lived experience, as a biracial man who grew up in Omaha, would bring an underrepresented perspective to the Legislature.

Jacksons campaign, which touts endorsements from Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Rep. Don Bacon, has emphasized public safety and tax relief. And she also believes her lived experience would bring a breath of fresh air to the Legislature.

Latecia, Jacksons daughter, was fatally shot in January 2015 while attending a house party where rival gangs fired into a crowd. The subject remains difficult for her to talk about.

There needs to be law and order, she said, but there also needs to be improvements in police and community relationships. She attributes the source of the violence that killed her daughter, in part, to the opportunities  or lack thereof  available to the young people who become involved in gangs.

Armendariz views her lack of involvement in politics as an advantage. Of the three candidates, she is the only one who has not run for elected office before. She said the troubling polarization in society inspired her to run.

Her campaign was endorsed by Nebraskans Against Government Overreach, a group that has advocated against COVID-19 restrictions. It has also shared conspiracy theories about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and promoted a group espousing the 2020 election in Nebraska was fraudulent.

Armendariz said the group contacted her and asked to do an endorsement interview, which she participated in. She said she has never looked into the group and was unaware of its positions.

My campaign will not be run on polarized issues, she said. Were going to get down to things that advance us as Nebraskans.

If elected, Armendariz said she would look to reduce the overall tax burden in the state  a goal in which her professional experience at Methodist, which is all about finding operational efficiencies, would prove useful.

Not being part of the mechanism I think is probably going to be the biggest strength that I can bring, she said.

The May 10 primary will winnow the field to two, who will then compete in the Nov. 8 general election.

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Donald Trump Jr., the eldest child of former President Donald Trump, campaigned Wednesday in Gering for gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. Trump Jr. said he and his father both endorse Herbster, one of nine Republicans running for the office, to be Nebraskas next governor.

Trump Jr. spoke to an audience of around 500 people at the Gering Civic Center.

I heard some of Charless competition had similar rallies and around three people showed up, so it reminded us of the Joe Biden rallies, he said.

Trump Jr. spent much of his presentation criticizing the Biden administrations foreign and domestic policy decisions and the campaign decisions of other candidates for governor.

Youve seen the difference good governors make, he said. Youve seen whats happened in the last few years as bad governors would trample your rights, your freedoms. ... Thats why Im supporting Charles Herbster.

Herbster spoke for several minutes before Trump Jr. appeared.

As Ive crossed the state, Ive talked about the fact that our faith, our freedom and our families are under attack in America, and were going to change that with all the elections in November 2022, the candidate said.

Herbster spoke against illegal immigration and in support of changing Nebraskas tax structure and promoting trade schools and community college programs. He said that, if elected, hed manage the state like he has built and managed businesses.

I will be a different type of governor because Im not a politician, and Im not going to spend my time sitting in my office in Lincoln, Herbster said. Im doing one political stint in my life, and thats to lead the state and be the CEO of Nebraska to make Nebraska great again.

Herbster and Trump also planned stops in North Platte and Grand Island.
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers voted Wednesday to repeal a law allowing private contractors to manage child abuse and neglect cases in the Omaha area, ending a troubled 12-year experiment in child welfare.

Legislative Bill 1173, passed on a 46-0 vote, was one of several measures given final approval on the next-to-last day of the session.

Lawmakers will meet next Wednesday to wrap up their work. The delay gives them a chance to override any potential vetoes issued by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has until Tuesday to sign or veto bills passed on Wednesday.

The Health and Human Services Committee introduced LB 1173 based on recommendations from a special legislative committee that investigated the states problematic contract with the Kansas-based St. Francis Ministries last year.

State officials have since terminated the St. Francis contract and are transferring cases back to state employees.

The investigative committee and a consultant both concluded that Nebraska should go back to having state workers oversee the child welfare cases. The consultant said 12 years of case management privatization, including 10 under a Nebraska-based nonprofit, had yielded no particular benefits when it came to quality, innovation or cost and added to instability and disruptions in care.

LB 1173 also requires the three branches of state government to come together, along with others involved in child welfare, to work toward a shared strategic direction for child welfare in Nebraska.

Some of the other bills passed on Wednesday include:

Developmental disabilities. Nebraska would provide new family support services to as many as 850 children with developmental disabilities under LB 376, which passed 42-0.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced the bill in hopes of keeping children from needing state-funded group homes or institutional care in the future. The services would be provided under a three-year Medicaid waiver. The bill also would allow some children to qualify for Medicaid despite their parents income.

Casinos. New horse racetracks and attached casinos would be put on hold under LB 876, which passed 38-3. New developments would be delayed until after the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission completes studies of the horse racing market, the casino gambling market and the socio-economic impact of tracks and casinos. That must be completed by Jan. 1, 2025.

The delay would, in turn, restrict the number of casinos that could be built in the state. Voters approved a trio of ballot measures in 2020 that legalized casino gambling in Nebraska but only at licensed horse racetracks.

Feminine hygiene tax. Nebraska would no longer have a sales tax on feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, under LB 984, which passed 45-0. The bill also requires that state detention centers, including jails and prisons, provide free feminine hygiene products to female prisoners upon request.

Teacher incentives. Teachers with proven financial need could receive up to $5,000 a year for up to five years through the Teach in Nebraska Today Program, created through LB 1218, which passed 46-0. The bill would also provide teachers in training with up to $1,000 of student loan forgiveness after they complete a specialized teaching program, known as Attracting Excellence to Teaching.

Additionally, LB 1218 would ease requirements around the basic skills test that prospective teachers must take before getting hired. New teachers would be required to pass a basic skills test  the Praxis test  before they receive their teacher certification. Currently, they are required to pass the test halfway through their college education before they can enter teacher college.

Inmate health. The state would have to help people about to be released from state prisons or county jails apply for Medicaid coverage under LB 921, introduced by Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha and passed 46-0. Applications would have to be submitted at least 45 days before an inmates release, so the inmate could continue with medications and treatment for mental health and other issues once back in the community.

Stolen valor. People could be charged with criminal impersonation by stolen valor under LB 922, which passed 43-1. The measure was introduced by Lathrop and amended to include several other bills.

The new offense would apply to people who try to pass themselves off as active military members or veterans with the intent to deceive or harm someone or get a financial benefit. It also would apply to people who falsely claim to have a military medal or honor in order to gain something of value.

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If you are unlucky enough to be caught in a tornado, try to be Caleb Wohlers lucky.

Wohlers, chief of the Missouri Valley, Iowa, Volunteer Fire Department, and Brit Harrington, a fellow firefighter, got caught in a tornado Tuesday evening while storm spotting near Logan, Iowa.

It was the second time Wohlers has found himself in the path of a tornado. Both times, he said, he has escaped harm.

The storms that swept across the central U.S. Tuesday dropped a handful of tornadoes in north-central and northwest Iowa and generated large hail and strong winds. No widespread damage has been reported.

Wohlers said he and Harrington had been searching the skies north toward Logan, Iowa, and Interstate 29, in an effort to find a funnel that another spotter had called in. It was shortly after 8 p.m. and night was falling. When they turned back south, they saw what they thought was a gust front kicking up debris.

As it got closer," he said, "we realized it was not a gust front, it was a tornado.

The two men tried to drive their Chevrolet Suburban out of harms way, but it was too dark to escape.

We decided we were better off positioning the vehicle in a better direction and basically bracing for it, he said.

The tornado enveloped them, rocking the SUV back and forth before continuing to the northeast.

We couldnt see anything, he said. All we could see was solid dirt and grass and leaves right at the windshield. Everything happened so quick.

The National Weather Service and the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency are surveying the area to confirm that a tornado did indeed occur and, if so, its strength.

Brian Barjenbruch, science and operations officer for the weather service, said radar detected a debris cloud in the area, proof that a tornado was on the ground causing some level of destruction.

Tornado sirens sounded nine times across the area Tuesday night, including in Omaha. At least one tornado touched down in Nebraska. The weather service confirmed a brief tornado near Seward and is investigating whether one touched down near Syracuse. The Harrison County report was one of four reports of tornadoes in northwest and north-central Iowa.

A tornado warning for north-central Douglas County prompted Douglas County 911 to sound the emergency sirens for the entire county.

Dave Eastlack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the tornado threat that prompted that warning was among a series of fast-moving radar signatures that quickly could have spun into twisters.

Those are very hard to catch, he said.

Paul Johnson, director of the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency, said the countys policy is to sound sirens countywide anytime the weather service issues a warning for somewhere in the county.

Thats for a couple of reasons, he said: The sirens that serve an area under a tornado warning might actually be located outside of that area, so its safer to simply sound all the sirens. Additionally, the county is relatively small, geographically, but quickly becoming densely populated, so its becoming more critical to be sure everyone gets the warning.

Thunderstorm wind gusts reached 55 mph to about 60 mph, downing some tree limbs and causing some power outages. Scattered power outages resulted.

Omahas peak wind gust, at Eppley Airfield, was 58 mph.

The storms failed to produce significant rain. Totals generally were less than a half an inch. Omahas official total was .44 of an inch at Eppley.

Wohlers and Harringtons experience raises the age-old question of what to do if caught in a vehicle during a tornado.

The best choice is to seek shelter by driving at right angles to the twister. If you cant do that and are going to take a direct hit, safety officials are divided over whether its safer to remain in a vehicle or jump out and lie in a ditch.

Most people killed by tornadoes are killed when theyre hit by flying objects, which is why people are instructed to lie as low to the ground as possible.

Some safety experts now say that vehicles can be somewhat protective, especially in weak tornadoes.

If you choose to remain in your car, you should take several steps: Roll up the windows, buckle your seat belt, put your head down and leave the motor running so the airbags will deploy.

Tuesday started off damp and cloudy, with forecasters warning the weather would turn nasty by nightfall. Then the clouds parted, skies turned sunny and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico poured into the central U.S. Temperatures in eastern Nebraska soared into record territory.

Omaha, Lincoln and Norfolk all set records; Omaha and Lincoln at 91 degrees broke their previous record of 86 degrees, and Norfolk reached 89 degrees, breaking its record of 85 degrees.

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BLOOMINGTON  A 16-year-old boy is scheduled to be sentenced in June after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to bringing a gun to school last year.

Tayshaun T. Johnson, of Bloomington, was arrested Nov. 4, 2021, for having a firearm at Bloomington High School. He was charged in adult court three weeks later with unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Johnson pleaded guilty Tuesday to unlawful possession of a firearm (Class 3 felony). The other two charges, which are Class 4 felonies, were dismissed.

Prosecutors had said school staff searched his backpack because the bag smelled like cannabis. Staff located what appeared to be a firearm, authorities said.

Police arrived to BHS to search the bag and found a loaded 9 mm handgun with 10 rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said.

Johnson voluntarily withdrew from Bloomington Public School District 87 in November, superintendent Barry Reilly said.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 7.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Johnson was expelled from the school district.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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NORMAL  Illinois State University contract negotiations are set to continue Thursday as both sides prepare for a possible strike next week.

"We do the work that makes ISU happen every single day," said Chuck Carver, president of Local 1110 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, during a rally held on campus Tuesday afternoon.

The union represents more than 300 workers in building services, dining and grounds at the university. A strike could begin April 18 if contract talks do not reach an agreement. Negotiations began last fall, after the unions contract expired in June.

Wages are a major sticking point. Carver used his own position as a building service worker to illustrate the situation: A starting worker would make $13.70 an hour, while Carver, who has been there around 10 years, makes a little over $20 an hour.

The parties met for about 12 hours on Friday. In a press release sent that evening, AFSCME said that there had been some movement but that significant differences remained.

In its latest update on its negotiations website, ISU said "significant progress" had been made during the session. The parties are set to meet again Thursday.

Both sides have started preparing for a strike.

AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch and Deputy Director Mike Newman spoke at the rally, saying the statewide council was supporting Local 1110. Newman said a strike seemed likely.

"A strike is not an easy thing to do, it is a brave and bold thing to do, it is a last-resort thing to do," Lynch said.

She also thanked the students who had come out to support the union at its rally.

State Senator Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, sent a statement to support the union, as did the Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP and Litesa Wallace, Democratic congressional candidate for the 17th District.

Junior Jacob Boozell and sophomore Jomareun Richardson were two of the students who marched with the union. Richardson is a member of the ISU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America and said that his involvement had kept him aware of updates in negotiations.

"Just to stand in solidarity (...) I know what it's like to be in their shoes," he said about why he attended.

Boozell had not heard details about the situation until earlier in the day.

"I just figured I'd show up (...) I don't think it make sense to pay workers almost nothing," he said.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

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In May 1861, Ulysses Grant was working as a clerk at his fathers leather goods store in Galena. When President Lincoln called for volunteers, Grant signed up. Within less than a year, he had become known nationwide as Unconditional Surrender Grant for his stunning victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Tennessee.

Two years later, he was Lieutenant General in command of all American armies--the first officer since George Washington to achieve that rank. Grants meteoric rise is without parallel. His military skill saved the Union, destroyed slavery, and changed the arc of history.

Grants presidency saw the passage of the 15th Amendment guaranteeing voting rights for African Americans. He deployed federal troops to crush the Ku Klux Klan. He appointed Ely Parker, the first Native American to head the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The first National Park, Yellowstone, was established.

After his presidency, Grant wrote his memoirs despite excruciating pain from throat cancer. He died three days after completing the book, now regarded as a masterpiece of American literature. 1.5 million people lined the streets of New York for his funeral.

Frederick Douglass said, Grant was a man too broad for prejudice, too humane to despise the humblest, too great to be small at any point. In him the African American found a protector, the Indian a friend, a vanquished foe a brother, an imperiled nation a savior.

April 27, 2022, will mark 200 years since Grants birth. This man of Illinois deserves our nation's deepest gratitude. He defeated a bloody insurrection against our country. He believed in democracy, equality, and the Constitution.

His kindness was remarkable. Mark Twain said it well: He was a very great man, and superlatively good. Grants friend William T. Sherman declared, It will be a thousand years before his character is fully appreciated.

Larry Gaylord, Normal

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Putin began his attack on Ukraine for a number of combined motives.

As Putin has written, one motive was Christian nationalism. Because he is convinced the West is corrupt, hypocritical, and materialistic, this motive joins with his dream and conviction, based on history, that Russia is destined to be a great empire bringing Christian civilization to the rest of the world.

This viewpoint is mirrored by a similar extremism on this side of the Atlantic and embodied in Donald Trump. Both define Christian not in terms of Jesus, gospel, repentance, and morality, but in terms of political control, belonging, and conformity. Both believe in an authoritarian government, with a facade of republican democracy  one hostile to gay marriage, abortion and other Republican talking points.

Instantly, one can see the two leaders overlap one another in politics and religion, and it becomes understandable why supporters of Donald Trump might support the invasion of Ukraine.

Both Putin and Trump, however, represent an extreme political position that enables and fosters violence, a violence that can not be held accountable because it is so righteous as it wears the robes of a religious faith. From my viewpoint it is the violence of the Pharisees and other collaborators with Rome in the time of Jesus of Nazareth. Thoughtfulness reveals the historical similarity between these three  the governing of Judea (and Holy Week), the authoritarianism of Donald Trump, and the amoral war violence practiced by Vladimir Putin.

This extreme conviction denies accountability, because, ultimately, such faith in oneself dismisses it as anti-God. I am righteous, I am truth, and no one is better or greater than I am. Unhappily, such an attitude justifies virtually any violence by armies and supporters, and nothing except an act of God can stop such an avalanche once created and imposed.

Joris Heise, Bloomington

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The body of a missing Gary woman was found Wednesday morning nearly two miles south of where her vehicle was found nearly two weeks ago.

A canine unit with Northwest Indiana Search and Rescue found Ariana Taylor, 23, in a drainage ditch near childrens attraction Bellaboos, 2800 Colorado St., Lake Station, Gary Cmdr. Jack Hamady said during a Thursday afternoon news conference at Gary Police Headquarters. The search was a continuation of ongoing efforts since April 5.

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Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Glen Fifield, whose agency initially handled the investigation, said agencies are still under investigating, but he and Hamady said Taylors death hasnt been classified as a homicide at this time. Its conceivable, but not conclusive, that Taylor couldve walked south from the crash site seeking help, Hamady said.

Hamady said police had initially focused their search for Taylor in a two-mile radius north of where the vehicle she was driving crashed off Interstate 65 onto Colorado Street. When that kept coming up with no results despite help from the Lake County Sheriff Department and Indiana Department of Natural Resourcess aquatic units, officials turned their attention south.

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NWI Search and Rescue sent out five teams with six dogs at 9 a.m. Wednesday to search Bellaboos property, Hamady said; 21 minutes later, one of the dogs hit on her scent. The dog headed toward a fence line and found her, he said.

Officers then contacted the Lake County Coroners Office, which positively identified her around 1 p.m., Hamady said. Taylors mother, Queena Taylor, also identified Taylor at the scene, he said.

A release Wednesday from from Coroner David Pastrick said an autopsy will be performed Thursday at the Lake County Coroners Office Morgue.

Gary Police Chief Brian Evans said Queena Taylor is doing as well as someone whos suffered so great a loss can. Gary Mayor Jerome Prince asked that the public keep Taylors family, as well as the residents of Gary, in their prayers over the loss.

The Gary Police Department had been investigating the disappearance of Taylor, whose last communication was early April 3, according to police. Gary officers were sent to a crash site April 3 where the vehicle appeared to have been involved in a possible hit-and-run on I-65 near Lake Station, which caused it to be forced over an embankment and onto a road below, police said.

The cars owner  Queena Taylor  said Ariana Taylor was supposed to be the last person who had the vehicle, police said.

Bloodied clothes found near the scene of the crash havent been confirmed as Taylors, Hamady said, adding that police have spoken to everyone Taylor had been with the night of her disappearance.

Gary Police officers were sent to 15th Avenue and Lake Street late Sunday afternoon after receiving calls that a body had been found in a grassy area, Police spokeswoman Lt. Dawn Westerfield said in an April 10 release. Initially, Westerfield said police were unable to identify the body when they found it.

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Upon further examination, however, police found that the person had discovered a life-size, silicone/rubber-type female doll, she said.

Anyone with information on Ariana Taylors death is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Mark Salazar at 219-881-1209 or 911.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Mrs Bernice Ofori, the Tema Metropolitan Education Director, has urged basic school graduates entering senior high school to make friends with mates who are disciplined and avoid falling into bad companies.



She said friends had a huge impact on their studies hence the need for careful selection to enable them to achieve their future goals.



Mrs Ofori gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the presentation of school items to first-year SHS students by Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, the Member of Parliament for Tema East, as part of the Tema East Educational Foundation Back to School Project.



She encouraged the students not to engage in activities they would later regret due to peer pressure and endeavour to rise above all odds, get good grades, and complete their studies successfully.



Mrs Ofori said they would experience many challenges as they climbed the academic ladder and urged them not to give up during such trying moments but focus on attaining higher educational laurels.



Dont drop out and join your friends who are struggling to make ends meet, make a difference in your family and community, she said.



She called for a collaborative effort among educational stakeholders in the Tema Metropolis to work together towards improving the performances of pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE).



Parents must also ensure that their children are in school and their needs provided to prevent their dropping out of school, Mrs Ofori said.

Source: GNA









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Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye of the Pediatric Society of Ghana has advised lactating mothers to avoid adding salt, sugar and honey when feeding their babies after six months of breastfeeding.



She said this will harm the baby drastically because their kidneys were not developed enough during the early stages of their growth.



According to her, breast milk contains some level of sugar and the body is able to dissolve sugar from any food babies take in.



With infants, we do not encourage you to add salt to their food or to add sugar to their food. Their kidney is not developed and they are not able to handle all the load that the additional salt is going to put in the kidney.



"They dont need sugar. The breast milk also has sugar and whatever food they take, the body is able to take out sugar and salt that they need. The same as honey.



She asserted that taking in honey will expose babies to infant botulism, germs that can make them sick.



For infants, we do not recommend you to add honey to the food because it causes them to have something we call infant Botulism because the honey can be contaminated by a germ that can cause them to be sick.



Speaking with Kafui Dey on the GTV Breakfast Show, Dr. Boye added that an infant is someone below the age of one.



Infancy begins from birth so under that is an infant. Under the age of one, we have a newborn which is up to 28days of life and after that you are an infant.



"Within the first six months of life, the world health organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the newborn, because it has everything the baby needs within the first six months of life.



She opined that infants can start taking soft foods after six months of exclusive breastfeeding.



Once a baby gets to six months, the literature and the information we have is that breast milk is not enough. When the baby turns 6months, you need to add on other things. This period, family foods can be given to the baby. Anything eaten in the house the baby can take. It has to be soft enough.



She encouraged lactating mothers to breastfeed their babies at least 10 times a day.



Within the 24hour period, we want the baby to be fed 10 times. That comes to two or three hourly. Every two to three hours, babies should be fed, she explained.





Source: gbc









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The Roofing of the Temporary structures handed out to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources by the Future Global Resources Company Limited (FGR) has commenced in earnest.



The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio says the priority of the government and the Ministry is to ensure that the people of Appiatse will not be at the mercy of the rain.



He assured that the reconstruction team will strictly stick to the May 1st, 2022 deadline to see to the transition of the victims from the camp tents to the temporary buildings.



"My team and I foresaw this happening and planned ahead that's why we have been in talks with FGR on these buildings and today as we've witnessed, roofing has commenced and we will be sure to stick to the May 1st time frame to Transition the people to the Temporary structures"



The Deputy Minister said this when he paid a working visit to Appiatse on 13th April 2022 l, to ascertain the impact of the recent heavy downpour at the site and also to inspect the Future Global Resources (FGR) buildings which are being refurbished.



Addressing the Media, Hon. Benito disclosed that 31 Buildings have been refurbished with wood frames and some with roofs, which he is convinced will be done in the next 2 weeks.



He added that having done a headcount at the camp, the 31 buildings will be able to house up to 110 family units with each family at the camp acquiring a room of their own, an averagely of 4 individuals per family.



Hon. Owusu-Bio remarked that per the headcount, everyone at the camp will be housed in the 31 buildings but "we will add more rooms if the need arises to ensure that everyone has a safe place of abode"



Speaking to the displaced victims of the explosion, Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio, who is also the Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Committee, reaffirmed the government's commitment to move them to the Temporary structures, adding that the President Akufo-Addo led the government, has put in place all necessary measures to accommodate them on the 1st of May.



On behalf of the President of the Republic and the Sector Minister, he also empathised with the people of Appiatse, particularly those whose tents were affected by the recent downpour.



Mr. Blankson Hermans, a member of the Reconstruction Implementation Committee and a representative from the Ghana Institute of Architects also told the media that as part of preparations for the main reconstruction, all demarcations on the site have been completed and soon, the road networks will commence ahead of the detailed designs.



As part of the working visit, the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority presented the local plan of the Model Community to the Municipal Assembly which was adopted for implementation, after an extensive presentation by Mr. Mohammed Alhassan Damba, the Director for Research Monitoring and Evaluation of the Land Usage and Spatial Planning Authority (LUPSA).

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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A new TV documentary alleges that children as young as 10 are using machetes to harvest pods



Its horrifying to see these children using these long machetes, which are sometimes half their height, said the founder of Slave Free Chocolate.



The food giant that owns the Cadbury brand is embroiled in fresh allegations of employing child labour after an investigation obtained footage of children working with machetes on cocoa farms in its supply chain.



Children as young as 10 have allegedly been found working in Ghana to harvest cocoa pods to supply Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury. Campaigners say the farmers are being paid less than 2 a day and cant afford to hire adult workers.



The Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, broadcast on Monday, comes more than two decades after the chocolate industry pledged to eliminate child labour.



Ayn Riggs, founder of Slave Free Chocolate, which campaigns against child labour in cocoa farms, said: Its horrifying to see these children using these long machetes, which are sometimes half their height. Chocolate companies promised to clean this up over 20 years ago. They knew they were profiting from child labour and have shirked their promises.



The Cadbury revelations come as this weekend millions of pounds will be spent on chocolate treats for Easter. More than 300m is spent on Easter eggs and novelties each year, including more than 80m boxed eggs. The chocolate market is worth 5.6bn in the UK, according to the market research firm Mintel. It includes about 330m Cadbury Creme eggs which are eaten every year.



Mondelez, which made global profits last year of more than 3.3bn, has a sustainability programme, Cocoa Life. Its logo is marked on its products, including Cadbury Dairy Milk, and its website states: No amount of child labour in the cocoa supply chain should be acceptable.



Under the Cocoa Life programme, Mondelez had, by the end of 2020, mapped about 167,800 cocoa farms that supply its businesses in Ghana, Cote dIvoire, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic and Brazil.



On one of the farms alleged to be supplying Mondelez, two children with machetes were filmed by the documentary team weeding the plantations. Children were also filmed using sharp knives to open cocoa pods and swinging long sticks with blades tied to them to harvest the pods from the cocoa trees. None of the children were wearing protective clothing. The daughter of one farmer, claimed to be supplying Mondelez, said she had sliced her foot open while using a long machete.



On one of the smallholdings, a niece of the farmer said she thought she was going to her uncles farm to help with childcare but claims she was being forced to work long hours on the farm and not allowed to go to school. When asked why she did not speak out, she said she was afraid.



Under Ghanaian law, it is illegal for children under 13 to work on cocoa farms. There is also a ban on anyone under 18 being involved in hazardous labour.



Ghana is the worlds second biggest cocoa producer after Cote dIvoire, and the crop, along with gold, is one of its most valuable exports. A cocoa farmer will typically receive 7p from a milk chocolate bar costing 1 in the UK, and 11p from a dark chocolate bar.



It means many live in extreme poverty while facing rising costs from the impacts of climate change, because of unpredictable weather patterns and changes in crop-threatening pests and diseases. Ninety percent of the worlds cocoa beans are harvested on small, family farms with less than two hectares of land.



In 2001, a cocoa industry agreement agreed to eliminate child labour. It was backed by the World Cocoa Foundation, a trade group whose members include the worlds biggest cocoa and chocolate companies, Nestle, Mars Wrigley and Mondelez.



But the protocols targets were postponed and adjusted in 2005 and 2008. A revised target in 2010, to reduce the worst forms of child labour in the cocoa sector in west Africa by 70% by 2020, has been missed. Campaigners say child labour is still endemic in the chocolate industry.



A study by the social research group NORC at the University of Chicago in 2020 found 1.56 million children were involved in the cocoa industry in Ghana and Cote dIvoire.



The report found prevalence rate of child labor in cocoa production among agricultural households in cocoa growing areas of Cote dIvoire and Ghana increased between 2008/09 and 2018/19. There was a 62 percent increase in cocoa production in the two countries during this period.

Joanna Ewart-James, executive director of Freedom United, an international organisation campaigning against child labour in the cocoa supply chain, said: Child slavery and child labour have plagued the industry in Cote dIvoire and Ghana  which produce 60% of the worlds cocoa  for decades. Cocoa farmers are not earning an income that enables them to recruit the labour they need.



On Friday, Freedom United will publish a scorecard rating global chocolate firms on their labour and environmental practices. The campaign group says Mondelez has invested in community initiatives to combat child labour but, along with other leading companies, needs to pay farmers more money for its cocoa.



Slave Free Chocolate compiles a list of chocolate companies that use ethically grown chocolate.

Martin Short, president of the World Cocoa Foundation, said: Dealing with child labour abuses as a standalone issue will never work until we deal with the root cause of child labour, which is farmer poverty.



Cadbury, one of Britains most famous companies, was controversially taken over by the US food firm Kraft Foods in January 2010. The American food giant changed its name to Mondelez International in October 2012.



Mondelez considers a wide range of measures are required to combat child labour. The company has been involved in research which shows that increasing the price of cocoa will not on its own lift many farmers out of poverty, because they are farming on small amounts of land.



A Mondelez International spokesperson said: Were deeply concerned by the incidents documented in the Dispatches programme. We explicitly prohibit child labour in our operations and have been working relentlessly to take a stand against this, making significant efforts through our Cocoa Life programme to improve the protection of children in the communities where we source cocoa, including in Ghana.



The welfare of the children and families featured is our primary concern and we commit to investigating further so we can provide any support needed. As part of our Cocoa Life programme, we have child labour monitoring and remediation systems in place in Ghana, which means community members and NGO partners are trained to provide assistance to vulnerable children, and once identified, we can help to address any cases of child labour. The company said it had requested additional information from the Dispatches team so it could investigate.



Cadbury Reacts...Issues Statement After Expose



In a related development, Cadbury owner Mondelez International has urged a TV investigations team "to share information" following allegations of child labour being used in supply chains in Ghana, West Africa.



The UK market for chocolate is said to be worth more than 5.5 billion in the UK every year, with Cadbury Creme Eggs alone accounting for 330 million item sales.



Mondelez International owns the Birmingham based chocolate firm.



Commenting on the specific allegations in the programme, a Mondelez International spokesperson told BirminghamLive: We are deeply concerned by the incidents documented in the Dispatches programme. We explicitly prohibit child labour in our operations and have been working relentlessly to take a stand against this, making significant efforts through our Cocoa Life programme to improve the protection of children in the communities where we source cocoa, including in Ghana. The welfare of the children and families featured is our primary concern and we commit to investigating further so we can provide any support needed.



"As part of our Cocoa Life programme, we have Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems in place in Ghana which means community members and NGO partners are trained and ready to provide assistance to vulnerable children, and once identified, we can help to address any cases of child labour.



But to do this, we need the production team to share the additional information we have requested  such as dates, names and locations  so that we can act with the urgency required. With this information we can use the tools at our disposal to investigate and, if validated, work with the proper authorities to help the children.



Read Full Story .... HERE >>> :









Source: theguardian.com









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At least 28 teenagers have drowned after their boat capsized in north-western Nigeria.



They were trying to cross a river to fetch firewood on Tuesday evening in the Shagari region of Sokoto state.



Regional government official Aliyu Dantani told the BBC most of the dead were girls.



It is not yet clear exactly how many people the boat was carrying but 28 bodies have been found.



Rescuers are continuing to search the waters for others who are missing.



It is not known what caused the boat to capsize, but boat accidents are common in Nigeria - often blamed on overloading, poor maintenance and bad weather.

Source: BBC









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Shipping at South Africas busiest port has been suspended following severe flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal province that has so far claimed 59 lives.



The flooding has devastated the province's roads, bridges and houses after five months of rain fell in just three days.



State-owned logistics company, Transnet, says the Durban port has been closed until further notice because of the environmental damage caused by the flooding.



Roads leading to the terminals are badly damaged and cannot be accessed.



A shipping container warehouse near a busy highway was severely flooded, and hundreds of containers were washed away by the raging waters.



The city of Durban has become the epicentre of the unfolding natural disaster, which is fast escalating to a humanitarian crisis.



Parts of the crucial N3 highway, which connects Durban to the economic heartland of Gauteng, have been blocked off.



Communications have also been disrupted. Two major telecoms companies have reported more than 900 of their mobile phone towers were down.



President Cyril Ramaphosa has cut short a trip to Mozambique to visit affected areas to assess the damage.

Source: BBC









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Russian leader, Vladimir Putin has stated that peace talks with Ukraine is 'dead.'



According to Putin, without a deal acceptable to Russia, his forces would continue their offensive against Ukraine .



Putin's statement on Tuesday, April 12 comes as Russian forces bombarded Ukrainian military positions and residential areas in the countrys east and unleashed new rocket attacks.



In his first comments on the war in almost a month, Putin said that peace talks had stalled after what he called a fake situation in Bucha, a town outside of Kyiv where Ukrainian officials reported the discovery of several hundred dead civilians this month after Russian troops retreated.



Ukrainian and Western officials are pursuing investigations into potential war crimes committed in Bucha and in other formerly Russian-held towns in northern Ukraine before Moscows withdrawal at the end of March.



Ukrainian authorities are also investigating allegations by Ukrainian forces that they came under a Russian chemical attack in Mariupol, where Russia is still fighting to consolidate gains.



Putin also said Ukrainian negotiators had deviated from agreements reached in Istanbul.



Ukraine last month presented its proposal for a neutral status and international security guarantees, but the two sides involved in the conflict - Ukraine and Russia, haven't moved closer toward a potential cease-fire.



We have again returned to a dead-end situation, Putin said.



Inconsistency about essential matters has been creating well-known difficulties in achieving final agreements on the negotiating track which would be acceptable to us. Unless that happens, the military operation will continue until it concludes and the objectives set at the beginning of this operation are achieved.



Putin said the main goal of the offensive was to help people in Donbas, in another sign that his forces would launch an assault on the eastern region. He added that there is no doubt the goal will be achieved, speaking during a visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport in the countrys Far East, along with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko.



Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday that high-precision air- and sea-based missiles launched overnight destroyed an ammunition depot and a hangar with Ukrainian aircraft at the Starokostiantyniv military airfield in the western Khmelnytskyi region, as well as an ammunition depot near Havrylivka in the Kyiv region.



While the Ukrainian Air Force said it had downed a Russian plane, two helicopters and four drones.















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The Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has revealed that a resident of East Legon has been caught for connecting two big pipes to the main pipe of the Ghana Water Company Limited.



This denied other residents water.



Addressing the press in Accra, Mrs Dapaah said Just yesterday, a resident of East Legon was caught red-handed, he had connected two big pipes s into our mainline and had denied the whole catchment area of water.



When he was apprehended the pipes were disconnected, immediately water started flowing into peoples homes. But the most serious aspect of this crime is that people whom he had denied water were buying water from him.

Source: 3news









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First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has called for urgent action to tackle the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.



She said, in order for African countries, particularly Ghana, to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) three (3), which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, there is the urgent need to take a critical look at non-communicable diseases.



Non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are fast becoming common, even among young people, said Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who called on experts to devise new means to help solve the growing effects of NCDs.



She made the call at the plenary session of the International Strategic Dialogue on Non-Communicable Diseases and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Accra.



According to data from the NCDs Programme of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on the average, one out of every five clients who visited the Out-Patient Department (OPD) was diagnosed with one form of NCDs or the other.



Presidential Adviser on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, said, Each year, more than 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69 die from an NCD; 85% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.



The situation in Ghana, according to him, was not too different from that of other Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).



In fact, 16.7% of OPD attendance in 2017 was diagnosed with an NCD, rising to 19.7% in 2021. Reported counts of selected NCDs at the OPD in the last five (5) years, that is from 2017 to 2021 are as follows; hypertension, diabetes mellitus, road traffic accidents, asthma, stroke, depression, breast cancer, and cervical cancer, he emphasised.



That, he said, must drive new approaches if the world would make meaningful headway with NCDs prevention and control.



Let us put our shoulders to the wheel and reverse the worrying trend of NCDs in our respective countries. This is achievable with the right political commitments, the right systems and structures, development of partner support and citizens involvement, he said.



Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu said the global explosion of non-communicable diseases in the last few decades had been as a result of lifestyle changes.



He, therefore, called for a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to deal decisively with NCDs.



The links across obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental disorders, and the negative impact of these diseases on the quality of life and productivity of people has affected all facets of life, the Health Minister said.



The justification for the approach to addressing the NCDs canker, according to him was a major driver for ensuring that this new approach is adopted to add value for long term measures to address the situation, insisting one country alone cannot do it, and it is important that international actions support local actions to ensure there is value addition to addressing NCDs. In doing this, leadership is key and strategic.

Source: daily guide









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On 31 March 2022, the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held in Tunxi, Anhui Province of China. The Dialogue was hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and attended by foreign ministers or high-level representatives of Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the Acting Foreign Minister of the Interim Government of Afghanistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar and Foreign Minister of Indonesia were also invited to attend the Dialogue as guests of honor.

1.Wang Yi first briefed on the Third Foreign Ministers Meeting Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan which was just concluded. Wang noted that the Third Foreign Ministers Meeting built greater consensus of the neighboring countries on the Afghan issue, expressed neighboring countries support for peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan and unanimously urged whoever caused the Afghan issue in the first place to shoulder due responsibility. The face-to-face dialogue with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan focused on hearing the briefing from the Interim Government of Afghanistan on its domestic and foreign policies, while expressing concerns of the neighboring countries related to Afghanistan. It enhanced mutual understanding and forged consensus on helping Afghanistan come back on track, shore up its economy and improve peoples livelihood, in an earnest effort to maintain regional security and stability.

The neighboring countries attached importance to the governance efforts of the Afghan Interim Government over the past half year, acknowledging its commitment and actions on counter-terrorism and narcotics control. The neighboring countries called upon the international community to engage in dialogue and communication with the Interim Government of Afghanistan.

The neighboring countries reaffirmed respect for Afghanistans independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and support for the basic principle of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned. They encouraged the Interim Government to further increase the inclusiveness of its political structure, pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, protect the basic rights of all Afghan people including all ethnic groups, women and children, develop friendly relations with all countries, adopt more visible measures to resolutely and thoroughly fight terrorism and earnestly fulfill its commitment on anti-narcotics.

The neighboring countries attached importance to the economic and livelihood hardships Afghanistan faces. They stand ready to actively implement the Tunxi Initiative of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan on Supporting Economic Reconstruction in and Practical Cooperation with Afghanistan, and scale up emergency humanitarian assistance. The neighboring countries are ready to increase practical cooperation with Afghanistan on trade and economy, energy and agriculture, help Afghanistan deepen its connectivity with regional countries, join the regional economic integration and build up capacity for self-generated development. The neighboring countries reaffirmed their preparedness for counter-terrorism and security cooperation with the Interim Government to help strengthen its counter-terrorism capacity building.

The neighboring countries commended and supported the United Nations in playing its due role in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. They called on the international community to actively and continuously provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, and expressed the hope for multilateral financial institutions to provide financing support for the countrys economic reconstruction. They urged the countries which caused the difficult situation in Afghanistan to earnestly fulfill their responsibility for the economic reconstruction and future development of Afghanistan.

2.The Afghan side highly commended the role of the mechanism of coordination and cooperation among Afghanistans neighboring countries, and appreciated the neighboring countries valuable support for Afghan people on humanitarian assistance, COVID response and economic development.

The Afghan side attached great importance to the concerns of the neighboring countries, and stressed that Afghanistan would never allow external forces to once again occupy the Afghan territory, nor would it allow any forces to use the Afghan territory against other countries. Afghanistan has adjusted its governance priorities to focus on stability and development. It is ready to serve as a link for regional connectivity and pursue prosperity together with its neighboring countries. Afghanistan expressed the hope that its neighboring countries will offer the Afghan Interim Government diplomatic recognition as early as possible. Afghanistan places importance on protecting the rights and interests of women and children. Schools have been reopened. Girls education has never been prohibited. There is a high level of female participation in all sectors of Afghanistan, including health care and education. All ethnic groups are welcome to participate in the countrys governance, and more professionals will be invited to participate in the governments work. The Afghan side stressed that the hasty withdrawal of the United States has caused great difficulties for Afghanistan. It urged the United States to immediately lift the freeze over Afghanistans overseas assets and the unreasonable sanctions against Afghanistan. It hoped that the international community would increase support and help for Afghanistan.

3.Qatar and Indonesia, as guests of honor, elaborated on their respective positions on the Afghan issue. They appreciated the positive role of the mechanism of coordination and cooperation among Afghanistans neighboring countries in securing regional stability and development. They stressed their preparedness for closer communication and dialogue with the Interim Government of Afghanistan and the neighboring countries.

4.All parties spoke highly of this new platform established by China for dialogue between neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the Afghan Interim Government. They noted that the face-to-face dialogue has enhanced mutual understanding between the Afghan Interim Government and regional countries, especially Afghanistans neighboring countries, deepened the understanding of all parties on the state of affairs in Afghanistan, and helped to build up consensus. They expressed the expectation for the Afghan Interim Government to fulfill its commitments on strengthening the unity among all ethnic groups, resolutely combating terrorism and narcotics, and establishing an inclusive government and conducting inclusive governance. They expressed readiness to provide more substantive assistance to Afghanistan on top of what has been done. All parties agreed to hold future meetings of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue.
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has said it will not be discouraged by beware of dogs signages on doors of citizens as it embarks on a house to house audit.



The sector minister, Cecilia Dapaah, in announcing the measure to reduce revenue losses said the ministry was in the process of finalizing details of the programme.



Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, she said persons found to have engaged in illegal water connections will be arraigned before court.



I know most Ghanaians are honest but the bad nuts must be exposed. Even the date is a secret one because we dont want people to look at the schedule; disconnect when we are coming around and connect when we are off.

It will be a constant sustainable way of making sure we reduce our non-revenue loses with regards to people who do illegal connections and deny other citizens of water, she said on Monday.



Madam Cecilia Dapaah mentioned that her outfit will collaborate with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GAWL) in rolling out the initiative.



The details will be worked out. We need to do this, we will not be afraid of those who put Beware of Dogs on their doors, we will go in there to find out and cross check, she said.





Source: The Ghanaian Times









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The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is developing a mobile application to improve road safety across the country.



Known as the Public Eye Enforcement Programme (PEEP), the mobile application will empower anyone with a smart phone to record road traffic violations and forward to the Authority for the prosecution of offenders.



The Board Chairman of the NRSA, Jeremaine Nkrumah, made this known when he led a team of officials from the Authority to commend the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, for his leadership and determination in championing road safety in the region.



Their visit was also to recognise the minister for his productive collaboration with stakeholders in managing the operations of motorcycles and tricycles on major roads as well as bringing some sanity to the Madina Zongo Junction within the La Nkwatanang Madina Municipality. A citation was presented to the Regional Minister.



PEEP mobile application



Touching on the mobile application, Mr Nkrumah said it would be piloted in the Greater Accra, Eastern and the Ashanti regions immediately after the new legislative Instrument, drafted by the Authority is approved by Parliament.



We are currently developing a website and mobile application and we are going to take advantage of the constitution aspect of citizens arrests and empower anybody who owns a mobile device to be able to record, Mr Nkrumah noted.



He added that the sender of a video which led to prosecution would be rewarded.



If a person sends in a video and the video leads to prosecution, the mobile number of the sender if registered with the mobile money, will get a percentage of the fine, he said.





Mr Nkrumah explained that statistics have shown an increase in the number of vehicles registered as compared to expansion works on roads across the country.



What is scary in statistics is that for a country of 9,200 square miles and road network of 78,000 square kilometres, roads do not expand as rapidly as the number of vehicles added onto the industry every day, he said.



He added that 16,000 new vehicles were registered every month, accounting for over 500 vehicles every day into the system.



Tricycle directive



For his part, Mr Quartey thanked the Authority for the recognition and appealed to the officials to support the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GA-RCC) to revisit the implementation of restrictions on tricycles on the Tema highway.



We had a meeting with the Police Regional Command and we want to revisit the directive. We believe three months moratorium is enough.



So I crave your indulgence to avail yourself as quickly as possible for us to move into action, possibly we can do this after the Easter festivities. The RCC has donated a pickup truck and two motorbikes to the Greater Accra Police Command to be used to patrol the stretch of the motorway, he added



He, however, appealed to corporate bodies and stakeholders to support the activities of the RCC in ensuring safety in the region.



Operation Clean Your Frontage is also in play. We have had four months of sensitisation, which is enough moratorium. After the Easter holidays, all assemblies in the Greater Accra Region will go into full force to ensure the implementation of the Operation Clean Your Frontage by-law, he added.









Source: graphiconline.com









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A young man who attempted to steal a cable at the Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Aflao in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region almost lost his life when the cable he was trying to steal electrocuted him.



The suspect identified as 32-year-old Eric Kofi Quaye, apart from being electrocuted got burnt in the process.



Although he is alive, the said thief sustained severe burns from his head to toe.



The BSP in question is specifically located along the Diamond Cement road in Aflao.



It has two sections managed by ECG on one side and GRIDCO on the other.



Confirming the incident to DGN Online, the Public Relations Officer of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Volta/Oti, Benjamin Antwi, said the incident happened at about 5:20am on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.



He said preliminary assessment indicates that the suspect tampered with the Incomer cable with the aim of cutting it.



Unfortunately for him, he got electrocuted. This caused disruptions in power supply to thousands of residents who depend on the BSP for electricity.



The entire supply enclave of the BSP went off as a result of this theft attempt. They are, Denu, Aflao, Dzodze, parts of Keta, parts of Akatsi, Dzodze, Adina, Agbozume, Nogokpo and Ave Towns.



After a hours of repair works, power was restored to the affected communities at about 10:00am.



Arrest and Treatment



The incident has since been reported to the Aflao police.



However, due to the condition of the suspect, he has been sent to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital for treatment.



Mr Antwi used the opportunity to advise the public against stealing the cables and other installations of the ECG and GRIDCO.



Such acts does not only affect power supply, it also costs power operators a lot of money to replace.



He also appealed to residents to report such crimes to the ECG and the Police for action.

Source: daily guide









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The New Abirem Magistrate Court on Tuesday afternoon granted bail to two (2) suspects standing trial for allegedly possessing illegal meters and attempting to distribute such meters to unsuspecting customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG).



The suspects, Anthony Tuffour and Michael Bediako, were each granted bail in the sum of GH10,000 with two sureties, and would reappear in court on April 26, for the case to continue.



A first witness in the case, the District Manager of ECG New Abirem District, Mr. Simon Amezugbeh, testified in court and recalled how the accused persons approached him with an intension to sell some meters to customers through his office last year.



Being led by Sgt Basilide Ninwie, the Prosecutor, Mr. Amezubeh told the court that the two accused persons approached him last year and said that they had secured some meters from their Member of Parliament for onward distribution to customers in New Abirem communities at a fee of GH50 each.



He verified from the MP, who denied knowledge of such meters. He then requested for a sample and the suspects brought one meter with the Ministry of Energy inscription. Upon testing, the meters did not match both ECG and Ministry of Energy standards.



He then informed the police and ECG Revenue Protection United. Upon further engagements, the suspects were arrested in July when they brought two more samples of the meters they claimed to have for installation to customers.



The court presided over by His Worship Isaac Agyei, after the cross examination, therefore adjourned the case to April 26, to allow a second witness in the case testify.



The suspects were first arrested on July 8, 2021, arraigned before court, and granted police enquiry bail but were remanded last week to reappear before the court on Tuesday for continuation. They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they first appeared in court.



The Electricity Company of Ghana Limited recently waged a war against illegal infiltration of meters in the Eastern Region, and in the process arrested some five suspects, 2 in New Abirem and three (3) in Suhum respectively.



Meanwhile, Ing. Michael Baah, the General Manager of ECG in Eastern Region, has advised prospective customers to deal directly with ECG officials in their quest to secure electricity service connections to their homes.

Source: Michael Akrofi









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Former National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Boateng Gyan, wants the opposition party to think beyond 2024 if the party wishes to regain power.



To him, it is not about which flagbearer leads the NDC to victory in 2024, but the kind of internal policies and measures they will put together that will result in a resounding electoral success.



Speaking on Okay Fm's Ade Akye Abia programme about the plans and strategies of Dr Kwabena Duffour, a former Finance Minister who seems to be lacing his boots to contest for the flagbearer of the NDC, Mr Boateng Gyan noted that the NDC should not underestimate the capabilities of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) because they are currently beset with nemerous governance challenges.



"We have faced the NPP before and we know what they are capable of doing and that is what we should be looking at as a party.

We don't have to sit at the top and assume that the NPP is failing and it is automatic for the NDC to secure victory come 2024.



"The grass root members of the party needs to strengthened and properly resourced to be enable them to be financially independent and managed the party at the polling station and constituency level," he pointed out.



Sounding quote proverbial, the NDC former National Organizer held that, like a car, the NDC needs to be properly serviced to be able to carry its passengers to its desired destination, otherwise it might develop a mechanical fault and leave its passengers stranded by the road side no matter how capable the driver may be.



He also warned against attempts at victimizing certain party members believed to be followers of a particular potential flagbearer.



"We must look beyond 2024 and not act as if we have a driver already to steer the car to victory because that driver has failed to previously carry the passengers to its preferred destination.



"This is not the time we should be looking for some body who will lead the party, we should rather focus our energy on making the party at the grassroots level more vibrant and stop victimizing people who support candidates who aspire to the lead the party.



"When the party descends this downward trend, it will gradually be losing experienced minds who have worked tirelessly since its inception. For me I don't see anything wrong with following a candidate who has worked for the success and growth of the party and thus wants to lead the party," he maintained.



The NDC will elect its flag bearer for the 2024 presidential elections towards the end of 2022 or the early part of 2023 in accordance with its constitution which dictates that a flag bearer should be elected 22 clear months before the general elections when the party is in opposition.





Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Deputy Minority Chief Whip of Parliament, Ahmed Ibrahim, has proposed that Frst Deputy Speaker of the House who also doubles as the Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu must recuse himself from the committee.



He believes per certain utterances he (Osei-Owusu) has passed about the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, the likelihood of him being impartial when he presides as Chairman of that committe cannot be guaranteed.



The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has referred three (3) Members of Parliament to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for fifteen (15) sitting days. In an official communication to the House, the Speaker mentioned Sara Adwoa Safo (MP Dome Kwabenya), Kennedy Agyapong (MP Assin Central) and Henry Quartey (MP Ayawaso Central) for absenting themselves for more than fifteen sitting days within the First Meeting of the Second Session, per the records from the Clerks at Table.



Speaker Bagbin supported his ruling with article 97 (1)c of the Constitution which states that: "A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he is absent, without the permission in writing to the Speaker and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from fifteen Sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet", the Standing Orders and a number of rulings from the Supreme Court.



The Rt. Hon. Speaker indicated that his ruling was also based on petitions submitted to him on absenteeism of Members of Parliament.



His position has, however been vehemently opposed by the minority caucus in parliament.



Both Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka and the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, have respectively disagreed with the ruling of the Speaker, arguing that the matter ought to have been raised on the floor by a Member of Parliament first before the Speaker could act on it.



Speaking to this in interview on Okay FM's Ade Akye Abia programme, Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the MP for Banda MP pointed out that having already passed judgement over the absentee Dome-Kwabenya MP, it will be fair and proper if the first deputy Speaker opts out as presiding chair of the Privileges Committee.



"It is rather unfortunate that some leadership of the NPP have made certain comments about Hon. Adwoa Sarfo's situation. We from the NDC believe that this is something that can affect any other member of parliament and that we should not be seen to be denying one of our own.



"We are not fighting for Hon. Adwoa Sarfo alone but the MPs (Hon. Kennedy Agyapong (MP Assin Central) and Hon. Henry Quartey (MP Ayawaso Central) who have all been hauled before the privileges committee," he added.



He added that the minority have filed for a rescission motion in parliament hoping that it will be heard once parliament resumes from its recess.



Watch video below





Deputy Minority Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon Ahmed Ibrahim, has proposed that Frst Deputy Speaker of the House who also doubles as the Chairman of the Privileges Committee, Hon. Joseph Osei-Wusu must recuse himself from the committee.



He believes per certain utterances he (Osei-Wusu) has passed about the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, the likelihood of him being impartial when he presides as Chairman of that committe cannot be guaranteed.



The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has referred three (3) Members of Parliament to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for fifteen (15) sitting days. In an official communication to the House today, the Speaker mentioned Hon. Sara Adwoa Safo (MP Dome Kwabenya), Hon. Kennedy Agyapong (MP Assin Central) and Hon. Henry Quartey (MP Ayawaso Central) for absenting themselves for more than fifteen sitting days within the First Meeting of the Second Session, per the records from the Clerks at Table.



Speaker Bagbin supported his ruling with article 97 (1)c of the Constitution which states that: "A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament if he is absent, without the permission in writing to the Speaker and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from fifteen Sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet", the Standing Orders and a number of rulings from the Supreme Court.



The Rt. Hon. Speaker indicated that his ruling was also based on petitions submitted to him on absenteeism of Members of Parliament.



His position has, however been vwehemently opposed by the minority in caucus parliament.



Both Minority Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka and the Minority Leader, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, have respectively disagreed with the ruling of the Speaker, arguing that the matter ought to have been raised on the floor by a Member of Parliament first before the Speaker could act on it.



Speaking to this in interview on Okay Fm's Ade Akye Abia programme, Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the MP for Banda MP pointed out that having already passed judgement over the absentee Dome-Kwabenya MP, it will be fair and proper if the first deputy speaker opts out as presiding chair of the Privileges Committee.



"It is rather unfortunate that some leadership of the NPP have made certain comments about Hon. Adwoa Sarfo's situation. We from the NDC believe that this is something that can affect any other member of parliament and that we should not be seen to be denying one of our own.



"We are not fighting for Hon. Adwoa Sarfo alone but the MPs (Hon. Kennedy Agyapong (MP Assin Central) and Hon. Henry Quartey (MP Ayawaso Central) who have all been hauled before the privileges committee," he added.



He added that the minority have filed for a rescission motion in parliament hoping that it will be heard once parliament resumes from its recess.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Supreme Court has ruled that James Gyakye Quayson cannot act as the Member of Parliament(MP) for the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region.



The Apex Court by a 5:2 majority ruling delivered today Wednesday, April 13, 2022, said Mr Quayson a National Democratic Congress(NDC) MP can no longer perform Parliamentary duties until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.

This decision was taken in a petition brought before the Supreme Court by Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region.



A Cape Coast High Court in July 2021 nullified the election of Mr Quayson after it found he owed allegiance to Canada at the time of filing his nomination forms to contest the polls.



Substantive Case



Mr. Ankomah-Nimfa had earlier secured a judgement at the Cape Coast High Court overturning the election of Mr. Quayson as null and void but the embattled legislator ran to the Court of Appeal to have the decision set aside.



Mr. Ankomah-Ninfa is challenging the eligibility of Mr. Quayson as the MP for Assin North following allegations that he held dual citizenship prior to contesting the MP position.



Although the Court of Appeal dismissed his case, Mr. Quayson subsequently went to the Supreme Court to have his issue resolved.



Michael Ankomah-Nimfah also dragged the issue to the Supreme Court to seek interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.



In the same case, Michael asked the Apex Court to place an injunction on Mr. Quayson from holding himself as the MP for Assin North until the final determination of the case.



Assin North MP's case



In his statement of case, Mr. Quayson insisted that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship before contesting the Assin North parliamentary seat.



Mr. Quayson had asked the Supreme Court to declare the petition as frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court processes.



This court should, with respect, not allow any litigant to act in such bad faith and engage in blatant forum shopping in instituting a new action for the determination of a matter already before another panel of this Court and also pending before other lower courts. The Plaintiff, while urging the panel of the Supreme Court before whom 1st Defendants application to quash the decision of the Court of Appeal, Cape Coast, and for the Supreme Court to refer to itself the interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution was pending, rot to make the reference, issues a new writ to be put before another panel of the court.



This is unacceptable forum shopping, and it would set a dangerous precedent if such conduct should be countenanced by this court. The writ filed invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is simply an abuse of the process of court. Plaintiff is not engaged in a genuine quest for an authoritative interpretation from this court of a constitutional provision. Rather, under the guise of an invocation of the original jurisdiction of this court he is seeking reliefs which are the subject matter of the pending suits in the lower courts, as well as this court. What Plaintiff is seeking in the election petition that he instituted against the 1st Defendant is clearly the process that this court ought to have him continue pursuing as against this new suit, Mr. Quayson added in the statement of case dated April 12, 2022.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament(MP) for Akwatia constituency, Baba Jamal says the Supreme Court ruling to stop the Assin North MP from holding himself as a legit Member of Parliament is unfortunate.



According to him, the decision to oust James Gyakye Quayson is unfair to the Member of Parliament who has suffered to serve his country.



He has sacrificed to serve this country. Forcing the court to withdraw his membership as an MP is not fair. He is a Ghanaian, he said in an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie'.



Quaysons Lawyers defence



Lawyers Tsatsu Tsikata and Justin Teriwajah had contended that prior to the election, the eligibility of Mr Quayson was challenged.



But the Electoral Commission cleared the MP to contest the polls.



They stated that the matter ended up at the High Court with the court nullifying the polls.



They, however, indicate that the High Court in Cape Coast erred in concluding on the matter because it should have referred relevant portions of the Constitution to the Supreme Court for interpretation.



Supreme Court judgment



The Supreme Court today, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, passed its judgement that it is illegal for James Gyakye Quayson to parade himself as a lawmaker for the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region.



The Apex Court by a 5:2 majority ruling delivered barred the NDC MP, Mr Quayson from performing any Parliamentary duties until the determination of the substantive case filed against him at the Supreme Court.



Background



Mr Michael Ankomah-Nimfah, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region, filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of Gyakye Quayson as the MP Assin North.



To him, the MP had dual citizenship prior to filing nominations to contest for the Assin North parliamentary seat during the 2020 polls.



The Cape Coast High Court subsequently declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void, as it upheld that Gyakye Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution with regard to dual citizenship.



But James Gyakye Quayson subsequently appealed the judgment, at the Court of Appeal in Cape Coast, but the case was subsequently dismissed.



He again sought cover from the Supreme Court.



Michael Ankomah-Nimfah also dragged the issue to the Supreme Court in a bid to have Quayson prevented from carrying himself as the MP for Assin North.



He filed a writ to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, seeking interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution.



Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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One of the most keenly contested positions in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to be the National Organizer position with various persons expressing interest in what is likely to be a key race given what is at stake in 2024.



So far, four names have reportedly confirmed interest in the position, including current National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye; a Project Management Professional, NPP Executive, and Research Consultant Seth Adu-Adjei; a former Member of Parliament aspirant, and a distinguished party communicator, Eric Twum Amoako.



The four names are seeking to take over from Sammi Awuku who led the partys organizing efforts for the 2020 re-election campaign.



Nana Boakye



Henry Nana Boakye (aka Nana-B) was elected as the NPPs National Youth Organizer at the partys 2018 National Delegates Conference taking over from the then outgoing Youth Organizer, Sammi Awuku whom he wants to succeed again.



Prior to his election as the National Youth Organizer, he was active in the youth wing. He has been criticized for not doing enough for the youth of the party and if he was able to deliver what he promised. He is considered a favorite.



Eric Amoako Twum



He is a member of the New Patriotic Partys communications team and is seen as a perfect gentleman communicator.



Eric Twum said he has what it takes to mobilize support for the NPP ahead of the 2024 general elections.



2024 is a crucial election, and we cant joke with it. We need capable hands to manage the party, he has said previously.



Mr. Twum is an entrepreneur with a special interest in technology investments across Africa. Eric Amoako Twum has over 20 years of experience in Marketing, Brand Management, Project Management, and Investment Promotion. He has vast experience in marketing and various commercial roles having stints with Millicom Ghana (Tigo), Nestle Ghana, One Africa Media, and UK-based Telecommunication giants Orange Telecom, Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC.



As a technology entrepreneur, he was responsible for setting up Jobberman Ghana and Cheki Ghana, plus a host of other tech investments. In public service, he served as a government spokesperson at the Ministry of Information and a communication specialist at the Ministry of Trade and Industries. He was embroiled in a scandal at the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPA) with Gifty Klenam.



Seth Adu-Adjei (Adwumawura)



Seth Adu-Adjei is a Project Management Professional and a member of the New Patriotic Party since 1992. He is a former Constituency Secretary of Amasaman and founder of Constituency Watchdog International (CWDI) and Eagle Eye International.



A founding member of the Danquah- Busia Club in 1992, and popularly known as Adwumawura, Seth Adu-Adjei has served the NPP in various levels and capacities at Trobu Amasaman, Ofankor, the then GA North Constituency, and the Greater Accra Region.



Using the slogan of connecting the disconnected, Adu-Adjei promises to deliver 2024 to the NPP.



With expertise in research, Adu-Adjei plans to focus NPP mobilization on quality research and data with security and intelligence.



Bright Essilfie



The former parliamentary candidate for the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa constituency in the central region Hon. Bright Essilfie Kumi is the next to declare his ambition to contest for the National Organizer position.



His posters hit social media some weeks ago and he later confirmed his decision to lead the party as its National Organizer.



According to Mr. Essilfie Kumi, he is coming with a different mindset to sustain the reign of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to help the party hold on to power to sustain the development of the country.



NPP is set to conduct its National Executive Election by July 2022 to elect various officers.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has replied critics who imply he has now jumped ship and tied his apron strings to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).



Following his resignation and subsequent suspension from the NDC and his recent utterances that appear to be in sync with the ideology of the governing NPP, Allotey Jacobs is tagged by some people as an NPP member.



However, the former NDC Regional Chairman hasn't hidden his devotion for the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as he, on a number of times, vouched for him to be the next President of Ghana.



But never has Allotey Jacobs specifically responded to his critics who accuse him of joining the NPP.



Appearing on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Wednesday morning, a texter purported that he (Allotey) should publicly declare his allegiance to the NPP.



Setting the record straight, the vociferous social communicator sought to put closure to all questions and doubts about where his political allegiance lies.



In a brief note, he asserted; "I will never join NPP but I will vote for Bawumia."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Vietnam Airlines launches Re-discover Vietnam programme in Singapore

The representative office of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in Singapore on April 12 launched the Fly Vietnam Airlines, Re-discover Vietnam programme with the aim of introducing and promoting the countrys post-pandemic safe tourism.

This is the first among a series of events to be held by Vietnam Airlines and its partners over the world. After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the carrier has to date re-operated flights to many markets, and Singapore is the first that it has resumed two-way services.



Vietnam has gained positive results in its vaccination roll-out and officially re-opened its door to foreign visitors on March 15.



In the first quarter of this year, the number of international tourists and the volume of goods through Vietnams airports surged by 176% and 113%, respectively, compared to those in the previous quarter.



Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung appreciated Vietnam Airlines' initiative to organise the programme.



According to the diplomat, the tourism and hospitality industries are not the only sectors benefiting from the resumption of normal travel between the two countries. As Singapore has been Vietnam's largest foreign investor in the past two years, the resumption of travel creates favourable conditions for investors from both countries and gives great hope for a more vibrant future.



Also at the launching ceremony, Vietnam Airlines and its partners - Thien Minh Group (TMG), Vinpearl, and Caravelle - introduced new, attractive and safe tour packages to agents, businesses and customers in Singapore. The airline is currently operating 18 flights per week between Singapore and Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From June 1, it will open more direct flights from Singapore to Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Nha Trang.



Travellers are allowed to exchange tickets for free of charge if they unfortunately contract COVID-19 and cannot depart as planned.


China will maintain its dynamic zero-COVID approach as the country is at a critical moment in the fight against COVID-19, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC) said Tuesday.



The epidemic is still surging and spreading, NHC spokesperson Mi Feng told a press conference. The Chinese mainland Monday recorded 1,251 locally transmitted confirmed cases and 23,295 asymptomatic cases.

Mi highlighted the importance of rapid response measures, including nucleic acid testing, the construction of quarantine facilities, and treatment of the infected to cut off the spread of the virus in communities as soon as possible.

He also demanded efforts to guarantee the supply of daily necessities and meet the people's needs for medication and medical treatment.

Measures should also be taken to inoculate more people against COVID-19, particularly the elderly, the spokesperson said.

So far, more than 1.24 billion Chinese people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, accounting for 88.3% of the total population, said the NHC, adding 719.3 million people have received their booster shots.

Among the country's 264 million people aged 60 and above, 213.3 million have been fully vaccinated and 150.8 million received boosters.
Ghanas Dancing Pallbearers have pledged to donate $250,000 of the proceeds from the Coffin Dance meme recently auctioned to Ukraine.



On Saturday, April 9, 3F Music came out on top in the bidding round, purchasing the 10-second meme for $1,046,079.54 (327.00ETH) in one of the historic Non-Fungible Token (NFT) auctions.



This was after the video meme was minted by the dancing pallbearers team on April 7.



According to the leader of the pallbearers, Benjamin Aidoo, the money will be donated to Ukrainian charities to help mitigate the hardship brought about by the ongoing war with Russia.



Taking to social media, Benjamin Aidoo also congratulated the Dubai-based music production company on winning the bid.



The Foundation, Come Back Alive, is said to receive the donation from the Ghanaian group.



In 2020, the group of young men managed to turn funerals into rather hearty transitions.



Videos went viral depicting the men demonstrating their casket-carrying skills by orchestrating a choreographed routine, lifting and lowering the casket, and even sitting on the floor if need be.



The $1,046,079.54 bid places the meme among some of the most valuable NFTs to have crossed the million-dollar mark worldwide.

Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " In 1872, Democratic presidential candidate Horace Greeley died on Nov. 29, between the general election and the casting of electoral votes. DDDB/Deniz Genc/Steve Z Mina/Getty

Every four years, the United States plunges into a quagmire of political fear mongering, divisiveness and character assassination  deeper into that quagmire, anyway. We're, of course, talking about the presidential election. And every four years, people ask: What happens if one of the candidates dies during the election?

It's an awkward but reasonable inquiry. The peaceful, orderly transfer of power is a defining trait of a working democracy, but the death of a candidate could throw a wrench in that process. It's happened once before in the United States in 1872.

That's when Horace Greeley joined a group of Republican dissenters who were against then-president Ulysses S. Grant's reelection, and formed the Liberal Republican Party. The party nominated Greeley for president.

Greeley gained more than 40 percent of the popular vote, but before the Electoral College met, Greeley died. Three electors pledged their votes for him anyway; other electors cast their Greeley votes for minor candidates instead. When the ballots went to Congress, lawmakers passed a measure declaring the Greeley votes invalid and certified the win for Grant. In the end, Grant was reelected with 286 electoral votes.

So what this means is the repercussions of a candidate's death depend primarily on when it occurs. And at some stages in the election process, it's not really clear what would happen.

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Quick Civics Refresher

The United States is a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, so the people don't actually elect the president. U.S. voters elect the members of the Electoral College, and the members of the Electoral College elect the president.

So the presidential-election process goes like this: The people vote, then the electors vote, then Congress counts the ballots, then a new president is sworn into office.

If a candidate dies before the general election but after they've secured their party's nomination, it's a relatively simple fix: The deceased candidate's party picks a replacement (who may or may not be the vice presidential candidate from the ticket), and that replacement is on the ballot on Election Day. Both the Republican and the Democratic parties have rules about how their parties would fill the vacancy.

If a candidate dies after the general election, it gets more complicated.

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After the People Have Spoken

If a candidate dies between the popular vote and the meeting of the Electoral College the parties follow the same process to fill the vacancy on the ticket. If the candidate that dies is on the winning ticket, it's still the party's responsibility to provide a new candidate their electors could vote into office.

But here, the political implications are more serious because it takes some of the power away from the people; they don't get to vote again. The replacement candidate's name goes on the Electoral College ballot only, and their political party expects its electors to vote the replacement candidate into office.

There's no federal law saying the electors have to vote for the new candidate. Theoretically, if the candidate to whom they pledged their votes dies and their party doesn't name a preferred successor, electors could vote for the party's VP candidate, a third-party candidate or a leading contender within their own party. But state laws vary on the matter.

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The President-Elect Problem

But what if the president-elect dies  meaning the winning presidential candidate dies after the election but before the inauguration on Jan. 20?

The 20th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides that if the president-elect dies, the rules of succession apply, and the vice-president-elect becomes the president-elect. Unfortunately, it's not clear when in the process a winning candidate becomes president-elect.

The winning candidate definitely assumes the title president-elect after Jan. 6, when Congress officially counts the Electoral College votes and declares a winner. But a winning presidential candidate has never died before being inaugurated, so Congress has never had to define president-elect.

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A Political Unknown

If the winning presidential candidate dies between Dec. 15 but before Jan. 6, Congress would have to decide whether to count the votes cast for them. If Congress chooses to validate the votes, the laws of presidential succession are carried out, and the winning candidate's vice president becomes president-elect. If Congress chooses not to validate the votes, however, the question will be whether the living candidate has a majority of the overall electoral votes. If they don't, then the 12th Amendment says the House of Representatives must elect the president from among the three candidates with the most votes.

In a two-person race, then, the breathing candidate wins.

In 2020, the people vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3; the Electoral College votes on Dec. 14, 2020; and Congress counts the electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021. The new president and vice president will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021.

Now That's Bipartisan Before the 12th Amendment passed in 1804, the candidate with the most electoral votes became president, and the runner-up became vice president, regardless of party affiliations.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Development aid money is used to build schools, connect villages to the electricity grid and expand health care in poorer countries. A detailed and up-to-date overview of development aid projects is important to ensure that the associated funds are used as efficiently as possible. So far, however, such an overview has been difficult to arrive at due to the large number of projects and donor institutions.

Malte Toetzke and Nicolas Banholzer, doctoral students at the MTEC Department of ETH Zurich, are working together with Professor Stefan Feuerriegel, who recently moved from ETH Zurich to LMU Munich, to provide more clarity about global development aid with a new method of analysis. The researchers use artificial intelligence (AI) to sort money flows into thematic groups. This makes it possible to see how funding is distributed across thematic areas, countries and years, and where action may be required. Their results were recently published in the journal Nature Sustainability.

How the algorithm works

The analysis is based on 3.2 million development aid projects implemented between 2000 and 2019, in which a total of 2.8 trillion US dollars were invested. Based on project descriptions, the AI-based algorithm divided the projects into 173 thematic categories. It had to take into account that these reports were not formally structured: they differed in language and text length, for example.

"You can think of the process as an attempt to read an entire library and sort similar books into topic-specific shelves," explains Malte Toetzke, first author and doctoral student at the Chair of Sustainability and Technology at ETH Zurich. "Our algorithm takes into account 200 different dimensions to determine how similar these 3.2 million projects are to each otheran impossible workload for a human being."

Compared to previous approaches, this categorisation is more differentiated; it emerges from the analysed projects, rather than from an existing classification system. "We can structure the many projects in great detail without having to know in advance exactly what we are looking for," says Toetzke. "This has allowed us to find categories that have not been systematically analysed before or have only recently become topical."

Trends and transparency

Toetzke notes that the analysis suggests thematic trends in development aid. "In recent years," he says, "more and more money has gone to projects in the areas of inclusion and equality for disadvantaged groups, climate change and sustainability, and support for private businesses."

In the area of climate change, the authors delve even deeper. On the one hand, they show that development aid for projects dedicated to adapting to the consequences of climate change has doubled since the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. At the same time, however, money for the entire environmental sector, which in addition to climate change adaptation also includes areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency and preserving biodiversity, have declined slightly since 2015. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that the international community has only partially fulfilled the promise it made in Paris to increase development aid for projects that address climate change.

Better coordination with a global overview

The research project enables a global overview of money flows in development aid for the first time. "Only if we know which countries, areas and organizations are being supported can projects be meaningfully coordinated at the global level," says Nicolas Banholzer of the Chair of Management Information Systems at ETH, and one of the co-authors.

AI-powered monitoring can also help development organizations make better, data-driven decisions in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Explore further Artificial intelligence facilitates better control of global development aid

More information: Malte Toetzke et al, Monitoring global development aid with machine learning, Nature Sustainability (2022). Journal information: Nature Sustainability Malte Toetzke et al, Monitoring global development aid with machine learning,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00874-z
The J1858 field at radio frequencies. Credit: Rhodes et al, 2022

Using the MeerKAT radio telescope and the Arcminute Microkelvin ImagerLarge Array (AMI-LA), astronomers have conducted a radio monitoring campaign of the outburst of a recently discovered X-ray binary known as Swift J1858.60814. Results of these observations, presented April 4 on arXiv.org, shed more light into the nature of this source.

X-ray binaries (XRBs) consist of a normal star or a white dwarf transferring mass onto a compact neutron star or a black hole. Most black hole XRBs and some neutron star XRBs show transient events that are characterized by outbursts in the X-ray band.

Swift J1858.60814 (or J1858 for short) is a neutron star XRB that was first identified by NASA's Swift spacecraft during an outburst in October 2018. The system is located some 41,700 light years away, and its orbital period is estimated to be approximately 0.83 days.

In order to better understand the nature and behavior of J1858, a team of astronomers led by Lauren Rhodes of the University of Oxford, UK, has commenced radio observations of this source. The MeerKAT observations were made at a central frequency of 1.28 GHz with a bandwidth of 856 MHz split into 4,096 channels. When it comes to AMI-LA, the observations were made at 15.5 GHz with a bandwidth of 5 GHz, binned to 8 channels.

"We present the results of our long term radio monitoring campaign at 1.3GHz (MeerKAT) and 15.5 GHz (Arcminute Microkelvin ImagerLarge Array, AMI-LA) for the outburst of the recently discovered neutron star X-ray binary Swift J1858.60814," the researchers wrote in the paper.

As a result of the monitoring campaign, the team has observed self-absorbed radio emission from Swift J1858.60814 and recorded two radio flares. This is consistent with a quasi-steady compact jet as expected in the hard X-ray spectral state. The radio light curves of the source showcase little significant long term variability.

By analyzing one of the flares, the researchers managed to determine the magnetic field and minimum energy of J1858's jet. The magnetic field was found to be at a level of 2.0 G, while the energy was estimated to be around 50 undecillion erg. The astronomers added that at the peak of the flare, the emission region size was measured to be some 100 million kilometers.

Based on the results, the authors of the paper concluded that J1858 appears to be a very radio-luminous atoll-type or faint Z source neutron star binary. The so-called atoll sources share some characteristics with black hole XRBs as they have similar X-ray spectra and timing properties. However, they differ in their radio properties where atoll sources are 27 times less radio luminous. When it comes to Z sources, they evolve much more quickly than those of atoll-type. In general, they are more X-ray and radio luminous than atoll sources.

The astronomers underlined that despite the wealth of observations and data, they were unable to definitively determine whether J1858 is an atoll or Z source. Further studies are required in order to correctly classify this system.

More information: L. Rhodes et al, Long term radio monitoring of the neutron star X-ray binary Swift J1858.6-0814. arXiv:2204.01598v1 [astro-ph.HE], L. Rhodes et al, Long term radio monitoring of the neutron star X-ray binary Swift J1858.6-0814. arXiv:2204.01598v1 [astro-ph.HE], arxiv.org/abs/2204.01598

 2022 Science X Network
Rhinos in Kenya. Credit: Nick Harvey Sky

New research from The University of Manchester, in collaboration with Kenyan conservationists and scientists, has examined data from the Critically Endangered Kenyan black rhino populations which suggest that individuals really matter when assessing the impact of poaching on species' survival chances.

The research published today in journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, demonstrates that poaching combined with individual rhino's reproductive variance, or how successful mums are at raising young, leads to a greater than first thought risk to the survival of the black rhino.

In the case of these rhino, reproductive variance increased extinction risk by as much as 70% when combined with poaching.

Within black rhino populations (and most likely in most animals), some individuals have more babies than others. This variation increases existing estimates of extinction risk, especially when there is poaching. This is because indiscriminate killing can lead to some of these important animals which contribute a greater number of offspring being removed.

Susanne Shultz, Professor of Evolutionary Ecology and conservation at The University of Manchester said: "Preventing population declines is a crucial step for stopping biodiversity loss. In this study, we identified how losing key rhinos can make small populations very vulnerable, which can help us design more effective conservation actions."

The new research is important because it shows that we may underestimate risk (or overestimate viability) if we do not recognize that some individuals contribute a lot more to the population (and their loss will have a much bigger impact).

Lead author on the work, Dr. Nick Harvey Sky said: "This study shows that poaching has effects on rhinos beyond the death of targeted individuals. The deaths of healthy females that would have gone on to produce lots of calves can make whole populations more vulnerable to extinction."

Estimating the extinction risk faced by different populations is vital for conservation. This can be affected by differences in breeding success between individual females (called reproductive skew), but reproductive skew is not often included in predictions of future population growth because it requires detailed individual breeding histories.

This information is available for the Critically Endangered eastern black rhino because of intensive monitoring to protect them from poaching. The University of Manchester has collaborated closely with Kenyan rhino managers, scientists and security teams who have meticulously recorded births and deaths for decades. Across three Kenyan populations of black rhinos on Lew Wildlife Conservancy, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy, the researchers found that there is significant variation in breeding success between females, with many females not breeding or doing so very slowly.

Dr. John Jackson, Post-doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford said: "For me, our study really highlights a deadly combination of small populations, individual differences, and poaching for vulnerable populations. When working in combination, these factors can completely reshape the fate of an endangered species."

Crucially, variation in female breeding success can exacerbate the effects of poaching, especially on small populations. If key individuals, ones that breed very well, are killed then it can make the whole population more vulnerable to extinction. This highlights how important it is to protect rhinos from poaching. It may be possible to even out the variation in breeding success by creating new rhino reserves, moving rhinos between current reserves, or even creating more valuable habitat, but the causes of reproductive skew must first be identified. Differences between individuals in their contribution of young to at risk populations is likely an issue across many more species and should be evaluated when assessing their risk of extinction.

Explore further Rare birth of Sumatran rhino brings hope for endangered species

More information: Nick Harvey Sky et al, Female reproductive skew exacerbates the extinction risk from poaching in the eastern black rhino, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Nick Harvey Sky et al, Female reproductive skew exacerbates the extinction risk from poaching in the eastern black rhino,(2022). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0075
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

State biologists on Wednesday recommended against designating the western Joshua tree as threatened with extinction, saying claims in a petition filed by environmentalists about the effects climate change will have on the living symbols of the California desert are premature.

A final decision by the Fish and Game Commission on the petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity is expected in June. If not listed, it will be up to local jurisdictions to set limits on development of commercial, residential and solar and wind projects across thousands of acres of southeastern California's sunniest real estate.

About 40% of the western Joshua tree's range is on private land where a state endangered-species law would apply, according to the petition. The area includes the rapidly growing cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Hesperia, Victorville and Yucca Valley.

The western Joshua tree "is currently abundant and widespread," wrote authors of a 158-page analysis made public Wednesday. This abundance "substantially lowers the threat of extinction within the foreseeable future," the document said.

The analysis determined that scientific evidence currently possessed by state wildlife authorities "does not demonstrate that populations of the species are negatively trending in a way that would lead the department to believe that the species is likely to be in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future."

Advocates of western Joshua trees vigorously objected to the recommendation.

"Current domestic and global warming trends cast doubt on the tree's future survival," said Brendan Cummings, conservation director of the Center for Biological Diversity and a resident of the San Bernardino County desert community of Joshua Tree. "The species will likely be close to extinction in California by century's end," she said.

"Put another waywhen the Titanic hit the iceberg, the ship's captain didn't wait until nearly every one on board had drowned to issue an SOS," he added. "But that is essentially what state biologists are asking us to do with western Joshua trees in distress."

As of this month, the entire range of the western Joshua tree remains in severe or extreme drought conditions that a recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report predicted may become the norm after 2030. Scientific modeling suggests the western Joshua tree in Joshua Tree National Park will lose upwards 90% of its current range by the end of the century.

Recognizing a species as warranting protection under the California Endangered Species Act primarily due to the threat of climate change, however, is something that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has never done before.

The polar bear became the first and only creature designated as threatened with extinction primarily because of global warming when it was added to the federal endangered species list in 2008. But federal authorities also issued special rules designed to exempt from the law offshore oil and gas drilling in prime polar bear habitat off Alaska's north coast.

Jeremy Yoder, an evolutionary geneticist at California State University Northridge, was disappointed by Wednesday's recommendation. "We should take care of these trees now, before we have fewer options to work with," he said.

Yoder suggests identifying areas where trees are struggling and replanting them with seeds genetically calibrated to withstand the harshest conditions. More research is needed, however, to identify such areas with confidence, he said.

The western Joshua tree is one of two genetically distinct species that occur in California. It has a boomerang-shaped range that extends westward from Joshua Tree National Park to the northern slopes of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains, then northward along the eastern flanks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and then eastward to the edges of Death Valley National Park.

The eastern Joshua Tree's range in California is centered in the Mojave National Preserve and eastward into Nevada. As many as a million eastern Joshua trees were incinerated by last year's Cima Dome fire in the preserve.

While both the western and eastern species of Joshua tree are of conservation concern, the fate of the western species is most in doubt. Although there are millions of western Joshua trees and its extinction is not imminent, recent studies show its range is contracting at lower elevations and its reproduction has all but come to a halt in many areas.

After the petition was filed in 2019, the state wildlife commission unanimously voted to advance the western Joshua tree to candidacy, saying there was substantial information indicating that listing may be warranted.

Since then, new scientific studies have been published on ever-increasing threats to its habitat: sprawl, renewable energy projects, military activities, grazing, off-road vehicles, mining projects, an ongoing boom in construction of warehouses in Victor Valley and Antelope Valley, and the most severe drought in at least 1,200 years.

Supporters of the petition include U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and environmental organizations led by Sierra Club California, Hispanic Access Foundation, Vet Voice Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association and the Native American Land Conservancy.

On a recent morning, Cummings hiked across a mile-square nature preserve near Joshua Tree National Park created, in part, to give federally endangered desert tortoises and more than 1,000 western Joshua trees within its boundaries a fighting chance for survival.

The twisted canopies of dagger-shaped leaves were festooned with large cream-colored blooms recently pollinated by half-inch-long moths.

But signs of distress included bark eaten off trunks by small mammals desperate for food and moisture. Some trees had been charred by brush fires in exotic grassesgrasses that feed off nitrogen heavy smog wafting in from Los Angeles. The forest had not reproduced baby Joshua trees in decades.

That's becauseaccording to scientistshotter, drier conditions, cause scant rainfall to evaporate more quickly than in years past. As a result, seedlings shrivel up and die before they can put down strong roots.

The low productive rate of the western Joshua tree may prevent it from expanding quickly enough into cooler and wetter habitat, scientists say. The tree's capacity for movement is about a few hundred yards a generation.

But devising an enforcement and permitting system for western Joshua trees presents formidable logistical challenges given their broad range and prevalence.

Then there's the renewable energy industry, which maintains that by helping to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, it is helping to mitigate climate change and the threat it poses to development of sensitive desert species such as the western Joshua tree.

The species scientists know as Yucca brevifolia reaches about 40 feet in height and lives about 200 years.

Judging from the seeds in fossilized dung, Joshua trees were once dispersed across desert landscapes with help from elephant-size giant ground sloths. But these sloths went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Today, antelope squirrels and other rodents are the Joshua tree's main agents of seed dispersal.

The trees' blossoms, roots, inner chambers and angular boughs sustain a great abundance and diversity of desert life: yucca moths, bobcats, desert night lizards, kangaroo rats and 20 species of birds including Scott's orioles, ladder backed woodpeckers and great horned owls.

More is at stake than their importance as a critical refuge for desert species. Joshua trees, which grow in the Mojave Desert and nowhere else, have become mainstays for movies, fashion shoots, advertising campaigns and wedding ceremonies.

They were named for the biblical figure Joshua by members of a band of Mormons traveling through the Cajon Pass back to Utah in 1857. They imagined the trees as shaggy prophets, their outstretched limbs pointing the way to their promised land.

During the 1980s, development in desert boom towns such as Lancaster and Palmdale replaced hundreds of thousands of Joshua trees with housing tracts and shopping centers. Many more were removed over the last decade to make way for renewable energy facilities.

Now, the biggest threat is climate change, according to Cameron Barrows, a research ecologist at UC Riverside, who said he wanted to see Joshua trees listed because such protections "might act as a catalyst toward creation of land use proposals that would benefit wildlife and developers alike."

In the meantime, environmentalists are hopeful the commission will still vote to list western Joshua trees.

"This recommendation is a subtle form of climate change denial," Cummings said. "Instead of taking action, they're kicking the can down the road."

Explore further Conservationists seek protection of California Joshua trees

2022 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A plan to return federally endangered California condors to a rugged and remote stretch of Northern California coastline and redwood forests is taking shape on Yurok tribal lands where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean.

The tribe believes the condor is a sacred animal, and it says annual releases of four to six captive-bred condors starting later this month are part of its "obligation to bring balance to the world." That's because in the absence of large carnivores such as grizzly bears, condors will do the lion's share of removing decaying carcasses from the ecosystem.

"We've been working toward these releases for 14 years," said Tiana Williams-Claussen, a tribal member and wildlife biologist with the Yurok condor program. "Now, the condor is coming home."

Meanwhile, a very different scenario is unfolding in Southern California, where federal wildlife authorities are taking the controversial step of helping smooth the regulatory path for a growing number of wind energy companies seeking permission to breed additional condors in captivity so they can replace any birds killed by spinning turbine blades.

The energy producers include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a plan that calls for it to provide about $1.3 million to produce additional condors at the Los Angeles Zoo, one of four facilities that raise captive-bred condors to increase the size of the free-flying population.

Critics of such proposals include John Wiens, a professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson and an expert on climate-related extinctions. "It's treating California condorsthe largest land bird in North Americalike livestock," he said. "It's also opening the door for sacrificing any number of other captive-bred imperiled species."

The captive breeding of condors began four decades ago as a means of rescuing the species from imminent extinction. Today, these programs are widely regarded as a success and have allowed for the condors' repopulation of Yurok tribal lands, as well as the replacement of birds killed by wind turbines.

However, the nation's urgent shift toward renewable energy has placed increasing demand on breeding programs as the operators of wind farms seek to address the killing of condors, golden eagles, bats and other species.

"We are glad that these permits are being pursuedbut it's unfortunate that this discussion is necessary," said Joel Merriman, director of the American Bird Conservancy's "bird-smart wind energy campaign."

"We understand that rearing and releasing birds is the only currently verified way to offset condor take," he added, "but would much prefer to see steps taken to prevent the loss of free-flying adult birds."

With a 9 1/2-foot wingspan, the California condor is the largest scavenging bird in the nation and a symbol of both a species on the brink of extinction and successfulyet still precariousefforts to restore imperiled populations.

Adult condors stand about 3 feet tall and weigh 17 to 25 pounds. Awkward on land, they soar up to 15,000 feet and travel 150 miles a day.

Gymnogyps californianus has been in jeopardy since the 1950s, when development began to encroach on the species' habitat and the now-banned pesticide DDT made condor eggshells so thin that they could not support life.

Some of the huge scavengers were shot or died of lead poisoning from spent ammunition left in the carcasses of hunted animals. Increasingly severe and frequent wildfires, along with disease, also took a toll on the species.

By 1984, it had become a crisis the public could not ignore. With only 27 California condors left on Earth, federal wildlife authorities and the California Fish and Game Commission, with strong support from wildlife advocates, established recovery efforts by capturing the few remaining wild condors, breeding them in captivity and releasing the birds in their historical range.

Today, the population of California condors is more than 500 individuals, including about 181 in captivity and 337 soaring over Ventura and Kern counties, the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Grand Canyon and Baja California, Mexico.

If the population continues to expand its range, scientists say, within a few decades the species may be eligible for down-listing from its current critically endangered status to threatened.

"It's been a huge success story," said Mike Scott, who in 1984 headed the massive effort by federal and state wildlife authorities and partner organizations to pull the California condor back from the brink. "But we're still dealing with a species heavily dependent upon human management to maintain its status in the wild."

California condors are not the only birds that are harmed by wind turbines.

The Department of Water and Power's Pine Tree wind farm, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, came under federal investigation in 2012 in connection with eight golden eagle carcasses found at the site over the previous two years.

In another recent case, ESI Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Next Era Energy Inc., on April 5 pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Wyoming to three counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in connection with the deaths of golden eagles due to blunt force trauma from being struck by wind turbine blades.

The company, which also acknowledged the deaths of at least 150 bald and golden eagles across its wind energy farms since 2012, was sentenced to a fine of $1.86 million, restitution in the amount of $6.2 million and five years' probation. During that time, the company must invest up to $27 million on measures to minimize additional raptor deaths and injuries.

"California has been awarded more than $4.6 million in restitution under this plea agreement for the deaths of at least 92 eagles within the state caused by the defendant and affiliated companies," said U.S. Atty. Phillip A. Talbert.

The DWP's condor mitigation proposal anticipates incidental "takes," or fatal injuries, of up to two free-flying adult condors and the loss of their two chicks or eggs over a period of 30 years, according to Federal Register documents.

The L.A. Zoo has produced, on average, five juvenile condors per year over the last 15 years.

"The L.A. Zoo estimates that the addition of another breeding enclosure would increase its annual production of fledglings by a minimum of 10%," federal documents say. A 10% increase in production due to the proposed improvements is expected to result in the release of 15 additional juvenile condors into the wild over the permit term, the documents say.

Carl Myers, a spokesman for the L.A. Zoo, declined to provide details of the institution's role in drafting a final plan that would be presented before the City Council. "The overall merits of the proposal are decided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, so the zoo cannot comment on that," he said. The $1.3-million offer from the DWP was "an estimate from 2018 and needs to be reassessed," he added.

The matter has not been brought to public attention, he said, because "the proposal is still being discussed."

The permit sought by the DWP is like one issued a year ago to Avangrid Renewables' Manzana Wind Power Project in southern Kern County. Avangrid's proposed mitigation project also anticipates incidental "takes," or fatal injuries, of up to two free-flying adult condors and the loss of their two chicks or two eggs over a period of 30 years.

It calls for providing $527,000 over three years to produce six condors at the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation.

The Manzana facility, which generates power for Los Angeles, parts of Silicon Valley and San Diego and Orange counties, has a current capacity of 189 megawatts.

A separate mitigation proposal being drafted by a consortium of wind energy farms in the Tehachapis would seek permits to take 11 condors over a period of 15 years.

In the meantime, the Yurok tribe has been preparing for what Williams-Claussen predicted would be "quite a shindig" to celebrate the launch of the immense birds they know as Prey-go-neesh.

Tribal biologists have already sampled seals and sea lions for organochlorine pesticides such as DDT and found them at lower levels than elsewhere in California. They have tested the blood of turkey vultures and ravens for lead exposure from ingested ammunition, mapped potential condor habitat, conducted hunter education programs and completed federal environmental reviews of their plan.

Soon, their managed flock of condors will be tearing into "tough hides to open large carcasses," Williams-Claussen said, making "them accessible to other scavengers such as turkey vultures, ravens, raccoons, skunks and foxes."

It is possible, scientists say, that some of the Yurok's condors are genetically related to Topa, a legendary avian father of several generations who has spent decades shielded from the public and highly protected behind a chain-link fence at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Like Seabiscuitthe pot-bellied, bow-legged racehorse who overcame his weaknesses to become a champion and a studTopa embodies the underdog myth for raptor specialists and condor enthusiasts. He was found dazed in a mountain bush in 1967, hanging upside down with an injured wing and smelling like rotten fish.

Topa's improbable story continues to lift the spirits of his keepers at the zoo, where he rules over serene digs furnished with perches and nesting boxes and bristling with closed-circuit surveillance cameras.

"At 58, Topa is the oldest California condor on record," said condor keeper Mike Clark, breaking into a proud smile. "And he's still going strong. How about that?"

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Centimeter-size pectinate-branching and parallel-aligned filaments composed of red hematite, some with twists, tubes and different kinds of hematite spheroids. These are the oldest microfossils on Earth, which lived on the sea-floor near hydrothermal vents, and they metabolized iron, sulfur and carbon dioxide. Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt, Quebec, Canada. Credit: Dominic Papineau

Diverse microbial life existed on Earth at least 3.75 billion years ago, suggests a new study led by UCL researchers that challenges the conventional view of when life began.

For the study, published in Science Advances, the research team analyzed a fist-sized rock from Quebec, Canada, estimated to be between 3.75 and 4.28 billion years old. In an earlier Nature paper, the team found tiny filaments, knobs and tubes in the rock which appeared to have been made by bacteria.

However, not all scientists agreed that these structuresdating about 300 million years earlier than what is more commonly accepted as the first sign of ancient lifewere of biological origin.

Now, after extensive further analysis of the rock, the team have discovered a much larger and more complex structurea stem with parallel branches on one side that is nearly a centimeter longas well as hundreds of distorted spheres, or ellipsoids, alongside the tubes and filaments.

The researchers say that, while some of the structures could conceivably have been created through chance chemical reactions, the "tree-like" stem with parallel branches was most likely biological in origin, as no structure created via chemistry alone has been found like it.

Layer-deflecting bright red concretion of haematitic chert (an iron-rich and silica-rich rock), which contains tubular and filamentous microfossils. This co-called jasper is in contact with a dark green volcanic rock in the top right and represent hydrothermal vent precipitates on the seafloor. Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt, Quebec, Canada. Canadian quarter for scale. Credit: D. Papineau.

The team also provide evidence of how the bacteria got their energy in different ways. They found mineralised chemical by-products in the rock that are consistent with ancient microbes living off iron, sulfur and possibly also carbon dioxide and light through a form of photosynthesis not involving oxygen.

These new findings, according to the researchers, suggest that a variety of microbial life may have existed on primordial Earth, potentially as little as 300 million years after the planet formed.

Lead author Dr. Dominic Papineau (UCL Earth Sciences, UCL London Center for Nanotechnology, Center for Planetary Sciences and China University of Geosciences) said: "Using many different lines of evidence, our study strongly suggests a number of different types of bacteria existed on Earth between 3.75 and 4.28 billion years ago."

"This means life could have begun as little as 300 million years after Earth formed. In geological terms, this is quickabout one spin of the Sun around the galaxy."

"These findings have implications for the possibility of extraterrestrial life. If life is relatively quick to emerge, given the right conditions, this increases the chance that life exists on other planets."

Three-dimensional micro-CT reconstruction of two parallel-aligned twisted filaments made of hematite. (The red and green colours represent hematite at different concentrations.) This comes from a pillar fabricated from the jasper nodule in the Nuvvuagittuq banded iron formation. Credit: Francesco Iacoviello

For the study, the researchers examined rocks from Quebec's Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB) that Dr. Papineau collected in 2008. The NSB, once a chunk of seafloor, contains some of the oldest sedimentary rocks known on Earth, thought to have been laid down near a system of hydrothermal vents, where cracks on the seafloor let through iron-rich waters heated by magma.

The research team sliced the rock into sections about as thick as paper (100 microns) in order to closely observe the tiny fossil-like structures, which are made of haematite, a form of iron oxide or rust, and encased in quartz. These slices of rock, cut with a diamond-encrusted saw, were more than twice as thick as earlier sections the researchers had cut, allowing the team to see larger haematite structures in them.

They compared the structures and compositions to more recent fossils as well as to iron-oxidizing bacteria located near hydrothermal vent systems today. They found modern-day equivalents to the twisting filaments, parallel branching structures and distorted spheres (irregular ellipsoids), for instance close to the Loihi undersea volcano near Hawaii, as well as other vent systems in the Arctic and Indian oceans.

As well as analyzing the rock specimens under various optical and Raman microscopes (which measure the scattering of light), the research team also digitally recreated sections of the rock using a supercomputer that processed thousands of images from two high resolution imaging techniques. The first technique was micro-CT, or microtomography, which uses X-rays to look at the haematite inside the rocks. The second was focused ion beam, which shaves away miniscule200 nanometre-thickslices of rock, with an integrated electron microscope taking an image in-between each slice.

Both techniques produced stacks of images used to create 3-D models of different targets. The 3-D models then allowed the researchers to confirm the haematite filaments were wavy and twisted, and contained organic carbon, which are characteristics shared with modern-day iron-eating microbes.

Dr Dominic Papineau holding a sample of the rock, estimated to be up to 4.28 billion years old. Credit: UCL / FILMBRIGHT

In their analysis, the team concluded that the haematite structures could not have been created through the squeezing and heating of the rock (metamorphism) over billions of years, pointing out that the structures appeared to be better preserved in finer quartz (less affected by metamorphism) than in the coarser quartz (which has undergone more metamorphism).

The researchers also looked at the levels of rare earth elements in the fossil-laden rock, finding that they had the same levels as other ancient rock specimens. This confirmed that the seafloor deposits were as old as the surrounding volcanic rocks, and not younger imposter infiltrations as some have proposed.

Prior to this discovery, the oldest fossils previously reported were found in Western Australia and dated at 3.46 billion years old, although some scientists have also contested their status as fossils, arguing they are non-biological in origin.

More information: Dominic Papineau, Metabolically diverse primordial microbial communities in Earth's oldest seafloor-hydrothermal jasper, Science Advances (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm2296 Dominic Papineau, Metabolically diverse primordial microbial communities in Earth's oldest seafloor-hydrothermal jasper,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2296 Matthew S. Dodd et al, Evidence for early life in Earth's oldest hydrothermal vent precipitates, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature21377 Journal information: Science Advances , Nature
Current theories predict that supermassive black holes begin their lives in the dust-shrouded cores of vigorously star-forming starburst galaxies before expelling the surrounding gas and dust and emerging as extremely luminous quasars. Whilst they are extremely rare, examples of both dusty starburst galaxies and luminous quasars have been detected in the early Universe. The team believes that GNz7q could be the missing link between these two classes of objects. Credit: ESA/Hubble, N. Bartmann

An international effort led by astrophysicists at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, and the Technical University of Denmark has identified a distant object with properties that lie between those of a galaxy and those of a so-called quasar. The object can be seen as the ancestor of a supermassive black hole, and it was born relatively soon after the Big Bang. Simulations had indicated that such objects should exist, but this is the first actual discovery.

"The discovered object connects two rare populations of celestial objects, namely dusty starbursts and luminous quasars, and thereby provides a new avenue toward understanding the rapid growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe," says Seiji Fujimoto, a postdoctoral fellow based at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen.

The discovery can be attributed to the Hubble Space Telescope operated jointly by ESA and NASA. With its location in space, the telescope can gaze further into the depths of the universe than would have been the case on the ground. And in astronomy, looking further equals being able to observe phenomena which took place at earlier cosmic periods, since light and other types of radiation travel longer to reach us.

The newly found objectnamed GNz7q by the teamwas born 750 million years after the Big Bang, which is generally accepted as the beginning of the universe as we know it. Since the Big Bang occurred about 13.8 billion years ago, GNz7q origins in an epoch known as "cosmic dawn."

The mystery of supermassive black holes

The discovery is linked to a specific type of quasars. Quasars, also known as quasi-stellar objects, are extremely luminous objects. Images from Hubble and other advanced telescopes have revealed that quasars occur in the centers of galaxies. The host galaxy for GNz7q is an intensely star-forming galaxy, forming stars at a rate 1,600 times faster than our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The stars, in turn, create and heat cosmic dust, making it glow in infrared to the extent that GNz7q's host is more luminous in dust emission than any other known object at this period of the cosmic dawn.

In the most recent years it has transpired, that luminous quasars are powered by supermassive black holes, with masses ranging from millions to tens of billions of solar masses, surrounded by vast amounts of gas. As the gas falls towards the black hole, it will heat up due to friction which provides the enormous luminous effect.

"Understanding how supermassive black holes form and grow in the early universe has become a major mystery. Theorists have predicted that these black holes undergo an early phase of rapid growth: a dust-reddened compact object emerges from a heavily dust-obscured starburst galaxy, then transitions to an unobscured luminous compact object by expelling the surrounding gas and dust," explains Associate Professor Gabriel Brammer, Niels Bohr Institute. "Although luminous quasars had already been found even at the earliest epochs of the universe, the transition phase of rapid growth of both the black hole and its star-bursting host had not been found at similar epochs. Moreover, the observed properties are in excellent agreement with the theoretical simulations and suggest that GNz7q is the first example of the transitioning, rapid growth phase of black holes at the dusty star core, an ancestor of the later supermassive black hole."

Both Seiji Fujimoto and Gabriel Brammer are part of the cosmic dawn Center (DAWN), a collaboration between Niels Bohr Institute and DTU Space.

The object, which is referred to as GNz7q, is shown here in the centre of the image of the Hubble GOODS-North field. Credit: NASA, ESA, G. Illingworth (University of California, Santa Cruz), P. Oesch (University of California, Santa Cruz; Yale University), R. Bouwens and I. Labbe (Leiden University), and the Science Team, S. Fujimoto et al. (Cosmic Dawn Center [DAWN] and University of Copenhagen)

Hiding in plain sight

Curiously, GNz7q was found at the center of an intensely studied sky field known as the Hubble GOODS North field.

"This shows how big discoveries can often be hidden right in front of you," Gabriel Brammer says.

Finding GNz7q hiding in plain sight was only possible thanks to the uniquely detailed, multi-wavelength datasets available for GOODS North. Without the richness of data, the object would have been easy to overlook, as it lacks the distinguishing features for quasars in the early universe.

"It's unlikely that discovering GNz7q within the relatively small GOODS-N survey was just "dumb luck," but rather that the prevalence of such sources may in fact be significantly higher than previously thought," Brammer adds.

The team now hopes to systematically search for similar objects using dedicated high-resolution surveys and to take advantage of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.

"Fully characterizing these objects and probing their evolution and underlying physics in much greater detail will become possible with the James Webb Telescope. Once in regular operation, Webb will have the power to decisively determine how common these rapidly growing black holes truly are," Seiji Fujimoto says.

A paper on the discovery of GNz7q, "A dusty compact object bridging galaxies and quasars at cosmic dawn," is published in the online edition of Nature on April 13, 2022.

Explore further Simulated Webb images of quasar and galaxy surrounding quasar

More information: Seiji Fujimoto, A dusty compact object bridging galaxies and quasars at cosmic dawn, Nature (2022). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04454-1 Journal information: Nature Seiji Fujimoto, A dusty compact object bridging galaxies and quasars at cosmic dawn,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04454-1
Map with approximate locations of the Maniq and other nearby populations included in the study. Credit: Genome Biology and Evolution (2022). DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac021

Residing in the hills of southern Thailand, the Maniq comprise one of the last hunter-gatherer communities in the world. Although the Maniq are geographically isolated, they share many cultural features with the Semang peoples, most of whom live over the border in Malaysia. Due to the complex relationships among the various communities in mainland Southeast Asia, anthropologists have long debated the demographic history of the area, with one, two, three, or four waves of human migration having been proposed for the region. A recent study in Genome Biology and Evolution by Tobias Gollner, Maximilian Larena, and colleagues titled "Unveiling the genetic history of the Maniq, a primary hunter-gatherer society" provides new insight into the Maniq and their relationships with other indigenous groups in mainland Southeast Asia.

The international team of researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria, Uppsala University in Sweden, and Khon Kaen University in Thailand studied 2.3 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 Maniq individuals who agreed to participate in the study. While a relatively small sample, this represents over 3% of the current Maniq population of ~250 individuals. The team then compared the data from the Maniq with both present-day populations and ancient DNA samples collected in the region.

"One of our main conclusions is that the Maniq are a very secluded community and have been separated from the other Semang for quite some time," says Gollner, first author of the study. As suggested by their cultural ties, the Maniq appeared to be most closely related to the Semang groups in Malaysia, indicating a recent shared history. Comparisons with other modern groups showed that the Maniq and Malay Semang populations shared alleles with indigenous Papuans and Andamanese, indicating "deep historical relationships among these populations," according to the study's authors.

The study also revealed that the Maniq exhibited similarities to ancient DNA samples associated with the Hoabinhian, a cultural complex of ancient hunter-gatherers thought to be the ancestors of present-day hunter-gatherers in mainland Southeast Asia. In the past, Hoabinhian-related populations were more widespread, with descendants found in Laos, southern China, and even as far as Japan. According to the study's authors, however, "due to the recent expansion of East Asian-related groups, the Hoabinhian-related cultural communities were either displaced, replaced, or absorbed into the larger population of farmer migrants." The study reveals that this was not the case with the Maniq, who remained largely isolated and retained their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, "making them one of the few groups in mainland Asia carrying high levels of Hoabinhian-related ancestry."

The study did find evidence for some East Asian ancestry among the Maniq. "The most plausible model for the ancestral source of the Maniq is a combination of both Andamanese and East Asian-related ancestries," posit the authors, with relative contributions of roughly 65% and 35%, respectively. The researchers estimated that this East Asian ancestry was introduced into the Maniq population approximately 700 years ago, likely via their Malay Semang neighbors.

The most striking finding of the study was the high degree of genetic differentiation exhibited by the Maniq, which was higher than what has been observed for the Mangyan Buhid of the Philippines and comparable to that of the Surui of Brazil, suggesting that the Maniq are more genetically differentiated than virtually any other known human population worldwide. This is likely due to a combination of genetic drift, a long history of geographic and cultural isolation, their historically small population size, and their cultural practice of marrying largely within their own society.

To validate these findings, Gollner hopes to conduct additional studies with larger sample sizes or full genome sequencing data. He notes that the current study and any future work "is only possible thanks to the participation of the Maniq and their long-standing relationship with our cultural anthropologist, Helmut Lukas." Such studies are made more difficult however by the fact that the Maniq currently face several challenges, including intrusion from outsiders, ethnic discrimination, and most notably, the deforestation of the rainforest, limiting their ability to hunt, gather, and follow a traditional lifestyle. Says Gollner, "While solutions will have to be led by the Maniq and other citizens of Thailand, we hope that highlighting the importance of the Maniq will inspire change and help to protect their way of life."

Explore further New findings unveil a missing piece of human prehistory

More information: Tobias Gollner et al, Unveiling the Genetic History of the Maniq, a Primary Hunter-Gatherer Society, Genome Biology and Evolution (2022). Tobias Gollner et al, Unveiling the Genetic History of the Maniq, a Primary Hunter-Gatherer Society,(2022). DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac021
A Swedish eco alliance released a report to contribute to China's carbon neutrality goal in Beijing on April 11.

The report, titled "Towards carbon neutrality: How can Sweden support China in sustainable urban development to achieve carbon neutrality?", was released by the China-Sweden Hammarby Eco City Alliance, which was established in 2019 by Business Sweden and several Swedish companies with an aim to provide sustainable urbanization solutions for China.

The report is dedicated to facilitating international cooperation in achieving carbon neutrality and promoting sustainable urbanization in China.

During the launch ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to China Helena Sangeland celebrated the report, which discusses in detail Sweden's experience and models in sustainable urban development and introduces achievements from China-Sweden cooperation.

The report comes at a time when almost all countries in the world have reached a consensus on carbon neutrality. How to reduce urban carbon emissions amid growing urbanization is something that must be considered by governments and enterprises, according to Joakim Abeleen, trade and investment commissioner and market area director for Greater China at Business Sweden.

Hammarby Sjostad, a run-down industrial area in Sweden's capital Stockholm in the 1990s, is a prominent example of sustainable urban development. The alliance put the Hammarby model into a Chinese context and established Yantai Hammarby Eco City, with a focus on green development, community, safety, comfort and digital technology in east China's Shandong province.

During the event, White Peak, a leading European residential developer in China and a member of the alliance, signed an agreement with Qingdao Metro Real Estate Limited to bring the Hammarby model to Qingdao city in Shandong province. Going forward, White Peak plans to continue to develop projects based on the Hammarby model in Shandong, Hebei and Liaoning provinces, according to Jesper Jos Olsson, CEO and founding partner of White Peak.

During the panel discussion that followed, the guests shared insights into the challenges China is facing in using green technology, integration of China's real estate market with sustainable urban development, and Chinese innovations in localizing the Hammarby model.
Sari Nurulita with high and low yielding garlic, which share the same viruses. Credit: University of Queensland

Garlic has traditionally been used to ward off evil spirits, but its reputed powers do not stop it from being infected by multiple viruses.

University of Queensland plant virologist Associate Professor John Thomas said garlic was unique, as it was difficult to get virus-free garlic anywhere in the world.

"There can be up to 10 or 12 viruses in infected plants and most garlic plants would have at least six viruses," Dr. Thomas said. "All Australian commercial garlic varieties have viruses, which doesn't seem to affect taste or nutrition, but does have an impact on the crop's yield."

Understanding that suite of viruses and their impact is the problem Dr. Thomas, UQ colleagues Dr. Stephen Harper and Associate Professor Andrew Geering, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' Dr. Kathy Crew and Ph.D. candidate Sari Nurulita, are investigating.

Nurulita's doctoral study aims to develop reliable virus detection tests and investigate why both superior and inferior garlic plants share the same viral profile.

"Garlic is a vegetatively propagated crop, and once it's been infected, all the progeny are infected," Dr. Thomas said. "It's also possible for the crop to collect more viruses in the field, but not lose any plants."

He said in previous work led by Dr. Harper and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, researchers grew higher performing bulbs among virus-infected garlic crops.

"Through breeding selections over generations, Dr. Harper was getting three times the yield from the best selections," Dr. Thomas said. "However, Ms. Nurulita's work shows these elite garlic selections are still infected by the virus complement and we don't know why that is occurring."

Nurulita also investigated the viruses concentrations using next-generation sequencing, and mapped the full genomes of the viruses.

"I did not find any significant differences in the viruses levels and was unable to determine a clear-cut difference between the two different lines of elite and poor performing garlic seed," Nurulita said.

Dr. Thomas said the team had also tried tissue culture propagation to generate virus-free garlic, but without success.

"We think maybe gene silencing is happening naturally in the plant," he said. "It may depend on which virus gets the upper hand in a particular clove, or the order they are infected in. There are so many different possibilities and it's not a simple matter. But we are going to look at absolute levels of virus to see whether we can determine if gene silencing is responsible."

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KIT researchers study future development of the groundwater level. Forecasts reveal: Groundwater levels in Germany threaten to fall in the next decades. Credit: Markus Breig, KIT

Climate change directly affects groundwater resources. Groundwater levels in Germany threaten to fall in the next decades. This is the result of a study made by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). It is now published in Nature Communications.

The experts from BGR and KIT used AI-based forecast models to find out how climate change will affect groundwater resources in Germany in the 21st century. They applied deep learning methods to assess on the basis of groundwater data from all over the Germany the development of groundwater levels for different locations and climate scenarios defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These scenarios ranged from an assumed increase of global mean temperature by less than 2 degrees Celsius until 2100, the target defined by the Paris Climate Agreement, to a moderate scenario (plus 2.6 degrees) to the so-called business-as-usual scenario that is based on the absence of any climate protection measures and an increase in temperature by up to 5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial level. "Our scientific study exclusively covered direct climatic impacts and changes. Anthropogenic factors, such as groundwater extraction, were not considered," says Andreas Wunsch from KIT's Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW), first author of the study.

Left: Mean changes of the groundwater level (in percent) in 2100 compared to 2014 for all locations studied and climate projections for the business-as-usual scenario.Right: Heat maps of the modeled groundwater levels for an exemplary location. Credit: KIT/BGR

Forecasts reveal falling groundwater levels are independent of the scenario

According to the experts, all three climate scenarios studied lead to more or less strong developments with droughts, falling groundwater levels, and a changed water availability. While less pronounced trends were obtained for the two more optimistic scenarios, KIT and BGR experts found a trend toward significantly falling groundwater levels at most locations for the strongest of the three warming scenarios. "The results of this prognosis are particularly relevant to the near future, as this scenario is closest to today's situation," says Dr. Tanja Liesch, AGW.

"Future negative impacts will be particularly visible in North and East Germany, where the corresponding developments have already started. Here, longer periods of low groundwater levels threaten to occur by the end of the century in particular," says Dr. Stefan Broda, BGR. For the two weaker warming scenarios, this trend is not that severe. KIT and BGR experts think that this indicates that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions may have a positive impact on future groundwater levels.

The published results were obtained within the BGR project MENTOR that is aimed at developing an AI-based method for nationwide forecast of groundwater levels.

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More information: Andreas Wunsch et al, Deep learning shows declining groundwater levels in Germany until 2100 due to climate change, Nature Communications (2022). Andreas Wunsch et al, Deep learning shows declining groundwater levels in Germany until 2100 due to climate change,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28770-2
The golden toad was the first species where climate change has been identified as a key driver of extinction.

Those lucky enough to have seen them will never forget.

For just a few days every year, the elfin cloud forest of Costa Rica came alive with crowds of golden toads the length of a child's thumb, emerging from the undergrowth to mate at rain-swelled pools.

In this mysterious woodland the cloud drapes over mountain ridges and "the trees are dwarfed and wind-sculpted, gnarled and heavily laden with mosses," said J Alan Pounds, an ecologist at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in Costa Rica.

"The soils are very dark and so golden toads would stand out like animal figurines. It was quite a spectacle."

Then in 1990, they were gone.

The golden toad was the first species where climate change has been identified as a key driver of extinction.

Its fate could be just the beginning.

For years, researchers have warned that the world is facing both a climate and a biodiversity crisis. Increasingly they say they are connected.

One in 10 face extinction

Even if warming is capped at the ambitious target of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says nearly one in 10 of all species face an extinction threat.

The golden toad was only found in Monteverde's highland forest. So when trouble hit, the species was completely wiped out.

"It was pretty clear about 99 percent of the population declined within a single year," said Pounds, whose research into the disappearance of the golden toad was cited in the IPCC's February report on climate impacts.

Climate change was barely on the research radar when Pounds first arrived in Costa Rica in the early 1980s to study amphibians.

But global warming was already beginning to take its toll.

In the cloud forests of Costa Rica clouds drapes over mountain ridges.

After the disappearance of the golden toad, the Monteverde harlequin frog and others, researchers compared datasets on temperature and weather patterns with those on local species.

They found not only the signature of the periodic El Nino weather phenomenon, but also trends linked to changes in climate.

Climate 'trigger'

The die-offs occurred after unusually warm and dry periods.

Pounds and his colleagues linked the declines to chytridiomycosis infection, but concluded that disease was only the "bulletclimate change was pulling the trigger.

"We hypothesised that climate change and resultant extreme events were somehow loading the dice for these kinds of outbreaks," Pounds told AFP.

It was not an isolated incident.

The expansion of the chytrid fungus globally, along with local climate change "is implicated in the extinction of a wide range of tropical amphibians," according to the IPCC.

The fingerprints of global warming have since been seen in other disappearances.

The Bramble Cay melomys, a small rodent living on a low-lying island in the Torres Strait, was last seen in 2009.

The only mammal endemic to the Great Barrier Reef, its populations were battered by sea-level rise, increased storm surges and tropical cyclonesall made worse by climate change.

Vegetation that provided its food plummeted from 11 plant species in 1998 to just two in 2014. It was recently declared extinct.

Today, climate change is listed as a direct threat to 11,475 species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Around 5,775 are at risk of extinction.

Graphic on the golden toad species whose extinction has been blamed on global warming.

#MeToo for species

The main reason why climate change is increasingly cited as a threat to so many species is that its impacts are becoming more obvious, said Wendy Foden, the head of the IUCN's climate change specialist group.

But there is also a growing understanding of the enormous variety of effects.

Beyond extreme weather, warming can also cause species to move, change behaviour or even skew to having more male or female offspring.

And that's on top of other human threats like poaching, deforestation, overfishing and pollution.

In 2019, a report by UN biodiversity report experts said one million species could disappear in the coming decades, raising fears that the world is entering a sixth era of mass extinction.

"It's absolutely terrifying," said Foden, adding that warnings of catastrophic biodiversity loss have often been overlooked.

"We need a #MeToo movement for species, a whole wake up on what we are doing."

Almost 200 countries are currently locked in global biodiversity talks to try to safeguard nature, including a key milestone of 30 percent of Earth's surface protected by 2030.

But Foden said the threat of climate change means that the response will have to go beyond traditional conservation.

"That can't happen anymore, even in the most remote wilderness, climate change will affect it," Foden said.

In some cases, people will need to choose which species to save.

Take the endangered African penguin in South Africa, which Foden wrote about for the IPCC report on climate impacts.

Forced to nest in the open after humans mined their guano nesting sites, the adults now have to swim ever further to find fish, likely because of a combination of overfishing and climate change. Meanwhile, the chicks in exposed nests can die from heat stress.

"We are down to the last 7,000 breeding pairs. At this point, every penguin counts," Foden said.

Africa's only nesting penguin was reclassified as endangered last year after being nearly wiped out.

Cloudless forest

In Monteverde, even the clouds have changed.

While rainfall has increased somewhat over the past 50 years, Pounds said it has become much more variable.

In the 1970,s the forest saw around 25 dry days a year on averagein the last decade it has been more like 115.

The mist that used to keep the forest wet during the dry season has reduced by around 70 percent.

Pounds said sometimes tourists in the area stop him and ask directions to the Cloud Forest.

"And I say: 'You're in it,'" he said.

"It often feels more like a dust forest than a cloud forest."

Researchers have also seen steep declines in frogs, snakes and lizards and changes in the bird populations. Some have moved uphill to cooler areas, others have vanished from the area completely.

As for the golden toad, last year a team from the Monteverde Conservation League, supported by the conservation group Re:wild, launched an expedition to look for the golden toad in its historic habitat in the Children's Eternal Rainforest, after tantalising rumours of sightings.

But in vain.

Meanwhile, Pounds and his colleagues continue to keep an eye out for the golden toad during the rainy season.

"We haven't completely given up," he said.

"But with each passing year, it looks less likely that they're going to reappear."

 2022 AFP
Graphical abstract. Credit: Chem (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.11.007

Sometimes making a brand-new type of box requires outside-the-box thinking, which is exactly what Spartan chemists used to create an eight-atom, magnetic cube.

That tiny box is at the heart of a new magnetic molecule that could power future technologies for data storage, quantum computing and more.

"In the beginning, our approach seemed like a really wild idea," said Selvan Demir, an assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Natural Science. "But, it turns out it works."

Demir and her team published their work in the journal Chem, which featured the research on the cover of its March 10 issue.

Part of what made the researchers' idea so wild was their choice to work with starting ingredients that are notoriously finicky in the chemistry community.

One ingredient is a group of elements referred to as lanthanides, which occupy a special row toward the bottom of the periodic table of elements. The other is the metallic element bismuth, which doesn't typically get too much attention (although some may recognize it from its role in bright pink antacids such as Pepto Bismol).

"If you would have asked me when I started at MSU, "Will you do bismuth chemistry?" I probably would have said, "No. Why would I do that?'" Demir said. "Bismuth chemistry is generally viewed as dull. But it turns out that bismuth combines with other elements in surprisingly rich ways."

By finding a way to combine the bismuth with a lanthanide elementnotably terbium or dysprosiumthey created a molecule with permanent magnetic features. It's the same magnetism found in bar magnets and hard disk drives, but at a much smaller scale.

The small scale of molecular magnets offers technological opportunities, such as improving the storage capacity of magnetic hard drives. There are also emerging applications where conventional magnets may simply be too large to contribute, such as in processors for quantum computers.

The first single-molecule magnet was discovered about 30 years ago and, since then, researchers have been seeking new varieties with different physical and chemical attributes. They've also been working to develop more creative chemical approaches to make the magnets. Here, the Demir group's work stands out.

Ze-Yu Ruan and Ming-Liang Tong, chemists at Sun Yat-Sen University in China who were not involved in the research, described the project as "unprecedented" and "impressive" in a preview article for the journal Chem.

"This was probably the most difficult thing I've made with my team," Demir said.

"The result was at first unexpected, but after discovering it, we optimized the synthesis to target the compound for analysis. We probably had to run 100 reactions to find the best conditions to make it."

The molecule itself, though, looks simple, belying the complexity of the process required to make it. The top and bottom of the molecule are capped with rings of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Each ring is linked to a lanthanide that forms a cube with the bismuth atoms.

"The lanthanide metals are kind of sitting on a throne that looks like the 'chair' structure of cyclohexane, a special structural motif familiar in organic chemistry," Demir said. "It's very stable."

That stability comes in handy here because nature usually doesn't like to make cubes.

Despite the complexity of the process, the sensitivity of the ingredients involved, and the challenges of its structural and physical characterization, the Spartan scientists succeeded in discovering a brand-new type of single-molecule magnet.

"We're the first ones worldwide to make this. I think that's cool," Demir said. "It's not every day you get to find a new path to something. But it's the challenge of work in this kind of uncharted, high-risk area that keeps us coming back to the lab every day."

Explore further Using lanthanidelanthanide bonds to create more powerful permanent magnets

More information: Peng Zhang et al, Organometallic lanthanide bismuth cluster single-molecule magnets, Chem (2021). Journal information: Chem Peng Zhang et al, Organometallic lanthanide bismuth cluster single-molecule magnets,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.11.007
Scientists have found that monarch butterflies are increasingly plagued by parasites. Credit: Emory University

Monarch butterflies, among the most iconic insects in North America, are increasingly plagued by a debilitating parasite, a new analysis shows. The Journal of Animal Ecology published the findings by scientists at Emory University and other institutions.

The U.S. National Science Foundation-supported analysis drew from 50 years of data on the infection rate of wild monarch butterflies by the protozoan Ophryocystis elektrosirrha, or O.E. The results showed that the O.E. infection rate increased from less than 1% of the eastern monarch population in 1968 to as much as 10% today.

"We're seeing a significant change in a wildlife population with a parasitism rate steadily rising from almost nonexistent to as high as 10%," says Ania Majewska, first author of the paper. "It's a signal that something is not right in the environment and that we need to pay attention."

The rise in parasitism, the researchers warn, may endanger the mass migration of the monarchs, one of the most spectacular displays in the animal kingdom involving hundreds of millions of butterflies.

The O.E. parasite invades the gut of monarch caterpillars. If the adult butterfly leaves the pupal stage with a severe parasitic infection, it begins oozing fluids from its body and dies. Even if the butterflies survive, as in case of a lighter infection, they do not fly well or live as long as uninfected ones.

"This research offers an important clue to the mystery of why one of the most iconic North American animal migrations has been threatened," says Betsy von Holle, a program director in NSF's Division of Environmental Biology.

Each fall, the western monarch population flies hundreds of miles down the Pacific Coast to spend the winter in California. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Rocky Mountains, eastern monarchs fly from as far north as the U.S.-Canadian border to overwinter in Central Mexico, covering as much as 3,000 miles.

"Our findings suggest that tens of millions of eastern monarch butterflies are getting sick and dying each year from these parasites," says Jaap de Roode, senior author of the study. "If the infection rates keep going up, fewer and fewer monarchs will be able to survive to migrate to their overwintering sites."

One contributor to the rise in the parasitism rate is the increased density of monarchs in places where they lay their eggs, the study finds. The researchers posit that the increased density may be due to many factors, including the loss of wildlife habitat; the widespread planting of exotic, nonnative species of milkweed; and by people raising monarchs in large numbers in confined spaces.

Explore further Western monarchs rebound but still below historic population

More information: Ania A. Majewska et al, Parasite dynamics in North American monarchs predicted by host density and seasonal migratory culling, Journal of Animal Ecology (2022). Journal information: Journal of Animal Ecology Ania A. Majewska et al, Parasite dynamics in North American monarchs predicted by host density and seasonal migratory culling,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13678
Net importers (orange) primarily drive extinction-risk footprint in other countries, the extinction-risk footprint for net exporters (green) is primarily driven by consumption in other countries, and consumption within the country primarily drives extinction-risk footprint for domestic countries (blue). The darker the color, the higher the corresponding footprint value. Credit: Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09827-0

As negotiations before the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-15) take place, international research has quantified the impact of human consumption on species extinction risk.

Around 1 million species already face extinction, many within decades, according to the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessment report.

Spanning more than 5,000 species in 188 countries, the research finds consumption in Europe, North America, and East Asia (such as Japan and South Korea) primarily drives species extinction risk in other countries. Affected species include the Nombre de Dios Streamside Frog in Honduras and the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat in Madagascar.

Published in Scientific Reports, the research is led by Ms Amanda Irwin at the University of Sydney's Integrated Sustainability Analysis research group and is co-authored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) chief scientist Dr. Thomas Brooks and chief economist Dr. Juha Siikamaki.

The authors liken the biodiversity crisis to the climate one, albeit with less publicity. "These crises are occurring in parallel," Ms Irwin said. "The upcoming COP-15 will hopefully raise the profile of the other human-driven natural crisis of our generationirreparable biodiversity lossand our findings can provide valuable insights into the role that global consumption plays as one of the drivers of this loss."

Key findings:

Consumption in 76 countries, concentrated in Europe, North America, and East Asia, primarily drives extinction risk in other countries.

In 16 countries, concentrated in Africa, this extinction-risk footprint is driven by offshore consumption.

In 96 countriesaround half of those studieddomestic consumption is the greatest driver of the extinction-risk footprint.

International trade drives 29.5 percent of the global extinction-risk footprint.

Consumption of products and services from the food, beverage and agriculture sectors is the greatest driver of consumption-driven extinction risk, together constituting 39 percent of the global extinction-risk footprint, followed by consumption of goods and services from the construction sector (16 percent).

Ph.D. candidate Ms Irwin said: "The complexity of economic interactions in our globalized world means that the purchase of a coffee in Sydney may contribute to biodiversity loss in Honduras. The choices we make every day have an impact on the natural world, even if we don't see this impact."

"Everything that we consume has been derived from the natural world, with raw materials transformed into finished products through a myriad of supply chain transactions. These transactions often have a direct impact on species."

Co-author, IUCN chief economist Dr. Juha Siikamaki notes: "This insight into how prevalently consumption patterns influence biodiversity loss across the globe is critical to inform ongoing international negotiations for nature, including the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which aims to finalize the post-2020 global biodiversity framework later this year.

"The finding from this study that about 30 percent of the global extinction-risk footprint is embedded in international trade underlines the need to consider the responsibilities of different countries and all actors, including financing of conservation, not only in the context of their national boundaries but extending to their impacts internationally."

Co-author, Associate Professor Arne Geschke from the Integrated Sustainability Analysis research group at the University of Sydney said: "The activities which threaten species in a given location are often induced by consumption patterns in far-away locations, meaning that local interventions may be insufficient.

"Appropriate interventions to address extinction risk in Madagascar, for example, where 66 percent of the extinction-risk footprint is exported, should be different from those implemented in Colombia, where 93 percent of the extinction-risk footprint is generated by domestic consumption."

About the study

Using data available in IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, the authors introduced the non-normalized Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (nSTAR) metric as a measure of extinction risk.

They then applied the methodology widely-used to quantify carbon footprintsof which the Integrated Sustainability Analysis research group is a world leaderto link this extinction risk to global consumption patterns using the global supply chain database Eora.

An extinction-risk footprint was calculated by species, by economic sector, for 188 countries.

Co-author Associate Professor Arne Geschke previously co-wrote a Scientific Reports paper that demonstrated international trade is a key driver of biodiversity threats.

This new paper is a collaboration between the University of Sydney, IUCN, Newcastle University (UK) and the International Institute for Sustainability in Brazil.

Explore further Newly described species have higher extinction risk

More information: Amanda Irwin et al, Quantifying and categorising national extinction-risk footprints, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Amanda Irwin et al, Quantifying and categorising national extinction-risk footprints,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09827-0
Music isnt a truly universal language, it turns out. A team of researchers led by Elizabeth Margulis, director of Princetons Music Cognition Lab, found that culture and background influence what we visualize when we listen to instrumental music weve never heard before. Credit: Teri Sanders, Princeton University Office of Communications

Are we all imagining the same thing when we listen to music, or are our experiences hopelessly subjective? In other words, is music a truly universal language?

To investigate those questions, an international team of researchers (including a classical pianist, a rock drummer and a concert bassist) asked hundreds of people what stories they imagined when listening to instrumental music. The results appeared recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers, led by Princeton's Elizabeth Margulis and Devin McAuley of Michigan State University, discovered that listeners in Michigan and Arkansas imagined very similar scenes, while listeners in China envisioned completely different stories.

"These results paint a more complex picture of music's power," said Margulis, a professor of music who uses theoretical, behavioral and neuroimaging methodologies to investigate the dynamic experience of listeners. "Music can generate remarkably similar stories in listeners' minds, but the degree to which these imagined narratives are shared depends on the degree to which culture is shared across listeners."

The 622 participants came from three regions across two continents: two suburban college towns in middle Americaone in Arkansas and the other in Michiganand a group from Dimen, a village in rural China where the primary language is Dong, a tonal language not related to Mandarin, and where the residents have little access to Western media.

All three groups of listenersin Arkansas, Michigan and Dimenheard the same 32 musical stimuli: 60-second snippets of instrumental music, half from Western music and half from Chinese music, all without lyrics. After each musical excerpt, they provided free-response descriptions of the stories they envisioned while they listened.

The results were striking. Listeners in Arkansas and Michigan described very similar stories, often using the same words, while the Dimen listeners envisioned stories that were similar to each other but very different from those of American listeners.

For example, a musical passage identified only as W9 brought to mind a sunrise over a forest, with animals waking and birds chirping for American listeners, while those in Dimen pictured a man blowing a leaf on a mountain, singing a song to his beloved. For musical passage C16, Arkansas and Michigan listeners described a cowboy, sitting alone in the desert sun, looking out over an empty town; participants in Dimen imagined a man in ancient times sorrowfully contemplating the loss of his beloved.

Quantifying similarities between free-response stories required huge amounts of natural language data processing. The tools and strategies that they developed will be useful in future studies, said Margulis, who is also the director of Princeton's Music Cognition lab. "Being able to map out these semantic overlaps, using tools from natural language processing, is exciting and very promising for future studies that, like this one, straddle the border between the humanities and the sciences."

"It's amazing," said co-author Benjamin Kubit, a drummer and a postdoctoral research associate previously in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and now in the Department of Music. "You can take two random people who grew up in a similar environment, have them listen to a song they haven't heard before, ask them to imagine a narrative, and you'll find similarities. However, if those two people don't share a culture or geographical location, you won't see that same kind of similarity in experience. So while we imagine music can bring people together, the opposite can also be trueit can distinguish between sets of people with a different background or culture."

Though the researchers had carefully ensured that the pieces they chose had never appeared in a movie soundtrack or any other setting that would prescribe visuals, the same music sparked very similar visuals in hundreds of listenersunless they had grown up in a different cultural context.

"It's stunning to me that some of these visceral, hard-to-articulate, imagined responses we have to music can actually be widely shared," said Margulis. "There's something about that that's really puzzling and compelling, especially because the way we encounter music in 2022 is often solitary, over headphones. But it turns out, it's still a shared experience, almost like a shared dream. I find it really surprising and fascinatingwith the caveat, of course, that it's not universally shared, but depends on a common set of cultural experiences."

Co-author Cara Turnbull, a concert bassist turned graduate student in musicology, said: "It's just fascinating how much our upbringings shape us as individuals while also giving us enough common experiences that we relate to this media in ways that are simultaneously unique and shared."

Explore further Stories people imagine inspired by music found to differ by culture

More information: Elizabeth H. Margulis et al, Narratives imagined in response to instrumental music reveal culture-bounded intersubjectivity, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Elizabeth H. Margulis et al, Narratives imagined in response to instrumental music reveal culture-bounded intersubjectivity,(2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110406119
The virulence reprogramming method developed by the researchers using rice-metabolised metallo-thiazole. Credit: Haruna Matsumoto

Rice is one of the most important staple foods globally, providing one fifth of the calories consumed by humans. However, the major areas where rice are grown are blighted by pathogensorganisms that cause disease.

To date, this problem has been treated with the use of chemical pesticides that typically target the plant-pathogenic fungi. But, with none of these treatments wholly effective, and many considered unfriendly to the environment, researchers have been seeking alternative solutions.

In a study published in the journal Fundamental Research, a group of researchers from China, Austria and Japan, outline a promising solution which uses a compound that has no harmful effects on the environment or humans consuming the rice.

Haruna Matsumoto, one of the study's authors, explains: "This work is based on an interesting phenomenon that we observed in certain rice fields. In rice plants grown in different and geographically distant locations, the bacteria-associated molecules required for a bacterium to cause disease showed substantial variations. We were curious to discover what the so-far unidentified factor affecting the pathogen's virulence was, and whether it was related to the host plant. By implementing metabolic profiling, we identified 5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol, a plant metabolization product of thiazole-class agrochemicals, and confirmed that it lowers a pathogen's ability to harm without killing or otherwise affecting the pathogen."

According to the co-corresponding author of the study, Tomislav Cernava, "this anti-virulence effect triggered by the plant-converted agrochemical is a novel finding, and has substantial implications for supporting plant defense systems in counteracting bacterial pathogens. It is particularly important for combatting pathogens endowed with small molecule virulence factors, because plants are typically unable to respond to these when attacked." He adds that they "believe similar mechanisms have the potential to combat pathogens in other types of crops."

For the researcher who led the study, Mengcen Wang, the hope is that the team's results will encourage more scientists to continue investigating the complexity of the interactions between plants, microbes and the environment. "This would set the basis to develop more sustainable approaches to secure global rice production."

Explore further Researchers identify bacterium that protects rice plants against diseases

More information: Haruna Matsumoto et al, Reprogramming of phytopathogen transcriptome by a non-bactericidal pesticide residue alleviates its virulence in rice, Fundamental Research (2022). Haruna Matsumoto et al, Reprogramming of phytopathogen transcriptome by a non-bactericidal pesticide residue alleviates its virulence in rice,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2021.12.012

Provided by KeAi Communications
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

What's the link between social life and brain structure? Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, the Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute at Inserm, and elsewhere are now one step closer to understanding this connection for rhesus macaques.

In work published in Science Advances, the team found that for these nonhuman primates the number of social connections predicted the size of key nodes in parts of the brain responsible for social decision-making and empathy. Specifically, the researchers determined that, for macaques with more grooming partners, the midsuperior temporal sulcus (STS) and ventral-dysgranular insula grew larger. They found no such link between brain structure and other variables like social status.

"For the first time, we're able to relate the complexity of social lives of a group of living primates with brain structure," says Camille Testard, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Platt Labs at Penn and lead author of the paper.

Previous research on human social networks has hinted at this relationship, says Michael Platt, the James S. Riepe Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor. "The literature, for example, ties variation in the size of the amygdala to the number of Facebook friends that you have. But it's hard to get granular data on human social interactions because we can't follow people around all day long," he says.

With the rhesus macaques living on Cayo Santiago, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico, however, it's a different story. Platt and colleagues have studied this group of free-ranging nonhuman primates for more than a decade. Part of that research has focused on grooming partners, which represent direct and important relationships for the macaques, as well as looking at the animals' broader social networks, representing individuals they interact with indirectly.

After Hurricane Maria hit the island, for example, the researchers examined whether the macaques grew or shrunk their social networks in the face of more limited resources. Testard, who joined the lab in 2018, led the analysis for that study, which found that the animals became more social and more accepting of one another, forming new relationships in addition to those they already had.

Building on that and on previous work from collaborator Jerome Sallet of Inserm, Testard also designed the current study. Here, the team recorded the detailed interactions of a social group of 68 adult rhesus macaques on Cayo Santiago, then examined five factors: social status, number of grooming partners, physical distance with other monkeys, connectedness to popular monkeys in the network, and what the researchers called "betweenness," or the ability to act as a bridge between disconnected parts of the social network. They also collected brain scans for every individual in the social group, including 35 juvenile and infant macaques.

Analyzing the adult data, Testard and colleagues discovered that the more grooming partners individuals had, the larger their mid-STS and ventral-dysgranular insula were. "It was very interesting to find these regions, as their importance is known for social cognition in humans," Sallet says. "We also identified the mid-STS region in another study showing that activity in this region is modulated by the predictability of others' behaviors."

One unexpected finding centered around the infants. According to Testard and colleagues, the work showed that young macaques weren't born with these differences in brain structure but, rather, the differences arose with development.

"There's something about the skills it takes to make and maintain a lot of friendships that you get from parents. You'd think it would be written into your brain when you're born, but it seems more likely to emerge from the patterns and interactions that you have," Platt says. "Perhaps that means that if your mother is social and you've got the capacity to be social, your brain can mature in the way that looks like the findings we've uncovered. That's intriguing."

This negative result is telling, Sallet says. "If we had seen the same correlation, it could mean that if you are born from a very popular mother then somehow you have a brain that predisposes you to become more popular later in life. Instead, what I think it suggests is that the modulation we observe is strongly driven by our social environments, maybe more than by our innate predisposition."

Though all these findings relate specifically to free-ranging rhesus macaques, they have possible implications for human behavior, in particular to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, according to Platt.

Such connections, however, are still in the distance. For now, the team is moving ahead with additional research studying Cayo Santiago's population of macaques, looking at facets like whether a natural disaster such as Hurricane Maria affects the animals' brain structure and how social connectedness influences long-term survival. They'll continue to dive deeper into their most recent findings, too.

"This is not some lab phenomenon. This is real life, the real world," Platt says. "This work provides a baseline for understanding how these animals navigate. It's really thrilling and gratifying that this work done in the field is synergizing work we've been doing in the lab for a long time."

Explore further After Hurricane Maria, rhesus macaques in Puerto Rico sought out new social relationships

More information: Camille Testard et al, Social connections predict brain structure in a multidimensional free-ranging primate society, Science Advances (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abl5794 Journal information: Science Advances Camille Testard et al, Social connections predict brain structure in a multidimensional free-ranging primate society,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl5794
Otter carcass retrieval site and external aspect of the animal. (A) Europe (inset) and (main figure) Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) with the Valencian region in black, enclosing in a rectangle the area that is enlarged in (B), where the large arrowhead points to the Bellus reservoir, (C) zooming on it and its surrounding area, marking the site where the animal was found. (D,E) Shows, respectively, views of the head and the remainder of the body of the animal. Credit: Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.826991

Researchers at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH) in Valencia, the Institute of Biomedicine of Valencia (CSIC) and the Autonomous University of Barcelona have detected the first case of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in a European river otter in Spain. It is a specimen of Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra), whose remains were found near a reservoir in the Valencian Community. The finding, which is the first case detected of the virus in this species in the country, and the first case in the world in this wild species, has just been accepted in the international scientific journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

The virus was detected by two different types of PCR tests on RNA extracted from the animal's nasopharynx swab and from lung tissue and mediastinal lymph nodes. Consuelo Rubio, lead researcher of the CEU UCH Molecular Virology Group and member of the team who made this finding, says, "In the sequencing of the virus, we discovered changes that had already been identified in samples of human patients, which points to the human origin of the virus detected in this wild otter, although its specific combination was different. The contagion could have been caused by contact with sewage contaminated with the virus present in the river area inhabited by the otter." The investigation analyzed samples from remnants of two other otters found in distant areas, which were negative.

First cases in wild animals in Europe

This team of researchers from the CEU UCH, the IBV-CSIC and the UAB also detected in May last year two positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in wild American mink, in two rivers of the province of Castellon. These were the first cases in Europe of the virus in wild animals, which had not been in direct contact with infected people. Already back then, in the article published in the journal Animals, the researchers explained the possible origin of the contagion due to contact of these aquatic life animals with contaminated wastewater in river areas.

CEU professor and researcher Consuelo Rubio says, "different animal species have been involved in the three outbreaks of acute respiratory syndrome caused by other coronaviruses in previous epidemics in 2005, 2012 and 2019. However, given the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, our findings in both mink and otter highlight the need to establish a surveillance system for this coronavirus in wild mustelids. This would make it possible to assess the risk of these animals becoming reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2, leading to new mutations in the virus that can be re-transmitted to humans or other wild species in case of contact with infected mustelids."

Explore further Researchers detect coronavirus in two feral American mink

More information: Miguel Padilla-Blanco et al, The Finding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in a Wild Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra) Highlights the Need for Viral Surveillance in Wild Mustelids, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2022). Miguel Padilla-Blanco et al, The Finding of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in a Wild Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra) Highlights the Need for Viral Surveillance in Wild Mustelids,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.826991
You are here: China

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday inspected an economic development zone in the city of Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

During the inspection in the Yangpu economic development zone, Xi visited an exhibition hall and a container terminal, where he learned about the zone's development and the building of the free trade port with Chinese characteristics.
QUEENSBURY  A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after colliding with a car on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

At 5:40 p.m., the Warren County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of a serious personal injury car versus motorcycle crash on Quaker Road in the town of Queensbury, according to police.

Joann T. Levack, 87, of Queensbury, was operating a 2020 Buick Encore west on Quaker Road, when she attempted to make a left turn onto Lafayette Street. As she turned, Levacks vehicle collided with 25-year-old Jasmine M. Earnest, of Halfmoon, who was driving a 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle traveling east on Quaker Road, according to a news release.

Police said that on impact, Earnest was ejected from her motorcycle and suffered life-threatening injuries. She was airlifted to Albany Medical Center for treatment. Her condition was not available on Tuesday night.

Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the accident. The crash remains under investigation, with emergency crews still on the scene after 9 p.m.

A portion of Quaker Road was closed for three hours while emergency personnel were on scene.

The sheriffs office was assisted at the scene by New York State Police, Queensbury Central Fire Department and the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Warren County Sheriffs Office at 518-743-2500.

Jana DeCamilla is a staff writer who covers Moreau, Queensbury, and Lake George. She can be reached at 518-742-3272 or jdecamilla@poststar.com.

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Objections have been filed against Matthew Putortis petitions to appear on the Democratic primary ballot in June.

Jason Clark, a leader in the St. Lawrence County Democratic Party and a supporter of Matt Castelli, another Democratic candidate for Congress in the 21st Congressional District, submitted a general objection to Putortis nominating petitions to the state Board of Elections on Tuesday.

In New York, candidates who want to appear on the ballot need to circulate petitions from their local partys voters. In the 21st Congressional District, candidates needed to turn in petitions with 1,250 valid signatures from voters who are registered and active within the district.

Despite his position with the St. Lawrence County party committee, Clark said hes making these objections of his own accord, with a few individuals assisting him.

There were some inconsistencies with some of the pages that were filed, Clark said. That warranted further investigation.

Clark said he cant provide more detail on what those inconsistencies are until he and his team finish their investigation. He has until Thursday to file those specific objections with the Board of Elections.

The few of us that are kind of going through and scrubbing the signatures, were still sort of evaluating that, he said.

Putorti, of Whitehall, for his part, said hes confident his petitions are valid and will be accepted. He said he turned in more than double the required 1,250 signatures on his petitions.

I am grateful to the thousands of people across the district who signed them, he said in a statement. I am, however, disappointed but unsurprised that a county party leader has issued this frivolous challenge. Mr. Clark and some of his fellow party bosses have long been trying to force me out of the race and deny voters the choice in selecting the best candidate to take on Elise Stefanik.

Despite being the first mainstream Democratic candidate to announce his campaign for NY-21, and being the biggest fundraiser in the Democratic field until last quarter, Putorti is not the partys preferred candidate.

Castelli, a former CIA officer and counterterrorism official for the Obama and Trump administrations, has garnered the support of every county party in the district, either from the local party chair or the committee itself. Hes noticed a strong bump in fundraising as well, and has since outpaced Putorti in quarterly fundraising amounts.

Putorti, an openly gay man, has alleged homophobia and sexism in the ranks of NY-21s Democratic party, and has long accused the party of trying to stifle a primary election.

On Tuesday, Putorti called on Castelli to condemn Clarks objections and call on him to withdraw them.

To Matt Castelli, Id just ask, What are you so afraid of? he said.

Castellis campaign did not return a request for comment.

Clark said hes acting on his own, and while he said he has long believed that Castelli is the best chance the Democrats have at beating Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, his objection to Putortis petitions isnt about that.

If the petitions werent filed properly, or timely as dictated by law, thats something to be concerned about, he said. If youre talking about a potential candidate for a member of Congress, filing petitions is the basic block of the election.

He said if Putortis petitions dont satisfy all the legal requirements, that shows hes not the right pick for Congress.

Clark said anything Putorti has to say about the objections can be directed to him directly, not to Castelli.

If he has something to say to Jason Clark, he can say it to Jason Clark directly, he said.

If Putortis petitions are invalidated, he will not appear on the June ballot and there will be no Democratic primary for the congressional race in NY-21; Castelli will go on to the general election immediately against Stefanik.

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ALBANY  New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has resigned after being arrested Tuesday in a federal corruption investigation, creating a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul seven months after she selected Benjamin as a partner to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal.

Benjamin, a Democrat, was accused in an indictment of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamins agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled.

Facing charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records, Benjamin pleaded not guilty Tuesday at an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court. He was released and bail was set at $250,000.

Two lawyers representing Benjamin did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Hochul had declined to discuss the matter when she appeared at a New York City news conference Tuesday regarding a shooting on the subway. She said she would speak about Benjamin later in the day and issued a statement just after 5 p.m.

I have accepted Brian Benjamins resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them, she said in a news release.

Hochul in September plucked Benjamin, then a state lawmaker, to serve as second-in-command when she became governor, taking over for Democrat Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo resigned amid allegations he sexually harassed 11 women, which he denied.

Hochul, also a Democrat, was Cuomos lieutenant governor. She is now running for governor in this years election, with Benjamin as a running mate.

Two months after Benjamin became lieutenant governor, a real estate developer who steered campaign contributions toward Benjamins failed bid for New York City comptroller was indicted. Federal authorities accused Gerald Migdol of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in illegally giving donations to Benjamins campaign.

The indictment said Benjamin, formerly a state senator from Harlem, and others acting at his direction or on his behalf also engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme that stretched from 2019 to 2021.

They falsified campaign donor forms, misled municipal regulators and provided false information in vetting forms Benjamin submitted while he was being considered to be appointed as lieutenant governor, the indictment said.

Prosecutors had previously not made any accusations against Benjamin, and his campaign said at the time of Migdols arrest that it had forfeited any improper donations as soon as they were discovered.

More recently, reports came out saying subpoenas had been issued to Benjamin regarding the financial issues even before Hochul picked him as lieutenant governor.

GOP faults Hochul

Republican chairman Nick Langworthy said in a prepared statement that Hochul chose a dirty politician to serve as her partner in government and running mate.

Brian Benjamins shady dealings and corruption were well-documented, but Hochul turned a blind eye and put him a heartbeat away from the governorship, Langworthy said.

Hochul said Monday at a press conference she didnt know of the subpoenas when she tapped Benjamin to be her No. 2.

She said last week she had the utmost confidence in Benjamin.

This is an independent investigation related to other people and hes fully cooperating. He is my running mate, Hocuhl said Thursday at a press conference.

Republican minority legislative leaders  Senate Leader Rob Ortt and Assembly Leader Will Barclay  called on Benjamin to resign.

Kathy Hochul and Senate Democrats might tolerate this corruption, but New Yorkers dont and neither do I, Ortt said. Im calling on Gov. Hochul and Senate Democrats to stop hiding from the truth and join me in demanding Brian Benjamins resignation.

Spokespeople for Hochul, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie didnt immediately provide comment Tuesday when asked if Benjamin should resign.

Despite his resignation, Benjamin would still likely appear on the ballot for the 2022 gubernatorial Democratic primary even if Hochul picks a new lieutenant governor, according to state elections law.

There are only three ways to get off the ballot: death, declination or disqualification, State board of elections spokesperson John Conklin said in an email.

Benjamin was the states second Black lieutenant governor. During his state Legislature career, he emphasized criminal justice reform and affordable housing. His district included most of central Harlem, where he was born and raised by Caribbean immigrant parents.

He has a bachelors degree in public policy from Brown University and a masters of business administration from Harvard Business School, and worked as a developer of affordable housing.

Hays reported from New York. Associated Press writers Deepti Hajela and Larry Neumeister contributed from New York and Michael Hill contributed from Albany.

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Wawa will hold its annual Wawa Day Thursday, giving out free coffee at all of its 960 stores, including its many locations in South Jersey, the company said this week.

The southeastern Pennsylvania-based company is commemorating the 58th anniversary of its first store opening in April 1964.

It will honor the occasion by offering customers free hot coffee of any size throughout the day.

The store also will donate $1 million in gift cards to the Wawa Foundations national partners, along with several other organizations. Some of the organizations receiving gift cards include the American Red Cross, Check-Out Hunger, Childrens Miracle Network, JDRF, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Special Olympics, the USO and Meals on Wheels.

Work continues on Egg Harbor City Wawa EGG HARBOR CITY  Work continues this week on the construction of a new Wawa with a gas stat

In addition, the Wawa Foundation will make two contributions of $1 million each to Check-Out Hunger and the Special Olympics. Funds for those allocations come from customer donations.

Wawa also will be premiering its limited-time Day Brightener drink, described as a Popping Bubbles Passionfruit Lemonade beverage. The drink was designed by Wawa mixologists and incorporates the companys signature lemonade with a fizzy passionfruit twist. The drink is being dedicated to the Childrens Miracle Network, to which Wawa will make a $25,000 contribution in support of member hospitals Child Life Services, a program focused on improving patients experiences while staying in the hospital.

Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens said Wawa Day was meant to thank customers who have been such an integral part of our growth through the years and said it was one of (their) core commitments to support customers and employees, along with their communities.

Starting in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1964, Wawa now has stores in seven states along the East Coast, including some as far south as Florida, and employs more than 35,000 associates.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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CAPE MAY  In a century-old building at the end of Canning House Lane, a reverse osmosis system has the capacity to treat more than 1,000 gallons of water a minute.

Its not enough.

The solution could be a $35 million new facility.

Much of the drinking water for Cape May and the surrounding communities must have its salt removed in a process called desalination.

Today, the citys water system does not have enough capacity under state guidelines. The city is looking at options, including an entirely new system.

It has to be done within the next five years, Mayor Zack Mullock said Tuesday. I think it would be safer in the next three.

Local towns receive Community Development Block Grants Hammonton has received $400,000 in state Community Development Block Grants for Americans wi

There has not come a point where anyone turned on the taps and did not have water, but there have been times when the city has looked to neighboring communities to keep things flowing.

The citys water utility also supplies water to West Cape May and some areas of Lower Township.

Right now, in West Cape May, were not able to give the allocation of water that they need, which is preventing new water hookups, Mullock said.

Demand is likely to increase in the coming years. Cape May does not have room for much more development, but there are proposals for new hotels, and new residential properties are planned in West Cape May and in the areas of Lower Township south of the Cape May Canal.

Recently, U.S. Rep Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, announced the authorization of $120 million for new barracks at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, which he said will expand opportunities for women and increase recruitment capacity by 25%. There are usually between 400 and 500 recruits going through training at the base at any time.

When I look at that, I know were not going to have the water capacity to handle that, Mullock said.

Winners of the 2022 Cape May County Earth Day Logo Contest Announced CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE  The winners of the Cape May County Park and Zoo Earth Day Logo Contes

The system is already operating over capacity under New Jersey guidelines, he said, which call for water supplies to be able to meet peak demand even if the main well becomes unavailable.

At a City Council workshop this month, officials heard from representatives of CME Associates, an engineering consulting firm that is studying Cape Mays water issues.

Most of that work has been covered by a grant, Mullock said.

David Samuel, the managing partner at the firm, told council members he would look for grants to cover much of the project costs.

Right now, there is a lot of grant money available, he said, which could help Cape May find the funds for the project. If the new plant will help supply the Coast Guard base, he said, that could also help with funding sources.

The plant is getting old. The worst part about it is you dont have enough capacity, Samuel said.

Former state Assemblyman Nick Asselta also addressed council. He said he was a consultant on the current proposal and added he worked on getting Cape May its original desalination plant.

The Jersey Cape has salt water on three sides. When water is drawn from the underground aquifers, it is replaced with salty water. In Cape May, the answer had for years been to drill a new well in search of the pockets of fresh water.

In the late 1990s, supported by low interest loans and a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and more from the state, Cape May took a new route. It drilled new wells into an aquifer known to include salty water. Through a process called reverse osmosis, it would remove the salt from that water.

At $5 million, it was the biggest project in city history at the time. There was then only one other desalination plant in the country, in southern California.

Cape May was at the forefront of that technology, Asselta said. Fast forward 25 years later, this plant is becoming obsolete. It is becoming old and needs a total renovation at this point.

Cape May had considered expanding the plant, at an estimated cost of $5 million. It also needs a new system to remove iron from the water from one well that does not contain salt.

Middle to ask for state help in funding water connections in Del Haven The township spent years working on how to bring municipal water to the area, where many pro

At a certain level, iron in the water may stain the porcelain of a sink or affect the taste of the water, but as levels increase, the state will not allow the water to be used. The levels are rising in Cape May, Samuel said.

His firm recommends building a new plant to include expanded desalination equipment and the iron removal system. The current building, dating to 1926, is too cramped to handle the expansion and would be demolished as proposed.

This is the recommended plan. It addresses all your needs, Samuel said.

Council member Stacy Sheehan asked about the former building, which she said could be a contributing structure to the historic district.

It is not on the historic registry. We checked that with the state, Samuel said. It is an older building. We dont recommend, normally, tearing down older buildings just because of its age, but in this particular case, it is too small for the plant thats in it now to comply with current standards.

Asselta said the current building is not big enough for its current use, much less an expansion.

Its tight in there. And if you ask the guys who work in there on a daily basis, its dangerous, he said. You need to get into the next century here with this building. This will be a state-of-the-art building, and you wont have to worry about this ever again, at least in our lifetimes.

The next steps will be decided by council, which has not yet approved any plan. Council member Shaine Meier said the city will need all the financial help it can get to fund a project.

Cape May was one of the first to use desalination, but Mullock believes more towns will rely on the technology in the future as salt water intrusion continues to move north. He added he would want to include solar panels or other renewable energy options.

The reverse osmosis process takes a great deal of energy, he said.

He also wondered whether there was any way to use the salt that is removed from the water, possibly for icy roads. Currently, a portion of the water, now with a much higher concentration of salt, is discharged into the brackish creek behind the facility. The water is not enough to change the already salty water in the marsh.

Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill

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CAMDEN  An Egg Harbor Township man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to his role in a drug distribution scheme.

Ricardo Clavijo, 40, was charged with conspiring to distribute over 1 kilogram of heroin, possession with intent to distribute over 1 kilogram of heroin and maintaining a drug-related premises. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 7, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a news release.

A search warrant was executed at Clavijos house on July 12. Authorities found Clavijo and his brother, Christopher Gonzalez, at the home, along with 4.3 kilograms of heroin, 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 10.8 kilograms of cocaine, drug packaging materials and equipment, and a money counting machine, Sellinger said.

Some of the heroin was packaged in tens of thousands of individual doses for distribution, court records said.

Authorities also confiscated a .45 caliber handgun, a loaded magazine for the handgun, a 9mm 50-round drum magazine and about $8,400.

Tyner says drug seizure is largest in Atlantic County history CAMDEN  Two Atlantic County men have been charged with conspiring to distribute heroin in w

Clavijo agreed to surrender the items as part of a plea deal, Sellinger said.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office, at the time of the search warrants execution, said the drug bust was the largest in the countys history.

The conspiracy count and possession with intent to distribute count both carry a required minimum 10-year prison term, a maximum term of life in prison and a fine of $10 million, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest, Sellinger said.

The count of maintaining a drug-related premises carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.

Gonzalez, 38, of Pleasantville, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 1 kilogram of heroin, Sellinger said.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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A former Atlantic County man accused of taking part in the Capitol riot is set to stand trial in federal court later this year.

The trial for James Rahm Jr., formerly of Atlantic City, is scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in a Washington, D.C., courtroom before U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, court records show.

Rahm is charged with tampering with a witness, victim or informant; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, for his alleged actions Jan. 6, 2021.

Rahms son, James III, also has been charged with crimes tied to the insurrection. James III was arrested March 18, 2021, in Northfield, after a tipster notified authorities he posted videos on Snapchat of himself inside the Capitol on that day.

Rahm III faces a maximum of 22 years in prison. A court date for him has yet to be ordered.

Rahm III, who still lived in Atlantic City with Rahm Jr.s former wife, Kelly Rahm, previously said he was out of town when the FBI first raided the city home. Kelly Rahm asked investigators at the home, Is this because of that trip they took? When an agent asked her to clarify her question, she declined to comment further, according to a criminal complaint.

The FBI obtained text messages confirming Rahm IIIs presence at the riot with his father, according to court documents. One such text was an image sent Jan. 9 from Rahm Jr. to Kelly Rahm of him and Rahm III in front of the Capitol building.

She responded with, Thats so GREAT!! Dont post JDs pic plz. Rahm Jr. responded, No I just deleted it because I want it off my phone Im deleting my Facebook also, court documents said.

Authorities also obtained text messages between Rahm Jr. and another individual, who told Rahm to Go find Pelosi and rip her (expletive) head off. Rahm later told the individual that I pissed in her (Pelosi) office my sons got video.

He said something similar in a Facebook comment, but told The Press in March he was lying about urinating in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office to impress his friends online.

The father and son are among several South Jerseyans facing charges for participating in the riot.

Last month, Robert Lee Petrosh, of Mays Landing, was sentenced to 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to theft of government property, a charge brought about after a video captured him stealing two microphones from Pelosis lectern.

Locals accused in Jan. 6 unrest have gone quiet In the weeks following the storming of the Capitol in Washington last year, several local pa

Petrosh, a veteran, originally faced multiple charges stemming from the riot.

Leonard Guthrie Jr., of Cape May, was arrested for allegedly walking past a police barricade before the crowd breached the building.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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PLEASANTVILLE  Students at the Washington Avenue School had their knowledge of the judicial system tried and tested  in game-show format.

Three employees of the Atlantic/Cape May County Vicinage of the New Jersey Superior Court hosted an assembly in the gymnasium of the elementary school Tuesday. They quizzed students on civics, with a particular focus on the branches of state and federal government, the American justice system and the independence of the judiciary.

The event was themed after Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? the TV game show that had adults compete against elementary school students for prizes.

Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage Ombudsman Ellen Procida, who works as a court community liaison, said Tuesday connecting with children was critical to the functioning of the state judiciary.

Part of our partnerships and relationships with the community is educating students and really getting out to the entire county, Procida said after the assembly.

Atlantic County Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Sandra Rodriguez and bilingual Probation Officer Yolanda Garcia joined Procida at the event.

Integration activists speak at Greater Egg school board meeting EGG HARBOR CITY  Activists demanding more integrated New Jersey schools are continuing thei

Along with their civics-based questions, the trio asked students to talk about Washington Avenue. Procida said it was important for the courts to learn about the communities they serve and teach young people about the justice system.

One subject they emphasized was the role of interpreters in the court. The court employees emphasized that being bilingual was an important asset to the court. They encouraged students to continue learning both English and Spanish. Parts of Tuesdays assembly were delivered in both languages.

Garcia, who speaks English and Spanish, emphasized to students that being bilingual would open professional opportunities for them.

Students were given the opportunity to ask questions. Some of the fifth graders broached topics central to conversations around criminal justice reform, asking what happens when the courts convict the innocent. The court employees explained that defendants had the opportunity to appeal their cases, and emphasized that having a diverse justice system would be critical in preventing false convictions, which could see the innocent spend decades of their lives incarcerated.

Ernestine Smith, vice chair of the Coalition for a Safe Community, helped organize the event. She said it was important for different parts of the community to come together to provide the citys children with new opportunities.

Its about working together in our community and making it great, one child at a time, Smith said.

Atlantic elections board splits over early voting sites EGG HARBOR CITY  The Atlantic County Board of Elections split 2-2 along party lines Tuesday

Washington Avenue Principal Cynthia Ruiz-Cooper said she was eager to expose students to information about how the justice system functions in their community. She was particularly grateful to have the professionals introduce students to the utility of speaking multiple languages, noting a large share of Washington Avenue students were Hispanic and spoke Spanish as their first language.

Anytime any of the community wants to come in, we invite them in, Ruiz-Cooper said.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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UPPER TOWNSHIP  Scott Morgan is out as township administrator, replaced by former Wildwood Mayor Gary DeMarzo.

The Township Committee made the move after a closed-door discussion at its Monday meeting. The 4-1 vote came over the objections of Committee member John Coggins, who described the move as a breach of trust.

Coggins said Mayor Curtis Corson had told him the township has been better off since Morgan took over as administrator.

It has. But there is room for improvement. And there is room for improvement in every organization, Corson said.

Attempts to contact Morgan were unsuccessful Tuesday.

After the meeting, Corson cited DeMarzos qualifications for the job, including a masters degree in public administration from Rutgers Universitys school of public management. Corson said the township is growing, and the township administrator faces increasing responsibilities.

Morgan was appointed administrator in 2017, the first to hold the position.

Contacted after the meeting, Corson said Morgan would remain the coordinator of the townships Office of Emergency Management, which is where Morgan began with Upper Township.

The committee voted on two resolutions after meeting in closed session for about an hour. One approved a separation of service with Morgan, which included three months pay as administrator.

The other appointed DeMarzo as administrator on a temporary basis, with a salary of $75,000. Coggins voted no on both, with the other four members supporting the move.

Early in the meeting Monday, Coggins sought support from the other members for a motion to essentially scrap the idea. He did not get any support.

Coggins said he knew nothing about the plan until it appeared on an agenda, calling out each member in turn. For Committee member Mark Pancoast, who is set to run for reelection this year, Coggins said if he voted yes, I can assure you it would become a campaign issue.

Coggins also is set to run for reelection this year, and has decided to run as an independent. The committee is currently entirely Republican.

In his comments at the meeting, Coggins questioned why the position was not advertised and why it did not go through the townships personnel department, which falls under his responsibilities on committee.

Both Corson and Committee member Jay Newman said the township administrator serves at the pleasure of the committee, and can be hired or fired at any time.

Coggins went further, saying there are already rumors of political payoffs in township appointments. Committee member Kim Hayes said campaign finance laws prevent giving jobs to political supporters.

I think that its irresponsible to sit up here and give voice to those allegations in a public forum. And I dont appreciate the insinuation there, she said.

DeMarzo, 54, is a Wildwood resident. He has not worked as a municipal administrator before but said Tuesday his experience as an entrepreneur and as an airport operations specialist includes skills that will transfer to the Upper Township job. He started Tuesday.

Ex-Wildwood mayors lawsuit against prosecutor moves forward, claims revenge WILDWOOD  Former Mayor Gary DeMarzo says he is seeking to clear his name as his malicious p

I love a challenge and look forward to my time here as an opportunity to implement meaningful results that will help with the responsible growth of the township for the people and community of Upper. The committee and employees have the right vision for the future good of this beautiful township, DeMarzo said in a statement Tuesday. I promise, together we will make you proud.

DeMarzo was a high-profile figure in Wildwood politics. A former Wildwood police officer, he was elected to the City Commission in 2007 and became mayor in 2009. While in office, he had legal fights over whether he could retain his job with the Police Department, and was later indicted over the alleged misuse of city funds to pay his legal fees in that matter in the amount of $348.

Those charges were later dismissed, but the Cape May County prosecutor at the time tried twice more, both times without success. In 2018, an Atlantic County jury found then-Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor had wrongfully arrested DeMarzo.

In the public comment portion of the meeting, some members of the public were sharply critical of DeMarzo.

He will hurt this township. He will hurt every one of you, said one man. While he was speaking, DeMarzo, who was at the meeting with his family, walked his son out of the room.

Other speakers were less animated, but several questioned the townships move.

Upper Township considers hiring assistant administrator UPPER TOWNSHIP  The Township Committee may expand the responsibilities of the township admi

Barbara Murphy Leary, a resident who had previously questioned a township proposal to hire an assistant administrator, said committee members told her at previous meetings that if the job were to be filled, it would be advertised and discussed in advance.

Your question was about the assistant administrator position, and nothings happened with that, Hayes said.

After the meeting, Corson said the township would likely no longer need an assistant administrator. He said he did look at DeMarzos record before deciding to appoint him.

His resume speaks for itself, Corson said. Hes got one certification after another. I think hes going to do a good job for us.

Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill

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A Moline man pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge this week after entering into a plea agreement with Rock Island County prosecutors.

Jeffery Bryant Browder, 30, was initially charged with five Class X felony counts of possession of child pornography in November 2021, according to court records.

The Moline police were notified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of images Browder allegedly had on his Facebook page.

Browder pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of Class 2 felony possession of child pornography, a charge with reduced severity. All the other charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

Class X felonies usually carry a sentencing range between six and 30 years, but can run between 30 and 60 years, according to state statute.

A Class 2 felony sentence is typically three and seven years, but can be between seven and 14 years, according to statute.

During Mondays hearing, Judge Frank Fuhr sentenced Browder to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and a year of supervised release after the prison sentence is completed.

Browder qualified for day-for-day credit and credit for time served in the Rock Island County Jail, so he could serve about half of the five years.

The day-for-day credit applies to the potential sentences for many offenses in Illinois. Sentences are awarded credit for things like complying with department of corrections rules and service to the government or community.

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Illinois politicians talk a lot about transparency but rarely practice it  even amongst themselves.

State budgets are negotiated behind closed doors between whomever is governor and legislative leaders. Sometimes members of the minority party are included, but other times, such as this year, not so much.

This month, once a budget agreement was reached behind those locked doors, lawmakers found themselves voting on a 3,400-page, $46.5 billion operating budget a few hours later.

Think any of them knew exactly what they were voting on? No way.

Is this unusual in Springfield? No. But it has never served the public well.

Whether the governors last name happens to be Pritzker, Rauner, Quinn, Blagojevich or Ryan, the secrecy persists.

I first began covering the General Assembly in 1988. I can say both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of this practice. "Good-government-type" politicians and political hacks are equally guilty, too.

"They didn't talk to Republicans during the budgeting process at all, and they don't need to," Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, said. "Why would they? This is kind of the result you get: a closed-door budget to make sure everybody in their caucus is happy."

In politics, knowledge is power.

Taxpayers and bondholders deserve to know how our money is being spent. But the budget document is so opaque it is often hard to discern whether major new initiatives have been slipped into the spending plan  even if those voting on it had adequate time to review it.

For example, back in 2005, the General Assembly rejected spending state money on stem-cell research. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who favored the measure, snuck $10 million in stem-cell research spending into the budget by labeling it "scientific research."

Lawmakers were understandably angry when they figured out they had been tricked into voting for something they had opposed.

Blagojevich shrugged and said the end justified the means.

And there is the rub. Deception is often the key to legislative success. The closed-door process benefits political insiders, legislative power brokers and a host of special interests. But it rarely benefits voters.

It shows contempt not just for the minority party but also for the rank-and-file lawmakers of the majority party, who are derisively referred to as "mushrooms" because they are kept in the dark and fed a lot of er, um manure.

The budget was hurriedly debated and voted on during an all-night session. Why? Well, if they act fast  before lawmakers and constituents have reviewed the spending plans contents  they can beat any possible new opposition.

"You're trying to track everything and there's a lot of last-minute changes because you know, amendments get filed at the last possible moment," state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said. "And it does make it very difficult to know exactly what's in there. I'm sure we'll see things coming out over the next several weeks about things that were tucked in there or mistakes that were made."

His view was echoed by state Rep. Sandy Hamilton, R-Springfield. "We can do better than this to improve transparency. After all, the budget is spending taxpayers money. The people of Illinois should have far more input."

Scott Reeder, a longtime statehouse journalist and regular columnist, lives in the Springfield area.

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Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections are investigating the death of a client at the Davenport Residential Correctional Facility.

Waylyn McCulloh, district director for Iowas 7th Judicial District, said on Tuesday the mans death occurred Friday.

The mans name and age have not been released pending an autopsy to determine the cause of death, McCulloh said.

Located at 1330 W. 3rd St., the Residential Correctional Facility is a male-only non-secure facility with a capacity for 64 people that provides 24-hour supervision of offenders.

Offenders may leave the facility for approved purposes such as job-seeking, employment or treatment.

The facilities also house a number of other offender populations, such as those on work release who are transitioning from prison to the community per decision by the board of parole, or those on probation who have been ordered to community supervision by the sentencing judge may be required to reside in a residential correctional facility for a period of time, as an alternative to incarceration.

Also, the facilities house people sentenced to prison for a second, third or subsequent drunk driving offense who may be diverted to residential correctional facilities to receive substance abuse treatment.

Other offenders residing in residential correctional facilities may be federal, interstate compact, offenders on special sentence.

Iowa's 7th Judicial District is comprised of Scott, Muscatine, Clinton, Jackson and Cedar counties.

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A Rock Falls man has been arrested on charges alleging he broke into a home and raped an occupant, Illinois State Police said in a news release Tuesday.

Daniel J. Yanes, 44, is charged in Whiteside County Circuit Court with one count each of home invasion-sexual offense, and criminal sexual assault-force.

The home invasion charge is a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years, while the sexual assault charge is a Class 1 felony that carries a prison sentence of four to 15 years.

Yanes turned himself in on the warrant Monday. He was released from custody after posting 10% of a $100,000 bond. He will make a first appearance on the charges at a later date in Whiteside County Circuit Court.

Yanes is required to register in the State of Illinois as a violent offender against youth.

He was convicted March 21, 2012, of domestic battery-bodily harm in Whiteside County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to six months on conditional discharge, according to circuit court electronic records.

The victim was 17-years-old, according to the violent offender registration online records.

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Prosecutors called witnesses who testified to seeing a boat owned by a Pleasant Valley man traveling recklessly at high speed before slamming into a small boat, killing the driver and passenger.

The state's involuntary-manslaughter case against James Thiel Sr. began in earnest Wednesday in Scott County with 10 witnesses, several of whom described the same scene.

Thiel's boat was racing downstream with another boat just off the levee in LeClaire in August 2020, witnesses testified, when it crashed into a smaller boat that was headed upstream.

Anita Pinc of Moline died at the scene. Her fiancee, Craig Verbeke, also of Moline, died several days later as a result of his injuries.

Witnesses said Thiel's boat, driven by a 15-year-old male, was "recklessly" traveling at a high speed when it made a sudden turn to the left, or port side of the boat. During opening arguments, defense attorney Leon Spies told the jury there is no speed limit on the Mississippi River in the area where the crash occurred.

Kimberly Beightler said she was a passenger on her boyfriend's boat the day of the fatal crash, along with two adult friends and their two children. After dining at a restaurant on the Illinois side of the river, the group was heading back across the river toward LeClaire when Beightler saw two boats "racing and driving recklessly" behind them. She warned her boyfriend to stay away.

At one time, she said, Thiel's boat and the other boat nearly crashed into one another. She told the jury she recalled remarking, "They're going to kill someone."

Her boyfriend, Mark Schoessler, said Thiel's boat and the other, "were driving extremely fast" and "were crossing each other's wake."

Moments later, he said, he saw Thiel's boat turn broadside and run into Verbeke's boat.

The group rushed to the scene, expecting to find people in the water, Schoessler said. His passenger in the seat next to him, Brian Pitt, testified via Zoom from Ohio that he also noted the high speed of both boats and also noticed a number of children onboard Thiel's boat.

"They were moving very fast," he said. "We had a conversation: 'Why would you be driving like that with all those kids on the boat?'"

Four adults and nine children were onboard Thiel's boat, including two 6-year-olds, according to reports.

Pitt said he too was prepared to jump into the river as they arrived alongside Verbeke's boat.

Instead, they saw a man "pop up" in the back of the boat. The man was identified as Thiel, whom evidently was thrown into Verbeke's boat upon impact.

Those on Schoessler's boat described Thiel as being confused.

"He started screaming, 'Is this your boat? Is this your boat?'" Beightler testified. "We were puzzled, because we were on our boat. We had to scream at him and have him look behind him."

Behind Thiel was Verbeke, unconscious and bleeding.

"He (Thiel) turned and kind of screamed," Pitt said, adding that Thiel then began administering CPR on Verbeke. He could see one of Pinc's legs as she lie on the bottom of the boat.

Pitt said he put towels over his daughters' heads, "so they wouldn't see what I was seeing."

Schoessler said he could see emergency lights on shore, so he rushed toward the levee to collect a medic he could take to Verbeke's boat to help. By the time they got back to the boat, however, the driver of the boat witnesses described as racing with Thiel was towing Verbeke's boat to shore.

Clinton Fire Department Deputy Chief Neil Vining testified that he was picked up by Schoessler, but he asked him to rush him back to shore so he could administer aid when the towed vessel arrived at the dock.

He said Verbeke initially had no pulse, had sustained obvious injuries to his face and forehead, and had an open fracture to his left arm.

Next on the scene was LeClaire Fire Department Lt. Colin Demarlie, who said he quickly assessed Verbeke's boat to make sure it was safe to board, then spotted Pinc on the floor.

"I noticed a foot under some debris," he testified. "There was a dog as well. The dog was initially alive."

It was obvious to him that Pinc was deceased.

"Her color was grey ... there was blood from the ears, one eye open and no pulse," Demarlie testified. "Obvious signs of death are pretty unmistakable."

Both emergency responders said they noted a "slight" odor of alcohol on Verbeke. His blood-alcohol content was .102, according to investigators, which is above the legal limit of .08 for those operating motor vehicles.

Thiel refused a breathalyzer at the scene under the advice of his attorney, according to statements made by his trial attorney, Spies.

While Ethan Mahler's boat, which was the one witnesses said was racing with Thiel's, towed Verbeke's vessel to the dock, Thiel's boat left the area, witnesses said. It took an estimated 15 minutes to a half-hour for Thiel's boat to arrive at the dock at LeClaire, and most of the passengers had been removed, witnesses said.

'It scared me.'

Before the noon recess, several witnesses testified that Verbeke appeared to be trying to get out of the way of Thiel's boat, a 35-foot Triton. Verbeke's boat was a 19-foot Bayliner.

Jasmine Bessenecker of LeClaire said she and her husband were enjoying a summer evening on the levee when the sound of "loud motors" drew her attention to two boats coming downstream.

The boats appeared from behind the Twilight riverboat, which is moored on the riverfront, Bessenecker said. She and Antonio Ramirez were on a bench just downstream of the Twilight, and their 5-year-old daughter was nearby.

"It was very excessive, the speed," she said. "It scared me. It was so fast in front of us."

As the boats approached Verbeke's boat, which was moving in the opposite direction, the drivers of both boats involved in the crash appeared to be trying to avoid the collision.

"The big one slammed into the little one," Bessenecker said.

Ramirez described a similar scene.

"The little boat (Verbekes); it was almost like it was trying to get away," he said. "I seen the big boat kind of rock up on top of the little boat."

Ramirez told Bessenecker to call 911 and was considering jumping into the river to try to help. He said he saw Thiel in the smaller boat, performing CPR on Verbeke.

The third witness of the day was one of Verbekes children, Rachel Webster.

She testified that she and her twin sister, Rebecca, met their father and Pinc and other family members after church for lunch on the day of the crash.

On her way to the riverfront restaurant Go Fish in Princeton, Iowa, Webster developed a flat tire.

Her father offered to help her change the tire after lunch, but she urged the couple to stick with their plan to go boating. She was supposed to go boating with them.

She also testified to her fathers abilities as a boat operator, saying shed been boating all of her life with her dad at the wheel.

"He was always driving, and I completely trusted him  always safe, cautious," she said.

Webster said she was to marry the May after the boat crash, and she and her dad had been practicing their father/daughter dance. She hugged her dad and soon-to-be stepmom as the family left Go Fish.

"I never imagined he wouldnt be there on my wedding day," she said, wiping away tears.

Websters mother and Verbekes ex-wife, Jami Drish, also became emotional during her testimony in which she talked about Verbekes long history of boating and his experience with several boats for many years on various waterways.

Asked whether the couple ever took alcohol with them while boating over the years, Drish replied, "Absolutely not. We had children."

More witnesses for the prosecution are expected to testify Thursday.

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West Lake Park's beach is all but certain to remain closed to swimmers this summer because less than ideal rainfall has only filled roughly a third of the lake.

Scott County staff, however, remain hopeful the lake, one of four at the Scott County-owned complex, could fill by the end of summer, allowing boat rental to open.

The four lakes in the park, located just off Interstate 280, were drained as part of a multi-million dollar renovation to improve water quality.

The Scott County Conservation Board gave executive director Roger Kean authority to make a decision to close West Lake's beach, at Lake of the Hills, for the summer before the next monthly board meeting.

"Our beach for sure won't be open for this summer," Kean said. "But we're holding out hope that maybe we can at least have our boat rental portion open. But that's totally dependent on rainfall."

County staff closed drainage valves mid-summer last year, but with drought conditions, it hasn't been enough to fill the 60-acre lake.

"Right now these little bit of rains that we've been getting  an inch of rain or something doesn't have a lot of impact," Kean added.

Part of the equation for Kean and his staff is hiring enough lifeguards to staff the beach. The county already advertised for open positions, and Kean said it's more difficult to hire mid-season for lifeguards, which require life-saving training, than for boat rental concession staff.

"It's not fair to try to hire staff and then turn around and you have to tell them we can't open," Kean said.

Kean said the county staff were much more confident the beach could open in 2023. He said the county purchased an inflatable playground that floats on the water, but they'll have to wait one more year.

"We're just really disappointed," Kean said. "We've been so anxious about doing it, we actually purchased some amenities for the beach ... but we now may have to wait another year."

Already, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has stocked blue gills in the lakes.

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When Kate Tredway thinks of her late husband's legacy, a couplet from Ralph Waldo Emerson on the nature of success comes to mind  "to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children."

"That exactly describes Tom Tredway," she said.

From his time as a student to faculty, administrator, college president and beyond, Tom Tredway dedicated his life to passionate learning. He was engaging and charismatic, willing to meet people where they were. He did more than just share his knowledge, he bolstered people to come to their own conclusions and find their own passions, his family, friends and colleagues said.

Born in New York, Tredway found a home in the Quad-Cities and at Augustana College as an undergraduate student. After leaving to continue his education, Tredway returned to Rock Island in 1964 to teach history at Augustana, moving up to vice president of academic affairs and dean of the college.

In 1975 Tredway was elected as the seventh president of Augustana  one of its youngest presidents at 39 years old. Kate Tredway learned of him as a student herself, and met him during a job interview. They married in 1991.

He served in the role for 28 years, until his retirement in 2003, after which he focused on cataloging Augustana's history while enjoying the outdoors, his friends and family.

Tredway died April 10 from a brief illness along with complications from chronic illness, his wife said.

"From the time he joined the faculty in 1964, through his five years as dean and especially during his 28 years as president, Tom Tredway left an indelible mark on this college," said President Steve Bahls in a news release. "His leadership made steadfast Augustana's commitment to the liberal arts and sciences.

"His tireless work to build up the faculty and advance the academic program during a period of significant transformation in higher education will forever be recalled with gratitude by those who hold Augustana dear," Bahls said.

"I don't ever expect to meet someone like him again," said Kai Swanson, Augustana assistant to the president.

Swanson got to know Tredway through many different walks of life  as the parent of a childhood friend, a professor, university president, and his own friend. He had a way of piecing things together, Swanson said, pulling patterns from seemingly unrelated topics and turning them into words of wisdom or a lesson to be learned.

During hard times, like when Augustana College struggled with low admission in the 90s, Tredway leaned into the Christian liberal art college's traditions and history, instead of trying to pivot away from them. Rather than cut departments that don't seem as profitable, Tredway strengthened them with the conviction that a liberal arts education is essential, no matter the path a student's life takes.

But he wasn't always serious. A lover of the outdoors, Tredway would hold meetings with Swanson's father (long-time campus and director of college relations, Richard "Swanie" Swanson) as they both rode their bicycles around town. You can't talk about Tredway without mentioning bikes, his wife said.

Early in his presidency, Tredway had at least 600 trees planted around the college, joking in a 1981 interview that within a decade, it would be impossible to fly a kite around campus. It was his way of saying Augustana would be around for ages to come.

Tredway was the kind of man who could speak on philosophy and history in multiple languages then turn around and draw a child into discussing their own favorite topics, creating relationships that last generations, Kate Tredway said. He had a way with kids, using his curious nature and sense of humor to engage them.

When she called her husband's old friends to tell them news of his health, oftentimes those friends' children would reach out with a kind word or a request for her to pass on a message to Tredway  the bonds they created with him just as strong as connections he held for 60 years or more.

"He said that he hoped his last words would be thank you, and they were," Kate Tredway said. "Grateful for a fabulous life."

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CEDAR RAPIDS  Sen. Joni Ernst is warning of a domino effect if Ukraine falls to Russian invaders.

I do not believe that, that Vladimir Putin intends to stop with Ukraine, the Iowa Republican said Tuesday while making stops in Manchester and Independence on her annual 99-county tour.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and threat Putin poses to its neighbors is destabilizing Europe, and is threatening our own national security, she said.

The mere fact that a free, democratic nation is being brought down, potentially, by an autocratic, murderous thug should be concerning to everyone, Ernst said. If it's a free-for-all, and he recognizes no boundaries, that means he likely won't stop.

If successful in Ukraine, Putin may move on Moldova, a non-NATO country where there are as many as 1,500 Russian troops now, said Ernst, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Serbia has alliances with Russia and China. The prime minister of Kosovo worries if Ukraine falls, Serbia will invade with support from Russian and China.

So this is not a one-off for Vladimir Putin, she said.

Ernst is not advocating direct involvement in Ukraine, but believes Ukrainian can win with the appropriate support from the U.S. and NATO. However, shes concerned that rather than providing what Ukraine is asking for, the U.S. and European nations are supplying what they think is best.

Our people aren't on the ground there. The Ukrainian forces are on the ground and they know what they need, said Ernst, a combat veteran. So if we and our NATO partners have the ability to provide the means for them to win the war, we should be doing that.

Ernst, who spoke with The Gazette by phone later Tuesday, said she is also concerned about the wars impact on food insecurity. Nearly 400 million people are dependent on Ukrainian and Russian food production. The planting and harvesting cycle likely will be interrupted by protracted fighting. Already the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has reduced its global cereals trade estimate to 469 million tons, down 14.6 million tons from March.

Russia, Ernst said, is using food as a quiet weapon and is targeting Ukrainian agricultural production.

Ernst met with employees at La Motte Telephone Co. in Jackson County to discuss rural broadband, toured the Dubuque Millwork District, visited Allerton Brewing Co. in Independence and met with law enforcement in Grundy County.

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DES MOINES  After years of debating, negotiating and rejecting proposals to change the states 44-year-old bottle bill, lawmakers are on the cusp of approving major modifications to how  and where  Iowans redeem their beer and soda cans and bottles.

It has taken a while to get to this moment, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said Tuesday afternoon.

I understand there's a little angst that perhaps we're going to try this and it's going to fail, he said, acknowledging Senate File 2378 wasnt everything that Iowa House members wanted or hoped for. At some point, we got to have a little faith.

By a 70-14 margin, the House approved the bill that includes changes the Iowa Senate will have to agree to before SF 2378 goes to the governor to be signed into law.

In addition to raising the handling fee from 1 to 3 cents per container and letting retailers that meet certain condition opt out, Lohse explained SF 2378 increases enforcement through the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, offers distributors a 1-cent credit against their taxes for each container they handle and increases legislative oversight.

The bill, he said, is a bipartisan attempt to address long-standing issues with the bottle deposit law to make the system sustainable for consumers into the future.

However, others said consumers are being ignored.

While I know reforms were needed, I fear the reforms being proposed today will make it more difficult for Iowa consumers, said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City.

Supporters talked about what grocers, distributors and redemption centers want, but what I have not heard is what the consumers want. Reducing convenience by letting retailers opt out will reduce the success of the bottle bill, Mascher said.

Even supporters had their reservations. As a restaurant owner and a consumer, Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, had difficulty embracing all of the changes. Her concern has been ensuring that consumers in her rural district have a place to return their empties to get their 5-cent per container deposit returned.

If it were up to me, we'd be repealing this law today, Lundgren said. So I think that anything that we're doing that allows an option for our consumers and our constituents to return their cans is a good move forward.

Rep. Amy Nielsen, D-North Liberty, who worked on the bill with Lundgren and Lohse, agreed critics had valid points.

But it's been a great collaboration and I really feel that we have come up with some good things in this bill, she said.

Raising the handling may lead to more redemption centers, and opening up opportunities for mobile redemption centers in convenient locations, including grocery store parking lots, are positive changes, Nelsen said.

And, unlike the Senate version, the House did not include a sunset provision because the public does like the bottle bill, overwhelmingly supports the bottle bill, Nielsen said.

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Working behind the scenes to keep the United States safe, Ray and Myrna Messer were Boeing gypsies who traveled through the Midwest installing, maintaining and upgrading Minuteman nuclear missiles. Myrna Messer has chronicled hers and other families experiences in a new book, The Boeing Gypsies: The Families Behind the Minuteman Missile Program.

According to the United States Air Force website, the LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile is an element of the nation's strategic deterrent forces under the control of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The missiles are the primary nuclear deterrent for the United States.

The Minuteman system was conceived in the 1950s. When the Messers were part of the Boeing gypsies, the Minuteman missile program included missile sites, known as wings, across more than 400,000 square miles in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Missouri, plus sites covered in Nebraska and Colorado.

Currently, according to the Air Force, the Minuteman force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Its a state-of-the-art weapon system that is a product of almost 60 years of continuous enhancement. The Boeing gypsies, plus subcontractors, were tasked with much of that ongoing enhancement.

South Dakotas missile site is now the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Its a national historic site established in 1999 near Wall.

Five hundred families like the Messers dubbed themselves Boeing gypsies. Workers traveled from site to site, following a sequenced moving schedule coordinated at Boeing headquarters in Seattle. For the Messers, Rays job in construction management on missile sites meant the family moved 23 times in 20 years. Ray worked with the Minuteman missile program from 1960 to 1980, and twice Rays job brought his family to Rapid City.

Ray and Myrna, who are both now 88, had fond memories of spending their honeymoon in Rapid City in 1958. The Minuteman missile program brought the Messers back to Rapid City in 1967 and again in 1972.

We have lots of memories, good and bad, said Myrna, whose book chronicles such adventures as surviving lots of blizzards, UFO sightings and Rapid Citys 1972 flood during their Boeing gypsy years.

Ray had worked for Mobile Oil Company for a few years and the couple was living in Oklahoma, until a memorable night when 17 tornadoes hit and the Messers decided to move back to their home state of North Dakota. Thats where Ray began his 35-year career with Boeing.

When we lived in Oklahoma, we had our first baby. I thought, We sure dont want to start moving around with this baby. Little did we know our moving was just starting! Myrna said.

The Messers and their family that grew to include four sons sometimes only lived in one place for a few months before moving again. Moving boxes were saved and reused until they wore out. The family moved four times when Myrna was pregnant with Jim, the couples youngest son. Jim, now 53, urged his mother to write The Boeing Gypsies to preserve their unique history.

The Messers first stint in Rapid City in 1967 was brief but busy. They arrived a week before Christmas, and moved again in mid-March 1968.

I baked cookies and set up a Christmas tree and wrote Christmas cards in one week! Myrna said. I was young and busy.

Every place they lived, Ray and Myrna said they explored and enjoyed the sights and local amenities. In Rapid City, Ray remembers fishing trips to Pactola and Deerfield Lake, and visiting Hot Springs. Both fondly remember going dancing at the Imperial 400 motel.

We went to the Belle Fourche Rodeo  whatever came up that sounded good and I was able to take off work, we went, Ray said.

That was our perk for moving. We got to see a lot of things without taking a vacation, Myrna said, laughing. We enjoyed the Hills and oddly enough we had a lot of company in Rapid City from out of state.

We wore out the highway to Mount Rushmore, Ray said. We felt very at home in Rapid City.

The couple returned to Rapid City in 1972 about six months before the flood, and lived in Rapid City until 1973. After living in a rental house on Van Buren Street, the family moved to a trailer on St. Patrick Street across from what is now Family Fare. Many of their belongings were in a storage shed by their trailer because they hadnt yet unpacked, Myrna said.

Boeing provided trailers for the Minuteman workers because when you throw that amount of people into an area, the housing doesnt exist, Ray said.

When Rapid City flooded, the Messer family had left for the weekend to take care of some flood damage that occurred at property they owned in Minot, N.D. Their trailer in Rapid City was in a flood zone and ended up with about a foot of water in it. They fared better than their neighbors, some of whom lost entire trailers and vehicles.

The next morning, somebody called to see how we were doing. We were in Minot. We turned on the TV and we saw our trailer court floating away so we turned around and went back to Rapid City, Ray said.

The Messers suffered thousands of dollars in damage and one memorable moment that was shared nationwide. Local residents were being urged to get typhoid shots, Myrna said. When she took their 8-year-old son to get his shot, he was terrified. A news service snapped the boys photo as he was getting his shot.

The news service sent it all over the United States, and that picture is in the book, Myrna said.

Not all families remained Boeing gypsies as long as the Messers did. Some would decide they liked a certain community and chose to stay there, or they would change careers, Ray said. Several former Boeing gypsies retired to Rapid City and Hermosa.

When Ray finished working with the Minuteman missile program in 1980, the couple was given a choice of jobs with Boeing in Seattle, Utah, California or Wichita, Kansas. The couple had heard positive things about the schools in Derby, a small town near Wichita, and have lived in Derby ever since. Myrna taught eighth grade social studies there for several years.

The Messers have made many trips back to Rapid City over the years to visit friends in the area. The Boeing gypsies had a reunion in Laughlin, Nev., in 1999, Ray said. When Myrna was writing her book, the Messers contacted as many former gypsies as they could, but many have died. Myrna included memories from those she could contact. Many people who are buying her book are the children and grandchildren of the Boeing gypsies.

Thats what the book is all about. All the memories (the Boeing gypsies) could remember, Myrna said.

The Boeing Gypsies: The Families Behind the Minuteman Missile Program was released in October and can be purchased on amazon.com or by emailing myrnamesser@cox.net. Myrna will autograph every book that is ordered directly from her.

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A Pennington County grand jury has charged Quincy Bear Robe of Rapid City with second degree murder for the shooting of Myron Pourier of Porcupine on March 19 at the Grand Gateway Hotel. Pourier died from his injuries on April 3 in the hospital.

Bear Robe, 19, had originally been charged with aggravated assault and commission of a felony with a firearm in the shooting of Pourier, also 19. The aggravated assault charge was dropped after the second degree murder charge, but the felony firearm charge still stands.

Rapid City police officers were dispatched to the Grand Gateway Hotel on Saturday, March 19, around 4:30 a.m. after a report of a disturbance at 1721 N. Lacrosse Street. Once on scene, they were notified a gun had been fired in one of the rooms. Police then found Pourier and rendered first aid.

After witness interviews, Bear Robe was arrested. Bear Robe is currently held at the Pennington County Jail. He was arrested on the day of the shooting. His bail is set at $1 million cash.

Brendyn Medina, spokesperson for the police department, stated previously that alcohol was a factor in the shooting.

Bear Robe appeared in court on March 22 for his initial appearance. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday and then canceled after the grand jury charged Bear Robe with second degree murder.

Bear Robe's defense attorney, John Murphy, said that evidence is sometimes presented at preliminary hearings for a judge to make a probable cause determination. Murphy said since the grand jury made an indictment last week, the preliminary hearing was no longer needed.

(Preliminary hearings) are pretty rare because they take up more court resources and because the defendant and his or her attorney get to be present and ask questions. Instead, the state likes to present cases to grand juries. Grand juries meet in secret, the rules of evidence are not well enforced, and neither the defendant nor his or her counsel can attend, Murphy said.

The location of the shooting garnered public attention when one of the Grand Gateway Hotel owners made comments on Facebook stating that Native Americans would be banned from the hotels property and Cheers Lounge after the shooting occurred. Bear Robe is Native American, as was Pourier.

NDN Collective, a Rapid City Indigenous-led organization, filed a federal class action civil rights lawsuit against the hotel, its owners, and its parent company after NDN members reportedly attempted to rent rooms at the hotel and were denied.

Bear Robes arraignment is set for May 2 at 2:15 p.m.

 Contact Shalom Baer Gee at sgee@rapidcityjournal.com 

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Incumbents for seats on the Sturgis City Council and the mayoral race were victorious late Tuesday, following a near-record municipal election turnout.

The City Finance Office began counting ballots after the polls closed at 7 p.m. While a higher than normal voter turnout was expected, the unofficial results were released on the city of Sturgis Facebook page nearly four hours later as midnight quickly approached. A news release with the election results was sent just before 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Incumbent Mayor Mark Carstensen received more than double the amount of votes over challenger Tammy Bohn. The unofficial result shows Carstensen received 1,017 votes and Bohn received 470.

In the Ward 1 City Council race, incumbent Mike Bachand received 151 votes and challenger Brenda Vasknetz gained 97. Incumbent Kevin Forrester will retain his Ward 4 City Council seat, holding off a challenge by Justin Bohn by a vote of 340-133.

There were open seats in both Ward 2 and Ward 3, as Ward 2 incumbent David Martinson and Ward 3 incumbent Jason Anderson decided not to seek re-election. Tony Dargatz was unopposed for Ward 2 City Council, and there was a three-man race for the Ward 3 seat.

According to the unofficial results, Preston Williams won Ward 3 with 208 votes. David Murtha received 141 votes and Sean Natchke received 70.

Tuesday's election results will be certified once canvassing is complete. Those elected will be sworn in on May 2 for three-year terms.

The challenges by Tammy and Justin Bohn and Brenda Vasknetz were particularly contentious. The three candidates circulated a petition in December to hold an election to change Sturgis' form of municipal government from one with a city manager to one without.

The courts ruled the petition was invalid and then the candidates filed a lawsuit against the city and City Manager Daniel Ainslie on March 13.

The lawsuit is seeking judgment on two counts. The first count requests the court to determine the validity of a 2007 municipal election that established the Sturgis city manager petition. Attorney Kellen Willert, who is representing the Bohns and Vasknetz, alleges the 2007 election was improperly called using a different statute under South Dakota Codified Law.

The second count is seeking a declaratory judgment that if the 2007 election is found to be invalid, Ainslie should be required to repay his salary and benefits that he earned since he was hired in 2011. The plaintiffs did not seek declaratory judgment against former City Manager David Boone, who held the position prior to Ainslie.

On April 5, the city and Ainslie filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, questioning the court's jurisdiction in the matter. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 22.

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The leader of the state Senate named Pennington County State's Attorney Mark Vargo the lead prosecutor for the impeachment trial of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg on Wednesday and scheduled it for late June.

The announcement from Sen. Lee Schoenbeck comes one day after House lawmakers voted to impeach Ravnsborg for a car crash that killed Joe Boever.

Ravnsborg is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history and must take leave until the Senate decides whether to remove him from office.

Schoenbeck set the trial for June 21-22. He said Vargo will argue in favor of the two articles of impeachment  one for crimes that led to the death of Boever and the other for malfeasance in office. Clay County States Attorney Alexis Tracy will assist in the prosecution.

Ravnsborg will get the chance to present his case. He said after the impeachment vote that he believes he will be vindicated.

The attorney general was driving home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Boevers death as a tragic accident.

Schoenbeck said he expects senators to do their homework ahead of the trial.

This isnt like a criminal trial. Its a political trial," he said. "Theres no reason to have the senators sit on the floor and start reading reports. That should all be done beforehand. I believe it will be.

Vargo was part of the team of states attorneys that Hyde County Deputy States Attorney Emily Sovell used in determining what criminal charges should be brought. Although he left the group before Ravnsborg was charged with three misdemeanors, Schoenbeck said Vargo has a firm grasp of the evidence.

Vargo said Schoenbeck asked him to oversee the trial.

Its a simple as that, Vargo said. I did not lobby for it.

The trial starts two days before the Republican convention in Watertown, where delegates will pick the partys attorney general candidate for Novembers general election.

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A historic aircraft signifying the impact of the Doolittle Raid during World War II and its connection to South Dakota will be making a stop at Rapid City Regional Airport next month.

Hosted by the Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition, a B-25 bomber  the same type of aircraft used in the famous Doolittle Raid  will be touring across the state from May 10-13, as a precursor to the 2022 Ellsworth Air and Space Show.

Tuesday, the Rapid City Regional Airport Board of Directors approved a special operator permit that will allow the B-25 to land at the airport on May 12 and be on display for school children and the public to view.

State Sen. David Johnson made the request for the special permit and explained the Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition's event.

"It's privately funded and based primarily on youth and students (in the state)," Johnson said. "The B-25 will be flying and landing across the state... And involving all the kids across the state. We've worked with all the school districts and and school boards. We are really excited about this."

Johnson said the B-25 and perhaps a B-51 will land at Rapid City Regional Airport and be open for viewing between 10 a.m. and noon May 12. The group is also planning flyovers for school children at Pine Ridge and some Rapid City Area School sites as well.

"We're expecting between 200 and 400 kids out here at Rapid City for the static display of these war birds," Johnson said. "This is celebrating the legacy of South Dakota, specifically South Dakota military aviation veterans, from World War II all the way up through Vietnam and Iraq."

Particular emphasis will be give to the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942 and the two South Dakotans who took part in the raid. There's also a major connection to Ellsworth AFB, which is now home to three of the four Doolittle squadrons  the 34th Bomb Squadron, 37th Bomb Squadron, and the 89th Attack Squadron.

Additional legacy markers of the Doolittle Raiders exist at Ellsworth, as it is the "Home of the Raiders," and the future home of the B-21 Stealth Raider.

Johnson said the Raid Across South Dakota event is sponsored in part by Northrop Grumman. The company, Johnson said, is planning on presenting sizeable monetary donations to Rapid City Area Schools and the Douglas School District during the stopover at Rapid City Regional Airport.

The historic B-25 aircraft's flight plan will begin in Sioux Falls on May 9 and will travel with stops in Brookings, Aberdeen, Chamberlain, Rosebud and Pierre before its final stop at Rapid City.

Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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Those paying attention to Montanas congressional delegation likely know Rep. Rosendale voted on Mar. 2 against HRes956 supporting the people of Ukraine and urging a cease-fire from Russias invasion. He was one of very few extreme fringe votes (the resolution passed Congress 426 to 3).

More recently, Apr. 5, he was again a nay on HRes831, a non-binding (symbolic) resolution recommitting support for NATO (passing 362  63). This, in part, has wrangled his reputation as being in the current Putin wing of the GOP.

Ridiculously, in a very recent interview, Rosendale has gone into criticizing the U.S. (for the past 14 months) putting blame on the U.S. for the Ukraine/Russian devastation!

He has called Zelensky a less-than-forthright president of the Ukraine. Perhaps this is all because President Zelensky did not collude with a certain former president to help conjure a (false) attack on his political rival.

Though he may sometimes be on the side of doing beneficial things for us common Montanans and America, all too often he is a vote against, seemingly more focused on scoring points from his political base and leader.

This 2022 election cycle will provide the opportunity to vote him out of office, if not in the primary, then certainly in the general.

For us in the newly established western district, we will have an opportunity to elect a representative who will work for us, not another like Rosendale (such as Ryan Zinke who has already clearly proven his unworthiness to serve us in D.C.).

 Scott Weaver, Hamilton

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" " When a pan or pot is placed on an induction cooktop, the fluctuating magnetic field interacts with the bottom of the pan, causing an electric current to flow through it. PxHere

Boil a pan of water in under three minutes? Melt butter or chocolate quickly, yet without scorching? It's all possible with an induction cooktop.

While cooktops powered by induction heating have been favored across Europe for decades, they are now steadily gaining traction in the United States, where the National Kitchen + Bath Association expects them to eventually replace electric cooktops altogether, and market-watcher Technavio anticipates the induction cookware market will blossom to $1.38 billion by 2025.

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Gas, Electric or Induction?

There are three main types of cooktops: gas, electric and induction.

If a cooktop is powered by gas or electricity, it relies on thermal conduction, either via gas flames or an electric coil. The heat source conducts heat to the burner itself and then to the pot or pan atop the burner. Whether the burner is an exposed circular heating element, or is covered by a glass or ceramic surface, it requires thermal conduction.

An induction cooktop, however, eliminates the need for anything to conduct the heat. There is not a heating coil, nor are there gas flames. This is because an induction cooktop does not rely on thermal conduction. An induction cooktop sends heat straight from the source to the item you intend to heat, eliminating the need for conduction  and this direct heat transfer is becoming a preferred method among chefs and home cooks alike.

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How Does Induction Cooking Work?

An induction cooktop has a heat-resistant glass or ceramic surface that may look like an ordinary electric cooktop, but the similarities stop there. Underneath this smooth surface lies an electromagnetic copper coil and, when the heating surface is turned on, an electric current passes through this electromagnetic coil. This results in the creation of a multidirectional magnetic field, which radiates outward from the coil in all directions but which does not produce any heat.

And therein lies the kicker: an induction cooktop doesn't produce heat through its underlying electromagnetic coil until  and only until  a cooking pan is placed atop the burner.

When a pan or pot is placed on an induction cooktop, the fluctuating magnetic field interacts with the bottom of the pan, causing an electric current to flow through it. A fluctuating (or looping) magnetic field is known as an eddy current or a Foucault current, the latter named for the French physicist Jean Bernard Leon Foucault who discovered it in 1851. An induction cooktop creates a magnetic field between a cooking pot and the induction coil beneath the cooking surface, which then releases some of its energy as heat and heats the contents of the pot.

" " An induction cooktop looks like a typical electric stove, but does not rely on thermal conduction to transfer heat to your pots and pans and, therefore, loses much less heat energy. Guido Kirchner/picture alliance via Getty Images

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Benefits of Induction Cooking

Induction cooktops are more energy-efficient than other cooktop options primarily because they draw less energy to create heat. During induction cooking there is little heat loss, with up to 90 percent of the generated heat energy used to heat the contents of a pan instead of the atmosphere around it. A gas or electric stovetop, in comparison, loses up to 35 percent of the heat it generates during cooking.

An induction cooktop heats faster  and at more precise temperatures  than a gas or electric cooktop, making it a preferred method for professional chefs.

"Electric cooktops are generally known for hot spots on pans, and induction does not get hot spots like electric cooktops, while also allowing the same precision cooking experience usually associated with gas cooking," says Jessica Randhawa, head chef and recipe creator at The Forked Spoon, in an email interview. "I find that the precision is much more consistent [with induction cooktops] than gas cooktops, allowing for much better overall temperature control of the food being cooked."

Induction cooktops also have the potential to reduce burns and other-related injuries, in large part because the surface of an induction cooktop stays cool to the touch, even when the heating element is turned on.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, "Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the U.S., as well as a leading cause of home fire death." Even more prevalent? Non-fire cooking burns caused by "contact with hot equipment, hot cooking liquids or hot food." Of these injuries, making contact with a hot range is the most common source of non-fire cooking burns treated at emergency departments from 2015 to 2019.

"Gas is highly flammable, and the misalignment of a burner on low can create a situation where the flame goes out, and gas floods the kitchen or house; this has happened to me before," Randhawa says. "Both gas and electric cooktops get very hot when started and tend to hold their heat long after the cooking is done," she says, "whereas induction cooktops heat up only when the pot or pan is placed directly on the induction zone, and it also cools off quite a bit faster."

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Downsides to Induction Cooking

Cost is one of the chief drawbacks of induction cooking, particularly for home cooks, with induction cooktop ranges averaging anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000  several times the approximately $500 cost of an average electric range.

And you may need to purchase a different set of pots and pans made specifically for an induction cooktop. Induction works only if a pot or pan is comprised of ferromagnetic metals, such as cast iron, enameled cast iron and some stainless steel pots and pans. Some stainless steel will not work with an induction stove if its composition is high in nickel, which can block the magnetic field necessary for heating its contents with an induction stove. In addition, older types of aluminum, copper or glass cookware are not compatible with an induction cooktop, although some manufacturers are now adding a magnetic layer to the bottom of these items.

"Induction cookware is also well known for its temperature acceleration, reducing the cooking times for simple tasks like water boiling by half," Randhawa says, which may help turn the tide for consumers who are wary of induction cooking.

If you're unsure whether your cookware will work with an induction cooktop, you can test it by holding a magnet near the bottom of the pan. If it adheres, it is magnetic and  as long as it has a flat bottom surface  will work well with an induction cooktop.

New cookware aside, induction may well be the cooktop of the future. Induction cooktops have long been employed in professional kitchens throughout Europe and have been gaining ground among professionals and enthusiasts alike throughout the United States as concerns about climate change move kitchen cookery from natural gas to all-electric  prompting city zoning ordinances in some locations to deny the use of natural gas lines in newly constructed homes.

Now That's Interesting When compared to gas cooktops, induction cooktops may help reduce indoor air pollutants such as methane. A Stanford University study found the methane byproduct of natural gas-burning stoves in U.S. homes has the equivalent climate impact as the carbon dioxide emissions from about 500,000 gas-powered cars.
S.D. attorney general impeached over crash

PIERRE, S.D.  The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 car crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boevers death as a tragic accident.

Ravnsborg, who took office in 2019, was returning home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. A sheriff who responded after Ravnsborg called 911 initially reported it as a collision with an animal. Ravnsborg has said he did not realize he hit a man until he returned the next day and found the body.

Shanghai eases 2-week shutdown

BEIJING  Some residents of Shanghai were allowed out of their homes as the city of 25 million eased a two-week-old shutdown Tuesday after a video posted online showed what was said to be people who ran out of food breaking into a supermarket.

About 6.6 million people can go outdoors, but some must stay in their own neighborhoods, the online news outlet The Paper reported, citing city officials.

A health official warned Shanghai doesnt have the virus under control despite easing restrictions.

The abrupt closure of most businesses starting March 28 and orders to stay home left the public fuming about lack of access to food and medicine. People who test positive for the virus are forced into sprawling temporary quarantine facilities criticized by some as crowded and unsanitary.

Meanwhile, the American government announced all non-emergency U.S. government employees would be withdrawn from its Shanghai Consulate.

Truckers protest at Texas-Mexico border

AUSTIN, Texas  One of the busiest trade ports on the U.S.-Mexico border remained closed Tuesday as frustration and traffic snarls mounted over new orders by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requiring extra inspections of commercial trucks as part of the Republicans border security operation.

Since Monday, Mexican truckers have blocked the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in protest after Abbott last week directed state troopers to stop and inspect trucks coming into Texas. Unusually long backups have stacked up elsewhere along Texas roughly 1,200-mile border.

The Mexican government said Tuesday that Abbotts order was causing serious damage to trade, and that cross-border traffic had plummeted to a third of normal levels.

The gridlock is the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. But critics question how the inspections are meeting that objective, while business owners and experts complain of financial losses and warn U.S. grocery shoppers could notice shortages as soon as this week.
Petersburg police have made an arrest in a triple shooting that left one person dead Tuesday night in the parking lot of the Citgo service station in the 1500 block of East Washington Street, Deputy Chief Emanuel Chambliss said Wednesday morning.

The suspect, identified as Dwight Delano Scott, 19, of Petersburg, has been charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is accused of fatally shooting Tyquan Ridges, 20, of Petersburg.

Chambliss said Petersburg police were called about 6:55 p.m. to the corner of East Washington Street and Slagle Avenue for reports of shots being fired and a person being shot in the parking lot of the Citgo station.

Three were shot at that location, Chambliss said. One died at the scene, one was found on Locust Court and the third was found in the 900 block of High Pearl Street.

Chambliss said detectives identified Scott as the person who allegedly shot two of the victims, including Ridges, the man who died.

Scott also was shot but did not sustain life-threatening wounds.

The person shot is going to be our suspect, Chambliss said.

The shooting remains under investigation and police urged anyone with information to call Petersburg/Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212 or provide information through www.p3tips.com.
Design work on a new George Wythe High School may soon finally begin after the Richmond School Board broke a months-long deadlock over the proposed size of the facility.

Just hours after Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced a final compromise  the release of $7.3 million for the project in exchange for an agreement to build a new school for 1,800 students  the School Board voted 5-4 late Monday to meet those terms.

School Board Chairwoman Shonda Harris-Muhammed broke from four of her colleagues to pass the resolution. Prior to the vote, the chairwoman had been part of a narrow majority that had insisted on building a school with a capacity for 1,600 students  400 fewer than what the city administration had originally envisioned when it was preparing to solicit construction bids last spring.

At the end of the day, its about children [and] I am willing to compromise. I am willing to stand in the truth of moving forward, she said Monday night. Im ready to move forward so we can go to the next step  [and] I believe well be able to walk that next step together.

After the School Board voted last year to reassert its control of school construction projects  which the city administration had been managing in recent years  the City Council held out on releasing construction funds the school division needed to award a design contract for the project.

While city officials say a larger school is needed based on enrollment projections and 2020 census data, several school board members have argued that the numbers are off, and that building a smaller school will save money to begin work on rebuilding Woodville Elementary, another old and decaying school building, in the citys East End.

In a statement Monday, Stoney thanked Harris-Muhammed for changing her position. He also thanked the City Council for their support and insistence on fiscal responsibility in the expenditure of taxpayer dollars on the project.

The Richmond School Board did the right thing last night. They put Richmonds children first, the mayor said. Because we worked together to choose compromise over conflict, that wait is finally over. When we put our children first, we all win.

City and school officials have made the rebuilding of Wythe, which originally opened in 1960, a top priority. The school  which serves a majority of Black and Hispanic students  is in awful condition with pest problems and leaky ceilings.

Five of the nine School Board members who voted to wrest control of school construction last year said they did so because of concerns about recent building costs that exceeded earlier projections and a city audit that concluded the citys procurement policies often result in higher costs.

A few board members also raised concerns about companies the city hired for those projects, noting that they had also donated to the mayors political campaigns in the past.

The mayor and administration officials said the donations had nothing to do with the contracts, and insisted their procurement policies were meant to deliver the projects quickly.

Jonathan Young, one of the School Board members who voted against building a school for 1,800 students, said Tuesday he disagrees with the action, but understands why the majority chose compromise.

I cant fault any of my colleagues for their vote yesterday evening because they were put in predicament that was totally unnecessary. Thats the unfortunate part of whats materialized, he said. People who were protesting last year that Wythe cant wait have been responsible for just that.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on releasing the $7.3 million to the school division when it meets again on April 25.

csuarez@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6178 Staff Writer Holly Prestidge contributed to this report.
A group of media organizations has sued Gov. Glenn Youngkin over his refusal to hand over records related to a tip line he created for residents to report divisive concepts being taught in schools, according to reports.

The lawsuit, first reported by The Virginian-Pilot, asks a judge to force the administration to turn over the records.

Youngkin, who campaigned in large part on expanding parents rights in public schools, set up the email tip line shortly after taking office.

We have set up a particular email address called helpeducation@governor.virginia.gov for parents to send us any instances where they feel that their fundamental rights are being violated, where their children are not being respected and where their inherent divisive practices in their schools and were asking for input right from parents so we can go right to the source, Youngkin told a conservative radio host in Richmond in January.

His administration has argued the records  requested by media outlets under the states Freedom of Information Act  are protected as working papers, an exemption in the law that allows withholding records prepared by or for a public official... for his personal or deliberative use.
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Ukraine's negotiating position at the peace talks with Russia remains unchanged, the head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia said Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian side adheres to the Istanbul Communique and hasn't changed its position," Arakhamia wrote on Telegram.

The only difference is that the Ukrainian side does not take into account all the additional issues that were not included in the Istanbul Communique. This may have led to a misinterpretation of the current state of the negotiation process, he said.

The negotiations regarding the security guarantees for Ukraine continue in an online regime, Arakhamia said.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had changed its stance from last month's peace talks in Turkey's Istanbul.
Fiscal equivalent of a Russian assault

Youngkins costly frontal attack for veterans tax break

BY JEFF E. SCHAPIRO

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is selling generous tax cuts for Virginia military pensioners, some of whom collect six figures in retirement pay while simultaneously holding high-dollar civilian jobs, as a red-white-and-blue idea.

Skeptics see only red, worried that the proposal  embraced by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, alike  disproportionately rewards a small slice of the veteran population of more than 720,000 and will drain millions of dollars from state programs that make Virginia a magnet for military retirees.

Indeed, WalletHub, the personal finance website, last year rated Virginia  No. 2 in defense spending and home to the nations third-largest number of veterans, according to federal figures  the top state for military retirees, giving high marks to its economic environment, quality of life and health care system.

When youre No. 1, everybody wants to knock you off, said Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, a former Army Ranger captain and a sponsor of the military pension tax break. Reeves, running for Congress in a defense-rich district in the outer D.C. suburbs, said a red X for Virginia is its policy of taxing veterans pensions.

Unlike Youngkins other goodies  doubling the standard deduction, erasing the grocery tax and suspending the fuel tax for three months  the veterans proposal has generated little controversy, though it would cost $287 million annually. Thats more than twice what the state spends each year on its 17 veterans programs.

Michael Dick, a retired Marine infantry colonel who was a lawyer in the U.S. Justice Department and heads a veterans legal aid program at the College of William and Mary Law School, said the hit to the budget is a major reason a state-created umbrella group of 21 veterans organizations didnt include the pension exemption in its legislative wish list.

But it was fashioned before Republican Youngkin took office and a divided General Assembly was seated. Nor did it preclude member organizations from supporting the proposals. Among those backing it: the Fleet Reserve Association, an advocate for active-duty and retired Marine, Navy and Coast Guard personnel.

Simply put, as a strategic matter, this proposal is the fiscal equivalent of a Russian assault on the state budget, said Dick, chairman of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services, to which he was appointed in 2016 by the Democrat whom Youngkin narrowly defeated, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Dick has donated $12,500 to political candidates  all Democrats.

As with the rest of Youngkin $5 billion tax package, financed with record surpluses attributed to Virginias strong bounce-back from the coronavirus pandemic, the veterans proposal depends on a measure that continues to elude Richmond: the 2022-24 state budget, on which the House of Delegates, Virginia Senate and governor have yet to agree.

The military pension scheme would apply to retirees 55 and older, with the exemption increasing over four years from $10,000 to $40,000. It is less pricey than originally proposed, a plus for one of the Democrats who crafted a bipartisan compromise, Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath.

He worried the cost would constantly increase, not unlike a tax-credit plan he won years back to promote the preservation of the Virginia countryside that then-House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, a trusts-and-estates lawyer, pressed to make more generous  until GOP budget writers insisted it be capped, complaining it was a subsidy for the wealthy.

Dick has a similar concern, noting that only one in five Virginia veterans would benefit from the tax exemption.

Twenty percent of veterans here are career military, collecting pensions that often represent 87% of the average of their three highest years salary and ensuring many of them, as pension publications note, more than a $1 million retirement savings. The remaining vets, approximately 80% of the ex-military population, werent in uniform long enough to qualify for a pension.

Credited for 28 years of service, Dick is eligible for about $90,000 a year, excluding health and other benefits. The states veterans and defense affairs secretary, Craig Crenshaw, is a retired Marine two-star general with more than 30 years on duty. His pension is driven by a salary that, according to U.S. Defense Department pay tables, was about $150,000. Crenshaw makes about $175,000 as a Cabinet secretary.

In an op-ed article April 6 in The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Crenshaw echoed Youngkins claim from the 2021 campaign that friendlier tax provisions for veterans would draw more of them to Virginia, already a low-tax state, rated 34th overall by WalletHub.

But university studies in other states  in red Utah in 2017 and blue New Mexico in 2009  said tax exemptions for military retirement pay arent make-or-break factors in a veterans decision where to live. The Virginia Division of Veteran Services noted these findings, saying exemptions had not proven effective in states with large populations.

Such doubts notwithstanding, veterans benefits have been a priority of both political parties here, an acknowledgement of the largess of the Pentagon, located in Northern Virginia, and an unwillingness by Democrats and Republicans to be seen as wimps on defense-related issues, especially when global tension means the U.S. military is in harms way.

Twenty-six states, including neighboring North Carolina, dont tax the retirement benefits of former members of the armed services. Nine impose some taxes.

The remaining states with income taxes levy them on military pensions, but may provide other forms of relief. That includes three of the other four states that surround Virginia  West Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland  as well as Washington, D.C. Tennessee doesnt have an income tax.

Virginia, which has wrestled in the state and federal courts and in the legislature since the late 1980s with the thorny issue of taxing the pensions of state, federal and military retirees, offers a mish-mash of tax breaks for active and former military.

They include for lower-paid active duty state residents a higher deduction on their Virginia income taxes and an exemption for disabled veterans from the locally imposed car tax. A particularly exclusive benefit: Medal of Honor winners do not have to pay state taxes on their retirement income.

The debate over tax relief for veterans, in contrast with the yowling over the standard deduction and Youngkins other higher-dollar notions, is more conversation than combat. That these giveaways should be considered as part of a larger examination of Virginias increasingly outdated tax system piques only a few politicians.

So its praise the Lord and pass the tax exemption.

Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or jschapiro@timesdispatch.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter, @RTDSchapiro. Listen to his analysis 7:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Friday on Radio IQ, 89.7 FM in Richmond and 89.1 FM in Roanoke, and in Norfolk on WHRV, 89.5 FM.
Hemp advocates and civil rights activists pushed back Tuesday against a proposal by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to crack down on marijuana and popular edibles known as Delta-8. They say the proposal is an assault on farmers and businesses and harkens back to the decades-old War on Drugs.

Youngkin  three months into the job  made his proposal in the form of amendments to a piece of legislation that aims to restrict the potency of synthetic edibles made from hemp and sold in retail stores.

Youngkin proposed amendments to the bill to set the minimum age at 21 for buying CBD products, and would ban Delta-8 products starting in October.

The bill would create new criminal misdemeanor penalties for people with more than 2 ounces of marijuana, something a state oversight agency recommended last year. (Virginia legalized personal possession of up to an ounce of marijuana last year, with higher amounts up to a pound punishable by a $25 civil penalty).

While small amounts of marijuana are now legal in Virginia, people have to grow it themselves. House Republicans in February killed a proposal to kick start the sale of legal, recreational marijuana.

With regard to the unregulated synthetics, Youngkin said in a statement Monday that he wants to protect Virginians from potentially harmful synthetically-modified substances.

Jason Amatucci, president of the Virginia Hemp Coalition, said Tuesday he was blindsided by Monday nights news because he and representatives had met with staffers for the governor in recent weeks and had no idea the amendments were coming.

He said the legislation as written would criminalize a large part of the CBD industry, while state officials promote beer, wine and cider and the state earns large profits selling liquor.

Its really kind of a punch in the gut, Amatucci said. Youngkin is supposedly for businesses. Hes supposedly for farmers. Hes supposedly for Virginians and their rights, but were not seeing it with this bill.

He added that the bill as amended would criminalize all CBD products  including lotions  for anyone under 21 years of age.

All ages can tolerate CBD and hemp extract products, he said in an email. They are non-intoxicating and non toxic to the human body at any age.

The association issued a statement saying there would be a unified response before the legislature considers the measures on April 27.

How many Virginians will be sent to jail and prison over this suggested law and who pays for that? the statement said. And now we are expecting law enforcement to take time and precious resources from fighting real crime to be bogged down enforcing these misguided policies?

A coalition of groups called the Joint CannaJustice Coalition said Youngkins proposal would re-activate the criminalization of marijuana and stops people from accessing housing, increases chances of deportation, and blocks student loan opportunities. These are the same burdens built by the War on Drugs to target Black communities.

Studies have shown that criminal enforcement of marijuana is disproportionately focused on people of color.

Criminalization is a public health issue and legislators should vote to keep us healthy and safe instead of pointing us towards courts, jails and prisons, all for weed, said Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of the group Marijuana Justice.

The marijuana reform group Virginia NORML, which viewed the bill before the governors amendments as a consumer safety bill, tweeted opposition to the new version: Instead of creating new ways to criminalize Virginians for a legal substance, Governor Youngkins administration ought to focus on establishing the retail market for adult-use cannabis, ensuring that products are safe, convenient, and affordable.

Sheba Williams, executive director of the group Nolef Turns, weighed in against the proposals for similar reasons and said she hoped there would be bipartisan opposition.

The hemp coalitions Amatucci said he thinks the proposal is in conflict with federal law that protects hemp products, and the state law would face legal challenge if its passed. The industry will not give up, he said.

John Minott, 37, a Richmond musician who supports legal marijuana use as a way for people to be calm and to reduce their anxiety, recalled on Tuesday a time when people could be in a lot of trouble for simply having paraphernalia.

I come from a time in life where you could get five years for a gram, where you could get locked up for just having a grinder, said Minott, who visited a Delta-8 store called THE Dispensary in Richmond on Tuesday.
A warm and breezy, if not windy, Thursday takes shape across central Virginia. But more clouds roll in late in the afternoon, leading to a scattering of showers and isolated thundershowers through the evening. A widespread soaking rain is not coming with this batch of showers, which is something that is needed, but will have to wait.

And the pollen stays high. Wednesdays midday reading from the Allergy Partners of Richmond was 3,048. Pine and oak dominate right now, although oak should take over soon, according to their Wednesday release. For comparison, that value one Monday was a relatively smaller 748.

The edge gets taken off of the warmth on Friday and Saturday, and the cooler night returns. Aside from a stray shower around Saturday, both days look dry with afternoon temperatures in the 70s.

Another shot of cool air surges in from the northwest for Easter Sunday. Daybreak temperatures Sunday will be in the 40s. And while a few cloudy periods will mix with the sun, no rain is expected, as afternoon temperatures hold in the 60s.

Through the next seven days, the best chance to get some soaking rain is Monday. A small disturbance slides by just to the south of Virginia, turning winds from the east and bringing in a few hours worth of rain. But the precise track will go a long way in determining just how much rain Richmond can get out of the system, and how chilly it will be as it moves through.

After a couple more chilly days early next week in the wake of that rain, temperatures bounce back above normal for the second half of next week.
Joining the usual cyclists, anglers and runners recreating along the Roanoke River Greenway on Tuesday afternoon were city officials and a United States senator, who promised potential benefits coming from nationwide infrastructure investments.

On a visit to Roanoke, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va, walked a low-water bridge in Smith Park to emphasize passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Signed into law last November, the legislation includes $1.2 trillion to be spent nationwide on improvements to roads, bridges, rail systems, and other such needs.

All across the board, this infrastructure plan is going to improve the quality of life for our communities, create jobs here in this country, and allow Virginia new opportunities, Warner said.

The Smith Park low-water bridge on Wiley Drive is a popular, but problematic structure, according to remarks from Mayor Sherman Lea.

This bridge on Wiley Drive has a high amount of pedestrian and cyclist traffic on the connector for the Roanoke River Greenway, which is the backbone and main artery of the Roanoke Valley Greenway system, Lea said. It is also a roadway accommodating vehicle traffic when it floods, as it did just a couple weeks ago, it must be closed.

The bridge has flooded more than 20 times since 2020, said City Manager Bob Cowell. Even when it isnt raining, the bridge sits so low on the waterline that it blocks paddlers enjoying the Roanoke River Blueway, causing them to exit the water and drag their boats over or around the structure.

Projects like these rarely get done without the collaboration of local, state and federal officials, Cowell said. State and federal funding has been necessary to get the Roanoke River Greenway built, and to continue to ensure that our roads and bridges remain in sound condition, and will be necessary to replace bridges such as this.

Virginia has 530 bridges that are in inferior or decaying condition, the Wiley Drive bridge not being among them, Warner said. The state will receive $578 million for bridge repairs in the first round of infrastructure act funding, he said.

The infrastructure package is relevant not just to the Wiley Drive low-water bridge, but to a lot of other bridges around Virginia that are in need of repair, Warner said. Weve got a lot of them around I-81.

The Wiley Drive bridge is in decent condition, Warner said, but could still be eligible for federal funding because of its tendency to flood. It could be replaced using funds from a $12 billion grant program the city can apply for, or money could be found in the $47 billion earmarked to improve the nations resiliency against flooding, Warner said.

This will get us, in many communities, far along the way, Warner said of the infrastructure act. But it would not be honest to say were going to meet all of Virginias needs for infrastructure.

Take I-81 as an example, Warner said. Even with $2 billion coming from the federal government to accelerate improvements planned for the I-81 corridor in Western Virginia, there is still another $2 billion needed to meet all its identified needs.

In this bill, you can expect to take care of about half of I-81s needs, Warner said. The other half probably isnt going to get done.

Another area of emphasis for the federal infrastructure funding is expanding rail transport and improving airports, Warner said.

Weve finally got rail to Roanoke. We need to get rail further down, Warner said. We now have a commitment out of this infrastructure bill to get rail at least to Christiansburg and Blacksburg, and my intention is to get it all the way down to Bristol.

New school buses are on the bill too, he said.

Were going to buy 25,000 school buses in the next five years, Warner said. I think they will be electric. They ought to be made here in America.

Also included in the national infrastructure act is $1.5 billion to Virginia for broadband expansion.

Its a big slug of dough, Warner said. By the end of 2024, there should not be a home anywhere in 98% to 99% of Virginia that doesnt have high-speed broadband.

The federal government has poured a lot of money into its states during the time of the coronavirus, Warner said.

My hope would be that we recognize the federal government isnt going to keep doing that, Warner said. We need to make sure we make long-term investments with these one-time capital improvements.

He said he worries at times about lawmakers in Richmond. The Virginia General Assembly is presently deliberating how to spend a more than $2 billion state budget surplus, with Republicans generally in favor of returning the money to citizens through rebates and tax cuts, while Democrats want to invest more in state assets using those funds.

Where did the surplus come from? It came from Uncle Sam, Warner said. Use it for long-term investments, rather than short-term political gains.

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RICHMOND  Hemp advocates and civil rights activists pushed back Tuesday against a proposal by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to crack down on marijuana and popular edibles known as Delta-8. They say the proposal is an assault on farmers and businesses and harkens back to the decades-old War on Drugs.

Youngkin  three months into the job  made his proposal in the form of amendments to a piece of legislation that aims to restrict the potency of synthetic edibles made from hemp and sold in retail stores.

Youngkin proposed amendments to the bill to set the minimum age at 21 for buying CBD products, and would ban Delta-8 products starting in October.

The bill would create new criminal misdemeanor penalties for people with more than 2 ounces of marijuana, something a state oversight agency recommended last year. (Virginia legalized personal possession of up to an ounce of marijuana last year, with higher amounts up to a pound punishable by a $25 civil penalty).

While small amounts of marijuana are now legal in Virginia, people have to grow it themselves. House Republicans in February killed a proposal to kick start the sale of legal, recreational marijuana.

With regard to the unregulated synthetics, Youngkin said in a statement Monday that he wants to protect Virginians from potentially harmful synthetically-modified substances.

Jason Amatucci, president of the Virginia Hemp Coalition, said Tuesday he was blindsided by Monday nights news because he and representatives had met with staffers for the governor in recent weeks and had no idea the amendments were coming.

He said the legislation as written would criminalize a large part of the CBD industry, while state officials promote beer, wine and cider and the state earns large profits selling liquor.

Its really kind of a punch in the gut, Amatucci said. Youngkin is supposedly for businesses. Hes supposedly for farmers. Hes supposedly for Virginians and their rights, but were not seeing it with this bill.

He added that the bill as amended would criminalize all CBD products  including lotions  for anyone under 21 years of age.

All ages can tolerate CBD and hemp extract products, he said in an email. They are non-intoxicating and non toxic to the human body at any age.

The association issued a statement saying there would be a unified response before the legislature considers the measures on April 27.

How many Virginians will be sent to jail and prison over this suggested law and who pays for that? the statement said. And now we are expecting law enforcement to take time and precious resources from fighting real crime to be bogged down enforcing these misguided policies?

A coalition of groups called the Joint CannaJustice Coalition said Youngkins proposal would re-activate the criminalization of marijuana and stops people from accessing housing, increases chances of deportation, and blocks student loan opportunities. These are the same burdens built by the War on Drugs to target Black communities.

Studies have shown that criminal enforcement of marijuana is disproportionately focused on people of color.

Criminalization is a public health issue and legislators should vote to keep us healthy and safe instead of pointing us towards courts, jails and prisons, all for weed, said Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of the group Marijuana Justice.

The marijuana reform group Virginia NORML, which viewed the bill before the governors amendments as a consumer safety bill, tweeted opposition to the new version: Instead of creating new ways to criminalize Virginians for a legal substance, Governor Youngkins administration ought to focus on establishing the retail market for adult-use cannabis, ensuring that products are safe, convenient, and affordable.

Sheba Williams, executive director of the group Nolef Turns, weighed in against the proposals for similar reasons and said she hoped there would be bipartisan opposition.

The hemp coalitions Amatucci said he thinks the proposal is in conflict with federal law that protects hemp products, and the state law would face legal challenge if its passed. The industry will not give up, he said.

John Minott, 37, a Richmond musician who supports legal marijuana use as a way for people to be calm and to reduce their anxiety, recalled on Tuesday a time when people could be in a lot of trouble for simply having paraphernalia.

I come from a time in life where you could get five years for a gram, where you could get locked up for just having a grinder, said Minott, who visited a Delta-8 store called THE Dispensary in Richmond on Tuesday.
RICHMOND  GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed nine out of 10 bills sponsored by a Democratic state senator whose bills were threatened during the legislative session by a senior aide to the governor.

Ten bills filed by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, reached the governor's desk. Youngkin amended one and vetoed the other nine.

"I'm stunned at the governor's unexplainable decision to veto meaningful, non-controversial, legislation. It is the polar opposite of what he campaigned on," Ebbin wrote on Twitter.

Four of the nine bills passed the House and Senate without any opposition. Asked why he vetoed the bills, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter issued a statement that cited companion bills in the House for a number of Ebbin's bills.

In other words, because the same bill passed the House, Ebbin's bill wasn't needed. However, governors traditionally sign a bill if they agree with the policy, even if there's a companion bill. No other lawmaker's bill was vetoed for that reason even though many bills have companions in the other chamber.

Youngkin vetoed a total of 26 bills.

The General Assembly will address the governor's vetoes and amendments to legislation on April 27.

Ebbin was in the thick of a partisan fight during the regular General Assembly session this year over personnel appointments. After House Republicans stripped 11 appointees of Democratic former Gov. Ralph Northam of their positions, Senate Democrats scuttled Youngkin's choices for the Virginia Parole Board.

Ebbin had exchanges in the Capitol with Matt Moran, a senior Youngkin aide who was the governor's liaison to lawmakers, helped craft legislation and told lawmakers which bills the governor might sign or veto. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last month that Moran is on the payroll of private political consultants, and not the state.

In that story, Ebbin said Moran subtly threatened a Youngkin veto of Ebbin's bills.

Asked Tuesday if Moran told the governor to veto Ebbin's bills, Porter, the governor's spokeswoman, did not respond.

The Democratic Party of Virginia called the vetoes of Ebbin's bills a blatantly political and personal move.

Among other vetoes was a bill from Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, that sought to prevent harassment of crime victims from debt collection agencies. Youngkin's veto explanation said the bill had unintended consequences.

Deeds said it was the first time one of his bills had been vetoed since 1999, and he was disappointed the governor or his team didn't notify him in advance, which Deeds said was the traditional protocol.

"It is not surprising given the Governors absolute lack of experience with government," Deeds wrote in a statement.

Youngkin wants penalties for people with more than 2 ounces of marijuana Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday proposed that the General Assembly establish new misdemeanor penalties for people in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana, a move that was recommended last year by a state oversight agency.
COLUMBIA  The South Carolina Governors School for Science & Mathematics and its Foundation honored the People of Sonoco Products Co., with the 2022 Townes Award during the 28th annual Townes Award celebration on March 23.

Named for South Carolinian Dr. Charles Townes, whose visionary spirit and pioneering research led to the invention of the laser, the Townes Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have transformed South Carolina and the world.

The school presented the Townes Award to the People of Sonoco Products Company to honor them for Transforming Lives and Creating Community with GSSM, Hartsville, South Carolina and around the world.

Lou Kennedy, president/CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp., who was the recipient of the 2021 Townes Award along with her husband Bill, introduced Sonocos President and CEO Howard Coker, who accepted the award on behalf of the people of Sonoco.

In 1987, Sonoco President Charlie Coker envisioned a public residential governors high school in Hartsville. He worked with then South Carolina Governor-elect Carroll Campbell to charter GSSM, which began educating high school juniors and seniors in fall 1988.

Today, GSSM serves more than 4,000 South Carolina students, from elementary through high school, every year and is ranked the top high school in South Carolina.

Since GSSMs founding, the people of Sonoco have played pivotal roles to ensure the growth and success of the Governors School. They have served on the GSSM Board of Trustees and GSSM Foundation Board of Directors, led capital campaigns, and provided significant corporate and personal support to launch new initiatives and fund scholarships.

We are thrilled to present the People of Sonoco Products Co., with the 2022 Townes Award. The contributions of time, talent, and resources of the Sonoco Products Company and its people to GSSM are so significant that two past presidents of Sonoco, Charlie Coker, and Harris DeLoach, were honored individually with the Townes Award. Yet there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people of Sonoco who have worked with GSSM throughout its history to create and nurture the community we have formed and sustain together. Now is the time, and 2022 is the year for all the people of Sonoco Products Company to be so honored, said Danny Dorsel, GSSM President and GSSM Class of 1990.

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FLORENCE, S.C.  During Childrens Hospital Week McLeod Health recognized the work of its pediatric teams who care for more than 56,000 children each year from the Midlands to the Coast.

A driving force and differentiator for McLeod Health for nine decades, McLeod Childrens Hospitals journey of medical excellence has resulted in expanded services, specialized care teams, advanced technology and more. With this level of care close to home, children and their families no longer have to leave the community for their health care needs.

McLeod Childrens Hospital is one of only four childrens hospitals in South Carolina and is located on the campus of McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence.

Essentially a hospital within a hospital, McLeod Childrens Hospital provides an array of services, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a Pediatric Hospitalist program, Critical Care Transport teams and a specialized Pediatric Pharmacy.

The hospital also has a dedicated Child Life Program which seeks to establish trust and provide children and their families a positive, informative and comfortable hospital stay.

The McLeod NICU is part of the McLeod Regional Perinatal System, which serves high-risk or pre-term newborns who need a higher level of care. The McLeod system currently serves eight counties  Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg.

McLeod Childrens Hospital is a depot site for the Mothers Milk Bank of South Carolina, as part of the Human Milk Initiative which provides human milk to premature infants weighing less than 1,500 grams within the first week of life. The collaborative effort aims to decrease the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the hospital neonatal intensive care units.

In addition to outpatient pediatric offices in Florence, Dillon and Cheraw, McLeod Childrens Hospital offers advanced care through pediatric subspecialists in the following areas  critical care, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and orthopedic surgery.

McLeod Childrens Hospital also provides pediatric rehabilitation therapy in Florence and Little River.

Through these programs, children coping with genetic, developmental and orthopedic conditions or injuries can work with specially trained pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. The goal of this program is to enhance every childs opportunity to realize his or her full potential.

Another feature of McLeod Childrens Hospital is the McLeod Safe Kids Program, whose mission is to prevent unintentional injuries in children ages 19 and younger by educating families and caregivers.

More than 115 years ago, the untimely death of a young boy named Rufus inspired Dr. F.H. McLeods vision for a local hospital to care for the medical needs of his community. Today, McLeod Health and McLeod Childrens Hospital continue this legacy of local people caring for local people.
 Flash

Foreign ministers of five Central European countries, dubbed as the Central 5 (C5), met on Tuesday in Stirin near Prague to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, support for Ukraine and the forthcoming Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

The Czech Republic plans to organize an international donors' conference and focuses the priorities of its EU presidency, among other things, on assistance to Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a statement following the meeting.

"We must support Ukraine on the path to EU membership," he said.

The C5 was established in 2020 with the main goal of close cooperation between the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia in the fight against the pandemic.

According to Lipavsky, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its humanitarian and geopolitical consequences will be reflected in the priorities of the Czech EU presidency due in the second half of 2022. These will include energy security, aid to refugees, and the fight against hybrid threats.

The Czech News Agency (CTK) reported that Lipavsky hopes his country to advance the discussion of having the import of oil from Russia to the EU discontinued during its EU presidency.

However, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated that his country cannot approve sanctions concerning oil and gas supplies as Budapest considers its own energy security an unchallengeable red line, according to the CTK.

Meanwhile, Slovakia's Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok was quoted as saying by the CTK that it is necessary to cut oneself off from Russian oil and gas supplies, but this cannot be done overnight.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Two Men and a Truck in Florence is participating in a company-wide program called Movers for Moms.

Each spring Two Men and a Truck collects donations for mothers in need and delivers them to local womens and family shelters before Mothers Day.

This year, the local Two Men and a Truck has been collecting items during the month of April that will make Mothers Day special for moms in need for Movers for Moms and is partnering with Lighthouse Ministries to distribute to mothers who are enrolled in its two programsWorking Mothers Education and Support for mothers with children from 0 to 6 years and Strengthen Families for mothers with children 6-11 years of age. The two programs serve more than 20 mothers, according to Susan Evans, marketing and community involvement specialist with Two Men and a Truck.

We think they are forgotten mothers. Mothers who give of themselves and put their children first, Evans said. We wanted them to have something practical but also something for themselves to encourage them.

The purpose of the program is to recognize those moms who are struggling to make their lives and the lives of their children better, Evans said.

This Mothers Day, Two Men and a Truck is working with Lighthouse Ministry to deliver some necessities as well as some small gifts to pamper these mothers. Were collecting baskets of love, which will include both practical and pampering items, she said.

Evans said the Florence location has been a part of Movers for Moms for five years, but the company has been doing this for 15 years.

Two Men and a Truck has collection boxes at 22 locations. The last pickup from these locations will be on April 27, and the items will be divided into baskets and taken to Lighthouse Ministries on April 28-29, Evans said. She said Consider the Lilies is donating corsages for the mothers, and Dr. Marc Heiden is donating hygiene packets for all the mothers.

Items on the wish list include the follow essentials: toilet paper, paper towels, first aid kits, laundry soap, blanket/pillow, towel set and for pampering: body lotion, body wash/soap, bath salts/bombs, manicure items, reed diffusers, robe and slippers.

Locations for dropping off donations are Greyfeather Realty, 150 N. Dargan St.; SW Printing, 128 S. Irby St.; Ethridge Agency, 1501 W. Palmetto St.; Venables, 1506 Second Loop Road; McMillian/Coldwell Banker, 419 S. Coit St.; YMCA, 1700 Rutherford Dr.; St. Luke Church, 1201 Cherokee Road; Grace School Association, 3336 W. Palmetto St.; Church of the Transfiguration, 2990 S. Cashua St.; Wylie and Washburn, 651 S. Coit St.; Berkshire Hathaway, 3037 W. Palmetto St.; Delta Building Systems, 1133 E. Howe Springs Road; Pinnacle Storage, 3438 Pine Needles Road, Eastside Christian, 3541 E. Palmetto St.; First Reliance, 411 Second Loop Road; First Reliance, 2170 W. Palmetto St.; Second to None, 1800 Second Loop Road; Beth Israel, 316 Park Ave.; South Florence Baptist, 2720 S. Irby St.; Dilmar Oil, 1951 W. Darlington St.; and Pursuit Christian Academy, 7005 Friendfield Road in Effingham; Hartsville Home Educators.

Evans said Two Men and a Truck was started by a mother and her two teenage sons in 1980 in Michigan. It was franchised in 1989 by Mary Ellen Sheets. There are more than 380 locations operating in 36 states in the United States and have locations in Canada, Ireland and England. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

Two Men and a Truck in Florence is at 1229 Broughton Boulevard. Services include moving, packing services and supplies, storage, loading and unloading and junk removal. For additional information, call 843-773-9879.

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FLORENCE  Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Executive Director Ellen Hamilton thanked the city of Florence for its longtime support of the coalition.

Hamilton spoke to the City Council at its Monday meeting at the City Center, 324 W. Evans St.

The Pee Dee Coalition was organized in 1986, and opened its Sexual Assault and Family Violence Center, 145. N. Irby St., the next year. Today, the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides services to eight counties in the Pee Dee.

Those counties are Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Dillion, Marion, Williamsburg and Sumter.

April 1 in 1987, we started providing 24-hour crisis response to area hospitals and our crisis line in three counties. At that time, there were eight hospitals  four in Florence. We could not have done that without the support of this city, and the Florence Police Department. We had no money. We begged for space wherever we could find it. Fortunately, people were gracious enough to not turn us down. Im here to say thank you, Hamilton said.

Council members received a packet of information about the Pee Dee Coalition.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Hamiltons appearance before the City Council was part of the Coalitions effort to increase awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.

Hamilton encouraged women and men to report instances of sexual assault and child abuse.

Men, she said, are often victims of sexual assault.

It happens to boys. When boys experience trauma, it has a long-term impact  just like it does with women. So please, take the time to talk to your children, talk to your employees, talk amongst yourselves. Its important, Hamilton said.

Florence Police Chief Allen Heidler also spoke to the Council about the Coalition and Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Prior to the Pee Dee Coalition being in place, we had few resources for crime victims, especially those of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, Heidler said. They have been a tremendous resource for law enforcement in this entire area.  I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all that they do.

The Pee Dee Coalition was a catalyst for the creation of victims services in the region and state, Heidler said.

In other business, property owner, Gary Finklea asked the City Council to extend a sewer line to the property line of a parcel of land on Sam Harrell Road in north Florence.

Finklea, an attorney in Florence, said he purchased the land about 15 years ago and started development plans. Shortly after he purchased the property, a moratorium on development was created.

Now, Finklea said, he is ready to develop the 46 acres into a residential subdivision of single-family homes. When the city annexed the property, Finklea said he understood city services would be provided to his property. Today, he doesnt have anything in writing about city services.

It would cost Finklea approximately $40,000 to bring sewer from the lines current location to his property line.

The devil is always in the details. In my opinion providing water and sewer means you actually bring it up to my property line and I do all the work once it is at my property line, Finklea said. In this particular case, sewer is on the other side of the street.  Im asking you to do what I thought the city agreed to do when it annexed it, and thats to provide water and sewer to my property line.

Finklea was on the agenda only to speak to the City Council. The council couldnt take any action on his request to extend sewer and water lines to his property line.

The issue could be placed on the agenda as an action item at its May meeting.

District 3 City Council member Bryan Braddock said he was excited about the development of single-family homes in north Florence. It is the type of development the city needs.

In other business, the City Council:

Approved annexation of 1142 Annelle Drive into the city limits on first reading. The City Council continued the propertys zoning as Neighborhood Conservation 10  single-family homes. City water and sewer services already are available at the property. The vote was 7-0.

Denied a request to rezone property at the corner of Thomas Road and Second Loop to allow construction of multifamily dwellings. The rezoning request was denied 7-0 because the Country Club Forest subdivision has protective covenants in place that prevent construction of anything other than single-family homes. The owner of the vacant lot would have to receive permission from the neighborhood association or get a court order to build multifamily homes.

Amended Chapter 4, Article XIV of the citys Code of Ordinances titled Single-family and Multi-family Rental Housing Registration. City Manager Randall Osterman said the City Council passed this part of the city code on Oct. 12, 2020. The amendments clarify the ordinance and makes it consistent with actions already being taken by the city in its administration of the ordinance. The ordinance that got passed was good. However, it has led to some confusion. This ordinance that is in front of you know is an attempt through amendments to either clarify some confusion within the ordinance or state on paper what the city has been doing as far as enforcing it. The meat of the ordinance hasnt changed, Osterman said. The amendments dont change the basic premise of the ordinance. The Council voted 7-0 to adopt the amendments on first reading.

Unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2021 in the state of South Carolina. The bill was introduced into the South Carolina House in 2020. It is in the South Carolina House Committee on the Judiciary.

Appointed several people to various city boards and commissions.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Record high temperatures expected. High 102F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
Libere recemment de prison, un dealer arrete dans un bar avec de la cocaine

Dealer notoire, D. Ba, elargi recemment de prison, ne compte pas, du moins apparemment, rompre les amarres avec le milieu interlope de la drogue.



Usager et trafiquant de stupefiants, rapporte le quotidien L'AS dans sa parution du jour, il est encore tombe dans les filets de la police de Grand-Yoff.



Les hommes du commissaire Abdou Sarr, qui l'ont alpague avec de la cocaine pres d'un bar, lui ont delivre un ticket gratuit pour la prison de Rebeuss.



Le trafiquant de drogue multirecidiviste, qui a ete place en garde a vue avant d'etre defere au parquet, avait etabli son quartier general dans ledit bar en vue de ravitailler ses clients.


 Prison Policy Initiative releases new report providing a "deep dive into state prison populations" | Main | "New Originalism: Arizona's Founding Progressives on Extreme Punishment" 

This lengthy local press piece, headlined "After pleas for leniency, mosque bombers receive 16-, 14-year sentences: Prosecution, defense agreed the two were manipulated by militia ringleader," reports on an interesting federal sentencing that took place yesterday in Minnesota. Here are some of the details:

Following a rare display of both victims and prosecutors advocating mercy, U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank sentenced two Illinois men Tuesday to 14 and 16 years in federal prison for bombing Bloomington's Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in 2017.

Frank said the "substantial assistance" of Michael McWhorter, 33, and Joe Morris, 26  including testifying against Emily Claire Hari, their "White Rabbits" militia leader  permitted him to render penalties that each amounted to less than half of the 35-year statutory minimums in the domestic terror case.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys described McWhorter and Morris as patsies in Hari's terror plot, manipulated to participate in a string of violent crimes that included robbing a Walmart with airsoft guns, a home invasion, attempting to extort the Canadian railroad and an unsuccessful attempt to bomb a women's health clinic.

Acknowledging that they were under Hari's influence, Frank also condemned McWhorter's and Morris' seventh-month crime spree as "contrary to everything America stands for," rejecting the 10-year sentences requested by their defense attorneys. "When all is said and done," Frank said, lesser sentences would not "promote respect for the law."

Frank sentenced Hari to 53 years in prison last year, higher than the mandatory minimum but lower than prosecutors' request for life, for civil rights and hate crime convictions.

The sentencings brought to a close a saga that began four-and-a-half years ago, when a black-powder bomb exploded in Imam Mohamed Omar's office early on Aug. 5, 2017, while several mosque members gathered for morning prayer. Throughout the trial, Dar al-Farooq leaders testified to the horror they continued to feel after that day, worried another attack could be imminent.

Still, in court Tuesday, Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders asked Frank for mercy. Omar, who in Hari's trial described feeling he was in a "nightmare" when the bomb went off, told Frank he'd come with "a message of peace" in the name of "solidarity as a human family" on behalf of Dar al-Farooq. Omar said McWhorter sent him a seven-page letter from jail expressing remorse and explaining how he'd fallen into the "dark web of Hari's manipulation" and described Hari as a "cultish" figure....

McWhorter and Morris pleaded guilty in 2019 to their role in the group known as the "White Rabbits 3 Percent Illinois Patriot Freedom Fighters." In the trial for Hari  then known as Michael Hari  the two men testified that he took advantage of their financial desperation to recruit them for the attacks. Morris, who described Hari as a father figure, said Hari told him they were taking orders from Steve Bannon and a CIA agent called "Congo Joe" to harass "untouchables."...

The day of the bombing, Hari waited until they'd driven through the night and were an hour away from Bloomington to reveal the plot to bomb the mosque. Neither McWhorter nor Morris knew what a mosque was, according to their lawyers. McWhorter said he feared Hari and Morris would kill him if he didn't go through with the plan. "I bombed a mosque. But it was not by choice," he said. "I feared for my life when I bombed the mosque. I didn't do it out of just pure hatred. I don't have any hate" for Muslims.

For their roles in helping convict Hari, Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Ethen asked Frank for a 50% reduction from the mandatory minimum sentences for McWhorter and Morris  a request both Ethen and Frank remarked was rare. While they were not the masterminds, Ethen said, the two men still committed grave crimes that cannot be "uncommitted" and a light penalty could send the wrong message. "We need to make sure this sentence also reaches the Haris of the world," she said. Ethen also said she was representing victims from Illinois who couldn't appear in court to speak for themselves, including "countless women" whose doctor's office became the target of a hate crime.

Frank said he calculated the sentence while balancing the need for deterrence of similar crimes, noting the men participated in "very serious premeditated behavior."
 "Trauma and Blameworthiness in the Criminal Legal System" | Main | "Why Should Guilty Pleas Matter?" 

April 12, 2022

Could a shortage of state prosecutors put a further dent in mass incarceration?

Professor John Pfaff effectively documented the important insights, discussed in this article about his 2017 book Locked In, that more prosecutors filing more felony charges was an important contributor to modern mass incarceration. Against that backdrop, this new Reuters article has me wondering if fewer prosecutors filling fewer charges might further contribute now to declining incarceration. The article is headlined "Prosecutors wanted: District attorneys struggle to recruit and retain lawyers," and here are excerpts:

District attorneys offices across the U.S. are struggling to recruit and retain lawyers, with some experiencing vacancies of up to 16% and a dearth of applicants for open jobs, according to interviews with more than a dozen top prosecutors and five state and national prosecutors associations. The district attorneys said the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing concern about racial inequities in the criminal justice system  compounded by long-standing issues with relatively low pay and burnout  have made a career as a state prosecutor a tougher sell in the past several years. We're seeing a prosecutor shortage throughout the country; it's not limited to large jurisdictions versus small jurisdictions, said Nelson Bunn, executive director of the National District Attorneys Association, a trade group with 5,000 members.... Staffing shortages are affecting prosecutors decisions about whether to bring certain criminal cases to trial, according to Anthony Jordan, president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. "We dont get to choose the crimes that come in," said Jordan, who is the district attorney in Washington County, New York. "But if you dont have enough people to prosecute them then you have to let certain ones go. Data from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Phoenix, Arizona illustrate that challenge. The number of cases the office prosecuted dropped from nearly two-thirds of felonies referred by law enforcement in 2018 to under half in 2020. And the number of vacancies in the office of 338 attorneys continues to rise  increasing nearly 53% between July 2020 and April 2022.

Recent BJS data, flagged here, indicate that the national prison population has declined nearly 25% from 2010 to 2020, although a good portion (but not all) of this prison population decline has been a consequence of COVID pandemic dynamics. Ultimately, a number of legal and extra-legal forces have been contributing to a decline in incarceration in recent years. And Pfaff's work suggests that, if there is a sustained period of fewer prosecutors filling fewer charges nationwide, we should expect some continued declines (or at least reduced likelihood of US prison populations growing significantly in coming years).

April 12, 2022 at 11:29 PM | Permalink

Comments

One should note the types of prosecutors leaving district attorney offices. There are some reasonable, maybe "progressive" prosecutors that leave for a variety of reasons. That means, your hardline prosecutors remain and continue the same "tough on crime" policies. This means fewer cases are dismissed, reduced to misdemeanors and transferred to lower courts and more trials.

However, this is good news and maybe offices nationwide will nolle pros low level cases, leaving only serious violent cases.

Posted by: Anon | Apr 13, 2022 9:34:18 PM

A minor quibble, but could we eliminate the use of the phrase mass incarceration in academic settings and in the media? It is clearly a pejorative for something that is a net positive for society (Its at least debatable).

Its no better than the media or academia using the Dont Say Gay bill.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Apr 15, 2022 7:01:14 PM

TarlsQtr --

They use the grossly misleading phrase "mass incarceration" because if they used actual numbers instead of intentionally slanted slang, people would just roll their eyes. 99.5% of the population of the country is NOT behind bars, and the numbers have been going down for at least ten years.

The phrase is also used to divert attention from how absurdly easy it is for people to adjust their own behavior to stay out of prison: Don't steal stuff, stay away from hard drugs, be honest in your transactions and abjure violence. Follow these four simple rules and your chances of being sentenced to prison are asymptotic to zero.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Apr 16, 2022 10:41:12 PM

Tarls and Bill: What term do you think would be an accurate shorthand to note that the US has incarceration rates that are 3-4 times higher than we have had for most of US history AND 3-4 times higher than the recorded rates for most nations around the world and higher than the recorded rate of any other nation?

The prison and jail population facts are that the US incarceration rate and total incarcerated population, even though having declined somewhat in the last decade, is still massively higher than that reported by nearly all nations past and present. The term "mass incarceration" seeks to capture that basic reality, but I am open to using another term that might more fairly captures that reality.

Notably, we generally define the killing or shooting of three or more people in one spot to be a "mass killing" or a "mass shooting." Of course, three is not really a large (or mass) number, in other setting we call three a "few." Maybe you also think the adjective "mass" is a problem in that context, but I think it reasonably conveys information.

Posted by: Doug B. | Apr 18, 2022 9:50:41 AM

The issue with the mass incarceration formulation is that it describes the result. It clearly implies that we are incarcerating a bunch of people unjustly.

We have a mass crime problem which results in incarceration.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Apr 25, 2022 10:15:49 AM

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Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial is underway, and while the exes have publicly accused each other of abuse during their tumultuous four year relationship, a jury heard new, shocking claims during opening statements on Tuesday.

Heard's lawyers allege she was sexually abused by Depp on more than one occasion. Elaine Bredehoft, one of the attorney's representing the Aquaman star, claimed Depp penetrated the actress "with a liquor bottle" during a three-day hostage situation in Australia in March 2015. The actors, who are both in court, have very different accounts of the trip, which ended with Depp severing the tip of his finger while he was filming the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Later during her opening statement, Bredehoft accused Depp of sexually assaulting Heard again in the Bahamas in Dec. 2015. The actress will testify about the "verbal, emotional and physical sexual abuse" she allegedly endured during the trial, which is expected to last six weeks.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in Virginia's Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 12, 2022 for their defamation trial. (Photos: Getty Images)

Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post in which she wrote she's "a public figure representing domestic abuse." The online version was titled, "I Spoke Up Against Sexual Violence  and Faced Our Culture's Wrath. That Has to Change." Although Heard didn't name Depp, his attorneys argue it's clear she was referring to the actor and it has caused "significant impact on Mr. Depp's family and his ability to work." Heard is countersuing her ex-husband for $100 million.

Heard opening: #JohnnyDepp sexually assaulted #AmberHeard in Australia.

He took 8-10 tablets of ecstacy. The next 3 days were very violent. He has hurled bottles at her, dragged her, punched her....then he "penatrates her with a liquor bottle."@LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/hL9pCUrPYc  Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) April 12, 2022

Depp's attorneys, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, spoke first and preemptively brought up the sexual assault claim, calling the allegation "a lie." Chew declared in court that Heard was "the aggressor in the relationship." He highlighted how the actor's famous exes  including Winona Ryder, Kate Moss and Vanessa Paradis, with whom he shares his two children  have never accused him of abuse. Chew said "the evidence will show" that Heard is lying about being assaulted. Vasquez called Heard "a profoundly troubled person" and claimed images her team intends to show depicting the alleged abuse could be manipulated.

Story continues

"The only medical report of an injury during their relationship was a severe one sustained by Mr. Depp after an argument shortly after their marriage," Vasquez said, referring to the Australia incident. "[Amber] threw a vodka bottle at him that hit his hand and exploded, severing the end of one of his fingers."

Heard and Depp met filming The Rum Diary and began dating during the press tour in 2011. They split in May 2016 after 15 months of marriage. Depp's team will call witnesses, including LAPD officers, who responded to a disturbance call on May 21, 2016 and will testify they did not "see any of" the alleged "property damage" and that "officers determined there had been no violence and no crime."

However, Heard's team paints a very different picture with attorney Benjamin Rottenborn calling Depp an "obsessed ex-husband hell bent on revenge" during his opening statement, and said this case hinges on the first amendment.

"There's absolutely nothing false about that statement," Rottenborn said, referring to the five words in the op-ed Heard wrote about being a "public figure representing domestic abuse."

"Try as he might to take it away, Amber's free speech gives her the right to say that," Rottenborn continued, adding that Heard suffered "physical, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse... that's the truth."

As for the title of the op-ed, Rottenborn told a jury that while Heard did not write or approve the headline that was posted online, the actress "did suffer sexual violence at the hands of Mr. Depp."

"You will hear in the most graphic and horrifying terms about the violence that she suffered, straight from her," he added.

Rottenborn agreed that Depp's career "is in free fall," but that "it's because of problems [Johnny] created." He said that the actor's "poor choices" brought him to the court room, like "his own refusal to commit to sobriety."

Depp's struggle with substance abuse, which he has not denied, will be a factor during trial as Heard claims many instances of abuse were when he was high or drunk. Bredehoft claims the actor spent $100,000 a month for a concierge doctor that prescribed many medications, and that Depp did drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. Bredehoft claims Depp was drunk and on drugs when he punched and kicked Heard during the Australia incident, dragging the actress across the floor over broken bottles before sexually assaulting her.

Christi Dembrowski, Depp's older sister, was the first witness called to the stand on Tuesday afternoon. She testified about the abuse they endured growing up from their mother, who was allegedly both physically and verbally abusive. Dembrowski said her brother vowed never to be like that. The actor appeared visibly emotional at times during the testimony when his sister talked about their upbringing.

Dembrowski worked as Depp's assistant for years and testified she always booked an extra hotel room when the former couple traveled together, in case the actor needed a place to hide like he did when he was a child.

Dembrowski testified that while she never witnessed any altercation between Depp and Heard, she heard the actress insult the Fantastic Beasts star. "She called him an old, fat man," Dembrowski claimed. Another example she gave was when Heard learned that Dior was interested in having Depp star in a campaign and the actress's reaction was "disbelief and disgust."

"[Dior's] about class and about style  you don't have style," Heard allegedly said, according to Dembrowski.

Heard's lawyers hit back at Dembrowski during cross-examination, arguing that she is invested in Depp's finances as an employee, which have dissipated since abuse allegations. They also tried to establish that Dembrowski knew her brother was off the rails with drugs and alcohol during the couple's relationship, which she denied.

Depp lost a libel lawsuit in 2020 against a U.K. publication that called him a "wife beater." A judge ruled it's "substantially true" the actor abused Heard. This marks the former couple's first showdown in the U.S.
Australia on Wednesday asked Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to not sign a controversial security pact with China.

A leaked draft of the security agreement sent shockwaves across the region last month -- particularly measures that would allow Chinese security and naval deployments to the Solomon Islands.

This pressed on long-held fears in the United States and its allies about the potential of China building a naval base in the South Pacific, which would allow Beijing to project its naval power far beyond its borders.

In a sign of the rising concern about the pact, which is close to being signed, Australia's government dispatched Pacific Minister Zed Seselja to the Solomons capital Honiara to meet in person with the island nation's prime minister.

Seselja said in a statement afterwards that he had asked Sogavare "respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our region's security frameworks".

"We welcome recent statements from Prime Minister Sogavare that Australia remains Solomon Islands security partner of choice, and his commitment that Solomon Islands will never be used for military bases or other military institutions of foreign powers."

Seselja's visit was the latest in a series of diplomatic entreaties to the Solomons.

It followed a call Tuesday between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about plans to reopen the American embassy in Honiara after 29 years.

The same day, during a call with the head of Australia's foreign affairs department, Sherman "highlighted her concern about recent developments in the Indo-Pacific", according to her spokesperson.

The Financial Times reported Saturday that the White House's top Asia official, Kurt Campbell, was also set to visit the Solomons later this month.

mmc/djw/qan
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The state Legislature could end public health emergency declarations by future governors under legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee in Baton Rouge.

A 6-5 vote by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee sent the bill by Republican state Rep. Lawrence Frieman of Abita Springs to the full House.

The bill comes after two years of periodic conflicts between some lawmakers and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards over now-expired emergencies declared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Friemans bill, as amended by the committee, would enable the Legislature to end an emergency declaration  or remove some provisions of one  by a petition signed by a majority of the House and of the Senate. It tweaks state law allowing either chamber by itself to end an emergency declaration, which was challenged and blocked in state court.

The bill applies to declared states of disaster or emergency. In the case of public health emergencies, it requires lawmakers to consult with a public health specialist before petitioning to end or alter the emergency declaration.

Debate centered on the advisability of putting the 105-member House and 39-member Senate in the position of making decisions now in the hands of the executive branch.

We expect them to be able to make executive decisions, said Rep. Royce Duplessis, a New Orleans Democrat. Our job is to legislate and I think that this bill puts us in the posture of being an executive agency. I just don't think that we're equipped to do that in an emergency. Because in emergencies you need to the ability to act swiftly.

Frieman said his bill is a needed check on executive power and stressed that it gives lawmakers the option of eliminating parts of an executive emergency declaration without ending it.

Another measure approved by the committee during Wednesday's livestreamed meeting would exempt state-owned buildings  such as the Superdome in New Orleans  from local government emergency provisions. Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Metairie Republican, is the bill's sponsor.

Duplessis was among the opponents, questioning whether the state should allow public gatherings in buildings in a locality where officials have decided strict public gathering limits are needed.

Are you of the belief ... that local knows best? Duplessis asked Hilferty.

I think in many instances local knows best," Hilferty said. I think in some instances theres been overreach.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
SIOUX CITY -- Patrick Jacobson-Schulte will become interim president of Briar Cliff University on July 1.

Briar Cliff's board of trustees on Tuesday announced its selection to lead the four-year school after President Rachelle Keck leaves to become president of Grand View University.

Jacobson-Schulte, who has served as Briar Cliffs vice president of finance and chief information officer, has been promoted immediately to executive vice president to learn from and collaborate with Keck prior to her departure on June 30.

Beginning this fall, the board of trustees will launch a presidential search, with the objective to name the school's 12th president by July 2023.

"The board has been preparing for interim leadership and a presidential search, and we are grateful to Patrick for his continued leadership and guidance for this special place," Mark Ward, chair of the Briar Cliff board Chair and a 2002 alumnus.

Originally from Lakeville, Minnesota, Jacobson-Schulte has diverse experience in finance and administration within educational institutions.

He previously served as the executive director of finance & operations for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916, vice president and chief financial officer at Dakota County Technical College/Inver Hills Community College, vice president for Finance & Treasurer at The Sage Colleges, and was also an adjunct faculty member for nine years.

Jacobson-Schulte received his bachelor of arts in economics, and master of business administration; and will be defending his dissertation for a doctor of business administration degree from Saint Marys University this month.

Since joining Briar Cliff in June of 2021 as Vice President of Finance, Patrick has shown his dedication and passion for the university to thrive. He has strengthened the universitys finances, strategized departmental excellence, projected financial growth opportunities, and enhanced operations, Ward said.

His financial acumen, strategic approach, and higher education knowledge has served the university well and will meet our presidential needs in the interim. As a practicing Catholic, Patrick embodies our Franciscan values with a mission to serve and inspire ethical world changers.

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SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison on a gun charge.

Criston Nunez-Morris, 21, pleaded guilty in November in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced Friday to 25 months in prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Nunez-Morris possessed two stolen guns and ammunition. He admitted to authorities that he had the guns because he was trafficking drugs. When he was arrested, Nunez-Morris possessed cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy and a digital scale.

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SIOUX CITY -- A South Sioux City man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm.

Esai Lopez, 23, pleaded guilty in October in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison. He also must pay $38,863 in restitution to his victims and an insurance company.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lopez illegally possessed a handgun and was disarmed by police on June 3, 2020.

On June 23, 2020, Lopez and three other men were involved in a shooting in which shots were fired at an occupied Sioux City house. While that shooting was under investigation, Lopez shot and killed an acquaintance's dog on Sept. 18, 2020.

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Spencer police responded to several calls reporting shots fired at 9:51 p.m. at 600 E. 19th St. Officers determined that Dilan Bartley, 28, had fired two shots during a verbal exchange with another man who was outside the building. Bartley was located inside and arrested without incident.

According to a complaint filed in Clay County District Court, the other man was outside the building, cooling off after an argument with his girlfriend. Bartley is accused of looking out the window of his apartment and starting an argument. The other man ultimately asked, "What are you going to do about it?", and Bartley allegedly pulled out a gun and fired two rounds into the air.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Steece admitted to possessing three pieces of mail that didn't belong to him on Nov. 26, 2020, when Spencer police caught him with his hands in a mailbox. Steece told them them he was returning mail. When officers tried to arrest him on outstanding warrants, he fled in his vehicle, leading them on a chase that reached 80-85 mph in the city limits and 126 mph outside the city.
SIOUX CITY -- Forecasts of warm and dry conditions into September are not what anyone who does business on the Missouri River wants to hear.

But that's what residents throughout the river basin can expect this spring and summer, experts said, and it's a concern to people like Frank Huseman.

Despite the continued low runoff levels into the river and a 2-foot drop in water level from a year ago, Huseman, operations manager of NEW Cooperative of Fort Dodge, Iowa, said he expects barges to make it to the co-op's new barge terminal in Blencoe as planned throughout the navigation season.

"Our plans are to continue," Huseman said after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided its annual spring water management update Tuesday in Sioux City. "It's concerning, but there's been some very frank discussion and communications with the corps, and they've been very helpful."

Corps officials' presentations should have come as no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to weather patterns and forecasts the past year. Upcoming forecasts call for continued warm and dry conditions across most of the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, and drought conditions already covering 77% of the region will persist, if not worsen.

"We expect additional water conservation measures as the year moves forward," said Mike Swenson, team leader of the corps' Power Production Division.

In July, the corps reduced water flow support for downstream navigation. Winter water releases from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, were kept to a minimum 12,000 cubic feet per second. Already, navigational flow support for 2022 is at the minimum service level, leading to a shallower, narrower navigation channel. That's likely to continue through the summer and lead to a navigation season that will end in early November rather than Dec. 1 as usual.

During its first year of operations last year, the Blencoe terminal offloaded 35 barges of fertilizer and aggregate. Huseman said co-op officials continue to plan on having 40-45 this year, and the first ones should be leaving St. Louis on May 1. If river levels remain low, the co-op may have to send barges up the river at less than maximum capacity so they're lighter and will float higher in the river. If navigation would become impossible, the co-op would have to consider other transportation options such as rail or truck.

"We're hoping to utilize (the river) from May 1 to the end of November," Huseman said.

With no local concerns about flooding, corps staff members filled more seats than the public at the Betty Strong Encounter Center at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. They breezed through a presentation showing runoff into the river above Sioux City forecast at 17.8 million acre-feet for 2022, just 69% of the normal level of 25.8 MAF. March runoff was less than 50% of normal.

Thanks in part to 2021 runoff of 15.2 MAF, the 10th lowest total in 123 years of record keeping, water levels in the river's reservoir system have dipped well below the flood control storage zone, adding additional storage space for a time of year in which runoff from melting snow on the plains usually begins to fill the six reservoirs. With below-normal snowfall across the basin this winter, the river did not get much of a March bump, and it's likely not going to see a big one in June and July, when melting snow in the northern Rocky Mountains flows into the Missouri. Mountain snowpack currently ranges from 75%-78% of normal levels.

Dry soil will soak up much of the rain that falls this spring, leaving little water to run off and make its way into the Missouri.

"We're going to need a lot of rain to see significant runoff," said Ryan Larsen, the corps' Reservoir Regulations team lead.

The dry forecasts led one audience member to ask if the corps would be forced to begin rationing water this summer.

John Remus, chief of the corps Missouri River Basin Water Management Division, said there's plenty of water in the river for all municipal and industrial needs, though lower water levels could affect access to boat docks at some reservoirs.

"There's no need today to start rationing water," Remus said.

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SIOUX CITY The Sioux City school district budget for the school year that begins in August includes $580,000 to hire nine new teachers in the fine arts disciplines and three other positions.

The school board on Monday night gave final approval to a total budget in the range of $210 million and $215 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The budget allocates an additional $822,075 for new positions that include:

- Six additional band, string and vocal music teachers at a cost of $390,000;

- Three additional arts education positions, at a cost of $195,000, to reduce class sizes;

- A new behavior supervisor at a cost of $125,000;

- One new administrative technology services post at a cost of $47,000;

- The equivalent of 1.25 new building service technical positions for the new Hunt Elementary School at a cost of $90,750. The new school is under construction and set to open this fall.

- An additional driving training position at a cost of $56,000.

Many other district positions will continuing to be funded with state COVID-19 relief funding, under next year's budget. The Elementary and Secondary Education funding will continue to pay for the following positions:

- Additional custodians ($370,000);

- Ten CNAs ($348,622);

- One marketing and communications coordinator ($74,013);

- A virtual school principal ($135,200);

- A virtual school registrar ($48,913);

- Additional teachers and related supplies ($1.93 million);

- A family support coordinator ($40,000);

- Permanent substitute teachers ($720,000).

The district expects to spend $216.1 million from the general fund in the next budget year. Education and Secondary School Relief funding makes up $27 million of that total. The largest increases are for instruction, support services, transportation, and operations and maintenance.

The districts unused spending authority is projected to be $51.3 million at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2022, an all-time high, according to school officials.

School board president Dan Greenwell said the district is using $1.2 million of the spending authority balance that has been build up over the last few years. He said they will continue to spend more of the spending authority over the next few years.

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DAKOTA CITY -- Tyson Foods said Tuesday it plans to spend over $1 million to expand a program that helps immigrants become U.S. citizens.

The Tyson Immigration Partnership, or TIP, which helps provide legal services to workers to apply for citizenship, has been supported for the last year at seven Tyson sites, including its beef plant in Dakota City, Nebraska, its pork plant in Madison, Nebraska, and its pork and turkey plants in Storm Lake, Iowa. With a workforce of around 4,500, the Dakota City plant is by far the largest employer in metro Sioux City.

At the three Siouxland locations, Tyson partners with Immigrant Connection, a non-profit groups that help provide immigrants with legal services, such as employment authorization renewals and petitions for citizenship. A similar non-profit, Arkansas Immigrant Defense, assists workers in Tyson's home state of Arkansas.

In the last year alone, TIP has helped over 500 Tyson workers. The company reimburses team members for citizenship application fees, which can cost as much as $725 per individual.

The investment announced Tuesday will expand the program to over 40 company locations in 14 states. Immigrant Connection is hosting monthly informational meetings for Tyson workers at 27 locations and Arkansas Immigrant Defense is visiting 13 locations in Arkansas.

We care about our team members and want to help them achieve their goals, including those who have dreams of becoming U.S. citizens and having greater access to opportunities our country has to offer, Tyson executive vice president and chief sustainability officer John R. Tyson said in a statement.

Were working hard to help team members who want and need assistance with their lawful immigration status or the complex and expensive process of becoming a citizen. We want to be the most sought-after place to work, and this is one way we hope to do that.

In the U.S., the company's employees come from over 160 countries and collectively speak over 50 languages.

Starting the process to become a citizen was intimidating and scary, but I wanted stability for me and my family. Without the people involved in the programs, I would not have the confidence to pursue citizenship, Jose Avjix, a Tyson worker in Green Forest, Arkansas, said in a company press release. Tyson is a place that keeps you growing and I really appreciate the professional and personal growth the company offers.

In the press release, Tyson said it has "historically attracted immigrants because it provides good-paying entry level jobs with benefits."

With average hourly pay of over $18, plus the value of medical, dental and vision insurance, vacation and other benefits, the average total compensation for hourly workers has increased to over $24 an hour, or an annual value of more than $50,000, the company said.

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Brooklyn subway suspect tipped off police to his location

NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the violence on a rush-hour train, which left people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was due to appear in court Thursday on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in videos on his YouTube channel about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his struggles with mental health care in New York City, and he criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there's no indication James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

Presidents from countries on Russia's doorstep visit Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Texas keeping most truck inspections despite border gridlock

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world's busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

The two-term Republican governor, who has ordered that commercial trucks from Mexico undergo extra inspections as part of a fight with President Joe Biden's administration over immigration, refused to fully reverse course as traffic remains snarled.

The standoff has stoked warnings by trade groups and experts that U.S. grocery shoppers could soon notice shortages on shelves and higher prices unless the normal flow of trucks resumes.

Abbott announced Wednesday that he would stop inspections at one bridge in Laredo after reaching an agreement with the governor of neighboring Nuevo Leon in Mexico. But some of the most dramatic truck backups and bridge closures have occurred elsewhere along Texas' 1,200-mile border.

I understand the concerns that businesses have trying to move product across the border, Abbott said during a visit to Laredo. But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border.

When Biden 'speaking from his heart' doesn't speak for US

WASHINGTON (AP)  Theres no such thing as a purely personal opinion from the Oval Office on policies that matter. Armchair quarterbacking when you're the president is fraught when you're the one with the ball.

Armies can move on your words; markets can convulse; diplomacy can unravel.

That has not stopped President Joe Biden from viscerally weighing in on the Ukraine war  labeling Russia's Vladimir Putin a war criminal, appearing to advocate an overthrow in Moscow, branding Russian war actions as genocide  then saying it's all his personal, not presidential, opinion.

It's sowing confusion in dangerous times.

America is no mere bystander in this conflict. The U.S. is Ukraine's chief supplier of arms from the West, a key source of military intelligence for Kyiv and a driving force behind global sanctions against Russia. It has generations of experience in how to talk to and about its historic nuclear rival.

Video: Michigan cop on Black man's back, fatally shot him

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  A Black man face-down on the ground was fatally shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer, the violent climax of a traffic stop, brief foot chase and struggle over a stun gun, according to videos of the April 4 incident released Wednesday.

Patrick Lyoya, 26, was killed outside a house in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The white officer repeatedly ordered Lyoya to let go of his Taser, at one point demanding: Drop the Taser!

Citing a need for transparency, the citys new police chief, Eric Winstrom, released four videos, including critical footage of the shooting recorded by a passenger in Lyoya's car on that rainy morning.

I view it as a tragedy. ... It was a progression of sadness for me, said Winstrom, a former high-ranking Chicago police commander who became Grand Rapids chief in March. The city of about 200,000 people is about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.

Video shows Lyoya running from the officer who stopped him for driving with a license plate that didn't belong to the vehicle. They struggled in front of several homes while Lyoya's passenger got out and watched.

'Prophet of Doom': Subway suspect left ranting video clues

NEW YORK (AP)  Frank James posted dozens of videos ranting about race, violence and his struggles with mental illness. One stands out for its relative calm: A silent shot of a packed New York City subway car in which he raises his finger to point out passengers, one by one.

Even as police arrested James on Wednesday in the Brooklyn subway shooting that wounded 10 people, they were still searching for a motive from a flood of details about the 62-year-old Black mans life.

An erratic work history. Arrests for a string of mostly low-level crimes. A storage locker with more ammo. And hours of rambling, bigoted, profanity-laced videos on his YouTube channel that point to a deep, simmering anger.

This nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof, and its going to die a violent death, says James in a video where he takes on the moniker Prophet of Doom.

After a 30-hour manhunt, James was arrested without incident after a tipster  thought by police to be James himself  said he could be found near a McDonalds on Manhattans Lower East Side. Mayor Eric Adams triumphantly proclaimed We got him! Police said their top priority was getting the suspect, now charged with a federal terrorism offense, off the streets as they investigate their biggest unanswered question: Why?

AP PHOTOS on Day 49: Surrounded by rubble, Ukrainians mourn

Both were in need of an embrace, the 12-year-old boy standing in the debris that was once his home. And the matted cat that wandered into the rubble. The child picked up the animal and they clutched one another amid the death and destruction of Chernihiv, a northern Ukrainian city besieged by Russian forces.

Shells and bombs that rained down on the city for weeks have reduced its buildings and neighborhoods to rubble. An elderly woman collects wooden planks in a street now gutted of homes. One explosion left an enormous crater in the ground alongside decimated homes that appears dozens of feet deep.

As more world leaders Wednesday demanded accountability for war crimes carried out by Russian forces, men in protective gear exhumed bodies of civilians in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv.

Family and friends wept and comforted one another as they mourned the death of Anatoliy Kolesnikov, 30, outside a morgue in Bucha. He was killed by Russian soldiers in his car trying to evacuate from Irpin.

Still, children in Bucha found a place to play. Their cheeks rosy from the chill, they rode bikes, they kicked a ball and they smiled.

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr pleads guilty to forcible touching

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018 in a deal that is likely to keep him out of jail.

Gooding also publicly apologized for the first time to two other women who accused him of similar behavior in separate encounters, calling himself a celebrity figure who meant no harm.

His admissions were part of a plea deal that came nearly three years after the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested in the case that saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed.

I apologize for making anybody ever feel inappropriately touched, he said. I am a celebrity figure. I come into contact with people. I never want them to feel slighted or uncomfortable in any way.

Gooding, 54, accused of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019, pleaded guilty to just one of the allegations. He told the judge he kissed the waitress on her lips without consent at the LAVO New York club.

France's Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

Heal Thyself: Most who tear Achilles tendon can skip surgery

LONDON (AP)  Its a weekend warriors nightmare. Youre playing hoops in the driveway and go up for a lay-up. You land and hear a pop: youve torn your Achilles tendon. Do you have surgery or hope it heals with just a cast and rehab? New research says both options led to similar outcomes about a year later.

The Achilles tendon, which connects the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel bone, is the most commonly torn tendon in the body. Most tears are due to trauma or accident while playing sports; men are much more prone to the injury than women.

In the biggest-ever study investigating which treatment is best, scientists in Norway tracked 526 patients  mostly men with an average age of 39  who ripped their Achilles tendon. They either had minimally invasive surgery, a standard surgery or non-surgical treatment, a brace to immobilize the affected foot and physical therapy. All patients got rehab therapy and were told to avoid risky activities for six months.

There were only slight differences in how everyone had recovered about a year later. There were more people who re-injured their Achilles tendon among those who didnt have surgery  6.2% versus 0.6% of those who had an operation. And there were more nerve injuries reported in those who had surgery. About 5% of those who had the minimally invasive surgery reported nerve injuries afterward, compared to 2.8% of those who had the standard surgery and 0.6% of those who skipped surgery. The study was published online Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

For the average person, who is not a high-performance athlete, there is no need to have surgery, said Dr. Matthew Costa, a professor of orthopedic trauma surgery at the University of Oxford and not part of the study. Costas said the only benefit to an operation might be to avoid the chance of a repeat injury, but said the chances of that were similar to the risk of a standard complication from surgery, like a wound infection.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Brooklyn subway suspect tipped off police to his location

NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train has been arrested and charged with a federal terrorism offense. Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the motive remains unclear, and there is no indication the suspect has ties to terror organizations. The 62-year-old Frank R. James was taken into custody Wednesday, about 30 hours after the violence. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him. Two law enforcement officials say the suspect called police to say he could be found at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood. The two officials werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Presidents from countries on Russia's doorstep visit Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep have underscored their support for Ukraine in a visit to the embattled country. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia all worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls. The trip Wednesday by the countries' presidents comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody offensive until its full completion. In the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire.

Texas keeping most truck inspections despite border gridlock

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will continue truck inspections that have gridlocked the U.S.-Mexico border for days. The two-term Republican governor said Wednesday he would not repeal his new policy at all bridges until there are more assurances of security. Abbott did lift inspections at one international bridge after announcing what he said was an agreement for more enhanced security with Nuevo Leon, Mexico. But the most dramatic backups of commercial trucks along Texas 1,200-mile border have occurred at other bridges that do not share a border with Nuevo Leon.

When Biden 'speaking from his heart' doesn't speak for US

WASHINGTON (AP)  Theres no such thing as a purely personal opinion from the Oval Office on major matters of policy. But in several remarks about the Ukraine war in recent weeks, President Joe Biden has been voicing opinions that are not in step with U.S.  and his  policy. He's labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. He's appeared to advocate regime change in Moscow. And now he's branded Russian war actions as genocide. In each case, the White House has sought to clarify his remarks, and to say he is not changing policies but speaking from his heart.

Video: Michigan cop on Black man's back, fatally shot him

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Video shows a Michigan police officer struggling with a Black man over a Taser before fatally shooting him in the head while the man was face down on the ground. Grand Rapids police released video from different sources Wednesday, nine days after Patrick Lyoya was killed during a traffic stop. Key footage came from a passenger in the car. Video shows Lyoya trying to run and a struggle over the officers Taser. The new police chief in Grand Rapids says he released the videos in the spirit of transparency. State police are investigating the shooting. Chief Eric Winstrom says the shooting is a tragedy. City Manager Mark Washington says he's bracing for shock and anger by the public.

'Prophet of Doom': Subway suspect left ranting video clues

NEW YORK (AP)  The suspect arrested in the Brooklyn subway shooting that left 10 people wounded by gunfire also left behind a trove of angry YouTube videos. Police were studying them Wednesday for a possible motive. Frank James seemed to vent about nearly everything in his videos. Racism in America, his struggles with mental illness, New York Citys new mayor, 9/11, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and Black women. In one, he said: This nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof, and its going to die a violent death."

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr pleads guilty to forcible touching

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018, calling himself a celebrity figure who meant no harm. Gooding also publicly apologized for the first time to two other women who accused him of similar behavior in separate encounters. His admissions were part of a plea deal that came nearly three years after the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested. The case saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed. Wednesday's deal lets Gooding avoid any possibility of jail time if he continues alcohol and behavior modification counseling for six months.

France's Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has warned against sending any more weapons to Ukraine. She also called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down. Le Pen is an outspoken French nationalist who has long ties to Russia. She is seeking to unseat President Emmanuel Macron in France's April 24 presidential runoff. On Wednesday, Le Pen pledged to pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union. Her domestic critics and Frances EU partners both worry that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war against its neighbor.

Heal Thyself: Most who tear Achilles tendon can skip surgery

LONDON (AP)  New research suggests that surgery may not be needed for most Achilles tendon tears. Doctors have long been divided over whether its better to fix a torn Achilles tendon with surgery or just treat it with a brace and physical therapy. In the biggest-ever study investigating which treatment is best, scientists in Norway tracked 526 patients who had standard surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or no surgery. They reported Wednesday that they found only slight differences in how everyone had recovered about a year later, although there was a slightly higher chance of a re-injury in those who didn't have surgery.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect himself called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was awaiting arraignment on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in online videos about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his experiences with mental health care in New York City, and he had criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there is no indication that James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

It wasn't immediately clear whether James, who is from New York but has lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, has an attorney or anyone else who can speak for him. A sign taped to the door of James Milwaukee apartment asks that all mail be delivered to a post office box.

James, in a blue t-shirt and brown pants with his hands cuffed behind his back, didnt respond to reporters shouting questions as police escorted him to a car a few hours after his arrest.

Police had launched a massive effort to find him, releasing his name and issuing cellphone alerts.

They got a tip Wednesday that he was in a McDonald's in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

The tipster was James, and he told authorities to come and get him, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but they soon spotted him on a busy corner nearby.

Four police cars zoomed around a corner, officers leaped out and, soon, a compliant James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on, witness Aleksei Korobow said.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said authorities were able to shrink his world quickly.

There was nowhere left for him to run, she said.

The day before, James set off smoke grenades in a commuter-packed subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said.

Police Chief of Detectives James Essig said police were told that after James opened one of the smoke grenades, a rider asked, What did you do?

Oops, James said, then went on to brandish his gun and open fire, according to a witness account.

At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

As terrified riders fled the attack, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

The shooter left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van. That key led investigators to James.

Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop  a licensed firearms dealer  in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to comment on the investigation and did so on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.

Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.

In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators were reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms as they tried to discern a motive.

In one video, posted a day before the attack, James, who is Black, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.

You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people, James says. Its not going to get better until we make it better, he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were stomped, kicked and tortured out of their comfort zone.

In another video he says, this nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and its going to die a violent death. Theres nothing going to stop that.

His posts are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against Black people.

Sewell called the posts concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.

Several of James' videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jim Mustian, Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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PHOENIX  Jennifer Chau was astonished last month when the U.S. Census Bureau's report card on how accurately it counted the U.S. population in 2020 showed that Asian people were overcounted by the highest rate of any race or ethnic group.

The director of an Asian American advocacy group thought thousands of people would be missed  outreach activities had been scratched by the coronavirus pandemic, and she and her staff feared widespread language barriers and wariness of sharing information with the government could hinder participation. They also thought recent attacks against Asian Americans could stir fears within the Asian population, the fastest-growing race or ethnic group in the U.S.

Im honestly shocked, said Chau, director of the Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander For Equity Coalition.

But Chau and other advocates and academics also believe the overcounting of the Asian population by 2.6% in the once-a-decade U.S. head count may not be all that it seems on the surface. They say it likely masks great variation in who was counted among different Asian communities in the U.S. They also believe it could signal that biracial and multiracial residents identified as Asian in larger numbers than in the past.

The specifics are difficult to determine because all Asian communities are grouped together under the same race category in the census. This conceals the wide variety of income, education and health backgrounds between subgroups and tends to blur characteristics unique to certain communities, some advocates said. It may also perpetuate the model minority" myth of Asians being affluent and well-educated.

Asian Americans have the largest income inequality than any other racial groups in the U.S. and the overall overcount likely masks the experiences of Asian ethnic groups who were more vulnerable to being undercounted, said Aggie Yellow Horse, an assistant professor of Asian Pacific American Studies at Arizona State University.

Almost four dozen U.S. House members this month asked the Census Bureau to break down the accuracy of the count of Asian residents by subgroups. Asians in the U.S. trace their roots to more than 20 countries, with China and India having the largest representation. But the bureau has no plans to do so, at least not in the immediate future.

To really see how the Asian American community fared, you need lower level geography to understand if there was an undercount or if certain communities fared better than others, said Terry Ao Minnis, senior director of census and voting programs at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC.

Asians were overcounted by a higher rate than any other group. White residents were overcounted by 0.6%, and white residents who arent Hispanic were overcounted by 1.6%. The Black population was undercounted by 3.3%, those who identified as some other race had a 4.3% undercount, almost 5% of the Hispanic population was missed and more than 5.6% of American Indians living on reservations were undercounted.

Civil rights leaders blamed the undercounts on hurdles created by the pandemic and political interference by then-President Donald Trumps administration, which tried unsuccessfully to add a citizenship question to the census form and cut field operations short.

The census not only is used for determining how many congressional seats each state gets and for redrawing political districts; it helps determine how $1.5 trillion a year in federal funding is allocated. Overcounts, which are revealed through a survey the bureau conducts apart from the census, occur when people are counted twice, such as college students being counted on campus and at their parents homes.

In the 2020 census, 19.9 million residents identified as Asian alone, a 35% increase from 2010. Another 4.1 million residents identified as Asian in combination with another race group, a 55% jump from 2010. Asians now make up more than 7% of the U.S. population.

Some of the growth by Asians in the 2020 census may be rooted in the fluidity of how some people, particularly those who are biracial or multiracial, report their identity on the census form, said Paul Ong, a professor emeritus of urban planning and Asian American Studies at UCLA.

People change their identity from one survey to another, and this is much more prevalent among those who are multiracial or biracial, Ong said.

Lan Hoang, a Vietnamese American woman who works at the same coalition as Chau, listed her three young children as Asian, as well as white and Hispanic to represent her husband's background. She used the census as an opportunity to talk to them about the importance of identity, even reading them a kids' book about the head count.

It talks about how important it is that you let others know that youre here, this is who you represent, Hoang said. When I filled out (the form), they were totally surprised. ... 'Yeah, youre three different things in one. Youre special.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden now says Russia's war in Ukraine amounts to genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. Its become clearer and clearer."

At an earlier event Tuesday in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices caused by the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences because of the contention.

Biden's comments drew immediate praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country. But French President Emmanuel Macron declined to take his rhetoric that far in comments Wednesday.

I am prudent with terms today," Macron said. "Genocide has a meaning. The Ukrainian people and Russian people are brotherly people. ... Im not sure if the escalation of words serves our cause.

Macron said it's been established that the Russian army has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy applauded Biden's assessment.

True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted Tuesday. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

Biden called Zelenskyy on Wednesday and the pair spoke for nearly an hour. Biden subsequently announced that he was authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to Ukraine.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said in a statement. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that there are official processes around determinations of genocide but added of Biden's using the term, I think its absolutely right that more people ... (are) talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing and Vladimir Putin has done.

The way they are targeting Ukrainian identity and culture, these are all things that are war crimes that Putin that is responsible for," Trudeau said.

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russias in Ukraine to be genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene. That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard, but it sure seems that way to me.

More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting the overthrow of Putin, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said of Putin.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasnt articulating a policy change.

Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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In the early 1700s, A man waded into the water near what is now the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Spirits pulled him under.

Two hundred miles away, this man, known as Dappiish, the Fringe, came up for air at the thermal springs of Mammoth Terrace, a complex of travertine formations fed by thermal springs, from which the oldest water within Yellowstone National Park flows.

The Apsaalooke mans vision quest concluded with him coming out of the thermal waters known as Dappiish Iilapxe, Fringes Father.

When Apsaalooke are fasting, they are adopted by a spirit, and the area encompassing Thermopolis and Mammoth Terrace adopted him. Crow tradition paints his life as one filled with performing miracles, healing wounds and walking on water. The story of Dappiish is one of many that bind the Apsaalooke to the region that is now Yellowstone National Park, and his story is one preserved through oral histories.

Individual tribal members, they keep the connection going," said Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Aaron Brien. "Despite whatever policy the government put in place, weve never been completely out. We know of people, who dont talk about it too much because its a private thing, who have gone and fasted there."

People traversed the 2.2 million acres of what is now Yellowstone National Park well before President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act in 1872 designating the region at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River as a public park. The act came four years after the Treaty of Fort Laramie shrank the Crow Nations recognized territory from 38 million to 8 million acres, and less than two years after U.S. troops slaughtered 200 Blackfeet as they slept along the Marias River near present-day Shelby.

Park archaeologists are still uncovering evidence of the presence of the continents first people, which dates back to the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago. The Park Service has recognized the Kiowa, Blackfeet, Cayuse, Coeur dAlene, Bannock, Nez Perce, Shoshone, Northern Cheyenne, and Umatilla as among those drawn to the area for its natural and spiritual splendor.

Each tribe has its own wealth of history, and in recent years the parks management has made strides in recognizing that John Colter and fur trappers were not the first to walk through the regions forests and canyons. Two Crow historians recently spoke with the Gazette about the Crow Nations relationship with the park after a century and a half.

The Apsaalooke have made Yellowstone National Park their abode since there have been people calling themselves Apsaalooke. Experts on the history of the Crow Nation debate on the origins of the Plains tribe, but evidence shows them having a consistent presence within the modern parks east side since at least the 1500s, according to Brien.

There are four bands of Crow. Theres the Mountain Crow, who occupied the mountainous areas along the Yellowstone River, which we actually call the Elk RiverThen there was the Beaver Dries Its Fur band, those were the bands who were in the area, said Emerson Bull Chief, a former Crow Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and current dean of academics for Little Big Horn College.

Like the more than a dozen tribes who populated the region, Crow came to the ancient quarry at Obsidian Cliff north of Beaver Lake. The black glass from the 98-foot cliff was carved and carried as far as the East and West Coasts, into Canada and as far south as Mexico, said Bull Chief, who holds a doctorate in American studies.

Theres also the wickiups youll find there, what we sometimes call warrior lodgesThere are some still standing in the park, and we as a Crow people have a name established to those wickiups, Bull Chief said.

With Indigenous people explicitly left out of the language creating the park, a large portion of which was established on land previously guaranteed to the Crow Nation, the U.S. government implemented another strategy to erase the Indigenous presence from the land and its history: marketing.

Coupled with the U.S. Army giving the park a more secure veneer in the wake of the ongoing Indian Wars, park officials proliferated apocryphal tales to explain the absence of Indians. With a campaign to purge the park of predators and Indians soon after its opening, the Gazette previously reported, the federal government ensured the park was unpopulated for arriving tourists.

Most of the time when they talk about the park, its about the government saying it was going to be designated as a park and preserved and what a great thing it was, which is a great thing, to preserve that area...There was narrative created that Native Americans were afraid of the area, Bull Chief said.

The federal government made it clear that they owned the land, he said, while Native Americans were ignored.

One publication from the National Park Service read that tribes did not live in the region out of fear of incurring the wrath of an evil spirit living in the geysers and hot springs. The nearly 2,000 archaeological sites within the park, according to the National Park Service, along with personal accounts passed down by oral tradition allay that fiction.

One story in particular as told by Bull Chief is driven by a narrative that loops in the Pryor Mountains with Yellowstone Lake.

There are the Thunderbirds whose nest is in the Pryor Mountains, and every year, the male and the female Thunderbird, they would only lay two eggs. And they hatched, and when the babies would start to fledge, their feathers would float down to Yellowstone Lake, and there was this creature called Long Otter that would come out when he saw the feathers, Bull Chief said.

Long Otter would send a mist up from the lake. Under the blanket of that mist, Long Otter would travel into the Pryor Mountains and eat the two fledgling Thunderbirds.

One day, there was a warrior, Packs Antelope, who was asleep. One of the Thunderbirds picked him up and carried him to the nest. He woke up, there were two fledglings asking him, Save us! Save us!

Packs Antelope, who earned his name by carrying the hide of an antelope, left the nest and waited for the mist.

He was hiding in the branches. And as Long Otter was coming to get in the nest, he opened his mouthand Packs Antelope shot one of his arrows, sacred arrows, into his neck, which caused Long Otter to open his mouth. And then he shot an arrow into his mouth and was able to kill him that way. Once he died, the mist lifted, he said.

Outreach on the part of parks management included the construction of a Crow-style teepee at the parks north entrance in Gardiner last year. Bull Chief, who also heads the 7 Bison Cultural Consulting, helped to oversee its construction.

Because of Park Service regulations, they didnt allow us to use stakes, so we used stones. Just like those before us, who never used stakes but used stones to build teepees. We actually created our own teepee ring, he said.

Aaron Brien, the current THPO for the Crow, makes annual visits to Yellowstone National Park with his children, watching the change in landscape from timber to arid along the highway and sharing with them the history of the region.

The Crows value success over antiquity. Our connection to a particular place isnt dependent on the fact that weve been historically associated with it, he told the Gazette.

One of those successes came from Briens grandfather, Max Big Man. The chief made headlines with his lecturing and storytelling throughout the 1920s and early 30s, touring the nation by rail with accounts of the Battle of Little Bighorn.

During his tour, according to National Archive records, Big Man had a chance to request, directly from the Secretary of the Interior, buffalo from the small herd contained in Yellowstone National Park. Although he requested 30, five buffalo made their way to his wifes allotment in Crow Agency.

We tribal members have been asked about how long Indians have been in the area thats now Yellowstone National Park, but its not important that we used to be in the area. What is important are the successes we found there, if that makes sense. If we found success in a particular place, we look at it favorably, Brien said.

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Soon, likely in the next few weeks, the U.S. toll from the coronavirus will surpass 1 million. Through wave after wave, the virus has compiled a merciless chronology of loss -- one by one by one. If losing one person leaves such a lasting void, consider all thats been lost with the deaths of 1 million. From the first deaths on the West Coast to the soaring toll in New York, and then every place in between, the nation has been marked by unfathomable loss. COVID-19 has left an estimated 194,000 children in the U.S. without one or both of their parents. It has deprived communities of leaders, teachers and caregivers. It has robbed us of expertise and persistence, humor and devotion.
Creighton University reversed its decision to approve a conservative student groups political event on campus following what a university spokesman said were material changes to the event, including a change of the events title and additional speakers.

The spokesman said the changes could have jeopardized the universitys tax-exempt status.

The Creighton chapter of Turning Point USA originally submitted a request to host an on-campus event Saturday titled Introduction to Nebraska Politics Conference.

Sam Achelpohl, the Creighton spokesman, acknowledged in an email Monday that the event was designated as controversial and did not include an endorsement from the university. Still, certain activities associated with the event that were deemed educational, including a panel discussion, were approved to take place on campus.

Friday, Achelpohl wrote, Creighton officials were informed of changes to the event, including a change of the events title to Take Back Nebraska Summit 22. They also learned of the addition of speakers to an off-campus cocktail reception, including Jack Posobiec, an alt-right political activist who has promoted debunked conspiracy theories. Creighton officials then notified organizers that the groups on-campus activities could not proceed.

In the days leading up to the event, Nebraska Freedom Coalition, a conservative political action committee, promoted the event on Facebook. The group writes on its website that it is the central hub for over a dozen affiliated conservative grassroots activism organizations throughout the state who share the common goal of government accountability and terminating intrusion of government in our lives, land, and liberty.

On the morning of the event, Nebraska Freedom Coalition wrote on Facebook that Turning Point USA chapters are no longer associated with Take Back Nebraska Events. Nebraska Freedom Coalition also wrote that it had been CANCELED by Creighton at the last minute.

The coalition also criticized Jams American Grill Old Market after the restaurant pulled out of hosting the groups evening cocktail reception.

Philip Murante, executive vice president and general counsel for Jams corporate owner Cutchall Management Co., wrote in an email to the World-Herald that we were totally unaware that this outside group was advertising an event at our restaurant. He also wrote that restaurant staff and management had received calls, emails and messages from about 25 to 30 people before Jams canceled the reception.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the management company said it had no knowledge of the nature of the event.

The Nebraska Freedom Coalition said it moved the summit to Turner Park at Midtown Crossing and the reception to a restaurant in the Elkhorn area. The political organization said Posobiec drew a standing-room only crowd of more than 100 people at the reception.

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A Kansas man will be heading to jail when he is released from the hospital after he was involved in a collision that killed an Alliance woman.

Ryan McElroy, 36, of Salina, Kansas, was ticketed on suspicion of motor vehicle homicide, willful reckless driving, DUI-third offense, possession of an open alcohol container and driving under suspension, the Nebraska State Patrol said Tuesday.

McElroy is accused of causing a collision Sunday afternoon on Nebraska 2 near Alliance that killed 22-year-old Blythe Boness.

About 2:10 p.m., officials said a westbound Chevrolet Camaro that McElroy was driving hit the eastbound Ford Escape that Boness was driving. The Ford rolled into a ditch and Boness was ejected. She died at the scene.

McElroy had to be cut out of his car. He was flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff with serious injuries.

Neither Boness nor McElroy was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.

McElroy was charged with DUI in 2008 in Gage County, according to court records. In that incident, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped McElroy near Beatrice because the vehicle he was driving matched the description of one driven by a suspected drunken driver. He also was driving 10 mph over the speed limit, according to court records.

The trooper reported that he saw McElroy's 10-month-old son in the backseat and an open 18-pack of beer in the vehicle. McElroy's preliminary breath test result was 0.183%  more than double the legal limit.

Randall Ritnour, who was the Gage County attorney at the time, declined to file child abuse charges against McElroy, and ultimately dismissed an open container charge against him. McElroy was sentenced to 19 days in jail on a misdemeanor DUI charge and had his license revoked for six months.

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MASON CITY, Iowa -- During a Cerro Gordo County GOP event on Monday night, State Sen. Jim Carlin (R-Sioux City) falsely accused the federal government of working on legislation that would make it legal for young children to be killed.

"They're legalizing infanticide," Carlin said.

Carlin, who's running in the U.S. Senate primary against incumbent Chuck Grassley, alleged that such a bill would allow anyone who didn't want to keep a birthed baby to end the child's life up to 28 weeks after giving birth.

Carlin made the remarks during a section of his address where he touted his work to get a "heartbeat bill" passed in Iowa in 2018 that would have made abortion illegal upon a fetal heartbeat being detected. The legislation was later blocked in court and declared unconstitutional by an Iowa judge in 2019.

At present, the most-recently acted on bill in Congress to even address abortion is H.R. 3755 or the "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021" which was touted as protecting "a persons ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care providers ability to provide abortion services." There is no mention of 28 weeks in the text of the document, which can be found through a search on Congress.gov, and the words "birth" and "infanticide" do not appear anywhere in the bill. On February 28, the Senate voted 46-48 to block the bill with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) siding with the GOP in opposition (according to NBC News).

In recent weeks, a number of state governments have actually been curbing access to abortion.

The Associated Press reported that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed a bill into law on Tuesday making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Over the weekend, the AP noted that a Texas woman was arrested Thursday, April 7, in Rio Grande City after being indicted on March 30 for murder for causing the death of an individual ... by self-induced abortion." Per the AP: a district attorney later said he would move to dismiss the charge against the woman.

While Carlin was in attendance, Grassley was not (though he did send a representative to speak in his place). The night was kicked off by county GOP chair Julie Billings introducing the guest speaker, Tamara Scott, who is the national committeewoman for the Republican Party of Iowa and host of the Tamara Scott Show on Lindell TV.

Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter @TwoHeadedBoy98.

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An attorney hired by a special legislative panel said former state Sen. Mike Groene acted inappropriately in taking photos of a female staff member without her knowledge or permission.

Tara Paulson, an attorney specializing in employment matters at Remboldt Ludtke in Lincoln, called the North Platte lawmakers conduct boorish, brainless and bizarre.

But the report said Groene's actions did not constitute workplace harassment or discrimination under the Legislature's policies.

The executive summary of the report was read aloud by Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart shortly before lawmakers adjourned on Wednesday, which is Day 59 of the 60-day legislative session.

Wishart, one of three senators named by the Executive Board to the special panel along with Sens. Tom Briese of Albion and John Arch of La Vista, said Paulson was hired to investigate claims of unlawful sexual discrimination or harassment made against Groene in February.

Kristina Konecko, a staff member who worked in Groenes office discovered photos of herself on Groenes computers, later reporting her findings to an individual responsible for handling workplace harassment complaints on Feb. 4.

That same day, the concerns were relayed to Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango, chairman of the Executive Board. After receiving a written report on Feb. 7, Hughes took immediate and prompt steps to investigate in a confidential manner.

The informal workplace resolution pursued by Konecko was later made public following a story that appeared on Nebraska Sunrise News' website, Paulsons report said.

The publicity led to Hughes suggesting a formal investigation, which Konecko agreed to, Paulson wrote, since the protection of the her identity was no longer possible.

Groene resigned Feb. 21. On Feb. 22, the Nebraska Attorney General's Office asked the State Patrol to investigate whether a crime had been committed.

As part of investigation, the Executive Board convened the Special Personnel Panel, who hired Paulson on Feb. 28.

Paulson was then to prepare a written report and provide recommendations for remedial actions to be considered by the Executive Board or the full Legislature.

According to the summary, Paulson interviewed 10 individuals, including employees of the Legislature and several senators, and reviewed 50 pages of screenshots taken from Groenes laptop that contained photos of Konecko.

Paulson also reviewed the Legislatures policies related to workplace harassment, technology and workplace harassment training logs, the executive summary states.

My investigation revealed that Mr. Groene did take photographs of the complainant without her authorization or knowledge, Paulson wrote. Mr. Groenes actions can be described as boorish, brainless and bizarre, especially for the workplace.

Paulson said there was no evidence to suggest the photographs were shared with any other state senators or employees of the Legislature, but noted she had not reviewed evidence gathered by the Nebraska State Patrol, which is conducting its own investigation into Groenes actions.

In March, the State Patrol obtained a search warrant to continue its investigation into whether or not Groenes actions amounted to a crime.

State Patrol Sgt. Stacie Lundgren, in the search warrant filed in Lancaster County District Court, said there was probable cause to believe evidence of official misconduct and oppression under color of office would be found on Groenes state-issued laptops.

Investigators seized HP and MacBook computers to search through documents, records, emails and internet and social media history, according to court records.

If further evidence comes to light, Paulson said she reserved the right to reopen the investigation and reevaluate her conclusions if requested by the Executive Board.

Her findings, read by Wishart on Wednesday, were mixed.

Paulson said Groenes conduct was wholly unprofessional and inappropriate.

In the private sector, the conduct of Mr. Groene would most certainly result in disciplinary action up to and including termination, Paulson wrote. If Mr. Groene had not resigned, his conduct would likely have led to corrective action such as reprimand, censure, or expulsion.

However, according to relevant legal standards and the Legislatures workplace harassment policies, Mr. Groenes conduct does not constitute unlawful discrimination or harassment, she added.

Wishart, who worked as a staff member in the Legislature before she was elected to represent parts of Lincoln and Lancaster County, urged her colleagues to read the report in its entirety.

Its clear we have a lot more work to do to improve workplace culture and environment at the Legislature and that will be continued in the recommendations in this report and the interim studies introduced, she said.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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With just three days left in the legislative session, state senators passed a slew of bills Tuesday, including one that will devote $335 million to recovery efforts in North and South Omaha and other underserved areas of Nebraska.

The Legislature passed LB1024 on a 45-1 vote, sending it to Gov. Pete Ricketts' desk for final approval. Lawmakers also passed dozens of other bills, including two to advance major water projects.

LB1024 allocates $335 million to projects that would support affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, crime prevention projects and other recovery initiatives.

Its an historic moment, Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said, adding that there is a lot of pressure to deliver for the community. Weve got to step up and get it done.

The project was first intended to allocate $475 million to serve underserved areas in North and South Omaha, but after negotiating with other lawmakers, Wayne expanded the bill to encompass parts of Lincoln and rural areas with high concentrations of low-income residents.

Though the total funding is less than Wayne originally sought, he said he hopes the bill encourages local business leaders to contribute to the effort.

Two major water projects in the state are also moving forward after receiving approval Tuesday.

LB1015, which would build a $500 million canal-and-reservoir system in eastern Colorado and western Nebraska, passed 42-4. Senators then voted 38-6 to pass LB1023, which takes steps to build a 7-mile lake along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln.

LB1015 would carry out the provisions of a nearly century-old compact with Colorado. Under the compact, Nebraska can lay claim to 500 cubic feet per second of water for irrigation use between Oct. 15 and April 1 if the canal is built.

LB1023 establishes a framework for the 4,000-acre lake, but an exact site has not been designated for the project yet. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said the effort could ultimately come up dry if further study shows that the project would harm Lincolns drinking water supply or run afoul of environmental laws.

It also could be derailed if backers cannot get enough money or are unable to acquire land, he said.

Though both water projects received broad support from lawmakers, they were criticized by opponents.

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who opposed both bills, proposed an amendment to LB1023 on Tuesday to ensure the state couldn't exercise eminent domain to acquire land for the lake. The amendment failed 30-6.

Some of the other bills passed Tuesday:

Holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day would become a state holiday under LB29, which passed 48-0. Wayne introduced the bill last year, before President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a national holiday. The day, observed June 20 this year, marks the day in 1865 when Union troops brought news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Texas.

Victim immunity. Victims or witnesses of sexual assault would receive immunity for minor drug or alcohol possession charges under LB519, which passed 37-7. Individuals would receive immunity only if they were the one reporting the assault to law enforcement or seeking emergency medical attention. An individual would not be charged if evidence of the offense was obtained as a result of the assault investigation. The individual would be required to cooperate with law enforcement.

Computer science. Nebraska high school students would be required to complete at least one course in computer science or technology by the start of the 2026-27 school year under LB1112, which passed 33-11. The bill aims to address the tech talent workforce crisis that Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, who introduced the bill, said is limiting business growth across Nebraska.

Behavioral health contacts. School districts would be required to establish behavioral health points of contact under LB852, which passed 36-10. These contacts can refer students or parents to local community behavior providers in their area. Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, who introduced the bill, said it was drafted in response to the mental health needs among students that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mead ethanol plant. Lawmakers passed two measures addressing problems created by AltEn, a now-defunct plant near Mead that used pesticide-treated seed to produce ethanol and left behind waste products highly contaminated with insecticides and fungicides.

LB1068, passed 35-8, would provide $1 million to continue research into the potential adverse effects the plant has had on human health and the environment. LB1102, passed 46-0, would give the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy more authority to issue cease-and-desist letters to companies that endanger humans and the environment and more latitude to order environmental cleanups.

State contracting. The Department of Administrative Services would have to bring in a consultant to evaluate the states contracting process under LB1037, which passed 46-0. Sen. John Arch of La Vista introduced the bill after a legislative investigation found the state has had a string of costly procurement failures. The most recent, and the reason for the investigation, was the now-terminated contract with Saint Francis Ministries of Kansas to oversee child welfare cases in the Omaha area.

Mental health and pregnancy. Doctors, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses would be encouraged to screen women during and after pregnancy for mental health disorders under LB905, which passed 44-0. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont. Such disorders can include depression, anxiety and postpartum psychosis.

Craft beer. Nebraskas craft breweries could build their business by selling beer directly to retailers under LB1236, introduced by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney. Under the bill, which passed 46-0, breweries could self-distribute up to 250 barrels per year, but only in areas where they do not have an agreement with a wholesaler.

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Nebraskas next governor wont get a pot of money to use in luring or keeping businesses after all.

State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha pulled Legislative Bill 729 from the agenda Monday after it became clear that the measure had lost too much support to advance.

The measure would have created the Quick Action Closing Fund within the Department of Economic Development that the governor could have used to help land a high-impact business project or facility or to keep a business already located in the state. A high-impact business would be one expected to create a net benefit, through jobs and investments, compared with the cost of the incentive.

Assuming a project met the necessary requirements, including thresholds for jobs and salaries, the bill would have given the governor the discretion to award the funding.

But several senators on Monday objected to giving that kind of power to the governor, including Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, who argued that the bill would diminish the Legislatures power over the state purse strings.

Our ancestors fought a war to get rid of the king, Flood said.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said the proposal would give governors a slick way to pay back political favors without much control by legislators.

You tell me if that isnt a slush fund, he said.

Supporters of the proposal took issue with the term slush fund, describing the fund as an extra tool that the state could use in trying to compete with other states for businesses.

Sen. Matt Williams of Gothenberg said he has seen cases in which Nebraska lost out because state officials could not offer enough incentives under existing laws. Supporters said the fund could have helped in situations when the Legislature is not in session and cannot react quickly.

I think LB729 sends a clear message that we are open for business, Williams said.

Lindstrom, who is a Republican candidate for governor, said LB729 was inspired by a similar program created in Oklahoma in 2011. He said that program has awarded about $14 million to seven companies, which resulted in the creation of 3,500 jobs and $3.4 billion in investments by those companies.

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PIERRE  The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 fatal crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history. He will at least temporarily be removed from office pending the historic Senate trial, where it takes a two-thirds majority to convict on impeachment charges.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boevers death as a tragic accident.

In voting 36-31 to impeach Ranvsborg, the Republican-controlled House charged him with committing crimes that caused someones death, making numerous misrepresentations to law enforcement officers after the crash and using his office to navigate the criminal investigation.

When were dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone, said Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment.

All eight House Democrats voted for impeachment, while Republicans were split, with 28 voting for it and 31 against. Among House members from West River, 14 voted in favor of impeachment, while eight voted no.

West River Republican Reps. Caleb Finck, Rebecca Reimer, Liz May, Sam Marty, Chris Johnson, Phil Jensen, Tina Mulally and Tony Randolph cast votes against the articles of impeachment. One West River Republican lawmaker, Rep. Scott Odenbach, recused himself because he had given legal advice to the attorney general after the crash. Republican Rep. Taffy Howard, who is running for Congress, was excused from Tuesday's vote.

Ravnsborg, who took office in 2019, was returning home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. A sheriff who responded after Ravnsborg called 911 initially reported it as a collision with an animal. Ravnsborg has said he did not realize he hit a man until he returned the next day and found the body.

The Highway Patrol concluded that Ravnsborgs car crossed completely onto the highway shoulder before hitting Boever, and criminal investigators said later that they didnt believe some of Ravnsborgs statements.

The House rejected the recommendation of a GOP-backed majority report from a special investigative committee, which argued that anything wrong he did was not part of his official duties in office. But even Republican lawmakers who argued his actions did not meet constitutional grounds for impeachment, said Ravnsborg should resign.

He should have stepped down, should have done the honorable thing, said House Speaker Spencer Gosch, a Republican who oversaw the House investigation and voted against impeachment.

Ravnsborg, who had been largely silent about the crash and was not present for the vote, sent lawmakers a pair of defiant letters Monday night urging them not to impeach him.

In a few hours, your vote will set a precedent for years to come, Ravnsborg wrote. No state has ever impeached an elected official for a traffic accident.

He also accused Republican Gov. Kristi Noem of interfering in the investigation and of supporting impeachment because of the attorney generals investigations into her behavior. A second letter from Ravnsborgs spokesman delved into evidence, allegations and misconceptions about the case.

After Ravnsborg fell out with the governor after the crash, he pushed a pair of ethics complaints against Noem to the states Government Accountability Board. His office is also investigating whether an organization aligned with the governor broke campaign finance disclosure laws.

Noem lauded the House on Twitter after its vote, writing that it did the right thing for the people of South Dakota and for Joe Boever's family.

For Boever's family, who held his wedding photo as they watched from the House gallery during the vote, the decision brought some relief. They have decried the criminal prosecution as a slap on the wrist for Ravnsborg.

Were a step closer to justice. Were not done, said Boevers cousin, Nick Nemec.

Now we just need the Senates help on this because these laws need to be changed badly, said Jennifer Boever, who was married to Boever. People are getting hurt and killed, and the pedestrian has no self-defense against a 4,000 pound (1,814 kilogram) vehicle.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Court records indicate that a suspect charged in a deadly Iowa nightclub shooting is the father of one homicide victims child and once worked at the nightclub.

Timothy Rush, 32, was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree murder and other counts in the shooting death of 35-year-old Nicole Owens and the critical wounding of another man early Sunday at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge in Cedar Rapids.

Police have said Rush was one of two people who fired shots in the crowded club, killing Owens and 25-year-old Michael Valentine and injuring 10 others.

Linn County birth records show Rush and Owens are the parents of a girl born in early 2021, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. The Gazette also reported that in an affidavit used to determine his eligibility for a court-appointed attorney, Rush indicated he had worked for the nightclub but was no longer employed.

The attack happened at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday during a birthday party for a friend of Valentine and Owens. Between 100 and 150 people were inside the club at the time, police said, and investigators have said they believe two people carried out the shootings. Police have not named the second suspect and have not announced any other arrests in the shooting.

Rush is being held in the Linn County Jail on a $1.5 million cash bond.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Gazette.

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Majdal Elias showed no emotion when the bailiff read the jury's verdict late Wednesday morning in a third-floor courtroom.

Guilty of second-degree murder of 15-year-old Ali Al-Burkat.

Guilty of use of a firearm to commit the crime.

Guilty of unlawful discharge of a firearm into a vehicle.

And guilty of use of a firearm to commit that crime.

At the first "guilty," Al-Burkat's family and friends in the courtroom began reacting, some quietly hugging and crying, at the conclusion of an emotional week-and-a-half-long trial where the defense argued the government got it wrong and Elias wasn't the shooter.

Outside the courtroom, a group of Al-Burkat's friends and family gathered, one wearing a "Long Live Ali" sweatshirt, shaking hands with and hugging the prosecutors and lead investigator, Chris Milisits, for their work.

Elias, an admitted drug dealer, already is serving 19 to 33 years in prison on drug and gun charges.

Now, at his sentencing in May he'll face another 33 years to life for Al-Burkat's killing Sept. 29, 2019.

Police initially arrested Elias in connection to a search of his apartment at The Links a month later, where they found a quarter pound of cocaine, an AK-47-style rifle, a handgun, just less than a pound of marijuana and $25,000 in cash, and a search of a relative's house across town and found more of his drugs and guns.

But at the trial that started April 4, Elias was accused of shooting into a carload of teens and a 20-year-old, killing Al-Burkat.

The four in the Chevy Malibu had been part of a plot to rob another drug dealer who lived in an apartment on the other side of The Links that night. But the driver, Mohammed Al-Haidari, his face partially covered with a T-shirt, missed his turn and ended up circling the complex, which is when the SUV ended up behind them.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jeff Mathers said Elias, in his silver Ford Explorer, must have seen them and thought they were there to rob him. At first he passed them, then followed as they turned back down North Seventh Street to try to find their intended victim. But at the turn, Elias pulled up beside them and said: "You're busted," then started firing.

One of the shots into the Malibu's trunk struck Al-Burkat in the back, quickly killing him.

Cameras in the area caught glimpses of Al-Haidari fish-tailing off the road trying to get around the SUV after speeding away only to discover the road was a dead-end.

Defense attorney Chad Wythers argued there was reasonable doubt because the teenage brothers in the front seat of the Chevy Malibu that night couldn't ID Elias as the shooter.

But the state pointed to a disposable gun magazine with his DNA on it found on the side of the road a mile away, and to jail calls about a map Elias sent to an ex-girlfriend from jail and calls trying to get her to follow it to a field near his apartment, where they think he ditched the gun.

All the facts point to one thing, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Morgan Smith said in closing arguments Tuesday: "Majdal Elias shot and killed Ali Al-Burkat."

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5-11 year-olds begin Covid-19 vaccinations from April 14

Vietnam will start giving Covid-19 vaccines to children aged 5-11 from April 14 according to the Ministry of Health.













Vietnam will start giving Covid-19 vaccines to children aged 5-11 from April 14





Children in the northern province of Quang Ninh will be the first to receive the vaccine before the campaign is expanded to the whole country.



Duong Thi Hong, deputy head of the National Institute Of Hygiene and Epidemiology told Dantri/Dtinews on Wednesday morning that they had received the first batches of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine from the Australian government for children aged 5-11. They have sent the vaccine to Quang Ninh Province while other localities will receive the vaccine next week.



"The vaccine will first be given to 11-year-old children," Hong said. "The Ministry of Health has issued instructions on the inoculation for each age group."



Phan Trong Lan, director of the Ministry of Health's Department of Preventive Medicine, said that there are over 11.8 million children aged between 5-11 in Vietnam and some 8.2 million of them hadn't been affected by Covid-19 as of April.



"Were planning to give two doses of Covid-19 vaccine to all these children by the end of the second quarter," he said. "Children who have been infected with the virus should wait three months. Surveys showed that some 30 percent of parents were still reluctant to give the vaccine to their children."



Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said the ministry had initially proposed to buy 21.9 million doses of vaccine. However, during the negotiations to sign the contract with Pfizer, several international organisations and countries, including the embassies of Australia and the Netherlands in Vietnam, announced they would donate vaccines to the country to immunise children.



As a result, the ministry is adjusting the quantity of Pfizer vaccines purchased.
Residents at 208 Scott St. were awoken on Monday by city officials knocking on their doors telling them that they had to vacate the building, which had been deemed uninhabitable.

This came as quite a surprise to the tenants who lived in the building, according to Lisa Jenkins, who was told she and her husband had to pack up and leave immediately.

I had no clue, no warning, no anything, just woke up to a knock on the door, we gotta get our stuff out by five, Jenkins said.

From the outside, one could see the citys point. Multiple windows were missing or smashed on every side of the two-story building. The inside was even worse, Jenkins said.

I tried to keep the, you know, the hallways picked up, Jenkins said. It was worthless, its totally worthless. The writing on the wall, I freak out, I dont want to look at this (stuff), and the dirty hallways. I tried cleaning up, but theres, you know, theres only so much you can do when theres one person doing it.

It seems like in (recent) days, somebody had done extensive vandalism in there, Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said. Somebody went nuts with a cinder block and was throwing it through the windows and throwing it through the drywall.

Jenkins said that over the past few months there were constant fights in the hallways, and drug use. The building sits across the street from Kanesville Alternative Learning Center, a school for at-risk youth.

I was afraid for my life, Jenkins said. The fighting and arguing in the hallway? I never left my apartment.

Jenkins said she and her husband had been living in the building for about two years. Prior to that, they were homeless, and she is afraid they will be again. She thinks theyre going to try to get beds at a shelter, but she really hopes shell get to move in with her daughter and bond with her grandchildren.

Thatd be the ultimate for me, Jenkins said, to be a live-in babysitter.

Service agencies were on site to assist residents as they worked to find a place to stay.

We have some housing programs that have been assisting, said Mindy Paces, Heartland Family Services vice president of housing and financial stability. We have a homeless prevention diversion team in partnership with the city, so when a building has been identified as unlivable and there are tenants who are going to be displaced, we partner with them to help identify alternative housing in the community.

Many of the former residents of 208 Scott St. were able to find temporary housing with family, Paces said. HFS is now working to secure long-term housing for them.

The property at 208 Scott St. is owned by 208 Scott St LLC, based in Littleton, Colorado, according to county records. The LLC purchased the property in December. Attempts to contact the property owner were unsuccessful.

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PIERRE, S.D. (AP)  The leader of the South Dakota Senate on Wednesday named a lead prosecutor for the impeachment trial of state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and scheduled it for late June.

The announcement from Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck comes one day after House lawmakers voted to impeach Ravnsborg for a car crash that killed a pedestrian.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history and must take a leave until the Senate decides whether to remove him from office.

Schoenbeck set the trial for June 21-22. He said Pennington County prosecutor Mark Vargo will argue in favor of the two articles of impeachment  one for crimes that led to the death of Joe Boever and the other for malfeasance in office. Clay County States Attorney Alexis Tracy will assist in the prosecution.

Ravnsborg will get the chance to present his case. He said after the impeachment vote that he believes he will be vindicated.

The attorney general was driving home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Boevers death as a tragic accident.

Schoenbeck said he expects senators to do their homework ahead of the trial.

This isnt like a criminal trial. Its a political trial," he said. "Theres no reason to have the senators sit on the floor and start reading reports. That should all be done beforehand. I believe it will be.

Vargo was part of the original team of states attorneys that Hyde County Deputy States Attorney Emily Sovell used in determining what criminal charges should be brought. Although he left the group before Ravnsborg was charged with three misdemeanors, Schoenbeck said Vargo has a firm grasp of the evidence.

Vargo said Schoenbeck asked him to oversee the trial.

Its a simple as that, Vargo said. I did not lobby for it.

The trial starts two days before the Republican convention in Watertown, where delegates will pick the partys attorney general candidate for Novembers general election.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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(THE CONVERSATION) In the days leading up to Easter Sunday, Christians around the world will participate in retellings of the story of the last days of Jesus life, from his entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper and to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection. They may walk the Stations of the Cross  a processional ritual marking key points in the biblical narrative  attend a pageant or simply gather in church for religious services.

And some people will view or listen to Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1971 rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. NBCs Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert, featuring R&B star John Legend in the title role, was first broadcast on Easter Sunday 2018 and re-aired for Easter 2020. This year, if you find yourself in Dallas during Holy Week, you might even score a ticket to the latest touring production.

As I detail in my book Playing God: The Bible on the Broadway Stage, Superstar is the most commercially successful adaptation of a biblical story in Broadway history, with well over 1,000 performances spanning multiple productions. In some ways, this is unsurprising. Church reenactments of biblical scenes were foundational for the development of Western theater, especially the quem quaeritis trope, a 10th-century dialogue that reenacts the moment when Jesus body is supposedly discovered missing from the tomb. Put another way, Christians have seen drama as an appropriate way to communicate the story of Jesus passion and resurrection for more than a millennium.

Yet something about Superstar has always seemed a bit improbable, and its depiction of Holy Week set off controversy from the start. Composer Lloyd Webber has recounted how London producers initially regarded the project as the worst idea in history. Many religious audiences viewed the play with deep suspicion for what they considered an irreverent approach, questionable theology and its rock n roll-influenced score.

As a theater professor, I see Superstar as an important step in the evolution of the Broadway musical, a groundbreaking rock opera that paved the way for contemporary hits like Mamma Mia! and Hamilton. But the musicals now-canonical status was anything but inevitable.

Jesus is cool

The shows irreverent attitude is encapsulated in its title song, which combines a soaring choral hook (Jesus Christ, Superstar, Do you think youre what they say you are?) with a series of pointed and ironic questions via rock melody  Whyd you choose such a backward time and such a strange land?

Though set in the Jerusalem of 2,000 years ago, the play uses modern language  Jesus is cool  and imagery, such as paparazzi following Jesus through the streets. By representing Jesus as a charismatic celebrity whose fame spirals out of control, Superstar offers audiences a contemporary framework for understanding the ancient biblical narrative. This is underlined by self-aware lyrics that offer commentary on how the Passion story would go on to be told. During the Last Supper scene, for example, Jesus disciples sing:

Always hoped that Id be an apostle Knew that I would make it if I tried Then when we retire, we can write the gospels So theyll still talk about us when weve died.

For conservative Christians, such lighthearted paraphrasing of Scripture may have been offensive. More troubling, in the eyes of many religious leaders, was the musicals theology. Superstar is structured similarly to a traditional Christian Passion play, depicting Jesus final days. But it abruptly ends with the crucifixion, omitting the resurrection that is at the heart of the Easter story  and Christianity itself. Whats more, the play hints at a romantic relationship between Jesus and his supporter Mary Magdalene, and gives a prominent role to Judas, the disciple whom the Gospels say betrayed Jesus  in fact, Judas is arguably the shows leading man.

All this caused many Christian leaders to dismiss the show as blasphemous. Others argued that, while well-meaning, Superstar was overly focused on Christs humanity, to the exclusion of his divinity.

Meanwhile, Jewish organizations expressed concern that the play would inspire antisemitism by perpetuating the idea that Jews bear responsibility for the death of Christ. A trio of Jewish priests sings This Jesus Must Die, and later pressures a reluctant Pontius Pilate to have Jesus crucified.

In 1971, this was a particularly sore spot for Jewish-Christian relations. The idea that the Jewish people bore collective guilt for killing Jesus had long been part of antisemitic rhetoric from Catholic leaders like the Rev. Charles E. Coughlin. In fact, it wasnt until 1965 that the Vatican officially declared, what happened in [Christs] passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today.

Rock n rebels

Still, most early objections to Superstar were driven less by its content and more by its form. The mere idea of turning the Bible into a loud, flashy, rock n roll spectacle was often seen as a kind of sacrilege. As religion scholar David Chidester and others have observed, conservative Christian groups have historically complained about the superficial and amoral nature of American popular culture, with particular distaste for its music. In this view, rock lyrics advocate sin while the loud, sensual and unrestrained nature of the music encourages it.

For such critics, Jesus Christ Superstar seemed to pose a threat simply by juxtaposing the sacred narrative of the Bible with the profane atmosphere of the rock concert.

Yet half a century after its premiere, the musical no longer generates much controversy. The recognition and appreciation of Jesus humanity has gradually become more acceptable among American Christians, though not to the exclusion of his divinity. Compared with earlier generations, Generation X and millennials are less likely to read Scripture, and therefore less likely to be concerned over fine points of theological interpretation.

Rock music, meanwhile, is aging along with its fans, while the rise of the American megachurch has blurred the line between rock concert and church service, between celebrities and spiritual leaders. No longer are electric instruments, flashy costumes, spotlights and microphones seen as disrespectful or inconsistent with worship.

Perhaps most significantly, todays audiences, both religious and not, may simply have a greater regard for so-called superstars. For many people in the 1970s, the musicals comparison of the deification of Christ and the idolatry of a rock star was inherently derogatory, undercutting Jesus spiritual significance. Yet today, in an era when Lady Gaga has six times as many Instagram followers as Pope Francis, arguably the title  and the musical itself  reads as a more sincere form of appreciation.

[The most interesting religion stories from three major news organizations. Get This Week in Religion.]

This article has been updated to correct the lyrics to The Last Supper.

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Speaking of the seven-week war in Ukraine ignited by Vladimir Putin, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is warning us to expect a war that lasts for years.

"I do think this is a very protracted conflict ... measured in years," Milley told Congress. "I don't know about a decade, but at least years, for sure."

As our first response, said Milley, we should build more military bases in Eastern Europe and begin to rotate U.S. troops in and out.

Yet this sounds like a prescription for a Cold War II that America ought to avert, not fight. For the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, while a declared goal of U.S. policy, is not a vital U.S. interest to justify risking a calamitous war with Russia.

Proof of that political reality lies in political facts.

For 40 years of the Cold War, Ukraine was an integral part of the Soviet Union. In 1991, Bush I warned Ukrainian secessionists, who wanted to sever ties to Russia, not to indulge such "suicidal nationalism."

And though we brought 14 new nations into NATO after 1991, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama never brought in Ukraine.

Indeed, during the seven weeks of this war, President Joe Biden has refused to transfer to Ukraine the 28 MIG-29s that Poland offered to make available, if the U.S. would replace the Polish MIGs with U.S. fighter jets.

Biden has warned that this could ignite a collision with Russia that could lead to World War III. And he is not going to risk a third world war that could escalate to nuclear war -- for Ukraine.

What is Biden saying by denying the MIGs to Ukraine?

That preventing Russia from amputating Donbas, Crimea and the Black Sea coast of Ukraine is not a U.S. interest so vital as to be worth our risking war with Russia. Ukraine is not only outside NATO; it is outside the perimeter of U.S. vital interests justifying war.

This crisis in Ukraine is calling forth the larger question:

For whom and for what should the United States go to war with a nation with a larger nuclear arsenal than our own, but which does not directly threaten us?

Currently, the Beltway war hawks and neocons are bristling with demands the U.S. send the MIGs to Ukraine, and the S-300 air-defense system, and anti-ship missiles to sink Russia's Black Sea fleet.

They tell us Putin is blustering and bluffing when he suggests that Moscow might use tactical nuclear weapons rather than accept defeat and humiliation in Ukraine.

Yet, looking at a cost-benefit analysis of continuing this war, it would appear that the sooner it ends, the better.

For who would be the likely winners and the losers of Milley's "protracted conflict" that will last "at least years for sure"?

The greatest losers would be the nation and people of Ukraine.

Already, in seven weeks, 10 million Ukrainians have been uprooted from their homes, and 4 million of them have fled the country. That is a fourth of the nation uprooted, and a tenth lost to Ukraine.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have died resisting the invasion. Thousands may have been murdered. Cities like Kharkiv have been horribly damaged, with Mariupol on the Sea of Azov destroyed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's willingness to negotiate with Putin after the proven atrocities and to accept temporary occupation of part of Ukraine suggests that he knows that, from here on out, Ukraine, which has won the first battles, could steadily lose the longer war.

Indeed, if the known huge losses for Ukraine came from the first seven weeks of fighting, what will be the losses from a second seven weeks, or a third, on the bloody road to Milley's long war?

Putin's Russia is a second loser in this war.

The initial invasion failed to capture Kiev or Kharkiv. The Russian army around Kiev has departed and, reportedly, many thousands of Russian troops have been killed, wounded, captured or gone missing.

The Russian economy is suffering from severe sanctions.

Yet over 80% of the Russian people still support Putin and his war. And Russia's renewed drive into the Donbas and to take the Black Sea coast of Ukraine from Crimea to Odessa is not yet lost.

But while Ukraine and Russia have suffered greatly, the U.S. and NATO have suffered barely at all. Nor has China, which stands to be the major beneficiary when a bleeding, isolated Russia goes in search of support.

What Americans have to worry about is the long war that Gen. Milley is predicting, and the possibility that Russia's continued bleeding causes it to resort to tactical nuclear weapons to end the losses and humiliation and prevent an outright defeat.

Thus, the sooner this war ends, the better for us and our friends -- even if it means having to talk to the man Biden cannot stop calling a war criminal and clamoring for his prosecution.

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Vanessa Lachey only wanted to marry Nick Lachey after they broke up to see other people.

The 41-year-old actress has been married to 98 Degrees star Nick, 48, since 2011 but admitted that after they had been dating for five years, she gave Nick an ultimatum because she wanted children.

She said: "We dated for five years. So I finally said, "What are we doing?" I had moved in with him, I had renovated his entire bachelor pad, there was a bar in the pool, I was like 'whatever you want', and now I'm like, "OK I want to put kids in the pool. So that's when I started doing the dance [waves her ring finger in the air]. If I'm being completely candid and transparent, we took a break. We both saw one other person and we realized that if we got out of our own way, we could be amazing together."

The married couple are now presenters of the Netflix reality show 'The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On', which sees couples put their love to the test while having encounters with other potential matches and the former beauty queen - who has Camden, nine, Brooklyn, seven , and five-year-old Phoenix with Nick - admitted that seeing other people was "what it took" to realise Nick was the person she wanted to be with.

Speaking on the 'The Ultimatum', she added: "But it took me seeing somebody else and me realizing I don't mind the things that bugged me or were holding me back. I don't mind all that, the bigger picture is how I feel about that person and their values of wanting to be with me and knowing everything about me."

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Its obvious that before she testified at his 2019 impeachment hearing, Donald Trump didnt really know who Marie Yovanovitch was. Shed been his ambassador to Ukraine, originally appointed under the Obama administration, but Ukraine was clearly a foggy concept to Trump, who had once informed the president of that nation that he knew Ukraine was corrupt because a guest at Mar-a-Lago had told him so. In his infamous July 25 telephone call with that presidents successor, Volodymyr Zelensky, after Yovanovitch had been removed from her post, Trump referred to her only as the former ambassador from the United States, the woman, stating that she was bad news and was going to go through some things. As Yovanovitch recounts in her memoir, Lessons From the Edge, she found these remarks distressing and ominous coming from the most powerful man in the world, and understandably so. What her concerns probably keep her from detecting, though, is that Trump couldnt remember her name, and most likely soon forgot about her entirely. Later, on the day of Yovanovitchs testimony, he told reporters, I just dont know her. She may be a wonderful woman.

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Yovanovitch met Trump only once, and spent most of his presidency overseas, so Lessons From the Edge is not an account of Trump World. Technically, she worked for Trump, as all ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president, but her perspective comes from the periphery of American politics during the Trump years. A career public servant whod worked in the Foreign Service for more than 30 years, Yovanovitch thinks of herself as a disciplined rules-follower whose primary mission on her various posts was to improve the conditions for other rules-followers, that is, to foster civil society in such precarious places as Somalia, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. This, she argues, advances the interests of the United States by reducing regional instability and developing reliable new trading partners.

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Like Alexander Vindman and Fiona HillNational Security Council officials who also testified to Congress about the Trump-Ukraine scandalYovanovitch came to represent what Trump World calls the deep state, high-level government workers who obstructed the Trump agenda, despite the fact that most of the time it was hard to tell what that agenda was. This was not an entirely unfounded belief, as the 2018 publication of an anonymous New York Times op-ed, I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration, indicated. The author of the op-ed, and A Warning, a book expanding on it published the following year, was Miles Taylor, then deputy chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security. Taylor characterized himself and others in the administration as champions of the Steady State, reasonable professionals who supported some of Trumps policy goals, such as tax cuts for the rich, while deliberately thwarting his more impulsive edictsparticularly when it came to foreign policyif they deemed them deleterious. They didnt always succeed, as when they attempted to prevent him from abandoning the Kurdish allies who helped the U.S. battle ISIS in Syria.

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Among the many people who joined the Trump administration in this qualified spirit was John Bolton, who in his own memoir of that time, 2020s The Room Where it Happened, described himself and such figures as former national security adviser H.R. McMaster and Defense Secretary James Mattis as the axis of adults in the Trump White House. Bolton got some of what he wantedin particular, U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear dealbut he had to work around a president for whom he had no respect and who manifestly didnt know what he was doing. After only a year in office, Bolton was fired and publicly derided by Trump as McMaster had been before him. It was Bolton who instructed Hill (whom hed hired) to notify the chief lawyer for the National Security Council in July 2019 of the efforts of Gordon Sondland (a Trump donor appointed ambassador to the European Union) and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to pressure Ukraine into investigating Burisma, the Ukrainian energy firm that had Hunter Biden on its board, as well as baseless charges that Ukraine had somehow interfered in the 2016 presidential election. I am not part of whatever drug deal Sondland and Mulvaney are cooking up, Bolton told Hill to tell the White House lawyers. Hill also testified that Bolton referred to Rudy Giuliani, Trumps personal attorney and the driving force behind the pressure campaign, as a hand grenade.

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[More: I Read (Almost) Every Memoir by a Former Trump Official.]

But Bolton famously refused to testify himself, reserving his criticisms of Trump for his book, published months after the Senate had acquitted the president. It was a shrewd political move, with an eye toward potential future appointments, because its one thing to trash your former boss in a fat tome few people will read, and another to offer evidence against him in a televised trial. Likewise, Taylor only revealed that he was the author of A Warning after positioning himself as a leader of Republicans trying to wrest their party from Trumps control. Hill, Vindman, and Yovanovitch, by contrast, are another breed. Unlike Hill, Yovanovitch was not a high-level policy adviser, and unlike Vindman, she never served in the military, but as Lessons From the Edge attests, she nevertheless had a strong sense of duty and the chain of command. The book never mentions her own political orientation, and in her opening statement during her testimony, she stressed that she and her fellow State Department staffers are professionals, public servants who by vocation and training pursue the policies of the president, regardless of who holds that office or what party they affiliate with.

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Lessons From the Edge is an exemplary diplomatic memoir, exhibiting a real gift for storytelling despite Yovanovitchs straight-arrow personality. Not for her the self-delusion and moral equivocation that make Shakespearean characters out of such Trump World veterans as William Barr. Thenbam!Yovanovitch falls down a rabbit hole of Trumpian misinformation and corruption, a hole largely dug by Giuliani, who perceived her as an impediment to his scheme to drum up fake scandals about Democrats by working his contacts among the sketchier elements of Ukraines leadership. (He was also pissed because he felt humiliated when her embassy denied a visa to a spectacularly crooked Ukrainian former prosecutor he wanted to meet with in the U.S.) It was clearly Giuliani who filled Trumps head, however temporarily, with the notion that she was bad news, standing between him and a treasure trove of dirt he could use against his political opponents.

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Over and over again, Yovanovitch expresses astonishment that private interests were able to commandeer American foreign policy and get a U.S. ambassador dismissed for reasons that even the State Department itself admitted were baseless. Even worse, the State Department refused to issue the wholehearted defense of her that would have been automatic in the past. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was too afraid of alienating Trump, and the department itself had been hollowed out by the administrations habit of leaving positions there vacant when the previous holder left. Why staff up a department whose ethos made no sense to Trump World?

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Thats the impression left by Lessons From the Edge: that Yovanovitchas well as Hill and Vindmaninhabits a different ethical universe not only from Trump but from nearly everyone else who sold their souls to work in his White House. All three were immigrants from families who viewed the U.S. as a place that enabled them to achieve what they couldnt in their homelands. As a result, they understand America as a set of principles as much as a land or a source of sentimental patriotic identity. This may make them naive in the eyes of some, but as Yovanovitch persuasively argues, it is people like them who stand between American democracy and the autocratic forces Trump represents.

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As far as Trump was concerned, when he won the 2016 election, the United States became an extension of the Trump Organization, an entity whose sole purpose is the enrichment and glorification of Trump himself. He understood everyone who worked for the government to be his employees, people who owed him their loyalty, which is what he demanded from James Comey, shocking the FBI director. People like Yovanovitch, who has devoted her life to a set of principles and the rules that embody them, are unfathomable to him. She might as well be working for the fairies, or art, or some other insubstantial fancy. Trumps shriveled moral vocabulary seems to consist of little more than very good (anything conventionally successful and supportive of Trump) or very bad (anything against Trump), with no other way of understanding those words. When Giuliani devised his smear campaign against Yovanovitch, he made sure that in addition to all the confusing-to-Trump charges of corrupt behavior in Ukraine, it would also falsely accuse her of bad-mouthing the president.

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Yovanovitch drops enough details about the previous despots and grifters she worked with in Somalia, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia to suggest that she recognizes Trump as one of their type. In the authoritarian states in which I had served I had seen leaders who confused the national interest with their own interests, she writes, but I had never thought that I would see this at home. It was devastating. Yet despite her brief, harrowing sojourn through the alternate dimension of Trump World, Yovanovitch retains her optimism. Its not just that her testimonycomposed, articulate, powerfulmade her something of a star who received a standing ovation from the patrons of a jazz club she visited a few days later and who now makes appearances on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to discuss Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. She points to the aftermath of the 2020 election as a demonstration that thanks to thousands of other public servants like herself,

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our institutions may have been shaken but they stood firm. Upstanding men and women did the right thing. Election officials all over America performed their jobs showing neither fear nor favor. Republican Department of Justice officials refused to countenance fabricated cases of election fraud brought by the Trump campaign. Honest judges, appointed by both Republicans and Democrats, ruled according to the merits of these cases, not party loyalty.

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If this is the deep state at work, lets hope that its roots run very deep indeed.
Texas short-lived prosecution of Lizelle Herrera, who was charged with murder for a self-induced abortion, is a preview of whats to come if Roe v. Wade is overturned. The far-right bloc of justices has signaled their interest in overturning the precedent, and a decision is expected in June. When Roe is gone, 26 states will ban abortion. Across the country, red states are already building a new regime to mete out punishments for abortion providers, patients, and their families.

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Conservative lawmakers do not want it to be legal anywhere in America.

Lawmakers in several states have passed ever-more restrictive abortion bans, often using novel enforcement mechanisms that jeopardize the very concept of a federal constitutional right. Last year, Texas pioneered a model that has now been replicated in several other states with S.B. 8, the six-week ban that empowers private citizens to sue abortion providers and their abettors for $10,000 (plus attorneys fees). Idaho passed similar legislation that allows the family members of a terminated fetus to sue the abortion provider. Permissible plaintiffs include the relatives of a rapist who impregnates his victim, who can each sue the doctor for at least $20,000 (plus attorneys fees). Oklahoma is on the verge of passing an S.B. 8 copycat law authorizing strangers to sue providers and their abettors. It has already enacted a sweeping criminal ban on abortion with no exception for rape or incest that imposes up to a 10-year sentence and $100,000 fine on providers.

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This approach is not entirely new. As Michele Goodwin documents in Policing the Womb, a number of women suspected of terminating their pregnanciesincluding those who experienced miscarriages and stillbirthswere charged with felonies in the days before Roe. When abortion is criminalized, every uterus is a possible crime scene.

Whats alarming about the rash of recent legislation, though, is how it extends this philosophy to its logical conclusion. The anti-abortion movement has moved beyond the legal regime of the early 1970s, which largely regulated abortion as a medical procedure, with penalties aimed at physicians. Today, the movement promotes fetal personhood, the notion that fetuses (and embryos) are legal persons who deserve equal rightsmeaning their termination constitutes homicide. Red states are not just shutting down clinics. They are attempting to create a panopticon that surveils and punishes every individual involved in the termination of a pregnancy.

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Conservative lawmakers who view abortion as homicide do not want it to be legal anywhere in America, and they are already trying to stop blue states, as well as the federal government, from facilitating it. Although the FDA has approved medication abortion, some states are seeking to outlaw abortion pillsdeeming them a dangerous substance akin to narcotics and imposing yearslong prison sentences on anyone who distributes or possesses them. These drug-trafficking laws are bound to ensnare people who order the pills online, or transport them home from nearby blue states. The growing number of criminal charges against women who obtained an illegal medication abortion demonstrates that it is impossible to criminalize abortion pills without also criminalizing patients themselves. (There were nearly 1,300 criminal investigations of pregnancy outcomes between 2006 and 2020, when Roe was still on the books; that number will spike after it falls.)

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Todays anti-abortion movement has even proposed new laws that prevent people from crossing state lines to terminate a pregnancy. Republicans in Missouri are considering such legislation right now. Under the statute, Missouris citizens could sue doctors who perform an abortion on a Missouri resident in a different statelike neighboring Illinois, whose clinics serve countless Missourians. Missouris citizens could also sue anyone who facilitated the abortion, including the friend or family member who transported the patient across state lines. Similarly, in 2019, Georgia Republicans passed a sweeping law that appeared to impose criminal penalties on patients who traveled out of state for an abortion. The courts have put that law on hold, but the state may commence enforcement after Roe is overturned.

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Is any of this legal? There is no way to say. The Supreme Court has never addressed whether states can bar their residents from traveling to another state to obtain a medical procedure, or punish out-of-state physicians who perform that procedure. When the Supreme Court refused to halt Texas S.B. 8 this fall, it signaled to other states that it would not halt creative schemes to nullify Roe. In December, during oral arguments in a case designed to overturn Roe, several justices all but announced that they will let states regulate abortion however they wish.

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Jessie Hill, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, told me that these sorts of attempts by states to regulate activity beyond their borders seem to directly contradict our most basic understandings about federalism and U.S. citizenship. But, she added, states are not always forbidden to regulate in ways that have an extraterritorial effect. They may have a strong argument that they are entitled to enforce their laws with respect to their own citizens.

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Heres where the new goals of the anti-abortion movement matter most. If fetuses are legal citizens, then states could argue that they must be protected from out-of-state abortion providers. A red state might order a blue state to extradite an abortion provider (or patient) within its borders, dragging the judiciary into complex, uncharted territory. Or a red state could threaten to prosecute any provider who stepped inside its borders. Hill also pointed out that the Constitution also requires states to give full faith and credit to the judgments of other states courts. So if a Missouri court orders an Illinois doctor to pay damages for terminating a fetus from Missouri, the Illinois courts are, in theory, obligated to make him pay up.

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California has taken these threats seriously. Its Legislature is likely to pass a bill prohibiting California courts from hearing or enforcing civil judgments issued in other states against people who perform or abet abortions. The measure would shield doctors from vigilante laws like Texas S.B. 8. Its part of a package of legislation that seeks to shield California doctors and patients from anti-abortion crackdowns in other states.

These interstate clashes will inevitably trigger congressional action. Washington University School of Law professor Susan Frelich Appleton sees extraterritorial bans as a recipe for fierce conflict between the states. The bills, she said, endanger our federal system, inviting chaos. For decades, the Supreme Court has held that the Constitution protects Americans right to travel between states while limiting states ability to regulate conduct beyond their borders. Interstate abortion bans threaten these principles, creating jurisdictional conflict and competition. Appleton predicted that Congress would eventually have no choice but to step in with a federal statute, using its authority to implement the Constitutions Full Faith and Credit Clause.

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With Republicans expected to seize Congress in the midterms, the stage would be set for legislation ordering blue states to submit to red states extraterritorial abortion laws.

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Republican-controlled state legislatures have shown a willingness to push the Supreme Court as far as they can. All constitutional rights depend on the courts for enforcement. And with its S.B. 8 decision, the Supreme Court announced that it would cease enforcing rights it did not favor. How far, exactly, will this five-justice bloc go in stripping constitutional safeguards from abortion providers and patients? Will it order blue states to extradite providers and their abettors to red states? Will it compel liberal state courts to enforce ruinous civil judgments against doctors who perform legal abortions?

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These questions have no clear answer because our current moment has no precedent. For the first time in history, the Supreme Court is preparing to abolish a fundamental right that has been enshrined in law for nearly a half-century: the ability to terminate a pregnancy before viability without risking legal penalties. Never before has the court established an individual right, safeguarded it for 50 years, then abruptly cast it asidegreenlighting an overnight overhaul of civil and criminal laws in a majority of the states. It may be tempting to believe that, after Roe, the country will revert to the status quo ante: Many states will outlaw abortion, some states will permit it, and others will restrict it to limited circumstances. But the tidal wave of draconian laws across the country proves that this forecast is a fantasy.
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.

From Breached! by Daniel J. Solove and Woodrow Hartzog. Copyright  2022 by Danial J. Solove and Woodrow Hartzog and published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Sometimes the thing we are looking for is right in front of us and yet we still dont see it. A great novella by Gabriel Garcia Marquez called Chronicle of a Death Foretold begins with the vicious fatal stabbing of the main character. The rest of the story reveals that all the warning signs about the murder were in plain sight yet ignored by everyone. The murder was readily preventablebut, because of human nature, it was almost inevitable.

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The story of most data breaches follows the same pattern. We have read about thousands of data breaches, and the moral of most of these stories boils down to the same thing: The breaches were preventable, but people made blunders. What is quite remarkable about these stories is that they havent evolved that much in decades. The same mistakes keep happening again and again. After so many years, and so many laws to regulate data security, why havent the stories changed?

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Let us begin with a classic data breach tale involving one of the largest and most notable breaches of its timethe Target breach of 2013. The story has many of the common themes of data breach stories, and what makes it particularly fascinating is that it is a sinister version of a David and Goliath story. Target was Goliath, and it was well-fortified. With its extensive resources and defenses, Target was far more protected than most organizations. Yet, it still failed. This fact should send shivers down our spines.

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In mid-December 2013, right in the middle of the holiday shopping season, executives at Target found out some dreaded news: Target had been hacked. It was cruel irony that the second-largest discount store chain in the United States quite literally had a target sign on itTargets logo is a red and white bullseye. The hackers hit it with an arrow straight into the center. Executives at Target learned about the breach from Department of Justice officials, who informed them that stolen data from Target was appearing online and that reports of fraudulent credit card charges were starting to pop up. Quite concerned, the Target executives immediately hired a forensics firm to investigate.

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What they discovered was devastating. It wasnt just a small breach, or a sizeable one, or even a big oneit was a breach of epic proportions. Target had the dubious distinction of having suffered the largest retail data breach in U.S. history.

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Over the course of two weeks starting in November 2013, hackers had stolen detailed information for about 40 million credit and debit card accounts, as well as personal information on about 70 million Target customers. The hackers had begun to sell their tremendous data haul on black-market fraud websites.

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The timing couldnt have been worse for Target. It suffered the single largest decline of holiday transactions since it first began reporting the statistic. Target sales plummeted during a season that traditionally accounts for 20 to 40 percent of a retailers annual sales. To stop the bleeding, Target offered a 10 percent discount across the board. Nevertheless, the damage was catastrophic. The companys profits for the holiday shopping period fell a whopping 46 percent.

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The pain was just beginning. On top of the lost profits, costs associated with the breach topped $200 million by mid-February 2014. These costs would rise significantly due to bank reimbursement demands, regulatory fines, and direct customer service costs. About 90 lawsuits were filed, leading to massive lawyer bills.

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What made this all the more unnerving for Target is that it had devoted quite a lot of time and resources to its information security. Target had more than 300 information security staff members. The company had maintained a large security operations center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had a team of security specialists in Bangalore that monitored its computer network 24/7. In May 2013just six months before the hack Target had implemented expensive and sophisticated malware detection software from FireEye.

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With all this securityan investment of millions of dollars, state-of-the-art security software, hundreds of security personnel, and round-the- clock monitoringhow did Target fail?

A common narrative told to the public is that this entire debacle could be traced to just one person who let the hackers slip in. In caper movies, the criminals often have an inside guy who leaves the doors open. But the person who let the hackers into Target wasnt even a Target employee and wasnt bent on mischief. The person worked for Fazio Mechanical, a Pennsylvania-based HVAC company, a third-party vendor hired by Target. The Fazio employee fell for a phishing trick and opened an attachment in a fraudulent email the hackers had sent to him. Hidden in the email attachment lurked the Citadel Trojan horsea malicious software program that took root in Fazios computers.

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The Citadel Trojan horse was nothing novelit was a variant of a well-known malware package called ZeuS and is readily detectable by any major enterprise anti-virus software. But Fazio lacked the massive security infrastructure that Target had, allowing the malware to remain undetected on the Fazio computers. Through the Trojan horse, the hackers obtained Fazios log-in credentials for Targets system.

With access to Target, the hackers unleashed a different malware program, one they bought on the black market for just a few thousand dollars. Experts such as McAfee director Jim Walker characterized the malware as absolutely unsophisticated and uninteresting.

At first, the malware went undetected, and it began compiling millions of records during peak business hours. This data was being readied to be transferred to the hackers location in Eastern Europe. But very soon, FireEye flagged the malware and issued an alert. Targets security team in Bangalore noted the alert and notified the security center in Minneapolis. But the red light was ignored.

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FireEye flagged as many as five different versions of the malware. The alerts even provided the addresses for the staging ground servers, and a gaffe by the hackers meant that the malware code contained usernames and passwords for these servers, meaning Target security could have logged on and seen the stolen data for themselves. Unfortunately, the alerts all went unheeded. Furthermore, given that several alerts were issued before any data were actually removed from the Target systems, FireEyes automated malware deletion feature could have ended the assault without the need for any human action. However, the Target security team had turned that feature off, preferring a final manual overview of security decisions.

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With FireEyes red lights blinking furiously, the hackers began moving the stolen data on Dec. 2, 2013. The malware continued to exfiltrate data freely for almost two weeks. Law enforcement officials from the Department of Justice contacted Target about the breach on Dec. 12, armed not only with reports of fraudulent credit card charges, but also actual stolen data recovered from the dump servers, which the hackers had neglected to wipe.

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The aftermath of the breach caused tremendous financial damage to Target. It remains unknown what the precise cost of the breach was, but an estimate in Targets annual report of March 2016 put the figure at $291 million. The companys reputation was harmed. The CIO resigned. For customers, there was increased risk of future fraud. Daily spending and withdrawal limits had to be placed on many affected accounts, and new credit cards had to be issued, causing consumers significant time loss while updating their card information everywhere.

The breach went down in the annals of data breach historyone for the record books. But it would soon be overshadowed by even bigger breaches.

As more devices, appliances, and vehicles are hooked up to the internet, physical safety is at grave risk. Hackers can break into our home devices. They can peer at our children through our baby cameras. They can snoop around through our home security cameras. They can listen in on us through our home assistant devices. They can gain control of our cars. They can also hack into implantable devices in our bodies, such as pacemakers or insulin pumps.

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As more and more of our sensitive data is maintained in vast dossiers about us, as our biometric information is gathered and storedsuch as our fingerprints, eye scans, facial data, and DNAwhat will the future look like if organizations cant keep it secure?

We are hurtling forward into a perilous future, with organizations collecting more data and with the consequences of its misuse becoming more direand even deadly.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Several exceptions apply.

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Most shops in Slovakia will be closed during the Easter holiday.

This is due to the law valid in Slovakia as of mid-2017, when MPs approved the closure of retail shops during the holiday.

Most shops, including those selling groceries, electronics, clothes, cosmetics and other products will be closed.

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Expert recommendations to enjoy a Covid-free Easter Read more

Some shops can stay open. This is the case when the shop owner ensures sales. He or she cannot order employees to come to work on the holiday. This exception is often used by owners of small grocery stores, which might be open.

People will be able to purchase goods at petrol stations or in shops at airports or stations. Pharmacies are also open. The ban on sales during the holiday apply only to shops. Cafes, restaurants, the hairdressers and other services can be open.
Defence minister negotiates the purchase of drones. Community centre for Ukrainians opens in Bratislava.

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Good evening. The Wednesday, April 13 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Putin loses popularity in Slovakia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Source: TASR/AP)

Support for Russian President Vladimir Putin decreased from 55 percent in March 2021 to the current 28 percent.

This stems from the poll of the Focus agency for the Globsec organisation. Globsec regularly measures the geopolitical opinions of people, including the popularity of some politicians.

At the same time, almost 65 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that President Putin wants to being back the Russian empire and that is why he is a threat not only to Ukraine but also other countries.

Also, the poll showed that the perception of Russia as an aggressor has increased in Slovak society. 66 percent of respondents think that the conflict in Ukraine is unprovoked and that the resistance of Ukrainians against the inexcusable military aggression of Russia is justified.

Russia also placed Slovakia on the list of hostile countries. It is difficult to learn how Russian aggression has affected Slovak diplomats in Moscow. The ambassador and his team are in Russia at a time when the Kremlin has labelled Slovakia its enemy.

The Slovak embassy has not announced that its services were constrained, nor has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released any news about possible hindrances to the work of Slovak diplomats.

Refugees from Ukraine

Opening of the Slovak-Ukrainian community centre in Bratislava (Source: TASR)

Bratislava Nove Mesto opened a Ukrainian-Slovak community house in its Community Centre on Ovrucska Street . The centre serves as a contact spot for Ukrainian citizens who have found temporary home in Bratislava.

. The centre serves as a contact spot for Ukrainian citizens who have found temporary home in Bratislava. More than 2,800 people crossed the Slovak-Ukrainian border on April 12 . Overall, 326,997 people have crossed the border since the war started and 66,616 have asked for temporary protection in Slovakia.

. Overall, 326,997 people have crossed the border since the war started and 66,616 have asked for temporary protection in Slovakia. There will be more locations to exchange hryvnias after Easter holiday. In addition to the Tatra Bank branches of Bratislava, Michalovce, Humenne, Kosice, Presov and Zilina, others in Trnava, Nitra and Banska Bystrica should be added.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

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Photo of the day

Kremnica will become the first Slovak town with a European House of Literature, hosting writers and translators from around the globe. It will be set up in an old building, known as Zechenters House, in the centre of the central Slovak town.

Zechenter's House in Kremnica will be turned into the European House of Literature. (Source: TASR)

Feature story for today

Just as the global economy began to recover from the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine has created a new uncertainty. As petrol prices rise and supply chains slow down again, many worry about our collective economic health.

Though I am hesitant to conduct the research myself, the mens locker room at your local gym might be a good place to figure out what comes next.

Check the locker room at your local gym for economic impacts of the war Read more

In other news

2,538 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 7,983 PCR tests performed on Tuesday. The number of people in hospitals is 1,528. 25 more deaths were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is at 51.28 percent, 2,820,670 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 7,983 PCR tests performed on Tuesday. The number of people in hospitals is 1,528. 25 more deaths were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is at 51.28 percent, 2,820,670 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. President Zuzana Caputova signed an amendment of the Higher Education Act . Universities have repeatedly voiced their objections against the amendment.

. Universities have repeatedly voiced their objections against the amendment. The Defence Ministry is negotiating the purchase of drones for the Armed Forces with several manufacturers . As Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) stated on Facebook, the question is not whether the drones will be purchased, but what drones and when. On Wednesday I was negotiating with Mr Byaraktar, the head of the Turkish company that produces Byaraktar drones, Nad wrote, adding that they are negotiating with several manufacturers and will soon announce the results.

. As Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) stated on Facebook, the question is not whether the drones will be purchased, but what drones and when. On Wednesday I was negotiating with Mr Byaraktar, the head of the Turkish company that produces Byaraktar drones, Nad wrote, adding that they are negotiating with several manufacturers and will soon announce the results. The Supreme Court did not uphold the objection of bias against the judges of the Specialised Criminal Court, Ruzena Sabova and Rastislav Stieranka, judges in the murder case concerning journalist Jan Kuciak. The next hearing will be on April 14.

Ruzena Sabova and Rastislav Stieranka, judges in the murder case concerning journalist Jan Kuciak. The next hearing will be on April 14. A prosecutor with the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Presov has filed criminal charges against former president Andrej Kiska over the continued crime of tax fraud .

. Bratislava Airport handled 137,527 travellers at arrivals and departures in the first three months of 2022 . Flights were restricted last year around the same time, the airport handling 15,157 travellers in the first three months of 2021. Most people were travelling from Bratislava to London, Dublin and Milan.

. Flights were restricted last year around the same time, the airport handling 15,157 travellers in the first three months of 2021. Most people were travelling from Bratislava to London, Dublin and Milan. HELLA Slovakia Lighting, a manufacturer of lighting technology and electronic products for the automobile industry, added a new production program on an area of 6,000 square meters for its factory in Trencin. The capacity increase in Trencin is related to the relocation of overhead console production from the plant in Bratislava.

Do not miss on Spectator.sk today

Shops will be closed during the Easter Read more

Expert recommendations to enjoy a Covid-free Easter Read more

Romanesque church in jeopardy. Communists turned nearby terrain into a quarry Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
https://sputniknews.com/20220412/a-bully-biden-slammed-in-india-for-telling-modi-that-buying-russian-oil-not-in-delhis-interest-1094702960.html

'A Bully': Biden Slammed in India for Telling Modi That Buying Russian Oil Not in Delhi's 'Interest'

'A Bully': Biden Slammed in India for Telling Modi That Buying Russian Oil Not in Delhi's 'Interest'

While the US has been critical of India's energy imports from Russia, clarifying however that such an action doesn't 'violate' the sanctions which Washington... 12.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-12T23:04+0000

2022-04-12T23:04+0000

2022-04-12T23:01+0000

india

russia

ukraine

us

joe biden

narendra modi

subrahmanyam jaishankar

rajnath singh

crude

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US President Joe Biden is facing massive criticism in India after his virtual call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. In the call, Biden told Modi that buying Russian oil wasnt in Indias interest, as per American officials.A netizen warned that ceding to US terms would mean that India was a servile state to the US, which it is not. Yet another user described Biden as a bully with no teeth.Another observer wrote that it might be a "grave mistake" on Biden's part to tell Modi what's in India's interest.Biden: Increasing Crude Imports From Russia Not in India's 'Interest'Shortly after the virtual call between Modi and Biden, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the president conveyed that we are there to help them diversify their means of importing oil."In another briefing on the Modi-Biden call, released by the White House, an unnamed US official remarked that India shouldnt accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy.we dont think India should accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy, the US official stated.As per several reports over the last several weeks, Indian companies bought Russian oil being offered by Moscow at a discounted price. Before Monday's call with Modi, Biden last month described New Delhis response to the Russian military operation as shaky.US Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) for International Economic Cooperation Daleep Singh was also in New Delhi in the last week of March to warn India of "consequences" if they deepened their commercial ties with Moscow.India's Crude Purchases From Russia Much Less Than Europe's: Indian FM Tells USIn the face of criticism from the US, New Delhi has consistently maintained that its imports of Russian crude are significantly lower than the European Union imports from Russia.The fourth edition of the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was also attended by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.About half of Russias net exports of crude oil and condensate, and 75% of natural gas head to Europe, the US Energy Information Administration claims.Amid fears expressed by Germany and other EU nations over sanctioning Russian energy imports, western allies have exempted these products from economic sanctions they have imposed against Moscow over its special military operation in Ukraine. The US, Canada and Japan among others, meanwhile, have imposed a total ban on Russian energy imports, though the share of Russian imports in their overall energy mix was lower than what EU imports from Moscow.Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri last month stated in Parliament that crude imports from Russia constituted just around 1% of New Delhis overall energy imports in 2021-22.As far as oil imports from Russia are concerned, contrary to what is being played up in the press, these are minuscule", he stated.Around 7.3 percent of Indias crude requirements were sourced from the US in March 2020-April 2021, Puri highlighted, adding that crude volumes from the US could rise significantly over the coming months.

https://sputniknews.com/20220324/west-is-playing-double-game-by-calling-on-india-to-stop-trade-with-russia-indias-fm-agrees-1094145257.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220412/mp-calls-for-hunting-out-of-control-sea-eagles-preying-upon-lambs-in-outer-hebrides-1094716681.html

MP Calls for Hunting Out of Control Sea Eagles Preying Upon Lambs in Outer Hebrides

MP Calls for Hunting Out of Control Sea Eagles Preying Upon Lambs in Outer Hebrides

A British lawmaker has urged that the countrys population of white-tailed eagles be limited by the government after posing an increasing risk to coastal... 12.04.2022, Sputnik International

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2022-04-12T23:47+0000

scotland

eagle

lambs

wildlife

uk

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Im not saying wipe them all out, Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said recently, according to British media. They are majestic birds. But clearly we need to manage it, and individual birds are getting a taste for eating stuff provided by man.On Saturday, the SNP lawmaker tweeted photos of two mangled lamb carcasses, partially eaten, that he described as Ugly work of the Lamb Eagle - commonly known as the Sea Eagle.The massive white-tailed eagle was hunted to extinction in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century, but reintroduced on the outer islands in the 1970s. It is a close cousin of North Americas bald eagle and of comparable size, growing to a wingspan of 8 feet and sporting fish-gripping claws up to 1.8 inches long. They are opportunistic hunters and carrion feeders, pursuing a variety of prey that includes fish and small mammals like rabbits. Or lambs, as are commonly raised on the windswept Outer Hebrides islands by farmers like MacNeil, who keeps 33 ewes.According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, there are close to 200 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles in the British Isles.The problem of eagles hunting lambs isnt new. An August 2021 article in the Scottish Farmer described the destructive effect sea eagles can have on sheep flocks, with one farm saying its number of ewes had fallen from 220 before the eagles were reintroduced to 140. In May 2019, a photographer on the Isle of Mull snapped a picture of an eagle carrying a lamb off into the sky.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220412/ny-police-identify-person-of-interest-in-subway-shooting-issue-50000-reward-1094716399.html

NY Police Identify Person of Interest in Subway Shooting, Issue $50,000 Reward

NY Police Identify Person of Interest in Subway Shooting, Issue $50,000 Reward

At least 29 individuals, including 10 gunshot victims, were transported to three New York City hospitals Tuesday morning with non-life-threatening injuries... 12.04.2022, Sputnik International

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new york city

subway

shooting

new york police department (nypd)

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New York authorities have identified Frank James, 62, as a 'person of interest' amid an ongoing manhunt for the gunman who donned a reflective vest when he opened fire on subway commuters in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood on Tuesday, wounding at least 29 individuals who needed further medical treatment.The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has released images of James, who is now a wanted man. Officials repeatedly stressed that James is only linked to the incident via a Monday U-Haul van purchase in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. James has addresses in the states of Philadelphia and Wisconsin.The U-Haul in question was linked to the shooting some hours after it took place, with NYPD leadership announcing that detectives should be on lookout for the van, which had Arizona license plates. At one point, the NYPD's bomb squad swarmed the rental van to assess the potential threat. As of late, the van was seen in Brooklyn's Gravesend section, according to officials. The NYPD also issued a description of the suspect, whose name has not been released. A $50,000 reward has been posted for information that leads to the arrest of the unnamed individual. Investigators retrieved a variety of weaponry from the Brooklyn scene, including a Glock 9mm handgun, three extended magazines, at least two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades and a hatchet, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James W. Essig. Witnesses have claimed that they believe the suspect may have done much more damage if his gun did not jam mid-assault. Officials have confirmed that the gunman's semi-automatic weapon jammed. Surveillance cameras are unlikely to yield helpful footage, as there was an alleged malfunction of the system at the time of the incident. A U-Haul key was also taken in as evidence. U-Haul is cooperating with the NYPD, and has since produced a rental agreement showing the van reservation for pickup occurred at 2:01 p.m. local time on Monday and was only requested for two days. The gunman--believed to be acting alone--deployed makeshift smokescreens before a barrage filled the subway with smoke and coated the platform with victims' blood. Earlier in the day, the mayor issued a video statement asserting that city officials "will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized even by a single individual." The Tuesday incident comes amid a broad 68% increase in transit crime. An NYPD summary of such data highlighted that transit crimes have returned to pre-pandemic numbers. The attack is not being investigated as an act of terrorism, per the NYPD, although authorities have yet to rule anything out.

https://sputniknews.com/20220412/smoke-blood-and-panic-first-videos-from-brooklyn-subway-station-after-shooting-1094709035.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220412/multiple-people-reportedly-shot-at-brooklyn-subway-station-police-find-undetonated-devices-1094706755.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220412/russia--china-seeking-to-become-leading-space-powers-us-defense-intelligence-agency-claims-1094714437.html

Russia & China Seeking to Become Leading Space Powers, US Defense Intelligence Agency Claims

Russia & China Seeking to Become Leading Space Powers, US Defense Intelligence Agency Claims

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Russia and China seek to become leading space powers and intend to create new global space norms to undercut the United States' global... 12.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-12T23:41+0000

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2022-04-12T23:39+0000

russia

china

us

us intelligence

space

space exploration

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"Beijing and Moscow seek to position themselves as leading space powers, intent on creating new global space norms. Through the use of space and counterspace capabilities, they aspire to undercut US global leadership," the agency said in a new report on US challenges to security in space.Moreover, the report noted that the combined space fleet of Russia and China grew by 70% between 2019 and 2021, while from 2015-2018, the two countries collectively increased their fleets by more than 200%.According to the press release upon the report's publication, in general, the document outlines that space and counterspace threats constitute a serious threat to the US and its allies. It not only focuses on Chinese and Russian capabilities in development, but it also studies North Korea's and Iran's space threats.According to the report, both China and Russia have built "robust and capable" space capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance from space.Furthermore, according to the agency, current systems, such as space launch vehicles and satellite navigation constellations, are being steadily improved. The agency concluded that Chinese and Russian space surveillance networks can locate, track, and characterize satellites in all Earth orbits, with both space operations and counterspace systems supported by this capability.Both countries are also working on jamming and cyberspace capabilities, directed energy weapons, on-orbit capabilities, and ground-based anti-satellite missiles with a variety of reversible and irreversible effects, according to the DIA.US Advantage in Space Encourages Russia & China to Challenge It"The advantage the United States holds in spaceand its perceived dependence on itwill drive actors to improve their abilities to access and operate in and through space," the report noted.At the same time, according to the officials, Russia "sees space as a warfighting domain, and winning the battle in orbit will be decisive in future warfare."Also on Tuesday, the senior defense analyst for space and counterspace for the agency, Keith Ryder, claimed that Russia and China have plans to explore and exploit the natural resources of the moon and Mars over the next 30 years.The United States, China, and Russia respectively are the countries with the most functioning satellites. American leadership poses "a challenge" to Russia and China, according to DIA officials, who expect them to continue developing countermeasures to American capabilities.According to the DoD official also quoted in the release, when Americans think of space, they think of NASA and space exploration, but they do not consider everything that space has to offer in their daily lives. The GPS constellation, which is managed by the country's Air Force, enables the application on handheld devices that "gives directions, calls rideshare cars or locates a lost package."Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the US sanctions on the country's space industry, imposed after it started the special military operation in Ukraine in late February, are an attempt to curb the development of Russia.

https://sputniknews.com/20220407/us-russia-should-cooperate-on-leveraging-private-investment-for-space-programs---expert-1094570928.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/29-people-injured-in-nyc-subway-attack-1094715754.html

29 People Injured in NYC Subway Attack

29 People Injured in NYC Subway Attack

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Viktor Medvedchuk arrested, and comedian Gilbert Gottfried dying at... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T08:45+0000

2022-04-13T08:45+0000

2022-04-13T11:56+0000

us

the backstory

chemical weapons

media

nato

kiev

nyc

bbc

youtube

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29 People Injured in NYC Subway Attack On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Viktor Medvedchuk arrested, and comedian Gilbert Gottfried dying at age 67.

GUESTMark Sleboda - International Relations and Security Analyst | Putin Defending Invasion of Ukraine, Russia's Military Plans, and Biolabs in EuropeTed Rall - Political Cartoonist, Syndicated Columnist | French Elections, Defining Terrorism, and the New York Lieutenant Governor ResigningIn the first hour, Lee and Jason Goodman spoke with Mark Sleboda about Russia's military execution in Ukraine, accusations of chemical weapon use, and media whitewashing Nazis in Ukraine. Mark discussed the chemical weapons accusations against Russia, and the lack of evidence supporting the accusation. Mark talked about the Victoria Nuland Biolab admission and the unverified stories surrounding Mariupol.In the second hour, Lee and Jason Goodman spoke with Ted Rall about the election process in France, New York politics, and New York City train shooting. Ted discussed the Brooklyn subway station and the lack of functional cameras. Ted spoke on the New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin arrested and the upcoming New York elections.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this programme are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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us, the backstory, chemical weapons, media, nato, kiev, nyc, bbc, youtube, , radio sputnik, radio
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/australian-pm-likens-heckling-incident-to-invasion-after-young-activist-calls-him-a-disgrace-1094730769.html

Australian PM Likens Heckling Incident to 'Invasion' After Young Activist Calls Him 'A Disgrace'

Australian PM Likens Heckling Incident to 'Invasion' After Young Activist Calls Him 'A Disgrace'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for a federal election on 21 May when the Australians will vote for members of the 151-seat lower house. The election... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T12:01+0000

2022-04-13T12:01+0000

2022-04-13T12:01+0000

australia

bushfire

scott morrison

new south wales

climate change

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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the heckling incident involving him and a young opposition supporter at a private function near Sydney on Tuesday was like an "invasion".The 53-year-old Morrison squarely blamed the opposition leader Anthony Albanese for Tuesdays incident."Anthony Albanese has set the tone for the past three years where he basically says it's ok to sledge and attack," remarked Morrison."He may think thats a substitute for having an economic plan but its not, he added.Morrison's criticism came a day after 20-year-old Adisen Wright approached the prime minister for a picture at a private event in Penrith on the outskirts of Sydney. Wrights Facebook* profile depicts him as a supporter of the Labor Party which is led by Albanese.Morrison initially agreed but apparently got riled after learning that Wright was recording the conversation on camera.Sorry, this is a private event, Morrison goes on to tell the young activist.The Australian Prime Minister also told him that it was an invite-only media event, before a woman interrupted the conversation.Morrison then walks away from Wright and the young man was escorted out by Morrisons security detail. However, that didnt stop the activist from yelling out his question: "ScoMo, across the river here, across the Nepean River, people lost their houses, and they were burnt," he screamed out.While being escorted out of the venue by a police officer, Wright justified his attack on Morrison.The 2019-20 bushfire season, often described as Black Summer, wreaked havoc across the eastern coast of Australia, particularly in the state of New South Wales where the heckling incident took place.More than $100Bln of property was razed to the ground, including around 3,500 homes. More than 30 people died across the country because of the fires, which have been primarily blamed on lightning strikes.The Morrison government has been criticised for its response to the countrywide bushfires, for neither predicting them nor deploying adequate resources to douse the fires afterwards.A holiday trip by Morrison to Hawaii in 2019 around the time the bushfires began also attracted scathing criticism in Australian media.*Facebook is banned in Russia over extremist activity.

https://sputniknews.com/20220411/australian-pm-scott-morrison-tipped-to-lose-federal-election-in-may-suggests-top-poll-1094669327.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/depp-v-heard-johnny-calls-ex-wife-compulsive-liar-as-she-accuses-him-of-sex-assault-1094740282.html

Depp v Heard: Johnny Calls Ex-Wife 'Compulsive Liar' As She Accuses Him of Sex Assault

Depp v Heard: Johnny Calls Ex-Wife 'Compulsive Liar' As She Accuses Him of Sex Assault

Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard in 2019, accusing her of defaming him in an op-ed for The Washington Post. Although the article did not accuse Depp... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T16:41+0000

2022-04-13T16:41+0000

2022-04-13T16:41+0000

viral

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amber heard

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With the Depp-Heard trial kicking off on Monday in Virginia, both legal teams have delivered their opening statement, and each party had something to say about the other.Depp's legal team described Heard as a "compulsive liar", who continues to pile untruths upon fallacies and use them to advance her own career. But Heard's opening statement rolled out an accusation that has never been heard before.Elaine Bredehoft, Heard's attorney, claimed that Depp penetrated Heard with a liquor bottle - an assertion that had Depp shaking his head in disbelief and rejection of the charge. Later, his legal team issued a statement debunking the allegation, pointing out that this is the first time the claim has been made.Heard, in her turn, continues to insist that she is a victim of Depp's domestic abuse.Depp and Heard have been locked in a legal battle for several years now, with Depp accusing his ex-wife of defaming him in an op-ed for The Washington Post. Earlier, he lost a libel suit against a British tabloid that dubbed him a "wife-beater" in one of its articles.In the aftermath of the legal battle, Depp has lost several roles, particularly his gig in 'Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore', in which he was hastily replaced by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/elon-musk-sued-by-twitter-shareholder-for-not-disclosing-stake-on-time-1094729628.html

Elon Musk Sued by Twitter Shareholder for Not Disclosing Stake on Time

Elon Musk Sued by Twitter Shareholder for Not Disclosing Stake on Time

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Twitter shareholder Marc Bain Rasella has filed a lawsuit against US billionaire Elon Musk for not disclosing his stake in the company... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T09:55+0000

2022-04-13T09:55+0000

2022-04-13T10:00+0000

twitter

elon musk

lawsuit

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On 4 April, Musk said that he had acquired a 9.2% stake in Twitter, after which the microblogging company's shares jumped in price by 28% at pre-market trading sessions.According to the plaintiff, Musk began acquiring the shares of Twitter stock in January. By 14 March, he allegedly owned over 5%. The date, 14 March, was indicated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission as the deadline for the disclosure of Musk's stake in the company.The billionaire was required to tell the commission that he had exceeded the 5% threshold within 10 days, that was, until 24 March. Instead, Musk continued buying shares of Twitter stock and provided the relevant information only on 4 April, when he already owned over 9%, the plaintiff said.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all investors who sold or otherwise disposed of Twitter securities between 24 March and 1 April.The US company Twitter Inc. was founded in 2006. The firm's main product is a social network for exchanging short messages. Its headquarters is located in San Francisco, California.

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twitter, elon musk, lawsuit
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/i-dont-regret-it-at-all-marine-le-pen-stands-by-her-recognition-of-crimea-as-part-of-russia-1094743553.html

'I Don't Regret It at All': Marine Le Pen Stands by Her Recognition of Crimea as Part of Russia

'I Don't Regret It at All': Marine Le Pen Stands by Her Recognition of Crimea as Part of Russia

The Black Sea peninsula became a Russian region in March 2014 following a referendum after a coup took place in Ukraine a month prior. More than 95% of the... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T22:10+0000

2022-04-13T22:10+0000

2022-04-13T22:07+0000

france

europe

russia

presidential campaign

presidential election

marine le pen

crimea

referendum

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French nationalist National Rally party presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said that she continues to see Crimea as part of Russia, and does not regret being prohibited from visiting Ukraine for this reason.In an interview with national BFM TV aired on Wednesday, Le Pen was commenting on her famous 2017 statement, in which she said that the so-called "annexation" of the Ukrainian peninsula was "not illegal." She also said back then that she "absolutely [did] not believe that there was an illegal annexation, [but] there was a referendum, and the inhabitants of Crimea wanted to join Russia."The presidential hopeful stressed that she does not regret her words, reiterating her view that "the decision on Crimeas status was made through a referendum."When answering the question on whether she wanted to visit Kiev, though she was banned from Ukraine five years ago, the politician stated: "I have no plans to visit Kiev at the moment, but if I am elected president, they will probably lift the ban."Thus, Le Pen seems to confirm her stance on the issue, when she said that there was nothing "what justifies calling this referendum into question," in her 2017 interview.Despite the overwhelming support of the peninsula's residents towards reunification with Russia, the referendum, held in accordance with international law, was not recognized by the international community, which imposed broad economic sanctions on Russia.Le Pen Against Sanctions, But Only Those Which Hit FranceHowever, Le Pen's remarks appear to contradict her current position on the ongoing Ukraine crisis, and in particular her support for the Ukrainians and Western sanctions, with exception for those concerning the energy sector.According to the French media, back in early 2017, when she was also a candidate for president, Le Pen said the sanctions the collective West imposed on Russia in connection with Crimean referendum were "total stupidity."But as of now, following the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine this February, Le Pen claimed that she was not "for the lifting of sanctions," adding that on the other hand, she stands for the removal of sanctions concerning energy "because I do not want the French people to suffer the consequences."Moreover, this Wednesday, she stated that she would not visit Russia until its troops were removed from Ukraine and a peace accord was concluded. Additionally, during an earlier campaign speech in Paris, she offered to provide both lethal and non-lethal military aid to the conflict-torn Ukraine.Notably, Le Pen stated that NATO and Russia must reestablish their strategic relationship. She maintained that greater ties between Russia and China were not only in France's and Europe's interests, but also in the United States'.Within NATO, Le Pen reaffirmed her demand for France's independence from Washington. The US has always held the top spot in the alliance's command structure, and Le Pen has stated that if she is elected, she will have France leave the military leadership.On April 10, the first round of France's presidential election was held. With 27.84% of the vote, incumbent President Emmanuel Macron came out on top, followed by Le Pen with 23.15%. They will face off in an electoral runoff slated for April 24.

https://sputniknews.com/20220413/marine-le-pen-vows-to-pull-france-out-of-nato-if-elected-president-1094736735.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/its-my-job-to-get-on-bojo-defies-calls-to-resign-as-he-pays-fine-over-no-10-law-busting-party-1094721686.html

'It's My Job to Get On': BoJo Defies Calls to Resign as He Pays Fine Over No 10 Law-Busting Party

'It's My Job to Get On': BoJo Defies Calls to Resign as He Pays Fine Over No 10 Law-Busting Party

The British prime minister had repeatedly insisted to parliament that he was not aware of any breaches of the COVID lockdown restrictions during alleged... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T05:43+0000

2022-04-13T05:43+0000

2022-04-13T05:43+0000

uk

boris johnson

uk metropolitan police

investigation

parties

covid-19

lockdown

law

fines

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defied calls by the opposition to step down after he, along with his wife and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was fined by police for attending a lockdown-busting party at Downing Street in June 2020.In a TV address on Tuesday, Johnson, the first British leader to be criminally sanctioned, offered a "full apology" and confirmed he had paid a fixed-penalty notice (FPN), which is said to be worth 50 ($65). He claimed that the 2020 birthday gathering lasted less than 10 minutes and that it "did not occur" to him that the event was wrong.The UK prime minister said that he "fully" respects the outcome of the police investigation and understands "the anger that many will feel" that he himself "fell short when it came to observing the very rules" that his government had introduced to protect the public.Boris Johnson Under Pressure to Step Down The remarks come after Labour leader Keir Starmer demanded that both Johnson and Sunak resign because they "have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public". According to Starmer, "the Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better".He was echoed by Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who argued that the fines slapped on the prime minister and the chancellor "expose the shocking scale of the criminality in Boris Johnson's Number 10".The same tone was struck by Scottish First Minister and SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, who said that the PM "broke the law and repeatedly lied to parliament about it".This followed a Downing Street spokesperson telling reporters on Tuesday that Johnson and Sunak "have today received notification that the Metropolitan Police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices".This brings the total number of FPN fines imposed by Scotland Yard to 50. Last month, an initial batch of some 20 fines were handed out to Downing Street staff amid the police probe into claims that staffers partied in the seat of government during the first two COVID lockdowns between 2020 and 2021, something that prompted the so-called "partygate" scandal.Among the claims reported in the media was that Johnson was greeted by his staff with a cake on his 56th birthday in 2020. The Daily Mirror claimed police had a photo of the PM holding a bottle of beer at the impromptu celebration, although the image has never been published. The Met is still investigating up to six more Downing Street gatherings where Johnson is said to have been present.

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uk, boris johnson, uk metropolitan police, investigation, parties, covid-19, lockdown, law, fines
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/jake-sullivan-says-us-wants-weakened-russia-russia-seeks-to-end-unipolar-world-1094717118.html

Jake Sullivan Says US Wants "Weakened" Russia; Russia Seeks to End Unipolar World

Jake Sullivan Says US Wants "Weakened" Russia; Russia Seeks to End Unipolar World

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US wants a world with an independent Ukraine and a weakened Russia even as the US displays complete... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T08:47+0000

2022-04-13T08:47+0000

2022-04-13T11:56+0000

radio sputnik

the critical hour

john durham

jared kushner

hunter biden

sergei lavrov

hugo chavez

jcpoa

radio

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Jake Sullivan Says US Wants "Weakened" Russia; Russia Seeks to End Unipolar World US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US wants a world with an independent Ukraine and a weakened Russia even as the US displays complete control of the Ukrainian government and military.

Dr. David Oualaalou, host of the Geopolitics In Conflict show on YouTube, international geopolitical consultant, global speaker, veteran former international security analyst, and author of several books, including "The Dynamics of Russias Geopolitics: Remaking the Global Order," joins us to discuss Ukraine. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US wants a world with an independent Ukraine and a weakened Russia even as the US displays complete control of the Ukrainian government and military.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss the media disinformation campaign. Scott Ritter's latest article explains how the US intelligence community destroyed its credibility by revealing its Ukraine disinformation operations. Also, Ritter's second article argues that the eastward expansion of NATO was always about regime change in Russia.K. J. Noh, peace activist, writer, and teacher, joins us to discuss Asia. South Korea's new hawkish president will mean complete alignment with Washington's neocons. Also, the US has positioned an aircraft carrier strike group near the Korean peninsula.Dr. Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the move to a multi-polar world. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that the military operation in Ukraine is a move to end the irresponsible US-dominated world order.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Iran says that the US is not showing the will to revive the JCPOA. Also, Yemen has had its first week without airstrikes since 2015.Steve Poikonen, radio host and national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss US corruption. Jared Kushner is cashing in on $2 billion of Saudi money, while new Hunter Biden revelations threaten to derail the Biden presidency.Ricardo Vaz, political analyst and editor at Venezuelanalysis, joins us to discuss Venezuela. The US coup against Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was a trial that served to overthrow the governments of several other nations. Also, President Maduro argues that Western powers aim to destroy Russia to stop the shift to a multi-polar world.Margaret Kimberly, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," joins us to discuss Russia-gate. John Durham files new court documents to pry information from the files of the DNC, Hillary Clinton's campaign, and Fusion GPS.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this programme are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/killing-of-all-us-leaders-wont-avenge-blood-of-soleimani-irgc-commander-says-1094737242.html

Killing of All US Leaders Wont Avenge Blood of Soleimani, IRGC Commander Says

Killing of All US Leaders Wont Avenge Blood of Soleimani, IRGC Commander Says

General Qasem Soleimani, head of the IRGC's elite Quds force, was killed in a drone strike authorised by then-US President Donald Trump in January 2020. Iran... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T13:50+0000

2022-04-13T13:50+0000

2022-04-13T13:50+0000

iran

us

islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc)

qasem soleimani

assassination

commander

irgc

nuclear deal

joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa)

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Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s ground forces, has said that the killing of all US leaders would not be enough to take revenge on America for the assassination of top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani.The IRGC commander stressed that Iran has to follow Soleimani's path and avenge him through other methods, referring to missile and other attacks against American targets and Israel as alternatives to killing US leaders.Soleimani and senior Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US drone strike on their car at the Baghdad International Airport on 3 January 2020, in an attack that was authorised by then-US President Donald Trump.The killings led to a major escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran officially responding by launching airstrikes against two Iraqi military bases housing US troops.The strikes caused no deaths or serious injuries, but the Pentagon has since reported that at least 109 US servicemen have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.US-Iranian tensions have persisted since 8 May 2018, when Trump announced Washington's unilateral exit from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reinstating harsh economic sanctions against Tehran. Exactly a year later, Tehran declared that it would start scaling down its key JCPOA commitments.Right now, Tehran and world powers are trying to tackle a spate of stumbling blocks in the Vienna talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. One of the thorny issues pertains to the State Department's move to keep the IRGC's Quds force on America's Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) list.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/kremlin-persecution-of-medvedchuk-for-his-political-views-exposes-true-nature-of-kiev-regime-1094735882.html

Kremlin: Persecution of Medvedchuk for His Political Views Exposes True Nature of Kiev Regime

Kremlin: Persecution of Medvedchuk for His Political Views Exposes True Nature of Kiev Regime

On 12 April, Kiev reported that law enforcement had detained the leader of the party Opposition Platform  For Life, Viktor Medvedchuk, who had been accused of... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T12:52+0000

2022-04-13T12:52+0000

2022-04-13T13:53+0000

russia

ukraine

viktor medvedchuk

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The persecution of Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of the party Opposition Platform  For Life, for his political views is a fine example that exposes the true nature of the Ukrainian regime, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Peskov went on to dispel the allegations by the Ukrainian authorities that Medvedchuk had some unofficial channel of communication with Russia, which served as one of the grounds to accuse him of treason in 2021. The spokesman noted that Medvedchuk's convictions about the necessity for normal relations between Kiev and Moscow have long been known. However, he never acted covertly behind Kiev's back, and his actions speak for themselves, the spokesman added.Commenting on Kiev's plans to trade Medvedchuk for all the captured Ukrainian servicemen, the Kremlin spokesman noted that the politician is not a Russian citizen and is not related in any way to the Russian special military operation to be considered for exchange. Peskov added that Moscow does not even know if Medvedchuk wants Russia to be involved in any way in the case against him.At the same time, the spokesman said that the Kremlin will be following the developments in Medvedchuk's case and advised Western countries to do the same.Ukraine's Security Service SBU on 12 April reported that it found and detained Viktor Medvedchuk after he reportedly escaped from the house arrest imposed on him as a part of the treason case against him from 2021. Soon afterward, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed trading the politician for Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian troops.Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus

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russia, ukraine, viktor medvedchuk
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/marine-le-pen-vows-to-pull-france-out-of-nato-if-elected-president-1094736735.html

Marine Le Pen Vows to Pull France Out of NATO's Integrated Military Command if Elected President

Marine Le Pen Vows to Pull France Out of NATO's Integrated Military Command if Elected President

Le Pen will face Emmanuel Macron in the second round of presidential elections, due to take place on 24 April. 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T13:21+0000

2022-04-13T13:21+0000

2022-04-13T15:52+0000

europe

france

marine le pen

nato

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French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said on Wednesday that she would withdraw France from the NATO Military Command, if she is elected.She also noted that France had already had such an experience: back in 1966, all French armed forces were removed from NATO's integrated military command, and all non-French NATO troops were asked to leave the country. Paris reversed the move and rejoined the bloc's military command only in 2009, during the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy.The politician has already called on France to leave NATO's integrated command over the years, saying the structure "perpetuates the anachronistic and aggressive logic of the Cold War blocs". The leader of the National Rally also stressed she is backing "strategic rapprochement" between the alliance and Russia.Le Pen said it is in the interests of France, Europe, and even the US, noting that they wouldn't be happy to see the emergence of a Russia-China alliance.In the first round, which took place on Sunday, Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron came first with 27.84% of the vote and Le Pen gained 23.15%. Founder of the party La France Insoumise, left-wing MP Jean-Luc Melenchon, ended up third with 21.95 percent, and journalist Eric Zemmour came fourth with 7.07%. Gaullists and Socialists suffered their worst results in modern French history: the candidate for The Republicans, Valerie Pecresse, got 4.78%, and socialist Anne Hidalgo received a nugatory 1.75% percent.France, along with the United Kingdom, was one of the two signatories of the Treaty of Dunkirk in 1947, which served as the foundation for the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949.

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europe, france, marine le pen, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/ousted-pakistani-prime-minister-to-give-big-surprise-in-public-address-1094738194.html

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister to Give Big 'Surprise' in Public Address

Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister to Give Big 'Surprise' in Public Address

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister and leader of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party Imran Khan will give a "surprise" during a public rally in the city... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T14:15+0000

2022-04-13T14:15+0000

2022-04-13T14:15+0000

pakistan

imran khan

prime minister

us

shehbaz sharif

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"It [Khan's address] will be a surprise plus... We want to give a clear message to [newly installed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] that an imported government is not acceptable. We will not let this government work," Habib was quoted as saying by Pakistani broadcaster Geo News.The spokesman also stressed that Tehreek-e-Insaf will launch a public campaign by holding a rally in the city of Peshawar on Wednesday. Following this, protests will also take place in Karachi on Saturday and in Lahore on 23 April.Last Sunday, the Pakistani parliament ousted Khan in a vote of no confidence, with the motion succeeding by a unanimous vote of 174-0. On Monday, lawmakers elected opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif from the Pakistan Muslim League-N as the new prime minister.On the eve of the election, a wave of protests erupted in the country. Thousands of people participated in rallies in support of Khan and his Tehreek-e-Insaf party. According to Khan, his independent foreign policy irritated foreign powers, including the United States, and they financed the opposition's actions on a vote of no confidence. The US State Department has since dismissed Khan's statement as untrue.Shortly after the appointment of the new prime minister, Khan demanded that parliamentary elections be held immediately, in which a new head of government would be designated.

https://sputniknews.com/20220411/after-khans-departure-us-could-grab-control-of-pakistans-foreign-policy-political-scientist-says-1094680969.html

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pakistan, imran khan, prime minister, us, shehbaz sharif
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/over-50-of-britons-think-johnson-should-resign-after-partygate-fine-poll-reveals-1094739200.html

Over 50% of Britons Think Johnson Should Resign After Partygate Fine, Poll Reveals

Over 50% of Britons Think Johnson Should Resign After Partygate Fine, Poll Reveals

LONDON (Sputnik) - More than half of the British public think that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson should resign after it was revealed that parties were held... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T14:53+0000

2022-04-13T14:53+0000

2022-04-13T14:53+0000

uk

boris johnson

yougov poll

resign

party

fine

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The survey was conducted among 2,464 British people over 18 years old on 12 April, and showed that 57% of the public thinks that Johnson "should resign" as prime minister, 30% are in favor of him "remaining in his role" and 13% said they "did not know."For Johnson, that means a 10 point increase in those who think he should step down from 8 March, when 47% said he should step down and 36% said he should stay.Three-quarters of those who voted also believe that Johnson deliberately lied about the events related to the scandal.On Tuesday, Johnson apologised for partying on Downing Street during the COVID-19 lockdown and said that he had paid the fine. Answering whether he would resign, the prime minister said that the best thing he could do now is to "focus on the job at hand."In a statement released by Johnson's office on Tuesday, it is noted that on 19 June, the day in question, he had been working from 7 a.m., presiding over eight meetings, including the Cabinet Committee deciding COVID-19 strategy and visited a school.Criticism of Johnson turned caustic when it was revealed that two more parties took place on April 16 last year, on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral, when restrictions were still in force in the United Kingdom and national mourning had been declared. Due to the stringent restrictions, Queen Elizabeth II had to sit alone at a memorial service in the church. The Cabinet had to apologise to the royal family.

https://sputniknews.com/20220413/its-my-job-to-get-on-bojo-defies-calls-to-resign-as-he-pays-fine-over-no-10-law-busting-party-1094721686.html

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uk, boris johnson, yougov poll, resign, party, fine
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/russian-army-discovers-hidden-archives-of-ukrainian-security-forces-in-kherson-1094727959.html

Russian Army Discovers Hidden Archives of Ukrainian Security Forces in Kherson - Photos

Russian Army Discovers Hidden Archives of Ukrainian Security Forces in Kherson - Photos

KHERSON, Ukraine (Sputnik) - Russian forces have found a hidden archive containing the personal files and medical records of Ukrainian security and police... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T09:26+0000

2022-04-13T09:26+0000

2022-04-13T09:35+0000

russia

ukraine

kherson

police

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The hospital's archive staff said they were not aware of how the documents had been hidden in the medical facility and suggested that the former hospital chiefs, who fled before the arrival of Russian troops in the city, were probably responsible.On 24 February, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. In response to Russia's operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow.

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russia, ukraine, kherson, police
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/russian-users-demand-725000-from-netflix-for-leaving-market-law-firm-says-1094728109.html

Russian Users Demand $725,000 From Netflix for Leaving Market, Law Firm Says

Russian Users Demand $725,000 From Netflix for Leaving Market, Law Firm Says

Russian Users Demand $725,000 From Netflix for Leaving Market, Law Firm Says

2022-04-13T09:29+0000

2022-04-13T09:29+0000

2022-04-13T09:38+0000

russia

netflix

compensation

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Netflix suspended its operations in Russia on 7 March due to the situation around Ukraine, following a number of foreign companies leaving the Russian market.At present, the claims of about 100 plaintiffs are being processed, but the number continues to rise, the senior partner of the bureau, Konstantin Lukoyanov, said.On 24 February, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian forces. In response, the US and the EU rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow, which includes airspace closures and restrictive measures targeting numerous Russian officials and entities, media and financial institutions. Some foreign companies have decided to leave Russia altogether.

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russia, netflix, compensation
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/sunak-blames-boris-and-carrie-johnson-for-50-partygate-fine-friends-say-1094728686.html

Sunak Blames Boris and Carrie Johnson For 50 Partygate Fine, Friends Say

Sunak Blames Boris and Carrie Johnson For 50 Partygate Fine, Friends Say

Rishi Sunak was hotly-tipped to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister until it emerged last week that his wife Akshata Murty, daughter of Indian billionaire... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T10:35+0000

2022-04-13T10:35+0000

2022-04-13T10:35+0000

partygate

uk

rishi sunak

boris johnson

carrie symonds

britain

great britain

covid-19

lockdown

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/03/15/1094042693_0:189:2940:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_2ed51b26f6f4d212307bda705b1beaec.jpg

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is said to have blamed Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie after he was slapped with a 50 police fine for being at the PM's surprise birthday party.A friend of the chancellor, whose wife has avoided paying up to 20 million in income tax in the UK for years, complained to The Times that he had been "dragged into" the scandal by a cake-wielding Carrie Johnson.The report was confirmation that the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fines handed to Johnson and Sunak by London's Metropolitan Police were for the surprise birthday party that Mrs Johnson threw for her husband in the cabinet room on 19 June 2020, during the first COVID-19 lockdown. A spokeswoman for the PM's wife stated on Tuesday that that she had also been fined.Sunak's friends insisted that he had only turned up for a cabinet meeting and did not know Carrie Johnson was about to ambush her husband with a birthday cake, while Downing Street staff gathered to sing him 'Happy Birthday'. Opposition leaders seized on Tuesday's announcement of the fines  the legal equivalent of a parking ticket  to demand both Johnson and Sunak resign.On Wednesday morning, a Conservative backbencher also said BoJo must go.But threats of a palace coup against Johnson over the 'Partygate' saga have evaporated amid the enthusiasm for his backing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with arms for his fight with Russia. Sunak was tipped to succeed Johnson as PM until last week, when it emerged that his wife Akshata Murty, daughter of Indian billionaire businessman N. R. Narayana Murthy, had maintained tax domicile status in her native India, not the UK. Murty has now said she will pay tax on her earnings there in the UK.It also emerged that the chancellor had held US 'Green Card' residency status, raising questions about his own tax affairs. Sunak subsequently asked the PM to refer the case to Lord Geidt, the independent advisor on minister's interests.

https://sputniknews.com/20220412/police-slap-30-more-fines-on-downing-street-staff-over-partygate-probe-1094700750.html

britain

great britain

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partygate, uk, rishi sunak, boris johnson, carrie symonds, britain, great britain, covid-19, lockdown
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/swedish-journo-axed-after-article-about-ukrainian-nazis-praising-rt-as-quality-journalism-1094721254.html

Swedish Journo Axed After Article About Ukrainian Nazis, Praising RT as 'Quality Journalism'

Swedish Journo Axed After Article About Ukrainian Nazis, Praising RT as 'Quality Journalism'

Following the bloody 2014 Euromaidan coup, neo-Nazism became a staple of Ukraine's political system and armed forces, with units such as Azov brandishing Nazi... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T05:14+0000

2022-04-13T05:14+0000

2022-04-13T07:23+0000

situation in ukraine

europe

news

scandinavia

sweden

journalism

ukraine

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After ten years with the left-wing newspaper Dagens ETC, prolific Swedish journalist Kajsa "Ekis" Ekman has now been fired after writing an article about Nazis in Ukraine.In an opinion piece titled "Why are Kyiv Independent's Nazi connections accepted?", Ekman accused the Ukrainian newspaper of having Nazi connections. She also wrote that the publication was started with the help of money from the Canadian government, the European Endowment for Democracy, and that employees were sponsored with aid money from the US, as well as received grants from Swedish media organisations.Furthermore, she took offence to the fact that "no one seems to react to Kyiv Independent's editorial office having Nazi connections", citing a friendship between the newspaper's defence reporter Illia Ponomarenko and the former artillery chief of the nationalist Azov battalion, which has avowed Nazis in its midst and heraldic insignia inspired by Nazi Germany.The Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Independent was only founded in late December, but has millions of followers on social media and is frequently quoted by supportive Western media.A large number of fellow left-wing journalists and opinion makers attacked Ekman, accusing her of spreading "Russian lies and propaganda". Among others, Expressen's Hynek Pallas accused Ekman of launching "vile attacks on Ukrainian journalists".The left-wing magazine Expo, which previously lambasted the spread of right-wing extremism in Ukraine, earlier concluded that Ukrainian Nazism should be toned down amid the ongoing conflict, "so as not to play into the Russian lie factory".Subsequently, Andreas Gustavsson, editor-in-chief of Dagens ETC, announced that Kajsa Ekman would no longer be allowed to write in the tax-financed newspaper. Gustavsson referred to it having emerged that Ekman wrote on Instagram that the Russian media channel RT had "very high-quality journalism".Ekman later commented on the incident in an Instagram post.Ukrainian nationalism emerged long before the colour revolution of 2014 known as Euromaidan. After the bloody coup, though, neo-Nazism became a part of the country's political system and armed forces, with units such as Azov brandishing Nazi insignia at will. Furthermore, radicals are free to organise marches and torchlight processions in honour of fascist war criminals and Nazi collaborators.In a recent speech, Vladimir Putin said that an armed standoff with the anti-Russian forces nurtured in Ukraine was inevitable, and that it was just a matter of time. Putin also stated that these forces had started to turn Ukraine into "an anti-Russian foothold", fostering "the seeds of nationalism and neo-Nazism that have existed for a long time there".Russia launched its special operation to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine on 24 February after the newly recognised Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics appealed to Moscow for help amid increased attacks by the Ukrainian Army, following a gruelling eight-year-long conflict in the eastern part of the country.

https://sputniknews.com/20220317/former-inmates-of-neo-nazi-militia-run-prison-in-ukraine-share-chilling-testimony-on-torture-abuse-1093972040.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/swedish-pm-reportedly-poised-to-apply-for-nato-membership-in-june-1094730694.html

Finland, Sweden to Make Up Their Minds About Joining NATO Within Weeks or Months

Finland, Sweden to Make Up Their Minds About Joining NATO Within Weeks or Months

The heads of the Swedish and Finnish governments are meeting on 13 April to discuss changes to the European security landscape. According to Prime Minister of... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T10:14+0000

2022-04-13T10:14+0000

2022-04-13T11:15+0000

sweden

europe

finland

nato

russia

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Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson is planning to file an application for her country to join NATO in June of this year, local newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, has reported citing sources in Andersson's Social Democratic Party. More specifically, the newspaper believes that the application will be handed over by Andersson on 29 or 30 June during the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain.The decision was made by the Social Democratic Party, the newspaper said. Earlier, another local media outlet, Aftonbladet, said that the party would hold a special meeting of its members on 24 May to discuss the idea of joining NATO. At the same time, Andersson said that the decision must be made quickly and promised that it will be ready by the end of May.Separately, Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced that her country will make the decision on whether or not to seek NATO membership "within weeks".The Finnish government earlier completed a white paper about the necessary changes to the country's security, which Finland decided to make in the wake of Russia's special operation in Ukraine.The paper did not include the proposal to join NATO, but the government said it's ready to file an addendum should such a move receive the backing of the nation's parliament. The latter, according to a poll by the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat has started to drift towards joining NATO despite opposing it for decades.The prime ministers of Finland and Sweden met today to discuss changes to the security situation in Europe in light of the Russian special operation that kicked off on 24 February. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin shared in an interview with the newspaper Iltalehti that the option of joining NATO would also be discussed during the meeting in Stockholm.Let's stay in touch no matter what! Follow our Telegram channel to get all the latest news: https://t.me/sputniknewsus

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sweden, europe, finland, nato, russia
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/they-compared-it-to-a-swastika-sweden-cancels-support-concert-for-ukraine-over-russian-balalaika-1094723176.html

'They Compared It to a Swastika': Sweden Cancels Support Concert for Ukraine Over Russian Balalaika

'They Compared It to a Swastika': Sweden Cancels Support Concert for Ukraine Over Russian Balalaika

Russia's special operation to demilitarise Ukraine has sparked numerous political bans, heavy economic sanctions, and cultural boycotts. However, the... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T07:12+0000

2022-04-13T07:12+0000

2022-04-13T07:12+0000

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The folk music band Sodra Bergens Balalaikor's support concert for Ukraine in the Swedish city of Uppsala has been cancelled after the balalaika, one of its main instruments, was accused of being Russian.According to national broadcaster SVT, the organiser came under tremendous pressure from the public, with critics pointing out that the balalaika, a three-string musical instrument with a characteristic triangular wooden body, was a "national symbol of Russia".Sodra Bergens Balalaikor was started in 1969 as an amateur band and today play Russian, Swedish, and Ukrainian folk music.Since the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, numerous cultural institutions across the globe have distanced themselves from Russia, to the point of boycotting Russian nationals and their work, despite age-old claims that art is separate from politics. Among others, the Berlin Film Festival boycotted films funded by the Russian state and the Stockholm Film Festival banned Russian films as long as the conflict lasts.However, the outbreak of anti-Russian sentiment sometimes strikes a comical note. For instance, the Swedish dairy company Arla decided to remove kefir, a fermented milk drink associated with Russia, as it deemed the packaging featuring characteristic onion domes reminiscent of the world-famous Saint Basil's Cathedral unsuitable and inappropriate.

https://sputniknews.com/20220322/twitter-ablaze-as-swedish-dairy-manufacturer-pulls-back-fermented-milk-over-russian-associations-1094075063.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/two-men-accused-of-impersonating-justice-dept-agents--duping-secret-service-released-on-bail-1094736226.html

Two Men Accused of Impersonating Justice Dept Agents & Duping Secret Service Released on Bail

Two Men Accused of Impersonating Justice Dept Agents & Duping Secret Service Released on Bail

Several real agents of the US Secret Service were allegedly swindled by the defendants, but according to the judge, there is no evidence they were undercover... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T14:33+0000

2022-04-13T14:33+0000

2022-04-13T14:33+0000

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Two men accused of impersonating law enforcement agents were released on bail on Tuesday in Washington DC. Judge G Michael Harvey granted bail to Haider Ali and Arian Taherzadeh, who had been arrested last week for allegedly claiming they were agents in the Department of Homeland Security.According to the prosecution, Ali and Taherzadeh tricked several Secret Service agents, to whom they lent property - and other individuals - into believing they were with the Homeland Security. The two men were allegedly pretending they were engaged in covert operations for the DHS. The judge, however, noted that although these actions constitute a felony, neither man has been charged with a crime of violence, so they can be released into the custody of relations who live in the Washington area.According to the judge, there was "no evidence of foreign ties in this case", and it is believed that no national security information was compromised. At least four members of the Secret Service have been placed on leave during the ongoing investigation into the case.

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white house, us, secret service, us secret service
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/uk-offers-sweden-increased-military-presence-1094723556.html

UK Offers Sweden Increased Military Presence

UK Offers Sweden Increased Military Presence

According to security policy expert Robert Dalsjo of the Swedish Defence Research Agency, a permanent presence on a rotary basis would strengthen Swedish... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T07:05+0000

2022-04-13T07:05+0000

2022-04-13T07:05+0000

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scandinavia

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The United Kingdom has offered Sweden and its fellow Nordic countries an increased military presence with naval forces as well as surveillance.British Ambassador to Sweden Judith Gough called the northern regions "very important strategically", when presenting her proposal to national Swedish broadcaster SVT. According to Gough, the UK wants to main the region "characterised by low tension and close cooperation". To this end, Britain would like to see a rotary military presence.At the end of March, the UK presented its new strategy for the High North and Arctic, which also includes Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.Presenting the new strategy, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK also wants to place a naval battle group that can rotate between Norway, Sweden, Finland, and other places in the region. The UK Navy's forces can include everything up to an aircraft carrier group with combat aircraft on board. Wallace also described Sweden as "part of the same family", pledging to do everything Britain can, "both militarily and in other ways" to support Sweden. According to Gough, the UK should increase its presence in the region, however, the exact amount of military strength needed remains undecided and is up for debate with partners from Norway and Sweden.According to security policy expert Robert Dalsjo of the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), a permanent military presence on a rotary basis, such as the US in Norway and NATO in the Baltics and Poland, would be difficult to implement politically.According to Dalsjo, questions about the format of the UK presence are relevant even in the event of Sweden joining NATO, as polls indicate a serious shift toward the alliance both among the general public andpoliticians.Earlier it was reported that the perspective of currently non-aligned Finland and Sweden joining NATO was "a topic of conversation" during talks held last week and attended by both Nordic countries. Finland is reportedly expected to make a decision on the matter by June, while Sweden will announce its position later in the summer.

https://sputniknews.com/20220411/finnish-foreign-policy-heavyweight-touts-alliance-with-sweden-as-alternative-to-nato-membership-1094662566.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/un-warns-uk-against-pairing-single-britons-with-female-ukrainian-refugees-1094741090.html

UN Warns UK Against Pairing Single Britons With Female Ukrainian Refugees

UN Warns UK Against Pairing Single Britons With Female Ukrainian Refugees

Homes for Ukraine has been launched by a charity organisation named Reset, with the project offering a scheme to match refugees from Ukraine with so-called... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T17:48+0000

2022-04-13T17:48+0000

2022-04-13T17:48+0000

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The UN Refugee Agency has called on the UK not to allow female Ukrainian refugees to be matched with single British men, expressing fears of sexual exploitation, according to The Guardian citing the UN high commissioner for refugees.According to the commissioner, the UK could use a "more appropriate matching process that would make sure women and women with children are sent to families and couples rather than single men. Such concerns follow a slew of claims that the refugee scheme, Homes for Ukraine, has been used by predatory men.A government spokesman described attempts to "exploit vulnerable people" as "truly despicable" when contacted by the outlet for a comment.This is not the first time Homes for Ukraine has been criticised for being a potential nesting ground for sexual predators: Louise Calvey, head of the charity Refugee Action, dubbed the scheme "Tinder for sex traffickers".A letter has been written to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, by 16 refugee and anti-trafficking organisations, in which these and other concerns regarding Homes for Ukraine were pointed out.Among other concerns that the programme has prompted is how long a wait Ukrainian refugees have to deal with before arriving in the UK. Home Secretary Priti Patel even had to apologise for the time it took for Ukrainians to arrive in the country. According to The Independent, less than 3 percent of the refugees manage to get into the UK under the sponsorship visa scheme. Out of more than 40,000 applications filed by refugees, only 12,500 have resulted in visas being issued, and only 1,200 refugees have arrived in the UK.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/up-to-500-ex-afghan-soldiers-and-officials-killed-kidnapped-by-taliban-since-august-reports-say-1094725480.html

Up to 500 Ex-Afghan Soldiers and Officials Killed, Kidnapped by Taliban Since August, Reports Say

Up to 500 Ex-Afghan Soldiers and Officials Killed, Kidnapped by Taliban Since August, Reports Say

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - After seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban* has murdered or kidnapped about 500 former Afghan officials, military personnel, and those... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T07:57+0000

2022-04-13T07:57+0000

2022-04-13T08:39+0000

afghanistan

taliban

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The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan took place last August amid a complete withdrawal of US troops, spurring fears of revenge by the Taliban among the former military and state officials, as well as those who assisted the US and allied forces. Refugees were fleeing en masse to avoid reprisals. In turn, the Taliban government announced a general amnesty, assuring the safety of former government workers and personnel of the Afghan security forces.Yet an investigation conducted by The New York Times has revealed that about 500 former state officials and military personnel were either murdered or forcibly disappeared within six months of the Taliban's resurgence. The paper confirmed 86 killings in Baghlan Province alone, with 114 people missing in Kandahar Province. The paper said the Taliban is exploiting the amnesty as a trap to lure soldiers out of hiding.Taliban officials have denied the killings, saying the allegations are baseless and being used as propaganda tool by their opponents "in order to mislead the opinion of the world" about the Taliban.The paper said that its staff conducted an investigation for seven months, using various methods to verify the data, including forensic video examinations, local media reports, and interviews with survivors, witnesses, and family members of the victims.The Taliban's swift ascension to power in Afghanistan occurred in mid-August 2021, triggering such economic distress that it pushed the country to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of Afghans fled the country fearful of the Taliban's revenge and widespread violations of human rights. The dire economic and humanitarian situation compelled the Taliban to announce an amnesty to help prevent people from fleeing the country and enables Afghanistan to avoid isolation from the outside world.*Organisation under UN sanctions for terrorist activities.

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afghanistan, taliban
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/us-tries-to-pin-election-meddling-charge-to-case-of-russian-accused-of-insider-trading-docs-show-1094739616.html

US Tries to Pin 'Election Meddling' Charge to Case of Russian Accused of Insider Trading, Docs Show

US Tries to Pin 'Election Meddling' Charge to Case of Russian Accused of Insider Trading, Docs Show

Russian businessman, Vladislav Klyushin, has been accused along with four others of hacking into large publicly traded US companies to gain access to earnings... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T16:18+0000

2022-04-13T16:18+0000

2022-04-13T16:18+0000

us

russia

businessman

accusations

2016 us presidential election

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extradition

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US prosecutors are trying to inject political undertones into the case of Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin who is charged with insider trading-related economic crimes, according to Massachusetts court documents, photocopies of which were obtained by Sputnik.The documents indicate that the Kluyshin case at present includes materials related to the issue of alleged Russian interference" in the 2016 US presidential election.The court files also revealed that the businessmans wife is facing threats as she is being pressed to force her husband to admit that he meddled in the US 2016 election to ensure Donald Trump's victory. The Moscow-Trump collusion claims were debunked with the release of a report by then-US Special Counsel Robert Mueller in April 2019.Additionally, it was revealed that Klyushins lawyers filed an appeal to change the measure of restraint for his client, pointing out that many documents from his case bear signs of falsification.Klyushin Case Vladislav Klyushin owns M13, a company that provides media monitoring and cybersecurity services. The 41-year-old was arrested in Switzerland in March 2021 and extradited to the US later that year. He and four other Russian nationals were charged in December 2021 with crimes connected to an alleged global hacking and trading scheme that purportedly netted the defendants at least $82 million in profit using stolen company data to make trading decisions.The US Justice Department accused them of hacking computer networks of two US filing agents, used by publicly traded companies to make quarterly and annual filings between January 2018 and September 2020.Klyushin denied all accusations during the initial hearing in early January 2022. Judge Bowler rejected his bail request and ordered that he be kept in prison until the trial.

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us, russia, businessman, accusations, 2016 us presidential election, charge, extradition
https://sputniknews.com/20220413/wall-street-analyst-biden-family-unlikely-to-get-away-with-questionable-financial-schemes-this-time-1094712400.html

Wall Street Analyst: Biden Family Unlikely to Get Away With Questionable Financial Schemes This Time

Wall Street Analyst: Biden Family Unlikely to Get Away With Questionable Financial Schemes This Time

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) told Fox News on 10 April that "something is up" with the US mainstream press' coverage of Hunter Biden's scandal, suggesting that an... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T01:25+0000

2022-04-13T01:25+0000

2022-04-13T01:22+0000

us

world

opinion

joe biden

hunter biden

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Speaking to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, Congressman Jordan noted that the New York Times and the Washington Post revisited Hunter Biden's laptop story, previously labeled by them as "Russian disinformation," amid reports of the Justice Department's intensifying probe into Hunter's business activities.CNN reported on 30 March that the DoJ's investigation into Hunter Biden "has gained steam in recent months," adding that a "flurry of witnesses [were] providing testimony to federal investigators and more expected to provide interviews in the coming weeks."Furthermore, a witness in the ongoing federal investigation was recently asked to identify the individual who is referred to as the "big guy," according to the New York Post's sources. Previously, former Hunter Biden's business associate Tony Bobulinski claimed that the "big guy" is a cryptic name for Joe Biden, who has repeatedly denied having any knowledge about his son's business activities.Ortel is by no means surprised by the growing scrutiny concerning the Biden family. According to the Wall Street analyst, "the Biden brand has been tarnished for decades, ever since Joe Biden withdrew from the 1988 presidential race, admitting he was a serial liar." Despite assuming the White House, Joe Biden sparked criticism from both sides of the US political aisle due to his domestic and foreign policy errors, according to the analyst."What has changed is that the monumental disaster that is Joe Biden is plainly evident," says Ortel. "True polls likely point to an epic slaughter of Democrats and Never Trump RINOs in November 2022 and 2024. So, the powers behind the throne likely are pushing Biden out, with the laptop and its contents being one prime instrument. Joe Biden's legacy fell apart months into his first year in the White House. Politically, he is already a toxic laughingstock whose angry thoughts frighten no serious listener."James Biden and 150 Questionable TransactionsHowever, it's not only Hunter Biden who has come under the microscope by the federal investigation and the GOP probe - there's also the American president's brother, James. Politico reported in December 2020, that federal authorities in the Western District of Pennsylvania had carried out "a criminal investigation of a hospital business in which James [Biden] was involved."Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers told CBS News last week that James Biden's company, the Lion Hall Group, received payments from a Chinese-funded consulting group in 2018, before Joe Biden announced that he would throw his hat into the ring. Apparently, US lawmakers regard these financial transactions suspicious, given that foreign funding of presidential races is prohibited in the US.Furthermore, CBS News learned about over 150 financial transactions involving either Hunter or James Biden's global business affairs that were "flagged as concerning by US banks for further review." Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and his GOP party fellows have been investigating the Biden family's business dealings for quite a while.'The Bidens Case Can't be Swept Under the Rug'"Before an indictment happens, the Biden family would be wise to try to cooperate with investigators, plead guilty to reduced charges and obtain leniency well before November 2022," says Ortel. "But, Joe Biden is stubborn and stupid so he may instead fight on foolishly to an even worse defeat 'with the passage of time.'"Last week, White House chief of staff Ron Klain claimed that the president is confident his son has done nothing wrong, adding that the investigation has nothing to do with President Joe Biden."Alarm bells are starting to ring in Democratic circles as the White House stonewalls in the face of increasing media inquiries," Miranda Devine of the New York Post reported on 10 April. "The White House position is unsustainable."According to Ortel, this time the Bidens are unlikely to get away with their questionable financial dealings.

https://sputniknews.com/20220408/think-tank-director-more-americans-want-biden-out-of-white-house-than-regime-change-in-russia-1094592595.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220412/house-oversight-committee-eager-to-probe-hunter-bidens-pops-big-guy-messages-1094700273.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/watch-russian-artillery-obliterate-ukrainian-howitzers-amid-moscows-special-op-1094729207.html

Watch Russian Artillery Obliterate Ukrainian Howitzers Amid Moscow's Special Op

Watch Russian Artillery Obliterate Ukrainian Howitzers Amid Moscow's Special Op

On Wednesday, Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that a total of 46 Ukrainian military infrastructure objects had been destroyed over the... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T10:05+0000

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Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released a video of the nation's forces obliterating Ukrainian military howitzers in a high-precision strike.The 43-second clip shows a battery of 152mm D-20 howitzers being destroyed in an artillery strike controlled by a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).This comes as part of the ongoing Russian military operation to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine announced by President Vladimir Putin on 24 February following a request for help from the Donbass republics amid increased attacks by the Ukrainian Army. The Russian MoD said that the operation only targets Ukraine's military infrastructure and civilians are not in danger.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220413/written-off-over-1000-ukrainian-marines-surrender-in-mariupol-chechen-leader-kadyrov-says-1094716497.html

'Written Off': Over 1,000 Ukrainian Marines Surrender in Mariupol, Chechen Leader Kadyrov Says

'Written Off': Over 1,000 Ukrainian Marines Surrender in Mariupol, Chechen Leader Kadyrov Says

In Mariupol, which once had a population of 450,000, fighting continues as the Donetsk People's Republic and Russian forces sweep the city of remnants of... 13.04.2022, Sputnik International

2022-04-13T02:14+0000

2022-04-13T02:14+0000

2022-04-13T02:13+0000

situation in ukraine

ukraine

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prisoner

pow

ramzan kadyrov

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The head of the Russian region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said on Tuesday that more than 1,000 Ukrainian Marines had surrendered in the city of Mariupol.According to Kadyrov, Ukrainian groups are breaking up one after another, as they do not know what to do with the wounded, nor do they understand where to go and what to do next in their fighting, and that after all, resistance is useless, and there are practically no combat forces left."The Chechen leader added that only individual small groups of servicemen are currently in combat, which "for some reason are afraid to come out with a white flag to the Russian troops."He added that at the moment there are approximately 200 wounded hiding deep in the Azovstal plant area who cannot receive medical care.Kadyrov emphasized that it would be better for the Ukrainian troops to stop fighting and return home.Earlier in the day, reports about Marines surrendering to the Russian and the DPR forces emerged on social media.Russian war correspondent Alexander Sladkov, in a series of posts on Telegram, shared footage from the alleged surrender of Ukrainian Marines to the troops of the DPR. According to him, among those who surrendered were about 300 wounded, 90 of whom could not move independently. The journalist estimated the number of Marines who surrendered on their feet at more than 800 people.Moreover, also on Tuesday, the Russian Investigative Committee published a video of the interrogation of the surrendered deputy commander of the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade Rostislav Lomtev.In the video, the commander said that in December 2021, as part of the brigade, he was conducting operations in the area of the so-called Joint Forces Operation in Donbass. He shared that the brigade later moved to the Azov plant, where they were eventually surrounded.The officer explained that under "circumstances," the command decided "to surrender our weapons in order to avoid unnecessary victims, and we all surrendered."'They Have Written Us Off'Prior to that, judging by the anonymous post on the brigades Facebook* page, the brigade continued fighting in the city and in the port without the support of the Ukrainian military leadership and gradually suffered significant losses and ran out of all the ammunition.According to the Monday-published post, "the mountain of wounded makes up almost half of the brigade."Earlier, Valeriy Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, claimed that the line of communication with the troops in the city was "stable and maintained," and that the country's military was focused on saving as many servicemen as it could.According to the Russian military, the recent battle has centered on the city's Azovstal iron-and-steel complex and the port. As the head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, stated on Monday, the port of Mariupol came under the control of the DPR forces.According to the representative of the Donetsk People's Militia, the residential area of the city was virtually liberated from Ukrainian militants, "there were disengaged fire pockets such as snipers or the ground units."On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in response to pleas for protection from Ukrainian soldiers by the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.The special operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry stated that the Armed Forces strike only the Ukrainian troops, and by the end of March, they have completed the main tasks of the first stage of the operation, as they have significantly reduced the combat potential of the Ukrainian military.Moscow has stated that it has no intention of occupying Ukraine. The main goal of the ongoing operation was said to be the liberation of Donbass.*An organization outlawed in Russia

https://sputniknews.com/20220405/ukrainian-militants-plan-to-kill-witnesses-to-their-crimes-in-mariupol---dpr-authorities-1094511380.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220409/ukrainian-cargo-ship-tried-to-break-through-to-russian-black-sea-fleet-blocking-mariupol-port-mod-1094624584.html

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The Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association reviewed a successful 2021 and announced several new initiatives for the 2022 PEI harness racing season as part of their Annual Meeting Tuesday (April 12) at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

On behalf of the organization Chairman Blaine MacPherson recapped a successful 2021 racing season, which included strong increases in wagering, overall purses, Atlantic Classic Sale records and averages, breeder support programs, and membership growth, particularly among youth.

Mr. MacPherson also thanked Premier Dennis King and Hon. Darlene Compton, Deputy Premier/ Finance Minister/Minister Responsible for Harness Racing for the continued strong support of the PEI Government.

David MacKenzie, Red Shores General Manager, and Lee Drake, Manager of Racing and Broadcast, detailed a record wagering year at both PEI tracks, with overall provincial wager up 21 percent, and increases in both on track and simulcast wager over 2020 levels. This has led to an increase of 16 percent in the wagering contribution to the Provincial purse pool.

Mr. MacKenzie also invited all those present and watching online to view a Press Conference at 11 am. Atlantic Wednesday (April 13) from Red Shores regarding a special announcement on the 2022 Gold Cup and Saucer.

Among the new initiatives announced for 2022 were:

An increase in the allocation to the overall purse pool

The establishment of the Atlantic Invitational Cup, a multi leg series for Invitational level horses, with an enhanced purse Final on Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend. This series will have legs in all three Maritime Provinces.

A revised Island Ocean Trot Series for Trotting Mares at a Gold and Grass root level, with the return of JD Marine and Diving as a sponsor

Continuation of the successful Matinee Track series

Establishment of a Young Guns Series for pari-mutuel drivers aged 25 and under

Return of the popular Fall Series, for horses at non winners levels in the racing year

The event is available in the replay below.

(PEIHRIA)
Youth from the Culpeper County High School, Culpeper Technical Education Center and Eastern View High School chapters of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America participated in a weekend leadership training conference April 1-3 in Virginia Beach.

Attendees participated in workshops and sessions that challenged, informed, and motivated members and their advisers to learn more about leadership through FCCLA, according to a recent release from Culpeper County Public Schools spokeswoman Laura Hoover.

Along with over 500 other advisers and members, Culpeper County Public Schools FCCLA chapter advisers, Laura Butcher, Jay Cohen, Allysha Lockner, Dr. Vickie McBride, Jennifer Mullen, and Leigh Powell, accompanied 17 members to the meeting.

To begin the conference, nearly 350 members participated in STAR Events, a series of competitions that demonstrate proficiency and achievement in leadership and job-related skills. Winners from Culpeper County High School included: Chapter Service Project Portfolio, Devon Richardson, 1st Place; Chapter Service Project Portfolio, Ashley Lauritzen 1st Place; and Career Investigation, Skyler Lee, 2nd Place.

At the conference, CCHS was recognized for completing six National Programs and awarded the 2nd largest chapter in the state of Virginia.

All CCHS students have been invited to attend the National FCCLA conference in San Diego, CA June 29-July 3.

Culpeper Technical Education Center had two students compete in Culinary Exhibition Events. CTEC received trophies for New Chapter and Chapter with 50 or more members along with a check for $200 from the Virginia FCCLA Leadership Foundation.

Jessica Hernandez won 1st place in Decorated Cakes and Jennifer Perez won 2nd place in Show Pieces.

Winners from Eastern View High School were: Career Investigation, Makenna Diaz, 2nd place; Chapter Service Project, Taylor Moorman, 2nd place; Entrepreneurship, Anayah Quinn, 1st Place; Entrepreneurship, Kaiser Abed, 2nd place; National Programs in Action, Anna Labrie & Marissa LaVenuta, 1st Place; Professional Presentation, Erika Contreras Molina & Stephanie Contreras Molina, 2nd place; and Professional Presentation Ava Durrer & Madeline Freeman, 2nd Place.

Throughout the weekend, Eastern View High School FCCLA was recognized for completing all seven National Programs, earned the Largest Chapter in the State Award and was presented as a Platinum Level Outstanding Chapter, based on the chapters activities and involvement throughout the school year.

Adviser Laura Butcher received the Kathleen Buchanan Alumni & Associates in the Classroom Award at the Awards Banquet.

Frank Bossio and Gary Lee, with Career Partners, Inc. supported an EVHS project. Through their donation, stationary bikes were purchased for Family and Consumer Sciences classrooms in an effort to encourage students to be physically active throughout the school year. Their support allowed the chapter to complete the Student Body National Program, which became a STAR Event Project called, Cyclone Cycle.

The conference had a theme of Four Seasons and included motivational speakers, business sessions and workshops on career exploration, leadership, and implementing effective service projects in schools and communities.

There was a banquet and a closing session where STAR Events competition medals and trophies were awarded and new state officers installed. The top winners in each of the national STAR Events competitions will have an opportunity to compete at the National Leadership Conference against top winners from other state associations.

Eastern View senior Kendall Richtarski served as 2021-22 Virginia FCCLA Vice President of Programs. Throughout the year, Richtarski made contact with local businesses to become Virginia FCCLA Leadership Foundation Partners, created engaging videos & activities encouraging chapter participation, presented information about FCCLA to the Culpeper CTE Advisory Board, and helped plan this years state conference.

She led sessions on stage throughout the conference as she and the other officers found themselves at the FCCLA Four Seasons Resort. Throughout the past year, Kendall has inspired Virginia FCCLA members to make it count.

FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important family, career, and community issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Junior high students have spent the last few Tuesdays and Thursdays, before and after school, stuffing over 3,000 eggs with candy for the annual Gering Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, which will take place Saturday, April 16.

The Builders Club, the junior high branch of Kiwanis, stuffs Easter eggs every year as one of its annual service projects for the community. But the students dont just stuff the eggs; a handful of them will also help out the day of the event.

I get about 10 kids from the group to go and help the Kiwanis (Easter Egg Hunt), Builders Club sponsor Natalie Prokop said. So Kiwanis invites some Builders Club kids and some Key Club kids from the high school where we all meet over at the Gering pool, and we set up little  areas for each age group  theres four age groups  and so they set those up, and then everyone grabs bags and just starts scattering eggs everywhere. Then Ive got signs that I made that the kids will hold so parents know where to go to.

Prokop has been the sponsor of Builders Club since 2016. She said it was something she was involved in as a kid and wanted to help other students understand the importance of serving the community.

The Builders Club at Gering, which has around 60 members this year, meets once a month to discuss the various service projects they plan to do. Events they do every year include the Easter egg stuffing, school dances and a canned food drive, along with other events or service activities that might come up throughout the year.

Sixth grader Autumn Hahn said she liked being a part of Builders Club because of everything they get to help with.

We get to help out with a ton of things and do lots of fun projects and things, she said.

Prokop said she hopes to instill a love for service in these students hearts and minds through Builders Club. Its an opportunity for students to learn the true meaning of service, she said.

Learning to do service projects on your own time is the main factor here. You have to serve the community on your own time, so teaching kids that (is huge), she said. Were in a society now where kids just want to be on their phones all the time or its all about me, me, me, me, me. And being in Builders Club, its about how can we help others; not about us, what can we do for others? And thats the biggest thing I push for kids, and I just want them to be in Builders Club, so they can help each other, help the school.

Im proud of the kids that keep showing up, because it takes a village to get things done.

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As the primary election nears, gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen made his fourth stop in Scottsbluff during a visit to western Nebraska this week.

During a stop at the Star-Herald, Pillen outlined four main pillars that he said have made up his campaign since he started on the trail a little over a year ago: agriculture, kids, taxes and values.

Pillen made stops in Alliance, Scottsbluff and Kimball as a part of a series of town halls hosted by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, which endorsed him in February. Pillen told the Star-Herald that with agriculture being one of his four main pillars, its good to know a grassroots organization like Nebraska Farm Bureau is behind him.

Weve been blessed to be endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, which is extraordinary humbling because our focus has been grassroots campaigning, he said. They (the bureau) are a grassroots, rural organization (thats) 100 years old representing Nebraska farmers and ranchers.

His experience in raising pigs and growing the family farm gives him an insight to the agriculture industry that his opponents dont necessarily have.

All of us guys in agriculture, we need government to be out of our hair, but stand up and defend us and fight like heck for us, he said. Nobody has a better understanding of that than me.

Pillen said that farms are one of the few places that can help address the ongoing concern of young people leaving the state. Keeping kids in the state is another one of his key issues he plans to tackle in office, and his solution is to get kids trained in Nebraska industries and businesses.

We got to stop the out-migration, he said. Business, farmers and ranchers are the solution, not government.

He pointed to Scottsbluffs Aulick Industries as a prime example of what hed like to see across the state.

Theyre getting eight, nine, 10 kids a year out of high school, and then they are paying them to go to trade school. Theyre paying for their costs so they become a certified welder, and then theyre going to have to have great careers, and thats how theyre going to grow their business, he said. Thats just an embryonic example. Nobody has to be heroic, but thats what we need to do to grow our businesses and grow our communities.

Pillen went on to say that fixing the tax problem, specifically the property tax problem, will also help communities grow by cutting down property taxes and valuing land more fairly. He said the state over-relies on property taxes, causing the three-legged stool of Nebraskas tax system to be out of balance, with the property tax leg being much too long.

We have to decrease spending and then we have to change property taxes  that legs got to get cut off so the three-legged stool is level, and I believe for that to happen, we need to change how we appraise the value of our property, he said. Im a believer in working with the unicameral so we could change it to an income-based approach, and then you can have businesses be successful, but then that helps hold government accountable so that you spend money on whats needed.

Pillens final pillar of his campaign focuses on the values that he believes Nebraska needs to get back to, which include taking a stance against critical race theory, protecting the unborn and preserving constitutional freedoms.

As a University of Nebraska regent, Pillen said he was the only one to propose a resolution to stop the imposition of critical race theory.

(Its important to be) standing up for, making sure University of Nebraska is ours. Its ours, Nebraskans, and its making sure that our university understands who they work for. They work for the people in Nebraska, and its important to really stand up and fight like heck for our values.

Pillen also said he plans to put anti-abortion legislation back on the table and enforce law and order as a part of his values pillar. Having announced his running mate last week to be Joe Kelly, former U.S. attorney for Nebraska, Pillen hopes to emphasize his commitment to and value of law enforcement and public safety.

(I) had no other person as a thought, and he will be a great partner; well work elbow to elbow, Pillen said. Joes got an extraordinary, extraordinary record, and hell be a great partner as we try to have transformative change for Nebraska.  Joe has no agenda. Its the greater good of Nebraska and not a shadow of a doubt about it.

Pillen will be in Kimball on Wednesday, April 13, for his final Nebraska Farm Bureau town hall in western Nebraska before heading back home to Columbus to celebrate the rest of Holy Week, he said.

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Donald Trump Jr., son of former President Donald Trump, stumped for gubernatorial candidate Charles W. Herbster in Gering Wednesday. Trump Jr. said he and his father both endorse Herbster, one of nine Republicans running for the office, to be Nebraskas next governor.

Trump Jr. spoke to an audience of nearly 500 people packed into the Gering Civic Center.

I heard some of Charless competition had similar rallies and around three people showed up, so it reminded us of the Joe Biden rallies, he said.

Trump Jr. spent much of his presentation criticizing foreign and domestic policy decisions of the Biden administration, particularly its pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. He said Biden was being used as a scapegoat for unpopular policies pushed by congressional Democrats.

I dont have to tell you guys what we promised and what we delivered, he said of his fathers policies while in office. Normally, I go to states where its a little bit more neutral and I can do the I-told-you-so tour but I dont have to say that here because youve got it all along. But whats most shocking is how quickly theyve destroyed it.

He mentioned high inflation rates and gas prices and supply chain shortages as symptoms of Democrat incompetency.

Trump Jr. also criticized campaign decisions of other candidates for Nebraskas governorship as well as other Republicans who he said were unwilling to fight against Democrats.

If you have a Mitt Romney-type as the governor of Nebraska, you might as well have a Democrat, he said. ... Youve seen the difference good governors make. Youve seen whats happened in the last few years as bad governors would trample your rights, your freedoms, everything that we hold dear in our country. Thats why Im supporting Charles Herbster.

Herbster spent several minutes before Trump Jr. came onstage to promote his campaign to the crowd.

As Ive crossed the state, Ive talked about the fact that our faith, our freedom and our families are under attack in America, and were going to change that with all the elections in November 2022, the candidate said.

In his speech, Herbster rallied against illegal immigration and in support of election integrity. He said he supported changing Nebraskas tax structure and promoting trade schools and community college programs.

Educating young people will help keep them in the state, he said. Herbster said his number one goal is to grow this state.

If elected, he said, hed manage the state like he has built and managed businesses in the past. He claimed the country of China would not be allowed to buy land in Nebraska. Herbster added that Americas adversaries are looking to take over production of domestic food supply.

If they get control of the food supply production and technology, its over. We cannot let that happen and I assure you Im going to be on the forefront every day, fighting that, he said.

Trump Jr. said the country needs more politicians who do not need to be politicians in office. Herbster is a farmer and businessmen and has not held elected office, though he was appointed by Trump Jr.s father to his Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee.

I will be a different type of governor because Im not a politician, and Im not going to spend my time sitting in my office in Lincoln, Herbster said. Im doing one political stint in my life, and thats to lead the state and be the CEO of Nebraska to make Nebraska great again.

If elected, he said, he would meet directly with constituents and not send people in his stead.

Those in attendance came from across the Panhandle. They included elected officials, political candidates, farmers and veterans. Some were members of the Scotts Bluff County GOP. Many came to see Trump Jr. and had items autographed by him after his speech, though several came out to support Herbster as well.

I am interested in voting for him (Herbster) because Ive known him since way back in the 80s. ... He was a good, honest person then and hes not a politician. Im interested in somebody whos not a politician, Lonnie Frimann, of Scottsbluff, said.

He said there was plenty of interest in Herbsters campaign judging by the amount of people in attendance.

Other members of the crowd came because they wanted to see if Herbster would be a good candidate to vote for in the primaries.

We were Trump supporters, Karen Petersen, of Bayard, said. I have a couple questions for Herbster Im hoping will be answered.

She said she wanted to exercise due diligence and check out the different candidates.

The Gering event lasted around an hour and a half. It was the first of three Trump Jr. and Herbster campaign stops hosted on Wednesday. Following the meet and greet there, they traveled to North Platte and Grand Island.

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A 36-year-old Kansas man has been cited on charges, including motor vehicle homicide, in a Sunday crash that killed an Alliance woman.

The Nebraska State Patrol cited Ryan McElroy, 36, of Salina, Kansas, on charges of vehicle homicide; willful reckless driving; driving under the influence, third offense; possession of an open alcohol container and driving under suspension, according to information released by Cody Thomas, NSP spokesperson.

McElroy has been identified by the patrol as the driver of a Chevrolet Camaro that struck a Ford Escape driven by Blythe Boness, 22, of Alliance, in a crash on Highway 2 Sunday. The crash occurred about 2:10 p.m.

The collision caused Boness vehicle to roll into a ditch and the woman was ejected from the vehicle. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene.

Alliance firefighters extricated McElroy from his vehicle. He was flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, suffering serious injuries. Thomas said McElroy remained hospitalized Tuesday, with injuries believed not to be life-threatening.

Once he is released from the hospital, Thomas said, he will be arrested and jailed.

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Chance Lambeth, district director for Rep. David Rouzer, peers at one of the gaps carved by Hurricane Florence into Alton Lennon Road in Boiling Spring Lakes.
Fix the towns sanitation issues, or Love Valley could be gone.

That issue became clearer for the town and its residents on Monday at a meeting. The towns sanitation problems have put pressure on the mayor and town commissioners to address them before the state considers revoking the towns charter. The process hasnt begun and would take months to complete once started, but the threat remains real for the small town.

My family is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this town doesnt go away, Tori Barker said. We cant lose this.

Barker is a former council member and granddaughter of Andy Barker, who founded the town that touts itself as the Cowboy Capital. And while there was plenty of support behind her and those wanting the town council to fix the septic system they benefit from, there are other factors at play.

While the septic system was installed around 1960 to service parts of the town and its roughly 100 residents, only a pair of residents and a business are served by it now. The system is in need of repair, and there are leaks. The sewage is pumped and hauled out with town funds, but at a cost Mayor Dannie Johnston said didnt make sense to continue to pay since the pipe is breached, which allows water and other materials to seep in and out.

Its a money issue; its a budget issue, Johnston said. I see it as infeasible to take money from other taxpayers out of the budget to fix a problem that isnt fixable in the long run.

At Mondays meeting, he and the towns leadership were told how it could be funded from other town monies, but they are skeptical if it is the best use of taxpayer funds. He said renewing the contracts with businesses to pump and haul the sewage was only a temporary solution while the specter of the town being dissolved looms overhead. He said that his hope was for the towns commissioners to find a way to address the issue and clear up long-standing issues with not only the pump-and-haul system but with people reportedly storing sewage in unground barrels in some of the towns campground areas.

Sierra Ashworth, a public information officer with the Iredell County Health Department, confirmed that the town is under a notice of violation to secure a new contract with a permitted pump and haul company and that although there is not a pump and haul contract, the holding tank is being pumped out on an as-needed basis while the town secures a pump and haul contract. A current contract with the property owner where the tank is located expires in April 2023.

The town will need to secure another location for the holding tank or extend the contract where the tank is currently located. Once a contract for the new location or current location is secured, repairing the pipe will be part of the new permit stipulation.

Barker said she and others hooked up to the towns septic system have considered disconnecting and handling the issue themselves, but she fears it would hurt any chance for growth for the tiny town, which serves as a tourist destination, hosts rodeos, and also is sometimes used as a film set.

Johnston was adamant he and the town commission were interested in a long-term solution. He also hoped to clear up accusations of trying to dissolve the town and letting developers come in, as he owns the Silver Spur and a private bar, among other investments. However, some town residents still accused him of doing that as they believe he stands to profit.

Its ludicrous, but I understand it because I bought quite a bit of property here, Johnston said.

Johnston said he hopes funds from the American Relief Plan Act may address the issue, but said it would be five to seven years before a permanent system would be in place even with funding. He said he remains skeptical about the town continuing to pay for the pump-and-haul, and questions if the county or state governments should be helping to fund a solution.

Hopefully we can get a grant done and move forward with the process here, Johnston said.

Still, much of the crowd at the meeting, which was moved into the garage bay of the Central Fire Department to accommodate the many residents who attended, proved to be hostile toward Johnstons public statements during the meeting.

More than once residents swore at the mayor, accused him of having a personal agenda, and not listening to residents. It is of little surprise that emotions ran high. Since its founding, Love Valley has prided itself on the unique identity its resident have cultivated.

But with deadlines for certain grants coming in May and a contract for the pump-and-haul service ending in November, time is running out to find a more permanent solution.

Towns future

While it was a town meeting, Rep. Jeff McNeely and Sen. Vickie Sawyer were on hand, as well as County Commissioner Scottie Brown and County Manager Beth Mull. All expressed support for it remaining a town and offered their assistance.

Randy Welch, with the Southeast Regional Community Assistance Project, Inc, was there as well and the town commissioners voted to have SERCAP assist with finding a grant and dealing with regulations before the May deadline.

However, it was repeatedly stated that it would be up to the town and its leaders to determine the towns future.

I hope everyone realizes how important this is, McNeely said. Right now, it is still your choice.

Mull said that from the countys perspective, the sewer issue still needs to be resolved, regardless if it remains a town or not. She said the county administers the towns planning, zoning, permitting, and building inspections, so there would be little change from its perspective if the town is dissolved, other than the county would control zoning, but it would discontinue the collection of Love Valley municipal taxes.

The county will not see a major change if Love Valley loses its charter. Those changes will be experienced by the residents more than the county, Mull said.

And that was something Sawyer pointed out as well. While the town has issues with its roads and infrastructure, if the town loses its charter, the roads would become private roads and expected to be brought to North Carolina Department of Transportation standards before they would be accepted by the state.

Right now, you have to make a decision, and make it before December, Sawyer said.

Follow Ben Gibson on Facebook and Twitter at @BenGibsonSRL

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A new wild foal made an appearance on the Outer Banks beaches this week.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, conserving and managing the Colonial Spanish mustangs that live free on the Currituck Outer Banks, posted the first photos of the colt  born Monday  on the group's Facebook page.

(Don't miss more photos of the Corolla wild horses at the bottom of this article.)

Cyclone is actually the fourth foal born to the wild horses so far this year. But the nonprofit hasnt yet publicized two, saying it wants to respect the privacy of mother and foal.

Cyclones mother brought him out for the world to see Tuesday, and the group was able to snap photos for fans of the Corolla wild horses.

Cyclones father was Hurricane, a 10-year-old stallion who died in August after getting tangled in wire and having a heat stroke, the wild horse fund said.

It was such a devastating loss, but this colt reminds us that life truly does go on, the nonprofit posted. Weve chosen the name Cyclone for him, in honor and in memory of his sire.

The first foal announced by the group this year was Charlie, a colt born in March.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund asks visitors who see the horses to stay well away  a recommended 50 feet  for safety and for the good of the herd. Foals and their mothers need space and time to bond, and the stress of human interaction can have ill effects.
Smyth County ranks in the upper 15% of localities with child abuse cases across the state, with over 7,700 children in Virginia determined to have been abused and neglected in 2021.

In light of these statistics and a national movement, the Smyth County Board of Supervisors at its meeting earlier this month adopted a resolution officially naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the county.

The resolution cites statistics and urges all citizens to work together to reduce child abuse and neglect.

In 2019, when the Marion Childrens Advocacy Center opened, Smyth County was reported to have one of the highest rates of child abuse cases in the state, a trend that extended across multiple years. Before 2019, children and investigators had to travel to the Bristol CAC office.

Kathryn Roark, the program director of the Childrens Advocacy Center (CAC) that serves Bristol, Washington, and Smyth counties, spoke about this resolutions importance.

It's the thing nobody wants to talk about, but what we're trying to do is to give positive recognition to people who are making a difference in the lives of kids because we know there's lots of risk factors that come along with being abused. That kind of early childhood trauma can affect your health throughout your lifespan, but we also know that when a kid has a positive relationship with just one adult in their lifetime, it can help them overcome all the negative things, Roark said.

Over the past two years, across all three jurisdictions the CAC serves, it has helped 98 new kids. Keeping their doors open throughout the entire pandemic, the CAC provided 78 forensic interviews face-to-face, had nearly 40 youngsters enroll in counseling, and provided 102 children and caregivers 650 individual advocacy services from transportation to medical exams.

Roark presented the supervisors with a yard sign sporting the slogan Champion 4 Children, an aspect of the campaign the CAC is running this April to recognize organizations that do work supporting and protecting children. Roark said to expect these signs to start popping up at schools, churches, and many other organizations in the areas the CAC serves.

We want to think about all the ways, as a community, that we strengthen children and families, Roark said to the supervisors, and you guys have written the book about it. The collaboration between the school system and all of the county agencies, it's really what has made a strong safety net.

While Roark praised Smyth County for the work it has done to report child abuse cases, she said there is still work to be done. Roark said Smyth still ranks in the upper 15% of Virginia localities in terms of child abuse cases.

So while we want to focus on prevention, we know that they are still children that need to be served, Roark said.

Roark stressed that, though preventing child abuse and helping those who have experienced it may seem like an impossible task, every person has the ability to help.

One in four girls will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday, and that, you know, could freeze somebody and make them say, Oh, there's nothing I can do about it. But there are plenty of things you can do about it. You can be a partner, a friend, have a relationship with a child, reach out in your neighborhood, in your community, and do good things for kids, she said.

Roark encourages anyone to also report any scenario they have concerns about.

Any citizen can call and make a child protective services report, either by calling the state hotline or there's a website, and they don't have to give their name. You dont have to be involved other than making that report, you don't have to be completely sure that something's wrong. They just have to have a feeling that a child might be in danger, she said.

The CAC and Smyth County will also be a part of the national blue pinwheel campaign supporting child abuse prevention, and pinwheels will soon be popping up all over the county. Alongside Champion 4 Children signs and these blue pinwheels, the resolution passed last week ensures Smyth County is officially marking Child Abuse Prevention Month.

At the same meeting, the board of supervisors adopted a resolution marking the third week of March as Emergency Management Professionals Week, recognizing first-responders, dispatchers, and the law enforcement of Smyth County.

Courtney Widener, a supervisor and member of sheriffs office, presented the resolution to local emergency responders. Widener said he was glad to see these two resolutions pass in the meetings final comments, sharing that the two hardest parts of his career were being a dispatcher and working on cases dealing with kids.
Editors note: Information is provided by the Cowlitz County Corrections Department and local law enforcement agencies. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Burglary  Longview police officers Tuesday arrested Alicia Minor, 31, of Longview, on suspicion of residential burglary and criminal trespassing.

Burglary  Longview police officers Wednesday arrested Steven Jacobs, 27, of Longview, on suspicion of residential burglary, theft, harassment and driving with a suspended license.

Assault  Longview police officers Tuesday arrested William Mart, 38, of Springfield, Oregon, on suspicion of assault and contempt of court.

Fraud  The Longview police were called Tuesday about a fake lottery check being cashed.

Assault

200 block of Lazy Road, Longview. Tuesday. Amazon driver allegedly punched while making delivery and told to get off property.

Thefts

100 block of Wyatt Drive, Kelso. Tuesday. Propane tank stolen.

1600 block of Hudson Street, Longview. Tuesday. Bushes taken from front of home overnight.

3800 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Tuesday. People seen taking items from stores donation box.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

1300 block of Commerce Avenue, Longview. Tuesday. Person attempted to knock over handicap sign.

Vehicle prowls

300 block of 20th Avenue, Longview. Tuesday. Alleged car break-in attempt.

2000 block of Lewis River Road, Woodland. Tuesday.

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Longview lost a few trees with the heavy snowfall Monday morning. When the slush melted Tuesday morning, the city added three more.

The first three giant sequoia trees in Longview were planted during an early Arbor Day celebration. The saplings were planted by city staff and leaders in Lake Sacajawea Park between Louisiana Street and the parks cluster of coastal redwood trees.

Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Wills called the trees a heritage project for future generations. Sequoias grow to more than 100 feet tall, even outside their native California, and can live more than 2,000 years.

Theyll still be here when the city celebrates our 1,000th anniversary, Wills said.

The planting adds to the citys reputation as a tree-friendly corner of Washington. Longview has been named a Tree City U.S.A. for the last 38 years, second only to Ellensburg as the longest streak in the state.

For the last two years, Longview received another honorific: Tree City of the World. Longview has been the only city in Washington chosen a Tree City of the World and one of 38 selected cities from the United States for the designation. One of the requirements for becoming a Tree City is to hold an annual event to honor trees, which Tuesdays planting counts toward.

Were not the biggest city around, but we have a lot more trees and a lot more mature trees than a lot of others, said Joanna Martin, Longviews Parks and Urban Forestry manager.

Reviewing thousands of city trees

Martin and her small department of arborists have their hands full with Longviews trees.

Roughly 12,200 trees are maintained by the citys Urban Forestry division. Each tree is catalogued and tracked by the department, where Martin and others can look up how long the trees have been growing in Longview and what recent work the department has done to maintain them.

Another database tracks more than 4,500 sites identified as possible locations for future tree planting.

Much of the work done by Longviews three arborists involves responding to work orders for tree damage and concerns called in by residents and other city departments. Martin said a pause during the early waves of COVID-19 led to a backlog of more than 300 tree work orders in the city, which the department has been catching up on and completing as new issues arise.

In 2021, Longview had a small loss in its tree population. The Parks Department reported in February it planted 120 trees last year and removed 156 trees. Wills told the Longview City Council the department aims to add more than 200 trees to the city in 2022 to address the deficit.

It wont be the same as far as canopy cover is concerned, but I do believe well start transferring to planting more than were taking out, Wills said.

Canopy assessment

The Washington Department of Natural Resources chose Longview as one of two cities in Washington to undergo a tree canopy assessment this year, which is fully funded by the department.

The canopy analysis will use satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) data to measure how much of the city is covered by trees and which areas have the densest foliage. The measurements will include trees on public and private property.

Vancouver launched an initiative to expand its canopy coverage after an assessment was done in 2011. One piece of that effort is the TreeFund program, where the city offers a 50% reimbursement to homeowners for planting certain types of trees in their yard.

Martin said the results of the Longview assessment will help the city determine which areas could be the focus of future growth, whether by planting more trees in city-owned land or by encouraging them to be added to private property.

She said the Tree City honorifics are a point of pride for the city and they also help the department compete for grants like the canopy assessment.

It lets them know we take this very seriously. Im not sure if it gives us a leg up, but it definitely legitimizes the work were doing and the request were making, Martin said.

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What started as five local womens idea to help their community has grown into roughly $250,000 worth of donations to regional nonprofits over the last five years.

The giving organization 100+ Women Who Care Lower Columbia celebrated its five-year anniversary Tuesday night with about 130 members pledging around $10,000 to FISH of Cowlitz County  one of the dozens of local organizations aided by donors since 2017.

The local chapter is one of hundreds of similar organizations around the globe, according to 100whocarealliance.org. The Lower Columbia chapter formed in 2017 with five women including current leaders Kalei LaFave and Stacy Dalgarno.

The Lower Columbia chapter was formed to streamline donations for busy local women, said Dalgarno, who was already part of a Portland chapter in 2017.

Its a low time commitment, she said. Busy, professional women take an hour to support a nonprofit.

How it works

Four times a year, members meet at the Kelso-Longview Elks Lodge off Ash Street in Kelso and vote for one local charity to receive $100 from each member.

Members nominate nonprofits to be placed in a hat and three are selected at random. The members who nominated the selected nonprofits give a roughly five-minute elevator speech on why the organization is most deserving of donations, and members vote on which organization receives all of the funds. Representatives from the nominated nonprofits sometimes speak at meetings too.

Over the years, donations have gone to local iterations of large charities like Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity, which builds, rehabilitates and preserves homes; as well as Safe Kids Lower Columbia which provides free helmets, car seats and life jackets to local youths.

Organizations have been awarded $6,400 to $20,800, according to the website for 100+ Women Who Care Lower Columbia chapter. LaFave said she vets nonprofits, which can be from Cowlitz, Wahkiakum or Columbia counties, before the vote.

If you go What: 100+ Women Who Care Lower Columbia chapter's next meeting. When: 5:30 p.m. July 26. Where: Longview-Kelso Elks Lodge, 900 Ash St., Kelso. Cost: Members commit to donate $100 per meeting. Info: stacydalgarno@comcast.net or 100wwclowercolumbia.com.

Why they give

Retired Kessler Elementary School Principal Noma Hudson said she joined the womens group through friends four years ago when she learned the groups donations benefited students at her Longview school. She said the 2017 recipient Laundry Love Longview donated laundry equipment to the school district so families and students without access to washers or dryers could clean their clothes.

Hudson said she also learned of the Castle Rock-based nonprofit HEVIN, or Helping Every Veteran In Need, through the womens group and is now on the board of the organization that connects veterans with local resources.

I was born and raised here, a South Kelso kid, she said. I just want to give back to my community.

Members of the womens group agree to donate a total of $400 a year whether or not they can attend meetings. Typically the group meets every January, April, July and October. Each meeting starts with a social hour with drinks and appetizers, followed by the donation vote over another hour.

Together, the womens group creates a larger impact than members could do alone, Dalgarno said.

People dont have thousands and thousands to donate, so we pool our funds together, she said.

In the next five years, LaFave said she hopes the group can raise a total of a half-million dollars in donations, but already admires members generosity.

We couldnt be more proud of the women who give their time and love for this community, she said.

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Snapchat introduces Dynamic Stories as part of the latest update/ Here is what you can expect from the new feature.

Snapchat remains a different place for social media fanatics and in a bid to make it even more interesting, it gets another new feature to keep Snapchatters hooked to the platform. Starting today, Snapchat has introduced the new Dynamic Stories feature to the app, which aims to make content consumption even better. The feature has nothing to do with your regular Snapchat stories but instead wants to make your Discover feed more intuitive with the latest updates from the world of news.

With Dynamic Stories - this new Discover format uses a partners RSS Feed to automatically create Stories from the content a Publisher is already creating on the web, says Snapchat in a media note. The Dynamic Stories will be available in the Discover feed and will update in real-time. This should help Snapchatters keep up with the latest news as it breaks. Whether its breaking news from credible sources on the war in Ukraine or the latest in pop-culture or fashion, Dynamic Stories helps Snapchatters learn about the world as it happens, describes Snapchat.

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Snapchat makes Stories dynamic

The Dynamic Stories feature is already been tested in the US, UK, France, and India. In India, the following content partners have tied up with Snapchat to provide content for the Dynamic Stories -- GQ India, MissMalini, Pinkvilla, Sportskeeda, The Quint, Times Now, and Vogue India.

For users in the US, they will get to see content from Axios, Bloomberg, CNN, Complex Networks, Conde Nast (Self, Vogue), ESPN, Insider, New York Post, Page Six, Self, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TMZ, Vice, and Vogue.

In the UK, it will be British Vogue, GQ UK, The Independent, and The Mirror who will be providing content for these Stories. In France, the content will be provided by Femme Actuelle, Foot Mercato, Gala, GQ France, Le Figaro, Marie Claire FR, Paris Match, and Vogue France.

Rashmi Daryanani, Media Partnerships at Snap India said, By introducing Dynamic Stories, we are presenting the fastest way of publishing premium content to the Snapchat community. Available in the Discover feed, Dynamic stories will use RSS Feeds to create Stories from the content a Publisher is already creating on the web. These stories will be updated in real-time enabling Snapchatters to keep up with the latest happenings 24/7. Moreover, in India, Dynamic Stories will help us in unlocking content in different languages such as English, Hindi, and Marathi. We are also in the process of onboarding various partners across other languages so that one can simply come onto Snapchat and find news content in their preferred languages.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

United Parcel Service (UPS) and its brown delivery trucks have ruled American streets for decades.

But Amazon, UPS's largest customer and competitor, could overtake the Sandy Springs-based company as the nation's largest package carrier this year.

The rivalry traces its roots to the 2013 holidays, when a meltdown of the UPS shipping network led to millions of gifts ordered not arriving in time for Christmas. Amazon issued gift cards and refunds to mollify angry customersand rapidly built out a home delivery network so it wouldn't have to rely so much on UPS.

The high stakes competition is one more striking example of how West Coast tech titans are disrupting traditional industries and pressuring old economy stalwarts to reinvent themselves or risk being left in the rearview mirror.

How the battle plays out could have a major impact on how consumers shop, how quickly they get their packages and how much they pay to have goods delivered. Also hanging in the balance are the fortunes of UPS's 534,000 employees, including an estimated 15,000 in metro Atlanta, and lucrative UPS union jobs that pay drivers nearly $40 an hour.

It isn't only Amazon's warehouses, airplanes and trucks that are shaking up things. The e-commerce behemoth also has popularized the idea of "free shipping"a potentially existential threat for UPS, which has long been paid handsomely for delivering goods to stores, offices and homes.

Amazon delivered more than 5 billion packages in the U.S. in 2021, while UPS delivered roughly 5.5 billion U.S. packages, according to company figures and industry estimates. Amazon's numbers are far from exact, because the company doesn't share all of its shipping data.

Amazon has said it could surpass UPS this year, and it's not alone in that prediction, even though UPS boasts a more extensive air and ground network that it built up over a century.

Marc Wulfraat, president of logistics consulting firm MWPVL International, believes Amazon will surpass UPS in U.S. package volume in 2022and in five years have a logistics network large enough that it won't need to rely on UPS or the U.S. Postal Service.

So far, UPS's revenue and profit have kept growing despite the competitive threat. That's because the number of packages is rising amid the broader surge in e-commerce. That surge has gone into an even higher gear during the pandemic, with consumers ordering anything and everything to be shipped right to their doorsteps.

UPS has grown its own revenue by two-thirds since 2014, including a 15% increase last year. It expects its revenue to top $100 billion for the first time in its history this year. Its profit margins, while volatile, have remained generally strong.

Unlike FedEx, which cut ties with Amazon a few years ago, UPS continues to treat Amazon as a customer, not just a competitor. Amazon and its affiliates represented about 11.7% of UPS revenue last year, more than any other retailer.

"We have a great relationship with Amazon. And we have mutually agreed about the volume that we should take and the volume that they should keep that works best for both companies," UPS Chief Executive Carol Tome told investors earlier this year.

But Tome also recognizes the playing field is changing. Since she took the reins of the shipping giant, her rallying cry has been "better not bigger"a marked shift in approach for a company that touts itself on its website as "the world's largest package delivery company."

As part of that strategy, UPS is increasingly targeting areas with a minimal Amazon presence. They include logistics for small and medium-sized businesses without their own warehouses or shipping departments, business-to-business shipments, and the specialized world of delivering pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive medical shipments.

Amazon, for its part, says it is scaling its shipping network "to bring even faster delivery to more customers."

The competitive threat of 'free' shipping

UPS has depended on the cash cow of package delivery for about a century.

The company began a messenger service in 1907 that became United Parcel Service in 1919. By 1975 it served every address in the U.S. and started expanding internationally.

For decades, UPS and FedEx virtually have had a shipping duopoly across the country, with UPS becoming better known for its extensive ground network and FedEx for its overnight shipping by air. The postal service also is a major player, but it focuses on slower delivery of mail.

UPS's massive global shipping network has long stood as a bulwark against competitors, because of the cost of building the infrastructure to move so many packages around the world so quickly. DHL made a major U.S. push after being acquired by Germany's mail monopoly Deutsche Post, promising that "yellow is the new brown" in an advertising campaign. By 2008 it had retreated, transferring air-parcel deliveries to UPS and slashing its ground network.

Amazon has proven a much tougher challenger because it is a giant online retailer. Through its own fulfillment network, it can ship products for the millions of businesses selling them on its website.

The company started as an online bookseller in 1994, partnering with national bookstore chain Borders Group in 2001 before driving it out of business. After it expanded its product offerings, other retailers like Circuit City, Sears and Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy protection.

Today, Amazon's revenue is nearly five times that of UPS and its stock market capitalization nearly 10 times bigger.

Amazon's retail strategy has succeeded in part by promoting two-day and next-day delivery, as well as free shipping.

On its website, Amazon suggests to e-commerce businesses that they increase prices to cover the cost of free shipping. For consumers the cost of shipping becomes more opaque, wrapped into the total price of the product.

"There's no such thing as free shipping," said Bill Seward, UPS's president of global customer solutions. "Even if you don't want to charge for it, it's costing a lot."

Still, Amazon doesn't see shipping as a profit center, and is likely willing to accept lower shipping profit margins than UPS.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos "has for a long time said, 'Your margin is my opportunity,'" said Satish Jindal, president of shipment technology firm ShipMatrix. If Amazon uses a service that makes better margins than Amazon, Bezos will "want to bring it in house," Jindal said.

John Haber, chief strategy officer for Transportation Insight, believes Amazon is subsidizing shipping costs with revenue from its massive cloud computing business.

Amazon's own infrastructure keeps growing. In Georgia alone, it has more than 30 fulfillment and sortation centers, nine delivery stations, a tech hub, air gateway and Amazon Hub lockers, as well as 12 Whole Foods Market locations.

The company has ordered 100,000 Rivian electric delivery vans and has been testing package delivery robots in Atlanta. In the air, it has more than doubled its flight network in the last couple of years and now has 85 planes in its Amazon Air fleet. It also has expanded at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport since launching flights there in 2019.

UPS increasingly targeting specialty services

It's still unclear how the battle between frenemies Amazon and UPS will shake out.

UPS remains formidable, with more than 1,800 facilities around the world and a fleet of more than 280 planes and hundreds more that it leases or charters. It sees its hard-to-replicate global shipping network as a competitive advantage.

"We expect there to be new competitors in the future," said UPS's Seward. "Bring it on. We're ready to go."

UPS also is diversifying and specializing in lucrative areas like health care, making it less dependent on its traditional business.

UPS can use its network of refrigerated and freezer warehouses and shipping technology to transport pharmaceuticals and biological products that need to be kept at precise temperatures. By playing a key role in shipping COVID-19 vaccines around the world, UPS gained even more experience and significantly expanded its freezer capacity.

And it has launched a drone delivery airline, using drones to deliver CVS prescriptions, urgent deliveries in remote areas and medical samples on a hospital campus.

While Amazon has a network of delivery contractors and Amazon Flex on-demand delivery drivers, UPS last year acquired on-demand delivery technology platform Roadie. Roadie has more than 200,000 crowdsourced drivers, who could prove cheaper than UPS's unionized drivers. Amazon faces the prospect of more labor organizing after workers at a New York City warehouse voted to form a union earlier this month.

One thing not under dispute: The world of shipping is changing in a big way.

"I don't really see FedEx and UPS failing and disappearing," said LateShipment.com chief executive Sriram Sridhar. Nonetheless, he predicted, they "will have to find ways to reinvent themselves over the next decade."

Explore further Amazon bans sellers from using FedEx for some deliveries

2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Georgia was the site of America's first gold rush in 1828 when miners flocked to the mountains near Dahlonega looking to strike it rich. Nearly 200 years later, a new wave of miners is descending on the state.

Instead of gold, they're mining a type of money that can't be hidden under a mattress or folded into a wallet. They're in the hunt for bitcoins, a cryptocurrency that has a global value of more than $1 trillion.

Since 2020, bitcoin mining companies have opened or expanded eight facilities across the the state, lured by some of the same benefits that bring other industries to Georgia: inexpensive land, low taxes and cheap electric rates for businesses.

It takes a lot of juice to keep computers humming at top speed and cooled 24/7especially when it comes to cryptocurrency miners, which globally use as much energy as the country of Norway, according to a Cambridge University study.

Georgia has become a leading state in this ethereal industry, according to industry observers, even though hard numbers remain scarce. Texas, North Dakota and other states also are competing for new bitcoin miners.

The centers employ relatively few workers and gobble up massive amounts of electricity in an age when social and governmental pressures are pushing companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The facilities also generate non-stop noise from cooling equipment.

But they are welcomed with open arms by some communities, particularly in Georgia's tax-starved rural counties.

"When you're looking at fallow ground that's not generating any tax revenue on that dirt, any incremental improvement is better than nothing," said Tim Huffman, an executive at real estate brokerage firm CBRE.

The concept behind bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies is baffling to many raised on paying with credit cards and American greenbacks.

Cryptocurrencies exist only in the form of digital tokens that can be bought, sold or traded online, converted to hard currency or used to buy goods or services from merchants who accept them as payment.

Cryptocurrency miners use stacks of thousands of computers to run complex calculations that independently track and verify how each token is traded or spent. Doing all that work is also how the mining companies make a profit. Those solving the complex calculations to verify transactions can reap the rewards of earning newly generated bitcoins.

Cryptocurrencies are a long way from replacing traditional money, and their values swing widely. A bitcoin bought for $67,544 last November was worth $46,535 on April 1, according to CoinDesk, a website that tracks cryptocurrency news and values. Not so many years ago, bitcoin was worth almost nothing.

Rural areas of Georgia and small towns like Adel, Dalton, Fitzgerald and LaFayette lured the first wave of mining companies. In March, an Australian company announced an expansion of its facility in Sandersville, between Macon and Augusta.

Horace Daniel, chairman of the county commission in Washington County, the home of Sandersville, summed up why he supported it.

"I'm all for new jobs," he said.

An average bitcoin mining facility usually employs no more than 20 workers, such as electricians and technology specialists. That's less than many factories or warehouses, but it's still something.

The largely rural electric cooperatives and municipal-owned utilities also like miners because they provide a new source of revenue. And by serving more and bigger customers, the smaller utilities gain more leverage with Georgia Power, which sells power to them.

"They're able to negotiate better rates," said Matt Schultz, chairman of CleanSpark, which has mining facilities in College Park and Norcross, rather than rural areas.

College Park's municipal-owned utility gets 90% of its power from nuclear sources, the highest of any Georgia city.

To try to deflect criticism about energy consumption, many miners seek utilities that have solar, wind and nuclear power, which don't emit greenhouse gasses.

Georgia has a growing complex of alternate energy production, such as solar and wind, and it is adding nuclear capacity with Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle, though the project is years behind schedule.

The state also has relatively cheap energy, with an average rate of 9.93 cents per kilowatt hour, according to the most-recent figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That's below the U.S. average of 10.59 cents.

Noise can also be a problem with bitcoin mining. A county in eastern Tennessee recently sued a bitcoin miner there over noise and sight pollution.

The mining operation in Adel, Georgia, has gotten complaints, with one couple reporting to WAXL News in Albany last December they had spent $5,000 trying to soundproof their house, but it was still driving them crazy.

Schultz said CleanSpark picked College Park partly because it's in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport flight path and jet-engine noise drowns out the sounds of bitcoin mining. CleanSpark also installed sound barriers around its facility.

"You can hear a low-pitched hum but it's just from the large fans we use," he said.

Explore further Bitcoin carbon emissions rise as mining moves to US and other countries

2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Yes, those 7-foot-tall machines at Dallas Love Field are watching you. They want to make sure you're wearing a mask if you're boarding a flight or not parking too long at the curb if you're picking up a returning traveler.

Love Field is testing two Security Control Observation Towers at the airport, one near baggage claim and another near security checkpoints, to figure out whether robotic assistants can both help customers get around and warn passengers who are breaking rules. The robots can also call airport security and operations in case more help is needed.

While not quite "RoboCop," the machines, nicknamed SCOT, were installed a month ago to "determine if they are capable of efficiently supplementing current airport operations," said Love Field spokesperson Lauren Rounds.

The robots look like many other kiosks at the airport with a touch screen, including way-finding information, maps of parking garages and directions to ride-hailing and shuttle pickup. But SCOT is much smarter, capable of detecting what people are wearing and even whether they've got on a face mask.

Airports have been at the forefront of technology, including facial recognition and other biometrics, for years, a trend that worries privacy advocates who say there are few, if any, laws or guidelines about how emerging technology should be used. Amazon took criticism in 2019 after testing its Rekognition technology with police departments before deciding to ban law enforcement from using it two years later.

But private businesses and airports have been more aggressive, and the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred more emphasis on touchless interactions using computers. Fort Worth-based American Airlines uses facial recognition for some customers to check bags and airports such as DFW International Airport partner with the U.S. State Department for facial recognition technology for incoming passengers.

Surveillance technology hasn't stopped progressing because the rest of the world was in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. In fact, more and more institutions and companies are using artificial intelligence to monitor spaces, said Adam Schwartz, an attorney for digital privacy rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation.

"It is concerning that an airport has installed a new system of artificial intelligence," Schwartz said. "It raises a lot of questions about what that technology is doing."

Love Field is one of two airports to start using the technology from the company Robotic Assistance Devices, said Steve Reinharz, the company's CEO and founder. The other airport, which Reinharz said he was not able to disclose, uses a related technology from the company in parking lots to deter thefts and break-ins.

"This has more of a full-circle purpose to be a regular, physical deterrent," he said. "That's the direction the industry has to go because we have some significant labor issues."

The robotic SCOT kiosks can detect passengers and behavior based on rules set by each user, such as the airport. For instance, people driving up to the curbside drop-off area late at night might get a series of verbal warnings that escalate in volume and severity. Finally, the machine can call police, notify on-site security or even allow someone to make an announcement remotely.

The machines can also detect flagged individuals based on what they are wearing, especially if they are in areas susceptible to crime, such as baggage claim, Reinharz said.

License plate-scanning cameras can issue warnings to suspicious vehicles or prompt cars to move along if they've been waiting too long in passenger pickup lanes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said it also pushed a technology that can detect whether subjects are wearing face masks. Face masks have been a point of contention on airplanes but remain a federal mandate until at least April 18.

"The units currently make scheduled and detection-based announcements directed toward our passengers and visitors," Rounds said. "Some of these focus on reducing vehicular congestion at our curb using license plate recognition and increasing federal mask compliance using facial recognition technology while others provide standard information."

The airport isn't paying for the kiosks now while it tests the capabilities, but Love Field did pay about $4,000 to have them shipped to Texas.

Explore further Facial scanning coming to an airport near you, raising some concerns

2022 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Key iPhone maker Pegatron has halted operations at two subsidiaries in the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Kunshan.

Several electronics companies, including iPhone and Macbook makers, have halted production in the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Kunshan, adding to supply chain woes under Beijing's strict zero-COVID measures.

The business hub of Shanghai has become the heart of China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak since the virus surfaced more than two years ago.

The city of 25 million has remained almost entirely locked down since the start of the month, while other areas have rolled out less severe restrictions to stamp out COVID flare-ups.

"Local operation in Shanghai area has been temporarily suspended in response to COVID-19 prevention measures," said Macbook maker Quanta Computer in a filing to the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

The Taiwan-based firm's expected date of resumption will be advised by authorities later, the notice said.

This came a day after iPhone assembler Pegatron announced it had temporarily suspended work as well, and was "actively cooperating with local authorities" to resume operations soon.

The suspensions apply to two of its subsidiaries, in Shanghai and nearby Kunshan city, the Taiwanese company said.

Stay-at-home orders and stringent testing rules have strained supply chains in and around Shanghai, home to the world's busiest container port and a critical gateway for foreign trade.

China reported nearly 28,000 local virus cases on Wednesday, the vast majority in Shanghai.

Many factories have been forced to halt operations as virus cases have surged, while some staff have been living in their workplaces as businesses struggle to operate.

Logistics problems

Pegatron and Quanta Computer's suspensions are the latest blow to Apple, which has seen disruptions at other suppliers' assembly lines in recent months as Chinese cities struggle to curb virus outbreaks.

In March, another major supplier Foxconn halted operations in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen.

Foxconn has "resumed fundamental operations" in Shenzhen as of late March, the company said.

Consultancy group Trendforce said in a recent report that manufacturers may have just a few more weeks worth of inventories as logistics problems grow over the imposed restrictions.

Chinese authorities have struggled to maintain the flow of goods across the country as tough virus controls slow movement.

A Transport Ministry circular issued late Tuesday barred the "blocking of road transportation" vehicles and personnel, ordering more efficient COVID-19 screening along transport routes.

Anxious about the spring farming season and food supplies, officials in virus-hit areas such as the northeastern province of Jilin have also issued travel passes to let agricultural workers return to farmland on chartered buses.

"The Chinese economy has been facing a rising risk of recession since mid-March", Nomura analysts warned this week, citing severe disruptions to the delivery of exports, with coastal areas hit hard by controls to rein in the virus.

Explore further Chinese cities and factories lock down as outbreak spreads

 2022 AFP
MIT engineers developed a telerobotic system to help surgeons remotely treat patients experiencing stroke or aneurysm. With a modified joystick, surgeons may control a robotic arm at another hospital to operate on a patient. Credit: MIT

MIT engineers have developed a telerobotic system to help surgeons quickly and remotely treat patients experiencing a stroke or aneurysm. With a modified joystick, surgeons in one hospital may control a robotic arm at another location to safely operate on a patient during a critical window of time that could save the patient's life and preserve their brain function.

The robotic system, whose movement is controlled through magnets, is designed to remotely assist in endovascular interventiona procedure performed in emergency situations to treat strokes caused by a blood clot. Such interventions normally require a surgeon to manually guide a thin wire to the clot, where it can physically clear the blockage or deliver drugs to break it up.

One limitation of such procedures is accessibility: Neurovascular surgeons are often based at major medical institutions that are difficult to reach for patients in remote areas, particularly during the "golden hour"the critical period after a stroke's onset, during which treatment should be administered to minimize any damage to the brain.

The MIT team envisions that its robotic system could be installed at smaller hospitals and remotely guided by trained surgeons at larger medical centers. The system includes a medical-grade robotic arm with a magnet attached to its wrist. With a joystick and live imaging, an operator can adjust the magnet's orientation and manipulate the arm to guide a soft and thin magnetic wire through arteries and vessels.

The researchers demonstrated the system in a "phantom," a transparent model with vessels replicating complex arteries of the brain. With just an hour of training, neurosurgeons were able to remotely control the robot's arm to guide a wire through a maze of vessels to reach target locations in the model.

"We imagine, instead of transporting a patient from a rural area to a large city, they could go to a local hospital where nurses could set up this system. A neurosurgeon at a major medical center could watch live imaging of the patient and use the robot to operate in that golden hour. That's our future dream," says Xuanhe Zhao, a professor of mechanical engineering and of civil and environmental engineering at MIT.

Zhao and his team have published their findings today in Science Robotics. MIT co-authors include lead author Yoonho Kim, Emily Genevriere, and Jaehun Choe, along with Pablo Harker, Robert Regenhardt, Justin Vranic, Adam Dmytriw, and Aman Patel at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and Marcin Balicki of Philips Research North America.

Tilt and twist

Endovascular surgery is a specialized, minimally invasive procedure that involves carefully twisting and guiding a thin medical wire through the body's arteries and vessels to a target location, in a way that avoids damaging vessel walls. The procedure typically requires years of training for a surgeon to master.

Robotic systems are being explored as assistive technologies in endovascular surgery. These systems mainly involve motor drives that advance and retract a wire while twisting it through the body's vasculature.

The MIT team envisions that its robotic system could be installed at smaller hospitals and remotely guided by trained surgeons at larger medical centers. Credit: MIT

"But having a robot twist with the same level of sophistication [as a surgeon] is challenging," Kim notes. "Our system is based on a fundamentally different mechanism."

The team's new system builds on work from 2019, in which they demonstrated steering a magnetically controlled thread through a life-sized silicone model of the brain's blood vessels. They did so at the time using a handheld magnet, about the size of a soup can, that they manually manipulated.

They have since affixed the magnet to the end of a medical-grade robotic arm, which can be steered using a small joystick knob on a mouse. By tilting the joystick, researchers can tilt the magnet in an orientation that a magnetic wire can follow. Buttons on the mouse control a set of motorized linear drives, which advance and retract the wire to make it move forward and back.

The wire is as thin and flexible as a conventional neurovascular guidewire, with a soft, magnetically responsive tip that follows and bends in the direction of a magnetic field.

Finding a path

The team tested the robotic system in MGH's Catheter Laban operating room with standard medical imaging equipment used in endovascular procedures. The researchers installed the robotic arm in the lab, along with a life-sized silicone model of blood vessels. They set the joystick, along with a monitor displaying a live video of the model, in a control room. From there, an operator watched the video while using the joystick to remotely steer the wire through the vessels.

The team trained a group of neurosurgeons to use the robotic system. After just one hour of training, each surgeon was able to successfully operate the system to guide the wire through complex vessels that are difficult to navigate with a manual guidewire.

The team also used the robotic system to clear simulated clots in difficult-to-reach areas in the model. They steered the guidewire through vessels, and around sharp corners and turns, to reach regions where the researchers simulated clots. Once they guided the wire to the clot, the surgeons proceeded with standard endovascular methods to thread a microcatheter along the wire to the site of the clot. They retracted the wire, leaving the catheter, which they then applied to successfully remove the clot.

"The primary purpose of the magnetic guidewire is to get to the target location quickly and safely, so that standard devices like microcatheters can be used to deliver therapeutics," Kim says. "Our system is like a pathfinder."

He hopes that the teleoperated system can help more patients receive time-critical treatment. He also sees benefits for surgeons, who typically perform such vascular procedures in the same room as the patient, while being exposed to radiation from X-ray imaging.

"The neurosurgeons can operate the robot in another room or even in another city without repeated exposure to X-rays," Zhao says. "We are truly excited about the potential impact of this technology on global health, given that stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability."

Explore further Robotic thread is designed to slip through the brain's blood vessels

More information: Yoonho Kim et al, Telerobotic neurovascular interventions with magnetic manipulation, Science Robotics (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.abg9907 Journal information: Science Robotics Yoonho Kim et al, Telerobotic neurovascular interventions with magnetic manipulation,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abg9907
Respecting the WTO decision sends a positive signal for maintaining the authority, efficiency, and rationality of the multilateral economic and trading system.

A forum on the 20th anniversary of Chinas participation in the WTO dispute settlement mechanism is held at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing on December 6, 2021.

On January 26, 2022, the Arbitrator of the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued a ruling on the trade dispute between China and the U.S. regarding countervailing measures; in accordance with Article 22 of the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding, China may request authorization from the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the WTO to suspend concessions or other obligations at a level not exceeding US $645.121 million per year. Although this amount represents only about 25 percent of Chinas claim (US $2.4 billion), the WTO decision confirms that the interests of Chinese companies have been harmed due to the violation by the U.S. of its commitments to the WTO, and sends a positive signal for maintaining the authority, efficiency, and rationality of the multilateral economic and trading system.

On May 25, 2012, China requested WTO consultations with the United States regarding the imposition of countervailing duty measures by the U.S. on certain products from China. China challenged various aspects of certain identified countervailing duty investigations, including their opening, conduct, and the determinations that led to the imposition of countervailing duties. China also challenged the U.S. presumption that majority government ownership is sufficient to treat an enterprise as a public body. Chinas action at the WTO is not only a response to the unfair treatment meted out to the companies and products involved in the case, it is also aimed at the process of developing relevant rules. In its decision, the WTO found that the American approach to the determination of public bodies was inconsistent with WTO rules.

Conversely, if China did not challenge the increased use of countervailing measures by the U.S. and did not oblige it to respect the obligations to which it committed when it joined the WTO, this could have significant repercussions on a broader range of business activities in the future. Although this dispute concerns China and the U.S. only, when the WTO arbitration panel was established in September 2012, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the EU, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam reserved the right to participate as third parties in the dispute settlement process due to its significance. Saudi Arabia also joined later.

In April 2013, the arbitration panel informed the WTO that the final report was due in January 2014. However, due to the complexity of the issue, the report was not submitted until July 2014. Subsequently, China and the U.S. both appealed and the WTO Appellate Body completed its report at the end of 2014. As the WTO dispute settlement mechanism is a system of two-tiered final review, Appellate Body rulings must be implemented by both parties. There were still nearly five years before the shutdown of the Appellate Body on December 11, 2019.

In February 2015, the U.S. notified the WTO that it intended to respect and implement the Appellate Body ruling, but needed a reasonable period of time to do so. The Director General of the WTO appointed the arbitrator to determine the deadline at the request of the Chinese side, and the arbitrator decided that the reasonable period of time would expire on April 1, 2016. But the American side failed to implement the decision in time. Therefore, in July 2016, China requested the establishment of a compliance panel under WTO rules, which completed and released its report in March 2018. In April, the U.S. requested an explanation of certain legal issues covered in this report. In October 2019, China requested the authorization of the DSB to suspend concessions and other obligations on the grounds that the U.S. had failed to comply with the DSBs recommendations and rulings within the agreed reasonable period of time, to which the U.S. lodged an objection. Overall, this Sino-U.S. trade dispute caused by the improper countervailing measures of the U.S. has been the subject of two rounds of ruling and two rounds of arbitration, a complex process that has taken a decade. Above all, the Appellate Body was paralyzed when the U.S. insisted on obstructing the judges, casting a shadow over the effective functioning of the multilateral economic and trading system.

Since joining the WTO in 2001, China has always been a supporter and practitioner of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. As of December 10, 2021, China had issued 22 lawsuits, been sued 47 times, and participated as a third party in 190 cases, making it one of the largest users of the dispute settlement mechanism. As trade continues to grow, it is no surprise that the increasingly closer and complex trade ties between China and global economies have given rise to contradictions and conflicts. However, China has not shunned the multilateral economic and trading system simply because it has been subjected to trade remedies such as anti-dumping, countervailing, and special safeguard measures from various parties for over 20 years. On the contrary, it has been honoring its commitments made upon joining the WTO and exploring with the parties concerned effective ways and rules to achieve the fundamental concepts and objectives of the WTO.

Of course, the multilateral economic and trade mechanism is far from perfect. For the WTO, created in 1995, the scale and dynamism of trade activities are no longer what they were before. As new business models and content appear, and the institutional environment is constantly changing, the international economic and trading rules must be improved through dialogue and consultation. Certainly, questions have always been raised as to whether the dispute settlement mechanism adjudicates beyond its mandate, but at the same time, it is not desirable to take direct measures such as those taken by the U.S. to make the mechanism ineffective. Within the framework of the global economic and trading system, only positive and cooperative action by all parties will create more reasonable space for rules that protect the interests of consumers and relatively vulnerable economies or market players, while giving full play to the role of economic and trade cooperation in promoting economic and social growth. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic poses an even greater challenge to global economic and trade activities, which requires each party to be more concerned of the safety requirements of other parties in its development.

ZHOU MI is a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce.
Victory Town Clerk Tracey Martel, left, helps town resident Will Staats buy dog licenses in Victory, Vt., Thursday, March 31, 2022. Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online. It could be years before high-speed internet reaches Victory. The need to connect homes and businesses to high-speed broadband services was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and officials say that while there is lots of money available, supply and labor shortages are making the expansion a challenge. Credit: AP Photo/Wilson Ring

For the 70-or-so people who live in the remote Vermont community of Victory, Town Clerk Tracey Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online.

"Fast internet would be really good," said Martel, whose community was one of the last in Vermont to receive electricity almost 60 years ago. The DSL service she has now works for basic internet, but it can be spotty and it doesn't allow users to access all the benefits of the interconnected world.

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) away as the bird flies in the neighboring community along Miles Pond in the town of Concord, a new fiber optic line is beginning to bring truly high-speed internet to residents of the remote area known as the Northeast Kingdom.

"I'm looking forward to high-speed internet, streaming TV," said Concord resident John Gilchrist, as a crew ran fiber optic cable to his home earlier this year.

The fiber optic cable that is beginning to serve the remote part of Concord and will one day serve Victory is being provided through NEK Broadband, a utility of nearly 50 Vermont towns working to bring high speed internet service to the most remote parts of the state.

NEK Broadband Executive Director Christa Shute said the group's business plan calls for offering services to all potential customers within five years, but given current supply constraints and the shortage of trained technicians, she's beginning to think that goal isn't achievable.

"I think our build will take seven to 10 years," she said.

A sign with an arrow points toward the Victory, Vt., Town Clerk's Office, Thursday March 31, 2022. The need to connect homes and businesses to high-speed broadband services was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and officials say that while there is lots of money available, supply and labor shortages are making the expansion a challenge. Credit: AP Photo/Wilson Ring

Congress has appropriated tens of billions of dollars for a variety of programs to help fill the digital gap exposed by the pandemic when millions of people were locked down in their homes with no way to study, work or get online medical care.

The first of those funds are reaching municipalities, businesses and other groups involved in the effort, but some say supply chain issues, labor shortages and geographic constraints will slow the rollout.

The demand for fiber optic cable goes beyond wired broadband to homes and businesses. The cable will help provide the 5G technology now being rolled out by wireless communications providers.

But there's a bottleneck in the supply. Michael Bell, senior vice president and general manager of Corning Optical Communications based in Charlotte, North Carolina, says the issue lies with supply of the protective jacket that surrounds the hair-thin strands of glass that carry information on beams of light.

Currently, some working to expand broadband say delays in getting the fiber optic cable they need can exceed a year.

"Based on the capacity we're adding, and the capacity we see our competitors adding, wait times will start going down dramatically as the year progresses and into next year," Bell said. "And I think as we get into next year, the lead time for most customers is going to be well under a year."

Meanwhile, there's a labor shortage for installing the cable. Many in the industry are setting up educational programs to train people to work with the fiber, said Jim Hayes, the president of the Santa Monica, California-based Fiber Optic Association.

Jason Morisseau, hands only, an installation and maintenance technician with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, uses a fusion splicer to install fiber optic cable that is being run to a home, in Concord, Vt., Thursday Feb. 10, 2022. The nationwide need to connect homes and businesses to high-speed broadband services was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and officials say that while there is lots of money available, supply and labor shortages are making the expansion a challenge. Credit: AP Photo/Wilson Ring

"It needs to be done now," said Hayes. "We're going to need to train probably ten techs for every tech that we've got who's competent to lead them."

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill passed last fall, says that areas that receive broadband speeds of less than 25 megabit downloads and 3 megabit uploads are considered unserved. To qualify for different federal grants through the infrastructure bill and other programs, most finished projects must offer speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads. Upload speeds differ, but most federal grants have a minimum of 20 megabit uploads.

For comparison, it takes 80 seconds to download a 1 gigabyte video at the speed of 100 megabits per second. It takes four times as long320 seconds, or more than 5 minutesat 25 megabits per second.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a part of the Agency of Commerce, which is funding broadband projects across the country through the infrastructure law, is neutral about about how internet service providers reach the speed requirements. Many providers say the key to bringing true high-speed internet service to the entire country is to install fiber optic cable to every nook and cranny.

Deploying high-speed internet in tribal communities and rural areas across the western United States where distances dwarf those of rural northern New England will be even more of a challenge.

Broadband access on the Navajo Nationthe largest reservation in the U.S. at 27,000 square miles (69,930 square kilometers) in Arizona, New Mexico and Utahis a mix of dial-up, satellite service, wireless, fiber and mobile data.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which has broad oversight of tribal affairs, said federal appraisals, rights-of-way permits, environment reviews and archaeological protection laws can delay progress.

Victory Town Clerk Tracey Martel takes a phone call at the town clerk's office, in Victory, Vt., Thursday March 31, 2022. Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online. It could be years before high-speed internet reaches Victory. The need to connect homes and businesses to high-speed broadband services was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and officials say that while there is lots of money available, supply and labor shortages are making the expansion a challenge. Credit: AP Photo/Wilson Ring

The argument against the wireless options currently being used in some areas is they can't offer speeds needed to qualify for the federal grants.

Mike Wendy of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said wireless technology is getting faster and more reliable and wireless connections could be the only way to reach some of the most remote locations.

"The challenge of all this money is to make sure that the unserved are served," said Wendy, whose organization represents about 1,000 fixed wireless internet providers. "Our guys are in those markets right now and they're growing."

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said $233 million in state dollars will be used in his state to expand broadband to over 43,000 households. Other internet service providers have agreed to expand broadband to another 51,000 households. Ohio is expected to receive an additional $268 million in federal funding to further broadband expansion in the state.

Husted said Ohio is focused on infrastructure while groups and organizations are needed to provide computers and to help people adapt to the fast-growing digital age.

"We're building the road," Husted said. "Access to broadband is like the highway system. That's where we're focused. It doesn't mean there are people who don't need cars or need driver's licenses."

There are still scattered locations across the country that rely on dialup and some people in remote locations use satellite internet services. Some people have no internet options whatsoever.

Trevor Haskins, of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, works to run fiber fiber optic cable to a home in Concord, Vt., Thursday Feb. 10, 2022. The nationwide need to connect homes and businesses to high-speed broadband services was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and officials say that while there is lots of money available, supply and labor shortages are making the expansion a challenge. Credit: AP Photo/Wilson Ring

Martel, the Victory town clerk, said that when the people from NEK Broadband visited the community they told residents it would be five to seven years before fiber optic cable would reach the community.

But Shute says her organization is hoping to get a grant to connect the most rural areas, which could move the timeline for Victory up to three years.

Meanwhile, back in East Concord, after having the service for several weeks, Gilchrist said he and his daughter Emily, who is 19 and headed to college in a few months, no longer have to go to the local diner to use the internet. He canceled his expensive satellite TV service, his daughter and her friends have been using it to play online video games and in a few months she will be using the connection while doing college studies.

"It's been working great, as far as I'm concerned, all I do is check email," Gilchrist said. "I don't watch TV, but my daughter loves it."

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

On 25 July 2000, a Concorde jet crashed upon take-off in Paris, killing 113 people. The cause of the accident was later identified as a metal strip on the runway that had fallen off another plane. When the jet ran over it, its tire burst and shredded pieces caused a fuel tank to rupture, resulting in a devastating fire.

Almost a decade later, in January 2009, a U.S. Airways flight struck a flock of geese shortly after take-off in New York City, losing engine power. Fortunately, there were no deaths this time as fast-acting pilot Chesley Sullenberger managed to ditch the plane safely in the Hudson River.

Then, in December 2018, a drone scare at London's Gatwick airport closed the runway for 33 hours, causing long delays that cost airlines many millions of euros.

Three incidents with quite different causesa foreign object on the runway, birds and a dronebut with a high cost in lives, money or both.

Yet these are just some of the highest-profile air incidents, with smaller-scale ones more common. Foreign object debris (FOD) on runways and bird strikes, for example, cost the airline industry billions of euros annually and create lengthy delays for passengers.

In the 10 years before COVID-19 hit, air passenger numbers were skyrocketing. Despite the setbacks arising from the pandemic, the only way is up as air travel returns and airports get busier.

"If the number of departures increases, then the amount of foreign object debris being spilled will also increase," said Torsten Leth Elmkjr, CEO and founder of Nordic Radar Solutions in Aarhus, Denmark. "It is important that you don't have to hold the entire airport on standby because somebody is looking for FOD."

Three-in-one

Even very small objects can cause significant damage to aircraft moving at high speeds, with screws, bolts and maintenance tools classified as FOD. Added to that is the relatively recent rise in threat from drones.

Elmkjr's company is developing a new radar system to deal with the multiple threats. Its FODDBASA project has aimed at real-time identification of hazardous objects within a 10-kilometer radius of runways.

Airports often rely on vehicle patrols for runway inspections, but these take time and may not spot everything. Unfortunately, Elmkjr said, the use of radar-based options at airports has been limited by their high cost compared to their feature set, including the use of separate systems for FOD and birds. On top of that, there is now a need to take drones into account.

Nordic Radar Solutions has tried to tackle this with its FODDBASA technology by creating an integrated system to address all three issues at once to help improve cost-effectiveness while using fewer radars per airport. "I think we have rather unique radar technology," said Elmkjr. "The three-in-one system is our unique selling point."

Precision radar

The radars that his company has been developing operate in a higher frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum than that of some other systems, with the aim of detecting objects smaller than 1 centimeter. Use of this so-called Ka-band spectrum at about 35 gigahertz (GHz), is combined with highly sensitive antennas to detect weak signals from far away.

However, while Elmkjr believes that the initial project was 70% successful, his team found that the radar frequency was not high enough for the required performance levels.

But he is positive it will be possible to achieve the right performance with some adjustment. Nordic Radar Solutions has already developed a system that operates at 92 to 98 GHz, which now needs to go through further testing. "I have a good feeling that we will soon turn this into a commercial product," said Elmkjr.

Much of the potential, he believes, comes from Asia and the Middle East, where many airports are planned and legacy systems are not already in place. "In Asia and the Middle East, they're planning new airports and they will have the newest technology available," said Elmkjr. "It's easier to install these kinds of systems when you plan airports."

Established locations such as Copenhagen Airport have also shown interest.

In addition, Nordic Radar Solutions will offer the systems separately. "Some are happy to enter just with a FOD-only system, but with the option to purchase the add-ons necessary to have the full three-in-one solution." Others, such as military airports in Denmark and Belgium, are more interested in systems for drone detection.

In the end, such radar systems have big benefits when considering the alternative of not having them, said Elmkjr. "These systems are affordable when compared to the amount of damage that can occur if you don't detect that something bad might happen," he said.

Performance windows

On board aircraft, certain features need to be refined and enhanced for both safety and operational benefits as aviation technology advances. This includes windows capable of handling bird strikes at faster speeds and offering anti-icing and anti-fogging functions.

The Wimper project has focused on the development of windshields and window coatings. They are intended for use in state-of-the-art helicopter-type aircraft developed by Airbus as part of the EU-funded Clean Sky 2 project, which aims to develop cleaner air transport technologies for a greener economy.

The Racer, a demonstrator aircraft reportedly on course to make its maiden flight later this year, is intended to cruise at more than 400 kilometers per hourcompared to an average helicopter's top speed of about 260 kilometers per hour.

The aim is to optimize trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency and performance, while demonstrating the advantage of high speed for missions such as emergency medical and rescue services.

Matthias Tretter, head of R&D at KRD Sicherheitstechnik in Geesthacht, Germany, which makes products under the Kasiglas brand and led the Wimper project, explained that his company has manufactured aircraft windows for some years using impact-resistant polycarbonate materials that work fine on lower-speed helicopters. However, the Racer made it necessary to upgrade the windows for higher-speed situations.

The structure of the windows did not require much modification other than some changes in thickness. The main alterations were to the window coatings, said Tretter. For this, his team used a lightweight glaze, while gluing techniques were harnessed to avoid the use of heavier screws that also create holes in the windows.

"We have shown that we can resist bird strikes with this very thin thickness of polycarbonate," he said. "You have this polycarbonate window with the bird-strike resistance and on top you have functional coatings for abrasion resistance. Testing was performed with 'jelly birds' made from gelatine, with the windows able to withstand strikes at high speeds," said Tretter.

Ice protection

Not only was that successful, he said, but KRD also managed to add cutting-edge anti-fog and anti-ice capabilities on the inside and outside of the windows, creating a significant advantage for helicopters.

The big advantage of using such coatings is that functions can be added to windows without reducing their transparency. It also offers the potential to reduce the need for heating and air-conditioning systems, giving scope to cut the weight and energy consumption of future flights.

These functions all promise to lead to better, safer and more efficient flight, said Tretter.

"If you don't have ice and you therefore don't need heating for the window, you can fly off faster," he added.

Explore further Study identifies patterns in bird-plane collisions
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In early November 2013, the news wasn't looking great for Tesla. A series of reports had documented instances of Tesla Model S sedans catching on fire, causing the electric carmaker's share price to tumble.

Then, on the evening of Nov. 7, within a span of 75 minutes, eight automated Twitter accounts came to life and began publishing positive sentiments about Tesla. Over the next seven years, they would post more than 30,000 such tweets.

With more than 500 million tweets sent per day across the network, that output represents a drop in the ocean. But preliminary research from David A. Kirsch, a professor at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, concludes that activity of this sort by so-called bots has played a significant part in the "stock of the future" narrative that has propelled Tesla's market value to altitudes loftier than any traditional financial analysis could justify.

In a market in love with "meme stocks," sexy narrative is proving far more profitable than financial analysis, said Kirsch, co-author of "Bubbles and Crashes: The Boom and Bust of Technological Innovation."

"The Tesla narrative is extraordinarily powerful," Kirsch said. Despite the company's several brushes with bankruptcy, the vision of a planet-saving, world-dominating business enterprise has enabled Chief Executive Elon Musk "to keep selling stock to the public to keep it fueled. At a certain point, it does become self-fulfilling."

Whether Twitter bots are being deliberately programmed to manipulate stock trading is among the questions that Kirsch and his research assistant, Moshen Chowdhury, are trying to answer.

Their inquiry comes as Musk has been signaling an intention to use his wealth and gigantic Twitter following to influence the platform's future direction and policies. After buying nearly 10% of Twitter last month, Musk announced that he'd be joining the board, but Twitter revealed Monday that he'd changed his mind for unspecified reasons. Musk is a Twitter phenomenon, constantly posting tweets for his 80 million followers that range from standard to outrageous to juvenile to profane.

He settled fraud charges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018 for allegedly duping investors into believing he had a deal to take Tesla private when he didn't. He's now trying to nullify that agreement in the courts.

A Twitter bot is a fake account, programmed to scour the social media site for specific posts or news contentMusk's posts, for exampleand respond with relevant, pre-programmed tweets: "Tremendous long term growth prospects" or "Why Tesla stock is rallying today" or "Tesla's Delivery Miss Was 'Meaningless.'" The bots can also be programmed to send nasty or threatening messages to company critics.

Kirsch and Chowdhury collected and reviewed Tesla-related tweets from 2010, when the company went public, to the end of 2020.

Over that period, Tesla lost an accumulated $5.7 billion, even as its stock soared and Musk became one of the richest humans on the planet; his net worth is estimated at $275 billion. Operational results can't justify anything close to the company's $1-trillion market value, based on any kind of traditional stock-pricing metric.

Emails to Tesla and a Twitter message to Musk seeking comment for this story went unanswered.

Using a software program called Botometer that social media researchers use to distinguish bot accounts from human accounts, the pair found that a fifth of the volume of tweets about Tesla were bot-generated. That's not out of line with giants like Amazon and Apple, but their bots tended to push the stock market and tech stocks in general, with those companies as leaders, but not focus on any particular narrative about the companies.

While any direct link between bot tweets and stock prices has yet to be determined, the researchers found enough "smoke" to keep their project going.

Over the 10-year study period, of about 1.4 million tweets from the top 400 accounts posting to the "cashtag" $TSLA, 10% were produced by bots. Of 157,000 tweets posted to the hashtag #TSLA, 23% were from bots, the research showed.

Kirsch and Chowdhury tracked 186 Tesla-related bot accounts and found that after each was launched, the company's stock appreciated more than 2%. (They looked at the average stock return for the week previous to the bot's creation and for the week following.) While Tesla's market value has increased over the years, the price has seen dramatic ups and downs. The periods around bot creation showed sharp increases, but outside those windows, trading was far more volatile, Chowdhury said.

"This isn't a causal relationship, but it does raise questions," Kirsch said, about why there's a correlation that does not appear to be random. "We're trying to understand the mechanism. It can't be just a bunch of tweets that push the stock. People have to notice them, interpret them and act on them."

The researchers are looking at the timing of the tweets and options activity in the overnight stock market, among other factors. One big unknown: whether the bots are the work of entities with a direct financial interest in Tesla.

Twitter bots have been created on behalf of other companies, the researchers found, but the content tends to be what they called "generic" marketing messages.

Whatever the effect on stock prices, Kirsch said, the bot campaign represents a new form of corporate content distribution or, as he calls it, "computerized computational propaganda."

"This computational content may have buffered the Tesla narrative from an emergent group of critics, relieved downward pressure on the Tesla stock price and amplified pro-Tesla sentiment from the time of the firm's IPO in June 2010 to the end of 2020," reads a paper that the researchers plan to present at the International Electric Vehicle Symposium in June in Oslo.

The paper calls Musk "a singular figure on Twitter," with his 80 million followers. "It's not clear if this strategy could be replicated by other firms," the authors write.

If so, the legal and ethical questions will become more salient. Should firms that use bots have to disclose their use to the SEC or conform with lobbying disclosure rules?

Those are questions Kirsch believes regulators will need to consider as other firms see how Musk and Tesla have benefited from their bot following.

"It matters who stands in the public square and has a big megaphone they're holding, and the juice they're able to amplify their statements with," he said.

Explore further Elon Musk aims to end controls on his Tesla tweets

2022 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This years Honor Flight is taking off early this morning, and the nonprofit Golden Isles Honor Flight is asking as many residents as possible to show up at the Brunswick airport this evening to welcome the veterans home.
Each spring, millions of monarch butterflies leave their overwintering sites in the Sierra Madre mountains of central Mexico and begin their annual migration north across the United States.

The exodus and return of the iconic orange and black butterfly is one of the grandest spectacles of the natural world. But that sight is becoming increasingly rare as the monarchs population has shrunk by nearly 90% in the past two decades, according to federal scientists.

The monarch faces many threats, including the loss of milkweed and other flowering plants across its range, degradation and loss of overwintering groves in both coastal California and Mexico, and the widespread use of herbicides and pesticides. Many of these stressors are worsened by climate change, according to advocates.

In the past two years, some state transportation departments, local governments and energy companies across 23 states have committed to preserving monarch habitat in hopes of protecting the species and preventing it from being added to the federal endangered species list.

Nearly three dozen organizations have agreed to preserve some 815,000 acres of monarch habitat along energy and highway corridors since the initiative launched.

The unusual conservation effort sprang from a 2020 agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois-Chicago, which led a group of experts in developing a butterfly protection plan.

Under the so-called Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances, or CCAA, public and private landowners voluntarily commit to certain conservation actions, including pest and vegetation management to protect the monarch and its habitat. The agreement also requires companies to reduce or remove threats related to the butterflies survival. In return, the feds guarantee the landowners will not be required to implement additional conservation measures even if the species is listed.

The effort is unprecedented in terms of its cross-sector participation and geographic extent, said Iris Caldwell, program manager of sustainable landscapes for the Energy Resources Center. This is not only the first CCAA for the monarch butterfly. This is the first nationwide CCAA for any species.

The groups goal is to conserve 2.3 million acres across the continental United States.

The monarch is such an iconic species that it provides us a rallying point that brings people together. Thats important as were looking at wide-scale conservation of pollinators, Caldwell said. If we can create and conserve monarch habitats it will benefit so many other species.

But some conservationists are wary of the agreement. Jeffrey Glassberg, president and founder of the North American Butterfly Association, an advocacy group, said while conservation agreements can be effective tools for advancing environmental goals, the most important way to save these butterflies is through large-scale and intensive efforts to re-create prairies in the northern plains that will support their populations.

The main factors affecting monarch populations appear to be the degradation of the overwintering sites in Mexico, climate change and the continued and increasing use of neonicotinoids [insecticides], Glassberg wrote in an email. This project will not help with any of those problems.

The eastern monarch population, which overwinters in Mexico and travels east of the Rocky Mountains, dropped about 88% from 1996 to 2020, from an estimated 383 million to just under 45 million, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The western population, which overwinters in California, has dropped more than 99% since the 1980s, from 4.5 million to fewer than 2,000 monarchs, the agency said.

In 2014, conservationists petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to place the butterfly on the endangered species list. In December 2020, the agency ruled that monarchs deserve federal protections but that it first must prioritize other species pending for the list.

The petition alone sparked major interest in conservation across the country, in part because a listing of the monarch would bring regulations on agriculture and other activities. Natural resource departments in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin have adopted monarch preservation plans in the past six years, according to Stateline research.

Most of these plans expand or establish efforts to increase pollinator plant habitats in state parks, state natural areas and wildlife management areas.

The federal agreement expands on another previous effort to protect monarchs: the creation of a cross-state Monarch Highway to establish and maintain roadside habitats for the monarch.

In 2016, state departments of transportation in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas created the Monarch Highway. It starts at the U.S.-Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, and follows the monarchs migratory path along the Interstate 35 corridor north to Duluth, Minnesota.

In Texas, the state Department of Transportation has been promoting pollinator habitats for nearly a century, according to Samuel Glinsky, vegetation specialist with the department.

He said the state established a directive in the 1930s to mow most roadsides only twice a year to allow wildflowers to set seed. The department oversees more than 1 million acres of land across the state.

Its important that we provided that suitable habitat on that land just because of how much land it is, Glinsky said. Pollinators such as the monarch butterfly pollinate a very large percentage of our food crops, so they are a very important resource to protect because their extinction could have a huge economic impact.

Texas signed on to the CCAA agreement, as did the departments of transportation in Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Vermont and Virginia. The Texas department did not have to change how it operates as a result, except for some monitoring and collection of evidence that shows the habitats it is maintaining are suitable for monarchs, Glinsky said.

Roadside habitats alone are not the answer to saving the monarch, said Marianna Trevino-Wright, head of the National Butterfly Center in South Texas.

Its forcing the butterflies to run a gauntlet, Trevino-Wright said. Why would you want to create a habitat next to a highway with speeding cars?

A 2020 study by Texas A&M, sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation, found that 2% to 4% of the total migrating monarch population headed south toward Mexico die on Texas roads.

Over the past five years, researchers at the University of Minnesota have been studying the viability of habitats along roads across the state. Roadsides offer potential opportunities as habitat for monarchs, but they also come with risks, said Emilie Snell-Rood, University of Minnesota associate professor of ecology, evolution and behavior, during a webinar hosted last month by the Monarch Joint Venture, an advocacy group.

Researchers found a minor mortality rate increase for caterpillars that ingested zinc, but for the most part monarchs seemed unharmed by heavy metals, salt and other chemicals found at high levels by roads, according to Snell-Rood. Still, she said more studies need to be conducted to ensure roadside habitats are suitable for monarch preservation.

Caldwell of the Energy Resources Center said roadsides are an important part of the federal agreements conservation efforts, but officials are trying to incorporate other rights-of-way that could provide less risky habitats. Using a GIS mapping tool, the group identified some 21 million acres of electric transmission and pipeline corridors that could serve as butterfly travel corridors, she said.

Northern Natural Gas owns a 14,500-mile pipeline that stretches from Texas to Minnesota in the middle of the eastern monarch migratory path. The company has committed to conserve some 112,000 acres of monarch habitat along the pipeline, according to spokesperson Mike Loeffler. He said the company was very interested in being a part of the CCAA because a listing of the monarch as an endangered species could affect operations.

While at least 45 entities expressed interest in the CCAA agreement in 2020, only 33 have applied to join. As of March 25, 19 applications had been approved, and 14 were pending, according to Caldwell.

Caldwell said several organizations have chosen not to enroll or to delay enrollment in part because of the Fish and Wildlife Services decision not to immediately protect the species.

I think they perceived the Fish and Wildlife Service decision as giving them some additional time and kind of it took the pressure off to some extent for them to feel like they needed to enroll right away, Caldwell said. But its in this interim before a listing is finalized that we really have the opportunity to demonstrate the value of the voluntary conservation thats happening, and hopefully help inform or maybe avoid that listing.
WASHINGTON  Democrats are poised to lose control of the House and Senate this November in no small part because of the crisis President Joe Biden has unleashed on the southern border.

Now, Biden is ready to double down on disaster by lifting Title 42  the Trump-era public health order that allows border officials to turn away illegal migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If Biden does so, he will turn crisis into a catastrophe  both at the border and at the polls.

By lifting Title 42, the Biden administration is trying to have it both ways  declaring the pandemic emergency over for illegal migrants at the border, but not for the rest of us.

If the pandemic emergency is over, why is the government still insisting we wear masks on planes? Why are all lawful international air passengers still required to get a negative coronavirus test before entering the United States (while illegal border crossers are not)?

And why, if the emergency is over, is the Biden administration asking Congress for billions of dollars in emergency COVID spending? Democrats need to decide: Either we are in a COVID emergency, or we are not.

Right now, Title 42 is all that stands between us and an effectively open border. Thats because, on taking office, Biden reversed President Donald Trumps other successful border policies.

He got rid of the Remain in Mexico policy, which had required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their asylum claim is considered  deterring those with false claims from showing up at the border.

A federal judge forced the administration to reinstate the policy, but the White House has implemented it anemically, The Washington Post reports, with a narrow scope and none of the zeal of his predecessor.

Biden also terminated the safe third country agreements Trump negotiated with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, which allowed migrants to apply for asylum in the first foreign country they crossed into  reducing incentives to make the long and dangerous journey to the U.S. border.

And for those who do make that journey, Biden essentially hung a big welcome sign. Despite record-high border crossings, deportations under Biden have dropped to the lowest levels in Immigration and Customs Enforcement history.

In reversing these and other Trump policies, Biden has produced an unprecedented torrent of illegal crossings that has overwhelmed border officials.

That surge in illegal migrants has been accompanied by a flood of deadly fentanyl crossing the southern border, which has helped fuel an increase of 30% in overdose deaths  killing more Americans than guns and homicides, and hitting minority communities the hardest.

The only thing left holding back an even greater deluge is Title 42. Last year, Customs and Border Protection officials encountered nearly 2 million illegal migrants at the southern border  the highest annual total on record, and nearly four times the number the year before under Trump. Of those, about 61%  more than 1 million  were denied entry into the United States thanks to Title 42.

So far this year, Customs and Border Protection is averaging more than 87,000 Title 42 expulsions a month.

If Biden goes through with his plan to lift the order on May 23, hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants will enter the country. And thats only the beginning. Customs and Border Protection expects that many of those previously turned away under Title 42 will try again to enter once it is lifted.

There are a significant number of individuals who were unable to access the asylum system for the past two years, and who may decide that now is the time to come, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus says. The surge could be unprecedented.

Biden has created the worst border crisis in American history  and does not seem to care that he is about to make it worse.

But voters do. A new Politico-Morning Consult poll finds that 56% of voters oppose ending Title 42, making it Bidens most unpopular decision so far.

Considering the fact that Bidens approval is underwater on virtually every issue, that is saying something. And the decision will become even less popular when Americans see the debacle it produces.

While the president is not concerned about this pending catastrophe, moderate Democrats are. Sens. Mark Kelly, Arizona; Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada; Raphael G. Warnock, Georgia; and Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire, have joined Senate Republicans in introducing a bill to keep Title 42 in place until 60 days after the surgeon general announces the end of the public health emergency related to COVID-19.

Six House Democrats  including Rep. Henry Cuellar, who represents a South Texas border district  have joined the GOP to sponsor similar legislation.

They understand what Biden apparently doesnt  that his Title 42 decision will make his self-inflicted border crisis even worse, and turn a bad election into a cataclysmic one.

Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen
The polls are showing a lack of support for many of our governments policies. But if the policies are wrong, they may be corrected in the future, though many may suffer greatly in the process.

The Iran deal is a totally different matter. Many will die at the hands of terrorists that Iran will be able to sponsor because of the funds we supply them in this deal.

Far worse is the probable world war that will result. It may unleash nuclear weapons. How can anyone believe that Israel would ignore the promise of Irans supreme leader that Iran will acquire a bomb and that the first one goes to Tel Aviv?

The lesson learned by ignoring the promises made by Adolf Hitler in "Mein Kampf" will not be ignored. This is particularly clear because Israel will be supported in stopping this madness by all the parties to the Abraham Accords.

They know what awaits them if Iran gets nuclear bombs. The price we will pay by choosing to support our enemies instead of our friends will begin with being abandoned by our friends It may end with a nuclear holocaust.

It is not too late to tell the Russians and Chinese, who are negotiating for us, that we do not choose to make such a catastrophic mistake.

We need to hope, pray and do whatever we can to stop our leaders from getting back into the horrendous Iran deal.

WILLIAM BASSICHIS

College Station
More than 150 people came together for dinner, dance and auction event at the Pavilion at Blackwater Junction in Union Hall on March 26, all for a good cause.

The months-long effort started back in October with a vision by Sue Gallagher to pay off the $350,000 mortgage debt currently held by the Child Advocacy Center in Rocky Mount. Gallagher, a court appointed special advocate at the center, is no stranger to fundraising, having twice kayaked all 500 miles of Smith Mountain Lake securing more than $150,000 over the past five years and boosting awareness of the problems of child abuse.

The vision quickly turned to action following a $100,000 match challenge from an anonymous donor. A team of local realtors from the Moneta ReMax office, including Penny Hodges, Casey Johnson, Julie Links and Debra Gatti, plus neighbors Sarah Chichester and Jane Marvin, jumped into action and the event was born.

Businesses and individuals from around the community came together to sponsor the event and donate items for silent and live auction. Melba Seneff, owner of the Pavilion donated and decorated their beautiful facility for the evening, and husband auctioneer, Russell Seneff, kept the night moving with his quick wit and rapid banter. Ippys in Rocky Mount provided a plethora of food options while Donnie with Sound Dawgs kept the audience rocking late into the evening.

Once the auction began, donations came in fast and furious, including a particularly touching moment when nine-year-old Clifton Hardy leapt off his chair to raise his paddle to donate $100 of his birthday money to the cause. When asked why he did it, Clifton simply said he wanted to help children that werent lucky enough to have a wonderful home like he has.

For more than 28 years, the Child Advocacy Center has been providing comprehensive services to victims of child abuse and neglect. Under the leadership of Joyce Moran, executive director, the CAC uses a community-based, multidisciplinary approach to identify, treat and advocate for safe permanent outcomes for children.

They conduct forensic interviews (to get the details), coordinate medical assessments (to identify the physical injuries), deliver mental health services (to identified the emotional wounds) and also family advocacy (to support the non-offending caregivers). They provide judicial advocacy through court appointed special advocate services and set up closed circuit TV when cases go to court, as well as conduct education and outreach programs to teach individuals how to report their concerns.

This collaborative, wraparound response is grounded in research, cost-effective and child focused. Paying off the mortgage will reduce the Centers expenses by approximately $29,000 a year, freeing up funds for victim services and abuse prevention.

Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible donation and promoting the well-being of children through prevention, education, treatment and advocacy, can go to the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center website at www.southernvacac.org or mail a check directly to: SVCAC, 300 South Main St., Rocky Mount, VA 24151.

 Submitted by Jane Marvin
Moges Mekonnen, communications director with the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 28, 2022. China is increasingly participating in Ethiopia's renewable energy sector, enabling the country to tap into its rich renewable energy resources, an Ethiopian official has said.

(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- China is increasingly participating in Ethiopia's renewable energy sector, enabling the country to tap into its rich renewable energy resources, an Ethiopian official has said.

Speaking to Xinhua recently, Moges Mekonnen, Communications Director with the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), said the Chinese companies have emerged to play a visible role in Ethiopia's green economy with a good track record of building renewable energy sources.

"Chinese involvement in Ethiopia's renewable energy sector is visible. They are increasingly involved in both hydro and wind power projects," Mekonnen told Xinhua.

Recalling the successful completion of Adama I and II wind power plants by Power Construction Corporation of China and China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction Group, Mekonnen said the EEP has since then become more reliant on Chinese companies for the development of wind farms in Ethiopia.

The Chinese-built Adama wind farms are situated in a range of rocky hills in the Ethiopian highlands in the Oromia region, 100 km south of the capital Addis Ababa.

The wind farms were developed using a combination of Ethiopian regulatory guidelines and Chinese standards and technology, said the official.

"The wind farms feature 102 turbines with a total generating capacity of 153 MW," Mekonnen said, adding that the Chinese-built plants have been running smoothly since construction.

The other wind farm, which China's Dongfang Electric Corporation is undertaking, is located at Aysha, a town in the Somali regional state of Ethiopia in the remote eastern desert near the border with Djibouti.

"Chinese company is also involved in the development of the Aysha wind farm. It is an ongoing project with an installed generating capacity of 120 MW. Eighty-five percent of the budget is gained from the Export-Import Bank of China," he said.

The Chinese companies are unique and helpful in that they pursue a specific model of investment characterized by financing domestic projects and unfettered transferring of technical knowledge to local experts, said the director.

Talking about China's involvement in Ethiopia's hydro-power projects, Mekonnen said China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd. (CGGC) built the Genale-Dawa III multipurpose hydropower plant in Oromia region.

The 254 MW hydroelectric power Genale-Dawa III was inaugurated in the first quarter of 2020 and has been in safe operation since then, the director said.

"The Genale Dawa project has the capacity of 254 MW installed capacity. China's CGGC undertook the project in which no other international company was involved," Mekonnen said.

Figures show that Ethiopia has abundant renewable energy resources and has the potential to generate over 60,000 MW of electric power from hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal sources.

The East African nation produces 4,512 MW of electricity per year. In spite of all its available potential, the country's energy sector is still in its infancy stage.

The majority of Ethiopia's population lives in rural areas without access to modern energy and relies solely on traditional biomass energy sources. 

Moges Mekonnen, communications director with the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 28, 2022. China is increasingly participating in Ethiopia's renewable energy sector, enabling the country to tap into its rich renewable energy resources, an Ethiopian official has said.

(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Out-of-town scammers are once again on the prowl, and local law enforcement officials say they are prepared, but caution the public to be vigilant as warmer weather arrives.

Home repair scams have always been a problem, said Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry. I cant say our office has had reports of current scams or damage like that yet, but generally when the weather starts warming up people need to be cautious of home repair offers which are scams.

Perry was referring to the damage caused by a group identified as the Irish Travelers based out of South Carolina that have been seen operating in the Roanoke and Franklin County areas recently.

They offer to seal driveways or paint houses, sheds and barns, a release from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office stated. The product they use is diluted with gasoline and damages most driveways beyond repair. The painting of buildings is also done with a diluted paint and doesnt stay on the building.

The scammers have been seen driving newer model Dodge trucks, often white in color, with large tanks in the back, the release said.

When anyone comes unexpected offering to do work, people need to be immediately suspicious, said Perry. Re-sealing driveways is a common scam where they offer to do the work at very low prices with high pressure tactics. It can also pertain to other things to include roof repair and landscaping.

When an unsuspecting property owner accepts the scammers offer, Perry said, the scammer will often insist on all or part of the money up front to go get the supplies and then never return.

If they do have the supplies, they want money up front and do very quick, shoddy work, said Perry. Once again, if anyone shows up offering to do work without being called, its very likely a scam.

In the city, complaints of scammers have been slim so far, but residents should be on the lookout.

I would like to warn our citizens of this also and remind them that if someone approaches by mail, phone or email and are unsolicited, to please be cautious, said Martinsville Police Chief Eddie Cassady.

Police in Spartanburg, South Carolina, issued a warning in early February that the group out of North Augusta, South Carolina, were scamming people in their county by offering customers paving services that end up costing in the thousands.

Officers say the travelers target people around the spring, but theyre starting to do it earlier this year, WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, South Carolina reported.

Dont let them inside your home and dont follow them around your property, said Perry. They may have someone else hiding to go inside.

Perry said a legitimate service will have a business license and a solicitors permit, and a property owner should ask to see both.

If they dont have one, its a scam and if they do show one, call the locality it states and verify it. Look for their work vehicle and if its parked a distance away with the license plates hard to see, it is a scam.

Perry recommends anyone considering using the services being offered ask for references and phone numbers.

Tell them you will call them back after verifying theyre legitimate, Perry said. If anyone is trying to solicit work, please take pictures of the occupants and vehicle if you can.

With todays abundance of home security cameras, people regularly post videos warning their community in conjunction with calling law enforcement.

The elusive group has managed to slip through the fingertips of local law enforcement for years. In fact, the Bulletin could not find a local police officer who recalled anyone ever being arrested with the traveling clan.

But five years ago, South Carolina Attorney General Beth Drake had some success when 52 Travelers pleaded guilty in 2017 to criminal conspiracy to commit racketeering.

WYFF-TV in Greenville, South Carolina, reported at the time that court records indicated charges involved millions of dollars worth of car and life insurance purchases, federal food stamps and Medicaid fraud, federal income tax refunds and credits, and money laundering.

Cassady and Perry said anyone encountering a suspicious person offering unsolicited services should call 911 and report it.

In Franklin County, Investigator Steve McFarling has been assigned to handle cases of this type and may be contacted at 540-352-5221 or by email at Steven.McFarling@franklincountyva.gov.

Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 2360. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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Microsoft's Patch Tuesday updates for the month of April have addressed a total of 128 security vulnerabilities spanning across its software product portfolio, including Windows, Defender, Office, Exchange Server, Visual Studio, and Print Spooler, among others.

10 of the 128 bugs fixed are rated Critical, 115 are rated Important, and three are rated Moderate in severity, with one of the flaws listed as publicly known and another under active attack at the time of the release.

The updates are in addition to 26 other flaws resolved by Microsoft in its Chromium-based Edge browser since the start of the month.

The actively exploited flaw (CVE-2022-24521, CVSS score: 7.8) relates to an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS). Credited with reporting the flaw are the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and CrowdStrike researchers Adam Podlosky and Amir Bazine.

The second publicly-known zero-day flaw (CVE-2022-26904, CVSS score: 7.0) also concerns a case of privilege escalation in the Windows User Profile Service, successful exploitation of which "requires an attacker to win a race condition."

Other critical flaws to note include a number of remote code execution flaws in RPC Runtime Library (CVE-2022-26809, CVSS score: 9.8), Windows Network File System (CVE-2022-24491 and CVE-2022-24497, CVSS scores: 9.8), Windows Server Service (CVE-2022-24541), Windows SMB (CVE-2022-24500), and Microsoft Dynamics 365 (CVE-2022-23259).

Microsoft also patched as many as 18 flaws in Windows DNS Server, one information disclosure flaw and 17 remote code execution flaws, all of which were reported by security researcher Yuki Chen. Also remediated are 15 privilege escalation flaws in the Windows Print Spooler component.

The patches arrive a week after the tech giant announced plans to make available a feature called AutoPatch in July 2022 that allows enterprises to expedite applying security fixes in a timely fashion while emphasizing on scalability and stability.

Software Patches from Other Vendors

In addition to Microsoft, security updates have also been released by other vendors to rectify several vulnerabilities, counting 
Books in brief

'The Torqued Man'

By Peter Mann. (Harper, 372 pages, $26.99.)

I can't resist books involving discovered manuscripts. In Mann's distinctive hard-to-categorize debut, there are two. Jackpot! Each manuscript is found in the rubble of a Berlin bombing at the end of World War II. Each tells different stories of an Irish spy, Frank Pike, who operated during the Third Reich. In one, the Irish spy is Finn McCool, a "mighty hunter," a "scourge of Nazi doctors," and an ambidextrous assassin. It's a story right out of an adventure novel. The other manuscript is a first-person narrative, capturing the escapades of the same Irish spy, a task that may be the narrator's "final testimony." This book is a wildly entertaining spy thriller based on a true story.

'Homicide and Halo-Halo'

By Mia P. Manansala. (Berkeley Crime, 264 pages, $16.)

If you missed Manansala's "Arsenic and Adobo" last year, start with that one before eating  I mean, reading your way into the latest in Manansala's cozy cuisine series. In this latest one, Lila, an intrepid amateur sleuth and professional chef at her aunt's Filipino American restaurant, is a judge in a beauty pageant when murder crosses the catwalk. Halo-halo is considered the Philippines' national dessert, a "mix-mix" of evaporated milk, ice cream, shaved ice and fruits (the book includes recipes). Halo-halo is also a metaphor for this novel, which candidly and skillfully scoops serious mental health issues into its mix.

'The Fields'

By Erin Young. (Flatiron, 348 pages, $21.)

Sgt. Riley Fisher holds "something clenched and angry" inside because she knows if her colleagues in the Iowa sheriff's department knew what she'd done in her past, she'd lose her badge. Black Hawk County is the kind of place where "stores still close on Sundays and strangers were noticed." It's also where Big Ag has taken over most of the family farms and there's a killer loose in their fields. This is a harrowing, haunting first in a new series.

'The Verifiers'

By Jane Pek. (Vintage, 368 pages, $17.)

Want to make sure the gorgeous date you met online is really a heart surgeon who loves children and pets, and bakes the best cookies? Oh, and they're not married with children. Claudia Lin will investigate. Claudia works for a digital company that verifies the identity of dating app clients. Claudia is single, gutsy (she's a cyclist in New York), and a funny narrator of this wonderfully entertaining mystery. She quotes romantic advice from "The Canterbury Tales" and explicates matchmaking posts to help solve a murder. Claudia's boss "thinks she's Catherine from 'Northanger Abbey.' " Claudia wonders if maybe she's Jane Eyre "and there's a crazy person banging around in the attic."



Carole E. Barrowman teaches at Alverno College in Milwaukee.
LINCOLN  JBS USA has donated $700,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and its plans for a new Feedlot Innovation Center near Mead.

Located at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center, the Feedlot Innovation Center will provide new capacity to develop and evaluate emerging technology used in managing animals in feedlot settings. With a state-of-the-art, commercial-scale feedlot and animal handling facility, it will be used in teaching, research and extension efforts by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Feedlot Innovation Center has an estimated construction cost of $5 million. IANR has committed $2 million in funding with the NU Foundation leading a $3 million private fundraising initiative. To date, nearly $2 million has been committed in private support.

This facility will advance the universitys commitment to science-driven innovation in the development of resilient systems for food animal production, Michael Boehm, Harlan Vice Chancellor for IANR and NU vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said in a statement. Were grateful for the support of JBS USA and other partners who understand the far-reaching value of this new facility for advancing beef production and preparing future leaders to serve this incredibly important industry.

Steve Cohron, president of the Fed Beef Division at JBS USA, which has a processing facility in Grand Island, said the project aligns with the companys long-term commitment to the beef industry and its farmer and rancher partners in Nebraska and surrounding states. It also has the potential to unlock breakthrough technologies that will benefit American producers, the climate and the companys net-zero pledge.

JBS USA is excited to support the new Feedlot Innovation Center, and we believe the type of research and learning this facility will provide is imperative to ensuring a more sustainable food supply, Cohron said in the news release. This initiative aligns with our goal as a company to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and we hope our investment, in partnership with the University of Nebraska and other contributors, will spur new innovations that strengthen the entire beef value chain.

Other lead contributors who have supported the Feedlot Innovation Center project include John and Beth Klosterman of David City, who gave $500,000. The Klostermans have supported the University of Nebraska for more than 45 years. Farm Credit Services of America has given $300,000 to the project.

The Feedlot Innovation Center will include a complex with cattle comfort and research buildings, a feed technology facility, innovative open lots and an animal handling facility. It will create real-world facilities to test new precision technology, solve environmental challenges facing the feeding industry, and improve cattle performance and welfare while comparing different environments and housing systems. The project will allow for innovation in manure collection and management that will innovate both new and possible modifications for existing operations.

The Feedlot Innovation Center will allow students to gain hands-on experiences while being exposed to the newest research and technology.

The center is part of a larger university initiative that is aligned with the mission of IANR to produce food, fuel, feed and fiber for a growing world in a way that promotes resilience of natural resources and a high quality of life for people engaged in agriculture, according to the news release.
The Nebraska Career Scholarship Act passed the Legislature Tuesday with a 48-0 vote and was presented to Gov. Pete Ricketts for signing.

Introduced by state Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island in January, LB902 funds scholarships of $10,000 to $25,000 per year as part of a cohort program that aims to retain interns after the completion of their studies to help address area workforce needs.

The bill appropriates $6 million to the University of Nebraska, $3 million to state colleges and $4 million to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

For the unique cooperative internship program, Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Wayne State College.

Students in the program will get career scholarship funding for their first three years of study, and for the fourth year, spent in Grand Island, they also would get a stipend that would support local housing options.

The programs first students will be selected this fall and graduate in 2025 after developing their skills and talents exclusively in Grand Island.

Aguilar applauded the passing of LB902 on Tuesday.

Were really excited because this is going to do great things for Grand Island, and any other community that chooses to use it, he told The Independent. I know some of the business owners are quite anxious to get started with it and we have some college students that are just as anxious, as well.

Michael Keibler, Wayne State executive director of cooperative education, said it took a lot of effort and support for the legislation to succeed.

Its a great step forward for educating our students, bringing young professionals into the market and into Grand Island, Keibler said. It provides a pathway to retain and educate our students in Nebraska.

Recruitment will start for the first students to begin the program in fall 2024.

Well have the students down there being involved in service learning and well have them involved with the employers, and well have employers here on campus, as well, preparing them for the next three years before they get down there and do two semesters of cooperative education, said Keibler.

GIACC President Cindy Johnson called LB902 passing a win for Grand Island.

Most times, when legislation happens, its not easy, she said. Thats a win when youre able to come out of those tough discussions with an end-product that gives everybody something. In our case, it gets us 15 interns this year, 30 the following year, and increasing that up to 75 in four years.

She added, Its less than what we wanted to start with, but its a victory for us.

Through the program, students will start building a relationship with the community of Grand Island.

We start introducing them to Grand Island, if theyre not familiar. We introduce them to our companies and the business opportunities in our community. And we start talking about what living, working and playing in Grand Island looks like, she said. Theyll have a chance to meet with our business leaders, our community and civic leaders, so their experience isnt isolated only to their work. Theyll be able to see Grand Island in a broader light.

Mayor Roger Steele was instrumental in bringing attention to the need for such a program in Grand Island, Johnson told The Independent.

Steele said the program will help Grand Island retain interns by helping them to stay in central Nebraska and by providing access to higher-paying jobs.

We do not have a college that offers four-year degrees in Grand Island, he said. This is a win for us because were getting something very similar. Were getting college students who, when theyre freshmen, they have to identify that theyre interested in coming to Grand Island, and then theyre put on a course of study that will make that happen when theyre seniors.

He added, It helps to keep us competitive when it comes to attracting knowledge-workers.

Steele applauded Johnson for her efforts in promoting the internship program.

She has been an excellent supporter of this whole concept, he said. She has worked very hard to promote LB902 down at the state Legislature. She has also been the liaison to Grand Island businesses to gauge their support for hiring interns from Wayne State College. What she learned through that effort was, our local businesses have a high interest in being able to hire these young people when they come to town.

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YORK  Vanisha Jemison, 32, of Minneapolis, Minn., has changed her plea in a case involving four felonies related to possession of controlled substances with the intent to deliver in York County.

The case began when an officer with the York Police Department was on regular duty, at night, on South Lincoln Avenue when he saw a van traveling south without any headlights turned on. A traffic stop was initiated.

Jemison was the driver and while the police officer was talking with her, he said he could smell burned marijuana coming from the van.

When she was asked about the smell, the officer said she admitted to smoking marijuana right before the stop.

During a search of the vehicle, the officer found 48 individual 3.5-gram bags of marijuana, two 14-gram bags of marijuana, two plastic containers of marijuana weighing about 14 grams each, four THC concentrate syringes, two small THC concentrate pucks, two single gram bags of THC shatter, four full 14.8-ounce containers of THC infused bath salts  all of which were indicated to have been purchased at an out-of-state dispensary. He said he also found pills that field-tested positive for amphetamines.

She was initially charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver, both Class 2A felonies, and two counts of having no drug tax stamps, both Class 4 felonies.

As part of a plea agreement, all the charges against her were dismissed with the exception of having no drug tax stamp. She pleaded guilty to that charge.

Sentencing will be held June 13. As this is a Class 4 felony, she is facing the possibility of a maximum two years in prison.
It's sometimes difficult to find the right words to accurately describe a new genre of music or to label the sound of an emerging artist.

One reviewer might opine that a musician sounds like "Beck meets Bauhaus" and another might describe the songs as "Goth meets Dark Wave."

It's not a new genre of music, nor is Katt Holiday an emerging artist, but the Makanda resident on May 6 will release a new five-song EP that has an innovative sound, complex production and poetic message unlike anything heard recently in Southern Illinois.

The release, titled "Bruise," will be available by digital download, on compact disk and a limited-edition 10-inch vinyl record.

On Holiday's Bandcamp website, the sound is described as "psycho-spiritual syncretic outsider" music.

"It expresses the soul via the mind, or maybe the other way around sometimes, too," Holiday said. "'Syncretic' means a combination of different beliefs or practices, which represents what I do in not limiting expression and drawing inspiration from all kinds of things  music, film, literature, conversation, religion, nature, day-to-day life."

Holiday said the music was 'outsider'  "because I have always had the kind of feeling of being on the outside, looking in."

With parents originally from central Illinois, and a father who was an Air Force B-52 pilot, Holiday was born in England. After moving back to the U.S. and graduating from high school in Marion, Holiday attended both Southwestern Illinois College and SIU.

Now 33, Katt Holiday  the artist's stage name recalled the inspiration to become a musician.

"I don't necessarily feel like I 'decided' to make music my path," Holiday said. "To this day, it feels more like a calling, and I've honestly wanted music to be my life for as long as I can remember. That might sound cliche, but it's true.

"I remember being four or five years old and singing along with Hank Williams, Elvis and the Beach Boys. Then when I was 7, my parents got me my first guitar for Christmas and I never really wanted to do anything else," Holiday said.

Holiday's first band was called Rat House, which then became Skank. Successive groups played styles including rockabilly, blues, country, folk, garage rock, Cajun, Irish and bluegrass.

"Then I settled into a two-piece indie-rock band called Kelven, which is when my songwriting started to really open up and blossom," Holiday said. "I stayed motivated to keep writing, improving and exploring my feelings more deeply through music."

Holiday is back to partnering with previous Skank bandmate Jonnie Nelson to write, record and perform as 'Children of the Rat Temple.'

"That combo has me on electric guitar and vocals and Jonnie layering live multi-instrumental samples such as digital percussion, synths, bass guitar, trumpet and even didgeridoo into a kind of psychedelic post-punk amalgamation," Holiday said.

Children of the Rat Temple played a show just last Sunday at Lost Cross in Carbondale.

"Bruise" features five songs, the first being "Everyday Superstar," a complex, brooding lament.

"For that song, it's a sentiment of doing your best to be a decent person, no matter your walk of life or what you're going through," Holiday explained.

The lyrics include symbolism like: "You were always on your own; Falcon claws not pigeon toes."

"'Headspace' is probably the first song I wrote for the EP," Holiday said, "with an idea like 'the world can be an absurd place, so give yourself some space to be who you want to be.'"

Holiday penned clever observations in the tune: "It's the same old dog trying to learn new tricks; It's the same drums of war, can't afford new sticks. It's the same old life, changing every day; but sometimes life is okay."

The "Bruise" EP will have an album release performance on Saturday, May 7, at Ebb and Flow Fermentations in Cape Girardeau.

"It's an afternoon show, from (noon) until 3 p.m.," Holiday said. "I will be the sole artist and performer, and I will be playing the EP from beginning to end, in its entirety. There also will be a smattering of original ditties from my various bands over the years, some obscure cover songs plus the obligatory Creedence cover or House of the Rising Sun that always gets requested  ha!"

Holiday's future plans are to continue recording with Children of the Rat Temple and to work on a solo project at Mole Hole Studio in Carbondale.

"It will be a full-length album that also will feature my good friend Heather Hammers," Holiday said. "Besides all that, who's to say? The future is unwritten. It is what we make it."

The "Bruise" EP will be available May 6 on kattholiday.bandcamp.com, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and YouTube.

The CD and vinyl can be found at Plaza Records. For more information, go to facebook.com/kattholiday and instagram.com/katt_holiday.

Gary Gibula is an SIU alum, musician, writer, editor and author of the Music Historicity columns. He can be reached at gary@gratefulgary.com.

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Brazilian ensemble Paulo Padilha e Bando will perform a concert as part of Arts Midwest World Fest, a partnership between Arts Midwest and Artspace 304. Born in Sao Paulo, Padilha mixes traditional Brazilian styles like Samba, Forro, and Maracatu with contemporary nuances and storytelling. With more than 25 years of experience as a musician and educator, his bright music, mischievous humor, and clever lyrics invite audiences to reflect on everything from parents to philosophy.

This all-ages performance will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at the John A Logan ONeil Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. A suggested donation of $10 to Artspace 304 will be accepted at the door. Please register online by April 30: artspace304.org/events/world-fest/.

World Fest offers Midwestern communities, especially smaller and mid-size communities, an opportunity to experience music, language, and culture from across the world. Padilha is in residence with Artspace 304 from May 1-3 and will be providing private music and storytelling workshops for students in partnership with Unity Point, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois, and Carbondale Middle School.

For more information on Artspace304 events and programs, please visit the website at artspace304.org.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY  Police are looking for the individual who made bomb threats against Continental Tire in Jefferson County.

Over the past several weeks there have been two unfounded bomb threats made toward a Continental Tire plant, according to a news release from the company.

In both instances, the plant was evacuated.

After the threats were not found credible, employees were returned back to work.

However, the maker of the threats has not been found.

Until they are found, Continental Tire has decided they will be adding new security.

To ensure the safety of our employees, we will increase various security measures moving forward, Continental Tire said in a news release. We ask for your cooperation, so please be prepared for delays entering the facility.

A reward of $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s).

The investigation is being conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

All tips can be made to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office at (618) 244-8004 or Jefferson County Crime Stoppers are (618) 242-8477.

 The Southern

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UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian peace process has set an example of ending a conflict and building peace through dialogue and negotiation, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said on Tuesday.

China commends the Colombian government and other relevant parties for their efforts in implementing the peace agreement. China welcomes the positive progress over the past five years, he said.

Colombia held its congressional elections last month. Special electoral districts in rural conflict-affected areas were established with 16 seats in the House of Representatives. More than 10,000 former combatants have been reintegrated and tens of thousands of rural families are gradually abandoning illegal crops. The number of former combatants who join the productive projects is on a steady rise. These achievements should be treasured, Zhang said.

"The peace agreement embodies the common aspiration of the Colombian people for lasting peace and development, and will play an irreplaceable and important role in achieving long-term national stability and regional peace and stability," said the envoy.

The full implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is a long-term and comprehensive process. There is still a long way to go to deepen and consolidate peace, and it requires relentless efforts by all parties in Colombia and the international community, he said.

Accelerating development is essential for consolidating peace dividends and ending violent conflicts. China hopes that the Colombian government will overcome the challenges of current global crises in energy, food, and supply chains and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerate land distribution and rural reforms, ensure the sustainability of illicit crops substitution, expand basic social services in former conflict areas, and promote balanced development in all regions, he said.

China supports Latin America in speeding up regional integration and hopes that regional countries will play an active role in helping Colombia fully tap its potential in development so as to eliminate the root causes of violent conflicts, he said.

"The peace process in Colombia is irreversible. This is a consensus shared by people from all walks of life in Colombia as well as the international community," Zhang said.

China hopes the Colombian government and people will score greater achievements in their state-building and development. China is ready to work with the international community and will respect the leading role of the Colombian government and people in implementing the peace agreement and play its constructive role in Colombia's journey toward comprehensive peace, stability and development, he said. 
Illinois State Sen. Jason Barickman will discuss his career in politics and the most recent spring legislative session in a virtual conversation next week hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Barickman will talk with John Shaw, institute director, at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 21, about major developments from the Illinois legislative session that ended April 9, as well as Senate Republican priorities. They will also discuss Barickmans proposed legislation to overhaul the redistricting process in Illinois.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at paulsimoninstitute.org/events. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Barickman with their registration or by email to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.

Sen. Barickman is an energetic and thoughtful leader in the Illinois Senate, Shaw said. We are eager to learn about his vision and plans to strengthen Illinois.

Barickman, of Bloomington, is the chair of the Senate Republican Caucus. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2012 and is the minority spokesperson on the executive and redistricting committees.

Barickman is a graduate of Illinois State University and the University of Illinois College of Law. He is an attorney focusing on real estate and business law and is an adjunct faculty member at Illinois State University. He was a 2012 Edgar Fellow and is an Illinois Army National Guard veteran.

This event is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World virtual conversation series with government and private sector leaders, policy experts, political analysts, authors, and journalists.

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A North Carolina man is accused of stalking former state Rep. Bakari Sellers and sending him racist messages designed to intimidate him.

Grant Edward Junior Edward Olson, 48, is charged with stalking and intimidating due to political opinions or exercise of civil rights. Olson formerly lived in Columbia, according to court records.

Warrants accuse Olson of sending 65 messages to Sellers through Instagram between Feb. 25 and March 24.

The messages allegedly contained racial slurs, the killing of Afro-Americans/blacks and that Olson was armed.

Olson admitted to sending the messages, warrants claim. He allegedly sent the messages due to Sellers political opinions/exercise of his civil rights, as an attorney representing clients, his political commentary on social and televised media and his position as a registered lobbyist.

Warrants also claim, the communications show no legitimate purpose and cause Sellers to fear death, assault or bodily injury for himself or his family members.

Sellers, who once lived in Denmark, thanked the S.C. Law Enforcement Division on Tuesday for protecting him and his family

Olson was booked into Richland Countys Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia.

The 5th Circuit Solicitors Office is prosecuting the case.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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In partnership with Save The Children, the Orangeburg County School District is inviting families to a community session being held at 6 p.m. April 13, 2022, at Mellichamp Elementary School.

The session will offer a choice of presentations designed to support parents and guardians as they help discover and develop the greatness in their children.

Families with students of all grade levels are encouraged to attend the session, where they will receive dinner, school supplies and other resources to support their childrens academic success.

Dr. Devin Randolph, USC professor and owner of Randolph's Italian Ice & Gelato, will lead the session. Other presenters include Brittney Holman of Brittney LaSheMentoring, Shanika Aiken of the SAFE Organization, Investigator DuJuan Council of the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office, Christopher Green of Open Mind Mentoring, and Bishop Gralin Hampton, pastor of New Way Church House Ministries.

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The Orangeburg County School District estimates it could face a $3.8 million budget shortfall if the South Carolina Houses budget plan becomes law.

The Houses version of the budget calls for all teachers to receive a $4,000 pay increase, with the state funding about 75% of the increase. The remaining 25% will fall onto the local school district.

If you are going to mandate something, I think it is prudent that you fund the mandate 100%, OCSD Superintendent Dr. Shawn Foster told school board trustees during a budget workshop session Tuesday.

That is the request of most school districts across the state, he said.

For the Orangeburg County School District, the House plan would mean providing a $4,000 increase for 841 of the district's 867 eligible teachers.

The district would have to take money from its fund balance or increase taxes to meet the state mandates, Foster said.

He expressed his concerns about the funding plan.

The $4,000 increase for every single teacher is not truly a $4,000 increase for every teacher, Foster said.

The state will only fully fund teachers who have met certain educational and experience levels, such as a master's degree with 12 years of experience, that fall below the state's minimum salary schedule for the category.

For those below the state minimum salary level in other degree and experience levels, the state would only fund about 75% of the $4,000.

The House bill also requires districts to increase the minimum teacher salary for new teachers to $40,000 a year.

OCSD currently has 89 teachers receiving an annual salary of $36,000, which is the starting salary for a teacher in the school district. Those 89 teachers would receive the $4,000 increase.

There are some steps on our salary scale that exceed the state minimum salary scale even with the $4,000 increase, so those teachers wouldn't get anything, Foster said. Some will get $4,000, some will get $2,000, some will get nothing. It is a matter of where you fall on the scale in comparison to the state minimum salary schedule.

OCSD Assistant Superintendent for Finance Gail Sanders said that, according to the proposed House budget, the district would receive $53.8 million in state funding for the 2022-2023 school year.

Thats an increase of $5.3 million from the amount the district received in 2022.

In addition to the unfunded portion of the state teacher pay increases, the House budget includes other mandates that arent fully funded by the state.

The mandates include an 18.1% increase for health insurance ($894,852), a 1% increase in retirement ($569,031), teacher experience increase and fringe benefits ($1,190,887).

The district estimates it will have $9,134,038 in state mandates, creating a $3,843,407 shortfall for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

While the House has passed its version of the state budget, the S.C. Senate Finance Committee is still developing its version of the budget.

The district says the Senate is discussing an increase of about $2,000 for teachers

This is a fluid process, Foster said.

We don't know what the changes are going to be. We are going to await some changes and recommendations coming from the Senate, he said.

Foster said he continues to be in touch with the local legislative delegation about the matter. It may not be resolved until June, if not later.

Trustee Dr. William O'Quinn said the state legislature needs to address the budget earlier in the year to give school districts more lead time in making decisions. The district has to finish its budget in by June.

The legislature sits there and waits until the last minute to give us the rules and we have to abide by them, O'Quinn said. It is hard for us to do that.

I realize it is based on what money they get it in, but it seems to be no problem for them to tell you what you have to do and then we don't have the money to do it because they don't send the money down, O'Quinn said. It is a tough job for us.

Trustee Mary Ulmer asked how the district is financially.

The district projects it will end the fiscal year with a fund balance of $16 million, Sanders said.

Some trustees expressed a desire for more frequent and detailed budget workshops.

An hour is not going to do it, trustee Dr. Sylvia Bruce-Stephens said.

Board Secretary Idella Carson and Ulmer echoed this sentiment, noting the board needs to be better prepared to make financial decisions.

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It is time to open the door for opportunities in technology, a congressman says.

On Tuesday, April 12, Claflin University hosted a Fireside Chat with Ro Khanna, a U.S. representative from Californias 17th Congressional District, and Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, the university president. They discussed how to get more students from historically Black colleges and universities into the technology industry and how to fix the wage disparity within minority communities.

HBCU students have the talent and the GPA, but the disconnect is in recruiting and partnership from the tech companies, Khanna said.

Khanna discusses student debt California Congressman Ro Khanna says student debt is crippling students across the U.S.

Khanna said more companies need to recruit, promote, retain and partner with HBCUs. People aren't getting the exposure to the private sector and the private sector isn't getting the exposure to the talent, Khanna said.

In order for HBCUs and the tech companies to build more relationships, people need to tell stories of success, Khanna said.

He highlighted two seniors from Claflin, Harris Roach and Aaleeyah Housley, as examples of what could happen if more companies put their attention on HBCUs. Both scholars have secured a job in the tech industry after they graduate.

Young African American students have a greater interest in computer science than the average, but the country doesnt take advantage of that, Khanna said. Silicon Valley is so deeply unrepresentative of talent.

Khanna said in order to get the tech industry to not only invest in minority students but also in the community, a structural change of power is required. Until you change whos at the table, the agenda wont change.

Khanna also mentioned protests over police brutality and basic human rights within the Black community, saying that there should be equal outrage that all communities aren't participating in generational wealth. There needs to be a demand.

The talent and the drive is here, therefore the community needs a stake in generational wealth, Khanna said. He advised students to use social media and other tools at their fingertips to organize, speak out and put pressure on their representatives.

Khannas advice to the students in attendance was to know their intelligence and worth, dont be afraid to fail, and that it is their obligation to get engaged.

Khannas 2018 visit to Claflin was the catalyst for a partnership between Zoom and Claflin.

A delegation of elected officials -- including Khanna, 6th District Congressman Jim Clyburn, and a group of Silicon Valley venture capitalists -- traveled by bus to Claflin Universitys Ministers' Hall to learn how HBCUs are preparing students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology professionals. The trip was part of the Comeback Cities Tour South, which visited cities throughout the region and HBCU campuses in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Khannas Claflin experience was the catalyst for a five-year partnership between Claflin and Zoom Video Communications Inc. The partnership represents $1.2 million in educational and financial investments.

I saw Democratic Whip Jim Clyburns passion for this firsthand when he took me on a tour of his congressional district. Together we toured Claflin University," Khanna said then.

Im so proud to see Zoom announce a $1.2 million partnership over the next five years with Claflin. This is not just a one-time donation from Zoom; they will provide paid internships, scholarships and real-world experience for students at Claflin. We need structural change and Zoom's partnership is the model of a substantive partnership that others should follow.

Jaliah Robinson, editor of The Panther, Claflins student newspaper, was recently named 2021 S.C. Collegiate Journalist of the Year for institutions with under 5,000 enrollment.

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COLUMBIA  South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has raised more than $5 million in his pursuit of a second full term, bringing in more than $600,000 in the first fundraising quarter of this year.

That's according to data released Monday by the Republican's campaign.

The incumbent faces two opponents in the June primary, although neither has undertaken significant fundraising. As of the end of last year, Harrison Musselwhite had raised just under $11,000. Mindy Steele reported around $4,000 on this quarter's filing.

If he wins in November, McMaster will become South Carolina's longest-serving governor, thanks to the two years he served following Nikki Haley's resignation to join then President Donald Trump's administration as U.N. ambassador. McMaster is a longtime ally of Trump, who has backed him in this year's election.

No Democrat has won the states top office since 1998. McMaster won his 2018 contest over Democrat James Smith by 8 percentage points.

As of this month, McMaster and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, had about $3.2 million in their campaign account, a figure that can largely be held over until the general election, unless one of the other Republicans in the race starts bringing in more money.

Democrat Joe Cunningham  the former one-term congressman now seeking the state's top job  has raised about $1.7 million over the course of his entire campaign to unseat McMaster. In the June primary, Cunningham brought in $400,000 in the first quarter of this year, according to this campaign, ending it with $536,000.

There are several other Democrats in the race, although only one of them, state Sen. Mia McLeod, has raised any significant money. The Richland County lawmaker had raised $359,000 over the course of her campaign, ending 2021 with $115,000 on hand. She had not posted her latest figures or responded to messages on her totals as of Monday afternoon.

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Trong boi canh thi truong co so bien ong giam, thi truong chung khoan phai sinh thang 4/2022 co dien bien soi ong hon so voi thang truoc. Tong thanh khoan ca thang va binh quan phien eu tang tren 50% so voi thang truoc. So luong tai khoan giao dich phai sinh van tiep tuc tang 4,7% so voi thang truoc.
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its denial of the profound cultural connections across the Taiwan Strait.

It is a shared tradition of all Chinese people to pay tribute to their ancestors, said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to the DPP authority's statement on a recent cross-Strait online sacrificial ceremony for the Yellow Emperor, considered one of the common ancestors for all Chinese.

The worship of the Yellow Emperor by people on both sides of the Strait shows they are all Chinese and share the same cultural tradition, Ma said.

"The DPP's attempts to smear this cultural connection are despicable. They have totally forgotten where they came from," he added.

When commenting on the DPP's policies that force students in Taiwan to take more courses in the so-called local languages, Ma said the Minnan and Hakka dialects as well as the languages spoken by ethnic minority groups on the island are all part of the Chinese language.

The DPP's attempt to sever Taiwan's cultural links with the mainland and use language as a tool to uproot the Taiwan society's identification with the Chinese nation is doomed to fail, he noted. 
A man who died in Evansville during a standoff with police was killed by an officers shot, not his own, according to the Natrona County coroner.

It was not self-inflicted, coroner James Whipps said Wednesday. It was an officer-involved shooting.

Blaine Clutter, 29, was barricaded inside an Evansville home for around 18 hours in March, after officers attempted to serve him an arrest warrant related to narcotics and narcotics distribution ordered by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Whipps said an autopsy found one gunshot wound in his body, and no other apparent factors contributing to Clutters death.

Casper police said in a previous statement that Clutter fired his gun at officers in the early hours of March 19. Officers then shot back. At the time that statement was released, it wasnt publicly apparent how Clutter had died.

Four Casper officers who fired their guns in the standoff were put on administrative leave following the incident, the statement said. CPD spokesperson Rebekah Ladd said Wednesday that they have since been taken off leave and are now on administrative duty until the investigation is over.

None of the other agencies present, including the sheriffs office and DCI, reported their officers using firearms during the standoff.

A toxicology test also found methamphetamine in Clutters system. Whipps declined to release the exact amount, but said there was not enough (meth) to kill him.

An investigation by DCI and the Natrona County Sheriffs Office is ongoing. Whipps said he cannot offer other details from the autopsy while investigators are still working.

Sheriffs spokesperson Kiera Grogan declined to comment further on Wednesday, citing the investigation.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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A former Albany County officer who shot and killed a man in 2018 has denied tampering with video evidence in an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit, according to recent filings.

In March, lawyers for the mans mother alleged that five seconds of body camera footage from the shooting was deleted, along with audio from a dashboard camera.

The mother, Debra Hinkel, asked a federal judge to sanction former deputy Derek Colling and other Albany County defendants for the alleged tampering.

Colling pulled Hinkels son, Robbie Ramirez, over for failing to signal a turn on Nov. 4, 2018 in Laramie. Ramirez drove away during the stop, to his home 150 feet away. The two scuffled, and Colling used his taser. He then shot Ramirez once near his armpit then twice more in his back after he fell to the ground, killing him.

A grand jury cleared Colling of manslaughter in 2019, but Hinkels wrongful death suit  which alleges he used excessive force in the shooting  has now been active for a year and a half.

Colling maintains hes protected from blame by qualified immunity, which covers any reasonable actions taken by law enforcement while on the job  even if theyre in violation of the law. Hes asked the case to be dismissed on those grounds.

While lawyers for Hinkel say that the body camera software Colling was using allows officers to edit, alter or delete footage, the former officers counsel cites others that say its impossible.

The response from Collings lawyers accuses Hinkel of perpetuating a conspiracy theory that Colling engaged in serious misconduct in the events leading to the justifiable shooting of Robbie Ramirez.

Hinkel alleges that multiple people, including Laramie police officers and attorneys, had at one point viewed the dash camera footage from the shooting with sound.

But according to Colling, theyre misremembering it.

Colling alleges in his response that he never turned on the audio recording for the dash camera. He also says he muted his body camera when turning it on that day, explaining why there are no audible beeps periodically throughout the video or any sounds indicating recording is stopping or starting (as would typically be heard on footage like this, according to court documents).

As for the missing five seconds of body cam footage, Collings lawyers say it can be chalked up to the cameras lagging clock. Its natural drift can shift the internal clock up to 30 seconds off of real time in a day, their response says, and it can take one or two seconds to connect to the network.

A sheriffs deputy said in a 2021 deposition that he deleted the original body and dash camera footage in December 2019, about a year after the shooting. He said, according to court filings, that he had given the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation true and correct copies of each video while freeing up storage space on their server, without being aware of any active litigation that would have precluded him from deleting them.

For sanctions to be enacted for evidence tampering, Collings filing states, the plaintiffs would have to prove that it was done intentionally and that the tampering prejudices the case against them.

Hinkel does allege extraordinary and irreparable prejudice has been levied against her, though Colling disagrees. The former officer says that since only a minuscule amount of footage is allegedly missing, Hinkel hasnt been harmed even if the video was altered in some way.

But Hinkel maintains that the missing footage would have helped establish whether Ramirez was a threat to Colling at the time of the shooting by showing whether he was on the ground or not when the last two shots were fired.

Whether Ramirez was laying on the ground or falling to the ground when the last two shots were fired is irrelevant, a document filed Thursday says. Colling was justified in shooting Ramirez, and because Colling fired his five shots in rapid succession, it did not matter that Ramirez (may not have posed a threat at the time).

Hinkels filings also allege that Colling unplugged the cord on his body camera at some point during his interaction with Ramirez. Colling says that the cord came unplugged during a struggle with Ramirez, and he plugged it in around six minutes later when he realized.

Now, Colling is asking a judge to dismiss the suit based on his qualified immunity claim. The plaintiffs, on the other hand, want a judgment in their favor based on their allegations of tampered evidence.

He couldnt have altered the footage following the shooting, Collings response says, both because the software wouldnt allow it and because he was being monitored by other officers for hours after the incident.

A hearing set for May will hear arguments from both sides on multiple active motions for judgment in the case.

Lawyers for Colling and Hinkel declined to comment on the record Tuesday. Colling resigned his position with the Albany County Sheriffs Office in June, more than two years after the shooting.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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The Sheridan County Democratic Party considered bringing a lawsuit over Wyomings final redistricting map, but ultimately declined to do so. For now.

The reapportioned map passed by the Wyoming Legislature on the last day of the 2022 budget session left multiple districts in Sheridan and Johnson at risk of violating the Constitutions Equal Protection Clause because the ratio of constituents to lawmakers leaves many voters underrepresented.

Lawmakers have been working for months on redrawing the states legislative districts in light of population changes over the past decade. The process has been a challenge, especially as many lawmakers try to maintain their old districts despite big population changes in some areas.

While the Sheridan County Democratic Party officials believe they have a good case, they said that the cons of bringing a lawsuit at this time outweigh the pros.

Its mostly a problem of time, said David Myers, vice chairman of the Sheridan Democratic Party. While we believe our constitutional rights have been violated, we also dont want to throw the entire state into chaos.

The filing deadline for candidates comes in late May, which likely means a lawsuit would have to be resolved by then so candidates would know which district they reside in and can run for.

It wouldnt be because of us, it would be because of what the Sheridan County and Johnson County delegation decided to do. They made the choice. They knew there was a possibility of a lawsuit ... and they chose to do it anyway, Myers said.

The Sheridan County Democrats are only holding off on a lawsuit now to see if lawmakers will rectify the situation themselves, specifically by fixing the map in next years general session. For one, theyd like to see the districts put back into deviation, meaning that the voters are equally represented. Second, theyd like to see the three House districts in Sheridan County be nested.

As the map stands, the Sheridan County House and Senate districts are the only ones that arent nested in the state. Nesting occurs where House districts are drawn within Senate districts. Right now, the House and Senate districts in Sheridan County are mostly separate.

Additionally, Sheridan and Johnson counties are the only counties that have districts out of deviation.

These include House Districts 29, 30, 40, 51 and Senate Districts 21 and 22.

As the only county whose districts are un-nested and the only county whose districts are out of deviation, Sheridan is facing egregious under-representation, Myers said. Put simply, we strongly believe this is a violation of our Constitutional rights.

If a bill does not fix the issue, the Sheridan County Democrats will once again weigh a lawsuit, they said.

The Sheridan County GOP also plans to explore legal action, but has not made any final decisions, said Bryan Miller, chairman of the countys Republican Party.

Multiple lawmakers have agreed that the case has a good chance of success, but others have their doubts.

I do think youre going to have to show harm of some sort, said Rep. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, an attorney who represents Johnson and parts of Sheridan County in the Legislature. He added that showing that a plaintiff was harmed by the under-representation would be difficult.

Are they enough out of deviation to create a negative effect? I dont think so, he said.

The districts that are out of deviation only cross the threshold by fractions of percentage points or just over one percentage point.

But Sheridan County is increasing in population, which could make the case stronger.

As Sheridan County keeps growing, it just gets worse, said Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, chairman of the Joint Corporations Committee, which handled redistricting.

Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, plans to start work on a bill for the 2023 general session that would likely fix some of the biggest issues the map is facing. Yin, who prefers a bill to a suit, said he wants to first and foremost nest Sheridan County and possibly address the deviation issue. Having un-nested districts makes things unnecessarily hard, said Nina Hebert, communications director for the state Democratic Party.

At a time when the Wyoming GOP is clamoring that we need to do everything we can to protect elections, theyve created maps that obfuscate the process, she said. The cognitive dissonance is textbook here.

Myers wants to see a bill to fix the map at the earliest possible time and said Democrats are willing to pursue legal action if that does not occur.

The earliest possible time would technically be a special session, but that would require Gov. Mark Gordon to call lawmakers into session or a two-thirds vote of both chambers.

A two-thirds vote  for what is definitely an issue that should be fixed  is one that would be hard to get, Yin said.

The map passed last month makes other changes. For example, it includes 93 lawmakers  an increase of three over the current configuration.

Its not always up to lawmakers to reapportion the state every 10 years. Other states use appointed commissions. Wyoming is one of 27 states where the legislature is responsible for redistricting.

The Sheridan County Democratic Party and multiple lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are in favor of some sort of commission to take over the duties.

Myers wants to see a commission so concerns of [lawmakers] preserving their own power or that of their friends are alleviated.

Zwonitzer, on the other hand, does not believe a commission will solve problems.

The issues lawmakers faced were more about the numbers coming in late [due to the pandemic] and not doing the necessary preparation in the first months, he said.

While the Sheridan Democrats are not filling suit now, they do not want that decision to be construed as acceptance.

We dont consider this the end of the process, Myers said.

We still are angry about the way this played out and the fact that Sheridan County looks like the black sheep of the entire state here. And we expect  we dont just hope for it  we expect a legislative solution to this because we still have the option of legal action and well still consider it strongly.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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Mothers will get extra special treatment on Sundaylavish lunches, concerts and gifts of perfumes and roses.

Meanwhile, mere days before the celebration, Port of Spain businesspeoplevendors and huckstersare reporting slow sales. They are cautiously optimistic that it will pick up today.
Brian Jagessar, the child who drowned in a swimming pool last Saturday, will be laid to rest today, the day he would have celebrated his fifth birthday.

His mother, Reshma Jagessar, had planned a surprise birthday party with his loved ones for that day and had worked extra hours to purchase a special present.
Xi tells Party cadres to make every possible effort to ensure people's happy lives

Xinhua) 17:10, April 12, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

HAIKOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called on Party cadres to make "every possible effort" to ensure that people can live happy lives.

"What the CPC cares about is how to make sure the lives of Chinese people of all ethnic groups are getting better everyday," Xi said while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan.

Noting that the CPC does not have its own interests, Xi said Party officials should not harbor any selfish interests, and they should devote themselves to the improvement of people's lives.

Xi walked into the homes of local ethnic Li people, and had cordial exchanges with village cadres and villagers.

At the village's public square, villagers extended warm welcome to Xi.

"We have attained a moderately prosperous society in all respects and are marching toward modernization and promoting common prosperity," Xi said, urging solid efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and align them with the full advancement of rural revitalization.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks with villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday congratulated Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Pakistan's prime minister.

In a congratulatory message, Li said China and Pakistan are unique all-weather strategic cooperative partners, adding that bilateral relations and friendship have experienced great changes, and have always been rock-solid and unbreakable. In the face of profound and complex changes in international and regional situation and amid the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan have helped each other to overcome difficulties, and the ironclad China-Pakistan friendship continues to grow, he noted.

Li said he looks forward to working together with Shahbaz to carry forward the two countries' traditional friendship, consolidate mutual political trust and promote the high-quality construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Meanwhile, Li expressed willingness to deepen the all-round, pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and speed up the process to forge an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, which will not only benefit the peoples of the two countries and also be conducive to regional and global stability and development.

Li also expressed his belief that Pakistan will accomplish new achievements in promoting national stability, development and progress. 
WITH the countrys murder toll standing at 190 yesterday, evidence abounds that the crime profile has risen significantly over the last 12 months.

At this time last year, that count was 119. We are once more in a zone in which the national social profile is coloured by fear and increasing despair.
"Diamond Park" by Phillippe Diederich; Dutton (275 pages, $17.99)



The story of four teenagers on a road trip to pick up a vintage car turns into a pedal-to-the-metal crime thriller in Phillippe Diederichs new young adult novel, "Diamond Park."

This is the second YA book by Diederich, after the award-winning "Playing With the Devils Fire." He has also published a novel for adults, "Sofrito," and, under the pen name Danny Lopez, a series of detective novels set in Sarasota.

Diederich, the son of Haitian exiles, was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Mexico City. He has taught in the creative writing program at the University of South Florida and lives in Houston and Sarasota. (He contributed a story, Jackknife, to "Tampa Bay Noir.")

The narrator of "Diamond Park" is 16-year-old Rafael Herrera, although everyone calls him Flaco. (The nickname means Skinny.) He lives in Houston with his hard-working mom, his Tio Felix and his aunt, Ana Flor, who is still deep in grief for her only child, Flacos cousin Carlos, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Like many teenagers, Flaco cant wait to move on to adult life; hes a talented artist, but college is a difficult goal for a kid from a family that barely scrapes by financially.

In the meantime, Flaco spends his spare time sitting in Carlos old Buick with his two best friends, smoking weed and spinning dreams.

Tiny is a sweet kid whose sunny disposition is offset by his constant worry about being deported  his family came over the border just a few years before. He is, Flaco says, Like for real Mexican from Mexico. ... Im Mexican but Ive never been.

If Tiny is the angel on one of Flacos shoulders, Magana is the devil on the other, the kid who always has a scheme thats thrilling but scary. As "Diamond Park" begins, he announces to Tiny and Flaco that theyre all skipping school the next day so he can go buy a car from his godfather.

Maganas father is in prison, but hes told his son that the boys padrino, Rayo, has a 1959 Chevy Impala convertible hell sell for $1,000.

Flaco is skeptical: Right away I figured it was bullst. A 1959 Impala is as badass as it gets, a one-off model. The most unique Chevy ever built. Car looks like a spaceship. It was the only year it came with the teardrop lights under the folded fins  and convertible?

But hes up for a road trip, whether the car is real or not. The next day, while hes on the way to join Magana and Tiny to ride the bus to the small town of Diamond Park, Flaco runs into his pretty neighbor Susi, whom hes had a crush on forever. She wants to go along, so the four of them head for Diamond Park.

Rayo, it turns out, is all muscles, has a tattoo on the front of his neck that runs around his shoulder like a spiderweb, and isnt all that thrilled to see Magana. There are two other men with him, one of them, called Anaconda, even scarier than Rayo.

The car, Rayo tells them, is at a farm a few miles away, and his friend (the not-scary one) will drive them there in his VW Beetle. But theres not room for all of them, so Susi ends up staying behind. Flaco objects, but Magana says, Shell be fine. Well be right back.

The Impala is real, but by the time the boys get it to run and get back to Rayos house, one man is dead, another has vanished, and Susi is handcuffed and being led to a police cruiser.

Shes arrested, but they wont leave her behind a second time. Before long, Flaco and Magana are heading into Mexico, driving that Impala, rotten tires, steaming radiator and all, in search of the missing man.

Diederich builds the novels suspense skillfully, and he creates engaging characters  the dialogue among the three boys is especially effective, funny and often profane (in English and Spanish). For YA readers or adults, "Diamond Park" is worth the trip.

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Assenmacher, Molly Midkiff Molly Midkiff Assenmacher, age 74, passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 1, 2022 after an 18-year battle with cancer. Molly was born to Mary and John Midkiff on March 28, 1948 on the Island of Molokai, Hawaii and moved to Tucson, Arizona when .... Read more
Francisco Gonzalez, a one-time Tucson resident who co-founded the acclaimed band, Los Lobos, and who would go on to share his deep appreciation for Mexican folk music and instruments among musicians and aficionados here and around the globe, died on March 29. He was 68.

Peter Dalton Ronstadt, a well-known Tucson musician, was one of those artists who soaked up Gonzalezs musical knowledge. Ronstadt along with his late father, Michael J. Ronstadt, collaborated with Gonzalez on recordings and on the stage. It was about two months ago that Peter Ronstadt talked to Gonzalez on a visit to Tucson. They talked about their favorite subjects: music, strings and instruments, and the history and culture of Mexican folk music.

Although separated by several generations, the two were wedded to exploring and maintaining musical traditions.

I found Francisco to be a consummate teacher. Every minute I spent with him, he kept pushing those traditions to the future, said Ronstadt who leads his band, The Company.

Gonzalez was a Los Angeles native who, along with his neighborhood friend, Cesar Rosas, founded Los Lobos del Este de Los Angeles.

We got together to learn some songs, to play for our mothers, to show them we appreciated the music of our culture, said Gonzalez in a 1975 video with his East LA buddies. Known as Frank at the time, Gonzalez was beginning to master the Mexican harp, or arpa, and son jarocho, the musical style of Veracruz on Mexicos eastern gulf coast. (Think La Bamba, a classic son jarocho tune turned mega hit first by Chicano rock n roll legend Richie Valens in 1958 and in 1987 by Los Lobos.)

Gonzalezs influence on the band was significant but he left the band in its infancy. Rechristened as Los Lobos, the original quartet (Rosas, Louie Perez, David Hidalgo and Conrad Lozano, and later Steve Berlin) became one of the most acclaimed bands in the country. Its most recent recording, Native Sons, earned Los Lobos a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, the bands fourth.

Francisco was a brilliant musician, and after leaving the group in 1976 to follow a different musical path, he went on to master the Veracruz harp, then became the musical director of El Teatro Campesino theatre group  always shining across a lifetime of accomplishments. It is with gratitude, respect, and love that we thank Francisco for inspiring us, and instilling in us his great pride for the culture and the music of our heritage, Los Lobos wrote on Instagram.

In 1977, the band recorded its landmark debut album, Los Lobos del Este de Los Angeles (Just another band from East L.A.), its homage to Mexican folkloric music and son jarocho.

Gonzalez joined El Teatro Campesino as its musical director  the seminal theater troupe associated with Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers labor movement. He also founded the Guadalupe Customs String stop where he made strings for the various Mexican instruments for folkloric and mariachi musicians. The shop became a go-to-place for musicians who turned their attention to grass-roots Chicano and Mexican music.

He was our own Chicano conservatory, said his son, also named Francisco, in an interview with Gustavo Arellano of the Los Angeles Times. He gave us tools to resist discrimination and injustice and to stand and fight for ourselves, but also to love.

Gonzalez came to Tucson in the early 2000s when his wife, Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez, a Yaqui-Chicana native of Southern Arizona, was on the faculty of Mexican-American Studies at the University of Arizona.

Francisco was a very spiritual man. His Tucson music connection included playing arpa in the ramada for the Yoeme (Yaqui) deer dance during Cuaresma (Lent) at the Capilla de San Martin de Porres on 39th Street, said Broyles-Gonzalez, director of the Department of Social Transformation Studies at Kansas State University.

He always used to say that he was just a jardinero and that his work was to plant the seeds of our music, she added. They co-authored a book on son jarocho.

Gonzalezs collaboration with Michael J. Ronstadt, who passed away in 2016, took them to places around the country and the world. In a 2013 interview in Fairbanks, Alaska, they talked about their musical connections and when Gonzalezs arpa was damaged on a trip to the United Kingdom. The duo had a performance scheduled in Wales and Gonzalez was able to secure a harp for a performance in a pub.

Tom Walbank was another Tucson musician who collaborated with Gonzalez. The two met at the old 17th Street Market, which doubled as a record store and recording studio. The two hit it off, sharing their love for roots-fueled music, said Walbank, an English-born blues harmonica player.

That lead to Walbank playing harmonica on a track on El Regalo/The Gift, a 2009 recording that Gonzalez made at the 17th Street Studio, produced by bassist Harvey Brooks (Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Miles Davis, Cass Elliott, The Doors, Clarence Clemmons).

Ernesto Portillo Jr. is a former Arizona Daily Star columnist.

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Assenmacher, Molly Midkiff Molly Midkiff Assenmacher, age 74, passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 1, 2022 after an 18-year battle with cancer. Molly was born to Mary and John Midkiff on March 28, 1948 on the Island of Molokai, Hawaii and moved to Tucson, Arizona when .... Read more
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

April 10

The Washington Post on Haiti needing help from Washington:

Haiti passed a grim milestone in February, when the traditional presidential inauguration day came and went with no president taking the oath of office, no realistic prospect of presidential elections, and no established consensus on how to restore some semblance of functioning democracy in the Western Hemispheres poorest country. Meanwhile, the Biden administration props up an interim prime minister whose writ, so far as it runs, is to preside over a government with no claim to legitimacy.

That prime minister, Ariel Henry, was named to the job by President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated two days later, before Mr. Henry could be sworn in. On Feb. 7, Moises term expired. Mr. Henry has said he will organize elections this year, but that promise is empty, given how far-fetched it is that balloting could be staged amid rampant insecurity and the current power vacuum.

A potentially hopeful sign was the emergence last year of a coalition of civic organizations that proposes installing an interim government for two years, after which elections would be held. The coalition, which calls itself the Montana Accord, after a hotel in the capital where it meets, consists of political parties, faith groups, professional associations, human rights organizations and trade unions.

However broad-based, the coalition has no more constitutional legitimacy than does Mr. Henry. Moreover, its plan to run the country with a prime minister plus a five-member council exercising presidential powers is unwieldy, to say the least. Even if it assumed power by some unforeseeable means, there is no credible prospect that it would establish control over the nearly 15,000-member police force, which is rife with corruption. Without that, chances are nil that it could stabilize Haiti, mount elections and resuscitate the economy.

The country of more than 11 million has just a handful of elected officials, the terms of scores of others having expired in the absence of elections. Mr. Henry took office largely on the strength of support from a U.S.-led group of ambassadors. But the government and national institutions are in shambles.

Moreover, Mr. Henrys commitment to bring Moises killers to justice has proved not just hollow but suspicious after a report that he was in contact with a key suspect before and just after the assassination. Although signs point to the involvement of drug-trafficking figures in the presidents killing, most of the kingpins who have been implicated remain at liberty. Haitis own authorities have made no meaningful progress in the murder investigation. Meanwhile, according to The Post, U.S. prosecutors, who allege that the killing was partly planned in the United States, have charged two suspects and are seeking the extradition of a third.

The Biden administration has ruled out sending troops, instead paying lip service to finding a Haitian-led exit from the crisis. If there is such a way out  a big if  it might consist in a consensus between the Montana Accord coalition and Mr. Henrys own forces. Forging such an agreement should be high on the Biden administrations agenda. But there is little sign Washington is paying attention to events in the impoverished country  despite its long history of devolving into crises that then become impossible to ignore.

April 6

The New York Times on documenting war crimes in Ukraine:

The apocalyptic images of bodies sprawled in the mud among twisted tanks, charred walls and splintered trees in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities speak to the brutality of the war that Vladimir Putin started. The knowledge that more such horrors, many more, will be revealed as Russian troops retreat cries out for a reckoning.

President Biden called for a war crime trial, and President Emmanuel Macron of France declared there were clear indications of war crimes. Human Rights Watch reported documented cases of rape and summary executions. Ukrainian and international investigators have already begun collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. It is imperative that this work be done promptly and scrupulously.

It may appear unduly legalistic to parse evidence or to question witnesses as countless civilians cower in their homes hoping against hope that Russian shells dont hit their apartment buildings. The very notion that warfare can have rules, suggesting that there are correct ways to inflict death and destruction on an enemy, is difficult to grasp, and prosecuting commanders carries the risk of appearing as victors justice.

For at least 75 years, the international community has undertaken a real but incomplete effort to define wars of unprovoked aggression as crimes in and of themselves. In the words of the Nuremberg tribunal, To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.

In Ukraine, there is no question that Russia is the aggressor, that Bucha, the Ukrainian town that had been occupied by Russian forces for five weeks  and Mariupol and Kharkiv and Chernihiv and Kyiv and scores of other cities and towns  would be peacefully greeting spring had Mr. Putin not ordered an unprovoked war to satisfy his ambitions of empire and the destruction of a neighboring nation. Ukraines resistance is unquestionably self-defense, and the nations of the world are within their rights to impose sanctions on Mr. Putin and his country. Concerned nations are also right to help arm the Ukrainian military, if only to make the price of aggression so high that he, or at least those around him, might come to their senses.

Yet the world has also identified crimes that are unacceptable even in the fog of battle. Objectively gathering and documenting evidence is a powerful way to cut through the muck and preserve the possibility that someone might someday be held accountable. It holds out the possibility, however slim, that someday a judge will declare the orders to fire on a village or hospital illegal and that that legal judgment might one day serve as a deterrent in the next war. War crime investigations are a powerful political tool that can be used to underscore the dignity of victims and the lawlessness of the invaders.

An array of international criminal laws emerged after World War II, most famously the Geneva Convention of 1949, which aims to hold combatants personally responsible for war crimes  such as intentionally slaughtering civilians, torture, wanton destruction of property, sexual violence, pillaging, conscripting children. Other measures included the Genocide Convention and laws prohibiting crimes against humanity.

The Russian Armys actions give every appearance of violating these rules, and investigations have already begun in the International Criminal Court and some other courts. The indiscriminate shelling of cities and towns, the killings evidenced by the mass graves discovered in Bucha and the bombing of a Mariupol theater are among the many actions that could be deemed war crimes. The entire invasion would appear to be a crime of aggression, which would presumably reach Mr. Putin. If these crimes are determined to be part of a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population based on a state policy, they could also amount to crimes against humanity.

Russia, for the record, says the atrocities in Bucha are all staged. And it may well be that investigators will find evidence of atrocities committed by Ukrainian troops against Russians or collaborators. All the more reason to conduct a thorough accounting.

Delivering justice  collecting the evidence, securing an indictment, holding a fair trial  is hard, time-consuming and expensive. As such, few instances of war crimes lead to punishment. Though the I.C.C. can initiate prosecution on any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime on its own, a charge of the crime of aggression  the one most applicable to Mr. Putin and his lieutenants  would have to be initiated by the United Nations Security Council, where it would face a certain Russian veto. In addition, Russia does not recognize the I.C.C. and would not surrender suspects.

Ukraine also is not party to the treaty that established the court but has allowed it jurisdiction over crimes committed on Ukrainian soil. The United States, for its part, has its own history of hostility to the I.C.C., and when accusing Mr. Putin of war crimes, Mr. Biden did not make clear what forum should be responsible for prosecution.

Yet none of these hurdles should preclude a search for justice. Even if the process is difficult and stretches into months and years, it is important that history be left a forensic, credible, verified and judicially processed record of the specific crimes in Ukraine. Those responsible should be named, their actions specified, and if at all possible, the guilty should be locked away. The very fact that Russia is arguing that the atrocities were all concocted requires a detailed and incontrovertible judicial response.

The Biden administration and its allies have done an admirable job of puncturing the Kremlins propaganda with accurate intelligence. An authoritative record of war crimes would serve the same purpose for the future.

It would be good for the Biden administration to find a way to cooperate with the I.C.C. in collecting evidence, even if it is precluded by law from helping to finance the effort. There are other options: A special tribunal could be established without a U.N. endorsement, and several nations, including the United States, could claim universal jurisdiction and hold their own trials. But too many investigations would dilute the public impact of the legal process, and no tribunal carries the authority or mandate of the I.C.C.

However it is done, seeking justice against Mr. Putin and others responsible for war crimes in Ukraine is a goal for the longer term. Russia is not retreating. It is repositioning its forces for an assault in the east. And Russias participation in sputtering peace talks is looking increasingly like a ploy. The horrors of Bucha have prompted talk of offering Ukraine deadlier weapons and imposing yet more sanctions. These must be the focus of the Wests efforts to help Ukraine.

But it is also imperative to make sure that the horrific evidence of criminal atrocities on display in Bucha and so many other places is promptly collected while it is still there and that witnesses are questioned while their memories are still raw. Posterity must know what really happened. Justice must be given a chance.

April 8

The Wall Street Journal on former U.S. President Barack Obama's history with Russia:

Russias bloody invasion of Ukraine has sparked an Olympic sprint of sorts as politicians run away from their abysmal records regarding Vladimir Putin. Few are running faster than former President Barack Obama, who this week tried to rewrite the history of his own Russia policies.

As somebody who grappled with the incursion into Crimea and the eastern portions of Ukraine, I have been encouraged by the European reaction (this time), Mr. Obama said at an event in Chicago. Because in 2014, I often had to drag them kicking and screaming to respond in ways that we would have wanted to see from those of us who describe ourselves as Western democracies.

As for Mr. Putin, the former U.S. President purports to be surprised by the Russian leaders brutality. I dont know that the person I knew is the same as the person who is now leading this charge. He was always ruthless. You witnessed what he did in Chechnya, he had no qualms about crushing those whom he considered a threat. Thats not new. For him to bet the farm in this wayI would not have necessarily predicted from him five years ago.

Mr. Obama managed to say all this with a straight face while speaking at an event about disinformation in politics.

Start with Mr. Obamas claim he was a champion of harsher measures against Russia after the invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. His Administration imposed only mild, targeted sanctions on Russiaand then joined with Moscow to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. He refused to sell Javelin antitank weapons to Ukraine. Germany pushed ahead with its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in this era with nary a peep from Washington until the Trump Administration.

Mr. Obama also cant claim as much ignorance as he does now about Mr. Putins intentions and methods at the time. Mr. Putin had risen to power allegedly by bombing apartment buildings in Russia, as U.S. intelligence no doubt knew or highly suspected, and even Mr. Obama concedes Mr. Putins 1999 assault on Grozny in Chechnya was ruthless.

There also were the 2006 assassinations of journalist Anna Politkovskaya and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko, Mr. Putins provocative speech criticizing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Munich in 2007, and the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia.

In 2009 Mr. Obama nonetheless dispatched Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Geneva to negotiate a reset on relations with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. In 2012 Mr. Obama accused Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney of hewing to a retrograde 1980s foreign policy for viewing Russia as a threat, while telling Putin henchman Dmitry Medvedev when he thought no one was listening that hed have more latitude to cut Mr. Putin some slack after the U.S. election.

Some reset. In addition to the Crimea and Donbas invasions, 2014 saw the shoot-down of a Malaysian Airlines flight by Russia-linked forces in eastern Ukraine. Russias cluster bombing of Aleppo in Syria followed in 2015-16. Mr. Putins suppression of domestic dissent accelerated, and he amped up his rhetoric against NATO and an independent Ukraine. And dont forget the meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, which Mr. Obama punished with wrist-slap sanctions only after Donald Trump won.

Mr. Obamas main concession to Russian reality was to lobby NATO allies to increase their annual defense spending to 2% of GDP, although for the most part they ignored him. One can almost understand why they did, since they saw him cozying up to Mr. Putin on Iran while talking down the Russia threat.

All of this is relevant now because the Biden Administration is loaded with men and women who worked for Mr. Obama and shared his misjudgments about Russia. The conceit in many quarters on the left is that Mr. Putin has changed, or is deranged, such that his Ukraine invasion couldnt have been foreseen.

But Mr. Obamas weakness toward Russia, reinforced by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is one reason Mr. Putin felt he could act with increasing aggressiveness and get away with it. No one should believe Mr. Obamas varnished Russia history.

April 8

The Los Angeles Times on steps Congress can take to battle the climate crisis:

The latest United Nations climate report couldnt be clearer: We are at a planetary crossroads.

If we dont act now to go beyond current pledges and cut fossil fuel emissions in half by 2030, it will be impossible to keep the heating of the Earth below a crucial 2.7-degree Fahrenheit limit and avoid increasingly severe devastation and suffering. We can still avert catastrophe, but there is only a narrow window left to end the era of fossil fuels.

In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, scientists from across the globe spell out, in cautious yet exacting language, that what is blocking the replacement of dangerous fossil fuels with clean renewable energy is not technology, but politics.

One factor limiting the ambition of climate policy has been the ability of incumbent industries to shape government action on climate change and lobby more effectively than those who would gain from carbon-cutting policies, the report says.

Politicians, and the self-interested fossil fuel companies they serve, are the reason we are spiraling toward calamity. Wealthy countries like the United States, whose dumping of pollution into the atmosphere has done the most to cause the climate crisis, have a responsibility to take the lead, and our elected leaders need to overcome resistance from dirty industries.

There are steps President Biden and Congress can and should take immediately to spur the adoption of renewable energy, like wind and solar, electric vehicles, water heaters, heat pumps and battery storage, while taking on the oil, gas and coal industries whose products are fueling wildfires, storms, heat waves, drought, global instability and war.

Without any action from Congress, Biden can use his authority under the Defense Production Act to quickly ramp up the manufacturing and deployment of clean energy technology, including efficient electric heat pumps, which are air-conditioning like appliances that both heat and cool homes and will immediately reduce fossil fuel consumption by replacing models that burn climate-polluting natural gas.

Biden has already invoked the cold war-era law to encourage domestic production of critical minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicle batteries, and before that, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. And he banned imports of Russian oil and gas by executive order. The invasion of Ukraine has only underscored the global security imperative of ending our reliance on fossil fuels. If war and disease are reasons enough to warrant such action, the climate crisis is an even greater one.

Using defense powers to boost U.S. production of heat pumps at low cost has reportedly been studied by the White House. The idea has been gathering support among environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers as a way to respond to climate change and help Europe reduce reliance on Russian gas, similar to the Lend-Lease program that the U.S. used to help allies during World War II.

If Biden wont act on his own, Congress should push him.

A bill introduced Wednesday by U.S. Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) would do that, using the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production of renewable energy technology. The Energy Security and Independence Act would invest $100 billion in reinvigorating the domestic clean energy industrial base, provide $30 billion to help weatherize and insulate 6.4 million homes and $10 billion to procure and install millions of heat pumps, significantly reducing consumption of imported fossil fuels, according to a summary from Bushs office.

But lawmakers need to do more. They must find a way to pass key climate provisions from Bidens all-but-dead Build Back Better Act, including renewable energy incentives for wind and solar and electric vehicle tax credits that would accelerate these zero-emission technologies. They can also get behind the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax, a bill introduced last month by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) that seeks to deter the petroleum industry from profiteering as gas prices surge by returning some of its revenues to consumers in quarterly rebates.

This kind of climate action may seem unlikely or even laughably ambitious, given the dysfunction in Congress, its failure to respond to decades of escalating warnings from scientists and the stranglehold of polluting industries. But if there ever were a time to press hard and go big to save our planet, it is now.

April 10

China Daily on NATO's distrust of Beijing:

With the international community in danger of separating along the fault line of drastically different visions of the world order, the geopolitical landscape may become more difficult for Beijing to navigate without timely, efficient strategic communication to mitigate, if not dispel, increasing strategic distrust.

Since the start of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, Beijing has followed a path that is divergent from the United States-led West. But it argues that promoting peace and talks is the right and best possible way to de-escalate the crisis.

Unlike the United States and its NATO allies, which have resorted to increasing military support to Ukraine in the hope of bringing Russia to its knees, China has issued persistent calls for restraint and a negotiated end of the conflict, and it has provided humanitarian assistance to mitigate the suffering of civilians.

Beijing has made its decision based entirely on the situation at hand, in accordance with international law, as well as the spirit of the UN Charter.

Thus NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg identifying peace-brokering Beijing as an emerging threat at the transatlantic security alliances foreign ministers meeting last week will certainly have raised eyebrows among those who appreciate Beijings approach. To them, his remarks are both ridiculous and unjustifiable. But then, he has persistently sought to fan the flames of division.

Stoltenbergs remark would be easily dismissible if NATO were not taking the rise of China into account when seeking to reposition itself.

Although it might appear natural for the transatlantic security mechanism to take note of that prominent factor and its global impacts, that was not the thrust of Stoltenbergs comments.

Instead, Stoltenberg was taking China as a threat to the so-called rules-based international order. He said NATO would for the first time write China concerns into its Strategic Concept because China is actually undermining the rules-based order.

In his eyes, Beijing is not only unwilling to condemn Russias aggression, but has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path, even trying to bully countries all over the world with coercive policies.

Those are serious allegations that will inevitably influence NATOs actions, especially if they are fully incorporated into a collective strategic document. Yet, they show a complete disregard for Beijings upholding of the rules-based international order, Beijings long-standing advocating of the right of countries to choose their own development path, Beijings vision of state-to-state relations, and everything Beijings diplomacy of peace stands for.

The alarming nature of Stoltenbergs words were highlighted by the invitations extended to Asia-Pacific countries to participate in the NATO meeting, as this was an explicit attempt to expand NATOs influence to the region.

Considering that the conflict in Ukraine is an outcome of NATOs constant expansion, and that NATO is a Cold War-era specter seeking to resurrect itself, the Asia-Pacific countries should be wary of NATOs designs for the region.

April 8

The Guardian on dilemmas presented by the war in Ukraine:

Thousands of civilians, including many children, were waiting to be evacuated to safety in the Kramatorsk railway station in eastern Ukraine on Friday morning when two missiles, later reported to be cluster weapons that are banned under international law, exploded in their midst. At least 50 people died, and more than 100 others were injured. A message in Russian on the surviving casing of one missile read For the children. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, understandably described the attack as the action of an evil that has no limits.

Even amid so many other horrors in Russias war on Ukraine, the Kramatorsk attack stands out for heartless brutality. It is a week now since Russian forces began to retreat after their invasion stalled around Kyiv. During that time, reporters have filed horrific revelations of the carnage and destruction that the defeated Russians left behind them. Evidence from places such as Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Borodianka, in all of which Ukrainian civilians appear to have been summarily murdered, has appalled the civilised world. War crime charges rightly seem certain to be brought against Russia. Now the crimes of Kramatorsk must be added to the charge sheet.

The past 10 days mark an important change in the dynamics and location of the Ukraine war. But it is not a simple or conclusive change yet. Ukrainian resistance, aided by western weaponry and technology, has secured a notable military victory by forcing the Russians to retreat. Kyiv is, for now, able to come back to a kind of life; a few refugees have begun returning from the west, and western leaders, including the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, have travelled there to show solidarity. Russian troops have now left the Sumy region in the north-east. Ukraine has also regained control of its border with Belarus.

But the war itself is far from over. Moscows forces are regrouping in the east, following Russias decision to make the Donbas region its primary focus. This is somewhat easier territory for them logistically and politically. It heralds a further assault in Mariupol, fresh offensives in Donbas (of which the missile attack on Kramatorsk station is part) and against Odesa, all of which will stretch Ukrainian supply lines and resources. As a result, President Zelenskiy has increased his calls for further western military aid.

After a week like the last one, he has morality more than ever on his side. He is also likely to feel less pressure to seek a compromise peace deal. Yet by making these appeals, the Ukrainian president has helped to trigger a new and intense phase of debate in the western democracies about how far they are really willing to go in supporting Ukraine militarily. This has exposed genuine differences about real dilemmas. The Czech Republic has supplied Soviet-era tanks, Poland is considering following suit and Slovakia has sent air defence systems. The U.S., Britain and France are more cautious, yet all of them have been quietly and incrementally crossing the military threshold they adopted in February that only defensive support would be given. Some in the west, including the Commons defence select committee chair, Tobias Ellwood, want them to go further.

This important argument is now taking place in real time. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs welcome visit to Downing Street on Friday was very much part of this process; an announcement about anti-tank weapons was expected. Britain, like all the western allies, needs to be more open about the choices that we and our allies face as a result of the new phase in Ukraine. At the very least, there is now a powerful case for parliament to be recalled before Easter, so that the very serious military options now under active consideration by governments can be more openly examined.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Arizona Theatre Company: The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation announced the recipients of its annual Social Impact Theatre Grant Program, which provides production support for theatres in Western states igniting positive changes in their communities through their programming and innovating how they engage their audiences around important issues. The productions were also selected for their commitment to bringing different viewpoints together on challenging subjects, reaching new audiences and partnering with organizations, community members and subject matter experts to help amplify their productions impact. In Southern Arizona, the Arizona Theatre Company  Nina Simone: Four Women was selected.

Long Realty: Two Long Realty agents have been honored by the Tucson Association of Realtors for upholding a bedrock principle of their company: giving back to the community. Taking home the Roy P. Drachman Community Achievement Award was Peter DeLuca, an associate broker and perennial top performer at Long Realtys River/Campbell office. The Outstanding Service Award went to Lisa Sullivan, an associate broker with the companys Oro Valley office.

Philanthropy and housing insecurity are front and center for DeLuca. Hes served on the board of Long Realty Cares Foundation  the companys unit established to support hundreds of local nonprofits  for three years, and is the foundations secretary. Hes also served on the board of Our Family Services  a Tucson-based homeless-services provider  and joins in the groups annual in-person census of unhoused persons.

Sullivans resume reveals a lengthy history of volunteering and service to her profession. She holds two positions with the Multiple Listing Service of Southern Arizona (vice president of the board and chair of the standards committee) and two positions with the Tucson Association of Realtors (chair of the forms committee and vice chair of the risk committee). At the state level, shes a member of the Arizona Association of Realtors professional standards committee.

Submit items to business@tucson.com; please use Biz Awards in the email subject line.

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Their love story began on March 13, 1969, on a soggy, pearl-gray London morning.

Thats when 26-year-old Paul McCartney married 27-year-old Linda Eastman in a small civil ceremony at the Marylebone Town Hall.

Ten years later, the McCartneys bought a secluded 151-acre ranch, with a modest tin-roof stucco house, on Tucsons northeast side.

There, the family grew to include four children. For 29 years, the ranch house was the source of great privacy and happiness for the McCartneys, a place where they could retreat from the madding world of Beatle mania to their peaceful Southern Arizona homestead.

The McCartneys loved Tucson, and Tucson loved them back by leaving them be and giving the family a wide berth to travel around the Old Pueblo. They trekked in an unassuming SUV and a humble old Ford pickup truck that Paul used to haul ranch supplies.

The Tanque Verde Hay Feed and Supply was a regular stop for the horses. The clan went to swap meets, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and celebrated holidays, behaving like regular folks in the community.

Linda and her mother had a great passion for the Tucson desert and cherished the land. They would ride horses, hike, swim and enjoy life without the prying eye and clamor the celebrity world heaped on them. A neighbor said the community treated them no differently than others despite the superstar familys presence.

David Fitzsimmons, longtime editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star, said a South Fourth Avenue Mexican restaurant owner told him the McCartney family came in from time to time. Paul always got an older waitress who had no clue who he was.

One time the waitress overheard the Beatle talking to his dinner guest about music. As the restaurant owner tells it, she said, Oh, you play music? Are you in a band? My granddaughters quinceanera is coming up, and the family is looking for a good band. How much do you charge?

For nearly three decades of marriage, Paul and Linda were apart only one night.

In December 1995, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer and was treated at the Arizona Cancer Center. On April 17, 1998, under a warm, starbright sky, Linda died at their ranch house.

Over the years, there have been supposed sightings of the McCartneys in Tucson. They still own the ranch on the northeast side. Their only son, James McCartney, has played a couple of concerts at Hotel Congress. He has said he still enjoys the Tucson desert, adding, Mum loved it so. It feels like home.

Photos: Paul McCartney through the years

Jerry Wilkerson, who lives in SaddleBrooke, is a former press secretary for two U.S. Congressmen and a prior Chicago CBS radio and Chicago Daily News correspondent. Email: franchise@att.net

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The Pima County supervisors knew that County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry could retire early and stay in his job as a contractor.

And they knew at least one supervisor thought Huckelberry had for too long directed the board, rather than the board directing him.

What they did not foresee was how those two factors could collide.

But thats what happened last week. It came out that the legendary county administrator had retired quietly on his own, without telling the supervisors who were supposed to oversee him, and simply continued to work as a contractor.

It came out on the eve of an April 5 meeting when supervisors were scheduled to accept Huckelberrys resignation, forced by a collision in which Huckelberry was struck by a car while riding a bike downtown.

Some supervisors were understandably upset to learn of Huckelberrys retirement from Dylan Smith of the Tucson Sentinel, who broke the story, and eight months after he had retired. Understandably so.

But a key lesson they ought to take from this is never to let a county administrator run the board again, especially not on matters of the administrators own contract.

The board came close to asserting enough control in January 2021, when Huckelberrys contract came up for renewal. Three of the five board members were newly elected. When Huckelberry asked them to consider a new contract he had drawn up at their first-ever meeting on Jan. 5, they declined.

They delayed considering a new contract to Jan. 19. Then, after a long executive session, they came out with an adjusted plan. Rather than paying him more than his previous $302,000 salary, they agreed to pay him less, $292,000, and to evaluate him  something they did not require before.

Huckelberry accepted those terms, but got a four-year deal and the key clause he took advantage of last July.

Supervisor Rex Scott even highlighted that clause at the Jan. 19 meeting, reading: If the employee retires as allowed by Arizona state retirement system, he can return to work as a contractor without negation of any terms of this contract.

Scott, Supervisor Adelita Grijalva and Board Chair Sharon Bronson praised Huckelberry in endorsing the new contract, but the other two expressed reservations.

I dont like this contract. I think I made it pretty clear, Matt Heinz said. Id prefer a 12- or 24-month term. He also wished for a more formal evaluation plan.

Supervisor Steve Christy, the only member of the board to vote no, explained that he thought Huckelberrys time as administrator had passed, but that the board kept deferring to his wishes.

The reality should have always been that Mr. Huckleberry as the county administrator works for the Board of Supervisors, Christy said. This is not now nor has it been the case for decades.

When I talked to him Tuesday, Christy, the boards only Republican, was unhappy with Huckelberrys handling of his retirement and thought it reflected the boards deference to him over the years.

All of the policies, all of the direction, the planning and programs were County Administrator Huckelberry-generated. They did not, for the most part, come from the Board of Supervisors, Christy said. This is what probably gave Mr. Huckelberry a certain feeling of license to continue this on in other areas, too, such as his contract.

Heinz said Monday he regretted how the contract decision had played out.

I should have pushed harder, he told me. I wanted a one-year contract, and I lost that one. I was pretty vocal at the time, saying I wanted a transitional administrator. Rex disagreed with me. Ultimately so did Adelita. And here we are.

We should have been doing a national search (for Huckelberrys successor) starting in July, he added.

Grijalva was concerned with how the whole episode played out, from the late notice that Huckelberry planned to resign, given on Friday, April 1, to the surprising news of his earlier retirement.

The contract, she noted, gave him the ability to retire, but nowhere did it say and you dont tell anyone. When theres any change of status, you let your bosses know.

She disputes the perception that Huckelberry ran the board at his whim, but she acknowledged that the episode shows the need for more checks in the system.

Who signed the paperwork that went to HR? she asked. Nobody should be able to sign their own paperwork.

That is apparently what happened, though. County spokesman Mark Evans said Monday that Huckelberry told human resources of his intent to change status.

His contract said he could do this, so he did it, Evans said.

On the Bill Buckmaster radio show Tuesday, Scott said he was disappointed not to know of Huckelberrys retirement when it happened but said it was the boards responsibility.

He fully abided by the terms of his contract. We gave him permission, if he chose, to retire and come back on a contractor basis. We did not note in the contract that he needed to tell us in advance. Thats something thats on the board.

I wish he had told us; he wasnt obliged to, Scott went on. Mr. Huckleberry and his family are already dealing with enough. I just think that what we need to be doing right now is reflecting the lessons we learned about how we should have conducted things back in January, and not focus on what we wish Chuck had done.

There likely never again will be a county administrator as knowledgeable, intelligent and crafty as Huckelberry. But thats the spirit of accountability that the board should embrace in the post-Huckelberry era. Too bad it took this episode to drive home the point.

+1

Contact opinion columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter

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RAMALLAH, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian boy was killed on Wednesday by Israeli soldiers during clashes in a West Bank village, said the health ministry and eyewitnesses.

The boy, 14, was killed by Israeli soldiers in Husan, a village west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement, citing a notice by the Palestinian Liaison Office, an organization established by the Palestinian Authority to coordinate security affairs with Israel.

Eyewitnesses said heavy clashes broke out between dozens of Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the village, during which 14-year-old Qusai Hamamreh was critically wounded by the soldiers, who later prevented the medical teams of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society from reaching him.

According to Israeli media outlets, Hamamreh hurled a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli soldiers in the village before being shot.

An Israeli army spokesperson said the army was looking into the incident.

Earlier in the day, Mohammed Assaf, a 34-year-old Palestinian lawyer, was killed after Israeli soldiers shot him in the chest during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the health ministry said in a separate press statement, adding 31 others were injured, including 11 by live ammunition.

The tension between Israelis and Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past three weeks before and during Muslims' fasting month of Ramadan.

On Monday, Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh warned that the Israeli escalation measures in the Palestinian territories would push the matters to "an uncontrollable situation." 
Brooklyn subway suspect tipped off police to his location

NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train has been arrested and charged with a federal terrorism offense. Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the motive remains unclear, and there is no indication the suspect has ties to terror organizations. The 62-year-old Frank R. James was taken into custody Wednesday, about 30 hours after the violence. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him. Two law enforcement officials say the suspect called police to say he could be found at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood. The two officials werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Presidents from countries on Russia's doorstep visit Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep have underscored their support for Ukraine in a visit to the embattled country. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia all worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls. The trip Wednesday by the countries' presidents comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody offensive until its full completion. In the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire.

Texas keeping most truck inspections despite border gridlock

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will continue truck inspections that have gridlocked the U.S.-Mexico border for days. The two-term Republican governor said Wednesday he would not repeal his new policy at all bridges until there are more assurances of security. Abbott did lift inspections at one international bridge after announcing what he said was an agreement for more enhanced security with Nuevo Leon, Mexico. But the most dramatic backups of commercial trucks along Texas 1,200-mile border have occurred at other bridges that do not share a border with Nuevo Leon.

When Biden 'speaking from his heart' doesn't speak for US

WASHINGTON (AP)  Theres no such thing as a purely personal opinion from the Oval Office on major matters of policy. But in several remarks about the Ukraine war in recent weeks, President Joe Biden has been voicing opinions that are not in step with U.S.  and his  policy. He's labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal. He's appeared to advocate regime change in Moscow. And now he's branded Russian war actions as genocide. In each case, the White House has sought to clarify his remarks, and to say he is not changing policies but speaking from his heart.

Video: Michigan cop on Black man's back, fatally shot him

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Video shows a Michigan police officer struggling with a Black man over a Taser before fatally shooting him in the head while the man was face down on the ground. Grand Rapids police released video from different sources Wednesday, nine days after Patrick Lyoya was killed during a traffic stop. Key footage came from a passenger in the car. Video shows Lyoya trying to run and a struggle over the officers Taser. The new police chief in Grand Rapids says he released the videos in the spirit of transparency. State police are investigating the shooting. Chief Eric Winstrom says the shooting is a tragedy. City Manager Mark Washington says he's bracing for shock and anger by the public.

'Prophet of Doom': Subway suspect left ranting video clues

NEW YORK (AP)  The suspect arrested in the Brooklyn subway shooting that left 10 people wounded by gunfire also left behind a trove of angry YouTube videos. Police were studying them Wednesday for a possible motive. Frank James seemed to vent about nearly everything in his videos. Racism in America, his struggles with mental illness, New York Citys new mayor, 9/11, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and Black women. In one, he said: This nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof, and its going to die a violent death."

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr pleads guilty to forcible touching

NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018, calling himself a celebrity figure who meant no harm. Gooding also publicly apologized for the first time to two other women who accused him of similar behavior in separate encounters. His admissions were part of a plea deal that came nearly three years after the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested. The case saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed. Wednesday's deal lets Gooding avoid any possibility of jail time if he continues alcohol and behavior modification counseling for six months.

France's Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has warned against sending any more weapons to Ukraine. She also called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down. Le Pen is an outspoken French nationalist who has long ties to Russia. She is seeking to unseat President Emmanuel Macron in France's April 24 presidential runoff. On Wednesday, Le Pen pledged to pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union. Her domestic critics and Frances EU partners both worry that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war against its neighbor.

Heal Thyself: Most who tear Achilles tendon can skip surgery

LONDON (AP)  New research suggests that surgery may not be needed for most Achilles tendon tears. Doctors have long been divided over whether its better to fix a torn Achilles tendon with surgery or just treat it with a brace and physical therapy. In the biggest-ever study investigating which treatment is best, scientists in Norway tracked 526 patients who had standard surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or no surgery. They reported Wednesday that they found only slight differences in how everyone had recovered about a year later, although there was a slightly higher chance of a re-injury in those who didn't have surgery.

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The oldest son of former President Donald Trump has met with the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. That's according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private session. The interview with Donald Trump Jr. took place Tuesday. He's one of nearly 1,000 witnesses interviewed by members of the House committee as they work to compile a record of the worst attack on the Capitol in more than two centuries. He's the second of Trumps children known to speak to the committee. His sister Ivanka Trump sat down with lawmakers for eight hours in early April.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  One of the busiest trade ports on the U.S.-Mexico border remained closed Tuesday as frustration and traffic snarls mounted over new orders by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requiring extra inspections of commercial trucks as part of the Republicans sprawling border security operation.

Since Monday, Mexican truckers have blocked the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in protest after Abbott last week directed state troopers to stop and inspect trucks coming into Texas. Unusually long backups  some lasting 12 hours or longer  have stacked up elsewhere along Texas roughly 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) border.

Not even a week into the inspections, the Mexican government said Tuesday that Abbotts order was causing serious damage to trade, and that cross-border traffic had plummeted to a third of normal levels.

The gridlock is the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. But critics question how the inspections are meeting that objective, while business owners and experts complain of financial losses and warn U.S. grocery shoppers could notice shortages as soon as this week.

Frustration is also spreading within members of Abbott's own party: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, called the inspections a catastrophic policy that is forcing some trucks to reroute hundreds of miles to Arizona.

I do describe it as a crisis, because this is not the normal way of doing business, said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, whose county includes the bridge in Pharr. Youre talking about billions of dollars. When you stop that process, I mean, there are many, many, many, many people that are affected.

The shutdowns and slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas already has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Abbott warned last week that inspections would dramatically slow border traffic, but he hasn't addressed the backups or port shutdowns since then. His office didn't reply to a message seeking comment left Tuesday.

The disruptions at some of the world's busiest international trade ports could pose economic and political threats to Abbott, who is seeking a third term in November. Democrat Beto O'Rourke, the former presidential candidate who is running against Abbott for governor, said during a stop in Pharr on Tuesday that the inspections were doing nothing to halt the flow of migrants and were worsening supply chain issues.

He was joined by Joe Arevalo, owner of Keystone Cold, a cold-storage warehouse on the border. He said that although Texas state troopers have always inspected some trucks crossing the border theyve never, ever, ever held up a complete system or a complete supply chain.

An estimated 3,000 trucks cross the Pharr bridge on a normal day, according to the National Freight Transportation Chamber. The Pharr bridge is the largest land port for produce, such as leafy green vegetables, entering the U.S.

Mexico supplies about two-thirds of the produce sold in Texas.

Were living through a nightmare, and were already suffering through a very delicate supply chain from the pandemic and to try to regrow the business," Arevalo said.

The additional inspections are conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which said that as of Monday, it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the truck inspections had turned up migrants or drugs.

The order's impact quickly spread beyond Texas: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials confirmed Tuesday that there was another blockade at the Mexican customs facility at the Santa Teresa port of entry in southern New Mexico, not far from El Paso. Those protests are misguided since New Mexico has nothing to do with Texas' inspection policies, said Jerry Pacheco, executive director of the International Business Accelerator and president of the Border Industrial Association.

He said the protests were costing businesses millions of dollars a day.

Everybody down here is on a just-in-time inventory system, Pancheo said. Its going to affect all of us, all of us in the United States. Your car parts are going to be delivered late, your computer  if you ordered a Dell or HP tablet, those are going to be disrupted."

Ed Anderson, a professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, compared the disruptions to those caused by February's trucker blockade in Canada that forced auto plants on both sides of the border to shut down or scale back production. During that protest, trucks looking for other entries to cross into the U.S. wound up causing congestion at other bridges, a scenario that Anderson said might now be repeated on the southern border.

Anderson said consumers would likely begin noticing the effects by the end of this week, if not sooner.

Either prices are going to spike or shelves are going to be low," he said.

Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect himself called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was awaiting arraignment on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in online videos about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his experiences with mental health care in New York City, and he had criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there is no indication that James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

It wasn't immediately clear whether James, who is from New York but has lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, has an attorney or anyone else who can speak for him. A sign taped to the door of James Milwaukee apartment asks that all mail be delivered to a post office box.

James, in a blue t-shirt and brown pants with his hands cuffed behind his back, didnt respond to reporters shouting questions as police escorted him to a car a few hours after his arrest.

Police had launched a massive effort to find him, releasing his name and issuing cellphone alerts.

They got a tip Wednesday that he was in a McDonald's in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

The tipster was James, and he told authorities to come and get him, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but they soon spotted him on a busy corner nearby.

Four police cars zoomed around a corner, officers leaped out and, soon, a compliant James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on, witness Aleksei Korobow said.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said authorities were able to shrink his world quickly.

There was nowhere left for him to run, she said.

The day before, James set off smoke grenades in a commuter-packed subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said.

Police Chief of Detectives James Essig said police were told that after James opened one of the smoke grenades, a rider asked, What did you do?

Oops, James said, then went on to brandish his gun and open fire, according to a witness account.

At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

As terrified riders fled the attack, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

The shooter left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van. That key led investigators to James.

Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop  a licensed firearms dealer  in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to comment on the investigation and did so on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.

Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.

In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators were reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms as they tried to discern a motive.

In one video, posted a day before the attack, James, who is Black, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.

You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people, James says. Its not going to get better until we make it better, he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were stomped, kicked and tortured out of their comfort zone.

In another video he says, this nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and its going to die a violent death. Theres nothing going to stop that.

His posts are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against Black people.

Sewell called the posts concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.

Several of James' videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jim Mustian, Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

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NEW YORK (AP)  A gunman wearing a gas mask set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets inside a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.

Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren't sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.

Authorities were looking at the man's apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten security for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts concerning.

The attack transformed the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground train, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station and bloodied people lying on the platform as others administered aid.

Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.

When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.

Im just grateful to be alive, he said.

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. The shooter's motive was unknown.

Sitting in the back of the train's second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. A riders video shows a person raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound.

Passengers in the smoke-filled car pounded on the door to an adjacent car, seeking to escape, rider Juliana Fonda, who was in that adjoining car, told the news site Gothamist. Fonda is a broadcast engineer for Gothamist's owner, public radio station WNYC.

Investigators believe the shooters gun jammed and kept him from firing more, said two law enforcement officials who werent authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Essig said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.

Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people. One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things.

Several videos mention New York's subways, and Adams is a recurring theme.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun crimes and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, warned at a midday news conference.

In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians who didnt hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said.

High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.

Im definitely shook, the 15-year-old said. "Even though I didnt see what happened, Im still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the citys subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime  especially in the subways  an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasnt immediately clear whether any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred.

The mayor, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

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BOSTON (AP)  A Colombian man who has been on the lam for nearly three decades since he was convicted in absentia of killing his wife has been located in a Boston suburb, the FBI said Wednesday.

William Hernando Usma Acosta, 61, was arrested by federal authorities on Wednesday in Belmont where he was living under an alias, the FBI said in a statement.

According to authorities, he fatally shot his wife, Laura Rose Agudelo, in Medellin, Colombia, in June 1994, and tried to kill his daughter when she intervened.

He fled Colombia shortly after the killing and was convicted in 1996, according to the FBI.

He crossed into the U.S. from Mexico illegally in 1995 and married an American citizen in 1998 to obtain lawful, permanent resident status, authorities said.

He has most recently been living in Belmont under the name Carlos Alberto Rendon, the FBI said.

When he applied for U.S. citizenship the FBI compared Rendon's fingerprints against those of Usma Acosta which were provided by Colombian police, and determined they were an exact match. Investigators also determined that his Colombian birth certificate was fraudulent.

He is in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities. It could not be determined if he had an attorney.

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SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The battle over who represents Oregon's new congressional district became heated Tuesday as six Democratic candidates jointly denounced almost $1 million in support for a rival party member by a super PAC that focuses on electing Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives.

This effort by the political arm of the Democratic establishment to buy this race for one candidate is a slap in the face to every Democratic voter and volunteer in Oregon, five of the candidates for the 6th District seat said at a news conference. One of the candidates couldn't attend because of a scheduling conflict.

They noted that candidate Carrick Flynn, who received the support from the House Majority PAC, is already backed by cryptocurrency billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried's political action committee, which has provided about $5 million in support for Flynn, mostly in TV ads.

Loretta Smith, a former Multnomah County commissioner who wants to be the first Black woman from Oregon elected to Congress, said she feels betrayed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the PAC's support for Flynn, a white man educated at Yale and Oxford universities who hasn't held elected office.

I think its disrespectful and its wrong, Smith said.

She said Black women's votes were key to getting President Joe Biden elected in 2020 and to giving Democrats a majority in the House.

It is unclear, however, what role, if any, that Pelosi had in throwing the PAC's support to Flynn. Pelosi's top political fundraiser, Mike Smith, last year became the PAC's senior adviser.

The PAC's spokesperson, C.J. Warnke, said in an email that it is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to secure a Democratic House Majority in 2022, and we believe supporting Carrick Flynn is a step towards accomplishing that goal.

He did not address the complaints by six of Flynn's rivals for the Democratic nomination. Oregon's primary election is on May 17.

State Rep. Andrea Salinas, another of the Democratic candidates for the U.S. House, was befuddled by the PAC's backing of Flynn.

Why? Who was behind it? Why was this decision made? We have a wealth of candidates, four of whom are women, three women of color  this is a diverse district," Salinas said. Ive been doing the work for diverse communities for a long time.

Flynn's campaign manager, Avital Balwit, said the campaign is "grateful for the confidence and support" of the House Majority PAC and others who are backing Flynn.

Our campaign is rooted in Carricks Oregon values - hard work, opportunity, and supportive, resilient communities. That message is clearly resonating," Balwit said in an email.

Flynn has worked on pandemic preparedness and biosecurity years before the pandemic and has advised Congress and the White House on pandemic preparedness and the creation of technology jobs, his campaign said. If elected, he plans to focus on the creation of green jobs and pandemic recovery and preparedness.

Also condemning the House Majority PACs unprecedented and inappropriate decision to spend nearly a million dollars in this Democratic primary were Democratic candidates Matt West, a development engineer at chipmaker Intel who aims to tackle climate change; Kathleen Harder, a physician in Salem; state Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon; and cryptocurrency entrepreneur Cody Reynolds.

Oregons 6th congressional district was created by the 2020 U.S. census and extends from Portlands suburbs to the southwest, including the state capital of Salem and towns in the Willamette Valley and the Coastal Range. The Cook Political Report said the new district would vote likely Democratic in the November election.

Republican candidates include state Rep. Ron Noble, former congressional candidate Amy Ryan Courser, clinical psychologist Angela Plowhead and Dundee Mayor David Russ.

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SEATTLE (AP)  The Washington state Board of Health has decided that COVID-19 vaccines will not be required for students to attend K-12 schools this fall.

The Board of Health made the decision in a unanimous vote Wednesday, The Seattle Times reported.

Last fall, the board created a separate technical advisory group tasked with researching whether a COVID vaccine would meet all the scientific criteria needed to be added to the list of required K-12 immunizations.

The advisory group in late February voted to recommend against adding a COVID-19 vaccine to the list of school-required immunizations, citing a lack of vaccine data for school-aged kids and potentially unpredictable social impacts from imposing a mandate.

The Department of Health very much supports the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations, state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah, a board member, said before the vote Wednesday.   I also want to affirm the overall recommendation of the (advisory group), but that does not take away from the fact that our department continues to remain committed to its work to encourage the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Tao Kwan-Gett, the states science officer and co-chair of the advisory group, noted that it may become necessary to assess whether the recommendation must change.

If new data on how the vaccine affects school-aged children surfaces, or if a new variant emerges that appears to show more severe disease in children, for example, the board could revisit the issue in the future, he said.

Board member Bob Lutz, former health officer of Spokane Countys public health department, said they also "have to be sensitive to the fact that this is a very contentious issue."

He cited superintendents concerns about chronic absenteeism and parents/caregivers pulling their children from school during the pandemic, wondering if a COVID-19 vaccine requirement might worsen the problem.

Board and advisory group members agreed more data is needed about vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11. The Pfizer-BioNtech COVID vaccine has been granted emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for ages 5 to 15, but it has not yet been fully approved for that age range.

In the United States, only two states  California and Louisiana  have added COVID vaccines to the list of required immunizations for school-aged kids, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. The requirements would be enforced only if the FDA grants full authorization to the kid-sized vaccine dose.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
TEHRAN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister said Wednesday that a preliminary agreement has been reached on releasing the Iranian assets currently frozen in a foreign bank due to U.S. sanctions, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Hossein Amir Abdollahian made the remarks at a press conference after his meeting with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

He added that a foreign delegation had held negotiations on Tuesday with officials from the Central Bank of Iran and the Foreign Ministry to make the arrangements.

An initial agreement has been achieved on the timing and method of releasing the assets, the Iranian foreign minister noted.

Tehran has repeatedly demanded the release of its funds frozen abroad under U.S. sanctions as diplomats struggle to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Due to the sanctions, Iran has not been able to have access to its exports revenues in foreign banks. 
Following the successful fall 2021 launch of College Park, Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa are adding a second academic program. Beginning fall 2022, College Park will offer psychology as a major area of study in addition to business. Plus, the College Park business track is adding scholarship opportunities funded by private donors.

College Park, a new education model for Tulsa, is a collaboration between the two institutions to provide a four-year public university experience benefiting individuals who want to earn a bachelors degree and stay in Tulsa. It offers a structured course schedule and unique learning format.

This innovative program is unlike any other option in Tulsa. Through collaboration, each institution brings our strengths for the benefit of students and our community, said Leigh Goodson, Ph.D., TCC president and CEO. For TCC, this is about providing access to college as we respond to employers to provide degree programs tailored to the needs of our regions economy.

College Park classes are taught on the OSU-Tulsa campus beginning with TCC faculty for freshman and sophomore level courses and then OSU-Tulsa faculty for junior and senior level classes. The program uses existing infrastructure and capitalizes on student support and resources from two institutions. In addition, the course schedule provides a streamlined path to a chosen bachelor's degree at OSU-Tulsa while maintaining a consistent class schedule for the first two years to help students plan their life and family responsibilities around school before moving to an individualized plan.

A direct response to calls for an affordable, public four-year higher education option, College Park combines TCCs nationally recognized experience in the first two years and OSU-Tulsa's role as a public, metropolitan urban-serving research university.

We have seen high demand for psychology as a College Park degree path, said Johnny Stephens, Ph.D., interim president of OSU-Tulsa and president of OSU Center for Health Sciences. Psychology provides the interpersonal and critical thinking skills valued by employers in a broad spectrum of industries and also serves as an ideal foundational degree for graduate education.

Students begin the College Park business or psychology tracks with a cohort, or group of students, for the freshman and sophomore level courses leading to an associate degree. The students also have access to shared student services including early advising, career counseling and wellness, as well as research facilities and specialized faculty.

Through the cohort experience, students create a peer support network. This, along with support from two institutions, resulted in College Park students having a higher GPA during the semester as compared to non-College Park first-time entering business majors, said Goodson.

College Park is also bolstered with expanded financial support for students. The Ronald and Myra Jeffris College Park Scholarship Fund will award scholarships beginning fall 2022 to College Park business administration students through the TCC Foundation. These scholarships are renewable and will follow the College Park student to completion of their bachelors degree. In addition, the Tulsa Achieves scholarship pays tuition and fees for eligible students for the first 60 hours, or the associate degree. Plus, OSU-Tulsa also has commitments to help fund scholarships toward the costs of the junior and senior years for College Park students.

Applications for fall 2022 are open. Visit collegeparktulsa.com for more information.

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Three Skiatook students recently were recognized at the State Speech Tournament.

Freshmen Braden Gorton, Cole Butler and Maddox Lauffer competed at the event, held at the University of Oklahoma April 8-9.

They finished 17th, 13th and 16th in the state in Foreign Current Events Speech.

Students in the speech and debate class learn critical thinking, research ability and public speaking skills, which they sharpen with in-class arguments and participation in interscholastic contests at other local high schools.

Students from the team have participated in the state tournament every year for the past 10 years.
NEW YORK (AP)  A cryptocurrency expert was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in federal prison for helping North Korea evade U.S. sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, 39, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, admitting he presented at a cryptocurrency conference in Pyongyang in 2019 even after the U.S. government denied his request to travel there.

A well-known hacker, Griffith also developed cryptocurrency infrastructure and equipment inside North Korea," prosecutors wrote in court papers. At the 2019 conference, he advised more than 100 people  including several who appeared to work for the North Korean government  on how to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions and achieve independence from the global banking system.

The U.S. and the U.N. Security Council have imposed increasingly tight sanctions on North Korea in recent years to try to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The U.S. government amended sanctions against North Korea in 2018 to prohibit a U.S. person, wherever located from exporting technology to North Korea.

Prosecutors said Griffith acknowledged his presentation amounted to a transfer of technical knowledge to conference attendees.

Griffith is an American citizen who chose to evade the sanctions of his own country to provide services to a hostile foreign power, prosecutors wrote. He did so knowing that power  North Korea  was guilty of atrocities against its own people and has made threats against the United States citing its nuclear capabilities.

Defense attorney Brian Klein described Griffith as a brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession with North Korea. He viewed himself  albeit arrogantly and naively  as acting in the interest of peace, Klein said. He loves his country and never set out to do any harm.

Klein added that he was disappointed with the 63-month prison sentence but pleased the judge acknowledged Virgils commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute.

A self-described disruptive technologist, Griffith became something of a tech-world enfant terrible in the early 2000s. In 2007, he created WikiScanner, a tool that aimed to unmask people who anonymously edited entries in Wikipedia, the crowdsourced online encyclopedia.

WikiScanner essentially could determine the business, institutions or government agencies that owned the computers from which some edits were made. It quickly identified businesses that had sabotaged competitors entries and government agencies that had rewritten history, among other findings.

I am quite pleased to see the mainstream media enjoying the public-relations disaster fireworks as I am, Griffith told The Associated Press in 2007.

Klein previously said Griffith cooperated with the FBI and helped educate law enforcement about the so-called dark web, a network of encrypted internet sites that allow users to remain anonymous.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
MIDLAND, Texas (AP)  A Texas woman found guilty of drug possession has sued over the decades-old conviction, claiming her case was one of more than 300 tainted by a prosecutor who was simultaneously doing legal work for the judges hearing those cases.

The federal lawsuit filed Monday by Erma Wilson is part of the continued fallout from Weldon Petty's years working for the Midland County District Attorneys Office while also being paid as a law clerk for judges before whom he argued criminal cases.

Wilson was charged with drug possession in 2000 and maintained her innocence through a trial and unsuccessful appeal of her conviction. In the lawsuit, she alleges that Petty drafted important decisions for the judge overseeing her case while also advising his fellow prosecutors on it, violating her civil rights.

Wilson, who now lives in Austin with her family, said the felony conviction scuttled her dreams of becoming a nurse and made it more difficult to support her children. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Petty, who retired as a prosecutor in 2019, declined to comment, saying over the phone that he was not aware of the lawsuit. A lawyer for Midland County, which is 330 miles (351 kilometers) west of Dallas, said they have not been served with the suit and don't comment on pending litigation.

Pettys dual roles were brought to light last year in reporting by USA Today, which showed that the cases in which he worked for both prosecutors and judges included that of death-row prisoner Clinton Young.

Texas' top criminal court threw out Young's murder conviction last year and the state's high civil court disbarred Petty.

Court records state that during an evidentiary hearing in Youngs appeal, Petty refused to testify about his paid work for the judge, citing a constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
UNITED NATIONS A U.N. task force is warning in a new report that Russias war against Ukraine threatens to devastate the economies of many developing countries that are now facing even higher food and energy costs and increasingly difficult financial conditions.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the report Wednesday stressing that the war is supercharging a crisis in food, energy and finance in poorer countries that were already struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and a lack of access to adequate funding for their economic recovery.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the U.N. agency promoting trade and development who coordinated the task force, said 107 countries have severe exposure to at least one dimension of the food, energy and finance crisis and 69 countries are severely exposed to all three and face very difficult financial conditions with no fiscal space, and with no external financing to cushion the blow.

The report urges countries to ensure a steady flow of food and energy through open markets, and it calls on international financial institutions to do everything possible to ensure more liquidity immediately.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Biden approves $800M in artillery, helicopters for Ukraine

 Ukraines detention of oligarch close to Putin angers Moscow

 Frances Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

 Polish, Baltic presidents visit Ukraine in show of support

 Russia has yet to slow a Western arms express into Ukraine

 Forced into a basement in Ukraine, residents began to die

 Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

ODESA, Ukraine  In the Odesa region of Ukraine, Gov. Maksym Marchenko says forces have struck the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva with two missiles and caused serious damage.

Moskva is the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged Wednesday, but not that it was hit by Ukraine.

The Ministry says ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire  whose causes were being established  and the Moskvas entire crew was evacuated.

Odesa is Ukraines biggest port.

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hes sincerely thankful to the U.S. for the new round of $800 million in military assistance.

In his daily late-night address to the nation, Zelenskyy also said he was thankful for Wednesdays visit by the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

He said those leaders have helped us from the first day, those who did not hesitate to give us weapons, those who did not doubt whether to impose sanctions.

In his telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelenskyy said they discussed the new weapons shipment, even tougher sanctions against Russia and efforts to bring to justice those Russian soldiers who committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires that were left behind in northern Ukraine by the retreating Russians.

He urged those returning to their homes in those towns to be wary of any unfamiliar object and report it to the police.

LVIV, Ukraine  The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow.

Analysts say Medvedchuk will become a valuable pawn in the Russia-Ukraine talks to end the devastating war that the Kremlin has unleashed on its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Medvedchuk was detained on Tuesday in a special operation carried out by Ukraines state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading him for Ukrainians now held captive by the Russians.

The 67-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest several days before the hostilities broke out Feb. 24 in Ukraine. He is facing between 15 years and a life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.

Medvedchuk has close ties with Putin, who is believed to be the godfather of his youngest daughter. His detention has sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv.

KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country.

The presidents of the four NATO countries on Russias doorstep saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces. The visit was a strong show of solidarity by the leaders of the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union.

They traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the countrys east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historical Mariinskyi Palace, the European leaders  Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia  reiterated their commitments to supporting Ukraine politically and with transfers of military aid.

Duda described what is happening not as war but as terrorism, saying accountability must extend not just to soldiers who committed atrocities but also those who gave the orders.

We know this history, Duda said. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has weighed in on growing calls to declare Russias actions in Ukraine as genocide, saying it is absolutely right that the term is being used given rampant allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations.

Trudeau made the comments during a news conference Wednesday, a day after U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that Russias conduct in Ukraine appeared to his eyes to be a genocide.

While both North American leaders noted that it will be up to lawyers to determine whether Russias actions meet the international standard for genocide, they were nonetheless united in welcoming use of the term.

Its absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing, Trudeau said.

The prime minister went on to list a series of war crimes and human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, including deliberate attacks on civilians and the use of sexual violence. Trudeau said theyre attacking Ukrainian identity and culture.

Canada has dispatched police investigators to help the International Criminal Court collect evidence to ultimately hold Putin and other Russian leaders to account.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive in the countrys East.

Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate the delivery of the assistance, which he said included artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers, as well as helicopters.

This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine, Biden said in a statement.

Biden said the U.S. will continue to work with allies to share additional weapons and resources as the conflict continues.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.

UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the United Nations was seeking.

But he told reporters Wednesday that the U.N. has made a number of proposals to Russia on the possibility of local cease-fires, humanitarian corridors, and the evacuation of civilians, and we are waiting for an answer.

Guterres sent U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths to Moscow and Kyiv as his special envoy to seek a humanitarian cease-fire, but he said, at the present moment, a global cease-fire in Ukraine doesnt seem possible.

He said the U.N. proposals to Russia are aimed at minimizing the dramatic impact of Russias war against Ukraine on civilians and include creating a mechanism involving Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and eventually other humanitarian bodies to permanently manage local cease-fires, humanitarian access and evacuations to avoid incidents and failures.

As for Russian President Vladimir Putins reported comment Tuesday that negotiations with Ukraine are at a dead end, Guterres said, I will remind you that we are in an Easter period and the Easter period is about resurrection.

KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian official has rejected Russias claims that more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in the besieged southeastern port of Mariupol. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals plant in the city.

But Vadym Denysenko, advisor to Ukraines Interior Minister, denied the claim in comments to the Current Time TV channel, saying that they havent heard anything like that and the battle over the sea port is ongoing.

According to official data of (Ukraines) Defense Ministry and the General Staff, we havent heard anything like that, Denysenko said. Moreover, I will say ... that the battle over the sea port is still ongoing today.

PARIS  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia and has supported Vladimir Putin in the past, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has urged China to use its special relationship with Russia to persuade Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank, on Wednesday, Yellen said Beijing cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if it does not respect these principles now.

Yellens speech comes a week before the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington. Her direct appeal to China underscores an increasing frustration that the United States and its allies have with a country that has only deepened its ties with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

The worlds attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by Chinas reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia, she said.

Yellen said that countries that undermine the sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia will face consequences for their actions. Leaving open the question of what the consequences for flouting the sanctions could be, Yellen said Russias ongoing war in Ukraine has redrawn the contours of the global economy, which includes our conception of international cooperation going forward.

HELSINKI  European Union nations Finland and Sweden reached important stages Wednesday on their way to possible NATO membership as the Finnish government issued a security report to lawmakers and Swedens ruling party initiated a review of security policy options.

Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 triggered a surge in support for joining NATO in the two traditionally militarily non-aligned Nordic countries, with polls showing a majority of respondents willing to join the alliance in Finland and supporters of NATO in Sweden clearly outnumbering those against the idea.

Finland, a country of 5.5 million, shares the EUs longest border with Russia, a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) frontier. Sweden has no border with Russia.

Russia, for its part, has warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, with officials saying it would not contribute to stability in Europe. Officials said Russia would respond to such a move with retaliatory measures that would cause military and political consequences for Helsinki and Stockholm. One of Russian President Vladimir Putins reasons for invading Ukraine was that the country refused to promise that it would not join NATO.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, speaking Wednesday in Stockholm in a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, said Finland is ready to make a decision on NATO within weeks rather than months following an extensive debate in the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature.

GENEVA  The head of the World Health Organization slammed the global community Wednesday for its almost singular focus on the war in Ukraine, arguing that crises elsewhere, including his home country of Ethiopia, dont receive equal consideration, possibly because those suffering arent white.

In a press briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he didnt know if the world really gives equal attention to black and white lives, given that the ongoing emergencies in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have garnered only a fraction of the global concern for Ukraine.

Tedros said the siege of the Tigray region of Ethiopia by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces was one of the longest in modern history and noted that a recent truce had still not allowed in significant amounts of humanitarian aid. Tedros acknowledged that the situation in Ukraine was globally significant, but questioned if other crises were being accorded enough attention.

I need to be blunt and honest that the world is not treating the human race the same way, he said. Some are more equal than others.

Tedros noted that there are about 6,000 people living in Tigray with HIV, but authorities have lost track of where they are and that many of them, we assume they have already died. Tedros described the situation in Tigray as tragic and said he hopes the world comes back to its senses and treats all human life equally. He also critiqued the press for its failure to document the ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia, noting that people had been burned alive in the region.

I dont even know if that was taken seriously by the media, he said

GENEVA  Switzerland is joining a raft of new sanctions targeting people and companies in Russia over President Vladimir Putins military campaign in Ukraine, including his two adult daughters.

The Federal Council on Wednesday adopted new measures against Russia and Belarus, a key ally of Moscow, that mirror similar measures adopted last week by the European Union. Switzerland, which has long prided itself on its neutrality, is not among the EUs 27 member states.

Switzerland had already lined up with previous EU sanctions. The fifth and latest package of measures focuses on finance, transport, and trade  notably bans on imports of coal, wood, cement, seafood, and vodka that serve as important sources of revenue for Russia, the government said.

An extra 200 people or entities were also sanctioned including Russian oligarchs and their families, as well as Putins adult daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova.

MILAN  Italian energy company ENI said it has a deal to import up to 3 billion cubic meters of liquid natural gas from Egypt this year as Europe seeks to wean itself from Russian natural gas over its invasion of Ukraine.

ENI signed the deal Wednesday with EGAS (Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company), just days after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi secured a deal to increase gas imports from Algeria to help replace the 29 billion cubic meters Italy imports annually from Russia.

The Algeria deal will add up to 9 billion cubic meters of gas by 2023-24 to the 21 billion cubic meters it already receives, with the increased flows starting in the fall. Russia is Italys top supplier of natural gas, which is used to generate electricity, heat and cool homes and power industry.

LONDON  The Channel Island of Jersey says it is freezing assets connected to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich estimated to be worth over $7 billion.

The Law Offices Department of Jersey, a tax haven long known for drawing large amounts of foreign direct investment, said Wednesday that the assets being targeted were either located in Jersey, or owned by Jersey-incorporated entities.

It said that police also executed a search warrant Tuesday at addresses suspected to be connected to Abramovichs business activities. It didnt provide details.

Abramovich, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been sanctioned by the U.K. government and the European Union. The 55-year-old tycoon has assumed an unofficial role in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending the war.

PRAGUE  The Czech Republic has reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital that was closed after Russian troops invaded the country.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats have returned to Kyiv and the Czech flag is flying again at the embassy.

It said Wednesdays move is one of the steps to show our support for Ukraine.

BERLIN -- Experts commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say they found clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces in Ukraine.

OSCE member countries authorized a study in early March, and the three professors chosen to conduct it -- Wolfgang Benedek, Veronika Bilkova and Marco Sassoli -- were selected by Ukraine.

Their report, issued Wednesday, said that if the Russian forces had respected their obligations in terms of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack and concerning specially protected objects such as hospitals, the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower.

The experts found some violations and problems in Ukrainian practices, voicing concern about the treatment of prisoners of war.

The report said Russia responded by saying it considered the mechanism under which the experts were appointed largely outdated and redundant and declined to appoint a liaison person, referring them to official government statements and briefings.

LONDON  Britain has announced a new round of sanctions related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, targeting 178 individuals who have helped prop up Kremlin-backed breakaway regions in the eastern part of the country.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that the sanctions were coordinated with the European Union. The move comes after rocket attacks that targeted civilians in eastern Ukraine.

Those sanctioned include Alexander Ananchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, and Sergey Kozlov, the chair of government in the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Also targeted are Pavel Ezubov, cousin of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, and Nigina Zairova, executive assistant to Russian tycoon Mikhail Fridman.

Truss says Britain is sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putins war.

BERLIN -- The German government is defending the countrys president after a diplomatic snub by Ukraine.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the largely ceremonial head of state, said Tuesday that his presence apparently wasnt wanted in Kyiv. He said his Polish counterpart had suggested that they both travel to Ukraine along with the presidents of the three Baltic countries.

German newspaper Bild quoted an unidentified Ukrainian diplomat as saying that Steinmeier is not welcome in Kyiv at the moment because he had close relations with Russia in the past. Steinmeier was previously Germanys foreign minister and recently admitted mistakes in policy toward Russia.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday she regrets that Steinmeier was unable to visit.

Ukraines ambassador to Germany said Chancellor Olaf Scholz would be welcome, but some German lawmakers said the snub to Steinmeier would complicate that.

Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner defended Steinmeier, saying that he has clearly taken a stand on Ukraines side.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A proposed merger of three state law enforcement agencies lived to fight another day, but barely, after tangling with the Oklahoma House of Representatives Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1612, by Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, is the latest attempt to combine the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control under single management.

It isnt a new idea, but it is one promoted by Gov. Kevin Stitt in this years State of the State address.

The bill passed 6-4 with the help of the two Democrats on the committee and Speaker Pro Tem Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, who as an ex officio member of all committees was brought in when it became apparent that the bill was in trouble.

A possible tie was averted when Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, switched his vote to yea.

As passed by the Senate, SB 1612 would have combined the three agencies into one under a single public safety commissioner chosen by an 11-member board.

But House Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, responding to concerns about giving so much authority to one person, subbed out the public safety czar in the committee substitute presented Tuesday. Instead, he proposed a nine-member commission with a rotating chairman.

Considerable skepticism remained. Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, who served three House terms in the late 1980s and early 1990s, reminded younger members that considerable pressure was brought to bear on the OSBI during its investigation of Gov. David Hall during the 1970s.

The Hall investigation, in fact, is why the OSBI was given and still has considerable autonomy.

I dont see a way this could be done and preserve the integrity of (the agencies) to investigate us, Williams said.

Echols, however, maintained that his proposed set-up would be more resistant to political pressure than the current one because a majority of the new commission would have law enforcement backgrounds.

Echols said this push for consolidation came from boots on the ground members of the agencies  especially Highway Patrol troopers, apparently  who want more ability to move among the three agencies.

The bill is now in such a crippled procedural state that, even if it passes off the House floor, it will still have to go through the Senate and House again for final passage.

Also in the House Tuesday:

An unwieldly charter school reform bill stayed alive but in need of a serious makeover, House sponsor Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, told the Common Education Committee.

Dills was assigned SB 1621, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, only on Friday, and she asked the committee to keep it moving while final language continued to be worked on.

This is a big bill, Dills said. It has language that needs changing. It has language that needs to be added. There is language that needs to be taken out of it. Were trying to put together a positive bill for Oklahoma, but were going to need to do some major work on it.

Were trying to set up a system where we have adequate oversight of charter schools, where we have consistency and transparency in all that we do, Dills said.

Her list of musts for SB 1621 centers around tighter financial, administrative and academic controls for charter schools and their authorizing sponsors.

House Judiciary-Civil Committee Chairman Chris Kannady laid over all 11 bills on Tuesdays agenda, likely consigning them to the sessions discard pile, after the Senate Judiciary Committee refused to hear legislation he and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, have been pursuing for several years.

House Bill 3899 would allow first responders to receive workers compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress suffered on the job.

West is also upset that the Senate again refused to hear his data-privacy legislation, which has been the subject of some fairly intense lobbying by business groups. It would put up some obstacles to collecting and selling data gathered online without explicit consent.

The term pro-life is thrown around this building a lot, said West. After six years of watching (the PTSD) bill die, I think theres a lot of people here who are pro-birth, because we dont do anything to help people after theyre born.

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Oklahomas Statewide Virtual Charter School Board rejected an application for a new online school because its proposed management structure too closely resembled the arrangement that landed Epic Charter Schools in regulatory hot water.

Presented by John Paul Jordan, a Yukon attorney and former state representative, Scissortail Preparatory Academy was proposed to open with as many as 1,200 students.

After a lengthy question-and-answer session about Scissortails management by Arizona-based Verano Learning Partners, which proposed being paid $3.5 million or 57% of all budgeted revenue in the first year of operation, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board was unanimous in its rejection on Tuesday afternoon.

Board member Barry Beauchamp made the motion to reject Scissortails application because of the disproportionate amount of money being expended on support services and administrative services and not on the direct instruction of students, and member Brandon Tatum seconded the motion.

Scissortail will get a formal letter of rejection and 30 days to revise its application and resubmit it to the statewide virtual board if it chooses.

At issue was how Scissortail could ensure full accountability and transparency for its use of Oklahoma taxpayer dollars given that such a large portion of its revenues would be transferred to the schools contracted outside manager, Verano.

Skyler Lusnia, an auditor who works for the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, said the proposed arrangement called for something called an indirect allocation whereby the school would be relying on Verano, a service vendor, to handle the bulk of public finances.

This is the method Epic Youth Services used, which resulted in penalties against Epic Charter Schools, Lusnia said. Because of this indirect allocation method, it gets a little tricky. Its hard to connect all the dots.

It would make it impossible for actual costs to be coded correctly under OCAS (Oklahoma Cost Accounting System for all public schools). This is exactly the kind of regulatory rabbit hole that leads to issues.

To date, the Oklahoma State Board of Education has voted to recoup nearly $20 million from Epic Charter Schools since a forensic audit by the State Auditor and Inspectors Office found administrative costs well above statutory limits for public schools and less than full compliance with mandatory school cost accounting requirements in the years Epic was managed by its founders for-profit management company, Epic Youth Services.

The issues also prompted the statewide virtual charter board to begin proceedings to terminate its sponsorship contract with Epic, but that matter was suspended after Epics school board overhauled its own membership and cut out EYS and its owners and school co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney completely.

At Tuesdays Statewide Virtual Charter School Board meeting, Lusnia also raised another specific concern to the board  the fact that Scissortails proposal called for paying Verano for digital curriculum even though that curriculum doesnt come from Verano but from a for-profit company called StrongMind.

Verano Learning Partners is an associated nonprofit led by the StrongMind companys founder and chief executive, Damian Creamer. The bulk of the board members questions on Tuesday were fielded not by Jordan but by Seth McKinzie, chief development officer for Verano, who appeared via videoconference.

This new school applicant proposes the school use StrongMind as curriculum provider, but the school would be paying the management company for curriculum developed by a related entity, rather than StrongMind directly, and I believe that is a conflict of interest and an ethical concern, Lusnia said Tuesday.

Board members wanted to know who would be leading Scissortail, but McKinzie said the hiring process for a superintendent or executive director would begin only if the board moved forward with sponsoring the school.

Oklahoma already has six statewide providers of online school choice, which under current state law can only be authorized by the statewide virtual charter board. Additionally, there are a host of traditional school district-hosted online education options for district residents.

Just two months ago, a much more lucrative $40 million deal Verano and StrongMind were poised to be a part of fell apart amid backlash from StrongMind employees and the withdrawal of a key StrongMind subcontractor, according to the Washington Post.

The failed venture was called Turning Point Academy, a private online academy proposed by pro-Donald Trump youth group leader Charlie Kirk, aimed at students Kirk claims have been failed by schools poisoning our youth with anti-American ideas.

Statewide Virtual Charter School Board Chair Robert Franklin seemed to allude to the situation in asking the applicants what was meant by some of the language in Scissortails proposal, including its pledge to offer curriculum tailored to Oklahomas values.

Jordan responded by saying he had included that language and what he was trying to convey was the intent for Scissortail not to take something developed for another state but to offer curriculum created especially for Oklahomas unique population, including Native American students.

Jordan represented District 43 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2014-18.

Public court records show that he was the attorney representing Epic co-founder David Chaney in a 2019 family court case and the attorney representing former statewide virtual board member Mathew Hamrick in his 2021 lawsuit against his fellow board members, including Franklin, Beauchamp and Tatum.

Hamrick was one of two then-board members barred from voting on Epic Charter Schools matters over conflict-of-interest concerns, first reported by the Tulsa World.

He and Phyllis Shepherd, a relative of Chaneys, both resigned in the fall, and Hamrick withdrew his lawsuit.

Featured video: State Auditor Cindy Byrd speaks to lawmakers about Epic audit

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State officials have selected an Arizona nonprofit group to run Oklahomas 988 Mental Health Line call center, which is on track to launch this summer.

Solari Crisis & Human Services will operate the statewide 988 mental health lifeline, which will replace the 11-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number.

The Federal Communications Commission in 2020 approved rules to establish 988 as the nationwide, easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors.

Oklahoma officials say they are on track to launch the states 988 system by July 1.

The program is one part of what state officials say is its comprehensive crisis response system.

Solaris Arizona crisis line is one of the top-performing hotlines in the country, according to Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services officials.

This company has developed customized technology to build a system that has been extremely successful, said Carrie Slatton-Hodges, Department of Mental Health commissioner. They are experts at recognizing people in crisis and connecting them to the guidance and services they need.

The new call center will replace call centers operated in Tulsa and Oklahoma City by other groups.

Department spokesman Jeff Dismukes said Solari will be paid just under $5 million the first year and about $3.5 million the remaining years of the three-year contract.

Funds to pay for the service will come from federal sources, Dismukes said.

Beth Brady, Solaris senior director of brand development and education, said those familiar with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program offerings shouldnt notice any major changes when the switch occurs.

The exciting thing is with the transition to a three-digit number, its going to make it just that more accessible because people will be able to remember it, Brady said. The good news is because the infrastructure is already set up, it should be really smooth sailing once the number transitions over officially.

Brady said its Arizona program fields about 25,000 calls monthly within an average of 8 seconds.

Solari will provide a continuum of crisis care and human services, including a 24/7 peer-support Warm Line, Serious Mental Illness determinations, a 211 call information and referral service, dispatch services and other in-kind services, according to the Department of Mental Health.

Operators are licensed and certified health crisis specialists who answer calls and connect to and dispatch local services and mobile crisis teams, according to the department. Eventually the center will integrate with the 911 system.

Slatton-Hodges said people who are calling the crisis line need someone on the other end of that phone line.

This company has done a tremendous job doing that, she said. With the mental health impact of the pandemic and rising suicide rates, the implementation of the 988 number could not come at a more critical time.

Brady said the company plans to hire 31 people to work at the call center.

Featured video: Many Americans are having mental health issues from the pandemic

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Former President Donald Trump has endorsed 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas for a 15th term.

Congressman Frank Lucas is a strong advocate for the people of Oklahomas 3rd Congressional District, Trump said in a written statement. Frank is working hard to grow our economy, encourage innovation, promote American farmers, defend the Second Amendment, and support our military and vets.

In 2016 and 2020, I won 77 of 77 counties in the great state of Oklahoma, and I was proud to campaign alongside Oklahoma leaders like Frank. Frank Lucas has my complete and total endorsement!

The low-key Lucas has not been as outspoken in his support of Trump, but his district gave the former president some of his largest majorities in 2016 and 2020, and Lucas joined Oklahomas other House members in voting against certifying Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Lucas has been challenged in the GOP primary by several candidates, including term-limited state Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy.

Im honored to receive President Trumps endorsement, Lucas said in a written statement. Weve worked tirelessly fighting for Oklahomas farmers and ranchers, bolstering Americas energy independence, strengthening Americas economy, and standing up to progressive extremism.

Thank you Mr. President for choosing this farmer from Cheyenne to continue our America first mission and defend Oklahomas values in Washington.

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Tuesdays atmospheric makeup had all the ingredients necessary for a tornadic outbreak. But one thing was holding it back: the cap.

So what is a cap exactly? In a short answer, a cap is a layer of warm air, usually several thousand feet above the surface of the Earth, that restricts the vertical development of thunderstorms.

April and May average the most tornadic storms per month in Oklahoma, with 11.7 per month in April and 24.1 per month in May.

For tornadoes or severe storms to occur, you first need a warming of the Earths surface, which causes air particles to rise. When these particles rise, they cool and condense and form clouds. As long as the surrounding air continues to be cooler than the particle itself, it will continue rising.

This is typical of a temperature profile in the atmosphere. As you rise with height, the temperature cools. Every once in a while though, like Tuesday, that rising air particle will encounter a layer of warm air as it is rising. The surrounding air is warmer, so it will suppress the vertical development of the storm, and it turns into a quiet day.

Another way to look at this is like a pot of water. When the pot heats up, it begins to boil. Without a lid on, the steam is able to rise. Now if you put a lid on the pot, it traps in all that steam and energy.

However, if the lid is removed, the steam will quickly move upward. There are certain times though, when the lid stays on too long and the pressure inside the pot becomes so forceful that the lid can no longer contain it.

At that time the steam and energy will escape through the weaker sides of the lid in any way they can and violently burst upward. This is similar to a severe weather day when the cap is broken and severe storms erupt.

The strength of a cap will make or break a severe weather day. No matter how much moisture is present, how strong the upper-level winds are or how unstable the air may be, if that cap (or layer of warm air) is strong, then there will not be any severe storms. It is days like that when many residents are ready for severe storms to pop up, but nothing happens.

Blaming the meteorologist is the first thing they do, but sometimes it is just Mother Nature putting a lid on that development.

Interesting weather fact: Data from the National Weather Service office in Tulsa from 1950 to 2019 showed 1,393 confirmed tornadoes, 614 occurring between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. While the remaining 752 tornadoes occurred at other times of the day, 348 of those tornadoes were at night, the most dangerous time for tornadic activity, from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. The fewest number of tornadoes, 26, occurred in the morning between 7 a.m. and 9:59 a.m.

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RABAT, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has granted Morocco a loan of 100 million U.S. dollars, Morocco's SRNT national radio reported on Wednesday.

The loan, aiming to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Morocco's economy, will provide Moroccan households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with affordable financial services, it said.

It also aims to expand digital financial services, such as insurance, credit and banking, to provide individuals and small businesses with easy access to financial systems, it added.

The total portfolio of the OFID in Morocco consists of 600 million dollars, it said. 
Many Vietnamese enterprises are trying to adapt to difficult circumstances caused by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as to seize more trade opportunities opened up during this period.

As a result of those efforts, Vietnam has strongly increased the exportation of rice and other agricultural and food products to Europe, which is importing about US$160 billion worth of food every year, according to experts.

Vietnamese rice price is standing at $415-420 per metric ton on the world market, about $12-15 higher than the beginning of the year and some $10 pricier than early March, according to statistics of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).

By comparison, Thailands rice of the same quality is sold at $408-410 per metric ton.

In the first quarter of 2022, Vietnams coffee exports approached $1.22 billion, up 50.4 percent over the same period last year.

The countrys exports of vegetables and fruits reached nearly $322 million, up 47.9 percent compared to February, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VinaFruit).

On a global scale, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged out at 159.3 points in March, up 12.6 percent from February when it hit a record high since its inception in 1990, the U.N. food agency said on Friday last week.

The agency attributed the price hike to the crisis in Ukraine, which sent prices of staple grains and edible oils soaring.

Finding new buyers

Phuc Sinh Group, a leading agricultural product exporter in Vietnam, successfully liquidated its goods whose delivery process had been disturbed by the war in Ukraine.

When its partners failed to pay for a number of coffee and pepper shipments, which were on the way to Russia at the time when the Russian military began attacking Ukraine, the company produced an ad-hoc solution -- halting the delivery process and selling the commodities to other buyers at the ports in transit countries such as Singapore, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.

Phuc Sinhs annual exports to Russia and Ukraine are estimated at $30 million, accounting for 10 percent of its revenue, according to general director Phan Minh Thong.

Thong said that the company is boosting exports to France, Germany, and Switzerland in the near future to make up for losses caused by the Russian market as Vietnams exports to Russia have been obstructed by long transport time and troublesome payment processes.

More trade opportunities

Demands from the U.S. and Europe, which make up more than 80 percent of Vietnams woodworking export revenue, currently stay high, according to Bui Huu Them, deputy general secretary of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA).

Therefore, if these two markets reduce or even stop importing Russian furniture, Vietnam will have a chance to reach new clients and expand its export value.

Besides, Nguyen Quoc Toan, director of the Agricultural Products Processing and Market Development Department, underscored that Vietnamese businesses should take advantage of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the UK-Vietnam Agreement (UKVFTA) to promote their brands in Europe and the kingdom during this period.

Meanwhile, Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the VinaFruit, said that Vietnamese enterprises should focus on the countrys staple products, such as mangoes, durians, lychees, passion fruits, leafy vegetables, and spices.

However, Nguyen emphasized that Vietnamese firms must improve product quality to meet the requirements of importers.

The most fastidious markets like Europe and the U.S. require GlobalGAP [a trademark and set of standards for Good Agricultural Practices], while the number of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable products meeting the standards is quite modest, Nguyen said.

Do Ha Nam, deputy chairman of the VFA, added that high transportation cost is another problem that Vietnam has to deal with.

The freight rate from Vietnam to Europe is currently at $13,000-16,000 per shipping container, whereas that to the U.S. is about $20,000 per container, seven to nine times higher than before.

This is definitely a drawback, especially in comparison with China -- a country with well-developed systems of sea, air, and transcontinental rail transport, according to Nam.

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Read what is in the news today:

Politics

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday congratulated Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on the traditional new year festivals of the neighboring countries, the Vietnam Government Portal reported.

COVID-19 Updates

-- Vietnam has yet to discover the emergence of BA.4 and BA.5 -- two new sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of the coronavirus -- following genome sequencing, the General Department of Preventive Medicine said on Tuesday.

Society

-- Authorities in central Thua Thien-Hue Province successfully cleared on Tuesday two unexploded artillery shells discovered during the construction of an embankment.

-- A fire broke out at a villa in Cam Pha City of northern Quang Ninh Province, killing one woman on Tuesday.

-- Police in southern Binh Duong Province said on Tuesday they were clarifying a video capturing a man, who claimed to be a police officer, clashing with a married couple over a car-parking conflict in Thuan An City.

-- The average power outage duration in Ho Chi Minh City reduced from 3,433 minutes per year a decade ago to only 41 minutes currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation said at a conference on Tuesday.

-- Hanoi will set up 579 squads to capture stray dogs and cats for rabies prevention and require official pet ownership declarations under a recently-issued plan for rabies prevention in the 2022-30 period.

-- The Vietnamese level-2 field hospital No. 3 under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan successfully gave first aid to and saved a 50-year-old UN staff member with a stroke on Monday.

Business

-- A cafe in Bao Loc City of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has raised eyebrows for charging a customer VND249,000 (US$11) for a cup of coffee.

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A man from Vietnams Mekong Delta region has been condemned to death for murdering his elder sister and stealing their parents money last year.

The Peoples Court in An Giang Province gave Le Lam Truong, 27, capital punishment for murder and robbery during a trial on Tuesday.

The indictment showed that Truongs parents operate a pawn shop at their home in Chau Thanh District, An Giang.

On March 7, 2021, the parents needed to visit a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for health check-ups, so they asked Truong and his elder sister  36-year-old Le Thi Kim An  to watch over the house.

At around 9:00 pm the same day, An went to bed with her 10-year-old daughter inside her room, while Truong lied in a hammock at the front of the house.

The man then thought about killing his sister and stealing his parents money and gold to pay his debts and for personal spending.

Truong waited until the neighbors fell asleep before taking an iron stick to Ans room.

After An let Truong in the room, he hit her head from the back till the victim collapsed on the floor.

Truong covered Ans mouth and strangled her until she was motionless.

He then broke open his parents closet and took VND100 million (US$4,300) and six gold rings.

After Truong left the house, Ans daughter called her father on her phone.

The victim was rushed to the hospital but she had already died.

Truong sold the gold rings at several shops in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, and southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province for a total of VND152 million ($6,600).

He used the money to buy a new phone, accessories, and other items.

The murderer was arrested in the central city of Da Nang on April 13, 2021.

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The Vietnamese level-2 field hospital No. 3 under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan managed to give first aid to save a 50-year-old UN staff member suffering a stroke on Monday.

The patient was taken to the hospital by their colleagues in a state of a right hemiplegia, which had started about an hour before their hospitalization, according to information provided by the infirmary on Tuesday.

The patient remained conscious and retained speaking ability and sense of responsiveness, but the blood pressure was high.

Dr. Dang Long Trieu and Dr. Tran Dang Khoa managed to lower the patients blood pressure and keep it normal while implementing necessary laboratory tests.

They diagnosed the patient with left-sided stroke allegedly due to brain hemorrhage, using the optic nerve sheath ultrasound, a bedside practice that can be used to evaluate increased intracranial pressure, instead of CT or MRI scanners, given the hospitals disadvantaged facility condition.

After treating the patient in accordance with the stroke protocol, the Vietnamese level-2 field hospital No. 3 transferred them to the level-3 field hospital in Kampala, Uganda by the medevac (medical evacuation aircraft) under the approval of competent health officials.

This is the third stroke case the Vietnamese level-2 field hospital No. 3 has successfully handled during its 12-month term under the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

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A woman in Hanoi has nearly had permanent vision loss in her left eye after having a filler injected during a non-surgical nose job in early April.

Vietnam German Friendship Hospital in Hanoi announced on Tuesday the successful emergency treatment to recover the vision of 47-year-old B., who had vision loss in her left eye after having a filler injected during a non-surgical nose job at a local clinic.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Ha, head of the department of plastic and maxillofacial surgery, this is one of the few cases in which immediate and successful treatment could restore the patient's eyesight.

B. stated that she was injected with a filler during a nose job from a local acquaintance, which explains her trust.

However, 10 to 15 minutes after the injection, B. experienced a headache, dizziness, and convulsions, as well as blurred vision.

B. was then given another injection treatment to dissolve the filler.

After four hours of filler injections, she was rushed to the emergency room at Vietnam German Friendship Hospital, where doctors found she was losing vision in her left eye and experiencing a headache, convulsions, and limb numbness.

She was diagnosed with occlusion of the cerebral artery and congestion of the blood vessels supplying the nose and forehead.

The hospital dispatched a team of plastic surgeons and stroke prevention specialists, and requested assistance from doctors at the Central Eye Hospital in treatment and immediate resuscitation.

After ten days of treatment, the patient has regained consciousness, is able to communicate, and occasionally experiences headaches. After the total vision loss, her left eye gradually responds to light.

"This is a very positive sign because successful cases of regaining vision are relatively rare while hundreds of cases of blindness occur each year as a result of nose job filler injections," Dr. Ha stated.

"Patients should be given additional time to monitor their eye recovery.

"We have disseminated a great deal of information about the importance of selecting a reputable beauty facility for cosmetic procedures.

However, we now receive cases of accidents on a weekly basis, ranging from complications with filler injections to infection following plastic surgery.

It's worth noting that while patients in the past were primarily young people, middle-aged women over 45 years old now have access to unverified advertisements on social media and cosmetic surgery in an unlicensed facility, all in the name of their desire to be beautiful."

Additionally, Dr. Ha advises that if a cosmetic accident occurs, the patient should be immediately transported to a hospital with a coordinated specialty for multi-specialty emergency treatment.

Untrained people injecting fillers in spas, barbershops, hairdressers, and private homes, as well as injecting substances of unknown origin, will result in unpredictable outcomes," Ha warned.

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An over-100-year-old French-style mansion located beside the Huong (Perfume) River in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam will be relocated, instead of being demolished to make room for a hotel project, according to local authorities.

Following a decision issued last month to preserve the ancient villa, authorities have invited relocation guru Nguyen Van Cu, dubbed a lamp genie, to uproot and move the two-story mansion at 26 Le Loi Street, Hue City, which is the provicial capital, to a new place.

The edifice will be relocated to 1 Pham Hong Thai Street, opposite its present location, according to a recent recommendation of local architect Ho Viet Vinh,

At the new venue, the mansion will join other old buildings to form a chain of French architectural works alongside the Huong River, Vinh said.

Another option, floated by other agencies, is to rebuild the mansion after relocation by dismantling the property and then re-creating its archetype, making use of its old materials that remain usable.

After a site survey, the lamp genie,' who successfully lifted up a 1,500-ton villa in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 2 by two meters in 2020, said he is capable of moving this villa to the new location.

Cu added he had once relocated buildings several hundred years older than this villa.

Preparations are underway for the mansion to be relocated by the lamp genie, Vinh said.

After the relocation, the site at 26 Le Loi Street would be allocated to investors to develop a hotel project.

The villa was previously used as the head office of the Thua Thien-Hue Union of Literature and Arts Associations.

When hearing that the provincial authorities decided to preserve the villa, Ho Dang Thanh Ngoc, the union president, said that he, along with many other Hue artists and researchers, felt truly happy.

In 2018, many writers and artists in Hue expressed their displeasure when they heard that this villa would be demolished to make room for a hotel.

In the same year, the Thua Thien-Hue administration announced a list of 27 typical French architectural works in the area and called for investments to preserve them, but the mansion was not included in the list.

On March 13 this year, the province People's Committee decided to preserve the old French villa instead of pulling it down as previously planned, and this U-turn has been lauded by cultural researchers and local communities, according to Van Hoa Online.

We consider this mansion a destination in Hue and will try to preserve it, Hoang Hai Minh, deputy chairman of the Thua Thien-Hue administration, affirmed.

Commenting on the decision, Ngoc said this is a proper step to prove Hue is a heritage city.

Although the villa is not in the said list, it is still an ancient building remaining intact at present, contributing to the French architectural fund in the ancient imperial capital, Ngoc added.

The preservation of the villa means the maintenance of Hues typical old architectural values, which can be reasonably tapped to serve local tourism development, according to Van Hoa Online.

Built in the early 20th century, the edifice boasts beautiful and unique architecture features and is now over 100 years old.

It was once a haunt of many famous writers and artists in Hue after 1975, according to Thua Thien Hue Online.

The building is known as the common house of Hue artists as it had witnessed many ups and downs in the lives of many famed Vietnamese musicians, poets, writers, and painters, Ngoc said.

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New SBS WorldWatch channel will launch Monday May 23.

The channel will provide news bulletins in primetime, in total spanning more than 35 languages.

Programming will come from 45 countries, including 16 new titles.

This follows SBS recently launching two locally-produced Arabic and Mandarin news bulletins.

The channel will be SBSs sixth free-to-air television channel, joining SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV), SBS VICELAND, SBS Food and SBS World Movies.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
I cover local government in East Texas for the Tyler Morning Telegraph. Im from East Texas and love getting to report on the area I grew up in. Texas A&M University former student. If you have story ideas email me at mmcham@tylerpaper.com

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by Elias Shilangwa

LUSAKA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping last year could help alleviate development challenges faced by developing countries, a Zambian expert has said.

The initiative, which advocates that development must come first and be people-centered, could go a long way in contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, said Isaac Mwaipopo, the executive director of the Center for Trade and Policy Development in Zambia.

"It is our appeal that African countries as well as the People's Republic of China, can actually work together towards ensuring that some of these aspirations are actualized," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The expert said that China plays a vital role in the development efforts worldwide and has provided critical infrastructure, agriculture, finance, science and technology support for developing countries.

He stressed that countries like Zambia have seen massive support from China over the years.

China has been a strategic development partner for several African countries, including Zambia, he said, urging governments to continue developing and nurturing ties with the East Asian country.

Acknowledging that China has a clear plan for its development and engagement with the world, the expert expressed concern that most African countries have struggled to deliver on development.

Mwaipopo said Africa was grappling with many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened.

He said the pandemic has disrupted several economic activities, with African countries failing to meet the needs of their citizens, including in employment.

He urged countries on the continent to work together in finding solutions to tackle pandemic challenges, adding that working with cooperating partners like China was vital. 
Lithuania will help Ukraine increase the export of agricultural products, which collapsed due to the blockade of the Ukrainian seaports by the aggressor country, Russia, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania Kestutis Navickas and Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky reached the relevant agreements at a meeting in Kyiv on April 10.

As reported on the website of the Ukrainian Ministry on Monday, the Lithuanian transport department plans to send a test train with 2,000 tonnes of agricultural raw materials from Ukraine to Lithuanian seaports in the near future. At the same time, Navickas stressed that although such a volume of supplies is clearly insufficient, it will be the first step for the implementation of the global infrastructure project of Ukraine and the EU.

"Lithuania responded to the call of the leadership of our state to resist the Russian invasion and continues to support Ukraine in the military, political, economic, humanitarian spheres, which is difficult to overestimate," the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine quotes its head.

According to the ministry, the Lithuanian side promised full support for Ukraine in its European integration aspirations. In this context, Navickas stressed that he would personally facilitate consultations with European colleagues regarding the provision of methodological assistance in expediting the necessary procedures for Ukraine's accession to the EU, in particular in the field of agriculture.

The main topic of the meeting was the use of the logistics capabilities of the Republic of Lithuania for the export of Ukrainian grain to its traditional markets in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

It is specified that in addition to Navickas and Solsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Ukraine Valdemaras Sarapinas, Advisor to the Minister Daivaras Rybakovas, and Deputy Defense Attache of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine Thomas Matulevicius participated in it.
On Wednesday, the Council of the EU announced the introduction of exceptions from two sanctions regimes ("regime of territorial integrity of Ukraine" and "regime of Donetsk and Luhansk") to facilitate humanitarian activities in Ukraine.

In particular, organizations and agencies acting as humanitarian partners of the EU, such as the ICRC and the UN specialized agencies, are exempted from the prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to persons and entities designated under the Ukraine territorial integrity regime when the funds or resources are necessary for exclusively humanitarian purposes in Ukraine," the EU Council said in a communique.

According to the document "certain clearly defined categories of humanitarian organisations are exempted from the export restrictions and the related prohibition on the provision of services under the Donetsk and Luhansk regime when this is necessary for exclusively humanitarian purposes in the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine."

In addition, organizations that are not covered by the accepted exemptions may ask EU member states to derogate from the prohibitions when necessary for humanitarian activities in Ukraine.

The purpose of these decisions, they explain in Brussels, is "addressing the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in Ukraine."
Boris Johnson looked set to avoid an initial fallout from becoming the first prime minister to be hit with criminal sanctions while in office over a birthday bash held for him in Downing Street against Covid rules.

The Prime Minister, his wife and the Chancellor all apologised on Tuesday and confirmed they had paid fines imposed by the Metropolitan Police over a party held on June 19 2020 to mark Mr Johnsons 56th birthday.

Mr Johnson said it did not occur to him that the gathering might be breaching Covid rules, while Rishi Sunak said he understood that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence.

But although both politicians said they now accepted the rules had been broken, neither appeared to be considering their positions, as they said they wanted to get on with the job.

Cabinet ministers tweeted in support of Mr Johnson, praising his leadership during Covid and Brexit and also pointing to the war in Ukraine.

Even the Prime Ministers critics appeared to accept that now was not the right time for a leadership contest.

However, Mr Johnson did not rule out the prospect he could be fined again for further events.

He is reported to have attended six of the 12 under investigation.

Speaking to broadcasters at Chequers, Mr Johnson said: There was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2pm lasting for less than 10 minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes.

And I have to say in all frankness at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules.

A police officer outside 10 Downing Street in Westminster (Yui Mok/PA)

He added: I now humbly accept that I was.

But I think the best thing I can do now is, having settled the fine, is focus on the job in hand. Thats what Im going to do.

Asked if he thought more fines were coming his way, he said the media would be among the first to know.

Mr Sunak said: I offer an unreserved apology.

I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence. I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine.

Story continues

I know people sacrificed a great deal during Covid, and they will find this situation upsetting. I deeply regret the frustration and anger caused and I am sorry.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Chancellor Rishi Sunak (Dan Kitwood/PA)

Like the Prime Minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.

A spokesperson for Carrie Johnson said: Whilst she believed that she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Mrs Johnson accepts the Metropolitan Polices findings and apologises unreservedly.

The latest fines came in a further tranche of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) announced by Scotland Yard in relation to Operation Hillman, which is probing possible Covid breaches in Downing Street and Whitehall.

More than 50 fines have been referred to the Acro Criminal Records Office since the inquiry started.

The FPNs received by Mr and Mrs Johnson and Mr Sunak were in relation to the June 2020 birthday gathering at which, according to Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns, Mr Johnson was ambushed with a cake.

Reports have suggested that up to 30 people attended the do and sang Happy Birthday in the Cabinet Room.

The progression of the police investigation will again raise the spectre of the Sue Gray report, a dossier on the gatherings compiled by senior official Ms Gray which was stymied by the launch of the probe by the Met.

The Daily Telegraph reported Ms Grays full report could be released as early as next week, when MPs return to the Commons after recess.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, said the polices decision marked the first time in the history of our country that a prime minister has been found to be in breach of the law.

Speaking in Preston, he accused Mr Johnson of repeatedly lying about what happened behind the famous black door of No 10.

Sir Keir also argued that the Tory leader and Mr Sunak had dishonoured the sacrifices made by Britons who did follow the rules during the pandemic.

The British public made the most unimaginable, heart-wrenching sacrifices, and many were overcome by guilt, he said.

But the guilty men are the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.

Britain deserves better, they have to go.

Labour has joined the chorus of demands for the Commons to be recalled from its two-week Easter break and allow Mr Johnson to tender his resignation in person to MPs.
(REUTERS)

Greece is to lift Covid restrictions such as mask-wearing indoors and vaccine certificates throughout the summer tourism period in a boost for travellers.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris said, in an announcement on Wednesday, the decision to ease restrictions was based on the epidemiological data and suggestions from experts.

From May 1 to August 31, the public will no longer need to present coronavirus vaccination or illness certificates to enter indoor or open spaces such as restaurants, and authorities are also considering lifting the requirement of presenting a Covid vaccine certificate to enter the country.

In addition, wearing masks indoors will no longer be mandatory as of June 1 and students will return to class after the Easter break without needing to regularly present negative self-tests.

Plevris said all measures will be re-evaluated in September.

Coronavirus infections in Greece have eased in recent weeks, with authorities recording 15,000 infections and 64 deaths on Tuesday. Out of a population of 11 million, some 72 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Greece's vital summer tourism season typically begins after the Orthodox Easter, which this year falls on April 24.

The number of tourists visiting Greece is expected to reach 80 per cent of 2019 levels, a record year before the pandemic brought travel to a halt.

Greece, one of the most popular summer tourism destinations in southern Europe, attracted more than 33 million visitors in 2019, most of them from Britain and Germany.

The industry accounts for about a fifth of the economy and employs one in five people.
Algerians walk near the Porte d'Alger on July 2, 1958 at Fort National in Kabylia, the ancestral home region of Christophe Sand who is descended from Algerian convicts deported to New Caledonia (AFP/-)

On the 60th anniversary of Algeria's independence from France, descendants of the North Africans deported to the Pacific territory of New Caledonia remember the "silent pain" of their ancestors.

Between 1864 and 1897, as French colonial troops advanced through Algeria, 2,100 people were tried by special or military courts and deported.

They were sent in chains around 18,500 kilometres (11,500 miles) to the other side of the world, to a penal colony on the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia.

The palm-fringed islands east of Australia are one of France's biggest overseas territories.

"The number of dead, whose bodies were thrown overboard, during the crossing, remains unknown," said Taieb Aifa, whose father was on the last convoy of convicts bought to the colony in 1898.

Those who survived the tough journey became known as the "straw hats" -- a nod to the convicts' headgear as they worked in the blazing sun.

Today, their descendants say that so great is the pain, the story has to be "almost prized from them," Aifa told AFP.

Aifa described a five-month journey to the islands, during which convicts were "chained in the holds" of ships.

For many years, even speaking about his ancestors' tale was taboo.

"A code of silence reigned in the families of deportees," said 89-year-old Aifa, now regarded as a pillar of New Caledonia's "Arab community" after serving as mayor of the small town of Bourail for 30 years.

- Colonised 'became coloniser' -

Aifa's father was sentenced to 25 years for fighting against the French army in Setif, in eastern Algeria.

"From the colonised in Algeria, they became colonisers... On land confiscated from the Kanaks", he said, referring to New Caledonia's indigenous inhabitants.

"In New Caledonia, the French state aimed, as in Algeria, to create a settlement," Aifa said.

Christophe Sand, an archaeologist at the IRD Research Centre in Noumea, who is also the descendant of convicts, said that "the deportees were transformed into colonists".

Story continues

While some French convicts were later able to bring their wives, it was forbidden for the Algerians.

Those sentenced to more than eight years in prison -- the majority -- were not allowed to return to Algeria after their sentence, said Sand.

"This process must have abandoned 3,000 to 5,000 orphans in Algeria", he said.

Maurice Sotirio, the grandson of a convict from Constantine in northeast Algeria, described the heartbreaking trauma of his family's past.

"My grandfather left two children in Algeria whom he never saw again", Sotirio said.

The suffering continued even in freedom.

In New Caledonia, the Algerians were second-class citizens since they often did not speak French, but Arabic or Berber, said Sand.

Their children suffered from the stigma, and only a few families kept hold of their origins.

At the end of the 1960s, the descendants came together to form an association, the "Arabs and friends of the Arabs of New Caledonia".

The islands -- so-called because a British sailor thought they looked like Scotland -- have been French territory since 1853.

Today, they have about 270,000 inhabitants, with the economy's mainstays the production of metals, especially nickel, of which New Caledonia is a major global producer.

Algeria, which Paris regarded as an integral part of France, is this year marking six decades since its 1962 independence following a devastating eight-year war.

- 'Healing process' -

In 2006, Aifa took his first trip to Algeria.

He said the visit was like "bringing back his father who, like other Arabs, had suffered from not being able to return and die in his native country".

Aifa, while proud of his Caledonian heritage, also celebrates his roots in Algeria.

"I am also Algerian, I have a link with Algeria, family, land... I managed to obtain my Algerian papers 20 years ago", he said.

Sand, who also travelled to Algeria with two other descendants, said he felt he was "carrying his ancestor on his shoulders" on the flight.

"When I saw, through the porthole, the port of Algiers, where my great-grandfather and his companions had been thrown into the hold, I felt the urge to scream," he said.

Arriving at his ancestral home in the village of Agraradj in the northern Kabylia region, he bent down to touch the earth.

"I felt that the symbolic weight that I had on my shoulders since the beginning of the journey had disappeared," he said. "I brought his exiled spirit back to the place where he was born".

For Sand, you have to go through "this process of healing, of closing the door" to "build a future" in New Caledonia.

"Healing from the trauma of exile allows the Caledonians that we are today to project ourselves into the future, without remaining prisoners of the past," Sand said.

amb/fka/rm/gb/pjm/it
The University of North Georgia (UNG) has been designated a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2027. It previously held the title of Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) starting in 2016.

"The renewal of the CAE designation for UNG is a testament to the quality of our cybersecurity program, and especially our faculty," Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, said. "We are honored to be part of the elite group of cyber programs that have this important designation."

UNG launched a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity in fall 2018, and the program now has almost 400 students. Thanks to nearly $4 million in Department of Defense (DOD) funds across three years, UNG has also launched an Institute for Cyber Operations that complements academic programs with professional development. Retired Col. Christopher Mitchiner, executive director of the institute, said the NSA designation helps prospective students realize the strength of what UNG offers.

"While you're here, you know you're going to get a quality experience and a breadth of knowledge across every cyber discipline," Mitchiner said. "In today's environment, you're getting a scope of what's going on in the world and the application of what you're seeing into the classroom."

Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and coordinator of student cyber programs, said the latest NSA designation feels like a full-circle moment.
The University of North Georgia's (UNG) College of Science & Mathematics is raising funds for a new science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) building. Housed on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, the building will be home to the college's four departments, facilitating a synergistic STEM learning environment.

Alumni Stewart Swanson, '85, and Carol Swanson, '86, have pledged to match every gift received from faculty or staff based on the Dahlonega Campus with $1,000, up to a total of $250,000. The aim is that with large private donations in hand for UNG, the University System of Georgia will fund the remaining cost of the building, should the need arise.

In a nod to the history of UNG, a donation of $18.73 or more will have the donor's name appear on the "Giving Wall" inside the future building, courtesy of the UNG Foundation.

"UNG and the College of Science & Mathematics are grateful for the opportunity afforded to us by Stewart and Carol Swanson," Dr. John Leyba, dean of the College of Science & Mathematics, said. "With the help of their generous matching gift along with gifts from our faculty and staff, we will get closer to realizing our dream of a state-of-the-art STEM facility. This wonderful new building will change the lives of future generations of UNG students."
ALGIERS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Wednesday that his country is ready to support South Africa where heavy rains and floods took a heavy toll, according to the Algerian Foreign Ministry.

"The president is personally monitoring the situation as he offered Algeria's help and support to South Africa in the spirit of historical brotherly ties, solidarity and mutual assistance," the ministry said in a statement.

South African media reported that the heavy rains and devastating floods have killed at least 253 people in the eastern coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, leaving roads and bridges destroyed and tens of thousands of people displaced. 
Coryell, Hill and about 100 other Texas counties will receive their first Texas Division of Emergency Management liaison officer over the next one to two years, division Chief W. Nim Kidd said in Waco at the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference on Tuesday.

He also said the state fared better under this past Februarys winter storm than it did under Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.

About 300 fire chiefs and other top public safety officials started gathering Monday at the Waco Convention Center for the annual weeklong conference. The theme of this years conference was building resilience through leadership.

Across the state, our citizens fared better because they prepared for this years storm based on the experience of Uri, Kidd said. He also said Winter Storm Uri brought temperatures much colder and for longer in 2021 than the most recent winter storm in February.

The Texas Legislature tasked the Public Utility Commission, the Railroad Commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality to cooperate with Kidds agency and others to prepare for this past winter, Kidd said.

Those state agencies cooperating to prepare, working together during the storm and for recovery also helped to provide a better outcome for Texans in this years storm compared to last years, Kidd said.

Once its new county liaisons are in place, the Division of Emergency Management will have personnel in 137 counties, up from 30 before the expansion, improving its ability to support local, regional and statewide efforts, according to an announcement of the expansion earlier this month.

Kidd said the liaison personnel would help local fire services get the support of state resources, when required, and also help them communicate with other state and local agencies.

In his talk before the convention attendees, Kidd encouraged fire chiefs to step up and make the lateral move into the role of county or city emergency manager when those positions open.

From the first day in the academy, members of the fire service train to cooperate, Kidd said.

He said cities and counties across Texas need that kind of leadership as incident commanders and emergency managers.

Other speakers at the conference included Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator under the Department of Homeland Security who was scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon about preparation and resilience.

Both Daniel DeYear, a deputy chief with the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, and Ken Himel, fire chief of Bayou Cane Fire Protection District, southwest of New Orleans, presented seminars as well.

Waco Executive Deputy Fire Chief Robby Bergerson said he valued gathering with his peers to discuss ways of solving problems almost as much as the classroom sessions.

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A federal judge has ruled that the University of North Texas cant charge out-of-state American students higher tuition than undocumented Texans who qualify for lower in-state tuition under a 2001 Texas law.

UNT lawyers appealed last weeks decision by U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan, a Trump appointee, over the weekend. If upheld, the decision could impact other Texas public universities, which depend financially on charging higher out-of-state student tuition.

The ruling centers on Texas 2001 law allowing undocumented students who have lived in Texas for three years and graduate from a Texas high school to pay in-state tuition.

This recent challenge by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, on behalf of the student organization the Young Conservatives of Texas, could provide a new path forward for some Texas lawmakers who have wanted to eliminate the in-state tuition benefit for undocumented students since at least 2015.

In 2021, a little more than 22,000 students were enrolled in Texas colleges and universities using this benefit.

Two years ago, the right-leaning TPPF filed the lawsuit, pointing out that the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 states that an individual who does not legally reside in the United States should not be eligible for a postsecondary education benefit granted on the basis of where someone lives unless United States citizens qualify for the same benefit. Therefore, they argued, out-of-state students shouldnt have to pay more than undocumented Texas students.

Jordan, the federal judge, agreed.

Because Texass non-resident tuition scheme directly conflicts with Congresss express prohibition on providing eligibility for postsecondary education benefits, it is preempted and therefore unconstitutional, Jordan wrote.

Other university systems in the state said they are still reviewing this ruling.

But Thomas A. Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, criticized the judges ruling.

Its hard not to see it as a Trump judge overreaching to try to change longstanding law in the state of Texas, said Saenz, who is also MALDEFs general counsel. He found the ruling surprising given the amount of time the state law has been in place.

Its obviously a political lawsuit, and granting that political lawsuit is whats disturbing, he said.

TPPF lawyer Rob Henneke said hes excited the ruling will make Texas colleges and universities more affordable for out-of-state students.

For the thousands of college students in Texas whove been burdened by these higher out-of-state tuition rates, they get immediate relief from having to pay so much to be educated, he said.

According to New American Economy, a bipartisan research group, out-of-state tuition rates are on average three times higher than in-state rates.

At UNT, the average cost of tuition and fees for an in-state student is just under $12,000, while an out-of-state student pays closer to $24,000 on average.

Students at the University of Texas at Austin who are Texas residents pay between $11,000 and $14,000 on average for tuition, while a nonresident student pays between $38,600 and $47,000 in tuition.

Saenz, with MALDEF, said Texas lawmakers could change the law to eliminate the three-year residency requirement and provide in-state tuition to any Texas resident who graduated from a Texas high school, similar to Californias law. But he admitted that in the current political context, that seems less likely.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Conroe Republican Brandon Creighton, chair of the Texas Senate Higher Education Committee, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Michael Olivas, a professor emeritus at the University of Houston Law Center who helped write the 2001 law, slammed the judges decision.

He said the judge did not take into account the other exceptions that allow out-of-state students to receive the lower, in-state tuition rate, including the waiver that allows students in bordering states to receive in-state tuition at some institutions.

These students are trying to make a political point for an issue that was a non-issue and then obfuscated it, he said.

Olivas also said TPPF lawyers did not adequately demonstrate how out-of-state students are harmed by the law, given that any U.S. citizen can qualify for in-state tuition if living in Texas for a year before enrolling in college, while an undocumented student must live in Texas for three years before qualifying for in-state tuition.

Olivas expects advocacy and legal immigration groups to get involved in the appeal of the UNT ruling.

On Wednesday, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus said in a statement that it would be unfair to require undocumented Texans to pay higher tuition costs than out-of-state students who are granted in-state tuition after living in the state for one year.

Texas Dreamers are Texans, state Rep. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas Democrat and chair of the caucus, said in the statement. This political decision ignores the facts, plain and simple. These students are required to satisfy higher standards, three times that of their peers. And now, out-of-state students with no connection to Texas will be given preferential treatment that will result in less opportunities for students who graduate from our neighborhood schools.

Meanwhile, lawyers for UNT also argued that barring it from charging out-of-state students a higher rate will force the university to incur millions in lost revenue, an argument the judge rejected.

Budgetary constraints do not absolve constitutional violations, he wrote.

Timia Cobb contributed to this story.

Disclosure: The Texas Public Policy Foundation, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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Correction, April 13, 2022: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the cost to attend UNT was $26,500 for an in-state tuition, while an out-of-state student paid $38,800. At UNT, the average cost of tuition and fees for an in-state student is just under $12,000, while an out-of-state student pays closer to $24,000 on average.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/11/unt-tuition-lawsuit/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Saffron, an Indian and Pakistani restaurant featuring authentic cuisine, opened in the midst of the pandemic in July 2020. But today the restaurant draws in customers from a variety of backgrounds, says Lamisa Ali, one of the family owners.

Customers will especially enjoy the restaurant menu if they are drawn to the foods from the northern part of India, which are the main options at Saffron, she said.

We typically serve North Indian food, but it varies and this is just our take on the food my mom has made my whole life, Ali said.

While they dont have any specific family recipes, Ali said the meals are their representation of food from India and Pakistan.

The food has just always had those flavors, she said. Often we get people who have tried Indian food, and then once in a while we get first-timers who then become our regulars.

Ali says a good dish for the first-timer to Saffron is the Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala and the various naan options, which is a type of flatbread.

For vegetarians she recommends Palak Paneer (a curry dish) and the naans, and for vegans the Tarka Daal or Vegan Veggie Karahi.

As for the most popular items on the menu, Ali says those would be the Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, veggie samosas (similar to a pastry) and the naan.

We decided to focus on the food in the north of India because we know this region, Ali said. We grew up on this type of food.

Since the restaurant serves both Indian and Pakistani cuisine, it is important to know the differences when looking at the menu, too.

Ali explained that Indian and Pakistani food are very similar, but everyone has their own take on how some things are cooked and so it can vary from person to person, but the foundation is the same.

The Ali family is from Pakistan. They originally began with home catering, but people would ask them about opening a restaurant. They ultimately decided to open a restaurant in Waco in the former Chinese Kitchen Buffet building, and before that housed Mazzios Pizza.

The food is also freshly picked and 100% Halal (permissible in Arabic), according to the restaurant website. The restaurant has a diverse and wide-ranging menu.

The naans especially stand out with a variety of options, from plain to garlic to bullet (minced chilies and a sesame seed topping) and even nuclear (a three-chili blend).

Saffron does have some competition up the street, but Ali adds, Waco could use a little bit of a diverse taste palette.

Family Hopes

She said it was a dream of her father, Jawed Ali, to have a restaurant.

This is the familys first restaurant venture and they love it, she said.

Family involvement runs deep in the business with Lamisa, her father, mother, brother, sister and uncle.

Working with family is not always unicorns and rainbows, she said. Im sure for anyone that works in a family business they know how hard it can be to communicate or express your thoughts and feelings.

But at the end of the day I cant imagine working with anyone other than my family. They understand your feelings you know your weaknesses and strengths. Theyre not strangers who are competing for a better spot or a promotion or you know being competitive; instead it is family thats working together in making sure that the restaurant is successful.

What I love about it is that Im not fighting for a position or anything. Im fighting along with my family to help grow this business.

Lamisa Alis sister, Linta, agreed.

Ive seen my dad create many businesses and helped him, but with this restaurant its the first that Ive been a part of as a whole, she said. From day-to-day business to behind-the-scenes of creating dishes, to interacting with customers. We are all invested in this as if its our very own.

The Name

The restaurants name, Saffron, came easily, Lamisa Ali said.

It was something that was easy for people to pronounce and it was just something that sounded right, she said.

One thing about a restaurant like Saffron is customers often want to understand the culture when they sit down to enjoy the cuisine, she said. Saffron hopes for its flavors and dishes to also convey the mood onto the customer.

Its a little bit of what my mom and dad learned when they saw their moms cooking, Ali said. Also, a little inspiration from other people like on YouTube or Indian/Pakistani food channels and a little bit of their trial and error.

I think with food you dont need to know a certain language. Its just one of those things that bring anyone and everyone together. We have many customers who have traveled to India saying that this reminded them of their trip or time there.

Food for many cultures has been a form of expression. You can express a lot of your emotions through your cooking and Im hoping that even if we dont share the same culture, at least the food we provide brings you comfort and a feeling of love and warmth.

Ali wants customers to remember one main thing when trying out a new dish from India, Pakistan or elsewhere from around the world: Dont be afraid of the different tastes or the look of a dish. Our flavors and spices on our dishes are meant to be that way. Indian/Pakistani food has spices and flavors that complement each other. 

Saffron

416 N. Valley Mills Drive

254-640-0471

Sun, Tue-Thu, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fri- Sat, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Closed Mondays
Its not strange for a man to find a house, but its quite a story for a house to find a man, as is the case for U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Manske.

Manske sold his large home along the corridor of U.S. Highway 84 between Waco and McGregor in the spring of 2020, but he had not yet found the right house as a replacement. He rented a home in McGregor in the meantime while looking for what he wanted.

As a magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, he remained busy professionally. evenings and weekends, he often walked the residential area where he was renting, thinking about the preferences he had for purchasing a home.

He shared those thoughts with his Realtor, Kara Neely-Goble of Next-Home Our Town, as she would check out the listings on his behalf.

Jeff was drawn to architecturally interesting houses built in the 30s and 40s, so I was focused on finding just the right home for him, Neely-Goble remembered. Little did I know that he was about to fall in love with a 1950s beauty that he frequently passed his evening walks.

Drawn to It

Manske reflected on the first time he saw the large home on a corner lot.

It wasnt the type of house that I thought I wanted, but there was something about that house that just grabbed my attention, he said.

As the daily walks turned into months, he always felt something special like happy family memories when he passed by the classic and elegant home.

Much to his surprise, a for sale sign appeared in the yard one day, so he immediately contacted his Realtor.

Kara, I have got to see that house, he remembers telling her. Its been calling out to me for months and I really must see it all.

Manske was captivated by the charm of the traditional style house that included two fireplaces and some interior stained-glass windows. It had been well-maintained through the years, giving him the same strong family vibe hed felt from his neighborhood walks.

The next burst of joy was hearing the news that his purchase offer was accepted by the sellers from among several other competing bids. But there was more intriguing news.

The listing agent mentioned that the sellers were happy that the house would be owned by a Manske again.

Revelations

What? It was then that he learned that a relative, H.P. Manske, was the original owner who built the home in 1948.

I couldnt have been more shocked or pleased, he said.

H.P. Manske was a first cousin of Jeffs grandfather, Dr. A.O. Manske, a longtime Waco pediatrician. As best as he could remember, Judge Manske had never set foot in that home; H.P. had died about five years before the judge was born.

Hed heard stories about H.P. Manske being the Ford Motor Company owner and Mobil Oil distributor in McGregor, but because of his untimely death, neither had known the other.

His family history became an instant study for the judge to learn more about the connections he already had to this house and his relatives.

H.P.s wife, Rosalie, had to file legal papers after his death with a required posting for 10 days by the McLennan County sheriff, Manske said. It happened that the sheriff at that time was my other grandfather, C.C. Maxey, who served from 1948 until his death in 1972.

Both sides of my family were already intertwined with this house before I was born.

Sharing Tales

Judge Manske could barely wait to share the news with his 99-year-old grandmother, Margie Beach, who still lives in Waco.

Some of my best family stories are kept alive by my grandmother who has a clear mind and a strong memory. We have been reminiscing a lot since I bought this house.

Several precious items in the judges home came directly from his grandmother, in particular a desk and chair purchased in 1943. Manske uses the desk regularly to catch up on paperwork at home.

My grandmother had great taste and knew good furniture when she purchased the handsome set almost 80 years ago, he said. My grandfather was a young man serving our country overseas a four-year period while my grandmother was raising my mother. My mother died when I was in my mid-30s, so I really treasure these family heirlooms.

A small couch and a coffee table that were his grandmothers also grace his new home.

I would be remiss if I didnt make note of how fortunate I am to have my grandmother living nearby today, he said. She survived the 1953 Waco tornado by making a quick last-minute choice to leave a furniture building (the R.T. Dennis & Co. store) and run down the street to Goldsteins.

So many lives were lost in the furniture store when it collapsed in the storm, the judge reminisced. She has been such a big part of my life, as have been my Manske grandparents with whom I lived for several years.

Many Memories

The memories of Sheriff C.C. Maxey seem to be endless, too.

He once had to go out to the Bosque River to bag a 6-foot alligator, Manske said. He thought the caller was joking, but it turned out to be a former pet that had gotten away from its owner several years earlier. People knew he was a serious law enforcement officer with a great sense of humor, but this joke was on him!

Maxey was chief of police in the city of Waco for nine years before being elected and then serving 23 years as McLennan County sheriff.

The sheriffs favorite possession was a .45 Colt pistol with mother-of-pearl grips. His daughter, Margie, recalls how much he loved that gun and he treated it with tender loving care.

There came a time when our family desperately needed some extra money, so my dad sold the gun to make ends meet, she said. His deputies eventually heard about the story and collected money among themselves to track down and buy the gun back as a gift for him.

They wrapped the pistol in a small box, then wrapped larger and larger boxes around it until it was about the size of a card table, Margie said. He had to just keep unwrapping each box until he finally reached the real gift, a moment that caught this strong, solid law enforcement leader in tears. Ill never forget how much that effort meant to him.

Former McLennan County Sheriff Larry Lynch knew both sides of the family long before Judge Manskes parents were married. At the age of 7, Lynch became a junior deputy sheriff for Maxey, who gave him an oath and pinned a metal badge on him.

Im sure neither of us realized that one day I would follow in his footsteps as a sheriff of McLennan County, Lynch said. He later graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in criminal justice. After three years in Dallas County, he returned to Waco to build a career as the longest-serving individual in a sheriffs department in Texas.

Another connection was at age 13 when Lynch started a job as a newspaper boy, delivering the daily paper at 4:30 a.m. in downtown Waco with one of his stops at Dr. A.O. Manskes office on Austin Avenue.

My favorite memory of the doctor as a young child was that he gave me a lollipop if I didnt cry when I had to get a shot, Lynch said.

On Jeffs mothers side, Lynch came to know his grandmother, Margie Beach, the only child of Sheriff C.C. Maxey. I got acquainted with her over the years while she was a neighbor of my mother-in-law at the Cottages of Oak Springs.

Id always admired Sheriff Maxey, so I had a large portrait of him made to hang in the sheriffs department office, Lynch said. When we were getting ready to move our offices to Washington Avenue, I contacted Margie to come to my office to see the portrait. I then passed the portrait on to Judge Manske, his only grandson, to display in his chambers along with other memorabilia about his well-known and well-loved grandfather.

With his chamber and his home filled with heirlooms and memories, Judge Manske now has a legacy to pass on to his children and future grandchildren.

I wanted a home and lot where my family would have room to play and create new memories together, he said. Im not sure if I found the home or if the home found me  but Im certainly glad that we found each other.
ASHLAND  Just hours after the fire was extinguished, the flames of suspicion were being lit on social media regarding a fire that destroyed a historic Ashland structure.

At 2:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, April 12, the Ashland Volunteer Fire Department was called to a working structure fire in the Iron Horse neighborhood. Upon arrival, firefighters found the historic Beetison house fully engulfed in flames.

It was heavily involved from the basement to the roof, said Fire Chief Mike Meyer.

The roof timbers were falling in as firefighters mounted a defensive attack, using the aerial truck to spray water onto the blaze. Meyer said they were lucky that a hydrant was located 700 feet away, and they utilized two 2.5-inch hoses to bring water to the structure.

The fire also expanded to a nearby grassy area, Meyer said, threatening a nearby neighborhood.

Meyer said the wind, which was blowing to the northwest, was a factor in spreading the fire in and out of the structure.

It appeared to be pretty much wind driven so it affected the whole building, he said.

A total of 18 personnel fought the fire, including two members of the Ashland Rescue Department, which brought a rescue squad to the site. The departments were on scene until 5:06 a.m., Meyer said.

A state fire marshal was on scene to begin an investigation of the fire, Meyer said.

Meyer estimated the building to be a total loss. He said the wood components of the structure were completely gone, and the limestone stones that make up the buildings exterior developed extensive cracks from the heat of the fire. The structure itself was starting to separate, he added.

Multiple posts and comments on social media just hours after the fire indicated many suspect the fire was intentionally set. But the investigation is still ongoing and could take some time to complete, Meyer said.

Its too dangerous to go inside right now, he added.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshals office is asking for anyone who has any information about the fire or security camera footage of the incident to call 888-992-7766. Callers can leave a message if no one answers and may remain anonymous.

Family members have taken to social media to share their anguish over the fire.

Furious and heartbroken, said Maria Beetison on Facebook Tuesday morning. We didnt own it but the memories Jason Beetison and his family and friends made in this house were so precious to them. To have a glimmer of hope that it would be restored only to have it go up in flames a few weeks later is devastating.

Just two weeks before the fire, a developer announced at a public meeting that they were interested in the property to create a housing area for buyers in the 55-plus age market. Peter Katt, an attorney from Lincoln and partner in Epcon Communities, indicated they were aware of the buildings history and the communitys attachment to the home.

Ive heard it loud and clear. The community loves it, weve tried to save it, weve tried to do a lot of things over the years. And I said, well, weve got to address that, Katt said at the March 29 meeting, which drew about 100 people to the Ashland Public Library.

The Beetison house is part of a 20-acre parcel property in the third phase of the Iron Horse development and is now owned by Iron Horse Ridge, which has a Bellevue address. Hubbell Realty Company purchased the first two phases of the Iron Horse development from Boyer Young Land Development but does not own the parcel that includes the Beetison house.

At the public meeting, representatives from Historic Resources Group and RO Youker, a structural engineering firm, said it would take at least $1 million to restore the home, which was built nearly 150 years ago by Israel Beetison. Other estimates put the number even higher.

Krista Beetison-Sender, a descendent of Israel Beetison, said on Facebook Tuesday morning: It breaks my heart to see whats become of it.

Beetison-Sender thanked the fire department for extinguishing the fire and the Ashland community for its devotion to the home her grandparents lived in.

And to all the people of the Ashland community who loved the house, thank you for all your support in trying to bring my grandparents beautiful old home back to life, she wrote.

Ashland Mayor Rick Grauerholz said the community is upset by the loss of the historic structure at a point in time when it was seemingly being brought back to life.

Its sad to lose that when there was some interest from some people to get it restored, he said Tuesday morning.

Although the fire had not officially been ruled suspicious as of Tuesday morning, Grauerholz and City Council Member Bruce Wischmann are ready to donate money to a reward fund if necessary, according to Grauerholz.

Israel Beetison hired the Dalton brothers, local masons, to build the limestone house in 1874 on a site near the Oxbow Trail. Teams and scrapers uncovered the limestone at quarries in South Bend and Louisville. The hand-chiseled limestone exterior had 18-inch thick walls. The two-story Italianate design included arched windows, bracketed eaves, decorative corner stonework and low-pitched hip roof, according to the Ashland Historical Society. Israel Beetison had a cupola built at the top of the house to watch for Native American tribes, which would camp on the east side of the home, according to an article written by Dwight Beetison for the 1983 Saunders County Historical Society book.

The Beetison family received the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Award in 1974 for 100 years of agriculture on the property. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The home has been vacant since the property was sold to Boyer Young in 1999.

Suzi Nelson is the managing editor of The Ashland Gazette. Reach her via email at suzi.nelson@ashland-gazette.com.
Dear Amy: Ive become good friends with a co-worker who started at the same job I did over 12 years ago.

Ive received raises, including two after I changed departments six years ago.

In a recent conversation with my co-worker, they disclosed that they have not had one raise in all their time with the company.

When I was given my raises, I was always told it was confidential, and Ive kept it quiet. My friend has asked several times and has been told that no raises are being given.

They have a good track record with the company and have done well in meeting their goals.

Should I say something to the co-worker about my pay increases?

Would it be better to hint at it and not break the agreed-to confidentiality?

My friend is thinking of looking for a new job.

 Feeling Guilty

Dear Feeling Guilty: This is from NLRB.gov: Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA or the Act), employees have the right to communicate with other employees at their workplace about their wages. Wages are a vital term and condition of employment, and discussions of wages are often preliminary to organizing or other actions for mutual aid or protection.

Further, they write: When you and another employee have a conversation or communication about your pay, it is unlawful for your employer to punish or retaliate against you in any way for having that conversation.

Employers tell employees to keep their salaries confidential because it is in the employers best interests for their employees to be kept in the dark about co-workers compensation and raises.

Review your companys official policies and any employment agreement you may have signed. Unless you agreed in writing to keep your own salary confidential, then you should be free to exercise your right to disclose it.

If you want to hedge, you could say, I know for a fact that raises have been given.

And yes  your friend should get another job.

Dear Amy: The letter from Mourning about the emotions surrounding keeping pets alive when they are suffering really got me.

My friend has the same problem with her old and blind spaniel.

I had to make the decision with my own 17-year-old pet, but took the vets advice that quality of life was gone and had to think of the animal, not me.

My friend knows what she should do, but she cant. Is there anything you can say to ease the choice?

 Sad

Dear Sad: Some vets offer hospice or end-of-life palliative care for animals. You might do some research and see if there is a vet in your area who will come to your friends house and examine her pup.

This is from ASPCA.org: Pet hospice is not a place, but a personal choice and philosophy based on the principle that death is a part of life and can be dignified. When considering hospice care, pet parents should be very careful not to prolong the suffering of pets who are in pain or experiencing poor quality of life.

I went through this with my 20-year-old tabby cat, and the palliative care veterinarian who examined him outlined my options.

I chose to have him euthanized, and buddy died at home with me petting him and thanking him for gracing my life.

And yes  it was so hard!

As with any life-event that is absolutely guaranteed to also be heartbreaking  this is easier to face with a friends support.

You can ask if she would like you to go with her  or be with her  when she is ready to go through this process.

Dear Amy: Sad Mad Daughter, who was now caring for her abusive and elderly mother could be me.

The thing that is hardest to take is looking at your vulnerable, lonely, isolated, helpless elderly parent and realizing they were looking at a vulnerable, lonely, isolated, helpless child and could actually emotionally and physically abuse that child!

I know my mother didnt ask for her mental disorder. She is in a nursing home near me; I visit a few times a week and make sure she has everything she needs.

She has taken so much from me, gosh darn it, she will not dictate the kind of attentive daughter I want to be, and get to be, to an elderly parent.

I  not her  get to control how I want to be, and its a great feeling.

 Kathy, in Virginia

Dear Kathy: This is next-level wisdom, earned the hardest way possible. I think your perspective could help a lot of people.

You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.

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WATERLOO  Hawkeye Community College will host a screening of Getting That Note Out at 6:30 p.m. April 29 at the Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St. Doors open at 6 p.m.

It is free and open to the public.

A question-and-answer session with filmmaker Francesca Soans will immediately follow the screening.

Getting That Note Out is an intimate documentary about Waterloo blues guitarist Etheleen Morehead Wright.

This event is supported by the American Rescue Plan Humanities Grants for Libraries with funding from the National Endowment of the Humanities and the American Library Association.

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WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly shooting at people outside a home last week.

Police arrested Amarri Ray Nash, 19, on Tuesday on charges of intimidation with a weapon and carrying weapons.

Officers were called to a report of gunfire around 11:50 a.m. April 4, and witnesses said someone in a passing Ford Fusion had fired two shots at people standing outside 1017 Logan Ave.

Investigators also obtained video of the shooting.

At the time of the shooting, Nash was awaiting trial for a December incident where he is accused of pointing a gun at a person during a road rage incident on Broadway Street and March 2022 incident where he allegedly struggled with police while armed loaded 9 mm Hi Point pistol during a traffic stop.







Photos: Missing children in Iowa

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration says it will suspend a federal rule that bars higher levels of ethanol in gasoline during the summer. The move, which President Joe Biden announced during a Tuesday visit to Iowa, is intended to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russias war with Ukraine. Iowa is a key producer of the corn-based fuel additive.

A look at how that the decision to authorize year-round use of so-called E15 will impact gas supplies, prices and the environment.

What action is Biden taking?

Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. At Bidens direction, the Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.

Senior Biden administration officials said the move will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon at 2,300 gas stations that sell E15, as the high-blend ethanol is known. Those stations are mostly in the Midwest and the South, including Texas, according to industry groups.

Why is Biden doing this?

Lawmakers from both parties and ethanol advocates have urged Biden and the EPA to allow year-round sales of E15, calling it a cheaper and readily available domestic alternative to traditional gasoline. The U.S. has banned imports of Russian crude oil since the countrys late February invasion of Ukraine, disrupting global markets and raising prices.

Homegrown Iowa biofuels provide a quick and clean solution for lowering prices at the pump, and bolstering production would help us become energy independent once again, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a longtime ethanol proponent. Grassley and 15 other senators sent Biden a letter last month urging him to allow year-round E15 sales.

Ethanol groups called Bidens action a major win for American drivers and U.S. energy security. It means cleaner options at the pump and a stronger rural economy, said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, a biofuel trade group.

Will this effect the environment?

Biden administration official say the short-term move will have little effect on the environment and that EPA will work with states to ensure there are no significant air quality impacts through the summer driving season.

Environmentalists questioned that, saying ethanol production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion and raises prices for corn and other crops.

A recent report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences revealed that the federal ethanol mandate inflated corn prices by 30% from 2008 to 2016, made corn-based ethanol more carbon intensive than gasoline and increased annual fertilizer use by up to 8%, polluting waterways.

Has this been done before?

The EPA has lifted seasonal restrictions on E15 in the past, including after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Trump administration allowed for year-round E15 sales starting in 2019, but a federal appeals court struck down the policy change in July 2021, saying the EPA overstepped its authority.

The decision dealt a significant blow to the ethanol industry and corn farmers who had anticipated increased ethanol demand through year-round sales of the higher blend.

Is this different than Trumps action?

Senior Biden administration officials said they expected the EPA waiver to survive a likely court challenge, saying that unlike the open-ended Trump rule, the action is limited to this summer and is prompted by a supply disruption caused by the war in Europe.

Greater use of E15 would be helpful to the American people and to help alleviate some of the pain that weve seen since Russia launched this war against Ukraine, EPA Administrator Michael Regan told a Senate committee last week.

But critics said the only emergency is Bidens dropping poll numbers.

Emergency fuel waivers are reserved for acute supply disruptions, such as those resulting from a hurricane, said Chet Thompson, president & CEO of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which represents petroleum refiners.

An additional three months of E15 sales wont do anything to address high crude oil prices, and 98% of retail (gas) stations cant even sell the fuel, Thompson said. This is politics, not a real solution for drivers.

Will E15 hurt my cars engine?

E15, often sold at the pump as Unleaded 88, for its octane rating, can safely be used in all cars, trucks and SUVs from 2001 on. Those model years represent more than 90% of vehicles on U.S. roads. The ethanol industry says the fuel is one of the most tested in history and has no effect on vehicle drivability. More than 20 billion miles have been driven in cars and trucks using Unleaded 88, a number continues to grow.

Whats the price of E15 gas?

E15, or Unleaded 88, typically sells for 10 cents a gallon less than E10, the standard formulation for U.S. cars. The price difference between Unleaded 88 and conventional gasoline without ethanol is around 40 cents.

Will I get better mileage?

There is no noticeable difference between the mileage achieved when using E15 and mileage when operating on E10.

Can I used E15 in my lawn mower?

E15 has not been approved by EPA for use in non-automotive engines such as boats, motorcycles, lawn mowers and other small engines. E10, the standard ethanol formulation, is approved for small engines.

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SYDNEY, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A new report from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has shown that the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been the largest for young Australians.

The report, released on Wednesday, tracked the financial well-being of 65,000 people in five age brackets from March of 2020 to the end of 2021.

It showed that 14 to 24-year-old suffered a 7.3 percent drop in financial wellbeing in the first year of the pandemic -- the highest of any age group. Similarly in 2021 as other age groups began to recover, the youngest Australians saw no improvement.

The data came from a survey that assessed the participants' ability to meet financial commitments -- pay bills, everyday expenses, attitudes toward one's financial situation, and financial resilience -- measured by savings to spendings ratio.

"The Indicator provides us with valuable insights into the financial wellbeing of Australians, as well as their financial confidence, attitudes and behaviors," said Natalie Paine, social impact research and reporting lead at ANZ.

The report gave Australians aged 14 to 25 an average financial score of 50.9 out of 100; a score between 30 and 50 indicated one was just "Getting by" and 50 to 80 indicated they were "Doing OK."

The report noted that younger Australians were disproportionately employed in insecure industries such as retail, recreation and services, nearly one in four 14 to 24-year-olds working in these industries compared with the national average of just over one in 10.

This had particularly devastating impacts during the pandemic when hundreds of thousands of Australians lost shift work as cities went into lockdown.

Angela Knox, associate professor of human resource management and industrial relations at the University of Sydney, told Xinhua on Wednesday that insecure work and the resulting financial instability can have a variety of knock-on effects.

"Young people are struggling to gain stability in their work, and in turn their personal lives, and this can negatively impact their wellbeing."

Knox added it would likely prevent or delay young Australians from buying houses and starting families.

She added that this lack of stability was linked to an overall shift in Australia to casual, part-time, or gig work.

"It has become incredibly easy for employers to substitute permanent jobs with insecure jobs, because there was nothing to stop them." 
SPRINGDALE, Ark.  Tyson Foods has committed more than $1 million to support its many team members who are immigrants to the United States. The companys U.S. based workforce is made up of team members from more than 160 countries and collectively speak more than 50 languages. The Tyson Immigration Partnership helps provide these team members with legal services and acquire U.S. citizenship. The program, which has been supporting seven Tyson facilities over the past year, will now serve 40 company locations in 14 states.

Tyson Foods works with Immigrant Connection, a nonprofit group that helps provide immigrants with legal services, such as employment authorization renewals and petitions for citizenship. In the last year alone, the program has helped more than 500 Tyson team members. Tyson reimburses team members for citizenship application fees, which for an individual can be as much as $725. .

We care about our team members and want to help them achieve their goals, including those who have dreams of becoming U.S. citizens and having greater access to opportunities our country has to offer, said John R. Tyson, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer, Tyson Foods. Were working hard to help team members who want and need assistance with their lawful immigration status or the complex and expensive process of becoming a citizen. We want to be the most sought-after place to work, and this is one way we hope to do that.

Starting the process to become a citizen was intimidating and scary, but I wanted stability for me and my family. Without the people involved in the programs, I would not have the confidence to pursue citizenship, said Jose Avjix, a Tyson team member in Green Forest, Arkansas. Tyson is a place that keeps you growing and I really appreciate the professional and personal growth the company offers.

Immigrant Connection is hosting monthly informational meetings for Tyson team members at 27 company locations across the country.

Tyson Foods has historically attracted immigrants because it provides good-paying entry level jobs with benefits. With average hourly pay of more than $18 plus the value of medical, dental and vision insurance, vacation and other benefits, the average total compensation for hourly team members has increased to more than $24 an hour, or an annual value of more than $50,000.

Tyson Foods has invested more than $500 million in wage increases and bonuses for frontline workers over the past year. In addition, it is piloting subsidized and onsite childcare, as well as seven near-site health centers. An increasing number of Tyson production facilities are also offering more flexible work schedules for frontline workers.

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CEDAR RAPIDS  Sen. Joni Ernst is warning of a domino effect if Ukraine falls to Russian invaders.

I do not believe that, that Vladimir Putin intends to stop with Ukraine, the Iowa Republican said Tuesday while making stops in Manchester and Independence on her annual 99-county tour.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and threat Putin poses to its neighbors is destabilizing Europe, and is threatening our own national security, she said.

The mere fact that a free, democratic nation is being brought down, potentially, by an autocratic, murderous thug should be concerning to everyone, Ernst said. If its a free-for-all, and he recognizes no boundaries, that means he likely wont stop.

If successful in Ukraine, Putin may move on Moldova, a non-NATO country where there are as many as 1,500 Russian troops now, said Ernst, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Serbia has alliances with Russia and China. The prime minister of Kosovo worries if Ukraine falls, Serbia will invade with support from Russian and China.

So this is not a one-off for Vladimir Putin, she said.

Ernst is not advocating direct involvement in Ukraine, but believes Ukrainian can win with the appropriate support from the U.S. and NATO. However, shes concerned that rather than providing what Ukraine is asking for, the U.S. and European nations are supplying what they think is best.

Our people arent on the ground there. The Ukrainian forces are on the ground and they know what they need, said Ernst, a combat veteran. So if we and our NATO partners have the ability to provide the means for them to win the war, we should be doing that.

Ernst, who spoke with The Gazette by phone later Tuesday, said she is also concerned about the wars impact on food insecurity. Nearly 400 million people are dependent on Ukrainian and Russian food production. The planting and harvesting cycle likely will be interrupted by protracted fighting. Already the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has reduced its global cereals trade estimate to 469 million tons, down 14.6 million tons from March.

Russia, Ernst said, is using food as a quiet weapon and is targeting Ukrainian agricultural production.

Ernst met with employees at La Motte Telephone Co. in Jackson County to discuss rural broadband, toured the Dubuque Millwork District, visited Allerton Brewing Co. in Independence and met with law enforcement in Grundy County.

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English translation below

Kadyrov_95

More than a thousand Marines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered today in Mariupol. Among them, hundreds of wounded. This is the right choice.

Ukrainian groups are broken daily one after another. The soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not know what to do with the wounded, they do not understand where to go and what to do next, because resistance is useless, and there are practically no combat forces left. Only separate small groups are operating, which for some reason are afraid to come out with a white flag to the Russian troops.

Dont be afraid. Think about your loved ones, the wounded, your own and other peoples lives, about how a stray bullet can bring tragedy into the house.

There are currently about two hundred wounded in the bowels of Azovstal who cannot receive medical care. It would be better for them and everyone else to end this senseless confrontation and return to their families.

Thank you for taking this step. Russian troops would still continue the liberation of Mariupol to the bitter end. And your step today is a conscious choice to avoid unnecessary and senseless bloodshed.

I appeal to those who are still holed up in the basements and tunnels of the plant: you know that we treat prisoners like human beings. Come out! Think of your own families and those of others, as more than a thousand Marines have done today.

WtR

MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Over 1,000 Ukrainian troops, including 162 officers and 47 female service members surrendered in Mariupol, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.
Weather Alert

...WINDY AND COLDER MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND WITH SNOW SHOWERS... * Winds: Periods of strong winds will continue through the weekend. The most widespread strong winds will be on Sunday, with localized strong winds in the Eastern Sierra on Saturday. * While not major wind events, we will likely see rough air for plane travel. Travel restrictions for high profile vehicles are possible. Check with CalTrans and/or NDOT for the current road information. Areas of blowing dust are possible, and backcountry and ski recreation will be impacted along with rough conditions on area lakes this weekend. * Temperatures: A strong cold front will roll through on Sunday. This front will usher in a much colder airmass Mother's Day into the first half of next week. Temperatures will be 15-25 degrees below normal. While there is still some uncertainty due to winds and cloud cover, it's likely we will have frost and freeze concerns Sunday through Tuesday nights. Watch those sprinklers and protect any sensitive vegetation ahead of time. * Rain and Snow: We will see periods of rain and snow/pellet showers along with slight chances for thunderstorms Sunday through Tuesday. The best chance for accumulating snows in the mountains appears to be Sunday afternoon and evening as the cold front moves in. Check travel conditions Sunday before heading over the hill. Outside of that, rain and snow showers will be more scattered in nature through Tuesday, but accumulations will be hard to come by. Sorry mom. We'll do better next year.
COVID-19 cases trend up again in the U.S., driven by the growth of BA.2
DHAKA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Rehana, a villager in Bangladesh's southwestern Pirojpur district, recounts the troublesome journey she had to take the night before her delivery on a rickety boat.

Rehana said she held on to her life and that of her unborn baby, praying to reach a clinic before it was too late.

It may be unbelievable for many elsewhere in the world, but for the folks at the village in Pirojpur, life has been such for a very long time.

Now not merely Rehana but all other villagers and people from the surrounding areas believe that an end to their misery is in sight as another friendship bridge under Chinese grants nears completion.

As many as seven friendship bridges have already been completed across Bangladesh under Chinese grants.

And the eighth one is now under construction over Kocha River in Pirojpur district, 185 km southwest of Dhaka.

Local residents, who use ferry and boat to go to the other side of the river, say they will be immensely benefited upon completion of the bridge, making it only a few minutes to cross the river.

The bridge is expected to be completed in June this year.

Abdul Quader Sheikh, a local resident from Gurbaria village in Pirojpur district, said they are very happy that the Chinese have gifted them a bridge.

"We're very happy. They are a different nation but they (Chinese) have loved us and we're to be benefited from the gift," he said.

"I pray for them," he said. "May they always be good and may we be good with them."

Md Lutfar Rahman Sheikh, another villager, said people will benefit a lot as movement will be smoother and faster.

"We're happy that the Chinese government has gifted this bridge to the Bangladeshi government," he said. "Thanks on my behalf to all the Chinese."

China Railway 17th Bureau Group Co., Ltd is constructing the bridge under the management of China Railway Major Bridge Reconnaissance & Design Institute Co., Ltd.

By March 31, the eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project was 90 percent completed.

All construction activities are proceeding normally now and the engineering work has not been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gurucharan Hawladar, a worker, said he has been working for the bridge for one and a half years.

Many Chinese have come here and about four hundred Bangladeshi workers are working here, said the worker.

"From the Chinese, we Bangladeshi workers can learn a lot. We can learn different kinds of work skills from them," he said.

"If such a project is done later, if a Bangladeshi company does this (similar project), then it will be seen that the experience of these workers will be very useful," he added.

Md Mehedi Hasan, another worker, said he has been working with the project for three years.

"I'm very happy to have this bridge next to my house," he said.

"Many thanks to the Chinese government," he said while working on the site of the bridge which, officials said, will play an important role in accelerating the movement of people and goods in Barisal and Khulna divisions in southern Bangladesh. 
People, mainly women and children, make their way through Przemysl railway station after journeying from war-torn Ukraine on March 30 in Przemysl, Poland.
Manhunt underway for suspect who used gas canister and opened fire on Brooklyn subway
Smoke, bangs, then blood and panic: Riders describe being inside the subway car where 10 were shot.


0.3m @ 3,270g/t Goldin Bulletin North Discovery Drilling

Perth, April 13, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMC ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) is pleased to announce this geology update, including outstanding results of 0.30m @ 3,270g/t and 1.50m @ 8.30g/t within a broader zone of 10.00m @ 2.80g/t, from the Company's very first hole testing the Bulletin North Discovery target.HIGHLIGHTS- First hole at Bulletin North Discovery target intersects high-grade intercept of 0.30m @ 3,270g/t in free-milling vein-style mineralisation, and sulphide-style intercept of 1.50m @ 8.30g/t in potential new sulphide shoot:WUDD0076: 0.30m @ 3,270g/t10.00m @ 2.80g/t including 1.50m @ 8.30g/t- Further wide high-grade intercepts from Happy Jack resource infill program:HJRD00084: 7.84m @ 6.48g/tHJRD00185: 11.95m @ 6.04g/tHJRD00192: 11.00m @ 5.92g/t- Grade control drilling validates geology modelling and supports the immediate production profile at Bulletin and Happy Jack for the ramp-up of sulphide concentrate production:HJGC2364: 2.55m @ 63.87g/tHJGC2366: 4.10m @ 18.91g/t including 0.70m @ 105g/tHJGC2319: 1.85m @ 30.80g/tHJGC2347: 5.00m @ 12.67g/t and 2.16m @ 14.32g/tBUGC0038: 11.56m @ 6.72g/t- Grass roots Li and Ni-Cu-Co-PGE sulphide exploration programs in planning stages on regional tenure; these programs are to assist the Company in assessing opportunities to monetise the significant Ni and Li assets in WMC's large tenement package for our shareholders.The Bulletin North target is one of nine large-scale sulphide shoot targets to be tested as part of a 40,000m discovery program across the Wiluna mine site.Further, high-grade results from resource development and grade control drilling at Bulletin and Happy Jack zones support geology modelling and the short-term production profile in immediate mining areas during the ramp-up in sulphides concentrate production.The Company's 1,600km2 exploration tenure in the broader Wiluna region is also geologically prospective for lithium pegmatites and nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum group element (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) mineralisation. Grass-roots exploration has commenced with a review of historical geophysical and geological datasets and identification of initial targets that require follow-up field work.DISCOVERY PROGRAMThe Company has commenced a 40,000m Discovery drilling campaign to test nine targets for new high-grade sulphide shoots "under the headframe" at Wiluna. High-grade >5g/t shoot discoveries are targeted to substantially enhance the early years of the current mining plan with the intention of increasing the underground ore grade which will support plans to grow gold production with higher grade mining areas. The Company is targeting large-scale, high-grade shoot targets like those historically mined at Wiluna, such as the Bulletin shoot that has an endowment of past production combined with the current mineral resource of approximately 1.5Moz @ 7g/t (Figure 1*).Initial targets include shallow strike extensions in the upper 600m on both the East and West structures, and below the major historical production areas. Targets are defined where the Wiluna ore body remains open along strike, down dip and on parallel structures. Sulphide shoots are interpreted to have formed in a predictable structurally repeated pattern controlled by the steeply south-plunging shoot corridors in conjunction with north plunging trends and rock unit boundaries. In addition, first-pass seismic transverse lines acquired during 2021 showed that gold structures extend well below and beyond the current Mineral Resource limits, supporting Discovery drill hole targeting (see ASX report dated 6 May 2021).Drilling is in progress at Bulletin North, East Lode South, and on the first of eight deep holes at the East & West Lower targets, which will see some of the deepest holes ever completed at Wiluna to 1,850m down-hole depth (Figure 1*).Bulletin North TargetAt Bulletin North, the first of 12 holes has intersected high-grade sulphide mineralisation approximately 150m along strike to the north of the current resource limits (Figure 2*) in a modelled new shoot location. Stoping of the historical Bulletin shoot, mined in the 1930's to 1950's, came to within 50m of the Bulletin Main shoot that lay undiscovered until 1993 and has since produced 800koz @ 8g/t. The current Discovery program tests for a repeat of the Bulletin Main shoot, in a target area from 100 to 500m along strike, in an area that has never been tested despite the large-scale, high-grade past production and high-grade intersections in very shallow holes at surface (Figure 2 & 3*).Bulletin Offset TargetDrilling was completed at the Bulletin Offset target (2 holes for 1,846m) with no significant assays received. The program tested an alternative interpretation of the Bulletin North area, based on historical drilling data and interpretation of aeromagnetic imagery, which suggested that northern extensions of Bulletin mineralisation may have been displaced by the Lake and East Lineament faults, placing the 'missing' portion of Bulletin several hundred metres to the south and between 700m to 900m below surface (Figure 4*).Subeconomic anomalous gold values were returned from breccias, veins and sheared zones in the targeted positions, that appear geologically like the Bulletin mineralisation. However, the discovery of high-grade sulphides within the alternative Bulletin North target zone as outlined above (where Bulletin mineralisation is modelled to continue further along strike, not offset by the Lake Fault and Eastern Lineament structure), downgrades the offset target area. As the initial two holes show anomalous gold values and prospective structural complexity, further interpretation is pending which may lead to further drilling.RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTThe latest assay results comprise an additional 12 holes for 3,326m of resource development drilling at Happy Jack, received since the preceding drilling update on 3 November 2021. Happy Jack zone is located centrally within the Wiluna Mining Centre (Figure 5*).Wiluna Mining's drilling program has consistently delivered thick, high-grade intercepts over the past 18 months from targeted locations at shallow depths, and close to previous development that is easily accessible for rapid low-cost production (Figure 5*). Drilling is ongoing with four diamond drill rigs currently underground at Wiluna as the Company continues drilling to define additional resources and reserves and to fully scope out the scale of the multi-million-ounce Wiluna ore body.The drilling program is designed primarily to infill areas of Inferred Resource within preliminary stope designs, with the aim to upgrade geological confidence to Indicated Resource category and to grow the Ore Reserve.Additionally, extensional drilling has aimed to extend potential stoping areas along strike, up-dip and down-dip. The Happy Jack program also shows potential for resource growth where holes have intersected the mineralised shear zone outside of the current Inferred and Indicated Resource limits. Wiluna Mining's drilling has focussed on the upper 500m below surface, and considerable potential for Resource extensions exists where the lodes remain open in at depth and along strike (Figures 6 & 7*).At Happy Jack, high-grade zones occur within a broader 30m-wide mineralised shear envelope dips steeply to the east (for full results see Table 3*).Highlights from the current drilling include:HJRD00084: 7.84m @ 6.48g/tHJRD00185: 11.95m @ 6.04g/tHJRD00192: 11.00m @ 5.92g/tHAPPY JACK AND BULLETIN GRADE CONTROLGrade control programs in progress at the Bulletin and Happy Jack zones have demonstrated high grade results in areas immediately ahead in the mine schedule (Figures 9 to 14, and Table 4*).Happy Jack grade control drilling has intersected numerous exceptionally high-grade intercepts, including:HJGC2364: 2.55m @ 63.87g/tHJGC2366: 4.10m @ 18.91g/t including 0.70m @ 105g/tHJGC2319: 1.85m @ 30.80g/tHJGC2347: 5.00m @ 12.67g/t and 2.16m @ 14.32g/tHJGC2345: 3.48m @ 10.50g/tHJGC2367: 4.75m @ 8.45g/tHJGC2364: 5.30m @ 5.37g/tBulletin grade control drilling has also intersected multiple thick high-grade intercepts, which typically occur in several parallel zones within broader mineralised shear zones (for full results see Table 4*), including:BUGC0038: 11.56m @ 6.72g/tBUGC0026: 9.33m @ 6.75g/tBUGC0028: 8.70m @ 5.93g/tNICKEL-COPPER-COBALT-PGE EXPLORATIONThe Company's 1,600km2 tenement holding at Wiluna is prospective for tier-1 Ni-Cu-Co-PGE discoveries. In the mid-2000's, high-grade nickel sulphides were drilled by previous project operators at Bodkin prospect and numerous additional sulphide prospects have been identified by WMC for follow-up (see ASX release 17 August 2021).WMC's tenure extends along the same ultramafic belt that hosts the world-class deposits owned by BHP Group Ltd at Honeymoon Well and Mouth Keith, which are located just 40km and 80km south of Wiluna, respectively.The northern ultramafics at Wiluna have not yet yielded similar economic discoveries, owing in part to the focus of previous operators on gold, and multiple changes in project ownership over the past 20 years.Since exploration has not advanced since the onset of the Global Financial Crisis in 2009, the Company engaged Resource Potentials Pty Ltd geophysical consultants to examine numerous historical electromagnetic geophysical surveys (EM) completed by past project operatorsincluding renowned nickel explorer and miner IGO Ltd. Various surveys were historically acquired over a few small prospect areas, such as Prodo, Bodkin, Hayes, Regent, Abercrombie and Longbow (Figure 15*). The remainder of the prospective ultramafic trends are untested by effective EM surveying. Remodelling of moving loop EM data, most notably at Hayes and Bodkin has revealed several intriguing targets that are to be tested with drilling.High-grade shallow intercepts from Bodkin confirmed the fertility of the ultramafic belt, including the discovery hole which contained 2m @ 2.15% Ni + 1.00g/t Pt+Pd from 74m. In 2005-2006, EM surveys were completed over several prospects and a scissor diamond hole drilled at Bodkin intersected massive sulphide assaying 0.3m @ 6.64% Ni + 0.09% Co + 0.26% Cu from 88.6m.IGO Ltd joint ventured into the project in 2006, and in 2007 the JV intersected 1m @ 6.38% Ni + 0.11% Co + 0.50% Cu + 2.48g/t Pt+Pd from 72m, 1m @ 2.67% Ni + 0.05% Co + 0.38% Cu + 1.42g/t Pt+Pd from 92m, and 0.25m @ 1.11% Ni + 0.57g/t Pt+Pd from 79m.As many of the geophysical datasets are outdated by modern standards, drill targeting will benefit from the acquisition of new surveys over the over the previous surveys and the full prospective ultramafic trends. A followup ground-based EM survey is planned to directly detect massive Ni-Cu-Co-PGE sulphide conductors in advance of further drilling.LITHIUM EXPLORATIONThe Company commissioned lithium exploration experts at CSA Global, an ERM Group Company, to provide Li targeting and exploration advice. WMC's tenure is considered prospective for Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) type pegmatites, and the discovery of Liontown Resources Ltd.'s world-class Mt Mann-Kathleen Valley LCT pegmatite group only 90 km to the south of Wiluna and within the same greenstone belt adds strong empirical support. Following a review of available regional geological and geophysical data, CSA Global selected three areas in which to focus initial exploration for LCT pegmatites (Figure 16*).Wiluna Mining's strategy is to gain maximum value for its shareholders on its non-core, non-gold assets on its large tenement package. Given the considerable scale of WMC's gold assets at the Wiluna Mining Centre, it is likely that it will take several years before we could justify spending the time and money developing the Ni and Li opportunities. As part of this strategy, the exploration and assessment work we are conducting on our Ni and Li ground is intended to assist the Company in assessing opportunities to monetise these valuable assets for our shareholders in the near future.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.
KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the countrys east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europes post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russias actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraines fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means, Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war, he said. This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me.  Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraines state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

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Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

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Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Offices attempt to force an extremist militia organization to turn over records about its membership and activities took an extraordinary twist last month when the former head of the group admitted in a deposition that he had intentionally destroyed the documents, poured bleach on his laptop hard drive and then burned it.

During a 12-minute deposition in Albuquerque, Bryce Leroy Spangler Provance didnt show up empty handed. He provided a piece of paperbag that had a drawing of the devil in flames ruling over stick figures under the heading Georgetown Law, and a crude sexual drawing involving a figure labeled, Your Mom.

It was to make me smile while I had to look at you, Provance told Albuquerque attorney Mark Baker, who had been trying to question Provance as part of a civil lawsuit filed in 2020 against the New Mexico Civil Guard by 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez with the help of attorneys from Georgetown University Law Center. Bakers firm is representing Torrezs office.

Video of the testimony shows Provance replied to most questions by stating no comment or by citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He then abruptly left, adding, Have a lovely day.

Provances spectacle  was just the culmination of NMCG record of obstruction, stated a motion filed Tuesday by Torrezs attorneys asking a state district judge for a default judgment against the Civil Guard, whose members were present during the June 15, 2020, protest at the statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate, near Old Town.

Torrezs lawsuit alleges the presence of the heavily armed group, whose stated mission is to provide rapid local lawful response to emergency and dangerous situations, helped incite a non-fatal shooting at the protest and violated New Mexico law.

The lawsuit wants the organization and its organizers to be permanently barred from organizing any militia group that would engage in unlawful policing or paramilitary activity in violation of the New Mexico Constitution.

The real goal in all of this is to stop armed extremists from organizing, recruiting, and directing their members to engage in activity that is exclusively reserved for the police or in extraordinary circumstances, the National Guard, Torrez told the Journal on Tuesday.

Provance, who is a convicted felon, said he founded the group and was designated as its representative to appear for the deposition and answer relevant questions. But he also said he had been forced out of the group based on my past, although he didnt say when or provide more details.

We didnt get very far in that deposition. It was pretty extraordinary, said Torrez, who said since the filing of the lawsuit, the New Mexico Civil Guard has kept a very low profile. We have not seen them show up armed at any additional protests but we never know if theyre going to show up again.

Civil Guard members have previously told the Albuquerque Journal they werent responsible for what happened during the June 2020 incident.

The shooter, Steven Baca, wasnt part of the militia and is facing charges of aggravated battery (great bodily harm).

In the response to Torrezs lawsuit, the groups members contend they have a common-law right to keep the peace, carry weapons and assemble under the First Amendment.

Provance said that after he was forced from the group, he destroyed all documentation, shredded and burned all membership files and those related to the structure of the guard.

I also poured bleach on the hard drive of my laptop and then burned it, he added.

He said he felt bad after getting removed from the militia group, so I disconnected from the world, and I actually lived in a camper for a while.

Meanwhile, six Civil Guard members have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Police Department contending their civil rights were violated by police during and after the violence that erupted during what organizers originally described as a Prayer Gathering for the Removal of the Statue at Tiguex Park. No militia members were charged criminally, but several were detained and questioned by police.

Georgetown Laws Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection called the lawsuit the nations first civil suit by a district attorney to protect the public from paramilitary forces.

Over the past year, as part of its lawsuit, the DAs Office has sought information about the guard, its members and its activities, but has been stymied along the way by delays as NMCG has repeatedly flouted its discovery obligations, stated the DA motion filed Tuesday.

According to the motion asking a judge to rule against the militia group, the destroyed documents could have borne on the states allegations that NMCG organized itself as an unlawful military unit whose members falsely assumed law enforcement functions. The motion also asks for sanctions and the award of attorneys fees and costs.

Albuquerque attorney Paul Kennedy, a former state Supreme Court justice who was present at the deposition representing Provance, couldnt be reached for comment Tuesday.

During the videotaped deposition, Provance, who resides in New Mexico, also provided the DAs attorney with a torn piece of paper that looked like the cover of the book, Behold a Pale Horse, which was written by a wanted national militia figure who died in a shootout with law enforcement officers in Arizona in 2001.

What is the subject matter of the book? Baker asked.

No comment, Provance said.

Based on what?

Fifth Amendment right, Provance replied.

Provance also brought to the deposition a copy of portions of the Declaration of Independence, but wouldnt comment about it, again citing the Fifth Amendment.

Asked by Baker whether he thought that identifying the Declaration of Independence would incriminate him, or pose the possibility of incriminating you, Provance replied, No comment.

At one point he said he was a free man under the Constitution, and as the founder of the militia organization retained all its documents.

And since I was the last individual, I reckon, to be served with this lawsuit, I did not know about the provisions to retain any of the documentation, he added.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Northbound trucks coming from Mexico into the U.S. through the Santa Teresa Port of Entry were backed up as far as the eye could see on Tuesday after Mexican truckers extended a two-day trade blockade in Texas to New Mexicos border crossing.

Mexican truckers began blocking northbound commercial traffic Monday at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in Texas to protest Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts order for that states Department of Public Safety to conduct extra inspections for vehicles coming from Mexico into Texas. Abbott gave the order in response to President Joe Bidens decision to end pandemic-related restrictions at the border.

But the additional inspections angered Mexican truckers, because they come on top of federal vehicle examinations already done by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at all commercial crossing points, plus inspections conducted at Border Patrol checkpoints along Texas highways.

And with commercial traffic backing up in Texas, Customs and Border Protection began diverting trucks to neighboring ports of entry, including Santa Teresa in New Mexico, said Jerry Pacheco, executive director of the International Business Accelerator, which works to recruit trade-related companies to industrial parks that operate just north of the border.

The diversion significantly increased northbound commercial traffic through Santa Teresa over the weekend, providing an alternative entryway for trucks to cross just east of El Paso, Pacheco said.

But on Tuesday, Mexican truckers began blocking the northbound commercial crossing lane at Santa Teresa, effectively extending their protest blockade from Texas to New Mexico.

Some of the protesting truckers probably dont even realize Santa Teresa is in New Mexico, not Texas, Pacheco told the Journal. At a higher level, some protest organizers may want to pressure New Mexico to take a stand against Abbott. But thats silly, because we dont have anything to do with Texas state policies.

Its unclear if the protesters at Santa Teresa are being led by Mexican labor organizations or acting on their own.

We dont know if its a union, or possibly rogue truckers who are confused or misguided and they came here, Pacheco said.

The Santa Teresa blockade could fizzle out quickly.

Some local officials spoke with protesters on the Mexican side to tell them their frustration is misguided, being a New Mexico port of entry, Pacheco said. They were very receptive and said the protest would likely extend for just a few more hours.

But in the meantime, the blockade is significantly disrupting trade and costing money for all businesses connected to border commerce. Assembly firm Foxconn, for example  which assembles about 70,000 Dell and HP computers and tablets per day in a sprawling facility on the Mexican side of the border in San Jeronimo  depends on just-in-time delivery to U.S. customers through the Santa Teresa crossing.

All that has been interrupted, Pacheco said. Border delays affect everything coming in from Mexico. Every minute trade is delayed at the port is a minute of lost revenue all along the supply chain, and the truckers are hurting themselves, because if the their trucks arent rolling theyre losing money.

The economic impact is rapidly mounting in Texas. The Pharr-Reynosa border crossing is one of the busiest trade ports on the U.S.-Mexico border, and is the largest land port for produce entering the U.S.

Judge Richard Cortez of Hidalgo County in Texas, which includes the international bridge in Pharr, called it a crisis thats fundamentally disrupting normal business activity.

Youre talking about billions of dollars, Cortez told the AP. When you stop that process, I mean, there are many, many, many people that are affected.

Abbott says stepped-up inspections are needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. But critics question how the inspections are meeting that objective, while business owners and experts say the impact is already being felt and warned that U.S. grocery shoppers could notice shortages as soon as later this week.

Joe Arevalo, who owns the cold-storage border warehouse Keystone Cold, said Texas state troopers have always inspected some trucks crossing the border, but theyve never held up a complete supply chain.

Were living through a nightmare, and were already suffering through a very delicate supply chain from the pandemic and to try to regrow business, Arevalo told the AP.

Frustration is also spreading to members of Abbotts own party. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, called the inspections a catastrophic policy that is forcing some trucks to reroute hundreds of miles to Arizona.

Associated Press writers Paul J. Weber, Acacia Coronado, Susan Montoya and Mark Stevenson contributed to this report.
NEW YORK, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The man suspect of shooting 10 commuters on a subway train in Brooklyn, New York City, was arrested on Wednesday after a 30-hour manhunt, authorities said.

The suspect, Frank James, was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday afternoon in Manhattan after police received a tip, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference.

James, 62, is suspected of setting off smoke grenades and firing a handgun at least 33 times in the subway during Tuesday morning rush hour, police said.

The attack left more than 20 people injured, 10 of them from gunfire, though none were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

James has been charged with violating a federal prohibition on "terrorist and other violent attacks against mass transportation systems," Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said at the press conference, adding "if convicted, he will face a sentence of up to life imprisonment."

James had nine prior arrests in New York and three arrests in New Jersey, according to authorities.

Authorities identified James as a person of interest Tuesday night. As of Wednesday, after the investigation linked James to the shooting in numerous ways, police said he was considered the suspect and a wanted fugitive.

Any potential motive remains unclear, and further investigation continues.

Tuesday's attack came as the city is struggling to cope with a rise in shootings. Citywide shooting incidents increased by 16.2 percent to 115 in March from a year ago, showed data from the New York City Police Department. 
AUSTIN, Texas  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the worlds busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

The two-term Republican governor, who has ordered that commercial trucks from Mexico undergo extra inspections as part of a fight with President Joe Bidens administration over immigration, refused to fully reverse course as traffic remains snarled.

The standoff has stoked warnings by trade groups and experts that U.S. grocery shoppers could soon notice shortages on shelves and higher prices unless the normal flow of trucks resumes.

Abbott announced Wednesday that he would stop inspections at one bridge in Laredo after reaching an agreement with the governor of neighboring Nuevo Leon in Mexico. But some of the most dramatic truck backups and bridge closures have occurred elsewhere along Texas 1,200-mile border.

I understand the concerns that businesses have trying to move product across the border, Abbott said during a visit to Laredo. But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border.

Abbott said inbound commercial trucks elsewhere will continue to undergo thorough inspections by state troopers until leaders of Mexicos three other neighboring states reach agreements with Texas over security. He did not spell out what those measures must entail.

At the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, where more produce crosses than any other land port in the U.S., truckers protesting Abbotts order had effectively shut down the bridge since Monday. But Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said the protests had concluded and commercial traffic had resumed.

Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia joined Abbott in Laredo, where backups on the Colombia Solidarity Bridge have stretched for three hours or longer. Garcia said Nuevo Leon would begin checkpoints to assure Abbott they would not have any trouble.

Abbott said he was hopeful other Mexican states would soon follow and said those states had been in contact with his office. On Tuesday, the governors of Coahuila and Tamaulipas had sent a letter to Abbott calling the inspections overzealous.

This policy will ultimately increase consumer costs in an already record 40-year inflated market  holding the border hostage is not the answer, the letter read.

The slowdowns are the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. Abbott ordered the inspections as part of unprecedented actions he promised in response to the Biden administration winding down a public health law that has limited asylum-seekers in the name of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to the inspections, Abbott also said Texas would begin offering migrants bus rides to Washington, D.C., in a demonstration of frustration with the Biden administration and Congress. Hours before the news conference in Laredo, Abbott announced the first bus carrying 24 migrants had arrived in Washington.

During the last week of March, Border Protection officials said the border averaged more than 7,100 crossings daily.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called Abbotts order unnecessary and redundant. Trucks are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents upon entering the country, and while Texas troopers have previously done additional inspections on some vehicles, local officials and business owners say troopers have never stopped every truck until now.

Cross-border traffic has plummeted to a third of normal levels since the inspections began, according to Mexicos government. Mexico is a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S., and importers say the wait times and rerouting of trucks to other bridges as far away as Arizona has spoiled some produce shipments.

The escalating pressure on Abbott, who is up for reelection in November, has come from his supporters and members of his own party.

The Texas Trucking Association, which has endorsed Abbott, said that the current situation cannot be sustained.

John Esparza, the associations president, said he agrees with attempts to find a remedy with Mexicos governors. But he said if talks take long, congestion could overwhelm bridges where inspections by Texas are no longer being done.

The longer that goes, the more the impact is felt across the country, Esparza said.  It is like when a disaster strikes.

The slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Critics question how the inspections are meeting Abbotts objective of stopping the flow of migrants and drugs. Asked what troopers had turned up in their truck inspections, Abbott directed the question to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As of Monday, the agency said it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the inspections turned up migrants or drugs.

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Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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This story has been corrected to show its Customs and Border Protection.
UNITED NATIONS A U.N. task force is warning in a new report that Russias war against Ukraine threatens to devastate the economies of many developing countries that are now facing even higher food and energy costs and increasingly difficult financial conditions.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the report Wednesday stressing that the war is supercharging a crisis in food, energy and finance in poorer countries that were already struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and a lack of access to adequate funding for their economic recovery.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the U.N. agency promoting trade and development who coordinated the task force, said 107 countries have severe exposure to at least one dimension of the food, energy and finance crisis and 69 countries are severely exposed to all three and face very difficult financial conditions with no fiscal space, and with no external financing to cushion the blow.

The report urges countries to ensure a steady flow of food and energy through open markets, and it calls on international financial institutions to do everything possible to ensure more liquidity immediately.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Biden approves $800M in artillery, helicopters for Ukraine

 Ukraines detention of oligarch close to Putin angers Moscow

 Frances Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

 Polish, Baltic presidents visit Ukraine in show of support

 Russia has yet to slow a Western arms express into Ukraine

 Forced into a basement in Ukraine, residents began to die

 Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

ODESA, Ukraine  In the Odesa region of Ukraine, Gov. Maksym Marchenko says forces have struck the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva with two missiles and caused serious damage.

Moskva is the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged Wednesday, but not that it was hit by Ukraine.

The Ministry says ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire  whose causes were being established  and the Moskvas entire crew was evacuated.

Odesa is Ukraines biggest port.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hes sincerely thankful to the U.S. for the new round of $800 million in military assistance.

In his daily late-night address to the nation, Zelenskyy also said he was thankful for Wednesdays visit by the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

He said those leaders have helped us from the first day, those who did not hesitate to give us weapons, those who did not doubt whether to impose sanctions.

In his telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelenskyy said they discussed the new weapons shipment, even tougher sanctions against Russia and efforts to bring to justice those Russian soldiers who committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires that were left behind in northern Ukraine by the retreating Russians.

He urged those returning to their homes in those towns to be wary of any unfamiliar object and report it to the police.

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LVIV, Ukraine  The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow.

Analysts say Medvedchuk will become a valuable pawn in the Russia-Ukraine talks to end the devastating war that the Kremlin has unleashed on its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Medvedchuk was detained on Tuesday in a special operation carried out by Ukraines state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading him for Ukrainians now held captive by the Russians.

The 67-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest several days before the hostilities broke out Feb. 24 in Ukraine. He is facing between 15 years and a life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.

Medvedchuk has close ties with Putin, who is believed to be the godfather of his youngest daughter. His detention has sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country.

The presidents of the four NATO countries on Russias doorstep saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces. The visit was a strong show of solidarity by the leaders of the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union.

They traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the countrys east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historical Mariinskyi Palace, the European leaders  Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia  reiterated their commitments to supporting Ukraine politically and with transfers of military aid.

Duda described what is happening not as war but as terrorism, saying accountability must extend not just to soldiers who committed atrocities but also those who gave the orders.

We know this history, Duda said. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has weighed in on growing calls to declare Russias actions in Ukraine as genocide, saying it is absolutely right that the term is being used given rampant allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations.

Trudeau made the comments during a news conference Wednesday, a day after U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that Russias conduct in Ukraine appeared to his eyes to be a genocide.

While both North American leaders noted that it will be up to lawyers to determine whether Russias actions meet the international standard for genocide, they were nonetheless united in welcoming use of the term.

Its absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing, Trudeau said.

The prime minister went on to list a series of war crimes and human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, including deliberate attacks on civilians and the use of sexual violence. Trudeau said theyre attacking Ukrainian identity and culture.

Canada has dispatched police investigators to help the International Criminal Court collect evidence to ultimately hold Putin and other Russian leaders to account.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive in the countrys East.

Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate the delivery of the assistance, which he said included artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers, as well as helicopters.

This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine, Biden said in a statement.

Biden said the U.S. will continue to work with allies to share additional weapons and resources as the conflict continues.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.

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UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the United Nations was seeking.

But he told reporters Wednesday that the U.N. has made a number of proposals to Russia on the possibility of local cease-fires, humanitarian corridors, and the evacuation of civilians, and we are waiting for an answer.

Guterres sent U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths to Moscow and Kyiv as his special envoy to seek a humanitarian cease-fire, but he said, at the present moment, a global cease-fire in Ukraine doesnt seem possible.

He said the U.N. proposals to Russia are aimed at minimizing the dramatic impact of Russias war against Ukraine on civilians and include creating a mechanism involving Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and eventually other humanitarian bodies to permanently manage local cease-fires, humanitarian access and evacuations to avoid incidents and failures.

As for Russian President Vladimir Putins reported comment Tuesday that negotiations with Ukraine are at a dead end, Guterres said, I will remind you that we are in an Easter period and the Easter period is about resurrection.

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KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian official has rejected Russias claims that more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in the besieged southeastern port of Mariupol. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals plant in the city.

But Vadym Denysenko, advisor to Ukraines Interior Minister, denied the claim in comments to the Current Time TV channel, saying that they havent heard anything like that and the battle over the sea port is ongoing.

According to official data of (Ukraines) Defense Ministry and the General Staff, we havent heard anything like that, Denysenko said. Moreover, I will say  that the battle over the sea port is still ongoing today.

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PARIS  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia and has supported Vladimir Putin in the past, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because  the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

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WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has urged China to use its special relationship with Russia to persuade Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank, on Wednesday, Yellen said Beijing cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if it does not respect these principles now.

Yellens speech comes a week before the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington. Her direct appeal to China underscores an increasing frustration that the United States and its allies have with a country that has only deepened its ties with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

The worlds attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by Chinas reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia, she said.

Yellen said that countries that undermine the sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia will face consequences for their actions. Leaving open the question of what the consequences for flouting the sanctions could be, Yellen said Russias ongoing war in Ukraine has redrawn the contours of the global economy, which includes our conception of international cooperation going forward.

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HELSINKI  European Union nations Finland and Sweden reached important stages Wednesday on their way to possible NATO membership as the Finnish government issued a security report to lawmakers and Swedens ruling party initiated a review of security policy options.

Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 triggered a surge in support for joining NATO in the two traditionally militarily non-aligned Nordic countries, with polls showing a majority of respondents willing to join the alliance in Finland and supporters of NATO in Sweden clearly outnumbering those against the idea.

Finland, a country of 5.5 million, shares the EUs longest border with Russia, a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) frontier. Sweden has no border with Russia.

Russia, for its part, has warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, with officials saying it would not contribute to stability in Europe. Officials said Russia would respond to such a move with retaliatory measures that would cause military and political consequences for Helsinki and Stockholm. One of Russian President Vladimir Putins reasons for invading Ukraine was that the country refused to promise that it would not join NATO.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, speaking Wednesday in Stockholm in a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, said Finland is ready to make a decision on NATO within weeks rather than months following an extensive debate in the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature.

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GENEVA  The head of the World Health Organization slammed the global community Wednesday for its almost singular focus on the war in Ukraine, arguing that crises elsewhere, including his home country of Ethiopia, dont receive equal consideration, possibly because those suffering arent white.

In a press briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he didnt know if the world really gives equal attention to black and white lives, given that the ongoing emergencies in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have garnered only a fraction of the global concern for Ukraine.

Tedros said the siege of the Tigray region of Ethiopia by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces was one of the longest in modern history and noted that a recent truce had still not allowed in significant amounts of humanitarian aid. Tedros acknowledged that the situation in Ukraine was globally significant, but questioned if other crises were being accorded enough attention.

I need to be blunt and honest that the world is not treating the human race the same way, he said. Some are more equal than others.

Tedros noted that there are about 6,000 people living in Tigray with HIV, but authorities have lost track of where they are and that many of them, we assume they have already died. Tedros described the situation in Tigray as tragic and said he hopes the world comes back to its senses and treats all human life equally. He also critiqued the press for its failure to document the ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia, noting that people had been burned alive in the region.

I dont even know if that was taken seriously by the media, he said

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GENEVA  Switzerland is joining a raft of new sanctions targeting people and companies in Russia over President Vladimir Putins military campaign in Ukraine, including his two adult daughters.

The Federal Council on Wednesday adopted new measures against Russia and Belarus, a key ally of Moscow, that mirror similar measures adopted last week by the European Union. Switzerland, which has long prided itself on its neutrality, is not among the EUs 27 member states.

Switzerland had already lined up with previous EU sanctions. The fifth and latest package of measures focuses on finance, transport, and trade  notably bans on imports of coal, wood, cement, seafood, and vodka that serve as important sources of revenue for Russia, the government said.

An extra 200 people or entities were also sanctioned including Russian oligarchs and their families, as well as Putins adult daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova.

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MILAN  Italian energy company ENI said it has a deal to import up to 3 billion cubic meters of liquid natural gas from Egypt this year as Europe seeks to wean itself from Russian natural gas over its invasion of Ukraine.

ENI signed the deal Wednesday with EGAS (Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company), just days after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi secured a deal to increase gas imports from Algeria to help replace the 29 billion cubic meters Italy imports annually from Russia.

The Algeria deal will add up to 9 billion cubic meters of gas by 2023-24 to the 21 billion cubic meters it already receives, with the increased flows starting in the fall. Russia is Italys top supplier of natural gas, which is used to generate electricity, heat and cool homes and power industry.

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LONDON  The Channel Island of Jersey says it is freezing assets connected to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich estimated to be worth over $7 billion.

The Law Offices Department of Jersey, a tax haven long known for drawing large amounts of foreign direct investment, said Wednesday that the assets being targeted were either located in Jersey, or owned by Jersey-incorporated entities.

It said that police also executed a search warrant Tuesday at addresses suspected to be connected to Abramovichs business activities. It didnt provide details.

Abramovich, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been sanctioned by the U.K. government and the European Union. The 55-year-old tycoon has assumed an unofficial role in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending the war.

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PRAGUE  The Czech Republic has reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital that was closed after Russian troops invaded the country.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats have returned to Kyiv and the Czech flag is flying again at the embassy.

It said Wednesdays move is one of the steps to show our support for Ukraine.

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BERLIN  Experts commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say they found clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces in Ukraine.

OSCE member countries authorized a study in early March, and the three professors chosen to conduct it  Wolfgang Benedek, Veronika Bilkova and Marco Sassoli  were selected by Ukraine.

Their report, issued Wednesday, said that if the Russian forces had respected their obligations in terms of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack and concerning specially protected objects such as hospitals, the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower.

The experts found some violations and problems in Ukrainian practices, voicing concern about the treatment of prisoners of war.

The report said Russia responded by saying it considered the mechanism under which the experts were appointed largely outdated and redundant and declined to appoint a liaison person, referring them to official government statements and briefings.

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LONDON  Britain has announced a new round of sanctions related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, targeting 178 individuals who have helped prop up Kremlin-backed breakaway regions in the eastern part of the country.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that the sanctions were coordinated with the European Union. The move comes after rocket attacks that targeted civilians in eastern Ukraine.

Those sanctioned include Alexander Ananchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, and Sergey Kozlov, the chair of government in the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Also targeted are Pavel Ezubov, cousin of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, and Nigina Zairova, executive assistant to Russian tycoon Mikhail Fridman.

Truss says Britain is sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putins war.

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BERLIN  The German government is defending the countrys president after a diplomatic snub by Ukraine.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the largely ceremonial head of state, said Tuesday that his presence apparently wasnt wanted in Kyiv. He said his Polish counterpart had suggested that they both travel to Ukraine along with the presidents of the three Baltic countries.

German newspaper Bild quoted an unidentified Ukrainian diplomat as saying that Steinmeier is not welcome in Kyiv at the moment because he had close relations with Russia in the past. Steinmeier was previously Germanys foreign minister and recently admitted mistakes in policy toward Russia.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday she regrets that Steinmeier was unable to visit.

Ukraines ambassador to Germany said Chancellor Olaf Scholz would be welcome, but some German lawmakers said the snub to Steinmeier would complicate that.

Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner defended Steinmeier, saying that he has clearly taken a stand on Ukraines side.
LAS ANIMAS, Colo.  Two wind-whipped grassland fires in rural southeastern Colorado destroyed two homes, briefly closed a state highway and forced temporary evacuations in the unincorporated community of Fort Lyon, fire officials said.

The fires erupted Tuesday west and east of the town of Las Animas and had blackened nearly 8 square miles (19 square kilometers) by Wednesday, according to the Bent County Office of Emergency Management.

Crews had contained 25% of a fire that threatened Bents Old Fort National Historical Site in Otero County overnight. The blaze fed on brush surrounding structures on the property  site of a 17th-century trading post along the Santa Fe trail  until La Junta firefighters beat it back, KKTV reported.

A second fire east of Las Animas briefly forced evacuations near Fort Lyon. Crews from around the state were working the blazes.

Two homes were destroyed, officials said, and a section of state Highway 50, the areas main thourifare, was briefly closed. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that 75% of the Oxbow State Wildlife Area east of Las Animas had been blackened, and the agency closed the John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area as a precaution.

The cause of the fires was unknown.
SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams reelection campaign reported spending more than $72,000 last year on legal expenses, but isnt saying much about the reasons for the expenditure.

The Democratic governors campaign previously reported paying $150,000 over multiple payments as part of a settlement reached with a former staffer. The ex-staffer, James Hallinan, accused Lujan Grisham of sexual mistreatment during a 2018 meeting.

Lujan Grisham has strenuously denied the allegations made by Hallinan, who worked as a spokesman for Lujan Grisham during her 2018 general election campaign. Her campaign has said the settlement was reached to avoid a prolonged legal dispute and to prevent a distraction at the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given that backdrop, the governors campaign spokeswoman Kendall Witmer addressed the $72,556 payment to the Albuquerque-based Freedman, Boyd, Hollander and Goldberg law firm Wednesday, but did not specifically respond to questions about whether it was related to the Hallinan settlement.

The campaign retained the firm to represent and advise it on legal issues, Witmer told the Journal.

The October 2021 legal expenditure was among roughly $1 million in total expenses reported this week by Lujan Grishams campaign over a recent six-month period. The governor also reported raising nearly $2.7 million for her reelection bid and has about $3.7 million in her campaign account.

Five Republicans are vying for GOP nomination and the chance to run against Lujan Grisham in the Nov. 8 general election. The governor is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
When StormMiguel Florez had the world premiere of the documentary, The Whistle, at the KiMo Theater in 2019  it was a milestone.

After all, Florez had spent years working on the film.

Florez is about to hit another milestone with the documentary as it premieres on New Mexico PBS at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21.

To have a wider audience see the film is amazing, he says. Its important to understand how the community has grown.

The Whistle tells the story of a group of predominantly Latina lesbians who came out as youth in the 70s and 80s in Albuquerque, and the secret code they used to find each other and build community.

The film collects and preserves a little known piece of LGBTQ and Latinx history, and explores the resiliency of queer communities during that time.

Florez, who is a trans man, is an Albuquerque native who came out as a teenage lesbian in the 80s and returned to Albuquerque from San Francisco to make the film.

In search of the origin of a secret lesbian code he had learned as a teenager  the dyke whistle  he uncovered the humorous, heart-breaking and oft-forgotten stories of the local LGBTQ community.

The film made its run on the festival circuit and had success.

I did a lot of online panels for the film, he says. We also got to broadcast on public television in Mexico. The film resonates with a lot of people. Its a story that is unique and universal at the same time.

Being able to broadcast on New Mexico PBS has always been one of Florezs goals.

I want New Mexicans to know about this story, he says. It did give people a sense of community. I decided to centralize the whistle because it is unique to New Mexico. The film needed to be about our community.

Florez is also proud that the film gives a glimpse into life before technology took over.

Its healing for LGBTQ to reminisce about that time, he says. Theres been a lot of excitement. Theres been plenty of positive feedback and New Mexico continues to be excited about the journey of the film.

He is grateful to have the opportunity to meet many of the people who came out a decade before he did.

These women paved the way so that my peers and I had a celebratory culture to come out into, he says. I think our support network and particular culture were pretty unique for LGBTQ youth in the 70s and 80s, especially outside of urban areas like New York and San Francisco.

Florez hopes that other PBS stations across the country will pick up The Whistle.

I know there are all sorts of avenues, Florez says. Being on PBS is the most accessible avenue. I hope that as the journey continues for the film, audiences will embrace it and find their story within it.

ON TV

The Whistle which is directed by StormMiguel Florez will air at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1.
High and Dry Brewing is opening a sister brand location where wine will take center stage instead of beer.

Owners Ashley and Andrew Kalemba decided they were ready to expand four years after opening their original location near Lomas and Washington. The Kalembas hope to open Public House: Wine for the People by this summer. They will only serve New Mexico wine as well as a few beers from their High and Dry taproom.

We want to bring our carefree vibe and atmosphere, and brand to another location, Andrew Kalemba said. But we wanted it to be a different product.

Andrew Kalemba said New Mexicos excellent wine offerings and interesting history with wine made the a wine bar a natural choice.

The wine bar and lounge will be located in Nob Hill at the intersection of Hermosa Drive and Copper Avenue. A neighborhood location thats easy to access by bike or foot remained an important aspect when choosing a location. Their brewery sits on a quiet neighborhood street near residential housing and they had the same goal for the new location.

Andrew Kalemba said Nob Hill was the ideal spot because its within a neighborhood. The couple lives in between both locations.

Neighborhood bars are a thing, he said. Im from Chicago and to have something in your neighborhood is important.

Andrew Kalemba said they are remodeling the building, paying extra attention to the outdoor space. There will be a wrap-around patio deck and a courtyard, offering a relaxing outdoor experience.

A portion of the large space will be occupied by the restaurant Butter that will serve mostly brunch items according to Ashley Kalemba. The wine bar will be open seven days a week.

Andrew Kalemba said he hopes to make wine more approachable for everyone.

We are not wine experts, Andrew Kalemba said. But we dont have to be. And we want other people not to be intimidated by wine either.
WENN/Joseph Marzullo TV

The 'Robot and Frank' actor is being accused of 'inappropriate conduct' after allegedly sexually harassing an actress on the set of the limited Netflix series.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Frank Langella is under an investigation at Netflix for alleged sexual harassment. The "Dracula" actor is being accused of sexually harassing an actress on the set of "The Fall of the House of Usher".

On Tuesday, April 12, TMZ reported that the 84-year-old actor has been accused of multiple instances of "inappropriate conduct" on the British Columbia, Canada set of the Netflix show. Production sources told the outlet that despite the allegations, the actor hasn't been fired or suspended.

Insiders informed that Frank had sexual overtones during a scripted performance. At one point, the "Robot and Frank" star allegedly touched the leg of an actress and joked, "Did you like that?"

Police told the outlet that no reports have been filed in connection with the veteran actor. Meanwhile, a Netflix insider said that the company doesn't comment on "active employment matters."

Currently, it's unclear who Frank is dating. Of his dating history, the actor, who was married to magazine editor Ruth Weil for 18 years until their divorce in 1996, opened up about it in his memoir titled "Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women as I Knew Them", which was released in 2012. In it, he shared that he dated late actresses Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor. He was also romantically linked with Whoopi Goldberg for five years after they worked together on her 1994 movie "Eddie".

"The Fall of the House of Usher" is being filmed in British Columbia, Canada. Frank plays the titular patriarch, Roderick Usher, on the series which was created by Mike Flanagan. Other members of the cast include Mark Hamill, Carla Gugino, Willa Fitzgerald, JayR Tinaco, Mary McDonnell, Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Henry Thomas, Annabeth Gish and Malcolm Goodwin.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" follows a story of a man who has been invited to visit his childhood friend, Roderick Usher. Roderick gradually makes clear that his twin sister Madeline has been placed in the family vault not quite dead. When she reappears in her blood-stained shroud, the visitor rushes to leave as the entire house splits and sinks into a lake. The Netflix limited series is set to premiere this year.
Instagram Celebrity

According to the raptress' lawyer, the latest action from Jennifer Hough's legal team is 'yet another example' of a strategy to harass the hip-hop star and harm her reputation.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Nicki Minaj's lawyer Judd Burstein has responded to claims made by Jennifer Hough's legal team that the raptress has "a reputation of supporting sex offenders." On Monday, April 11, Burstein called the allegations a "baseless and disgusting attack."

Burstein first filed a declaration demanding a "ridiculous" motion for sanctions against Blackburn. "Mr. Blackburn's conduct in this case has been disgraceful," Burstein wrote in a Monday filing. "He should be severely punished for it  so that, hopefully, other lawyers will understand that they have an obligation to their clients, the court, opposing counsel, and the legal profession itself not to pursue bad faith, frivolous, and indeed extortionate litigation in such a reprehensible manner."

In response to that, Blackburn called the motion "ridiculous." He said in his declaration, "Upon information and belief, [Nicki Minaj] has a reputation of supporting sex offenders."Blackburn pointed out that Minaj's brother, Jelani, was sentenced in 2020 to 25 years to life after his 2017 conviction on predatory sexual assault and child endangerment.

He also accused the "Anaconda" hitmaker of having "orchestrated a public relations campaign attempting to discredit the 11-year-old female victim" in her brother's case, among other things. He additionally mentioned Minaj's husband Kenneth Petty who was arrested in 2020 after failing to register as a sex offender in the state of California.

Burstein was quick to blast Blackburn over the claims."Faced with a claim that he should be sanctioned because  of his entirely irrelevant accusation-made without any evidentiary support -that [Minaj] belongs to a murderous street gang, one would have expected Mr. Blackburn to limit his response to an explanation why that allegation was appropriate or at least made in good faith," he said of Tyrone Blackburn, who represents Hough. "He did not do so. Instead, he did something far worse: he has now outrageously alleged that [Minaj] supports the sexual abuse of children."

According to Burstein, this latest action from Blackburn is "yet another example" of a strategy to harass Minaj and harm her reputation. "Mr. Blackburn surely included this outrageous accusation knowing that the media will likely report on the lie, thereby creating the very reputation which he had no basis for alleging in the first place," he added.

Hough sued Minaj and Petty last August. She claimed that she had been raped by Petty in 1994 and that the couple bullied her into remaining quiet. She said that she had been "traumatized her entire life" and then subjected to harassment by Minaj and Petty and their "allies, legal teams, and fans."

"Nicki Minaj, directly and indirectly, reached out to plaintiff Hough's family members to ensure plaintiff would recant her legitimate claim that defendant Petty raped her," Hough wrote at the time.
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The wife of Justin Bieber was spammed with messages about her husband's ex after she posted herself lip-synching to a TikTok version of 'One Time' earlier this month.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Hailey Bieber (Hailey Baldwin) has had enough of hateful comments. The model has asked social media trolls to "leave" her "alone" in apparent response to comparisons to Justin Bieber's ex Selena Gomez.

In a new TikTok video posted on Tuesday, April 12, Hailey said to the haters, "Leave me alone at this point." Making her case, she added, "I'm minding my business. I don't do anything, I don't say anything."

"Leave me alone, please," the 25-year-old went on begging. "Enough time has gone by where it's valid to leave me alone. I beg of you. Truly. That's my only request. Be miserable somewhere else, please."

In the caption of the video, Hailey wrote, "This is for you guys in my comments every single time I post."

While Hailey didn't mention what prompted her to post the video, many followers were quick to point out that it might have something to do with Selena's fans. Earlier this month, the model was spammed with comments about the "Only Murders in the Building" star after she posted herself lip-synching to a TikTok version of "One Time". Many users believed that Justin sings about Selena on the track.

"Selena Gomez is prettier ever and more motivating because she is very mature her heart is also," one person wrote. "Rare beauty is perfect," another commented, referencing to Selena's makeup line.

Selena has previously asked her fans to stop pitting her against another woman. "I am so grateful for the response of the song. However, I will never stand for women tearing other women down," she said during an Instagram Live shortly after she released her song "Lose You to Love Me" in 2019. "So please be kind to everyone."

Justin, meanwhile, defended his wife against the trolls in December 2020. "This sad excuse of a human just encouraged people on video to literally go after my wife telling people to say that my previous relationship was better [and] so on and so forth," the Canadian native said on an Instagram Live chat. "It is extremely hard to choose the high road when I see people like this try and rally to gather people to bully the person I love the most in this world. It is not right."
Instagram TV

In a new episode of the Bravo reality show, Teresa throws food and anything else in her reach across the dinner table and at Margaret after they fight over the former's fiance.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - The ladies on"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" traveled to Tennessee in the Tuesday, April 12 episode. The travel quickly took a chaotic turn with frenemies Teresa Giudice and Margaret Joseph being involved in a "shocking" food fight.

It started after Teresa accused Margaret of trying to dig up dirt on her fiance Luis "Louie" Ruelas. In response to that, Margaret hit back by calling her co-star a "sick, disgusting liar." Upset, Teresa threw food and anything else in her reach across the dinner table and at Margaret.

In an interview following the episode, Jennifer Aydin broke down the drama and revealed what it was really like to witness the altercation. "It was shocking but it was not shocking because, as Margaret always says, know your audience, don't poke the bear, and this is Teresa Giudice we're talking about," Jennifer told E! News. "She flips some food, not a table this time."

According to Jennifer, "It was a buildup for Teresa and I think Margaret triggered her." She went on to say, "We've all been guilty of doing hostile or aggressive things in the heat of the moment." "I think we all remember Margaret throwing wine on Danielle [Staub], pushing Marty in the pool, pouring water over Danielle's head in a very aggressive and hostile manner. So, listen, it doesn't excuse it but I think we've all been guilty of it at one point or another," she continued.

"I feel that all Margaret needed to do was be like, 'OK you want me to stop talking about the love of your life and I need to respect that and own that,'" Jen added. "But because she wouldn't stop, even though Teresa kept asking her to stop, I feel that it was a buildup and it led to where we were in Nashville."

Following the shocking quarrel, Jennifer said, "There was no question in my mind I was gonna go after Teresa and defend her and see if she was OK, because leading up to that there were multiple group discussions where I was even telling Margaret, 'Listen, why don't you just acknowledge your part in it all?' "

"Sometimes it takes somebody to like give in and say uncle," she said. "Your friend who you claim to be friends with and you claim to care about keeps telling you to let it go and instead you keep rehashing things and bringing up things that really are just rumors. Margaret herself has acknowledged [that], so why don't you just listen to your friend and instead you call her a sick and disgusting liar. I mean what did you expect Teresa Giudice to do? Know your audience."

Jennifer additionally agreed with Teresa regarding her claims that Margaret tried to dig up dirt on Louie. "Teresa had some proof that Margaret was communicating with I don't know who to be exact," she opined. "But you're asking me if I believe it to be true: I don't know for a fact but I do believe it to be true, yes."
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The Australian femcee seemingly is not impressed by the 'Miss the Rage' rapper's recent interview, in which he described her as a 'great mom' and the 'best mother in the world.'

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Iggy Azalea has seemingly reacted to Playboi Carti's recent interview where he talked about fatherhood. After her baby daddy said he "takes care" of her despite no longer being together, the "Black Widow" hitmaker couldn't help but laugh at his claim.

The 31-year-old femcee, born Amethyst Amelia Kelly, offered her two cents on Twitter on Tuesday, April 12. "Take care of me? Lmaooooo let's not get carried away now," she penned.

When one of her fans replied, "LMAODOD B***H I SAW THAT AN WAS LIKE WHAT," the Australian raptress emphasized, "I laughed. A lot."

In his interview with XXL Magazine, Carti opened up about how it feels to be a dad. "I'm a father. You know what I'm saying? You know how it is having kids. I just got responsibilities. I pay a lot of bills. I take care of a lot of people," he said.

"I take care of my mom. I take care of my family. I take care of my baby mom [and] I take care of my son," the Atlanta rapper continued. "There's a lot of people I take care of. So, it's like, I gotta keep doing it."

During the chat, Carti also divulged that he's excited about their son Onyx Carter's upcoming 2nd birthday. "My son. His birthday is coming up in three weeks. I got him a crazy chain, too. He's going to be a problem. That's who you need on the next cover. He's beautiful," he shared.

The "Miss the Rage" spitter also showed love to his ex. "And Iggy, she's a great mom. I love her to death. I'm single. She's single now. But that's one of the best mothers in the world. And thats what you got to put in the book, you hear me? I love her to death. She is the best mother in the world," he raved.

Carti and Azalea broke up in late 2020. After they called it quits, the "Fancy" raptress has taken the role of a single mom. She even took her baby boy with her while she was on tour.

Speaking about how it felt to balance motherhood and her career, Azalea tweeted last September, "4 shows in a row with a baby who wakes my a** up at 6.30am daily is a fully blown test on my body's ability to recharge." She added, "Taking a much needed two day break now."
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The 'King Richard' actor's longtime collaborator weighs in on the viral incident, in which Will shockingly slapped Chris Rock onstage for joking about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - DJ Jazzy Jeff weighed in on the Oscars slap drama involving his longtime collaborator Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock. During his appearance at the Closed Sessions Legend Conversation event at Dorian's Through the Record Shop in Chicago, Jeff defended the actor following the incident, in which he slapped Chris onstage.

"Don't get it twisted that it was something he was proud of," Jeff said in a clip taken from the event. He went on to call it "a lapse in judgment."

He continued, "I think the thing that I've realized is I don't know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgment than him. I can name 50 times that he should've smacked the s**t out of somebody and he didn't." The DJ added that Will is only human who would "have a lapse in judgment, he's human."

Jeff noted that people are being too harsh to the "King Richard" actor in the wake of the controversy. "And I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don't think people like that are human," he shared.

Will made headlines after slapping Chris for joking about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head which was the result of alopecia. After issuing a public apology, the Oscar-winning actor resigned from the Academy.

In addition, he's banned from Oscar for 10 years. "The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Friday, April 8.
ABC/Mitch Haaseth TV

In her tell-all book, the Oscar-winning actress also recalls her childhood experiences with racism as she was a victim of an anti-black attack in the third grade.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Viola Davis is not an exception when it comes to experiencing racism and colorism. In her upcoming memoir "Finding Me: A Memoir", the award-winning actress shares that she was scrutinized over her physical appearance after being cast in "How to Get Away with Murder".

The SAG Award-winning actress addressed racism and colorism throughout her career in a lengthy New York Times profile. Speaking of the hit ABC series, Davis shared that she had an unpleasant experience after she was tapped to play sharp, bold and beautiful lawyer and law professor Annalise Keating on the series.

She revealed that following her casting, a friend of hers came to her after overhearing several actors and actresses - all of whom were black - say that "she wasn't pretty enough to pull it off," according to the Times. The "Fences" star noted that it was unlike the other colorist, racist and anti-black criticism that the then 47-year-old star had endured.

However, Davis said that she could see a shift when she filmed for upcoming film "The Woman King", which is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and based on actual events in the African Kingdom of Dahomey during the 18th and 19th centuries. " 'The Woman King' reflected all of the things that the world told me were limiting: Black women with crinkly, curly hair who were darker than a paper bag, who were warriors," she shared.

In her tell-all book, Davis also recalled her childhood experiences with racism. She revealed that she was a victim of an anti-black attack in the third grade when she was often chased home in Central Falls, Rhode Island, by a group of around eight or nine boys, who regularly hurled insults, slurs, stones and bricks at her.

She was once physically caught by the group. While some of the boys pinned her arms back, the leader of the group who is from Cape Verdean and black like her, called her both ugly and a "black f**king" N-word. When the young Davis replied, "You're black too!" the group leader, who identified himself as Portuguese to differentiate himself from African Americans, punched her.

Davis also discussed the impact of anti-black racism not just within physical communities but within institutions, including her acting school, Juilliard. She claimed that she felt trapped after enrolling, "limited by its strictly Eurocentric approach." It forced her to wear wigs "that never fit over her braids" and listening to white classmates wonder out loud how good things would have been in the 18th century. "The absolute shameful objective of this training was clear - make every aspect of your blackness disappear," she wrote.
WENN/Brian To Celebrity

The 'Fantastic Beasts' actor is caught on camera dancing wildly at the Hilo Axe lounge weeks after they was arrested for disorderly conduct and accused of threatening a couple.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Ezra Miller doesn't seem to be dispirited despite their legal issue. Weeks following their arrest in Hawaii, the 29-year-old actor continues to party on the island and has been caught dancing wildly at a bar in Hilo.

On Friday night, April 8, The Flash of DCEU hit the Hilo Axe lounge. In a video taken by a fellow patron, the New Jersey native appeared to be carefree though their recent scandal has left their career hanging in the balance.

In the 48-second clip obtained by TMZ, Ezra showcased some crazy dance moves to T-Pain's 2011 song "Booty Wurk (One Cheek at a Time)" featuring Joey Galaxy as well as Trey Songz' 2010 track "Bottoms Up" featuring Nicki Minaj.

They were seen dropping it low and trying to break dance for the patrons, shaking their long hair back and forth for the camera. Their moves caught the attention of the crowd as one of them was heard calling it "comical."

Ezra indeed has at least one problem not to be stressed out about after a couple dropped a restraining order against the actor. On Monday, April 11, the couple filed to Hawaii's Third Circuit Court a motion to dismiss the order with prejudice. A dismissal with prejudice means the couple won't be able to refile the same claim at that particular court.

"Petitioners filed an Ex Parte Motion to Dismiss on April 11, 2022. Both Petitioners are moving to dismiss the case with prejudice by and through counsel," Judge M. Kanani Laubach's ruling Monday reads. "The Court, having reviewed the files and records herein, and being otherwise fully advised on the premises: It is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed that: Petition filed on March 29, 2022 is dismissed with prejudice."

The unnamed couple filed a temporary restraining order against Ezra on March 29, claiming that the "Justice League" star barged in on them and threatened him and his wife. The couple also accused Ezra of stealing some of their belongings, including "the passport of [wife] and the wallet which included SS card, driver license, bank cards, among other things of [husband.]"

The document went on noting, "The respondent is famous and wealthy. This makes access to weapons much easier; as well as sending associates to harass the petitioner." The incident reportedly happened after Ezra was released from jail and back at the couple's home. Sources said the husband was the one who bailed the star and paid the $500 bond.

Ezra was previously arrested following an incident at a bar in South Hilo. On March 28, the "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" star allegedly became agitated and began yelling obscenities when patrons at the bar began singing karaoke.

They reportedly grabbed the microphone from a 23-year-old woman who was singing karaoke and also lunged at a 32-year-old man playing darts. They were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment. A hearing for the case is scheduled for April 26.
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Earlier this week, the former 'The Wendy Williams Show' host seemingly declared that she's 'ready' for court after her bank froze her accounts as they believed she's 'the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.'

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Wendy Williams is still fighting for control of her money. According to her attorney, LaShawn Thomas, the former host of "The Wendy Williams Show" is quite "concerned" about the matter but she's in a "good spirit."

LaShawn told E! News on Wednesday, April 13, "She's concerned that this issue has been dragging out for a significant amount of time." The lawyer went on to add, "We certainly did not think that considering the length of the relationship that she's had with Wells Fargo, that they would draw this out to the extent that they have."

The attorney also added that Wendy is currently "in a good spirits" amid the legal battle. Though so, she said that the 57-year-old daytime diva's assets "are now currently locked up in this proceeding."

LaShawn also noted that while Wendy is "able to pay for food and things like that" in her daily life, her client still cannot "log into her online accounts and see what's going on with her assets," including "what items have been deducted from her accounts." The lawyer claimed, "Wells Fargo has ensured that this case stayed out of the media," before adding, "I think that Wendy wants her fans to that keep up the pressure to keep asking the hard questions."

Earlier this week, Wendy seemingly declared that she's "ready" for court. Making use of her Instagram account, the TV hostess shared a photo of her looking happy and healthy. In the snapshot, she could be seen wearing a leopard-print coat while holding her Louis Vuitton purse. She simply captioned her post, "Ready," adding a smiling face emoji.

Last month, during an interview with "Good Morning America", Wendy denied claims that she's "the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation" made by Wells Fargo. At the time, she insisted that she's "of sound mind" and well enough to manage her own money.

"Well, you know, when people want control of their accounts, they say anything, including something crazy like that about me," she told T.J. Holmes. She added, "They say that I need somebody to handle my account, and I don't want that."

"I want all my money. I want to see all my money that I've worked hard for my entire life. My entire life," the TV personality further stressed. "I don't lie, I don't cheat and I don't steal. I am an honest, hard-working person. I want to spend more time with my family and, you know, working out and waiting for the responses to my money situation and Wells Fargo. And they don't like that."

Wendy, who missed the entire season of her now-canceled talk show "The Wendy Williams Show" due to health issues, later assured viewers that she's doing okay. "[My] health is very well, and I've actually had a few appointments. You know, I'm 57 now, and I have the mind and body of a 25-year-old," she pointed out. "I'm very comfortable [with returning to work]. You know, my partners with the show, everybody's ready."
Instagram Celebrity

The 'Cry Me a River' hitmaker, who broke up with the 'Gimme More' songstress back in 2002, is visibly annoyed when a paparazzo asks him about her pregnancy.

Apr 13, 2022

AceShowbiz - Justin Timberlake seemingly wants nothing to do with Britney Spears. During a recent outing in Beverly Hills, California, the "Mirror" crooner snapped at a paparazzo after being asked about the "Toxic" hitmaker's pregnancy.

"The Social Network" star was pressed with the question when he was heading into a building for a private screening with a friend on Monday night, April 11. The paparazzo asked him, "Hey, what's up, Justin? How you doing? Britney Spears just announced that she's pregnant with her third baby."

Before the shutterbug could even finish his sentence, Justin shouted at him, "Stop! Go away," while waving off the pap with his hand. The musician later walked up the stairs to the building, before complaining to his pal, "[He] got me stomping my feet."

While Justin refused to comment on Britney's pregnancy, her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, had such a heartwarming reaction to the news. Speaking on behalf of the former backup dancer, his attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told NBC News, "He wishes her the best for a happy, healthy pregnancy and congratulates her and Sam Asghari as they plan for the excitement of parenthood together."

Kevin and Britney were married from 2004 to 2007 and share two sons together, 16-year-old Sean Preston and 15-year-old Jayden James. Prior to that, the "...Baby One More Time" songstress dated Justin from 1999 to 2002. Their split was quite messy with Justin suggesting on his hit "Cry Me a River" that the pop star had been unfaithful to him.

Britney confirmed her pregnancy earlier on Monday, days after she subtly revealed that she has secretly got married with her longtime partner, Sam. "I lost so much weight to go on my Maui trip only to gain it back. I thought, 'Geez  what happened to my stomach ???' My husband said, 'No you're food pregnant silly !!!' " she wrote in an Instagram post. "So I got a pregnancy test  and uhhhhh well  I am having a baby."

"4 days later I got a little more food pregnant. It's growing !!! If 2 [babies] are in there  I might just loose it." the 40-year-old continued. She then noted that she "obviously won't be going out as much due to the paps getting their money shot of me."
Instagram TV

The former 'DWTS' co-host, who won Season 7 of the dancing competition series with Derek Hough, offers her two cents on the model when appearing on the 'Behind the Velvet Rope' podcast.

Apr 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Brooke Burke has weighed in on criticism against Tyra Banks over the latter's hosting gig on "Dancing with the Stars". When offering her two cents the former co-host of the dancing competition show said the model should not' try to be a "diva."

In the Wednesday, April 13 episode of the "Behind the Velvet Rope" podcast, Brooke acknowledged that Tyra is indeed "a diva" and "everybody knows it." She added, "There's nothing wrong with that, and I'm not saying anything bad about her - be a diva! It's [just] not the place to be a diva."

The 50-year-old said she believes the "America's Next Top Model" creator had a "tough transition" after replacing previous co-host Tom Bargeron and Erin Andrews. "Change is hard for everyone. They've gone through a lot on that show, that's for sure," she said, adding that "you are just not the star."

"Like, it is just not about you as the host, right? So, yeah, I think Tyra is great in a shining role," Brooke, who won Season 7 of "DWTS" with former pro-turned-judge Derek Hough, continued. "I will just say that."

Tyra herself recently came under fire as "Dancing with the Stars" is moving from ABC to Disney+. It was reported that the dancing competition show was dropped by ABC following criticism against her and plummeting ratings.

Ever since her debut, Tyra has been called out by viewers several times, including the moment when she wore a Britney Spears-inspired outfit dedicated to the pop star.

The TV personality also got slammed by Twitter users after an Insider writer, Kate Taylor, penned an article about her. The title read, "Tyra Banks wanted 'America's Next Top Model' to fix fashion. Now, some contestants say the show was 'psychological warfare.' " The criticism was bad enough until she deleted her Twitter account.
Disprz, a leading learning and skilling tech platform for enterprises, has handed Pitchfork Partners its India mandate for strategic communication. Pitchfork Partners will work closely with Disprz to build and strengthen the platforms brand reputation.

Disprz believes in empowering organisations and teams to find opportunities in disruption. Disprz helps frontline and knowledge workers at enterprises reskill, upskill and cross-skill through an integrated learning and skill platform that offers skills intelligence, skills measurement, skill building through digital learning and on-the-job-training and skill impact by bringing performance into learning. Disprz is the learning and skilling backbone of leading companies across sectors in India. Learning and development help bridge skill gaps, helping to minimize errors that hinder business growth and affect the customer experience.

Subramanian Viswanathan (Subbu), CEO and Co-Founder, Disprz, said: Learning and skill development is witnessing a surge in India. We cater to the unique needs of the global B2B skill development ecosystem. We believe that learning and development helps build missing skills to reduce the errors that hinder business growth and even affect customer experiences. Pitchfork Partners shares our passion and beliefs. We are hopeful that Pitchforks expertise will play a key role in the success of our communication outreach and help in maximizing our penetration. We see a huge opportunity for sustained growth in India and Pitchfork Partners has the credentials to assist us.

Pitchfork Partners is a strategy consultancy committed to taking care of clients reputations. This is especially important at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has permanently altered the business landscape, from consumer mobility to media consumption and supply chains. In such a scenario, a brands reputation is its strongest asset. To maintain it, therefore, there is an even greater need to ensure positive experiences for stakeholders. Therefore, Pitchfork Partners specialises in understanding business needs and aligning communication to business goals, championing reputation building, management, and protection. The consultancy sees itself as a reputation warrior, offering bespoke solutions and a team comprising marketing and communication veterans.

Jaideep Shergill, Co-founder, Pitchfork Partners, said: We look forward to this great partnership and are delighted to expand our expertise. With Disprzs goal to skill India and its unique technology offerings, it has an edge when it comes to learning and development, and it can disrupt the market. We are excited to partner with such a brand.
Durex, the worlds #1 sexual wellbeing brand, launched Durex Intense, its newest offering in the condoms category. Intense contains a unique stimulant gel - Desirex Gel, that acts as a cooling agent and enhances stimulation for women to make her experience more intense The stimulating gel condoms featuring ribs and dots add a tingling sensation to help increase sensitivity and intensify the experience. With this launch, the brand focuses on enhancing the sexual journey of a woman through heightened stimulation, for a, more intense experience.

Durex Intenses campaign #Intensegasm throws light on female half-gasms to highlight the additional needs of a woman. Durexs consumer insights indicate that more than 50% of women feel their experience can be more intense The new Durex Intense is focused on bridging this gap by providing cooling or tingling sensation for women to mak their sexual experiences go from good to great.

Dilen Gandhi, Regional Marketing Director, South Asia  Health & Nutrition, Reckitt, said As the second-largest condom brand in India today, Durex is consistently innovating, pushing boundaries to recognize gaps in sexual relationships, and creating solutions to address them. Durex Intense is curated with ribs, dots and a unique cooling gel that enhances stimulation during sex making the experience more intense for the woman and her partner. We are positive that Intense will help women achieve an intense experience.

The new #MakeitIntense TVC supporting the launch highlights the need for added stimulation in a womans sexual journey to make her experience more intense. The magnitude of the stimulation is smartly showcased in the ad by the couple dropping out of an airplane mid-air. The impact of Desirex gel is brought out through ice like crystals being formed on the womans body to highlight the cooling sensation. The TVC ends with her going Wow to convey an intense experience.

Bobby Pawar, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, Havas Group India, said, It is always a delight to be associated with a progressive brand like Durex that puts female experience at the forefront. A true flagbearer of gender equality, Durex is championing bold and relevant conversations and we at Havas India are glad to be partners of this revolutionary journey. The new #MakeItIntense film by Durex is in alignment with Havas Meaningful (Difference, Brands and Conversations) philosophy where we drive creatives that bring about a change in mindsets through bold messaging. The thrill of a intense experience is brought out beautifully in this film and revels in the power of great sex every time one uses Durex Intense condoms

Director: Bobby Pawar

Creative Agency: Havas Group India

Durex as a brand has constantly maintained a distinct positioning around performance, drawing from its legacy of technology led innovations, enabling couples to have a healthy sexual life and helping people feel good about themselves and their partners. In India, Durex has also been focused on raising awareness on sexual health and wellbeing with its purpose program- The Birds and Bees Talk.

The newly launched Durex Intense condoms are available in retail stores across India and e-commerce websites priced at INR 440 for a pack of 10 and INR 143 for a pack of 3.
Falguni Nayar, Founder & CEO, Nykaa, was today named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 and will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) on 9 June 2022. Shri Bhupender Yadav, Honourable Minister of Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest and addressed the audience. Dr. Bhagwat K Karad, Honourable Minister of State for Finance was the Guest of Honour.

An investment banker turned entrepreneur, Falguni Nayar disrupted a brick-and-mortar industry by taking a digital route to sell beauty products in 2012. Her start-up, Nykaa, is one of the profitable start-ups in the country with a strong omni-channel presence. Over the last two years, she has diversified from beauty into fashion and lifestyle and has a well-established portfolio of over 2,600+ international brands and 100+ offline stores. The company recently raised fresh capital for expansion through a blockbuster IPO. Falguni was the recipient of EY Entrepreneur of The Year Award in the Start-up category in 2019.

In his address, the Chief Guest, Shri Bhupender Yadav, Honourable Minister of Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change said, India is marching towards an inclusive and sustainable economy which firmly believes in enabling and enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of our entrepreneurs. It is great to see that this year, EOY Awards has 21 Finalists with combined revenues of INR 1.87 trillion, who collectively employ more than 2,60,000 people; this is a testimony of nations entrepreneurial talent.

A M Naik, Group Chairman, Larsen & Toubro, was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Naik joined the L&T in 1965 and grew within the ranks to become the Chairman and Managing Director in 2003. He has been instrumental in transforming the engineering services company into one of Indias foremost conglomerates spanning engineering and construction, energy, finance and IT. Imbibing Atmanirbhar Bharat, he has given a strong Make in India orientation to the company's products and has engaged L&T in sectors of national significance of defense, nuclear, energy, aerospace, infrastructure, oil & gas and power.

Awards were also announced for nine other categories with the winners representing both mature industries and young entrepreneurs from startups including unicorns.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Winners

EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021

Falguni Nayar, Founder and CEO, FSN E-commerce (Nykaa)

Lifetime Achievement

M. Naik, Group Chairman, Larsen & Toubro

Category Winners

Start-up: Vidit Aatrey, Co-founder & CEO and Sanjeev Barnwal, Co-founder & CTO, Fashnear Technology (Meesho)

Business Transformation: Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director, Max Healthcare

Manufacturing: Sunil Vachani, Founder and Executive Chairman, Dixon Technologies

Services: Sahil Barua, Co-founder and CEO, Delhivery

Consumer Products & Retail: Shiv Kishan Agarwal, Chairman; and Manohar Lal Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director respectively, Haldiram Group

Life Sciences & Healthcare: Dr. Satyanarayana Chava, Founder and CEO, Laurus Labs

Financial Services: Harshil Mathur, Co-founder and CEO; and Shashank Kumar, Co-founder and CTO, Razorpay

Technology, Media and Telecom: Girish Mathrubootham, Co-founder and CEO, Freshworks

Entrepreneurial CEO: Vivek Vikram Singh, Managing Director and Group CEO, Sona Comstar

Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO, EY India, said, The backdrop of the awards this year is one of great resilience of Indias entrepreneurial ingenuity and the countrys growth prospects. Our EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 Winners should be celebrated for their success against all odds, especially in todays business environment which is more dynamic than ever. Many of the winners are very young and have tremendously scaled their enterprises through innovation, adoption of new-age technologies, and value creation in a very short span of time. I congratulate each one of them for paving the way for other aspiring entrepreneurs and achieving excellence in their respective sectors.

Says Farokh Balsara, Partner and EOY India Program Leader, Heartiest congratulations to our 2021 Winners who have shown incredible resilience to unlock new opportunities during uncertain times. Their entrepreneurial mindset combined with agility and speed has helped them grow their businesses to exponential scale and build enabling processes, technologies, systems and structures.

The Winners were selected by an eminent nine-member independent Jury Panel led by KV Kamath, Former Chairman, ICICI Bank. Other Jury Members include Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon, Vibha Padalkar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HDFC Life, Neeraj Bharadwaj, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group, Amit Dixit, Head Asia Private Equity, Blackstone, Rajnish Kumar, Former Chairman, State Bank of India, Harsh C. Mariwala, Chairman, Marico, Sanjiv Mehta, CEO and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever, and Gopal Srinivasan, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, TVS Capital Funds. The Jury considered a host of criterion including the nominees entrepreneurial spirit, ability to navigate through Covid-19, recent financial performance, strategic direction, product or service innovation, leadership including personal integrity and risk-taking abilities, corporate governance, and social and environmental impact.

KV Kamath, Former Chairman, ICICI Bank and Jury Chair of EOY Awards 2021, said, Each of the EOY 2021 Winners has an outstanding story of entrepreneurial excellence. They have pivoted and grown at a tremendous pace, adopted technology, and built very competitive businesses. On behalf of the Jury, I congratulate all the 2021 Finalists and Winners who are making a commendable impact in their respective ecosystems and truly represent the emergence of a new India.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) Awards is the only global business award program in the world, which is celebrated across 60 countries. Now in its 23rd year in India, it recognizes the unstoppable entrepreneurs who, with their innovation, resilience and

boldness are positively impacting lives of millions and carving out a different future from the present.
Political change in Islamabad will not harm Iron Brotherhood between China and Pakistan

17:48, April 12, 2022 By Zamir Ahmed Awan ( People's Daily Online

A few media outlets and social media platforms are spreading rumors that a change of government in Islamabad might adversely impact relations between China and Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both sides have denied such rumors and confirmed that the deep relations between the two Iron Brothers are time-tested and all-weather, and will have no change despite the political change in Pakistan.

First, lets review the history of the Pakistan-China relationship before replying to such rumors. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on May 21, 1951, we Pakistanis have gone through a series of political ups and downs. Unfortunately, our democracy has its own way of dealing with its complex political nature, and one of its aspects sometimes involves deviations from national and developmental policies due to changes of governments, but international agreements and commitments are nonetheless always honored.

Regardless of different political ideologies and manifestos, one policy in particular, however, has stood its ground, namely: China is our all-weather and time-tested friend and strategic partner. This is not only true for civilian governments but is also true for the military governments of the past. Simply speaking, changes of government or leadership in Pakistan have never had any negative impact on our relations with China.

Similarly, China has experienced its own ups and downs in domestic politics  from the Long March and the Cultural Revolution, to the period of Reform and Opening Up  none of these changes have had any negative impact on Sino-Pakistani relations. Whoever reached the top leadership role in China never reneged on Chinas all-weather friendship with Pakistan.

Why are Pakistan and China such close friends? Why dont we have border tensions? Why do we trust each other and help each other without any reward in mind? It is because the basis of our relations is so principled and our foundations are so strong that our relations will never be shaken.

We are friends, neighbors, and partners, and believe in non-interference in each others domestic affairs, respecting each others sovereignty, supporting and complementing each other. Our relations have been described as higher than the Himalaya, deeper than the ocean, stronger than steel, and sweeter than honey. We are, in these respects, true Iron Brothers.

Of all of Chinas neighbors, Pakistan is unique in that it has never had any dispute or problem in the last seven decades with China. Our relations with China are based on a very solid and durable footing.

The CPEC is an artery of the Belt and Road Initiative. Because of its importance, Pakistanis have declared it to be a flagship project. We have intended to make it a fine example and role model for the rest of the world to follow. So CPEC is critical and very important for the BRIs overall success, too.

Entering into CPEC was a strategic decision made by Pakistan and it represents a legal agreement between the two countries. Projects covered under CPEC are based on a strong legal footing, and relevant ministries, departments, and institutions in both countries oversee its implementation.

CPEC is a consensus-built initiative wholly backed by both China and Pakistan. It is the future of this whole region and particularly for the future of Pakistan. It is a guarantee for our economic growth as well as our security

The importance of CPEC is very well understood by the 220 million people of Pakistan. Pakistan is a country ruled by law and its constitution, and its courts are guaranteed to protect Chinese investments in Pakistan.

Pakistans constitution protects all foreign investments, as does such legislation as the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act of 1976 and the Protection of Economic Reforms Act of 1992. It also receives reciprocal protection for investments through bilateral agreements along with pacts for the avoidance of double taxation as signed with other countries and regions.

In particular, China and Pakistan can be considered one family, and any issue can therefore be resolved within the family amicably.

A change of government is a routine matter and the beauty of democracy in Pakistan. Many other democratic countries in the world are also changing their governments legally and some leading examples include the UK, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, among others, where a change of government is even more frequent. The present change in government precipitated by a non-confidence motion is a domestic matter in Pakistan and will not harm its ties with any country, and that is especially true of its relations with China. All international commitments and agreements will remain valid and the new government will honor them all as before.

Based on this background, we have a firm belief that China-Pakistan relations will remain unchanged. CPEC will move forward, projects under CPEC will continue, and Chinese investments in Pakistan will remain safe. We request that our Chinese friends place their trust in the state of Pakistan, trust the constitution of Pakistan, trust the courts of Pakistan, and trust the judicial system of Pakistan. Stay calm and confident looking forward, and keep your business plans in motion as usual. CPEC and the Chinese people, in keeping with your investments, will indeed have a very bright future in Pakistan.

Zamir Ahmed Awan is a non-resident fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]

The opinions expressed in this article reflect those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of People's Daily Online.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The board of Fino Payments Bank Limited (Fino Payments Bank or the Bank) at its meeting held on Sunday, the 10th of April, 2022 and which continued till the 11th of April 2022 has approved a minority strategic investment by the Bank in New Delhi based Paysprint Private Limited (Paysprint or fintech). The Bank will be investing upto 12.19% in the fintech by way of subscription to its shares.

The strategic investment is a first for Fino Payments Bank after its public listing. This is in continuation to several in-house initiatives by the Bank that are already underway towards building a digital ecosystem for its customers as part of its Fino 2.0 journey.

Paysprint, a profitable fintech, is a rapidly growing financial technology company offering next generation APIs in the areas of banking, payments, travel, lending, insurance, investment and more. It is helping payments service providers to offer seamless services to customers by providing Unified Open API Platform through fast and wholesome integration and a plug and play model.

FY22 was the first full year of operations for Paysprint and it achieved an annual GMV of 5,500 cr. The strong growth momentum is expected to continue in FY23 as well. It also onboarded more than 600 partners across banks, NBFCs, MSMEs, fintechs and various other start-ups during the year.

Speaking about this development, Rishi Gupta, the MD & CEO of Fino Payments Bank, The journey of Fino as a group has come to a full circle. We were incepted to provide BC banking services through a technology platform to various financial institutions across the country. As we continue our journey as a Payments Bank today, we are now partnering with new age technology companies that will transform the digital banking space in the days to come.

He further added, our DNA has always been in the emerging India segment offering diverse payment solutions which eventually generate value for our shareholders.

At PaySprint, we are extremely delighted to partner with Fino Payments Bank and synergise our technical expertise to innovate and create new banking products and solutions that will lead to larger consumer adoption, interface and delight & transform how Bharat transacts, adds S Anand, the co-founder and CEO of Paysprint.

The partnership with Paysprint is expected to synergize on a host of financial and non-financial use cases for the emerging India customers through API plug-ins to the Banks digital platforms. This will not only result in attracting more customers into the funnel but will also help in deepening engagement with the existing customers and provide an impetus to their lifetime value with Fino Payments Bank.
Taking the overall brand proposition of its value-added dairy products  Rishton Ka Swaad Badhaye  to a new geography, Mother Dairy, countrys beloved milk and milk products major, has today announced that it is rolling out its first-ever vernacular campaign focusing on its Mishti Doi. The campaign which is going live on the eve of Poila Boishakh 2022, has been developed exclusively for its consumers across Kolkata and West Bengal.

The newly introduced campaign is led by 1 TVC featuring renowned actor  Abir Chatterjee  in the lead. The TVC beautifully curates the thought of stimulating togetherness and family bonding while indulging in the delightful flavor of Mishti Doi. The viewers will be able to see Abir Chatterjee getting in a playful and sweet namesake familial banter in a manner that is relatable to any Bengali household.

Talking about the campaign, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Business Head  Dairy Products, Mother Dairy, said, Mishti Doi has been one of the leading product categories for Mother Dairy in the state of West Bengal and this state-specific delicacy continues to be a strong carrier product for all our dairy products. Our dairy products offer the quintessential delightful refreshing taste that prolongs the time spent with friends and loved ones. Taking this cue deeper into our product portfolios, we are augmenting our overall value-added dairy products proposition of Rishton Ka Swaad Badhaye in a new geography and that too for one of our much-loved product categories.

The TVC has been directed by renowned director Ms. Reema Daschaudhary. The 4-week long campaign is spread across other mediums including print and OOH. With the new campaign, Mother Dairy intends to build salience for its Mishti Doi during key consumption periods as well as strengthen its leadership position and supremacy in the packaged Mishti Doi segment.

Mr. Sharma further added, Abirs persona is best-suited as mature and gentleman-like. He comes across as a natural fit for the brand, displaying our caregiver brand persona in a contemporary way. Collectively, the category made a natural choice for us to begin within the eastern market, and it couldnt have been better than kickstarting the flavor of Rishton of Swaad Badhaye in a city known as the City of Joy coupling it with the most auspicious occasion around.

Elaborating on the association, celebrated Actor Abir Chatterjee added, It gives me immense joy to be associated with an iconic brand like Mother Dairy and a product that really symbolizes Bengals traditional taste. The new Mother Dairy Mishti Doi ad truly represents a very sweet message in a manner that is most relatable to any Bengali household, signifying the sweetness in relationships.

THE EXECUTION

The campaign revolves around a playful banter between the father (Abir Chatterjee) and his daughter  Mishti (Aradhya Anjana). The frame opens with the father and the daughter, where we see the father teasing his daughter and giving attention to her namesake  Mishti Doi. As the daughter is caught up in playing with her toys, she assumes that the father is complementing her. However, after listening to a few compliments she looks from the corner of her eye only to find out that he is talking about a cup of Mishti Doi. She however asks her father to clarify if hes talking about her to which the father hesitates and responds with a yes. As the daughter is getting adorably jealous, the father offers a bite of Mother Dairy Mishti Doi and says, Meri favourite Mishti ke liye meri favourite Mishti Doi! Both the daughter and father have a beaming smile on their face as they take a bite into Mishti Doi with childlike innocence.

Elaborating on the campaigns insight, Ms. Ritu Sharda, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India (North) said, Our campaign celebrates the sweet relationship between a father and his daughter. And how the daughter, aptly named Mishti, brings out her dads playful side. Its a relationship that is so mishti that you can feel the sweetness even if u dont understand the language.

Mother Dairy is the first company to popularize the traditional artisanal offering of Mishti Doi across the country. The Company has been instrumental in replicating the exact taste of the traditional product with great precision, consistent taste, superior quality and hygiene. Apart from the state of West Bengal, Mother Dairys Mishti Doi is also cherished by consumers across the northern and western regions.
Newly launched adtech platform Parva, with 360 million monthly active users and serving 2,241 million monthly ad impressions, is all set to become a key option for media buyers in India.

Parva, which is a consortium of premium Indian publishers has partnered with some of the largest and most loved domestic publishers such as Times Internet, Sakal Media, etc. to create a scaled-up media buying solution for our customers.

At its core, Parva is a technology platform that allows media buyers to reach their customers in a trusted, premium, and brand-safe environment. Through the use of a proven adtech stack, Parva enables advertisers to reach their customers at scale while driving superior business outcomes for them.

Parva aims to bring together leading publishers in India to combine their reach while giving media buyers access to premium inventory that is 100% viewable and brand safe. Parva seeks to provide an integrated and seamless experience across multiple devices and touchpoints for media buyers.

On the launch of the platform Raghu Seelamsetty, Founder of Parva, said, The explosive growth of digital media has created amazing opportunities for digital media buyers and sellers alike. We see a need for a scaled-up adtech service that delivers real measurable results for our customers while leveraging a transparent business relationship with our publisher partners.

Puneet Gupt, Chief Operating Officer of Times Internet, said, Parva is an exciting new partnership for TIL. Parva creates new opportunities for advertisers to reach some of the most premium audiences in an environment they trust across a curated list of premium publishers. Parva enables top-tier publishers, like us, to create additional direct sources of revenue while continuing to exceed our customers' marketing objectives.

In addition to this, Swapnil Malpathak, Digital Business Head for Sakal Media Group said, This is a great opportunity for all digital media platforms, as it makes media selling easy. It also gives us (publishers) the opportunity to meet new clients and help showcase our solution-providing capabilities in the best possible manner. Sakal Digital currently claims a high MAU of 20M+ users, and leveraging our services to Parva will only help us grow as a brand solution provider.

With Parva, the Indian media buyers and sellers will play a more central role in Indias

internet story and would be the stewards of our data.
The Derma Co, a science-based skincare brand, announced Young Scientists in collaboration with Bhumi NGO which works on tackling complex challenges facing children in disadvantaged communities through the transformative power of education. With a commitment to empowering underprivileged children through science experiential learning, the brand will link every order made on www.thedermaco.com, to a child who will benefit via science experiential learning.

Founded on the fundamentals of the science of skincare using active ingredients, The Derma Co., believes in the power of science and has committed to empowering and educating deserving underprivileged children with science experiential learnings. In collaboration with Bhumi NGO, the aim is to make practical hands-on science education accessible to urban, semi-urban, and rural government schools & to transform the thinking of children through DIY experiments covering different concepts of science and providing science experiential learning.

While India has made great strides in improving access to education, quality education for underprivileged children is yet to be achieved. With this objective in mind, The Derma Co is looking toward setting a new benchmark for providing access to quality education in the field of science. Once an order is placed on the website, the brand commences the process towards funding a childs education and supports more children having access to practical science. Customers can visit https://thedermaco.com/educate and enter their order id in the box provided on the page and see the details of the child towards whose education the customer has contributed by ordering from The Derma Co website.

Commenting on the initiative, Ghazal Alagh, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Honasa Consumer Private Limited said, When we launched HONASA, we were committed to serving a greater purpose with every brand we launch. Being a science-based brand, we were certain that when we launch the purpose for The Derma Co., it would be serving a greater objective with science. Understanding science in the fundamental development of childrens future, we are launching our purpose Young Scientists, where we will provide science experiential learning to children. We have collaborated with Bhumi NGO to help us through this purpose. Young Scientists is a dream to provide quality education to millions of deserving children, and we hope that our consumers join hands with us in this quest.

Commenting on the initiative, Sridevi Mogilineedi, Program Director, Bhumi NGO said, - "We feel that science education is crucial at a young age and should be included in the curriculum. We are glad that The Derma Co. has come forward to support this critical aspect of education. This collaboration will further support us in our effort to deliver high-quality education to children across the country and to contribute to a world where children from economically weaker sections do not have to miss out on opportunities due to cost or accessibility difficulties."
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BLACKWELL, Wis.  Each year folks in the north look forward to early spring when sap rises in the forest trees. The smell of wood smoke wafts 
BLACKDUCK, Minn.  Late fall was a stressful time for Rachel Gray and everyone at Little Timber Farms. A D-4 (exceptional classification) drought resulted in crop and pasture losses.

She and her dad, Murl Nord, had limited options for continuing the fourth year of their heifer development operation.

It looked as though Little Timber Farms would have very few cattle at the farm through the winter months.

Then, Rachel found PJ Boyum Farms of Chatfield, Minn., and worked out an agreement for her cattle to be trucked there for feeding and development.

The relationship has worked well and has given Rachel confidence to continue to work in a progressive manner.

That is the key, she said. Being progressive  whether its being willing to try something new, being willing to go the extra step for your customer, or just thinking outside the box, and saying, How can we do this differently? Thats what we are doing here at Little Timber Farms.

Several years back, Rachel and her husband, Al Gray, purchased the business from Murl, and Rachels mom, Sue Nord. The Grays then changed the farm from a cow/calf operation to a heifer development operation.

Rachels business model focuses on purchasing very high-end replacement quality F1 black baldy heifers. The heifers have Topp Hereford and Ellingson Angus genetics.

After successfully developing a relationship with the Chatfield farm, Rachel had several hundred F1 black baldy heifers trucked to Boyum Custom Feeding. Over the winter, shes driven several times (700-800 miles round trip) from Blackduck to Chatfield and back to Blackduck in a day. Shes given bangs vaccinations and observed the heifers as they run through the chute.

Shes very happy with the way the heifers have developed there.

This winter, she purchased three Ellingson bulls and a Ressler bull to use on the heifers when they return to Little Timber Farms in April. Some of the heifers will be AI bred.

Rachel and her dad purchased three fancy registered heifers at the Ressler sale.

We will have an offering of registered heifers for the first time, Rachel said. We are very excited about those.

Another interesting program this winter was caring for and calving out Zehnder-Waage Partnership heifers. The calving went spectacularly, in part because the Little Timber Farms crew could spend time with the heifers.

With most of the cattle at the feedlot in southern Minnesota, Rachel and her son, Nick, who works at the farm full-time, went through the dairy barn in early winter. They figured out a plan to build an observation/vet room in the barn.

Using mostly materials available around the farm, the crew built a heated room with an observation window where Rachel could sleep at night. Someone stayed in the observation room during the entire time the Zehnder-Waage Partnership cows were calving in the barn.

The effort was well worth it, as a beautiful set of half Charolais, quarter Angus, and quarter Hereford calves were born starting on Feb. 14.

The cows and calves were sold at the Zehnder-Waage Partnership sale on March 26 for $2,500 a pair. Buyers purchased the calves in groups of five.

Both developing heifers and calving out the Charolais/cross heifers were successful ventures this year, she said. In addition, the freezer beef program provides high quality beef for local families and individuals. Several small loads of finished cattle were brought to the local locker plant for slaughter and processing.

Rachel took some time to think about the winter of 2021-22. She was extremely grateful that the 2021 drought had eased in her region. Fall rains had been good, and many inches of snow had fallen this winter. As of March 24, the farm still had a snow depth of at least 2 inches.

It was great news considering how dry it was in 2021  when she was able to drag her riding arena in March  a harbinger of the drought that followed throughout the 2021 growing season.

We definitely have mud, she said. I am happy that it is not as dry as it was last year. It is cooler. When we really need those timely rains is between May 15 and June 20.

She and Murl talked about the heifers returning to Blackduck from Chatfield, and they realized the cattle would likely churn up some soil and grass.

As the daughter and father talked, they came up with a plan to raise more cattle feed. They decided to ask the local co-op if they could buy any seed that came from a broken bag, or half a bag, or had other issues. The co-op set aside a tote, and they are dumping the seed into it. The seed will be mixed, and when the time comes to seed, Rachel and Murl will lightly disk and drag the pasture. Then, theyll use a spreader to broadcast the seed and pack it with a packer.

Whatever grows, grows, she said. Thats what well come back and graze. Plus, we know we have a good seedbank already in this pasture. We wont know until mid-June if this plan is going to work, but I think it will.

The heifer development program has so many benefits. High-quality heifers are developed for cattle production. The success of the program has also allowed Rachel to develop her role as a leader in the Minnesota State Cattlemens Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and Common Ground.

She also can spend time with her entire family, and ride horse. With spring coming on, she tries to ride twice a week. Rachel also loves to barrel race and is a member of Wojos Rodeo Circuit.

Its just small little Minnesota rodeos, but its a lot of fun, she said. Hopefully you win some money, but its not a job.

She purchased her horse a little over a year ago.

He and I are still working some kinks out when it comes to the second barrel, she said, with a smile in her voice. His foot placement and my leg placement are somewhat of an issue.

Rachel has worked on the farm and with her parents her entire life, but she also was a schoolteacher for 14 years. Clear communication, always looking ahead, and attention to detail are some of the things she constantly uses at the farm.

Im always looking ahead and thinking about, How can I do this better? or What can we improve on? Thats what sets you apart from everyone else, she said.

Although our time with Rachel and Little Timber Farms has come to an end, watch for her comments in other farm publications and major newspapers/media outlets.

Were not done growing. Were not where we want to be, she said. I am constantly looking forward and saying, What is our next move, our next adventure?

Minnesota Farm Guide wishes to thank Rachel Gray for sharing her story with us during the winter of 2021-22. We hope that your life is always filled with twists and turns that keep it interesting.

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Hua Sun, CEO and president of Agassiz Sustainable LLC, said he is searching for investors who want to turn wheat straw into pulp and make compostable containers for food.

Agassiz Sustainable LLC, was awarded $100,000 from APUC to help build a vertically integrated wheat straw pulping and molding operation that converts wheat straw into compostable containers for use in the food and beverage industry.

We researched turning wheat straw into wheat pulp and found that wheat straw pulping is very costly and environmentally unfriendly, Sun said. We designed a different way to do it, and our method will be environmentally friendly.

Sun feels it will be profitable since farmers want to sell their wheat straw for a high price. He said there is a lot of wheat straw in eastern North Dakota that isnt being used for livestock bedding. Some of the straw is being sent to Wisconsin but there is very little profit in it.

Farmers in eastern North Dakota are sending their wheat straw to Wisconsin livestock producers at $350 a ton for bedding, he said. But the farmers are only getting about $30 of that money and the rest goes to trucking the wheat straw. We want to keep that straw in North Dakota and pay farmers well for it.

Sun said wheat straw pulping was stopped in the 1950s.

They went to wood pulping. Wood pulping was more like a telephone pole and straw pulp looked like a bush with many branches, he said.

In eastern North Dakota, wheat straw that is not cut for bedding is often burned or plowed under the ground, he pointed out.

They burn the straw in the field, or plow it, and that is a waste, Sun said.

Traill County has a good number of farmers who would be willing to sell their wheat straw for a good price.

Sun wants to make food containers for school lunch programs and to-go boxes.

I feel there is a lot of demand for environmentally friendly disposable containers, he said.

Once the facility to make the wheat straw into pulp is built, Sun wants to have several locations around the state, so farmers would not have far to go to take their wheat straw.

We are excited to make a usable product out of ag waste, he concluded.

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After a supportive USDA report boosted corn and wheat prices April 8, markets are watching weather as planting season looms in the Midwest.

Jack Scoville, analyst with Price Futures Group, said wheat is finding price support from dry weather in the Western Plains making crop conditions poor and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, two of the major wheat exporters in the world.

Theres a lot out there to support the wheat market, he said. And corn was feeling support which is starting to fade a little bit, but thats surprising because we just sold a million tonnes to the Chinese.

Corn has continued to show strong demand with the recent Chinese purchases, and summer driving seasons higher gasoline prices are expected to add to ethanol consumption.

The purchase Scoville referenced was an April 4 purchase of 1.084 million tonnes of U.S. corn, the biggest purchase since May 2021. This deal may have been impacted by the war in Ukraine, as the country is the worlds fourth biggest exporter of corn, and there is much supply uncertainty.

Scoville said he believes pressure for corn prices will come in the form of feed purchases.

Given the high cost of feed, it could kill off a bit of demand, he said.

Weather markets are notoriously hard to predict, but a cooler spring may cause delays if the trends dont shift soon. Any price increases due to weather arent likely to be seen until these delays come to fruition, but the concern is present.

Well keep a very close eye on the weather, he said. If it turns warmer, there wont be any delays, and that applies to the Northern Plains as well. But they are talking about a blizzard out there also. Thats going to be the focal point.

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Farming is one of the most challenging occupations on Planet Earth but imagine trying to plant crops while under attack. Farmers in Ukraine are in that uncharted territory because of Russias invasion.

Nick Gordiichuk is a Ukrainian farmer facing war and spring planting at the same time.

Gordiichuk farms 600 hectares (1,482 acres), which he said is considered a relatively small farm in Ukraine. He told Dustin Hoffmann during an interview with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that he grows winter wheat, maize (corn), seed potatoes and table potatoes.

My farm is 150 kilometers north of Kyiv, Gordiichuk said over Skype. Its right in the area where the aggressor entered our country. That means our farm is under occupation, and we dont have access to it right now.

Some reports in the United States say Ukraine officials are urging the countrys farmers to go forward with their normal plans as much as possible. Gordiichuk points out that normal is something new on a minute-by-minute basis.

At this point in the year, Gordiichuk would typically be seed-drilling the earlier-planted crops and putting fertilizer on their winter wheat. Ukraine has been the breadbasket for many countries around the world, and the fact that normal farming operations have been interrupted isnt good for the worlds food security.

First of all, our farmers dont have access to a lot of their land, he said. Even those farmers who do have access to land and machinery face challenges getting inputs like fertilizer. We also dont have enough access to diesel and gasoline, because the logistics of getting those fuels have gotten destroyed by war.

As any American farmer knows, financing is a yearly challenge. Gordiichuk says Ukrainian farmers also rely on financing from their local banks, which will be an even bigger challenge to get in 2022. The Ukraine government is also trying to arrange financing plans for the countrys farmers, but he points out that most banks in his country are trying to cut down on risk.

We see that the Russian army is purposefully targeting our countrys agricultural enterprises, Gordiichuk said. Theyre destroying our machinery and stored crops. Some farmers still have a lot of crops they were holding onto in hopes of selling at better prices. But where will we sell it, with no access to Black Sea ports?

The only option for some farmers may be to ship commodities via railroad through Europe.

The Ukrainian farmer estimates that at least 30% of the countrys farmland wont get planted. Even those farmers that do manage to grow crops arent sure what theyll do with it once harvest is complete, assuming the crops even get to maturity. But, like American farmers, he says Ukraines growers are still trying to get out when the sun is shining and the soil is at the right temperature.

For example, as we were recently putting fertilizer on our winter wheat, we could hear shells exploding nearby, he recalled. Unfortunately, thats about when we saw Russian tanks entering our village and had to evacuate the people and some of the items from our farm.

He says its likely that only central and western Ukraine will be able to grow at least some crops this season. In southern Ukraine, Gordiichuk says Russians are actually stealing the countrys grain and shipping it as their own exports. But no matter what happens in the days ahead, farmers and other groups are working together to get as much food to as many people as possible.

We are trying to supply as much food as we can to cities that are under attack, including (the capital city of) Kyiv, he said. We try to distribute vegetables, potatoes and flour so that people can make bread. We want to help people in each of these cities survive the attacks.

Farmers are also helping the Ukrainian army by providing food for the soldiers and fuel for their vehicles.

We believe we are helping the army stand its ground against the aggressors, he said.

About a month into the war, 10 million Ukrainians have had to leave their homes because of the fighting. Three million of those people fled to other countries like Poland, which Gordiichuk called a good friend to Ukrainians, as well as other countries like Germany, France and Romania. Most of those 3 million people were women and children.

Many of the 7 million Ukrainians that stayed behind moved from the eastern part of Ukraine to the western areas of the country. Thats escalated food demand in that particular region.

Farmers are also getting together to think about what might happen next year, Gordiichuk said. Were trying to organize enough diesel, gasoline and seed supplies for the next planting season. The government is also working to make it easier to import things like seeds and machinery from overseas to get ready for next year.

The war is equally hard on Ukraines livestock farmers. While the country doesnt have a lot of livestock and dairy farms, Gordiichuk has a farmer friend in northern Ukraine that owns 700 cows.

He has soldiers and shelling all around his farm constantly, but he has to stay there with his family because the cows need care every day, he said.

The other problem dairy farmers run into is where to take the milk for processing.

The milk processing factories arent working right now, so our dairy farmers are giving the milk away to those who need it, Gordiichuk said.

About 70% of all Ukrainian businesses had to stop their operations, he said, and supply chains are either severely disrupted or destroyed. Gordiichuk says if they wanted to move potatoes from one area to another, theyd first have to find a driver willing to risk his life. He would then have to find diesel or gasoline to fuel the truck.

Were in a very challenging time, he added. But we are all inspired by our army thats fighting and allowing us to do our farming so we can feed our people.

Every morning and every evening, we have people in our country running for bomb shelters, Gordiichuk said. Its unbelievable to see this situation in the 21st century.

Chad Smith can be reached at editorial@midwestmessenger.com.

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The Montana Department of Livestock proudly announced recently they had officially secured a Cooperative Interstate Shipping (CIS) agreement with the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). This agreement is a game changer for producers in Montana and will provide processing facilities with access to out-of-state markets for their beef, poultry, and chicken.

The start towards procuring this agreement actually goes back to the 2021 Montana Legislative Session, explained Jay Bodner, executive vice present for the Montana Stockgrowers Association. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on meat supply chains and Montana meat packing facilities completely overwhelmed, the 2021 Legislative Session was seriously considering various bills that could help remedy the in-state supply bottleneck and increase packing facility capacity.

There were a number of bills that looked at meat processing, but they didnt really get to the point of helping Montana processors capture more of the value added. During the discussion of those legislative bills, we kind of pivoted to looking at the CIS program, Bodner articulated.

A CIS agreement is a USDA-housed program that promotes business expansion for state-inspected meat processing facilities. Under a CIS agreement, state-inspected meat processing facilities who adhere to strict guidelines and conditions can sell and ship their product across state lines.

This is a great program for not only our state-inspected plants, but it also has impacts all the way down the beef supply chain in Montana and that is what we want to do. We want to capture more of the value added in Montana, he said.

The CIS program is only open to the 27 states that have an established Meat and Poultry Inspection program and maintain standards at least equal to those set by the USDA FSIS. With the recent addition of Montana, five states are currently enrolled in the CIS program.

It is important to note that meat sales are not limited to eligible states. Enrollment in the program means meat can be sold to all 50 states with an opportunity to sell internationally. At this time, no state enrolled in the CIS program has pursued the requirements for international sales.

Being accepted into the CIS program is a fairly rigorous process, Bodner noted. Montana had to first prove their overarching meat inspection program was up to federal standards and then they had to attest they will be able to uphold those standards. State meat inspectors must also be trained to the federal level, as well, to ensure acceptance to the program. Once Montana decided the CIS program was the best option for the state, they were able to complete the enrollment process in just under a year.

I think it is such a compliment to the state that we were able to get this agreement signed in a shorter than the normal time, Bodner stated.

With the state of Montana accepted to the CIS program it is now up to individual state-inspected processing facilities to seek enrollment into the program.

Montana is noted for producing some of the most premium meat in the United States. Being accepted to the CIS program provides the state with another opportunity to ensure as much value as possible stays within the Montana economy.

This is more revenue stream and diversification in our state and that is really important to our industry, Bodner noted.

In conclusion, Bodner encouraged state-inspected processing facilities to take advantage of the CIS program. The goal is to build off the momentum of this agreement and therefore be able to provide more opportunities for Montana producers and operations.

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More than four years in the making, a new Minnesota license plate was released in February that supports agriculture education for young people.

The new agriculture license plate benefits Minnesota FFA Foundation and Minnesota 4-H programs dedicated to agriculture.

The license features two sets of youthful hands holding fertile soil and a living plant. A sunrise illuminates a growing farm field and country road, as well as the promise of blue skies above.

Nearly 100 drawings from FFAers and 4-Hers provided the inspiration for the plates design.

Two sets of hands holding seedlings represent the 4-Hers pledge to use their hands for larger service. The rising sun gives a nod to FFAs opening ceremony, a token of a new era in agriculture.

The plate was given permission for creation and use by legislation passed in 2021. Now available at a deputy registrar office or through the mail using the special application form, the cost is $15.50, plus a minimum contribution of $20, and an $11 filing fee. A $20 contribution will be required annually to use the place, as well as annual license fees.

The funds raised will be divided equally to support FFA programs and ag programs as delivered by 4-H.

We really encourage the ag license plate and getting it on their vehicles, said Minnesota FFA State President Emily Matejka. Its super awesome that everyone has been involved with that. Its a long time coming.

0408 MN FFA 4H license.jpg

Ag leaders as well as leaders of Minnesota 4-H and Minnesota FFA introduced Minnesotas first agricultural license plate. The plate offers an opportunity for Minnesotans to support agriculture programs for youth in both of these organizations.

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Although I could not attend, I heard rave reviews from several who saw The Music Man production at Northwestern Oklahoma State University last week. Members of the community performed along with the students to provide an outstanding production.

Today, March 13, is the first day of candidate filing in Oklahoma for the Nov. 8 General Election. Filing is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday. A number of state offices are up for election including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor and inspector, commissioner of labor, state insurance commissioner, one corporation commissioners and the district attorney.

In addition, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives will be filing. State senators in this area have odd-number districts so they arent on the ballot until 2024.

County offices on the Nov. 8 ballot will be treasurer, assessor, and county commissioner for Districts 1 and 3.

U.S. Senator James Lankfords seat is also open for candidate filing. Since U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is retiring at the end of this year, his unexpired term is also set for the Nov. 8 election.

Covid-19 Boosters

Most of you have probably heard that the FDA now says that if you are 50 or older, you can get a second booster for Covid-19.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second Covid-19 booster shot for people aged 50 and up  but the move falls short of a recommendation. It is more like the FDA saying, Get one if you want to. It is OK with us.

It has only been six months since the FDA authorized the first boosters so there is not a lot of data guiding this decision. Usually, such decisions are based on a long and wide experience that shows booster vaccines are waning. Nobody will be surprised if, this fall, the FDA authorizes another booster to protect against an autumn/winter resurgence of the virus.

Here is the FDAs wording about boosters for people who got either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. And note the FDA also authorized boosters for immunocompromised teens:

A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine or Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved Covid-19 vaccine.

A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immune-compromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved Covid-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immune-compromise.

A second booster dose of the Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved Covid-19 vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older with the same certain kinds of immune-compromise.

Annual Covid Boosters

An FDA panel wants annual Covid boosters, not every four months

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations expert panel of advisers on vaccines is trying to decide how often you should get a Covid-19 booster. It directed the FDA to come up with a plan for an annual booster that would provide 80% protection against severe illness and death.

The panel, called the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee or VRBPAC, has made it clear that it would not be in favor of any plan that includes a booster shot every four months or so.

The panel questioned the FDAs decision last week that tells people age 50 or older who want to get a booster four months after their last shot to go ahead. Advisory panel members said the FDA acted without enough data, relying too heavily on Israeli data.

The European Medicine Agency and European Center for Disease Prevention and Control also met on and said it is too soon to administer second-dose boosters. The European agency looked at the same Israeli data that the FDA used. Andrea Ammon, the ECDC director, said in a video statement, There is no clear evidence at the moment that vaccine protection against severe disease is waning substantially in adults between 60 and 79 years of age with a normal immune system, to support the need of a fourth dose.

Trevor Bedford, who models how diseases emerge at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, told the FDA panel that we can expect a major new strain of COVID-19 as often as every year and a half. But it could be as long as a decade between major strains, he said. He warned the panel that we need a system that constantly monitors emergences of the virus.

The panel also heard a recommendation from the FDAs Peter Marks who said that if there is a new formulation to protect against new variants, then all vaccines would need to be overhauled and not just boosters.

The trick, experts said, is that if there is to be a reformulation available by fall, the decision has to be made within a month or two. There are a number of drug trials underway, but it is not likely that they will produce enough reliable data to be the basis for a new vaccine formula by May.

Counting Steps

On a less serious note, 7,000 steps is the new 10,000. It turns out, there is scant research to back up the 10,000 steps number. A new study in the Lancet medical journal says the number of steps you should aim for depends on your age, sex and more. Make no mistake, the study says, walking is a good way to improve your health, but you may not have to go 10,000 steps to achieve the best results.

For example, for women aged 62 and older, there was no discernible benefit to walking more than 7,500 steps a day.

For people 40 and older, somewhere between 8,000 and 12,000 steps a day produce the greatest health benefits. For younger adults, the benefits tend to round off around 9,000 steps.

But older adults who walk 3,000 steps can reduce their mortality risk by half if they up that number to 7,000 steps a day.
It seems that no one can ever do quite enough to satisfy the demands of professional complainers. Not even Elon Musk, world-famous promoter of electric vehicles. He was met rudely by protesters at the grand opening of his Tesla assembly plant, just outside Berlin, during recent ceremonies: "...it [the plant] has faced opposition and some environmental activists blocked the factorys entrance while displaying banners flagging its high water use

All said and done, it should become clear to various parties that the newer generation of electric vehicles is no better, environmentally speaking, than late-model automobiles powered by the much-maligned internal combustion engine. The goal of saving the Earth from ungrounded fears of climate disruption attending CO2 emissions pales in contrast to the massive disruptions by a transportation system whose dependence on EVs that will trigger dreaded brownouts.

Modern EVs share inherent shortcomings with their dowdy ancestors. I recall my father pointing out a relic black Baker electric (made circa 191014) as it trundled down our street. It resembled a hearse more than a car. Obviously, 2022 Teslas far outperform the Baker, but both the Baker in its own time and todays nifty Teslas require lengthy recharging when the batteries run low. More about that detail a little later.

Heres another sobering thought for EV prospects in northerly climes. There is no waste heat from onboard fuel combustion to warm the cars interior. Both warm and cool air must come from a heat pump operated parasitically with current drawn from the battery pack, whose stored energy is intended primarily for vehicle propulsion. Diverting power to accessories decreases the driving range below its advertised value, and substantially during very cold or very hot weather.

Industry contenders (Tesla, GM, Toyota, and others) are in the latter stages of sorting through the best combinations of energy storage (the battery system) and prime mover (the electric motor).

Electric motors in primitive form go back to the early 19th century. Pioneers like Faraday, Tesla, and Edison contributed to their development. By the late 19th century, the DC (direct current) motor had evolved sufficiently for use in automobiles. Trolley cars, buses, and subway trains also ran with DC motors when the Big Apple was young.

With the advent of AC (alternating current), its inventor, Serbian-born Nicola Tesla, enabled practical AC induction motors that power most commercial applications today. But todays highly competitive automotive playing field leaves the outcome for dominance (AC or DC) far from settled.

At issue are scarce materials needed in the construction of both the lithium-ion batteries and several versions of high-performance motors to power EVs. Lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare-earth metals (lanthanum, neodymium, and other elements) lead the list of key components in batteries and motors. Serious supply problems ahead promise to keep consumer prices sky-high.

And to no ones surprise, China cornered about 90% of lithium reserves and dominates the market. Automakers are scrambling for other sources amid turmoil in other international arenas.

Mining lithium and other strategic metals incur environmental costs such that strictly enforced regulations in the United States force most mining and processing of lithium offshore. But in Third World countries, extracting these exotic minerals often leaves behind improperly disposed of dross containing toxic waste. Out of sight, out of mind, right, greens?

It is mistaken to assume electric vehicles leave behind no environmental footprint, either in their construction or operation. The electricity needed for charging comes from the grid fed by coal-fired, nuclear, and hydro-plants, far more than from wind farms or solar panels atop roofs.

Those pushing for a rapid transition to an all-electric fleet suffer myopia that may come back to bite them, sooner than later.

The favored cars of the future are not ready for prime time in 2022, despite what the President recently said. And in many more ways than proponents are willing to acknowledge.

Whats to come? Factors yet to emerge will help buyers decide whether the evolving EV, a conventional model, or a hybrid presents the intelligent choice. There are several things to consider: investment cost, operating costs, convenience, reliability, and safety. There is no obvious choice based solely on whats good for the environment, despite the widely advertised opinions of EV advocates.

Stubborn safety issues persist with electrics, centering on potential fire hazards inherent in lithium batteries. In February, a freighter loaded with high-end EVs sank in the Atlantic after a fire swept through its cargo (4,000 Porches, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, etc.), many equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The ship capsized and sank, having sustained irreparable damage. Its not clear whether the fire originated within a battery, but once ignited, it quickly spread through the EVs onboard.

Hastening the transition to electrics will further expose hazards within the existing technology. Manufacturers may be tempted to shorten recharging times to entice buyers but would put the driving public at greater risk. Minimizing fire hazards translates into delays drivers will experience whenever venturing beyond the normal range, requiring the next recharge.

Newsmax compares the costs of owning and operating an EV with a comparable SUV. It reached the conclusion that combined costs of purchasing the new vehicles (with EV subsidy) and subsequent operating expenses favor a conventional model by more than $13,000 over a six-year period. The figure doesnt account for increases in electricity rates that may accompany the enormous increase in power demand with 50 million EVs taking to the highways. Rates applicable to charging stations away from home would be higher.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside. Sage advice from 18th-century poet Alexander Pope to an EV buyer in 2022.

William D. Balgord, Ph.D. (geochemistry) heads Environmental & Resources Technology, Inc. in Middleton, WI. E&RT conducted studies on auto exhaust emissions and vehicle fuel economy for the US Department of Transportation. He is a Contributing Writer with the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation.

Image: Baker Electric
Its not hard to run honest elections, even without fancy 21st-century e-technology. I actually live in such a country now. I moved to Poland in 2007, and I can tell everybody that Poland runs honest elections. Actually, I think this is also true of France, Germany, and most countries of Western Europe, but Ill talk here of Poland since this is the case Im most familiar with.

Poland assures honest elections by doing two things that the United States does not do. Poland has a) national ID cards, and b) residential reporting laws.

All residents of Poland, whether they are citizens or not, are required to apply for and receive national ID cards. In my case, since Im not a citizen of the State of Poland, I have a pobyt stay (certification of permanent legal residency, like the American green card). My pobyt stay is distinct from the national ID cards that citizens have.

I show both sides of my pobyt below. Note that I have crossed out numerical identification, and I crossed out my specific street address on the back. Note also on the back it says, DOSTEP DO RYNKU PRACY. This means, Entry to the Job Market. The card at the same time functions as an e-verification for legal employment.

Also, note the two fields I encircled both front and back. These in fact are holograms, which actually contain my bio-scan! The final step before I received this card was that I had to allow the agency to scan the fingerprints of both my index fingers  and these were transferred into the card! My Polish national ID card is therefore actually a smart card! I regard it as a wave of the future, another foolproof means of achieving voter integrity, but Ill venture no farther than that here...

The national ID cards all have the holders photo on them. And, even more importantly, the cards state the official address of record, and this is where Polands other law comes into play. All persons, citizens and otherwise, are required by law to report their current address of residency to their local authorities. And, each person is required to go to his/her regional administrative office to apply for the national ID card on which his/her official address will be recorded.

When all this happens, and if the cardholder is a citizen, he/she will automatically be registered to vote, at the precinct appropriate to his/her address. And therefore, the rate of voter registration of citizens in Poland is virtually 100%, and all done without any political party sending out armies to register unregistered persons to vote.

What happens if a person moves to a new address in another city? In this case, that person must register the new address with his/her new local authorities within 90 days, and must also apply for a new national ID card to replace the old one with the now-invalid address.

When this happens, the regional government center will instruct the new municipality of residence to notify the old municipality to strike that old residents name forthwith from its voter rolls. So unlike the case in the United States where the same person can be registered to vote in multiple places, like my friend on Staten Island, in Poland, this is virtually impossible.

Having said all this, however, I need to add that I fear it would be very difficult to impose residential registration laws and national ID on Americans. Many on both the left and the right would see this as a massive invasion of privacy. And they have a point.

Those who watched Schindlers List will recall how efficiently the Nazis rounded up all the Jews in Krakow in one fell swoop. The reason the Nazis could do that is that they knew where almost every Jew lived because they were working off residential lists they had seized from the Poles after the 1939 invasion  lists which, by the way, stated ones religion.

Most if not all European countries have used and lived with such laws ever since the end of World War II, and somehow the sky doesnt fall in. No police department in any of these countries has ever abused this knowledge the way the Nazis did. People here take their safety for granted.

But the United States already is well down the road toward a national ID. All drivers licenses have ones current address printed thereon, and these are routinely used as ID. Nobody thinks twice about it. But these identity cards are issued by states, not the federal government, perhaps somewhat mollifying critics.

But on May 3, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security will require a Real ID as a condition to board all commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities. These will be photo ID cards with ones address printed thereon  just like the Polish national ID cards.

It appears the Real ID will be based primarily on state-issued drivers licenses. Those cards will look like this:

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Note the star on the license on the right. That certifies the license is Real ID. Drivers licenses without such a mark will not be Real ID and will not allow a person to fly. I dont know if such licenses will bear printing on the back as the Polish national ID cards have.

Drivers licenses will be the primary but not sole method for Real ID. Passports will be accepted, as will green cards and other forms of ID.

Real ID is a step in Polands direction of a full-blown national ID card. It will be a picture ID and can state ones address. But not necessarily. While drivers licenses do state ones address, passports and green cards do not. And note that state-issued drivers licenses never state ones citizenship status. Millions of aliens, legal and otherwise, possess valid drivers licenses in California  and all are registered to vote regardless of citizenship status, thanks to the execrable Motor Voter Bill.

More work would have to be done to enable Real ID to function as Polands national ID cards function  as a means to enable legal voting and to seek legal employment.
Does anybody still think totalitarianism can't happen here? Ask yourself how many of these steps we've already galloped past.

(1) Destruction of Religion

Any belief in a higher power is threatening to the State. If there is a "higher law" that takes precedence over government orders, then personal morality is a justifiable reason for disobeying the State. America's founding was a product of the Enlightenment's understanding that natural rights and liberties exist apart from and superior to the State's edicts. These God-given rights, some of which are recorded in the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution as the Bill of Rights, cannot be abridged or usurped by the State. For individual sovereignty and personal liberty to be extinguished, then, spiritual belief in a higher power is antithetical to the goals of an overbearing government.

(2) Gun Confiscation

Eminent English jurist William Blackstone succinctly observed: "Free men have arms; slaves do not." Americans prepared to defend their lives are prepared to defend their freedom. That Democrats have made gun control and confiscation one of their most pressing issues says everything about the direction we're heading.

(3) Control over Energy

Whether you believe that anthropogenic climate change is an imminent threat or not, this much is indisputable: energy undergirds all economic activity. Everything from agricultural production and industrial manufacturing to supply transport, shipping, and consumer shopping depends upon a constant supply of energy. If everything bought and sold across the planet were viewed as a pyramid with the most luxurious items sitting at the top, hydrocarbon energy in all its forms provides the pyramid's foundation. As governments seize greater control over hydrocarbon energy, they seize total control over the global economy.

(4) Control over Communication

There is a reason Western governments have begun aggressively attacking free speech as "misinformation" or "disinformation": the power to communicate ideas to the broader public threatens governments' monopoly over "official" truths. Traditional forms of mass communication  newspapers, radio broadcasts, and television shows  are operated by so few corporations that the State has no problem influencing, if not outright controlling, the information disseminated to the public. In contrast, social media platforms and independent publishing sites permit citizens (in theory) to bypass State censors, regulators, and other information gatekeepers to communicate directly with large numbers of other citizens. See why governments spend so much time targeting free speech as "hate speech" or "harmful information" that must be banned? See why governments pressure ideologically aligned tech companies to censor free speech on their behalf? See why "free speech" is mocked as an unhealthy citizen obsession?

(5) Control over Money

Just as hydrocarbon energy sustains all economic activity, economic activity is at the heart of all human relations. In a truly free market, people exchange goods and services according to their wants and needs. When those interactions become more frequent, money with agreed-upon value (usually in the form of gold or silver) is used to make exchanges more efficient and to provide a lasting store of value that does not exist when bartering with crops or livestock. When governments replace gold coins (with inherent stored value) with paper money, though, currencies' worth depends entirely upon State decree. Likewise, should governments continue to print money, the value of that money naturally declines. In effect, the use of fiat currencies allows governments to tax their populations without ever taking a vote. By controlling the only legal medium of exchange, government inserts itself into all commerce. Free markets become controlled.

(6) Doomsday Fear-mongering

Government power rests on citizens' acceptance that only the State can tackle big problems. Therefore, government has a natural incentive to invent big problems for its citizens. Rallying around the flag is not limited to times of war. Governments have used COVID-19 to mandate personal health treatments, lock down entire economies, censor dissenting points of view, and keep people monitored or under house arrest. Governments have used apocalyptic tales of climate change to push for greater state control over industry. Governments have declared emergencies over "systemic racism" and "transgender rights" to assert control over private companies. Governments insist that "misinformation" is so deadly that censorship must be embraced. Fear is a tool for maintaining control, so governments mass-produce fear for their own benefit.

(7) School Indoctrination

Lenin declared, "Give me four years to teach the children, and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted." Is it any wonder, then, why schools are on the front lines of all cultural battles? It used to be broadly understood in America that parents are instrumental in determining what is taught in local schools. Now the Department of Justice targets parents unhappy with the leftist indoctrination of their children's school curricula. Objecting to the State's infusion of cultural Marxism into education can get one labeled a "domestic terrorist." Objecting to schools' increasing exposure of young children to "transgenderism" and graphic sexual content can get one labeled a "bigot." Objecting to young white children being taught to feel guilty for the color of their skin is ironically cast as "racist." And to top things off, while most Americans have ditched masks as relatively ineffective instruments for diminishing the spread of disease, too many schools are still committed to hardwiring into the little developing minds under their control that the State may force mask compliance (and submission) on a whim.

(8) Elimination of Family

In a free society, the family is the basic unit for self-governance. In a controlled society, the family is a direct threat to the teachings of the State. Again Lenin: "Give me just one generation of youth, and I'll transform the whole world." Is it any surprise, then, that marriage, between a man and a woman, has been under attack for decades? Is it any surprise why motherhood and giving birth to many children have been ridiculed as threats to women's liberation, whereas abortion on demand is celebrated? Is it any surprise why our culture berates men for their "toxic" masculinity? Is it any surprise why schoolteachers so often interfere with the once inviolable parent-child relationship or why children are taught to depend upon government services, not their families, for happiness?

(9) Elimination of Cars

The personal automobile revolutionized the world by liberating the individual from both physical and intellectual isolation. Relatively inexpensive vehicles combined with newly paved roads opened up job opportunities, expanded life choices, and promoted the free exchange of ideas across the continent. Is it any surprise, then, that the State pushes so hard for mass public transportation and the elimination of car ownership? Is it any surprise that government safety standards and fuel regulations have made it more difficult for Americans to afford a vehicle when almost every other form of modern technology has decreased in price over the decades? Freedom of movement, like freedom of speech, is a threat to government control.

(10) Digital Identity Tracking

What started with Obamacare and socialized medicine and quickly expanded with Democrat cities' experimentation with COVID-19 digital passports is set to go into overdrive with the introduction of central bank digital currencies. If government-issued cyber-monies replace the relative anonymity of physical cash, then no purchase, donation, or investment can be free from the prying eyes of the State. Combined with government control over health care and the imposition of mandatory digital IDs, the State will have created the perfect surveillance system. When all human activity is monitored and social credit scores are the norm, personal choice disappears.

Fear + Dependency = Enslavement

When the State determines what you own, what you say, what you may believe, and where you may go, then you have become a slave to total State control. Terrifying citizens into compliance and forcing citizens into dependence for their survival are the hallmarks of all totalitarian regimes. Act accordingly.

Image: TheDigitalArtist via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
The European Health Spa was a modest gym situated in Kansas City back in the old days. It was a preposterous name because the establishment was neither European nor healthy nor a spa; they didnt even offer mud baths. In any event, between exercises one night in the mid-1970s, a Russian expatriate named Lev asserted that the Russians are a slavish people.

That assessment might have been intended as an insult due to Lev being a Jew. Anti-Semitism was rife in imperial Russia, and Jews continued to suffer the occasional pogrom in their shtetls even after the commies took power. But regardless of how Lev meant it, there must be something rather slavish about a people who would think positively, as many Russians did, of a monster like Joseph Stalin.

Slavery in Russia mainly took the form of serfdom. People were bound to the land they worked. So if one inherited a farm, people came with it. There were a number of reforms and tweaks to Russias system of servitude going back to Peter the Great. But the serfs were finally given their freedom, such as it is in Russia, by Tsar Alexander II in 1861. That happens to be an important year for slavery in America. And imagine: manumission (freedom) by royal decree. How very different from what it took to free Americas slaves: a conflict between brothers that is still our bloodiest war.

Lev didnt go into any detail about just why the Rus continue to be a slavish people, but one thing about slaves is that they take whatever is given to them. It doesnt occur to your average slave to ask for more, as they might be beaten.

Russians had an opportunity to remake their nation back in 1991, but they failed to do so. The world, too, failed the slaves of the old Soviet Union, and that includes not only Bill Clinton but also Papa Bush as well. Before a decade had passed, Vladimir Putin had risen to power and, over the last month, it seems like the world has been thrown back to the 1940s.

Claus von Stauffenberg was a German colonel who in 1944 attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Senator Lindsey Graham recently asked if there might be a Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military, adding that the only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. Stauffenberg, however, was an aristocrat, not a slave. The Bolsheviks pretty well got rid of Russias aristocrats a century ago.

If youre a thug, perhaps a KGB agent, and you simply must be the top dog of your piece of turf, the first thing you must do is surround yourself with an inner circle of like-minded thugs, unscrupulous men willing to do anything. With an inner circle of thugs, a thug can be safe. And with an inner circle of thugs, a thug can control a population that still thinks like slaves.

If Putin were to be taken out by the military, its doubtful that it would be by the inner circle, the generals. It would have to be done by the rank-and-file, those the generals have thrown into meat grinders like Afghanistan and Ukraine. But how likely is a mutiny of grunts and conscripts that have been kept in constant fear of being shipped off to the gulag?

On March 20, the Wall Street Journal ran Russian Withdrawal Isnt Enough by retired Colonel Bing West, USMC:

If Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine but Mr. Putin is still in charge in Moscow, it will be a severe defeat for America. In his meeting with all 30 NATO nations, Mr. Biden must cross his Rubicon. He must declare that the sanctions crippling Russia will remain in full force, with no exit ramps, as long as Mr. Putin remains in power. Americas objective isnt a return to the status quo ante; it requires removing Mr. Putin[.]

With respect to Col. West, that also isnt enough. Vlad Putin cant be allowed to retire to his dachas with the billions hes stolen from the Russian people, not after what hes done to Ukraine. Putin is todays Hitler, Putin is the Nazi, and Putin needs to be brought to justice for war crimes (and possibly for genocide) in todays equivalent of the Nuremberg trials.

But even that isnt enough: Russia needs to pay reparations to Ukraine. At least half of Russias oil revenue should be paid directly to Ukraine to rebuild her destroyed cities.

A complication in bringing Putin to justice is that his inner circle and elements of his military are also war criminals. So in order for Putin to be relieved of his responsibilities, and handed over to international authorities for trial, it may be necessary to grant immunity to those handing him over. For this to happen, Ukraine cannot lose this war.

Sunday, April 10 on Fox News, Steve Hilton interviewed attorney Gregg Jarrett on The Next Revolution about how best to prosecute Putin. Jarrett strongly advised against relying on the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and instead recommended a special tribunal under the auspices of the United Nations, as was done with Slobodan Milosevic.

(WATCH Hiltons four-minute interview of Jarrett. Youll need to scroll down a bit for Full Episodes and then click on the episode for April 10. Youll probably have to sit through a commercial or two, but the segment starts just after the 16:00 point. The permalink can also be used.)

If Putin stays in power, then the West should not allow Russians to travel abroad in their countries. Let it go back to the status quo ante, the good old days of the USSR, when Russians were not only slaves but prisoners as well, in their own country.

How is it possible that one lone man, decidedly small in stature (55), can intimidate an entire nation? That such a thing exists should be proof positive that Lev was right about the slavish soul of Russians. Its time that Russians throw off their shackles and become a decent free people with a decent head of state. Hand over Putin.

Jon N. Hall of ULTRACON OPINION is a programmer from Kansas City.

Image: Ilia Efimovich Repin
Middleton, Wisconsin is a medium-sized (21,800 people) suburb of Madison. Its residents are mostly affluent, white-collar workers. Although the town is growing fairly rapidly, if you leave the window open at night, and the wind is blowing in the right direction, you can smell the cow pastures on the outskirts of town. In many ways, it feels like classic, small-town America. That is, it feels the way right up until the moment you read about the drag show a departing teacher put on for high school students. If nothing else, the show reveals the narcissism that lies at the heart of so much LGBTQ+++ instruction at school.

If you visit the home page for Middleton High School ("Home of the Cardinals"), it doesn't boast about academic excellence. Instead, the first word you see is "inclusive," followed by "innovative. inspiring." On the "mission and beliefs" page, the commitment to academic excellence is again missing. Instead, we read the mission, which states:

Middleton High School is a learning community that fosters intellectual growth and habits of commitment, reflection, wellness and wonderment, developing citizens who make a living, a life and a difference.

The beliefs themselves make a nod to learning and thinking, but, again, excellence isn't part of the picture. The school's report card is illuminating.

Asians outperform all the other students by a mile, followed by White and mixed-race students, with Blacks barely ahead of English learners and Students with Disabilities. Academically, the school lost significant ground because of COVID, with an increase in students who are merely "basic" in both English Language Arts and Mathematics and a corresponding decrease in students who are "advanced."

While the school's ability to teach its students over the past two years degraded, the school was busy with other things. As part of a "fine arts show," Matthew Kashdan, a French teacher, entertained (a word I use very loosely) students with a drag show. The video shows a stocky man in a shoulder-length blond wig, a low-cut dress with a short skirt, and high-heeled red boots, strutting around the stage lip-syncing to "Rain on Me," a Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande tune.

The performance is appallingly bad and puts entirely to rest the belief that any man who tromps around as a drag queen must be flamboyantly talented. Kashdan is entirely devoid of talent.

Many parents weren't pleased. One mother wrote to talk show host Vicki McKenna:

I send my children to school and entrust them to teachers that I have to believe are professionals who won't destroy their innocence for their own pleasure. If MATTHEW KASHDAN makes a decision to perform his drag show at school, what else does he do in his classroom with a roomful of children? What kind of educators thought this was appropriate? Drag shows are "fine arts"? If a teacher is a pole dancer or stripper, can they also perform for my children?

I don't care what MATTHEW KASHDAN does outside of school. I DO CARE what he does at Middleton High School.

Watching Kashdan stomp across the stage like a demented circus bear, it occurred to me that much of the LGBTQ+++ indoctrination at the school occurs on two different levels. There is absolutely no doubt that the dominant purpose is to create a generation of children who have, at best, a shaky sense of their biological sex. This insecurity about their core self creates a cohort of young people who are alienated from their parents, dependent on the government to fulfill their needs (including mutilating surgery and hormones), and vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

However, at the individual level, many of these teachers appear to be merely lazy, self-centered narcissists. Given the choice between the hard work of educating children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, or talking endlessly about themselves and their sex lives and sexual orientation, they will always choose the latter. "Hmm. Shall I force this roomful of nine-year-olds to memorize the multiplication table, or shall I tell them all about how the doctors were mistaken when they looked at my baby body and 'assigned' to be a girl? And then we can talk about pronouns."

Moreover, right until Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature led the way by banning such classroom talk, at least until the kids are past third grade, these narcissists in the front of the room could get away with this scam. All they had to do if a parent confronted them was to claim that the parent was "homophobic" or "transphobic," and the teachers won, every time.

COVID may prove to have a huge silver lining insofar as it enabled parents to see what was going on in their children's classrooms. They send their children to school to learn, not to be forced to watch Miss Chunky strut his stuff. Schools needed to be reined in, and now, perhaps, they finally will be.

Image: High school drag teacher. Rumble screen grab.
Service comes in many forms.

For Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, it took the form of tours of duty as a Ranger and Green Beret; serving his state in Congress; and, most recently, a children's picture book.

Waltz's new storybook, Dawn of the BRAVE, the latest in the BRAVE series, focuses on service. Each BRAVE Book teaches a foundational, traditional American value, like freedom, truth, the sanctity of life, and the importance of family.

In the congressman's book, the main characters in the BRAVE universe team up for a new adventure. Together, they learn that they must serve each other before they can save the island. After all, they've signed up to serve their country, not just to win glory for themselves.

The characters in Dawn of the BRAVE show up elsewhere in the BRAVE Books series, including Bongo the gorilla, who understands the importance of keeping coconut cannons handy; Rebel the Cheetah, who explains that an animal's worth is more than just spots and stripes; and Asher the fox, who learned there's no such thing as free ice cream.

These books all come together in a book-of-the-month-style subscription, including games, stickers, and more. For every family that subscribes to BRAVE Books from Dawn of the Brave, the publisher will donate $15 to support the Ukrainian refugees.

Congressman Waltz has a special heart for refugees. He experienced the horrible effects of war on families when he served in Afghanistan as a Green Beret. Now that he's back in the States, he's been vocal about the crisis in Ukraine.

Just recently, Waltz called for President Joe Biden to support an extended grassroots resistance in Ukraine. "President Biden owes it to the Ukrainian people to explicitly call for supporting a national Ukrainian resistance," the congressman said. "This will raise the cost for Putin enormously and will signal to the Russian regime [that] Ukraine will remain a military quagmire for the foreseeable future."

As he continues fighting for Ukraine on the House floor, Waltz is leading the charge from another angle as well.

Every subscription to the BRAVE Books series in April will send $15 to support the work of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization, which is already organizing relief flights, operating three clinics, and running an emergency field hospital in Lviv, currently under heavy assault by Russian troops.

Samaritan's Purse is also working directly with thousands of churches located in Ukraine and neighboring countries to gather and distribute food, water, clothing, and other life-saving supplies.

Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse and son of the famous Billy Graham, says: "Ukrainian families are hurting and in desperate need of physical aid and prayer during this difficult time. ... We want to meet the needs of these families in their darkest moments while pointing them to the light and hope of Jesus Christ."

Thanks to Waltz, you can be a part of this mission  and teach your kids about freedom and service at the same time.

Gary S. Goldman is the nationally recognized host of Business, Politics, & Lifestyles, a weekly talk show airing on WPRO in Providence, R.I. Learn more at garyonbpl.com.

Image: Mike Waltz via YouTube.
I must confess that until reading Maureen Dowd's recent piece in the New York Times, I had never heard of Jaron Lanier, but Dowd quotes him throughout her column, which is about why the United States needs to commit to saving Ukraine. Until now, my reading on geopolitics did not include any reference to Lanier, and after reading Dowd's column, I know why.

Dowd is concerned that Americans get distracted too easily, and our support for Ukraine might waver because other matters are trending  such as Kim Kardashian's latest romantic interest, Will Smith's slap at the Oscars, or Ketanji Brown Jackson's elevation to the Supreme Court. "Do we have the attention span," Dowd asks, "to stay focused on the Russian descent into pure evil?"

To answer that question, she reached out to Lanier, a pioneer in virtual reality who lives in Berkeley, California. Dowd lamented that Russians are raping and killing civilians in Ukraine. Lanier told her that "the degree of atrocity and evil is hard for us to process." By "us," he apparently means the unwashed millions who lack his and Maureen Dowd's sophistication and learning. Perhaps neither Dowd nor Lanier knows or recalls that Russians raped and killed civilians all the way to Berlin during World War II when "Uncle Joe Stalin" was our great wartime ally.

Lanier told her that the problem is that sophisticated ideas that require patience  like virtual reality  get thrown aside by crude reactions of violence and domination. He looked to "history" to explain what he means: "The Bolsheviks had this tremendously sophisticated, fancy rhetoric and all of these complicated ideas. They were building their own socio-economics. Then basically what happened is, Stalin came in and said, 'No, it's really just about violence and domination, and screw all that.'" Lanier compares the "current wave of populism" to Stalinism because populists have reacted crudely to "all kinds of issues, like gender and intersectionality and this and that theory." Today's populists, like Stalin before them, simply don't have the patience for these kinds of things.

So we are back to the days when intellectuals like Lanier actually believe that Stalin ruined the glorious, sophisticated Bolshevik experiment. Apparently, Lanier's sophistication and learning do not extend to reading Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who traced Stalin's terror to its Bolshevik origins. Perhaps he lacks the "patience" to read the three volumes of The Gulag Archipelago.

Dowd laments that America used to have "thought leaders, now we just have influencers." If Lanier is her example of a "thought leader" we should listen to about Ukraine, Dowd should move on to other subjects besides history and geopolitics. The less attention she pays to Ukraine, the better for her readers.

Image: Bret Hartman / TED.
Polls, and the overall mood of the nation, suggest that the Republicans are on track to deliver an emphatic triumph over the Democrats during the midterm elections in November.

Joe Biden's calamitous presidency and the Democrats' propensity to endorse ideas that are contrary to popular and national interests have caused the voters, perhaps even a significant section of Democrats, to rally against the Democrats.

Facing certain defeat, the Democrats may adopt a few shady maneuvers to stop the bleeding. And there is potential for Republicans to trip and make mistakes.

Recently, Democrats such as White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi said they tested positive for COVID-19. So COVID is suddenly an issue now.

Perhaps COVID-19 will be used again to compel mail voting, which presents copious opportunities for fraud. Democrats, after all, still have majorities in the House and the Senate to defend.

After the midterm results are declared, the Democrats can, as always, claim that Putin took a break from the war in Ukraine to rig U.S. elections. If not Putin, they will blame it on voter suppression due to racist laws. Biden recently claimed that the midterm results could be "illegitimate" as his plans to overhaul the voting system were blocked.

The Democrats can then demand a probe into the 2022 elections for which they can misuse investigative agencies and the Justice Department as they did in 2017. They may organize paid demonstrators to blockade Washington in "protest" of the rigged elections. They could ask the newly elected GOP congressional representatives not to implement their agenda until the probe is complete because the election is illegitimate.

Previously, it was "collusion" and "insurrection." This time, it could be "subversion" or some other rarely used word. All of this will be done to "protect democracy." The media are always there to legitimize and amplify their ridiculousness. Tom Hanks may be brought in to narrate a documentary about it.

There is another ploy that the Democrats could apply. They could secretly promote liberal Republicans of the Arnold Schwarzenegger variety. These could be individuals who have maintained a relatively low profile, with not many public utterances, which may cause them not to be identifiable. If some among these stooges manage to secure victories in the Senate and Congress, they could become Trojan horses who scupper the conservative agenda.

This is where the GOP has to be very cautious.

If there is any leader across political parties whose endorsement can change the fortunes of a candidate, it is President Donald Trump.

On myriad occasions, Trump's endorsements have managed to revive the prospects of trailing candidates to enable them an emphatic win.

There probably is a section of MAGA voters who either do not have the time to investigate such endorsements, because they are busy working or don't have the patience to look up the record of a candidate. They see a Trump endorsement and vote accordingly.

No other leader in the GOP, nor among the Democrats, has such sway over the voters. This makes Trump's endorsements vitally important.

However, some of Trump's recent endorsements have left experts scratching their heads.

One such Trump endorsement of this stripe is for Dr. Mehmet Oz, a television celebrity medical doctor. At various points, notably from 2017 to 2019, Oz co-authored articles that praised or advocated a variety of gun control legislation initiatives, including assault weapon bans, red flag laws, universal gun purchaser licensing, and mandatory waiting periods. Oz fumbled on his stance on abortion, too. He is also a friend of Oprah.

Trump also endorsed Morgan Ortagus, who served as the spokesperson for Trump's United States Department of State. Some conservatives have pointed out that Ortagus is a vaccine advocate, and her wedding was officiated by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A private email from Jan. 19, 2021, revealed Ortagus plotting a career move "no matter what happened with [the] election," and she praised key Obama/Biden-era official Ned Price, who would be her replacement, as "fantastic."

Recently, Trump withdrew his endorsement of Rep. Mo Brooks for the Senate in Alabama after Brooks called on fellow Republicans to "stop obsessing over the 2020 presidential election results" and focus on the electoral races in 2022 and 2024.

In the past, Trump endorsed Mitt Romney for the Senate. Romney went on to win the Senate seat in Utah. Since then, he has been a consistent and vocal opponent of Trump, even voting to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 during the impeachment vote in 2021.

But let's also be realistic. The only consistent feature in human behavior is unpredictability. Different people, even identical twins, react differently to different circumstances and disagree on issues. Finding a candidate who is totally in sync with all issues is impossible. There will always be dissenters and free thinkers, which can be a boon. The only group that blindly follows the groupthink like a flock of sheep is the Democrats.

Perhaps Dr. Oz and Ortagus will turn out to be great supporters and advocates for the MAGA agenda. But their records do raise questions.

It is also important to note that people change, at times even drastically. Some experiences can cause life-alerting epiphanies. Perhaps a close relative manages to survive a home invasion because she was in possession of a firearm. This personal experience can compel the individual to change his position on guns. It would be wrong to hold previous opinions against that individual, no matter what.

For first-time candidates, there are not many records to verify. Hence, endorsements are given, based on instinct. This is a gamble, but not taking this gamble prevents fresh blood from entering politics.

An endorsement matters mostly during the primaries, where the voter has a facility to choose among Republicans.

At times, a candidate says all the right things and has a clean record but changes colors like a chameleon after being seduced by Washington.

At times, endorsements are made for the party, and Trump's endorsement of trailing Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell may be in this category because both are better than having a far-left Democrat in their places.

But given a choice, it is advisable to endorse individuals who have a strong record, such as Sarah Palin, Rand Paul, Jim Jordan, Ron DeSantis, etc., all of whom Trump has endorsed.

It must be remembered that senators have a tenure of six years in office, whereas House members have a tenure of two years. With no recall facilities, a lawmaker has the power to change the direction of the country. He may be voted out later, but the damage is permanent.

To be fair, most of Trump's endorsements have been correct. But even one poorly judged endorsement could cause one solitary vote that causes ruin.

It took one vote from the late GOP Sen. John McCain to prevent the repeal of Obamacare. In the future, it could take one vote to implement gun control laws or mandate vaccines or impose high carbon taxes, or any other pet Democrat proposal.

It is therefore essential that President Trump, who is the prime GOP endorser, has his team meticulously scrutinize the record of the candidate prior to handing out endorsements.

Among the biggest beneficiary of choosing wisely will be Trump himself. For starters, anti-Trump probes such as the House's Jan. 6 committee can be shut down only by fearless conservatives.

These midterm elections are crucial. They are the first step toward halting and fixing the damage done by Biden and the Democrats and saving the soul of the nation.

One faulty move, and all could come tumbling down.

Image: Federal government via Wikipedia (cropped), public domain.
The LGBTQ+++ crowd often uses myths about non-White and Stone-Age cultures to force America to abandon biological sex in favor of magical gender switches and dozens of imaginary genders. Most recently, a student at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNC) tried it after a Ben Shapiro speech.

At UNC, Shapiro's speech asserted that "men cannot become women." After the speech, he opened the floor to questions from those who disagree with him. A young man, after announcing that he was a mathematician and physicist who had "won the most prestigious award in the country," challenged Shapiro on the ground that "what you're saying is based on old data."

Shapiro responded, "I literally cited a study from last month, but sure."

The student was undeterred. "Like, for example, gender identity disorder, that's a DSM 4 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), bro. We use the DSM 5, now." The student was trying to sound smart about the fact that what was once called gender identity disorder will henceforth be called gender dysphoria. Shapiro, of course, already knew this and said so.

At that point, the student, stymied in his effort to denigrate Shapiro's fund of knowledge, launched a vulgar rant about Shapiro's wife and marriage, which Shapiro deftly deflected.

This was a prelude to the meat of the student's argument  namely, that biological "gender," divided between two sexes, is "a Western colonial idea of gender," adding, "The gender binary is a Western colonialist framework of gender." His examples were "Native Americans, third gender people ... Native American societies, Western African societies, like Southern Native American societies like Mexico. So, in other places that are not White-dominated ..."

Student who says he is a mathematician/physicist gets shut down by @benshapiro: "As a mathematician and physicist, what in the hell do you know about human biology that allows you to deny it?" pic.twitter.com/KtQti2z86u  Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) April 11, 2022

And there it is...the myth that non-White societies recognized transgenderism. However, it's either not true or reflects a primitivism devoid of biological reality.

Leftists claim that Japan recognized a third gender. Not so. During the Edo period (16031868), a "wakashu" was officially a teenage boy midway between childhood and manhood, with distinctive hair and clothes. Unofficially, though, wakashu were teenage boys cross-dressing as females for chaste flirtation with women or for homosexual behavior with men. Everyone understood, though, that these were boys.

The romance about Native Americans and "two spirit" people (again, implying transgenderism) is a modern academic concept layered over actual facts. Mary Annette Pember, a left-leaning Ojibwe woman, took umbrage at the two-spirit notion being applied to the more than 500 different tribes in America, blaming this generalization on Will Roscoe, a White gay activist.

According to Pember, White men have used Native Americans as a foundation for advancing their own ideas. In fact, as Kristopher Kohl Miner, of the Ho-Chunk Nation, told her, in his tribe, there was no evidence at all of LGBTQ people. This makes sense, given that tribes had no written language before Whites came along. Most theories are guesswork.

Pember also cites The Assassination of Hole in the Day, by Anton Treuer (of the Leech Lake Ojibwe tribe), which notes that "sex usually determined one's gender, and therefore one's work[.]" The Ojibwe did recognize masculine women and feminized men but apparently did not pretend they had magically changed sex. Wrote Treuer, "Men who chose to function as women were called ikwekanaazo, meaning 'one who endeavors to be like a woman. Women who functioned as men were called ininiikaazo, meaning, one who endeavors to be like a man." Cross-dressers, yes; transgender, no.

James Adair, a trader who lived among, studied, and wrote about the Catawba, Cherokee, Muscogee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Indians for four decades in the mid-18th century, recounted the story of an Indian boy chastised for showing homosexual tendencies. In an aggressively warlike culture, there was no place for feminine men.

Pember's point about White gay scholars layering their desires on indigenous history is a good one. It's difficult to find any information on the internet that honestly looks at those cultures the student named: West African, southern Native American, etc. What one finds are polemics intended to prove a desired outcome  namely, that transgenderism (i.e., being born in the sexually wrong body) is real.

All societies have recognized homosexuality, masculine women, and feminine men. Some societies have been more accepting than others (see, e.g., the Greeks and male homosexuality). Societies also built little fictions around homosexuality, as the Edo Japanese did, by treating teenage catamites as women for use by older men. I did find an article that flagrantly advocates for transgenderism and that lists all sorts of primitive tribes in Africa and Latin America that believe or believed in magical sex changes. It seems stunningly regressive, however, to abandon biology in favor of animism and Stone-Age polytheism.

Image: Ben Shapiro's interlocutor. Twitter screen grab.
National awareness of the grooming problem in public school classrooms is rising, thanks to the campaign opposing Florida's law prohibiting sexualizing the youngest students in grades K3. The hysteria of the law's opponents has served notice on the public that an active movement exists in schools and the media to indoctrinate the young in the notion that one's sex is a matter of preference, not biology, and even to facilitate homosexuality and transgenderism in pre-pubescent children. Helping public awareness rise is the number of online videos, especially on Tik Tok, where public school teachers proclaim their goals. Two examples collected today by Libs of Tik Tok:

Diversity is my favorite thing to teach says non-binary preschool teacher who also makes 4 year olds pick a pronoun pin every day to wear pic.twitter.com/6IRmh4v8Co  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 12, 2022

You can make up something totally new if you want. They are now using gride and broom for non-binary people getting married. They keep making up new words pic.twitter.com/38goqxwGVb  Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 12, 2022

Until Florida raised the issue of classroom grooming, very few people were aware of the magnitude of the problem of abusive teachers sexualizing their students. In contrast to the media's treatment of problems the Catholic Church faced with sexual abuse by its clergy (mostly, but not exclusively a matter of homosexual abuse), comparatively little attention has been paid to the apparently far larger problem of schoolteacher sexual abuse.

I am indebted to Christopher Rufo, who almost singlehandedly exposed the problem of Disney foisting homosexual, transgender, and other sexual propaganda on children, for his article in the City Journal pointing out the alarming data that exist  albeit far fewer data than what we need:

[T]he facts reveal that too many American public schools have been hunting grounds for sexual predators. Parents fearful about abuse in schools are not falling victim to a "moral panic" or "QAnon messaging"; they are using their intuition to assess a real danger to their children. The most comprehensive report about sexual abuse in public schools, published by the Department of Education in 2004, estimates  on the basis of a 2000 survey, conducted by the American Association of University Women, of 2,065 students in grades eight through 11  that nearly 10 percent of K12 students have been victims of sexual misconduct by a public school employee. Assuming that figure is accurate, this would translate into an approximately 4.5 million children nationwide suffering sexual misconduct by public school employees, with an estimated 3 million suffering physical sexual abuse  a number, according to the author of the study, Hofstra University professor Charol Shakeshaft, more than 100 times greater than the physical abuse committed by Catholic priests, who, at the time the report was published, were undergoing a reckoning for the crimes within their ranks. Despite these numbers, the story vanished. A few media outlets covered the report and interviewed Professor Shakeshaft, but no national outcry followed. Two years later, CBS News published an article asking whether the media had "ignored sex abuse in schools" altogether. With little public pressure to make changes, the public school system has continued to operate with very low standards of enforcement and accountability.

Read the whole thing.

The fact that the data for this study are more than two decades old is shocking. All signs are that the problem has worsened, thanks to the increased celebration of alternative sexuality since then.

That lack of public pressure on schools is changing. Parents' consciousness of the problems in public schools has skyrocketed since CRT became an issue and Virginia switched from blue to red in its statewide offices on the strength of this parental revolt. And now the alarming Zoom videos from Disney and the hysteria of the activists wanting to sexualize young children are helping this process along. The cliche about not provoking the mama bear has a strong basis in reality. As the Libs of Tik Tok videos and leaked Disney Zoom meetings demonstrate, the people seeking to groom children are obsessed and find it hard to shut up.

Threats to children motivate voters. President Biden and the Democrats have thrown their lot in with the sexualizers because of their commitment to transgenderism, under the principle of intersectionality. They dare not retreat, for to do so would expose them to the wrath of the extremists. Biden lacks the smarts or the strength of a Bill Clinton, who was able to have his "Sister Souljah moment" and distance himself from the unpopular radicals of race.

It is still seven months until the midterm elections, but I strongly suspect that this issue will only grow and will mightily contribute to a wave election dwarfing even 1994's historic rout of congressional Democrats and extending to state and local offices.

Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab.
Mark Zuckerberg, whose $419 million "Zuckerbucks" vote-rigging operation played a significant part in swinging the election to Joe Biden in 2020, now says he's a changed man.

A representative for Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the Facebook CEO will not make another multi-million dollar donation to aid this years elections, which comes after fierce pushback that Zuckerbergs 2020 contributions tilted the outcome of the presidential race toward President Biden. "As Mark and Priscilla made clear previously, their election infrastructure donation to help ensure that Americans could vote during the height of the pandemic was a one-time donation given the unprecedented nature of the crisis," Ben LaBolt, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan , said. "They have no plans to repeat that donation."

Don't believe it. Don't believe it for even one second.

Zuckerberg's mother-of-all-sleazeball political operations, which was described as "bribery" by Wisconsin state special counsel last month, directed cash to two non-government organizations run by veteran Soros and Obama operatives, to help city officials supposedly improve the election experience for voters under the rubric of increasing "inclusiveness" and improving democracy.

In reality, it was a cash-funneling operation, where 92% of the money splashed out went to Democrat swing districts in select blue urban areas to get out the vote while rural and red districts got virtually nothing.

It was big money, too. According to Dave Bossie, in an op-ed written for the Washington Times yesterday, the Democratic National Committee shelled out $461 million for all election expenditures over two years culminating in the 2020 election. Zuckerbucks, by contrast, doled out a lightning-swift $400 million for election day, and according to The Federalist, it was actually more than that -- $419.5 million. The 2020 election wasnt stolen," wrote The Federalist's William Doyle. "  it was likely bought by one of the worlds wealthiest and most powerful men pouring his money through legal loopholes." NSS.

It featured unelected NGO operatives, with Soros-linked and Obama-linked pasts, marching into election offices around election day, giving orders to elected officials tasked by voters to run elections, overruling them, setting up illegal ballot drop boxes, raiding nursing homes for insentient voters, setting up "vote navigators," (which sound like the old Obamacare 'navigators') and re-writing election forms, which are supposed to be fair and uniform state-wide, all to maximize leftist votes. I wrote about that here, citing what John Solomon wrote about that miserable experience from the perspective of a Green Bay county clerk, who saw illegality after illegality from these carpetbaggers, effectively taking over the entire election operation to get Democrats elected.

Not surprisingly, the Wisconsin special counsel put forth to investigate election irregularities blasted the slimy operation, calling it "bribery."

Which brings us back to Zuckerberg and his successful but now-reviled and well-exposed political rigging operation.

Zuck says he won't do it again this time, since the pandemic was so unique, you see, but that's a load of garbage.

To start, Capital Research Center notes that Zuckerberg's pandemic noises were a ruse:

More important, here's what Zuckerberg is looking at as he now promises to be a good boy:

As of April 2022, 18 states have banned or restricted the use of private funds for election offices and 6 governorsall Democratshave vetoed potential bans. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has vetoed 2 Zuck buck bans; Kansass legislature overrode its Democratic governors veto. Many states are currently considering bans (see in-progress).

In other words, he couldn't get in there to rig election results for Democrats if he tried. State after state after state has banned the use of private funds to run elections or else done severely regulatory things to keep them from turning into disguised Democrat rigging operations. Wisconsin, where the worst of the events described happened, has a leftist governor who has twice vetoed these efforts to keep elections out of the hands of oligarchs, but a huge number of states have stepped forward to protect themselves and the integrity of their elections, and more such measures are on the way in more states.

Just the idea of a private company or NGO running a public election is utterly repulsive. In a free society, if you don't like Mark Zuckerberg's product, you are always free not to buy it. You don't get that kind of choice in elections when Zuckerberg's money is running the show.

Zuckerberg says he will now channel $80 million to something called the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence for the 32 states they are still allowed to run riot in.

A check of their FAQ section suggests they are doing the exact same thing they did in the 2020 election that made the word 'Zuckerbucks' stink so bad with voters.

Start with the process of getting the Zuckerbucks:

How is the Allianced selecting the Centers for Election Excellence? All U.S. local election departments are invited to be a Center for Election Excellence. The 2022 cohort will be selected based on their: Excitement and willingness to participate in the program

Commitment to improve upon practices and procedures aimed at enhancing the voter, poll worker, and staff experiences

Commitment to being part of a learning cohort, sharing materials among cohort members, and providing input into the future of the program

Based on what we know, that means being a leftist Democrat with an interest in doing what they did last time.

What is the process for selecting the Centers? All U.S. local election departments are invited to be a Center for Election Excellence. Local election departments should let the Alliance know if they are interested in being a Center by Friday, May 6th. After a verification and review process, some election departments may be asked for additional information and receive an invitation to an informational session.

Verification and review? I thought they were supposed to be helping out the poor mokes who didn't have enough money to run elections properly. Apparently, districts must be vetted for their usefulness to Democrats.

How will voters benefit? What is one example of an improvement an election official wishes they could make to better serve their voters, but dont have enough time, staffing, resources, or technology? Local election officials are the expert on what their voters need, and the Alliance will work with each Center to fill in the gaps. This could look like redesigning a form so its more likely a voter will successfully complete it or updating an election website so it is mobile-friendly and answers voters top questions.

Still redesigning forms no matter what the county clerk thinks, just like last time.

This operation isn't any different from the last one. They are still doing the same kind of rigging, it's just that their arena of operations has been reduced.

What it does show is that states had better get busy if they don't want a tech oligarch controlling and rigging their elections. It also shows that citizens have got to be vigilant about illegal and unfair practices by carpetbaggers looking for a Democrat win they can't get otherwise. It shows that Zuckerberg is aware that his sleazy operation has gotten exposed and voters don't like it.

And above all, it shows that he doesn't give a fig about those problems and plans to keep on doing the exact same thing he's been doing, come 2022 and 2024.

Image: Anthony Quintano, via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Between Vancouver Island and the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, lies a narrow body of water called Seymour Narrows, which is part of larger strait called Discovery Passage. The Discovery Passage is frequently used by vessels, including cruise ships and freighters, because it enables them to avoid some of the bad weather in the open ocean. The Seymour Narrows, however, has its own hazards. It is very narrow and is known for strong tidal currents. And right in the middle of the strait, below the waters, lurks an underwater mountain called Ripple Rock.

Before this mountain was blown up, it had two peaks that produced large, dangerous eddies from the strong tidal currents that flowed around them. At low tide, the mountain left only three meters of clearance, and was a serious hazard to shipping. Before 1958, it claimed more than a hundred ships, big and small, and as many lives. George Vancouver, who first noted the rocks existence in 1791, described it as one of the vilest stretches of water in the world.

Suggestions to remove the rock was made as early as 1931, but it was not until 1942 that the government authorized its removal. This decision caused bitter opposition among some, who had envisioned linking Vancouver Island to the mainland at Bute Inlet, using Ripple Rock as a mid-support for the bridge. But the government decided that making the waterway safer was a bigger priority, because it provided a channel linking the northern part of the continent to the rest of Canada and the U.S.

The Seymour Narrows before the Ripple Rock was blasted. Notice the violent turbulent eddies that formed in its wake during low tide. Photo: Wikimedia

The following year, engineers began drilling holes into the top of the rock. For this purpose they floated a drilling barge over the rock, held in place by one and half inch thick steel cables attached to concrete anchors. But the barge quivered and moved so much in the violent waters that anchor lines snapped and the attempt was aborted.

A second attempt was made in 1945. This time in addition to the anchors the barge was attached to two enormous steel overhead lines, each weighing 11 tons. But still the barge tossed in the turbulent waters, and after drilling only 139 holes out of the estimated 1,500 needed, this plan too was abandoned.

Eight years later the National Research Council commissioned a feasibility study to determine whether Ripple Rock could be reached from the nearby Maud Island rather than directly from above. The idea was to sink a shaft from Maud Island, go under Seymour Narrows, and up into the peaks of Ripple Rock. Based on the recommendation, a 570-foot shaft was sunk from Maud Island, and from the shaft, a 2,500-foot tunnel was driven to the base of Ripple Rock, where it divided into branches for the two pinnacles. From the base of the two peaks, vertical tunnels were dug and from there a series of coyote shafts were drilled for the explosives. A total of 1,270 metric tons of Nitramex 2H explosive was placed in these shafts, estimated at ten times the amount needed for a similar explosion above water.

Schematic drawing showing the mining of Ripple Rock.

The tunnels underneath Seymour Narrows.

Related: The Blowing Up Of Hell Gate

Expecting a spectacular show of force, the United Kingdom's Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston sent a delegation of nuclear weapons scientists to Canada, and they set up various monitoring instruments to record data from the explosion. The blast also created considerable scientific interest in the field of seismology. The Seismological Service of the Dominion Observatory undertook a project to measure the time of travel of the seismic waves from Ripple Rock to various seismograph stations located in British Columbia. From these experiments they learned that the high mountain along some routes may have roots extending beneath the earth crust into the mantle.

The explosion went off at 9:31:02 AM on 5 April 1958. The timing of the blast was carefully chosen so that there was minimum load of water over the rocks, and at the same time the maximum current to promote rock dispersal. The effect the blast might have on migrating salmon was also considered, and hence the spring season was chosen as at that time migration was close to minimum.

More than six hundred thousand metric tons of rock and water were thrown up into the air that reached heights of 300 meters. The spectacle was watched on live TV across the nation. Before the blast occurred, everyone was very concerned about what damage this blast was going to cause. An area of radius 5 kilometers from the explosion was cleared off people. Some local residents boarded up their windows and headed for higher ground on the morning of the explosion, worried about tidal waves and aftershocks. Fortunately, the water dampened the explosion and the sound. Many people in Campbell River, only a few kilometers away, saw the blast on TV but heard nothing.

The blast breaches the water's surface immediately following detonation.

Debris are ejected as a cloud of dust expands across Seymour Narrows.

The explosion shaved off the top of the peaks by more than 65 feet, such that at low tide, there is now 75 feet of water instead of 9 feet previously, and over the entire area, there is now a least depth of 70 feet. The Seymour Narrows is no longer as dangerous as it was more than sixty years ago.

References:

# Museum at Campbell River

# 60 years later, a major underwater explosion in B.C. still fascinates, CBC News

# J.l.A. Rutley, The Demolition of Ripple Rock
(Image source from: Twitter.com/JanaSenaParty)

Pawan Kalyan disburses financial assistance to tenant farmers:- Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan donated Rs 5 crores fund for the party and the amount is planned to be used to provide the financial assistance of the farmers who committed suicides in the recent times. Pawan Kalyan is all set to meet the families of all the farmers across the state and the tour started today. Pawan Kalyan met the family of farmers in Anantapur district today and he landed in Puttaparthi airport this morning. He reached the village of Cheruvu and consoled the families of the farmers.

Pawan then reached Dharmavaram and met the family of one more farmer who ended up his life due to the financial troubles. Pawan then reached Gottlur and then met a family in Poolakunta village. Pawan then met a farmer's family in Mannila village and handed over the cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the family members. He then participated in the Rachabanda program and he warned the leaders of YSRCP party. He said YS Jagan will be called CBI's adopted son if he is called the adopted son of CBN. Pawan also asked the cadre and supporters of Janasena to call Jagan the adopted son of CBI if there are similar comments made in the future.

(Video Source: JanaSena Party)
(Image source from: Twitter.com/TelanganaCMO)

KCR announces purchasing paddy in Telangana:- Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has been protesting against the Centre over the procurement of paddy in the state to save the farmers. After several requests, TRS leaders staged protests. The final protest took place in New Delhi a couple of days ago and KCR announced a deadline for a day. Now with the Centre not responding, KCR announced that the Telangana government would procure the paddy from the farmers at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) in this rabi season. The state government will bear the burden of Rs 3500 crores for the move. KCR also told that the government decided to revoke GO 111 which is protecting the lakes of Himayatsagar and Osmansagar. KCR interacted with the press and informed about the crucial decisions that are taken by the Cabinet of Telangana.

A Committee that is headed by the Chief Secretary of Telangana is formed to finalize the guidelines about protecting the lakes if the GO 111 is revoked. If the GO is revoked, the construction activities will be regulated. Six private universities will be set up in the state soon. KCR said that the paddy procurement centres will be opened in all the villages of Telangana from Wednesday and he asked the farmers not to panic. KCR asked the farmers not to sell their crops below the MSP for the traders or the rice millers. "We tried our best to mount pressure on the Centre but there was no response. We decided to put an additional burden on us and will procure the paddy. The burden would be Rs 3500 crores. The Centre's double standards are well exposed" told KCR.

(Video Source: TRS Party)
Posted on: April 13, 2022 9:15 AM

The role of faith-based communities in achieving gender equality in the context of climate justice has been recognised at the United Nations, thanks in part to the work of the Anglican Communion Office at the UN (ACOUN).

The 66th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) took place from 14 to 25 March, with a focus this year on climate change and natural disasters. The Agreed Conclusions issued at the end of the summit recognise that women and girls play a vital role as agents of change for sustainable development.

The document calls on faith communities, among other parties, to commit to furthering gender equality and integrating gender perspectives into their climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies.

Dr Rachel Mash, Environmental Co-ordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and an Anglican Communion delegate at CSW66, said the commission had recognised the prophetic role of women in promoting an environmental ethic, and their role as earth-keepers, safeguarding the natural environment and bio-diversity.

But she said the Communion  and the wider world  now faced the challenging task of integrating the recommendations and commitments emerging from CSW66 into their policies and actions.

Women are both victims and prophets

The UN Commission on the Status of Women, which meets every year, is the principal global body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Anglican Communion sends a delegation as part of its permanent presence at the UN, representing the views and experiences of people from across the Communion.

Opening the 2022 summit, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the climate crisis was one of the defining issues of our time and that around the world, women and girls face the greatest threats and the deepest harm for environmental disaster.

CSW66 agreed that achieving gender equality and ensuring that women and girls are able to fully participate in decision-making around climate issues were essential for achieving sustainable development, promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies, enhancing inclusive and sustainable economic growth and productivity, ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions everywhere and ensuring the well-being of all.

Rachel Mash said it was encouraging that CSW had recognised that women are both victims and prophets in the Climate Change space, something the Anglican Communion has repeatedly emphasised in its work at the UN.

Women are impacted more highly than men by climate change and by disasters. When drought strikes, women must walk further for wood and water, leaving them vulnerable to abuse, limiting their education and work opportunities, she said. In times of disaster they are more at risk, for they may be at home looking after children and the elderly and so cannot escape quickly. Social norms do not encourage girls to run and traditional clothing hampers their ability to flee.

Mandy Marshall, the Director for Gender Justice for the Anglican Communion, also welcomed the recognition that women and children face specific risks of gender-based violence and exploitation as a result of climate change and environmental disasters, and that these risks must be considered in the global responses to climate issues.

The Anglican delegation to the summit  working with the US-based Episcopal Church and the Mothers Union  had heavily advocated for faith-based communities  often the first responders in disasters and climate initiatives  to be specifically recognised as integral to the global response to climate issues.

Mandy Marshall said she was grateful that Article 62 of the Agreed Conclusions included a specific call to faith-based organisations  alongside governments, civil society groups, NGOs and the private sector  to commit to action to further gender equality and to integrating gender perspectives into their climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies.

She also welcomed the particular recognition given by CSW66 to the role of indigenous communities in climate issues. Ensuring indigenous communities are heard and taken seriously by global decision-makers has long been a key element of the Anglican Communions work at the UN. One of the ACO delegates, Jacynthia Murphy from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, was invited to speak at a UK government event on the sidelines of the summit, about the impact of environmental issues on indigenous communities around the world.

Peoples homes are going to be destroyed

The conclusions from CSW66 will feed into further decision making at the UN and beyond, including at the next climate summit, COP27, taking place in Egypt later this year.

Rachel Mash said it was not always easy to be a faith leader at the UN, where religion is often seen as having a negative influence on gender and climate justice. But she said faith-based organisations, with their strong values and enormous global reach can have a huge role to play in conversations about the environment.

To do that, we have to recognise our shortcomings. To be effective in our climate change work, we have to ensure equal leadership by women leaders, and amplify the voices of young women, she said.

Mandy Marshall said members of the Anglican Communion need to play our part in actually implementing the Agreed Conclusions, and in lobbying governments to do the same, and most importantly, to allocate finance and funding.

Its key that we focus on this because peoples lives, livelihoods and homes are going to be destroyed if we do not take note of the global impact of climate change and the environment, she said. We need to take action as individuals and as a whole in our national churches. We need to prioritise this for the sake of our brothers and sisters across the Communion who will be losing their homes and ancestral lands.
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(ANSA) - ROME, APR 12 - Italy on Tuesday started giving out the fourth dose of the COVID vaccine to the over-80s, care home residents and over 60s who have been classed as vulnerable and fragile.

Italian medicines agency AIFA authorised the second booster after European Medicines Agency (EMA) came out in favour last week. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, APR 13 - Facemasks are still required as the circulation of the COVID-19 virus is still "significant" in Italy, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said Wednesday.

"The pandemic is not over and there are significant viral circulation numbers, but we must trust science," he said at the event 'Public and Private Health Care: How to Restart', organized by the RCS Academy and Italy's top newspaper Corriere della Sera.

"As of today we have 91.44% (of Italians) who have had the first dose of the vaccine, and 90% who have completed the first cycle plus 39 million who have also had the booster.

"Furthermore, in these days we are starting the second booster for the over 80s and the fragile.

"The use of facemasks remains essential.

"If we are in a different phase it is thanks to the vaccination campaign." Speranza said that for the moment the fourth jab is being given to the over 80s and the fragile over 60s, and the use of updated vaccines for the fourth dose for other categories will be weighed for this autumn.

"That is, in the months that separate us from autumn we will assess a further booster with updated vaccines for further brackets of the population, but we will have to understand what categories with the scientists".

The Higher Health Institute said Wednesday that vaccines had averted eight million COVID-19 cases and some 150,000 deaths.

Some 74,000 Omicron variant deaths had been averted in January alone, it said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, APR 13 - Italy is set to get the first tranche of European Union funds for its 200-billion-euro post-COVID National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted Wednesday.

"Buone notizie per l'Italia", she said in Italian, meaning "Good news for Italy".

"The first payment under #NextGenerationEU - 21 billion for Italy - is now on its way. Complimenti all'Italia.

#NextGenerationEU is the opportunity of a generation," tweeted the EC chief.

Under the NextGenerationEU programe, the first time the EU members have mutualised debt, Rome is getting the biggest single lot of a vast fund to revive economies after the COVID pandemic.

Rome is implementing key reforms in exchange for the cash including cutting red tape and speeding snail-paced justice to make the country more attractive for business. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, APR 13 - There are over 91,000 Ukrainian refugees in Italy and four regions are under pressure, Civil Protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said Tuesday adding that a redistribution could be needed if numbers increased further.

The four regions feeling the pressure most are Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Lazio and Campania, he said.

The interior ministry said some 91,137 Ukrainian refugees have fled the Russian invasion of their country to Italy.

There are 48,817 women, 10,229 men and 33,796 children.

The main destinations declared upon entry are still Milan, Rome, Naples and Bologna. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, APR 13 - Italy always has a channel open with Russia in the hopes of reaching a peace deal in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Wednesday.

"The fundamental issue is diplomacy," he told Radio Anch'io.

"Precisely when the sides refuse to work on diplomacy we must accelerate on this.

"We must promote a peace conference preceded by a ceasefire.

"The country that is most working for peace is Turkey that manages to talk to both sides but Italy always has a channel open with Moscow".

Di Maio added that sanctions are useful to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin continuing to spend money to make war in Ukraine.

"We must impose sanctions to prevent him continuing to commit money to the war".

Finally, on the French presidential run-off between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, Di Maio said "we can choose two roads: that of nationalism that isolates us or that of Europeanism which enables us to not sink institutions like the UN and NATO.

"Well, I sat we need Europeanism and not nationalisms". (ANSA).


MADRID - The Spanish city of Alicante, one of the classic destinations of Mediterranean tourism, will starting on Wednesday and through October 16 be hosting the exhibition "Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum" at the MARQ archaeological museum.



The cultural initiative is being sponsored in collaboration with Italian cultural institutions under the aegis of the Italian Embassy to Spain.



The exhibition, which reconstructs the daily life of gladiators through 140 original finds, was inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of the Italian ambassador to Spain Riccardo Guariglia and the head of the Alicante province, Carlos Mazon.



"The show surely constitutes a new highlight in the deepening of bilateral relations between Italy and Spain, making it possible to valorise a common past that binds us and in particular Roman myths," said Guariglia, noting the "enormous success" of an exhibition on Etruscans hosted at the MARQ museum last year.



Among the Italian institutions taking part in the initiative are the Naples Museum of Archaeology and Rome's Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.



Starting on Wednesday afternoon, from 2:30 PM until 7 PM, the exhibition will be free of charge, MARQ said.
PARIS - Three years after a fire that partially destroyed it, the Notre-Dame cathedral is slowly regaining its original beauty thanks to the daily labours of a crew of artisans rebuilding, cleaning, and restoring it from the lead dust released by the fire.



"The internal cleaning of the vaults, the walls and the floor", which is expected to be completed soon, as well as the preparation of the vaults ahead of their complete reconstruction, "have restored the original candour to the cathedral", the heads of the vast worksite said on the eve of the third anniversary of the catastrophe on April 15.



Prior to the fire, which dismayed both France and Europe as a whole, the cathedral used to welcome 12 million visitors every year and hosted 2,400 religious functions and 150 concerts.



The Paris worksite enjoys an unprecedented 844 million in donations from around the world for its restoration.



The aim is to open the cathedral to the public in 2024, the year of the Paris Olympic Games.



The cause of the fire is still unknown but investigators continue to believe that it was more likely to have been an accident than a case of arson.



In June 2019, at the end of a preliminary inquiry, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that he believed it was likely an accident - suggesting perhaps a cigarette that had not been put out properly or an electrical fault.



A source near the case told France Presse on Wednesday that it was "99%" an accident.



While in La Defense, on the edges of Paris, a 'virtual' visit to the cathedral is possible, at cinemas 'Notre-Dame in Flames' by Jean-Jacques Annaud reconstructs the fire.



On Thursday at 3:25 PM, RAI 3 will broadcast 'Passione', a reportage by Enzo Fortunato and Simona Vanni on the relics of the Cross: in addition to Rome and Jerusalem there is Paris, where the Crown of Thorns was saved from the Notre-Dame fire.




CAIRO - "The visit on Monday to Algiers by Italian prime minister Mario Draghi was a slap in the face to Spain after its change in position on the issue of the Western Sahara," the Algerian news site Dernieres Info d'Algeria (DIA) reported in an explicit reference to Spain's support for Moroccan against the independence movement of the former Spanish desert colony, which is instead supported by Algeria.



Spanish media reported similar views.



"Algeria, called upon by Europe to provide gas to it, preferred to consolidate its partnership with Italy to the detriment of Spain, which will not benefit from the same consideration as before from Algeria due to the shift," the website added.



"In this sense, it is expected that in May Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune will go on an official visit to Italy to further consolidate longstanding bilateral relations with Italy," DIA reported. "To this end, Mario Draghi has said that his country is working to strengthen and further consolidate its cooperation relations with Algeria, the main trade partner of Italy on the African continent."




TEL AVIV - A Palestinian protestor was killed on Wednesday during violent clashes with the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Nablus.



The news was reported by the local health ministry, according to the news agency WAFA, which said that the man killed was Muhammad Assaf, 34.



It added that at least 30 people had been injured in different locations.



Other incidents were reported in the Jenin refugee camp, in Tulkarem, and other cities where - according to a military spokesman - army counterterrorism operations are underway after several attacks by Palestinians in recent weeks in Israel.




GAZA - The leader of Hamas in Gaza Yihia Sinwar summoned on Wednesday the representatives of all Palestinian political factions to "draw up a shared position in front of Zionist attacks on the Palestinian population".



The reference was to military activities underway in the West Bank to thwart more attacks after a number of recent ones in Israel.

A Palestinian protestor was killed on Wednesday during violent clashes with the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Nablus. The news was reported by the local health ministry, according to the news agency WAFA, which said that the man killed was Muhammad Assaf, 34. It added that at least 30 people had been injured in different locations.

Sinwar said that special attention should be given to the situation in Jerusalem due to the approach of the Jewish Passover, which will be celebrated on April 15 at the same time as the second Friday in the Muslim holy month of fasting Ramadan.



According to the daily al-Ayam, published in the West Bank city of Ramallah, the factions are against extending at this point the fight with Israel from the West Bank to Gaza.



However, any incidents at the al-Aqsa Mosque Complex (Temple Mount for Jews, Ed.) could destabilise the situation, al-Ayam noted.



Hamas has openly warned the Israeli authorities to prevent a ritual "Passover sacrifice" in the al-Aqsa Mosque Complex, as one Messianic Jewish group had suggested holding.



"That would be the red line" that would spark, Hamas has claimed, a shared reaction from the entire Palestinian population.




Airlines should be fined for ignoring passengers rights, a consumer group has claimed.

Which? called for aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority to be given teeth following travel chaos in the run-up to Easter.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in recent days due to airlines struggling to recruit and deploy new staff, and coronavirus-related absences among existing workers.

In some cases, airlines have been accused of failing to meet their responsibilities under consumer laws.

They should offer affected passengers a refund or re-route them as quickly as possible using other carriers if necessary, as well as provide adequate refreshments and accommodation.

Passengers may be entitled to at least 220 in compensation for flights cancelled less than seven days before departure.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: Lessons should be learnt from the travel shambles this Easter.

With many in the industry predicting a busy summer, the Government must work with airlines and airports to ensure they have the resources and capacity to handle increased passenger numbers, as there can be no excuse for a repeat of these failings.

Airlines wouldnt be ignoring the law and their passengers rights if the aviation regulator had some teeth.

The Department for Transport can support consumers by equipping the Civil Aviation Authority with direct fining powers.

It should also drop its plans to change compensation rules for UK flights which are an important deterrent against passengers being treated unfairly.

The Department for Transport is proposing to make the amount of compensation payable for heavily disrupted domestic flights capped at the air fare paid.

A DfT spokesperson said: We recently consulted on a range of proposals aimed at protecting air passengers, including additional powers for the CAA to enforce breaches of consumer rights laws.

We are reviewing responses from across industry, consumer groups and the general public, and will set out next steps in due course.
The daughter of a British-US national detained by Iran has staged a demonstration outside the Foreign Office urging the UK Government to bring her father home.

Wildlife conservationist Morad Tahbaz, 66, was returned to custody after being allowed out on furlough last month, on the day charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and retired civil engineer Anoosheh Ashoori were freed.

His daughter Roxanne said her family was led to believe that he would be included in any deal negotiated at the time, alongside the two dual nationals.

But she said they felt abandoned by the UK Government, with her father now back in prison.

Roxanne Tahbaz said her family has been abandoned by the UK Government, with her father back in prison (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ms Tahbaz said her mother had also been placed under a travel ban by the Iranian authorities.

Speaking at her protest outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Wednesday morning, she told the PA news agency: Were here today because its been one month since Nazanin and Anoosheh have come home, and my fathers still sitting in prison and my mothers still on a travel ban.

So were hoping to have the press and the media help us to call on the Government and on the Foreign Secretary (Liz) Truss to keep her promise and bring him home to us, so we can be reunited as a family.

In March, the UK said it had secured Mr Tahbazs furlough, along with the release and return of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori.

This came after the UK Government finally agreed to settle a 400 million debt to Iran dating back to the rule of the Shah in the 1970s.

But two days later Mr Tahbaz was forced to return to Evin Prison.

The FCDO had said he was moved to a residential location in Tehran but Ms Tahbaz said he was taken back to the prison shortly afterwards.

On what steps the UK Government should take next, she told PA: We want them to follow through on the promise they made to us  we were always led to believe over the past four-plus years that he was to be a part of any deal they were making, and we were led to believe hed be coming home as part of that.

Asked if she would like the Government to apologise after she said it misled her family over her fathers fate, she said: Id be happy to forego the apology if they brought my parents home. Its really about action at this point, instead of just words.

Ms Tahbaz said she has not spoken to Ms Truss personally but there is a nominated member of her family dealing with the FCDO.

She said she does not see the point in sitting down with the Foreign Secretary unless shes going to give me an actual update.

Weve pleaded and begged and been very vocal about wanting them to keep their promise, and its been four weeks, and nothing has changed for us as a family, she said.

And so unless the meeting is to discuss next steps and what actually may happen, or what we can expect, then I dont think that it would help really.

Mr Tahbaz, who also has Iranian citizenship, was arrested during a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018.

Roxanne Tahbaz said her mother had been placed under a travel ban by the Iranian authorities (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He is a prominent conservationist and board member of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, which seeks to protect endangered species.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with his colleagues on vague charges of spying for the US and undermining Irans security.

Ms Tahbaz said all we can do is stay positive because our parents are counting on us to bring them home.

Asked when she last had contact with her father, she said: Not for some time now, actually. We dont have direct contact  its only on speakerphone through my mum, with another speakerphone.

So we kind of shout across to hopefully be able to at least convey to him that hes not alone and that were still waiting for him and that we love and miss him.

On how Mr Tahbaz feels about the UK Governments response to his situation, she said: I think hes made it very clear that he feels abandoned, and thats why Im here today  to make sure that hes no longer left behind.

Roxanne Tahbaz said it is important to stay positive because our parents are counting on us to bring them home (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

An FCDO spokesperson said: The Iranian government committed to releasing Morad from prison on an indefinite furlough. Iran has failed to honour that commitment.

Continuing his horrendous ordeal sends a clear message to the international community that Iran does not honour its commitments. We continue to urge the Iranian authorities at every opportunity to release him immediately.
An old friend of Johnny Depp has tearfully described how the long-running legal dispute with Amber Heard had unfairly wrecked the actors life.

Isaac Baruch, an artist who has known Mr Depp for 40 years, said Ms Heards fake narrative had gone out the door and around the world, as he gave evidence at the US trial.

The actor, 58, is suing his former partner for libel over a 2018 article she wrote in The Washington Post in which she discussed her experiences of domestic abuse.

Mr Depps lawyers say the article falsely implies Ms Heard, 35, was physically and sexually abused by him when they were married.

Isaac Baruch speaks in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Virginia (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

Mr Baruch lived in an apartment owned by the actor at the Eastern Columbia Building in Los Angeles between 2013 and 2016.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, he said he was tired of the drawn-out proceedings and that Ms Heard should take her responsibility, heal, and move on.

Asked whether he was angry at the Aquaman star and her allegations, Mr Baruch said: Yeah, that kind of got me confused and frustrated and angry, upset.

Its (been) six years am I angry? What I am is tired and I want this all to end.

So many people have been affected by this malicious lie that she started and she created and its gone out the door and around the world.

Im not angry at anybody. I want the best for (Ms Heard), I want her to take her responsibility, heal, and move on.

Becoming visibly upset, he added: For Johnny, his family has been completely wrecked by all of this stuff and its not fair.

Its not right what she did and what happened for so many people to get affected from this, its insane how this happened.

Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

Lawyers for Ms Heard say that, although her article is protected by the first amendment of the US constitution, there is also evidence that Mr Depp abused her physically on multiple occasions.

Mr Baruch was asked about his encounters with Ms Heard in the days after an incident on May 21 2016, in which she claimed Mr Depp got violent with her.

He said the following day on May 22, which happened to be his birthday, he saw Ms Heard again in a well-lit place but saw no signs of injuries, despite inspecting her face.

Ive seen her (with) no make-up with make-up, glammed out for three-and-a-half years Ive seen her in different forms, he said.

She puts her head out, and Im looking I inspect her face Im looking at the whole thing and I dont see anything I dont see a cut, a bruise, swelling, redness.

Its just Ambers face.

Mr Depps lawyers say the allegations of abuse are false and the actress had been preparing to give the performance of a lifetime during the proceedings.

Mr Baruch also said that several weeks after his encounters with Ms Heard in May, he had seen CCTV video footage from the apartment building which showed the actress and her sister Whitney, who appeared to throw a fake punch at her.

Judge Penney Azcarate speaks in the courtroom (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

Asked about Ms Heards reaction to the punch, he said she was laughing.

Ms Heards Washington Post article was titled I spoke up against sexual violence  and faced our cultures wrath.

The case is being brought in Virginia rather than in California, where the actors live, because The Washington Posts online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County.

Other high-profile celebrities are listed as witnesses in the trial, including actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
The job advert for the most senior police officer in Britain has gone live, with the successful candidate tasked with addressing serious failings within the Metropolitan Police.

Public confidence in the force has been damaged by a series of events including the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer and the publication of highly offensive messages exchanged by officers based at Charing Cross.

Two constables were also jailed for sharing images of the bodies of murder victims Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry on WhatsApp.

Previous commissioner Dame Cressida Dick left the job last week, with her deputy Sir Stephen House temporarily taking charge until a permanent successor is appointed in the summer.

Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, whose final day in the job was April 10. (Yui Mok/PA)

Potential candidates for the post include former director general of the National Crime Agency Dame Lynne Owens and current Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.

With an annual salary of just under 293,000, the appointment is for an initial five-year term.

The closing date for applications is May 4.

The advert states: It has become evident that significant and sustained improvements need to be made within the MPS to restore public confidence and legitimacy in the largest police force in the UK.

This will require inspirational leadership to deliver a demonstrably more professional police force, that better reflects the diversity of London itself.

The Met has been heavily criticised by watchdogs the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in recent months.

People gathered in Parliament Square, London remember Sarah Everard (PA)

HMICFRS found that the Mets approach to tackling corruption was not fit for purpose, and described storage of evidence by some teams as dire with drugs, jewellery and money going missing and guns not properly secured.

While the IOPC took the unusual step of publishing disturbing messages shared by the Charing Cross team  despite the fact that much of the content was too offensive to print in mainstream news coverage  as it detailed the disgraceful behaviour of officers based in a now disbanded Westminster team between 2016 and 2018.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said that the issues raised were not isolated or historic.

Two inquiries, set up in the wake of the murder of Miss Everard, are being held into culture at the Met  an internally-commissioned probe led by Baroness Louise Casey, and a Home Office commissioned inquiry by Dame Elish Angiolini.

The advert for the commissioner job says: You will lead the service through significant change, role-modelling credible, visible and empowering leadership to address concerns around police conduct and tackling institutional culture.

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are responsible for choosing the next Commissioner (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The successful candidate will be responsible for re-establishing trust and confidence in policing amongst everyone living in London, particularly women and girls and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism of the police officers who serve Londoners, you will be responsible for addressing the serious failings that have emerged from recent IOPC and HMICFRS reports, and the outcomes of ongoing inquiries led by Dame Elish Angiolini QC and Baroness Louise Casey.

You will need to show your understanding of the scale and urgency of these particular challenges in the MPS, and that you have an achievable plan to restore the trust and confidence of Londoners.

It stresses that the new commissioner will be expected to work to reduce and prevent crime in the capital, as well as taking on the national responsibility of the force for counter-terrorism policing.
The UKs competition regulator has said it welcomes changes being made to how Sony and Nintendo sell online gaming subscriptions following an investigation into the sector.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had secured an undertaking from Sony that the company will more actively contact customers who have stopped using their membership to its PlayStation Plus service to remind them how to cancel their subscription, and will ultimately stop taking further payments if they remain unused.

The CMA confirmed it had also engaged with Nintendo, who it said had changed its practices during the investigation so that its Nintendo Switch Online Service would no longer be sold with automatic renewal set as the default option, meaning people would not automatically be entered into renewing contracts.

The regulator said the changes from both firms had helped address a number of its concerns about people being locked into subscriptions.

Michael Grenfell, executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said: As a result of our investigations, a number of changes have been made across this sector to protect customers and help tackle concerns about auto-renewing subscriptions.

Todays announcement, therefore, concludes our investigations into the online video gaming sector.

Companies in other sectors which offer subscriptions that auto-renew should review their practices to ensure they comply with consumer protection law.
Dutch bank ABN Amro has apologised for links to the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the involvement of one of the banks predecessor institutions in the day-to-day business of plantations.

The bank is the latest company to apologise for historic ties to slavery following the Bank of England in 2020 and the municipality of Amsterdam last year amid a global Black Lives Matter reckoning over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

ABN Amro said in a statement that research it commissioned into its history and that of other banks that were its direct predecessors uncovered a dark side.

The bank said the research revealed that ABN Amros predecessor Hope & Co played a pivotal role in the international slave economy of the 18th century. Not only were slavery-related operations a source of much of Hope & Cos profits, the firm was also actively involved in the day-to-day business of plantations.

The plantations were in the Caribbean on Dutch colonies and other islands.

Another bank that went on to become part of ABN Amro, Mees En Zoonen, brokered insurance for slave ships and shipments of goods harvested by enslaved persons, the bank said.

ABN Amro CEO Robert Swaak said the bank has a proud history but we must also recognise that it has a darker side as well.

He said ABN Amro apologises for the past actions and activities of these predecessors and for the pain and suffering that they caused.

Lead researcher Pepijn Brandon, of the International Institute of Social History that documented the history, said it revealed slavery-related operations formed a core part off the business of Hope & Co, which was the largest financial and commercial company in the Netherlands at the end of the 18th century.

ABN Amro said it had discussed the findings with representatives of the descendants of enslaved people, who said they want to see concrete measures to help improve the structural social disadvantages facing descendants of enslaved persons.
The boss of Imperial Leather owner PZ Cussons has warned the firm is facing the most challenging environment many have seen as cost pressures escalated further in recent weeks.

However, the company saw shares improve as it stuck firm with its financial guidance despite the caution.

Jonathan Myers, chief executive officer of PZ Cussons, said the business has cut costs across its operations to offset rising costs.

The external environment is amongst the most challenging many of us have seen, he said.

Input costs have continued to escalate in recent weeks, and it is likely that household budgets will soon come under pressure.

The company said changes to pricing and productivity improvements partially offset higher cost headwinds in the past quarter.

PZ Cussons reported that group like-for-like revenues grew by 8.5% to 146.3 million for the three months to February 28, compared with the same period a year earlier.

It said this was particularly boosted by strong growth in Africa as its European sales nudged lower for the period.

Nevertheless, the group said it was optimistic as growth across the group accelerated from the previous quarter.

Mr Myers added: It is just over a year since we set out our new strategy, to return PZ Cussons to sustainable, profitable revenue growth.

While the coming months will continue to be challenging for us and the wider consumer goods sector, the strength of our brands and our strategic progress gives me confidence in the long term prospects for the business.

Shares in the business moved 2.7% higher to 206p in early trading.
The National Union of Students has called for an independent investigation into allegations of antisemitism within its ranks.

On Wednesday, following a board meeting, the NUS announced an investigation into the allegations, following concerns over remarks made on social media by the president-elect, as well as the invitation of controversial musician Lowkey to an NUS event.

The NUS said in a statement: There can be no place for antisemitism within the student movement.

We are listening to the concerns being raised and were very concerned about the pain and hurt being expressed.

We will take any and all actions that are needed to remedy any wrongdoing and rebuild trust with Jewish students as well as our members, partners and stakeholders.

The news follows concerns raised by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) over an invitation to rapper Lowkey to an NUS centenary event.

The musician has previously said that the media had weaponised the Jewish heritage of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky.

Lowkey later withdrew from the event, but a letter from former NUS presidents to the current leadership, published on Tuesday, highlighted the NUSs initial response to worried Jewish students  which suggested they go to a safe space for students who disliked loud noise during Lowkeys concert.

The letter also raised concern over remarks on social media made by the president-elect.

Shaima Dallali wrote Khaybar Khaybar O Jews Muhammads army will return #Gaza on social media in 2012, referring to a massacre of Jews in 628. She has since apologised for the post.

Taken together, and with a number of other concerns raised by Jewish students over recent years, it is clear NUS has a serious and significant problem, the letter said.

The NUS said that the investigation will look into the invitation of a speaker booked for one of our conferences as well as a review of allegations of a wider culture of antisemitism within NUS.

In relation to the president elect, the independent investigation will look into a range of comments and actions that are alleged to have taken place over the last decade, they added.

They said they would make sure that the investigation had the confidence of Jewish students and that they would make sure that no one connected to the allegations or incidents would be able to influence its outcome.

The NUS said it would appoint a highly regarded independent party to conduct the inquiry, and would consult with the Union of Jewish Students in making the appointment.

Whoever is appointed must have the confidence of Jewish students, the NUS said.

The NUS added that it had adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2018 and that in the recent past, it had acted on antisemitism through removing a member of the National Council in 2018, as well as removing an election candidate in 2019 in line with policies on antisemitism.

Chair of the Commons education select committee Robert Halfon called for the NUS to be investigated by the Charity Commission over the allegations.

On Wednesday, the NUS said that it was not a charity and not subject to a Charity Commission investigation.

However, NUS willingly holds itself to the highest standards, it added, stating that its charity board had written to the Charity Commission to clarify that the allegations only related to events and incidents within NUS UK.

Higher education Michelle Donelan has said she is considering refusing to engage with the NUS over the issue.

The NUS said that on a technical level, there is no such thing as being banned from Government engagement.

It added: However, individual Government bodies and individuals may choose to disengage from NUS at their discretion.

We hope that this will not happen and that colleagues in Government will be satisfied that we are taking swift and appropriate action to address the allegations.
Boris Johnsons battle to remain in power has been hit by the resignation of a justice minister, who warned the scale and nature of breaches of coronavirus rules in Downing Street are inconsistent with the rule of law.

Conservative peer David Wolfson said he had no option other than to resign on Wednesday over the repeated rule-breaking, and breach of the criminal law, in Downing Street.

The fallout after police fined the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over a birthday party held for Mr Johnson in No 10 during Covid restrictions in June 2020 was continuing with further calls to quit.

My letter to the Prime Minister today. pic.twitter.com/lADCvKDKbB  David Wolfson (@DXWQC) April 13, 2022

Conservative MPs Nigel Mills and Craig Whittaker said the Prime Ministers position was untenable after he was found to have broken the rules he set.

However, Mr Johnsons position was safe for the time being, with politicians away from Parliament for the Easter recess and numerous Tory critics arguing for immediate focus to be on the invasion of Ukraine.

Lord Wolfson, a justice minister since 2020, said in his resignation letter to Mr Johnson that he has come to the inevitable conclusion that there was repeated rule-breaking, and breaches of the criminal law, in Downing Street.

He concluded that had no option but to resign considering my ministerial and professional obligations to support and uphold the rule of law.

The decision heaped pressure on Dominic Raab, whose Labour shadow Steve Reed pointed out as Justice Secretary is constitutionally charged with upholding the law but is instead condoning law-breaking by backing Mr Johnson.

Mr Raab described Lord Wolfson as a world-class lawyer whose wisdom and intellect will be sorely missed in Government.

David Wolfson @dxwqc is a world-class lawyer and Im grateful for his remarkable work in improving families' access to mediation, reforming our human rights laws and curtailing the abuse of our libel laws by kleptocrats. His wisdom & intellect will be sorely missed in govt.  Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) April 13, 2022

Mr Johnson wrote to the peer saying he was sorry to receive the resignation, while praising his years of legal experience.

Earlier, Mr Mills became the first Tory backbencher to publicly call for Mr Johnson to fall on his sword since the fines landed.

The MP for Amber Valley, in Derbyshire, told the PA news agency Mr Johnsons position was untenable, saying: Yeah, I think for a Prime Minister in office to be given a fine and accept it and pay it for breaking the laws that he introduced is just an impossible position.

We have every right to expect higher standards of people making these laws so the idea that he can survive having broken one and accepted he has broken (it), I just think is impossible.

Mr Whittaker, the MP for West Yorkshire constituency of Calder Valley, called for both the Prime Minister and Mr Sunak to resign in response to questions from voters.

To be very clear, my personal opinion is that he and the Chancellor both should resign because you cant set the laws and then break them as they have, he said in a Facebook video.

But Mr Whittaker said he would not be submitting a letter to the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories, saying he expects the Prime Minister would win the vote which he argued would distract the Ukraine and cost-of-living crises.

Both Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak have indicated they would not consider resigning over the fixed penalty notices issued by Scotland Yard.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart indicated the Prime Minister would not resign even if he was fined multiple times in the Metropolitan Polices Operation Hillman probe.

Mr Johnson has not ruled out the prospect he could be fined again for further events, reportedly having attended six of the 12 under investigation.

Mr Hart told Times Radio: I dont necessarily see the difference between one or two (fines), for example, the principle is the same.

I personally dont think that for people in public life  or any other walk of life, for that matter  that should necessarily be accompanied by another penalty, which is the removal of your job or similar.

Both Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak  and the Prime Ministers wife Carrie, who was also fined over the party in the Cabinet Room  apologised on Tuesday and confirmed they had paid the fines.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended the Prime Minister on Wednesday morning, insisting he made a mistake and did not knowingly break the law.

At end of 2020 I was unable to visit my dad in hospital for 4mths, so share the anger felt about Downing St fines. But I also recognize PM has apologised, accepted responsibility & reformed No10. Now, as he leads the West's response to Putin's evil war he has my full support.  Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) April 12, 2022

On whether Mr Johnson misled MPs with his earlier defences against allegations of rule-breaking, Mr Shapps told ITVs Good Morning Britain programme: I dont think he knowingly broke the laws when he came to Parliament.

We now know that the Metropolitan Police have said that he shouldnt have stepped into the Cabinet Room when staff had organised a surprise.

I dont think he came to Parliament thinking that that breached the rules.

Other Tory MPs and Cabinet ministers have also shown their support for the Prime Minister, pointing to his support for Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putins invasion.

One who was publicly quiet over the scandal was Home Secretary Priti Patel, but a Home Office source said Mr Johnson has her full support.

It was argued it was difficult for Home Office ministers to comment on ongoing police investigations.

Lord David Frost (Peter Byrne/PA)

Meanwhile, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP have continued to back calls for the Commons to be recalled from its two-week Easter break to allow the Prime Minister to tender his resignation in person to MPs.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak do not seem to understand how deeply offensive their lockdown breaches are.

More than 50 fines have been referred to the Acro Criminal Records Office since the Mets inquiry started.

Speaking to broadcasters at his country residence, Chequers, on Tuesday, Mr Johnson said it did not occur to him at the time that the party for which he was fined might be breaching Covid rules.

Mr Sunak offered an unreserved apology, saying he understood that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence.

A spokesperson for Mrs Johnson said: Whilst she believed that she was acting in accordance with the rules at the time, Mrs Johnson accepts the Metropolitan Polices findings and apologises unreservedly.
LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) Ukraine on Tuesday said it arrested the Kremlin's most prominent ally in the country as Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his strongest signal yet the war will grind on, warning peace talks were at a dead end.

In February, Ukraine said Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of the Opposition Platform - For Life party, escaped from house arrest after the authorities opened a treason case against him.

The pro-Russian figure, who says Putin is godfather to his daughter, has denied wrongdoing. On Tuesday a spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

"Pro-Russian traitors and agents of the Russian intelligence services, remember - your crimes have no statute of limitations," Ukraine's security service posted on Facebook alongside a photo of Medvedchuk in handcuffs.

Operatives "conducted this lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation", the head of the organisation Ivan Bakanov said.

A Kremlin spokesman was cited by the Tass news agency as saying he had seen the photo and could not say whether it was genuine.

Hours earlier Putin used his first public comments on the conflict in more than a week to insist Russia will "rhythmically and calmly" continue its operation, citing the need to achieve goals on security.

That Blitzkrieg on which our foes were counting did not work," he said, batting aside the impact of sanctions and warning that on-and-off peace talks were in a "dead-end situation."

But he frequently seemed to ramble or stammer. Only occasionally did he adopt the icy, confident demeanour that has been his trademark in public appearances over more than 22 years as Russia's leader.

Putin, who had been ubiquitous on Russian television in the early days of the war, had largely retreated from public view since Russia's withdrawal from northern Ukraine two weeks ago.

On Monday he met the visiting chancellor of Austria.

But the meeting was held at a country residence outside Moscow and no images were released, a contrast from talks with Western leaders on the eve of the war, when they were pictured seated at opposite ends of a huge table in the ornate Kremlin palace.

Rescuers search for bodies under the rubble of a building destroyed by Russian shelling, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Borodyanka

MARIUPOL DENOUEMENT

Moscow's nearly seven-week long incursion, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has seen more than 4.6 million people flee abroad, killed or injured thousands and led to Russia's near total isolation on the world stage.

Russia says it launched what it calls a "special military operation" on Feb. 24 to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies reject that as a false pretext.

Russian tanks pulled out of northern Ukraine after failing in what the West believes was a mission to swiftly capture the capital Kyiv.

Many of the towns they left behind were littered with the bodies of civilians killed in what Kyiv says was a campaign of murder, torture and rape.

Moscow denies targeting civilians or carrying out war crimes.

Russia says its campaign now aims to capture more territory on behalf of separatists in two eastern provinces, a region known as the Donbas. It includes Mariupol port, which has been reduced to a wasteland under Russian siege.

Ukraine says tens of thousands of civilians have been trapped inside that city with no way to bring in food or water, and accuses Russia of blocking aid convoys.

The battle for Mariupol appeared on Tuesday to be reaching a decisive phase, with Ukrainian marines holed up in the Azovstal industrial district. Reuters journalists accompanying Russian-backed separatists saw flames billowing from the Azovstal district.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of the eastern Donetsk region, which includes Mariupol, said he had seen incident reports on possible chemical weapons use in the city but could not confirm them.

"We know that last night around midnight a drone dropped some so-far unknown explosive device, and the people that were in and around the Mariupol metal plant, there were three people, they began to feel unwell," he told CNN.

They were taken to hospital and their lives were not in danger, he said.

Late on Tuesday, Ukraine said its forces in the east had beaten off six Russian attacks, destroying two vehicles and three artillery systems as well as shooting down a helicopter and two drones. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

NEW ASSAULT

Zelenskiy had said on Monday that Russia may resort to chemical weapons as it massed troops for a new assault. He did not say if they actually had been used. The United States and Britain said they were trying to verify the reports.

Chemical weapons production, use and stockpiling is banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.

Russia's defence ministry has not responded to a Reuters request for comment. Russian-backed separatist forces in the east denied using chemical weapons in Mariupol, the Interfax news agency reported.

After their troops got bogged down in the face of Ukrainian resistance, the Russians abandoned their bid to capture the capital Kyiv. But they are redoubling efforts in the east, including Donetsk and the neighbouring Luhansk region, where Governor Serhiy Gaidai urged residents to evacuate.

"It's far more scary to remain and burn in your sleep from a Russian shell," he wrote on social media. "Evacuate, with every day the situation is getting worse. Take your essential items and head to the pickup point."

Zelenskiy pleaded overnight for more weapons from the West to help it end the siege of Mariupol and fend off the expected eastern offensive.

"Unfortunately we are not getting as much as we need to end this war faster ... in particular, to lift the blockade of Mariupol," he said.
Andy Warhols pop art print of the Queen and the famous Armada portrait of Elizabeth I are to go on show in a Jubilee exhibition of artworks depicting the queens who have ruled throughout history.

The unprecedented display at Sothebys in London will showcase paintings of each of the seven queens regnants who were crowned in their own right, stretching from Tudor times to the Platinum Jubilee age of Elizabeth II.

The portrayal of Elizabeth I is described by Sothebys as one of most seminal images of female power ever created, and Warhols impression of Queen as both glamorous and commanding.

The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Woburn Abbey Collection/PA)

Featuring in the exhibition, which runs from May 28 to June 15, will be key portraits of Mary I, Mary II, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and Mary Queen of Scots, lent from aristocratic and other British collections.

Alongside the historic paintings will be nearly 40 dazzling noble and aristocratic tiaras with British and European royal provenance  many never seen in public before  dating back through to the 1830s.

It forms part of the auction houses Jubilee Arts Festival  a month-long programme of events celebrating the Queens 70 years on the throne.

Sebastian Fahey, managing director of Sothebys EMEA, said: Weve certainly never done anything like this, or on this scale, here before, and it has been a pleasure to work in this way with so many of the important institutions and families across the entire country.

Im sure the galleries will look absolutely spectacular, with an astonishing collection of portraits under the same roof the first time  including the Armada, which is one of the most seminal images of female power ever created  alongside tiaras that span two centuries, and important manuscripts that formed part of the pageantry of our monarchy.

Andy Warhol, Reigning Queens, 1985 (Sothebys/PA)

The portrait of Elizabeth I, painted to commemorate the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588, is on loan from the Duke of Bedfords collection at Woburn Abbey.

Julian Gascoigne, director of early British paintings at Sothebys, said: The most complete of three versions painted in that same year, the painting encapsulates the aspirations of the nation at a watershed moment in history whilst also carefully disseminating an awe-inspiring spectacle of female power and majesty.

Elizabeth I, dressed in her finery with her elaborate lace neck ruff, rests with her hand on a globe, and behind her are scenes of English ships setting out in calm weather and the Spanish Armada being wrecked during a storm.

From modern times, one of the richly-coloured screen prints from Warhols Reigning Queens series from 1985 will be on display.

Others in the Andy Warhols Reigning Queens: Queen Elizabeth II portrait series (Ian West/PA)

It which shows Elizabeth IIs image in blue tones.

The collection was based on an official photograph released for the monarchs Silver Jubilee.

Tom Eddison, Sothebys senior director and contemporary art specialist, described the piece, on loan from a private collection, as in equal parts glamorous and commanding; perfectly representing the global and celebrity age in which the Queen has reigned.

Visitors will be able to view more than three dozen tiaras including a 1960s turquoise cabochon and diamond piece by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise and diamond tiara (Sothebys/PA)

Another designed as a wreath of diamond-set leaves dates from the 1830s, and was crafted in homage to the classical designs of ancient Rome and inspired by a revival of the style during Napoleons rule.

Among historic manuscripts of royal significance on display will be the death warrant of the 7th Earl of Northumberland signed by Elizabeth I.

Dating from 1572, it has been loaned from Alnwick Castle.

The document draws out writs and instructions necessary for the execution of the 7th Earl after his part in the disastrous Rising of the North.

Commission to the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal for the execution of the 7th Earl of Northumberland in 1572 (Archives of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle/PA)

The auction house is also holding a British Art: The Jubilee Auction on June 29.

It will include pieces by Turner, Gainsborough, Barbara Hepworth, Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Bridget Riley and Banksy.

A new work of the Queen, donated by artist Chris Levine, will also be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

Lightness Of Being by Chris Levine (Chris Levine/Sothebys/PA)

Entitled Lightness Of Being, it depicts the monarch with her eyes closed and was based on Levins 2004 portrait of the Queen marking 800 years of allegiance to the Crown by the Island of Jersey.

It is expected to fetch between 100,000 and 150,000.

The Jubilee Arts Festival at Sothebys, 34-35 New Bond Street in London will run from May 28 to June 15  entry is free and tickets can be booked in advance.

Other activities include historical talks, musical performances and a family day.

More information can be found at www.sothebys.com/jubilee.
Legislators in California are aiming to make a four-day workweek a reality.

A new bill introduced in the state assembly, known as AB 2932, would create a 32-hour, 4-day workweek for non-union, hourly workers at companies with 500 or more employees.

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), a co-sponsor of the bill, said that now is the right time to have this discussion with employers.

"As we have seen with the 'Great Resignation,' over 47 million employees have left their jobs for better opportunities and as we are transitioning back, employees are making it clear that returning to normal or what we had before is not good enough," Garcia said on Yahoo Finance (video above). "They want better benefits as far as free time and flexibility to do more of what they love and have better mental and emotional health out there."

A woman works on her computer as the first phase of FMC Corporation employees return to work in the office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah Beier

Studies have shown that 40-hour workweeks have been wearing down workers. Iceland began testing out a four-day workweek last year and saw success while Japan's government has recommended it as national policy as well.

Specific companies have also started to test the shortened workweek, including Microsoft (MSFT), which reported seeing a 40% increase in productivity, and Kickstarter, a crowd-funding platform, which also launched a shortened workweek.

According to data from the International Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), U.S employees work more hours every year compared to other industrial nations. On average, an American worker puts in nearly 1,800 hours a year.

While the bill is for non-union hourly workers, Garcia explained that unions could put the bill on the table when negotiating contracts.

This illustration photo shows a person working on their laptop from a home office in Los Angeles on August 14, 2021. (Photo by Chris DELMAS / AFP)

"If this becomes reality, I imagine that this would just be the floor, not ceiling, for their negotiations," Garcia said.

It's similar to a federal bill proposed by Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.). That legislation is currently awaiting a vote in the House Education and Labor Committee, and Garcia said it was part of the inspiration for her bill.

Change would be a 'job killer'

Not everyone is on board with the idea, however. Ashley Hoffman, policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, argued in a letter that the bill in her state would be a "job killer" and present added costs to employers.

For example, under the bill, employees who work over 32 hours would receive overtime at 1.5 times their hourly wage. Work stretching further than 12 hours a day or into seven days a week would be paid at double their normal wage.

A recent paycheck for Delores Leonard shows her hourly wage of $8.25 for working at a McDonald's Restaurant in Chicago. REUTERS/Jim Young

"AB 2932 imposes a tremendous cost on employers and includes provisions that are impossible to comply with, exposing businesses to litigation," Hoffman wrote, adding: "Of particular concern is that the bills language provides that 'the compensation rate of pay at 32 hours shall reflect the previous compensation rate of pay at 40 hours.' This language may be interpreted as requiring the employer to pay the employee the same total compensation that they are presently earning at 40 hours for 32 hours of work."

In response, Garcia noted that others in the business community support the proposal.

"This is the time to adapt, and everyone's gonna be better off, people's bottom lines are gonna be better off if we adapt sooner than later," she said.

The proposed bill is under review with the Labor and Employment Committee and a hearing date has yet to be scheduled.

Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter: @daniromerotv

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FILE - Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, April 4, 2022. Cheney raised almost $3 million in campaign contributions over the first three months of the midterm election year, her campaign said Monday, April 11, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Congresswoman Liz Cheney raised almost $3 million in campaign contributions over the first three months of the midterm election year, continuing her record-breaking fundraising streak as she attempts to defend her seat against a Trump-backed challenger.

The third-term Wyoming Republican began April with $6.8 million cash on-hand, while her opponent Harriet Hageman began the final four-month stretch leading up to Wyoming's Aug. 16 Republican primary with more than $1 million in her campaign coffers.

Though deep-red Wyoming traditionally draws significantly less in campaign contributions than more populous battleground states, Cheney's unrelenting criticism of former President Donald Trump and statements blaming him for the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 have transformed the race for the state's lone U.S. House seat into one of the most closely watched contests of the 2022 midterms.

Cheney, who chaired the Republican House Conference before being ousted from her post last year, has broken her personal fundraising records in five consecutive quarters and has raised more than $10 million throughout the election cycle, her campaign said in a statement.

Cheney's criticisms of Trump have alienated her from many of her colleagues in the U.S. House and the Wyoming Republican Party and made her among the most endangered Republican incumbents facing reelection this year. But they've also expanded her profile and allowed her to build a nationwide fundraising network.

Given her vote to impeach him and her position on the Jan. 6 House Select Committee, Cheneys seat is among Trumps top 2022 targets. Hageman has received endorsements from Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Elise Stefanik, Cheneys replacement as House Republican Conference Chair.

Hageman, a Cheyenne attorney, raised $1.3 million over the first three months of 2022, her campaign said in a news release Monday. Though her haul pales in comparison to Cheney's, it is roughly triple what she raised in the final three months of 2021 and a comparatively large sum for a Wyoming candidate.

Political parties typically do not campaign against their incumbent members. But the Republican National Committee censured Cheney in February, effectively opening the door for them to throw their support behind Hageman's challenge.

The Federal Election Commission is scheduled to publish campaign finance reports for the first quarter of 2022 on Friday, which will detail campaign spending and the sources of each candidates' contributions.

Other Republicans running include state Sen. Anthony Bouchard and retired Army Col. Denton Knapp. No Democrat has announced plans to challenge Cheney, and her candidacy could benefit from Democratic crossover voters, who in Wyoming can change their party affiliation from now until the day of the August primary.
NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub in 2018.

The guilty plea came nearly three years after the the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested in the case that saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed.

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. appears in court, Jan. 22, 2020, in New York. Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 13, 2022 to one count of forcible touching in a protracted criminal case accusing the Oscar-winning star of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019. (Alec Tabak/The Daily News via AP, Pool)

Gooding, 54, accused of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019, pleaded guilty to just one of the allegations.

He told the judge he kissed the waitress on her lips without consent at the LAVO New York nightclub.

Gooding's plea deal calls for no jail time. If he continues counseling for six months, he can withdraw the misdemeanor plea and plead guilty to a lesser violation of harassment.

Gooding was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police he squeezed her breast without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square.

A few months later, he was charged in two additional cases as more women came forward to accuse him of abuse. The new charges alleged he pinched a servers buttocks after making a sexually suggestive remark to her at TAO Downtown and forcibly touched a woman inappropriately at the LAVO nightclub, both in 2018.

Gooding had previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanor counts and denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyers have argued that overzealous prosecutors, caught up in the fervor of the #MeToo movement, are trying to turn commonplace gestures or misunderstandings into crimes.

The judge had ruled that if the Gooding case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Those women, whose claims did not result in criminal charges, were among 19 other accusers whom prosecutors were seeking to call as witnesses.

Along with the criminal case, Gooding is accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman in New York City in 2013. After a judge issued a default judgment in July because Gooding hadnt responded to the lawsuit, the actor retained a lawyer and is fighting the allegations.
The European Union Council has adopted legislation to ensure medicines can continue to flow unimpeded from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.

The issues surrounding medicines stem from the outworkings of the Northern Ireland Protocol, a part of the Brexit deal which means Northern Ireland remains covered by the EUs pharmaceutical regulations.

As Northern Ireland receives most of its medicines from suppliers in Great Britain, there had been concerns that their movement could be impeded when grace periods end.

Instead, European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic announced proposed new legislation last year to tackle the issue.

European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic announced the new regulations last year (Rob Pinney/PA)

The EU Council said on Tuesday it has now adopted the directive and regulations to ensure the continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland, as well as Cyprus, Ireland and Malta.

A statement said: These texts will enter into force on the day of their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, which is expected in the next few days.

The measures will apply retroactively from January 1 2022.

The aim of the directive is to preserve the uninterrupted supply of medicinal products for human use in Northern Ireland after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, under the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

It will also, exceptionally and for a transitional period of three years, allow medicinal products from the United Kingdom to be placed on the market in Ireland, Malta and Cyprus under derogations from the requirement for authorisation holders to be established in the European Union.

The regulation is closely linked to the directive and is aimed at ensuring the supply of investigational medicinal products to the same markets.

The council said the move would facilitate the implementation of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on the ground.

The EU law change will allow GB-based pharma suppliers to maintain their current regulatory arrangements.

It will mean companies in Great Britain can continue to act as a hub for the supply of generic medicines to Northern Ireland, without the need to establish bases in the region.
FILE - Elon Musk founder, CEO, and chief engineer/designer of SpaceX speaks during a news conference after a Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket test flight at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla, Jan. 19, 2020. Musk won't be joining Twitter's board of directors as previously announced. The tempestuous billionaire remains Twitters largest shareholder. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Elon Musks huge Twitter investment took a new twist Tuesday with the filing of a lawsuit alleging that the colorful billionaire illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices.

The complaint in New York federal court accuses Musk of violating a regulatory deadline to reveal he had accumulated a stake of at least 5%. Instead, according to the complaint, Musk didnt disclose his position in Twitter until hed almost doubled his stake to more than 9%. That strategy, the lawsuit alleges, hurt less wealthy investors who sold shares in the San Francisco company in the nearly two weeks before Musk acknowledged holding a major stake.

Musk's regulatory filings show that he bought a little more than 620,000 shares at $36.83 apiece on Jan. 31 and then continued to accumulate more shares on nearly every single trading day through April 1. Musk, best known as CEO of the electric car maker Tesla, held 73.1 million Twitter shares as of the most recent count Monday. That represents a 9.1% stake in Twitter.

The lawsuit alleges that by March 14, Musk's stake in Twitter had reached a 5% threshold that required him to publicly disclose his holdings under U.S. securities law by March 24. Musk didn't make the required disclosure until April 4.

That revelation caused Twitter's stock to soar 27% from its April 1 close to nearly $50 by the end of April 4's trading, depriving investors who sold shares before Musk's improperly delayed disclosure the chance to realize significant gains, according to the lawsuit filed on behalf of an investor named Marc Bain Rasella. Musk, meanwhile, was able to continue to buy shares that traded in prices ranging from $37.69 to $40.96.

The lawsuit is seeking to be certified as a class action representing Twitter shareholders who sold shares between March 24 and April 4, a process that could take a year or more.

Musk spent about $2.6 billion on Twitter stock  a fraction of his estimated wealth of $265 billion, the largest individual fortune in the world. In a regulatory filing Monday, Musk disclosed he may increase his stake after backing out of an agreement reached last week to join Twitter's board of directors.

Jacob Walker, one of the lawyers that filed the lawsuit against Musk, told The Associated Press that he hadn't reached out to the Securities and Exchange Commission about Musk's alleged violations about the disclosure of his Twitter stake. I assume the SEC is well aware of what he did," Walker said.

An SEC spokesperson declined to comment.

The SEC and Musk have been wrangling in court since 2018 when Musk and Tesla agreed to pay a $40 million fine t o settle allegations that he used his Twitter account to mislead investors about a potential buyout of the electric car company that never materialized. As part of that deal, Musk was supposed to obtain legal approval for his tweets about information that could affect Tesla's stock price  a provision that regulators contend he has occasionally violated and that he now argues unfairly muzzles him.

Musk didn't immediately respond to a request for comment posted on Twitter, where he often shares his opinion and thoughts. Alex Spiro, a New York lawyer representing Musk in his ongoing dispute with the SEC, also didn't immediately respond to a query from The Associated Press.
FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines are seen at Sao Jose Hospital in Lisbon

(Reuters) - China's race to stop the spread of COVID-19 is clogging highways and ports, stranding workers and shutting countless factories - disruptions that are rippling through global supply chains for goods ranging from electric vehicles to iPhones.

DEATHS AND INFECTIONS

* Eikon users, see COVID-19: MacroVitals for a case tracker and summary of news.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* Shanghai's authorities warned that anyone who violates lockdown rules will be dealt with strictly, while also rallying citizens to defend their city as its tally of new cases rebounded to more than 25,000.

* China must not relax COVID control and prevention measures, President Xi Jinping said during a visit to the southern island of Hainan, state radio reported.

* China is trying out reduced quarantine times for overseas arrivals and close contacts of positive cases in eight cities, in a potential easing of stringent entry controls, Caixin reported.

* South Korea will administer a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for people over 60, as the country continues to battle the highly contagious Omicron variant.

* Taiwan is in only the early stages of an outbreak and domestic cases will keep rising for the time being, its health minister said.

EUROPE

* Greece's president tested positive for COVID-19, her office said, as the country announced plans to lift certain restrictions such as mask-wearing indoors and COVID certificates throughout the summer tourism period, possibly reinstating them in September.

* A senior British minister said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not set out to break COVID laws with malice and is mortified after he was fined by police for attending a gathering during lockdown, as calls mounted for Johnson to quit.

* Vaccines against COVID-19 have roughly halved the death toll from the disease in Italy, preventing some 150,000 fatalities and 8 million cases last year, the National Health Institute (ISS) estimated.

AMERICAS

* Delta Air Lines forecast a return to profit in the current quarter as airline travel demand reaches record heights. U.S. passenger traffic has been averaging about 89% of the pre-pandemic levels since mid-February, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data.

AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

* Sub-Saharan Africa's economy is set to grow 3.6% this year, down from 4% in 2021, the World Bank said, adding that war in Ukraine would worsen the factors holding back Africa's recovery from the pandemic.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

* Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla said the company could possibly develop a new vaccine that protects against the Omicron variant as well as older forms of COVID-19 by autumn.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

* China's imports unexpectedly fell in March as curbs across large parts of the country hampered freight arrivals and weakened domestic demand, while export growth slowed, prompting analysts to expect a worsening in trade in the second quarter.

* China stocks closed lower on Wednesday as weak March import data fanned fears of a further slowdown in economic growth amid the country's worst coronavirus outbreak in two years.

(Compiled by Olivier Sorgho; Editing by Milla Nissi)
A few days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill limiting LGBTQ instruction in the states public schools, high school student Will Larkins had an idea.

Larkins, the founder and president of the Queer Student Union at Winter Park High School, just outside Orlando, said he asked his history teacher if he could share a lesson with classmates about the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City, widely considered a crucial turning point in the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The teacher agreed, Larkins said.

She didnt know what it was, Larkins said of the Stonewall uprising. That just speaks to how unfortunate our education system is. They dont even teach history teachers that. Its something you really have to go out of your way to learn about.

The Stonewall uprising was a multi-day, LGBTQ-rights protest in front of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York Citys Greenwich Village neighborhood. The uprising was ignited after patrons decided to fight back following a routine police raid on the bar. The Stonewall Inn was the first LGBTQ site in the U.S. to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1999), and it was named a National Historic Landmark (2000) and designated a national monument (2016), according to the NYC Historic Sites Project.

Larkins, 17, a junior, had one of his classmates record the March 31 lesson, and he posted the video to Twitter three days later. It quickly went viral, leading to a profile on Larkins in The Washington Post on April 4.

In an interview Friday, Larkins said a complaint was filed against him by his history teacher, who claims that Larkins misrepresented her in his interview with The Washington Post, and, as a result, he is now being investigated by his school.

Ive been under investigation probably 10 times this year. Ive never gotten a disciplinary infraction for any of these, Larkins said. Im very outspoken about the homophobia that I face at my school.

Winter Park High School did not respond to a request for a comment.

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An influential U.S. group is raising doubts about routine suicide screening for children and teens even as others call for urgent attention to youth mental health.

In draft guidance posted Tuesday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said theres not enough evidence to recommend routinely screening kids who show no obvious signs of being suicidal. The document is open for public comment until May 9, and opposing voices are already weighing in.

Many experts agree with the groups assessment that more research is urgently needed but argue that theres no evidence that screening  asking kids if theyve ever considered or attempted suicide  could cause harm.

In the meantime, what are you going to do with this mental health crisis? You cannot turn a blind eye, said psychologist Lisa Horowitz of the National Institute of Mental Health.

The task force is an independent group of doctors and other experts that creates guidelines for prevention services in primary care settings, based on an analysis of research. The group's final recommendations often mirror its draft guidance. Insurance coverage decisions are often based on its advice.

The draft guidance pertains to screening in pediatricians' offices and similar settings for kids up to age 18.

In 2020, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for ages 10 to 14, and the third leading cause for ages 15 to 19, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Abundant reports suggest kids mental health has suffered during the pandemic, with troubling numbers of suicide attempts and increases in depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other signs of distress.

Certainly, we all share the same concern about wanting to minimize this risk for young people and to intervene effectively so that we can prevent these consequences, said task force member Martha Kubik, a professor of nursing at George Mason University. But she said suicide screening in kids who arent obviously troubled could lead to stigma and needless anxiety.

The task forces draft document recommends anxiety screening for ages 8 to 18, and echoes its previous advice for depression screening starting at age 12. Kubik said depression screening may catch some suicidal kids.

Suicide prevention experts say theres a common misconception that asking kids about suicide will plant the idea in their minds. They argue that open conversations will reduce suicide stigma and let kids know parents and trusted adults care about their wellbeing.

This report may actually set the field back, said Dr. Christine Moutier of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Just last month, the foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics backed suicide screening for ages 12 and up, and for kids aged 8 to 11 when there are concerns.

Last year, the pediatrics group and two others declared childrens health a national emergency worsened by the pandemic. And in January, the government issued updated Affordable Care Act preventive care guidelines that call for universal screening for suicide risk for ages 12 to 21.

The suicide of a 12-year-old Elkhart, Indiana, girl last month left her close-knit family reeling and wondering if theyd missed any signs. Rio Allred was a witty, bright-eyed seventh grader with a wicked laugh who loved books, sketching and video games.

They knew she was bothered by merciless bullying about her alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. She developed it during the pandemic, shaved her head and only sometimes wore wigs or a hat. The family complained to school authorities and gave Rio a choice of transferring or home-schooling, but she wanted to stay put, said her mom, Nicole Ball.

She put on such a brave face, Ball said. I never thought it would get to this point.

The family talked openly about tough subjects including suicide, and Ball says Rio had recently gone to a school counselor, worried about one of her friends self-harming.

But Ball says she thinks routine suicide screening by somebody thats trained, on the outside looking in, might pick up things kids dont openly share, or signs that parents overlook.

The family has launched an anti-bullying campaign, and Ball says shes sure Rio would approve.

I always said she would change the world, she said. I hate that its this way.

___

Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner: @LindseyTanner

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The United Nations is warning that 350,000 children in Somalia could die due to starvation unless the world rallies to provide food aid to the impoverished African nation that is in the grips of a fourth straight year of crippling drought made worse by climate change.

As we speak now, 1.4 million children under 5 years of age are severely malnourished, and if we dont step up our intervention, it is projected that 350,000 of them will perish by the summer of this year. The situation cannot be more dire than that, Adam Abdelmoula of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. So I call on all those who are able to contribute, including the Somali diaspora, the business community, the traditional and nontraditional donors, everyone, to act and to act now.

A Somali woman holds her malnourished child at a hospital. (Feisal Omar/Reuters)

Three years of successive drought have left Somalia's largest river, the Juba, almost entirely dry. The lack of water has affected an estimated 4.5 million people, many of whom make their living as farmers.

Of all the droughts I have experienced in my 70 years, I have not seen anything as severe as this, Ahmad Hassan Yarrow, a Somali resident forced from his home in search of food and water, told the U.N.

In its recently released sixth assessment of the state of the worlds climate, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that climate change and an ongoing La Nina  a climate pattern resulting in dryer weather for the Horn of Africa  were to blame for the drought and soaring temperatures baking the region.

An animal that has succumbed to drought conditions in Somaliland, a semiautonomous region of Somalia. (Daniel Jukes/ActionAid via AP)

In a nation that has endured decades of political violence and extreme poverty, the effects of climate change are being acutely felt by children.

Already in this country, 70% of school-age children are not attending school. In just one state in Juba land, the drought has led to closure of 40 schools, and that is going to be the trend in many drought-affected areas, Abdelmoula said.

More than 700,000 people have already been displaced due to the successive years of drought, forced to walk barren roads littered with animal carcasses, the BBC reported, to try to make it to population centers in search of food, water and shelter.

Making matters worse, Russias invasion of Ukraine, where many African countries get their wheat and cooking oil, has caused food prices to skyrocket.

The Food and Agricultural Organization estimates that as many as 13 million more people worldwide will be pushed into food insecurity as a result of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The truth of the matter is Putins war forces us to take from the hungry to feed the starving. As long as Russia continues its brutal campaign, innocent people are going to pay the price, Cindy McCain, U.S. representative to U.N. agencies in Rome, said last week.

The combination of food and water scarcity and high prices for imported wheat means that Somalia is looking at a risk of famine, Abdelmoula said.

With its Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan, the U.N. is looking to raise nearly $1.5 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to 5.5 million of the most vulnerable people in Somalia. To date, however, it has taken in just $56.1 million, or 4% of that total.

A withered maize field in Kilifi County, Kenya. (Dong Jianghui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

The problems are not limited to Somalia. According to the the International Committee for the Red Cross, at least one-quarter of Africa's population now faces food insecurity due to factors like drought and higher prices.

Climate change is quickly becoming a constant threat for the continent. At the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, industrialized nations continued to grapple with the reality that Africa, specifically, was poised to bear the brunt of a problem that was not of its own making. While the nations at the conference reaffirmed a pledge that would see developed nations provide $100 billion annually to developing ones to help transform their economies and meet greenhouse gas emissions targets, the delivery of that money has fallen short.

Even more problematic is an agreement for rich nations to provide loss and damage funding for poorer ones to deal with the costs of catastrophic events linked to climate change such as the ongoing drought in eastern Africa.

Of course, the dire situation in Somalia is not an isolated one. As global temperatures continue to rise, the IPCC warns, by 2030 half the continent of Africa could be displaced as a result of climate change.
FIRST ON FOX: In an open letter to President Biden Wednesday, 46 retired U.S. generals and admirals voiced their opposition to the ongoing negotiations with Iran on striking a nuclear deal.

"In Ukraine, we are bearing witness to the horrors of a country ruthlessly attacking its neighbor and, by brandishing its nuclear weapons, forcing the rest of the world largely to stand on the sidelines," the letter, penned in coordination with the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), said. "The new Iran deal currently being negotiated, which Russia has played a central role in crafting, will enable the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to cast its own nuclear shadow over the Middle East."

Top military officials expressed concern that the Biden administrations determination to re-enter a nuclear deal with Tehran could weaken the U.S.s position to hold Iran accountable.

BIDEN WARNED BY IRANIAN AMERICAN SCIENTISTS, SCHOLARS OVER PERILS OF REMOVING TERROR STATUS

Despite warnings from member nations like the U.K., France and Germany, the U.S. abandoned the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 under the Trump administration over what it regarded as weak points in the deal.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), did not report that Tehran had violated the JCPOA, but Irans continued deployment of ballistic missiles  capable of carrying a nuclear warhead  prompted the U.S. to withdraw from the agreement.

Retired Air Force Gen. Charles Wald, who also formerly served as deputy commander of U.S, European Command, said he supports finding a solution to the nuclear issue in the Middle East through diplomacy, but argued no deal is better than a bad deal.

"The idea of an agreement is a good idea. We agree with diplomacy," Wald told Fox News. "But we agreed with a fair agreement that would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon breakout and then have weapons delivery systems that would then change the dynamic in the Middle East  particularly for Israel but all other countries too."

Wald said one of his chief concerns with the latest deal is that the Biden administration is not considering Irans role in fueling terrorism and backing rebel groups in the war in Yemen  a war that has prompted one of the greatest humanitarian crises.

A huge mural of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, includes an inset of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on March 8, 2020, in Tehran, Iran. Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

DEMOCRATS BAND TOGETHER TO RAISE CONCERNS WITH IRAN NUKE DEAL REVIVAL: 'WE CAN'T STAY QUIET'

President Biden made re-entering a nuclear agreement with Iran a chief priority of his administration and indirect talks through European allies have been on and off for roughly a year.

But reports surfaced late last month suggesting the administration was considering a request from Iran to remove its top military branch, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations.

In exchange, the U.S. has called on Iran to end its support for terrorist organizations fueling unrest in the region  but several groups from Iranian American scientists to retired military commanders have little faith Iran will live up to this commitment.

"Thats a red flag," Wald said in reference to removing the IRGC as a designated terrorist group. "That just doesn't sit well with us because the IRGC is the most malicious group in the region."

The retired general said the death of 600 U.S. military members could be attributed "directly" to IRGC, and noted they continue to attack U.S. and allied forces in the region.

Talks between western nations and Iran appeared to be stalled and officials involved in the negotiations remain tight-lipped on deal specifics.

Wald said he would need to see "unfettered access by the IAEA" and assurances that Iran will not continue with its ballistic missile system even if a nuclear agreement is reached, in order for him to support a deal with Iran.

"The Iranians will push up to the point where they know something bad is going happen to them," Wald continued. "So the more difficult we make for them to operate with impunity, the more they're going to take advantage of it."
President Joe Biden is getting both praise and criticism after doubling down on describing Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine as "genocide" -- the first time he's used the term since the invasion began nearly 50 days ago -- even as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for weeks has claimed that is what's happening on the ground.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended his use of the term, as she did when Biden called Putin a "war criminal" and when he said "cannot remain in power," saying Wednesday the president was simply expressing "what he feels."

"The president was speaking to what we all see, and what he feels as clear as day in terms of the atrocities happening on the ground, as he also noted yesterday," Psaki said, before tempering his use of the term. "Of course, there will be a legal process that plays out in the courtroom but he was speaking to what he has seen on the ground, what we have all seen in terms of the atrocities on the ground."

The president was speaking to what we all see, what he feels is clear as day in terms of the atrocities happening on the ground," White House press sec. Jen Psaki says after Pres. Biden uses term genocide to describe violence against Ukrainians. https://t.co/ES46BUdKl2pic.twitter.com/gaT52njxmd  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

Pressed directly on whether Biden's comments might conflict with the U.S. policy, Psaki dismissed concerns and repeated the requirement of a "legal process" which can sometimes take years.

"He was not getting ahead of that. He was speaking on what he feels he sees on the ground," she said.

MORE: Biden blames 'Putin's price hike,' says gas prices shouldn't depend on his committing 'genocide'

"I do not think anybody is confused about the atrocities we are seeing on the ground -- and different leaders around the world describe it in different ways," Psaki added later on. "It is unquestionable that what we are seeing is horrific, the targeting of civilians, hospitals, children. The president was calling it like he sees it, and that is what he does."

Asked if Pres. Bidens use of the term genocide was unscripted, White House press sec. Jen Psaki says he is allowed to make his views known at any point. We shouldnt misunderstand...where he stands in the totem polewhich is at the top. https://t.co/V9w4Y8pcXapic.twitter.com/eWPAQTMvLR  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

State Department spokesperson Ned Price gave a similar line at his briefing Wednesday, saying Biden used the term based on "impressions that he has seen and that we all have seen," but noted the U.S. is working with international lawyers to determine if Russia's crimes meet the legal threshold.

During prepared remarks in Iowa Tuesday blaming inflation and gas prices on "Putin's price hike," Biden said, for the first time, "Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should on hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 12, 2022, en route to Washington, D.C. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

His use of the word raised questions among Washington reporters about whether it was an ad-libbed moment or a policy shift from the White House -- until Biden later insisted he meant exactly what said.

"Yes, I called it genocide," Biden told reporters after his remarks. "Because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian. And the evidence is mounting. It's different than it was last week, the more evidence is coming out of the -- literally, the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine and we're going to only learn more and more about the devastation."

For the first time, Pres. Biden uses the term "genocide" to describe Putin's actions in Ukraine. "Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should on hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away. https://t.co/2zuzc3h5ynpic.twitter.com/3kZIarNfsA  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 13, 2022

Genocide is defined as an act "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group," according to the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Biden went on to acknowledge the U.S. government has an internal, legal process for designating whether genocide has occurred but still stood by what he indicated was his opinion.

"We'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me," Biden added.

Looking at the Kremlin's words and deeds, it's becoming clear that Russia's crimes committed in Ukraine can amount to genocide. All those guilty must face justice and be punished accordingly. Estonia will support investigations every way we can. 2/2  Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 13, 2022

PHOTO: Journalists gather as bodies are exhumed from a mass-grave in the grounds of the St. Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints church in the town of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, Urkaine, on April 13, 2022. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelenskyy has argued -- and pleaded -- for weeks that Russia has met this definition and called on Western leaders to use the same term, so was quick to applaud Biden's comments as "true words of a true leader."

True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.    (@ZelenskyyUa) April 12, 2022

The Kremlin, meanwhile, blasted the comment as Putin indicated this week indicated his invasion won't stop until his goals are met and said peace talks with Kyiv had reached a "dead end."

"We consider this kind of effort to distort the situation unacceptable," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. "This is hardly acceptable from a president of the United States, a country that has committed well-known crimes in recent times."

It's not clear how many Western leaders will go as far as Biden and Zelenskyy -- or what will take for them to reach the same conclusion.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on the development of the Russian Arctic zone via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, on April 13, 2022. (Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

No other Western nations have made the determination, aside from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tying Russia's crimes to the term in a tweet. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested Wednesday he's more "careful" with his words than the American president, saying only that "war crimes" have been confirmed.

"So far, it has been established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and bring them to justice," Macron told France 2 in an interview.

"I am very careful with some terms [genocide] these days," he added. "I'm not sure the escalation of words is helping the cause right now."

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Russia says 1,026 Ukrainians surrendered in Mariupol

Asked directly by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce about Macron's criticism Wednesday, Psaki declined to comment.

Macron also rebuked Biden's language last month, when asked about Biden calling Putin a "butcher" and saying he "cannot remain in power" during remarks in Warsaw.

"I wouldn't use those terms, because I continue to speak to President Putin," Macron said in another interview with France 3. "Because what do we want to do collectively? We want to stop the war that Russia launched in Ukraine, without waging war and without escalation."

PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 9, 2022. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Biden stood by his words then, saying he was "expressing moral outrage" but also clarified that he wasn't "articulating a policy change" amid some fallout.

MORE: Biden makes 'no apologies' for saying Putin 'cannot remain in power'

It's unclear now what pushed Biden to change his stance on using the term "genocide" -- because asked directly last week if he thought the atrocities documented in Bucha were genocide, he said no.

"I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter, you saw what happened in Bucha," Biden said on April 4. "He is a war criminal -- but we have to gather the information, we have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue to fight, and we have to gather all the detail so this could be an actual -- have a war crime trial. This guy is brutal. What's happening in Bucha is outrageous, and everyone sees it."

Asked directly, "You agree this is genocide?"

No, it is a war crime," Biden replied.

PHOTO: A man lights a candle during a Sunday service in an Orthodox church in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 10, 2022. (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

MORE: Russia could mask chemical weapons with riot control agents: Pentagon update Day 48

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan followed Biden's comment the same day by saying the administration had not yet seen the "systematic deprivation of life" necessary to meet the definition of genocide.

"This is something we, of course, continue to monitor every day. Based on what we have seen so far, we have seen atrocities, we have seen war crimes. We have not yet seen a level of systematic deprivation of life of the Ukrainian people to rise to the level of genocide," Sullivan said.

ABC News Conor Finnegan, Sarah Kolinovsky, Molly Nagle and Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

Biden gets praise, criticism for calling Russia's actions in Ukraine 'genocide' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Mentions of Donald Trump have been rare at the first few trials for people charged with storming the U.S. Capitol, but that has changed: The latest Capitol riot defendant to go on trial is blaming his actions on the former president and his false claims about a stolen election.

Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man charged with stealing a coat rack from the Capitol, doesn't deny that he joined the mob on Jan. 6, 2021. But his lawyer vowed Tuesday to show that Trump abused his power to authorize the attack.

Describing Trump as a man without scruples or integrity, defense attorney Samuel Shamansky said the former president engaged in a sinister plot to encourage Thompson and other supporters to do his dirty work.

Its Donald Trump himself spewing the lies and using his position to authorize this assault, Shamansky told jurors Tuesday during the trial's opening statements.

Justice Department prosecutor Jennifer Rozzoni said Thompson knew he was breaking the law that day.

He chose to be a part of the mayhem and chaos, she said.

Thompson's lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as witnesses at his trial this week. A judge rejected that request but ruled that jurors can hear recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions. The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts with which they were charged.

The White House in the background, President Trump speaks at a rally in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

In a February court filing, Shamansky said he wanted to argue at trial that Thompson was acting at the direction of Trump and his various conspirators. The lawyer asked to subpoena others from Trump's inner circle, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former White House senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Trump lawyers John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

Prosecutors said Thompson can't show that Trump or Giuliani had the authority to empower him to break the law. They also noted that video of the rally speeches perfectly captures the tone, delivery and context of the statements to the extent they are marginally relevant" to proof of Thompson's intent on Jan. 6.

Thompson's lawyer argued that Trump would testify that he and others  orchestrated a carefully crafted plot to call into question the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Shamansky claimed that Giuliani incited rioters by encouraging them to engage in trial by combat and that Trump provoked the mob by saying that if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

Shamansky said Thompson, who lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, became an avid consumer of the conspiracy theories and lies about a stolen election.

This is the garbage that Dustin Thompson is listening to day after day after day, Shamansky said. He goes down this rabbit hole. He listens to this echo chamber. And he acts accordingly.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled in March that any in-person testimony by Trump or Giuliani could confuse and mislead jurors.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from Jan. 6. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson has a co-defendant, Robert Lyon, who pleaded guilty to riot-related charges in March.

Thompson, then 36, and Lyon, then 27, drove from Columbus, Ohio, to Silver Spring, Maryland, stayed overnight at a hotel and then took an Uber ride into Washington, D.C., on the morning of Jan. 6. After then-President Donald Trumps speech, Thompson and Lyon headed over to the Capitol.

Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Trump storm the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Thompson was wearing a Trump 2020 winter hat and a bulletproof vest when he entered the Capitol and went to the Senate Parliamentarians Office, where he stole two bottles of liquor and a coat rack worth up to $500, according to prosecutors.

Thompson and Lyon traded text messages during the riot.

Some girl died already, Lyon said in one text, an apparent reference to a law enforcement officer's fatal shooting of a rioter, Ashli Babbitt

Was it Pelosi? Thompson replied.

Im taking our country back," Thompson later texted Lyon.

Around 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, Thompson and Lyon were sitting on a sidewalk and waiting for an Uber driver to pick them up when Capitol police officers approached and warned them that they were in a restricted area. As they started to leave, Thompson picked up a coat rack that appeared to be from the Capitol, the FBI said. Thompson ran away when the officers told him to put down the rack, dropping it as he fled. Lyon stayed behind and identified himself and Thompson to police.

That night, Thompson received a text from his wife that said, I will not post bail.

The FBI said agents later searched Lyons cellphone and found a video that showed a ransacked office and Thompson yelling: Wooooo! Merica Hey! This is our house! A surveillance video also captured Thompson leaving a Capitol office with a bottle of bourbon, the FBI said.

Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress' joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Lyon pleaded guilty to theft of government property and disorderly conduct. Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of 1 year imprisonment. Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.
A view of the Milky Way is framed by Joshua trees at Joshua Tree National Park. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

State biologists on Wednesday recommended against designating the western Joshua tree as threatened with extinction, saying claims in a petition filed by environmentalists about the effects climate change will have on the living symbols of the California desert are premature.

A final decision by the state Fish and Game Commission on the petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity is expected in June. If the Joshua tree is not listed as threatened, it will be up to local jurisdictions to set limits on development of commercial, residential and solar and wind projects across thousands of acres of southeastern Californias sunniest real estate.

About 40% of the western Joshua trees range is on private land, where state endangered-species laws would apply, according to the petition. The area includes the rapidly growing cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Hesperia, Victorville and Yucca Valley.

The renewable energy industry, while under fire for gobbling up desert land, maintains that by helping to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, it is helping to mitigate climate change and the threat it poses to sensitive desert species such as the western Joshua tree.

The western Joshua tree "is currently abundant and widespread," wrote authors of a 158-page analysis made public Wednesday. This abundance "substantially lowers the threat of extinction within the foreseeable future," the document said.

The analysis determined that scientific evidence currently possessed by state wildlife authorities "does not demonstrate that populations of the species are negatively trending in a way that would lead the department to believe that the species is likely to be in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future."

Advocates for western Joshua trees vigorously objected to the recommendation.

Current domestic and global warming trends cast doubt on the trees future survival, said Brendan Cummings, conservation director of the Center for Biological Diversity and a resident of the San Bernardino County desert community of Joshua Tree. The species will likely be close to extinction in California by century's end," he said.

Put another way  when the Titanic hit the iceberg, the ships captain didnt wait until nearly everyone on board had drowned to issue an SOS, he added. But that is essentially what state biologists are asking us to do with western Joshua trees in distress.

As of this month, the entire range of the western Joshua tree remains in severe or extreme drought, and a recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report predicted those conditions may become the norm after 2030. Scientific modeling suggests the western Joshua tree in Joshua Tree National Park will lose upward of 90% of its current range by the end of the century.

Recognizing a species as warranting protection under the California Endangered Species Act primarily due to the threat of climate change, however, is something that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has never done before.

The polar bear became the first and only creature designated as threatened with extinction primarily because of global warming when it was added to the federal endangered species list in 2008. But federal authorities also issued special rules designed to exempt from the law offshore oil and gas drilling in prime polar bear habitat off Alaskas north coast.

Jeremy Yoder, an evolutionary geneticist at Cal State Northridge, was disappointed by Wednesday's recommendation. We should take care of these trees now, before we have fewer options to work with, he said.

Yoder suggests identifying areas where trees are struggling and replanting them with seeds genetically calibrated to withstand the harshest conditions. More research is needed, however, to identify such areas with confidence, he said.

The western Joshua tree is one of two genetically distinct species that occur in California. It has a boomerang-shaped range that extends westward from Joshua Tree National Park to the northern slopes of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, then northward along the eastern flanks of the Sierra Nevada and then eastward to the edges of Death Valley National Park.

The eastern Joshua Trees range in California is centered in the Mojave National Preserve and eastward into Nevada. As many as 1 million eastern Joshua trees were incinerated by the 2020 Dome fire in the preserve.

While both the western and eastern species of Joshua tree are of conservation concern, the fate of the western species is most in doubt. Although there are millions of western Joshua trees and its extinction is not imminent, recent studies show its range is contracting at lower elevations and its reproduction has all but come to a halt in many areas.

After the petition was filed in 2019, the state wildlife commission unanimously voted to advance the western Joshua trees candidacy, saying there was substantial information indicating the listing may be warranted.

Since then, new scientific studies have been published assessing ever-increasing threats to its habitat: sprawl, renewable energy projects, military activities, grazing, off-road vehicles, mining projects, an ongoing boom in construction of warehouses in Victor Valley and Antelope Valley, and the most severe drought in at least 1,200 years.

Supporters of the petition include U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and environmental organizations led by Sierra Club California, Hispanic Access Foundation, Vet Voice Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Assn. and the Native American Land Conservancy.

On a recent morning, Cummings hiked across a mile-square nature preserve near Joshua Tree National Park created, in part, to give federally endangered desert tortoises and more than 1,000 western Joshua trees within its boundaries a fighting chance for survival.

The twisted canopies of dagger-shaped leaves were festooned with large cream-colored blooms recently pollinated by half-inch-long moths.

But signs of distress included bark eaten off trunks by small mammals desperate for food and moisture. Some trees had been charred by brush fires in exotic grasses  grasses that feed off nitrogen-heavy smog wafting in from Los Angeles. The forest has not reproduced baby Joshua trees in decades.

Thats because  according to scientists  hotter, drier conditions, cause the scant rainfall to evaporate more quickly than in years past. As a result, seedlings shrivel up and die before they can put down strong roots.

The low productive rate of the western Joshua tree may prevent it from expanding quickly enough into cooler and wetter habitat, scientists say. The trees capacity for movement is about a few hundred yards a generation.

But devising an enforcement and permitting system for preservation of western Joshua trees presents formidable logistical challenges. given their broad range and prevalence.

The species scientists know as Yucca brevifolia reaches about 40 feet in height and lives about 200 years.

Judging from the seeds in fossilized dung, Joshua trees were once dispersed across desert landscapes with help from elephant-size giant ground sloths. But those sloths went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Today, antelope squirrels and other rodents are the Joshua trees main agents of seed dispersal.

The trees' blossoms, roots, inner chambers and angular boughs sustain a great abundance and diversity of desert life: yucca moths, bobcats, desert night lizards, kangaroo rats and 20 species of birds, including Scotts orioles, ladder-backed woodpeckers and great horned owls.

More is at stake than their importance as a critical refuge for desert species. Joshua trees, which grow in the Mojave Desert and nowhere else, have become mainstays for movies, fashion shoots, advertising campaigns and wedding ceremonies.

They were named for the biblical figure Joshua by members of a band of Mormons traveling through the Cajon Pass back to Utah in 1857. They imagined the trees as shaggy prophets, their outstretched limbs pointing the way to their promised land.

During the 1980s, development in desert boom towns such as Lancaster and Palmdale replaced hundreds of thousands of Joshua trees with housing tracts and shopping centers. Many more were removed over the last decade to make way for renewable energy facilities.

Now, the biggest threat is climate change, according to Cameron Barrows, a research ecologist at UC Riverside, who said he wanted to see Joshua trees listed because such protections might act as a catalyst toward creation of land-use proposals that would benefit wildlife and developers alike.

In the meantime, environmentalists are hopeful the commission will still vote to list western Joshua trees.

"This recommendation is a subtle form of climate change denial," Cummings said. "Instead of taking action, they're kicking the can down the road."





For the record:

10:34 p.m. April 13, 2022: An earlier version of this article said the Dome fire occurred in 2021. It was in 2020.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
With an overcast sky offering a break from the ever-watchful eyes of Russian drones and the artillery barrages that often follow, a young Ukrainian soldier joined his squad for a bit of fresh air on the patio of what had been a cultural center.

When it's good weather the Russians can correct their targeting with the drones," said Nesquik, a 26-year-old with the smooth face of a boy whose nickname comes from a chocolate drink. "Today, theyre just shooting where they think the targets are  they have artillery to spare.

The thud of explosions rumbled somewhere in the distance.

You hear little else in Posad Pokrovske, a farming hamlet in southern Ukraine transformed into a tableau of destruction: Houses with gap-toothed roofs or entire wings gutted by artillery. A starving pig trotting down a crater-riddled street searching for food. The side of the village school slashed open by a blast, spilling concrete blocks and schoolbooks into the playground. And silence.

Fighting in Posad Pokrovske, Ukraine, destroyed the village school. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

In the almost seven weeks since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade, Ukrainian troops have pushed back the front line in the south from the edge of Mykolaiv, a vital port nearly 70 miles northeast of the Black Sea city of Odesa, to the southeast toward Kherson, the first and  so far  only major city occupied by the Russians.

That drew the fight out of the dense urban areas and onto the plains astride the M14 highway, leaving wheat fields littered with the spent tubes of Smerch cluster rockets and antitank weapons. Farming villages with birch-lined streets and quaint cottages became sites of clashes of men and armor.

Posad Pokrovske, which liesalmost exactly equidistant between Mykolaiv and Kherson, is the last point under Ukrainian control. Russian troops are less than a mile away on the village edge, but they were inside until March 13, when Nesquiks group, which had mobilized from Odesa and was tasked with liberating a string of villages in the area, entered Posad Pokrovske and surprised them.

A man with a dog searches a building hit by Russian rockets in the southern Ukraine village of Zelenyi Hai. (Bulent Kilic / AFP-Getty Images)

They didnt expect to see us here, but when they did, they came at us with technicals, tanks, artillery, infantry, he said, nodding at a row of half-destroyed buildings down the street.

Most of the damage you see is from that day.

Since then, the fight in the village has become a game of hide-and-seek-then-kill, each side struggling to find an opening and drive the other back. But with Moscow reorienting its forces to focus on Ukraines Donbas region, the battle is set to change again: Rather than aiming for Odesa, Russian troops are hunkering down to secure their rear while they push toward the east in what may become the bloodiest campaign of the war.

A vegetable warehouse burns after an artillery barrage in the village of Shevchenkove, Ukraine. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times)

Theyre not attacking. Instead, were seeing the Russians now build defenses, and were trying not to let them do this, Nesquik said. They understand that with the Dnieper River behind them in Kherson, they have nowhere to go. If theyre pushed out, they wont be able to come back.

Such is the hope of a young man with a gun and a country to save. Skirmishes have been replaced by artillery duels between the two sides, slowly denuding life from the territory one barrage at a time.

Posad Pokrovske once had some 2,300 residents; none remain. Over in Shevchenkove, a sleepy village four miles up the road toward Mykolaiv, more than two-thirds of the people have disappeared, said Father Pavlo, the priest presiding over St. John Church. That figure feels like a large underestimate.

With gilt-framed portraits of Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph looking down on him, Father Pavlo, a soft-spoken man in his late 40s with blue eyes and a pony tail, sighed and gave a wry smile when asked about the state of his parish.

We have five different denominations in the village. This is an Orthodox church, but right now, were like a big family, he said.

Around him were stacked boxes of rice, muesli, cookies, crackers and black pouches of something called Coconutty Curry. By way of explanation, he pointed at the boxes, saying that the church had become in effect a community assistance center.

We started collecting donations from friends, from the Mykolaiv government. We have people with their cars delivering assistance, evacuating people, he said. Those with houses still intact were hosting those whose homes had been damaged in the fighting, he added.

We also try to help the injured, or take the dead.

There had been no lack of both in recent days. A few hours earlier on Monday, a shell injured one man, and the evening before an artillery round killed another resident. Two were killed the day before that. Earlier in the war, the head of the local council was killed, local media reported, and the mayor was kidnapped by the Russians last month when he went to deliver aid to other villages. Hes thought to be held somewhere in Crimea. Then four days ago, a barrage snapped through some of the power lines, knocking out electricity and forcing whoever remained here to rely on generators.

Those events had joined a lengthening litany of afflictions and mourning for the dead. Asked about those who still remained, Father Pavlos eyes turned a shiny red and his lips quivered. He turned and walked away. He looked at a painting of one of the saints until he regained his composure.

For 10 years I've tried to build the church," he said. "It's hard, of course. Now I'm happy when people leave to a safe area. Im upset if someone returns because its too dangerous.

Those still here, he said, have no choice but to stay, immobilized either because of ill health, old age or taking care of someone.

One of those in the last category was Natalya Steblina, 41, a surprisingly jovial woman who stayed with her 82-year-old mother, two grandsons, a dog and a cat.

"Yes, I'm afraid, but what can I do? I hope it will be OK. I don't want to leave. My grandsons, my mom, none of them want to leave. So we help each other," she said. The cat rubbed against her leg (she wore shorts despite the cold) as explosions thundered somewhere over the horizon.

"When they want, they do that," she said, cocking her ear at the sound of the barrage.

"Day, night, any time."

Yet even in the relative safety of Mykolaiv, some 12 miles to the northeast, there is still fear. An industrial yet elegant ship-building hub on the confluence of two rivers, the city has regained some of its daily rhythms.

The weekend saw brisk pedestrian traffic on its avenues and riverfront boulevards, with people enjoying a sunny day and shrugging off the morbid thoughts of the first weeks of war. Many crowded into liquor stores (they only open on weekends) to load up. But night brought the familiar drumbeat of explosions once again, including a blast that sent windows across the city rattling and pushed Vitaliy Kim, Mykolaiv's pugnacious regional governor, to issue a video the next day reassuring residents.

A Ukrainian soldier in the southern village of Zelenyi Hai, between Kherson and Mykolaiv. (Bulent Kilic / AFP-Getty Images)

Meanwhile, for any who believe Mykolaiv is clear of danger, the wreckage of the regional administration building  the entire middle section was clawed out by a Russian ballistic missile late last month, killing 38 people, authorities say  stands as a powerful counterargument.

Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevich visited the site this week, squinting in the sun as he gazed at the pancaked floors and an air-conditioning unit suspended from a wire somehow still attached to the building's roof.

When people ask me if its safe to stay, I tell them 10 civilians died last week and more than 40 were injured. If that sounds safe to you, then stay. But I think you should leave, so we can fight more easily, Senkevich said, adding that hundreds were being shuttled to the border with Moldova every day.

A onetime IT entrepreneur turned politician, Senkevich had traded his suit for gray tactical pants, a fleece sweatshirt and a short-nozzled AK-47SU equipped with a silencer and flash suppressor. It was a switch he had done in the run-up to the invasion, but he kept it on because he didn't see a respite coming.

We need to be prepared for any kind of situation, especially when we see the Russian troops are now regrouping, he said.

People even sometimes forget that theres war. I would say that people feel too comfortable.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosted their 36nd Annual Salute to the Military Ball on Saturday, April 9th at the historic Hotel del Coronado. The Chamber welcomed over 175 active-duty military guests and their dates, as well as over 200 community members for a fabulous evening in the beautiful Crown Room. This years theme, The Young and the Brave: Applauding Our Military Kids showcased the sacrifices and challenges that the youngest family members of our service men and women face with the life style they live in support of their parents.
VANTAA, Finland  Antti Kettunen pulls out his Glock 17, aims and shoots at a target on either side of a barrier before sprinting over to a jagged wall with holes in it and firing again.

Its another Tuesday night of training for the Vantaa Reserves Association, the local chapter of the Finnish Reservists Association. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, these nights at a range have felt different.

Theres an extra energy in the air, perhaps best shown by anxious chatter over the groups social media channels or its increased numbers. More than a quarter of its 1,354 members joined in the past several weeks.

Since war broke out in Europe, thousands of Finns have signed up with training associations to sharpen their military skills or learn new ones such as first aid. The rise has been fueled by anxiety over Finlands geographic proximity to Russia. For the first time in their country's history, a majority of Finns are in favor of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a defensive alliance.

Our president says we are not scared, but we are aware, says Kettunen, dressed in combat boots, a camouflage vest and shirt and olive green pants. Thats quite nice to say, but where else do they (the Russians) go if the plan is to make the Great Russia, from Lisbon to the Japanese sea?

Finland is one of the few European nations with mandatory military service, primarily due to its 830-mile shared border and memories of battles with Russia during the past century. That history shaped its politics, which focused on neutrality during the Cold War and walking a middle ground between the West and Russia ever since as key to maintaining its independence.

In Finland, there is growing anxiety about the possibility of a Russian invasion across the 840-mile border the countries share. The Vantaa Reserves Association has seen increased membership as Finns seek to sharpen their military skills or learn first aid.

For years, joining NATO, which was created to limit Soviet expansion, seemed like a distant possibility. Now, it is an urgent option for many Finns, who note that Ukraines efforts to join the alliance were rebuffed before it was invaded.

Finnish officials have engaged in a whirlwind of meetings with European leaders, and the countrys politicians could begin the process of joining NATO by summer. Thats despite threats from Moscow about the consequences for the nation of 5.5 million should it take that route.

We never let our guard down after the Cold War ended, as many European countries did, says Janne Kuusela, director general at the Finnish Ministry of Defense. In that sense, were well placed to defend ourselves if need be in the future.

Kuusela says there is no direct threat to Finland from Russia, but there are concerns among Finns about prolonged instability in Europe. The two countries enjoyed lots of cross-border travel and trade, but that has been cut off for weeks because of sanctions enacted against Russia, he says.

There's quite poor visibility for what lies ahead, theres lots of uncertainty, and it may be that there will be a longer period of poor relations between Russia and the West, Kuusela says.

Of the 900,000 Finns who have gone through military training, 280,000 trained to mobilize in the country's wartime reserve.

Many Finns decided they want to be ready to join the fight. The 45,000-member national reservist association gained more than 6,300 members in recent months, nearly twice the number of people who joined its ranks from 2015 through 2021. The National Defense Training Association of Finland, which is supervised by the Ministry of Defense and works closely with the military, has seen up to an eightfold increase in the number of training course enrollees, and more classes are oversubscribed than ever.

Many people say they are alarmed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They want to keep their military capabilities up to date, they want to learn new things, they want maybe to make up for mandatory service they didnt take very seriously at the time, says Ossi Hietala, training officer for the National Defense Training Association of Finland. They want to make sure they are prepared for the worst.

Thats what Kettunen and his buddy Vesa Kortelainen, 44, who led drills with a half-dozen members, have heard from people joining the group. Both served in the same platoon in Kosovo decades ago.

The consensus is its not looking good for Europe at the moment, Kortelainen says, noting that although it's unlikely the war will spread, the risk is the highest it's been in his lifetime. For Finns, its more probable to go to war.

Russias invasion unified and strengthened Finland, taking the internal focus from petty partisan arguments, Kortelainen says. Now even the dreamers see that anything is possible, he says.

Kortelainen says hes been in favor of Finland joining NATO since the 1990s after the Soviet Union collapsed, but the country has been ambivalent because of its close cultural ties to Russia. Culturally, it faces East, but economically and through its values, it faces West, he says.

He says Finns have been too gullible about neutrality, wanting to be friends with Russia. After its actions in Ukraine, he wonders if this is possible.

In my opinion, the best time to apply for membership is now, and the second-best option is today, Kortelainen says.

For many Finns, memories of the Winter War in 1939 evoke a kind of post-traumatic stress and a sense of deja vu.

Soviet leader Josef Stalin used concerns over a possible attack by Nazi Germany to demand, among other things, that Finland move a portion of its border with the Soviet Union back 16 miles. After failed negotiations, the Red Army invaded with 450,000 troops. The United Nations predecessor, the League of Nations, expelled the Soviet Union for what it deemed an illegal attack.

It was like Ukraine in February, everybody cheering for Finland, but we were left quite alone, we had to fight insane odds against Russia without military support, Kortelainen says.

Despite impressive resistance, the Finns were no match for the Red Armys sheer numbers and superior military strength. After roughly three months, Finland agreed to peace terms, ceding 11% of its territory to the Soviet Union but managing to maintain its independence.

If the Finns thought their efforts to stay neutral were any protection from Russia, its war against Ukraine showed them otherwise.

Roughly 60% of Finns support joining NATO, up from prewar numbers of 20% supporting membership and the majority undecided about the matter. Finnish parents who worried about their children being forced to fight in a war have seen that Russias actions cannot be influenced by what their country does or does not do.

Russia has shown when they went to Ukraine that they never changed, says Minna Nenonen, executive director of the Finnish Reservists Association. They are always Russia, and they are always behaving the same way. So now all Finns know its very possible that at some point they could come here also.

Timo Virtanen, 35, co-founder of a Finnish IT software company, is one of six Finns who put forward a referendum to bring the question of whether Finland should join NATO to a public vote. All six found each other on a small gaming forum before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Never hugely political, Virtanen says he felt this was a moment to act: Potassium iodide pills to counteract thyroid damage from radiation are difficult to find, and anxious Finns work to ensure bomb shelters are in good working order.

Most tangible, perhaps, was watching NATO nations move their soldiers to strategic positions to protect one another while Ukraine is on its own against Russia.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has made some moves possible that just werent a year back, or a couple of months back, Virtanen says. Now it seems that we are getting on a more honest level, that, well, you (Russia) are not to be trusted. So we better do what's best for us.

For years, Finnish officials said joining NATO would require clear support from citizens. Virtanen says they never worked to increase support, often referencing the NATO option as a way to acknowledge but never truly act on the issue.

An effort to submit a pro-NATO initiative to Parliament was put forth several years ago, but Virtanen says he didnt hear about it. It failed to get enough signatures to qualify. This time around, the referendum, which went live three days before the invasion, gained the 50,000 required signatures in a week and then some  more than 76,007 people signed in support. It was sent to Parliament on March 8.

Virtanen says some of the people who signed expressed a sense of relief that perhaps by signing this thing and giving support to this initiative, at least I've done something to make Finland more secure.

Parliament isnt obliged to act on the referendum or conduct a public vote, but its submission is history-making nonetheless.

Virtanen says Finland would be an asset to NATO, given its strategic location and overall readiness as a nation.

I cant see that much harm in joining, especially since I presume that one can always resign. So why not give it a try? Virtanen said. Id be surprised if its not something well try in the next couple of years.

Tami Abdollah is a USA TODAY correspondent. Send tips via direct message @latams or email tami(at)usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Russia invade Finland? Finns prepare for war, favor joining NATO
FILE - An Israeli soldier guards an opening in Israel's West Bank separation barrier that was reinforced with barbed wire to prevent Palestinians from crossing into Israel, in the West Bank village of Nilin, west of Ramallah, April 10, 2022. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during clashes on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued a days-long operation in the occupied West Bank in response to a spate of deadly attacks. The death is the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has erupted as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during clashes on Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued a days-long operation in the occupied West Bank in response to a spate of deadly attacks.

The death is the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has erupted as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The Health Ministry said Israeli forces shot Muhammad Assaf, 34, in the chest. The Israeli military said that during counterterrorist operations, it faced violent protests in a number of locations and soldiers used live fire on protesters, who it said were throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails. It said forces hit an armed suspect during clashes in the northern West Bank town of Beita, without elaborating.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 11 others were injured as a result of the Israeli military's activities. The military said one soldier was lightly wounded in the clashes and that it arrested 15 people in its raids Wednesday.

Israel has sent troops to comb through Palestinians cities and villages in recent days, looking for suspects or accomplices tied to recent Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Last week, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on a packed Tel Aviv bar, killing three and fleeing the scene, sparking an hours-long manhunt that culminated in his killing by police.

That assault, as well as three other attacks elsewhere in Israel in recent weeks, have killed 14 people, the deadliest outburst of bloodshed against Israelis in years.

The tensions have escalated as Muslims mark Ramadan, which this year converges with major Jewish and Christian holidays. In the coming week as Passover and Easter commence, tens of thousands from the three faiths are expected to stream into Jerusalem's Old City, the emotional heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a frequent flashpoint for violence.

Israel's government has sought to lower the flames by moving ahead on its plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the holy month. But, with two of the attackers in the recent violence from Jenin and the surrounding area, Israel has tightened restrictions on movement in and out of the city.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants. Israeli forces often come under fire when operating in the area. Even the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank and coordinates with Israel on security matters, appears to have little control.

Israel had made numerous arrests in its operations in recent days, and in some cases, Palestinians have protested against the raids. Several Palestinians have been killed in the raids, or in response to attacks or attempted attacks.

Late Saturday, Palestinian protesters set fire to a West Bank shrine revered by Jews, and smashing part of the the tomb inside. On Wednesday, Israel carried out repairs to the site, known to Jews as Joseph's Tomb, and a day earlier the military said it arrested a suspect linked to the arson. The military said clashes also broke out nearby as the repairs were underway.
Man who murdered UK lawmaker Amess jailed for life FILE PHOTO: A candle and a portrait of British MP David Amess are seen at the church of St Michael's and all Angels, in Leigh-on-Sea

LONDON (Reuters) -A "cold, calculated and dangerous" man inspired by Islamic State was jailed for life on Wednesday for the murder of veteran British lawmaker David Amess after knifing him to death in a frenzied attack in a church where he was meeting voters.

Ali Harbi Ali, 26, a British citizen and son of a former media adviser to a prime minister of Somalia, repeatedly stabbed Amess in an attack last October for what he said was revenge for the lawmaker's support for airstrikes on Syria.

Ali, who was on Monday found guilty of murder and preparation of terrorism after the jury took less than half an hour to reach a verdict, was sentenced to a whole life term, meaning he will never be considered for release.

"It's clear that the man who begins a life sentence today is a cold, calculated and dangerous individual," Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said in a statement outside court following the sentencing.

"David's murder was an attack on democracy and we will never let terrorists prevail."

During the trial, prosecutors said he was a "committed, fanatical, radicalised Islamist terrorist".

The killing of 69-year-old Amess, a married father of five children and a member of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, sent shockwaves through Westminster and led to calls for better security for members of parliament (MPs), coming just five years after another lawmaker was murdered.

In a statement read out by Jukes outside court, Amess's family said they felt no elation at the sentencing.

"Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that," they said.

"We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives. Our last thought before sleep will be of David. We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy."

Ali told detectives he had spent years planning to kill a lawmaker and had previously carried out reconnaissance at the Houses of Parliament, and of two other MPs, including cabinet minister Michael Gove.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Alistair Smout and Kate Holton)
Friends and family carry the coffin of murdered journalist Lourdes Maldonado during her burial service in Tijuana, Mexico, in January. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press)

Countries in Latin America came under particularly harsh criticism in the U.S. State Department's annual report on human rights, with allies such as Mexico and adversaries including Nicaragua facing similar opprobrium.

The report released Tuesday was the first in which the Biden administration evaluated a full year of countries' behavior since taking office.

It zeroed in on many of the widely denounced human rights abuses, including the killing of journalists, discrimination against LGBTQ people, targeted murders of women, and widespread violence fueled by drug traffickers, but largely ignored by the government of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The annual reports examine actions from the previous year.

"Impunity and extremely low rates of prosecution remained a problem for all crimes, including human rights abuses and corruption," the report said, noting that culprits are rarely brought to justice in some of the most notorious killings, torture and other atrocities. "There were reports some government agents were complicit with international organized criminal gangs, and prosecution and conviction rates were low for these abuses."

Under the administration of former President Trump, however, Mexico largely got a free pass in the report as long as it cooperated with U.S. efforts to block migrants from crossing the southern border.

Nicaragua, which has not been a U.S. ally for years, has seen a recent increase in the abuse of citizens' rights under the government of President Daniel Ortega, including freedom of speech and dissent, the report said. Ortega and his wife and Vice President Rosario Murillo, have awarded themselves an unprecedented fourth term in office by "arbitrarily jailing" all potential electoral challengers, the report said.

The report also noted that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro  another staunch Trump ally  has engaged in specious attacks on journalists, Indigenous leaders and environmentalists, in a country where the Amazon rainforest is being degraded by big-business agriculture.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, who presented the report, decried the "alarming recession" of human and civil rights in many parts of the world, including countries thought until recently to be on a democratic path.

"The information contained in these reports could not be more vital or urgent given ongoing human rights abuses and violations in many countries, continued democratic backsliding on several continents, and creeping authoritarianism that threatens both human rights and democracy," Blinken said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Members of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies work near the scene of a subway shooting in Brooklyn April 12 after at least 10 people were shot during the morning rush hour.

Latest updates: Man initially named 'person of interest' in Brooklyn subway shooting is now a suspect, mayor says

NEW YORK Police are searching for a "person of interest" in the chaotic attack on a Brooklyn subway during rush hour Tuesday morning, a man they say posted violent ramblings online.

But authorities stopped short of saying the man they identified, Frank James, 62, was considered a suspect. Police said he was not in custody as of Tuesday night and no charges were filed.

No one died but the attack left at least 29 injured, New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at an evening news conference. James has ties to both Wisconsin and Philadelphia, authorities said.

The attacker, wearing a gas mask, set off two smoke grenades before shooting. He fled the Brooklyn platform in the panic, leaving a subway car filled with screaming commuters and bleeding victims. At least 10 people were shot and at least 19 others were taken to hospitals for injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to shrapnel wounds.

Authorities say the gunman fired 33 times with a Glock 17 9mm semi-handgun, which was found in the subway. Searching the subway car, investigators also found two non-detonated smoke grenades, a hatchet, gasoline, fireworks and a key to a U-Haul van.

The key led police to James, who they said is believed to have rented it in Philadelphia. Authorities found the van in Brooklyn near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

Inside the attack: How the Brooklyn subway shooting unfolded

Sewell noted investigators were poring over social media posts appearing to come from James where he mentioned homelessness and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. She said the mayor's security detail would be tightened out of an "abundance of caution."

"We are truly fortunate that this was not significantly worse than it is," Sewell said.

Authorities were reviewing several social media pages, including YouTube videos appearing to feature James discussing a variety of issues from Black rights and slavery to the recent mass shooting in Sacramento and the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to comment publicly.

The accounts feature dozens of videos that include ramblings of violent threats and black superiority, along with beliefs that Black violence was the outcome of systemic racism that prevented minorities from being successful.

In one of the videos, posted the day before the subway attack, a man details that he'd been through a lot and wanted to harm people. But he said he did not want to be jailed.

I can say I wanted to kill people. I wanted to watch people die," the man says in the footage.

Another video being reviewed by police, posted in February show a 16-minute black-and-white clip of the 1967 movie "The Incident." Based on a play called "Ride With Terror," the clip shows two street hoods who lock 14 passengers inside a New York City subway car and terrorize them; the footage posted in the YouTube video shows a Black couple being racially harassed by one of the bigoted white aggressors on the train.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to improve safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video  called Dear Mr. Mayor  is somewhat critical of Adams plan to end gun violence, which has become an early focus of the Democrat's first term in office.

Throughout the day, police helicopters hovered above the Manhattan-bound N train in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood as authorities investigated the scene.

WHAT WE KNOW: 'We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized'

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced last fall that it had put security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an express track to justice.But police said cameras were not working in at least three subway stations and were investigating the issues.

Investigators believe the gunman's weapon jammed, preventing the gunman from continuing to fire, the officials said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives completed an urgent trace to identify the guns manufacturer, seller and initial owner.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun violence and the threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nations busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to San Francisco.

The shooting occurred before 8:30 a.m. on a Manhattan-bound N train in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a news conference.

The train was waiting to enter the 36th Street station when the man put on the gas mask and set off two smoke grenades. The train filled with smoke as the man fired, Sewell said. The shooter, whom Sewell described as a Black male with a heavy build, wore a green construction vest and a gray sweatshirt, she said.

New York City Fire Department First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said 10 people were shot.Sewell said none of the injuries was life-threatening.

Firefighters responded to a call about smoke at the subway station at 36th Street and 4th Avenue. Crews found the shooting victims and several "undetonated devices," according to a New York City Fire Department statement.

Sewell said Tuesday afternoon there were no known explosive devices on the train. The incident was not being investigated as an act of terrorism "at this time," but she asked for the public's assistance with any photos, videos or information about the incident and shooter.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said New Yorkers' "sense of tranquility and normalness was disrupted brutally by an individual so cold-hearted and depraved of heart that they had no caring about the individuals that they assaulted."

President Joe Biden offered his prayers for the victims of the subway shooting and praised those who quickly sprang into action.

Were grateful for all the first responders who jumped into action, including civilians who didn't hesitate to help their fellow passengers and try to shield them, he said during a trip to an Iowa processing plant that produces ethanol.

In addition to the gunshot victims, other people suffered from smoke inhalation, shrapnel wounds and injuries related to the panic after the shooting, Kavanagh said.

Twenty-one people were taken to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn after the attack. Ten were released by Tuesday afternoon. The 11 remaining patients were treated for injuries including gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation. They were all in stable condition, spokeswoman Lacy Scarmana said. New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital said three patients injured in the attack were treated. One was shot, another had a fractured bone, and the third was not trauma-related. All three were in stable condition.

Five people were treated at Maimonides Medical Center, spokeswoman Suzanne Tammaro said. Three were treated for smoke inhalation and released. The other two had been shot, though the injuries weren't life-threatening.

Avellana De La Cruz, 25, was texting her boss that she would be late to work while waiting for the subway when dozens of people, some with bloodstains, started running out of the station. De La Cruz said people were crying and shouting while others called the police or recorded with their phones.

Confused, De La Cruz remained at the station until an announcement told riders to evacuate. As De La Cruz exited the station, a woman covered in blood with a wound across her face asked for help finding police. Together, they left the subway and found an ambulance.

"One minute I was on my phone, and the next everyone was running and crying," De La Cruz said. "It was chaos in there and hard to focus on whether the attack was really over."

Tim ODonnell, 31, who regularly commutes into Manhattan on the N train, said he had headphones on when he heard a conductor tell riders to board an R train across the platform. Then he heard the loudspeaker announcement to evacuate.

On the way out, ODonnell said, he saw a man with his pant leg rolled up and what appeared to be a bloody gash on his leg. O'Donnell said he thought the man might have fallen on the steps in the drizzling rain, but he received texts about the shooting as he headed home.

Photos on social media showed multiple people bleeding on a smoky subway platform shortly after reports of the shooting. The subway station serves the D, N and R lines, which all run into Manhattan. Services on the lines in Brooklyn and some Manhattan stations were suspended, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Rogelio Miranda, a cashier at a nearby supermarket, said he was working an early shift when a woman came inside, screamed, "There's blood all over the station" and ran into the restroom. The store stayed open, and people came inside to wait for cabs and Ubers, Miranda said.

"Violence on the subway isn't new to our area, but seeing so many people so terrified and so many people saying they saw people covered in blood, it's crazy," Miranda said.

John Chiu, who works in sales around the corner from the subway station, said that about 10 minutes after he arrived at his office, he heard police sirens blaring.

I thought it was just another accident because  honestly, its an everyday occurrence, said Chiu, who normally drives to work from his Flatbush home.

Within a few minutes, Chiu knew it was something more. He checked to see whether everyone who normally takes the subway had arrived at work. They all had. "It was a relief," he said.

Members of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies work near the scene of a subway shooting in Brooklyn April 12 after at least 10 people were shot during the morning rush hour.

Adams, who cleared his schedule of in-person public events after testing positive for the coronavirus, received continuous briefings, spokesman Fabien Levy tweeted.

"We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual," Adams said in a brief video.

Crime in the city's sprawling subway system has ticked up. Transit crime has increased 68% compared with 2021, NYPD statistics show.

Adams released a safety plan this year as part of efforts to lower crime on the subway.

The subway system has been the target of several mass attacks. In December 2017, a homemade bomb detonated in a pedestrian tunnel that links two train lines to a bus terminal in midtown Manhattan. No one was killed, but three people suffered minor injuries. Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi immigrant, was convicted on terrorism charges for carrying out the attack on behalf of the Islamic State.

Dozens of riders were injured in December 1994 when two homemade gasoline bombs exploded in a crowded downtown No. 4 train that was stopped in the Fulton Street station beneath the Manhattan financial district. Edward Leary, a New Jersey computer analyst enraged by the loss of his job, was found guilty in 1996.

Najibullah Zazi, a legal permanent resident of the USA from Afghanistan, acquired bombmaking components and drove them to New York, intending a series of strikes in September 2009.

When he learned authorities were investigating the plot, he discarded the explosives and drove back to Denver, where he was arrested. Then-Attorney General Eric Holder described the plot as "one of the most serious terrorist threats to our nation since Sept. 11, 2001."

"It could have been devastating," Holder said.

Contributing: Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brooklyn subway shooting: Person of interest ID'd; dozens injured
Police apprehended Frank R. James, who will face federal terror charges for allegedly opening fire on a Brooklyn subway, wounding 10 and injuring 13 others, officials said.

James was taken into custody on Wednesday after police received a Crime Stoppers tip directing them to the East Village neighborhood of New York City, authorities said.

Police sources told NBC News they believe James called the tip line himself, saying he was at a McDonalds on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. This is Frank. You guys are looking for me ... my phone is about to die, the sources say the caller said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is in isolation following a positive Covid-19 test, told reporters in a video feed, My fellow New Yorkers, we got him."

The tip that led to James' arrest originally took police to the McDonald's on First Avenue and East Sixth Street before officers found him a short time later, two blocks away at St. Mark's Place, ending an intense 30-hour manhunt, officials said.

As he was led out of the 9th Precinct station house on his way to jail, a handcuffed James declined to answer any questions shouted at him by reporters and photographers.

"We used every resource at our disposal to gather and process significant evidence that directly links Mr. James to the shooting," NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters.

"We were able to shrink his world quickly. There was nowhere left for him to run."

Police declined at the press conference to say who phoned in the key tip leading to James' arrest. Sewell was asked directly if James called in on himself and she declined to answer.

Were reviewing who made that call, Sewell said.

James will be charged with a federal crime, for allegedly carrying out a terrorist act on mass transit, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

The suspect could face life in prison, according to the prosecutor.

Yesterday was a dark day for all of us," Peace said. "But the bright spots of the incredible heroism of our fellow New Yorkers, helping each other in a time of crisis, the quick response by our first responders, and the hard work by all of our law enforcement partners that has been ongoing, is truly a bright spot here."

Earlier on Wednesday, authorities called James a suspect rather than a person of interest.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC New York apparently showed James swiping a subway card, trying to enter a station before Tuesday's attack, giving authorities a clearer look at the suspect.

It was still wasnt clear Wednesday why that particular subway train or station was targeted, if they were at all.

Police even left open the possibility that Tuesdays attack might have been a spur-of-the-moment act.

He popped the smoke grenade and we have one witness who says What did you do?' NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said. "He goes 'oops' and then he pops the (other smoke canister), brandishes the firearm and fires 33 times."

Piecing together a potential motive had been a secondary concern for investigators looking for James.

First and foremost, we wanted to get him off the street," Essig said.

Police escort Frank R James who is wanted in connection with Tuesday's mass subway shooting in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Obtained by NBC News)

Exclusive footage shows Frank R. James swiping into subway on Tuesday in New York. (NBC New York)

James has a lengthy arrest record in New York City and across the Hudson River in New Jersey, according to Essig.

Between 1992 and 1998, he was arrested nine times in the five boroughs for offenses that include possession of burglary tools, a criminal sex act and theft of service. His New Jersey arrests were in 1991, 1992 and 2007 for trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct.

The shift in language earlier on Wednesday, from person of interest to suspect, came after another key development in the ongoing probe, with investigators linking the gun allegedly used in Tuesday morning's rush-hour attack to James and an Ohio pawn shop, law enforcement sources said.

Cellphones buzzed shortly after James was named a suspect, urging New Yorkers to call authorities if they see him.

A 9mm Glock handgun left at the scene has been traced by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators to James and a pawn shop in Columbus, law enforcement said. The suspect purchased it there in 2011, sources said.

A $50,000 reward had been offered for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of James, who police said had addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia.

He rented a U-Haul van, the keys of which were found at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyns Sunset Park neighborhood, according to authorities.

That van was discovered in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, about 5 miles from the Sunset Park attack.

Investigators have obtained surveillance video, taken near that van, appearing to show the suspect walking into a subway station, law enforcement sources said. Footage captured that grainy figure carrying a bag, similar to the one recovered at the shooting scene, into the the Kings Highway station, which serves the N line.

Tuesday's shooting was carried out as a Manhattan-bound N train pulled into the 36th Street station.

The bag left behind at the station included a variety of fireworks and other pyrotechnic equipment that an Ohio-based fireworks seller believes came from him, he told NBC News.

According to senior law enforcement officials, a bag filled with fireworks was found at the scene of the Brooklyn subway shooting on Tuesday. (Obtained by NBC News)

Based on widely circulated pictures of this bag, Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan said that images show four distinct, proprietary items that link to his business  and they were purchased in June last year in Wisconsin by a 62-year-old man named Frank James.

"We found people (in sales records) that bought two of those items, individuals that bought three of those items, individuals that bought one of those items," Zoldan said. "Only one person bought four of those items, exact four items."

Crime on New York City subways and other quality-of-life matters were key issues that Adams, a former police officer, stressed in his successful mayoral campaign last year.

He ordered additional police staffing on subways Tuesday and urged his fellow New Yorkers to keep using public transit, in the wake of this attack.

Adams retweeted pictures of City Hall staffers who rode rails on Wednesday, adding: "Proud of this team."

Before the subway attack, James appeared to post several rambling videos on YouTube in which he voiced bigoted and controversial views as well as scathing criticism of Adams and his public safety policies and homeless outreach programs on trains.

In a video posted Monday, he said he had experienced the desire to kill people but didnt want to go to jail.
A pro-Putin Ukrainian fugitive who escaped while being held in home confinement in Kyiv on allegations of treason was recaptured by Ukraines SBU security service, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday.

Viktor Medvedchuk, an oligarch and the former leader of a Ukrainian pro-Russian party, disappeared from his house arrest after Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed in his nightly address on Tuesday that Medvedchuk could be traded for Ukrainian "boys and girls who are now in Russian captivity," according to BBC News.

In a separate statement, Ukraine's security service said, "You can be a pro-Russian politician and work for the aggressor state for years. You may have been hiding from justice lately. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform for camouflage. But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! Shackles are waiting for you and same goes for traitors to Ukraine like you."

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

Zelenskyy on Tuesday posted a photo of Medvedchuk in handcuffs wearing a Ukrainian military uniform.

Fugitive oligarch and Russian President Vladimir Putin's close friend Viktor Medvedchuk is seen handcuffed after a special operation was carried out by Security Service of Ukraine in Ukraine on April 12, 2022. Photo by Security Service of Ukraine/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin is the godfather to Medvedchuks youngest daughter. Medvedchuk was among those considered by Russia to replace Zelenskyy if they had been able to remove the Ukrainian president from power, according to Fox News journalist Jennifer Griffin.

Medvedchuk has denied the charges against him and called them "political repression." He was arrested last year after being tolerated in Ukraine for years because he was considered to be important for relations with Moscow, according to BBC.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia vowed to continue its bloody offensive in Ukraine as the war neared its seventh week Wednesday, as President Vladimir Putin insisted the campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal and significant losses.

Thwarted in their push toward the capital, Kyiv, Russian troops focused on the eastern region of Donbas, where Ukraine said it was investigating a claim that a poisonous substance had been dropped on its troops. It was not clear what the substance might be, but Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly regime. In the six weeks since, the ground advance stalled and Russian forces lost potentially thousands of fighters and were accused of killing civilians and other atrocities.

Putin said Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice and that the invasion aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to ensure Russias own security. He vowed it would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.

Meanwhile Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to receive the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia  his staunch European allies.

We are visiting Ukraine to show strong support for the Ukrainian people, will meet dear friend President Zelenskyy, Estonian President Alar Karis tweeted.

Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as territorial defense soldier, and was captured and killed by Russian army in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

For now, Putins forces are gearing up for a major offensive in the Donbas, where Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence. Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

In Mariupol, a strategic port city in the Donbas, a Ukrainian regiment defending a steel mill alleged that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified. The regiment indicated there were no serious injuries.

Zelenskyy said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, The world must react now.

The claims came after a Russia-allied separatist official appeared to urge the use of chemical weapons, telling Russian state TV on Monday that separatist forces should seize the plant by first blocking all the exits. And then well use chemical troops to smoke them out of there, the official, Eduard Basurin, said. He denied Tuesday that separatist forces had used chemical weapons in Mariupol.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions  which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons  had been used in Mariupol, which has been pummeled by weeks of Russian assaults.

Western leaders warned that if chemical weapons are found to have been used, it would amount to a grievous breach of international law.

President Joe Biden for the first time referred to Russias invasion as a genocide and said Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack destroyed the building of a Culinary School in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

The Pentagon said it could not confirm the drone report but reiterated U.S. concerns about Russia using chemical agents. Britain, meanwhile, has warned that Russia may resort to phosphorus bombs, which are banned in civilian areas under international law, in Mariupol.

Most armies use phosphorus munitions to illuminate targets or to produce smoke screens. Deliberately firing them into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Once you start using the properties of white phosphorus, toxic properties, specifically and deliberately, then it becomes banned, he said.

In Washington, a senior U.S. defense official said the Biden administration was preparing another package of military aid for Ukraine to be announced in the coming days, possibly totaling $750 million. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet publicly announced. Delivery is due to be completed this week of $800 million in military assistance approved by Biden a month ago.

In the face of stiff resistance by Ukrainian forces bolstered by Western weapons, Russian forces have increasingly relied on bombarding cities, flattening many urban areas and killing thousands. The war has driven more than 10 million Ukrainians from their homes  including nearly two-thirds of the countrys children.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said humanitarian corridors used to get people out of cities under Russian attack will not operate on Wednesday because of poor security.

She said that in the southeast Zaporizhzhia region, Russian troops blocked evacuation buses, and in the Luhansk region, they were violating the cease-fire. "The occupiers not only disregard the norms of international humanitarian law, but also cannot properly control their people on the ground. All this creates such a level of danger on the routes that we are forced to refrain from opening humanitarian corridors today.

Moscows retreat from cities and towns around Kyiv led to the discovery of large numbers of apparently massacred civilians, prompting widespread condemnation and accusations of war crimes.

Zelenskyy said evidence of inhuman cruelty toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, including alleged rapes.

Not all serial rapists reach the cruelty of Russian soldiers, Zelenskyy said.

The tail of a missile sticks out in a residential area in Yahidne, near of Dnipro, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

More than 720 people were killed in Kyiv suburbs that had been occupied by Russian troops and over 200 were considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday.

In Bucha alone, Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said 403 bodies had been found and the toll could rise as minesweepers comb the area.

In the Chernihiv region, villagers said more than 300 people had been trapped for almost a month by the occupying Russian troops in the basement of a school and only allowed outside to go to the toilet or cook on open fires.

Valentyna Saroyan told The Associated Press she saw at least five people die in Yahidne, 140 kilometers (86 miles) north of Kyiv. In one of the rooms, the residents wrote the names of those who perished during the ordeal  the list counted 18 people.

Villagers say they dont know the cause of the deaths. Russian soldiers allowed them to remove the bodies from time to time in order to bury them in a mass grave at the local cemetery.

Julia Surypak said the Russians only allowed some people to make a short trip home if they sang the Russian anthem. Another resident, Svitlana Baguta, said a Russian soldier made her drink from a flask pointing a gun at her face.

Ukraines prosecutor-generals office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast. It said the bodies of six civilians were found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people including a 13-year-old boy. In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed including two children when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.

Putin falsely claimed Tuesday that Ukraines accusation that hundreds of civilians were killed by Russian troops in the town of Bucha were fake. Associated Press journalists saw dozens of bodies in and around the town, some of whom had their hands bound and appeared to have been shot at close range.
Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, is nearly empty on Feb. 24, the day Russian forces invaded.

In March, Ukraine asked the world to practice its spelling.

"High time to finally discard the outdated Soviet spelling of our cities and adopt the correct Ukrainian form," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a tweet, adding the hashtag #KyivNotKiev.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine rages in its second month, a leader's focus on spelling might seem trivial. But Ukrainian language experts said the distinctions between Russian and Ukrainian spellings and pronunciations, particularly of cities, are vital to recognizing the two countries as separate.

"The way a place name is spelled has far-reaching political implications, particularly in the context of two countries, one of which is an imperial metropolis and another one that used to be its colony," said Yuri Shevchuk, a Ukrainian language lecturer at Columbia University with expertise in languages' ties to culture, identity and politics.

Here's what you need to know about the distinctions.

Live updates on Ukraine: Putin says peace talks at 'dead end,' US 'deeply concerned' about chemical weapons

Languages at odds

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the cultures of Russia  then known as Muscovy  and Ukraine grew closer, Shevchuk said. Threatened by that, Muscovite czars ordered Ukrainian Gospels be deemed heretical. More than 150 laws and rules were passed aimed at prohibiting and disappearing Ukrainian language from public use.

"The Ukrainian language was viewed as something hostile, as something to be destroyed," Shevchuk said. "The history of Russian-Ukrainian relations has always, for centuries, been a history of culture war."

U.N. shuns Russia: Russia voted out of U.N. Human Rights Council amid Ukraine invasion

Unlike other colonizing empires, such as Britain or France, Russia didn't simply ban public use of the Ukrainian language. It sought to take it apart.

Russia interfered with the inner structure of the Ukrainian language, trying to bring it closer to the Russian language at the levels of phonetics, vocabulary and syntax. For example, Ukrainian has a vocative case  the noun or pronoun used to address a person directly  while Russian does not. In the early 1930s, Russia declared there was no need to use the vocative case, causing generations of Ukrainians to learn the language without using it, despite its presence in classical Ukrainian writings, Shevchuk said; that lasted until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Russia's intent, Shevchuk said, was to strip Ukrainians of anything that made the language interesting, attractive or unique.

"Then, Ukrainians themselves would decide 'independently' or 'voluntarily' to switch from Ukrainian to Russian, because Ukrainian is a poor, pale simulacrum of Russian, lacking prestige and lacking political and symbolic capital  and Russian having it all galore," he said.

Cities' names

Russia's actions against Ukraine's language and historical status affected city names.

Many of Ukraine's cities are named after saints or rulers. To make names possessive, Ukrainian adds an -iv while Russian adds an -ov or -ev, because of a 12th-century sound change in Ukrainian that didn't occur in Russian, according to Michael Flier, professor of Ukrainian philology at Harvard University.

Take Kyiv: The founder of Ukraine's capital was named Kyi in Ukrainian, or Kiy in Russian. So Kyi's city became "Kyiv" in Ukrainian, whereas it became "Kiev" in Russian.

"Some city names sound differently in Russian and in Ukrainian  say, Kharkiv is Kharkov in Russian; Lviv is Lvov in Russian," said Serguei Oushakine, a professor of Slavic languages and literature at Princeton University. "It is like, English Moscow is Moskva in Russian or Paris is Parizh in Russian."

Recent news: Ukraine train station hit by deadly Russian rocket attack

The Ukrainian city of Odesa is spelled Odessa when transliterated from its Russian form.

"There are two different pronunciations, but since history will show you that it was the Russian empire that had the attention of the world, (Ukraine) was always in a position not to forge ahead with his own name because the Russians were in charge," Flier said. "And so therefore, it was the Russian spelling and pronunciation that held true until now."

Opinion: Why do we say 'Kyiv,' not 'Kiev'? The political history behind Ukraine's capital city

Why it's relevant

Though the names of Ukrainian cities have historically been transliterated from Cyrillic using their Russian spellings, years of tension between the nations and Russias invasion of Ukraine in February have caused many to question why.

"This is a technical issue, but nothing in language is technical; everything is political," Oushakine said.

Ukrainian became the official state language in 1989, but the Russian spellings of Ukraine's cities persisted. There are often emotional and historical attachments to the names of cities, amplifying the desire to have others get it right. Flier compared the misspellings of cities to the misspellings of names, akin to insisting on calling an American "Pierre" instead of "Peter."

"It's recognition that Ukraine is no longer a part of the Soviet Union; it's no longer under the command of Russia, and therefore, you know, we want to use our own names," Flier said.

US responds: White House slams 'horrific' attack on Ukraine train station

In 2018, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry launched the campaign "CorrectUA" to hold Western media outlets accountable for spelling its cities wrong.

The ministry's online campaign used the hashtag #KyivNotKiev and featured posts with incorrect spellings of Kyiv by The New York Times, BBC and Reuters, according to a news release on the effort.

As a result, those outlets and others, including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, adjusted their style guides to reflect the Ukrainian spellings. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names within the Department of Interior retired the spelling of "Kiev" and adopted "Kyiv." Kiev is considered an unofficial variant name.

"I think it was always the case that in Ukrainian, (city names) were pronounced the way that they're now written, the Ukrainian way, but it's just that Ukrainians always had to play second fiddle to Russia because the Russians were in charge of the country. ... It really comes down to just letting Ukraine show itself for what it is  letting Ukraine have its own identity," Flier said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyiv or Kiev? Why the spellings of Ukrainian cities matter
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday issued a new English-language plea for heavy weaponry as Russias invasion enters its eighth week.

Wearing his signature look  a military green short-sleeved T-shirt  Zelensky said since Russias invasion on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his troops have learned they had no idea who they were up against.

Russia didnt know how much we cherish our freedom  weve been defending ourselves against Russia much longer than the invaders planned, Zelensky said in a video shared on Twitter. We have destroyed more Russian weapons and military equipment than some armies in Europe currently possess.

But this is not enough, the wartime leader  who has been compared to Winston Churchill  said as he went on to detail each weapon Ukraine needs in order to fight off Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Twitter video. (ZelenskyyUa via Twitter)

Artillery, 155 millimeters. Artillery shells, 152 millimeters  as many as possible. Multiple Launch Rocket Systems  Grad, Smerch, Tornado and M142 HIMARS.

Zelensky said Ukraine needs armored vehicles, APCs (armored personnel carriers) and infantry fighting vehicles, among others. Tanks, T-72 or similar tanks from the U.S.A. or Germany, are wanted too.

Ukraine is also seeking air defense systems, including the S-300 and Buk missile systems, along with military aircraft that Zelensky said would save millions of Ukrainians, as well as millions of Europeans.

The Ukrainian president said what his country has right now, nearly two months into battle, is not enough as Russia still has the capacity to attack  and not only against Ukraine. Poland, Moldova, Romania and the Baltic states will become the next targets if the freedom of Ukraine falls.

The images of Bucha and Mariupol have demonstrated real Russians intentions to the whole world. It could only be stopped by force of arms. It must be done now. Ukraine needs weapons supplies. We need heavy artillery, armed vehicles, air defense systems and combat aircraft  anything to repel Russian forces and stop their war crimes.

Zelensky concluded his plea by saying that freedom must be armed better than tyranny. Western countries have everything to make it happen and that the number of people saved depends on them. Arm Ukraine now to defend freedom.

Zelensky said the current weapons that Ukraine has are not enough. (ZelenskyyUa via Twitter)

On Tuesday, President Biden said Russias war against Ukraine amounts to genocide  a declaration Zelensky called true words of a true leader.

Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil, Zelensky tweeted. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

During his Sunday night address, Zelensky said that this week would be crucial to the war, with Russian troops expected to move to even larger operations in the east of our state.

As he asks for more weapons to defend the people of Ukraine, Zelensky continues to push for peace with Russia  which has been accused of killing at least 52 people at a train station last Friday in Kramatorsk, where thousands had gathered to try to flee.

In March, Sergei Ryabkov, a deputy foreign minister for Russia, said any arms shipments to Ukraine would be targeted.

We warned the United States that pumping weapons into Ukraine from a number of countries as it has orchestrated isnt just a dangerous move but an action that turns the respective convoys into legitimate targets, he said.

But despite this, the amount of weapons the U.S. is sending to Ukraine is increasing. After speaking to Zelensky on Wednesday, Biden announced he had authorized another $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine that includes artillery and helicopters.
Pets well provided for during pandemic

By ZHANG YANGFEI (China Daily) 08:15, April 13, 2022

A staff member works at a care center for pets in Guangming district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province. [Photo for China Daily]

Series of measures offer comfort to animals and their owners

Netizens in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, have shared pictures on Sina Weibo of their pets receiving certificates bearing the words "Little heroes against COVID-19".

One of these certificates was awarded to Fu Zai, a British short-hair cat, who spent about 20 days at a pet care center while his owner was undergoing centralized quarantine for COVID-19.

The certificate stated: "Dear Fu Zai, in view of your excellent performance at the pet center, cooperating with inspection, feeding, walking and other tasks, and successfully defeating the pandemic, the organizing committee has decided to award you the title Anti-pandemic Little Hero. This certificate is hereby issued to you and we hope that you will grow up healthy and happy!"

On Thursday, a netizen posted the certificate on Sina Weibo, where it quickly trended, attracting more than 11,000 comments and 276,000 likes.

However, the back of the certificate carried a few words from Fu Zai's carer, who stated, "Your naughtiness really gave us a headache for some time when you first arrived."

On Friday, Shenzhen announced that its first centralized pet care center had been placed in trial operation, offering kenneling services to animal owners undergoing centralized quarantine for COVID-19. Once the center officially opens, it will be able to house a maximum of 300 dogs and cats, while its operation and maintenance will be handled by the city's market supervision and administration bureau.

Friday's announcement quickly resulted in the topic "China's first official makeshift center for pets "trending online. The decision to launch the center was made after similar pet care facilities were set up last month at the Shangsha community in the city's Futian district. These centers proved successful in caring for more than 200 pets, including Fu Zai.

Other cities, including Changsha, capital of Hunan province, and Chengdu, the Sichuan provincial capital, are offering such services for pets as China grapples with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

On March 16, the pandemic control command in Futian issued a notice stating that the Shangsha community had been classified as a medium-risk area. Some residents in the community were asked to relocate to centralized quarantine sites for 14 days for their health to be monitored. Making arrangements for pets while their owners were away became a problem.

Some residents volunteered to collate pet owners' requests from social media platforms, handing the requests to community workers. On March 17, the local authorities issued another notice, informing residents that medical workers would visit them to disinfect their animals and take them to centralized care centers.

On the same day, New Ruipeng Pet Healthcare Group was commissioned to provide professional care services for animals.

Kong Debin, a vet from the healthcare group, told Southern Weekly the company quickly formed a team of volunteers and they began work on March 17. A hotline for pet boarding opened that evening and government officials and volunteers held a meeting at which they decided to set up makeshift pet care centers.

Nobody at the meeting had a clear idea of how many pets would need such a service, but it was agreed to ensure the health of each animal and not to let owners in quarantine become more anxious about arrangements for their pets, Kong said.

Construction of the first care center began at about 1 am on March 18 and it was put into use five hours later. Volunteers disinfected the facility twice a day and cleaned cages to maintain a dust-free, sterile environment. A week later, the second center was built close to the first, which was fully occupied.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Jennifer L. Holm, whose graphic novel Turtle in Paradise is the pick for teens and tweens for the 2022 Coronado Community READ, will speak at the Coronado Public Library on Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. in the Winn Room.
For many Americans who dont live in big cities, a for-profit college near where they live may seem like a convenient higher education option compared with a public college many miles away. But that convenience comes at a price, according to a new report.

Students who enrolled at a nearby four-year, for-profit college on average take on $3,300 more in federal student loans than if they had gone to a comparable public college, according to new research published this month in the Journal of Financial Economics.

Students who chose to go to a two-year, for-profit college on average originate $6,000 more debt than if they had chosen a community college.

Aside from taking on more debt, enrollment at a four-year for-profit college increases the likelihood of default by 11 percentage points, which is nearly double the baseline default likelihood, according to the study.

The research used five publicly available resources, from Census information, data on colleges, loans, and employment, to tease out how students choose their college.

The researchers used data from time periods when the economy went south and workers job prospects dimmed to map out whether the prevalence of for-profit schools in their vicinity affected their decision to pursue higher education.

A commencement ceremony for Strayer University, a private, for-profit educational institution. Strayer University specializes in higher education for working adults seeking career advancement. (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)

Transparency over debt outcomes isn't enough: author

To help students compare colleges before they enroll, the Education Department has been putting more information on the College Scorecard to help students factor in financial prospects when choosing a school.

The Scorecard is a government database that publishes data including how much debt a student is expected to take on, and how much in earnings they can expect on average, should they choose a specific school.

Yet "students just seem to be very poorly informed, Michael Lovenheim, a co-author of the study and a professor at Cornell University, told Yahoo Finance.

Part of it is on purpose on the part of for-profits ... they're giving them a sales pitch, and the students for the most part lack the background ... to make an informed choice, he said. "Just information being available is insufficient  you have to help them understand what it means."

The federal government has also signaled that it is watching for-profit colleges to see whether they mislead students about jobs and earnings prospects.

The Federal Trade Commission in October sent notices to 70 for-profit higher education institutions with the warning that any false promises they make about their graduates' jobs and earnings prospects and other outcomes could lead to "significant financial penalties."

UNITED STATES - JULY 30: From left, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., hold a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center to unveil a report on the for-profit college industry on Monday, July 30, 2012. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Location, location, location

But the choice of which college to attend is a student's own.

And particularly during times of economic crisis, a lot of publicly available information on outcomes is not fully utilized, which could in the future lead to students taking on unnecessary debt.

For instance, when the U.S. economy undergoes a shock and more people find themselves out of a job, they turn to education to fill in the gap. But their method of choosing a school  especially nontraditional students  has historically been influenced simply by whats most convenient and nearest to them, according to the report.

And if they see more for-profit colleges in their vicinity, then theyre more likely to attend such schools, versus another student surrounded by public community colleges.

This phenomenon is concerning to the authors. This makes the supply of local options critical, Lovenheim said, because it affects where people choose to go and how much debt they end up taking.

JUNE 24, 2014. SANTA ANA, CA. Lobby of Everest College at 500 W. Santa Ana Blvd, in Santa Ana, CA, on June 24, 2014. Everest is part of Corinthian Colleges Inc., a huge conglomerate of for-profit trade colleges that is about to be broken up and sold. The company will likely go into bsnkruptcy. (Photo by Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

For-profit schools branch out across the country

For-profits appear to be ubiquitous partly because they have the financial ability to create many branch campuses aimed at making it easy to commute to school, particularly for those working part- or full-time jobs.

A separate data project by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that most undergrads attend college within just 50 miles of their permanent home address."

For-profits appear to capitalize on that demand for convenience.

According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison authors, some colleges that have signed an agreement to operate with the Education Department have created many branch locations across the state, such as in fire stations, YMCAs, churches, and even within private companies such as at Verizon Wireless stores or in a Walmart, or in hotels.

Yahoo Finance has reached out to the Education Department for comment on whether it monitors such branch locations and whether that has an implication on their agreement with the schools.

When a school signs an agreement with ED, it can tap federal funding from taxpayers. These funds are then loaned to students as loans.

Student loan debt and for-profit colleges

The U.S. economy is holding steady at present, but this new report in the Journal of Financial Economics said that the findings carry implications for when a recession hits.

Roughly two decades ago, 450,000 students were enrolled in for-profit colleges, which represented 2.9% of enrollment. During the recession in 2010, enrollment peaked at 9.6%, then dropped to 5% in 2018.

A rise in enrollment at for-profits coincided with large increases in student debt, the authors noted. Total federal loans to undergrads rose from $34.1 billion in 2000 to $57.5 billion in 2018  a 66.3% increase. Out of all the borrowers who had defaulted on their federal student loans in 2012 specifically, 39% had enrolled in a for-profit school in the 2010-11 academic year.

It's not just students who bear the financial burden: When some of these for-profit colleges go bust, if they've acted in a predatory manner, millions of taxpayer dollars are written off.

Ultimately, Cornells Lovenheim said he wanted his research to stress how a students choice of school is impacted by their options in their area, and how that can be addressed.

With for-profits being more prevalent, and taking up a large part of the U.S. higher education system, he said, the answer to this question is quite important for the outcomes of these students.

YF Plus

Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

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The Duke of Cambridge is to lay a wreath on behalf of the Queen at this years Anzac Day ceremony at the Cenotaph.

William, second in line to the throne, will also remember Australians and New Zealanders who have lost their lives in conflict by attending a service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace announced.

The two events fall on April 25, and will follow a dawn service at Wellington Arch at Londons Hyde Park Corner which will be attended by the Queens cousin the Duke of Gloucester.

Harry attends a wreath-laying ceremony on behalf of the Queen on Anzac Day in 2018 (John Stillwell/PA)

Some 300 to 400 former and serving military personnel and their families, and members of veterans associations, will gather at the Cenotaph for the wreath laying.

The traditional church service in the abbey will feature an address by the Dean of Westminster, readings from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners, prayers read by children of each country, and a Maori waiata performed by the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club.

It has become customary for other members of the family to lay the wreath on the Queens behalf in recent years.

The Duke of Sussex did so in 2016 and 2018, and attended the abbey service with his sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge in 2019 just days before the birth of his son Archie.

Kate and Harry attend the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in 2019 (Andrew Matthews/PA)

William marked Anzac Day in 2021 by sending a message to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in London, saying: Today we stand together to reflect not only on their sacrifices, but also their courage, sense of duty, and their famously indomitable spirit.

The duke was on a two-day trip to New Zealand in 2019 to honour the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack, and laid a wreath during an Anzac Day memorial service in Auckland.

The Princess Royal attended last years dawn service and the gathering in the abbey.

April 25 commemorates the anniversary of the start of the First World War Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.

The Duke of Cambridge attends the Auckland Anzac Day civic service at Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2019 (Mark Tantrum/New Zealand Government/PA)

Thousands of Anzac troops  Australian and New Zealand Army Corps  died in the ill-fated 1915 Gallipoli campaign.

Waves of Allied forces launched an amphibious attack on the strategically important Turkish peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

But the plan backed by Winston Churchill was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.

Its legacy is the celebration of the Anzac spirit  courage, endurance, initiative, discipline and mateship  shown by the Antipodean troops.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 75F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 45F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High near 75F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 45F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
I came across a nice piece of writing the other day.

Marc Cenedella, founder and CEO of Ladders website, wrote a piece, Once in a Lifetime, in which he proposed that the United States faces a monumental crisis every 80 years.

He observed that in 1781, 1861, 1941 and again in 2021, this country has had to reshape itself to forge a new social and economic path to the future.

It is no coincidence, he wrote, that the average human life is about 80 years. These major upheavals surface as the final eyewitnesses to the last crisis are buried  the limit of personal memory.

We bury wisdom in its grave, only to retrace the path to its errors.

Thats a good line.

It explains much of whats going on in America today.

Most astounding to me are neo-Nazis parading openly on the same soil where, 80 years earlier, my father, the fathers of nearly all the kids I grew up with, and three of my uncles shipped overseas to fight tyranny in its most evil incarnation.

Even a decade after the war, when I was a kid, the extremist displays we see today would never have happened. There was no audience for them.

In todays polarized society, it is remarkable how both ends of the political spectrum siphon blood spilled for this country to nourish their own agendas  less regulation, higher wages, smaller houses, bigger cars.

Sometimes, when I see at old, scratchy newsreels from the 1920s, I study the people walking down city streets in their suits and porkpie hats. I wonder what they are thinking about. Maybe theyre musing over a Will Rogers column poking fun at Calvin Coolidge, or how Black Gold won the Kentucky Derby. Maybe they are chatting with a friend about the new Buster Keaton movie (never mentioning that he performed all his own mindboggling stunts without computer generated imagery).

Whatever it was the were talking about, most has been lost to history, topics well probably never discuss again.

One final note about the lifespan of memory and its blue-collar relationship with history. Its personal, but it helps illustrate how fickle the relationship can be.

During my childhood, my dad would often say, I like old Joe, whenever my little brother, Joseph, did something praiseworthy, like bringing home a good report card.

It was years later he told me where he came up with the expression.

He picked it up from Harry Truman.

During Trumans 1948 campaign, a reporter asked the president his thoughts on Soviet Premier Stalin whom hed met at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. This was a good 12 years after Stalin had organized a mass starvation in Ukraine that led to the deaths of more than 3 million peasants.

I like old Joe, Truman told the reporter. He is a decent fellow. But Joe is a prisoner of the Politburo.

You wont find that quote in any history book. Before Google, youd have had to scour library basement archives to unearth it.

Yet, my dad remembered it from when it happened. He might have read it in a newspaper or heard it on a radio news broadcast.

It stuck with him, and it died with him  except for my remembering it.

The quote is all but forgotten now.

If no one reads this column  which is pretty likely  then, in a few years, it will be as though Trumans expression of fondness for one of historys greatest monsters will never have been uttered.
Join Edith Salas of Salas Properties & host Jenn Barlow as they visit the Coronado Shores community. The towers have amazing views including the world famous Hotel del Coronado, downtown San Diego, San Diego Bay, the City of Coronado, Point Loma, and the Pacific Ocean.
Authorities say the body of a man who had been missing since last week when his truck was swept off a flooded bridge in southeast Oklahoma has been found
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected in parliament today where he will present to lawmakers the course of implementation of his administrations 2021-2026 action plan.

The parliament sessions agenda also includes the confirmation hearing of new members to the Public Services Regulatory Commission and the Competition Protection Commission.

The Chairman of the Television and Radio Commission Tigran Hakobyan will present an annual report.

Both opposition factions  Hayastan and Pativ Unem  announced at the April 12 session that they will boycott the sessions.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on the Russian peacekeepers blocking of a group of Armenian MPs from entering Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) on April 12.

He said the move is perplexing.

Why is this perplexing? Because this conduct contradicts the terms of the November 9 trilateral statement that the Lachin corridor is envisaged exactly for ensuring the connection between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. By the way, Id like to say that there is no checking function envisaged in the corridor, not to mention banning or restricting the movement of Members of Parliament, because the corridors purpose is to ensure connection between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, the PM said.

A group of Armenian opposition lawmakers were traveling to Artsakh on April 12 but were barred from entering by Russian peacekeepers.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. In the current difficult geopolitical situation Armenia must engage in an active foreign policy and the Prime Ministers international contacts give a certain understanding of this activeness, PM Pashinyan said in parliament.

During 2021, I had four bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, another four meetings with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, three meetings with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, twice with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Ive also had bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. With the mediation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of France Emmanuel Macron I had three meetings with the Azerbaijani President, PM Pashinyan said.

He said that the key and main goal of these contacts is to better understand in this new situation what the world wants and thinks and to make our thinking and desires more understandable to the world, and at the same time to make our thinking and desires more in line with global trends, be engaged in a maximally balanced foreign policy.

The PM highlighted Armenias regional policy in this matter.

We are trying to further activate our traditionally active contacts with Iran and Georgia, at the same time also start conversation with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Of course we dont have any illusions here, but this conversation must continue with the aspiration to become a true dialogue, I think it is obvious that this is in the national interests of Armenia. State interest is the factor that should become our motivation in all actions, he said.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan says its very difficult to say how long the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border will last, however, according to him, given the special status and urgency of the issue, it should be implemented as soon as possible.

During his remarks in the Parliament, the PM said the process should start and then it will be clear that it is not a work of one-two days or a month.

This is obvious because there are many nuances which need to be clarified. Of course, I have stated in my report that we understand also that Azerbaijan is trying to somehow keep the military tension situation along the border for presenting hidden or open territorial claims against Armenia during the demarcation process. I think our this position is perceived by the international community, and we should move on by protecting the interests and borders of our country, the PM added.

He said that for example the demarcation between Armenia and Georgia and between Azerbaijan and Georgia is not over yet, although it has started since 1996-1997.

I think that in this case, taking into account the special status and urgency, both sides are interested that we do it as soon as possible. In other words, not to do it for 20 years, but as short as possible. This is also the reason why we believe that the involvement of international experts, who already have an experience in demarcation and delimitation in their countries, faced and solved many problems while implementing it, could help us so that we have ready-made formulas. There are many interesting manuals, for example the methodologies of border delimitation and demarcation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, with which methods it can be conducted. But to give a concrete assessment over timetables, its very difficult. By the end of April we know for sure that the commission must be formed, and the commission will answer to the remaining questions, he said.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. One of the biggest problems of the Karabakh issue is that the formula of its resolution does not depend on the Armenian side only. The current leadership of Armenia considers its mission to go to some solutions and ensure long-term peace for Armenia and the region, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the Q&A session in the Parliament.

We should not have illusions. What has been and is still one of the biggest problems of the Karabakh issue? That its resolution, this or that formula for resolution does not depend on us only. I want us to deeply perceive these nuances. The share, weight and degree of statehood is very important here, to what extent you can push forward your vision without damaging yourself. There are many important nuances here, the PM said, adding that it is necessary to eventually start talking about this topic.

He said the historical realities as well do not lead to a concrete and visible place. This process must be managed constantly. The complexity of the topic is within this, he said.

Touching upon the peculiarity of the Karabakh negotiation process, Pashinyan repeated that what Armenia has agreed over as a result of long negotiations, Azerbaijan has opposed it the next moment. We need to take into account these realities as well. Its another thing that we must find the right balance where we can come to some solutions. And I think that our mission is that, to go to some solutions and ensure long-term peace for Armenia and the region. But this doesnt mean that there is a guarantee that we can do that. We could be unable to do it for various reasons, the PM said.

As for what reasons could be for not achieving any solution, the PM said: Reason 1  our people can say that it is not acceptable for them. Reason 2  international situation may not allow that to happen.

The PM said the world order is collapsing. And in this case, he said, double and triple efforts are required to overcome the storm. He highlighted the serious communication with the people, adding that they have that opportunity to talk to the people, listen to them and make legitimate decisions.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the fight against corruption, its pace and what measures are being taken in this direction.

Speaking in parliament, Pashinyan highlighted that the measures must be guided with institutional logic.

This is the reason why we are creating an anti-corruption committee, an anti-corruption court, reforms in the judiciary, the applications on confiscating illegal assets are already entering the court. Of course the opposition is trying to dispute the procedures in the Constitutional Court but we must go forward institutionally, the PM said.

The PM said the government prioritizes creating mechanisms so that no incumbent government would be able to "plunder."

Pashinyan highlighted the fact that last month 15 billion drams were paid to the state budget in the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine case.

The Republic of Armenia, the people are the owner of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine, doesnt this mean that we are bringing back whats been plundered? This too is the return of what has been plundered, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said it is necessary to create institutions that would fight against corruption.

Yes, I myself am not satisfied, Ive spoken about this numerously, but as a result of my complaints and anger Ive concluded that there should be an institution that would work, because this isnt a matter of a prime ministers instruction or the political majoritys will, let there be an institution to work. In 2020-2021 we have implemented cornerstone reforms, Pashinyan said.
YEREVAN, 13 APRIL, ARMENRPRESS. In the framework of the visit to the Russian Federation, Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobyan and deputy minister Narek Teryan met with Minister of Industry and trade Denis Manturov of Russian Federation.



As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, the sides discussed the state of the trade cooperation between Armenia and Russia, as well as priority directions of common activities.



In 2021 the mutual trade between Armenia and Russia increased by 12.7%, amounting to 2.5 billion dollars. The export of Russian industrial production on a yearly basis increased by 14%, and the import of Armenian goods also increased by 10%.



During the meeting Vahan Kerobyan gladly emphasized the fact of the significant increase of trade turnover and expressed concern with the noticeable decrease of indicators in March, offering to carry out work on urgently eliminating the reasons for the decrease and restore growth, the message says.



The interlocutors referred to a number of common programmes in different fields. Denis Manturov highlighted the development of cooperation in mining, metallurgy, chemical industry and agricultural machine building.



At the end of the meeting Denis Manturov invited Vahan Kerobyan to participate in the upcoming INNOPROM. Central Asia international industry exhibition in Tashkent.
YEREVAN, 13 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. Russia and Ukraine continue the negotiations in online format, ARMENPRESS informs, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova announced during the briefing.



The Russian-Ukrainian negotiations concerning the agreement on the resolution of the situation in Ukraine continues. These are held in online format. she announced.



Zakharova expressed the opinion that the Ukrainian delegation makes efforts not to reach agreements but to just delay the negotiations.
Islamabad claims some terror groups dismantled

New Delhi: The new Shehbaz Sharif government in Pakistan on Wednesday hit out at both India and the United States over the reference in their joint statement asking Pakistan to prevent the use of territories under its control by terrorists, adding that Islamabads concerns and rejection of the unwarranted reference to Pakistan in the US-India statement have been conveyed to the US side through diplomatic channels. Pakistan said some organisations named as terror outfits in the joint statement had been dismantled, adding that it is unfortunate that a bilateral cooperation mechanism is being used to target a third country for political expediency and to mislead public opinion. A furious Islamabad also said the reference was malicious and one which lacks credibility.

This is the first time that the new government in Islamabad has hit out at both countries. Ironically, former PM Imran Khan, who lost power just a few days ago, had in his last days in office accused Mr Sharif of being an American stooge. This also comes after the new PM, Mr Sharif, had on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his congratulatory message on Monday, saying that while Pakistan desires peace with India, a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue was indispensable. Amid speculation, it also remains to be seen if Mr Modi will write to his new Pakistani counterpart as part of a fresh outreach to Islamabad.

The India-US joint statement that was issued on Tuesday after the 2+2 talks between the two countries at the foreign and defence ministerial level in Washington had said: The ministers (US secretary of state Antony J. Blinken, US defence secretary Lloyd J. Austin, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh) strongly condemned any use of terrorist proxies and cross-border terrorism in all its forms and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, and the Pathankot attack, to be brought to justice. They called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee, such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb ul Mujahideen. The ministers called on Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks.

But an angry Islamabad said Wednesday: Pakistan categorically rejects the unwarranted reference in the statement issued after the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on 11 April 2022. The gratuitous reference in the statement alluding to some non-existent and dismantled entities betrays misplaced counter-terrorism focus of both countries. It is unfortunate that a bilateral cooperation mechanism is being used to target a third country for political expediency and to mislead public opinion away from the real and emerging terrorism threats. The assertions made against Pakistan in the statement are malicious and lack any credibility.

It added: Pakistan has remained a major, proactive, reliable and willing partner of the international community in the global fight against terrorism over last two decades. Pakistans successes and sacrifices in countering terrorism are unparalleled and widely acknowledged by the international community, including the United States. No country in the region has sacrificed more for peace than Pakistan.

Pakistan also attacked New Delhi on the Kashmir issue in a fresh diatribe and accused New Delhi of committing atrocities. We expect and urge the partner countries to take an objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from associating themselves with positions that are one-sided, politically motivated, and divorced from ground realities, it said, in an obvious reference to the United States.
The two-wheeler sales also fell 21 per cent to 11,84,210 units compared with 14,96,806 vehicles in March 2021

Passenger vehicle wholesales in India declined nearly 4 per cent to 2,79,501 units last month, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. (Representational Photo: PTI)

PUNE: Passenger vehicle wholesales in India declined nearly 4 per cent to 2,79,501 units last month, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, or Siam, said on Wednesday. Passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches from factories to dealerships in March 2021 stood at 2,90,939 units.

The two-wheeler sales also fell 21 per cent to 11,84,210 units compared with 14,96,806 vehicles in March 2021.

Motorcycle sales declined 21 per cent to 7,86,479 units as against 9,93,996 units in March 2021.

Scooter sales were also down 21 per cent to 3,60,082 units from 4,58,122.

In 2021-22, total PV wholesales rose by 13 per cent to 30,69,499 units from 27,11,457 units in 2020-21.

However, total two-wheeler dispatches declined by 11 per cent to 1,34,66,412 units in last fiscal compared with 1,51,20,783 units in 2020-21.

Three-wheeler sales rose to 2,60,995 units last fiscal from 2,19,446 units.
A SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed that the DGCA has restricted 90 pilots of the airline from flying the Max planes

DGCA has barred 90 SpiceJet pilots from operating the Boeing 737 Max aircraft after finding them not properly trained. (Representational image: PTI)

New Delhi: Indian aviation regulator DGCA has barred 90 SpiceJet pilots from operating the Boeing 737 Max aircraft after finding them not properly trained.

"For the moment, we have barred these pilots from flying the Max and they have to retrain successfully for flying the aircraft," DGCA chief Arun Kumar said in a statement.

He also said that the regulator will take "strict action against those found responsible for the lapse."

The pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.

The Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 13, 2019, three days after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft near Addis Ababa, which killed 157 people, including four Indians.

The ban on the planes was lifted in August last year after the DGCA was satisfied with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing's necessary software rectifications in the aircraft.

Proper pilot training on the simulator was also among the conditions of the DGCA for removing the ban on the Max planes after a span of 27 months.

A SpiceJet spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed that the DGCA has restricted 90 pilots of the airline from flying the Max planes.

SpiceJet has 650 pilots trained on the Boeing 737 Max. The DGCA had an observation on the training profile followed for 90 pilots, and therefore, as per the advise of the DGCA, SpiceJet has restricted 90 pilots from operating the Max aircraft, until these pilots undergo re-training to the satisfaction of the DGCA. These pilots continue to remain available for other Boeing 737 aircraft," the spokesperson said.

This restriction does not impact the operations of the Max aircraft whatsoever. SpiceJet, currently, operates 11 Max aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these aircraft, the spokesperson said.

"Of the 650 trained pilots on the Max, 560 continue to remain available, which is much more than the current requirement, the spokesperson said.

SpiceJet is the only Indian airline that has the Max aircraft in its fleet.

Akasa Air, the new airline backed by ace investor Jhunjhunwala and aviation veterans Aditya Ghosh and Vinay Dube, had in November last year signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 72 Max planes. Akasa Air has not got any of these planes as yet.
Parab was deported to India from Cairo in Egypt earlier in the day, as per the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials

special court here on Tuesday remanded Subhash Shankar Parab, an aide of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, in CBI custody till April 26 in a Rs 7,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. (Representational Image:DC)

Mumbai: A special court here on Tuesday remanded Subhash Shankar Parab, an aide of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, in CBI custody till April 26 in a Rs 7,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Parab was deported to India from Cairo in Egypt earlier in the day, as per the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials.

He was a deputy general manager (finance) at Firestar Diamond, a firm owned by Nirav Modi.

After his arrival in India in the morning, Parab was produced before special CBI judge V C Barde.

Special prosecutor A Limousin, representing the central probe agency, sought his custody for 14 days.

Parab was deputy general manager at Firestar from April 2015 onwards and looked after banking-related activities of the three accused firms, namely, Diamonds R US, Stellar Diamond and Solar Exports, the CBI told the court.

More specifically, he headed the banking operations department which prepared applications for Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) along with supporting documents at his instructions, the CBI said.

Parab was aware that these three firms did not have any credit facilities with the PNB and they were not providing 100 per cent cash margin for the issuance of LoUs, it said.

The central probe agency also claimed that he was instrumental in handling financial affairs of six Hong Kong-based and 13 Dubai-based "dummy" companies floated by Nirav Modi.

The issuance of fraudulent LoUs and "circular transactions" through the dummy companies caused a wrongful loss of Rs 6,498.20 crore to the PNB, a public sector bank, the CBI said.

Parab, who reported directly to Nirav Modi, "actively conspired" with other co-accused including bank officials for the issuance of LoUs without complying with bank guidelines, the agency said.

To find out the "end use" of the huge amounts of public funds siphoned off by Nirav Modi and others who are absconding, Parab's sustained interrogation was needed, the CBI told the court.

Parab's lawyer Reshma Mutha contended that he was only an employee of Modi's firm, was not authorized to sign LoUs and his role was only to prepare operational documents and give them to the bank.

The court, after hearing both the sides, sent the accused in the CBI custody till April 26.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are accused of duping the PNB of Rs 13,000 crore in total using Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing its officials at the Brady House branch in Mumbai.

A CBI team had gone to Egypt's capital to bring back 50-year-old Parab, who was allegedly kept in illegal confinement in a Cairo suburb by Modi's men.

Parab was understood to be a key witness to the Letters of Undertaking submitted to the PNB, officials said.

India had issued an Interpol Red Notice against Parab to track him and bring him back.

Soon after the scam broke in 2018, Parab was one of the executives who went missing along with Modi's family members and Choksi.

Indian authorities had received information that Parab, a crucial link related to LoUs, was taken from Dubai to Egypt by Nirav Modi's men, and India had expressed concerns for his safety, officials said.

After a long diplomatic and legal process, the CBI managed to secure administrative extradition or deportation of Parab, who could spill the beans on the country's biggest banking scam.

Nirav Modi is in a London prison after repeated denial of bail, and is contesting extradition to India.

Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 using the Citizenship by Investment programme even before fleeing India in the first week of January 2018.

The CBI has charged PNB official Gokulnath Shetty, along with others, with helping Modi and Choksi.

Messages for fraudulent LoUs were sent to overseas banks by misusing Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT), an international messaging system for banking, and without making subsequent entries in PNB's internal software Finacle', thus bypassing any scrutiny of such funds in the bank, as per the investigators.

An LoU is a guarantee given by a bank to Indian banks having branches abroad for the grant of short-term credit to an applicant.

In case of default, the bank issuing the LoU has to pay the liability.

The companies of Modi and Choksi took loans from banks abroad on the basis of PNB LoUs but did not repay them, thus transferring the liability to the PNB.
Re-elected for the third term as party general secretary, Sitaram Yechury is tasked to deliver a miracle

Fifty-eight years after it split from the original party and the beginning of its existence as the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1964, the party is in a crisis. It is as aware of its predicament now, at the end of the 23rd party congress, as it was in 2018 when the 22nd party congress got over in Hyderabad.

The CPI(M)s prescription in 2022 was the same as the prescription in 2018  that it is faced with a crisis of revival and it is conscious that its task is to be in the forefront of the fight against Hindutva communalism. The difference over four years is the crisis of existence has deepened and the space for the Left and the CPI(M) in particular has shrunk even more, because the BJP has grown stronger and confidently and aggressively occupies more of the middle ground in Indian politics today than ever before.

Re-elected for the third term as party general secretary, Sitaram Yechury is tasked to deliver a miracle. Boxed in by inevitable conflicts intrinsic to an organisation that is run on the basis of collective leadership, it will be difficult for Mr Yechury to deliver on the partys mission. The party has shrunk even more since 2018, when the tasks it set itself were about the same and the political terrain was almost as hard baked in favour of the BJP as it is today. In 2004, the CPI(M) had 44 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. In 2022, it has a mere three. The party has lost over one lakh members in just two states  68,000 cadres in West Bengal and 47,000 cadres in Tripura. Kerala is its only outpost at present.

The marginalisation of the CPI(M) and the Left as a whole, as well as the decimation of the Congress, has transformed Indias political terrain. Political terrains, especially in electoral democracies, however flawed, autocratic and populist they may be, are book-ended on the one side by right-wing political parties and on the other by the Left, creating a middle ground that is occupied by political parties that are neither one nor the other.

The flimsier the CPI(M) has become as the Left book-end, so too has the Congress declined, as the party of the moderate middle, or the median voter, who is neither an ardent bhakt nor a devout comrade. The reshaping of the political space between 2014 and now pits the hard right-wing, identity-based, communally divisive, majoritarian politics of Hindutva of the BJP embarked on its mission to convert the Republic of India into a Hindutva Rashtra against small and regional parties with no specific ideological moorings, except a shared and common goal of defeating the BJP and protecting their turf from its encroachment. The Congress and the CPI(M) and its Left partners have removed themselves to the periphery. This is an unstable equilibrium; if indeed this can be described as an equilibrium.

The CPI(M)s revival is contingent on the partys revival in West Bengal. That is unlikely in the foreseeable future and the CPI(M) knows it.

Having identified the BJP as its enemy number one and prioritising its isolation and defeat as the key political goal, the CPI(M) has given Mr Yechury some leeway in siding with the Congress and forging the broadest possible unity of the secular democratic forces. Neither the identification of the BJP as the principal enemy nor the Congress as a potential ally is unconditional; in West Bengal, the principal enemy is confusingly Mamata Banerjees Trinamul Congress. In Kerala, the principal challenge is the Congress.

Local compulsions do not make it easier for potential allies to join forces with the CPI(M), which has all sorts of purity and pollution issues with not only the Congress, but with small and regional parties, which are essentially populist in character, with no specific ideological moorings.

Its squeamishness about potential allies is no longer viable; it is not the party it was at the end of the 20th century. In 1996, when the prime ministership was offered to Jyoti Basu by a collective of non-Congress, anti-BJP parties, the CPI(M) was a political force to reckon with. It had worked to establish itself as a successful party that believed in principled politics, which gave it leverage and enabled it to anchor the United Front experiment in 1996 and then again as the lynchpin of the United Progressive Front led by the Congress in 2004.

The populist politics of the smaller and regional parties with whom the CPI(M) hopes to create a broad secular front have no particular ideological agenda. What they do have is first-hand experience on being allies in complicated coalitions at the Centre, which makes the CPI(M)s lack of experience a serious shortcoming. Consequently, making sense of the CPI(M)s fastidious ideological concerns is difficult for these ruling parties closely linked to the grassroots, all of whom have cannibalised the Lefts agenda and stripped the alternative programme of its most powerful appeal. By implementing policies that promise to deliver social justice and access to goods and services that enable the population to improve the quality of their lives, the regional and smaller parties have effectively appropriated the CPI(M)s brand.

What then does the CPI(M) have to offer to make itself desirable as a political partner? In the tradition of Harkishen Singh Surjeet and Jyoti Basu, Sitaram Yechury is a leader respected by all political parties, but the CPI(M) is not what it was in its heyday. It is perceived as a party that cannot lead itself out of the morass of its failures in West Bengal and Kerala and even Bihar. However effective it is in playing a leadership role in the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which held the farmers movement together for one year, its political decline is what matters for the regional and smaller parties. These are parties that are preparing to fight for survival against the BJPs One Nation-One Party hegemonistic plans and a larger space in Indian politics. They are up against the BJP, which has converted its Hindutva appeal into the dominant discourse of the middle ground and the choice of even median voters.

Unless the CPI(M) can convert its prescriptions into an alternative secular, democratic and progressive narrative that compels the median voter to reimagine his or her identity as an Indian, instead of a Hindu and an Indian, it will languish as an inadequate partner with no particular appeal.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Local officials admit that the demolitions were a form of collective punishment, but also claim that the buildings were illegal. Sectarian clashes between Hindus and Muslims are also reported in Gujarat and West Bengal during Ram Navami, a Hindu festival. Hindus taking part in processions chanted anti-Muslim slogans while police stood idly by before moving in.

Bhopal (AsiaNews)  Sectarian violence recently broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Madhya Pradesh during Ram Navami, a Hindu festival.

As a result, mobs of Hindutva extremists attacked mosques and set homes on fire. Instead of prosecuting the culprits, state officials ordered the demolition of the homes of the Muslims involved in the riots, claiming they were illegal.

Overnight on 10-11 April, gangs of Hindu fanatics held processions marking the birth of the god Rama in Muslim majority neighbourhoods in Khargone and Sendhwa districts, shouting inflammatory slogans against Muslims.

Early reports suggest that clashes began near the Talab Chowk Mosque in Khargone when Muslims reacted to Hindu chants by throwing stones.

At least 10 homes were torched and several people were injured. An unverified video shows a mosque engulfed in flames, while in another, youths are seen pelting stones at Muslim homes, apparently with the help or complicity of the police, who waited for some time before intervening and imposing a curfew.

More sectarian incidents were reported for the same reasons in the states of Gujarat and West Bengal.

We demand action against the anti-social elements who in the garb of religious programmes had been trying to disrupt peace and harmony in Gujarat, reads a letter from the Minority Coordination Committee, a civil society group in Ahmedabad, sent to the Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP).

All CCTV footage in Himmatnagar should be checked and those caught carrying weapons without permission should be booked and arrested, the letter added.

In Madhya Pradesh, which is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, local authorities responded to the violence by demolishing at least 16 houses and 29 shops owned by Muslims.

Several politicians admitted that the demolitions were carried out to collectively punish rioters, even though the official reason given was that the buildings in question were illegal.

In fact, the day after the attack against the Hindu processions, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra threatened to turn the house where the stones have come from [. . .] into a pile of stones itself.

Indore Range Police Commissioner, Pawan Kumar Sharma, told The Indian Express yesterday that, So far 84 people have been arrested and their illegal properties are being demolished.

Legal experts have pointed out that under Indian law, the authorities cannot punish an alleged crime with legislation that refers to another illegal act, stressing that in this case the action taken is clearly a form of collective punishment against a religious minority.

No one has been tried in connection with the riots, and demolishing a building requires certain procedural steps, like sending a notice, allowing the accused to testify in a hearing, and issuing the demolition order by a competent body.

Some of the people left homeless or deprived of their business told local media that they had not received any written notice.
On Holy Thursday, the archbishop of Manila will perform the symbolic deed ahead of the 9 May election, which will determine President Duterte's successor. The 12 include a journalist, a reminder of the importance of accurate information in a true democracy.

Manila (AsiaNews)  A few weeks before Filipinos go to the polls on 9 May, Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila chose 12 people for the ritual of washing the feet on Holy Thursday. Each is symbolically connected to the election and the importance of voting transparency.

Over 65 million Filipinos are eligible to choose a new president and vice-president, as well as 12 senators and local officials.

Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr, is leading in the polls. His running rate, Sara Duterte, is the daughter of the outgoing president, Rodrigo Duterte. The current vice president Leni Robredo is Marcoss main rival.

The cardinal will perform the washing of the feet at Manilas cathedral during the Coena Domini Mass.

The people he chose include three young first-time voters, two members of the Electoral Board, three officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), three members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and a member of the media.

The decision to include a journalist, whose role is to report the electoral campaign, is significant in a country where some of the dominant issues in the campaign are the attempts to whitewash the dictatorial rule of the senior Marcos and the unscrupulous use of social media to influence political choices, a practice denounced by Maria Ressa, recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a pastoral letter dated 27 March, the countrys bishops called on voters to elect candidates who will improve the lives of people, especially the poor and vulnerable.

We need competent leaders and lawmakers with sincere intentions to serve the welfare of our communities, wrote Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, who is president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
by Pierbattista Pizzaballa *

Where do we see the "signs of resurrection" when the "consequences of conflicts and injustices" emerge, asks the Latin primate. Peace and love seem like "slogans," but the Risen Christ "is not a word, a slogan but an experience." Yet another victim in clashes between Israelis and Palestinians.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - In a "torn and violent" world, how can one speak of "Easter hope?" Where can one see "the signs of resurrection" when "we see throughout the world" the "consequences of conflicts and injustices?". This is what the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, writes in his Easter message to the faithful of the Holy Land, published today. A violence, his Beatitude continues, that "still wounds our Holy Land", but "I also think of what happens in Europe, in Ukraine", a country "attacked" by another "brother country" and that causes "humanitarian tragedies of enormous magnitude". In this reality "to speak of love, peace and life would seem to be just a slogan" continues the patriarch, but Easter "is not just a word, it is not a slogan, but it is a reality that we can still touch and experience today".

Meanwhile, the wave of violence that has hit Israel and Palestine in recent weeks, while sparing Jerusalem in part, and that has caused at least 14 deaths, does not stop. The last one is a 34 years old Palestinian named Muhammed Hassan Muhammed Assaf, died a few hours ago because of a bullet exploded during clashes with Israeli security forces in Nablus, in the north of the West Bank. The attack was triggered by the incursions of the military, which ended with the arrest of the alleged vandals of Joseph's tomb, hit in recent days on two different occasions.

Below is the full text of Patriarch Pizzaballa:

To the Bishops, priests, religious and all the faithful of the diocese of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem!

Dearly beloved,

This year too, Easter brings us a proclamation of love, peace and life. The signs of the Resurrection communicate this good news to us to this day: the stone of Jesus' tomb is overturned and no longer encloses anyone, the darkness is empty; the cloths no longer wrap up Christ's body. The angel, the women and the disciples, through the Gospel passages that we will proclaim in these blessed days, still announce this news to us today: that we are not alone, that Jesus is alive and that in him we are saved. In these days of intense liturgical celebrations, everything speaks of celebration and joy, of a God who has changed the fate of the world, who has brought a new light of hope for humanity.

But at the same time, I must also recognize that not infrequently we struggle to connect what we celebrate with what we live. That we do not always succeed in making the synthesis between life and faith. Besides, we might add, in today's torn and violent world, how can we speak of Easter hope? Where and how can we see the signs of the Resurrection when we see throughout the world the consequences of conflicts and injustices?

I am thinking at this moment of the violence that still wounds our Holy Land. The political conflict absorbs so much of our energy and finds expression in the repeated violent tensions that seem to be flaring up again in these days. But it also finds expression in the continuous effort of our communities to build a normal life, which here is always wearisome and tiring: moving, working, meeting, celebrating are operations that are never taken for granted and never immediate. Situations that create mistrust risk extinguishing the hope that we proclaim at Easter. The consequences of all this often surface in our discourse and find a place in many hearts: resentment, prejudice, misunderstanding, suspicion, fear and fatigue are words that are almost never missing from our vocabulary.

I am also thinking of what is happening in Europe, in Ukraine, a country attacked by another brother country, creating human tragedies of enormous magnitude... I could go on at length listing situations where talking about love, peace and life would seem to be just a slogan.

Is it therefore really possible today, in this life of ours, to see the signs of Christ's resurrection, to listen to the testimonies, to meet the Risen One? Is it still possible to believe in this announcement today?

Yes, it is possible! We believe it, and we reaffirm it because we have experienced it. Easter is not just a word, it is not a slogan, but it is a reality that we can still touch and experience today. We must believe it, we too want to say, "I believe, Lord; help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24).

Because it is not true that in the world there is only darkness and violence and that we experience only death and pain. In the world, there is also so much love, so many people who give their lives for others, who fight for justice, who work for peace. Celebrating Easter means recognizing and celebrating Christ who, through courageous witnesses, in the Holy Land and throughout the world, shows us the power of love that truly still knows how to overturn stones and bring light into the lives of so many people throughout the world and also in our Holy Land.

"Therefore let us cast away the works of darkness and put on the weapons of light" (Rom. 13:12). Yes, this is what Easter is calling us to this year as well: to become the witnesses who, by their actions, their prayers, their giving of their lives, continue to bring to the world the light that has sprung from Christ's tomb.

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!
Today's headlines: Victims from storm Megi in the Philippines rise to 58; Sri Lanka's Central Bank says its impossible to repay debt; the Taiwan army publishes a survival manual in case of war (with China); Tehran sends two human rights activists back to prison; more and more young Russians seek legal ways to avoid war in Ukraine; the president of Azerbaijan discusses peace plans with Armenia with Putin.

CHINA

Chinese police raided a prayer house during a Sunday service, arresting seven Christians for violations of Covid-19 anti-covid rules. The April 3 raid targeted the Zion Reformed Church, Shanxi province but remained secret for days. Molecular tests on the 21 present, including seven children, were negative.

PHILIPPINES

The victims from floods and landslides caused by the tropical storm Megi in the Philippines, so far the most devastating since the beginning of the year, have risen to 58. Rescuers are still on the lookout for missing persons and the toll could rise in the next few hours. The most affected is the central province of Leyte: at least 47 victims and 27 missing from a flood that hit the agricultural areas of Baybay City.

SRI LANKA

For the Central Bank of Sri Lanka it has become an impossible challenge to repay the debt and it seeks to use its dwindling foreign exchange reserves to import essential resources such as fuel. Taxes and the Covid-19 pandemic have strongly impacted a nation dependent (also) on tourism, fueling street protests against the lack of petrol, food and medicine.

TAIWAN

The Taiwan Army first published a manual aimed at citizens, providing a survival guide in the event of war. The fear is that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated Beijings plans to attack the island. China has never given up on the use of force to bring Taipei back to its sovereignty. The volume indicates how to find shelter, water and food.

THAILAND - VIETNAM

Thai authorities have detained Vietnamese dissident and activist Chu Manh Son, who enjoys the status of a UN political refugee, in an immigration center. The flight from the country dates back to 2017, following a 30-month sentence for "propaganda against the state". Not having a passport, Royal Thai Police officials arrested him ignoring the UN document.

IRAN

Tehran sent human rights activist Narges Mohammadi and photojournalist Alieh Motalebzadeh back to prison after giving them a short period of freedom for medical treatment. The Iranian police ransacked the house and arrested both women. According to the Hrana agency, they were transferred to the Qarchak Women's Prison, famous for abuse and violations.

RUSSIA

The Russian army struggles to recruit soldiers to fuel the war actions in Ukraine, looking for volunteers or forcing young conscripts, also because more and more soldiers refuse to participate in the invasion. The head of the Aurora humanitarian group Pavel Cikov revealed that he had received requests for legal support for the refusal from 17 regions of the Russian Federation.

AZERBAIJAN - ARMENIA

The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev discussed the issues of the peace negotiation with Armenia on the phone, concerning among others the border boundaries and the results of the recent meeting in Brussels with the "Minsk group", devoid of Russian representatives. However, Moscow still claims to have the last word on the conflict in the Caucasus.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

After Dagestan, Tatarstan has the highest number of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine. The Tatar authorities support Putin. Tatars in exile want to bring the Russian president to an international court. They do not want to submit to the "great-Russian" ideology.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Tatars of Russia are among the most shaken by the war events in Ukraine, which involve many young people sent into disarray with numerous victims among their ranks. Tatarstan is among the territories most tragically affected by the conflict, second only to Dagestan, even if the numbers of human losses among the Russians are not published. The Kazan authorities support Putin's war, but the population expresses a decidedly less favorable sentiment, which cannot manifest itself openly due to the strong repression at home.

Instead, the "exiled" Tatars expressed themselves, especially the representatives of the "Idel-Ural" independence movement, many of whom now live in Poland, where they have given life to a large demonstration against the Russian war. Leading it was Nafis Kasanov, against whom, together with his brother Rafis, an arrest warrant is pending in Russia for "extremism", as their organization is banned by the Russian authorities. The accusation dates back to 2015, and the two brothers were among the first convicted of "an attack on the territorial integrity of Russia".

The Kasanov brothers had condemned the annexation of Crimea, and their words were regarded as "discrediting the actions of the Russian Federation", the accusation that today is leveled against any internal criticism of the army and the authorities. After three years of concentration camps, Rafis is sheltered in Great Britain and Nafis in Poland, and they lead the protest of the Tatars from abroad. In Warsaw, Nafis spoke at the meeting stating that Putin's bandits will end up before an international court we Tatars are with you, Ukrainians! Your victory will be the liberation of Russia from the fascism of this regime .

Kasanov denounces the servility of the president of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, who with his predecessor Mintimer Saymiev "swims in the millions received by Putin ... at first they supported us, then they convinced them with the money to kill us". According to Tatar opponents, Putin's regime is destined to collapse after this war, and therefore "not only the Tatars, but all the peoples of the Oltrevolga, Siberia, the Caucasus, even the Finno-Ugres will claim their freedom".

One of the peoples who have always sought autonomy from Russia, the Tatars recall, is made up of the Chechens, now also heavily involved in military operations. As Nafis recalls, "all the true leaders of Chechnya have been killed: Maskhadov, Dudaev, Kadyrov sr., Who was a worthy leader of his people, while his son Ramzan today in power is a traitor to Chechnya, a servant of Putin who he will end his life .

The aspiration for independence of the various ethnic groups is a significant factor in the motivations of the conflict in Ukraine, which constitutes an example and a stimulus for the ex-Soviet peoples since the 2014 uprising in Kiev in Maidan Square. Russia instead intends to suffocate them in every way, both with weapons and with cultural campaigns for the "traditions and values" of the Russians, to be integrated with those of the subjugated peoples.

Kasanov promises that "finally we will be able to use our native languages, our customs and our culture ... we will no longer be put in prison for our religious beliefs, for Islam or shamanism, which are accepted only in a sweetened and subjected version. 'Great Russian ideology .
In March trade grew by 12.8 per cent, down from 25.7 per cent in February. Beijing is careful not to violate the punitive measures adopted by the West against Moscow. The Chinese are avoiding new oil contracts with the Russians. Xi Jinping's goal is to find a balance between the US and the EU on the one hand and the Kremlin on the other.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Sino-Russian trade is growing at a slower pace. In March it was 12.8 per cent year-on-year, about half that of February (25.7 per cent), when Moscow attacked Ukraine, this according to Chinese customs data.

The slowdown in trade between the two countries coincides with the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the consequent imposition of sanctions on Russia by the United States, the European Union and their allies.

Beijing officially maintains a line of neutrality on the crisis, without condemning the Kremlin, with which it has recently established a no limits friendship, and criticised Western restrictions on Moscow.

While Chinese state propaganda domestically supports Vladimir Putin's war adventure, the government seems careful not to violate the punitive measures adopted by the West against Russia.

The United States and the European Union have repeatedly said that there would be consequences if Beijing helps Moscow get around the sanctions.

According to US government officials and several analysts, nothing suggests that China is breaking the sanction regime against its northern neighbour.

Chinese oil refineries are for instance avoiding new contracts with Russian exporters, despite steep discount, Reuters reports.

In late March, the Chinese state giant Sinopec suspended negotiations for a major investment in the Russian petrochemical sector and joint marketing of Russian gas.

There is also little evidence that Chinese banks are rescuing sanctioned Russian financial institutions. The China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has stopped lending to Russian and Belarusian entities. Belarus is Russias ally.

Chinese leaders are engaged a balancing act, trying to save the special relationship with Russia without endangering trade with the United States and the European Union.

It should be noted that the United States and the European Union together account for more than a quarter of China's global trade, while the Russias share is just 2.4 per cent.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The United States Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force District of Connecticut arrested an alleged fugitive from justice Wednesday and also seized an AK-47 assault rifle with extended magazine and drugs, New Haven police said.

The fugitive, Joshua Williams, 26, who was arrested at a Melrose Drive location in New Haven, has an active arrest warrant out of New York State for an attempted murder charge, police said in a statement.

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The United States Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force District of Connecticut arrested an alleged fugitive from justice Wednesday and also seized an AK-47 assault rifle with extended magazine and drugs, police said

US Marshals, New Haven Police Task Force officers, and the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Shooting Task Force, executed a search and seizure warrant at the Melrose address and seized: two handguns with extended magazines; the AK-47 assault rifle with extended magazine; a bullet proof vest; 40 pounds of marijuana and 52 oxycodone pills, police said in the statement.

Williams was arrested on a charge of being a fugitive from justice, police said.

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Williams was held in lieu of $1 million bail, police said He also was transported to an arraignment hearing in Superior Court at 121 Elm St.
km77.com had the opportunity of testing a base specification fitted with 15-inch alloys and 185/65 tires. Instead of high-quality rubber, were actually dealing with a low-resistance compound that doesnt fare well in terms of hard braking and high-speed evasive maneuvers. The Continental EcoContact 6 offers 15 percent less rolling resistance and 20 percent higher mileage than the EcoContact 5, hence the Fabias so-and-so moose test performance.The Spanish motoring publication made the first entrance at 79 kilometers per hour (49 miles per hour), hitting two cones in the process. The reactions of the supermini, however, were deemed good. At 75 kilometers per hour (47 miles per hour), a little oversteer hindered the second run. But on this occasion, no cones were hit. The test driver notes that the ESC came into action in a subtle and efficient way, almost unnoticeable although anyone who remembers how cars were before ESC can tell when ESC intervenes.Unfortunately for the Fabia, it failed to stay clear of the cones at 76 kilometers per hour (47 miles per hour) even though the reactions were smooth and progressive. In truth, all modern superminis are fine at town speeds because of their small footprint and electronic nannies. With the notable exception of wider-tired hot hatchbacks like the Polo GTI and i20 N, all other subcompacts are meh in terms of high-speed maneuverability.Currently listed from 339,000 koruny back home in the Czech Republic, which is $15,050 at current exchange rates, the Fabia is exclusively offered with small-displacement mills. The engine in this car is the most basic of the lot, the free-breathing 1.0 MPI that puts out 80 metric ponies (make that 79 horsepower) and 95 Nm (70 pound-feet) at 3,000 revolutions per minute.
With the shift in location, the engineers have also changed their outfits to something suitable for the track, and they are now squeezing every drop of performance from the car.For the first time, we are getting a look at the interior of the 2024 Audi A6 e-tron , which will have a large display mounted at the center of its dashboard. Sadly, the rest of the interior is concealed, so we cannot see what the rest of the interior will look like, but we have a feeling that the screen will not be the only one in the vehicle.As you can see, the design of the five-door body is a fastback one, and it looks like its side windows will have frames, so it may not be marketed as a four-door coupe.Instead, Audi might play the practical card, which may be an option if we look at the design of the rear window, which might move with the trunk cap, thus making the A6 e-tron more practical than a conventional sedan.Just like previous prototypes, this one also has unusually-shaped headlights , which have a split design. It seems that this will be their final form if we were to judge by the fact that the prototypes have not changed this when moving from Sweden to Germany for their testing process.Curiously, Audi's A6 e-tron Concept had a Sportback body style when it was revealed back in April 2021 , but it did not have split headlights at the time. Maybe the design department wanted to try something new, although it would be an unusual shift in style for the Ingolstadt brand that has accustomed its customers to a uniform design across the board.
The celestial objects in our skies have always fascinated humans. In the 1990s, the development of rockets, as well as other technological advances, made it possible to send machines, animals, and eventually people into space.The first human-made machine to make it into outer space was the Sputnik satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. The successful launch of the satellite opened the gates to space exploration and sparked the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.Concerned about the Soviet Union's space dominance, NASA launched Project Mercury, the first American man-in-space program. The goal? To send a man into orbit and safely return him to Earth before the Soviets.But the U.S.S.R. was a step ahead. On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, successfully circling our planet for 108 minutes. The historic flight took place less than a month before astronaut Alan Shepard reached orbit as on May 5, he became the first American to fly in space.That same year, in the aftermath of the Gagarin flight, President John F. Kennedy " challenged the country to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade." After multiple failed launch attempts, it became evident that the U.S.S.R. would not reach the Moon before the U.S.So eight years later, after President Kennedy set the national goal of landing on the satellite, the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin put their boots onto the surface of the Moon for the first time. The U.S. followed with five other Apollo crewed missions to the Moon.The last manned mission was Apollo 17 took place in 1972  the same year when the competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union started to become a collaboration. In 1975, the two carried out the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project  the mission that ended the Space Race and kicked off a new era of international collaboration beyond our skies.The Apollo-Soyuz mission also laid the foundation for other collaborative space efforts, including the Shuttle-Mir and the International Space Station (ISS) programs. Soon after, several international partners joined to fulfill the humans' dream of reaching other worlds.So in the memory of the man who became the first person to go into space, we should celebrate humanity's achievements, not war. In 1961, after returning back to Earth, Yuri Gagarin said: "Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it!"
Hondas subsidiary failed to spark Chinese customers imagination, especially as the brand lacked the electrified models that the Chinese market wants. Acura entered the market in 2016 with the CDX, a crossover that was later joined by the China-only TLX-L sedan and the RDX. Annual sales peaked in 2019 when the brand sold 14,701 vehicles, but interest dwindled and the sales have plummeted to just 6,554 vehicles in 2021.GAC Acura sold only two models after the TLX-L was discontinued, and this made it an easy target for German brands. The compact CDX stood little chance against the more popular BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Its bigger brother RDX also faced an uphill battle against the likes of Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3.Acura is not the first Japanese brand that fails to establish a foothold in the Chinese market. Nissans Infinity was also withdrawn in January, with all the operations absorbed under Dongfeng Nissans umbrella. This will also happen to Acuras business, which will be integrated into GAC Honda. This includes GAC Acura employees and the services provided to existing GAC Acura customers, according to carnewschina.com The Chinese market increasingly favors sales of electrified vehicles, with Chinese brands holding a firm grip on the market. Japanese brands have been notoriously slow at adopting electrification and this has led to their downfall. Hopefully, the new partnership between Honda and General Motors will produce the badly needed electric vehicles.Honda has already teased the Chinese customers with the e:NS1 concept based on the HR-V . We must stress that the Chinese have already mocked Hondas efforts to attach the battery under the chassis of the car. They say the Chinese companies did that move more than 10 years ago and you know this is bad when youre compared with a copycat industry from the past.
VSC

Albon profited from multiple safety car andperiods as he found himself P7 before pitting. While this allowed Ocon, Bottas and Gasly to pass him, Albon still held a big enough lead over the second Alfa Romeo of Zhou Guanyu, which meant a P10 finish for the Williams driver.It just got better and better and by the end of it, it felt like qualifying laps for the last 25 laps of the race, said Albon in an interview with Motorsport . Obviously its completely unexpected, but it really highlights all the work thats been done at the factory and here at the track.Thats what determination and motivation  that's where it gets you. Its been an amazing day and Im glad I could get this result for the team.He also admitted to being surprised whenever his team didnt bring him in for a tire swap under VSC (virtual safety car), but his pace during the final stint made all the difference in the world. Now the team needs to understand why the FW44 is so much better when on the hard compound.Once we got clear air we just went, we were on much older tires than the guys around us and we were keeping pace more or less with the McLarens. At the very end pulling away from the Alpines. Whats interesting is that C2 tires really suit our car. We almost need to understand why because its a bit unexpected, clearly this result.The former Red Bull driver went on to joke that maybe his team needs to do everything with that tire (qualify, race etc.), and just have a bunch of C2 sets for the entire race weekend.
Last year, while performing an end-of-line test, a failure code was recognized with an R8 at the Neckarsulm assembly plant. Audi started an investigation regarding the root cause of this error, and the faulty transmission was promptly shipped back to Dana Graziano for analysis.Audi and the supplier discovered a deviation in the weight measurement process that affects the amount of transmission fluid. Obviously enough, both parties then contained every gearbox they could find. The issue was reported to the Audi Product Safety Committee and Multi Brand Committee, and both decided that a recall is necessary due to safety risks.Insufficient fluid may lead to foaming, which may lead to the fluid exiting through the breather valve. If any of that fluid ends up on exhaust componentry, a fire may ensue. Audi further notes clutch slippage, which may lead to a temporary loss of motive power and a warning message displayed in the instrument cluster. The document attached below lists the fluid under part number G052529A2 and Volkswagen AG as the supplier.Over in the United States, the Ingolstadt-based automaker has identified eight potentially affected R8s. More specifically, Audi refers to five R8 coupes produced from April 21st, 2021 to December 2nd, 2021 plus three R8 Sypders produced between October 7th, 2021 and November 12th, 2021.Owner notifications will be sent on or before June 3rd according to Audi. Dealers, on the other hand, have been instructed to check and top up the fluid as necessary at no charge to the owners. The German automaker isnt aware of any warranty claims or customer claims related to this blunder.
Thats when Audi intends to introduce the last Artemis concept. All three have been created over a platform that we only called Artemis or Trinity until the Volkswagen Group disclosed its true name: SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) , dedicated to electric cars.According to Audi, the sphere family of concept cars aims to show two things. The first is the design direction the German brand will adopt in the future, while the second is how Audi imagines premium mobility in a few years. The brand calls it progressive. Considering the company's emphasis on autonomous driving , progressive means people will stop driving their cars. Ironically, public transportation already offers that.The German brand made it very clear that the urbansphere was conceived with the Chinese market in mind. It is called urban because it would be the ideal car for the megacities around that country, offering the most space to date in any Audi. That reinforces the idea of a van, which China may enjoy more than other markets.To make sure that was the case, Audi conceived the urbansphere with inputs from its Beijing design studio. To be precise, the company says its headquarters in Ingolstadt worked in close cooperation with the Chinese designers, but we have no idea what role they had with the new concept car.Just like it did with the other two concepts, Audi will present the urbansphere in a digital event that can be followed by a live transmission. The German brand set up a countdown page for those who are curious about the new vehicle and the design exercise it offers.
EV

Price of lithium has gone to insane levels! Tesla might actually have to get into the mining & refining directly at scale, unless costs improve.



There is no shortage of the element itself, as lithium is almost everywhere on Earth, but pace of extraction/refinement is slow.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2022

We remember when Elon Musk said that being a successfulmaker means securing the raw materials supply chain. We dont know how many rivals took his all the way to the mine urge seriously, but it seems that at least Musk was actively considering the option.Most probably, the controversial CEO had not thought of Tesla employees taking the pickaxes and digging the lithium themselves. It was rather about securing a steady supply by investing in mining companies or securing contracts. Tesla did that when it partnered with the Brazilian mining company Vale S.A. to supply the nickel needed to build Li-Ion batteries.Nevertheless, the times have changed and this means Musks opinion about taking it all the way to the mine has changed too. In the face of the steep lithium price increases, Elon Musk announced that Tesla might get into mining and refining the material. Were sure he already had something in mind when he wrote the tweet.Price of lithium has gone to insane levels! Tesla might actually have to get into the mining & refining directly at scale, unless costs improve, wrote Musks tweet. There is no shortage of the element itself, as lithium is almost everywhere on Earth, but pace of extraction/refinement is slow.Musk also referred to the evolution of lithium prices, which were at less than $5,000 until 2015. There were moments this year when nickel traded for above $100,000, although it settled lower in the meantime. This means that an average electric vehicle would be about $2,000 more expensive to produce, according to Barrons . Nevertheless, Tesla has countered this increase by aggressively raising the prices of its vehicles.It's not the first time that Tesla considers mining lithium directly . During Battery Day in 2020, Musk told shareholders that Tesla acquired the mining rights to 10,000 acres (around 4,000 ha) in Nevada. Musk announced an internally-developed process to produce lithium from clay deposits. But during the economic slowdown in 2020, the plans have been shelved.
kW

Weve seen some really promising solar electric catamarans lately, with the Soel Senses 62 , Sunreefs 80 Eco, or the ZEN50 being just a few examples that come to mind, all built for the eco-conscious customer but without compromising in quality or style. Now, another such catamaran concept tries to make it on this already too competitive market: the Slyder 80.Developed by German hybrid catamaran builder Mavea Yachts, in collaboration with yacht designer Matthias Krenz, the Slyder 80 is the fourth model from the manufacturer. Mavea also has a Slyder 49, Slyder 60, and a Slyder 65 in its offer, boasting of its catamarans being built to offer the highest seaworthiness and quality, as well as the ambiance to feel comfortable on the sea.The Slyder 80 is designed and engineered in Germany. It has a carbon fiber hull, large solar panels, and electric motors. The catamaran has an overall hull length of 24.4 m (80 ft) and a beam of approximately 10.8 meters (35.4 ft).Mavea Yachts advanced vessel features a 215 sq meters (2,314 sq ft) mainsail with three reefs, is equipped with two 70-100electric motors with shaft drive, and can hit a top speed of 10 knots (11.5 mph/18.5 kph) under power and up to 24 knots (27.6 mph/44.4 kph) under sail.The manufacturer describes its Slyder 80 as a vessel that blends the elegance of a cafe racer monohull with the performance and space of a luxury catamaran . It offers 2.2 m (7.2 ft) of headroom inside and it can accommodate up to eight guests. Theres a 38 sq m (409 sq ft) main saloon and the cabins feature large, 1.8 m x 2.1 m (5.9 ft x 6.8 ft) beds. Also specifically designed for the Slyder 80 is the unique Sports-Fly (Sly-Fly), which Mavea explains offers enough space and safety, along with the opportunity to let fellow sailors take part in the fascinating sailing experience.Mavea Yachts plans to launch the first Slyder 80 in 2024.
State police on Tuesday arrested a New Britain man who they say was trafficking illegal assault weapons and making untraceable ghost guns.

Steven Gerent-Mastrianni, 39, had 125 guns, gun parts that would allow him to make firearms fully automatic and a 3D printer to make guns that cant be traced, as well as three homemade bombs on his Hillhurst Avenue property and in his cars, police say.

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Troopers seized fully and semi-automatic firearms, shotguns and pistols. They also confiscated 30,000-40,000 rounds of ammunition, they say. Fully automatic weapons are only legal in Connecticut if they had been registered on or before Jan. 1, 2014, and those who make their own guns with a kit or a printer must obtain a serial number and affix it to the gun.

The Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad disposed of the explosive devices.

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Gerent-Mastrianni  a pistol permit holder  was charged with nine counts each of sale of an assault weapon, weapon in a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a long gun and illegal transfer of a manufactured firearm without a serial number, police say.

He also was charged with 19 counts of sale of large-capacity magazines and one count each of possession of an assault weapon and possession of a machine gun. He was in custody on $500,000 bail, police say.

A half-dozen divisions of the state police worked with New Britain police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on the investigation.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.
The ACCA on Wednesday took Honda Australia to court, accusing the automaker of giving false information to its clients about two local dealerships that had stopped servicing their vehicles, Reuters reported.According to the Australian consumer watchdog, the Japanese automaker misled its clients about auto service arrangements, redirecting them to its online service booking system after switching to a fixed price business model in 2021.As of July 2021, Honda Australia got into new contracts with Honda dealerships as they transitioned into non-negotiable fixed prices. It was the first time in 52-years that the Japanese giant was selling automobiles at a non-negotiable fixed price in the country.During the transition, Honda cut down on the number of dealers in Australia from 105 to 90 outlets. Brighton Automotive in Victoria and Tynan Motors in New South Wales were among the 15 cut off.The ACCA said that between January and June 2021, Honda told clients of Brighton Automotive and Tynan Motors that the dealerships would not service Honda vehicles moving forward.The Australian watchdog commission added that the Japanese giant misled its clients about the dealerships through text messages, emails, and telephone conversations, saying they had closed, directing them to other Honda dealerships or service centers for their next appointment.However, the said dealerships were still servicing vehicles that included Honda models independently. The ACCA accused the Japanese giant of harming Brighton Automotive and Tynan Motors by misleading its clients that they had or would shut down, affecting their customer footfall. The competition watchdog wants the automaker penalized in court. Honda did not comment on the accusation claiming that it is still reviewing the filing but told Reuters that it is cooperating with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions investigation.
AWD

When Tesla announced that it will build the Model Y with 4680 cells and a structural battery, some people freaked out as this meant offering two different versions of the same vehicle on the same market. Indeed, the Model Y made in Fremont does not feature the new goodies, so it must be confusing. Unless Tesla changes things fundamentally.And it appears to be doing so, as the model built in Austin will be the Model Y Standard Range AWD , while Fremont will take care of the other variants. In time, as production in Austin ramps up, Giga Texas will be able to assimilate more variants, switching all to the new technologies. It happened the same with the vehicles produced at Giga Berlin, which are different from those imported from China and sold in the same market.We spotted the Model Y SRfirst on the EPA website before there was any information about it. We then got the chance to see its internals at Giga Texas Cyber Rodeo, but there are still a lot of things we dont know about the new variant thats being built in Austin. Fortunately, the friends at Electrek learned about an internal communications email detailing the new vehicles characteristics and even price.Tesla never listed the new trim for sale on its website, but according to the internal email the Model Y SR AWD is sold exclusively to Tesla employees for now. Nevertheless, it should become available to order pretty soon, probably in a couple of weeks. According to the email, the new model is priced at $59,990, which is $3,000 less than the Long Range version available now.The Model Y SR AWD has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.0 seconds, which also compares favorably to the 4.8 seconds of the LR variant. There are other new features as well, besides the structural battery pack. These include a parcel shelf like the one we've seen on the German-made Model Y and a magnetic center console armrest.Around 20 vehicles were delivered to employees at the event last week but as the production pace will increase, the new variant will become more visible. Starting Austin production with the Standard Range trim makes sense as this version has a smaller battery pack, allowing Tesla to build more vehicles with fewer cells. Note that the 4680-cell production is still in its infancy, so the cell supply is still a concern for Giga Texas.
Electric Vehicle

All three awards were handed out during the 2022 New York Auto Show, as it is customary for the World Car of the Year distinction. The Ioniq 5 marks a new era for Hyundai, and it seems that the judges have appreciated it for what it is.The Korean crossover has a dedicated E-GMP all-electric platform and continues with the Parametric Dynamics design that contrasts the Living Space theme of the interior.The World Car of the Year distinction is awarded by a jury of 102 automotive journalists from 33 countries around the world. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 had 27 competitors to face, and it beat all its rivals in the three categories in which it was nominated.In the Worldof the Year competition, the Ioniq 5 faced 10 other models, while the World Car Design of the Year had all the contenders in the other five award categories. The styling category was evaluated by a dedicated panel of six design experts from several countries.Hyundai called that a sweep in its press release, but we beg to differ, as the Mercedes EQS also got an award, but the Ioniq 5 was not competing in that category. So, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 did get all the awards it was nominated for, but not all the awards in the competition. Should we let that fly? Let's go with maybe, as we would not want to ruin Hyundai's party tonight with this one.The World Car of the Year distinction is not the only one Hyundai took home with the Ioniq 5 since it was launched, as the model has won numerous accolades since its debut in 2021. It won Car of the Year in Germany and the UK, as well as Car of the Year awards from several car magazines in Europe.
MPGe

SUV

The American brand decided to showcase the new High Altitude package, based on the Summit and Summit Reserve trim levels of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models. Sounds confusing? Bear with us to see what lies beneath the Hydro Blue exterior, the Gloss Black accents, and the special design of the 21-inch wheels that come with the blacked-out look of this model.First, the new exterior shade, called Hydro Blue Pearl Coat, is available for order in the second half of 2022. With a bit of detective work on the internet, possibly calling a few dealers in a few months, you will be able to get a paint code, in case you were looking for it. It might not work for everything, but if it isn't on Google, this might do the trick.The new shade is available on Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve models, and it can be had without the High Altitude package.Second, the High Altitude Package for the Grand Cherokee 4xe has an MSRP of $1,495 over the Summit trim or a $995 premium over Summit Reserve. It involves 21-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels, a seven-slot grille, and Gloss Black accents and badging for that blacked-out look we mentioned above.Third, the Grand Cherokee 4xe model is the first of its kind, and it comes with 25 miles (ca. 40 km) of all-electric range, along with an average fuel economy of 56. To achieve this, the Americanhas a 400-volt battery pack, two electric motors, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder motor mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.As standard equipment, all Jeep Grand Cherokee models come with the company's Uconnect 5 infotainment that has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. That's a nice touch, and the two front occupants will benefit from a set of 16-way adjustable seats with memory and electric lumbar adjustment, while the massage function is optional. We would tick that box, to be honest. Jeep also announced its Jeep Wave customer care program, which does not involve an actual wave, but is a premium owner loyalty program. It comes with things like three years of worry-free maintenance at Jeep dealerships, as well as 24/7 roadside assistance, first-day loaner coverage, VIP access to exclusive Jeep events, as well as 24/7 support over the phone or through online chat.
VTOL

This is not the first time we hear of CycloTech, whosepatented propulsion technology we already covered last year. The companys been working on its CycloRotor propulsion system for more than three years and back in the fall, it finally unveiled a prototype of it.CycloRotors (which are based on the same principle as the Voith Schneider propeller, a vessel propulsion solution used for decades in the maritime industry) enable thrust generation 360-degree around the rotation axis within fractions of a second, at a constant rotation speed and direction. They are compact, have a small footprint, can easily transition from hover to forward flight and allow precise maneuverability. The prototype presented by CycloTech in October was equipped with four such CycloRotors.Now the Austria-based company announces the aforementioned partnership with Yamato to develop a mid-class cargo eVTOL aircraft concept using the unique characteristics of the CycloRotors. In their feasibility study, the two parties involved refer to their new cargo eVTOL concept as the CCY-01. The aircraft is designed to be compact, with a footprint of just 2.7 x 2.5 m (8.9 x 8.2 ft) on the ground, being able to land with precision in confined areas of just 5 m (16.4 ft) in diameter.It would be battery-powered, it would use six omni-directional thrust generating CycloRotors, and would be able to maintain its stability in winds of up to 36 knots (18 meters per sec/59 ft per sec). The CCY-01 would be capable of transporting payloads of up to 45 kg (99 lb) over distances of up to 40 km (25 miles). It is designed to reach top speeds of approximately 130 kph (81 mph).This innovative cargo eVTOL would work with Yamatos PUPA (pod unit for parcel air-transportation) cargo pod , with the CCY-01 using the PUPA701, which would be attached to it. Thanks to its compact design, the aircraft would have easy and unobstructed access to the PUPA701 bay, with all the loading and unloading operations being handled from one side.You can find more details on the CycloTech/Yamato cargo eVTOL in the press release below. But as far as the actual production of the aircraft goes, neither of the two companies gives any clear indication that we could have our parcel delivered by one of these highly acclaimed unmanned aircraft any time soon.
The Monaco is an iconic timepiece, dating all the way back to 1969. This also used to feature one of the first automatic chronograph movements ever, to go with its square case design and water resistance. It was, of course, Steve McQueen that made the Monaco famous in the movie Le Mans, with rumors claiming the actor wore this watch even off the set.If youd like a more modern pop culture reference for the TAG Heuer Monaco, look no further than season five of Breaking Bad. This is the watch that Jesse gave Walt for his birthday  although that particular piece had the reference number CAW2111.FC618, meaning it was a 2004 reissue of the 1971 Monaco Model B.Back to this new Gulf Edition variant, you can tell that for 2022, the color combinations look even more vibrant than before, where the dark blue background is now enhanced by a sunray finish. Meanwhile, the turquoise boasts a lighter hue, and the orange is a little more radiant.This watch also features Gulf accents at the 3 oclock position, while the Gulf logo itself was done in white. Then theres the 12 oclock index, which was replaced by the number 60 as a nod to the racing number on those iconic Porsche Gulf race cars.Moving on to the strap, youll find that its made from perforated blue calfskin leather, featuring orange stitching. The holes in the strap are of different sizes now, which is a reflection of the original Monacos design from the 1970s.As for the mechanism, this chronograph is powered by the Heuer 02 movement, which comes with a sophisticated column wheel and a vertical clutch, according to Watchtime . Also, owners should enjoy a power reserve of up to 80 hours.Speaking of ownership, it will cost you no less than $7,050 to purchase this watch when it finally goes on sale next month.
As a little tribute to Lamborghini , we want to discuss the rarest and most expensive cars made by the Italian brand. Let's get right into the business.2013 Egoista - The rarest Lamborghini and arguably the most expensive. The Italian manufacturer made only one model, which is not for sale. The only way to own this car is to buy the entire company for yourself. In 1998, Audi bought Lamborghini for no more than $117 million. Today, the automaker is worth $11 billion. Good luck with owning an Egoista.2019 SC18 Alston - Introduced in November 2018, the SC18 Alston is a track-focused one-off created for a customer under close collaboration with Lambo's motorsport division Squadra Corse, which explains the "SC" in the name.The engine is a more powerful variant of the Aventador's naturally aspirated V12, producing 770 hp and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque, which helps the SC18 reach 62 mph (100 kph) in 2.8 seconds. For $7 million, you can have your unique one-off Lamborghini.2014 Veneno - You know, a lot of people say this is one of the ugliest cars ever made, and they hate the Veneno . For me, this piece of art is beautiful and is actually one of my favorites supercars ever produced.Only 13 total examples of the Veneno (4 coupes and 9 roadsters) were ever made, at a price of $4 million for one. Introduced at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the limited high-performance vehicle was developed to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th anniversary.The engine is another development from the Aventador's V12, having 740 hp with 509 lb-ft (690 Nm) of torque. With a top speed of 221 mph (355 kph), it goes from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds.2020 Sian FKP 37 - The production of the Sian was limited to only 63 units, with the price of one model being $3.6 million. The Sian is a mid-engine hybrid hypercar that debuted at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The also FKP 37 shares most of the engine with the Aventador SVJ In addition, it has an electric motor integrated into the gearbox. As a result, the total power output is 808 hp, meaning the Sian is the most powerful production Lamborghini vehicle. If you cannot afford a real Sian, don't worry because you can buy a LEGO Technic of the FKP 37 with engine parts that move and a differential just like the real thing.2012 Sesto Elemento - This "Batmobile" will cost you around $3 million because only 20 examples were ever created. Sesto Elemento translates to 'sixth sense.' Why is that important? Suppose you still remember being at the chemistry class. In that case, you should know that carbon has six as the atomic number in the periodic table. This is a reference to the predominant carbon fiber that comprises the Sesto Elemento's body.The model debuted in 2010 in Paris. It has a 5.2-liter V10 engine, developing 562 hp and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) torque. Combined with an all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed semi-automatic transmission, the car can reach 100 kph in only 2.5 seconds.2017 Centenario - To commemorate the 100th birthday of the company's founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, the Italian automaker revealed 20 coupes and 20 roadsters of the Centenario, with a price of $2 million each.The Centenario is the first Lamborghini automobile to have 3 exhaust outlets and rear-wheel steering. As a result, the system offers you excellent maneuverability at low speeds while increasing stability when you want to use all the 760 hp. As a fun fact, the Centenario also had the largest rear diffuser to ever be incorporated into a car until that point.2008 Reventon - The mid-engine hypercar debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. From a mechanical standpoint, it shares most of its parts with the Murcielago LP640. Only the exterior is very different, the Reventon being inspired by "the fastest airplanes."With a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 221 mph (355 kph), a Reventon will cost you around $1.5 million. Because of high temperatures in the rear lower part of the car, specially made heatproof LEDs were used for the taillights.There you have it. A list of the rarest and, of course, the most expensive Lamborghinis to be ever made. Let us know which one you think is the most special or beautiful.
SUV

The Los Angeles, California-based, forged wheel experts over at Forgiato Designs have uncovered something that defies nature's conventions. At its base, we are dealing with the limited-production 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat that adopted the Charger and Challengers 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and believed that grocery getting is always better with 710 horsepower under the hood.But this is not your average three-row family-hauling Durango that you can road trip on the way to the nationwide dragstrip track-day events. It may be white, for most body parts, but according to the aftermarket experts over at Platinum Rollas (Arizonas premier custom car shop), this is a Ghost Gloss Pearl Flip that we are looking at.Well, excuse us for not catching that because we were busy ogling/laughing/dropping jaws (I said it gives mixed feelings , right?) at the Chrome Gold HellKat graphics and believed that we were dealing with a feisty kitty. Then, all of a sudden, after recovering from the initial shock, we noticed that something big was quite amiss. The audacious Durango SRT Hellcat also features rally stripes with a distinctive gold/black honeycomb pattern.Suddenly, there is yet another dilemma. Is this a golden kitty or a busy bee? Just to avoid the growing headaches, we are just going to let you decide that and tell us in the comments section. Just one last highlight before we sign off and hope this quickly fades out of memory. Did anyone notice this hulking SUV rides lowered and with smoked taillights on a sparkling gold set of Forgiato Designs forged aftermarket wheels? Oh, and they are not even oversized as they are just regular 22s...
LPN and vaccine coordinator at Charter Oak Minela Ahmetovic, right, administers a booster to Lissette Cumba of Hartford at Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Charter Oak is administering vaccines and boosters, seven days a week. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Hartford  In a small gray trailer plopped in a parking lot alongside I-91 in Hartford, Samuel Wright and Bonnie Allen waited for COVID-19 vaccine-seekers to arrive.

It was late Tuesday afternoon, not long before the Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinic Wright and Allen run was set to close, and the site had seen about 30 patients  an increase from previous days but nothing like the crush of patients vaccinators grew used to in earlier stages of the pandemic.

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People are coming in, said Allen, a registered nurse. Not like that first booster, of course, when we had huge amounts of people, but they are starting to pick up in numbers.

Soon, a car rolled up and 56-year-old Hartford resident Randy Madore stepped out. Madore, like millions of other Americans, recently became eligible for a second booster shot, and he was anxious to receive it.

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Im starting to do more things socially, so I felt I wanted to be better protected, Madore said, citing the new BA.2 subvariant.

Then Madores car rolled away, and the site was empty again.

[ Connecticut residents 50 and older are eligible for a second COVID-19 booster shot. Heres where (and when) you can find one ]

Since federal regulators approved second booster doses for all Americans 50 and older in late March, as well as those who are immunocompromised, Connecticut providers have seen only a trickle of vaccine seekers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not list second booster shot data on its website, and a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health said the state doesnt have that data either. But whats clear is that of nearly 900,000 Connecticut residents 50 and older who have already had one booster, only a small fraction have sought another shot.

People dont have that sense of urgency they had last year, said Eric Arlia, Hartford HealthCares director of pharmacy. That fear that Ive got to be first in line, I think thats gone, which is probably a good thing for all of us.

A man walks past a sign for vaccines at Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford, Conn., Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Charter Oak is administering vaccines and boosters, seven days a week. (Jessica Hill / Special to the Courant)

Arlia said Hartford HealthCare has delivered about 3,000 booster doses since March 29, the vast majority of which have been second boosters. About 75% of appointment slots have been filled, Arlia said.

This, of course, stands in contrast to the initial vaccine rollout last year, when hundreds of thousands of residents flocked simultaneously to get their shots, leaving lines long and appointments scarce. This time around, Arlia said, he anticipates a more orderly booster shot process.

Rashad Collins, chief operating officer of Charter Oak Health Center, said demand remained relatively modest. A good day for Charter Oak, where vaccine clinics are open seven days a week, might mean 30 or 40 patients.

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It hasnt been too big of a bump so far, Collins said. People are still getting more educated on the eligibility side of it.

Leslie Gianelli, a spokesperson for Community Health Center, Inc., said CHC has seen steady levels of interest among patients and was taking proactive steps to encourage booster shots, such as asking patients at unrelated appointments if theyd like a booster dose.

Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut >

A spokesperson for CVS said she could not share how many second booster doses the pharmacy chain had administered so far, but as of Tuesday, numerous vaccine appointments in the Hartford area were available through the stores website.

Connecticut ranks as one of Americas most vaccinated states, both in terms of initial vaccinations as well as first booster doses. As of Tuesday, 51.3% of fully vaccinated state residents had received a booster.

Experts say the second booster is particularly important for elderly people and those with serious underlying conditions but that everyone 50 and older can benefit from another shot.

Its an additional thing you can do to protect yourself and have an extra layer of comfort that you are as protected as you can be from adverse affects of COVID-19, Dr. Manisha Juthani, the states public health commissioner, said recently.

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Arlia, who is 51, said he got his second booster dose last week.

I just dont see a downside, honestly, Arlia said, and I want to be a role model.

Alex Putterman can be reached at aputterman@courant.com.
Today the international community is clearly telling us that being the only country in the world that does not bilaterally recognize the territorial integrity to Turkeys ally Azerbaijan is very dangerous for not only Artsakh (Karabakh) but also Armenia, Pashinian told the Armenian parliament.

Today the international community is again telling us, Lower a bit your bar on the question of Nagorno-Karabakhs status and we will ensure a great international consolidation around Armenia and Artsakh. Or else, says the international community, please do not pin your hopes on us. Not because we dont want to help you but because we cant help you, he said in an hour-long speech.

Pashinian said he is therefore keen to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible. He reiterated that Bakus proposals regarding such an accord, including a mutual recognition of each others territorial integrity, are acceptable to Yerevan. He again stated that a clarification of the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh must also be on the agenda of upcoming Armenian-Azerbaijani talks on the treaty.

Pashinian did not explicitly say whether his administration is also ready to formally recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh. He noted only that Yerevan will put the emphasis on security guarantees for the Armenians of Karabakh and their rights and freedoms.

Armenian opposition leaders were quick to strongly condemn the remarks. Ishkhan Saghatelian, a senior member of the main opposition Hayastan alliance, said Pashinian openly expressed his intention to place Karabakh back under Azerbaijani control.

This means that we would finally lose Artsakh because Artsakh will be left without Armenians if we go down that path, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. This is absolutely unacceptable to us.

Saghatelian said that regime change in Armenia is the only way to prevent such a scenario.

Hayastan and the other parliamentary opposition bloc, Pativ Unem, jointly rallied thousands of supporters in Yerevan on April 5 to warn the Armenian government against making far-reaching concessions to Baku. They signaled plans to stage more such protests in the coming weeks.

Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels on April 6 for talks hosted by Charles Michel, the European Unions top official. Michel described the trilateral meeting as productive, saying that the two leaders agreed to move rapidly towards the peace deal.

Aliyev sounded satisfied with the Brussels talks when he addressed members of his government on Tuesday. He said it became clear to him that Armenia is renouncing territorial claims to Azerbaijan.

Aliyev also emphasized the fact that Michels written statement issued after the talks made no mention of the Karabakh conflict or the Armenian-populated territory itself.

The Azerbaijani president regularly says that his countrys victory in the 2020 war with Armenia put an end to the conflict. Armenian leaders disputed that claim until recently.

Pashinian on Wednesday did not specify whether the pressure on the Armenian side emanates only from the West or Russia as well.

Russia, the United States and France have for decades co-headed the OSCE Minsk Group tasked with brokering a Karabakh settlement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Washington and Paris have stopped cooperating with Moscow on the Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute because of the war in Ukraine. U.S. and French officials have not denied that.

Pashinian is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 19 during an official visit to Moscow.
Kerobian discussed the matter with Russias Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov during a visit to Moscow.

Official Armenian and Russian press released on their talks noted that Russian-Armenian trade rose last year by 12.7 percent to over $2.5 billion. Russia thus solidified its status as Armenias number one trading partner.

Kerobian was reported to express concern at the fact that bilateral trade began falling in March. According to the Armenian Ministry of Economy, he suggested to Manturov that the two sides work together to urgently eliminate the causes of the decline and restore growth.

It was not clear whether Kerobian proposed any specific measures for that purpose.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade reported, for its part, that the two ministers discussed a number of joint projects in various sectors.

Denis Manturov stressed the importance of developing cooperation in the following spheres: mining, metallurgy, chemical industry and agricultural engineering, it said in a statement.

The close economic ties between the two countries are the reason why Armenia is expected to be significantly affected by the Western sanctions. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have forecast that the Armenian economy will barely grow this year.

The impact of the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia is likely to be significant given Armenias strong economic links with Russia, the World Bank said in a report released on Monday.

The CBA warned earlier that Russian-owned companies operating in Armenia will experience major difficulties and disruptions because of the crippling sanctions.

One such company, the Teghut mining giant, suspended operations on March 14. The company employing 1,100 people is controlled by Russias VTB bank sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.
Speaking in the Armenian parliament earlier in the day, Pashinian said Armenia is facing international pressure to scale back its long-standing demands on Karabakhs status and recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity. He signaled Yerevans intention to make such concessions to Baku, stoking Armenian opposition allegations that he has agreed to Azerbaijani control over Karabakh.

Harutiunian discussed Pashinians statement with Karabakh civil society members at a meeting in Stepanakert. His press office said they expressed outrage at the remarks and demanded that Karabakhs leadership formulate a clear political position on them.

The Karabakh leader assured them that the authorities in Stepanakert will continue to assert the Karabakh Armenians right to self-determination.

Harutiunian went on to hold a separate meeting with other Karabakh officials and the leaders of the territorys main political parties. He said he convened it because Pashinians statement has caused serious concern among the public.

Our society presents very clear demands which we must meet by organizing meaningful and comprehensive discussions, added Harutiunian.

Harutiunians foreign minister, Davit Babayan, insisted late last month that the Karabakh Armenians will never agree to live under Azerbaijani rule.

This is the red line which we will never cross regardless of anything, Babayan told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.
ChargePoint announced the completion of the first of six electric vehicle fast-charging corridors in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office.
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Optii Solutions, the leading cloud-based hotel operations software, continues its expansion with the appointment of Dino Pietropaolo as Chief Technology Officer
The West cannot let this war end by granting Vladimir Putin the fruits of his evil. Some 100,000 human lives are being held as chips in a grand negotiation in Mariupol, Ukraine. Doctors Without Borders has reported that medicine ran out days ago, people are exposed to the elements because housing has been systematically destroyed, and there are only a few days, if any, left of food reserves. And then theres Bucha. There are no words, but the images are shocking.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces an impossible question: Negotiate for peace and save the lives of people in Mariupol, Bucha, the Donbas, and soon Odessa, or keep fighting to win the war, or at least negotiate on his terms, not Putins.

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Putin is betting on these looming tragedies to push Zelenskyy to agree to a deal giving Russia most of what it wants. Zelenskyy has already sent strong signals that hes willing to let go of what he called the NATO dream, at least for now. And probably his pledge to discuss the future of Crimea means hed let that heavily pro-Russian population go as well. The fate of the Donbas seems to be headed toward the status quo ante given the unlikely scenario that Ukrainian forces could take them back. In the end, this scenario would mean the thousands killed and the utter destruction of most of the country would have brought both sides around to where they more or less were at the start.

A serviceman stands at a building damaged during fighting in Mariupol, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov) (Alexei Alexandrov/AP)

Zelenskyy is being forced by this hostage taking to weigh the long-term security of his country against those lost lives and the years of rebuilding the country faces. There will also no doubt be a sizable loss of talent as many of those who fled the war choose to not return. Stemming that exodus has to be in his calculus as well. Theres no easy answer for him. It will be hard for a decent man like Zelenskyy to condemn his people to a longer war for the sake of an as-yet-to-be-won greater good.

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Putin is coldly counting on that fact and tightening the noose where his forces are capable of it. Every day the evidence piles up that Russian soldiers were told by commanders to purposefully disregard the risk to civilians, or to make civilian casualties the aim of operations, as President Joe Biden has accused Putin of doing. The Kremlin understands that Ukraine shares the values of Europe, values that make human rights the core of international relations. While the war might have started because he wanted to push Ukraine away from those same values, for now, Putin will use them to press his position. There is no bigger pressure point right now than the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Mariupol where a relief convoy has again been stopped, and the certain knowledge that what happened at Bucha wont be the last war crime committed on civilians.

NATO must do more to save Ukrainians from these horrors or else lose the right to claim it values human rights as more than an expediency. Sure, there is risk in using NATO to open civilian escape routes, or to pressure Putin elsewhere, like establishing no-fly zones, or safe areas, to ensure that Moscow cannot use civilians as poker stakes. But to ask a variation of what Secretary of State Madeleine Albright screamed at Colin Powell during the Balkans war, Whats the point of having this superb military if we cant use it?

The West should be asking itself this question, daily. There are risks to using our superbly capable hard power, but we got to that level of superb capability because the men and women who built and trained these militaries believed in defending the very lives and principles at risk in Mariupol.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces an impossible question: Negotiate for peace and save the lives of people in Mariupol, Bucha, the Donbas, and soon Odessa, or keep fighting to win the war, or at least negotiate on his terms, not Vladimir Putins. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) (AP)

Those values matter, and Ukrainians share those values. The collective West should not let Putin use them against a country and a leader who has defended them so fiercely. Zelenskyy shouldnt have to choose between quitting the fight and letting Mariupol die. There are creative ways to mitigate the risk of military support to Ukraine. The West should give Zelenskyy the option of saving those lives and continuing his righteous fight. All it is, is one percent.

Matthew Schmidt directs the program in international affairs at the University of New Haven, where he is an associate professor of national security.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Showers this morning, becoming a steady rain during the afternoon hours. High 54F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 41F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Chris Rock are unlikely role models of male leadership that have suddenly blossomed in front of our very eyes on the world stage.

Neither of them is 6 feet tall or boasts a pedigree of distinguished leadership offices held. Both are comedian actors who seem thrust into events that brought out the noble best of human behavior.

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Zelensky is a former Ukrainian comedian who played a Ukrainian president in a TV series and then ran for the actual presidency and won.

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, right, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda ,center, watching Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on a screen at the main event of the "Stand Up for Ukraine" global campaign for pledging funds for Ukraine and its refugees, at the Palace on the Water, in Warsaw, Poland, on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Launched by the European Commission and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the event was joined remotely by Trudeau and by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (Czarek Sokolowski/AP)

His only claim to fame before Russia invaded Ukraine two months ago was refusing an American presidents request for an investigation into Hunter Bidens activities in Ukraine.

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Otherwise he seemed like a quiet man who held his tongue.

Then Russia invaded his country and Zelensky emerged as an eloquent speaker inspiring his countrys population with prose echoing Winston Churchills greatest WW II We will never surrender speech, given in a live address streamed to Britains House of Commons itself also, in March.

We will not give up, and we will not lose. We will fight till the end, at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets

Zelensky had already endeared himself to the freedom-loving world with a quote (which has since been printed on T-shirts) when the U. S. offered to provide him safe passage as the Russian invasion loomed large in late February: The fight is here. I dont need a ride, I need ammunition. He would not leave his country.

As the war unfolded President Zelensky, dressed in Army green himself, visited troops and awarded medals to the wounded in hospitals, even publishing a videotape of himself in his office almost giving Vladimir Putin the street address at which he could be found.

Streaming speeches to various world bodies, he has expressed appreciation for world support while firmly asking for more weapons to continue Ukraines fight for freedom.

If Zelensky has emerged from a television stage to the world stage with eloquence and bravery, Chris Rock was literally on a worldwide stage as comedian host at the Academy Awards (the Oscars) March 27 when he was thrust into world attention.

When actor Will Smith bounded on stage uninvited and slapped Chris Rock in the face for a tasteless joke Rock had made about the hair of Smiths wife, Rock was on TV channels around the world . What would he do?

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Chris Rocks leadership was not that of inspiring words or dramatic actions.

Quite the opposite.

Chris Rocks leadership was unrehearsed and instantaneous for all the world to see when he was hit on live TV: He turned the other cheek.

One male slapping another male in the face can be a recipe for a fight whether in a schoolyard or on an international stage like the televised Academy Awards.

But Chris Rock did not raise his hand in response and, when interviewed by management a few minutes later, he declined to press charges.

Opinion Weekly Perspective on the week's biggest stories from the Courant's Opinion page >

He went on with the show.

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When he appeared in performance in Boston a few days later he said only that he was still processing the event and would have something to say about it at a later time.

How is this comedians a model of male leadership like that of President Zelenskys leadership of eloquence and courage?

Sometimes silence speaks volumes. Sometimes passivity is courage. (Ask Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) Sometimes manhood is defined by thinking not reacting, processing before speaking.

Volodymyr Zelenski and Chris Rock exemplify two types of strength: the power of words and the power of thinking, neither of which requires physical force.

It is an inspiring lesson for me.

Retired teacher Paul Keane grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Vermont.
The Justice Department and the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday announced an agreement on police oversight and use-of-force policies that comes almost two years after a federal civil rights investigation found that the department's narcotics unit routinely used excessive force during arrests.

The consent decree, which needs a judge's approval, requires officers to report all uses of force, including punches and kicks; requires officers to intervene to prevent the use of force; and creates a way to better investigate allegations of misconduct, said Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department's civil rights division.

The settlement also requires the hiring of an independent monitor to make sure the department in the states third largest city is adhering to the its requirements.

This consent decree sets the Springfield Police Department on a pathway to restoring the publics trust by assuring that policing is lawful, Clarke said at a news conference in the city attended by city leaders including Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and Mayor Domenic Sarno.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins noted that the department has about 500 sworn officers, yet the problems were limited to the narcotics unit, which had about two dozen members and has since been disbanded.

Today is the first step in repairing the harm and mistrust their misconduct and violence caused, she said. After lengthy negotiations, we are pleased to have reached an agreement that includes significant and sustainable reforms to ensure effective and constitutional policing going forward in the city of Springfield.

Rollins also said she was disappointed that a jury in December declined to convict a member of the narcotics unit, who had been indicted on charges of verbally and physically abusing car theft suspects.

Clapprood said the department has already been working on reforms, such as updated training and a leadership school for supervisors.

Let us be as professional as we possibly can be, let us be as accountable as we possibly can be so that you can see the job were doing and the efforts were making are to make Springfield a safer community, she said.

Sarno noted that city's police department is the largest in the state that uses body-worn cameras.

The results of the Justice Department's two-year investigation released in July 2020 found that officers in the narcotics bureau used force impulsively rather than tactically, regularly resorting to blows to the head to gain compliance when a suspect wasn't a physical threat without attempting other less severe uses of force.

The officers were then rarely held accountable, according to the report.

In one case, an officer punched a 17-year-old boy as he rode a motorbike past a group of officers making arrests, investigators said. In another instance, an officer struck a 22-year-old man in the face after a foot pursuit even though the man didnt pose a physical threat.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A stray bullet, apparently fired during a gunfight in Louisiana's capital, struck and killed a 3-year-old boy who was lying in bed, police said Wednesday.

Sgt. L'Jean McKneely, a spokesperson for the Baton Rouge Police Department, said the shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday. Police identified the victim as Devin Page Jr. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The prestigious reputation of Vidor's former mayor will live on in the memories of Southeast Texans who knew him.

A former mayor, attorney, and lifelong resident of Vidor has died, but his prestigious reputation lives on in the memories of the Southeast Texas community.

Larry Charles Hunter, 69, died in the early Sunday morning at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, according to information from the Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor.

Managing Partner of Ferguson Law firm in Beaumont Chip Ferguson knew and worked with Hunter, who also was an attorney, for about 20 years.

Larry Hunter was beyond anything a wonderful man, Ferguson said. He had an impeccable reputation as a man of integrity and was beloved by everyone at the Ferguson Law Firm. He was a great friend to me and to many others here and I will miss him tremendously.

Related: Vidor attorney making bid for state representative

Hunter was born on July 8, 1952 in Texarkana. He graduated from Vidor High School in 1970, Lamar University in 1973 and The University of Houston Law School in 1976. He married Becky Jean Smith in 1974, his obituary said.

According to the obituary, Hunter started his law practice alongside B.E. Wharton, then partnered with Buddy Hahn at Hahn & Hunter, followed by a sole practice at Law Offices of Larry C. Hunter. He later partnered with Courtney Burch at Hunter Burch, LLP, followed by a partnership at Provost Umphrey Law Firm and then a partnership at Ferguson Law firm up until his death.

He had the honor and privilege of being a part of a case argued in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. Larry was involved in his community, in legal circles and most of all with his family," the obituary said. As an attorney, he had the privilege of helping many clients with all their legal needs and any who suffered from injuries.

Many were already good friends or became friends after meeting with him, the obituary continued. He loved the law and loved being an attorney and felt honored to help people. Larry had a strong sense of justice and strived to secure it for his clients. Larrys friends joked about how often he would tell them how much he loved his wife, especially after a scotch or two, his favorite beverage.

According to Enterprise archives, Hunter's cases included representing Tommy Bean, a federally-licensed firearm dealer from Vidor who was imprisoned in Mexico after allegedly overlooking shotgun shell cases while crossing over the border for lunch.

Hunter, working with then-Texas Sen. David Bernsen and then-U.S. Rep. Jim Turner, both Democrats, managed to free Bean from the Mexican jail on Sept. 21, 1998. Bean was then transferred, under a treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, to a low-security federal prison in South Texas. He was ultimately released on Oct. 21, 1998. Bean was free from prison but still faced legal obstacles to restore his Second Amendment rights, Hunter told The Enterprise previously.

"In January 2000, then-U.S. District Judge Joe Fisher restored Beans firearm rights, but the Fifth U.S. Circuit in New Orleans overturned Fishers ruling," the Enterprise article said. "It took the arrest of another U.S. citizen for a similar violation in Japan for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide that the laws of other countries should not affect a citizens rights on repatriation."

Related: Vidor man imprisoned in Mexico for shotgun shells dies

Hunter was formerly mayor of Vidor, president of the Vidor Rotary Club and director of the Vidor Chamber of Commerce. He was a past municipal judge and city attorney for the Rose City and legal counsel for the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.

According to information from The Ferguson Law Firm, Hunter has received numerous honors over the course of his career, including appointment as a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It really does take a special person to seek office, said Vidor City Manager Robbie Hood. They genuinely care about the community they were chosen to represent, and Mayor Hunter was that to a T. He was so community involved. He was part of the Vidor Chamber of Commerce and several organizations in the city of Vidor that give up their free time. And that is free time on weekends, doing things to help better the community and it takes a special person to help do that job.

A memorial service has been scheduled for Friday at First Baptist Church in Vidor. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with Reverend Terry Wright and Reverend Patrick Miller officiating.
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa offered Wednesday to meet with protesters occupying the entrance to the president's office, saying he would listen to their ideas for resolving the economic, social and political crisis facing the country.

The protesters camped out for a fifth day demanding the resignation of the prime minister's brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, holding him responsible for the countrys worst economic situation in decades. They also are calling for his powerful family to leave power, accusing them of corruption and misrule.

A statement from the prime minister's office said he is willing to talk to" representatives of the protesters outside the president's office in the capital, Colombo.

Some protesters who spoke with The Associated Press rejected the prime minister's offer.

What should happen now is as a seasoned politician, at a time when a majority in the country is rejecting him, he should not be offering to talk but should go home with his entire clan, said Nuwan Kaluarachi, a teacher.

The people's voice is that the whole Rajapaksa family must leave, said Rasika another protester who gave only one name. Let's take our money back and send them to jail.

Sri Lankans in recent months have endured fuel and food shortages and daily power outages. Most of those items are paid for in hard currency, but Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, saddled with dwindling foreign reserves and $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment over the next five years. Nearly $7 billion is due this year.

Sri Lanka announced Tuesday that it is suspending repayments of foreign debt, including bonds and government-to-government borrowing, pending the completion of a loan restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund.

The Ministry of Finance said the IMF has assessed Sri Lankas foreign debt as unsustainable, and that staying current on foreign debt payments is no longer a realistic policy.

In addition to seeking help from the IMF, the government has turned to India and China for help in dealing with shortages.

Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to buy cooking gas, fuel and milk powder, and doctors have warned there is a potentially catastrophic shortage of essential medicines in government hospitals.

The government says the World Bank has provided $10 million to buy essential medicine and equipment and the health ministry is in discussions with the World Health Organization and Asian Development Bank for additional funding. The government has also appealed to Sri Lankans living and working overseas to donate medicines or money to purchase them, the government's information department said.

The World Bank said Wednesday that it is concerned about the uncertain economic outlook in Sri Lanka and is working to provide emergency support for poor and vulnerable households to help them weather the economic crisis.

Much of the anger expressed in weeks of protests has been directed at the Rajapaksa family, which has held power for most of the past two decades. Critics accuse the family of having the government borrow heavily to finance projects that have earned no money, such as a port facility built with Chinese loans.

Mahinda Rajapaksa in a speech Monday sought to reassure people that the government is working to resolve the countrys financial problems.

However, he refused to yield power, saying the governing coalition will continue to rule Sri Lanka because opposition parties rejected its call for a unity government.

The crisis and protests prompted many Cabinet members to resign. Four ministers were sworn in as caretakers, but many of the key government portfolios are vacant.

Parliament has failed to reach a consensus on how to deal with the crisis after nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.

But with opposition parties divided, they have been incapable of forming a majority to take control of Parliament.
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HARTFORD  With nearly seven months remaining in a long campaign, Gov. Ned Lamont released his second campaign commercial Tuesday that focuses on his accomplishments in office  and said he is worried about outside, third-party money flowing into the state with attack ads.

At this early stage, Lamont is avoiding any attacks and does not mention his expected opponent, Republican Bob Stefanowski of Madison. Instead, he devotes most of the 60-second commercial toward his handling of the COVID-19 crisis  starting with the initial report in northern Fairfield County more than two years ago.

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I remember like yesterday when I got the call  our first case,' Lamont says as the commercial begins. A nurse at Danbury hospital had COVID. Right away, we got the best people together: business leaders, health care experts.'

Lamont told reporters that he has largely avoided buying TV commercials at the moment.

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Well, I really havent done much,' Lamont told reporters Tuesday. I want to get through this legislative session. I want to keep the politics over there as long as I can, which is not much longer. I went up with a positive 30-second ad just because everybody else is on TV, and I figured I should at least send our message.'

While Lamont avoids negativity, the campaign is expected to be a bitter rematch between two multimillionaire business executives. Stefanowski has pledged to spend $10 million, while Lamont has already spent more than $40 million of his own money on three races  for U.S. Senate in 2006 and governor in 2010 and 2018.

Much of the negativity is expected from outside groups with money backing the candidates. A commercial is already airing by CT Truth PAC, Inc., a pro-Stefanowski group that has raised $1 million and has released a 30-second ad that says, Governor Lamont: Come Clean. Your administration looks dirty.'

The ad referenced an ongoing investigation by the FBI and federal prosecutors regarding Kosta Diamantis, a former Democratic state legislator who was fired as deputy budget director eight days after the state received a subpoena concerning school construction projects that Diamantis oversaw.

I worry about all this outside money pouring into the state,' Lamont said. These independent PACs, Im not sure they reflect Connecticut values or where were coming from. Im thinking Ill reserve judgement and see how it plays out.'

In his 60-second ad, Lamont segues near the end of the commercial to tax cuts, which is among the hottest topics at the state Capitol at the moment. Lamont and top legislators are starting final negotiations over his $336 million package that would reduce taxes on cars and residential property. The $400 million figure mentioned in the commercial includes about $75 million from increasing the earned income tax credit for working families, according to the campaign.

Lawmakers are facing a deadline as the regular legislative session ends on May 4, and they traditionally wait until counting all the money from the federal and state income tax filing deadline that has been pushed back this year until April 18.

With more than $2 billion in federal funds over two years and record-breaking levels on Wall Street in recent years, the state budget surplus is now projected at $1.76 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30 and more than $1 billion next year. The rainy day fund for fiscal emergencies is expected to top $5 billion later this year if fiscal trends continue  before some money is taken from the fund to pay down long-term pension debt.

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Through two years of a devastating pandemic, Gov. Lamont brought the best people together to keep our state safe, healthy, and working,' said Dan Morrocco, Lamonts campaign manager. Under his leadership, our state has seen balanced budgets and record surpluses  and now Connecticut families will have more money in their pockets thanks to the governors tax cuts.

The transcript for Lamonts 60-second ad is as follows:

Lamont: I remember like yesterday when I got the call  our first case. A nurse at Danbury hospital had COVID. Right away, we got the best people together: business leaders, healthcare experts.

Doctor: There wasnt a moment to lose. They got us what we needed.

Lamont: Our focus  keep Connecticut safe, healthy, and working. We developed the most effective vaccination rollout in the country. Got our schools open and kept them open.

Teacher: They got students in school, learning in person, the way they need to.

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Lamont: We couldnt let them fall behind, and parents needed to get back to work. When other places remained closed, we made sure our small businesses could safely reopen.

Small businesses owner: I could make payroll, keep my employees working.

Lamont: Here in Connecticut, we brought all parties together. Thats how we turned a massive budget deficit into three years of surpluses. And now were fighting for a $400 million tax cut.

Sure we faced a lot together, but our state stayed strong. And its getting stronger.

Im Ned Lamont, and I approve this message.'

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Police escort two Muslim extremists after a court sentenced them to death in a February 2004 attack on Dhaka University professor and award-winning author Humayun Azad, in Dhaka, April 13, 2022.

A Dhaka court convicted and condemned to death four suspected members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh militant group on Wednesday for attacking a prominent Bengali secular writer with machetes 18 years ago.

In a bizarre case, the defendants were tried on murder charges although the writer, Humayun Azad, died of heart failure in Germany in August 2004, six months after extremists attacked him at a book fair in Dhaka.

That incident foreshadowed the killing of a U.S.-Bangladeshi secular blogger, Avijit Roy, at the same book festival in February 2015  a year when Muslim zealots in the South Asian nation terrorized secular Bengali writers by targeting them in a series of machete-killings.

Two defendants, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Minhaz and Anwarul Alam, were in court to hear that they would be sent to the gallows via death row, while two others, Nur Mohammad Shamim and Salehin Sani, have absconded. A fifth suspect, Hafez Mahmud, died in a gunfight with police, according to officials.

The prosecution was able to prove beyond doubt the charges brought against the accused. The most heinous crime committed by the accused is unforgivable. All of them are being sentenced to death as they deserve no mercy, Dhaka Metropolitan Judge Al-Mamun ruled at the end of the trial. In addition to the sentence, he fined each defendant 50,000 taka (U.S. $580).

The prosecutor welcomed the ruling.

The convicts are leaders at various levels of the JMB, Abdullah Abu told BenarNews.

We are satisfied as the killers have been awarded capital punishment, the prosecutor said while noting it took many years for the court to rule.

On Feb. 27, 2004, militants attacked Azad, one of the most famous feminist, humanist and atheist writers in Bangladesh history, on the campus of Dhaka University where he taught Bengali literature. He was returning home from the annual, month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

On Aug. 12, 2004, he was found dead in Germany, where he had traveled on a scholarship. An attempted murder case filed by his brother, Manzur Kabir, after the attack in Dhaka, was elevated to a murder case after his death.

This verdict is unexpected. The judge pronounced it without carefully reviewing our submissions, defense counsel Faruq Ahmed told BenarNews. He died six months after the attack.

The defense team pointed to German media reports that an autopsy on Azad had found a natural cause of death.



The medical examination did not find anything unusual. The doctor found signs of death from cardiac arrest, the Deutsche Welle news agency said in a report published on Aug. 19, 2004, quoting an official with the German police.

The prosecutor challenged the defenses argument.

He died due to the attack. It was proved in court. The verdict is delivered from testimonies of 41 witnesses, Abdullah said.

Survivors skip court

None of Azads survivors were in court for the verdict. His brother, Manzur Kabir, expressed frustration over the investigation.

When they (investigators) excluded Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi from the charge sheet, we lost interest in it. Whatever might be there in the verdict, we are not so much interested in it, he told BenarNews  adding that Azad had identified him as one of the attackers.

He (Sayeedi) might have proven not guilty in the court, but police excluded him from the charges. That is our main grievance, Kabir said.

Sayeedi, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for crimes against humanity during Bangladeshs war for independence in 1971, condemned Azad for his works against fundamentalism.

The other killings of freethinkers might have been avoided had the verdict been pronounced earlier, he said, referring to Roy who was hacked to death one day short of the 11th anniversary of Azads attack while attending the same book fair, and other writers and publishers.

Local authorities blamed Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a Bangladeshi militant group aligned with al-Qaeda, for a spate of killings secular writers in 2015 and 2016, including Roy.

A poet and publisher said the verdict does not make Bangladesh safer for him and others involved in secular communications.

The fanatics involved in these ideological killings will never think about how many like them have been hanged. If they intend to kill me, they will kill me at a convenient time, Rabin Ahsan told BenarNews.

He said the delay in reaching a verdict allowed extremism to spread.

Day by day, we are getting worse. Humayun Azad said that everything would go to the ugly hands, said Rabin, owner of Shravan Publications. We are witnessing a more precarious position than he feared.
Rohingya who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh stretch their arms out to collect food distributed by aid agencies near the Balukhali refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, Sept. 18, 2017.

Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET on 2022-04-14

A senior Bangladesh government official is pushing for changes in food distributions to Rohingya refugees, claiming the aid is driving population growth.

But human rights activists dispute that and say cutting food allocations will cause malnutrition among the roughly 1 million refugees who fled oppression in neighboring Myanmar and are sheltering in camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the home minister, suggested that food rations encourage Rohingya to have more babies, and so the government intends to reduce food aid destined to the refugees.

The Rohingya, irrespective of age, get the same amount of food. One adult man and a newborn baby get the same amount of food. Therefore, they give birth to more babies  35,000 babies are born every year, he told BenarNews on Monday, a day after he led a meeting of a government committee that coordinates and manages law and order at the southeastern camps along the Myanmar border that house about 1 million Rohingya refugees from nearby Rakhine state.

The committee discussed food allocation and other issues related to security, according to Khan.

The Rohingya have more babies for more food, he said. We have decided that the quantity of food will be reduced. Our relevant agencies will work out a fresh standard of ration.

The number of babies at the camps is about half of what Khan claimed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Responding to a BenarNews request for details, the office released a spreadsheet that showed there were 18,858 children younger than 1 in the Rohingya camps as of Feb. 28.

Md. Shamsud Douza, an additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner under the Ministry of Disaster Management, told BenarNews that food allocations for Rohingya refugees are fixed in coordination with the World Food Program (WFP), a U.N. agency.

Every Rohingya family gets a monthly food card with per-head allocations of 980 taka (U.S. $11.40) to 1,030 taka ($11.97). They collect rice and 19 other essentials from some designated shops fixed by the WFP, according to their requirements, Douza told BenarNews on Tuesday.

He said his office had not received any directive about changing the allocations.

Officials at the WFP and UNHCR, the U.N.s refugee agency, did not immediately respond to BenarNews multiple requests for comment on Khans proposal.

Criticism

Human rights activists, meanwhile, criticized the government, saying that cutting food allocations would not reduce the birth rate among Rohingya and such efforts could cause malnutrition and food insecurity.

Md. Jubair, the secretary of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, said the allocations already fall short.

We get a maximum 1,030 taka per person per month. With this small amount we buy 13 kilograms of rice, pulses, fish, salt, edible oil, vegetable and other essentials. It is very hard to run a family with this allocation, he said.

Another activist said such cuts would have a negative impact.

The amount of food aid given to each Rohingya family helps them live with minimum requirements. Further cutting it down is not acceptable because it would spell a disastrous impact on the health and food security of the entire Rohingya population, especially on the women and children, Professor Mizanur Rahman, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, told BenarNews.

If the government reduces food rations, then women would not reduce food allocations for their male family members and cut it for themselves and the children. In that case, the women and children will face malnutrition and food scarcity, he said.

He added: Everywhere in the world, poor people think of having more children for more food or more income and Rohingya must not be singled out in this regard.

Nur Khan, a former executive director of Ain-O-Salish Kendra (ASK), a Bangladeshi human rights group, also challenged Khans comments.

This is really unfortunate that we hear such an unfair comment about the food intake of the Rohingya. Talking about someones food is not decent, he told BenarNews.

There is no correlation between increased food allocation and a population boom: cutting food allocation would in no way reduce the birth rate. I would strongly oppose any move to cut food allocation for the Rohingya in the pretext of reducing birth rates, he said.

Birth control efforts

According to Dr. Pintu Kanti Bhattacharya, deputy director at the department of family planning in Coxs Bazar district, the higher birth rate among the Rohingya stems from superstition, religious bigotry and a lack of education.

The local and international NGOs and the governments family planning department have been working to motivate the Rohingya to adopt birth control measures, he told BenarNews.

The family planning workers visit door-to-door twice a week at camps and conduct counseling so they do understand the benefits of family planning, Bhattacharya said, adding that agencies provide contraceptives including pills, injections and condoms.

Compared to the situation in 2017 and 2018, the Rohingya people are friendlier to family planning, he said.

Bangladesh has seen an influx of about 740,000 Rohingya since a Myanmar military crackdown against the stateless Muslim minority group in August 2017.
Police and medical personnel receive the body of a telecommunications worker, one of eight killed by separatists in a remote area of Indonesias Papua province while repairing a telecommunications tower, in Timika, March 7, 2022.

Indonesian police said Wednesday they were hunting gunmen who killed a motorcycle taxi driver and injured another in the latest violence to hit the rebellious Papua region.

A separatist rebel group claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attack on the two bike-taxi drivers, saying they were informants working for the Indonesian military. The victims were both shot at around 10 a.m. after dropping off passengers in Puncak Jaya, a regency of Papua province, police said.

The police will leave no stone unturned work to resolve the case, Senior Commissioner Gatot Repli Handoko, the spokesman for the Indonesian National Police, told BenarNews.

One of the taxi drivers, Soleno Lolo, died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while the other, identified as Paiwa, suffered a bullet wound to the head, Papua police spokesman Ahmad Musthofa Kamal said.

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, said its forces were behind the attack.

We carried out the shootings. That was the action of TPNPB under the leadership of Goliath Tabuni and Lekagak Telenggen, TPNPB spokesman Sebby Sambom told BenarNews, adding that the two men were informants for the military and the police.

He also said the group had warned non-indigenous Papuans to leave conflict areas in the Papua region, which lies at the far eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago.

Arif Irawan, a spokesman for Operation Peace Cartenz, a joint military and police task force, said: There are indications that this was the work of the armed [rebel] group. We are still investigating which group it was.

According to Kamal, police were still collecting evidence and gathering information at the crime scene.

Personnel have secured evidence and taken it to the Puncak Jaya police headquarters for further investigation, the spokesman for provincial police said.

Solenos body was flown to Toraja on Sulawesi Island for burial by his family, Kamal said. Meanwhile, Paiwa was airlifted to the town of Timiki to receive medical care.

Inspector Gen. Mathius Fakhiri, the police chief in Papua, said he suspected the attackers belonged to a rebel faction led by Goliath Tabuni.

They came from there (Puncak Jaya). Although since 2012 they have moved to Puncak and Timika, but some of them are still there, Fakhiri said.

He was a member of TNI

According to Numbuk Telenggen, a member of the TPNPB, many motorcycle taxi drivers working in Puncak and Puncak Jaya are actually government spies and active members of the military.

Numbuk said his group had shot and killed a motorcycle taxi driver they believed to be a soldier named Udin in April 2021.

We knew he was a member of the TNI [Indonesian armed forces]. We had been monitoring him for a long time, Numbuk said.

Clashes between rebels and government forces have intensified since December 2018, after rebels killed 20 people who worked for a state-owned construction company building a highway in Papua.

Last month, rebels also claimed responsibility for killing eight workers as they were repairing a telecommunication tower in Puncak regency.

Since the 1960s, Papua has been home to a separatist insurgency, while the countrys security forces have been accused of human rights abuses in counter-insurgency operations.

In 1963, Indonesian forces invaded Papua  like Indonesia, a former Dutch colony  and annexed the region that makes up the western half of New Guinea Island.

Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a United Nations-sponsored vote, which locals and activists said was a sham because it involved only about 1,000 people. However, the United Nations accepted the result, essentially endorsing Jakartas rule.

Jakarta: Strategy must change

Meanwhile, the government in Jakarta said this week that it was preparing new strategies to tackle the conflict in Papua by putting an emphasis on the welfare of Papuans.

There must be a change in our strategy to prevent communities from becoming victims, Vice President Maruf Amin said Tuesday during a visit to West Sumatra province, according to a statement posted on his offices website.

The military, police, the National Intelligence Agency have been involved in drawing up the strategy, under the coordination of Mohammad Mahfud MD, Indonesias minister for security affairs, Maruf said.

We want to ensure that the people are safe and development programs for the welfare of Papuans are not disrupted, he said.
Taiwan, for the first time, has issued a survival handbook to guide its citizens in preparing for a possible Chinese invasion in the future.

The 28-page National Defense Handbook is where the general public can find an emergency response guideline in a military crisis or natural disaster, said the defense ministry, which is responsible for compiling and releasing the material.

The raging war in Ukraine has heightened concerns that, while the worlds focus is on Europe, China would seize the opportunity to wage an attack against the island.

I was surprised to hear about the survival handbook, said 35-year-old Cathy Hsieh, a bank clerk.

Ive never thought wed need something like that but its good that they [the government] have made such precaution, she said.

The handbook is drawn from similar publications issued in Japan and Sweden, and contains illustrated guidelines on how to find shelters in the case of bombing and what to do in emergencies such as fires, air raids or natural disasters.

It even teaches people how to differentiate warning sirens.

One guideline tells citizens to not open the fridge door too often during a power outage to keep the contents cold.

The handbook provides a set of QR codes for citizens to scan and use their mobile phones to access needed information as well as a list of emergency numbers.

Yet some Taiwanese say the handbook, albeit a nice initiative, is impractical.

When all the hell breaks loose, I dont think people would want to rely on QR codes and mobile networks which for sure wont be working, said George Cai, a 28-year-old resident of Taipei.

He said there should be rehearsals on how to use the handbook.

Lien Hsiang joint exercise

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the Taiwanese military held a large-scale exercise to rehearse the rapid response to a simulated attack by Chinese warplanes.

F-16 fighters, Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), Apache helicopters, and other aircraft were dispatched as part of an effort to strengthen the protection of important assets and counter airstrikes.

The exercise is an important part of training to counter an attack by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), Col. Sun Li-fang, spokesman for Taiwans Ministry of Defense spokesman, said at a press conference.

Chinese media quoted a Chinese military expert as saying that both the drills and the handbook are futile in resisting reunification.

Taiwanese people consider themselves citizens of an independent, democratic country but China claims the island is a breakaway province of China, and vows to reunite it with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The Lien Hsiang joint exercise has been held annually since 2016 and involves the air force, army and the navy.

The air force however took the center stage as Taiwan is seeing almost daily incursions by Chinese aircraft into its air identification zone (ADIZ).

Since the beginning of April, 25 Chinese military aircraft including 16 fighter jets, six spotter planes, and three helicopters have been tracked in Taiwans ADIZ, according to the Ministry of Defense.

An ADIZ is not a countrys sovereign airspace, but the extended area around it, and is closely monitored in case of illegal encroachment.
Rescue workers carry body bags containing the bodies of victims of a landslide that slammed the village of Bunga in Baybay town, Leyte province, Philippines, April 13, 2022.

Philippine rescuers pulled out more bodies Wednesday from a community buried under a massive landslide, as the death toll from the first storm to hit the Southeast Asian country this year surpassed 60 with many other people still missing, officials said.

Most of the at least 63 dead were from Baybay City in central Leyte province, where heavily saturated soil gave way as Tropical Storm Megi (known locally as Agaton) dumped massive rains, which set off a landslide burying an entire hinterland community, according to disaster authorities.

The landslide took many residents by surprise because it reached areas earlier considered safe by experts, Mark Timbal, spokesman for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, told reporters in Manila on Wednesday.

The landslide reached beyond the hazard-prone areas and into the relatively safer part of the community that was supposedly safe, he said during a nationally televised press briefing.

Some of the residents had evacuated there and did not expect the landslide to reach that location.

The countrys disaster agency said nine regions had been affected, displacing more than 139,000 people, many of who were staying in makeshift evacuation centers.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 48 bodies had been recovered from the agricultural city of Baybay alone, according to casualty tallies provided by the police and other emergency services.

Six other fatalities were reported elsewhere in Leyte. One person drowned in Samar province, and eight others perished in the central provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, and the Davao region in the south.

At least 28 other people were still listed as missing, many of them in Baybay, Leytes second-biggest city that is home to about 112,000, according to the latest statistics.

The local city mayor in Baybay had preemptively evacuated people from areas designated as danger zones, Timbal said.

We did not foresee the devastation brought about by this landslide, Timbal said, adding while the storm has left the Philippines, intermittent rains have continued, exacerbating the situation in flooded areas.

We are reminding the public to take extreme care and to continue coordinating with our local government units for their safety, he said.



An aerial view shows the scene of a landslide in Kantagnos, a village in Baybay town, Leyte province, Philippines, after a heavy rainfall brought on by tropical storm Megi, April 13, 2022. [AFP]

In pictures released by the Philippine Coast Guard, landslides buried a mountain village of Kantagnos, also in Baybay, an incident confirmed by mayor Jose Carlos Cari, who said that their rescue teams had deployed to the area that has more than 200 households.

There were so many survivors. But more are feared dead as search and rescue operations continue for the missing, Cari told DZMM radio in Manila.

There were two landslides  a small one where some people managed to escape before the huge one that buried the entire village.

Rhyse Austero, the local disaster chief of Baybay, said more than 5,000 people, mostly from low-lying villages, were currently staying in evacuation centers.

Flooding is still experienced in all low-lying villages. The non-stop rain is also a big challenge in our ongoing search, rescue, and retrieval operations, Austero said.

In the nearby town of Abuyog, also in Leyte, local officials also reported a massive landslide on Tuesday afternoon that buried almost 100 homes, left two people dead, and injured 96 others.

Abuyogs mayor, Lemuel Gin Traya, said the local government was clearing the road to reach nearby communities in Pilar village as a preemptive evacuation measure when the landslide happened.

Moments later, we were all terrified, realizing that Pilar had been completely devastated by a disastrous landslide, Traya said.

Richard Gordon, a senator who serves as the Philippine Red Cross chairman, said his team members were rescuing people in villages.

Yesterday, our teams rescued dozens of people and families out of their flooded homes, he said. The heavy rains dumped by Agaton caused widespread flooding and landslides.

The Philippines endures about 20 tropical storms and typhoons annually, some of which are devastating.

In November 2013, more than 6,500 people died or were missing after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered the central Philippines, causing massive storm surges that inundated coastal communities.
Biden plans Japan visit to coordinate Indo-Pacific, but Indias reluctance to sway on Ukraine weakens QUAD

By Zhang Han and Xu Keyue (Global Times) 08:21, April 13, 2022

US President Joe Biden is expected to visit Japan for the QUAD summit in late May, a move which experts see as a further attempt to showcase US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and as another try with Japan and Australia to influence India to sway its stance on Ukraine crisis.

Hyping the China threat during the QUAD summit would be an effective tactic to canvass India, who the US has failed to nudge for a stronger stance against Russia. But India's reluctance to coordinate on the issue would render the QUAD mechanism weaker and substantial results are unlikely to be achieved from the meeting, experts predicted.

Biden announced a plan to visit Japan for a QUAD summit in late May, which also involves leaders of India and Australia, during Biden's virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

Biden said he is looking forward to seeing Modi in Japan on "about the 24th of May," during their meeting that preceded a bilateral 2+2 dialogue of defense and foreign ministers of the two countries.

If Biden visits Japan, that will be Biden's first trip outside Europe since taking office against the backdrop of so-called sweeping Western support for US-led sanctions on Russia, which received a cold response from developing countries in Asia, with India as a notable representative.

At the time when some European countries are upset with the US stirring up trouble at their cost, the US is eager to demonstrate its leadership and capabilities in other regions, such as for the QUAD, Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, said the US, via QUAD, is trying to form economic and security regional frameworks that are underpinned by an alliance architecture and led by the US with Japan's support. The US hopes to use such frameworks to compete with and marginalize China in politics, economy and other fields.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which US officials have talked about on multiple occasions, may come into a more mature format during Biden's Japan visit, analysts said.

Globally, the US eyes a consistent QUAD stance on the Ukraine crisis and pushes NATO's shift to the Asia-Pacific and a strategic coordination of the two US-led mechanisms, Li told the Global Times.

Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, believes Biden will make another try together with leaders of Japan and Australia to take a coordinated stance on the Ukraine crisis to make the QUAD mechanism more united.

Biden will be welcome by Tokyo as Japan wants to extend the US-Japan security pact to economic fields and expand the bilateral framework, Da said. "Japan hopes, via the possible summit, to enhance its influence and image at the regional and global levels," Da said.

But to the US' disappointment, it failed to pull QUAD closer especially on the Ukraine issue. Observers cited India's interests in the region and its strategic autonomy as reasons why New Delhi won't be a US pawn as Washington hopes. The differences of QUAD members determined the mechanism cannot become a solid "alliance" and can hardly yield substantial results.

After the Biden-Modi talks, The Times of India reported that Washington was unable to persuade New Delhi to follow the US-NATO line on Russia. With no perceptible change in their differences on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both sides pressed ahead with other areas of cooperation.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India in Marchcarrying the mission of a lobbyist to push for QUAD coordination on the Ukraine crisis, but failed to make India change its position.

But India thinks different for the QUAD, as it wants to maintain strategic autonomy and will not willingly play the role the US arranges for it, in addition to its close ties with Russia.

Lu pointed out the differences of QUAD members were so huge that the US "can do little" to sway India on the issue the US cares about the most, the Ukraine crisis. If a bloc cannot agree on key issues, it can hardly be a real, consolidated alliance, the expert said.

Hyping the China threat is another tactic the US believes is most effective to convince India to join the US chariot, according to Lu.

Observers noted an interesting phenomenon that Indian media are more cautious in their coverage of China-India relations recently while some American news outlets started to report the border clashes between the two countries. Outlets including the Washington Post are publishing "Chinese hackers target Indian power grid."

New Delhi has made clear that it will engage with all countries without taking sides. India may make use of border disputes with China for its own interests, but will not be misled by the US and blindly drive China-India ties into a corner for US strategic goals, experts said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Cut Bank, MT (59427)

Today

Windy with mostly cloudy skies. High 53F. Winds W at 25 to 35 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Windy. Low near 35F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
The Business of the Year Award had been on hold since 2020 but on April 9, 2022, former owners of the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Brian and LeAnne Kavanagh, graciously accepted the honor during the 2022 Cut Bank Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. They are pictured here with sons, Brandon Kavanagh, left, and Nate Kavanagh, along with daughter-in-law, Ashley.
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FILE - The Walt Disney Co. logo appears on a screen above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Aug. 7, 2017, in New York. The Walt Disney Co.'s public opposition to a Florida bill banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade has led to a range of social media posts attempting to malign the company, falsely claiming it is sympathetic to pedophiles or predatory toward young children.
New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin has resigned in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, creating a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul seven months after she selected Benjamin as a partner to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal
The FBI says a Colombian man who has been on the lam for nearly three decades since he was convicted in absentia of killing his wife has been located in a Boston suburb
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison
The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep have underscored their support for Ukraine in a visit to the embattled country
ALBANY, N.Y.  Blunt; direct; a fiercely loyal, tireless behind-the-scenes mover and shaker in Albany and New York State Democratic Party politics, Dorothea Polly Noonan was a force of nature, especially as portrayed by Antoinette LaVecchia in director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahills passingly involving, workmanlike production of Sharr Whites The True at Capital Repertory Theatre.

Theater Review What: The True by Sharr White. Directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill. With (principals): Antoinette LaVecchia, Michael Pemberton, Wynn Harmon Where: Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 N. Pearl St., Albany, N.Y. When: Through April 24 Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. April 13 Running time: 2 hours (including one intermission) Tickets: $22-$57 Reservations and information: 518-445-7469; capitalrep.org COVID policy: While proof of vaccination is no longer required, theatergoers must wear a mask while in the building

Polly  as she was known  began her political career in 1935 when, thanks to her ward leader, she gained a secretarial job with the State Senate Hudson Valley Survey Commission. Two years later, she met Erastus Corning II when she was assigned by Democratic Party boss Dan OConnell. Polly and Corning  Rasty, she calls him in the play  formed relationship that lasted well over 40 years; through 11 consecutive terms as mayor of Albany, beginning in 1941 and ending in 1983 when he died of heart failure in a Boston hospital, midway through his term. If ever there was a proverbially strong woman standing behind a successful man, it was Polly.

When asked, Polly, who was married to businessman Peter E. Noonan, referred to herself as Cornings confidante. But the rumor mill referred to her as the mayors girlfriend, even though Polly insists, especially to her husband, that she and Rasty were never romantically involved. Those rumors didnt help Cornings bid in 1977 for a 10th term.

The Albany mayoral campaign of 1977 was like no other for Corning II, whose great-grandfather was mayor of Albany from 1834 to 1837. The Democratic Party machine was in disarray after OConnells death. OConnell not only headed the party but also was Cornings patron. In addition to running for mayor, Corning sought to secure his hold on the party by taking over as chairman. But OConnells rivals  chief among them Charlie Ryan (a petulant, tantrum-throwing Kevin McGuire)  saw OConnells death as an opportunity to wrest party control from the old guard, exemplified by Corning, and infuse the party with young blood and fresh ideas. For the first time in all his mayoral campaigns, Corning faced a challenge from within his own party. A bright, young state senator named Howard C. Nolan (a credible David Kenner), threw his hat into the ring.

In addition, the fissures in his marriage are becoming more pronounced. It is no accident that Corning finds comfort and relief in the company of Polly and Peter, in their home, rather than in his own home with his wife, Betty (played by Yvonne Perry; seen but not heard only once late in the play as a shadowy figure in the background)

The True plays out during an eight-month period in 1977 leading up to and including primary night. History tells us the outcome so it is no spoiler to say that Corning overcomes a 19-point deficit in the polls to secure the nomination.

But the stakes couldnt be higher. Even though theyve been circulating for years, Corning cant afford to let the rumors about his relationship with Polly upset the political apple cart this time. Corning dumps Polly in the plays opening scene. It is a tough, certainly unexpected turn for Polly who, albeit shaken and confused, is nevertheless stirred to work hard behind the scenes to secure a Corning victory.

LaVecchias Polly is a brash, in-your-face figure who can wheel and deal with the best of them but because shes a woman, the good-old-boy political network views her as, at best, a nuisance, an object of vilification rather than a skilled political operative. This is her life, her passion, her need, her skill; her steadfast devotion. When, at one point, she realizes that a young man (nicely played by Jack Mastrianni), she has pressured Corning to make room for on a state senators staff turns out to be less than she expected, she screams Wheres the devotion? Wheres the f-  devotion?! as she throws him out of her house, having invited him to join her and her husband for dinner.

It is a moment that is at once outrageously funny, horrifying, and remarkably revealing about Polly.

For all the real-life suspicions about Pollys relationship with Corning, as played here by Michael Pemberton, he hardly seems worth all that devotion and sacrifice. The chemistry between LaVecchias Polly and Pembertons Rasty is more talked about than palpable.

As Peter, Harmon exquisitely navigates the course of a man trying to find a comfort level in his role  roles, really  as Pollys husband on the one hand and, on the other, his own self, separate from Polly. His scenes with Polly  and one scene with Corning that catches an unease beneath the surface of their friendship  are the productions most effective.

There is a moment in which Peter relays to Polly his feelings when, as the elevator doors close behind him as he is leaving his office, he overhears part of a conversation between two secretaries in which one of them says to the other You know shes the mayors girlfriend, right? Collateral damage. And in the end that is where The True comes to rest; in the question the play asks without verbalization. Is that collateral damage worth the effort that surrounds it?
FILE  Andris Nelsons conducts a joint concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Germany's visiting Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, at Symphony Hall in Boston. The BSO has canceled its European tour that had been scheduled for next month because of an increase in positive coronavirus cases among orchestra members. Despite health and safety protocols the orchestra said in a statement Monday, April 11, 2022 that 31 onstage musicians were affected after recent performances.
PITTSFIELD  Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said Tuesday she has asked that an investigation into the fatal use of force by Pittsfield police be made a priority by the people conducting it, many of whom are overseen by her office.

I recognize the communitys urgent need for details, and Ive requested that the involved agencies prioritize this investigation, Harrington said in a statement released by her office. Typically, these types of investigations take four to six months to complete but I am committed to significantly reducing that timeframe without compromising accuracy, thoroughness, or objectivity.

Miguel Estrella, 22, was shot and killed by a city police officer who responded to a second emergency call at Estrellas Onota Street apartment building on March 25. Estrella had declined medical assistance during the first call, only minutes before, after intentionally cutting himself with a knife during an apparent mental health crisis. A 911 caller then summoned help again, requesting that Estrella, who family members say suffered from periodic bouts of depression, be transported for care.

DA Harrington pledges to release report, underlying evidence collected during investigation into police shooting of Miguel Estrella District Attorney Andrea Harrington has pledged to release a report and underlying documentation including witness interviews and video collected in connection with her office's investigation into the fatal shooting of Miguel Estrella by an unidentified Pittsfield police officer.

An officer shot Estrella after attempts failed to disable him with Tasers, according to a statement the following day from Pittsfield police. Estrella was holding a knife, according to eyewitnesses, and did not heed calls from police to disarm himself. Two unidentified officers were placed on administrative leave after the shooting.

An investigation into the fatal use of force is being handled by Harringtons office.

The District Attorneys Office also pledged Tuesday to provide the first briefing on the probes finding to members of the Estrella family.

Once the investigation is complete and all evidence is shared with the Estrella family, the Berkshire District Attorneys Office will make the findings available to the community and the Pittsfield Police Department, the office said.

Status of probe

As of Tuesday, the State Police Detective Unit that works with the DAs office has finished interviews with five civilian witnesses, along with five EMTs, and has wrapped up interviews with the Pittsfield police officers involved, according to Harringtons office.

Ahead, state police plan to interview other civilian witnesses who have been identified, the office said. Other possible witnesses to the events at 279 Onota St. in Pittsfield are asked to contact the Berkshire Detective Unit at 413-499-1112.

In the course of their investigation to date, state police have gathered medical records, surveillance video, social media posts, emergency radio transmissions and Pittsfield police reports, among other evidence, the DAs office said.

It said that the State Police Crime Lab will provide ballistic reports on the guns used by police and will examine the Tasers that officers deployed that night. The office said it is waiting for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to provide a full autopsy report.

Harrington said Tuesday she wants all facts revealed by the probe to be made public.

My priority is that all interested parties have confidence in my offices determination of the facts surrounding the tragic shooting of Mr. Estrella by the Pittsfield Police Department, Harrington said.
PITTSFIELD  One of the men accused of distributing drugs using a Clinton Avenue apartment has been ordered held without the right to bail while another has been released to await trial on home confinement.

Ryan Henault, 24, and Noah Lewis, 18, were arrested on Thursday after police executed search warrants at their separate apartments, each located at 46 Clinton Ave.

Two men arrested after drugs, guns and cash seized from Pittsfield apartments A joint investigation led to two arrests and the seizure of three firearms, heroin, cocaine and cash from two apartments in a Clinton Avenue building on Thursday morning.

The pair had been targeted in a monthslong investigation into heroin distribution in Pittsfield by a state police narcotics unit and the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force.

Authorities believed Henault and Lewis were storing heroin and money in their separate 46 Clinton Ave. apartment units, according to a police report.

Investigators seized about 30 grams of suspected cocaine, 24 grams of suspected heroin, two loaded .38 caliber revolvers and assorted ammunition after conducting a search of Lewis apartment, according to court documents.

A loaded .22 caliber pistol and assorted ammunition, as well as assorted pills suspected to be narcotics, were found in Henaults apartment.

Lewis was in his apartment when police arrived and was arrested. Henault was picked up outside his mothers house on Francis Avenue.

During a recent dangerousness hearing, prosecutors and defense lawyer Joseph Brava stipulated that Lewis was dangerous, but agreed to conditions of pretrial release they believe will ensure public safety, according to court documents

Judge Mark J. Pasquariello on Thursday agreed to release Lewis to home confinement with a GPS and under conditions that he stay free of drugs and alcohol and checks in with probation three times a week.

At a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday, defense lawyer Vincent Bongiorni argued in favor of Henaults release from custody, asking the judge to impose the same release conditions that Lewis received.

But Pasquariello agreed with Assistant District Attorney Stuart Weissmans motion seeking to hold Henault without the right to bail before trial.

He noted that Lewis only had a juvenile record, while Henault had previously been found guilty as an adult of conspiracy and drug possession with intent to distribute charges.

Lewis has pleaded not guilty in Central Berkshire District Court to charges of cocaine and heroin or fentanyl trafficking, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, two counts of improper storage of a firearm, and receiving stolen property under $1,200. He is scheduled for a hearing to discuss the appointment of counsel on Friday.

Henault has pleaded not guilty to possession of a Class E narcotic, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm by a person with a violent crime or drug conviction and improper storage of a firearm. He is due back in court on May 13.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
PITTSFIELD  An order from the Board of Health to Verizon Wireless to cease and desist use of the telecommunication companys cell tower on 877 South St. was mailed to the company on Monday, according to Health Department Director Andy Cambi.

The board sent the order by certified and regular mail to Verizon Wireless, more than two months after members voted unanimously to issue a cease-and-desist order in response to numerous health problems reported by neighbors living near the 4G cell tower.

The Board of Health and the Pittsfield Department of Health declined to share a copy of the order with The Eagle until city officials received notice that Verizon had received the order.

Cease and desist: Pittsfield Board of Health gives Verizon ultimatum over cell tower Board of Health members clarified that currently the only "satisfactory" solution would be for Verizon Wireless to turn off the cell tower or move it.

I think we get so confused with all of the What could be and What could happen, How are we going to pay for it that we lose track of what were supposed to do, Chair Bobbie Orsi said at last weeks board meeting.

I think we need to at least do what were supposed to do, Orsi said.

Board members voted on Feb. 2 to give Verizon two weeks to meet and discuss removing or relocating the tower. The Board said if the company failed to meet that deadline it would issue a cease-and-desist order to have the tower turned off.

Since that time, the order has stalled out in a series of executive sessions of the board. In late February, the board met in an executive session with city solicitor Stephen Pagnotta to talk about the process of issuing a cease-and-desist order.

Board member Brad Gordon said that it became clear during these conversations that Pagnotta was not in a position to serve in the role of the boards attorney if the order resulted in legal action from Verizon.

Pagnotta is currently representing the city in a lawsuit brought by abutters to the tower that alleges that the city and Verizon failed to provide proper notice in 2017 to residents that Verizon was planning to build a cell tower.

Orsi said during the executive session in February the board reviewed a draft cease-and-desist order that had been written by two attorneys that were interested in helping.

In March, the board met with one of the attorneys again during another executive session, this time to discuss how much it would cost to retain the attorney if issuing the order resulted in a court case.

Orsi said the attorney advised the board to generate a budget and get approval to hire outside legal counsel from the City Council before issuing the order.

We cant go to the council until we go to see the mayor and we have not been able to get a meeting on the books, Orsi said. We have one coming up but it was really difficult to make that happen.

Cambi confirmed Tuesday that the board would be meeting with Mayor Linda Tyer on Wednesday. Board members were in agreement that they wouldnt pursue the order further if they arent able to hire an attorney.

Members decided last week that the order would include the ability to withdraw everything without prejudice if they were unable to obtain legal counsel prior to any administrative or judicial proceeding.

I believe the people, I believe that this is true and this is happening to them, Orsi said. All were asking is for [Verizon] to come in for a hearing.

I dont think thats too much to ask honestly, she said.
NORTH ADAMS  A driver escaped serious injury in a two-car crash caused his vehicle to roll over Tuesday on Hodges Cross Road near Cumberland Farms, according to Police Chief Jason Wood.

One person with minor injuries was transported to Berkshire Medical Center's North Adams campus after the 4 p.m. crash. It was the latest in a recent spate of around the intersection of the road with Curran Highway.

At the City Council meeting just hours later, the Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz requested a review of traffic issues at the intersection

The city has reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Mayor Jennifer Macksey said Tuesday night. We are regularly checking in with them. We hear they are working on it.

The city's Traffic Commission was also expected to discuss the intersection at its meeting Wednesday evening.

There have been eight crashes at the intersection since Jan. 1, 2021, according to data from city police.
MONTEREY  Amid ongoing civic turmoil and a month after investigators issued a report on their probe into problems at Town Hall, an international conflict-resolution expert will offer her vision, in a talk called Bringing Dignity to Monterey.

Quote Who can argue with dignity? Its not political; its not religious. Its an inherent value that every individual has when they are born. Lauren Behrman, Monterey-based clinical psychologist and mediator

Discord in town has reached a degree that even the suggestion of the event prompted pushback from various residents and was met with skepticism by at least one town official, the events organizer said.

A free presentation by Donna Hicks, author of Leading with Dignity, and an associate professor at Harvard Universitys Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, will take place at 4 p.m. today on Zoom, with gatherings at the Monterey Library and the Community Center. Participants also can watch from home.

Hicks, who also wrote, Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, has created a model to cultivate an awareness of how respecting dignity is key to bringing out a persons best qualities. Hicks writes of both the elements of dignity and the temptations to violate it.

The late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has praised her work, saying, This book is a must read for those who want to experience peace in their everyday lives and peace in the world around them ... If you want peace, be sure everyones dignity is intact.

Hicks model impressed Monterey resident Lauren Behrman, who attended one of Hicks seminars in December. A clinical psychologist and mediator herself, Behrman had seen the worsening discord in town and resulting entrenchment and personal attacks. Behrman thought the dignity model might plant a seed in residents and officials to act differently.

To put a little pebble in the water to make some ripples and begin to shift the culture, Behrman said. There have been so many dignity violations in public  its really distressing.

The trouble at Town Hall has brewed for at least a decade but came to a boil last year when a series of complaints by town officials against one another snowballed and set off more controversies and an investigation.

Suspicion and accusations continue to plague the town. An independent investigator closed out her report last month, but the report cant be made public since the investigation is considered ongoing, said Select Board Chairman Steven Weisz.

On Tuesday, the towns attorney quit. Brian Riley of KP Law cited unrest over the last year as compromising the firms ability to represent the town.

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Behrman said reaction to a perceived assault on dignity is part of the problem and said Hicks believes reacting in a constructive way has to be learned, since were biologically wired to respond badly.

Others allow it, making everything worse.

We cant have this bystander effect with people watching people destroy each other, Berhman said.

Some residents are welcoming the event. Others are skeptical and negative, Behrman said.

I wasnt able to get the town to support it, she added. It was a very grassroots effort  it took a village to make it happen.

Weisz, the Select Board chairman, did not speak to this, but said a request for support had not be brought to the board for approval.

Weisz, who said hes not sure if he can attend the talk, supports the idea, provided that people act on what was learned. He said he doesnt feel he and some town employees have been treated with dignity and respect in recent years.

Anything that helps move us away from that Im 100 percent for, he said.

A number of community groups and residents gave financial support for the event. Hicks reduced her fee when Behrman explained the nature of conflicts in town. Hicks reportedly said this is familiar  for she too grew up in a small town.

This is a first step, Behrman said. Im hoping this will give the community some language and some concepts and stay in relationship with each other.

Behrman finds the skepticism of some about the event puzzling. Who can argue with dignity? she asked. Its not political; its not religious. Its an inherent value that every individual has when they are born.
The Daniel Pearl Berkshire Scholarship

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

The Daniel Pearl Berkshire Scholarship was established in 2003 with major support from The Berkshire Eagle, the North Adams Transcript and friends of Daniel Pearl, to benefit Berkshire-area students who intend to major in journalism or music. The scholarship fund is invested by the Daniel Pearl Foundation of Encino, California and the award program is administered by the Daniel Pearl Berkshire Scholarship Committee.

Daniel Pearl was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was kidnapped and killed, at the age of 38, by terrorists in Pakistan early in 2002. He began his career with stints as a reporter at both the Transcript and The Eagle between 1986 and 1990, after graduating from Stanford University. He joined The Wall Street Journal in 1990, and worked in its Atlanta, Washington, London and Paris bureaus. In 2000 he was appointed chief of The Journals South Asia Bureau in Bombay, India. At the time of his death, Pearl had been seeking an interview with a shadowy Islamic leader to obtain information about terrorist organizations in Pakistan. Those who promised to arrange the interview instead kidnapped and killed him.

While Pearls career was in journalism, he was a gifted musician, trained as a classical violinist. He also played guitar and mandolin, and while living in the Berkshires he performed in a bluegrass band.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the 2022 award, you must meet one of the following educational qualifications, and the Berkshire area residence requirement below.

 You will graduate from high school in 2022 and plan to enter your first year of higher education in the fall of 2022, OR:

 You graduated from high school in 2020 or 2021 and deferred college enrollment for one or two years, but plan to enter your first year of college in the fall of 2022, OR:

 You plan to enter college in the fall of 2022 following a period of active military service.

Graduates of any public or private high school may qualify, as long as they meet the following residence requirement: The applicant must have maintained home residence during his or her entire senior year in high school within the circulation and news coverage area of The Berkshire Eagle. That area is defined as, and limited to:

 All towns in Berkshire County, Massachusetts; plus:

 Canaan, Conn.

 Pownal, Readsboro and Stamford, Vt.

 Canaan, New Lebanon, Berlin, Stephentown, N.Y.

Residents of this geographic area who attended a school elsewhere (for example, a private school) also qualify.

AWARDS

The award is competitive, and will be given at the discretion of the committee to a single student who exhibits a strong interest in the pursuit of education and a career either in music or journalism, and has a meritorious record of academic and community achievement while in high school. Applications will be reviewed by the committee with those criteria in mind.

The fund makes an annual award of $2,000. Note: The scholarship award may be subject to revocation if the recipient substantially alters his or her intent to study and pursue a career in journalism or music prior to first-year enrollment. In addition to the college scholarship, the fund donates $500 to the Berkshire Music School to assist in tuition for a student with financial need.

DEADLINE

All applications must be received by email by the Committee by midnight, Friday, April 22, 2022. No postal applications please.

TO APPLY

Complete the application form, scan, and send it by email it to:

Pearl Scholarship Committee

c/o Martin C. Langeveld

newsafternewspapers@gmail.com

Along with the application form, please be sure to send:

 A certified transcript of high school grades

 Two letters of recommendation, one from a recent teacher and one from a counselor, community leader or employer

 A typed or printed essay, the requirements for which are described in the application form

 Evidence of acceptance to an accredited college or university offering a course of study focused on journalism or music.

It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that the application form and all attachments are received by the deadline date  the committee will send no notification of missing materials.

REVIEW PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by the Daniel Pearl Berkshire Scholarship Advisory Committee, which includes the publisher of The Berkshire Eagle, and several other members with backgrounds in journalism or music. The recommendations of the Advisory Committee are subject to review by the Daniel Pearl Foundations board of directors.

PAST WINNERS

2003: Kathryn E. Anderson, Pittsfield, MA (Pittsfield High School, Harvard University)

2004: Luke C. Massery, Pittsfield, MA (Pittsfield High School, Eastman School of Music)

2005: Thomas J. Buchte, Sheffield, MA (Mt. Everett Regional, University of Southern California)

2006: Linnea K. Clark, Washington, MA [Miss Halls School, Yale University]

2007: Brian F. Mastroianni, Adams, MA [Hoosac Valley High School, Brown University]

2008: Samantha deManbey, Sandisfield, MA [Monument Mountain Regional High School; Fitchburg State College]

2009: Elizabeth Murray, Adams, MA [Hoosac Valley High School, St. Michaels College]

2010: Patrick W. Madden, Williamstown, MA [Mt. Greylock Regional High School, Brown University

2011: Zachary S. Robarge, Pittsfield, MA [Pittsfield High School, University of Massachusetts]

2012: Naomi LaChance, Williamstown, MA [Mount Greylock Regional High School, Bard College]

2013: Kate Robarge, Pittsfield, MA [Pittsfield High School, University of Massachusetts, Amherst]

2014: Connor Wotkowicz, Adams, MA [Hoosac Valley High School, Boston College

2015: Hannah Lynn Cohen, Lee, MA [Monument Mountain Regional High School, Boston University]

2016: Sydney Claire King, Lenox Dale, MA [Lenox Memorial High School, McGill University]

2017: Carli Scolforo, Pittsfield, MA [Taconic High School, Sienna College]

2018: Noah Hochfelder, Pittsfield, MA [Lenox Memorial High School, Middlebury College]

2019: Brierley Lloyd, Falls Village, CT [Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Endicott College]

2020: Owen Tucker-Smith, Williamstown, MA [Mount Greylock Regional High School, Yale University]

2021: Emma Kostyun, Pittsfield, MA [Pittsfield High School, University of New Hampshire]

QUESTIONS

Please contact Martin C. Langeveld 802-380-0226 or newsafternewspapers@gmail.com
Can you name your county sheriff? Only 17 percent of Massachusetts voters can, according to an ACLU poll
Thomas Koonce, left, answers questions in January from the Governor's Council, which later agreed to commute his sentence and make him eligible for parole. Koonce served 31 years in prison after his first-degree murder conviction.
In this photo released by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Spc. Scottlin Bartlett of the 5-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion signals to a colleague while working near a Patriot missile battery at Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 5, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Jao'Torey Johnson/AP)

NEWPORT NEWS  Newport News-based ITA International won a $78 million contract to provide support services at several U.S. Air Force facilities in the Middle East.

ITA will provide those services to the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron of the Ninth Air Force.

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The contract covers base operations, administration, planning and training and military exercises at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq-Salti Air Base in Jordan, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as well as three bases in Kuwait: Ali Al Salem Air Base, Al Mubarak Air Base, Kuwait and Al Jaber Air Base.

The contract runs from next month to November 2027.

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We are thrilled the Air Force has continued to put its trust in ITA, said Mike Melo, the companys chief executive officer. We are committed to providing the personnel who know and understand mission support services and look forward to helping Ninth Air Force enhance operations.

The Ninth Air Force is a component of United States Central Command, responsible for air operations and planning in the commands 21-nation region in Southwest Asia.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Showers early then continued cloudy and windy in the afternoon. High 73F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 44F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
PULLMAN - The former Pullman resident who shot and killed Pullman High School student Tim Reeves during a camping trip 5 years ago is facing multiple probation violations including possessing a gun.

22-year-old Keagan Tennant pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, concealing evidence and principal to robbery for the shooting death. Tennant shot and killed Reeves while the teenagers were engaging in gunplay during camping near Troy in July of 2017. Tennant and then 17-year-old Matthew McKetta hid the body and fled to North Central Washington after stealing a vehicle at gunpoint in Moscow.

The case was initially handled by former Latah County Second District Court Judge John Stegner who is now a Justice on the Idaho State Supreme Court. Judge Stegner sentenced Tennant in 2018 when he was still 17 years old handing down a blended sentence which included 20 years probation and a possible 30-year prison term. Tennant began his sentence by spending about a year in a juvenile detention facility. He was then placed in a halfway house style program for juvenile offenders by current Latah County Second District Court Judge John Judge in 2019. That move was requested by Tennant and the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections over objections from Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson.

Tennant now faces 6 probation violations that includes a recent conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. A warrant for probation violations was issued for his arrested last Fall in Southern Idaho. His probation officer in Boise discovered that Tennant moved from his Boise residence, quit working and stopped paying his court fines. Boise Police found Tennant at a pizzeria and took him into custody on the warrant in late November. They discovered a pistol and marijuana in his backpack. Tennant pleaded guilty to the illegal gun possession felony and was sentenced last week in Ada County District Court in Southern Idaho.

Tennant has since been transferred to the Latah County Sheriffs Jail in Moscow on a local arrest warrant for the probation violations. He is scheduled to be back in court on the 19th. If convicted of the probation violations he faces up to 30 years in prison.
SEATTLE - Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Airlines Pilots Union continue contract negotiations as flights from the airlines continue being cancelled.

The airline said in a statement on April 7 that they are through the worst of the cancellations and that they are reducing about 2 percent of [their] total flights through the end of June to match [their] current pilot capacity.

Alaska Airlines says the reason many flights were canceled in early April was due to pilot training delays in which the airlines had 63 fewer pilots prepared to fly in April than [they] planned for in January, the airline said in its statement.

These training delays came as a result of student and trainer illnesses during the Omicron surge, as well as winter storms halting operations over the past winter.

However, these flight cancellations came coincidently at the same time as pilots, fellow crew members within Alaska Airlines picketed outside airports in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Anchorage.

The pilots union has been negotiating with Alaska Airlines on a new contract since the spring of 2019. In an open letter to Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, the pilots union asked him and the company to do the right thing and provide the same quality-of-life and job security improvements that pilots at other major airlines already enjoy.

The pilots union said that Alaska Airlines is trying to distract the public from their mismanagement and failure to staff up enough for future flights despite receiving government support during the pandemic.

Alaska Airlines received a $2.3 billion bailout from American taxpayers during the pandemic to weather the economic downturn, retain its workforce and be ready to take advantage of the recovery we are now experiencing, the pilots union said in a statement on April 1. Yet, despite all of this, Alaska Airlines failed to properly plan for increased travel demand and take the steps necessary to ensure it attracted and retained pilots.

Although employees of Alaska Airlines have shown their disapproval with the company through picketing, the pilots union is not on strike as of now. Alaska Airlines said in a statement that it is committed to reaching an agreement with the pilots that recognizes their contributions to the company.

The proposal we recently offered is the highest contractual investment weve ever proposed in our history and would make our first officers the highest paid in the industry, Alaska Airlines said in a statement.

As for the future of Alaska Airlines flights, Alaska will "graduate" 30 pilots in April with more in May as well. The company said it will ensure it better matches the schedule with the number of pilots available to fly in the future.
It is absolutely shocking to contemplate what is happening at the southern border because of President Biden's foolish lax enforcement policy.

Since taking office in January 2021, illegal border crossings have been up 68 percent from the last year of Trump.

Right now, US border patrol agents are processing approximately 7,000 migrants a day - most of whom are then set free to live in America. And many never answer their immigration summons down the road.

Officials tell me the border patrol can effectively process 3,500 foreign nationals daily but not double. Therefore, there is chaos in many border sectors.

For reasons unknown, Joe Biden is rescinding Title 42 in May. That federal order allows illegals a quick return to Mexico procedure because of Covid.

By knocking out Title 42, Mr. Biden is now encouraging foreign nationals to illegally enter this country - a direct violation of his Constitutional Oath to uphold the law.

If Republicans take the house next November, expect impeachment proceedings against the President.

Of course, the fundamental question is: why is Biden dismantling immigration law?

We don't know. He rarely answers direct questions.

What we do know is that Joe Biden is guilty of dereliction of duty.

See you tonight, beginning at six eastern for the No Spin News.
Emily St. John Mandels new novel, Sea of Tranquility, is smart, brisk and entertaining. Lets hope its less prophetic than her previous work.

In 2014, the Canadian author published Station Eleven, an unsettling yet inspiring novel (recently adapted by HBO) about the survivors of a merciless pandemic. Six years after that book came out  well, you know.

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Her latest, Sea of Tranquility, is a full-on mind-blower. Inspired by real-world ills and eccentric philosophical theories, Mandel has crafted an enthralling narrative puzzle, plunging her relatable characters into a tale that spans five centuries.

(Alfred A. Knopf)

Its 1912 when the story starts, and Edwin St. John St. Andrew, a young Briton with a double-sainted name, has committed quasi-blasphemy, suggesting England shouldnt rule the world. Sent packing by his aristocratic family, Edwin comes to rest on Vancouver Island. One day, in the Canadian woods, hes enveloped in a flash of darkness, like sudden blindness or an eclipse. He feels as if hes entered a vast interior  a train station, maybe  and he hears a violin. Its a supernatural episode hell never forget.

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In the books next section, Vincent Smith  a female character from Mandels 2020 novel The Glass Hotel  is a teen in the 1990s when she films some nature footage. She doesnt know shes standing where Edwin had his mysterious 1912 incident. In Vincents video of the area, which is still wooded, we hear anomalous overlapping sounds  a train station and a violin.

Subsequent chapters  each with its own uncanny occurrences  focus on a 23rd-century author commuting between her home on the moon and the heavily polluted Earth; and 25th-century siblings working for a secretive company that investigates moments from different centuries that seem to overlap.

Mandel alludes to global crises like climate degradation and life-consuming tech devices, but she doesnt quite offer us original ways to think about them. But she more than compensates for this shortcoming with a bracing set of story lines about virtual reality, time travel and the essence of human life itself. The strange video that links Mandels story lines across the centuries  is it evidence of a file corruption in our vast and terrible virtual realm?

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

Readers who enjoy some weirdness with their literary fiction are likely to become immersed in this deceptively poignant novel. In one scene, Olive, the 23rd-century writer, packs burrs from some mysterious plant as she prepares to head home to the moon; theyre a present for her daughter, whos never been to Earth.

Lest we think Mandel a doomsayer, consider her hopeful take on the future of publishing. In 2203, Olive is on tour to promote a novel, copies of which she autographs for eager fans. Maybe Mandels an optimist after all.

Kevin Canfield, a writer in New York City, wrote this review for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

___

About the book

SEA OF TRANQUILITY

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Emily St. John Mandel

Alfred A. Knopf. 272 pp. $25.
South African cultivated meat company Mzansi Meat Co. has unveiled the continent' first lab-grown beef burger - a development described as a massive milestone for the brand and a breakthrough for food security in Africa.

Source: Mzansi Meat Co.

From startup to scale up

Source: Mzansi Meat Co.

Food system innovation

Source: City of Cape Town

Tasneem Karodia and Brett Thompson from Mzansi Meat Co. with Alderman James Vos from City of Cape Town. Source: City of Cape Town

The burger was prepared at a bespoke event in Cape Town this week where co-founders Brett Thompson and Tasneem Karodia, together with the head of taste, Absie Pantshwa, had a bite of the burger alongside Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town.Now that the first burger has been developed, Mzansi Meat Cos next step is scaling up. Cellular agriculture wasnt an industry in Africa until Mzansi was born. Our burger is only the beginning, we now know it's possible and the next step is scaling up, Thompson explains. It starts with one small beef burger and we aim to be producing tons of cultivated meat every month in the future.Adds Karodia, Were working on plans to scale up and move into a pilot production facility as well as a rollout plan with retailers and restaurant partners. Next up were developing sausages to go with the burger and our goal is to produce meat that can be used in traditional African cuisine. Everything we make will be braai-friendly and ready for the fire!Africas population is growing and by 2050, the continent can expect another billion mouths to feed. The current agricultural landscape needs innovation to make it better. Tackling food security with an improved food system benefits the environment by reducing land use and water. Cultivated meat doesnt require the killing of millions of animals, which means less intensive livestock conditions.As the company celebrates this milestone, getting here has been an intricate process. The journey begins at a local farm animal sanctuary where veterinarians remove tiny tissue cells from donor animals, who roam free with as little harm as possible.Once the cells are harvested, a sample is placed in a nutrient-rich transport medium and taken to the Mzansi Meat Co. lab where they isolate the cells and grow them in a culture medium. This is a special type of food containing vitamins, salts and proteins that the cells need to develop and divide. Once they have enough cells, they place them on an edible structure and after adding a few additional spices and flavours, the cultivated meat is ready to served.The company uses the BioCiti lab, which was established in 2019 by the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi), a City of Cape Town strategic business partner and Africas oldest tech ecosystem, which has been instrumental in supporting over 3,000 local entrepreneurs.James Vos from City of Cape Town comments, "It is platforms such as these that have helped Cape Town gain a reputation as Africas startup capital. Cape Town is home to 38% of South Africas IT developers, the highest concentration of these in the country. During my time as Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, I've witnessed how Cape Town startups such as Mzansi Meat Co are creating products that are not just world-first, but have a meaningful impact on peoples lives."Mzansi Meat states that it aims to produce the same meat we know and love, just made in a better way to keep up with demand.
Huawei recently launched its Leap digital skills development programme. Announced at its ICT Competition Awards Ceremony on 9 April 2022, Leap aims to help advance the ICT skills of more than 100,000 people across the Sub-Saharan Africa region within three years.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South African minister of communications and digital technologies | image supplied

Leap, which is an acronym for leadership, employability, advancement and possibilities, is aimed at fostering strong digital leadership and a skilled ICT workforce, building a digital talent pool, and promoting digital literacy among citizens. It includes a wide range of activities spanning from ICT training and certification courses, government digital capacity building and ICT skills competitions.Launching the Leap programme, Huawei Southern Africa president, Leo Chen stressed the importance of ICT skills transfer and talent development.Digitisation is deeply rooted in people. Because we digitise for people and by people. When roots are deep, there is no need to fear the wind, he said. Through the programme, we strive to cultivate more youth leaders in ICT, who can explore more possibilities for themselves, their families, community and ultimately their nations.Speaking at the ceremony, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South African minister of communications and digital technologies, said It takes you, as the Leap, Seeds of the Future and Huawei ICT Academy Programme participants to leapfrog us into the future. Covid 19 took us into the digital era, but we should not need a pandemic to do this for us in the future, we need to be deliberate and intentional to leapfrog our countries. We need innovation, we need to support local innovators, and we need to promote our own platforms throughout the continent to reach scale and develop our economies. We are only bigger when our market is bigger, and we must walk together.The Leap programme will be rolled out based on the companys investment in the region and will see more than 1,200 instructors facilitate 3,000 ICT courses. It will also fund a number of facilities including training centres, hardware installation bases, innovation hubs, mirror labs, and ICT academies. Huawei currently has ICT academies at more than 300 universities and colleges in the region.At the ceremony, Leo Chen also called for close collaboration between government, industry, and academia to create an ecosystem that everyone can contribute to and benefit from.
The South African National Energy Development Institute's (Sanedi) new board members were appointed in December 2021 and accepted their nominations in January 2022. They have already sat in their first meeting and all the board sub-committees have been formally constituted.

Lungile Mtiya. Photographer: Judith Belle

New chairperson

Lindiwe Olga Chauke. Photographer: Judith Belle

New board members

Jongikhaya Witi. Photographer: Judith Belle

Critical skills for Sanedi

Mthokozisi Mpofu. Photographer: Judith Belle

The new board comprises 10 members who hold extensive experience across various industries, including clean energy, intellectual property, and chemical engineering. The newly appointed board members are: Sicelo Xulu, Lungile Mtiya, Abegail Boikhutso, Tumelo Mashabela, Ilze Baron, Jongikhaya Witi, and Mthokozisi Mpofu. Noma Qase, Gerhard Fourie, and Olga Chauke sit on the board as alternate members.The newly appointed chairperson is Sicelo Xulu who has previously served at a number of entities, including City Power Johannesburg where he held the role of managing director.Xulu, with over two decades of engineering, is a professional engineering technologist and is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He is currently a fellow member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and he served as a CEO of the institute until December 2020.I look forward to steering the Sanedi board and furthering its mandate of being a leader in coming up with clean energy solutions in order to get closer to a carbon-free South Africa. Our plan will focus more on providing solutions to the country's energy pain points such as loadshedding, just energy transition, and electricity supply industry reforms through executing energy research and improving energy efficiencies as more and more people turn to renewable energy, Xulu says.Lungile Mtiya, appointed as deputy chairperson, comes with over a decades experience in human resources with labour relations, labour law, and bargaining councils knowledge.Representing the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment on the board is Lindiwe Chauke who has broad expertise in climate change mitigation in various sectors including transport, waste, and agriculture, among others.Representing the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition are Gerhard Fourie, chief director for green industries in industries competitive growth and growth branch; and Ilze Baron, director in the green industries unit of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.Jongikhaya Witi, chief director for climate change monitoring, evaluation and mitigation, will represent the Department of Environmental Affairs. He is also a member of multiple professional bodies such as the Water Institute of South Africa and the National Association for Clean Air.Abegail Boikhutso brings financial skills to the board. She has 20 years of experience in finance and has previously held various public and private sector roles in the industry.Mthokozisi Mpofu will represent the Department of Energy and has previously held the role of deputy director general for the energy programme and project management unit and is chief director for electricity infrastructure for the department. Nomawethu Qase will also represent the Department of Energy on the board. She is currently the director for renewable energy initiatives for the department and has a wealth of expertise in the energy sector.Tumelo Mashabela is a patent attorney with over 10 years of experience in intellectual property. She is also a member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law.In the current business environment we are in, the skills that are required at this point in time for Sanedi as a 10-year organisation and moving into a new phase, include legal and compliance, because thats on everyones lips now in terms of state-owned entities, explains Sanedis general manager for energy efficiency and corporate communications Barry Bredenkamp.Some of the skills incorporated into the board include patent law, which Bredenkamp says is a critical element for Sanedi as it moves into the technology transfer arena.All of the newly appointed board members have excellent reputations in their field and are accepted leaders, and people with knowledge in their respective fields, added Bredenkamp.Under their leadership, the new board wishes to see Sanedi move forward in advancing the organisation's low carbon vision.Weve come ten years down the line. Weve achieved significant milestones, but the whole global energy industry is evolving into a low carbon future or a net-zero future, and thats where they would like to see us making inroads, said Bredenkamp.
Government has raised $3bn in two new sovereign bonds in international markets in a sign of continued investor confidence in the country's macroeconomic policy, the National Treasury said on Tuesday, 12 April.

Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Particularly successful capital raise

The issuance comes on the heels of Moody's revising South Africa's outlook to "stable" from "negative", saying the country's improved fiscal outlook would help the government to stabilise its debt burden over the medium term.The demand for the transaction, which was 2.4 times oversubscribed, came from across nearly all continents, from a combination of hedge funds, banks, insurance and pension funds and other financial institutions, Treasury said.The bonds were issued in two tranches, raising $1.4bn from 10-year notes (maturing in 2032) with a 5.875% coupon and $1.6bn from 30-year notes with a 7.30% coupon, RMB, the corporate and investment unit of FirstRand banking group and a joint lead manager in the transaction, said in a separate statement."The capital raise was particularly successful against a global backdrop of heightened market volatility, falling emerging market bond prices, and rising short term interest rates," Lwandile Nene, senior transactor in RMB's International Debt Capital Markets team, said in a statement.The dollar denominated bonds are rated at investment grade by rating agency Moody's, while S&P and Fitch place them on junk status, and are to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.RMB worked with a consortium of local lender Absa Bank and HSBC and another consortium of Deutsche Bank and South Africa's Nedbank as lead managers.
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press along with a dozen other news media organizations are suing Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Richmonds Circuit Court for refusing to turn over records related to his administrations email tip line for parents and others to report so-called divisive concepts being taught in schools.

The news organizations are asking the court to order the administration to turn over the records  and to pay the coalitions costs, including attorney fees.

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Transparency is a fundamental part of government, said Kris Worrell, editor-in-chief of Virginia Media, which includes The Pilot and Daily Press. The Virginian-Pilot, along with our media partners, believes the public has a right to know what is being said on Gov. Youngkins education tip line. We will fight vigorously for access to information that taxpayers deserve.

Some other media outlets joining in the suit are The Washington Post, USA Today, CNN, NPR and The Associated Press.

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The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Washington, D.C., attorney Charles D. Tobin, states that the media organizations individually submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to the governors office to obtain emails sent to the tip line.

But their requests were denied, the lawsuit states, on the grounds the emails were working papers and correspondence of the Office of the Governor and were considered exempt from FOIAs disclosure requirements under the working papers exemption.

The lawsuit contends that emails sent to the tip line are not correspondence of the Office of the Governor and do not, therefore, qualify for the Working Papers Exemption.

Those emails, the lawsuit argues, are public records under FOIA, are not exempt from disclosure, and should be disclosed.

In a statement to The Pilot Tuesday, the governors office stood by its decision to withhold the emails.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

When a constituent writes to the Governor he treats that communication as confidential and would not share the contents with the public, a Youngkin spokesperson wrote. There is an expectation of privacy that he takes very seriously.

The coalition includes the Tribune Publishing Company, which owns The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press; the Associated Press; Axios Media; Cable News Network; The Daily Dot; Gannett Satellite Information Network; Gray Media Group; National Public Radio; NBCUniversal Media; Tegna; Scripps Media; Sinclair Broadcast Group; and WP Company.

News of the tip line, helpeducation@governor.virginia.gov, surfaced in January in connection with an executive order from the governor aiming to allow parents to opt children out of school mask mandates. Youngkin later mentioned it during a radio talk show appearance while discussing his opposition to critical race theory and urged parents to report any instances of inherently divisive teaching methods in their schools.

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Practices like teaching that one group is inherently privileged and another is a victim  these are the kinds of teaching practices that exist in our schools and we are going to get them out, Youngkin said at the time.

The tip line made waves nationally, with a mix of celebrities, activists, Democratic politicians and teacher associations speaking against it.

Youngkins administration, meanwhile, defended the tip line as a resource for parents, teachers and students to relay any questions or concerns.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com, 757-835-1487
Jessica Ritchie, head of special collections and university archives at Old Dominion University, holds a ceramic bowl during an Introduction to Ceramics class in March. Students are studying artifacts found during the construction of the I-64/264 interchange at Newtown Road. (Kaitlin McKeown/Virginia Media)

Jessica Spratley can see the humans behind the shard of clay pottery  a small, triangular handle worked by hand into a curved rim; a sand-colored background streaked by blooms of dull pink, evidence of a pit-firing long ago.

Others might see the palm-sized piece as insignificant debris. But it is part of a bowl created hundreds of years ago that now offers a glimpse into the lives of people who once made a life, and a living, in what is now the South Newtown Road area of Norfolk.

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Spratley is a student in an Old Dominion University class that is breathing new life into artifacts used by pre-Colonial and Colonial residents and recently acquired by ODU Libraries Special Collections and University Archives. The Introduction to Ceramics class, taught by art professor Rick Nickel, is examining several of the artifacts and replicating them through drawings and reproductions.

ODU senior Mareshah Fitzgerald sketches bowls in class. Her professor, Rick Nickel, hopes the process of re-creation can help cultivate an appreciation for the people who made the artifacts and who walked the same ground these students do today. (Kaitlin McKeown/Virginia Media)

The objects came from the Virginia Department of Transportation and Coastal Virginia Church, which is in the 300 block of S. Newtown Road. From December 2015 through May 2016, VDOT sponsored an archaeological dig by a team from William & Mary on the church property in preparation for work on the I-64/I-264 interchange.

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VDOT employs archaeologists and historians and often conducts archaeological surveys before major projects. The initial investigation uncovered numerous artifacts, and VDOT contracted the William & Mary Center for Archaeological Research to excavate the site.

Researchers found evidence of Native American sites along the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River and then a maritime industry in the late 1600s that produced the flourishing Newtown (or New Town) community.

Using trowels and sifting screens, archaeologists uncovered almost 20,000 items, such as arrowheads and stone tools predating European colonization. They also found Colonial-era buttons, pipes and vessels, including shards of colonoware  unglazed, low-fired pottery often made by enslaved and Indigenous people. Unlike most late 17th- and 18th-century towns in the area, Newtown was a private venture with investors, according to a report from William & Mary. While Newtown was successful early on, the town started to dwindle by the 1760s and the beginnings of the American Revolution. By the mid-1800s, the old town was giving way to pasture.

Coastal Virginia Church, which owns the artifacts, could have sent them to any institution that wanted them. It offered them to ODU, which took 20 pieces that were the most intact or historically significant, according to Jessica Ritchie, head of special collections.

We are grateful that the church wanted these artifacts to stay on this side of the water, she said.

These objects offer insight into the people who lived there, what their homes looked like, how they cooked and what they ate. But the excavation raises some questions, too: Such a dense concentration of artifacts, many of which were intact and still useful, is not typical of excavations that reveal history in layers.

When Nickel heard that ODU had the artifacts, he approached Ritchie about his class studying and re-creating them. Ritchie, whose department gives access to students and researchers, agreed.

These pieces are exceptional because they offer a window not readily available through more traditional scholarship and exhibition.

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On a Wednesday in March, Nickel and about a dozen students met with Ritchie in the special collections reading room of the Perry Library. The students were in groups at four tables covered with artifacts.

Isabella Thompson and Felicia Elliott listen in March as Rick Nickel, an associate professor of ceramics at ODU, discusses an artifact found during the construction of the 64/264 interchange. (Kaitlin McKeown/Virginia Media)

The students had sketchpads and notebooks. Some made drawings of the artifacts, moving around to get a fuller perspective on features and contours. They made observations, bouncing ideas off one another about why the people who created these items chose to include certain features.

These are not behind glass or in a book, Nickel said. You can see the marks of the potter. These objects are casting a shadow.

Among the artifacts was an 18th-century, tin-enameled earthenware punchbowl  an American version of what was then expensive and hard-to-get porcelain  that proclaims Success to all English Privateers, hand-painted in blue in a script on the bottom of the bowls interior.

On another table sat a stoneware tankard and jug made around the 1730s by William Rogers, the so-called Poor Potter of Yorktown, whom the royal governor of Virginia allowed to sell pottery and booze even though the business was violating trade law.

Among the distinctive stylings Rogers incorporated into his work was a two-tone appearance with the top featuring a coarse, gritty brown finish and the bottom a smooth earth tone  a feature that could have been made by covering or burying part of the vessel during the firing. Rogers sold his wares all along the East Coast  which is how they ended up in Newtown  and he was definitely not poor. Why the governor allowed him to conduct business remains a mystery.

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Mallory Sherman, another student in the class, will re-create Rogers enormous jug, which is about 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide at its middle and is capable of holding several gallons. While she has made similar items, she hasnt attempted anything nearly as big.

Itll take a lot of work, she said.

Another bowl, an 18th-century Staffordshire slipware dish, includes flourishes such as a feathered pattern around the rim, similar to a decorative pie crust. Student Felicia Elliott will try remaking this piece but admitted she is a little apprehensive about the rim.

Spratley is especially keen to use the shard of pottery to help make a similar bowl using the techniques of the regions earliest inhabitants. Spratley is a member of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) tribe and plans to harvest clay and use the traditional pit-firing method that her ancestors would have employed  a project in line with her tribes emphasis on preserving its rich culture, she said.

Mallory Sherman, seen through a hole in a ceramic jug as students study artifacts. (Kaitlin McKeown/Virginia Media)

Whats fascinating about the historical ceramic pieces, according to Nickel, is that their designs differ from many items that modern artisans make, but the methods used to create them are the same.

In having the students re-create the artifacts in a sketchbook or in ceramics, he hopes he can help cultivate an appreciation for the people who made them and who walked the same ground  literally and metaphorically  these students do today.

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People dont change, Nickel said. They survive and thrive in the world by using their hands and their talents as much as possible.

Ritchie said the library is renovating the special collections reading room so that a sample of the original artifacts, along with the drawings and reproduction, will be on display this summer. She also hopes to have digital images available online.

People interested in conducting similar study and analysis of the artifacts should email libspecialcollections@odu.edu to make an appointment.

Reach Ben Swenson at benswenson@cox.net
Per NPR by way of the AP:

Investigators had initially been searching for Frank R. James as a person of interest. Police said Tuesday that James rented a van possibly connected to Tuesday's violence, but that they weren't sure whether he was responsible for the shooting itself. Adams, speaking to NPR on Wednesday morning, did not offer details on why officials were now seeking James as a suspect beyond citing new information that became available to the team.

Meanwhile, Adams confirmed that the search is "still active". As for whether he has been updated to a "suspect", WSJ just reported minutes ago that he has officially been upgraded to "suspect" (Adams said earlier that the NYPD believed he had acted alone).

New York City Mayor @ericadamsfornyc offers the latest on the manhunt for a suspect in Tuesdays subway shooting in Brooklyn and weighs in on the the patrol measures being made to keep residents safe.https://t.co/ZNyFzmDcYM pic.twitter.com/NKOd6t5Jet  Good Morning America (@GMA) April 13, 2022

Adams also said he's open to "new technologies" like installing metal detectors at the entrances of subway stations.

* * *

Update (0900ET): Minutes after a headline hit claiming that the NYPD had finally apprehended the main suspect in yesterday's shooting, a retraction has been issued clarifying that the suspect remains "at large".

CORRECT: JAMES NAMED SUSPECT IN NYC SHOOTING,STILL AT LARGE: ABC

* * *

Update (0900ET): Minutes after reporting that the main suspect in yesterday's Brooklyn shooting had been apprehended and was "in custody", the headline has mysteriously been retracted.

* * *

Update (0850ET): ABC News is reporting that the NYPD has finally apprehended the main suspect in yesterday's brutal shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park.

*NYC SUBWAY SHOOTING SUSPECT FRANK JAMES IN CUSTODY: ABC

Meanwhile, the NYT reported earlier that the MTA had resumed full subway service at the station following the completion of the NYPD investigation.

Developing...

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As New Yorkers confront the latest in what seems like an unceasing stream of increasingly gruesome and brutal crimes (unfolding during the opening months of former NYPD Captain and newly inaugurated Mayor Eric Adams, who has promised to combat crime), law enforcement is facing up to the realization that the suspect (as is tragically common in mass shootings and other incidents of 'terrorism' extreme violence) had previously set off flags that probably should have warranted a closer look.

It started yesterday with Newsweek reporting that the suspect (still at large) in the shooting - Frank James - had been investigated and cleared by the FBI in 2019. Soon after that report emerged, thousands of people scouring James' social-media presence made a truly shocking (if unsurprising) discovery: the suspect who shot at least 10 people in a terrifying and meticulously planned mass shooting (police found explosive devices that didn't detonate) has been publishing bizarre, hate-filled rants on YouTube praising other mass shooters terrorists and calling on people to kill "whitey".

Amazingly, YouTube hasn't yet taken down the page, which - as far as we can tell - still includes all of the hateful videos that media outlets have reported on extensively overnight.

In one video, James verbally attacked NYC Mayor Adams, saying he had been through the citys mental health system due to a "mental health" issue that had gotten him "locked up". In the system, he said, he experienced a kind of violence that would make someone "go and get a gun and shoot motherfuckers."

In his videos, he appears to express support for an extreme "black nationalist" ideology. At certain points, he even expresses a hatred or dislike for black people, referring to them as racial slurs which we won't repeat here (although you can find some examples over at the Daily Beast).

At one point, James calls upon "black Jesus" to "kill all the whiteys".

"O black Jesus, please kill all the whiteys"



Frank James, the person of interest in the #Brooklyn mass shooting, posted a photograph of the Dallas #BLM shooter who killed 5 cops. He also posted a prayer asking for whites to die. One of his videos is titled, "We once were kings." pic.twitter.com/s97iXfiyBH  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) April 13, 2022

Older posts showed him sharing positive messages about Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro.

Frank James, the person of interest in the #Brooklyn subway mass shooting, made a number of pro-communist and pro-Fidel Castro posts in the past. His more recent posts and videos have pivoted obsessively to black nationalist interests. pic.twitter.com/Nvh1aoINR8  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) April 13, 2022

Describing himself as a "prophet of doom", James at one point described 9/11 as "the most beautiful day, probably in the history of this fucking world."

His posts included references to current events, from the Will Smith-Chris Rock "slap" to Ketanji Brown Jackson being elevated to SCOTUS: "I had no idea, with that African name, that she would be married to a white man. One of my subscribers brought that to my attention. Yeah. Our black sister Supreme Court Justice, power to the people, is married to a f**king white man. (Crying) I don't believe this sh*t. Oh God! Wait a minute. This motherf**ker right there, there he is. There he is! White man! Black sister, Ketanji, married to a white man."

Frank James, the person of interest in the #Brooklyn subway mass shooting, has many videos on YouTube discussing his militant black nationalist views. He recently expressed disappointment that Justice Ketanji Jackson is married to a white man. https://t.co/edHUVtTvwI pic.twitter.com/hL0ysMw5VM  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) April 13, 2022

Apparently, James posted posts inciting violence on Facebook for years, without them being taken down.

"It's time for action"



For years, Frank James, the person of interest in the #Brooklyn mass shooting, has made references to shooting and killing people on his Facebook posts. pic.twitter.com/dCzK4JddUp  Andy Ngo  (@MrAndyNgo) April 13, 2022

NYPD cited James as a "person of interest" in the attack during a Tuesday press conference. When reached by the Daily Beast, one of his sisters, Catherine James, said she hadn't spoken to her brother in a few years, and that he kept to himself."

"I dont know what might have been his motivation. Last I spoke to him was like three years ago," James said. "We dont keep in contact with each other...I dont know what he was thinking, I dont know anything about why he might have done what he did."

The NYPD said during last night's press conference that, due to James' comments about the mayor, they will be tightening his security.

Interestingly, while James frequently spouted anti-white hatred, the MSM has already set to work trying to frame the shooting as an attack on Asians and the Hispanic community, because of the location of the attack (h/t to Grabien for the quote).

"Mr. Mayor, I think that one of the things that went through a lot of peoples minds, who know New York City well enough to understand a little bit about the neighborhood in which this happened, particularly because of hate crimes, particularly because of anti-Asian hate crimes, this neighborhood where this happened, Sunset Park is a heavily immigrant neighborhood, there's large Asian population among lots of other immigrant populations in that neighborhood. As you know, Brooklyn is perhaps the most ethnically and nationally and racially diverse place in the entire world. Is there any indication, or can you tell us anything about worries that this might have been ethnically motivated, might have been a targeted hate crime or sort of hate-motivated attack? I think people surmise that that might be a possibility given the location of this, but we dont have anything to go on."

We're sensing a pattern here, as this isn't the first time the MSM has tried to highlight black-on-Asian crime.

Forget about all of the new (predominantly white) gentrifiers who have been moving to Brooklyn in droves in recent years.
Petty Officer 3rd class William Floyd hugs his mom, Clarice Floyd on the pier at Norfolk Naval Station Wednesday morning, April 13, 2022 after the Forrest Sherman, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, returned to Norfolk after a three-month deployment. Clarice Floyd drove from her home in South Carolina yesterday to see her son's first homecoming. (Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot)

USS Forrest Shermans fast-track deployment in the North Sea and Baltic Sea was all about the Navys ready-set-go stance when orders come in  but it was also about volunteering.

Take, for instance, the case of Petty Officer 3rd Class William Floyd, whos not actually a member of the crew but stepped up when a call went out for a cryptologic technician to fill an empty billet.

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Hes a sailor with the Norfolk-based destroyers sister ship, USS Stout, and had no second thoughts about volunteering for his first deployment.

I was really excited about it, he said.

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Of course Im proud, said his mom, Clarice, who drove up from South Carolina to welcome him back. Deploying is what Navy service is all about, after all.

But, she added, All I want to do is put my arms around him and give him a great big hug.

Forrest Sherman scrambled to head out to Europe on a surge deployment  that is, ahead of the usual timing under the Navys standard schedule  as part of a widespread Department of Defense effort to support NATO allies, departing Norfolk in January as war clouds gathered over Ukraine.

Two other ships from Destroyer Squadron 22 also headed east, USS Mitscher and USS The Sullivans, and both are now on their way back. The Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is operating in the Mediterranean, with its air wing running policing missions over NATO allies airspace.

Forrest Sherman operated with ships from NATO allies Poland, Denmark, Great Britain, France and Italy, as well as with Swedish naval vessels.

A highlight was the Italian carrier Garibaldi asking for a U.S. Navy escort on her way to the North Sea, said Capt. Milciades Tony Then, Destroyer Squadron 22s commodore, who coordinated the squadrons operations in European waters.

Forrest Sherman drilled on flight operations with helicopters attached to the French frigate Latouche-Treville and practiced close quarter maneuvering with Swedish minesweeper Vinga.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

It made four separate transits of the challenging Danish straits Kattegat and Skagerrak linking the North and Baltic seas  the Danish straits are always a lot of fun, drily commented Cmdr. Greg Page, Forrest Shermans commanding officer.

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Lt. Jamin Bailey, Chaplain aboard the Forrest Sherman, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, hugs his family on the pier at Norfolk Naval Station Wednesday morning, April 13, 2022 after the Forrest Sherman returned to Norfolk after a three-month deployment. (Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot)

At a port call in Gdansk, Lt. Jamin Bailey, a chaplain from the cruiser USS Gettysburg detached to sail with Forrest Sherman on this deployment, arranged a chance for his new temporary shipmates to help refugees from Ukraine who had made their way to the Polish city.

Port calls are usually a chance to go downtown, to take a break, Bailey said. But they took their limited time in port to do this.

Some 100 sailors volunteered to pack and load clothing and care packages for refugees  16 container-loads in the end.

Their commander, Page, who joined them, said it showed their commitment to the mission.

Its good to see their engagement, he said. They get it.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com
Boulder, MT (59632)

Today

Rain and snow showers this morning changing to mainly rain showers for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 49F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then some snow showers after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
A building on the campus of the University of North Texas. A Texas judge has ruled in-state tuition for undocumented students is unconstitutional. (David Pillow/TNS)

DALLAS  A federal judges ruling could give out-of-state students access to cheaper tuition at Texas colleges and universities and renew efforts to curb the lower rates for undocumented students.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, which represented the Young Conservatives of Texas, filed a lawsuit against the University of North Texas arguing against a state law that lets undocumented students pay in-state tuition while out-of-state Americans paid more  leading U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan to agree that such a move is unconstitutional.

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If a university provides an educational benefit based on residence to an alien who lacks lawful immigration status, then that university must provide the same benefit to a United States citizen regardless of the citizens residency, Jordan wrote in his ruling issued last week.

Attorneys for the university have filed a notice of appeal, said James Berscheidt, UNTs vice president for marketing and communications, in an email.

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At UNT, the average annual cost of attendance for a Texas resident is more than $26,500. For out-of-state students, the average annual cost of attendance is about $38,800.

Robert Henneke, general counsel and executive director at TPPF, said in a statement that the states universities cannot willingly violate federal law to benefit noncitizens in Texas at the expense of U.S. citizens.

Now that a federal judge has rightly declared the out-of-state tuition statute unconstitutional, no Texas state university should continue to charge out-of-state students a higher tuition rate, starting with the upcoming summer semester, Henneke said.

Texas was the first state to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition since lawmakers approved the effort in 2001.

To qualify for in-state tuition, students must show they have lived in Texas for three consecutive years before graduating from a Texas high school or obtaining a GED. They must also sign an affidavit indicating that they intend to apply for permanent resident status as soon as they are able to do so.

Efforts to rollback in-state tuition for undocumented students could have far-reaching impacts for families and schools.

Texas Dreamers are Texans. This political decision ignores the facts, plain and simple. And now, out-of-state students with no connection to Texas will be given preferential treatment that will result in less opportunities for students who graduate from our neighborhood schools, said state Rep. Rafael Anchia, a Dallas Democrat, in a statement.

Anchia is the chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

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The Texas Tribune, which first reported on the lawsuit, noted that about 22,000 college students benefited from the provision in 2021.

About 52% of Texas 5.4 million public students in elementary through high school are Latino, with many citizens and some coming from families with various immigration statuses.

Meanwhile, the shifting demographics have meant that more state schools are reaching or nearing the Hispanic-Serving Institution status, which unlocks millions in funding to help support all students at such colleges and universities.

The law to offer in-state tuition to undocumented students was signed by former Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican. But some conservatives have tried to dial back the effort several times in the past two decades. In 2012, one bill would have ended the effort completely.

Daywatch Weekdays Start your morning with today's local news >

More recently, in the 2021 legislative session, Republican lawmakers authored a bill that would not have allowed unauthorized immigrants to be considered a resident of the state for the purpose of determining tuition.

The bill was referred to the House Higher Education Committee but never received a hearing. Out-of-state tuition is about three times higher than in-state costs, according to the Education Data Initiative, a research group that focuses on the countrys education system.

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As of this summer, at least 19 states have provisions allowing for in-state tuition rates for undocumented students, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.



Staff writer Emily Donaldson contributed to this report.



2022 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Hong Kong: Public housing blocks to be returned

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today announced that three public housing blocks and two transitional housing premises, which were converted into community isolation facilities (CIFs) earlier, will be returned to their original use.

At the daily press conference this morning, Mrs Lam explained that the decision was made after having considered the local COVID-19 epidemic situation and the supply of CIFs.

In light of the latest downward trend and the decrease in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, we have come to the conclusion that we have an adequate supply of CIFs.

Instead of preserving every CIF for anticipated use - because they are very limited resources that have other purposes, like hotel rooms, they should be for arrivals and housing units should be for people to improve their living conditions - the Government has been vigorously reviewing the situation and as and when possible, we try to make adjustments to enable some of these facilities to be returned to their original purpose.

So today, together with Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan, I am announcing that some 5,500 housing units in three blocks in two public housing estates as well as two pretty large transitional housing projects will be returned so that several thousands of families could improve their living conditions shortly.

The three public housing blocks, namely Blocks 1 and 7 of Queen's Hill Estate in Fanling as well as Heng King House of Lai King Estate, will be handed back to the Housing Authority at the end of this month.

The intake for these buildings is expected to start in phases between late May and mid-June.

For the two transitional housing projects in Yuen Long, they will be returned to the respective operating organisations next week. Families which have been allocated a flat will be allowed to move in within the month of May.

This story has been published on: 2022-04-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Dynamic zero-COVID strategy the best choice' as infections surpass 325,000: chief epidemiologist of China's CDC

By Liu Caiyu and Yu Xi (Global Times) 08:37, April 13, 2022

Medical workers work in the quarantine zone at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in east China's Shanghai, April 1, 2022. Photo:Xinhua

Sticking with the dynamic zero-case strategy is the best choice at the current stage, Chinese officials said on Tuesday, as data showed that the Chinese mainland's domestic COVID-19 infections had reached 325,303 since March 1, affecting 30 provincial-level regions, with Shanghai the severest.

Shanghai on Monday registered the highest daily infections in the mainland with 994 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 22,348 asymptomatic carriers reported. But it was the first time that the number of daily new asymptomatic infections had decreasedthis month.

The new daily tally in Shanghai has remained above 10,000 for eight consecutive days, and the outbreak is still rapidly developing with community transmission still surging, Mi Feng, the spokesperson of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Mi predicted that daily new infections in Shanghai would remain at a high level in the coming days.

After strict measures, emerging outbreaks in the country have been curbed effectively. The outbreaks, such as those in North China's Hebei and East China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces, are basically controlled.

The one in Northeast China's Jilin Province is showing a downtrend with new infections reduced to 1,000 in the past three days, Mi noted.

He stressed that China should unwaveringly stick with the dynamic zero-case strategy as the nationwide situation is still serious.

Sticking with the strategy is the best choice at the current stage, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at the same press conference.

Wu made the remarks when asked whether, as a third option between dynamic-zero and "lying flat," China can allow the existence of the virus at a low level.

Wu noted that since the Wuhan outbreak in 2020, China stamped out every domestic outbreak using epidemic control measures mainly characterized by physical isolation. The strategy, summed up as the "dynamic zero-COVID strategy," has proven successful.

The main purpose of this strategy is to guarantee the health and lives of the public to the greatest extent.

Since the implementation of the strategy requires the coordination of departments and work with the all-round efforts of the entire nation and support from the public, it is an impossible route for many other countries, not to say physical isolation.

"Lying flat" is more of a helpless choice that other countries have to follow as they cannot find an ideal strategy to control the virus, so they simply "lie flat," Wu said.

Wu Qianyu, an official from the Shanghai health authority, emphasized at Tuesday's press briefing that Shanghai has strictly implemented lockdown management and will continue to carry out screening.

"If all the positive cases were detected and put under centralized treatment or quarantine following the citywide nucleic acid testing, it means the infection sources will be controlled and the 'inflexion point' of the epidemic will come," Lu Hongzhou, head of Shenzhen's anti-epidemic expert team and head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Shanghai has been making efforts to build more makeshift hospitals and improve the delivery capacity to ensure residents get daily commodities promptly, a move to ease residents' concerns over the epidemic.

A total of 39 children with COVID-19 and their parents were discharged from a makeshift hospital at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on Tuesday morning following about one week of treatment or quarantine.

Yin Yong, head of the medical team of the Shanghai Children's Medical Center, told the Global Times that each child receives an evaluation before being discharged.

The discharge criteria include two consecutive negative nucleic acid tests with an interval of at least 24 hours and normal temperatures for three consecutive days, according to Yin.

"I have confidence in the Chinese government as the country has allocated resources nationwide to aid Shanghai, which demonstrates the advantages of the socialist system," Lu said.

China should insist on the dynamic-zero approach as it's the most effective way to combat the virus, according to Lu.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
BURLINGTON, N.C.  A 94-year-old North Carolina woman was struck by two vehicles whose drivers left the scene, and police said they were looking for whoever is responsible.

News outlets report the Burlington Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to a local intersection at around 2:35 p.m. on Sunday. The woman, whose name was not released, suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

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Witnesses reported seeing the woman in the middle of the intersection when she was struck. The first vehicle was described as a newer model gray Honda Civic that was lowered, has a loud exhaust and dark tinted windows. The second vehicle was described as an older model black Mitsubishi Lancer with a red spoiler, according to police.
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Local schools are being shut down Wednesday as a safety precaution in light of the spring blizzard coming Brandons way.

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COLIN CORNEAU A student from King George School clambers over some snow banks on their way home in April 2013. Brandon School Division officials announced on Tuesday that all schools will be closed until Monday due to an incoming blizzard. (File)

Local schools are being shut down Wednesday as a safety precaution in light of the spring blizzard coming Brandons way.

The storm could dump up to 50 centimetres of snow on Brandon by the end of the week.

All 24 institutions in the Brandon School Division will be closed Wednesday, Supt. Mathew Gustafson said Tuesday.

"While we anticipate that road conditions will still allow for schools to be open early Wednesday morning, all forecasts are pointing to the deterioration of conditions during the morning and throughout the day," he said in a letter addressed to parents. "This would create safety concerns for students who walk home as well as concerns for students who depend on alternate transportation to get home."

Gustafson told the Sun that BSD teachers will not be conducting lessons remotely on Wednesday, since many staff are preparing for parent-teacher interviews on Thursday (which is also a professional development day).

Classes will resume on Monday following the Easter long weekend.

"We never want to close schools, so this is not a good situation," Gustafson said. "While we wish that this wasnt coming to our region, we just felt like this was the best move."

Gustafson couldnt remember the last time BSD closed its schools within city limits due to extreme weather.

Elsewhere in the region, Southwest Horizon School Division also announced on Tuesday that all of its schools and division buildings will be closed on Wednesday, with staff being expected to work from home.

On the post-secondary front, Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College campuses will be closed throughout Wednesday due to the storm.

As of Tuesday, ACC officials still werent sure if they will reopen on Thursday.

"Classes may still operate remotely for some students," an ACC spokesperson said in a news release. "Please monitor your college email for any notices directly from your instructors and/or program staff."

However, BU will remain closed for the rest of the week, with regular services and exams scheduled to resume on Monday.

"You should avoid coming to campus for the next two days," a Tuesday news release from BU read. "If you have a critical need (for example, live animal care), speak with your Dean or supervisor to ensure that correct accommodations can be made."

The university said updates will be provided via email, its website, social media and/or local news outlets.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
While the province has touted the importance of health-care spending and pandemic recovery, government officials delivered a budget with plenty of tax cuts on Tuesday.

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While the province has touted the importance of health-care spending and pandemic recovery, government officials delivered a budget with plenty of tax cuts on Tuesday.

Budget 2022 features a projected deficit of $548 million, down from a $1.597-billion deficit run last year when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing.

Health-care spending was emphasized through billions of dollars in funding for new and old programs.

This includes $110 million for the provinces surgical and diagnostic backlog, $17 million toward the first year of a five-year plan to tackle mental health, $52 million in combined funding to improve health-care and care home conditions for seniors, $11 million to boost enrolment at Manitobas post-secondary nursing programs and $630 million for the continuing response to COVID-19.

No target date was set for clearing the surgical and diagnostic backlog.

It also includes $812 million in capital projects for rural and northern Manitoba under the provinces clinical and preventative services plan, though many elements of that plan, such as hospital expansions in communities like Brandon and Dauphin and new hospitals in places like Portage la Prairie and Neepawa, had been previously announced.

Two elements of the budget relating to health care in Brandon appear to be new.

The first will expand capacity for dialysis treatments in Brandon by 12 patients as part of a $1.8-million investment in renal care.

Additionally, funding has been set aside to create a behavioural care unit at Fairview Personal Care Home.

The Progressive Conservative government says it plans to boost the education tax rebate for residential and farm properties to 37.5 per cent from 25 per cent, which would save the average homeowner $196 a year. A similar tax credit for renters is to be expanded to more recipients, including people in social housing.

The Tories have already promised to phase out the education tax over several years, although they are moving to do so more slowly than former premier Brian Pallister had discussed before he retired last fall and was succeeded by Heather Stefanson.

The government is planning to cut annual registration fees for most non-commercial vehicles by another $10, following two similar cuts in recent years.

Some companies are to get a break as the province increases the threshold at which employers pay a tax on their payroll to $2 million from $1.75 million in total remuneration.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said the government can cut taxes at a time when health care is stressed and deficits are ongoing.

"We simply think its not correct to make Manitobans wait. We think that they need relief now. They need affordability now," Friesen said Tuesday.

With expected economic growth and a rise in federal transfer payments, the province is forecasting a deficit of $548 million, down from $1.4 billion in the last fiscal year. With the exception of a small surplus in 2020, Manitoba has not seen a balanced budget since 2008 and is not expecting to see another until 2028.

The number of times Brandon is mentioned in the full text of the 182-page budget document is 13 times.

However, 10 times are for previously-announced programming, one mention is made of Brandon University and the final two occurrences are for the health-care programs previously mentioned by the Sun.

The previously-announced programming mentioned in relation to Brandon includes the continuation of a virtual COVID-19 outpatient program, $70 million for upgrades at Brandon Regional Health Centre and the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre announced last summer, a continuation of the forensic nurse examiner program announced earlier this month, previously announced funding for upgrades at Brandons water treatment plant, three respite home beds announced last August, supportive recovery-housing units being made in partnership with Westman Youth for Christ announced last December, and the continuation of a home nutrition and learning program started in June 2020.

In a media call with rural media outlets Tuesday afternoon, Friesen was asked about the long-term funding plan for education after the education property tax is completely phased out.

"We have undertaken to form that new committee that is going to study education funding," he said. "We want to make sure that it looks equitable across the province of Manitoba  urban, rural, north, south, east, west. Its very important that we have a new formula. Our formula is broken."

Last December, Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest told previous finance minister Scott Fielding he was hopeful for a funding increase for municipalities in the upcoming budget after years of no increases and belt tightening.

On Tuesday, Friesen talked up maintaining current funding, COVID supports for municipalities and new infrastructure spending, but didnt say anything about a boost to yearly grants.

In an interview with Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew, the opposition leader criticized the lack of extra resources for municipalities and more from the budget. He said he believes that what was announced on Tuesday wont put anyone in a better economic position and will only lead to more health-care cuts down the road.

"What we saw today is just a continuation of Brian Pallisters plan," Kinew said. "Its a lot of the same initiatives, a lot of the same announcements, and I expect more of what we saw under his time, which is basically they make a lot of announcements but then they always underspend and underdeliver and fail to follow through in the way that Manitobans need them to."

Kinew said its hard to believe the governments plans to fix health care when a lot of the problems are due to their own cuts to the system.

"It didnt meet the hype," Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said about the budget. "We were told to stay tuned, we were promised all sorts of excitement, but it turned out to be more of a rerun, a retread than anything really bold. What really needed to happen was a big investment in people, whether thats in education or in health care. We really need to do much more to keep nurses working in the system and make the system a better place to work in."

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, CUPE Manitoba slammed the budget, saying its putting public services at risk.

"Manitobans expect to see a budget that protects the public services they rely on," says Gina McKay, president of CUPE Manitoba. "This government continues to cut taxes for ideological reasons rather than fully supporting our schools and health care facilities."

The Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations, which represents post-secondary staff in the province, issued its own statement saying the current governments policies are harming universities.

"What we see through cuts, year after year is the deliberate downsizing and hollowing out of our universities," MOFA president Scott Forbes said.

"Our students pay more to get less. Premier Stefanson continues Brian Pallisters policy of austerity in education. In doing so, she simply ignores the role of higher education in economic development. Our graduates are fully employed, collect higher salaries, pay more taxes; enjoy more rewarding careers and lives. But it seems Premier Stefanson doesnt want our students to have those nice things."

The continued phasing out of education property tax on farm properties as well as infrastructure, child care and labour elements were welcomed by Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP).

"Access to affordable and accessible childcare in rural areas has been an ongoing concern for young Manitoba farmers," KAP president Bill Campbell stated in a release. "KAP is encouraged by the news of investments into childcare aimed at improving affordability and accessibility of a much-needed service for Manitoba farm families."

Doctors Manitoba, which has frequently criticized the province for its handling of the health-care system  especially during COVID-19  had some faint praise for the budget.

"From a financial perspective the Manitoba budget has appropriately prioritized investing in health care, though the results will be measured not by dollars spent but by shortening wait times, clearing the pandemic backlog, and recruiting and retaining more nurses, doctors and other health care workers to ensure patients get the care they need," president Dr. Kristjan Thompson said in a statement.

 cslark@brandonsun.com, with files from The Canadian Press

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
One young entrepreneur is using her creative talents to raise money for relief efforts in Ukraine.

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One young entrepreneur is using her creative talents to raise money for relief efforts in Ukraine.

Chloes Creations has been doing brisk business since Chloe Williment, 12, released her Ukrainian-themed bracelets, which people can buy through donation as part of her Stand with Ukraine fundraiser. The bracelets consist of blue and yellow beads with a sunflower charm  the flag colours and national flower of Ukraine.

SUBMITTED Chloe Williment shows off bracelets she is selling to raise funds to donate to Ukraine relief efforts.

Each bracelet has a suggested donation price of $5, but some have offered much more to help with the cause.

"I had one person donate $60 for one of my bracelets because they were so happy to help," the Oak Lake youth said. "This fundraiser is important because whatever money I raise will go to help all the families in need. Their houses have been bombed, kids cant go to sch0ol. Its sad and I want to do whatever I can to help."

Making jewelry is something Williment has been doing for a while. She said most of the time there isnt a theme, she just makes bracelets she thinks are beautiful on their own.

Mother Kim Williment said she discovered her daughter had been making bracelets for her friends at school as a side business to make money for herself.

"I was quite impressed by her business ambition and entrepreneurial spirit," she said. "All the money raised from sales is going to donation because Im buying the supplies. I know she wanted to do something to help Ukraine and her dad suggested she make blue-and-yellow ones to sell."

Initially, the goal was to raise $500, but that was quickly surpassed. As of Tuesday, the fundraising effort is sitting at $640. The new goal is $1,000. Chloe said she is still deciding which charity to donate it to.

These bracelets have proven popular outside of Manitoba. Some of them have been sold to buyers in Ottawa and California.

It has also helped drive some sales of her other bracelets as well, Williment said, but her concern right now is raising donations.

This fundraising effort has been so successful that she may do another. She said she isnt quite sure which one, but is thinking it may be for the Brandon Humane Society so they can purchase supplies such as food for the animals in their care.

To order a bracelet, visit Chloes Creations Facebook page.

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
Australias electric vehicle industry has seized on the Morrison governments decision to funnel more taxpayer funds to the nations oil refineries and accused it of failing to design an adequate plan to drive uptake of electric cars.

After committing $2.4 billion last year to help ASX-listed refiners Ampol and Viva Energy survive the impact of COVID-19 wiping out demand, the government in March announced a $3 billion fuel-excise reduction to keep a lid on petrol prices, and, on Wednesday, pledged another $250 million for the companies to carry out upgrades to their plants in Brisbane and Geelong.

The electric car industry claims the Morrison government has failed to develop a competent plan to drive EV uptake, Credit:AP

The Electric Vehicle Council, representing businesses across the electric vehicle (EV) sector including auto giants Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai, said Prime Minister Scott Morrisons priorities speak volumes and the EV industry remained ignored.

Its incredible that an Australian government in 2022 could be spending $6 billion propping up oil, while not even bothering to construct a competent plan for the electrification of Australias fleet, chief executive Behyad Jafari said.
While many Russian tycoons were scrambling to shift their assets and move their superyachts in the wake of Western sanctions, the countrys richest man, Vladimir Potanin, was doing all that and more.

Potanins Interros Capital, which redomiciled to Russia from Cyprus in December, agreed to buy Societe Generale SAs entire stake in Rosbank PJSC. Its an asset Potanin knows well: He and fellow billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov previously owned the bank, hired some of its executives and had planned to take it public in the mid-2000s until SocGen took a 10 per cent position. Within a few years, the Paris-based lender controlled the entity, Prokhorov was no longer a shareholder and Potanin cashed out his remaining stake.

Vladimir Potanin, right, with Vladimir Putin in Sochi in 2019. Credit:AP

It has been a difficult period for Potanin, 61, the president of MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC. The miner is facing increased freight costs and insurance issues and its tougher to find ships to carry its nickel, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Interross planned 90 billion rouble ($US1 billion) investment in Russian projects aimed at international tourists might be partially suspended. And he has lost positions alongside the worlds elite at nonprofits in New York that he cultivated over decades.

Still, Potanins ability to make a major purchase from Frances third-largest bank puts in stark relief the difference between him and other oligarchs of his generation: Hes not sanctioned by the US, UK or European Union. While other billionaires like Vladimir Lisin have also avoided penalties, Potanin wielding his $US29 billion ($39 billion) fortune to strike deals with the West contrasts with Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, who have said in interviews that sanctions ruined their lives.
NSW Police are appealing for information after the body of a woman washed up on Bronte Beach in Sydneys east on Wednesday morning.

Emergency services were called to the northern end of the beach at 5.45am following a notification from a member of the public.

The body has since been removed from the beach. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Police from Eastern Suburbs have set up a crime scene and an investigation is now underway, a spokeswoman for NSW Police said.

If anyone has information, they should ring Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers.
Labor senator Kristina Keneally was allegedly threatened with serious harm and made to fear the threat would be carried out, court documents have revealed.

Luke David Eastop, 29, and Angela Jane Trappel, 41, were charged in March over two alleged threats made to the former NSW premier via a social media messaging service last year.

Two people have been charged with sending threatening online messages to Labor senator Kristina Keneally. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Eastop, from Harrington Park, was charged with threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official, which, if proven, carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

Trappel, from Largs in the Hunter region, was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. The maximum penalty is five years imprisonment.
Nine children escaped a townhouse fire Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in the 4500 block of Greenwood Drive in Portsmouth. (Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and EMS)

Two children are in critical condition and five others are being treated for injuries that are not life-threatening following a Wednesday afternoon townhouse fire in Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth and Chesapeake fire departments responded to a multi-family structure fire at approximately 1 p.m. in the 4500 block of Greenwood Drive. There were reports of victims still inside the burning home, said Julian Williamson, deputy chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department..

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When units arrived on scene, the two-story townhome had smoke coming from the first and second floors.

Crews simultaneously began searching for victims while making a quick, aggressive interior attack on the fire, Williamson said.

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A total of nine children were in the residence when it caught fire.

Portsmouth fire crews found two of the children trapped on the second floor of the home. The pair were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in critical condition.

The other seven children escaped the blaze on their own. However, five of the seven were transported to Childrens Hospital Kings Daughters for treatment. The remaining two children were evaluated and stayed at the scene.

The Portsmouth Fire Marshals Office is investigating the fire. As of 5 p.m., a cause had not been released.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the victims.

Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
The charity founder who has spent several Christmas Days dishing out lunch to vulnerable people alongside Labor leader Anthony Albanese says he is disappointed the party is not taking a plan to raise JobSeeker to the election.

Reverend Bill Crews, who runs the Exodus Foundation providing support to vulnerable people in Sydney, said Albaneses history as the son of a single mother who grew up in public housing meant he should know better.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese with Reverend Bill Crews on Christmas Day in 2019. Credit:James Brickwood

Hes got a really good idea of what its like to struggle because he struggled himself as a kid. Thats why I find it surprising, Crews said.

[Labors policy] means struggling people will keep struggling and more work goes our way, its disappointing.
Amid an at-times combative press conference, Hanson and her senate-mate Malcolm Roberts sparred with media over questions about the partys latest disaffected Liberal National Party recruit: George Christensen.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson announces the partys Senate candidates for the 2022 federal election, George Christensen (right) and Raj Guruswamy. Credit:Matt Dennien

Dont write me off yet, the populist right-wing firebrand told a room of journalists in Brisbane on Wednesday.

A quarter-century since the launch of Pauline Hansons One Nation party, its eponymous leader says she still has at least six years fight left.

The announcement, that Christensen would occupy the essentially unwinnable third place on the partys ticket, was the headline-setter among a grab-bag of Hansons key talking points targeting what she said was a growing number of Queensland voters fed up with the major parties.

Opposition to government vaccine mandates and building more coal-fired power stations were there. As were calls to reduce immigration numbers until homelessness and unemployment were addressed, cost of living pressures, Labors stance on China, family courts, and what Christensen himself described as the religion of climate change.

Hanson  who is up for re-election on May 21  also claimed credit for the federal governments pre-election budget decision to reduce the fuel excise for six months. It was only because of One Nation, she said.

The livestream run by Hansons long-term jack-of-all-trades staffer James Ashby for her more than 430,000 Facebook followers often cut to a second camera aimed at journalists  something no other party does  whom Roberts would also ask for their names.
London: Russia said the flagship of its Black Sea fleet was seriously damaged and its crew evacuated following an explosion that a Ukrainian official said was the result of a missile strike.

Russias Defence Ministry said on Thursday that a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser caused ammunition to blow up, Interfax news agency reported.

It did not say what caused the fire but Maksym Marchenko, the Ukrainian governor of the region around the port of Odesa, said the Moskva had been hit by two Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles.

Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage, he said in an online post.
London: Boris Johnson has become the first British prime minister to be fined by police while in office and has, in all likelihood, lied to parliament about the circumstances which led to it.

He says he is sorry  although he doesnt seem convinced he broke any law  but now 57 per cent of voters (and a decent chunk of his colleagues) think he should resign.

Fined: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Credit:Getty

Johnson says he is not going anywhere. It may no longer be his decision.

I understand the anger that many will feel that I myself fell short when it came to observing the very rules that the government I lead had introduced to protect the public, he said on Wednesday morning AEST. I accept in all sincerity that people had the right to expect better.
London: People in smaller countries fearing invasion from larger neighbours must be prepared to defend their freedom if they are to have any chance of success.

That is the view of General James McConville, the US Armys chief of staff, who says Russias invasion of Ukraine carries a lesson for other nations.

General James McConville, chief of staff of the US Army at Policy Exchange in London. Credit:Policy Exchange

McConville was speaking in London alongside his British counterpart General Mark Carleton-Smith at the Westminster think tank Policy Exchange.

Asked by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age what their advice for Taiwan would be, amid Western fears that China could be emboldened by Russias attack of Ukraine to launch an invasion of the island it claims as its own, McConville said governments must ask their citizens stark questions.
Automobile dispatches from factories to dealerships in India declined by 6 per cent in FY22, with the two-wheeler segment reporting its lowest wholesales in the last 10 years, auto industry body said on Wednesday.

Total wholesales across categories in the 2021-22 fiscal declined to 1,75,13,596 units, as against 1,86,20,233 units in 2020-21.

Two-wheeler dispatches declined by 11 per cent last financial year, while passenger vehicles (PV), commercial vehicles and three-wheelers witnessed a growth compared to the low base of 2020-21.

Total two-wheeler dispatches stood at 1,34,66,412 units last fiscal as against 1,51,20,783 units in 2020-21.

The total PV wholesales, however, rose by 13 per cent to 30,69,499 units from 27,11,457 vehicles in the COVID-hit 2020-21.

Similarly, three-wheeler sales jumped to 2,60,995 units last fiscal from 2,19,446 units in FY21.

Total commercial vehicle wholesales also increased to 7,16,566 units from 5,68,559 units in 2020-21.

noted that the two-wheeler dispatches in last fiscal were the lowest in 10 years. Similarly, passenger vehicle dispatches last fiscal were below 2017-18 and 2018-19 levels.

Barring 2020-21, three-wheeler dispatches last fiscal were the lowest in 19 years, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) data showed.

Commercial vehicle wholesales last fiscal were also the lowest in five years, barring 2020-21.

President Kenichi Ayukawa noted that despite some recovery from a low base, sales of all four segments of the auto industry were below even the 2018-19 level.

"While some segments like commercial vehicles and SUVs are seeing improvement in demand, the mass segments like two-wheelers and smaller cars are facing serious affordability issues. Of course, our immediate challenge in most segments is semiconductor availability," he stated.

He further said steep increase in commodity prices, precious metals and freight rates were putting additional pressure on supply chain and profitability of the industry.

Ayukawa stated that the auto industry remained at same level as five years ago due to the various challenges plaguing it.

He noted that overall economic recovery and some tax benefits on entry-level cars and two-wheelers can help the sector.

Reflecting on the just ended fiscal, Ayukawa noted that the year was full of unforeseen challenges and new learnings for the industry.

"Indian auto industry has worked hard against these challenges to keep the value chain running, to indigenise parts, control cost, invest in new technologies, and enhance exports. The Government also came out with targeted support like PLI schemes, FAME scheme extension, etc," he stated.

On sales growth forecast, Ayukawa said the industry was looking to post growth this fiscal but added that the chip shortage could have some adverse impact on production volumes.

"In the current situation, it is very difficult to predict the future..there is uncertainty due to Russia- Ukraine crisis...besides COVID cases are again rising in india and globally... we will continue to focus on the safety of our people, try to maximise production and sales," he added.

The industry would also look at mitigating supply chain issues and enhance efficiency and productivity, the veteran industry leader stated.

SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said the overall industry witnessed a de-growth of 6 per cent in FY22.

"All segments are facing supply side challenges and the industry is yet to see complete recovery following the disruptions it has been facing since early 2020," he added.

Overall exports last fiscal, however, climbed to 56,17,246 units as compared to 41,34,047 units in 2020-21.

"All four segments of the industry have increased their exports. In fact, two-wheelers achieved their highest ever exports. It is good to see that Indian products are becoming more acceptable worldwide for their quality, cost and performance," Ayukawa said.

Robust dispatches to various developing nations, including African countries, boosted the overseas shipments of two-wheelers to 44,43,018 units last fiscal.

In March, domestic PV wholesales in India declined nearly 4 per cent to 2,79,501 units as against 2,90,939 units in the same month of 2021.

Two-wheeler sales also fell 21 per cent to 11,84,210 units, compared to 14,96,806 vehicles in March 2021.

Motorcycle sales declined 21 per cent to 7,86,479 units as against 9,93,996 units in March 2021. Scooter sales were also down 21 per cent at 3,60,082 units from 4,58,122 vehicles a year ago.

(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.)
May 05, 2022, Thursday

VW confirmed a projection that deliveries will rise by as much as 10% this year, it said Wednesday, even after production slumped ...
US e-commerce giant has warned Ltd (FRL) against holding of next weeks meetings of its shareholders and creditors to approve the sale of its retail assets to Reliance Retail as part of the $3.4 billion deal.

In a letter written to Future Group founder Kishore Biyani, his daughter Ashni and other promoters, has said such meetings are illegal and would breach 2019 agreements, when made investments into FRL's promoter firm. It said such meetings would also breach the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC Rules), that the parties had agreed. Amazon said the deal violate the Singapore arbitral tribunal's injunction on the sale of retail assets to Reliance.

Amazon has also sent the 16-page letter to the Registrar of Companies, Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Neeraj Kulshreshtha, Chief Regulatory Officer, BSE Limited and Priya Subbaraman, Chief Regulatory Officer, National Stock Exchange of India Limited. It has also sent the letter to other top executives at these organisations.

Future has convened a shareholders' meeting on April 20 and that of creditors on April 21 to seek their approval for the proposed $3.4 billion-deal with Reliance. This comes after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in February had allowed it to go ahead and convene those meetings to consider a scheme of arrangements to sell its assets to Reliance Retail.

FCPL and the promoters of FRL are injuncted from taking any steps in furtherance of, or in aid of the Scheme, including on account of the fact the Honble Delhi High Court has not passed any order permitting the convening of any meetings of shareholders and creditors of FRL, or undertaking of any steps in pursuance of the Scheme, said the letter sent by Amazon and which was reviewed by Business Standard.

The letter said that In terms of the FCPL SHA (Future Coupons Pvt Ltd Shareholding Agreement) and the FRL SHA (both of which agreements have been executed by the Promoters, and FCPL), various covenants and undertakings were given by the Promoters, including that they will remain in management and control of FRL. Further, pursuant to the aforesaid agreements, the retail assets of FRL (Retail Assets) were entrusted with the Promoters on the express condition that Retail Assets could only be disposed of in the manner prescribed under the Agreements, and in any case, never to a Restricted Person.

Further, as part of the terms of entrustment, the Promoters and FCPL undertook not to act without Amazons consent with respect to any of the matters mentioned in the Agreements, said the letter.

Amazon said that the MDA (Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani) Group is expressly listed as a Restricted Person under the FCPL SHA and the FRL SHA. The letter said that it is categorically stated that Amazon did not consent, or approve any transaction involving a Restricted Person. In complete disregard of these binding covenants, and undertakings, FRL, on August 29,2020, issued a disclosure stating that it had entered into binding agreements relating to the Impugned Transaction.

We are distressed to note that the Promoters, FCPL and FRL are still intent on moving forward with the Scheme with the MDA Group, which constitutes a continuing non-compliance of the order of the duly constituted Arbitral Tribunal which is enforceable as any court order, said the letter.

Any voting by FCPL, or the Promoters, in favour of the Scheme during the meeting of the shareholders and creditors of FRL or any steps taken in furtherance of or in aid of the Scheme without Amazons consent, would be in material violation of the shareholder agreements.

Amazon said any person or entity assisting FRL, FCPL or the Promoters in violating these valid and binding injunctions will be liable for consequences, severally and jointly, under law at their own cost and peril.

Any attempt to act contrary would be treated as a willful, illegal and fraudulent attempt to avoid the injunction by those who are expressly named and by those who assist them, even if they are not expressly named in such an injunction, said the letter.

Future Group declined to comment.

On February 28, The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) passed an order allowing Future Group to convene meetings of its shareholders and creditors to seek their approval for the scheme it signed in 2020 that allows Future Group to sell its retail, logistics, and warehousing businesses to Reliance Retail for Rs 24,713 crore.

On February 15, Supreme Court granted the option to seek permission from the Delhi High Court to continue proceedings at the on its deal with Reliance Industries.

In a stock exchange filing, Future Enterprises said that it will hold a meeting of members of the company on April 20 and a meeting with its secured and unsecured creditors of the company will take place on April 21.

will also hold meetings with its shareholders and creditors on April 20 and 21.

The issue between Amazon and Future goes back to August 2019, when Amazon acquired 49 per cent in FCPL (Future Coupons Pvt Ltd), the promoter entity of FRL, for around Rs 1,500 crore. One year later, in August 2020, Future Group struck a $3.4-billion asset-sale deal with RIL.

In October 2020, Amazon sent legal notice to Future for doing the deal. It alleged it breached Futures agreement with Amazon. It cited its non-compete agreement with Future. The deal specified any disputes would be arbitrated under the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) rules. The same month, October 2020, Amazon got a favourable ruling for its plea at the SIAC. In November 2020, Future moved the Delhi High Court (HC) against Amazon, alleging interference by the US firm in the deal with RIL. Since then, Amazon has been fighting a legal battle with FRL to stop Futures $3.4-billion deal with RIL.
Zipy, a software debugging and observability platform, has raised a seed round of $2.8 million led by and operator-led venture capital firm Together Fund.

Founded in 2020 by Vishalini Paliwal, an IIT Roorkee graduate and product engineering veteran, Zipy enables software teams to proactively identify, prioritise and debug critical customer issues in real time by combining session replays, error monitoring and intelligent insights on a unified platform.

The start-up operates in a software-as-service model where customers are charged on the basis of the size of their teams who use the platform. As is the case with many SaaS start-ups, the platform also allows limited use for free of cost.

The thing is that software developers do not like to be told what tools to use. Our aim is to grow through word-of-mouth as some engineers use the platform and refer it to others, said Paliwal.

For slightly bigger teams and to avail of more features in the platform, can subscribe to Zipy for as low as $39 per month. The pricing jumps to $200-$500 a month if it is used by a mid-sized firm which requires more sophisticated configuration, and larger enterprise sized teams are offered tailor-made plans.

At present, Zipy only works for web browser based applications but plans to expand to mobile apps in the future. While the Southeast Asia region and India have become massive mobile app markets, the US is still a major web browser geography, explained Paliwal.

The company views its market opportunity to be as big as the 30 million developers worldwide which translates to $10 billion in value terms. We are seeing good traction in the US, South America and Europe, said Paliwal.

Any bug has a huge impact on an organisation in terms of revenue loss, customer churn, and much more importantly loss of precious developer time in resolving that bug. We were amazed to see how Zipy can bring down the TTR (time to response) of a bug by 10X with a very unique privacy first approach, said Sanjay Nath, Managing Partner of Blume Venture.

Headquartered in San Francisco and with an office in Pune, Zipy plans to use this round of funding to enhance the capabilities of the technology, hiring, marketing and sales.

Zipy addresses a very significant pain point of bringing developers closer to their customers, where they can understand and solve customer issues quickly. We backed Zipy because they are focussed on solving a problem that every software team faces today and Zipy has the potential to be a category creator says Girish Mathrubootham, CEO and Founder of Freshworks.
Pastor Travis Hall is the executive director of Faith Recovery and the driving force behind a proposal to move Faith Recoverys programs to a residential treatment center at Makemie Woods in the Barhamsville area of New Kent County, the site of a former childrens Christian summer camp. Pictured are Travis and his wife Dawn. Courtesy of Travis Hall (HANDOUT)

NEW KENT COUNTY  By the time Travis Hall walked into the Youth Challenge Hope Center in downtown Newport News in 2000, he had lost all hope.

I was just out of it, he recalled. I was 6 foot 2 and weighed 120 pounds. I was lifeless. I was at the lowest point of my life. Nobody wanted to be around me.

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Hall, then in his 30s, had struggled with drugs and alcohol since he was a student at Churchland High School in Portsmouth. Externally, he appeared to live a normal life. Until he crashed. Hall said the following year spent at the building on Newport News 34th Street saved his life. The one-year recovery program set him on a new path.

Today, now a pastor, Hall is the executive director of Faith Recovery, the former Youth Challenge organization. He is the driving force behind a proposal to move Faith Recoverys programs to a residential treatment center at Makemie Woods in the Barhamsville area of New Kent County, the site of a former childrens Christian summer camp.

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The move has prompted a campaign in the local community under the moniker Not this Site, started by residents who oppose the move. New Kents Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal on May 9 following an unfavorable recommendation from the planning commission.

Betsy Sink, who lives near Makemie Woods, is among those opposed to Faith Recovery, saying shes worried about the potential effect on property values and the inherent danger from rehab residents. The program would take up to 40 recovering men on annual programs.

We pray for them, we want the best for them, but not in our backyards, Sink said at the March planning commission meeting.

Hall said he understands some of the concerns  recovery center proposals typically face opposition in communities across America, he said. But he points to his own story to argue addiction is often hidden and not always linked to crime.

My story is not necessarily the stereotypical story of addiction or what some people picture in their minds, Hall said. Ive served my country in the Army, won three achievement medals, was a professional firefighter and received a meritorious service award. While I made my share of bad choices, Ive always had a heart to serve.

A lot of people have in their minds what they think of as drug addiction. Hall said. People suffering from drug addiction do sometimes commit larcenies from stores or even robberies, but the majority of people are relatively functional, he added. They dont want to admit they need help because of the shame of drug addiction. I tried to maintain this facade that I was OK. I told people I was very functional. Until I wasnt.

Hall grew up in a good military home in Portsmouth. His father was a career naval officer. I had a good family. We went to church every Sunday, he said.

However, he started to experiment with alcohol and drugs in high school. His grades slipped but he was still able to graduate. But without any direction, his alcohol and drug use became more serious after leaving high school.

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He joined the Army in the early 1990s, feeling that the Army would help straighten him out. And it did help  a bit. The drug use stopped but he was drinking a lot. He served for three years, earning three achievement medals before leaving with an honorable discharge, he said.

Pastor Travis Hall is the executive director of Faith Recovery and the driving force behind a proposal to move Faith Recoverys programs to a residential treatment center at Makemie Woods in the Barhamsville area of New Kent County, the site of a former childrens Christian summer camp. Courtesy of Travis Hall (HANDOUT)

By the time he returned to Portsmouth at the age of 22, Hall was regularly smoking pot and partying. Hall took a job with the Portsmouth Fire Department and stopped doing drugs, but continued to drink. Every day I would drink, he said. It was a kind of natural part of what I did.

Hall went through a divorce when he was working for the fire department, and the drugs started again. He tried crack cocaine for the first time as he celebrated the arrival of 1995 at a New Years Eve party. His life was spiraling out of control, despite going to some short-term rehabs. Eventually, he ended up getting arrested for possession of cocaine, which ended his firefighter career.

The loss of the job he loved in early 1997 pushed Hall further into despair. He remarried but the couple lived a transitory existence, staying at a friends home. He held down a job selling cars but the addiction was running his life. Although he never stole, Hall admits he was always coming up with excuses and asking his parents and friends for money to feed his habit. Family relationships reached a breaking point.

Hall said his faith provided a glimmer of hope during those dark days.

I had gone to church off and on, kind of realizing that God would be my help, but always feeling guilty and ashamed of who I was, he said. He met members of Youth Challenge at a church.

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Hall said he was at his lowest ebb on the day in October 2020 when he walked into the Hope Center in Newport News and met the organizations late founder, Troy Collier. By then, his second marriage had broken up due to his addiction and he was wracked with guilt. But Collier saw something in him, he said.

He looked at me and said Son, I want you to know that God loves you and so do I. That statement pierced my heart, Hall said.

Collier admitted Hall to the residential program, which forced Hall to work on himself and come to terms his with issues instead of turning to drugs or alcohol.

Faith Recovery took me in. I did not have money. They let me come and it changed my life, he said, I had the opportunity to be somewhere for a whole year where I could establish myself. I got to know God in a personal way. I felt alone during my user years trying to fill some void with alcohol and drugs. I felt God was with me all along. I got to know this unconditional love I never knew before.

After graduating from the program, Hall stayed a second year on an internship. He ended up running the thrift store, later leaving to work for a Fortune 200 company. But the temptations of alcohol crept back in, so he reeled himself back in. In 2008 he returned to Faith Recovery, where he met his third, wife, Dawn, who also graduated from the program. Hall became close to Collier, and he eventually named his son Troy after him.

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The board of directors named Hall as Colliers successor after the founder died in 2015. Since then, Hall has worked extensively with recovering addicts and holds a bachelors degree in psychology: addiction and recovery, and a masters degree in human services. He is ordained with the Assemblies of God International Fellowship.

Over more than a decade, Faith Recovery has struggled with financial issues, Hall admitted. Historic debt from the recession in 2008 meant the organization fell behind on property taxes. Faith Recovery recently sold its building on 34th Street to the city of Newport News. It now rents the building from the city for its programs.

However, Hall believes the rural setting of Makemie Woods in New Kent County would be a better environment for recovering addicts, offering fewer of the temptations seen in urban Newport News. Hall said the nonprofit Teen Challenge has an outdoor-style camp in Pennsylvania that is much like Makemie Woods, peaceful and serene and more conducive to recovery.

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Also, the rural area north of Williamsburg lacks affordable, residential centers, he added. The Faith Recovery program costs entrants just $3,000 a year.

The programs can transform people, Hall said, changing them from those who take to those who give back. The life change is amazing to watch, he said. When their life changes, you see a light come on. They are taking responsibly for their actions.

Part of Faith Recoverys mission is to lose the shame and stigma associated with the disease of addiction, Hall said. Often, no one wants to talk about addiction, but he believes people would start getting help sooner if they could find help.

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Hall wants Faith Recovery to be that help, and to become a positive part of the New Kent community.

Our heart really is to serve, Hall said. We want to become part of the community and be able to give back to the community and help people in the community who are there and need help.

David Macaulay, davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
Indian aviation regulator has barred 90 pilots from flying planes after faults were detected at the simulator centre for training. The pilots will have to be retrained, the regulator has ordered.

This comes within eight months of the lifting a ban on aircraft. While it was grounded worldwide from March 2019 to December 2020 following two crashes  in Indonesia and Ethiopia  killing 346, lifted the ban much later in August 2021.

The faults were found during a surveillance check by the regulator at the Greater Noida-based facility of CAE Simulation Training Pvt Ltd (CSTPL), which is a joint venture between IndiGo promoter Rahul Bhatias Interglobe Enterprise and Canada-based flight simulator company CAE.

CSTPL has the only approved 737 MAX simulator in India. This was installed by Boeing as part of a compensation package it provided to due to the business loss caused by the two-year grounding of the aircraft.

Scheduled surveillance checks and surprise audits are done by the regulator to find inefficiencies in the safety system of airlines, airports, flying training organisations and simulators to find deficiencies and implement corrective measures.

During such a check, the DGCA surveillance team found that the stick shaker of the simulator was non-functional. Stick shaker is an instrument which vibrates rapidly when the aircraft is stalling, failing to lift itself.

The computer compares the current signal against a default value that indicates safe flight. If the sensor signal exceeds that value, it vibrates rapidly enough to make the pilots hands shake to attract his attention.

Sources said that while the stick shaker was functional on the commanders side, the one meant for the co-pilot (first officer) developed a fault and was non-functional.

The system was dysfunctional since March 17 due to a faulty component which CSTPL imports from abroad. Hence, all co-pilots who have done simulator training will have to undergo the extra two hours of training once again.

For the moment, we have barred these pilots from flying Max and they have to retrain successfully to resume flying the aircraft, DGCA chief Arun Kumar said.

The regulator is also mulling action against the head of training of the airline and has called for a report from both the airline and the simulator operator.

According to norms, the simulator lists the dysfunctional items clearly so that the crew is aware and the training is not impacted. According to laid down regulations of the manual and trainers instruction, they can decide whether it is suitable to undergo training in the simulator or not, an executive of a simulator company said.

Sources said that in its communication pointed out that the Boeing manual, which was rewritten during the return-to-service of the 737 Max, notes that for co-pilots training on the stick shaker is demonstration only. It implies that it neednt be performed by the pilot during his training sessions.

However, the regulator disagreed with SpiceJet, stating that the software system developed by Boeing called The Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) to prevent stall of the aircraft was found to be the primary reasons by investigators behind the Lion Air and Ethiopian crash. A faulty sensor caused an automatic anti-stall system to kick in erroneously, forcing the aeroplanes nose downwards.

The difference in opinion stems from the contrasting requirements of the European regulator EASA and US regulator FAA while clearing the 737 Max fit to fly.

Among the key differences was the importance of the stick shaker. EASA service manual allowed pilots to switch off the stick shaker and prevent it from vibrating if the flight system on board has activated it erroneously. In contrast, FAA didnt allow it, fearing that it would divert pilots' attention.

DGCA has considered EASAs procedures as more robust and has stressed that Indian operators of the 737 Max follow it, an official said.

SpiceJet, which has 13 737 Max aircraft and is currently operating 11, said that the DGCA action would not impact its operations as it has enough pilots trained on the Max.

SpiceJet has 650 pilots trained on . DGCA had an observation on the training profile followed for 90 pilots, and therefore as per the advice of DGCA, SpiceJet has restricted 90 pilots from operating MAX aircraft, until these pilots undergo re-training to the satisfaction of DGCA. These pilots continue to remain available for other Boeing 737 aircraft, a spokesperson of the airline said.
The sales of passenger vehicles in India witnessed a decline by nearly 4 per cent, the auto industry body SIAM said on Wednesday. While the has summone the global vice president of Chinese mobile manufacturer Xiaomi, Manu Kumar Jain, for investigation in a probe related to alleged contravention of the foreign exchange law, the officials said. Read more such top headlines and related information in the section below.



Q4 results: Net profit rises 12% to Rs 5,686 cr; revenue up 23%

India's second-largest software services company on Wednesday posted 12 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 5,686 crore for March quarter 2021-22.

The Bengaluru-based company had registered a net profit (after minority interest) of Rs 5,076 crore in the corresponding period previous year, according to a regulatory filing.

Infosys' revenue grew 22.7 per cent to Rs 32,276 crore in the quarter from Rs 26,311 crore in the year-ago period, it added. Read more

up nearly 20% to $42 bn in March; trade deficit widens to $18.5 bn

The country's in March 2022 rose 19.76 per cent to $42.22 billion on account of healthy performance by sectors such as petroleum products, engineering, and leather, even as trade deficit during the month widened to $18.51 billion.

In March 2021, stood at $35.26 billion, according to commerce ministry data released on Wednesday. Read more

dip nearly 4% in March: SIAM data

Passenger vehicle wholesales in India declined nearly 4 per cent to 279,501 units last month, auto industry body SIAM said on Wednesday.

Passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches from factories to dealerships in March 2021 stood at 290,939 units. Read more

ED issues FEMA summons to global VP Manu Kumar Jain

The (ED) has summoned the global vice president of Chinese mobile manufacturing company Xiaomi, Manu Kumar Jain, for questioning in a probe linked to alleged contravention of the foreign exchange law, officials said on Wednesday.

The federal probe agency, according to sources, is investigating the company and its executives under the provisions of the (FEMA) linked to foreign remittances worth crores made over the last few years. Read more
Vitol Group, the worlds top independent oil trader, intends to completely stop trading Russia-origin crude and products by the end of this year.



Volumes of Russian oil handled by Vitol will diminish significantly in the second quarter as current term contractual obligations decline, a Vitol spokesperson said by email. It intends to cease trading crude and products unless directed otherwise, and we anticipate this will be completed by end of 2022.

The Geneva-based firm reiterated that it will not enter into any new Russian crude and product transactions. The company has stressed since Russias invasion of Ukraine that its purchases have been part of pre-existing contracts.

Vitols announcement came after an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote to the heads of Vitol and other merchant traders, asking them to terminate business dealings with Russias fossil fuel industry to cut off the cash flow helping to finance the invasion.

across the world have come under increased pressure from governments and shareholders to sideline Moscow. Oil majors BP Plc, Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. have announced plans to abandon their stakes in investments related to as they take steps to halt dealings with the nation. Meanwhile, many European banks have curbed trade financing for Russian commodities.

At the government level, while the U.S. has banned Russian energy products, physical exports continue to flow into global markets and many European countries are still allowing imports of it.

Refiners in India and China have also continued to purchase Russian oil cargoes, either directly from Moscow or via traders. India has started raising questions over the profits merchants are making, saying that prices are more expensive than whats being advertised.

Read more: Oil Traders Selling Pricey Russian Crude Chafe Indian Refiners

Merchant traders have a long history of dealing with troubled regimes. Marc Rich famously fled the U.S. in 1983 to evade prosecution for trading with Iran during the American hostage crisis.

Privately-held trading firms such as Vitol, Glencore Plc and Trafigura Group have continued to load and sell cargoes of Russian crude since the war broke out in late February.

Trading firms sometimes sign long-term or pre-paid contracts with producers like Russias Rosneft PJSC to purchase and load a certain amount of oil every month, and also buy and sell cargoes on a daily basis in the spot market. Glencore and Trafigura said earlier this week they would continue to honor their long-term deals. Glencore, though, said it wasnt starting any new business with Russia, while Trafigura said it had reduced Russian volumes.

Last month, Vitol Chief Executive Officer Russell Hardy said the company had stopped its spot business in Russia, but was still executing long-term contracts, and was still waiting to make a decision on whether to divest its stake in Rosnefts Vostok oil project.
Chief Minister to attend the Madhavpur Mela in Gujarat's Porbandar on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday arrived in Gujarat's Jamnagar.

President Ramnath Kovind on Sunday inaugurated the annual Madhavpur Mela and said the five-day cultural fair is a "festival of uniting people of the country through feelings".

He also expressed hope that the annual cultural fair will have a special place in the traditions of India.

The week-long 'Madhavpur Mela' is held in the village of Madhavpur near the sea at Porbandar in and celebrates the marriage of Lord Krishna with Rukmini.

Madhavpur Mela begins on Ram Navami, the day marking the birth of Lord Rama as per the Hindu lunar calendar.

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A joint team of the CBI and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation vigilance cell conducted searches at two offices in Maharashtra's city following some complaints of irregularities against employees, officials said on Wednesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) anti-corruption branch in and the EPFO's vigilance team from Mumbai started the searches on Tuesday morning in the offices located at Tukdoji square and Umred road here and continued till late night, they said.

"Several incriminating documents were seized during the searches," an official said.

A large number of files and PF entries were checked, according to sources.

It is mandatory under the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act for firms having 20 or more workers to subscribe to social security schemes run by the retirement fund body EPFO.

The search team on Tuesday found that some EPFO officials had issued notices to schools and private companies, having 40 to 50 employees, for filing of the PF, but no further action was taken in such cases.

It is suspected that the owners of such firms had convinced the EPFO officials that their companies were operating with just 18 employees, and the cases were settled, an official said.

The CBI and the EPFO's vigilance department are investigating the reasons for closure of such files by the EPFO staff without a proper enquiry, he said.

The CBI sleuths also questioned the EPFO employees about the reason for closing various files. Some EPFO officials are also likely to be called for further enquiry, sources said.

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Police have arrested a couple -- a nurse and her husband -- for Rs 2.4 crore at the residence of Hindi cinema actor Sonam Kapoor's in-laws in the national capital, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the official, the accused nurse, identified as Aparna Ruth Wilson (30), was working as a home medical care assistant at Kapoor's residence at Amrita Shergil Marg and looking after the actor's mother-in-law. The husband of the accused woman was identified as Naresh Kumar Sagar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New district) Amrutha Guguloth said the accused woman had several times done home care duties at the house of the complainant upon the patient's request. "This made her close to the patient, whose jewellery she had ultimately stolen," the DCP said.

A complaint was lodged two months ago, on February 23, regarding a theft at the residence of Harish Ahuja at Amrita Shergil Marg in . Notably, Harish Ahuja is the father-in-law of .

The complainant had noticed about the robbery on February 11, however, reported the incident 12 days later after which Delhi Police registered an FIR under section 381 (Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the Indian Penal Code at the Tughlak Road police station and initiated an investigation into the case.

It was officially learnt that after stealing the cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.4 crore, the accused nurse then gave it to her husband, presently residing at Sarita Vihar, Delhi.

The New Delhi district police along with the Crime branch of Delhi Police jointly conducted a raid on Tuesday night and arrested the accused duo. "A police remand has been sought for further interrogation," the official added.

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"A very successful operation that highlights the capabilities of our security forces", is how Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, former Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force (IAF), chose to describe the of 46 of 48 people trapped inside cable cars at Trikut Hills in Deoghar, Jharkhand, for nearly 48 hours since Sunday afternoon.

Air Chief Marshal Major is "special". Not only was he the only officer from the helicopter wing of the IAF to head the Force, but also he participated in a similar operation in Himachal Pradesh 30 years ago as a Group Captain.

ACM Major then captained a Mi-17 helicopter as para commando Col (then Major) Ivan Joseph Crasto (retd) and his men pulled out 10 people from a stranded cable car dangling 3,000 feet from the ground at Parwanoo. This operation came to be known as Op Timber Trail .

"Such operations are extremely tricky and delicate due to the multitude of cables that have to be avoided. You have to be extremely careful when the winch ia lowered. This requires a lot of skill, a lot of patience and a lot of planning. It is a combined operation between the crew of the helicopter and the commando who is operating down below. It is a big challenge to hold the aircraft as steady as possible despite strong winds. There is need for total co-ordination and our teams of rescuers have achieved that in Jharkhand," ACM Major said.

He was disappointed at news reports claiming that a life was lost due to 'botched' operations. "Such operations are risky and mishaps can happen. It isn't easy to winch up a person in conditions such as these. I certainly feel that this was a great effort by our security forces," he added.

The IAF announced on Tuesday evening that the operation at Trikut Hills that lasted 26 hours has been completed. The rescue operation involved the use of two Mi-17V5, a Mi-17, an ALH and a Chetak helicopter.

Five Garud Commandos of the IAF carried out rescue operations from the cable cars even as pilots, with no briefing about wind speeds or other weather conditions, struggled to hold their aircraft steady. The IAF also expressed grief at the loss of two lives despite best efforts.

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Former Health Minister M P Govindan Nair died here on Wednesday morning.

He was 94-years-old.

Nair died of age-related ailments at his residence here, family sources said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences on the death of Nair, who was the Health Minister during the Congress rule in the state from 1962 to 1964.

Prior to retiring from active political life, he was a Member of Parliament and the President of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

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The relationship between and the US has the strength and comfort level today to discuss all the issues including those on which the two sides don't agree with, External Affairs Minister said on Wednesday as he concluded his trip to the American capital.

Jaishankar was here to attend the 2+2 ministerial dialogue along with Defence Minister . The US delegation was led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The 2+2 ministerial was preceded by a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden.

In an interaction with a group of Indian reporters here, Jaishankar said that the discussion ranged on all issues, which of course was dominated by the situation in Ukraine, developments in India's neighbourhood and the Indo-Pacific, in addition to bilateral issues. However, the human rights issue was not part of the discussion, he asserted.

In response to a question, Jaishankar strongly refuted the notion that the situation in Ukraine is going to hurt India-US relationship.

"I don't think it'll be stressful on India-US relations. Look, I'm here today. ..I've been sort of fairly open and clear about our positions and our perspectives. I would say, in all fairness, so have been the Americans. Today, our relationship has the strength and the comfort level to discuss a lot of issues. We may not agree on all issues. We have the strength and the comfort to deal with that as well," he said.

There has been a huge change in the India-US relationship. "And that really allows us to do much more with each other and engage each other in a much different way than we would have done 10 years ago or 20 years ago, he said.

When asked about India's role in the Ukrainian peace process, Jaishankar said New Delhi brings to the process its goodwill of having relations with multiple parties - with Russia, with Ukraine, with Europe with America and many of the neighbours of Russia and Ukraine as well. "Our intent is to be helpful..., he said.

Giving an overview of his discussions with officials of the Biden Administration, including Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, his bilateral with Blinken, Commerce Secretary and US Trade Representative, the 2+2 ministerial and his attendance to the Modi-Biden virtual, Jaishankar said a lot of the time went to the situation in Ukraine.

"The US side presented their perspective, their analysis, their sense of what they think is likely to happen. The conflict and the peace, the diplomacy involved in it, the peace talks, the progress or the lack of progress, were a set of issues which came up," he said.

Observing that the Ukraine conflict has also had a very direct impact on the global economy, he said they discussed the energy situation at some length, food security of all countries, and what could be done, along with the humanitarian situation and what different countries are doing.

"Other than the Ukraine situation, we spent a fair amount of time on the Indo-Pacific reviewing what had been the progress in September," he said, adding that the preparation is on for the next Quad summit meeting in Japan.

"The President and the Prime Minister spoke about it. It was sort of fairly detailed, where are we, what more do we have to do between now and the next time we meet, and how do we take it forward, he said.

There was a lot of discussion about more economic activities in the Indo-Pacific, what is it that different countries can do and especially what is it that the Quad can do to really promote greater economic cooperation in that region, he said.

"There was interest,... on some developments in the Indian subcontinent. There have been difficulties in Sri Lanka. There have been changes in Pakistan. There was a little bit of discussion on what all has recently happened in Nepal, Myanmar," he said, adding that they are typical of India-US interaction.

Jaishankar said the two countries updated each other about Afghanistan, and what have been the developments there and there were some discussions on the Gulf situation. "We got a sense on where things are in regard to the JCPOA, he said, referring to the talks on the Iranian nuclear deal.

On global issues, the two countries had discussions on COVID, health response, vaccine supplies, climate change, energy, and post Glasgow, how the two countries can work together and the global economy as a whole, apart from energy and food.

"We spoke about terrorism, about our cooperation in the UN Security Council committees, FATF. There was - in our 2+2 format - some exchange of views on defence, including how American companies could come in more strongly in Make in policies," he said. There was some talk on the critical and emerging technologies on issues like 5G and reliable supply chains also, he added.

Responding to a question on the CAATSA sanctions, Jaishankar said it is for the Americans to decide. "That's essentially for them to sort out. I mean, it is their legislation and whatever has to be done is to be done by the administration," he said.

Jaishankar said there was no specific request from the US for to mediate on the Ukrainian situation.

"No, there was no specific message or shall I say, coming in communication, which was suggested to us. That's not quite how it works. What you are having at this point of time are a set of countries who have relations. We will have relations with all the parties concerned, he said.

Asserting that the Ukraine situation is something that worries everybody, he said it not just worries everybody, it also has consequences for most people.

"So, there is a natural interest in the international community to say, what can we do to help ease the situation," he said.

"Our discussions with the Americans was more about what is it we can all do to, first of all, encourage an early secession of hostilities? That's where we believe that the focus should be. And we do think, a large part of the international community and many other countries, some of whom have also taken very active interests, think along very similar lines," Jaishankar said.

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External Affairs Minister on Tuesday told a group of American students that it is his interest in music and also his family atmosphere that led to his diplomatic life.

"What made you all interested in international relations?" asked Angel Brian, a sophomore international affairs major and also a 2019-2020 Global Citizen Year India Fellow, to Jaishankar and Secretary of State Antony Blinken as both of them attended an event at the Howard University.

"Why did I start getting interested in the world? I think part of it was probably an interest in music that, you know, you heard music beyond your own and then you wondered, you know, what kind of music, where is it from, what kind of people," Jaishankar responded.

"I think the food part of it came much later. It was easier to afford music than food when you were younger. Some of it also came from a family environment, which was a little bit international," he said.

"In fact, I mean, we talk of educational professional exchanges. My father came here when I was about 10 years old on a fellowship, in fact, on a Rockefeller Fellowship, to study and to do some sort of professional training here. So I think, again, there's a little bit of parental influence," said the top Indian diplomat.

Jaishankar said the first foreign music album that he heard was 1959 American album called The Hitmakers. "I actually now have it in Spotify, and I still listen to it for reasons of nostalgia," he told students of the prestigious Howard University.

"And I guess, in a way I'm talking of the 1960s, '70s; may sound like pre-history to you, but it was really a time when the world was beginning to globalize much more. I mean, there were more tourists, people, the idea of travelling abroad of seeing, other cultures come," he said.

"Every time, actually, you would have something foreign happen in your school or university, there'd be tremendous excitement about it. I guess it was a combination of all those things, Jaishankar explained.

"I managed to try a whole bunch of different things before I wound up doing what I'm doing. And finding that I had virtually no talent for any of them, wound up where I am. But it's important if you have the opportunity to try different things, because you might not figure out what it is that you want to do right away," Blinken said in response to the same question.

Blinken said his grandfather fled pogroms in, interestingly enough, what is now Ukraine back at the turn of the last century. "Later, a stepmother who fled communists from Hungary; a stepfather who survived the concentration camps and was liberated by the United States. And these stories and others were a big part of it," he told the students.

"But then I had an experience at a young age that also ties into what we're talking about. That is the experience of actually living abroad as an American. When I was nine years old, we moved to France, and I moved there with my mom and my stepdad," he said.

Blinken said he spent nine years in France from age 9 to 18, all the way through high school.

"That experience, actually living abroad, seeing your own country through the eyes of others, expanding your own horizons to a different country, culture. And being, of course, in France, that opened up all of Europe with a Eurail pass and a few other things back in the day. That had a profound impact," he said.

"There was a lot going on in the world in the '70s as there is today. Whether it was the Vietnam War, which was still happening, whether it was the Cold War, which remained, but what seemed to be its height, whether it was conflict in the Middle East, all of these things were part of the conversations that they were having in school," the US Secretary of State said.

"And because America one way or another was often in the middle of these things, you'd find yourself almost acting like a junior diplomat, somehow representing your country, defending it, getting into conversations, discussions, arguments. I think that as much as anything else really got me interested in foreign policy generally and in diplomacy; how do we find ways to have these conversations?" Blinken said.

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The Bicycle Co-op of Williamsburg takes bicycle donations, repairs them and resells them at a reasonable price. (The Virginian-Pilot)

WILLIAMSBURG  From mountain bikes to beach cruisers to 10-speeds, bicycles of every variety line the wall inside the confines of the small shop. In one corner, bicycles in every condition lay in wait to be inspected, repaired and priced.

Recently, the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, nestled in the far corner of the James-York Plaza along the Merrimac Trail, opened its doors for the first time  and with it, welcomed cyclists from all walks of life.

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The co-op grew out of BikeWalk Williamsburg, a nonprofit organization that hosts various biking and walking events in the Historic Triangle. Its goal is to provide adequate access to bicycles for adults and kids who otherwise do not have the means.

Theres a need and a marketability of bikes, especially in the community, [where] a lot of people dont have access to transportation, co-op volunteer Will Ameen said. Thats how we got started, with that in mind, and its taken off from there.

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The co-op opened its storefront the first week of April, but began its operation in late December.

All of the bicycles sold by the co-op are donated in varying condition from people in the community. Inside the shop, workers  solely volunteers  inspect the bikes and determine whether they need repairing.

If they need to make repairs, the bicycles are sent to the back of the shop where volunteer repairmen begin their work pumping up tires, replacing parts and ensuring they are in the best condition possible for resale.

Once complete, the bikes move down the assembly line to the front for pricing. There, the shop relies on average pricing online to set their prices.

A volunteer tests out a bicycle from the Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, which fixes up donated bikes and resells them to help provide bikes in the community. Em Holter/staff (The Virginian-Pilot)

Once the bicycles receive their tags they are hung on the wall for folks to browse. Bikes range in price from $50 to $350, based on their condition. The shop has options for anyone interested, Ameen said.

While bicycles are its main product, the co-op also offers other bicycle-related supplies, including various equipment and clothes. With each bicycle purchase, the co-op gives out a helmet, free of charge.

According to Ameen, the shop is in its early stages, but there are bigger plans on the horizon. The shop hopes to work with other organizations to create voucher programs for people in need of transportation. Co-op volunteers also plan to mentor youth from the community and teach bicycle repair and safe riding skills.

Selling the repurposed bikes helps BikeWalk Williamsburg fulfill its mission: to provide bikes for free or a reduced price to those who need them.

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We just try to help out, Ameen said.

For more information, visit www.bikewalkwilliamsburg.org/bikecoop.

Em Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmHolterNews.
The virtual meeting between Prime Minister and President was "very helpful" for the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, External Affairs Minister said Wednesday, noting that there is no change in the format of the engagement between the two countries.

"Is this (virtual meeting) elevation of the 2+2? I think it was very helpful for us to have interaction even as we sat there ourselves, between the Prime Minister and the President, Jaishankar told reporters as he concluded his trip here.

Jaishankar was here to attend the 2+2 ministerial along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The US delegation was led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The 2+2 ministerial was preceded by a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden.

"In some ways, they laid out the directions and the contours of what was expected of the 2+2 in sharper terms. Obviously, it was of help to us. But I will say that 2+2 is still the 2+2. It's not a 2+2 plus one," he said in response to a question.

Responding to another question, Jaishankar said Americans distinguish and differentiate between China and India. "Obviously they do," he said.

Referring to his recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New Delhi, he said the two shared their respective analysis of what is happening.

"I mean, clearly, they had their view of it, we had our view of it. But, what we did agree on and I think we still agree on is that the way out is dialogue and diplomacy and that cessation of hostilities would be a very necessary first step in that regard, he said, referring to the Ladakh standoff.

Jaishankar said there was discussion on India's security environment and its security challenges. But there was no specific focus on reference to the granularity of India-China border, in the part of the meetings he was present. It may or may not have happened during the meeting between the two defence ministers.

"If in 2022, we have a relationship with Russia, with America or China or any other country, these are not relationships that evolve, that appeared instantaneously and are sort of susceptible to immediate solutions or changes. International relations is in many ways there is a trendline there are things which happen over time, those are aggregate which builds up, he said.

"My sense from these discussions, I've had people in the administration, people dealing with policy, they are well informed. In many ways they understand where India is coming from. At the same time, I would quite honestly say the narrative the public narrative sometimes is very, very different. I think today, there is a gap in a way between the policy and the narrative and how do we how do we narrow that," said the minister.

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A newly developed COVID-19 vaccine induces a robust immune response in immunocompromised patients, including those with cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma, according to early results from a small trial.

The findings, presented at the American Academy of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Louisiana, US, on Tuesday show that the vaccine, called CoVac-1, induced T-cell immune responses in 93 per cent of patients with B-cell deficiencies.

"To our knowledge, CoVac-1 is currently the only peptide-based vaccine candidate specifically developed and evaluated for immunocompromised patients," said Juliane Walz, senior author of the study, and a professor at the University Hospital Tubingen in Germany.

A peptide vaccine is the one where the protein pieces are injected directly, rather than being encoded via messenger RNA (mRNA).

The researchers noted that while vaccination induces a robust immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the majority of individuals, approved vaccines have shown decreased efficacy in many immunocompromised people.

Patients undergoing treatment for blood cancers represent one such population, as their treatment regimens often damage healthy immune cells, particularly B cells, in addition to malignant ones, they said.

"In the clinic, we see many cancer patients who do not mount sufficient humoral immune responses after vaccination with available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. These patients are thus at a high risk for a severe course of COVID-19," Walz said in a statement.

Many chemotherapies and some immunotherapies destroy B cells, the immune cells responsible for humoral or antibody-mediated responses.

Currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines rely heavily on humoral responses, which may be impaired in patients with a B-cell deficiency. One way to compensate for this is to enhance the response from T cells, another type of immune cell.

"T-cell immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are of particular importance for patients with B-cell deficiencies, who develop very limited antibody responses after infection or vaccination," said Claudia Tandler, a graduate student at the University of Tubingen, who presented the study.

"T cell-mediated immunity is indispensable for developing protective antiviral responses, and previous evidence has shown that T cells can combat COVID-19 even in the absence of neutralising antibodies," Tandler said.

Designing a vaccine to stimulate T cells, Tandler explained, requires the careful selection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens -- small pieces of viral proteins that can stimulate immune cells.

While the current mRNA-based vaccines produce a larger piece of a single protein -- the spike protein -- which our cells can break down into antigens, the researchers chose six specific antigens from different parts of the virus, and not limited to spike, to make up their vaccine.

"CoVac-1-induced T-cell immunity is far more intense and broader, as it is directed to different viral components than mRNA-based or adenoviral vector-based vaccines that are limited to the spike protein and are thus prone to loss of activity due to viral mutations," Tandler said.

In the phase I trial, the researchers recruited 14 patients with a B-cell deficiency, including 12 patients with leukemia or lymphoma.

The patients were given a single dose of CoVac-1 and monitored for up to six months for safety and immune response.

As many as 64 per cent of the participants had been previously vaccinated with an approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that failed to elicit a humoral immune response, the researchers said.

Fourteen days after vaccination, T-cell immune responses were observed in 71 per cent of patients, which rose to 93 per cent of patients 28 days after vaccination, they said.

The researchers measured the potency of CoVac-1-induced T-cell responses and found them to exceed spike-specific T-cell responses observed in B cell-deficient patients after vaccination with mRNA vaccines.

T-cell responses from CoVac-1 also exceeded those mounted by individuals who are not immunocompromised following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, they said.

The researchers are currently preparing a phase III clinical trial to evaluate CoVac-1 in a larger population of immunocompromised individuals.

They are hopeful that the results will allow the vaccine to protect cancer patients with B-cell deficiencies from severe cases of COVID-19.

"CoVac-1 is designed to induce broad and long-lasting SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity, even in individuals who have impaired ability to mount sufficient immunity from a currently approved vaccine, and thus protect these high-risk patients from a severe course of COVID-19," Walz said.

The researchers acknowledged some limitations of their study, including a relatively small sample size with low racial and ethnic diversity.

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The has granted bail to eight people arrested by Delhi Police over the recent incident of protest and vandalism outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence.

The bench of Justice Asha Menon on Tuesday, while passing the order said, "Since the nature of the evidence is such, there is no possibility of the applicants tampering with the evidence or inducing or threatening any witness."

"With regard to the damage caused to public property, which cannot be at any stage certainly overlooked, the facts are to be considered to reckon what damage has been caused. Here, the allegations are that the protestors have vandalised some of the CCTV cameras and an arm of a boom barrier and had also smeared paint on the main gate of the CM Residence. There is no allegation of damage to public property through arson and fire or other means on a scale that would clearly be a far more serious matter than what has been alleged against the applicants. The applicants are mostly in their twenties except for three who are older," noted the court.

The court further said, "The evidence collected so far is of such a nature that the applicants cannot tamper with it. Others who had been identified in the photos have been issued notices under Section 41A CrPC and are also participating in the investigations. Thus, the continued custody of the applicants in jail is not called for only because some investigations are still going on."

"The court, therefore, allows the bail applications and grants bail to all the applicants each of them furnishing a personal bond and a surety bond for a sum of Rs 35,000 each. The applicants shall not leave NCT of Delhi without intimating the SHO concerned," said the court order.

Last week, the trial Court, denied bail to eight arrested persons namely Chander Kant Bhardwaj, Naveen Kumar, Neeraj Dixit, Sunny Jitender Singh Bisht, Pradeep Kumar Tiwari, Raju Kumar Singh and Bablu Kumar, said that such protesters had no regard even to the directions issued by the which were communicated to them, as per the reply of Delhi Police, that no protest is allowed at CM house.

"There is no doubt that the right to assemble and protest by a political party is a fundamental right. But having noted so it can also be noted that such a right is subjected to certain restrictions and not an uncontrolled one," the trial court had said.

Recently the has also sought a status report from Delhi Police over the incident of violent Protest and vandalism outside the Delhi Chief Minister and also directed to preserve the CCTV footage of the incident.

In Delhi HC, the plea sought direction for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to undertake an independent, fair and time-bound criminal investigation with respect to the attack and its perpetrators.

Petitioner also alleged that the attack was done by Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) workers and appears to have been carried out with Delhi Police's tacit complicity.

Visuals from outside Kejriwal's residence on March 30, showed protestors casually walking through the police security cordon, kicking and breaking boom barriers, breaking CCTV cameras with lathis, throwing paint at the gate and attempting to climb over the entrance gate, while Delhi Police personnel simply looked on, doing little to stop the protestors, stated plea.

Saurabh Bhardwaj, sitting MLA from AAP stated that the party strongly supports the right to protest peacefully, even if such protest is against the Delhi government, it is submitted that in the name of protest, violence cannot and ought not to be permitted and condoned, plea stated.

(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 country's exports in March 2022 rose 19.76 per cent to $42.22 billion on account of healthy performance by sectors such as petroleum products, engineering, and leather, even as trade deficit during the month widened to $18.51 billion.

In March 2021, exports stood at $35.26 billion, according to commerce ministry data released on Wednesday.

Last month, imports grew 24.21 per cent to $60.74 billion, it showed.

Trade deficit stood at $13.64 billion in March 2021.

While total exports during 2021-22 increased to a record high of $419.65 billion, imports too soared to $611.89 billion, leaving a trade gap of $192.24 billion.

The trade deficit (difference between imports and exports) stood at $102.63 billion in 2020-21.

For the first time, India's monthly merchandise exports exceeded $40 billion, reaching $42 billion in March 2022.

According to the data, the estimated value of services export increased 4.64 per cent to $21.76 billion in March 2022.

The services import last month rose 7.33 per cent to $13.16 billion.

"The estimated value of services export for April-March 2021-22 is $249.24 billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 20.94 per cent vis-a-vis April-March 2020-21 ($206.09 billion)," the ministry said.

Imports during 2021-22 was estimated at $144.79 billion, an increase of 23.20 per cent over 2020-21 when it was $117.52 billion.

"The services trade balance for April-March 2021-22 was estimated at $104.45 billion as against $88.57 billion in April-March 2020-21, which is an increase of 17.94 per cent," it added.

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India's palm oil imports jumped 18.7% in March from the previous month, as traders moved to secure alternatives to sunflower oil that can no longer be bought from Ukraine, a leading trade body said on Wednesday.

The higher purchases of palm oil by India, the world's biggest importer of edible oils, could support Malaysian palm oil futures..

In March, 539,793 tonnes of palm oil landed in India, up from 454,794 tonnes in February, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said in a statement.

India imported 212,484 tonnes of sunflower oil in March, up from 152,220 tonnes in February, helped by the arrival of a few ships that had left Ukraine before the war, it said.

"However in April, as no shipment from Ukraine came, sunflower oil import may fall to nearly 80,000 tonnes, mainly arriving from Russia and Argentina only," it said.

India has contracted for 45,000 tonnes of Russian sunflower oil at a record high price for shipments in April, as edible oil prices in the local market surged because of the cessation of Ukrainian supply.

The country's soyoil imports in March fell to 299,421 tonnes from 376,594 tonnes a month ago, the SEA said.

"Brazil and Argentina have limited soyoil surplus. In the past few months, India was trying to buy soyoil from other origins including the United States and Germany. But these countries can't ship big volume," said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.

India has imported a record 112,576 tonnes of soyoil from the United States in the first five months of the current 2021/22 marketing year ending on Oct. 31, the SEA data showed.

As sunoil and soyoil supplies are limited, India has no choice but to import more than 600,000 tonnes of palm oil in April, the dealer said.

India buys palm oil from top producers Indonesia and Malaysia and soyoil mainly from Argentina and Brazil.

imports up 13% to over 1.1 million tonnes in March: SEA (PTI)

imports rose 13 per cent in March to over 11 lakh tonnes on higher shipments of edible oil, according to industry data.

Import of vegetable oils (comprising edible oil and non-edible oil) in March 2022 stood at 11,04,570 tonnes as compared to 9,80,243 tonnes in March 2021, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India, said.

While edible oil imports increased to 10,51,698 tonnes in March 2022 from 9,57,633 tonnes in the year-ago period, the imports of non-edible oil rose to 52,872 tonnes from 22,610 tonnes during the period under review.

The overall import of vegetable oils during first five months of oil year 2021-22, November 2021-March 2022, reported at 57,95,728 tonnes compared to 53,75,003 tonnes during the same period of last year.

During the first five months of 2021-22 oil year, the import of refined edible oil jumped sharply to 7,71,268 tonnes from 24,101 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year. The imports of crude edible oil fell to 48,71,650 tonnes from 52,16,225 tonnes.

"During November 2021-March 2022, has decreased to 26,53,253 tonnes from 30,90,559 tonnes in November 2020-March 2021, while soft oil import has increased to 29,89,665 tonnes from 21,49,767 tonnes in November 2020-March 2021, mainly due to higher import of soybean oil," SEA said.

The association said during the last month, 2,12,000 tonnes of sunflower oil arrived as vessels, which left before conflict between Russia and Ukraine arrived in India. The imports came mainly from Ukraine (1,27,000 tonnes), Russia (73,500 tonnes) and Argentina (11,900 tonnes).

"However in April '22 as no shipment from Ukraine took place, sunflower oil import may fall to nearly 80,000 tonnes, mainly arriving from Russia and Argentina only," it said.

High prices of sunflower oil in international market at USD 2,200 per tonne and lesser availability has resulted in lower demand and consumption of sunflower oil.

"This shortfall partially being replaced by other edible oils like palmolein, soybean oil, groundnut oil in South India and by refined mustard oil and ricebran oil in North India. Also during the last one month, prices of soya oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and other edible oil declined providing some relief to consumer," SEA 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 Services exports for the first time achieved the targeted USD 250 Billion during April-March 2021-22, exhibiting a positive growth of 21.31 per cent over fiscal 2020-21.

For the month of March 2022, the estimated value of Services export is USD 22.52 Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 8.31 per cent vis-a-vis March 2021.

India's overall exports (Merchandise and Services) touched an all-time high of USD 669.65 Billion in April-March 2021-22, jumping by 34.50 per cent over the same period last year. For the last month, March 2022, India's exports grew by 15.51 per cent in March 2022 to USD 64.75 Billion over the same period last year. Addressing a press conference here today, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, said India has achieved this exports high despite the slowdown in the economy worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent geopolitical developments in Europe. "Services sector has achieved the all-time high despite Services like Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality industry being severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. Goyal said India has been able to exceed the overall exports target of $ 650 Billion due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that we turn India into an export focussed economy. "The PM himself conducted meetings with India's 180 missions abroad. Hectic parleys were held with the Export Promotion Councils and then the bar was set high, and yet doable," he said. Goyal said if we have to make India a developed nation, we will have to increase our international engagement. The government has struck vital trade deals with the UAE and Australia towards this end, he said, adding more FTAs and Comprehensive Trade Agreements are in the works with the EU, UK, Canada and Israel. "Starting from 'whole of the Government' approach, today 'Whole of the Nation' has joined hands to make India emerge as a trusted partner at the international level, dedicating itself to turn into an economy that provides quality goods and services to the world," he said.

Goyal said that India is now an international aligned economy and the world is our market today, not India.

Responding to a question on sunflower import disruption from Ukraine due to Russia's invasion, Goyal said our farmers will respond.

We are consulting with farmers, farmer unions and state govt to increase the production of oil seeds, he said.

During the press conference Commerce Secretary BVR Subhramanyam denied media reports that India and Russia are working to develop a rupee-rouble plateform to thrash out payment settlement solution for Indo-Russian trade. Commerce Secretary said that there is not any official talks and we categorically deny this . RBI has also denied such . We are only in discussion to how our exporters who had exported their products to Russia can get their payments which is stucked due to the sanctions posed on Russia by United States and other European countries.

(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 Students' Organisation (NESO), a conglomeration of eight students' bodies, has taken umbrage over the Centre's decision to make Hindi a compulsory subject till Class 10 in the region, contending that the move will be detrimental for indigenous languages and create disharmony.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NESO has called for immediate withdrawal of the unfavorable policy, suggesting that indigenous languages should be made compulsory in their native states till Class 10, while Hindi should remain an optional or elective subject.

Shah had said at a meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee in New Delhi on April 7 that all northeast states have agreed to make Hindi compulsory in schools till Class 10.

It is understood that the accounts for approximately 40-43 per cent of native speakers in India, however it is worth noting that there is a plethora of other native languages in the country, which are rich, thriving and vibrant in their own perspectives, giving India an image of a diverse and multilingual nation, NESO said.

In the northeast, each state bears its own unique and diversified languages spoken by different ethnic groups ranging from Indo-Aryan to Tibeto-Burman to Austro-Asiatic families, the organisation, comprising the All Assam Students' Union, Naga Students' Federation, All Manipur Students' Union and All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union among others, said.

The imposition of Hindi as a compulsory subject in the region will be detrimental not only for the propagation and dissemination of the indigenous languages, but also to who will be compelled to add another compulsory subject to their already-vast syllabus.

Such a move will not usher in unity, but will be a tool to create apprehensions and disharmony NESO is vehemently against this policy and will continue to oppose it, the letter dated April 12 and signed by its chairman Samuel B Jyrwa and secretary general Sinam Prakash Singh, said.

NESO added that the Centre should, instead, focus on further upliftment of indigenous languages of the northeast, like incorporation in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and facilitating more schemes for their development and progress.

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Underlining the transformation in India-US ties in the last two decades, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr on Tuesday said that a key driver in this change has been the human element which includes 4.4 million that has defined India's image in US society.

He made these remarks during an event at the Howard University for India-US Education Collaboration.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also delivered remarks and participated in a conversation with students, faculty, and leadership of Howard University.

Blinken and Jaishankar interacted with Indian students, scholars, and researchers who have worked in the United States, and US students, scholars, and researchers who have studied, worked, or conducted research at an Indian higher education institution.

"Howard University is not just a part of a shared past. It is very much part of the future that awaits us. As we contemplate that, a big part and role in that will be played by the relationship between the two countries and that relationship has undergone a real transformation in the last two decades whether it is our strategic or security cooperation or our economy or technology partnership, it is making its weight felt increasingly in world affairs," Jaishankar said in the presence of Blinken.

The minister noted that a key driver in this change has been the human element. "The 4.4 million has literally defined our image in this society and helped forge relationships that are an enormous source of strength for us," he said.

"At its centre are students, academics, and professionals who have contributed to America's progress even as they remained a bridge between the two societies," he added.

Speaking about the India-US connect, Jaishankar said the most powerful symbol of the ties is the inspirational bond between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King Junior. "That bond was forged through the relationship with Howard Thurman, the dean of the chapel and later by Dr William Stuart Nelson who was the dean of the school of the religion," he added.

For India-US ties to grow, Jaishankar said that it is necessary that there is a better understanding of India and the world, on the part of young Americans.

This event was seen as an opportunity to build off Monday's announcement during the 2+2 Ministerial of the formation of a 'Working Group on Education and Skill Training.

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President on Tuesday said Russia's war in Ukraine "amounted to genocide," accusing President of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." Speaking in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, Biden said he meant it when he said at an earlier event that Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine.

"Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters. "It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." Biden added that it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the standard for genocide, but said "it sure seems that way to me."

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to swap Viktor Medvedchuk (pictured), a tycoon with close Kremlin ties, who was detained by his countrys security service for prisoners of war. Russia on Wednesday told Ukraine to watch out saying

"More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and we're only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies," he said.

Biden had previously said he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted "war crimes." Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation under an genocide convention that requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified.

That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus' killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.
US President said on Tuesday that his team remains in close contact with the authorities after the mass shooting at a Brooklyn subway station and amid the ongoing manhunt.

"My team has been in touch with Mara Adams, New York's police commissioner, and the Department of Justice, the FBI working closely with the NYPD [ Police Department] on the ground," Biden said. "We're going to continue to stay in close contact with authorities and as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days."

New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the suspect has not been identified and authorities do not know the gunman's motive at this time.

A total of 16 persons are hospitalized after sustaining injuries in the shooting. Ten of them suffered gunshot wounds and five are in critical but stable condition, according to the New York City officials.

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Government schools in the GHMC limits have been posing a grave threat to students while the administrative buildings in the area are in dilapidated condition. (Representational Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Government schools in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits have been posing a grave threat to students while the administrative buildings in the area are in a dilapidated condition with the ceilings on the verge of collapsing anytime.

In a ground report prepared by Sangareddy district education office, it was observed that not only is the building filled with wall seepage, but more than 50 per cent of electricity has been cut not only in the district education office but in schools as well. This was also confirmed by the officials present.

We have no choice but to work in this office despite facing difficulties, '' said the district education officer (DEO), Nampally, Rajesh. There are no facilities at the office, the walls are filled with cracks, power supply is limited, fans are not working, salaries are delayed by at least 12-15 days and many pending bills are yet to be cleared by the government. Despite several requests made to the government to reconstruct or renovate the DO office, no action has been taken, said Vijaya, deputy DEO, Sangareddy district.

These apart there are numerous issues in the districts in GHMC area. 20,000 additional admissions have been recorded in government schools as the private schools are forcing students to pay ees for the complete academic year. Also, when questioned about the absence of ayas or cleaners, the officials clearly said that there is nothing they can do about it and the government is responsible for the same.

The officials also agreed that there is a huge shortage of regular teachers in government schools and that recruitment needs to be done before the next academic year begins due to additional admissions. There are approximately 5,000 teachers for over 1.20 lakh students. Regular teachers have not been recruited since 2017, said Laxma Reddy, a government teacher at Sangareddy.

According to officials, regular medical camps have been set up in schools and facilities like benches and chairs are provided in nearly 1,260 government schools in the district. However, the government teachers have said that only a few schools are provided with benches or chairs.

Even during summer, no drinking water is being provided. Mid-day meals taste worse and students are skipping their meals, said Reddy. He added that the student dropout rate after schools reopened is at five per cent.
With the increasing tensions between Beijing and the Joe Biden administration in Washington and PM Scott Morrison's government in Canberra, is utilizing its monopoly of rare earth as a weapon against its competitors.

Critical minerals are in demand as they drive the modern economies and manage climate change, but this could be cut off to Australia and its allies as strain with increased further according to the statement of experts.

To avoid China's debt-trap diplomacy, Japan's top diplomat in Australia, Yamagami Shingo has cautioned Canberra for not to be over-dependent on Beijing as it will lead to a severe economic crisis in the country.

Yamagami, who is a top diplomat in Canberra of Tokyo for more than a year indicated large investments by Japanese companies in Australian resources including critical minerals and gas, The Singapore Post reported.

Earlier has reportedly sanctioned Australian exporters by slamming 80 per cent tariffs on barley. This change has cautioned the leading think tank to tag Beijing's tactical drive of economic coercion against Canberra as a failure.

According to Roland Rajah who is the economist and director of the economic program stated: "if China's aim were to alter Australian policy, impose economic damage or to send a cautioning signal to third countries about crossing Beijing, then according to me it's safe to state that China has basically failed in all three accounts."

With an 80 per cent tariff, Australian growers of barley feared financial ruin as the tariff was imposed just after the barley crop was sown. The prices collapsed in the pursuit of the impost. The market recovered significantly with the effort of the Australian government by finding another buyer in Saudi Arabia.

As stated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only 33,000 tonnes of Australian barley were exported to China in 2021 October. In the same time period, Saudi Arabia became three largest markets procuring 1.5 million tonnes, The Singapore Post reported.

China is presently is the dominating the world's largest supplier of rare earth with 70 to 88 per cent of global production. China's monopoly over rare earth which is very much in demand for current days technology has bestowed China with a really powerful economic weapon as stated by Dr Wilson.

In fact, China has stopped the supply of rare earth to Japan in 2010. Lately, China has warned that it might discontinue supply to the United States in the future. We can see China's relationship with a number of countries like Australia, Japan, the US and Europe. It has been seen that China's relationship with the mentioned countries has deteriorated in the past 12months, The Singapore Post reported.

Similarly, coal export was also affected by China's informal restriction on commodity export, as per the media outlet.

China is utilizing its monopoly of rare earth as a weapon against its competitors. According to one of the research directors of Perth USAsia Centre Jeffrey Wilson China's superiority gave it support over the ability of other countries to decrease emissions or even furnish their defence forces.

Finally, China is still the largest market for agricultural goods for Australia, though the supply chain has moved the traders want to survive and want to keep aside politics and focus on what Australia is providing. The increased strain has halted the economic boom for Australia but yes alternate market Saudi Arabia has helped a lot, it 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.)
As regime in tries to erase the memories of the Tiananmen massacre through constant suppression and censorship, the victims of the massacre still await justice after over two decades of the tragic incident, writes Sergio Restelli for Inside Over.

On the night of June 3, 1989, China's military crackdown on students protesting for democratic reforms in various major cities across led to a massacre of reportedly thousands of unarmed citizens on in Beijing, revealing the brutality of the country on its own people.

The issue is still taboo in where the families of the victims seeking to commemorate the occasion are harassed by the authorities. The victims of the massacre are still awaiting justice as the accountability for the tragedy was never fixed.

In a bid to expose the "state-led terror and suffocation", the families of victims gather at every year. "It feels that there's no end in sight. We are all at ages where death can happen any day, and we'd like to see the truth revealed and justice upheld while we are still alive," Restelli quoted Yin Min, mother of a 19-year old boy killed in the 1989 massacre, as saying.

However, justice remains far-fetched amid China's crackdown on the families of the victims. In fact, the Chinese authorities detained, questioned, and arrested the families of the victims and social activists who were planning to mark the anniversary of the massacre. These suppression tactics have seen a surge since took the reins of China in 2013, writes Restelli.

On the 30th anniversary of the massacre in 2019, families and activists were kept under surveillance to stop them from demonstrating for justice. According to Chinese rights activist Hu Jia, the state security police followed her everywhere, even during a trek to remote mountains. Moreover, families of the victims were followed and their telephones were monitored in order to prevent them from marking the anniversary or speaking to journalists.

Further, the members of a group named 'Tiananmen Mothers' were placed under house arrest ahead of the 1989 movement's anniversary. "I asked them what date they would be leaving on, and they said they didn't know... Human rights violations are so common in China," said Zhang Xianling, who lost her son in the massacre.

In a letter published in 2016, as many as 131 'Tiananmen Mothers' recounted their ordeal while seeking justice as they said that they were subjected to constant harassment, intimidation, and even false accusations by the Chinese security agencies. "For us, family members of the victims' families, it has been 27 years of state terror and suffocation. All these actions undoubtedly desecrate the souls of those who perished in the crackdown and insult the honour of the living," writes Restelli quoting the letter.

Moreover, in 2019, the Beijing government also cracked down on the protestors in Hong Kong, where the people would freely commemorate the Tiananmen tragedy until two years ago. This crackdown started with witch-hunts of those who participated in the rallies commemorating the massacre, following which, eight activists were sentenced to up to 14 months in jail.

According to Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, the crackdown has been a part of Jinping's "China Dream" that wants everyone to forget about the Tiananmen killings. "But suppressing the truth has only fuelled demands for justice and accountability," she added.

Citing the statement of Yaqiu Wang, senior researcher on China at Human Rights Watch, Restelli writes that the state-sponsored abuses in China have been emboldened because the Beijing government never paid a price at home or abroad for the Tiananmen Massacre.

Moreover, the families of the 1989 tragedy said that the Chinese government pretended that the Tiananmen genocide never happened. "A government that forgets, conceals, and covers up the truth of historical suffering has no future--it is a government that is continuing to commit crimes," said the 'Tiananmen Mothers' slamming the communist government for the "unscrupulous slaughter" of its own citizens.

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French far-right presidential candidate warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between and Russia once Moscow's war in winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in France's April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull out of NATO's military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. France's European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support and end Russia's ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) I'm more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

Earlier Wednesday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said had sent 100 million euros ($109 million) worth of weapons to in recent weeks as part of a flow of Western arms.

Earlier in his term, Macron had tried to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to improve Russia's relations with the West, and Macron met with Putin weeks before the Russian invasion in an unsuccessful effort to prevent it. Since then, however, has supported EU sanctions against Moscow and has offered sustained support to Ukraine.

Le Pen also said France should strike a more independent path from the U.S.-led military alliance.

And despite the atrocities that Russian troops have committed in Ukraine, Le Pen said that should seek a strategic rapprochement with Russia once the war is over. Such a relationship would be in the interest of France and Europe and I think even of the United States, she said, to stop Russia from forging a stronger alliance with world power China.

She did not directly address the horrors unfolding in Ukraine.

Le Pen was speaking at a press conference Wednesday to lay out her foreign policy plans, which include halting aid to African countries unless they take back undesirable migrants seeking entry to France.

She also wants to slash support for efforts to improve women's reproductive health in poor countries, increase minority rights or solve environmental problems.

At the end of the event, protesters held up a poster showing a 2017 meeting between Le Pen and Putin. One activist was pulled out of the room. Anti-racism protesters also held a small demonstration outside.

The election of Madame Le Pen would mean electing an admirer of Putin's regime, an autocratic regime and an admirer of Putin's imperialistic logic, said Dominique Sopo, head of the group SOS Racism. It would mean that France would become a vassal to Putin's Russia.

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Significant human rights issues occurred before and after the took over on August 15, 2021, the State Department said in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday.

The human rights issues included credible reports of extrajudicial killings by security forces; forced disappearances by antigovernment personnel; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces, the report said.

It also includes reports of serious restrictions on free expression and media by the Taliban, including violence against journalists and censorship; severe restrictions on religious freedom; restrictions on the right to leave the country.

"Significant human rights issues occurred before and after August 15. Details of which group or groups perpetuated these human rights issues are addressed throughout the report," the US State Department said.

"Widespread disregard for the rule of law and official impunity for those responsible for human rights abuses were common. The pre-August 15 government did not consistently or effectively investigate or prosecute abuses by officials, including security forces. After taking over, the formed a commission to identify and expel 'people of bad character' from its ranks," the report said.

The State Department said the report strives to provide a record of the status of human rights worldwide, covering 198 countries and territories.

The reports paint a picture of where human rights and democracy are under threat.

The report highlights where governments have unjustly jailed, tortured, or even killed political opponents, activists, human rights defenders, or journalists, including in Russia, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria.

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Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced that it will boycott any meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which may look into the cable that allegedly revealed a conspiracy to topple their government, and demanded the country's Supreme Court constitute an inquiry commission on the matter.

The decision was made following a meeting of the political committee of which also called for general elections at the earliest and announced a number of rallies in a bid to mobilize the support base of the party, Dawn reported.

The meeting was chaired by chairman and attended by all provincial presidents of the party, Secretary-General Asad Umer, Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and other leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry and Pervaiz Khattak, the report said.

Shortly after being elected as Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif on Monday in his inaugural speech at the National Assembly had announced a parliamentary probe into the "foreign conspiracy" to topple Imran Khan's government and offered to resign if there is a shred of evidence to prove the allegation.

Dr Farrukh Habib, a party functionary also claimed that a "surprise move" will be announced at a rally next week in Lahore.

"On April 16, another rally will be held in a ground adjacent to Mazar-i-Quaid in Karachi and yet another on the 23rd at Minar-i- in Lahore. In these rallies, we will stress that the imported government is not acceptable, while a surprise move will be announced during the public meeting in Lahore," Habib said.

"We are going to make a bigger move than what happened on Sunday (the deputy speaker's ruling). We have already resigned from the assembly and now the nation should get the opportunity to elect its representatives," he further said.

Talking about the parliamentary probe announced by Prime Minister Sharif, Habib alleged that Shehbaz Sharif was part of the conspiracy and hence, did not turn up when invited for a briefing by the previous government.

"It is a fact that in Pakistan, governments are toppled with up to Rs 20 billion. We have decided to contact the masses as it is necessary to hold general elections for economic stability in the country. The election commission should ensure fulfillment of its constitutional obligations," Habib said.

He further reiterated his party's stance that it was clearly mentioned in the letter sent by Islamabad's ambassador to the US that will face consequences if the opposition's no-confidence motion failed, and that is why the National Security Committee termed it interference in Pakistan's internal matters.

He went on to make corruption allegations against the newly sworn-in Prime Minister saying that a hefty amount was allegedly transferred to the account of his employee.

He also alleged that before becoming the PM, Sharif replaced the prosecutor and director of the Federal Investigation Agency, but no one bothered to take suo moto notice nor did the courts open late at night.

Shehbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former leader of the Opposition, was elected the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly of the country on Monday, a couple of days after former PM Imran Khan's government was voted out of power in a no-confidence motion following a series of dramatic political events.

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External Affairs Minister on Tuesday held discussions with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for accelerating the economic partnership between and United States.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that the goal of both countries is to enhance the resilience and reliability of supply chains and enhance trust and transparency in business.

"A good meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Discussed accelerating our economic partnership. Our goal is to enhance resilience and reliability of supply chains and enhance trust and transparency in business," he said.

Jaishankar who is in the US to attend the 4th India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in Washington also met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

"Today I met with India's Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar. With the re-launch of the US- Trade Policy Forum last fall, we have strengthened our bilateral trade and economic cooperation. I am excited to continue this work with moving forward," Ambassador Katherine Tai tweeted.

This meeting comes a day after the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries underlined the importance of strengthening the commercial and economic pillar of the India-US partnership to advance economic growth and deliver mutual prosperity for both countries.

The ministers applauded the rebound in bilateral trade between the two countries over the last year, surpassing US 113 billion in goods. They also welcomed the 12th Ministerial-level meeting of the India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and the renewal of Working Group discussions to expand bilateral trade, remove market access barriers, and improve ease of business.

"They looked forward to both sides developing action plans that identify and prioritize the resolution of specific trade concerns to build on the progress made during the last TPF Ministerial meeting," the joint statement said.

Separately in a tweet, Jaishankar informed that he discussed bilateral trade with Tai as well as the present global situation in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Good to catch up with USTR @AmbassadorTai. Discussed our bilateral trade and exchanged notes on the global situation," tweeted Jaishankar.

During his two-day visit, Jaishankar discussed contemporary challenges and issues in an open and constructive manner.

He concluded a productive and substantive 2+2 Ministerial meeting on April 11.

"Resolved that our strategic partnership would continue to grow and play a greater role in shaping the direction of world affairs," tweeted Jaishankar.

India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held between Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin held on April 11 in Washington.

Notably, during the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties.

(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.)
Pakistan's new Prime Minister may take some time to appoint a new Cabinet as he knows the fragile nature of the ruling alliance and wants to take along all his allies, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Sources in the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Peoples Party (PPP) told Dawn newspaper that the leadership of both parties had decided to accommodate all allied parties in the federal Cabinet and give them the ministries of their choice.

They said the ruling coalition comprised eight political parties and four independents, and since Sharif had become the prime minister with a mere two-vote margin, he did not want to start his stint in the office with any misunderstandings among the allies.

Pakistan's Parliament on Monday elected unopposed Sharif as the 23rd prime minister of the country after the ouster of Imran Khan through a no-trust vote.

In the House of 342, Sharif was elected Prime Minister after securing 174 votes.

(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.)
Newly elected Prime Minister is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia and China on his first foreign trip after taking charge, a Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader has said.

According to the media outlet, Prime Minister's first foreign visit has often been to Saudi Arabia and China due to the country's strategic relationship with both.

According to sources, PM during his visit to Saudi Arabia will perform Umrah and meet the Saudi leadership.

Saudi Arabia in the past has extended financial bailout packages to successive Pakistani governments, in fact, Riyadh gave former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government a USD 6 billion bailout package.

It is unclear if the new premier will also seek financial assistance, given that Saudi Arabia provided USD 3 billion dollars to not long ago, The News reported.

While after the Saudi visit, the premier is also expected to travel to China.

According to The News International, Shehbaz is known to enjoy a good reputation amongst the Chinese leadership because of his administrative qualities. During the previous PML-N tenure, Shehbaz played a central role in accelerating China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

took oath as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Monday after being elected by the National Assembly of the country.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi, April 13: China, which is keenly watching the developments in as Shehbaz Sharif took over as the country's Prime Minister on Monday after PTI leader lost the no confidence motion, has reasons to worry. The massive protests in several parts of the country after Khan's ouster, leading to disruption of social order have caused serious concerns for Beijing.

Chinese news organisation Global Times said that the "internal chaos" in the country could affect the ongoing Beijing driven projects under the Economic Corridor.

The second phase of the CPEC has already been halted due to the rising political instability in the country.

"This is a big blow to given its critical economic situation," an analyst told India Narrative.

Analysts said that Khan, who continues to enjoy a sizable support base, will fight back. He has already called for a massive public rally at Peshawar on Wednesday. Such protest rallies could lead to disruption in social order.

Besides Khan, threats from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan have also risen. Recently, the TTP has also asked people to support jihad in Pakistan. Recently it carried out an attack in which at least three soldiers were killed and five injured.

"Shehbaz Sharif will have to address issues and threats relating to TTP besides disturbances and tensions emerging from Khan's supporters, Anil Trigunayat, former ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at Vivekananda Foundation told India Narrative.

Under Khan, Pakistan's relations with the West hit a new low. Khan, who meticulously worked towards further deepening ties with China, even blamed foreign powers for his ouster.

Analysts said that though Islamabad could try to mend relations with other countries including the US, the change in political leadership in Islamabad will not impact China-Pakistan ties.

Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa recently said at a forum that Islamabad is keen to maintain ties with the US, which is the country's largest export market.

"Pakistan enjoys a close strategic relationship with China, demonstrated by our commitment towards Pakistan Economic Corridor. We seek to broaden and expand our ties with both countries without impacting our relationship with the other," he said.

--IANS

int/sks

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Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that 1,026 soldiers of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.



Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and the most comprehensive destruction since invaded on Feb. 24.



The main Sea of Azov port is the biggest target in the eastern Donbas region that Moscow now calls the focus of its campaign, and if captured would be the first major city to fall since the war began. Its capture would help secure a land passage between separatist-held eastern areas and Crimea which seized and annexed in 2014.



"In the town of Mariupol, near the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, as a result of successful offensives by Russian armed forces and Donetsk People's Republic militia units, 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers of the 36th Marine Brigade voluntarily laid down arms and surrendered," the ministry said in a statement.



Reuters could not independently confirm the surrender.



Ukrainian defence ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said he had no information about it, and there was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian president's office or the Ukrainian general staff.



On Monday, a post on the Ukrainian marine brigade's Facebook page had said the unit was preparing for a final battle in Mariupol that would end in death or capture as its troops had run out of ammunition.



"Today will probably be the ultimate battle, as there is no ammo left," said the post. "Beyond that: hand to hand fighting.

Beyond that, for some death, for capture." Some Ukrainian officials said at the time that the post may have been fake, and that troops were still holding out.



The Russian defence ministry said 151 wounded Ukrainian soldiers were treated on the spot and taken to Mariupol's city hospital.



Earlier on Wednesday, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in Russia's battle for Mariupol, said more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered. He urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender.



Reuters journalists accompanying Russian-backed separatists in Mariupol on Tuesday saw flames rising from the Azovstal complex.

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HYDERABAD: Electricity officials have admitted they are cutting power unofficially in rural areas and towns in an effort to meet higher-than-expected demand this year. Power officials had expected a five-per cent hike in power consumption over last year. In reality, power demand has gone up by 15 per cent, an official said on Tuesday.

Power consumption on Tuesday touched 12,842 MW, against 11,458 MW last year on the same day.

Of this, the Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (SPDCL) supplied 8,219 MW (7,587 MW last year) and the Northern discom 4,429 MW (3,886 MW last year. The official said unexpected and irrational use of power in lift irrigation (LI) schemes was the major reason for higher consumption this year. A senior engineer from TSGenco told Deccan Chronicle that In Link-I, from Pranahitha to Yellampally, lift irrigation pumps had been working regularly, consuming more power than anticipated. If Link-II motors were switched on, power demand touch new records, he said.

Due to LI schemes, we are clueless with regard to expected demand for power, he said. Fluctuation in weather also had its impact on power consumption. Compared to March, which was very warm, the power demand decreased in April, he said. The demand from this front is expected to hit a high in May.

Replying to a question, he said that domestic, agriculture, and commercial power consumption could be anticipated, but usage of power in lift irrigation schemes is unexpected, he said.

To cater the power demand during peak hours, the officials imposed power cuts in towns and rural areas. There are no official power cuts either but field level problems forced the officials to impose power cuts. People are not facing any difficulty in using power as per their needs in rural and urban areas, the official said.

The official said that TSGenco was financial and technical burdens but was making arrangements to meet the heightened demand for power. TSGenco was consulting with the power companies to get electricity on an as and when required basis.
The South Korea's government said on Wednesday it will start the second booster shot programme for elderly people aged 60 and over.

It also plans to announce adjustments in social distancing Friday, which will center on normalizing everyday life to pre-pandemic days, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in a virus response meeting.

Health officials have hinted at removing the limit on the number of people for private gatherings and the business curfew, Yonhap news agency reported.

has seen daily Covid-19 infections decline in recent days, reporting 210,755 cases on Tuesday after reaching its peak of more than 620,000 in mid-March.

--IANS

int/shs

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A investor has sued Tesla and SpaceX CEO for failing to disclose his stake in the micro-blogging platform as sought by the US laws.

The lawsuit has been filed in Manhattan federal court by Marc Bain Rasella on behalf of "all investors who sold or otherwise disposed of Twitter, Inc. securities between March 24, 2022 and April 1, 2022, inclusive," reports TechCrunch.

According to the lawsuit, Musk began acquiring shares in January and by March 14, had acquired over 5 per cent ownership in .

"Musk, because of his position as a 5 per cent owner in Twitter, had an obligation to file a Schedule 13 with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)," the lawsuit read.

The SEC requires investors to file a Schedule 13 within 10 days of passing the 5 per cent threshold.

Musk did not submit the filing until he had taken a 9.2 per cent stake in Twitter.

"Because of his position as a 5 per cent owner in Twitter, and access to material non-public information available to himself but not to the public, defendant Musk knew that the adverse facts specified herein had not been disclosed to and were being concealed from the public and that the omissions being made were false and misleading," said the lawsuit.

"When Musk finally filed the required Schedule 13, thereby revealing his ownership stake in Twitter, the Company's shares rose from a closing price of $39.91 per share on April 1, 2022, to close at $49.97 per share on April 4, 2022 -- an increase of approximately 27%," reads the lawsuit.

In a dramatic twist, Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal announced earlier this week that Musk will not join the board of the company, saying that "he believes it is for the best".

The Indian-origin CEO last week said the micro-blogging platform has appointed Musk to its board of directors.

Musk, who acquired 9.2 per cent share in the micro-blogging platform for nearly $3 billion, is limited from buying more than 15 per cent of Twitter's stock.

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UK Chancellor has offered an unreserved apology and paid the fine imposed on him by Scotland Yard for breaching COVID lockdown rules in June 2020, when he attended a birthday party at Downing Street for his boss Prime Minister .

The Indian-origin finance minister offered the apology in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, after Johnson's own apology and confirmation that he too had paid up his fine.

The so-called partygate scandal, of around 12 parties being held at Downing Street and other UK government offices in Whitehall in breach of coronavirus legislation in place during 2020-2021, has been under police investigation as part of Operation Hillman.

I can confirm I have received a fixed penalty notice from the Metropolitan Police with regards to a gathering held on June 19 in Downing Street, Sunak said in his statement.

I offer an unreserved apology," the 41-year-old minister said.

"I understand that for figures in public office, the rules must be applied stringently in order to maintain public confidence. I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine. I respect the decision that has been made and have paid the fine," he said.

The partygate saga comes at the end of a particularly tough few days for Sunak's role as Chancellor, after he faced allegations of allegedly improper tax savings by his Indian wife Akshata Murty and his own US Green Card status while in a high political office in Britain.

Murty, the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, has since issued a statement to say she will now choose to pay all her taxes in the UK to avoid her legally permitted non-domicile tax status becoming a distraction for her minister husband.

Sunak, meanwhile, has referred himself to the government's independent watchdog to confirm that he made all the legally required ministerial declarations of his financial affairs.

While the Opposition has demanded the resignation of the two senior-most government officials for breaking the law with partygate, both Johnson and Sunak have insisted that they intend to get on with their jobs.

Like the Prime Minister, I am focussed on delivering for the British people at this challenging time, said Sunak.

The UK Cabinet ministers and Conservative MPs have largely rallied around the duo, as a leadership contest is not seen as ideal in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the severe cost of living crisis domestically.

Earlier on Tuesday, in a video statement from his Chequers residence, Johnson said: "In all frankness, at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules. But, of course, the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation."



His wife, Carrie Johnson, also apologised unreservedly after confirming that she had received and paid up a fine for the same Cabinet Room party at Downing Street, to which she had brought a cake to surprise her husband on his birthday on June 19, 2020.

It has led to Johnson becoming the first UK Prime Minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law.

It is expected that the Johnsons and Sunak would have most likely been handed a 200 pounds fixed penalty notice each, which is a sanction similar to a parking ticket. Unless it is challenged, there is no court process involved after the fine imposed is paid up.

Reports of parties being held at Downing Street during the coronavirus lockdowns that limited such gatherings to control the spread of the deadly virus first emerged in December 2021. Both Johnson and Sunak had said at the time that they did not attend any parties.

However, as revelations of several gatherings emerged, the UK prime minister ordered an inquiry into the allegations of rule-breaking, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, and was also forced to apologise in Parliament over the reports of lockdown breaches.

Gray passed on information to the Met Police at the end of her inquiry, which found some wrongdoing, and Operation Hillman was launched earlier this year.

The complete Sue Gray report will not be released until the Met Police have concluded their investigation, which is when Johnson is also committed to make a statement to the House of Commons.

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Ukraine's negotiating position at the peace talks with remains unchanged, the head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia has said.

"The Ukrainian side adheres to the Istanbul Communique and hasn't changed its position," Arakhamia wrote on Telegram.

The only difference is that the Ukrainian side does not take into account all the additional issues that were not included in the Istanbul Communique. This may have led to a misinterpretation of the current state of the negotiation process, he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The negotiations regarding the security guarantees for continue in an online regime, Arakhamia said.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said had changed its stance from last month's peace talks in Turkey's Istanbul.

--IANS

int/shs

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Mutual Fund ceases to exist as a mutual fund, capital regulator said on Wednesday.

This comes after Asset Management Company Private Limited (BNPP AMC) informed that it wants to surrender the registration granted to Mutual Fund by the market regulator pursuant to change in control.

Following this, has accepted the request for surrender of registration certification of BNP Paribas MF (BNPP MF).

"Consequently, BNPP MF ceases to exist as a mutual fund with effect from April 13, 2022," the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a statement.

Also, BNPP AMC has given an undertaking that the surviving AMC -- Baroda BNP Paribas Assets Management India -- and the surviving Trustee -- Baroda BNP Paribas Trustee India -- will continue to be liable for all liabilities/obligations, including monetary penalties, if any, for violations, if any, of provisions of the Sebi Act that have taken place before its surrender of the registration certificate.

Last month, Bank of Baroda and BNP Paribas Asset Management had announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership by combining the strengths of their respective asset management businesses to form 'Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund'.

Bank of Baroda, the parent company of Baroda AMC, will hold 50.1 per cent stake in the combined entity, while BNP Paribas AMC, the asset management arm of BNP Paribas, a leading European bank, will hold the remaining 49.9 per cent stake.

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Hariom Pipes made a strong market debut with equity shares of the company getting listed at Rs 214, a 40 per cent premium against its issue price of Rs 153 per share, on the BSE on Wednesday. At 11:51 AM, the stock was locked at maximum upper limit of the day at Rs 224.70, up 46 per cent against its issue price.

A combined 4.1 million equity shares had changed hands and there are pending buy orders for 430,000 shares on the NSE and BSE. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.02 per cent at 58,563 points.

"Effective from Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the equity shares of shall be listed and admitted to dealings on the exchange in the list of 'T' group of securities," BSE said in a notice dated April 12, 2022. In the T2T segment, each trade has to result in delivery and no intra-day netting of positions is allowed.

The Rs 130 crore share sale issue of Hariom Pipe had received a decent response with issue being subscribed 7.93 times on strong response from the retail investors. The portion reserved for retail bidders was subscribed 12.15 times, whereas the non-institutional buyers quota attracted 8.87 times biddings. The portion for institutional buyers fetched 1.9 times subscription. The company raised funds via the primary route entirely through the fresh equity sale.

The company proposed to utilize the net proceeds from the issue towards funding capital expenditure requirements, funding the working capital requirements of the company.

Hariom Pipe manufactures iron and steel products including Mild Steel (MS) Pipes, Scaffolding, HR Strips, MS Billets, and Sponge Iron. The company sells and MS Pipes in the western and southern parts of India under the brand name "Hariom Pipes".

As part of the B2B sales, the company sells MS Pipes and Scaffoldings to specific developers and contractors. has more than 200 dealers and distributors for selling its products. The company is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

"The company's good listing can be attributed to good prospects for the steel pipes industry. The company has an integrated nature of operations, a cost-effective process, and an experienced management team. However, the cyclical nature of the industry, and commoditized nature of products make it suitable only for the aggressive investors in the long term," said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart.
Big Indian crypto exchanges CoinSwitch Kuber and WazirX have disabled rupee deposits for the purchase of using a widely-used state-backed transfer system, spurring users to voice concern on social media.

India has spent years on a law to ban or regulate cryptocurrencies, with its central bank backing a ban over their threat to financial stability, but a recent decision to tax income from them suggests acceptance by authorities.

The decision follows a one-line statement last week by the National Payments Corporation of India saying, it was not aware of any crypto exchange using its United Payments Interface (UPI) framework, which eases bank transfers.

On Wednesday, CoinSwitch's app was not allowing users to load deposits, while rival exchange WazirX said on Twitter, "UPI is not available," adding that it had no estimated time to fix the issue with UPI deposits.

"You have closed the INR deposit without any information. At least let us know how long it will be closed," a Twitter user, Avijit Debnath, asked CoinSwitch on the social media platform.

An industry source with direct knowledge of the matter said the decision by CoinSwitch to halt UPI acceptance resulted from "regulatory uncertainty" after the NPCI statement.

The companies did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The NPCI did not immediately respond.

India decided in February to tax income from cryptocurrencies and other digital assets at 30%, signalling that authorities accepted digital currencies, but uncertainty over regulation has weighed on the industry.

In October, CoinSwitch said it had raised more than $260 million for a valuation of $1.9 billion, underscoring the rise in popularity of .

No official data is available on the size of the Indian crypto market, but industry estimates suggest investors number from 15 million to 20 million, with total holdings of about Rs 40,000 crore ($5.25 billion).

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(PE) investments registered a decline of 32 per cent in FY22 as compared to FY21. At least partially to blame for this was the destructive effect of the second wave of Covid which led to multiple lockdowns in various parts of the country and serious economic disruptions in almost all industries, according to a report by consulting firm .

FY22 also saw a huge drop of 42 per cent in average deal ticket size compared to FY21, although it is still higher than FY18 levels. The drop in ticket sizes is largely due to investors' focus shifting back to individual assets, as opposed to their preference for portfolio deals in FY21, said . Unlike in FY21, investors in FY22 preferred single city deals over multi-city deals, resulting in the share of multi-city deals reducing by nearly 70 per cent in FY22.

Shobhit Agarwal, MD and CEO of Capital, said, "Equity continues to remain around 80 per cent of the total PE investments in Indian . The commercial sector attracted the highest investment in FY22 with 38 per cent of the inflows, followed by the industrial and logistics sector with 22 per cent, and residential clocked in at a mere 14 per cent of the inflows.

Meanwhile, investments by domestic funds doubled in size in FY22  from $290 million (FY21) to $600 million in FY22.

The increasing confidence of domestic funds reflects the return of overall positivity after a harrowing year of pandemic disruption and uncertainty, he added.

However, the pandemics impact has started to wane on the realty sector as quarterly housing sales in the March quarter (Q4) were at an all-time high since 2015 with approximately 99,550 units sold across the top 7 cities, according to data from Anarock. This is a 71 per cent rise compared to the 58,290 units sold back in the year-ago period.

Office space transactions also grew 25 per cent year-on-year in the March quarter to 10.8 million square feet (msf), according to a report by real estate consulting firm Knight Frank.

Bengaluru remained the biggest market with total leasing of 3.5 msf of office space, followed by Delhi-NCR which recorded 2.3 msf of gross leasing in the first three months. New completion in the first quarter (Q1) of CY22 was recorded at 11.9 msf led by Pune that saw fresh supply of 3.6 msf followed by Bengaluru with 2.5 msf of new office spaces.

Rents have stabilised or grown in sequential terms during Q1, the report said. Even compared to the year-ago period, rents have stayed stable or grown in five of the eight . Bengaluru saw the most growth with a YoY (year-on-year) rise in rental values by 4 per cent in the first quarter.
The key benchmark indices are likely to start trade on a quiet note amid mixed global cues. While, the US pared gains and slipped into red last night, Asian were mostly up this Wednesday morning. Today, results and the extended weekend factor could weigh on the market sentiment. As of 07:20 AM, the SGX Nifty April futures quoted at 17,560 as against the spot Nifty close of 17,530 yesterday.

Earnings Watch: Infosys, Den Networks and Lesha Industries to announce results today. Over the extended holiday weekend, Alok Textiles, Oriental Hotels, Welcure Drugs, HDFC Bank, ICICI Prudential Life and Integrated Capital Services are some of the notable companies to announce Q4 results.

HDFC Bank: The private sector lender is hopeful that the proposed merger with the parent HDFC will pave the way for its entry into global indices such as the MSCI and FTSE. The bank in its investor presentation has made a case citing an example of Saudi Aramco - even though the oil giant had a free float of just 0.5 per cent. READ MORE

Nykaa: Falguni Nayar, the chief executive officer and founder of beauty supply company Nykaa, has been named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021 on Tuesday. Nayar will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award on June 9. READ MORE

Vedanta: The companys chairman Anil Agarwal on Tuesday said that the company in partnership with Foxconn will set up a semiconductor manufacturing plant in the next two years. He termed the signing up of the pact with Foxconn as a "very big job", and said that the semiconductor industry will promote other sectors like automobiles and electronics in the country. READ MORE

The Tinplate Company of India: The company reported a 103.7 per cent surge in Q4FY22 net profit at Rs 114.42 crore as against Rs 56.16 crore in Q4FY21. Total income also jumped 62.3 per cent to Rs 1,238.36 crore from Rs 762.86 crore.

Anand Rathi Wealth: The company reported more than three-fold jump in Q4 net profit at Rs 34.80 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 when compared with Rs 10.09 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Total income was up 49.4 per cent YoY at Rs 114.75 crore from Rs 76.81 crore in the same period.

Hathway Cable & Datacom: The companys Q4FY22 net profit plunged 58.5 per cent YoY to Rs 7 crore as against Rs 16.86 crore in Q4FY21. Total income also declined by 2.1 per cent to Rs 162.84 crore from Rs 166.36 crore.

Shriram City Union Finance: The company has set a target of increasing its gold loan book by nearly four-fold to Rs 20,000 crore in the next five years. The company hopes to achieve this through aggressive expansion in North India, after the completion of the current merger process. READ MORE

Spandana Sphoorthy: According to sources, the micro finance institution backed by private equity fund Kedaara, and Padmaja Reddy, its founder and former managing director are moving towards some understanding on payment of dues and clearing related party transactions. Sources said the conversations are ongoing between the company and Padmaja Reddy. READ MORE

Thermax: The company has bagged an order worth Rs. 522 crore for utility boilers and associated systems for a grass root refinery and petrochemical complex in Rajasthan. The order includes two units of 260 TPH high pressure utility boilers along with allied auxiliaries to be designed and manufactured by Thermax Babcock & Wilcox Energy Solutions (TBWES), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thermax.

Brightcom: The company has partnered with Intent IQ to enhance growth scale & tech capabilities in various areas of the Adtech Industry. The company expects significant increase in revenues up to 30 per cent through this partnership.

Jaykay Enterprises: The companys board on April 12 decided to acquire 99 per cent state in Silvergrey Engineers a partnership firm engaged in manufacturing and supply of parts and accessories to defence equipment manufacturing industry. Further, the board also announced its decision to diversify into real estate.

Tanvi Foods: The companys board deferred its decision on bonus share issue and other related business agenda in its board meet on Tuesday.

Tarc: The company informed BSE, that Acuite Ratings & Research has assigned  ACUITE Provisional BBB-/Stable rating on the companys long term non-convertible debentures worth Rs 1,400 crore.

Stocks in F&O ban: RBL Bank is the only stock in the F&O ban period on Wednesday.


Anand Rathi Wealth jumped 7.09% to Rs 655.10 after the company's consolidated net profit surged 256.66% to Rs 35 crore on 49% increase in total income to Rs 115 crore in Q4 March 2022 over Q4 March 2021.

On a consolidated basis, profit before tax climbed 169.60% year-on-year to Rs 44.08 crore while EBITDA surged 216% year-on-year to Rs 46 crore in Q4 March 2022.

Asset Under Management (AUM) jumped 23% to Rs 32,906 crore during the period under review.

Anand Rathi Wealth's net profit surged 184.08% to Rs 126.73 crore on 52.42% increase in total income to Rs 425.63 crore in the year ended March 2022 over the year ended March 2021. EBITDA surged 155% year-on-year to Rs 177 crore in FY22.

The board recommended a final dividend of Rs 6 per share for the year ended March 2022.

Rakesh Rawal, chief executive officer said: "Our growth in AUM to Rs 32,906 Crores, (23% over last year) has helped us deliver strong growth in topline and much higher margins. We believe our long-term commitment to offering the most efficient wealth management solutions to our clientele, coupled with a dedicated team of Relationship Managers will enable us to achieve strong growth in years ahead."

Feroze Azeez, deputy chief executive officer said: "The macro tailwinds in this business are huge and we want to build a business that is highly differentiated and sustainable. We are happy to have more than 7,000 satisfied client families out of which 57% are with us for more than 3 years. With a well trained and committed team of Relationship Managers, we are expecting significant growth in the current year. With growing awareness of a need of dedicated wealth management advisor and broad-based recovery in the economy, we expect an increased inflow of funds and consistent growth in our AUM in the coming quarters."

Anand Rathi Wealth is one of the leading non-bank wealth solutions firms in India. In addition to Private Wealth Vertical (PWM), the company has two new age technology led business verticals i.e. Digital Wealth (DWM) and Omni Financial Advisors (OFA). DWM business is a fin-tech extension of the Company's proposition for the mass affluent segment with wealth solution delivered through a combination of human interface empowered with technology and the OFA business is a strategic extension for capturing wealth management landscape to service retail clients through independent financial advisors by using a technology platform.

The stock hit a record high of Rs 711.95 in initial deals today.

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Udupi: Santosh Patil, a contractor who had alleged that Karnataka minister K.S. Eshwarappas associates had asked for 40 per cent commission to clear his bills, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday.

Sources claimed that he had sent a message from his mobile phone stating that he had decided to end his life. The screenshot of the purported message read: RDPR minister K.S. Eshwarappa is responsible for my death. He should get proper punishment. I have taken this decision keeping aside all my desires.

With folded hands, I request the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, B.S. Yediyurappa, and all to help my wife and child. I thank the media persons (sic), he wrote.

A few days ago, Santosh had written to the Prime Minister about the non-payment of bills for the contract work.

RDPR minister K.S. Eshwarappa told me to complete road work on February 12, 2021 (in Belagavi). We completed more than 108 works at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore. But more than one year has passed but we have not received any work order nor a single rupee from him or concerned authorities, he stated in the letter to Modi.

The ministers associates are annoying (me) by asking to provide them a commission... I am in great tension and have a huge pressure of the creditors who have given me finance on interest, If the payment and work order not given me on immediate basis then unwillingly, I do not have an option for myself except suicide, he had stated in the letter to the PM.

The Congress attacked BJP government, holding it responsible for Santoshs death and demanded an FIR against minister Eshwarappa and an independent probe into the incident.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister and the Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of being complicit in the contractor's death. BJP's 40% Commission Government in Karnataka has claimed the life of their own Karyakarta. The victim's pleas to the PM went unanswered. The PM and CM are complicit. #BJPCorruptionFiles (sic), Gandhi said on Twitter.

The death of contractor Santosh Patil is tragic and a result of commission politics of BJP Karnataka, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

He also attacked Prime Minister Modi. He should be ashamed to coin the slogan Na khaunga, na khane dunga. He should limit himself to writing scripts for Bollywood films, instead of running the government. I am not sure if he is capable to do even that, he said.

Patil, who hailed from Hindalaga in Belagavi district, had left home stating that he was going on a picnic with his friends. In his purported last message, Santosh wrote, Santhosh and Prashanth have come along with me as I had told them that we would be going on a picnic. They have no connection with my death.

While Chief Minister Bommai said the police would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, Eshwarappa refused to resign from the Cabinet, insisting he was not at fault and that he had filed a defamation suit against Santosh for levelling the allegations.

The room (where Santosh died_ has been sealed. Next step will be taken after the arrival of forensic team from Mangaluru, Udupi superintendent of police N Vishnuvardhana told reporters.

Santosh Patil's wife Jayashri told reporters in Belagavi: My husband is not the one who can commit suicide. It is a murder. A man who always advised people not to commit suicide cannot take such a drastic step. What does it mean that a man who happily spoke to me last evening is no more, she asked.
Infosys: Infosys will release its quarterly earnings today, 13 April 2022.

Tata Steel: Tata Steel Mining (TSML), an unlisted wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Steel (Company), has successfully completed the acquisition of controlling stake of 90% in Rohit Ferro-Tech (RFT) in accordance with the approved Resolution Plan under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (IBC).

ICICI Bank: The board of the bank at its meeting scheduled on 23 April 2022 will also consider, fund raising by way of issuance of debt securities including non-convertible debentures/bonds/notes/offshore certificate of deposits in single/multiple tranches in any currency through public/private placement.

Hariom Pipe Industries: Shares of Hariom Pipe Industries will debut on the bourses today, 13 April 2022. Issue price is Rs 153 per equity share.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX): MCX and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), Bangladesh, signed a consultancy agreement today to collaborate for establishment of the country's first commodity derivatives platform in Bangladesh.

TVS Motor Company: Swiss E-Mobility Group (Holding) AG (SEMG), a subsidiary of the company has acquired 100% in Alexand'Ro Edouard'O Passion Vo Sl (Passion Vo), primarily engaged in the sale of e-bikes as well as e-bike accessories across a range of premium e-bike brands such as TREK, Riese & Muller, Cannondale, Moustache and others.

HeidelbergCement India: HeidelbergCement India has commissioned a 5.5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in its mining area located in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh.

Fino Payments Bank: The board of Fino Payments Bank approved a minority strategic investment by the bank in New Delhi based Paysprint Private Limited. The bank will be investing upto 12.19% in the fintech by way of subscription to its shares.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

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The Modi government has been celebrating a record, four-decade-high growth in tax collections in FY22. But is this performance really such an achievement? A K Bhattacharya deconstructs the data of the past eight years and compares it with the record of the predecessor United Progressive Alliance to find out. Read it here

In other views:

The top edit explains why the telecom regulators recommendations on 5G spectrum pricing could take India to another level. Read it here

Soumya Kanti Ghosh and Bikramjit Chaudhuri discuss how India could make the rupee a global tender. Read it here

The second edit points out that Narendra Modis virtual meeting with Joe Biden shows how India has managed to defend its position vis-a-vis Russia effectively. Read it here




CM on Wednesday accused the of the bid to create communal tensions and warned strict action against anyone trying to disturb peace in the state.

The CM said this in the wake of the violence in the state's Karauli after a bike rally held to mark Hindu new year was pelted with stones on April 2.

Gehlot said the party is troubled by the unity of people who celebrated Ram Navami together unlike the BJP-ruled states where violence was witnessed during the festival.

" leaders are constantly trying how to create a communal atmosphere in the state. That's why sometimes they go to Karauli and do misleading things, sometimes, they submit a memorandum to the governor so that the tensions remain," he tweeted.

If any person tries to disturb peace in Rajasthan, strict action will be taken against him, said Gehlot, on a day MP Tejasvi Surya and other BJP leaders were stopped from visiting Karauli.

Gehlot said riots had broken out on Ram Navami in the states where there are BJP governments.

"In Rajasthan, all communities celebrated the festival of Ram Navami together and processions were welcomed by people of all religions, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs," Gehlot said.

"The BJP is troubled by the unity and cordial atmosphere in . They are regretting how the festival of Ram Navami was celebrated peacefully in the state," he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior leader from joined the (AAP) here on Wednesday, saying he was fed up with the policy of the saffron party.

Harmel Dhiman, who was executive member of the BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha, joined the AAP along with his supporters in the presence of senior party leaders.

Along with Dhiman two other leaders from Himachal PradeshDevraj and Jagdish Pawar also joined the AAP.

Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said more leaders from are set to join the Arvind Kejriwal-led party soon.

Dhiman ji is a well-known face in . Fed up with the BJP's policy, he is joining the today. He was actively associated with the BJP for the past 30 years and was serving as the executive member of the BJP's SC Morcha , Jain told reporters.

Dhiman also served as vice president of the BJP's Himachal Pradesh SC Morcha earlier, he added



While Devraj had been two-time Mandal president for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, Pawar was two term Pradhan (village head) and served as the member of the block development council and district council in the hill state, Jain said.

At least 1000 people from the BJP will join the soon. I will soon be visiting Kasauli in this connection, he added.

Jain is in-charge of the AAP's political affairs in Himachal Pradesh which will go to polls later this year.

I am joining the Aam Aadmi Party today because I was fed with the policy of the BJP. I have joined this party because I am impressed with Arvind Kejriwal's work and ideology, Dhiman told reporters after joining AAP.

The AAP on Monday had dissolved its Himachal Pradesh working committee, announcing that it will reorganise it soon following defection of the top functionaries of the party's state unit and some other leaders to the BJP.

Last week, AAP Himachal Pradesh president Anup Kesari, general secretary (organisation) Satish Thakur and Una district chief Iqbal Singh had joined the BJP in the presence of its president JP Nadda and Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur here in the capital.

Thakur had taken a jibe at the AAP on Monday after few more AAP leaders including women wing chief Mamata Thakur joined the BJP, saying Kejriwal will find it difficult to save his party's organisation in Himachal Pradesh.

Kejriwal had thought about forming a government in the state but he is finding it tough to save his party's organisation, he said.

Elections are due to be held in Himachal Pradesh later this year.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
External Affairs Minister said on Wednesday that issue was not a topic of discussion during the India US 2+2 ministerial meeting this week, as he asserted that whenever there is a discussion New Delhi will not be reticent about speaking out.

"On the issue; no, we did not discuss during this meeting. This meeting was primarily focused on political-military affairs, Jaishankar told reporters as he concluded his trip here, which was primarily to attend the India-US 2+2 ministerial along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

At a joint news conference on Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said that the US is monitoring some recent "concerning developments in India, including a rise in human rights abuses by some government, police, and prison officials. The joint news conference after the 2+2 dialogue was addressed by Blinken, Jaishankar, Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Responding to a question, Jaishankar said while the issue of human rights was not discussed during the current meeting, it has come up in the past.

"It is a subject which has come up in the past. It came up when Secretary Blinken came to India. I think if you recall the press briefings after that I was very open about the fact that we had discussed it and said what I had to say, he said.

"So let me put it to you this way so that there's clarity about where we stand on this matter," he added.

"Look, people are entitled to have views about us. But we are also equally entitled to have views about their views and about the interests, and the lobbies and the vote banks which drive that. So, whenever there is a discussion, I can tell you that we will not be reticent about speaking out," he said.

"I would tell you that we also take our views on other people's human rights situation, including that of the United States. So, we take up a human rights issues when they arise in this country, especially when they pertain to our community. And in fact, we had a case yesterday that's really where we stand on that, 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 India- bilateral trade increased by 15.3 per cent to over USD 31 billion in the first quarter of this year, according to trade data released by the Chinese Customs on Wednesday, despite strained relations due to the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

During the 3-month period from January to March, China's exports to India zoomed to USD 27.1 billion.

Last year, the India- bilateral trade hit a record high of over USD 125 billion.

The upward trend appeared to be continuing as the bilateral trade in the first quarter (Q1) of 2022 totalled to USD 31.96 billion, an increase of 15.3 per cent compared with the same period last year, state-run Global Times quoted trade data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

Between January to March this year, the trade deficit mounted to USD 22.23 billion as China's exports to India reached USD 27.1 billion - over five times - while imports totalled USD 4.87 billion, the report said.

Last year, China's exports to India went up by 46.2 per cent to USD 97.52 billion while India's exports to grew by 34.2 per cent to USD 28.14 billion.

The trade deficit for India grew by USD 69.38 in 2021.

Commenting on the India-China trade, Liu Zongyi, secretary-general of the Research Centre for China-South Asia Cooperation, told the newspaper that "the continuous rise in bilateral trade showed the complementarity of two major developing economies despite tension from global geopolitical changes."

Liu said that in addition to electronic devices like mobile phones, about 70 per cent of chemical and other manufactured goods used by the Indian pharmaceutical industry are imported from China.

Compared with the increase of 28.3 per cent year-on-year of India's imports from China in the first three months, its exports to China declined 26.1 per cent year-on-year.

Liu explained this saying in the first quarter of 2021, China imported large quantities of iron ore from India, which accounts for a large share of India's exports to China.

However, from the second quarter of last year China reduced imports from India, he said.

Trade continues to grow despite the two-year-long border standoff between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh.

Overall China's foreign trade maintained its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2022 despite increasingly complex internal and external challenges and periodic lockdowns of several cities in the country due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.

China foreign trade registered an increase of 13 per cent year-on-year to USD 1.48 trillion.

According to Chinese Customs data released on Wednesday, China's exports to the US increased by 16.7 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter to reach USD138 billion, up from the 13.8 per cent growth registered for the first two months.

Notwithstanding the bilateral tensions, trade between China and the US soared by 28.7 per cent and stood at USD 755.6 billion in 2021, contributing 12 per cent to China's record USD 6 trillion foreign trade for the year.

The China-EU trade was also on the upswing reaching USD 205 billion in the first three months, up 10.2 per cent from last year, as per the Chinese Customs data.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
They never did confirm the date but celebrations for the endlessly discussed Aiia Bhatt- wedding appeared to have kicked off on Wednesday with friends and family, including father of the bride Mahesh Bhatt and mother of the groom Neetu Kapoor, seen driving into the couple's apartment complex.

With no concrete information from either family, it was all about the optics.

Hordes of media personnel kept vigil outside the Bandra apartment 'Vastu', situated in a usually quiet lane that today was the cynosure of attention with telephoto lens focused closely on occupants behind rolled up car windows. That many of the guests were dressed in yellow and green finery gave credence to speculation that it was the haldi' and mehendi' ceremony.

According to Yusuf Ibrahim, Alia's security in-charge, the team has been asked to provide protection for four-five days.

"The wedding is indeed happening The families have started arriving," Ibrahim told PTI without getting into any more details.

The speculation is that the wedding might happen on Thursday.

For reporters and photographers tasked with covering the star wedding, the last several days have been akin to piecing together a jigsaw - white curtains used as screens on windows, celeb designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee branded bags going in, stray comments from family and studied silence from Alia and Ranbir.

Reporters stationed outside the building spotted Neetu Kapoor as well as her daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and granddaughter Samara who arrived together. Ranbir's cousins, actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor, and Aadar and Armaan Jain along with their mother Rima Jain reached shortly after.

Filmmakers Karan Johar and Ayan Mukerji, the couple's close friends, were also inside.

A fleet of vans covered in white curtains were seen entering the apartment complex, leading many to speculate that the bride was travelling in one of those vehicles to avoid getting 'papped'.

Around 3.30 pm, Mahesh Bhatt and Alia's half-sister, actor Pooja Bhatt were photographed reaching the building.

Apart from a battery of mediapersons outside the residence, and the couple's private security, policemen were deployed for security. We have put police security in an attempt to maintain law and order as well as controlling the crowd at the venue, where the wedding of the couple is scheduled," a Mumbai Police official said.

The couple's security team as well as police personnel present on ground tried to make a clear passage for the guests' cars which were being repeatedly blocked by the paparazzi.

To prevent any pictures from the wedding getting leaked, red stickers were put on mobile phones of all security staff members stationed at the building to distinguish them from the media.

An apartment in "Vastu" where the couple lives on different floors was illuminated on Tuesday evening while the Kapoor family's sprawling bungalow in Chembur has also been decked up with flowers and lights.

For many journalists, particularly women, stationed outside to capture any details they could, it was a harrowing experience - and not just because so few details were forthcoming.

As morning stretched into evening, several journalists rued the lack of essential facilities, especially washrooms. One good Samaritan living in the building adjacent to 'Vastu' opened the doors of her home so women reporters could use the toilet and offered water to media personnel.

The day began with Mukerji releasing a gift on Instagram, a teaser of a romantic track from his upcoming movie "Brahmastra", which stars the couple and is produced by Johar.

"For Ranbir and for Alia! And... For this sacred journey they are going to embark on soon! Ranbir and Alia... my closest and dearest people in this world... My happy place, and my safe place... Who have added everything to my life... And given themselves completely and selflessly to our movie!

"We just had to share a piece of their union, from our movie, from our song Kesariya, to celebrate them... as a gift to them, and to everyone," the filmmaker wrote.

The video ends with a message from the team of "Brahmastra" wishing the couple "all the love and light".

Johar, who has produced "Brahmastra" via Dharma Productions, shared the same teaser on his Instagram page.

Love is light and I know the amount of light you have brought into each other's and our lives with your love. To new beginnings and more #RanbirKapoor @aliaabhatt #brahmastra, he wrote.

Neetu Kapoor, on her part, went down memory lane about her own engagement to her late husband and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.

Fond memories of baisakhi day as we got engaged 43 years back on 13th April 1979, the veteran actor wrote on Instagram.

As in previous celebrity weddings, when hashtags such as 'Virushka', 'Deepveer' and 'Vickat' became trends, the social media celeb buzz of the day was 'Ranlia' and 'Ralia', a portmanteau of and Alia Bhatt's first names.

The two started dating while filming "Brahmastra", which has been in the making for eight years.

(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.)
Realty firm on Wednesday reported a 90 per cent increase in sales bookings to an all-time high of Rs 10,382.2 crore during the last financial year on better demand for its properties.

Its sales booking stood at Rs 5,460.8 crore in the 2020-21 financial year.

The sales bookings of Bengaluru-based came in higher than Macrotech Developers, which markets its properties under the Lodha brand. Macrotech reported 51 per cent growth in its sales booking to a record Rs 9,024 crore during the last fiscal.

can emerge as the largest developer in terms of sales bookings in the 2021-22 financial year. Godrej Properties and DLF are also likely to report robust sales bookings for the last fiscal, going by their numbers for the first three quarters of FY'22.

In a regulatory filing, Prestige Estates gave an update on operations for the year ended March 31, 2022.

It has also clocked its highest-ever collections of Rs 7,466.4 crore during the last financial year, up 47 per cent from the previous year.

Commenting on FY'22 performance, Irfan Razack, chairman, Prestige Group, said: "We take immense pride in highlighting that Prestige Group has crossed Rs 10,000 crore presales benchmark, presales during FY22 stood at Rs 10,382 crore. We continue to witness steadfast momentum for our offerings with more and more consumers aspiring to be a part of the Prestige family."

The record sales booking was backed by robust response to its 16.77 million square feet of newly-launched projects and for under construction and completed inventory, Razack added.

Venkat K Narayana, chief executive officer, Prestige Group, said the new sales have come from 15.07 million sq ft of sales volume with average selling price of Rs 6,890 per square feet.

"Our collections were also all time high at Rs 7,466 crore. We ended the year with the completion of 14.26 million square feet across geographies.

"As we kick off FY'23, our business plan will be anchored by a principal focus on revenue expansion by capitalizing on our brand premium, execution track record and market consolidation theme," he said.

Narayan further said the company has lined up a plethora of launches of over 15 million square feet across Bengaluru, Mumbai, NCR, Hyderabad and Chennai, which should help the company set a new benchmark during FY23.

During the last fiscal, the group launched 16.77 million square feet across geographies. In FY'23, it envisages to launch over 15 million square feet.

On the execution front, the group completed 14.26 million square feet in FY'22.

Apart from Prestige and Macrotech, Sobha Ltd's sales bookings rose by 23 per cent to an all-time high of Rs 3,870 crore in FY'22. Sunteck Realty's sales bookings jumped 27 per cent to Rs 1,303 crore in the last fiscal.

Prestige Group is one of the leading developers in the country, with a track record of over three decades in real estate development. It has a diversified business model across residential, office, retail and hospitality segments with operations in 12 key locations in India.

The group has completed 265 projects with developable area of 149 million square feet and has 42 ongoing projects across segments, with total developable area of 63 million square feet. Further, it has 74 million square feet under planning and holds a land bank with potential developable area of over 27 million square feet.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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EPIC Foundation was launched in Delhi today in the presence of Dr VK Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Jasmine Shah, Vice Chairperson, Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi

New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI/NewsVoir): EPIC Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by HCL Founder Dr Ajai Chowdhry along with fellow HCL founder Arjun Malhotra and semiconductor industry veteran Dr Satya Gupta was launched with the aim to revive India Electronics Industry by creating Indian products and Indian Brands for the Electronics products of national importance. The launch function was presided by chief guest Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member NITI Aayog, Jasmine Shah, Vice-Chairperson Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi, Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Joint Secretary MEITY and the eminent guests from Industry, Government, and Academia.

EPIC Foundation was formed with the strong support from Industry and academia with two primary objectives - Create "Indian" Electronics products and "Indian" Brands in High-Impact/High-Volume categories and to Drive demand for Semiconductor Chips by scaling the volume for these Indian Electronics Products.

Dr Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman EPIC Foundation "We are pleased to announce the launch of EPIC foundation. Our aim is to take Indian Electronics to real Atmanirbharta, from design of Electronics products to Manufacturing and Design & Manufacturing of Semiconductor Chips. We will work closely with all Industry associations, academia, industry and Government to achieve EPIC Foundations mission."

EPIC Foundation announced two critical products at the launch function

1. An Indian 10.1 Inch Tablet for Education and social empowerment with unique features of Repairability, Upgradability and AI/ML based inter-lingual translation for Indian Languages (Voice-2-Voice, Text-2-Text etc.) to support language diversity of India and inclusion of differently abled fellow citizens.

2. An Indian LED Driver chip, which has 700 Million Units consumption and will reach to a Billion Units in next few years. Supported by ELCOMA, the Top-10 LED product companies, manufacturers have agreed to buy this chip. The large number of silicon wafers and chips required for this project can help in reviving SCL Fab and create huge business of upcoming India ATMP units.

Over the last 3 decades Indian Electronics Brands and Products have seen a continuous decline and today, there are hardly any Indian brands and products in the high-volume electronics product categories. Today the market share of "Indian" products and Brands is less than 10 per cent out of USD 180 Billion market for electronics products.

Speaking about the Foundation, Arjun Malhotra, Co-Chairman EPIC Foundation added, "Our mission at EPIC Foundation is to bring lost glory back for Indian Electronics products and brands. With a unique approach and strong support of Industry, academia and Government, we are very confident to achieve this mission for creating Self-Reliance for Electronics in India."

For building a strong eco-system of partners, EPIC Foundation has signed MoU with Government of Delhi for setting up an Electronics City in Delhi and working with other states for developing Electronics Product Design and Manufacturing eco-system. A Strong partnership with Academia is essential and EPIC Foundation has signed MoUs with IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras. Industry associations are very critical part of Electronics & Semiconductor ecosystem. The major industry associations in the Electronics & Semiconductor domain, IESA, ELCINA, MAIT, ESSCI, ELCOMA are supporting EPIC Foundation's mission.

Dr Satya Gupta, CEO, EPIC Foundation said, "We conceived the foundation with the intent to revive Indian Electronics Products and Brands with indigenous design and manufacturing. The Educational Tablet project and LED Chip project are very close to my heart as one addresses social empowerment of 1.3 Billion Indians and the other put the wings to India's Semiconductor Mission. It is very heartening to see an overwhelming support to the EPIC Foundation from all parts of Global ecosystem."

EPIC Foundation's philosophy is to create equitable access for all citizens including differently abled fellow citizens. Even the EPIC logo has "EPIC" written in Braille. At the Launch function EPIC Foundation Donated 20 MilkyWay (Aakash-Ganga) Tablets each to The Blind Society of India and Deaf Society for Women.

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.)
The moment the TRS started sending signals to farmers to grow other crops, both the Opposition parties began to exploit the situation, asking them to exercise their right to choose the crop they sow. (Representational Image/ AP File)

After a high-decibel attack against the Central government for not procuring all the paddy set to be harvested in rabi season in the state, including a high-visibility dharna in the national capital joined by farmer leader Rakesh Singh Tikait, Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has assured farmers that the state government would be procuring all the grain harvested in a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The announcement only brings to a pause the current episode of a long-drawn political showdown between the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Congress and the BJP, the two increasingly belligerent Opposition parties in the state. The tensions would resume with the new farming cycle as a bound-to-be bitter election looms ahead.

The irony of the politics over paddy lies in the early success of the TRS government, led by Mr Chandashekar Rao, aka KCR, in restoring traditional water tank structures and mega irrigation schemes and creating the possibility of a near-perpetual water supply to all villages as well as converting a drought-prone zone into a green state. Besides propelling the separate statehood movement forward, this ended several historic problems that plagued the region, including labour migration and farmer suicides.

However, the problems of plenty arose faster than anticipated. Along with the pre-sowing season farmer cash input subsidy scheme, Rythu Bandhu, the abundant supply of water meant crop output grew dramatically, leading to problems of procurement. Given the strong political connect farmer issues naturally have, any reform or change is fraught with risk  and the TRS, after some feeble attempts to coax or coerce farmers to take to sowing other crops, gave up.

The moment the TRS started sending signals to farmers to grow other crops, both the Opposition parties began to exploit the situation, asking them to exercise their right to choose the crop they sow. As farmers sow, so are governments bound to reap.

The TRS was being cornered by both the Congress and the BJP in the state, led by their respective leaders, A. Revanth Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, ambitious men who believe they can have a shot at replacing the incumbent chief minister if they play the farmer card right.

The TRS tried to turn the tables on to the Centre, by directing all fury towards the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, demanding the Centre buy the paddy. The Centre refused to budge, citing the fact that the national crop procurement policy was not only important for ensuring national food security, but also facilitated subsidised food supply to poorer sections, created a level playing field for farmers across states and fulfilled Indias global obligations under WTO on food imports and exports.

Also, the Centre did not blink an eye in calling out the Telangana government on not meeting all its obligations of supplying crops in the previous two years. With agitations threatened by the Congress and BJP in the state, the TRS finally agreed to buy the crop. All three parties are now fighting for credit with regard to the move.

It is a problematic trend if parties indulge in irresponsible ways, more so with farmers, the true foundation of India. But it is an inevitable problem that cannot be wished away.
India is slated to hold the auction later this year. And the launch is envisaged in 2023. The 2016 and 2021 auctions ended on a whimper as more than 60% of the spectrum put up for sale remained unsold.

Looking to avoid a repeat of the last two auctions, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended a 36% cut in the reserve price for the prime 5G frequency of 3.3 to 3.67 GHz band for a pan-India use.

This frequency, also called the mid-band 5G spectrum, has become the basis for the first implementations of 5G globally as it provides the right balance between coverage and capacity.

Many countries around the world have already earmarked the mid-band spectrum for 5G. It can carry large amount of data while also achieving greater geographic coverage.

The base price per megahertz has been cut from Rs 492 crore to around Rs 317 for a 20 year allotment. While this works out to around a 36% reduction, it is much lower than the industry demand, which was up to a 90% cut.

In line with global trends, telcos in India will look to acquire 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum to run an efficient network, which at the base price will cost them Rs 31,700 crore for 20 years.

An industry expert said that telecom companies would also need a large quantum of spectrum in the premium 700 Mhz band for a reliable .

Telecom companies have already conducted 5G trials in the 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz bands.

The reserve price for the 700 MHz band has been cut by 40% to Rs 3,927 crore per MHz for a 20-year pan-India coverage. The recommended base price is also 60% lower than the 2016 price.

This band found no buyers in the last two rounds due to the extremely high reserve prices. This time it may see some demand.

Low-frequency bands are ideal for use in rural areas, while they also help to improve indoor coverage in urban areas.

ICICI Securities has however said the spectrum prices for 700MHz still remain expensive. We can still expect to see some action in the upcoming auction.

While Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are well placed to participate in the auction, Vodafone Ideas ability to compete is constrained due to a weak balance sheet. Without significant fundraising, Vodafone Idea may be left behind. Analysts say this would lead to further market share gains for Jio and Airtel.

TRAI has also recommended that telcos be allowed easy payment options, including part payment with the flexibility of moratorium. The government has to approve rhe regulators recommendations before going ahead with the auction. How far will TRAIs recommendations go in generating interest in telecom companies for the 5G auction, only time will tell.
It was announced today that MarketStar has secured a location for a EMEA headquarters in Dublin's Central Park business district. The global provider of outsourced sales and B2B revenue acceleration plans to create up to 300 new jobs over the next 3 years, bringing its Dublin-based team to 500 people by 2025.



Founded in 1988, MarketStar now employs more than 1,750 employees worldwide with its global headquarters in Ogden, Utah U.S.A. In 2019, MarketStar acquired Product2Market, a leading Irish inside sales and sales development agency based in Dublin.

At the time of the P2M acquisition, there were 100 employees in Dublin. Since that time, MarketStar has doubled the number of jobs and revenue based in Dublin. The company joins world-leading brands like SalesForce, Bank of America, Mastercard, and others in the Central Park community, which also includes apartments, retail space, dining and lodging.



Welcoming the announcement, Tanaiste and Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said, "This is fantastic news from MarketStar, I am happy the company has found a home in Dublins Central Park for its new EMEA Headquarters and will be creating an incredible 300 new jobs over the next 3 years. It is a remarkable expansion that will bring the companys total workforce here to 500 by 2025."



President and CEO of MarketStar, Keith Titus added, "Establishing Dublin as our EMEA headquarters marks an exciting milestone in our overall growth strategy, solidifying our commitment to the European market and strengthening our global sales capabilities. We will continue to thoughtfully expand our global footprint, and this new Central Park facility enables MarketStar to work from a position of strength in the European market to enable growth for our clients and employees."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
McDonalds has today launched its Youth Opportunity Ireland programme, a two-year employment and skills partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation, which will provide 200,000 to youth organisations across Ireland. The programme will enable youth organisations to deliver specialised training and mentorship opportunities for 2,000 young people by 2023.

The community-focused McDonalds Youth Opportunity Ireland programme will support young people between the ages of 15 and 24 nationally, who are experiencing disadvantage in Ireland and empower them with the skills, training and mentorship they need to access the employment market.

This comes after research by the Irish Youth Foundation has found that 18% of 15 to 24 year-olds are not currently in education, employment or training, while 77% of youth workers believe that support structures are not in place to support vulnerable young people as they transition into employment after a period of unemployment or leaving school early.

In the first year of the programme, the funding will enable 13 grassroots, community-based youth organisations across Ireland to deliver targeted youth employability programmes. These organisations work directly with young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.

The launch was marked with an event at Moyross Youth Academy, Limerick, where McDonalds Youth Opportunity Ireland ambassador Keith Earls, met with Moyross Youth Academy Director Andrew OByrne to hear how McDonalds funding will create employment and training opportunities for young people in the area.

Youth Opportunity Ireland forms part of McDonalds Irelands overall Plan for Change, which sets out ambitious goals and actions across its four key areas - Planet, People, Restaurants and Food  to ensure the business leads positive change from farms to front counter.



Welcoming the initiative today, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said, "The last two years have been particularly tough on young people, for many reasons. Theyve missed out on so much to protect public health and keep everyone safe. I welcome this initiative, which will offer 2,000 young people experiencing disadvantage the opportunity to take part in training and mentoring programmes. I wish them the very best of luck with the programme."



Irish Rugby player and McDonalds Youth Opportunity Ireland campaign ambassador, Keith Earls added, "Young people across the country are faced with different challenges and circumstances and not everyone can follow the same path through education into employment. In Moyross, Andrew OByrne and the Moyross Youth Academy do incredible work supporting young people. I am honoured to be involved with the McDonalds Youth Opportunity Ireland programme and looking forward to learning more about the inspirational work that similar organisations are providing across Ireland."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
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Whats new: Hong Kong will hold discussions with central government regulators on allowing Chinese mainland investors to trade Hong Kong stocks in the yuan through the stock connect program linking the two markets, according to a local official.

The move will strengthen Hong Kongs role as an offshore yuan business hub, and improve the relevant ecosystem in the city, Christopher Hui, the citys secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, said in a legislative council meeting on Monday.

A task force had completed a feasibility study to use the yuan for the stock connect scheme, he said.

The background: Under the current stock connect program linking the stock markets in Hong Kong and the mainland, overseas investors trade mainland stocks only in the yuan, while mainland investors can trade Hong Kong stocks only in Hong Kong dollars.

Expanding the use of the yuan in the Asian financial hubs stock market has been on Hong Kongs agenda for years. In August, Joseph Yam, a former central banker of Hong Kong, said authorities can consider introducing the yuan for quotation, trading and clearing of stocks covered by the benchmark Hang Seng Index.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in October that the city was considering allowing Hong Kong stocks traded through the stock connect scheme to be denominated in the yuan.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use. To read the full story in Chinese, click here.

Contact reporter Zhang Yukun (yukunzhang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)

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Chinas benchmark Shanghai Composite Index (000001.SH) lost 0.82% on Wednesday, while the Shenzhen Component Index (399001.SZ) fell 1.6%.

Shanghais tech-heavy STAR 50 Index (000688.SH) lost 2.98% for the day, while Shenzhens similar ChiNext Index (399006.SZ) fell 2.25%.

Below is a rundown of the top China business and finance stories, plus other news for the day:

 Foreign Investors Cut China Bond Holdings at Record Pace

March unwinding after February decline reflects vanishing yield advantage over the U.S. and concerns about rising geopolitical risk

 Lithium Price Drops First Time in Eight Months Amid Covid Disruptions

Extended pandemic lockdowns by automakers weighs on demand as rising supplies work to stabilize the market

 CNOOC Kicks Off Subscription for $5.1 Billion Shanghai IPO

State oil giant selling more than 5% of its equity plans to use proceeds for global project development including fields in Guangdong and Guyana

 Traffic on Chinas Expanded Europe Stock Connect Is One-Way So Far

Four Chinese companies have announced plans to list in Switzerland but the program has so far generated no interest from European firms

 China Slashes Quarantines for Travelers in Covid Control Trial

International arrivals will face 10 days of isolation instead of 14 in four-week test involving Shanghai, Guangzhou and six other cities

 Analysis: Chinas Goal of Unifying Regional Markets Is to Create Common Standards, Not Increase Centralization

Beijings goal of building a unified national market does not equate to a planned economy, but rather points toward common market standards and rules

 Plight of Shanghais Covid Patients Doesnt End With Recovery

Even after being released from hospitals, some returning residents run into new obstacles trying to get into their residential communities, if they can get there at all

 Shanghai Warns Food Suppliers Against Pandemic Profiteering

One resident said vegetable prices had doubled, while the market watchdog announced it has already punished some suppliers

 Tech Insider: Meituan Tightens Belt, Video Game Licensing Freeze Ends

Senior exec leaves AI surveillance firm UCloud, Zhihu seeks Hong Kong listing

 Exclusive: Former Shenzhen Head of China Construction Bank Taken Away by Graft Busters

Wang Ye, who ran the lenders operations in the southern boomtown, is the latest executive of the state-owned giant to land in hot water with anti-corruption authorities

Click here to read more of the latest news.

This article was generated by Caixin Automation.

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database.
China has set up the worlds highest automatic weather station on Mount Everest as part of the Peak Mission scientific expedition launched April 28. The weather station sits over 8,800 meters above sea level on the worlds highest mountain, known locally as Mount Qomolangma. More than 270 researchers participated in the expedition, among whom 13 reached the summit on Wednesday. The team is the first to make the famous climb from China this year

May 06, 2022 08:15 PM
Voit released their Q1 CRE reports today. These reports are for several cities in the west (these are for several categories of CRE - offices, retail, industrial). There is plenty of detail for those interested in Commercial Real Estate.




Des Moines (Iowa): President Joe Biden said Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to "genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

At an earlier event in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices resulting from the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment.

Biden's comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country.

True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified. That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus' killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but said it sure seems that way to me.

More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and we're only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said.

Just last week Biden had he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted war crimes.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting regime change in Moscow, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasn't articulating a policy change.
Chinese embassy celebrates 45th anniversary of China-Jordan diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 08:53, April 13, 2022

AMMAN, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Jordan on Tuesday held an online reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Jordan.

Addressing the reception, Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said China-Jordan friendship has been growing stronger with time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1977.

The two countries have worked together to safeguard their national sovereignty and security while promoting economic and social development, which is considered a model of co-existence between countries with different civilizations and governmental systems, he noted.

The past 45 years have witnessed the fruitful achievements of mutually beneficial cooperation, the ambassador said, adding that China has become Jordan's second-largest trading partner and two-way investment is growing rapidly.

The cooperation in the fields of Chinese language teaching, human resources training and tourism cooperation have forged closer people-to-people ties, he said, adding the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic reflected the deep friendship between the two countries.

In his speech, Jordanian Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Al Kasby thanked China for its long-term support and assistance to Jordan in infrastructure construction, public health, education and other fields.

He said he looked forward to more bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Elk Grove, CA (95624)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High around 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Truckers block the entrance into the Santa Teresa Port of Entry in Ciudad Juarez going into New Mexico on April 12, 2022. The truckers blocked the port as a protest to the prolonged processing times implemented by Gov. Abbott which they say have increased from 2-3 hours up to 14 hours in the last few days. (Omar Ornelas /The El Paso Times via AP)
This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a Crime Stoppers bulletin displaying photos of Frank R. James, who has been identified by police as the renter of a U-Haul van possibly connected to the Brooklyn subway shooting, in New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday, April 13, that officials were now seeking James as a suspect. (Courtesy of NYPD via AP)
Red areas on an aerial map show where shoaling has made waters on the east end of Taylors Creek very shallow as of Feb. 24. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers graphic)
Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative technician Jeremy Hart, right, teaches West Carteret High School senior David Noe how to install equipment on a power line during a line technician camp Tuesday at CCEC. (Cheryl Burke photo)
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Glen, NH (03838)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 55F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 36F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Photo: Living Lakes Canada

If you have a camera and a thermometer you can help contribute to lake stewardship in Canada.

Canada has experienced heatwaves, droughts and wildfires which have also taken a toll on the two million lakes in our country.

Living Lakes Canada is recruiting volunteers who are able to track the impacts of climate change on our lakes. In order to get the most accurate information the data needs to be collected over multiple years, and many of the two million lakes in Canada aren't monitored.

That's where you come in.

Living Lakes Canada is asking people to sign up to monitor their favourite lakes this summer as part of the second annual National Lake Blitz.

"Anyone with a camera, thermometer, and a lake they care about can participate in this water monitoring program. It is a simple way to contribute to lake stewardship in Canada. If you love lake life, this program is for you," states a press release from Living Lakes Canada.

Those who are interested can register online and participants will receive a free Lake Blitz Kit containing a thermometer, datasheets, a field guide, and instructions on how to monitor  from data collection to data entry. Training will be provided to all registered volunteers either online or by phone.
Photo: The Canadian Press President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, in Des Moines Iowa, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, en route to Washington. Biden said that Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to a "genocide," accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

At an earlier event in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices resulting from the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment.

Biden's comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country.

True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but said it sure seems that way to me.

More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said.

Just last week Biden had he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted war crimes.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting regime change in Moscow, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasnt articulating a policy change.

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russias in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation under an international genocide convention that requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified. That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A building that was reduced to a shell by a fire in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood will likely be demolished, while the number of residents displaced by the blaze has risen to 144, officials said Tuesday.

In addition to 71 residents who lost their homes at the Winters Hotel, another 73 people who lived in the neighbouring Gastown Hotel were also evacuated due to toxic smoke damage and its location in the collapse zone of the charred structure, officials from the city's fire department and BC Housing said during a news conference.

Both hotels are rooming houses and are known as single-room occupancy buildings, or SROs, housing some of the city's lowest-income residents.

"Any time you lose 140, 150 rooms, it's devastating. We obviously have a shortage of housing throughout the Lower Mainland," said Dale McMann, the vice-president of operations for BC Housing.

"We're hopeful we can have the residents of the Gastown back before too long, but that's really not our call."

Mayor Kennedy Stewart said the city is working closely with BC Housing and local social service agencies to find emergency shelters for those affected, while McMann said they hope to start getting people into permanent homes in days.

Atira Property Management, the non-profit that oversees the Winters Hotel, has set up a centre in the neighbourhood to help direct supports, Stewart said.

Flames broke out in the 110-year-old building before noon on Monday and the fire department said the roof of the four-storey brick structure had collapsed within hours. Twelve hours after 60 firefighters began fighting the blaze, the last hot spot was extinguished, fire Chief Karen Fry said.

Five people were treated in hospital, including one who Fry said had jumped from an upper-floor window.

On Tuesday, Fry said two remained in hospital in stable condition, while Atira's CEO Janice Abbott said all but one had been released.

Abbott said an email it's believed all the residents escaped the fire, but efforts were underway to locate one tenant who is thought to be staying elsewhere.

Shops, restaurants and businesses were also heavily damaged below the 89-room Winters Hotel on the building's upper floors. In addition to the six businesses in the damaged building, another seven businesses are affected by the closure of the collapse zone on Abbott Street, Stewart said.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is in its infancy, Fry said, but early evidence suggests it began on the second residential floor.

On Monday, Fry said the building was recently inspected and had a working sprinkler system, but Abbott said she understands the system was waiting to be reset after a small fire in the building last Friday.

"A call was made to reset the system Saturday morning," Abbott said in the email, adding it was the best information available to her, but the situation remained "dynamic."

The last full inspection of the building occurred in September and an additional order was issued after Friday's fire as per protocol, Fry said, but she could not provide details of what was in the order.

Fry did not have information about whether the smoke or fire alarms sounded, she said.

"This building houses some of our most precious residents in our city and the impact on them is going to be very traumatic. We're aware of that and our hearts go out to all of those impacted, not only the residents, but to the businesses," Fry said.

Abbott said the response has been "overwhelming" after an appeal was made for donations of socks, underwear, bedding and other necessities because the tenants lost everything.
Photo: OPP

Investigators are appealing to the public, especially Farsi- and Arabic-speaking communities, for information that could help them find a woman who was abducted from a home in Wasaga Beach, Ont., three months ago.

Ontario Provincial Police said Elnaz Hajtamiri, 37, who immigrated to Canada from Iran less than four years ago, was abducted on the evening of Jan. 12.

Det. Insp. Martin Graham said three men dressed in police gear forced their way into a home where Hajtamiri was staying with relatives and fled with her in what is believed to be a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.

"We cannot even imagine the grief that her family members are feeling, who are half a continent and half a globe away from ourselves here in Ontario, and the added torment of not knowing what has happened to their daughter, their sister, their niece, their cousin, or indeed why," Graham at a news conference on Tuesday.

"That is why we are working hard to appeal for any information that will help bring them resolution."

In an emotional plea in Farsi, Hajtamiri's mother, Fariba Hajtamiri, said she doesn't know if her daughter is alive, but is hoping anyone with information will come forward.

"We desperately need your help," she said. "I beg you, as a mother, to guide us and tell us anything you know. Please help us find Elnaz."

The OPP have established a dedicated tip line for the case and are asking the public for any information that could help locate Hajtamiri.

Graham said investigators believe individuals involved in an earlier "vicious assault" of Hajtamiri on Dec. 20, 2021, are either involved in her abduction or could identify those who are responsible.

On that day in December, Graham said, Hajtamiri was attacked and struck with a frying pan in an underground parking lot in Richmond Hill, Ont., and then taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Graham said two male suspects fled the scene in a vehicle that was stolen the night before in the north end of Toronto.

Police said they have no information regarding a possible motive for the crimes, and no ransom demand has been received at this time.

Graham noted that Hajtamiri's former partner was charged with criminal harassment on Jan. 22 in Wasaga Beach and that the matter is "before the courts." He said that individual was released following a bail hearing and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Hajtamiri, who also goes by the last name Tamiri, is described as five feet three inches tall, with a slim build and had shoulder-length black hair that was cut to a shorter length before she was abducted, according to police.
The Russian soldiers forced more than 300 villagers into a school basement. Then, during weeks of stress and deprivation, some began to die.

Residents of Yahidne told The Associated Press about being ordered into the basement at gunpoint after the Russians took control of the area around the northern city of Chernihiv in early March.

In one room, those who survived wrote the names of the 18 who didnt.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan, a weary survivor, recalled Tuesday as she toured the darkened basement. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. She was a heavy woman, and it was very difficult for her.

Village by village, town by town, Ukrainians in areas where Russians have withdrawn continue to unearth new horrors. More are feared.

The residents of Yahidne, which is on the outskirts of Chernihiv, said they were made to remain in the basement day and night except for the rare times when they they were allowed outside to cook on open fires or to use the toilet.

The health of the captives suffered.

Heres a chair, and thats how we were sitting for a month, Saroyan said, recalling her aching legs.

As people died one by one in the basement, neighbors were allowed from time to time to place the bodies in a mass grave in a nearby cemetery.

Each time, they passed through a doorway marked in dripping red paint with the plaintive words Attention. Children. The glare of a flashlight shows bright drawings on the walls.

The Russians could be cruel, surviving villagers said.

Svitlana Baguta said a Russian soldier who was either drunk or high made her drink from a flask at gunpoint.

He pointed the gun at the throat, put the flask and said, Drink, Baguta said.

Julia Surypak said the soldiers allowed some people to make a short trip to their homes if they sang the Russian state anthem. But they didnt allow us to walk much, she said.

The Russian forces left the village at the beginning of April, part of a regional withdrawal from northern Ukraine Russias military ordered in anticipation of after a large offensive in the east.

A message scrawled on a wall of the Yahidne school marked April 1 as the last day of their presence.

The soldiers left behind unexploded artillery shells, destroyed Russian vehicles and rubble.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A public inquiry heard evidence today that the Nova Scotia gunman who murdered 22 people in 2020 likely shot himself in the head within seconds of two officers firing on him.

Dr. Matthew Bowes, the province's chief medical examiner, testified that the best explanation for a wound to the killer's head is that he fired a bullet into his own temple, while also saying he might have survived that injury for "minutes" at the Enfield, N.S., scene.

Bowes said the gunshot wounds inflicted by the RCMP constables who opened fire just after 11:24 a.m. on April 19, 2020, created damage to the killer's major organs that "would normally kill a person in seconds."

As a result, Bowes' written report of Oct. 6, 2020 says the death of Gabriel Wortman, a 51-year-old denturist, occurred due to the police shooting him, rather than being a suicide.

The forensic evidence released by the inquiry shows the pistol that the killer used to shoot himself belonged to Const. Heidi Stevenson, whom the perpetrator murdered after driving into her patrol car earlier that morning.

Constables Ben MacLeod and Craig Hubley had told the inquiry in interviews that they saw the killer raising a silver-coloured pistol, and that prompted them to fire at him.

MacLeod said in his interview that, "despite being hit (the perpetrator) was able to get the pistol up to his temple," but he had added he hadn't been able to determine if the killer had actually shot himself.
Photo: MVTP

A masked gunman shooting at least 10 people on a Brooklyn subway on Tuesday has prompted increased transit system security in major Canadian cities, including Toronto and Vancouver.

The Toronto Transit Commission has increased its police presence following the shooting, and now, so is Vancouver.

"Due to the recent events on the transit system in Brooklyn, we are being extra vigilant," says Amanda Steed, Metro Vancouver Transit Police media relations officer.

"We are deploying our officers in high visibility vests. They're going to be on the platform, they're going to be on the trains. They're going to be more visible than they would normally be on any given day. We regularly have a daily deployment of an explosive detection dog working on shift every single day that will be available to us should the need arise to use him."

Though an incident like the shooting in New York is unlikely to happen in Canada, says Steed, it is still possible. In a situation where commuters do find themselves in a dangerous situation, Steed says that finding cover and remaining calm is the best way to survive.

"First and foremost, you want to make sure that you can try and get safe," says Steed, adding that this may look like taking cover or laying down on the ground. If the incident is inside a train car, continues Steed, "The best thing you could do is just get down. Just get down. Cover your head. If you're on the platform, try and find some type of cover. Something that could potentially stop a bullet."

"The most underrated piece of advice is to just try and stay calm," she adds. "You don't want to cause panic. I know it is a stressful situation, but you want to try and stay calm, just get covered and really just survive."
Photo: The Canadian Press/file photo

Richmond RCMP are warning the public to be vigilant when it comes to cryptocurrency scams.

Twenty-two reports of cryptocurrency frauds with an approximate amount of $2.6 million have been reported to Richmond RCMP this year.

The reports highlight three trends, which involve fake investment schemes, romance scams, or individuals pretending to be government agency representatives.

Cpl. Melissa Liu, with the Richmond RCMP Economic Crime Unit, said one investigation involved a victim who was reportedly defrauded $550,000.

In this case, the victim made a series of investments in what he believed were legitimate foreign exchange companies only to discover hed been tricked, said Liu.

These fraudsters know exactly what they are doing and once they have the money its easy to move it so it cannot be traced or recovered.

Fraudsters are known to be extremely convincing and use multiple tactics to trick people such as charming or threatening them.

Richmond RCMP launched a campaign in March 2020 for local businesses to display a sign near bitcoin machines, gift card carousels or tills to warn the public of these scams.

While the program was voluntary, said the Richmond RCMP, it was welcomed by various businesses in the city.

Unfortunately, these fraudsters keep finding new and unsuspecting victims, said Liu.

We want to keep your money out of these fraudsters' hands, which is why we will continue to remind and work hard to educate the public about cryptocurrency frauds.
Photo: BC Hydro

A billion-dollar treaty infringement claim over the Site C dam has gone from the courtroom to confidential discussions in an attempt to settle the outstanding litigation brought by the West Moberly First Nation.

Trial was scheduled to start in B.C. Supreme Court on March 14, but in its annual progress report to the BC Utilities Commission last month, BC Hydro said the trial had been adjourned on Jan. 21.

The parties to the litigation are continuing confidential discussions to seek to settle this litigation, reads the March 31 report, which also notes construction of the dam was more than 55% complete at the end of 2021.

Dave Conway, a community relations manager for BC Hydro, said the company will not be providing any further public comments about the discussions, but noted both parties agreed to adjourn the case  at least for now.

BC Hydro remains committed to working with Indigenous communities to build relationships that respect their interests, said Conway. We have undertaken extensive and meaningful consultation and engagement with First Nations about Site C since 2007.

West Moberly, along with Prophet River First Nation, filed the infringement claim in January 2018, and sought a court injunction to stop construction on the now $16-billion project until the case was heard. The two nations warned Premier John Horgan in 2017 that his approval to continue with construction would lead to a civil suit, and claimed any damages could be as high as $1 billion.

The Supreme Court ultimately refused an injunction, but ordered a trial on whether the project infringes aboriginal treaty rights be held by mid-2023 instead, before the dam's reservoir starts to be filled.

Prophet River has since settled their claim outside of court, announced in 2020. West Moberly had also previously entered discussions with BC Hydro in February 2019 to seek alternatives to litigation, before filing an amended claim to the court later that year.

West Moberly Chief Roland Willson has not returned calls for comment. Joshua Lam, a lawyer with Sage Legal, which is representing West Moberly in court, confirmed they have entered negotiations, but says the nation isnt at liberty to comment further.

I can confirm what BC Hydros stated in that document, but West Moberly isnt able to comment any further about the status of the case or discussions, Lam said.

The Supreme Court registry in Vancouver says the case is still technically open, as no party has filed to end it. No new court dates have been set in the matter.

The court case is adjourned (paused) pending discussions, not over, confirmed Lam.

The provincial ministry of energy also declined to comment.

The parties have agreed to adjourn the trial. Out of respect for the ongoing discussions, the Ministry will not be providing any further comments at this time, a ministry spokesperson said.

West Moberly saw some legal success last year, winning the right to see Site C financial and safety documents held in private by BC Hydro. A condition of releasing these documents was that West Moberly keep them confidential.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Ontario Superior Court began hearing arguments to release Ottawa convoy organizer Pat King on bail after his lawyer requested a review of the initial decision to keep him in jail until his trial.

King was a key figure in the three-week convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions and the federal government that swarmed Ottawa's downtown streets at the end of January, blocking streets and blaring loud horns at all hours.

King was denied bail on Feb. 25.

The details of these latest proceedings are subject to a publication ban and cannot be shared outside of court.

King appeared freshly shaved, in jeans, a grey flannel shirt and tan vest with his hair in a neat braid.

The hearing is expected to last two days.
Photo: Federal Serious & Organized Crime BC RCMP Federal Policing Border Integrity officers seized three loaded handguns and a stun gun.

An American allegedly carrying three loaded handguns and a stun gun was stopped by police after trying to illegally cross into Canada.

Police say the U.S. citizen, identified as John Wright, allegedly entered Canada illegally through the Surrey Peace Arch State Park border and got into a cab where a Canadian woman was waiting for him.

In a statement, Cpl. Arash Seyed said BC RCMP Federal Policing Border integrity officers quickly responded and arrested him under the Customs Act.

Once he was arrested, police found three loaded handguns and a stun gun.

"The excellent work of identifying and preventing an alleged armed individual from entering Canada is a demonstration of the BC RCMP Border Enforcement Teams dedication to protecting Canadians from transnational criminal threats," said Sup. Int. Bert Ferreira, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime.

Wright was charged with possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition contrary to the criminal code, smuggling, and failing to comply contrary to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

No further charges have been laid and the investigation is ongoing.

Wright was remanded until a hearing can be set to determine his bail requirements.
Photo: Mehak Goyal Northern lights, April 9, Kamloops

Stormy space weather may provide the perfect conditions for dazzling northern lights in local skies  provided the skies stay clear, of course.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm warning for Thursday (April 14) "due to the anticipated arrival of a full halo [coronal mass ejection]" that came from the sun on Monday. Additionally, G2 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are likely to carry over into Friday.

G2 (Moderate) and G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm watches are in effect for 14 and 15 Apr. pic.twitter.com/wprL0jrwcB  NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) April 13, 2022

Space Weather Canada has also issued a notification for stormy geomagnetic activity in the auroral zone.

13 Apr 07:15 UT STORMY geomagnetic activity currently observed: auroral zone https://t.co/mCrvDWsg9h  Space Weather Canada (@SpaceWeatherCA) April 13, 2022

As of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, NOAA's 30-minute forecast shows the aurora's vibrant green glow expanding towards the Lower Mainland. However, April 13 isn't slated to have the most stormy geomagnetic activity.

Photo: Contributed The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

But according to the University of Fairbanks (UAF), the green glow may be viewable "overhead from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Rankin and Iqaluit to Juneau, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Sept-Iles, and visible low on the horizon from Vancouver, Great Falls, Pierre, Madison, Lansing, Ottawa, Portland and St. Johns."

The university's online aurora monitor map shows what regions the aurora's green glow will likely reach, as well as other areas where there is less of a possibility. Additionally, there is a brief description below the map of the aurora activity on that particular day. You can switch to other days to see the forecast, too.

Photo: Contributed

The best day to view the northern lights will be on Thursday, weather permitting. Highly active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Inuvik to Yellowknife, down from Vancouver to Toronto, and as low on the horizon as Salem to Indianapolis, according to the UAF.

Photo: Contributed

What is the best time of night to see aurora?

UAF recommends that you plan to be out for three or four hours around midnight. That said, the dancing lights are active throughout the night. Since clear sky and darkness are both essential to see aurora, the best time is dictated by the weather and by the sunrise and sunset times. The moon is also very bright and can make it more difficult to view the aurora, so lunar cycles should be taken into account.
Photo: Save Old Growth Anti-logging protesters block traffic.

An anti-logging protester who shackled himself to a barrel filled with concrete on Highway 1 in Burnaby Wednesday faces mischief charges, according to police.

Burnaby RCMP were called to the highway near the Willingdon Avenue exit at about 7:45 a.m. for reports demonstrators had blocked all the westbound lanes, according to a police news release.

When officers arrived, the majority of the demonstrators left the area, the release said, but one man who had locked his ankle to a barrel filled with concrete stayed on the highway and refused to leave despite being given the opportunity to do so.

Police were able to carefully move him to a safe area, according to the release, and the fire department was called in to remove the lock from the mans leg.

He was then arrested for mischief.

The demonstration resulted in all westbound lanes on the highway near Willingdon being closed for about 15 minutes, causing significant delays and traffic safety concerns, according to police.

The highway was fully re-opened at around 8:40 a.m.

It was the second such disruption in Metro Vancouver this week by Save Old Growth, a group calling for the end of all old-growth logging in the province.

I am blocking the Trans-Canada Highway because 600-plus British Columbians died during the heat dome last summer, said retired UBC professor Bill Winder in a statement. The premier famously said that fatalities are a fact of life. We cannot accept fatalities that come from the government's neglect of its duty of care. Federal and provincial governments have egregiously neglected their duty to combat climate breakdown. It is up to us now to make sure the government understands that climate breakdown is not a fact of life - it is the end of life as we know it."

A total of 77 arrests have been made in relation to the protests so far this year.

Mischief charges were approved last month against three people who blocked the Willingdon Avenue off-ramp in January.

Police said participating demonstrators were given the chance to leave the area on their own, but three people refused to leave and were arrested.

Demonstrators have a right to lawful, peaceful and safe protest, but this event created significant safety concerns for the travelling public and for those individuals who blocked this busy intersection during the morning commute, Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj said in a release.
United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the closure of secondary schools for Afghan girls and their safety.

The UN agency said that Afghan women are not being allowed to work and get education while their safety concerns are mounting, Khaama Press reported.

"Afghan girls are facing restrictions on travel, work, education, besides their deteriorating safety situation in the country," said the UN agency, while calling for the protection of human values and rights of women and girls.

The envoys and representatives of the European Union, US, and the European countries in a joint statement have also said that the international aid to Kabul will depend on Afghanistan's ability to ensure access to education for girls at all levels, said a media report.

In the joint statement, the envoys and the representatives have said that the type and scope of "international donor assistance will depend, among other things, on the right and ability of girls to attend equal education at all levels," reported TOLOnews.

The joint statement further stressed that the progress towards normalized relations between the Taliban and the international community will depend mostly on Kabul's actions and delivery on commitments and obligations to the Afghan people and to the international community.

Moreover, during a briefing of the Diplomatic Corps on April 6, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mette Knudsen, highlighted that the Taliban's decision to ban girls from attending secondary schools has negatively impacted the attitude of the global community towards them.

The Taliban have issued a decree banning female students above grade six from attending their classes in schools. The girls were further told to stay home until the Islamic Emirate announces its next decision.

The decision by the Islamic Emirate has drawn severe backlash across the world with the Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union issuing a joint statement to condemn the Taliban's decision to deny so many Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to schools.

(ANI)

Also Read: Rights group urges UK govt to grant asylum to Afghan women prone to Taliban attacks

Also Read: Russia-Ukraine War: US likely to announce USD 750 million new military aid for Ukraine
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Power Cement's Kiln Line III to resume operations by the end of April 2022

13 April 2022

Power Cement Ltd informed Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on 11 April 2022, that a component of the new Line III of the companys plant at Nooriabad Industrial Area, Kalo Kohar District, Jamshoroo, Sindh, was damaged at the end of January 2022.

According to Power Cement's Company Secretary, Salman Gogan, it does not expect an adverse financial impact due to the warranty coverage and the availability of stock sufficient to cover over two months of sales. Meanwhile, the planned periodic maintenance of the plant was also performed at this time.

The vendor has now reported a delay in the supply of the damaged component. Despite this occurrence, the company remains operational and dispatches continue throughout, a bourse filing added. Power Cement is presently operating through Line II and is further supporting its operations by the purchase of clinker locally.

However, the company is confident that Kiln Line III is expected to resume operations by the end of April 2022.

Company performance in 1HFY22

The dispatches of cement and clinker (locally and export) increased by four per cent to 1.264Mt for the six months ended 31 December 2021, from 1.213Mt of the corresponding period last year. The overall capacity utilisation of clinker stood at 79 per cent compared to 75 per cent of the corresponding period. The company achieved a profit after tax of PKR280m (US$1.54m) during the period under review compared to PKR154m reported during the same period last year, says the company report.

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Danville teenager charged in fatal hit-and-run now being held WITHOUT bond; Caswell County man to spend 20 years in prison on multiple counts of sex offenses involving a minor; Group building Mountain Valley Pipeline hopes third time the charm.
Police say a Southern California shoe store owner opened fire at two shoplifters but mistakenly shot and wounded a 9-year-old girl about to have her picture taken with a mall Easter bunny
Erlanger Health System and Tennessee Donor Services raised the Donate Life flag at Erlanger Western Carolina, Bledsoe, East, North and Baroness hospitals and Erlanger Sequatchie Valley to recognize and honor the 38 Erlanger patients who gave the ultimate gift of life as organ donors in 2021. Thanks to the organ donations of these individuals, 123 lives were saved last year.Each April, Erlanger joins thousands of hospitals and organizations across the nation, flying the flag in recognition of National Donor Awareness Month and in honor of the many lives touched by organ, eye and tissue donation.At this years Erlanger Baroness Hospital ceremony, a special guest was asked to raise the flag.Victor Bryant is an Erlanger employee who became a patient of the Erlanger Kidney Transplant Center, receiving a kidney donation in January 2022. Mr. Bryant raised the flag, honoring the donor who saved his life while surrounded by his co-workers, the kidney transplant team and Dr. Alan Koffron, the physician who performed his life-saving surgery.Currently, Erlanger ranks in the top 10 percent among all donor hospitals in the U.S. More than 106,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and 3,000 of those on the transplant list live in Tennessee. Every day, 20 people die waiting for a transplant, and every ten minutes, a new name will be added to the list.For more information on organ and tissue donation and how to become a donor, visit donatelife.net.
Southern Adventist Universitys School of Music invites the community to an evening of jazz on Saturday, April 23, at 9 p.m. in Ackerman Auditorium, in Southerns Mabel Wood Hall.

Under the direction of Ken Parsons, the universitys Jazz Ensemble will perform pieces that include 20s and 30s traditional jazz, 40s swing, 50s bebop, and 70s funk, saluting composer, bassist, and bandleader Charles Mingus, who would have turned 100 on April 22. Drummer Josh Vollberg, a recent graduate of Southerns School of Music, will be featured in the selection Sing, Sing, Sing, made popular by Benny Goodman. Vocalist Alyson Zapara, a senior business administration major, will perform as well.

This event is free and open to the public and also will be livestreamed at southern.edu/streaming.

For more information, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 236-2880.
The Chattanooga Fire Department is asking members of the community not to bring flammable or combustible materials to homeless encampments, after a fire consumed two makeshift structures constructed from old, dry pallets, along with the tents on either side.

Following the fire, officials visited the encampments and collected more than 80 propane tanks from the premises. As a result of these dangerous conditions, fire officials are stepping up regular checks of encampments in order to prevent more dangerous fires. Fire officials have asked community members who want to help residents of homeless encampments not to leave dangerous items at encampments, including:

- Unpermitted or unsafe structures

- Weapons

- Drugs or poisons

- Combustible or explosive items

- Expired food

Instead, those who wish to help may donate canned goods to the community kitchen, camping supplies to the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition and furniture to the Chattanooga Furniture Bank. Community members are also encouraged to volunteer through the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, or to make a monetary donation if they are unable to volunteer.

Dangerous, flammable structures and combustible propane tanks are a deadly combination, and we call upon all well-meaning residents to avoid making a bad situation worse by bringing these materials to any encampment, said Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman. Combustible objects and flammable structures not only pose a danger to our homeless residents and the surrounding community, but also imperil our first responders.
Educators have argued about approaches to reading instruction since public education began. A one-size-fits-all solution to reading does not work for everyone. Our state has correctly placed literacy as a high priority. We support that effort.

Reading is the fundamental foundation for all learning. Reading proficiently by third grade is a crucial target for every student. If students cannot read on grade level by third grade, it is much harder to catch up with their peers and to succeed in their education. Third-grade reading proficiency has been called the most important benchmark in a students academic career.

The move from third grade to fourth grade also begins the shift from learning to read to reading to learn other material. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only one-third of Tennessee third graders and 27 percent of eighth-graders were proficient in English Language Arts. Since the pandemic test scores have largely dropped even further. At Professional Educators of Tennessee, we view the assessment of students much like a getting school picture made. It may not be an accurate depiction, but it is what the student looks like on that day.

The most recent decline in reading proficiency exists for several reasons: Obviously, the pandemic had a huge impact, created enormous disruption in education, and demonstrated the failure of virtual learning. Kids who were actually in school during the pandemic performed better. It is one of the points most agree on.

The release of the results of any assessment, even flawed, does provide a data point for educators to consider. We encourage schools, educators, and parents to look at the results, take the result seriously and consider the steps they need to take to help all students and schools succeed. We must catch kids up, as fast as we can.

Does the current state intervention work? We know we are likely looking at numerous years in which we will need to have summer school and after-school programs. What happens when finding quality teachers become even more difficult? We know teachers are already leaving the profession. It is also hard to find tutors. If virtual education is a failure, virtual tutoring is an equally bad idea. The Niswonger Foundation here in Tennessee is successful with in-person tutoring. The interaction between teacher and student is the primary determinant of student success.

Not only must we evaluate all interventions continuously, but we should also ensure we are measuring the right things. Like Florida, Tennessee should move to progress monitoring instead of end-of-year standardized testing. The risk of misidentifying and mislabeling teacher performance based on test scores is too high for it to be the major indicator of teacher performance---especially when you look at issues such as student demographic characteristics after the COVID pandemic. Some states have already taken steps to lessen the impact test scores have on teacher evaluations, repeatedly mentioning factors outside an educators control that can influence a students academic performance.

We must also give teachers and parents more impactful and timely input on student performance. It allows us to better adjust to make sure children can read proficiently. We recommend minimizing the stress of testing to three much shorter tests in the Fall, Winter, and Spring that will apprise students, teachers, and parents about students growth, rather than a single lengthy end-of-year assessment that stops learning and leaves zero opportunity for improvement. Instruction time lost to testing is probably more serious than a once-in-a-generation pandemic in learning. Moving away from high-stakes testing will increase instruction time, and progress monitoring will provide timely and useful feedback for student goals, including reading proficiency.

We must finally answer how will we deal with student retention and maximize the success of students. We know that children who are reading on grade level by third grade are significantly more likely to stay on grade level over time, graduate from high school, enter and complete post-secondary programs, and become gainfully employed later in life. If student retention expands, we have to include several exemptions in policy. For example, a Limited English Proficient student with less than two years of English instruction and a student with disabilities with an individual education plan (IEP) should be exempt. Policies must be designed to help, not hinder or punish struggling readers, but rather support the most vulnerable students. We should also have other opportunities for students who do not test well to show reading proficiency in other ways. Additionally, students who excelled in other subjects should be allowed to move on to the next grade level.

Classroom observations by trained personnel, along with teacher and principal input, would likely produce far more consistent and reliable data for assessing the quality of teaching than scores on an annual assessment. Progress monitoring allows actionable decisions to be made in real-time. We already know from years of disruption that assessment outcomes cannot be viewed as a reliable or significant indicator of Tennessee student proficiency until we have confidence in consecutive years of stable test delivery.

Tennessee was correct to place such a high priority on literacy. We must also get assessments right for K-12 students and teachers. We need to become the next state in America to replace high-stakes testing with progress monitoring that will more accurately measure students growth. We should transition fully to progress monitoring for better school accountability and transparency. That is a path forward the state must consider and a winning issue for state policymakers and candidates to campaign on in 2022.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
As a former Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman, I have a unique understanding of the way our local party qualifies candidates. Mike Dumitru is one of those candidates and I wholeheartedly support his candidacy for Circuit Court Judge, Division II.

Earlier this week, I received a mailer from the other candidate suggesting that Mike is not a true conservative and implying he voted in the Democratic primary in 2020. This is a patently false mischaracterization and is contradicted by Mikes voting record, which reflects that he voted in both Republican primaries in 2020. This type of campaigning is certainly troubling to me, especially in a judicial race. I have nothing against the other candidate as I do not know him and Im not sure I ever met him at our Republican party events through the years.



Just as troubling is the implicit statement that Mike is not a true Republican. I understand fully the values that make someone a Republican and Mike holds those values! He is a Republican under both the Bylaws and Rules of the Tennessee Republican Party but just as importantly in his actions and values. He is engaged in the local Republican party, has supported other local Republican candidates, and was seated as a voting delegate for his precinct in the last Hamilton County Republican Delegate Convention. Mike is a strict jurist who will enforce the law as written and passed by our elected representatives, will not legislate from the bench, and will rule narrowly. He will never be an activist judge. And his personal storyof a family who fled a communist country where the concept of small government was a mere fairy talehas colored the lens through which he views our government, including the judiciary.



But even setting aside his values, let me say this. I have personally known Judge Jeff Hollingsworth inside and outside of the courtroom for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for someone who will follow in the same footsteps, Mike Dumitru is your candidate. I have no doubt that he will bring to the position the same moral character, legal ability, and judicial temperament of Judge Hollingsworth while honorably serving our community as the Division II Circuit Court Judge.



I encourage all Republicans to join me and my family and vote for Mike Dumitru in the Republican primary for Circuit Court Judge during early voting or on May 3.

Tony Sanders

Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman

2013-2017



* * *

I've always been involved in this community and I've met a lot of people during those years as a businessman and volunteer. Mike Dumitru cares about Hamilton County and he's committed to our citizens and the judicial process.

Mike has proven he has the knowledge and the temperament to be a great judge. His strong work ethic, understanding of the importance of responsive local government , and willingness to listen to community concerns makes him the best in this race.

If you don't know Mike, you need to meet him. You'll see what I mean; he's the real thing and Hamilton County needs him.

Manny Rico, Local Businessman and former City Councilman
Chattanooga Police, following a shooting at the Volkswagen plant on Monday night, said, At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a continuing threat to Volkswagen employees or to the public at large.

Two men who were in a parked vehicle were shot. Their injuries were said to not be life-threatening.

VW officials stated, "The incident that occurred outside our factory last night was tragic, and we are working closely with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) in their ongoing investigation.

"The safety and well-being of our employees is of utmost priority; therefore, we have increased our security measures and provided counseling services to our team members."
A woman told police she left her phone on the counter of Kankus at 1910 Market St. by accident the day before and realized it a few minutes later when she left. By the time she got back to there store 10 minutes later it was gone. She immediately tried to call the phone and someone answered it and she told them, "Please return the phone" but they hung up. When she tried to call it again later, she found out they had turned it off.

* * *

While on patrol an officer saw two suspicious vehicles parked in the bays of the abandoned car wash at 737 Ashland Terrace. This location is usually blocked off to the public with a chain. One section of chain was down. Both vehicles were locked and secured and were covered with a layer of dust/pollen, consistent with having been sitting there for several days. The officer checked the first vehicle, a gray Ford Edge, against police records and the information came back not stolen. The Ford showed expired registration but was properly displayed on the vehicle. The officer also checked the gray Acura TL with police records and the information came back not stolen. The Acura showed current registration in records but had the year sticker rubbed off of the tag. The officer didnt find keys with either vehicle.

* * *

Upon routine patrol, an officer noticed a yellow Ford Edge parked in the Fast Stop parking lot at 2285 Wilcox Blvd. after hours. The vehicle was unoccupied with the doors unlocked. Upon further inspection the officer observed an open container of alcohol in the center console and another unopened can in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The officer also noted while running the tag that the plates were expired and the vehicle had unconfirmed insurance.

* * *

Police were called to the John A. Patten Recreation Center at 3202 Kellys Ferry Road where a man was lying under a picnic table. Police spoke with the man, who was homeless, and asked if he needed any assistance, but he refused all offers to seek help or medical treatment. He was asked to gather up his belongings and move on per request of the Recreation Center, which he did.

* * *

Police were called to American Freight Furniture at 5450 Highway 153 where a woman was sleeping in front of the store. She had been trespassed in the past by the property manager. The officer asked the woman for her information and she refused to give it, only saying that someone else (with her name) had dropped her off. The officer told the woman she was trespassing and she needed to leave the area immediately.

* * *

An officer went to Sunrise Lane to conduct a wellness check on a man. The mans grandmother had requested the check and said to dispatch she feared for his safety and that his mother was suicidal. Upon arrival the officer met with the man and his mother. The man was happy and healthy and well. The mother was frustrated with the grandmother, however, she was cooperative and the officer saw no evidence that she presented any hazard to her son or herself. The mother said any claim of her being suicidal was patently false.

* * *

Police received a call about two people who may have stolen the callers bike from Market Street. Police spoke with a man and woman who were walking with three bikes. The caller said they stole a Univega. The two were in possession of a Diamondback, Next, and Schwinn, which did not match the callers bike.

* * *

The manager of Americas Best Inn at 103 Patten Chapel Road told police he and the owner had informed the tenants in room 116 they had to leave since they were violating their contract. The officer spoke with the tenant in room 116, who said she would need time to move out all her belongings. The manager said he had told her she needed to move out two weeks ago. The officer spoke to both the manager and the tenant and agreed she would be moved out by the next day. Both agreed.

* * *

Police were dispatched to Walgreens at 5478 Highway 153 where a woman was irate and uncooperative but complied with leaving the business. Police escorted her off the property at the request of Walgreen's employees.

* * *

A clerk at Speedway at 1330 East 3rd St. said there was a man causing a disorder. He told police he was upset because he believed he put his phone down while paying and it is now gone. The clerk does not remember the man putting a phone down while paying. He seemed very uncertain if he did put it down or not. The clerk would review camera footage when the day shift manager arrives in the morning. He left the area on foot without incident.

* * *

Police received a call from a woman on St. Elmo Avenue who said a homeless woman was throwing rocks at the window. Police arrived on scene and were unable to locate the homeless woman. The caller said she wanted the woman trespassed from the property. Police drove through the area and were unable to find the woman.

* * *

A woman was found walking barefoot on the Riverwalk in mid-40 degree weather. She said her friends had left her while at a nearby concert and she did not know where she was or how to get home. The officer transported the woman to her residence.
Hamilton County Commission Chairman Sabrena Smedley on Tuesday released her policy platform for her County Mayor campaign.

She said, Hamilton County has been playing catch up when it comes to managing our infrastructure, facilities, and equipment due to decades of deferred maintenance, especially in our schools. This is why the cornerstone initiative of my platform is a comprehensive capital asset study.

The result will be the starting point for a long-term capital planning process to better prioritize needed improvements. That will help us ensure we can properly invest in maintenance going forward and plan ahead how we are going to pay for future needs without taking on massive debt. Our roads, water systems, schools (which were recently assessed), technology, and other infrastructure are the physical foundation for providing services to the people of Hamilton County, and its critical we manage all of it effectively.

If we can plan farther ahead, we can prepare to pay more with cash instead of credit, and that will save Hamilton County taxpayers millions of dollars in the decades to come. Thats money that will stay right here in our communities instead of going to big Wall Street banks.

Getting our infrastructure right is the key to balanced, responsible growth. Im running to make sure we do.

Ms. Smedleys Ready For the Job policy platform includes:

EFFICIENCY STUDY & CAPITAL PLAN

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. -Alan Lakein

Fundamentally, the mayors role is about leadership and stewardship. That starts with investing our tax dollars wisely by thinking long-term about how we pay for things.

In order to operate an effective and efficient government which provides the services and infrastructure citizens deserve, it is imperative that its leaders fully understand what the countys needs are from Soddy Daisy to Apison, where things are operating smoothly, and where there may be gaps that need to be addressed. This applies not only to government processes, but especially to capital needs like schools, public safety equipment, roads, and water.

If elected Mayor, Ms. Smedley will propose a comprehensive efficiency study for governmental processes. She will also commission a facilities and infrastructure study which will serve as the starting point for a long-range capital plan that addresses decades of deferred maintenance and prepares for responsible growth. By assessing where the county is and where we want to go, we can make consistent and strategic investments in those things that will make Hamilton County a great place to live, work, and call home for generations to come.

It is what Tennessee does at the state level. The state pays as it goes with cash instead of credit, and it saves taxpayers millions in interest payments. Hamilton County can do the same thing by planning for future needs, investing in appropriate maintenance, and preparing for balanced, responsible growth.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

One of the most important things the county does is educate our children. From early childhood to workforce development, its critical were supporting our students and preparing them for the future. If elected Mayor, Ms. Smedley will work with our school board and superintendent, to:

Develop partnerships in the community among non-profits and others that will improve early childhood literacy and development. Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation demonstrates that a student who is not reading proficiently by third grade is four times less likely to graduate from high school by age 19 than a child who is reading proficiently by third grade.

Create a Workforce Task Force, expand Future Ready Institutes, and add vocational trade schools to ensure our businesses have the talent they need to be successful.

Promote more parental involvement in our schools. A growing body of research shows that positive parental involvement improves not only student behavior and attendance but also positively affects student achievement.

Engage community leaders to provide better interventions for at-risk youth. We must keep our kids in school and provide opportunities and alternatives to crime, gangs, and drugs. We must have safe schools and secure recreational facilities where our youth can engage in wholesome activities.

Propose consistent, dedicated funding for capital investment. After decades of deferred maintenance, our schools now face over $1.4 billion in facility needs. Thats why its so critical that we develop a comprehensive, long-term capital plan to anticipate and affordably fund future needs. That plan should include ongoing investments in maintenance so taxpayers can get the most out of our facilities.

PUBLIC SAFETY

If our communities arent safe, we cant be successful as a county. Ms. Smedley knows from firsthand experience what its like to have a business broken into and robbed. That is why it is imperative that the county cracks down on crime, especially gangs. That starts with supporting local law enforcement and first responders. They must have the tools they need to succeed, and they must feel valued and supported. We must also educate and provide opportunities and alternatives to our youth, which I address in my proposals for education.
Senate Republicans who rule the roost in the Legislature were reportedly shocked this week when a three-judge panel blocked their Senate redistricting plan, finding it violated the state Constitution.

The opinion forced the state to file an appeal in the Tennessee Court of Appeals arguing the decision will throw the states elections into chaos.

The move came the day after the judicial panel, in a 2-1 ruling, gave the state 15 days to redraw the Senate redistricting plan, otherwise it would take on the task. The panel also extended the qualifying deadline for Senate candidates until May 5.

The three-judge panel determined the Senate redistricting plan violated a constitutional provision requiring counties with multiple Senate seats have districts numbered consecutively. In this case, the law makes sure Davidson County has two senators elected to four-year terms every two years.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally admitted Thursday the Senate was aware of the requirement for sequential numbers. But he said Attorney General Herbert Slatery advised it would withstand a constitutional challenge because previous Democratic-led legislatures had done it. He also said the AGs Office felt it more important to create a majority minority district in Nashville than to focus on district numbers.

I dont know that he let us down, McNally said in response to questions from reporters. The court let us down.

Three plaintiffs, backed by the Tennessee Democratic Party, sued the state in February to block the House and Senate redistricting plans, claiming they were unconstitutional. No challenge has been filed against the Legislatures congressional redistricting plan, which splits Davidson into three seats.

Asked if Senate Republicans, who hold a supermajority in the chamber, could present a new map within a 15-day deadline, McNally said it could be done if the appeals court rejects the states challenge. But he noted a new map might not be as good as the one they submitted, and he added we went out of our way in Nashville to provide a majority minority district. He pointed out the plan Democrats proposed didnt create a majority minority district in Davidson.

McNally said any changes would require more than simply renumbering districts and that alterations made in Nashville would have a ripple effect statewide.

If the appeal fails, the Senate will have to consider legislation to handle the matter, which is expected to delay the Legislatures adjournment until very late April or the first week of May.

The Senate plan ran into trouble because it placed part of Lebanon Republican Sen. Mark Podys District 17 in Antioch. It previously ran from Wilson County into several rural counties. The plan also moved part of Gallatin Republican Sen. Ferrell Hailes District 18 out of eastern Davidson County, while leaving the 19th, 20th and 21st district seats held by Democrats in Davidson. Nashville Democratic Sen. Brenda Gilmores seat is considered the majority minority district in the plan.

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro of Nashville argued Thursday that a majority minority district could be drawn in Davidson County and still keep the district numbers consecutive.

The complaint that the Democratic map does not adequately ensure minority representation is somewhat ridiculous, Yarbro said.

He contended the bigger problem is the rule requiring consecutive numbers in counties with more than one Senate district.

House plan remains in question

The judicial panel declined to place an injunction on the House redistricting plan, even though plaintiffs who sued the state argued it unnecessarily split 30 districts and watered down minority representation.

Thus, the House plan would move forward at least for two years, since the qualifying deadline was Thursday.

Still, the panel concluded that a trial should be held before injunctive relief would potentially be appropriate on the House plan.

In fact, one of the panels members felt both the House and Senate plan should be temporarily blocked because the House plan could have had much fewer than 30 county splits, according to a footnote in the ruling. The House is also controlled by a Republican supermajority.

That member of the panel ultimately decided a footnote in the opinion would suffice, since the majority opted to enjoin the Senate plan and the panel isnt bound by its decision as it continues looking into the case.

Asked Thursday about the rulings statement on the potential for a trial on the House plan, House Speaker Cameron Sexton said, I think theres one judge that didnt like that we split 30, but we didnt get enjoined, so we feel very comfortable where were at.

Nashville Chancellor Russell Perkins and Bradley County Circuit Judge J. Michael Sharp concurred on the majority opinion. Chancellor Steven W. Maroney of Jackson dissented in the ruling.

The Legislature created the three-judge panel in 2021 to hear redistricting challenges and other constitutional lawsuits. Opponents of the measure feared it would stack the deck in favor of the state.

I reckon this ruling shows judges will be judges.

Windle bucks Dems

Veteran Democratic state Rep. John Mark Windle of Livingston confirmed Thursday he filed for re-election to House District 41 on the Cumberland Plateau  but this time as an independent.

After 32 years, he is leaving the Democratic Party.

Windle declined to discuss the decision Thursday after the House session, saying it would take a lengthy interview. But Windle has often voted with Republicans on social issues, mainly because of the voices of constituents. In some instances, maybe the party has left him on an island.

A former assistant district attorney and colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, Windle is said to have been offered a promotion to general in return for a vote in favor of the governors education savings account bill when it was deadlocked in 2019. Windle declined to change his mind, and the bill passed after a Republican House member switched his vote. The law remains tied up with the Supreme Court.

The allegation could be part of an FBI investigation into corruption on Capitol Hill.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Vincent Dixie said Thursday he had not spoken with Windle about the matter but noted he would be allowed to caucus with the group.

Dixie, a Nashville Democrat, said he doesnt think Windle left the party out of malice but had to do what was best for him politically.

Hes been one of us for over 30 years, so hes always going to be one of us, Dixie said.

Windles decision leaves Democrats with 25 seats in the 99-member House.

Show us the money

Most people remember the income tax protesters who honked horns and threw bricks through windows more than 20 years ago.

Most forget the Legislature tacked a penny on the sales tax to balance the budget after the income tax tanked in 2002. Probably even fewer remember the state took all the revenue for itself rather than sharing with city governments, which it had done with sales taxes for decades.

With state coffers brimming, state Sen. Richard Briggs is trying to balance the ledgers somewhat by steering about half of that penny to city governments.

The problem is it means the state would send more than $48 million to city governments next fiscal year and afterward. Because of that impact, the legislation, SB2076, has been placed behind the budget, meaning it wont be given consideration until the Legislature passes a budget this session.

I think its going to take a change of how we think about things at the state level, Briggs, a Knoxville Republican, says. Because whats really happened is the states gotten fatter and fatter with what they have, whereas the cities are running really lean.

The states surplus is running in the billions and growing.

When the state started slicing Hall tax on investments and dividends, that took a big chunk away from local governments, forcing them to reduce services or find ways to replace that revenue.

As conservative Republicans, we always say we want to keep taxes low. But what were doing by starving the cities, were gonna be forcing the cities to increase the property taxes or local option sales taxes, Briggs says.

The bill is in the works, and Briggs hopes it can gain some traction in late April, at least in advance of next year if it doesnt advance this session.

The Tennessee Municipal League is starting to see some movement but is cautiously optimistic.

Lt. Gov. McNallys spokesman Adam Kleinheider said in a statement this week, The bills fiscal note ensures that it will be behind the budget. While the proposal could be part of the budget discussion this year, Lt. Gov. McNally has not fully evaluated it or its potential impact on the currently proposed budget.

It looks as if the Tennessee Municipal League has a bit of lobbying to do. They need to sharpen their tools if theyre gonna hoe this row.

Thats what she said

The ex-wife of state Rep. David Hawk visited the Legislature recently, and it didnt turn out too well.

In accusing lawmakers of trying to pass legislation that could keep her from running for a judgeship in Greene County, Greeneville attorney Crystal Jessee hit a wall.

In a recent House Civil Justice Subcommittee meeting, Jessee testified against legislation by Republican Rep. Michael Curcio that would put a 10-year hold on judicial candidates whove been disciplined for unethical behavior by the Professional Board of Responsibility, which oversees attorney ethics across the state.

Jessee, who is running for Circuit Court judge in the 3rd Judicial District, admitted she was censured in 2014 for acts she committed in 2007 and claimed that the bill could stop her candidacy.

I am here worried it is very specific, she told the subcommittee.

Hawk, who is not on the subcommittee, previously sponsored the legislation but then handed it off to Curcio, who said it merely gives a 10-year cooling off period to attorneys who get in trouble so they can put their affairs in order before running for a judgeship.

Jessee is also in a tiff with a Greene County judge who recused himself from a DUI case shes handling, after accusing her of making false statements about him, according to a Greeneville Sun article.

Judge Kenneth Bailey Jr. also made note of a 2012 federal magistrate finding that determined she violated the federal and state wiretapping acts; tricked her husband into signing a prenuptial agreement and then changed some of the pages.

Jessee complained that Bailey spoke badly about her, calling her a black widow and trying to campaign against her. Her last husband died, according to the article, and she told the judge she was having trouble handling the legal cases he left behind.

According to the article, Bailey is married to a former wife of Hawk.

Is this getting confusing yet?

Marital escapades aside, state Rep. Johnny Garrett, a Goodlettsville Republican and attorney, said he wasnt trying to make the debate about Jessee but raised questions about whether an attorney who had been censured would be qualified to serve as a judge.

Jessee, of course, believes a lawyer in that situation would be qualified.

But Rep. Andrew Farmer, a Sevierville Republican and attorney, really challenged her assertion that a person found to have violated a federal wiretap law should be serving on the bench.

If I was in a situation like that, I would hope the board would take my license, Farmer said.

He refused to apologize for supporting legislation that could interfere with her candidacy.

Outgoing Republican Rep. Brandon Ogles defended Jessee to an extent, asking her if she had a problem with the legislator who previously filed the bill.

Yes, its my ex-husband, she said, referring to Hawk.

Despite that and apparently irritated with the testimony, the subcommittee sent the bill on to the next step.

The measure has been placed on the House floor calendar for April 14 but has not been scheduled for consideration by the full Senate.

With the qualifying deadline already gone, its unclear whether the measure would stop her from running or serving.

But it sure is a crazy world, and some of us are wondering whats in the drinking water in Greeneville.

Celebrating Judge Jackson

House Minority Leader Karen Camper got emotional Thursday as she rejoiced in the impending confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve as U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Calling it an amazing day for the nation, Camper said she believes Jackson is one of the most qualified selections ever for the court.

She is not just an inspiration to young Black girls but to anyone with a dream and the tenacity to make it a reality. Ketanji Brown Jackson is America, she said in a statement.

Camper contends Jackson faced one of the most difficult confirmation tests in recent history and won only after an exceedingly close vote.

A member of several groups involving Black women and legislators nationally, Camper said she and others knew when President Joe Biden announced he would appoint a Black woman to replace Justice Stephen Breyer, the nominee would be in for a fight.

Neither Sen. Bill Hagerty nor Sen. Marsha Blackburn voted for her even though Camper said she lobbied them heavily. Blackburn was spoofed on Saturday Night Live after asking Jackson if she could define a woman. The judge declined to get drawn in, saying she wasnt a biologist.

Asked about that line of questioning, Camper gave Blackburn the benefit of the doubt, saying she was caught up in the political argument about gender identity.

No doubt, Blackburn brought Tennessee plenty of attention, turning it on herself instead of Jackson. Consequently, the SNL comedian did a heckuva Marsha, halting Southern accent and all.

Mama told me not to come

The full Senate passed legislation Thursday sponsored by Sen. Briggs designed to give local governments the ability to limit smoking in bars. Its part of an effort to protect musicians, bartenders and waitresses from second-hand smoke.

Of course, Sen. Frank Niceley, a Strawberry Plains Republican who grew up on second-hand smoke, objected, saying when Japanese people and others visit Nashville they want to go to smoky bars and listen to country music.

Shortly before the bill passed on a 20-11 vote, Briggs told Niceley he respects him for defending the rights of the Chinese to cover here and smoke.

Well, maybe he mixed up the nationalities, but most people got the message.

And that cigarette youre smokin bout to scare me half to death/ Open up the window, sucker, let me catch my breath.

-----

Sam Stockard

Tennessee Lookout
Officials in Hawaii are expected to vote Wednesday on a new law that would require short-term rental owners on Oahu to limit tenant stays to a minimum of three months
Failure to understand the legal requirements and procedures applicable to County banking and finance procedures has recently lead to significant misunderstanding regarding the signing of checks issued by Hamilton County. The purpose of this correspondence is to clarify this misunderstanding.

For many years, County finances were administered pursuant to a Warrants Payable system. Because this system was outdated, in the late 1990s, the State Comptrollers Office encouraged all Counties in Tennessee to discontinue issuing Warrants Payable and move to County checking accounts. In response, the Hamilton County Trustee at that time, Bill Nobles, made the decision to transition from the Warrants Payable system to the preferred bank checking system. Although the change was authorized pursuant to T.C.A.  67-5-210, it also required the approval of both the State Comptroller of the Treasury and the local County Commission.

In transitioning to a County checking account as encouraged by the State Comptroller, Hamilton County had the following three options pursuant to T.C.A.  67-5-210:

(1) List Certification Method. This method requires each department, including the county mayor, a department head, director of accounts and budgets, and a director of finance, to submit a list by fund to the county trustee of the checks being issued showing the date of the check, check number, payee and amount. The county trustee verifies the departments fund balance and certifies that funds are available or will be available in the "check clearing account" for payment of those checks. The county trustee then transfers funds from the "county master account" to the "check clearing account." The county trustee may develop a procedure for emergency certification by the county trustee in circumstances where such would be reasonable, in which event the county trustee must be provided with a written document for certification by the end of the next business day;

(2) Check Signing/Validation Method. This method requires each department, including the county mayor, department heads, director of accounts and budgets, and directors of finance, to submit a list to the county trustee of checks being issued showing the date of the check, check number, payee and amount. The county trustee verifies the departments fund balance. The county trustee signs or validates each check if sufficient funds are or will be available and makes any necessary transfer of funds from the master account to the check clearing account;

(3) Combination Method. The method outlined in (1) may be followed for some offices and departments, and the method outlined in (2) followed for other offices and departments in the discretion of the county trustee;

When Hamilton County transitioned to a County checking account system, Mr. Nobles chose the Combination Method described above, which is a combination of options (1) and (2). That method was submitted to and approved by both the state comptroller and the local County Commission, and remains in use in Hamilton County today.

Most of the confusion relating to the signing of checks arises from the false belief that the county trustee can issue and sign checks for any purpose he or she chooses. However, as explicitly stated in T.C.A.  67-5-210 quoted above, the trustees only authority and responsibility with respect to issuing and/or signing a check is to determine and certify whether the necessary funds are available in the applicable account. The county trustee has no authority whatsoever to determine how county funds are spent. Furthermore, neither does the county mayor. As explained by the County Technical Assistance Service, only the local County Commission can determine how County funds are spent. According to CTAS:

No county funds may be expended unless authorized ("appropriated") by the county legislative body. T.C.A.  5-9-401. This appropriation procedure is a phase of the annual budgeting process that begins in January and usually ends in July with the approval of the budget.

Although the county trustee and/or the county mayor may sign checks issued by Hamilton County, neither the trustee nor the mayor has any authority to determine how County funds are spent; that authority lies solely with the County Commission. The trustees job is specifically limited to determining whether the necessary funds are available in the applicable account for expenditures authorized by the County Commission.

Jackie Ware






The Lee University School of Nursings newest nursing doctoral programreceived initial approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is accepting applications for the fall 2022 semester.

As the School of Nursing continues to grow, we are excited to offer this opportunity for nurses to develop skills as transformational leaders and be prepared to serve at the highest levels of administration, said Dr. Julie Campbell, director of graduate studies in nursing and assistant professor of nursing at Lee.



This newest track, transformational executive nursing leadership, will be the second addition to Lees Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The first doctoral program, Family Nurse Practitioner, was started in 2019.

According to Dr. Campbell, this program is designed for the working nurse. It offers a degree in the highest level of nursing leadership and is geared toward those who are or who want to be in administration, such as management or chief nursing officer positions. Students may enter the program with either a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. Courses are delivered online and can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

The DNP TENL track was developed in collaboration with Lee University's School of Business and includes four graduate-level business courses. Students will also have the option of completing a Master of Business Administration along with their DNP TENL degree, which will require four extra School of Business courses to be completed.

We are thankful for the School of Business partnership in this new DNP track, and for the universitys support of our continued expansion of graduate studies in nursing, said Dr. Campbell.



While other universities offer a similar degree, Dr. Campbell shared that unique to Lee is the rural, global, and disaster and health care missions management aspects covered in the program.

The DNP TENL track finalized approval in February. Along with the TBON, the program was also approved by Lees Board of Directors.

According to Dr. Campbell, there is a long-term vision to add additionaldegree options to the graduate nursing program in the future. These programs give the opportunity for people to have advanced degrees that dont necessarily want to be a nurse practitioner.

Lees nursing program began in 2014 and has grown rapidly to include almost 400 students. The program is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Applications are open now for Fall 2022 admittance for the first cohort of the DNP TENL track. To apply, visit landing.leeuniversity.edu.

For more information about Lees School of Nursing, visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing, or email schoolofnursing@leeuniversity.edu.
Generating power while purifying the environment of greenhouse gases should be achievable using bacteria. In a new publication, microbiologists from Radboud University have demonstrated that it is possible to make methane-consuming bacteria generate power in the lab.

The bacteria, Candidatus Methanoperedens, use methane to grow and naturally occur in fresh water such as ditches and lakes. In the Netherlands, the bacteria mostly thrive in locations where the surface and groundwater are contaminated with nitrogen, as they require nitrate to break down methane.

The researchers initially wanted to know more about the conversion processes occurring in the microorganism. In addition, they were also curious whether it would be possible to use it to generate power. "This could be very useful for the energy sector", says microbiologist and author Cornelia Welte. "In the current biogas installations, methane is produced by microorganisms and subsequently burnt, which drives a turbine, thus generating power. Less than half of the biogas is converted into power, and this is the maximum achievable capacity. We want to evaluate whether we can do better using microorganisms."

A kind of battery

Fellow microbiologists from Nijmegen have previously shown that it is possible to generate power using anammox bacteria that use ammonium during the process instead of methane. "The process in these bacteria is basically the same", says microbiologist Heleen Ouboter. "We create a kind of battery with two terminals, where one of these is a biological terminal and the other one is a chemical terminal. We grow the bacteria on one of the electrodes, to which the bacteria donate electrons resulting from the conversion of methane."

Through this approach, the researchers managed to convert 31 percent of the methane into electricity, but they aim at higher efficiencies. "We will continue focusing on improving the system", Welte says.
Carolyn Swepston, a Northeastern State University student enrolled in Advanced Cherokee 2, offers some teaching tips for instruction in the Cherokee language during the 49th Annual Symposium on the American Indian at NSU.
With the federal tax filing deadline looming, a Virginia court case may have some ministers wondering whether their ministerial housing allowance is secure.

The case isnt about the housing allowance. But to some, including Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, it suggests courts may be willing to meddle increasingly in clergy affairs, including housing.

At issue was denial of a property tax exemption for a church parsonage in Fredericksburg, Virginia. New Life in Christ Church sought the tax exemption for a church-owned home inhabited by two youth ministers, married couple Josh and Anacari Storms. The city denied the exemption because it claimed the churchs denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), does not allow women to be considered ministers.

New Life in Christ said the city misunderstood its doctrine. Ordination and certain duties, like preaching, are limited to men in the PCA, according to the church, but the denominations governing documents permit congregations latitude in hiring nonordained persons like the Stormses for various ministry jobs. Yet a trial court sided with Fredericksburg, as did the Virginia Supreme Court.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear the churchs appeal in January. Now the church must continue paying the annual property tax bill of $4,589.15. The Supreme Courts action provoked a dissent from Gorsuch.

The City continues to insist that a churchs religious rules are subject to verification by government officials, Gorsuch wrote. I would grant the [churchs] petition and summarily reverse. The First Amendment does not permit bureaucrats or judges to subject religious beliefs to verification.

Is the case a harbinger of increased willingness to scrutinize ministerial housing in court? Pastors across America hope not. While fewer churches own traditional parsonages, the majority take advantage of the federal clergy housing allowance and say it benefits both their families and their churches.

I absolutely depend on the housing allowance, said Micaiah Irmler, pastor of Southridge Church in San Jose, California. I would not be able to do ministry in the Bay Area without it. The median home price is $1.7 million, and then with property taxes everything is higher. [The allowance] really saves me.

The federal housing allowance has been on the books more than 60 years. According to the IRS, the provision allows ministers to exclude from their gross income for income tax purposes an amount officially designated (in advance of payment) as a housing allowance.

The amount must be used to provide or rent a home and cannot exceed the fair market rental value of the home. Pastors living in a parsonage may exclude the fair rental value of the residence from their taxable income for income taxes. Pastors still pay self-employment taxes on their full compensation, including housing.

That can amount to significant savings. In 2022, lets say a person with a taxable income of $50,000 pays $5,589 in federal income taxes. But if that person is a minister with a housing allowance of $15,000 (a $1,000 mortgage payment plus $3,000 to cover utilities and home repairs), they will pay only $3,789 in federal income taxesa savings of $1,800.

Through the housing allowance, American pastors save $800 million a year, CT has reported, with 81 percent of full-time senior pastors taking advantage of the benefit.

The tax break is not an unfair advantage for ministers, but a way to treat ministers the same as other workers required to live near their jobs or use their homes for business, says religious liberty law firm Becket.

This applies to hundreds of thousands of workers in a variety of professions, including our military and diplomatic corps, prison wardens, state governors, certain health care professionals and educators, fishermen, and more, according to a September 2021 episode of Beckets Stream of Conscience podcast. Their housing allowance is tax-free because its part of their job.

Other benefits from an employer that help workers do their jobslike travel expenses and office equipmentalso are tax free. The assumption for ministers is that their homes are used for ministry, or at least that they are required to live near their congregations.

That long-standing tax policy faced a hiccup in 2017 when a federal district judged ruled the ministerial housing allowance unconstitutional. But the ruling was overturned a year later by the Seventh US Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

The allowance remains safe for now, said Justin Butterfield, deputy general counsel at First Liberty Institute, the firm that represented New Life in Christ Church in Virginia. While the Fredericksburg case was a setback for one churchs ministerial housing situation, it does not represent a larger erosion of ministerial tax breaks.

This [case] really doesnt have any bearing on housing allowances or tax exemptions, Butterfield said. The US has a long history of recognizing ministerial housing allowances.

Pastors say thats great news. Southridge Church in San Jose needs to offer a housing allowance to draw staff, Irmler said. With an in-person attendance of 135, Southridge cant afford to pay the areas median salary of $131,000. It relies on tax-free housing to make living in the community possible for its ministers.

A large church sometimes can offer a really good salary package, Irmler said. But when youre a medium to small church and youre hiring staff, you risk bringing on staff at a pay rate below poverty. The allowance is a lifeline.

The housing allowance is needed in rural America too, said Noel Gandy, pastor of Christ Point Baptist Church in Shenandoah, Iowapopulation 5,000. He saves $3,000 per year through the housing allowance and wouldnt be able to give his church as much time if the allowance went away. (He works as a real estate agent on the side.)

Clearly, it makes a difference, Gandy said. Three grand a yearfor some thats not much. For my family it is.

Smaller churches in the community could be particularly affected if the housing allowance were abolished and they had to increase the pastors salary to offset higher housing costs, Gandy said.

Abuse of ministerial tax breaks is one common argument against them, though. Televangelist Kenneth Copeland, for instance, saves $150,000 annually on property taxes alone at his $7 million mansion outside Fort Worth, Texas, according to a Houston Chronicle investigation published in December.

His church, Eagle Mountain International Church, also owns more than $19 million in tax-free aircraft. Copeland says God told him to build the housewhich qualifies as a parsonage for tax purposes.

You may think that house is too big, he said at a 2015 conference. You may think its too grand. I dont care what you think. I heard from heaven.

Copeland is not alone in receiving extravagant tax breaks. Dozens of US ministers live in tax-free residences worth over $1 million, according to the Chronicle. They benefit from state and local ministerial tax breaks in addition to the federal clergy housing allowance. Such abuses drew investigation by the US Senate Finance Committee a decade ago. Yet the tax breaks stand.

Still, the narrative of greedy preachers taking advantage of the tax law is just plain wrong, said Chris Butler, pastor of Chicago Embassy Church, a defendant in the 2018 case in which the federal housing allowance was upheld on appeal. It is not the reality for the vast, vast majority of people.

The government could create safeguards against ministerial swindling without discarding the baby along with the housing allowance bathwater, Becket attorney Luke Goodrich said on the firms podcast. You could cap it at a certain amount. You could make it impossible to claim it over a certain income.

Churches like Chicago Embassy need the housing allowance. It comprises Butlers entire salary and allows him to live close enough to his parishioners to respond to emergencies in a hurry, he said. Without the housing allowance, he would have to look far away to find affordable housing.

But even if the housing allowance is struck down someday, Irmler said, God will take care of his ministers.

Maybe thats what we need to weed out hirelings from ministry, he said. We need shepherds.

David Roach is a freelance reporter for CT and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama.
Canadian church hosts controversial assisted suicide ceremony for member with ALS

A Canadian church was recently the site of an assisted suicide ceremony held for one of its members diagnosed with ALS, better known in the U.S. as Lou Gehrigs disease.

Churchill Park United Church of Winnipeg became the first church in Manitoba to host the controversial practice, which it described as a Crossing Over Ceremony last month for 86-year-old Betty Sanguin.

The church's leadership team had unanimously approved Sanguins request for the assisted suicide ceremony that was held in the sanctuary, as she had strong ties to the congregation.

The Rev. Dawn Rolke, minister of Churchill Park, told The Christian Post in a recent interview that it seemed appropriate to hold the ceremony in the sanctuary, as churches are often host and home to all the raggedness of our lives and to some of our significant life rituals: baptism, marriage, ordination, funeral or memorial services.

For us, it was perfectly natural to hold this service for Betty in our sanctuary because death is a natural part of life and Betty had lived a good part of her adulthood in this faith community. Hers was a growing, changing spirituality; her faith was feisty, fierce and passionate, like Betty herself, said Rolke.

Some see medically-assisted death as a private matter and they sought to honor this individuals request. Some felt it was right for Betty, in particular.

Canada's healthcare system offers patients the option to have assisted suicide, what is known as MAiD or "medical aid in dying," in which a physician or nurse practitioner carries out the death by chemical injection.

At Churchill Park United Church of Winnipeg, the typical sanctuary seating was removed and replaced by comfortable chairs, tables, flowers and a recliner, which Sanguin sat in during the event as people came and went throughout the day to say their goodbyes.

Friends and family visited Sanguin who was joined by her adult daughters and grandchildren, with Rolke leading the ceremony.

The chemical injection to hasten death began at 1 p.m. An hour later, Sanguin had passed.

The children and some grandchildren went back into the sanctuary to be with Betty, recalled Rolke. And people began to quietly come and go from Bettys side as the medicine took effect.

It was like a wake.

By around 4 p.m., staff from a funeral home arrived to transport Sanguin's body to its chapel and make preparations for her burial.

We were deeply honored to be able to be with Betty in her final moments and hours and to honor her wishes around her dying process. She was so happy, she was so ready, she was so radiant, Rolke added.

In 2016, Canada passed a law legalizing physician-assisted suicide, with the law limiting access to citizens or permanent residents who were at least 18 years old and had a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability that included enduring and intolerable suffering.

The law also required medical approval, a 15-day waiting period, and that two witnesses needed to be present when a patient signed a request for the end-of-life procedure.

The United Church of Canada, the denomination to which Churchill Park belongs, passed a resolution in 2017 stating it would allow physician-assisted suicide on a case-by-case basis, and acknowledged that its denominational members likely hold a "range of views" on this matter.

We are not opposed in principle to the legislation allowing assistance in dying and to such assistance being the informed, free choice of terminally ill patients, stated UCC at the time.

However, we urge a cautious approach by legislators and medical professionals implementing these laws.  To this end, we advocate community-focused and theologically robust discernment on a case-by-case basis that also ensures the protection and care of those potentially made vulnerable by this new law and others like it.

There have been multiple controversies surrounding the implementation of the law, such as the physician-assisted suicide of 61-year-old Alan Nichols in 2019.

CTV News reported at the time that Nichols' family argued that he was wrongfully euthanized at Chilliwack General Hospital in British Columbia because he had no terminal illnesses and suffered from depression.

"He didn't have a life-threatening disease. He was capable of getting around. He was capable of doing almost anything that you had to do to survive," recounted Nichols' brother, Gary, as reported by CTV reported at the time.

"I didnt think he had a sound mind at all," he added, with the family calling on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate the matter.

Also in 2019, the family of 41-year-old ALS patient Sean Tagert demanded accountability after the government-run healthcare system refused to cover Tagert's at-home healthcare. Instead, it agreed to pay for physician-assisted suicide.

A Canadian man disabled by ALS didnt want to die now. He wanted to be cared for at home so he could be with his son, wrote Wesley Smith for the National Review at the time. Nope. The governments socialized healthcare system refused to pay for all the care he needed. But it sure paid to kill him by euthanasia."

Last year, the Canadian Parliament expanded the law to include those with non-life-threatening disabilities, though it would still prohibit the procedure for those suffering from mental illness.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler Jr. denounced the revision last year, seeing it as proof of how physician-assisted suicide was a slippery slope.

The Canadian Parliament have now extended the logic that they had insisted would be limited to those who had a reasonable expectation of death in a short time. You've seen that that promise never is kept, said Mohler in an episode of his podcast, The Briefing.

Once you buy into the logic of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia, you find yourself in almost every case just extending the logic further and further.

When asked its opinion of medical assistance in dying, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada told CP via an emailed statement that it opposed assisted suicide and euthanasia, believing that they fundamentally devalue human life.

They suggest that some lives are not worth living. But all human life is precious, a gift from God, stated the EFC, which advocated for palliative care instead.

We believe the appropriate response to suffering is to address and alleviate the suffering, not to eliminate the one who suffers. We respond to those who are suffering with care and compassion, journeying with them as they walk in the shadow of death.

EFC went on to state that while it believes that people do not need to accept medical treatment, it also believes that it is not for us to choose the timing of our death.

It is lamentable that we as a country have decriminalized assisted suicide in response to suffering when most Canadians do not have access to high-quality palliative care and related support systems, it added.

Rolke told CP that no one at the March ceremony approached her with objections to the procedure, though one person did express concern over it being performed in a church.

We who participated in Bettys ceremony witnessed, first-hand, the great dignity of medically-assisted death. I cant say enough about the physicians and other healthcare staff who are employed in this work. They are exceptionally caring, said Rolke.

As a former hospital chaplain, I have witnessed the great pointlessness of some suffering. Having worked in emergency departments, in ICU and in the general hospital population in the United States and Canada, I have formed the opinion, over many years, that there is nothing dignified in needless suffering.

Rolke added that while she had not come to a final opinion on this matter, she was nevertheless comfortable with where I am at, for now.
Disney to air ad accusing Americans who oppose genital mutilation of kids of wanting to 'tear families apart'

The Walt Disney Company will soon be airing an ad on all of its channels featuring the mother of a trans-identified child lambasting supporters of bills banning genital mutilation surgeries for children and the teaching of LGBT ideology in schools. The mother accuses these Americans of trying to tear our families apart.

The LGBT advocacy organization GLAAD released the public service announcement called Protect Our Families last week. The 60-second ad profiles the Briggle family, which includes Amber Briggle along with her husband and her two children. The ad focuses on her trans-identified daughter, who now identifies as a boy and goes by the name Max.

The LGBT advocacy group says the video shows that families with transgender kids are just like any other family: they love their kids unconditionally and simply want the best for them.

In the video, Briggle discusses Maxs interests as she narrates a background video of her daughter in an effort to persuade those watching the ad that society should support parents who want their children to be given puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, saying a transgender child is no different than yours.

There are some politicians who are trying to tear my family apart, simply because my [daughter] is transgender, she asserts. Trans kids dont have a political agenda. They are just kids. They just want to be left alone.

CNBC reports that the ad, which does not explicitly mention any legislation, in particular, will air on channels owned by The Walt Disney Company as well as channels owned by Comcast, WarnerMedia and Paramount. The Walt Disney Company has received intense criticism over its outspoken opposition to a Florida parental rights bill recently signed into law by the states Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The legislation states that classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation and gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards. While states including Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas have passed laws banning the prescription of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors, the Florida law does not include such a provision.

After initially declining to take a position on the Florida bill, Disney, which operates the popular theme park Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, came out hard against the bill after critics derided it as the Dont Say Gay bill. Disneys opposition to the law that prevents teachers from exposing young children to LGBT ideology motivated worship artist Sean Feucht to hold a protest in front of Disney's headquarters in Burbank, California.

Last month, Christopher Rufo of the Manhattan Institute and City Journal released video footage of Disney officials discussing their efforts to incorporate queerness and other LGBT ideology into programming directed at children as part of what he described as Disneys all-hands meeting about the Florida parental rights bill.

Briggle, a progressive activist who is running for city council in Denton, Texas, operates a blog titled Love to the Max. In an August 2019 blog post, Briggle listed 3 things your child can do to help make middle school better for my trans son." Accompanying the blog post is a photograph of Max, which identifies the child as a member of the fifth grade graduating class of 2019. This seems to indicate that Briggle's child is now in eighth grade and is either 13 or 14 years old.

In the blog, she noted that my sweet [daughter], Max, socially transitioned in 1st grade  changing [her] name and pronouns, but otherwise living life exactly the same (only much, much happier). In a speech at this years GLAAD Media Awards, Briggle said, We live in Texas, where Gov. [Greg] Abbott issued a directive to investigate parents like my husband, Adam and I for child abuse because we provide Max with the gender-affirming care he needs.

'I am angry every single day because of the way the world treats my son'  Mom Amber Briggle delivered a tearful speech at the GLAAD Media Awards after being investigated for providing gender-affirming care for her trans son in Texas pic.twitter.com/q4nc6kiP68  NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 5, 2022

Briggle added that Child Protective Services recently visited their home and questioned them. She expressed relief that a court has barred Texas from investigating parents of trans kids.

Supporters of legislation banning what LGBT advocates refer to as gender-affirming care, including the American College of Pediatricians, warn that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones can have negative side effects. Side effects of puberty blockers identified by the American College of Pediatricians include emotional instability as well as osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility.

The medical organization lists an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan as possible complications of cross-sex hormones.

While supporters of providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to youth with gender dysphoria maintain that such procedures help improve the childrens mental health, children who underwent some form of gender transition only to regret doing so later insisted that such procedures worsened their mental health.

The newsmagazine program 60 Minutes profiled a group of detransitioners last year, including a male who once identified as female explaining to CBS Lesley Stahl that he had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation. He told Stahl that about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself, adding: I had a plan, and I was going to do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself.

Another detransitioner, who once sought to transition from female to male, developed a really disturbing sense that, like, a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, theres something that should be there.
Mark Wahlberg says he feels the transforming power of Christ every day,' led to preach in new film

MIAMI  Actor Mark Wahlberg described his encounter with the transforming power of Jesus Christ as he answered the call from God to tell the true-life story of Father Stuart Long.

Wahlberg both starred in and produced the new movie Father Stu. Based on actual events, the film tells the story of Long, a boxer-turned-priest, and his incredible journey from self-destruction to redemption.

While the Sony Pictures film is rated R and contains heavy vulgarity, it's inspiring at its core because it shares the power of transformation through Christ, which is something Wahlberg said he's also experiencing.

"I feel it every day. I'm feeling it now more than ever, He told The Christian Post.

When asked about the last time his faith was questioned, Wahlberg said it was during the pandemic.

I couldn't go to church anymore. I lost communication and touch with people that really helped me every day [to] remind me of the importance of my faith, and just going to church every day and praying and going to Mass every weekend, he said.

Wahlberg also suffered the loss of his mother, who died during the pandemic. But despite the challenges, he felt called to make this faith-filled movie and used his own money to partially fund the film because Hollywood refused to finance the project.

Wahlberg portrays Father Stu on-screen and is joined by Academy Award-winner Mel Gibson, who plays his father, Bill Long.

He spent six slow years trying to get to where the movie would finally be made. And when the time came, the project was filmed in 30 days during the ongoing lockdowns last year.

Wahlberg said it was "always a mission" of his to get the film made.

"All this talent, and especially the gifts that have been bestowed upon me and the blessings have been for a reason, he declared. It's not to go off and do another five Transformers, this was part of the calling. This movie came to me at a time when I was prepared enough to be able to do it justice, to be able to go out there and articulate the message and the meaning behind it.

It was created at the height of all of the division and negativity that was amplified in the media.

"This is a movie about redemption, and no person is beyond redemption, as long as they're willing to repent, and they have good intentions in their heart, and they want to make a change, he told CP. I'm just glad that I was able to get it made, I'm glad that it's resonating with everybody, because everybody can identify with his story in some sort of way.

"We're all dealing with loss, uncertainty, lack of faith, hope, just questions of why things happen," he added. "To be able to see somebody handle it with such grace in some of the most difficult and trying times after being through so much, it gives people a lot of hope."

In the film, Father Stu was faced with much resistance from his family as well as those from the Catholic Church, but he never gave up fighting for what he felt called by God to do, which was to become a priest. Wahlberg said he identified with the fight that was in his character.

"It's those kinds of losses and that kind of adversity that makes you stronger, the Boston native explained. Challenges will only make you better if you're willing to get up again, and dust yourself off, and go out there and continue to compete. I certainly was not supposed to be in the position that I am. I just never took 'no' for an answer.

I never listened to what people thought or what they said. So I always felt like it was up to me to prove myself by doing the work. And day by day, job by job, moment by moment on my knees, just trying to better myself as a person, then as a father, and as a husband. Doing the work is the thing that has allowed me to achieve success, or to be able to handle a loss and disappointment and failure, and all those things, and allow me to keep going and keep pushing, he added.

"My destiny is different from everybody else's destiny. How it's written was not by me. It's time for me to go out there and go through the motions, but this is God's doing!

On multiple occasions in the film, Wahlberg preaches and says his mini-sermons were divinely inspired.

"Especially in the jail, I felt like these were people that could relate to Stu. These were people that could [have] easily have been Stu. This was Stu's life, and that was my life. So most of that  there's a bit of dialogue in the beginning, but the message that I'm giving them was all improvised, Wahlberg revealed.

That's just me talking to them from the heart and just telling them that God's not going to give up on them, don't give up on themselves. That's a very important thing because when you have nobody to root for you or to support you, that's the most difficult thing, he stressed. People need to know that people care. That people love them and support them and they're rooting for them and they want them to see them do good. That is very important.

Wahlberg agreed that God's spirit was in him as he preached on set.

Father Stu hits theaters nationwide on April 13.
NYC subway shooter still on the run as Mayor Eric Adams blames nations gun laws for cult of death

UPDATED 2:25 p.m. ET April 13: Frank R. James, the man suspected of carrying out a mass shooting on a subway train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning was captured by police Wednesday while hiding in the East Village.

Original report:

A gunman who opened fire causing multiple injuries and mayhem on a packed Manhattan-bound train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning was still on the run Wednesday as New York City Mayor Eric Adams vowed to capture him while describing the attack as part of a national cult of death that he blamed on the nation's gun laws.

You know I have been realistic and outspoken in my commitment to public safety. I stand by that and will continue to do everything in my power to dam the rivers that feed the sea of violence, Adams said at a press conference Tuesday night. This is not only a New York City problem, this rage, this violence, these guns, these relentless shooters are an American problem. It is going to take all levels of government to solve it. It is going to take the entire nation to speak out and push back against the cult of death that has taken over in this nation.

Authorities announced that they were seeking the publics help in locating 62-year-old Philadelphia resident, Frank R. James, as a person of interest in the subway attack that left at least 23 people injured.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek that the FBI was previously alerted about James, but following interviews in 2019 the agency determined he wasn't a threat.

New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the shooting, which occurred at approximately 8:24 a.m. on a Manhattan-bound N train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, said 10 of the injured suffered gunshot wounds while others got injured while trying to exit the subway in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Some victims suffered smoke inhalation from two smoke bombs that were detonated on the train.

We are truly fortunate that this is not significantly worse than it is, Sewell said. As we reported this afternoon, a man who was traveling on a Manhattan bound N train opened two canisters that dispensed smoke throughout the subway car. He then shot multiple passengers as the train pulled into the 36th Street Station in Sunset Park.

Sewell also noted that none of the injuries appear to be life threatening, which she called good news.

The New York Police Departments Chief of Detectives James Essig said seven men and three women were injured by gunfire and were all treated at area hospitals. He further noted that the suspected shooter, who was wearing a surgical mask, a grey hoodie, and a neon green construction helmet, was seated in the rear corner of the second car of the N train when he went on the shooting rampage by opening fire on unsuspecting passengers at least 33 times.

Among the evidence collected from the scene was a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, extended magazines and a hatchet. Investigators also found what appears to be gasoline, a bag containing consumer-grade fireworks and keys to a U-Haul which led investigators to a U-Haul that was rented by James.

We are endeavoring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting if any, said Essig, who noted that evidence from both the subway and the van were still being processed.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the apprehension of the suspected shooter and mobile alerts were sent out on Wednesday morning urging New Yorkers to be on the lookout for James.

Were asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. We know this incident is of grave concern to New Yorkers. We cannot lose sight of victims in this city. We will use every resource we can to bring those to justice who continue to prey on the citizens of New York, Sewell said.

Mayor Adams, who spent a significant portion of his speech lamenting Americas culture of gun violence, said it has become a cult that allows innocence to be sacrificed on a daily basis.

There are over 400 million guns in this country alone. The U.S. gun homicide rate is 26 times that of other high-income countries where over 100 people die of gun violence every day, he said.

He added that guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers and highlighted past mass shootings such as events in Columbine, Colorado, and Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut.

These killers have used weapons of mass destruction to massacre innocent people. They control no armies or military forces yet these individual killers terrorize our nation. Ive often said that this city is not going to adapt to dysfunction. Ending gun violence means changing gun laws. We cannot clean up a flood when the water is still pouring into the basement. And we can never stop the killing if we cannot stop the guns, Adams said.

To be clear, we will not surrender our city to the violent few and will not surrender all of America to this cult of death. The sea of violence comes from many rivers. We must dam every river that feeds the greater crisis. That is the work of my life, this administration, and this police department. And we are not stopping until the peace we deserve becomes the reality we experience, he added.

You have my word as a former police officer, fellow New Yorker and your mayor, well end this epidemic and will capture this individual responsible for todays attack. We will capture him and prosecute him to the full extent of the law.
Jesus Christ created 3 resurrection portals

As Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, are you aware that Jesus Christ created three resurrection portals? The first portal is rooted in history; the second is rooted inside mans soul; and the third is rooted in Heaven. A portal is a doorway, gate, or other entrance.

The first resurrection portal is the opening to the tomb Jesus exited after rising from the dead (Matthew 28:5-7). J.C. Ryle said, The resurrection is a fact better attested than any event recorded in any history, whether ancient or modern.

Charles Colson said, I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead; then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Everyone was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it werent true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world  and they couldnt keep a lie for three weeks. Youre telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.

The first resurrection portal involves believing the historical fact that the crucified Savior rose from the dead. When the women found the stone rolled away and then walked through the portal into the empty tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:2). Christ had risen from the dead, just as He foretold (Matthew 16:21). Do you accept this fact of history and this fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah? (Psalm 16:10; Psalm 22:1-31; Isaiah 53:1-12).

The first resurrection portal is an essential element of Christianity. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost  but Christ has indeed been raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:17-18,20).

The second resurrection portal is inside mans soul. When you receive Christ as your Savior through faith, (Ephesians 2:8,9) the God of the universe enters your body through a portal in your soul and takes up residence within you. The Apostle Paul informed believers: Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20), and your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).

How does God enter the believer? Through a door; that is, a portal. Jesus said, Be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me (Revelation 3:19-20).

If Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness (Romans 8:10). The second resurrection portal is necessary so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17). Jesus said, Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you (John 14:19-20).

The second resurrection portal is an essential element of Christianity. Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ... you must be born again (John 3:3,7). In other words, one must be saved, forgiven, justified and redeemed through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26).

In His great mercy God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade  kept in Heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3-4) and for all who have received Christ through faith (John 1:12).

The third and final resurrection portal is entered when the body of the believer dies. At that point, the person's soul is immediately ushered through the gates of Heaven (Genesis 28:17; Revelation 21:21). The Christian is then absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Believers will be given a resurrection body at the end of time in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed (1 Cor. 15:52).

Jesus told His disciples: In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going (John 14:1-4).

And so, you see: Jesus Christ has created three resurrection portals. The Messiah rose from the dead; Jesus is the author of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and Christ is also the guarantor of our eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus told Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25,26).

The death of Christ on the cross paid for our sins, and the resurrection of Jesus from the grave guarantees everlasting life for all believers. Repent of your sins as you turn away from them. Trust that Christ died on the cross to save you, and then rose from the grave on the third day.

All things have been created by Christ (Colossians 1:16), and this includes the three resurrection portals. Will you humble yourself before the Creator of all things? Will you admit you are a sinner and unable to save your soul?

If you refuse to accept the historical fact of Christs resurrection (first portal), you will remain stuck in unbelief. Without faith, you cannot be forgiven and born again (second portal). And your soul will be locked out of Heaven forever (third portal) unless you repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15) while you still have time to do so.

If you have not yet placed your faith in Christ for salvation, will another Easter come and go while you remain spiritually dead in the tomb of your unconverted soul? Will you believe in the risen Savior who is the resurrection and the life? (John 11:25,26) Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Ephesians 5:14).
Capitalism liberated women from the toil and spinning that Jesus talked about

Jesus warned his followers not to be consumed with daily cares in Matt 6:28-29, And why are you anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Lilies dont spin, but women did. Spinning yarn consumed the lives of most women in Jesus day. From pre-history until the invention of the spinning wheel, girls were taught from the age of 6 to spin thread using a spindle, usually a wooden dowel jammed into a hole in a clay or rock disc called a whorl. Spindles resembled a crude top. The short end of the dowl sticking out of the whorl had a hook for grabbing and spinning the fibers while the thread was wound on the longer part.

Until they died or were too old, girls and women spun yarn from the time they got out of bed until they went to bed. They spun while cooking and taking care of children. They spun thread while washing clothes and dishes and talking to friends. Jewish women probably didnt spin on the Sabbath. Demand for cloth was great and spinning the yarn was the main bottle neck. Navies required large amounts of cloth for sails, according to Virginia Postrel in The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World:

Viking Age sail 100 meters square took 154 kilometers (60 miles) of yarn. Working eight hours a day with a heavy spindle whorl to produce relatively coarse yarn, a spinner would toil 385 days to make enough for the sail. Plucking the sheep and preparing the wool for spinning required another 600 days. From start to finish, Viking sails took longer to make than the ships they powered. Virginia Postrel, The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

Girls produced the coarse yarn needed for sails and the clothing of the poor. After years of practice, women could spin very fine threads used for the soft clothing of wealthy politicians and earned more for it.

Contrary to the impression left by toga party costumes, the toga was closer to the size of a bedroom than a bedsheet, about 20 square meters (24 square yards). Assuming 20 threads to the centimeter (about 130 to the inch), historian Mary Harlow calculates that a toga required about 40 kilometers (25 miles) of wool yarnenough to reach from Central Park to Greenwich, Connecticut. Spinning that much yarn would take some nine hundred hours, or more than four months of labor, working eight hours a day, six days a week. Ignoring textiles, Harlow cautions, blinds classical scholars to some of the most important economic, political, and organizational challenges that ancient societies faced." Virginia Postrel, The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

The Bible often emphasizes the wealth of people by describing their fine clothes because the time and labor needed to spin the yarn and weave it into cloth made clothing extremely expensive. As a result, most people owned just one suit of clothes until after capitalism made them cheaper. For example, the High Priest wore several layers of clothing made from fine spun linen, the most expensive cloth at the time. Fine spun meant a high thread count in todays terms. It took women many years of practice to learn to spin such thin threads of linen.

Also, bleaching cloth white or dying it blue, purple and scarlet were very expensive processes. Thats why peasants tended to wear clothes made of coarsely spun threads, often with knots in them due to the thread breaking during spinning, and the same color as the wool the sheep wore without having been bleached white. The harlot in Revelation 17 wears fine linen dyed purple and scarlet, like that of the high priest. Jesus wore a chiton, a tunic that fell just below the knees because only the wealthy could afford the stolai (Mark 12:38) that went to their ankles.

The spinning wheel became widely used in Europe in the 16th century and increased productivity by as much as ten times what a woman could produce with a spindle. Still, women spent most of their time with a spinning wheel. During the summers in the Dutch Republic, girls would set up their spinning wheels in a square so they could visit and young men could drop by and flirt.

Women continued to be lashed to spinning wheels until the invention of mechanical spinners during the Industrial Revolution that took spinning from home production to factories, which deprived many families of the income from spinning and weaving cloth at home. The Luddites tried to stop progress by destroying the machines in factories. They could see only the short-term costs to them, not the long-term benefits. Fortunately for women, they failed.

The textile mills so hated by the Luddites and socialists, liberated women from being chained to spinning thread during most of the hours they were awake. Textile mills led increases in standards of living by making one of the necessities of life, clothing, much less expensive. They freed women to do other work while reducing the cost of clothing so much that most people could afford several suits of clothes and many middle class people began to dress like the nobility. Textile mills were the greatest womens liberation movement in the history of mankind.

In Jesus day, girls and women were virtual slaves to spinning thread and anxiety about it must have distracted them from the Gospel. Thats why Jesus mentioned spinning in his sermon. Thanks to capitalism, women no longer suffer from the anxiety of spinning enough thread to sell to help feed their families.
6 inspirational songs for Palm Sunday

In many churches, the Sunday before Easter serves as a celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, in which the Bible records that crowds waved palm branches in his honor.

Known as Palm Sunday, the day begins what is called Holy Week, a time on the liturgical calendar that includes Holy Thursday, which recalls the Last Supper, Good Friday, which recalls the Crucifixion, Holy Saturday, and finally Easter.

The observance will often involve members of a congregation taking palm branches and waving them during worship, especially the opening processional of the service.

Here are six songs that are used to celebrate and contemplate the significance of Palm Sunday.

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Megachurch pastor says a great threat to Christians is secret sinning: 'Dont hide it

Megachurch pastor RC Ford of LifePoint Church in Tennessee warned his congregation that one of the greatest threats to Christians is secret sinning.

In an April 3 sermon titled Courage to Confess, Ford said no one is without sin, including Christians. But, what sets Christians apart from other sinners is that most of them fight their sin, he contended.

Church, we sin every day. Now, if you say that you dont sin, then God calls you a liar, and now you have sinned, said Ford, who pastors a roughly 2,000 people congregation based out of Stewart's Creek.

"Why we are different is because we fight our sin. We don't hide our sin, we fight. It's a struggle for us. There is a difference between fighting against lustful desires, and then hiding an affair from your spouse. Big difference. Theres a difference between struggling with loving your neighbor while consciously hating them."

Ford warned that when a Christian hides sin, the secrets will not only bring ruin to themselves, they will bring ruin to those around them.

When I sin, my sin can bring ruin on my family. When you sin, its never you sinning alone, Ford said. "Dont ever buy the lie that your secret sin aint touching anyone."

Ford pointed to the example of Achan, as found in the Old Testament book of Joshua 7. Achan was a rich man in Israel whose sin impacted his entire family and resulted in him getting stoned to death.

Everything in Achans life was awesome. He was living the dream and then boom; one day he loses it all. Thats what secret sin does, Ford continued.

It can destroy and ruin everything in your path. Just because you havent been exposed today, doesnt mean that your sin will not find you out. Because your sin will find you out. Eventually, it will happen."

Secret sin, Ford said, can lead to generational impacts that can potentially destroy entire families and its not just the parents trespasses, but it can be the sin of children, too.

Children, your sin affects people in your family. It brings pain and suffering on them too  to all the people around us, Ford said. We must fight our sin.

According to Ford, at some point in every Christians life, they will be faced with an ultimate decision of whether they will be mastered by sin or by God.

Paul told us that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to put to death the deeds of the body, Ford said, referencing Romans 8:13. We can kill and slay that sin in our life, thats secret. We have to have that kind of wartime mentality against our sin.

Not feeling bad and praying about that thing that we did one more time. Thats training sin, thats not fighting sin. We have to put to death the deeds of the body.

While Ford expressed support for Christians who fight sin by doing things like blocking porn sites on their phone or getting an accountability partner, he said that in order to combat sin, a Christian must continue to get to know God more intimately and confess their sins to others.

I think actually the first step in fighting sin is confessing sin. Its bringing it into the light. You cant fight it if it's in the dark, right? said Ford. He hypothetically asked, "Do you have anything hidden in your tent, today?"

An emotional or physical affair, Facebook flirting with someone whos not your spouse, embezzling or stealing money from your employer; shady business practices, stealing from other people, Ford said, listing some examples.

You have a secret addiction to alcohol or opioids? Are you hiding the fact that you dont tithe? Do you have porn hidden in your tent? Do you sleep well at night? Are you always looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is going to catch you doing that thing?

Ford went on to remind those gathered that "anyone who knows God, knows, God knows, adding: "You cant play hide-and-go-seek with God.

You cant run. You cannot hide. Trying to hide from God is like trying to hide from oxygen. You can't do it. Theres nowhere to go. He always sees everything, Ford emphasized.

"Hes in the public places, the private places, when its light and when you have the lights off. He sees all things. Hes looking over your shoulder as you scroll through your device."

When a Christian realizes God is omnipresent, according to Ford, it can be a realization that is seen as really awesome or it can be a horribly, frightening thought to them.

If youre walking through dangerous waters of pain and suffering, its awesome because Gods there with you. But if youre walking in disobedience and hiding things, oh its a terrifying thought to know that we cant escape the penetrating gaze of God, Ford said. He cited Hebrews 4:13: "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God and all must give account to the Lord.

God wants to scare the sin out of Christians, Ford stressed, adding that when a Christian does not confess, according to Numbers 32:23, their sins will find them out.

I think confessing your sin, I think its a very hard thing to do. I am not going to blow past that. There might be some pain and there might be some suffering. But you know theres one thing thats worse than confessing your sin, and that is your sin confronting you, he said.

There will come a day, said Ford, when every Christians sin is dragged "out into the light" at that point, and that it might be too late for many.

I think thats more terrifying. So, this idea of confession is not just to get rid of the bad. The Scriptures point out that confession brings freedom and healing to us. Thats the invitation here: clean conscience. Gods going with us. Freedom and healing, Ford preached, referencing James 5:16, which states that confession leads to prayer, which leads to healing.

Ford said for some Christians, the best way they can combat sin is to seek help from their pastor or someone who can stir them in the right direction.

All pastors preach, but not all preachers pastor. I want to preach to you on Sunday, but I want to pastor you every day of the week. So, some of you might need to come in and get some pastoral counseling in how to walk through confessing these things to either us [or] loved ones, Ford said.

Maybe it's a difficult situation that you know you need to come to your spouse and share that with [them]. We will help you with that. We want to walk alongside of you in that."

"Confession is about restoration."
Baby Tinslee is going home after moms yearslong battle with hospital to keep her on life support

Tinslee Lewis, the prematurely born infant at the center of a highly publicized lawsuit over whether a Texas medical center could end her life-sustaining care, has been released from the hospital.

Tinslee was born prematurely in 2019 with a heart defect, with Cook Children's Medical Center of Fort Worth officials initially concluding that continued treatment would be pointless.

The pro-life group Texas Right to Life, which had been active in trying to save the life of Tinslee, released a statement Tuesday announcing that Lewis was released from the hospital and doing well.

Tinslee is alive, thriving, and growing. A happy and strong toddler, Tinslees health has so steadily improved that the hospital released her to go home, stated Right to Life.

Tinslee has received excellent care from Cook Childrens Medical Center. It is with their efforts that Tinslee will now transition to home health care.

Right to Life quoted a statement from Trinity Lewis, mother of Tinslee, who said she was so thankful for everyone who pulled together to help my daughter, including the doctors at Cooks, Texas Right to Life, our attorneys at Daniels & Tredennick law firm, Joe Nixon, Kassi Marks, and Protect Texas Fragile Kids.

We have been cherishing and enjoying Tinslee being home, and we appreciate everyone who stepped up to help in any way as well, she added.

In November 2019, the Cook Childrens Medical Center attempted to remove life support from the baby, having concluded that she was not going to be cured of a serious heart condition.

The hospital invoked the Advance Directives Act, which allows a hospital to give a family 10 days notice to find another medical facility that would be willing to continue treatment.

If a family cannot find a new hospital by the tenth day, then all treatments are withdrawn unless a judge issues a court order requiring the hospital to continue life-sustaining care.

Tinslees family filed suit against the hospital. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton showed his support for the baby and her family by filing an amicus brief on their behalf.

One of the core principles provided by the U.S. Constitution is that no person should be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, said Paxton in a statement given to The Christian Post in 2019.

In January 2020, a judge ruled in favor of the medical center, with the hospital releasing a statement in support of the decision, and again arguing that Tinslee had no chance of survival.

This is an emotional and difficult situation for everyone involved, especially for this family who had high hopes that Tinslee would get better, stated the hospital.

Cook Children's has been devoted to this precious baby her entire life, providing compassionate, round-the-clock, intensive care and attention since she arrived at our hospital 11 months ago  Her body is tired. She is suffering. It's time to end this cycle because, tragically, none of these efforts will ever make her better.

However, shortly after the decision, Texas Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ordered the hospital to keep Tinslee on life-sustaining treatment pending the end of litigation.

In January of last year, the Supreme Court declined an appeal from the hospital, allowing the lower court ruling temporarily blocking the medical center from ending Tinslees life to remain in effect.
Gov. Stitt signs law banning most abortions, seeks to make Oklahoma 'most pro-life state'

The governor of Oklahoma has signed a bill into law banning nearly all abortions in the state except when a mother's life is at risk in a medical emergency. Those who violate the law could face up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Oklahomas Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 612 into law Tuesday, saying he aims to make the Sooner State the most pro-life state in the country.

Women who seek or obtain an illegal abortion wouldn't need to fear prosecution, as the law doesn't authorize the charging or conviction of a woman with any criminal offense in the death of her unborn child. It does not ban the use or sale of prescription contraceptives so long as the products are sold before a woman becomes pregnant.

The bill passed the states House of Representatives in a 70-14 vote last week, more than a year after it passed the state Senate in a 38-49 vote. In both chambers, one Republican joined Democrats in opposing the measure.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 612 into law Tuesday, as he was surrounded by pro-life activists, religious leaders and the bills sponsors in the state Legislature. The governor and those gathered around him were wearing red roses in honor of the Pro-Life Rose Day at the Capitol, an occasion sponsored by the pro-life group Oklahomans for Life, the Baptist General Convention, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and other churches and pregnancy resource centers.

As governor, I represent all 4 million Oklahomans, Stitt said at the signing ceremony. They overwhelmingly support protecting life in the state of Oklahoma. We want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country. We want to outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma.

The most important thing is to take a stand for the unborn and protect life.



Every life is precious.



As a father of six, thats what I believe and I know thats what Oklahomans believe. pic.twitter.com/VjmUz5QdOD  Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) April 12, 2022

While he predicted that this bill will be challenged immediately by liberal activists from the coasts who always seem to want to come in and dictate and mandate and challenge our way of life, Stitt signed the bill nonetheless. Sharing his belief that every life is precious, Stitt declared that the most important thing is to take a stand for the unborn and protect life.

In a statement released Tuesday, Marjorie Dannenfelser of the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List, praised Oklahoma for enacting some of the nations strongest protections for unborn children and their mothers, which could save as many as 3,800 lives a year.

The ACLU of Oklahoma had a different take on the bill, with Executive Director Tanya Cox-Toure declaring that the only person who should have the power to decide whether you need an abortion is you  no matter where you live, or how much money you make. She cited the enactment of the law as a reminder of the immediate threat to our communitys health and reproductive freedom that serves as a placeholder to a rapidly approaching future without access to safe and legal abortion.

What politicians have done today is create a state where anybody who can become pregnant is forced to carry out a pregnancy against their will. We must continue to fight in the courts, in our state legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box to guarantee all people have access to the health care they need.

The Oklahoma law represents a drastic contrast to a law recently approved by the governor in the neighboring state of Colorado.

Last week, the states Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a measure declaring that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of this state.

A pregnant individual has a fundamental right to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion and to make decisions about how to exercise that right, the legislation added. A public entity shall not  deprive, through prosecution, punishment, or other means, an individual of the individuals right to act or refrain from acting during the individuals own pregnancy based on the potential, actual, or perceived impact on the pregnancy, the pregnancys outcomes, or on the pregnant individuals health.

Pro-life laws passed by states like Oklahoma and the abortion laws passed by states like Colorado come as the United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. A ruling in favor of the state of Mississippi, which is asking the justices to uphold the ban, would weaken the precedent set by Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Palestinian Evangelical pastor released 40 days after being arrested for meeting Israeli leader

A Palestinian judge has released Evangelical pastor Johnny Shahwan from Bethlehem, about 40 days after he was arrested for allegedly allowing a former member of Israels parliament and rabbi to visit his ministry, according to reports.

Palestinian authorities released Pastor Johnny Shahwan, who was accused of promoting normalization with the Zionist entity and welcoming an extremist Zionist settler, on Monday, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Pastor Shahwan was arrested on March 2 and his ministry, Beit Al-Liqa, or House of Encounter, was shut down for allegedly meeting with Yehudah Glick, an Israeli politician from the Likud Party and rabbi.

The Beit Al-Liqa ministry, which is based in the town of Beit Jala just outside Bethlehem, released a statement after the pastors arrest. It said it hosted a group of German tourists and at the end of the meeting with Shahwan, an unidentified person at the time, Glick, suddenly walked in and asked to take a selfie with Shahwan and the tourists.

It clarified, We were not aware of the presence of this extremist Zionist person, and he was not part of the groups itinerary.

The day after the pastors arrest, unidentified gunmen fired several shots at the ministrys building, according to the Post, which added that no one was hurt.

The ministry also affirmed its commitment as a Palestinian national Christian institution to all Palestinians and opposition to normalization [with Israel]. It also denounced the Jews living in the West Bank as criminals, the Post said.

Shahwans release comes about a week after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was briefed on his plight, All Arab News said, adding that Abbas asked his attorney general and security services to review the case, indicating that he wanted to see the pastor released.

Earlier, the Post had commented, Given the widespread campaign of incitement against Shahwan on social media, it would probably be safer for him to remain in a Palestinian prison than to be released to his home in the Bethlehem area. There, he could be attacked by the extremists who consider him a traitor for meeting with an Israeli Jew.

Meanwhile, Palestinian rioters vandalized Josephs Tomb during clashes with Israeli troops near the West Bank city of Nablus on Saturday, CBN News reported.

Dozens of Palestinian rioters in a frenzy of destruction simply vandalized a holy place for us, the Jews, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was quoted as saying. They shattered the headstone over the tomb and set fire to rooms in the complex; I have seen the shocking pictures.

We will not tolerate such an attack on a place that is holy for us, on the eve of Passover, and will reach the rioters. Of course, we will see to the rebuilding of what has been destroyed, just as we always do, he added.
Texas megachurch helps hundreds of Ukrainian refugees relocate, raises thousands for relief

A multisite megachurch based in Texas has helped hundreds of Ukrainian refugees relocate amid the Russian invasion, working with ministry partners in the Eastern European nation.

Gateway Church, which has nine locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area plus dozens of other smaller meeting groups in the United States, has helped around 400 Ukrainian refugees relocate.

Lawrence Swicegood, spokesperson for Gateway, told The Christian Post on Tuesday that the church is also in the process of helping relocate hundreds more refugees.

Swicegood contended that Gateway has been able to help out because of relationships with several congregations located in Ukraine that predate the outbreak of the war.

Now, we are leveraging those long-established relationships to immediately focus on humanitarian relief and relocation efforts within Ukraine and in neighboring countries throughout Europe, he said.

This includes providing shelter, food, water, medical supplies and numerous daily supplies. We have engaged a larger network of churches and partners to collectively assist over a thousand families and individuals in dire need.

Gateway has also allocated approximately $500,000 from the church's outreach budget for financial aid, which was added to Gateway members donating around $526,000 in the last few weeks.

So, collectively, over $1 million has been sent to assist the thousands of people in need. We will continue to raise money for this important relief and relocation effort, added Swicegood.

Swicegood told CP that he hopes Gateways efforts show that God loves and has not forgotten about the people of Ukraine." He stressed that churches, in general, are called to be a light in a dark world because Jesus came to a fallen world to give His live for all mankind.

We believe as Christians that we should be proactive in helping people in their time of need, he said. War has devastated so many, but it has not crushed the spirit and hope of Ukrainian people.

In February, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming that he was defending the newly proclaimed independence of predominantly ethnic Russian communities in the eastern part of the country.

Since then, millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes as Russian forces attack various cities, reportedly committing various war crimes during their military operations.

Numerous churches across the U.S. have been among those offering aid, including raising funds and supplies to provide to Ukrainian refugees.

Last month, for example, the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church of Nicholasville, Kentucky, raised around $145,000 at a bake sale to purchase supplies for those displaced by the conflict.

Victor Selepina, organizer of the UPC bake sale, told CP in an earlier interview that he never anticipated to have so many people come out and to raise that amount of money.

Our community has been absolutely wonderful, said Selepina. Weve been very, very, very blessed with a community that we live in, and also the opportunities that this country has given us at one point that we can now organize such events.
Jen Psaki claims cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers are 'best practice' for gender-confused kids

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki defended giving experimental puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children and teens suffering from gender dysphoria as a best practice and warned that the federal government would take action against states that ban such practices.

Critics of medicalized gender transition and elective surgeries to remove breast tissue and mutilate the genitals of underage youth say these practices are unethical and lead to a lifetime of sterilization and maimed bodies.

At a White House press briefing Thursday, Psaki condemned Republican elected officials for what she derided as engaging in a disturbing cynical trend of attacking vulnerable transgender kids for purely partisan, political reasons. Paski specifically singled out Republican lawmakers in Alabama for debating legislation that she claimed would target trans youth with tactics that threatens to put pediatricians in prison if they provide medically necessary, lifesaving healthcare for the kids they serve.

Psaki Says Sex Reassignment Surgery, Puberty Blockers for Kids Is Best Practice, States Preventing It Will Be Held Accountable pic.twitter.com/ZmboFDFIYx  Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 7, 2022

"Just like the extreme government overreach weve seen in Texas, where politicians have sent state officials into the homes of loving parents to investigate them for abuse  just to harass and intimidate the LGBTQI+ community  todays vote in Alabama will only serve to harm kids," Psaki said.

Alabamas lawmakers and other legislators who are contemplating these discriminatory bills have been put on notice by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services that laws and policies preventing care that healthcare professionals recommend for transgender minors may violate the Constitution and federal law.

Though Psaki claimed that every major medical association agrees that gender-affirming healthcare" for gender-confused youth is a "best practice and potentially lifesaving, the American College of Pediatricians maintains that there is not a single long-term study to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for transgender-believing youth.

Puberty blockers may actually cause depression and other emotional disturbances related to suicide," the American College of Pediatricians states. "In fact, the package insert for Lupron, the number one prescribed puberty blocker in America, lists emotional instability as a side effect and warns prescribers to Monitor for development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms during treatment.

The American College of Pediatricians listed some of the side effects associated with the use of Lupron as a puberty blocker, including: osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility. Side effects associated with cross-sex hormones include an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan.

In addition to concerns about the side effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, testimony from detransitioners who previously underwent treatment seeking to change their gender but now identify with their biological gender has also motivated efforts to ban the procedures for minors. Appearing on 60 Minutes last spring, a group of detransitioners described how undergoing what supporters laud as gender-affirming care made their mental health worse, not better.

One of the detransitioners, a male who once identified as female, reported that he had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation. He recalled that about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself, adding: I had a plan, and I was going to do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself.

Another detransitioner, a female who once identified as male, developed a really disturbing sense that, like, a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, theres something that should be there after having an elective mastectomy.

Before she took questions from members of the White House Press Corps, Psaki concluded her opening remarks by proclaiming that LGBTQI+ people cant be erased or forced back into any closets and kids across our nation should be allowed to be who they are without the threat that their parents or their doctor could be in prison simply for helping them and loving them.

Psaki then vowed that President Biden has committed in both words and actions to fight for all Americans and will not hesitate to hold these states accountable.

The "Vulnerable Child Protection Act," the Alabama bill Psaki took issue with during Thursdays press conference, bans state employees as well as employees of school districts from prescribing, dispensing, administering, or otherwise supplying puberty blocking medication to stop or delay normal puberty, performing surgeries that sterilize, performing surgeries that artificially construct tissue with the appearance of genitalia that differs from the individuals biological sex and removing any healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue.

The Republican-controlled Alabama House of Representatives approved the measure Thursday after the state Senate voted to approve it earlier this year. The Vulnerable Child Protection Act now sits on Republican Gov. Kay Iveys desk, where it awaits her signature.

Arkansas has already passed a law banning the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors over the objection of the states Republican governor. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has characterized such procedures as child abuse. Last week, a bill banning gender reassignment surgeries for minors became law in Arizona.
Decisions have consequences. How do you make good ones?

Multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near.  Joel 3:14

Decisions determine the direction of our life. The direction of our life determines our destiny. The average adult makes as many as 35,000 decisions a day. Many of them are mindless, but more than 70 decisions each day are those that make a tangible difference. Decisions have consequences. The issue is, how do you make good ones?

God created us to make decisions. Our capacity to make choices separates us from animals. Yet throughout history, you can see a lot of people who used their free will to make really bad decisions.

In 1979, Xerox showed Steve Jobs a mouse-driven computer interface that they didnt think was a big deal. Bad decision. Jobs used the technology, founded Apple Computer and the rest is history.

In 1962, Dick Rowe of Decca Records didnt sign the Beatles to a contract because he thought guitar rock groups were dead. Bad decision.

In 1941, Japan invaded Pearl Harbor. In 1899, a man named Asa Candler sold the bottling rights to Coca-Cola for one dollar. In 1846, the Donner Party took a shortcut through the mountains, got stranded, and resorted to cannibalism to survive. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia and lost 300,000 soldiers  and his nation. All bad decisions.

Even further back, Adam took a bite out of the fruit. Cain killed his brother Abel. Lots wife looked back and turned into a salt statue. Abraham had a child with a maid and those consequences continue today. Bad, bad, bad.

Everyone will at some time make a bad decision. Ive made too many to count, and I dont really want to recount them.

Some people date the wrong person. Others choose the wrong career. Many sell their houses at the wrong time or buy a car they cant afford.

How can we tip the odds and make more good decisions than bad decisions?

We can recognize that every day is a new day of decision, just as Moses recorded in Deuteronomy: This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings. Now choose life so that you and your children may live (Deuteronomy 30:19).

And Im setting before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God. The curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 11:26).

God wanted the Israelites to remember to make good decisions, so he directed them to stand on two mountains  Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal  and shout out the choices of the blessings and cursings. Years later, Joshua stood between those two mountains in a place called Shechem and made his famous line in the sand speech: Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve  but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Israels response that day stands as one of the greatest decisions in the history of the world.

Each day, we can stand like Joshua in Shechem and have the opportunity to make the best decision of our lives. How do we do it? The following seven keys are critical to good decisions:

Meditate on scripture. Immerse your mind in the will of God in Scripture. God promises good success to those who meditate on his word day and night.

Immerse your mind in the will of God in Scripture. God promises good success to those who meditate on his word day and night. Obey God. You cant expect to hear from God if you havent obeyed the last thing He told you.

You cant expect to hear from God if you havent obeyed the last thing He told you. Consult the right people and the right sources . This includes choosing the right friends.

. This includes choosing the right friends. Do your homework. Know what youre buying  and what youre buying into.

Know what youre buying  and what youre buying into. Consider the long-term consequences. What will this choice mean six months from now? Or a year from now?

What will this choice mean six months from now? Or a year from now? Pray and ask God for help. Be humble enough to say, God, I need you. Ask outright, Lord, is it a yes or a no?

Be humble enough to say, God, I need you. Ask outright, Lord, is it a yes or a no? Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. God is speaking at all times. Dont try to figure out everything on your own. Trust God from the bottom of your heart.

These seven keys may take years to learn. The best way to learn is to start today. Of the many bad decisions Ive made in my life, because of learning these keys, Ive also made some great ones  many that absolutely astonished me.

Some years back, a friend asked me to lead youth ministries in his state and pastor a small church. Lisa and I were living near our families and felt very blessed where we were. I told my friend, No. He answered, Well keep praying.

Within three days of that call, all hell broke loose. I thought my life was falling apart. I called my friend back and said, Can we still come? Within a month of arriving where hed invited us, I was asked to become the international youth director of an entire denomination.

How did God open a door wed never dreamed of? We went from a bad decision to a good decision by using those seven keys.

If youre young, the decision to marry is at the top of your list. But the most important decision in anyones life is to choose what you will do with Jesus. Even for people who have a long history of bad decisions, one good decision to follow Christ will change everything.

And if youre following Christ, then stand in Shechem with Joshua every day and follow those keys to make the choices that lead you further and further into Gods will and Gods blessings for your life.
Israels underground disciples need our prayers

Passover is a season when peoples hearts are more open to the Gospel, and the good news of Jesus Christ becomes of greater interest to those who havent accepted Him as their Messiah. And its at this time of year that many who dont know Yeshua come to saving faith in Him!

Thats one of the reasons why today in Israel, were not only seeing the physical restoration of the country after a 2,000-year exile, Jewish people are returning to their God and accepting the Messiah in numbers not seen since the early Church! A miracle is taking place right before our very eyes.

While historically Jesus the Messiah has been the best kept secret amongst the Jewish people, today there are many native-born Israelis coming to know Him as their personal Savior and bringing the Gospel back to Israel again.

The rabbis will say you cant be Jewish and believe in Yeshua (Jesus). We know, however, that Jesus is Jewish, the disciples were Jewish and there has always been a remnant of Jewish believers throughout history.

Today, there are just over 9 million people in Israel, about 7.5 million of whom are Jewish. Of those, there are about 30,000 Messianic Jews who believe in Jesus. The true number of believers, however, is likely much higher than we can document.

The best way to describe this online awakening is like an iceberg church; whats visible above water is just the tip. Based on our daily interactions online, we believe the vast majority of Israeli believers are under water, afraid or unable to come out publicly with their faith. Many believers are afraid to even tell their spouse about their Christian faith, much less attend a local church. Meeting face to face to discuss their faith feels impossible, and most new believers are confused with questions and afraid others will find out. Jews who accept Jesus as their Messiah are often outcasts, with their family going so far as to pray the Mourners Kaddish over them  a prayer said for those who have passed away.

One Israeli seeker shared with One For Israel recently, When I was 15, I saw a picture of Yeshua on the cross and I really connected with it deeply in my soul. At the age of 18, I looked into Yeshua a bit and started to believe in him. However, my family is religious, and my dad warned me that Yeshua was no good. My heart cries out for Yeshua, but Im afraid to do anything about it even though I believe in Yeshua deep in my soul.

Israel is experiencing a massive transformation. Yeshua is the most searched religious term in Israel and in the last eight years weve had over 47 million views of our Gospel films in Israel alone! Theres a massive spiritual hunger among the underground Jewish believers of Israel. They have many questions about faith in Jesus and they crave discipleship.

Why is discipleship important?

Before believers were labeled as Christians, we were called disciples. Jesus said, If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples (John 8:31). A disciple, in the time of Jesus, was someone who followed and learned under a teacher. During His three years of ministry on earth, Jesus demonstrated how integral this learning is to those who believe in Him.

Discipleship helps believers:

Grow in their understanding of Christ, and mature in Godly wisdom.

Learn to trust in Him to become fully committed followers of Christ.

Build their faith on a solid foundation so that they can then disciple and lead others towards Christ.

To help underground believers grow in their faith, One For Israel offers innovative discipleship tools that connect with Jewish and Israeli society in a powerful way through our online platforms and Hebrew bible app. Our websites and Bible app are geared to reach people from secular, religious or atheistic backgrounds. These resources offer several hundred apologetic articles and over 100 short videos that answer hundreds of objections to Jesus, as well as a powerful series of discipleship teachings in Hebrew, helping new believers understand the core teachings of Yeshua.

These resources are a powerful lifeline for underground seekers and new believers in Israel  many of whom are unable to attend a local gathering or too afraid to meet face-to-face with ministers  where they can learn anonymously online. Our hope is after completing our discipleship program, believers will allow us to help them connect to a local congregation and personal fellowship groups.

In addition to discipleship, these underground believers  our brothers and sisters in Christ  need our prayers to remain steadfast in their faith. Thats why we invite all Christians to pray for:

All Israeli believers to grow in their faith, becoming more deeply rooted and grounded (And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. - Ephesians 3:17-18)

New believers to take the bold steps of faith into fellowship with other believers and avail themselves to discipleship (And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. - Acts 2:42)

Many more Israeli men and women to come to faith in Jesus, step into discipleship and feel bold in their witness (Brothers and sisters, my hearts desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. - Romans 10:1)

Protection around all Israelis who have chosen to follow Yeshua and strive to be a witness for Him (Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12),
The abortion culture and atrocity in Ukraine

The question from a TV interviewer veered off-script and bolted at me from the blue: Why do you think the Russians are committing atrocities in the Ukraine? Abortion, I answered so quickly it surprised even me.

The mindless massacre of the innocent during the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been stunning. It seems that in the eyes of the killers, human life has no intrinsic value, whether a babushka  a grandmother  struggling to flee, or a child clinging to its parents as they run through fiery streets in search of shelter.

What kind of people commit mindless massacre? What sort of culture produced them?



The United States is not guiltless. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade legitimized abortion at a new level. Human beings objectified one another, often resulting in the devaluation of life to mere utility and convenience.

When a nations highest court sanctions a belief or behavior, it has spoken for the nation itself. In 1973, the Supreme Court stated, in the language of its ruling in Roe: We need not resolve the puzzling question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of mans knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer.

Thus, in 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court was ambivalent about human life, and in 2022 a new Supreme Court appointee  a woman  was unable to say what a female is. Ironically, popular culture and its ardent supporters applauded her response while rejoicing that the new judge was a woman.



They could define what she could not. But ambiguity about life and being is worse than that. Confusion about essential identity leads to a society that cannot figure out who God is as well as who a human is and leads to a deadly ambiguity.



Uncertainty regarding gender is a matter of concern, but uncertainty about whether the being in the womb is a living human being and protected by the foundational right to life specified in the U.S. Declaration of Independence is a life and death matter.

One of the outcomes is the objectification of the person. Seeing human beings as objects of satisfaction and then obstacles blocking ones ambitions are characteristics of the abortion culture that has affected Russia and so many nations.

When life is devalued in the privacy of the womb, why should we be surprised when it is devalued in a nations public places?



Lenin and his fellow Marxists unleashed the abortion monster on Russia when they took over the country through the 1917 revolution. Abortion there grew to the extent that in some historic eras Russia has been the world leader in the number of aborted pregnancies.

During one period, 57% of pregnancies in Russia were aborted. It seemed the number of abortions would outstrip the birth rate.

Even Vladimir Putin was concerned enough to call for a reduction in abortions. A government policy there now aims to cut abortions in half by 2025 to deal with the demographic crisis.

While that goal is applauded by many, it exposes a problem: The push to slow abortion in Russia is based on pragmatics (the goal to solve the demographic problem). Unbounded abortion will not end until people are convicted in their hearts that policies sanctioning it constitute sin. But without the sense of Gods transcendence, the concept of sin is lost as well. All that is left is political correctness, enforced by self-righteous establishment elites whose legalisms are as restrictive as the religions they hate.

Russia isnt alone. Ukraine also showed up on lists of nations with the most abortions. Dr. Brian Clowes, in a 2017 Human Life International report, wrote that every one of Europes 48 nations is currently under replacement fertility levels ... Nine European nations have remained continuously below replacement since 1965.

Atrocity is an atrocity, whether in the battle-torn streets of a city under siege by a military aggressor, or a nation under siege by a worldview that struggles to define the very humanity of a child in the womb as well as identifying gender once outside the womb.

This is indeed deadly ambiguity.

The objectification of the human being is not the only characteristic of the abortion culture. Another is the loss of the secularized individual human spirit and the soul of the society of the belief in and sense of Gods transcendence and the human accountability that goes with it.

When men and women no longer revere God, they lose reverence and respect for the life He has created in the womb as well as the lives of innocents rushing to shelters amidst a fiery war.

The tragedies in Ukraine should appall us all, but not surprise us at all.
Egyptian Coptic priest stabbed to death; suspect apprehended

A knife-wielding man in Egypt stabbed a Coptic Orthodox priest several times in the neck, which led to his death. The countrys interior ministry says the accused, a 60-year-old man, has been arrested.

Arsanios Wadeed, an archpriest of the Church of the Virgin Mary and Mar Bolous in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, was stabbed Thursday while he was walking in the Corniche area, a popular seaside promenade, Egypt Independent reported.

Egypts Ministry of Interior announced Friday that the suspect had been arrested.

The security services of the Alexandria Security Directorate were able to arrest a 60-year-old man who assaulted a Christian cleric while walking on the Corniche in the Sidi Bishr area of Alexandria using a knife he possessed, it said in a statement, adding that the priest died while being treated in a hospital.

The accused had not been identified as of early Saturday, and the motive of the stabbing also remained unclear.

The Coptic Church posted photos on social media showing the priests funeral at the Saint Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria Friday, according to ABC News, which said a Bible was placed on the priests chest and a cross around his neck.

While many details about the incident remain unclear, it does highlight the vulnerability that many Egyptian Christians face, particularly during the religious holidays of Ramadan and Easter, Jeff King, president of the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern, said in a statement.

It is normal for Christians to face increased persecution during these seasons, and such an incident could inspire further acts of extremism, he warned.

King added, Unfortunately, within the Egyptian context, it is common for the attacker to be accused of having a mental illness rather than addressing underlying extremist motivations. This trend is not only a disservice to authentic religious freedom, but also increases the marginalization of those with genuine disabilities.

The Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypts population, are the descendants of a long line of ancient Egyptians who later converted to Christianity in the early first century, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

According to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Egypt is among the 20 worst persecutors of Christians in the world.

Incidents of Christian persecution in Egypt vary from Christian women being harassed while walking in the street to Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs, the group says on its website, adding that Christians are typically treated as second-class citizens.

Egypts government speaks positively about the Egyptian Christian community, but the lack of serious law enforcement and the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians leave them vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, especially in Upper Egypt, it explains. Due to the dictatorial nature of the regime, neither church leaders nor other Christians are in a position to speak out against these practices.

Churches and Christian nongovernmental organizations are restricted in their ability to build new churches or run social services, it adds. The difficulties come both from state restrictions, as well as from communal hostility and mob violence.
Franklin Graham to preach Easter Sunday sermon from Ukraine

About a month after returning from Ukraine, evangelist Franklin Graham has announced that he will go back to the war-torn country to deliver a special message on Easter Sunday amid Russias ongoing invasion that has killed more than 1,700 civilians, including 139 children.

Ill be going back to Ukraine to preach an Easter message, wrote Graham, who heads Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, on social media.

On Easter, he added, we celebrate the reason for our hope  JESUS IS ALIVE!

The event will include music from an 80-person Ukrainian choir, many of whom have been displaced by the war, BGEAs website says.

His Easter message will air on Fox News at Noon ET on April 17.

My deepest gratitude to my father Billy Grahams friend, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, who is providing the television air time for this, Graham shared.

Since Russia began its invasion on Feb. 24, it's estimated that at least 1,766 civilians have been killed and 2,383 have been injured as of a Saturday update from the United Nations. Among those killed are 129 children. Since the invasion began, more than 10 million people in Ukraine have been forced to flee their homes.

Last month, Graham traveled to Ukraine as his ministries are helping Ukrainians in need.

After his return, Graham spoke to The Christian Post and discussed Samaritans Purses efforts to minister to and help Ukrainians fleeing the regions of their country targeted by Russian troops.

The organization has established a field hospital in western Ukraine.

The North Carolina-based charity is operating medical clinics and distributing relief items through 3,000 church partners in Ukraine and Moldova. The charity has made five airlifts, delivering more than 185 tons of supplies since March 4.

Youve got people that are diabetic, youve got people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, all of these kinds of things are just normal everyday problems of life, Graham said. On top of that, you have a lot of people that have been wounded due to the shelling. And so, you have to throw that into the mix.

Among the medical clinics Samaritans Purse has established is a 24-hour clinic at a train station in Lviv and another at a bus station in the city. A third clinic is located in Chernivtsi in southwest Ukraine.

Samaritans Purse has over 150 staff members in the region and treats over 100 patients per day. The organization has seen more than 2,400 patients across all of its medical sites as of last week.

Earlier this month, Graham urged Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to a ceasefire during the 10 days of Easter observances.

I have written to Putin and to Zelenskyy asking for a ceasefire from April 15-24, Graham wrote on Facebook.

I shared with them that I will be calling on churches in Ukraine, Russia, and around the globe to join together in prayer during those 10 days, wrote Graham. May we humbly unite before the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Prince of Peace, to ask for His help and mercy.

Graham wrote that he hoped that if they could agree to a 10-day ceasefire, then maybe they can stop fighting for two weeks.

If they stop for two weeks, maybe they can stop for a month, he added. If they stop for a month, maybe they can stop for good. Youve got to start somewhere.

Graham, the son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, said the deadly conflict is a man-made disaster, a historic humanitarian crisis.

He believes God is the only solution.
Indonesia: Christian YouTuber sentenced to 10 years in prison for posting videos critical of Islam

An Indonesian Christian YouTuber has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for posting a video that purportedly offended people across the Muslim-majority country.

Muhammad Kace, a former Muslim cleric who converted to Christianity in 2014 and had been uploading videos to YouTube criticizing his former faith, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Ciamis District Court in West Java this week.

On the day of his sentencing, Muslims surrounded the court demanding a harsher prosecution of the convert, according to the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern.

Kace was arrested in Bali last August after he uploaded a sermon video in which he allegedly insulted the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According to UCA News, Muslim groups filed several complaints about that video in which he said: Muhammad is unknown by God and is only known by his followers because he is surrounded by devils.

When prosecutors demanded a 10-year jail term for him, Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of the Jakarta-based rights group Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, noted that Muhammad Yahya Waloni, a Muslim convert from Christianity, was recently convicted of a similar offense against Christians but he received only five months.

Police allege that Kace uploaded at least 400 videos insulting Islam. And he did it intentionally to stir public unrest, chief prosecutor Syahnan Tanjung was quoted as telling the court. This is outrageous, so it warrants a stiff sentence, he said.

In jail, Kace was beaten and tortured by a police official named Napoleon Bonaparte, who was detained in the same prison due to a corruption case, ICC said, adding that Bonaparte forced Kace to eat his excrement.

Kaces lawyer, Martin Lucas Simanjuntak, has said his client will appeal the sentence.

The Indonesian government should promptly repeal the blasphemy law, Andreas Harsono, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch Indonesia, told ICC. Both Christian preacher Mohammad Kace and Muslim cleric Yahya Waloni need not to stay a single night in prison because of the toxic law.

Timothy Carothers, ICCs advocacy manager for Southeast Asia, said: The right to speak ones mind is essential and must be protected. This sort of treatment and punishment under Indonesian law is a shameful reality. As long as Indonesia continues to enforce religious harmony through regulation and prosecution, it will continue to achieve the opposite.

The Southeast Asian country is home to the worlds largest Muslim population. Its Constitution is based on the doctrine of Pancasila  five principles upholding the nations belief in the one and only God and social justice, humanity, unity and democracy for all.

However, there are many extremist groups in Indonesia that oppose Pancasila.

Churches often face opposition from groups that attempt to obstruct the construction of non-Muslim houses of worship.
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Russian Netflix users have reportedly filed a class-action lawsuit against the streaming giant for loss of service.

Last month Netflix confirmed it was suspending its service in Russia as a protest against the countrys invasion of Ukraine. Netflix has also paused all projects in and acquisitions from Russia. Before withdrawing from the country, Netflix declined to carry 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that they were required to host under Russian law.

Russian state media outlet RIA now reports that 20 people (the minimum required in Russia for a class-action suit) have already joined the legal action against the streamer with around a hundred more individuals applying to join.

Netflix has amassed roughly one million subscribers since launching in Russia in 2016. A Netflix subscription in Russia costs around 799 rubles ($9.67) per month.

The plaintiffs are being represented by Moscow-based lawfirm Chernyshov, Lukoyanov and Partners. According to RIA, the firms case is that Netflix entered into a public contract with subscribers that does not provide for the possibility of unilateral refusal to fulfil obligations. They therefore claim that Netflixs suspension of service violates users rights and constitutes a violation of the Russian Federations civil code as well as consumer rights laws.

The plaintiffs are seeking 60 million rubles (approx. $730,000) compensation for non-pecuniary damages as well as a fine against Netflix equal to 50% of the amount awarded by the court. Further penalties could be imposed if Netflix loses the case and refuses to comply with the compensatory orders.

Variety has reached out to Netflix and Chernyshov, Lukoyanov and Partners for comment.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  The debate took less than four minutes.

In the Florida House last month, legislators swiftly gave final approval to a bill that makes it easier to buy and sell cryptocurrency, eliminating a threat from a law intended to curb money laundering. One of the few pauses in the action came when two House members stood up to thank crypto industry stakeholders for teaming with state officials to write a draft of the bill.

Whether youre Binance or Ethereum, Dogecoin or Bitcoin, this is a great bill, said Rep. John Snyder, R-Palm City, referring to crypto exchanges and coins.

Shortly afterward, the House voted unanimously to pass the measure. The Senate followed, sending the bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature after 75 seconds of deliberations.

Floridas warm embrace of the cryptocurrency agenda is just the tip of an aggressive industry-led push to position states as crypto-friendly beachheads. Across the nation, crypto executives and lobbyists are helping to draft bills to benefit the fast-growing industry, then pushing lawmakers to adopt these made-to-order laws, before moving rapidly to profit from the legislative victories.

The effort is part of an emerging national strategy by the crypto industry, in the absence of comprehensive federal regulatory demands, to work state by state to engineer a more friendly legal system. Lobbyists are aiming to clear the way for the continued explosive growth of cryptocurrency companies, which are trying to revolutionize banking, e-commerce and even art and music.

Many states are racing to satisfy the wish lists from crypto companies and their lobbyists, betting that the industry can generate new jobs. But some consumer advocates worry that this aim-to-please effort could leave investors and businesses more vulnerable to the scams and risky practices that have plagued cryptos early growth.

In Florida, the new money-transmission legislation emerged from a monthslong collaboration between Rep. Vance Aloupis Jr., R-South Miami, and Samuel Armes, who is starting a cryptocurrency investment firm, Tortuga Venture Fund.

Vance has been an incredible asset to the blockchain and crypto community, Armes said.

Similar teamwork has been on display in Wyoming, North Carolina, Illinois, Mississippi, Kentucky and other states, according to a New York Times review of state legislative proposals and interviews with legislators and their industry allies.

At least 153 pieces of cryptocurrency-related legislation were pending this year in 40 states and Puerto Rico, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures. While it was unclear how many were influenced by the crypto industry, some bills have used industry-proposed language almost word for word. One bill pending in Illinois lifted entire sentences from a draft provided by a lobbyist.

OCTAVIO JONES/NYT

In New York, at least a dozen industry players have hired lobbyists over the past year  including Blockchain.com, a crypto exchange, and Paxos, which is trying to set up a national crypto bank  collectively spending more than $140,000 a month, state records show.

The state proposals include bills to exempt cryptocurrency from securities laws intended to protect investors from fraud. Other legislation, such as in Florida, would exclude certain cryptocurrency transactions from money-transmission laws enacted to curb money laundering. Some would take even more radical steps, as in Arizona, where one legislator wants to declare Bitcoin legal tender so it can be accepted to pay off debts.

Legislators want to be on the cutting edge, on the side of something new, said Kristin Smith, executive director of the Blockchain Association, a Washington group that represents the industry. We want to cultivate more champions.

The moves have alarmed current and former financial regulators like Lee Reiners, a onetime supervisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who is now at Duke University law school. He raised objections last year before North Carolina passed a bill exempting certain experimental cryptocurrency startups from the states consumer protection laws.

States are being convinced you have to do this if you want to be competitive, so theyre rolling out the red carpet for crypto firms, he said. Theres no one pushing back saying there are big risks here to your citizens, of money laundering, consumer fraud and tax evasion.

State legislators, many of whom have limited background in financial regulation, said they had little choice but to rely on industry experts, given the complexity of the crypto marketplace.

About two years ago, Jason Saine, a state representative in North Carolina, spoke with Dan Spuller, who wanted to pitch him on crypto projects and later joined the Blockchain Association.

What would it look like? Saine said he recalled asking. You tell me.

Their collaboration resulted in a bill that Saine introduced last year creating a regulatory sandbox for financial technology projects  essentially a special license allowing the industry to test new products without following certain regulatory requirements. The bill passed in October.

Solving the Espinoza Problem

In Florida, it began with the 2019 book Bitcoin Billionaires.

State legislators started working with the crypto industry after Aloupis read the book, which details the efforts of the Winklevoss brothers, who helped create Facebook, to generate new wealth in the crypto industry.

Aloupis said he had then spoken with the Gemini Trust Co., the cryptocurrency exchange that the Winklevosses founded, and Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered cryptocurrency bank, for input on possible legislation he could introduce.

At the time, crypto executives were frustrated with a 2019 Florida court ruling that upheld the conviction of Mitchell Espinoza, who had sold Bitcoin to a Miami Beach police officer working undercover as the operator of a Russian stolen-credit-card enterprise. Espinoza was charged with laundering money and failing to hold a Florida money-transmission license.

The ruling meant that any two-party transaction involving cryptocurrency in Florida  even perhaps withdrawing money from a crypto ATM or buying crypto on an exchange  required sellers to have a state money-transmission license. For crypto companies, that necessitated meeting financial stability requirements and completing complicated paperwork. They called it the Espinoza Problem.

In July, the state ordered a dozen ATM providers that sell crypto in exchange for cash  including Cash Cloud, Coin Now and DigiCash  to register as money transmitters, despite appeals from the companies, documents obtained by The New York Times show.

Last year, Aloupis introduced the bill to exempt two-party crypto transactions, after lobbying appeals by Armes and a trade group he leads, the Florida Blockchain Business Association. (Its members include Binance, the large crypto exchange.) The bill failed to win Senate approval, and it was reintroduced for this years session.

Russell Weigel, the Florida commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation, said he endorsed the legislation that Armes had championed.

If I go and buy groceries at your food store, thats a two-party transaction, Weigel said. Do I need a license for that? It seems absurd.

Lobbyists for Blockchain.com, a cryptocurrency exchange that moved last year from New York to Miami, and Bit5ive, which manufactures crypto mining equipment in the Florida area, joined the effort, contacting dozens of state lawmakers.

They are very pro crypto, Robert Collazo, the Bit5ive CEO, said of Florida lawmakers.

In the future, the company plans to raise money for crypto-friendly legislators in Florida, said Michael Kesti, Bit5ives lobbyist. The legislative affairs director of the Florida blockchain association, Jason Holloway, is already running for the state House, with donations  some in cryptocurrency  from Armes and others.

I dont want it to seem like we are paying for the influence, Kesti said. But we do want to support them.

A Nationwide Lobbying Push

What has happened in Florida is playing out in other states as the crypto industry mobilizes to move its agenda  or defend against efforts to rein it in.

In New York, for example, concern about the environmental impact of crypto mining  in which large amounts of electricity are used to run computers that allow investors to get newly issued crypto tokens  has led to pending legislation to ban these centers. Another bill proposes cracking down on common forms of crypto fraud. The result has been a flood of lobbying in New York to combat these measures.

The opposite is happening in Georgia and Illinois, where legislators have proposed tax incentives for mining companies.

The Illinois bill emerged after Sangha Systems, a crypto mining company, converted an old steel mill in the state into a mining center and sought a special tax break to help finance the project.

Last year, a Sangha lobbyist took an official from the state Chamber of Commerce to visit the project in Hennepin, Illinois. Keith Staats, the chamber official, suggested modifying a state law to extend tax incentives to mining companies that set up shop in Illinois. He wrote a draft of the bill, which the chamber shared with Sangha.

I looked at it, I iterated with them, said Spencer Marr, Sanghas president. They made sure I was good with it.

In January, Sue Rezin, a Republican state senator, introduced the bill  at the urging of the chamber, she said. She said she was not a crypto expert and had not heard too much about minings environmental impact.

The bills final version, which is awaiting action, is nearly identical to the draft written by Staats  including technical language about data centers and mining.

Not all legislative proposals have come to fruition. In Mississippi, Josh Harkins, a Republican state senator, proposed several crypto bills this year, including one exempting digital tokens from securities laws. He said he had gotten the idea from a lobbyist, Daniel Harrison, who was hoping to start a local blockchain trade association.

The bills died in committee in February. Harkins said he planned to revive them this summer.

Profiting on State Legislation

In some states where crypto legislation has passed, the architects of the proposals have moved swiftly to profit on the laws.

Last year, Kentucky passed a pair of bills creating tax incentives for crypto mining companies. One was sponsored by Brandon Smith, a Republican who leads the state Senates Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

A few months after the bill passed, Smith teamed up with Bitmain, a supplier of hardware for crypto mining, to propose a Kentucky-based repair center for mining equipment, a project he has since abandoned. Smith, in an interview, said he did not consider his work in the industry a conflict, given that he had not applied for the tax credits his law created.

Nowhere has the potential for crypto advocates to profit on new legislation become more apparent than in Wyoming.

Since 2018, Wyoming has established more than 20 laws that make it easier for the crypto industry to operate. A key player was Caitlin Long, a Wall Street veteran and a crypto booster, who helped engineer a 2019 law that paved the way for banks handling digital assets to receive Wyoming charters.

Not long after the crypto banking legislation passed, Long opened Avanti Bank and thanked Wyomings Legislature for making the business possible. The bank promptly received a state charter.

Last year, the business, now known as Custodia, raised $37 million from venture investors. Somebody has to be in the arena, doing the work, Long said.

Long worked on the banking legislation with Trace Mayer, a crypto investor and entrepreneur. Both had invested in Kraken, a crypto exchange that also received a state charter.

Critics have accused Long of using her influence to enrich herself.

They came in and started writing legislation that really gamed it to their advantage, said Robert Jennings, who served with Long on a coalition of crypto supporters in Wyoming. It quit being about How do we help Wyoming people? and quickly became How do we game this system for the big crypto players? 

Long said she had not decided to start a crypto bank until months after Wyomings legislation passed, when it was unclear whether others would take advantage of the law.

Its not easy to find the right people, she said. The crypto kids in hoodies, so to speak, were not likely to pass muster.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
DENVER (AP)  The U.S. Environmental Agency is proposing to downgrade Colorados biggest population center from a serious to a severe violator of federal ozone standards, a move that would force the state and industry to adopt tougher local rules to improve air quality.

After several smoggy summers that have often shrouded the view of the Rockies from Denver, Colorado officials had expected the recommendation, slated to be published in the Federal Record on Wednesday.

Gov. Jared Polis and fellow Democrats who control the Legislature are pursuing legislation costing hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce transit pollution, promote an electrified transportation grid, increase air and ground monitoring of polluters in the oil, gas and other industries and subsidize free public transportation during the worst summer pollution months.

The greater metropolitan areas of New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston also are set to be classified as severe ozone violators under the EPA proposal, Colorado Public News reported Tuesday. The proposals are subject to 60-day public comment periods, including virtual public hearings, before possibly going into effect.

Ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, forms when pollutants emitted by vehicles, power plants and a wide range of industries chemically react in sunlight. It can aggravate asthma and contribute to early deaths from respiratory disease. Increasingly warm temperatures and smoke from wildfires play their role  both of which experts attribute to climate change that has delivered an epic drought gripping the U.S. West.

In Colorado, the EPA move would affect a nine-county area of metropolitan Denver that stretches from Fort Collins in the north to the southern Denver suburb of Castle Rock. The region repeatedly has missed deadlines to reduce ozone levels below a 2008 EPA standard of 75 parts per billion.

Ground-level ozone remains one of the most challenging public health concerns we face, K.C. Becker, the EPAs Denver-based regional administrator, told CPR News.

The Denver urban corridor has struggled to meet EPA ozone standards for nearly two decades. In 2019, the EPA downgraded the regions air quality rating from moderate to serious. Polis welcomed the move, having said it was time to stop sugar-coating Colorados air problems.

A downgrade would be more costly for numerous additional businesses that would have to seek and comply with tougher state air pollution permits, especially in the transportation and oil and gas sectors. Gasoline stations may be required to sell cleaner-burning but pricier fuel during the summer of 2024, when the EPA recommendation could take effect.

State regulators could require more than 450 new business emissions sources to get permits, and the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, a part of the state public health department, is seeking $43 million this legislative session to add dozens of workers and buy monitoring equipment.

Complicating the local problem is that one-half to two-thirds of the regions ozone comes from outside Colorado, according to Michael Silverstein, executive director of the Denver-based Regional Air Quality Council, the regions air quality planning agency.

We can reduce our share of those emissions and hopefully rely on our upwind partners to reduce ozone across the country and around the world, Silverstein said.
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The city of Houston would really like locals to stop feeding ducks in Hermann Park, but responses on social media indicate stopping the practice will be an uphill battle.

Save up to 75% off things to do in Houston

KHOU 11 posted a story Monday highlighting a push by local officials to enforce a feeding ban for the ducks living in the downtown park space. The feature included footage from the park, where residents have been asked to stop tossing breadcrumbs and other food to the duck population, which the city says has "exploded" in recent months and caused the birds to loiter in the space.

"For many years people have been bringing bread to the park and feeding the ducks and families like to come and do that," city of Houston natural resources manager Kelli Andracek told KHOU 11. "But it really has created some problems and the ducks are prolific breeders and the population has gotten a little bit out of control there."

The chief instigators of the overpopulation are Muscovy ducks, according to Andracek. Muscovys are large, warty-faced ducks with white and black plumage commonly found in South America. They make up a significant portion of the 150 waterfowl living in the park that officials are saying residents shouldn't feed. Efforts to drive home this point have included the city installing "Do Not Feed" signs by ponds in the park, but judging by social media responses to KHOU's news report, it's going to take a lot more than posted warnings to dissuade some people from the practice.

"All the fkn crime in the city and you're worried about some ducks being fed!!! Smh," commented one user on KHOU's YouTube video of the duck report.

"Just let people take them home," wrote another. "Free ducks!"

"I will feed the ducks any damn time I want," wrote user Dave Smiling Coyote.

"These people just wanna ruin the fun!" commented Jerin Browder. "[I'm] going to keep feeding the ducks."

"You have to put them on buses and send them to Delaware," wrote user @namagemx.

Hermann Park's duck drama comes months after Houston Nextdoor.com users began circulating a false story about an alleged plan concocted by the city to kill all of the park's domesticated ducks and geese. Park officials were quick to debunk the rumor and assured citizens that they are hoping to push the invasive ducks from the park peacefully via the feeding ban.
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SALADO, Texas (AP)  Nearly two dozen people were injured when tornadoes swept through central Texas as part of a storm system that was expected to spawn more twisters and damaging winds Wednesday.

The storms caused widespread damage Tuesday in Salado, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Austin. Bell County Judge David Blackburn said 23 people were injured, one of them critically. Twelve of the injured were taken to hospitals, Blackburn said.

Theres not much left, said Blackburn, the county's top elected official. Large trees are uprooted and overturned and stripped. Buildings really reduced to rubble. ... Power lines, power poles, are scattered all over the place. Its pretty devastating.

Photos on social media showed grapefruit-size hail associated with that storm.

Tornadoes were also spotted Tuesday in Iowa, but there were no reports of serious injuries. In Lincoln, Nebraska, powerful wind gusts knocked down tree limbs and caused some roof damage. A possible tornado also caused damage in the small southern Minnesota town of Taopi near the state's border with Iowa.

Mower County Sheriff Steve Sandvik said dispatchers began getting calls from residents trapped in their damaged homes not long after a tornado warning siren sounded at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. There were no reports of serious injuries. Weather service crews were assessing damage in the area Wednesday.

More tornadoes were in the forecast Wednesday for parts of the mid-South and in the Mississippi River Valley, the Storm Prediction Center said.

Hurricane-force winds, intense tornadoes and large hail were possible in Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana and Alabama, forecasters said. Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, were among the cities that could see the worst weather Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center said.

Elsewhere, the North Dakota Capitol, schools, government offices and interstates remained closed Wednesday as a blizzard continued to bear down on the state.

A blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service remained in effect through Thursday for most of western and central North Dakota where up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow was expected.
Calixtro Villarreal's phone rang Saturday afternoon, about 48 hours after his client, Lizelle Herrera, was arrested and charged with murder - over what local authorities alleged was a "self-induced abortion."

It was Gocha Ramirez, the district attorney in Starr County, Texas, a remote area on the border with Mexico. Herrera should never have been charged, Ramirez told the lawyer, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private interactions.

The district attorney reiterated that sentiment in a text he sent the next day to an acquaintance. "I'm so sorry," he wrote in the message, which was reviewed by The Washington Post. "I assure you I never meant to hurt this young lady."

Ramirez moved to drop all the charges Sunday. He did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Herrera. Villarreal declined to comment multiple times.

Abortion rights advocates in Texas and across the country seized on Herrera's arrest soon after she was taken into custody Thursday, concerned that it might be connected to a new Texas law banning most abortions and, worse, pointed to an ominous future in which women seeking to terminate their pregnancies are treated as criminals.

However, interviews with several people in the South Texas community closely following the situation, as well as statements from leaders in the Texas antiabortion movement, suggest this was not part of a broader antiabortion strategy, but instead a hasty error by a first-term Democratic district attorney. Herrera's husband -- who filed for divorce on the same day as her arrest -- is being represented by a prosecutor in the district attorney's office, raising questions about a potential conflict of interests.

Still, Herrera's arrest could inflame a growing state-by-state fight over abortion. The battle has intensified leading up to a Supreme Court decision this summer that could overturn or significantly weaken Roe v. Wade, the landmark precedent that has protected the right to abortion for nearly 50 years. Since the district attorney's statement that it was a hospital that reported Herrera to law enforcement, her case has drawn sharp concerns from abortion rights activists, who worry that potential patient privacy violations could instill greater fear in women seeking access to legal abortion.

"There is already such a great degree of mistrust and fearfulness around abortion," especially in Texas, said Blair Cushing, an abortion provider in South Texas.

Texas law explicitly exempts a woman from a criminal homicide charge for aborting her pregnancy. While many of the specifics of Herrera's case remain unclear, even staunch antiabortion activists condemned her arrest. Texas Right to Life, the organization that helped draft the Texas abortion ban, said her indictment came as a surprise.

"The Texas Heartbeat Act and other pro-life policies in the state clearly prohibit criminal charges for pregnant women," said John Seago, the group's legislative director, referring to the Texas law that allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps facilitate an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. "Texas Right to Life opposes public prosecutors going outside of the bounds of Texas's prudent and carefully crafted policies."

Cushing said she sees patients every day who buy pills in Mexico for a medication abortion - a two-step procedure that involves mifepristone and misoprostol - then come to her clinic for a check-up. After hearing that a woman in their region was charged with murder for an abortion, Cushing said she expects patients may try to hide the details of their situations - or they may not come to her at all.

In a statement issued Sunday, Ramirez acknowledged that the events surrounding the incident had clearly "taken a toll" on Herrera and her family.

"To ignore this fact would be shortsighted," he said.

A hospital brought the case to the attention of the sheriff's office, according to Ramirez's statement. Rene "Orta" Fuentes, 61, who became sheriff in 2008 after spending nearly three decades in the department, did not respond to a request for comment.

Ross Barrera, a community organizer and former chairman of the Starr County Republican Party, said abortion is rarely discussed in public forums in the heavily Democratic county. He described Ramirez as a "hardcore Democrat" and said he simply made a misstep in the Herrera case.

"I think his office just failed in doing their work," he said. "I would put my hand on the Bible and say this was not a political statement."

Ramirez has been widely supportive of Democratic candidates. He backed the Democratic presidential ticket in 2020 on social media. He contributed to Democrat gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke last year, to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis in 2014 and to Democrat Barack Obama's first presidential campaign in 2008, according to state and federal campaign records.

Starr County, in the heart of Texas's overwhelmingly Hispanic Rio Grande Valley, is a mostly rural region dotted with small towns. Residents of Rio Grande City, the county seat, buy their groceries at a single H-E-B supermarket. People either gather at church or in their backyards for carne asada, according to the person familiar with the situation involving Herrera. Since a Panda Express opened recently, this person added, it has been "all the rage."

While people in Starr County tend to vote for Democrats up and down the ticket, many are socially conservative, particularly when it comes to abortion. The region is saturated with staunch Catholics who still raise an eyebrow to discuss who got pregnant "out of wedlock," said the person familiar with the situation.

Few details are publicly known about Herrera, the 26-year-old woman at the center of an incident that has drawn national attention. She was released from police custody after mobilization efforts helmed by abortion rights groups led by women of color.

Her husband, Ismael Herrera, filed a divorce petition on April 7, the same day as her arrest, according to court documents. They married in 2015, when she was 19 years old, and stopped living together on or about Jan. 1, according to the records. The separation occurred less than a week before the "self-induced abortion" described in her indictment. The couple have two sons, according to the records.

The lawyer who filed the petition, Judith Solis, did not respond to requests for comment. Solis is one of five prosecutors who works in the Starr County district attorney's office.

Court officials referred questions about which prosecutor presented Herrera's case to the grand jury to Ramirez. He could not be immediately reached Wednesday morning. But lawyers say prosecutors in that office are allowed to practice civil litigation.

Melisandra Mendoza, a lawyer who used to work in the district attorney's office, said if Solis does not make Herrera's arrest an issue in the divorce, there may not be a conflict of interests. However, she said she would not have taken the divorce case. "I probably would have walked away from this case," she said.

Ismael Herrera also could not be reached by The Post. He spoke briefly in Spanish to a local television reporter on Monday, saying, "Listen right now, I have no words. ... It was a son. A boy."

Ramirez, the 68-year-old district attorney, won the Democratic primary in 2020 and did not face a Republican challenger in the general election. Much of his campaign focused on child advocacy. On April 1, one week before Herrera's arrest, his office posted a message on Facebook declaring April "Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month" in the 229th Judicial District.

The district attorney's office chose to present this case to a grand jury to seek an indictment for murder.

Within the legal community in Starr County, Ramirez's decision to bring the case is widely seen as "gross negligence," said a lawyer in the community, who like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss sensitive topics.

When Abner Burnett, one of the Starr County public defenders, first heard about the arrest, he was confused about which statute the District Attorney's office might be using, because the Texas penal code clearly exempts a pregnant woman from this kind of murder charge.

"At first I thought maybe someone had slipped a new statute by me and they were trying it out," said Burnett.

Legal advocates in the national abortion rights community rushed to offer financial and legal support to Herrera over the weekend, according to the person familiar with the situation. But Herrera and her family decided to retain Villarreal, a 54-year-old lawyer known for quoting Scripture.

His law firm's website describes it as "a Christian-based organization that believes in the teachings of the Lord and the impact that only Jesus Christ can have on individuals. The website adds: "With this in mind, our intention is to use our wisdom and experience that the Lord has provided to serve our clients with the utmost respect and care. It is an honor to serve our clients, for it is a service to God."

In a small legal community where most of the attorneys know one another, court records show 19 federal cases in which Villarreal and Ramirez represented co-defendants. Villarreal publicly declared his support for Ramirez in two Facebook posts leading up to his election in March 2020.

"They're friends," said a person close to the situation. "They go way back."

Many abortion rights advocates across the country have called for a lawsuit against Ramirez and others responsible for Herrera's arrest. Local practitioners in Starr County have also signaled their support for legal action.

If Burnett, the public defender, was in Villarreal's position, he said, he would sue the county for what it did to Herrera "in a minute."

"It's wrong, not just that they arrested her and charged her with a crime that didn't exist, they also exposed her to a kind of public light that she did not deserve," Burnett said. "They should have been way more careful before they did that."

As soon as Cushing, the abortion provider, heard the news about Herrera, she said she immediately thought of the women she sees in the Rio Grande Valley.

When her patients go to Mexico for abortion pills, they are often given incorrect instructions about how to take them, said Cushing. Sometimes the false regimen will fail to terminate the pregnancy, she said, and occasionally it might put a patient's health at risk.

Cushing has worked hard to earn those patients' trust, she said. Now, she added, she'll have to work even harder.

- - -

The Washington Post's Nate Jones contributed to this report.
A half-century delay in chasing his dreams finally is paying off for a Pittsfield native.

Joseph Miller graduated in 1969 from Illinois College and headed for Los Angeles, hoping to put his newly earned theater degree to use in establishing an acting career.

I came out to L.A. chasing my dreams in the late 60s, Miller said. I got sidetracked and went into real estate. Bored myself crazy.

A few years ago, semi-retired and again a bit bored, Miller hit on a $20 idea.

I decided Id try a one-month subscription to this casting magazine, Backstage, he said, noting the subscription was $19.50. Within that one month, Miller had found enough work that it paid for about three years of my subscription.

He maintained that subscription  and added a few more to the mix  and now has worked on around 100 acting projects in the past few years, he said.

Miller just finished working on one feature role and has another lined up to start shooting this summer in Austin, Texas, he said.

But hes particularly excited about a role thats already behind him  his lead in the feature film Eddie., a small-budget independent film that has gained some international attention, earning a Best New Wave Filmmaker Award from the Cannes World Film Festival for its writer-director, Dylan Grey Martin.

Separate from the better-known Cannes Film Festival, the Cannes World Film Festival began as a way to support up-and-coming filmmakers who were languishing because film festivals that could have given them a bit of attention in the industry were canceled amid the pandemic.

Martin sent me an email, said, Hey, we got into Cannes, Miller said. Then he sent me another email saying he won best new wave filmmaker. Bill Murray was competing against us. Hes probably wondering who this Joe Miller guy is.

Eddie.  the period officially is part of the title  follows a man who runs a gas station in the middle of the desert and finds himself attracted to a woman who frequents the station and small store.

Miller submitted an audition filmed on his iPhone and was surprised to hear back from Martin.

He said, That scene you did, youre the only one who got it the way I imagined it, Miller said.

Miller followed that conversation with a week and a half spent out in the desert in Desert Hot Springs, California, filming.

Millers jobs now tend to be starring or co-starring roles, rather than a smaller part, he said.

They are small films, he said. It doesnt put me up there in the category with those megabucks $20 million guys. But, if nothing else, its bragging rights (to be in a film that bested Murray). You never know what thats worth in L.A. until the right person sees that film and says, Hey, that guys right for this role.

Hes hoping people will see Eddie. and want to give him bigger roles in bigger movies.

It may just cause everybody to yawn, he said. In the meantime, (the award) is a nice thing thats happened to us.

Miller also has had a three-episode guest spot on the TV series Sentinel and has another small-budget film, City of Trees, is available via Amazon. He expected Eddie. to end up on a streaming service such as Amazon or Netflix eventually.

He credits Martin with pushing forward with Eddie.

COVID knocked a bunch of filmmakers out of the box, Miller said. Martin went away and got it edited quickly and got it ready for all the film festivals. He didnt let the bureaucracy of it all hold him back. Hes independent, bright. He wrote the script and directed it. Its a small operation, but hes making some nice noise for us.

Miller paid his way through college by playing saxophone in a band at bars and clubs around Jacksonville, he said, noting that he also wrote and performed a song featured in Eddie..

Within a year (of moving to California), because of all the music experience, I ended up touring with Ike and Tina Turners band, he said. We took a tour through the Orient, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan.  I got to play behind Tina Turner. After that, going back to playing little bars wasnt that much fun anymore.

So he bided his time.

I guess I outlived my competition or something, Miller said. Im in my 70s now. Not that many guys my age are actively pursuing this. Nearly every two weeks I was on another project for the past two years.

Hes now doing narration for a 600-page book on Buddhism and working on a text-to-speech project that will make his voice one that could pop up on GPS and other apps, he said.

Work is steady, and Miller isnt looking to semi-retire again anytime soon.

Im aiming for that big wave, he said.
CAIRO (AP)  A tourist bus collided with a truck on a highway in southern Egypt and burst into flames on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people, including four French citizens and a Belgian national. Five Egyptians were also killed in the crash, authorities said.

The crash happened on a highway about 43 kilometers (27 miles) south of the city of Aswan, provincial authorities said in a statement. The bus was traveling to the Temple of Esna on the west bank of the Nile River, some 55 kilometers (34 miles) south of the ancient city of Luxor.

At least 14 other passengers on the bus were injured in the crash, including eight from France and six from Belgium, the authorities said.

The five Egyptian fatalities included the bus driver, his assistant and a tour guide, along with two people who were in the truck, the public prosecutor's office said in a statement. After the collision, the bus veered off the road and burst into flames. An investigation was underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Many bodies were charred, and the injured suffered from burns, bruises and fractures, according to a health official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi posted on Twitter that he was closely following the crash and had instructed the government to provide all medical and treatment care for the victims of the tragic accident.

The Health Ministry said 30 ambulances were sent to the scene and took the causalities to hospitals. Aswan Provincial Governor Ashraf Attia said the injured were in stable condition.

Footage that circulated online showed a tourist bus in flames with people trying to put out the fire. A guest (tourist) is dying inside, one person was heard screaming. The bus in the video bore the logo of state-owned Misr Travel. The Cairo-based agency did not respond to a request for comment.

An Associated Press video of the aftermath showed the wreckage of the bus by the roadside.

Wednesdays accident came five days after a bus crashed on a highway near the Red Sea, killing three people, including two Polish tourists.

Deadly traffic accidents claim thousands of lives every year in Egypt, which has a poor transportation safety record. The crashes and collisions are mostly caused by speeding, bad roads or poor enforcement of traffic laws.

Egypts official statistics agency says there were around 10,000 road accidents in 2019, the most recent year for which statistics are available, leaving over 3,480 dead. In 2018, there were 8,480 car accidents, causing over 3,080 deaths.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Dutch bank ABN AMRO apologized Wednesday for historic links to the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the involvement of one of the bank's predecessor institutions in day-to-day business of plantations.

The bank is the latest institution to apologize for historic ties to slavery, following the Bank of England in 2020 and the municipality of Amsterdam last year amid a global Black Lives Matter reckoning over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

ABN AMRO said in a statement that research it commissioned into its history and that of other banks that were its direct predecessors uncovered a dark side.

The bank said the research revealed that ABN AMROs predecessor Hope & Co. played a pivotal role in the international slave economy of the 18th century. Not only were slavery-related operations a source of much of Hope & Co.s profits, the firm was also actively involved in the day-to-day business of plantations.

The plantations were in the Caribbean on Dutch colonies and other islands.

Another bank that went on to become part of ABN AMRO, Mees en Zoonen, brokered insurance for slave ships and shipments of goods harvested by enslaved persons, the bank said.

ABN AMRO CEO Robert Swaak said the bank has a proud history, but we must also recognize that it has a darker side as well.

He said ABN AMRO "apologizes for the past actions and activities of these predecessors and for the pain and suffering that they caused.

Lead researcher Pepijn Brandon of the International Institute of Social History that documented the history said it revealed slavery-related operations formed a core part off the business of Hope & Co., which was the largest financial and commercial company in the Netherlands at the end of the 18th century.

ABN AMRO said it had discussed the findings with representatives of the descendants of enslaved people, who said they want to see concrete measures to help improve the structural social disadvantages facing descendants of enslaved persons.
BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP)  A former public school teacher in Massachusetts has been charged with sexually assaulting a student multiple times starting when she was 12 years old in 2016.

Larry Chen, 36, of Newton, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Brookline District Court to 54 charges including 18 counts each of statutory rape of a child.

Bail was set at $10,000 with GPS monitoring.

Chen asked the girl to come to his classroom at the Health School in Brookline after school, locked the door, and assaulted her, prosecutor Brittany Carney said in court. Police said the assaults continued until 2018.

Chen worked in the Brookline schools from 2013 until 2018, authorities said. He also operated a private tutoring business. Police started investigating in March when they first learned of the allegations.

His attorney, Jesse Grove, said there have been no prior allegations against his client.

The suspect's mother defended him outside of court. Hes got a good reputation in the town and this is just not fair, she said.

Brookline schools Superintendent Linus Guillory enouraged anyone with information about the case to contact police.

Our paramount concern is always the safety and well-being of our students, and school counselors are available to students as needed to provide support," he said.
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OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Some grain elevators are so full that farmers trying to sell their crops are being turned away. But at the same time, flour and animal-feed mills are halting production because they cant get the grain they need.

The issue? The lack of trains to move the grain.

Federal regulators are holding hearings later this month to look into the causes of the dearth of rail capacity, which the railroads largely attribute to factors outside their control, like the broader supply-chain issues and widespread labor shortages.

But shippers, regulators and rail labor groups say they believe the heart of the problem is that railroads cut too deeply when they eliminated nearly one-third of their workforce in recent years in the name of efficiency.

The cuts were too severe, said Max Fisher, chief economist for the National Grain and Feed Association. Now theres no buffer capacity to respond to increases in demand or problems in weather or train derailments and things like that. That buffer capacity that used to be in place is no longer there.

Union Pacific, BNSF and other major railroads say they are addressing the problems by hiring aggressively and asking customers to cut the number of carloads they are shipping to reduce congestion along the rail network.

Railroads are not immune to challenges felt throughout the economy, said Ted Greener, a spokesman for the Association of American Railroads trade group. "Railroads continue to take active measures to address these challenges, including labor shortages.

Companies all across the country are reporting shipping problems but trade groups say some of the worst rail issues are currently in the western United States.

In addition to the issues for farmers and grain processors, some ethanol plants have had to cut production while waiting for empty railcars to arrive. A spokesman for the American Chemistry Council said Tuesday that more than half the companies it represents have reported railroad service problems this year.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently joined the NGFA and Growth Energy trade groups in making formal complaints to the Surface Transportation Board that oversees rail service. Labor groups, including the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation union and the Transportation Trades Department union coalition, also weighed in with concerns about how the deep job cuts have hurt railroad capacity.

Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman has said that the major freight railroads placed too much emphasis on lowering costs and satisfying shareholders as they eliminated 45,000 jobs over the past six years and cut their workforce to the bare bones. The board will hold a hearing on April 26-27.

All of this has directly contributed to where we are today  rail users experiencing serious deteriorations in rail service because, on too many parts of their networks, the railroads simply do not have a sufficient number of employees, Oberman said.

The shipper groups say they hope the board will order the railroads to deliver better service and consider requiring them to open up their networks to allow competing railroads to bid on hauling shipments from companies that are currently served by only one railroad. Freight railroads oppose that proposal because they say it would complicate shipments and slow deliveries.

The railroads defend the large operational changes they have made in recent years which include relying on increasingly longer trains run on a tighter schedule so they need fewer locomotives and crews to deliver millions of tons of goods.

What were seeing now and have seen for some time is the impact of disruptive events," Union Pacific spokeswoman Kristen South said. Weve always staffed based on volume."

Norfolk Southern said it has adjusted staffing to meet demand wherever possible but a tight labor market continues to contribute to service challenges, while demand on our national supply chain remains unprecedently high.

BNSF CEO Katie Farmer acknowledged to customers in a letter that its recent service isn't meeting their expectations, but the railroad is working to improve that.

However, restoring our network and meeting our customers service expectations will not be an overnight process, Farmer said.

Railroads have been hiring steadily since the economy rebounded sharply from the depths of the pandemic, and they have stepped up those efforts this year to help resolve the service problems and prepare for more volume.

Union Pacific said it has hired 450 additional workers since January and BNSF says it is on pace to hire 1,000 people this year. Norfolk Southern is offering $5,000 bonuses to new employees as it ramps up its hiring efforts. CSX has also been hiring aggressively. But hiring takes a while to have an effect because of the length of time it takes to train new employees.

The railroads have also taken hundreds of locomotives out of storage since winter to help them handle additional demand, and BNSF and Union Pacific have also imposed stricter attendance rules to help ensure they have the crews they need to operate those trains.

Union Pacific just started asking customers to cut back on their shipments this week. That Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad said it will impose firm limits on shipments from some customers starting next week if firms don't voluntarily cut back. BNSF said late last month that it had started to try to reduce the number of railcars it is moving by roughly 2% to help alleviate congestion.

The traffic limits those railroads are imposing are similar to steps they took last year to temporarily reduce shipments of containers of imported goods when warehouses and ports were having trouble moving them because of the ongoing supply chain problems.
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LAS VEGAS (AP)  A judge in Carson City has dealt a setback to a group trying to get a school vouchers question before voters in Nevada, ruling that signatures can't be collected for a proposed constitutional amendment to let parents use state money to pay for private school tuition.

Senior Judge Charles McGee on Monday compared petition wording by the Education Freedom PAC to a shell game that hides the enormous fiscal impact of this initiative on the budget of most, if not all schools in Nevada.
Galt, CA (95632)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High near 75F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 44F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal judge has denied the governments request to detain two men accused of posing as federal Homeland Security agents, tricking actual U.S. Secret Service officers and offering them free gifts and apartments at a luxury apartment building in Washington.

Federal prosecutors have argued the two men -- Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, -- had posed as fake agents and offering the gifts in an effort to ingratiate themselves and integrate with law enforcement agents, including a Secret Service agent assigned to protect the first lady.

The men were arrested last week when the FBI raided the building in southwest Washington and have been charged with impersonating federal officers. Prosecutors said the agents found body armor, gas masks, zip ties, handcuffs, equipment to break through doors, drones, radios and police training manuals during a search of five apartments in the building.

Prosecutors allege Taherzadeh and Ali had falsely claimed to work for the Department of Homeland Security and work on a special task force investigating gangs and violence connected to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Taherzadeh is accused of providing Secret Service officers and agents with rent-free apartments  including a penthouse worth over $40,000 a year  along with iPhones, surveillance systems, a drone, a television, a generator, a gun case and other policing tools, according to court documents. In one instance, Taherzadeh offered to purchase a $2,000 assault rifle for a Secret Service agent who is assigned to protect the first lady, prosecutors said.

They tricked people whose job it is to be suspicious of other people and to ask these questions, prosecutor Josh Rothstein said.

Rothstein revealed that the men inadvertently learned they were under investigation when a Secret Service investigator had tipped them off, forcing the FBI to move ,pre quickly than expected to arrest them.

Prosecutors had alleged that Ali was a flight risk and that he had told a witness in the case that he had ties to the Pakistani intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, a claim the government later said it hadnt substantiated. The Pakistani embassy forcefully denied the assertion, saying it categorically rejects this false claim. They had also raised his travel history, saying he had visas from Pakistan and Iran.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey had intensely questioned prosecutors about the case in a hearing that spanned over three days. He ultimately decided on Tuesday that he would release the men on Wednesday, subjecting them to supervision that includes GPS monitoring.

Harvey agreed to stay his order until Wednesday morning while the government decides whether to appeal. The judge pointed out that the charge is not a violent crime and neither of the men faces a significant prison sentence, if they are convicted. He said there have been significantly worse and more dangerous impersonation cases.

Nevertheless, I still find that the government has sufficient evidence here to convict both the defendants of the crimes they have been charged with, Harvey said.

The plot unraveled when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating an assault involving a mail carrier at the apartment building and the men identified themselves as being part of a phony Homeland Security unit they called the U.S. Special Police Investigation Unit.

The defendants were tipped off on April 4 after the Secret Service began investigating four of its employees who were put on leave for allegedly accepting gifts from the men. As part of that internal probe, a Secret Service investigator reached out and Taherzadeh responded, Rothstein said in court.

Taherzadehs lawyer, Michelle Peterson, argued that he had no intention of compromising the agents and had provided the luxury apartments and lavish gifts because he wanted to be friends with them.

She said her client had previously been licensed in Washington as an unarmed special police officer  a private guard to protect people or property  and was also a licensed private detective. In an extensive interview with investigators after his arrest, Taherzadeh she had made an embarrassing misrepresentation that got out of control.

When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail, Peterson said during one of the hearings. They have jumped to the wildest conspiracy theories imaginable over the most scant of evidence.

The two men also had surveillance equipment and a high-power telescope, prosecutors said. The FBI found evidence that they may have been creating surveillance devices and also found a binder with information on all the residents in the luxury apartment building, which is home to law enforcement officers, defense officials and congressional staffers.

Prosecutors say the men had also set up surveillance in the building and had been telling residents there that they could access any of their cellphones at any time. The residents also told investigators they believed the men had access to their personal information.

The FBI also found several firearms  including handguns and ammunition  and disassembled rifle pieces and sniper scopes, Rothstein said.

Alis lawyer, Greg Smith, has argued his client didnt know Taherzadeh was lying about a connection to Homeland Security and genuinely believed he was working on behalf of the government. He said his client is a naturalized U.S. citizen and has no ability to obtain a Pakistani passport.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  A Nevada man who has served less than eight years of a maximum 28-year prison sentence for killing and torturing dogs urged the parole board to release him after authorities determined he'd been misclassified as a violent offender.

Authorities said on Monday Jason Brown still presents a risk to the community. He pleaded no contest in 2015 to killing and dismembering seven dogs he got off Craigslist in the Reno area.
PERU, Ind. (AP)  Homeowners in a lake-filled housing development in northern Indiana will no longer be on the hook for major repairs to six aging dams under a new state law.

An amended law that takes effect July 1 removes the state Department of Natural Resources' jurisdiction over the dams at the Hidden Hills housing addition near the city of Peru, the Kokomo Tribune reported.

Larry West, who owns property on one of the dams, said the cost to make repairs under DNR regulations would have been up to $4 million. But now the dams' maintenance costs will be around $100,000.

Were going to do what has to be done, and not just satisfy a big wish list from the DNR, West said.

Dams previously fell under DNR jurisdiction if they met one of three criteria. But the amended statute now requires dams to meet two of those criteria to fall under DNRs jurisdiction.

West said the Hidden Hills dams are over 20 feet high but dont fit the other criteria, meaning the DNR will no longer dictate how the structures are repaired or maintained.

Hidden Hills property owners were left having to pay for major repairs after the Indiana Supreme Court declined in November 2020 to take up a state appeals court ruling which found they were fully responsible for dams maintenance.

The DNR said the property owners had failed to maintain the dams and keep them in safe condition.
NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP)  An employee of an after-school program in South Carolina faces a misdemeanor assault and battery charge after police say she grabbed a 4-year-old by the face and pushed him backwards.

Authorities allege Lauren Folk, 35, assaulted the child in February while she was working for the Boys and Girls Club after-school program at Reuben Elementary School in Newberry, South Carolina. An arrest warrant indicates the child was in her care at the time of the alleged offense.
Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Ashton D. Haley, 38, of 528 W. Walnut St. was arrested at 2:35 a.m. Tuesday on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended and fleeing and eluding police. He was accused of trying to run from police when stopped at Lafayette Avenue and Brown Street.

 Kellie M. Stephenson, 38, of 202 S. Prairie St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 8:09 p.m. Saturday on a charge of criminal damage to property.

 Tina J. Newby, 55, of 1335 S. Diamond St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:09 p.m. Saturday on a forgery charge.

THEFTS, BURGLARIES

 A Jacksonville resident fell victim to an email scam and lost about $14,000 because of it, according to a report filed at 10:42 a.m. Tuesday.

 Several cases of beer were stolen overnight Monday from a business in the 2000 block of West Morton Avenue, according to a report filed at 3:38 p.m. Tuesday.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Robyn L. Mangham, 46, of Roodhouse was booked into Pike County Jail at 9:04 a.m. Sunday on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

 Jacob M. Frasier, 35, of Pittsfield was booked into Pike County Jail at 5:33 p.m. Thursday on a petition to revoke bond.

 Daniel R. Miller, 48, of Barry was booked into Pike County Jail at 10:15 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for revocation or modification of bail bond.

Pittsfield Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Johnny L. Seal, 46, of Pittsfield was booked into Pike County Jail at 5:44 p.m. April 4 on a domestic battery charge.

 Heather D. Herrin, 32, of Nebo was booked into Pike County Jail at 8:46 p.m. Friday on charges of burglary, criminal trespassing and possession of methamphetamine.

 Thomas J. Ionson, 37, of Griggsville was booked into Pike County Jail at 8 p.m. Friday on charges of burglary and criminal trespassing.

State police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Jessica M. McDonald, 29, of Barry was booked into Pike County Jail at 12:54 a.m. Thursday on a deceptive practice charge.

 Timothy Smith, 48, of Quincy was booked into Pike County Jail at 7:30 p.m. April 5 on a warrant accusing him of resisting arrest.

 Brooke N. Failor, 36, of Quincy was booked into Pike County Jail at 8:37 p.m. April 5 on a warrant for revocation of probation.
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NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the violence on a rush-hour train, which left people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was due to appear in court Thursday on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in videos on his YouTube channel about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his struggles with mental health care in New York City, and he criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there's no indication James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

James didnt respond to reporters shouted questions as he was led to a police car Wednesday afternoon. He was transferred hours later to federal Bureau of Prisons custody and was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him.

Police had urged the public to help find him, releasing his name and photo and even sending a cellphone alert before they got a tip Wednesday.

The tipster was James, calling to say he knew he was wanted and that police could find him at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but he was soon spotted on a busy corner nearby, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

Passer-by Aleksei Korobow said he saw four police cars zoom past, and when he caught up to them, James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on.

There was nowhere left for him to run, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

The arrest came as the gunshot victims, and at least a dozen others injured in the attack, tried to recover.

I dont think I could ever ride a train again," Hourari Benkada, a Manhattan hotel housekeeping manager who was shot in the leg, told CNN from a hospital bed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited victims as young as 12 in a hospital Tuesday night. One had been heading to class at Borough of Manhattan Community College when he was hit by either a bullet or shrapnel and needed surgery, the governor said.

Guatemalas Foreign Ministry said an 18-year-old Guatemalan national, Rudy Alfredo Perez Vasquez, was hospitalized but out of danger Wednesday after being injured in the attack.

James detonated two smoke grenades and fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun in a subway car packed with commuters, police said.

When the first smoke bomb went off, a passenger asked what he was doing, according to a witness account to police.

Oops, James said, set off a second, then brandished the gun and opened fire, Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

When the train stopped at a station and terrified riders fled, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

But James left behind numerous clues at the crime scene, including the gun  which he bought in Ohio in 2011  ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline, a bank card in his name and the key to a U-Haul van he rented Monday in Philadelphia, according to police and a court complaint.

Tucked in an orange workers' jacket, which he apparently tossed on a subway platform, was a receipt for a Philadelphia storage unit. Authorities found ammunition, targets and a pistol barrel in the storage locker and learned hed been there on Monday, the complaint said.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators believe James entered the subway system.

Surveillance cameras captured the van arriving from Philadelphia early Tuesday, and a man wearing what appeared to be the same orange jacket leaving the vehicle near the station.

James was born in New York but had lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, authorities said. Bruce Allen, a neighbor near a Philadelphia apartment where James stayed for the last couple of weeks, said the man never spoke to him, even when moving in.

James had worked at a variety of manufacturing and other jobs, according to his videos. Police said he'd been arrested 12 times in New York and New Jersey between 1990 and 2007 on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to possession of burglary tools, but he has no felony convictions.

His hours of disjointed, expletive-filled videos range from current events, to his life story, to bigoted remarks about people of various backgrounds. James is Black.

Some videos complain about Adams, mental health care James says he got in the city years ago, and conditions on the subway. In one post, he fulminates about trains filled with homeless people, the court complaint noted.

In another, he denounces the treatment of Black people in the U.S. and says, "The message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Jude Jacques, who takes the subway to work as a fire safety director two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

___

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Deepti Hajela, Jim Mustian and Nardos Haile in New York, Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia, Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee, Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, and Sonia Perez D. in Guatemala City, Guatemala, contributed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A middle school student who was stabbed at a Kansas City middle school has died and another student has been charged in juvenile court with murder, Kansas City police said.

Police identified the victim of Tuesday's stabbing at Northeast Missouri School as 14-year-old Manuel J. Guzman.
Meg Kinnard/AP

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Police in South Carolina have arrested a man who allegedly sent dozens of threats to Black civil rights attorney and former state lawmaker Bakari Sellers.

Grant Edward Olson Jr., of Asheville, North Carolina, is also accused of intimidating Sellers for exercising his civil rights as an attorney, television commentator and lobbyist, authorities said. Olson, 48, was arrested Friday and booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The conservative activist group Project Veritas said Wednesday that the Justice Department had secretly obtained from Apple and Google personal information about its staffers as part of an investigation into how the organization received a diary purported to belong to President Joe Bidens daughter.

The organization said it had recently learned from Apple and Google that the department had issued nine subpoenas and warrants between November 2020 and March 2021. The requested materials included payment information and browsing history, and the department compelled the technology companies to not disclose the government's orders, according to Project Veritas.

The organization disclosed Wednesday what it said were notifications from Apple, dated last month, in which the tech company said it had received legal requests in late 2020 and early 2021 for "customer data." The notification said the request allowed delayed notice to the affected customer." Project Veritas also revealed last month that the Justice Department had obtained secret court orders to seize emails of eight staffers.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment, as did a spokesperson for Apple.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement, In order to protect user privacy, we dont comment on specific cases, but were firmly committed to protecting user data and we have a long history of pushing to notify people using our services about legal requests that relate to their data.

Project Veritas calls itself a media organization, though it relies on tactics  including sting operations  that are not regarded as conventional or widely accepted media practices.

Its founder, James OKeefe, said previously that agents had searched his home, and the homes of two others, in connection with the diary investigation. OKeefe said that, ultimately, Project Veritas did not publish information from the diary because it could not confirm it belonged to Ashley Biden. He has said the diary, which Project Veritas had received from tipsters who said it had been abandoned in a room, had been turned over to a law enforcement agency.

Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating, and a former federal judge has been appointed to ensure no First Amendment protections or attorney-client privileges are violated in the review of materials seized by federal law enforcement authorities from individuals connected with Project Veritas.

____

Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  The co-chairs of the late-U.S. Rep. Don Young's reelection campaign have earned endorsements in their bids for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat.

Republicans Josh Revak and Tara Sweeney are among a field of 48 candidates running in a June 11 special primary. The four candidates who get the most votes in the special primary will advance to an Aug. 16 special election to determine who serves the remainder of Young's term, which ends in January. Young, a Republican, died last month at age 88.

Young's widow, Anne Garland Young, in a video produced by Revak's campaign, said Revak had earned Young's trust and respect and that as the man of unique integrity he is, Josh will work tirelessly and honestly for our beloved Alaska in the U.S. Congress," Alaska Public Media reported.

She said she had heard Young encourage Revak to run for the seat Young had held for 49 years, the media outlet reported. Revak, a state senator, once worked in Young's office. She said Revak told Young that out of respect for him and his legacy, he could not and would not seek Alaskas lone congressional seat, at least as long as Congressman Young was running.

Sweeney has been endorsed by the ANCSA Regional Association, which has set up a third-party group to support her bid, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The third-party group, known as a super political action committee, cannot coordinate its efforts with Sweeneys campaign.

The ANCSA Regional Association board is comprised of leaders of 12 Alaska Native regional corporations. A statement announcing the endorsement said the board's decision recognized the historic opportunity before Alaskans to elect the states first Alaska Native and female U.S. House member.

Sweeney is a former assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior and was previously an executive with Arctic Slope Regional Corp. She understands rural and urban Alaska and knows how to work effectively in Washington, D.C. and in Alaska, Kim Reitmeier, president of the ANCSA Regional Association, told the newspaper. Reitmeier did not say if the decision was unanimous.

Other candidates include Nick Begich, a co-chair of Young's 2020 reelection campaign, who launched his own campaign for the House seat last fall and has touted endorsements from Alaska Republicans and Republican organizations.

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Al Gross, an independent, announced a bipartisan campaign leadership team that includes former Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat.
Portuguese companies welcome to Chinese market: Chinese ambassador

Xinhua) 09:09, April 13, 2022

LISBON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese companies are "very welcome" to the immense Chinese market, the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang said on Tuesday. The embassy will "provide all necessary assistance," to these companies, he added.

The statement was made at an online seminar called "Promotion of the 5th edition of China International Import Expo (CIIE)," where the ambassador highlighted the importance of bilateral trade relations between Portugal and China.

The two countries "have always maintained friendly and cooperative relations, and the two economies are highly complementary," he said.

China is a "large market for products with the protected origin and high added value," especially Portuguese wines, olive oils, and fruits, Zhao emphasized.

The ambassador highlighted that China has "sent a clear message to the world" that the country has "open doors," and that China shares with Portugal "the same desire for cooperation at a high level."

Meanwhile, the Portuguese Ambassador to China, Jose Augusto Duarte, highlighted at the seminar that the political understanding between the two countries has always been excellent.

"China is always ready to listen and help Portugal, even in this difficult world context," said the Portuguese diplomat.

It is now necessary for the two countries to work to "equilibrate the trade balance," which in his view should "better correspond to the size of political cooperation."

"The organization of this CIIE event, which is the largest in the field of exports, is especially important to increase and enhance trade," Duarte added.

The Portuguese exhibition area will be expanded at the 5th edition of the fair, which will be hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

In 2021, the event was attended by nearly 3000 exhibiting companies from 127 countries and regions, and was visited by around 480,000 people.

The fair is divided into three segments: the Hongqiao Forum economic congress, national institutional pavilions, and a business exhibition divided into six sectors: food and agricultural products, automobiles, consumer goods, medicine and health, information technology, and trade in services.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Newly promoted police Sgt. Georgette Brown, right, receives her badge from Stockton interim Chief of Police James Chraska. Brown is the first African American female sergeant on the force.
PHOENIX (AP)  U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema called Tuesday for increasing domestic oil drilling to make up for the loss of Russian imports that has contributed to high prices at the gas pump.

The Arizona Democrat, who is often at odds with the progressive wing of her party, called for an all-of-the- above energy strategy," which generally means promoting the production of both renewable and fossil fuels. She said the U.S. dependence on foreign oil jeopardizes its security and that of its allies.
NORTH STONINGTON  A possibly armed Massachusetts man was taken into custody after he led troopers on a lengthy pursuit from Massachusetts through Rhode Island and into a standoff in Connecticut Wednesday, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police identified the suspect as Ian Grant, 36, of Dartmouth, Mass.

Connecticut State Troopers took Grant into custody around 2 p.m. He was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation. He is being held as a fugitive from justice and charges are pending, officials said.

Grant will later be released to either Massachusetts or Rhode Island, according to Connecticut State Police Trooper First Class Pedro Muniz in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Police believe Grant was armed during the chase and confirmed there are firearms in the vehicle. Muniz said police are waiting to get a search warrant to see how many.

The chase started shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday when New Bedford, Mass., police attempted to stop Grant, who was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for assault and intimidation of a witness, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement.

Grant then drove his white Toyota Tacoma west onto Route 195. Three Massachusetts State troopers set up a tire deflation device on the road in Westport, Mass. Grant approached the troopers around 11:20 a.m., and drove into the median at the troopers, Massachusetts State Police said.

Massachusetts State Police said either at least one trooper fired shots at Grant. He continued to drive, striking two Massachusetts State Police cruisers before crossing over the median, they said.

Grant then continued to flee while driving west on the eastbound side of Route 195, Massachusetts State Police said.

Police decided not to pursue Grant as he was driving on the wrong side of the road. Massachusetts State Police instead issued an alert to patrols, K9 units and a helicopter to search for the suspect and vehicle.

A short time later, police spotted Grants vehicle in Jamestown, R.I. Rhode Island State Police started a pursuit on Route 1 into Charlestown, R.I., and continuing westward toward Westerly, R.I., and onto Route 78 into Connecticut.

Rhode Island State Police notified Connecticut State Police around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday about the pursuit. Connecticut troopers attempted to use stop sticks to deflate Grants tires, but that was unsuccessful, Muniz said.

Troopers then used pursuit termination techniques, or a PIT maneuver, to safely stop the car, according to Muniz.

Massachusetts State Police said cruisers were able to stop Grant on Route 2 in North Stonington just north of Frontage Road where his truck went off the road into the wood line.

Footage from a television news helicopter posted by WFSB showed the white pickup truck apparently crashed along the side of a two-lane road in a wooded area. An armored police car could be seen parked nearby with armed officers.

Rhode Island and Connecticut troopers established a perimeter around the vehicle and started to negotiate with the suspect. Muniz said at one point the Rhode Island State Police Tactical Team used pepper spray and tear gas to get Grant out of his vehicle and into custody around 2 p.m.

Massachusetts State Police said details on Grants criminal charges are still pending.

Muniz said area schools were placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution, but have since been released.

The Massachusetts troopers were were present during the firearm discharge were evaluated for stress at an area hospital, officials said. They have since been released. Massachusetts State Police will be investigating the troopers who discharged their weapons per protocol.

Massachusetts State Police said Grants home in Dartmouth was also the site of a fire earlier in the morning. State police, as well as other emergency personnel, are investigating the cause of the fire.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A new rule imposing residency requirements on most U.S. House and Senate hopefuls won't achieve some Tennessee Republican lawmakers' goal of nudging at least one GOP candidate backed by President Donald Trump off the primary ballot, even as the governor allowed it to become law without signing it Wednesday.

That's because the filing deadline for candidates  including Morgan Ortagus  in a crowded, open Nashville congressional race came and went before the requirement became law, according to elections officials.

"The requirement does not apply retroactively to candidates who met the qualification deadline at noon on April 7," said Julia Bruck, spokesperson for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee's spokesperson, Casey Black, explained the move not to sign the proposal, saying: We feel the voters are best able to determine who should represent them in Congress.

Election officials' conclusion clears one roadblock for Ortagus to run, but it's not the last. A dozen Republicans are in the race after one didn't file on time with the party and another didn't have enough signatures.

Under Tennessee Republican Party rules, challenges in the Nashville congressional race have been filed over the voting records of Ortagus, small business owner Baxter Lee and video producer Robby Starbuck, according to state GOP chairman Scott Golden. Those will be settled by party officials by April 21, Golden said.

Meanwhile, the new state residency requirement had already drawn a lawsuit before it became law. Ortagus supporters sued, arguing that the state cannot impose stricter residency requirements than those outlined in the U.S. Constitution, which dictates that a congressional candidate be a citizen for at least seven years, at least 25 years old and an inhabitant of the state in which they want to be elected. The U.S. Supreme Court has previously determined that any requirement not explicitly outlined in the Constitution is out of bounds.

Under the new law, U.S. House and Senate candidates in primary elections are required to meet the same criteria imposed on state legislative candidates, who must be Tennessee residents for at least three years and residents of the county theyll represent for at least one year immediately preceding the election.

Supporters argue the changes are needed to prevent transplants who dont know the area from securing key political seats. Specifically, lawmakers began seriously pursuing the topic after Trump announced his endorsement of Ortagus. The decision ruffled Republicans who point out that Ortagus not only recently moved to Nashville, but also Tennessee. Ortagus was a U.S. State Department spokesperson during the Trump administration.

The deep Republican field for the 5th District also includes former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles and retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead.

The flurry of candidates have set their sights on Tennessees freshly drawn 5th District after Republican redistricting this year. The seat became open after Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper announced he would not seek reelection rather than run in a district that carved up Nashville, favoring Republicans in each of the three seats and making it impossible for him to win any of them, in his view.

On the Democratic side, state Sen. Heidi Campbell is seeking the 5th District seat. Another Democratic candidate didn't file with the party on time.

Meanwhile, the GOP intraparty jockeying is underway to determine whether Ortagus, Lee and Starbuck can be on the ballot.

State GOP rules say candidates need to have voted in three of the last four statewide primaries to be deemed bona fide Republicans, determined after someone files a challenge. But there also is a party process that lets others vouch for someone to be considered bona fide and remain on the ballot, which is determined in a vote by party officials.

In a statement Wednesday, Ortagus said, I respect the rules and the process outlined by TNGOP, and Im a bona fide Republican by their standards."
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Former President Donald Trump is returning to Ohio to try to boost Republican candidates and turnout ahead of the May 3 primary.

Trump will headline an evening rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, north of Columbus, on April 23  certainly to stump for U.S. House candidate Max Miller, his pick for the 7th Congressional District, and perhaps for U.S. Senate or governor choices he is yet to make.

The county, a GOP stronghold, appears to have been at least the Trump team's third choice. A fair board in Portage County  part of the Akron metro area where Miller is locked in a four-way primary  declined a permit request for the event, as did the fairgrounds in nearby Canfield.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs withdrew from the 7th District race last week, making Miller an expected frontrunner.

News of the rally comes as early voting figures suggest turnout in the populous Midwest battleground, which Trump won twice by more than 8 percentage points, may be severely depressed this year.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced Tuesday that 71,296 absentee ballots have been requested so far by-mail or in-person, down more than 40% from the 171,954 that had been requested at this point four years ago. He said 11,935 votes have been cast statewide so far, less than a fifth of the 63,253 that had been cast at this point in 2018.

The downturn follows a monthslong redistricting fight that had left the fate of the primary in limbo until the 11th hour, as well as amid Trump's own continued questioning of the integrity of U.S. election systems and their role in a 2020 election he falsely claims was stolen.

Leading candidates in a heated seven-way Republican primary for the open U.S. Senate seat of retiring Republican Rob Portman have been angling for Trump's endorsement for almost a year  so far in vain.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci is touting his past support from Trump in his GOP primary bid against Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Though Trump endorsed Renacci in a failed bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2018, the former president has not taken sides so far in this year's gubernatorial primary.
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Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village on Wednesday as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools.

Homes were among the structures that had burned, but officials did not have a count of how many were destroyed in the blaze that torched at least 6.4 square miles (16.6 square kilometers) of forest, brush and grass on the east side of the community of Ruidoso, said Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the Lincoln National Forest.

Rabon announced emergency evacuations of a more densely populated area during a briefing Wednesday afternoon as the fire jumped a road where crews were trying to hold the line. She told people to get in their cars and go.

So far, no deaths or injuries were reported from the fire, which has been fanned by strong winds.

The winds prevented forced a suspension of the aerial attack on the flames and kept authorities from getting a better estimate of how large the fire has grown. But some planes returned to the air as winds subsided late in the day, and seven airtankers and two helicopters have now been assigned to the fire, Forest Service officials said Wednesday evening.

While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, fire officials and forecasters warned Wednesday that persistent dry and windy conditions had prompted red flag warnings for a wide swath that included almost all of New Mexico, half of Texas and parts of Colorado and the Midwest.

Five new large fires were reported Tuesday, and nearly 1,600 wildland firefighters and support personnel were assigned to large fires in the southwestern, southern and Rocky Mountain areas, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Hotter and drier weather weather coupled with decades of fire suppression have contributed to an increase in the number of acres burned by wildfires, fire scientists say. And the problem is exacerbated by a more than 20-year Western megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change. The fire season has become year-round given changing conditions that include earlier snowmelt and rain coming later in the fall.

In Ruidoso, officials declared a state of emergency and said school classes were canceled Wednesday as the village  about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of El Paso, Texas  coped with power outages due to down power lines.

The residences that burned were mostly a mix of trailers and single-family homes, and close to 4,000 people were displaced by evacuations that were ordered Tuesday. That number was expected to grow with the latest call for residents to leave.

Village spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said authorities spent part of Wednesday surveying as much damage as possible before the winds kicked up again. Air tankers also were able to drop a few loads of slurry, and more air support was expected Thursday.

Right now, everybody is just rallying around those who had to be evacuated, Gladden said. Were just trying to reach out to make sure everyone has places to stay."

Donations were pouring in from other communities in southern New Mexico. State officials said emergency grants have been approved that will provide resources to firefighters and for other emergency efforts.

Ruidoso in 2012 was hit by one of the most destructive wildfires in New Mexico history, when a lightning-sparked blaze destroyed more than 240 homes and burned nearly 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

Rabon said Wednesday that no precipitation was in the forecast and humidity levels remained in the single digits, which would make stopping the flames more difficult.

"Those extremely dry conditions are not in our favor, she said.

Another wildfire in the Lincoln National Forest northwest of Ruidoso burned at least 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers) after it was sparked Tuesday by power lines downed by high winds. Crews confirmed Wednesday that 10 structures there were lost.

Elsewhere in New Mexico, wildfires were burning along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, in mountains northwest of the community of Las Vegas and in grasslands along the Pecos River near the town of Roswell.

In Colorado, crews were battling wind-whipped grass fires that had destroyed two homes and forced temporary evacuations.

___

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Davenport from Phoenix.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  A Wisconsin woman is accused of leading a scheme to bilk Hmong-American investors mostly from Minnesota and Wisconsin of at least $16.5 million.

A civil complaint filed Wednesday by the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Kay Yang, 40, of Mequon, of defrauding about 70 investors between April 2017 and April 2021. Her husband, Chao Yang, 47, is charged as a secondary defendant for improperly receiving proceeds of the fraud.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A Republican lawmaker is telling New Mexico school districts to defy state education rules and ignore newly overhauled K-12 social studies standards enacted by the states education department, calling them racially divisive.

The standards were the first complete overhaul of history, geography, economics, and social studies since 2001. In addition to race, they added sections, including LGBT history, the 9/11 attacks and personal finance. Some other states, however, have restricted the teaching of race in moves that New Mexico Republicans have cheered. They see the issue as a potent one in this years gubernatorial race.

As local school officials, you are morally obligated to reject these standards and to proceed serving your community as the autonomous school official you were elected to serve as, wrote State House Minority Whip Rod Montoya, in the letter, shared Tuesday by Republican officials.

The letter marks an escalation in the politics of education in New Mexico because it urges school boards to ignore state rules codified by the Legislature and enforced by the education department.

By law, the Public Education Department sets education standards. School districts are funded by the Legislature with the expectation that they follow them.

Following a rulemaking process with public input, the education department increased the focus on Native American history, and required students to learn more about the role of privilege and race in public life.

Education officials say the implementation of new standards in fall of 2023 will increase inclusivity in the classroom and prepare students to live in an increasingly multicultural society.

About half of New Mexico is Hispanic, and around 10% of residents are Native American.

Its unclear what all-out defiance against the social studies standards Montoya is calling for would look like.

School districts are free to choose their textbooks and the overall content of their lessons. For example, the standards require students to evaluate the role of race and racism in the acts of land redistribution during European and U.S. conquests of the Southwest. But school districts decide how students learn those concepts.

Montoya, who is Hispanic, didnt elaborate in the letter and has not responded to a request for comment.

Its also unclear how the state would respond if school leaders found a way to reject the standards outright.

In a statement, education department spokeswoman Judy Robinson said that public schools are charged with implementing the standards through specific, locally designed curriculum, but declined to comment on what would happen if they didnt do that.

School board leaders are elected locally but can be fired by the Public Education Department.

It removed one school board last August after it voted to make masks and social distancing optional, directly contradicting Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams health order at the time. It removed another board over alleged violations of ethics and transparency laws.

___

Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
The most contagious avian flu to hit the United States in years has not yet arrived in the Bayou City, but the Houston Zoo is taking precautions to keep animals safe in case it does.

So far that includes moving particularly susceptible speciesanything closely related to chickens or ducksto safer locations, suspending educational programs involving birds, and closing the Savanna Aviary to foot traffic, though visitors will still be able to see the birds from outside the exhibit.

We're doing everything that we can here to make sure that our animals are safe and doing well, said Ric Urban, the Houston Zoos bird curator.

The Houston Zoo is not alone in taking such precautions; zoos across the country have taken measures to protect birds since the the USDA announced in January that a highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 avian influenza had been found for the first time since 2016 in a wild American wigeon in South Carolina.

The virus, which is transmitted through fecal material, dander and respiratory droplets, spreads quickly during the migration season.

It has since been reported in more than 40 species across 30 states, including last week in Texas, when it was detected at a game-bird operation in Erath County, about 70 miles from Fort Worth.

"It's somewhat surprising how widespread it is already in North America," Jonathan Runstadler, an influenza researcher at Tufts University, told NPR.

While wild birds can contract and carry the virus, it won't necessarily kill them, but this particular flu has already claimed a lot of poultry livesas many as 23 million chickens and turkey have either died from the flu or been euthanized to prevent its spread.

Unlike livestock operations, Urban said zoos are allowed to be more cautious about diagnosing cases and isolating animals before taking the most drastic steps, in part because they are sometimes dealing with endangered species or species that are part of a breeding program.

We all know that unless that animal is showing signs [of the flu] we can still test it and [perform] multiple tests, he said. The government agencies will work with zoos and aquariums.

Experts have repeatedly stressed that this strain of bird flu very rarely infects humans, and theres no need to avoid eggs or poultry that are properly cookedalthough the prices of both are rising. The issue at places like the Houston Zoo isnt protecting the humans from the birds but protecting the birds from what the humans may track in on their shoes, according to Urban.

And though the virus is serious, avian flu has been around for years and facilities that handle animals, such as zoos and aquariums, have planned extensively for this kind of outbreak. This strain of avian flu also doesn't like to live in temperatures over 80 degrees, Urban said, so Houston in the summer is not its ideal habitat.

We have been prepared, Urban said. Im not too worried, because I know were prepared.
City Council approved a sweeping $21 million package on Wednesday to enhance the city's response to people in mental health crisesand Mayor Sylvester Turner pledged more support in the coming weeks.

A major component of the new push is $12 million to fund a new service that allows mental health professionals to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police officers. Through a pilot program, the city currently diverts some nonviolent 911 mental health crisis calls to members of the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD's Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), which are groups of mental health professionals deployed quickly to help those in crisis.

MCOT is already available directly by calling the Harris Center's Crisis Line, but the goal of the city's new MCOT program is to refer 911 calls that don't necessitate a police response.

Council members voted unanimously to permanently fund 18 teams. Turner had pledged during budget workshops in 2021 to create 20 teamsnot just 18and reemphasized his promise before council's vote Wednesday, saying he would bring a request to council for the remaining two teams "very, very shortly."

His office could not immediately provide an explanation for why the two weren't included in Wednesday's ask. This story will be updated when a response is received.

Justin Rex, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

"We are going to honor that commitment," Turner said before the vote. "There won't be any need to reduce our CIRT teams, but we will add to our MCOT teams. That should be before us within a few weeks."

The police department's CIRTs, short for Crisis Intervention Response Team, is a similar approach to helping those in mental health crises. But the program has one distinction: The CIRT program pairs licensed mental health professionals with police officers who respond to some of the more dire mental health calls. A team from MCOT, for example, won't be dispatched to calls with weapons or if someone is in immediate danger. With an armed police officer by their side, CIRT clinicians can be sent to a wider swath of mental health crisis call types.

The CIRT program, which currently has 18 teams, was also expanded by six teams. Jaison Oliver, a police reform advocate who was vocal during the city's 2021 budget hearings, said he hoped the city would divert funds from CIRT teams to more MCOT teams.

"I'm glad the mayor is open to expanding MCOT," Oliver said in a text. "I also think it's important to note that if we continue expanding programs like CIRT, we reduce funds available for MCOT while also placing more responsibilities on police, who I hope we can remove from these screened mental health diversion calls altogether."

Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

City Council Member Letitia Plummer, who often advocates for criminal justice reform, said that prioritizing diversion programs for those in mental health crises is paramount.

"I've got letters from inmates at the county jail," Plummer said before the vote. "One specific story, a gentlemen was on his roof having a mental health issue, and his mother had no one other to call than 911. He was arrested and is still incarcerated. She was just calling 911 because she didn't want her son to jump off the roof. This is so important to have people who are coming there that are licensed professionals of the healing arts and master-level clinicians and not a police officer."

On top of the MCOT and CIRT programs, council approved a new program called Clinician-Officer Remote Evaluation, which arms police officers with iPads and HIPAA-certified software that allows for instant on-site telehealth appointments with mental health professionals for those in crisis. Council members also approved expanding the city's Crisis Call Diversion program, which staffs the 911 call center with those who can divert calls to mental health professionals, to operate 24/7.

Currently, the Crisis Call Diversion program works during daytime hours and can only help people over the phone or send an officer for assistance. With the bolstered hours and approval of the MCOT program, the Crisis Call Diversion program will allow more people to get the help they need around the clock.

When someone calls 911 for help with a mental health crisis, the initial call-taker will determine the call type and input it into the police department's computer-assisted dispatch system. Harris Center staff at Houston's 911 call center will monitor those incoming calls and determine which would be appropriate for the MCOT or CIRT programs. MCOT members, while civilians, will be allowed to communicate with dispatch through police radio waves to receive details on the call or to request emergency assistance.

"(Police officers) don't want to be in the business of mental health response," said Wayne Young, chief executive officer of the Harris Center. "Let's let law enforcement respond to law enforcement activities, let's let firefighters respond to firefighting activity, and let's let mental health professionals respond to mental health issues. By and large, most of the officers are also very supportive of this idea. If it's safe and there's no crime, then let's not put them in this intersection of mental health and the crises that are out there."

The new measures are part of Turner's One Safe Houston pledge to "improve public safety and reduce the harms caused by violent crime" through a $44 million boost to public safety funding, made possible in part by the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations to the city of Houston. Nearly half of the One Safe Houston bill is dedicated to improving the city's mental health crisis response, which is funded in the coming years with ARPA dollars.

"The city of Houston is facing a public health crisis," Turner spokesperson Mary Benton said. "It will require all of us working together to overcome it."

Turner stipulated that as soon as the one-time funds dry up, council members will have to find alternate funding sources.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  One of the busiest trade ports on the U.S.-Mexico border remained closed Tuesday as frustration and traffic snarls mounted over new orders by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott requiring extra inspections of commercial trucks as part of the Republicans sprawling border security operation.

Since Monday, Mexican truckers have blocked the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in protest after Abbott last week directed state troopers to stop and inspect trucks coming into Texas. Unusually long backups  some lasting 12 hours or longer  have stacked up elsewhere along Texas roughly 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) border.

Not even a week into the inspections, the Mexican government said Tuesday that Abbotts order was causing serious damage to trade, and that cross-border traffic had plummeted to a third of normal levels.

The gridlock is the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. But critics question how the inspections are meeting that objective, while business owners and experts complain of financial losses and warn U.S. grocery shoppers could notice shortages as soon as this week.

Frustration is also spreading within members of Abbott's own party: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, called the inspections a catastrophic policy that is forcing some trucks to reroute hundreds of miles to Arizona.

I do describe it as a crisis, because this is not the normal way of doing business, said Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, whose county includes the bridge in Pharr. Youre talking about billions of dollars. When you stop that process, I mean, there are many, many, many, many people that are affected.

The shutdowns and slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas already has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Abbott warned last week that inspections would dramatically slow border traffic, but he hasn't addressed the backups or port shutdowns since then. His office didn't reply to a message seeking comment left Tuesday.

The disruptions at some of the world's busiest international trade ports could pose economic and political threats to Abbott, who is seeking a third term in November. Democrat Beto O'Rourke, the former presidential candidate who is running against Abbott for governor, said during a stop in Pharr on Tuesday that the inspections were doing nothing to halt the flow of migrants and were worsening supply chain issues.

He was joined by Joe Arevalo, owner of Keystone Cold, a cold-storage warehouse on the border. He said that although Texas state troopers have always inspected some trucks crossing the border theyve never, ever, ever held up a complete system or a complete supply chain.

An estimated 3,000 trucks cross the Pharr bridge on a normal day, according to the National Freight Transportation Chamber. The Pharr bridge is the largest land port for produce, such as leafy green vegetables, entering the U.S.

Mexico supplies about two-thirds of the produce sold in Texas.

Were living through a nightmare, and were already suffering through a very delicate supply chain from the pandemic and to try to regrow the business," Arevalo said.

The additional inspections are conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which said that as of Monday, it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the truck inspections had turned up migrants or drugs.

The order's impact quickly spread beyond Texas: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials confirmed Tuesday that there was another blockade at the Mexican customs facility at the Santa Teresa port of entry in southern New Mexico, not far from El Paso. Those protests are misguided since New Mexico has nothing to do with Texas' inspection policies, said Jerry Pacheco, executive director of the International Business Accelerator and president of the Border Industrial Association.

He said the protests were costing businesses millions of dollars a day.

Everybody down here is on a just-in-time inventory system, Pancheo said. Its going to affect all of us, all of us in the United States. Your car parts are going to be delivered late, your computer  if you ordered a Dell or HP tablet, those are going to be disrupted."

Ed Anderson, a professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, compared the disruptions to those caused by February's trucker blockade in Canada that forced auto plants on both sides of the border to shut down or scale back production. During that protest, trucks looking for other entries to cross into the U.S. wound up causing congestion at other bridges, a scenario that Anderson said might now be repeated on the southern border.

Anderson said consumers would likely begin noticing the effects by the end of this week, if not sooner.

Either prices are going to spike or shelves are going to be low," he said.

____

Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.
Gov. Greg Abbott and Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda announced an agreement they say will help ease commercial traffic at the Laredo-Colombia bridge, one of at least four international bridges where state troopers have done additional inspections on cargo, causing hourslong delays the past week.

After a meeting, the governors announced the deal during a news conference in Laredo, where truckers have been experiencing waits of three hours to cross, which is significantly longer than the average wait times of 15 minutes on a Wednesday afternoon.

As part of the deal, Texas troopers will stop inspecting every commercial truck on the Laredo-Colombia bridge as long as Nuevo Leon has checkpoints on their side of their 9-mile-long border with Texas. The state inspections will continue for trucks coming from the other three Mexican states that border Texas.

Abbott mandated the vehicle inspections on April 6 in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifting Title 42 late next month  a pandemic-era rule that allows immigration officials to turn away recently arrived migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, including those who are seeking asylum.

The deal with Garcia Sepulveda provides little relief for the overall trade logjam that has has been playing out between the two countries since Abbotts order went into effect. The Colombia bridge is just one of 13 commercial crossings between Texas and Mexico and the only one connected to Nuevo Leon. Over the last two years around 20,000 commercial vehicles have crossed that bridge per month, according to statistics from the city of Laredo, but non-commercial vehicles also cross the Colombia bridge.

Another nearby crossing, the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, is only open for commercial traffic and more than 165,000 trucks crossed that bridge each month over the last two years, according to city numbers. But the World Trade Bridge is connected to the state of Tamaulipas, not Nuevo Leon, so its unclear what the future of state inspections will be at that crossing and the 11 others that do not touch Nuevo Leon.

In the Rio Grande Valley, no commercial vehicles have crossed the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, the busiest commercial crossing in the Valley, all week after truckers on the Mexico side on Monday began blocking north- and southbound lanes in protest of the new inspections, which quickly led to widespread delays for cross-border trade after Abbott announced the program last week.

Mexican truckers in Reynosa, south of McAllen, and Ciudad Juarez earlier this week created blockades preventing cargo from coming into the United States as a protest against Abbotts added inspections. Some truckers reported having to sleep overnight in their 18-wheelers because the state inspections were holding up lines, they said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which already conducts commercial inspections, has called the state inspections unnecessary.

Texas borders four Mexican states  Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. On Tuesday, the governors of Tamaulipas and Coahuila sent a letter to Abbott telling him the inspections are "overzealous" and criticizing him saying, "political points have never been a good recipe to address common challenges or threats."

Maria Eugenia Campos Galvan, the governor of Chihuahua, said in a statement she is concerned over how the added inspections have affected both countries economies. She said she hopes all four Mexican states that border Texas will join her in having a dialogue with Abbott to find another solution.

I am a faithful believer in dialogue and mediation; and I am sure that it is possible to promote better actions to strengthen the security of both sides of the border, without affecting the economy of Mexican and American families, she said.

The agreement comes as Abbott has been heavily criticized by the White House, Mexican federal and state governments and the American private sector about the Texas governor's orders to troopers to inspect every commercial truck coming from Mexico. Even fellow Republican Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner, called on him to reverse course on Tuesday, citing supply chain issues that would leave grocery store shelves empty.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
On April 6, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott initiated a policy for the states Department of Public Safety to inspect commercial vehicles entering Texas from international ports of entry. Since its inception, the policy has led to wait times of up to five hours at international bridges and commercial traffic dropping as much as 60%, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Abbott said the policy is anticipation of an increase in cartel-facilitated smuggling via unsafe vehicles as Title 42, a border policy allowing expulsions because of public health, ends May 23. However, CBP said the inspections are unnecessary since it already performs safety checks on incoming commercial vehicles.

The longer than average wait times  and the subsequent supply chain disruptions  are unrelated to CBP screening activities and are due to additional and unnecessary inspections being conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety at the order of the Governor of Texas, CBP said in the release.

The Laredo and El Paso field offices have been the most impacted by the policy, according to CBP. In fiscal year 2021, the two offices processed closed to five million commercial vehicles carrying more than $280 billion of import value, the release said.

The Hidalgo/Pharr bridge, which has an average wait time of just over an hour, reached a peak wait of 320 minutes, CBP said, while the Ysleta bridge had an average wait of 335 minutes and a 50% decrease in commercial traffic since the policy was enacted.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Abbott to end the policy, claiming in a press release the long wait times have led to truck drivers running out of fuel and fresh produce spoiling. He urged Abbott to instead use state resources to fight to preserve Title 42.

This inspection program is turning a crisis into a catastrophe, Miller said in the release. You cannot solve a border crisis by creating another crisis at the border.

More than 1.28 billion pounds of fresh produce valued at $9 billion cross between Mexico into Texas annually, according to the Texas International Produce Association. The import of these products create jobs for 8,000 Texans and is responsible for $850 million in economic impact, according to a release from the association.

TIPA President and CEO Dante Galeazzi implored Abbott to modify the current policy at the border, saying in the release it is having dramatic impacts on the movement of produce.

This is destroying our business and the reputation of Texas, Galeazzi said in the release. I foresee companies making plans to move their business to New Mexico and Arizona.

Border Trade Alliance President Britton Mullen, in a press release from Washington D.C., said the alliance opposes the governors actions as it duplicates efforts from CBP. Mullen said the alliance urges the governor and the Department of Homeland Security to work together and find a solution.

While border states like Texas have an important role to play in ensuring truck safety and code compliance, the state should be working in collaboration with CBP, not engaging in a new inspection scheme that will slow the movement of freight, which will only exacerbate the countrys supply chain crisis and put even more upward pressure on consumer prices, Mullen said in the release.
The first bus carrying undocumented migrants sent by Gov. Greg Abbott arrived in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning as part of the Republican leader's controversial plan to counter federal immigration policies.

The bus arrived directly in front of the building that houses Fox News, NBC News and C-Span, according to Fox News reporter John Roberts. The bus carried dozens of migrants from Del Rio after coming to the U.S. from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, according to Fox News. The migrants checked in with officials who cut off wristbands they'd been given before being sent off, though it's unclear where to.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management says the bus was dispatched over the weekend to multiple border communities, Fox News reported. A second bus is currently en route to Washington, D.C., according to a Wednesday press release from Abbott's office.

"As the federal government continues to turn a blind eye to the border crisis, the State of Texas will remain steadfast in our efforts to fill in the gaps and keep Texans safe," Abbott said in the release. "By busing migrants to Washington, D.C., the Biden Administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden Administrations failure to secure our border."

Abbott announced last week that migrants would be voluntarily sent to the nation's capital so that the Biden Administration could immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border. He also ordered the state to charter flights to transport migrants to the nations capital after they have been processed by the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Texas Tribune.

The strategy is in response to the Biden's decision to end Title 42, which allowed immigration authorities to turn away migrants at the border due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abbott received bi-partisan criticism against his bus plan following his announcement. Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Texas) called the plan a "gimmick." The White House also dismissed the plan as a "publicity stunt."

Abbott's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment at the time of this writing.
In a surprising response to a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country, the U.S. Air Force is offering medical and legal help to military families personally impacted by state laws against gay and transgender children. The military service is also offering to help service members leave those states if needed.

Air Force leaders announced in a March press release that there are medical, legal and other resources available to help support members and their families in these times. So far, it's the only U.S. military branch to do this.

"The health, care and resilience of our [Air Force] personnel and their families is not just our top priority  its essential to our ability to accomplish the mission, Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones said in the release. We are closely tracking state laws and legislation to ensure we prepare for and mitigate effects to our Airmen, Guardians and their families."

In the release, Air Force leaders recommended families needing help with screening, treatment or mental health support, first consult with Air Force medical treatment facilities. They also said military legal personnel could help provide free counsel to families that need help understanding legal protections.

Air Force leadership also told members they could rely on the Exception Family Member Program if they need to be relocated to a different state. As is the case with all of our family members, if the support a family member needs becomes unavailable, commanders can work to get the service member to an assignment where their loved ones can receive the care they need, Jones said.

The Air Force's announcement follows a push from Republicans across the country targeting LGBTQ youth ahead of this year's mid-term elections. In February, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate certain gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth as child abuse.

In Florida, which hosts the largest Air Force base in the world, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, which restricts instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed interest in adopting a similar bill in the Lone Star State.

These discriminatory policies, bills and laws are causing real harm and distress to LGBTQ+ families, Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Delphine Luneau told the Huffington Post. Like any good employer, the Air Force is taking steps to support their service members and their families.
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, and in Texas that means its tequila time! Luckily, at any Total Wine location or totalwine.com, you can get everything you need to execute the perfect fiesta and margarita recipe.

Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate our neighbors to the south by honoring Mexican culture through music, food, and everyones favorite cocktail: the margarita! True tequila originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco, so in honor of the upcoming holiday, weve found the best tequila and margarita mixes you can find from Total Wine.

Best Tequila From Total Wine

Best Blanco Tequila: El Padrino

Best Blanco Tequila El Padrino Blanco Tequila totalwine.com $49.99 Shop Now

With over a thousand reviews that give this tequila its 4.5-star status, if youre looking for a pure, blue agave Mexican-made tequila this Cinco de Mayo, El Padrino is the way to go. One customer who regularly uses Don Julio Blanco for their margarita recipe says that the El Padrino is amazing, so if you havent tried it yet, thats as good a reason as any! Maybe get a bottle of each from Total Wine and do a taste testIts your fiesta, you do you!

Best organic tequila: 3 Amigos Blanco

Best Organic Tequila 3 Amigos Organic Blanco Tequila totalwine.com $64.99 Shop Now

If purchasing organic spirits is your priority this Cinco de Mayo, we recommend the 3 Amigos Blanco, winner of the 2018 gold medal at the World Tequila Awards! According to the Total Wine website, this certified organic tequila has moderate flavors of cooked agave that give it both spicy and smooth qualities. Bottoms up!

Best anejo tequila: Volcan De Mi Tierra Cristalino

Best Anejo Tequila Volcan De Mi Tierra Cristalino Tequila totalwine.com $71.99 Shop Now

Anejo is a kind of aged tequila, and you wont find one better at this value. This authentic Mexican tequila contains notes of chocolate, vanilla, and tobacco along with the traditional flavor of cooked agave; Total Wine describes it as having robust flavor, and reviewers comment on both the beautiful bottle and quality and smoothness of the tequila itself. Its recommended to sip anejo on its own to experience the rich complexity provided by the aging process, but if you want to put it in a margarita  were not here to judge!

Best citrus tequila: Dulce Vida Grapefruit Tequila

Best Citrus Tequila Dulce Vida Grapefruit Tequila totalwine.com $22.49 Shop Now

For anyone looking for a sweet variation on traditional tequila, this Dulce Vida Grapefruit Tequila comes highly rated from reviewers on totalwine.com, with more than one stating this to be their new favorite! We think it would make a delicious margarita on the rocks, but blended sounds great too  honestly, theres almost no way we wouldnt drink this tequila, and for under $20, we recommend getting two or more; its bound to be gone faster than you can say Cinco de Mayo!

Best spicy tequila: Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila

Best Jalapeno Tequila Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila totalwine.com $35.99 Shop Now

If youre looking for a tequila that brings the heat  this is Texas, after all  then this Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila may be the bottle for you. Its perfect for adding a kick to your Cinco de Mayo margaritas, and one spicy tequila enthusiast shares in his Total Wine review that this is the best of the many brands hes tried. If theres any left after the night is over, this is also the perfect tequila for mixing up some morning Bloody Marias while you piece together your noche loca!

For the bold tequila drinker looking for ultimate spice, check out Habanero tequilas, and for those who want to ease their way into the spicy margarita scene, cucumber jalapeno may be more your speed.

Best all around tequila: Patron Silver

Best All Around Tequila Patron Silver totalwine.com $42.99 Shop Now

Honestly, where would we be without Patron Silver?! On second thought, maybe dont answer that. The reason Patron is a household name is because it is simply the best all around tequila, with its light, citrusy body making it perfect for mixing into a margarita, sipping on the rocks, and lets be honest  who doesnt love a chilled shot of Patron Silver? With nearly four thousand rave reviews on totalwine.com, this is a great staple tequila to have in the house for Cinco de Mayo or any time of the year!

Best Margarita Mixes from Total Wine

because you cant celebrate Cinco de Mayo without margaritas!

Best light margarita mix: Jose Cuervo Light

Best Light Margarita Mix Jose Cuervo Authentic Lime Margarita Light totalwine.com $16.99 Shop Now

If youre anything like us, you want to save your calories for all the delicious tacos, chips, and dips youre going to enjoy this Cinco de Mayo while still being able to indulge in a margarita or twoor sevenwhos counting, really? This Jose Cuervo light margarita mix has all the essentials for a great cocktail without the extra, unnecessary sugary elements. Tequila, triple sec, and lime marry in this mix for a simple, ready-to-drink mix that is just under twenty proof. That may be enough for you, or feel free to supplement with the tequila of your choice!

Best big batch margarita mix: Big Bucket

Best Big Batch Margarita Mix Master of Mixes Margarita Big Bucket 96oz totalwine.com $8.99 Shop Now

If youre hosting this years Cinco de Mayo bash, then the Master of Mixes Margarita Big Bucket is the perfect solution for all your margarita needs! Simply pour a bottle of your favorite tequila into the mix in the bucket and stick it in the fridge for margs on the rocks or the freezer for a frozen treat. At under ten dollars, you may as well grab two and have both kinds of margaritas available for your guests; besides, operating a blender after a tequila or two is risky business. Best to avoid it altogether!

Best organic margarita mix: Tres Agaves

Best Organic Margarita Mix Tres Agaves Margarita Mix totalwine.com $8.99 Shop Now

Another Cinco de Mayo must-have for fans of organic cocktails is this organic margarita mix from Tres Agaves. Its organic, gluten free, and only sweetened with natural agave  no high fructose corn syrup  which probably makes for a less aggressive hangover the next day, too! Also, organic doesnt have to mean plain or boring; check out the Tres Agaves flavored margarita mix collection and stock up on a few varieties. These come alcohol-free, which is also nice for virgin margaritas for kids or anyone hoping to wake up without a headache on May 6!

Best flavored margarita mix: 1800 Ultimate Pineapple Margarita

Best Flavored Margarita Mix 1800 Ultimate Pineapple Margarita Ready-To-Drink Mix totalwine.com $20.99 Shop Now

Ready-to-drink pineapple margarita; need we say more?! 1800 Tequila is mixed with pineapple flavors to create this perfect mix of tropical deliciousness and is available at Total Wine for under $20. It has tons of positive reviews; people call this delicious, right out of the bottle. Of course, we wont mind if you blend it up and top it with a floater! For a close second, or for anyone who isnt a big pineapple fan, try their other flavors or the Rancho La Gloria Strawberry Margarita Mix  also ready to drink with a 13.9% ABV.

Best all around margarita mix: Nectar Girl

Best All Around Margarita Mix Nectar Girl Margarita Mix 1L totalwine.com $11.99 Shop Now

Nectar Girl Margarita Mix is Texas-made, so you know its got to be good! Sweetened with organic agave nectar, it's packed with flavor and sweetness to compliment any tequila without the extra processed sugar and calories. This mix is purely mix  no alcohol  so you can control how strong your drinks are and/or make virgin cocktails for the kids this Cinco de Mayo. Totalwine.com reviews highlight this margarita mix as being great, delicious, and one familys favorite margarita mix for years now! And you cant beat the price of this marg mix either  a liter from Total Wine will run you only $7.99.

Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Pamela Mahler is an E-Commerce Writer for Local Commerce at Hearst Newspapers. Email her at pamela.mahler@hearst.com.
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Denton County in north central Texas...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 605 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Haslet,

moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, The Colony, Southlake,

Corinth, Highland Village, Trophy Club, Lake Dallas, Sanger, Lake

Lewisville, Little Elm, Roanoke, Krum, Pilot Point, Argyle, Hickory

Creek, Justin and Double Oak.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for north central

Texas.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL

BELL COUNTY...

At 605 PM CDT, a tornado was located near Harker Heights, moving

north at 30 mph. This tornado will cross FM 2484 west of Salado.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may

be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes

will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,

businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction

is possible.

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly

tornado is developing. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move to

an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid

windows. If you are outdoors or in a vehicle, move to the closest

substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL HAYS AND

SOUTHEASTERN COMAL COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT

FOR DENTON COUNTY...

At 608 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Roanoke, or

near Trophy Club, moving northeast at 35 mph. Reports of quarter

size hail have been received with this storm.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, The Colony, Southlake,

Corinth, Highland Village, Trophy Club, Lake Dallas, Sanger, Lake

Lewisville, Little Elm, Roanoke, Krum, Pilot Point, Argyle, Hickory

Creek, Justin and Double Oak.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Bell County in central Texas...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 612 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Salado, or

near Belton, moving east at 20 mph. Another severe storm is

located near Killeen.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Killeen, Temple, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Fort Hood,

Nolanville, Morgan's Point Resort, Salado, Little River-Academy,

Troy, Rogers and Holland.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 277 and 313.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central

Texas.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can

develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not

immediately likely, if one is spotted, act quickly and move to a

place of safety inside a sturdy structure.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

COMANCHE EASTLAND ERATH

HAMILTON HOOD JACK

MILLS PALO PINTO PARKER

SOMERVELL STEPHENS WISE

YOUNG

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT

FOR NORTH CENTRAL WILLIAMSON COUNTY...

At 613 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Jarrell, or 7

miles northeast of Serenada, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

Locations impacted include...

Georgetown, Bartlett, Jarrell, Theon, Walburg and Schwertner.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL HILL COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned

area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central and

north central Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT

FOR NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON...ELLIS AND NORTHWESTERN NAVARRO COUNTIES...

At 613 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Midlothian to near Blooming Grove, moving

northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...65 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Lancaster, Waxahachie, Corsicana, Ennis, Midlothian, Glenn Heights,

Red Oak, Alvarado, Ovilla, Venus, Ferris, Palmer, Italy, Oak Leaf,

Maypearl, Blooming Grove, Bardwell, Alma, Barry and Rice.

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL BELL COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 615 PM

CDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been

cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a

Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

FOR NORTHEASTERN JOHNSON...EASTERN TARRANT...NORTHWESTERN ELLIS AND

WESTERN DALLAS COUNTIES...

At 614 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from Keller to near Venus, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton,

Mansfield, Euless, Desoto, Bedford, Grapevine, Cedar Hill, Haltom

City, Keller, Coppell, Duncanville, Hurst, Farmers Branch, Southlake

and Watauga.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for north central

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Freestone County in central Texas...

Southeastern Hill County in central Texas...

Northern Limestone County in central Texas...

Navarro County in north central Texas...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 640 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Dawson to near Mart, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Corsicana, Mexia, Groesbeck, Teague, Fairfield, Mart, Kerens,

Hubbard, Wortham, Coolidge, Blooming Grove, Dawson, Angus, Barry,

Navarro, Fort Parker State Park, Fairfield Lake State Park, Rice,

Retreat and Oak Valley.

This includes Interstate 45 between mile markers 184 and 236.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central and

north central Texas.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

COMANCHE EASTLAND ERATH

HAMILTON HOOD JACK

MILLS PALO PINTO PARKER

SOMERVELL STEPHENS WISE

YOUNG

* Flash Flood Warning for...

Bell County in central Texas...

* Until 945 PM CDT.

* At 645 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing

heavy rain across central Bell county. Between 1 and 3 inches of

rain have fallen from Killeen to Nolanville to Temple. Additional

rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible. Flash flooding is

ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,

highways, streets, and underpasses as well as other

poor drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Killeen, Temple, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Fort Hood,

Nolanville, Morgan's Point Resort, Salado, Little River-Academy,

Troy and Holland.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO LAKE CHARLES Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Rapides Parish in central Louisiana...

Vernon Parish in west central Louisiana...

Northeastern Newton County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 615 PM CDT.

* At 507 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 9 miles southeast of Winnfield to near Burr Ferry,

moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to

mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...

Alexandria, Pineville, Leesville, Boyce, Anacoco, Fort Polk,

Alexandria International Airport, Slagle, Toledo Bend Dam,

Hineston, Lena, Ball, New Llano, Tioga, Timber Trails, Hutton,

Esler Regional Airport, Flatwoods, Otis and Elmer.

This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 75 and 109.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
ZZ Top pulled into the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Wednesday evening for a rocking performance. The band has been together for over five decades and sold over 30 million records across 15 studio albums. The loss of long-time bassist Dusty Hill in 2021 did not stop the band as his spot o
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Crystal River Council OKs civic master plan; postpones RV, boat storage vote

busterthompson / Buster Thompson Chronicle Reporter Crystal River City Hall pictured along U.S. 19 in Crystal River.

Crystal River has its road map.

City Council members voted 5-0 the evening of Monday, April 11, to adopt the Crystal River Civic Master Plan, which, dating back to spring 2019, was created by more than 450 people to show the city how they want it to grow.

Dover Kohl & Partners was contracted by the city to help draft the extensive and illustrative 319-page document city staff and council will gradually implement into the Crystal River Comprehensive Plan  a packet laying out the citys building and development standards.

City Manager Ken Frink told council theres money in the budget to do a sweeping overhaul of the citys land-development code, which could take roughly a year.

Crystal River Civic Master Plan (Web Only)

To see the final version of the citys civic master plan, visit tinyurl.com/3ucrs2et. For more information, visit crystalrivercivicmasterplan.com.

Robert Piatkowski, a town planner and urban designer with Dover Kohl, told council on Monday the master plan outlines and details five Big Ideas the city should try pursue.

Its a guiding framework, he said. It establishes a vision for the future of Crystal River that will help direct public and private investment to help realize that vision going forward ... its up to the community and council to take these ideas and bring them to the next step.

To keep making its downtown a vibrant destination, Piatkowski said, the city must complete its Riverwalk, engage the waterfront with more development, build a new City Hall, transform U.S. 19, and provide more parking.

Piatkowski said the city can revitalize aging retail centers and invest in neighborhoods by reconnecting the residential communities surrounding Copeland Park and State Road 44, protecting green space, creating shopping centers of mixed use, and reimagining the mall.

Streets in the city can be designed with safer and accessible intersections, better sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists, more trees, and with abutting properties in mind.

Frink said the master plan already impacted how the Florida Department of Transportation will resurface State Road 44 within city limits.

Creating historic districts in the city can help preserve and protect historic sites from having to meet current code requirements if theyre ever damaged or in need of restoration, sparing them from either destruction or modernized upgrades.

Lastly, Piatkowski said, the city has to increase access to nature and build resilience against its disasters, like floods, by utilizing low-impact development, green infrastructure and more stormwater systems.

Christine Dalton, of Dalton Studio LLC, presented council on Monday with how the city can establish historic districts.

Before it even makes a historic district, Dalton said, the city must update its historic resource survey from 1992 to have a current inventory of which sites could contribute to a district.

This survey, Dalton said, would evaluate existing buildings that are older than 50 years old to help define their local, state and/or national historic significance to be used for future preservation planning, marketing and grant requests.

Frink said theres $50,000 in the budget of the city Community Redevelopment Agency for Daltons firm to be hired to conduct the survey, which would be presented to council for further action.

Dalton said the survey would document up to 250 residential and commercial sites, and would start from the citys commercial core and work outwards.

A commission or committee would also need to be formed, Dalton said, for monthly meetings to help fund and grow the historic district.

Council members agreed to think on Daltons strategy, and asked Frink to bring the matter back for another meeting.

Property owner, city council compromise on path for boat, RV storage development

City council and a property owner in Crystal River looking to build an outdoor storage facility for RVs and boats agreed Monday to draft a development deal to ease worries on both sides.

Gulf Coast RV and Boat Storage LLC was requesting council change the zoning and land use of 8.25 acres of its parcel at 1075 N. Suncoast Blvd.  an abandoned mobile home park  from highway commercial to industrial.

Repeating his concerns from when council was introduced to the proposals March 28, Councilman Robert Holmes said he couldnt vote for the modifications because such a broad industrial designation could allow for more than just RV and boat storage.

busterthompson / City of Crystal River Holmes

Holmes suggested Monday and in March the city create different degrees of industrial allowances to better regulate the extent of manufacturing.

Vice Mayor Ken Brown, who said hed also vote no, and Frink noted the current property owner could sell their lot to someone with different and less-popular industrial intentions. Mayor Joe Meek pointed out the property to the immediate south is already industrial.

City of Crystal River Brown

Council emphasized it wasnt the fault of Gulf Coast RV and Boat Storage for only having the citys sole industrial label to apply for. City officials also didnt want to delay the development until ordinances could be added to change that.

I completely understand your concerns ... but Im also stroking a loan payment every month on a piece of property Im doing nothing with, Carrie Bailey, of Gulf Coast RV and Boat Storage, told council, and I dont want to do that for the next however long.

Bailey said the company would enter into a development agreement with the city within 30 days if it assured construction and operations to a limit council was comfortable with.

City Attorney Robert Batsel Jr. said he could have a contract before council by either its next meeting on April 25 or its following assembly on May 9.

Council and Bailey were OK with continuing the rezoning and land-use votes to April 25.

Council approves renewal of modified RV park masterplan for KOA campground

City council voted 5-0 Monday to renew a modified planned unit development master plan for the 15.59-acre Crystal Bay RV Resort at 8172 W. Balloon Lane, which will be a Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Holiday campground franchise with 68 RV pads and four tent sites.

Crystal Bay RV Resort Master Plan (Web Only)

Developer Jennifer Grissom reassured council the campground doesnt encourage long-term stays and doesnt allow subleasing.

Were not looking for annual tenants, she said. Thats not where were going to make our money.

Council voted to disband Crystal River Waterfronts Advisory Board at next meeting

City council agreed Monday to vote at its next meeting April 25 on repealing the ordinances for the citys Waterfronts Advisory Board, formerly disbanding the volunteer board established in May 2006.

Councils decision came after it accepted the resignation of board chair Phillis Rosetti, who was first appointed Aug. 26, 2013.

Frink

Frink said the waterfronts board was going to vote at its last meeting for council to sunset the board, but not enough members showed for there to be a quorum.

Rosetti told council the boards enrollment swayed because Sunshine Laws kept its members from interacting productively.

We cant talk and collaborate. ... Even the things we did that were really good didnt help because city staff had to do it, she said. I loved every minute of it, and I think weve accomplished some great things.
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Amaya Brown giggles as she picks up Easter eggs in this 2018 file photo at the Seven Rivers Christian Churchs annual Easter egg hunt in Lecanto. This weekend will feature similar egg hunts around Citrus County.
The Fourth Division siege on medicines was preceded by preventing flour and basic foodstuffs from entering Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh.

" Medicines have not entered the neighborhoods since 8 days, after the first 3 days some pharmacists contacted pharmaceutical companies and their representatives to inquire about the non-arrival of medicines to the neighborhood", The administrators of the Pharmacists Union stated.

" Some pharmaceutical companies said that the Fourth Division prevents their representatives from entering the neighborhood since 8 days", administrators of the Pharmacists Union added.

ANHA contacted a number of pharmacists in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood who warned about cutting drugs, especially for patients with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and others who always need doses.

The pharmacist (L, A) noted that there are no specific types that are prohibited from crossing, but it is strictly forbidden for delegates to enter the two neighborhoods, meaning that the siege also includes medicines for children, adults and all strata.

The pharmacist expected a catastrophic situation if such practices continue against civilians in the besieged neighborhoods.

It is noteworthy that Damascus government have imposed a stifling siege on the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods since the 13th of last March.

A.K

ANHA
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference, Feb. 1, 2022, in Miami. DeSantis vetoed the states newly draw congressional map and lawmakers will hold a special session in April to redraw the map. DeSantis said Tuesday, March 29, that lawmakers appear to have focused more on requirements in the state constitution and not the U.S. Constitution.
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Rain. High near 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

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A colossal ancient impact that struck the moon is connected to the differences between the moon's two sides. The differences are the stark contrast based on the composition and what the two sides of the lunar body look like. The creation of the lunar South Pole-Aitken basin came about from the impact of the cosmic body so long ago.

The Lunar surface

How the moon looks on the Earthside is different on the far side, which cannot be seen, reported SciTech Daily.

On the near side, that is mostly lunar mare, a dark-colored remnant of archaic lava flows.While the far side is full of craters and no distinct features, how the visible and hidden sides are so different is not yet understood.

But a study proposes a new hypothesis about the lunar body; everything changed how a ginormous impact struck the southern pole about a billion years back.

A recent study posted in a journal reveals how the impact was the reason for the giant South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin on the lunar body; it might have created a heated plume that spread out into the moon's inner crust layers, This plume had materials like rare-Earth and heat-producing elements on the moon's nearside; these elements cause volcanic activity, which is the reason for the volcanic plain, noted Phys Org.

According to Matt Jones, a Ph.D. candidate at Brown University and study lead, big collisions like the one that formed SPA would create a lot of heat.

How the heat produced and affected the lunar interior dynamics is the question. What are the likely conditions at the time of the colossal ancient impact that created SPA on the moon, resulting in a concentration of heat-producing components on the nearside?

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Net Worth 2022: Does Anyone Know Russian President's Hidden Wealth?

It would help melt the mantle producing the lava flows seen on the lunar surface.

ones and his advisor Alexander Evans from Brown University, collaborated with others from Purdue University and other organizations in the study.

Moon's Near and Far Sides

The Apollo a reveal and Soviet Luna missions show the far and near sides differed in the 1960s. Future missions will show changes in the geochemical makeup of volcanic deposits and the variances in volcanic deposits.

Found in the nearside is the Procellarum KREEP terrane (PKT), a concentration of potassium (K), rare earth elements (REE), phosphorus (P), with Thorium that produces heat, noted Science Daily.

KREEP appears abundant in and around Oceanus Procellarum, the biggest of the moon's nearside volcanic plains, but it is rare anywhere. There is a link between the PKT and nearside lava sources; why they are all on the nearside is not known.

This new study provides an answer that is connected to the South Pole-Aitken basin, the solar system's second-largest known impact crater.

Simulations show how impact created heat in the moon's interior; also, how KREEP is present in the lunar mantle. The material hardened last in the mantle, though it might have formed the outer mantle in the crust.

According to lunar subsurface models, it was dispersed more or less uniformly under the surface. But, the heat plume from the SPA impact would disturb the uniform dispersion based on the new model.

One conclusion is that the KREEP would mostly be found in the nearside, keeping with the PKT anomaly. This, for now, answers the lunar body's near and far side. An effect of the colossal ancient impact shows in the distribution of KREEP on the moon according to the heat produced during the impact.

Related Article: Argon Gas Trapped in Ice Core From Antarctica Found To Exist in Ancient Earth Atmosphere, Study Says

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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David Stockdale, CEO of the British Tinnitus Association (BTA), is stepping down after 12 years in the role.

BTA said that during the time Stockdale has been CEO, the organisation has grown from helping 300,000 people to 2 million people in the UK each year.

The charitys total income has doubled in the last five years, according to the annual accounts it has filed with the Charity Commission. In 2016/17, the charity's total income was 754,846 compared to 1.36m in 2020/21.

Stockdale is also the chair of the Sheffield Young Carers Project and a founding member of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Special Interest Group.

Stockdale said: After 12 amazing years I have decided to take on a new challenge. This has been an extremely difficult decision to make  I love working with and for the BTA and the tinnitus community it serves. I am proud of all we have achieved and what is planned for the future.

I have always sought to lead the BTA to do what serves the best interests of those living with tinnitus, combining support with research. However, it is time for someone else to have the honour of leading the BTA.

A spokesperson from BTA told Civil Society News while they cannot disclose where Stockdale is moving to, but confirmed it is not a role in the charity sector.

Lynne Gillon, chair of the BTA, added: I would like to thank David for his huge commitment and dedication to the BTA, and all he has helped us achieve and wish him every success in his new endeavour. I know David will be very much missed by many people in the tinnitus community.

The BTA trustee board are particularly grateful to David for having built the charity from an income of 300,000 to over 1.3m and creating the infrastructure whereby the team can move forward with confidence into the next phase of major growth. Thanks to David, we are now in a position of strength to take forward our flagship project  creating a Tinnitus Biobank  which will transform our understanding and knowledge of tinnitus.

The charity is now in the process of looking for Stockdales successor.

A spokesperson from the charity told Civil Society News: In terms of recruitment for a new CEO, were just in the process of putting together what our process, procedures and timescale will look like, and well be announcing that in due course when they are all agreed.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect BTA's response to Civil Society News' questions.

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The blood cancer charity, Myeloma UK, has appointed Sophie Castell as its new chief executive.

She replaces Laura Kerby, who left the charity last December to become CEO of Prostate Cancer UK. Since her move, Jo Nove  who is director of communications and brand at Myeloma UK  has been acting CEO.

Castell will take on the helm in May. She joins from the RNIB, where she was director of relationships for five years. Before this, she worked as director of marketing, communications and fundraising at the Canal & River Trust.

She is currently a trustee of three charities  Home-Start UK, National Autistic Society and the Enterprise Cooperative Trust. She co-founded the Enfield branch of the National Autistic Society.

She said: I am hugely excited to be joining Myeloma UK as its new CEO and it is a privilege to be taking up the role in the organisations 25th anniversary year. I am passionate about supporting people to live well and building hopeful futures.

Myeloma UK plays a vital role in supporting everyone affected by myeloma. I am very much looking forward to meeting patients, our partners and supporters over the next few months and working together with the whole Myeloma UK community to address the challenges of living with the condition and supporting research to discover new treatments.

Castell has also had experience in brand management at The Coca-Cola Company. She worked at the US branch of the company for over eight years, from 1995 - 2003.

Simon Linnett, chairman of Myeloma UKs trustee board, said: We are delighted to welcome Sophie to the charity where she will build on Myeloma UKs ambition to make myeloma history. Sophie brings 20 years of committed charitable service and a comprehensive understanding of the third sector to Myeloma UK. Her commitment to putting the communities that charities serve at the very heart of decision-making and delivery is a natural fit for both the charity and our myeloma community.

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In 2014, Allan dos Santos, a former seminarian from Rio de Janeiro, started a blog. He had given up his religious vocation and discovered a new career path in blogging while traveling the United States. He chose its name, Terca Livre (or Free Tuesday), as an attempt to rebrand the initials of liberation theology, a form of Catholicism prevalent in Latin America that emphasizes the religious imperative to liberate the oppressed.

Dos Santos initially published a video every Tuesday, in a sort of unscripted talk show in which he attacked opponentsleft-wing politicians and traditional mediaand expressed ultra-conservative views against a supposed cultural threat seeking to destroy families. He saw global conspiracies in everything. Part of his inspiration came from Church Militant, a subscription-based blog with positions against social-welfare programs, immigration, and abortion.

He sought to emulate Olavo de Carvalho, a former astrologist, newspaper columnist, and self-described philosopher who, with increasingly far-right positions, came to be known as Jair Bolsonaros guru. Though hes based in Virginia, through his use of social networks, Carvalho has captivated many young people dissatisfied with the Brazilian political system.

Dos Santos approached Bolsonaro, who had announced he would run for president, and his family in 2016. Despite his posturing as an outsider, Bolsonaro was no stranger to politics; with nearly three decades in Congress, the former army captain and chronic party-switcher had won seven parliamentary elections by the time he decided to run.

Early on, he seized on a digital-forward campaign strategy. In September 2018, a month before the presidential elections, Bolsonaro posted a short video on social media. In it, WhatsApp groups flood his cellphone with countless notifications. The noise of successive notifications grows to a burst; the speed of the incoming messages makes it impossible to read anything. Ill get back to you, a smiling Bolsonaro says.

When Bolsonaro assumed the presidency, on January 1, 2019, dozens of journalists said that they were denied access to the rooms related to the inauguration (among other restrictions, like being prevented from using the restrooms) in favor of influencers close to the new government. They lie blatantly, dos Santos said in a video on his social media, referring to the journalists complaints.

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Still hardly known at the time, dos Santos, who is now thirty-eight, marked the rise of a government that despised the traditional media and used fake news as a communication tool. He helped start a new chapter in the war of narratives that would challenge the countrys institutions, going on to become a key figure in the domination of fake news in Brazil.

Throughout the 2018 presidential campaign, Brazilians were drowned in a sea of lies.

WhatsApp is the leading social network in Brazil; it also became a public service in the country, said David Nemer, a professor of media studies and Latin American studies at the University of Virginia. Phone companies offer access to WhatsApp at no cost. In other words, there is less incentive to read the news on an actual news site when, on WhatsApp, consumers can read headlines for free. Although many see this as digital inclusion, Nemer said, its actually digital colonialism.

At the same time, changes in platforms like Facebook altered the way information was disseminated by favoring more radical rhetoric, Marlos Apyus, a journalist and content analyst, said. Its not that these people were always saying the same absurd things and over time they were listened to. They were radicalizing the tone, they were adapting their discourse for that new moment, and in that new climate, they won.

In his book Technology of the Oppressed (2022), Nemer shows how the inhabitants of a favela use technology to free themselves from day-to-day violence. In part, that led to the popularity of disinformation campaigns that appeared on those same technologies.

Until recently, a typical presidential election in Brazil, which embraced democracy in 1985, relied on two indispensable tools: a national party engine and TV airtime. Bolsonaro had neither. His campaign of homemade videos and radical discourse was not taken seriously by manyeven when he was leading the polls. But ultimately, he won.

As early as 2014 and 2015, Nemer said, people were added to WhatsApp groups filled with messages like Communism was not Christian, or to launch messages in favor of Bolsonaro and against the Workers Party. People joined the groups because they saw friends numbers, he said. But in reality, they were groups made to promote Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro and his family understood, very early on, the importance of a digital campaign, said Patricia Campos Mello, one of Brazils best-known journalists. They had formed WhatsApp groups, and in those groups there was a brutal circulation of fake news, mainly against the opposition candidate, said Campos Mello, a reporter for Folha de S. Paulo, the most widely circulated newspaper in the country.

Bolsonaros campaign relied on mass messaging on WhatsAppand in some cases, according to Campos Mellos reporting, it did so illegally. They hired marketing agencies, bought data banks of voters with specific profiles, and sent messages massively with software that automated the process.

Bolsonaro boasted of having run the cheapest campaign in the history of Brazil, Nemer said. All the dirty money that was used to promote disinformation on social networks and WhatsApp was not accounted for.

The result was that throughout the 2018 presidential campaign, Brazilians were drowned in what Campos Mello called a sea of lies. Two out of three people claimed to have received fake news via WhatsApp during the campaign, according to a survey by Idea Big Data. The campaign sowed distrust about the electoral system, as Bolsonaro claimed the ballot boxes were fraudulent, even after he won. Other lies tended to the absurdlike claims that the Workers Party had distributed baby bottles with penis-shaped nipples to daycare centers. Even so, they were far-reaching and effective. Without most people realizing, the way not only to conduct a successful political campaign, but also to consume even basic information in Brazil, had completely changed.

The most relevant thing about this period was the consolidation of a kind of disinformation engine at the institutional level.

Since Bolsonaros election, Terca Livre has grown prolifically in staff and content; dos Santos is now a leading contributor to the omnipresence of fake news in Brazil. His posts, promoted by the Bolsonaro family, whom he interviewed frequently, abounded in claims of an alleged communist conspiracy and attacked the media, government figures, and politicians from other parties.

When covid-19 hit Brazil in March 2020, the fake-news phenomenon entered a new dimension. It became something that killed people, Apyus said. The virus brought the Brazilian health system to its knees as Bolsonaro maintained that the coronavirus did not exist or was nothing more than a little fluclaims dos Santos would repeat on his networks. (Dos Santos did not respond to requests for comment.)

But it seems that what motivates dos Santos is not ideology. Its the chance to make money, according to interviews. With the support of the Bolsonaro family and others in the government, he reached thousands of followers on his social networks, where he monetized the reproductions of his videos, asked for donations, and sold courses on journalism and philosophy.

There are strong suspicions that the financial structure behind Terca Livre did not depend exclusively on his followers. According to two investigations authorized by Brazils Supreme Court, dos Santos is suspected of receiving public money from government officials to promote falsehoods about political figures and Brazilian democracy.

In the crosshairs of the investigations, dos Santos left Brazil in July 2020 and settled in the United States. He said in a recent video that he now lives in Orlando. Successive court orders froze his bank accounts and closed his accounts on Twitter and YouTube. A Supreme Court judge issued an extradition order that was formalized last year, even though, according to local media reports, members of the government have tried to sabotage the extradition process.

Banned from other platforms and in the midst of the judicial fight, dos Santos migrated to Telegram, where he disseminated dozens of texts and videos each day in which he attacked authorities of public power, politicians, journalists, and former allies. His channel, where he described himself as persecuted, grew to more than 122,000 followers. Dos Santos would ask for donations and economic support to send some belongings to the United States and sell subscriptions for exclusive material.

In addition to defaming political personalities, journalists, former allies, and representatives of public authorities, he would question the efficacy of covid-19 vaccines, attack the Chinese government, and promote anti-censorship manuals to try to circumvent apps moderation mechanisms.

Many believe that Telegram will be a crucial site of Brazils upcoming electoral battle, Sergio Spagnuolo, a director of the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism, said.

First it became an alternative to WhatsApp, and after what happened on January 6, 2021, in the United States, with a stronger moderation of platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, which began to remove messages that questioned the outcome of the US elections, many radicalized Brazilian groups feared losing their voice and sought another space to disseminate their messages, Spagnuolo said. This is the case for Allan dos Santos himself.

According to Spagnuolo, with more than one million followers on his official channel, Bolsonaro has the most subscribers on Telegram of any verified head of state.

It is much less used than WhatsApp in Brazil, but it became an excellent disinformation tool because it has no office in the country, Apyus said. Thus, local authorities fail to contain the spread of disinformation there.

Apyus envisions another campaign marked by misinformation this year, albeit with some challenges. In February, Telegram banned dos Santoss channel. He opened another account, only to be shuttered again.

In March, after Telegram ignored court orders related to curbing misinformation, the Brazilian Supreme Court banned Telegram altogether. The ban was lifted two days later, after Telegrams CEO agreed to comply with demands to attempt to stanch the spread of misinformation. (Telegram claimed it missed the courts emails.)

Spagnuolo believes that political contenders will change their tactics for this years campaign. The former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently participated in a podcast with more than 320,000 people watching in real time. His campaign is already being different from what it used to bethey are seeing the power this has, especially with the younger audience.

But Nemer warns that in the fight for attention, fake news has the upper hand. The far right plays with fake news and content that generates negative connotations, and those are the ones that generate more interaction. Its human nature.

The most relevant thing about this period was the consolidation of a kind of disinformation engine at the institutional level, said Tai Nalon, who founded the fact-checking site Aos Fatos. Personally, it is very frustrating, she said. Journalists are fatigued from their information environment, on top of the pandemic. It worries me that we arrive so exhausted to an election.

We are not in a common situation. This is not a common election. In these elections there is an adversary that is against the democratic system, journalism, and social consensus. Nalon added that its unclear whether other platforms will take action against disinformation.

Meanwhile, dos Santos, now from a distance, continues to reaffirm his support for Bolsonaro.

But the presidentwho will likely run for reelection against da Silva, the most popular politician in Brazils contemporary history and Bolsonaros archrivaldoes not seem to be returning dos Santoss attention. Fabio Faria, Bolsonaros minister of communication, said he would not have attended a recent meeting where dos Santos was present, had he known the bloggerwho previously enjoyed unlimited access to the cabinetwould be there.

As a matter of survival, all these groups will end up supporting Bolsonaro. But not with the same commitment that was seen in 2018, Apyus said. For 2022, Bolsonaro has been betting more on the power of the presidential pen, distributing funds through parliamentary amendments, federal works, and social programs.

Regardless, some in the media worry that the damage and challenges of the fake-news era that Bolsonaro ushered in have yet to be faced.

We didnt manage to find a way to cover a digital populist leader like Bolsonaro without becoming his megaphone, Campos Mello said. I dont know if we are prepared for what happened in the United States, an organic mobilization of people questioning the integrity of the vote and inciting violence. How is the press going to cover this without legitimizing a violent movement? We are more aware, but I think we still dont know clearly how to do it.

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Paula Ramon is a Venezuelan journalist who has lived and worked in China, the United States, Brazil, and Uruguay. She is currently a West Coast correspondent for Agence France-Press based in Los Angeles. She has written and reported for The New York Times, National Geographic, and Piaui Magazine, among other outlets.
A report released Wednesday by the Washington Post Newspaper Guild shows that the Post is struggling to retain Black employees. The unions study on pay, diversity, and retentionwhich covers 2016 to mid-2021 and includes non-newsroom staffshows that Black employees and people of color are leaving the company at disproportionately high rates: in 2020, more than one in three Guild-eligible journalists who left the newsroom were Black, despite Black journalists making up just 9.2 percent of newsroom employees that year.

The Post did hire more journalists of color in recent years: while in 2017 just 17 percent of new hires were people of color, in 2020 and the first half of 2021, 52 percent of new hires were people of color. But in the same period, 45 percent of those who left the newsroom were people of color, even though they made up just 22 percent of the newsroom. And fewer than one in five of those hired in 2020 were Black.

A companion report by the Guilds Black Caucus, drawing on interviews with more than thirty current and former employees, describes how Black journalists were underpaid, devalued in their work, stymied in their career growth, and faced with indifference or hostility in pushing for better coverage of communities of color and for diversity in the company.

Many of those who left were Black women, and Post employees say the steady drumbeat of departure announcements was demoralizing or painful. The people who fought the hardest to push the Post to evolve are the ones who had to leave, ultimately, because it is such an exhausting job, Simone Sebastian, who was the Posts America editor until November, told me. And I wish that there was more awareness at the Post, and at newspapers across this country, that Black people who are pushing them to do better are valuable. (Sebastian, who says racial struggles at the Post were not a large factor in her own decision to leave, is now editorial director at Capital B, a Black-led nonprofit news organization.)

The Guild acknowledged that the Post has made some progress in recent years. But the report makes clear that the Post cannot address its lack of diversity and equity simply by hiring more people of color, without addressing the underlying systems perpetuating those inequalities.

The message of the Black Caucus report is not that the company is irredeemable, Michael Brice-Saddler, a Post reporter who is also vice chair for news in the Guild and founder of the Guilds Black Caucus, told me. But many feel they havent been heard, and hope this report will change that. This is a group of dozens of Black staffers who care tremendously about this place, and believe it can be better, he said. Where were coming from is wanting the Post to be a place where Black staffers can feel like they can grow and have a career that lasts a really long time.

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Kristine Coratti Kelly, a spokesperson for the Post, wrote in an email, We have long been committed to paying employees fairly, taking into account all relevant factors, and we have spent the last five years refining our data-driven approach to pay. We have also put systems and processes in place over the last two years to not just grow diversity at The Post, but ensure we are fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace. We appreciate The Guild pointing out the progress weve made, and it remains an important priority.

The period covered in the Guild report saw rapid growth and change at the Post. The company expanded its newsroom by nearly 50 percent. In 2020, as protests over racial injustice and white supremacy swept the nation, more than five hundred Post staffers signed a letter calling for changes at the paper. In response, the paper created a managing editor position for diversity and inclusion, added newsroom positions focused on covering race and identity, and started programs meant to encourage internal career growth. The company also added a human resources director for diversity and inclusion. Last year, Sally Buzbee became the Posts first female executive editor, and she expanded the masthead to include more women and Black journalists.

The study shows that while pay gaps in the newsroom have narrowed since the Guilds last pay study, in 2019, white journalists continue to earn more than journalists of color, with a disparity of nearly 16 percent between median salaries. The gap between median salaries of white men and women of color was more than 28 percent, or nearly $29,000. And salaried men still make more than women, while women who are paid hourly make more than men.

The gender pay disparity is greatest in employees under the age of forty, where there was a gap of 14 percent, or about $13,000. This is partly explained by the fact that white men have the oldest median age of the newsroom, while women of color have the youngest. But even controlling for age, disparities obtained. Sections with the highest median salaries, like national, investigations, and opinion, have a higher concentration of white men, while the sections with lower median salaries have a larger representation of women and people of color.

But the report also shows that the Post appears to be perpetuating pay disparities with its merit raise system. The highest scores on performance reviews, according to the study, are disproportionately given to white employees. In the period covered by the report, white people received 76 percent of merit raises despite making up 67 percent of the newsroom. Since 2015, men have also received a higher percentage of merit raises than women, though they make up a smaller percentage of the newsroom.

While Post employees can request a salary review to establish whether they are underpaid relative to their peers, it does not guarantee that the company will address any disparities. The report describes a journalist in the video department who underwent a pay review in 2020 that confirmed her suspicion that she was grossly underpaid. But no resolution was offered, even after she received a positive performance review. The report says the journalist is now looking for another job, despite wanting to stay at the Post.

The Black Caucus report suggests that many Black journalists left the Post not because they wanted to, but because they found that was the only way they could grow their careers, be paid at market value, or find respect for their work.

Black employees described being overlooked for merit raises and promotions despite outperforming their colleagues; having the legitimacy of their work consistently challenged; and being asked to take on menial tasks outside their roles, unlike their white colleagues. Some described being stuck in undesirable shifts, and their ideas and work being given to white colleagues. They were also expected to deal with regular microaggressions, and felt discouraged by the dearth of Black leadership.

The lack of upward mobility was a complaint across the newsroom but was especially prevalent among those in digital-focused roles and among Black employees. Since 2020, the audience departmentone of the most diverse at the Posthas lost at least ten employees to competing news organizations, more than half of them women or people of color. Six of those who left were managers, all but one of whom were women or people of color.

The report makes clear that the Post cannot address its lack of diversity and equity simply by hiring more people of color, without addressing the underlying systems perpetuating those inequalities.

The report also described the video department as troubled: since 2020, four out of eleven Black employees left the section. A Black woman who worked in the video department said in the report that people of color warned her against taking the video job because her life would be miserable. It added that she agreed with this assessment afterward, adding that conditions were also at times [verbally] abusive.

The report describes how Black journalists feel a duty to step up and advocate coverage of stories about Black people that the rest of the newsroom has historically overlooked or underreported. But this often leads to burnout, not only because of the workload, but also because editors and colleagues are often ill-equipped to support us as we do the work.

The extra labor Black reporters take on to push for change and advocate for better coverage of communities of color is not often acknowledged or rewarded, Razzan Nakhlawi, a Post researcher, Guild communications chair, and member of the Guilds Black Caucus, told me. She says it was affirming to find in the report that Black employees share similar experiences, and to see those experiences reflected in the data. Fundamentally were experiencing a lot of the same things, and we dont necessarily talk openly about this stuff.

In 2020, a former editor wrote to the masthead asking newsroom leaders about the boundaries around what Black journalists at the Post were allowed to say publicly about police brutality and systemic racism, according to the report. In response, a managing editor called her and told her to consider whether journalism is for [her]. She left for a leadership role at a legacy publication.

Overall, despite its efforts, the Post has not substantially increased the diversity of its workforce. In mid-2021, 56.3 percent of employees across the entire companyincluding its business sidewere white, down slightly from the 2016 level of 57.6 percent. Among leadership, it was even whiter: 66.5 percent in 2021, down 1.7 percentage points from 2016.

While most racial or ethnic groups saw their representation grow slightly in the company during this period, there was a stark decline for Black employees. Across the company as a whole, Black employees went from 25 percent of the workforce in 2016 to 18.8 percent in 2021, and their share in leadership positions fell to 15.9 percent from 20 percent. Among Guild-covered workers on the commercial side, the share of Black employees fell to 25.5 percent in 2021 from 33.8 percent. (The share of Black journalists in the newsroom fell by about one percentage point, to 9.4 percent.)

In August 2020, a group of workers on the commercial side, where the report shows the pay disparity between white employees and employees of color grew since 2019 to a median gap of $17,600, wrote a letter to Fred Ryan, the Posts publisher, describing instances of racism, discrimination and inequality in their departments.

The report includes an excerpt from the letter: Did you know that in the Accounting and Finance departments of the Washington Post, the commercial side of the organization is referred to as The Plantation, because many of the workers are Black and being overseen by White bosses? Highly educated Black employees continue to be stuck in roles on The Plantation for years with no hope of climbing up the ladder, while White employees are promoted into unadvertised positions unrelated to their current jobs.

The letter highlighted the profound distrust Black employees have in Human Resourcesso much so that they asked the publisher to move the new diversity and inclusion director position outside of HR entirely. According to the report, commercial employees say HR has prioritized self-protection over protecting employees and managers who experienced systemic discrimination or racism, failing to hold their own to the same standard they demand of other staffers. And unlike the newsroom, where managing editors operate as liaisons between HR on personnel matters, commercial employees have no such buffer and are left to fend for themselves. Instead of responding to the letter, says the report, Ryan forwarded it to the Posts director of HR.

David DeJesus, cochair of the Guild for commercial, says that made employees feel like wed been kicked to the curb. He says he hopes the company will view the report as an opportunity to effect real change. We just want to make our workplace a better place.

The report details recommendations for the Post. A great start would be being willing to engage on this, acknowledge that some people are hurting or have been hurt, and then saying, Where can we go from here? And what do we need to do to make things right? Brice-Saddler says. And I think that type of acknowledgment will go a long way.

Some Post staffers are hopeful, given the recent change in leadership, that the company may work to address the issues raised in the report. And Guild members say they are ready to work with the company on doing so. It feels like this could be a great opportunity, Nakhlawi says. And we invite the company to view this as such. I hope that its taken seriously.

This article has been updated to include comment from the Washington Post.

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Kristen Chick is a freelance journalist who covers migration, women's issues, and human rights in Europe and the Middle East. Follow her on Twitter @kristenchick.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Federal officials say theyll no longer pay for services at Montanas state psychiatric hospital following staffing shortages and other problems that were blamed in patient deaths and a violent assault last month involving unsupervised patients.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notified Montana State Hospital administrator Kyle Fouts that after Tuesday it will end Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for all new patients admitted to the facility in Warm Springs. Payments for services to patients admitted prior to Tuesday will continue for 30 days.

Federal officials said in a Friday letter to Fouts that the facility repeatedly put patients in jeopardy and failed to correct problems, even after being notified the hospital was at risk of losing funding. Officials could not immediately provide details on how much money the psychiatric hospital receives.

Four patients died from October through February  three because of COVID-19 and another after frequent falls.

Another patient died in August 2021 after staff ignored her complaints that she couldnt catch her breath. Federal officials found the hospital did not properly investigate her death, and later notified the state that it was at risk of losing federal payments.

Federal investigators returned last month following an assault that left a female patient with severe injuries.

The move to end reimbursements was first reported by the Montana State News Bureau.

The hospital overseen by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services treats adults with serious mental illness and is located in a town of about 600 people about 23 miles (37 kilometers) northwest of Butte. It had about 142 patients as of early April.

Health department Director Adam Meier said in response to the loss of funding that the administration of Gov. Greg Gianforte has brought in outside experts to help address the issues raised by federal officials. But he added there are no quick fixes for the hospitals problems.

It took many years for MSH (Montana State Hospital) to get to this point, and its going to take significant time to truly fix the problem, Meier said.

But Democratic lawmakers said Gianfortes administration was slow to respond to the crisis at the hospital and the deaths that occurred there were preventable.

The costs of that inaction are hitting home, and its the most vulnerable Montanans who will bear the worst of those burdens, state Rep. Sara Novack, a Democrat from Anaconda said in a statement.

State officials recently reported the hospital was more than $7 million over budget largely because its relaying on contract workers to fill staffing shortages.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Disclaimer

The Cleveland Jewish News does not make endorsements of political candidates and/or political or other ballot issues on any level. Letters, commentaries, opinions, advertisements and online posts appearing in the Cleveland Jewish News, on cjn.org or our social media pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, its board, officers or staff.
Democrats belonging to two leftist parties that want to eliminate GOP competition before the 2022 midterm elections is trying to do just this.

Their targets are two-pro Trump representatives and an Arizona lawmaker whom they saw participated in the January 6 insurrection.

The Democratic party might see a massacre in the congress and Senate that will allow the GOP to start going after the administration.

Midterm Elections

Until now, the Dems are still holding on to the capital insurrection to make allegedly false claims that Trump loyalists wanted to disrupt the electoral college; has not been proven, reported the Epoch Times.

Most of the Democratic Party and GOP RINOs are still calling it either an insurrection or a coup to attack the US government; it is not valid, as Donald Trump and loyalists denied it.

Those hoping to oust the three officeholders argue that their acts invoked the seldom-used Disqualification Clause in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was imposed after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates out of congress and statehouses.

The Accused Politicians

Those charged in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County are US Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs for reelection; while State Rep. Mark Finchem for Arizona secretary of state announced this by the Austin, Texas-based Free Speech For People on April 7, cited Court House News Service.

Democrats have filed a bogus case to keep me off the ballot, claiming incorrectly that I am an insurrectionist, according to Mr. Gosar, since he's got plans in the 2022 Midterm elections, noted AZ Mirror.

Read Also: Donald Trump Children: What You Need to Know About the 5 Trump Kids

He added his opponents are getting desperate because, since 2010, they have lost and were beaten badly. They will even do this to win at all costs.

Both Gosar and Biggs are well-known in congress for their attempts to uncover Chinese Communist Party infiltration and meddling in American politics. Finchem is running for higher office on a platform of electoral integrity.

A campaign by Free Speech for People and Our Revolution, a known leftist group, splintered from socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign, is engaged in undermining these individuals.

These are two groups who are carrying out a national campaign to ensure that election officials across the country follow the mandate of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment and bar elected officials who engaged in the insurrection.

They are also after ex-President Donald Trump to keep him from a possible 2024 victory that will spell doom for Joe Biden and the Dems.

Charges (PDF)that Gosar engaged in an attempt to disrupt the counting of ballots to affect the outcome of the electoral college on January 6, 2021. Then having congress vote on fraudulent electors as alternative slates.

The group charged that the representative went beyond free speech and told people to go to the National Mall rally before it led to the alleged capital breach. Adding that, the rep supported the events of that day, which he was innocent of.

Leftists on the side of the Dems have sought to twist the narrative to get what they want, even inventing untrue reports to further their agenda.

These democrats will try and do anything seeing the failure of the Democratic party in the White House, Congress, and Senate to stop a massacre in the 2022 midterm elections.

Relate Article: January 6 Committee Driven by Political Motives To Prevent Donald Trump From a 2024 White House Bid

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Cleveland State University recently conferred the honor of distinguished professor on Samantha Baskind for her contributions to the CSU Department of Art and Design, its College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and to the university.
Sixteen people sustained injuries in a shooting on Tuesday morning at a Brooklyn subway station.

The unidentified attacker, who was wearing a gas mask and a green construction vest, detonated a smoke bomb and opened fire at Brooklyn's 36th Street station during the rush hour period, according to authorities.

Sources and officials say a weapon, as well as a bag containing smoke canisters and fireworks, were recovered at the scene, adding to the theory of a planned attack on transit riders in New York City.

NBC New York reported that a source close to the investigation said that the suspect's gun may have jammed, sparing further deaths. However, it is not yet clear what kind of gun was used in the shooting, as well as the number of shots fired by the suspect.

There were no fatalities reported, but among the gunshot victims, five were reported to be in critical condition as of present writing.

Witnesses reported the entire train car smelled like gasoline, and MTA sources stated they smelled the same thing, but the law enforcers recovered no gas cans from the crime scene.

After launching an attack, the shooter remained on the loose for more than five hours.

NYPD Answers 'Police Error' Allegation

Rolling Stone reported that an NYPD source claimed that a police blunder may have allowed the suspect in the Brooklyn subway rush hour shooting to flee.

When the train arrived at 36th Street, victims streamed out onto the platform as smoke billowed from the train car from smoke bombs discharged by the shooter wearing a gas mask. However, according to reports, the local duty captain of a Brooklyn South patrol did not stop all trains from entering and exiting the 36th Street station, which serves as a transfer hub for the N, R, and D lines.

On Twitter, the NYPD responded, saying that the allegation is "factually wrong."

"Speculation is not helpful to our inquiry, the victims, or the citizens of NYC, especially in the midst of a crisis. To go to safety and seek help, the victims on the train relied on the subway continuing to the next station," the NYPD tweeted.

This statement is factually inaccurate. Speculation, especially in the middle of a crisis, is not helpful to our investigation, the victims, or the people of NYC. The victims on the train relied on the subway moving to the next stop to get to safety, and seek help.  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell asked for the public's assistance in obtaining information about the gunman, who is still at large, as per a BBC report. She also noted that the incident "is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time."

Read Also: [BREAKING NEWS] Shooting At Brooklyn Subway Stop During Morning Commute Injures Multiple People

Biden Administration Offers Assistance

Meanwhile, United States President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting incident. White House officials had coordinated with New York City Mayor Leroy Adams and the NYPD, according to a report from New York Daily News.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki posted on Twitter that the administration would "offer assistance as needed."

@POTUS has been briefed on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting. White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.  Jen Psaki (@PressSec) April 12, 2022

Over the past two years, US cities have reported a troubling rise in gun violence incidents.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that such "insanity" has to end.

"We say no more. No more mass shootings. No more disrupting lives." Hochul remarked after the subway violence.

Related Article: Biden Expected To Crack Down on Rising Gun Violence, Eyes Nominee Who Would Lead BATFE

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New York Lt. Gov. Brian A. Benjamin resigns after being arrested on bribery charges following federal prosecutors unsealing an indictment that accused him of directing a brazen scheme to use illegal donations to his past political campaigns and trying to cover the crime up.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was the one that selected Benjamin to be her lieutenant governor less than a year ago, said that he would be stepping down from his position immediately. In a statement, Hochul said that Benjamin could not continue to serve as lieutenant governor of the state while the legal process was being done.

Brian Benjamin's Criminal Charges

The governor said that New York residents deserved absolute confidence in their elected government officials and said she was working hard every day to deliver it to them. The five-count indictment against Benjamin said that he conspired to direct $50,000 in state funds to a Harlem real estate developer's charity during his time as a state senator, as per the New York Times.

The document wrote that in exchange, the developer orchestrated thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to Benjamin's unsuccessful 2021 campaign. Furthermore, the indictment alleges that the lieutenant governor offered his assistance to the developer, Gerald Migdol, in obtaining a zoning variance if he was to make a $15,000 donation to a separate fund for State Senate Democrats.

Read Also: Brooklyn Subway Attack Weapon Recovered; Police Error May Have Allowed The Shooter To Escape, Source Says

The lieutenant governor is now facing charges of bribery, conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and falsification of records. The offenses against him carry maximum penalties ranging from five to 20 years in prison.

According to Fox News, prosecutors are also looking for forfeiture of the funds involved in the scheme or, alternatively, "any other property of the defendants up to the value of the forfeitable property." A U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, is expected to address the case during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. He will be joined by officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York City Department of Investigation.

Indictment on Bribery Charges

However, Benjamin is expected to remain on the New York primary ballot despite stepping down from his post and having bribery charges against him. The situation could prove to be a difficult issue for Hochul to address.

A spokesman for the state Board of Elections, John Conklin, said that there were only three ways for an individual to get off the ballot; death, declination, or disqualification. Last week, Benjamin also admitted that he did not tell Hochul that he was aware that his 2021 comptroller campaign was subpoenaed before his appointment to his current post.

Benjamin was designated as the Democrats' preferred candidate for lieutenant governor in February during the party's nominating convention. After the issue, it is still unclear if Hochul would consider supporting the running mate of a rival candidate in the Democratic primary. It was also unclear how Benjamin would be approaching his name still being on the ballot despite his resignation and criminal charges, the New York Daily News reported.

Related Article: Pennsylvania Girl, 3, Dies After Being Swept Down a 411-Foot Waterfall in North Carolina

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According to two law enforcement officials, a credit card used to rent a U-Haul cargo van assisted detectives in New York in identifying the culprit who opened fire on a Brooklyn subway.

The gunman was described as a 5-foot-5-inch Black male with a hefty build who was wearing a green work jacket and a gray hooded sweatshirt. Authorities claimed they uncovered mobile phone footage of the suspect taken by an eyewitness.

Manhunt Continues as Gun Recovered From Subway Station

According to two internal emails acquired by CNN, just after 2 pm, NYPD commanders issued an Arizona license plate number and told all officers and detectives to be on the lookout for the van. Two law enforcement officials told CNN that the vehicle was found a few hours later in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn.

In accordance with a law enforcement source, the NYPD's bomb squad is responding to the Brooklyn area where the U-Haul vehicle was discovered. U-Haul has stated that the company is cooperating with authorities.

At least 29 individuals were hurt in the shooting on Tuesday, and they were treated at three neighboring hospitals for injuries that were not life-threatening. Ten individuals were shot, and others were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, shrapnel, and terror as a result of the incident, according to FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

In the mayhem that followed the shooting aboard the Manhattan-bound N train at the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue stop in Sunset Park about 8:30 am, at least another 19 passengers were injured. The gunman was still on the run nine hours later.

As reported by a person related to the investigations, his pistol may have jammed, saving lives. According to sources and officials, a weapon, as well as a bag containing smoke canisters and pyrotechnics, was found at the scene, confirming the possibility of a premeditated attack on New York City transport users.

Authorities have a photograph of the individual whom they believe is the suspect and are attempting to identify him. They were also hunting for a U-Haul van with Arizona plates that may be related to the suspect, and they spotted one on King's Highway in Gravesend that fit the description.

Five of the victims of the gunshots were believed to be in critical condition. The nature of their injuries was not immediately evident. There have been no fatalities recorded. It's unclear what type of pistol was used, and it's also unclear how many rounds were fired.

The whole train car smelled like gasoline, according to witnesses, and MTA sources verified this. Later, a gasoline spray container was discovered.

Early fears about probable explosive devices linked to the case were sparked by the smoke canister and frightening footage from the train; however, at an early afternoon press conference, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell informed New Yorkers that there are no known bomb devices on any subway trains in the city at this moment.

The suspect was in the same train car as several of the wounded. Authorities said that there were others on the platform. Sewell claims he put on a gas mask, dropped a smoke canister on the subway car floor, and began firing while the train was still moving.

The train came to a complete stop at the following station, 25th Street. When the Manhattan-bound N train arrived at the platform, greenish smoke billowed from the subway doors. People were seen fleeing the scene and bleeding profusely. In total, 29 people were injured. The approximately two dozen victims who were not shot were harmed by the crowd's reaction to the chaos, NBC New York reported.

Read Also: Pennsylvania Girl, 3, Dies After Being Swept Down a 411-Foot Waterfall in North Carolina

NYPD: Chaos Is Not a Terrorist Attack

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell's declaration that the Brooklyn subway incident was not a terrorist strike has been disputed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. While the reason remained unknown and Sewell said she was not ruling anything out, the event was not classified as a terrorist incident, she said at a press briefing just after noon.

Throughout an interview a few hours later, Adams stated unequivocally that the act had caused fear in the city. The event is being treated as an active shooter scenario, and New Yorkers are being advised to avoid the area between 3rd and 5th Avenues from 20th to 40th Streets.

Police are also looking for a U-Haul vehicle with Arizona license plates AL31408. As the manhunt continues, officials have been questioned about the suspect's whereabouts, with Mayor Adams confirming that security cameras at the 36th Street station malfunctioned and so missed the incident, as per Independent.

Related Article: Times Square Explosion: Videos, Panicked Reactions, and What's Really Behind Scary Blast

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While a senior at Penn State in 2021, finance major Kolby Rush scrambled to find a new internship after his previous plans were canceled due to the pandemic.

So, he naturally started a business with his younger brother, Kaleb Rush.

Now a Penn State alumnus, Kolby and his younger brother Kaleb have developed Saint Roccos Treats, a dog treat business focused on using all natural, human-grade ingredients.

Kaleb, a current junior at Temple University majoring in entrepreneurship, said their familys history in the dog treat industry spans several decades, mentioning that both their grandfather and father have been in the business.

Having family members who were educated about the dog treat industry gave both Kolby and Kaleb a knowledgeable background of creating dog treats and their recipes. Overall, Kaleb said he believes he and his brother know the dog treat industry very well.

Weve always had that entrepreneurial spirit, Kaleb said. So we kind of came together and just thought of, What is the industry missing? and we wanted to fill that void.

Saint Roccos Treats began out of Kolby and Kalebs hometown kitchen, where the mess and smell of creating dog treats became too much for their mother to bear, causing her to kick them out of her kitchen.

Shes extremely supportive of us, Kolby said, but he said he understood that preparing dog treats was a little iffy for the home.

So, the brothers moved over to their aunt and uncles house, where there was an extra kitchen to use, to make dog treats.

During these early days of Saint Roccos Treats, the brothers would go door to door offering free samples of their treats in hopes of attracting customers to their newly developed business.

Having been in business for roughly two years now, Kolby said they have developed a three-tier approach to Saint Roccos Treats.

The first tier includes their online presence, which is their main way of getting peoples attention: social media exposure.

Next, the brothers have a retail arm for Saint Roccos Treats, where theyre open to partner mainly with independent retailers that commonly share a lot of the values that we believe in, Kolby said.

The last tier of Saint Roccos Treats approach to business is attending in-person events, such as farmers markets and other community events.

This is an aspect Im really passionate about because I think its really cool and a way to differentiate us as a brand, Kolby said.

As of now, Saint Roccos Treats is primarily run by the Rush brothers; however, they have gradually begun to hire people to be a part of their team.

One of their team members happens to be present Penn State student Shannon Saclyn.

Saclyn (junior-marketing) serves as Saint Roccos Treats part-time social media manager. She posts daily to the Instagram and Facebook accounts and interacts with the pupstomers.

Saclyn originally heard of Saint Roccos Treats in one of the weekly newsletters from the Smeal College of Business.

When Saclyn saw the business was looking for a social media manager, she thought, Oh my gosh, this is my dream job. I totally want to go for this.

Having been a member of the Saint Roccos Treats team for about six months now, Saclyn said Kolby and Kaleb are some of the most down-to-earth and creative people shes ever met.

Their passion for their business is so inspiring, and it makes me motivated to work at Saint Roccos, Sacyln said.

One of Saclyns favorite things about working for Saint Roccos Treats is the people and their passion for making the world a better place.

For every pound of dog treats someone purchases, Saint Roccos Treats donates $1 to local animal shelters in Pennsylvania.

Kolby and Kaleb said they knew from the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey that they wanted to give back to their community, so they chose some rescue shelters and other nonprofits in the dog industry that promote positivity.

The first animal rescue shelter that Saint Roccos Treats began donating to was Phoenix Assistance Dogs because its mission to help rehabilitate dogs to become service animals struck both of the Rush brothers.

Kolby and Kaleb aim to donate to more local rather than national shelters because they like to know their dollars are having a true impact on people that are working hard to do something bigger than themselves, Kolby said.

Eventually, Kolby and Kaleb said they would love to donate to more rescues at a time, but the Rush brothers know that to be substantial, their sales have to increase before they can dream bigger.

Whether its numerous rescues or just one, the brothers said they are proud of what theyve managed to donate so far and hope that its had a positive impact, Kolby said.

The Rush brothers had a difficult time pinpointing a specific moment in their career when they foresaw the success of their business, but one moment that stuck out to them was their appearance on FOX 29 News in Philadelphia.

It just felt so good to be able to share our story and share the work weve put into it, Kaleb said. Because up until then, it was about two years of work that nobody saw.

Kaleb said being featured on FOX 29 News also gave him a sense of how much his business with Kolby has grown in such a short amount of time.

It gave me this like Holy cow, what can we do in five or seven years? Kaleb said.

In terms of where Saint Roccos Treats is headed in the near future, the Rush brothers teased a Saint Roccos Treats kitchen opening up somewhere in Pennsylvania, but the location and opening day has yet to be revealed.

For now, the Rush brothers said they hope to have Saint Roccos Treats opened by the end of the summer or early next fall.

Its going to be cool that were finally going to be able to have our own entity, Kaleb said. Me and Kolby are excited to create an experience that I dont think people have seen before.

Along with their goal of opening up a Saint Roccos Treats kitchen that people can visit, the Rush brothers ultimate long-term goal is to redefine the dog treat industry by making it more transparent.

We want the kitchen to be a place where you come in, and you can actively see our product lines getting made, Kolby said.

Kaleb said people dont go to the store and pick out random food theyve never heard of and eat it, which is something that pet owners tend to do to their dogs.

By using five human-grade ingredients as the basis for their dog treats, the Rush brothers cultivate an environment where the customers are more aware of what theyre feeding their dogs.

Dogs are more like family  we should start actually feeding them like you feed yourself, Kaleb said.

Kolby expressed his gratitude for Saint Roccos Treats customers whose belief in his business from the start has given the brothers the opportunity to confidently provide a valuable service.

The faith they had in us [early on] is so cool, Kolby said.

For Kaleb, customers reaching out to him and his brother is one of the best feelings.

More specifically, being able to add value to a customers and a dogs life is what resonates with Kaleb.

Maybe [a customers] dogs been going through a rough couple months, and our treats help them through that day, Kaleb said. Its just a really good feeling.
For those who dont identify as part of the LGBTQ community and might not be knowledgeable on sexuality and gender labels, Penn State student Josh Bannon said there are lots of easy ways to learn about them.

Bannon (senior-aerospace engineering) said labels shouldnt be something to be afraid of or something to be overwhelmed about.

Some ways to learn about them include conducting research on Google or social media, talking to people who use labels, asking questions about the use of them and taking time to learn and understand different labels, Bannon said.

It's okay to not understand as long as you are aware that you dont understand, but also, grow from that, Bannon said.

For him, the use of labels comes down to a level of comfort.

Bannon said he identifies as gay and dabbles in gender fluidity, but he chooses who he lets know about his sexuality and gender identity  depending on the moment.

In most cases, Bannon said the LGBTQ community uses labels because it makes things easier with gender identity [and] sexuality.

Penn State student Percy Rose, who identifies as a nonbinary trans man, said hes identified as trans since he knew what trans was, and for him, its nice to have a word to describe what youre experiencing.

Rose (junior-digital arts and media design) said though some people choose to use labels to make it easier for others to understand how they identify, he said for the most part, its for his own comfort.

Though Rose said his labels have changed over the years, its about what makes him the most comfortable and happiest at the time.

Rose said hes always felt not like a girl and has never felt binary.

It's really an important distinction for me to make personally in my own experience and my own identity  that I am a man, but I'm not male, Rose said. It's important for me to make that distinction. I don't expect anybody else to understand that, but it helps me to understand myself.

For Bannon, the use of labels means freedom to talk about who you are.

It's freedom to feel comfortable with the label that I use myself, Bannon said. The freedom to express myself how I want, the freedom to exist how I want and wear what I want.

Sam Birkenthal said labels are a matter of a persons personal comfort.

Birkenthal (sophomore-architecture) said when they present themselves to others, they dont

really use labels a whole lot or get into the specifics of it.

While Birkenthal said they identify with labels like asexual, biromantic and agender, in the moment, its often easier for them to say, Im gay.

To Birkenthal, labels are important because they allow them to say, Yes, this is me.

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This is how I'm comfortable feeling, Birkenthal said. Theres the very nice comfort in being able to find a label and understand it and recognize that  it's a sense of community that comes with the label.

On the other hand, though, Bannon said he understands why people in the community choose to not use labels.

As a society, we shouldnt be asking everyone, Whats your label on this? Bannon said. We should work toward this idea of accepting everyone for who they are without question.

Eventually, Bannon said he believes labels could be on their way out.

Bannon said he sees there being a shift in labels because of the increased acceptance of LGBTQ individuals within the community without them being considered a subset.

Rose said he believes labels wont go away as long as language exists since humans use language to describe and communicate everything.

Language could also become less binary in the future, according to Rose, but people are always going to find some way to identify themselves.

Rose said its important for outsiders to know labels arent binary, and not every person who uses a certain label has the same experience as everybody else.

You don't really need to understand a person's entire gender identity or sexuality. You don't need to understand all of the nuances of any given label in order to respect them, Rose said. As long as you use the right name  use the right pronouns  you can address them with respect, and you don't have to understand the ins and outs of their own personal identity.

The biggest aspect of identity for Rose is to treat a person with respect and not be afraid to ask questions.

For people unfamiliar with labels, Birkenthal said their go-to when someone tells them a label is to respect it because that person who uses labels will always have a better understanding of their own self than I ever will understand.

I think that it's important to have these labels, Bannon said. Its something to be proud of.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE

'Community for faith to grow | Catholic students embrace Lenten journey at Penn State Penn State Catholic students are embracing a faith-filled community during the Lenten season that helps guide them during their religious jour
Finland and Sweden are making moves to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) despite warnings from Russian authorities as the issue of becoming a member of the treaty have become controversial due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin previously used Ukraine's potential inclusion in NATO as one of the reasons for the war. He wanted to assert Russian authority in Eastern Europe and warned the West about expanding militarily and politically toward the country's borders.

Finland and Sweden With NATO

However, Putin's plans may have failed as the war has only worked to unite the West against Russia in a way that was seemingly impossible and unimaginable in January. Finland is expected to produce a report regarding its security policy this week, which is a crucial step on the path to having the nation potentially apply for a NATO membership.

The report will allegedly begin discussions in Finland's parliament about whether or not to pursue an inclusion into the alliance. Talks with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin noted that she was hoping the negotiations would wrap up "before mid-summer," as per CNN.

On the other hand, Sweden's Social Democrats, who have long been against the idea of a NATO membership, recently issued a statement saying they were reevaluating that position. The inclusion of the two countries would also require at least two-thirds of the U.S. Senate to agree to the membership.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Throws 150 Russian Spy Chiefs in Jail Over Leak Allegations as Russia Braces for Massive Offense

The situation could prove to be a rather difficult issue for Republicans due to a Trump-era drift into more skepticism of NATO. The last two expansions of the treaty came in 1999 when Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, joined the alliance.

According to the Washington Post, in 2004, seven former communist countries and Soviet republics opted to join the treaty as well, dealing a major blow to Russia. While this was not especially controversial in the U.S. Senate, having a 96-0 vote in support of the memberships, the 1999 incident presented important lessons on how Finland and Sweden could be included in the treaty.

Putin's Plan Backfires

The indications of the two nations joining NATO prompted warnings from Russian authorities on Monday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the alliance a "tool of confrontation" and said that further expansion would "not bring stability to the European continent." His remarks came a day after U.S. officials reportedly anticipated Finland to apply to NATO as early as June.

Earlier this month, Russian officials warned Finland and Sweden that if they joined the treaty, Moscow would have to "rebalance the situation" with its own measures. On Apr. 7, Peskov said that Russia would "make our western flank more sophisticated in terms of ensuring our security" if the two nations joined NATO.

Marin said that "Russia is not the neighbor we thought it was" after Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine that has been going on for more than a month. Finland has always organized its own protection. However, public opinion has been swayed by Putin's war on Ukraine and caused citizens to be in favor of joining the alliance, the Independent reported.



Related Article: Russia Warns of Legal Action as Credit Ratings Agency Claims Moscow Is in 'Selective Default'

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ARVADA, CO - OCTOBER 26: The Colorado Supreme Court, including left to right, justices Carlos A. Samour Jr., Richard L. Gabriel, and Monica M. Marquez, hear two cases at Pomona High School before an audience of students on October 26, 2021 in Arvada, Colorado. The visit to the high school is part of the Colorado judicial branchs Courts in the Community outreach program. (Photo By Kathryn Scott)
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Russia, Belarus to deepen integration amid Western sanctions: Putin

Xinhua) 09:15, April 13, 2022

VLADIVOSTOK, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at a joint press conference that it was important to deepen integration between Russia and Belarus in the face of all-out Western sanctions.

Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hosted the joint press conference at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, Sputnik News reported.

"We will continue to jointly oppose any attempts to slow down the development of our countries or artificially isolate them from the global economy," Putin said.

Belarus is Russia's leading trade partner. Bilateral trade reached 380 million U.S. dollars by the end of 2021, an increase of more than 33 percent year-on-year.

Putin added that the Belarusian platform was suitable for negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, saying that starting a direct dialogue with Ukraine has become possible largely thanks to the personal efforts of Lukashenko.

On the special operation in Ukraine, Putin said that Russia's task was to achieve all its goals, and minimize losses. Therefore, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation would act "rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan that was originally proposed by the General Staff."

On the Western sanctions, Putin said that no one could shut all the doors and windows of Russia, and no country could maintain complete dominance since the world today was more complicated than it was in the Cold War.

Before the press conference, Putin and Lukashenko held a three-hour meeting at the Vostochny spaceport, agreeing to step up bilateral cooperation in the space sector. Putin disclosed that the first flight of a Belarusian astronaut into space might take place as early as in 2023.

During their talks, the two presidents also discussed the forming of a unified defense space as well as the protection of their western borders.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The United Nations has urged further reporting of the alleged symmetrical raping of women in Bucha, Ukraine, by Russian soldiers for roughly a month before withdrawing from the region.

International authorities called for investigations to look into the reports of rape and sexual violence against Ukrainian women and children. The executive director of UN Women, a United Nations entity dedicated to advancing gender equity and the empowerment of women, Sima Bahous, called for a "gender-sensitive" humanitarian response regarding the controversy.

Rape and Sexual Abuse in Bucha

Bahous said that the combination of mass displacement due to the large presence of conscripts and mercenaries and the brutality displayed against civilians in Ukraine raised red flags. She noted that the allegations of rape and sexual violence must be independently investigated to ensure justice and responsibility.

The UN official added that there is now an increased risk of human trafficking at border crossings as young women and unaccompanied teenagers are at particular risk. Several reports of sexual violence and other war crimes committed by Russian soldiers have been coming out from areas that Ukrainian forces have retaken control of, as per CNN.

Ukraine's official ombudsman for human rights, Lyudmyla Denisova, said that nine of the victims are now pregnant due to the sexual assaults. She said that she had recorded multiple cases of rape, torture, and abuse by Kremlin forces in various Ukrainian cities and towns.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Throws 150 Russian Spy Chiefs in Jail Over Leak Allegations as Russia Braces for Massive Offense

Evidence of brutality has surfaced after Moscow opted to withdraw its military troops from northern Ukraine. Satellite images and video footage showed dead bodies lying in the streets left by Russian soldiers.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, last week, Russia became the second-ever country to be suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council. The decision was made after the satellite images of Bucha were revealed to the world, showing victims having their hands bound, afflicted with gunshot wounds, and signs of torture.

Aftermath of the Brutality

Denisova said that unverified claims claim about 25 girls and women between the ages of 14 to 24 were "systematically" raped in Bucha. She said that Russian troops allegedly threatened the victims with rape "to the point where they wouldn't want sexual contact with any man" to prevent them from having Ukrainian children.

The situation comes as Ukraine's UN ambassador told members of the UN Security Council that Russia has abducted more than 120,000 Ukrainian children from his country. The council convened to hear about the impacts of the Russian war against Ukraine on women and children within the nation.

The Permanent Representative of Ukraine, Sergiy Kyslytsya, told council members that many of the children who were abducted by Russian troops were orphans. The official added that the actions were a clear and flagrant violation of international law and conventions. Furthermore, he said that Russia was drafting a bill that would "simplify and accelerate the procedures for the adoption of abducted Ukrainian children.

Kyslytsya said that Russia's decision to withdraw troops from Bucha and other areas has revealed a trail of "unimaginable suffering, with killings, unspeakable torture, and sexual violence including rape and mutilation," Fox News reported.



Related Article: Moscow Installs 'Butcher of Syria' as New General Amid Russia's Shifting of Focus to Eastern Ukraine

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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
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated Tuesday that the political climate is favorable for Republicans heading into the midterm elections, but he warned that the party's chances might be jeopardized if unpopular candidates win primaries then lose in November.

Republicans are bullish about their chances of retaking the Senate, but they must navigate numerous tumultuous primaries that might affect the general election map and the GOP's chances of gaining or maintaining a seat.

McConnell Warns GOP Not To Take Midterms for Granted

In a speech to a Kentucky chamber of commerce, McConnell claimed that 1994 was the finest year for Republicans and that the environment leading into November is better than it was in 1994.

Republicans would only need a net gain of one member in the Senate to tilt the current 50-50 split in their favor in November. Republicans are defending 21 seats, while Democrats are defending 14, including two seats now held by Republicans in states that President Biden won in 2020.

The Cook Political Report rates five seats as toss-ups. Three of them are now controlled by Democrats (Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona) while two are held by Republicans (Pennsylvania and Wisconsin). Pat Toomey, a Republican senator from Pennsylvania, is stepping down, according to The Hill.

Former President Donald Trump has tried to play kingmaker in the 2022 elections again this week. To break the Senate's current 50-50 stalemate, Republicans just need to pick up one member.

Because Vice President Kamala Harris, as Senate president, can break a tie, Democrats have a majority. On Saturday night, Trump outraged Pennsylvania conservatives by endorsing TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, a more moderate Republican candidate for the state's open Senate seat.

Some Republicans are concerned about the Missouri Senate race, where former Gov. Eric Greitens has consistently led polling. Greitens left office amid an extramarital sex scandal but has lately lost ground in the primary due to charges of domestic abuse by his ex-wife.

As a result, Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler, who is deemed more electable across the state, has surged to the head of the pack. During the interview, McConnell also affirmed that if the GOP wins in November, he will seek majority leader.

He also confirmed that he and Democratic President Joe Biden, a former Senate colleague, still had a good connection. Moderator Scott Jennings also gave a list of McConnell's nicknames, which included grim reaper, cocaine Mitch, and old crow, Daily Mail reported.

Read Also: Kevin McCarthy Not Committed To Impeach President Biden Even If Republicans Recapture the House in 2022

Republicans Will Push Joe Biden to Center, Says McConnell

If Republicans take control of Congress in November, they will compel President Biden to forsake his progressive program and shift toward the center, according to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

McConnell then took a shot at Biden's administration, claiming that it "just can't seem to get their act together on the economy," which has resulted in low polling for Biden and increased the likelihood of Republicans winning majorities.

Other Republicans in Congress have expressed similar thoughts to McConnell, implying that Biden's first term might take a dramatic turn in the second half. If challenged by a Republican-controlled Congress, John Thune believes Biden will have to change his political stance.

Along with possible clashes over the administration's policies, the question of whether a Republican-controlled Senate would undertake hearings for a second Biden Supreme Court nominee, following the heated hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, might explode. 

She was confirmed by a 53-47 vote, with three Republican senators - Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - voting for her, but her confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee were tense, with questions about her sentencing in child porn cases, her views on critical race theory, and her judicial philosophy, as per New York Post.

Related Article: President Joe Biden's Sister Valerie Biden Owens Claims Hunter Corruption Allegations Are Political Attack by Ex-POTUS, Republicans

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Google plans to invest $9.5 billion in US offices and data centers this year, the company said Wednesday. Thats an increase from $7 billion spent on real estate in 2021.

The planned spending comes as the company begins to roll out its hybrid work strategy, which will allow many employees to work remotely part of the week.

It might seem counterintuitive to step up our investment in physical offices even as we embrace more flexibility in how we work, said Sundar Pichai, Google and Alphabet CEO, in a blog post. Yet we believe its more important than ever to invest in our campuses and that doing so will make for better products, a greater quality of life for our employees, and stronger communities.

Google highlighted investments in offices across the country, including the opening of new premises in Atlanta and ongoing construction of an office in Austin, with work also under way on existing offices in New York, as well as campuses in Boulder, CO., Cambridge, MA., Pittsburgh, and Seattle. The company also expects to create 12,000 additional jobs this year.

Google did not detail how much will be spent on offices specifically.

The increased investment in data centers is necessary as Google competes with other large cloud computing providers such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, said Jack Gold, president and principal analyst at J.Gold Associates, while investment in office space will help in several ways.

First, they are trying to diversify their locations to be able to utilize people and resources in other places than just Silicon Valley, said Gold. And even though many Google employees will continue to work remotely at least part time, they still will need to get into offices on a regular basis to collaborate with other Googlers.

He added that Googles growing workforce will also require added office capacity. Google continues to hire, so they have an expanding base of employees to house, he said.

Googles plans to step up their investment in their physical offices are likely in support of  rather than counter to  embracing flexible work arrangements, said Raul Castanon, senior analyst at 451 Research, a division of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Many businesses are rethinking their office planning post-pandemic, according to a 451 Research survey. A substantial number plans to reduce the number of individual offices and cubicles (24%), the research firm found, yet many will also add or expand collaboration spaces (27%) and social spaces (25%) for employees to come together.

Said Castanon: Embracing a hybrid work model will require adapting the physical office, expanding technology investments for meeting room AV equipment; hot desking; mobile devices, laptops, and peripherals for remote work; and productivity, collaboration, and communication platforms that enable secure and compliant on-site and remote interactions.

Google kicked off its hybrid work strategy with offices beginning to reopen fully last week, following closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The majority of employees will now be required to work in the office three days a week, with two days of remote work.

The decision to end full-time home working has reportedly created tensions among employees who deem it unnecessary following huge profits during the pandemic. Meanwhile Google is said to be offering perks, such as free electric scooters, to lure staff back to the office.

A former Google Human Resources head recently told Bloomberg he believes the companys hybrid strategy is likely to pave the way for an eventual full return to the office for staff. Laszlo Bock claimed a Google executive told him: Well get everyone back into the office eventually. I just don't want to pick that fight now.

Google is one of several large technology companies requiring staff to return to the office at least part time, following two years of remote work for most employees. Apple and Microsoft have a similar strategy, though others such as Twitter have opted for a more flexible approach, with employees allowed to work from home despite reopening its offices last month.

In related news, Facebook parent company also is reported to be expanding its physical presence in New York, according to Bloomberg, leasing an additional 300,000 square feet of office space at its Manhattan premises.
04/13/2022

Photo (c) Peter Zelei Images - Getty Images COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 80,486,936 (80,449,398)

Total U.S. deaths: 986,511 (985,826)

Total global cases: 501,199,108 (499,748,065)

Total global deaths: 6,187,033 (6,181,560)

New surge would be different, experts say

Cases of COVID-19 have begun to increase again, but they are nowhere near the number reached during the most recent peak in January. Still, experts who are preparing for another spike in U.S. cases expect that the surge will be handled differently than before.

First, scientists expect any new surge to be less severe. Thats because new cases are being fueled by the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant, which generally causes less severe symptoms in people who are vaccinated.

They also point out that so many Americans have now either been vaccinated or have been infected  or both  that there is growing immunity to the virus. There are also plenty of ways to fight the virus. A Pfizer drug called Paxlovid has been shown to cut the risk of hospitalization or death by about 90%.

Studies find heart side effects of vaccines are rare

Despite early concerns that COVID-19 vaccines could be linked to a heart condition in some people, two new studies find that the risk is very low. One of the studies, which consisted of an analysis of 22 other studies, found that the risk of developing myocarditis was about the same as for vaccines against measles and other common diseases.

Another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the risk of heart ailments -- including myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle -- was higher in people after they were infected with the virus than after receiving a vaccine.

Surveys show that concerns about vaccine side effects, including well-publicized reports of rare heart conditions, have contributed to vaccine hesitancy.

Airlines step up push to drop mask mandate

Top executives at U.S. airlines have renewed their push for the Biden administration to drop the requirement that everyone aboard commercial aircraft wear a mask. However, some foreign airlines that have dropped the mask mandate have run into turbulence.

CBS News reports that some international airlines that recently dropped the mask rule have had to cancel hundreds of flights because so many members of flight crews have been infected with COVID-19.

As an example, CBS cites data showing that EasyJet canceled 202 of its 3,517 flights scheduled to depart from the U.K. between March 28 and April 3. During the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, there were no flight cancellations.

Around the nation
Officials have identified a 62-year-old man who screamed against Mayor Eric Adams and posted weird threatening rants on YouTube as a person of interest in the heinous Brooklyn subway attack that injured at least 29 people Tuesday morning.

Frank James, who warned last month that he was "entering the danger zone," rented a U-Haul vehicle linked to the Sunset Park N train attack and is being sought for questioning, according to authorities.

Inside Frank James' Posts Prior to Brooklyn Subway Shooting

He also chastised the mayor for failing to do more to address homelessness. Following the discovery of the recordings, the NYPD said that Mayor Adams' security will be beefed up.

In the videos, James claims to have a confirmed mental disorder and rails about the city's mental health services, which he refers to as a "horror show." The person of interest went on a rant on racial issues, claiming that the Russian invasion of Ukraine proved that black people in society were treated with contempt.

According to detectives and law-enforcement officials, the key to James' van was discovered at the crime site, as was a credit card used to hire the vehicle out of Philadelphia. Because his clothing and personal care goods were found inside the U-Haul van, cops suspect James was residing there, New York Post reported.

James claims to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder in another video in which he appears to be driving a massive truck. James also stated that he hasn't had another incident since then. However, he claimed that he spent time in the city's mental health treatment clinics, where he said there was violence. At around 8.30 am, a gunshot happened on a Brooklyn subway, injuring at least 16 people.

At this point, the victims are said to have non-life-threatening injuries. The attacker started the fire at the subway station on 36th Street and Fourth Avenue, sending travelers scrambling to catch connecting trains. In a news conference, a police spokeswoman stated that there are no known explosive devices aboard subway trains at this time and that the shooting is not being investigated as a terrorist crime.

The incident happened on a Manhattan-bound N train, according to the spokeswoman. The man put on a gas mask, got a canister out of his luggage, and a train filled with smoke, and he opened fire on the subway and platform," according to The Sun.

Read Also: Brooklyn Subway Attack Weapon Recovered; Police Error May Have Allowed The Shooter To Escape, Source Says

Manhunt Continues After Person of Interest Is Identified

James, 62, was last seen in Philadelphia. However, his name appears on a mailbox at a specific Milwaukee location, which has a forwarding address to a P.O. box. James was recognized by witnesses and neighbors who lived near the Milwaukee location. It's unclear when he was last seen in Milwaukee, but an internet video shows him traveling from Milwaukee to Illinois on March 20, as per CBS News.

According to police, the accused suspect was in the second car of a Manhattan-bound N train between the 59th and 36th street stations. The suspect allegedly threw two gas grenades before firing his weapon 33 times as the train approached the 36th Street station.

Chief Kenneth Corey said there were no police officers at the 36th Street station at the time of the event; however, officers are constantly patrolling stations on a rotational basis. At the news conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig revealed that ten of the injured commuters were hit by gunshots.

A total of 13 passengers were treated for smoke inhalation and falls after they attempted to evacuate the train. Earlier today, police officers seized a 9mm semiautomatic firearm, extended magazines, a hatchet, and gasoline, according to Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who spoke at a news conference Tuesday evening.

Law enforcement authorities said during the conference that there is presently a combined $50,000 reward for any information leading to the suspect's capture. The MTA and TWU Local 100 have each contributed $12,500 in reward money, while the New York City Police Foundation has contributed $25,000.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is still ongoing. The motive for the shooting has yet to be identified, according to Silive.

Related Article: Brooklyn Subway Shooting Photos, Videos Reveal Horrible Aftermath of Deadly Attack

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Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Arkansas... Arkansas River At Morrilton affecting Perry and Conway Counties. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Arkansas... Arkansas River At Dardanelle 1 NE affecting Yell and Pope Counties. Arkansas River At Toad Suck Lock And Dam Tailwater affecting Faulkner and Perry Counties. Arkansas River At Pine Bluff affecting Lincoln and Jefferson Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. River forecasts are based on current conditions and rainfall forecasted to occur over the next 24 hours. During periods of flooding...Evening forecasts are reissued with updated rainfall forecasts. Observed and forecasted stage data plots are available on our Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service web page at... www.weather.gov/lzk Under the Current Conditions section...Select River and Lakes AHPS. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON TO MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Arkansas River At Dardanelle 1 NE. * WHEN...From this afternoon to Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 32.0 feet, Minor flooding, commercial and industrial areas along the river in Dardanelle and Russellville may be affected. Lower lying agricultural land within the levee starts to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 2:00 AM CDT Saturday the stage was 28.7 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage late this afternoon to a crest of 32.4 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage just after midnight tonight. - Flood stage is 32.0 feet. && Fld Observed Forecast 1 AM Crest Location Stg Stg Day/Time Sun Mon Tue Crest Time Date Arkansas River Dardanelle 1 N 32.0 28.7 Sat 2 AM 32.2 27.4 23.6 32.4 7 PM 5/07 &&
Crossville, TN (38555)

Today

Overcast with showers at times. High around 55F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 46F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Prince Harry's choice to go to Europe for the Invictus Games rather than attend his grandfather's burial ceremony has sparked criticism of the Duke of Sussex, who has previously claimed security as a justification for his absence in England.

However, a royal expert claims that security protection isn't the reason Prince Harry is avoiding the UK. Instead, according to Robert Jobson of The Mirror, the 37-year-old refuses to meet his family because he does not feel welcome.

Real Reason Why Prince Harry Does Not Return to UK

One reason for this is the anticipated publication of his tell-all book, which is expected to focus on his stepmother Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Harry's decision to skip Prince Philip's Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey on March 29 has "nothing to do with safety, but his feeling desired."

The Invictus Games will be held in the Netherlands, and Prince Harry will be joined by his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. On Saturday, April 16, the two-week festival will begin. Prince Harry is expected to pay a discreet visit to his grandmother while in Europe for the Invictus Games, according to reports. On April 21, the Queen will celebrate her 96th birthday.

Meanwhile, other people are hoping that Prince Harry would bring Meghan Markle, Archie, and Lilibet to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities this summer, according to Honey via MSN.

Read Also: Prince Philip Death: What the Duke of Edinburgh Told Prince Charles Hours Before His Death

Prince Harry Lost All Sense of Service, Duty to the UK

The Duke of Sussex declined to attend his late grandfather's funeral earlier this month. A ceremony was held at Westminster Abbey on March 29. It was noticed that Prince Harry was not present during the service. Last week, GB News broadcaster Calvin Robinson spoke to Sky News Australia about the Duke's no-show at the monument and how the snub has made him lose all feeling of service obligation to the UK.

He went on to say that the Duke seemed to have lost any sense of service, duty, and commitment not just to his family but also the nation and the Commonwealth as a whole. Although neither Harry nor Meghan issued a statement, it was believed that the Duke's security worries for his family were the reason for his absence.

His anxieties, which he has expressed before, have prompted him to file a lawsuit against the Home Office. The Duke and the British Government are at odds over security concerns. Prince Harry has already stated that returning to the United Kingdom without police protection would be dangerous for him and his family. Since announcing their decision to step down as working royals, the Duke and his wife Meghan Markle have not returned to the UK together.

It can be recalled that the Duke has returned twice on his own. The first time was for the burial of Prince Philip. Meghan was pregnant with their daughter Lilibet at the time of the funeral. The second time was when he and his brother, Prince William, unveiled a statue of his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Express reported.

Related Article: Queen Elizabeth II Reveals How She Copes up with Prince Philip's Death, Talks About Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms the Monarch Experiences

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MyPillow guy Mike Lindell gave Tina Peters up to 800,000 reasons to thank him.
Australia and the United States are heightening diplomatic efforts with the Solomon Islands, following China's proposed security agreement with the island country to allow Beijing to establish a military presence in the South Pacific region.

Senator Zed Seselja, Australia's Pacific Minister, went to the Solomon Islands to "respectfully" persuade the country's leadership not to sign the contentious agreement with China, as reported by ABC News.

Seselja traveled to Honiara to express his worries to the government over a deal that could allow for a Chinese military presence near Australia.

I've landed in Honiara to discuss the strong & enduring relationship  &  share, from delivering 350,000 vaccines & working with  in response to COVID19, to our leading development support.

Australia will continue to be a transparent & respectful partner.#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Qxg7TytT6q  Zed Seselja (@ZedSeselja) April 12, 2022

Australia Reiterates Its Strong Ties With Solomon Islands

Seselja stressed that Australia remains dedicated to assisting the Solomon Islands to fulfill its security needs "quickly, transparently, and with full respect for its sovereignty" in a statement released after meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Senator Seselja stated that Australia had been a "strong partner" to the Solomon Islands for many years, supporting the country's security needs through the Solomons International Assistance Force and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

"Working together, we can make sure that all of the security needs of the Solomon Islands are taken care of," the official said.

An overseas journey by a minister during the "caretaker" period before an election is unprecedented. It reflects Australia's rising apprehension over the soon-to-be-signed arrangement between China and the Solomon Islands.

According to a report by The Guardian, a leaked draft of the deal indicated China may conduct ship trips to, carry out "logistical replenishment in and have a stopover and transition in the Solomon Islands. It also includes the provision that the Chinese military may be employed "to defend the safety of Chinese employees and significant projects in the Solomon Islands."

Prime Minister Sogavare has moved to ease fears by stating that his country has no intention of permitting a Chinese naval station. But Sogavare has also stated that being labeled "unfit to manage" the country's sovereign affairs is extremely disrespectful.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Admits Peace Talks To End Russia-Ukraine War, Fires Back at US Involvement

US Senators Push Stronger American Military Presence in Australia

Meanwhile, US lawmakers pressed for a stronger US military presence in Australia to counter China's rising military posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented controversial pact between the Solomon Islands and China that would allow Beijing to establish a military base in the Indo-Pacific.

Sky News Australia reported that Senator Graham said he was "willing" to deploy US troops to Australia to ensure security while the AUKUS submarines are built.

Senator Graham said that he sees "an opening" in the region "to push back on China in a way that would fundamentally change the fear that you have of a very bad neighbor."

Senator Menendez admitted that while he accepted Prime Minister Sogavare's word, the US and Australia's "most significant interest" was to ensure that no military base is built in the Indo-Pacific.

He added that while China may appear to bring good intentions, there needed a "deeper understanding" of its objectives. The lawmaker cited the case in Africa where China seems to be "coming in with good intentions" that Beijing's "coercive practices" will eventually put the smaller country under China's ownership.

"I don't' think anyone wants to be owned by China," Menendez said.

Senator Menendez revealed that President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor was visiting the Solomon Islands to reiterate that ensuring that "there is not a Chinese base there" is in the best interests of the US, Australia, and the Solomon Islands.

Related Article: Johnson Meets With Zelensky in Kyiv, Pledges Support for Ukraine's Fight Against Russian Invasion

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The amount of new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities that organizations respond to grows every day. In many cases Zero Trust Networks (ZTN) are better equipped to tackle these challenges than traditional perimeter-based networks. Further, Zero Trust principles are becoming a critical part of the overall corporate strategy as organizations pursue larger digital transformation efforts. Understanding these Zero Trust principles and how to implement them is crucial to securing corporate data in this new era.

Why Use Zero Trust?

As technology evolves and security and privacy standards are developed and enforced (especially as workplace norms around employees working remotely evolve as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), organizations need to take a stricter stance on strengthening the protection of data and systems. The following challenges are representative of where ZTN can be an effective solution:

Security of Rapidly Changing Network Perimeter

ZTN enables businesses to maintain security of dynamic changes in the network architecture, especially when networks are spread across cloud environments and on-premise.

ZTN enables businesses to maintain security of dynamic changes in the network architecture, especially when networks are spread across cloud environments and on-premise. User Accountability Concerns

ZTN utilizes granular user access controls to enforce access accountability and associated user actions by having an authenticate first approach.

ZTN utilizes granular user access controls to enforce access accountability and associated user actions by having an authenticate first approach. Too Many Security Tools

Most organizations do not have the resources to support the overabundance of security tools that are required to keep the enterprise network safe.



Five Best Practices for A Zero Trust Implementation

The foundation of a successful Zero Trust implementation is firmly dependent on five core concepts. These concepts not only assist in building a robust ZTN foundation, but they also allow the process to be sustainably and efficiently embedded into the way security is handled at an organization.

Protiviti

1) Understand the Protection Surface (Not the Attack Surface)

Regulatory privacy requirements and guidelines (e.g., General Data Protection Regulation, California Consumer Privacy Act, etc.) are on the rise, which make it essential for organizations to clearly identify their crown jewels and protect them accordingly. Privacy requirements and guidelines, and ZTN share a core component: the organizations data.

Formally identifying and documenting the type of data that is critical to an organization and understanding where it is stored is essential in outlining the protection surface.

2) Map the Connections

A standard network architecture diagram that outlines traffic flow across the network is not enough. For ZTN to be effective a comprehensive map of the various connections throughout the network is also required.

Zero Trust requires a comprehensive mapping of the applications in use, associated data sets, and the connections where data is transmitted, with enough detail to determine where security controls are required.

3) Architect the Network Using Micro-Segmentation

The focus now shifts to utilizing tools and technologies to micro-segment the protection surface. Some of the current popular information security tools are firewalls, deep packet inspection tools, intrusion prevention systems, and data loss prevention tools. These tools can be effective in building out the Zero Trust environment but need to be enhanced to assess and control traffic across the stack.

Security tools must be implemented and configured to identify, protect, detect, and respond to potential malicious activity, as well as implement micro-segmentation.

4) Implement Zero Trust Policies

Developing and implementing policies is one of the most critical and time-consuming steps to create a strong ZTN. It requires that organizations truly understand their protection surface, so that appropriate traffic flow is accepted or denied. These granular policies should be enforced on all network workload via security tools.

When developing and implementing Zero Trust policies, the key is to determine answers to the following questions: Who are the users? What do they need to access? When do they require the access? Where are the users and endpoints located that are requesting access? Why is access being requested to the data? And finally, how is the organization approving or allowing access?

5) Consistently Monitor Traffic and Sustain

Funneling all logs to a centralized location and monitoring them for malicious activity will allow all resources to be better protected. This can be done by using deep packet inspection tools and other network security monitoring technology. Further, automation and orchestration can be utilized to effectively monitor and block traffic that is unwanted.

Zero Trust is a continual process, thus inspecting all logs and making adjustments to gain additional visibility into all resources should be refined routinely.

Items to Consider When Implementing Zero Trust

Companies often view a move to Zero Trust Networking as a major effort that requires starting from scratch, rearchitecting their network, and potentially buying several new tools. This is generally not true; many of the projects that a security organization has already delivered can be leveraged in the move to ZTN. For example:

A successful Cisco ISE rollout can support many of the remote access and network access control efforts in support of ZTN

A logging and monitoring project ensuring all logs are being captured and delivered to a centralized location can support the required monitoring efforts

Deployment of a tool such as Netskope or Palo Alto Prisma can assist in providing coverage and visibility into SaaS applications.

These are all projects that are likely done as part of a mature security program and can be used to support the move to ZTN.

Finally, ensuring employees are trained and aware of the changes is critically important. Security personnel require training to better understand ZTN principles and its impact on the traditional security mindset. The broader workforce should also have a general understanding of how these changes support data security, contribute to alignment with security and privacy standards, and, most importantly, protect customer data and company/brand reputation.

The move to a Zero Trust model can be challenging. However, a thoughtful, measured approach that leverages appropriate technology, focuses on data security, and properly considers the businesss key goals and objectives, will contribute to the success of an organizations Zero Trust journey.

This article was written by Megha Kalsi and Jon Medina.
Ukraine's Governmental Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UA) announced that Russia's state-backed threat group Sandworm launched two waves of cyberattacks against an unnamed Ukrainian energy facility. The attackers tried to decommission several infrastructural components of the facility that span both IT and operational technology, including high-voltage substations, Windows computers, servers running Linux operating systems, and network equipment.

CERT-UA said that the initial compromise took place no later than February 2022, although it did not specify how the compromise occurred. Disconnection of electrical substations and decommissioning of the company's infrastructure were scheduled for Friday evening, April 8, 2022, but "the implementation of the malicious plan" was prevented.

The Ukrainian team received help from both Microsoft and ESET in deflecting any significant fallout from the attacks. ESET issued a report presenting its analysis of the attacks, saying its collaboration with CERT-UA resulted in its discovery of a new variant of Industroyer malware, the same malware that the Sandworm group used to take down the power grid in Ukraine in 2016.

Industroyer2 malware strikes both IT and OT systems

Industroyer2, as ESET and CERT-UA call it, was deployed as a single Windows executable named 108_100.exe and executed using a scheduled task on 2022-04-08 at 16:10:00 UTC. However, according to the PE timestamp, it was compiled on 2022-03-23, suggesting that the attackers had planned their attack for more than two weeks. Unlike Industroyer, Industroyer2 implements on only one industrial control system protocol, IEC-104, to communicate with industrial equipment.

ESET says that Industroyer2 can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, with the analyzed sample containing eight different IP addresses of devices. The attackers deployed Industroyer2 in the ICS network at the same time they also deployed a new version of the CaddyWiper destructive malware conceivably to slow down the recovery process and prevent operators of the energy company from regaining control of the ICS consoles.

ESET first discovered CaddyWiper in Ukraine on March 14 when it was deployed in a bank's network. In addition, ESET also discovered Linux and Solaris destructive malware called ORCSHRED, SOLOSHRED, and AWFULSHRED on the network of the targeted energy company.

Andrii Bezverkhyi, CEO and founder of SOC Prime, is a Ukrainian who has been in Ukraine since the war began, along with a team of 15 people, offering pro bono cybersecurity help to organizations. The big difference between Industroyer and Industroyer2 is that "the capabilities have matured now. So instead of playing around on one of the ICS systems, they're striking it for levels," Bezverkhyi tells CSO. "The industrial control level systems themselves, the Windows machines, and the network equipment."

The striking similarities between the earlier and later Ukraine attacks leave Russia with virtually no room to deflect, deny or obfuscate their role as the attacker, as they have attempted to do in many other cyber incidents. "I think they don't care at all because Russia is already attacking Ukraine on the ground and in the sky," Bezverkhyi says. "What can we do to them if they attack it in cyberspace?"

Earlier TLP alert said nine substations were switched off

Although CERT-UA's official statement implied that the Sandworm attacks were unsuccessful, an earlier TLP Amber alert issued by CERT-UA to international partners suggested that at least two attacks were successful even though the malicious cyber activity was thwarted. In addition, that alert said the attackers were able to temporarily switch off nine power grid substations in one of the regions.

It doesn't matter, Bezverkhyi says. "Nobody said that there was a power outage, including some colleagues who were today, this morning, in Kyiv. They said power was there. Nine substations could be significant or not. It could be that if they were in small villages, we would not have big media noise about it."

If Sandworm did knock out nine substations, it's a moot point, Chris Sistrunk, a technical manager in Mandiant's ICS/OT Consulting practice, tells CSO, because it takes a while to analyze this kind of situation, and the information may be incorrect. More importantly, though, They're actually in a real hot war," Sistrunk says. "[The Russian soldiers] are rolling up to the nuclear plants and shooting the buildings there. They're tearing down transmission lines.

"I still think it's like a fog of war where you don't really know, and we've got to wait for that analysis," Sistrunk says. "Were nine substations hit, or were they not? It doesn't matter because some of them right now are being destroyed physically with bombs."

U.S. energy providers should pay attention

"Attention should be paid" to this attack by all energy providers, including those in the U.S., Bezverkhyi says. "Can they attack the U.S. or other countries' infrastructure? I would say yes because Ukraine did not exactly invent the ICS equipment for the power stations. We're using equipment manufactured in the United States and Europe. Russia has demonstrated for years, if not decades, all kinds of hacking competitions to break into the ICS equipment. "

"We've seen Sandworm do this before, and now that there's an actual war going on, it's just something else to make the lives of Ukrainian people worse," Sistrunk says. He thinks it's very plausible that the Industroyer2 malware could be recrafted to target different protocols aside from IEC-104, which is not extensively used in the U.S. But, "if you took the Industroyer2 malware and did nothing to it, it would not work on American or North American substations, unless by some chance that they're using IEC-104."

Moreover, big U.S. utilities have been on alert since the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a "Shields Up" warning after the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the primary concern is the smaller electric utilities, such as those owned by municipalities, Sistrunk says.

Ukraine has built up its cyber defenses

"These guys in the trenches defending the Ukrainian power grid are listening to bombs and missiles and bullets outside of their building while they're defending," Chris Grove, cyber strategist at Nozomi Networks, tells CSO. "They know if the grid goes down that they lose the war, the hospitals won't have power, etc. So, they're very focused.

Since the earlier cyberattacks on the Ukrainian power grid, many companies have invested time to help Ukraine build up its cyber defense. "This attack being stopped in its track so early before it could do any damage is some of the fruit from those efforts. I believe that this could have been much worse, and we could have seen a 2016-type event where we had mass outages or the defenders didn't fully understand what was going on."

Grove thinks the U.S. power companies should be on alert for an Industroyer2 attack because the malware's modularity makes "it easy to plug in another protocol if that's not a direct match. So, it's definitely something that could be easily changed to work on other systems."

Overall, Grove says the U.S. is in good shape to tackle Russian cyber threats. "Theres always going to be room for improvement, but were getting there, he says, pointing to the Operational Technology Cybersecurity Coalition (OT Cyber Coalition) Nozomi announced along with Claroty, Forescout, Honeywell, and Tenable.
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DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp rose to national notice in 2018 in part through a television ad that showed him brandishing a shotgun at an actor playing a suitor of one of his daughters.

The Republican, then running as conservative insurgent, pushed his support for gun rights, proposing to do away with the requirement that Georgians obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public.

Tuesday, facing a Republican primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, Kemp completed his return to those roots, signing Senate Bill 319. It immediately allows permitless carry in Georgia, making it the 25th state with such a law, and the 10th added in the past two years.

SB 319 makes sure that law-abiding Georgians, including our daughters, and your family too, can protect themselves without having to have permission from your state government, Kemp said outside Gable Sporting Goods in Douglasville, where he said he had previously purchased a handgun for one of his daughters. The Constitution of the United States gives us that right, not the government.

Republicans argue that requiring a carry permit, which costs about $75, infringes on Second Amendment gun rights. They also cite permitting delays in some Georgia counties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kemp's advocacy of permitless carry had grown quieter after he took office. He supported some gun rights expansions but talked little of constitutional carry, failing to mention the issue in his 2019, 2020 or 2021 State of the State speeches. Republican state House Speaker David Ralston shelved even a more modest gun bill in 2021 after shootings killed eight people at two Atlanta-area spas.

But in one example of how Perdue's Donald Trump-endorsed challenge has forced Kemp to the right, he revived calls for constitutional carry in January, saying people need to carry guns to protect themselves against crime.

Perdue told reporters Tuesday in Atlanta that he's glad Kemp was signing the bill but said the governor isn't doing enough to fight crime. Perdue cited the failure of lawmakers to allow the Buckhead neighborhood to vote on seceding from Atlanta, said Kemp has let the state police force deteriorate" and said Kemp should do more to arrest people who entered the country illegally.

Its too bad it took four years to get it done, and its too bad it took me getting in the race for them to get any energy to get that done, Perdue said of the gun law.

Kemp denies he ever waivered on the issue, saying he had to keep persuading lawmakers. The votes havent been there, but a lot changed, he told reporters after signing the law.

Kemp's support points to a sharp divergence between the Georgia Republican and Democratic parties this year on guns and other issues. There's little dissension inside the Republican Party on expanding gun rights, while Democrats are eager to stake their claim to commonsense gun regulation.

At an event before Kemp signed the law, several Democratic lawmakers lambasted the measure as criminal carry," saying it would remove one of Georgia's few deterrents blocking people who aren't supposed to carry a gun.

Under Georgia law, people who have been convicted of a felony, are facing felony charges or have been treated for certain mental health issues within the past five years can't carry a gun. The new law doesn't change that. But it removes the background check for a permit to carry a loaded or concealed handgun in public. Democrats note that more than 5,000 people applied for permits last year and were blocked, and say police and the public will now face the danger of some of those people carrying guns.

Yes, I believe in the Second Amendment, said Sen. Donzella James, an Atlanta Democrat. But why are we spreading the access to guns to everyone?"

Democrats point to polling showing the measure is unpopular with a majority of the public, saying Kemp has become a prisoner of his party's right wing.

It is a sad day when the Republican leadership across Georgia cares more about their political position than public safety, said Rep. Roger Bruce, an Atlanta Democrat.

The state would still issue concealed-carry permits to allow Georgians to take advantage of agreements allowing interstate gun carry. Kemp also signed a bill Tuesday enhancing reciprocity in Georgia for gun owners from other states.

Kemp signed the law a day after Democratic President Joe Biden announced new regulations on ghost guns, privately made firearms without serial numbers. But Biden has made no progress on getting Congress to pass gun regulations, and the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to strike down New Yorks more restrictive permitting regime.

There are no studies that show permitless carry laws decrease violent crimes, a 2020 Rand Institute analysis found, while its uncertain whether the laws increase violence.

Even some gun control proponents say that Georgia's laws were already so permissive that it's unclear what will change without permits. Allison Anderman is senior counsel for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, named for former Arizona U.S. Rep Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who was shot outside a supermarket and suffered a severe brain injury in 2011.

I don't know that we can really draw any conclusions, Anderman said.

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Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
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UNITED NATIONS A U.N. task force is warning in a new report that Russias war against Ukraine threatens to devastate the economies of many developing countries that are now facing even higher food and energy costs and increasingly difficult financial conditions.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the report Wednesday stressing that the war is supercharging a crisis in food, energy and finance in poorer countries that were already struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and a lack of access to adequate funding for their economic recovery.

Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the U.N. agency promoting trade and development who coordinated the task force, said 107 countries have severe exposure to at least one dimension of the food, energy and finance crisis and 69 countries are severely exposed to all three and face very difficult financial conditions with no fiscal space, and with no external financing to cushion the blow.

The report urges countries to ensure a steady flow of food and energy through open markets, and it calls on international financial institutions to do everything possible to ensure more liquidity immediately.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Biden approves $800M in artillery, helicopters for Ukraine

 Ukraines detention of oligarch close to Putin angers Moscow

 Frances Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine

 Polish, Baltic presidents visit Ukraine in show of support

 Russia has yet to slow a Western arms express into Ukraine

 Forced into a basement in Ukraine, residents began to die

 Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

ODESA, Ukraine  In the Odesa region of Ukraine, Gov. Maksym Marchenko says forces have struck the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva with two missiles and caused serious damage.

Moskva is the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged Wednesday, but not that it was hit by Ukraine.

The Ministry says ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire  whose causes were being established  and the Moskvas entire crew was evacuated.

Odesa is Ukraines biggest port.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hes sincerely thankful to the U.S. for the new round of $800 million in military assistance.

In his daily late-night address to the nation, Zelenskyy also said he was thankful for Wednesdays visit by the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

He said those leaders have helped us from the first day, those who did not hesitate to give us weapons, those who did not doubt whether to impose sanctions.

In his telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelenskyy said they discussed the new weapons shipment, even tougher sanctions against Russia and efforts to bring to justice those Russian soldiers who committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires that were left behind in northern Ukraine by the retreating Russians.

He urged those returning to their homes in those towns to be wary of any unfamiliar object and report it to the police.

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LVIV, Ukraine  The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow.

Analysts say Medvedchuk will become a valuable pawn in the Russia-Ukraine talks to end the devastating war that the Kremlin has unleashed on its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Medvedchuk was detained on Tuesday in a special operation carried out by Ukraines state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading him for Ukrainians now held captive by the Russians.

The 67-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest several days before the hostilities broke out Feb. 24 in Ukraine. He is facing between 15 years and a life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.

Medvedchuk has close ties with Putin, who is believed to be the godfather of his youngest daughter. His detention has sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country.

The presidents of the four NATO countries on Russias doorstep saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces. The visit was a strong show of solidarity by the leaders of the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union.

They traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the countrys east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historical Mariinskyi Palace, the European leaders  Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia  reiterated their commitments to supporting Ukraine politically and with transfers of military aid.

Duda described what is happening not as war but as terrorism, saying accountability must extend not just to soldiers who committed atrocities but also those who gave the orders.

We know this history, Duda said. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has weighed in on growing calls to declare Russias actions in Ukraine as genocide, saying it is absolutely right that the term is being used given rampant allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations.

Trudeau made the comments during a news conference Wednesday, a day after U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that Russias conduct in Ukraine appeared to his eyes to be a genocide.

While both North American leaders noted that it will be up to lawyers to determine whether Russias actions meet the international standard for genocide, they were nonetheless united in welcoming use of the term.

Its absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing, Trudeau said.

The prime minister went on to list a series of war crimes and human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, including deliberate attacks on civilians and the use of sexual violence. Trudeau said theyre attacking Ukrainian identity and culture.

Canada has dispatched police investigators to help the International Criminal Court collect evidence to ultimately hold Putin and other Russian leaders to account.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive in the countrys East.

Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate the delivery of the assistance, which he said included artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers, as well as helicopters.

This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine, Biden said in a statement.

Biden said the U.S. will continue to work with allies to share additional weapons and resources as the conflict continues.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.

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UNITED NATIONS  U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the United Nations was seeking.

But he told reporters Wednesday that the U.N. has made a number of proposals to Russia on the possibility of local cease-fires, humanitarian corridors, and the evacuation of civilians, and we are waiting for an answer.

Guterres sent U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths to Moscow and Kyiv as his special envoy to seek a humanitarian cease-fire, but he said, at the present moment, a global cease-fire in Ukraine doesnt seem possible.

He said the U.N. proposals to Russia are aimed at minimizing the dramatic impact of Russias war against Ukraine on civilians and include creating a mechanism involving Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and eventually other humanitarian bodies to permanently manage local cease-fires, humanitarian access and evacuations to avoid incidents and failures.

As for Russian President Vladimir Putins reported comment Tuesday that negotiations with Ukraine are at a dead end, Guterres said, I will remind you that we are in an Easter period and the Easter period is about resurrection.

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KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian official has rejected Russias claims that more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in the besieged southeastern port of Mariupol. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday that 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals plant in the city.

But Vadym Denysenko, advisor to Ukraines Interior Minister, denied the claim in comments to the Current Time TV channel, saying that they havent heard anything like that and the battle over the sea port is ongoing.

According to official data of (Ukraines) Defense Ministry and the General Staff, we havent heard anything like that, Denysenko said. Moreover, I will say ... that the battle over the sea port is still ongoing today.

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PARIS  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia and has supported Vladimir Putin in the past, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

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WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has urged China to use its special relationship with Russia to persuade Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think tank, on Wednesday, Yellen said Beijing cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if it does not respect these principles now.

Yellens speech comes a week before the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington. Her direct appeal to China underscores an increasing frustration that the United States and its allies have with a country that has only deepened its ties with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

The worlds attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by Chinas reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia, she said.

Yellen said that countries that undermine the sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia will face consequences for their actions. Leaving open the question of what the consequences for flouting the sanctions could be, Yellen said Russias ongoing war in Ukraine has redrawn the contours of the global economy, which includes our conception of international cooperation going forward.

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HELSINKI  European Union nations Finland and Sweden reached important stages Wednesday on their way to possible NATO membership as the Finnish government issued a security report to lawmakers and Swedens ruling party initiated a review of security policy options.

Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 triggered a surge in support for joining NATO in the two traditionally militarily non-aligned Nordic countries, with polls showing a majority of respondents willing to join the alliance in Finland and supporters of NATO in Sweden clearly outnumbering those against the idea.

Finland, a country of 5.5 million, shares the EUs longest border with Russia, a 1,340-kilometer (833-mile) frontier. Sweden has no border with Russia.

Russia, for its part, has warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, with officials saying it would not contribute to stability in Europe. Officials said Russia would respond to such a move with retaliatory measures that would cause military and political consequences for Helsinki and Stockholm. One of Russian President Vladimir Putins reasons for invading Ukraine was that the country refused to promise that it would not join NATO.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, speaking Wednesday in Stockholm in a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, said Finland is ready to make a decision on NATO within weeks rather than months following an extensive debate in the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature.

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GENEVA  The head of the World Health Organization slammed the global community Wednesday for its almost singular focus on the war in Ukraine, arguing that crises elsewhere, including his home country of Ethiopia, dont receive equal consideration, possibly because those suffering arent white.

In a press briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he didnt know if the world really gives equal attention to black and white lives, given that the ongoing emergencies in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have garnered only a fraction of the global concern for Ukraine.

Tedros said the siege of the Tigray region of Ethiopia by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces was one of the longest in modern history and noted that a recent truce had still not allowed in significant amounts of humanitarian aid. Tedros acknowledged that the situation in Ukraine was globally significant, but questioned if other crises were being accorded enough attention.

I need to be blunt and honest that the world is not treating the human race the same way, he said. Some are more equal than others.

Tedros noted that there are about 6,000 people living in Tigray with HIV, but authorities have lost track of where they are and that many of them, we assume they have already died. Tedros described the situation in Tigray as tragic and said he hopes the world comes back to its senses and treats all human life equally. He also critiqued the press for its failure to document the ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia, noting that people had been burned alive in the region.

I dont even know if that was taken seriously by the media, he said

____

GENEVA  Switzerland is joining a raft of new sanctions targeting people and companies in Russia over President Vladimir Putins military campaign in Ukraine, including his two adult daughters.

The Federal Council on Wednesday adopted new measures against Russia and Belarus, a key ally of Moscow, that mirror similar measures adopted last week by the European Union. Switzerland, which has long prided itself on its neutrality, is not among the EUs 27 member states.

Switzerland had already lined up with previous EU sanctions. The fifth and latest package of measures focuses on finance, transport, and trade  notably bans on imports of coal, wood, cement, seafood, and vodka that serve as important sources of revenue for Russia, the government said.

An extra 200 people or entities were also sanctioned including Russian oligarchs and their families, as well as Putins adult daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova.

____

MILAN  Italian energy company ENI said it has a deal to import up to 3 billion cubic meters of liquid natural gas from Egypt this year as Europe seeks to wean itself from Russian natural gas over its invasion of Ukraine.

ENI signed the deal Wednesday with EGAS (Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company), just days after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi secured a deal to increase gas imports from Algeria to help replace the 29 billion cubic meters Italy imports annually from Russia.

The Algeria deal will add up to 9 billion cubic meters of gas by 2023-24 to the 21 billion cubic meters it already receives, with the increased flows starting in the fall. Russia is Italys top supplier of natural gas, which is used to generate electricity, heat and cool homes and power industry.

____

LONDON  The Channel Island of Jersey says it is freezing assets connected to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich estimated to be worth over $7 billion.

The Law Offices Department of Jersey, a tax haven long known for drawing large amounts of foreign direct investment, said Wednesday that the assets being targeted were either located in Jersey, or owned by Jersey-incorporated entities.

It said that police also executed a search warrant Tuesday at addresses suspected to be connected to Abramovichs business activities. It didnt provide details.

Abramovich, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been sanctioned by the U.K. government and the European Union. The 55-year-old tycoon has assumed an unofficial role in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending the war.

____

PRAGUE  The Czech Republic has reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital that was closed after Russian troops invaded the country.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats have returned to Kyiv and the Czech flag is flying again at the embassy.

It said Wednesdays move is one of the steps to show our support for Ukraine.

____

BERLIN -- Experts commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say they found clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces in Ukraine.

OSCE member countries authorized a study in early March, and the three professors chosen to conduct it -- Wolfgang Benedek, Veronika Bilkova and Marco Sassoli -- were selected by Ukraine.

Their report, issued Wednesday, said that if the Russian forces had respected their obligations in terms of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack and concerning specially protected objects such as hospitals, the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower.

The experts found some violations and problems in Ukrainian practices, voicing concern about the treatment of prisoners of war.

The report said Russia responded by saying it considered the mechanism under which the experts were appointed largely outdated and redundant and declined to appoint a liaison person, referring them to official government statements and briefings.

____

LONDON  Britain has announced a new round of sanctions related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, targeting 178 individuals who have helped prop up Kremlin-backed breakaway regions in the eastern part of the country.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that the sanctions were coordinated with the European Union. The move comes after rocket attacks that targeted civilians in eastern Ukraine.

Those sanctioned include Alexander Ananchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, and Sergey Kozlov, the chair of government in the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Also targeted are Pavel Ezubov, cousin of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, and Nigina Zairova, executive assistant to Russian tycoon Mikhail Fridman.

Truss says Britain is sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putins war.

____

BERLIN -- The German government is defending the countrys president after a diplomatic snub by Ukraine.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the largely ceremonial head of state, said Tuesday that his presence apparently wasnt wanted in Kyiv. He said his Polish counterpart had suggested that they both travel to Ukraine along with the presidents of the three Baltic countries.

German newspaper Bild quoted an unidentified Ukrainian diplomat as saying that Steinmeier is not welcome in Kyiv at the moment because he had close relations with Russia in the past. Steinmeier was previously Germanys foreign minister and recently admitted mistakes in policy toward Russia.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Wednesday she regrets that Steinmeier was unable to visit.

Ukraines ambassador to Germany said Chancellor Olaf Scholz would be welcome, but some German lawmakers said the snub to Steinmeier would complicate that.

Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner defended Steinmeier, saying that he has clearly taken a stand on Ukraines side.
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VICTORY, Vt. (AP)  In the remote Vermont community of Victory, Town Clerk Tracey Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online.

Fast internet would be really good, said Martel, whose community of about 70 was one of the last in Vermont to receive electricity almost 60 years ago. The DSL service she has now works for basic internet, but it can be spotty and it doesn't allow users to access all the benefits of the interconnected world.

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) away as the bird flies in the neighboring community along Miles Pond in the town of Concord, a new fiber optic line is beginning to bring truly high-speed internet to residents of the remote area known as the Northeast Kingdom.

Im looking forward to high-speed internet, streaming TV, said Concord resident John Gilchrist, as a crew ran fiber optic cable to his home earlier this year.

The fiber optic cable that is beginning to serve the remote part of Concord and will one day serve Victory is being provided through NEK Broadband, a utility of nearly 50 Vermont towns working to bring high speed internet service to the most remote parts of the state.

NEK Broadband Executive Director Christa Shute said the groups business plan calls for offering services to all potential customers within five years, but given current supply constraints and the shortage of trained technicians, shes beginning to think that goal isnt achievable.

I think our build will take seven to 10 years, she said.

Congress has appropriated tens of billions of dollars for a variety of programs to help fill the digital gap exposed by the pandemic when millions of people were locked down in their homes with no way to study, work or get online medical care.

The first of those funds are reaching municipalities, businesses and other groups involved in the effort, but some say supply chain issues, labor shortages and geographic constraints will slow the rollout.

The demand for fiber optic cable goes beyond wired broadband to homes and businesses. The cable will help provide the 5G technology now being rolled out by wireless communications providers.

But there's a bottleneck in the supply. Michael Bell, of Corning Optical Communications based in Charlotte, North Carolina, said the issue lies with supply of the protective jacket that surrounds the hair-thin strands of glass that carry information on beams of light.

Currently, some working to expand broadband say delays in getting the fiber optic cable they need can exceed a year.

Based on the capacity were adding, and the capacity we see our competitors adding, wait times will start going down dramatically as the year progresses and into next year, Bell said. And I think as we get into next year, the lead time for most customers is going to be well under a year.

Meanwhile, there's a labor shortage for installing the cable. Many in the industry are setting up educational programs to train people to work with the fiber, said Jim Hayes, of the Santa Monica, California-based Fiber Optic Association.

It needs to be done now, Hayes said. Were going to need to train probably ten techs for every tech that weve got whos competent to lead them.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill passed last fall, says areas that receive broadband speeds of less than 25 megabit downloads and 3 megabit uploads are considered unserved. To qualify for different federal grants through the infrastructure bill and other programs, most finished projects must offer speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads. Upload speeds differ, but most federal grants have a minimum of 20 megabit uploads.

For comparison, it takes 80 seconds to download a 1 gigabyte video at the speed of 100 megabits per second. It takes four times as long  320 seconds, or more than 5 minutes  at 25 megabits per second.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration  a part of the Agency of Commerce, which is funding broadband projects across the country through the infrastructure law  is neutral about about how internet service providers reach the speed requirements. Many providers say the key to bringing true high-speed internet service to the entire country is to install fiber optic cable to every nook and cranny.

Deploying high-speed internet in tribal communities and rural areas across the western United States where distances dwarf those of rural northern New England will be even more challenging.

Broadband access on the Navajo Nation  the largest reservation in the U.S. at 27,000 square miles (69,930 square kilometers) in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah  is a mix of dial-up, satellite service, wireless, fiber and mobile data.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which has broad oversight of tribal affairs, said federal appraisals, rights-of-way permits, environment reviews and archaeological protection laws can delay progress.

The argument against the wireless options currently being used in some areas is they cant offer speeds needed to qualify for the federal grants.

Mike Wendy of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said wireless technology is getting faster and more reliable, and wireless connections could be the only way to reach some of the most remote locations.

The challenge of all this money is to make sure that the unserved are served, said Wendy, whose organization represents about 1,000 fixed wireless internet providers. Our guys are in those markets right now and theyre growing.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said $233 million in state dollars will be used in his state to expand broadband to over 43,000 households. Other internet service providers have agreed to expand broadband to another 51,000 households. Ohio is expected to receive an additional $268 million in federal funding to further broadband expansion in the state.

Husted said Ohio is focused on infrastructure while groups and organizations are needed to provide computers and to help people adapt to the fast-growing digital age.

Were building the road, Husted said. Access to broadband is like the highway system. Thats where were focused. It doesnt mean there are people who dont need cars or need drivers licenses.

There are still scattered locations across the country that rely on dialup and some people in remote locations use satellite internet services. Some people have no internet options whatsoever.

Martel, the Victory town clerk, said that when the people from NEK Broadband visited, they told residents it would be five to seven years before fiber optic cable would reach the community.

But Shute said her organization hopes to get a grant to connect the most rural areas, which could move the timeline for Victory up to three years.

Back in East Concord, after having the service for several weeks, Gilchrist said he and his daughter Emily, who is 19 and headed to college in a few months, no longer have to go to the local diner to use the internet. He canceled his expensive satellite TV service, his daughter and her friends have been using it to play online video games and in a few months she will be using the connection while doing college studies.

It's been working great, as far as I'm concerned, all I do is check email, Gilchrist said. I don't watch TV, but my daughter loves it.

___

Gillispie reported from Cleveland. AP Correspondent Felicia Fonseca contributed to this report from Flagstaff, Arizona.
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Whats a few million dollars between political opponents?

First-quarter campaign filings released Monday night show that Gov. Ned Lamont wrote two personal checks totaling $1.15 million as a down payment for his reelection.

But Bob Stefanowski, the presumptive Republican nominee from Madison, has loaned $10 million of his own money to the 2022 rematch for governor. His campaign has spent about $2.6 million and has more than $8 million available.

That money inludes about $608,000 in individual contribitions Stefanowski has raised, the filings show. In an earlier release, he said 1,539 people contributed a median amount of about $50.

His largest payout was for $946,346 to the Alexandria, Va-based National Media for TV, radio and digital buys. He also spent tens of thousands of dollars among several consulting firms including about $60,000 for WPA Intelligence, a political researcher; $45,000 for the New Jersey-based Checkmate Strategies; $42,000 to Chris Motolla Consulting Inc. of North Hollywood, Ca.; $24,000 for Spark Op Strategies of Fairfield; and about $20,000 to Go Big Media of Alexandria, Va.

Lamont, the Democratic incumbent whose term in office has been highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic, along with a series of state budget surpluses, reported a total of $1.27 million raised for his reelection, with $639,091 spent and $631,400 on hand at the end of March.

Judging by the $15 million that Lamont paid for his victory in 2018, its just the beginning.

Loaning his campaign the money leaves an eventual avenue for Stefanowski to recoup his investment, while Lamonts checks for the first months of the campaign are not recoverable.

Stefanowski, a former financial services executive, front-loaded his 2018 campaign with $2 million of his own money, but fell short of cash in the fall before his loss to Lamont. In all, Stefanowski spent about $3 million of his personal wealth in his first run for elective office four years ago.

Lamont, a multi-millionaire former cable TV entrepreneur from Greenwich, who has not taken the governors $150,000 annual salary, raised about $14,000 in individual contributions in the first quarter. He announced his intention to run for a second term in November.

Stefanowski declared his candidacy in January but has stayed active in the public realm since losing to Lamont by 44,372 votes, or about 3 percentage points.

To have over 1,500 people invest in our campaign in less than three months shows that our goal of making Connecticut more affordable, safer and making our state government more accountable to the people is gaining momentum and people want to help make a difference, Stefanowski said in a written statement more than 14 hours before he filed the papers.

Stefanowski previously declared hell spend $10 million of his own money in the 2022 rematch for governor.

As the midnight Monday deadline approached, Lamonts team filed their totals at 7 p.m. Stefanowskis documents were posted with the State Elections Enforcement Commission after 11 p.m.

Lamonts major expenses included about $159,000 to the New York-based Global Strategy Group LLC for polling; $132,000 for digital consulting; about $125,000 in TV ad buys; $20,000 to the Democratic Governors Association for research; and $22,500 to Jones Mandel, a Seattle-based strategic consultant firm with close ties to Democrats.

While Lamont has the power of incumbency, Stefanowski has used local conservative talk radio, social media and newspaper op-eds to criticize Lamont, whose administrations school-construction program is under federal investigation. Stefanowski has also attached himself to efforts by minority Republicans and the trucking industry to rail against highway tolls, which the Democrat-dominated legislature rejected in 2020, and a highway user fee for heavy trucks that will take effect in 2023.

Nationally known political forecasters currently predict Lamont is likely to win in November, but at least one prominent prognosticator, the Cook Political Report, downgraded the Democratic incumbents chances from solid to likely.

Stefanowski also has the backing of a political action committee run by David Kelsey, a real estate investor and the former GOP town committee chairman of Old Lyme, whose half-million-dollar contribution to CT Truth PAC has been supplemented by another $500,000 from Thomas McInerney of Westport, the CEO of Bluff Point Associates, a private equity investment firm.

McInerney is also on the board of a conservative think tank called the Manhattan Institute, which has major support from the oil wealth of the Koch family, and opposes the science of climate change.

According to the Federal Election Commission, McInerney this year has already contributed $5.4 million to Republican candidates, including $252,000 to the Republican National Committee. In 2018 McInerney contributed $100,000 to an independent expenditure PAC, FixCT, which supported the unsucessful GOP candidacy of Steve Obsitnik of Westport.

Obsitnik later paid a $90,000 fine to state election regulators over allegations of illegal coordination with a PAC making independent expenditures on his behalf. State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Westport, was also fined $10,000 in that case.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
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Amazon is seeking to overturn the historic union victory at one of its New York City warehouses, arguing in a legal filing Friday that union organizers and the National Labor Relations Board acted in a way that tainted the results. It now wants to redo the election.

The e-commerce giant listed 25 objections in the filing obtained by The Associated Press, accusing organizers with the nascent Amazon Labor Union of intimidating workers to vote for the union, a claim an attorney representing the group has called patently absurd.

The employees have spoken, Eric Milner, the attorney, said in a statement Thursday after Amazon's initial planned objections were made public in another legal filing.

Amazon is choosing to ignore that, and instead engage in stalling tactics to avoid the inevitable  coming to the bargaining table and negotiating for a contract on behalf of the workers, he said.

Warehouse workers in Staten Island cast 2,654 votes  or about 55%  in favor of a union, giving the fledgling group enough support to pull off a victory last Friday.

In one objection, Amazon said organizers intentionally created hostile confrontations in front of eligible voters, by interrupting the mandatory meetings the company held to persuade its employees to reject the union drive. In a filing released earlier this month, the company disclosed it spent about $4.2 million last year on labor consultants.

In another objection, Amazon targeted organizers distribution of cannabis to workers, saying the labor board cannot condone such a practice as a legitimate method of obtaining support for a labor organization." New York legalized the recreational use of marijuana last year for those over 21. Milner, the attorney representing the union, said Amazon is grasping at straws.

Distributing cannabis is no different than distributing free t-shirts and it certainly did not act to interfere with the election," he said.

The company also accused organizers of improperly polling workers.

The retailer had initially signaled it planned to challenge the election results because of a lawsuit the NLRB filed in March, in which the board sought to force Amazon to reinstate a fired employee who was involved in the union drive.

Amazon pointed to the lawsuit in one of its objections filed Friday, saying the regional NLRB office that brought the suit failed to protect the integrity and neutrality of its procedures, and had created an impression of support for the union by seeking reinstatement for the former employee, Gerald Bryson.

Based on the evidence weve seen so far, as set out in our objections, we believe that the actions of the NLRB and the ALU improperly suppressed and influenced the vote, and we think the election should be conducted again so that a fair and broadly representative vote can be had," Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement Friday.

Bryson was fired in the early days of the pandemic after leading a protest calling for the company to do more to protect workers against COVID-19. While off the job during the protest, Bryson got into a dispute with another worker and was later fired for violating Amazons vulgar-language policy, according to his attorney Frank Kearl.

The NLRB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its spokesperson, Kayla Blado, previously said the independent agency is authorized by Congress to enforce the National Labor Relations Act.

All NLRB enforcement actions against Amazon have been consistent with that Congressional mandate, she said.

In other objections, Amazon targeted how the labor agency conducted the election. It said the agency failed to control media presence around the voting area and didn't have enough staff and equipment, which the company says created long lines and discouraged many employees from voting in subsequent polling sessions.

Meanwhile, both Amazon and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, a union that spearheaded a separate union drive in Bessemer, Alabama, have filed objections to that election. The final outcome of the union vote in Alabama is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots in the balance. Initial results show the union down by 118 votes, with the majority of Amazon warehouse workers rejecting a bid to form unionize.

RWDSU, which filed more than 20 objections, said in its filing Thursday that its objections are grounds to set the election aside.

A hearing to review the challenged ballots is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
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YAHIDNE, Ukraine (AP)  The Russian soldiers forced more than 300 villagers into a school basement. Then, during weeks of stress and deprivation, some began to die.

Residents of Yahidne, a village 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Kyiv, told The Associated Press about being ordered into the basement at gunpoint after the Russians took control of the area around the northern city of Chernihiv in early March.

In one room, those who survived wrote the names of the 18 who didnt.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan, a weary survivor, recalled Tuesday as she toured the darkened basement. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. She was a heavy woman, and it was very difficult for her.

Village by village, town by town, Ukrainians in areas where Russians have withdrawn continue to unearth new horrors. More are feared.

The residents of Yahidne, which is on the outskirts of Chernihiv, said they were made to remain in the basement day and night except for the rare times when they they were allowed outside to cook on open fires or to use the toilet.

The health of the captives suffered.

Heres a chair, and thats how we were sitting for a month, Saroyan said, recalling her aching legs.

As people died one by one in the basement, neighbors were allowed from time to time to place the bodies in a mass grave in a nearby cemetery.

Each time, they passed through a doorway marked in dripping red paint with the plaintive words Attention. Children. The glare of a flashlight shows bright drawings on the walls.

The Russians could be cruel, surviving villages said.

Svitlana Baguta said a Russian soldier who was either drunk or high made her drink from a flask at gunpoint.

He pointed the gun at the throat, put the flask and said, Drink, Baguta said.

Julia Surypak said the soldiers allowed some people to make a short trip to their homes if they sang the Russian state anthem. But they didnt allow us to walk much, she said.

The Russian forces left the village at the beginning of April, part of a regional withdrawal from northern Ukraine Russia's military ordered in anticipation of after a large offensive in the east.

A message scrawled on a wall of the Yahidne school marked April 1 as the last day of their presence.

The soldiers left behind unexploded artillery shells, destroyed Russian vehicles and rubble.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Fitbit devices feature the capacity to detect abnormal heartbeats. Just recently, Fitbit was able to secure approval from the Food and Drug Administration for their algorithm that detects atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Fitbit's new PPG (photoplethysmography) algorithm will pave the way for users to have an Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications feature that will alert them when an abnormal AFib is detected.

Detecting irregular heart rate is one of the features of the Apple Watch that distinguishes it as the best fitness and smartwatch, as it has the ability to detect irregular heart rhythms while users are wearing the device. Apple, on the other hand, is about to face some stiff competition in this area.

Fitbit AFib Detection Feature

Fitbit's new AFib detection feature would complement the ECG feature found on some of the best Fitbit devices, which allows the user to scan for AFib on a proactive basis.

The algorithm developed by the company marks a significant upgrade to their technology as the Fitbit now has the capacity to operate in the background.

With their new PPG AFib algorithm, users can have their heart rhythm assessed passively in the background while they're standing still or asleep. This lets people keep track of their heart health over time, which can help them find problems before they get worse.

As reported by Digital Trends, according to studies, approximately 33 million people worldwide have atrial fibrillation (AFib), and those who have the condition are at an increased risk of suffering a potentially debilitating or life-threatening stroke.

Even though AFib usually occurs without warning, and in some cases, without any noticeable symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose the condition. Fitbit's system will be running all the time and in the background, even though it won't be visible. The device's sensors will be looking for any unusual heartbeats during the day and while you sleep.

Any time the Fitbit device detects something that could be indicative of AFib, the user will receive an alert. It should be noted that, while the feature cannot be used to diagnose AFib, it can be used to alert the user that the condition may be present.

Read Also: Robinhood Opens Crypto Wallet Allowing Users Direct Control for Cryptocurrency Trading

How does Fitbit Afib Work?

Fitbit's parent company, Google, explained how their latest technology for detecting AFib works. Small blood vessels throughout our body expand and contract as a result of the heart's beating, depending on the volume of blood flowing through them.

Fitbit's PPG optical heart-rate sensor can detect these volume changes right on a user's wrist. Following these measurements, the detection algorithm analyzes the heart rhythm for irregularities and potential signs of atrial fibrillation, which will then be reported back to the user.

Fitbit's PPG algorithm has been clinically validated, according to data from the landmark Fitbit Heart Study, which began in 2020 and enrolled 455,699 participants over the course of five months. This is one of the largest remote studies of PPG-based software that has ever been done. It was done during the pandemic.

Fitbit PPG detections correctly identified AFib episodes 98% of the time, according to data presented at the 2021 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, as confirmed by ECG patch monitors.

Fitbit now offers two methods for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), following the FDA's approval of our PPG-based algorithm today. Fitness tracker Fitbit's ECG app, which uses a spot-check approach, allows users to proactively screen themselves for possible atrial fibrillation (AFib) and record an ECG trace that they can then share with a healthcare provider.

New PPG-based algorithms also make it possible to look at long-term heart rhythms, which helps to find asymptomatic AFib that would otherwise go unnoticed. The company hopes that delivering this feature to its user base will help them live a better lifestyle.

Related Article: WWDC 2022: Apple Marks the Date for Another Virtual Worldwide Developers Conference
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FERNLEY, Nev. (AP)  A Navy veteran who served as an engineer on a nuclear submarine is on an even more important mission now  seeking a way to help others in the name of his little sister, who was kidnapped, killed and buried last month in northern Nevadas high desert.

At the end of the day, I just dont want this to happen to any other families, Casey Valley told The Associated Press. I want to do everything I can to make sure no one ever has to go through any of this.

Hundreds of townspeople turned out for a weekend celebration of the life of 18-year-old Naomi Irion at a park in rural Fernley, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Reno.

The daughter of U.S. State Department workers, Irion moved there from South Africa last summer to live with her brother. She disappeared after video surveillance in a Walmart parking lot showed a man get into her car and drive them away early in the morning on March 12.

Troy E. Driver, a 41-year-old from nearby Fallon with a violent criminal history, was arrested and jailed on a kidnapping charge March 25. Driver previously served more than a decade in a California prison.

Four days after his arrest, a tip led investigators to a remote gravesite more than 60 miles (96 km) away, where Irion's body was found in neighboring Churchill County. On Friday, Driver was arraigned in Fernley on an amended criminal complaint and ordered held without bail on first-degree murder, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and other charges.

Valley, a soft-spoken man with a bushy red beard, said he was frustrated that sheriff's deputies didn't act quickly enough to file a missing persons report when he first contacted them March 13.

He went the next day to the Walmart near U.S. Interstate 80 where Irion had gone to wait for a shuttle bus to take her to her job at a Panasonic plant. Signs posted in the parking lot alert shoppers cameras in use.

Valley knew he had to find out if there was surveillance video of his sister, so he tracked downed a store security officer.

At first he didnt take me seriously. But finally he said, 'What do you want? Valley said. We sat in the security office and watched the tape and became convinced it showed the suspect enter her car. I called the sheriff, and they were there in 15 or 20 minutes."

Valley said he then spent probably two hours reviewing the footage with a deputy.

Prosecutors say in the amended complaint that Driver shot Irion northeast of Fernley, where he took her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or purpose of killing her. In addition to burying Irions body, Driver disposed of tires from his truck in an effort to eliminate incriminating evidence, according to prosecutors.

Drivers public defender, Richard Davies, said Driver maintains his innocence.

We are prepared to generate an aggressive defense, he told reporters Friday. Right now, everybody is jumping to conclusions.

While initially critical of the investigation, Valley told reporters outside Justice Court on Friday that finding his sister's body was some amazing detective work. He said the family went to the remote gravesite, which looks like any other part of the Nevada desert.

Its one drop of water in the Pacific Ocean, he said. It truly is a miracle that we have closure" and Naomi is not suffering.

"We need to take whatever peace we can get from that, he said.

Sunday's gathering was surrounded by ribbons in rainbow colors  Irions favorite  which continue to flutter from sign posts along main street just off I-80. The town was founded more than a century ago along a canal that was built as part of the U.S. West's first irrigation project, intended to help make the desert bloom and attract settlers.

Valley, 42, served as a Navy submarine nuclear machinist mate stationed in Bangor, Washington, from 2009-16 and now works as a critical facilities engineer for Apple.

He has emphasized from the start Driver is a human being who is innocent until proven guilty. He said after the initial arrest for kidnapping he was concerned for Driver's safety if released from jail.

Davies said prosecutors have not declared whether they will seek the death penalty but acknowledged all options are on the table.

For now, Irions family isn't advocating for Driver's execution, Valley said.

Well see what happens, he said, adding he knows death penalty cases can drag on with years of appeals.

It complicates the process. That being said, it is the DAs decision. If this guy is tried and found guilty, I just dont want the perpetrator to be able to do this to any other person."

Irion lived with her parents at U.S. embassies around the world growing up. When she was 13, they moved to Moscow, then Frankfurt, Germany, then South Africa, where she graduated from high school before moving last summer to Fernley.

Valley, who was 14 when his sister was born, changed her diapers and became her de facto babysitter, said family and friends already have begun work to create a scholarship in her name.

I would like people to know Naomi would want positive change to come from this. We want to let people know this can happen to anyone, he said.

Naomi was my responsibility. Im her big brother. Its my job.
LONDON (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization has slammed the global community for its focus on the war in Ukraine, arguing that crises elsewhere, including in his home country of Ethiopia, are not being given equal consideration, possibly because those suffering are not white.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus questioned if the world really gives equal attention to Black and white lives, given that the ongoing emergencies in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have garnered only a fraction of the global concern for Ukraine. He was speaking in a virtual press briefing from Geneva on Wednesday.

Last month, Tedros said there is nowhere on earth where the health of millions of people is more under threat than Ethiopias Tigray region.

Since a truce was declared in Tigray three weeks ago, about 2,000 trucks should have been able to bring food, medicines and other essentials to the conflict-ridden area, he said. Instead, only about 20 trucks have arrived, said Tedros, a former minister of health in Ethiopia and an ethnic Tigrayan.

As we speak, people are dying of starvation, he said. This is one of the longest and worst sieges by both Eritrean and Ethiopian forces in modern history.

Tedros acknowledged that the war in Ukraine is globally significant, but asked if other crises are being accorded enough attention.

I need to be blunt and honest that the world is not treating the human race the same way, he said. Some are more equal than others.

Tedros described the situation in Tigray as tragic and said he hopes the world comes back to its senses and treats all human life equally. He also critiqued the press for its failure to document the ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia, noting that people had been burned alive in the region. I don't even know if that was taken seriously by the media.

Earlier this year, the government of Ethiopia sent a letter to the World Health Organization, accusing Tedros of misconduct after his sharp criticism of the war and humanitarian crisis in the country.

The Ethiopian government said Tedros was using his office to advance his political interest at the expense of Ethiopia and said he continues to be an active member of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front; Tedros was Ethiopia's foreign minister and health minister when the TPLF dominated the countrys ruling coalition.
Ukraine experienced an attempted cyberattack from Sandworm, an alleged group of Russian state-sponsored hackers. The recent cyberattack has been confirmed by Ukraine's cybersecurity officials.

It has been reported that a well-known hacking group linked to Russia's military intelligence agency launched a cyberattack on Ukrainian energy facilities. The group tried to damage high-voltage electrical substations and computers as well as network equipment.

Russian Cyberattack on Ukraine

Using a new variant of the Industroyer malware for industrial control systems (ICS) as well as an updated version of the CaddyWiper data destruction malware, the Sandworm attempted to bring down a large Ukrainian energy provider by disconnecting its electrical substations on Friday, April 8.

According to Bleeping Computer, the Russian hackers behind the Sandworm used a customized version of the Industroyer industrial control system malware to infect the target high-voltage electrical substations and then attempted to wipe out the evidence of the attack by executing CaddyWiper and other data-wiping malware families such as Orcshred, Soloshred, and Awfulshred for Linux and Solaris systems.

Investigators from cybersecurity company ESET say they don't know how the attacker got into the environment or how they were able to move from the IT network into the industrial control system (ICS). They are working with the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT) to fix and protect the network.

According to ESET, the industrial control system malware used in the attack is now known as Industroyer2, and it was developed using the source code of Industroyer, which was used in 2016 to cut electricity in Ukraine and was attributed to the state-sponsored Russian hacking group Sandworm. In addition, ESET assesses the situation with high confidence that this was due to the previous attack made by Sandworm.

The Attempted Cyberattack

In response to a targeted attack on a Ukrainian energy facility, the Governmental Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA) has taken immediate action to respond to an information security incident involving the facility.

It is well known that the Ukrainian energy company was subjected to two waves of attacks over a period of time. The system breach within the company started in late February 2022.

As reported by Ukraine, the decommissioning of the company's infrastructure and the disconnection of electrical substations were scheduled to take place on Friday, April 8, 2022, in the late evening. With that, the Russian hackers' Sandworm took the opportunity for vulnerability in deploying their malicious plan, which, fortunately, was prevented.

Read Also: Anonymous Continues Hacking of Russia, Targets Streaming Services

Russian Hackers Attacking Ukraine

This is not the first time the Russian hacker group, Sandworm, has caused an unprecedented power outage in Ukraine. Threat actors were blamed for the widespread attacks in 2016, according to the U.S. cyber intelligence firm iSight Partners.

U.S. cyber intelligence firm iSight Partners stated that it has determined that a Russian hacking group known as Sandworm caused the unprecedented power outage in Ukraine in December 2015.

As reported by Reuters, "The conclusion was based on analysis of malicious software known as Black Energy 3 and KillDisk, which were used in the attack, and intelligence from "sensitive sources," he said.

Currently, even to this day, the attempted cyberattack comes as Russia continues its specialized military operations in the territory of Ukraine. This aggravated strike must have been a form of retaliation toward Ukraine and the numerous sanctions Russia has been subjected to.

Related Article: Russian Anti-Virus Company Kaspersky Officially Branded as National Security Threat
Rembert Wayne Stanley, age 72, of Dalton, GA passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022. He was born on May 13, 1949. Arrangements have been entrusted to independently owned and operated Dalton Funeral Home, 620 S. Glenwood Ave.
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NASA first reached the moon through its Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969. It has been five decades since the last moon landing occurred.

This time, through Artemis, NASA will attempt to build a stronger human presence on the lunar surface.

Artemis the Greek Goddess

The Artemis program is the space mission taking humanity back to the moon again. The aim of this mission is not just to reach the moon but also to build a long-term presence on and around the lunar surface.

NASA decided to name this mission Artemis, as she is known to be the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. Aside from that, Artemis is also the twin sister of Apollo.

As we can recall back in history, NASA's mission name to the moon in the previous decade was popularly known as Apollo. This is a notable connection to the mission that launched humans to the Moon for the first time 50 years ago.

NASA and SpaceX

The lunar mission Artemis will work closely with commercial and private institutions to collaborate on the moon landing and successfully build a long-term presence on the moon.

Elon Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX, is one of the companies with which they will be closely collaborating.

According to Space, NASA selected SpaceX to build the first crewed lunar lander for the agency's Artemis program in April 2021.

As part of the Artemis program, NASA and SpaceX will work together to land astronauts on and around the moon by the middle of the 2020s. By the end of that decade, humans will have set up a permanent presence on and around the moon.

The SpaceX CEO has always envisioned humankind building a base on Mars. With that, Elon Musk believes that a moon landing will be possible in this decade.

Lunar Gateway

The Lunar Gateway is a small space station that is located above the Moon. It's meant to be a flexible platform for missions to the Moon and other places in space.

As reported by Royal Museums Greenwich, the Lunar Gateway, in contrast to the International Space Station (ISS), will not be continuously manned but instead serve as a temporary base where astronauts can dwell and conduct research for brief periods of time. It will also be able to carry on scientific study even when human lunar flights are not taking place.

The Orion module will connect with the Space Station's Gateway, and the astronauts will then transfer to the Lunar Landing Module from there.

Space Launch System

NASA planned and built the Space Launch System for the Artemis program in order to be able to safely launch astronauts as well as extremely massive cargo into orbit.

It is made up of various sections, each of which performs a distinct role from the others. Cargo is kept in a space under the Orion spacecraft, and the exploration upper stage is below it. It has a large core stage with four RS-25 engines and two extended solid rocket boosters that are mounted on the side of the SLS rocket.

The Space Launch System (SLS) is the most powerful and largest space rocket ever built.

When all of the components of the SLS space rocket are combined, it becomes the most powerful rocket in the world. NASA's latest SLS rocket outperforms the legendary Saturn V in terms of performance.

Orion Spacecraft

Orion is the name of the crewed spaceship component of the SLS that will be used for the moon landing. As one of the most easily recognized constellations in the sky, Orion is also known as Artemis' hunting companion in classical mythology. Orion is also known as the Hunter.

Orion, which is a component of the SLS rocket, is a spacecraft. The Orion crew module has three parts: the heat shield, the crew module, and the docking port. Each of them is unique, but they all work together.

Orion is a three-part spacecraft designed for deep space exploration by humans. Up to four astronauts will be able to live and work in the Orion crew module during the duration of the mission.

Life support systems, oxygen systems, and the module's own engine and fuel reserves are all part of the service module's abilities.

When the Orion spacecraft goes into space, the Launch Abort System is a part of it that has its own engines and can get the crew module back to Earth if something goes wrong during launch.

Read Also: NASA Mars Rover Pictures: Perseverance Snaps Out-of-Place Photo of Drill Bit From 2021!

NASA Artemis I

It was previously known as Exploration Mission 1, and it is an uncrewed mission that is designed to conduct extensive testing of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion module.

The Space Launch System (SLS) will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and once in space, the Orion module will detach and travel to the Moon.

During its journey around the Moon, it will travel 62 miles above the lunar surface before continuing on for another 40,000 miles beyond the Moon. It will splash down in the Pacific Ocean near California after a journey that will take 20 to 25 days, depending on the weather.

Before launching Artemis I, NASA will test the SLS and the Orion spacecraft for a wet dress rehearsal. The wet dress rehearsal is the final test of the engineers to assure themselves that their operations are working correctly and safely.

NASA Artemis II

Humans will travel further into space than they have ever gone before on this historic crewed spaceflight for the Artemis Program.

After being launched into space by the SLS rocket, the four-person crew will fly the Orion module 8889 kilometers beyond the Moon, complete a flyby of the Moon, and return to Earth in the Orion module. The mission is expected to last between eight and ten days and will gather valuable flight test information.

NASA Artemis III

According to NASA, the first Moon landing is expected to take place on the third mission to the Moon.

Following the success of the Artemis 2 mission, four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will dock with the Lunar Gateway and remain in space for 30 days before returning to Earth. After that, the human landing system will transport two astronauts to the Moon's South Pole, a region that has never been visited by humans before.

A week on the Moon's surface is expected to be spent by the astronauts exploring and conducting a variety of scientific studies, including sampling water ice, which was discovered on the Moon for the first time in 1971.

From Moon to Mars

Continuing our exploration of the lunar surface will allow us to learn more about our universe, gain access to lunar resources, and prepare for long-term space travel to Mars. The new investigations and technological experiments that are currently being carried out are geared toward preparing us for a return to the Moon.

As we prepare to travel to Mars, living on the Moon will demonstrate humans' deep space capabilities to future generations. NASA believes that anything we can do on Mars must first be done on the Moon.

Women in Space

Artemis will also feature the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface. The trip to the Moon is estimated to be a 3-day journey, 240,000 miles away from Earth.

Related Article: Life on Mars? NASA Discovers Abundant Water Source In The Red Planet
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Vladimir Putin's move to build up tanks and artillery in the Donbas region for a new large-scale offensive is one of desperation - despite it being a 'daunting threat' to Ukraine, military expert JUSTIN BRONK writes today.

The UK Ministry of Defence has said Russian forces are continuing to pull out of Belarus to support operations in eastern Ukraine, focused on the Donbas region, where Russian-allied separatists have claimed independence.

And US officials have been pointing to signs that Russia's military is gearing up for a major offensive in the region, switching its focus after Russian forces failed in their initial drive to capture Ukraine's capital of Kyiv. Donbas has been torn by fighting between Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Meanwhile there are suggestions that Mr Putin wants to take the Donbas region before May 9 - when Russia traditionally marks the Soviet Union's Second World War victory against Nazi Germany with military parades in Moscow - in an attempt to claim victory for his so-called 'special operation'.

With their offensive in many parts of the country thwarted, Russian forces have relied increasingly on bombarding cities, a strategy that has flattened many urban areas and killed thousands of people.

The south-eastern port city of Mariupol has seen some of the heaviest attacks and suffering in the six-week war, with the mayor saying corpses are 'carpeted through the streets' after more than 10,000 civilians were killed.

Ukrainian authorities accuse Russian forces of committing various atrocities, including a massacre in the town of Bucha, airstrikes on hospitals and a missile attack that killed at least 57 people last week at a train station.

Here is the analysis by Mr Bronk, a research fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, for MailOnline:

Russian forces in Ukraine are building up concentrations of tanks, artillery and attack aviation in the Donbas region for a new, large-scale offensive.

For Ukraine, this is a daunting threat and one which they are struggling to acquire enough heavy weaponry and ammunition of all kinds to meet.

However, for the Russian Army this is in many ways a desperate move  doubling down with Army units that have so far failed to achieve strategically decisive results and have taken brutal casualties in the process.

The outcome of the coming offensive in the East of Ukraine will have huge implications for the nature of the rest of the war, and how long it is likely to last.

Russia had massed approximately 190,000 troops for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

More than 40,000 of these were second-line Rosguardia units  territorial defence troops who are not generally equipped or trained for frontline combat.

Ukrainian tanks move down a street in Irpin on the outskirts of Kyiv yesterday as the conflict continues

The remaining 150,000 regular troops deployed were arranged into approximately 120 augmented battalion tactical groups (BTGs), out of the 168 BTGs which the Russian Army can theoretically generate for operations without national mobilisation.

For context, a Russian Army BTG typically has around 10 tanks, 40 infantry fighting vehicles and is composed of around 700 to 900 troops, and in combat operations these numbers are typically bolstered by additional attached support elements.

Since the invasion began, around 2,800 Russian vehicles have been visually confirmed as destroyed or captured, including 480 tanks and 850 infantry fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and armoured fighting vehicles.

Estimating the number of Russian troops lost is much more difficult, but NATO estimates in mid-March put the figure at between 7,000 to 15,000 killed in action.

Even if the true figure in mid-March was closer to 7,000, it will be far higher now since brutal fighting has continued for weeks since then, including the collapse and retreat of the two main northern axes of Russian advance on Kyiv.

Firefighters clear debris from a destroyed building in Kharviv yesterday, weeks after it was hit by a Russian attack

Retreating Russian forces will have taken particularly heavy casualties from Ukrainian artillery fire and continual ambushes along the few main routes available.

As a general rule, in warfare total casualties  which includes troops who are badly wounded, captured or missing  tend to be three to four times those killed in action.

Therefore, the total number of Russian casualties is likely to be at least 40,000 troops, from their starting forces of around 190,000.

It is small wonder then, that a senior western official suggested on Monday that 37 to 38 of the Russian BTGs deployed to Ukraine have taken such heavy losses as to now be combat-ineffective.

This is a huge proportion of the total forces available to the Russian Army without full scale national mobilisation  something which is politically difficult for the Kremlin, which has so far sought to domestically portray its invasion of Ukraine as a 'special military operation'.

A road worker examines a damaged Russian tank on a highway to Kyiv in Ukraine yesterday

Furthermore, losses will have been disproportionately suffered by the frontline infantry and vehicle crews in Russian units  not the majority of support and logistics support personnel. Therefore, losses in terms of usable combat power are likely to be even more severe than they look on paper.

These losses are critical to understanding the current offensive build up in the Donbas. Russia cannot redeploy all of its remaining un-committed BTGs to Ukraine as reinforcements to replace units mauled in the defeats north of Kyiv.

It has to maintain serious forces to defend its NATO borders around the enclave of Kaliningrad and the Baltic States, as well as the border with Finland and its overseas deployments in Syria and the occupied territories in Georgia and Moldova.

The regular conscript rotation has also just occurred, meaning that unless the Kremlin declares a state of war and large-scale mobilisation, it has to allow the previous crop of 130,000 conscripts to return home and start training the next intake.

Conscripts are not legally eligible for service outside Russia in peacetime, and units formed primarily of conscripts will have even worse training and morale than regular forces have displayed in Ukraine.

Service members of pro-Russian troops drive an armoured vehicle through Mariupol yesterday during the Ukraine-Russia war

The fact that Russia is trying to rapidly refit and redeploy the units withdrawn from northern Ukraine to the Donbas immediately is a sign of a desperate shortage of other options.

These units have been defeated, taken very heavy casualties and taken part in horrendous atrocities against civilians  they will not be combat effective in any normal sense of the term.

The units they are reinforcing which are already in the Donbas have been in intense combat over 45 days and also taken heavy losses.

Yet after its defeat in the north, the Kremlin needs a victory against Ukrainian forces in the east  and soon so that they have something positive to spin in time for Victory Day on May 9.

The question is, given the casualties suffered so far and their limited remaining regular forces which can be thrown into the upcoming offensive  can they generate a sufficient concentration of combat power at the critical points?

A man walks past a building in Kharkiv today after it was destroyed during shelling as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues

The Ukrainian military has taken heavy losses too, although they are far less well documented. However, Ukrainian defenders are fighting with excellent morale in defence of their homeland rather than trying to conduct offensive operations for constantly shifting justifications.

In the Donbas, Ukrainian forces are occupying a series of well-fortified positions along the Donets River line and are being reinforced by units freed up by the Russian retreat from Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy in the north.

However, Ukraine is using ammunition, especially modern anti-tank weapons, faster than it is being delivered from the West. Continued resupply efforts are essential as the munitions requirements to stop the coming offensive will be huge.

Furthermore, while the defenders of Mariupol  besieged with almost no resupply or relief since the start of the invasion  have held on with absolutely astonishing tenacity and bravery, they are running out of ammunition in addition to food, water and medical supplies.

An alleged chemical weapons attack on the remaining defenders has yet to be confirmed. It may well turn out to have been phosphorus or burning industrial chemicals as a result of unceasing Russian bombardments rather than a nerve agent.

Firefighters try to contain a fire at a plant in Kharkiv following Russian shelling as the country's attack on Ukraine continues

However, either outcome should not obscure Russia's determination to finish off the defenders and the desperate situation for the Ukrainian troops there. Once Mariupol falls, the units besieging it will be free to join those massing for the wider Donbas offensive.

All of this points to the coming Russian offensive being a decisive test for both sides.

If Russia succeeds in breaking the Ukrainian defence lines in Donbas and encircling or forcing a retreat by the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operations units there, then it will likely consolidate a new frontline across most of Donetsk and Lukansk Oblasts.

This would set the stage for a long, drawn out battle of attrition as Ukraine will likely refuse to abandon its citizens to Russian atrocities and forced deportations in the occupied zone, but will struggle to break through consolidated Russian frontlines.

On the other hand, if Ukrainian forces manage to prevent the Russian offensive from achieving these goals, and continue to inflict similar loss rates, then the Russian army in Ukraine will be a largely spent force and we may see large scale retreats comparable to those seen in the north as Ukrainian units go on the offensive against their supply lines in the north east and south west.
Death. War. Cheating. Arguments. Whats the one thing they all have in common?

Bizarrely, the answer is sex! You wouldnt expect any of these unlikely situations to trigger arousal but there are plenty of logical reasons why they do.

'When my mother died unexpectedly, I went from trying to avoid sex to trying to have it as often as I possibly could,' a married 34-year-old woman told me.

Having sex was the only time I could escape the pain of losing my mother so soon; the only time I felt like I was in the present and not stuck back in memories of her.

The sex was fantastic, but I did feel terrible about it afterwards. It felt disrespectful. Then I learned to enjoy what I instinctively felt I needed to do: have lots of sex.'

Meanwhile, others want 'animalistic, intensely passionate sex' after discovering their partner has had an affair.

Read on to find out which unilkely situations provoke a lusty response, and how to navigate your way through them.

Tracey Cox explains why four unexpected scenarios can put you in the mood for sex. Including death as it reminds us how fleeting our time on the planet is (stock image)

WHY DOES DEATH TURN US ON?

Grief and sex  they arent words we often put together.

Yet, here you are, someone close to you has just died and instead of (or as well as) wanting to lie in a darkened room, you have an inexplicable craving to have sex.

Lots of sex and the lustier the better.

Who knew that grief, the emotion that should be the least sexually enticing of all, often makes people, well, horny?

There are various theories as to why this happens. The first is that the death of someone close to us is a stark reminder that our time on this planet is fleeting.

Sex makes us feel alive

And it also makes us feel young. Having wild sex connects us to our younger self, when life was less complicated and instant gratification was all that mattered.

Its also a subliminal way of reminding ourselves that life is a cycle: people are born, people die. Its how things have always been. Theres comfort in that.

Sex satisfies a need to get physical

Another good reason to get horizontal if youre sad: sex satisfies a profound need to get as physically close to another warm body as possible.

Sex provies a distraction

It also provides distraction. Grief is exhausting and if you can carve out 20 minutes of happiness and get a desperately needed break from the relentless pain, why wouldnt you?

Good sex releases dopamine into the brain: the feel-good hormone that makes us feel calmed and optimistic. The feeling lasts: one study found people who had sex felt higher levels of happiness the day after sex as well (regardless of how good it was).

Death sex isnt always with our partner

Its not unusual for those in mourning to step outside their primary relationship and have sex with a stranger, acquaintance or someone they know.

'You might go home from a funeral, have sex with a neighbour and never mention it again', one clinical psychologist told me. We need to understand, she says, that wanting sex after devastation might not be out of lust but out of a need for reassurance. An affirmation of life and that we are the living. The desire for sex is so strong, it can quash any feelings of guilt or betrayal.

Its also entirely normal, by the way, for our sex drives to grind to a shuddering halt when death happens. Lots feel guilty experiencing any kind of positive emotion; others are just too traumatised to deal with anything other the basics of life.

Everyone grieves differently: there is no right way to handle the loss of a loved one.

How to handle it delicately

If you have a partner, explain to them how youre feeling and that its not unusual to feel a strong drive for sex after loss.

Refuse to feel ashamed of your desire. Its a human response to a tragic situation. Also be aware that its an intensely personal thing that some people may struggle to understand. Be careful who you share your experience with.

If you dont have a partner and feel like seeking out casual sex, remember you dont have to tell your lovers why youre doing it. Its your time to escape the loss. Give yourself permission to take time off from grieving and enjoy the time out. (But dont forget to practise safe sex in all senses. If the experiences end up making you feel worse, not better, dont go there.)

If its your partner who has experienced loss and wants lots of sex, dont judge, even if you know thats not how you would react.

If youre in a relationship and tempted to have sex with someone random, take a breath before following through. The response isnt unusual but you still risk losing your partner if they find out.

ONE OF YOU CHEATED

'Our young daughter caught us at it two days after my partner confessed his affair,' a woman in her mid 40s told me. 'She was so angry: "What are you doing having sex with HIM after what he did to us?".

'I couldnt explain it to her but I think it was because having sex was the quickest way for me to jolt him back into remembering "us". There was also a bit of "Do you really want to lose this?" going on. Ive never been more exhibitionistic sexually.'

While lots of people find the thought of having sex unthinkable after the discovery of an affair (a fantasy of killing our partner is probably more appealing), others want animalistic, intensely passionate sex with the very person who hurt them. Why?

British sex expert Tracey describes how desire can be reborn when you find out that your partner is cheating on you

You are scared you'll lose each other

First up, you desperately want to connect because youre terrified youll lose each other. Primal mate guarding also kicks in: you want to lay claim to whats yours.

An affair creates distance

Another, less obvious reason is that the affair creates distance between you.

The closer the couple long-term, the more likely it is they experience desire issues. Merging to become one might make you feel loved, but it doesnt make you want your partner.

Desire is reborn

Love loves security, lust wants uncertainty. After an affair you dont know your partner anymore.

Who is this person? You thought you could predict their every move. This might make for a mighty uncomfortable heart  but it makes other parts stand to attention.

Youre effectively sleeping with a new person and our bodies love novelty. If someone else wants your partner, they become far more attractive. You see them differently than you did before.

Were his shoulders always so broad? Did she always walk in that sexy way?

You see your partner through the other persons eyes and appreciate what you didnt before. Even if you hate yourself for having wild, fantastic sex  you dont want your partner to think youve forgiven them  it happens.

How to handle it delicately

It was you who cheated? Let your partner be the one to initiate sex to start with. You might be overcome with a rush of lust, they might be seething in a pit of anger.

Having great sex will certainly help you rebuild the relationship but its not a shortcut to repairing trust. You still need to have those painful conversations: work out why the affair happened and how to prevent another.

Even if the affair wasnt about sex, use this as an opportunity to have brutally honest conversations about what you both want sexually.

Dont assume sex means forgiveness. Some people who experience the strong drive to have post affair sex, still end up leaving the relationship.

YOUVE JUST HAD A BLAZING ROW

'My girlfriend and I never argue  were just not those people,' a 23-year-old man told me. 'But were both feeling the strain of working from home in a small flat. We recently had a fight about something stupid that ended with us shouting at each other. We stopped suddenly, shocked, and looked at each other. Next minute were having sex, right there on the floor. It was the worst argument and the best sex weve ever had.'

It seems illogical that screaming awful things at someone you love can turn us on but, physiologically, there are lots of reasons why make-up sex is appealing.

When we fight with our partner, our blood pressure rises, testosterone releases and we feel on full alert. Our temperature increases, our palms sweat and all our muscles tense.

Sounding familiar? Youre right: its not dissimilar to how we feel when were ready for sex.

Arousal is a sister sensation of anxiety

Your brain recognises the physical hallmarks and can very quickly flip the switch and turn anger into desire.

Because the adrenaline is pumping and everything is firing, make-up sex feels heightened and potent.

Make-up sex does what it says on the tin

It helps you repair the damage the argument caused. In the same way cheating makes us feel like sex, having a humdinger argument also leaves us feeling insecure.

Having sex is a fast, physical way of saying, Hey, I might hate what you said or did, but I still love you.

It helps rid the body of all that horrid cortisol, the hormone we release when stressed, and encourages our bodies to produce some comforting oxytocin.

How to handle it delicately

For every person that loves make-up sex, theres another who cant think of anything worse. If your partner needs to reconnect emotionally before getting physical, respect that.

Having sex might make you friends again but if the argument isnt resolved, it wont solve it. Make-up sex temporarily glues you together, but youll come unstuck rapidly if you havent talked things through properly.

If you find youre starting arguments to get the hot sex at the end, stop now. Instead talk about some healthier ways to evoke the excitement and drama youre craving. A power play tie-up game, anyone?

She says that when we fight with our partner, our blood pressure rises, testosterone releases and we feel on full alert

THE THREAT OF WAR

'The Ukraine situation has had a profound effect on my sex life,' a 26-year-old man confessed to me. 'As a child, my father used to lie in bed terrified someone would set off a nuclear bomb. Suddenly, Im the one doing that - Im extremely worried about what will happen in the future. My girlfriend and I usually have sex during the day on the weekends. Now I find myself reaching for her in the middle of the night. Its tender, intimate sex and an unexpected upside to whats going on.'

Weve all heard reports about foreign correspondents (supposedly) clocking up a high number of lovers.

Its not just because they tick the opportunity and temptation boxes. Its also because, if theyre in a war situation, their lives are on the line.

What would YOU do if you knew you might be wiped out at any minute? A lot of people, if honest, would find someone to have sex with and go for it. The answer to What would you like to be doing when you die? is very often, Having sex or having an orgasm.

Disasters are exciting

Disasters and tragedies stimulate desire because they provoke the fight or flight response (an evolutionary response that tells us to either fight the wild beasts or run away from them).

They might be horrendous but theyre also exciting. They induce novelty, fear and danger: emotions you dont often get to experience in our (generally safe) society and if youre in a long-term relationship.

This is why the threat of war or another calamitous event is highly effective for kicking couples out of dull, awkward sibling effect sex  when you almost feel like youre brother and sister. Miraculously, youre back to what sex was like at the start: fiery, urgent and exhilarating.

Lots of couples experienced this when Covid first hit and there was a very real worldwide fear that the virus could actually wipe out the human race. Another reason why war makes us want to have sex: on an instinctive level, you want to ensure the survival of the species.

How to deal with it delicately

If having sex relieves anxiety and makes you feel calmer afterwards, why would you fight it? You arent weird, sex has long been known to relieve stress.

Be aware that some people move in the opposite direction: they withdraw into themselves when they feel in danger. As with grief, theres no right way to respond when youre feeling threatened.

Disasters make us appreciate what we often take for granted. When the threat is over, stoke the flames of your renewed desire by trying new things and continuing to push each other out of your comfort zones.

Search Tracey Cox to find her sex toy ranges on lovehoney.co.uk. Youll find Traceys blog, podcast and other great advice on traceycox.com.
A remarkable five-year-old who learned to read before he could walk has wowed millions of people online with his 'photographic' memory and ability to write in 10 different languages.

When Sebastian Esposito, from Albuquerque, New Mexio, was 18 months old, he became obsessed with a wooden letter puzzle and began spelling out words like cat and dog - going on to write more than 200 words by the time he was two, as well as learning the entire Russian alphabet.

Sebastian has a skill called hyperlexia, which is when a child has a reading ability well in advance of their age and has a fascination with numbers or letters, and has also been diagnosed with autism.

Now five and in kindergarten, where his classmates are still learning their ABCs, Sebastian has a reading age of 18, has memorised the Greek, German, Armenian, and Turkish alphabets and can recite the entire periodic table of elements by heart - although he cannot yet tie his shoelaces.

Proud dad Ryan Esposito, 30, a mine worker, who lives with his photographer wife Amanda Esposito, 33, her daughter from a previous relationship, Shyann, 14, and Sebastian, said: 'Every parent thinks their child is special. But I knew Sebastian was really special.

Sebastian Esposito has taken the internet by storm after revealing his incredible capacity for retaining information

Where his classmates are still learning their ABCs, Sebastian has a reading age of 18 and has memorised the Greek, German, Armenian, and Turkish alphabets

Sebastian, pictured at the age of three, knows the entire periodic table of elements by heart, while his father admits he couldn't name ten of them.

'When he started to spell words backwards, I thought maybe he was an alien. And he picked up all these words so quickly. It was incredible.

'We think he has a photographic memory. Anything he sees he just stores in his head and never forgets it.'

Agred three, Sebastian was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

When Sebastian's family first started posting videos of him online, it was to raise awareness of his condition and they never expected the short clips to go viral - with some attracting nearly 20 million views.

The family learn something new everyday from Sebastian who taught them that Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world

The most popular TikToks, which he posts under the name @litttle.einstein, often show him writing out an entire alphabet or every font on Microsoft Word, as well as listing every country and capital in the world from memory.

Ryan said: 'He can list every single country in the world and their flag, their capitals and where they are. He can tell a country from the outline.

'Seeing him flourish like this is so brilliant. We don't feel like we deserve such a blessing.

Sebastian has a condition called Hyperlexia, which is when a child has a reading ability well in advance of their age and has a fascination with numbers or letters.

Despite not being able to speak with his words, Sebastian will communicate with his family by writing down information

'We're just trying to spread awareness about his condition, because even we as a family look at him differently because of the way he is.

'Sebastian can't really speak with his words, it's quite difficult for him. He has all of these thoughts, but he struggles to communicate that way.

'He has an amazing mind, but he needs to write it down and he can let you know exactly how he is feeling.

'If he falls down and hurts himself, it's tough for him to let us know, so it can be really difficult.

When Sebastian Esposito was 18 months old, he became obsessed with a wooden letter puzzle and began spelling out words like cat and dog - going on to write more than 200 words by the time he was two, as well as learning the entire Russian alphabet

He was diagnosed aged three as well as being found to have autism, a developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Two-year-old Sebastian drawing on a wall

'We want people to know that every kid isn't the same. But they are all brilliant.

'Sebastian can't put on his own shoes, but he can write in Russian - and that's fine.'

The day of Sebastian's birth on July 19 2016 rapidly turned into a nightmare when he and his mother were left near death when he became 'jammed' in the birth canal.

Medics warned Ryan that the pair would not survive if the baby was not delivered within 30 minutes, reducing him to floods of tears.

Ryan said: 'I couldn't believe what was happening. It was the worst day of my life, but also the best as Sebastian was born.

'The alarms started going off. The nurses even threw me out of the room.

'I took off crying and then they told me I could cut the cord because he was fine. He was blue when I saw him though, he didn't even look alive.'

Incredibly, both mother and son survived the dramatic delivery, but Sebastian was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at the Presbyterian Hospital of Albuquerque, where he remained for nine days.

A dramatic delivery saw Sebastian spend nine days in tensive care after turning blue. His parents were told he would have developmental issues

Ryan initially tried to engage in more 'traditional' father-son activities with Sebastian, like playing with toys or throwing a ball about, but he realised that his son's one true passion was reading

Sebastian can now tell his family anything with written words, they even potty trained him this way, as his quick-thinking parents started to use wooden letters to spell out instructions.

Ryan was told his son would probably have significant developmental issues, but the first-time dad was not worried at all, because he just wanted to hold his baby.

He said: 'When we were told he could have difficulties, we weren't concerned at all. We just wanted him to be okay.

'Once we took him home, we were just your average paranoid parents, always making sure he was still breathing.

'We could tell his cognitive ability was there, so it didn't matter to us if there was something wrong.

Being Sebastian's dad has made his parents feel compassionate and more understanding about other people. Pictured Amanda, Ryan, Sebastian, Shyann and Amanda

His parents are trying to spread awareness about his condition, so the world understands what its like to be him

'I was just glad he and his mother both survived.'

Sebastian only started crawling when he was nine months old and did not begin to walk until he was nearly two.

Despite struggling with speech delay, the perceptive tot was easily potty trained, as his quick-thinking parents started to use wooden letters to spell out instructions.

Ryan said: 'As he's speech delayed, these games and puzzles are the way I can communicate with my son.

As he's speech delayed, games and puzzles are the only way his parents can communicate with him

When people see what he can do his parents worry people think they're forcing him to learn. But it's all his own doing.

'It's how we potty trained him. We wrote it down. We told him to pee and do a number two in the toilet.

'We'd write down questions like what he wanted to eat and he would tell us.

'Now he can tell us anything with written words. That's how we taught him.'

Ryan initially tried to engage in more 'traditional' father-son activities with Sebastian, like playing with toys or throwing a ball about, but he realised that his little boy's one true passion was reading.

On Sebastian's first proper Christmas in 2018, he was given a Russian alphabet puzzle and Ryan said he could not have been happier.

'Learning is his version of playing with toy dinosaurs. He loves spelling challenges, or guessing logos, or writing out fonts. Four-year-old Sebastian drawing letters.

Instead of playing with toys, Ryan engages with Sebastian by giving him spelling challenges, logo guessing games, or font quizzes, where he types out every font on Microsoft Word

He added: 'His very first Christmas, we got him a Russian alphabet puzzle and he reacted like a kid who'd received his favourite bike.

'He just loves reading and he becomes completely obsessed with it.'

Instead of playing with toys, Ryan engages with Sebastian by giving him spelling challenges, logo guessing games, or font quizzes, where he types out every font on Microsoft Word.

Armed with the knowledge learned from his hundreds and hundreds of books, Sebastian has yet to back down from a challenge.

Sebastian only started crawling when he was nine months old and did not begin to walk until he was nearly two

All Sebastian really cares about is learning, and will always prioritise new information over his toys

Armed with the knowledge learned from his hundreds and hundreds of books, Sebastian has yet to back down from a challenge

Ryan said: 'He is so, so passionate. We tried to get him to play with trucks and cars, but it's not what he wants.

'All he cares about is learning. He has plenty of toys, but they are just covered in dust.

'When they see what he can do, I worry people think we're forcing him to learn. But it's all his own doing.

'Learning is his version of playing with toy dinosaurs. He loves spelling challenges, or guessing logos, or writing out fonts.'

And Ryan says Sebastian teaches him something new each day.

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with autism have trouble with social, emotional and communication skills that usually develop before the age of three and last throughout a persons life. Specific signs of autism include: Reactions to smell, taste, look, feel or sound are unusual

Difficulty adapting to changes in routine

Unable to repeat or echo what is said to them

Difficulty expressing desires using words or motions

Unable to discuss their own feelings or other peoples

Difficulty with acts of affection like hugging

Prefer to be alone and avoid eye contact

Difficulty relating to other people

Unable to point at objects or look at objects when others point to them Advertisement

He said: 'I feel like I've been learning so much thanks to Sebastian. He has taught me that Kazakhstan is the largest land-locked country in the world.

'He knows the entire periodic table of elements by heart, I couldn't even tell you 10 of them.

'I can list most African countries in the world now thanks to him. I've learned so much just from playing with him.

'Being Sebastian's dad has made me more compassionate and more understanding about other people and their kids as well.'

You can follow Sebastian's brilliant videos on Instagram or TikTok on @litttle.einstein.
Fans of Derry Girls went wild after Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson made a cameo appearance in last night's episode.

The actor, 69, played Chief Constable Byers, a local police officer who questioned Northern Irish schoolfriends Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and James after they're caught on school grounds after hours.

Viewers were open-mouthed in shock as Neeson slowly emerged from the shadows of the police station, with one tweeting: 'Liam Neeson's cameo in #DerryGirls was the best surprise ever! Absolutely love this show.'

A Derry special guest star! Fans of Derry Girls went wild after Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson made a cameo appearance in last night's episode, pictured

A-list talent: Viewers were open-mouthed in shock as Neeson slowly emerged from the shadows of the police station and took to Twitter to share their joy

Another posted: 'Everyone screaming "OMG it's Liam Neeson" at the telly.'

A third added: 'The gasps out of everyone when Liam Neeson came on screen #DerryGirls.'

Neeson said he was 'delighted' to play 'a wee part' in the show. 'Im a huge fan of the series, the talented Lisa McGees incredible writing and the superb ensemble cast,' he said.

'Its such a unique and special show with real heart and amazing to see the lives of ordinary, funny people living in Northern Ireland during The Troubles played out in a Channel 4 comedy. It was lovely to be back filming there and having fun with them all.'

The comedy about a group of Catholic schoolfriends returned for its third and final series last night and was met with rave met with rave five-star reviews from critics, including MailOnline's Christopher Stevens who said it was 'wonderful'.

Fans were equally effusive, with one tweeting: '#DerryGirls really is the best thing to have been on the telly in a long time, isnt it. Spent the episode absolutely creasing myself laughing despite being in the room on my own watching it. Brilliant.'

Under the spotlight: Neeson played Chief Constable Byers, a local police officer who questioned Northern Irish schoolfriends (left to right) Orla, Clare, Erin, Michelle and James after they're caught on school grounds after hours

Another posted: 'That episode of #DerryGirls was absolutely one of the best of the entire series.'

The show opened with Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) and friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) and Michelle's cousin James (Dylan Llewellyn) contemplating life on the eve of their GCSE results.

They bumped into Sister Michael (Siobhan McSweeney), their straight-talking headmistress, who told them she had already seen their results and 'to enjoy what time they have left'.

The comment sent the friends into a spin as they questioned if they're going to be grounded, thrown out of school, or need to run away from home.

Fighting fire with fire: The group brought in their uncle Colm (Kevin McAleer) when the officers asked if they wanted to phone a parent. Colm talked the police into submission

'Let's just wait until tomorrow and see what we're dealing with,' urged James.

'Or, we can see what we're dealing with tonight,' said Michelle.

The gang proceeded to break into the school and unwittingly helped two thieves steal computers before they were cornered by police and brought into the local station.

There to question them was Chief Constable Byers (Neeson) who asked why the schoolfriends were in the grounds of the school in a hilarious exchange, before they invited their uncle Colm (Kevin McAleer) to speak to the police.

Results day: The episode ends with the group going into school to collect their GCSE results

Finally, after being talked into submission by Colm, Byers and his colleagues had a breakthrough and dismissed the group.

'For the love of sufferin' Jesus, take him with you,' he said, in a line that proved a hit with viewers.

The following day the group arrived at school to collect their GCSE results and all learned they had passed.

'I didn't say you'd failed,' said Sister Michael, smiling at their surprise. 'I'd implied you'd failed.'
CNN Plus is reportedly struggling to lure in daily viewers two weeks after the news streaming service of the popular cable channel debuted.

CNN Plus and Daily Views

It appears that the start of the all-new CNN Plus streaming platform is a lonely road. It comes as a recent report claims that its daily user count fails to keep up with the cable network.

As per a news story by CNBC, the streaming service of CNN is fresh from its debut last March 29.

It is interesting to point out that CNN Plus recently launched on Roku. Meanwhile, the streaming service has yet to reach other massive platforms like Android TV.

The news streaming service costs $5.99 monthly, but if subscribers go the annual route, it sells for $59.99 yearly.

CNBC said in the same report that its unnamed sources, who are close to the matter, exposed that the daily views of CNN Plus are only roughly lower than 10,000.

The media outlet went on to put the streaming figures of CNN Plus into perspective. It noted that the decades-old cable channel draws in around 773,000 views on a daily basis, at least in 2021.

That said, if the all-new CNN Plus is to be compared to the long-running cable network, it sure does drastically lag behind in terms of daily viewers.

However, according to a recent report by The Verge, the CNN Plus streaming service is a new player in town, whereas the TV new channel has been a household name for decades already.

Plus, the latter does not require viewers for any additional subscription fee - it is free on cable TV.

Despite that, it is worth noting that on the first day of the now-giant streaming service, Disney+, it also garnered 10 million subscribers.

CNN's Response

The spokesperson of CNN issued a statement to CNBC, saying that they are still "happy with the launch and its progress after only two weeks."

Read Also: Marvel's 'Daredevil,' 'Agents of SHIELD,' and More to Stream on Disney Plus This Month: When is the Release Date?

CNN Plus: What Is It?

CNN Plus provides its subscribers with content from news veterans such as Audie Cornish and Anderson Cooper.

Not to mention that the ex-anchor of Fox News, Chis Wallace, himself, specifically transferred to the new streaming service to host a weekday show.

That's not all, the streaming platform also headlines a former NBC News personality, Kasie Hunt.

On top of that, it is to note that it is not the first rodeo of the parent company of CNN Plus, WarnerMedia, in the world of streaming services. Just recently, it merged with Discovery, which, in turn, would make two streaming services, namely Discovery Plus and HBO Max, into a single one.

Related Article: CNN's News and Entertainment Streaming Service, CNN+, to Launch This Spring: How Much Will It Be?
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Princess Anne proved she has plenty of stamina left today after an intense four-day-visit to Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The 71-year-old Princess Royal made a brief stop at Sydney Airport today after arriving by private jet from Papua New Guinea, where she concluded a whirlwind tour of the Southern Hemisphere.

Anne, who travelled with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 67, impressed royal aides with her sense of duty this week, which saw her rack up more than 20 engagements in four days.

Now preparing to get back home to Gatcombe Park, indefatigable Anne, who completed the trip without assistants, makeup artist or hairdressers, and was seen carrying her bags herself out of her private jet.

The Princess Royal made a brief stop at Sydney Airport today before travelling back to the UK after the whirlwind trip packed with countless engagements

Anne, who travelled with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 67, impressed royal aides with her sense of duty this week, which saw her pile on as much as 20 engagements during her two-day visit to Papua New Guinea

The Queen's only daughter picked a stylish and practical look for her jet-set outfit.

She paired cream trousers with a navy jacket she wore over a white crisp shirt.

No-nonsense Anne also picked a comfortable pair of brown slip-on shoes for her journey, and had a navy Longchamp bag as her cabin luggage, along with a smaller leather handbag for her essentials.

She was also seen carrying what appeared to be a black laptop case, after possibly catching up on emails on the flight.

A chauffeur was there to welcome Anne and Sir Tim on the tarmac in Sydney, but the royals carried their own luggage

Her hair was coiffed into a bun, tied together at the back of her head, and Anne still took the time to accessorise with a pair of pearl earrings.

Her husband, Sir Tim, opted for dark grey slacks with a black jacket and white shirt. He was also wearing a pair of sunglasses.

In spite of her demanding schedule this past week, the Princess Royal looked fresh-faced as she stepped onto the tarmac.

Anne gave other working royals a run for their money this week, jumping from one engagement to the next while getting very little sleep.

Anne was wearing a pair of cream trousers, paired with a navy dress and a crisp white shirt, as well as a navy Longchamp bag

The Princess Royal left the aircraft with both her bags in each hand. She hopped down the stairs holding the bags

In spite of piling on engagements this week, Anne and Sir Tim did not put their foot down when they made a quick stop in Sydney

She impressed the royal household this week, travelling almost 25,000 miles in four days, piling on a total of 20 engagements, all while staying at 185 a night hotel with just one member of her staff present - alongside her security detail and husband.

The Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English reported that Anne packed her own suitcase, did her own make-up and her own hair throughout the tour, which saw her display remarkable stamina.

Despite being past the UK retirement age, she was on her feet from 11.30am to 6.30pm at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSWs Bicentennial Sydney Royal Easter Show.

And she caught just a few hours sleep after dinner with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, before getting on her flight home.

Princess Anne has been doing her own makeup and her own hair on the journey. She packed her own suitcase and made sure to travel light, pictured

Sir Tim Laurence was wearing dark grey slacks with a white shirt and a black jacket. He also sported a pair of sunglasses

After her carry-on bags were loaded in her car, Anne chatted with her chauffeur before driving off

Royal aides told English that Anne's attitude to royal engagements is 'remarkable.'

Its quite unbelievable, said one, she literally hadnt stopped flogging herself from the moment she left the UK. And to think she will turn 72 this summer. Remarkable.

Her trip is the first time a British royal has visited Australia since Harry and Meghan's tour in 2018, with the coronavirus pandemic preventing any for the past two years.

The royal visit is part of the line-up of celebrations to mark Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne including, Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving and a concert at Buckingham Palace.

Sir Tim, who is reportedly as down-to-Earth as Princess Anne is, was also carrying his own luggage

After a whirlwind visit of Australia and Papua New Guinea, the couple will be headed to the UK today

Anne, 71, was shown around the cooking laboratory where she was presented with homemade cakes from students yesterday

The Princess Royal then travelled to Hanuabada Village, on outskirts of Port Moresby yesterday, where she was greeted by locals in traditional dress before meeting residents of the village

The Princess Royal was presented with a traditional model boat during a visit to Hanuabada Village on the second day of her royal trip to Papua New Guinea
A rodent lover who owns 50 rats has gone viral after bathing her 'babies' in the kitchen sink.

Since receiving her first few rats in 2018, Michele Raybon, 51, from Palmdale, California, has not been able to stop adding to her mischievous pack, and now owns 50 of the 'cuddly' critters - 25 males and 25 females.

After welcoming Naked Rats, Elvis and Chuck, as well as her two Hooded Rats, Lucy and Ethel, into her home the mother-of-two hasn't looked back.

Michele went viral late last year after posting a video of her rats bathing in her kitchen sink on Facebook, receiving more than 350,000 views.

Michele Raybon, 51, from Palmdale, California, has 25 female and 25 male rats who she refers to as her 'babies' and insists they can do no wrong

The animal lover went viral late last year after posting a video of her rats bathing in her kitchen sink on Facebook, receiving more than 350,000 views

Since receiving her first few rats in 2018, she has not been able to stop adding to her mischievous pack, and now owns 50 of the 'cuddly' critters

After welcoming Naked Rats, Elvis and Chuck, as well as her two Hooded Rats, Lucy and Ethel, into her home the mother of two hasn't looked back, now with 25 females and 25 males. Michele holding one of the naked baby rats

Michele, who is retired, said: 'They're my babies, they can do no wrong.

'They each have their own individual personality so several rats stick out to me more than others.

'They're very social and when you feed them, they all come running.

'Some you'll know if they're not as friendly and some other ones are a lot more friendly.

Unlikely pals! Michele's cat seems unbothered by the presence of one of her pet rats alongside him on the sofa

At first Michelle aimed to sell her rats and started to breed them, but soon stopped and kept them as pets. Pictured Some of Michele's rats through their cages

Michele got them from a breeder in Texas, and when she moved to California there were no rat breeders out so she

Along with her 50 rats, Michele, who is an animal lover, owns four dogs, three cats and two pigs.

'I got them from a breeder in Texas, and when I moved to California there were no rat breeders out here.

'So that's why I have so many because I bred them for temperament, just so I could sell them to other people who love rats.

'Then I stopped selling them and now they're my pets, that's why I have so many. There are a lot of them.'

Along with her 50 rats, Michele, who is an animal lover, owns four dogs, three cats and two pigs.

She said: 'The pigs live in a barn which is their little area, I feed the cats when I feed the dogs so it isn't a lot of work.

'I love animals, I wanted to be a vet when I was growing up, but it never happened.

'I wouldn't call it an obsession, but because I do love animals, I rescue a lot of animals.

The animal lover wanted to initially be a vet while growing up but settled for owning animals instead

Some of the 50 rats bathing in the sink, which were the first spark for Michelle being an online rat sensation

She rescues a lot of animals but wouldn't call it an obsession, and instead calls her pets her 'babies'

When visitors enter Michele's home, they are often shocked by the number of rats they encounter, but Michele said her 'babies' quickly win them over

'I have a heart for them so right now I have four German Shepherds - two I bought as puppies, and two were rescue dogs.

'I do tend to rescue animals, so my ex-husband calls me Dr Doolittle. I take care of them; I take them to the vet.

'Before I had, two sheep, two goats, 25 chickens and about 15 ducks and geese.

'I was in the US Army and became disabled, so I was taking care of them by myself, and it became a lot so I gave them to new homes.

'I used to rescue cats, feral cats, I took care of them and rehomed them. I really do have a heart for animals.'

Despite many people being turned off by rats, Michelle says hers usually win people over in the end

She knows some people can't get passed the idea of the stigma but believes they are kind hearted animals

Michele used to have two sheep, two goats, 25 chickens and about 15 ducks and geese but the US Army veteran became disabled and was unable to care for them by herself

Michele would like to change people's predisposed idea about rats, who think that they're dirty, diseased animals

'All my rats have a good temperament, so I'll introduce somebody to one of them and I usually win them over, or the rats win them over,' she said

When visitors enter Michele's home, they are often shocked by the number of rats they encounter, but Michele and her babies quickly win them over.

She said: 'Some people are very open, but others not so much.

'Some people have a predisposed idea about rats, they think that they're dirty, diseased animals.

'All my rats have a good temperament, so I'll introduce somebody to one of them and I usually win them over, or the rats win them over.

'But some people just can't get passed the idea of the stigma.

'A lot of people have changed their minds and they surprisingly want them as pets.'
Andy Warhol's pop art print of the Queen and a portrait of Elizabeth I are to go on display to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

The exhibition at Sotheby's, on London's New Bond Street, will showcase paintings of the seven queens who were crowned in their own right: Mary I, Mary II, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II.

Nearly 40 dazzling noble and aristocratic tiaras dating back to the 1830s will also be on show, many of which have never been seen in public.

The exhibition at Sotheby's, on London's New Bond Street, will showcase paintings of the seven queens who were crowned in their own right. The portrait of Elizabeth I, above, painted to commemorate the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588, is on loan from the Duke of Bedford's collection at Woburn Abbey

One of the richly-coloured screen prints from Warhol's Reigning Queens series from 1985 will be on display. The collection was based on an official photograph released for the monarch's Silver Jubilee

The portrait of Elizabeth I, painted to commemorate the failed invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588, is on loan from the Duke of Bedford's collection at Woburn Abbey.

Elizabeth I, dressed in her finery with her elaborate lace neck ruff, rests with her hand on a globe, and behind her are scenes of English ships setting out in calm weather and the Spanish Armada being wrecked during a storm.

It is described by Sotheby's as 'one of most seminal images of female power ever created'.

One of the richly-coloured screen prints from Warhol's Reigning Queens series from 1985 will be on display. The collection was based on an official photograph released for the monarch's Silver Jubilee.

Tom Eddison, Sotheby's senior director and contemporary art specialist, described the piece, on loan from a private collection, as 'in equal parts glamorous and commanding; perfectly representing the global and celebrity age' in which the Queen has reigned.

Visitors will be able to view more than three dozen tiaras including a 1960s turquoise cabochon and diamond piece by Van Cleef & Arpels, above

Visitors will be able to view more than three dozen tiaras including a 1960s turquoise cabochon and diamond piece by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Another designed as a wreath of diamond-set leaves dates from the 1830s, and was crafted in homage to the classical designs of ancient Rome and inspired by a revival of the style during Napoleon's rule.

Among historic manuscripts of royal significance on display will be the death warrant of the 7th Earl of Northumberland signed by Elizabeth I, which is on loan from Alnwick Castle.

The 1572 document draws out writs and instructions necessary for the execution of the 7th Earl after his part in the disastrous 'Rising of the North'.

Sotheby's is also holding a British Art: The Jubilee Auction. It will include pieces by Turner, Gainsborough, Barbara Hepworth, Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Bridget Riley and Banksy. A new work of the Queen, donated by artist Chris Levine, pictured, will also be for sale

The exhibition forms part of the auction house's Jubilee Arts Festival, a month-long programme of events celebrating the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

Sebastian Fahey, managing director of Sotheby's EMEA, said: 'We've certainly never done anything like this, or on this scale, here before, and it has been a pleasure to work in this way with so many of the important institutions and families across the entire country.

'I'm sure the galleries will look absolutely spectacular, with an astonishing collection of portraits under the same roof the first time - including the Armada, which is one of the most seminal images of female power ever created - alongside tiaras that span two centuries, and important manuscripts that formed part of the pageantry of our monarchy.'

Among historic manuscripts of royal significance on display will be the death warrant of the 7th Earl of Northumberland signed by Elizabeth I, which is on loan from Alnwick Castle

Sotheby's is also holding a British Art: The Jubilee Auction. It will include pieces by Turner, Gainsborough, Barbara Hepworth, Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Bridget Riley and Banksy.

A new work of the Queen, donated by artist Chris Levine, will also be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

Entitled Lightness Of Being, it depicts the monarch with her eyes closed and was based on Levin's 2004 portrait of the Queen marking 800 years of allegiance to the Crown by the Island of Jersey. It is expected to fetch between 100,000 and 150,000.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands showed off her impeccable skill for colour co-ordination today as she attended a charity event in Zoetermeer.

The Dutch royal, 50, was pictured looking upbeat at the appointment, dressed in a chic all-burgundy ensemble.

Kansfonds is an organisation which supports homeless people in the Netherlands and aims to help those living on the poverty line.

The monarch and mother-of-three attended the 'All Young People A Home' programme which aims to rehouse and give opportunities to the 8,500 registered homeless young people in the country.

Queen Maxima of Netherlands turned heads today as she stepped out to support Kansfonds in Zoetermeer

She was seen in good spirits as she talked with staff about their programme to help the homeless youth

The Queen donned a long burgundy cape that she wore draped over her arms and shoulders, which matched perfectly with a cashmere t-shirt, and pleated leather skirt of the same colour.

Cinching her waist was a gold buckled belt which coordinated with her other burgundy accessories; leather boots and a small leather clutch.

Choosing an array of jewellery for the occasion, the mother-of-three adorned a selection of diamond bracelets which complimented her engagement ring, a gold bangle, and dangling earrings which featured green and burgundy gems.

The royal opted for her classic understated make-up look, pairing a light, fresh base, with peach blusher, brown eye shadow, and a natural lip. She stuck to this theme for her nails, opting for a manicured, yet bare look.

The mother-of-three could be seen listening to speakers as the charity gave presentations on the 8500 registered young homeless people

She could be later seen engaging with speakers as she took centre stage on a sofa to discuss their work

Her look was finished off a with a swept back hairstyle that saw her blonde locks curled into an elegant chignon.

During the visit today, the royal was pictured while being engaged in the presentations of Kansfonds staff as they explained their steps for the future.

She later took centre stage on a sofa to talk further with another speaker at the event

Maxima's attendance at the event today comes as no surprise: who has long since supported the work of Kansfonds.

The monochromatic monarch chose an all-burgundy ensemble for the occasion and swept her hair back into a low chignon

Maxima has rekindled her love of monochromatic outfits in recent weeks. Yesterday, she donned a crimson wrap dress for the the spring conference of a financial assistance association at the Wilminktheate theatre, which she paired with burgundy accessories, including a fedora hat.

On Monday, she sported burgundy from head to toe as she and her husband, King Willem-Alexander headed for a concert in Maastricht.

And last week, she stunned in a navy blue ensemble as she and Willem-Alexander visited the Dune and Bulbs region of the Netherlands, where the country's emblematic tulips are grown.
Last April 23  a year ago next week  I was assaulted by a stranger on the London Underground. It was Friday evening and Id had dinner with a friend.

Things were good, with people out in the streets after months of isolation. That afternoon, Id been shopping for the first time in a year, tracking down a pair of Chanel sandals I had wanted for months. The Tube platform was eerily quiet, but London had become that way since Covid. There was a group of maskless teenagers at the far end of the platform and a young boy surrounded by shopping bags at the other end. I positioned myself in the middle.

Ive lived and worked in London for close to 20 years. But apart from having my bag snatched on a night out, Ive had few brushes with crime. Its true that Im a relatively cautious person. I dont stay out late and I barely drink. Yet Ive also always prided myself on being tough and street-smart, and I certainly didnt feel uncomfortable waiting for a train in the early evening.

Farrah Storr (pictured) relives her experience of assault on the London underground, which happened nearly one year ago

Thats probably why I didnt see the man until it was too late. One minute he wasnt there, and the next he was. He swayed towards me, wearing a large black puffer jacket despite the warm evening.

I dont know why I made this assumption, but instinct told me he was homeless and looking for change, so I went to open my handbag.

What happened next still feels dreamlike and confused. It was as though the attack took place in slow-motion and underwater. I know I screamed as he lunged towards me but my scream seemed, to me, meek and inaudible.

I saw his face momentarily  a good-looking guy, probably no more than 25. He didnt look angry or violent, but relatively peaceful.

What felt like the next moment, he was gone and I was standing on the platform, dazed and alone.

Are you OK? the young boy with the shopping bags shouted over.

Why? I asked. He looked puzzled. That man just pushed you to the ground.

Ive been mugged, was my first instinct. But my handbag was still on my shoulder, my shopping bag with the coveted sandals clasped in my fist.

Nothing, it seemed, had changed  except the right side of my face was cold as ice. I touched it and suddenly it felt raw and skinless. Actually, I said. I think I think he punched me in the head.

As it slowly dawned on me what had happened, I wanted to cry but didnt, because I felt embarrassed in front of such a young boy. Clearly, I had blacked out for a short period, as I couldnt recall being punched and I certainly didnt remember falling to the ground or how I got back up.

The former editor of ELLE was punched in the face last year by a young man. She felt humiliated almost immediately and didn't want to be seen as a victim

Do you want us to go after him? he said with complete seriousness. Instead of crying, I laughed, partly out of sheer gratitude, but also because I couldnt imagine anything more comical than a middle-aged woman with a head injury, and a teenage boy laden with shopping bags hunting down a violent criminal. I shook my head.

Do you want me to take you to the Underground staff then? he asked.

I nodded, like a child. Yes please, I said quietly.

And so he handed me over to a couple of TfL workers who pointed out a chair in a corner where I could sit.

It occurred to me later that I should have asked the boy for his details, as a witness. But all I could think about was my attackers impassive face.

At some point, the station staff asked if I needed an ambulance, though their tone suggested that it might be an inconvenience.

You could be waiting for at least four hours, they told me matter-of-factly. I got the sense theyd seen worse things on a Friday evening.

I didnt want to add to the modern rain of poor me'

Four hours? I just wanted to get home to my husband and dogs in the wilds of Kent. So I gave my permission for them to report it to the police and asked if I could see the CCTV footage of the attack instead.

The man I asked looked horrified and said no (predictably it was something to do with data protection), so I went back to that same platform, where I took the Tube to Kings Cross.

I phoned my husband to tell him what happened from the train. Its okay, I said in between quiet sobs. The carriage was full and I was ashamed of both the crying and what my face might look like. Im OK, I repeated. Can you just pick me up at the station as normal?

He sounded shocked. But youve been attacked. I will come and get you in London! I said not to worry and put the phone down.

He was the first of many people to respond in the same way: with horror and concern at what had taken place, then puzzlement at the way I didnt seem worried about it.

Nothing remotely like this had ever happened to me. And yet over the following days and weeks I was utterly, grimly determined to prove I could take it in my stride.

The next day, I woke up and couldnt see properly. Its all gone dark! I wailed to my husband, who held me in his arms.

He demanded we call an ambulance but then the darkness lifted, so I told him I was going on a flower-arranging course with my sister that had been in the diary for months.

I phoned my mother. She sounded close to tears. Youve been assaulted, she said. Youre probably suffering from trauma and shock. I felt uneasy with her choice of words. Assault. Trauma. Shock. That didnt sound like something my life could handle.

I was a magazine editor. A leader. I had edited Elle and also Cosmopolitan for many years, where the mantra was fun, fearless female.

We encouraged women to be strong and independent. Id even written a book about it  The Discomfort Zone: How to Get What You Want by Living Fearlessly. The premise of the book was to embrace challenge and difficulty, and overcome the things that make you feel afraid.

When I was attacked, I felt I had to live by my own mantra. I told myself that by going on as if nothing had happened, I was getting on with my life.

Ive often railed against modern victim culture as its a mindset I think has been singularly unhelpful to this generation of young people.

I thought I saw my attacker everywhere

It seems to me that a culture of trigger warnings and finding perceived offence in the slightest causes has encouraged psychological frailty rather than acknowledging the truth: that most people are more resilient than they think.

I didnt want to add to the rain of poor me in our modern world. Particularly, as I was aware that far worse things were happening to women both in the UK and around the globe.

So I went to the Cotswolds and arranged flowers in a village hall with a black eye and a raging headache. The same day, the police called. A nice woman offered me advice about victim support. Victim support. I decided at once it wasnt for me. She also asked if I would give a statement, to which I of course replied yes.

This was in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, whose body had been found just over a mile away from my home in Kent. I had driven past the flowers and cards that morning. It was my duty to help catch my attacker, who I feared might be seriously mentally ill, before he struck again.

I just wanted life to carry on as normal, but my boss, friends, strangers on Instagram  everyone was filled with pity and concern. I wasnt used to people feeling sorry for me. I didnt want it.

Farrah tried to push the attack to the back of her thoughts. But a few days later, she felt like she was losing my mind

I tried to push the attack to the back of my thoughts. But a few days later, I felt like I was losing my mind. I had difficulty writing. Words escaped me. I couldnt follow conversations. Fearing Id waste NHS time, I took myself to A&E one night when the pain was so bad and waited for five hours for a doctor to tell me I just had very bad concussion. That it would pass.

And it did. The headaches went. The black eye cleared up. Conversations started to feel clear again, though it would be some weeks before I could write and edit copy, which terrified me since its how I make my living.

But heres what didnt change. For the first time in my life, I felt scared. And I hated it.

While I understood that what had happened was as random as a bird falling out of the sky and landing on my head, it didnt stop me from questioning what I could have done differently. Was I dressed too smartly?

Was I standing in the wrong place? Did I look at him the wrong way?

I think it was my way of attempting to take control of the situation. Because the alternative was too scary; accepting the idea that no matter how street-smart or strong you are, your safety cannot be guaranteed. I could cope with being attacked; I could brush off being ignored by TfL staff and sitting through delays for medical treatment.

But what I couldnt bear was being seen as a victim. Its something Ive always been afraid of. I am uncomfortable with feeling as if my life is at the mercy of others.

For many months, I was jumpy at the slightest thing, especially when out walking.

If someone brushed past me or got too close, I froze. In London one day, a man walked a little too close to me for all of ten metres.

I stopped, turned around and said urgently to him: Why are you walking so close to me? He looked appalled and walked off, shaking his head.

I needed the safety of crowds  on train platforms, at bus stops, when out walking the dogs.

I became obsessed with reading news stories of women who had been randomly attacked. A few weeks after my assault, a woman was killed when out walking her dog in Kent, hit over the head with an iron bar.

What if it was the same man? What if he lived not in London, but closer to home in Kent? (It was not him, the police would tell me later.)

Im finally able to admit that, yes, I was a victim

As for my attacker, I thought I saw him everywhere. One day I saw a man in a black puffer jacket on the other end of a Tube carriage. When my stop came, I didnt get off but instead waited to see where this man alighted.

Three stops later, he got off along with a pram, some kids and his wife. I got off too and felt foolish. What had I been trying to achieve anyway? The best thing I could do was give a police statement  and I fully intended to.

Its just that when the time came, I put it off. And off. A very nice policeman had been emailing me and Id promised Id come in as soon as I could. But I was busy. I had a life to get on with.

In truth, I wanted to go on as though my existence was completely unchanged and reliving what had happened was too much of an acknowledgment that was far from the case.

Spring came and went. I got a new job writing a weekly column for online newsletter Substack.

People stopped asking if I was okay. The world moved on and yet, curiously, I did not.

And thats when I realised what I was most afraid of. It was not that the assault had changed the way other people saw me; it had changed the way I saw myself.

I had always believed I was a strong, independent individual who didnt need the security of anyone else to look after me.

But the truth was I was a victim. And though that fact felt like it had no place in a life like mine, there it was regardless. At the beginning of last summer, I finally decided to give my statement.

At the police station, I learned that despite being caught on CCTV, the attacker couldnt be traced because he had used a paper ticket.

Afterwards, I said: I dont need to see the CCTV anymore, but it would help if I knew what happened to me. He fixed me with a look that hovered somewhere between respect and solidarity.

Well, you were right, he said gently. He walked straight up to you and hit you in the temple. You hit the floor and presumably blacked out. And then he left.

I asked why, in that case, I was standing when I came to. Well heres the amazing thing, he said. You hit the ground and then, just like that, picked yourself up almost immediately. It was actually quite remarkable.

It is rare that I am ever impressed by myself, but in that moment thats exactly how I felt. Impressed. I thanked him for his time and walked out of the station into the sunshine.

Its close to a year since that random attack on the platform. My life is the same in many ways  yet I can now admit that it has changed. Im less jumpy than I was, though Ill never again stand on an empty Tube platform or feel at ease in a quiet train carriage.

And Im less dismissive of teenage boys nowadays.

But the biggest change? Well thats easy. Ive finally been able to admit that, yes, I was a victim. But being a victim doesnt mean you cant also be strong.
Kate Middleton 'wont' worry' about her character being cast in The Crown because her 'image is perfect', a former royal butler has claimed.

Netflix producers are reportedly on the hunt for a 'stunning' actress who can play a young Duchess of Cambridge in the sixth season of the historical drama.

And while The Firm may be wary about the show, which has been known to bending facts to suit its narrative, Kate, now 40, 'doesn't have much to worry about', Grant Harrold claims.

Grant, who worked as a butler for Prince Charles 2004 to 2011 told OK! magazine: 'Kate doesn't have much to worry about, her PR and image is perfect. There is nothing not perfect about her.

Kate Middleton 'wont' worry' about her character being cast in The Crown because her 'image is perfect', a former royal butler has claimed. Netflix producers are reportedly on the hunt for a 'stunning' actress who can play a young Duchess of Cambridge in the sixth season of the historical drama, which is during her University years (pictured graduating St Andrews with Prince William)

'At the end of the day, it's PR. Some bits are historical and some bits are drama - the palace has always been keen to remind people it is drama.

'It will be positive. So they may well see it as good PR. There will be an interest for them and she is likely to come face to face with the actress that plays her at some point at an event.'

According to The Sun, bosses are also hoping to find an actress who can play the Duchess of Cambridge so they can depict her and William's blossoming romance while they were students at the University of St Andrews.

A source said last week: 'Having the Duchess of Cambridge is an easy win for The Crown, as it will get more people watching.

While The Firm may be wary about the show, which has been known to bending facts to suit its narrative, Kate, now 40, 'doesn't have much to worry about', Grant Harrold claims. Kate is pictured in Nassau, Bahamas last month

'Particularly as it will show her relationship with William as their romance starts to blossom when they were both students.

'But since she's not a crucial part of the storyline, Kate's presence is a bonus. They'll only cast her if they can find the right candidate.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Netflix for comment.

It comes after the casting call for William and Harry said the roles in the drama are 'significant' indicating there may be storylines effecting the young Prince's lives in the late nineties and early noughties.

Kate is pictured aged 26. Season six of the Crown is expected to look at the early years of William and Kate's relationship

Over the first four series of The Crown, the Netflix hit has become well known for bending facts to suit its narrative, and while some artistic license is inevitable, some critics have been outraged in its rewriting of history and relationships.

Royal experts have indicated that Prince Harry is now facing a dilemma over his casting after signing a 100million deal with the streaming service - with upcoming series covering some of the most painful and traumatic points of this life.

In Season 5, which is currently being filmed, Dominic West's son, Senan West, 14, will play a young Prince William. Fittingly, his father is playing Prince Charles. It is not known if a fictionalised Prince Harry will appear.

Directors are looking for actors that bare a strong resemblance to the royals and say no previous acting experience is required.

'We are very experienced in providing a great deal of support for the young actors and their families through what they find is a uniquely rewarding creative process,' the notice read.

Final season: Directors are looking for actors that bare a strong resemblance to the royals -and say no previous acting experience is required. It will likely cover 1998 to 2005 (the brothers are pictured at the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002)

On the lookout: The show recently issued a casting call looking for 'exceptional young actors' to play Prince William and Prince Harry aged 16-21

Timeline: The time period will likely cover William attending University of St Andrew's in Scotland where he met Kate Middleton as well as Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles and the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana

The casting call indicates the series will run until at least 2005, likely starting around 1998 - just a year after Princess Diana's death.

The time period will likely cover William attending University of St Andrew's in Scotland where he met Kate as well as Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles and the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana.

It may also cover Prince Harry's party days, including alleged experiments with cannabis and alcohol, which resulted in Prince Charles taking the then 16-year-old Prince to a rehab centre in a bid to set him straight.

The dates also cover the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebration as well as the royal family's reaction to wider world events including the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Other key events in the time period including Edward's marriage to Sophie Wessex in 1999 and the deaths of Princess Margaret and the Queen mother in 2002.

William and Harry - as well as Kate Middleton and Harry's then girlfriend Chelsy Davy were regulars on the London club scene in the early noughties.

While Netflix's artistic license has been called into question before, creator Peter Morgan has said he feel a 'sense of duty' towards the royal brothers.

Sources close to the creator previously told the Daily Mail he felt a sense of 'responsibility' towards the pair.
Despite the controversy that hung over the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges recent tour of the Caribbean, no one could deny that Kate looked her incredible best.

From her fairytale Jenny Packham gown to a chic white tuxedo by Alexander McQueen, the future queen dazzled throughout the trip.

But it was her choice of a few key vintage pieces that really drew attention, particularly a striped cotton summer dress and a striking red Yves Saint Laurent jacket bought 20 years ago.

With the demand for sustainable fashion at an all-time high, vintage style is cooler  and more accessible  than ever. But which fashion tribe shops where?

From Kate Mosss Ibiza partywear to Sienna Millers red carpet must-haves, here is our guide to the vintage boutiques the stars can no longer keep a secret...

ALEXA CHUNGS FASHION WEEK FAVOURITE

Alexa Chung in a vintage Prada gown at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards

Peekaboo Vintage, London, peekaboovintage.com

In 2000, when Topshop was at its zenith, Peekaboo Vintage became the High Street giants main supplier of vintage clothing. More than 20 years later, the Maida Vale boutiques fanbase includes Alexa Chung, Billie Piper, Fearne Cotton and Jenna Coleman. While Peekaboo was started on a Portobello Market stall by Emily Bothwell and Michael Caunter, you can rent its vintage dresses via By Rotation, from 24. Go to the Peekaboo website to snap up a vintage Levis jacket for 65 or a mohair Vivienne Westwood blazer for 195.

STEAL SIENNAS STYLE

Actress Sienna Miller in a 2007 Armani Prive couture gown for the Oscars

One Of A Kind Archive, London, 1stdibs.com

Actress Sienna Miller looked sensational in a 2007 Armani Prive couture gown for last months Oscars. For those looking to emulate her style, One Of A Kind Archive is the place to know. Nigerian-born Jefferson Ihenacho offers readyto-wear vintage designer pieces from the 1930s to the 2000s.

For true fashionistas, there is the Archive, a private collection of 5,000 vintage garments. Available to view by appointment, the collection has been loaned to museums and stars including Madonna and Lady Gaga.

WHERE KATE GETS HER SECRET GEMS

The Duchess of Cambridge wore an eyecatching 1950s striped cotton summer dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt (369) to visit Trench Town in Jamaica

Willow Hilson Vintage, Cheltenham, willowhilson.com

The Duchess of Cambridge wore two items from this vintage treasure trove on the recent royal tour of the Caribbean. First was an eyecatching 1950s striped cotton summer dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt (369) to visit Trench Town in Jamaica.

The next day, Kate accessorised with a 1960s orange raffia and beaded handbag (229) to meet the Jamaican Prime Minister and his wife.

Specialising in fashion from the 1920s to the 1960s, founder Willow Hilson selects dresses, jackets, bags, jewellery and even lingerie for their design and history. In 2019, she moved from Devon to Cheltenham and opened her current boutique, although customers can also shop online.

Prices range from 59 for a 1950s blue fit-andflare skirt  not dissimilar to the dress Kate wore  to 1,699 for a 1920s satin flapper dress with glass beading.

MODEL GO-TO FOR PARTY FROCKS

Annie Doble and Kate Moss in vintage gowns at the Ibiza boutique

Annies Ibiza, London and Ibiza, anniesibiza.com

Queen of vintage, Kate Moss, once allegedly indulged in a six-hour shopping spree at the Ibiza branch of this boutique, which is bursting with sequins and feathers. Celebrity clients including Paris Hilton and Cara Delevingne are also fans of the vibrant, vintage designer pieces owner Annie Doble finds. Annie was just 25 when she opened the store in 2018, after a stint at Calvin Klein in New York (and her own vintage stall in Londons Spitalfields Market). In November 2020, she opened a London shop, and has partnered with Hurr, My Wardrobe, and By Rotation so customers can also rent pieces. While the store is full of one-off treasures, standout pieces include this 1960s Pucci print skirt (750, below) and 1980s Thierry Mugler teal silk blouse (545, or rent from 55 a day) anniesibiza.com.

MIX AND MATCH LIKE KYLIE

Kylie Minogue in a Found & Vision vintage jacket

Found & Vision, London, foundandvision.com

When model Bella Hadid was in the capital for London Fashion Week in February, she made a beeline for Found & Vision in Portobello Road. Indeed, its a celebrity favourite, with fans including Kylie Minogue and Abbey Clancy, who wore a one-shouldered metallic dress from the store to the 2016 Brit Awards. The boutique was founded by celebrity stylist Karen Clarkson, stylist Oxana Korsun, and tailor Rosie Meres. Even designer Jean Paul Gaultier is said to have fallen in love with a vintage Yves Saint Laurent gown in its window. Customers can find a mixture of designer and unbranded vintage pieces online. Prices start at 95 for a 2000 Kenzo jersey floral print top, and go up to 950 for an Emilio Pucci 1970s red paisley shirt and skirt set.
The scene is familiar and heartwarming. A proud, protective big brother marvels at his newborn sister, whispering to her softly as he strokes her head.

Yet this pair are anything but typical. Three-year-old Nazar and baby Sophie are not actually related, yet they share an extraordinary bond.

It is a bond that has united two families, spanned 2,300 miles and defied the most terrifying war machine the world has seen in generations. And this week, it culminated in a moving reunion.

For little Sophie was carried by Nazars mother Vita Lysenko, a surrogate from Ukraine, who two months ago gave Heather and Mark Easton the miracle baby they had always longed for.

Pictured: Vita, left, and Heather with baby Sophie. Vita Lysenko, a surrogate from Ukraine, gave Heather and Mark Easton the miracle baby they had always longed for

When the two women last saw each other, they thought it could be their final meeting. Using patchy Google Translate, they had promised to keep in touch.

Heather, 32, and HGV driver Mark, 39, were to return to Rugby, Warwickshire, with the child they had spent eight excruciating years and 80,000 to get.

Meanwhile, in Cherkasy, a city more than two hours south of Kyiv, Vita, 35, and her husband Andrii were planning a new start of their own, hoping to buy their own apartment with the money they had carefully saved from surrogacy.

But when Russian troops invaded their country two weeks after Heather and Mark returned to the UK, everything changed.

Vita saved my life and now it was my turn to save her, says Heather. I had to get them out. Finally, after a 17-day journey across Europe by car and ferry, Vita, Andrii and Nazar arrived in the UK on Friday, April1. Despite hardly knowing one another and relying on Google Translate for the most basic of interactions, they all blend together with the ease of one big family.

Vita takes Sophie in her arms without hesitation if Heather needs a break and Andrii, 62, makes faces at the baby like a besotted uncle. Meanwhile, a smiley Nazar races up to Mark and gives him a high-five  the universal language of boyhood.

In a few weeks, the six of them will enjoy their first family holiday with a trip to Center Parcs  somewhere Heather always dreamt of taking a child and Vita would probably never have visited.

No one could argue that this is not a family and, whats more, a happy and united one. Heather and Mark met when she was 19 and he was 26, and married in September 2014. When babies didnt arrive, they went for tests, which revealed that he had a very low sperm count.

Pictured: Vita and her son Nazar. Vita, 35, and her husband Andrii were planning a new start of their own, hoping to buy their own apartment with the money they had saved from surrogacy

They were referred for IVF, which revealed yet more heartbreaking news: Heather had a low ovarian reserve and would be in menopause by the age of 38.

The couple endured five rounds of IVF at four different clinics, including two rounds with donor eggs, but Heather didnt get pregnant. Worse still, she learnt that she was riddled with endometriosis.

We joked that I was like Swiss cheese because I had so many holes from the hundreds of injections. I had all the scars but no baby to show for it, Heather says softly.

Her job as a nanny, while a welcome distraction, crystallised the void in their life. Every Friday night Id go home to Mark, leaving the family I worked for looking forward to a weekend with their children... wishing that was me.

The couple looked into adoption but were put off by the red tape and cold attitude from social workers. Finally, at the start of 2021, Heather made the difficult decision to have a hysterectomy to ease the chronic pain from her endometriosis, but on one condition  that they found a surrogate.

She messaged me at 1am to say: Vita, the war is starting

Although surrogacy is legal in the UK, no money except reasonable expenses is allowed to change hands. Ukraine, though, is one of the few places in the world where commercial surrogacy is still allowed. Before the war, about 2,000 surrogate babies were thought to be born there each year.

There are many agencies cashing in on the booming baby business  some good, some bad; some exploitative and morally questionable, yet all offering poor Ukrainian women a life-changing amount of money. A woman prepared to carry a baby for a foreign couple is paid over 10,000  more than twice the average annual salary.

One of them was Vita, a hairdresser, and Andrii, a tiler. Living in rented accommodation with Vitas 15-yearold son from her first marriage and a baby boy of their own, they dreamt of buying a home.

But with limited earnings, they just didnt know how.

Andrii came home one day and asked me what is surrogacy?, Vita says. He said he saw an advert on the bus, so we Googled it. At first we couldnt understand how people did it. Then I thought about it. We didnt want any more children and Andrii would never make the money we needed to buy a flat so quickly, so we decided to do it.

Pictured: Heather and Mark with baby Sophie. Heather and Mark flew out to Ukraine with a suitcase full of toys for Nazar in December 2021

Vita approached the surrogacy agency Adonis in 2018 and 18 months later, in January 2020, she gave birth to twins for a Chinese couple, for which she received 14,000.

Even though it had been a difficult pregnancy, a year later, with the dream of their own home inching closer, she put herself forward again Meanwhile, Heather had been lurking in the background of Facebook pages for surrogacy in Ukraine for more than a year, wrestling with her conscience. Eventually, she signed up with the agency and paid 38,000 from their savings.

She picked Vita from a list of potential surrogates after reading that she had done it before and knew what she was letting herself in for, she says.

Then the process began: Mark paid 1,000 for a frozen sperm sample to be shipped to Ukraine and a fertilised embryo was implanted in Vitas womb. Now they just had to wait.

While most agencies forbid surrogates and the biological parents from communicating, Heather began messaging Vita from the outset.

Even before she was pregnant, I knew it was going to work. In all the other rounds we did, I knew deep down that I didnt think I was capable of carrying a baby, she says.

This pregnancy was different for Vita, too. Mark and Heather were continually checking she was OK, and she updated them with pictures and videos of her growing bump. Two months before the birth, she moved to Kyiv.

Heather and Mark flew out to Ukraine with a suitcase full of toys for Nazar in December 2021. They would spend evenings eating cake with Vita and her family and would accompany her to hospital appointments.

But as Vitas due date approached, reports of a looming Russian invasion started to dominate the headlines. Vita, Andrii and all the hospital staff shrugged it off: for them, war drums had been beating in the background for years. But Heather and Mark were terrified they would be trapped in Ukraine  or worse.

Sophie was born by Caesarean section, with Heather and Mark watching through a small window, on January 27. The couple were left to have skin on skin contact with the baby while Vita was taken to recovery.

When I looked at her, she looked so much like Mark. She was family, says Heather. I thought I was going to cry but I didnt, I was too excited.

Then, once they had established that Vita was OK  and with Putins forces massing on the borders  the race out of Ukraine began.

Normally, it can take up to five months for couples to resolve the immigration issues to fly home with a baby born via a surrogate.

Although they are seen as the childs legal parents from birth, they need to get a British passport for their newborn. Then, when they get to the UK, they must apply for a parental order. I was sending 30 emails a day, says Heather.

They urged Vita and Andrii to flee with them but the couple were reluctant. Like many of their countrymen, they still couldnt believe that a full-on invasion would happen.

In the end, Heather and Mark managed to get the documents they needed in a record 13 days and arrived home on February 9. Fifteen days later, the invasion of Ukraine was under way. Vita remembers that day. Heather messaged me at 1am, saying, Vita, the war is starting. She wanted us to drop everything and leave. I explained that we had to at least move some of our belongings but she said just leave them. She was very scared for us.

In the UK, Heather had found the family a sponsor who offered Vita and her family a flat just down the road from her in Rugby

We were in constant contact via the app Viber, Heather says. Vita spoke of sirens going off and moving in and out of bunkers. I imagined how awful it must have been  her son is only three and shed just had a Caesarean.

I just begged: Please leave. I promise, Ill get you here. Trust me. And eventually she said, OK, we will come.

Vita and Andrii bought a car for 4,000, then began packing up their lives and saying goodbye to friends, not knowing if they would see them again.

Vitas elder son Ruslan, 15, didnt want to leave his friends, so she made the painful decision to leave him with her parents for the time being. I was scared of the journey, says Vita. Would we make it? Where would we stay? I wanted to get out as quickly as possible. We assumed there would be bombs falling around us.

They left with Nazar and their pug dog, Musy, and began the 17- day journey across the Continent, spending the first night on a mattress on a church floor outside Lviv. From there, it was six days driving through Poland, Germany and Belgium, using Google Maps and staying at hotels Heather booked for them along the way.

In the UK, Heather had found the family a sponsor who offered them a flat just down the road from her in Rugby. She spent hours on the phone, chasing their visa applications and lobbying her local MP for help.

But almost two weeks later, only Vitas visa had arrived, and the family drove to the main visa office in Paris. Then Mark decided to fly out to help them complete the last leg of the journey.

They reached the UK on April 1. It was so weird to see their car on our drive, Heather says. We took them to their house and they loved it. Id put photos of them on the wall  they were really touched.

The maternity hospital where she was born has been shelled

Mark adds: Andrii looked emotional. I just hugged him and said, Youre here now, home. You dont need to travel any more. 

They have since found out that the maternity hospital where Vita gave birth to Sophie was shelled.

The bond between the families is so strong, Vita has asked Heather and Mark to be Nazars godparents. Heather says: They just feel like family to us. Were all very comfortable sitting around each other, whether theres silence or not. Sometimes I forget she was my surrogate because shes more like a friend. I dont feel threatened by the fact that she had Sophie. If I ever owed her a debt for having Sophie, its settled.

Vita doesnt want to be a surrogate again. She would like to train as a beautician and Andrii hopes to pick up some building work.

She is in constant contact with her eldest son, who is still with her parents in Cherkasy. For now, the city is safe and he will think about following them to the UK when they are settled.

Eventually, the family would like to return to Ukraine and buy their own flat, as they dreamt of.

It was a complete accident that we met Heather and Mark, and thanks to that we are now safe in England, Vita says, smiling.

Heather returns the smile: Youre my friend, she tells her. Heather says she plans to be completely honest with Sophie about her birth and is grateful that Vita will be in her life.

And one day, between them, they will tell her the extraordinary story of how she came to be.
The words gun and face in the same sentence dont inspire feelings of calm and relaxation  but the ominous-looking one Im holding to my cheek is actually a facial massager that claims to treat everything from stress to acne, fine lines and migraine.

It is the latest device from the makers of the Theragun, which delivers percussive massage to aid recovery after exercise. Its essentially a powerful piston that pummels your bodys muscles, in the equivalent of a rapid deep-tissue massage.

Launched in 2016, the Theragun became highly popular and inspired countless imitations. It was when the manufacturer discovered some aficionados had been trying to use the powerful device on their faces (not recommended) that they decided to make a safe facial version.

Massage guns can cause injury if used incorrectly  so one for the face needs to be incredibly finely tuned. The result is the TheraFace Pro, which was launched this week.

Libby Galvin (pictured) tests the new TheraFace Pro skincare device from the makers of the Theragun

But can it ever be a good idea to use a massage gun on such delicate skin?

This increased blood flow delivers extra oxygen to facial tissue to rejuvenate and, so the theory goes, sweep away damage.

And rather than just massaging the 42 muscles of the face to release tension and treat pain, Therabody has created a four-in- one tool that also uses microcurrent to lift, and LED (Lightemitting diode) to address fine lines, promote healing and treat acne. It can also be used as a cleansing brush and, for 79 on top of the 375 price, can deliver cryothermal (hot and cold temperature) therapy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the device for use in wrinkle reduction and pain relief.

As someone who tends to think beauty gadgets are too much of a chore for too little result, can this multitasker change my ways  and my face? Function by function, I give the gun a shot...

A PRIME PUMMELLING

I start with the main event, the TheraFace Pros percussive therapy, delivered using a choice of three heads and three different frequencies. Where the Theragun reaches a muscle depth of 16mm, the TheraFace works at just 3mm. No risk of feeling bruised, then.

I try the general use flat head first, which promises to relax my face. Its really easy to pop the magnetised heads on and off.

As for the massage? I pass the gun across my cheekbones, jaw and forehead, concentrating on the area of tension between my eyebrows, where a frown line is developing. This feels pleasant  apart from a tickling sensation that reaches my inner ears when the flat head vibrates against my jaw  but not life-changing.

The UK-based writer says that the device cleared a breakout on her jaw and her skin is plumped

When I switch to the pointed cone attachment that provides more precise treatment for around the eyes, smile lines and pressure points, this does make a difference. Five minutes releases tension in my jaw I didnt know I had and Im sure it leaves my eyebrows lifted. It feels like the frown line has been erased, too  yet my reflection says otherwise.

Finally, I try the micro-point head, which claims to maximise circulation. A few minutes later, I have a gentle flush of warm pink across my usually pallid cheeks.

Massage is a super way of encouraging lymphatic drainage, says facialist Corinna Tolan. The lymphatic system will benefit greatly from massage to reduce puffiness and swelling.

Massage also encourages blood flow to the skins outer layers, providing cells with nutrients and oxygen. It often has better results than an expensive oxygen facial.

A NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT?

Next up, the micro-current tool.Its claimed this can tackle signs of ageing, sharpen facial contours, and brighten the complexion.

The attachment consists of two silver ball-shaped prongs. First I must apply a conductive gel to my face in a thick, mask-like layer. I then whack the current up high and pass the device over my face in smooth, slow sweeps.

A breakout on my jaw has cleared and skin is plumped

Even on the highest setting I only feel the slightest pinpricks of heat. But that doesnt mean its not working  once Ive washed off the gel, my face looks a little fresher but that could just be the splash of cold tap water.

As someone with a pretty pared-down beauty regime, who likes instant results, I dont think Ill be adding this function to my routine. I cant comment on whether its any better than other microcurrent devices, but Ive tried a more powerful in-clinic treatment known as EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) where you can feel the current moving your facial muscles.

Id rather do that once a month than this each day.

DEEP CLEAN TO BOOST CIRCULATION

If youve ever tried an electronic facial cleansing brush such as the Clarisonic or Foreo Luna, youll be familiar with the concept: a vibrating brush that removes dirt, oil and dead skin more effectively than a flannel. TheraFaces silicone brushhead combines all that with percussive therapy.

I find cleansing brushes too much for daily use, yet I liked that I could cleanse and enjoy the benefits of percussive therapy at the same time. I do like a multi-tasker. That said, cleansing brushes are not for everyone. Facialist Corinna Tolan thinks theyre too aggressive: Skin is not designed to be sanded down or cleaned with a brush.

Keep cleansing brushes for your bathroom tiles. If you are a fan, however, the Clarisonic costs 119 and this is a worthy replacement, considering all its additional functions.

LIGHT THERAPY FOR CLEAR SKIN

The benefits to skin of light therapy are well known. LED treatment was first used by Nasa, explains Corinna Tolan.

Red lights are known to work on the fibroblasts [cells] within the skin  essential for the production of collagen. Blue light can help reduce [oil-producing] sebaceous-gland activity.

I've used several light treatments, such as Dermalux in a clinic to treat acne, and an athome device at a lower strength.

Im a big fan and believe the treatment really works  and on first inspection, so does the TheraFace attachment. After using it for ten minutes each day for a short time, a small breakout on my jawline has cleared up, and my skin feels plump and smooth.

In conclusion, Libby says that the TheraFace PRO may have earned a permanent space on her dressing table

With most at-home LED devices costing 300 and often much more, this function is a bonus.

HOT AND COLD MASSAGE

The hot and cold treatment heads can be bought separately for an additional 79. So are they worth paying extra for?

The experts seem to think so. Cryotherapy or low temperatures can be hugely beneficial for the skin, says Corinna Tolan.

In an effort to stay warm when exposed to low temperatures, the blood vessels will shrink and pull away from the skins surface, reducing the appearance of dark circles and redness.

The two heads heat or chill in seconds, theres no mess, and the temperatures (a low of 18c, up to a high of 43c) are not too extreme for the skin.

Applying my face oil with the warm head before bed was relaxing and applying the cryotherapy to my dark circles in the morning, refreshing.

In conclusion? I think that the TheraFace may well have earned a permanent spot on my dressing table.
Barack Obama has hinted that he got his daughters Malia and Sasha to spend time with him while they were in college by bribing them with lavish trips to Hawaii.

The former President of the United States, 60, seemingly opened up about the way that he used glamorous vacations to see his daughters, while chatting with Today host Al Roker on Wednesday.

As Roker, 67, prepares for his youngest child - son Nicholas, 19, who has special needs - to head off to college, he spoke to Obama about what it was like for the former President to see his own kids go to school - and the hilarious way that he got them to visit him.

Obama previously said it felt like 'open-heart surgery' when he dropped his oldest daughter Malia, 23 - who graduated from Harvard University in 2021 - off at school for the first time. Sasha, 20, is currently attending the University of Michigan.

Barack Obama has hinted that he got his daughters Malia and Sasha to spend time with him while they were in college by bribing them with lavish trips to Hawaii

The former President, 60, seemingly opened up about the way that he used glamorous vacations to see his daughters, while chatting with Today host Al Roker on Wednesday

Were taking a look at @alrokers exclusive interview with President Obama where they discuss his new nature series, being an empty nester and more! pic.twitter.com/xwkQUNEjYE  TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 13, 2022

As Roker, 67, prepares for his youngest child - Nicholas, 19 - to head off to college, he spoke to Obama about what it was like for the former President to see his own kids go to school

Obama said it felt like 'open-heart surgery' when he dropped Malia (pictured at Harvard in 2017), 23 - who graduated in 2021 - off at school for the first time

'Well, first tip is - you are going to weep copiously when you drop Nick off at college,' Obama told Roker.

'But you cant let him see you cry, so you drop him off and then you quickly leave, and then you cry in the car.'

While giving Roker his second piece of advice, Obama hinted that when he missed his daughters, he would invite them on luxurious getaways just so he could see them.

'Tip number two is, you try to bribe them with, like, nice trips,' he continued. '"Hey, were going to Hawaii, you guys want to come?" so that they show up.'

Obama - who was born in Hawaii - and his family have been spotted in the Aloha state numerous times over the years.

Most recently, they were seen soaking up the Hawaiian sun together in December.

Photographers caught Obama and his two daughters enjoying the Pacific ocean around Christmastime; the politician was seen going for a dip as Sasha and Malia participated in paddle boarding.

His wife, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, was not seen in the photos so it's unclear if she was there with them.

While chatting with Roker, Obama added some words of wisdom that his wife has given him.

'Michelle always said, and shes absolutely right about this, our job as parents is to teach our kids not to need us,' he said.

Obama hinted that when he missed his daughters, he would invite them on luxurious getaways just so he could see them. Malia (left) and Sasha (right) are pictured in Hawaii in December

Obama - who was born in Hawaii - and his family have been spotted in the Aloha state numerous times over the years; most recently, they visited in December (pictured)

When asked if he had any advice for Roker he said: 'Try to bribe them with, like, nice trips. "Hey, were going to Hawaii, you guys want to come?"' The family is pictured in 2022

Obama also warned Roker not to let his son see him cry - telling him to fight the urge to 'weep copiously' until he gets into the privacy of his car. Malia is pictured at Harvard in 2017

'And it hurts, but when you see them as accomplished, confident, kind, thoughtful, responsible people, then you know youve done your job.'

Back in 2019, Michelle spoke out about having to hold back her 'tears' when saying goodbye to Sasha after dropping her off at college in 2019.

'There were [tears],' she admitted. 'We were really good about it. You know, we didn't want to embarrass her because she had roommates.

'But then all four of us went to lunch, and it was at the end, after lunch, when we said that final goodbye, when we got into a car, me, Barack, and Malia, who was there with us.

'And then Sasha drove off on her own and said that last goodbye, that's when we were like [crying noise]."
Microsoft has been receiving feedback on the Windows 11 taskbar. Apparently, according to the Microsoft team, there were not enough user votes to alter the product.

Windows 11 removed the ability for its users to freely move the taskbar to the sides or the top of the screen, as they could in previous Windows versions of the operating system. A controversial change that Microsoft has introduced with the new operating system.

Microsoft's Windows 11 Taskbar

The Microsoft Team went on live for an AMA (ask me anything) on YouTube last week. During the AMA, the Windows development team answered questions regarding the operating system.

The new, centered Start Menu and the reduced functionality of the Windows taskbar have become one of the most talked about changes in Windows 11. both of which were widely criticized.

Previous versions of Windows allowed users to move the taskbar around so that it was pinned to the top, sides, and bottom of the screen, and the Start Menu was always left-aligned on the taskbar.

On the other hand, with Microsoft's Windows 11, the company removed the ability to relocate the taskbar.

However, when asked about the possibility of resurrecting the feature, Microsoft Head of Product Tali Roth responded that it is not currently a top priority due to the small number of users who have requested it.

According to Bleeping Computer, Tali Roth, Microsoft's Head of Product, stated that:

"When it comes to something like actually being able to move the taskbar to different locations on the screen, there's a number of challenges with that. When you think about having the taskbar on the right or the left, all of a sudden the reflow and the work that all of the apps have to do to be able to understand the environment is just huge.

And when you look at the data, while we know there is a set of people that love it that way and, like, really appreciate it, we also recognize that this set of users is really small compared to the set of other folks that are asking for other features. So at the moment we are continuing to focus on things that I hear more pain around."

However, bringing back the flexibility of the taskbar is one of the most requested features by the Windows 11 user base. The Microsoft Feedback Hub has received over 17,500 votes.

Read Also: Russian Hackers Sandworm Fails in Attempt To Damage Ukraine's Energy Provider

Changes to Microsoft Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows 11 has undergone huge changes, aside from moving the iconic Start menu to the center of the screen along with the Taskbar.

One of the most noticeable changes to the software is the way it looks and behaves on the screen. Windows 11 introduces a completely redesigned interface that is more similar to a Mac. It has a simple design with rounded corners and soft pastel colors to go with it, making it look good.

Another design and interface change that is highly noticeable is the desktop support.

According to CNET, Windows 11 will allow users to set up virtual desktops in a manner similar to that of Mac computers. It lets people switch between different desktops at the same time for personal, work, school, or gaming reasons.

In addition, another change that can be observed is a smoother transition from the monitor to the laptop when using the device.

Snap Groups and Snap Layouts are two new features in the new operating system. It is a collection of the apps that the user is currently using that sit in the taskbar and can be brought up or minimized at the same time to make switching between tasks more convenient.

Related Article: Try the Improved Microsoft Edge: New Sleeping Tabs Tweaks Actually Boost Performance
Sarma Melngailis has taken aim at journalist Allen Salkin, claiming he used her for financial gain after it was announced his 2016 Vanity Fair article about her and her scammer ex-husband, Anthony Strangis, is being adapted into a drama series.

In the piece, titled 'The Runaway Vegan,' he chronicled how the Pure Food and Wine owner went from the 'Queen of Vegan Cuisine' to a fugitive after marrying Strangis, whom she claimed manipulated her into swindling nearly $2 million from investors and stiffing unpaid employees before going on the run with him.

On Tuesday, Deadline reported that 'Pure'  a one-hour drama based on Salkin's article  is in development at Peacock and being billed as a 'tragic, twisted love story.'

The upcoming series follows the success of director Chris Smith's Netflix documentary 'Bad Vegan: Fame, Fraud, Fugitives,' which was not based on the article but featured appearances from both Melngailis and Salkin.

Salkin celebrated the new show on Instagram, writing: 'Talented people are bringing their all to this terrific project.' Melngailis, who has already slammed Smith over her portrayal in 'Bad Vegan,' responded with a series of nauseated and vomiting face emojis.

Sarma Melngailis, 49, (left) slammed journalist Allen Salkin on Instagram after it was announced his 2016 Vanity Fair article about her is being adapted into a drama series

Salkin celebrated the new Peacock show, called 'Pure,' in an Instagram post, which led Melngailis to leave a series of nauseated and vomiting face emojis in the comments

The former chef, 49, shared a screenshot of his post and her comment on her own Instagram page, saying it was from her and her beloved dog, Leon, whom Strangis allegedly promised to make immortal.

In her own post, the former vegan chef claimed Salking had kept her close 'to be a source' and asked how much he was being paid for the show

'Leon and I commented on @allensalkins gleeful post about this terrific new project. He was the one awkwardly in a suit in #badvegan. Hes kept me close *to be a source* all this time. As if concerned,' she wrote.

'How much are you being paid @allensalkin? How does it feel? Maybe *you* answer some questions. And who are those people cheering you on in your comments on this post on *your* page?'

Melngailis has claimed that the only payment she received for her participation in 'Bad Vegan' went directly to her former employees, insisting she did not personally profit.

'I have not benefited otherwise. I will, one way or another, crawl out from the rest of the debt despite Mr Fox getting away clean-slate and the rest of you making bank off of all this,' she wrote in her latest post, referring to Strangis as Mr. Fox, one of his various aliases.

She compared the new show to 'selling splashy photos of a car crash to tabloids while the victims are on crutches and saddled with medical bills,' saying she can't move on 'when news like this pops up.'

Melngailis claimed her ex-husband, Anthony Strangis (right), manipulated her into swindling nearly $2 million from investors and stiffing unpaid employees before going on the run

Melngailis co-founded her restaurant Pure Food and Wine with her then-boyfriend, chef Matthew Kenney (second from left), in 2004, attracting a number of A-list fans, including Woody Harrelson (far left) and Jason Lewis (far right)

The New York restaurant was a night life hotspot that was beloved for its raw food vegan recipes

'Ill keep getting up and speaking up not for me but for all the (mostly) women writing to me about their similar awful stories of pain, shame, and blame, still not recovered, and without the opportunities Im lucky enough to have to speak out and find a way to turn this all into something useful,' she continued.

'Despite you doing this now. And despite him and all of the toxic perpetrators out there who seem to always get away. Blissfully without conscience. 'I havent had coffee yet or walked Leon [because] Im writing this stupid post. But I needed to. Onward.'

Salkin has since updated his caption to remove the word 'terrific' and include a link to resources on coercive control, which Melngailis claimed she suffered at the hands of Strangis.

In his 2016 article, he defined coercive control as 'a form of domestic violence that can manifest as a cult of one, with a spouse as [a] brainwashed follower.'

When a commenter asked Salkin if Melngailis would be paid for the Peacock show, he explained it wasn't up to him.

Melngailis said she was lonely when she connected with Strangis on Twitter in 2011 and naively trusted him because of his interactions with Alec Baldwin, wrongly assuming they were friends

Melngailis married Strangis in December 2012, but the mysterious circumstances surrounding their marriage have led to speculation there might have been some blackmail involved

She claimed Strangis conned her into funneling her restaurant's funds to him by promising to expand her food empire and also make her beloved dog, Leon (pictured), immortal

'Thats up to the producers and potentially Sarma, however I really hope Sarma publishes her promised book and says everything she wants how she wants,' he responded.

Melngailis wrote in a recent blog post that she is working on a book that 'will give the full and accurate picture of what happened' between her and her ex-husband.

In another Instagram post from March 28, she accused Netflix of 'mocking' the alleged psychological abuse she suffered and making her look like a 'glamorized villain' in 'Bad Vegan.'

'There are more important things going on in the world than the misrepresentation of *my* story, but I'll continue to speak out in objection to the mocking of psychological abuse by Netflix and the misportrayal of these kinds of stories in general,' she wrote.

She shared side-by-side photos of herself looking beguiling while eating a salad on a 'Bad Vegan' billboard and her crying with black mascara running down her face, admitting the images are 'fresh raw meat for those who say Im "playing the victim."'

In Salkin's Vanity Fair article, a source close to the former restaurateur claimed that Strangis resorted to cult-like techniques such as gaslighting, sleep deprivation, and sexual humiliation to control her

Strangis allegedly convinced her that if she did not pass certain tests to prove her loyalty, such as performing oral sex while blindfolded, forces controlled by his brother would come for her

Trouble began at the restaurant at the start of 2015 when 60 staff members said they weren't being paid and subsequently staged multiple walkouts and protests

'Me looking like a glamorized villain eating a cash salad is not me,' she insisted. 'It may help Netflix sensationalize the story, but at my expense, and at the expense of a greater understanding of the larger issues, including #coercivecontrol #narcissisticabuse #cultmindcontrol and more.

'I will make my story honest and useful, even if Netflix and Chris Smith did not,' she added, ending her post with the hashtag #igotout.

Melngailis also shared a link in her bio to a blog post she wrote railing against the controversial ending of the Netflix docuseries, claiming it was 'staged.'

The final episode concluded with her and Strangis laughing and joking during a phone call that was said to be recorded in 2019 after they both got out of prison.

'There is controversy over the ending of Bad Vegan. Ive written something to address that. Its long. I need to shorten it, and I havent had time,' she wrote.

In 2015, Melngailis and Strangis disappeared and spent a year on the run. After her arrest, she pled guilty to stealing from an investor, scheming to defraud, and criminal tax fraud charges

Melngailis was sentenced to four months in New York's notorious Rikers prison. As part of her punishment, she was also ordered to repay $1.5million in restitution payments.

Melngaili's rise and fall was chronicled in the recent Netflix docuseries 'Bad Vegan: Fame, Fraud, Fugitives,' which featured both her and Salkin

'The main point is that the call at the end was a staged call, recorded for the documentary, a small slice of which was misused to represent something thats the opposite of true.'

Melngailis co-founded Pure Food and Wine with her then-boyfriend, chef Matthew Kenney, in 2004, attracting a number of A-list fans, including Alec Baldwin, Chelsea Clinton, Tom Brady, Owen Wilson, and Woody Harrelson.

After her personal and professional split from Kenney, she took control of the entire company and its $2 million debt with the help of investor Jeffrey Chodorow.

She also opened One Lucky Duck, a vegan juice bar and takeaway, next door to her raw food restaurant and published two vegan cookbooks.

Melngailis said she was lonely when she connected with Strangis on Twitter in 2011 and naively trusted him because of his interactions with Baldwin, wrongly assuming they were friends.

Melngailis recently slammed Netflix on Instagram, claiming the streaming site made her look like a 'glamorized villain' to 'sensationalize' her story in 'Bad Vegan'

The former chef also accusing 'Bad Vegan' director Chris Smith of 'mocking' her scammer ex's alleged 'psychological abuse'

She married Strangis in December 2012, but the mysterious circumstances surrounding their marriage have led to speculation that there might have been some blackmail involved.

How Sarma Melngailis went from 'plant food Queen' to 'Vegan Bernie Madoff' 2004: Sarma Melngailis opens Pure Food and Wine in New York 2005: She opens One Lucky Duck, a juice and takeaway next to the restaurant 2011: Melngailis meets Anthony Strangis on Twitter December 2012: Melngailis and Strangis and get married in New York 2013: She brings Strangis in as a manager at her restauration business. January 2015: Pure Food and Wine and One Lucky Duck staff walk out en-masse due to Melngailis's failure to pay employees for a month Melngailis tells her staff the delay in payments is due to changing banks February 2015: Melngailis claims in an interview the delay in wages were actually caused by the restaurant's debts and the cost of ingredients May 2015: Newspapers report the restaurateur has vanished with nearly $2 million July 2015: Staff walk out of the restaurant again, and it is permanently closed May 2016: Melngailis and Strangis are arrested in Sevierville, Tennessee November 2016: Melgngailis claims she was under the control of Strangis May 2017: Melngailis pleads guilty to stealing more than $200,000 from an investor and scheming to defraud, as well as criminal tax fraud charges June 2017: Former restaurateur is jailed for four months May 2018: She files for divorce from Strangis March 2022: 'Bad Vegan: Fame, Fraud, Fugitives' is released on Netflix April 2022: Peacock announces new drama series based on Allen Salkin's 2016 Vanity Fair article about about Melngailis and Strangis titled 'Pure' Advertisement

The relationship surprised many, with even Strangis' own stepmother wondering what the successful, attractive businesswoman saw in her son, who was overweight and an alleged gambling addict.

Melngailis brought him on board as a manager at her restaurant in 2013.

She claimed that Strangis conned her into funneling her restaurant's funds to him by promising to expand her food empire and also make her pit bull rescue, Leon, immortal.

Melngailis said Strangis would warn her that if she did not pass certain tests to prove her loyalty, such as giving him money or performing oral sex while blindfolded, forces controlled by his brother would 'gut' him and come for her.

Strangis had gained weight since they met and dealing with his obesity was allegedly also another test.

In Salkin's Vanity Fair article, a source close to the former restaurateur claimed that Strangis resorted to cult-like techniques such as gaslighting, sleep deprivation, and sexual humiliation to control her.

The same source added that he convinced Melngailis her computer had been hacked in order to get her passwords for all her devices, including e-mails, phone, and bank accounts.

Strangis refuted the claims through his lawyer at the time.

From January 2014 to January 2015, Melngailis transferred more than $1.6 million from the business accounts to her personal bank account.

Trouble began at the restaurant at the start of 2015 when 60 staff members said they weren't being paid and subsequently staged multiple walkouts and protests.

In May 2015, she and Strangis disappeared with the money and the restaurant closed permanently in July of that year.

They were caught by authorities on May 12, 2016, after Strangis used his real name to order a non-vegan cheese pizza and buffalo wings from Dominos to their hotel room in Sevierville, Tennessee.

In May 2017, Melngailis pleaded guilty to stealing more than $200,000 from an investor and scheming to defraud, as well as criminal tax fraud charges.

She was sentenced to four months in New York's notorious Rikers prison.

As part of her punishment, she was also ordered to repay $1.5 million in restitution payments.

Strangis pleaded guilty to four counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree. He was sentenced to one year in jail and five years probation and had to repay $840,000 to investors

He walked free having already spent a year behind bars at Rikers.
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An enormous Los Angeles mansion with a 12-car, 2,000-square-foot garage, an at-home movie theater, and a bar has gone up for sale for a staggering $21.9 million - and the new owner will be neighbors with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Beverly Hills - Angelo Drive - the three-story modern home contains five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in total.

The sleek interiors are covered with herringbone wooden floors, stone walls, and high ceilings.

The 9,797-square-foot house - which was completed in 2021 - comes complete with numerous living areas, a 10-person dining room, and a spacious kitchen - which contains dual sinks, many cabinets for optimal storage space, marble counters, an eight-burner stove, two ovens, a sprawling fridge and freezer, an island, and its own breakfast nook.

An enormous Los Angeles mansion with a 12-car, 2,000-square-foot garage, an at-home movie theater, and a bar has gone up for sale for a staggering $21.9 million - and the new owner will be neighbors with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos

Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Beverly Hills - Angelo Drive - the three-story modern home contains five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in total

The property comes with an all-white, marble garage that stretches across thousands of feet

The 12-car garage also serves as a guest house - coming complete with its own bedroom and bathroom

The sleek interiors are covered with herringbone wooden floors, stone walls, and high ceilings

The house comes complete with numerous living areas and a 10-person dining room

The spacious kitchen contains dual sinks, many cabinets for optimal storage space, marble counters, an eight-burner stove, two ovens, and sprawling fridge and freezer

It also has a huge island in the middle and its own breakfast nook

In the basement, there is a movie theater, a built-in bar, and a lounge

A large winding staircase takes you from the top floor to the the basement, where there is a movie theater, a built-in bar and lounge, and an office. The house also has its own glass-enclosed atrium.

'The three-story home is anchored by a masterfully-crafted wooden architectural staircase winding against a glass-enclosed atrium,' the listing reads.

The master bedroom has dual walk-in closets, while the master spa-like bathroom comes with a large, stone soaking tub.

The upstairs loft can also serve as a lounge and has its own private balcony - 'perfect for an additional media room or a play area alike,' according to the listing.

'The five-bedroom, seven-bath home offers lavish living through elegant proportions,' it states.

The luxurious master bedroom has dual walk-in closets

The master spa-like bathroom comes with a large, stone soaking tub

The upstairs loft can also serve as a lounge and has its own private balcony - 'perfect for an additional media room or a play area alike,' the listing states

The house also has an office and its own glass-enclosed atrium

A large winding staircase takes you from the top floor to the the basement

Floor-to-ceiling windows give stunning views of the landscape and allow the California sun to flood in

Floor-to-ceiling windows give stunning views of the landscape, while a glass sliding door leads to what the listing describes as 'an exterior oasis' - a private terrace, outdoor kitchen and dining area, and pool.

A small yard is hidden from the outside world by tall hedges - providing 'the quintessential sophistication of Southern California living,' the listing says - however, there is only a little over 1,000-square-feet of space outside.

Freshly-matured olive trees line the front of the property.

Elsewhere on the property is an all-white, marble garage that stretches across thousands of feet. It also serves as a guest house - coming complete with its own bedroom and bathroom.

'This home was built for those aspiring for an architectural masterpiece, a well-appointed location, and a home of both live-able comfort and sophisticated design,' the listing adds.

The house was designed by Gabbay Architects - two brothers who teamed up to form the Beverly Hills-based design firm that 'creates inspiring human-centric spaces for the worlds most discerning clients,' according to its website.

'This home was built for those aspiring for an architectural masterpiece, a well-appointed location, and a home of both live-able comfort and sophisticated design,' the listing reads

A glass sliding door leads to what the listing describes as 'an exterior oasis'

Outside, there is a private terrace, outdoor kitchen and dining area, and pool, as well as many lounge chairs to enjoy the tranquility

A small yard is hidden from the outside world by tall hedges - providing 'the quintessential sophistication of Southern California living'

The future owner of the property will count Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos as their neighbor

Gabbay Architects have built houses across America, England, Iran, Ghana, Mexico, and India, and besides residences, the duo has also worked on hotels, complexes, and universities.

Records indicate that the property was purchased in 2015. Gabbay Architects then requested a permit to construct a new, two-story single-family residence one year later - suggesting that they knocked down the home that was originally there to build this one.

Bezos bought the neighboring compound - known as the Warner estate - in February 2020 for $165 million. At the time, the sale made history as the most expensive home sale in California.

The businessman purchased the opulent 13,600-square-foot Georgian-style mansion - which sits on nine acres of land - from media mogul David Geffen.

He also obtained another nearby estate for $10 million during an off-market deal in July 2020, and it's unclear how much he paid for it.
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With its bustling market town, charming villages and bucolic scenes, it takes you on a journey into the half-forgotten age of the horse and steam engine.

Welcome to the imaginary landscape of Amberdale and the railway and rivers which run through it. Set in the 1890s, retired engineer Philip Harvey has finally finished creating it  63 years after he began.

He started making it in 1959, squeezed into the caravan he lived in while working as a site engineer. In 1966, after marrying Caroline and moving into a house, he was 'allowed to put the model in a room of its own', he said.

'Then, 25 years ago, we moved into our current house and converted the garage into a room for it. I'm lucky as I don't have to put it away every time I've finished with it.'

The 27ft long model curves around the 14ft by 10ft room in their North Yorkshire home.

Ambleden, the market town, is at the end of the railway line. From there, the line crosses a canal and then a viaduct, before running into the village of Broad Hambury, with its pub, the White Swan, church, forge, village shop and thatched cottages.

The railway then winds through the countryside, skirts a colliery and enters Wenly, an industrial town of mills, trams and terraced houses. All the locations are imaginary.

A lifetime's work: Philip, 83, makes adjustments to the project he has been working on lovingly for 63 years

Shortest straw: It's harvest time in Amberdale for figures the size of a thumbnail

How choo you do that? Philip uses photo tricks to add steam to his book's photos

Step up in the world: Proud owner takes in the view from her riverside cottage

That's handy: Philip places a horse and carriage at Broad Hambury station

The model is built to a scale of 4mm to 1ft, making 'a man about as high as your thumb nail is long', says 83-year-old Mr Harvey, who went on in his career to be responsible for the modernisation of Tower Bridge and the manufacture and installation of the floodgates on the Thames Barrier.

In a book he has authored about the model, Mr Harvey writes: 'Amberdale is inspired by my affectionate memories of the railways I once knew and loved and is convincing enough to me to conjure up a little of the atmosphere, wonder and excitement I was lucky enough to enjoy all those years ago.'

He grew up in Devon and has fond memories of 'riding to school in a trap, the horse walking, never trotting, through the streets of Ottery St Mary,' and of the train journeys he made in his youth.

Where there's a mill: Cabs at the railway station in the industrial town of Wenly

New heights: The Amber Arrow steams across Hambury viaduct

Ready for my clothes-up: It's wash day in Wenly

Pit special: Philip created more steam for Kingslake Colliery

Is Queen Victoria planning a trip to Amberdale? Gwen's village shop has all the latest news

'Long, sunny, summer holiday days with bikes, shorts and sandwiches, beside and in the river, looking up as the trains passed by,' he also recalls in his book, Amberdale And The Railway Which Runs Through It. 'We put pennies on the line but were chased off by the nearby crossing keeper.'

When he began the project, he decided to set Amberdale in the 1890s, 'before the motor car changed everything'. With the help of his wife, a retired floristry teacher, he carefully researched the period from books and photographs, but does not claim 100 per cent historical accuracy.

'The message I'm preaching is that, with imagination and enthusiasm, this is a pastime open to anyone. It doesn't have to be perfect, it can be just how you'd like it to be.'
A unique miniature fridge that looks exactly like an Xbox Series X console sold out hours after it launched online in Australia.

The $220 product by Ukonic features a black exterior and is lined with the brand's renown lime green colour.

The fridge would be the perfect addition to a game room, man cave or living room and can comfortably fit 12 drink cans over two shelves.

Two door racks can be used to store snacks and it's also made with a front USB port to charge your phone.

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Gamers across Australia were quick to snatch up the new Xbox mini fridge (pictured)

The $220 product by Ukonic features a black exterior and is lined with the brand's renown lime green colour

Shoppers noticed the buy was available to preorder on Tuesday afternoon of April 12 and only a few hours later it was gone.

Retailers including JB Hi-Fi added the product on the website, which was later taken down due to the high demand.

EB Games followed suit and announced the popular mini fridge was also available to preorder, but it was gone swiftly.

The product has been teased by Xbox in a video and described as 'the world's most powerful mini fridge'.

The new product seems just as popular as the Xbox Series X and S, as both consoles sold out soon after being released 18 months ago.

The in-demand fridge will likely be resold online by shoppers at a higher rate than the original price.

Those who were lucky enough to preorder the product online will be sure to show it off to friends and fellow gamers.
For the first time a huge authentic Italian market will be held outside its country of origin and brought to Melbourne.

Mercato Centrale, which translates to 'central market', spans across Florence, Rome, Turin and Milan and is always bustling with customers wandering about food stalls.

At the end of the year the artisan event will be brought Down Under in the former McPherson's building of the Melbourne CBD.

The Collins Street building encompasses an art deco style and traces back to 1934 when it was built.

Mercato Centrale, which translates to 'central market', spans across Florence, Rome, Turin and Milan and is always bustling with customers wandering about food stalls

For the first time the Italian event will be hosted in Melbourne at the end of 2022

Guests can indulge in gourmet pizza and pasta along with a glass of wine, or browse the stalls of fresh produce to take home

Guests can indulge in gourmet pizza and pasta along with a glass of wine, or browse the stalls of fresh produce to take home.

Fresh breads and bakery goods can also be bought, along with hot coffee and delicious food to satisfy adults and children alike.

Bringing the 'holistic' event to Australia has been a work-in-process and will span across two storeys over 3000sqm.

The bottom floor extends over 1300sqm and the first floor is 2000sqm, making it the perfect location to host the Australian-first market.

Hospitality expert Eddie Muto told Broadsheet it took him 'four years to secure the licence to operate Mercato Centrale'. He also described the event as a 'holistic Italian experience'

Bringing the event to Australia has been a work-in-process and will span across two storeys over 3000sqm

Hospitality expert Eddie Muto told Broadsheet it took him 'four years to secure the licence to operate Mercato Centrale'.

He also described the event as a 'holistic Italian experience'.

The event itself first launched in Florence in 2014 and has become a renown hub for artisan producers to sell goods.
Parents have been called 'cheapskates' after they asked if they should request relatives who want copies of the child's school photos to contribute to the cost.

The Australian parents have been debating between themselves whether or not to have relatives chip in and decided to take their dilemma to the popular Facebook group 'Mouth of mums'.

'My partner and I are having a discussion on whether relatives who want school photos should pay $5 for a photo to help pay. I think they shouldn't and he thinks they should. What does everyone else think?' the mum asked.

Australian parents have sparked a debate online after they asked whether it was appropriate to request relatives who want copies of their child's school pictures to chip in to the cost

The post drew in a barrage of responses from fellow parents, most of whom were on the mum's side with some even saying it was 'rude' and 'tight' to ask for money for school pictures.

'That's pretty rude. Stop being a cheapskate and give them a bloody photo. Geez people are so tight,' one woman complained.

'Time to get a new partner,' another joked.

The mum explained she's happy to give the photos away whereas her partner wants people to pay $5 which led to Facebookers calling him 'rude' and 'tight'

'Parents pay for the photos and give them to relatives, thats how its been for years,' a third chimed in.

A fourth said: 'It's your children, your family should be gifted a photo not charged for it.'

Poll Should parents ask relatives to help pay for their child's school pictures? Yes No Should parents ask relatives to help pay for their child's school pictures? Yes 43 votes

No 134 votes Now share your opinion





Some people came forward with helpful suggestions like buying cheaper digital copies to send to people while others were on the fence.

'If they are asking and you have to buy extras, yes they should buy then, if you are giving them to be nice then them paying would be a no,' one mum responded.

'I just buy digital copies and they pay to print them themselves,' explained a second.

While they were in the minority, a lot of parents defended the dad who wanted to ask relatives to contribute, pointing out school photo packages can be too expensive for some families.

'Unless you cant afford the package with extras to hand out and if family really want one then suggest they help towards the cost. I myself can barely afford the cheapest package as it is,' a mum wrote.

While they were in the minority, a lot of parents defended the dad who wanted to ask relatives to contribute, pointing out school photo packages can be too expensive for some families

'Looks like an unpopular opinion but I'd be asking for the money if they want a picture if I couldn't afford it,' a second added.

'Theyre pretty expensive I dont think its a bad idea especially if times are tough,' another parent responded.

A single mother of two said she rarely buys school photos of her five and eight-year-old as she can't afford them but recently splashed out on more than $100 worth.

'I won't be asking anyone to pay for one as I got the most basic and cheapest pack and they already come with too many pictures for just myself,' she explained.

'However if I had family that cared enough to want one or expect one each year, I would have no problems in asking them to contribute towards the cost.'
An Australian parenting group has issued a warning to those going camping this Easter long weekend to not 'hide the heat' by extinguishing campfires with sand or dirt.

CPR Kids said fires extinguished with dirt or sand can sit at scorching temperatures for hours after the flames have disappeared that can cause serious burns to unsuspecting barefoot campers.

A post to the CPR Kids' Facebook page recommended putting campfires out with water before going to bed or leaving a site.

CPR Kids has warned against using sand or dirt to extinguish campfires as it can sit at 100C for hours after the flames have disappeared and cause serious burns if stepped on

How to safely extinguish a campfire 1. Drown the campfire in water. 2. Mix up the ashes and embers with a stick. 3. Scrape off the burnt parts on the sticks and logs. 4. Pour more water on the fire. 5. Feel the logs and coals to make sure they aren't hot 6. Repeat the steps until the fire is cool to the touch. Source: WikiHow Advertisement

'Fires extinguished with sand can retain heat up to 100 degrees Celsius for eight hours after the flames are no longer visible,' the post read.

Sand and dirt can hide burning embers and residual heat making it near-impossible for adults and children walking in the area to be aware of such risk.

Campfires should be doused with water to be properly extinguished and be cool to the touch before abandoning.

The child safety experts highlighted the dangers by citing a case back in 2018 where six-year-old Kai Dight suffered horrific burns to his feet after stepping on an abandoned fire hidden by sand on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The boy was camping with his family in Noosa when he stepped in the searing patch of sand and was rushed to hospital where he had to undergo multiple surgeries for deep burns to the bottom of his feet.

Following the incident, head of the Queensland Children's Hospital burns unit, Professor Roy Kimble said that year out of the 64 children who were treated for burns from outdoor fires, 51 of those were caused by glowing coals or ashes rather than flames.

'It only takes one second of contact with a campfire to acquire very deep burns, but it can take months, if not years, of intensive therapy to reduce scarring and regain mobility in severely burnt limbs,' he said.

Sand and dirt can hide burning embers and residual heat making it near-impossible for adults and children walking in the area to be aware of such risk

Burns 101: What to do when your child suffers a burn 1. Remove clothing or jewellery near the burn: The first thing you need to do is remove any clothing, jewellery, or nappies around the burn unless its stuck to the skin, then you need to leave in place and cool over the top. 2. Cool the burn: Hold the child's burned area under cool running tap water for 20 minutes. We need to remember, we are only cooling the area that is burned - keep the rest of your child warm. If you don't have cool running water immediately available, this can still be effective up to three hours after the burn injury. 3. Cover the burn: The next thing you need to do is cover the burn loosely with a clean wet cloth or towel or a non stick dressing preferably something that's not shedding fibers. 4. Don't use lotions, creams or home remedies: Don't apply any lotions creams, butter, egg whites or any home remedies because not only can that trap the heat on the skin but the doctors aren't able to treat the burn effectively and it will have to be removed off the burn. 5. Seek medical attention: Call for an ambulance if the burn is extensive, if your child had burns to the face, neck or chest, if you cannot safely transport them to hospital because of where the burn is, if they have extreme pain or if there's risk of any burn to their airways. Or even if you are unsure and don't know what to do. Any burn in a child where the skin has been disrupted, so where the skin has come away or there is blistering, needs to be seen medically. Source: Sarah Hunstead - CPR Kids Advertisement

CPR Kids urged parents should be extra vigilant and always supervise children around campfires.

Pediatric nurse and CPR Kids founder, Sarah Hunstead gave some helpful advice on what to do if your child suffers a burn.

'When it comes to the first aid treatment for burns, no matter what the cause the first aid is the same,' she said in a video posted to the CPR Kids Facebook.

The mum-of-two said the first thing you need to do is remove any clothing, jewellery or nappies around the burn unless it has stuck to the skin.

Secondly, she said to run the burn under cold running water for 20 minutes then cover the burn loosely with a clean wet cloth, towel or non-stick dressing.

'Any burn in a child where the skin has been disrupted, so where the skin has come away or is blistering, needs to be seen medically,' she explained.
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England's GP postcode lottery was laid bare today as NHS figures showed the nation's busiest practices are dealing with up to 70 times more patients than others.

The patient-doctor ratio across the country has jumped since 2015 following a staff exodus, closure of surgeries and an ever-increasing patient list. Practices now deal with around 9,500 patients each, compared to 7,465 seven years ago.

MailOnline analysis of the NHS Digital data shows Hastings Old Surgery in East Sussex has nearly 15,500 patients for every full-time GP.

In contrast, Sampford Peverell Surgery, near Tiverton in Devon, has only 218 patients registered for every full-time doctor at the practice.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, a campaign group for senior residents, said the 'postcode lottery' was 'just not justifiable'. Labour said patients deserve the 'security and respect' of being able to access a GP who can give them the care they need.

It comes as a report today warned the wait to see a GP is only set to grow.

Nearly six in 10 GPs now work three-day weeks, according to Government-backed research. And a third of family doctors  who earn an average of 100,000 a year  want to retire within five years.

GPs have complained about rising workloads and paperwork, increased demands from 'problem patients', and having 'insufficient time to do the job justice'. They also claim the row over a lack of face-to-face appointments has caused morale to drop.

Experts told MailOnline No10 has to 'make good on its manifesto promise of 6,000 more full-time equivalent GPs by 2024' in order to solve the general practice crisis. The number of family doctors working in England has fallen consistently since the former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt first pledged to boost the workforce in 2015.

MailOnline analysis shows Hastings Old Surgery in Hastings has nearly 15,500 patients for every full-time GP as of February 28, the latest date official figures go up to. In contrast, Sampford Peverell Surgery in Devon has only 218 patients registered for every family doctor working at the practice. *Sussex NHS Commissioners, which commissions the Hastings Old Town Surgery, disputes the figure provided to NHS Digital by the practice. It says the practice has 7.5 FTE GPs, rather than the 1.56 recorded by the health service. East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which runs the Leven and Beeford Medical Practice, disputes the NHS figure. The practice actually has five times as many GPs as it reported, with another joining in May. North East London CCG, which runs the Gough Walk Surgery, also said the practice has nearly five times as many GPs as it reported to the NHS ** practices cater to care home residents only *** practices cater to homeless people only

The patient-doctor ratio across the country has jumped a quarter from 7,465 in September 2015 to 9,457 in February this year, according to NHS Digital data

Before the virus hit the UK, around eight in 10 GP appointments  only half of which are actually with family doctors  took place face-to-face. The figure plummeted to 46 per cent at the start of the pandemic as phone and video call appointments were hailed as a way to reduce the spread of Covid. But despite the easing of restriction, the proportion of consultations that are in-person has only bounced back to 61 per cent

Map shows: The proportion of GP appointments that were made face-to-face in NHS clinical commissioning groups across England in February, the latest date data is available for

Nearly 60% of family doctors now only work three day weeks Nearly six in 10 GPs are working three-day weeks and a third want to retire within the next five years, figures show. A survey of more than 2,200 family doctors in England shows 58.4 per cent are working six half-day sessions or less per week  equivalent to three days. And 33 per cent are planning to hang up their stethoscopes by 2026, according to the research led by the University of Manchester. The team warned that a 'worrying' 16 per cent of GPs  who earn around 100,000 per year  under the age of 50 were already making plans to leave the profession. GPs highlighted problems with rising workloads, increased demands from patients and having 'insufficient time to do the job justice'. The poll found that paperwork was causing stress as were long working hours and dealing with 'problem patients'. Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said the figures should be a 'wake-up call' for the Government to take action to keep family doctors in the profession. The findings come from the latest annual GP Worklife survey, the eleventh in the series, which has been assessing job satisfaction and stressors amongst GPs in England since 1999. It found that more than half of family doctors worked for six sessions a week or less every week in 2021, with each session being four hours and 10 minutes. Nearly a fifth of the workforce saw patients for four sessions or less, while 12.4 per cent worked for five sessions and 27.9 per cent worked for six. On average, doctors worked for 6.3 sessions per week  lower than the 2019 average of 6.6 sessions. And the average time spent at work per week fell to an all time low of 38.4 hours in 2021. The figure is 1.6 hours fewer than 2019 and 3.7 hours less than 2008. Advertisement

MailOnline's analysis, based on NHS Digital's most up-to-date data for February, suggests there are eight surgeries in England where the patient-to-GP ratio exceeds 10,000.

The Mandeville Practice, located in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has the second highest patient to GP ratio. Some 15,269 patients are dealt with just one 'full-time equivalent' GP at the Buckinghamshire surgery.

The figures are based on FTE GPs, which mean they account for multiple part-time doctors and trainees. However, they do not take into account locums, which are family doctors who are drafted in on a temporary basis to cover shifts.

NHS Digital's data also comes from different sources, meaning some figures  which have to be recorded by the practices  may be disputed.

GP surgeries that cater to only specific sections of the public, including the homeless or care homes, have been excluded from the analysis.

The Mandeville Practice was followed by Longsight Medical Practice in Manchester (11,329), Leven and Beeford Medical Practice in Beverley, East Yorkshire (11,269) and Nn Vaghela's Practice in Loughborough (11,181).

Sussex NHS Commissioners, which commissions the Hastings Old Town Surgery, disputes the figure provided to NHS Digital by the practice. It says the practice has 7.5 FTE GPs, rather than the 1.56 recorded by the health service.

East Riding of Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which runs the Leven and Beeford Medical Practice, disputed the NHS figure. The practice claimed it actually has five times as many full-time GPs as it reported, with another joining in May.

North East London CCG, which runs the Gough Walk Surgery  which fell sixth on the list, also said the practice has nearly five times as many GPs as it reported to the NHS.

North West London CCG, which runs the Hazeldene Medical Centre practice that is also in the top 10 for most patients per GP, said patient figures could be lower than reported because it is partnered with two other practices.

It said: 'We are not aware of any particular issues with patients accessing GP appointments at these practices.'

Despite some health bodies disputing the analysis, previous reports based on less granular data have revealed a similar postcode lottery.

Mr Reed told MailOnline: 'The gap between practices is just not justifiable. What it means is that it's a postcode lottery whether you can see your doctor.

'When you talk about a National Health Service that's supposed to cater for the whole country, it's not justifiable.'

He said that Britain needed to replace the Medical Practices Committee that was set up in 1948 to ensure NHS standards were the same across Britain.

It used to dissuade GPs from joining practices which were overstaffed and encourage them to relocate to ensure doctors were spread evenly across the country.

The MPC system was abolished in 2001 by Tony Blair's Labour Government and has not been replaced by any discernable body.

The current postcode lottery was 'inevitable' 21 years after the system was abolished, Mr Reed said.

But the current Labour party claimed the issue was caused by plunging GP numbers more generally, amid a mass staff exodus across England.

The Opposition blamed the Conservative Government for more than a decade of underfunding the NHS, and pledged to 'train and retain' current practitioners to correct the imbalance.

Graph shows: The average number of hours worker per week by GPs in England from 2008 to 2021

The graph shows the distribution of average weekly hours worked by GPs in 2021. Overall, GPs worked an average of 38.4 hours per week, down from 40 hours in 2019 and 42.1 hours in 2008

Feryal Clark, Labour's shadow health minister, told MailOnline: 'A decade of Tory mismanagement of our NHS left services vulnerable as we entered the pandemic, with the postcode lottery of GP services worsening as a result.

'It is not just that they didn't fix the roof when the sun was shining, they dismantled the roof and removed the floorboards.

'Patients deserve the security and respect of being able to access a GP who can give them the care they need, where they need it.

'The next Labour government will train and retain the GPs we need to ensure the NHS delivers a service that works for all patients.'

GPs are urged to put in longer hours to help ease workload at A&E GPs must work longer this Easter, according to NHS guidance which comes amid concerns hospitals will be swamped. The instruction stems from NHS England orders which direct every area to provide 'extended hours' at practices. Any appointments lost to the Easter four-day weekend are to be rescheduled within a fortnight, the contract also said. Social care services were also told to do 'everything you can' to get patients out of hospital, even if that means spreading care more thinly, according to leaked advice seen by The Daily Telegraph. The increased pressure has largely been sparked by a rising number of Covid cases. Infection rates reached their highest ever level at the beginning of the month, with one in 13 people thought to be carrying the virus. NHS chiefs have even called for a return to wearing masks and social distancing due to the high infection rates. But this has been rejected by Downing Street. The contract, issued to GP surgeries at the end of last month, sets out that every part of the country must open for 'extended hours' from April 1 to improve patient access. If fewer appointments are offered over bank holidays, they must be made up to stop a backlog of patients building up, according to the newspaper. The guidance says that GPs 'must make up the cancelled time by offering additional appointments within a two-week period', it reported. The Telegraph claimed it was 'new' guidance. But Fiona Adamson, chief executive of the primary care federation network at NHS Confederation, said it has been in place 'quite literally for years'. Advertisement

GPs claimed the pressures growing on them are 'unsustainable', urging the Government to hire more practitioners  in line with manifesto pledges  and ensure more doctors do not leave the workforce.

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told MailOnline: 'The size of the qualified GP workforce is falling whilst the number of patients, and complexity of care being delivered, continues to grow, and as a result the ratio of patients to GPs has increased significantly over recent years.

'While the problem as a theme is universal across the country, some regions are being affected worse than others as they face greater difficulties recruiting new GPs.

'GPs want to be able to consistently give their patients the care they deserve, no matter where they live in the country.

'But the increased workload expected of GPs and their teams while their numbers fail to increase at the necessary pace, is unsustainable.'

He added: 'The Government urgently needs to make good on its manifesto promise of 6,000 more full time equivalent GPs by 2024.

'We also need to see comprehensive plans to keep highly trained, experienced GPs in the workforce for longer, and this needs to start by addressing unsustainable workload and giving GPs more time to care for patients.'

The number of full-time equivalent family doctors in England fell from 29,363 in September 2015 to 27,920 in September 2020, with many citing increased workloads and Covid pressures for their exits.

Others chose to go abroad for better lifestyles and increased pay. High rates of early retirement in British GPs have increased strain on younger doctors, unions claim.

Around 800 practices have been shut over the last eight years in Britain, forcing around 2.5million patients to switch to a new doctor.

A survey of more than 2,200 family doctors in England last night showed nearly six in 10 GPs are working three-day weeks and a third want to retire within the next five years.

Some 58.4 per cent are working six half-day sessions or less per week  equivalent to three days. And 33 per cent are planning to hang up their stethoscopes by 2026, according to the research led by the University of Manchester.

The team warned that a 'worrying' 16 per cent of GPs  who earn around 100,000 per year  under the age of 50 were already making plans to leave the profession.

Dr Kieran Sharrock, from the Rebuild General Practice campaign, told MailOnline: 'It is not surprising in the least that GPs are leaving general practice. Years of underfunding and neglect has broken the system.

'Recruitment and retention of GPs has not kept up with growing demands, yet patient appointments are at an all-time high.

'Simply, there are not enough GPs to match patients' needs. This is a crisis for patients, devastating for GPs and terrifying for the future of primary care in this country. We need urgent support to rebuild general practice and protect its future.'

Last month, GPs claimed the row over a lack of face-to-face appointments since the start of the pandemic was also causing doctors to quit the profession.

Face-to-face GP appointments have been falling in Britain since the start of the pandemic in 2020, with numbers dropping significantly from around 80 to 60 per cent today.

As part of schemes designed to bolster access, Sajid Javid originally threatened to 'name and shame' practices not meeting in-person appointment targets with league tables. But the Health Secretary later denied the plans.

And under the newest contract, practices have to ensure a certain number of appointments are available on weekday evenings and Saturdays from October.

Dr Andrew Green, a retired GP in Yorkshire, argued doctors did a 'fantastic job' in moving to virtual appointments during the Covid pandemic.

But he accused both the Government and NHS England of joining in a 'pile on' that saw patients complain about being unable to see their doctor in person.
Letting children use TikTok and other fast-paced video apps is like placing them in a 'candy store' full of 'immediate pleasure', an Oxford University ethicist has warned.

There are mounting concerns over how these platforms, which host videos typically lasting just 15 seconds, impact youngsters developing brains.

But now a tech scientist and former advertising strategist at Google says it could leave children struggling to focus on everyday tasks.

James Williams, an ethicist at Oxford, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ): 'It's like weve made kids live in a candy store and then we tell them to ignore all that candy and eat a plate of vegetables.'

'We have an endless flow of immediate pleasures thats unprecedented in human history.'

Directed attention is when someone ignores distraction and pays attention to a particular task for a long period of time, such as a lesson or homework.

But scientists warn that if the brain becomes accustomed to 'constant changes'  like those in the digital world  it finds it difficult to stay focused.

TikTok shot to popularity in 2018 thanks to its quick-form videos, which typically last about 15 seconds. Concern is now mounting that they are harming children's ability to focus, however (file photo)

TikTok is the second most popular social media platform among children in the U.S., behind only YouTube, with around 60 percent of those aged 12 to 15 using it weekly.

The platform shot to popularity in 2018 for its quick-form videos. In 2021, it topped more than a billion users globally.

But concerns have since been raised that the app's fast-paced videos could leave children finding it harder to focus on everyday tasks.

How does TikTok affect children's focus? Amid the social media platform's rise to become one of the most popular in the US, concerns have been raised over how it impacts children's focus. Directed attention is when someone spends a long period of time on a particular task, like homework. But some scientists suggest that if the brain becomes accostumed to rapid changes  such as those on TikTok  it begins to struggle to focus. Advertisement

Dr Michael Manos, the clinical director for attention and learning at Cleveland children's hospital, told the WSJ: 'Directed attention is the ability to inhibit distractions and sustain attention and to shift attention appropriately.

'It requires higher-order skills like planning and prioritizing

'If kids brains become accustomed to constant changes, the brain finds it difficult to adapt to a nondigital activity where things dont move quite as fast.'

To maintain focus on a particular task children and adults use the prefrontal cortex area of the brain.

But this is not fully developed until the age of 25, which scientists argue makes it harder for youngsters to stay focused on a single activity for a long period of time.

TikTok draws in users by monitoring which videos they spend the longest watching, and then showing them more videos similar to these.

Studies show that when users watch these it activates centers of the brain involved in addiction, further making it harder to put down the app.

Separate research has highlighted how social media and smartphones may be linked to rising rates of depression and loneliness.

Last month a paper found the proportion of 15 and 16-year-olds in the UK feeling alienated among peers has tripled since 2000 to 33 percent.

They said the rise coincides with widespread use of smartphones and social media by this age group.

Pupils are 'conversing less' and feeling excluded when they see online pictures of peers having fun without them.

The paper found that in 2000, 10 percent of 15 and 16-year-olds in the UK reported feeling lonely at school. In 2003, levels remained virtually unchanged at 9 percent.

A TikTok spokeswoman told WSJ that the app had recently made changes to curb extensive use of the app, including blocking users under-15 from receiving notifications beyond 9 pm and sending them regular reminders to take a break.
Country's top GP said the figures should be a 'wake-up call' for the ministers

Nearly six in 10 GPs now work three-day weeks, according to Government-backed research.

And a third of family doctors  who earn an average of 100,000 a year  want to retire within five years.

GPs highlighted problems with rising workloads, increased demands from patients and having 'insufficient time to do the job justice'.

The findings, from a survey of more than 2,200 GPs, found paperwork and 'problem patients' were also adding to their stress.

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the figures should be a 'wake-up call' for the Government.

The GP Worklife survey found more than half of family doctors worked for six sessions a week or less every week in 2021, with each session being four hours and 10 minutes. Nearly a fifth of the workforce saw patients for four sessions or less, while 12.4 per cent worked for five sessions and 27.9 per cent worked for six

The graph shows the distribution of average weekly hours worked by GPs in 2021. Overall, GPs worked an average of 38.4 hours per week, down from 40 hours in 2019 and 42.1 hours in 2008

The findings come from the latest annual GP Worklife survey, the eleventh in the series.

It has been assessing job satisfaction and stressors amongst GPs in England since 1999.

More than half of family doctors worked for six sessions or fewer each week in 2021, with each session being four hours and 10 minutes.

On average, doctors worked 6.3 sessions per week  lower than the 2019 average of 6.6 sessions, according to the University of Manchester team.

And the average time spent at work per week fell to an all-time low of 38.4 hours.

More than half of GPs said they planned to cut back their hours even further within five years, while just 5.1 per cent reported strong plans to increase their workload.

GPs dismiss claims that they are working part-time hours, arguing their hours extend well beyond their sessions, and those working less sessions often devote their remaining hours to other parts of the NHS.

Mysterious spate of hepatitis cases - which has sickened 74 children in the UK - could have been caused by the common cold, health chiefs say A virus which causes the common cold could be behind a spate of hepatitis cases that has sickened dozens of children in the UK, health chiefs say. Seventy-four youngsters  all under the age of 10  have so far been struck down with the inflammatory liver condition. Their cases were all spotted in hospital. UK Health Security Agency bosses still have no idea what is behind the mysterious cluster of cases. None of the children had any of the hepatitis A to E viruses, the usual causes of the condition. The UKHSA believes adenoviruses  a family of common viruses which cause mild colds, vomiting and diarrhoea  may be behind the illnesses. However, they note that Covid as well as other infections and environmental triggers are still being probed as possible causes. Advertisement

GPs were more likely to work morning sessions throughout the working week  with early Monday and Tuesday shifts the most common  and afternoon sessions earlier in the week.

Between 2019 and 2021, the proportion of family doctors who reported working evenings dropped for all days of the week and fewer than 1.5 per cent of the survey respondents worked weekends.

It comes as the new GP contract with the NHS  labelled as 'bitterly disappointing' by doctors  says a sufficient number of practices in each area must offer face-to-face appointments until 8pm on weekday evenings and throughout Saturdays.

The survey also showed a dip in job satisfaction between 2019 and 2021, with just over half of GPs saying they were satisfied with their job in 2021.

More than eight out of 10 GPs reported experiencing considerable or high pressure from increasing workloads and increased demands from patients.

They also cited having insufficient time to do the job justice, paperwork, long working hours and dealing with problem patients as causing the most stress.

And 33.3 per cent said they were 'considerably' or 'highly' likely to quit in the next five years.

The figure jumped to 60.5 per cent among GPs aged over-50, which researchers said may reflect their retirement plans.

But 15.5 per cent of family doctors under 50-years-old also said they were likely to quit by 2026.

Of those who said there was a considerable or high chance of them leaving, 8.2 per cent said they planned to continue with medical work, but outside of the UK.

A third said they planned to leave direct patient care, while 28.7 per cent said they would leave medical work entirely.

Researchers warned the intention to quit rates have previously been a 'valid predictor' of 'actual quitting behaviour'.

The survey also showed that 40.6 per cent of GPs take home 110,000 or more per year, while a tenth of the workforce are making 150,000 annually.

Professor Katherine Checkland, a health policy and primary care expert who led the study, said: 'It is not really surprising that job satisfaction has dropped amongst GPs during the pandemic.

'But the survey provides some evidence about the areas of work they are finding more stressful, which may help in designing ways to support them.'

Professor Marshall, from the RCGP, said: 'General practice was under considerable strain before the pandemic, but the crisis has exacerbated this.

'These findings show a profession working under intense workload and workforce pressures, doing their best for patients in the most difficult of circumstances.'

He said it is concerning to see any GPs leave the workforce but it is 'especially worrying to see so many family doctors planning to leave relatively early in their careers'.

'This should be a wake-up call that we need to see robust plans implemented to retain highly-trained, experienced GPs in the workforce  and key to this will be tackling workload,' Professor Marshall said.

Of their working day, GPs reported they spent 60 per cent of their time seeing patients, while 20 per cent of their day was indirect patient care in 2021. A tenth of their day was used for administration, while 4.4 per cent of their time was spent in meetings

The researchers found 15.5 per cent of family doctors under 50-years-old said they were likely to quit by 2026

The survey showed 60.5 per cent of GPs aged over-50 reported they were 'considerably' or 'highly' likely to quit in the next five years

He said family doctors are 'working to their limits' and delivering more appointments than before the pandemic, despite falling staff numbers.

'More GPs are in training than ever before  but when more are leaving the profession than entering it, we are fighting a losing battle,' Professor Marshall added.

Dr Kieran Sharrock from the Rebuild General Practice campaign said 'years of underfunding and neglect' has pushed GPs from general practice.

He said: 'Simply, there are not enough GPs to match patients needs.

'This is a crisis for patients, devastating for GPs and terrifying for the future of primary care in this country. We need urgent support to rebuild general practice and protect its future.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'We are working to support and grow the general practice workforce, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession, and encourage them to return to practice.

'In December 2021 there were over 1,600 more doctors working in general practice compared to 2019 and a record-breaking number started training as GPs last year.

'We have invested 520million to expand GP capacity during the pandemic, on top of 1.5billion until 2024, and we are making 4,000 GP training places available each year, to help create an extra 50million appointments annually.'

What a sick joke: Private breast enlargements and nose jobs were carried out by NHS doctors during Covid pandemic... as hospitals turned away desperate patients queuing up for cancer and hip surgery

The NHS cancelled cancer and hip operations during the pandemic while continuing to perform breast enlargements and nose jobs for private patients.

Figures reveal the health service profited from treating tens of thousands of people who paid for care last year despite claiming to be overwhelmed by coronavirus.

Waiting lists have soared to a record high of 6.1million after the NHS postponed non-urgent treatment and urged Britons to stay away due to the pandemic.

But it still found time to carry out operations including tummy tucks, knee replacements and cataract surgery for patients able to pay.

Meanwhile, others have been forced to wait more than two years for essential treatment.

NHS trusts are allowed to supplement their usual taxpayer-funded income by selling private services on the side.

Guidelines say they should ideally provide private treatment in a separate building  but it could be in a different area of the hospital or after NHS hours.

However, campaigners branded the revelation morally outrageous last night and asked why health service capacity was not being used to tackle the backlog  which could reach 14million by 2024.

The shocking figures come after leaked draft guidance from NHS England last month showed hospitals have been told to expand private patient opportunities to grow more income.

Now, data seen by the Daily Mail shows that a number of trusts  particularly in London  generate substantial income from privately paying patients. Some of this came from patients who travelled from abroad.

The NHS performed 42,380 private procedures from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, figures from the government-mandated Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) suggest.

However, the true number could be far higher as reports redact instances of some procedures where there may be a risk of patients being identified.

There were 40,814 such entries across all NHS sites and procedures over this period.

The Royal Marsden, a specialist NHS cancer hospital in London, accounted for a third of the private patients. Moorfields Eye Hospital and St Marys Hospital, both in London, also ranked highly.

The most common private treatments included chemotherapy, cataracts, caesareans and hip replacements.

Professor Pat Price, co-founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said: It is morally outrageous to see hospitals stripped of NHS capacity for private payers when we face a deadly cancer backlog timebomb.

Private care should be enhancing NHS capacity and reducing waiting lists. We should not be giving up NHS beds to revenue raise right now.

Action that takes away from NHS capacity delays treatment and creates further inequality.

Figures reveal the health service profited from treating tens of thousands of people who paid for care last year despite claiming to be overwhelmed by coronavirus (stock picture)

Sally Gainsbury, of the Nuffield Trust think-tank, said: Record numbers of patients have joined the waiting list for NHS care...With this difficult situation in mind, patients are likely to be asking why  if the health service has the staff and operating theatres available to carry out these private procedures in NHS hospitals  they are not being used to reduce NHS waiting lists and waiting times instead.

Miss Gainsbury added that health officials now seem to be capitalising on the surge in people paying for private treatment.

Patients looking to pay for care at an NHS hospital can ask their GP for a private referral or ask their consultant for more information.

This week, NHS leaders called for the return of masks and social distancing measures, saying high Covid rates were continuing to have a major impact on services.

But Downing Street rejected the demands, citing vaccines effectiveness as a reason not to re-impose further curbs.

The British Medical Association, which advises its members on how to provide private treatment, yesterday claimed patients could face even longer backlogs if the Government does not impose stricter Covid measures.

A spokesman for NHS England said staff had continued to deliver vital routine care during the pandemic and carried out more than 6.3 million procedures in the year from October 2020.

They added that the proportion of private procedures was tiny but offered a way of funding additional care and treatments for NHS patients.
UN agencies appeal for funds to help avert possible famine in Somalia

Xinhua) 09:16, April 13, 2022

MOGADISHU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Four United Nations agencies on Tuesday appealed for an urgent injection of funds to enable a scale-up of life-saving assistance in Somalia which is facing famine conditions.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that a perfect storm of poor rain, skyrocketing food prices and huge funding shortfalls leaves almost 40 percent of Somalis on the brink.

"Millions of Somalis are at risk of sliding into famine as the impact of a prolonged drought continues to destroy lives and livelihoods, and growing needs outpace available resources for humanitarian assistance," the UN agencies warned in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The statement follows the release of a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report that found 6 million Somalis, or almost 40 percent of the population, are now facing extreme levels of food insecurity, with pockets of famine conditions likely in six areas of the country.

Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, said the projection for the risk of famine in six locations is extremely worrisome and should serve as a very serious warning.

"The reality is that time is not on our side and many more lives and livelihoods are bound to be lost in case of further funding delays," Abdelmoula said, calling on donors to act decisively and help scale up resources to match the rapidly increasing needs, save more lives and rescue more livelihoods for the people of Somalia.

The relief agencies have collectively reached almost 2 million people with humanitarian assistance as of February, but a critical gap in donor funding means they cannot sustain and scale up their support to meet the growing needs.

If this gap is not urgently addressed, the agencies warned, it will contribute to worse outcomes with a real risk of widespread famine.

The last time such a humanitarian tragedy struck Somalia was in 2011 when famine conditions killed a quarter of a million people.

WFP Somalia Representative and Country Director El-Khidir Daloum said they are about to start taking food from the hungry to feed the starving.

"Being forced to prioritize our limited resources couldn't come at a worse time as we are on the cusp of a humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia. This is a year of unprecedented humanitarian needs and hunger but I implore the world not to turn its back on Somalia or wait until it's too late. Millions of lives are at stake," Daloum said.

Etienne Peterschmitt, the FAO representative in Somalia, said the funding needed to respond to a crisis of this magnitude has simply not come.

"We are all watching this tragedy unfold and our hands are tied. I want to stress that it is not too late. Funding received today can still prevent the worst, but it has to come at scale and it has to come very soon," he said.

The UN agencies said children under five are among the most vulnerable as the drought worsens, and access to food and milk is very scarce due to rising commodity prices and livestock losses.

Around 1.4 million children face acute malnutrition through the end of this year, with around a quarter of them, or 330,000 children, facing severe acute malnutrition.

Angela Kearney, UNICEF Somalia representative, warned that if the funding gap is not met, malnutrition rates will continue to soar, and children may face severe malnutrition and preventable diseases.

"Losing children to starvation would be a loss for humanity. Addressing drought-related indicators now will also greatly increase a child's future opportunities," said Kearney.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Phone storage is something that you can drain almost immediately if you're not careful with how you manage it. All those photos and videos you take could take up most of your phone's storage, more than your apps ever will.

However, there may be a solution in the future; T-Mobile is offering its unlimited Google Photos storage following Google's removal of the service almost a year ago.

The company recently announced that it is offering its previous Google One membership option with unlimited Google Photos storage again for a price.

The offer will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers that are availing of the company's qualified services.

T-Mobile Unlimited Google Photos Storage Details

According to T-Mobile's announcement, the company's customers who are availing of services qualified to receive the plan can get unlimited Google Photos storage and an additional 2TB of Gmail and Google Drive storage for $15 per month.



This plan is perfectly suited for unofficial family photographers and video enthusiasts to keep a lifetime of trips, pet videos, and family memories saved in one place, per T-Mobile.

T-Mobile's storage plan specifically allows T-Mobile customers to store photos and videos in full resolution and phone backups in case of accidents.



The plan will also let a T-Mobile customer access their content from any device, redeem extended trials for Google services like YouTube Premium and Stadia, access advanced photo-editing features, VPN access from Android and iOS phones, and share the 2TB of storage and extra benefits with up to five additional people.

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This particular offer will be available exclusive to T-Mobile customers starting April 26. However, T-Mobile didn't make it clear if the plan will stay for good or if it will be available for a limited time.

What is actually limited, however, is its offer to get the first 30 days of T-Mobile's Google One plans free. After which, customers would start paying the regular price of their plan.

T-Mobile's Other Google One Plans

The telecom company also offers two other Google One plans to T-Mobile customers. Although these plans have a lower price tag than the plan previously discussed, they don't come with unlimited Google Photos storage.

The five-dollar plan comes with 500GB of storage which could be used to back up a device or shared with five additional people. It also comes with access to advanced photo-editing features and the ability to redeem extended trials for Google services.

The $10 plan provides 2TB of storage along with the same perks as the five-dollar plan. Unlike the five-dollar plan, the $10 one comes with VPN access for Android and iOS devices.

Unlimited Google Photos Storage In The Past

According to an article from The Verge, Google previously offered unlimited Google Photos storage in 2015 but was removed due to a change to Google Drive policies like counting Google Workspace documents and spreadsheets against the same cap.

The free storage allowed users to store an unlimited number of files at a resolution of up to 16 megapixels or 1080p videos for free, per a separate The Verge report.

The service was previously rumored to be coming back in May 2021 but turned out to be a false alarm, according to Review Geek.

Related Article: T-Mobile Data Breach Victims at Risk For Identity Theft: Here's How to Protect Yourself
These are the images that  unbeknownst to his parents at the time  revealed a one-year-old boy had a rare and deadly tumour.

Smiling Cillian Coyles can be seen with an unusual white glow in his left pupil in a family photo taken last summer.

His mother Leonnie Ord, 33, from Tyne and Wear, dismissed it as light reflecting in his eye.

But just one month later the family were told his 'cat's eye' was caused by a type of cancer that strikes as few as 40 newborns in the UK every year.





Doctors who diagnosed Cillian with retinoblastoma, a tumour in the retina that can be seen through the pupil, which kills one per cent of sufferers.

Cillian is undergoing targeted chemotherapy to shrink the tumour and has been left blind in the affected eye.

Ms Ord, a social worker, is now urging other parents to watch out for this early sign of the cancer.

The mother-of-two said: 'Essentially that happy, smiling picture of him hides a secret that can be deadly if it's not caught in time.

'If you see anything different with your child's eye, you need to get it checked out.'

Leonnie Ord, 33, from Tyne and Wear, first noticed a glow over her one-year-old son Cillian Coyles' left pupil last summer but dismissed it as the light reflecting in his eye. Pictures from September (above) show a faint white reflection in his eye and Ms Ord, a social worker, is urging other parents to watch out for this early sign of the cancer

A photo of Cillian, taken using flash in December (above), three months after his diagnosis, shows an unmistakable circular glow covering his pupil

Cillian was officially diagnosed with the cancer at Birmingham Children's Hospital

The toddler is now undergoing targeted chemotherapy, including intravitreal chemotherapy eye injections, which shrinks the tumour

She added: 'Every change in the eye doesn't mean that it could be cancer but if we'd spotted and got Cillian checked sooner he could have potentially still had his sight in his left eye, we just don't know.'

Ms Ord told how she first saw a glow in August that would come and go in Cillian's left pupil.

But by October it had become more prominent. She said: 'Then I started to notice it a little bit more and we moved to a house, which had a lot more light.

'It was a white glow over all his pupil, it was as if he had a cat's eye.

WHAT IS RETINOBLASTOMA? Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that can affect young children, usually under the age of 5. Its symptoms include an unusual white reflection in the pupil, a squint, a red or inflamed eye and poor vision. Retinoblastoma happens when retina eye cells  which are supposed to grow very quickly and then stop growing during a baby's early development  continue to grow and form a cancer. Depending on the size of the tumour. If it is small, laser and freezing treatments that aim to destroy the tumour will be carried out. If it is larger, youngsters may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some children may suffer sight loss or need to have their eye removed. Between 40 and 50 cases of retinoblastoma are diagnosed in the UK every year. The figure equates to one in 15,000 to 20,000 newborns. Around four in 10 cases are diagnosed in the first year of life and incidence rates drop to a very low rate after five years of age. Around two-thirds of retinoblastomas are diagnosed in one eye only. More than nine in 10 cases are detected early and cured before the cancer spreads outside the eyeball. Source: NHS, Children with Cancer UK Advertisement

'When it started becoming more prominent and I was looking down at him I could see this white looking back at me, which now I know is the tumour in his eye.

'I'd mentioned it to my partner Gary who hadn't seen it and we went a week and I was asking "can you see that? Come and have a look at that" and then he started noticing.

'So we knew there was something there that needed to be checked.'

She contacted her GP and optician before turning to A&E in October.

Cillian was referred to a paediatrician eye doctor, who revealed that he had become blind in his left eye due to the tumour pressing on his optic nerve.

Retinoblastoma happens when retina eye cells  which are supposed to grow very quickly and then stop growing during a baby's early development  continue to grow and form a cancer.

When the tumour forms, light reflects off the cancer's white surface, causing the child's dilated pupil to appear white in flash photos or dim light.

Between 40 and 50 cases of retinoblastoma are diagnosed in the UK every year, equating to one in 15,000 to 20,000 newborns.

Two days after their appointment, the couple travelled to Birmingham Children's Hospital where Cillian was officially diagnosed with the cancer.

Ms Ord said: 'When I was starting to Google it, I went from cataracts to cancer. I'd gone from one end of the scale to the other.

'I knew that it was something, but I would never have guessed that it would have been cancer. So that obviously frightened the life out of me and I couldn't sleep that night.

'Before we got down to Birmingham, we kind of accepted that we thought he was going to be diagnosed with cancer.

'My main worries were that he was going to lose his little personality, hair and he was going to be really poorly. They were three things that I just couldn't get out of my head.'

Ms Ord went through pictures and videos of Cillian since he was born and just found one clip from last September where the tumour was visible.

The footage shows a faint white reflection in his eye while photos taken of him just three months later using flash show an unmistakable circular glow covering his pupil.

The toddler is now undergoing targeted chemotherapy, including intravitreal chemotherapy  when anti-cancer drugs are injected directly into the eye  which shrinks the tumour.

Ms Ord said: 'The way that they described it is that the research had come along massively, but if Cillian had presented five years ago his eye would have been removed straight away.

Leonnie Ord, a social worker, pictured with her son Cillian Coyles and daughter Aoife Coyles, and fiance Gary Coyles, a youth offending case manager

'We were told that his chemo was going to stop and that they were really happy with it and at the next check, his chemo needed to restart again.

'The chemo has started to toxify the healthy part of his eye, so they're going to have to treat that now as well.

'When he was first diagnosed they talked about it being a rollercoaster and we didn't quite understand what that meant until these past few months because it's very much ups and downs.'

The family set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust  raising nearly 7,000 so far  and are doing activities throughout the year, including taking part in the Great North Run in September, to further boost funds.

And the are urging others to be on alert for the tell-tale signs of retinoblastoma.

Ms Ord said: 'If you see anything different with your child's eye, you need to get it checked out.

'If you notice something with your friend's child's eye or if you see a photo on Facebook, don't be frightened to alert that parent.

'Because as a parent you would rather be scared for a week waiting for an appointment than it being too late and your child losing their eye or sight, or the cancer has spread.

'Every change in the eye doesn't mean that it could be cancer but if we'd spotted and got Cillian checked sooner he could have potentially still had his sight in his left eye, we just don't know.'
Women in the late stages of labour should drive themselves to hospital instead of getting an ambulance because of the ongoing crisis in emergency departments, a paramedic suggested today.

Kristin Houlgate, who works for South Western Ambulance Service, said she is not confident NHS ambulances can 'provide a safe level of service to the British public' due to staffing crises and record demand.

She said paramedics should perhaps only be called out to Category 1 or 2 patients who are at immediate risk of dying  including those suffering strokes and cardiac arrests.

The medic suggested less urgent Category 3 and 4 calls should be left to make their own way to hospital.

This includes women in late stage labour, and patients with non-severe burns and diabetic complications.

The ambulance crisis has hit boiling point in recent weeks, leaving elderly Britons waiting in agony for up to 14 hours for an ambulance.

Heart attack and stroke patients have had to wait for up to 70 minutes in the most extreme cases.

Some ambulance trusts have already hit the panic button and told the least urgent patients to make their own way to hospital.

Kristin Houlgate (left), who works for South Western Ambulance Service, said she is not confident NHS ambulances can 'provide a safe level of service to the British public'. Right: A pensioner, 93, who suffered a suspected broken hip at Christ Church in Bath, Somerset, on March 25, had to be tended by the vicar - because his ambulance did not show up for 12 hours

Graph shows: NHS ambulance response times to category 2 calls  which include stroke and chest pain  in England from February 2018 to this year

Graph shows: NHS ambulance response times to category 1 calls  which include cardiac arrest  in England every month up to

Nurses attack MP for comparing PM's lockdown breach to a 'quiet drink' Nurses and teachers have hit out against a Tory MP who claimed they had work drinks after shifts in lockdown to justify why Boris Johnson should not resign. Some revealed how they took work breaks in their cars due to how strict they believed social distancing rules were at the time. 'You couldn't even have a break with someone in the same room let alone a drink after work,' according to one nurse. Unions said NHS staff were just happy to 'get home, clean their uniforms, shower and collapse into bed' after watching patients die during their shift. The Prime Minister was fined by police yesterday for attending a party in the Cabinet room in breach of the lockdown rules he himself created. A number of Tory MP's leapt to Mr Johnson's defense among them Michael Fabricant, the member for Lichfield, who told BBC yesterday that the Prime Minister acted as many nurses and teachers did during the pandemic. 'I don't think at any time he thought he was breaking the law... he thought just like many teachers and nurses who after a very long shift would go back to the staff room and have a quiet drink,' he said. Advertisement

Writing on Twitter, Ms Houlgate said: 'It's shocking to say, but I no longer believe the NHS Ambulance Service is able to provide a safe level of service to the British public.

'We're in crisis and need to go into emergency measures. Maybe only respond to Cat 1 & Cat 2 calls?'

Category 1 ambulance calls include any case when a patient is at at immediate risk of dying, including cardiac arrests. NHS ambulances aim to get to these patients within 15 minutes.

Category 2 calls involve serious conditions such as stroke or chest pain that require immediate attention and urgent transport. Health officials aim to reach 90 per cent of these cases within 40 minutes.

Ms Houlgate said her patients have waited longer than five hours in the back of an ambulance, while queues of 14 vehicles piled up outside emergency departments.

Her ambulance trust  which serves areas in the South West including Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall  apologised for delays in services.

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: 'We are sorry that some patients are having to wait longer for an ambulance than we would like. This is because of the pressures across the health and care system.

'We are working closely with NHS partners to address the delays in handing over patients at hospitals, so our crews can get back out on the road for other patients.'

South Central Ambulance Service, which cover neighbouring regions, last week declared a critical incident due to the 'increased challenges in releasing some of our ambulances from busy acute hospitals'.

The service, which covers 7million residents across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex and Surrey, asked the community to only call 999 in an emergency.

Huge levels of demand caused the service to declare the incident, which meant it could focus on Category 1 and 2 calls.

Ambulance services across England have been at breaking point for weeks, with stroke and heart attack sufferers having to wait 70 minutes for a ride.

It comes as Emlyn Roberts, a 69-year-old pensioner, was left waiting for 10 hours for an ambulance after falling on the pavement in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

Members of the public called 999 around 12:30pm on March 29, but were told to expect delays. An ambulance finally arrived around 11pm.

His sister-in-law, Lynn Roberts, said: 'He was left for ten hours lying on the concrete, you can forgive a couple of hours, even a few hours if necessary, but ten hours is just not acceptable.'

Emlyn Roberts, 69, had tripped and broken his hip and back while walking in the town centre of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, at approximately 12.30pm on March 29. (Pictured: Mr Roberts covered with blankets while waiting for ambulance)

Graph shows: NHS ambulance response times to category 3 calls  which include uncomplicated diabetic issues  in England every month up to

Graph shows: NHS ambulance response times to category 3 calls  which include uncomplicated diabetic issues  in England every month up to

Another pensioner who suffered a suspected broken hip at Christ Church in Bath, Somerset, on March 25, had to be tended by the vicar  because his ambulance did not show up for 12 hours.

The man told reporters that he was in 'exquisite' pain lying crumpled on the floor when he fell.

The elderly man was left waiting on paramedics until the following morning, with his wife sitting next to him on the floor, holding his hand the entire time.

Ambulance waiting times have hit unprecedented highs over the last year, with patients dying in the back of ambulances waiting outside of hospitals last November.

The crisis is being exacerbated by staff absences because of high Covid prevalence but is being primarily driven by sky-high A&E pressures.

Last week, millions of patients were told not to go to A&E unless they were in life-threatening condition.

West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts, which covers 2.5million people, warned of waits of up to 12 hours in emergency departments.
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Last year was the deadliest year in U.S. history, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing America to the harrowing record.

The agency this month quietly updated its provisional death tally. Showing there were 3.5 million deaths last year, or about 80,000 more than 2020's record-setting total.

COVID-19 deaths rose in 2021 - to more than 415,000, up from 351,000 the year before - as new coronavirus variants emerged and an unexpectedly large numbers of Americans refused to get vaccinated or were hesitant to wear masks, experts said.

American suffered a large surge deaths right at the start of the year, though, with January and February of 2021 being the deadliest months of the pandemic so far. While the shots were available at that point, supply was limited and many who wanted to get jabbed still had not had the opportunity to get them.

Vaccine demand then shrunk in late spring and early summer, as many Americans became complacent due to plummeting case and death figures. The Delta variant then emerged over summer, causing Covid deaths to surge once more.

While it is unlikely that 2022 reaches the dubious marker reached in 2021, as the relatively mild Omicron variant has snuffed out other strains of the virus, recent rises in cases has some officials considering bringing back some pandemic mandates.

Early last year, some experts were optimistic that 2021 would not be as bad as the first year of the pandemic - partly because effective COVID-19 vaccines had finally become available.

'We were wrong, unfortunately,' said Noreen Goldman, a Princeton University researcher.

The coronavirus is not solely to blame. Preliminary CDC data also shows the crude death rate for cancer rose slightly, and rates continued to increase for diabetes, chronic liver disease and stroke.

Drug overdose deaths also continued to rise. The CDC does not yet have a tally for 2021 overdose deaths, because it can take weeks of lab work and investigation to identify them.

But provisional data through October suggests the nation is on track to see at least 105,000 overdose deaths in 2021 - up from 93,000 the year before.

America's youth has suffered a worrying increase in overdose deaths as well, with a University of California, Los Angeles, study showing that 884 teens died from the synthetic opioid fentanyl in 2021 - up from 253 only two years earlier.

The total number of U.S. deaths often increases year to year as the U.S. population grows. But 2020 and 2021 saw extraordinary jumps in death numbers and rates, due largely to the pandemic.

Those national death trends affect life expectancy - an estimate of the average number of years a baby born in a given year might expect to live.

With rare exceptions, U.S. life expectancy has reliably inched up year after year. But the CDCs life expectancy estimate for 2020 was about 77 years - more than a year and a half lower than what it was in 2019.

One study looked at death data in the U.S. and 19 other high-income countries. The U.S. fared the worst.

'Compared to its peers, the US experienced much higher mortality rates and larger drops in life expectancy in both 2020 and 2021,' researchers, which comprise of a joint team from the University of Colorado and Virginia Commonwealth University.

'...The gap between US life expectancy and the peer average rose to more than 5 years in 2021, further deepening a US disadvantage in health and survival that has been building for decades.'

Covid has mostly receded in the U.S. now, though, as many Americans are finally feeling a sense of normalcy after two dark years dominated by the virus.

The BA.2 'stealth' variant is throwing a wrench into those plans, though, with the highly infectious version of Omicron causing case increases in some parts of America.

Cases are rising over the past two weeks in 27 U.S. states, though overall figures still pale in comparison to the record highs caused by the BA.1 Omicron sub-variant that arrived over winter.

America is currently averaging 38,480 daily cases, a 38 percent jump over the past week, though still a more than 90 percent fall from the winter surge peak of 800,000 cases per day.

The rising cases have not translated into an increase in deaths, though, with the 545 being recorded daily putting America at its lowest daily death total since August.

As cases and deaths plummeted in recent months, many officials around the country ditched vaccine and mask mandates, feeling it was time to move on from Covid for now.

Some of these orders are starting to comeback, though. Four Washington D.C. area schools - American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University - have reinstated a mask mandate of some sort over the past two weeks to combat rising cases on campus.

In New York City, Columbia University will now also require students to wear a mask in the classroom as cases have jumped four-fold over the past week.

Mask mandates have also made a return in Philadelphia.

The City of Brotherly Love will reinstate its mask mandate for all indoor public places, like schools, businesses, restaurants and government buildings, starting next Monday, officials announced this week.

It comes as cases have risen 86 percent over the past week to 149 per day, a very low total for a city of over 1.5 million residents. The city also only reports around 40 hospitalizations related to the virus.

'Philadelphia's COVID-19 response levels allow us to be clear, transparent and predictable in our response to local conditions,' Jim Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia, said in a tweet.

'Given the rise in cases, we're moving to Level 2 on April 18 to prevent higher case rates.'

Case figures are not considered to be a reliable metric when judging the state of the pandemic by many federal level officials, though.

The CDC changed its metrics earlier this year, now valuing hospitalizations over all else when recommending mask orders on certain populations.

According to the agency, Philadelphia County, which includes the city, is one of the 95% of counties considered to have 'low' Covid risk and not recommended to wear masks indoors.

'Philadelphia reinstated mask mandate in light of rising [Covid 19] cases,' Dr Leana Wen, a public health professor at George Washington University in Washington D.C. and a CNN contributor, said in a tweet.

'However, CDC clearly has Philadelphia in green, or low community [COVID 19] risk. With readily available & effective vaccines, why arent we switching from case counts to the better metric of hospitalization?'
A nasal spray claiming to provide up to eight hours of protection from diseases including COVID-19 has stepped back from the assertion after being warned by regulators.

Bottles of CofixRX Nasal Spray  sold in 800 U.S. pharmacies for $24.95 each made the bold suggestion when they first went on sale.

They quickly caught the attention of local media, with some outlets reporting the drug could be a potential defense against the virus.

But the company quietly removed the claim this month after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accused it of selling a 'mislabeled' and 'unauthorized' product.

These types of sprays have emerged are marketed as a potential way to avoid a Covid infection, although none have been proven to work.

The above pictures show the spray on the website before the FDA threatened to pull it from shelves (left) and afterwards (right). It reveals that the up to eight hour protection claim has been removed, and a phrase added at the top saying the spray may not prevent an infection

CofixRX is sold at more than 800 pharmacies across the US (pictured) for about $24.95 each. Pharmacists say it is a best-seller locally

Nasal sprays for preventing infections with respiratory viruses  including Covid  are gaining popularity in the U.S. as a quick way to protect someone for infection.

But the FDA is yet to have authorized a single one for use in preventing a Covid infection.

Unapproved nasal sprays are allowed to be sold, though, as long as they do not make false claims or use drugs that are only available via prescription.

The CofixRX Nasal Spray was developed by eight doctors in Detroit, Michigan, who claimed it was 'highly effective' against Covid.

One pharmacist in the state told local news that over the first three months he stocked the spray it became a 'best-seller'.

Bill Lemanski, owner of Notre Dame Pharmacy in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, less than ten miles east of Detroit, told ABC: 'I've got repeat buyers, especially the grandmothers and the mothers who are buying it for their kids at school.'

Do nasal sprays work against Covid? A number of nasal sprays are currently being developed to treat people who test positive for Covid. Some are also being looked at as a way of preventing an infection. However, none have been approved for stopping a Covid infection by the FDA at present. Evidence on how well they work has been patchy, with few subjected to rigorous trials. One trial on a nasal spray in Tel Aviv, Israel, last year however suggested that they could protect people from catching Covid. Scientists monitored more than 250 Orthodox Jews at a religious gathering. Of the 81 attendees who used the spray every five hours, none caught Covid. But of the rest 16 did, including two who failed to follow the proper dosing regimen for the product. Advertisement

Manufacturers claim the nasal spray can kill Covid because it contains povidone-iodine, commonly used in hospital wipes to prevent infections.

But it was never tested in human trials before being rolled out in pharmacies, and there is no evidence to suggest it can stop someone catching the virus.

The FDA warned the company earlier this month to 'cease the sale' of its nasal spray claiming to help protect against Covid.

They said the nasal spray may give users the 'false impression that they need not rigorously adhere to interventions such as social distancing... that have been demonstrated to curb the spread of Covid'.

They added: 'Users who do not follow these interventions are at increased risk for contracting Covid and for spreading disease if they have been exposed to the virus, thereby prolonging the pandemic and increasing its associated morbidity and mortality.'

Since receiving the letter CofixRX has removed the up to eight hour claim from its product packaging and website.

However, one picture displayed online still carries the claim.

CofixRX has also removed a phrase stating: 'The active ingredient in CofixRX, Povidone-iodine, is FDA approved to be used in over the counter products.'

And they have taken down another sentence saying the product uses 'patent-pending technology' that is 'effective 45 second after application'.

A newly-added notice on the CofixRX website above a picture of the nasal spray reads: 'Not intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 or other viruses.

'Not intended to be a substitute for vaccines or other approved therapeutics.'

Infectious disease experts have previously raised concerns over CofixRX's claims that its spray could prevent a Covid infection.

Dr Luis Ostrosky, who specializes in diseases at UTHealth Houston in Texas previously told Fox News 26: 'I don't think there's any data to recommend (this product) as a primary prevention measure (for Covid).'

'The ingredient that they list is Povidone-iodine which is a very common antiseptic used in healthcare.

'There's laboratory evidence that this antiseptic kills Covid and other viruses, but there's no clinical data that is in patients that have been exposed to Covid to show that it actually prevents it.'

The above show the website before (left) and after (right) the FDA got in touch. The green box on the website has been removed

The company has also removed a sentence saying that the product contains an ingredient that is FDA-approved. The regulator warned this could give the impression that the product had been approved by them, which was not the case

This is not the first time nasal sprays claiming to protect people from Covid have fallen foul of US authorities.

Last year Xlear was accused of promoting its nasal spray as an effective treatment for Covid without any evidence by the Federal Trade Commission.

They said the company had used unsubstantiated claims to promote the product on its website, social media and in magazines.

This included a claim that it could protect people against Covid for up to four hours.

The FDA told DailyMail.com that it was not able to comment on discussions it was having with companies.

CofixRX said it took the FDA's warning 'very seriously', and was ready to work with all parties to make sure its packaging was 'never misleading'.

A spokesman said: 'CofixRX Nasal Spray is a safe and scientifically proven over-the-counter povidone-iodine nasal spray developed by a team of eight board-certified doctors determined to provide an easily accessible way to combat germs and pathogens.

'CofixRX Nasal Spray is designed to provide an additional layer of protection against exposures to reduce the likelihood of infection or transmission.'

They added: 'Independent research from Utah State Universitys Institute for Antiviral Research tested the CofixRX Nasal Spray and the scientific results proved the product to be highly effective at inactivating the SARS-CoV-2, the flu and common cold viruses.'
A Brazilian drug addict was forced to get five fingers amputated after injecting himself with crushed morphine tablets.

The 51-year-old man rushed to the hospital in 'severe' pain barely an hour after administering the three pills into his right forearm.

Doctors in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, gave him anesthetic  but found the fingers above the injection site were already cold and had turned blue.

Meanwhile, the patient's forearm began to swell leaving doctors with no option but to cut it open to drain the fluid.

The man was then rushed to the intensive care unit after it emerged damaged muscles had released bits of proteins into his blood.

When this happens  in a condition known as rhabdomyolysis  it can be fatal because the shards may damage the heart and kidneys. Doctors said the man also needed kidney support.

Ten days after he was admitted to hospital, all five fingers on his right hand were amputated. The patient  who was also described as an alcoholic  was discharged after four days, but returned later for reconstructive surgery on the stump.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW

A drug addict and alcoholic had all five fingers on his right hand amputated after injecting himself with three crushed morphine tablets. Pictured above is the hand after the injection

He was rushed to hospital in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, where doctors gave in anesthetic. But they noted that his hand had already turned blue and was cold after admission (Pictured left and right before the fingers were amputated)

The man returned a few months later for reconstructive surgery on his forearm

The Brazilian tale was revealed by doctors writing in the American Journal of Case Reports.

Morphine is a strong painkiller administered as a tablet or through an injection, and is most often used after major surgery or for cancer patients.

But the drug is highly addictive, and classed as a Schedule II in the U.S.  putting it with the likes of fentanyl and cocaine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not publish figures on the number of deaths due to morphine every year, but the agency reported a record 80,000 opioid deaths from November 2020 to 2021.

While opioid abuse is a major problem in the U.S., many Latin American countries like Brazil do not face as high levels of drug misuse, researchers from Simon Fraser University found in a study published last year.

Mauro Passos, a cardiologist at the University of Brasilia, said they used thermal cameras to determine that the fingers needed to be amputated.

They wrote that the patient had injected the three crushed pills into himself during an 'abstinence crisis'.

Doctors also suggested the pills had contained impurities which damaged the lining of his arteries, cutting off blood flow to the fingers.

They said that the artery in the hand had been 'obliterated' following the injection.
Millions of households are anxiously waiting for the promised 150 council tax rebate to land in their bank accounts.

The one-off payment is supposed to help struggling families hit by soaring energy bills, and was expected this month.

But as the Mail reported last week, the scheme has descended into chaos, with residents facing a postcode lottery and councils warning of long delays.

It comes as experts warn that the war in Ukraine could push up the average energy bill to as much as 5,000 a year by the autumn.

Here, we explain how to ensure you get your cash...

Delays: The 150 council tax rebate is supposed to help struggling families hit by soaring energy bills, but the scheme has descended into chaos

Who will receive the cash rebate?

Everyone living in council tax bands A to D is eligible for the payment, even if their council tax bill for the year is less than 150.

This means that 80 per cent of all households  around 20 million in England  should receive the money, which does not need to be paid back.

There is similar scheme for Wales and Scotland, benefiting almost three million people. Northern Ireland has received funding but it cannot be allocated until after the election next month.

The rebate was supposed to be made as a lump sum payment. However, some people living in Scotland have reported that their council tax bills are being reduced instead.

I'll have to wait months for help Wait: Rachael Thompson was told she will not receive the money until June at the earliest, or more likely September Pensioner Rachael Thompson had been banking on receiving her 150 council tax rebate this month. But when the 70-year-old, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, contacted her council after reading in the Mail about potential delays, she learned she would not receive the money until June at the earliest, or more likely September. Barrow Borough Council said it had not yet received funding for the scheme and that the software systems to facilitate the payment process would not be in place until May. Rachael, who lives with her son, Carl, had been relying on the cash to help cover bill hikes across the board. 'It's just not good enough,' she says. 'There will be people a lot worse off than me who cannot afford to get by without this 150. 'Nothing has been done to put a proper system in place to pay people.'

Will I get the money now?

The Chancellor originally said the rebate would be paid in April. But ministers have since given councils until September 30 to make the payments.

When you receive your money will depend on where you live.

Some local authorities say they are experiencing technical difficulties, which could mean residents will not receive payments for months.

Councils have also been advised not to give out the money until households have paid their council tax bill for April so they can verify people's bank details, which could mean further delays for those who pay their bills later in the month.

Those who do not pay by direct debit also face longer waiting times, as they will need to be contacted individually for payment arrangements to be made.

For more information, visit your council's website, as many have updated guidance.

Everyone living in council tax bands A to D is eligible for the payment, even if their council tax bill for the year is less than 150

Must I apply for a rebate?

You do not need to apply for the payment.

If you live in an eligible property and pay your council tax by direct debit, you should receive the money into your bank account automatically.

Those who pay by cash or cheque have been advised to wait for their council to write or email them with details of how to claim, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Some may offer the option of receiving the payment as a council tax credit or by cheque.

If you have not received any details by the end of the month, call your local district or borough council to find out what you need to do.

Even if you have already paid your tax for this month, you can still switch to paying your bills by direct debit at any time so you will receive the rebate sooner.

But I don't pay council tax...

Some groups of people who don't pay council tax will still be eligible for the rebate.

For instance, a house of full-time students (who fall into class N); people under the age of 18 (class S); people with a severe mental impairment (class U); and people living in annexes with a dependent relative (class W) will still receive the payout.

What if I am not eligible?

Around 4.3 million homes in council bands E to H are not eligible for the rebate. But councils have been given 144 million of additional funding to help those who miss out but are still in need.

The promised 150 council tax rebate is supposed to help struggling families hit by soaring energy bills, and was expected to arrive this month

How this discretionary fund is spent depends on the individual council, and many are still working out the details.

Telford and Wrekin Council in Shropshire says it will give 100 to everyone in a band E property who pays by direct debit from April 14.

Meanwhile, South Derbyshire District Council says the funds will be targeted at residents on low incomes who claim pension credit or other benefits.

If there is any money left over, other residents will be invited to claim up to a maximum of 150 per home. Ask your local authority for more details.

When will I get the 200 loan?

As part of the 9.1 billion package announced in February, the Government also pledged a 200 energy bill 'rebate' to 'take the sting' out of rising costs for 28 million households.

There has been some confusion about the difference between the two payouts, with the key difference being that the loan must be paid back.

All households will receive the 200 energy bill discount from October. You do not need to apply for it. This will then be paid back via 40 instalments over five years, from 2023.

However, in a consultation document released this week, it was suggested that if you are in debt with your supplier, the 200 sum could be used to pay this down instead.

t.armstrong@dailymail.co.uk
Motorists in Britain have been awarded almost 13million in compensation for damage to their vehicles caused by potholes in the last four years, according to a new study.

Councils and road authorities have been paying through the nose to cover the garage bills of drivers who have damaged vehicles on craters on roads.

However, of the 145,000 compensation claims made between January 2018 and October 2021, just a quarter have had their repair costs reimbursed.

Gone to pot: These are the 10 authorities and councils that paid out the most in compensation to motorists for pothole damage caused to vehicles

The new figures have been uncovered in an exclusive investigation by WhatCar?.

It found that 37,366 motorists have made successful pothole damage compensation claims in the last four years, which represents a 25.7 per cent success rate.

The grand total paid out across all councils and operators amassed to a massive 12,991,216.81 - which works out at around 347 per successful claim.

According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance's latest ALARM report on the state of roads in England and Wales, the average cost to fill a pothole is 47.42 - though it also says that the total bill to repair the nation's badly-rutted roads has now surpassed 12.6billion and will take nine years to rectify.

Of all the authorities paying out the biggest sums, Highways England - now renamed National Highways - has the largest compensation bill.

The Government agency manages the Strategic Road Network, meaning it is responsible for every pothole on the 4,300-mile network of motorways, dual carriageways and other A-roads.

In the four year period reviewed, Highways England forked out a whopping 865,254.75 in pothole-related damage claims.

What Car?'s investigation revealed the top 20 councils and authorities that paid out the most compensation between January 2018 and October 2021

Lincolnshire County Council received the highest number of damage claims across the four years, with 8,810 claims, of which 4,313 were successful, and 764,588.00 paid out in compensation  representing 177 per claim

Of the 344 local councils and roads authorities who responded to What Car?s freedom of information request, 161 of them stated they were unable to provide figures as road compensation often fell under the remit of county and city councils, rather than borough or district councils.

Five county and city councils were found to have paid more than half a million in compensation between 2018 and October 2021, including Lincolnshire County Council, Surrey County Council, Lancashire County Council, Staffordshire County Council, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The latter is one of the councils that has invested in a specialist piece of heavy-duty pothole repairing machinery in a bid to improve its road surfaces and cut back on the half a million pounds it has paid out in compensation to drivers in the previous four years.

This is Money recently had exclusive access to the council's JCB PotholePro and found it was six times faster than a traditional road gang.

This is the JCB PotholePro. It costs 165,000 and can repair a crater in a claimed 8 minutes

Lincolnshire County Council received the highest number of damage claims across the four years, with 8,810 claims, of which 4,313 were successful, and 764,588.00 paid out in compensation  representing 177 per claim.

Wiltshire Council was found to have the highest share of compensation claims paid, with 86.6 per cent of the 1,594 claims paid, totalling 302,911.10 over the four-year period.

Slough Borough Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Councils were the second and third highest, paying out 64.9 per cent and 62.4 per cent of all claims respectively. In total, 11 councils across Britain paid more than half of all claims.

As part of the investigation, What Car? also surveyed 470 motorists with 23.6 per cent reporting theyve damaged their vehicle in the past 18 months from hitting a pothole.

Two-thirds of respondents were aware they could claim for the damage caused from their local roads authority, though just 10.2 per cent had ever done so.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: 'The poor state of Britains roads is nothing new, but recently its been brought into greater focus by everything from reports of celebrities filling potholes on local roads to the most recent ALARM report highlighting the vast costs and resources needed to bring our network up to standard.

'Our investigation has shown the considerable number of claims motorists have submitted up and down the country for damage caused by poor road conditions and the significant outlay local authorities have to bear to compensate motorists.

'This is in addition to scheduled expenditure on maintaining and repairing roads.'
I am writing on behalf of my 82-year-old widowed mother, whos had her Nationwide bank account frozen.

She is in the process of migrating to live with me in the U.S. Her visa has been approved, her house is under offer and her furniture is packed.

At the beginning of February she tried to wire funds from Nationwides Lymington branch, in Hampshire, to her U.S. account, but the bank refused to do it and froze her account.

Grounded: Nationwide froze an elderly customer's bank account just before she was due to jet off to a new home in Mississippi

The first my mother knew of this was when her card was later declined. She is now unable to access her pensions and has had to rely on family and friends.

I wrote to Nationwide explaining the situation and was told this was forwarded to its fraud support team.

We were assured that there would be a response within 15 working days, but this deadline has passed.

We have attempted to phone and email with no response. Please help.

A. G., Mississippi.

Sally Hamilton replies: It is a serious upheaval for anyone moving lock, stock and barrel from one country to another, but doing it at the age of 82 must be particularly stressful.

Your mother had already faced long delays in sorting her move because of the pandemic, so you both must have been extremely frustrated to discover that her bank account had been blocked at this crucial point.

You did your best to help her, but Nationwide did not give you the answers you needed.

To rub salt in the wound, the sterling-dollar exchange rate worsened after your mother first tried to move her money, so she was looking at a substantial reduction in the value of her savings as the weeks rolled by.

Scam watch Fraudsters are exploiting the Ukraine crisis to prey on vulnerable victims. Action Fraud says it has received around 200 fake emails from people purporting to be raising money for those affected by the war. In one seen by Money Mail, scammers were impersonating a Ukrainian mother who claimed her husband and son had been killed in a blast. They asked for donations to be made in bitcoin, a form of cryptocurrency. Fraud expert Charlie Shakeshaft says: If you want to donate to help with the crisis, do your own research, choose a reputable charity that you trust and contact it directly.

I stepped in and asked Nationwide to put things right, pronto.

A couple of days later, it confirmed that the account was unblocked and a senior customer services executive contacted you to explain and apologise.

It seems staff at the branch feared your mothers initial transfer involved some kind of scam, so they locked the account.

At Nationwides request, you provided a copy of your mothers U.S. bank statement on February 9. Despite a number of calls and emails after this, the restriction still was not removed.

I intervened on March 16 and the next day the account was unblocked. The transfer was finally made on March 18  six weeks after the first attempt.

Had your mother been able to send the payment on February 9, once you had provided the U.S. bank statement, the sum received would have been $355,314. By making the payment on March 18, the funds that landed in the account were $344,085, a difference of $11,229  about 8,630.

I am delighted to say that Nationwide agreed to make up the shortfall, plus pay your mother 300 as an apology.

A Nationwide spokesman says: We take the protection of our members and their money seriously. Our branch had genuine concerns that our member could be the victim of a scam, so we believe the correct decision was made to restrict the account while we reviewed the evidence.

Unfortunately, this took longer than expected, at a time when our member was preparing to move nearer her son. With this hassle finally over, you can look forward to your mother joining you, her three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren for a new life in Mississippi.

Can't escape my holiday credit card nightmare

Ive had a pre-paid Escape Travel Card for several years and used it successfully abroad  that is, until I got my new card in 2020.

I tried to use it in Greece last September, but it was blocked. Since then, I have repeatedly tried to call the company, but all I get is an automated message.

It seems impossible to speak to a human because of Covid. I have emailed numerous times and sent a letter to the head office, but I have heard nothing.

I wish to cancel the card and get back my 500 that was loaded on to it.

C. B., Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics.

Sally Hamilton replies: On phoning Escape Travel Cards customer services, I heard the same message you describe, apologising that Covid meant it had to close its call centre temporarily, but that customers can get in touch by email.

My call was made almost two years after the pandemic was first announced, so this got my hackles up: the Covid excuse is simply no longer acceptable. I tried emailing, as the phone message assured me Id have to wait only two days for a reply.

A week later, when I had still heard nothing, I hunted down a number for its registered office in Gibraltar. Again, I was directed to an email address.

But I am pleased to say that this email did elicit an acknowledgement of my query within a day.

It also prodded the company to call you directly with a promise to return your 500 straight away.

Your card was blocked because you had used the wrong PIN, but surely customers should be able to sort out such problems swiftly  not struggle for six months to make contact with the provider.

It appears the Escape Travel Card has now reached the end of its journey as, two days after solving your problem, Tuxedo Money Solutions  the company behind the scheme  emailed customers to say its card programme will close on May 24.

Customers must either spend their balance before then or email customerrefunds@tuxedomoney.com for a refund.

Straight to the point I ordered a fold-away stool over the phone from Easylife, but it delivered the wrong one. It has promised to pick it up on five dates, but each time, no one has shown up. I still have not received the correct stool. L. A., Wirral. Easylife has now delivered the correct stool. It says a shortage of lorry drivers affected its courier firm, which is why it struggled to collect the wrong order. Our Whirlpool oven broke at the end of November, eight months after we bought it and within its warranty period. Weve been told no spare parts are available to fix it and the model is no longer sold in the UK. P. S., Warrington. Despite numerous calls to Whirlpool, you say it seemed unwilling or unable to resolve this issue. After my involvement it admitted its error and has now arranged for an upgraded model to be delivered to you. *** We paid a 670 deposit for a P&O cruise. In April 2020, we were told either to pay the full amount owed - around 4,000 - or to cancel our booking and take future cruise credits. I was not offered a refund and will struggle to use the credit before it expires. N. N., via email. P&O says there is no expiration date on the credit, so you can use it whenever you like. I urged it to reimburse you and  despite the deposit being non-refundable  it agreed to this as a gesture of goodwill. *** After signing up to Sainsburys Energy in September, I was promised 12,000 Nectar points. Despite many emails and promises from the firm, I have not received them. P. H. South Ayrshire. Sainsburys could not explain the delay, but has contacted you to apologise and the points have been added to your account.
Easyjet is pinning its hopes on a summer holiday boom, having lost more than 500million in the first half of the year.

The low-cost carrier, which along with rivals including British Airways has cancelled hundreds of flights due to staff shortages, said bookings are ahead of pre-pandemic levels despite the chaos at airports.

The surge follows the end of travel restrictions in the UK and is a welcome boost for an industry reeling from the pandemic.

Summer surge: Easyjet, which has cancelled hundreds of flights due to staff shortages, said bookings are ahead of pre-pandemic levels

Easyjet expects to lose between 535million and 565million in the six months to the end of March, though that is less than the 701million loss in the same period a year ago.

But summer travel chaos looms. Easyjet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: Since travel restrictions were removed, Easyjet has seen a strong recovery in trading which has been sustained, resulting in a positive outlook for Easter and beyond, with daily booking volumes for summer tracking ahead of those at the same time in 2019.

We remain confident in our plans which will see us reaching near 2019 flying levels for this summer and emerge as one of the winners in the recovery.

The end of restrictions on January 24 led to a booking surge, and Easyjet jumped from flying at 50 per cent of pre-pandemic in January to 80 per cent in March.

It expects this to rise to 90 per cent over the next three months and to around pre-pandemic levels thereafter.

It said travellers are set to release pent-up demand after years stuck at home, and in the last six weeks bookings for the summer have been ahead of 2019. But staff absences are causing increased cancellations.

The industry has been blasted for being wrong-footed by the surge in holidays, which critics think should have been expected.

The end of restrictions on January 24 led to a booking surge, and Easyjet jumped from flying at 50% of pre-pandemic in January to 80 per cent in March

A shortage of staff has led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. Easyjet has cancelled 6 per cent of flights over the last week, or around 630.

Lundgren said cancellations were because of high levels of staff absences with Covid, which he said at times has seen as many as one in five unable to work.

He said Easyjet is waiting for accreditation for staff as it ramps up hiring ahead of the summer.

He said: There is a backlog there and were currently waiting for about 100 cabin crew to get their IDs.

The UKs busiest airport Heathrow is racing to recruit 12,000 staff to handle a very busy summer after weeks of chaos.

Easyjet said holidaymakers are planning to flock to destinations such as the Greek islands, and that it was confident it will manage the demand.

The airline said in the six months to the end of March sales were around 1.5billion, up from around 235million a year earlier.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter said: Easyjets bookings may be climbing, but its still going to be a rocky ride for passengers who look likely to have to navigate long queues at terminals through the spring and summer.

'There is a risk pent-up demand for a break in the sun will turn into pent-up anger if problems continue to escalate.

The airlines shares rose 1.8 per cent, or 9.8p, to 552.4p.
When the finance industry announced that cheques would be phased out by 2018 there was uproar.

Such was the outpouring of opposition that two years later, the Payments Council was forced to reverse its decision and promise to keep the popular paper payment slips for as long as they were needed.

But Money Mail readers today sound the alarm over fears that firms are once again trying to kill off the humble cheque.

Sign of the times: Readers have sounded the alarm over fears that firms are once again trying to kill off the humble cheque

Lockdown restrictions caused usage to plummet in the pandemic, and now a surge in bank branch closures means customers are running out of places to deposit them.

It comes after savings institution NS&I tried to stop posting its treasured Premium Bond prize cheques, only to retreat after a Money Mail campaign.

Last week, Money Mail Editor Victoria Bischoff raised concerns in her column that cheques were increasingly being viewed as obsolete by tech-savvy individuals.

Since then, we have been inundated with emails and letters from people who regularly use them to pay local businesses, donate to charities and send as gifts to children and grandchildren.

Some people write more than a dozen cheques a month  and many say they are reassured by how much safer it is to pay this way, rather than online where money can disappear at the click of a button, or by keeping lots of cash in their homes.

Cheque usage peaked in 1990, when four billion were written, according to banking trade body UK Finance.

In 2010, more than a billion cheques were paid in. But this fell to 185 million during the pandemic in 2020, a 32 per cent decline on the previous year.

Barclays says the average number of cheques written by its personal customers is down by 44 per cent compared with before Covid-19 struck in early 2020.

Today, none of the High Street providers offers a chequebook to customers as standard. Those who want one must make a request.

Some new mobile banks, such as Monzo and Starling Bank, do not offer a chequebook at all.

Yet despite making up just 1 per cent of all payments, cheques remain vital to thousands of people.

Landlord Anthony Gianni, for instance, was grateful he had his chequebook to fall back on when repaying his mortgage last October. Anthony, 66, had tried to send 176,000 electronically to his lender's HSBC account.

But after checking the name and account details, staff at his local Santander branch told him they couldn't confirm that it belonged to the mortgage firm.

Anthony, who lives in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, says: 'They said I could still make the transfer but if it didn't go to the right account, they might not be able to get the money back.

There was no way I could go through with it when the risk was on me.' The only way he could make sure the money went to the lender was to send a cheque.

He adds: 'It may have taken a few more days to clear but at least I knew that only Rosinca Mortgages could cash my cheque.'

Santander says accounts may not be verified if the name does not match the account number or where there has been a significant mistake in either.

Corporate accounts may not be approved either as not all are set up for the Confirmation of Payee security check.

'Cheques feel safer than online' Janice Chapple still uses cheques to pay her window cleaner, mobile hairdresser and podiatrist Janice Chapple, from Honiton in Devon, fondly remembers learning how to write a cheque in the 1950s, when she was 14. Her school had set aside a double lesson to teach the children where to place the lines and fill in any gaps so the recipient cannot add any extra zeros. Janice, 73, says: 'Cheques were used to pay for everything back then.' The former postwoman says she always kept a blank cheque in her handbag for any emergency. She says: 'We didn't have bank cards. If you were on holiday and short of money, you could go into any bank branch and write them a cheque. 'They would call your bank for a 2 fee, describe what you looked like and take you through some security questions, then hand over the cash.' Janice still uses cheques to pay her window cleaner, mobile hairdresser and podiatrist, and to send money to charities. She says: 'It feels safer than online payments.'

Forced out via the back door

The Payments Council, which was made up of retailers, transaction firms and banks, announced in 2009 that it would be phasing out cheques within nine years.

Vincent Saunders, 70, was one of many who wrote to the government at the time in protest.

He says: 'Certain things would be impossible without cheques. Everyone thinks technology is foolproof, but they don't realise how fragile it is.

'I had to pay for an expensive cruise by cheque a few years ago when the card machine didn't work, and a bill in the bank when the technology was down.' Vincent, who lives in Troon, Ayrshire, says the first time he bought petrol for his car, aged 17, he paid the 1.43 by cheque.

The former technical author says he prefers not to enter his details online or give firms his credit card details, which could be cloned.

He and his wife write each other cheques to take to the bank branch to get cash. He also uses them to help friends financially by swapping cash for a postdated or undated cheque which can be deposited when they are ready.

He adds: 'I hope cheques will be around until I am in my grave.'

Yet since the start of 2020, banks have closed no fewer than 1,268 branches, according to the consumer group Which?

Some 163 have shut so far this year, with 235 scheduled for closure by the end of 2022.

Morgan Vine, head of policy at the charity Independent Age, says: 'As we move towards a cashless society, older people who don't feel comfortable with or confident to make card payments or use online banking must not be forgotten or financially penalised for using cheques.

'Moving to more digital forms of payment such as contactless cards and online banking risks older people being left behind.

'Businesses should do everything possible to provide customers with choice to prevent this from happening.'

Delayed: The Payments Council, which was made up of retailers, transaction firms and banks, announced in 2009 that it would be phasing out cheques within nine years

More blanket refusals

An increasing number of businesses are refusing to accept cheques on grounds of cost.

Milk & More, the biggest milk delivery service in the UK, told customers last year that they must place all orders online and pay by debit or credit card only.

When Money Mail asked 20 of Britain's biggest insurers, fewer than half said they still accept cheques as standard.

The Post Office and Esure refuse this payment method, as does John Lewis, which says customers can pay over the phone if they don't want to go online.

Hastings Direct will only take card payments, as it is a 'digitally focused business' and customer transactions are in line with that.

A spokesman says: 'Payment card or direct debit processes provide our customers with certainty about when monies will be taken and ensure their insurance cover is maintained at all times.'

Direct Line and Churchill say a small minority of their customers pay for their insurance by cheque, but this is by exception only.

Axa says it doesn't accept cheques for home and motor cover because it needs the payment at the time of setting up a policy.

Yet other firms, such as Saga, Aviva and Ageas, are able to accept them.

Just two of the five largest telecoms companies allow cheque payments for all services.

Sky customers cannot pay their bills by cheque, nor can those with BT Sport, Mobile or TV.

TV Licensing will accept a cheque only if you pay the 159 fee in full. You can pay monthly or quarterly by direct debit.

You may be able to pay your energy bill by cheque  but it could cost you more.

The current price cap for those who pay by monthly direct debit is 1,971 a year, based on typical usage.

But if you pay by cash, cheque or quarterly direct debit, annual payments are capped at 2,101  an extra 130.

Regulator Ofgem says this is to reflect the additional costs suppliers face to process these payments.

EDF customers will pay an extra 100 a year for their bill if they don't pay by monthly direct debit, while E.ON charges 130 more.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, says: 'The number of cheques being written may be declining but they remain a crucial payment method for many older people for whom they are their usual and preferred way of buying goods and services, as has been the case throughout their long lives.

'Many people still rely on cheques as a trusted payment option for their household bills, as well as using them for a range of other purposes.

They remain an important part of the payments landscape. It is vital that energy companies and other financial services continue to accept them as payment without charging excessive fees for processing them.'

Readers have their say There are many in my age group unable or disinclined to use the internet, so I continue to use cheques as often as I can in order to stop this payment method dying out. V. D., via email. Council tax, phone, water and electricity bills are paid by cheque out of principle. I just want freedom of choice to pay how I want to. H. F., Devon. The whole [electronic payment] system collapsed in Specsavers the other day, so the only solution was to pay by cheque as I didnt have enough cash on me. I dont write that many cheques but they are always a good standby. M. C., via email. Writing cheques is alive and well for me. I hate the idea of online banking, and telephone banking even more so. I think mistakes can be made too easily. Moreover, how nice must it be to receive a cheque in the post with your birthday card. S. C., via email. I still use cheques wherever possible, as I am concerned that if we lose them, how will our less IT-savvy population manage to make payments? Use of the debit and credit card does not meet all the needs of consumers and there are so many scams out there. S. B., via email. I am 77 and would be absolutely devastated if the banks were to discontinue cheques, as was being touted for a while. I still have a coal fire and I leave a cheque for the coalman in the cellar so I dont need a large cash sum on hand to pay for it. I also use cheques when shopping by post if I can, which means the funds are not taken out of my bank until the company has despatched my order. E. C., by email. As an older couple, my wife and I still use cheques on a regular basis and will continue to do so, despite the constant pressure from our bank to use a mobile app or go online. We feel more in control of our finances by keeping to the old system. D. P., via email. I am a little over 70 years old and prefer to write a cheque when paying for expensive items. Im not a complete dinosaur, as I use online banking when it suits me. S. P., via email. My husband and I steer clear of internet banking and still rely heavily on cheques. In the past month we have issued eight between us, which is more than we have paid on our cards. H. J., via email. I am 74, fairly internet-savvy and still ride motorcycles. I always think that using cheques is safer than bank transfers. R. H., Suffolk. I live in rural North Devon where we only have use of a mobile bank once a fortnight for an hour, so for me cheques are a necessity. P. H., via email. The advantage of cheques and cash is that they minimise the chance of someone tracking how you are using your money and the ever-increasing possibility of scams and fraud. R. M., via email. At nearly 92, I occasionally have to resort to writing cheques because I dont have cash in the house. Because of age and past lockdown restrictions, I have not visited cashpoints. M. A., via email. My late mother was housebound in her last couple of years and she reimbursed me monthly by cheque for her shopping. Should I need the same care in the future, I would need a way to reimburse the person shopping for me  and it is unlikely to be by using stressful internet banking. J. B., via email.

Payments changing with the times

It used to take five working days for a cheque to clear but as a result of technology rolled out in 2019, you can now access the funds as soon as the next day, depending on who you bank with.

Many providers, including Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and NatWest, also allow you to take a picture of the cheque on your smartphone and deposit it into your account via the mobile banking app.

A UK Finance spokesman says: 'Cheques remain a valued method of payment for many customers and the industry continues to invest significantly to facilitate their use.'

However, Dennis Reed, from the campaign group Silver Voices, says he worries that banks are trying to phase out cheques altogether.

He says: 'Banks used to send out chequebooks on a regular basis, but now you have to request them and they are much smaller. They also charge fees for small businesses  it costs me 70p to deposit each membership cheque.

'They are playing the long game by discouraging usage so one day they can turn round and say we no longer need them.

'There may be only a small number of people who use them regularly but they are the ones who rely on them.'

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
Actor Chun Woo-hee / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks





By Kwak Yeon-soo







Actor Chun Woo-hee was catapulted to fame after starring as a teenage rape victim in the 2013 poignant drama film, "Han Gong-ju." After sweeping seven best actress awards for her performance, she started getting more offers that opened new doors for her to critically and commercially successful films such as "The Wailing" by director Na Hong-jin.







Now she is ready for another transformation with the female-led psychological thriller, "Anchor."







In the upcoming film, Chun plays the role of a prime-time news anchor, Se-ra, whose life turns upside down after receiving a phone call from a mysterious woman named Mi-so, who claims she is about to be killed by a stalker and asks Se-ra to report her story.







With the desire to break a big story and outpace her rivals, Se-ra digs deeper into the case and finds out that mysterious psychiatrist In-ho (Shin Ha-kyun) may be involved in Mi-so's death. Meanwhile, Se-ra's relationship with her controlling mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), falls apart as she tries to break free from their toxic, close-knit relationship.







Chun confessed that "Anchor" was a draining film because it was emotionally heavy and the production team was on a super-tight filming schedule.







"It follows the intense emotional journey of Se-ra. As she unravels the mystery, she is reminded of her own trauma. Rather than feeling sympathy for Se-ra, I thought it was far more important to be direct and expressive with her emotions. I tried to appear bold and boisterous so that the audience may find her desperate inner struggle more compelling in the latter part of the movie," the 35-year-old actor said during an interview with The Korea Times via Zoom, Wednesday.







The actor went into a little more detail with how she prepared for the character. "The best advice that I received was that I need to iron my face to appear emotionless. I spent four hours per day doing vocal warm-ups and diction exercises. Practice makes perfect," she said.







Actor Chun Woo-hee in a scene from the film, "Anchor" / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks





The actress explained that the film is about a woman who struggles with depersonalization disorder but strives to gain social acceptance from her peers and seek approval from her mother.







"It was challenging to truly embody Se-ra's obsessive character and express her unstable inner state, such as of anxiety and trauma. However, I believe that the essence of her problem lies in her desire to be loved," Chun said.







Asked about her personal desire, she said, "I always have a desire for freedom. I would love to travel and explore the world."







Chun also lauded Shin and Lee for their superb acting. "I love being with other actors on set. It was amazing how Shin immerses himself into the role as soon as the camera rolls," she commented. "It was really inspiring to watch Lee's acting from up close."







By the end of the interview, the actor encouraged the audience to come to theaters to watch her two films, both premiering in April.







"Two of my films are hitting theaters this month ('Anchor' and 'I Want to Know Your Parents'), but the characters are totally different. All the films are very far from each other. So that makes it exciting for an actor because you're not limiting yourself to one world or one kind of character," she said.







"If it had been in pre-COVID-19, I wouldn't have liked the idea of two films premiering around the same time, but finally, people are going to theaters, which is a good thing. I'm hoping all releases are going to be welcomed."







"Anchor" will hit local theaters April 20.


A Massachusetts federal court judge wonders whether proceeding with a Mexican government lawsuit against United States gun manufacturers could lead to other countries suing, as well - including Russia, over firearms used by Ukrainians in the ongoing war.

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor in Boston raised that prospect as he considered whether to dismiss Mexico's $10 billion lawsuit seeking to hold 11 gun makers - including Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Sturm Ruger & Co. - responsible for a deadly flood of weapons across the border.

Mexico in a lawsuit filed in August 2021 accused the companies of undermining its strict gun laws by designing, marketing and distributing military style assault weapons in ways they knew would arm drug cartels, fueling murders and kidnappings.

It alleges that more than 500,000 guns are smuggled annually from the United States into Mexico, of which more than 68 percent are produced by the gun manufacturing companies it sued, including Beretta USA, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Colt's Manufacturing Co. and Glock Inc.

'They know how criminals are getting their guns,' Jonathan Lowy, a lawyer for Mexico, argued during the 90-minute virtual hearing on Tuesday. 'They could stop and they choose to be willfully blind to the facts.'

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard holds documents during an August 2021 news conference to announce that Mexico 11 gun makers in a U.S. federal court, accusing them of negligent business practices that generated illegal arms trafficking which led to deaths in Mexico

A judge with the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts is considering rejecting a Mexican government lawsuit against U.S. gun makers, indicating it could lead to other countries suing, as well - including Russia, over firearms used by Ukrainians in the ongoing war.

Mexican soldiers dismantle weapons seized from alleged drug traffickers at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense in Mexico City in 2010

Sturm, Ruger & Co (left) and Smith & Wesson (right) are among the 11 companies that have been sued in a Massachusetts federal court by the Mexican government

However, Saylor questioned whether Mexico's stance would mean the protections that gun makers typically enjoy under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) from lawsuits over their products' misuse is 'completely hollow.'

He asked why, if Mexico could sue the gun makers, other countries could not, too, such as Italy over mafia killings, Israel over attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, or even Russia over the deaths of its soldiers in Ukraine if the companies' guns were used.

'If Ukrainians are using United States manufactured military weapons or Smith & Wesson revolvers for that matter to defend themselves, can the government of Russia come in and say you have caused us harm?' he asked during the hearing. 'I mean, why not, if your theory is right?'

Steven Shadowen, another lawyer for the Mexican government, said other foreign counties could also sue if they met the requirements, though he said U.S. courts could refuse to hear a case if it presented a political question.

But Andrew Lelling, a lawyer for Smith & Wesson, said it would be 'absurd' to conclude the federal law only bars lawsuits over injuries in the United States and not Mexico's allegations over the trafficking of guns to Mexican criminals.

Mexican soldiers stand guard next to weapons seized from alleged drug traffickers or handed in by residents before they are destroyed at a military zone in Mexico City in 2016

Weapons seized from alleged drugs traffickers are seen before being destroyed during an operation at a military zone on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on February 16

Some of the weapons (pictured) that were used in the June 2020 failed plot to kill Mexico City's police chief were smuggled from the United States. The Mexican government is suing 11 gun makers from Massachusetts, alleging the companies undermined its strict gun laws by designing, marketing and distributing military-style assault weapons in ways they knew would arm drug cartels, fueling murders and kidnappings

He said it was too much of a reach for Mexico to sue the companies over gun sales that were legal in the United States to wholesalers who in turn sold them to retailers before criminals smuggled them.

'They would have to argue that Congress intended for this robust statute to apply if an independent criminal actor shot somebody in San Diego, but not if he slips over the border and shoots somebody in Tijuana,' Lelling said.

Alejandro Celorio, the Mexican Foreign Ministry's legal counsel, said the court's resolution would likely take weeks, and noted that the complexity of the case made a nuanced, rather than a simple 'yes or no,' ruling more likely in the end.

A Mexican soldier destroys weapons seized from alleged drug traffickers or handed in by residents at a military zone in Mexico City in 2016

Speaking in a video conference, Celorio said that if the court ruled against Mexico, the government would likely appeal. A negotiated settlement was 'always an option,' he added, but stressed that Mexico had no plans to change its strategy for now.

Mexico estimates that weapons manufactured by the 11 Massachusetts-based gun makers were allegedly used in at least 17,000 homicides in 2019.

Some of the guns used by Jalisco New Generation Cartel members in the June 2020 failed assassination attempt of Mexico City's public security chief were weapons that had been trafficked from the United States, they claim.

'The defendant companies are aware that their products are trafficked and used in illicit activities against the civilian population and Mexican authorities,' a Mexican official said, as quoted by El Pais newspaper at the time of the lawsuit filing.
An 'otherwise rational' Capitol insurrectionist was radicalized by Donald Trump minutes before joining the January 6 riot, his lawyer has claimed.

Ohioan Dustin Byron Thompson, 37, is accused of stealing a coat rack from the Senate during the angry mob's attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 election.

Thompson faces six federal charges including theft of government property and disorderly conduct in a restricted building.

But lawyer Samuel Shamansky told jurors in opening remarks Tuesday that his client was simply doing Trump's 'dirty work' in a 'sinister' plot launched by the ex-President.

Thompson, pictured at the Jan. 6 riot, 'knew what he was doing' according to prosecutors

Thompson (left) handed himself in on January 25 alongside his attorney Mr Shamansky (right)

Mr Shamansky claimed Trump 'authorized' the attack in his pre-riot speech, in which he implored supporters to 'fight like hell' against the transfer of power.

The attorney said: 'It's Donald Trump himself spewing the lies and using his position to authorize this assault.'

After he was arrested late on Jan. 6, Thompson's wife refused to pay his bond, texting: 'I will not post bail.'

Thompson's raft of charges includes obstructing Congress' joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, entering a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading in a Capitol building.

His attorney explained that Thompson lost his job during the Covid pandemic and fell down a YouTube conspiracy 'rabbit hole'.

He said: 'This is the garbage that Dustin Thompson is listening to day after day after day.

'He listens to this echo chamber. And he acts accordingly.'

Thompson was clearly identified from surveillance footage and a flurry of social media images

Thompson (circled) filmed the riot and entered a Senate office (arrowed), taking a coat rack

The attorney previously told the Columbus Dispatch: 'How else do you explain otherwise rational, law-abiding citizens traveling to D.C. and doing what they did?'

Thompson turned himself in two weeks after the Capitol riot, accompanied by Mr Shamansky.

Justice Department prosecutor Jennifer Rozzoni said Thompson knew he was breaking the law that day.

'He chose to be a part of the mayhem and chaos,' she said.

Thompson's lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as witnesses at his trial this week.

Thompson is then pictured leaving the office, only this time holding the coat rack (to his left)

Speaking before the riot, Donald Trump urged his supporters to 'fight like hell' to keep power

A judge rejected that request but ruled that jurors can hear recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions.

The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts with which they were charged.

In a February court filing, Shamansky said he wanted to argue at trial that Thompson was acting at the direction of Trump and 'his various conspirators.'

The lawyer asked to subpoena others from Trump's inner circle, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former White House senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Trump lawyers John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

Prosecutors said Thompson can't show that Trump or Giuliani had the authority to 'empower' him to break the law.

They also noted that video of the rally speeches 'perfectly captures' the tone, delivery and context of the statements to the extent they are 'marginally relevant' to proof of Thompson's intent on Jan. 6.

Thompson and Shamansky arriving at the U.S. District Courthouse in Columbus, OH on Jan. 25

Shamansky hopes to protect his client by arguing the riot (pictured) was brought on by Trump

Thompson's lawyer argued that Trump would testify that he and others ' orchestrated a carefully crafted plot to call into question the integrity of the 2020 presidential election.'

Shamansky claimed that Giuliani incited rioters by encouraging them to engage in 'trial by combat' and that Trump provoked the mob by saying that 'if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.'

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled in March that any in-person testimony by Trump or Giuliani could confuse and mislead jurors.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from Jan. 6. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors.

Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory.

Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson has a co-defendant, Robert Lyon, who pleaded guilty to riot-related charges in March.

Thompson and Lyon, then 27, drove from Columbus, Ohio, to Silver Spring, Maryland, stayed overnight at a hotel and then took an Uber ride into Washington, D.C., on the morning of Jan. 6.

After then-President Donald Trumps speech, Thompson and Lyon headed over to the Capitol.

Thompson was wearing a 'Trump 2020' winter hat and a bulletproof vest when he entered the Capitol and went to the Senate Parliamentarians Office, where he stole two bottles of liquor and a coat rack worth up to $500, according to prosecutors.

Thompson and Lyon traded text messages during the riot.

'Some girl died already,' Lyon said in one text, an apparent reference to a law enforcement officer's fatal shooting of rioter Ashli Babbitt.

'Was it Pelosi?' Thompson replied.

'I'm taking our country back,' Thompson later texted Lyon.

Around 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, Thompson and Lyon were sitting on a sidewalk and waiting for an Uber driver to pick them up when Capitol police officers approached and warned them that they were in a restricted area.

As they started to leave, Thompson picked up a coat rack that appeared to be from the Capitol, the FBI said. Thompson ran away when the officers told him to put down the rack, dropping it as he fled.

Lyon stayed behind and identified himself and Thompson to police.

That night, Thompson received a text from his wife that said, 'I will not post bail.'

The FBI said agents later searched Lyons cellphone and found a video that showed a ransacked office and Thompson yelling: 'Wooooo! Merica Hey! This is our house!'

A surveillance video also captured Thompson leaving a Capitol office with a bottle of bourbon, the FBI said.

After answering cops' questions on January 6, Lyon returned back to their Maryland hotel to find Thompson, and the next day the two traveled home to Ohio.

They went to college in Ohio together and have known each other for years.

Lyon pleaded guilty to theft of government property and disorderly conduct.

Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of 1 year imprisonment.

Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.
Billionaire Elon Musk is being sued by a Twitter shareholder who claims the Tesla CEO's delay in disclosing his more than 5 percent stake in the social media giant allowed him to buy more shares at lower prices.

Marc Bain Rasella filed the lawsuit against Musk for alleged securities fraud in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, according to a Bloomberg report.

The suit claims the billionaire was required to disclose his holdings to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by March 24, but the delay kept Twitter's share price down allowing Musk to buy more shares at a lower price.

Musk is accused of violating a regulatory deadline to reveal he had accumulated a stake of at least 5 percent. Instead, according to the complaint, Musk didn't disclose his position in Twitter until he'd almost doubled his stake to more than 9 percent.

That strategy, the lawsuit alleges, hurt less wealthy investors who sold shares in the San Francisco company in the nearly two weeks before Musk acknowledged holding a major stake.

Musk's regulatory filings show that he bought a little more than 620,000 shares at $36.83 apiece on Jan. 31 and then continued to accumulate more shares on nearly every single trading day through April 1.

Musk held 73.1 million Twitter shares as of the most recent count Monday. That represents a 9.1 percent stake in Twitter.

The lawsuit alleges that by March 14, Musk's stake in Twitter had reached a 5 percent threshold that required him to publicly disclose his holdings under U.S. securities law by March 24. Musk didn't make the required disclosure until April 4.

That revelation caused Twitter's stock to soar 27 percent from its April 1 close to nearly $50 by the end of April 4's trading, depriving investors who sold shares before Musk's improperly delayed disclosure the chance to realize significant gains, according to the lawsuit.

Musk, meanwhile, was able to continue to buy shares that traded in prices ranging from $37.69 to $40.96.

The lawsuit is seeking to be certified as a class action representing Twitter shareholders who sold shares between March 24 and April 4, a process that could take a year or more.

Musk spent about $2.6 billion on Twitter stock - a fraction of his estimated wealth of $265 billion, the largest individual fortune in the world.

In a regulatory filing Monday, Musk disclosed he may increase his stake after backing out of an agreement reached last week to join Twitter's board of directors.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk was sued by a Twitter shareholder who claims the billionaire's delay in disclosing his more than 5% stake in Twitter allowed him to buy more shares at lower prices

As of Tuesday morning Twitter was trading at $45.83 per share, a 2.49 percent drop from Monday

CEO of Tesla Motors Elon Musk speaks at the Tesla Giga Texas manufacturing 'Cyber Rodeo' in April 2022. He revealed last week that he had become Twitter's largest shareholder

Jacob Walker, one of the lawyers that filed the lawsuit against Musk, told The Associated Press that he hadn't reached out to the Securities and Exchange Commission about Musk's alleged violations about the disclosure of his Twitter stake.

'I assume the SEC is well aware of what he did,' Walker said.

The SEC and Musk have been wrangling in court since 2018 when Musk and Tesla agreed to pay a $40 million fine t o settle allegations that he used his Twitter account to mislead investors about a potential buyout of the electric car company that never materialized.

As part of that deal, Musk was supposed to obtain legal approval for his tweets about information that could affect Tesla's stock price - a provision that regulators contend he has occasionally violated and that he now argues unfairly muzzles him.

Musk is accused of violating a regulatory deadline to reveal he had accumulated a stake of at least 5 percent. Instead, he didn't disclose his stake in Twitter until he'd almost doubled it

One day after Musk disclosed his stake, platform CEO Parag Agrawal announced the Tesla co-founder had been invited to the join the company's board of directors, a seat he gladly accepted.

By accepting the board seat, Musk was limited in how much of the company's shares he could own, with a 14.9 percent cap.

However, on Sunday Parag announced the SpaceX CEO formally declined his board seat.

Brandeis University finance professor Anna Scherbina told NPR that she predicts Musk could potentially turn into an activist investor, putting pressure on management and pushing his agenda until he gets what he wants.

Scherbina told NPR that some of the tactics activist investors use to influence a company include pressuring shareholders by lobbying them, or even releasing information about the company to the public.

Activist investors also install people who share their point of view on the board of directors and in more aggressive cases they even attempt to replace the company CEO.

Musk would need to purchase roughly 400.32 million additional shares, valued around $15.3billion, to own 50 percent of Twitter

The reason for the tactics are the activist investor thinks things need to change at the company but that often puts them at odds with the company board, who are usually not open to being criticized by shareholders, no matter how large a stake they have, Scherbina said.

Although it is not known what kind of investor Musk will be, he has already vowed to 'make significant improvements' to the site.

Musk, who describes himself as a 'free speech absolutist,' has been highly critical of Twitter and its policies as of late, arguing he doesn't think Twitter is living up to free speech principles - an opinion shared by followers of Donald Trump and a number of other conservative political figures who've had their accounts suspended for violating Twitter content rules.

Jason Miller, former Trump spokesman and CEO of rival social media platform Gettr, told DailyMail.com Musk probably realized that the culture is so embedded in Twitter that it can't be changed: 'It is like getting a rental car from a driver who smoked. You can't get rid of the smell.'

Activist investors also install people who share their point of view on the board of directors and in more aggressive cases they even attempt to replace the company CEO (Jack Dorsey pictured)

'The entire culture is fundamentally broken,' Miller said, and criticized their constant political discrimination, censoring of conservative voices including Jake Posobiec and Juanita Brodderick and continually choosing 'winners and losers' in the free speech.

The tech tycoon, before reversing course on the board seat, sent out a number of tweets over the weekend referencing potential changes at Twitter.

Many of them, such as his proposal for an ad-free Twitter or turning the social media company's San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter, have since been deleted.

On Saturday, Musk had suggested changes to the Twitter Blue premium subscription service, including slashing its price, banning advertising and giving an option to pay in the cryptocurrency Dogecoin.

Last Monday, after revealing his stake in Twitter, Musk asked his followers: 'Do you want an edit button?,' referencing a feature that many users have requested

A day later, Musk, a prolific user of Twitter himself, said that he was giving 'serious thought' to building a new social media platform

On March 25, Musk tweeted a poll: 'Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?'

He also tweeted: 'Delete the w in twitter?'

And the billionaire even asked his 80 million followers: 'Is Twitter dying?'

Musk then posted a few cryptic tweets late Sunday, including one showing a meme that said: 'In all fairness, your honor, my client was in goblin mode.'

He then followed his post with another meme reading: 'Explains everything.'

Early Monday morning he tweeted an emoji of a smiling face, with a hand over its mouth - supposedly an expression of rapture, a smirk, a shy smile, or indicating happiness. He then deleted it.

Wall Street analysts allege Elon Musk's declining a seat on Twitter's Board of Directors - which he had previously indicated he was excited to join - could open the door for the Tesla CEO to buy more stock and organize a takeover of the company.

'This weekend's changeup spares the company from having to deal with a renegade director tweeting about board-level discussions. That would have been untenable,' Don Bilson, of Gordon Haskett Research Advisors, told CNBC Monday.

'The flip side to this is Twitter must deal with a wildcard investor that already owns 9 percent of the company and has the resources to buy the remaining 91 percent. As volatile as Musk is, we could see a move like that made shortly. Or we could never see it all,' he added. 'I don't think anything is off the menu with this guy.'

'This is clearly going to be an unfriendly situation,' Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives echoed. 'Instead of Musk in the board room in the corner just saying nay or agreeing on certain board candidates, I think now it really goes to the point that in the coming days I think we'll start to see if he's going to go more hostile, more active  that's what the Street's focused on.'
Three members of a Ukrainian family were charged with hate crimes after allegedly brutally beating a gay man and leaving him blind.

Inna Makarenko, 44, Yevhen Makarenko, 43, and Oleh Makarenko, 21, were each charged with attempted first-degree murder, battery during the burglary of a dwelling and kidnapping, according to the Broward State Attorney's Office.

All of their charges were filed under a hate crime and they face possible life sentences on each count.

The couple's other son, Vladylav Makarenko, 25, was arrested in Alabama and extradited to the Broward County Jail on Monday, prosecutors said. He also has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, battery during the burglary of a dwelling and kidnapping, but the counts were not filed under a hate crime.

The three family members broke into a Pompano Beach home on August 6 and beat a 31-year-old gay man so badly that he has become permanently blinded and sustained other serious injuries, prosecutors said.

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Inna Makarenko, 44, (left) and Yevhen Makarenko, 43, (right) were arrested alongside their two sons on March 10 after they allegedly broke into a home and brutally beat a gay man because of his sexuality, leaving him blind

Oleh, 21, (left) was each charged with attempted first-degree murder, battery during the burglary of a dwelling and kidnapping as a hate crime. His brother, Vladylav, 25, (right) was hit with the same charges, but not as a hate crime

The family was pictured attending virtual court recently. Family friends claim the family immigranted from Ukraine six years ago to Pompano Beach and have no prior criminal history (pictured: Oleh standing inside a room at the Broward County Jail)

'They secretly, forcibly or by threat abducted or imprisoned the victim against his will to terrorize him,' court documents said.

Arrest documents said they almost killed the man after 'striking the victim numerous times' with their hands, feet and an 'unknown object,' leaving him with 'serious' injuries.

Officials haven't released many details about the attack in order to protect the victim's privacy, who has chosen not to be identified under Marsys Law, which allows crime victims to withhold their identity. Prosecutors, however, have confirmed that the Makarenkos knew the victim before the attack and specifically targeted him because he is gay.

Prosecutors also said Oleh drove the vehicle and helped them get inside the residence.

'He witnessed the incident [and] made no attempts to intervene during a 14-hour period after the incident, made no calls for 911 to have the victim get medical assistance,' prosecutors said on Tuesday, according to WSVN.

They are all being held without bond at the Broward County Jail after being arrested on March 10 after being found at a family friend's home in Pompano Beach.

Outside the home, there was reportedly a QR code taped to the mailbox stating 'helping Ukrainian refugees wrongly jailed,' according to CBS Miami.

The QR code reportedly led to an online petition that read: 'The three arrested family members  mother, father, and son are being accused of severe crimes with multiple charges against them! These could result in a life-in-prison-sentence in the United States or (if even possible) deportation back to Ukraine  where an excruciating war is happening now.'

The petition - put together by family friends Christina and Vitalii - claimed two older brothers and a younger sister were still at the home and had been 'left behind.'

They are being held at the Broward County Jail and appeared virtual in court at the Broward County Courthouse (pictured)

'The news was extremely unexpected and overwhelmed us all! They came out of nowhere and have no ground whatsoever! The family is shocked and doesn't understand what is happening and where these accusations come from. The accusations are completely false and need to be defeated and ultimately dismissed!' the petition read.

'We know that the family is innocent, but we need to make our voices heard to have this case entirely dismissed

Defense attorneys for the three people charged didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment from The Associated Press.

Christina and Vitalii said the family immigrated to the country six years ago and have since set up two businesses - called MakSky Design LLC and MakSky Doors - in Pompano Beach. They reportedly still have family living in Ukraine.

They also claim the family does not have a criminal history.
Leading accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has taken the unusual step of releasing the salary brackets for each of its Australian workers, revealing that top-level partners earn up to $3.675million per year.

The firm made public the pay of its 8,000 employees for the 2023 financial year on Tuesday in the name of 'greater transparency'.

Salary packages start at $55,600 for non-client facing associate roles, ranging to nearly $4million for top-level partners.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia has released the salaries of its Australian workers, with top-level partners earning up to $3.675million per year

Partners have a starting pay of $340,000 and move up to $3.675million, with that figure reviewed annually.

It's believed more than half of its partners earn under $700,000. The salaries do not include potential bonuses.

'Revealing what our partners can earn is an important part of being open and transparent which is why the firm has decided to release this key information both to our people and to the market,' CEO Tom Seymour said.

'PwC prides itself on recruiting and retaining the best talent. Our move towards more open and transparent pay bands recognises the commitment to our people  and in this competitive jobs market, we know transparency is key to attracting top talent and improving trust, morale and engagement.'

PWC have been famously private about the pay of its staff, but a renewed effort to be more transparent with the public and its members led to Tuesday's release (pictured, general office workers seen taking a break in Sydney)

Entry-level graduates see a floor pay packet of $69,000, a salary Mr Seymour said was at the highest level in the competitive market.

'Today's release of information leads the market on transparency and is in direct response to our people asking us to be more open on our approach to pay,' Mr Seymour said.

'We're sharing our (financial year 2023) firm-wide pay bands, based on industry data, and providing our people with transparency on how their fixed and variable pay is determined.

'This will help our people to understand where they sit now and what their pay trajectory is in the future, helping them to see the full range of possibilities throughout their career.'

Entry-level graduates see a floor pay packet of $69,000, a salary Mr Seymour said was at the highest level of the competitive market (pictured, office workers at lunch-time in Sydney)

The move however does open up the company to scrutiny from unions, jealousy from employees and criticism from the public, with many people taking to social media tp express anger at the level of income for PWC workers.

'Big consultants all make hundreds of millions of dollars a year from both government contracts and the resources industry. That makes them cautious about criticising govts but also compromised when it comes to offering independent advice as they are also highly paid by their corporate clients,' one person wrote.

'Big4 consulting is that a lot of rich people get paid for being rich and knowing other rich people and not for doing anything recognisable as work,' another man posted.
A 'brilliant' CalTech graduate-turned-hacker and cryptocurrency guru has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for helping North Korea evade US sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, 39, taught more than 100 people how to use blockchain technology to get around international restrictions at a crypto conference in Pyongyang three years ago.

Many of the businesses and people he trained are thought to have worked for the North Korean government. Griffith, from Birmingham, Alabama, advised them how to gain independence from the international banking system.

The CalTech graduate, who is the mastermind behind the Wikipedia tool WikiScanner, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and a $100,000 fine on Tuesday in Manhattan.

He was described by his lawyer as a brilliant scientist who had peace as his only interest. Further details on how his antics were designed to encourage peace have yet to be shared.

Griffiths (left and right in selfies posted to Facebook) went to North Korea despite a U.S. refusal

His sentencing on Tuesday comes after Griffith pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The law prohibits U.S. citizens from exporting goods, services or technology to sanctioned countries, including North Korea.

America and the United Nations have issued sanctions against Kim Jong-un's government to deter its nuclear missile programs, first launched in 2018.

Griffith said he regretted his participation in the 2019 conference and in light of the sanctions issued to Russia after the Kremlin invaded Ukraine, he 'was cured' from his North Korea obsession.

'Watching [Ukraine/Russia] sanctions has shown me their value. I have been cured of my stubborn arrogance, and my obsession with North Korea. My career has been damaged. I'm sorry,' he said Tuesday.

Virgil Griffith giving a presentation in North Korea in 2019 according to the Justice Department who included it in a sentencing memorandum with elements redacted

Griffith traveled to North Korea to take part in the conference in 2019, even after US officials denied his request to travel there.

Prosecutors argued that Griffith chose to ignore North Korea's history of violence and threats made against the United States.

'He did so knowing that power - North Korea - was guilty of atrocities against its own people and has made threats against the United States citing its nuclear capabilities,' they wrote.

In 2002, The well-known hacker established WikiScanner, an operational tool that linked anonymous edits on Wikipedia to the organizations where they originated.

The database operated until 2007, when Griffith said it was costing him 'several thousand dollars' every month.

Griffith developed 'cryptocurrency infrastructure and equipment inside North Korea,' prosecutors wrote in court papers.

At the 2019 conference, he advised the group on how to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions and achieve independence from the global banking system.

The U.S. and the U.N. Security Council have imposed increasingly tight sanctions on North Korea in recent years to try to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

US District Judge P. Kevin Castel condemned Griffith's actions and said he was not being jailed for promoting cryptocurrency.

'Some say Mr. Griffith is being persecuted for promoting crypto. But that's not what this case is about. He pled guilty the day before trial. It was an intentional violation of sanctions, which are intended to avoid military conflict,' Catel said.

Virgil Griffith's North Korean visa (above) that he posted on Twitter

The 39-year-old, pictured in another Facebook selfie, wished to promote peace, lawyers said

The U.S. government amended sanctions against North Korea in 2018 to prohibit 'a U.S. person, wherever located' from exporting technology to North Korea.

Prosecutors said Griffith acknowledged his presentation amounted to a transfer of technical knowledge to conference attendees.

'Griffith is an American citizen who chose to evade the sanctions of his own country to provide services to a hostile foreign power,' prosecutors wrote.

Defense attorney Brian Klein described Griffith as a 'brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession' with North Korea.

'He viewed himself - albeit arrogantly and naively - as acting in the interest of peace,' Klein said.

'He loves his country and never set out to do any harm.'

Klein added that he was disappointed with the 63-month prison sentence but 'pleased the judge acknowledged Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute.'

The maximum sentence for those who knowingly violate U.S. sanctions is 20 years.

A self-described 'disruptive technologist,' Griffith became something of a tech-world enfant terrible in the early 2000s.

In 2007, he created WikiScanner, a tool that aimed to unmask people who anonymously edited entries in Wikipedia, the crowdsourced online encyclopedia.

WikiScanner essentially could determine the business, institutions or government agencies that owned the computers from which some edits were made.

It quickly identified businesses that had sabotaged competitors entries and government agencies that had rewritten history, among other findings.

'I am quite pleased to see the mainstream media enjoying the public-relations disaster fireworks as I am,' Griffith told the Associated Press in 2007.

Klein previously said Griffith cooperated with the FBI and 'helped educate law enforcement' about the so-called dark web, a network of encrypted internet sites that allow users to remain anonymous.
It has long been considered a luxurious treat reserved for the wealthy, but caviar could soon be available to the masses thanks to the world's first lab-grown variety.

Scientists from Caviar Biotec and University College London have grown their 'clean' caviar in a biochemical liquid, using cells from a fish's egg sac that were then replicated in the lab.

The technology could see more caviar created in a 300 square-metre room than is produced globally every year  and cause prices to tumble.

When developed naturally, the tiny nuggets of black gold take up to 14 years to be laid  with an 125g tin selling for around 160.

In Europe, the lab-grown caviar is estimated to be available at a cheaper price in 2024 or 2025, according to the founder of Caviar Biotec.

Scientists from Caviar Biotec and University College London have grown their 'clean' caviar in a biochemical liquid, using cells from a fish's egg sac that were then replicated in the lab

When developed naturally, the fish eggs take up to 14 years to be laid  with an 125g tin selling for around 160 (stock image)

'CLEAN' CAVIAR Caviar is a luxury foodstuff that is traditionally composed from the unfertilised eggs, technically known as oocytes, of Sturgeon fish. Global demand for caviar is expected to rise to 3000tns a year by 2050, which raises the question as to how growth demand can be met. London firm Caviar Biotec has developed a feasible R&D program to pioneer the ability to grow caviar outside of the sturgeon fish. It's growing sturgeon egg cells in a lab in 40 days in a biochemical liquid. Advertisement

Although it will still be expensive, cell-grown caviar will be a lot cheaper to produce.

'We have the exact same cell that turns into caviar and we are growing that in a liquid instead of inside a fish,' Ken Benning, founder of London-based Caviar Biotec, told the Times.

'There are no antibiotics, no killing of fish. It's as simple as that.'

Benning said the price of his lab-grown caviar will be less expensive than the high-end Beluga caviar, although he wouldn't give a specific price.

Benning said humanity is plundering the oceans to cater to its love of caviar and seafood generally, but that there will soon be 'no bloody fish left'. Lab-grown caviar offers a far more sustainable option.

Caviar, the salt-cured eggs of numerous species of the sturgeon fish, was historically centred on wild stocks in the Caspian Sea.

However, overfishing led to a ban on global sales of almost all wild caviar which led to the establishment of sturgeon farms.

Benning, who opened Englands first caviar farm on Exmoor in 2013, said they are hoping to scale up and produce the eggs more widely by the end of the year, after filing their IP with the UK Intellectual Property Office.

To make their caviar, the team start by taking cells from a sturgeon's egg sac to replicate them in a bioreactor  an apparatus for growing organisms under controlled conditions.

There are five stages in the creation and maturation of unfertilised sturgeon eggs, known as oocytes. The eggs are normally harvested at the third stage, before ovulation, to produce caviar.

Caviar, the salt-cured eggs of numerous species of the sturgeon fish, was historically centred on wild stocks in the Caspian Sea (stock image)

Caviar Biotec has been able to grow eggs to the first stage for use in cosmetic products and edible products such as lab-grown taramasalata.

Growing the eggs to stage three is Benning's ultimate aim but a faster option is shaping a liquid into small spheres that resemble roe  a process called 'spherification', which is currently a valid method to create caviar.

Market cost of the lab-grown caviar will largely depend of prices of the growth medium used in the bioreactor, but such prices are decreasing, Benning said.

Historically, real caviar has been so difficult to come by that they have only been readily available as canapes or a chilled spoonful at the parties of the elite.

Moving to mass production will bring down the cost and also open up greater use of the oils, which are full of healthy proteins, minerals and vitamins, as an ingredient in other foods and beauty products.

Much of the high cost of the luxury food is down to the fact that female sturgeon take a long time to reach egg-laying maturity.

The Siberian sturgeon (pictured), the main species farmed at Exmoor, takes between four and five years to reach egg-laying maturity

The Siberian sturgeon, the main species farmed at Exmoor, takes between four and five years to reach egg-laying maturity, while the white sturgeon females do not start laying eggs until they are 14 years old.

Once the fish can produce eggs, producers can either kill it and harvest the eggs and meat, or inject hormones into the living fish to make it release its eggs.

But doing this will become increasingly 'socially unacceptable' as people become more conscious of ethical issues in the food industry, Benning thinks.

'Cell-grown caviar will be a lot cheaper to produce and we are eyeing up airlines and cruise lines and definitely corporate social responsibility,' he said.

'We are confident that five years down the line the mentality around the cellular agriculture culture space will be very different to what it is now.'

While such a technique is more ethical, food created in a lab from animal cells is not vegetarian, a recent study concluded.

For this reason, the Vegan Society will not certify lab grown caviar as vegetarian or vegan.
Tributes have poured in for two British pilots who were killed when their plane crashed over the English Channel at the weekend.

Father-of-one Lee Rogers and his 'closest friend' Brian Statham were flying from Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, to Le Tourquet in France on Saturday morning when their plane lost contact at around 09.02am.

The pair are believed to have encountered freak weather conditions over the channel but search and rescue teams have yet to find significant clues or wreckage.

An investigation is currently being carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

In a touching tribute, Lee's family described him as a 'loving husband' and 'devoted family man'.

They said they had 'no choice' but to assume he had died after the search was called off on Sunday night.

Meanwhile Brian's family pleaded for beach goers in northern France to look out for any debris or personal effects that might 'give them closure'.

The doomed flight had been part of a trip planned by the South Warwickshire Flying School, which included several other aircraft.

'Larger-than-life' Lee Rogers (pictured) and his 'closest friend' Brian Statham were flying from Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, to Le Tourquet in France on Saturday morning when their plane lost contact at around 09.02am

Lee's family said: 'Despite intensive British and French search and rescue operations, the search was called off in the evening of Sunday (April 3).

'Therefore, we have no choice but to assume Lee has passed on.

'Anybody who knew Lee will testify to a larger-than-life character who lived life to the full, a man with a big heart and limitless generosity.

'A skilled and enthusiastic pilot, a lover of all manner of fast and loud machines, which also included a newfound love of yachting.

'He will leave behind a large wake and will be missed greatly - not only by his family but his legion of friends and colleagues.'

They said Lee would always be a 'legendary figure in the IT world and the Warwickshire community,' most of which will have a 'humorous tale or two to recount regarding him.'

They added: 'Not only a successful entrepreneur, known for his principled and uncompromising code of ethics, Lee was also a kind-hearted supporter of various charities...

'But first and foremost, Lee was a family man. Sarah has been married to Lee for eight years and they had been happy for many years before.

Brian's family pleaded for beach goers in northern France to look out for any debris that might 'give them closure'. (Pictured: Brian Statham)

'Not just a great marriage but great partners who shared genuine adventures.

'Ellie, Lee's daughter, and the apple of his eye was his greatest joy. Lee had a daily tale to tell of his little girl, another larger-than-life character who reflects her parents in all the best ways.

'It's not fair that Ellie should be parted with her father so young, or that Sarah should be robbed of her husband way before his time or that Lee's parents and sister lose a son and brother. Life isn't fair, but few leave a legacy like Lee, even if they had a hundred lifetimes.'

The Flying School had publicised Saturday's trip to France as a 'Club Fly-Out to Le Touquet'.

British Coastguard originally launched an operation supported by French aircraft and boats including the Abeille-Languedoc (Languedoc Bee) tug, which was chartered by the French Navy.

Flight records show the Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II  which was built in 1976  had left Wellesbourne at 7.56am on Saturday and went off radar over the Channel at 09.02am.

Meanwhile Brian's family said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce that Brian and his co-pilot Lee Rogers never made it to Le Touquet.

The Piper PA-28 was in a group of aircraft which was heading to the northern France resort of Le Touquet on Saturday morning (file image, Piper PA-28)

'As competent pilots, with over 20 years of flying experience combined, it was horrific news to hear that their plane (a Piper PA-28R reg G-EGVA ) was reported missing over the English Channel at around midday on Saturday (April 2).

'The French and English coastguard searched for more than two days for any sign of wreckage, bodies or clues to help and figure out what happened to the two pilots that have left behind friends, families and co-workers.

'At this point, the families would like to thank the French and English coastguards for their time, hard work and dedication out at sea working tirelessly to try and find any evidence, wreckage or clues as to what may have happened.

'On Thursday, April 7, Brian's flight bag from the plane was found and handed in kindly by a tourist on the beach at Le Touquet. This has been vital evidence to help us understand what happened on their last flight.

'We are deeply thankful for this kind and helpful act. We, the families of the missing pilots would now like to ask for help.

'If you live on the northern coast of France or the southern coast of England and like to spend time at the beach, or near the English Channel please be vigilant for any form of aircraft debris, clothes and personal items.

'If you see anything, please pick it up and hand it into the local authorities. In both pictures, Brian is wearing some of the clothes he had on his final flight.

'Your help in this, could provide comfort and closure for the families and allow us to start the grieving process.

'As of this week, our loved ones are missing and we are unable to even consider a funeral.'

The Piper plane has been in production since 1960 and various models have been involved in a number of high-profile accidents in that time.

In August 1972, Prince William of Gloucester, the Queen's cousin, was killed along with his co-pilot in a Piper Cherokee Arrow after crashing on take-off from Halfpenny Green, near Wolverhampton, during an air race.
The brother of the Miami man stabbed to death by his OnlyFans model girlfriend claims she was not charged in his death 'because of her 'privilege' as a 'wealthy white woman' and not because of her self-defense claim.

Christian Tobechukwu 'Toby' Obumseli, 27, was stabbed to death by his girlfriend Courtney Clenney, 25, on Sunday, April 3, at the One Paraiso Building - a luxury skyscraper in Edgewater.

Clenney, who also goes by Courtney Tailor, then called 911 and claimed she was acting in self-defense when she stabbed him in the shoulder.

But in a statement posted to Instagram, the victim's brother, Jeffrey Obumseli - and his family - wrote that they do not believe Clenney and demand that she be charged with his murder.

The model was caught on video covered in blood on her high-rise balcony just after the incident, but has not been charged.

'The bottom line is inextricably clear: Courtney is being treated differently because of her privilege as a wealthy White woman,' Jeffrey Obumseli wrote on Instagram.

'Within 24 hours following Toby's death, the detective on the case prematurely concluded this was not a crime of violence.'

The Instagram statement comes after Obumseli's previous tweets targeting black women surfaced online, which his brother condemned in his post.

He added that the series of tweets have nothing to do with his brother's death and alleged that Clenney did not suffer any injuries to support her claim of self-defense.

Christian Tobechukwu 'Toby' Obumseli, 27, was stabbed to death by his girlfriend Courtney Clenney, 25, on Sunday, April 3, at the One Paraiso Building - a luxury skyscraper in Miami

Jeffrey Obumseli, the brother of slain Christian Tobechukwu 'Toby' Obumseli, claims the victim's OnlyFans girlfriend was not charged in his death because of her 'privilege' as a 'wealthy white woman' and not because of her self-defense claim

On Monday, Clenney's attorney Frank Prieto spoke to Fox News Digital and doubled down on his self-defense argument.

'Courtney was not arrested because it is clear she was defending herself and was the victim of domestic violence,' Prieto said.

'As a former prosecutor with the Miami [State Attorney's Office], the fact she has not been arrested or charged is indicative that the investigation has concluded she acted in self-defense.'

The victim's brother also slammed Clenney in his Instagram post for videos that emerged following the incident that show her covered in blood kissing her dogs and then ordering drinks at the hotel bar.

'We've seen videos of Courtney kissing her dogs while covered in what we believe to be my brother's blood and casually getting drinks at a hotel bar days later while my brother lays in the morgue,' he wrote.

He was referring to videos that show Clenney at Miami's Grand Beach hotel Friday, days after her boyfriend's death.

Her attorney pushed back against this claims saying, 'The statement about Courtney 'casually getting drinks' is absolutely false. Courtney was not "casually getting drinks at a hotel bar." Courtney was sitting at an unattended table in the hotel lobby area that also has a bar.'

Prieto added that her father was in town and that they were having drinks then left because a 'woman was berating them for no reason,' he said. 'It's a shame that a member of the public would confront them without knowing the facts of what occurred that evening.'

In a statement posted to Instagram, the victim's brother, Jeffrey Obumseli - and his family - wrote that they do not believer Clenney and demand that she be charged with his murder

'The bottom line is inextricably clear: Courtney is being treated differently because of her privilege as a wealthy White woman,' Obumseli's brother, Jeffrey Obumseli wrote on Instagram

Obumseli's family from Austin, Texas, continues to demand answers. They do not believe she was acting in self-defense, and are at a loss over why she has not been arrested

Obumseli's family from Austin, Texas, continues to demand answers. They do not believe she was acting in self-defense, and are at a loss over why she has not been arrested.

Clenney was taken into custody under Florida's Baker Act, which protects people at risk of suicide or mental health crisis, but is now free again and over the weekend, she was seen attempting to have a drink in a bar with her father before being confronted by a stranger.

At a press conference over the weekend, the victim's cousin Karen Egbuna said the family is not buying Clenney's story.

'We have no cause to believe that this was a case of self defense.

Christian Obumseli's family do not believe that he was threatening to harm his girlfriend, OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney, when she stabbed him in the shoulder on April 3. He later died of his injuries

The young couple had recently moved together from Austin, where they met, to Miami

'He is one of the youngest in the family, he is loved, he is kind, he is caring, he is soft spoken the idea that this was somehow warranted, is unthinkable,' she said.

She added that he comes from a 'good, strong' family and has never been prone to violence.

The Miami Police Department is refusing to comment on why Clenney has not been charged.

A spokesman on Monday would only say that the investigation is ongoing.

Courtney is shown on April 3rd, after stabbing Obumseli on the balcony of their home

OnlyFans star Courtney Clenney, who also goes by Courtney Tailor, has not been charged

Obumseli's family has raised more than $72,000 on a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral and to bring his body home to Texas

Obumseli's family is also raising money for him via GoFundMe.

On their page, they say he was the victim of a 'heinous act of violence.'

'Christian Toby Obumseli was murdered in Florida a week before his 28th birthday. It is unconscionable to make sense of our new reality.

'That someone's selfish act ripped Christian away from this world. It is not enough to say we are shocked and hurting--We are utterly devastated.

'His murder leaves many unanswered questions and creates a void that can never be fixed or filled. Not even with time.

'Christian was extremely compassionate with a desire always to uplift those around him. He did not deserve for his life to be cut short by a heinous act of violence,' it reads.

The family is asking for donations to help them pay for transporting his body back to Texas and for funeral arrangements.

Clenney was spotted at the lobby bar of the Grand Beach Hotel on Friday, trying to have a drink with her father.

On Friday, Clenney was spotted at a Miami hotel bar trying to have a drink with her father. She has not been charged

Clenney and her father were chased out of the bar by the woman who said she had 'just killed her boyfriend'. Her attorney says they were trying to pick up a drink and go to the beach

An unidentified woman recognized her and chased her out, filming their altercation on her phone.

Her attorney, Frank Preito, has insisted that she was the victim of domestic abuse and that she might have been trafficked.

He has not clarified if he meant she was trafficked by Obumseli, or someone else.

Clenney's attorney has claimed that she was the victim of 'emotional abuse and human trafficking'

He defended her outing with her father, telling FOX: 'Courtney was seated at a table in the hotel lobby area where there is also a bar. Courtney's father was standing there trying to order a drink to take outside so they could be in private on the beach.'

'Courtney is a victim of physical, emotional and mental abuse at the hands of Mr. Obumseli,' and said that the firm is 'also investigating whether Courtney was the victim of human trafficking.'

'Mr. Obumseli was in the act of committing a forcible felony that tragic evening last Sunday. He had previously gained access to Courtney's apartment without permission on several occasions in the days leading up to that night,' he said.

'Courtney acted in self-defense; the investigation by both the City of Miami Police Department and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office will conclude such.'

The couple's friends have given conflicting reports on who was abusive.

Some said that they never saw Obumseli becoming violent with Courtney, but that they had seen her 'hit' him before.

After his death, fresh, X-rated content appeared on her OnlyFans page.

It's unclear if she had pre-planned it to go live before stabbing him.
Almost five million Ukrainian children have been displaced in just six weeks of war, according to Unicef.

The UN agency said that close to two thirds of Ukraines 7.5million youngsters have been forced to flee their homes.

Manuel Fontaine, a Unicef chief who has just returned from Ukraine, said the displacement of such a high number in such a short time was quite incredible.

In only six weeks of war in Ukraine, close to five million children have been forced to flee their homes and immigrate as refugees to neighbouring countries

They have been forced to leave everything behind, their homes, their schools and, often, their family members, he told the UN Security Council.

I have heard stories of the desperate steps parents are taking to get their children to safety, and children saddened that they are unable to get back to school.

The UN has verified the deaths of at least 142 youngsters, though the true number is expected to be much higher.

Ukraines UN ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, accused Russia of taking more than 121,000 children.

He said most were removed from the besieged southern port city of Mariupol and taken to the Russian city of Taganrog.

Mr Fontaine said Unicef had heard the same reports but they had not been verified.

The Kremlin has reportedly drafted a law to accelerate and simplify adoption procedures for orphans and even those who have parents and other relatives they might be able to live with.




By Lee Min-hyung







Korea's job market is still far from entering a phase of robust recovery despite remarkable improvements in employment statistics. Experts say that the improvements are mainly due to a base effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, while they advised the government to help private businesses hire more people instead of relying on government spending to create temporary jobs.







According to Statistics Korea, Wednesday, the number of employed people in the country stood at 27.75 million last month, up 831,000 from a year ago. This is the largest growth in the same month since March 2002.







The statistics authority explained that the performance was driven by modest export growth and digital transformation.







"Robust exports and the rise of digital transformation in industrial sectors helped increase the number of the employed and reduce the number of jobless people," Kong Mi-sook, a director at a social statistics division of Statistics Korea, said.







Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki spoke highly of the monthly job data, saying that this was the result of the government's policy efforts.







"The youth employment rate is also on a gradual rise and is setting a new high each month," Hong said. "The government's diverse policy efforts have contributed to a job recovery here."







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But economists said the latest job data is nothing more than a base effect from the nation's pandemic shock last year.







"Basically speaking, the growth in the number of the employed was driven by the base effect," Yonsei University professor Sung Tae-yoon said. "Even if a set of other factors _ such as exports _ might have had some influence in raising the figure, this is minimal. It is more accurate to say that the pandemic-induced base effect played the biggest part in driving up the number of the employed."







Other experts voiced a need for the government to focus more on creating jobs in the private sector.







"The latest data shows that society is on track to return to normal from the pandemic shock, but this does not mean that it is entering a phase of a robust job recovery," Sejong University professor Kim Dae-jong said.







"The point is that the Moon Jae-in administration has for the past five years focused on creating jobs by expanding relevant budgets. For instance, there is no point in creating temporary jobs for the elderly for sustainable job recovery here."







The incumbent government has adopted a pro-labor policy by drastically raising the minimum wage and creating more jobs for the disenfranchised, which the economist said has done little good in building a virtuous cycle in the job market.







"Creating jobs in the private sector should be the top priority for an overall job recovery, but this was not the case for the past five years," he said. "The incoming administration led by President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to so after taking office by helping companies create more quality jobs, which is much better than simply increasing the number of the employed."


The discovery of a body on a Sydney beach near where Melissa Caddick was last seen sparked wild speculation online that the decomposed corpse could be that of the conwoman, but a leading forensic expert has refuted that theory.

Police were called to the northern end of Bronte Beach in the city's east around 5.45am on Wednesday after a call from a member of the public who made the grim discovery.

Immediately, rumours began circulating online that it might be the 49-year-old fraudster who was last seen in November 12, 2020 and whose foot washed up on a South Coast beach in February 2021.

The northern end of Bronte Beach is closed after a woman's body was found washed up

Wild social media theories circulated that the body (pictured being carried away by police on Bronte Beach in Sydney) could be missing conwoman Melissa Caddick

Melissa Caddick (pictured) stole about $30millin dollars from investors in a Ponzi scheme

'Melissa Caddick? Is it missing a foot?' one person wrote.

Another said: 'I thought of Melissa too'.

Dozens of other commenters also appeared convinced the washed-up body was Caddick.

Police, who cordoned off the beach and declared a crime scene, said the corpse appeared to have been in the water for a lengthy period of time.

Professor Johan Duflou, who is the former clinical director of NSW's Department of Forensic Medicine, said there's very little chance a body that's been in the ocean for over a year would be intact like the one found at Bronte.

'It would be highly unlikely there would be anything at all remaining after nearly 18 months in the ocean,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'That's because of animal predation and the effects of water on the body, along with decomposition.'

Police (pictured loading the body into a van) said the corpse appeared to have been in the water for a lengthy period of time

Police cordoned off Bronte Beach (pictured) and declared a crime scene immediately after the grim discovery

Another factor making it unlikely the body is Caddick is that police believe the deceased woman was aged in her 20s or 30s - although that was a broad estimate due to the state of decomposition.

Forensic testing will be needed to determine her exact age.

Detectives were currently treating the case as 'not suspicious' and are scouring missing persons records to narrow down her identity.

Bronte Beach was closed early Wednesday morning but reopened mid-morning after police dissembled a forensic tent and packed up as rain began to fall.

Police would not comment on whether the body was missing a foot, as Ms Caddiok's would be after it was found on a beach 14 months ago.

Caddick is pictured during the ASIC-AFP raid on her Dover Heights home on November 11

Caddick is likely dead after her foot (pictured) washed up on a Bournda Beach, south of Tathra in in February  about 400km from her Sydney home where she was last seen

Caddick was wanted by police after going missing in November 2020 with $30million of her clients' life-savings, until she was declared dead four months later when her decaying foot drifted ashore 400km south of her home in Sydney at Bournda Beach.

Justice Brigitte Markovic ruled on November 22 that Caddick had provided unlicensed financial advice between 2012 and 2020 under the Maliver banner.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission have been trying to recover some of the life-savings her 72 clients poured into the scam.

But it's feared most of the money was spent on funding Caddick's lavish lifestyle of luxury clothes, real estate, jewellery, supercars, real estate and overseas holidays.

Melissa Caddick (pictured with husband Anthony Koletti) ripped off more than 70 investors - mostly made up of family and friends

WHAT MELISSA CADDICK ALLEGEDLY SPENT MONEY ON Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia break down how Ms Caddick spent her millions. According to an affidavit by an ASIC investigator, expenses from her American Express account alone from December 2017 to August 2020 include: $187.650 Canturi Jewels $48,588 Chanel $52,584 Cosmopolitan Shoes $229,277.84 Dior $45,600.85 FarFetch $39,757.69 Net A Porter $14,180.19 Valentino $ 48,303.28 Stockx $108.586.45 'Flight Centre' $17,777.23 Louis Vuitton Advertisement

HORRIFIED SURFERS WITNESS THE BODY FLOATING IN THE WATER

While the body washed ashore early on Tuesday morning, local surfers revealed to Daily Mail Australia, they saw something floating among the waves the night before.

Local Max Vemeer said he went for a surf at about 5pm on Tuesday as the sun was going down.

'I went in and there was another guy out and we thought we saw a body nearby,' he said.

'We weren't 100 per cent sure, so we didn't call it in. But it was floating towards the beach so we thought whatever it was would eventually wash ashore.'

Mr Vemeer arrived at Bronte around 9am for a morning surf and upon seeing the crime scene, realised what he had witnessed the day before.

'It was pretty shocking,' he said. 'It wasn't nice to see. It was face down so I could see the back. It was weird. It was naked so we thought it must be a dummy.

'It was hard to see, but the hair looked dark. It looked like a woman, and pieces of the skin looked like they were gone,' Mr Vemeer added, pointing to his arms.

Surfer Max Verneer has relived the horrifying moment he wittingly found himself alongside the rotting remains of a woman's decomposed body drifting in the sea off a popular Sydney beach

Another revealed the surfers had looked on in horror and disbelief when they spotted the remains on Tuesday evening, but the dark and stormy conditions had prevented them from confirming exactly what it was.

'We saw what we thought was a body, but no one wanted to get close to it [to check],' he said.

'It was really close. We were like surfing with it. Its head was down, so all you could see was what looked like someone's butt. It was really weird.'

The surfers had assumed it just a shop dummy until the news broke of the body's discovery on Wednesday morning.

'We thought it was a mannequin or a dead animal or something,' added the surfer.

'We were going to tell the lifeguards, but when we came back to shore they were all gone.

'We thought about calling police, but given it was late and dark, we thought there was no way they would be able to find it.'

Another bystander, Hamish, added: 'It's pretty shocking. [As a local] you'd like to know what happened.'
A woman who was duct-taped to her seat aboard an American Airlines flight last year after she allegedly attacked the crew and tried to open the cabin door has been issued a record fine.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced the hefty fine of $81,950 against the unidentified woman on Friday along with a slew of penalties against other rowdy passengers.

The woman was aboard a late-night flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Charlotte last July when she fell into the aisle. She threatened to hurt a flight attendant who offered to help her, the FAA said.

The unhinged traveler then pushed the flight attendant to the side and tried to open the cabin door. She 'repeatedly' hit one flight attendant over the head and was quickly restrained in flex cuffs, but still managed to 'spit at, headbutt, bite and kick' the crew and other passengers, according to the federal agency.

A since-deleted TikTok video shows the woman restrained to what looks to be a first-class window seat with her mouth and torso wrapped in grey duct tape. She was taken to the hospital for an evaluation after the flight landed in Charlotte.

The FAA has seen a steep rise in 'unruly passengers' since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency initiated 1,099 investigation last year, up from 183 in 2020 and 146 in 2019.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned passengers not to be 'jerks' during an appearance on The View on Friday before the fine was announced.

The unidentified woman who was restrained in duct tape aboard an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Charlotte in July has been fined $82,000

The woman allegedly threatened to hurt a flight attendant who offered to help her after she fell into the aisle. She then ran to try to open the cabin door and hit another flight attendant 'repeatedly' over the head

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned airline passengers not to be a 'jerk' as record fines were levied on two unruly passengers on Friday

The FAA has seen a steep rise in 'unruly passengers' since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency initiated 1,099 investigation last year, up from 183 in 2020 and 146 in 2019

'Look. It's one thing to be grumpy on a flight. I feel that way sometimes,' Secretary Buttigieg said Friday. 'But yeah, it's another thing to endanger flight crews and to endanger fellow passengers. We have no tolerance for that.'

Two flight attendants tried to restrain the woman aboard the July 6 flight.

The FAA says she 'repeatedly' hit one of them on the head and proceeded to bite, headbutt and kick the crew and other passengers.

TikTok user @lol.ariee, Arieana Mathena, said that it was clear something was happening toward the front of the plane and began locking the bathroom doors.

She said the crew began frantically running up and down the aisle in an attempt to secure the plane as best they could.

Eventually, the captain made an announcement and told passengers to stay in their seats mentioning only that there was a problem towards the front of the aircraft.

After the plane landed, the woman could be seen still duct taped to her seat complete with tape placed directly over her mouth.

She was forced to stay in her seat as other passengers were allowed to disembark from the plane, which landed in the early hours of July 7.

Paramedics were seen standing by with a stretcher at the gate. Police were also present at landing and 'apprehended' her before she was taken to the hospital for an evaluation

The FAA has initiated 309 investigations into unruly passengers this year, already higher than the total investigations started in 2019 and 2020

Paramedics were seen standing by with a stretcher at the gate. Police were also present at landing and 'apprehended' her, the FAA says.

American Airlines confirmed in a statement that the passenger was 'restrained' after causing crew members concern.

'While in flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Charlotte on July 6, the crew on board American Airlines flight 1774 reported a potential security concern after a customer attempted to open the forward boarding door and physically assaulted, bit and caused injury to a flight attendant,' a statement read.

'For the safety and security of other customers and our crew, the individual was restrained until the flight landed at CLT and could be met by law enforcement and emergency personnel,' the statement continued.

The woman was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, before being placed on American Airlines' no-fly list.

The FAA also proposed a $77,272 fine for a female passenger on a Delta flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta last July after the passenger 'attempted to hug and kiss the passenger seated next to her; walked to the front of the aircraft to try to exit during the flight; refused to return to her seat; and bit another passenger multiple times.'

Delta said Friday it 'has zero tolerance for unruly behavior at our airports and on our flights as nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people.'

The FAA has initiated 309 investigations into unruly passengers this year, already higher than the total investigations started in 2019 and 2020.

'If you're on an airplane, don't be a jerk,' Secretary Buttigieg advised last week. 'Don't endanger your fellow passengers.

'The bottom line is if you're on an airplane, and you endanger flight crews and fellow passengers, you may be referred for criminal prosecution as well, and you might lose the privilege of flying on that airline, period,' Buttigieg said.
An heroic British backpacker died after being stabbed in the brain as he tried in vain to protect a woman from being attacked by a 'psychotic' French knifeman at an Australian hostel, an inquest has heard.

Thomas Jackson, 30, came to the aid of Mia Ayliff-Chung, 20, after she had been stabbed several times at a hostel in Home Hill, Queensland, on August 23, 2016.

French backpacker Smail Ayad was 'psychotic and under the influence of cannabis' when he carried out the fatal attack.

Miss Ayliff-Chung, from Derbyshire, was pronounced dead at the scene while Mr Jackson, from Congleton, died from his severe injuries in Townsville Hospital six days later.

More than five years on from the horrific double killing, an inquest is taking place into Mr Jackson's death at Warrington Coroners Court.

The court heard today he suffered at least 12 separate injuries in the attack, but the medical cause of death was a stab wound to the brain.

An inquest has taken place into the death of Tom Jackson (pictured) who was stabbed at a hostel in Queensland

Mia Ayliffe-Chung (pictured) was also stabbed to death during the attack in August 2016. Mr Jackson rushed to her aid

French backpacker Smail Ayad was 'psychotic and under the influence of cannabis' when he carried out the fatal attack

The scene at the hostel in Home Hill, south of Townsville, where Ms Ayliffe-Chung and Mr Jackson lost their lives in August 2016

Assistant coroner Peter Sigee said it was 'appropriate' that the findings of the Queensland coroner's report, dated June 30, 2020, should be the 'only evidence to receive and consider'.

Summing up the evidence in the report, Mr Sigee added: 'The various individuals involved in this incident were staying in the hostel whilst travelling on a working visa and undertaking paid work at a local farm.

'Mr Smail Ayad carried out a frenzied knife attack upon Miss Mia Ayliff-Chung, inflicting severe injuries upon her.

'Miss Ayliff-Chung was able to escape and to lock herself into a bathroom. Mr Ayad then jumped from a first floor balcony as if trying to fly, landing on his back.

'Mr Jackson went to Mr Ayad's aid, not knowing what had occurred within the hostel.'

The inquest heard another backpacker, Daniel Richards, found Miss Ayliff-Chung in the bathroom and shouted that she had been stabbed, at which point Mr Jackson ran inside.

The coroner continued: 'Mr Ayad went back into the hostel, still carrying a knife, shouting and gesturing.

'Despite knowing that Mr Ayad had inflicted serious knife injuries to Miss Ayliff-Chung and that Mr Ayad remained within the hostel, armed and dangerous, Mr Jackson made no attempt to escape to a place of safety but remained with Miss Ayliff-Chung in an effort to care for her and prevent further harm to her.'

Tom Jackson was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal on what would have been his 33rd birthday for his heroic actions

Ms Ayliffe-Chung (pictured) had been travelling the world for nearly a year before she arrived Australia in 2016

Daniel Richards (pictured) comforted Ms Ayliffe-Chung in her final moments, despite a risk to his own safety. He also received a Queen's Gallantry Medal

Ayad forced his way into the bathroom, where Mr Jackson made attempts to calm him, but he was subsequently attacked and suffered multiple stab wounds.

The inquest heard that an Australian mental health court later determined Ayad was 'not of sound mind' at the time of the attack. Criminal proceedings were discontinued.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Sigee said: 'Mr Jackson died of knife injuries inflicted upon him by a person of unsound mind whilst Mr Jackson was acting with great courage and valour in seeking to protect and care for a severely injured person.'

Following the inquest today, Mr Jackson's parents Leslie and Sandra paid tribute to their son.

They told CheshireLive: 'We think about him all the time.'

Sandra added: 'I'll never get over it. You just learn to live with it.'

The parents said their son, who was an avid Liverpool fan, was an experienced traveller and has spent time in India, Malaysia and taught English in Cambodia for 18 months.

Leslie said: 'Tom fitted more in 30 years than a lot of people do in a lifetime.'

Mr Jackson was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal on what would have been his 33rd birthday, as well as a similar accolade in Queensland, for his heroic efforts.
Days after they were hit with stalking and intimidation charges, William Tyrrell's foster parents have held a massive fire sale of goods including children's bikes and car seats.

Cars, tools and a water tank are also up for bids on the classified sales website under the foster father's name, along with furniture, car parts, machinery, jewellery, watches, a phone and electronic and office equipment.

The available items start from as little as $5 while heavy equipment and vehicles are listed for bids in the thousands of dollars.

The foster father appears to have successfully sold several items including machinery over the last week, and the more than a dozen items currently on sale could net him a total of more than $50,000.

Since the beginning of the year, the 55-year-old also appears to have hawked off children's toys, large industrial items, a baby's cot and household equipment.

William Tyrrell's foster father (above) is having a 'fire sale' of goods including children's clothes, toys and car seats as well as vehicles and industrial equipment

Days after being hit with stalking and intimidation charges the foster parents are selling goods, including children's bikes, car seats (above), cars, tools and a water tank

The online sale under the foster father's name includes furniture, car parts, machinery, jewellery, watches a phone and electronic and office equipment (above)

Missing William's (above) foster parents are selling many of the items from the North Shore home they bought after leaving the house meant to be the boy's 'forever home' until he turned 18

Some of the items are available for purchase from a location in northwestern Sydney while others can be collected from the suburb where the couple lives.

The foster parents bought the house early last year after successfully selling their previous home for more than $4 million.

It was in that previous house that William Tyrrell lived for two years and eight months up until his disappearance as a three-year-old in September 2014.

The couple, described by their friend and radio broadcaster Chris Smith as 'level-headed and decent professional people from a comfortable part of Sydney', first fostered William in March 2012.

After he vanished from his foster grandmother's house in the NSW Mid North Coast town of Kendall, the couple foster parents wrote that they were heartbroken the little boy would never get to enjoy their 'forever family home'.

In a letter shared with the public, the foster parents said they still held out hope that William would one day return to his new bedroom, described as a 'special magical place'.

A large water tank is for sale by the foster parents along with industrial equipment, several vehicles and also an array of car parts

The foster father, above at the North Shore home from which he has advertised items for sale online wince the couple moved there after selling the house where William lived for $4 million

Among the items the foster father has been selling online are children's toys, car seats, and a pair of pink children's footwear like the ones seen (above) at the home

The foster parents were also selling audio and computer equipment and office furniture among the many items they are advertising and have been selling over the last year

Last November, the foster mother was named by NSW Police as a 'person of interest' in William's disappearance, and her late mother, who owned the Kendall house from which William vanished, was also named.

On the same day that police began another 'high intensity' search of bushland around 800m from the foster grandmother's house, assault charges were laid against the foster mother and foster father.

The charges relate to the alleged assault of a child who is not William Tyrrell.

Both foster parents have pleaded not guilty, and have indicated they may apply to have the matter heard under the Mental Health Act.

Both foster parents were charged with stalk and intimidate last Friday, four months after being hit with charges of assault of a child who is not William

Last Friday, both parents were charged with stalking and intimidation, with the foster mother facing two charges and the foster dad a single count.

The charges of stalking, intimidation intending fear of physical or mental harm are domestic related, according to court documents.

As the investigation into the toddler's 2014 disappearance continues, the couple - whose identities are suppressed for legal reasons - are due to face Hornsby Local Court on the allegations later this month.

The stalking charges were laid just after it was revealed William's foster father had been charged in January with two counts of 'knowingly providing false and misleading evidence'.

William's foster father has been charged with one count of domestic related stalking and intimidation while his wife is facing two counts of the same charge

Child's skateboard outside the Sydney home of William Tyrrell's foster parents who are currently selling off household objections, cars and equipment online

The charges were only revealed in late March following a revision of media non-publication orders surrounding the case.

The foster father, who police claim 'lied about something we can prove', gave the allegedly false evidence to the secretive NSW Crime Commission late last year.

The details of the evidence provided to the NSW Crime Commission by the foster father which is allegedly false and misleading are unavailable.

The foster father has entered pleas of not guilty to both charges.

William Tyrrell task force commander Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw at the Kendall dig on Batar Creek Road along which the foster mother drove on the day the toddler vanished

William's foster mother (above) is a person of interest in the case of the missing toddler and has recently been charged with two counts of stalking and intimidation

Four days before the 'high intensity' search of the house from which William Tyrrell disappeared (above) police allege his foster father 'lied' to a Crime Commission hearing

Police seize the Mazda hatchback which once belonged to William's late foster grandmother, and driven by his foster mother on the morning the three-year-old disappeared.

He testified for up to two hours after being secretly summonsed to appear at the NSWCC Surry Hills headquarters on November 11.

This was four days before NSW Police launched the surprise search of bushland along Batar Creek Road, Kendall which the foster mother drove along on the morning William vanished more than seven years ago.

NSW Police trike Force Rosann has made several attempts to find the remains of William Tyrrell or the SpiderMan suit he was last seen wearing.

Late last year police, fire and rescue officers and scientists spent a month combing bushland but making no significant discoveries.

No-one has ever been charged in relation to the disappearance of the boy, who is presumed dead.
A Liberal candidate for a key seat at the federal election has apologised after describing transgender children as 'surgically mutilated and sterilised' in deleted tweets.

Katherine Deves, who is contesting the independent-held seat of Warringah in northern Sydney, made the comments in controversial posts last November.

She shared a picture of a trans American teenager who had just had breasts removed and wrote: 'This photo just hit my feed. It is beyond heartbreaking.'

Katherine Deves (pictured) who is contesting the independent-held seat of Warringah in northern Sydney, made the comments in a controversial Tweet in November

In a second tweet she added: 'They will not stand for seeing vulnerable children surgically mutilated and sterilised in futherance of an unattainable idea.

'The lawsuits will be legion, as will the government inquiries. Complete failure of safeguarding. Mark my words.'

The original image had been shared on social media by a parent of the teenager who underwent the breast removal.

The caption read: 'So we are on day 10 post op, keyhole. Just got home from my son getting his drains out. Wow, he went from misery of post op to YAY! NO TITTIES!!! Anyway, he 100% gave permission to share this pic'.

Ms Deves is a lawyer who co-founded the group Save Women's Sport which aims to stop trans women who went through male puberty from competing against women.

Scot Morrison has made this an election issue by backing Ms Deves and Liberal Senator Claire Chandler who has drafted a law to stop sports clubs being sued for excluding trans women.

Ms Deves apologised for the wording of the tweets, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'My advocacy for the rights and safety of women and girls is well known, and I stand by my desire to ensure we protect the safety of women and girls and our entire community.

'However, the language I used was not acceptable, and for that I apologise.

'My commitment is to continue listening to the views of people in Warringah, and the broader community  I will do this in a respectful way.'

This is the tweet in which Ms Deves made her controversial comments about transgender teenagers

Ms Deves is running for the Liberals in Tony Abbott's former seat which is held by independent Zali Stegall on a healthy seven per cent margin.

Ms Stegall has said she will support a Coalition government as long as Scott Morrison is not Prime Minister.

On Tuesday Mr Morrison backed Ms Deves despite her controversial views on transgender people.

'Katherine Deves over there in Warringah, she's standing up for something really important, and that is to ensure that when it comes to girls playing sport and women playing sport, that they're playing against people of the same sex,' he said.

'And that's, I know, it's a sensitive issue.

'Katherine is an outstanding individual. And she's standing up for things that she believes in, and I share her views on those topics. This is just about common sense and what's right. And I think Katherine's right on the money there.'

Anthony Albanese said the PM was trying to create division to generate support.

'This Prime Minister needs to do his day job,' he said during a visit to a Longford GP clinic in the seat of Lyons.

'His day job is about things that he's responsible for  not look for wedges and dividing Australia.

'This Prime Minister is always looking for the division. My role as someone who's campaigning for a national leadership role is to unite the country, not look for divisions.'

Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown slammed the PM's comments, saying: 'Politicians must learn that there is nothing to be gained by refusing to stand up for LGBTIQ+ people or using debate about our lives to score cheap political points.'
The large white pig  once one of Britains most popular breeds  faces extinction after numbers dropped to just 125.

The porker, also known as the Yorkshire pig, has been added to the Rare Breeds Survival Trusts (RBST) highest priority watchlist after numbers fell from 900 a decade ago.

Known for their pointy ears, the large white was in demand in the 1950s but declined after it was bred with the Landrace to develop a hybrid which bulked up more quickly.

The RBST said it had also seen a significant decline in Norfolk horn sheep, which played a major part in the history of East Anglia. Its fleeces were the basis of the regions famous worsted industry.

Also under threat is the Hackney horse and pony, of which there are now below 50.

The large white pig, also known as the Yorkshire pig, has been added to the Rare Breeds Survival Trusts (RBST) highest priority watchlist

The RBST called it extremely concerning. In the 1800s the Hackney was popular for its speed, stamina and elegance, in particular its high-stepping trot. In carriage-driving events, it is known as the ballerina of the show ring.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: Some of our native breeds are in pretty dire straits right now. The situation for native pigs is very concerning.

However, breeds enjoying an improving situation include the English goat, Lincoln longwool sheep, middle white pigs and vaynol cattle.

Mr Price added: Todays RBST Watchlist shows that many of our rare native breeds are holding a stable position thanks to the fantastic efforts of RBST members, despite the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic.

'In changing commercial conditions and as environmental sustainability comes to the fore of agricultural policy, the UKs native breeds of livestock are increasingly attractive for farming and land management.

He continued: In sheep, there has been a significant decline in births of one of the UKs oldest sheep breeds the Norfolk Horn, so that trend is cause for real concern too.

If we lose these breeds, we lose not only an irreplaceable piece of our heritage, but also their unique genetic value and their crucial contributions to a future for farming where food production and the environment go hand in hand.

For our native equines, very low numbers remain of Eriskay ponies, Suffolk horses, Cleveland Bay horses and Hackney horses.

'There is good news in the stability or improvement for the Eriskay, Suffolk and Cleveland Bay breeds, however the Hackneys effective population size continues to decline and we are urging more people to support the breeds modern uses.

The RBST said there has also been a significant decline in Norfolk Horn sheep, which played a major part in the history and economy of East Anglia, with its fleeces the basis of the regions famous worsted industry.

Gloucester cattle remain a major concern with a decline in the number of dams exacerbating concerns about lack of genetic diversity and geographic distribution.

In more positive news, the RBST said several breeds had a good breeding year in 2021 although remained on its priority list.

These included the English Goat and Old English Goat while remaining on the Priory list had a good year, as did Lincoln Longwool sheep, Exmouth and Dartmoor ponies, and Vaynol and Albion cattle.
It's a rare day indeed when Sir Keir Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner or Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey don't call on Boris Johnson to resign.

In their implacably adversarial world it's the default position.

So it was hardly a shock when they rose in a synchronous chorus of indignation yesterday, after 50 fines were announced for the Prime Minister, his wife and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over Partygate.

Mrs Rayner (famous for believing all Tories are 'scum') was naturally the most hysterical, describing the fines as evidence of 'widespread criminality at the heart of Downing Street'.

Boris Johnson is facing calls to resign after he was fined by police over law-breaking party in Downing Street during Covid lockdown

Really? A misjudgment, yes, and one which shouldn't have happened. But this isn't Watergate. Nor is it like taking the country to war on a pack of lies, as one of the PM's predecessors did.

Let's take a quick look at the facts. On June 19, 2020  Mr Johnson's birthday and two months after he almost died from Covid  he and a number of aides were in the Cabinet room preparing for an important meeting.

Unlike most of the rest of the country, Downing Street staff were working long days in the office, coping with the worst health crisis in a century.

As they spoke, Carrie Symonds, as she was then, arrived with their two-month-old baby in her arms, a cake was produced by a special adviser and the assembled workers sang Happy Birthday.

The 'party' lasted nine minutes and the cake never came out of its Tupperware box.

At the party, Carrie Symonds, as she was then, arrived with their two-month-old baby in her arms, a cake was produced by a special adviser and the assembled workers sang Happy Birthday

Yet not only have the PM and his now-wife been fined, but also Mr Sunak, who had entered the room belatedly, unaware of what was going on.

If this had been a deliberate flouting of lockdown rules, a fine could well be justified. As it was, all the people present, with the possible exception of Mrs Johnson, would have been there anyway  cake or no cake. So what on Earth was the difference?

The Daily Mail understands the anger felt by many that rules made in Downing Street were not observed there. Some of the gatherings were clearly far more questionable than this one, so there are probably worse revelations to come.

However, the fact that the Cabinet Secretary and the senior civil servant in charge of ethics and discipline attended some of them suggests they didn't believe they were doing anything wrong.

Misguided though they might have been, they saw the meetings as extensions of the work bubble, involving people who had been working together during the day.

Equally, their condoning of these functions convinced Mr Johnson no rules were being broken.

Not only have the PM and his now-wife been fined, but also Mr Sunak, who had entered the room belatedly, unaware of what was going on

Even senior aide and de facto chief of Downing Street staff Dominic Cummings, source of many of the Partygate leaks, was photographed at one of these contentious gatherings. If they so appalled him, why didn't he speak up then?

We must also look at what motivates Scotland Yard to dribble out these fine notifications in such a piecemeal fashion. How many more tranches will there be? Will the PM be fined again?

The police should never have been involved in the first place but now they are, the least they can do is get their chin-stroking over with and get out.

The PM has apologised for his error, taken responsibility and made changes to tighten up the previously lax Downing Street operation. Unless the delayed Sue Gray Cabinet Office report throws up some truly damning new information, it's surely time to move on.

With Ukraine in turmoil, a gathering cost of living crisis and a global energy crunch, Mr Johnson and his staff have better things to do than answer endless questions about cheese and wine.
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Volodymyr Zelensky has mocked Vladimir Putin's claims his brutal invasion was going 'to plan', asking how a campaign that has seen tens of thousands of Russian troops being killed in a month could be a success.

Speaking from Kyiv in a video posted to social media, Zelensky also repeated calls for the West to step in now and prevent the use of chemical weapons on Ukrainian soil, saying any deployment of them would be 'a humiliation for the democratic world'.

In the address, posted early Wednesday morning in Ukraine, he ridiculed Putin's suggestion the day before that Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation.

Moscow said on March 25, its most recent update, that 1,351 soldiers had been killed since the start of the campaign. Ukraine says the real number is closer to 20,000.

Russian soldiers patrol at the Mariupol drama theatre, hit last March 16 by an airstrike, on April 12, 2022 in Mariupol, as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city

Yesterday, Vladimir Putin said Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation

Zelensky said: 'In Russia it was once again said that their so-called 'special operation' is supposedly going according to plan. But, to be honest, no one in the world understands how such a plan could even come about.

'How could a plan that provides for the death of tens of thousands of their own soldiers in a little more than a month of war come about? Who could approve such a plan?' he asked.

Zelensky asked how many dead Russian soldiers would be acceptable to Putin, giving a range of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.

Moscow had lost more men in 48 days since the war started than in the 10-year Afghan war from 1979 to 1989, he said.

Zelensky said that while some had made fun of the Russians, their failures in the field and inferior technology, their opponents were not all hopeless.

'We must understand that not all Russian tanks are stuck in fields, not all enemy soldiers simply flee the battlefield and not all of them are conscripts who do not know how to hold weapons properly,' he said.

'This does not mean that we should be afraid of them. This means that we must not diminish the accomplishments of our fighters, our army.'

Zelensky also addressed the reported use of chemical weapons against troops in the southern city of Mariupol.

Reports on Monday said a Russian drone dropped an unknown substance on Ukrainian troops and civilians in the city.

And yesterday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country had gained 'credible' information that suggested Russia could 'use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents' to clear our the remaining Ukrainian troops inside the city.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said it was impossible to say for certain about whether Russian forces had used chemical weapons in Mariupol, noting investigators would be unable to conduct a proper probe in the besieged city of Mariupol

This morning Zelnsky said it had so far proved impossible to say for certain whether Russian forces used chemical weapons in Mariupol, noting investigators have been unable to conduct a proper probe in the besieged city.

But he demanded the West act regardless, saying if they waited for proof it would be too late.

'We take with great attention yesterdays reports on the use of a projectile with a poisonous substance in Mariupol against the defenders of the city,' Zelensky said.

'It is not yet possible to draw 100% conclusions about what kind of substance it was, obviously it is impossible to conduct a full investigation and full analysis in the besieged city.

'However, given the repeated threats of the Russian propogandists to use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol and the repeated use by the Russian army of phosphorus munitions in Ukraine for example the world must respond now. Respond preventatively. Because after the use of weapons of mass destruction, any response will not change anything and it will only look like a humiliation for the democratic world.'

The president's address came after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Tuesday that it was 'concerned' by allegations that chemical weapons had been used in Mariupol, a strategic port city besieged by Russian forces in the east of Ukraine and the scene of heavy fighting.

The OPCW, to which both Russia and Ukraine belong, referred to 'accusations levelled by both sides around possible misuse of toxic chemicals.'

The Ukrainian Azov battalion, which is engaged in the defence of Mariupol, said Monday that a Russian drone had dropped a 'poisonous substance' on soldiers and civilians in Mariupol.

The battalion claimed people were experiencing respiratory failure and neurological problems following the alleged attack.

'Three people have clear signs of poisoning by warfare chemicals, but without catastrophic consequences,' battalion leader Andrei Biletsky said in a video message on Telegram.

He accused the Russians of using chemical weapons during a strike on the city's large Azovstal metallurgical plant.

The accusation has not been confirmed by any independent source, although Ukrainians, British and Americans have said they are trying to verify it.

Blinken said Tuesday he was 'not in a position to confirm' the allegations.

But he continued: 'We had credible information that Russian forces may use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents that would cause stronger symptoms to weaken and incapacitate entrenched Ukrainian fighters and civilians, as part of the aggressive campaign to take Mariupol.'

'We share that information with Ukraine... and we're in direct conversation with partners to try to determine what actually is happening, so this is a real concern,' Blinken told reporters.

News organisations have also been unable to verify the Azov battalion's claims, which were also shared by Ukrainian lawmakers.

This satellite image released on April 12, 2022, by Maxar Technologies shows buildings on fire in western Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 9, 2022

Much of the city of Mariupol has been leveled in weeks of pummelling by Russian troops

The mayor of Mariupol said Monday that the siege has left more than 10,000 civilians dead, their bodies 'carpeted through the streets.' Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the death toll in Mariupol alone could surpass 20,000

Mariupol has been under siege for weeks, and Ukrainian forces are warning of its imminent fall.

United States State Department spokesman Ned Price said America was 'ready to assist' with the investigation. He said US officials 'already have been in direct conversations with our Ukrainian partners as they are collecting facts and evidence.'

'We do stand ready to assist in case we can be useful in terms of that investigation,' he said, adding that the US concerns were based on 'recent information that was available to us before the reports emerged yesterday.'

Pavlo Kirilenko, the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, said that several people had suffered damage to their airways after the drone strike in Mariupol.

'Last night, around midnight, a drone launched an explosive device and three people who were in the area of the Mariupol metallurgical plant, or near it, felt unwell' and had to be hospitalized, Kirilenko told the US news channel CNN, according to a translation provided by the Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine.

Their lives did not appear to be in danger, he said, but 'from the damage to the airways and skin, we understand that it is a chemical substance. But it is too early to say that it is a gas and to draw conclusions.'

Kirilenko said he wanted to verify '100 percent' the nature of the substance before making more formal accusations.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the use of chemical weapons 'would be a callous escalation in this conflict,' while Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it would be a 'wholesale breach of international law.'

U.S. President Joe Biden for the first time referred to Russia's invasion as a 'genocide.'

He was even blunter later Tuesday, repeating the term and saying: 'It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe the idea of even being a Ukrainian.'

Service members of pro-Russian troops ride an armoured vehicle during fighting in Ukraine-Russia conflict near a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works company in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 12, 2022

Russian soldier patrols in a street of Mariupol on April 12, 2022

A picture taken during a visit to Mariupol organised by the Russian military shows destruction inside the destroyed Drama Theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine, 12 April 2022. At least 300 people died after a Russian airstrike on the Drama Theatre of Mariupol on 16 March

Adding to the catalogue of horrors emerging from Ukraine, Zelensky sounded the alarm Tuesday about snowballing allegations of rape and sexual assault by Russian forces.

'Hundreds of cases of rape have been recorded, including those of young girls and very young children. Even of a baby!' the Ukrainian leader told Lithuanian lawmakers via video link.

In the latest discovery fuelling allegations of Russian atrocities, Ukrainian prosecutors said six people had been found shot dead in the basement of a building outside the capital.

While the toll on towns occupied during the month-long offensive to take Kyiv is still coming to light, the heaviest civilian toll is feared to be in Mariupol, where Zelensky said he believed Russia had killed 'tens of thousands.'

AFP journalists in Mariupol, as part of a Russian military embed, witnessed the charred remains of the city, including the theatre where 300 people were feared killed in Russian bombardment last month.

As fighting dragged toward its seventh week, the Ukrainian army was fighting desperately to defend strategically located Mariupol.

Moscow is believed to be trying to connect occupied Crimea with Russian-backed separatist territories Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas, and has laid siege to the city, once home to more than 400,000 people.

Much of the city has been leveled in weeks of pummeling by Russian troops.

The mayor said Monday that the siege has left more than 10,000 civilians dead, their bodies 'carpeted through the streets.' Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the death toll in Mariupol alone could surpass 20,000.

Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak acknowledged the challenges Ukrainian troops face in Mariupol. He said via Twitter that they remain blocked and are having issues with supplies, while Ukraine's president and generals 'do everything possible (and impossible) to find a solution.'

Members of an international team of war crimes prosecutors and Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova during a visit to a mass grave in Bucha, Kyiv area, Ukraine, 12 April

Members of the international team of war crimes prosecutors including French Gendarmerie IRCGN speak to Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova (centre) during a visit to a mass grave in Bucha, Kyiv area, Ukraine, 12 April 2022

Heavy bombardment continued in Ukraine's east as civilians were urged to flee ahead of an expected Russian troop surge around the Donbas region, notably near the town of Izyum - adding to the 10 million people already displaced by fighting.

A steady stream of residents fled by bus and train from Kramatorsk - the Ukrainian military's main hub for its operations in the east - and neighbouring Sloviansk as fears grew that the cities would be key targets.

'What is happening is inhuman, (Putin) is a fascist. I don't know what to call him - a devil incarnate,' said 82-year-old Valentina Oleynikova, who was fleeing Kramatorsk with her husband.

In the war-torn eastern town of Volnovakha, now under Moscow's control, a school reopened with children listening to a recording of the Russian anthem, watched by armed soldiers.

After two weeks of bombardment, many houses, shops and public buildings are now semi-ruined, windowless or burnt out.

Meanwhile on on Wednesday, Zelensky offered to swap pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, who was arrested by Kyiv after escaping house arrest, for Ukrainians captured by Russia.

'I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange this guy of yours for our boys and our girls who are now in Russian captivity,' Zelensky said in a video address posted on Telegram in the early hours of Wednesday.

'And may Medvedchuk be an example for you. Even the former oligarch did not escape. What can we say about much simpler criminals from the Russian hinterland? We will get everyone.'

Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday announced they had captured the prominent pro-Kremlin tycoon who escaped from house arrest after Russia's invasion.

Zelensky posted a picture online of a disheveled-looking Medvedchuk with his hands in cuffs and dressed in a Ukrainian army uniform.

'A special operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine. Well done!' Zelensky wrote on Telegram, announcing Medvedchuk's capture.

Security agency chief Ivan Bakanov said agents had carried out a 'lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation to detain' the Russia-friendly lawmaker and leader of the 'Opposition Platform - For Life' party.

Medvedchuk, one of the richest people in Ukraine, is a hugely controversial figure for his close ties to Moscow. The 67-year-old business tycoon counts Russian President Vladimir Putin among his personal friends and says the Kremlin leader is godfather to his youngest daughter Darya.

He was being held under house arrest since last year on treason charges over accusations of attempting to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday published a photo (pictured) of prominent pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk in handcuffs after what he said was an operation by security forces

A day before Russia's invasion on February 24, Kyiv said Medvedchuk had escaped from house arrest and went on the run.

'You can be a pro-Russian politician and work for the aggressor state for years. You may be hiding from justice lately. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform for camouflage But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! Shackles are waiting for you,' Ukraine's national security agency wrote on twitter.

The Russian president was furious when Medvedchuk - a former lawyer and Ukraine's most prominent pro-Russia politician - was placed under house arrest and charged with high treason

He was also said to be angry when Medvedchuk's three TV stations were blocked for allegedly spreading Russian misinformation.

Operatives 'conducted this lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation', the head of SBU Ivan Bakanov said.

A Kremlin spokesman was cited by the Tass news agency as saying he had seen the photo and could not say whether it was genuine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs distinguished visitors' book in an assembly and test facility at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Region, Russia April 12, 2022

With little hope of a quick end to fighting, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged Moscow would proceed on its own timetable, rebuffing repeated international calls for a ceasefire.

'Our task is to fulfil and achieve all the goals set, minimising losses. And we will act rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan originally proposed by the General Staff,' Putin told a news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

He also dismissed as 'fake' claims that hundreds of civilians were killed in Bucha under Russian occupation.

Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said more than 400 people had been found dead after Moscow's forces withdrew, and 25 women reported being raped, as the town prepares for the return of residents who fled the fighting.

'What people will find in their homes is shocking, and they will remember the Russian occupiers for a very long time,' he said.
A group of at least 17 gangs targeting Los Angeles' wealthiest are responsible for the city's recent string of 'follow-home' robberies, cops said Tuesday.

'In my 34 years in the LAPD, I have never seen this type of criminal behavior in such large groups coordinating to conduct attacks on unsuspecting citizens to take their property and/or vehicles,' said Capt. Jonathan Tippet of the attacks, which started in September.

In November, Tippet was tabbed to head a division designed to combat the robberies - Follow Home Robbery Task Force - which has seen armed suspects stalk victims leaving ritzy boutiques, hotels, and restaurants before striking.

The force - which includes 18 detectives - was created on November 23.

Since then, a total of 221 follow-home robberies have been reported - with a further 45 coming before the task force's creation.

During Tuesday's briefing, Tippet and other cops criticized city laws that saw two suspects the task force has arrested in the past month put back on the street while awaiting trial days after their offenses.

The briefing comes as violent robberies and smash-and-grab thefts have skyrocketed in Los Angeles. Robberies are up nearly 18 percent in the year-to-date compared to 2021, while those involving a firearm have surged by nearly 50 percent in the same time period.

Assaults are also up marginally, by 4.4 percent, with violent crimes overall up seven percent, statistics from the LAPD reveal.

A group of at least 17 gangs targeting Los Angeles' wealthiest are responsible for the city's recent string of 'follow-home' robberies, cops said Tuesday, during a brief discussing the department's work to put an end to the coordinated strikes. Pictured are assailants accosting a victim in a 'follow home' strike in October

'We have seen countless individuals traumatized by having a gun pointed at them and (being) robbed,' said Tippet during the press conference, which was held to brief the civilian Police Commission on the task force's work since its formation last fall.

'Many others are dealing with the trauma and injuries from being tackled, kicked, beaten, punched and are pistol whipped to the head.

'Its a miracle that more deaths have not occurred,' the cop added, referring to the two deaths that have come from the more than 100 incidents.

In a four-week period from September to October, Tippet revealed, there were 45 robberies fitting the 'follow home' criteria. In November, there were another 39.

At that point, when the number of incidents spiked and celebrities started to fall victim to the incidents - including actor and former BET host Terrence Jenkins and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley - officers noticed a pattern and subsequently formed the force, Tippet said.

During the briefing, Tippet said commonalities between the crimes included the involvement of multiple vehicles and multiple armed suspects coordinating to rob victims possessing high-end vehicles and jewelry, Tippet said.

In many cases, Tippet said, offenders made off with designer handbags, diamond-encrusted watches and other high-priced items - which the cop said perps would then peddle on the black market at a reduced rate.

Since then, the captain said, the task force has made 24 arrests involving 47 robberies, as well as 16 arrests for gun possession and six for attempted murder.

According to Tippet, the department has also arrested four suspects on murder charges in the two homicides it has investigated in relation to the organized attacks.

In that span, the force has also served 278 search warrants, Tippet said, with nearly 200 of them designed to target suspects' social media accounts - which police say gangbangers likely used to plan the heists - and 35 for homes and 20 for vehicles.

Pictured are confiscated firearms and drugs obtained from gang members cops say are behind the attacks

In the last year, violent robberies and smash-and-grab thefts have skyrocketed in Los Angeles. Robberies are up nearly 18 percent in the year-to-date compared to 2021, while those involving a firearm have surged by nearly 50 percent in the same time period

'In my 34 years in the LAPD, I have never seen this type of criminal behavior in such large groups coordinating to conduct attacks on unsuspecting citizens to take their property and/or vehicles,' said follow-home task force head Jonathan Tippet of the attacks, which started in September

Tippet said that in addition to the arrests, the task force's efforts have so far been largely successful, causing the number of incidents to fall to just 10 last month - a 78% decrease from the 45 seen at the outset of the crime wave.

'Due to the crisis, we began making arrests as quickly as possible once individuals were identified,' he said, revealing how the task force amended the departments usual policy of waiting to identify all involved in a robbery before making arrests

He noted that the tweak was effective in quelling the number of the incidents.

'This has been a major undertaking, however, I am confident that we are slowing this trend down,' Tippet told attendees Tuesday.

In its most recent two-week period, ending April 10, there were seven follow-home robberies reported by the LAPD, with the two weeks before that only seeing three follow-home robberies, Tippet said.

However, an uptick in recent weeks that's seen five robberies fitting the suspects' MO in the past 48 hours has officers convinced there's more work to be done - in part because some jailed suspects are getting released and reoffending while awaiting trial due to the city's lax bail laws.

'I am absolutely frustrated,' conceded Tippet, who also oversees the department's Robbery Homicide Division and said the phenomenon was 'almost unheard of' before last year.

The brief from the task force comes as three men in Los Angeles were arrested as suspects in armed follow-home robberies that began in January - including one was involved in eight separate follow-off robberies over a sixth-month period starting last fall, during which he was released seven times due to the city's lax criminal policies.

Matthew Adams, 18, was arrested for a seventh time in 2022 on March 31, accused of attacking two UCLA students outside one of the university's dorms, and taking their expensive watches as well as an iPhone, adding up to more than $145,000 in goods, a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) statement confirmed.

Adams also is being linked to at least four other follow-home-style robberies in Hollywood, Burbank and West L.A.

Many LA residents and LAPD chief Michael Moore (right) blame the city's crime on no-or-low-cash bail policies introduced by the progressive DA George Gascon (left), who came into office in 2020

Matthew Adams, 18, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on March 31 at a traffic stop. He is being charged with seven counts of robbery and two gun enhancements, according to police, and could face up to more than 20 years in jail if found guilty. He was released from jail four times this year due to the city's lax bail laws

Another suspect cuffed earlier this month by the force is Cheyenne Hale, 25, who was arrested on suspicion of participating in the armed robbery of a man in downtown L.A. in October in which thieves made off with two watches valued together at roughly $600,000. Court records show he has since been released on bail

Adams is seen as the main suspect of several other robberies taking place all across L.A. with most of them taking place in Hollywood, between January and March of this year. Two robberies were also reported in Burbank and in the neighborhood of West L.A.

The three are accused of identifying victims wearing expensive items and following them from a public location to a more private one, where they'd mug the targets. Ideal spots included upscale restaurants, and clubs in the Hollywood area. Victims would be tracked back to their apartments or hotels, police said.

The two other men, Eric Wilson and Jayon Sparks, also were arrested in connection with the robberies, police said.

LAPD said there might be other unidentified suspects still at large, according to Fox 11.

In one of the robberies, Adams and an unidentified accomplice followed two tourists from a nightclub to their hotel. Once they made it back and headed to their rooms, Adams and the other suspect robbed them of high-priced watches and other belongings.

LAPD officers arrested and booked Wilson and Sparks on March 24 after Metropolitan Division Officers obtained a warrant to search their apartment. Inside, they found firearms, drugs, ammo and luxury stolen items, including watches, jewelry and cash, according to the LAPD.

Subsequently, Wilson also was charged with one count of possession of a firearm, and Sparks was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of possession of a firearm, the LAPD confirmed.

Eric Wilson (left) and Jayson Sparks (right) were accomplices of Adams although it remains unknown how many robberies they were involved in between January and March of this year. Both were arrested on March 24 and charged on possession of a firearm

Adams was arrested on March 31 - a week after Wilson and Sparks' arrest - during a traffic stop.

He was booked into jail and charged April 4 with one felony count of first-degree residential robbery and six counts of second-degree robbery. LAPD also charged him with two gun enhancements, for all the robberies that he has been involved in between January 7 and March 30, police said.

If found guilty of all nine charges, the 18-year-old suspect faces more than 20 years in prison, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Adams' latest arrest comes after he was previously detained on January 9, January 27 and February 21. He was booked into jail each time, but always released shortly afterwards.

Prior to his first arrest, Adams was accused in a high-end jewelry store robbery on January 7. He was placed on bond before his release. A group of at least five other men also were involved in the robbery. It's unclear if Wilson and Sparks were part of it.

A group of five is seen on video with what police say appeared to be sledgehammers, obliterating the front window of the store. Adams was involved in the robbery but it is unsure if Wilson and Sparks were too

Adams, Sparks and Wilson would follow victims to their homes or to isolated areas before mugging their watches, cash or any jewelry that they would carry

Adams was then arrested and charged with carrying a hidden firearm on January 27. He was released shortly afterwards.

A little less than a month later, Adams was arrested once more for the same offense - carrying a concealed weapon - before being released.

Adams, who could not be reached for comment, has since been arrested a fourth time, police records show, on charges stemming from seven robberies, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The city's public defender's office, which represented the suspect during his arraignment, declined to comment on the case. Adams remains in custody as of Wednesday morning, court records show.

On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Michel Moore, who announced the formation of the 'follow-home' task force in November, said he was 'disappointed' that 'the full weight of our existing laws' was not used against Adams - not only to hold him accountable for his crimes but to deter others who may see the crime wave as an opportunity to engage in their own crimes.

Moore described the city's repeated releases of Adams as a risk to public safety, and asserted that suspects who are repeatedly arrested for gun violence should not be let out pending trial.

The head cop also labeled prosecutors partially responsible for his crimes by not seeking certain charging enhancements against Adams that might have kept him locked up.

Another suspect cuffed earlier this month by the force is Cheyenne Hale, 25, who was arrested on suspicion of participating in the armed robbery of a man in downtown L.A. in October in which thieves made off with two watches valued together at roughly $600,000.

Police said they recovered a loaded gun from Hale during his arrest and that cops in Tippet's unit later found seven additional guns, $21,000 in cash, and 'a large quantity of drugs' including cocaine and methamphetamine when they searched his home.

Court records show that Hale has also since been released from custody.

'This revolving-door criminal justice system that we have right now clearly is not working and is endangering the citizens of Los Angeles and is creating a public safety crisis,' Police Commission President William Briggs said of the city's treatment of the suspects.

'We need to find a solution.'

New criminal policies, which include lenient jail time rules, were set into motion by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon for the past two years. The new rules allow repeated offenders to be released back into society without facing severe or lengthy punishment for their crimes.

The lax bail laws also caused a rift between LAPD Chief Michael Moore and Gascon. Moore has repeatedly shifted the blame of the city's high crime rate to the district attorney.

'Today, we see that the use of enhancements has been sharply curtailed,' the Los Angeles chief said during a Police Commission meeting on Tuesday. 'I believe that's inconsistent with the underlying importance of those enhancements as to deterring others from being engaged in serious violent felonies with the use of a firearm.'

'While I appreciate the filings that have been obtained, I'm disappointed that the full weight of the existing laws and the support of our district attorney and the court to hold this individual responsible and accountable and keep him from the community was missed,' Moore added.

Gascon, who has been widely criticized as being soft on crime, later backtracked on some of his most controversial policies, including not pursuing sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, and not prosecuting juveniles accused of serious offenses as adults.

His sudden change of heart comes as he faces a second recall effort organized by critics, who contend that his woke policies are to blame for Los Angeles' rising crime rates.
Police tasked with cracking down on crime in a tough neighbourhood have been accused of 'superficial' patrolling after being spotted pulling up in their cars, taking photographs of themselves, then driving away.

Residents became suspicious when pictures turned up on Facebook claiming that officers had been on the beat in Stockport.

One resident said she saw two officers 'giggling' while taking a photo.

Police have since been warned they 'must be seen to be patrolling areas on foot'. Greater Manchester Police declined to comment.

The locals said the photographs of police on the same street pictured in Facebook posts ten times since the start of 2022.

People living in the Edgeley area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, then decided to keep tabs on the Bobbies.

One resident said: 'I saw two women police officers get out of a car near Rae Street, giggling about taking a photo and then they got back in the car and drove away.'

Residents became suspicious when pictures turned up on Facebook claiming that officers had been on the beat in Stockport. One resident said: 'I saw two women police officers get out of a car near Rae Street, giggling about taking a photo and then they got back in the car and drove away'

Local councillor Sheila Bailey, who represents Edgeley and Cheadle Heath on Stockport Council, called the alleged behaviour 'superficial' and 'cynical'

Another said: 'We have noticed several times police cars and unmarked cars pull up, get out and the officers take a couple of photos by the shops [or] on the corner near the doctors and less than a minute later get back into the car and drive away.

'Later these pictures are added to Facebook as part of Operation Valiant - and they say they have been patrolling the area but actually they have just taken a photo.'

Local councillor Sheila Bailey, who represents Edgeley and Cheadle Heath on Stockport Council, called the alleged behaviour 'superficial' and 'cynical'.

She said: 'The police have taken a battering lately, and quite rightly so.

'They need to restore confidence and they don't do that by behaving in this kind of way. It's important to know that police have taken notice and taken steps to ensure that this behaviour does not continue - it was ludicrous behaviour.'

In a message to colleagues, Stockport's divisional commander, Chief Superintendent John Webster, said: 'As we all know, the greatest strategic threat we have in Greater Manchester Police is legitimacy, trust and confidence.

'Please get some officers out on foot in those areas. Should we post on social media officers in a particular area, I will absolutely want to see evidence that they have been there, (on foot) speaking to our community and spending time there.'

Chief Supt Webster was appointed last autumn as part of the force's drive to improve neighbourhood policing.

It follows recent failings which led to GMP being placed into special measures in late 2020.

Speaking soon after his appointment, Chief Supt Webster described 'efficient and effective' neighbourhood policing of Stockport's streets as part of a 'three-pronged' approach to improve standards.

He said: '[It's] a huge opportunity to elevate a great organisation to the position where it should be.

'GMP is one of the biggest metropolitan forces in the country. It's a shame that we're perceived by the public as a failing force.

'The biggest strategic challenge I think GMP has got is building back that legitimacy, trust, and confidence in the community.'
Workers wearing protective gear move to spray disinfect as a precaution against COVID-19 under cherry blossoms in full bloom at a park in Seoul, April 11. AP-Yonhap



The government said Wednesday it will start the second booster shot program for people aged 60 and above.



It also plans to announce adjustments in social distancing Friday, which will center on normalizing everyday life to pre-pandemic days, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in a virus response meeting.






He was remanded in custody until next court appearance at Bolton Crown Court on May 16

Laura Hazeldine (pictured) was at Fifteens on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, on Friday April 8 as she was visiting family in Wigan. She tragically died in hospital after the Land Rover hit the group of pedestrians outside the busy venue

This is the 'amazing and inspirational' Maths teacher who was killed when a Land Rover slammed into a group standing outside a Manchester pub.

Laura Hazeldine was at Fifteens on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, on Friday April 8 as she was visiting family in Wigan.

She tragically died in hospital after the Land Rover hit the group of pedestrians outside the busy venue. Two men also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Floral tributes and messages from friends and family have been left at the scene.

Family members also paid tribute to the 'most amazing and inspirational woman to grace the planet' on social media.

They also thanked emergency services for their work trying to save Ms Hazeldine.

Her daughter Maggie posted pictures with her mother alongside a message which read: 'On Friday night I lost my beautiful mother, I wish she was still here to hold my hand and tell me that everything is going to be okay.

'She was the most amazing and inspirational women to grace the planet, growing up I wish she knew that the woman I most wanted to be was her, she was brave and never let the world dull her kindness, I love you mumma, don't know how I'm gonna do this without you.'

And Ms Hazeldine's niece Jade also paid tribute to her, calling her a 'beautiful soul taken far too soon.'

Her post added: 'Cherish every moment you have with your loved ones because you literally never know when it's gonna be the last time.'

Two men also suffered serious injuries in the crash. Tributes described Ms Hazeldine as a 'beautiful soul taken too soon.' Pictured: Police at the scene on April 8

Ms Hazeldine was a Maths teacher at Ernulf Academy in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, with the school paying tribute to their beloved colleague. A letter sent to parents from the principal Avin Bissoo read: 'It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the death of our colleague, Ms Laura Hazeldine, on Friday 9th April.

'Laura was a much-loved and respected individual who made a huge impact during her time at Ernulf - transitioning from being a teaching assistant to taking on the challenge of becoming a full-time teacher within the newly formed Maths department. She was not just our co-worker but our good friend as well.

'She was loved and respected by our staff and students; always available to offer a kind word, a smile, or a helping hand. She will be missed immensely. Laura's death is tragic, untimely, and upsetting. I know that as a school community we will pull together and support each other during this time.'

Jacob Gaskell, 19, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 11, charged with various driving offences in relation to Friday's crash. Pictured: The police scene on April 8

Students affected by her death will receive support when the school returns from its Easter break.

A commemoration and remembrance service marking Ms Hazeldine's life will take place in the new term.

Jacob Gaskell, 19, appeared at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 11, charged with various driving offences in relation to Friday's crash.

He was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at Bolton Crown Court on May 16.
Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers will soon descend on the Donbas region as part of efforts to outnumber Ukrainian troops in the east by five to one - but military chiefs insist it still won't be enough to win the war.

The Kremlin's offensive, which it hopes will result in a decisive face-saving battle, is expected to begin by the end of the week, according to some western sources.

Moscow is building up troops and equipment in a number of locations along the border, satellite images and reports suggest.

Forces will look to reinforce efforts around Izyum, south-east of Kharkiv, before pushing further south to seize the city of Slovyansk, the Times reports via a US think tank.

The plan would then be to advance to the south-east to encircle a Ukrainian contingent.

General Sir Richard Barrons, a former British military chief, told the paper: '[The Russians] will try to put more ground forces in the face of the Ukrainians at once to get the force ratios right, knowing the Ukrainians in the east are in very well-prepared positions.'

However, despite Putin's efforts to overwhelm his Ukrainian opponents, military sources in Kyiv insisted the numbers expected to swarm the east over the coming days would still fall short of the number needed for Russia to win.

It comes as images show how trench warfare remains a feature of conflict in Europe, with Ukrainian troops seen bracing themselves for the Russian onslaught coming their way.

Ukraine's best troops have been dug in around Donbas since Russia invaded the region in 2014, but the weeks ahead will present their biggest challenge.

Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are heading for eastern Ukraine as the Kremlin gears up for a massive offensive.

The UK's Ministry of Defence today warned that fighting there will intensify over the 'next two to three weeks,' signalling a new phase of the war.

Ground force: Ukraine troops take up defensive positions in Donbas after digging themselves in, protected by a wall of earth and sand bags

In the trenches: A group of frontline fighters appear relaxed as they wait for the most crucial battle of the war so far

Eight miles long: Massive Russian convoy moves towards the battlefield

Locked and loaded: A soldier prepares his rifle for an upcoming clash

The last eight years of conflict there between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists have shaped the landscape, which today resembles the Western Front of northern France and Belgium more than a century ago.

Long, narrow trenches dug into the ground snake for miles across Donbas where the decisive battles of the war are expected to be fought.

Footage emerged today of Russian naval infantry riding atop a column of armoured personnel carriers in the Rostov region, which borders eastern Ukraine.

These troops appeared well-equipped and highly-motivated  a far cry from thousands of Putin's personnel who have either been killed, fled or surrendered since his 'special military operation' began.

Russians: Forgive us - we didn't want this war Retreating Russian soldiers left Ukraine an apology as they pulled out of a school they took over outside Kyiv. Returning villagers found a message scrawled in chalk on a blackboard, pictured, that read: 'Forgive us, we did not want this war.' Troops ransacked and looted the site on their way out. 'Education is the future,' the school's headteacher told CNN. 'Why steal everything? This is a school. Advertisement

The eight-mile long convoy of military and supply vehicles was moving south today. It will be joined by Russian troops who spent weeks attempting to break through Ukrainian defences around Kyiv.

They were withdrawn by the Kremlin when it became clear they could not penetrate the capital.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said that it was 'quite likely' Ukraine could secure victory in the east, telling Times Radio the country's soldiers had the 'wind on their back'.

Russia is also said to be launching its thrust into the Donbas at the worst time of year because soft ground means tanks and trucks risk getting stuck in the mud if they venture off-road.

If they stick to the highway, columns of armoured vehicles will be vulnerable to attack from Ukrainian drones.

Tonight, UK military officials said they remained confident the Ukrainians seen here would emerge victorious. They insist no aspect of Russia's military campaign has gone to plan.

In a tweet, the Ministry of Defence claimed Russia had lost 2,151 vehicles, artillery pieces and aircraft  more than three times the losses suffered by Western-backed Ukrainians.

Over 30,000 Russian troops are said to have been killed, wounded or captured since the conflict began.
A teenage schoolgirl has called out the shocking hate messages she 'constantly' receives from strangers because she has spoken up about the environment.

Anjali Sharma, 18, from Melbourne, gained public attention two years ago after she launched a legal challenge against Environment Minister Sussan Ley's approval of the Vickery coal mine expansion in northwest NSW.

'Since then I've been constantly hit by absolutely vile racism,' Ms Sharma posted on Twitter on Sunday.

'Here's a tiny sample, because enough is enough and now I'm going to talk about it,' she said before posting a picture of multiple message screenshots.

The messages sent to the teenager include racist slurs and physical threats.

Ms Sharma (pictured centre) speaks outside the Federal Court in Sydney in March after it overturned a finding that the government had a duty of care to protect children against climate change

Ms Sharma took to Twitter on Sunday to call out the abusive messages she had been receiving

A screengrab of messages, which include racist slurs and physical threats, which strangers have sent the teenager

Ms Sharma then continued on saying she was proud of her family's heritage and the comments only strengthened her resolve to speak out.

'I will never apologise for my skin colour... For being a 'curry muncher'... Don't think for one moment that you can 'other' me or make me detest my culture,' Ms Sharma said.

'I come from a village where cows roam the streets. Where people push wheelbarrows down sandy alleyways... Where you call everyone brother. Where you can play on flat rooftops and sleep under the stars. It is beautiful.'

Ms Sharma said she was not affected by those who choose to 'go after my skin colour'.

'Don't expect me to be silenced. I'm a 'bloody migrant' and I wear it like a badge of pride.'

She then went on to list some women who had inspired her such as Australian climate advocates Varsha Yajman and Maggie Zhou, African climate advocate Vanessa Nakate, and Australian Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

'To my young women of colour. Don't let them laugh at your food, your culture, your traditional dress or your beautiful language,' Ms Sharma said.

'Don't let them 'other' you. If you're anything like me, your culture means more to you than you can express in words, so hold it close to your heart always.'

A few of the hundreds of supportive comments Ms Sharma received after her post (pictured)

Her post was met by a wave of support, with many people apologising for the behaviour of the trolls and commending the teenager for her strength.

'For every awful comment you receive I hope you take some comfort from messages of solidarity from all of us who support you,' one person said.

'These messages are shameful. Australians should be grateful for your efforts Anjali,' another said.

One person even forwarded her post to Australia's eSafety Commissioner who encouraged Ms Sharma to officially report the harassment so they can investigate.

In March, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley won a Federal Court appeal which overturned a previous court win for Ms Sharma's group, which included seven other students.

The previous ruling had found the minister had a duty of care not to cause them personal injury when approving a coal mine expansion.

The students on Tuesday confirmed they won't challenge the federal government again in court mainly because of court costs, and say their public shaming of the coalition is a victory in itself.

In siding with the minister, the court's full bench offered reasons including that federal environment laws don't require Ms Ley to protect people from climate change.

Other reasons included the tiny contribution to the overall risk of damage from climate change posed by the minister's decisions, and insufficient closeness and directness between her actions and the risk of harm to the students.

But the students believe they've had a moral victory, if not a legal one, and hope voters will remember it when they complete their ballot papers on May 21.

In a joint statement, they criticised Ms Ley's use of taxpayers' money to fight kids who were seeking nothing more than assurances of protection from the harms of fossil fuel corporations.

Ms Sharma (pictured) said she would not be dissuaded from speaking out and hoped other young women of colour would see her as an inspiration

'We urge the environment minister, and by extension, all members of parliament and candidates, to listen to the voices of young people... who are begging for more comprehensive action on climate change and urgent action to reduce carbon emissions.'

Four of the eight high school students who brought the case have since turned 18.

One of them is Ms Sharma who said she will feel a deep sense of satisfaction when she votes.

'For me, ticking that box is going to be a feeling that my voice is finally being heard, and not actively ignored,' she told AAP.

She said activism was never without setbacks, but they would persevere.

'We hope that it leads to the eventual triumph that we are all holding out for.'

AAP has sought comment from Ms Ley.

In the wake of her successful appeal last month, the minister said the decision was welcome and claimed: 'The Morrison government remains committed to protecting our environment for current and future generations'.
Labor has condemned the actions of a member who confronted Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a private event in Sydney.

Adisen Wright describes himself on social media as a 'progressive activist' and is listed online as a Young Labor member.

He self-identified himself as the man filming himself as he approached Mr Morrison at Penrith's Nepean Rowing Club in western Sydney on Tuesday night.

'Scomo, across the river here, across the Nepean River, people lost their houses and they were burned. You're a disgrace - you are a disgrace,' Mr Wright yelled, before leaving the premises.

Mr Wright (pictured with his mother) is a vocal supporter of the opposition and has been pictured with Labor politician Tanya Plibersek in photos uploaded to his social media

A Labor spokesman told AAP on Wednesday the behaviour was 'not on'.

'There's plenty of opportunity for respectful democratic participation without heckling and abuse,' the spokesman said.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese condemned the 'inappropriate' action.

'I have seen footage of it and I think that gentleman - I don't know who he was - his actions were entirely inappropriate,' he told reporters in Melbourne.

'We need to have civil discourse.

'Our democratic processes can be robust but people can be polite and people can engage in appropriate forums in appropriate ways.'

It is understood the NSW branch is looking at the man's involvement in the party.

The video had more than 140,000 views on social media as of Wednesday afternoon.

It is understood the NSW branch is looking at the man's involvement in the party.

The video had more than 115,000 views on social media as of Wednesday morning.

NSW police confirmed they were called to a licensed premises at Penrith about 7.30pm when they issued a 20-year-old man with a direction to move on.

'He left the venue without incident,' a spokeswoman told AAP.

Scott Morrison has been brazenly ambushed by an irate 'activist' who asked the leader for a photo before telling him he was a 'disgrace' during a private campaign event on Tuesday

In footage uploaded to TikTok on Tuesday, the staunch Labor supporter, asks the Prime Minister for a photo, then if he can pose a question.

Mr Morrison asks if he is a member of the press pack to which the activist admits he is not a journalist, but instead a local with a friend behind the bar.

The prime minister says he will allow the question, but his demeanour quickly changes after he realises Mr Wright is filming at the private event.

'Why are you recording?' Mr Morrison asks the young man in disbelief.

'Oh... I'm sorry about that. I just wanted to ask one question,' the activist replies.

The prime minister quickly turns on his heel and joins the rest of crowd talking and enjoying their drinks, but not before he is hit with a furious spray.

'Across the river here, people lost their houses. People lost their houses and they were burned,' the activist screams in his direction.

'You are a disgrace. You are a disgrace,' he continues as Mr Morrison looks pointedly in the other direction and other attendees look on in shock.

Mr Wright claims he hadn't realised the event was private and that he had been invited to the pub by his friend who worked behind the bar.

The vocal climate activist told a police officer at the event he had simply wanted to ask Mr Morrison about his response to the bushfires that had ravaged his Blue Mountains home

When questioned whether he entered the event to ask the prime minister a question, he said he had already been inside the 'public' venue.

'I didn't do anything wrong. I got a photo and I asked him a question, I wasn't being a d***. And he didn't want to talk to me,' the man tells the officer.

'I asked him 'what are you going to do about the bushfire response?', I'm from the Blue Mountains, I'm pretty passionate about what's going on.

'And he said you weren't allowed to ask questions and said it was a private event.'

The activist explains that his area had been significantly impacted by the bushfires and that he was simply seeking more 'action' and 'assistance' from the PM.
NRL star George Burgess has pleaded not guilty after being charged with 'sexually touching' a female footy fan in Sydney.

The St George Illawarra Dragons forward was charged last month after the woman reported the alleged incident to NSW Police.

Police will allege a woman made a complaint after Burgess allegedly went to her home at Mascot in Sydney's inner south in early March.

Detectives will allege the woman requested a signed football jersey from Burgess.

Burgess is alleged to have 'sexually touched the woman's bottom without her consent' between 10.20am and 10.45am, according to court documents.

Family lawyer Bryan Wrench attended Downing Centre Court on Burgess' behalf on Wednesday, where he told the magistrate his client intends to plead not guilty to the single offence of sexually touching another person without their consent.

George Burgess (pictured with wife Joanna) has vowed to fight the charge against him

Mr Wrench told the court he has twice tried to obtain the 'statement of evidence' from police but was still waiting for it, NCA Newswire reported.

'There is a significant dispute about what happened,' he told the court. 'We need the evidence.'

The matter was adjourned until June 8. Burgess has been excused from attending the next court hearing. He faces up to five years behind bars if he's found guilty.

Police will allege Burgess allegedly delivered a jersey to the woman's home where they engaged in friendly conversation and 'a cup of tea'.

Sometime later, the woman contacted police claiming she has been touched by Burgess in an inappropriate manner as they were 'hugging goodbye' and that he had 'squeezed her bottom'.

George Burgess is pictured above. Police allege he grabbed the woman's bottom, which he denies

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed the woman had allegedly contacted the NRL star and his three brothers on Instagram asking for signed merchandise for a charity event.

It is understood brothers Sam, Luke and Tom rebuffed the request however George allegedly indicated to the woman he was willing to oblige.

Burgess remains free to play for the Dragons while the matter is before the courts and has been named on the bench for Sunday's clash against the Newcastle Knights in Wollongong.

This is despite the code's strict 'No Fault Standdown Policy'.

George Burgess (right) plans to fight charges of sexually touching a woman without consent. His wife Joanna (left) is standing by him

'The National Rugby League (NRL) has advised the St George Illawarra Dragons that player George Burgess will be permitted to continue playing in the NRL Premiership while subject to criminal proceedings,' the NRL statement read.

'So as not to prejudice Burgess' criminal proceedings case, the NRL will wait the outcome of that case before taking any action for possible breaches of NRL rules.

'The decision in no way forms a judgment on the allegations against Burgess which are serious and the NRL reserves the right to impose a No Fault Stand Down in the future.'

Burgess's wife Joanna has stood by her husband and uploaded a happy selfie with him to her Instagram stories soon after his arrest.

The couple married in 2016 and have three children together- Boston, 6, Birdie, 4, and Blainey, 2.

Burgess has played 150 NRL games and recently played his first game for the Red V following a stint in the English Super League.
Portuguese police have said they will continue their inquiry into Madeleine McCanns disappearance despite Scotland Yard 'winding up' their probe later this year.

The Portuguese Attorney Generals Office has insisted authorities will keep their investigation going to find the missing youngster and said their separate inquest - which is being led by prosecutors on the Algarve - will 'continue'.

Authorities also added that closing their long-running probe was 'completely out of the question', reports The Mirror.

Last month it was reported that the Metropolitan Police will be ending their inquiry into Madeleine's whereabouts.

Funding for the Operation Grange inquiry  launched four years after Portuguese authorities began their unsuccessful search for the youngster in 2007  will end this autumn unless new lines of inquiry emerge.

British detectives are said to be frustrated by the failure to compile sufficient evidence to prosecute Christian Brueckner, a convicted paedophile, who was named two years ago by German police as the prime suspect for Madeleine's abduction.

He has denied any involvement in the disappearance of the youngster from an apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve.

Operation Grange, overseen by the Metropolitan Police, is estimated to have cost 13 million

The Portuguese Attorney Generals Office has insisted authorities will keep their investigation going to find the missing youngster and said their separate inquest - which is being led by prosecutors on the Algarve - will 'continue' Police also added that closing their long-running probe is 'completely out of the question', reports The Mirror

The Operation Grange team has in recent years been pared down from 40 officers to just four detectives working under Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell. His team also liaises with Madeleine's parents, of Rothley, Leicsestershire

The Sun reported that it was understood Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate, both 54, are aware of the impending closure but have vowed to continue their search.

Brueckner is serving a seven-year jail sentence in Germany for raping a 72-year-old woman.

The Operation Grange team has in recent years been pared down from 40 officers to just four detectives working under Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell.

His team also liaises with Madeleine's parents, of Rothley, Leicsestershire.

In June 2020, police in Britain and Germany launched a renewed appeal for witnesses after disclosing they had a new suspect, who was later revealed to be Brueckner.

German prosecutors remain convinced he was responsible for the youngster's disappearance but despite an intensive investigation have not brought any charges.

Detectives are said to be frustrated by the failure to compile sufficient evidence to prosecute Christian Brueckner (pictured), a convicted paedophile, who was named two years ago by German police as the prime suspect for Madeleine's abduction

Brueckner also is alleged to have admitted abducting Madeleine to a friend - and the German team of investigators, led by public prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, said they were certain he had killed the three-year-old.

It is now highly unlikely that he will be charged over her disappearance.

Wolters went as far as holding a press conference where he addressed Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry over the air.

He insisted: 'We are confident we have the man who took and killed your daughter. All I can do is ask for your patience.'

But claims German detectives had sent multiple notes to Madeleine's family were rubbished within days.

And the Met itself released a pointed statement correcting the allegations about the correspondence.

In May last year, Kate and Gerry McCann (pictured) restated they still believed Madeleine could be alive. A statement that month said: 'The Covid pandemic has made this year even more difficult for many reasons but thankfully the investigation to find Madeleine and her abductor has continued'

It said last year: 'The Met received one letter from the BKA [Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany] on June 12, which was passed to the family.

'The letter did not state that there was evidence or proof that Madeleine is dead, the MPS continues to investigate Madeleine's disappearance as a missing person investigation. No letter has been received by the Met from the German prosecutor.'

In fact in May last year, Kate and Gerry restated they still believed she could be alive.

A statement that month said: 'The Covid pandemic has made this year even more difficult for many reasons but thankfully the investigation to find Madeleine and her abductor has continued.

'We hang on to the hope, however small, that we will see Madeleine again. As we have said repeatedly, we need to know what has happened to our lovely daughter, no matter what. We are very grateful to the police for their continued efforts.'

Brueckner is currently serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking and is expected to remain behind bars until 2026 after losing a bid to overturn a rape conviction.

He was last year found guilty of the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in the same Portuguese resort from which Madeleine vanished and sentenced to seven years in jail, at a court in Brunswick, Lower Saxony.

Brueckner was in Praia da Luz when Madeleine went missing on the night of May 3, 2007, pinpointed there by a mobile phone call. Madeleine - then aged three - disappeared from an apartment building (above) where she was staying with her family

Brueckner was in Praia da Luz when Madeleine went missing on the night of May 3, 2007, pinpointed there by a mobile phone call.

Madeleine - then aged three - disappeared from an apartment where she was staying with her family.

Kate and Gerry, had been dining with friends in a nearby restaurant and periodically checking on Madeleine and her two siblings - Sean and Amelie - as they slept.

Around 9pm, Gerry went to check on the children and found them sleeping. At 9.30pm, a family friend went to the apartment and heard no noise, but did not check far enough into the room to see if Madeleine was there.

At 10pm, Kate went to check on the children and found Maddie was gone.

The disappearance was reported immediately and a search party launched the same evening including officers from the Guarda Nacional Republicana and the Policia Judiciaria, which launched an investigation.

Amaral was brought in to head that investigation and ran it for several months, infamously naming both Kate and Gerry as suspects.

He was sacked shortly after launching a public attack on British detectives - accusing them of only pursuing investigative lines given to them by the McCanns.

He has since published a book and appeared in a documentary called 'The Truth of the Lie' in which he repeated his claims against the McCanns.

The family won a libel suit against him in 2015, and were awarded 500,000 in damages.
The teenager who was fatally stabbed during a brawl at the Easter Show was about to become a father.

Taylor Piliae, 18, announced through her younger sister that she was expecting a baby with her late 17-year-old boyfriend Uati 'Pele' Faletolu.

Faletolu was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest during a brawl while he was working at the Easter Show on Monday night.

There are fears a postcode gang war between rival western Sydney gangs, the 67 and the 27, may have sparked the melee.

Ms Piliae wrote 'can't wait to meet you mini Pele' alongside her ultrasound video.

The announcement confirms speculation after Faletolu's untimely death that he was due to be a father.

Taylor Piliae, 18, announced through her younger sister that she was expecting a baby with her late 17-year-old boyfriend Uati 'Pele' Faletolu

Faletolu was allegedly stabbed to death during a brawl while he was working at the Easter Show on Monday night

'The rumours are true,' Ms Piliae's sister Bree said. 'My beautiful sister has been blessed with his baby. Congratulations big sis with you every step of the way.'

The announcement confirms speculation after Faletolu's untimely death that he was due to be a father

'The rumours are true,' Ms Piliae's sister Bree said. 'My beautiful sister has been blessed with his baby. Congratulations big sis with you every step of the way.'

The post was flooded with messages of congratulations, with some calling it a 'miracle' that she's been left with 'a little piece of her love'.

'That was his biggest goal, to become a dad,' another said.

Friends of the 17-year-old victim warned his death could further escalate tensions between the rival western Sydney gangs.

Members of the two groups, 67 from Doonside and 27 from Mount Druitt, reportedly had an altercation near the adult ride section of the show about 8pm before it descended into an all-out brawl.

Police are yet to formally identify a suspect and believe the attacker may still be on the run.

The post was flooded with messages of congratulations, with some calling it a 'miracle' that she's been left with 'a little piece of her love

Faletolu shared a video just a day before his death saying he wished his girlfriend was working at the show with him

The victim's 15-year-old brother has been charged with affray and carrying a knife. He has not been charged relating to his death and will face Parramatta Children's Court on Tuesday afternoon.

The boy was allegedly seen on viral footage sitting on the ground in handcuffs after the melee.

Distressed friends and relatives of Faletolu and the 15-year-old have spoken out to clear up rumours that the teenager has been charged over his brother's death.

Instead, the charges relate to the alleged brawl.

'Now a mum has to find out she lost a son. For what? An area you don't own,' one critic said online.

A memorial was held in Doonside reserve near Faletolu's house on Tuesday night, where friends and his partner gathered to say their goodbyes

Distressed friends and relatives of Faletolu and the 15-year-old have spoken out to clear up false rumours that the teenager has been charged over his brother's death

Faletolu's grieving girlfriend was supported by her siblings during a memorial for him on Tuesday night

Superintendent Danielle Emerton from the Auburn Police Area Command suggested it could have been a 'planned confrontation' between the groups.

'We're trying to piece it together. It's a tragic, senseless act. This is a family event and the fact that someone has bought a knife into the show is upsetting,' she said.

'There were two groups involved in the affray incident where there was a knife involved. So we are looking at additional people that were involved in last night's attack.

'Someone knows who has done this.'

A 15-year-old boy arrested at the scene was still being question by police on Tuesday morning

The victim was an attendant at the Break Dance ride at the Easter Show

Pictured: Members of a different gang involved in the postcode gang wars

Superintendent Danielle Emerton, from the Auburn Police Area Command, would not rule out the possibility the attack was motivated by postcode wars

Detectives and forensic officers were at the carnival on Tuesday combing over the scene of the alleged crime. Police have retrieved one knife

Faletolu was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but later died. He'd been stabbed in the chest while working at the show.

Paramedics were called to a busy strip inside the Sydney Royal Easter Show about 8pm Monday night amid reports of a brawl between two groups of young men.

At least two teenagers were stabbed; the victim and a 16-year-old boy who remains in hospital in a stable condition with wounds to his leg.

Police confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday morning at least one suspect remains on the run. A strike force has been established to identify any other people involved in the brawl.

Daily Mail Australia revealed on Tuesday Faletolu was an employee of the carnival and had been for at least two years.

The adult section of the Easter Show was closed to the public on Tuesday due to the ongoing investigation

He was on his break midway through his shift when he reportedly went to meet some friends, including his younger brother, who were attending the show.

Just a day before his death, the victim shared a video at work pouting at the camera with the caption: 'When you wish ur gf worked at the Easter Show again with u'.

He was working the Break Dance ride inside the carnival. The ride is near a thoroughfare which is often congested and brimming with people.

Friends and colleagues have described him as a 'great guy' who always made shifts fun.

'Was a blessing working with you at the show,' one friend said.

'He had his whole life ahead of him... This never should have happened.'

A 17-year-old boy has tragically died after being fatally stabbed in the chest at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Monday night (pictured, paramedics at the scene)

While campaigning in western Sydney on Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was 'distressed' to learn of the teen's death.

'I would say to the family of those who have lost their son, my heart goes out to you. Your hearts must be shattered and broken,' he said.

'I would be asking all parents, obviously, to be taking care and making sure their kids are doing the right thing and making sure they're staying safe and being very aware of their surroundings.'

Footage circulated to social media showed two men brawling in the middle of the carnival.

The taller of the pair tried to send his knee into the other's head as he was driven backwards before landing a series of punches in his abdomen.

The smaller man retaliated by driving him backwards into a set of garbage bins before the taller man was joined by another who also began to swing his fists.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Whittaker said by the time paramedics arrived the victim was already suffering a cardiac arrest as a direct result of the chest wound.

'Paramedics performed CPR and a number of other critical interventions at the scene before loading the patient for transport to Westmead Hospital, unfortunately despite best efforts he couldn't be resuscitated,' he said.

Showgoers were moved out of the carnival area as officers established a crime scene.

Criminal psychologist explains why street violence is on the rise Youth outreach group Junction Works confirmed Sydney's brutal 'postcode violence' was now spreading across the city. The postcode wars comprise groups of young boys and girls - usually teenagers - who are willing to risk their lives to 'rep' the area where they were born and raised. Starting in the far western suburbs, vicious tribal identities based on where teenagers live are appearing throughout the city. 'It is across all of Western Sydney that this is happening,' a spokesman said. 'It's an ongoing issue. It's mainly in the Guildford and Blacktown areas but there's also recently been issues with violence among young people in different postcodes within the Canterbury-Bankstown area too.' Tim Watson-Munro, a criminal psychologist, said young people have always sought a sense of belonging and community within their peer group. But he explained this becomes dangerous when young people find 'security in numbers' within dysfunctional groups. 'This leads to trouble,' he said. A former New South Wales detective said increased violence in lower socioeconomic communities was often due to a sense of hopelessness. 'A high proportion of public housing, a high proportion of migrants and a high proportion of unemployment, in any city in the world that is a recipe for disaster,' Western Sydney University Dr Mike Kennedy said. 'The governments leave it to the police to deal with so they don't have to accept responsibility.' Advertisement
Three people have been charged with multiple drug offences after police seized 15 kilograms of drug-laced lollipops in raids in the NSW Hunter region.

NSW Police say two men and a woman were part of a criminal syndicate supplying illegal drugs on the dark web, which made more than $1.6 million in cryptocurrency.

Police say the trio distributed drugs, including E-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and officers discovered more than 100 litres of THC-based chemicals during searches.

NSW State Crime Command detectives established Strike Force Alaine to investigate the online sale of drugs in Lake Macquarie in May.

Police found 15 kg of drug-laced lollipops in a series of raids in the NSW Hunter region

Police raided two properties at Swansea and a storage facility at Caves Beach on Tuesday.

Police allege they found a large amount of lollipops, suspected to be laced with a prohibited drug, 100 litres of THC-based chemicals, as well as electronic devices, which were seized for forensic examination.

A 47-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were arrested on Tuesday at Lakeside Drive and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Police arrested another man, 30, at a home on George Street and he was taken to Toronto Police Station.

Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said the arrests 'should serve as a warning to those using the internet to conceal criminal activity'.

'Your anonymity is not guaranteed, and you aren't outside the reach of law enforcement,' he said.

More than $1.6 million in cryptocurrency had been made in drug sales by the trio, he said.

The 47-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were charged with three counts of supplying a psychoactive substance for human consumption, eight counts of supplying a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, knowingly or recklessly directing a criminal group to assist crime, and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

Both will appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old man was charged with three counts of knowingly supplying a psychoactive substance for human consumption, eight counts of supplying a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court next week.
A maverick former Coalition MP is in for a six figure payday just by running for office in next month's election - even though he has next to no chance of landing a position in the Senate.

George Christensen announced on Wednesday that he will stand for Pauline Hanson's One Nation, just days after quitting Parliament.

Mr Christensen is running on the number three spot on the party's Queensland's Senate ticket, making it extraordinarily unlikely he will get elected.

However, because he is running again for Parliament, Mr Christensen will get a resettlement allowance of $105,625 - six months of his base salary - when he loses.

If he had just retired he would not have got the money.

Maverick former Coalition MP George Christensen will stand for election as a candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation, just days after he quit Parliament

However Mr Christensen insisted it was 'highly likely' he would have got the cash anyway because the LNP had put forward a motion to disendorse him before he retired.

The lockdown critic and advocate of unapproved Covid-19 treatment ivermectin had previously said he was leaving Canberra after he was sidelined from the Coalition over his outspoken views.

He had held the Queensland seat of Dawson for the Liberal National Party since 2010 and caucused with the Nationals, but quit the party last week, saying it was 'anything but conservative'.

He had previously said he wanted to spend more time with his young family, after marrying Filipino April Asuncion in 2019 and the birth of their 21-month-old daughter Margaret.

Mr Christensen will be number three on One Nation's Queensland senate ticket.

While it was effectively an unwinnable spot, his candidacy and popularity in his old electorate could boost the number of votes for One Nation and thereby boost Senator Hanson's chances of being re-elected to Parliament.

'If the only job that I do is helping Pauline get back in the Senate and maybe take a friend with her then that's a job done,' he said.

'Pauline approached me and asked me whether I would re-consider leaving Parliament, whether I would consider continuing on with One Nation.

'I did not want to run again for the seat of Dawson. That decision was made, that decision came and went. And obviously I am not, as Pauline announced.

'But she did ask me if I would join her Senate ticket and I said yes.'

Mr Christensen had previously said he had voted for One Nation.

LNP Senator Matt Canavan said while he understood Mr Christensen might have been upset with some party room decisions, it was better to fight for change from within.

'It is a desertion,' he told Nine Network. 'You don't go off and speak to a minor party.'

It's unclear if Mr Christensen will stand for his old seat of Dawson, with One National already having a candidate, Julie Hall, announced for that seat.

The 2019 election saw a massive 13 per cent swing to One Nation in Dawson, but he comfortably held his seat with a 22 per cent margin over second placed Labor.

However Mr Christensen could instead run for the Senate and challenge Senator Canavan, who said he took nothing for granted.

'Ultimately you don't have job security ... It's up to the voters,' he said. 'But I love a fight, I don't shirk from a fight.'

Mr Christensen - who in 2016 posed in sado-masochistic clothes with a whip for a newspaper feature - gave a valedictory speech attacking Canberra's 'poodles' and hailing 'mongrels' like himself.

The anti-vaxxer advocate of outlawed Covid-19 treatment ivermectin and lockdown critic had previously said he was leaving Canberra after he was sidelined over his marginal views

'When I came to this place, someone told me about two paths that lay ahead: the path of the poodle and the path of the mongrel,' he said.

'They said that the poodles in politics do what they're told, get the accolades and end up sniffing the ministerial leather right up close.

'But nothing changes if it's left up to the poodles. That's where the mongrels come in.

'Political mongrels might be mangy; they might growl when they're grumpy, and they might soil the carpet every so often, but they bark when needed and aren't afraid to nip issues in the bud when needed as well.

'They keep the poodles in the ministerial leather that they're accustomed to but are pretty much put in the 'never to be promoted' column.

'It doesn't need to be said that I took the path of the political mongrel. Political mongrels get things done.

'For my electorate and my people, I've proudly been a political mongrel.'

The backbencher was briefly the Nationals Chief Whip until he resigned from the position in 2017, complaining that he was muzzled by the role in a row with then-PM Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Christensen came under scrutiny by Australian Federal Police for his repeated visits to the Philippines to visit his now wife and family which saw him dubbed the 'Member for Manila' by Labor.

It was revealed he had spent 294 days in the Philippines between April 2014 and June 2018.

He will announce his political return at a press conference with Pauline Hanson when she will confirm One Nation will stand in all 151 House of Representatives seats on May 21

A statement from Pauline Hanson confirmed the party will aim to be a major force at the 2022 federal election after only a restricted effort in 2019.

She said it was as a result of increased support that had increased substantially as a reaction against the Covid lockdowns during the pandemic.

'It's a significant step up from the 2019 election when we fielded candidates in about a third of Australian electorates,' she said.

Mr Christensen has been a vocal opponent of Covid restrictions, and last year compared the expansion of government power through the pandemic to Nazi Germany and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

'The totalitarian regimes responsible for the most heinous atrocities in the 20th century didn't get there overnight,' Mr Christensen said.

'In 21st century Australia, state premiers are racing down that familiar path, trying to outsmart each other, drunk on power, setting up their own biosecurity, police states completely medical apartheid.'

He added: 'The totalitarian path, the path that we are unquestionably on, has never ended well.

'The solution is a rediscovery of human dignity along with, and I don't say this lightly, civil disobedience.'

The comments were denounced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Human remains have been found in secluded parkland in Melbourne.

Greenvale Reservoir Park in the city's north remains cordoned off, hours after remains were found on Tuesday night.

Police and SES volunteers remained at the scene on Wednesday, scouring the parklands for more evidence.

Forensic investigators were seen photographing the scene and bagging up evidence to be examined.

Police and SES volunteers remain at the scene on Wednesday after humans remains were found in secluded bushland

The remains were found at Greenville Reservoir Park (pictured), a popular parkland in Melbourne

Coloured markers were also spotted scattered around the parkland.

Much of the popular parkland remains a crime scene.

'Police are yet to establish exact circumstances and a crime scene guard is in place so the area can be further examined,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

The remains were believed to be buried near the toilets, the Herald Sun reported.

The 53 hectare parkland is popular with Melburnians for picnics, games and exercise.

The southern section of the parkland is currently closed for Melbourne Water to undertake extensive remodeling of the reservoir and dam wall.
Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin, left, and Unification Minister nominee Kwon Young-se / Yonhap



Yoon gov't to prioritize Korea-US ties, but leaves door open for inter-Korean talks



By Kang Seung-woo



President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's nominations of key members of his national security team suggest that the new South Korean administration plans to engage in diplomacy that places alignment with the United States at the center of its foreign policy priorities, according diplomatic observers.



In addition, Yoon, who pledged to take a hardline stance against North Korea on the campaign trail, has left room for inter-Korean dialogue following the designation of a close aide and centrist politician to the unification minister post.



On Wednesday, Yoon nominated Rep. Park Jin of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as foreign minister, while tapping Rep. Kwon Young-se, another PPP lawmaker, to head the unification ministry. Along with them, the incoming president also appointed six other Cabinet members and his first chief of staff.



"Although it remains to be seen how Yoon will flesh out its national security team  which will also include the national security director and the first and second deputy directors of the National Security Office, as well as the chief of the National Intelligence Service  Yoon's national security team until now is made up of experts on the relationship with the U.S.," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University.



Park, 66, is a four-term lawmaker who served as the chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and National Unification Committee from 2008 to 2010. In that capacity, he helped pass the free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S.



On Sunday, Yoon also nominated Lee Jong-sup, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who has expertise in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as the defense minister, while former Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-han, a strong advocate of the nation's ties with the U.S., is the most likely candidate for the national security adviser position.



Yoon's desire to develop a U.S.-centered foreign policy is seen in his dispatch of the ROK-U.S. Policy Consultation Delegation, led by the foreign minister nominee, to Washington, D.C., earlier this month. During its visit, the delegates met with key senior officials of the Joe Biden administration such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Kurt Campbell, the White House policy coordinator for Asia.



The delegation also hinted at its commitment to the U.S. amid U.S.-China competition.



Following Yoon's election, the fate of the unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, was uncertain, as PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok had been insisting on abolishing the ministry, arguing that its efforts toward inter-Korean ties  which have been stalled since the U.S.-North Korea summit ended without a deal in February 2019  had been ineffective.



However, the nomination of Kwon is seen as being part of Yoon's intent to empower the ministry and improve relations between South and North Korea.



"During the campaign, Yoon's side provided the impression that they were paying little attention to the unification ministry, but the designation of the unification minister means Yoon is lending his support to the ministry," Park said.



The professor also said that by nominating Kwon, who is not a hawkish on North Korea, the Yoon administration is leaving the door open for inter-Korean talks.



"As far as I know, the president-elect tried to nominate dovish figures for the unification minister post, and in that respect, Kwon is the perfect fit for the job, since he is not a hardliner on North Korea," Park said.



While announcing the second lineup of appointees to his Cabinet, Yoon also described Kwon as a figure who maintains a centrist and pragmatic stance.



Kwon, 63, a four-term lawmaker, served as the ambassador to China under the Park Geun-hye administration.


A young woman whose 'naked' body was found washed up on a popular Sydney beach is believed to have taken her own life.

The lifeless body was found by an early morning walker on the northern end of Bronte Beach in the city's eastern suburbs on Wednesday at 5.45am.

Police confirmed on Wednesday the death was not being treated as suspicious, with investigators not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.

The woman had been floating near the shoreline for hours before she was discovered, with witnesses recalling seeing what they thought was a mannequin in the water as early as 5pm on Tuesday.

Police were called to the northern end of Bronte Beach in the city's east around 5.45am on Wednesday after a call from a member of the public who found the body

Officers quickly erected a tent on the beach and set up a crime scene after the walker found the woman's lifeless body

Bronte local Jacquie said she was shocked by the grim discovery just metres away from her home, where she has lived for more than a decade.

'It's so awful. Just awful,' she said.

Another bystander, Hamish, added: 'It's pretty shocking. [As a local] you'd like to know what happened.'

Surfers who braved dreary conditions to hit the waves at Bronte on Tuesday evening told Daily Mail Australia they spotted a body-like mass 'surfing with them' nearby.

A police tent was set up metres from the shore with the northern end of Bronte Beach closed to the public

Local residents said they were shocked by the grim discovery on the beach - which is popular with families and surfers

They were convinced there was little chance it could be a human, and with no lifeguards back onshore to make a report, they did not contact the police.

'It was pretty shocking. It wasn't nice to see. It was face down so I could see the back. It was weird. It was naked so we thought it must be a dummy, ' one surfer told Daily Mail Australia.

Another said the dark and stormy conditions had prevented them from confirming exactly what the object was.

'We saw what we thought was a body, but no one wanted to get close to it [to check],' he said.

The one glaring problem with frenzied 'Melissa Caddick' speculation Social media has erupted with speculation the body could be that of missing financial advisor Melissa Caddick, 49, who vanished 18 months ago amid a police probe into her company. But the theories have been dispelled by a leading forensic expert. Professor Johan Duflou, former clinical director of NSW's Department of Forensic Medicine, said there's little chance a body that's been in the ocean for over a year would be intact. 'I think it would be highly unlikely there would be anything at all remaining after nearly 18 months in the ocean,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'That's because of animal predation and the effects of water on the body, along with decomposition.' Police have also said the body appears to be of a woman around half the age of Ms Caddick, with the victim estimated to be in her 20s to 30s. Advertisement

Officers at the scene on Wednesday covered the remains before they were carried from the beach on a stretcher and taken away in a van.

The discovery fueled a wave of speculation that it could be the corpse of missing conwoman Melissa Caddick who vanished 18 months ago - which was swiftly dismissed by police and a leading forensics expert.

Police said the corpse appeared to have been in the water for a lengthy period of time. But they believe the remains are likely to be of a woman aged in her 20s or 30s, while Caddick was 49.

Professor Johan Duflou, former clinical director of NSW's Department of Forensic Medicine, said it would be 'highly unlikely there would be anything at all remaining after nearly 18 months in the ocean'.

A police tent was set up metres from the shore with the northern part of Bronte Beach closed to the public.Officers are scouring missing person's records to determine the woman's identity.

The crime scene has since been dissembled and the northern section of the beach reopened to the public.

For confidential support in Australia, contact Lifeline: 13 11 14, Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, or Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467.
A massive fire at hotel that was being built in California saw the closure of one of the state's main highways.

The US-101 was closed in Camarillo as the blaze sent up massive plumes of smoke and enormous flames stopped traffic along the route on Tuesday night.

The inferno was first reported just after 7pm near the Camarillo Outlet Mall.

One driver who was taking video of the blaze commented how he could 'feel the heat' from as he was driving by.

Firefighters were battling a massive fire on Tuesday evening in Camarillo, California

The entire hotel construction was seen to be engulfed by a massive fireball

The building began collapsing in on itself leaving just the shell of the building remaining

Flames could be seen shooting up into the evening sky on Tuesday

Despite the ferocity of the blaze, traffic was still being allowed to travel along the highway for quite some time

It quickly escalated and by 7:20pm more resources had to called upon.

The fire appeared to have started on the second floor of the four-story structure which was quickly engulfed.

Within an hour, the structure began collapsing in on itself.

Despite the ferocity of the blaze, traffic was still being allowed to travel along the highway for quite some time.

The hotel was part of a project known as the Mian Plaza and Convention Center.

The construction project was to see the development of two Hilton hotels with almost 300 rooms together with a 17,500 square foot conference center.

By 9pm the fire appeared to be out with crews on sight dampening down hotspots as an investigation began into what set off the fire.

The sight was mesmerizing to drivers passing by who said they could 'feel the heat'

Images from the Ventura County fire service provide and even closer view of the flames

The multi-alarm fire prompted the closure of US-101. Hoses can be seen blasting water onto the fire

Firefighters could be seen on sight blasting jets of water in an attempt to control the fire

Earlier, the blaze looked as though it might be brought under control, but things escalated

Plumes of smoke can be seen rising into the night sky as firefighters tackle the blaze

The blaze could be seen from miles around as this photograph from a helicopter shows
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The survivors of Tuesday morning's subway attack in Brooklyn have described how they sat next to the gunman as he pulled an ax and gun from his duffel bag before he threw a smoke grenade and fired 33 shots, leaving 10 people injured with bullet wounds.

A witness said the suspect said 'Oops, my bad', as he opened one of his gas tanks and filled the subway car with smoke when it was between stations, before he pulled out his weapons and opened fire.

A multi-state manhunt is now underway for Frank James, 62, who is now officially a suspect in the attack, with police offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Police said the keys found at the crime scene belong to an abandoned U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by James. He also made 'concerning' threats against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and railed against the city's homelessness crisis in social media posts.

Passenger Fitim Gjeloshi said he remembers the harrowing moment the gunman, who is still at large, decided to fill the subway carriage with smoke before opening fire.

'I looked him, and I thought to myself he was talking to himself for a while, so I looked at him, and I was like, 'This guy must be on drugs',' he told the New York Post.

'When [the train] was about to hit 36th street, we stopped for 5 minutes. He takes out a gas mask from one of his little luggage[s]. He opened one of his gas tanks, and he said, 'Oops, my bad'. He pulls out an ax, he drops it, he takes a gun out, he starts shooting.'

'One guy gets shot right next to me. He says, "Help! Help!",' Gjeloshi said. 'I tell some person to help him out, cover the blood for him. I jump over, I bang the door and I kicked it with my leg.'

Terrified passengers tried to get out of the carriage where the gunman was shooting passengers, but the door was locked. When the train pulled into 36th Street station in Sunset Park, injured passengers were seen laying on the floor that was streaked with blood as the gunman fled.

At least 23 people were injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported. Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition, while 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car.

Hourari Benkada, 27, another survivor of the shooting who is recovering in the hospital after being shot in the knee, said he sat right next to the gunman who went to shoot him and nine others.

Benkada is 'shocked' and 'shaky' and doesn't know if he can ever again ride the subway, which has seen a rise in crime in recent months.

'I was on 59th street on the R train transferring to the N train on 59th, so it was the first car, last seats.

'I'm not really paying attention to that, so I just walk in. I sat down and the guy is right next to me, and all you see is a black smoke bomb going off and then people bum-rushing to the back,' Benkada told CNN's John Berman.

He stopped to help a pregnant woman and was pushed by the panicked crowd. He was shot behind his right knee, but doctors expect him to walk on his own after several weeks on crutches.

Hourari Benkada, 27, says he was sitting right next to the gunman before he let off a smoke bomb and opened fire on passengers aboard an N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning

Benkada (left) says he stopped to help a pregnant woman but couldn't make much sense of the scene as he was distracted and listening to music like he would during any commute. Benkada, a hotel housekeeping manager, was shot in the back of the knee (right). The bullet came out through the side of his knee and grazed his kneecap. He's expected to walk on his own again

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

At least 29 people people were injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported. Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition, while 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car. Pictured: Passengers lay injured on the subway platform

NYPD are hunting for Frank James, now described as a suspect in the shooting. No suspects have been named as of yet

BROOKLYN SUBWAY SHOOTING - WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Unidentified gunman wearing grey hoodie and green construction vest opened fire on northbound N train at 8.24am

At least 23 people were injured in the attack

Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition

Another 13 people suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car

Police have described Frank James, 62, as a suspect

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information that would lead to his arrest

James is known to the FBI, having been on their radar in New Mexico until he was cleared following 'multiple interviews' in 2019

He is believed to have travelled from New Mexico

Police said the keys found at the crime scene belong to an abandoned U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by James in Philadelphia

That U-Haul was found five miles from the scene on King's Highway, Brooklyn

A credit card found on the scene of the shooting matched the credit card used to rent the U-Haul

The suspect put on a gas mask then detonated a smoke bomb that was in his bag before firing the first shots

Panicked c o mmuters tri e d to flee into the next subway car but the door was locked - they were trapped until the train reached 36th street

mmuters tri d to flee into the next subway car but the door was locked - they were trapped until the train reached 36th street The gunman vanished in the chaos - some fear he may have jumped onto the tracks and entered the subway tunnels

Police found a .380 handgun and three extended magazines in backpack at the Brooklyn station

James made 'concerning' threats against New York City Mayor Eric James and railed against the city's homelessness crisis in ranting social media posts.

NYPD is going door-to-door in Brooklyn asking for information, surveillance camera footage and pictures

Anyone with information about the shooting or gunman is urged to call 800 577 TIPS

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Overall crime in New York City is up 44.3 percent from last year. Transit crimes are up 68 percent and shooting incidents are up 8.4 percent, according to to the latest numbers from the NYPD.

Benkada, 27, a housekeeping manager at the New Yorker Hotel, said he sat next to the gunman who had a duffel bag and a MTA vest.

The morning commuter says he doesn't remember many specifics because he was distracted and wearing his headphones. He says the gunman wore a mask, so he wasn't able to compare him to James, who is now named as a suspect by the NYPD.

Benkada said he was 'shaking' during Tuesday's CNN interview, conducted via FaceTime as he recovers in the hospital. 'I don't even know how I'm holding my phone,' he said.

He remembers black smoke and people rushing to the back.

'Oh my god, I'm pregnant,' one woman told him. Benkada hugged her and was later shot in the back of the knee while trying to run away.

He says the shooting felt like it took over a minute.

'It sounded like the loudest thing I ever heard in my life,' he said, calling the wound 'the worst pain of my entire life.'

'We were trying to break the door, and the train took forever to reach the station. Once it opened at 36th St., I was in so much pain,' Benkada said in a separate interview with the New York Daily News.

A bullet hit him in the back of the knee and came out of the other side. Doctors told him it grazed his kneecap, but he's expected to recover after several weeks on crutches.

'I was just so shocked that the pain didn't hit me until after,' he said on CNN.

He said he managed to make it up a flight of stairs by himself.

'Every cop that passed by me just ignored me. They were just thinking, maybe, 'Focus on the shooter.''

Benkada said he told the confused worker at the booth that he needed 'a lot of napkins' because he was bleeding.

'After five or 10 minutes, two firefighters helped me on their shoulders,' he said. 'I was just so shocked, I just wanted get out of there after hearing all those shots firing off.'

Some injured passengers collapsed as they poured onto the platform of the 36th Street station. All of the victims were expected to survive their injuries, police said.

Terrified passengers run off the train at the 36th Street station on Tuesday morning after the shooting on the train

The New York Fire Department says it treated a total of 17 people - 15 who were taken to area hospitals and two at the scene. A teenage boy was shot in the thumb.

'It was pretty devastating injury to the thumb and it destroyed a lot of a bone, the joint the tendons, the nerves are able to salvage the thumb and it's alive. And he'll need some more surgery,' said surgeon Jack Choueka from Maimonides Medical Center in nearby Borough Park.

'It's expected that he'll have a pretty functioning hand and cosmetically it should look should look very good. So we're not out of the woods completely on his hand but we're very happy with the with the results tonight,' Dr. Choueka said.

Police on Wednesday upgraded James to a suspect in the attack, with the FBI now joining the hunt for him and armed police units patrolling Brooklyn for any clue of his whereabouts.

The manhunt initially centered around a U-Haul van found hours after the attack parked on a Brooklyn street five miles away from the scene. James is believed to have rented the vehicle in Philadelphia before driving it to New York City.

Police said they recovered the key to the van at the crime scene, and that James had addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin. They are investigating his links to New York.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the suspect was previously known to the FBI, having been entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico.

The system is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports. He was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

'We are looking to determine if he has any connection to the train,' said NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig. 'We know Mr James rented that U-Haul truck in Philadelphia.'

Keechant Sewell, the NYPD chief, said they recovered from the scene a 9mm semi automatic handgun, extended magazines, a hatchet, gasoline, consumer-grade fireworks and a hobby fuse.

'We still do not know the suspect's motivation,' said Sewell.

Sewell said James made concerning social media posts about homelessness in New York City, and threats to Mayor Eric Adams. Adams's security was stepped up as a result.

'This person of interest in today's subway shooting in Brooklyn has made past comments about @NYCMayor,' said Adams's spokesman, Fabien Levy.

'Out of an abundance of caution, @NYPD will increase Mayor Adams' security presence until this man has been questioned.'

The U-Haul that police believe is connected to the Brooklyn subway shooter is shown on Tuesday at 1780 West Third Street near King's Highway in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway station where the attack took place. A bomb squad is at the scene

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to James's arrest. The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered $12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered $25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to $50,000.

No arrests have been made.

On Tuesday night, police published a photo of James taken from his YouTube account, where he posted videos under the name 'Prophet of Truth88.'

His expletive-filled videos feature him ranting about the state of the world as he sees it; airing his grievances; threatening to 'kill everything in sight' and sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

He references psychiatric facilities he has attended in the Bronx and in New Jersey, saying the staff failed to help him and 'made me more dangerous'.

'Mr. Mayor, I'm a victim of your mental health program,' James said in one lengthy video.

'I'm 63 now full of hate, full of anger, and full of bitterness.'

He also criticized the mayor for not doing more to combat homelessness.

'Eric Adams, Eric Adams: What are you doing brother? What's happening with this homeless situation,' he said while referring to the subway.

'Every car I went to was loaded with homeless people. It was so bad I couldn't even stand. I had to keep moving from car to car.'

He continued: 'He can't stop no crime in no subways. He may slow it down but he ain't stopping it.'

'That means you'd have to have police in every station and that's just not possible,' he added.

The NYPD said they were increasing security for Adams after police discovered the videos.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

A man on the northbound N train before the doors opened covering his mouth to protect from the smoke from the gunman's grenade

Pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the subway cart in the latest senseless attack to rock New York City

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

A .38 caliber handgun similar to the type used in today's shooting

Mayor Eric Adams, who is in quarantine after being diagnosed with COVID-19, said in a video message: 'We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized.

'The NYPD is searching for the suspect. We will find him.'

Adams asked anyone with information, photos or videos of the suspect to come forward.

The gunman was described by police from eyewitness accounts as a man of heavy build, wearing an orange vest, a gray sweatshirt, a green helmet and surgical mask.

The NYPD commissioner said the attack began in the train car as it was about to enter the station. The gunman removed two canisters from his bag and opened them, sending smoke throughout the train car.

Police said the man then fired 33 rounds from a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun before it apparently jammed in the midst of the shooting, potentially preventing a higher casualty toll.

Governor Kathy Hochul said: 'This morning ordinary New Yorkers woke up in anticipation of a relatively normal day. They left their homes, went to school, their jobs and to a normal life.

'That was brutally disrupted by an individual so cold hearted and depraved of heart. This individual is still on the loose - this person is dangerous. This is an active shooter situation right now in the city of New York.'

Schools surrounding the subway station were ordered to shelter in place and an amber alert was issued throughout much of the city.

One witness, Yav Montano, told CNN that he was on the northbound N train between 59th Street in Brooklyn and 36th Street when a smoke bomb went off inside the carriage.

'I thought he was an MTA worker at first because I was like, I didn't like pay too much attention. You know? You've got the orange on,' he said.

Police and emergency services are seen near 36 Street subway station after a shooting incident on Tuesday afternoon

An FBI agent walks along the sidewalk amidst a massive police response on the scene of a reported multiple shooting at a New York City Subway station in Brooklyn on Tuesday

Overall crime in New York City is up 44.3% from last year. Transit crimes are up 68% as the city battles a rise in crime that started during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic

'It was crazy. I take the N train every morning to get to where I need to work. From 59th Street to 36th Street, the N-train is express, is where all the dramatics happened.

'I'm in the third part of the express N train. The smoke grenade went off two minutes before we got to 36th street platform. The train was inching towards. It seemed like it was planned.

'This smoke bomb, and what I thought was fireworks, but I'm hearing it was gunshots. I have no words for what I could see. I was in the car - I was in the front end of the third car. Everything happened at the back end.

'People started migrating to the front of the car. I don't know if people know this, it's one of those old things where they locked the door to stop people traveling between trains.

'There were people in the other car who saw what was happening and they tried to open it but couldn't. There was blood on the floor, a lot of blood trailing on the floor.

'At the time, I didn't think it was a shooting. It sounded like fireworks.

'People trampling over each other, trying to get over each other. Thankfully the train moved to the next stop and everyone filed off the train,' he said.

New York City has seen a sharp rise in violent crime during the pandemic, including a string of seemingly random attacks on its subways. The transit violence has included a number of attacks in which passengers were shoved onto the tracks from platforms, including a Manhattan woman whose murder was seen as part of a surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Mayor Eric Adams, who has vowed to improve subway safety by increasing police patrols and expanding mental health outreach programs, called Tuesday's incident 'a senseless act of violence' and pledged to double the number of officers assigned to subway security.

The attack was a searing reminder of the city's unyielding battle with gun violence and the specter of terror-like attacks that hangs over New York City - particularly the subway system that is its transportation backbone.

Police and security officials have made many attempts to harden the city against such attacks, putting officers on trains and platforms, installing cameras and even doing rare spot checks for weapons on passengers entering some stations.

Yet the sprawling system, with its nearly 500 stations, largely remains like the city streets themselves: Too big to guard and too busy to completely secure.

In the hours after the shooting, with the gunman still on the loose, commuters like Julia Brown had little choice but to keep riding the rails.

'It's the only way to get home - other than the express bus and then another bus and then another bus,' said Brown, who works in Manhattan. 'I lived through 9/11. I lived through the blackout. You just have to be as safe as you can, and just be mindful around your environment.'
An elderly man has died at a regional Victorian hospital after waiting hours for treatment on a stretcher, triggering an investigation.

The 70-year-old, believed to be from Paynesville, was transferred by ambulance to Bairnsdale Regional Health Service in the state's east on Monday.

With no beds free, the man remained in the care of paramedics on a stretcher inside the hospital for about three and a half hours before he went into cardiac arrest and died.

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and Ambulance Victoria have launched an investigation.

'We will work with the hospital to fully review the circumstances of this case,' an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.

A 70-year-old man has died at a regional Victorian hospital after waiting hours on a stretcher

Victorian Ambulance Union General Secretary Danny Hill said four or five crews were ramped at the hospital on Monday, including the patient who died.

'The emergency department was completely overwhelmed. A lot of patients were unable to be moved up to wards because they were full,' he told AAP on Wednesday.

A three- to four-hour wait for hospital treatment is not unusual for some Melbourne hospitals but less common in the regions, Mr Hill said.

It is the latest episode linked to Victoria's under-pressure health system, with at least 12 people dying since October after calls for an ambulance to the state's triple-zero service went unanswered or weren't picked up quickly enough.

Mr Hill said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated, not created, problems within the health system, and the lack of alternative services in the bush often makes residents feel like their only option is to call triple zero.

'The system seems to focus on the only two options which is ambulance and emergency department,' he said.

'Opening up access and improving access to 24-hour GPs, aged care in-reach - all those sorts of things - is really where the attention should be focused. Not just on putting on more ambulances and more ED beds.'

A Victorian government spokesman offered his condolences to the man's family and friends and confirmed an investigation was under way.

'It would be inappropriate to comment while those investigations are taking place,' the spokesman said in a statement.
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The 'person of interest' in the Brooklyn subway shooting posted hundreds of unhinged and bigoted videos on his YouTube channel ranting about 'killing everything in site' and slamming New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the city's homelessness crisis and unsafe subways.

Frank James, 62, has been named as a person of interest in the attack which left 10 people with gunshot wounds, with police offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Police said keys found at the 36th Street subway station in Sunset Park belong to a U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by James and found abandoned five miles from the scene in Brooklyn.

Authorities are now examining social media videos in which James made 'concerning' threats against Mayor Adams and raged against white people, Puerto Ricans, Jewish people, climate change and the police, whilst also decrying the United States as a racist place awash in violence. Officials have since tightened security for Adams.

'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death. There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'.

The rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos posted by James, who is black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people. He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says. 'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

Several of James' videos mention New York's subway. One, posted on February 20, says the mayor and governor's plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system 'is doomed for failure' whilst another on January 25 criticizes Adams' plan to end gun violence.

James references psychiatric facilities he has attended in the Bronx and in New Jersey, saying the staff failed to help him and 'made me more dangerous'.

'Mr. Mayor, I'm a victim of your mental health program,' James said in one lengthy video.

'I'm 63 now full of hate, full of anger, and full of bitterness.'

NYPD are hunting for Frank James, described as a 'person of interest' in the Brooklyn subway shooting

On March 1, James posted a YouTube video calling on Eric Adams to do more to combat homelessness on the subway

BROOKLYN SUBWAY SHOOTING - WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR Unidentified gunman wearing grey hoodie and green construction vest opened fire on northbound N train at 8.24am

At least 23 people were injured in the attack

Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition

Another 13 people suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car

Police have described Frank James, 62, as 'a person of interest'

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information that would lead to his arrest

James is known to the FBI, having been on their radar in New Mexico until he was cleared following 'multiple interviews' in 2019

He is believed to have travelled from New Mexico

Police said the keys found at the crime scene belong to an abandoned U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by James in Philadelphia

That U-Haul was found five miles from the scene on King's Highway, Brooklyn

A credit card found on the scene of the shooting matched the credit card used to rent the U-Haul

The suspect put on a gas mask then detonated a smoke bomb that was in his bag before firing the first shots

Panicked c o mmuters tri e d to flee into the next subway car but the door was locked - they were trapped until the train reached 36th street

mmuters tri d to flee into the next subway car but the door was locked - they were trapped until the train reached 36th street The gunman vanished in the chaos - some fear he may have jumped onto the tracks and entered the subway tunnels

Police found a .380 handgun and three extended magazines in backpack at the Brooklyn station

James made 'concerning' threats against New York City Mayor Eric James and railed against the city's homelessness crisis in ranting social media posts.

NYPD is going door-to-door in Brooklyn asking for information, surveillance camera footage and pictures

Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the motive for attack still being established, but it is not being investigated as an act of terrorism

Anyone with information about the shooting or gunman is urged to call 800 577 TIPS

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He also criticized the mayor for not doing more to combat homelessness.

'Eric Adams, Eric Adams: What are you doing brother? What's happening with this homeless situation,' he said while referring to the subway.

'Every car I went to was loaded with homeless people. It was so bad I couldn't even stand. I had to keep moving from car to car.'

He continued: 'He can't stop no crime in no subways. He may slow it down but he ain't stopping it.'

'That means you'd have to have police in every station and that's just not possible,' he added.

The NYPD said they were increasing security for Adams after police discovered the videos.

His most recent video was posted the day before the attack, entitled: 'Domesticated Averages', and featured clips of black men in court, accompanied by James's monologue.

He warns young people not to get caught up in violence, saying:

'This is why it's important to think about what you're going to do before you do it.

'Let's not forget, I've been through a lot of s*** where I could say I wanted to kill people.

'I wonder why people die right in front of my f****** face immediately.

'But I thought about the fact that, hey man, I don't want to go no f****** prison - f*** that.'

He also ranted about racism in society.

'The main thing about the story of black people in this country is that there's nothing f****** over here,' he said.

'The emancipation approximation didn't stop f******. The civil rights movement didn't stop a f****** thing.

'This train is still moving and it's moving in directions just gonna take you to your f****** death.'

In another video, on March 1, he railed against police brutality and societal racism.

'Oh no, your son shouldn't have his f****** black brains blown out by racist cop,' he says.

'No, that shouldn't happen.

'No, you shouldn't be denied housing in a white neighborhood.

'No, that should not happen.

'You shouldn't be lynched, you black son of a b****.'

He emphasized his PTSD multiple times, without detailing what caused it, and raged against the staff of Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services - a psychiatric care facility in New Jersey.

James showed the faces of the staff and managers on the screen behind him, saying: 'these are the people that was supposed to be helping me. They made me worse.'

He added: 'They f****** made me worse.

'They made me more dangerous than I could ever have been.'

James also referenced mental health facilities in the Bronx.

He mocked Adams's plan to bring in mental health workers to deal with the subway homeless problem.

'Here's the help. Here's the cavalry, Eric Adams,' he said, referencing the New Jersey social workers pictured behind him.

'A bunch of f****** predators, a bunch of deviants, a bunch of psychopaths and sociopaths.

'They're gonna help you, Eric.'

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

A mass shooting and possible explosion have rocked a subway train in New York at rush hour

Horror pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the carriage during the latest attack to rock the city

Sewell said that the gunman fired 33 rounds, describing it as a miracle that no one was killed

Keechant Sewell, the NYPD commissioner, is seen on Tuesday night addressing a press conference. Mayor Eric Adams, who has COVID, spoke via video link

James also said he was discriminated against because he was not gay. 'They're all homosexual and whatever they have at Bridgeway is a homosexual thing,' he said. 'If you're not homosexual you're not welcome in Bridgeway.'

James said he 'was a nice person' previously. 'Remember, I was a nice person. I wanted to help people. Now I'm wanting to kill everything in sight. I was planning to kill everything I saw based on how I was treated by these.'

He then ranted about climate change.

'The planet is reconfiguring,' he said, referencing desertification and oceans rising, wiping out arable land.

He talked at length about Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, saying that Putin was going to unleash nuclear weapons on the world and kill everyone.

He also claimed the Russian invasion of Ukraine was proof that black people were treated with disdain in society.

'These white motherf******, this is what they do,' he said.

'Ultimately at the end of the day they kill and commit genocide against each other. What do you think they gonna do to your black ass?'

And he said the war in Ukraine was a prelude to race war.

'It's just a matter of time before these white motherf****** decide, 'Hey listen. Enough is enough. These n****** got to go,'' he said.

The only options James could find, he claimed, was to commit more violence or become a criminal.

'And so the message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting mother*******,' he said.

The unnamed gunman opened fire on a Brooklyn subway shortly before 8:30am on Tuesday morning, shooting 33 rounds.

Terrified passengers tried to get out of the carriage where the gunman was shooting passengers, but the door was locked. When the train pulled into 36th Street station in Sunset Park, injured passengers were seen laying on the floor that was streaked with blood as the gunman fled.

At least 23 people were injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported. Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition, while 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car.

Investigators believe they know who the gunman is, having identified the suspect after finding a credit card at the scene that was also used to rent the U-Haul cargo van, two law enforcement sources told CNN.

Some injured passengers collapsed as they poured onto the platform of the 36th Street station. All of the victims were expected to survive their injuries, police said.

Police have named James as a 'person of interest' in the attack, with the FBI now joining the hunt for him and armed police units patrolling Brooklyn for any clue of his whereabouts.

The manhunt initially centered around a U-Haul van found hours after the attack parked on a Brooklyn street five miles away from the scene. James is believed to have rented the vehicle in Philadelphia before driving it to New York City.

Police said they recovered the key to the van at the crime scene, and that James had addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin. They are investigating his links to New York.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the suspect was previously known to the FBI, having been entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico.

The system is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports. He was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to James's arrest. The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered $12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered $25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to $50,000.

The FBI has now joined the hunt for him and armed police units are patrolling Brooklyn for any clue of his whereabouts.

NYPD has located the U-Haul believed to have been used in Tuesday morning's subway shooting abandoned in the street in Brooklyn, five miles from the scene of the crime.

DailyMail.com obtained an alert that was issued to officers telling them that the suspect is connected to a U-Haul with an Arizona license plate AL31408.

Police sources tell DailyMail.com the van was rented in Philadelphia. U-Haul is now helping with the search.

The U-Haul was located late on Tuesday afternoon near Kings Avenue in Brooklyn, but there is still no sign of the suspect.

Police evacuated people from the immediate area after the van's discovery.

'Police came for the van and told us to clear the store,' said the manager of nearby King's Piano World on Kings Highway.

He told DailyMail.com: 'Police blocked off the area. People were told not to walk in the area. They told us it was dangerous.'

The rental agreement obtained by CNN shows that the U-Haul reservation was made on April 6, and was scheduled to be picked up on April 11 at 2:01 p.m. ET.

The van was supposed to be rented for two days, according to the reservation.

Sebastien Reyes, U-Haul Vice President of Communications, said: 'Law enforcement has alerted us to its search for a rental van and its possible connection to a suspect in today's incident in New York City.

'We are working closely with authorities to ensure they have any and all available information to meet their needs.'

There is a heightened police presence all over the city, particularly on the subway, and some schools in Brooklyn have been told to shelter in place.

Witnesses have described how the gunman calmly put on a gas mask on the slow-moving train this morning at 8.24am then tossed a smoke grenade down the carriage, causing havoc among commuters, before opening fire.

The terrified commuters rushed to the other end of the train to try to get through to the next car but the door was locked. They were trapped on the train until it reached the next station.

Video shows the moment the doors opened and wounded passengers spilled onto the platform, trailing blood.

DailyMail.com can confirm that a .380 handgun was found inside the station, along with three extended magazines; one was empty, one was full and a third was jammed in the gun.

Another bag was discovered that contained a batch of Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave firecrackers. It's unclear what he intended to do with them.

The gunman then disappeared from 36th St, where no security cameras were in operation.

Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, told WCBS Radio 880 AM that a preliminary review indicates there appeared to be some sort of malfunction with the camera system at the subway station in Tuesday's shooting.

Adams said investigators are trying to determine whether one camera malfunctioned or whether cameras throughout the entire station malfunctioned.

Janno Lieber, the chair and CEO of the Metro Transportation Authority (MTA), told CNN there are almost 10,000 cameras in the system including almost 600 cameras on the Brooklyn section of where the attack happened.

He did not comment on why they were not working.

The U-Haul that police believe is connected to the Brooklyn subway shooter is shown on Tuesday at 1780 West Third Street near King's Highway in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway station where the attack took place. A bomb squad is at the scene

The U-Haul, shown behind police tape, was rented in Philadelphia. It's unclear if there are explosives inside

NYPD officers received this alert on Tuesday alerting them to a U-Haul that the suspect may be driving. NYPD officers received this alert on Tuesday alerting them to a U-Haul that the suspect may be driving. The van was rented in Philadelphia but has Arizona plates

The U-Haul van connected to the suspect is pictured on Tuesday afternoon, five miles from the scene of the subway shooting

U-Haul is helping the FBI and NYPD with their investigations. Police believe to have identified the suspect thanks to a credit card left at the scene, and one given to U-Haul

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

He may also have jumped onto one of the other trains at the station, or fled into the subway tunnel.

It comes amid a frightening spike in crime across the city, particularly on the subway where crimes are up by more than 60 percent from this time last year.

The worst mass shooting in New York's transit system was in December 1993, when Colin Ferguson opened fire on a Long Island Rail Road commuter train from New York City, killing six and injuring 19.

Other train passengers stopped the perpetrator by tackling and holding him down. Mentally unstable, he fired his lawyers then called for President Bill Clinton to appear at his trial, and was sentenced to six life sentences.

ABC reports that police have obtained a photograph of the suspect from a bystander's phone, but that image has not yet been released anywhere.

The wounded and terrified commuters poured out of the subway doors and onto the platform at 36th Street, where they were filmed writhing on the ground in agony.

The gunman remains at large ten hours after the shooting.

NYPD units are now scouring the city's empty subway tunnels to find the suspect and a city alert has been issued. but ten hours later, police are yet to release a single image of him.

Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference that she had not yet ruled out terrorism as a motive but that it was not being investigated as an act of terrorism.

She admitted that police still had not yet been able to identify who the gunman was, much less find him.

Police are now going door-to-door in Brooklyn asking store owners and residents in apartment buildings if they have any videos of the scene from around the time of the shooting in an attempt to find the gunman.

Members of the New York Police Department patrol the streets after 14 were injured - 10 of them shot, four affected by smoke - during a rush-hour shooting at a subway station in the New York borough of Brooklyn on April 12, 2022

This is how the horror shooting unfolded on Tuesday morning on the northbound N train at 8.24am as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

An FBI agent walks along the sidewalk amidst a massive police response on the scene of a reported multiple shooting at a New York City Subway station in Brooklyn on Tuesday

A .38 caliber handgun similar to the type used in today's shooting

'I am not ruling anything out at this point,' she said, as she asked New Yorkers to send photos, videos or any pieces of information that they thought may be relevant to police.

Adams, who is in quarantine after being diagnosed with COVID-19, said in a video message: 'We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized.

'The NYPD is searching for the suspect. We will find him.'

Adams asked anyone with information, photos or videos of the suspect to come forward.

Governor Kathy Hochul said: 'This morning ordinary New Yorkers woke up in anticipation of a relatively normal day. They left their homes, went to school, their jobs and to a normal life.

'That was brutally disrupted by an individual so cold hearted and depraved of heart. This individual is still on the loose - this person is dangerous. This is an active shooter situation right now in the city of New York.'

Schools surrounding the subway station were ordered to shelter in place and an amber alert was issued throughout much of the city.

One witness told The New York Post the gunman - who was described as a '5ft 5 black man weighing 170lbs', fired 'too many rounds to count'.

It remains unclear what type of weapon he used.

NYPD officers were checking surveillance cameras around the scene (left) and (right) a cop at 42nd Street station in Manhattan on Tuesday

Police officers patrol in Times Square station after a shooting at a subway station in Brooklyn borough, in New York. There is a heightened police presence all over the city

Police and emergency services are seen near 36 Street subway station after a shooting incident. Brooklyn, New York. April 12 2022

Police and emergency services are seen near 36 Street subway station after a shooting incident on Tuesday afternoon

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

Terrified passengers run off the train at the 36th Street station on Tuesday morning after the shooting on the train

A mass shooting and possible explosion have rocked a subway train in New York at rush hour

Horror pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the carriage during the latest attack to rock the city

Horrifying scene photos and videos show people covered in blood, lying on the stained subway platform after being shot

A man on the northbound N train before the doors opened covering his mouth to protect from the smoke from the gunman's grenade

This photo provided by Will B Wylde, a person is aided in a subway car in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. A gunman filled a rush-hour subway train with smoke and shot multiple people Tuesday, leaving wounded commuters bleeding on a Brooklyn platform as others ran screaming, authorities said. Police were still searching for the suspect

The chaos unfolded at 8.30am on Tuesday morning near the 36th Street subway station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

This video, taken inside the next car along on the train, shows worried commuters walking away from the door as someone pounded on it , begging to be let in. They tried to open it but the door was locked

Shocked witnesses tell how bullets and smoke bombs triggered horror stampede: Terrified witnesses have told how the shooting triggered a horror stampede - with children trampled on as commuters tried to escape the hail of bullets. Passengers revealed there was a huge surge towards the exit of the subway cars as people screamed 'gun' and 'bomb' before fleeing for their lives. Cemile Toseglu, 17, a student at Brooklyn Tech who was on her way to school, said other riders jumped over her in panic while the gunman continued his rampage. She told DailyMail.com: 'The train carried on to 46th street but then we were told to get on the R train because the N wasn't moving. 'The R was very crowded, the most crowded I've ever seen it and everyone was cramped. On 25th street the train conductor said there would be delays so we were standing still. 'That's when there was like a loud noise and people ran towards me - a large crowd. A woman fell and people just ran over her. 'Someone then scream gun and I ran out of the train, I was near the exit but people were jumping over me to get themselves out too. 'No one really knew what was going on. I didn't see the man because I was closer to the exit in the next carriage. That was definitely the most crowded I've seen the R train.' Speaking from her home, she added: 'I was most scared about the fact that there were a lot of children on the way to school.' Advertisement

One witness, Yav Montano, told CNN that he was on the northbound N train between 59th Street in Brooklyn and 36th Street when a smoke bomb went off inside the carriage.

'I thought he was an MTA worker at first because I was like, I didn't like pay too much attention. You know? You've got the orange on,' he said.

'It was crazy. I take the N train every morning to get to where I need to work. From 59th Street to 36th Street, the N-train is express, is where all the dramatics happened.

'I'm in the third part of the express N train. The smoke grenade went off two minutes before we got to 36th street platform. The train was inching towards. It seemed like it was planned.

'This smoke bomb, and what I thought was fireworks, but I'm hearing it was gunshots. I have no words for what I could see. I was in the car - I was in the front end of the third car. Everything happened at the back end.

'People started migrating to the front of the car. I don't know if people know this, it's one of those old things where they locked the door to stop people traveling between trains.

'There were people in the other car who saw what was happening and they tried to open it but couldn't. There was blood on the floor, a lot of blood trailing on the floor.

'At the time, I didn't think it was a shooting. It sounded like fireworks.

'People trampling over each other, trying to get over each other. Thankfully the train moved to the next stop and everyone filed off the train,' he said.

NYPD units are now scouring the city's empty subway tunnels looking for the gunman, who is feared to have jumped onto the tracks at 36th Street and fled.

Cemil Toseglu, who runs a store opposite the station, told how his terrified 17-year-old daughter was on the train on her way to school when it was attacked.

He told DailyMail.com: 'My daughter was going to school and was on the same train when it happened. She said there was smoke and she was told to get into the other train.

'She's now safe and came to my office before I sent her home. She is okay but is a little surprised. I didn't think it was that serious but she then told me people were yelling that it was a man with a gun and maybe a bomb.'

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell at the scene of the shooting on Tuesday

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaking at the scene on Tuesday

The chaotic scene at the 36th Street subway station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, on Tuesday morning

EMTs rush to the subway station on Tuesday morning after ten people were shot and another six were injured

NYPD ESU teams at the scene on Tuesday after a gunman opened fire on the subway at around 8.30am

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022

FDNY units at the scene on Tuesday morning after a gunman opened fire on a northbound N train that pulled into 36th Street at around 8.30am

Police and emergency responders gather at the site of a reported shooting of multiple people outside of the 36 St subway station on April 12

Police officers work at the scene of a shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022

Police and emergency responders gather at the site of a reported shooting of multiple people outside of the 36 St subway station on April 12, 2022

A police officer works near the scene of a shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022

The scene on 36th Street and Fourth Avenue on Tuesday as police, EMT and fire department teams responded to the shooting

NYPD officers at a different subway station on Tuesday looking for the suspect

Members of the New York Police Department and emergency personnel crowd the streets

An FDNY spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'Originally, the call came in as smoke in the subway station. Upon arrival, officers found multiple people shot and undetonated devices.'

Shocking video showed blood-covered victims strewn across the ground at the subway station as smoke billowed out of the train.

One person was seen lying still on the floor with their hands over their face and their legs raised after the terrifying attack.

Others had lost shoes and had their clothes torn as the New York subway's speaker system blared out messages to the passengers.

Commuters were screamed at to get on a different train to safety while the wounded were treated by emergency services.

Eric Adams' spokesman said on Twitter: '@NYCMayor continues to be briefed on the situation. While we gather more information, we ask New Yorkers to stay away from this area for their safety and so that first responders can help those in need and investigate.'
Gladys Berejiklian has shaken off the high-profile life of politics and has been seen for the first time working a new 9-5 office job alongside everyday Australians.

Telecommunications giant Optus appointed the former NSW premier to the newly created position of Managing Director, Enterprise, Business and Institution in February, after she rejected an offer to enter Federal politics.

One of the company's executives, Mac Harris, shared an image alongside Ms Berejiklian as she reintegrates into regular life as a desk jockey. The former premier sported a simple pink blazer and black pants in her new position.

'This just happened, I got to meet our new MD, Enterprise, Business & Institution,' Mr Harris posted to LinkedIn.

'Such an inspiring leader who I admire greatly for her Challenger Spirit. First time I've 'fan personed' at Optus.'

Gladys Berejiklian has shaken off the high-profile life of politics and is now working a 9-5 office job alongside everyday Australians at telco giant Optus

Ms Berejiklian hinted in December she would be moving into the private sector after a tumultuous period in charge of the state during the ongoing Covid pandemic.

The former premier abruptly resigned from office after she ICAC announced an investigation into her actions following claims she prioritised funding to projects pushed by her ex-partner and now ex-MP Daryl Maguire.

'I'm going in another different direction and I'm looking forward to the opportunities next year brings,' she told Nine radio last year.

'I'm looking forward to a much less public life.'

Ms Berejiklian hinted in December she would be moving into the private sector after a tumultuous period in charge of the state during the ongoing Covid pandemic

The Liberal Party had been hoping to convince her to run for the seat of Warringah, a key electorate currently held by independent MP Zali Steggall.

The telco's CEO said in a statement in February that Ms Berejiklian would be a 'game-changer' for their department in charge of business customers.

'Gladys is a proven leader who demonstrated her renowned strength, leadership, discipline, and composure in successfully guiding Australia's largest state through one of the biggest challenges in its history while earning the support and gratitude of the community for her tireless contribution,' Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said.

'She also builds and fosters loyal and dedicated teams who really go above and beyond for her.'

'I believe she will be a game-changer for Optus. In bringing our business-focused teams together under this newly created role I truly believe that our collective energies can deliver superior customer outcomes in market segments that continue to be dominated by the incumbent.'

The former NSW premier will look to help Optus close the gap on market leader Telstra.

'I am excited and proud to join an organisation that impacts the lives of millions of Australians every day and prides itself in providing outstanding customer service,' she said.

'I look forward to working with Kelly and the Executive Team of Optus who are providing inspiring and innovative leadership in the telco sector.'
Hanging in the office of the Greens leader is a picture of a coal-fired power station.

Seemingly out of place to the naked eye, but Adam Bandt says it serves as a reminder.

The framed photo of the LaTrobe valley power station was given to the Greens leader by its workers, which Mr Bandt says signifies the party's support for coal and gas workers.

'I have assured these communities that coal and gas workers are not the enemy. We are all in this together,' Mr Bandt told the National Press Club on Tuesday.

'Our enemy is the climate crisis. The enemy is fuelled by coal and gas. Mining and burning coal and gas are killing people.'

Using his first official address since the campaign started, Mr Bandt outlined the minor party's pro-climate, pro-social welfare policies, confident the Greens would hold the balance of power after the federal election.

'No more coal, no more gas. When we are in the balance of power after the election in the Senate and the House and have kicked the Liberals out, this will be our key demand," Mr Bandt told the National Press Club on Wednesday.

'(Predictions) put us on track to be the biggest third party in the Senate ever, to be the biggest ever Greens party room and to be the most powerful third party in the Parliament."

Mr Bandt is confident about the party's prospects at the May 21 poll, claiming the Greens could pick up three new Senate seats, including one in Queensland.

The Greens are currently polling at 14 per cent of the vote in the Sunshine State, but Mr Bandt said there was potential to win a Senate seat off One Nation.

While there has been a focus on teal coloured independents challenging high-ranking Liberals, Mr Bandt welcomed the challenges being mounted by the pro-climate independents.

'They are drawing attention to the climate inaction of Liberal and Labor,' Mr Bandt said.

"The more the climate is in the news, the better, and it makes a power-sharing parliament more likely."

Mr Bandt also used his National Press Club address to spruik a multi-billion dollar plan to have dental care covered by Medicare.

More than $77 billion worth of dental care would be included, according to a Greens proposal.

This would include basic care and orthodontic treatment, as well as oral surgeries, periodontics and prosthodontics.

"Last time the Greens were in the balance of power, we got dental into Medicare for kids and now we'll finish the job by getting dental into Medicare for everyone," Mr Bandt said

'In balance of power, the Greens will tackle the cost of living by getting dental and mental health into Medicare, fixing the housing affordability crisis and wiping student debt.'

The Greens say their dental plan, costed at $77.6 billion over 10 years, or around $8 billion a year, will be funded by taxes on billionaires and large corporations.

It wants a six per cent tax on the wealth of Australia's more than 130 billionaires and a corporate "super profits tax", which would force businesses to hand over profits after they make $100 million.

'The Greens will make Clive Palmer pay more tax so you can fix your teeth,' Mr Bandt said.

The move builds on a $5.8 billion pledge the Greens took to the 2019 election, which would have provided Medicare-funded dental care to all young people, aged pensioners, full benefit recipients and concession cardholders.

At that election, the Greens scored 10.4 per cent of the national primary vote and Mr Bandt retained the party's only lower house seat of Melbourne.
A factory where Scott Morrison boasted about his plan to create more than a million jobs plans to sack workers and permanently move some of its operations to Vietnam.

The Prime Minister addressed hundreds of employees at Rheem Australia's facility in Rydalmere, western Sydney, on Tuesday in an attempt to win votes and secure the top job for another three years.

Flanked by treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Foreign Affairs minister Marise Payne and Liberal candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic, Mr Morrison told plumbing factory workers he would 'commit to a 1.3million jobs target pledge over the next five years'.

'Over the course of this pandemic, we've not only ensured that we have 375,000 more jobs than at the start of the pandemic, but through important measures like Job Keeper,' he said.

He crowed about how the government managed to save 700,000 jobs by providing financial incentives for employers when Covid hit, and said 'businesses like this and so many around the country can be looking forward with confidence.'

However, Mr Morrison apparently didn't realise that Rheem Australia planned to restructure the business and offer voluntary redundancies to the 500 employees at the facility, before moving jobs offshore.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) is pictured at a Rheem Australia factory with Parramatta Liberal candidate Maria Kovacic (left) and a factory worker (centre)

Rheem plan to move jobs from the factory on Rydalmere, western Sydney, to Vietnam (pictured: Vietnamese capital, Hanoi)

During his campaign jaunt around the factory, the Prime Minister shook hands with several workers who may soon be out of a job.

'How long have you been working here?' He asked one man.

'Twenty-two years,' the worker replied.

When quizzed about the issue at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Morrison brushed it off and claimed Rheem is 'investing in Australia' - despite its plan to shift operations to South East Asia.

'The factory that was the backdrop for your big job announcement yesterday has since conceded it is actually sacking workers,' the reporter said.

'Doesn't that stand in direct contradiction to the message that you were delivering yesterday, and why did you select that company?'

After boasting about his plan to create 1.3 million jobs, Mr Morrison met with several factory workers who could soon be made redundant

Scott Morrison (pictured with Liberal candidate for Parramatta Maria Kovacic) met with workers at the Rheem factory in Sydney's west on Tuesday

Rheem Australia, a plumbing company, plan to move some jobs to Vietnam (pictured)

The nation's leader replied: 'Well, it is for Rheem to outline their future plans. They are also investing in their future.'

'I can refer to their future employment plans for what I can point very clearly to is that companies like Rheem are investing in Australia.'

He then used the opportunity to sledge the Labor party's economic plan.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Rheem managing director Chris Taylor explained that Rydalmere employees were told about the changes last year, but added that he only expects up to 50 people to take redundancy packages.

Mr Morrison (pictured left) visited the factory with treasurer Josh Frydenberg (right) and Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Maria Kovacic

Rheem Australia will offer employees at the Rydalmere facility (pictured) redundancy packages, but the company only expects up to 50 people to take the offer

'Last year, Rheem Australia announced to employees it would be undertaking a restructure of its Rydalmere and Vietnam operations,' he said.

'As part of the restructure, Rheems facility will expand its capabilities to develop and manufacture sophisticated, next generation water heaters.

'Unfortunately, there will be the loss of some roles at our Rydalmere facility as a result of this change.'

Mr Taylor confirmed Rheem's factories at Moorabbin in Victoria and Revesby in NSW would not be affected by the restructure.
A pervert has offered a shocking excuse in court after he was caught spying on his teenage stepdaughters showering.

The Brisbane man installed a camera aimed at his bathroom to record hours of footage of his victims while they were bathing themselves.

He tried to justify his deviant actions in the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday by arguing that he wasn't harming anyone.

A pervert has come up with a shocking defense in court after he was arrested and charged for spying on his teenage stepdaughters and other women showering. Stock image

'If they didn't know about it, they couldn't have been harmed by it,' he said, according to NCA Newswire.

Family members of the victims were in attendance at the proceedings, where alarming details of the man's sordid behaviour were revealed.

The man initially pleaded guilty to more than 70 charges including indecent treatment of children under 16, recordings in breach of privacy, and possessing child exploitation material.

Crown prosecutor Steve Dickson told the court the man spied on his stepdaughters and a cousin for at least six years from 2012 to 2018, taking multiple photos each time they showered.

The man was living with his then-wife and stepdaughters at the time.

He was arrested in 2019 when police discovered he was posting child abuse material online.

Officers later uncovered a large quantity of the material stored on his computers.

The material included graphic images of sexual, and in some cases penetrative, acts on pre-pubescent children and toddlers.

Police also seized material from the camera the man set up that was pointed in his ex-wife's bathroom.

'Police were able to download a video from the defendant; it showed a pre-pubescent girl in a shower drying herself before moving the camera closer to her genitalia,' Mr Dickson said.

The man tried to justify his deviant actions at Brisbane District Court (pictured) on Wednesday by arguing that he wasn't 'harming' anyone

The prosecution said police found 'more images of both children and 16-year-olds taken during the six year period' as they continued searching through his files.

It was heard in court that the stepdaughters suffered a breach of trust as a result of his crimes and were 'uncomfortable in showers and with their own bodies'.

The man tried to defend himself by telling the court no one was 'harmed' by his behaviour.

Defence lawyes also said the man was a victim of 'sexual abuse' as a child by a family member.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on Thursday. The man was remanded in custody.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson hailed Tesla and Space X founder and CEO, Elon Musk, for last week's purchase of Twitter shares, making him one of the company's biggest shareholders, suggesting that it could see a 'restoration of free speech' on the platform.

Carlson said Musk's involvement would likely lead to an 'end of its censorship' on the social media platform.

Regulatory filings reveal Musk has swiftly amassed a slightly bigger than 9% stake in Twitter with the mercurial billionaire buying shares in almost daily batches starting January 31.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson has hailed Tesla and Space X founder and CEO, Elon Musk, for last week's purchase of Twitter shares

Regulatory filings reveal Musk has swiftly amassed a slightly bigger than 9% stake in Twitter

One day after he disclosed his stake, platform CEO Parag Agrawal announced Musk had been invited to the join the company's board of directors, a seat he gladly accepted.

However, on Sunday Parag announced how Musk had formally declined his board seat.

Either way, Carlson, whose own Twitter account was suspended on the platform on March 25, believes Musk's involvement will see a 'return to free speech'.

'A free Twitter would mean an open debate about ideas on the single most important incubator of opinion in the world. It would mean a return to free and fair elections in the United States, assisting with both sides are allowed to make their case to the public and the public can decide. It's called democracy,' Carlson began on Tuesday night on Fox News.

'Above all, a free Twitter would mean a direct challenge to the people in charge of our country's institutions many of whom are incompetent. For the first time in years we'll be able to talk honestly about our leaders. We'll be able to have the kind of conversations that make democracy possible.'

Carlson also noted how it might also lead to the return of former President Donald Trump to the platform whose own account was suspended following the January 6th Capitol riots in 2021.

At the time, Twitter stated that it had 'permanently suspended... due to the risk of further incitement of violence,' after Tump appeared to continue to question the results of the 2020 election and not agree to a peaceful handover of power.

Some lawmakers and celebrities had been calling for years on Twitter to ban Trump.

On Tuesday night, Carlson had some theories of his own.

'Twitter is no longer a war zone. There's only one army on the field. Donald Trump has been banned from Twitter despite the fact that he may run in the next presidential election. He's an active politician with millions of people who would support him. He has been banned. This show has been suspended.

Carlson, whose own Twitter account was suspended on the platform on March 25, believes Musk's involvement will see a 'return to free speech'

'Questioning the prevailing story line is the crime. Do that and you're gone. Doesn't matter if you are factually right. We were factually right. Doesn't matter. Challenge power and you are censored instantly. Now it's hard to believe that the world's richest man is the only person who could fix this.

'Elon Musk seems to be our last hope. Tonight there are signs that Elon Musk plans to do something big with Twitter. Buying 9% of the company is clearly more than investment. He doesn't need the money.'

Carlson then went on to theorize as to why Musk decided to turn down a board seat.

Twitter quickly gave Musk a seat on the board on the condition that he not own more than 14.9% of the companys outstanding stock, according to a regulatory filing.

Now that Musk has backed out of the deal, he's free to build a bigger stake in Twitter, perhaps to try to take over the company or to push for a new slate of directors to change its direction.

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal said the board would still 'remain open' to Musk's input, while also warning: 'There will be distractions ahead but our goals and priorities remain unchanged'

'As a board member Elon Musk would have a fiduciary duty to shareholders in real terms that means he could not reveal Twitter's algorithms. Those algorithms are used to censor and suppress effective critics of the Biden administration very often without their knowledge. It's done in secret. Can't fight back. You don't know what's happening. So he could not challenge that if he took a board seat. But this weekend, musk abruptly pulled out of the deal. That means he's free to buy more shares of Twitter. In fact control it.

'On Sunday night, Twitter's pro-censorship CEO Parag Agrawal told Twitter employees to brace for musk's attempt at a hostile takeover and strongly implied that Twitter will not submit unless forced. 'There'll be distractions I have but our goals and priorities remain unchanged.'

'You have to ask yourself how exactly would Twitter which is apublic company fight off a hostile takeover from the richest guy in the world?'

In a regulatory filing Monday, Musk said he had 'no preset plans or intentions' about how to use his influence on Twitter but that he may discuss with its board and management his thoughts on potential business combinations, strategy and other matters. He added that he may express his views 'through social media or other channels.'

While Musk has been one of Twitters loudest critics, the sudden withdrawal from the board, which became official Saturday, could signal that relations between Musk and Twitter will become more acrimonious.

Last Monday, after revealing his stake in Twitter, Musk asked his followers: 'Do you want an edit button?,' referencing a feature that many users have requested

On March 25, Musk tweeted a poll: 'Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?'

Musks 81 million Twitter followers make him one of the most popular figures on the platform, rivaling pop stars like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga. But his prolific tweeting has sometimes gotten him into trouble with the SEC and others.

Musk and Tesla in 2018 agreed to pay $40 million in civil fines and for Musk to have his tweets approved by a corporate lawyer after he tweeted about having the money to take Tesla private at $420 per share. That didnt happen but the tweet caused Teslas stock price to jump. Musk's latest trouble with the SEC could be his delay in notifying regulators of his growing stake in Twitter.

Musk, before reversing course on the board seat, sent out a number of tweets over the weekend referencing potential changes at Twitter.

Many of them -- such as his proposal for an ad-free Twitter or turning the social media companys San Francisco headquarters into a homeless shelter -- have since been deleted.

Musk then posted a few cryptic tweets late Sunday, including one showing a meme saying, "In all fairness, your honor, my client was in goblin mode," followed by one saying "Explains everything." Another, later tweet was of an emoji with a hand over its mouth.

Musk has described himself as a "free speech absolutist" and has said he doesnt think Twitter is living up to free speech principles - an opinion shared by followers of Donald Trump and a number of other right-wing political figures whove had their accounts suspended for violating Twitter content rules.

Twitter's CEO and many of its board members had publicly praised Musk last week, suggesting they might take his ideas seriously. But the company had made clear that as a board member he could not make day-to-day decisions or change policies, such as overturning the Trump ban.

Conservative author and national security expert Brigitte Gabriel called for Trump's return to the platform last Monday

Journalist Glenn Greenwald took to Twitter last Tuesday alleging Democrats were afraid of Trump returning to the platform

Errol Webber, a Republican running for a California House seat, argued last Monday that Twitter should 'give everyone who has been banned a second chance,' including Trump

Last Tuesday, tax expert Julio Gonzalez called on Musk to bring back Trump

Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. Jim Banks was among the first elected officials to praise Musk's purchase last Monday

British broadcaster and former politician Nigel Farage argued Tuesday that Musk joining the board was the 'first step in the right direction' for Twitter

Pro-Trump Rep. Lauren Boebert last Monday demanded that Musk use his money invested in the company to push for a reversal of Donald Trump's permanent suspension

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) questioned last Monday if freedom of speech would return to the platform now that Musk has the largest shareholder
In this file photo, students from multicultural backgrounds learn the language and culture of their parents' countries at an elementary school in Songpa District, Seoul. Korea Times files





By Lee Hae-rin







The number of students from multicultural backgrounds grew three times over the last nine years to 160,000.







According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Education, Wednesday, the number of minors from multicultural backgrounds who are enrolled in elementary, middle, and high school increased from 46,954 in 2012 to 160,058 this year.







In contrast, the country's low birthrate led the total number of students to drop by 21 percent from 6.72 million to 5.32 million and increased the proportion of multicultural students from 0.7 percent to 3.0 percent.






Outspoken political commentator Andrew Bolt has blasted the ABC's 7.30 program over what he claims was an eight-minute smear against Scott Morrison.

The segment from Monday night's edition of the program was presented by the show's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle and rattled off a shopping list of the Morrison government's failings.

'Last night the ABC ran probably the most shameless, savage and biased smear of the Prime Minister and the government I have ever seen,' Bolt said on Tuesday.

'If you believe Laura Tingle, the government has been a complete failure led by a bungling fraud.'

Bolt (pictured) was livid over the 'shameful' segment he likened to an 'eight minute smear' against Mr Morrison

Among the issues raised by Ms Tingle was the PM's 'meticulously cultivated Scomo image', his absence during the summer bushfires of 2019-20, the deadly Covid outbreak in the aged care sector, and allegations of Coalition slush funds.

Bolt was fuming over what he said was a lack of balance in the segment.

'This sounded like a script from the Greens and this is from the ABC's political editor on the national broadcaster which is required by law to be impartial in exchange for your taxes.'

Bolt said the segment did not criticise Labor and made no mention of the fact that Australia has one of the healthiest economies in the world post-Covid.

His guest political commentator Gerard Henderson agreed and went further, demanding Tingle 'recuse' herself or the ABC bosses sideline her until after the May 21 election.

ABC journalist Laura Tingle and Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) at the National Press Club in Canberra on February 1

'The problem here is, as we know, Laura Tingle not so long ago ... declared that the Morrison Government was into 'ideological bastardry',' Henderson told Sky News.

He was referring to a 2020 late-night tweet from Tingle which she later described as 'a mistake' and deleted.

'What went to air last night was an appalling example of propaganda,' he said.

The Prime Minister had appeared on 7.30 only days earlier where host Leigh Sales grilled him over his image.

'Let me put it to you ... there can only be one factor that's playing into the negative sentiment towards your Coalition... without sounding rude that has to be you,' Sales said.

Ms Sales noted a number of senior politicians had questioned his character including his Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce calling him a liar along with French President Emmanuel Macron, and former Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian calling him a 'horrible person'.

'Which she denies,' Mr Morrison fired back.

Ms Berejiklian previously said she 'does not recall' sending the text in question.

In March Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells used parliamentary privilege to claim Mr Morrison was 'ruthless' and a 'bully'.

Ms Tingle and actor Sam Neill at the opening night of La Traviata on March 26, 2021 in Sydney (pictured)
Pauline Hanson is fighting to hold her seat in the Senate at the May election with a suite of populist policies including reducing migration and foreign ownership.

The One Nation leader, who founded her party in 1997 and has been a senator since 2016, also wants to build more coal-fired power stations and stop disabled people charging taxpayers for sex workers.

Senator Hanson has been a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates and draconian Covid restrictions and wants a royal commission into government responses to the virus.

Here Daily Mail Australia takes a look at the policies she has announced so far.

Foreign ownership

One Nation wants to ban foreigners from owning homes in Australia.

Under current laws non-residents cannot buy existing homes but can purchase newbuilds and vacant land in a policy that boosts construction and helps fund housing supply.

One Nation wants to 'stop the sale of property to non-residents and non-citizens'.

Pauline Hanson is fighting to hold her seat in the senate at the May election with a suit of populist policies including reducing migration and foreign ownership

It also wants to ban foreign investment in essential services including power, water, telecommunications, roadways, and ports.

The party would also demand a 'full disclosure of water ownership and ban the sale of water to foreign investors.'

Net-zero immigration

One Nation wants to overhaul the nation's immigration system to make sure the number of people coming in is the same as the number leaving the country.

This would lead to the population declining over time due to falling birth rates.

The party would only allow 'highly skilled migrants from culturally cohesive countries' into Australia.

They would be required to speak a 'sound level' of English.

Ban taxpayer funded sex workers

One Nation wants to stop disabled people on the NDIS using taxpayer funds for sex worker services.

The federal court allowed for this when it ruled in 2020 that a woman in her 40s with multiple sclerosis should be paid $10,000 a year to achieve a 'sexual release' through sexual therapy.

One Nation wants to stop disabled people on the NDIS using taxpayer funds for sex worker services

A tribunal had earlier found that the woman's disability meant she could not obtain a 'sexual release' by herself and would struggle to find a partner.

On Nation also wants to limit unemployment benefits to three years in any given five-year period for people under 50.

Refugees

One Nation wants to withdraw Australia from the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention which outlines countries' legal obligations to protect refugees.

The convention says that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.

Pauline Hanson wants to reduce Australia's refugee intake for five years.

Australia currently takes in 13,700 refugees a year.

More coal power

One Nation wants to build new coal-fired power stations, which will likely require taxpayer subsidies given a lack of private sector enthusiasm due to climate change.

Senator Hanson also wants to beef-up onshore oil reserves to have a 90 days worth of fuel in the country.

One Nation wants to build new coal-fired power stations, which will likely require taxpayer subsidies given a lack of private sector enthusiasm due to climate change. Pictured: The Bayswater coal-fired power station in Muswellbrook, NSW

She also wants to investigate building nuclear power plants.

One Nation is sceptical about man-made climate change and wants Australia to withdraw from the United Nations Paris Agreement signed in 2016.

Boost to pensioners

One Nation wants to increase the amount of money pensioners are allowed to earn by $100 a week.

Currently pensioners lose their entitlements if they earn more than $7,800 a week.

Senator Hanson wants to increase this to $13,000.

She also opposes any moves to increase the pension age to 70.

Drugs crackdown

Senator Hanson wants to crack down on illegal drugs entering Australia by beefing up scanning and inspection of goods at the border.

The party says it will pay for this using confiscated drug money.

It also wants to set up a Federal Police Drug Bus in each state that will 'provide an educational roadshow for parents and students'.

One Nation wants to ban foreigners from owning homes in Australia. Pictured: Sydney

Royal Commission into Covid-19

One Nation wants to hold a Royal Commission into how state and federal governments managed Covid-19.

It says the commission will not be a witch hunt but is needed 'to learn which pandemic measures worked and which didn't, so that we are much better prepared for the next pandemic.'

'Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them,' the party's website says.

Reduce abortion rights

One Nation wants to reduce timeframe in which women are allowed to have abortions, which is different in each state and territory.

Tasmania is the strictest with abortions allowed during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy while the ACT has no limit.

Senator Hanson also wants to ban sex-selective abortion and the donation of an aborted baby's organs.

She also wants to enshrine a doctor's full right to a full conscientious objection to abortion.
Are you stuck in the airport chaos? Let me know about your experience: james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk

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Consumer groups are calling on the Government to get tough on the aviation industry - including giving authorities the power to fine airlines - as the airport travel 'shambles' at airports continues today.

Holidaymakers are again facing 'carnage' at Manchester Airport this morning, with long check-in queues and delays at the security - while arrivals at Stansted are waiting in 'snail's pace' queues at passport control.

Pictures show long lines of people waiting along walkways in Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 in the early hours of this morning. Passengers have also complained of 60-minute long queues at security today.

It comes after passengers at the airport, whose managing director quit earlier this month following weeks of chaos, were yesterday seen queuing outside the terminal building to get through security.

Meanwhile, at Stansted Airport, arrivals say they have been met with long queues at passport control. Passengers have told MailOnline that all the e-terminals are currently closed and arrivals are being channeled into a dozen manned desks.

Are you stuck in the airport chaos? Let me know about your experience: james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

And at Birmingham Airport passengers have fumed at suffering 'the sh**est experience in the world' while waiting for their luggage at the Midlands transport hub this morning.

Now consumer chiefs are urging the Government to get tough on the airline industry, who they say must quickly fix the 'shambles' - which has been blamed on staff shortages and a sudden surge in demand in air travel.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said airlines, airports and the Government must make it a priority to learn from the disarray seen in recent days - ahead of the summer holiday rush later this year.

Mr Boland said: 'Lessons should be learnt from the travel shambles this Easter. With many in the industry predicting a busy summer, the Government must work with airlines and airports to ensure they have the resources and capacity to handle increased passenger numbers, as there can be no excuse for a repeat of these failings.'

Mr Boland also criticised the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport, arguing the Government should have handed the aviation regulator fining powers to punish airlines who fail to give compensation to delayed customers.

He said: 'Airlines wouldn't be ignoring the law and their passengers' rights if the aviation regulator had some teeth,' he said.

Holidaymakers are again facing 'carnage' at Manchester Airport today, with long check-in queues and delays at the security - while arrivals at Stansted are waiting in 'snail's pace' queues at passport control

Meanwhile, at Stansted Airport, arrivals say they have been met with long queues at passport control (pictured)

Passengers have told MailOnline that all the e-terminals are currently closed and arrivals are being channeled into a dozen manned desks

Pictures show long lines of people waiting along walkways in Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 in the early hours of this morning. Passengers have also complained of hour long queues at security today (pictured)

Q&A: What is the reason for the airport chaos - and what should passengers be doing about it? What is the reason for the airport chaos? Aviation chiefs have blamed a perfect storm of problems on the recent airport disruption. Passenger numbers plunged during the height of the Covid pandemic, and airport and airline operations were downsized as a result. And some firms say they have struggled to ramp up their operations quickly enough to meet demand - which has surged again over the Easter school holidays. With all UK Covid travel restrictions now lifted, airports have reported passenger numbers have risen up to 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. And they are expected to continue rising this summer - which is the busiest time of year for the aviation sector. On top of longer-term staff shortages and an increase in passenger numbers, airports and aviation firms say they are currently facing a wave of Covid absences which has exacerbated the existing problems. But surely companies were aware this rush was coming - why haven't they just restaffed? Airline and airport staff, like any job, require training. But unlike many professions, there are extra steps, including obtaining security clearances and background checks. This whole process can take up to six months in the most sensitive of roles - such as immigration officers with Border Force - and the Government, firms and unions say they have no intention of cutting corners on security. Some industry bosses have also suggested Brexit has played a role, because airlines no longer have access to a pool of EU workers to fill the gaps. So when will it be fixed? Unfortunately, some travel experts have warned the delays could last up to six months in some areas of the airports where staff require more extensive training and security and background checks. The issue has, for now, mainly been with outbound passengers queuing at check-in and airport security. But the Immigration Services Union - which represents Border Force officials - warns that there could be long delays at passport control areas from Bank Holiday Monday when many UK holidaymakers return. Speaking about the airport crisis Ms Moreton told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'Border Force isn't immune to this. There have been staffing problems within Border Force for some time. Border Force is no longer attracting enough candidates to fill the vacancies that they've got. Combined with the fact it takes nearly a year to fully train a Border Force officer, going into not just this summer, this weekend, catastrophically understaffed, with people beginning to travel again... we do anticipate that the queues will move from security based queues going outward to Border Force queues coming back in.' So what should passengers do? Many airports, including Manchester, which has been one of the worst hit transport hubs, and Stansted, have urged passengers to arrive early to mitigate for longer queues and to avoid potentially missing their flights. Usually passengers are advised to arrive at least two-hours early for their flights, but many airports are urging arrivals to turn up three-hours in advance. Unfortunately, there is no set in stone policy for compensation or refunds on flights missed due to airport delays - unlike if a flight is cancelled or delayed - so passengers should arrive early to avoid any problems. If boarding is approaching and customers are stuck in a queue, it is advised to let a member of airport staff know and they may be able to fast-track you. What if my flight is delayed or cancelled? Along with longer queues, passengers have also been hit with a wave of flight cancellations and delays. Yesterday, easyJet axed 32 flights. However it said all the flights were cancelled in advance and passengers had been given prior warning. Meanwhile, BA has reduced its schedule by 50 flights due to staff shortages. Under current rules, passengers delayed by more than three hours, or those whose flights are cancelled at short notice, are entitled to at least 220 in compensation. They also have the right to be re-routed or refunded, except in 'extraordinary circumstances'. Advertisement

'The Department for Transport can support consumers by equipping the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with direct fining powers.

'It should also drop its plans to change compensation rules for UK flights which are an important deterrent against passengers being treated unfairly.'

Under current rules, passengers delayed by more than three hours, or those whose flights are cancelled at short notice, are entitled to at least 220 in compensation.

They also have the right to be re-routed or refunded, except in 'extraordinary circumstances'. However consumer groups have claimed that passengers are not always being offered or given what they are entitled to.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport is also proposing changes to the legislation, which would see compensation capped at the ticket price on domestic routes.

It comes as passengers today fumed once again at airport disruption, which has seen outgoing passengers face long queues at check-in and security.

Today one passenger at Manchester Airport took to Twitter to complain about 60-minute long security queues at Manchester Airport.

They wrote: 'Carnage at T1. We were lucky with a pram so bag drop was quick. But security took an hour.' Another wrote: 'Poor show at arrivals. Is this the best you can do?'.

Meanwhile, passengers arriving at Stansted Airport this morning faced long queues at passport control. One passenger, who was stuck in the queue this morning told MailOnline: 'They have funneled everyone into one queue, whether families or e-passports.

'It is 2am and my 6 and 9 year old are in tears. They have closed all the e- terminals, and have (it looks like) 15 manned desks open. The queue is going at a snail's pace.'

It comes as holidaymakers were yesterday warned to brace for major disruption at passport halls until summer due to the 'catastrophic understaffing' of Border Force.

While pressure is currently on understaffed airports flying jet-setting Britons out of the country, union bosses have sounded the alarm about the possibility of chaos for UK arrivals on Easter Monday.

Holidaymakers are expected to return in their hundreds of thousands on Monday, following a four-day weekend and the end of the Easter school holidays.

Passenger numbers could hit as high as 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels over the weekend, experts predict, at a time when airports are still struggling to re-staff after downsizing their operations during the Covid pandemic.

Figures dropped by as much as 75 per cent between 2019 and 2020, from 297million to just 74million in 2020. However airports have struggled to recruit, train and obtain security clearance for staff in time for the Easter school holidays.

This, along with Covid absences, has been behind long queues at check-in and security at airports such as Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester since Friday.

And today Grant Shapps warned Britons face a four-day weekend of travel disruption from Friday.

The Transport Secretary has sounded the alarm for the upcoming Easter weekend, warning that roads, ports and airports were likely to be 'extremely busy'.

He also raised 'concern' that transport hubs were not yet 'up to strength' despite all of the UK's Covid travel restrictions being lifted.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: 'I think certainly this weekend will be extremely busy on our roads, potentially at our ports, and of course, particularly at Dover, where P&O disgracefully sacked all of their staff and then attempted to run ships that wouldnt have been safe with replacements below minimum wage.

We know none of their ships are running at the moment. So I do expect there to be disruption, with no thanks to P&O there.

It is also the case for the very first time that Brits are able to travel much more freely that other nations because we dont have Covid restrictions now that other places have to travel.

Grant Shapps warns of weekend of travel disruption Grant Shapps says Britons face a weekend of travel disruption, warning that roads, ports and airports are likely to be 'extremely busy'. He also raised 'concern' that transport hubs were not yet 'up to strength' despite all of the UK's Covid travel restrictions being lifted. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: 'I think certainly this weekend will be extremely busy on our roads, potentially at our ports, and of course, particularly at Dover, where P&O disgracefully sacked all of their staff and then attempted to run ships that wouldnt have been safe with replacements below minimum wage. We know none of their ships are running at the moment. So I do expect there to be disruption, with no thanks to P&O there. It is also the case for the very first time that Brits are able to travel much more freely that other nations because we dont have Covid restrictions now that other places have to travel. People want to travel. Im very concerned the operators, the airlines, the airports, the ports, do ensure that they get back to strength and quickly. 'They have lost a lot of people during the pandemic, we have been warning them for a long time that they would need to gear up again. 'Im very keen to ensure that they manage, what always is at Easter weekend, a very busy weekend on our transport network.' Advertisement

People want to travel. Im very concerned the operators, the airlines, the airports, the ports, do ensure that they get back to strength and quickly.

'They have lost a lot of people during the pandemic, we have been warning them for a long time that they would need to gear up again.

'Im very keen to ensure that they manage, what always is at Easter weekend, a very busy weekend on our transport network.'

Meanwhile, officials now have warned that an influx of passengers arriving back in the UK, combined with staffing issues within Border Force, could result in huge queues and long waits at airport immigration halls.

Lucy Moreton, General Secretary of the Immigration Services Union (ISU), also said Border Force employees were being moved from transport hub in the south to Dover to help process migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

Those staff, she said, are in turn being replaced by immigration officials from airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However she warned this was leading to spiralling costs for the taxpayer.

Speaking about the airport crisis Ms Moreton told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme yesterday: 'Border Force isn't immune to this. There have been staffing problems within Border Force for some time.

'And for the first time in living memory, Border Force is no longer attracting enough candidates to fill the vacancies that they've got.

'Combined with the fact it takes nearly a year to fully train a Border Force officer, going into not just this summer, this weekend, catastrophically understaffed, with people beginning to travel again, and of course those that went out earlier this week will be coming back by the middle of next week, the school holidays having finished.

'We do anticipate that the queues will move from security based queues going outward to Border Force queues coming back in.'

Speaking about Border Force having to move staff around to manage demand, she said: 'To a certain extent it also depends on things we can't control  for example small boat migration. We can't roster people for that.

Today one passenger at Manchester Airport took to Twitter to complain about 60-minute long security queues at Manchester Airport. They wrote: 'Carnage at T1. We were lucky with a pram so bag drop was quick. But security took an hour.' Another wrote: 'Poor show at arrivals. Is this the best you can do?'.

at Birmingham Airport passengers have fumed at suffering 'the sh**est experience in the world' while waiting at the Midlands transport hub this morning.

Dublin Airport urges customers: 'Don't arrive TOO early for your flight' Travellers flying through Dublin Airport this Easter have been urged not to arrive excessively early. Dublin Airport staff are hoping to avoid some of the chaotic scenes witnessed in recent weeks, which saw lengthy queues inside and outside the airport at-times during the busiest periods. Over 500,000 people are set to travel in and out of Dublin Airport over the coming days over the Easter break. Airport operator daa on Tuesday said that passengers should arrive at Dublin Airport up to three and a half hours before their flight. But a spokesperson urged passengers not to arrive too early. 'Daa is urging morning passengers due to fly from 08.30 am onwards, not to arrive into the terminals before 05.00am,' the spokesperson said. 'This will ease pressure on the security regime and allow passengers flying during the busy first morning wave (those with flights before 08.30 am) to progress through security and on to their boarding gates.' The spokesperson said that passengers do not need to arrive earlier than three and a half hours before their flight. They said: 'Arriving earlier than needed has been found to increase pressure at busy times over recent days and weeks.' The airport said it had been trying to rebound from the impact of the pandemic and blamed shortages in fully trained staff working at the country's busiest airport. 'Dublin Airport is currently in the process of hiring almost 300 new security screening staff to help it meet the significant increase in demand for international travel. 'Good progress is being made in that recruitment process with more than 500 candidates, from a pool of more than 4,500 applications, having been invited for an interview over the past two weeks,' the spokesperson said. Advertisement

'That actually draws a lot of resources and staff in the south east so we can process people, particularly when we have a high number of arrivals.

'So we now have the situation where staff from ports and airports and in the south east are now going to Dover to support staff there, but then staff from Scotland and Northern Ireland are being brought down to cover airports like Heathrow.'

However she said Home Office should not cut corners on training and security clearance in a bid to cut tackle the staffing crisis. 'This is a law enforcement role - you don't expect your police officer to be incompletely trained, or not security cleared. And certainly we wouldn't want anything else for Border Force,' she added.

It comes as furious holidaymakers claimed Manchester Airport had descended into 'pure chaos' on Tuesday, with queues so long they are even stretching outside the terminal building.

Astonishing pictures appear to show airline passengers queueing in the underfloor car park of the airport outside Terminal 1 yesterday.

Inside the terminal, pictures showed huge queues at check-in and at baggage enquiries - where passengers usually go to report damaged or missing luggage.

Some passengers said they have had to temporarily abandon their luggage at the airport due to delays. Pictured showed rows of unattended luggage by the conveyor belt.

'Shambolic' disruption is also said to have continued at Birmingham Airport yesterday morning. Passengers have reported 90 minute queues for security.

Others say they saw passengers plucked out of the queues to be fast-tracked in order to stop them from missing their flights.

Manchester Airport said queue times for security reached a maximum of 75 minutes on Tuesday.

A spokesperson said the end of the queue had stretched out of the building for a 'brief period', but that queues had since decreased.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Birmingham Airport told MailOnline: 'On Monday another 15,000 customers flew out of Birmingham Airport. Once they cleared boarding card checks, 79% of those customers were through security in under 20 minutes.

'If anyone is deep in the queue and their departure time is looming, we call them forward, so they don't miss their flight.'

It comes as Britons have been told to brace for a summer of airport chaos as airlines struggle with low staff numbers - while emergency plans are drawn up to avoid massive passport queues for the Easter getaway.

Ministers have been accused of overseeing 'cripplingly slow' security checks for new airline staff, with British Airways having to cancel 64 domestic and European flights from Heathrow on Monday alone.

The increase in demand has come as airlines have been hit with staffing shortages, though, with operators citing difficulties in finding recruits, security red tape and Covid absences, The Times reports.

Astonishing pictures show airline passengers queueing in the underfloor car park of the airport outside Terminal 1 on Tuesday morning

Inside the terminal on Tuesday, pictures showed huge queues at check-in and at baggage enquiries - where passengers usually go to report damaged or missing luggage

Some passengers say they have had to temporarily abandon their luggage at the airport due to delays, with pictures showing rows of unattended luggage by the conveyor belt

'Shambolic' disruption is also said to have continued at Birmingham Airport yesterday. Passengers reported 90 minute queues for security on Tuesday

Brits are warned to now brace for a SUMMER of airport chaos as airlines struggle with low staff numbers Britons have been told to brace for a summer of airport chaos as airlines struggle with low staff numbers - while emergency plans are drawn up to avoid massive passport queues for the Easter getaway. Ministers have been accused of overseeing 'cripplingly slow' security checks for new airline staff, with British Airways having to cancel 64 domestic and European flights from Heathrow on Monday alone. The increase in demand has come as airlines have been hit with staffing shortages, though, with operators citing difficulties in finding recruits, security red tape and Covid absences, The Times reports. It comes as border guards are also now gearing up for 'significant problems' as millions of holidaymakers head abroad, with fears passport queues could last hours as emergency plans are drawn up for the Easter weekend. Good Friday is set to be the busiest day of Easter with 2,430 flights leaving the UK. Flight data specialists Cirium show 9,212 will depart over the bank holiday weekend, 78 per cent of the total in pre-pandemic 2019. But airlines are concerned that failure to address the current issues will lead to travel chaos extending into the summer, with some families having already endured three-hour queues to get through security at some UK airports. One industry figure told The Times: 'The process is cripplingly slow, Aviation was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic, suffered from a lack of targeted support, and is now facing a summer disrupted by the government being slow in vetting staff.' Officials have accused ministers of failing to provide adequate resources to meet the increased demand as tens of thousands of potential employees await security clearance - including 12,000 at Heathrow alone. Vetting procedures normally take between 14 and 15 weeks, but it is understood to now be taking up to six months to screen new staff. Lucy Moreton of the Immigration Service Union said backroom staff were being offered bonuses to man desks at Heathrow. The volunteers, who usually carry out checks on prohibited items, will be pushed to the front lines at airports and ports to prevent chaos. Miss Moreton said border forces were already stretched due to virus absences and the Channel migrant crisis. 'There's the potential for significant problems at the tail-end of this week and at the weekend and planning has already started,' she added. 'We're bringing staff down from Scotland and Northern Ireland to Heathrow. 'They get expenses and overtime and they're being offered a cash bonus for each shift they cover at Heathrow. 'Some passengers will sail through, but others could be looking at several hours in a queue. It won't be chaos universally but there will be patches.' Advertisement

Meanwhile, border guards are also now gearing up for 'significant problems' as millions of holidaymakers head abroad, with fears passport queues could last hours as emergency plans are drawn up for the Easter weekend.

Good Friday is set to be the busiest day of Easter with 2,430 flights leaving the UK. Flight data specialists Cirium show 9,212 will depart over the bank holiday weekend, 78 per cent of the total in pre-pandemic 2019.

But airlines are concerned that failure to address the current issues will lead to travel chaos extending into the summer, with some families having already endured three-hour queues to get through security at some UK airports.

One industry figure told The Times: 'The process is cripplingly slow, Aviation was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic, suffered from a lack of targeted support, and is now facing a summer disrupted by the government being slow in vetting staff.'

Meanwhile, Kully Sandhu, the managing director of Aviation Recruitment Network Limited, whose firm recruits for major firms including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme he currently had more than 300 live vacancies on his site.

Asked how long it would take for airports to get the staff they need, he replied: 'My personal opinion, it is going to take at least the next 12 months for the industry vacancy-wise to settle down.;

Mr Sandhu said Brexit 'had not helped' the situation, as recruiters were no longer able to fill vacancies with staff from the EU.

However he said airports should not cut back on their current checks on staff in order to fast-track new employees.

Asked if the security checks on new staff should be reduced or dropped, he said: 'No, because they work. The industry works to a set of standards, that comes from the Department of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority.

'Each airport has the option to scale their checks slightly higher if they want to, each company that operates within the airport can adapt the checks.

'But the fundamental basics are the same, five years of background checks to cover an individual's background history, whether they've been employed, in education, any bouts of any kind of benefits, any bouts of period abroad. All these need to be identified.'

Officials have accused ministers of failing to provide adequate resources to meet the increased demand as tens of thousands of potential employees await security clearance - including 12,000 at Heathrow alone.

Vetting procedures normally take between 14 and 15 weeks, but it is understood to now be taking up to six months to screen new staff.

Some travel firms cut huge numbers of workers in the pandemic and are racing to find staff to cope with soaring demand. But the drive is being hampered by delays in carrying out security and counter-terror checks.

Martin Chalk, chief of the pilots' union Balpa, said: 'There will be problems into the summer. To be working in an airport you need an airside pass, which needs a criminal records and counter-terror check, which are taking months. The challenge won't be answered quickly.'

A senior aviation source said: 'It's taking much longer to get the background checks done  two to three times as long  and it was already taking as long as 14 to 15 weeks.'

Travel operators are now at their busiest since the start of the pandemic. Nearly 4.2million passengers passed through Heathrow last month, only 35 per cent down on the 6.5million of March 2019.

Good Friday is set to be the busiest day of Easter with 2,430 flights leaving the UK. Flight data specialists Cirium show 9,212 will depart over the bank holiday weekend, 78 per cent of the total in pre-pandemic 2019.

Some passengers reported waiting up to 90 minutes to get through check-in and security at Manchester Airport yesterday. And dozens of families have vented their anger at BA over baggage problems.

Passengers have been forced to leave airports without their belongings, in some cases waiting five days for them to be forwarded on.

Pictured: Passengers queue at a very busy Heathrow Terminal 2 on Monday as people head on Easter getaways

Pictured: Despite pleas from airport bosses to arrive three hours before flights, large queues are seen at the airport check-in at Manchester Airport on Saturday April 9

Pictured: People wait for their baggage at Gatwick on Monday morning as airports remain busy with people flying away for Easter

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are working closely with all UK ports and airports to ensure passengers have the smoothest possible journey, and we will continue to deploy our staff flexibly.'

To add to travellers' woes, the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association yesterday put ministers on notice that it was ready to bring the railways to a halt with a national strike.

The union, which represents ticket office and control room workers, wants guarantees that firms will not make any compulsory redundancies this year and salaries will match inflation.

Severe disruption on roads leading to cross-Channel services in Kent continued yesterday.
An Indian-born businessman running for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has backed her call for fewer migrants - and insisted: 'She's no racist.'

Raj Guruswamy, who is running for the Senate, dismissed all accusations against his party leader, adding: 'I think people are taking her out of context.'

'I definitely don't have a white skin. I'm definitely of Indian heritage. Both my parents and grandparents are all Indians, so I'm a proud Australian with Indian heritage.

'I wouldn't be up for election alongside her if she was racist.'

Ms Hanson twice struggled with Mr Guruswamy's name when she unveiled him as a Senate candidate for the May election at a press conference on Wednesday.

Indian-born businessman Raj Guruswamy running for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has backed her call for fewer migrants - but insisted: 'She's no racist.'

She initially mispronounced it at the first attempt and then paused and stumbled over it again a few minutes later.

But Mr Guruswamy said if Ms Hanson was racist, he would have been sidelined by the sudden shock arrival of controversial former Coalition MP George Christensen.

Mr Christensen was also unveiled as a One Nation Senate candidate on Wednesday, in a shock U-turn after he said just days earlier that he was retiring from politics.

But Mr Christensen was added as One Nation's third-placed Senate candidate - which means it's virtually impossible he will return to Canberra - while Mr Guruswamy remained in the more possible second spot.

'If she was a racist, she would have swapped spots with me and Mr Christensen, but she hasn't,' Mr Guruswamy said.

'If she was racist, there is no way I would be standing in the second spot with her.'

But Mr Guruswamy said if Ms Hanson was racist, he would have been sidelined by the sudden shock arrival of controversial former Coalition MP George Christensen

The Brisbane father of two is a former corporate affairs manager with Indian giant Adani, who had previously personally persuaded Ms Hanson to back the company's massive Queensland coalmine projects.

He had earlier met with Ms Hanson's One Nation sidekick Malcolm Roberts over their shared scepticism about climate change, he said.

Mr Guruswamy, who is 57 on Saturday, arrived in Australia from India in 1992 and became a citizen in 1995.

Mr Guruswamy said he and One Nation were not against migration, but said they wanted more sustainable migration, with an annual cap set at less than half the projected figure.

'I don't think I've heard Pauline talk about 'We should stop immigration',' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'She's only talking about sustainable immigration where the infrastructure - the housing, water, sewerage, and all the things - can be done.

The Brisbane father of two had previously personally persuaded Pauline Hanson to back Indian giant Adani's massive Queensland coalmine projects

'The Coalition Budget said we will start bringing in 213,000 people. We don't want it to be 213,000, we want it to be a sustainable 100,000.'

He said his aim was to try to get into Parliament and bring about change.

'For me, leadership is all about influence,' he said.

'If I can influence the government and other people to do something right, where Australia is able to develop infrastructure and become a manufacturing country. '

He added: 'The majority of my working life has been in Australia. The simple reason to get the citizenship was to say that I am part of Australia.

'I want to love this country. I want to do something for the country.

'And to me to get into the Senate - man, it is an absolutely humbling thought for me to even get the opportunity.'

Ms Hanson is fighting to hold her seat in the Senate at the May election with a suite of populist policies including reducing migration and foreign ownership.

The One Nation leader, who founded her party in 1997 and has been a senator since 2016, also wants to build more coal-fired power stations and stop disabled people charging taxpayers for sex workers.

Senator Hanson has been a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates and draconian Covid restrictions and wants a royal commission into government responses to the virus.
Major storms pummeled parts of the South and Central U.S. with tornadoes, record-breaking sized hail and historic blizzard conditions, causing widespread damage, thousands of power outages, and leaving dozens of people injured.

Tornado watches and warnings remained in effect for northern Iowa, a section of central Texas and parts of Louisiana Tuesday night as the dangerous storm system is expected to continue through Thursday.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued level 4 out of 5 'moderate risk' of severe weather and for a large part of the Mississippi Valley on Wednesday, citing 'the potential for strong tornadoes and very large hail.

Several tornadoes touched down in Central Texas and Iowa Tuesday, causing widespread damage, the National Weather Service reported.

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A tornado touches down in Iowa Tuesday. Watches and warnings remained in effect for northern Iowa, a section of central Texas and parts of Louisiana into Wednesday as the dangerous storm system is expected to continue

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued level 4 out of 5 'moderate risk' of severe weather on Wednesday, citing 'the potential for strong tornadoes and very large hail'

One tornado swept through the Texas town of Salado, damaging homes in Bell County, and produced massive hail, some nearly six inches in length

One tornado swept through the Texas town of Salado, damaging homes in Bell County, and produced massive record breaking hail, nearly six inches in length, according to photos posted to social media.

Officials say 23 people were hurt in the Bell County storm with 12 people taken to the hospital, and one was reported to be in critical condition.

The tornado was on the ground for an estimated 7 miles, according to Bell County Judge David Blackburn.

Rotating thunderstorms churned over Iowa and Louisiana, soon followed by historic blizzard conditions in North Dakota.

There were reports of people trapped in the homes in Bossier City, Louisiana, according to KSLA. And thousands of SWEPCO customers temporarily lost electrical service.

Nearly 81,000 customers in Texas were without power early Wednesday morning, about 10,000 in Iowa, and 72,000-plus customers in Louisiana, according to a utility tracking site.

Storms are expected to continue through the night and into Wednesday with damaging winds and possible tornadoes.

'Numerous severe thunderstorms appear likely across a large portion of the lower/mid Mississippi Valley into the Midwest, and lower Ohio Valley on Wednesday,' the NWS Storm Prediction Center said.

The blizzard brought white-out conditions to Bismarck, North Dakota. The airport canceled all flights for the day on Tuesday and state offices closed at 12:30 p.m. local time and residents were urged to stay off roads due to treacherous conditions

A blizzard slammed North Dakota with whiteout conditions, and meteorologists said it could rage into Thursday, becoming one of the biggest in a quarter century

Two feet of snow were predicted across much of the state and northern cities such could see up to 30 inches by Thursday, when the weather system was expected to move northeast

Earlier on Tuesday, a major blizzard slammed North Dakota with snow, high winds and whiteout conditions, and meteorologists said the spring snowstorm could rage into Thursday, becoming one of the biggest in a quarter century.

Bismarck Airport canceled all flights for the day. State offices closed at 12:30 p.m. local time and residents were urged to stay off roads due to treacherous conditions.

'Its definitely looking like its going to pack a punch,' Rick Krolak of the National Weather Service office in Bismarck said of the storm, which began blowing snow across the city early on Tuesday morning.

'We started seeing snow in Bismarck at 4 a.m., winds kicking up causing whiteout conditions,' Krolak said.

Two feet of snow were predicted across much of the state. Northern cities such as Minot could see up to 30 inches by Thursday, when the weather system was expected to move northeast and out of the region.

Krolak said the storm brought to mind the blizzard of 1997 that hit on April 4 of that year, dumping up to two feet of snow in some areas, knocking out power to thousands of residents and leaving motorists stranded on major highways.

The National Weather Service warned of potential power outages from this year's storm as well.

A separate weather system brought thunderstorms, high winds, heavy rain and hail across the U.S. Midwest and into the south.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings were issued across the state on Tuesday and the University of Central Arkansas canceled all classes for the day.
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President Joe Biden has for the first time accused Russia of carrying out a 'genocide', saying Vladimir Putin is trying to 'wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian'.

'Yes, I called it genocide,' he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday as he doubled down on this accusation while boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, as he said he would 'let the lawyers decide'.

He added: 'It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.'

The admission comes as the White House debates how much to involve itself in the investigation into Russian atrocities by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The Biden team wants to see Putin and his military chiefs held to account for the war horrors and many believe the court set up to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide able to secure justice.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron declined Wednesday to repeat Biden's genocide accusation , warning that verbal escalations would not help end the war.

Speaking to France 2 television as he ramps up his re-election campaign against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, Macron said leaders should be careful with language.

'I would say that Russia unilaterally unleashed the most brutal war, that it is now established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and make them face justice,' Macron said.

'It's madness what's happening, it's incredibly brutal,' he added.

'But at the same time I look at the facts and I want to try as much as possible to continue to be able to stop this war and to rebuild peace. I'm not sure that verbal escalations serve this cause,' he said.

The comments by Macron, who has kept dialogue going with Putin during the conflict, echo concerns the French leader expressed last month after Biden called Putin a 'butcher'.

Ukrainian and French forensics investigators place remains of burned civilians exhumed from a grave in body bags, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the town of Bucha

French forensics investigators, who arrived to Ukraine for the investigation of war crimes, stand next to a mass grave

The forensic team exhume the bodies of a mother and two children buried near the mass grave by a church in the town of horrors

Volunteers load bodies of civilians killed in Bucha onto a truck to be taken to a morgue for investigation into possible war crimes

President Joe Biden has for the first time accused Russia of carrying out a 'genocide', saying Vladimir Putin is trying to 'wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian'

But the government is bound by laws enacted by Congress in 1999 to 2002, intended to stop the court from investigating the US.

Previous administrations have also objected to the court's jurisdiction over countries that are not part of the treaty that led to its formation, including the US and Russia, the New York Times reported.

Officials believe that the best course of action is to now continue to compile evidence of war crimes, as a team of international investigators including a French forensic team visited the horror town of Bucha on Tuesday where Russia is accused of the torture and mass killing of civilians.

But neither Biden nor his administration have announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment of genocide.

The White House is debating how much to involve itself in the investigation into Russian atrocities by the International Criminal Court in The Hague

A volunteer rests after loading into a truck a plastic bags that contains the corpses of civilians killed by Russian soldiers

The Russian retreat from towns near Kyiv has revealed scores of civilian deaths and the full extent of devastation from Russia's attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital

The prosecutor general of Ukraine, Iryna Venediktova, visits the exhumation of a mass grave with French forensic investigators

Neither Biden nor his administration have announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment of genocide

Biden's comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country.

'True words of a true leader (at)POTUS,' he tweeted. 'Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.'

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the 'intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.'

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified.

A French forensic team visited the horror town of Bucha on Tuesday where Russia is accused of the torture and mass killing of civilians

Just last week Biden said he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted 'war crimes'

The forensic team exhume the bodies of a mother and two children buried near the mass grave by the church

Members of the international team of war crimes prosecutors including French Gendarmerie IRCGN speak to Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova

That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus' killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but said 'it sure seems that way to me.'

'More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and we're only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies,' he said.

Just last week Biden said he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted 'war crimes'.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting regime change in Moscow, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. 'For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power,' Biden said.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: 'I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasn't articulating a policy change.'
A group of wild teenage delinquents are causing havoc in a town in Western Australia's far north with locals saying the community is fast becoming 'unlivable'.

Kununurra was again hit by another round of vandalism and violence on Tuesday night with three businesses broken into and a police car rammed.

Pub owner Darren Spackman said there was a group of people who were out-of-control and the town was effectively 'under siege'.

His business, Gulliver's Tavern, has been 'targeted' and broken into on seven separate occasions in the last month.

A group of about 15 teenagers have been on a crime spree in a remote WA town, ramming a police car on Tuesday night (pictured)

Gulliver's Tavern owner Darren Spackman (pictured) said the town was 'under siege' by the group of trouble-makers

'We're getting really tired of making apologies for being unable to open our bar but unfortunately once again here we are... no bar or kitchen due to another break-in,' the business posted on Facebook.

A local woman in the same community Facebook page said some businesses 'deal with this every night'.

'This has been continuously happening for years and years now. The police lock them up and the courts let them out,' she wrote.

Gulliver's Tavern was forced to close on Thursday because vandals had damaged a screen and broken a window at an entrance (pictured, Gulliver's Tavern)

A photo of the latest damage to a security screen and windows at Gulliver's Tavern in

'How can a town in Australia become unlivable all because of 14 or 15 bad eggs?' Mr Spackman told GWN 7 News.

'It's got to stop. Somebody is going to get killed sooner or later, there's just no need for it.'

'Targeting police houses, police cars, they actually ram raided two police vehicles in front of the police station... that has to be an act of terrorism.'

A Kununurra community page detailed several incidents in recent days and weeks including shop and home windows being smashed and personal items stolen, with photos of the alleged crimes.

A self-employed tradie posed images of his van window broken, which thieves did to steal his work iPad, while another showed the window of a home smashed. Both incidents happened in recent days in Kununurra

Some photos showed the windows of a home on Silberbox Avenue, in Kununurra, smashed in, while another depicted car windows broken so valuables could be stolen from inside.

One man was offering a reward for a Samsung iPad stolen from a work van. 'Unlawfully removed from one of our vehicles last night,' self-employed tradie Kevin Williams wrote.

The pub posted to Facebook about a recent break-in just two weeks ago (pictured)

The Kununurra watering hole (left) and the delinquents allegedly ramming into the sign (right) that can be seen on the left

Acting WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the group of teenagers weren't out to destroy the town but suggested they were bored.

'They see it as a game... cops and robbers... the good and the bad, it's a game for them. They are very young. I'm talking kids from 11 up to 15,' he told ABC Radio.

Another local said the teenagers would race their cars along the town's streets often approaching 100km/h in 50km/h zones.

Mr Blanch said many of the teens had done stints in detention centres only to be released and cause trouble again.

'I am working very closely with the department of communities, department of justice, mining companies and the government to find alternative solutions,' he said.

WA Police have temporarily assigned extra officers to Kununurra along with the nearby towns of Derby and Carnarvon.
A coroner has been scathing of police whose pursuit of a criminal led to a 17-month-old girl being crushed to death by a car in her own Sydney backyard.

Tateolena Tauaifaga died on January 8, 2015, when the car driven by Christopher Chandler careened through a fence into the Constitution Hill backyard where she was playing with her three sisters.

She was crushed and left lying motionless on the ground as two police vehicles followed Chandler through the backyard, the back fence and into a park where more children were playing.

A coroner has been scathing of police whose pursuit of a criminal led to 17-month-old Tateolena Tauaifaga (pictured) being crushed to death by a car in a Sydney backyard

'Her distraught mother and father could do little but watch as  paramedics tried to save her,' Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan said when handing down her findings into the girl's death on Wednesday.

Chandler has since been jailed for taking Tateolena's life in a 'senseless and violent way', Ms Ryan said, but the coronial inquiry also probed police actions.

Police had an opportunity to detain Chandler earlier in the day, and Ms Ryan found officers did not give appropriate consideration to the risk they were running in deferring his arrest.

'Had Mr Chandler been arrested earlier  he could not have committed the offence,' she said.

'This knowledge remains a great source of pain for Tateolena's [family].'

The coroner was even more scathing of the officers' decision to follow Chandler into the Tauaifagas' yard.

'I have found those police officers took an appalling risk when they followed Mr Chandler through the fence  they should never have done so.

'It is terrible to think of the danger to which these other little lives were exposed by this decision.'

died on January 8, 2015, when the car driven by Christopher Chandler careened through a fence into the Constitution Hill backyard where she was playing with her three sisters

She called for the NSW police commissioner to review the policies and training which contributed to those decisions.

Addressing Tateolena's family, Ms Ryan said she was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the beautiful and curious little girl.

'The grief that Tateolena's mother, father  [and family] feel is still raw.

'They have a deep need to understand how her terrible death could have been allowed to happen.

'I hope that time will heal some of your pain and bring some peace of mind.'
Australian holidaymakers are in for a tough few days with airport authorities warning of horror queues before the Easter break even arrives.

Sydney airport chief Geoff Culbert predicted 'another tough day for travellers' with 82,000 passengers expected through the domestic terminal on Thursday, while post-pandemic peaks are also forecast for Brisbane and Gold Coast airports.

Staff shortages and surging passenger numbers have resulted in check-in and security screening wait-times blowing out out for a week now.

Over 910,000 passengers are expected to use Sydney's domestic airport terminal in mid-April with Easter to Anzac Day the busiest period, including peaks of 82,000 passengers on April 14 and 22 (pictured Jetstar and Virgin customers wait in line on Wednesday)

Sydney airport chief Geoff Culbert predicted 'another tough day for travellers' with a recent record of 82,000 passengers expected through the domestic terminal, (pictured, passengers queue outside the terminal at Sydney terminal)

Melbourne airport authorities offically advised people to arrive three-plus hours early for international flights and said that 1.4million passengers would use the airport over 13 days in April (pictured, passengers queue inside Melbourne airport)

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Normally passengers flying interstate are told to arrive an hour early for smooth check-ins but all airports are warning people to come at least two hours early for flights between Easter and Anzac Day a week later.

At times in the past week check-in queues have snaked out of terminals and onto the pavement outside, with some people reporting waiting two and a half hours to check in for domestic flights.

Melbourne airport went further and suggested anyone coming for an international flight should arrive three-plus hours before takeoff.

It expected '1.4million travellers' to go through Melbourne airport in a two and a half week period up to Anzac Day.

Sydney airport predicted 910,000 passengers would use its domestic terminals over 13 days between April 14 and 26.

Its busiest days are expected to be April 14 and 22, both with 82,000 passengers, followed by Good Friday, with 79,000.

Mr Culbert conceded things would get so busy at Sydney that 'senior executives' were being rostered to boost staff numbers.

'I know it's a difficult message to hear but Thursday is going to be another tough day for travellers, and I want to apologise in advance to anyone who is inconvenienced,' Mr Culbert said.

Thursday looms as 'Air-mageddon' for Australian holidaymakers with airport authorities apologising for horror queues before the Easter break even arrives (pictured, travellers queue at Sydney airport on Wednesday)

Brisbane airport expects over 50,000 passengers to go through the terminal on Thursday April 14 (pictured, passengers queue to check in at Brisbane airport)

'Tomorrow and right through the school holidays we are pulling every lever available to us to get people on their way safely, including deploying senior executives and staff into our terminals to manage queues and ensure people make their flights.'

He said a fifth of regular staff were off on 'Covid-related absences' and while the situation was improving, 'there is no avoiding the fact that significant queuing may occur over Easter.'

Qantas boss Alan Joyce was slammed last week for saying passengers were not 'match fit' at check-in time, a comment that was echoed by a senior Sydney airport boss.

Sydney airport's general manager of operations, Greg Hay repeated Joyce's claim that passengers were forgetting to take laptops out of bags and that they couldn't travel with aerosol cans.

Travellers are reminded to check in online and prepare their luggage carefully before arriving at the terminals to help prevent delays.

Earlier Sydney airport authorities warned people not to bring their cars unless they already had online bookings because the parking stations were already full.

Passenger numbers are predicted to hit 50,000 at Brisbane airport for the first time in two years.

'We predict this coming Thursday to be our busiest day yet with more than 50,000 passengers expected,' Brisbane Airport Corporation communications manager Rachel Bronish told AAP.

Australian airports are set for an Air-mageddon on Thursday with significant delays and airline and airport bosses rostered on to work at Sydney because of Covid-related staff shortages

Queensland Airports boss Chris Mills predicted Gold Coast airport would see its busiest day since 2018 with 28,000 seats scheduled for Easter Monday.

Recent records were broken at Gold Coast were broken a week ago and will surge again with the re-introduction of the Jetstar Gold Coast-Auckland service on Wednesday.

Perth Airports Chief Operating Officer, Scott Woodward, also pleaded with passengers to 'be patient. Well get you through as quickly as we can.'
The head of the British army has demanded plans to cut the number of troops in the service to the lowest amount since the Napoleonic era be reversed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith said the war in eastern Europe should give the Government pause for thought and make it reconsider plans to cut the number of soldiers in the army to 73,000.

The Chief of the General Staff seemed to criticise the planned cuts which had been outlined as part of the defence review last year.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith has appeared to hit out at Government plans to cut the army to its smallest size since the Napoleonic era. He is pictured here at a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had announced the army would lose 9,000 soldiers by 2025 when this was implemented, taking the army to its smallest size for more than 200 years.

Sir Mark appeared to break with the tradition of serving armed forces chiefs not criticising decisions made by Government after making the remarks at the Policy Exchange think tank.

The 58-year-old said Putin's unjustified invasion of Ukraine might mean the defence review should be looked at again, The Times reports.

He said: 'I think our structure and the growing shopping list of potential outputs in the wake of the redefinition of European defence and deterrence, which I am sure Ukraine heralds, I think is going to demand more of the field force and I would like to see greater investment in a larger army.'

Sir Mark said the Russian invasion of Ukraine means cuts outlined by the Government should be looked at again. Pictured are two Russian soldiers in the ruins of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol

He added the number of soldiers the review suggested should be kept - 73,000 - was not a figure 'predicated on most of the experimentation and analysis' that the Army contributed.

'But we also have to accept that in terms of building a wider, balanced force across not just the traditional environmental domains of land, sea and air, that we needed greater investment in the new, novel, man-made domains, particularly cyber,' he said.

He was joined at the event by Labour MP John Spellar, who agreed to war in Ukraine showed the latest defence review needed to be looked at again.

Mr Spellar, who sits on the Commons defence committee, said he would like to see the size of the army stay the same in the meantime 'rather than the Treasury-driven cuts which have been criticised right the way across the board'.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: 'Over four years we are investing an extra 24 billion in Defence - the biggest investment in the UKs Armed Forces since the end of the Cold War - which will help provide the British Army with new tanks, armoured vehicles and attack helicopters.

'To tackle the growing threats, we launched the Army's radical "Future Soldier" reforms to make the service more agile, lethal and expeditionary, including the new Ranger Regiment - ready to deploy alongside partner forces around the world.

The cuts, which were outlined by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (left) last year, come as Vladimir Putin (right) increases his aggression in eastern Europe

Sir Mark, who unsuccessfully interviewed for the role head of the armed forces, made the remarks ahead of his departure from his role as head of the army in June.

He is set to be replaced by General Sir Patrick Sanders who has experience in charge of cyber, special forces and military intelligence.

Speaking after he was announced as his successor, Sir Patrick said he was 'deeply honoured' to be taking over at 'such a pivotal time for the future of the British Army'.

He said: 'The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that the world is becoming increasingly dangerous and uncertain with war on land coming to Europe for the first time in decades.

'The British Army will play its part in defending the UK and our allies as we have for centuries.'
Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon / Yonhap





By Kang Hyun-kyung







Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon made news on Wednesday as President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol unveiled his second batch of Cabinet ministers.







Among the Cabinet minister nominees, he received the most questions from reporters and became the most sought-after new nominee of the day.







Yoon's selection of Han for justice minister was considered a shock to some.







Han, the vice president of the Judicial Research & Training Institute, is widely known as Yoon's closest aide in the prosecution service. Thus, it had been rumored that he would be tapped for "one of the key posts" in the prosecution service, such as the head of the Seoul Central Prosecution's Office, since Yoon was elected in the March 9 presidential race.







Unveiling his pick for justice minister on Wednesday, Yoon said that Han is a well-trained prosecutor with two decades of experiences in the justice ministry, as well as in the prosecution, mentioning his hope that Han might "modernize legal administration and establish a judicial system that meets global standards."







Yoon said he believes that the nominee is fully qualified for the post.







"He has experience not only in law enforcement but also in the area of legal administration. So, I came to a conclusion that he is the right person to take the job and (my nomination) is not a shock at all," he told reporters during a news conference to announce the list of second batch of Cabinet minister nominees at the Korea Banking Institute building in Seoul.






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Ukrainian fighters are putting up a hellish last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Stalingrad-esque steel plant in Mariupol as Russian forces close in on the besieged port city.

It comes as Vladimir Putin has started massing thousands of troops on Ukraine's eastern flank ahead of a new offensive intended to crush the resistance by 'Russian victory day' on May 9.

Experts say the fall of Mariupol, seen as strategically vital for Russian plans to attack eastern Ukraine, is inevitable. But holdouts in their underground bases hope to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers.

The urban landscape of the Azovstal steelworks where Ukrainian forces, who took refuge at the site following reports Russia had used chemical weapons, plan to take on the invaders seems almost tailor-made for guerrilla warfare, with sprawling rail lines, warehouses, coal furnaces, factories, chimneys and tunnels.

The maze-like area is a metal works complex, Azovstal, owned by Metinvest, which has been the focus of urban fighting in Mariupol, just like the nearby Azovmash factory which makes rail components, cranes and other large metal structures.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in Russia's battle for Mariupol, said today that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered and urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender. Ukrainian authorities immediately denied the reports.

Russian servicemen on Tuesday secured Mariupol's drama theatre which was destroyed in a missile strike on March 16, killing at least 300 people including families and children who were sheltering inside.

Satellite images taken over Mariupol yesterday show buildings on fire across the city as Russian forces continue to bombard the Black Sea stronghold. Separate images from Crimea show Russian forces massing combat equipment and transporters in Dzhankoi.

Meanwhile the mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, said in televised remarks that more than 100,000 people remained in the city awaiting evacuation. He said earlier that some 21,000 civilian residents had been killed during the siege.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said humanitarian corridors used to get people out of cities under Russian attack will not operate on Wednesday because of poor security.

President Volodymyr Zelensky today claimed that Russia has used phosphorous bombs in Ukraine and accused Moscow of deploying terror tactics against civilians, though he did not provide evidence.

Adressing the Estonian parliament, Zelensky said: 'The Russian army is using all types of artillery, all types of missile, air bombs in particular phosphorous bombs against residential districts and civilian infrastructure. This is clear terror against the civilian population.'

Ukrainian fighters are putting up a hellish last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Stalingrad-esque Azovstal steel plant (pictured) in Mariupol as Russian forces close in on the besieged port city

Experts say the fall of Mariupol, seen as strategically vital for Russian plans to attack eastern Ukraine , is inevitable. But holdouts in their underground bases at the steelworks (pictured) hope to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers

Russian servicemen (pictured) on Tuesday secured Mariupol's Drama Theatre which was destroyed in a missile strike on March 16

At least 300 people died when Mariupol's drama theatre (pictured, Russian servicemen secure the destroyed building) was targeted in a Russian missile strike, despite being marked 'children'

Satellite images from the Crimean peninsula show Russian forces massing combat equipment and transporters in Dzhankoi

Footage posted online on Wednesday purported to show Chechen fighters wearing helmets with the Russian flag on entering the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol

Video posted on Twitter appeared to show the group's commander giving a tour of the steelworks in the besieged southern port city, where Russian forces are battling for control

What happened at the Battle of Stalingrad? The battle for Stalingrad was the turning point of the Second World War. After the German invasion of Russia  codenamed Operation Barbarossa, which began in June 1941  the Wehrmacht continued to head eastward, destroying whole Soviet armies and capturing two million prisoners, most of whom they starved to death. In Washington and London, leaders wondered gloomily how long the Russians could stave off absolute defeat. In the spring of 1942, Hitler's legions drove deeper into the Russian heartland, besieging St Petersburg, over-running the Crimea, and threatening the oilfields of the Caucasus. The Fuhrer was convinced the Russians were at their last gasp. He was exultant when in June 'Operation Blue' enabled his armies to occupy new swathes of central Russia. Scenting final victory, Hitler deputed General Friedrich Paulus, a staff officer eager to prove himself as a fighting commander, to lead a dash for the city on the Volga that was named after Stalin, and secure a symbolic triumph, while another German army group swung southwards to grab the oilfields. Hitler's top soldiers were appalled by the perils of splitting the Wehrmacht merely to capture Stalingrad, which was strategically unimportant. Their protests were ignored: the Fuhrer insisted. Likewise in Moscow, when the German objective became plain, Russia's dictator Josef Stalin gave the order that 'his' city must be held at any cost. Thus the stage was set for one of history's most terrible clashes of arms, in which on the two sides more than a million men became locked in strife between the autumn of 1942 and the following spring. On September 12, the first German troops entered Stalingrad. From the Kremlin came a new order to the Red Army: 'Not a step back . . . The only extenuating circumstance is death.' The first German air attacks killed between 10,000 and 40,000 people  almost as many as died in the entire London blitz. Shellfire and bombs rained down on the city, day after day and week upon week. Stuka pilot Herbert Pabst wrote: 'It is incomprehensible to me how people can continue to live in that hell, but the Russians are firmly established in the wreckage, in ravines, cellars, and in a chaos of twisted skeletons of factories'. General Vasily Chuikov, commanding Stalin's 62nd Army in the city, wrote: 'The streets of the city are dead. There is not a single green twig on the trees; everything has perished in the flames.' The Russians initially held a perimeter 30 miles by 18, which shrank relentlessly as Paulus's men thrust forward to within a few hundred yards of the Volga. Each night, up to three thousand Russian wounded were ferried eastward from the city, while a matching stream of reinforcements, ammunition and supplies reached the defenders. New units were thrust into the battle as fast as they arrived, to join duels in the ruins that often became hand-to-hand death grapples. Both sides were chronically short of food and water. The few surviving civilians suffered terribly, eking a troglodyte existence in cellars. Some soldiers were reduced to cannibalism in order to stay alive in the ruins of the city as the mercury plunged to -40C. The bloodiest battle in Second World War came to an end on January 31, 1943 when Field Marshall Paulus surrendered, disobeying the orders of his Fuhrer to kill himself. Of the 110,000 Germans who surrendered, only 5,000 would survive Stalin's gulags to return to a defeated Germany. The battle cost the German army a quarter of everything it possessed by way of material - guns, tanks and munitions. It was a defeat from which it never recovered and for days afterwards in Berlin all shops and restaurants were closed as a mark of respect. Advertisement

Moscow said yesterday it was mustering a new force to outnumber Ukrainian soldiers in the country's east by five to one ahead of a 'decisive battle' for the Donbas region.

Putin has for weeks been redeploying troops to three areas on Ukraine's border, in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions and around Matveev Kurgan, after withdrawing more than 24,000 soldiers from the capital Kyiv.

But Ukrainian military officials have questioned where the extra soldiers are coming from, and suggested the new force will still fall short of the might Russia needs to overrun Kyiv's troops.

The Kremlin has maintained the war is going 'to plan' after Putin on Monday said Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last night mocked Putin's claims, asking how a plan that saw tens of thousands of troops being killed in a month could have been approved.

Speaking from Kyiv in a video posted to social media, Zelensky also repeated calls for the West to step in now and prevent the use of chemical weapons on Ukrainian soil, saying any deployment of them would be 'a humiliation for the democratic world'.

Meanwhile the Azovstal steelworks being used by resistance fighters to defend Mariupol were today branded 'a city within a city' by Eduard Basurin, a representative for pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.

He said: 'There are several underground levels that date back to Soviet times which you can't bombard from above. You have to go underground to clean them out, and that will take time.'

Entering the tunnels would be all but impossible for Russian troops, according to Alexander Grinberg, analyst at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.

'They can try, but they'll be slaughtered because the defenders of the tunnel will absolutely have the tactical upper hand,' he said.

Fighters have in the past used tunnel systems to great effect in their struggle against superior forces.

The Viet Cong made the vast Cu Chi tunnel system near Saigon a base for attacks against US troops and Hamas has used tunnels in their fight against the Israeli army.

The Islamic State group's tunnel system in Mosul, Iraq, allowed its fighters to surprise American troops with sudden appearances seemingly out of nowhere.

But the most memorable example dates back to World War II and the battle of Stalingrad with its fierce fighting in the Red October industrial complex.

'The Soviets used underground passages, sewers and tunnels to get behind German lines,' a French military source said.

A sapper unit discovered a former factory used by German troops, stacked three tonnes of explosives underneath and blew up the entire complex, burying the Germans in the rubble, the source said.

The astute use of tunnels has lost none of its effectiveness in the 80 years since, rendering enemy artillery, air strikes and snipers virtually useless.

Satellite surveillance is also of limited use against combatants hiding below ground, as is technical intelligence, the spying on enemy weapons.

However, as analysts point out, the underground system only works if the network is vast and fighters have enough ammunition, food and water, which requires meticulous advance planning.

Soldiers deployed underground also need extremely good training to be operational in this unusual combat environment, said James Rands at British defence intelligence specialists Janes.

'The enclosed spaces mean engagements occur at shorter ranges, limiting the effectiveness of some small arms,' he said.

Close-range use of weapons also carries 'a significant risk of tunnel collapse and inherent dangers to the forces employing them', he said.

In addition, commanding troops underground is difficult because standard communications do not work well, and tunnel networks are not usually well mapped, he said.

The evacuation of wounded soldiers is also very cumbersome, Rands added.

Despite all the advantages for the defenders, the tunnel network can possibly still be taken if, as is likely, the Ukrainians lack key equipment in sufficient quantity, such as night-vision gear, analysts said.

It may also be difficult to counter the potential use by the Russians of large quantities of water to flood the tunnels, or of gas or chemical products to force the Ukrainians to the surface.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia was pursuing its Ukraine operation 'calmly', there is a chance that the tunnel wars will be anything but - and last for some time.

Mariupol's partially destroyed drama theatre which was hit on March 16 by a Russian airstrike as part of an intense campaign by Moscow's forces who are trying to take the city

This satellite image released on April 12, 2022, by Maxar Technologies shows buildings on fire in western Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 9, 2022

Much of the city of Mariupol has been leveled in weeks of pummelling at then hands of Moscow's forces

Service members of pro-Russian troops load rocket-propelled grenades into an infantry combat vehicle amid fighting near the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol

Crosses are placed at a burial site of local residents killed in Mariupol as Russian forces continue a brutal siege of the city

Mariupol residents collect water from a well in the city after a Russian siege left locals without food, water or electricity for more than four weeks

Russian servicemen prepare for guard in downtown of Mariupol as hostilities continue in the besieged southern port city on Tuesday, April 12

Residents of the besieged southern port city Mariupol walk down Mira Avenue in the city's downtown district as Russian forces tighten their stranglehold on the stronghold of Ukrainian resistance

Service members of pro-Russian troops load rocket-propelled grenades into an infantry combat vehicle in the southern port city of Mariupol on Tuesday, April 12

The Kremlin has maintained the war is going 'to plan' after Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) on Monday said Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation

Russia invaded on February 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one.

In the seven weeks since, the ground advance stalled and Russian forces lost potentially thousands of fighters - and the war has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee, rattled the world economy, threated global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Russia's actions in Ukraine 'a genocide' for the first time, saying 'Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.'

Zelensky applauded Biden's use of the word, saying 'calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil.'

'We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,' he added in his tweet.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the leaders headed to Ukraine on Wednesday had 'a strong message of political support and military assistance.'

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also plan to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, and on Tuesday insisted Russia 'had no other choice' but to invade and that the offensive aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to 'ensure Russia's own security.' He vowed it would 'continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.'

He insisted Russia's campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal and significant losses.

Thwarted in their push toward the capital, Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists' claims of independence.

Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

A key piece to that campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have besieged and pummeled since nearly the start of the war. Pockets of the city appeared to be still under Ukraine's control - but it's not clear how many forces are still defending it.

Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said on Twitter that the city's defenders were short of supplies but were 'fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.'

Ukrainian forces in Mariupol have alleged that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified. The regiment indicated there were no serious injuries.

Firefighters operate at a burning building, following a missile attack near the Kharkiv International Airport yesterday

A road service worker stands in front of destroyed houses in the village of Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv

An armoured vehicle of pro-Russian troops is seen in the street during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions - which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons - had been used in Mariupol, which has been pummeled by weeks of Russian assaults.

Deliberately firing phosphorus munitions into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war. Zelensky said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, 'The world must react now.'

An investigation into war crimes is already underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscow's retreat from cities and towns around Kyiv.

Zelensky said evidence of 'inhuman cruelty' toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, including alleged rapes.

More than 720 people were killed in Kyiv suburbs that had been occupied by Russian troops and over 200 were considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday. In Bucha alone, Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said 403 bodies had been found and the toll could rise as minesweepers comb the area.

In the Chernihiv region, villagers said more than 300 people had been trapped for almost a month by the occupying Russian troops in the basement of a school and only allowed outside to go to the toilet or cook on open fires.

Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast of the capital. It said the bodies of six civilians were found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people including a 13-year-old boy. In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed including two children when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.
A judge has praised Insulate Britain protesters whose M25 stunt delayed an ambulance carrying an 'urgent patient' as 12 were fined over a demonstration which disrupted the journeys of an estimated 18,000 drivers on the M25.

The eco mob blocked traffic, including an ambulance carrying a patient, by sitting across Junction 3, a busy interchange on the motorway at Swanley, Kent, on September 29, 2021.

Some demonstrators glued themselves to the tarmac, one stuck himself to a police car and another, Mary Adams, refused to move out of the way of an ambulance that was transporting a patient to hospital, the court heard.

Karen Matthews, 60, was among three protesters - including Ian Bates, 63, and Biff Whipster, 54 - who were told by District Judge Stephen Leake they had 'inspired' him after making impassioned speeches about their concerns over the climate while representing themselves in court.

But the judge added that his role was to 'apply the law' and said their actions had caused 'significant disruption' to the motorway.

He said: 'I have heard your voices.

'They have inspired me and personally I intend to do what I can to reduce my own impact on the planet, so to that extent your voices are certainly heard,' the judge said.

'These are difficult cases for us judges because we have to apply the law and that is what we have sworn our judicial oaths to do.'

Activists from the Insulate Britain climate change protest group blocked the road near to junction 3 of the M25 motorway near Swanley on September 29, 2021

A court heard some demonstrators glued themselves to the road while another stuck himself to a police car

Another protester ran into the road and blocked an ambulance transporting a patient to hospital, a court heard

A police officer is seen dragging one of the Insulate Britain protesters off the road at junction 3 of the M25 at Swanley

In total, nine of the activists admitted charges in relation to the protest either by post or in person at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Bates and Matthews, as well as Mary Adams, 68, Margurite Doubleday, 67, Bethany Mogie, 39, Xavier Gonzalez-Trimmer, 21, and Lucy Crawford, 52, each pleaded guilty to wilful obstruction of free passage of the highway.

Whipster, from Canterbury, admitted criminal damage by leaving a 'hard, crusty layer of glue' on the window of a police vehicle during the demonstration.

The court heard how a number of protesters had been spotted by police officers 'hiding in woodland' before the chaos unfurled near the junction.

Prosecutor Kat Shields said two were asked whether they were there to demonstrate to which they replied: 'No, we are just nature lovers.'

But the group then ran into the middle of the road and spread out across two areas of the junction, bringing traffic to a standstill, the court heard.

An ambulance carrying a patient who 'urgently needed to be transported' was delayed when Adams refused to move out of its path, with officers having to 'drag' her out of the way, the prosecutor said.

The cost to the economy caused by the disruption was about 4,603, with an estimated 18,000 vehicles affected across the wider area, according to evidence from National Highways.

The demonstration made a mockery of a government injunction that was supposed to stop the activists.

Protesters attending court, all of whom sat in the public gallery throughout the hearing, claimed they had exhausted all other means of campaigning over the climate crisis and resorted to 'non-violent protest' to highlight their cause.

Tissues were passed around by a member of court staff as several broke down in tears and held their faces in their hands while fellow activists voiced their fears over a 'desperate' environmental situation.

'I'm living in an insane world,' Bates said.

'I walk around and people are completely and utterly unaware of it, immune to it We carry on like we're just doing our jobs.

'We're not doing our jobs we're killing everybody.'

He added: 'The very last thing I have left is to exercise my right to peacefully protest and for that protest to bring to the attention of the British public the desperate situation we are in.'

The judge said the protesters had 'no doubt' been acting in a way they believed was 'morally right' but had still committed a criminal offence.

The court heard how a number of protesters had been spotted by police officers 'hiding in woodland' before the chaos unfurled near the junction

The cost to the economy caused by the disruption was about 4,603, with an estimated 18,000 vehicles affected across the wider area, according to evidence from National Highways

The group ran into the middle of the road and spread out across two areas of the junction, bringing traffic to a standstill, the court heard

Bates, of Northampton, Crawford, of Cambridge, and Mogie, of Hertfordshire, were fined 200 while London-based Gonzalez-Trimmer, who had previous convictions for similar protest-related offences, was fined 266.

Whipster was handed a 120 fine, with the judge taking into consideration his financial situation and the fact that he is currently on Universal Credit.

Adams, of Greenwich, was fined 250 after the judge found her refusal to move out of the path of the ambulance a 'serious' aggravating factor while Doubleday, of Gloucestershire, was fined 150.

The pair had entered their guilty pleas by post and did not attend court.

Five protesters, Tim Speers, Daniell Thomas, Peter Morgan, Louise Lancaster and Iain Webb did not attend court and were convicted of wilful obstruction after a trial was held in their absence.

Thomas and Speers were fined 200 while Morgan, who had previous convictions for similar protest-related offences, was fined 400.

Lancaster was fined 330 and Webb was fined 300.

Two defendants, 28-year-old Gabriella Ditton, of Norwich and 74-year-old Barry Mitchell, of Telford, each indicated not guilty pleas to wilful obstruction and will attend Horsham Magistrates' Court on May 11.

Another three, Victoria Lindsell and Michelle Charlesworth, each accused of one count of wilful obstruction and Louis McKechnie, charged with criminal damage, had their hearings adjourned until April 28 at Crawley Magistrates' Court.

In the days after the September 29 protest, the mastermind of Insulate Britain sparked fury when he said he would block an ambulance with a dying patient inside in order to continue his eco-protests.

Without a moment's hesitation, Roger Hallam gave a firm 'yes' when asked if he would block an ambulance transporting a critically ill patient to a hospital for treatment.

The extraordinary admission, made during an interview with the Unbreak the Planet podcast, came after a tearful woman was filmed urging Insulate Britain protestors to move so she could get her 81-year-old mother to the hospital.
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Wearing a patterned swimsuit as she posed for a happy photo at the riverside, Jean Leigh never dreamed that she would become a central pillar in the plot that helped to fool Adolf Hitler and ultimately defeat Nazi Germany.

The young woman's image, which was taken next to the Thames in Oxfordshire, went on to be used in one of the greatest feats of deception in history.

The codenamed Operation Mincemeat, which was devised by intelligence officers Charles Cholmondeley and Ewen Montagu, used the corpse of an unknown man who was given the identity of a British Army major to fool Hitler into diverting troops away from Sicily ahead of the Allied invasion in 1943.

The corpse, which is now believed to have belonged to a Welsh homeless man named Glyndwr Michael, was turned into Major William Martin and a briefcase containing fake documents that would dupe the Nazis was attached to his waist before he was dropped into the ocean off the coast of Germany's ally Spain.

The plotters' hope that the body would be discovered and the documents read and believed by the Nazis was ultimately a success - Hitler did divert much of his forces to Greece and thousands of Allied lives were saved when they invaded Sicily and met far less resistance than they would otherwise have done.

To make Martin's identity believable, his uniform and briefcase contained a selection of personal items, including a photo of his 'girlfriend' - MI5 secretary Ms Leigh, who became 'Pam'.

In reality, Ms Leigh, who passed away in 2012, had never met the man whom she had been intimately linked to. The photograph was inscribed with the words 'Till death do us part. Your loving Pam'.

A series of wartime government papers that have been digitised for the first time by the Imperial War Museum and which were kept by Montagu without permission, reveal the intricate details of Cholomondeley and Montagu's plot.

One - detailing the arrival of a '400lbs package' - references the delivery of Martin's corpse to HMS Seraph, the submarine on which the body was taken from Scotland to Spain.

Although extremely heavy for a corpse, the weight likely included the cannister that the body was sealed in to preserve it for its journey before it was dropped into the ocean. Extra weight would have been added by the uniform and flight equipment.

On Friday, new film Operation Mincemeat, which stars Colin Firth as Montagu and Matthew Macfadyen as Cholmondeley and tells the full story of the successful deception, is released in UK cinemas.

Wearing a patterned swimsuit as she posed for a happy photo at the riverside, Jean Leigh never dreamed that she would become a central pillar in the plot that helped to fool Adolf Hitler and ultimately defeat Nazi Germany. The young woman's image, which was taken next to the Thames in Oxfordshire, went on to be used in one of the greatest feats of deception in history

The codenamed Operation Mincemeat, which was devised by intelligence officers Charles Cholmondeley and Ewen Montagu, used the corpse of an unknown man who was given the identity of a British Army major to fool Hitler into diverting troops away from Sicily ahead of the Allied invasion in 1943. Above: The corpse

On Friday, new film Operation Mincemeat, which stars Colin Firth (centre) as Montagu and Matthew Macfadyen (left) as Cholmondeley and tells the full story of the successful deception, is released in UK cinemas

Operation Mincemeat, which first inspired the 1950s film The Man Who Never Was, was devised in the spring of 1943 by Cholmondeley, who worked for MI5, and Montagu, of Naval Intelligence.

Churchill was by then planning to invade Germany's ally Italy through the island of Sicily. But a ruse was needed to make the Germans think the attack was taking place elsewhere.

The idea of using a body planted with false papers had initially been put forward in a memo circulated by Rear Admiral John Godfrey, the Director of British Naval Intelligence, shortly after the outbreak of war in 1939.

What became known as the 'Trout Memo' - because it compared tricking Hitler to fishing - put forward what was described as the 'not very nice' suggestion that a corpse could be dressed to look like a soldier and planted with documents, before being dropped in the ocean near enemy positions.

While Godfrey's name was on the memo, many believe his deputy - Ian Fleming, later author of the James Bond novels - contributed a large part of the work.

The idea had been used by both Allied and Axis powers in the First World War to trick the other side about future attacks so that troops could be diverted.

Godfrey's plan was initially dismissed as 'unworkable' but was then revisited in 1942 at the suggestion of Cholmondeley when the invasion of Sicily was being prepared.

Although he was told the plan was too complex, Cholmondeley was encouraged to develop it with Montagu.

The pair consulted with pathologists about the type of corpse that would be needed and were then given the go-ahead in February 1943.

The plan was also to presented to Prime Minister Winston Churchill and discussed at the Cabinet War offices in Whitehall, which now form part of the Churchill War Rooms museum.

The PM ultimately gave the mission his approval, allowing it to go ahead.

Major Martin's identity card, which was placed on his body before it was put into the ocean off the coast of Spain, showed a photo of another soldier - Captain Ronnie Reed - who was deemed to look like him

Operation Mincemeat, which first inspired the 1950s film The Man Who Never Was, was devised in the spring of 1943 by Cholmondeley (left), who worked for MI5, and Montagu (right), of Naval Intelligence

Two theories then outline how the Montagu and Cholmondeley got the corpse that was used.

One put forward by author Ben Macintyre, whose bestelling book tells the story of the operation, theorises that Welshman Glyndwr was chosen after he died at St Pancras Hospital in London in January 1943.

Glyndwr fitted the bill because his cause of death - the ingestion of rat poison - would have been difficult to identify with an autopsy. It meant that spies would be able to make it appear as though the man had died in a plane crash at sea.

Ms Leslie spoke to the Daily Mail in 1956 about her crucial role in Operation Mincemeat

The Welshman also had no living relatives, meaning both that his identity could not be accidentally revealed and also that permission was not needed to use his corpse.

Spanish researchers Jesus Ramirez and Enrique Nielsen instead believe that the body was that of a British sailor who died when HMS Dasher sunk off the coast of Scotland in March 1943.

Once the corpse had been obtained, the idea was to drop it off the coast of Spain near Huelva, where the corpse - named as Major Martin - is located.

There, it was hoped it would be picked up by the Spanish, who were nominally neutral but known to be assisting the Nazis in intelligence gathering.

Spain had been chosen because the British team had been told that Spanish doctors were unlikely to carry out a thorough autopsy. This was partly because Spain's dominant Roman Catholic faith meant cutting open corpses was only done in extreme circumstances.

The name of Martin was chosen because there were several other officers with the same surname and similar rank in the Royal Marines - the branch of the military that was chosen for the corps.

Martin's pockets were also filled with the personal effects that made his identify convincing. His ID photograph showed another soldier - Captain Ronnie Reed - who was deemed to look like him.

Along with the photo of his 'girlfriend' Pam - Ms Leigh - there was also a receipt for an engagement ring, ticket stubs from the theatre, keys, cigarettes and a pencil stub.

Chained to Martin's waist was the leather case that contained intelligence documents marked 'top secret' which detailed attack plans on Greece and Sardinia instead of Sicily.

On April 30, the body was sailed to the coast off Huelva by the submarine HMS Seraph and put into the water where the current would carry it to shore.

It was found several hours later by Spanish fishermen and taken into custody by the armed forces, which performed the autopsy.

The ruse was so successful that, even when the Allied invasion of Sicily was launched (pictured), Hitler held back his forces - believing this was actually the diversion

Montagu (pictured after the war ended) later revealed the existence of the mission, dubbed Operation Mincemeat, but refused to reveal the identity of the corpse

Imperial War Museum curator Rob Rumble (left) is seen with author Ben Macintyre (centre) and John Madden, who directed the new film Operation Mincemeat

The case was taken to Madrid and opened under pressure from Nazi agents. Its contents were then taken out and photographed before the case was handed back to the British - who had been requesting its return.

When they inspected the case, the British suspected the letters had been opened because they had planted an eyelash inside one of them and it was missing.

German communications that were deciphered at Bletchley Park in May then confirmed that the intelligence had reached the Nazi high command and had been 'swallowed rod, line and sinker'.

Hitler moved thousands of troops away from Sicily to counter the Allied offensive that he believed would be targeted elsewhere.

Even when Sicily was attacked, Hitler still delayed sending troops back because he thought the operation was a diversion for the real focus of hostilities.

Though more than 5,000 Allied troops - mostly British and America - died invading Sicily, some 9,000 Nazi and Italian soldiers also lost their lives with some 117,000 captured or missing.

It is thought that Operation Mincemeat saved thousands of Allied lives in the invasion, and paved the way for the Italian Campaign that followed.

Ms Leigh's was working in the War Office as a secretary when Montagu asked female staff to submit personal photographs for a top secret project.

The photo of her in Oxfordshire had been taken by her Guardsman boyfriend. She had put the image in a drawer and forgotten about it before the appeal.

A series of wartime government papers that have been digitised for the first time by the Imperial War Museum and which were kept by Montagu without permission, reveal the intricate details of Cholomondeley and Montagu's plot. Above: A briefing document details the Operation Mincemeat plot to fool the Germans in all its intricate detail. One passage (left) reads that the object of the plan is to 'pass to the enemy operation orders of an operation in the Mediterranean in such circumstances that they will regard them as the orders for the next operation to be carried out by the Allies'

A second document that has been digitised by the Imperial War Museum details assurances from Montagu that the real cause of Martin's death would not be obvious to any Nazis who examined his body

Speaking years later, she said of her role as the fictitious girlfriend: 'He was Willie, I was Pam. We went to clubs, films and dinner - always keeping the ticket stubs.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 1956 after the release of the film The Man Who Never Was - which was the first on-screen depiction of Operation Mincemeat - Ms Leslie said: 'I was working in the War Office in 1942 when Commander Montagu asked several of us if we had any pictures of ourselves.

'I was the girl who went with Commander Montagu to the theatre on the other half of the stubs of tickets that were found on Major Martin.

'I think we girls at the War Office knew how to keep secrets. But when people at parties wonder if Operation Mincemeat was genuine, it's an awful temptation to tell.'

A second document that has been digitised by the Imperial War Museum details assurances from Montagu that the real cause of Martin's death would not be obvious to any Nazis who examined his body.

Another reveals some of the letters sent between British officials in the knowledge that they would be intercepted by the Germans. One - a letter to Montagu from the British Embassy in Madrid - details contact with Martin's fake father and fiancee.

A third document references once again the package that was delivered to HMS Seraph and which was described as 'optical instruments'.

Curator Robert Rumble told MailOnline: 'The aim of Operation Mincemeat was a spectacular disinformation strategy to cover for the planned Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.

'The documents are the essence of the operation. It was using respective bureaucracies of both the British, Spanish and Germans to play up on the fears that Hitler himself had that the British would target the Greece and the Balkans in order to link up with a Soviet advance.

One document, detailing the arrival of a '400lbs package', appears to reference the delivery of Martin's corpse to HMS Seraph, the naval vessel from which the body was taken from Scotland to Spain

A letter written by British intelligence official Alan Hillgarth from the British Embassy in Madrid to Ewan Montagu. Describing how messages from 'Major Martin's father and fiancee' had been passed on, the letter was part of the deception to make Major Martin's false backstory convincing

A third document references once again the package that was delivered to HMS Seraph and which was described as 'optical instruments'

An official note detailing how the Prime Minister Winston Churchill had been informed of the Operation Mincemeat plot by General Hastings Ismay

A fake letter from British naval attache Alan Hillgarth in Madrid to Major Martin's 'father', detailing how a gravestone had been arranged. The attache said that the stone would be a 'simple white marble slab'. The letter added: 'May I express my deep sympathy with you and your son's fiancee in your great sorrow'

An official letter asking for the 'death' of Major Martin to be inserted into the next list of British war casualties. The note adds: 'It is most desirable that this should appear at the earliest possible moment

'The operation was a bit of a zero-sum game. It would either work of fail spectacularly. If the Germans had rumbled them it would have clearly indicated Sicily to be the target.

'The efforts to get it right the first time were key to its success.'

Colin Firth's new film about the operation was this week praised by critics ahead of its release on Friday.

The Daily Mail's Brian Viner said the drama, which is directed by John Madden and inspired by Macintyre's book, was 'most absorbing' and an 'astounding true story'.

There have been calls to exhume the corpse of the fake Major Martin from his burial site in Huelva so that his true identity - which Montagu always refused to divulge - can be determined.

Author Mr Macintyre is among those who wants an exhumation to take place. He believes that the corpse is that of Glyndwr Michael.

Whilst Spanish researchers Mr Ramirez and Mr Neilsen dispute that theory, others believe that the grave is empty and that whatever remains it once contained were exhumed by the Nazis after the Spanish autopsy so they could do their own.

Brothers Antonio and Modesto Fernandez Jurado, whose father carried out the autopsy on 'Martin' when his body was found floating off the Spanish coast in April, also believe the full truth of Operation Mincemeat has yet to be told.

Antonio told The Times last December: 'I don't believe that we have the full truth about the identity of William Martin.'

'We are living in Spain at a time when we are reopening graves from the civil war every day, why can't we open this one to clear up the matter?'
Marine Le Pen has a secret 'Frexit' plan to follow Britain out of the European Union and create a right-wing alliance with Poland and Hungary, according to French president Emmanuel Macron.

The head of state made the claim in the middle of an election campaign that could see Ms Le Pen taking his job within two weeks.

'She wants to leave but dare not dare say so, and that's never good' said Mr Macron, as he discussed his bitter rival's policies towards the EU at a rally in eastern France.

'She says that she wants an alliance of nation states, but she is going to find herself in a corner and she is going to try to come up with an alliance with her friends.'

Mr Macron said French voters were too loyal to Europe to accept a 'Frexit', and so Ms Le Pen would attack the bloc from within after teaming up with the populist governments 'in Poland and Hungary'.

French President Emmanuel Macron, candidate for his re-election in the 2022 French presidential election, talks to residents as French Junior Minister for Economic Inclusion Brigitte Klinkert looks on during a campaign visit in Chatenois, near Strasbourg, France, April 12, 2022

French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) presidential candidate Marine Le Pen (C) attends with Member of French far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) Wallerand de Saint-Just (2nd R behind) during a campaign meeting in Gennevilliers, near Paris, on April 13, 2022

Marine Le Pen has been steadily closing the gap on Macron in French presidential election polls

'It would be a strange club,' said Mr Macron.

'I don't think it is a club that would be good for France. I don't think it would be good for Europe.'

Mr Macron is a passionate Europhile who once described Brexit as 'a crime' delivered by dishonest politicians.

'The EU has changed the life of this country,' said Mr Macron, as he directly accused Ms Le Pen of 'talking rubbish' about it.

He said she would follow the example of former Prime Minister David Cameron and set up a Frexit referendum, but even if she lost she would attempt to destroy the EU from within.

In reference to his French presidential election head-to-head with Le Pen on Sunday week, Mr Macron said: 'This election is a referendum on Europe.'

Mr Macron was speaking in Strasbourg, where the European Parliament is based, on Tuesday night.

He said that the 'Long Live Europe!' chant of is supporters was a 'cry of hope and of pride'.

Mr Macron added: 'Europe is a space of peace, culture and democratic values but it is threatened,' and that 'nationalism is war'.

French President Emmanuel Macron makes a speech during a campaign meeting in the Grand-Est region of Strasbourg, France on April 12, 2022

Emmanuel Macron Cost of living: Remove all tax on inheritance valued less than 150,000, abolish TV licence fee Immigration: Reform the asylum system to make it more efficient, long-stay permit is only given to people who pass a French language exam and are professionally successful Europe: Strengthen the EU and its armies, increase the continent's energy autonomy, fill the gap left by Angela Merkel as de facto EU leader Pensions: Raise the pension age from 62 to 65 to keep the pension system afloat. Minimum pensions would be raised to 1,100 a month Foreign policy: Took a leading role in negotiations with Vladimir Putin Advertisement

Marine Le Pen Cost of living: Lower VAT on fuel and energy from 20% to 5.5%. Income tax for under-30s scrapped as well as TV licence fee. Highways renationalised Immigration: Ban Muslim headscarf from public spaces, hold referendum on immigration to prioritise native French people for jobs, housing and healthcare Europe: Dropped previous vow to leave EU and euro, but wants to cut EU budget contributions. Wants French law to take primacy over EU law Pensions: Drop pension age to 60 for those who started work before 20 Foreign policy: Condemned Russia but wants to maintain an alliance on 'certain substantive issues'. Pull out of NATO's integrated command structure Advertisement

During a walkabout before the rally, Mr Macron also compared Ms Le Pen to former U.S. president Donald Trump, who once called for the use of hydroxychloroquine to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Macron said: 'I do not forget what Marine Le Pen said during the health crisis. She wanted to treat everyone with hydroxychloroquine and she wanted to vaccinate everyone with a Russian vaccine that the World Health Organisation said was inefficient.'

Ms Le Pen once insisted she would take France out of the EU, but she has since confirmed that she wants to soften it from within.

'A people's initiative referendum,' is her current policy, she said last night. If the French want to withdraw from the EU 'it's up to them,' she said.

The National Rally leader wants to establish national border controls on imports and people, reduce the French contribution to the EU budget and cease to recognize that European law has primacy over national law.

She has proposed removing taxes on hundreds of goods and wants to reduce taxes on fuel - which would go against the EU's free market rules and efforts to fight climate change.

French far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party candidate Marine Le Pen (C) greets supporters after attending a press conference in Vernon, Normandy, France, 12 April 2022.

Although Le Pen has excised Frexit from her platform, her hostility toward the EU is still clear. Speaking to France Inter radio, Le Pen said Tuesday that 'a large majority of French people no longer want the European Union as it exists today.'

She accused the bloc of acting 'in an absolutely anti-democratic way,' and refuted charges that her policies would amount to a French exit from the EU.

Instead, she said the EU can be changed 'from within.'

Experts say a win for Le Pen would have immense repercussions on the functioning of the EU.

Not only would her coming to power damage the democratic values and commercial rules of the bloc, but it would also threaten the EU's common front and sanctions in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Le Pen has built close links with the Kremlin over the years.

In her previous bid to become the French president in 2017, she called for strong security ties with Moscow to jointly combat radical Islamic groups.

She also pledged to recognize Crimea - the peninsula Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - as part of Russia.

Le Pen acknowledged Russia's invasion of Ukraine has 'partially' changed her views about Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he was 'wrong' and expressing her support for the Ukrainian people and refugees.

President Emmanuel Macron (R) and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen (L) on April 11, 2022 kicked off a final fortnight of bruising campaigning for the French presidency in a run-off that polls predictcould be very tight

Marine Le Pen narrowly nudged ahead of Jean-Luc Melenchon in the first round of voting, but fresh polls suggest she is closing the gap to Macron

The far-right candidate is closing the gap with Macron ahead of the second round of the country's presidential election according to a new poll.

The OpinionWay-Kea Partners poll published by Les Echos and Radio Classique on Tuesday showed Le Pen narrowing the gap by one point as voter turnout continued to fall, although Macron would still win the run-off with 54 per cent of the vote.

The poll's turnout estimate further declined by 1 per cent to 70 per cent, down from 74.56 per cent in 2017, which was already the lowest since 1969.

Le Pen secured a run-off against the president in the French elections after she received 23.15 per cent of the vote in the first round on Sunday, just four points behind Macron and the best-ever showing by a far-right party.

The two will now face off in a head-to-head battle on April 24, with pollsters predicting a far closer showdown than their 2017 battle, with the National Rally leader currently forecast to take 49 per cent of the vote in the second round, well within the margin of error for victory.
Western Australia will ease some Covid-19 restrictions but remain the only state to enforce wide-ranging mask mandates.

The decision comes despite hospitalisations and intensive care admissions tracking significantly below what was expected.

WA recorded 7426 cases and two historical deaths on Wednesday. There were 215 people in hospital including four in intensive care.

Western Australia will ease some Covid-19 restrictions but remain the only state to enforce wide-ranging mask mandates (pictured, residents in Perth line up for a coffee)

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the easing of other rules would be considered over the coming weeks as density caps on hospitality venues and some QR codes are removed

The government's modelling had predicted there would be several thousand hospitalisations and up to 450 people in ICU at this point in the outbreak.

With South Australia set to largely remove mask mandates in coming days, WA will be the only state to require face coverings at all indoor public venues.

It is also the only state other than Victoria where people must show proof of vaccination in non-high risk settings.

'We'll consider those over coming weeks as to what can be done,' Premier Mark McGowan told reporters.

With South Australia set to largely remove mask mandates in coming days, WA will be the only state to require face coverings at all indoor public venues (pictured, masked Perth residents)

'But that will require our vaccination rate to continue to go up, our hospitalisations to remain stable or decline and our case numbers to continue to go down.'

The premier noted NSW had removed mask mandates early in the state's Omicron outbreak before reinstating them just before Christmas.

'That is very disruptive and very annoying for the community,' he said.

'What we want to do is just make sure when we remove the requirement for masks in various venues - perhaps not all - we do it on the basis that it's long-lasting.'

From Thursday, members and intimate partners of Covid-19 cases will still need to quarantine but cases in classrooms will no longer put kids into isolation (pictured, a healthcare worker)

From Thursday, WA will move to the national definition for close contacts.

Household members and intimate partners of Covid-19 cases will still need to quarantine but cases in classrooms will no longer force children into isolation.

A 500-person cap at hospitality venues will be removed and QR code check-ins will only be required at hospitals.

The state recorded just shy of 10,000 cases on March 30, a figure WA Health's modelling had identified as the likely peak for the Omicron outbreak.
The moment a Russian tank appears to blast another Russian armoured vehicle from yards away in an apparent friendly fire incident has been caught on video.

The video by a Ukrainian drone seems to show Russian troops and armour around the village of Dmytrivka just to the west of Kyiv as they were preparing to pull out from their stalled assault on the Ukrainian capital.

The ambush is then sprung as a litany of blasts and explosions strike the bunched up Russian tanks from what are thought to be Ukrainian drones and artillery.

Previous versions of the video, which was filmed by a loitering drone on March 31, had been unclear, but a new, higher-quality version makes the Russian tanks clearly identifiable by their distinctive 'V' markings.

In the ensuing panic and chaos, a tank with the 'V' markings can be seen in a friendly fire incident blasting its main cannon at another tank with the same markings from nearly pointblank range.

It has been speculated that this might have been an intentional act if the tank had been disabled, to render it useless for Ukrainian forces that might capture it.

New clear footage from the battle on March 31 clearly shows tanks and armour with the 'V' symbol of Putin's forces

Russian troops are seen advancing along with Russian armour through the village of Dmytrivka

The column of Russian tanks with the distinctive 'V' symbols are advancing single file through the wartorn village when the Ukrainians strike

In the ensuing panic, as the column is turning a corner at a vulnerable location, one tank with the 'V' symbol blasts a second tank also with a 'V' symbol in a friendly fire incident

Previous versions of the video, which was filmed by a loitering drone on March 31, had been unclear, but a new, higher-quality version makes the Russian tanks clearly identifiable by their distinctive 'V' markings

A drone captures wreckages of what are thought to be BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and T-72 main battle tanks

A count of Russian losses suggests the Ukrainian ambush hit seven BMP-2 and one BMD-2 infantry fighting vehicles, plus six T-72 main battle tanks, with eight soldiers killed in action

A count of Russian losses suggests the Ukrainian ambush hit seven BMP-2 and one BMD-2 infantry fighting vehicles, plus six T-72 main battle tanks, with eight soldiers killed in action.

The Ukrainians struck as Russian forces were beating a retreat from Kyiv and the north of Ukraine, with the Kremlin seeming to acknowledge the failure of their efforts to capture Kyiv and topple the Ukrainian government five weeks after the initial invasion.

It is now thought that Putin is replenishing and massing his forces in the east of Ukraine in order to be able to score a battlefield win in the Donbas and claim a face saving triumph in time for Victory Day on May 9, when Russia celebrates its defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

The Russian repositioning of its forces away from towns and villages around Kyiv to the east of Ukraine has permitted allegations of war crimes committed by Russian troops to come to light.

Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating civilian massacres in northwestern suburbs such as Bucha, Makariv and Borodyanka, but the Prosecutor-General's Office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast.

Ukrainian and French forensics investigators place remains of burned civilians exhumed from a grave in body bags, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the town of Bucha

French forensics investigators, who arrived to Ukraine for the investigation of war crimes, stand next to a mass grave

The forensic team exhume the bodies of a mother and two children buried near the mass grave by a church in the town of horrors

Volunteers load bodies of civilians killed in Bucha onto a truck to be taken to a morgue for investigation into possible war crimes

Russian President Vladimir Putin photographed with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Region, Russia on April 12. Putin has denied that Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine

Ukraine and Western leaders have in recent days accused Russian forces of committing atrocities against civilians in devastated areas around Kyiv that were under occupation - with Bucha proving to be the site of the most egregious examples of war crimes thus far.

Ukrainian authorities say over 1,200 bodies have been found in the area and that they are weighing cases against '500 suspects', including Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials.

On Monday, the work of exhuming bodies from a mass grave in a churchyard in Bucha resumed after more than 400 dead civilians were discovered. The majority had been gunned down.

President Joe Biden took a strong line, accusing Russia of carrying out a 'genocide', saying Vladimir Putin is trying to 'wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian'.

'Yes, I called it genocide,' he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday, as he said he would 'let the lawyers decide'.

He added: 'It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.'

President Joe Biden has for the first time accused Russia of carrying out a 'genocide', saying Vladimir Putin is trying to 'wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian'

Meanwhile, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Monday said he was 'rather pessimistic' about the chances of diplomacy after being the first European leader to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin since the start of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine.

Describing Putin as having 'massively entered into a logic of war', Nehammer told reporters: 'If you're asking me whether I am optimistic or pessimistic, I'm rather pessimistic.'

'Peace talks are always very time-intensive while military logic says: "Don't spend too much time and go directly into battle",' he added.

However, he said he spoke to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the meeting and said he had impressed on them the 'need for more such meetings' to directly express European outrage at Russia's actions.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer became the first European leader to meet Vladimir Putin on Monday after planning a closed-door face-to-face with the Russian president

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday following his visit to the war-torn Bucha over the weekend (pictured), as well as having spoken to the leaders of Turkey, Germany and the European Union

While Nehammer said there was 'very little interest on the Russian side in a direct meeting' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he said the one glimmer of hope was Putin's continued interest in the Istanbul peace talks.

In an earlier statement Nehammer had said his meeting between the two men, which took place at Putin's residence outside Moscow, was not 'a visit of friendship'.

Nehammer described the conversation as 'direct, open and hard'.

The Austrian government had requested the meeting be held behind closed doors with no joint pictures or statements from the two leaders.

'I mentioned the serious war crimes in Bucha and other locations and stressed that all those responsible have to be brought to justice,' Nehammer said.

Russia denies its forces have committed war crimes.
The man who 'invented Putinism' has been detained in Russia and is under house arrest, say reports in Moscow.

If confirmed, the move against Vladislav Surkov appears to show Vladimir Putin is turning on his inner circle, and also deep splits among his closest henchmen.

Unconfirmed accounts say Putin's 'ideologist' is being held in a wide-ranging criminal probe that has also seen the arrest of 150 FSB agents.

Vladislav Surkov (right), the man who 'invented Putinism', has been detained in Russia and is under house arrest

If confirmed, the move against Surkov appears to show Vladimir Putin is turning on his inner circle, and also deep splits among his closest henchmen

The case evidently involves the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion (3.85billion) by the secret services to create an undercover and intelligence network in Ukraine.

The shadowy Surkov, seen as crucial to Putin's long-running electoral success, was the man who encouraged him to believe Ukraine is not a real country.

The 57-year-old is a former Kremlin insider, more recently a Putin point man in Ukraine.

Before Putin sent troops into Ukraine, Surkov called for Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic states to be annexed.

The detention of senior FSB figure Col-General Sergei Beseda, 68, now held in grim Lefortovo jail, is seen as a linked case.

Kurkov is also close to the leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov (pictured together), who is muscling in on the war

Putin is said to be furious at intelligence failings in Ukraine after huge investment over many years to ensure Russian support in key places.

Russian outlet Buninskaya Alleya reported: 'More and more sources report that Vladislav Surkov is under house arrest.

'Investigative measures have been carried out allegedly in the case of embezzlement in the Donbas since 2014.

'It was Surkov who was the representative of the Russian President in Ukraine.'

Telegram channel Druid reported: 'According to our sources, Vladislav Surkov is under house arrest.'

Russian opposition politician Ilya Ponomarev also highlighted the detention claims and pointed at Kurkov's closeness to the leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.

Kadyrov is seen as muscling in on the war, and in his role as a Lt-Gen in the national guard demanding that Putin invades all of Ukraine.

This has caused a split in Putin's inner circle.

The detention of senior FSB figure Col-General Sergei Beseda, 68, now held in grim Lefortovo jail, is seen as a linked case

Surkov was formerly deputy head of the Russian presidential administration from 1999 to 2011.

He has been called Putin's 'main ideologist', devising the concept of 'sovereign democracy' as a mask for authoritarianism.

He advocated the need to defend Russians beyond the borders of the motherland - a key plank in Putin's annexation of Crimea and bossing of the Donbas.

'The Russian world is something bigger than Russia itself,' said Surkov.

'Because we are in fact a dispersed people, our population stretches well beyond our own borders.

'What is the Russian world to me? It's everywhere, where people speak Russian and think like Russians, or where they respect Russian culture.'

Once described as 'the hidden author of Putinism', he advocated an outward look of democratic norms with timely elections in which the results are preordained.

He also convinced Putin that, as Surkov said: 'There is no Ukraine. There is Ukrainianness.

'That is, a specific mental disorder. An amazing enthusiasm for ethnography, taken to an extreme

'There is no nation.'
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Dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists glued their hands to the London HQ of Shell today while hundreds marched on Buckingham Palace.

Video shared by XR shows two activists with their hands down on a reception desk with the logo of oil giant Shell visible in the background. Other pictures show three people holding XR signs saying: 'Insiders wanted'.

Sharing the footage on their Twitter page, XR said: 'Ordinary people have glued to the reception Shell HQ in London as protestors fill the lobby and surround the building.'

In the video, one of the protestors says: 'We are here to talk to HR, because we feel like there is not much point in talking to people at a corporation like this because those people clearly have not got any idea what is going on.'

A security guard then arrives and asks if they have glued themselves to the desk, with the protestor replying: 'We have, yes.'

Outside, one hundred people from XR held up a placard with the name of an individual Shell employee and the words 'Please Join Us', while activists also handed out flyers to staff urging them to 'switch to the right side of history, before Shell turns toxic on your CV'.

Another group positioned a fireman's trampoline below the office windows bearing the message: 'Jump Ship'.

While the protests took place in and outside the Shell building, another group who said they were scientists, superglued themselves to an entrance of the nearby Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as they continue to call for immediate action on climate change.

Hundreds of demonstrators also walked along Constitution Hill towards the Queen's official London residence - although she is currently living at Windsor Castle  waving flags and holding a large banner saying: 'End fossil fuels now'.

Also today, in a separate third protest, activists from the Just Stop Oil group - which is linked to XR - launched a 12th day of action by gluing their hands to roads and climbing on top of oil tankers in Purfleet, Essex.

There is an Esso oil refinery on the outskirts of the town, along with fuel tanker depots. The protests appeared to be taking place outside an Esso petrol station - and Essex Police officers were removing activists from the road.

Activists from Extinction Rebellion outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London today

Video shared by XR shows two people with their hands down on a reception desk with a Shell sign visible in the background

Pictured: In the video, one of the protesters says: 'We are here to talk to HR, because we feel like there is not much point in talking to people at a corporation like this because those people clearly have not got any idea what is going on.'

Pictures show three people holding a sign saying: 'Insiders wanted', at the reception of Shell HQ building in London today

Police formed a barrier to stop more activists entering Shell HQ in London after protesters managed to infiltrate the building

Pictured: Police carry away an activist from Extinction Rebellion who glued herself to the reception of the Shell building

Police take a break from carrying away an activist from Extinction Rebellion who glued herself to reception of the Shell HQ

Police lead away an activist from XR who glued herself to the reception of the Shell building on the Southbank in London

Police lead away an activist from Extinction Rebellion who glued himself to the reception of the Shell building in London

Activists glue themselves to an entrance at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London today

Activists from Extinction Rebellion hold placards at an entrance to the Business Department in London today

Activists glue themselves to an entrance at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London today

Demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion walk along Constitution Hill towards Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

Speaking to Sky News reporters at the scene, one protestor in Purfleet said: 'I'm here today to send a clear message to the Government that they must stop funding new oil and gas projects.

'We have eight years of oil in this country, we don't need any more. We have three to four years to do something about our emissions, to do something drastic before it is too late.'

Asked how she felt about working Britons being impacted by the protests, she said: 'We are really sorry people are caught up in this. We don't want to be here.

'However we are in a climate emergency and we have to act, we have to start moving away from oil, or they won't have a future to work in.'

The latest protest is the 12th day of action by Just Stop Oil. The eco-mob had their first day off since April 1 yesterday. 'We decided to give them a break,' a campaign official said.

The group has said it is planning a month of action across April. About 400 people have been arrested so far, according to Just Stop Oil, but they have vowed to continue until they are jailed.

A Just Stop Oil spokesman said yesterday: 'Ministers have a choice: they can arrest and imprison Just Stop Oil supporters or agree to no new oil and gas. While Just Stop Oil supporters have their liberty the disruption will continue.'

The protest came as scientists wearing lab coats today arrived at the office of the Government's business department carrying signs saying: 'Science says new oil and gas = death.'

Richard Ecclestone, a former inspector with Devon and Cornwall police, was one of those at the XR protest at BEIS today. He said the scientists had decided on the action in the wake of the Government's energy strategy.

He told the Guardian that the action had been put together to 'draw the attention of the department for business, to remind them of what the science is.'

'They've taken quotes from recent scientific reports saying basically there's irrefutable evidence now that we cannot continue to search for and exploit oil and gas reserves, or that will mean death,' he told the paper.

Meanwhile, Ecologist Dr Aaron Thierry, 36, who had his hand glued to the window of BEIS, said: 'I really wish I was not here, but also I'm really glad that I'm here with all these scientists who know what's right.'

Just Stop Oil launch further action today as they glue themselves to roads and climb on top of oil tankers in Purfleet, Essex

Just Stop Oil protesters sit on a road in Purfleet, Essex, this morning. There is an Esso oil refinery on the outskirts of the town

Activists from the Just Stop Oil campaign group block the roundabout at Purfleet in Essex today with police on the scene

Essex Police are at the scene in Purfleet this morning and appear to be attempting to remove the protestors from the roads

Activists from the Just Stop Oil campaign group block the roundabout at Purfleet in Essex today with police on the scene

Speaking to Sky News reporters at the scene of the demonstration in Purfleet, Essex, today, one protestor (pictured) said: 'I'm here today to send a clear message to the Government that they must stop funding new oil and gas projects'

Where have Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion struck in past fortnight? April 13 Eco-mob glue their hands to the road and jump on top of oil tankers in Purfleet, Essex. They also march towards Buckingham Palace while others glue themselves to an entrance of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. Two protestors also glued themselves to the front desk of Shell's HQ in London. April 12 The protestors take their first day off during the action., 'We decided to give them a break,' a campaign official said. However, a group of XR activists carrying banners with 'End Fossil Fuels Now' target Lloyd's HQ in London, forcing it to shut for a whole day. April 11 Activists from the group target a fuel depot in Grays, Essex. Some spend more than 38 hours locked on to pipework above the depot's loading bay. About 40 people are arrested. April 10 Members of Just Stop Oil dig tunnels under access roads to the Kingsbury Oil terminal in Warwickshire. They are arrested on Sunday and Monday, according to Just Stop Oil. There are also protests outside the gates of the Buncefield Oil Terminal in Hemel Hempstead. Extinction Rebellion (XR), who are backing the Just Stop Oil campaign, also block Lambeth and Vauxhall bridges, April 9 XR as part of the Just Stop Oil campaign, host sit-down demonstration in Regent Street and Oxford Circus. April 8 XR target Tower Bridge in London, hanging up an 'End Fossil Fuels' now sign. One protestor suspends herself from the bridge using a wire and is eventually pulled up by rescue teams and is arrested by police. April 7 Protesters from Just Stop Oil are seen targeting the Kingsbury terminal, near Tamworth, Warwarkshire. Video shows members of the group attempting to scale fences and make their way to the loading bay. In London, XR activist stage a protest outside the Treasure in London, rolling in barrels with the words 'oil' and 'gas' crossed out. April 6 After days of protests at the Navigator Terminals, at West Thurrock, Essex, members of the group are removed. Just Stop Oil Tweets: 'First removals of supporters happening inside the massive Navigator Terminal. Young people desperate and scared as a radical, reckless Government plans the destruction of their future.' April 5 On the fifth day of the protests, eco-zealots block the entrance to the Kingsbury terminal in Warwickshire. At the same time, activists from the group, Louis McKechnie, Miranda Whelehan, Nathan McGovern, Claudia Penna Rojas and Cressida Gethin, hold a press conference in central London, as they continue to stage protests at oil depots. April 4 Members of XR and Just Stop Oil block the entrance to an oil facility near London's Heathrow Airport on their fourth day of action. The group say about 30 protesters had blocked the Esso West oil facility in west London as part of the campaign to force the government to end its reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, a video is shared by one Just Stop Oil eco-zealot who is in an underground tunnel near to the Navigator oil terminal in Essex. The protestor, Ben 27, says he will leave the road once all new oil and gas projects are stopped. 'I'm p***** off that our government is still investing in new fossil fuel projects,' he says in the video. April 3 More than 30 members of Just Stop Oil camp outside the Buncefield oil terminal in Hertfordshire overnight. In the early hours of the morning, 12 activists gain access to the site and enter the facility. A group of Christian climate activists also hold a communion in front of an oil tanker in Essex. The group set up a table, with a wine glass, red wine and bread and unfurl a Just Stop Oil banner. April 2 After launching their campaign on April 1, the group continue their protests. A further 20 people are arrested in Essex, where Just Stop Oil protestors target a number of refineries. April 1 Just Stop Oil and XR launch their month of action. Protestors target 10 critical sites including in Birmingham, London and Southampton. Essex Police arrests 63 people after they target Inter Terminals UK, Grays, Navigator Terminals Thames, Grays, Purfleet Fuels Terminal. The group also strike in the midlands, targeting Esso Birmingham, Kingsbury Oil Terminal, Warwickshire, and the BP Depot, Tamworth. XR strike in the south, targeting Esso West, near Heathrow Airport, Esso Hythe, Southampton and BP Hamble, also near Southampton. Advertisement

It comes after around 40 eco-activists were arrested at Inter Terminals in Grays, Essex, on Monday. Members of the group had spent more than 38 hours locked on to pipework above the loading bay.

Following Monday's protests, Downing Street promised a crackdown on eco-activists using 'guerilla tactics'.

In the strongest statement yet on the eco-mob 'Just Stop Oil', Number 10 pledged that it would 'not tolerate' those obstructing people 'going about their day-to-day business'.

Responding to the group's tactics, a No 10 spokesman said: 'We recognise the strength of feeling and the right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but we won't tolerate guerrilla tactics that obstruct people going about their day-to-day business.'

The spokesman added: 'We fully support the police who are putting significant resource into their response to the demonstrations.'

It comes as a furious motorist earlier this week revealed how they had to drive 46 miles to fill up because of the disruption to the UK's petrol supplies, while others said they did not have enough fuel to go to work today.

One driver, recounting their nightmare journey yesterday, told MailOnline: 'Every petrol station we tried was shut - we drove 11 miles to Aylesbury first and then 17 miles to Bicester before giving up and driving the ten miles back home.

'The next day we drove to Winslow which is another eight miles away before finding fuel there. It is total pot luck'

On Monday morning, other drivers took to social media to vent their frustration at the protesters' 'selfish, naive' actions.

'No petrol stations near to me have any fuel, no fuel means I can't work,' one Twitter user wrote.

Another added: 'I'm working today. I have enough petrol to get there but we probably don't have enough fuel in the work vehicles to take vulnerable people to medical appointments so they'll have to be cancelled.'

Priti Patel has called the protesters 'selfish, fanatical and frankly dangerous' while George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, criticised their 'extreme' tactics.

Campaign group Fair Fuel said up to a third of petrol stations were closed yesterday, while pictures showed some remained shut today.

Fair Fuel founder Howard Cox told MailOnline supplies remained 'patchy' - with diesel particularly affected - but overall the situation was better than on the weekend.

The AA on Sunday night said shortages had been 'isolated' and none of its 2,700 patrols had experienced difficulties getting fuel.

Meanwhile, the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents around 65 per cent of independently owned forecourts, said: 'We are aware of protests at several fuel supply sites; however, the majority are unaffected.'

Supply issues tend to hit motorists in London and the South East worse than elsewhere.

This is most likely due the regions' higher population densities, Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, has previously said.

Campaign group Just Stop Oil is now on its eleventh day of disruptive protests.

A video posted at 3.30am on Monday morning showed one activist at Grays oil depot filming a selfie video from inside a pipe.

'We're still in the pipes, still stopping oil, still stopping whatever we non-violently can to resist the collapse of our liveable future,' he said.

'We really hope to make it to 24 hours and beyond because that's the only way this government will listen.

'This corrupt government that is pushing us towards not just a climate catastrophe but a social crisis.

'We're in the depths of a cost of living emergency... we're in the depths of a legitimacy crisis and unless Boris Johnson gets on with the job and stops oil and legitimacy crisis will extend to the entire global system'.

Today, Environment Secretary George Eustice said: 'A right to protest is important but not if it's causing havoc with other people's lives.

'That's wrong and not acceptable.

'We all recognise that we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels... this is a mainstream agenda, people really don't need to do these extreme protests to get their point heard.'

Protesters have been holding up fuel supplies by targeting Grays oil depot and two other crucial sites in Warwickshire and Hertfordshire.

And over the weekend, activists from climate group Extinction Rebellion (XR) also blocked two central London bridges in a series of 'exceptionally dangerous' stunts.

The mayhem comes ahead of a record 21.5million motorists preparing to take to the roads this coming Easter weekend.

A frustrated Priti Patel said: 'Hard-working people across our country are seeing their lives brought to a standstill by selfish, fanatical and frankly dangerous so-called activists.

'Keir Starmer's Labour Party repeatedly voted against our proposals that would have given the police extra powers to deal with this eco mob. The police have my full backing in doing everything necessary to address this public nuisance.'

Pictured: Activists breached security at the HQ in London and interrogated staff about what role they did for the company

Shell staff questioned the cameraman's permission to be in the building as he claimed he worked for Shell as a videographer

A group of Just Stop Oil activists at a major oil depot in Grays, Essex, on Monday

Long queues at a petrol station in Hampton, Peterborough, on Monday morning, where only a few pumps were in operation

A sign reading 'out of fuel' outside a station in Ashford in Kent on Monday as it was forced to turn away drivers

Pumps at a petrol station in Ashford in Kent covered with 'sorry out of use' tags on Monday

In a sign of the havoc, nearly a third of drivers surveyed in the Midlands and the South East reported a lack of fuel at forecourts on Monday. Diesel was in especially short supply.

Ministers had planned to introduce new powers to help police tackle eco-protesters but the measures were blocked in the House of Lords in January.

At the time, Miss Patel accused Labour of siding with 'vandals and thugs'.

Proposed measures had included an offence of 'locking on' in a bid to stop protesters resorting to the common tactic of chaining themselves to buildings and vehicles.

New stop and search powers were also proposed to allow police to detain protesters arriving carrying bike locks and other equipment designed to make themselves difficult to remove.

Ministers are expected to try to revive the measures in the next Queen's Speech.

On Sunday the Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion fanatics brought chaos to fuel depots. At the Kingsbury oil terminal in Warwickshire they claimed to have dug a tunnel under a tanker route in a bid to block deliveries to forecourts.

Up to 40 campaigners then locked themselves to the gates of the Buncefield terminal in Hertfordshire. This was followed by further action at the Exolum storage terminal in Grays, Essex.

A video posted at 3.30am on Monday showed a Just Stop Oil protester at Grays oil depot in Essex saying 'we're still out here'

Members of the public vented their fury at 'selfish- eco protesters on Monday morning after Just Stop Oil targeted oil refineries in the UK

The group has vowed to continue until ministers agree to stop all new fossil fuel investments. On Lambeth Bridge, hundreds of protesters prevented cars and buses from using the key route linking north and south London.

The protest had a festival atmosphere, with speakers playing dance music and a stall handing out pasta and falafel. The activists sat down and refused to move for hours. However they allowed ambulances to pass.

A samba band joined the protesters blocking cars and buses on Vauxhall Bridge.

The Metropolitan Police reopened both London bridges by 8pm, making 38 arrests. Essex Police said the depot protest tactics were becoming 'exceptionally dangerous' and putting activists and officers at 'unacceptable' risk of harm.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: 'We cannot stand by while criminal acts are being committed, and lives are being put at risk, in the name of protest.'

The force has made 338 arrests since the protests began on April 1.

Warwickshire Police has detained 180 people and its assistant chief constable, Ben Smith, said: 'While we will always recognise and respect the public's right to peaceful protest, we will take action against anyone who breaks the law or causes significant impact on the local community.'

A spokesman for the UK Petroleum Industry Association said: 'The industry is working hard to ensure fuels are being delivered as quickly as possible.'

The eco zealots causing havoc at petrol pumps: Just Stop Oil activists include jet-setting yachtswoman, 23, who travelled to Bali, 'John Lennon lookalike' who has been arrested 16 times, and rollerskater who turned her back on watchmaking

By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter for MailOnline

The green zealots trying to make Britain run out of fuel are a bunch of privileged students and professional protesters, MailOnline can reveal today.

Activists from Just Stop Oil have been hampering access to petrol and diesel for days, demanding that the Government stops new fossil fuel projects by digging tunnels below refineries, vandalising tankers or storming the terminals to climb on to the pipes.

Essex Police has arrested more than 350 protesters since the disruption started on April 1 - while queues have formed at petrol stations across the country and some have even shut down due to a shortage of fuel.

One of the ringleaders is 'John Lennon lookalike' Louis McKechnie, a Bournemouth University graduate last seen 'surfing' on an oil truck in Essex on Friday. He became a poster boy for JSO after he tied himself to a goalpost to disrupt a Premier League at Everton last month.

Around 12 students remain within the pipes at Grays Inter Terminal today, including former boarding school choir girl and now Cambridge University student Cressie Gethin. With her in the rafters is student Nathan McGovern, another golden boy of the movement.

Also manning the barricades are Brighton-based activist Hannah Hunt, 23, another student with a taste for expensive hobbies and travel, and Eben Lazarus, who describes himself as a 'musician and activist'.

And in the tunnels below the BP Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire is retired vicar Tim Hewes, a veteran of the Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain movement who also sewed his lips together in protest against Rupert Murdoch.

Other members of the Just Stop Oil group, which is closely linked to the Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rebellion and Insulate Britain groups, is a rollerskating watchmaker and JSO's official 'de-escalator', XR's 'arts co-ordinator' and a Welsh organic farmer whose family business failed and he blamed climate change.

These are the protesters at the heart of the current chaos that is leaving millions of Britons short on fuel:

The Lennon-lookalike posterboy: Louis McKechnie

Louis McKechnie, 21, stormed the pitch and zip-tied himself to the goalpost at Goodison Park during the game between Everton and Newcastle United last month

From left: Louis McKechnie, Miranda Whelehan, Nathan McGovern, Claudia Penna Rojas and Cressida Gethin, during their Just Stop Oil press conference in central London today

Nathan McGovern, 22, and Louis McKechnie, 21, say they have been disrupting operations at Grays oil depot, in Essex, for approximately 31 hours after chaining themselves to pipes high up at the site on Sunday afternoon

Louis McKechnie, 21, an engineering student, was charged with pitch encroachment and aggravated trespass after the incident at Goodison Park during the game between Everton and Newcastle United last month.

He stormed the pitch halfway through the match and zip-tied himself to the goalpost wearing a bright orange t-shirt saying: 'Just stop oil.' Louis has said he has received 'hundreds' of death threats since running on to the pitch.

McKechnie is a Bournemouth University student whose activism began with Extinction Rebellion (XR) in 2020 before he joined vegan group Animal Rebellion.

The 21-year-old, whose experience of work appears to be only stints with a local fish-and-chip shop and supermarket, was one of the 'Highway Nine' Insulate Britain protesters jailed for blocking the M25 last year.

After serving half of a three-month prison sentence, he warned: 'What comes next will make Insulate Britain look like child's play.'

Rebel reverend: Tim Hewes

Reverend Hewes, who once sewed up his lips in protest at the influence of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was also repeatedly part of the mob blocking the M25 despite already being arrested numerous times.

The activist has 'permission to officiate' in the Diocese of Oxford although he does not have a parish, and is today in tunnels under an oil tanker route.

Asked about Rev Hewes last year, a spokesman for the diocese said: 'The actions of Rev Hewes and others, while arguably well-intentioned, have frustrated many people and we're unclear how the actions have been productive in encouraging the urgent change required.'

Rev Hewes, a retired dentist, previously said the Bishop of Dorchester, Gavin Collins, who comes under the Diocese of Oxford, had told him 'he does support issues regarding climate change and the environment but not about breaking the law'.

Reverend Hewes was repeatedly part of the mob blocking the M25 despite already being arrested numerous times and is now helping Just Stop Oil by entering tunnels

Reverend Hewes blockading the M25 with Insulate Britain and sewing his lips together in a bizarre attack on Rupert Murdoch

Today he is in a tunnel under a key tanker route to the BP Kingsbury Terminal in Warwickshire.

He said: 'I'm here because our government is useless, they make a lot of noise but they are doing nothing.

'As a priest I have a duty of care for people, and also for creation. What I'm doing here, with everyone in this caravan, is what our government should be doing  that is trying to protect our families and our loved ones from the appalling future that stands before us.

'I hope we can continue what we're doing and stop the flow of oil, if the government won't.'

The jetsetting yachtswoman: Hannah Hunt

Pictured: Louis McKechnie and Hannah Hunt outside Downing Street in February

Ms Hunt's Instagram shows her holidaying in locations including Australia, Greece, Gran Canaria and Bali (pictured)

She is currently in the rafters of the Grays refinery, with Eben Lazarus (pictured together)

Hannah seen today at the Grays oil depot

The JSO protester is from Brighton, a common home town for Green zealots.

Miss Hunt is a former XR supporter who broke into an ExxonMobil Oil refinery in Hampshire. She also posed with Mr McKechnie outside Downing Street with a letter for Boris Johnson.

She also glued herself to the red carpet at the Bafta awards and admits to experiencing severe anxiety before a protest. But describing her state after starting she said she enjoys 'a weird, dreamy, calm mindset' she finds empowering.

The Brighton-based activist studied at Sussex University, where she joined the sailing team. Her Instagram shows her holidaying in locations including Australia, Greece, Gran Canaria and Bali.

She is currently in the rafters of the Grays refinery, with Eben Lazarus, a musician and activist also from Brighton. Sharing a video she said they were 'cold and uncomfortable' 17 hours into their protest, but added: 'But that suffering is minute compared to those in the frontline of the climate crisis'.

Eben then encourages people to 'step up' and join protests because 'nobody can be a bystander if we want any chance of a future'.

XR's 'arts-co-ordinator': Indigo Rumbelow

Eco-fanatic Indigo Rumbelow, 27, from Gower, South-West Wales, has been arrested at least five times. In a Zoom call watched by The Mail on Sunday last week, she told activists: 'We want to create sustained disruption for two weeks.'

Describing her motivations, Miss Rumbelow said: 'My generation is being forced into action because our Government is destroying our future. We will immediately end all actions when it makes a statement that it will stop all new oil and gas.'

Indigo was first arrested at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival in 2019 for gate-crashing a Facebook conference and has been held by police on at least six occasions since then.

In 2020 she began digging up the lawn in front of the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government and was arrested again in Parliament Square later that year when she blocked the road.

Justifying her behaviour recently she said: 'The only thing to do in a system that is driving itself to extinction is to rebel. If we look at the history books, we can see that the only way of creating the nonlinear change we need is for people to commit civil disobedience and force that change.

'Currently too few people are taking the necessary action. I urge anyone reading this article to realise that they too can rebel. In order to prevent ecosystem and societal collapse, at this pivotal moment in history, ordinary people need to take extra-ordinary action'.

The rollerskating watchmaker: Amy Rugg-Easey

One of the abseilers was serial protester Amy Rugg-Easey (pictured after being arrested), a Labour voting watchmaker and rollerskater from Newcastle upon Tyne

People are questioning how protesters were able to shut down central London again. Miss Rugg-Easey (picture), describes herself as a 'rebel for life'

Miss Rugg-Easey was involved in shutting down Tower Bridge last Friday.

She and an unnamed man threw themselves off the bridge using abseil ropes and tiers a giant 'End fossil fuels now' banner.

The Labour-voting voting watchmaker and rollerskater from Newcastle upon Tyne describes herself as a 'rebel for life'.

Describing her descent into eco-activism she said: 'I quit my career in watchmaking to study environmental science after listening to science podcasts while working at my bench. I remember thinking at the time 'it can't be that bad'. Climate change was something that you heard about every now again in the news as if it was the weather. When I really started to look at the facts, I started to panic. I felt a need to do something about it.

When I began my degree, I had already been to a few Extinction Rebellion meetings and their famous 'heading for extinction' talk. 'It can't be that bad' I thought. I'd hoped that when I started studying, the things I would learn would show that that talk had been a huge exaggeration. Unfortunately, that was not the case'.

Describing the abseiling stunt she said: 'I was terrified stepping off that bridge. I decided to put my name out and wear my signature blue jacket hoping that people I've met would recognise me and realise that climate activists are just normal people too. I also know that it creates a target on my back. Certain people will wish that I'd died on that bridge today. I know that it makes my mum worry.

'I'm hoping my actions inspires others to be brave and take their first steps in fighting for our future. Not everyone has to hang off a bridge and get arrested, but everyone has to take meaningful action for things to change'.

The Cambridge music student: Cressie Gethin

Cressida Gethin during the latest Just Stop Oil protest

Miss Gethin, a former student of the prestigious Hereford Cathedral School, is currently among the group holding up the Grays refinery. She appears to be one of the five main founders of Just Stop Oil.

Cressie, a music student from Murray Edwards at Cambridge University, has been campaigning on climate issues at her college.

She told The Tab: 'I was very very surprised that Murray Edwards came out bottom of the league tables for their climate policies because I had imagined it was something they would have cared about and been active on'.

The talented chorister has performed with her brother, also a singer.

The LBC mic gluer: Nathan McGovern

Nathan McGovern is currently holding up an oil refinery with his comrades

Mr McGovern invaded the Tottenham v West Ham match and was dragged off the pitch after he failed

Mr McGovern, from Just Stop Oil, said that presenter Tom Swarbrick was not using his 'massive platform' to tell people about the climate 'situation'

22-year-old King's College London student Nathan McGovern, who studies religion. The Coventry activist has flirted with XR and Animal Rebellion and disrupted a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Coventry activist has flirted with XR and Animal Rebellion and disrupted the game after finishing a Masters degree in religion at King's College London earlier this year

Eight days ago he was speaking to Tom Swarbrick in LBC's Westminster studio when he glued his hand to the microphone at around 11.40am.

Mr McGovern said that the station was 'not using' its 'massive platform' to inform listeners of the dangers of the climate crisis

Speaking live, Mr McGovern said to Mr Swarbrick: 'You have a massive platform, a microphone that you can use to tell people about the situation we're in and you're not using it.

'An ordinary person like me is having to take the microphone and tell your viewers the situation we are in.'

The LBC presenter said: 'For those of you listening wondering what the banging on the microphone is, Mr McGovern seems to have, you've glued yourself to the microphone? That's fantastic.'

After the incident, LBC presenter and Daily Mail columnist Andrew Pierce took over the live programme from Global's Leicester Square, before handing back to Mr Swarbrick when arrived there.

During this time, Mc McGovern was left in the studio in the dark while waiting for police to arrive.

He appeared as a spokesperson for Animal Rebellion advocating a 'plant-based food system' on Nigel Farage's GB News show in October 2021.

After the disruption, the group tweeted: 'Every new oil and gas facility tightens the noose around the necks of our young people. If the media will not communicate their predicament they will have no choice but to take the microphone.'

Just Stop Oil's official 'de-escalator': Pavel Ivanov

Mr Ivanov is billed as an expert in diffusing rows that break out at the protests when JSO's members shut down roads, for example.

Speaking to The Guardian he described the 'astonishing' abuse they suffer, in a tacit admission that they are struggling to win over many of their critics.

In one incident linked to the blockading of oil refineries, one driver who had protesters on his roof said: 'If the police weren't here, I'd come up and f**king throw you off myself.'

Another activist with a ladder was told: 'You put that up there, mate, and I'm going to ram it down your f**king throat'.

Mr Ivanov claims n one occasion someone got him by the throat as friends were heckled: 'You look like you're just out of nappies. Go and get a f**king job'.

JSO's graphic designer who won't have a baby until she tries to 'fix the world': Gabriella Ditton

Gabriella Ditton, 27, blocks a tanker in East Anglia last week

Another JSO activist is graphic designer Gabriella Ditton, 27, from Norfolk, who was arrested for blocking oil trucks on Friday.

In a newspaper interview, Ms Ditton  who attended Wymondham College in Norfolk, where annual boarding fees are more than 12,000  bragged: 'I've been arrested 16 times and it's honestly fine.' She has stripped naked and covered her body in oil at protests.

The group said last week: 'Gabriella would love nothing more than to have a family and continue her career as a graphic designer, but feels those things aren't an option for her anymore because of the state of the world'.

The 27-year-old, who works as an animator, became hooked after going to an Extinction Rebellion talk. She said: 'I was getting my life in order to have a baby and went to the Heading for Extinction talk. I realised I couldn't bring a baby into the world before trying to fix it first.

'I started the way everyone does, with petitions, emailing my MP, going on marches. But I realised it doesn't work. In the future, I want to be able to say with total sincerity that I did everything I could and really mean it. I'm so frightened about society falling apart  I'm so deadly terrified that I will do literally anything to prevent it from happening'.

Organic farmer and XR co-founder who branded the Holocaust 'just another f**kery in human history': Roger Hallam

Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, being arrested while setting up a toy drone inside London Heathrow airport's exclusion zone during a protest in September 2019

Roger Hallam is the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion who believes paralysing traffic will eventually cause food shortages and trigger uprisings.

He once stood unsuccessfully in the 2019 European Parliament election in the London constituency as an independent, winning 924 of the 2,241,681 votes cast, which was around 0.04 per cent of the vote.

He became interested in climate change in his 40s when an organic farm he ran in south Wales went bankrupt because of extreme weather conditions.

Hallam went on hunger strike in 2017 to demand King's College London stop investing in fossil fuels. His stated ambition for the group is to 'bring down all the regimes in the world and replace them', starting with Britain.

He encouraged his followers to get arrested at demonstrations en-masse as a way of raising awareness of climate change.

In a recent video on YouTube, he said protesters should be ready to cause disruption through personal 'sacrifice'. If necessary, they 'should be willing to die'.

In 2019 he apologised for comments he made describing the Holocaust as 'just another f**kery in human history'.

Hallam, 55, sparked outrage in Germany yesterday by comparing the murder of six million Jewish people at the hands of the Nazis to other historical massacres and claiming that the memory of the Shoah - or Holocaust - was holding Germany back.

The former organic farmer was quickly condemned by Extinction Rebellion groups in Germany, as well as the German government after his comments to a newspaper in the country
A BBC guide has told parents to teach their toddlers about white privilege and check their own 'internal biases' if their children have no 'Black or Brown friends'.

The tips, which are on the corporation's Tiny Happy People website section, are penned by author and activist Uju Asika.

In a segment called 'Be specific' the page tells parents 'You could talk about how being White might give you certain advantages'.

Later under a section entitled 'Be the change you want to see' the advice urges parents to examine their own views.

It suggests: 'For White mums or dads, it might be time to examine your own internal biases.

'Did your family express negative thoughts about foreigners and immigrants? What is your social circle like today? Does your child have Black or Brown friends over for playdates? Could you be doing more?'

The well-intentioned article has attracted some criticism, with one commentator calling it 'drivel' and 'biased'

It was penned by author and activist Uju Asika but has received some criticism of bias

This piece of advice suggests parents tell children who white people have certain advantages

The guidance for parents on the BBC website has received some criticism over its content

A campaign group said the piece was not impartial and could cause problems.

Dr Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert, an education expert at Don't Divide Us, told The Telegraph the guide was 'clearly not impartial' and warned the advice was 'putting an in intolerable burden on schools and on teachers.'

'It is inappropriate and can very easily have unintended negative consequences.'

Commentator Calvin Robinson said today: 'The BBC is at it again, exposing a bias rooted in Left-wing politics imported from the United States.

The BBC spokesman defended the Tiny Happy People and said it 'offers a wealth of resources'

'The BBC has pledged, through its charter, to 'bring people together and help contribute to social cohesion and wellbeing'.

'That could not be more divergent from the radical ideology that seems to have captured New Broadcasting House.'

Ms Asika is the writer of the book 'Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World'.

Tiny Happy People was launched in summer 2020 with the Duchess of Cambridge on hand to help.

Kate called its contents 'gold dust for families, giving tips and tools to use particularly in those first five years'.

MailOnline contacted the BBC for a comment on the advice and the criticism it had faced, but as yet has not responded.

A BBC spokesman told the Telegraph earlier this week: 'Tiny Happy People offers a wealth of resources, covering a variety of topics that parents can access, should they wish, for help and advice on all areas of development and well-being.'
A 'controlling' estranged husband of a mother-of-four has been jailed for 25 years for her murder after he disfigured her face with a knife and choked her to death as their children slept in next room.

Russell Marsh, 29, attempted to cover his tracks by telling barefaced lies after committing the 'brutal and remarkably cruel' murder of his 27-year-old wife Jade Ward.

He initially claimed the death was accidental, after he said Ms Ward asked him to choke her during sex, before he later told the jury she had mutilated herself and then taunted him.

The judge Rhys Rowlands told Mold Crown Court his case was nothing but 'falsehoods and slurs'.

Marsh had been told to leave the family home in North Wales, after Ms Ward summoned up the courage to tell him she no longer wanted him in her life in August 2021.

And days later, he returned home uninvited as their four sons slept to murder his wife who had said Marsh made her 'skin crawl'.

He drove the children to his parents' home near Chester and later handed himself in to police.

Officers found Ms Ward's body slashed, stabbed and strangled and dumped under a pile of clothes in a room which was sealed shut with a dressing gown cord.

Officers found Jade Ward's (pictured) body dumped under a pile of clothes in a room sealed shut with a dressing gown cord and slashed, stabbed and strangled

Russell Marsh, 29, savagely assaulted Jade Ward, both pictured, 27, disfiguring her face with a knife and then choking her to death

Marsh, pictured, had been told to leave the family home in Shotton, North Wales, after Ms Ward summoned up the courage to tell him she no longer wanted him in her life

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Mold Crown Court how Shotton local Ms Ward had 'summoned the courage' to end her long-term relationship with Marsh 'for good' last summer.

The mother-of-four 'understandably' had no interest in carrying on with an 'unhappy marriage'.

Marsh, however, was not prepared to accept this as the end of the line for the couple.

The 'paranoid' and 'controlling' power plant worker believed this split wouldn't last like the others that had been before.

Throughout the proceedings, the court heard that Marsh would call and text Ms Ward constantly when they were apart.

Since their marriage, he had been 'trying to mould her' into the person he believed she ought be.

He had 'jokingly' made claims that if he could not have her then nobody could.

'Tragically, it transpired to be the truth,' said Judge Rowlands.

Judge Rowlands said that Marsh, 'fuelled by a sense of being wronged', went to Chevrons Road on August 26. He would then carry out the attack that cost Ms Ward her life.

He said: 'Jade was happy and hopeful for the future that night. In the early hours, you went over and entered using the key you still had.

'You sneaked upstairs where the victim was, not before going and telling your son that their mum had kissed another man.

'You had armed yourself with a knife from the kitchen before going upstairs.

'You wanted to make Jade suffer. She would have woken in the dark to find you in her bedroom and thereafter subjected to a horrific ordeal.'

Judge Rowlands said that the mum-of-four would have endured an 'excruciating' amount of pain in what is no doubt 'an awful way for a young woman to lose her life'. It was a 'sustained attack' that, were she to have survived, Ms Ward would have been scarred for life.

Moments before Ms Ward's (pictured) lifeless body was discovered, her murderer was filmed by officers at a police station telling them he had 'done something horrible'

Pictured: Police on Chevrons Road in Shotton, Flintshire, where Jade Ward, 27, was found dead at her home on 26 August 2021

Judge Rowlands said that the mum-of-four would have endured an 'excruciating' amount of pain in what is no doubt 'an awful way for a young woman to lose her life'. It was a 'sustained attack' that, were she to have survived, Ms Ward would have been scarred for life. Pictured: Balloon release in memory of Jade Ward, 27

He continued: 'It was a cowardly and brutal assault against a defenceless woman against a much larger man she was desperately trying to get away from.

'Any unexpected death is a tragedy, here of course you took that life in a calculated and cruel way.'

The judge said that, during the trial, with the exception of Marsh, everyone in court spoke 'highly' of Ms Ward as a mother who 'lived for her four sons' whilst enjoying a social life and being popular in the community.

Ms Ward 'should have had most of her life ahead of her', the judge said to Marsh, 'but you took that from her'.

The judge said there was 'no credible evidence' put forward that, despite Marsh's suspicions, Ms Ward had been unfaithful to him.

The judge added: 'It is poignant that her last contact with someone other than yourself was a short while earlier that night with another man whom she hoped would be kind to her and would allow her to be herself.'

Prosecutor Michael Jones QC earlier described how Marsh was working an overnight shift for his employer Bio Energy in Ellesmere Port on the night 27-year-old Ms Ward was killed.

He said the defendant had told his supervisor that he had to leave several hours into his shift and claimed his brother had taken an overdose and needed to go to hospital.

The prosecutor said this was 'completely untrue' and instead Marsh was tracked by CCTV, ANPR cameras, and phone masts heading into north Wales and arriving at the former family home in Shotton.

He said close friends and family members heard Ms Ward saying that this time the separation was 'for good'.

Ms Ward had allegedly shared a kiss with another man at a party and was 'moving on' with her life.

'Within a week of this she was dead,' said Mr Jones.

Russell Marsh, right, a 'possessive' husband has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of murdering his wife Jade, left, a week after she broke up with him

Marsh said her injuries were the result of consensual sadomasochistic sexual activity, instigated at her request.

But Mr Jones said this was 'a desperate attempt by an arrogant, manipulative and controlling' man to explain her 'dreadful' injuries and death.

A pathology report detailed how she suffered multiple wounds 'across her body', including her face and arms, while grip marks left her bruised and there was evidence of 'defensive' wounds sustained around the hands showing she had 'made efforts to fight off' her attacker.

Her final cause of death was asphyxiation, he said.

Moments before Ms Ward's lifeless body was discovered, Marsh was filmed by officers at a police station telling them he had 'done something horrible'.

The court heard he rocked back and forth in his chair and repeatedly apologised as police forced entry to the property and found Ms Ward in the location Marsh indicated with blood-stained pyjamas and covered with a pile of clothing.

Marsh, crying, had told officers they would find his wife, a Co-op worker, in the Chevrons Road bedroom and said: 'I never did mean to hurt her.'

The couple met in their teens and later married, but Marsh seemed frightened of losing his wife.

She no longer loved him, and he made her 'skin crawl,' the jury was told.

On Monday, April 4, Marsh went into the witness box and gave evidence. While being questioned by his barrister Christopher Terhani QC the defendant accepted he killed Ms Ward by way of asphyxiation and had no lawful reason for doing so.

However he denied having any intent to kill or cause Ms Ward serious harm.

Father-of-five Marsh, who left school at 16 with two GCSEs in science and religious studies, confirmed there was a seven-month period in 2017 when he was signed off from work - at a different company - due to ill mental health caused by 'pressure and anxiety'. He was medicated during this period.

The defendant also told the court he was roughly 30,000 in debt in 2019 following house renovations and paying for the wedding between himself and Ms Ward. The couple were together on and off for just over nine years in all.

At the time of the split Marsh was accused of bruising Ms Ward's wrists. He said he had 'never been violent' with Ms Ward (pictured)

Marsh said they had 'rocky times' throughout - more so towards the tail end of the relationship.

He said the pair were 'tired' and 'drained' and claimed they had 'next to nothing' when it came to a physical relationship.

In summer 2019, not long after their wedding, the couple had split up for 'a variety of reasons', the court heard, but they later reconciled within days.

At the time of the split Marsh was accused of bruising Ms Ward's wrists. He said he had 'never been violent' with Ms Ward.

Following today's sentencing, Jade's family paid tribute to her with the following statement: 'Jade was a kind and caring daughter who will be deeply missed by everyone.

'Jade was the sunshine in our lives, she was the glue that held us all together. She was also a devoted mum who would do anything for her children, a much-loved friend, daughter, sister, aunty, niece and granddaughter.

'Jade's whole life was ahead of her and her death has left a void in all our lives.

'The family are very thankful to all of Jade's friends and colleagues for their support, and to North Wales Police for the investigation that has led to today's conviction.

'We ask that our privacy is respected and that as a family we can quietly grieve and continue to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.'

Detective Inspector Myfanwy Kirkwood, the deputy Senior Investigating Officer, said: 'For Jade's young life to be cut so cruelly short in such tragic circumstances is beyond comprehension.

'Jade was much loved by her family and friends and I recognise that no words or verdict will ever bring back this young woman, but I hope today's outcome will bring a small sense of peace to Jade's family.
Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the People Power Party, a member of the department of political affairs, jurisdiction and political administration on Yoon's transition committee, speaks on the matter of the ruling party's push for a prosecutorial reform bill aimed at reining in the investigative power of the prosecution, at the transition committee's headquarters in Seoul's Jongno District, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps



By Jung Da-min



Political conflicts between the nation's liberal and conservative blocs are reaching a fever pitch over the former's policy drive for prosecutorial reform aimed at taming the prosecution's investigative power.



Currently, the prosecution can investigate crimes in six categories  corruption, the economy, public officials, elections, defense industry projects and major catastrophes  while the police are in charge of investigating other crimes.



But the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is planning to pass a reform bill aimed at removing the prosecution's investigative authority within this month, so that the reform bill can be tabled at the last Cabinet meeting under President Moon Jae-in, to be held May 3, before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is sworn on May 10.



The political conflict over the prosecutorial reform plan is not new as president-elect Yoon had clashed frequently with DPK members and former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae over the ruling party's reform plans, during the time Yoon was serving as the prosecutor-general from July 2019 to March 2021.



On Wednesday, the department of political affairs, jurisdiction and political administration of Yoon's transition committee issued a statement criticizing the DPK for adopting the plan as the party's official stance through a general meeting of its lawmakers held a day before. On the other hand, the DPK adopted its official stance regarding the bill during the meeting on Tuesday.



The transition committee's jurisdiction department strongly protested the DPK's plan to remove the prosecution's investigative authority, saying that it is against the Constitution, under which the right to request an arrest warrant is given to the prosecution. The jurisdiction department also said that the reform bill has nothing to do with protecting the people, while the DPK is trying to railroad it only to protect its members from investigation.



The PPP has been criticizing the bill, saying it is only aimed at protecting President Moon Jae-in and former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, referring to as yet unproven allegations that Lee was involved in a highly lucrative land development project and allegations that Cheong Wa Dae had interfered in the 2018 local elections to help Moon's aide, Song Cheol-ho, in the Ulsan mayoral race.



"The (DPK's) attempt to completely strip the prosecution of its investigative authority to nullify the original role of the prosecution is aimed at interrupting the new president's national administration," read the statement.





Prosecutor-General Kim Oh-soo speaks to reporters as he arrives at the headquarters of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul's Seocho District, Wednesday. Yonhap



Prosecutor-general Kim Oh-soo also held a press conference at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul's Seocho District, Wednesday, and said he has requested a meeting with President Moon over the matter to persuade the president to exercise his veto against the reform bill.



Earlier Wednesday, Kim told reporters as he arrived at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, that the DPK's plan to remove the prosecution's investigative authority is against Constitution, which states that the main force responsible for the investigation of crime cases is the prosecution, since the 1960 April Revolution.



"The core of the DPK's reform bill is to give the investigative authority exclusively to the police," Kim said. "Since the April 19 Revolution, the Constitution states that the main force responsible for the investigation of crime cases is the prosecution. The reform bill is an obvious violation of the Constitution."





Rep. Yun Ho-jung, center, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks to reporters on the matter of the party's push of a prosecutorial reform bill aimed at removing the prosecution's investigative authority, after paying tribute to fallen Korean heroes at Daejeon National Cemetery, Wednesday. Yonhap
A Cambridge college has slammed the Church of England for 'failing to understand' the lived experiences of black Britons after it rejected a bid to take down a memorial to a 17th century slave trade investor.

Jesus College had claimed that the memorial to Tobias Rustat  a courtier of King Charles II  was an odious memento of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and was 'incompatible with the chapel as an inclusive community and a place of collective wellbeing'.

Sonita Alleyne, the college's master, said that the facts of Rustat's involvement in the slave trade had been 'very clearly proven' and that those supporting its removal would be on the 'right side of history'.

They wanted the memorial, which is set high on the wall above the altar in the college's Grade-I listed chapel, removed and replaced in a permanent exhibition space elsewhere.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby also backed their campaign, asking: 'Why is it so much agony to remove a memorial to slavery?'.

But a rare ecclesiastical court with a church-appointed judge decided in March that the 300-year-old memorial would not be removed because attempts had been based on a 'false narrative'.

A Cambridge college has slammed the Church of England for 'failing to understand' the lived experiences of black Britons after rejecting a bid to take down a memorial to a 17th century slave trade investor. Pictured: A memorial to Tobias Rustat is pictured inside Jesus College Chapel

Sonita Alleyne, the Master of Jesus College Cambridge, said the court's decision showed a 'lack of understanding of the lived experience of people of colour in modern Britain'

Ms Alleyne has now claimed that students and members of the college 'feel let down by the judgment', calling it a 'misrepresentation of their views'.

'The Consistory Court's decision shows a lack of understanding of the lived experience of people of colour in modern Britain,' she added.

Ms Alleyne added that the college would not appeal the 'disappointing' and 'fundamentally wrong' judgement due to the significant costs of appealing.

The plans to removal the plaque sparked accusations that the college was trying to cancel Rustat, who was one of Jesus College's largest benefactors before the 20th Century.

Opponents of its removal also argued that Rustat's links to the Transatlantic Slave Trade had been exaggerated, because he had a relatively small investment in a company that traded slaves and the majority of his wealth came from his work for the king.

The Church court case had concluded the attempt was based on a 'false narrative', and said the memorial should remain in place as a reminder of 'the imperfection of human beings'.

Jesus College Chapel, where a memorial to Tobias Rustat hangs inside

An employee looks at a memorial to Tobias Rustat inside Jesus College Chapel

Lawrence Goldman, a former Oxford University history professor whose alma mater is Jesus College, criticised the campaign's 'aggression' and for 'turning its fire on the Church of England' after losing.

The 64-year-old said that he had initially hoped the ruling would help to build bridges with the college.

Responding to the outcome however, Mr Goldman told The Times: 'I still think they don't get it. The college makes the point that it is a diverse institution. It must also accept that there is great diversity of thought and values in our society.

'It rather looks like the college is thrashing around. There must come a point where it stops and thinks, "All this aggression, maybe we have made a mistake?" I think I speak for the alumni when I say we're pleased they haven't gone to appeal.'

University benefactor and slave trade investor: Life of Tobias Rustat - and his links to Edward Colston Tobias Rustat was a 17th century benefactor of the University of Cambridge, as well as a servant to King Charles II Tobias Rustat was a 17th century benefactor of the University of Cambridge, as well as a servant to King Charles II. He created the first fund for the purchase of books at the Cambridge University Library. Born circa 1606, he trained as an apprentice to a barber-surgeon in his youth before becoming a servant - first to the 2nd Duke of Buckingham and later to the monarch. He accumulated his wealth during his career as a courtier - but also invested in several trading companies, including the Company of Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa - commonly known as the Royal African Company (RAC). The Company had complete control of Britain's slave trade, as well as its gold and Ivory business, with Africa and the forts on the coast of west Africa. Later in life, Rustat became a benefactor to the university, focusing mainly on Jesus College, where his father had been a student. He died in 1694. A contemporary of Rustat was Edward Colston, who became Deputy Governor of the Royal African Company. During Colston's tenure, his ships transported around 80,000 slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and America. Around 20,000 of them, including around 3,000 or more children, died during the journeys. Colston's brother Thomas supplied the glass beads that were used to buy the slaves. Colston used a lot of his wealth, accrued from his extensive slave trading, to build schools and almshouses in his home city. A statue was erected in his honour as well as other buildings named after him, including Colston Hall. But after years of protests by campaigners and boycotts by artists the venue recently agreed to remove all reference of the trader. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US, the statue of Colston overlooking the harbour in Bristol was torn down. Advertisement

The college said that Rustat had enabled the slave trade through investing in two important slave trading companies over a period of 30 years, as well as lending funds and taking on roles in the management of the companies.

The court case emphasised that Rustat did not benefit financially from his investments. Deputy Chancellor David Hodge QC of the Diocese of Ely, who decided the case, said that Rustat's investments in the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading into Africa brought him 'no financial returns at all'.

He said that the case for taking down the plaque was the product of a 'false narrative' that 'Rustat had amassed much of his wealth from the slave trade, and that it was moneys from this source that he used to benefit the college'.

But Jesus College said that this is 'irrelevant' and that what mattered was Rustat's active involvement in the trade.

Ms Alleyne said: 'In short, the college is up against a Church ruling which believes involvement in the slave trade over 30 years isn't sufficient to warrant the removal of this celebratory memorial.'

She said that the facts of Rustat's involvement in the slave trade were 'very clearly proven by the excellent and meticulous research undertaken by the Legacy of Slavery Working Party chaired by Dr Veronique Mottier'.

She said the findings of the working party had been 'misrepresented' in court and that the college stood by the work of its academics.

On Tuesday Jesus College announced that it would not be appealing the decision but added that the current processes in the Church of England for addressing issues of racial injustice are in urgent need of reform.

Ms Alleyne said that after 'much thought' and having taken advice, the college would not appeal the 'disappointing judgment' as while the college believed the outcome to be 'fundamentally wrong', the time and costs involved in appealing would be significant.

'We will take our time and consider what to do next. The presence of the memorial in our Chapel continues to be a serious issue for our increasingly diverse community. We strongly believe that our stance will place us on the right side of history.'

Last week 160 clergy, including a former Archbishop of Canterbury and two bishops, signed a letter to the Church Times expressing their opposition to the decision preventing the college from moving the memorial to an alternative space.

Ms Alleyne said: 'Last spring, the Church committed to taking action. This judgment demonstrates the inadequacies of the Church process for addressing issues of racial injustice and contested memorialisation. It is not fit for purpose.

'There is a much overdue debate happening within the Church about how best to face up to the legacy of racial injustice. We will continue to keep up the pressure, because this matters to our students.'

The Reverend James Crockford, Dean of Chapel at Jesus College, said: 'This was a test case for the Church.'

'While the college considers its next steps, it is clear that, if the Church of England wishes to take diversity and inclusion seriously, it cannot ignore the implications of this decision for the wider mission of the Church to be a place where all are welcome.'

Rustat was a courtier under Charles II and a major benefactor to Cambridge University, but became a target for campaigners due to his involvement with the Royal African Company which operated on the west coast of Africa in the later 17th century under royal charter.

The college accused Rustat of 'financial and administrative involvement in the trading of enslaved human beings over a substantial period of time'.

But objectors highlighted the move as an example of cancel culture, which could open dangerous floodgates leading to the removal of monuments to many more historical figures.

The case was heard by a judge specially appointed by the Bishop of Huntingdon because the ornate memorial is housed in a world-renowned Grade-I historic building and an ecclesiastical environment.

Jesus College had urged that 'any harm caused to the significance of the chapel as a building of special architectural and historic interest by the removal of the Rustat memorial is substantially outweighed by the resulting public benefits, in terms of pastoral wellbeing and opportunities for mission'.

What the inscription on Rustat's memorial says TOBIAS RUSTAT, YEOMAN OF THE ROBES TO KING CHARLES THE SECOND, WHOM HE SERVED WITH ALL DUTY AND FAITHFULLNESS, IN HIS ADVERSITY AS WELL AS PROSPERITY. THE GREATEST PART OF THE ESTATE HE GATHERED BY GOD'S BLESSING, THE KING'S FAVOUR, AND HIS INDUSTRY, HE DISPOSED IN HIS LIFETIME IN WORKES OF CHARITY; AND FOUND THE MORE HE BESTOWED UPON CHURCHES, HOSPITALLS, UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND UPON POOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF ORTHODOX MINISTERS, THE MORE HE HAD AT THE YEAR'S END. NEITHER WAS HE UNMINDFUL OF HIS KINDRED & RELATIONS, IN MAKING THEM PROVISIONS OUT OF WHAT REMAINED. HE DIED A BACHELOUR THE 15TH DAY OF MARCH, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1693. AGED 87 YEARS. Advertisement

Lawyers for the college highlighted the memorial's position in the chapel 'high up on the west wall', which gave a man linked to the historical slave trade a position of undeserved prominence.

This created a 'serious obstacle' to the college's wish to preach the Christian mission, they added, although stressing: 'it does not seek to erase Rustat's name, or his memory, from the college but merely to relocate his memorial to a more appropriate, secular space, where it can be properly conserved and protected, and become the subject of appropriate educational study and research'.

But others opposed the plans, with historian Professor Lawrence Goldman suggesting that in trying to cancel Rustat, the college was attempting to 'assault carefully selected aspects of its past' and could lead to further calls for removal of memorials to other historical figures elsewhere.

'Other figures from the past, equally bad or even worse, will also have to be removed and cancelled, and the disputes will multiply and intensify,' he told the judge.

'If the church supports the removal of monuments, it will rightly stand accused of adding to cultural division and social discord.'

But the college denied that Rustat was being 'cancelled' since his life would be remembered elsewhere and not 'erased.'

For 65 past college students fighting the removal, barrister Justin Gau argued that the best solution was to 'contextualise' Rustat's life with a plaque close by the memorial explaining his conflicted background.

He said removing the memorial was like 'getting rid of an elderly and unpopular relative  though one who has been hugely generous in the past'.

After exhaustive argument and trawling through historical evidence, Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Ely, David Hodge QC, ruling on the case, came down in favour of retaining the memorial.

Given the architectural beauty of the chapel, the college would have to present compelling arguments for ripping out the memorial, he explained, which they had failed to do.

While acknowledging the obvious fact of slavery's 'evil and abhorrence' he said the main opposition to the Rustat memorial was based on a 'false narrative' that he had amassed most of his fortune from the slave trade.

'The true position, as set out in the historians' expert reports and their joint statement, is that Rustat's investments in the Company of Royal Adventurers Trading into Africa (the Royal Adventurers) brought him no financial returns at all; that Rustat only realised his investments in the Royal African Company in May 1691, some 20 years after he had made his gifts to the college, and some five years after the completion of the Rustat memorial and its inscription.

'Any moneys Rustat did realise as a result of his involvement in the slave trade comprised only a small part of his great wealth, and they made no contribution to his gifts to the college.'

He 'recognised' that willing involvement in the slave trade was itself deeply problematic  even if Rustat had made scant profits.

But the judge concluded: 'However, I would hope that, when Rustat's life and career is fully, and properly, understood, and viewed as a whole, his memorial will cease to be seen as a monument to a slave trader.

Jesus College at the University of Cambridge

File photo of the memorial to Tobias Rustat in Jesus College, University of Cambridge

'Certainly, I do not consider that the removal of such a significant piece of contested heritage, representing a significant period in the historical development of the chapel from its medieval beginnings to its Victorian re-ordering, has been sufficiently clearly justified on the basis of considerations of pastoral wellbeing and opportunities for mission in circumstances where these have been founded upon a mistaken understanding of the true facts.'

He was persuaded that the appropriate response to Rustat's undoubted involvement in 'the abomination' that was the slave trade was not to remove his memorial from the college chapel but to retain it in the religious space for which it was always intended.

'In this way, the Rustat memorial may be employed as an appropriate vehicle to consider the imperfection of human beings and to recognise that none of us is free from all sin; and to question our own lives, as well as Rustat's, asking whether, by (for example) buying certain clothes or other consumer goods, or eating certain foods, or investing in the companies that produce them, we are ourselves contributing to, or supporting, conditions akin to modern slavery, or to the degradation and impoverishment of our planet.'

Lawrence Goldman, a former Oxford University history professor who was a party to the case, told The Times: 'The fact we've pushed back sends a message to institutions that there will be opposition and this is not a free ride.

'Jesus College said it was not trying to cancel Rustat... I think the evidence suggests that it was.

'It's also a victory for conservation and historical scholarship. The judgment swept away the college's arguments. I think institutions will now think twice about doing things of this nature.'

Save Our Statues, a campaign group fighting against the removal of historic plaques and statues, also backed the decision.

'As we've long argued, a disproportionate emphasis on links to slavery is not 'more history', it's a false distortion of history,' the group today said on Twitter.

A spokesman for the Rustat Memorial Group, which opposed the memorial's removal, said: 'We are pleased to read the judgment and hope that all parties can agree that the issues raised by the petition are now resolved.

'We wish Jesus College well as it focuses again on today's challenges in the university.'
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Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has provoked amusement with his bungled attempt to stroke a cat while out canvassing for local elections.

The 56-year-old is seen pointing at Mikee before getting to his knees and going in for a stroke - only for the less than friendly feline to back off and leave him hanging.

A photo shows the MP pointing at the cat's face while it backs away from him as its owner, Watford resident Kate Allden, watches on.

The exchange wins Sir Ed a place in the pantheon of politicians who have fallen victim to similarly awkward campaign trail photo ops, from Ed Miliband grappling with a bacon sandwich to David Cameron eating a hot dog with a knife and fork.

Ed Davey pointed at Mikee the cat outside his owner Kate Allden's house in Watford before diving in for a stroke

A photo shows the Lib Dem leader pointing at the cat's face while it backs away from him as Ms Allden watches on

In the run-up to the 2017 General Election, Theresa May was filmed struggling to eat a bag of chips, while in 2019 Jeremy Corbyn was scowled at by a baby as he tried to hold his hand.

Sir Ed will be hoping yesterday's incident won't give voters paws for thought about voting for his party at the local elections, which will take place in Scotland, Wales and parts of England May 5.

It came as he today renewed his calls for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to resign as the 'trust in them that is so important in crises has gone' after they were fined for attending illegal parties in Downing Street.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'This is a Government in crisis when our country is in crisis, particularly with a cost-of-living emergency, and I think the Prime Minister and the Chancellor should resign.

'They broke the law. They were dishonest. And I think the trust in them that is so important in crises has gone.'

Sir Ed added: 'Let's remember, during this period, millions of people were making huge sacrifices. If they would have had a party, they would have been fined, they would have broken the law, and the Prime Minister would have condemned them no doubt.

'And here was the Prime Minister and the Chancellor breaking the law, and the Met Police have found that. After a thorough investigation, they decided that a criminal offence was committed.

'I don't think you can have a prime minister overseeing the country, overseeing the laws, passing laws which affect millions of people and cause huge distress, particularly to bereaved families, and then getting away with it.

'I think he has to be held to account. It is the duty of opposition parties like the Liberal Democrats to hold this Government to account both for the lawbreaking and their disastrous economic policy.'
The Capitol rioter pictured putting his feet up on Nancy Pelosi's desk rejected a plea bargain which would see him spend more than five years behind bars.

Richard Barnett, 61, faces a rally of charges for his part in the January 6, 2021 insurrection, including entering a restricted building with a dangerous weapon.

He is also charged with theft of government property, disorderly conduct and obstruction of an official proceeding.

An attorney for Barnett told a pretrial hearing that his defendant would not be accepting a plea deal with sentencing guidelines of 70 to 87 months, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Barnett has pleaded not guilty to the lengthy list of charges.

Prosecutor Mary L. Dohrmann said that under the rejected agreement, Barnett would have pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding, while six other charges would have been dismissed.

More than 730 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot. More than 210 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment.

In February, the Seattle man who punched two cops during the Capitol riot was handed a six-month prison term, becoming the 100th person to be sentenced in one of the largest federal investigations in American history.

Mark Leffingwell, a 52-year-old military veteran who was wounded in Iraq, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a Capitol riot-related charge stemming from one of the largest federal investigations in American history.

Earlier this month, a leader of the far-right Proud Boys chapter in North Carolina pleaded guilty to charges related to the January 6 attack, a victory for prosecutors that could bolster their cases against members of the group.

Charles Donohoe, 34, the leader of the group's North Carolina chapter at the time of the attack, entered the guilty plea during a court hearing in the District of Columbia.

Donohoe admitted to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and assaulting and impeding police officers.

Barnett (pictured in the Speaker's chair, the Capitol) became a minor celebrity after Jan 6.

The ex-window salesman and firefighter allegedly carried a stun gun (pictured on his waist), though his lawyers claim it is a 'collapsible walking stick'. The 61-year-old faces trial on Sept. 6

Barnett, 61, turned himself in on January 8, 2021

Barnett, a former firefighter and window salesman from Gravette, Arkansas, became one of the Capitol riot's most famous faces after entering the House Speaker's office and planting a boot on her desk.

Prosecutors claim he was carrying a stun gun.

Barnett also left Pelosi a foul-mouthed handwritten note and pinched a personalized envelope from the House Speaker's office.

But he didn't steal it, he said on January 6: 'I left a quarter on her desk.'

The note read: 'Hey Nancy, Bigo was here b****h.'

Joseph McBride, Barnett's attorney, called the plea offer unreasonable, the newspaper reported.

'We're talking about a 61-year-old man with no criminal history, who's never been charged with any violent act,' McBride said.

Barnett (pictured with an unidentified Capitol rioter) pinched a headed envelope from the desk

'He certainly wasn't violent that day by any stretch of the imagination.'

Barnett will now proceed to trial, which is set to begin September 6.

His lawyers have previously argued Barnett wrote 'biatch' not 'b****h' and deserves less severe punishment.

They included a link to a definition for the term from FreeDictionary.com in their motion filed last April.

The lawyers wrote: 'The website defines 'biatch' as 'rude slang, a variant of b**** used as a term of endearment or disparagement from another person.'

Attorneys for Barnett (left) say he wrote 'biatch' not 'b****h' in a note left on Pelosi's desk (right)

'As such,' the motion continues, 'Richard now asks this court to look past and ultimately disregard the government's distorted representations, which do not rise to the level of showing 'dangerousness' and grant Richard pretrial release as required by law.'

Barnett was freed one day later. His lawyers compared him to Black Lives Matter protestors, claiming Barnett was a symbol of 'Change through us'.

They argue the alleged stun gun is simply the 61-year-old's 'collapsible walking stick.'

Barnett is no longer permitted to possess firearms or any other weapons. His passport has been revoked and he is barred from applying for a new one.

He is also not permitted to associate with anyone who attended the Capitol riot.

Meanwhile, a government contractor from New Mexico who described the January 6 Capitol riot as 'magical' recently became the first defendant to be acquitted of all charges he faced.

Matthew Martin, who testified in his defense, was found not guilty by a federal judge earlier this month of four misdemeanor charges that he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol and engaged in disorderly conduct after he walked into the building during last year's riot.

Martin, who was working for a private defense contractor at the National Laboratory in Los Alamos and had top-secret clearance at the time of the attack, successfully argued that a Capitol police officer waved him into the building after the riot erupted. He was fired after being charged.
Easter is just around the corner and now is the time to stock up on last-minute supplies before the major retailers shut up shop.

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are restricted trading days with supermarkets and bottle shops such as Coles, Aldi, Woolworths, and Dan Murphy's shutting their doors.

Opening hours for the rest of the long weekend are also likely to be altered for many stores, however, those desperate not to cook need only turn to food delivery services Foodora, UberEats, Menulog and Deliveroo, which are open all weekend.

Here's your guide to what is and isn't open over Easter.

Good Friday is a national public holiday and recognised as a 'restricted trading day', Bottle shops are among those closed (Pictured: A woman buying wine in Melbourne)

What is open on Good Friday?

Good Friday is a national public holiday and recognised as a 'restricted trading day'.

This means some major retailers may be open, but expect most of them to be closed.

Bottle shops are closed on Good Friday.

Major supermarkets, including Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi will be closed on Easter Friday across NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland.

Easter Sunday will see each state enforce its own rules regarding trading hours and openings (pictured: A man buying seafood in Sydney)

Most Coles stores in South Australia will be shut, however, just the Mount Barker and Victor Harbour stores to open from 8am until 8pm.

In Western Australia, Coles stores in Vasse, Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River, Eaton Fair and Busselton Central will be open from 8am till 8pm.

In Victoria, Doncaster Westfield and Airport West Westfield open from 9am to 9pm.

The Booragoon Westfield in Western Australia will also be open on Good Friday from 9.30am till 5.30pm.

The majority of McDonald's stores will be trading on Good Friday, with the exception to those in food courts, which will close for the day.

In NSW restaurants are open and can serve alcohol between noon and 10pm.

Dominoes will be trading on Good Friday, but has urged customers to check their local stores for varying hours.

All 7-Eleven's 650 stores will also be running at normal hours over the long weekend for all coffee, petrol, ice and food needs.

What is open on Easter Saturday?

On Easter Saturday business is back, most retaillers will open their doors for their normal trading hours.

All major supermarkets and shops will be open with regular trading hours.

Bottle shops, Dan Murphy's, and BWS will reopen their doors on Saturday across the country from about 9am.

Pubs, clubs, restaurants, breweries, and wineries can trade as normal.

What is open on Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday will see each state enforce its own rules regarding trading hours and openings.

All Woolworths stores will open with standard trading hours in Victoria, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. The Moama store in Victoria and Esperance store in WA, however, will be closed until Tuesday.

Shoppers should get in quick to buy their easter eggs before they are all sold out (pictured: A child collecting eggs during an Easter Egg hunt)

In NSW and the ACT, most Woolworths supermarkets will be closed along with South Australian stores in Adelaide and Millicent.

The Woolworths in Rundle Mall and regional South Australian stores will be open.

All Queensland Woolworths stores are to be open except for the following: Ayr, Blackwater, Bowen, Charters Towers, Childers, Chinchilla, Kingaroy, Mission Beach, Mt Isa, Pittsworth, Proserpine, Roma, Weipa.

Coles supermarkets in Victoria, ACT, NT, Tasmania, and WA will remain open but with reduced trading hours.

In New South Wales and South Australia Coles stores will be closed.

The Croydon North and Little Knox Coles stores in Victoria will also be closed on Easter Sunday.

Easter is just around the corner and now is the time to stock up on last-minute supplies before the major retailers shut up shop

In South Australia, all Adelaide Coles metro stores will be closed. CBD stores will open 11am to 5pm and regional stores will be open from 8am till 8pm.

Westfield shopping centres in NSW will be closed on Easter Sunday, but the centres in Victoria, SA, WA, QLD, and ACT will be open to the public.

What is open on Easter Monday?

Easter Monday will see most businesses in full operation.

With most regular retailers such as Kmart and Target being back to their regular business hours.

Woolworths stores in every state will be open with regular trading hours, except for the Millicent store in SA, and Esperance and Katanning in WA.

In Queensland, all Woolworths stores are open for regular hours except for Ayr, Blackwater, Bowen, Charters Towers, Childers, Chinchilla, Kingaroy, Mission Beach, Mount Isa, Pittsworth, Proserpine, Roma, and Weipa.

In Perth, Coles supermarkets will be open with reduced trading from 8am until 5pm, while operating hours at regional stores vary.

Adelaide stores will close early at 5pm in the CBD and metro areas. The Melton West Coles store in Victoria will not be open for business on Easter Monday.

There are no restrictions on alcohol sales on Monday and bottle shops including BWS and Dan Murphy's will open as usual.
Google today said it plans to invest $9.5 billion across its U.S. offices and data centers as the company tries to lure employees back to the workplace.

Alphabet Inc's Google said the investment, up from $7 billion last year, will create at least 12,000 full-time jobs in 2022 and focus on data centers in several states including Nevada, Nebraska and Virginia.

The tech giant is also planning to open a new office in Atlanta this year, and expand its data center in Storey County, Nevada.

'It might seem counterintuitive to step up our investment in physical offices even as we embrace more flexibility in how we work. Yet we believe it's more important than ever to invest in our campuses,' Google said in a statement.

Google today said it plans to invest $9.5 billion across its U.S. offices and data centers as the company tries to lure employees back to the office. Pictured CEO of Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai

Google has been trying to bring back its employees to some of its offices in the United States, the UK and Asia Pacific by mandating working from office for about three days a week, a step to end policies that let employees work remotely because of COVID-19 concerns.

In March, Google staff were told that they needed to return to the office from April 4 under a new hybrid model.

'Our hybrid model balances the best of being together in person and being anywhere - where teams can intentionally come together to collaborate and connect in the office, and spend the other days working from wherever best suits their needs,' John Casey, vice president of global benefits at Google, wrote to employees.

Alphabet Inc's Google said the investment, up from $7 billion last year, will create at least 12,000 full-time jobs in 2022 and focus on data centers in several states including Nevada, Nebraska and Virginia. Pictured: File photo of the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California

The move is just the latest twist in the saga of returning to the office - and comes after Google in the fall announced staff could apply to work remotely, and take a pay cut as a result of moving away from the costly coastal cities.

It was unclear whether those agreed deals would remain in place, or whether those workers would also be called back to work.

Google will continue to invest in offices in its home state of California and support affordable housing initiatives in the Bay Area as part of its $1 billion housing commitment.

Last year, Google helped provide $617 billion in economic activity for U.S. businesses, creators and developers, according to its 2021 economic impact report.
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Sir David Amess's family said today it broke their heart to know he would have welcomed murderer Ali Harbi Ali with a smile moments before he killed him - as the brute today winked and smirked after learning he would die behind bars.

Ali, 26, was handed a rare whole life tariff this morning after being convicted of murder and preparing terrorist acts on Monday by jurors who spent just 18 minutes deliberating.

Sir David's family said it 'broke their heart' to think he would have welcomed Ali to the constituency surgery shortly before he killed him.

A statement from his widow Lady Amess said: 'He would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help. How sickening to think what happened next. It is beyond evil.'

Prosecutors described the case as 'overwhelming', and Ali himself did not dispute much of the evidence, cockily gazing around from the dock when it was heard.

In a final act of arrogance he 'specifically instructed' his own lawyer not to address the judge in mitigation and was seen winking as he was taken from court.

Mr Justice Sweeney said: 'This is a murder that struck at the heart of democracy. This was a murder carried out in revenge for Islamic State's losses in Syria. The defendant has no remorse or shame, quite the reverse.

'Sir David was a man of the greatest substance. He had done nothing whatsoever to justify the attack upon him, let alone his murder.

'On the contrary, he had devoted 38 years of his life to the lawful service of the public, and was engaged in doing so when he was murdered. His loss is one of national significance.'

He added of Sir David's family: 'This trial was forced on them by the defendant's cowardly refusal to admit his guilt.'

Earlier a harrowing victim impact statement from Julie Cushion, one of Sir David's staff members who witnessed his murder, revealed she was haunted by that terrible day.

She said: 'I can't get the perpetrator's face, as he was led away, out of my mind. He looked so smug, and so self satisfied.

'Since the 15th October last year I have had to drive by the church where Sir David died nearly every day as it is close to where I live, this is a constant reminder of what happened.

"I have a huge sense of guilt as I had booked the venue. I can never get colleague Rebecca's scream out of my mind as Sir David was attacked and if I hear someone else scream now, I jump and imagine myself back there.

"I can still see and hear the sounds and images of the time, like the crashing of furniture.

The statement from Sir David's widow Lady Amess said there was no elation in the family today following the sentencing.

She added: 'Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that.

'We will wake each day and immediately feel our loss. We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives. Our last thought before sleep will be of David. We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy.

'It breaks our heart to know that our husband and father would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help. How sickening to think what happened next. It is beyond evil.

Ali Harbi Ali (seen after his arrest) told jurors at the Old Bailey he wanted to 'make hijrah', to travel and fight in support of the terrorist organisation Islamic State, but he found it too difficult to get there

Lady Julia Amess (centre), seen passing the freedom of the City of Southend, said Ali's sentence raised no elation in the family

The 26-year-old stabbed Sir David more than 20 times with a foot-long carving knife at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Artists impression of Judge Mr Justice Sweeney sentencing Ali Harbi Ali at the Old Bailey, London this morning

Islamic State fanatic Ali Harbi Ali, 26, seen in a mugshot released (left) and in a sketch from court, right - where he refused to stand up while hearing his verdict for 'religious reasons'

The desk at Belfairs Methodist Churchm where Sir David Amess was holding a constituency surgery when he was killed

MP's killer is 'beyond evil' Sir David's family called his killer 'evil' and appealed for everyone to 'treat their fellow human beings with kindness, love and understanding.' 'This is needed more than ever now,' they added. The family, who were in court for the hearing, issued a statement saying: 'There is no elation in our family today following this sentencing. 'Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that. 'We will wake each day and immediately feel our loss. We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives. Our last thought before sleep will be of David. 'We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy. 'It breaks our heart to know that our husband and father would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help. How sickening to think what happened next. It is beyond evil. The family thanked the police, in particular the two liaison officers assigned to the family and the legal team who 'worked so tirelessly to ensure that justice was done.' 'Our special thanks also to the many, many friends and family and of course, the general public, who have been a source of so much strength and love to us since David died. 'Somehow, we now have to move on with our lives although none of us really knows where to begin. 'We appeal to everyone to treat their fellow human beings with kindness, love and understanding. This is needed more than ever now.' Advertisement

'Our thanks go to the police, in particular the two officers assigned to the family during this dreadful time. Our thanks also to the legal team who worked so tirelessly to ensure that justice was done. Our special thanks also to the many, many friends and family and of course, the general public, who have been a source of so much strength and love to us since David died.

'Somehow, we now have to move on with our lives although none of us really knows where to begin.

'We would refer to the statement made by our family immediately after this tragedy. Our message remains the same. We appeal to everyone to treat their fellow human beings with kindness, love and understanding. This is needed more than ever now.

'We now ask for privacy to rebuild our lives as best we can. There will be no further statements, interviews or indeed any comment.'

A letter from Mike Freer MP - who was one of Ali's alternative targets - was also read revealing he and his staff are now wearing stab vests whenever they meet the public.

Michael Gov, who was also considered by the terrorist, said: 'It's put profound pressure on our lives.

'I've found the impact of losing David has been enormous.'

Far-right extremist Thomas Mair, who murdered Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, is among the handful of prisoners in England and Wales subject to a whole-life order, while ex-Pc Wayne Couzens was also handed a whole-life term last year after raping and murdering Sarah Everard in south London.

Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said Ali's was an 'exceptionally serious case' but refused to be drawn on whether he should receive the same sentence as Mair.

He said: 'I have no doubt that this individual will receive his just deserts for the consequences of what he has done.'

He added: 'We were in no hesitation that this was an act of terrorism, just as was the case in the tragic murder of Jo Cox.'

Ali will nevertheless receive a life sentence, with the judge deciding whether to lock him up for the rest of his life, or set a minimum time he must serve in prison before being eligible for parole.

Ali captured on CCTV walking around the gates of the Houses of Parliament on September 22 last year - around a month before the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess in Essex

Ali walking along Whitehall, (left) and near to Portcullis House (right) on CCTV footage released by police

Handout photo issued by Metropolitan Police of one of Ali Harbi Ali's mobile phones used to plot the terrorist attack

The black backpack worn by Ali Harbi Ali and found at Belfairs Methodist Church where he murdered MP David Amess

Whole life orders: the brutal killers given UK's rarest sentences There are 60 criminals still alive who are serving whole life orders, according to government figures to the end of June. In total, 73 criminals have been sentenced to whole life terms. Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was handed one for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Prisoners serving life sentences will never be considered for release, unless there are exceptional compassionate grounds to warrant it. Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield is thought to be the only criminal in UK legal history to be serving two whole life orders - for her murder, the killings of Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. Other notorious criminals serving whole life orders include Gloucester serial killer Rose West, who is responsible for the deaths of ten women - many of them tortured and murdered with her husband Fred West, now dead, as an accomplice. Rose West was later transferred to HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire in 2019, as rumours circulated about ill health and death threats. Myra Hindley, who died aged 60 in 2002, was never released from prison despite her long campaign for parole, which was backed by prominent supporters including Francis, Pakenham, Earl of Longford. Partner in crime, Ian Brady, spent 19 years in mainstream prisons before he was diagnosed as a psychopath in 1985 and moved to the high security Park Lane Hospital, now Ashworth Hospital, in Maghull, Merseyside. Brady vowed to starve himself in 2012 and unsuccessfully applied to return to prison. He finally died at Ashworth Hospital in 2017 aged 79, after spending 52 years incarcerated. Michael Adebolajo, one of Fusilier Lee Rigby's killers, is also serving a life term without parole. Other notorious lifers are Mark Bridger, 55, who abducted and murdered five-year-old April Jones in Powys, Wales, in 2012; neo-Nazi Thomas Mair who killed MP Jo Cox; Grindr serial killer Stephen Port; and most recently terror attacker Khairi Saadallah - who murdered three men in a park in Reading. Before they died, Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and doctor Harold Shipman - thought to be one of Britain's most prolific serial killers - were also among those serving whole life orders. In the past, home secretaries could issue whole life tariffs and these are now determined by judges. The reforms would also allow judges to hand out the maximum sentence to 18 to 20-year-olds in exceptional cases, such as for acts of terrorism leading to mass loss of life. It will also give judges the discretion, in exceptional circumstances, to impose a whole life order on offenders aged 18 or over but under 21. Advertisement

Islamic State fanatic Ali carried out his attack at the backbench Conservative MP's constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15 last year.

Ali told the trial he had no regrets about the murder, defending his actions by saying Sir David deserved to die because he had voted in Parliament for air strikes on Syria in 2014 and 2015.

The court heard that Ali became known to authorities around this time as his school performance plunged and he was referred to the Government's Prevent strategy, but continued plotting in secret.

He had become self-radicalised in 2014, going on to drop out of university, abandoning ambitions for a career in medicine.

Ali, who came from an influential Somali family and said he had a childhood 'full of love and care', considered travelling to Syria to fight but by 2019 had opted for an attack in Britain.

He bought a 20 knife from Argos six years ago which he carried in his bag throughout summer 2021 as he 'scoped out' possible targets, jurors heard.

He carried out reconnaissance on the Houses of Parliament but found police there were 'armed to the teeth'.

Ali researched MPs online including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

He staked out the west London home of Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove six times and wrote detailed notes on how he might get to him.

Scenarios included mingling with media, bumping into him jogging, ringing his doorbell, and causing a scene to 'lure' him out.

Ali rejected the plan after Mr Gove split up with his wife and was thought to have moved out of the family home.

The attacker later told police: 'It was... so convenient to go to that address but I just, I don't know why I didn't do that one.'

Ali, from Kentish Town, north London, was also spotted lurking outside Finchley MP Mike Freer's constituency office, jurors were told.

By September last year, Ali had settled on Sir David as an easy target after seeing his upcoming surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on Twitter.

He made an appointment through the MP's office, falsely claiming he was moving to the area and was interested in churches.

The so-called 'lone wolf' sent a manifesto on WhatsApp to family and friends seeking to justify his actions around the time of the attack, and told Sir David he was 'sorry' before plunging the knife into him, causing the politician to scream.

The Tory backbencher died at the scene.

Knife-wielding Ali was later apprehended by two police officers armed only with batons and spray.

They have since been handed bravery awards.

Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said this week: 'They've basically gone in armed with a stick - something that appears smaller than a deodorant can - to deal with a man that has just committed an absolutely heinous act, still armed with that knife.

'I think it's an astounding act of bravery.'

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs and political staff remain 'traumatised' by the atrocity, and continue to struggle amid fears for their security.

'Sir David was a man of the greatest substance. He devoted 38 years of his life to the lawful service of the public, and was engaged in doing so when he was murdered. His loss is one of national significance': Judge's remarks as he send killer to die behind bars A sketch of Ali in court today as he was given his whole life tariff after telling his lawyer not to speak to the judge in cocky act These are the sentencing remarks of Mr Justice Sweeney, who sentenced Ali Harbi Ali to a whole-life order at the Old Bailey on Wednesday: 'I wish to express the sincere sympathy and the condolences of the court to the family, friends, staff, colleagues and constituents of Sir David for the enormity of their loss, and to express the court's sincere admiration for the brave and dignified way in which his family have dealt, in the face of their incalculable loss, with the ordeal of the trial - which was forced upon them by the defendant's cowardly refusal to face up to his guilt. 'Sir David was a man of the greatest substance. He had done nothing whatsoever to justify the attack upon him, let alone his murder. 'On the contrary, he had devoted 38 years of his life to the lawful service of the public, and was engaged in doing so when he was murdered. His loss is one of national significance.' He told the court how, in 2014, Sir David was one of 524 Members of Parliament who voted in favour of a motion, consequent on a request from the Government of Iraq for military support, for UK forces (who were part of an international coalition) to take part in bombing missions against Isis in Iraq. He added: 'During the period from around 2014 to 2016 the defendant, who is a Muslim, and was then aged 18 to 20, was radicalised over the internet - such that, as admitted by him, he variously became sympathetic to, ultimately believed in, ascribed to the ideals of, had allegiance to, agreed with the goals of, and was aligned to, Islamic State, which, in this country, is a proscribed terrorist organisation. 'His plan was to stab Sir David to death, then to wait at the scene for armed police to arrive, and then to martyr himself by attacking them and, he hoped, being shot dead by them in the process. 'Sir David, who was unarmed, fought bravely, and hard, against the attack, but was overwhelmed by the defendant, who was much younger and larger, and who murdered him by inflicting multiple deep stab wounds to the chest. 'The defendant was on the phone to his family who were hysterical, but was still holding the knife and refused any access to Sir David - telling Mr King that he wanted to kill Sir David and every MP who had voted for the bombing of Syria, and that he wanted to be shot and to be a hero. 'On being taken outside the defendant was smug and self-satisfied about what he had done. 'On reception at the police station the defendant said that the crime was terror based and also referred to religion. In interview he admitted that he was acting in revenge, and that he wanted to influence politicians. 'This was a murder carried out in revenge for Islamic State's losses in Syria. 'It owed nothing to any humanitarian considerations. As with the offence in Count 1, it was done with the intention of influencing the Government and of thereby advancing a religious or ideological cause - namely that of Islamic State. 'The defendant has no remorse or shame for what he has done, quite the reverse. This was a murder that struck at the heart of our democracy.' Advertisement

Tory MP Mike Freer reveals he wears a stab vest and panic alarm after Sir David Amess's killer carried out reconnaissance on his surgery and planned attacks on Michael Gove, Keir Starmer, Dominic Raab and Ben Wallace

An MP targeted by terrorist Ali Harbi Ali before he murdered Sir David Amess has told how he and his staff now wear stab vests when meeting the public.

Ali, 26, had originally considered killing MPs Mike Freer and Michael Gove - only dropping his meticulous plan to murder the latter after he split from his wife.

Analysis of his electronic devices showed he also made internet searches of Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Today Ali was handed a concurrent life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years for preparing attacks on Gove and Freer.

It came after harrowing statements from both politicians revealing the toil the plots had on their lives.

Mr Freer's north London home was scoped out by the terrorist just before Sir David's murder.

He said: 'Since the news of the attack and the subsequent visit by police, I have been much more mindful of people around me and keeping distance from people.

' I have been very aware that I was potentially at risk from the individual responsible for the attack and this has played on my mind on occasion.

Mike Freer, left, and Michael Gove, right, both considered as targets of Ali before Sir David

'My husband is, and has been, nervous about my vulnerability at advice surgeries whether I conduct them at my office, at a supermarket or on a pavement. He is also anxious about me walking alone locally or using the tube/bus.

'Due to this he feels that he always has to be with me when outside and won't allow me to be on my own. If he knows I am travelling he needs to know where I am, how I'm travelling and when I will arrive. Both my husband and I are now acutely aware of anyone hanging around by my home or at the office.

'Because of the seriousness of the incident and the risk to my staff, my family and myself, I have had to introduce new security measures. We have stopped all public engagement since the attack unless the meetings are at secure sites.

'We instead, have had to rely on electronic communications with constituents. New physical measures at the office and my home have been requested and are in the process of being put in place. My staff are now wary of opening the door to the constituency office to the public and so, we are therefore having an additional internal door installed to create a small secure area for anyone attending. My team who receive the attendees at the entrance, will be behind glass. We are also looking at making the rear of the premises more secure and better lit.

'With regards to my team, they have certainly become more heightened when receiving threatening calls and there is anxiety where my staff used to be able to take such things in their stride. I have also had to close the office on at least one occasion as my staff felt vulnerable.

'Whilst I have stopped attending advice surgeries, new procedures have also been put in place when arranging these.

'All attendees are now asked to have some ID that confirms their address in the constituency. Also, the way I undertake community based advice surgeries in supermarkets, in local libraries and on the street, will have to be adapted. I and my staff will now wear stab vests and wear mobile panic alarms. I have used an old mobile home as an advice surgery for some years and it is my intention to continue to use this.

'However, I would often speak to constituents more privately inside the mobile home but sadly, this will cease as there is no safe escape route from the vehicle. In the future, I will be restricting advice surgeries to venues that have a clear escape route in the room being used for the surgery.'

Ali's electronic devices also stored a wealth of information relating to Mr Gove under the heading 'plans'.

The note read: 'Morning attack: If there is a press presence I can wait it out with them, see if he uses public transport or hired car, bump into him jogging, best outcome, least probability of seeing him.

'Evening attack: Ring on the doorbell, cause a scene outside to lure him.

'Night Attack: Door is wooden and swings into house could be kicked in, also glass next to lock open from through that.

'Scout on Wednesday.'

Analysis of his electronic devices showed he also made internet searches of Labour Leader Keir Starmer , Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab (left) and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (right)

Asked about the note when in the witness box during the trial, Ali said: 'That was plans I had to attack and hopefully kill Michael Gove at the time.'

In an impact statement read out in court, Mr Gove said: 'On the 19th of October 2021 I was visited by officers from the counter terrorism command in the Metropolitan police service.

'I was advised a man being investigated for the attack on Sir David was believed to have performed reconnaissance on two addresses to me.

'It was clear from the information the police provided that I had in fact been a potential target of the individual responsible.'

'My experience and that of my family is incomparable to the suffering and loss experienced by David's family.

'It has, however, had a very disruptive effect on my family. Our security and that of our home was threatened and that has put a profound pressure on our lives.

'Like everyone who knew and worked with David, I have found the impact of losing David has been enormous.'

How Prevent failed to stop David Amess killer: Islamist 'lone wolf' Ali Harbi Ali was able to secretly plot his murderous act for years despite being referred to 'politically-correct' anti-terror programme

David Amess's killer Ali Harbi Ali secretly plotted his murderous act of terrorism for years despite being referred to Prevent - in yet another failure for the controversial anti-terror programme.

The 26-year-old Londoner radicalised himself by consuming extremist material online before he fatally stabbed Conservative MP Sir David Amess.

The Met said Ali 'spent some time' in Prevent before coming out of it 'by his own admission'.

A long overdue review of Prevent is currently being carried out by former Charity Commission chair William Shawcross. It has previously been criticised for a 'politically correct' focus on right-wing terrorism rather than its more dangerous Islamist equivalent.

Ali is the latest of a series of Islamist terrorists in recent years to have been referred to the government's flagship anti-terror programme only to go on to carry out an attack.

Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a Reading park in June 2020.

Prevent officials were warned he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack', but he was assessed and found to have 'no fixed ideology', the Independent reported.

Another terrorist referred to Prevent was Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, last February. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention.

Usman Khan, 28, who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard.

Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017.

Reading attacker Khairi Saadallah, 27, (left) was assessed by Prevent officials but found to have 'no fixed ideology', according to reports. Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, last February. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention

Usman Khan, 28, (left) who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard. Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017

Professor Ian Acheson, Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project, said today: 'We know Ali had contact with Prevent services in 2016. The inquest to follow must be allowed to look into the performance of that system in forensic detail and see what can be done to improve it.

'Far too many people who have contact with Prevent and our prisons go on to commit acts of heinous violence. We must do everything we can to turn these actions into 'never' events.

'The worst thing we can possibly do now is think that the brutal slaying of David Amess by a man with a twisted ideology is just the price we pay for an open society.'

Recent attacks by Islamist terrorists who had been referred to Prevent SOUTHEND - October 15, 2021: Tory MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend while attending a constituency surgery. Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was referred to Prevent seven years ago. READING - June 20, 2020: Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a knife attack at a town centre park. He later admitted the murders and was sentenced to a whole life order in prison. The Reading Refugee Support Group warned Prevent officials he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack'. However, he was found to not have a 'fixed ideology, the Independent reported. STREATHAM - February 2, 2020: Sudesh Amman was shot dead by police after stabbing two people on a busy street in the south London area of Streatham while wearing a fake suicide vest. He was referred to Prevent but the panel decided his case did not require intervention. LONDON BRIDGE - November 29, 2019: Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were stabbed to death by Usman Khan, 28, at a prisoner rehabilitation event. A man and two women were also injured before Khan, who was released from prison on licence in December 2018, was shot dead by armed officers on the bridge. An inquest heard his Prevent officers had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists. PARSONS GREEN - September 15, 2017: Ahmed Hassan's homemade bomb partially exploded on a London Underground rush hour train, injuring more than 50 people. He was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 34 years. He was referred to Prevent 20 months before he planted the bomb. Advertisement

A long overdue review of Prevent is currently being carried out by former Charity Commission chair William Shawcross

It is expected to conclude that the programme is being undermined by activists who are opposed to its very existence being allowed to decide if individuals need to be deradicalised.

Some authorities in the southeast of England have even appointed Prevent coordinators who are against the strategy entirely, sources told the Times.

Sir William is set to call on the Home Office to appoint Prevent coordinators directly rather than leaving it down to local councils.

Prevent officials have also being accused of diverting too many resources towards suspected far-right extremists despite Islamist radicals posing a 'far greater threat'.

Ian Acheson, a former prison governor and senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, said the official narrative that the far-right is the fastest growing threat is a 'comfort blanket' obscuring the 'patently more potent threat of Islamist extremism'.

'The body count does not lie,' he said.

Following his conviction, Detective Chief Superintendent Dominic Murphy, said Ali had been involved with the Prevent deradicalisation programme in 2014.

He said: 'By Ali's own admission, and through our thorough investigation, we've identified that Ali was subject to Prevent in 2014.

'He spent some time in Prevent and then came out of Prevent and by his own admission, carried on his activity in secret over many years, forming his plan and conducting reconnaissance and focusing his efforts on many MPs.

'We say he was the true example of a committed terrorist and exactly the type of people that we should be focusing our efforts on.'

Mr Murphy said Ali did not engage with anyone else as part of the plot and conducted the attack entirely alone.

'By his own admission, he spent an awful lot of time on the internet as part of his radicalisation journey and his research into conducting this attack,' he said.

Mr Murphy, from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, declined to speculate on whether there were any missed opportunities to stop Ali.

He said the issue would be examined in more depth at any future inquest into the death Sir David.
U.S. and Japanese warships are conducting a joint naval exercise in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula for the first time in five years.

The U.S. deployed a strike group based from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. It's a show of the two nations' close military alliance -- amid the looming threat of a possible North Korean missile or nuclear test later this week.

It comes roughly three weeks after Pyongyang test-fired what it says is its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) yet.

North Korean state news media reported late last month that Kim Jong Un's government conducted the missile test at the dictator's personal order. It released the news a day after South Korea and Japan both flagged an ICBM test near the country's capital.

The U.S. 7th Fleet and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said Wednesday they conducted a joint naval exercise at the Sea of Japan on that day and the day before.

It was the first time the U.S. aircraft carrier held the exercise in the area since 2017 and is seen as an apparent attempt to deter North Korea's provocation.

Pyongyang's reported March ICBM launch was also its first long-range test since 2017.

Defense experts have warned that North Korea may launch another missile or even conduct a nuclear test as early as this week when Pyongyang marks the birth anniversary of its founding leader Kim Il Sung.

This photo provided by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows USS Abraham Lincoln, left, and JS Kongo, front, sail in formation during a U.S.-Japan bilateral exercise at the Sea of Japan on April 12, 2022

The two close allies are conducting the first such drills between Japan and the Koreas since 2017 (This undated photo provided by the U.S. Navy on April 13, 2022, shows USS Abraham Lincoln, front, and other warships sail in formation during a U.S.-Japan bilateral exercise at the Sea of Japan)

Tension is also rising in the region ahead of an annual joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea.

Japan meanwhile is stepping up joint military exercises with the U.S. -- its closest ally -- as well as regional partners amid rising concern over China's increasingly assertive military actions in the regional seas in recent years.

U.S. Allies in the Pacific and around the South China Sea fear Beijing could escalate an already tense situation with Taiwan after being emboldened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that the ongoing joint exercise is 'aimed at strengthening military cooperation between Japan and the United States, and is not keeping in mind a specific country.'

'We will continue to strengthen deterrence and response capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance and to do utmost for the defense of our country,' Matsuno said.

The USS Abraham Lincoln left its home port in California on January 3 for a regularly scheduled deployment, the Navy Times reports.

It was the first time the Lincoln left carrying a Marine stealth fighter jet squadron known as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, a new group within the Marine Corps.

It comes after North Korea test fired a missile reportedly capable of hitting anywhere on the US mainland last month. Believed to be about 82 feet long, the Hwasong-17 is the North's longest-range weapon and, by some estimates, the world's biggest road-mobile ballistic missile system

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks through a window during the test firing of what state media report is a 'new type' of intercontinental ballistic missile, fired in late March

North Korea on last month launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017, one capable of hitting any part of the continental United States, while its Western rival has been focused on rising tensions with Russia amid the war in Ukraine

Details of the exercise will be released by the Japanese Defense Ministry 'when the situation allows a disclosure.'

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said its destroyer JS Kongo and JS Inazuma, as well as Japanese F-2 fighters joined USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group 'in order to strengthen the capability of Japan-US alliance for effective deterrence and response.'

'Our works contribute to the regional peace and stability,' the Japanese navy tweeted.

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense official said they cannot provide specific dates and locations of the ongoing joint exercise until it is finished.

The American and Japanese militaries previously conducted a joint landing and combat exercise near Mt. Fuji in March, the first of its kind.

Four hundred Japanese soldiers and 600 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa practiced a scenario in which an enemy force invaded one of Japan's remote islands.

Tension has risen in the area over North Korea's spate of missile tests this year, including its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years.

Some experts say the hermit kingdom's recent missile tests were meant to perfect its weapons technology, boost its leverage in future negotiations with the U.S. and secure stronger internal loyalty.

They say North Korea's expected forthcoming test could be an ICBM launch, a launch of a satellite-carrying rocket or a test of a nuclear device in coming weeks.

Pyongyang's March missile test saw the rocket reach a maximum altitude of 3,880 miles and travel 680 miles, according to North Korean state media. That data lines up with South Korea and Japan's reports.

Analysts have suggested the calculations mean North Korea would be capable of striking anywhere across the entire continental United States.

The 82-foot-long Hwasong-17 rocket is possibly the largest road-mobile ICBM in the world, and is certainly the biggest owned by North Korea. It's reportedly bigger in scale than the last long-range-tested missile fired in 2017.

State news claimed Kim lauded the test as a 'striking demonstration of great military muscle.'

He vowed to continue bolstering the country's nuclear arsenal to keep his forces 'fully ready for long-standing confrontation with the U.S. imperialists.'
A Muslim mother-of-four standing for election in the Red Wall next month is hoping to become the first Conservative councillor to wear a niqab.

Fajila Patel, 36, says she wants to 'inspire' more women to get into politics - including those who adopt the full veil - by seeking election in Blackburn Borough Council.

If successful, she will be the first Tory councillor to wear the Muslim modesty garment, which covers the whole body except for the area around the eyes.

She is being supported by her husband Tiger Patel, a councillor who dubbed himself the 'Bojo of Blackburn' after his viral video helped him secure an unlikely victory in the Labour heartland last year.

Fajila said she had 'no concerns' about Islamophobia in the Tory Party, despite a May 2021 report stating that anti-Muslim sentiment 'remains a problem' among members.

Fajila Patel, 36, says she wants to 'inspire' more women to get into politics by seeking election in Blackburn Borough Council

If successful, it is believed Patel will be the first Tory councillor to wear the niqab, a Muslim modesty garment which covers the whole body except for the area around the eyes

But she branded comments made by party leader Boris Johnson, comparing women wearing the full veil to 'letterboxes' and 'bank robbers', as 'indefensible' even though the article in which the comments appeared defended the right of Muslim women to wear the veil.

She said: 'I do not agree with everything a Conservative Party politician says or does.

'Some comments are indefensible. I am not trying to make a statement I am just trying to show that as a woman I can make a difference.'

Fajila will stand as a councillor in the Bastwell and Daisyfield ward of Blackburn on May 5, where nearly 84 per cent of people are of Muslim faith.

She is being supported by her husband Tiger Patel (right), a councillor who dubbed himself the 'Bojo of Blackburn' after his viral video helped him secure an unlikely victory in the Labour heartland last year

Fajila said she had 'no concerns' about Islamophobia in the Tory Party, but branded comments made by party leader Boris Johnson, comparing women wearing the full veil to 'letterboxes' and 'bank robbers', as 'indefensible' even though the article in which the comments appeared defended the right of Muslim women to wear the veil

Who is Tiger Patel, the self-dubbed 'Bojo of Blackburn'? Even if she is successful in May's election, Fajila Patel will not be to most high-profile politician in her own home. For her husband, Tiger Patel, already has a significant following after securing an unlikely victory in last year's local elections. Tiger, real name Altaf, amassed a legion of fans during his campaign for the Audley and Queen's Park ward seat on Blackburn Council thanks to his seemingly unintentionally funny campaign videos. Mr Patel unknowingly posed in front of a slide that was daubed in X-rated graffiti A viral clip posted in the run-up to the May 2021 poll showed the taxi driver walking nonchalantly through a children's playground daubed in 'fruity' graffiti, in time to music, as he looks directly into the camera. At one point he stands atop a slide and raises his arms while looking at the camera - unaware that he is standing behind graffiti which shows a doodle of male genitalia. He beat the Labour incumbent by 113 votes a few days later. He has become something of a celebrity in the area with similar videos highlighting issues including fly-tipping, potholes and the state of local facilities including parks. He describes himself as 'a well known and charismatic community campaigner' and said he joined the Conservative Party, 'because he believes they can deliver far more for residents than what Labour have done.' More recently he posted a video of himself fixing a bollard that had been knocked over. Mr Patel, who has run previously as an independent, said he was moved to run as a Conservative this time after seeing Boris Johnson make speeches on TV - and he says he has even been compared with the Prime Minister. Advertisement

She explained she wanted 'break down barriers' and inspire more women in the community to actively pursue politics.

The council has a two-thirds Labour majority with 35 members to the Conservatives' 14.

Fajila said: 'The main reason [I'm standing for election] is I want to break down barriers. I wanted to help inspire other women to come forward and be confident enough a stand as a councillor.

'We all know that local politics in our community continues to be male-dominated.

'There are far too few women involved in local politics and this needs to change as I know women can make a huge contribution.'

Fajila added that there had been a 'great misconception about females who wear the full veil', saying women who follow their requirement are 'completely independent'.

Julian Arnold, who is chairman of Blackburn Conservative Association and a parish councillor, said Fajila's candidacy in the upcoming local elections was a 'breakthrough'.

He said: 'Fajila is a wonderful person, supporting her large family and Tiger, but wants to make a difference to break down boundaries and help her community.

'Fajila chooses to wear the Niqab, which is her right and a right that we would always defend. Conversely we would always defend somebody who didn't wish to wear any other religious insignia.

'We continue to make groundbreaking moves to advance the Conservative Party in Blackburn.'

Julian, 51, confirmed that after taking over the local association roughly four years ago, he had removed some members following issues with 'islamophobia'.

He said: 'I will say this as well, we had issues with Islamophobia. There is no room for any type of racism in a party that I head up, and I will be quite straight with you, we've had to remove people.'

But he said that he was enormously 'proud' to support Fajila's election bid - even if it caused 'upset' among others in the community.

'It's not a gimmick. It's what she wears, and it's what she's about. She has a niqab. It's what she feels comfortable in with her faith.'

'Michael Gove wants to meet Tiger and Fajila when she gets in, fingers crossed. It's what the Conservative party is about - and we are ground-breaking.'

Tiger Patel, 52, said he believed his wife might be the first sitting councillor of any party to wear the niqab if she is elected on May 5.

He said: 'This is the first woman in the UK standing in the Conservative party, in any party, who wears the niqab.'

'The local Conservative Party has been supportive, and she wanted to help break down barriers. I am supporting her much as I can.'
A hearing into the death of a toddler who was left to die in sweltering heat in a daycare minibus two years ago has revealed how a combination of errors and poor management may have led to the incident.

Three-year-old Maliq 'Meeky' Nicholas Floyd Namok-Malamoo died inside a bus parked outside the Goodstart Early Learning Centre in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton on February 18, 2020.

Maliq was left in the vehicle for almost six hours that day and was tragically found dead in his seat at 2.30pm that afternoon. Prosecutors allege Maliq was 'forgotten' and left behind to die.

Childcare worker Dionne Batrice Grills, who accompanied centre director Michael Glenn Thomas Lewis while he drove the bus, is standing trial for manslaughter in the Queensland Supreme Court.

Three-year-old Maliq 'Meeky' Nicholas Floyd Namok-Malamoo died inside a bus parked outside the Goodstart Early Learning Centre in the Cairns suburb of Edmonton on February 18, 2020

Childcare worker Dionne Batrice Grills, who accompanied centre director Michael Glenn Thomas Lewis (pictured leaving court in February, 2020) while he drove the bus, is standing trial for manslaughter in the Queensland Supreme Court

Inside the Cairns courthouse on Wednesday, kindergarten teacher at the centre Lesley Ann Motley said that prior to the tragedy she had raised concerns of how the centre was run.

'On occasions there had been a failure of duty of care,' she told the court. Mr Lewis was a 'hands off person, he didn't really come out and check on everything and how everything was going.

'He wouldn't check student numbers in the yard and that concerned me, the national education quality standards were not being met.'

Ms Grills had only been working at the centre for six weeks at the time of the incident. However, Mr Lewis said he had hired her because of her 17 years of experience in the industry.

Childcare worker Dionne Batrice Grills (pictured second from the left leaving court in February 2020) has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter

Giving evidence, Mr Lewis (pictured leaving the Cairns watch house after being granted bail in February 2020) admitted that he had forgotten to address a shortfall in the staff roster

Mr Lewis had been working as director at Goodstart for 18 months prior to the tragedy, the court heard. Pictured are first responders on the scene in 2020.

Giving evidence, Mr Lewis admitted that he had forgotten to address a shortfall in the staff roster.

The minibus' regular driver was on leave and her replacement wasn't due to start for the day until 10am, so Mr Lewis and Ms Grills had to do a late pick up of students, including Maliq.

It was not a job Mr Lewis would have usually done and he described the error as a 'substantial stuff up.'

Other staff described Mr Lewis as 'visibly flustered' on the morning of the incident. He was meant to have been at a meeting with other daycare centre directors and the regional bosses.

Another of the centre's childcare workers Angie Rasmussen said there was meant to be a roster of students to picked up - but she had never seen one.

A funeral was held for at Gordonvale, on the southern side of Cairns, for hree-year-old Maliq 'Meeky' Nicholas Floyd Namok-Malamoo on February 18, 2020

Sombre friends and relatives are seen loading the little boy's casket into a waiting vehicle

Instead, Ms Rasmussen told the court there would be names on a 'paper or sticky notes with the prep kids highlighted, but I never saw an actual roster list.'

Mr Lewis had been working as director at Goodstart for 18 months prior to the tragedy, the court heard.

He started out with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Care, and he progressed quickly up through the organisation to his role as manager.

Ms Grills claims to have only have been briefed on how to do the school pick ups the day before the incident.

She has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter. The case continues before Justice Peter Applegarth this week.
Sweden has signalled it will apply for NATO membership today in a move set to infuriate Vladimir Putin by expanding the US-backed security alliance's presence on Russia's borders.

Sources told Sweden's SVD newspaper about the move on the same day that fellow neutral neighbour Finland started its debate on joining NATO after days of speculation it would do so.

Sweden's prime minister Magdalena Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June, to the fury of Vladimir Putin who invaded Ukraine in part for its desire to join to the pact.

Finland, along with neighbouring Sweden, has historically avoided NATO membership, despite close alignment with the West, in an effort not to provoke Russia.

But Putin's invasion of Ukraine has decisively changed public opinion in the Scandinavian countries after Russia began the war with a barrage of rhetoric about stopping NATO expansion.

The Swedish application is expected to be submitted by the NATO meeting in Madrid on June 29-20, Swedish reports say.

Similarly, Finland is hoping to start its application process 'within weeks, not within months', its prime minister Sanna Marin said today. This comes despite Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov having recently warned it would mean 'the destruction of the country'.

A Finnish government report released today that examines the 'fundamentally changed' security environment will now make its way through parliament, followed by a debate next week, and is expected to form the basis of their decision.

Today, Andersson hosted Marin in Stockholm for a meeting on their prospective memberships of the alliance.

Marin said: 'There are different perspectives to apply (for) NATO membership or not to apply and we have to analyse these very carefully. But I think our process will be quite fast, it will happen in weeks.'

The assault on Ukraine sparked a dramatic U-turn in public and political opinion in Finland and neighbouring Sweden regarding their long-held policies of military non-alignment.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (left) and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin walk together prior to a meeting on whether to seek NATO membership today

Rattled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland will kickstart a debate that could lead to seeking NATO membership, a move that would infuriate Moscow

Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (pictured with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on April 7) is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June this year

Vladimir Putin, pictured today, has warned against NATO expansion in Europe, adding to fears of an escalating conflict

Why are Sweden and Finland not in NATO? Both Finland and Sweden have been militarily non-aligned since WWII. Sweden maintained its policy of neutrality - which had begun in the early 19th century - throughout the war wanting to avoid being drawn into a conflict that was engulfing the nearby powers of Germany and the Soviet Union. Instead, Sweden profited from its neutrality by exporting iron ore to the Nazis and sharing military intelligence with the Allies and training their refugee soldiers. Meanwhile Finland changed sides in the conflict, first being invaded by Joseph Stalin and assisting the Nazis, before fighting against Hitler's troops. When NATO was formed in 1949 for a Western military alliance, Sweden decided not to join and continue its neutrality, introducing a security policy that secured its non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war. In 1994, Stockholm decided to join the NATO programme Partnership for Peace (PfP), aimed to build trust between member states and other European countries, but until now it has not signalled a desire to fully join the alliance. Finland is also a PfP member but has similarly stated its desire to remain neutral since the war. The EU member state was part of the Russian Empire and won independence during the 1917 Russian revolution but it nearly lost it fighting the Soviet Union in World War Two. Having been invaded by Russia in 1939 and sharing a long border with the superpower, Finland wanted to stay out of future conflicts, giving it the freedom to maintain a strong relationship with Moscow and the West while enjoying a free market economy. Advertisement

Attempting to join NATO would almost certainly be seen as a provocation by Moscow, for whom the alliance's expansion on its borders has been a prime security grievance.

But Sweden's ruling party said this week: 'When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally.'

The centre-left Social Democrats have historically opposed NATO membership but the brutal invasion of Ukraine has reignited debate in the Scandinavian kingdom.

A policy reversal for the party, which ruled for an uninterrupted 40 years between the 1930s and 1970s, would be historic.

Sweden is officially non-aligned militarily, although it is a NATO partner and abandoned its position of strict neutrality after the end of the Cold War.

Having initially stressed that non-alignment had 'served Sweden's interests well,' Andersson recently conceded that she was ready to discuss the policy and in late March said she 'did not rule out' a bid to join NATO.

Meanwhile in Finland, former prime minister and long-time NATO advocate Alexander Stubb said he believes Finland making a membership application is 'a foregone conclusion'.

Finland has a long history with Russia. In 1917 it declared independence after 150 years of Russian rule.

During World War II, its vastly outnumbered army fought off a Soviet invasion, before a peace deal saw it cede several border areas to the Soviet Union.

During the Cold War, Finland remained neutral in exchange for guarantees from Moscow that it would not invade.

So the turnaround in sentiment on NATO would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.

As recently as January, Marin said membership was 'very unlikely' during her term.

But after two decades of public support for membership remaining steady at 20-30 per cent, the war caused a huge surge.

Recent surveys by a Finnish market research company put 84 per cent of Finns as viewing Russia as a 'significant military threat', up by 25 per cent on last year.

Finland is hoping to start its application process 'within weeks, not within months', with a decision expected soon on the country's security. PM Sanna Marin is pictured today

Andersson hosted her Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin in Stockholm for a meeting on their prospective memberships of the alliance

Andersson is understood to be eager for the country to join the trans-Atlantic alliance by June

Former prime minister and long-time NATO advocate Alexander Stubb (pictured) has said he believes Finland making a membership application is 'a foregone conclusion'

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov euphemistically warned the move would 'not improve' the security situation in Europe, and Moscow lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov added more bluntly it would mean 'the destruction of the country'.

'We have repeatedly said that the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation and its further expansion will not bring stability to the European continent,' Peskov said.

Public statements gathered by newspaper Helsingin Sanomat suggest half of Finland's 200 MPs now support membership while only 12 oppose.

Others say they will announce a position after detailed discussions.

The government said it hopes to build a parliamentary consensus over the coming weeks, with MPs due to hear from a number of security experts.

Marin expects a decision 'before midsummer', with many analysts predicting Finland could submit a bid in time for a NATO summit in June.

Any membership bid must be accepted by all 30 NATO states, a process that could take four months to a year.

Finland has so far received public assurances from secretary general Jens Stoltenberg that NATO's door remains open, and several members' support.

Russia has threatened a similar response to Finland as the horrors seen in Ukraine if it seeks to join NATO

A view of a residential building destroyed as a result of shellfire in Ukraine, which Russia has threatened on Finland

Unlike Finland, Sweden shares no land border with Russia and the two countries have not been at war for two centuries.

Nonetheless, pro-NATO sentiment is also rising among Swedes who 'are realising that they might find themselves in the same position as Ukraine, a lot of sympathy but no military help,' said Robert Dalsjo, research director at the Swedish Defence Research Agency.

Many commentators expect Sweden and Finland will act in tandem on whether to join, but their leaders stressed they may reach differing decisions.

Sweden's ruling party this week announced a review of its long-held opposition to joining NATO.

'For the Social Democrats in Sweden to change opinion [on NATO] is like changing religion,' former Finnish PM Alexander Stubb said. 'And I'm not talking Protestant to Catholic, I'm talking Christian to Muslim.'

Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said Russia's response could include airspace, territorial violations and hybrid attacks, which Finnish NATO proponents believe the country is well prepared to withstand.

'Russia will most certainly huff and puff,' Dalsjo said, but added: 'I don't think they will do anything violent.

'However, in the mood that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is right now, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.'
Kim In-chul, nominee for education minister / Yonhap





Kim In-chul, nominee for education minister and deputy prime minister for social affairs, is a former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) known for his expertise in the area of higher education.







Kim began his career as a professor at HUFS' public administration department in 1998 and was elected university president in 2014. He served as head of the Korea Association of Private University Presidents from 2018 to 2020, and then as chairperson of the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) until recently.






Boris Johnson's former Brexit chief has warned Britons could face the rationing of energy under the government's current plans to reach net-zero by 2050.

Lord Frost tore into the Prime Minister's energy security strategy, published last week, which put offshore wind and nuclear power at the centre of UK energy policy.

The former Cabinet minister, who oversaw Brexit negotiations with the EU, warned the document failed to take account of how homes and businesses would be powered 'when the wind doesn't blow'.

Ministers drew up the new energy strategy in response to the cost-of-living crisis and Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, with the PM leading efforts to wean Western nations off Russian supplies of oil and gas.

Mr Johnson resisted pressure from Conservative MPs to use the energy paper to order a resumption of fracking in the UK to extract shale gas - although ministers have asked for a scientific review of a 2019 ban.

Former Brexit minister Lord Frost said the PM's plans failed to take account of how homes and businesses would be powered 'when the wind doesn't blow'

Lord Frost, who was among Tories to call for the return of fracking, said he 'wasn't massively convinced' that the energy security strategy 'really changed anything much'.

'I think it doesn't deal with the problem that, it's all very well to build a lot of wind power but it needs back-up by other power for when the wind doesn't blow,' he told LBC radio.

'I didn't see that problem really addressed in the security paper.

'My worry is the government is on a plan where it's not engaging with the trade-offs.

'It won't be possible to deliver net-zero on the timetable they want and we will end up with rationing and behavioural change.

'I think that will be an extremely bad outcome. I don't think the British people will put up with it.'

The energy security strategy, published last week, put wind and nuclear power at the centre of UK energy policy

The PM drew up the new energy strategy in response to the cost-of-living crisis and Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine

Britons infamously suffered energy rationing in the early 1970s when Ted Heath's Conservative government introduced a three-day week to help conserve electricity amid a miners' strike and a global oil crisis.

Pressed on his prediction that energy rationing could return for Britons under current plans, Lord Frost added: 'I think if we don't have the right amount of power on the grid at some point in the next 10 years then obviously that is one of the things that could happen.

'I noticed the government has said it would nationalise the grid managers in this paper last week, so government will have control over things it doesn't have control over at the moment.

'I think it's really important we don't go down that road.

'I really worry that our current policy, by not investing in secure, reliable power i.e. gas over the next 10 years, risks taking us into that situation.

'And I don't think last week's paper reassured me that we've got a grip on that.'

Ministers recently rejected suggestions they should be planning for energy rationing due to soaring global oil and gas prices.

Labour's shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds earlier this month claimed Britain 'should be making those plans' and the government 'should be preparing, not necessarily in public, for that situation'.

However, he almost immediately backtracked, later saying that rationing would be a 'disaster for households and for businesses'.
A four-year-old boy was killed after being hit by car at 40mph when he slipped out of his mother's hand and ran into the road 'because he was excited to get home and eat KFC', an inquest hears.

A hearing was told how his mother Aklaya Sasikaran broke her finger trying to grab her son Agarwin Sasikaran before he was struck by the Vauxhall Astra.

He was at a pelican crossing with her and his six-year-old brother when, after his mother let go of his hand to press the button, he darted into the road, an inquest heard.

Agarwin suffered 'catastrophic injuries' around his head and torso and never recovered consciousness, the inquest was told yesterday.

An off-duty GP jumped over the barriers to treat the boy while the driver of the car called emergency services but the child died the following morning in hospital.

The death of the young Sri Lankan boy was said to have happened due to the 'unpredictability of children', West London Coroner's Court heard.

The Coroner and police confirmed through an 'extremely thorough' report that the 'driver had made no mistake'.

A hearing was told how his mother Aklaya Sasikaran broke her finger trying to grab her son Agarwin Sasikaran, pictured, before he was struck by the Vauxhall Astra

The horrific collision happened at around 7pm on Sunday October 11, 2020, on Uxbridge Road, in Hayes, west London.

He was rushed to St Mary's Hospital, but medics could not save him and he died in the early hours of the following morning.

Ms Sasikaran gave a statement to police saying after making the children lunch at home the youngster wanted popcorn chicken from KFC for dinner.

Assistant Coroner Ivor Collett said, summarising her statement, said: 'She told the children that they would take the food home rather than eat it at the KFC.

'They left KFC and she took hold of Agarwin's hand while his brother walked unaided.

'They walked up to the crossing on Uxbridge Road. There was a green man for them until they got to the central reservation.

'Once they were on that island, she pressed the button to allow them to cross the second half of the road.

'She let go of Agarwin's hand, still holding the Tesco bag, to press the button. He then ran out into the lane.'

The Coroner said the mother desperately tried to grab her young son, breaking her finger as she tried to grab him, but he was hit.

He was at a pelican crossing with his mum and six-year-old brother when, after his mother let go of his hand to press the button, he darted into the road, a hearing was told. Pictured: Tribute to Agarwin on Uxbridge Road, Hayes, where he was hit by a car

Stacy Woolmore, the driver who was within the speed limit, reacted within one second of the boy shooting into the road by immediately swerving left in a bid to avoid the crash.

Police officers examining the case determined the crash was 'unavoidable' and found the driver had 'made no mistake'. .

Mr Collett, summarising her statement, said: 'She said he must have been one metre ahead of the mother.

'The mother tried to grab him but it was too late and the car struck the boy. Ms Woolmore then contacted emergency services.'

Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, of the Metropolitan Police, investigated the incident and examined CCTV to find the time between Agarwin running out onto the road and Ms Woolmore swerving to avoid him was within one second.

This was the reaction time police found to be a responsible amount of time for an 'alert' driver, the inquest was told.

He told the court: 'She reacted within one second of the pedestrian running out into the road and that CCTV footage shows there was no sufficient time for the vehicle to stop before the collision.

'The vehicle was travelling at 39 mph. At the point of the boy running into the road, the collision was unavoidable.

'It is my hypothesis Agarwin was eager to get home after visiting KFC with his mother and brother.'

The Coroner described the driver as 'extremely remorseful' and said the death affected her immensely and needed specialist support.

DC Alexander added: 'The family have been gravely affected and moved from London to elsewhere wanting a fresh start from this tragic incident.'

Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, of the Metropolitan Police, investigated the incident and examined CCTV to find the time between Agarwin running out onto the road and Ms Woolmore swerving to avoid him was within one second. Pictured: Uxbridge Road

Assistant Coroner Ivor Collett said: 'A young family was going out to enjoy KFC, a takeaway and that evening ended with this tragic outcome.

'Agarwin Sasikaran was a four-year-old boy holding his mother's hand crossing the road with his brother.

'The family had safely reached the central reservation and so were going to wait until they were allowed to cross the rest of the road.

'This was a pedestrian crossing governed by traffic lights. His mother pressed the button to call for the lights to change.

'As she did that, Agarwin ran from her into the road. An oncoming car struck Agarwin before his mother could get hold of him even though she tried.

'Agarwin suffered very serious injuries and never recovered consciousness. He received highly specialist treatment both at the roadside and at the hospital.

'The injuries, particularly to his brain, were not such that could be survived.

'After specialist surgical opinion, the decision was taken that he could not be actively treated. He died at around 2.30am in the morning hours after the accident.'

The Coroner confirmed through the 'extremely thorough' report that the 'driver had made no mistake'.

Mr Collett added: 'This terrible accident happened because children can sometimes behave unpredictably.

'Mrs Sasikaran will never be able to forget that terrible evening but I want her to know that it is absolutely clear that there is nothing she could have done to avoid what happened. Children do behave in these impulsive ways..'

The conclusion of the death was found to be severe traumatic brain injury caused by road traffic collision.

Paying tribute, Mr Collett said: 'I want to send this court's condolences to the family.

'I did not know their little boy, but it's clear that his parents loved him very much.'
The British Army has lost its right to diplomatic immunity against lawsuits in Kenya in a landmark ruling over a massive bushfire allegedly caused by 'cocaine-taking' UK soldiers based in the African country.

A huge wildfire at Lolldaiga Hills Ranch, a 49,000-acre sanctuary which houses the Nanyuki army base used by Britain for military drills, broke out in March last year and caused widespread devastation, putting more than 1,000 locals at risk of drought.

In the ensuing chaos, Linus Murangiri, an employee of Lolldaiga conservancy, was crushed to death by a vehicle as he rushed to help put out the fire, leaving behind his wife and two sons.

The African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA) brought legal action against BATUK seeking compensation and reparations, alleging that the fire was 'caused by agents of the British Army Training Unit Kenya who tested positive for cocaine'.

BATUK denies its soldiers caused the fire and claimed they were protected from prosecution by diplomatic immunity.

But in a landmark ruling, Kenyan High Court Judge Antonina Bore argued that the UK Government waived diplomatic immunity to legal action by signing an agreement in 2015 governing the terms under which its soldiers would be allowed to operate in Kenya.

A huge wildfire at Lolldaiga Hills Ranch, a 49,000-acre sanctuary which houses the Nanyuki army base used by Britain for military drills, broke out in March last year and caused widespread devastation, putting more than 1,000 locals at risk of drought

In the ensuing chaos, Linus Murangiri, an employee of Lolldaiga conservancy, was crushed to death by a vehicle as he rushed to help put out the fire, leaving behind his wife and two sons

A company of soldiers troop during a simulated military excercise of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) together with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) at the ol-Daiga ranch, high on Kenyas Laikipia plateau on March 26, 2018

The pressure group and the locals argued that the terms of a Defence Cooperation Agreement signed seven years ago between Kenya and the UK Government was 'equivalent to a waiver of state immunity' in relation to civil claims brought as a result of the actions of British soldiers.

The judge agreed that 'as a unit of the British Army, BATUK has no legal entity separate from the UK Government.

But she went on to find that the 2015 agreement did amount to a partial waiver of diplomatic immunity.

The judge said that under the terms of the agreement 'it is evident that Kenya would have jurisdiction for civil claims and liabilities arising from activities in its territory under the agreement while the UK would have jurisdiction for civil claims and liabilities arising from activities in its territory'.

The African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA) brought legal action against BATUK seeking compensation and reparations, alleging that the fire was 'caused by agents of the British Army Training Unit Kenya who tested positive for cocaine'

Pictured right, Brigadier Lucinda Caryl Westerman, who runs BATUK

She added: 'The allegation in the petition is that British soldiers caused a huge fire in the military training grounds in Lolldaiga, which is in Kenya. Kenya therefore has jurisdiction.'

The judge said the agreement 'required the visiting forces to respect and be sensitive to the traditions, customs and culture of the communities in the places where they were deployed' and 'pay compensation within the framework of the Defence Cooperation Agreement where they were found liable for causing any death, injury, loss or damage to the persons and/or property of members of such local communities'.

'In the court's view this clause anticipated the kind of claim brought by the petitioners,' she concluded.

The judge ordered that ACCPA and the local people must now go through a dispute resolution process in a bid to agree terms with the UK government.

If an agreement cannot be reached the case will return to be tried in the Kenyan courts.
A millionaire's son who was caught drink-driving in his mother's Mercedes after his parents alerted police will avoid justice until June while he goes to rehab.

Edward George, 30, was 'extremely intoxicated' when he got into his mother Alison's car outside her Sandbanks home in December last year.

The police caught up with him when he returned to the 2million Poole Harbour flat, just yards away from Harry Redknapp's home, on foot and he was found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit.

But George, the son of millionaire Brendan George who owned Wimborne Market, won't face justice until six months after the offence while he undergoes expensive rehab.

Edward George (pictured outside Poole Magistrates' Court), 30, was 'extremely intoxicated' when he got into his mother Alison's car outside her Sandbanks home in December last year

His case bears striking similarities to that of his younger brother Oliver George.

In 2019, the then 26-year-old Oliver had his sentencing for a drunken fake gun fracas at a yacht club delayed for two months while he went to Barbados for alcohol treatment.

In 2019, the then 26-year-old Oliver had his sentencing for a drunken fake gun fracas at a yacht club delayed for two months while he went to Barbados for alcohol treatment. But during the luxury trip, photos emerged of George apparently drinking

Oliver was controversially given permission by a court to leave the country despite being convicted of terrorising a barman with a fake gun.

His lawyer had said George would be getting treatment for his drinking problem during the pre-booked, month-long family holiday to the Caribbean.

But during the luxury trip, photos emerged of George apparently drinking.

Sporting a red suntan, ginger-haired George, from exclusive Sandbanks, returned to a chilly Poole Magistrates' Court in Dorset to be dealt with for the fake gun offence.

He avoided jail and was instead told to carry out 200 hours community service after his lawyer said he had got his drinking under control since returning from Barbados.

Despite pleading guilty to driving offences in February, Edward's sentencing has been delayed until June as he is spending four months in a private clinic in the Midlands to overcome his alcohol problems.

At the conclusion of his treatment experts will produce a report on his recovery that magistrates will take into consideration when he is sentenced.

Magistrates heard his family have paid for him to enter the rehab facility. Although no cost was given in court, private treatment generally costs upwards of 1,400 a week in the UK.

His case bears striking similarities to that of his younger brother Oliver George (pictured at Poole Magistrates' Court). In 2019, the then 26-year-old Oliver had his sentencing for a drunken fake gun fracas at a yacht club delayed for two months while he went to Barbados for alcohol treatment

The court was told at a previous hearing that George had been staying at his parents' home following the breakdown of his relationship.

It was heard that he had a drinking problem and that in April 2021 he had been banned from driving for three years for another offence of driving with excess alcohol.

Richard Withey, prosecuting, said: 'Police received a call to say the defendant had been drink driving. They attended the address of the informant, whilst they were there Mr George arrived on foot, appearing extremely intoxicated.

'The car wasn't there. He was arrested at that point. The car was recovered at another location.'

George pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance in February.

Despite pleading guilty to driving offences in February, Edward's (pictured leaving Poole Magistrates' Court) sentencing has been delayed until June as he is spending four months in a private clinic in the Midlands to overcome his alcohol problems

At that hearing Mark Hensleigh, defending, asked magistrates in Poole to defer sentencing until after his counsellors could produce their report.

He said: 'Mr George clearly has a problem with regards to drinking. He was staying at his parents' address, he had taken his mother's car.

'He accepts he has a problem, he admits to the driving, although no one actually saw him drive.

'Clearly he has a problem with drinking, all the offences relate to him drinking. If he doesn't drink he doesn't get in trouble.

'His family are funding him at a primary residential facility. He has made massive progress since he's been there.

'You could defer sentence for reports and so he could complete the course.

Magistrates heard his family (pictured are Edward's parents Brendan and Alison outside Poole Maigstrates' Court) have paid for him to enter the rehab facility. Although no cost was given in court, private treatment generally costs upwards of 1,400 a week in the UK

'He has no income at this time, he is fully supported by his parents. I don't know the cost of the rehab but I can't imagine it's particularly cheap to go into one of these places.'

Yesterday George appeared in court again for sentencing but again the case was adjourned to allow him to finish his rehab.

Mr Hensleigh said: 'While the defendant is still in rehab they (the rehabilitation centre) cannot produce a report.

'The suggested date for leaving rehab is April 28 but he is doing really well there and that may be extended.'

George is due back in court again in June.
Smith, who denies the charges, will stand trial at the Old Bailey in February

A security guard accused of spying for Russia at the British embassy in Berlin will stand trial in February next year, a court heard.

David Smith, 57, allegedly collected information 'useful to the Russian state' and sending a letter to Russian military attache containing details of embassy officials.

The Scot was arrested at his home in Potsdam near Berlin last August and was extradited back to the UK from Germany last week.

Smith denied nine offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911, between October 2020 and August 2021, when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week.

David Smith, 57, who is alleged to have collected information 'useful to the Russian state' and sending a letter to Russian military attache will stand trial at the Old Bailey in February next year

Wearing jeans and a light blue polo Smith appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link today from HMP Belmarsh and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

Mr Justice Sweeney said a trial would take place from February 13 next year at the Old Bailey.

Alistair Richardson, prosecuting, said: 'We understand that a trial date has been identified likely to be in February next year at this court.'

The charges allege Smith 'attempted to communicate' by letter with 'General Major Sergey Chukhurov, the Russian military attache based out of the Russian Embassy, Berlin'.

The Scot was arrested at his home in Potsdam near Berlin last August and was extradited back to the UK from Germany last week. Pictured: Smith was arrested by German police at his apartment in Potsdam on August 10 last year

The material 'contained details about the activities, identities, addresses and telephone numbers of various members of Her Majesty's Civil Service.'

Smith is also accused of collecting material classified as secret, including unauthorised copies of documents, a SIM packaging and CCTV footage.

Scotland Yard has said the nine charges relate to 'the collection and communication of information useful to the Russian state'.

Mr Justice Sweeney said a trial would take place from February 13 next year at the Old Bailey. Smith denies all nine offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911

The government requested his extradition at the end of last year but Smith and his lawyer challenged the case.

The extradition request was granted by the state court of Brandenburg earlier this month.

Mr Justice Sweeney remanded Smith in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 1 August and fixed his four-week trial for 13 February next year.

A plea and case management hearing was set for July 29.

Smith, originally from Paisley, Scotland, is charged with nine offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911.
The mother of a schoolgirl who killed herself after police discouraged her from pressing rape charges has released her daughter's heartbreaking last photograph.

Semina Halliwell, 12, from Southport, Merseyside, was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat before her death on June 12 last year.

The Year 7 pupil, who had autism, broke down when informing her mother Rachel of the horrific ordeal following a self-harm incident.

However, family members have claimed she was told by detectives she would not 'want this thing hanging over her head' as her case 'wouldn't go to court for 18 months to two years'.

Rachel has since shared the last picture of Semina taken four days before she passed away as she sat propped up in a hospital bed with bruising and cuts around her face.

This is the last picture of schoolgirl Semina Halliwell, from Southport, who took her life after she was allegedly raped by an older boy after being groomed over Snapchat

Semina's mother Rachel (right) and aunt Clare (left) told Sky News that Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' by Merseyside Police

Rachel Halliwell, pictured with her daughter, says Semina was targeted by bullies before her death and her grave was subsequently desecrated

Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police

The family say Semina was 'made to feel like she was an inconvenience' to Merseyside Police and no charges were brought against the alleged offender - whom she had named.

Semina's mother and aunt, Clare, said the lead detective investigating her allegations instead 'sat there and started talking about all the forms he'd have to fill in if she made the complaint' and the length of time it would take him.

The detective is also said to have told the family that it would be 'your word against his', with relatives later telling Sky News that the force did not inform her school of the alleged incident - despite assurances that safeguarding would be put in place.

Instead, the family say Semina was forced to stay at home in order to prevent coming into contact with the alleged offender.

Semina already found it difficult to express herself to strangers and was subjected to vitriolic abuse and violent assaults after reporting the incident.

Her family believe these offences were carried out by associates of the alleged suspect and claim Merseyside Police again failed to fully investigate the allegations.

Rachel said the family received threats they were 'going to get their heads kicked in' if they approached police, with Semina later filmed while being assaulted at school.

But the family again claimed officers did nothing to probe the assaults because 'going around might might make it kick off again'.

Two girls were prosecuted for assault, while Semina's mother was convicted of an offence after her daughter named the alleged offender.

In a later interview with police in the living room of the family home, three months after the initial allegations were raised, Semina said 'I've had enough of this' and went upstairs.

Her mother took that to mean she was fed up of dealing with the officers and the lack of progress being made in investigating her allegations.

But she went upstairs to take her own life by lethal overdose.

Paramedics rushed to the scene after the family discovered empty medicine packets and Semina was taken to hospital.

She was placed into an induced coma, but suffered multiple organ failure and four heart attacks before dying on June 12.

Rachel said: 'It was horrific to watch my daughter pass away. Everybody who is paid to safeguard her let her down. Not one of them told her she was worth their time.'

'People seem to think that when you take an overdose you go to sleep and you die. No she didn't. She didn't at all. We had to watch her die, her body shut down first. No parent should go through that.'

Semina's aunt Clare also recalled the medical team sobbing around the schoolgirl as they tried to save her life.

Semina died on June 12 last year after spending four days in hospital. Her mother alleges that the youngster was 'raped and bullied before taking her own life'

The funeral of Semina at St Patrick's Church in Southport last year. Her coffin was carried by a horse drawn carriage as mourners carried white roses

Following her death, they endured further suffering when a video emerged on social media offering 10,000 to 'trash' Semina's grave.

And footage of her being bullied at school was also directed at the family around the time of her funeral.

It included edited pictures of Semina 'lying in a coffin' sent from fake accounts, but the family say police did not adequately probe further allegations of harassment.

Rachel branded Merseyside Police 'absolutely disgusting' and attributed her death to the force, along with 'the perpetrator, his family and social services'.

Semina's phone, which the family claim is a key part of the investigation, is still in possession of the police.

The family have asked that it be returned as it contains pictures of Semina not available elsewhere.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said an inquest is currently being considered by Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens Coroner and it would not be appropriate to comment on the allegations until the inquest process is complete.

They added: 'However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the Coroner in this matter.'

Snapchat said it is unable to confirm if the app received requests for information from detectives for Semina's case.

A statement added: 'This situation is devastating and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

'Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our community. We strictly prohibit bullying, harassment and other types of unwanted contact.'

'Our global law enforcement operations team supports police investigations, and we have the ability to preserve and provide content to the authorities when we receive requests for assistance.'

An inquest will be held in due course.

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.
A serving Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism officer was arrested buying a McFlurry for a 13-year-old girl he arranged to have sex with while he was 'on duty working from home', a court has heard.

Francois Olwage, a detective constable who was serving with the Met's specialist operations unit, was caught with condoms, erection pills, lubricant and a Ferrero Rocher 'gift' for the young girl, a jury was told.

He is accused of 'grooming' what he believed to be a teenage girl he had met on the Lycos online chat forum, but Winchester Crown Court has heard that the 52-year-old defendant was actually chatting with an undercover police officer pretending to be the girl using the username of Smile Bear before moving to WhatsApp using the name of Caitlin.

The trial has heard that after two weeks of explicit sexual conversations in October 2021, Olwage, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, arranged to meet the 'girl' who had told him that she lived in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Peter Shaw, prosecuting, told the jury that Olwage had been listed as 'on duty working from home' on October 28 2022, the date he travelled by train to Basingstoke with the aim of meeting the 'girl'.

Francois Olwage, a detective constable who was serving with the Met's specialist operations unit, is accused of 'grooming' what he believed to be a teenage girl he had met on the Lycos online chat forum (stock of New Scotland Yard in London)

The court has heard that Olwage was arrested at a McDonald's restaurant in Basingstoke by two undercover officers as he was about to buy a McFlurry ice cream to take to his meeting with 'Caitlin'.

When searched, the officers found in his bag two condoms, a bottle of lubricant and a packet of Tadalafil erectile disfunction tablets.

There was also a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates which Mr Shaw suggested was a present for the 'girl'.

Mr Shaw said that when interviewed, Olwage provided a statement saying that 'he never believed that Smile Bear was a 13-year-old girl' and that he thought it was an adult 'playing out a fantasy'.

He also denied any sexual interest in children.

At the start of the trial Olwage pleaded guilty to an offence of improperly exercising his police powers and privileges in order to receive the 'benefit of sexual gratification', Mr Shaw told the jury.

Winchester Crown Court (stock pictured) heard that 52-year-old Olwage was actually chatting with an undercover police officer pretending to be the girl using the username of Smile Bear before moving to WhatsApp using the name of Caitlin

Mr Shaw previously said that Mr Olwage had sent a message ahead of the meeting to the 'girl' stating: 'Because of your age, things can go very wrong for us, I could be breaking the law, lose my job, social services be called.

'I do not want any of that for us so we can't meet tomorrow for anything sexual so it can only be about us meeting to chat and spending time together.'

Giving evidence to the trial, the undercover officer who posed as Smile Bear, who can only be identified as Max, said he had stated the girl was aged 13 and the defendant had replied: 'Are you OK chatting with me, I could be your dad?'

Olwage denies engaging in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following sexual grooming.

The jury was ordered by Judge Jane Miller QC to find Olwage not guilty of another charge of arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

The trial continues.
The UK's longest serving police chief constable who was found dead in his home 12 days after retirement was identified by his wife, an inquest has heard.

Simon Cole, 55, had served in policing for over 30 years, and was the chief constable for Leicestershire Police for 12 years before he was found unconscious at his home address in Leicestershire.

His cause of death was not revealed, although it is believed the retired police chief had taken his own life after struggling with his mental health for years - having been a pioneer in delivering mental health support for officers.

He leaves behind wife, Jo Cole, who identified his body the day of his death, and his two children, Ben, 21, and Emily, 17.

When he retired on March 18 he was the longest serving chief constable in the UK.

Professor Catherine Mason, the Senior Coroner for Leicestershire at the inquest in Leicester Coroners Court today, said a post mortem had been carried out but the cause of death 'was still subject to confirmation.'

Earlier, his family said their 'hearts are broken' as they paid tribute to the 'huge impact' Mr Cole had on people during his 12 years in charge of policing the county in which he grew up. They have also thanked people for their 'kind words' as they come to terms with their loss.

In a statement, Mr Cole's wife, Jo Cole said: 'We are not sure how we will manage to come to terms with Simon not being here. We were planning many exciting things for his retirement.

The UK's longest serving police chief constable, Simon Cole, 55, (left) who was found dead in his home 12 days after retirement was identified by his wife, Jo Cole, right, an inquiry at Leicester Coroners Court found today

Simon Cole (pictured) had served in policing for over 30 years, and was the chief constable for Leicestershire Police for 12 years before he was found unconscious at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire. His cause of death was not revealed, although it is believed the retired police chief had taken his own life after struggling with his mental health for years

'In the last few weeks of his job as chief constable, I know that he was moved by the love, support and admiration that his colleagues gave him and how kind the community were to him about what he had achieved in his career.

'We have to find strength now to live our lives without him. We ask respectfully for privacy at this time and to be allowed to grieve as a family.'

A former colleague said that Coles passion for helping others came from his own difficulties with mental health, and that Mr Cole took three months off in 2013 with depression, although the reason was not made public at the time.

Earlier, Leicestershire's temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: 'It is hard to put into words how devastating this news is for the entire force who loved and respected Simon. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and we will support them as much as we can.

He leaves behind wife, Jo Cole, pictured, who identified his body the day of his death, and his two children, Ben, 21, and Emily, 17. When he retired on March 18 he was the longest serving chief constable in the UK

'I know Simon had a great impact on many of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his death will be a great loss to many of the people he worked with. All we can do is pull together and mourn the loss of a greatly respected man.

'We want to respect their privacy and the Coroner's process and would ask that the public and media do so too.

'We are offering support to our staff and those who worked closely with Simon.

'I know Simon had a great impact on many of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his death will be a great loss to many of the people he worked with.

'All we can do is pull together and mourn the loss of a greatly respected man.'

Announcing his retirement in January this year, Chief Constable Cole said: 'It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up.

A former colleague said that Coles passion for helping others came from his own difficulties with mental health, and that Mr Cole (pictured) took three months off in 2013 with depression, although the reason was not made public at the time

'I am proud to have served with officers, staff and volunteers who give so much every day. I would like to thank my colleagues for their tireless dedication, commitment and professionalism.

'In my time as Chief Constable I have seen and experienced the full breadth of what policing is expected to do (and the unexpected too!): from Covid lockdowns and high-profile emergency incidents, to Premier League celebrations, and even the re-interment of a medieval king.

'Throughout, however, I have been happiest when I've seen how the force has delivered good service to the public and built trust in neighbourhoods and communities - whether it's been safeguarding young people, tackling complex investigations, bringing county lines gangs and domestic abusers to justice, or just having a chat over a samosa or a pork pie at a local event.'

Earlier, his family said their 'hearts are broken' as they paid tribute to the 'huge impact' Mr Cole (pictured) had on people during his 12 years in charge of policing the county in which he grew up. They have also thanked people for their 'kind words' as they come to terms with their loss

Announcing his retirement in January this year, Chief Constable Cole said: 'It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up'

The 55-year-old became deputy chief constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as chief constable in June 2010, where he spent the majority of his career (Pictured: Leicestershire Police headquarters)

Mr Cole grew up in Leicestershire and was educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester before joining West Midlands Police on a graduate entry scheme in 1988.

He joined Hampshire Constabulary in 2003 as assistant chief constable where he led on delivering neighbourhood policing.

The 55-year-old became deputy chief constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as chief constable in June 2010.

In 2014 he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year Honours and was also made an honorary doctor of arts by De Montfort University.

In 2020, Simon was awarded the Sir Robert Peel Medal by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University, which is awarded annually for 'outstanding leadership in evidence based policing'.

Senior Coroner Professor Catherine Mason adjourned the inquest until a date to be fixed.
A knife-wielding thug who stabbed and killed a young father-to-be at the Royal Easter Show is yet to be identified by police and is still on the run in Sydney.

Uati 'Pele' Faletolu, 17, was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest during a wild brawl while he was working at the Royal Easter Show on Monday.

While the brawl was captured in footage including CCTV, the person who stabbed Mr Faletolu has not been identified from available security video.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with affray and carrying a knife on Tuesday, but it was later revealed he was the brother of a dead teen and his charges did not relate to the fatal stabbing.

Young father-to-be Uati 'Pele' Faletolu, 17, was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest during a wild brawl while he was working at the Royal Easter Show on Monday

While the brawl was captured in footage including CCTV, the person who stabbed Mr Faletolu has not been identified from available security video because the footage is too grainy and dark

The CCTV footage police have examined is too grainy and dark for NSW police to make a positive identification, 7News reported.

Police have called for witnesses to come forward and provide further video footage as evidence.

Mr Faletolu's younger brother was allegedly seen on viral footage sitting on the ground in handcuffs after the melee.

Much of the footage of the horrific incident cannot be used to positively identify a culprit

A 15-year-old boy arrested at the scene was still being question by police on Tuesday morning

Distressed friends and relatives of Mr Faletolu and the 15-year-old have spoken out to clear up rumours that the teenager has been charged over his brother's death.

Instead, the charges relate to the alleged brawl.

On Wednesday Taylor Piliae, 18, announced through her younger sister that she was expecting a baby with Faletolu.

There are fears a postcode gang war between rival western Sydney gangs, the 67 and the 27, may have sparked the melee.

Ms Piliae wrote 'can't wait to meet you mini Pele' alongside her ultrasound video.

The announcement confirms speculation after Mr Faletolu's untimely death that he was due to be a father.

Taylor Piliae, 18, announced through her younger sister that she was expecting a baby with her late 17-year-old boyfriend Uati 'Pele' Faletolu

Faletolu was allegedly stabbed to death during a brawl while he was working at the Easter Show on Monday night

'The rumours are true,' Ms Piliae's sister Bree said. 'My beautiful sister has been blessed with his baby. Congratulations big sis with you every step of the way.'

'The rumours are true,' Ms Piliae's sister Bree said. 'My beautiful sister has been blessed with his baby. Congratulations big sis with you every step of the way.'

The post was flooded with messages of congratulations, with some calling it a 'miracle' that she's been left with 'a little piece of her love'.

'That was his biggest goal, to become a dad,' another said.

Friends of the 17-year-old victim warned his death could further escalate tensions between the rival western Sydney gangs.

Members of the two groups, 67 from Doonside and 27 from Mount Druitt, reportedly had an altercation near the adult ride section of the show about 8pm before it descended into an all-out brawl.

The post was flooded with messages of congratulations, with some calling it a 'miracle' that she's been left with 'a little piece of her love

Faletolu shared a video just a day before his death saying he wished his girlfriend was working at the show with him

'Now a mum has to find out she lost a son. For what? An area you don't own,' one critic said of the brawling youths online.

Superintendent Danielle Emerton from the Auburn Police Area Command suggested it could have been a 'planned confrontation' between the groups.

'We're trying to piece it together. It's a tragic, senseless act. This is a family event and the fact that someone has bought a knife into the show is upsetting,' she said.

A memorial was held in Doonside reserve near Faletolu's house on Tuesday night, where friends and his partner gathered to say their goodbyes

Distressed friends and relatives of Faletolu and the 15-year-old have spoken out to clear up false rumours that the teenager has been charged over his brother's death

Faletolu's grieving girlfriend was supported by her siblings during a memorial for him on Tuesday night

'There were two groups involved in the affray incident where there was a knife involved. So we are looking at additional people that were involved in last night's attack.

'Someone knows who has done this.'

Faletolu was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but later died. He'd been stabbed in the chest while working at the show.

Paramedics were called to a busy strip inside the Sydney Royal Easter Show about 8pm Monday night amid reports of a brawl between two groups of young men.

The victim was an attendant at the Break Dance ride at the Easter Show

Pictured: Members of a different gang involved in the postcode gang wars

Superintendent Danielle Emerton, from the Auburn Police Area Command, would not rule out the possibility the attack was motivated by postcode wars

Detectives and forensic officers were at the carnival on Tuesday combing over the scene of the alleged crime. Police have retrieved one knife

At least two teenagers were stabbed; the victim and a 16-year-old boy who remains in hospital in a stable condition with wounds to his leg.

Police confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday morning at least one suspect remains on the run. A strike force has been established to identify any other people involved in the brawl.

Daily Mail Australia revealed on Tuesday Faletolu was an employee of the carnival and had been for at least two years.

The adult section of the Easter Show was closed to the public on Tuesday due to the ongoing investigation

He was on his break midway through his shift when he reportedly went to meet some friends, including his younger brother, who were attending the show.

Just a day before his death, the victim shared a video at work pouting at the camera with the caption: 'When you wish ur gf worked at the Easter Show again with u'.

He was working the Break Dance ride inside the carnival. The ride is near a thoroughfare which is often congested and brimming with people.

Friends and colleagues have described him as a 'great guy' who always made shifts fun.

'Was a blessing working with you at the show,' one friend said.

'He had his whole life ahead of him... This never should have happened.'

A 17-year-old boy has tragically died after being fatally stabbed in the chest at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Monday night (pictured, paramedics at the scene)

While campaigning in western Sydney on Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was 'distressed' to learn of the teen's death.

'I would say to the family of those who have lost their son, my heart goes out to you. Your hearts must be shattered and broken,' he said.

'I would be asking all parents, obviously, to be taking care and making sure their kids are doing the right thing and making sure they're staying safe and being very aware of their surroundings.'

Footage circulated to social media showed two men brawling in the middle of the carnival.

The taller of the pair tried to send his knee into the other's head as he was driven backwards before landing a series of punches in his abdomen.

The smaller man retaliated by driving him backwards into a set of garbage bins before the taller man was joined by another who also began to swing his fists.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Whittaker said by the time paramedics arrived the victim was already suffering a cardiac arrest as a direct result of the chest wound.

'Paramedics performed CPR and a number of other critical interventions at the scene before loading the patient for transport to Westmead Hospital, unfortunately despite best efforts he couldn't be resuscitated,' he said.

Showgoers were moved out of the carnival area as officers established a crime scene.

Criminal psychologist explains why street violence is on the rise Youth outreach group Junction Works confirmed Sydney's brutal 'postcode violence' was now spreading across the city. The postcode wars comprise groups of young boys and girls - usually teenagers - who are willing to risk their lives to 'rep' the area where they were born and raised. Starting in the far western suburbs, vicious tribal identities based on where teenagers live are appearing throughout the city. 'It is across all of Western Sydney that this is happening,' a spokesman said. 'It's an ongoing issue. It's mainly in the Guildford and Blacktown areas but there's also recently been issues with violence among young people in different postcodes within the Canterbury-Bankstown area too.' Tim Watson-Munro, a criminal psychologist, said young people have always sought a sense of belonging and community within their peer group. But he explained this becomes dangerous when young people find 'security in numbers' within dysfunctional groups. 'This leads to trouble,' he said. A former New South Wales detective said increased violence in lower socioeconomic communities was often due to a sense of hopelessness. 'A high proportion of public housing, a high proportion of migrants and a high proportion of unemployment, in any city in the world that is a recipe for disaster,' Western Sydney University Dr Mike Kennedy said. 'The governments leave it to the police to deal with so they don't have to accept responsibility.' Advertisement
Russia has finally retrieved the body of one of its seven generals slain in Ukraine almost a month after he was killed, reports say.

The corpse of a general believed to be Major-General Oleg Mityaev, 47, commander of the army's feared 150th motorised rifle division, was recovered from where it had lain for weeks after he was killed in an ambush in Mariupol on March 16.

Russia usually refuses to confirm the deaths of its generals in battle but Ukraine's defence ministry has claimed seven killed in action, the first being Major General Magomed Tushayev, killed two days into the invasion at Hostomel on February 26.

The most recent death is claimed to be that of Lt Gen Yakov Rezantsev, commander of Russia's 49th combined army, killed in a strike near the southern city of Kherson on March 25.

The pro-Moscow Wargonzo Telegram channel reported that Ukrainian marines from the 36th brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces cooperated in an operation 'to evacuate the body of our high-ranking officer from the Illich factory in Mariupol', without naming the general but giving his rank.

Major-General Oleg Mityaev, 47, commander of Russia's 150th motorised rifle division, was reportedly killed in Mariupol on March 16

The body of Major-General Oleg Mityaev, 47 (left and right), was reportedly recovered by Russia after it had lained where it fell for almost a month

The alleged dead body of Major-General Oleg Mityaev. Russia alleged that Ukrainian Azov fighters posted a video mocking his corpse

'After yesterday's operation to eliminate a neo-Nazi breakthrough from the Illich plant, the surrendered Ukrainian marines not only shared information about where the general's body was, but also volunteered to participate in the DNR People's Militia's operation to evacuate it.

'Namely, they acted as guides and showed a safe route,' said the outlet.

'For a long time the neo-Nazis refused to hand over his body or report his whereabouts. Instead, Azov fighters posted a video of mocking the corpse.'

Semyon Pegov, who runs the channel, said the slain general 'died in a truly heroic way.

'He was ambushed directly during a combat mission to liberate Mariupol.'

Service members of pro-Russian troops drive armoured vehicles during Ukraine-Russia conflict on a road outside Mariupol

Mariupol has seen the most intense fighting since the Kremlin launched its attack on Ukraine, with the city being virtually razed to the ground

A view shows the building of a theatre destroyed in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol

The Ukrainian cooperation came after Russia's defence ministry announced the surrender of a brigade of Ukrainian marines in the besieged port city of Mariupol.

'In the town of Mariupol, near the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, as a result of successful offensives by Russian armed forces and Donetsk People's Republic militia units, 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers of the 36th Marine Brigade voluntarily laid down arms and surrendered,' the ministry said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian president's office, the Ukrainian general staff or the defence ministry.

Russia said 151 wounded Ukrainian soldiers were treated on the spot and taken to Mariupol's city hospital.

Russia's fallen generals General Magomed Tushaev: Chechen special forces leader who had led 'anti-gay purges' killed in an ambush near Hostomel on February 26 Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky: Deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District killed during a special operation by a sniper on March 4General Magomed Tushaev General Magomed Tushaev (right) was blown up in the early stages of the war by Ukraine after they joined the Russian invasion Major General Vitaly Gerasimov: First deputy commander of Russia's 41st army who took part in operations in Syria and Crimea, killed in fighting around Kharkiv on March 8 Major General Andrei Kolesnikov: Commander of the 29th Combined Army Army killed on March 11 Major General Vitaly Gerasimov (left) was first deputy commander of Russia's 41st army, taking part in operations in Syria and Crimea. He was killed in fighting around Kharkiv on March 8 Major-General Oleg Mityaev, died fighting near the city of Mariupol on 16 March Lt-Gen Andrey Mordvichev, killed in the Kherson region on March 19 Lt Gen Yakov Rezantsev, commander of Russia's 49th combined army, was killed in a strike near the southern city of Kherson on March 25 Lt Gen Yakov Rezantsev , commander of Russia's 49th combined army. He was killed in a strike near the southern city of Kherson on March 25 Advertisement

The 36th marine brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces said on Facebook on Monday that anyone whose limbs have not been torn off will be ordered to fight, and battles are currently being carried out by cooks, drivers and musicians.

They said: 'Today [Monday] will probably be the last battle, as the ammunition is running out.

'It's death for some of us, and captivity for the rest,' it added, saying it had been 'pushed back' and 'surrounded' by the Russian army.

It said it had been defending the port for 47 days and 'did everything possible and impossible' to retain control of the city.




The ruling and opposition parties have discussed the need for a swift review of a bill that will allow K-pop superstar BTS and other prominent pop celebrities to substitute their mandatory military service with other public service, a lawmaker said Tuesday.



Rep. Sung Il-jong of the People Power Party, who serves as executive secretary for the National Assembly Defense Committee, told MBC radio that he and his Democratic Party of Korea counterpart recently discussed the need to swiftly review the bill pending in the National Assembly.



The bill failed to be passed by the parliamentary national defense committee in November, with opponents saying a passage could spark controversy for being unfair to young men in other fields.



Article By Kwak Yeon-soo




Republican strategist and pollster Frank Luntz is warning former President Donald Trump that members of the GOP are mocking him for being 'childish' and are fed up with talk about the 2020 election.

'Trump isn't the same man he was a year ago,' Luntz told the Daily Beast.

'Even many Republicans are tired of going back and rehashing the 2020 election,' he added. 'Everybody else has moved on and in Washington everyone believes he lost the election.'

The comments come after Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu called the former president 'f***ing crazy' at the Gridiron Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, which turned out to be a COVID-19 superspreader event.

Luntz said that Sununu's comments were indicative of a larger feeling within the Republican Party veering away from Trump.

'I don't know a single Republican who was surprised by what Sununu said,' Luntz said.

'He said what they were thinking,' the media maven continued. 'They won't say it [in public], but behind his back, they think he's a child. They're laughing at him. That's what made it [Sununu's comments] significant.'

A popular Republican pollster is warning that the GOP is mocking former President Donald Trump in private and are tired of him lamenting over the 2020 presidential election. Pictured: Trump dances before leaving stage at a rally in Commerce, Georgia on Saturday, March 26, 2022

Sununu, 47, rejected Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's push for him to run in the U.S. Senate, instead deciding to run for his fourth two-year term as governor of New Hampshire. At the time, he said being in the Senate would be like being 'a lion in the cage', claiming nothing gets done there.

Pollster Frank Luntz (pictured) said Republicans say behind Trump's back that 'he's a child'

In a videotaped message to the Gridiron Dinner over the weekend, President Joe Biden thanked Sununu for 'helping Democrats keep the Senate.'

'If you're asking me is Governor Sununu a player? Yes,' Luntz said.

Sununu was chosen to represent the GOP for Gridiron Dinner. He delivered remarks railing against Trump  even though some within the party say the ex-president is the best hope for winning back a Republican majority in Congress in 2022 and the White House in 2024.

'You know, he's probably going to be the next president,' Sununu said of Trump, before going on to sarcastically comment on the ex-president's 'experience' and 'sense of integrity.'

'Nah, I'm just kidding!' Sununu broke out and was met with laughter before saying' 'He's f***ing crazy!'

'Are you kidding?! Come on. You guys are buying that? I love it,' he continued. 'He just stresses me out so much.

'I'm going to deny I ever said it,' Sununu said of his comments about Trump.

He also clarified: 'I don't think he's so crazy he should be in a mental asylum. But if he's in one, he's not getting out.'

Sununu is the son of former Governor John H. Sununu, who was also President George H.W. Bush's chief of staff, and the brother of former Senator John E. Sununu, who lost reelection in 2008 to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.

Luntz described the current New Hampshire governor as 'probably the most likable Sununu.'

'He learned from his father how to be tough, and, from his brother, how to articulate issues,' Luntz said.

It comes after New Hampshire GOP Governor Chris Sununu (pictured) said during the Gridiron Dinner in D.C. on Saturday that Trump is 'f***ing crazy'. Luntz said:'I don't know a single Republican who was surprised by what Sununu said.' Pictured: Sununu at a NASCAR Cup series race on Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Gridiron Dinner returned to D.C. on Sunday evening after a two-year hiatus with the coronavirus pandemic, despite the dinner being held in the past during wartime and 'amidst all kinds of upheaval and turmoil.'

D.C.'s oldest journalist association held their 135th anniversary dinner Saturday, which was not attended by President Joe Biden. Historically, president's attended the dinner that kicks off the nation's capital 'awards season.' Biden did, however, deliver a pre-recorded video address to the dinner.

Some describe the Gridiron Dinner as a smaller, more exclusive white-tie version of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

WHCA will hold their first dinner since 2019 later in April. The dinner initially only had a testing requirement, but after at least 50 cases of COVID emerged from the Gridiron Dinner, the association is now requiring vaccinations as well.

While Sununu spoke for Republicans, Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin spoke for Democrats and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo took stage on behalf of the administration.

Also at the dinner, Sununu told a story about a time Trump visited his state of New Hampshire and invited him for a ride in The Beast.

During their discussion, Trump stopped talking and pointed out the window at people lining the road holding American flags.

He said: 'They love me,' according to the GOP governor.

Sununu said the only problem was that the man the then-president was pointed at was holding a sign that read, 'F*** TRUMP.'

Republicans and Democrats have flung back and forth accusations over the last several years that respective candidates and presidents were not mentally fit for office.

During Trump's presidency, Democrats demanded that his mental stability be tested. Trump said he took cognitive ability tests that he claimed he 'aced.'

Now Republicans are using the same lines of attack against Biden, claiming his frequent gaffes and mix ups during public remarks show that his mental fitness is on the decline.
A fourth Covid jab cuts the risk of people over the age of 60 dying from the virus by almost three-quarters, the first major real-world data shows.

The Israeli study has raised concerns Britain's rollout  which currently only targets over-75s  may need to be expanded to younger groups.

The analysis, of 260,000 Israelis, compared the effects of fourth jabs to third doses given at least four months prior.

It found the extra booster slashed the risk of hospitalisation by another 62 per cent.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at Reading University, said the findings suggested it would be beneficial for the UK to follow Israel's lead and expand the spring booster program to all over 60s.

'I do think it will need to be rolled out to younger-older people,' he said.

But other experts said the benefits will only correspond to a few more lives saved as protection from the original Covid booster dose is already so high.

Israel was the first country in the world to offer a fourth dose of a Covid vaccine at the end of last year, as the world reeled from the spread of the Omicron variant.

An Israeli woman receives her fourth dose of the Covid vaccine back on December 31, an analysis of the increased protection offered by this dose suggests it slashes the risk of death from the virus by 74 per cent compared to just three jabs

Fourth Covid jab: What did the new analysis reveal? Israeli and Harvard experts compared Covid outcomes for 182,122 matched pairs. One part of the pair got a fourth dose of a Pfizer Covid jab and was compared to a similar person who got a third dose at least fourth months prior. Comparing the two, the scientists found people who had a fourth dose had: 74 per cent reduced chance of death

62 per cent less chance of contracting a severe case of Covid

68 per cent lesser chance of needed hospital care for Covid

55 per cent less chance of having Covid symptoms if they did get the virus

45 per cent reduced chance of testing positive for Covid on a PCR test All outcomes were based on seven days after getting the fourth dose to 30 days after. As the body takes a while to produce antibodies in response to a vaccine its effectiveness is only measured seven days after injection. Advertisement

Dr Clarke said most over-60s likely would not be eligible for a fourth dose until May or June because of the current six-month gap needed between jabs.

He added that the results from the Israeli analysis were encouraging and showed the merits of keeping public immunity 'topped up'.

'We need to keep topping up the population-wide immunity particularly for those who are the most vulnerable,' he said.

'We're effectively trying to keep a leaky bucket topped up.'

Experts from Clalit Research Institute in Israel and Harvard University compared the Covid outcomes of 182,122 over 60s who got a fourth jab with 72,505 over 60s people who had only three doses.

People who got the fourth jab did so in January and February this year.

They ten were matched with a person from the third dose group based on things like gender and pre-existing health conditions.

In addition to increased protection against death, people who had a fourth dose also had 62 per cent less chance of becoming severely ill with Covid and 68 per cent less chance of needing to go to hospital due to virus symptoms.

The team also calculated that people with the extra jab were 45 per cent less likely to test positive for Covid on a PCR test and 55 per cent less likely to have a symptomatic case of the virus.

This data was all based on rates up to 30 days after receiving the injection.

Authors of the analysis concluded that: 'A fourth dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine was effective in reducing the short-term risk of Covidrelated outcomes among persons who had received a third dose at least four months earlier.

In fourth dose group Covid hospitalisation rates were 86.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 266.7 per 100,000 in the control.

Severe Covid rates in the extra vaccine dose group were 42.1 per 100,000 people compared to 110.8 per 100,000 in the third dose cohort.

The findings were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The logic behind dishing out multiple Covid vaccines is that additional jabs prompt the body to keep immunity topped up  keeping the body prepared to fight it off.

But British experts have said while the figures sound impressive, the details are a bit more nuanced.

Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline three doses of Covid vaccines are already very effective and a 74 per increased protection against death would only result in preventing a comparatively few fatalities.

'If 95/100 of people are protected from severe outcomes after three doses then the 74 per cent increase is only three-to-four people,' he said.

'Useful but not the same situation as the early pandemic.'

However, he added he would like to see the full data on who was dying in the Israeli study because it may reveal more about protecting at risk groups such as those with particular health conditions.

In terms of if this data supported a similar mass rollout of fourth doses to over 60s here in the UK, Professor Jones said it was too early to tell.

'The data shows that the higher the immunity, the better the outcome, but whether blanket coverage or a targeted approach to those most at risk would be the most effective is hard to assess,' he said.

'As immunity wanes, the current over 75 and vulnerable cut-off for a fourth dose does need to be reconsidered.

'But whether now when cases are falling or later, before the winter perhaps, is not easy to say.'

This map shows the number of Covid vaccine doses administered in countries per 100 people, the darker the green the more doses per person have been delivered

England's outbreak has peaked, massive testing survey suggests England's Covid resurgence has finally peaked  even though more people are currently infected than ever, the country's most respected surveillance report suggests. Office for National Statistics (ONS) analysts estimate 4.1million people in England had Covid in the week ending April 2. Although the highest toll recorded since the pandemic began, it's only 0.5 per cent higher than last week. Experts Monday hailed the figures as the 'first sign infections have plateaued'. In the worst-hit parts of the country  Plymouth, Torbay and South Hams  up to one in 10 people were carrying the virus, according to the testing survey. ONS bosses admitted that 'while infections remain high', cases 'may no longer be increasing in some parts of the UK'. Experts say England's latest surge was driven by the more transmissible version of Omicron, scientifically named BA.2. Ministers also admit that ditching the final Covid restrictions last month also fueled the uptick. The ONS figures, based on swabs of 100,000 people, suggest that the downturn seen in the official numbers over the past week is genuine and not entirely down to the end of mass testing. Scientists and Tory MPs want the daily updates scrapped because they are now almost meaningless. Advertisement

The UK is currently rolling out a fourth dose of Covid jabs, called the spring booster to the over 75s, care home residents of all ages, and people with weakened immune systems like some cancer patients.

These groups are eligible for the spring booster if it has been six months since their first booster shot.

Health chiefs also plan on dishing out another round of boosters this autumn. It could see millions more adults offered an extra vaccine.

Like other experts, Professor Jones argued that rather than additional doses in the UK Covid vaccines could be put to better use in other parts of the world, such as helping to stop new variants of the virus emerging.

'There are two reasons to roll-out elsewhere, humanitarian, for the protection of the populations concerned, and because lowering virus transmission overall lessens the chance of variants arising that might otherwise be a threat to already vaccinated populations,' he said.

Global vaccination data gathered by Our World in Data shows that while many nations have now administered more than one dose per 100 population countries in Africa and the Middle East are lagging behind.

The UK has currently delivered 207 doses per 100 people, meaning the majority of the population has had two Covid jabs.

In comparison, the Democratic Republic of Congo has administered just one dose per 100 people.

About 1.6million people in the UK have received a Spring booster according to the latest available data.

Epidemiologist Professor Paul Hunter, of the University of East Anglia, said the new Israeli study only followed patients for a month so it was unclear if the protection boost would extend beyond that time or wane similar to previous jabs.

'A fourth dose does restore protection at least for a few weeks but the big question is how long will that last. Will it follow what we have seen in the UK and lose effectiveness by around three months?' he said.

'I suspect that we will see a similar drop in effectiveness over a similar time scale but only time will tell.'

On the whole, Professor Hunter said additional Covid jabs will have a place in protecting the most vulnerable people from the virus but did not represent a way out of the pandemic.

'Further boosters will probably have value, for more vulnerable people, but ultimately will not end the pandemic.

'The pandemic will probably only be over when the large majority of us have actually caught Covid at least once.'
At least seven boats carrying around 85 more migrants crossed the Channel this morning, bringing this years total so far to around 4,578.

Around 40 people were escorted from Dungeness and Dover harbour, Kent, on board an RNLI vessel at 3am, with the mostly male group seen wrapped in warm coats and blankets as they were led along the gangway to be processed.

Shortly after 9am a second RNLI lifeboat brought around 15 migrants to shore.

Less than an hour later, Border Force vessel Searcher escorted at least another 30 people to the port of Dover.

Today's arrivals in Dungeness, Kent are just the second of the month after heavy winds in the Channel temporarily put a stop to small boat crossings.

Women and young children were reported to have been among the passengers of several boatloads of people who have crossed the English Channel.

Monday saw UK officials intercept up to 80 Channel migrants as people-smugglers take advantage of clear skies and calm waters.

On 11 April UK officials escorted two small boats of men, women and children into Dover Harbour, Kent at around 7.30am, following a two-week break in crossings due to strong winds and bad weather.

The last crossing before that was on March 28 when 386 people made the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait in 12 boats.

Despite poor weather conditions at sea over the last two weeks, a group of migrants reportedly attempted to row the length of the Channel on Sunday 10 April, but were rescued by the French Navy after getting into difficulty, and returned to the port of Calais.

According to official Home Office figures, at least 4,578 people have reached the UK by small boat so far this year, with more than 3,000 migrants making the treacherous journey last month alone.

This is the highest monthly figure since November 2021 when 6,869 people crossed the Channel.

At least seven boats carrying around 85 more migrants crossed the Channel this morning, bringing this years total so far to around 4,578. Migrants pictured on an RNLI Dungeness lifeboat

Around 40 people were escorted into Dover harbour, Kent, on board an RNLI vessel at 3am, with the mostly male group seen wrapped in warm coats and blankets (pictured) as they were led along the gangway to be processed

Shortly after 9am a second RNLI lifeboat brought around 15 migrants to shore. Less than an hour later, Border Force vessel Searcher escorted at least another 30 people to the port of Dover

Today's arrivals at Dungeness are just the second of the month after heavy winds in the Channel temporarily put a stop to small boat crossings

Monday saw UK officials intercept up to 80 Channel migrants as people-smugglers take advantage of clear skies and calm waters (migrants pictured today in Dungeness, Kent

According to the Maritime Prefect, a patrol from the Gendarmerie Operations and Intelligence Centre reported the departure of a boat from Cran Poulet beach, northern France, on Sunday morning.

The French regional operation surveillance and rescue centre CROSS in Griz Nez engaged the public service patrol boat (PSP) Cormoran to intercept the migrants.

The crew then picked up 11 stranded people from the boat before dropping them off at the port of Calais where they were taken care of by the border police.

Today's crossings means that over 4,500 migrants have arrived via small boats across the Channel this month  almost three times as many as March last year. In 2021, 28,526 migrants made the crossing from France

Despite poor weather conditions at sea over the last two weeks, a group of migrants reportedly attempted to row the length of the Channel on Sunday 10 April, but were rescued by the French Navy after getting into difficulty, and returned to the port of Calais. Child migrants pictured

According to official Home Office figures, at least 4,578 people have reached the UK by small boat so far this year, with more than 3,000 migrants making the treacherous journey last month alone. This is the highest monthly figure since November 2021 when 6,869 people crossed the Channel

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough'

The Prefecture Maritime for the Channel said: 'They are all safe and sound thanks to the efficiency and responsiveness of the actors acting daily for the action of the State at sea and the safeguard of human life: the CROSS Gris-Nez, the maritime prefecture and the operations center maritime forces, the French Navy, the maritime gendarmerie, sea users, as well as State units patrolling the sea daily.

'The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea warns anyone who plans to cross the Channel about the risks involved.

'This maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, the weather conditions are often difficult there (120 days of wind greater than or equal to force 7 on an annual average for example), it is therefore a particularly dangerous sector, especially during winter where the water temperature drops.'

The crew then picked up 11 stranded people from the boat before dropping them off at the port of Calais where they were taken care of by the border police

According to the Maritime Prefect, a patrol from the Gendarmerie Operations and Intelligence Centre reported the departure of a boat from Cran Poulet beach, northern France, on Sunday morning

The French regional operation surveillance and rescue centre CROSS in Griz Nez engaged the public service patrol boat (PSP) Cormoran to intercept the migrants

3,075 people arrived on British soil in March - more than the total number of people who made the journey in January, February, March and April combined last year, and over triple the 831 who arrived in the entirety of March in 2021

A total of 28,526 migrants crossed the Dover Strait last year - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

Border Force union bosses have warned that this year could see at least 60,000 people arrive in the UK by small boat

3,075 people arrived on British soil in March - more than the total number of people who made the journey in January, February, March and April combined last year, and over triple the 831 who arrived in the entirety of March in 2021.

This level of small boat crossings was not seen on a monthly basis until the height of summer in 2021.

A total of 28,526 migrants crossed the Dover Strait last year - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

But the number of crossings is expected to increase over the coming weeks as Spring brings warmer weather and calmer conditions at sea.

Border Force union bosses have warned that this year could see at least 60,000 people arrive in the UK by small boat.

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable

Migrants on board a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel, where thousands of those seeking asylum are arriving in the UK

At least 85 migrants arrive in the UK after crossing the Channel on dinghies in the early hours - taking this year's total to more than 4,500 (migrants pictured on board a Border Force vessel

Those on board the Border Force vessel were given life jackets and face masks as they were taken to shore

A group of migrants are driven away by bus after being brought in to Dover, Kent, by Border Force officers

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

'Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we're cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'
A 'malfunction' meant security cameras were not working in at least three subway stations in New York City, thwarting police efforts to find footage of the gunman who managed to escape without trace after setting off smoke grenades and firing a barrage of bullets at trapped passengers.

Mayor Eric Adams said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the security cameras failing to capture any footage of the suspect, who remains at large, despite his promise to crack down on subway crime in the city.

It comes as a multi-state manhunt is now underway for Frank James, 62, who is a 'person of interest' in the attack which left 10 people injured with gunshot wounds, with police offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced last fall it had installed security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an 'express track to justice'.

But cameras were not working at three stations where police went to look for evidence on Tuesday, Chief of Detectives James Essig said, in a frustrating development in their manhunt for the gunman.

MTA system chief Janno Lieber said he did not know why the cameras malfunctioned, but insisted police had 'a lot of different options' from cameras elsewhere on the subway line to get a glimpse of the shooter.

The malfunction has meant police have still not caught the gunman more than 24 hours after he launched the terrifying attack on commuters.

The blunder comes despite Mayor Adams promising a crackdown on crime in New York City's subway system after a number of high-profile cases.

A 'malfunction' meant security cameras were not working at least three subway stations in New York City, thwarting police efforts to find footage of the gunman who managed to escape without trace after setting off smoke grenades and firing a barrage of bullets at trapped passengers. Pictured: People lay injured on the subway platform

Mayor Eric Adams said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the security cameras failing to capture any footage of the suspect, who remains at large, despite his promise to crack down on subway crime in the city

A senior law enforcement official told the New York Times that it appeared none of the cameras at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park were working at the time of the shooting on Tuesday morning.

It is not known how many cameras in total have been affected by the malfunction, Mayor Adams said. However, investigators obtained cell phone video from an eyewitness that shows the suspect, a law enforcement source told CNN.

The malfunction of the security cameras has hampered investigators' efforts to find James, who has been named as a 'person of interest' in the attack.

Police said the keys found at the crime scene belong to an abandoned U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by James. He also made 'concerning' threats against Mayor Adams and railed against the city's homelessness crisis in social media posts.

The gunman, wearing in a gas mask and construction vest, set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets with a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn.

Terrified passengers tried to get out of the carriage where the gunman was shooting passengers, but the door was locked. When the train pulled into 36th Street station in Sunset Park, injured passengers were seen laying on the floor that was streaked with blood as the gunman fled.

At least 23 people were injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported. Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition, while 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car.

Essig said police found the handgun, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the city's subways. Pictured: Graphic showing crime rates in NYC

What does Adams's subway safety plan for NYC look like? The mayor's plan lays out how the Adams administration, in partnership with the MTA and other state entities, will confront these concurrent challenges on New York City's subway systems. Investments in people will provide immediate support and protection to New Yorkers, while investments in places like drop-in-centers, safe havens, stabilization beds, and Street Homeless Outreach Wellness vans, as well as policy changes at local, state, and federal levels will provide medium- and long-term solutions. These include: Deploying up to 30 Joint Response Teams that bring together DHS, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYPD, and community-based providers in high-need locations across the city

Training NYPD officers in the city's subway system to enforce the MTA and New York City Transit Authority's rules of conduct in a fair and transparent way

Expanding Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division 'B-HEARD' teams to six new precincts, more than doubling the precincts covered to 11. These teams will expand on the already-successful pilot of answering non-violent 911 mental health calls with mental health professionals

Incorporating medical services into DHS sites serving individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Expanded DHS Safe Havens and stabilization bed programs will offer on-site physical and behavioral health care to immediately address clients' needs

Immediately improving coordination across government with weekly 'Enhanced Outreach Taskforce' meetings that bring together senior leaders from 13 city and state agencies to address issues quickly

Creating new Drop-in-Centers to provide an immediate pathway for individuals to come indoors, and exploring opportunities to site Drop-in-Centers close to key subway stations to directly transition individuals from trains and platforms to safe spaces

Streamlining the placement process into supportive housing and reducing the amount of paperwork it takes to prove eligibility

Calling on state government to expand psychiatric bed resources and amending Kendra's Law to improve mental health care delivery for New Yorkers on Assisted Outpatient Treatment

Requiring  instead of requesting  everyone to leave the train and the station at the end of the line Advertisement

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun violence and the ever-present threat of terrorism.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the city's subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Subway rider Michelle Go, 40  who was unexpectedly killed when suspect Simon Martial, 61, allegedly pushed her in front of an oncoming MTA train at the station on West 42nd St and Broadway in January.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime - especially in the subways - an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasn't immediately clear if any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred.

'It is going to take the entire nation to speak out and push back against the cult of death that has taken hold in this nation,' Adams said by video Tuesday night.

Last month, it was revealed that New York City transit crimes surged by more than 200 percent in the first week of Mayor Adams' crackdown on crime in the city's subway system, when compared to the same span last year.

The city reported 55 transit crimes from February 21 through February 27, more than triple the 18 recorded during same period in 2021 - a jump of 205.6 percent, New York Police Department (NYPD) statistics revealed.

For the month of February, crimes on the city's transit system also increased markedly, by 72.4 percent over the most recent 28-day period starting January 31, when compared to last year.

For the year, transit crimes have surged by a similar 72.8 percent, the data shows, with 375 incidents reported as of February 27, compared to 217 during the same stretch in 2021.

The concerning statistics come on the heels of recently sworn in Adams' vow to clean up the crime-ridden subway system, amid a rash of reports of slashings, assaults, and even murder, on platforms and stations across the city.

Adam's Subway Safety Plan initiative, announced by the mayor exactly two weeks ago on February 17, deployed 1,000 additional officers, as well as teams of health workers, into the city's intricate subterranean network to crack down on the influx of crime.

'No more smoking. No more doing drugs. No more sleeping. No more doing barbecues on the subway system. Not more just doing whatever you want,' Adam said at a press event announcing the plan alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

'Those days are over. Swipe your MetroCard. Ride the system. Get off at your destination.'

But Adams' enforcement plan, which did not take effect effect on February 21 - the day the NYPD's crime data for the week began - has so far failed miserably, as the statistics show, with a rash of attacks including one on a city-employed scientist with a hammer and another where an assailant smeared human feces on a victim.

Simon Martial, 61, was arrested after he allegedly shoved Michelle Alyssa Go, 40, right, onto the subway tracks and killed her

Despite Adams' promises, there have been a number of high-profile cases of crime on the subway.

In February, a woman who waiting for a train at a Bronx subway station was approached by a stranger who 'struck her in the face and the back of the head with human feces,' police said.

Frank Abrokwa, 37, was arrested February 28 in relation to the stomach-churning incident - which was captured on security video - and charged with forcible touching, menacing, disorderly conduct and harassment.

Surveillance video from the East 241st Street subway station in the Bronx shows a man attacking an unsuspecting woman sitting on a bench on February 21

The suspect lunges at the 43-year-old victim and shoves a plastic bag containing human feces into her face

The revolting attack took place without any apparent provocation during the evening rush hour

In March, a 58-year-old research scientist for the New York City Health Department was on her way home when she was kicked down the stairs at a Queens subway station and bashed in the head with a hammer.

Sickening surveillance video shows a robber kicking Dr Nina Rothschild down the steps and bashing her in the head repeatedly with a hammer, fracturing her skull days after Mayor Eric Adams vowed to crack down on violence in the transit system.

Many blame the crime wave on the lingering effects of the pandemic, compounded by the closure of mental health facilities under the reign of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, as well as fewer cops due to the pandemic, vaccine mandates, and a smaller police budget spurred by the Defund the Police movement in 2020.

Joseph Giacalone, a crime data expert, former cop, and professor at the city's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told Fox News that the spate of subway crimes spells doom for a city 'trying to get back on its feet' after 'the two big C's'  COVID and crime.

'If you're thinking that people are going to be willing to come back after COVID, maybe,' Giacalone told the outlet.

'But now you're dealing with a crime issue  specifically in the subway, which is the lifeblood of New York City  if people fear going into the subways. And right now, when you look at these numbers, there is some reason to be hesitant.'

Pictured: Nina Rothschild, the 58-year-old NYC Department of Health scientist who was kicked down the stairs and had her head repeatedly hit a hammer. On Thursday, the woman was on her way home when she was kicked down the stairs at a Queens subway station and attacked

Sickening surveillance video shows a robber kicking Dr Nina Rothschild down the steps and bashing her in the head repeatedly with a hammer, fracturing her skull days after Mayor Eric Adams vowed to crack down on violence in the transit system.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams was blasted earlier this year for saying there's only a 'perception' of danger on the city's subway, the day after a passenger was pushed to her death in a seemingly random attack.

Speaking at a press conference, Adams said: 'New Yorkers are safe on the subway system I think it's about 1.7 percent of the crimes in New York City that occur on the subway system.

'Think about that for a moment,' he added. 'What we must do is remove the perception of fear.

'Cases like this aggravate the perception of fear,' he said referring to the death of subway rider Michelle Go, 40  who was unexpectedly killed when suspect Simon Martial, 61, allegedly pushed her in front of an oncoming MTA train in January at the station on West 42nd St and Broadway.

Go is believed to have been a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting.

'When you see homeless individuals with mental health issues not being attended to and given the proper services, that adds to the perception of fear,' Adams said.

Former Republican mayor candidate and Adam's arch-nemesis, Curtis Sliwa, was the first among many users on Twitter to criticize the relatively new mayor's comments, sharing: 'The WHO has a song that says 'the new boss is the same as the old boss.' Adams is saying what DeBlasio said for 8 yrs - #mta crime is a perception & not real. He won't confront Bragg & covers up subway crime. What happened to the law & order candidate?'

He was referring to Adams' status as a former NYPD cop - and repeated promises to stamp-out spiraling crime in the Big Apple.
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Vladimir Putin's war crimes have been exposed in a damning international report a day after US President Joe Biden accused the Russian strongman of trying to 'wipe out' Ukrainians in a 'genocide'.

An Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) report has accused Russia of 'clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations' in Ukraine and said if Moscow had respected its international obligations after invading Ukraine on February 24, 'the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower'.

It comes after the body of 'beautiful' Ukrainian teenager Karina Yershova was identified after she was allegedly raped, shot in the back of the head and dumped by Russian troops in a backyard in Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found after Moscow's men withdrew earlier this month.

Key findings of the OSCE report: Targeted killings, forced disappearances and abductions of civilians, journalists and officials have been carried out routinely.

Mariupol maternity hospital was 'deliberately' destroyed in a Russian attack despite being clearly marked as an operational hospital. 'This attack therefore constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and those responsible for it have committed a war crime.'

Much of the conduct by Russian forces and their proxies 'violate international humanitarian law of occupation'.

The report was concluded before the Bucha massacre was uncovered, but it says 'evidence points to a major war crime and a crime against humanity committed by the Russian forces'.

There is 'credible evidence' of violations of fundamental human rights, such as the prohibition of torture and other degrading treatment, committed in areas under Russian control.

The 'unlawful attack' by Russia has caused destruction of vital healthcare and education services that has made it 'very difficult' for Ukrainian authorities to fulfil its residents human rights.

The report was 'not able to conclude' whether the Russian invasion constitute 'a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population'.

Violations have been committed by both sides, but those by Russian forces 'are by far larger in nature and scale'. Advertisement

A friend of Yershova's mother, Olesya Vasylets wrote on Facebook: 'Friends, terrible news. Racists killed my friend's daughter Karina Yershova. The pain is terrible. She was mocked, raped, and then shot in the trash. Today my mother found out that she was killed and created a help group. Please help me bury her, I knew this kid for years, taught her English, she was a very bright and talented girl.'

Yershova disappeared early last month and on March 10 her mother on social media appealed for information to 'help me find my daughter' who was last seen on 'energy workers street' in Bucha. 'I really hope for help, thank you,' she said. It is not clear if Yershova was targeted on purpose by Russian forces.

The chief prosecutor from the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited Bucha today, describing the Kyiv suburb as a 'crime scene' and confirming investigators 'have reasonable grounds to believe the crimes within the jurisdiction of the court are being committed. We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth.'

Biden yesterday warned Putin was trying to 'wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian' as he emphasised his use of the word 'genocide' to reporters in Iowa while boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, but said he would 'let the lawyers decide'.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on France 2 television as he ramps up his re-election campaign against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, declined today to repeat Biden's genocide accusation as he warned that verbal escalations would not help end the war.

It comes as Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol were putting up a hellish last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Stalingrad-esque steel plant in the besieged southern city in a bid to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers even as experts warned its fall was 'inevitable'.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in Russia's battle for Mariupol, said today that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered and urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender. Ukrainian authorities immediately denied the reports.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said humanitarian corridors used to get people out of cities under Russian attack will not operate today because of poor security though there are more than 100,000 people awaiting evacuation from Mariupol.

Karina Yershova, 16, was found shot in the back of the head after she was allegedly raped and murdered by Russian troops

The teenager's death is the latest discovery in the Bucha massacre which left more than 400 civilians dead, although the exact number killed is still unknown (pictured, officials excavate mass graves in Bucha)

Bodies are exhumed and removed from a mass-grave in the grounds of the St. Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints church in Bucha

The discovery of more mass graves in Bucha (pictured) comes as Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) published audio that purports to show a Russian woman giving her soldier partner permission to rape locals in Ukraine

An Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) report has accused Vladimir Putin of 'clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations' in Ukraine and said if Moscow had respected its international obligations after invading Ukraine on February 24, 'the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower'

The forensic team exhume the bodies of a mother and two children buried near the mass grave by a church in the town of horrors

French forensics investigators, who arrived to Ukraine for the investigation of war crimes, stand next to a mass grave

Ukrainian and French forensics investigators place remains of burned civilians exhumed from a grave in body bags, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the town of Bucha

Horror tales of sexual abuse in Ukraine Elena: Raped for 12 hours on April 3 in Kherson after a Russian sympathiser told the troops her husband was a Ukrainian soldier on the front line. Mother and daughter, 17: The pair were attacked together by three men on March 4 Teenage sisters: Girls aged 15 and 16 were targeted, as they resorted to cutting their hair to appear less attractive to the invaders Natalya, 33: Gang raped repeatedly for hours while her four-year-old son hid crying in a boiler room after her husband was shot dead Alexei Bychkov, 24: Russian soldier allegedly arrested after sharing footage of him abusing a Ukrainian baby Boy, 11: Raped in front of his mother who was tied to a chair and forced to watch 25 women in Bucha aged 14 to 25: Held captive in a basement and systematically raped, with nine now pregnant Woman, 50: Taken at gunpoint to a neighbouring home, raped and returned home to her husband dead Advertisement

Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko also tweeted the news today, writing: '16 y.o. Karina raped by #Russia soldiers and shot in the head. Her mother's search for her ended as her tortured body was found in #Bucha.'

President Vlodymyr Zelensky early on Wednesday said evidence of 'inhuman cruelty' toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, including alleged rapes.

According to International law, rape and murder of civilians is a war crime.

The 110-page OSCE report presented at the permanent council meeting pointed at damaged and destroyed houses, hospitals, schools, water stations and other infrastructure.

The three experts who wrote the report, which included information from NGOs on the ground, said given the timeline and scope of their mission it was not possible to identify war crimes.

'Nevertheless, the mission found clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities,' the report said.

The OSCE mission was set up following a request by Ukraine on March 3.

It covers the period from the invasion on February 24 to April 1, before images of bodies emerged as Russia withdrew from the town of Bucha and elsewhere in northern Ukraine.

The images shocked the world and prompted accusations of Russian war crimes.

But the report noted that 'evidence points to a major war crime and a crime against humanity committed by the Russian forces', calling for an international probe.

The report's authors said it was 'likely' other 'violent acts' documented, such as targeted killing, enforced disappearance or abductions of civilians, qualified as a crime against humanity.

The report also found the conflict 'has exerted and continues to exert particularly negative effects' on women, children, older people and people with disabilities - and expressed 'concern' over Ukraine's treatment of prisoners.

'As this report shows, violations occurred on the Ukrainian as well as on the Russian side. The violations committed by the Russian Federation, however, are by far larger in scale and nature,' it said.

The report was carried out under the OSCE's so-called Moscow Mechanism, which allows for an ad hoc team of experts to be established to assist in resolving an OSCE member state's problems. Russia declined to contribute to the report, according to the experts, deeming the mechanism 'largely outdated and redundant'.

Volunteers load bodies of civilians killed in Bucha onto a truck to be taken to a morgue for investigation into possible war crimes

The prosecutor general of Ukraine, Iryna Venediktova, visits the exhumation of a mass grave with French forensic investigators

The Russian retreat from towns near Kyiv has revealed scores of civilian deaths and the full extent of devastation from Russia's attempt to seize the Ukrainian capital

The White House is debating how much to involve itself in the investigation into Russian atrocities by the International Criminal Court in The Hague

A man pushes his bike through debris and destroyed Russian military vehicles on a street in Bucha

Civilians inspect the wreckage of a tank in the town of Bucha, the scene of horrific Russian atrocities

Vladyslava Liubarets, a Bucha resident, walks with her family past destroyed Russian military machinery

A satellite image taken of a street in the city of Bucha on March 19 - when Russian forces were in full control of the city - shows dark objects in the road that exactly match where civilian corpses were later discovered by Ukrainian troops

Pictured: Locals carry a coffin on a wheelbarrow as the city was hit by shelling in the small city of Borodyanka near Kiev

Cemetery workers unload bodies of civilians killed in and around Bucha before they are transported to the morgue at a cemetery

War crime prosecutor's team member speaks on the phone next to buildings that were destroyed by Russian shelling, amid Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, in Borodyanka

The chief prosecutor from the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, (pictured in August 2021) visited Bucha today, describing the Kyiv suburb as a 'crime scene'

Biden's designation of Russian actions in Ukraine as a 'genocide' drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term.

'True words of a true leader @POTUS,' he tweeted. 'Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.'

A United Nations treaty, to which the US is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the 'intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.'

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified.

But French President Macron warned this morning leaders should be careful with language.

'I would say that Russia unilaterally unleashed the most brutal war, that it is now established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and make them face justice,' Macron said.

'It's madness what's happening, it's incredibly brutal,' he added. 'But at the same time I look at the facts and I want to try as much as possible to continue to be able to stop this war and to rebuild peace. I'm not sure that verbal escalations serve this cause,' he said.

The comments by Macron, who has kept dialogue going with Putin during the conflict, echo concerns the French leader expressed last month after Biden called Putin a 'butcher'.

An investigation into war crimes is already underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscow's retreat from cities and towns around Kyiv.

More than 720 people were killed in Kyiv suburbs that had been occupied by Russian troops and over 200 were considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday.

In the Chernihiv region, villagers said more than 300 people had been trapped for almost a month by the occupying Russian troops in the basement of a school and only allowed outside to go to the toilet or cook on open fires.

Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast of the capital.

It said the bodies of six civilians were found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people including a 13-year-old boy.

In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed including two children when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.

Forensic investigators began exhuming a mass grave in Bucha containing more than 410 bodies of civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. The UN Human Rights Council has decided to launch an investigation into the violations committed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament reported

Members of an international team of war crimes prosecutors and Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova (C) during a visit to a mass grave in Bucha, Kyiv (Kiev) area, Ukraine, 12 April 20

Ukrainian tunnel fighters of Mariupol put up a hellish last stand in Stalingrad-esque abandoned steel plant - as Putin masses thousands of troops in East for new offensive to crush resistance by 'victory day'

By Lauren Lewis for MailOnline

Ukrainian fighters are putting up a hellish last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Stalingrad-esque steel plant in Mariupol as Russian forces close in on the besieged port city.

It comes as Vladimir Putin has started massing thousands of troops on Ukraine's eastern flank ahead of a new offensive intended to crush the resistance by 'Russian victory day' on May 9.

Experts say the fall of Mariupol, seen as strategically vital for Russian plans to attack eastern Ukraine, is inevitable. But holdouts in their underground bases hope to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers.

The urban landscape of the Azovstal steelworks where Ukrainian forces, who took refuge at the site following reports Russia had used chemical weapons, plan to take on the invaders seems almost tailor-made for guerrilla warfare, with sprawling rail lines, warehouses, coal furnaces, factories, chimneys and tunnels.

The maze-like area is a metal works complex, Azovstal, owned by Metinvest, which has been the focus of urban fighting in Mariupol, just like the nearby Azovmash factory which makes rail components, cranes and other large metal structures.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in Russia's battle for Mariupol, said today that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered and urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender. Ukrainian authorities immediately denied the reports.

Russian servicemen on Tuesday secured Mariupol's drama theatre which was destroyed in a missile strike on March 16, killing at least 300 people including families and children who were sheltering inside.

Satellite images taken over Mariupol yesterday show buildings on fire across the city as Russian forces continue to bombard the Black Sea stronghold. Separate images from Crimea show Russian forces massing combat equipment and transporters in Dzhankoi.

Meanwhile the mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, said in televised remarks that more than 100,000 people remained in the city awaiting evacuation. He said earlier that some 21,000 civilian residents had been killed during the siege.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said humanitarian corridors used to get people out of cities under Russian attack will not operate on Wednesday because of poor security.

President Volodymyr Zelensky today claimed that Russia has used phosphorous bombs in Ukraine and accused Moscow of deploying terror tactics against civilians, though he did not provide evidence.

Adressing the Estonian parliament, Zelensky said: 'The Russian army is using all types of artillery, all types of missile, air bombs in particular phosphorous bombs against residential districts and civilian infrastructure. This is clear terror against the civilian population.'

Ukrainian fighters are putting up a hellish last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Stalingrad-esque Azovstal steel plant (pictured) in Mariupol as Russian forces close in on the besieged port city

Experts say the fall of Mariupol, seen as strategically vital for Russian plans to attack eastern Ukraine , is inevitable. But holdouts in their underground bases at the steelworks (pictured) hope to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers

Russian servicemen (pictured) on Tuesday secured Mariupol's Drama Theatre which was destroyed in a missile strike on March 16

At least 300 people died when Mariupol's drama theatre (pictured, Russian servicemen secure the destroyed building) was targeted in a Russian missile strike, despite being marked 'children'

Satellite images from the Crimean peninsula show Russian forces massing combat equipment and transporters in Dzhankoi

Footage posted online on Wednesday purported to show Chechen fighters wearing helmets with the Russian flag on entering the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol

Video posted on Twitter appeared to show the group's commander giving a tour of the steelworks in the besieged southern port city, where Russian forces are battling for control

What happened at the Battle of Stalingrad? The battle for Stalingrad was the turning point of the Second World War. After the German invasion of Russia  codenamed Operation Barbarossa, which began in June 1941  the Wehrmacht continued to head eastward, destroying whole Soviet armies and capturing two million prisoners, most of whom they starved to death. In Washington and London, leaders wondered gloomily how long the Russians could stave off absolute defeat. In the spring of 1942, Hitler's legions drove deeper into the Russian heartland, besieging St Petersburg, over-running the Crimea, and threatening the oilfields of the Caucasus. The Fuhrer was convinced the Russians were at their last gasp. He was exultant when in June 'Operation Blue' enabled his armies to occupy new swathes of central Russia. Scenting final victory, Hitler deputed General Friedrich Paulus, a staff officer eager to prove himself as a fighting commander, to lead a dash for the city on the Volga that was named after Stalin, and secure a symbolic triumph, while another German army group swung southwards to grab the oilfields. Hitler's top soldiers were appalled by the perils of splitting the Wehrmacht merely to capture Stalingrad, which was strategically unimportant. Their protests were ignored: the Fuhrer insisted. Likewise in Moscow, when the German objective became plain, Russia's dictator Josef Stalin gave the order that 'his' city must be held at any cost. Thus the stage was set for one of history's most terrible clashes of arms, in which on the two sides more than a million men became locked in strife between the autumn of 1942 and the following spring. On September 12, the first German troops entered Stalingrad. From the Kremlin came a new order to the Red Army: 'Not a step back . . . The only extenuating circumstance is death.' The first German air attacks killed between 10,000 and 40,000 people  almost as many as died in the entire London blitz. Shellfire and bombs rained down on the city, day after day and week upon week. Stuka pilot Herbert Pabst wrote: 'It is incomprehensible to me how people can continue to live in that hell, but the Russians are firmly established in the wreckage, in ravines, cellars, and in a chaos of twisted skeletons of factories'. General Vasily Chuikov, commanding Stalin's 62nd Army in the city, wrote: 'The streets of the city are dead. There is not a single green twig on the trees; everything has perished in the flames.' The Russians initially held a perimeter 30 miles by 18, which shrank relentlessly as Paulus's men thrust forward to within a few hundred yards of the Volga. Each night, up to three thousand Russian wounded were ferried eastward from the city, while a matching stream of reinforcements, ammunition and supplies reached the defenders. New units were thrust into the battle as fast as they arrived, to join duels in the ruins that often became hand-to-hand death grapples. Both sides were chronically short of food and water. The few surviving civilians suffered terribly, eking a troglodyte existence in cellars. Some soldiers were reduced to cannibalism in order to stay alive in the ruins of the city as the mercury plunged to -40C. The bloodiest battle in Second World War came to an end on January 31, 1943 when Field Marshall Paulus surrendered, disobeying the orders of his Fuhrer to kill himself. Of the 110,000 Germans who surrendered, only 5,000 would survive Stalin's gulags to return to a defeated Germany. The battle cost the German army a quarter of everything it possessed by way of material - guns, tanks and munitions. It was a defeat from which it never recovered and for days afterwards in Berlin all shops and restaurants were closed as a mark of respect. Advertisement

Moscow said yesterday it was mustering a new force to outnumber Ukrainian soldiers in the country's east by five to one ahead of a 'decisive battle' for the Donbas region.

Putin has for weeks been redeploying troops to three areas on Ukraine's border, in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions and around Matveev Kurgan, after withdrawing more than 24,000 soldiers from the capital Kyiv.

But Ukrainian military officials have questioned where the extra soldiers are coming from, and suggested the new force will still fall short of the might Russia needs to overrun Kyiv's troops.

The Kremlin has maintained the war is going 'to plan' after Putin on Monday said Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last night mocked Putin's claims, asking how a plan that saw tens of thousands of troops being killed in a month could have been approved.

Speaking from Kyiv in a video posted to social media, Zelensky also repeated calls for the West to step in now and prevent the use of chemical weapons on Ukrainian soil, saying any deployment of them would be 'a humiliation for the democratic world'.

Meanwhile the Azovstal steelworks being used by resistance fighters to defend Mariupol were today branded 'a city within a city' by Eduard Basurin, a representative for pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.

He said: 'There are several underground levels that date back to Soviet times which you can't bombard from above. You have to go underground to clean them out, and that will take time.'

Entering the tunnels would be all but impossible for Russian troops, according to Alexander Grinberg, analyst at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.

'They can try, but they'll be slaughtered because the defenders of the tunnel will absolutely have the tactical upper hand,' he said.

Fighters have in the past used tunnel systems to great effect in their struggle against superior forces.

The Viet Cong made the vast Cu Chi tunnel system near Saigon a base for attacks against US troops and Hamas has used tunnels in their fight against the Israeli army.

The Islamic State group's tunnel system in Mosul, Iraq, allowed its fighters to surprise American troops with sudden appearances seemingly out of nowhere.

But the most memorable example dates back to World War II and the battle of Stalingrad with its fierce fighting in the Red October industrial complex.

'The Soviets used underground passages, sewers and tunnels to get behind German lines,' a French military source said.

A sapper unit discovered a former factory used by German troops, stacked three tonnes of explosives underneath and blew up the entire complex, burying the Germans in the rubble, the source said.

The astute use of tunnels has lost none of its effectiveness in the 80 years since, rendering enemy artillery, air strikes and snipers virtually useless.

Satellite surveillance is also of limited use against combatants hiding below ground, as is technical intelligence, the spying on enemy weapons.

However, as analysts point out, the underground system only works if the network is vast and fighters have enough ammunition, food and water, which requires meticulous advance planning.

Soldiers deployed underground also need extremely good training to be operational in this unusual combat environment, said James Rands at British defence intelligence specialists Janes.

'The enclosed spaces mean engagements occur at shorter ranges, limiting the effectiveness of some small arms,' he said.

Close-range use of weapons also carries 'a significant risk of tunnel collapse and inherent dangers to the forces employing them', he said.

In addition, commanding troops underground is difficult because standard communications do not work well, and tunnel networks are not usually well mapped, he said.

The evacuation of wounded soldiers is also very cumbersome, Rands added.

Despite all the advantages for the defenders, the tunnel network can possibly still be taken if, as is likely, the Ukrainians lack key equipment in sufficient quantity, such as night-vision gear, analysts said.

It may also be difficult to counter the potential use by the Russians of large quantities of water to flood the tunnels, or of gas or chemical products to force the Ukrainians to the surface.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia was pursuing its Ukraine operation 'calmly', there is a chance that the tunnel wars will be anything but - and last for some time.

Mariupol's partially destroyed drama theatre which was hit on March 16 by a Russian airstrike as part of an intense campaign by Moscow's forces who are trying to take the city

This satellite image released on April 12, 2022, by Maxar Technologies shows buildings on fire in western Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 9, 2022

Much of the city of Mariupol has been leveled in weeks of pummelling at then hands of Moscow's forces

Service members of pro-Russian troops load rocket-propelled grenades into an infantry combat vehicle amid fighting near the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol

Crosses are placed at a burial site of local residents killed in Mariupol as Russian forces continue a brutal siege of the city

Mariupol residents collect water from a well in the city after a Russian siege left locals without food, water or electricity for more than four weeks

Russian servicemen prepare for guard in downtown of Mariupol as hostilities continue in the besieged southern port city on Tuesday, April 12

Residents of the besieged southern port city Mariupol walk down Mira Avenue in the city's downtown district as Russian forces tighten their stranglehold on the stronghold of Ukrainian resistance

Service members of pro-Russian troops load rocket-propelled grenades into an infantry combat vehicle in the southern port city of Mariupol on Tuesday, April 12

The Kremlin has maintained the war is going 'to plan' after Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) on Monday said Russia would achieve all of its 'noble' aims and 'rhythmically and calmly' continue what it calls a special operation

Russia invaded on February 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one.

In the seven weeks since, the ground advance stalled and Russian forces lost potentially thousands of fighters - and the war has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee, rattled the world economy, threated global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Russia's actions in Ukraine 'a genocide' for the first time, saying 'Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.'

Zelensky applauded Biden's use of the word, saying 'calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil.'

'We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,' he added in his tweet.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the leaders headed to Ukraine on Wednesday had 'a strong message of political support and military assistance.'

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also plan to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, and on Tuesday insisted Russia 'had no other choice' but to invade and that the offensive aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to 'ensure Russia's own security.' He vowed it would 'continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.'

He insisted Russia's campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal and significant losses.

Thwarted in their push toward the capital, Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists' claims of independence.

Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

A key piece to that campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have besieged and pummeled since nearly the start of the war. Pockets of the city appeared to be still under Ukraine's control - but it's not clear how many forces are still defending it.

Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said on Twitter that the city's defenders were short of supplies but were 'fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.'

Ukrainian forces in Mariupol have alleged that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified. The regiment indicated there were no serious injuries.

Firefighters operate at a burning building, following a missile attack near the Kharkiv International Airport yesterday

A road service worker stands in front of destroyed houses in the village of Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv

An armoured vehicle of pro-Russian troops is seen in the street during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions - which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons - had been used in Mariupol, which has been pummeled by weeks of Russian assaults.

Deliberately firing phosphorus munitions into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war. Zelensky said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, 'The world must react now.'

An investigation into war crimes is already underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscow's retreat from cities and towns around Kyiv.

Zelensky said evidence of 'inhuman cruelty' toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, including alleged rapes.

More than 720 people were killed in Kyiv suburbs that had been occupied by Russian troops and over 200 were considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday. In Bucha alone, Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said 403 bodies had been found and the toll could rise as minesweepers comb the area.

In the Chernihiv region, villagers said more than 300 people had been trapped for almost a month by the occupying Russian troops in the basement of a school and only allowed outside to go to the toilet or cook on open fires.

Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast of the capital. It said the bodies of six civilians were found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and Russian forces were believed to be responsibleProsecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people including a 13-year-old boy. In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed including two children when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.
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The race-obsessed suspect in Tuesday's horror shooting on the New York City subway posted a terrifying YouTube warning that he was driving from his home in Wisconsin and would 'never be back again alive' three weeks before unleashing terror during rush hour.

Frank James, 62, remains on the run on Wednesday morning 24 hours after allegedly opening fire on a packed northbound N train as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

On Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams officially named James as a suspect - upgrading him from 'person of interest'.

Police believe he is the man responsible because his credit card was used to rent the U-Haul that police found a key to in a backpack dumped at the scene that also contained a handgun, three extended magazines, fireworks and firecrackers.

James lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until recently but packed up on March 20 and left the state. He drove south, first through Illinois, then to Philadelphia where he picked up the U-Haul van that he brought to New York City.

It has now emerged that he was known to the FBI and was questioned in 2019 in New Mexico though it is not yet clear why. He was cleared but was entered into the state's 'Guardian Lead' system. The Guardian Program is the bureau's terrorist threat and suspicious incident tracking system.

Despite being on that list, James was unimpeded as he relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips on YouTube about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact', for weeks before Tuesday's attack.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

The alleged gunman's sister, Catherine James Robinson, told The New York Times on Wednesday that he spent much of his life alone. In a separate interview with The Daily Beast, she said they hadn't spoken for three years.

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans. Speaking from the driver's seat of a rented van, he said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

In this chilling March 20 video, Frank James - the suspect in Tuesday's subway shooting - said he would never return to Wisconsin, his home state, alive. He drove to Philadelphia where he is believed to have rented the U-Haul found yesterday in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway where the attack unfolded. James remains on the run

The NYPD released this update on Wednesday officially naming James as a suspect. These photos include two of him leaving the subway though it is not clear when they were taken

At the start of the video, he told of his plans to drive to Philadelphia.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags. I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.

'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

Two days before the shooting, he posted another video where he said black people were forced into violence by racism.

'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be when you blow one of their f*****g brains out  this is what you asked for. This is how you wanted me to be, obviously,' he said.

He was drinking white rum and had finished the bottle.

At the end of his final video, he said: 'Why should a n****r be on this planet besides to pick tobacco or sugar plant. There is no natural reason for there to be such a thing as an American negro, African American, there is no reason for it. Except for you to be a slave. That is your rightful place, it always will be. Until you build a black state of Israel, which you don't want. You want to send your a** in the ghetto and play n****r.

'This is what this s**t in Ukraine is a build up to. It's to get rid of your a**. Nuclear devices are going to be dropped. The president of Ukraine is calling for nuclear war. And so, I talk about my condition but, what the f*** can you do?

The suspected shooter posted this image of a man holding a gun with blood stained on his shirt on April 3, nine days before the attack

James posted on Facebook about shootings and wanting to kill people. This post is from August 2020

In August 2020, James posted this photograph of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the title 'And a child shall lead them'. Rittenhouse was acquitted of charges after a highly publicized trial. He had attended a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to defend the town from BLM protesters

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large

More posts from James' Facebook page where he wore a skull-face covering and celebrated his 62nd birthday

James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race. He ranted about how black people in America were destined to be slaves and could not escape 'the ghetto' while showing clips from documentaries about gangs

This is how the horror shooting unfolded on Tuesday morning on the northbound N train at 8.24am as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

'That's life in the ghetto. I've said everything in this video that I wanted to say. I'm going to finish this 100 proof. I'm going to finish this s**t. This has got me knocked the f*** out. I can barely talk. Leave the rest of that s**t for tomorrow. I'm going to take my a** to bed. I'll talk to you guys later, take it easy. Be good.'

In another video, he ranted: 'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death.

A stock image of a .38 caliber handgun, the type used in the shooting that was found in a backpack along with a key to the U-Haul James had rented

'There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'.

The rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos posted by James, who is black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people.

He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says.

'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

'I am now in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Comfort Inn Suites for the night.

'My next leg will be... I am taking my time. I am definitely going to get to Philly by Tuesday.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

Horror pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the carriage during the latest attack to rock the city

Hourari Benkada, 27, says he was sitting right next to the gunman before he let off a smoke bomb and opened fire on passengers aboard an N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning

SHOOTING SUSPECT MOCKED MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AND HIS CRACKDOWN ON SUBWAY CRIME James also referenced mental health facilities in the Bronx. He mocked Adams's plan to bring in mental health workers to deal with the subway homeless problem. 'Here's the help. Here's the cavalry, Eric Adams,' he said, referencing the New Jersey social workers pictured behind him. 'A bunch of f****** predators, a bunch of deviants, a bunch of psychopaths and sociopaths. 'They're gonna help you, Eric.' Advertisement

'My drop-off point for the van is Newark, even though my destination is Philadelphia.'

I am heading back into the danger zone, so to speak, it was triggering a lot of bad thoughts. I do have a severe case of PTSD after the s**t I've been through and again just thinking about how f****d up people are.

'There is no way no how an N word is perceived to be anyone's judge. I'm talking to the people that did damage and harm to me, tried to kill me and get me locked up. They're all black. We're all in the same boat. Especially now.

'They keep mentioning the potential of World War Three. We're already in World War Three,' he said.

In other clips he fumed at Mayor Eric Adams about the escalating crime in the subway.

Adams is quarantining with COVID-19.

His team says they will increase his security in light of James' threats.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the suspect was previously known to the FBI, having been entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico.

The system is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports. He was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to James's arrest.

The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered $12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered $25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to $50,000.

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York
Rudy Giuliani gave prosecutors investigating his past work in Ukraine a big helping hand by revealing the passwords to multiple devices they seized from him last year, a Tuesday night report suggests.

The electronics, including phones, are part of some 18 taken during an April 2021 FBI raid of his New York City home and office.

Federal investigators are reportedly hopeful that a decision on criminal charges for the former Big Apple mayor could be on the horizon, according to CNN.

It comes after months of stonewalling the probe through his refusal to help them unlock the devices.

He's met with prosecutors to unlock three devices in recent weeks, according to the report. The disgraced lawyer also sent a list of potential passwords for two others, people familiar are quoted as saying.

The report notes it's unclear whether he answered investigators' questions during the meetings, but his attorney told the outlet that Giuliani has offered to sit down for an interview.

His lawyer told CNN, If you are innocent, you don't have anything to hide and you don't want allegation of a criminal investigation hanging over your head.'

'You do things like giving passwords to electronic devices that we had no obligation to. If we thought there was anything bad on those devices, we wouldn't do it. His actions speak louder than words.'

The former New York City mayor reportedly helped prosecutors with as many as five devices, leaving prosecutors hopeful that their investigation will finally proceed further toward answering whether he will face charges

Eighteen devices were seized during high-profile raids on his home and office in April 2021

Giuliani is being investigated by the Southern District of New York, the US Attorney's Office he once led, over whether he ran afoul of US foreign lobbying laws, allegedly working for Ukrainian officials while also being retained as Donald Trump's personal attorney.

He reportedly pushed for the ouster of then-US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and pressured officials there to open a corruption investigation into 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

'All we need from the President [Zelensky] is to say, "I'm gonna put an honest prosecutor in charge, he's gonna investigate and dig up the evidence that presently exists and is there any other evidence about involvement of the 2016 election",' Giuliani can be heard saying in a 2019 audio recording obtained by CNN.

Giuliani has denied any wrongdoing and claimed in the past that he 'never represented' anyone from Ukraine, insisting his work in the country was in his sole capacity as Trump's lawyer.

The ex-New York City mayor appeared to mock investigators in the ongoing federal probe for not being 'nice' enough during a bizarre interview with NBC New York last summer.

All of Giuliani's known legal woes are linked to his relationship with Donald Trump, though the ex-president is not implicated in anything

Prosecutors from Attorney General Merrick Garland's Justice Department had his phone, Giuliani said, but 'I don't think they've been able to get in.'

'Which is why they won't give it back,' he added.

'If they were nicer I would help them, but they're not nice, they've been investigating me for two and a half years, and I've been offering to go there and explain anything they want.'

During the rambling interview he also dismissed concerns over possibly 'imminent' charges, claiming 'If they charge me they'll have to make it up.'

'They can torture me all they want, they can put me in prison,' the disbarred lawyer said.

The man once celebrated as 'America's Mayor' is grappling with multiple legal threats at the moment, all of them tied to his relationship with Trump.

He's facing a $1.3 billion lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems over pushing false conspiracy theories including that its machines 'rigged' the 2020 election in Biden's favor and that the company was backed by 'communist money' from Cuba and China.

A January court filing in the case indicates that Giuliani is seeking settlement talks but asserts he has 'nothing to show remorse for' in pushing the wild claims.

Giuliani is also in talks with the House January 6th committee investigating the Capitol riot via his attorney, after the Democrat-led panel subpoenaed the former Trump lackey earlier this year.

But his attorney flagged concerns last month that could derail the road to a cooperation agreement.

It was after the committee asked a judge to waive attorney-client privilege in its case against pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman.

Giuliani has said previously that he does not intend to waive privileges in the January 6 investigation.
An MP targeted by terrorist Ali Harbi Ali before he murdered Sir David Amess has told how he and his staff now wear stab vests when meeting the public.

Ali, 26, had originally considered killing MPs Mike Freer and Michael Gove - only dropping his meticulous plan to murder the latter after he split from his wife.

Analysis of his electronic devices showed he also made internet searches of Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Today Ali was handed a concurrent life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years for preparing attacks on Gove and Freer.

It came after harrowing statements from both politicians revealing the toil the plots had on their lives.

Mr Freer's north London home was scoped out by the terrorist just before Sir David's murder.

He said: 'Since the news of the attack and the subsequent visit by police, I have been much more mindful of people around me and keeping distance from people.

' I have been very aware that I was potentially at risk from the individual responsible for the attack and this has played on my mind on occasion.

Terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, 26, considered other MPs before murdering Sir David Amess last year

Mike Freer, left, and Michael Gove, right, both considered as targets of Ali before Sir David

'My husband is, and has been, nervous about my vulnerability at advice surgeries whether I conduct them at my office, at a supermarket or on a pavement. He is also anxious about me walking alone locally or using the tube/bus.

'Due to this he feels that he always has to be with me when outside and wont allow me to be on my own. If he knows I am travelling he needs to know where I am, how Im travelling and when I will arrive. Both my husband and I are now acutely aware of anyone hanging around by my home or at the office.

'Because of the seriousness of the incident and the risk to my staff, my family and myself, I have had to introduce new security measures. We have stopped all public engagement since the attack unless the meetings are at secure sites.

'We instead, have had to rely on electronic communications with constituents. New physical measures at the office and my home have been requested and are in the process of being put in place. My staff are now wary of opening the door to the constituency office to the public and so, we are therefore having an additional internal door installed to create a small secure area for anyone attending. My team who receive the attendees at the entrance, will be behind glass. We are also looking at making the rear of the premises more secure and better lit.

Mr Justice Sweeney (left) handing down a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey in London, to Ali Harbi Ali (second right)

Sir David, 69, was murdered by Ali after the terrorist tricked his way into constituency surgery

'With regards to my team, they have certainly become more heightened when receiving threatening calls and there is anxiety where my staff used to be able to take such things in their stride. I have also had to close the office on at least one occasion as my staff felt vulnerable.

'Whilst I have stopped attending advice surgeries, new procedures have also been put in place when arranging these.

'All attendees are now asked to have some ID that confirms their address in the constituency. Also, the way I undertake community based advice surgeries in supermarkets, in local libraries and on the street, will have to be adapted. I and my staff will now wear stab vests and wear mobile panic alarms. I have used an old mobile home as an advice surgery for some years and it is my intention to continue to use this.

' However, I would often speak to constituents more privately inside the mobile home but sadly, this will cease as there is no safe escape route from the vehicle. In the future, I will be restricting advice surgeries to venues that have a clear escape route in the room being used for the surgery.'

Ali Harbi Ali, 26, had this black rucksack with him when he carried out his MP reconnaissance

Ali's phones contained notes on his plan to kill Mr Gove and Mr Freer and were found by police

Ali's electronic devices also stored a wealth of information relating to Mr Gove under the heading 'plans'.

The note read: 'Morning attack: If there is a press presence I can wait it out with them, see if he uses public transport or hired car, bump into him jogging, best outcome, least probability of seeing him.

'Evening attack: Ring on the doorbell, cause a scene outside to lure him.

'Night Attack: Door is wooden and swings into house could be kicked in, also glass next to lock open from through that.

'Scout on Wednesday.'

Asked about the note when in the witness box during the trial, Ali said: 'That was plans I had to attack and hopefully kill Michael Gove at the time.'

In an impact statement read out in court, Mr Gove said: 'On the 19th of October 2021 I was visited by officers from the counter terrorism command in the Metropolitan police service.

'I was advised a man being investigated for the attack on Sir David was believed to have performed reconnaissance on two addresses to me.

'It was clear from the information the police provided that I had in fact been a potential target of the individual responsible.'

'My experience and that of my family is incomparable to the suffering and loss experienced by David's family.

'It has, however, had a very disruptive effect on my family. Our security and that of our home was threatened and that has put a profound pressure on our lives.

'Like everyone who knew and worked with David, I have found the impact of losing David has been enormous.'
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Subways across the Northeast have remained on high alert this morning as hundreds of cops frantically hunt for the Brooklyn gunman.

The NYPD flooded the network as they tried to track down the suspect, who unloaded three magazines into a subway car at Sunset Park during rush-hour Tuesday morning, shooting 10 and causing chaos that injured dozens.

Armed officers were manning platforms across the five boroughs amid fears that the suspect still has not been caught.

Meanwhile, the presence of cops was also beefed up in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., despite officials claiming there were no credible threats.

Commuters appeared undeterred at rush hour Wednesday morning as they continued to pile into subway stations across New York City.

It comes after Mayor Eric Adams vowed that he would double the number of NYPD patrolling the subway system in the wake of the latest crime to rock the Big Apple.

Cops across multiple states launched a manhunt last night for Frank James, 62, who was named as a 'person of interest' in the shooting before being upgraded to a 'suspect' this morning.

They offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, but 24 hours after the incident, he remains at large.

MANHATTAN: Subways across the country have remained on high alert this morning as hundreds of cops frantically hunt for the Brooklyn gunman

BROOKLYN: The NYPD flooded the network as they tried to track down the suspect, who unloaded three magazines into the carriage at Sunset Park

BOSTON: Commuters head into the city a few hours away from New York amid a heightened police presence across the east coast

WASHINGTON DC: Passengers wait for the train service in Washington DC this morning as the country stays on high alert following the Brooklyn shooting

PHILADELPHIA: Masked commuters wait for the train into the city center on Wednesday morning

MANHATTAN: Armed officers were manning platforms across the five boroughs amid fears that the suspect still has not been caught

MANHATTAN: Empire Shield military members stand inside the Oculus in Lower Manhattan last night following the attack yesterday morning

BROOKLYN: NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where the shooting attack occurred the previous day

BROOKLYN: Commuters appeared undeterred at rush hour this morning as they continued to pile into subway stations across New York City

Cops across multiple states launched a manhunt last night for Frank James (pictured), 62, who was named as a 'person of interest' in the attack

There have been have been nearly 500 major crimes reported underground this year, 224 more than the year before

Hundreds of NYPD officers continued to comb the city in a desperate attempt to find the gunman this morning. Police chiefs ramped up the 'visible uniformed presence' of cops on the network as they continued the manhunt.

Lt Thomas Antonetti said today: 'While we do not usually give out details of police deployment, there will be an enhanced and visible uniformed presence in the city today.'

The NYPD also had an escalated presence on the street, with armed officers and sniffer dogs deployed in some parts.

Meanwhile Empire Shield military members stood guard inside the Oculus in Lower Manhattan as security was beefed up at key locations.

Despite the panic caused by yesterday's shooting - which left ten people injured when 33 shots were fired - commuters appeared undeterred.

Passengers still crammed on to the subway across the city at rush hour this morning as workers headed back to the office.

Even 36th street station in Brooklyn - where the gunman launched his horrific attack - had travelers piling out of it today.

BROOKLYN: NYPD officers stand guard at the 36th Street subway station this morning following the attack yesterday morning

BROOKLYN: Hundreds of NYPD officers continued to comb the city in a desperate attempt to find the gunman this morning. Police chiefs ramped up the 'visible uniformed presence' of cops on the network as they continued the manhunt

BROOKLYN: Lt Thomas Antonetti said today: 'While we do not usually give out details of police deployment, there will be an enhanced and visible uniformed presence in the city today'

BROOKLYN: The NYPD also had an escalated presence on the street, with armed officers and sniffer dogs deployed in some parts

MANHATTAN: A man in a security jacket stands next to a subway train a day after a Brooklyn subway station shooting incident

Marie Soohoo, a waitress in Midtown, said she thought it would be safe to ride the trains today. The 72-year-old told the New York Times: 'Something always happens. A lot of people worry but all you can do is protect yourself.'

But Joseph Hale, 40, a mailroom clerk, said he felt uneasy and kept on high alert as he traveled. He said: 'I took the train like always, but was alert about who was coming on the train and how people were acting on the train.'

Mayor Adams last night vowed to ramp up the number of officers on the subway by doubling those patrolling the system.

Speaking from isolation due to a positive Covid test, he called on New Yorkers to remain 'vigilant' and to 'immediately' tell police if they spot anything 'out of place'.

He told MSNBC: 'We're going to double the amount of uniformed officers. You're going to see a double amount of officers.

'We also want New Yorkers to be vigilant, we want New Yorkers to immediately notify a uniformed officer if they see something that's out of place.'

Earlier, he released a video message asking anyone with information, photos or videos of the suspect to come forward, adding: 'We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized. The NYPD is searching for the suspect.'

BROOKLYN: Pedestrians exit the 36th Street subway station where the shooting attack occurred the previous day

MANHATTAN: Masked commuters continued to use the subway system in the city on Wednesday morning despite the heightened fear

BROOKLYN: People prepare to enter the Q train at the Church Avenue subway station this morning

BROOKLYN: People ride the Q train during the morning commute this morning in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn

BROOKLYN: A passenger looks out the window as a subway train passes through the 36th St. subway station, during the morning rush

MANHATTAN: Other commuters flood out of the subway system in the city as they made their way to work as usual following the shooting yesterday

BROOKLYN: Cops kept a heavy presence near the subway where the shooting occurred on Tuesday morning at rush hour

BROOKLYN: Fewer passengers than usual at rush hour wait for the train into Manhattan at the station where the shooting was

BROOKLYN: People prepare to enter the R train at the Atlantic Avenue subway station in the Sunset Park neighborhood

Elsewhere cops were deployed in higher numbers across Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC despite officials assuring passengers there was no credible threat.

Ian Jannetta, a spokesman for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, said last night that police were conducting 'additional K-9 sweeps and patrols'.

Andrew Busch, a spokesman for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, said cops in Philadelphia had joined the transit police to 'boost the visibility of patrols on the system'.

He said the agency would keep an eye on the situation in New York to decide 'whether there are additional adjustments that we can make'.

And days before the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts, superintendent-in-chief Gregory Long said officer numbers would also be ramped up on the subway system there 'the next couple days to the weekend'.

Cops continued their hunt for the shooter across the country morning after it emerged he was believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

At least 29 people people were injured in the attack, but no casualties have been reported. Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition, while 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car. Pictured: Passengers lay injured on the subway platform

NYPD are hunting for Frank James, described as a 'person of interest' in the shooting. No suspects have been named as of yet

A multi-state search is underway for James, who is a 'person of interest' in the attack, with police offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Police said a set of keys found at the crime scene belonged to an abandoned U-Haul truck in Brooklyn that was rented by him.

Officers said they recovered the key to the van at the crime scene, and James had addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin. They are probing his links to New York.

He also made 'concerning' threats against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and railed against the city's homelessness crisis in social media posts.

At least 23 people were injured in the vicious attack, but no deaths have yet been reported.

Police said 10 people were struck directly by gunfire, five of them hospitalized in a critical but stable condition.

Meanwhile 13 others suffered respiratory distress or were otherwise injured in the crush of frantic passengers fleeing the smoke-filled subway car.

Overall crime in New York City is up 44.3 per cent from last year. Transit crimes are up 68 per cent and shooting incidents are up 8.4 percent, NYPD data shows.
A white Arkansas sheriff has sparked controversy after being caught pinning a shooting on 'black people,' refusing to apologize, and admitting he has used racial slurs and the N-word in the past - claiming 'everybody does.'

Prairie County Sheriff Rick Hickman is in hot water after a recording of the call with the county's communication center dispatcher following a shooting that left three dead was released this week by KARK.

In the call, the operator can be heard relaying where the shooting occurred.

'The house next to the apartments,' she tells Hickman, who replies: 'Oh, really. Black people then.'

'I said where. Was it the blacks in the apartments? Cause those apartments are all blacks where it happened,' Hickman told KARK on Tuesday, while also claiming he wasn't being racist.

'No, cause those blacks live over there - that's why I asked,' he said. 'Nothing racial about it.'

The crime took place in Des Arc, which has a population of just over 1,500 people - 86 percent white and 11 percent black.

It turns out the victims and suspect in the shooting were white and it actually occurred in a house, not apartments, the station reported.

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Prairie County sheriff Rick Hickman (pictured) is in hot water after a recording of a call with a dispatcher following a shooting that left three dead was released

The operator is heard relaying where the shooting occurred. 'The house next to the apartments,' she tells Hickman (pictured), who replies: 'Oh, really. Black people then'

Sheriff Rick Hickman

The call has angered black residents in the small Arkansas town, who said Hickman's comments are concerning - but the sheriff is unapologetic and says he was just being matter-of-fact.

The shooting is currently being investigated by Arkansas State Police.

Hickman, a Republican who has been in office for six years and is running for re-election, claims the call is being used against him by former employees for political reasons.

Hickman says he can not understand where the concern over his statements came from.

But the sheriff did confess to using racial slurs in the past, claiming it's something 'everybody does.'

'Probably, in the past, but you know it is what it is. Everybody does,' Hickman said. 'I don't use the N-word a lot but occasionally, I might have said it.'

DailyMail.com reached out to the sheriff's office for comment.

A leaked call from the Prairie County Sheriff's Department revealed Sheriff Hickman's comments

Despite his past use of racial slurs Hickman remains firm he is not racist but black Des Arc resident Jimel Brown (pictured) is not buying it. 'It doesn't sit right with me,' Brown said.

It turns out the victims and suspect in the shooting were white and it actually occurred in a house, (pictured) not apartments

Despite his past use of racial slurs, Hickman remains firm that he is not racist - something black Des Arc resident Jimel Brown is not buying it.

'It doesn't sit right with me,' Brown told KARK. 'That's not somebody you would want representing your town, protecting the people, serving the people.'

This is not the first time an Arkansas sheriff has been accused of racism following a leaked recording.

In 2020, Sheriff Todd Wright of Arkansas County abdicated his post after a five-minute recording secretly made by his girlfriend Desiree Middlebrooks was shared widely to social media, in which Wright was heard using the N-word nine times.

The recording was apparently made months earlier when Wright reportedly became upset that Middlebrooks had spoken to the employee.

Wright called his partner a n***** lover, later adding in a rage Why yo'u got to holler at f***ing n*****s when Im around?

In a Facebook post, Wright acknowledged it was his voice in the recording, saying To all I have offended or hurt I send my sincere apologies and will pray for my enemies.

Sheriff Todd Wright of Arkansas County abdicated his post effective immediately on Frida

However, the digital apology was deemed insufficient and a special Quorum Court meeting was held at the Arkansas County Courthouse to discuss Wrights behavior and present a resolution requesting his resignation.

After viewing and hearing the video I was terribly upset to know that we have someone out here thats supposed to be taking care of us, protecting and serving to have that kind of opinion of me  Im using me as a race because of my color, Justice of the Peace Inez McLemore said at the time.

In an address to the court, slouched in his chair, Wright blamed his behavior on the devil, insisting he isnt a racist and was angry with Middlebrooks at the time because he had missed a funeral of his friend, who was black.

He also mentioned many of his black constituents with whom he claimed to have formed close bonds with.

Im a Christian man. I read my bible every day, said Wright. I am by no means a racist. That video does not show the true picture of me.

However the crowd, including a woman who identified herself as the aunt of the black employee Wrights racist vitriol was aimed at, didnt believe him.
U.S. profiteering from Ukraine crisis

Xinhua) 09:20, April 13, 2022

BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Ukraine crisis drags on with no immediate solution in sight, while the United States, the culprit behind the conflict, has been well placed to profit from it.

By pushing NATO to expand eastward continuously and orchestrating "color revolutions" around Russia, the United States has, over the years, never stopped trying to contain and "squeeze" Russia, while ignoring its legitimate security concerns and apprehensions.

Instead of contributing to de-escalation, Washington has been sparing no efforts in stoking tensions in the region, shipping weapons into Ukraine at breakneck speed and pushing its European allies to impose sweeping sanctions against Russia.

The efforts have "paid off." By instigating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Washington has managed to drive a wedge between Europe and Russia, increase natural gas export to Europe to replace Russian fuel and undermine the European Union's strategic autonomy, with itself poised to benefit significantly from all of these results.

LIGHTING THE FUSE BY EXPANDING NATO

The United States is clearly the leading instigator of the Ukraine crisis, as the taproot of the ongoing conflict, analysts believe, is the U.S.-led NATO enlargement.

Under the banners of "consolidating democracy," "promoting stability and common values," Washington has been continuously pushing to expand the alliance eastward since the fall of the Soviet Union.

In 30 years, NATO has gone through five rounds of enlargement, moving eastward more than 1,000 km to somewhere near the Russian border, pushing the country into a corner step by step.

U.S. President Joe Biden has, since assuming office, signalled a tougher stance against Russia, while stepping up diplomatic efforts in establishing "friendly" relations with Ukraine. By asserting support for Ukraine's NATO membership, the Biden administration eventually crossed Russia's security "red line."

Thomas Friedman, a renowned U.S. expert on international issues, has pointed out that the U.S. government should bear considerable responsibility for the deterioration of relations with Russia caused by its major mistake of greenlighting the NATO expansion.

"America and NATO aren't innocent bystanders" to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he said in an op-ed published recently.

NATO enlargement is a critical element of a larger U.S. strategy to turn Ukraine into a Western bastion, and analysts believe that Washington has long been trying to create so-called "manageable chaos" in Ukraine, which best suits its own political and economic interests.

By constantly "pouring kerosene on the fire" in Ukraine, the Biden administration now gets a second chance to demonstrate the steady leadership he promised, and the world's sole superpower has also managed to consolidate its dominant position on the global stage by increasing Europe's energy and military reliance on it.

The Ukraine crisis "could have easily been avoided if the Biden Admin and NATO had simply acknowledged Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO," tweeted former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a 2020 presidential candidate.

"NO CONFLICT, NO PROFIT"

When discussing the political logic of conflicts, a central question is often put forward: Who benefits?

As a number of analysts and political observers have pointed out, whenever there was a military conflict, the U.S. military-industrial complex made a fortune.

Indeed, besides the diplomatic and political gains, the United States, especially its arms dealers, has also raked in an immense amount of cash from both NATO's enlargement and the Russia-Ukraine standoff.

Gabbard told Fox News in mid-February that warmongers on both sides of Washington had been drumming up tensions, and if a Russia-Ukraine war broke out, the military-industrial complex would make a ton more money than they had been in fighting al-Qaida or making weapons for al-Qaida.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started, the top five biggest defense contractors in the United States have seen their stock prices skyrocket.

Lockheed Martin, the world's top weapons manufacturer, saw its stock price surge by 28 percent from 354 U.S. dollars in early January to 453 dollars on March 25, while the stock price of Raytheon Technologies increased by more than 20 percent. Meanwhile, arms companies like Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics have also seen their prices surge.

The scene is all so familiar as it is what the United State has been doing repeatedly over the years: fueling conflicts and selling weapons abroad.

In the United States, weapon makers spend millions of dollars every year lobbying politicians and donating to their campaigns, while high-level former Pentagon officials could be sitting on the boards of many defense companies, or are acting as consultants or lobbyists for these companies. People who have worked for those companies could then go back into the government.

The revolving door between the Pentagon and defense boardrooms has never stopped spinning. The only question is how fast it is spinning now?

Erik Sperling, executive director of anti-war group Just Foreign Policy, said that the defense spending across NATO members are likely to grow as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine unfolds.

Many of the weapons "that NATO uses are gonna be overwhelmingly U.S. based weaponry. So that's all positive for the weapons companies," Sperling said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Former president hit for influencing election



President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol visited disgraced former President Park Geun-hye at her residence in Dalseong County, Daegu, Tuesday. During their 50-minute meeting, Yoon expressed regret over his role as a member of the independent counsel team that investigated and indicted her for her involvement in a corruption scandal. He invited her to his May 10 inauguration ceremony, and Park made a positive response to the invitation.



Yoon told Park that he has been sorry about the bad relations between them, according to People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kwon Young-se, vice chairman of Yoon's transition team, who accompanied and briefed the meeting to reporters. Park's lawyer and close associate Yoo Yeong-ha, who also attended the meeting, said Park listened quietly to Yoon without making any comments. Kwon said the meeting proceeded in a very friendly and warm atmosphere.



The meeting drew huge attention as it was seen as Yoon's gesture to come to terms with Park despite their ill-fated relationship. Yoon played a leading role in investigating the corruption case in 2016 that resulted in Park's impeachment and imprisonment. Convicted of corruption and abuse of power, Park was sentenced to 22 years in prison. She was released on a special pardon on New Year's Eve after serving four years and nine months in jail.



We hope the meeting will help promote national unity. Yet, criticism has arisen as the meeting came when Park is actively supporting Yoo who declared his bid to run for Daegu mayor. Park made statements in support of Yoo on YouTube. PPP Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, who is also vying for the mayoral post, said in his Facebook account that the "Daegu mayoral election has turned into a race of currying favor with the former president, rather than a competition of policies."



It is not proper for Park to exercise her influence over any election. She should keep a low profile and refrain from engaging in politics. If she tries to flex her political muscle behind the scenes, she will disappoint the people who vividly remember her misdeeds that led to her ouster and denigrate the meaning of the special pardon granted to her. Yoon also deserves criticism for attempting to woo Park's supporters and residents in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, a power base of conservative forces, ahead of the June 1 local elections.



We urge Park to stop engaging in politics. She has yet to make a sincere apology for her wrongdoings to the people. Yoon also should refrain from cozying up to Park further, which might prompt a backlash from progressives. They should remember that some civic organizations last year fiercely opposed the special pardon on Park, describing it as a retreat from democracy and the rule of law. Park should not do anything that goes against national unity and harmony.


The husband of a Texas woman arrested for aborting her baby has revealed the fetus was a boy - and that they filed for divorce on the day she was apprehended.

Ismael Herrera said: 'I have no words...it was a son. A boy,' when asked about what his estranged wife Lizelle Herrera had done in Starr County, Texas, earlier this month.

Herrera also told Noticias48, how he'd only discovered that his 24 year-old ex had taken the abortion pills on reading about her subsequent arrest in news reports.

She was charged with murder, but that charge was later dropped by Starr County DA Gocha Ramirez, who has since apologized.

Filmed in the reflection of a dirty mirror, with his voice altered to mask his identity, Ismael told the Spanish language station that he found out that just days after he split from Lizelle Herrera that she had been pregnant.

It is unclear why they split, and whether that was what prompted Herrera to terminate the pregnancy.

The couple were married in 2015 when she was 19, according to the Washington Post, have two sons together, though they couple separated in January.

Starr County, Texas authorities arrested Lizelle Herrera on April 7, the same day her partner of 8 years filed for divorce.

Ismael Herrara, who was filmed in a mirror to protect his identity, told Noticas48 that he found out that his estranged wife had terminated her pregnancy from news broadcasts

Lizelle Herrera, 26, was arrested last week after she 'intentionally and knowingly caused the death of an individual by self-induced abortion.' She was released on Sunday after it became clear that Texas law prohibits women who terminate their own pregnancy from being charged

Starr County Prosecutor Gocha Ramirez, pictured, filed charges against Herrera, only to later withdraw them and apologize to her for doing so

The hospital where she sought treatment after the abortion apparently reported her to the local Sheriff Rene 'Orta' Fuentes, but she should have never been charged under Texas law.

The county prosecutor, recently-elected Democrat Gocha Ramirez, 68, dropped the murder charge against Lizelle Herrera on Sunday and ordered her released from jail, saying it was all a mistake.

'I'm so sorry,' Ramirez wrote in a text message to the woman's lawyer, Calixto Villareal, according to the Post. 'I assure you I never meant to hurt this young lady.'

Texas has been a battle ground over abortion rights after the state legislature passed the Texas Heartbeat Act, which outlaws terminating pregnancies after a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually at six weeks, before most women know they are pregnant.

Texas law excludes women who self-induce abortion, however, and the county attorney admitted that he had made a mistake in charging her.

Herrera was being held at the Starr County Jail on a $500,000 bond while authorities investigate the details surrounding her abortion.

DA Ramirez published this statement on Sunday announcing he'd be withdrawing charges against Herrera

Even anti-abortion rights groups say that the prosecutor screwed-up in charging the young woman.

'The Texas Heartbeat Act and other pro-life policies in the state clearly prohibit criminal charges for pregnant women,' John Seago, the legislative director of Texas Right to Life, told the Washington Post. 'Texas Right to Life opposes public prosecutors going outside of the bounds of Texas's prudent and carefully crafted policies.'

Pro-choice group, the Frontera Fund, picketed the courthouse after Lizelle Herrera's arrest and denounced the law that they say limit a woman's right to healthcare.

The arrest will only inflame the already contentious issue around the state.

'We protested. We got the charges dropped. But the battle is only getting more fierce,' the Fontera Fund posted on Twitter.

We protested. We got the charges dropped. But the battle is only getting more fierce.



Frontera Fund is hosting its biggest fundraiser yet this Thursday 4/14. Donate and join our #ToTheFront livestream to celebrate our resilience: https://t.co/BhDxH6t7Ff

https://t.co/IAzFyq1CzJ  Frontera Fund (@LaFronteraFund) April 12, 2022
A white UMass Boston professor, Jeffrey Melnick, was accused of racism by the school chancellor, Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, who is Latino, in a school-wide email after he publicly questioned the qualifications of a black dean, Tyson King-Meadows, to chair a staffing committee.

During a February 7 faculty council meeting, Melnick, a professor of American studies and the elected Communications Director of the Faculty Staff Union, questioned Provost Joseph B. Berger's decision to appoint King-Meadows - the newly hired dean of liberal arts - to lead the search for a new education dean.

During the faculty council meeting, which King-Meadows was attending, Melnick said King-Meadows' appointment to lead the new staff search was 'a matter of some controversy,' because the faculty had not yet 'worked out the feelings' about the search that lead to King-Meadows' own hiring.

Three days later, on February 10, Provost Berger and Chancellor Suarez-Orozco sent an email to the entire UMass Boston community - students, faculty, and alumni - decrying Melnick's comments as 'racially charged.'

Following this email, a letter signed by 10 faculty members - including four interim deans - was distributed to staff calling for an apology from Melnick and the entire faculty council (FC) on which he serves.

'Listening to an FC executive committee member impugn the new Dean's integrity and capacity to perform his job must have felt dehumanizing for him,' the letter reads, referring to Melnick's questioning of King-Meadows while he was present.

'It seems patronizing and smacks of white privilege and a posture of supremacy.

'It is time for this FC member, the FC executive committee and the entire Faculty Council to apologize to the CLA Dean for the remarks made on behalf of UMB faculty especially if the remarks harbored no ill intent.'

The accusation led to an ongoing campus and community-wide spat between faculty, administration and the Boston Globe newspaper about racism and school politics at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Professor of American studies, Jeffrey Melnick, insists his comments were not racially motivated and that the administration is retaliating for his past criticisms of them

Tyson King-Meadows was joined UMass Boston in September 2021, despite the faculty council's preference for two internal alternatives

Chancellor Marcelo Suarez-Orozco sent an email to all UMass Boston students, faculty, and alumni calling Melnick's words racist

Melnick asserted that his remarks were not racially motivated, and that the administration's accusations are retaliation against him for criticisms of the administration he has made in the past.

'There is widespread sentiment on campus (as our union president said) that this is retaliatory action for my very visible criticism of admin and represents an attack on faculty and union power more generally,' Melnick told DailyMail.com.

'The administration is weaponizing anti-racism to silence faculty on other issues that really don't have to do centrally with race,' UMass Boston labor historian and faculty union leader Steve Striffler, who is white, told Boston radio station GBH in March.

King-Meadows joined the UMass Boston administration just five months prior in September 2021, after the administration appointed him in favor of the faculty council's other finalists, current professors Rajini Srikanth and Arindam Bandopadhyaya.

'I had heard from a few people that they kind of wondered why this brand new dean -- who wasn't from the ed school and just got to UMass - why he had been named to lead the search,' Melnick told GBH.

King-Meadows' 'role and responsibilities as the chair of a search committee are being scrutinized and challenged in ways that no other dean has experienced at UMass Boston,' the email from the provost and chancellor read.

'There's no room for this behavior on our highly diverse campus, especially one that aspires to be the leading antiracist, health-promoting public research university.'

'We stand in solidarity with Dean King-Meadows and all our African American and Black colleagues at the university. And let us be perfectly clear: We have full confidence in Dean King-Meadows to lead this search.'

King-Meadows joined the UMass Boston (pictured) administration just five months prior in September 2021, after the administration appointed him in favor of the faculty council's other finalists, current professors Rajini Srikanth and Arindam Bandopadhyaya

As of April, Suarez-Orozco and Berger are in talks with the UMass Boston faculty council to resolve the issue.

Melnick maintains that his remarks had no racial intention, and that the administration's accusations are motivated by criticisms he has made in the past about the teeth of their own anti-racist policies on campus.

In a March interview with the UMass Boston student newspaper, The Mass Media, Melnick pointed to comments he has made about the administration in his weekly Faculty Staff Union newsletter, 'The Point,' and said that the administration has tried to silence him for them before.

'When our provost first met with my union's president after taking the job, the provost directly asked him to see if he could get me to tone down my criticisms of the administration,' Melnick told The Mass Media.

Following the chancellor's accusations of racism against Melnick, 10 faculty members signed and circulated a letter demanding an apology from Melnick

Four out of the ten signers of the letter are interim-deans

In a February letter to the chancellor and the provost, the UMass Boston graduate student union (known as GEO) denounced the accusations of racism and supported Melnick's assertions that race was being used as a retaliatory tool of control.

'This charge of racism was levied [by the chancellor and provost] to shield themselves from criticism of their leadership practices. In doing so, they used racist tropes to discourage faculty from speaking out about leadership practices.'



In February, the UMass Boston graduate student union (known as GEO) sent a letter to the chancellor and the provost in support of Melnick and the faculty

The GEO letter supported Melnick's assertion that the administration was weaponizing race to control the faculty

GEO asked the administration to spend its time making real changes towards eradicating racism at UMass Boston in lieu of an apology

'As a white person committed to anti-racist work I welcome each and every opportunity to think about how systemic racism works and what part I might play in its reproduction,' Melnick told The Mass Media.

'So personally, I welcome this chance to keep on doing this work - even if the opportunity to do so was presented by two powerful administrators who put me on blast to the entire extended UMass Boston community without making any effort to first contact the Faculty Council leadership or me.'

UMass Boston administrators did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
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Bill and Hillary Clinton appear to have returned to New York City's social scene following the former first lady's brief bout of Covid-19 late last month, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show.

The first couple were spotted dining with friends Tuesday evening at the ritzy Mark Hotel, near Central Park on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Bill, 75, dressed the part, stepping out in a dark gray suit, striped yellow tie, and black dress shoes. The former president appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and waving to supporters outside before heading into the venue.

Hillary, meanwhile, opted for a black pantsuit under a longline, bright pink, collarless coat, and styled her blond hair in her signature long bob.

The two were seated at the restaurant's outdoor dining area where they were joined for dinner by at least two unidentified guests and remained under the watchful eye of their Secret Service detail.

Hillary Clinton was seen slipping out of the Mark Hotel in Manhattan after having dinner with husband Bill and two friends Tuesday evening

The former first lady, 74, appeared to have called it an early night and left the restaurant alone while the former president stayed behind

Former President Bill Clinton appeared in good spirits during the dinner outing, smiling and waving to supporters outside

The first couple was seated at the restaurant's outdoor dining area where they were joined for dinner by at least two unidentified guests, and remained under the watchful eye of their Secret Service detail (far left)

The former secretary of state chats with friends over dinner at the upscale restaurant

At some point during dinner, however, it seemed Hillary decided to call it an early night and was seen slipping out of the hotel on her own.

She wore a black face mask and seemed to go unnoticed as she was escorted into her Lincoln Corsair Secret Service vehicle that was parked outside of the restaurant. Bill carried on entertaining his two other guests.

The five-star hotel - which sits a block away from Central Park East - has been a popular hotspot among New York's elite and celebrities alike thanks to its upscale restaurant by renowned chef Jean-Georges and luxury suites.

Its top-ranking accommodation, The Mark Penthouse, made headlines in 2019 after Meghan Meghan booked the $75,000-per-night venue for her lavish baby shower.

The pair's dinner outing at The Mark came hours after Bill was spotted visiting the WarnerMedia building in Hudson Yards to attend some sort of event.

The Clintons have apparently been keeping busy in New York City recently, having made a series of public appearances since Hillary completed her quarantine period after contracting Covid-19 in late March.

Bill sat across from two unidentified friends at dinner

Hillary was seen in a typical black pantsuit which she wore under a longline, hot pink collarless coat, and styled her blond hair in her signature long bob

The 74-year-old Democrat was escorted to her Secret Service vehicle as she left the restaurant

Hillary's Secret Service agents and security detail helped her into a Black Lincoln SUV. It is unclear why she left dinner early

The outing comes weeks after Hillary finished quarantining after her brief bout of Covid-19 late last month

Bill, 75, stepped out in a dark gray suit, striped yellow tie, and black dress shoes and was accompanied by his security detail

The Clintons have apparently been keeping busy in New York City recently, having made a series of public appearances since Hillary completed her quarantine period after contracting Covid-19 in late March

Last weekend, the ex-2016 presidential contender was spotted arriving at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to speak at the annual National Action Network Panel hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton.

The five-star hotel - which sits a block away from Central Park East - has been a popular hotspot among New York's elite and was the site of Meghan Markle's baby shower in 2019

Her appearance came a week after she was spotted out and about in downtown Manhattan following her on-air interview on NBC News' Meet the Press.

Dressed casually in a muted navy blue jacket, a lighter blue shirt and gray pants, the former first lady carried only a black handbag while being photographed on the New York City streets.

Someone accompanying her was holding a large black umbrella, after the city saw a modest downpour for much of the morning.

Speaking on Meet the Press on April 3, Hillary said Democrats need to do a 'better job' in selling voters on their accomplishments ahead of November's midterm elections.

'There is a lot of good accomplishments to be putting up on the board. And the Democrats in office and out need to be doing a better job of making the case -- and frankly, standing up to the other side with their craziness and their calls for impunity and nuttiness that we hear coming from them,' she said.

'I don't think the average American, frankly, wants to be governed by people who live in a totally different reality.'

The failed White House candidate said there appears to be a 'disconnect' in messaging between Democrats in the White House and Democrats in Congress.

While Hillary appeared to go unnoticed while arriving and departing the venue, Bill was happy to wave to fans nearby

The former president traveled in a separate vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, to his wife

Earlier in the day, Bill was spotted visiting the WarnerMedia building in Hudson Yards to attend some sort of event

Bill Clinton speaks to a man holding a leather briefcase emblazoned with the presidential seal

'I think that his handling of Ukraine, passing the American rescue package, the huge infrastructure package,' she said, listing off Biden's accomplishments.

'I'm not quite sure what the disconnect is between the accomplishments of the administration, and this Congress, and the understanding of what's been done, and the impact it will have on the American public, and some of the polling and the ongoing hand wringing.'

That penchant for expressing outrage and fear for a situation is part-and-parcel of Democrat politics, Clinton appears to concede.

Election watchers and liberal operatives have expressed concern that infighting between progressives and moderates over the future of the party could serve to further diminish Democrats' chances of winning in November.

'I do think hand wringing is part of the Democratic DNA. That seems to be in style whether we're in or out of power. We're in power and there still is hand wringing going on,' Clinton said bluntly.

She added, 'From my perspective, President Biden is doing a very good job.'

Last weekend, the ex-2016 presidential contender was spotted arriving at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square to speak at the annual National Action Network Panel hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton

Hillary was also spotted out and about in Manhattan earlier this month after joining NBC News' Meet the Press to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the state of the Democratic Party ahead of November's midterm elections

However she admitted that there would always be a 'chorus' of disgruntled Democrats, and advised them to not let that take away from their accomplishments.

And the 'disconnect' Clinton claimed was prevalent among Democrats is even more apparent within the GOP, she said.

'I've always thought that the best politics is doing the best job that you can do. And there's a lot that Democrats can talk about in this upcoming midterms. I'm well aware that midterms are obviously always difficult for the party in power,' Clinton claimed.

'But we've got a great story to tell. And we need to get out there and do a better job of telling it. And for those who say it hasn't gone far enough -- that's always the chorus in Democratic Party politics -- but I would add that in Republican Party politics, you have an even greater disconnect.'
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The BBC's new political editor Chris Mason only applied for the 260,000-a-year role days ago, it was claimed tonight, as bosses urged him to take up the post amid a series of job offers from rivals.

The corporation announced this afternoon its search for Laura Kuenssberg's replacement was now over and that proud Yorkshireman Mason would be taking on the position - arguably the biggest brief in political journalism.

The highly regarded host of Radio 4's debate show Any Questions? quickly became the favourite amid reports that BBC chiefs were unhappy with their initial all-female shortlist, which included ITV News's Anushka Asthana and Sophy Ridge from Sky.

However, Mason only formally put himself forward for the job a week ago, the Guardian reports, after executives abandoned their original recruitment process at the eleventh hour and quietly reopened the vacancy to applications.

Amid offers from rival outlets, including the likes of Times Radio which had previously tried to secure his services, the BBC stepped up efforts to keep him, reports suggest.

The 41-year-old father-of-two, a Cambridge geography candidate married to a primary school teacher who lives in London and has worked at the BBC since 2002, will step down from presenting Any Questions? in the summer  a move which the Sunday Times said could later put him in good stead take over Fiona Bruce on Question Time.

Regarded as an 'adept broadcaster', with 'sound judgement' and 'a flair for political analysis' by his colleagues, Mason also carved a name out for himself as a presenter of hit podcast Brexitcast, later Newscast, in which he, Kuenssberg, Katya Adler and Adam Fleming talk Westminster gossip.

He now joins the exclusive fraternity of BBC Political Editors  a position first created by the broadcaster in the early 1970s  which includes John Simpson, Nick Robinson, Andrew Marr, Robin Oakley, David Holmes, Hardiman Scott and David Holmes. His promotion today also makes Mason the Corporation's first ever northern Political Editor.

Mason has talked openly about his Yorkshire accent, which he believes has given him a competitive advantage in broadcasting in an age where the BBC has come under fire for being too 'London-centric' and not having enough regional voices.

In an interview with Radio Times about his promotion to Any Questions?, Mason said: 'I think it's probably been an advantage to me because I have come of age journalistically in an era where there's a far greater awareness that the BBC in particular, and broadcasting in general, needs to sound like the audience it's broadcasting to.'

Mason's promotion is also likely a PR coup for the BBC, which has been beset by a so-called 'brain drain' of top talent including Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis, Andrew Marr and Dan Walker ditching the broadcaster  a characterisation it has dismissed.

Mason, who currently earns less than 150,000, is likely to see his pay shoot up considerably to around 260,000, Kuenssberg's salary according to a BBC report.

Kuenssberg, who has been accused of political bias by both Labour-supporting trolls and Tory operatives, revealed she was stepping down as Political Editor last year, with her final assignment at the BBC set to be the local elections coverage next month.

She was last month announced as the new permanent presenter of the BBC's Sunday morning politics show, replacing Andrew Marr.

In a statement, Mason said: 'What a tremendous privilege to take on what, for me, is the most extraordinary job in British broadcasting and journalism. I clamber upon the shoulders of giants like Laura, Nick and Andrew with a smattering of trepidation and a shedload of excitement and enthusiasm.

'To lead the best team of journalists in the business on the best news patch of the lot is something I'd never even dared dream of. I can't wait to get started.'

The BBC's hunt for Laura Kuenssberg's replacement has ended, after bosses announced that Radio 4 presenter Chris Mason will take up the 260,000 post of Political Editor next month

Regarded as an 'adept broadcaster', with 'sound judgement' and 'a flair for political analysis' by his colleagues, Mason, who now earns less than 150,000, would see his pay rise shoot up to at least 260,000, Kuenssberg's reported salary

Mason, who studied geography at Cambridge, took over Radio 4's Any Questions? show, a topical discussion with a panel of people from politics and media who are posed questions by the public, in October 2019. After spending two decades at the BBC, Mason, who is from Grassington in north Yorkshire, has spent most of his career covering Westminster (pictured amidst an anti-Brexit pro-Europe demonstration)

Kuenssberg, a titan in the world of political journalism who was accused of Left-wing bias by the Conservative Party, revealed she was stepping down as Political Editor in Autumn last year, with her final assignment at the BBC set to be the local elections coverage next month

Kuenssberg tweeted her congratulations, writing: 'Huge congrats and welcome to the best daily job in the business, to colleague, great friend and of course #newscaster @ChrisMasonBBC'

Yorkshire-born Mason, the current host of debate show Any Questions? on Radio 4, was tipped to be the favourite following reports that Corporation chiefs were unhappy with the all-female shortlist, which included ITV News's Anushka Asthana and Sophy Ridge from Sky

Yorkshire-born Cambridge geography graduate who ascended ranks of BBC to Radio 4 Any Questions? presenter... and has now taken on the biggest brief in political journalism As Laura Kuenssberg's replacement as the BBC's Political Editor, Chris Mason has arguably taken on the biggest brief of his life Viewers have previously praised him for his no-nonsense style As Laura Kuenssberg's replacement as the BBC's Political Editor, Chris Mason has arguably taken on the biggest brief of his life. Mason began his journalism career as a trainee at ITN the week after 9/11, before moving to BBC Radio Newcastle one year later. He also then worked for 5 Live, the Regional Political Unit, the Westminster Hour on Radio 4 and in Brussels as a Europe correspondent. Mason took over as presenter for Radio 4's Any Questions?, a topical discussion with a panel of people from politics and media who are posed questions by the public, in October 2019, and is regularly on the podcast Newscast. After spending two decades at the BBC, Mason, who is from Grassington in north Yorkshire, has spent most of his career covering Westminster. Viewers have previously praised him for his no-nonsense style, and hailed him as 'refreshing' when he admitted during a live broadcast for BBC Breakfast in 2018 that he didn't 'have the foggiest' about ongoing Brexit talks  adding: 'I think you might as well get Mr Blobby back on to offer his analysis, because frankly I suspect his is now as good as mine.' Then the BBC's Political Correspondent, Mason said: 'So, where are we in this Brexit process? You know what? People like me are paid to have insight and foresight and hindsight about these things, and to be able to project where we're going to go. Mason began his journalism career as a trainee at ITN the week after 9/11, before moving to BBC Radio Newcastle one year later 'To be quite honest, looking at things right now, I haven't got the foggiest idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks. Is the Prime Minister going to get a deal with the EU? Dunno. Is she going to get it through the Commons? Don't know about that either. 'I think you might as well get Mr Blobby back on to offer his analysis, because frankly I suspect his is now as good as mine.' Growing up in the Yorkshire Dales, Mason has previously spoken about how they had a 'massive influence' on him, giving him a sense of 'belonging and identity'. This year he competed on Celebrity Mastermind where his specialist subject was the Yorkshire Dales, finishing second to comedian Rufus Hound. He told BBC Radio 4: 'I still subscribe to the local paper, the Craven Herald and Pioneer. It drops proudly onto my doormat in south east London every week. It's the perfect thing to kick back with, in the company of a cuppa, when I get home after Any Questions at the weekend.' Mason has previously said that apart from a 'brief flirtation' with wanting to be a bus driver, he 'only ever wanted to be a reporter'. Speaking with a Yorkshire accent, Mason's appointment could combat criticisms of the broadcaster for being London-centric and not having enough regional voices. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries previously instructed the BBC to present plans to improve regional and class diversity in the corporation before agreeing the new licence fee settlement. Advertisement

Kuenssberg tweeted her congratulations, writing: 'Huge congrats and welcome to the best daily job in the business, to colleague, great friend and of course #newscaster @ChrisMasonBBC'.

The interim director of BBC News, Jonathan Munro, said: 'Chris has been an exceptional correspondent in an extraordinary time for British politics. His calm, incisive analysis and signature candid style have been invaluable for audiences when navigating complex stories.

'His ambition and vision for the political editor role is really exciting and I wish him every success in the new post.'

Beth Rigby, Sky News's political editor and presenter, was also among those congratulation Chris Mason on his appointment as her counterpart at BBC News.

She tweeted: 'What a great choice. Huge congratulations @ChrisMasonBBC and welcome to the Pol Ed role  the best and busiest beat in the business. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of you Chris!'.

Paul Brand, UK editor for ITV News, also congratulated Mason on his new role. He tweeted: 'Huge congratulations to one of the best in British broadcasting  Chris will be an absolute asset to the BBC in this role.'

Mason began his journalism career as a trainee at ITN the week after 9/11, before moving to BBC Radio Newcastle one year later. He also then worked for 5 Live, the Regional Political Unit, the Westminster Hour on Radio 4 and in Brussels as a Europe correspondent.

Mason took over as presenter for Radio 4's Any Questions?, a topical discussion with a panel of people from politics and media who are posed questions by the public, in October 2019, and is regularly on the podcast Newscast.

After spending two decades at the BBC, Mason, who is from Grassington in north Yorkshire, has spent most of his career covering Westminster.

Viewers have previously praised him for his no-nonsense style, and hailed him as 'refreshing' when he admitted during a live broadcast for BBC Breakfast in 2018 that he didn't 'have the foggiest' about ongoing Brexit talks  adding: 'I think you might as well get Mr Blobby back on to offer his analysis, because frankly I suspect his is now as good as mine.'

Then the BBC's Political Correspondent, Mason said: 'So, where are we in this Brexit process? You know what? People like me are paid to have insight and foresight and hindsight about these things, and to be able to project where we're going to go.

'To be quite honest, looking at things right now, I haven't got the foggiest idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks. Is the Prime Minister going to get a deal with the EU? Dunno. Is she going to get it through the Commons? Don't know about that either.

'I think you might as well get Mr Blobby back on to offer his analysis, because frankly I suspect his is now as good as mine.'

Growing up in the Yorkshire Dales, Mason has previously spoken about how they had a 'massive influence' on him, giving him a sense of 'belonging and identity'.

This year he competed on Celebrity Mastermind where his specialist subject was the Yorkshire Dales, finishing second to comedian Rufus Hound.

He told BBC Radio 4: 'I still subscribe to the local paper, the Craven Herald and Pioneer. It drops proudly onto my doormat in south east London every week. It's the perfect thing to kick back with, in the company of a cuppa, when I get home after Any Questions at the weekend.'

Mason has previously said that apart from a 'brief flirtation' with wanting to be a bus driver, he 'only ever wanted to be a reporter'.

Initially the Corporation appealed for internal candidates, but then the three BBC front-runners  the deputy political editor, Vicki Young, Mason and former North America editor Sopel  made it clear that they did not want the job.

They then extended the search, whittling down to an all-female shortlist of applicants including ITV News's Anushka Asthana, the deputy political editor, and Sophy Ridge from Sky.

As well as being deputy political editor of ITV News, Asthana, 41, a former Guardian journalist, stars on its political show, Peston.

The former chief political correspondent at The Times attended 12,600-a-year Manchester High School for Girls before going on to read economics at St John's College, Cambridge. She spent two years working for Sky News as a political correspondent.

State-educated Sophy Ridge went to Tiffin Girls' School in South West London before getting a degree in English Literature at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Prior to getting her own show in 2017, she was a Sky News political reporter, during which time she revealed Ed Miliband's resignation as Labour leader following the General Election in 2015.

Ridge, 38, who has been at Sky News for more than a decade, has recently returned from maternity leave. Sky staff say she would be a 'huge loss' if she joined the BBC.

It comes at a difficult time for the BBC, which has been battling a 'brain drain' of talent  allegations it has denied  and a war with the Government over its licence fee.

In January, Boris Johnson's 'most loyal Cabinet ally' Nadine Dorries signalled that the licence fee will be scrapped after 2027. The gung-ho Culture Secretary indicated that she wants to put in place a new funding model for the broadcaster when the current licence fee deal expires in five years' time.

The Cabinet minister has hit the Corporation with a two-year licence fee freeze and her allies have warned 'the days of state-run television are over', as tensions between the Government and the BBC continue to rise.

Dorries tweeted: 'This licence fee announcement will be the last. The days of the elderly being threatened with prison sentences and bailiffs knocking on doors, are over. Time now to discuss and debate new ways of funding, supporting and selling great British content.'

Tense negotiations between the Government and the BBC over the cost of the annual fee until the end of 2027 have concluded, with Dorries deciding to hold the licence at 159 for the next two years.

Officials calculate that  due to inflation currently running at 5.1 per cent  the Corporation will have to find savings of more than 2billion over the next six years.

After spending two decades at the BBC, Mason, who is from Grassington in north Yorkshire, has spent most of his career covering Westminster

Speaking with a Yorkshire accent, Mason's appointment could combat criticisms of the broadcaster for being London-centric and not having enough regional voices

Who had been the female frontrunners to replace Kuenssberg? Sophy Ridge Current job: Political correspondent at Sky News and host of its flagship programme Sophy Ridge on Sunday Profile: Ridge worked as a journalist at News of the World before joining Sky News. Prior to getting her own show in 2017, she was a Sky News political reporter, during which time she revealed Ed Miliband's resignation as Labour leader following the General Election in 2015. The 37-year-old has been at Sky News for more than a decade, and has recently returned from maternity leave. State-educated Sophy Ridge went to Tiffin Girls' School in South West London before getting a degree in English Literature at St Edmund Hall, Oxford Anushka Asthana Current job: ITV News's deputy political editor Profile: As well as being deputy political editor of ITV News, Asthana, 41, is a former Guardian journalist, and stars on its political show, Peston. She is a former chief political correspondent at The Times and spent two years working for Sky News as a political correspondent. As well as being deputy political editor of ITV News, Asthana, 41, a former Guardian journalist, stars on its political show, Peston Advertisement

However, the Culture Secretary is also considering pegging future fee increases below inflation between 2024 and the end of the current Royal Charter on December 31, 2027  meaning the savings the BBC must make could end up being even higher.

It was previously suggested said that Kuenssberg, who earned 260,000, could become a presenter on Radio 4's flagship Today programme as part of a major reshuffle of senior on-air staff. However, it was later confirmed that she will be replacing Marr on his Sunday morning politics show.

Marr presented the last episode of his long-running Sunday politics programme yesterday, leaving the BBC after 21 years to host radio shows on LBC and Classic FM, for rival broadcaster Global.

Commanding a salary of more than 260,000 as political editor, Kuenssberg also found a new audience by appearing on the Brexitcast podcast throughout the UK's Brexit negotiations with the EU.

However, she has faced accusations of bias from across the political spectrum. Last year, she was criticised after appearing to defend Dominic Cummings following reports that he had flouted lockdown rules.

Within 30 minutes of the story breaking, Kuenssberg had shared a rebuttal from an unnamed source claiming that the then Prime Minister's senior aide's 260-mile trip from London to his parents' home in Durham was 'within [the] guidelines'.

In response to the Daily Mirror journalist who broke the story, Kuenssberg tweeted: 'Source says his trip was within guidelines as Cummings went to stay with his parents so they could help with childcare while he and his wife were ill  they insist no breach of lockdown'.

Her reply was immediately met by a chorus of condemnation from Labour-supporting trolls, with some accusing her of being a 'mouthpiece for the Government' and a 'Tory stooge'.

Kuenssberg was revealed to be Cummings's only regular contact, due to the broadcaster's 'special position' in the country.

During his bombshell evidence session to MPs last year, the former Downing Street aide said the political editor was the 'main' journalist he would speak to  but stressed they would only talk once every 'three or four weeks' to 'give guidance on big stories'.

Cummings then made a series of scathing claims about the Prime Minister's handling of the Covid pandemic  including that Johnson allegedly viewed the virus as a 'scare story' just a month before the first lockdown  in a sit-down interview with Kuenssberg.

During the 2019 General Election, Kuenssberg, along with ITV's political editor Robert Peston, tweeted the false claim that an aide of disgraced ex-minister Matt Hancock was punched by a Labour activist.

The claim was quickly disproved by video evidence, forcing them to back down and apologise for the misleading information.

At the Labour Party conference in 2017, she had to be protected by security guards following abuse she had received for her reporting on Jeremy Corbyn. Critics claimed she was not neutral and treated the former Labour leader unfairly.

Kuenssberg also attracted controversy earlier this year after a complaint was made against her over her use of the phrase 'nitty gritty' while discussing Downing Street business on the Brexitcast.

Anti-racism campaigners claim the term originates from the slave trade, and was reportedly banned by Sky Sports last year amid concerns.

However, programme bosses threw out the complaint against Kuenssberg.

Prior to becoming the BBC's politics editor, Kuenssberg served as the corporation's chief political correspondent. She also previously held senior roles at ITV News and BBC Two's Newsnight.

In 2016, Kuenssberg was awarded Broadcaster of the Year by the Political Studies Association, recognising her work covering the Brexit Referendum and subsequent follow-up stories.

She was also honoured as the Journalist of the Year at the British Journalism Awards the same year.

'People come, people go': BBC dismisses 'brain drain' of top talent as Dan Walker joins Emily Maitlis, Andrew Marr, Jon Sopel and Louise Minchin in ditching the broadcaster for its rivals

The BBC has dismissed the 'brain drain' of top talent ditching the broadcaster as 'people come, people go' after Dan Walker became the latest to join a rival firm.

Insiders said there was always a 'natural point where people move on' but there are mounting fears the Corporation will be left with a lack of experienced presenters.

Walker announced he was joining Channel 5 to be lead anchor on its revamped 5News team.

He will walk away from his 295,000-295,999 a year role at the Beeb, with industry experts suggesting he will make around 350,000 in his new job.

The Breakfast presenter follows a string of huge names - including Jon Sopel, Emily Maitlis and Andrew Marr - which has sparked fears of an escalating exodus of talent.

His former Breakfast co-star Louise Minchin also left last year as she looked to spent more quality time with her family.

Walker (pictured outside the BBC in Salford today) announced yesterday he was joining Channel 5 to be lead anchor on its revamped 5News team

Dan Walker is the latest on-air star to ditch the BBC as he announced he was joining Channel 5 News. He is pictured on BBC Breakfast

Walker will be joining Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije (left) and replacing Sian Williams (right)

BBC veterans Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel left the BBC for Global, the owners of LBC, to front a new show and a podcast

The minister's son who doesn't work Sundays ... who is Dan Walker? Dan Walker is the son of a minister and was born in Crawley, Sussex. He was educated in the town before heading north to Sheffield, where he got a BA in history and MA in journalism from the university. His news career started at Hallam FM in the Steel City before he moved to Manchester's Key 103 radio. But he dipped his toe in TV with Grenada then North West Tonight at the BBC. He was also able to keep his love of sport alive, covering Football Focus from 2009, as well as multi football tournaments and other sports. But he became a household name for many when he joined Breakfast in 2016, taking over from Bill Turnbull. He had cohosted it with Louise Minchin from Monday to Wednesday until last year when she stepped down. Walker is married to Sarah, who he met at university and with whom he has three children. He is a practising Christian and does not work on Sundays.

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A BBC source told MailOnline: 'People come, people go, but we have lots of existing talent and new and emerging stars and there is always a natural point where people move on.'

Walker revealed on Monday he was leaving the Corporation after six years to be lead anchor at 5News.

The 45-year-old said he 'can't wait to get stuck into the daily news show', adding 'I love their ideas and creativity'.

The journalist shared a video on Twitter announcing the news on Monday afternoon, saying: 'I have a little bit of news for you.

'In the next few weeks I'm going to be leaving BBC Breakfast and moving to 5News and to Channel 5.

'I'm really excited but this has also been a massive decision for me because I love BBC Breakfast. I love working alongside Sally and I love the team there.

'But Channel 5 came with big ambitions, with big plans and I don't think opportunities like this come around very often and I can't wait.

'I've also had the incredible privilege of working on some iconic programmes over the last few years, both at the BBC and elsewhere.

'What I love about this deal is I not only get to present the news but also host a whole range of new programmes right across the channel.

'And what an honour to step into the shoes of Sian Williams. I know how popular she is with both the team and the audience.

He said: 'All I can say is I will do my very best to maintain her incredibly high standards.'

Walker added in a statement: 'I can't wait to get stuck into the daily news show, but I am also excited about making some great new TV for Channel 5.

'I love their ideas and creativity and it's rare to get an opportunity like this where paths and ambitions meet. The chance to do something different was too good to turn down.'

Outgoing Williams also sent a 'warm welcome' to the presenter, but it was posted on Twitter in horrendous quality and the voice of the producer could be heard.

She said: 'Dan Walker, welcome to your new home. I know what it's like to move from the BBC Breakfast sofa to the Channel 5 newsroom.'

She added: 'I absolutely loved it and I think you will too. Have fun and good luck.'

The Breakfast presenter revealed on Monday he was leaving the Corporation after six years to be the ITN channel's lead anchor. He is pictured with Nadiya Bychkova at a fundraiser last month

Walker is married to Sarah, who he met at university and with whom he has three children. He is a practising Christian and does not work on Sundays

Walker lost ratings battle to Piers Morgan and was forced to apologise to Susanna over article he 'misread' Dan Walker mostly kept himself away from the headlines during his time at the BBC. But his war of words with his golfing buddy Piers Morgan over TV ratings saw him grab the attention of viewers. The pair often bickered on social media over the number of views GMB and Breakfast got, with the latter mostly winning. Yet the ITV programme steadily caught up with them during Morgan's tenure as his lively debates saw more and more tune in and ditch the BBC. On his last day at the show, where he rowed with the weatherman Alex Beresford over Meghan Markle, GMB beat the BBC in the ratings. Meanwhile Walker was also in hot water over a tweet he posted about Morgan's then co-host Susanna Reid. He issued a public apology to his Good Morning Britain rival for calling her out on Twitter over an article he had 'misread.' The broadcaster in 2019 admitted he had 'misread' her 'intentions' after the anchor penned an opinion piece for her Daily Mail column about 'catty male colleagues' in the television industry. Susanna wrote: 'In my experience, there is more rivalry between male counterparts. Take ITV's Piers Morgan and Dan Walker, his BBC Breakfast double. 'The way they snipe at each other on Twitter makes me shudder. I would never speak about a colleague like that.' Walker lashed out, writing: 'Interesting. With the greatest respect @susannareid100 the insults that make you 'shudder' only really come one way. 'I enjoy the friendly competition with your programme. It keeps us all on our toes and normally stays within the bounds of gentle fun. See you soon.' He added: 'I humbly suggest you talk to @louiseminchin @BBCNaga @stephbreakfast @carolkirkwood @mikebreakfast @sallynugent - or anyone I work with - before suggesting I ever put colleagues down or am not supportive.' Reid wrote back: 'I didn't for a moment suggest this. My reference to you was solely in relation to how you and Piers speak to each other online.' Walker replied 'I greatly respect @susannareid100 & it appears I may have misread her intentions in this article & for that I apologise - as I have done privately too. 'Support of colleagues is a particularly sensitive issues at the moment and 1 I take seriously. I hope you all have a lovely day.'

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Williams will step down from 5News - where she has been since 2016 - but will stay with the channel for other shows.

Walker will be the face of the revamped 5pm current affairs programme alongside Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije.

But he will also have scope to cover non-news programmes for the channel, which he also did for the BBC with shows such as Football Focus.

Media experts estimated he would rake in 350,000 a year, with a 'golden handshake' signing on cheque for 50,000.

One told MailOnline: 'Let's be honest, Channel 5 are not a channel you go to if you are still climbing your profession are they?

'I think my TV still has problems tuning into the station.

'They would have offered him a golden handshake, 50,000 upon signing the contract.

'350,000 a year, decent pension contributions. He knows he will be a bigger fish in a smaller pond now - may seem attractive too?'

Walker is the son of a minister and was born in Crawley, Sussex. He is a practising Christian so does not work on Sundays.

He was educated in the town before heading north to Sheffield, where he got a BA in history and MA in journalism from the university.

His news career started at Hallam FM in the Steel City before he moved to Manchester's Key 103 radio.

But he first dipped his toe in television with Grenada then North West Tonight at the BBC.

He was also able to keep his love of sport alive, covering Football Focus from 2009, as well as multi football tournaments and other sports.

But he became a household name for many when he joined Breakfast in 2016, taking over from Bill Turnbull.

He had co-hosted it with Louise Minchin from Monday to Wednesday until last year when she stepped down.

Walker is married to Sarah, who he met at university and with whom he has three children.

Editor of 5 News Cait FitzSimons said: 'I'm hugely excited about Dan's decision to join 5 News.

'We pride ourselves on the deep connection we have with our viewers across the country, and this is a key strength of Dan's, helping secure his place as one of Britain's best and most popular broadcasters.

'I look forward to working with him to build on the success of our new hour-long programme and finding more ways to tell stories that touch viewers' lives across the nation.'

Daniel Pearl, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, at Channel 5, said: 'We're delighted that Dan Walker is joining the fantastic team at 5 News, as an anchor he will be instrumental in the success of Channel 5's News output as it continues to grow and evolve.'

Director of Content for Paramount UK Ben Frow added: 'Dan Walker joining the Channel shows that Channel 5 attracts leading talent.

'Dan is a renowned broadcaster and we're looking forward to seeing him not just fronting 5 News but bringing his experience to programming across Channel 5 as we continue to develop and grow our output.'

It is the latest in the rapid 'brain drain' from the BBC as a string of on-air talent has left for its rivals.

Maitlis, Sopel and Marr jumped ship for LBC in a golden handcuffs deal expected to earn them huge pay rises.

The journalists caused disarray at Broadcasting House after deciding to join Global, which is also home to Nick Ferrari, Shelagh Fogarty and James O'Brien.

Maitlis, who hosted Newsnight, had a series of impartiality complaints against her because of her tweets and on-air comments about the pandemic.

Marr is said to have admitted he was prompted to leave the BBC because of his desire to speak freely on major issues, including climate change and politics.

Leading presenters Andrew Neil and Simon McCoy have also left the BBC in the past year.

The deal, for a new show and podcast, is likely to lead to a salary uplift for Sopel and Maitlis, who earn at least 235,000 and 325,000 respectively at the BBC.

An LBC insider told MailOnline Maitlis will now be on 'at least' 400,000-a-year, with Mr Sopel likely to be through the 300,000-a-year barrier.

But they warned it 'could be more' because of the number of projects they will work on together.

Leaving the BBC will also allow them to pursue more cash from speaking events and private functions worth another 50,000 annually.

Another insider said: 'I think it's the potent appeal of money and freedom to be more expressive in their personal views than the BBC allows'.

The deal will see them front a major new podcast for Global Player, as well as hosting a show together on LBC and providing commentary and analysis for lbc.co.uk.
Four young women have been killed in a horror crash after a semi-trailer smashed into their car.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at 5.45pm on Wednesday night after the Honda CRV was struck.

It is believed the car was T-boned by the truck, killing all four women on impact.

The victims were trying to turn onto the New England Highway near Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs region in Queensland.

Four women have died as a result of a collision between a truck and vehicle on Wednesday

The truck driver was taken to hospital for observation but has not suffered any injuries from the collision.

Senior SG Gerard Brady from Queensland Police said the tragedy was a timely reminder to everyone to drive to the conditions.

'Please stay aware of what you are doing.'

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokesman said while paramedics attended the scene all four women were already dead.

Pictured is the aftermath of the crash between a car and semi-trailer on the New England Highway near the Queensland-NSW border.

Police investigators are working to identify the women who were killed in the car.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the road had been cleared not long after midnight on Thursday.

Police have asked that witnesses, especially those with dashcam footage capturing the moments leading up to and including the crash, to come forward.
Two senior academics who conspired with Oberlin College in its efforts to destroy a family-run bakery over false racism claims have both gone on to success, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Then-Latinx Student Life Coordinator Julio Reyes intimidated witnesses during a bakery protest in November 2016 and tried to prevent them from taking photos to document the angry mob of students, courtroom testimony revealed.

Reyes, a Brown University alum, now serves as the ivy league school's Program Director for the Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income Student Center, earning at least $107,000 annually, per Glassdoor salary reports.

And Ben Jones, who wrote numerous foul-mouthed emails backing the angry mob and accusing the Gibson family of being 'idiots' who were totally blind to their own assumptions,' was promoted by Oberlin last year.

He has gone from being head of the college communications office to the school's first-ever Assistant Vice President of Admissions Communications.

DailyMail.com has contacted both men for a comment on their behavior.

Julio Reyes (left) and Ben Jones (right) were are currently working in cozy higher-ed jobs despite their efforts to help defame Gibson's Bakery in Oberlin, Ohio

Witnesses testified that Reyes had a stack of defamatory flyers encouraging students to boycott Gibson's and was distributing them at the protest.

Oberlin Police Department Sergeant Victor Ortiz, who testified during the trial, claimed that after his interaction with McDaniel, Reyes reported to his superior, former dean of students Meredith Raimondo. Raimondo - who was herself allowed to leave, and now works at Oglethorpe College in Atlanta, was reportedly addressing students with a bullhorn, DailyMail.com reported on Tuesday.

Ortiz described the chaotic scene, saying: 'There were cars just driving down College Street unloading cases of water and snacks onto, like, little carts for the college students to drink and snack on while they were out there.

'They seemed to be encouraged to do so. There were flyers being passed around. There was just - there was a lot of stuff going on. I didn't. see anybody try to calm that situation down at all.'

The sergeant, confirming McDaniel's testimony, also noted that he warned the Oberlin College dean, Adrian Bautista, he would call the county riot team in to break up the crowd if the protest continued to escalate.

'I called him and I told him, I says, "Hey, if we can't get this under control, I'm going to end up calling the county riot team in,"' Ortiz said.

The riot team was never called in to assist.

Students and faculty, led by former dean of students Meredith Raimondo, launched a smear campaign against Gibson's Bakery in Oberlin, Ohio, after bakery workers called the cops on three black shoplifters - who were later convicted - for stealing wine and attacking a staff member in November 2016.

The college and Raimondo were found guilty of libel in November 2019, but have refused to pay the $33m defamation award. Earlier this month, Ohio's appeals court ruled that they must do so, with Oberlin bosses saying they're continuing to review their options.

Despite the scandal, Raimondo now occupies a cozy position as vice president of student affairs at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

But she wasn't the only staff member who helped falsely brand the 137 year-old bakery as a racist establishment and promote a student-led boycott and protests.

Former Dean of Students and Vice President Meredith Raimondo stoked protests against Gibson's Bakery following the shoplifting incident, even though the claims were found to be totally false. She has since been blamed for much of the behavior that has seen Oberlin ordered to pay $35 million for defamation, with Raimondo since moving to a college in Atlanta

Former Oberlin College security director Rick McDaniel testified during the college's defamation trial that Reyes, who reported to Raimondo at the time, assembled with protesters to help slam Gibson's Bakery as a racist establishment.

McDaniel went to downtown Oberlin, a few-block area neighboring the college, in November 2016 after learning that a group of 'very angry and disturbed and irate' students were protesting outside the bakery, he testified in May 2019.

The former Oberlin police chief started taking pictures of the demonstration of his phone when a man, whom he identified as Julio Reyes, allegedly started blocking him repeatedly.

He questioned Reyes, asking why he was preventing him from photographing the scene, to which the Latinx coordinator reportedly answered: 'I'm with the college.'

'I told him "I'm just going to wait until your silly a** leaves and [I'll] start taking pictures again without you blocking me,"' McDaniel testified. 'He answered that he was going to come back when I wasn't looking and key my car.'

McDaniel added: 'He was attempting to intimidate me and I don't intimidate easily.'

The ex-security director also disputed claims from the college that administrators were trying to 'deescalate the crisis,' alleging: 'No one from Oberlin College was trying to calm things down. The only reason the lid didn't explode off the pot was because city police were there.'

Meanwhile, Oberlin College has been ordered to pay a $33million settlement to the Gibsons for defamation, but has arrogantly declared it still won't pay out after losing a state court appear earlier this month.

The school has also refused to apologize, despite multiple college staff and numerous resources being deployed for the protests and boycotts.

Like her former colleagues - Reyes and Jones - Raimondo has landed on her feet with a cozy new college job in Georgia despite her appalling behavior.

Reyes was accused of distributing flyers during a November 2016 protest outside Gibson's Bakery (pictured Tuesday). The administrator also blocked a security official from photographing the event, witnesses allege

This is one of the flyers handed out at the protest that encouraged a boycott of Gibson's Bakery

Students are pictured protesting outside Gibson's Bakery in November 2019

Witnesses testified that Reyes had a stack of defamatory flyers encouraging students to boycott Gibson's and was distributing them at the protest. Reyes is not pictured above

Timeline of Gibson vs. Oberlin College Nov. 9, 2016: Allyn Gibson Jr. catches Oberlin College student Jonathan Aladin stealing a bottle of wine from Gibson's Bakery around 5pm, prompting a pursuit down the street. Aladin's friends, Endia Lawrence and Cecilia Whettstone, intervened and a brawl ensued. All three students are arrested. Later that evening, around 10pm, a group of students plan a protest alleging Allyn Jr racially profiled the three suspects. The students promote the protest via email. Nov. 10, 2016: Dean of Students Meredith Ramiondo learns of the planned protest around 7am. She helps distribute a student-created flyer detailing the incident and encouraging community members to boycott Gibson's. Around 11am, approximately 200 students gathered outside Gibson's Bakery in protest. Raimondo helped lead the demonstration using a megaphone. Later that evening, around 11.15pm the Oberlin College Student Senate notifies school officials it has passed a resolution condemning the bakery. The resolution posted in a display case at school's student center, where it remained for a year. Nov. 11, 2016: Students assemble around 11am for a second day of protest. Nov. 12, 2016: Counterprotests arrive in Oberlin to show their support for the Gibson family. Nov. 14, 2016: Oberlin College suspends placing daily orders for bakery products for the dining halls. All other business arrangements with the shop are permitted to continue. Nov. 21, 2016: Then-college President Krislov meets with David Gibson and others at the Presidents House. Jan. 18, 2017: Dean of Students and Chief of Staff meet with David Gibson. Jan. 23, 2017: President Krislov issues a statement to the campus community indicating that the college is resuming standing orders with the bakery. April 27, 2017: Indictments are filed against Aladin, Lawrence and Whettstone, which included felony robbery charges. Aug. 14, 2017: The three students charged with shoplifting pleaded guilty to amended misdemeanor charges. The plea deal called for them to receive no jail time and to pay restitution. Nov. 17, 2017: Gibson family files a defamation lawsuit against Oberlin College and Raimondo. June 2019: A jury awards found the school guilty of libel, due largely to evidence against Raimondo. Oberlin College was ordered to pay Gibson's Bakery $40 million in damages, which was reduced to $25 million and $6 million in legal fees Oct. 9, 2019: Oberlin College announces its attorneys were filing an appeal in the Gibson's Bakery case. Nov. 16, 2019: David Gibson dies at age 65 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. June 5, 2020: Oberlin College files appeal brief in Gibson's Bakery case Feb. 12, 2022: Allyn Gibson Sr dies at age 93. March 31, 2022: The court rejects appeals by Oberlin College and upheld the judgment against the school. April 1, 2022: The court orders Oberlin College to pay Gibson's $33million. The college continues to contest the payout and says it is considering its options. April 4, 2022: A DailyMail.com reporter visits Oberlin, Ohio and speaks with the Gibson family attorney. Advertisement

Reyes, despite his apparent history of bullying and intimidation, was hired at his alma mater, Brown University, in 2017.

According to his university biography, he works to provide 'holistic, co-curricular, and community support' for undocumented and first-generation Brown students and aims to help them 'thrive inside and outside of the classroom'.

He allegedly has a background in student advocacy, program development and social justice training.

After announcing his decision to leave Oberlin College, Reyes told the school's student newspaper, The Oberlin Review, that he was most proud of his work helping new students 'grow and develop'.

'I am most proud of being able to integrate leadership development and work with students in showing that were creating a constant community of support, thinking about care and wellness and how that drives the relationships I build with students and also the relationships that students build with each other,' he said in May 2017.

'Also, understanding that as students get older, we have to make sure that were bringing new students into the community and working with them and supporting them, helping them grow and develop  understanding that how we think about social justice shifts and changes over time, and we need to make sure that were doing that work with younger students.'

He also alleged Oberlin prepared him for working at Brown because 'so much happens constantly' at the school.

'Theres so much happening in terms of student unrest, students wanting more and demanding more of the institution, which makes sense,' Reyes explained. 'But as a younger staff member, I think it really prepares people to take the next step and move professionally because they gain so much experience from working with such a tight-knit community but also learning from students a lot about how to affect change and institutions in a way thatll make them more comfortable.'

It remains unclear if Brown was aware of Reyes' involvement in the Oberlin protest when they offered him a leadership role and a likely six-figure salary.

Neither Reyes nor his current employer responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Similarly, Oberlin College promoted Jones to a vice president role despite his support for Raimondo and her angry mob.

Email correspondence presented to the jury during the trial showed how Jones sent numerous messages to co-executives at Oberlin College rallying behind the defamation of Gibson's Bakery.

After receiving an email from a community member on Nov. 23, 2016 expressing concern over the college's treatment of the bakery, Jones reportedly texted Raimondo that they should cease doing business with Gibson's.

'We should just give all business to Leo at IGA. Better donuts anyway. And all these idiots complaining about the college hurting a "small local business" are conveniently leaving out their massive (relative to the town) conglomerate and price gouging on rents and parking and the predatory behavior towards most other local business. F**k 'em,' he texted her, per his email to staff. 'They've made their own bed now.'

His message was met with support, including a response from administrator Tita Reed that said: '100%!!!!!!!'

In another correspondence, after ex-theatre professor Roger Copeland allegedly published a letter criticizing how the college had treated the bakery, Jones sent a text message to Raimondo saying: 'F**K ROGER COPELAND!'

She replied: 'F**k him. I'd say unleash the students if I wasn't convinced this needs to be put behind us.'

In another email, dated Nov. 11, 2016, Jones told a community member he agreed that 'both sides of this behaved very badly.'

However, he added: 'Gibson's hands are not clean in this, nor are those of the three students. But the bigger issue is that this is not an isolated incident but a pattern, and one that has been confirmed by a lot of people including the many high school kids who showed up yesterday to join the protest.

After receiving an email from a community member on Nov. 23, 2016 expressing concern over the college's treatment of the bakery, Jones reportedly texted Raimondo that they should cease doing business with Gibson's

'The police report is b******t. It's so obviously biased towards Gibson. They didn't even try to hear the other side of the story.'

Jones was promoted to his new position at Oberlin College in January 2021 after he oversaw the school's website, social media, editorial services and other communications objectives for over a decade.

In his new role, he is responsible for sustaining new recruitment strategies and conducting outreach to ensure the college's success.

He told the campus newspaper after his promotion was announced that he was 'especially excited to engage young adults with what the school has to offer.'

'My education here has had a profound impact on my life that continues to this day,' Jones told The Oberlin Review last year. 'I guess what means the most to me about working here is simply the ability to be able to make a career out of serving a place that I love so much and help others find their way to this incredibly special place.'

Jones did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Oberlin College, neglecting to comment on his employment, referred DailyMail.com to a statement it previously issued on Monday.

Jonathan Aladin, Endia Lawrence (center) and Cecilia Whettstone (right) were all convicted of shoplifting from Oberlin - but the woke college still accused the family-run business they stole from of racism, and boycotted them

Gibson's Bakery found itself plunged into a firestorm on November 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected president.

The drama began Allyn Jr caught a black Oberlin student, Jonathan Aladin, attempting to steal a bottle of wine from the bakery.

Allyn Jr chased Aladin down the street and, according to witness accounts, put the man in a choke-hold before two of the student's friends - Endia Lawrence and Cecelia Whettstone - intervened and a brawl ensued.

The next day Oberlin students held protests outside Gibson's accusing the bakery of racially profiling Aladin.

Aladin, Lawrence and Whettstone, later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of attempted theft and aggravated trespass, and themselves said Gibson's actions were not racially motivated.

But Oberlin, led by dean Raimondo and many students, had already decided to punish Gibson's for the imaged transgression before allowing them fair due process.

The family's attorney said the Gibsons were forced to downsize operations because business has significantly slowed and that theyre just trying to hold on until the justice system forces the college to pay for the damages they caused'. Gibson's Bakery is pictured on Tuesday

David Gibson is pictured serving whole wheat donuts to Stevie Wonder in May 2010

The Oberlin College student newspaper publishes photos of the protests and pens: 'The social implications of being seen at Gibson's are much worse than any freshman faux pas I can imagine'

The students held protests outside the storefront that led to a severe loss in business, including the loss of a vital contract the bakery had held with the school for years.

'When the college sponsored new student tours, the student tour leaders - who are students paid by the college - go by and they tell the students and parents in the group, that Gibson's is a racist establishment and we dont go there,' Plakas said, alleging this rhetoric still occurs during tours today.

'They told incoming freshmen that the worst faux pas a freshman can commit is being seen at Gibsons bakery,' he added.

The shop also had suffered frequent thefts in the run-up to the incident which saw it accused of racism.

Raimondo encouraged the boycott and distributed fliers during the protests accusing the bakery of a longtime history of racial profiling and offered students up to $100 in compensation for protest supplies.

She even texted another dean to share her desire to unleash another woke mob on an academic who blasted Oberlin's bullying of Gibson's.

She wrote: 'F**k him. Id say unleash the students if I wasnt convinced this needs to be put behind us.'

Gibson's Bakery sued Oberlin College and Raimondo in 2017 for loss of business.

In 2019, the school was found guilty, due largely to evidence against Raimondo.

The institution was ordered to pay Gibson's Bakery $40 million in damages, which was reduced to $25 million and $6 million in legal fees.

Gibson's Bakery sued Oberlin College (pictured Tuesday) and Raimondo in 2017 for loss of business. In 2019, the school was found guilty, due largely to evidence against Raimondo. The institution was ordered to pay Gibson's Bakery $40 million in damages, which was reduced to $25 million and $6 million in legal fees

The college and Raimondo appealed that sentence, but it was upheld this month. Oberlin College admitted that it is still refusing to pay the cash to the family business it tried to ruin.

The college issued a mealy-mouthed statement when contacted by DailyMail.com on Monday, saying: 'Oberlin is obviously disappointed that the appeals court affirmed the judgment in its ruling. We are reviewing the Courts opinion carefully as we evaluate our options and determine next steps.

'In the meantime, we recognize that the issues raised by this case have been challenging, not only for the parties involved in the lawsuit, but for the entire Oberlin community.

'We remain committed to strengthening the partnership between the College, the City of Oberlin and its residents, and the downtown business community. We will continue in that important work while remaining focused on our core educational mission.'

The college was ranked among the 20 most expensive colleges in the U.S. last year, according to a report from The National Observer. Despite the high price tag, the school has only seen a 4 percent decline in its enrollment over the last five years.
The Saudis have taken to making fun of Joe Biden with a television sketch that portrays him as doddering and forgetful, which has since gone viral.

The SNL-style skit comes from the show 'Studio 22', and features Vice President Kamala Harris played by a man in drag who has to guide Biden to the podium and help him when he loses his train of thought.

The one minute clip has Biden wandering off stage, forgetting the name of the Russian president, falling asleep mid-sentence and calling his Vice President 'First Lady'.

'Listen to me,' the president says. 'I have a very important message for you. The message is'

And he falls asleep.

'We're going to talk about the crisis in Africa,' the Biden says. Harris has to correct him once again, bringing him back on course to discuss Russia.

It ends with Kamala Harrison holding up a sleeping Joe Biden and demanding that the audience 'clap for your president right now'.

The SNL-style skit from the show 'Studio 22' opens with Biden and Harris walking onto the stage and then Biden walks back off the stage and Harris has to guide him to the podium

Biden begins his speech by forgetting the subject of his speech, with Harris prompting him. He then turns to Harris to remind him the name of the president of Russia

He falls alseep mis-sentence and when nudged awake by Harris resumes a speech about the president of China

The skit ends with Biden falling asleep again and a flustered Harris holding him up and maniacally shouting 'clap for your president right now!'

Biden has a long history of verbal gaffes and slips where he sometimes appears to lose his train of though mid-sentence, often misremembering names of important people.

This has led to questions about the mental acuity of the US President, who will turn 80 later this year in November.

'Studio 22' is broadcast on the Saudi government-owned television conglomerate MBC in a country where the media is heavily censored and controlled by the government, suggesting that the portrayal is more than just the work of comics.

Relations between the US and Saudi Arabia, two allies in a mutually supportive but transactional relationship since penning a 1951 Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, are going through a difficult period.

In February the Saudi government rebuffed a US request to increase oil production in light of sky high energy prices globally, telegraphing a marked lack of cooperation between the two allies.

Joe Biden has a long history of verbal gaffes and slips where he sometimes appears to lose his train of though mid-sentence, often misremembering names of important people

As depicted in the parody skit Studio 22, Vice President Kamala Harris often stands over Biden's right shoulder during speeches and has been seen to murmur words to him when he gets forgetful

Above: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. 'Studio 22' is produced by Saudi government-owned television conglomerate MBC in a country where the media is heavily censored and controlled by the government, suggesting that the portrayal of Biden may reflect the attitudes of those in power in Riyadh. US intelligence publicly accused him of ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) has also fallen within the sights of Studio 22, which produced a skit portraying Johnson squabbling with US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin over which country would take in an attractive female refugee from Ukraine

The US intelligence community publicly assessed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder and dismemberment of dissident journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, putting pressure on the US to hold him accountable.

And the Democratic establishment in the US is always keen to take a harder line against the Arabian monarchy due to its human rights abuses and repression of its own citizens.

The show, comedy show broadcast during Ramadan and available via the streaming platform Shahid, is now in its second season.

Boris John is another world leader to come within its crosshairs, featuring in a skit with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

In the skit the pair squabble over who will get to take in a female Ukrainian refugee standing between them.

They threaten each other and eventually each try to pull the woman by a ribbon around her neck.

She stops them and introduces them to her husband and son, at which point Johnson and Austin lose their interest and squabble over who should not take her in.

It ends with Austin dragging Johnson off stage after he runs back on to lick his hand and pat down his hair in front of her.
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White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it was 'nice' that Texas was giving migrants a free ride on Wednesday when asked about the news that the first bus had arrived from Texas at the nation's capital after Gov. Abbott's new immigration plan to fight back at what he says is the federal government's lax border policies.

The Republican governor announced last week that he would direct the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to charter busses to send migrants released from federal custody into Texas to Washington, D.C.

The first bus pulled up around 8 a.m. on Wednesday just blocks away from the Capitol building at Union Station, in front of the building that houses Fox News, NBC and C-SPAN. The migrants had come from the Del Rio sector in Texas and had traveled to the U.S. border from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

'These are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel and its nice Texas is helping them reach their final destination as they await immigration proceedings,' Psaki said.

The press secretary added: 'Immigration policy and law is overseen by the federal government.'

After the bus arrived, migrants disembarked one by one, checked in with officials who cut off wrist bands whey were wearing and were told they could go, according to Fox News.

A second bus is currently en route to Washington, the governor's office said in a press release.

Some had predicted that the governor was bluffing, and the legality of his plan is still in question. The White House dismissed it as a 'publicity stunt' last week and Texas GOP state Rep. Matt Schaefer called it a 'gimmick.'

Asked of the plan last week, Psaki said: 'Im not aware of what authority the governor would be doing that under. I think its pretty clear this is a publicity stunt.'

The first bus of migrants arrived at Washington, D.C. from the Del Rio sector in Texas. The bus dropped off migrants blocks from the Capitol

After the bus arrived, migrants disembarked one by one, checked in with officials who cut off wrist bands whey were wearing and were told they could go

A second bus is currently en route to Washington, the governor's office said in a press release

Each bus is equipped to carry up to 40 migrants on the 34-hour journey to D.C.

State officials said they will charter 'as many buses as we need' to send migrants on the 28-hour journey from the border to D.C.

A 2012 Supreme Court case, Arizona v. U.S., prevents states from making their own immigration policies.

Abbott said that migrant communities would want to be bussed to D.C.

He told Fox News hosts Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer: 'When they come across the border, it's not like they want to stay in the Rio Grande Valley.

'They are moving across the entire country.

'What better place to go to than the steps of the United States Capitol - they get to see the beautiful Capitol, and get closer to the people making the decisions.'

Abbott said that if President Biden would not visit the border himself to see the scale of the problem, the governor would 'take the border to him.'

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said of the first bus's arriving: 'Republican leaders dont see immigrants as human. Just props to get some laughs and clicks.'

'And lets be 100% clear. The idea was to savage Biden and Democrats no matter what they did,' he wrote on Twitter.

The second prong of Abbott's new immigration plan is border agents are now stopping and searching every single vehicle that comes across the border for smuggled migrants.

Psaki slammed the new vehicle checks for causing supply chain issues in a statement Wednesday.

'Governor Abbott's unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country,' she said.

'Local businesses and trade associations are calling on Governor Abbott to reverse this decision because trucks are facing lengthy delays exceeding 5 hours at some border crossings and commercial traffic has dropped by as much as 60 percent.'

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) too hit out against Abbott, claiming his 'unnecessary' stop-and-search policy 'will impact consumers and businesses nationally.'

After backlash, Abbott eased the state inspections causing delays at one commercial bridge after striking a deal with Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda. Truckers crossing at the Laredo-Colombia bridge had waited up to three hours to cross, far longer than the average wait time of about 15 minutes on a Wednesday afternoon.

As part of the deal, Texas Department of Public Safety will no longer inspect every commercial truck on the Laredo-Colombia bridge as long as Nuevo Leon had its own checkpoints on its side of the Mexican state's 9-mile-long border with Texas. Abbott's inspections will continue for cargo coming from three other Mexican states that border Texas.

Cargo trucks wait to cross to the United States during a blockade at the Jeronimo-Santa Teresa international crossing that connects Ciudad Juarez to Santa Teresa to protest against the exhaustive inspections carried out by the US, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on April 12

Abbott announced last week that every truck crossing into the U.S. would need to be stopped and search by border agents

Mexican truck drivers block the Pharra"Reynosa International Bridge connecting the city of Reynosa to McAllen, Texas, to protest truck inspections imposed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in Reynosa, Mexico April 11

'The border region is going to be lit at night in prominent smuggling areas to make it easier to detect any illegal activity that is taking place.

'If you're a caravan organizer, and you think you can overwhelm a site of entry, we'll be waiting for you.'

The new aggressive measures come as the Biden administration announced that Title 42 will be allowed to expire on May 23. Democrats and Republicans have warned of a mass onslaught of migration once the Covid-19 health restriction that is used to expel most migrants is allowed to expire.

Even Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Abbott for the governor's seat, urged the Biden administration not to end the policy without a plan.

'It does not make sense to end this until there is a real plan and the capacity in place to handle those and address those that come over,' O'Rourke told the Texas Tribune on Tuesday. 'I have yet to hear a plan from the Biden administration to address the dynamic we will have on the border once Title 42 ends.'

Since Biden took office in January 2021, CBP has encountered more than 2.2 million migrants and the border  and that number could as much as triple with the end of Title 42 next month

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have warned that 18,000 migrants could try to cross the border per day once Title 42 is allowed to expire.

And amid news that the Biden administration would extend the mask mandate on public transit another two weeks, Sen. Tom Cotton wrote on Twitter: 'Joe Biden is dropping COVID restrictions for illegal immigrants at the border. But he's extending the mask mandate for Americans on planes. Talk about putting Americans last.'

The mask mandate will be extended another two weeks beyond April 18. Title 42 expires May 23.

GOP members of the House Oversight Committee recently took a trip to the southern border

GOP lawmakers look on as migrants line up at the southern border looking to enter the U.S.

House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Comer, R-Ky., second from right, who recently traveled to the border, said that one migrant was carrying what looked to be a Louis Vuitton bag and the selfies showed the migrants were unafraid to illegally cross into the U.S.

Republicans from the House Oversight Committee recently visited the border to survey facilities.

'This week, several Oversight Committee Republicans visited the southern border in San Diego and Yuma. We saw firsthand how President Bidens border crisis is a national security, public safety, and humanitarian catastrophe. President Biden must end his lawless border policies that are fueling the crisis. He needs to keep Title 42 in place, finish the border wall, end catch and release, and implement other deterrent-focused immigration policies to end his self-made border crisis,' House Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Comer, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com.

Migrants were caught taking selfies at the unfinished border wall. Comer, who led the trip to the border, said that one migrant was carrying what looked to be a Louis Vuitton bag and the selfies showed the migrants were unafraid to illegally cross into the U.S.

'That shows a lack of fear. They're breaking the law, they're here illegally,' Comer told Fox News Digital. 'But yet they're taking selfies on their Apple phones with their Louis Vuitton purses and Nike shoes, and they're ready to be escorted to their next visit.'

Meanwhile one of the Biden administration's new enforcement policies is to give migrants smartphones when they are released intro the U.S. to track them. There is, however, no way to stop these migrants from getting rid of the phones.

Since March 2020 when Trump enacted Title 42, the policy has been used to expel migrants from the country close to 1.7 million times, mostly being used for single adults. Progressive activists have called on Biden to end the policy, and he held out until this month when he announced its end.

The measure, which dates to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health law instituted in 1944, provides U.S. Customs and Border Protections U.S. Border Patrol agents the authority to turn back migrants without allowing them the opportunity to apply for asylum because they were deemed a threat to spread COVID-19 in the country.

A Mexican government official fears there will be chaos unless the Biden administration comes up with a clear plan on how to handle the onrush of nearly 140,000 migrants seeking asylum once Title 42 is lifted next month.

As many as 4,000 migrants are currently staying at shelters in the border town of Tijuana while about 1,500 are housed in shelters in Mexicali as the clock ticks down toward May 23.

Tens of thousands of additional migrants are in Chiapas near Mexico's southern border city awaiting humanitarian visas from the country.

Aerial view of an improvised camp of Ukrainians seeking asylum on the Mexican side of the San Ysidro Crossing port in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 2

Temporary agricultural workers with H-2A work visas wait in line to cross the San Ysidro Port of Entry on their way to seasonal jobs in the United States on March 22

Russian asylum seekers Nastya (left) and Artem (right) gather with their son Samuil outside the San Ysidro Port of Entry after not being permitted to cross into the United States to seek asylum on March 22

Enrique Lucero, director of the Direction of Attention to Migrants of the Municipality of Tijuana, told DailyMail.com that the Biden administrations plan to suspend the measure raises many unknown variables on both sides of the border.

'We hope that the United States is very clear about how it will receive all those asylum applications once Title 42 is eliminated because it is not clear whether they will do it in person at the border or if they will do it online,' Lucero said.

'If they do it in person, there will be chaos at the border because everyone will want leave the shelters and arrive at the border and stand in line. So that's going to create chaos for them and us.'
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and his predecessor Ruth Davidson awkwardly hit the election campaign trail together today - as they remained split over whether Boris Johnson should quit following his Partygate fine.

Mr Ross and Baroness Davidson posed for pictures in Edinburgh as they urged voters to back the Scottish Tories ahead of next month's local elections.

But, despite the smiles, the pair remained divided over whether the Prime Minister should remain in Downing Street after being found to have breached Covid rules.

Mr Johnson has paid a 50 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) over a birthday bash in Number 10 in June 2020.

Opposition parties have demanded the PM's resignation after the Metropolitan Police found he breached his own Coronavirus restrictions - with some Tories also newly questioning whether he can remain in office.

Mr Ross, who sits in the House of Commons as one of Mr Johnson's Tory MPs, had initially called for the PM to resign over the Partygate scandal back in January and submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership.

It came after the PM admitted he had attended a 'bring your own booze' event at Number 10 at the height of the UK's first national lockdown in May 2020.

But Mr Ross has now reversed his position and thinks Mr Johnson should stay in No10 - even despite him being fined - in order to continue Britain's efforts to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross today hit the campaign trail in Edinburgh with his predecessor Ruth Davidson ahead of next month's local elections

Mr Ross and Baroness Davidson, with Hamish the dog, handed out leaflets in northwest Edinburgh

Mr Ross thinks Boris Johnson should stay in office despite the PM's Partygate fine. But Baroness Davidson thinks he is 'damaging the country' by remaining in power

His U-turn on the PM's future - which has seen Mr Ross withdraw his no-confidence letter - has put him at odds with Baroness Davidson, who led the Scottish Tories between 2011 and 2019.

She has maintained her belief that Mr Johnson - who she has frequently clashed with - should resign over Partygate.

Doubling-down on her stance today, Baroness Davidson told ITV News: 'The PM has been shown to have broken the law, he's accepted that, he's paid the fine.

'He's also presided over a culture in Number 10 of persistent and repeated law-breaking.

'He spoke to both the country and Parliament and said that no rules had been broken and they clearly had been and he's not corrected the record.

'So I think in those circumstances he should go.'

Pressed on whether she was accusing Mr Johnson of having misled Parliament - which is usually a resigning matter for ministers - the Tory peer said: 'He stood up in Parliament and he spoke to the country and said all rules were followed.

'Clearly that's not the view of the Metropolitan Police.

'And it certainly doesn't seem to be the view of those people who have accepted their penalty notices and have paid them - including the PM.'

She added that Mr Johnson was 'damaging the country' by remaining in power while having been found guilty to have broken laws he introduced himself.

'I'm a Conservative and part of that is believing in the institutions of this country,' Baroness Davidson said.

'I think the office of the Prime Minister should lead by example, especially when it's setting the laws of the country.'

In a sign of the division between two of the most senior figures among Scottish Conservatives, Mr Ross had earlier insisted that Mr Johnson was a truthful man - although he stressed the PM must explain the circumstances around his police fine to the Commons.

Explaining why he was now backing the PM to remain in power, Mr Ross told BBC Radio Scotland: 'Anything that would destabilise the UK Government at this time would be a bonus to Vladimir Putin.

'He is indiscriminately killing innocent people and I will do nothing to support a war criminal like Putin.'

After campaigning with Baroness Davidson in north west Edinburgh, Mr Ross acknowledged he held a different position to her.

He told reporters: 'I have a different position from Ruth as I had the opportunity as a Member of Parliament to submit a letter to the 1922 Committee, which Ruth and others don't.

'So that may change peoples' judgement.

'But at the moment I think submitting that letter would undermine the UK Government's response to what we are doing to help and support the people of Ukraine.'

Later today, Conservative MSP Brian Whittle broke ranks with Mr Ross and called for Mr Johnson to resign.

He said in a statement: 'When news of the lockdown parties first emerged, I said that the PM should hold himself accountable and resign.

'My view on that hasnt changed.'

Scottish Labour claimed the Scottish Tories were 'collapsing before our very eyes' due to the 'civil war' among their ranks over whether Mr Johnson should go.
The lone gunman who blasted innocent New Yorkers in a subway car in Brooklyn on Tuesday during rush hour was able to roam around New York City for 29 hours.

Suspected Subway shooter Frank James, 62, was not only able to get back on the train the following day - despite Mayor Eric Adams doubling the number of NYPD cops underground - but he ended up walking around in Lower Manhattan all morning before ending up a McDonald's in the East Village.

James was finally taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon on 1st Avenue between 7th and 8th streets, after a bystander recognized him and called police. He has been charged with carrying out a terrorist attack on mass transit.

His arrest brings an end to an embarrassing and fruitless day-long manhunt by the FBI and NYPD.

As the suspect was finally arrested, DailyMail.com cuts through the noise and poses six questions the authorities need to answer about the Brooklyn shooting.

Why did take more than 29 hours to find and arrest James?

As recently as Wednesday morning, James got on the train again at 9:15am in Park Slope and traveled into Manhattan, right under the noses of the doubled number of cops on trains.

It wasn't until a member of the public noticed him in a McDonald's and called police that he was finally arrested at 1:42pm at St Marks Place and First Avenue.

Photos taken earlier that were posted on social media show him strolling around in a hat, mask and dark clothing.

James has a long rap sheet with charges in New York and New Jersey dating back to the 1990s for possessing burglary tools, criminal sex acts, criminal tampering, trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct.

It's still unclear why it took 24 hours to apprehend James, and how he was able to seemingly walk around in plain sight.

Why did the FBI clear the suspect and take no action over the hateful videos he shared?

The FBI faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar.

The Bureau is said to have previously known the man but released him following multiple interviews.

A source revealed the bombshell update to Newsweek last night, saying the suspect was entered into the Guardian Lead terrorism monitoring system in New Mexico.

The FBI (pictured in Brooklyn yesterday) faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar

It is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports.

But for reasons that are yet to be made clear by the Bureau, he was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Why didn't YouTube react to suspect's unhinged videos?

YouTube commonly deletes videos it deems inappropriate, with youngsters often seeing their posts removed if they feature copyrighted music in the background.

But the tech giant, which is owned by Google, again appears to have failed to react to the far more serious case of the Brooklyn suspected shooter.

James had posted a raft of unhinged videos on the social media website, ranting about race and how he would 'never be back again alive' just three weeks ago.

He relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips online about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact'.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans.

He said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

YouTube supposedly has strict rules on uploading harmful or dangerous content to the site.

It says it 'doesn't allow content that encourages dangerous or illegal activities that risk serious physical harm or death'.

It adds: 'Showing viewers how to perform activities meant to kill or maim others. For example, giving instructions to build a bomb meant to injure or kill others.'

But James' clips remained on the site. YouTube has been approached for further comment.

Were there not enough NYPD cops to catch him?

Ahead of the shooting yesterday, Eric Adams had been warned multiple times there were not enough cops on the subway.

Only last night, hours after ten people were shot in the most recent attack to rock the city, did he vow to double the numbers on the system.

The mayor pledged to ramp up the uniformed cops out and about as he spoke from Covid isolation.

But it appeared too little, too late, with the suspect able to blast a carriage full of passengers and make off without cops grabbing him.

Over a day later the attacker still remains at large despite hundreds more cops being deployed in the manhunt.

MANHATTAN: Subways across the country have remained on high alert this morning as hundreds of cops frantically hunt for the Brooklyn gunman

The Mayor (pictured yesterday) pledged to ramp up the number of uniformed cops out and about following the rush hour gun attack in Sunset Park this morning

There have been have been nearly 500 major crimes reported underground this year, 224 more than the year before

The issue has been raised repeatedly over the last few months and years, with Adams even admitting it was a problem last year as he ran for mayor.

He said the move to deploy 250 more cops on the system 'was not enough to tackle subway violence'.

Despite this, during his time in office crime has skyrocketed, with the underground network the epicenter.

Hammer attacks, feces smearing, fatal shovings and now a smoke bomb-mass shooting have become risks for every tourist and New Yorker down there.

Transit crime has spiked 46 percent - with 224 more incidents - since last year as the city reopened following the pandemic.

In March alone, the number of crimes in the subway jumped 55 percent, from the same period last year, NYPD figures show.

There were 180 crimes reported in March of this year compared to 118 crimes for 2021.

And January saw the biggest increase, nearly doubling the year before, with 198 crimes reported compared to 113 in the first month last year.

Why were the subway cameras not working?

Fears for the safety of New Yorkers using the subway was raised further when Adams admitted the cameras that would have captured the shooting were not working.

The Mayor said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the failing to capture any footage of the suspect across three subways.

The MTA said last fall it had installed security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an 'express track to justice'.

A 'malfunction' meant security cameras were not working at least three subway stations in New York City, thwarting police efforts to find footage of the gunman who managed to escape without trace after setting off smoke grenades and firing a barrage of bullets at trapped passengers. Pictured: People lay injured on the subway platform

Mayor Eric Adams said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the security cameras failing to capture any footage of the suspect, who remains at large, despite his promise to crack down on subway crime in the city

But they were not working at three stations where police went to look for evidence, Chief of Detectives James Essig admitted yesterday.

MTA system chief Janno Lieber said he did not know why the cameras malfunctioned.

But he insisted police had 'a lot of different options' from cameras elsewhere on the subway line to get a glimpse of the shooter.

The malfunction put police on the back foot from the start in capturing the suspect, who was still on the run.

New York's transit agency has warned multiple times the security cameras alone are not enough.

The MTA was warned in 2018 and 2019 inspections by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority the cameras were at risk of malfunction.

The inspectors found they had not ensured preventative maintenance and repairs on the system, according to CBS.

MTA CEO Janno Lieber said: 'The bigger issue is there's so much video evidence from all of the stations on this line that there are images that are going to be found.'

Former FBI gent Mike German said the malfunction was not a surprise, adding :''It's very easy after an event that's horrifying and scary to the public for policymakers to reach for that silver bullet solution, ''We'll put cameras in all of the subway stations,'' but that initial expense doesn't necessarily provide or explain all of the resources that will have to go into that kind of surveillance.'



Why were subway doors locked so passengers couldn't escape?

Horrific footage emerged yesterday showing desperate passengers trying to flee the gunman by breaking into other carriages.

One video captured them slamming against the locked subway doors as they were engulfed in smoke from the shooter's smoke grenades.

Others recorded themselves yanking on the handgrip several times - proving it was fastened shut - while the shooter loomed nearby.

The MTA has previously been warned about the dangers posed by keeping these locked, with some, but not all, kept shut.

This video, taken inside the next car along on the train, shows worried commuters walking away from the door as someone pounded on it , begging to be let in. They tried to open it but the door was locked

Councilman have pointed out it leaves victims at the mercy of maniacs when they board there carriage, with no viable escape route.

Councilwoman Letitia James warned in 2010 'riders need a place to run to safety, and right now there's no way to do that'.

But over a decade later nothing appears to have been done about that, with it still a crime to move between cars unless told to by the MTA or NYPD.

At the time of the shooting yesterday, passengers desperately trying to flee the hail of bullets raining down on them were stuck between locked doors and the gunman.

Witnesses told how it caused even more panic as people were forced to trample over each other as they tried to escape.

What else we know: Who is Frank James?

Frank James is the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting yesterday, having allegedly blasted ten people before his gun jammed.

The 62-year-old is believed to be most recently from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before he traveled to New York.

He has posted a series of ranting YouTube videos where he raged about race and hinted he would conduct an attack.

James was also had a criminal record in New Jersey - three arrests on charges related to petit larceny and disorderly conduct in 2007 and trespassing in 1992.

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large

But none of his criminal history is near the same level of the attack in brooklyn yesterday morning.

But part of it does include making 'terrorist threats', sources told NBC New York, but they were said to be emotionally disturbed rather than of any value.

James was originally named as a 'person of interest' to the FBI and police forces, but this was upgraded to suspect on Wednesday morning.

A multi-state manhunt for the alleged shooter remains ongoing as cops were ramped up in New York, Boston, Washington DC and Philadelphia.



How did he end up in New York?

Federal law enforcement sources leaked that James is believed to have driven to New York after living in Milwaukee - where he packed up on March 20.

He drove south, first through Illinois, then to Philadelphia where he picked up a U-Haul van he brought to New York City.

James confirmed elements of the trip in one of his YouTube rants, saying: 'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags.

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

'I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.'

He added: 'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

What weapons did the suspect bring with him?

The shooter in the Brooklyn attack had a gun, gas mask, smoke bombs and also reportedly had an ax in his deadly arsenal yesterday morning.

The thug donned the mask then deployed one of the smoke bombs before spraying three magazines from a handgun into the carriage as his victims tried to escape.

Despite his planned attack, his equipment appeared to let him down, with his gun said to have jammed halfway through the shooting.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

He also brought with him a bizarre combination of fireworks, firecrackers and an ax, which one witness said he dropped on the subway floor.

A picture of his bag from the scene showed the unused items, some of which can be bought easily online.
Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon speaks during a press conference at the company's new office building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of Naver



Internet giant plans to use different strategies in Japan, North America, Europe



By Baek Byung-yeul



Naver is aiming to secure more than 1 billion global users and post 15 trillion won ($12.2 billion) in sales within five years by actively expanding into Japan, North America and Europe, Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of the Korean internet giant, said Wednesday.



"In the first 10 years of our business, Naver reached its Global 1.0 growth stage where we successfully launched Line in global markets. We also experienced Global 2.0 where we established various well-performing vertical services worldwide, including Snow, Zepeto and Webtoon," Choi said during a press conference held at the firm's new building in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.



The CEO said the annual sales goal of 15 trillion won, as well as the target of 1 billion global users, are sufficiently achievable considering the company's growth so far. Stating its sales grew to 1.85 trillion won in 2013 and 6.81 trillion won in 2021, the company will be able to raise the figure to 15 trillion in 2026. She added that the current number of its global users is about 700 million.



"We are now entering the Global 3.0 stage where Naver's business portfolio, technological leadership and robust partnerships in Korea and overseas will create synergies to help us grow multiple times over. Team Naver, which is thriving through various businesses and partnerships, will work to establish a new global business ecosystem in Korea, Japan, North America and Europe in order to achieve our five-year goals of 1 billion global users and 15 trillion won in revenue."



To secure more global users of its services, Naver will pursue different strategies for each international market.



For the Japanese market, it plans to introduce its entire business portfolio this year. The company will apply small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business growth models, which have been piloted through Project Flower. The company has nurtured small business owners and creators using its technologies in Korea under the name of Project Flower for the past five years.



Naver also plans to further expand its business-to-business sectors with its Slack-like business collaboration tool Line Works, cloud computing service Naver Cloud and AI platform Clova as well as its core technologies, which enable assorted services and platforms.



The North American market will be centered on bolstering its global intellectual property value chain through its online comics and content businesses such as through Webtoons. In addition, Weverse, a global fan community platform in which Naver is collaborating with Hybe, will extend its reach into the U.S. market.



It will also strengthen partnerships in the European market. Naver Labs Europe is continuously enhancing its global-level competitiveness in AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision and natural language processing.



Its fintech unit Naver Financial and online comics affiliate Naver Webtoon are mentioned as possible candidates for initial public offerings and to be listed on stock markets.



The company's Chief Financial Officer Kim Nam-sun said it is impossible to provide a definitive answer. "Please understand that I cannot give a definitive answer to the question of whether to list subsidiaries or not. It is also not allowed under the capital markets act. Instead, I will tell you about Naver's management philosophy. We have never been shortsighted in running a new business. Our goal is to return the maximum value to Naver's shareholders, employees and users," Kim said.


A fraudster who stole 4,001 worth of goods in a self-scan scam at ASDA supermarkets has been ordered to repay every penny - but avoided being sent to prison.

Kenneth Hollis, 43, would select carrier bags on the checkout, press the pay option without having scanned his shopping first and then simply bag up the items and leave.

He initially carried out the first theft accidentally, but when he realised he had 'got away with it' he went on a four-month fraud spree targeting different stores, as bailiffs chased him for debts.

But an ASDA analyst clocked on to his scheme which ultimately led to his arrest.

Kenneth Hollis (pictured outside Birmingham Magistrates' Court), 43, has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to repay the 4,001 worth of items he scanned as carrier bags

The fraudster has been ordered not to enter any ASDA after his self-scanning fraud

Between October last year and January this year Hollis stole 322 worth of goods from a Dudley store, 1,186 of items from a Birmingham branch, 893 of products from the supermarket in Tipton, 795 worth from Oldbury and 805 of goods from the Halesowen branch.

At a previous hearing Hollis, of Vicarage Prospect, Dudley, admitted five charges of fraud by false representation and an offence of driving without insurance.

Yesterday, Tuesday, April 12, at Birmingham Magistrates' Court he was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison suspended for two years

He was also told to pay ASDA 4,001 in compensation, complete a 'thinking skills' programme and attend 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

Prosecutor Neelam Shafiq said: 'The fraud took place over four months. It was highlighted by an analyst at ASDA's intelligence centre who found discrepancies at a number of ASDA stores.

'Mr Hollis was alleged to have committed these. He's entered the stores as a customer, selected items from around the stores, putting those into the trolley then he goes to the self-scan checkout.

Hollis is now banned from every ASDA in the UK after his thefts from five stores (pictured: Tipton ASDA, where he stole 893 of products from)

'He selected the bags from the checkout scanning those bags then clicking 'finish and pay', bypassing the weighing scales. He has proceeded to bag up the items without scanning them, then left the stores.'

Sam Christopher, defending, said: 'Why did he do it? He bought shopping from ASDA. Initially he scanned the bags first and pressed pay to complete the transaction.

'He should have told the shop but didn't and realised he could get away with fraud. He was struggling.

'He was paying off debts. He got in arrears with his rent and bailiffs were involved. He has resolved that. He went around local ASDA's having got away with it. To his credit since it has come to light he has done everything right.

'He held his hands up in interview. He has pleaded guilty.'

Mr Christopher added that Hollis was 'scammed' on Facebook and thought he had paid to insure his car but in fact he had not.

Passing sentence District Judge David Murray said: 'It's a serious fraud over a number of months. You used a motor vehicle on at least one occasion which was uninsured.

The court was told the crime was 'sophisticated and sustained.'
This is the heart-melting moment a tiny pup gasps for air after being pulled out of the rubble of a bombed-out home in eastern Ukraine.

Its battle-scarred 77-year-old owner was elated to be reunited with his brave best friend.

Video shows the aftermath of a Russian shell attack on homes in the village of Mikhailovka, Donetsk region.

The grandfather whose house was destroyed made a lucky escape and was able to stand, though he looked worse for wear.

The 77-year-old owner thanked Donetsk police for pulling his brave dog out of the rubble

Yet his thoughts immediately turned to the dog, who was missing in the wreckage.

Police quickly arrived after the shelling ended and - after hearing a timid squeal from below piles of concrete - began burrowing away at the rubble.

Below piles of broken rock, a tiny black dog covered in dust is struggling to breathe. But like his owner, it is miraculously still alive.

The dog's master thanked Donetsk Regional Police officers for their speedy arrival and for rescuing the persistent pup.

He said: 'Thanks to the boys for doing everything quickly and promptly here... Thanks a lot to them!'

Emergency services dug the persistent puppy out of the rubble (left) before it was able to breathe properly and receive urgent medical attention (right). The owner's home was in ruins

Brave police officers were rapidly on the scene after shelling ended in the Donetsk village

Donetsk Regional Police confirmed the rescue and said they were more than happy to help the elderly man.

They said: '[He] was desperate to see his four-legged friend. Law enforcement officers did not give up hope of finding him.

'The owner and his dog were given medical care. All is well with them.'

Local police added: 'Russia's war crimes have been documented. The occupier will be held accountable for every missile and projectile fired at civilians."

Residents in the eastern Donetsk region are preparing for even more intense conflict as Russia redeploys soldiers who failed to take Kyiv to the country's more vulnerable region.

Almost 50 days since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Putin's forces have lost 19,800 men, according to the Ukrainian army.

Kyiv also claims Russia has lost 739 tanks, 1,964 armoured fighting vehicles, 358 artillery systems and 115 multiple launch rocket systems.

That is in addition to 64 destroyed anti-aircraft systems, 158 warplanes, 143 helicopters, 1,429 motor vehicles, seven vessels, 76 fuel tankers, 132 unmanned aerial vehicles, 25 special equipment units and four mobile SRBM systems.
A film student has learned to walk and talk again after surviving a horrific fireball car crash that left him in a coma for two months.

Keegan Tindall, 21, was involved in a collision in August 2020, leaving him with third degree burns over half of his body.

Keegan, from New Jersey, was placed in an induced coma and awoke more than two months later to his new appearance.

He recalls being taken to a room called the 'tank room' where doctors sprayed him down before scraping his burns whilst he lay on a metal sheet, describing it as the 'worst pain ever'.

Keegan, who was forced to write messages on a white board after finding he could not speak after the accident, was in rehabilitation for six months as he had to re-learn how to walk and talk.

Keegan Tindall, 21, was involved in a collision in August 2020, leaving him with third degree burns over half of his body.

Keegan (left, before the crash) has learned to walk (right) and talk again after surviving a horrific fireball car crash that left him in a coma for two months

Keegan suffered third degree burns over half of his body and was placed in an induced coma and awoke more than two months later to his new appearance

Speaking about the day of the car crash, Keegan said: 'One random night, I needed a prop for a movie I was making. So I headed to the shop to print something but as I pulled out, a car hit me from behind.

'My car went tumbling and into a tree before bursting into flames. I don't know how I got out but I somehow managed to escape it.'

The stand up comedian was rushed to a local hospital and was put into an induced coma.

He adds: 'I remember getting to the hospital and it was like a movie scene. All of the doctors were flocked around me.

'I was worried about dying or losing a limb whilst they pumped me up with drugs to get rid of the pain.'

Keegan was bandaged from head to toe and put on a ventilator whilst in an induced coma.

Pictured: Keegan's car after the car crash in August 2020, which left him with severe injuries

In all, 42 per cent of Keegan's body was burned and he required eight surgeries and skin grafts on his torso, arms and face

Keegan, who was forced to write messages on a white board after finding he could not speak after the accident, was in rehabilitation for six months as he had to re-learn how to walk and talk

He said: 'It wasn't possible for me to breath on my own as my lungs were filled with so much smoke. I woke up in October and I couldn't talk.

'I had to communicate using a white board - it was horrendous.

'Then they took me into a room called the 'tank room' and sprayed me down then scraped my burns whilst I lay on a metal sheet. It was the worst pain ever.'

In all, 42 per cent of Keegan's body was burned and he required eight surgeries and skin grafts on his torso, arms and face.

Keegan said his sister Ashleigh, 26, was his 'rock' after the horrific crash.

He added: She is the strongest woman I know. She was so supportive when I was struggling to accept my new appearance. I was devastated.

'Burns heal slowly so for a long time, my half of my face was puffy and bright red.

'I remember checking my phone front camera every other minute to see if anything had changed. Adapting to my new look was so hard.'

Keegan said his sister Ashleigh, 26, (pictured together after the crash) was his 'rock' after the horrific crash

Keegan Tindall was in a coma on his 20th birthday and his family left posters for him by his bed

Keegan also discovered his left foot was paralysed and he still requires a brace to this day.

He adds: 'I couldn't speak for about two months as my face was so burnt. I had to communicate using a pen and white board.

'I will never forget how good my first sip of water was - it was incredible. I was discharged in November but went straight into rehabilitation for six months.

'I was so depressed as I felt like my life had been turned upside down. I should have been filming my first ever movie and enjoying parties with my friends, not learning how to walk again. It was very hard to adapt.'

As an out-patient, Keegan had to attend two physiotherapy per week.

He adds: 'I went through a dark period when I came out, I was finding every reason to not give myself a chance - I was in bed for months.

'But whilst I lay in bed, I downloaded Tik Tok which gave me a huge confidence as I get lots of positive feedback about my appearance. I would say I get a lot more attention online now.'

Keegan began to accept his new appearance and now uses his scars to his advantage.

He said: 'I was so devastated but now I am thriving with it.

'I realised everyone loves a come back story and now I can make jokes about it when on stage.'
The former spouses are squaring off over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post calling herself a domestic violence survivor

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Johnny Depp snickered in the courtroom as his childhood friend took the stand Wednesday morning in the actor's defamation trial against Amber Heard.

The court heard from Isaac Baruch, who had known Depp since they were teenagers growing up in Florida and has been described as his best friend.

Baruch later moved to California where he worked as a musician and artist and the office manager at the notorious Viper Room club in Los Angeles that Depp used to own.

Baruch testified that Depp loved his artwork so much that he let him live rent free in a penthouse apartment he owned in the Eastern Columbia Building and paid him around $100,000 during the more than three years he lived there.

Asked if he took up Depp's offer he said: 'Yeah, of course!' which earned a laugh from the public gallery and Depp.

Baruch told the jury how Johnny had given him roughly $100,000 over four years to work on his art. He said he had to tell Johnny his paintings were taking longer than expected to finish.

'He looks at me and starts laughing and says ''Ike, don' worry, I do not care. I just want you to paint, however long it takes. I want you to paint every day.'

Depp smiled and chucked as his friend spoke.

At one point, Baruch described his relationship with Heard as positive, and said 'she has great teeth,' prompting the courtroom, and Heard, to erupt in laughter.

Depp's childhood friend Isaac Baruch took the stand and at several moments, had the court erupt into laughter with his answers

Johnny Depp snickered in the courtroom as his childhood friend took the stand Wednesday morning in the actor's defamation trial against Amber Heard

At one point, Baruch described his relationship with Heard as positive, and said 'she had nice teeth,' prompting the courtroom, and Heard, to erupt in laughter

Baruch said: 'I started crying. One day you're in your mother's garage selling paints for $200 on eBay next thing you're at an art show and you don't have to worry about diddly squat. I was flipping out'.

Soon after Depp and Heard moved into another apartment on the same floor, followed by Heard's friend Rocky Pennington and her sister Whitney - all paid for by Mr Depp, Baruch said.

Baruch said he 'fell in love with all of them' and they became 'great friends'.

Asked about Heard, he said: 'I fell in love with her just like Johnny did. She's totally respectful, gracious, she's got great teeth. She treated me with complete respect. Humor wise total locker room humor, demented humor.

'Every time I walked into that place Isaac you want something to eat, you want something to drink

'Only one time she didn't offer. She's in the kitchen and she's doing her beautiful facial mask - I said is that something that can help me. She looked at me and said no. I loved her'.

Depp asked him to paint 25 paintings and when it took longer than the few months he initially said, Depp gave him more time, Baruch said.

Baruch said that Depp and Heard were 'always loving with each other' and that they 'treated each other like gold'.

He never saw them being violent to each other and only saw them argue twice.

Baruch moved to California where he worked as a musician and artist and the office manager at the notorious club in Los Angeles that Depp used to own

Baruch testified that Depp loved his artwork so much that he gave him a penthouse apartment he owned in the Eastern Columbia Building (pictured) rent free and paid him around $100,000 during the more than three years he lived there

Johnny Depp gave a thumbs up while smoking as he left his hotel Wednesday morning and went to court

Heard has countersued for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp has waged a years-long smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to silence her and derail her acting career

The ties have it! Johnny and Amber wear matching Gucci ties to court On Wednesday, Amber Heard wore a fitted, double-breasted blazer and neck tie combo to court that bore a striking resemblance to a military uniform or a pilot. Bizarrely, Depp had worn the exact same $220 Gucci tie featuring a small embroidered bee on Monday for the first day of the trial. Advertisement

Baruch said: 'First argument I remember, it was a telephone argument. Johnny is at the kitchen table and he's screaming about something and on the other line because it's on speaker, he's talking at the phone, the other person is Amber. She's in New York, he's at the kitchen table.

'They're arguing.'

Baruch said Depp was saying: 'Who is it? Who is it?' while Heard replied: 'What are you doing baby, why are you being like this baby?'

Depp called back and he was saying: 'Who is it, what's going on'. Heard was saying: 'What are you doing baby?'

Depp hung up again and and the phone rang again, but Baruch grabbed the phone because he thought there was 'no solution' to the conversation.

He told her: 'Hey amber this is Isaac, this conversation is now over. And I hung up the phone. She didn't call back again and he went to the couch'.

The second argument was when Depp, Heard, Pennington and another friend were 'trying to plot' a way to force Heard's sister to move out.

Depp got up and was 'completely flustered and frustrated' and and told the others to 'figure it out', Baruch said.

Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked Baruch about texts he exchanged with Depp in October 2016 in which Depp called Heard a 'c*nt.'

Bredehoft asked Baruch: 'Do you recall Mr. Depp ever telling you that he, in base terms, hoped that Amber's rotting corpse is decomposing in the f**king trunk of a Honda Civic?'

Baruch said: 'Yeah, I'm seeing it here so obviously yeah it was said. It was written.'

The court heard that the messages were sent a few weeks before Baruch had to move out of the penthouse.

Bredehoft said: 'Do you recall Mr. Depp calling Amber Heard a c**t and saying it was her fault?'

Baurch said: 'It's written there I see that.'

Baurch read a part from Depp which read: 'That c**t ruined such a fu**ing cool life we had for a while'

Continuing the text from Depp, Bredehoft said: 'I can't even look at the building any more and he's selling it?'

Before Baruch took the stand, Heard's team of lawyer continued cross-examination of Depp's sister Christi Dembrowski.

The jury was shown texts between Dembrowski and Amber Heard from May 2016 after a flight from Boston to Los Angeles where he was supposedly abusive and blacked out drunk after consuming two bottles of champagne, half a bottle of whiskey and cocaine with no food for days.

Dembrowski's text to Heard read, 'I love him so much but he needs help and I don't have all the information.'

Benjamin Rottenborn, Heard's lawyer, asked Dembrowski what she meant.

Dembrowski said, 'I wanted to help him with that medication he was on, that I know. I know that I wanted to be able to be helpful in life because they were arguing all the time.'

On Tuesday Dembrowski was asked if there were occasions where Heard was not nice to Depp. She said there was one that 'really stayed with me.'

They were at Depp's office and Christian Dior had called saying they were interested in working with Depp.

She said: 'Johnny told Amber they were interested in him.

'Her reaction to that was she was in disbelief and sort of disgust because she said Dior, why would Dior want to do business with you? They're about class and style and you don't have style. It was insulting, kind of taking away that one moment. That insult is there.

'I've seen the insults, multiple times actually.'

Asked what Heard would say about Depp's physical appearance, Dembrowski said she would call him 'an old, fat man.'

Benjamin Chew, Depp's lawyer, began the line of questioning.

Before Baruch took the stand, Heard's team of lawyer continued cross-examination of Depp's sister Christi Dembrowski

Dembrowski admitted that she still works closely with her brother and has been called his 'personal manager' in the past.

'Did mother get angry with father?' Chew asked.

'Yes,' Dembrowski said.

'How?' Chew asked.

'Mom would scream, yell at him, she would hit him, call him names, that kind of thing.' Dembrowski said.

'Did your father hit your mother back?' Chew asked.

'No, dad never reacted when mom hit him or screamed at him.' Dembrowski said. 'Basically he would let her scream and get it out and be done. The way you dealt with my mom, he always tried to keep the peace.'

'How did your mother treat you and your brothers and sisters?' Chew asked.

'Similarly in how she treated dad. She screamed, she yelled, she hit, she threw things, she called us names. We each had our own set of names.

'Some we wouldn't repeat. My name was Violet. Violet was my father's mother and my mom hated my father's mother,' she said.

Depp with parents Betty Sue Palmer (second from left) and John Christopher Depp (second from right) and ex Vanessa Paradis when Johnny received a star on the Walk of Fame in 1999

Like father like son: Johnny and dad John Christopher pose at Depp's Walk of Fame ceremony

Though their relationship was difficult, Johnny does have a tattoo of mom Betty Sue's name

Betty Sue and John Depp divorced in 1978 when Johnny was 15 and Christi was 18.

Depp has described their family home as a 'ghost house', which helped turn him into a more 'nurturing person'.

But the chaos was difficult too and Depp began using drugs at just 11 years old.

Betty died of cancer in 2016 aged 81. Depp got a tattoo of his mom's name on his left arm in 1988.

After receiving his first Hollywood paycheck, Depp bought her a small house farm in Kentucky. He used to rub her feet after long days waitressing.

John Depp was Betty's second husband. She married twice more after the divorce, lastly to Bob Palmer, who died in 2000. Johnny described Bob as an 'inspiration'.

John 'Jack' Depp was absent for much of Depp and Dembrowski's childhoods. He is still alive at 84 years of age.

At Betty's funeral, Johnny Depp described his mom as the 'meanest human being I have ever met in my life'. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone he also called her a 'b***h on wheels'.

But Depp also said he 'worshipped her' and that she was 'funny'.

Betty even once threw an ashtray at her son.

'Did you mother have special name for Johnny?' Chew asked.

'She had a few, some to not repeat,' Dembrowski said. ''One eye'' was her favorite. Because when he was young the doctors thought had a lazy eye, they put a patch on his good eye to strengthen his other eye.'

'Did Johnny respond?' he asked.

'Those names were just a way of life. We got used to them,' Dembrowski said.

'Did your mother get angry with you?' Chew asked. 'Physical?'

'Yes, she did but I was also very quiet, very shy, I learned early on to step back. I would stay away from trouble,' Dembrowski said. 'She would hit us, threw things, go pick a switch off a tree, that would be what she'd hit us with. One that's nice and green. If it wasn't a nice green twig it wouldn't break.'

Dembrowski added that her mother would get angry at Johnny and hit him as well.

'How if at all did Johnny react when his mother would hit him?', Chew asked.

'He was a typical little boy, when hurt he would cry. For the most part he just wanted to get away from it,' Dembrowski said, adding that he never hit his mother back.

'When he was older even if she hit or threw things he never went to that place he would get away, he would leave the area, go to him room.' Dembrowski said.

The former spouses are squaring off over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post calling herself a domestic violence survivor.

The article did not mention Depp by name but the veteran actor sued for $50 million, claiming he was booted from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise because of the 'clear implication' he was the abuser.

Depp's suit claims Heard presented the world with a 'hoax' account of the infamous May 21, 2016 dust up that brought the couple's tumultuous marriage to an end, complete with faked injuries and crocodile tears.

He further alleges that his ex-wife was the actual 'perpetrator' of the violent bouts that scarred their relationship, including a notorious incident in Australia where she allegedly severed his finger with a vodka bottle.

Heard has countersued for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp has waged a years-long smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to silence her and derail her acting career.
Milo Alejandro, 20, posted eight comments beneath pictures that Lissie Harper had posted on Instagram

An Instagram troll who told PC Andrew Harper's widow 'it's hard to identify a body that's left in pieces' is facing jail time.

Milo Alejandro, 20, posted eight comments beneath pictures that Lissie Harper had posted on Instagram.

The comments were made on March 23 last year, almost two years after PC Harper's death in 2019.

Alejandro, from Ilford, was warned on Tuesday to expect jail after he pleaded guilty to making grossly offensive comments online.

Oxford Magistrates' Court heard that Alejandro told Mrs Harper, 'Your husband is spliffed', and asked, 'How many chomosomes [sic] are missing in this picture'?

He taunted beneath images of PC Harper: 'He looks different with his body in one piece eh?' and 'what a neek [slang for geek/nerd] how you a grown man getting packed by kids'.

PC Harper, a 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer, died as he tried to stop three thieves fleeing after they stole a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, on August 15, 2019.

Henry Long, 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced for the newlywed's manslaughter.

PC Harper was caught in a crane strap dangling from the back of a Seat Toledo driven by Long, and dragged to his death.

PC Harper (pictured on his wedding day with his wife Lissie Harper), a 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer, died as he tried to stop three thieves fleeing after they stole a quad bike in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, on August 15, 2019

Alejandro also commented 'go seek out your nan in hell Andrew you neek' and said, 'the innocent black kids he harassed got justice eh'.

In a victim's personal statement read to the court by prosecutor Ann Sawyer-Brandish on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Harper branded the comments 'callous and hurtful'.

She wrote: 'I was hurt that someone could be so insensitive to a widow who was going through an already incredibly hard time. I felt sick when I first saw them.'

Mrs Harper, from Wallingford, added: 'There is often a misconception that abuse in the form of words on the screen cannot be as damaging as they would be in person.

'But I can tell you this is not true. The words linger in my mind and that same feeling of disgust remains.'

Mrs Harper, from Wallingford, added: 'There is often a misconception that abuse in the form of words on the screen cannot be as damaging as they would be in person. But I can tell you this is not true. The words linger in my mind and that same feeling of disgust remains'

Ms Sawyer-Brandish, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the comments were reported to Thames Valley Police last March.

Checks with Facebook, which owns Instagram, led officers to Alejandro.

He was arrested on November 22 last year and phones were seized from his home in Ilford.

When arrested, he still had screenshots of the comments made to Ms Harper on his phone, according to police.

An ornamental knife was also found during the house search, leading to a conviction at North London Magistrates' Court last December for possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Henry Long (left), 19, and 18-year-olds Jessie Cole (centre) and Albert Bowers (right) were sentenced for the newlywed's manslaughter

Appearing before the Court on Tuesday Alejandro pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive or indecent message on a public communications network.

The lawyer for Alejandro, David Pallett, asked the district judge to adjourn the case for a probation service pre-sentence report.

Alejandro was 19 at the time and had no previous convictions when he wrote the offensive messages.

He was also said to suffer from undiagnosed mental health problems and had previously been seen by a child and adolescent mental health services.

The Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram, one of England's most senior judges, gave Alejandro bail until he returns on May 6th to be sentenced.

Ikram warned Alejandro: 'I was seriously considering sending you to prison here and now without a pre-sentence report.

'So be under no illusion that is what I am likely to do when you come back.'

The judge told the duty probation officer in court that the 'custody threshold' had been reached, meaning that the offence merited jail time.

However, he asked probation to look at options that would 'protect' the public and 'punish' the defendant.
A Russian artist faces up to 10 years in prison after replacing supermarket price tags with information about the horrors of the Ukraine invasion.

Alexandra Skochilenko, 31, posted labels describing the air strike on a Mariupol theatre where civilians were sheltering on March 16.

The West say it is just one instance of Putin's war crimes but back home, the Kremlin has told Russians the attack was carried out by Ukrainian far-right militias.

Alexandra Skochilenko (pictured behind bars) faces up to 10 years in prison after replacing supermarket price tags with information about the horrors of the Ukraine invasion

The artist and musician posted labels describing the air strike on a Mariupol theatre where civilians were sheltering on March 16

The Mariupol drama theatre was completely destroyed, killing hundreds of Ukrainian civlians

One of the labels said: 'The Russian army bombed an art school in Mariupol where about 400 people were hiding from the shelling.'

Russia has accused her of spreading 'fake news' after she was reported to the authorities by an unidentified shopper in the supermarket.

Investigators said she placed 'fragments of paper containing deliberately false information about the use of the Russian Armed Forces in places designated for price tags'.

Today, a St Petersburg district court placed her in pre-trial detention for seven weeks.

The 31-year-old's label said: 'The Russian army bombed an art school in Mariupol where about 400 people were hiding from the shelling'

Russia has accused her of spreading 'fake news' after she was reported to the authorities by an unidentified shopper in the supermarket

Judge Elena Leonova said Skochilenko is 'accused of committing a grave act against public safety'.

She added that such acts can 'create tensions in society' and lead to further 'subversive activities'.

If found guilty, she faces between five and 10 years in prison.

Skochilenko has maintained she is innocent, not because she denies making the labels, but because they do not contain false information.

Skochilenko has maintained she is innocent, not because she denies making the labels, but because they do not contain false information

Russia has banned the spread of any information about its brutal campaign in Ukraine it deems 'fake news'.

This means anything which deviates from the Kremlin's official line on the 'special military operation' it is carrying out to 'denazify' its neighbours.

Skochilenko is among 23 Russian and foreign citizens who have been charged over the new antiwar laws, human rights lawyers say.

At least one other person was convicted for replacing shop price tags with similar messages, a protest started by the Feminist Anti-War Resistance group.
An award-winning hairdresser has been accused of carrying out a four-month harassment campaign against a rival barbershop opposite her former salon.

Paula Vika, 47, opened her eponymous hair styling business in Norwich in 2007 and was nominated for the Prince's Trust Young Achiever award, but the salon later shut.

Now, she has pleaded not guilty at court to two charges of harassment against Sangar Saed and Camden Blackett who both work as barbers at Rival Hairstudio.

Award-winning hairdresser Paula Vika, 47, has been accused of carrying out a four-month harassment campaign against a rival barbershop opposite her former salon in Norwich

Vika, of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has also denied a separate charge of threatening another hairdresser on February 25 at another business where she later worked.

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard that the alleged harassment against the two barbers began in November and continued until February 18 against Mr Blackett.

Vika was also accused of carrying on with the harassement of Mr Saed until March 15 despite bail conditions that ordered her not to visit his barbers or contact him.

Katherine Kibyra-Dean, prosecuting, told the court: 'Since February 27 when she was released on police bail there have been further reports and witness statements supplied by Mr Saed that she has attended the barbershop on numerous occasions in March as well as sending him numerous text messages.'

Paula Vika opened her eponymous hair salon 'Paula Vika' in Norwich in 2007 but it later closed

Vika was charged with harassment against barbers at Rival Hairstudio, opposite her old salon

As for the charge of threats, Vika allegedly started 'shouting and making comments that made her feel threatened' and 'raised her hand towards the victim'.

Vika will stand trial on the two harassment charges on June 14, while a trial over the threats will be heard on June 28 after a judge ruled they should be heard separately.

She was banned in bail conditions from entering the road of Ber Street - where her salon was based, as well as River Hairstudio - or contacting the alleged victims.

Vika is originally from Angola but fled the country's civil war 23 years ago and moved to Norwich with her six-year-old daughter, reported the Norwich Evening News.
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Councils could be stripped of responsibility for the government's flagship anti-terror programme and decision making panels slimmed down after it failed to stop a string of attacks including the murder of Sir David Amess.

William Shawcross, a former chairman of the Charity Commission who is leading a long-awaited review into Prevent, is expected to call for a new network of anti-terror professionals free from council control.

Sir David's killer Ali Harbi Ali - who was today sentenced to a whole life order - had been referred to the programme in 2014 but a year later it was concluded he no longer posed a threat.

Six of the 11 most significant recent terror attacks were carried out by individuals who have gone through Prevent.

The scheme works by local council-appointed Prevent coordinators taking referrals from public servants like teachers and social workers, with each individual of concern categorised by their ideology.

Less serious cases are dealt with by councils, who can offer services like mentoring or parenting support, while the more serious ones go to the Channel phase, where a panel of local officials, including police, will recommend the next steps.

Sir David's killer Ali Harbi Ali - who was today sentenced to a whole life order - had been referred to the programme in 2014 but a year later it was concluded he no longer posed a threat

Four recent attacks by Islamist terrorists who had been referred to Prevent SOUTHEND - October 15, 2021: Tory MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend while attending a constituency surgery. Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was referred to Prevent seven years ago. READING - June 20, 2020: Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a knife attack at a town centre park. He later admitted the murders and was sentenced to a whole life order in prison. The Reading Refugee Support Group warned Prevent officials he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack'. However, he was found to not have a 'fixed ideology, the Independent reported. STREATHAM - February 2, 2020: Sudesh Amman was shot dead by police after stabbing two people on a busy street in the south London area of Streatham while wearing a fake suicide vest. He was referred to Prevent but the panel decided his case did not require intervention. LONDON BRIDGE - November 29, 2019: Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were stabbed to death by Usman Khan, 28, at a prisoner rehabilitation event. A man and two women were also injured before Khan, who was released from prison on licence in December 2018, was shot dead by armed officers on the bridge. An inquest heard his Prevent officers had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists. PARSONS GREEN - September 15, 2017: Ahmed Hassan's homemade bomb partially exploded on a London Underground rush hour train, injuring more than 50 people. He was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 34 years. He was referred to Prevent 20 months before he planted the bomb. Advertisement

Critics point out that many officials involved in Prevent do not have specific anti-terror experience, while there are also concerns about the 'politically correct' focus on right-wing terror rather than its more deadly Islamist equivalent.

Former Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick was among those calling for 'urgent' reform today.

'Islamist extremists make up three quarters of offenders in prison for terror-related crime but only 24 per cent of all Prevent referrals and 30 per cent of Channel cases, that is those taken to the next level of intervention,' he wrote in the Telegraph.

'If Prevent is to succeed it must be focused on the greatest risk to life, without fear of appearances. It cannot afford to be passive and it needs to place the police and the security services in the driving seat.'

William Shawcross is said to agree that a more different approach is needed, according to a source with knowledge of his review.

'He is going for a more professionalised approach where the Prevent leads around the country will be nationally selected and possibly nationally paid. Their primary objective will be a national security role.'

Mr Shawcross is also expected to call for unwieldy Channel panels, which can number as many as 20 people, to be reduced to a maximum of five, it is claimed.

Ali, a 26-year-old Londoner, radicalised himself by consuming extremist material online before he fatally stabbed Conservative MP Sir David.

The Met said Ali 'spent some time' in Prevent before coming out of it 'by his own admission'.

He is the latest of a series of Islamist terrorists in recent years to have been referred to the government's flagship anti-terror programme only to go on to carry out an attack.

Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a Reading park in June 2020.

Prevent officials were warned he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack', but he was assessed and found to have 'no fixed ideology', the Independent reported.

Another terrorist referred to Prevent was Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, in February 2019. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention.

Reading attacker Khairi Saadallah, 27, (left) was assessed by Prevent officials but found to have 'no fixed ideology', according to reports. Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, last February. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention

Usman Khan, 28, (left) who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard. Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017

The UK's flagship anti-terror strategy is being undermined by a politically correct emphasis on right-wing extremism over more dangerous Islamist radicalism, critics have said - as a review prepares to overhaul the 'broken' system

Usman Khan, 28, who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard.

Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017.

Former Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick was among those calling for 'urgent' reform today

Following his conviction, Detective Chief Superintendent Dominic Murphy, said Ali had been involved with the Prevent deradicalisation programme in 2014.

He said: 'By Ali's own admission, and through our thorough investigation, we've identified that Ali was subject to Prevent in 2014.

'He spent some time in Prevent and then came out of Prevent and by his own admission, carried on his activity in secret over many years, forming his plan and conducting reconnaissance and focusing his efforts on many MPs.

'We say he was the true example of a committed terrorist and exactly the type of people that we should be focusing our efforts on.'

Mr Murphy said Ali did not engage with anyone else as part of the plot and conducted the attack entirely alone.

'By his own admission, he spent an awful lot of time on the internet as part of his radicalisation journey and his research into conducting this attack,' he said.

Mr Murphy, from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, declined to speculate on whether there were any missed opportunities to stop Ali.

He said the issue would be examined in more depth at any future inquest into the death Sir David.
German federal prosecutors today said they had charged a suspected neo-Nazi with attempting to set off a 'civil race war' in Germany with planned attacks using 600 homemade explosives and guns to 'preserve the white population'.

A week after authorities swooped on alleged far-right militant cells in raids across Germany, the federal prosecutor's office named the suspect only as Marvin E. and said he had been in detention since September 2021.

Marvin E., 20, from Spangenberg in northern Hesse, faces charges of attempting to form a terrorist organisation, as well as preparation of a grievous seditious attack and various weapons law violations.

Prosecutors said in a statement that Marvin E., 'shares the ideology' of Atomwaffen Division (Atomic Weapons Division, AWD), an international neo-Nazi terrorist network founded in 2015 in the United States.

Marvin E., 20, from Spangenberg in northern Hesse, faces charges of attempting to form a terrorist organisation, as well as preparation of a grievous seditious attack and various weapons law violations. He ran for the CDU in the local elections in 2021 (pictured his local election flyer)

Marvin E. intended from the summer of 2021 to launch 'a civil race war' over the next three years 'to preserve the white population', they said.

Investigators found 600 homemade explosive devices when they searched his apartment in September last year, as well as a far-right manifesto in which Marvin E. called for the 'race war', reports local news site Hessenschau.

He is believed to have researched the acquisition of firearms and built 'unconventional' bombs with components bought online, while seeking to start his own local chapter of AWD and recruit members.

AWD is believed to espouse 'racist, anti-Semitic and National Socialist views' and plot attacks against Jews, Muslims and other purported enemies with an aim of destabilising Western democratic states.

The suspect also ran as a free candidate for the CDU party in the Spangenberg city council local elections in 2021. Once the allegations against him came to light, the party 'dissociated itself and emphasized that he was not a party member', local media reported.

Investigators found 600 homemade explosive devices when they searched his apartment in Spangenberg (file photo) in September last year, as well as a far-right manifesto in which Marvin E. called for the 'race war'

Last week's raids also targeted suspected members of the group and other far-right extremist organisations, leading to four arrests.

In what Der Spiegel magazine called 'the biggest blow against the militant neo-Nazi scene in the recent past', the federal prosecutor's office said more than 1,000 officers raided the homes of 50 suspects in 11 states.

Germany's centre-left-led government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz took office in December pledging a decisive fight against far-right militants after criticism that the previous administration had been lax on neo-Nazi violence.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said when she was appointed that her top priority would be tackling the country's 'biggest threat: right-wing extremism' after a series of deadly far-right attacks.
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New surveillance footage has emerged that is believed to show subway shooting suspect Frank James dressed in a construction jacket, wearing a hard hat and mask, wheeling a bag and carrying a backpack moments before the Brooklyn attack he is believed to have carried out.

The footage emerged on Wednesday morning as James, 62, remained at-large. It shows him walking slowly down a street in Brooklyn, wheeling a bag behind him and carrying a backpack in the other hand. He is wearing an orange construction vest.

It is unclear where it was taken and police are yet to confirm that it is him - but it is the only possible image or surveillance footage of the gunman to have emerged in the more than 24-hours since the attack.

The NYPD, FBI and other law enforcement agencies are still scouring the city for James but there has been no sign of him since yesterday's attack.

In a fumbling appearance on FOX on Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams couldn't explain why the cameras inside the 36th Street subway station - where the attack took place - were not working at the time of the attack.

'Our goal is to find out if other stations are having problems with cameras,' he said, deferring to the MTA and saying he was in 'communications' with them, then coughing and sipping water from a wine glass in a reminder that he just tested positive for COVID.

The attack yesterday is the pinnacle of a worsening crime problem that has terrified New Yorkers for the last two years. Violent crime on the subway has increased by more than 60 percent since this time last year, despite Mayor Adams' promise to put more cops on trains and in stations.

Still, no one knows how James was able to escape after shooting ten people on the northbound N train.

The footage was obtained by CBS on Wednesday morning as James, 62, remained at-large. It shows him walking slowly down a street in Brooklyn, wheeling a bag behind him and carrying a backpack in the other hand. He is wearing an orange construction vest

These images from the video obtained by CBS show the suspect seemingly entering the subway yesterday before the attack

NYC Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday could not answer why three surveillance cameras inside the station were not working yesterday when the attack took place. He coughed, sipped water from a wine glass and then spoke about his COVID diagnosis instead

Mayor Adams has now doubled the number of cops across the subway in an effort to crackdown on crime and find the gunman

The questions authorities must answer as NYC subway shooting suspect, 62, remains on the run How did he get away? Over a day later the attacker still remains at large despite hundreds more cops being deployed in the manhunt. The Mayor said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the failing to capture any footage of the suspect across three subways. The MTA said last fall it had installed security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an 'express track to justice'. Why did the FBI clear the suspect and take no action over the hateful videos and psych unit admissions he shared? The FBI faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar. The Bureau is said to have previously known the man but released him following multiple interviews. A source revealed the bombshell update to Newsweek last night, saying the suspect was entered into the Guardian Lead terrorism monitoring system in New Mexico Why didn't YouTube react to suspect's unhinged videos? YouTube commonly deletes videos it deems inappropriate, with youngsters often seeing their posts removed if they feature copyrighted music in the background. But the tech giant, which is owned by Google, again appears to have failed to react to the far more serious case of the Brooklyn suspected shooter. James had posted a raft of unhinged videos on the social media website, ranting about race and how he would 'never be back again alive' just three weeks ago. He relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips online about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact'. He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police. Why were subway doors locked so passengers couldn't escape? Horrific footage emerged yesterday showing desperate passengers trying to flee the gunman by breaking into other carriages. One video captured them slamming against the locked subway doors as they were engulfed in smoke from the shooter's smoke grenades. Others recorded themselves yanking on the handgrip several times - proving it was fastened shut - while the shooter loomed nearby. The MTA has previously been warned about the dangers posed by keeping these locked, with some, but not all, kept shut. Advertisement

Some fear he may have snuck onto a different train, the R train that others were ferried onto after the attack, and hidden among commuters pretending to be a victim. Others suggested that he could have fled onto the subway tracks and escaped through the tunnels.

For weeks before the attack, he had been posting unhinged and worrying videos on YouTube about race, and how he would never return to Wisconsin - where he lived - alive.

It has now emerged that he was known to the FBI and was questioned in 2019 in New Mexico though it is not yet clear why. He was cleared but was entered into the state's 'Guardian Lead' system.

The Guardian Program is the bureau's terrorist threat and suspicious incident tracking system.

Despite being on that list, James was unimpeded as he relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips on YouTube about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact', for weeks before Tuesday's attack.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans. Speaking from the driver's seat of a rented van, he said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

At the start of the video, he told of his plans to drive to Philadelphia.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags. I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.

'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

Two days before the shooting, he posted another video where he said black people were forced into violence by racism.

'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be when you blow one of their f*****g brains out  this is what you asked for. This is how you wanted me to be, obviously,' he said.

He was drinking white rum and had finished the bottle.

At the end of his final video, he said: 'Why should a n****r be on this planet besides to pick tobacco or sugar plant. There is no natural reason for there to be such a thing as an American negro, African American, there is no reason for it. Except for you to be a slave. That is your rightful place, it always will be. Until you build a black state of Israel, which you don't want. You want to send your a** in the ghetto and play n****r.

'This is what this s**t in Ukraine is a build up to. It's to get rid of your a**. Nuclear devices are going to be dropped. The president of Ukraine is calling for nuclear war. And so, I talk about my condition but, what the f*** can you do?

'That's life in the ghetto. I've said everything in this video that I wanted to say. I'm going to finish this 100 proof. I'm going to finish this s**t. This has got me knocked the f*** out. I can barely talk. Leave the rest of that s**t for tomorrow. I'm going to take my a** to bed. I'll talk to you guys later, take it easy. Be good.'

In another video, he ranted: 'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death.

'There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'.

James posted dozens of ranting videos on YouTube where he spoke about race wars, prison, violence and moving from Wisconsin

In this chilling March 20 video, Frank James - the suspect in Tuesday's subway shooting - said he would never return to Wisconsin, his home state, alive. He drove to Philadelphia where he is believed to have rented the U-Haul found yesterday in Brooklyn, five miles from the subway where the attack unfolded. James remains on the run

The NYPD released this update on Wednesday officially naming James as a suspect. These photos include two of him leaving the subway though it is not clear when they were taken

The shooter's apartment building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Neighbors say he lived there for a year but recently moved out and was a 'strange' neighbor

A sign outside the apartment building written by James tells mail men to send mail to a PO Box

The fireworks store in Caledonia, Wisconsin, where subway gunman Frank James purchased the same firecrackers found in yesterday's attack back in June 2021

The suspected shooter posted this image of a man holding a gun with blood stained on his shirt on April 3, nine days before the attack

James posted on Facebook about shootings and wanting to kill people. This post is from August 2020

In August 2020, James posted this photograph of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the title 'And a child shall lead them'. Rittenhouse was acquitted of charges after a highly publicized trial. He had attended a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to defend the town from BLM protesters

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large

More posts from James' Facebook page where he wore a skull-face covering and celebrated his 62nd birthday

James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race. He ranted about how black people in America were destined to be slaves and could not escape 'the ghetto' while showing clips from documentaries about gangs

This is how the horror shooting unfolded on Tuesday morning on the northbound N train at 8.24am as it approached 36th Street station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

The rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos posted by James, who is black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people.

A stock image of a .38 caliber handgun, the type used in the shooting that was found in a backpack along with a key to the U-Haul James had rented

He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says.

'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

'I am now in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Comfort Inn Suites for the night.

'My next leg will be... I am taking my time. I am definitely going to get to Philly by Tuesday.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

Horror pictures from the scene showed blood strewn across the carriage during the latest attack to rock the city

Hourari Benkada, 27, says he was sitting right next to the gunman before he let off a smoke bomb and opened fire on passengers aboard an N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning

SHOOTING SUSPECT MOCKED MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AND HIS CRACKDOWN ON SUBWAY CRIME James also referenced mental health facilities in the Bronx. He mocked Adams's plan to bring in mental health workers to deal with the subway homeless problem. 'Here's the help. Here's the cavalry, Eric Adams,' he said, referencing the New Jersey social workers pictured behind him. 'A bunch of f****** predators, a bunch of deviants, a bunch of psychopaths and sociopaths. 'They're gonna help you, Eric.' Advertisement

'My drop-off point for the van is Newark, even though my destination is Philadelphia.'

I am heading back into the danger zone, so to speak, it was triggering a lot of bad thoughts. I do have a severe case of PTSD after the s**t I've been through and again just thinking about how f****d up people are.

'There is no way no how an N word is perceived to be anyone's judge. I'm talking to the people that did damage and harm to me, tried to kill me and get me locked up. They're all black. We're all in the same boat. Especially now.

'They keep mentioning the potential of World War Three. We're already in World War Three,' he said.

In other clips he fumed at Mayor Eric Adams about the escalating crime in the subway.

Adams is quarantining with COVID-19.

His team says they will increase his security in light of James' threats.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the suspect was previously known to the FBI, having been entered into the Guardian Lead system in New Mexico.

The system is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports. He was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to James's arrest.

The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered $12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered $25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to $50,000.

Hourari Benkada (wearing red hoodie) , 27, sat next to the man with a duffe bag and MTA vest before Tuesday's subway attack

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York
POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo holds the certificate for the World Steel Association's 2022 Steel Sustainability Champion commendation. Courtesy of POSCO



By Park Jae-hyuk



POSCO became Korea's first steelmaker to be selected as an annual Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association, the company said Wednesday.



Since 2018, the international association with around 140 members has annually commended the steel companies that are most clearly demonstrating their commitment and action to sustainable development. It has also reevaluated all of its members every year to encourage them to continue to pursue high-quality sustainable management.



Under the policy, 15 steelmakers had maintained their status as Sustainability Champions until 2021.



POSCO is the only one company that newly won the status this year, during the association's two-day general meeting in London earlier this week. Six among the previous 15 Sustainability Champions lost their status.



In order to become a Sustainability Champion, a company must sign the association's Sustainability Charter and provide life cycle inventory data to the association's data collection program. It should also be shortlisted in one of the five categories of the association's Steelie Awards or must be recognized in the association's safety and health recognition program.



POSCO said that it was recognized for its efforts to pursue management guided by environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors, for its declaration of the goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, for the establishment of an ESG committee and governance reforms.



"It was the result of POSCO Group's continuous efforts toward carbon neutrality and the development of eco-friendly materials," POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo said. "We will continue to lead the global trend of sustainable ESG management in the steelmaking industry."



He also attended the meeting of the association's executive committee, comprised of the CEOs of 16 global steelmakers, on the sidelines of its general meeting, in order to discuss major topics facing the steelmaking industry recently, such as carbon emission reduction technologies, steelmaking systems for future mobility and the possible impacts of global infrastructure investments on steelmakers.



Choi, who was appointed the association's vice chairman last October and who will start serving as its chairman from this October, suggested that the committee members organize a consortium for carbon neutrality and jointly develop carbon emission reduction technologies, according to POSCO.


The Biden administration is extending the nationwide mask requirement for public transit another two weeks amid a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases.

The order was set to expire April 18, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended it at least another 15 days to May 3 to monitor for severe virus outcomes. While cases are on the rise, severe illnesses and death tend to lag behind by several weeks, and the CDC is waiting to see if the increase in cases will lead to an increase in severe illness before rolling out a less restrictive mask policy.

The CDC directs the Transit Security Administration (TSA) to enforce rules for planes, buses, trains and transit hubs. TSA said last month when it extended the mask requirement that the CDC was hoping to soon roll out more flexible masking guidelines to replace a blanket requirement.

There has been a slight increase in cases in recent weeks, up from about 25,000 per day to 30,000 per day. That figure is likely an undercount since many people now test positive on at-home tests that are not reported to public health agencies.

The Biden administration is extending the public transit mask mandate by at least another two weeks

Dr Ashish Jha, the White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator who also served as dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, told NBC on Monday morning that despite recent case rises in more than half of U.S. states, Americans do not have reason to be 'excessively concerned' about the current pandemic situation.

Covid-19 cases have ticked up about 8 percent over the past two weeks. At least 72 people caught Covid-19, including top lawmakers and administration officials, after attending the exclusive white-tie Gridiron Dinner in Washington, D.C. last week.

President Biden was not deemed a close contact by his medical advisors despite footage of him hugging and kissing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shortly before her positive test.

Vice President Kamala Harris was deemed a close contact with Covid-19 after her communications director Jamal Simmons caught the virus. The CDC says close contacts should wear a mask in public for 10 days, but the vice president did not wear a mask at times when celebrating the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court last week. Much of the event was outside, but photos showed moments where Harris took her mask off even inside.

At one point footage from Judge Kentaji Jackson's confirmation ceremony on Friday shows Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Jackson, and members of Jackson's family gathered around Biden without face masks
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Britain's daily Covid cases and hospital admissions have continued to fall but deaths have more than doubled in a week because of a data issue.

There were 35,926 new positive tests logged over the last 24 hours, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)  29.9 per cent fewer than last week.

Official case numbers have been in freefall for weeks since England stopped dishing out free lateral flow tests as part of No10's 'Living With Covid' strategy.

Daily hospitalisations for Covid also fell for the fourth day in a row, according to today's figures. There were 1,871 new admissions on Saturday, the latest date with data, down 8.3 per cent.

But 651 new Covid deaths within 28 days of a positive test were registered today, marking a 179 per cent on last week's 233. The figure is artificially high because it includes some who should have been counted yesterday.

Experts and politicians have called for an end to the constant daily updates for months, arguing they mean little now given low testing numbers.

Infection surveys that use hundreds of thousands of random swabs instead of relying on people to come forward for tests suggest real cases are at their highest ever levels  although signs suggest they are now peaking.

Grieving families who stuck to strict lockdown rules demand Boris Johnson resigns over Partygate fine Grieving families who obediently stuck to repressive lockdown curbs and laid their loved ones to rest while Boris Johnson attended parties at Downing Street have today called on the 'dishonourable' Tory leader to resign after he was handed a Partygate fine. Alan Handley, 70, was forced to bid a final farewell to his wife of 47 years Susan, 69, at a funeral attended by just eight people on December 15, 2020 after she died with Covid, acquired in hospital. The tough rules in place at the time meant that mourners had to sit two metres apart during the 20 minute service on the same day as the Prime Minister attended a Christmas quiz in No10. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the retired landscape consultant, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, said he was 'disgusted' that Mr Johnson was clinging on to his job despite Scotland Yard imposing a fixed-penalty notice (FPN) on him for attending his 56th birthday party, thrown by his wife Carrie Johnson in the Cabinet Office on June 19, 2020. Emma Jones, whose 18-year-old daughter Ruby Fuller died from blood cancer on May 15, 2020  the same day that the Prime Minister, his wife and a number of officials including aide-turned-foe Dominic Cummings, Matt Hancock and his lover Gina Coladangelo, and 'Party Marty' Reynolds enjoyed wine and cheese at a No10 garden party  claimed Mr Johnson had shown 'utter contempt for the hundreds of thousands of people who made sacrifices following those rules'. Advertisement

The UKHSA figures show cases in England fell 31 per cent from 42,392 last Wednesday to 29,335 today.

In Wales, where free tests are still being offered, confirmed infections fell 21 per cent from 391 to 308.

Meanwhile, daily cases in Scotland  which has borne the brunt of the most recent BA.2 wave  also fell a quarter to 5,513 today.

Scotland's Health Secretary today said indicators are 'positive' that Scotland is exiting the current coronavirus wave but warned that it will not be the last the country will have to deal with.

Humza Yousaf announced the takeover of Carrick Glen Clinic by NHS Ayrshire & Arran to become part of a network of 10 national treatment centres this morning.

The programme forms part of the health service's recovery as it tries to deal with an increased backlog caused by the pandemic.

When asked if Scotland is heading in the right direction in managing Covid, Mr Yousaf said that 'being honest, and being frank, this is not the last wave we are going to have to deal with'.

'I think there could be other waves, certainly that my public health experts tell me, that we'll have to deal with in the course of this pandemic,' he added.

The Scottish Government is set to change its rules on wearing face coverings on public transport and in indoor settings next week.

From Monday, wearing a face mask will become guidance rather than a legal requirement across the country.

Asked if there is cause for concern over the risk of rising cases once the change is in place, the Health Secretary said: 'The decision to move from legal requirement to public health guidance is just that.

The government's strong public health guidance will still be for people to wear face coverings in particular settings.

'I'll still be wearing face coverings in particular settings, and we'll be encouraging other people to do similar. What we have to recognise is that we can't keep things in statute or law for a minute longer than they have to be.'

Schools across Scotland are currently on holiday for the Easter break, but the Health Secretary underlined an importance for students who are eligible for the vaccine to get it in order to protect their peers upon the return to classes.

Mr Yousaf said: 'We know particularly for our secondary school pupils that are eligible for the vaccine, we know there's been good uptake.

'I would encourage those that are eligible to continue to get the vaccine, because we know it offers the best protection possible, and we know the younger the age group, the lower the uptake is.

'So my strong message would be to our young children, is look, please get your vaccine. If you're unsure about anything, ask a vaccinator, go on the NHS Inform website, talk to your other peers that have had the vaccine.

'It is the best protection possible, and by getting the vaccine, you don't just protect yourself. You'll protect your teachers, you'll protect the canteen staff, you'll protect other members of society too.'
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Historic storms have pummeled parts of the U.S. with blizzards, record-breaking hail and tornadoes, causing widespread damage across the central and southern states.

Montana and North Dakota were slammed by the spring snowstorm, which featured 60mph winds and whiteout conditions with up to 47 inches of snow.

The winter storm is expected to continuing piling snow on residents through Thursday.

Much of the region has already reported at least one foot of snow, while forecasters predict most areas will see two feet of accumulation by the time the system passes. At least one mountain community had already reported nearly four feet of snow Wednesday morning.

The entirety of Interstate 94 was closed for nearly a day, however the North Dakota Department of Transportation has reopened the highway between Bismarck to Jamestown. The remainder of the interstate is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

A No-Travel Advisory remains in effect for the state as meteorologists predict the spring snowstorm could become one of the biggest in a quarter century.

A separate weather system brought thunderstorms, high winds, heavy rain and hail across the midwest and into the south.

Nearly two dozen people were injured after a tornado struck Texas Tuesday night and although the damage was significant, officials report there was no loss of life.

Baron Weather forecasters claim the severity of the multiple storm systems remains uncertain, noting that some communities remain under 'enhanced risk' of tornadoes and fires.

Montana and North Dakota were slammed by a spring snowstorm Tuesday. The system is expected to continuing piling snow on residents through Thursday. A pedestrian is seen walking through the snow in Bismarck, ND on Wednesday

The storm has left much of North Dakota bracing whiteout conditions. This picture was taken in Bismarck on Tuesday afternoon, with a weather radar barely visible through the blizzard

A No Travel Advisory remains in effect for much of North Dakota and Montana as meteorologists predict the spring snowstorm could become one of the biggest in a quarter century. An icy, snow-covered ND road is pictured on Tuesday

This graphic shared by News12 shows snowfall totals for the 24 hours up until Wednesday afternoon, with Pony in Montana recording 47 inches of snow

Historic storms have pummeled parts of the U.S. with blizzards, record-breaking hail and tornadoes, causing widespread damage across the central and southern states

Much of the central US region has already reported at least one foot of snow, while forecasters predict most areas will see two feet of accumulation by the time the system passes

The same storm system responsible for tornadoes in the south is responsible for record-setting snow in the northern Plains.

Billings, Montana reported 13.9 inches of snow Tuesday, making it one of the snowiest days the community has seen in decades, AccuWeather reported.

The last time Billings saw that much snow accumulated in one day was May 11, 1981 when 15 inches piled up.

Other areas of Montana reported three to four feet of accumulation. Albro Lake, located in the mountains of southwestern Montana, reported 47 inches of snow. Nearby Pony, Montana record 36 inches.

However, forecasters claim the worst of the storm is lingering over the central part of North Dakota, where visibility remains low.

Airports across the state have cancelled almost every arriving and departing flight that was scheduled Wednesday, after numerous delays on Tuesday, KFYR reported. It is unclear if flight routes will resume Thursday.

Residents across the state have prepared to be snowed in for the next few days and several school districts have already opted to close schools until the storm system passes.

'It's a little windy, it's a little cold. I don't know, it's not that bad if you have your earbuds in or something, just kinda jam out, take it a minute at a time, and have at it,' Gus Lindegren of Bismarck told the tv station, noting he was trying to get ahead of the snow.

'I grew up on a farm in North Dakota, and I don't get too excited about blizzards. You just prepare for them, don't do anything dumb,' echoed Mike Deisz, also of Bismarck.

Rick Krolak of the National Weather Service office in Bismarck said the storm brought to mind the blizzard of 1997 that hit on April 4 of that year, dumping up to two feet of snow in some areas, knocking out power to thousands of residents and leaving motorists stranded on major highways.

'Its definitely looking like its going to pack a punch,' he said of the storm.

Workers were plowing the roads throughout North Dakota on Wednesday

The entirety of Interstate 94 was closed for nearly a day, however the North Dakota Department of Transportation has reopened the highway between Bismarck to Jamestown. A ND road is pictured amid whiteout conditions

A homeowner on Northview Lane in northeast Bismarck, N.D., struggles to maneuver a snowblower as he clears his driveway of deep snowdrifts on Wednesday

North Dakota Dept. of Transportation workers are pictured plowing snow covered streets

Areas of Montana reported three to four feet of accumulation. Albro Lake, located in the mountains of southwestern Montana, reported 47 inches of snow. Nearby Pony, Montana record 36 inches. However, forecasters claim the worst of the storm is lingering over the central part of North Dakota, where visibility remains low

After the snowstorm wraps up, meteorologists warn temperatures in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas could plunge to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Strong winds reaching speeds of 60 mph will follow the pounding snow, reaching as far as south and east as the central Plains, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.

The core of the deep freeze will come Thursday and into Friday, AccuWeather reported, mostly impacting the north-central U.S.

Communities in the epicenter - Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota - will likely reach sub-zero temperatures while neighboring states will see temps in the single digits.

The deep freeze follows what was already a record cold morning for many areas throughout the Rocky Mountains.

Yellowstone National Park, in Montana, recorded temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday, a new daily record. That was reportedly the lowest temperature in the region.

Denver, the capital city of Colorado, set a record for the date with a low of 11 degrees Fahrenheit.

Across the state, near Akron, Colorado, a regional airport reported a drastic drop from 57 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday to 7 degrees on Wednesday morning.

Low temperature records were also broken throughout Montana, including in Chinook, which saw a 113-year-old daily record fall with a low of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

Matt Mittelstaedt, a driver for Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, pushes as a Good Samaritan tows the large passenger van he was driving when it got stuck in the snow at the intersection of State Street and Divide in Bismarck, ND on Tuesday

A woman tries to push a stuck car in the snow at the intersection of State Street and Divide Avenue in Bismarck ND on Tuesday

Strong winds reaching speeds of 60 mph will follow the pounding snow, reaching as far as south and east as the central Plains, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley

After the snowstorm wraps up, meteorologists warn temperatures in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas could plunge to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The core of the deep freeze will come Thursday and into Friday

A chocolate lab is seen playing in the deep snow in Dickinson, North Dakota on Wednesday

North Dakota snow crews work to plow the roadways on Wednesday as a No Travel Advisory remains in effect across the state

Brothers Elisa Flanagan, 15, left, and Solomon, 16, back, shovel the wet snow from their driveway in northeast Bismarck, ND on Wednesday

A North Dakota resident's home is covered with snow on Tuesday

Snow is pictured outside a North Dakota resident's home on Tuesday

The dynamic storm also divided South Dakota with winter and spring weather on Tuesday.

While the northwestern part of the state battled a blizzard Tuesday, the southeastern portion of the state was met with 70 degree temperatures and tornado warnings.

As another round of severe thunderstorms began to develop in the south, the National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a tornado watch for portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

The new watch includes communities that were previously struck with a round of damaging storms Tuesday night.

Tornado watches and warnings remained in effect for northern Iowa, a section of central Texas and parts of Louisiana Tuesday night as the dangerous storm system is expected to continue through Thursday.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued level 4 out of 5 'moderate risk' of severe weather and for a large part of the Mississippi Valley on Wednesday, citing 'the potential for strong tornadoes and very large hail.

Several tornadoes touched down in Central Texas and Iowa Tuesday, causing widespread damage, the National Weather Service reported. At least 23 people were injured in the twister.

'The damage, while significant, it certainly could have been worse,' Bell County Judge David Blackburn told NBC News Tuesday, noting he was grateful no lives were lost.

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A tornado touches down in Iowa Tuesday. Watches and warnings remained in effect for northern Iowa, a section of central Texas and parts of Louisiana into Wednesday as the dangerous storm system is expected to continue

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued level 4 out of 5 'moderate risk' of severe weather on Wednesday, citing 'the potential for strong tornadoes and very large hail'

One tornado swept through the Texas town of Salado, damaging homes in Bell County, and produced massive hail, some nearly six inches in length

The tornado swept through the Texas town of Salado, damaging homes in Bell County, and produced massive record breaking hail, nearly six inches in length, according to photos posted to social media.

Blackburn said the tornado was on the ground for an estimated 7 miles.

Twenty-three people were hurt in the Bell County storm with 12 people taken to the hospital, and one was reported to be in critical condition Tuesday night. Officials had not provided an update on their conditions as of Wednesday afternoon.

Rotating thunderstorms also churned over Iowa and Louisiana on Tuesday. There were reports of people trapped in the homes in Bossier City, Louisiana, according to KSLA. Thousands of SWEPCO customers temporarily lost electrical service.

More than 100,000 customers in Texas remained without power late Wednesday afternoon, About 10,000 people were experiencing outages in in Iowa and 72,000-plus customers in Louisiana, according to a utility tracking site.

Storms are expected to continue overnight and into Thursday with damaging winds and possible tornadoes.

Meteorologists in Tennessee, as well as several other southern states, including Texas, are preparing for potent storms.

Storm chaster and meteorologist Reed Timmer described the system as 'one of the more extreme, volatile events that weve seen so far this year for long-tracked, potentially strong to violent tornado potential,' according to AccuWeather.

Timmer added that Wednesday was 'one of the most dangerous days weve had here in a few years across the mid-South.'

The blizzard brought white-out conditions to Bismarck, North Dakota. The airport canceled all flights for the day on Tuesday and state offices closed at 12:30 p.m. local time and residents were urged to stay off roads due to treacherous conditions

A blizzard slammed North Dakota with whiteout conditions, and meteorologists said it could rage into Thursday, becoming one of the biggest in a quarter century
Do YOU know a single man that has offered a refugee a home? Get in touch: lizzie.may@mailonline.co.uk

Ukrainian women and children should not be matched with single men amid concerns that they will be exploited, the UN refugee agency has warned.

The UNHCR has called on the UK government after seeing 'increasing reports' of female refugees feeling at risk from people who have sponsored them to come to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine matching scheme.

They warned that a 'more appropriate' process is required to protect vulnerable refugees from exploitation, adding that there needs to be adequate safeguards and vetting put in place.

Do YOU know a single man that has offered a refugee a home? Get in touch with your experience: lizzie.may@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

The Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to bring people escaping the war to safety - even if they have no ties to the UK.

Anyone with a room or home available for at least six months can offer it to a Ukrainian individual or a family, though those offering to host will be vetted and Ukrainian applicants will undergo security checks.

Last week councils sounded the alarm over a 'concerning increase' in Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK and becoming homeless due to relationship breakdowns with their sponsors and problems accessing accommodation.

Dozens of matches under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are understood to have broken down, with local authorities having to put families in emergency accommodation while they wait to find a new sponsor.

Councils have been calling for a way to get refugees whose matches have not worked out back on the database so they can be matched quickly with sponsors in the local area who have homes ready and waiting.

A spokesman for the agency said: 'UNHCR believes that a more appropriate matching process could be put in place by ensuring that women and women with children are matched with families or couples, rather than with single men.

Ukrainian women and children should not be matched with single men amid concerns that they will be exploited, the UNHCR has said, warning the government of many female refugees at risk (refugees pictured fleeing the war from Ukraine to neighbouring Poland, in Medyka)

'Matching done without the appropriate oversight may lead to increasing the risks women may face, in addition to the trauma of displacement, family separation and violence already experienced.'

Last week, a number of female refugees faced 'sexual advances' by their British hosts, councils have claimed.

In a Facebook group that helps match refugees up with sponsors, one woman shared a plea to help her find another home for a female refugee.

She wrote: 'I have had a young lady message me about a host that she was going to but is now scared as he has been asking her personal questions so she wants to cancel her application but can't find the link to do it.

'She said she is scared as she now wants to find another sponsor.

'She is young and this guy said he was a single man with a daughter but was asking her if she had a boyfriend and if she was ready for a relationship. This is worrying.'

Families who have arrived under the new visa scheme say they are still struggling to access cash while they wait for benefits and are having to be put up in hotels.

Dozens of matches under the separate Homes for Ukraine scheme are also understood to have broken down, with local authorities having to put families in emergency accommodation while they wait to find a new sponsor.

The British Red Cross said it has had to refer people to homelessness charities, local authorities and housing associations due to problems getting funds or accommodation. In some cases it has had to fund short-term accommodation itself as an emergency measure.

In one example, a mother and her five children were put up in a hotel by a council after arriving under the family visa scheme.

They are struggling to set up a bank account without proof of address, and without a bank account they cannot complete an application for universal credit.

They were advised to go to their local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) office in person, but this is at least three miles away and would take nearly an hour to reach by foot as they do not have money for public transport.

Alex Fraser, British Red Cross director of refugee support and restoring family links, said: 'We're increasingly concerned about the access to information about support people are receiving when they arrive.

'We're seeing an increasing number of calls to our support line from Ukrainians struggling to get cash and housing, and British families desperate to help but being prevented by the system.'

Last month, the Government announced the launch of the Homes for Ukraine scheme which will pay families 350-a-month to take in those fleeing Russian brutality.

Within hours of the scheme launching, the website for registering interest had crashed and subsequently more than 200,000 people signed up to the programme.
Beto O'Rourke admitted to having 'very legitimate concerns' about President Biden's border policy during a press conference in Texas on Tuesday

Democrat Beto O'Rourke distanced himself from President Joe Biden's border policies on Tuesday when he said the administration needs to be better prepared before lifting pandemic-era expulsion policy Title 42.

There are concerns among state, local and federal officials that letting the rule expire on May 23 as planned will lead to a mass migrant event that would overwhelm border communities and the already-strained Department of Homeland Security.

Title 42 was enacted under Donald Trump and allows border agents to turn asylum-seekers away regardless of their status in the name of mitigating COVID-19's spread.

O'Rourke, a failed presidential candidate who's now running to unseat Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, was asked about the policy at a press conference.

He said there are 'very legitimate concerns' about lifting it, and that 'even those who are trying to claim asylum or come to this country to work or join family, there has to be a far more orderly process for them to do that than what we're seeing right now.'

O'Rourke took an opportunity to attack Abbott for his 'stunt' sending migrants from the Texas border to Washington, DC.

'The answer is in coming up with solutions -- bringing in the federal government to do their job, partnering with local communities by showing up and listening to them to hear the solutions they come up with as well,' the candidate said.

He stepped up the criticism of the White House when admitting to 'problems' with the Biden administration on immigration policy, while answering a Spanish-speaking reporter's question.

O'Rourke said in Spanish that he did not believe the president had a plan to solve the migrant crisis that's straining local border communities -- and that if he did, Biden wasn't sharing it with him yet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on April 1 that it was lifting Title 42 because it was 'no longer necessary to protect the public health.'

Progressive groups and human rights advocates have been pushing Biden to lift the rule, which was started under Donald Trump, since he took office. They've pressed the president about his 2020 campaign promise to repeal his predecessor's 'inhumane' border policies.

But several moderate Democrats including O'Rourke have broken from the White House to criticize the Biden administration's decision.

'It does not make sense to end this until there is a real plan and the capacity in place to handle those and address those that come over,' O'Rourke told the Texas Tribune on Tuesday.

'I have yet to hear a plan from the Biden administration to address the dynamic we will have on the border once Title 42 ends.'

On Capitol Hill, senators from both sides of the aisle are attempting to cobble out legislation that would pump the breaks on Biden's decision to roll it back next month, before they believe the Department of Homeland Security would be ready to handle an expected surge in migrants at the southern border.

Democrats' refusal to consider an amendment keeping Biden from lifting Title 42 sunk an entire $10 billion COVID pandemic aid package after weeks of bipartisan negotiations. Every Republican in the Senate voted to block the legislation.

O'Rourke also took aim at GOP Governor Greg Abbott, who he's challenging in November's election, for his 'stunt' of bussing migrants to Washington, DC

A child plays as families live in tents the Movimiento Juventud 2000 shelter with refugee migrants from Central and South American countries including Honduras and Haiti seeking asylum in the United States, as Title 42 and Remain In Mexico border restrictions continue, in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on April 9

And House Rep. Henry Cuellar became the eleventh Democrat in Congress to break from the White House and sign onto the bill fighting to keep Title 42 in place.

Cuellar, like O'Rourke, is from Texas.

'We all believe in immigration reform, but we don't want chaos at the border. We want law and order at the border,' Cuellar told Fox News on Sunday.

At least a dozen moderate Democrats across the country have publicly broken from the Biden administration's decision to lift Title 42 at the end of May

Bills keeping Title 42 in place have the backing of six Democrats in the House and five in the Senate.

Cuellar said his party was 'going to be hit hard by the Republicans' if its members do not 'stand up and do the right thing.'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blasted the White House moving to lift the policy as an 'outrageous decision.'

He warned on Fox News Sunday that it 'will produce a gusher far beyond the open border we already have, produce a gusher of additional people coming in.'

'Totally inconsistent, by the way, with them asking us for $10 billion for vaccines and therapeutics,' McConnell added, harkening back to the aid package.

Three GOP-led states -- Arizona, Louisiana and Mississippi -- are suing to block the White House from letting Title 42 expire.

Last month, before the policy had an announced expiration date, DHS warned that it was preparing for a worst-case scenario of up to 18,000 people trying to cross the border per day when it was lifted.

The federal government used the policy to expel thousands of mostly Haitian migrants from under a bridge in El Paso, Texas last year after the crowded, dirty conditions of the tent city they were being housed in sparked a humanitarian outcry.
Members of the controversial, woke Loudoun County School Board will face the ax this November after Virginia's new GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered them to face the ballot a year earlier than they would have.

At midnight on Tuesday, Youngkin made an amendment to a bill that moved the school board elections up a year, putting them on the ballot this coming November instead of in 2023, WJLA.com reported. That means all nine members will be up for election come the fall.

'Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, elections for all nine districts of the Loudoun County School Board shall be held on November 5, 2022,' the amendment to HB 1138 reads.

The board is made up of nine members, including Jeff Morse, chair of the Dulles District, Ian Serotkin, Vice-Chair of Blue Ridge District, at-large member Denise Corbo, Atoosa Reaser of the Algonkian District, Harris Mahedavi, of the Ashburn District, Andrew Hoyler of the Broad Run District, John Beatty of the Catoctin District, and Tom Marshall of the Leesburg District.

The Loudoun School Board has been mired in controversy, including headlines last year for covering up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, which led to an additional assault of a young girl - whose father infamously attended a school board meeting and had to be forcibly removed.

Parents also voiced their frustration with the state's woke school board saying they did not want their children to be taught Critical Race Theory (CRT) - that they're bad or good depending on their race.

Multiple school board meetings made headlines after parents were filmed clashing with staff over the decision to teach it - and the board's approval of a $6 million 'equity-training' program last April, as well as the September approval of a study into whether it would be appropriate to give reparations to black people.

Loudoun County School Board members (pictured) will be up for election this coming November instead of 2023 following an amendment by Governor Younkin

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (pictured) made an amendment to a bill that moved up the elections of the Loudoun County School Board to November 2022

Shelley Slebrch and other angry parents and community members protest after a Loudoun County School Board meeting was halted by the school board because the crowd refused to quiet down last June

Younkin said the amendment was a chance to 'reflect the will of parents' sooner.

'The last few years just absolutely signified some real challenges with the Loudoun County School Board,' Younkin told 7NewsDC. 'And so in the spirit of transparency and accountability, my amendment gives parents the ability to elect their school board.'

But the move came as a surprise to school board members, including Andrew Hoyler who said he does not support it.

'I was extremely surprised with the news this morning regarding forced elections for all school board seats this November, as opposed to just my seat and Mr. Marshall's seat. Despite my differences with my each of my colleagues, I do NOT support Governor Youngkin's amendment,' he tweeted on Tuesday.

Delegate David Reid slammed the amendment, saying it was an attempt by the Republican governor to 'undermine local elections.'

'This is another attempt by some Republicans to subvert our democracy and hold it hostage to a right-wing minority,' Reid said in a statement.

'The members of the Loudoun County School Board were elected to serve 4-year terms and they should be allowed to serve the full duration of their terms - that's why we have scheduled elections.

'This bill had overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House (100-0) and the Senate (39-0-1),' he added.

'By adding this unnecessary amendment to a simple administrative bill, which was requested by the Loudoun Board of Elections, Governor Youngkin is opening the door for any future majority and Governor to undermine local elections and local control.'

Loudoun School Board member Andrew Hoyler said he does not support the amendment

On the day Youngkin took office, he signed an executive order banning CRT from schools and said he would open an investigation into the Loudoun County School Board's actions

But while school board members are not in support of the amendment, many parents might be, after the Loudoun County School District has been a constant presence in the news due to multiple controversies.

Loudon County, a Democratic stronghold in northern Virginia, became the focal point of debate over woke policies by school boards across the country.

The district previously made headlines last year after it allegedly covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, leading to an additional assault of a young girl.

Indeed, Virginia's Loudoun County was a focal point in Youngkin's gubernatorial race against former Gov. Terry McAuliffe after a skirt-wearing 14-year-old male high school student, identifying as non-binary, was arrested over the rape of a female student in a school bathroom.

That male student was then transferred to a different school where he then allegedly raped another student.

The district has been accused of covering up the crime and saw one of the alleged victim's parents arrested at a school board meeting.

The student involved has been placed on the sex offenders registry for life as part of his sentence.

The Loudoun County School District - which has been plagued by scandal after scandal. Pictured, a man is detained after a fight broke out during a Loudoun County School Board meeting which included a discussion of Critical Race Theory and transgender students

The district also made the news over the matter of Critical Race Theory.

The use of critical race theory, or CRT, in education has been criticized for its message that the U.S. is built on racism with skin color determining the social, economic and political differences between each.

Advocates say its' teaching is necessary to underline how deeply racism pervades society, while critics say it is divisive and paints everyone as a victim or oppressor, with multiple Virginia school board meetings making headlines after parents were filmed clashing with staff over the decision to teach it.

Governor Youngkin pledged to ban CRT, seizing on the discontent of parents who had grown agitated after the Loudon County school board last April announced a $6million 'equity-training' program that parents associated with CRT.

The 'equity training' which was met with strong opposition by some residents.

Parents claimed that training was part of a pro-CRT push which would lead to students seeing themselves as victims or oppressors, depending on their race.

Protests then reignited in September, when the school board voted 6-3 in favor of beginning a study into whether it would be appropriate to give reparations to black people after it previously ignored a landmark desegregation ruling.

On the day Youngkin took office, he signed an executive order banning CRT from schools and said he would open an investigation into the Loudoun County School Board's actions.
No-one will be prosecuted over the leak of CCTV footage of disgraced former health secretary Matt Hancock breaching Covid rules by kissing his departmental aide in his office.

Britain's data watchdog has found 'insufficient evidence' to prosecute two people who were suspected of unlawfully obtaining and disclosing the footage from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The Information Commissioner's Office said it had now closed its criminal probe, which saw two homes raided in the south of England and computers seized last year.

The ICO launched its investigation after receiving a complaint of a data breach from the DHSC's CCTV operator, EMCOR Group Plc.

The watchdog said in a statement today: 'Given the seriousness of the report and the wider implications it potentially had for the security of information across government, the ICO had a legal duty to carry out an impartial assessment of the evidence available to determine if there had been a breach of the law.

'Forensic analysis revealed that the leaked images were most likely obtained by someone recording the CCTV footage screens with a mobile phone.

'Six phones retrieved during the execution of search warrants did not contain the relevant CCTV footage.

'After taking legal advice, the ICO concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone with criminal offences under the Data Protection Act 2018.'

The leaked CCTV footage revealed Matt Hancock passionately embracing his departmental aide Gina Coladangelo in the Department of Health and Social Care last year

Mr Hancock has since described how he broke Coronavirus guidelines because he 'fell in love' with Ms Coladangelo.

The leak of the CCTV images and footage of Mr Hancock passionately embracing Gina Coladangelo - a non-executive director at DHSC - led to his resignation as health secretary in June last year.

He admitted to breaching the Covid rules he himself had helped design.

The Sun newspaper, which published the leaked CCTV footage, branded the ICO raids in July last year an 'outrageous abuse' that could deter whistleblowers from coming forward.

Mr Hancock, who was married to his wife Martha when the CCTV footage was leaked, has since described how he broke Coronavirus guidelines because he 'fell in love'.

'That's something that was completely outside of my control and I of course regret the pain that that's caused and the very, very, very public nature ... but I fell in love with someone,' he recently told the Diary Of A CEO podcast.

The former Cabinet minister was keen to stress during the podcast interview that he and Ms Coladangelo had not been having 'casual sex'.

Despite having quit government over his Covid rules breach, Mr Hancock has given his backing to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to continue in office after the Prime Minister and Chancellor were fined over a birthday bash in Number 10 in June 2020.

Mr Hancock posted on Twitter yesterday: 'The PM & Chancellor got the big calls right during the pandemic & are now leading the fight against Putin's illegal war in Ukraine

'They have rightly apologised. We must now move forwards & get on with delivering for people.'

A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We note the outcome of the ICO's investigation and will continue to work with them to learn any lessons from this incident.

'We take the security of our personnel, systems and estates extremely seriously.

'Since this incident, we have worked with security specialists from across government to review procedures and will keep them continually under review.'
Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen has called for closer relations between NATO and Russia as the French presidental elections go down to the wire.

Le Pen, who faces President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off to be president of France on April 24, said there should be a 'strategic rapprochement' between NATO and Russia once the bloody war in Ukraine has come to a close.

The news conference took place against the backdrop of furious protestors outside who branded her Putin's accomplice.

A protester even got past security to brandish a heart-shaped picture of Le Pen and Russian President Vladimir Putin, before she was quickly dragged out by security guards.

Le Pen (above) said there should be a 'strategic rapprochement' between NATO and Russia once the bloody war in Ukraine has come to a close

Le Pen emphasised that better ties with Russia would also prevent Moscow from becoming too close to China, noting that she was echoing an argument made by Macron in the past

The news conference took place against the backdrop of furious protestors outside who branded her Putin's accomplice

Activists tried to get into the press conference and one succeeded, brandishing a heart-shaped picture of Le Pen and Russian President Vladimir Putin before she was quickly dragged out by security guards

Marine Le Pen faces President Emmanuel Macron in a run-off to be president of France on April 24

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 24, 2017. Le Pen has been accused of doing Putin's bidding in France

She also added her intention to repeat France's 1966 move of pulling out of NATO's military command should she finally win office.

The Gallic country would still adhere to Article 5, which is the key provision on mutual defence.

'We must ask about the role of the alliance after the end of the Warsaw Pact,' the Moscow-led military alliance that grouped Soviet bloc nations, she told journalists.

Le Pen emphasised that better ties with Russia would also prevent Moscow from becoming too close to China, noting that she was echoing an argument made by Macron in the past.

'This is in the interest of France and Europe but also I think the United States... which has no interest in seeing a close Sino-Russian relationship emerging,' Le Pen said.

Le Pen has been dogged by accusations of being too close with Vladimir Putin, having accepted a loan of around 7.5million from a Russian creditor in 2011, which her party is still paying back.

Reports in the French press from 2015 based on hacked Kremlin records showed that Ms Le Pen may have lent her support to Putins annexation of Crimea in return for the loan  although the allegations of a quid pro quo are very difficult to prove.

'You should not be looking at me if you want to find complacency towards Vladimir Putin, or Russian financing,' Macron told reporters. 'You should be looking at the other candidates. Don't forget that.'

Ms Le Pen's party National Rally - formerly National Front - also hosted Vladimir Putin in 2017

Marine Le Pen has been steadily closing the gap on Macron in French presidential election polls

Le Pen has been dogged by accusations of being too close with Vladimir Putin, having accepted a loan of around 7.5million from a Russian creditor in 2011 which her party is still paying back.

Reports in the French press from 2015 based on hacked Kremlin records showed that Ms Le Pen may have lent her support to Putins annexation of Crimea in return for the loan  although the allegations of a quid pro quo are very difficult to prove

French President Emmanuel Macron makes a speech during a campaign meeting in the Grand-Est region of Strasbourg, France on April 12, 2022. 'You should not be looking at me if you want to find complacency towards Vladimir Putin, or Russian financing,' Macron told reporters. 'You should be looking at the other candidates. Don't forget that.'

French President Emmanuel Macron, candidate for his re-election in the 2022 French presidential election, talks to residents as French Junior Minister for Economic Inclusion Brigitte Klinkert looks on during a campaign visit in Chatenois, near Strasbourg, France, April 12, 2022

She also reaffirmed her intention to repeat France's 1966 move of leaving NATO's integrated military command, while still adhering to its key article 5 on mutual protection.

'I would place our troops neither under an integrated NATO command nor under a future European command,' she said, adding that she refused any 'subjection to an American protectorate'.

However, she made clear that a 'Frexit' along the lines of Britain's 'Brexit', pulling France out of the European Union was not part of her agenda, reversing previous policy.

But she argued that French predictions that Brexit would prove 'a cataclysm for the English' had not come true.

'The British got rid of the Brussels bureaucracy, which they could never bear, to move to an ambitious project of global Britain,' she said.

But she added: 'This is not our project. We want to reform the EU from the inside.'

Chief rival Emmanual Macron had accused Le Pen of having a secret 'Frexit' plan to create a right-wing alliance with Poland and Hungary.

'She wants to leave but dare not dare say so, and that's never good' said Mr Macron, as he discussed his bitter rival's policies towards the EU at a rally in eastern France.

'She says that she wants an alliance of nation states, but she is going to find herself in a corner and she is going to try to come up with an alliance with her friends.'

Mr Macron said French voters were too loyal to Europe to accept a 'Frexit', and so Ms Le Pen would attack the bloc from within after teaming up with the populist governments 'in Poland and Hungary'.

'It would be a strange club,' said Mr Macron.

'I don't think it is a club that would be good for France. I don't think it would be good for Europe.'

Mr Macron is a passionate Europhile who once described Brexit as 'a crime' delivered by dishonest politicians.

'The EU has changed the life of this country,' said Mr Macron, as he directly accused Ms Le Pen of 'talking rubbish' about it.

The blue-collar battleground: Macron will start his campaign for the second round visiting former mining heartlands in Le Pen's industrial heartlands of northern France

Marcon, head of the La Republique en Marche party, has also been reaching out to disenfranchised workers, pictured here on a construction site during a one-day campaign visit in Hauts-de-France region

Marine Le Pen narrowly nudged ahead of Jean-Luc Melenchon in the first round of voting

Macron is right to be worried, according to opinion poll published by Les Echos and Radio Classique on Tuesday.

They showed Le Pen narrowing the gap by one point as voter turnout continued to fall, although Macron would still win the run-off with 54 per cent of the vote.

The poll's turnout estimate further declined by 1 per cent to 70 per cent, down from 74.56 per cent in 2017, which was already the lowest since 1969.

Both remaining candidates in the run-off on April 24 will compete to snap up the votes of left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who with 22% of the popular vote was only narrowly squeezed out by Le Pen into third place.

'Those who did not vote for Macron are destined to join me, I count on all French voters,' said Marine Le Pen, according to Le Parisien.

'We are very close, I can win this presidential election,' she said.

Throughout the campaign, Le Pen has been visiting markets in towns and villages to meet with working class voters where the gilets jaunes protests were sparked, pushing the narrative that Macron has divided France and she is the one to unite it.

While many of the losing candidates told their supporters not to back Le Pen in the second round, including far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, her populist message focusing on the cost of living crisis is resonating across the political spectrum.

She said she is no longer the 'big, bad wolf' of politics, and has been positioning herself as a unifying and benign figure, posing for selfies with a teenager in a headscarf and sharing photos of her pet Bengal cats.

An Ifop survey in March showed that fewer than half of all French now found her 'scary'.
A man has been cleared of raping a woman who told police she was assaulted after her drink was spiked during a night out.

Dale Garlick, 29, had been charged with the rape rape of a female over 16 years of age in Stalybridge, Manchester, on September 25 last year.

Greater Manchester Police said a woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had told officers her drink had been spiked during a night out at a bar in the town centre before she was raped.

Garlick, of Calico Crescent, Stalybridge, was cleared of rape today following a two-day trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.

Dale Garlick (pictured) had been charged with the rape of a woman in Stalybridge, Manchester, on September 25 last year

He was cleared of rape today following a two-day trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester

The jury took 42 minutes to clear find him not guilty, a spokesperson for the court confirmed.
Prince William will lay a wreath on behalf of the Queen at this month's Anzac Day ceremony, held at the Cenotaph to remember the war dead of Australia and New Zealand.

It is the latest in a series of commitments the monarch, who turns 96 next week, has missed amid concerns over her health.

The Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the throne, will perform the gesture in her place and will also attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

The two events fall on April 25, and will follow a Dawn Service at Wellington Arch at London's Hyde Park Corner which will be attended by the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester.

Some 300 to 400 former and serving military personnel and their families and members of veterans associations will gather at the Cenotaph for the wreath laying.

The traditional church service in the abbey will feature an address by the Dean of Westminster, readings from the New Zealand and Australian high commissioners, prayers read by children of each country, and a Maori waiata performed by London-based Ngati Ranana London Maori Club.

The Queen attends the Anzac Day commemoration service and lays a wreath at The Cenotaph in 2015

The Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the throne, will perform the gesture in her place this year and will also attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey

News of the Queen's absence comes just days after Buckingham Palace announced she had pulled out of the annual Maundy Day church service 'with regret', Buckingham Palace has announced.

In a first for her reign, Her Majesty, who turns 96 this month, will instead be represented by Prince Charles and Camilla at the event, due to be held on Thursday.

The service will take place a St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle following a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.

That revelation came after the Queen, who suffers from widely-publicised mobility issues, also pulled out of the Commonwealth Service last month.

Her decision not to attend was understood to be related to concerns over her comfort in getting to and from Westminster.

There were also fears she would miss Prince Philip's memorial at the end of March before a 'military-style' plan was hatched to ensure she could arrive comfortably.

The monarch used a stick as she was walked to and from her seat - supported by her disgraced son the Duke of York - to give her 'strength and stay' Philip the final farewell he had wanted.

Her Majesty's presence was only confirmed two hours before the event started.

After a poignant service limited to 40 minutes, she was driven the 22-miles back to Windsor Castle after what was her first major public engagement for approaching six months.

The head of state, who recovered from Covid in February and at times uses a wheelchair, has also been conducting much of her business over Zoom from Windsor Castle in recent months.

The Queen speaking to staff at the Royal London Hospital by video link where she revealed that having Covid has left her 'tired and exhausted'. Royal commentator Angela Levin says the public should not expect to see her that often during the Platinum Jubilee in June

The Queen held an audience with the incoming and outgoing defence service secretaries at Windsor Castle on February 16

Meanwhile, a royal expert said this week that the 'very tired' Queen will limit her Platinum Jubilee appearances to 'just a few' events after battling the virus and her ongoing mobility problems.

The monarch admitted in a video call with NHS staff and patients last week that Covid left her 'exhausted'.

Royal biographer Angela Levin then said the Queen's presence at jubilee events will be limited due to her frailty.

She said: 'It's going to be very difficult and I think they will only show her in a few instances, maybe at the service at St Paul's. That will be very important to her because she is a Christian.

'I don't think we'll see her around and about. Maybe she'll be well enough to sit and watch horses. It won't be her, everywhere. But if she is there, she will appreciate the fact the public will be wanting to be there and supporting her.

'I imagine that the aides are worried that if the public don't see her, people may think that if she's not there it's not worth us going.

'I'm sure everyone in the Palace hopes that people will turn up to show their respects and say thank you for an extraordinary reign both in length and in breadth'.




Dev Pragad, CEO of Newsweek, left, Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group stands beside the cover page of Newsweek in New York, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
YouTube has finally pulled the hate-filled channel of the suspected Brooklyn shooter - more than 24 hours after he blasted 10 straphangers with a handgun.

The tech giant removed Frank James' page on Wednesday around lunchtime as cops and federal agents' finally finished their manhunt and arrested the suspect.

The delayed response again raised questions about the video-sharing platform's ability to crack down on dangerous content.

The 62-year-old's recordings had for weeks spewed relentless, race-related bile where he called for black and white people to have 'no contact'.

He also hinted at a possible attack, with one clip showing him leaving Wisconsin saying: 'Good riddance. I will never be back again alive.'

Meanwhile Facebook, which is owned by Meta, also removed his page as of Wednesday afternoon.

The tech giant removed Frank James' page (pictured in one of his video rants) at lunchtime as cops and federal agents continued their multi-state manhunt for the alleged attacker

BEFORE: His Youtube page is pictured before it was torn down by the platform on Wednesday lunchtime

AFTER: James' YouTube page and videos are no longer accessible, with it redirecting to a page reading: 'Video unavailable'

James' YouTube page and videos are no longer accessible, with it redirecting to a page reading: 'Video unavailable.

'This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been closed.'

YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon confirmed to DailyMail.com that the platform had intentionally removed the account.

'Following the tragic event in New York City, our Trust and Safety team identified and terminated a YouTube channel associated with the suspect, in accordance with our creator responsibility guidelines,' he wrote in an email on Wednesday afternoon.

'Additionally, our systems are prominently surfacing videos from authoritative sources in search and recommendations, including by surfacing our Top News shelf above related search results.'

But until lunchtime Wednesday, the thug had been free to spew his bile across the channel.

He relentlessly uploaded clips about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact'.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

In a March 20 video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans.

He said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

James posted dozens of ranting videos on YouTube where he spoke about race wars, prison, violence and moving from Wisconsin

At the start of the video, he told of his plans to drive to Philadelphia. I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags.

'I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.'

He added: 'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

Two days before the shooting, James posted another video where he said black people were forced into violence by racism.

He continued: 'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be when you blow one of their f*****g brains out  this is what you asked for.

'This is how you wanted me to be, obviously.' He was drinking white rum and had finished the bottle.

The suspected shooter posted this image of a man holding a gun with blood stained on his shirt on April 3, nine days before the attack

James posted on Facebook about shootings and wanting to kill people. This post is from August 2020

At the end of his final video, he said: 'Why should a n****r be on this planet besides to pick tobacco or sugar plant.

'There is no natural reason for there to be such a thing as an American negro, African American, there is no reason for it. Except for you to be a slave.

'That is your rightful place, it always will be. Until you build a black state of Israel, which you don't want. You want to send your a** in the ghetto and play n****r.

'This is what this s**t in Ukraine is a build up to. It's to get rid of your a**. Nuclear devices are going to be dropped.

'The president of Ukraine is calling for nuclear war. And so, I talk about my condition but, what the f*** can you do?

'That's life in the ghetto. I've said everything in this video that I wanted to say. I'm going to finish this 100 proof. I'm going to finish this s**t.

'This has got me knocked the f*** out. I can barely talk. Leave the rest of that s**t for tomorrow. I'm going to take my a** to bed. I'll talk to you guys later, take it easy. Be good.'

In another video, he ranted: 'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death.

'There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'.

In August 2020, James posted this photograph of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the title 'And a child shall lead them'. Rittenhouse was acquitted of charges after a highly publicized trial. He had attended a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to defend the town from BLM protesters

James' final video, posted on Monday, shows him drinking white over proof rum and talking about race. He ranted about how black people in America were destined to be slaves and could not escape 'the ghetto' while showing clips from documentaries about gangs

The rambling posts are splattered with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people.

He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says.

'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

'I am now in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Comfort Inn Suites for the night. My next leg will be... I am taking my time. I am definitely going to get to Philly by Tuesday.

'My drop-off point for the van is Newark, even though my destination is Philadelphia.'

I am heading back into the danger zone, so to speak, it was triggering a lot of bad thoughts. I do have a severe case of PTSD after the s**t I've been through and again just thinking about how f****d up people are.

'There is no way no how an N word is perceived to be anyone's judge. I'm talking to the people that did damage and harm to me, tried to kill me and get me locked up. They're all black. We're all in the same boat. Especially now.

He said: 'They keep mentioning the potential of World War Three. We're already in World War Three.'

In other clips he fumed at Mayor Eric Adams about the escalating crime in the subway. YouTube has been approached for further comment.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook - but none were picked up by police.

James is currently on the run from cops and federal agents as they continue a multi-state manhunt for the suspected shooter.

He was last night named as a 'person of interest' in the gun attack before being upgraded to a 'suspect' this morning.

Officials offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, but 24 hours after the incident, he remains at large.

Who is the Brooklyn gunman, where were NYPD cops and why did the FBI let him slip through their fingers? The eight questions authorities must answer as NYC subway shooting suspect, 62, remains on the run

The lone gunman who blasted innocent New Yorkers in a subway carriage in Brooklyn yesterday triggered a tsunami of information online.

Conflicting reports emerged on social media about who the shooter was, where he was from and why he attacked a reasonably quiet part of the city.

Some even emerged claiming there was a second attack swiftly after in a different part of the city.

Despite the vortex of claims sparking fear across online platforms, the authorities have released few official updates on the case.

As the suspect still remains at large, DailyMailcom cuts through the noise and poses eight questions the public needs to know on the Brooklyn shooting.

Who is Frank James?

Frank James is the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting yesterday, having allegedly blasted ten people before his gun jammed.

The 62-year-old is believed to be most recently from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before he traveled to New York.

He has posted a series of ranting YouTube videos where he raged about race and hinted he would conduct an attack.

James was also had a criminal record in New Jersey - three arrests on charges related to petit larceny and disorderly conduct in 2007 and trespassing in 1992.

James in one of his many Facebook posts. He remains at large

But none of his criminal history is near the same level of the attack in brooklyn yesterday morning.

But part of it does include making 'terrorist threats', sources told NBC New York, but they were said to be emotionally disturbed rather than of any value.

James was originally named as a 'person of interest' to the FBI and police forces, but this was upgraded to suspect on Wednesday morning.

A multi-state manhunt for the alleged shooter remains ongoing as cops were ramped up in New York, Boston, Washington DC and Philadelphia.



How did he end up in New York?

Federal law enforcement sources leaked that James is believed to have driven to New York after living in Milwaukee - where he packed up on March 20.

He drove south, first through Illinois, then to Philadelphia where he picked up a U-Haul van he brought to New York City.

James confirmed elements of the trip in one of his YouTube rants, saying: 'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags.

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

'I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.'

He added: 'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

What weapons did the suspect bring with him?

The shooter in the Brooklyn attack had a gun, gas mask, smoke bombs and also reportedly had an ax in his deadly arsenal yesterday morning.

The thug donned the mask then deployed one of the smoke bombs before spraying three magazines from a handgun into the carriage as his victims tried to escape.

Despite his planned attack, his equipment appeared to let him down, with his gun said to have jammed halfway through the shooting.

This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting on Tuesday after the suspect fled

The bag was filled with Falcon Rising fireworks and Seismic Wave Crackers that can easily be purchased online

He also brought with him a bizarre combination of fireworks, firecrackers and an ax, which one witness said he dropped on the subway floor.

A picture of his bag from the scene showed the unused items, some of which can be bought easily online.

Why did the FBI clear the suspect and take no action over the hateful videos and psych unit admissions he shared?

The FBI faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar.

The Bureau is said to have previously known the man but released him following multiple interviews.

A source revealed the bombshell update to Newsweek last night, saying the suspect was entered into the Guardian Lead terrorism monitoring system in New Mexico.

The FBI (pictured in Brooklyn yesterday) faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar

It is the FBI's way of coordinating information from other law enforcement partners about potential terrorism-related threats and suspicious activity reports.

But for reasons that are yet to be made clear by the Bureau, he was cleared after multiple interviews in 2019.

The federal law enforcement source said that he is believed to have driven to New York from New Mexico.

Why didn't YouTube react to suspect's unhinged videos?

YouTube commonly deletes videos it deems inappropriate, with youngsters often seeing their posts removed if they feature copyrighted music in the background.

But the tech giant, which is owned by Google, again appears to have failed to react to the far more serious case of the Brooklyn suspected shooter.

James had posted a raft of unhinged videos on the social media website, ranting about race and how he would 'never be back again alive' just three weeks ago.

He relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips online about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact'.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans.

He said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

YouTube supposedly has strict rules on uploading harmful or dangerous content to the site.

It says it 'doesn't allow content that encourages dangerous or illegal activities that risk serious physical harm or death'.

It adds: 'Showing viewers how to perform activities meant to kill or maim others. For example, giving instructions to build a bomb meant to injure or kill others.'

But James' clips remained on the site. YouTube has been approached for further comment.

Were there not enough cops to catch him?

Ahead of the shooting yesterday, Eric Adams had been warned multiple times there were not enough cops on the subway.

Only last night, hours after ten people were shot in the most recent attack to rock the city, did he vow to double the numbers on the system.

The mayor pledged to ramp up the uniformed cops out and about as he spoke from Covid isolation.

But it appeared too little, too late, with the suspect able to blast a carriage full of passengers and make off without cops grabbing him.

Over a day later the attacker still remains at large despite hundreds more cops being deployed in the manhunt.

MANHATTAN: Subways across the country have remained on high alert this morning as hundreds of cops frantically hunt for the Brooklyn gunman

The Mayor (pictured yesterday) pledged to ramp up the number of uniformed cops out and about following the rush hour gun attack in Sunset Park this morning

There have been have been nearly 500 major crimes reported underground this year, 224 more than the year before

The issue has been raised repeatedly over the last few months and years, with Adams even admitting it was a problem last year as he ran for mayor.

He said the move to deploy 250 more cops on the system 'was not enough to tackle subway violence'.

Despite this, during his time in office crime has skyrocketed, with the underground network the epicenter.

Hammer attacks, feces smearing, fatal shovings and now a smoke bomb-mass shooting have become risks for every tourist and New Yorker down there.

Transit crime has spiked 46 percent - with 224 more incidents - since last year as the city reopened following the pandemic.

In March alone, the number of crimes in the subway jumped 55 percent, from the same period last year, NYPD figures show.

There were 180 crimes reported in March of this year compared to 118 crimes for 2021.

And January saw the biggest increase, nearly doubling the year before, with 198 crimes reported compared to 113 in the first month last year.

Why were the subway cameras not working?

Fears for the safety of New Yorkers using the subway was raised further when Adams admitted the cameras that would have captured the shooting were not working.

The Mayor said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the failing to capture any footage of the suspect across three subways.

The MTA said last fall it had installed security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an 'express track to justice'.

A 'malfunction' meant security cameras were not working at least three subway stations in New York City, thwarting police efforts to find footage of the gunman who managed to escape without trace after setting off smoke grenades and firing a barrage of bullets at trapped passengers. Pictured: People lay injured on the subway platform

Mayor Eric Adams said a 'malfunction' was the reason for the security cameras failing to capture any footage of the suspect, who remains at large, despite his promise to crack down on subway crime in the city

But they were not working at three stations where police went to look for evidence, Chief of Detectives James Essig admitted yesterday.

MTA system chief Janno Lieber said he did not know why the cameras malfunctioned.

But he insisted police had 'a lot of different options' from cameras elsewhere on the subway line to get a glimpse of the shooter.

The malfunction put police on the back foot from the start in capturing the suspect, who was still on the run.

Why were subway doors locked so passengers couldn't escape?

Horrific footage emerged yesterday showing desperate passengers trying to flee the gunman by breaking into other carriages.

One video captured them slamming against the locked subway doors as they were engulfed in smoke from the shooter's smoke grenades.

Others recorded themselves yanking on the handgrip several times - proving it was fastened shut - while the shooter loomed nearby.

The MTA has previously been warned about the dangers posed by keeping these locked, with some, but not all, kept shut.

This video, taken inside the next car along on the train, shows worried commuters walking away from the door as someone pounded on it , begging to be let in. They tried to open it but the door was locked

Councilman have pointed out it leaves victims at the mercy of maniacs when they board there carriage, with no viable escape route.

Councilwoman Letitia James warned in 2010 'riders need a place to run to safety, and right now there's no way to do that'.

But over a decade later nothing appears to have been done about that, with it still a crime to move between cars unless told to by the MTA or NYPD.

At the time of the shooting yesterday, passengers desperately trying to flee the hail of bullets raining down on them were stuck between locked doors and the gunman.

Witnesses told how it caused even more panic as people were forced to trample over each other as they tried to escape.
A man who lost six relatives including his mother, sister and three-year-old niece in the Grenfell fire received no help from police as he searched for them at 11 hospitals and was forced to wait week to find out if they had died, an inquiry has heard.

Hisam Choucair has recalled being 'taken from trauma to trauma' during a desperate search for his family on the day of the blaze on June 14, 2017.

He told the Grenfell Tower Inquiry that he waited 'weeks' for his family, including his youngest niece, Zainab, who was just three years old, to be formally identified as having perished in the fire.

On the day of the fire, Mr Choucair lost his mother, Sirria, his sister Nadia and her husband Bassem Choukair, along with their young children Mierna, Fatima and Zainab, who all lived on the 22nd floor.

Mr Choucair recalled his experience - from rushing to the tower at 3am with his wife, Kona, and their young children in a buggy, his brother, Nabil, and sister, Sawsan - to pulling back curtains at intensive care units in hospitals which could not confirm whether their relatives had been admitted.

Giving evidence calmly despite the trauma, Mr Choucair added that he felt stripped of his dignity after appealing to passers-by in the street with photographs of his missing relatives as a last resort.

Mr Choucair said he initially asked police officers for information at Grenfell Tower, but there were no officials from the council or Government around to help families 'in any way shape or form'.

Hisam Choucair (Pictured) has recalled being 'taken from trauma to trauma' during a desperate search for his family on the day of the blaze on June 14, 2017

On the day of the fire in 2017 (pictured), Mr Choucair lost his mother, Sirria, his sister Nadia and her husband Bassem Choukair, along with their young children Mierna, Fatima and Zainab, who all lived on the 22nd floor.

A view of the remains of Grenfell Tower, now covered in hoardings following a huge fire in June 2017 that resulted in the deaths of 72 people

He added that his eyes were stinging from the smoke, he could taste burning plastic in the air, and his children were crying.

Mr Choucair, who was born in the central London borough of Kensington and Chelsea and still lives there, said he tried calling a police helpline which had been set up on the day, but no one picked up.

'It was ringing and ringing and ringing', he told the inquiry.

'To get that response was shocking - it was the last thing we needed,'

Mr Choucair said he became angry after most of the hospitals could not tell him whether his family had been admitted due to data protection laws.

'I felt that the wait was unacceptable and what we were being put through was unacceptable,' he said.

'It was as if we were being taken from trauma to trauma. It was as if the inside of your gut was being ripped up.'

People stand and pay their respects in front of a Grenfell Tower memorial in west London in June 2020 - three years on from the tragedy

When asked when he found out that his relatives had died in the fire, Mr Choucair said: 'I can't pinpoint an exact time.

'I don't know if it was a couple of weeks later or a couple of months.

'I recall, I just burst into tears, because I felt like our hopes of finding our family were being reduced more and more.'

Mr Choucair also searched impromptu 'rescue centres' at venues in Kensington and spoke with Sky News in the hope that someone with information about his family would be watching.

When asked whether he felt like the responsibility of finding his family rested on his shoulders, Mr Choucair said: 'That's correct.

'It didn't help when we were hearing that other rescue centres and private hospitals were opening up.

Danny Friedman QC previously said 'incompetent' risk assessments of Grenfell Tower and the LFB's 'profoundly insecure' training, continuing education and preparation had also contributed to the disaster

'It made life more difficult for us.

'It caused stress on us, and it didn't feel as if we were in control of our situation.'

Mr Choucair worked at Transport for London (TfL) during the time of the 7/7 bombings in 2005, and when comparing the response to that incident with the Grenfell response, he said the latter was hampered by racism.

When asked what he hoped would be achieved by the inquiry, he said: 'To maybe look into the issue of racism - the lack of urgency because of people's ethnic background and culture, which I don't believe this inquiry has touched to the extent that it should.

'I don't think I could sum up what everyone had to go through on that day but it was the most painful experience in my life that won't go, no matter how much counselling or support I receive, myself and my family.'

He added that the capital also desperately needs a 'resilience centre' which would coordinate emergency responses to major incidents in future and ensure families do not endure the same ordeal as his own.
Furious Germans have accused Ukraine of a diplomatic snub by refusing to host their President, days after Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's largely ceremonial head of state, had hoped to travel to Ukraine on Wednesday with his Polish and Baltic counterparts.

But he said Tuesday that his presence 'apparently ... wasn't wanted in Kyiv.'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday criticised the snub of his country's president and defended Berlin's record on delivering weapons to Kyiv amid tensions that have flared at a delicate moment in German policymaking on the war.

Meanwhile, the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia travelled by train to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with pictures showing the five men meeting together in the capital on Wednesday evening.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured on Tuesday), Germany's largely ceremonial head of state, had hoped to travel to Ukraine on Wednesday with his Polish and Baltic counterparts. But he said Tuesday that his presence 'apparently ... wasn't wanted in Kyiv'

The German newspaper Bild quoted an unidentified Ukrainian diplomat as saying that Steinmeier was not welcome at the moment, pointing to his close relations with Russia in the past.

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany later said the government would be glad to welcome Scholz - who, unlike Steinmeier, sets government policy. But the snub to Steinmeier may make that more difficult.

'The president would have liked to go to Ukraine,' Scholz told rbb24 Inforadio, noting that Steinmeier is Germany's head of state and was recently reelected with broad support. 'So it would have been good to receive him.'

'It is, in any case, somewhat irritating, to put it politely,' Scholz added, noting that Steinmeier has strongly criticised Russia's war and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine.

The flap comes amid a discussion within Scholz's governing coalition about whether Germany should authorise sending heavy weapons such as tanks to Ukraine as that nation prepares to face a stepped-up Russian offensive in the east.

Germany broke with tradition after Russia's invasion to supply arms to Ukraine but has faced criticism from Kyiv for perceived hesitancy and slowness in providing material.

A Ukrainian presidential adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, told Germany's ARD television that he didn't know the reasons for the decision to reject a Steinmeier visit but also signaled that Kyiv would like to see Scholz so that 'practical decisions' could be made on matters such as weapons.

Arestovych said the fate of the strategic port city of Mariupol and the civilian population of eastern Ukraine 'depends on the German weapons we could get', but that have not been promised.

Time is of the essence because 'every minute that a tank doesn't arrive... it is our children who are dying, being raped, being killed', Arestovych said.

A senior lawmaker with one of Germany's three governing parties, Wolfgang Kubicki, said he didn't think Zelensky was 'well advised' to reject a visit by Steinmeier.

Presidents of Lithuanian Gitanas Nauseda (L), Polish Andrzej Duda (2-L), Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (C), Latvia Egils Levits (2-R) and Estonia Alar Karis (R) during his visit to Kiev, Ukraine 13 April 2022

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday criticised the snub of his country's president and defended Berlin's record on delivering weapons to Kyiv amid tensions that have flared at a delicate moment in German policymaking on the war

'I cannot imagine that the chancellor ... will travel to a country that designates our country's head of state as an unwanted person,' he told the German news agency dpa. Another governing party lawmaker, Juergen Trittin, told the RND newspaper group that the move was 'a big propaganda success for Vladimir Putin.'

Steinmeier, who became president in 2017, served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. During that time, Germany pursued a dialogue with Putin and cultivated close energy ties.

Last week, Steinmeier admitted mistakes in Germany's policies toward Russia, saying that 'we failed on many points.'

Asked when would go to Ukraine, Scholz said only that he had visited Kyiv shortly before the war and regularly speaks to Zelensky.

Scholz said 'the weapons we are delivering have made a very substantial contribution' to Ukraine foiling Russia's plans for a quick conquest.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during the British prime minister's visit to Kyiv on Saturday April 9, 2022

'He was tight-lipped on the possibilities of a bigger German contribution, but insisted that 'we are delivering, we have delivered and we will deliver.'

On Monday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Green party said 'Ukraine needs further military material, above all heavy weapons, and now is not the time for excuses - now is the time for creativity and pragmatism.'

The message appeared directed at more hesitant German politicians, particularly among Scholz's Social Democrats.

Scholz said 'we are delivering the weapons that all the others are also delivering.' He also said Germany won't make unilateral decisions and stressed the need to prevent NATO countries from becoming a party to the war.

Germany, which has Europe's biggest economy, also has faced criticism for opposing a quick halt to deliveries of natural gas from Russia, which accounts for about 40 percent of its gas supplies.

A picture later showed the presidents of the four NATO countries on Russia's doorstep posing with Zelensky in Kyiv.

The group planned to deliver 'a strong message of political support and military assistance,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also planned to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Nauseda said the leaders had visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities has been found.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint news briefing with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Latvian President Egils Levits and Estonian President Alar Karis, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, April 13

'This is where the dark side of humankind has shown its face,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Brutal war crimes committed by the Russian army will not stay unpunished.'

Polish President Andrzej Duda called the war in Ukraine 'terrorism', saying those who committed crimes must be brought to justice and that that must extend to those who gave the orders.

Duda told a news conference: 'This is not war, this is terrorism.' He had earlier visited the town of Bucha just outside Kyiv, where the discovery of slain civilians after Russian forces withdrew has provoked a global outcry.

Russia denies targeting civilians and has dismissed allegations its troops committed war crimes as fake news.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic on Wednesday reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital that was closed after Russian troops invaded the country.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats have returned to Kyiv and the Czech flag is flying again at the embassy.

It said Wednesday's move is 'one of the steps to show our support for Ukraine.'
Flying instructor Sotiris Papanikolas (right) said the story of his traumatic burglary was used as a cover story by his flight student, a man accused of murdering his wife

A Greek helicopter pilot who concocted an elaborate story that his wife had been killed in a botched burglary was copying details of an actual robbery that really had taken place at his flying instructor's home, MailOnline can reveal.

Babis Anagnostopoulos stole the story from Sotiris Papanikolas after he was burgled in July 2018 and shared details about it with him.

The two worked together at an Athens flying company, where Mr Papanikolas was Anagnostopouloss helicopter supervisor and also helped to train him.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Mr Papanikolas branded Anagnostopoulos a heartless disgrace for using his burglary incident to cover up his crimes.

He fumed: Babis is a heartless disgrace and should be ashamed of himself for stealing my story. I feel very hurt and offended by what he did because he used it to justify his crime.

He should be condemned for what he has done and rot in prison for life.

He added: When I heard Babis speaking about the burglary at his home, I immediately called the police because of the similarities with my story. I told them that he is using the same details as my burglary and that made me very suspicious.

Mr Papanikolas, 74 and his wife Irene were burgled at their costal mansion in Alepochori, just outside Athens.

Babis Anagnostopoulos' flying instructor, Sotiris Papanikolas (right) is pictured. Anagnostopoulos stole the story of Papanikolas' horrible 2018 burglary after he confided in him during their time flying together

Details that he shared with police and colleagues were remarkably similar to those revealed by Anagnostopoulos when he claimed that a gang of burglars stormed his home last May, killing his wife Caroline Crouch, 19 and her pet dog Roxy.

Anagnostopoulos is currently on trial for the two killings and two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Papanikolas said that as soon as he heard Anagnostopouloss account of the burglary he immediately called the police to alert them of his suspicions.

He said: When I heard Babis speaking about the burglary at his home, I immediately called the police because of the similarities with my story. I told them that he is using the same details as my burglary and that made me very suspicious.

The break in at Mr Papanikolass home saw him being tied up and beaten while his wife was also attacked and left for dead, along with their pet dog.

Caroline Crouch (pictured) was killed in Athens. In Babis Anagnostopoulos' (right) version of events, he was tied up by the criminals, a story he allegedly stole from his instructor

Mr Papanikolas claimed that the mask of the burglary gang leader had slipped off, exposing his face and that they spoke Albanian.

The robbers also made off with cash and jewellery after entering the property through a side window.

Anagnostopoulos provided an almost identical version of events. In addition to Caroline and Roxy being killed, he claimed that he saw the face of the leader of the burglars after his mask slipped off and that he was tied up and beaten; that cash and jewellery were stolen after thieves entered through a side window; and that the gang spoke Albanian.

Like Mr Papanikolas, he also alleged that he fainted during the attack.

A statement from Mr Papanikolas has been submitted to the court as part of the case against Anagnostopoulos.

Mr Papanikolas said: I have not been following his case because I have no interest in Babis and have not seen him since his arrest. But if I am called to the court, I will tell them what happened to me and the way he used this to lie to everybody.

After his arrest, Anagnostopoulos was asked by detectives if he knew of the burglary at Mr Papanikolass home but he denied all knowledge of this.

Mr Papanikolas accused Anagnostopoulos of lying, insisting that he was aware of the incident.

He added: The robbery against me and my wife was brutal, and my wife was hospitalised for many days because of how badly she was beaten up. At first, we did not even know if she would survive.

For this reason, there was a lot of talk about it at the company where I worked. I talked about this incident with many of my colleagues and of course, had a lot of discussions with Babis about it, with whom we all had a special relationship.

The photo shows Babis Anagnostopoulos trainer's home, where he was burgled in 2018 and his wife was left for dead. She was in hospital for nearly a month after the burglary while he was treated for serious head injuries.

Their dog (pictured) was also attacked, but he is back to full health. They thought about selling the house after the break in, but decided to stay. The perpetrators have never been caught

Recalling his time as Anagnostopouloss helicopter trainer and supervisor, he said: I liked Babis. He was a very good pilot and a shy, nice man.

'I never thought that he would do something like this. I didnt know his wife or his family because our relationship was a professional one.

Mr Papanikolass wife Irene was in hospital for nearly a month after the burglary while he was treated for serious head injuries. The perpetrators have never been caught by police.

He said: After the burglary, we thought about selling our house but have chosen to stay as we also have a place in Athens where we spend a lot of time. We have both made a good recovery, our dog is also back to full health, but the case of Babis has brought back some painful memories for us.

It still shocks me that he could have killed his wife and her dog in the way that he did and was so cold hearted that he used my story to maintain a lie for so long.

On the first full day of the trial at the Mixed Jury Court in Athens, when a number of witnesses gave evidence, Anagnostopoulos told the court when the charges were put to him: 'My love for my wife hasn't changed from the time I met her and will never change.

Betrayed, the flight instructor said: Babis is a heartless disgrace and should be ashamed of himself for stealing my story. I feel very hurt and offended by what he did because he used it to justify his crime'

I never had any intent to harm my wife. I loved her and will continue to do so.'

Police officer Christos Vardikos revealed during dramatic testimony how after entering the couple's home and making his way to an upstairs bedroom, he saw Caroline lying on a bed tied up while her baby Lydia was beside her, touching her body and staring silently.

The officer told the court that Anagnostopoulos was seated in a chair beside the bed with his hands tied in front of him and duct tape over his eyes and mouth.

He added: 'The woman also had her arms tied behind her back with a piece of clothing. I first untied her and took the baby from on top of her.

'As soon as the defendant was untied, the first thing he did was sit on the bed, poking the woman and asked: 'Honey, are you OK?'

'We told him that it's over, she is dead. We could tell she was dead because she was all white and fluids had come out from the lower part of her body. In a chair next to her, the defendant's legs and hands were tied at the front of his body. The baby was on its knees, its arms on its mother's body. The baby was calm and silent.'
A former physical therapist accused of killing his family in their Disney town home has sensationally blamed his wife for murdering his children during his trial and claims she did so with 'poisoned pudding pie.'

'I came home and my kids were dead,' Anthony Todt, 46, of Connecticut, told the jury Wednesday. 'It was the most horrible day of my life. What made it more horrible was that my wife died in front of me also.'

Wednesday's hearing was the first time he'd ever made that claim, having previously confessed to cops that he'd killed his family over fears of an impeding apocalypse.

The father-of-three claimed his late wife, Megan, 42, murdered their children with a poisoned 'pudding pie' because she believed they needed to 'pass over' ahead of the apocalypse, The Daily Beast reported. He claimed Megan, who had allegedly battled life-long chronic illnesses, believed by dying the family could be reincarnated into a better life.

After only two-and-a-half days of trial, both the defense and state rested their respective cases Wednesday. Closing arguments in Todt's trial will begin Thursday.

Todt is accused of killing Megan, as well as their sons 13-year-old Alek and 11-year-old Tyler, daughter Zoe, 4, and dog Breezy in late December 2019 because he thought the world was ending.

The victims were allegedly drugged with Benadryl, suffocated, stabbed and left to rot for two weeks inside their Celebration, Florida vacation home.

He has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of homicide. He was also charged with one count of animal cruelty for Breezy's death.

A physical therapist (pictured in court Wednesday) stabbed his two sons in their Disney town home after they were already dead, a court has heard

Todt allegedly killed his wife Megan, 42, as well as Alek, Tyler, their daughter Zoe (pictured together), and dog Breezy because he thought the world was ending

Todt's accusation against Megan comes just two days after the jury saw a video of three police interviews following the murders in which he confessed to killing his family.

However, on the stand Wednesday, the accused killer claimed he has no recollection of confessing to the crimes.

'I was covering for my wife. Obviously unsuccessfully. I had no clue how my kids died,' Todt said Wednesday. 'I didn't see this coming.'

He also said he had 'no idea' his wife would kill their family, alleging the morning over their deaths Megan had woken up 'pain free.'

Todt claimed he returned to the Celebration, Florida home later that day and found Megan holding a suicide note.

'My testimony today is the fact that Megan killed her kids and killed herself,' he explained. 'I said things that have been proven incorrect.'

'She had blood on her shirt and after that, after I said a few uncolored words to her, I went and discovered the kids. I went into the rooms and found them dead,' he told the jury, according to WESH. 'She said the kids were dead and Zoe is my little angel. That's the first one I went to.'

He claimed Megan then drank a family-sized bottle of Benadryl and stabbed herself in the stomach.

The accused murderer told the jurors he yelled for help out the window but no one came. He said he couldn't leave to seek help because he feared for his family, so instead he began looking for the cell phones that his wife allegedly hid from him.

'If I left her, I thought she was going to die. I thought in my decision making, the best chance was for her to tell me where the phones were,' Todt said.

The father also alleged that he tried to kill himself at least 10 times after his family's deaths. He admitted to various suicide attempts including by overdosing on Benadryl and hanging himself.

'I couldn't help my wife pass. I felt like a failure. I wasn't there the night my kids died. I felt like a failure. I decided I wanted to be with my family, that I wanted to die, that I deserved to die,' Todt said.

He said he 'chickened out' when he attempted to knife himself.

'I chickened out, yes,' Todt told his murder trial. 'I tried other means. I tried at least three episodes of Benadryl.'

The victims were allegedly drugged with Benadryl, suffocated, stabbed and left to rot for two weeks inside their Celebration, Florida vacation home (pictured)

Cops found the victims' decomposing bodies on January 13, 2020, when they went to arrest Todt on insurance fraud charges related to his physical therapy business. Pictured: The family

Cops found the the decomposing bodies of Megan and the kids on January 13, 2020, when they went to arrest Todt on insurance fraud charges related to his physical therapy business.

They were first alerted to the family's disappearance just after Christmas 2019 when relatives requested a wellness check at the house.

On Tuesday, jurors heard an interview Todt had with detectives at the time of his arrest in which he confessed to murder.

During the interview the disgraced father shared how he and Megan had initially planned to kill the entire family together.

'How are you doing?' a detective questioned Todt in the interview.

'Health wise? I'm sad I'm still here,' Todt replied

'Is there somewhere else you'd rather be?' the official asked.

Todt answered: 'With my family on the other side.'

In that same interview, Todt detailed how he and Megan plotted and attempted their children's murders.

'So my wife made a pudding pie, nothing happened,' Todt explained to officials at the time, adding that after the failed attempt the couple decided their family would bleed to death instead.

He said he suffocated Zoe first, then the boys. He then stabbed Alek and Tyler numerous times.

'The kids were dead before Christmas,' he told investigators, as heard in the recording.

He then added that Megan had tried stabbing herself to death and after repeatedly failing, asked him to suffocate her as well. Todt reportedly laid in bed next to her after she died.

Special Agent Phelps told the court Monday that Todt was mumbling as authorities searched the house, and told police he consumed the Benadryl in an attempt to die by suicide

When Todt was arrested in 2020 he reportedly told investigators he and Megan had made a murder-suicide pact ahead of what they believed was an impending apocalypse. The couple is pictured together

Todt testified Wednesday that Megan started practicing a Hinduism-based religion with an afterlife component after she started battling lyme disease and depression and had suffered miscarriages.

'Before she got sick we were blessed with two wonderful boys,' he said on the stand, according to the Orlando Sentinel. 'She went from a mom who provided for everything  to a person who could barely walk stairs on certain days.'

It is unclear exactly what religion they practiced but the couple allegedly started watching videos about the afterlife in April 2019.

Earlier this week, the court was played a 911 call of one of Todt's sisters saying he believed the world was ending in late December 2019 as she asked cops to check on the family.

Prosecutors on Monday alleged Todt carried out the crime ahead of what he and Megan believed was an impending apocalypse.

'Everybody needed to die in order to pass over to the other side together because the apocalypse was coming,' Assistant State Attorney Danielle Pinnell told the jurors.

Special Agent Michael Phelps told the court Monday that the family's bodies were found 'discolored, black and blue' when they reached the house.

The victims, who were found wrapped in blankets, were killed by 'unspecified violence' combined with overdoses of Benadryl, medics said.

Emily Seda, a forensics supervisor at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, testified on Monday a cherry-flavored liquid Benadryl bottle was found in a trash can.

She said the bottle had Todt's fingerprints on it. Boxes and and bottles of Benadryl were also found in the house, prosecutors said.

Special Agent Phelps told the court Todt was mumbling as authorities searched the house, noting how an arrest affidavit said during the search 'Anthony could barely stand and appeared to be shaking'.

Todt is pictured with his three children in an undated photo

On Tuesday, ex-associate medical examiner Jennifer Nara took the stand, confirming that although Todt knifed Alek and Tyler in their abdomens, the pair died before they were stabbed. According to the Orlando Sentinel, she told jurors neither of the blows had hit vital organs.

But the court heard the two stab injuries inflicted on Megan were at least eight inches deep in the abdominal cavity and caused hemorrhaging.

She said: 'To me, that indicates that she sustained those injuries antemortem  when she was alive.'

Asked if they were self-inflicted, she said: 'Based on the autopsy, I was not able to determine whether she inflicted it herself or whether it was inflicted on her.'

The Orange-Osceola County Medical Examiner's Office previously concluded all four were victims were killed by 'unspecified violence' combined with overdoses of Benadryl.
German authorities said they will continue their investigation into the Madeleine McCann case involving prime suspect Christian Brueckner, despite Scotland Yard winding down their side of the investigation

German authorities have insisted they will continue their case against prime Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, despite Scotland Yard winding down their operation.

Convicted rapist and paedophile Brueckner, 44, was named as the man responsible for her 'abduction and murder' two years ago after German authorities revealed they had 'concrete evidence' she was dead.

However, since the bombshell announcement in June 2020 there has been no major developments and he has yet to be charged raising suspicions among Scotland Yard detectives there is no real proof against him.

Last month it was announced Operation Grange, the British taxpayer-funded probe launched four years after Madeleines May 2007 disappearance from her familys holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on Portugal's Algarve coast would be shut down when Home Office funding ends in the autumn.

Despite the Met ending its investigation, the Portuguese authorities have vowed to continue their probe and sources in the country say abandoning their ongoing case review was 'completely out of the question'.

And German authorities have insisted they are still pursuing their investigations against Brueckner as prime suspect even though they admit they have no idea when he will be charged.

MailOnline can reveal that earlier this year the German BKA, the equivalent of the FBI, revisited every major witness who has given evidence against Brueckner as they ramped up their probe.

Meanwhile speaking exclusively to MailOnline Hans Christian Wolters, a prosecutor in the German McCann investigation, insisted that Scotland Yard's decision would have no bearing on their work.

He said: 'Our investigations are independent of the British ones.

'We have no time limit. Therefore, we have the time to investigate as long as we have investigative approaches.

The German BKA has revisited every major witness, but Scotland Yard does not appear convinced they have enough evidence to prosecute Brueckner

German Investigators are pictured searching an allotment that belonged to Brueckner

'At this moment I cannot say when the investigations will be completed but we are confident they will, and he is still seen as a prime suspect in the case.'

Besides the McCann investigation, Brueckner is also being probed over the 2004 rape of Irish tour rep Hazel Behan, who has waived her anonymity, and a sex assault on a ten-year-old girl at Praia da Luz just a month before then three-year-old Madeleine vanished.

Scotland Yard is said to be frustrated at the lack of progress in the German investigation against Brueckner, who is currently in prison serving a seven-year jail term for raping a 73-year-old woman in Praia da Luz.

His lawyer Friedrich Fulscher has always maintained his client's innocence but a source close to him said:' While Brueckner may be a man you would choose not to mix with socially he is not responsible for the abduction of Madeline McCann.

Brueckner is currently in prison serving a seven-year jail term for raping a 73-year-old woman in Praia da Luz. He is also being probed over two more rapes, including that of a three-year old

In 2021, Brueckner told German media that it was a 'public scandal' that the case against him was continuing

'The German authorities and media have maintained a campaign against him which is purely hearsay and after two years almost he still hasn't been charged.

'The German authorities say they have concrete evidence, but nothing has been revealed and for the sake of Madeleine's parents and Brueckner this should be revealed, if it exists at all and a decision made.'

While last year in his only public comments Brueckner told German media that it was a 'public scandal' that the case against him was continuing when there was clearly nothing on him.

Scotland Yard was given 350,000 last year to continue with Operation Grange and since it started more than 12.5 million on funding has been provided by the Home Office.

While earlier this week it was suggested Portuguese authorities were in a race against time as there was a 15 year statute of limitations to charge him but they have dismissed this and they too will carry on with their probe.

Madeleines parents, Kate and Gerry McCann from Rothley, Leicestershire, are aware of the investigations looming closure and are said to be considering continuing their hunt for their daughter through private funding.
A 33-year-old mother in Greece was pictured smiling at her disabled daughter in the last photo taken of the pair before 'giving her a fatal dose of Ketamine'.

Roula Pispirigou was charged with killing her nine-year-old daughter Georgina after a test of her muscle tissue revealed the presence of the anesthetic drug, which had not been administered by doctors.

Georgina - who suffered from seizures in April 2021 that left her tetraplegic - died in January after spending eight months in hospital and nurses later confirmed that Pispirigou was alone with her daughter in the moments leading up to her death.

Pispirigou, flanked by riot police and wearing handcuffs and a protective vest, appeared in court in Athens last week for her arraignment in front of a crowd of onlookers and journalists.

She was charged with killing her daughter and has been jailed in high-security Korydallos prison in Athens until her trial date, which is yet to be agreed. She has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, tissue samples retained from Pispirigou's two other children are now being re-examined as part of a review into their deaths: Three-year-old Malena from liver failure in 2019 and six-month-old Iris in 2021 from a suspected heart defect.

Forensic Pathologist and President of the Forensics Union in Greece, Grigoris Leon, told local news station, Syndeseis, that the exhumation of her other children confirmed 'criminal acts were the cause of death'.

Roula Pispirigou, 33, of Greece, was pictured smiling at her disabled daughter in the last photo taken of the pair before 'giving her a fatal dose of Ketamine'

Pispirigou was charged with killing her nine-year-old daughter Georgina after a test of her muscle tissue revealed the presence of the anesthetic drug, which had not been administered by doctors

Georgina (right) - who suffered from seizures in April 2021 that left her tetraplegic - died in January after spending eight months in hospital and nurses later confirmed that Pispirigou (left) was alone with her daughter in the moments leading up to her death

Tissue samples retained from Pispirigou's two other children are now being re-examined as part of a review into their deaths: Three-year-old Malena (left) from liver failure in 2019 and six-month-old Iris (right) in 2021 from a suspected heart defect

He said: 'There is absolutely no doubt that it is a criminal act. 'We had two initial reports (when the children died) that show the pathological cause of death. The first shows liver deficiency and the second heart malformation in the aorta as well as pulmonary embolism', reports the Greek City Times.

'As you can understand, pathological causes do not go along with findings pointing towards criminal acts which is why reevaluations are being made by my colleagues.

'Essentially, here the old causes of death will have to be overturned and this is the only way we can be led to the truth and be able to find justice. Until the cause of death officially changes on the report we obviously cant continue the conversation.'

A computer tablet that was buried with Georgina was retrieved on Saturday morning, following an order by the magistrate investigating the case because it could provide further evidence.

The 33-year-old was charged with killing her daughter and has been jailed in high-security Korydallos prison in Athens until her trial date, which is yet to be agreed. She has denied any wrongdoing

Pictured: Georgina, one of Roula Pispirigou's children who died in suspicious circumstance

The tablet was buried with the schoolgirl as Pispirigou claimed 'it was her favourite item' but it has since been recovered after Georgina's father, Manos Daskalakis, told magistrates he supports the case against his estranged wife.

Pispirigou's mother, speaking to local outlet STAR, said she did not believe her daughter capable of killing the three children.

She described a close mother-daughter relationship and said Pispirigou was extremely upset about Georgina's illness and death.

Court documents, local outlets reported, said that the autopsy had revealed Georgina died from a lethal dose of ketamine less than 20 minutes after it was administered.

The documents reportedly claimed medical staff had last visited the nine-year-old around an hour before she died.
The Russian military on Wednesday threatened to strike Ukraine's command centres in the capital Kyiv if Ukrainian troops continue to attack Russian territory.

'We are seeing Ukrainian troops' attempts to carry out sabotage and strike Russian territory,' the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. 'If such cases continue, the Russian armed forces will strike decision-making centres, including in Kyiv.'

The threat against Ukraine's high command - including president Volodymyr Zelensky - came after Russian regional authorities claimed gunfire was heard on Wednesday near a Russian village in a western region which borders Ukraine.

It was not immediately clear what happened as authorities in the Kursk region gave contradictory accounts, and deleted an earlier statement which said a border checkpoint had come under fire.

'An hour ago, gunfire was heard in the adjacent territory near the village of Gordeevka,' Korenevsky district said in a fresh statement on their Telegram channel. 'There were no casualties or damage on our side.'

Russia's threat also came as the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia travelled by train to Kyiv to meet Zelensky, with pictures showing the five men meeting together in the capital.

The Russian military on Wednesday threatened to strike Ukraine 's command centres in the capital Kyiv if Ukrainian troops continue to attack Russian territory. Pictured: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives for a meeting in Kyiv on April 9, 2022

Authorities in four Russian regions bordering Ukraine and in Russian-controlled Crimea announced they were stepping up security measures on Monday over what they said were 'possible provocations' from the Ukrainian side.

Moscow, which sent thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24 in what it calls a 'special military operation', has accused Ukraine of targeting its border regions, including by striking a fuel depot in the city of Belgorod earlier this month.

Kyiv has either denied or remained vague about whether it has launched attacks against Russian territory.

Western nations have repeatedly warned of false-flag events carried out by Russian forces to justify its own military actions in Ukrainian.

The authorities in the Belgorod, Voronezh and Bryansk regions announced on Monday they were boosting security and urged citizens to be more vigilant.

Another region bordering Ukraine, Kursk, was the first to announce similar measures on Sunday.

'During the special operation by Russian forces on the territory of Ukraine, the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, issues pertaining to anti-terrorist security have become more pressing due to possible provocations from Ukrainian nationalists,' said Alexander Gusev, the governor of the Voronezh region, which shares a border with Ukraine's Luhansk region.

Pictured: Flames and smoke rise from a Rosneft oil facility in Belgorod, Russia. Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking the facility earlier this month - something Kyiv denied

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, said it would implement additional security measures until April 25 to counter what he called terrorist threats. The region borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions.

Gladkov said the population should steer clear of crowded public places, carry identity documents on them, have an evacuation plan and pay special attention to strangers and unusual vehicles near residential buildings.

The Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions, said it was also on alert for terrorist threats.

On April 1, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking an oil facility in Belgorod, a Russian city that is just across the border from Ukraine. Video from the facility showed flames and smoke rising into the air.

Ukraine denied the attack, despite video purporting to show Ukrainian helicopters flying at low altitude away from the facility in the early hours of the morning.

On Sunday, the governor of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, said police and military officers would set up checkpoints, less than a week after border guards allegedly came under fire in the region.

Earlier this month Russian troops pulled back from areas north of Kyiv and are now refocusing their efforts on capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian defence ministry confirmed that its troops had now full control of the port in the besieged city of Mariupol.

The ministry added that Ukrainian troops and members of the Azov battalion had been encircled and 'deprived of the opportunity to escape'.

Members of the Azov battalion have been fiercely fighting Russians in Mariupol, located in the country's southeast between Russia-occupied Crimea and pro-Russian separatist regions in Ukraine's east.

Russia's threat came as the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia travelled by train to Kyiv to meet Zelensky.

The Russian military on Wednesday threatened to strike Ukraine 's command centres in the capital Kyiv if Ukrainian troops continue to attack Russian territory. Russia's threat came as the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia travelled by train to Kyiv to meet Zelensky

People pass by a Russian soldier in central Mariupol on April 12, 2022

The presidents of the four NATO countries on Russia's doorstep planned to deliver 'a strong message of political support and military assistance,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said.

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also planned to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Nauseda said the leaders had visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities has been found.

'This is where the dark side of humankind has shown its face,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Brutal war crimes committed by the Russian army will not stay unpunished.'

Polish President Andrzej Duda called the war in Ukraine 'terrorism', saying those who committed crimes must be brought to justice and that that must extend to those who gave the orders.

Duda told a news conference: 'This is not war, this is terrorism.' He had earlier visited the town of Bucha just outside Kyiv, where the discovery of slain civilians after Russian forces withdrew has provoked a global outcry.

Russia denies targeting civilians and has dismissed allegations its troops committed war crimes as fake news.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic on Wednesday reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital that was closed after Russian troops invaded the country.

The Foreign Ministry said the diplomats have returned to Kyiv and the Czech flag is flying again at the embassy.

It said Wednesday's move is 'one of the steps to show our support for Ukraine.'
A 16-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a London street - as police launch a manhunt for the attacker after being called to a 'fight' in Lewisham.

Police were called to a venue in Angus Street, south east London, at around 4.06pm on Wednesday following reports of an ongoing fight.

Officers attended the scene with London Ambulance Service paramedics and an air ambulance, where the teenager was found with 'stab injuries'.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: 'His family are aware. At this very early stage there have been no arrests.

'A crime scene is in place and urgent enquiries are ongoing.'

Forensic officers inside the cordon in Angus Street, Lewisham, following the fatal stabbing on Wednesday

Police officers around a cordon erected at Fordham Park in New Cross, south-east London, near the scene in Angus Street

A forensic officer pictured inside the cordon. Police are currently appealing for witnesses following the stabbing today

A large cordon has been erected around Fordham Park, while police have also been granted additional stop and search powers for the entire borough of Lewisham

Following the stabbing, Section 60 Order granting police additional stop and search powers has been authorised for the entirety of the borough of Lewisham.

Police are also urging witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch using the reference CAD 4776/13Apr.

It comes after a record number of teenagers suffered violent deaths in London last year, with 30 homicides recorded by the Metropolitan Police, passing a previous peak of 29 in 2008.

The Met says it is the fourth teenage homicide to take place in London so far this year.




By Lee Kyung-min







The global aviation industry should strengthen in-flight and airport infection containment efforts, as a top priority amid signs of recovery for the industry hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to industry experts, Wednesday.







The recommendation was made during the 2022 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Legal Seminar at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.







The three-day event that began Tuesday was jointly organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and ICAO, a United Nations organization that oversees global aviation policy in 193 member countries.







Representing the ICAO at the event were Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, Legal Affairs Director Michael Gill and Legal Committee Chairperson Siew Huay Tan.







The global aviation experts discussed the desired future course of laws governing international aviation, as well as aviation safety and security, to better respond to post-pandemic travel demands.







This year marks the 70th anniversary of Korea's ICAO membership, according to the ministry, a memorable milestone for the country that joined the international organization in 1952 during the Korean War.







"Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world, but it has since grown to rank fifth in air transport volume as of 2020, contributing greatly to the development of international aviation," the ministry said in a statement.







The international event helped revitalize the global aviation industry, encompassing businesses that have all but ground to a halt, due in large part to gathering bans and transport restrictions during the pandemic, the ministry's aviation policy chief Kim Yong-seok said.







"The remarkably rapid development of the Korean aviation industry would not have materialized without the support of aviation laws and aviation technologies, which we were happy to share with global experts," Kim said. "Korea will continue striving to make meaningful contributions to the global aviation industry."






Even Americans in Kamala Harris' home state of California aren't happy with the job she is doing as vice president with nearly half disapproving of her time in office.

Only 35 percent of California voters approve of Harris' performance while 45 percent disapprove, according to a UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll.

The numbers this month are an even further dip from the figures in February that showed the vice president at 38 percent approval and 46 percent disapproval.

Those with no opinion on the matter increased 5 percent in two months  from 15 percent in February to 21 percent in April.

President Joe Biden's slightly uptick from February to April has not transferred over to his No. 2.

The April poll, taken among 8,676 Californians between March 29-April 5, shows that 50 percent of registered voters in the state approve of the job Biden is doing as president, while 46 percent disapprove.

This was slightly better than the figures in February, which showed Biden at an approval to disapproval rating of 47 percent - 48 percent.

Despite the rise, enthusiasm for Biden in one of the most liberal states has declined sharply from last year when more than 6 in 10 voters gave him a positive approval rating  specifically among those groups with declining favorability with the president are younger voters 18-39 and Asian Americans and Latinos.

Vice President Kamala Harris' low favorability even extends to her home state of California, where only 35% of registered voters approve of the job she is doing in Washington

Harris' continues to be viewed more negatively than positively as her office faces a slew of crises, including a seemingly ever-overturning communications shop and rumors of turmoil between her team and the president's.

The vice president also faces frequent public criticism for her speeches and media interactions, like gaffes, awkward working and inappropriately timed laughter.

For instance, in a speech about bringing high speed internet to rural communities last month, Harris said the phrase 'significance of the passage of time' four times in the matter of less than 30 seconds.

And now, Harris' low and depleting approval among her own home states shows just how unpopular she is at the executive.

Before being named Biden's running mate on the 2020 presidential ticket, Harris ran a quite unsuccessful Democratic primary campaign where she failed to gain even one digit in several pre-primary polls.

Harris served as a senator for California for four years before leaving to become the first female and minority vice president. Her approval in her home state is still 15% lower than President Joe Biden's

From 2004-2011, Harris served as district attorney of San Francisco before becoming attorney general of the Golden State, which she served as until 2017.

In January 2017, Harris was sworn in as the junior Democratic senator for California.

She did not even complete her first term as senator before she was nabbed by Biden to run on his presidential ticket.

Harris was sworn in as the first ever female and minority vice president in the U.S. on what would have been the start to her fifth year as a senator.
The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of the alleged British jihadist accused of being one of the notorious ISIS 'Beatles.'

El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, is accused of multiple counts of conspiracy, terrorism, hostage-taking and causing the death of four American hostages; James Foley, Steve Sotloff, Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.

Judge TS Ellis III dismissed the five alternates and sent the remaining jurors out to deliberate shortly after 3pm Wednesday after lengthy jury instructions.

Earlier the court had heard closing statements from both prosecution and defense.

According to the government, as a member of the ISIS 'Beatles' Elsheikh was 'the lifeblood' of a 'horrifying and inhumane hostage-taking scheme' that saw 26 taken and led to the deaths of the four Americans as well as three British hostages and two Japanese.

This was the message that First Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District Raj Parekh delivered to jurors in his closing argument Wednesday morning.

Two faces of a 'killer': El Shafee Elsheikh in 2018 and again in his booking photo taken in 2020

Elsheikh, 33 (pictured in a court room sketch on April 1) and the other three 'ISIS Beatles'  so-called because they were all from the UK  are said to have captured 26 hostages between 2012 and 2015 in Syria

Standing to address the court shortly after 9:00am, he spoke for just over an hour, methodically presenting a powerful case and, he told them, a 'mosaic' of evidence that when put together creates an undeniable picture of guilt.

Elsheikh, 33, is charged on eight counts including conspiracy to take hostages, conspiracy to murder US Nationals, conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization (hostage taking and murder) and conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

The majority of this is, he argued, 'straightforward and clean cut' with Elsheikh condemned in part by his own 'brazen words.'

Across their case which lasted just over two weeks and saw 35 witnesses called, the government sought to use Elsheikh's own boastful words against him, playing sections of media interviews given in 2019 in which he admitted to being involved in the American and British hostages' fates.

According to Parekh, Elsheikh recounted, 'in granular detail' information that only a member of the Beatles group would have known.

He reminded the court of the words of the witnesses who described the Beatles' garb then pointed to a picture of Elsheikh dressed in just such a fashion. Elsheikh and his cohorts were nicknamed after the superstar band because they were all British.

The picture was sent by Elsheikh to his brother in which he described himself as being 'Rambo style' and it was the image identified by self-confessed convicted terrorist Omer Kuzu, who told the court that he met Elsheikh when he was using a nom du guerre and fighting for ISIS between 2014 and 2017.

Carl Mueller (far left) and Marsha Mueller (far right), the parents of slain American Kayla Mueller, are seen departing court with Art Sotloff (center), the father of US-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff who was killed by Islamic State militants

Ed and Paula Kassig, parents of Peter Kassig, who was slain by Islamic State militants, leave the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday April 13

Parekh played clips of the interviews given by Elsheikh  interviews that the defense had sought to keep out of evidence.

In opening arguments, the defense that acknowledged Elsheikh was an Islamic State jihadist but insisted he was not one of the 'Beatles' and it was a case of 'mistaken identity.'

Parekh flipped between Elsheikh's words and the testimony of the 12 ex-hostages who had testified in court.

The court heard Elsheikh boast: 'I know how to inflict pain to a certain levelI know how to cause real damageI've hit all the prisoners.'

Then they were reminded of the testimony of witnesses who recalled being waterboarded, beaten with electric cables, kicked, given dead legs, placed in stress positions, enduring mock executions, and being psychologically and physically tortured close to breaking point.

Parekh picked up particular words and phrases that Elsheikh used and pointed to how they mirrored the language of ransom emails sent to hostage families.

The language was the same, he told the court, because Elsheikh was there  he wrote them. 'The words roll off the tip of his tongue,' he said.

Pictures of the hostages who were beheaded were displayed in a collage as Parekh told the court: 'We have proved beyond any reasonable doubt that El Shafee Elsheikh is one of the Beatles.'

And as of the Beatles, the told them, his guilt on all other counts must follow.

Television reporters were seen setting up cameras outside of the courtroom as jury deliberations began

The exterior of Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse during where the trial of ISIS 'Beatle' El Shafee Elsheikh is going on

One female juror vigorously nodded her head as Parekh spoke.

He concluded by turning to the victims: 'They were humanitarians and journalists who came to promote peace and enlightenment in a war-torn country and to alleviate suffering among those most in need.

'The defendant responded with systematic, premeditated and relentless abuse and torture.

'His crimes left a legacy of brutal killings and shattered families, and we respectfully request you return a verdict of guilty for each and every count.'

Attorney Nina Ginsberg took the podium next to deliver a halting closing argument for the defense.

Where Parekh had insisted again and again that Elsheikh was a Beatle, Ginsberg was left to circle the fact that none of the former hostages had been able to identify him.

They had all testified that he was masked at all times and they were too terrified to dare look for fear of incurring punishment or worse.

The only person who had positively identified him was, she said, Omer Kuzu whom she characterized as a man trying to 'please' the government in a bid to see a 20-year sentence in federal prison reduced.

As to those apparently damning confessions made by Elsheikh himself in numerous media interviews, Ginsberg cast them as a desperate man's bid to save himself from a fate worse than trial in the USA or Britain.

Victims: Left: US freelance journalist Steven Sotloff. Right: US aide worker Kayla Mueller, 26. Both were killed in Syria by ISIS

Victims: Slain American James Foley covering the civil war in Aleppo, Syria in 2012 and US aid worker Peter Kassig - otherwise known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig - in Syria

At the time he made those admissions he had, she told the court, been held in a Syrian prison for more than a year and knew that ISIS members were being sent to Iraq for summary trials and swift executions.

If he confessed to involvement in Western hostage taking, he could hope for a fair trial in either Britain or America.

Ginsberg walked a dangerous line as she appeared to try to elicit sympathy for Elsheikh, whom she did not attempt to exonerate from membership of ISIS.

She pointed to his physically and mentally diminished condition after a lengthy period in custody and drew disgusted intakes of breath from hostage family members who sat in court when she said, '[He made his admissions] only after he'd been held for a year and a half which was longer than some of the hostages were held that he had implicated himself in.'

She went on to draw an objection from the prosecution when she sought to present Elsheikh as simply a man who had stood by his friends even when they had committed acts of which he did not necessarily approve and in which he was not necessarily involved.

The 'friends' of which she spoke were Mohammed Emwazi 'Jihadi John' and Alexe Kotey  two of the so-called Beatles.

Addressing the jury Ginsberg suggested: 'The government would have you believe that because these men were friends, Mr. Elsheik must have participated in their worst behavior.'

Elsheikh is pictured, right, with ISIS Beatle Alexander Kotey, left, who struck a plea bargain last year in return for life behind bars

The fourth suspected 'Beatle', Aine Davis, is pictured in 2014. He is currently serving a prison sentence at a Turkish jail

When she said that she was sure that all the jurors must personally know friends or family whom they continue to love despite bad, even criminal behavior, prosecutor Dennis Fitzpatrick stood to object.

Trying again Ginsberg said: 'It would be reasonable to assume that there are people who have behaved badly, even hurt people but that those individuals [who are friends] do not abandon or stop loving those people.

'Mr. Elsheikh's relationship with Kotey and Emwazi is just that.'

Someone in the gallery muttered: 'How dare she?'

Stumbling towards a close, Ginsberg admitted that the jury might find guilt on Elsheikh's role in ISIS.

Halting for an inordinate period of time, more than one hour in, Judge Ellis was forced to ask: 'Anything further? There was a very long pause.'

Ginsberg soldiered on, wrapping up her closing argument by asserting that while jurors may disapprove of his involvement in ISIS, the government had not proved that her client was a Beatle nor that he was involved in any of the hostage taking or deaths with which he has been charged.
The union representing Southwest Airlines pilots warned that fatigue in the cockpit is currently the company's 'number-one safety threat' as a record number of their pilots reported exhaustion and were forced to work on their days off this year.

In a letter addressed to Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, President Mike Van de Ven and other top executives on Tuesday, the Southwest Airline Pilots Association (SWAPA) told the company that 'immediate action to address Southwest's scheduling failures is imperative.'

They said there has been a sharp increase in pilots foregoing flying due to fatigue, along with a rising number of reports to a voluntary safety reporting program showing 'errors that can be directly correlated to fatigue.'

'SWAPA Pilots are the most productive Pilots in the world and they go above and beyond to provide each of our guests a safe and efficient experience,' the union said.

'Continued and deliberate deficiencies in the management of our network and Pilot scheduling have destroyed our efficiency, and now even safety is becoming untenable.'

For months, the union and the airline have been locked in fierce contract negotiations - and in their terse letter, the union said that little has been done to address their concerns about poor scheduling that leaves little room for error caused by bad weather and other disruptions.

In a letter addressed to Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, President Mike Van de Ven and other top executives on Tuesday, the Southwest Airline Pilots Association told the company that fatigue among pilots is the airline's 'number one safety threat'

Southwest brushed off last month's increase, however, with a spokeswoman telling the Journal that 'the March increase in Pilot fatigue calls is a result of a system working as designed, allowing Crew to determine if they are too fatigued to fly.'

Southwest also told the Wall Street Journal that they will not allow a pilot to fly without a mandated minimum of 10 hours rest between flights.

'If there are instances where pilots were unable to obtain eight hours of sleep within that 10-hour window, we will review those circumstances and response,' the spokeswoman said.

There was a period in 2019 when just 10 pilots called out due to fatigue over 10,000 shifts, and that the number rose to 35 pilots per 10,000 shifts. They said that a rise in fatigue calls during irregular operations, as they said they experienced in March due to fluctuating weather conditions, is typical.

The union also complained that between April 1 and April 3 this year, more than half of Southwest's pilots deviated from their originally-assigned schedule.

'CEO Bob Jordan and President Mike Van de Ven have both gone on record saying that our pilots should be able to fly what they signed up for, yet reassignment rates have remained at record highs for months on end,' the union wrote.

On April 2, 520 flights were canceled by Southwest, according to CNBC, and there were 1,512 delayed flights due to bad weather in Florida. Across airlines, some 12,000 flights were cancelled or delayed over the weekend, according to the New York Post.

In a statement, Southwest acknowledged that 'with widespread cancellations in the midst of a busy travel season, hotel rooms were unavailable in a few cities, and late day Crew timeouts in those cities meant that some Crew Members were left without rooms.'

Late last year, reassignment rates were at 85 percent, according to the union - now, they range between 30 and 50 percent.

Pilots worked a whopping 18,587 days that they were supposed to have off after the airline 'forced them to work on a day when they weren't previously scheduled,' according to the union.

In comparison, Southwest's pilots collectively worked just 1,464 days they were scheduled to have off, 4,251 in 2019 and 3,663 in 2018, SWAPA reported.

Within the last 12 months, they claimed, their pilots have collectively been rescheduled more than 844,000 times - more than 150,000 more times than in 2019.

U.S. airline carriers have struggled returning to normal schedules after the industry came to a near-standstill during the pandemic, citing staffing constraints.

Pilots have been in short supply after thousands left the industry during the pandemic. Airline training resources, like flight simulators and instructors, have been set back and competition to hire new pilots has been fierce.

Pilots at Delta Air Lines, Alaska Air Group and American Airlines have voiced similar concerns about burnout, according to the Wall Street Journal, although they have been less explicit about potential safety concerns.

The union wrote that the sharp rise in pilot fatigue at Southwest began as the airline ramped up its flight schedule last summer amid the coronavirus pandemic and started to 'normalize drift.'

As the company began to revert to its pre-pandemic level of activity, cases of fatigue reported to Southwest Airlines' Fatigue Advisory Group increased by 200 percent. In August and September, fatigue complaints rose to 350 percent, and the had an over 600 percent increase in October, the union said.

The union also said that there was a 330 percent increase in pilots requesting to take time off in March due to fatigue compared to that same month in 2017 and 2019. This April, they wrote, is already surpassing fatigue records.

For months, the union and the airline have been locked in fierce contract negotiations - and in their terse letter, the union said that little has been done to address their concerns about poor scheduling

'The root cause is not the sheer number of flights, however, but instead the mismanagement of connecting crews to airplanes,' SWAPA stated. 'The constant failure leads to delays, resulting in more reassignments... and the cycle spins beyond the control of our out-of-date scheduling systems.'

'Crew Scheduling's whipsaw methods during normal operations day-in and day-out have driven our pilots to their limit.'

In their letter, the union referenced the 'Midway Meltdown' of 2014 - when understaffing and heavy snow piling around jetways led to a slurry of planes grounded on the tarmac for up to four hours at Chicago's Midway Airport.

'We're now experiencing a MDW Meltdown-type event almost monthly,' the union said in its scathing letter. 'What is accepted by our leadership as normal today would never have been acceptable five, 10 or 50 years ago.'
Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, 38, who along with fellow BLM leaders allegedly used $6million in donations to buy a 6,500-square-foot mansion, said she feels triggered when she hears about federal charity transparency laws.

Cullors was being interviewed by activist Nikkita Oliver, 36, at at an event at the Vashon Performing Arts Center, in Vashon, Washington, to discuss her new book An Abolitionist's Handbook.

'It is such a trip now to hear the term 990. I'm, like, ugh. It's, like, triggering,' she said at an event at the on Friday.

Cullors was responding to a question about accountability that mentioned IRS Tax Form 990, which charities are required to file annually so the public can view what they do with their donated finances.

'I actually did not know what 990s were before all of this happened,' Cullors said, 'The accountant handled that.'

New York Magazine used BLM's 990s to expose the organization's 2020 mansion purchase in a report published earlier this month.

Her comments come as the foundation continues to face federal scrutiny for the alleged misuse of donated funds - and comes on the heels of widespread criticism for Cullors, who resigned last May in the wake of revelations she had spent millions on a slew of lavish homes.

Documents and internal communications reportedly reveal the luxury property was handled in ways that 'blur boundaries' between charitable use and those that would benefit some of the organization's leaders, Cullors among them.

Cullors shared video in June of her enjoying a ritzy brunch outside the estate with fellow officials, co-founder Alicia Garza and LA faction founder Melina Abdullah, who have both since left the organization.

BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors came under fire last year for a slew of high-profile property purchases. She resigned after facing backlash from critics and supporters

Speaking at the Vashon Center for Arts, Cullors called federal non-profit transparency laws 'triggering,' 'deeply unsafe,' and 'weapons' that lead to 'deep burnout and trauma'

An April report from New York Magazine used federal non-profit transparency documents - 990s - to expose BLM's secretive purchase of a $6 million California mansion

BLM leaders (from left) Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza, and LA faction founder Melina Abdullah, wanted to keep the mansion secret, but still filmed a video on its patio (pictured)

Speaking from the stage at the Vashon Center, Cullors expounded upon what she sees as the dangers of 990s and what Oliver called 'non-profit industrial complex.'

'This doesn't seem safe for us, this 990 structure - this nonprofit system structure,' Cullors said.

'This is, like, deeply unsafe. This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with.'

'If the organization and the people in it are getting attacked, and scrutinized for everything they do,' Cullors explained.

'That leads to deep burnout, that leads to deep resistance and trauma.'

News of the 2020 purchase was first reported on April 4, as BLM allegedly hoped to keep the house's existence a secret - despite three of its former leaders reportedly filming a series of videos dining and drinking Champagne outside the estate last spring.

It's unclear exactly where the opulent property is located because it is hidden behind an LLC purchase.

But according to New York Magazine, it boasts more than a half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow and parking for more than 20 cars.

The Southern California mansion was allegedly purchased using funds donated to BLM

At 6,500-square feet, the mansion boasts more than half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow, and parking for more than 20 cars.
Mark Meadows has been removed from North Carolina's voter rolls as he is being investigated for election fraud.

Macon County Board of Elections Director Melanie Thibault said that she consulted with the state's Board of Elections staff in Raleigh after finding records showing that former President Trump's chief of staff was registered in both North Carolina and Virginia. Meadows, a former North Carolina congressman, was removed from the roll on Monday, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

'What I found was that he was also registered in the state of Virginia. And he voted in a 2021 election. The last election he voted in Macon County was in 2020,' she said.

Meadows' outcries of election fraud in the 2020 presidential race run up against reports that he was registered to vote absentee in 2020 at the address of a North Carolina mobile home he has neither stayed in nor owned.

Thibault said that when Meadows registered in Virginia he did not include information about his North Carolina registration. Thibault said that removing voters from the roll this way is standard procedure.

When Meadows was tapped to serve as Trump's chief of staff, he and his wife Debbie sold their home in Sapphire, N.C. to move to a condo in Virginia near Washington, D.C. But when Meadows, registered to vote, he and his wife both registered in North Carolina, writing that their residential address was a mobile home in Scaly Mountain, N.C., as was first reported by the New Yorker.

Mark Meadows has been removed from North Carolina's voter rolls as he is being investigated for election fraud

Ahead of the 2020 election, Meadows registered his address to this Scaly Mountain mobile home in North Carolina

The home's new owner remarked that he'd made a lot of improvements, but 'it was not the kind of place youd think the chief of staff of the President would be staying'

The previous owner said that Meadows' wife Debbie had rented out the property, which sits in the southern Appalachian mountains, for two months at some point in the past few years. The owner told the New Yorker that Debbie had spent maybe one or two nights there total, and Mark Meadows had not spent any time there.

The former owner put the mobile home up for sale in the summer of 2020, but the Meadows never expressed an interest in buying it.

The New Yorker informed Thibault that Meadows was registered to vote there. 'I'm kind of dumbfounded, to be honest with you,' she said after perusing his election forms.

'I looked up this Mcconnell Road, which is in Scaly Mountain, and I found out that it was a dive trailer in the middle of nowhere, which I do not see him or his wife staying in.'

Meadows and his wife registered by mail and their voter registration card was sent to a P.O. box they provided as their mailing address Thibault said there are few checks on a voter's residential address - as long as the voter registration card does not come back as undeliverable, a voter's address is considered legitimate.

The home's previous owner said that Meadows' wife had rented the place out for a total of two months over the past few years

The owner said that Meadows' wife Debbie had stayed there one or two nights, but Meadows himself had not

The former owner put the mobile home up for sale in the summer of 2020, but the Meadows never expressed an interest in buying it

The home is situated at the end of a quiet road in the southern Appalachian mountains

Meadows, at the time, was reportedly mulling a run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Richard Burr after this year, and could have risked being accused of voter fraud himself to keep voting in North Carolina.

Meadows and his wife bought a $1.6 million lake-front property in South Carolina in 2021, according to the New Yorker, though they did not change their voter registration to the property and it remained linked to the Scaly Mountain home until this week.

Meadows moved to the Tar Heel State in the mid-1980s and started a sandwich shop called 'Aunt D's' in the Highlands part of the state. He became a real estate broker before running for Congress in 2013.

He left the seat in 2020 to join the Trump administration where he pushed the debunked theory that the election was stolen from the former president.

In his memoir 'The Chief's Chief' published in December, Meadows went after Democrats' efforts to increase mail-in voting access, claiming it would lead to certain voter fraud.

'President Trump had alerted us to the strong possibility that there would be fraud connected to these mail-in ballots, and we wanted to be on the lookout for it,' Meadows wrote. 'So, elsewhere in the White House complex, we had set up an internal brain room that provided information to the campaign team, and we wanted to approach any potential challenges with the utmost seriousness.'

Meadows and his wife Debbie, pictured above, purchased a $1.6 million home in South Carolina in 2021

Meadows and his wife purchased the South Carolina home above for $1.6 million

The home is on waterfront property and is a far cry from the Scaly Mountain, N.C. mobile home where Meadows and his wife were both registered to vote until Monday, when Meadows was kicked off the North Carolina roll

In addition to the South Carolina home above, Meadows and his wife own a Virginia condo. Meadows was registered to vote in both Virginia and North Carolina

Meadows also pushed the Justice Department to look into a theory that the Italian government hacked voting machines using satellites, according to The New York Times.

In fact, he sent five emails to then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen urging him to investigate the 'ItalyGate' theory, the paper reported.

Rosen never agreed to the investigations, according to emails provided to Congress and obtained by the outlet. Sources said that Rosen rejected the requests from Meadows.

In addition to the state investigation into his voter registration, Meadows could potentially face criminal charges if the Justice Department chooses to pursue them after the House voted to hold him in contempt of Congress for refusing to appear before the Jan. 6 committee.
Virginians who sends explicit images without the consent of the receiver will be fined $500 under a state law set to take effect in July.

Lawmakers on Monday passed a bill that will make it illegal to electronically send an unsolicited nude photo.

Violators will be liable 'for actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, in addition to reasonable attorney fees and costs,' according to the bill.

Lawmakers on Monday passed a bill that will make it illegal to electronically send an unsolicited nude photo

The bill, spearheaded by Democratic senator Jennifer McClellan (pictured), was backed by the dating app Bumble, which helped work on the legislation

The bill, spearheaded by Democratic senator Jennifer McClellan, was backed by the dating app Bumble, which helped work on the legislation and has a digital campaign to make sending unsolicited lewd photos, or 'digital flashing,' illegal.

The dating app previously worked on a similar bill in Texas in 2019 and are working on passing legislation in California, Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania.

According to 2018 study commissioned by the dating app, one in three women on Bumble reported having received unsolicited lewd photos, or nudes, from someone they had not met in person and 96 percent of those women said they were unhappy to have been sent these images.

'We're proud to have played a part in bringing standards of conduct on the internet closer in line with our standards of behavior in the real world,' Bumble said in a statement following the passing of the bill.

'If it wouldn't fly walking down the streetor at the office, or in the classroomit shouldn't be tolerated in your inbox!'

According to the National Association of Attorneys General, 2 percent of Americans reported being victims of nonconsensual porn in 2016.

By 2017, it jumped to 12 percent among those in the 18-29 age group. A 2019 study had a 400 percent increase from 2016.

'Taken as a whole, these statistics show the number of victims continues to rise at an alarming rate even though both the legal system and society as a whole have attempted to address the issue,' according to the association.
Former President Donald Trump told Republican Leader Mitch McConnell that if he could get Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp to overturn now President Joe Biden's 2020 win in his state officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania would follow.

CNN obtained an excerpt Wednesday of the forthcoming book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns - which details some of the conversations the ex-president had following his November 2020 election loss.

'I've been calling folks in those states and they're with us,' Trump reportedly told McConnell and other Senate GOP leaders during a phone call in December 2020 about Pennsylvania and Michigan.

After the call, McConnell told his colleagues, 'We've got to stay focused on Georgia,' the book said.

McConnell was referencing the two run-off Senate races slated for January 5 that would determine which party held the majority - races the Democrats won.

Former President Donald Trump (pictured) told Republican Leader Mitch McConnell that if he could get Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp to overturn now President Joe Biden's 2020 win in his state officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania would follow

A forthcoming book describes a December 2020 phone call Trump had with McConnell (left) in which the then president said he was pressuring Kemp (right), who is running for re-election, to overturn Georgia's presidential election results

On the ballot were Republican incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.

They were ousted by Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively.

This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns will be released in May

While McConnell was publicly silent about Trump's false election fraud claims - until the Republican leader took to the Senate floor on December 15 to acknowledge Biden's win after the Electoral College votes were counted - This Will Not Pass describes his views behind-the-scenes.

The authors wrote that McConnell was worried that if he said anything to anger Trump, the president would take it out on Loeffler and Perdue.

During that December phone call - which was one of McConnell and Trump's last. conversations - Trump suggested that Georgia voters wouldn't accept Kemp's assurance that the 2020 election was safe and secure.

Trump pushed that Loeffler and Perdue shouldn't accept the results either - or they'd lose their run-off races.

McConnell stayed quiet on the line, the authors wrote.

The two Republican Party leaders haven't spoken since before December 15, CNN reported, when McConnell said Biden was the election winner.

While McConnell's spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the anecdote from CNN, Trump's didn't dispute the authors' account of the phone call.

'President Trump has been clear and consistent about the indisputable evidence of fraud in the 2020 presidential election and the need to hold those criminals accountable,' Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich told CNN.

On Wednesday, Politico also reported that Trump's first financial investment in the midterm races went to a PAC devoted to defeating Kemp, whose GOP primary rival is Perdue, who Trump endorsed ahead of Georgia's May 24 primary.

Trump's Save America PAC transferred $500,000 to the anti-Kemp Get Georgia Right super PAC in March, which has since been running an ad that accused Kemp of 'dismiss[ing] concerns about voter fraud in the 2020 election.'
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A 21-year-old Syrian man who helped catch the Brooklyn subway gunman was hailed a hero this afternoon after beating the NYPD to find the city's most wanted man.

Zach Tahhan, who lives in New Jersey, told DailyMail.com how he recognized the alleged shooter while he was fixing a camera outside a convenience store in the East Village.

Mr Tahhan, who works for MACA security integrators, revealed he immediately 'started jumping up and down and screaming' when he realized it was 62-year-old Frank James.

He said onlookers 'thought he was crazy' but claimed he ran after him while the manager of the shop flagged down a police cruiser that had stopped at a red light.

The hero was lauded by a huge crowd on Wednesday afternoon who chanted that the $50,000 reward should be double and he should claim it as soon as possible.

But Mr Tahhan said he did not want to collect it because 'money is not important to me', adding he 'just wanted to do the right thing'.

Meanwhile insiders told the New York Post James had also called 911 himself, telling them where he would be before adding: 'You know, I think you're looking for me.'

He was later grabbed by three cops on First Avenue without putting up a fight after visiting a nearby McDonald's and strolling down the street.

He was the most wanted man in the city after allegedly shooting ten people on a northbound N train in Brooklyn yesterday morning.

Zach Tahhan, 21, was fixing a camera outside an East Village store when he spotted James in the street. The 62-year-old had just exited a McDonald's and was walking around casually, a day after shooting ten people on a northbound N train

Hero's reception: Tahhan was lauded by crowds in the East Village on Wednesday

Frank James is shown being taken into custody in the East Village on Wednesday, 30 hours after unleashing terror on the NYC subway

Mr Tahhan told DailyMail.com how he was fixing a security camera outside Saifee hardware and garden store when he recognized James from the news.

He said he made a huge commotion to try to grab people's attention before chasing after the suspected shooter on foot.

He revealed the manager of the store Francisco Puebla sprinted towards a cop cruiser that had pulled up at a red light outside the shop.

Mr Puebla told DailyMail.com: 'I felt scared as he had a backpack. So it was really scary. We walked behind him and police grabbed him.'

He added: 'He didn't resist. I feel good, I feel safe, so many things going on. I took the subway to work and will take it home too.'

Meanwhile another witness told how Zach sprinted after James and claimed it was a team effort between locals and cops to seize the suspect.

Deira Figueroa, who lives in the area, said she had been riding here bike and took a while to figure out what the commotion was.

She said she could tell the man was 'mentally ill, a very weird, strange man', adding Mr Tahhan was 'incredible' and it took a while before she saw cops.

She added: 'In New York City, we protect us, nobodies really safe out here. It was like a tackle. The cops took a while to get here, maybe a few minutes.'

Tahhan told how he started yelling out that James was the shooter the moment he spotted him on Wednesday

Frank James, the suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting walks outside a police precinct in New York City, New York, U.S., April 13, 2022

Frank James is walked out of the 9th Precinct, Manhattan, New York. April 13 2022

James is transported into a police vehicle to be taken to a federal courthouse on Wednesday. He has been charged with carrying out a terror attack on mass transit

Despite what witnesses claimed, police took credit for the arrest, with Mayor Eric Adams - who is in quarantine with Covid - saying in a video message: 'We got him!'

He said: 'My fellow New Yorkers. We got him. I want to thank every day New Yorkers who called in tips, responded, helped wounded passengers. Thirty-three shots but less than 30 hours later we're able to say, we got him.'

Commissioner Keechant Sewell also thanked the NYPD detectives and claimed they gave James 'nowhere to hide' by 'shrinking his world'.

James was finally seized just after lunch after an embarrassing and fruitless day-long manhunt by the FBI and NYPD.

He was marched out of the 9th Precinct shortly before 5pm, smirking but saying nothing as reporters asked why he carried out the attack.

James was wearing Ugg-style slippers, black pants and a blue t-shirt when he was arrested on Wednesday

This morning James had got on a train at 9.15am in Park Slope and traveled into Manhattan, right under the noses of the doubled number of cops on the subway.

He rocketed to top of the most wanted list after allegedly unloading three magazines from a handgun into a carriage in Brooklyn.

James was said to have ran across the platform with other terrified commuters and got on to a northbound R train. He then allegedly got off that R train at 25th Street in Brooklyn.

James has a long rap sheet with charges in New York and New Jersey dating back to the 1990s for possessing burglary tools, criminal sex acts, criminal tampering, trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct.

He had posted ranting videos about violence, race, Eric Adams and crime in New York City. He left Wisconsin, where he lived alone, on March 20 in a rented van, driving through Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

He is understood to have rented a U-Haul in Philadelphia sometime earlier this week and driven it to Brooklyn, dumping it on the Kings Highway, five miles from the 36th Street station.

He then was filmed getting on the subway at Kings Highway, shortly after 6am. It is unclear what he did for the next two-and-a-half hours before unleashing a smoke bomb and firing his handgun on the train.
A group of Anonymous-affiliated hackers turned Russia's own ransomware against its national space agency, security experts have said.

Network Battalion 65  or NB65 - last month claimed in a series of posts on Twitter that the group had stolen files from Roscosmos, and taken down satellites.

NB65 shared a series of images of what it said was Roscosmos server information, that it said demonstrated it had shut down a monitoring system operated by the Russian space agency.

The group claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin 'no longer had control over spy satellites' and said it had downloaded and deleted confidential files related to the space agency's satellite imaging and Vehicle Monitoring System.

Putin's ally Dmitry Rogozin - who is the chief of Roscosmos - denied that it had lost control of its systems and called the group 'scammers and petty swindlers'.

'All our space activity control centres are operating normally,' Rogozin wrote in a tweet last month in response to the claims.

Analysts who delved into a file containing the source code behind the hack have now claimed it shared code with ransomware used by a Russian cyber crime group, according to The Daily Telegraph.

A group of Anonymous-affiliated hackers turned Russia's own ransomware against its national space agency, security experts have said (stock image of Anonymous)

The experts said they found it matched 66 percent of the same code as Conti - a Russian crime group and its ransomware with the same name - that extorted millions of dollars from western companies.

This suggested that NB65 turned Russian ransomware against itself in its cyber attack on Roscosmos last month.

Conti was responsible for a hack that took down key servers used by Ireland's health service and hospitals, temporarily crippling its IT infrastructure. It has also extorted millions from companies by holding vital IT systems for ransom.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC): 'Conti is offered as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), enabling affiliates to utilise it as desired, provided that a percentage of the ransom payment is shared with the Conti operators as commission.'

Conti's code and details of its internal chats were leaked online last year by Ukraine-affiliated cyber activists. The leak helped analysts link the cyber gang with the Russian state, and helped security professionals develop defences against it.

NB65's file was uploaded to an anti-malware website called VirusTotal and examined by Intezer Analyze. It was then compared to VirusTotal's database of malware, and found to match Conti's ransomware.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Roscosmos space agency employees at a rocket assembly factory during his visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, in the far eastern Amur region Tsiolkovsky , Russia, Tuesday, April 12, 2022

For their part, NB65 has praised Ukraine's resistance against the on-going Russian invasion. Unusually, it mostly communicates in English, the Telegraph reported.

On Friday, the group posted on Twitter: 'A couple of things we want to take a moment and clarify due to some recent media attention.

'1) Companies and governments outside of Russia need not be worried about NB65. Russian assets our our only targets. 2) Ransomware payments (if any are made) will be donated to #Ukraine,' it said.

The group has faced controversy in the past when in March it said it had stolen information from Kaspersky Lab - a Russian antivirus company. It later emerged the files it stole did not contain confidential information.

News of NB65's use of Conti's code came as Anonymous leaked a massive trove of Kremlin files, as it vowed to keep targeting Russia until the country ends its 'aggression' against Ukraine.

Government institutions and Russian companies were breached in the cyber attack, with the data dump including more than 200,000 emails from the Russian Ministry of Culture, a body which has oversight over censorship, archives and art.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) congratulates Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov (R) after awarding him with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (3d class) at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, some 180 km north of Blagoveschensk, in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, 12 April 2022

The vigilante hackers also hijacked emails and data from the oil and gas company Aerogas as part of ongoing attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the Russian war effort.

Anonymous has already launched a series of cyber attacks in retaliation for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including a data leak of Russian soldiers and takeovers of state-controlled TV.

It has now insisted that it will continue hacking and releasing confidential information until Russia withdraws from its offensive.

In a tweet, the group wrote: 'The hacking will continue until Russia stops their aggression.'

Government institutions and Russian companies were breached in the cyber attack, with the data dump including more than 200,000 emails from the Russian Ministry of Culture, a body which has oversight over censorship, archives and art

It first announced it was 'officially in cyber war against the Russian government' on the day Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Since then, the hacking collective has been involved in various attacks in an effort to spread information about what Russia still says is a 'special military operation'.

New press censorship legislation in Russia is severely hampering transparency about what is actually happening within the Kremlin.

The 'fake news' laws mean that anyone found guilty of disseminating 'false information' about the Russian forces can face extreme penalties, including a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Earlier this month, Anonymous also leaked the personal data of 120,000 Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, disclosing personal information such as names, date of birth, addresses, unit affiliation and passport numbers.

'All soldiers participating in the invasion of Ukraine should be subjected to a war crime tribunal,' the hackers wrote on Twitter.

Anonymous also claimed it had targeted Russia's central bank and stole 35,000 files, as well as hacking unsecured printers across Russia to print out 'anti-propaganda' messages about the Ukrainian invasion.

Anonymous has insisted that it will continue hacking and releasing confidential information until Russia withdraws its offensive (pictured)

Anonymous has already launched a series of cyber attacks in retaliation for Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including a data leak of Russian soldiers and takeovers of state-controlled TV

A member of the collective, who goes by @DepaixPorteur on Twitter, tweeted: 'We have been printing anti-propaganda and tor installation instructions to printers all over [Russia] for 2 hours, and printed 100,000+ copies so far. 15 people working on this op as we speak.

'We're currently launching a printer attack on 156 [Russian] printers. Already over 40,000+ copies.'

Only last week Anonymous claimed it had also managed to leak more than 900,000 Russian state media emails.

Anonymous has previously targeted groups including the Ku Klux Klan and Islamic extremists.

Members are known as 'Anons' and are distinguished by their Guy Fawkes masks.

In July last year, the collective warned Tesla founder Elon Musk that they planned to target him after saying he wields too much power over the cryptocurrency markets.
During cross examination of his artist best friend Isaac Baruch, Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked Baruch about texts he exchanged with Depp in October 2016 in which Depp called Heard a 'c**t'

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Johnny Depp wrote in a text to his best friend he hoped Amber Heard's 'rotting corpse is decomposing in the trunk' of a car, the jury in his defamation trial against his ex-wife heard Wednesday.

During cross examination of his artist best friend Isaac Baruch, Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked Baruch about texts he exchanged with Depp in October 2016 in which Depp called Heard a 'c**t.'

Bredehoft asked Baruch: 'Do you recall Mr. Depp ever telling you that he, in base terms, hoped that Amber's rotting corpse is decomposing in the f**king trunk of a Honda Civic?'

Baruch said: 'Yeah, I'm seeing it here so obviously yeah it was said. It was written.'

The court heard that the messages were sent a few weeks before Baruch had to move out of the penthouse in Los Angeles where Depp was letting him live rent-free.

Bredehoft said: 'Do you recall Mr. Depp calling Amber Heard a c**t and saying it was her fault?'

Baurch said: 'It's written there I see that.'

Baurch read a part from Depp which read: 'That c**t ruined such a f**king cool life we had for a while.'

Johnny Depp wrote in a text to his bestfriend he hoped Amber Heard's 'rotting corpse is decomposing in the trunk' of a car, the jury in his defamation trial against his ex-wife heard

During cross examination of his artist best friend Isaac Baruch, Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked Baruch about texts he exchanged with Depp in October 2016 in which Depp called Heard a 'c*nt'

Heard has countersued for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp has waged a years-long smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to silence her and derail her acting career

Baruch later moved to California where he worked as a musician and artist and the office manager at the notorious Viper Room club in Los Angeles that Depp used to own.

Baruch testified that Depp loved his artwork so much that he let him live rent-free in a penthouse apartment he owned in the Eastern Columbia Building and paid him around $100,000 during the more than three years he lived there.

Depp's childhood friend Isaac Baruch took the stand and at several moments, had the court erupt into laughter with his answers

Asked if he took up Depp's offer he said: 'Yeah, of course!' which earned a laugh from the public gallery and Depp.

Soon after Depp and Heard moved into another apartment on the same floor, followed by Heard's friend Rocky Pennington and her sister Whitney - all paid for by Mr Depp, Baruch said.

Baruch said he 'fell in love with all of them' and they became 'great friends'.

Asked about Heard, he said: 'I fell in love with her just like Johnny did. She's totally respectful, gracious, she's got great teeth. She treated me with complete respect. Humor wise total locker room humor, demented humor.

'Every time I walked into that place Isaac you want something to eat, you want something to drink

'Only one time she didn't offer. She's in the kitchen and she's doing her beautiful facial mask - I said is that something that can help me. She looked at me and said no. I loved her'.

Depp asked him to paint 25 paintings and when it took longer than the few months he initially said, Depp gave him more time, Baruch said.

Baruch said that Depp and Heard were 'always loving with each other' and that they 'treated each other like gold'.

He never saw them being violent to each other and only saw them argue twice.

Baruch testified that Depp loved his artwork so much that he gave him a penthouse apartment he owned in the Eastern Columbia Building (pictured) rent free and paid him around $100,000 during the more than three years he lived there

Baruch moved to California where he worked as a musician and artist and the office manager at the notorious club in Los Angeles that Depp used to own

Baruch said: 'First argument I remember, it was a telephone argument. Johnny is at the kitchen table and he's screaming about something and on the other line because it's on speaker, he's talking at the phone, the other person is Amber. She's in New York, he's at the kitchen table.

'They're arguing.'

Baruch said Depp was saying: 'Who is it? Who is it?' while Heard replied: 'What are you doing baby, why are you being like this baby?'

Depp and Heard are seen in September 2015 in Venice, Italy - the same year that an alleged Australia 'hostage situation' took place

Depp called back and he was saying: 'Who is it, what's going on'. Heard was saying: 'What are you doing baby?'

Depp hung up again and and the phone rang again, but Baruch grabbed the phone because he thought there was 'no solution' to the conversation.

He told her: 'Hey amber this is Isaac, this conversation is now over. And I hung up the phone. She didn't call back again and he went to the couch'.

The second argument was when Depp, Heard, Pennington and another friend were 'trying to plot' a way to force Heard's sister to move out.

Depp got up and was 'completely flustered and frustrated' and and told the others to 'figure it out', Baruch said.

The former spouses are squaring off over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post calling herself a domestic violence survivor.

Depp's suit claims Heard presented the world with a 'hoax' account of the infamous May 21, 2016 dust up that brought the couple's tumultuous marriage to an end, complete with faked injuries and crocodile tears.

He further alleges that his ex-wife was the actual 'perpetrator' of the violent bouts that scarred their relationship, including a notorious incident in Australia where she allegedly severed his finger with a vodka bottle.

Heard has countersued for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp has waged a years-long smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to silence her and derail her acting career.

She stands by her claim that Depp hurled a phone in her face and viciously battered her during the fateful 2016 fight despite LAPD officers deciding there was no grounds to investigate.

The officers are among dozens of possible witnesses slated to give evidence either in person or via video link over the next six weeks, including Hollywood actors Paul Bettany, James Franco and Ellen Barkin.

These photos were previously shown in court from May 2016 of Amber Heard with an apparently bruised cheek

As part of Depp's defamation case against Heard, he included images of his own bruised and battered face (pictured ) following Heard's alleged attacks

Another intriguing name is Elon Musk whom Depp has accused of having an affair with Heard while they were still married, an accusation the Space X mogul has denied.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's caustic relationship February 3, 2015 Johnny Depp and Amber Heard marry in a private civil ceremony at their LA home, four years after they met as co-stars on the set of The Rum Diary. The couple celebrate with a lavish reception on an idyllic private island in the Bahamas that Depp bought in 2004 for $3.6 million. April 21, 2015 Heard breaches Australia's biosecurity laws when she and Depp fail to declare their two Yorkshire terriers when they arrive Down Under on a private jet for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Heard admits falsifying quarantine documents and is placed on a $1,000 one-month good behavior bond. May 23, 2016 Heard files for divorce after 15 months of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. Four days later a judge issues a temporary restraining order against Depp over domestic violence allegations. Pictures of Heard's alleged injuries hit the tabloids but the LAPD finds no evidence of a crime. August 16, 2016 Depp and Heard reach a $7 million divorce settlement which the actress promises to give to charity. Their marriage was 'intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love,' the former lovers say in a statement. 'There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm'. December 18, 2018 The Washington Post publishes an op-ed by Heard, an ambassador for women's rights at for the American Civil Liberties Union, urging support for women who suffer domestic violence. 'Two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out,' reads the headline. March 1, 2019 Despite not being named in the article, Depp files a $50 million defamation suit in Fairfax Circuit Court, Virginia saying it implied he was an abuser and got him fired from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Depp dismisses Heard's abuse allegations as a 'hoax' and claims he was actually the victim of her violence. August 10, 2020 Heard countersues for $100 million, claiming vengeful Depp and his lawyer Adam Waldman targeted her with a vicious smear campaign, using media allies and internet trolls to amplify false stories about her and derail her acting career. November 1, 2020 Depp faces an uphill battle to save his reputation after he loses a libel battle with a British tabloid that labeled him a 'wife beater'. A judge in London's rules that The Sun's 2018 article was 'substantially true' and that the father-of-two had attacked Heard a dozen times, causing her to fear for her life on three occasions. April 11, 2022 After lengthy delays due to the Covid pandemic, the former flames finally lock horns in Fairfax County, Virginia where the Washington Post servers that published the disputed op-ed are based. The trial is expected to last six to seven weeks and celebrities tipped to give evidence include James Franco, Paul Bettany and Ellen Barkin. Advertisement

But as DailyMail.com revealed last week, the world's richest man will likely swerve proceedings because he's not a Virginia resident and therefore can't be compelled to give evidence.

Depp is fighting an uphill battle to salvage his reputation after Britain's High Court ruled against him last year when he sued The Sun newspaper for calling him a 'wife beater'.

After weeks of testimony, Mr Justice Nicol concluded that the outlet's 2018 article was 'substantially true' and that the father-of-two had attacked Heard a dozen times, causing her to fear for her life on three occasions.

The London court also heard a trove of shocking texts Depp had sent to Avengers star Bettany, vowing: 'Lets burn Amber.'

'Let's drown her before we burn her !!!,' he wrote in November 2013. 'I will f**k her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she's dead.'

Sources close to Depp say he never contemplated settling or dropping the US case and is desperate for a second bite of the cherry in Virginia where the London result will be kept from jurors.

Armed with a battery of highly-paid lawyers - including Kathleen Zellner of Making a Murderer fame - he's confident of tipping the balance with additional evidence that didn't feature in the 'wife beater' case.

DailyMail.com has led the world in revealing much of the material over the past two years, from explosive audio recordings to bombshell depositions and police videos.

The cache includes bodycam footage from LAPD officers who visited the ex-couple's LA apartment on the night of the blowout 2016 fight.

Heard claims that her ex-husband assaulted her before smashing up their $1.5 million home  but his lawyers will argue the videos don't show any trace of damage.

Depp's team will also cast doubt on photos of Heard's injuries by calling upon forensic pathologists and computer experts to explain how the wounds don't match up with the abuse described by the Aquaman actress.

And they may also confront Heard with audio recordings in which she talks about hitting Depp and questions whether anyone would believe he was a domestic violence victim.

'I can't promise I won't get physical again. God I f**king sometimes get so mad I lose it,' she says in one clip, previously published by DailyMail.com.

'Tell the world Johnny Depp, a man, I'm a victim too of domestic violence  see how many believe or side with you,' she adds in a second.

Heard's promise to give away her entire $7 million divorce settlement, splitting it between the ACLU and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, will also come under the microscope.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Depp's lawyers subpoenaed both organizations last year to find out if they ever got the money.

They will tell jurors that the hospital got $100,000, rather than the promised $3.5 million, while the ACLU received just $450,000.

Another $500,000 came from someone named 'Elon', who Depp's lawyers will say is Elon Musk.

Heard insists she will honor her pledge - but hasn't been able to do so thus far because of the spiraling cost of her legal war with Depp.

Insiders believe the couple have each spent upwards of $20 million to date.

Depp and Heard met on the set of The Rum Diary in 2011, married four years later  then split in a little over a year amid a slew of blood curdling domestic violence allegations and tabloid headlines.

After finalizing their divorce in early 2017 the feud appeared to have fizzled until Heard published her December 2018 op-ed, headed: 'I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out.'

The article prompted Depp to file for defamation in Virginia, where the Washington Post's servers and several of its offices are based, stating: 'Ms. Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse; she is a perpetrator.'

Heard's counterclaim argues that it's both true that she suffered years of abuse at the hands of her 'monster' ex and that it's her right to talk about it under the First Amendment.

Her lawyers will argue that various media statements made by Depp's longtime ally and lawyer Adam Waldman branding her a liar and calling her claims a hoax were false, defamatory and designed to wreck her career.

She's also accused Depp and Waldman of harassing her on Twitter, promulgating smear stories and using fake accounts and Russian 'bots' to amplify negative coverage, demanding twice as much in damages from her former husband.

According to confidantes it's not about the money, however, it's about Heard 'reclaiming her voice' and her ability to advocate for abuse victims.

If she succeeds, three-times Oscar-nominated Depp, the globally-famous star of more than 50 Hollywood movies grossing $10 billion, could lose his entire fortune as well as what's left of his reputation.

But there's no turning back now, according to his rep.

'This case being brought to trial is proof that the court acknowledges the notable amount of preliminary wins, evidence and witnesses in support of Johnny,' the spokeswoman said.

'To decline the opportunity to clear one's name and allow someone taking advantage of the system to walk away with zero repercussions would be careless and set a dangerous precedent for similar situations in the future.'
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's Okpo Shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, is seen in this 2018 file photo. Newsis



By Park Jae-hyuk



Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Samsung Heavy Industries have remained cautious about hiring blue-collar workers, despite labor shortage concerns resulting from the recent recovery of the shipbuilding market, according to industry officials, Wednesday.



Their stance was in stark contrast to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group's recent decision to resume employment of regular blue-collar workers for HHI and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for the first time in seven years.



After domestic shipbuilders won a record amount of orders last year, HHI recruited full-time blue-collar workers in February, among its subcontracted workers with over three years of experience. Hyundai Mipo also hired regular employees with expertise in welding, plumbing, electricity and machinery.



In addition, HHI Group has been recruiting employees at its non-shipbuilding subsidiaries who want to transfer to HHI, Hyundai Mipo or Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries to fill the demand for workers at the group's shipyards.



In March, the group started recruiting around 400 new and experienced employees, only a few months after it finished hiring another 400 workers.





Samsung Heavy Industries' shipyard on Geoje Island in South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Samsung Heavy Industries
Thousands of holidaymakers desperate to escape for the Easter long weekend have begun their journeys, sparking more chaotic scenes at airports across Australia.

Passengers have been warned to arrive at least two hours before their departure as airports and airlines brace for the busiest day for domestic air travel in more than two years.

By 4am, long queues of bleary-eyed travellers had already snaked outside the terminal in Sydney, where 82,000 passengers expected to check-in throughout the day and another 79,000 estimated on Friday.

There are similar scenes in Melbourne with the check-in terminal already heaving with travellers by 5am.

Long queues were already lined up outside Sydney Airport before 4am on Thursday

Virgin and Jetstar departure terminals were packed with eager travellers on Thursday morning

On top of overwhelming demand, airports are also struggling with mass staff shortages due to Covid-19 and close contact rules.

It's the eighth consecutive day of chaos in Sydney, which is predicted to continue for another fortnight with two consecutive long weekends ahead.

Another 82,000 travellers are expected through the airport on April 22 alone ahead of the Anzac Day long weekend.

Airport bosses have apologised in advance with more delays expected.

'I know it's a difficult message to hear but Thursday is going to be another tough day for travellers, and I want to apologise in advance to anyone who is inconvenienced,' Sydney Airport chief executive Geoff Culbert said.

The Virgin Australia check-in at Melbourne Airport was already busy 5.15am Thursday

Melbourne Airport boss Lyell Strambi added: 'COVID-19 decimated airlines and airports and resulted in thousands of highly skilled workers being stood down or made redundant.

'Airlines and their suppliers are now scaling up their workforce but given the safety-critical nature of the jobs they do, recruitment and re-training can take time'.

Around 50,000 travellers are expected to go through Brisbane Airport on Thursday with another 25,000 in Adelaide.

Queues of travellers extended outside the Sydney terminal around 8am on Thursday

Queensland Airports boss Chris Mills predicted Gold Coast airport would see its busiest day since 2018 with 28,000 seats scheduled for Easter Monday.

Recent records were broken at Gold Coast were broken a week ago and will surge again with the re-introduction of the Jetstar Gold Coast-Auckland service on Wednesday.

Flights to New Zealand are also fully booked after Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reopened the borders to double vaccinated Australians on Wednesday, nine months after the short-lived Trans-Tasman bubble burst due to a Covid outbreak.

More than 82,000 travellers are expected to check-in at Sydney Airport in Thursday
Crew have been spotted filming a BBC dramatisation of the Brink's-Mat robbery at the mansion where M25 killer Kenneth Noye stabbed a policeman to death.

On his Kent estate, the criminal killed Detective Constable John Fordham in 1985.

And filming on the grounds could prove very painful for the officer's family, triggering horrific memories of the tragedy.

Exclusive photos show a younger Noye, played by Jack Lowden, driving a gold Rolls-Royce.

Another picture shows undercover Detective Constable Fordham, played by Hadley Fraser, pretending to be a telephone engineer.

A new BBC One drama inspired by the Brink's-Mat robbery was seen filming at Kenneth Noye's former home in Meopham, England

At the time of his death, the 45-year-old policeman was investigating Noye's involvement in the laundering of 26million of gold bullion from the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery.

The BBC says the six-part drama  The Gold  is inspired by the robbery.

Noye's mock-Tudor mansion was bought by its current owner, Sophia Anderson, for 2.8million in 2006 and went on sale in 2017  again for 2.8million  but it doesn't appear to have sold.

Though he is not on the deeds, her husband, Michael Anderson, has listed several firms at the address.

Mr Anderson, the ex-vice-chairman of Gillingham Town FC who ran a Florida-based drugs company, is currently facing extradition to the US where he has been charged with fraud amounting to 4.4million.

Kenneth Noye, now 74, was cleared of murdering the policeman after a jury accepted his claim of self-defence. He was jailed in 1986 for handling stolen gold bullion

Exclusive photos show a younger Noye, played by Jack Lowden, driving a gold Rolls-Royce

He was allegedly involved in a scam to defraud the US military healthcare system and has been indicted by a grand jury. He and his wife are thought to be divorcing.

It was yesterday announced Hugh Bonneville and Mamma Mia's Dominic Cooper would be starring in The Gold. It is not yet known who they will play.

Noye, now 74, was cleared of murdering the policeman after a jury accepted his claim of self-defence. He was jailed in 1986 for handling stolen gold bullion.

Then, in 1996, he murdered Stephen Cameron, 21, on an M25 slip road in a fit of road rage.

Last night, a spokesman for the BBC declined to comment but a source said the drama would not feature the killing of Mr Fordham.
She stars in Netflix's biggest new drama as a betrayed wife.

But Sienna Miller proved there were no problems in her real love life as she put on a very public display of affection with her boyfriend.

The actress, 40, was spotted kissing 25-year-old Burberry model Oli Green outside a pizzeria in London's Notting Hill.

The pair couldn't take their hands off each other as they chatted over an Italian feast in the sunshine.

Sienna Miller, 40, was spotted kissing 25-year-old Burberry model Oli Green outside a pizzeria in London's Notting Hill

Miss Miller is set to star in Anatomy Of A Scandal, arriving on Netflix on Friday.

She plays Sophie Whitehouse, the wife of a powerful politician, played by Rupert Friend, who is accused of rape by an aide with whom he was having an affair.

Miss Miller and Green confirmed their romance earlier this year on the red carpet at a Vanity Fair party.

Green is from one of the British art world's most prestigious families and his grandfather Richard Green owns two galleries in Mayfair.

Miss Miller and Green confirmed their romance earlier this year on the red carpet at a Vanity Fair party. Above, The pair share a joke outside a pizzeria

The family business is said to have a collection worth around 74million. Miss Miller, best known for her role in 2004's Layer Cake, has had a tumultuous love life.

She became engaged to actor Jude Law in 2004, but they split in 2006 after he had an affair with the nanny to his children by his ex-wife Sadie Frost.

He issued a public apology and they reconciled, but then split up again. She has a nine-year-old daughter, Marlowe, with actor Tom Sturridge.
ITV News' Robert Peston is being accused of breaching the network's impartiality rules requiring its reporters to refrain from biased comments

Robert Peston was accused of breaching ITV's duty for political impartiality last night after he criticised Boris Johnson for not resigning over Partygate.

ITV's political editor tweeted that if Tory MPs decided to keep the Prime Minister in office, it would look like Britain was an 'elected dictatorship'.

And he added: 'This is not just a slippery slope. It is the bottom of the slope.'

Senior government sources said that such comments would not be allowed to be conveyed on air because it would fall foul of the duty of broadcasters' to be impartial.

They said Mr Peston should be held to account by his employers even though the comments were made on social media.

Former Tory minister Rob Wilson said: 'Peston has seemingly forgotten the old fashioned values of journalism that relied upon impartiality, gathering the facts and merely reporting the story so that people can make up their own mind.

'This tweet is a journalist implicitly suggesting a democratically elected PM should be removed by their political party.

'That's not his job and there is nothing independent or impartial about it. ITV should certainly reprimand him as it brings his programme into question.

'I'm sure Ofcom will also want to take a look at this as it crosses a line between partial and impartial.'

But last night Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, said it could not investigate his Twitter comments because they could only look at what was said on air.

Boris Johnson received the fine from police for breaking lockdown restrictions during a birthday party on July 19, 2020. He and Sunak apologised but never said they would quit

Mr Peston made his comments on Tuesday evening after the Prime Minister and the Chancellor received fines for attending a birthday gathering for Mr Johnson in Downing Street on June 19, 2020.

Both issued an apology, but neither said they would quit.

He wrote: 'If Tory MPs unthinkingly keep him in office without a proper and public assessment of how Parliament was misled, because that is what suits them, and if they blithely ignore the Ministerial Code, then the charge will stick that this or any party with a big majority is simply an elected dictatorship, and the constitution means little or nothing.

'This is not just a slippery slope. It is the bottom of the slope.'

ITV News is under a duty of impartiality, which would prevent the same comments Peston made on Twitter from being broadcasted - but the water is muddier when on social media

A senior Whitehall source told the Daily Mail: 'My question is always: would someone say on air (regulated) what they say on social media?

'And then would it be duly impartial? If not then that's an issue that their employer should look at seriously.'

Another government source said: 'I'm sure ITV bosses will be picking up directly with him his editorialisation and broader issues over accuracy. Not for the first time.'
NYPD have revealed that subway shooting suspect Frank James has an extensive criminal history in New York and New Jersey that dates back more than three decades.

On Wednesday, James, 62, was arrested walking around the East Village in Lower Manhattan, a day after shooting 10 people on a packed Brooklyn train, and has now been charged with carrying out a terrorist attack on mass transit.

James was taken into custody on Wednesday on 1st Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets after a bystander recognized him and called police. His arrest on Wednesday brought an end to an embarrassing and fruitless day-long manhunt by the FBI and NYPD.

At a press conference on Wednesday, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said that James, who had six arrests in New York, was 'known to us.'

Police said James' rap sheet included no felony arrests, just a series of nine misdemeanor charges.

He has nine prior arrests in New York, dating from 1992 to 1998. He was arrested four times for possession of burglary tools, once for a criminal sex act, twice for theft of service, once on a New Jersey warrant and once for criminal tampering.

James has three prior arrests in New Jersey, in 1991, 1992 and 2007. He was arrested for trespass, larceny and disorderly conduct.

James is transported into a police vehicle to be taken to a federal courthouse on Wednesday. He has been charged with carrying out a terror attack on mass transit

Frank James, the suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting walks outside a police precinct in New York City, New York, U.S., April 13, 2022

James was taken into custody on Wednesday on 1st Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets after a by-stander recognized him and called police

New Yorkers lie on the platform at 36th Street station after falling out of the northbound N train. They were shot on the train by a gunman who unleashed a smoke bomb and then opened fire before fleeing at around 8.30am

James has an extensive rap sheet in New York

In 1992, he pleaded guilty to attempted petit larceny and criminal tampering in the second degree and was sentenced to was sentenced to time served and five days of community service.

In 1993, James' committed crimes and pleaded guilty twice to criminal tampering in the second degree and once to theft of services. He went sentenced to a total of 11 days of community service and 30 days in jail that year.

In 1994 and 1998, he pleaded guilty to one count of criminal tampering again and was given 10 days of community service each time.

In New Jersey, he had been charged with trespassing in 1991, larceny in 1992, and disorderly conduct in 2007, police said.

James was seen smirking as he was escorted by police outside the Ninth Precinct in Manhattan Wednesday afternoon.

After allegedly shooting 33 shots on the northbound N train at 8.24am from his 9mm handgun, James ran across the platform with other terrified commuters and got onto a northbound R train. He got off that R train at 25th Street in Brooklyn.

On Wednesday morning, he got on the train again at 9.15am in Park Slope and traveled into Manhattan, right under the noses of the doubled number of cops on trains.

It wasn't until Zack Tahhan, a 21-year-old from New Jersey who was fixing a store security camera in the East Village, spotted James on First Avenue that he was arrested.

New York City Police Department officers handcuff subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, 62, in the East Village on Wednesday

NYPD Police Commissioner, Keechant Sewell, announced the arrest of the suspect in the shooting on a Brooklyn subway yesterday

James posted dozens of ranting videos on YouTube where he spoke about race wars, prison, violence and moving from Wisconsin

The U-Haul van that police say subway shooter Frank James rented prior to unleashing the terrifying subway mass shooting during morning rush hour

Tahhan, a security worker from Brooklyn who works in the East Village, spotted him and alerted police.

'Everyone thought I was crazy!' he told DailyMail.com on Wednesday, describing how he jumped up and down and screamed for police to arrest him before he 'killed' anyone.

Another witness, Deira Figueroa, said Zach chased after the gunman and grabbed him.

She was riding her bike when it all kicked off and only realized what was happening when she heard shouting. She said it was a team effort, but the man was mentally ill, a very weird, strange man.

She said he tried to run away but Zach ran after him and caught him.

She said the tackle was incredible. 'In New York City, we protect us, nobodies really safe out here. It was like a tackle. The cops took a while to get here, maybe a few minutes.'

At a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Adams - who is in quarantine with COVID - said in a video message: 'We got him!'

Sewell also thanked the NYPD detectives and claimed they gave James 'nowhere to hide'.

But both were eviscerated by New Yorkers. James was able to evade cops even on the subway this morning, riding from Park Slope into Manhattan at 9.15am.

Now that he is in custody, attention will turn to why it took the police so long to find him in a city that is covered in surveillance cameras, and why it took a member of the public to finally bring him down.

The cameras inside the 36th Street station were not working yesterday when he opened fire on the northbound N train at 8.24am.

James, 62, had posted ranting videos on YouTube about violence, race, Eric Adams and crime in New York City.

The FBI (pictured in Brooklyn yesterday) faces major questions after it emerged the suspect in the Brooklyn shooting was on their terrorist radar

The footage was obtained by CBS on Wednesday morning as James, 62, remained at-large. It shows him walking slowly down a street in Brooklyn, wheeling a bag behind him and carrying a backpack in the other hand. He is wearing an orange construction vest

He left Wisconsin, where he lived alone, on March 20 in a rented van, driving through Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and then to New Jersey.

He is understood to have rented a U-Haul in Philadelphia sometime earlier this week and driven it to Brooklyn, dumping it on the Kings Highway, five miles from the 36th Street station.

He then was filmed getting on the subway at Kings Highway, shortly after 6am.

It's unclear what he did for the next two-and-a-half hours before unleashing a smoke bomb and firing his handgun on the train.

James relentlessly uploaded hate-speech-filled clips on YouTube about how oppressed black people were and how black and white people should have 'no contact', for weeks before Tuesday's attack.

He also posted worrying memes about guns, bullets and 9/11 on Facebook but none were picked up by police.

In the March 20th video, titled 'STOP ONE COMPLETE', he gave an ominous warning about his plans. Speaking from the driver's seat of a rented van, he said: 'As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is: Good riddance. I will never be back again alive to that m*********r.'

At the start of the video, he told of his plans to drive to Philadelphia.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I packed my bags. I got up, even though it's rainy, go to my storage unit, loaded that up and then finished my apartment off this morning.

'I am on my way to Philadelphia. I should be there... I'm going to take my time though.

'This is the first leg of my trip, it's been a long time since I've had to drive this far. We're going to find out though.

'All my Instacart driving paid off or what. We are definitely going to find the f*** out.'

Two days before the shooting, he posted another video where he said black people were forced into violence by racism.

'This is what white b*****s and white m*********ers' expect you to be when you blow one of their f*****g brains out  this is what you asked for. This is how you wanted me to be, obviously,' he said.

He was drinking white rum and had finished the bottle.

At the end of his final video, he said: 'Why should a n****r be on this planet besides to pick tobacco or sugar plant. There is no natural reason for there to be such a thing as an American negro, African American, there is no reason for it. Except for you to be a slave. That is your rightful place, it always will be. Until you build a black state of Israel, which you don't want. You want to send your a** in the ghetto and play n****r.

'This is what this s**t in Ukraine is a build up to. It's to get rid of your a**. Nuclear devices are going to be dropped. The president of Ukraine is calling for nuclear war. And so, I talk about my condition but, what the f*** can you do?

'That's life in the ghetto. I've said everything in this video that I wanted to say. I'm going to finish this 100 proof. I'm going to finish this s**t. This has got me knocked the f*** out. I can barely talk. Leave the rest of that s**t for tomorrow. I'm going to take my a** to bed. I'll talk to you guys later, take it easy. Be good.'

THE REAL HERO: Zack Tahhan, 21, was fixing a camera outside an East Village store when he spotted James in the street. The 62-year-old had just exited a McDonald's and was walking around casually, a day after shooting ten people on a northbound N train

A bag of fireworks, firecrackers and smoke cannisters was found at the 36th Street subway yesterday

In another video, he ranted: 'This nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death.

'There's nothing going to stop that,' James said in a ranting video on YouTube under the name 'Prophet of Truth88'.

The rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos posted by James, who is black, are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, sometimes against other black people.

He is also featured sharing conspiracy theories - such as claiming that the Twin Towers could never have been brought down on 9/11 by planes.

One video, posted April 11, criticizes crime against black people and says drastic action is needed.

'You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people,' James says.

'It's not going to get better until we make it better,' he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were 'stomped, kicked and tortured' out of their 'comfort zone.'

'I am now in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Comfort Inn Suites for the night.

'My next leg will be... I am taking my time. I am definitely going to get to Philly by Tuesday.
Angry Tory MPs accused the Met of 'poor judgment' and 'constant flip-flopping' over Partygate last night.

Scotland Yard was urged to be more transparent about its probe ahead of local elections.

MPs also criticised the force for prolonging the crisis by issuing fines event-by-event in a 'drip drip' fashion rather than in one go.

The Met announced on Tuesday that Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie and Rishi Sunak would be given fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for attending an impromptu celebration of his birthday in Downing Street during lockdown.

But Tory MPs rounded on the Met yesterday, demanding more information about its investigation and questioning the timing of the fines.

Local elections will take place on May 5 and postal votes are due to be sent out soon. Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said the Met should explain their decisions to fine some people and not others who broke lockdown rules.

Boris Johnson delivers a statement at Chequers following the announcement that he and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be fined over Partygate scandal

Scotland Yard was urged to be more transparent about its probe ahead of local elections. (Pictured: Met Police officer talks to protestor outside Downing Street on Wednesday)

Sarah Everard vigil row cop at centre of Partygate probe Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors The Scotland Yard officer leading the Partygate investigation was embroiled in the row over the policing of the Sarah Everard vigil. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors defended officers after some were photographed pinning mourners to the ground at the vigil in March 2021 for the Londoner murdered by a policeman. She said the force had to take some enforcement action as the evening progressed. A few months later, she faced another row over policing at Wembley Stadium after thousands of ticketless fans stormed the Euro final. She rejected claims the Mets operation had failed after chaotic scenes and dozens of injuries. Advertisement

He added: 'It's up to the Met how they conduct their investigation, but you'd expect it to be done swiftly and in a reasonable amount of time.

'It would be good to know how long they think the investigation will last, how they decide who gets a fine and whether they've officially ended the policy of not investigating retrospectively.

'Keir Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn and Kay Burley didn't get a fine so why does one person get fined and one doesn't?

'It's such a grey area, which is how the PM and Chancellor got caught out in the first place.

'They believed that what they were doing was within the rules.'

Asked about the timing of the announcement, the MP for Bassetlaw said: 'The postal votes are just going out  it's never ideal when announcements are made but it's up to the Met to do their jobs as they see fit.'

He added that while he was not questioning the professionalism of the officers involved, the removal of their boss Cressida Dick by London Mayor Sadiq Khan would have made their jobs more difficult.

One Tory MP, a former minister, added: 'I think that the Metropolitan Police are fully aware that we are now in an election period, and I would have thought that some senior officer within the Met would have realised the best thing to do was wait until after the election is over.

'I think it is very poor judgment on behalf of the Met.'

Another Tory MP said: 'It is very odd not to see everything at once.

'The point of FPNs is for speedy justice. It has not been swift.'

While another said: 'The whole manner in which the police have conducted themselves from start to finish  their constant flip-flopping  has done them no favours.'

However, one senior Tory MP said: 'Clearly the same rules must apply to everybody, and that means that the same penalties should apply to anybody if they are breached.

'The police are right to issue fines if they think people's actions were against the regulations, even if inadvertently.

'The Prime Minister and the Chancellor were obviously right to apologise.'

The Met declined to comment.
Queensland's Covid vaccine mandate ended overnight, meaning thousands of un-jabbed Australians can return to pubs, restaurants and theatres.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had announced the major changes to Covid-19 rules last month, thanking Queenslanders for 'working hard to keep each other safe'.

Most venues that have been open only to vaccinated staff and patrons since the mandate was brought in on December 17 will now be open to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

This includes pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants, theme parks, casinos and cinemas, weddings, showgrounds, galleries, libraries, museums and stadiums.

Vaccine requirements will still apply to visitors and workers in vulnerable settings including hospitals, aged and disability care, prisons, schools and early childhood centres.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) has ended the controversial vaccine mandate for most venues

CHANGES TO QUEENSLAND COVID RULES FROM 1AM ON APRIL 14 Venues previously only open to vaccinated staff and customers will be open to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. The venues include: Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants, theme parks, casinos and cinemas, weddings, showgrounds, galleries, libraries, museums and stadiums. Vaccine requirements will still apply to visitors and workers in vulnerable settings including: Hospitals, aged and disability care, prisons, schools and early childhood centres. Advertisement

No changes are being made to mask-wearing rules, which are needed in taxis, rideshares, public transport and in vulnerable settings.

t if you're an adult you need to be vaccinated with at least two doses.'

No changes are being made to mask-wearing rules, which are needed in taxis, rideshares, public transport and in vulnerable settings. But you no longer need to be vaccinated to go to a Queensland pub next week (pictured, an Airline Beach bar)

Acting Premier Steven Miles assured Queenslanders their 'world leading' health system was doing its best to cope with a second Omicron wave of COVID-19 after this week recording the fourth-highest volume of triple zero calls.

There were 597 patients with coronavirus in Queensland hospitals on Wednesday - the highest number during the current wave - with 16 in intensive care.

There were also another 10 deaths and 9176 new cases.

However the 54,535 cases active in the state on Wednesday was the lowest number in three weeks.

Mr Miles backed Queensland's health system but welcomed Opposition leader Anthony Albanese's urgent care clinic plan, saying it would take pressure off hospital emergency departments.

Mr Albanese on Wednesday outlined a trial of 50 urgent care clinics across the country in order to treat injuries and illnesses that were not life-threatening.

'We need to consider all those solutions to what is not just a problem with our emergency departments or ambulance service but a problem with our entire health system including primary care, GPs, aged care and disability support,' Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles urged Queenslanders to avoid emergency departments if they could, steering people toward the 13HEALTH advice phone line serviced by nurses.

He said the new Omicron wave and the unavailability of bulk billing GPs, along with more than 3000 health workers in quarantine had over-burdened the hospitals.

However, Mr Miles said the response time for code one calls was still just under nine minutes and "99 to 100 per cent" of emergency department patients were seen within two minutes.

'That's world leading,' he said.

'We have one of the best health systems in the world but it is under pressure.'

However, the state opposition claimed Queensland's ambulance service was the 'worst in the country'.

Liberal National Party state leader David Crisafulli said a parliamentary Question on Notice revealed Queensland ambulances lost more than 13,000 hours ramped outside hospitals in March and May last year and 'routinely' exceeded 10,000 hours in 2021.

He said on average 38 per cent of Queensland ambulances were ramped across the state, making it the highest in the country compared to Western Australia (37.3 per cent), Victoria (33.9 per cent) and NSW (16.8 per cent).

'If the state government doesn't start listening, it's only going to get worse,' Mr Crisafulli said.
A 9-year-old girl was accidentally shot in the arm while she was waiting to see the Easter Bunny at a Southern California mall after a store owner opened fire on two alleged shoplifters who were fleeing the business.

Little Ava was hit by a bullet at Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville on Tuesday evening. Her mother, Natalie, who is hearing impaired, told FOX 11 that she thought there had been a plane crash. She had no idea her young daughter had just been shot.

Officers responding to the shooting around 6:30 p.m. said the shots fired were intended for a pair of shoplifters - not the 9-year-old girl, according to a statement released by Victorville police.

Marqel Cockrell, 20, co-owner of the shoe store Sole Addicts was chasing the shoplifters out of his store when he 'fired multiple shots at the shoplifters,' police said in a statement.

A 9-year-old girl, identified as Ava by her family, puts on a brave and happy face despite having been struck in the arm by a stray bullet after a store owner opened fire on two shoplifters

Marqel Cockrell, 20, co-owner of the shoe store Sole Addicts, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after he opened fire on shoplifters in the mall - but instead struck a 9-year-old Ava while she was waiting in line to see the Easter Bunny

The shooting happened at the Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville, California. The mall's stores were locked down and customers sheltered inside as deputies searched for the shooter

'Cockrell's shots missed the shoplifters and instead hit the 9-year-old female victim.'

Ava's grandmother, Robin Saldarelli, told FOX 11 that the third-grader was getting ready to take pictures with the Easter Bunny when the gunman opened fire, sending shoppers scrambling for safety.

The mall's stores were locked down and customers sheltered inside as deputies searched for the shooter.

Video surfaced online shortly after the incident that appears to show Cockrell in the mall parking lot getting into a white sedan and driving away, FOX reported.

He was located and arrested in his car a few hours later, at about 9 p.m., in Clark County, Nevada by the Nevada Highway Patrol, Victorville police said.

Cockrell is being held at the Clark County Detention Center with his bail set at $1 million, 'on an extraditable warrant, for attempted murder,' Victorville police said.

An extradition hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Ava's mother, Natalie Moraga, explains the harrowing moment shots rang out at the mall, and the heartbreaking moment when she discovered her child had been struck by a stray bullet

Ava's grandmother, Robin Saldarelli, told FOX 11 that the third-grader was getting ready to take pictures with the Easter bunny when the gunman opened fire

Natalie Moraga, who is hearing impaired, thought there had been an explosion or plane crash, when the loud shots rang out at the mall Tuesday. She had no idea Ava had just been shot

Ava's family told FOX 11 that she is recovering from her injuries, but is in a lot of pain and does not understand why she can't return to school with her friends.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Ava's medical expenses.

'No little girl deserves this,' Ava's mother Natalie wrote on the GoFundMe post.

'No child deserves this - she was at the mall going for Easter pictures with the bunny she such a sweet loving girl and loves reading her books, she is suffering from 2 gunshot wounds , and her arm is broken!!!!!!!'

Ava is recovering from her injuries, but is in a lot of pain and does not understand why she can't return to school with her friends, her family said
Mariupol was on the brink of falling to Russia on Wednesday night in a major victory for the Kremlin, after around 1,000 Ukrainian marines reportedly surrendered and Russia's ministry of defence claimed it had taken control of the city's port.

Footage broadcast on Russian state television purportedly showed Ukrainian troops giving themselves up after holding out in the key besieged port city since the outbreak of war on February 24.

Soldiers emerging from a bunker at a steelworks were filmed walking with their hands up while one man helping to carry a comrade on a stretcher could be seen waving a white cloth.

Russia said 1,026 Ukrainian marines holed up at Ilyich iron and steelworks in the city's industrial district had been forced to surrender, including 162 officers, after putting up a last stand. Kyiv dismissed the claim.

Unverified posts from the Kremlin's defence ministry added that members of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade had 'voluntarily laid down arms'. Russia's defence ministry also claimed last night that it had taken control of Mariupol's port.

Pictured: Video appears to show Ukrainian Marines surrendering in the Eastern city of Mariupol. Russia claimed 1,026 Ukrainian marines holed up at Ilyich iron and steelworks in the city's industrial district had been forced to surrender, including 162 officers

The city has been surrounded for the vast majority of the seven-week invasion and large areas have been reduced to rubble, with images from the city reminiscent of those seen in Allepo, Syria and Grozny, Chechnya - also razed by Russian forces.

Moscow is facing claims that it committed war crimes following the shelling of a maternity hospital and the bombing of a theatre sheltering families which left hundreds dead. The true toll is not yet known.

The city's mayor has said a total of about 21,000 civilians have been killed during the fighting and seemingly indiscriminate shelling of the city.

However, the Ukrainian resistance, including men who stayed to fight when their families fled, had managed to cling on to control of the city, trying to protect an estimated 100,000 civilians left behind.

Yesterday, as Russian troops closed in and were accused of targeting anyone attempting to leave, one Ukrainian MP compared the situation to the Holocaust.

Petro Andriuschenko, an adviser to the mayor, said Ukraine still held several areas of the city including a separate steelworks at Azovstal  one of Europe's largest  and the harbour.

Capturing its Azovstal industrial district, where the marines have been holed up, would give the Russians full control of Ukraine's main Sea of Azov port, reinforce a southern land corridor and expand its occupation of the country's East.

Ukraine's general staff said Russian forces were attacking Azovstal and the port, but a defence ministry spokesman said he had no information about any surrender.

'Russian forces are increasing their activities on the southern and eastern fronts, attempting to avenge their defeats,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a Wednesday night video address.

The city's mayor Vadym Boychenko insisted that the city was yet to fall, but acknowledged remaining troops were 'vastly outnumbered'.

'When they say they're made of steel, we should know that steel also has its breaking point, but they are holding out and the city of Mariupol remains a Ukrainian city,' he said.

Boychenko, said Russia had brought in mobile crematoria 'to get rid of evidence of war crimes' - a statement that was not possible to verify.

Moscow has blamed Ukraine for civilian deaths and accused Kyiv of denigrating Russian armed forces.

A squad of Russian soldiers load a long belt of cannon shells into one of their armoured vehicles, April 12, 2022

A service member of pro-Russian troops loads rocket into an infantry combat vehicle during fighting in Ukraine-Russia conflict near a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works company in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine April 12, 2022

Earlier this week the 36th Marine Brigade said it was preparing for a final battle in Mariupol which would likely end in death or capture.

Last night there were claims that remaining marines had joined the ultranationalist Azov brigade following a 'complex and very risky' escape operation.

Regardless, military experts said the fall of Mariupol appeared to be a matter of 'hours, not days'.

Zelensky, in a forthright address yesterday, did not acknowledge claims about the surrender in Mariupol.

He instead released a video in English issuing a call for the West to send more 'heavy weapons' to prevent an 'endless bloodbath'.

Denysenko, advisor to Ukraine's Interior Minister, denied the claim of a surrender in comments to the Current Time TV channel, saying that they haven't heard anything like that and the battle over the sea port is ongoing.

'According to official data of (Ukraine's) Defense Ministry and the General Staff, we haven't heard anything like that,' Denysenko said. 'Moreover, I will say ... that the battle over the sea port is still ongoing today.'

Yesterday, Ukrainian MP Dmytro Gurin said it was 'almost impossible' for any remaining civilians to survive in the city with food and water scarce, amid claims Russian troops were targeting those attempting to escape.

He added that the situation was akin to scenes at Auschwitz during the Second World War and worse than the Srebrenica massacre of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims during the Bosnian War.

Before the war, Mariupol was home to 400,000. Its capture would represent Russia's biggest success during the invasion so far.

It would give its forces full control of the Sea of Azov coast and a secure land bridge linking mainland Russia and pro-Russian separatist territory in the east with the Crimean peninsula which was grabbed by Moscow in 2014.

This would allow Russian forces to unite and join a larger offensive against Ukrainian forces in the east.

Ukrainian fighters were putting up a last stand in tunnels under an abandoned Azovstal steel plant (pictured) in Mariupol as Russian forces close in on the besieged port city

Experts say the fall of Mariupol, seen as strategically vital for Russian plans to attack eastern Ukraine , is inevitable. But holdouts in their underground bases at the steelworks (pictured) hope to make conquering the Sea of Azov port as hard as possible for the attackers

The Kremlin's nearly seven-week-long incursion, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has not gone to plan.

Russia has been forced to pull back from some northern areas even as attacks across the country have turned Ukrainian cities to rubble and caused more than 4.6 million people to flee abroad.

The Kremlin denounced President Joe Biden's description of Moscow's actions in Ukraine as amounting to genocide, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying this was unacceptable coming from the leader of a country he said had committed crimes of its own. The White House said a legal process will be undertaken.

The United States announced on Wednesday an extra $800 million in military assistance including artillery systems, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters. This took total U.S. military aid to more than $2.5 billion. France and Germany also pledged more.

Russia will view U.S. and NATO vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as legitimate military targets, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the TASS news agency.

An initial report by a mission of experts set up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe documents a 'catalogue of inhumanity' by Russian troops in Ukraine, according to the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE.

'This includes evidence of direct targeting of civilians, attacks on medical facilities, rape, executions, looting and forced deportation of civilians to Russia,' Michael Carpenter said.

Russian servicemen (pictured) on Tuesday secured Mariupol's Drama Theatre which was destroyed in a missile strike on March 16

At least 300 people died when Mariupol's drama theatre (pictured, Russian servicemen secure the destroyed building) was targeted in a Russian missile strike, despite being marked 'children'

Russia has denied targeting civilians and has said Ukrainian and Western allegations of war crimes are fabricated.

The Kyiv district police chief said 720 bodies had been found in the region around the capital from where Russian forces had retreated, with more than 200 people missing.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan said after visiting Bucha, a town where bound bodies of people apparently shot at close range were found, that Ukraine was a 'crime scene' and this was within ICC jurisdiction.

'We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth,a Khan said on Twitter.

The mayor of the northeastern city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest, said bombing had increased significantly on Wednesday and satellite photos from Maxar Technologies showed long columns of armoured vehicles in the region.

At least seven people were killed, including a two-year-old boy, and 22 wounded in Kharkiv over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian planes attacking towns in the region, regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said earlier.

Reuters could not immediately verify his statement but filmed people in Kharkiv quietly carrying bodies from an apartment block hit by shelling.
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Britain will fly many asylum seekers 4,000 miles to Rwanda under a landmark plan to 'take back control of illegal immigration'.

Ministers have struck a 'world-first' deal with the East African nation to host migrants  including those who come to Britain across the Channel  while their claims are considered by the Home Office.

Home Secretary Priti Patel arrived in Rwandan capital Kigali tonight and is due to sign a five-year agreement tomorrow.

It will initially cost British taxpayers 120million, it is understood.

Other aspects of the plan are thought to include a new reception centre for asylum seekers in North Yorkshire, the Ministry of Defence being put in charge of the Channel and legal reforms to prevent failed asylum seekers mounting repeated appeals.

Officials believe the agreement to 'off-shore' the processing of asylum seekers will deter thousands of migrants from crossing the Channel in dinghies.

But ministers are braced for a ferocious backlash from Left-wing lawyers and human rights groups who are likely to criticise the deal  and even mount a legal challenge against it.

The Refugee Council charity was among those to urge an immediate rethink of the plan last night, with chief executive Enver Solomon telling the Mirror it was 'appalled by the Government's cruel and nasty decision.'

The United Nations refugee agency also expressed concern over the 'shifting rather than the sharing of responsibilities'.

Meanwhile, Labour claimed it was a move to switch attention away from the Partygate row which continues to embarrass No10.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, told the Guardian it was a 'shameful announcement meant to distract from Boris Johnson's recent law-breaking.

'It is an unworkable, unethical and extortionate policy that would cost the UK taxpayer billions of pounds during a cost of living crisis and would make it harder, not easier, to get fast and fair asylum decisions,' she said.

Government sources admitted the scheme  which has been two years in the planning  will 'face challenges'.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is met by delegates as she arrives in Rwanda tonight

Home Secretary Priti Patel pictured arriving in Kigali tonight ahead of tomorrow's agreement

Announcing the scheme in a speech tomorrow, Boris Johnson will say: 'The British people voted several times to control our borders  not to close them, but to control them.

'So just as Brexit allowed us to take back control of legal immigration by replacing free movement with our points-based system, we are also taking back control of illegal immigration with a long-term plan for asylum in this country.

'It is a plan that will ensure the UK has a world-leading asylum offer, providing generous protection to those directly fleeing the worst of humanity, by settling thousands of people every year through safe and legal routes.'

The PM is expected to add that failures of the current system  which saw a record 28,500 Channel migrant crossings last year  must be addressed.

'Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not,' he will say, adding that 600 migrants crossed the Channel today  a record daily number this year.

Although the precise details of how the scheme will operate were unclear tonight, the first key points emerged, including:

A new reception centre for asylum seekers at a former RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, which will house hundreds of migrants  unlike existing detention centres, the occupants will be free to come and go;

Councils are likely to be given more funding to house asylum seekers in more parts of the country; 

The Ministry of Defence will be put in charge of the Channel, pitting the Royal Navy against people smugglers;

Legal reforms will ensure asylum seekers who see their claims rejected cannot make repeated appeals in the courts; 

The Rwanda element of the plan will involve an 120million initial cost, but ministers argue this is a 'drop in the ocean' compared to the 4.7million-a-day costs of the current arrangements.

Migrants travelling to the UK on small boats will be put on jets and sent to Rwanda while their applications are processed

Government sources admitted the scheme  which has been two years in the planning  will 'face challenges'.

One refugee charity last night condemned the plans as 'cruel and nasty', while Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Rwanda processing proposal was 'desperate and shameful'.

But ministers are 'very confident' they have a solid case and that it is not fair that economic migrants have been 'jumping the queue' at the expense of refugees fleeing genuine persecution.

It is understood Channel migrants will be processed in the UK and officials will decide whether they are a genuine asylum seeker.

It is understood Channel migrants will be processed in the UK and officials will decide whether they are a genuine asylum seeker. If they are deemed to be economic migrants, they will be sent to Rwanda, where schemes will be put in place to help them build a new life.

It is thought that in other cases, all asylum processing will take place after the claimant arrives in Rwanda.

Britain will pay the costs of their resettlement. Miss Patel's plan is designed to deter economic migrants by showing that even if they reach British shores, they will not be allowed to remain here.

If the scheme works as expected, thousands of asylum seekers will end up further away from Britain than where they started.

It will also undermine the business models of callous people traffickers, who have been driving migrants to sea in increasingly unsafe conditions.

Priti to face down migrant backlash: She's braced for legal challenge from human rights lawyers and Left over new Rwanda deal

By David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent in Kigali, Rwanda

Ministers are determined to face down what is likely to be a fierce backlash over the plans to tackle the issue of cross-Channel migration.

Sources said Home Secretary Priti Patel has been 'working night and day' for the last eight months on the agreement with Rwanda, announced tomorrow.

It will see asylum seekers sent to the East African nation for processing or, in some cases, if they are ruled to be economic migrants rather than genuine refugees.

In short, it is designed to have a deterrent effect, and to stop migrants from attempting to enter the UK in the first place.

The Rwanda deal comes after a number of other locations for offshore processing were said to be under consideration by the Home Office.

Sources said Home Secretary Priti Patel has been 'working night and day' for the last eight months on the agreement with Rwanda, announced tomorrow.

Ghana and Albania were mooted, along with disused North Sea oil platforms and decommissioned ferries off the UK coast. Ascension Island, part of a UK overseas territory almost 4,500 miles away in the South Atlantic, was also suggested last month.

Offshoring asylum seekers will be highly controversial, and even Tory backbenchers have questioned the expense.

Last month Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell said housing asylum seekers at the Ritz hotel would be cheaper than offshoring, claiming the cost to the British taxpayer would be 2million per person, per year.

Ministers are also braced for a legal challenge from human rights lawyers  as well as political opposition from Labour and the Left.

Flows of migrants across the Channel have seemed an insoluble challenge since numbers began to rise four years ago.

Last year a record 28,500 migrants reached British shores aboard dinghies and small boats, with trends appearing to rise yet further so far this year. Ministers will now attempt a different approach  with a complex international agreement that has taken two years to secure.

Last year a record 28,500 migrants reached British shores aboard dinghies and small boats, with trends appearing to rise yet further so far this year

In a speech tomorrow, Boris Johnson will defend the new plan, saying that the Government has to control illegal immigration.

'We cannot sustain a parallel illegal system. Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not,' he will say.

'The British people voted several times to control our borders, not to close them, but to control them.

'So just as Brexit allowed us to take back control of legal immigration by replacing free movement with our points-based system, we are also taking back control of illegal immigration, with a long-term plan for asylum in this country.'

The Government's Nationality and Borders Bill will grant the Home Secretary new legal powers to process asylum seekers overseas.

The Bill is yet to complete its final stages in Parliament, and earlier this year the House of Lords voted to remove the offshoring powers, only for them to be later re-instated by a Commons vote.

'We cannot sustain a parallel illegal system. Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not,' the Prime Minister is expected to say

A group of people thought to be migrants are are guided up the beach after being brought in to Dungeness, Kent, on March 24

Tonight, the initial reaction from charities suggested they would bitterly oppose the plans.

Enver Solomon, of the Refugee Council, said: 'We are appalled by the Government's cruel and nasty decision to send those seeking sanctuary in our country to Rwanda.

'Offshoring the UK's asylum system will do absolutely nothing to address the reasons why people take perilous journeys to find safety in the UK.

'It will do little to deter them from coming to this country, but only lead to more human suffering and chaos.'

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, said the 'shockingly ill-conceived idea will go far further in inflicting suffering while wasting huge amounts of public money'.

Rwanda, with a population of 13million, needs more workers and has in recent years resettled more than 100,000 refugees. In a different approach, the European Union is developing a network of accommodation centre for asylum seekers on a number of Greek islands.

The first 37million facility, on Samos, opened in September and can house 3,000 people in rows of container-style accommodation units.

Elsewhere, Home Office officials have closely studied a similar scheme for offshore processing which is being set up by Denmark.

Danish parliamentarians have approved a change to their law which would allow asylum applications to be considered in a third country. Last year there were reports that it was looking at signing an agreement with the Rwandan government.

Centre where asylum seekers 'come and go'

A major aspect of the wider immigration plan is thought to include the construction of a reception centre for asylum seekers in North Yorkshire.

The centre would be at a former RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse, near York, and could house hundreds of migrants.

Aerial view of RAF Linton-On-Ouse, air force base near York, North Yorkshire

Unlike existing immigration detection centres, it is understood the occupants will be free to come and go while they await a decision on their case.

Officials hope such accommodation centres will be far more cost effective than placing migrants in hotels, which currently costs the taxpayer 4.7million a day.

Councils are also likely to be given more funding to house asylum seekers in more parts of the country. Previously, the Home Office has faced criticism over the use of a military barracks in Kent to house asylum seekers.

A High Court judge ruled that Napier Barracks, where 200 residents caught coronavirus and seven attempted suicide, provided inadequate accommodation. The Home Office says it has since been improved

UK migrant support is world class, say ministers

Britain's programme of help to migrants in need is among the most generous in the world, ministers have said.

In the wake of the Syrian migrant crisis in 2015, driven by Islamic State's terror, the UK accepted 20,000 migrants over five years.

Last year's Taliban takeover of Afghanistan led to a similar project to help people fleeing their country.

A migrant carrying a small child, picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel, are escorted ashore from RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat at Dungeness, Kent, on March 15

Britain evacuated thousands of Afghans who had worked for the UK under the former government, and in January this year ministers committed to taking a further 20,000 Afghans in the coming years.

The UK Government also responded to deepening fears over erosion of human rights in Hong Kong by Beijing's Communist government.

It created a special route for Hong Kongers to gain a version of a British passport which would allow them to flee the former British colony and come to the UK.

So far 90,000 have already been awarded the so-called British National (Overseas) passport.

And, most recently, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed there will be no cap on the number of Ukrainians able to flee Russia's brutal war and come to Britain.

However, the roll-out of the Ukraine visa schemes have been dogged by controversy and delays both for Ukrainian families and potential hosts in the UK.

Latest figures published last week showed 12,500 Ukrainians had arrived in Britain  and tens of thousands more visas had been handed out.

The total is expected to rise sharply, however, with officials predicting that up to 200,000 Ukrainians could ultimately come to the UK. All these schemes are part of the Government's strategy to increase the number of 'safe routes' to Britain for those most in need.

As a counterbalance, new legislation will make it more difficult for economic migrants to exploit the asylum system, which ministers have described as 'jumping the queue'.

The Nationality and Borders Bill will create a two-tier system for asylum claims depending on whether migrants came through approved routes, or by 'irregular entry' such as in boats or the backs of lorries. It will also toughen penalties for people smugglers.

Luxury life of 'despot' blamed for rights abuses

By Tom Witherow for the Daily Mail

The president of Rwanda has won plaudits from former prime ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron despite being branded a 'despot' and blamed for human rights abuses.

Paul Kagame, 64, has sold Rwanda as a success story in the developing world over three decades.

He has courted foreign leaders and royalty  including a 2020 meeting with Prince William at Buckingham Palace  to win praise as a dynamic and progressive president.

His government has also spent millions of pounds brushing up Rwanda's image by sponsoring Premier League team Arsenal.

But critics claim he is guilty of murderous authoritarianism which has enabled him to remain in power for 28 years.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and His Wife Jeannette

He led the militia groups who ended the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which saw more than 500,000 people massacred.

Then US President Bill Clinton said Kagame was 'one of the greatest leaders of our time', Lord Blair called him a 'visionary', and Mr Cameron said his regime was a 'role model for development'.

But in recent years negative stories have over-shadowed his country's economic success.

Last December, Paul Rusesabagina  the inspiration for the hero character in Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda  was sentenced to 25 years in prison for allegedly founding a terrorist group.

Rwanda president Paul Kagame with Arsenal legend Tony Adams in 2014

His family branded it a show trial. The former hotel boss-turned-opposition leader had been praised for shielding thousands of potential genocide victims in 1994.

But he criticised Rwanda's human rights abuses after Kagame came to power.

Kagame's intelligence services have also been suspected of killing critics abroad, but none of the allegations has been proven.

When arch-critic Colonel Patrick Karegeya was murdered in a hotel in South Africa in 2014, Kagame said: 'When you choose to live like a dog, you die like a dog.'

A recent book claimed the Metropolitan Police provided protection for Rwandan opposition figures threatened in London.

Kagame is known for his luxurious lifestyle and travels in a 50million executive jet and an armour-plated Range Rover worth an estimated 300,000.

His son Ivan sits on the board of Rwanda's investment agency and lives in a 5million Beverly Hills mansion.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, in Iowa, April 12, en route to Washington. Biden said that Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to "genocide," accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." AP-Yonhap





U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Tuesday that Russia's invasion of Ukraine amounts to genocide, a significant escalation of the president's rhetoric.







Biden used the term genocide in a speech at an ethanol plant in Iowa and later stood by the description as he prepared to board Air Force One.







"Yes, I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian and the evidence is mounting," Biden told reporters.







He added: "We'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me."







Biden has repeatedly called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, but Tuesday marked the first time he accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine.







"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away," Biden said at an event in Iowa on fuel prices.






Britain is turning round the shambles of the Ukrainian refugee scheme and is processing 3,000 cases a day, a minister said last night.

The scheme has been hit by complaints that red tape means it is taking too long to get people fleeing the conflict into the UK.

Lord Harrington, the minister for refugees, told the Daily Mail that the Home Office had processed 3,000 cases a day for the past two days.

He said he hoped this would stabilise at more than 15,000 a week by the end of next week.

And he wants the time refugees to have to wait before their application process is approved to be reduced to 48 hours by the start of next month.

The minister also revealed that 52,000 Ukrainian refugees have been approved over four weeks. That compares to 20,000 Syrian refugees who were processed over a three-year period.

Britain is turning round the shambles of the Ukrainian refugee scheme and is processing 3,000 cases a day, a minister said last night. Pictured: Ukrainian refugees arrive in Manchester on March 29

Pictured: Refugees, mostly women and children, wait for transport at border crossing in Medyka, Poland

Lord Harrington yesterday returned from a trip to Poland, which is hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees. He said: Ive been to visa centres to see how this can be speeded up, Ive spoken to NGOs about whats needed on the ground.

My aim is by the week after next we will be processing 15,000 people a week, with a 48-hour window, meaning we will aim to get a response back within 48 hours. Were clearing the backlog now.

Weve got 200,000 expressions of interest, and we are now contacting these again to get the offers firmed up, as they have to understand it is for six months. One of the causes of past delays has been the need to check whether children seeking refuge are travelling with their parents.

Lord Harrington said the Government was looking at ways of speeding up the process of identifying children so they can check whether they are with relatives and not people traffickers.

The scheme has been hit by complaints that red tape means it is taking too long to get people fleeing the conflict into the UK (File image)

While parents usually have passports, many children do not. Ideas include accepting letters from doctors, and allowing birth certificates to be presented. He added: Safeguarding is very important, and both the Ukrainian and Polish authorities are worried about children being trafficked to the UK.

They dont want unaccompanied children to come to the UK; they prefer countries with a similar heritage such as Poland and Moldova.

Lord Harrington also said officials were asking refugees which parts of forms they found difficult.

He added that it was understandable Britons who had offered a place for refugees found the delays frustrating but it was important that proper checks were done.

It followed United Nations concerns that so many single men had applied to welcome a single female refugee.

He said: Some people have come up on the watch list and I think people understand the need for these checks, even though there are concerns about delays.

Lord Harrington also urged MPs not to chase up cases with the Home Office, saying: MPs have to realise that when they are making these inquiries they are taking people away from working on cases.
Sydney families can save hundreds of dollars this Easter with all public transport free for 12 days over the holiday period.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott confirmed an agreement with the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union would scrap fares between April 14 and 26.

The RTBU threatened to take industrial action every Friday until June if the government did not agree to the free travel as an apology to commuters for delays over recent weeks.

On Sunday NSW Transport Minister David Elliott confirmed an agreement with the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union that will see commuters in Sydney travel for free between April 14 and 26

The strained relationship between the NSW government and RTBU reached a head last month that saw a 24-hour shutdown of Sydney's rail network

The strained relationship between the NSW Government and RTBU came to a head last month in a 24-hour shutdown of Sydney's rail network amid negotiations over pay and workplace conditions.

A midnight decision by Transport for NSW to suddenly close the network took passengers, the union, and even the government by surprise.

A nasty war of words erupted over the course of the day with the government branding the union 'terrorists' even though staff and the union wanted to work.

The government was forced to back down the next day and the network was back up and running with only minor ongoing industrial action.

Relations have since improved as the two sides finally make headway thrashing out a new enterprise agreement, and work to make industrial action unnecessary.

The fare-free travel covers all Opal networks including train, bus, light rail, and ferry services in Sydney, Illawarra, Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, and the Hunter region

Mr Elliott said the fare-free travel over Easter was an opportunity for commuters to connect with loved ones on the cheap.

'To commuters affected by recent rail disruptions, I want to say a heartfelt thank you for your patience,' he said.

'I hope the fare-free 12 days of Easter is a way for you to enjoy quality time with family and friends during the school holidays, while at the same time helping to revitalise our city centres and local communities.'

The fare-free travel covers all Opal card networks including train, bus, light rail, and ferry services in Sydney, Illawarra, Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, and the Hunter region.

Another five weeks of negotiations between the RTBU and government will take place to discuss a new enterprise agreement after the last expired last year.

Mr Elliott said the fare-free travel over Easter was an opportunity for commuters to connect with loved ones without added expense

Mr Elliott faced criticism in February for the 24-hour cancellation of rail services in Sydney amid tense negotiations between the RTBU and government

The RTBU is also negotiating pay disputes, safety on new intercity fleet trains, and the prevention of the privatisation of the NSW rail network.

Mr Elliott faced criticism in February for the 24-hour cancellation of rail services in February, with most Sydneysiders siding with the union.

He said he understood the delayed services of added to the stress of commuters following delays from Covid restrictions and hoped the fare-free period would help boost traffic for Sydney's small businesses.

The government has not yet confirmed how much the 12 free days of travel will cost but it is estimated to be tens of millions of dollars.

Sydney Trains annual report revealed it made $480 million in the financial year from 2020 to 2021, much lower than previous years due to Covid lockdowns.
Ministers are determined to face down what is likely to be a fierce backlash over the plans to tackle the issue of cross-Channel migration.

Sources said Home Secretary Priti Patel has been 'working night and day' for the last eight months on the agreement with Rwanda, announced today.

It will see asylum seekers sent to the East African nation for processing or, in some cases, if they are ruled to be economic migrants rather than genuine refugees.

In short, it is designed to have a deterrent effect, and to stop migrants from attempting to enter the UK in the first place.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has been working on an agreement with Rewanda that will see asylum seekers processed there. The Government's Nationality and Borders Bill will grant the Home Secretary new legal powers to process asylum seekers overseas

The Rwanda deal comes after a number of other locations for offshore processing were said to be under consideration by the Home Office.

Ghana and Albania were mooted, along with disused North Sea oil platforms and decommissioned ferries off the UK coast.

Ascension Island, part of a UK overseas territory almost 4,500 miles away in the South Atlantic, was also suggested last month.

Offshoring asylum seekers will be highly controversial, and even Tory backbenchers have questioned the expense.

Last month Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell said housing asylum seekers at the Ritz hotel would be cheaper than offshoring, claiming the cost to the British taxpayer would be 2million per person, per year.

Ministers are also braced for a legal challenge from human rights lawyers  as well as political opposition from Labour and the Left.

Flows of migrants across the Channel have seemed an insoluble challenge since numbers began to rise four years ago.

Last year a record 28,500 migrants reached British shores aboard dinghies and small boats, with trends appearing to rise yet further so far this year.

Ministers will now attempt a different approach  with a complex international agreement that has taken two years to secure.

In a speech today, Boris Johnson will defend the new plan, saying that the Government has to control illegal immigration.

'We cannot sustain a parallel illegal system. Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not,' he will say.

'The British people voted several times to control our borders, not to close them, but to control them.

'So just as Brexit allowed us to take back control of legal immigration by replacing free movement with our points-based system, we are also taking back control of illegal immigration, with a long-term plan for asylum in this country.'

Priti Patel arrives for a visit to Rwanda in preparation for the deal with Britain. Ministers expect legal challenge from human rights lawyers as well as political pushback on costs and ethics

The Government's Nationality and Borders Bill will grant the Home Secretary new legal powers to process asylum seekers overseas.

The Bill is yet to complete its final stages in Parliament, and earlier this year the House of Lords voted to remove the offshoring powers, only for them to be later re-instated by a Commons vote.

Last night, the initial reaction from charities suggested they would bitterly oppose the plans.

Enver Solomon, of the Refugee Council, said: 'We are appalled by the Government's cruel and nasty decision to send those seeking sanctuary in our country to Rwanda.

'Offshoring the UK's asylum system will do absolutely nothing to address the reasons why people take perilous journeys to find safety in the UK.

Rwanda has a population of 13 million and has in recent years resettled more than 100,000 refugees. In a different approach, the EU is planning to place asylum seekers on Greek islands

'It will do little to deter them from coming to this country, but only lead to more human suffering and chaos.'

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, said the 'shockingly ill-conceived idea will go far further in inflicting suffering while wasting huge amounts of public money'.

Rwanda, with a population of 13million, needs more workers and has in recent years resettled more than 100,000 refugees.

In a different approach, the European Union is developing a network of accommodation centre for asylum seekers on a number of Greek islands.

The first 37million facility, on Samos, opened in September and can house 3,000 people in rows of container-style accommodation units.

Elsewhere, Home Office officials have closely studied a similar scheme for offshore processing which is being set up by Denmark.

Danish parliamentarians have approved a change to their law which would allow asylum applications to be considered in a third country.

Last year there were reports that it was looking at signing an agreement with the Rwandan government.
A U.S. judge on Wednesday declined to throw out a criminal case against Michael Sussmann, a Democratic Party-linked lawyer accused of lying to the FBI, setting the stage for a jury trial scheduled for May 16.

Sussmann was charged as part of U.S. Special Counsel John Durham's investigation into the origins of the FBI inquiry of suspected ties between Russia and Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

Sussmann is a former lawyer for the Perkins Coie firm who previously worked for 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign against Republican Trump, who became president.

A U.S. judge on Wednesday declined to throw out a criminal case against Michael Sussmann (pictured), a Democratic Party-linked lawyer accused of lying to the FBI, setting the stage for a jury trial scheduled for May 16

In a written order, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in the District of Columbia denied a motion to dismiss the criminal case filed by Sussmann's legal team.

Sussmann had argued as grounds for dismissal that he never made a 'material,' or consequential, misstatement to the FBI. But Cooper said he needed to hear the government's evidence before resolving the 'materiality' issue.

'The battle lines thus are drawn, but the Court cannot resolve this standoff prior to trial,' Cooper wrote.

Sussmann has pleaded not guilty and denies that he lied to the FBI.

Sussmann is accused of lying to the FBI about who he was representing when he met with the agency in September 2016.

Sussmann is a former lawyer for the Perkins Coie firm who previously worked for 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's (pictured) campaign against Republican Trump, who became president

Sussmann gave the FBI evidence of potential cyber links between the Trump Organization and Russia's Alfa Bank. The FBI eventually investigated the Alfa Bank matter but decided the suspicions were unfounded.

According to Durham's indictment, Sussmann lied by saying he was not passing along information about Trump on behalf of any specific client.

The indictment said Sussmann turned over that information to the FBI not as a 'good citizen' but as an attorney representing a U.S. technology executive, Rodney Joffe, and Clintons presidential campaign.

The case is the second criminal prosecution Durham has filed since Trump-era U.S. Attorney General William Barr tapped him in 2019 to investigate U.S. officials who probed the Trump-Russia contacts. Trump portrayed the 2016 FBI investigation as part of a political witch hunt.

The administration of President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election, has allowed Durham to continue his work as special counsel.
Britain's programme of help to migrants in need is among the most generous in the world, ministers have said.

In the wake of the Syrian migrant crisis in 2015, driven by Islamic States terror, the UK accepted 20,000 migrants over five years.

Last years Taliban takeover of Afghanistan led to a similar project to help people fleeing their country.

Britain evacuated thousands of Afghans who had worked for the UK under the former government, and in January this year ministers committed to taking a further 20,000 Afghans in the coming years.

Latest figures published last week showed 12,500 Ukrainians had arrived in Britain. Pictured: Ukrainian refugees arrive in Manchester on March 29

The UK Government also responded to deepening fears over erosion of human rights in Hong Kong by Beijings Communist government.

It created a special route for Hong Kongers to gain a version of a British passport which would allow them to flee the former British colony and come to the UK.

So far 90,000 have already been awarded the so-called British National (Overseas) passport.

And, most recently, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed there will be no cap on the number of Ukrainians able to flee Russias brutal war and come to Britain.

Britain's programme of help to migrants in need is among the most generous in the world, ministers have said (File image)

However, the roll-out of the Ukraine visa schemes have been dogged by controversy and delays both for Ukrainian families and potential hosts in the UK.

Latest figures published last week showed 12,500 Ukrainians had arrived in Britain  and tens of thousands more visas had been handed out.

The total is expected to rise sharply, however, with officials predicting that up to 200,000 Ukrainians could ultimately come to the UK.

All these schemes are part of the Governments strategy to increase the number of safe routes to Britain for those most in need.

As a counterbalance, new legislation will make it more difficult for economic migrants to exploit the asylum system, which ministers have described as jumping the queue.

The Nationality and Borders Bill will create a two-tier system for asylum claims depending on whether migrants came through approved routes, or by irregular entry such as in boats or the backs of lorries. It will also toughen penalties for people-smuggling.
Scots will no longer legally have to wear face masks in any setting from next week, the Government confirmed yesterday.

Nicola Sturgeon said the relaxation of rules requiring people to wear masks in public places is to start on Monday, after almost two years.

From then, wearing a covering will become guidance rather than a legal requirement.

It means Welsh hospitals and care homes are now the last places in Britain still forcing restrictions on staff and visitors, though they too are expected to be lifted by next month.

Miss Sturgeon said: 'In recent weeks we have seen steady progress as we move back to a greater sense of normality and a more sustainable way of managing this virus.

'However, our NHS is still under pressure and the most vulnerable members of our society can still benefit from additional measures to protect them from the virus.

'That is why although the use of face coverings will become guidance rather than a legal requirement, I strongly recommend members of the public continue wearing face coverings in indoor settings where possible, and particularly when significant numbers of people are present.'

Colin Wilkinson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association managing director, said the decision to relax the rules was 'not before time'.

The relaxation of rules requiring people to wear masks in public places is to start on Monday, after almost two years

Nicola Sturgeon said she still 'strongly recommends' members of the public continue wearing face coverings in indoor settings where possible

He said: 'Scotland has been out of step with England for months and it has led to confusion for customers, particularly visitors from south of the Border, and frustration for business owners and their staff  the lack of use of face coverings has been clearly evident in many settings.

'The decision to move the legislation to 'guidance' is warmly welcomed although not before time and long overdue, and while we had hoped it would have been in force ahead of the Easter holidays, a time when licensed hospitality traditionally experiences an uplift in business, it is better late than never.'

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said indications are 'positive' that Scotland is exiting the current coronavirus wave but warned that it will not be the last the country will have to deal with.

The Health Secretary was speaking yesterday as he announced the takeover of the private Carrick Glen Clinic by NHS Ayrshire & Arran to become part of a network of ten national surgery treatment centres.

The programme forms part of the health service's recovery as it tries to deal with a backlog caused by the pandemic.

When asked if Scotland is heading in the right direction in terms of managing Covid, Mr Yousaf said: 'This is not the last wave we are going to have to deal with. I think there could be other waves, certainly, that my public health experts tell me... we'll have to deal with.

'I'll still be wearing face coverings in particular settings, and we'll be encouraging other people to do similar.'

Mr Yousaf also urged school pupils to protect their peers upon the return to classes after the Easter holiday by getting the jab.

He said: 'We know it offers the best protection possible.'
Downing Street last night branded as nonsense claims that Rishi Sunak is set to be sacked in the coming months.

A No 10 spokesman said extraordinary reports that Boris Johnson has become openly contemptuous of the Chancellor were categorically untrue.

Left-wing magazine the New Statesman cited three highly placed sources in Tory party circles who said Mr Sunak would be ousted in the coming months.

It reported Mr Johnson uses at least two expletive-laden nicknames for the Chancellor and feels a sense of betrayal over his perceived lack of support during the height of the Partygate scandal.

It also said that election guru Sir Lynton Crosby, who is informally advising Mr Johnson, is gunning for Mr Sunak.

A No 10 spokesman said extraordinary reports that Boris Johnson has become openly contemptuous of the Chancellor were categorically untrue'

It reported Mr Johnson uses at least two expletive-laden nicknames for the Chancellor and feels a sense of betrayal over his perceived lack of support during the height of the Partygate scandal

It was reported yesterday that the Chancellor agonised for hours over whether to resign after his Partygate fine. But Treasury sources insisted he and Mr Johnson were in constant contact on Tuesday before releasing a joint statement over their fines.

A senior Tory told the Daily Mail that it would be unforgivable for Mr Sunak to resign on principle over the fine, as it would add pressure on the Prime Minister.

And they said: If Boris were to go because of this, then it simply isnt feasible that Rishi could succeed him.

However, another Tory MP said yesterday that it was unavoidable that Mr Sunak should fall on his sword.

Pictured: Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured yesterday with constituents, publicly criticised and questioned the Prime Minister's conduct over claims regarding Sir Keir Starmer's time as DPP

Charm Offensive: Mr Sunak was out in West London yesterday at an Age UK coffee morning where he discussed the Energy Bills Rebate with constituents and the cost of living crisis

Backbencher Nigel Mills told the BBC: He was at the same event and he has been given the same fine. I mean, hes not... didnt seem to be involved in any more events that were unacceptable. Perhaps, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He added: Im not saying that the Chancellor should be barred from high office for life. But I kind of think this is a line that we cannot cross and they cant stay in the same high-profile role but Im sure they can come back in future.

Mr Sunak had claimed to be in the clear over the Partygate saga. In February, he said that he did not believe he had broken lockdown rules though acknowledged he attended a Covid meeting in the Cabinet Room on June 19 2020.

In January, following Mr Johnsons apology to MPs over the scandal, he abruptly broke off an interview when pressed if he would give his full support to the Prime Minister.
The first life on Earth appeared at least 3.75 billion years ago  around 300 million years earlier than previously thought, a new study has revealed.

The revelation is based on analysis of a fist-sized rock from Quebec, Canada, which is estimated to be between 3.75 and 4.28 billion years old.

Researchers had previously found tiny filaments, knobs and tubes in the rock, which appeared to have been made by bacteria. However, not all scientists agreed that these structures were of biological origin.

Now, after extensive further analysis, the team at University College London have discovered a much larger and more complex structure inside the rock  a stem with parallel branches on one side that is nearly a centimetre long.

They also found hundreds of distorted spheres, or 'ellipsoids', alongside the tubes and filaments.

The researchers say that, while some of the structures could conceivably have been created through chance chemical reactions, the 'tree-like' stem with parallel branches was most likely biological in origin.

This is because no structure created via chemistry alone has been found like it.

Until now, the earliest known evidence of life on Earth was a 3.46-billion-year-old rock from Western Australia containing microscopic worm-like fossils.

Dr Dominic Papineau holding a sample of the rock, estimated to be between 3.75 and 4.28 billion years old

 Slide me  Pictured: The 'tree-like' stem with parallel branches on one side, considered to be the most convincing trace of life in the rocks. The main stem begins on the bottom left, extending upwards nearly to the top of the image, with 'pectinate' (parallel aligned on one side) branches on the stems right-hand side.

How the research was done Researchers examined rocks from Quebec's Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB), which was once a chunk of seafloor, and contains some of the oldest sedimentary rocks known on Earth. The research team sliced the rock into sections about as thick as paper (100 microns) using a diamond-encrusted saw, in order to closely observe the tiny fossil-like structures, which are made of haematite, a form of iron oxide or rust, and encased in quartz. They then compared the structures and compositions to more recent fossils, as well as to iron-oxidising bacteria located near hydrothermal vent systems today. This allowed them to identify modern-day equivalents to the twisting filaments, parallel branching structures and distorted spheres (irregular ellipsoids), for instance close to the Loihi undersea volcano near Hawaii, as well as other vent systems in the Arctic and Indian oceans. Advertisement

'Using many different lines of evidence, our study strongly suggests a number of different types of bacteria existed on Earth between 3.75 and 4.28 billion years ago,' said lead author Dr Dominic Papineau from UCL's department of Earth Sciences.

'This means life could have begun as little as 300 million years after Earth formed. In geological terms, this is quick  about one spin of the Sun around the galaxy.'

The team also uncovered evidence of how the bacteria got their energy in different ways.

They found mineralised chemical by-products in the rock that are consistent with ancient microbes living off iron, sulphur and possibly also carbon dioxide and light through a form of photosynthesis not involving oxygen.

These new findings suggest that a variety of microbial life may have existed on primordial Earth.

They also have implications for the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

'If life is relatively quick to emerge, given the right conditions, this increases the chance that life exists on other planets,' said Dr Papineau.

For the study, the researchers examined rocks from Quebec's Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB), collected by Dr Papineau in 2008.

The NSB, once a chunk of seafloor, contains some of the oldest sedimentary rocks known on Earth, thought to have been laid down near a system of hydrothermal vents, where cracks on the seafloor let through iron-rich waters heated by magma.

Bright red concretion of haematitic chert (an iron-rich and silica-rich rock), which contains tubular and filamentous microfossils

Dr Dominic Papineau in his laboratory at UCL. The new findings suggest that a variety of microbial life may have existed on primordial Earth

The research team sliced the rock into sections about as thick as paper (100 microns) in order to closely observe the tiny fossil-like structures, which are made of haematite, a form of iron oxide or rust, and encased in quartz.

These slices of rock, cut with a diamond-encrusted saw, were more than twice as thick as earlier sections the researchers had cut, allowing the team to see larger haematite structures in them.

They compared the structures and compositions to more recent fossils, as well as to iron-oxidising bacteria located near hydrothermal vent systems today.

This allowed them to identify modern-day equivalents to the twisting filaments, parallel branching structures and distorted spheres (irregular ellipsoids), for instance close to the Loihi undersea volcano near Hawaii, as well as other vent systems in the Arctic and Indian oceans.

For the study, the researchers examined rocks from Quebec's Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB), collected by Dr Papineau in 2008

As well as analysing the rock specimens under various optical and Raman microscopes (which measure the scattering of light), the research team also digitally recreated sections of the rock using a supercomputer that processed thousands of images from two high resolution imaging techniques.

The first technique was micro-CT, or microtomography, which uses X-rays to look at the haematite inside the rocks.

The second was focused ion beam, which shaves away miniscule - 200 nanometre-thick - slices of rock, with an integrated electron microscope taking an image in-between each slice.

Both techniques produced stacks of images used to create 3D models of different targets.

The 3D models then allowed the researchers to confirm the haematite filaments were wavy and twisted, and contained organic carbon, which are characteristics shared with modern-day iron-eating microbes.

In their analysis, the team concluded that the haematite structures could not have been created through the squeezing and heating of the rock (metamorphism) over billions of years.

They pointed out that the structures appeared to be better preserved in finer quartz (less affected by metamorphism) than in the coarser quartz (which has undergone more metamorphism).

The researchers also looked at the levels of rare earth elements in the fossil-laden rock, finding that they had the same levels as other ancient rock specimens.

This confirmed that the seafloor deposits were as old as the surrounding volcanic rocks, and not younger 'imposter infiltrations', as some have proposed.

Prior to this discovery, the oldest fossils previously reported were found in Western Australia and dated at 3.46 billion years old, although some scientists have also contested their status as fossils, arguing they are non-biological in origin.
It's the go-to meal for a visit to the seaside, but cod and chips could soon be off the menu, according to a new study.

Researchers from Rutgers University have warned that rising sea temperatures will mean fewer popular fish species will be available to catch over the next 200 years.

'While the species we fish today will be there tomorrow, they will not be there in the same abundance,' warned Dr Malin Pinsky, co-author of the study.

It's the go-to meal for a visit to the seaside, but cod and chips could soon be off the menu, according to a new study

Small cod and chips? Rising sea temperatures are shrinking our favourite fish including cod and haddock in the North Sea and West of Scotland, researchers have found. Experts from Aberdeen analysed 30 years of trawl survey data on cod, haddock, whiting and saith from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. They found that while juvenile fish in the North Sea and the West of Scotland have been getting bigger, the size of adults has been decreasing. Furthermore, these changes in size are correlated with the increases in bottom sea temperatures in both areas, the analysis concluded. According to the researchers, the data predicts a reduction in commercial fishery yields in the short term, with the long-term forecast presently unclear. Advertisement

In the study, the team set out to understand how warming waters will affect the abundance of popular fish, such as cod.

They suggest that as sea temperatures rise, fish will be forced out of their natural geographic ranges, making it more difficult for fishermen to catch them.

Meanwhile, larger-bodied top predators will stay in their habitats for longer than smaller prey, in part because of the arrival of new food sources to their pre-warming ranges, according to the team.

'What that suggests from a fisheries perspective is that while the species we fish today will be there tomorrow, they will not be there in the same abundance. In such a context, overfishing becomes easier because the population growth rates are low,' explained Dr Pinsky.

'Warming coupled with food-web dynamics will be like putting marine biodiversity in a blender.'

While previous research has looked at the direct impacts of climate change on individual species, few studies have looked at the wider implications for ocean communities.

In the new study, the team used computer models to assess trophic interactions - the process of one species being nourished at the expense of another.

The models suggest that warming waters because of climate change will cause a huge species reshuffle.

Smaller fish will seek out cooler waters towards the poles, in a 'dramatic reorganisation of life on Earth', according to the team.

Larger predators will stay in place for longer, laying in wait for the next batch of small fish to arrive.

'The model suggests that over the next 200 years of warming, species are going to continually reshuffle and be in the process of shifting their ranges,' explained Dr E.W Tekwa, who led the study.

'Even after 200 years, marine species will still be lagging behind temperature shifts, and this is particularly true for those at the top of the food web.'

Worryingly, the team suggests that these changes are likely to affect fish around the world.

'These dynamics will not only be in one place but globally,' Dr Pinsky added. 'That does not bode well for marine life, and this is not an effect that has been widely recognized.'

The study comes shortly after researchers revealed that rising sea temperatures are shrinking our favourite commercial fish including cod and haddock in the North Sea and West of Scotland.

The researchers suggest that as sea temperatures rise, fish will be forced out of their natural geographic ranges, making it more difficult for fishermen to catch them (stock image)

Experts from Aberdeen analysed 30 years of trawl survey data on cod, haddock, whiting and saith from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

They found that while juvenile fish in the North Sea and the West of Scotland have been getting bigger faster, the size of adults has been decreasing.

Furthermore, these changes in size are correlated with the increases in bottom sea temperatures in both areas, the analysis concluded.

According to the researchers, the data predicts a reduction in commercial fishery yields in the short term  with the long-term forecast presently unclear.

Fisheries will need to factor temperature changes into their forecasts, the team added, as to mitigate the effects of global warming and maximise sustainable yields.
From the Kashmir Earthquake in 2005 to the Haiti Earthquake in 2010, several earthquakes have wreaked havoc on Earth in recent years.

But those quakes pale in comparison to a huge earthquake that hit northern Chile 3,800 years ago, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Southampton say the earthquake had a magnitude of around 9.5  the same scale as the largest recorded in history  and caused an enormous tsunami that travelled more than 5,000 miles to New Zealand.

A huge earthquake in the Atacama Desert triggered a tsunami that travelled all the way to New Zealand, a new study has revealed

The earthquake had a magnitude of around 9.5  the same scale as the largest recorded in history  and caused an enormous tsunami that hit New Zealand, more than 5,000 miles away. When the wave hit, it moved huge boulders (pictured) almost a kilometre inland

How are earthquakes measured? Magnitude is the most common measure of an earthquake's size. It is a measure of the size of the earthquake source and is the same number no matter where you are or what the shaking feels like. The Richter scale is an outdated method for measuring magnitude that is no longer used for large, teleseismic earthquakes. The Richter scale measures the largest wiggle (amplitude) on the recording, but other magnitude scales measure different parts of the earthquake. Experts currently report earthquake magnitudes using the Moment Magnitude scale, though many other magnitudes are calculated for research and comparison purposes. Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Advertisement

Earthquakes occur when two tectonic plates rub together and rupture, with longer ruptures causing bigger earthquakes.

Before now, the largest known rupture in history occurred in 1960 in Southern Chile.

Professor James Goff, co-author of the study, said: 'It had been thought that there could not be an event of that size in the north of the country simply because you could not get a long enough rupture.

'But we have now found evidence of a rupture that's about one thousand kilometres long just off the Atacama Desert coast and that is massive.'

Despite being one of the driest environments in the world, the researchers found evidence of marine sediments and creatures that would have been living in the sea before being thrown inland.

'We found all these very high up and a long way inland so it could not have been a storm that put them there,' explained Professor Goff.

Instead, the team suggests that the marine sediments could have been the result of a massive tsunami generated by an enormous rupture.

Excavations of archaeological sites along the coastline, including in Pabellon de Pica, also found stone buildings which had been destroyed by the waves, with many walls toppling towards the seas  likely as a result of strong currents.

'The local population there were left with nothing,' said Professor Goff.

'Our archaeological work found that a huge social upheaval followed as communities moved inland beyond the reach of tsunamis.

Earthquakes occur when two tectonic plates rub together and rupture, with longer ruptures causing bigger earthquakes. Pictured: maps show the likely location of the rupture

Excavations of archaeological sites along the coastline, including in Pabellon de Pica (pictured), also found stone buildings which had been destroyed by the waves, with many walls toppling towards the seas  likely as a result of strong currents

A collapsed stone structure discovered at the Zapatero site, which the researchers believe was destroyed by the waves

'It was over 1000 years before people returned to live at the coast again which is an amazing length of time given that they relied on the sea for food.

'It is likely that traditions handed down from generation to generation bolstered this resilient behaviour, although we will never know for sure.

'This is the oldest example we have found in the Southern Hemisphere where an earthquake and tsunami had such a catastrophic impact on people's lives, there is much to learn from this.'

By coincidence, Professor Goff had been investigating a site on Chatham Island in New Zealand before this study began.

Despite being one of the driest environments in the world, the researchers found evidence of marine sediments and creatures that would have been living in the sea before being thrown inland

'The local population there were left with nothing,' said Professor Goff. 'Our archaeological work found that a huge social upheaval followed as communities moved inland beyond the reach of tsunamis'. Pictured: the Atacama Desert coast

There, he discovered several car-sized boulders dating back around 3,800 years  the same time period as the tsunami  that had been thrown hundreds of metres inland.

'In New Zealand we said that those boulders could only have been moved by a tsunami from northern Chile and it would need to be something like a 9.5 magnitude earthquake to generate it,' he said. 'And now we have found it.'

The team hope their findings could help us to prepare for the next super-earthquake.

'While this had a major impact on people in Chile, the South Pacific islands were uninhabited when they took a pummelling from the tsunami 3,800 years ago,' Professor Goff added.

'But they are all well-populated now, and many are popular tourist destinations, so when such an event occurs next time the consequences could be catastrophic unless we learn from these findings.'
In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, April 12. AP-Yonhap





Ukraine told Russia to release prisoners of war if it wants the Kremlin's most high-profile ally in the country freed as the United States is expected to send more weapons after Russia's strongest signal yet the war will grind on.







U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Russia's attack on Ukraine as genocide for the first time, saying "we'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me."







Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and has said Ukrainian and Western allegations of war crimes were made up to discredit Russian forces.







Ukraine announced on Tuesday that Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of the Opposition Platform  For Life party, had been apprehended. In February, the authorities said he had escaped house arrest after a treason case was opened.







The pro-Russian figure, who says President Vladimir Putin is godfather to his daughter, has denied wrongdoing. A spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.







"I propose to the Russian Federation: exchange this guy of yours for our guys and girls now held in Russian captivity," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an early morning address on Wednesday.







Alongside a photo of Medvedchuk in handcuffs, the head of Ukraine's security service Ivan Bakanov said on Facebook that operatives "conducted this lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation" to arrest him.







A Kremlin spokesman was cited by the Tass news agency as saying he had seen the photo and could not say whether it was genuine.







Hours earlier Putin used his first public comments on the conflict in more than a week to insist Russia will "rhythmically and calmly" continue its operation, saying he was confident his goals, including on security, would be achieved.







Zelenskyy mocked Putin in his address: "How could a plan that provides for the death of tens of thousands of their own soldiers in a little more than a month of war come about?"







Putin said that on-and-off peace negotiations "have again returned to a dead-end situation for us."







During his comments Tuesday, he frequently seemed to ramble or stammer.







Only occasionally did he adopt the icy, confident demeanor that has been his trademark in public appearances over more than 22 years as Russia's leader.







Putin, who had been ubiquitous on Russian television in the early days of the war, had largely retreated from public view since Russia's withdrawal from northern Ukraine two weeks ago.






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The idea of space tourism was once thought to be more science fiction than reality.

But with the rise of SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin  all bankrolled by billionaire entrepreneurs  the burgeoning industry promises to be one of the next great endeavours of this decade.

Now throw into the mix a space balloon company, which offers passengers the chance to observe the Earth's curvature from 20 miles (30 km) up, and the future seems very exciting indeed.

US-based Space Perspective unveiled more details about its giant balloon venture after sharing illustrations of the swish cabins that passengers will sit in, complete with 5ft (1.5 metre) high windows, dark, purple tones and a drinks bar.

It has so far sold more than 600 tickets at $125,000 (96,000) each and hopes to begin launching its balloon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida by late 2024.

Space tourism: The space balloon company Space Perspective has offered a first look at its luxury cabins, which will offer passengers the chance to observe the Earth's curvature from 20 miles up. It plans to begin launching the balloon (pictured in an artist's impression) by 2024

Space Perspective unveiled more details about its giant balloon venture after sharing illustrations of the swish cabins that passengers would sit in, complete with 5ft (1.5 metre) high windows, dark, purple tones and a drinks bar

It has so far sold more than 600 tickets at $125,000 (96,000) each and hopes to begin launching its balloon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida by late 2024

The company's balloon will not reach orbit but instead get to an altitude of 20 miles  much lower than rivals Virgin Galactic, which goes just over 50 miles high

The price for a ride is substantially lower than the $450,000 (345,000) charged by Virgin Galactic, while Blue Origin's tickets are thought to be far more

HOW DOES THE SPACE BALLOON COMPARE TO TOURISM RIVALS? With the rise of SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin  all bankrolled by billionaire entrepreneurs  the burgeoning space tourism industry promises to be one of the next great endeavours of this decade. Now throw into the mix a space balloon company and the future seems very exciting indeed. But how does it compare to its rivals? Altitude Space Perspective - 20 miles (30 km) Virgin Galactic - 50 miles (80 km) Blue Origin - 62 miles (100 km) SpaceX - Orbit, 250 miles (400 km) Price Space Perspective - $125,000 (96k) Virgin Galactic - $450,000 (345,000) Blue Origin - Not disclosed SpaceX - N/A, but three businessmen just paid $55 million (41 million) each to travel on a SpaceX craft to the International Space Station First crewed launch date Space Perspective - Late 2024 Virgin Galactic - July 2021 Blue Origin - July 2021 SpaceX - September 2021 (first all-civilian crew, although company is not as focused on space tourism as rivals) Length of trip Space Perspective - 6 hours, including 2 up, 2 down and 2 gliding. No weightlessness Virgin Galactic - Two-and-a-half hours, but only four to five minutes of weightlessness Blue Origin - 11 minutes, with around four minutes of weightlessness Space X - N/A Advertisement

The price for a ride is substantially lower than the $450,000 (345,000) charged by Virgin Galactic, while Blue Origin's tickets are thought to be far more  and three entrepreneurs just paid $55 million (41 million) each to travel on a SpaceX craft to the International Space Station.

But although a ride with Space Perspective will be cheaper, whether it truly constitutes a spaceflight is a matter of debate.

The company's balloon will not reach orbit but instead get to an altitude of 20 miles  much lower than rivals Virgin Galactic, which goes just over 50 miles high.

Blue Origin breaches the Karman Line  62 miles above sea level  which is the internationally-recognised space border, while SpaceX Crew Dragons fly even deeper into space.

But 20 miles is still far higher than commercial planes, which reach around six miles from the ground.

'We are above 99 per cent of Earth's atmosphere,' Space Perspective co-founder Jayne Poynter told AFP, meaning passengers will really see the jet black of space.

'We wanted to find a way that really changed the way people think about spaceflight that makes it much more approachable and accessible.'

As well as a drinks bar, the 'Space Lounge' inside the company's Neptune capsule includes WiFi connectivity and subdued, moody lighting  an atmosphere that contrasts with the white, sanitised compartments of its competitors.

The trip includes two hours up, two-hours-gliding, and a two-hour-down voyage, which ends with an ocean splashdown, but one thing passengers won't experience is a feeling of weightlessness.

With Virgin's spaceplane and Blue Origin's rocket, passengers can unbuckle and float when the rocket engines are cut but the ship keeps coasting upwards for a few minutes, before gravity pulls it back down.

Passengers on SpaceX spaceships and those on the ISS likewise experience apparent weightlessness because the vessels are orbiting the Earth.

There's no special training required to travel with Space Perspective.

The balloon climbs at a serene 12 miles per hour (19 km per hour), and the company pitches itself as a greener, zero-emissions alternative to rocket fuels.

It intends to get the hydrogen for the balloon from renewable sources, rather than extracting it from fossil fuels.

Space Perspective is planning to launch 25 flights in its first year, with all seats now booked.

Last year Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin completed their first crewed flights to space, while SpaceX launched the first all-civilian crew in September 2021.

In the battle of the space race billionaires, Virgin businessman Sir Richard Branson beat Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos  the founder of online retail giant Amazon  by just nine days.

Branson reached the edge of space on board his Virgin Galactic rocket plane on July 11, 2021, while Bezos followed just over a week later on July 20, 52 years to the day after Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon in 1969.

UK entrepreneur Branson described his trip as the 'experience of a lifetime'.

It made him the first of the new space tourism pioneers to try out their own vehicles, beating Bezos and SpaceX's Elon Musk.

The latter is more focused on helping NASA to return to the moon later this decade, including putting the first woman on the lunar surface, as well as one day starting a human colony on Mars.

However, he does plan to ride on Branson's Unity rocket plane at some point.

As well as a drinks bar, the 'Space Lounge' inside the company's Neptune capsule includes WiFi connectivity and subdued, moody lighting  an atmosphere that contrasts with the white, sanitised compartments of its competitors

'We are above 99 percent of Earth's atmosphere,' Space Perspective co-founder Jayne Poynter told AFP, meaning passengers will really see the jet black of space

With five-feet (1.5 meter) high windows, deep seats, dark, purple tones and subdued lighting, the atmosphere contrasts with the white and sanitised capsules of its competitors

The trip includes two hours up, two-hours-gliding, and a two-hour-down voyage, which ends with an ocean splashdown, both one thing passengers won't experience is a feeling of weightlessness

There's no special training required to travel with Space Perspective. The balloon climbs at a serene 12 miles per hour (19 km per hour), and the company pitches itself as a greener, zero-emissions alternative to rocket fuels

Space Perspective is planning to launch 25 flights in its first year, with all seats now booked

It intends to get the hydrogen for the balloon from renewable sources, rather than extracting it from fossil fuels

Bezos travelled to space with his younger brother Mark, Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student whose dad purchased his ticket, and pioneering female astronaut Wally Funk, 82.

Despite the suborbital success of Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, SpaceX appears to be leading the way in the broader billionaire space race, with numerous launches carrying NASA equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) and partnerships to send tourists to space.

On February 6 2018, SpaceX sent a rocket towards the orbit of Mars, 140 million miles away, with Musk's own red Tesla roadster attached.

SpaceX has also taken groups of astronauts to the ISS, with crew from NASA, ESA and JAXA, the Japanese space agency, as well as sending batches of 60 satellites into space to help form its Starlink network, which is already in beta and providing fast internet to rural areas.

Branson has previously said he expects Musk to win the race to Mars with his private rocket firm SpaceX.
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While the idea of a robot taking your job may sound like the plot from the latest episode of Black Mirror, a new study has warned that it could become a reality for many people in the future.

Researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne have revealed which jobs are most and least likely to be taken by robots.

Their findings suggest that meat packers, cleaners and builders face the highest risk of being replaced by machines, while teachers, lawyers and physicists are safe.

'The key challenge for society today is how to become resilient against automation,' explained Professor Rafael Lalive, who co-led the study.

'Our work provides detailed career advice for workers who face high risks of automation, which allows them to take on more secure jobs while re-using many of the skills acquired on the old job.'

Based on the findings, the researchers have developed a tool (below) that reveals the automation risk of your job, and how you could reuse your abilities.

In the study, the team combined scientific and technical literature on robotic abilities with employment and wage statistics on 1,000 jobs.

This allowed them to calculate which existing jobs are most at risk of being performed by robots in the future.

'There are several studies predicting how many jobs will be automated by robots, but they all focus on software robots, such as speech and image recognition, financial robo-advisers, chatbots, and so forth,' explained Professor Dario Floreano, who led the study.

Researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne have revealed which jobs are most and least likely to be taken by robots

Jobs least at risk Physicists Neurologists Preventive Medicine Physicians Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists Pathologists Mathematicians Chief Executives Surgeons Molecular and Cellular Biologists Epidemiologists

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Jobs most at risk Slaughterers and Meat Packers Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Orderlies Packers and Packagers, Hand Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Food Preparation Workers Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment Advertisement

'Furthermore, those predictions wildly oscillate depending on how job requirements and software abilities are assessed.

'Here, we consider not only artificial intelligence software, but also real intelligent robots that perform physical work and we developed a method for a systematic comparison of human and robotic abilities used in hundreds of jobs.'

The team's calculations show that jobs that require millimetre-level precision of movements are most likely to be taken by robots, which can replicate these movements.

Their findings suggest that meat packers (stock image), cleaners and builders face the highest risk of being replaced by machines, while teachers, lawyers and physicists are safe

Cleaners could become MODELS, study claims Based on the results, the researchers came up with a method to suggest the easiest career transitions for people whose jobs are at risk, which they say governments could use to reduce unemployment in the future. For example, the tool suggests that Slaughters and Meat Packers could become Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. Meanwhile, Janitors and Cleaners would be best suited to become Models, according to the tool. Advertisement

Meanwhile, jobs that require critical thinking or creativity are the least likely to be taken my robots, which lack these skills.

Their results rank the 1,000 jobs in order of most to least likely to be taken over by robots.

In general, it shows that jobs in food processing, building and maintenance, construction and extraction are the most likely to be taken on my robot.

Conversely, jobs in Education, Training and Library, Community and Social Service and Management are the least at risk.

Based on the results, the researchers have come up with a method to suggest the easiest career transitions for people whose jobs are at risk, which they say governments could use to reduce unemployment in the future.

For example, the tool suggests that Slaughters and Meat Packers could become Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.

Meanwhile, Janitors and Cleaners would be best suited to become models, according to the tool.

The new study comes shortly after the World Economic Forum warned that robots will take over half of all tasks in the workplace by 2025.

The research foresees robots swiftly replacing humans in the accounting, client management, industrial, postal and secretarial sectors.

Jobs that require 'human skills' such as sales, marketing and customer service should see demand increase meanwhile, along with e-commerce and social media.

A major challenge will be to retrain workers, who will themselves be pressed to update skills especially in the areas of 'creativity, critical thinking and persuasion', the study found.

'It is critical that business take an active role in supporting their existing workforces through reskilling and upskilling, that individuals take a proactive approach to their own lifelong learning, and that governments create an enabling environment to facilitate this workforce transformation. This is the key challenge of our time,' said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
The European Space Agency is ending its collaboration with Russia on future moon missions.

It said it would no longer cooperate with Moscow's space agency Roscosmos on the science missions Luna 25, 26 or 27 because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

ESA had intended to fly important technologies on the three robotic missions to the moon, beginning with the scheduled launch of Luna 25 in August.

The latest announcement comes almost a month after the European Space Agency (ESA) also revealed it was officially suspending Europe's much-maligned Mars rover mission for the same reason.

'Following the Russian aggression against Ukraine, ESA's Director General has initiated a comprehensive review of all activities currently undertaken in cooperation with Russia and Ukraine,' ESA said in a statement.

The European Space Agency is ending its collaboration with Russia on future moon missions. It said it would no longer cooperate with Moscow's space agency on the science missions Luna 25 (pictured in an artist's impression), 26 or 27 because of the ongoing war in Ukraine

ESA MEMBER STATES The European Space Agency (ESA) has 22 member states: - Austria - Belgium - Czech Republic - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Germany - Greece - Hungary - Ireland - Italy - Luxembourg - Netherlands - Norway - Poland - Portugal - Romania - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - The UK Note: Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia are associate members, while Canada takes part in certain programmes under a cooperation agreement. Advertisement

'The objective is to determine the possible consequences of this new geopolitical context for ESA programmes and activities and to create a more resilient and robust space infrastructure for Europe.'

It added: 'The Russian aggression against Ukraine and the resulting sanctions put in place represent a fundamental change of circumstances and make it impossible for ESA to implement the planned lunar cooperation.'

The statement said that 'ESA's science and technology for these missions remains of vital importance' and the space agency was working to find alternatives to continue the missions using other machines.

Instead, ESA will fly its Package for Resource Observation and in-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Commercial exploitation and Transportation (PROSPECT) drill intended for Luna 27, and a navigation camera intended for Luna 25, on commercial spacecraft as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.

The agency is also currently working on an alternative path to fly its pilot precision landing and hazard avoidance technology, intended for Luna 27 and important for the proposed European Large Logistic Lander.

Last month ESA said it would be 'impossible' to continue working with Roscosmos on the British-built Mars rover project, which has suffered repeated delays since the idea was first approved back in 2005.

Formally known as ExoMars, the mission to send the Rosalind Franklin rover to the Red Planet had been earmarked for September.

It was due to launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on a Russian rocket and land on Mars eight months later using Russian hardware.

However, the entire project is now at risk because of the worsening diplomatic crisis over the war in Ukraine.

ESA had intended to fly important technologies on the three robotic missions to the moon, beginning with the scheduled launch of Luna 25 in August

Delayed again: Europe's much-maligned Mars rover mission was officially suspended last month in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The rover had only a limited time to launch to the Red Planet this year because of the alignment of the planets.

Now this short, 10-day window has been slammed shut, Rosalind Franklin will have to wait at least another 26 months to launch, if ever.

ESA announced today that Thales Alenia Space of Italy is studying potential ways forward for Rosalind Franklin without Russia's involvement.

Roscosmos was set to provide some technology, scientific payloads, and launch vehicles for the mission, but the key elements of it, including the Rosalind Franklin rover, are ESA projects and have passed their flight readiness reviews.

Another example of how ESA is trying to find new partners outside of Russia is the recently signed agreement with the Japanese Space Agency, which will involve flying a mass spectrometer on Japan's ISRO LUPEX lunar rover mission scheduled for 2024.
Manchester United fans are planning an anti-Glazer protest before Saturdays game at home to Norwich in a new attempt to force out the American owners.

As unrest grows over a desperately disappointing season, it has emerged that an abusive sign was also left for Uniteds players outside the clubs Carrington training base over the weekend after defeat to Everton left them six points adrift of the top-four.

It read: Embarrassing s**tbags. Not fit to wear the shirt get out of our club!

Manchester United fans are planning an anti-Glazer protest before Saturday's Norwich game

They have organised a march that will end at Old Trafford before United's clash with Norwich

A supporter group called The 1958 have organised a protest march against the Glazers that will end at Old Trafford before kick-off against Norwich.

They are calling on demonstrators to remain outside the ground for the first 17 minutes of the match to mark the Glazer familys 17-year ownership.

Plans have been posted on social media and retweeted several thousand times with a message declaring: Nothing will change unless the head of the snake is removed. Its rotten and starts from the top down like any business. The clubs a mess so we need to act and raise awareness again.

The Manchester United supporters are hoping to drive the American owners out of the club

Its a year ago this month since Uniteds role in the doomed European Super League sparked an angry backlash against the Glazers.

A small number of fans stormed Carrington and many more then broke into Old Trafford following a mass protest before a behind-closed-doors game against Liverpool, forcing the fixture to be postponed.

Chairman Joel Glazer subsequently apologised over the ESL fiasco and has since tried to engage with the fanbase.

He has appeared at fans forums, and a supporters advisory board has been set up. A fan share scheme is still being discussed, but the latest protests suggest that the bridge building has not been entirely successful.

This isnt another Liverpool, the statement from The 1958 continued. We believe this was a one-off unique event.

A fan group called The 1958 have organised a march before the Norwich game on Saturday

This is the start of the constant, relentless, peaceful and legal protests and actions against our owners.

We know the challenges ahead of us and we will not waver or detract from these goals.

Meanwhile, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag wants to focus on Sundays Dutch Cup final against PSV Eindhoven before deciding on his future after speaking to United and RB Leipzig.

Ten Hag threatened to walk out of an interview after Saturdays win over Sparta Rotterdam when asked about the United job.
The Hawaiian couple who hosted The Flash star Ezra Miller in their Hilo home have dropped their petition for a temporary restraining order against them on Monday.

A Third Circuit District Court judge dismissed the case after the hot-tempered 29-year-old - who's non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns - allegedly made threats, stole the husband's wallet, and stole the wife's passport.

Before the March 28 incident, the trio had gotten along having originally met each other at a farmer's market - according to Radar Online.

Off the hook: The Hawaiian couple who hosted The Flash star Ezra Miller (pictured in 2018) in their Hilo home have dropped their petition for a temporary restraining order against them on Monday

The unnamed couple's attorney William Dean declined to comment on the reasons behind their decision when asked by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Ezra had allegedly burst in the couple's bedroom yelling 'I will bury you and your sl** wife' shortly after the husband paid the $500 bail for their March 28 arrest for disorderly conduct and harassment at karaoke club Margaritas Village.

Miller had allegedly acted belligerent towards patrons singing karaoke and a man throwing darts.

The Cannes Chopard Trophy winner and their lawyer Francis Alcain are due back in court on April 26 for a hearing on the two charges as well as 'obstructing a highway' for 'refusing to leave the area.'

Legal win: A Third Circuit District Court judge dismissed the case after the hot-tempered 29-year-old - who's non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns - allegedly made threats, stole the husband's wallet, and stole the wife's passport

Mugshot: Ezra had allegedly burst in the couple's bedroom yelling 'I will bury you and your sl** wife' shortly after the husband paid the $500 bail for their March 28 arrest for disorderly conduct and harassment at karaoke club Margaritas Village

Margaritas Village: Miller had allegedly acted belligerent towards patrons singing karaoke and a man throwing darts

Troubled: The Cannes Chopard Trophy winner (pictured in 2017) and their lawyer Francis Alcain are due back in court on April 26 for a hearing on the two charges as well as 'obstructing a highway' for 'refusing to leave the area'

On Friday night, Ezra attempted to dance away their legal woes at another Big Island bar, Hilo Axe Lounge, to songs from T-Pain and Trey Songz as seen in a patron's 48-second cell phone video.

Miller also raised eyebrows with an Instagram video threatening North Carolina members of the Ku Klux Klan on January 27, as well as a resurfaced 2020 video of them choking a female fan outside an Iceland bar.

The New Jersey native's first brush with the law was in 2011, at age 19, for two counts of disorderly conduct following a Pennsylvania traffic stop.

Rolling Stone reported that Warner Bros and DC executives held an emergency meeting on March 30 where they agreed to halt any future projects or public appearances involving Ezra.

Still partying: On Friday night, Ezra attempted to dance away their legal woes at another Big Island bar, Hilo Axe Lounge, to songs from T-Pain and Trey Songz as seen in a patron's 48-second cell phone video

Violent: Miller also raised eyebrows with an Instagram video threatening North Carolina members of the Ku Klux Klan on January 27, as well as a resurfaced 2020 video of them choking a female fan outside an Iceland bar (pictured)

Canceled: Rolling Stone reported that Warner Bros and DC executives held an emergency meeting on March 30 where they agreed to halt any future projects or public appearances involving the New Jersey native

Miller already wrapped their role on October 17 as speedy police forensic investigator Barry Allen in Andy Muschietti's standalone DC Comics film The Flash, which is scheduled to hit US theaters June 23, 2023.

The Warner Bros. Pictures superhero flick also features Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Michael Shannon, and Ron Livingston.

But first, the high school drop-out reprises their role as the destructive Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore in David Yates' three-quel Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, which hits US theaters this Friday.

'Its a wrap!' Ezra already wrapped their role on October 17 as speedy police forensic investigator Barry Allen in Andy Muschietti's standalone DC Comics film The Flash, which is scheduled to hit US theaters June 23, 2023

Hitting US theaters this Friday! But first, Miller reprises their role as the destructive Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore in David Yates' three-quel Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, and Mads Mikkelsen also star in the flick - which has a dismal 58% critic approval rating (out of 102 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

And last May, Ezra wrapped their role as the younger Salvador Dali in Mary Harron's upcoming biopic Daliland starring Oscar winner Ben Kingsley as the older version of the surrealist artist.

Miller first found fame in 2011 with their breakout role as a teenage psychopathic murderer in We Need to Talk About Kevin alongside Oscar winner Tilda Swinton.
Lucciana Beynon has just posed for her raunchiest photo shoot yet.

The Venezuelan-Australian model, 20, set pulses racing on Tuesday as she poured her curves into racy black lingerie for a new campaign for an intimates brand.

Lucciana, who hails from the Gold Coast but now lives in London, posed seductively in front of a mirror as she glanced over her shoulder in one behind-the-scenes snap.

Curves: Venezuelan-Australian model Lucciana Beynon, 20, set pulses racing on Tuesday as she poured her curves into racy black lingerie for a new campaign for an intimates brand

She flaunted her shapely derriere in a skimpy G-string, which she paired with a matching bra and garter straps.

Posing for a series of photos in the makeup room, she placed one finger to her lips while casting a sultry gaze at the camera.

She swept her raven hair into an elegant updo and opted for a glossy makeup look.

Light touch: Lucciana, who hails from the Gold Coast but now lives in London, flaunted her shapely derriere in a skimpy G-string, which she paired with a matching bra and garter straps

She accessorised her glamorous yet sexy ensemble with gold hoop earrings.

In other photos, the up-and-coming model showed off her toned midriff as she stared at the mirror while striking a pose.

She also rested her chin elegantly on her hand in one of the pictures.

Sultry: She rested her chin elegantly on her hand in one of the behind-the-scenes pictures

Shapely: In other photos, the up-and-coming model showed off her toned midriff as she stared at the mirror while striking another pose

Just days ago, Lucciana visited Este Medical Group for a laser treatment to remove unwanted body hair, and documented the session on Instagram.

She showcased her incredible figure in a black bra and matching underwear as she prepared for the shoot.

The socialite also donned special sunglasses to protect herself from the lasers used by the clinician during the procedure.

Daring: She swept her raven hair into an elegant updo and opted for a glossy makeup look

You go, girl: Lucciana later wore a stylish trench with patterned panels over her lingerie set

Goddess: Lucciana was also shown getting her hair tended to by an on-set stylist

It comes after Lucciana went public with former Love Island UK star Wes Nelson, 23, on Valentine's Day earlier this year.

She posted a photo on Instagram of herself kissing Wes on a balcony alongside the text 'mi amour', which translates to 'my love'.

The couple later went for dinner at Aqua Shard, on level 31 of The Shard in London.

Body preparation: Just days ago, Lucciana underwent a laser treatment to remove unwanted body hair in London

Lucciana looked spectacular in a leopard-print dress, opted for a glossy makeup palette and styled her raven hair loosely.

The genetically blessed couple are rarely seen on social media together, and prefer to keep things private.

Despite only going 'Instagram official' recently, the pair have actually been an item since April last year.

It's love! It comes after Lucciana went public with former Love Island UK star Wes Nelson (left) on Valentine's Day earlier this year

'Wes met Lucciana in Dubai and it wasn't long before they started spending more time together,' a source told MailOnline at the time.

'Friends say they really get on and something may progress between them, especially as they continue to hang out together in London.

'Lucciana supports Wes' music career while she has ambitious plans with her modelling, they definitely inspire each other to do well.'

Lucciana's father Travers 'The Candyman' Beynon made his millions in the tobacco business, but is also well-known for his playboy ways and hosting extravagant parties at his lavish 15-bedroom mansion on the Gold Coast.
A Coronation Street extra who has worked on the set for 36 years has been sacked after using his mobile phone to take a photo with Andi Peters.

Matthew Davidge, 54, spotted the Good Morning Britain presenter, 51, during filming on Friday when he went to use the bathroom.

According to The Sun, Andi was filming a competition segment for GMB and a colleague of his took the photo of him and Matthew.

Fury: A Coronation Street extra who has worked on the set for 36 years has been sacked after using his mobile phone to take a photo with Andi Peters (pictured Matthew Davidge with Peters)

However on Monday, Matthew learned he had been fired from his acting agency Industry Model Management.

The publication reports that the agency said the extra breached the terms of his contract, which bans actors from using mobiles on set.

The news came as a shock to Matthew who has taken selfies with several stars over the years including Peter Andre and Craig Revel Horwood.

Matthew told the newspaper: 'I'm speechless. I've worked on the set of Corrie on and off since 1986. I've never had a complaint and I've loved every minute of it. Now, it's all over.

Oh dear: Matthew Davidge, 54, spotted the Good Morning Britain presenter, 51, during filming on Friday when he went to use the bathroom

Fan: According to The Sun , Andi was filming a competition segment for GMB and a colleague of his took the photo of him and Matthew

'You're not supposed to have your phone out on set but everyone does. It's a rule that's never really been enforced.

'When I asked him for a photograph it was all a bit of a laugh and he smiled and said, 'No problem'. The whole interaction took less than a minute. Now I don't know how I'm going to pay my bills.'

Matthew reportedly did about two shifts on Coronation Street per week, earning 180 in total.

A Coronation Street spokesman said: 'A walk-on artist was seen breaching filming protocols and his agent was notified. They decided on a course of action.

'Andi Peters was not aware of this complaint.'
Just hours after Gilbert Gottfried's family announced his passing, the comedian's verified Twitter account was hacked and lead to it being deleted briefly.

The comedian's family announced he passed on Tuesday 'after a long illness' but shortly thereafter, someone took over the account and started spamming with tweets for OnlyFans and other porn accounts.

The tweets were ultimately deleted and control of the account going back to the late comedian's family, though several fans captured the offending tweets before everything was deleted... and those the hackers seemingly tried to pin the hack on denying their involvement.

Hacked: Just hours after beloved comedian Gilbert Gottfried's family announced his passing, his verified Twitter account was hacked and lead to it being deleted briefly

Hacked tweets: The comedian's family announced he passed on Tuesday, 'after a long illness,' but shortly thereafter, someone took over the account and started spamming with tweets for OnlyFans and other porn accounts

Once the hacker had control of Gottfried's verified Twitter, the person started tweeting and retweeting lewd messages to the comedian's followers.

One of the retweets was from a user named Mason who said, 'Retweet if you eat a**,' while another was from a male OnlyFans performer dubbed Dimetimez.

Gottfried's Twitter account even changed his profile picture to match Dimetimez, though he insisted he had nothing to do with the hack.

OnlyFans: One of the retweets was from a user named Mason who said, 'Retweet if you eat a**,' while another was from a male OnlyFans performer dubbed Dimetimez

'Why the f**k did @RealGilbert just retweet my OF promo after he died ??' he said, adding in other tweets, 'WHAT IS HAPPENING' and 'This is so f***ed up.'

He also confirmed, 'Guys I did not hack Gilbert Gottfried I am not that talented. Absolutely terrible of a situation , RIP the goat.'

The hacker also tweeted from Gottfried's account, 'I'm dead because of @yeatarchive on IG. F**k that MF.'

Why: 'Why the f**k did @RealGilbert just retweet my OF promo after he died ??' he said, adding in other tweets, 'WHAT IS HAPPENING' and 'This is so f***ed up'

Didn't hack: He also confirmed, 'Guys I did not hack Gilbert Gottfried I am not that talented. Absolutely terrible of a situation , RIP the goat'

Hacker: The hacker also tweeted from Gottfried's account, 'I'm dead because of @yeatarchive on IG. F**k that MF'

The @yeatarchive account later tweeted, 'I didnt hack that actor stop sending me death threats.'

The verified account was briefly deleted before being restored, with the offending tweets ultimately deleted, leaving his family's announcement of his passing at the top of the site, and on Instagram.

''We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long sickness,' the statement began.

No hack: The @yeatarchive account later tweeted, 'I didnt hack that actor stop sending me death threats'

Insta: The verified account was briefly deleted before being restored, with the offending tweets ultimately deleted, leaving his family's announcement of his passing at the top of the site, and on Instagram

'In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,' it continued.

'Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor.'

The note was signed: 'Love, the Gottfried family.'

Gottfried and his wife, Dara Kravitz, whom he married in 2007, share 14-year-old daughter Lily and son Max, 12.

His publicist, Glenn Schwartz, revealed he suffered from a form of heart failure, due to myotonic dystrophy type II.

Iconic: 'In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,' it continued

Laughing: 'Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor;
An Australian radio host has shared his 'filthy birthday message' from iconic comedian Gilbert Gottfried after the Aladdin star's shock death at 67.

Jason 'Bodge' Bodger, who works as an announcer on Triple M Cairns breakfast show, shared the Cameo clip to his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Following his successful Hollywood career Gottfried was known for his comedic shout-outs on Cameo which his fans adored.

Memories: An Australian radio host has shared his 'filthy birthday message' from iconic comedian Gilbert Gottfried after the Aladdin star's shock death at 67

Gottfried was in fine form when he recorded a birthday message for Jason last year, a gift from his fiancee Alysha.

Gottfried showcased his hilarious humour as he made a number of sexually charged jokes in the recording.

Due to the obscene and sexually explicit nature of the clip it cannot be fully transcribed.

Politically incorrect: Gottfried was in fine form when he recorded a birthday message for Jason last year, a gift from his fiancee Alysha. Gottfried showcased his hilarious humour as he made a number of sexually charged jokes in the recording

Jason and Alysha said they spent the whole night laughing out loud over it.

'My fiancee Alysha got him to do it for me and it was hands down the greatest birthday message I've ever had,' Jason said.

In November, The New York Post listed the star as one of the most bankable celebrities Cameo, with one message fetching $175.

Bankable: In November, The New York Post listed the star as one of the most bankable celebrities Cameo, with one message fetching $175

He made the filthy Cameos for birthdays, weddings and hospital patients, with some fans even saying sick relatives 'burst into tears' after receiving the delightful messages.

The raspy-voiced comedian and character actor died at the age of 67, his family announced in a heartfelt message on Twitter on Tuesday.

He died due to complications from muscular dystrophy, his friend and publicist Glenn Schwartz said in a statement.

Sad farewell: The raspy-voiced comedian and character actor died at the age of 67, his family announced in a heartfelt message on Twitter on Tuesday

Gottfried voiced the animated character Iago in the 1992 film Aladdin and also was behind the Aflac Insurance duck mascot.

'We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long sickness,' the family tribute said.

'In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,' it continued.

'Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor.'

The note was signed: 'Love, the Gottfried family.'

Gottfried was known for voicing the character Iago in the 1992 film Aladdin

Gottfried famously lent his voice to the Aflac Insurance duck mascot. Pictured in 2010

Gottfried and his wife, Dara Kravitz, whom he married in 2007, share 14-year-old daughter Lily and son Max, 12.

Schwartz said that Gottfried suffered from recurrent ventricular tachycardia, a form of heart failure, due to myotonic dystrophy type II.

The star was born in Brooklyn, New York, and started pursuing his career in stand-up comedy at just 15.

Career: After his career in the iconic roles, Gottfried started becoming one of the most bankable stars on the celebrity app, Cameo (pictured in 1990)

'I remember I made the long trek from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I was one of those kids watching a lot of TV, maybe too much. I started imitating different actors and comics that I saw and started thinking that's what I wanted to do,' he told the El Paso Times in 2018.

Aside from voicing the evil parrot and subsequent Aladdin TV series, he also had roles in the movies Problem Child, Beverly Hills Cop II and The Aristocrats.

But it was his work as a standup comic where he stole the spotlight, including a 12-episode stint on Saturday Night Live and regular appearances as a guest on Howard Stern's radio show in the 1980s to impersonate famous people and characters.

He also did a turn on an episode of The Cosby Show titled Say Hello to Good Buy episode, where he played a character who goes to buy a new car.

'It's funny now to think about it, but back then it was a big deal and respectable to say I did a part on one episode on The Cosby Show,' he told the El Paso Times in 2018. 'I sort of conveniently forget to mention that to people now.'

Gottfried also appeared on Celebrity Apprentice hosted by Donald Trump in 2014 - two years before Trump ran for president.

'Well, I can finally say I met the president. I never thought I would be able to say that one,' he told the El Paso Times in 2018. 'He was nice to me. He was just one of those New York celebrities who was big in real estate and his name was on the building.'

Grieving: Gilbert is survived by his wife, Dara, and their two children Lily, 14, and 12-year-old son, Max. Pictured in 2017

'[If I had known he would be president,] I would have been a lot friendlier. Maybe this guy being president would put me in the Cabinet or give me some job title at the White House,' he joked.

The comedy world, which has already lost Bob Saget and Louis Anderson this year, mourned the death of a great talent.

Celebrities including Jason Alexander, Dane Cook, Marlee Matlin, and Tom Green all posted tributes to the lost star.
A leading social media talent manager and star of Netflix hit Byron Baes has revealed how to tell when an influencer has bought fake followers.

Many Instagram 'stars' inflate their popularity by periodically buying followers, which helps them secure more lucrative deals with sponsors.

These fake followers - usually bot accounts - can sometimes be hard to spot because they look similar to real profiles, but Alex Reid says there is a quick and easy way for advertisers to find out which influencers have genuine fans.

Scam alert: Alex Reid (pictured), a leading social media talent manager and star of Netflix hit Byron Baes, has revealed how to tell when an influencer has bought fake followers

He told Mediaweek the easiest way for brands to tell if an influencer will actually reach a real audience is to ask for a screenshot of their 'account insights'.

This will provide an overview of 'where their audience lives and their audience demographics', which is essential knowledge for businesses.

Reid, 29, said that many bots are bought from 'follow farms' in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, so it's a red flag when an influencer has a disproportionate number of fans from those regions.

All an influencer needs is a credit card and an Instagram account and they'll receive tens or even hundreds of thousands of new followers overnight, Reid explained.

'These farms are groups of bots that like posts [and] don't do anything [else]. This makes it hard for brands who need to work out whether an influencer is creating fake engagement,' he added.

Big numbers: Reid infamously accused his Byron Baes co-star Jade Kevin Foster (pictured) of buying followers on the show

Reid, who infamously accused his Byron Baes co-star Jade Kevin Foster of buying followers on the show, said the bot farms are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

He continued: 'People can go online and choose comments [to be] added to their posts that make their content look more authentic.'

Reid, the former assistant to radio star Kyle Sandilands and co-founder of talent agency Amplify, said platforms like TikTok and Instagram have introduced systems to detect, block and remove bots, but the technology isn't perfect.

Hack: Reid says there is a quick and easy way to find out which influencers have genuine fans: ask to see their account insights. If the insights show a disproportionate number of followers from Southeast Asia or the Middle East, there's a good chance their followers are bought

Reid said last month he went on Byron Baes, which follows the lives of 14 influencers in Byron Bay, to shine a spotlight on social media professionals, and not simply to 'build up an audience and sell products' himself.

The Gold Coast native, who moved to Byron during the Covid-19 pandemic, told the Reality Life with Kate Casey podcast: 'I run a business and I've got other distractions... For me I didn't go on this show to become an influencer.'

At one stage, Byron Baes was the fourth most-watched show on Netflix in Australia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (not pictured) in the engineering building of the technical complex of the Soyuz-2 space rocket complex at the Vostochny Cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, some 180 km north of Blagoveschensk, in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, April 12. EPA-Yonhap



Vladimir Putin vowed Tuesday that Russia's bloody offensive in Ukraine would continue until its goals are fulfilled and insisted the campaign was going as planned, despite a major withdrawal in the face of stiff Ukrainian opposition and significant losses.



Russian troops, thwarted in their push toward Ukraine's capital, are now focusing on the eastern Donbas region, where Ukraine said Tuesday it was investigating a claim that a poisonous substance had been dropped on its troops. It was not clear what the substance might be, but Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war.



Russia invaded Feb. 24, with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, the capital, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly regime. In the six weeks since, the ground advance stalled and Russian forces lost potentially thousands of fighters and were accused of killing civilians and other atrocities.



Putin insisted Tuesday that his invasion aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed rebels and to ''ensure Russia's own security.''



He said Russia ''had no other choice'' but to launch what he calls a ''special military operation,'' and vowed it would ''continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.''



For now, Putin's forces are gearing up for a major offensive in the Donbas, which has been torn by fighting between Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists' claims of independence. Military strategists say Moscow appears to hope that local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.



In Mariupol, a strategic port city in the Donbas, a Ukrainian regiment defending a steel mill claimed a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. It indicated there were no serious injuries. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified.





Four people walk amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 6. AP-Yonhap



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, ''The world must react now.'' Evidence of ''inhuman cruelty'' toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, he added, including of alleged rapes.



''Not all serial rapists reach the cruelty of Russian soldiers,'' Zelenskyy said.



The claims came after a Russia-allied separatist official appeared to urge the use of chemical weapons, telling Russian state TV on Monday that separatist forces should seize the plant by first blocking all the exits. ''And then we'll use chemical troops to smoke them out of there,'' the official, Eduard Basurin, said. He denied Tuesday that separatist forces had used chemical weapons in Mariupol.



Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions  which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons  had been used in Mariupol.



Much of the city has been leveled in weeks of pummeling by Russian troops. The mayor said Monday that the siege has left more than 10,000 civilians dead, their bodies ''carpeted through the streets.'' Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the death toll in Mariupol alone could surpass 20,000.



Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak acknowledged the challenges Ukrainian troops face in Mariupol. He said via Twitter that they remain blocked and are having issues with supplies, while Ukraine's president and generals ''do everything possible (and impossible) to find a solution.''



''For more than 1.5 months our defenders protect the city from (Russian) troops, which are 10+ times larger,'' Podolyak tweeted. ''They're fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.''



British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the use of chemical weapons ''would be a callous escalation in this conflict,'' while Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it would be a ''wholesale breach of international law.''









U.S. President Joe Biden for the first time referred to Russia's invasion as a ''genocide.'' He was even blunter later Tuesday, repeating the term and saying: ''It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.''



Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the U.S. could not confirm the drone report. But he noted the administration's persistent concerns ''about Russia's potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents.''



Britain, meanwhile, has warned that Russia may resort to phosphorus bombs, which are banned in civilian areas under international law, in Mariupol.



Most armies use phosphorus munitions to illuminate targets or to produce smoke screens. Deliberately firing them into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.



''Once you start using the properties of white phosphorus, toxic properties, specifically and deliberately, then it becomes banned,'' he said.



In Washington, a senior U.S. defense official said the Biden administration was preparing yet another package of military aid for Ukraine possibly totaling $750 million to be announced in the coming days. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet publicly announced. Delivery is due to be completed this week of $800 million in military assistance approved by Biden a month ago.





A road service worker stands in front of destroyed houses in the village Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv, April 12. AFP-Yonhap
She moved into her flashy North Bondi home with her fiance Michael Brunelli in September last year.

And the couple have been left devastated to discover mould spreading across the walls and roof of the pricey pad.

Taking to Instagram, the reality star-turned-social media influencer showed black mould growing up the wall close to her prized Mark Rothko print she has framed on the wall.

House from hell! Married At First Sight couple Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli's flashy Bondi pad has been damaged by mould spreading across the walls and roof

'Omg gorgeous we've come home to this. Wet walls growing mould,' she wrote.

Martha then shared photos of her roof covered in the fungi, writing, 'We've been gone for five days.'

The couple just returned from Adelaide and were faced with the same problem many others have living close to the beach.

WTF: Taking to Instagram, the reality star-turned-social media influencer showed black mould growing up the wall close to her prized Mark Rothko print she has framed on the wall

Parts of Sydney has suffered flooding in the past few weeks after record-breaking rainfall recently.

Often a leaky roof or leaky walls can cause mould to grow quickly.

Martha and Michael said goodbye to their Bondi apartment last year and moved into their new home in North Bondi.

At the time, Martha, 34, gave fans a glimpse into their lavish new home.

The property features an open-plan living space and kitchen with modern appliances and large glass windows.

'Omg gorgeous we've come home to this. Wet walls growing mould,' she wrote

It also has a bifold door which opens to a courtyard space and offers incredible water views.

The couple's spacious master bedroom features a large walk-in wardrobe.

The pair recently hinted they are finally planning their big day after getting engaged last December.

The happy couple posted some loved-up pictures taken at a friend's nuptials at the weekend, and wrote in the caption 'Maybe we should start planning the wedding'.

The influencers announced their engagement on their respective Instagram pages last December, with Martha proudly showing off her diamond engagement ring.

'Mrs B,' they captioned their posts, allowing the prized bling to take centre stage.

Modern: Martha and Michael said goodbye to their Bondi apartment last year and moved into their new home in North Bondi. At the time, Martha, 33, gave fans a glimpse into their lavish new home

Spacious: The couple's spacious master bedroom features a large walk-in wardrobe

The couple's celebrity friends were quick to offer their congratulations in the comments section, with Chrissie Swan writing, 'Congrats lovers!'

Former AFL WAG and influencer Nadia Bartel, added: 'Oh yesss!!!! Biggest congrats.'

In the engagement announcement photo, Martha lounged across Michael's frame and held up her left hand, showing off her sparkling diamond ring.

Their relationship has gone from strength to strength after they found love on Married At First Sight in 2019.

Wedding bells! The pair recently hinted they are finally planning their big day after getting engaged last December

In November, they hinted at walking down the aisle when Michael shared a video to Instagram of Martha deciding on an engagement ring.

'When you catch your girlfriend looking at rings on Instagram... The hints are becoming brazen,' he captioned the video.

In the video, Martha is seen scrolling through rings on her phone while a stunned Michael stands nearby.

And earlier in June, Michael felt the pressure to propose to Martha on her 33rd birthday, in a hilarious text message exchange with his mother.

Michael shared a screenshot to his Instagram Stories of his mother asking 'how long' it will take him to get down on bended knee.

'Mum putting the absolute HEAT on me today,' Michael captioned the screenshot.
Self-proclaimed 'plastic surgery queen' and OnlyFans star Tara Jayne made a rare public appearance alongside her mother Linda in Port Melbourne recently.

The 33-year-old, who has spent over $200,000 on cosmetic procedures in the past, flashed her physique in a barely-there crochet dress with cut-outs at both sides.

Tara's cleavage almost burst out of her see-through frock, which she teamed with a pair of white sneakers and an over the shoulder bag.

Flashing the flesh: Self-proclaimed 'plastic surgery queen' and OnlyFans star Tara Jayne made a rare public appearance alongside her mother Linda in Port Melbourne recently

Tara - whose past procedures include five breast augmentations, six nose jobs and endless rounds of Botox and filler - wore lashings of makeup for the outing.

She had applied thick black eyeliner, lashes, bronzer and a matte lip colour, while adding dimension with a flash of highlighter on her cheekbones.

The brunette, who found fame last year after appearing on E! reality show Botched, wore her long hair in a beach wave which cascaded down her shoulders.

Crikey! Tara left nothing to the imagination as she enjoyed a stroll with her mother Linda (right)

Dramatic: Tara - whose past procedures include five breast augmentations, six nose jobs and endless rounds of Botox and filler - wore lashings of makeup for the outing

Meanwhile, he mother looked demure in a pink blouse, light blue jeans and a pair of sandals.

She wore her hair up in a bun, and donned a pair of stylish sunglasses on her face.

Tara weighs just 45kg (99lbs or 7st), and is banned from getting any more surgery in Australia due to her extreme look.

Style: She applied thick black eyeliner, lashes, bronzer and a matte lip colour, while adding dimension with a flash of highlighter on her cheekbones

Bombshell: Tara, who found fame last year after appearing on E! reality show Botched, wore her hair in a long beach wave which cascaded down her shoulders

In August, she appeared on Todd Sampson's headline-making documentary series Mirror Mirror, which followed a group of Australians obsessed with going under the knife.

In the show, Tara described herself as an 'upgraded limited-edition Barbie doll', while also bemoaning the inadequacy of her E-cup breasts.

'I think I want to get my boobs bigger,' she said.

She had previously featured on E! reality show Botched in the hope of convincing Drs Paul Nassif and Terry Dubrow to give her bigger implants.

Pretty: Meanwhile, he mother looked demure in a pink blouse, light blue jeans and a pair of sandals

Cute: She wore her hair up in a bun, and donned a pair of stylish sunglasses on her face

Slinky: The barely-there dress was completely backless, as she later swapped her sneakers with a pair of pink sandals

'Everything is tiny on me except for my tatas... I'm on a quest for a bigger chest!' she told producers.

'I currently have 540 CCs [of breast implant silicone], and I'm just not happy with them at all,' she said.

Tara said she'd noticed a 'rippling effect' on the skin on her breasts and hoped 'filling out the space more' would fix the issue.

But she was left disappointed when the doctors said her weight was 'dangerously low' at 45kg, making her far too slim to carry larger implants.

Drastic: Tara weighs just 45kg (99lbs or 7st), and is banned from getting any more surgery in Australia due to her extreme look

Fame: In August, she appeared on Todd Sampson's headline-making documentary series Mirror Mirror, which followed a group of Australians obsessed with going under the knife

'I'm really concerned about Tara's overall well being', Dr Nassif said.

'Not just as it relates to surgery, but she really needs to get both physically and mentally healthy.'

Tara said she'd stop at nothing to maintain and even enhance her 'knockout' 37-inch bust, 17-inch waist and 29-inch hips'.

'There is no limit for me when it comes to plastic surgery. It is incredibly addictive and I already want bigger breasts,' she added.

'As soon as travel is permitted, I have plans to go back overseas to visit my surgeon and get my breast size increased to 1500cc [from their current 1050ccc].'

Surgery addict: In the show, Tara described herself as an 'upgraded limited-edition Barbie doll', while also bemoaning the inadequacy of her E-cup breasts

'I think in this day and age, it's very important for a woman to be able to express the way they feel and just express everything about beauty,' she told The Morning Show last year.

'Plastic surgery is how I do that and that's what makes me happy. It gives me the confidence to be the best version of myself.'

Tara recently joined adult subscription website OnlyFans to help fund her lifestyle and future cosmetic work during the Covid pandemic.

She charges $25 for a monthly subscription, and previously boasted of making $10,000 in her first three days on the platform.
Hailey Bieber has begged trolls to 'leave me alone.'

After the 25-year-old model recently laughed off a TikTok video that claimed she and husband Justin Bieber's marriage 'may be on the rocks,' Hailey has requested her haters go be 'miserable somewhere else.'

In a TikTok video, she fumed: 'Leave me alone at this point. I'm minding my business. I don't do anything, I don't say anything. Leave me alone, please.'

Done: Hailey Bieber has begged trolls to 'leave me alone'. After the 25-year-old model recently laughed off a TikTok video that claimed she and husband Justin Bieber's marriage 'may be on the rocks', commenting 'Lmaooo', Hailey has requested her haters go be 'miserable somewhere else'

She also seemed to reference her husband Justin Bieber's choice to split with Selena Gomez in early 2018 and then wed Hailey in September 2018 as she said 'enough time has gone by.'

'Enough time has gone by where it's valid to leave me alone,' she said of the Gomez fans who can't let go of Justin marrying Hailey over Selena.

'I beg of you. Truly. That's my only request. Be miserable somewhere else, please. This is for you guys in my comments every single time I post.'

Bye everyone: In a TikTok video, she fumed: 'Leave me alone at this point. I'm minding my business. I don't do anything, I don't say anything. Leave me alone, please'

The haters can't seem to accept Justin is with Hailey and not Selena.

When Justin and Hailey attended the Americana-themed Met Gala together this past September, onlookers chanted 'Selena!' at them.

Hailey's cousin Ireland claimed that the couple were unfazed by the jeering Selena fans, writing on social media: 'They're one of the happiest and most in love couples I've ever gotten the chance to be around. They don't care about them.'

Back in 2020 Justin shared a social media post by a Selena fan who encouraged others to flood Hailey's livestream with remarks that 'Jelena was better.'

His ex: Justin and Selena Gomez split in early 2018 after seven years together; seen in 2011

'It is extremely hard to choose the high road when I see people like this try and rally to gather people to bully the person I love the most in this world,' Justin wrote.

Hailey has also been hit with false claims this year.

After the couple attended the Grammys on April 3, pregnancy rumours started swirling and Hailey shut down the gossip on Instagram.

She wrote: 'I'm not pregnant leave me alone.'

Meanwhile, Justin is 'keeping a close eye' on his wife following her recent health scare.

He moved on: After splitting with Gomez in early 2018, he wed Hailey in September 2018; seen on April 3 at the Grammys

The brunette beauty suffered a blood clot in her brain last month, and the 28-year-old pop star is determined to be as supportive as he possibly can.

A source told E! News: 'Justin continues to be very protective of Hailey and is keeping a close eye on her. They are very shaken up, but trying to move forward one day at a time.

'This weekend, they wanted to spend some time getting out and enjoying themselves.'

The model made a recovery within hours, but was shocked by what happened.

She shared: 'Although this was definitely one of the scariest moments I've ever been through, I'm home now and doing well and I'm so grateful and thankful to all the amazing doctors and nurses who took care of me!'

Hailey thanked her fans for the supportive messages they sent to her on social media.

She wrote: 'Thank you to everyone who has reached out with well wishes and concern, and for all the support and love.'

She has had enough: Though she has been with Justin for almost four years, haters cannot stop giving her a hard time
Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton enjoyed a night out together following Sunday's Daily Front Row Fashion Awards.

The two blondes, both 41, appeared to have a blast as they dined and toasted champagne.

Aguilera took to Instagram on Tuesday to share outtakes from the evening out and wrote, 'Always a good time.'

Cheers! Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton enjoyed a night out together following Sunday's Daily Front Row Fashion Awards

Both women rocked platinum blonde ponytails that were arranged at the top of their domes.

They also both wore dark sunglasses, putting on a glamorous display after the star-studded annual event.

Paris wore the same black blazer dress she wore to the ceremony, and her counterpart switched into another outfit.

Christina wore a black leather jacket layered over a sparkling black top with a wide key hole opening as she sat at a table with the heiress.

Fun! The two blondes, both 41, appeared to have a blast as they dined and toasted champagne

Earlier in the night she had been clad in an emerald green floor-length leather coat dress with a plunging neckline.

While still dressed in it she and Hilton stepped out onto a balcony overlooking the city and giggled as they held champagne flutes.

Ever a doting friend, the newly married DJ helped straighten out the mother-of-two's long ponytail before they posed for photos.

The two women each rocked sparkling diamond necklaces around their neck, with Paris donning a short one and Christina opting for a lariat style.

Friends: Aguilera took to Instagram on Tuesday to share outtakes from the evening out and wrote, 'Always a good time'

More than one look: Earlier in the night Christina had been clad in an emerald green floor-length leather coat dress with a plunging neckline

Fittingly, Aguilera added two blonde haired emojis wearing crowns, framed by golden star emojis.

In the first video clip in the carousel the two clinked glasses as the powerhouse vocalist exclaimed, 'Sliving!' - Hilton's minted term that combines the phrases 'slaying,' 'killing it,' and 'living your best life.'

The post racked up over 40,000 likes from the longtime hitmaker's 8.2 million followers.

Having a great time: Aguilera and Hilton stepped out onto a balcony overlooking the city and giggled as they held champagne flutes

Paris definitely had a reason to celebrate - she was awarded with Fashion Entrepreneur prize at the show.

Paris was being honored at the ceremony for her fashion ventures, and last month she launched her latest, the Iconic Tracksuit collection.

She was joined by her mother Kathy Hilton, 63, who was there to support her daughter's recognition.

Kathy complemented her daughter with a black blazer decorated with lovely floral embroidery.

Thoughtful: Ever a doting friend, the newly married DJ helped straighten out the mother-of-two's long ponytail before they posed for photos
An Australian Johnny Depp superfan has travelled over 30 hours to stand outside court in Fairfax, Virginia in the US to support the actor at his $100million defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.

The fan in question, named Jacinta, appeared on 7News on Tuesday evening, where she was seen waving a skull and crossbones flag in homage to Depp's movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

Speaking to the journalist, the pink-hair enthusiast said: 'I believe he's innocent.

Dedication: An Australian Johnny Depp superfan has travelled over 30 hours to stand outside a courtroom in Fairfax, Virginia in the US to support the actor at his $100million defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard

'He's suffered very bad consequences that he didn't deserve.'

Jacinta completed her look with a Captain Jack Sparrow-inspired top and a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Depending on where Jacinta lives in Australia, a flight to Virginia can take well over a day and cost approximately $3000 for a return trip.

Fans began gathering outside the courthouse at 5am on Monday morning prior to jury selection, the majority there to show support for Depp, 58.

Her view: Speaking to the journalist, the pink-hair enthusiast said: 'I believe he's innocent. He's suffered very bad consequences that he didn't deserve'

'I love him dearly. I've been a fan for 36 years, I've met him many times,' gushed Yvonne de Boer, who made the pilgrimage from Los Angeles to Virginia.

'I want to be hear from him, to hear him speak his truth. We want him to know he's not alone.'

Debbie Debowski, a member of fan group the 'Johnny Depp Culprits', flew in from Houston.

'I want Johnny to know how much his fans love him. He's just a normal guy, he's gentle and sweet,' she said.

Case: Johnny Depp is pictured departing the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia on Monday

Natasha Miller drove from Reno, Nevada to hear the Pirates of the Caribbean actor speak in person.

'I'll be here until the trial is over. He's the chief, I'll go where the chief goes. He's been my favorite everything for 28 years, ever since I saw him in Benny & Joon. He's a brilliant man.'

Depp has sued Heard, 35, for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she penned a 2018 opinion piece in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic abuse.

The op-ed never mentioned Depp by name, but Depp's lawyers have said it was clear Heard, 35, was referencing him, and that the piece damaged his film career and reputation.

Support: Fans began gathering outside the courthouse at 5am on Monday morning prior to jury selection, the majority there to show support for Depp

Depp, known for his work in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, has denied all allegations of abuse.

Depp said in his lawsuit that Heard's claims were an 'elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms. Heard and advance her career.'

Heard is known for her roles in Aquaman and Justice League.

She has brought her own libel claim against Depp, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar.

Heard's counterclaim will be decided as part of the trial, which could last for six weeks. Heard is seeking $100 million in damages from Depp, according to court papers.
Khloe Kardashian didn't skimp on the decorations when she celebrated her daughter True Thompson turning four on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star revealed that she had brought in a massive array of candy-colored balloons to mark True's big day.

She revealed the festive display on Instagram after taking her daughter  whom she shares with her former partner Tristan Thompson  to Disneyland with her sister Kim Kardashian and her nieces Chicago and Dream Kardashian.

Going all out: Khloe Kardashian, 37, didn't skimp on the decorations when she celebrated her daughter True Thompson turning four with a barrage of colorful balloons on Tuesday

In Khloe's photoset, she and True were tucked into her daughter's enormous bed, which was covered in beige sheets.

The reality star credited Wild Child Party for the incredible display, which included a variety of pastel pink, blue and purple balloons hanging all across the room.

In addition to standard shapes, there were also mylar balloons shaped like rainbows, stars and hearts.

At the foot of True's bed was a large '4' display which was overflowing with tiny balloons.

Tucked in: In Khloe's photoset, she and True were on her daughter's enormous bed, which was covered in beige sheets

Incredible work: The reality star credited Wild Child Party for the incredible display, which included a variety of pastel pink, blue and purple balloons hanging all across the room

Variety: In addition to standard shapes, there were also mylar balloons shaped like rainbows, stars and hearts

In the photos, Khloe looked lovely in a hot pink dress with spaghetti straps while wearing her long blond locks down over her chest.

True looked adorable in a pale pink satin dress with her hair tied up in two small buns.

'I blinked and you are 4!' the Revenge Body star began her caption.

'Happy 4th Birthday my baby!!! I wish I could bottle you up and keep you little forever. At the same time watching you grow into the little lady you are has been the biggest honor of my life. Thank you for choosing me sweet True,' she continued.

Birthday girl: At the foot of True's bed was a large '4' display which was overflowing with tiny balloons

Cute: 'I blinked and you are 4!' the Revenge Body star began her caption. 'Happy 4th Birthday my baby!!! I wish I could bottle you up and keep you little forever'

Honored: 'At the same time watching you grow into the little lady you are has been the biggest honor of my life. Thank you for choosing me sweet True,' she continued

'My biggest blessing. My sweetest reward. The one who changed my life forever. I love you my special soulmate,' she added, before signing off as 'Mommy.'

True posed for some solo photos of herself standing on her bed, including one where she held a balloon in her arms.

She also waved her hands in the air triumphantly.

In her Instagram Stories, Khloe also shared some adorable throwback photos of True from previous birthdays.

She got a similar balloon display each year, with large mylar balloons showing her age at years one and two, while she received a similar display of tiny balloons arranged inside a large '3' the previous year.

Aww: 'My biggest blessing. My sweetest reward. The one who changed my life forever. I love you my special soulmate,' she added, before signing off as 'Mommy.'

Growing up: True posed for some solo photos of herself standing on her bed, including one where she held a balloon in her arms

Loved-up: She also had a stuffed animal that she seemed to be enamored of

The early years: In her Instagram Stories, Khloe also shared some adorable throwback photos of True from previous birthdays. She got a similar balloon display each year, with large mylar balloons showing her age at years one and two

Last year: True received a similar display of tiny balloons arranged inside a large '3' the previous year

Earlier in the day, Khloe and True were spotted with Kim Kardashian, her daughter Chicago and her niece Dream Kardashian as they visit Disneyland.

The family group were spotted at the nearby Disney hotel Grand Californian, which allows guests to directly enter the park.

Khloe shared some glimpses of True's birthday festivities at the park

'This is True's first time to Disneyland! And we're going on It's A Small World,' she said in a video taken just outside the boat ride.

The Revenge Body star followed it up with a cute clip of Chicago, in which she asked the little girl what she was wishing for as the went through the ride.

'I'm wishing to have a big party at my house,' she said lightning quick, adding that there would be 'popcorn' and that everybody would 'have fun.'

True and her cousin were clearly having a great time on It's A Small World, as they could be heard shouting with joy and singing along to the music while Khloe filmed some of the candy-colored scenes.

Several boats in front of and behind them appeared to be empty, suggesting that other guests were temporarily barred from getting on so that they could ride it alone.

Big day: Earlier, Khloe shared some glimpses of True's birthday festivities. 'This is True's first time to Disneyland! And we're going on It's A Small World,' she said while joined by her sister Kim and nieces Chicago West and Dream Kardashian

Party girl: The Revenge Body star followed it up with a cute clip of Chicago, in which she asked the little girl what she was wishing for as the went through the ride. 'I'm wishing to have a big party at my house,' she said lightning quick

Loving it: True and her cousin were having a great time on It's A Small World, as they could be heard shouting and singing along to the music while Khloe filmed the candy-colored scenes

Solo privilege: Several boats in front of and behind them appeared to be empty, suggesting that other guests were temporarily barred from getting on so that they could ride it alone

Chicago was particularly tickled to see figures that appeared to be Woody and Jessie from the Toy Story franchise in a Western scene.

After finishing up on the attraction, Khloe shared a video of the little girls catching a parade.

True and Chicago both called out to a line of characters walking down the street, which were followed by the parade floats.

Easter egg: Chicago was particularly tickled to see figures that appeared to be Woody and Jessie from the Toy Story franchise in a Western scene

Over the moon: Chicago screamed with delight as she spotted figures that looked like Jasmine and Aladdin in It's A Small World
Kim Kardashian has revealed that her eight-year-old daughter North West insisted on styling herself and her siblings for their recent Vogue spread.

In scenes that will air on Wednesday's episode of Ellen, the 41-year-old reality star admitted that her daughter rejected the outfits picked out by the fashion bible and confessed that she finds doing photoshoots with her children 'the worst'.

Kim covered the March edition of Vogue with her children North, eight, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and two-year-old Psalm also featuring in the spread.

'Shoots with the kids are the worst!': Kim Kardashian reveals daughter North, 8, insisted on styling her siblings for Vogue as she discussed the incident on Wednesday's episode of Ellen

She revealed: 'North styled the whole thing! They were all going to wear black but she walked out and was like "this is so boring I cant believe this is what we're going to wear. I'm going to style everyone."

'She went in everyone's closet and picked it all out.

'Any time I have to do a photoshoot with my kids or the cousins it's like the worst day of my life and I always say I'll never do it again, but then you get amazing pictures like this.

'It was meant to be a group shot but no one wanted to take pictures together and everyone was crying and wanted me to hold them so that's what we got... but it's so perfect and cute.'

Wow: Kim covered the March edition of Vogue with her children North, eight (top right) Saint, six, Chicago, four, and two-year-old Psalm (top middle) also featuring in the spread

Future career? The star admitted that her daughter rejected the outfits picked out by the fashion bible and confessed that she finds doing photoshoots with her children 'the worst'

Kim also touched on her own personal style as Ellen DeGeneres poked fun at the 'uncomfortable' looking outfit she had donned for the Vogue March cover.

She mused: 'I'll be in pyjamas and sweats when I'm home but when I go out out I'll wear literally anything.

'I don't care how uncomfortable or if I have to wear a diaper and not go to the bathroom...'

Kim then clarified that she had not yet needed to wear any adult diapers with her outfits, but admitted she bought them in preparation for sitting the baby bar exam as she wasn't sure if she'd be allowed to take breaks during the eight-hour assessment.

Ouch: Kim also touched on her own personal style as Ellen DeGeneres poked fun at the 'uncomfortable' looking outfit she had donned for the Vogue March cover

Kim mused: 'I'll be in pyjamas and sweats when im home but when I go out out I'll wear literally anything. 'I don't care how uncomfortable or if I have to wear a diaper!'

Later in that episode, talk turned to the Kardashian clan's many appearance on Ellen, with Kim admitting her favourite memory on the show was watching her mother Kris Jenner get pranked.

Ellen then decided it was time for Kim to get the same treatment as she revealed she'd brought a spider onto the set - Kim's greatest fear.

As the chat show host scooped out the inset in her hand, Kim squealed: 'No we're not, we're absolutely not, you're not doing this to me, I'm never going to get over it!'

Prank: Later in that episode Ellen scared Kim by throwing a spider at her, prompting Kim to run off the set screaming before the host revealed the arthropod was just a toy

Ellen then threw the spider at her which prompted Kim to run off the set screaming before the host revealed the arthropod was just a toy.

Last month, part one of Kim's chat with Ellen aired, in which the reality star admitted she was taking the 'high road' when it comes to co-parenting her four children with Kanye West amid his relentless social media attacks.

'I think that's just who I am, and I always saw such a good example in my mom and my dad in their relationship,' Kim said.

High road: Last month, part one of Kim's chat with Ellen aired, in which SHE admitted she was taking the 'high road' when it comes to co-parenting her four children with Kanye West

'So I'm always just hopeful and no matter what goes on, it's the father of my kids. I'll always be protective, I'll always be protective. I always want my kids to just see the best of the best.

'So, I just try to, as hard as it can be sometimes, I do try to ignore it and just try to do whatever's best for the kids.'

Elsewhere in the chat, she revealed her boyfriend Pete Davidson got her name branded onto his chest with a hot iron.

Kim's appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show airs on Wednesday.
Emily Atack looked in great spirits as she shared snaps from Colorado with Spice Girl Mel B and comedian Ruby Wax on Monday.

The actress, 32, took to Instagram to update her followers from across the pond while filming for their new show, Trailblazers.

The BBC Two series sees the three generations of celebrities come together to re-trace the footsteps of Isabella Bird, a female traveller from the 19th century.

Selfie: Emily Atack looked in great spirits as she shared snaps from Colorado with Spice Girl Mel B (right) and comedian Ruby Wax (centre) on Monday

The trio are using Isabella's 1873 book, A Lady's Life In The Rocky Mountains to shape their adventure across America.

They will be put to the test in one of the worlds toughest terrains as they attempt to cross the Rocky Mountains.

From the comfort of her cabin, Emily looked radiant as she posed for a number of selfies in a white beanie hat and a bright orange coat.

Coffee break: Emily looked radiant as she posed for a number of selfies in a white beanie hat and a bright orange coat

Stunning: The actress, 32, took to Instagram to update her followers from across the pond while filming for their new show, Trailblazers

The Inbetweeners star appeared to be having a blast as she took in the sights, and looked incredible with her blonde tresses styled straight.

The beauty looked glamorous wearing a full face of glowing makeup and while enjoying the sunshine sported a pair of round sunglasses.

In another snap, Emily showed off her perfectly manicured pink nails while holding up a Starbucks coffee.

She penned alongside the post: 'Off to get eaten by a bear.'

Behind-the-scenes: Mel and Ruby were pictured wrapped up in coats posing next to a statue of Elvis Presley as the comedian penned: 'Elvis is alive and not well in Cheyenne Wyoming'

Sight-seeing: The Inbetweeners star appeared to be having a blast as she took in the sights, and looked incredible with her blonde tresses styled straight

Emily also shared several behind-the-scenes clips of Mel, 46, and Ruby, 68, for their new show, Trailblazers.

The pair were pictured wrapped up in coats and jumpers posing next to a statue of Elvis Presley.

Ruby reshared the snap, penning: 'Elvis is alive and not well in Cheyenne Wyoming.'

Pose: At the weekend, after landing in the US, Emily posed for a selfie in a bathroom wearing a striped T-shirt

She also shared a selfie of the three ladies beaming, she teased: 'Day one filming Trailblazers.'

At the weekend, after landing in the US Emily posed for a selfie in a bathroom wearing a striped T-shirt, before later sharing an update in a bar while sipping a beer.

Giving her review on the state, she captioned the string of shots: 'So far, so good. Can't stop putting syrup on everything.'
Bill Nighy has opened up about his 'performance anxiety' in a new interview where revealed he is filled with feelings of unhappiness and loneliness on stage.

The actor, 72, admitted that every time he has stood in the wings he regrets ever agreeing to do it in the first place and vows to never accept a part in a play again.

Bill, who is known for comedy roles such as Billy Mack in Love Actually, spoke about his confidence struggles in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of GQ Style, while also detailing an 'embarrassing letter' he wrote age 16 when he ran away to Paris.

Candid: Bill Nighy has opened up about his 'performance anxiety' in a new interview where revealed he is filled with feelings of unhappiness and loneliness on stage

Recalling the fear he feels before each performance, Bill told the publication: 'I feel so unhappy and so lonely, and so stupid for agreeing to do it in the first place. And then you have to go out and do it.

He also never watches back performances in films, as he says he notices what he 'couldn't pull off', explaining: 'If I see it, I'll see all the little bits of cowardice where I couldn't quite pull something off. Whereas now, I can allow myself to think that, maybe this time, it was okay. I'm best left out of it.'

Bill has starred in a multitude of iconic roles, including featuring in movies such as Pirates Of The Caribbean, Underworld, Dad's Army and Hot Fuzz.

During the chat, the Surrey-native also opened up about his childhood with father, Alfred Martin Nighy - recalling a time when he was 15 and decided to run away from home.

Lonely: The actor, 72, admitted that every time he has stood in the wings he regrets ever agreeing to do it in the first place and vows to never accept a part in a play again

The pair were very close, with Alfred, who was also father to Bill's siblings, Anna and Martin, passing away in 1976.

But during his teenage years, Bill was inspired to run away to Paris after hearing bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited - deciding to write his dad a runaway letter.

The letter read: 'Don't try and find me. I'll be 17 soon, and I can no longer live under your repressive regime'

But over 50 years on from his attempted escapades, Bill admitted that the letter was 'terrible', explaining: 'It was terrible, the most embarrassing piece of tosh you've ever read in your life'

Despite this, Bill's father kept the letter all the way until his death, with his son finding it amongst his things after his passing.

Actor: Bill is best known for playing the witty role of womaniser musician Bill Mack in Love Actually (pictured in Love Actually)

In the cover shoot for GQ, he looked dapper while sporting a matching beige ensemble with a suave shirt, tie and blazer.

Bill played womaniser Billy in the 2003 sensation Love Actually, but off-screen he has been linked to Vogue Editor In Chief Anna Wintour.

He and the fashion mogul made many joint appearances in 2021, and put on a cosy display during a getaway to Rome.

See the full feature in the GQ Style Spring/Summer 2022 issue available on newsstands Thursday 14th April.
Simon Gregson was pictured looking sheepish over the weekend as he was dropped off to his car after being quizzed by police following a boozy altercation in a Toby Carvery.

On Friday, the Coronation Street star, 47, was at The Rocking Horse pub opposite the racecourse after Aintree Ladies Day, having enjoyed some time at one of the course's luxury suites earlier in the day.

And, after leaving his car in the races carpark overnight, the actor maintained a low profile as he got a lift to his vehicle before hopping into the driver's seat of his Mercedes as he was seen for the first time since the incident..

Sheepish: Corrie's Simon Gregson was pictured for the first time since he was quizzed by police following a boozy altercation in a Toby Carvery during Aintree Ladies Day

Simon kept his look casual, sporting a New York Yankees cap and an eye-catching Canadian Peak jacket, teamed with jeans and grey trainers.

A spokesperson for Toby Carvery Aintree told MailOnline at the weekend: 'We can confirm there was an incident at the restaurant on Friday night which was reported to the police. We are fully co-operating with the police inquiry.'

According to the Mirror, police spoke to Simon as he sat in the back of their van in the car park of The Rocking Horse on Friday after the altercation inside the pub.

Heavy one: On Friday, the Coronation Street star, 47, was at The Rocking Horse pub opposite the racecourse after Aintree Ladies Day, having enjoyed some time at one of the course's luxury suites earlier in the day

A source told the publication: 'There was a bust-up and bouncers kicked him out  they pinned him to the ground before the police arrived. He was taken to the police van and spoken to for some time. It was all very messy.'

A police spokesperson added to the newspaper: 'We can confirm Merseyside Police were in attendance at the Rocking Horse pub on Grand National Avenue, Aintree.

'At around 9.20pm we received a report two men were involved in an altercation inside the pub. No injuries were reported and the victim declined to make a formal complaint to police. Inquiries are ongoing.'

Leaving: After leaving his car in the races carpark overnight, the actor maintained a low profile as he got a lift to his vehicle before hopping into the driver's seat of his Mercedes

Earlier in the day, Simon was seen with the likes of Princess Annes daughter Zara Tindall, 40, and her ex-England rugby captain husband Mike, 43.

The drunken night out comes after the former I'm A Celebrity campmate was ordered by club bouncers to leave his on-screen daughter Alexandra Mardell's work leaving party in Manchester's Deansgate district after allegedly taking off his shirt, dancing on furniture and hurling abuse at staff in February.

In footage obtained by The Sun, the soap star could be seen dancing shirtless on furniture after becoming 'a bit merry'.

Friends in high places: Earlier in the day on Friday, Simon was seen with the likes of Princess Annes daughter Zara Tindall, 40, and her ex-England rugby captain husband Mike, 43

Simon allegedly directed his fury towards the security staff with an expletive-filled rant after they attempted to kick him out of the venue.

An onlooker told the publication 'He was the life and soul of the party but took it a bit far and it annoyed the bar staff and bouncers in the end.'

The star had been partying with Corrie's Katie McGlynn at the showbiz bash.

'He was acting pretty wildly': It comes after Simon was reportedly kicked out of his co-star's leaving party in Manchester by bouncers after dancing shirtless on furniture

Hilarious: An onlooker said: 'He was the life and soul of the party but took it a bit far and it annoyed the bar staff and bouncers in the end' (pictured, centre, with Alexandra Mardell and her boyfriend Joe Parker, far left)

She allegedly stepped in-between her pal and the bouncer in a bid to cool down the situation, later posting a beaming photo of herself in an unmissable yellow dress alongside Alexandra, who plays Emma Brooker in the ITV favourite.

The source continued: 'Simon was acting pretty wildly  but more in the sense that he was in high spirits and getting carried away.

'The crowd were laughing and cheering, with a lot of people egging him on, and most people there saw the funny side. But some clubbers were shouting abuse at him as well, which was unnecessary.'

Alexandra's photos from the night saw her party with Millie Gibson (Kelly Neelan), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Georgia Taylor (Toyah Battersby), Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow) and Mollie Gallagher (Nina Lucas).

Simon's representatives were contacted for comment by MailOnline.
Residents are evacuated by rescuers in a flooded village in Panitan, Panay island, Philippines, April 12, in this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard. AP-Yonhap





The death toll from landslides and floods that hit the central and southern Philippines after a summer tropical depression unleashed days of pounding rain has risen to at least 43, with 28 others missing, officials said Tuesday.







More than 100 villagers were injured in landslides in the hard-hit city of Baybay in central Leyte Province over the weekend and early Monday, officials said. Army, police and other rescuers were struggling with mud and unstable heaps of earth and debris to find the missing villagers.







''We are saddened by this dreadful incident that caused an unfortunate loss of lives and destruction of properties,'' said army brigade commander Col. Noel Vestuir, who was helping oversee the search and rescue.







Thirty-six of the dead were recovered from the landslides that hit six Baybay villages, military and local officials said. Seven other people drowned in floodwaters in the central provinces of Samar and Negros Oriental and southern Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental provinces.







Motorists wade through a flooded road after heavy rains brought about by Tropical storm Agaton in Abuyog town, Leyte Province, southern Philippines, April 11. AFP-Yonhap





More rescuers and heavy equipment, including backhoes, arrived in the landslide-hit villages in Baybay, but continuing rain and muddy ground have hampered the efforts. ''The challenge is, it's continuing to rain and we cannot immediately clear the landslide areas,'' Vestuir said.







Coastguards, police and firefighters rescued some villagers Monday in flooded central communities, including some who were trapped on their roofs. In central Cebu city, schools and work were suspended Monday and Mayor Michael Rama declared a state of calamity to allow the rapid release of emergency funds.







At least 20 storms and typhoons batter the Philippines each year, mostly during the rainy season that begins around June. Some storms have hit even during the scorching summer months in recent years.







The disaster-prone Southeast Asian nation also lies on the Pacific ''Ring of Fire,'' where many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. (AP)


Charlotte Dawson has admitted she is 'not ok' after receiving some awful news, revealing she is taking a break from Instagram.

In the post shared via Stories on Tuesday, Charlotte, 29, assured fans that her son Noah is 'absolutely fine', as the revelation came just days after he was rushed to hospital.

The 14-month-old was rushed to A&E on Sunday night after he banged his head on a table at a wedding reception.

Awful news: Charlotte Dawson revealed she has received 'awful news' via Instagram as she takes a social media break just days after she rushed her son Noah to hospital

But it seems the toddler has recovered, with the news affecting Charlotte herself, as she wrote to her 1.3million followers: 'Receiving so many messages why i've been quiet and is Noah ok.. Noah is absolutely fine, he's amazing. It's me that's not ok

'We have just had some awful news and just trying to come to terms with it. Will be back soon. Love you all X'

While the reason behind her 'awful news' is unknown, she has already had a tumultuous week after the hospital trip on Sunday.

Not ok: But it seems the toddler has recovered, with the news affecting Charlotte herself, as she wrote to her 1.3million followers: 'Receiving so many messages why i've been quiet and is Noah ok.. Noah is absolutely fine, he's amazing. It's me that's not ok

Scary: On sunday, Noah was rushed to hospital after banging his head on a table at a wedding reception

The mum shared the experience to Instagram, saying he 'kept projectile vomiting until he passed out'

Posting to Stories, she explained: 'Well didn't think we'd end up in bloody A&E ffs'

'He banged his cheek and head on the leg off a table today and kept projectile vomiting until he passed out and was dizzy.'

Illness: The mum shared the experience to Instagram, saying he: 'kept projectile vomiting until he passed out'

Charlotte welcomed Noah with fiance Matt Sarsfield in January 2021, recently enjoying a family holiday to Dubai.

The parents posted a host of sun-soaked snaps from the getaway, as they stayed at the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm.

Charlotte flaunted her incredible figure on the holiday in a host of swimwear, after recently losing over three stone.

New parents: Charlotte welcomed Noah with fiance Matt Sarsfield in January 2021
Olivia Frazer has spoken out for the first time since regaining access to her Instagram account after Married At First Sight finished airing.

The former teaching student, 28, used the platform to send a message to her naysayers on Wednesday.

Sharing a makeup free selfie of her lounging around, Olivia penned a lengthy response to viewers after she was accused of holding grudges 'against people from primary school.'

Statement: Married At First Sight's Olivia Frazer (pictured) took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal that she sleeps 'amazing' at night after 'cutting out' the toxic people from her life

'FYI my interpretation of ''holding grudges'' is to cut out people that are toxic to my life. Not seek revenge or put any energy at all towards them,' she began.

'It's perfectly acceptable to not like people. It's perfectly acceptable to not allow certain people access to you.

'I've never wasted energy on people I don't like. Hence why I sleep amazing at night xxx,' she concluded.

'It's perfectly acceptable to not allow certain people access to you': Olivia's post may have been a cryptic swipe at her naysayers, as well as her on-screen enemy Domenica Calarco (pictured)

Olivia received extreme backlash from viewers during Married At First Sight after she was painted as the villain in her feud with fellow bride Domenica Calarco.

It comes after Olivia and boyfriend Jackson Lonie were spotted shopping for an expensive diamond ring at House of K'Dor jewellers in Double Bay, Sydney, on Friday.

The sighting has sparked rumours the pair, who live together on the NSW Central Coast, are secretly engaged.

Their televised wedding was not legally binding, and teaching student Olivia has said she would like to make things official with Jackson.

Wedding bells? It comes after Olivia and boyfriend Jackson Lonie (pictured together) were spotted shopping for an expensive diamond ring at House of K'Dor jewellers in Double Bay

The outspoken bride couldn't wipe the smile off her face as a shop assistant showed her a 5ct diamond ring believed to cost $100,000.

She marvelled while trying on the expensive sparkler as her plumber boyfriend, 30, watched on.

After spending half an hour inside the store, Jackson used his debit card to make a payment before they both walked out.

'We are both very in love and very happy,' Olivia told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday when asked if Jackson had popped the question.

'He has said "I love you" many times,' she giggled, but stopped short of confirming whether or not Jackson had proposed.
Brad Pitt's ex Nicole Poturalski, 29, flashed her incredible legs in a purple thigh-high split gown as she attended an event in Germany on Tuesday.

The German native, 29, looked glamorous in a brightly coloured cut out sheer dress which featured puff sleeves and a low back.

While attending the world premiere of the new coffee machine, WMF Perfection at Haus der Kunst in Munich, she seemed in high spirits in the floaty floor length gown.

Stunning: Brad Pitt's ex Nicole Poturalski, 29, flashed her incredible legs in a purple thigh-high split gown as she attended an event in Germany on Tuesday

Legs for days: The German brunette, 29, looked glamorous in a brightly coloured cut out dress which featured sheer puff sleeves and a low back

The brunette, flashed her midriff in the cut out front dress which swooshed to one side revealing her abs.

She beamed as she posed up a storm showcasing her toned legs in a towering pair of black and silver dazzling heels.

Nicole looked radiant in a natural makeup palette and styled her long brunette tresses in a side parting in loose curls revealing the open back of the gown.

Fashionista: She beamed as she posed up a storm showcasing her toned legs in a towering pair of black and silver dazzling heels

The model opted to accessorize with a dazzling pair of silver and pink chandelier earrings and a chunky pink fashion ring.

Nicole posted several Instagram clips of her strutting around in the floaty gown before later enjoying a 'girls dinner'

In the past, Nicole has been linked to Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt following his split with ex-wife Angelina Jolie in 2016.

Brad sparked rumours of a romance with the Angelina lookalike Nicole, when he was spotted with her at France's Le Castellet Airport in August 2019.

Stylish: While attending the world premiere of the new coffee machine, WMF Perfection at Haus der Kunst in Munich, she seemed in high spirits in the floaty floor length gown

Onlookers said the pair were behaving like 'lovestruck teenagers' when they couldn't keep their hands off each other at the airport - before flying to a smaller airport close to Chateau Miraval, the estate Pitt purchased for $67 million in 2011 with his ex-wife Angelina.

The pair reportedly had a three month whirlwind relationship before they went their separate ways.

Nicole is in an 'open marriage' with multi-millionaire Berlin-based businessman and restaurant owner Roland Mary, 68, with whom she shares a son Emil, nine.

Ex: Nicole has been linked to Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt in the past following his messy split with ex-wife Angelina Jolie in 2016 [pictured 2020]

Brads ex-wife: Brad split from wife Angelina in 2016, before sparking rumours of a romance with her lookalike Nicole when he was spotted with her at France's Le Castellet Airport [Brad and Angelina pictured in 2014]
Sandra Bullock confessed it would be 'odd' watching Channing Tatum strip in Magic Mike after working with him on new film The Lost City.

While the eminent film star admitted she has enjoyed watching the hunk in the two male stripper films to date, she 'doesn't know if this is something she'd feel comfortable with' since they have become good friends.

Sandra, 57, was quizzed on Wednesday's Lorraine by step-in host Christine Lampard whether she was a fan of Channing, 41, in the franchise.

'It's going to be odd!': Sandra Bullock said she 'doesn't know if she'd feel comfortable' watching Channing Tatum strip in Magic Mike after working with him on their new film (the pair pictured on Lorraine on Wednesday)

The actress replied: 'You know what, I loved it. I loved it a lot! And I loved the second one a lot.

'And now that I know him, I don't know if I'll be comfortable watching it. It's gonna be weird, because you were someone else.

'When I watch the movies, and now that I know him normally, it's going to be odd watching you do that!'

Raunchy: Sandra, 57, admitted she has enjoyed watching the hunk in the two male stripper films to date (pictured in 2015) but it would be 'weird' doing so now

The American actor then suggested Sandra should watch the live show, but she confessed she wouldn't be able to if he was in it.

She said: 'I want to come to the show, but you just can't be dancing in it,' to which Channing replied, 'I'm not going to dance in the show. I'll sit next to you during the show.'

This comes after Sandra and Channing met when their daughters clashed at preschool.

Getting the gossip: Sandra was quizzed on Wednesday's Lorraine by step-in host Christine Lampard whether she was a fan of Channing, 41, in the franchise

Cheeky: The American actor then suggested Sandra should watch the live show, but she confessed she wouldn't be able to if he was in it

Past drama: This comes after Sandra and Channing met when their daughters clashed at preschool

Proud dad: Channing - who has Everly, eight, with ex-wife Jenna Dewan - recently said: 'I've blocked it all out' (pictured with his daughter in June 2021)

Channing - who has Everly, eight, with ex-wife Jenna Dewan - recently said: 'I've blocked it all out.'

Sandra - who adopted Louis, 12, and Laila, 10, as a single parent - added: 'There's some PTSD attached to it.

'We met through drama, in the principal's office at preschool. We were called in together because Everly and Laila were trying to alpha the other one out, and we prayed it was the other's child that caused the damage.'

Admissions: Fortunately, the girls get along well now and their famous parents joked they took on The Lost City so their children could spend time together in a 'Covid-safe' environment

Fortunately, the girls get along well now and their famous parents joked they took on The Lost City so their children could spend time together in a 'Covid-safe' environment.

Sandra said: 'That's the reason we did this film, so they could have one long, Covid-safe play date. We even brought motorbikes down there. All we cared about is that Everly and Laila were just having the time of their lives.'

The Lost City - released in UK cinemas on 13 April - is an action-adventure comedy film with Sandra and Channing at the helm as a novelist and cover model respectively.

Plot: The Lost City - released in UK cinemas on 13 April - is an action-adventure comedy film with Sandra and Channing at the helm as a novelist and cover model respectively

Together, they must escape a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) and find the lost ancient city portrayed in one of her books.

Sandra revealed that she and Channing, along with the remainder of the cast, quarantined together, which made everything 'that much sweeter.'

'We found this before the pandemic, so it was our guilty pleasure, our hope to figure out how to make something we love, with the people we love... Then the pandemic happened and we made it.

'The fact that we were all living together and quarantined together made it that much sweeter. You can probably sense that on camera. That combination of adventure, fun and some of that,' she teased, while gesturing to Channing.
Josie Gibson left Sienna Miller and Rupert Friend in stitches after she revealed she was called 'Lobey-Wan Kenobi' at school because she 'had fat earlobes'.

The chat show host, 37, was speaking with the actress and the Homeland star, both 40, on Wednesday's This Morning when she made the hysterical revelation.

Actor Rupert, 40, spoke about starring in upcoming TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi as the sinister Grand Inquisitor, who is hunting down Jedis who have survived Order 66.

Amusing: Josie Gibson left Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend and Vernon Kay in stitches after she revealed she was called 'Lobey-Wan Kenobi' at school because she 'had fat earlobes'

After he spoke about his role alongside Ewan McGregor in the latest Star Wars instalment, Josie offered up her own tale about her links to the franchise.

Josie said: 'They used to call me Lobey-Wan Kenobi at school because my earlobes were so fat! They were massive. You've got Obi-Wan Kenobi but I was Lobey-Wan Kenobi.'

Rupert, Sienna and Josie's co-host Vernon Kay burst into fits of laughter at her surprising revelation, with Rupert saying: 'Well it's nice to meet you Lobey.'

And Josie sent the trio into further hysterics when she added: 'Every time I see Obi-Wan Kenobi it always reminds me of my fat earlobes.'

Nickname: The chat show host, 37, was speaking with the actress and the Homeland star, both 40, on Wednesday's This Morning when she made the hysterical revelation

Franchise: Actor Rupert, 40, spoke about starring in TV series Obi-Wan Kenobi as the sinister Grand Inquisitor, when Josie revealed her hilarious Star Wars themed school nickname

The amusing moment came as Sienna and Rupert appeared on the ITV chat show to promote their new Netflix drama Anatomy Of A Scandal.

Based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan, Anatomy Of A Scandal follows Sophie Whitehouse (Sienna) and her husband James (Rupert Friend), a minister accused of sexually assaulting a young political aide named Olivia (Naomi Scott).

Sophie ultimately believes her husband is innocent but QC Kate Woodcraft (Michelle) is equally convinced of his guilt.

Their chat show appearance comes after Sienna opened up about her struggles with anxiety and childhood fame on The One Show on Tuesday.

New venture: The amusing moment came as Sienna and Rupert appeared on the ITV chat show to promote their new Netflix drama Anatomy Of A Scandal

Plot: Anatomy Of A Scandal follows Sophie Whitehouse (Sienna) and her husband James (Rupert Friend), a minister accused of sexually assaulting a young political aide

Sienna first rose to prominence as a model and then secured overnight fame after starring in 2004 film Layer Cake alongside Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy.

Speaking about being propelled to fame at the age of 21, Sienna admitted that the experience was 'anxiety inducing' and let to her feeling 'out of control'.

'Early experiences of fame are definitely anxiety-inducing and just feeling completely out of control of your life, really,' she said.

The model admitted that she found it very 'overwhelming' at the time and said it let to her making the 'wrong' decisions to navigate the world of fame.

Anxiety: It comes after Sienna opened up about her struggles with anxiety and childhood fame after being propelled to fame starring alongside Daniel Craig in 2004 film Layer Cake

Her comments come after she recently broke her silence on her recent split with fiance Lucas Zwirner.

Having suffered three widely-reported failed engagements, she called off plans to marry Lucas, 30, last year and has now opened up on the matter.

She told DuJour magazine: 'I obviously have a lot of experience of kind of becoming well-known at a time when the tabloids really had all the power and the individual had very little.

'Anybody could really write anything. It was a real frenzy. A fever pitch of craziness.'

The Hollywood star got engaged to her third husband-to-be, Lucas, in January 2020 after a just year of dating - however they would later part ways.

Break-up: Elsewhere, Sienna split from her third fiance Lucas Zwirner in September 2020 (pictured together in May 2019) - it was claimed that it was Sienna's decision to call it a day

She continued: 'I've dealt with very public heartbreak. I was never somebody who dreamt of getting married. I've been engaged a few times, but I've never been married.'

Now in a relationship with Burberry model Oli Green, 25, she claimed to be 'quite shy' and not somebody who goes on dates.

Oli recently entered the acting world with roles in US soap opera The Bold And The Beautiful as well as featuring in a Justin Theroux film, The Mosquito Coast.

The rising star has been modelling for much longer and was the face of a Burberry 2018 campaign and has also modelled for high-street retailer GAP.
He was hired as a judge on Australian Idol in 2005 before being fired in 2009.

And as Channel Seven prepares to bring the talent show back in 2023, Kyle Sandilands' name has been touted as a possible judge again.

'If they rang up and asked me to do Australian Idol I'd say yes because it's fun and easy,' he told Mediaweek on Wednesday.

'I'd say yes!' Kyle Sandilands, 50, (pictured) has revealed he WOULD return if he was asked to come back as a judge on the upcoming Australian Idol reboot

Sandilands told the publication that his manager Bruno Bouchet no longer approaches him about reality TV appearances with the exception of Luxe Listings Sydney, which his production company King Kyle is involved in.

'I have been asked to go on every showwith the possible exception of Dancing with the Stars,' Sandilands continued.

'Bruno just doesn't ask me anymore because he knows there is no way I'd do them. I'm a CelebrityGet Me Out of Here! is the most persistent and they have offered big money.

'If they rang up and asked me to do Australian Idol I'd say yes because it's fun and easy,' he told Mediaweek on Wednesday

'The show offered me $1m and said I could even smoke if I needed to.'

'I said no way, but Bruno reminded me, "That's a lot of f***ing money." It was when they were in Africa, but I knocked it back.'

Kyle has always been adamant that he wouldn't return to Idol because the experience was 'so boring'.

Flashback: Kyle is pictured in 2005, back when he first joined Australian Idol as a judge

'I couldnt be bothered in all honesty, it was so boring doing it,' he said back in 2017.

The radio host was very clear on his feelings about the effect his termination had on the show, which was canceled the same season he was fired.

'They did fire me back then and the ratings tanked and the whole show disappeared,' he declared.

Kyle was fired after three seasons of Idol due to a controversial on-air stunt on his radio show that Channel 10 stated was inappropriate for a 'family-focused show'.
David Campbell celebrated eight years of sobriety on Wednesday, marking the milestone with an emotional post on Twitter.

The 48-year-old Today Extra host told his fans that getting sober had been the 'best decision I made'.

'Been sober for eight years this week. Best decision I made for myself, my family and my mental health,' he tweeted.

Something to celebrate: David Campbell celebrated eight years of sobriety on Wednesday, marking the milestone on Twitter

He ended his post with some encouraging words for others who may be battling something similar: 'If you are thinking of it, know that it's wonderful.'

David is a father to son Leo, 11, and twins Betty and Billy, seven, who he shares with his wife of 14 years, Lisa Hewitt.

For his six-year sober anniversary in April 2020, David tweeted that he had gone '2,190 days without a drink' and that his only regret was not quitting alcohol 'sooner'.

Life-changing: The 48-year-old Today Extra host told his fans that getting sober had been the 'best decision I made'

'Been sober for eight years this week. Best decision I made for myself, my family and my mental health,' he tweeted

'Today I have been sober for six years. 2,190 days without a drink. It has been a gift. I wish I had done it sooner,' he wrote at the time.

'I wish I was sober for all of Leo's early years. But it's great to be here now. Present. Aware. Open. To those struggling now, stay strong. Don't judge yourself.'

David has spoken openly about his battle with alcohol in the past, admitting that while he wasn't an addict, it was a slippery slope.

Family man: David is a father to son Leo, 11, and twins Betty and Billy, seven, who he shares with his wife of 14 years, Lisa Hewitt. Pictured together

'I was a part of our "booze culture". Was I an alcoholic? No. Did I have the propensity to become one? Yes. Very much so,' he wrote in an editorial for The Daily Telegraph in April 2015.

'There is addiction on both sides of my family and I was standing at the doorway of a very dark room.'

David is the son of legendary rocker Jimmy Barnes, who has been open about his own issues with alcohol.

Proud moment: For his six-year sober anniversary in April 2020, David tweeted that he had gone '2,190 days without a drink' and that his only regret was not quitting alcohol 'sooner'

'My father has, one could say, a reputation of being the hardest partying rock star Australia has produced,' he wrote.

'As he told me today on the phone, "I should have frightened you off booze." Except it didn't. It kind of had the opposite effect.'

The multi-talented star said he ultimately chose to get sober for his young family.

Keeping it in the family: David is the son of legendary rocker Jimmy Barnes (left), who has been open about his own issues with alcohol

'I grew up around that,' he told The Father Hood in 2019.

'I saw my dad struggle with addiction and I also saw how devastating an impact that could have on children, and on me, due to alcohol-related incidents in my family.'

He added: 'I knew that wasn't the way to parent. You don't want to put a child at risk of that.'
Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden and Dominic Cooper will star in a BBC series inspired by the infamous Brink's-Mat robbery.

The Gold will follow the decades-long chain of events that followed what has been described as 'the crime of the century' and air across six episodes on BBC One and Paramount+ globally.

In November 1983, six armed men broke into the Brink's-Mat security depot near London's Heathrow Airport and inadvertently stumbled across gold bullion worth 26 million.

Actors: Hugh Bonneville (pictured), Jack Lowden and Dominic Cooper will star in a BBC series inspired by the infamous Brink's-Mat robbery - and filming has started at the mansion where Kenneth Noye killed policeman John Fordham

Much of the three tonnes of stolen gold has never been recovered and four of the suspects were not convicted.

The disposal of the bullion was among the largest international money laundering operations of the time and left a string of killings in its wake.

In 1985 Detective Constable Fordham went to Kenneth Noye's mansion to investigate his involvement in the money laundering after the robbery.

After entering the grounds, DC Fordham disturbed Noye's rottweilers which attracted the attention of Noye who stabbed him to death.

The gangster, now 74, was cleared of murder after a jury accepted his claim that he had acted in self-defence.

Crime: DC Fordham was acting undercover and part of a surveillance operation looking into Noye's part in laundering 26 million of gold bullion from the Brinks-Mat robbery (Kenneth Noye's mug shot is pictured)

He was jailed for 14 years in July 1986 for handling stolen gold bullion, and was freed in 1994.

In 1996 - while Noye was out on licence from prison - he stabbed Stephen Cameron, 21, to death on an M25 slip road near Swanley, Kent.

After the attack, Noye fled to Spain where he lived under a false name until his arrest in 1998. When he was convicted of murder in 2000 he was given a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years.

He served nearly 20 years in prison for the murder, which took place in front of Mr Cameron's 17-year-old fiancee Danielle Cable.

Prison: Noye was released in 2019 after it was decided he no longer posed a risk. He was last pictured in Kent in 2020 (above)

Noye was released in 2019 after it was decided he no longer posed a risk. He was last pictured in Kent in 2020.

A younger Noye will be played by Jack Lowden while DC Fordham will be played by Hadley Fraser.

Inspired by research and interviews with some of those involved in the events, show bosses describe The Gold as 'a pulsating dramatisation which takes a journey into a 1980s world awash with cheap money and loosened morals'.

The cast also includes Charlotte Spencer from The Duke, Tom Cullen from Black Mirror, Guilt actor Emun Elliott and Sean Harris from Southcliffe and Mission: Impossible.

The Gold is a co-production between Tannadice Pictures, a joint venture set up by Guilt writer Neil Forsyth and Objective Fiction, and VIS, Paramount's international studio division.

Star: Dominic Cooper will also star in the new series - which will be directed by Aneil Karia and hit screens next year

Role: A younger Noye will be played by Jack Lowden (pictured) while DC Fordham will be played by Hadley Fraser

Forsyth has also penned the new series, which will be directed by Aneil Karia, who won the Oscar for best live action short film recently for The Long Goodbye, along with Lawrence Gough.

BBC commissioning editor Tommy Bulfin said: 'The fact that we have assembled such a talented and exciting ensemble cast is testament to Neil's incisive interrogation of one of the most infamous robberies in British history and the remarkable events which came in its wake.

'And to have the brilliant Aneil Karia join fresh from his Oscar win is the icing on the cake.

'The BBC One audience are in for a real treat when this hits the screen.'

Ben Farrell, executive producer, said 'Tannadice Pictures are excited to be working on their debut drama with such an incredible ensemble cast alongside the BBC and Paramount+ to tell, for the first time, the full, immersive, thrilling story of the Brink's-Mat gold crime.'

Kate Laffey, co-managing director of VIS, said, 'The Gold is a captivating story of one of the most remarkable events in British Criminal history, and we look forward to bringing this story to life for Paramount+ and BBC audiences around the world.'
Daisy Lowe and her boyfriend Jordan Saul had special company during their lunch date over the weekend.

The fashion model, 33, was spotted carrying her beloved Maltese Terrier Monty through the streets of North London as she headed to Greek restaurant Lemonia with her property developer beau.

Daisy, dressed in a white shirt, leopard print jeans and leather jacket, looked typically chic as she rounded off her look with laced boots.

Puppy love! Daisy Lowe cut a chic figure over the weekend as she and boyfriend Jordan Saul brought pet pooch Monty along for their lunch date at Lemonia, North London

Jordan, who has been dating the runway star for almost two years, kept things casual in a hoodie and khaki cargo trousers.

The couple enjoyed a few drinks in the Greek restaurant's exterior, where little Monty perched by the table as Daisy reached down to get his water tray.

Afterwards, the pair headed for a spot of window-shopping in Primrose Hill.

Outing: The fashion model, 33, was spotted carrying her beloved Maltese Terrier Monty through the streets of North London as she headed to Lemonia with her property developer beau

Daisy's outing comes after she admitted that despite having a good relationship with her biological father Gavin Rossdale now, they had a 'really rocky start'.

She was 15 when she discovered Bronner Handwerger was not her father after a paternity test revealed her godfather Gavin was her parent.

Daisy, whose mother is Pearl Lowe, said there is 'no handbook' for finding out 'your godfather is your father', saying she had a difficult start with Gavin, 56, but they now have a good relationship.

Unwinding: The couple enjoyed a few drinks in the Greek restaurant's exterior, where little Monty perched by the table as Daisy reached down to get his water tray

Speaking on the That Gaby Roslin Podcast, she said: 'It was intense. There is no handbook for finding out that your goddaughter is really your daughter or that your godfather is your father.

'I think we dealt with it the best that we could. It meant that we did have a really rocky start, but we figured it out and I'm really grateful that we kind of figured it out as and when we did.'

Daisy said she and Gavin share the 'same mannerisms' and said it made 'perfect sense' when she discovered that he was actually her biological father.

Shock: Daisy recently spoke of when she discovered Bronner Handwerger was not her father after a paternity test revealed her godfather Gavin (both pictured in 2016) was her parent

She explained: 'The funny thing was, the moment that I found out that he could be my dad, I was like, "Oh this makes perfect sense". We think in the same way and we have so many quite frightening similarities.

'And the guy who I thought was my dad, I didn't really know, and when I met him I came home and I said to my mum, "I feel no connection with this man".

'But I didn't question it, because as a teenager I wasn't like, "So mum, is there anyone else that might be my dad?" That's just not something that comes into anyone's head, ever.'

Daisy said she keeps in touch with Gavin and his sons, who he shares with his ex-wife Gwen Stefani - Kingston, 15, Zuma, 13, and eight-year-old Apollo.

She said she Facetimes her three half-brothers, who live in Los Angeles, at least once a week, adding that Kingston is the same age as her half-sister Betty Goffey, whose mother is Pearl.

Mother: Daisy's mother Pearl is married to Danny Goffey and the pair share three children - Alfie, 25, Danny, 22, and Betty, 17 (pictured 2013)

She said: 'I love them all so dearly. I Facetime with my brothers over in LA at least once a week. Kingston is the same age as [her sister] Betty actually.

'Zuma and Apollo are a bit younger, a bit less into Facetime understandably. Whenever I go to LA I always have the best time with those boys. They're such brilliant kids.'

Daisy admitted that all of her friends fancy her rock-star father and she quipped that she was quite 'proud' of that.

She added: 'All my girlfriends now still fancy him. I suppose there's part of me that's just like, "Yeah, go on dad! Very proud of you". He takes good care of himself and he's a good human being.'
Lucy Boynton, 28, has spoken out against sexism in the film industry, explaining that it's 'frustrating' for female actors.

The Bohemian Rhapsody star opened up about the inequality she feels in a chat with Stephanie Takyi for The Daily Mail's Eden Confidential column.

The American-British actress said that sexism means women have to 'over-prepare' for roles in the film industry.

Sexism: Lucy Boynton displayed her anger over sexism in the film industry, saying women have to 'over-prepare' for roles while talking to Stephanie Takyi for The Daily Mail's Eden Confidential column (pictured earlier this month)

Explaining: 'A man walks into a room and you take him as he is, but as a woman there are so many factors that people will base their judgments on'

Lucy also shared that she felt there was double standards in the film industry, saying: 'You can't present as angry because people switch off and don't listen to the angry woman.'

'It fills me with anger and frustration,' she told Stephanie.

Actress: She portrayed Queen frontman Freddie Mercury's one-time fiancee and companion Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody (pictured in the film)

Child actress: Lucy made her film debut at just 12 years old as the young Beatrix Potter in Miss Potter (pictured in the film with Barbara Flynn and Bill Paterson)

She's no stranger to speaking her mind, previously revealing that 'obedience' was praised while she was a child actor, as she was eager to shake off that 'inclination to obey'.

Appearing on Josh Smith's Reign podcast, Lucy explained that attending therapy was the 'turning point' in realising the impact of child acting.

Lucy made her film debut at just 12 years old as the young Beatrix Potter in Miss Potter, explaining: 'You realise that so much of being an actor when youre a kid is about being obedient, and that is a really wild thing to have ingrained in you as a young girl, especially at the age of 11.

Love: Lucy was shot into even more fame when she appeared alongside Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody - with the pair beginning a relationship after filming together (pictured in the film)

'Which I think is a very, at least it was for me, sponge-like time when you are growing up into a more independent soul and coming into yourself.'

'Im now reflecting on what a strange thing that is to comprehend as a young woman. I recognise it and Im like, OK, I want to flip that. I want to do the opposite'

Despite starting at a young age, Lucy was shot into even more fame when she appeared alongside Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody - with the pair beginning a relationship after filming together.

The pair went public with the romance in 2018, and have been going strong ever since.
China sincerely promotes international connectivity and shares its development opportunities with others: Director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria

09:24, April 13, 2022 By Jiang Xuan ( People's Daily

For Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies (CCS) in Nigeria, China has become an important part of both his career and life. Established in 2015, the CCS located in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, is the countrys first research institute for China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations. As an executive in the institute, Onunaiju has long been tracking and studying Chinas reform and opening-up as well as social development and changes.

Charles Onunaiju, director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria, gives a speech at a promotional activity for his book A Century of the Communist Party of China: Why Africa Should Engage Its Experience, Oct. 21, 2021. (Peoples Daily/Jiang Xuan)

Because of the protracted COVID-19 pandemic, Onunaiju hasnt visited China for over two years, but his attention to China has never been reduced. He has participated for many times in the discussions and seminars held by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee online. His office table is full of books about modern China, among which Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and Up and Out of Poverty, both written by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are particularly eye-catching.

These books, Onunaiju believes, embody the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The governance philosophy in these books is the fundamental reason why the CPC has always maintained strong vitality and self-innovation capacity and provided inspirational governance experience for other countries and political parties, he said.

Between 1999 and 2019, Onunaiju visited China for nearly 20 times, and traveled extensively to Chinese cities and villages. Each of those visits to China brought him different surprises, according to Onunaiju.

Infrastructure construction advanced fast across China and brought about enormous changes, Onunaiju noted. I witnessed how buildings and roads developed in the countryside of east Chinas Anhui province. From local peoples warm welcome, hearty laughter and the confidence in their faces, I could see that they are not only quite well-off, but enjoy more spiritual wealth, he recalled.

According to Onunaiju, his trip to southwest Chinas Tibet autonomous region in 2014 impressed him deeply. We went to a place named Niangxin. Its about 12 hours drive from Lhasa, capital city of Tibet. I was amazed that the Chinese government managed to build roads in such cold regions with harsh conditions. While I was watching the scenery outside the window along the journey, I suddenly realized that it was not just the roads that became smooth; it was also the connection between the government and the Tibetan people, he said.

On a street in Niangxin, Onunaiju saw local people singing and dancing happily. A hospitable Tibetan resident invited him to join them in the dance. Im not quite a dancer, and yet I was so touched by the happy atmosphere that I started to dance, though clumsily, along with the beats, Onunaiju said, adding that the resident told him that they are better off and often dance in their leisure time.

When Onunaiju visited a local family, the host said he never imagined that he could watch TV at his home and that his kids could go to school one day.

He told me that all of these were made possible by the CPC. I still remember the happy look on his face when he said it, Onunaiju said.

Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, once stressed that We regard as our goal the peoples aspirations to live a better life. What I saw and felt in Niangxin is a perfect testament to the promise.

Onunaiju has been to Beijing twice for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which gave him a chance to see personally how Xi communicate with government officials from various countries and representatives from international organizations.

Xis remarks are inspirational, and his demeanor demonstrates that he is a calm, strong-willed and decisive leader of a major country. He always takes into consideration the realities, and strives for the happiness of the people through unremitting efforts, he pointed out.

Through the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and other activities, Onunaiju has gained a deeper understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI was proposed by China and meant to help the world share Chinas development opportunities and fruits, which fully shows that China sincerely promotes international connectivity and shares its development opportunities with others, Onunaiju noted.

In Nigeria, fruits of cooperation under the BRI have vitalized the local economy and brought tangible benefits to the Nigerian people, he said. The Chinese-built Lagos-Ibadan Railway in Nigeria has greatly improved the efficiency of passenger and cargo transportation and that the Lekki and Ogun Guangdong free trade zones built under the framework of the BRI have been constantly upgraded and improved in recent years, Onunaiju added.

The proposals and concepts initiated by China, including the BRI and the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, are never empty talk, Onunaiju stressed.

When I saw many Chinese friends in Nigeria work with local employees on the construction sites of railways, roads and bridges in the scorching heat, I saw the brotherhood between the Chinese and Nigerian people. Its the same case with other countries in the world. I firmly believe that Chinas development concept is the result of deep reflection on the actual situation and development trends of mankind, and has charted the right route for the international community, Onunajju said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)




A volunteer uses a megaphone to talk to residents at an apartment building in Shanghai, China, Tuesday, in this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency. AP-Yonhap
In a sweet full-circle moment, Victoria Beckham took a part of her son Brooklyn's christening with her to his wedding.

The fashion designer, 47, repurposed a 21.5 carat pear-shaped diamond gifted to her by husband David on the day of their son's christening back in 1999, turning it into a jaw-dropping statement necklace.

Victoria wore the beautiful piece of jewellery at his Palm Beach nuptials to Nicola Peltz on Sunday as a heartfelt tribute to her son.

Victoria Beckham, 47, repurposed a 21.5 carat diamond gifted to her by David at Brooklyn's christening to wear to his lavish wedding to Nicola Peltz, according to Vogue

Vogue shared the details of the story behind the former Spice Girl's necklace on Wednesday, explaining that the diamond now hangs from a French 18 carat yellow gold handmade filigree link guard chain, which she placed around her neck for the big day.

The necklace was front and centre of Victoria's couture look, which featured a Studio 54-inspired liquid metallic slip dress which she specially designed for the occasion.

Vogue also explained that the pendant in the necklace is crafted from a chain which was made circa 1870, featuring an intricate symbol known as a figa, which is a talisman symbol worn to protect against the evil eye, and to bring good luck if given as a gift.

Rock: The fashion designer, 47, repurposed a 21.5 carat pear-shaped diamond gifted to her by husband David on the day of their son's christening back in 1999 - turning it into a jaw-dropping necklace

Newlyweds: Victoria wore the piece for Brooklyn's lavish Palm Beach nuptials to Nicola, who stunned in a Valentino dress

Mother of the groom: The necklace was front and centre of Victoria's couture look, which featured a Studio 54-inspired liquid metallic slip dress which she specially designed for the occasion

The chain matched the theme of Brooklyn and Nicola, who now go by the surname Peltz Beckham's, luxe affair - with Nicolas mother, Claudia, adding her own.

She asked Valentino seamstresses to sew an evil eye into the skirt of the Nicola's gown, alongside a message to her daughter.

Victoria's fashion credentials were on full display during the day, as she dressed many of the attendees - including bestie Eva Longoria, David's mum Jackie and son Romeo's model girlfriend Mia Regan.

Details: Vogue also explained that the pendant in the necklace is crafted from a chain which was made circa 1870, featuring an intricate symbol known as a figa

Desperate Housewives actress Eva looked gorgeous in a slinky cut-out gown from Victoria's Spring Summer collection.

While she also dressed stunning Miss Universe Nadia Ferreira, who sported a satin blue and silver champagne colour slip dress with a cross back.

Nicola herself opted for a jaw-dropping Claudia Schiffer inspired Valentino gown, while Brooklyn lived up to his famous family's fashion credentials in a dapper Dior suit.

Stunning: Victoria dressed Miss Universe Nadia Ferreira and bestie Eva Longoria for the affair
Julia Roberts, 54, has three children with her husband of 20 years, cinematographer Danny Moder, 53.

And now the two eldest ones - 17-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus (who goes by Finn) - are heading to college in the fall, she shared with Extra as she plugged her new series Gaslit.

The Hollywood power couple, who are now based in San Francisco, also have 14-year-old son Henry Daniel.

Moving out soon: Julia Roberts has three children with her husband of 20 years, cinematographer Danny Moder. And now the two oldest ones - 17-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus - are heading to college in the fall, she shared with Extra. Seen in December

Hitting the red carpet with dad: Hazel was seen in a yellow dress with black Mary Jane heels as she joined her father at the Flag Day premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021

'I mean, it makes me a little lightheaded. You say that, I mean, I'm completely excited for them. It's really thrilling and I wasn't lucky enough to have a college experience,' said the Pretty Woman actress.

At age 18, Julia was already landing small parts as an actress; she got her break in 1988's movie Satisfaction with Justine Bateman, Scott Coffey and Liam Neeson.

'And so to see how it's happening for them is really fascinating. And yeah, I'm just, I'm excited for them.'

Teen spirit: Danny shared this image of Hazel, right, and Henry, left at their home in San Francisco last year

Roberts also said she loves living in San Francisco after moving there two years ago.

In 2020, Roberts and Moder purchased a Victorian home that is over 100 years old in the Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco for $8.3million.

'We always felt that we were kind of living outside of LA' she explained. Roberts resided in seaside Malibu instead of the heart of the city.

'I think the move has been great. I think moving with three teenagers during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart, but we have pulled it off and everyone seems good and happy.'

His little girl: And Modern also posted this image saying he was 'lucky' this girl is his

Just a normal mom: Roberts is seen far left with all three of her kids in 2017

In her new film Gaslit she plays Watergate whistleblower Martha Mitchell.

Roberts costars with Sean Penn who plays her husband Attorney General John Mitchell.

Martha was the first person who told the public about Watergate. But people turned on her, saying she was crazy.

Julia also explained one of her prosthetics popped out when she filmed a scene with Penn.

'Sean and I had a scene where we're supposed to be kissing and then he kind of knocked me off the couch and he jumped on top of me and you can't even see, just see the couch in the frame and, and I was laughing so hard that this thing popped out of my mouth' she said. 'It's in my mouth while Sean's trying to kiss me and I thought, "We might kill each other making this show."'

A family of five: The Hollywood power couple seen at dinner in a post from Danny

Happy for her kids: 'I mean, it makes me a little lightheaded. You say that, I mean, I'm completely excited for them. It's really thrilling and I wasn't lucky enough to have a college experience,' said the Pretty Woman actress. Seen in 2015 with Kelly Slater, far right

She also told Extra that she has been friends with Sean for years but this is their first project together.

'It's just the stars have never aligned in that way They came together for this, for something that we can be so entrenched in these characters in this great time period,' she said.

'We've kind of get to be all squiggly-wiggly, lovey-dovey then beat each other up.'

The star has been busy: She has also made Ticket To Paradise with George Clooney and will work with Ethan Hawke on Leave The World Behind.

Gaslit premieres April 24.

Gaslit will be available only on Stan in Australia on April 24.
Former staffers on the Kardashian-Jenner sisters' now-defunct apps and Kim's beauty brand KKW have spoken out about the 'exploitation' they faced while working on the reality star siblings' projects - with one claiming that she barely earned enough to survive.

Jessica DeFino, now 32, initially tweeted her disdain for the Kardashian-Jenners in March after billionaire Kim went viral for offering up 'tone deaf' advice to women in business, telling Variety: 'Get your f***ing a** up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.'

Now, in a new piece written for Vice titled 'I Worked My A** Off for the Kardashian-Jenner Apps. I Couldn't Afford Gas', DeFino describes the hardships she claims she faced while working for Whalerock Industries, the digital media company hired by the Kardashian-Jenner siblings in May 2015 to create their apps.

'I was an assistant editor on the Kardashian Jenner Official Apps, and I didn't make enough money to make it to work,' DeFino - who worked on the apps for just over a year from 2015, wrote, stating that she made $35,000-a-year, which left her with barely enough money to fill her gas tank and forcing her to shop at the 99c store for groceries.

Disgruntled: A former assistant editor of now defunct Kardashian-Jenner apps is speaking out again about being underpaid (Khloe, Kylie, Kris, Kourtney, Kim and Kendall seen in 2011)

Whalerock Industries - which is not owned by the Kardashian-Jenner family - was responsible for paying DeFino's salary.

One day at the pump, DeFino - who was in her mid-twenties at the time - claims she could only fill her tank up to $4, alleging that she was forced to call in sick that day because she couldn't afford enough gas to make it to the office and back.

'I panicked, slapped at the steering wheel, and screamed. And then I cried,' she wrote.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Kardashian-Jenner family representative for comment.

The sisters each launched their own app and reportedly garnered millions of dollars each year through a paid subscription service. It was reported that more than 600,000 people subscribed to Kylie Jenner's app in the first two days alone.

The app was estimated to gain $32million per year from the $3 monthly individual fee in just a single year according to TMZ, but the programs finally shut down in 2019.

While working for the company that oversaw these apps, DeFino claims she had to sell her clothes to consignment shops to pay rent on her studio apartment in East Hollywood and looked into donating plasma and selling her eggs to make more money to survive.

Tough spot: Jessica DeFino (pictured) has written a new piece for Vice titled 'I Worked My Ass Off for the Kardashian-Jenner Apps. I Couldn't Afford Gas'

'When I read Kardashian's original quote about women not working hard, I thought of the labor I put into launching the Kardashian Jenner Official Apps  days, nights, holidays, weekends, whenever and wherever I was needed. I wasn't alone,' she wrote.

She added: 'I thought of the extra labor I put into stretching my salary. I thought of crying in my car because I wanted to get my f***ing a** up, I wanted to be in that room, I wanted to climb the corporate ladder, whatever. I wanted to. I just couldn't afford to get there.'

A spokesperson for Whalerock told the Post: 'Jessica DeFino was an at-will employee of Whalerock for 14 months, seven years ago.

'Employees at her level were paid a base salary, plus overtime for any additional hours worked, and were eligible for and received bonuses and regular pay raises.'

For her Vice piece, DeFino also connected with former employees 'who worked on the apps and two former employees of KKW Beauty', Kim's cosmetics line, and claims they all 'described an environment of overwork at the expense of their mental and sometimes physical health, as well as their career advancement.'

Original tweet: DeFino reveals last month that she was an editor on the Kardashian apps in 2015 in LA

Going viral: Kim's quote prompted a flurry of responses on social media

DeFino also alleged that someone from Whalerock Industries confronted her after they discovered she had been applying for other jobs and writing freelance articles on the side.

'The company seemed to be surveilling all possible paths to a livable income, from freelancing to finding a new job. I felt manipulated and monitored, paranoid and trapped,' she wrote.

DeFino - who also alleges she fell into a 'deep depression' during her time working for the app - also aired the grievances of other disgruntled staffers she claims she spoke to.

One of her colleagues, who did not wish to be named, claimed: 'I worked all the time. I did not sleep enough. I was drinking alcohol  way too much alcohol  to deal with the stress. I became physically unwell. My hair was falling out.'

The former app staffer described the job as a 'toxic work environment'.

Another anonymous woman, who says that she previously worked at Kim's beauty brand KKW Beauty, described the work environment as 'exploitative', alleging that she was required to perform 'many roles' during her time as an employee.

One of her fellow former KKW Beauty staffers, known only as Theresa, claimed that her role was '24/7', and that there was 'no such thing as a work-life balance'.

The billionaire (seen during her Variety shoot) told GMA's Robin Roberts of the comments that they were used as a 'soundbite' and that there were no 'questions and conversations around it'

In her original tweet last month, DeFino wrote in response to Kim's viral Variety quote: 'I was an editor on the Kardashian apps in 2015 in LA, worked days nights & weekends, could only afford groceries from the 99 Cents Only Store, called out 'sick' more than once bc I couldn't put gas in my car to get to the office, & was reprimanded for freelancing on the side.'

It triggered a strong reaction at the time, including one from Kim's former unpaid intern spoke out on Twitter claiming: 'I worked my little college a** off for free for Kimberly,'

Celene Zavala, a programming director at CNN+ who worked as an unpaid intern assistant to Kardashian, retweeted Kardashian's advice for women detailing her time working for the reality star.

Zavala added, 'So I better get some addendum in her saying "except Celene, she was amazing.'

The journalist also retweeted a post from writer and critic Jessica DeFino, who tweeted about how she could barely fill her car with gas to get to work while working on the Kardashians app in 2015, before she was 'reprimanded for freelancing on the side' to make ends meet.

Since making the comments, Kim has attempted to clarify things by saying it was taken out of context.

'That statement that I said was without questions and conversation around it and it became a sound bite really with no context,' Kim said last month in an interview with Good Morning America.

'And [in] that sound bite, I came off the notion and the question right before  which was after 20 years of being in the business, you're famous for being famous.'

Explanation: Kim appeared on Good Morning America to clarify her comments about working hard last month, and claimed her comments had been taken out of context

Variety's Chief Correspondent, Elizabeth Wagmeister - who conducted the interview - has now hit back at Kardashian, 41, insisting that she was asked 'a very direct question'

Kim claimed that her back was up during the interview when someone had mentioned that people believe her family are 'famous for being famous.'

'The advice that I would give is just that, having a social media presence and being on a reality show does not mean overnight success,' Kim explained.

'And you have to really work hard to get there, even if it might seem like its easy, and that you can build a really successful business off of social media. You can if you put in a lot of hard work.'

However, Variety writer Elizabeth Wagmeister who interviewed Kim furiously fired back at the reality star's claims that her comments were 'taken out of context' by the publication.

Wagmeister insisted that the billionaire businesswoman was asked a 'very direct question' and that the 'question about [her] being famous for being famous' was actually posed after she offered up her advice to women in business.

'Its not what she claims,' Wagmeister tweeted. 'I just reviewed the raw footage. The question was very direct: 'What would be your advice for women in business?' The question about being famous for being famous came after that question, actually.'

Kim faced further embarrassment last month when her controversial advice was dragged into the spotlight by Oscars hosts Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall.

The presenters poked fun at Kim's statements as they jokingly offered advice to Dame Judi Dench after she missed out on the Best Supporting Actress Award to Ariana DeBose.

Finding Judi, 87, in the audience, Regina said: 'Dame Judi Dench we have an inspirational quote for you.'

Comedian Wanda added: 'You know because you didn't win tonight.'

Regina continued: 'A quote from Kim Kardashian... work harder.'

Kim's sister Kourtney was in the audience when the joke was made as she attended the ceremony alongside her boyfriend Travis Barker who performed as part of the All Star band.
She has reportedly moved into his London flat... just a couple of weeks after their first date.

And on Saturday, Neil Jones, 39, and his Miss Romania girlfriend Sienna Hollen enjoyed a during fun date night in Wembley, London as he gave her a piggyback to save her walking down the street.

The Strictly professional dancer and his new love - who is thought to be in her 20s - went to the cinema together to watch Magnificent Beasts, before heading back to Neil's apartment late into the evening.

Loving life: On Saturday, Neil Jones, 39, and his Miss Romania girlfriend Sienna Hollen- who is thought to be in her 20s - enjoyed a during fun date night in Wembley, London

Neil rocked double denim for their ouring, wearing distressed jeans and a classic jacket over a light grey jumper.

Sienna looked stunning in indigo jeans and a black jumper, while layering up with a gorgeous white longline coat.

The loved up pair linked arms and were very flirty as they walked to the cinema, with the new couple unable to keep their hands off each other.

What a gent! The Strictly professional dancer gave Sienna a piggyback to save her walking down the street

Cute: Neil and his new love went to the cinema together to watch Magnificent Beasts

Holding hands: The loved up pair were very flirty as they walked to the cinema

Neil only split from his underwear model girlfriend Sophie Lily Kerr in February, but now seems to be keen on former Miss Romania Sienna.

Their outing comes after a source told The Sun: 'Neil and Sienna are totally smitten and want to spend as much time with each other as possible, so it made sense to move in together.

'Despite their age gap, they have plenty in common and get on really well. It's still early days but signs are looking good this relationship may have some legs.'

Full on popcorn? Sienna left her jeans unzipped as she and Neil walked hand-in-hand

Cute couple: The couple linked arms while strolling along and chatting before holding hands

Adorable: Neil was all over his new girlfriend as they packed on the PDA

Earlier this year, Neil fuelled romance rumours by liking a string of Sienna's sexy Instagram photos.

He has made it clear he likes what he sees when it comes to Sienna's often scantily-clad snaps, with the bombshell even returning the favour by liking Neil's photos.

According to The Sun, the pair started following each other in January and have been 'liking each other's posts ever since'.

Neil liked one of the actress' posts when the model slipped into a clinging dress and 'hearted' a sizzling photo of her wearing a bikini while lapping up the sunshine in Dubai.

Representatives for Neil have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.

Cosy: The duo looked completely at ease in each other's company during their date night

Whirlwind: Sienna has reportedly moved into Neil's London flat... just a couple of weeks after their first date

Despite his budding relationship with Sienna, Neil was seen getting cosy with fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Nancy Xu at a Glasgow hotel after a recent performance of the show's live tour.

In a now-deleted video posted on former contestant Sara Davies' Instagram page, Nancy, 30, who has been dating martial arts expert Mikee Michele for five years, is seen sitting on Neil's lap.

The pair appear to be oblivious to the world around them as she sits with her arm around her co-star while deep in conversation.

MailOnline contacted representatives for Neil and Nancy for comment.

Whoops! Despite his budding relationship with Sienna, Neil was seen getting cosy with fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Nancy Xu at a Glasgow hotel after a recent performance of the show's live tour

News Neil had split from his underwear model girlfriend Sophie Lily Kerr broke in February.

The pair hit the headlines when she moved into his London home in October just weeks after they started dating but their romance is said to have has come to an end after three months together.

A source told The Sun: 'Neil and Lilys romance started as a whirlwind and it ended just as quickly. They made a lovely couple but their schedules made it difficult for them to look to the future.

'It was impossible to keep that flame alive. There is no bad blood between them however. Sadly their relationship was just not to be.'

Last year, Neil was said to be 'head over heels' with Sophie following his split from his ex Luisa Eusse, 23, in October 2020 after she cheated on him with a woman.

Neil was previously married to fellow Strictly professional Katya Jones, 32, for 11 years but they split in 2019 after Katya was seen kissing her celebrity partner on the BBC ballroom show, Seann Walsh, while out in London in October 2018.

The exes have remained close friends since announcing their break-up in August 2019 and often dance together as part of the professional group on Strictly.
Ferne McCann wished her boyfriend Lorri Haines happy birthday on Instagram on Tuesday with a slew of heartfelt throwback videos.

And on Wednesday, the Dubai-based estate agent, 31, posted a topless snap of the TOWIE babe, 31, relaxing in a bubble bath as they enjoyed a romantic stay at swanky London hotel The Corinthia.

Despite being at one of the most expensive hotels in the capital, Lorri wrote alongside: 'This is the s**t money can't buy...! Powerful view I'm so blessed.'

'Money can't buy': On Wednesday, Lorri Haines, 31, posted a topless snap of Ferne McCann, 31, in a bubble bath as they enjoyed a romantic stay at swanky London hotel The Corinthia

The reality star and the property professional went public with their hot new romance at the start of the year during a holiday to the UAE.

Marking his birthday on Tuesday, Ferne shared several loved-up videos from their last couple of months together and said she felt 'blessed' to have met him.

The couple could be seen cuddling up and kissing in several exotic locations, while in other snaps Lorri could be seen doting on Ferne's four-year-old daughter Sunday.

Alongside the post, Ferne penned: 'Happy birthday darling. I am so excited to celebrate YOU with you today @lozzahaines Ahh it happens when you least expect it but I am beyond blessed we crossed paths.

New romance: The reality star and the property professional went public with their hot new romance at the start of the year during a holiday to the UAE

Love is in the air: Ferne McCann wished her boyfriend Lorri Haines happy birthday on Instagram on Tuesday with a slew of heartfelt throwback videos

Couple goals: The former TOWIE star, 31, and the Dubai based estate agent, 31, went public with their hot new romance at the start of the year during a holiday to the UAE

Cute: She shared several loved-up videos from their past couple of months together with her 2.7 million followers and said she is 'blessed' to have met him

'Here's to the first birthday's of many. I love you and I'll never stop loving you. You are the absolute best. We are super lucky to have Lozza!'

Last month, Ferne revealed she has finally found The One as she admitted that she would 'genuinely marry' her boyfriend Lorri after a string of failed romances.

Speaking to The Sun, Ferne, who is mother to daughter Sunday, four, with jailed ex Arthur Collins, also told how she has learned from her 'mistakes' and would like to expand her brood with Lorrie in the future.

The star confessed that she is ready to spend the rest of her life with Lorri and 'can't wait' to extend her family, just weeks after he was pictured sniffing suspicious white powder.

Alongside the post, Ferne penned: 'Happy birthday darling. I am so excited to celebrate YOU with you today @lozzahaines Ahh it happens when you least expect it but I am beyond blessed we crossed paths.

Adorable: The couple could be seen cuddling up and kissing in several exotic locations, while in other snaps Lorri could be seen doting on Ferne's four-year-old daughter Sunday

Ferne gushed: 'I have met someone that I can see the rest of my future with. I can't wait to extend my family and for Sunday to have siblings.'

'I have never thought about it until now because I have met someone now that I would genuinely marry.'

Ferne made clear that her life has changed a lot since her relationship with Collins, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence at Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes, after carrying out an acid attack at a London nightclub in 2017.

Couple: 'I can't wait to extend my family and for Sunday to have siblings': Ferne has revealed that she would 'marry' her boyfriend Lorri

Saying her life was turned upside down by the incident, Ferne added: 'I am different now  I am older and wiser. I have learned from mistakes.'

The reality TV star described Lorri as a 'loyal man' that she 'respects' and said they have a lot of 'parallels' in their lives.

Lorri is based in the UAE and runs a jewellery firm, an investment business and a software company.
Viola Davis has released a new memoir titled Finding Me.

In the book she shared that she grew up so poor in Rhode Island that she had to dive into dumpsters to find food with her five siblings. The actress also shared that she had rocks thrown at her by racists. And worst of all, she saw her father Dan physically and emotionally abused her mother Mae Alice.

In an interview with People magazine, the 56-year-old actress explained why she was able to eventually forgive her father, who passed away due to pancreatic cancer in 2006. 'I wanted to love my dad,' The First Lady star told the magazine.

Difficult: Viola Davis has released a new memoir titled Finding Me, in which she details how her father Dan physically and emotionally abused her mother Mae Alice for years. Seen in April 2022

Coming soon to a store near you: Finding Me: A Memoir will be released on April 26

She continued, 'And here's the thing: My dad loved me. I saw it. I felt it. I received it, and I took it.

'For me, that's a much better gift and less of a burden than going through my entire life carrying that big, heavy weight of who he used to be and what he used to do,' the Hollywood veteran added.

'That's my choice. That's my legacy: forgiving my dad.'

Forgiveness: In an interview with People magazine, the 56-year-old actress explained why she was able to eventually forgive her father, who passed away due to pancreatic cancer in 2006. Pictured with Dan

Tragic: In the book she shared that she grew up so poor in Rhode Island that she had to dive into dumpsters to find food with her five siblings. The actress also shared that she had rocks thrown at her by racists. Viola pictured in kindergarten

The Academy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner explained that though Dan regularly beat Mae Alice, he later 'changed' and her mother was able to forgive her father for his mistreatment of her.

'My dad changed,' the Broadway performer explained. 'My mom said he apologized to her every single day.

'Every single day, he rubbed her feet. Forgiveness is not pretty. Sometimes people don't understand that life is not a Thursday-night lineup on ABC.

'My dad changed': The Academy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner explained that though Dan regularly beat Mae Alice, he later 'changed' and her mother was able to forgive her father for his mistreatment of her. Seen with Mae Alice

'It is messy. He did hurt me then, but love and forgiveness can operate on the same plane as anger.'

Dan was a horse groomer who dropped out of school after the second grade. Mae Alice remained married to him for 48 years until his death.

In her memoir, The How To Get Away With Murder star described her difficult childhood. Raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island, Viola grew up in deep poverty.

Back then: Dan was a horse groomer who dropped out of school after the second grade. Seen with her father at her graduation

'I wanted to love my dad,' The First Lady star told the magazine. Viola and Dan pictured together

She recalled how she and her five siblings had to dumpster-dive for food and how she endured relentless bullying at school from boys who threw rocks at her for being black.

The Vanity Fair cover star told People her troubled childhood led her to adopt survival skills at an early age.

'How you react is based on survival,' Viola said. 'The key is to survive.

Family: Viola has been married to her husband Julius Tennon, 68, since 2003. The two, who co-founded the production company JuVee Productions, are parents to daughter Genesis, 11. Seen in 2021

'I did what was at my hand to do at 8 years old. I fought. And that fighting served me because I'm still on my feet.'

Viola has been married to her husband Julius Tennon, 68, since 2003. The two, who co-founded the production company JuVee Productions, are parents to daughter Genesis, 11.

The actress is also stepmother to Julius' two children from previous relationships.

Reflecting back, Viola said that she is grateful for every part of her life, saying, 'I count it all as joy. I do. All of those things happened to me, but I own it. And it's a part of who I am.

'It's given me an extraordinary sense of compassion,' she noted. 'It's reconciling that young girl in me and healing from the pastand finding home.'

Finding Me: A Memoir will be released on April 26.
Dynamo cut a casual figure as he went shopping at a local bookstore in Primrose Hill, London on Tuesday.

The magician, 39, whose real name is Steven Frayne, looked relaxed in a navy hoodie and matching tracksuit bottoms.

The performer, who has been open about his battle with Crohn's disease in recent years, also sported a grey T-shirt and a pair of black trainers.

Out and about: Dynamo cut a casual figure in a navy tracksuit as he went shopping at a local bookstore in Primrose Hill, London on Tuesday

Dynamo's first TV appearance was back in 2002 on Richard & Judy which soon led to a fly on the wall documentary series called Dynamo: Magician Impossible.

The magician was diagnosed with Crohn's when he was a teenager and had to have part of his intestine removed when he was 17.

Back in 2020, Dynamo had a hospital stay during a flare-up and also contracted a 'severe' case of Covid-19.

He put up a statement on Instagram, writing: 'Today is IBD (irritable bowl syndrome) awareness day.

Casual: The performer, who has been open about his battle with Crohn's disease in recent years, also sported a grey T-shirt and a pair of black trainers

'I was supposed to be doing some talks about it to let people know what its like and to help those suffering, but unfortunate I suffered a flare up yesterday and will be unable to fulfil my commitments today.

'Really sorry to let people downespecially today. But for us going through it, it's an IBD life, not just one day, and it can affect us when we least expect it.

'Hate to burden you with my woe's but feel bad to those who I have let down today. Heading to hospital to get checked out, my team will keep you posted and I will be back before you know it. Stay strong out there everyone. [sic]'

Speaking previously on The Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, Dynamo said he was working his way back to full health after self-isolating for two weeks.

Career: Dynamo's first TV appearance was back in 2002 on Richard & Judy which soon led to a fly on the wall documentary series called Dynamo: Magician Impossible

Reflecting on his experience with the virus, Dynamo admitted his symptoms were exacerbated because of Crohn's.

He explained: 'I obviously was struck down by COVID. My case was, you know, it was possibly a mild case, but it got quite severe because of my existing condition.

'Last couple of weeks, I spent a lot of time, you know, in bed. I've been self isolating and following all of the rules. Now I'm definitely feeling in much better spirits. Still a little bit croaky, so I apologize for my husky voice right now.'

Reaching out to fans, the Bradford born star insisted the merciless, indiscriminate nature of the virus should encourage people to live life in the moment.

Health: The magician was diagnosed with Crohn's when he was a teenager and had to have part of his intestine removed when he was 17

Battle: Back in 2020, Dynamo had a hospital stay during a flare-up and also contracted a 'severe' case of Covid-19

He said: 'I think everybody right now is going through it. And I think, you know, if anything, it just in some ways, it shows us that we shouldn't take things for granted and we should make the most of the moments that we go through.

'And most of our family and I will hope everyone's taking this time as well as, you know, taking care of themselves, but trying to be positive and use this time wisely.'

The magician admits his underlying battle with Crohn's disease, a condition he was diagnosed with at 17, helped him prepare for two weeks in self-isolation away from his loved ones.

Announcement: Dynamo previously shared a statement on Instagram, writing: 'Today is IBD (irritable bowl syndrome) awareness day' as he admitted he was going to hospital

Dynamo - who lives with his family in north-west London - revealed his hospitalisation with the illness served to foreshadow his enforced quarantine with the coronavirus.

'I spend a lot of time, obviously, in hospital myself,' he added. 'And there was a point when I was going through my worst with my Crohn's disease and food poisoning, where the doctors thought I was contagious so they wouldn't allow people to come in or me to go out.

'So I was literally on my own with just my imagination for a couple of weeks. And this was a couple of years ago. So right now, you know, I'm kind of doing it again like everybody else in the country and around the world.'
Renee Zellweger stars as Pam Hupp in the true crime drama The Thing About Pam, which aired on NBC.

And Renee donned an orange prison jumpsuit in the series finale, which aired on Tuesday night.

The Oscar winning actress, 52, wore facial prosthetics to play Pam, a housewife who is currently serving a life sentence for murder.

The latest: Renee Zellweger stars as Pam Hupp in the true crime drama The Thing About Pam, which aired on NBC. And Renee donned an orange prison jumpsuit in the series finale, which aired on Tuesday night

In the episode, Renee's character Pam is in prison wearing the prison garb with her hair loose around her and an un-impressed facial expression.

The story is based on Pam, 63, who is serving a life sentence for murdering Louis Gumpenberger in 2016.

In July 2021, Pam was charged with first degree murder for the murder of her friend Betsy Faria in 2022, however she pleaded not guilty.

The authorities believe that Pam killed Louis in order to frame Betsy's husband Russ Faria for her murder.

In character: The Oscar winning actress, 52, wore facial prosthetics to play Pam, a housewife who is currently serving a life sentence for murder

Russ spent four years in prison for the murder but was acquitted and released from prison in 2015, per Today.

Pam had testified against him in the trial where he was convicted to a sentence of life in prison for her death.

She was stabbed 55 times in their home in Missouri.

The murder was chronicled in a Dateline episode and also a podcast, before it was ordered as a six episode series for NBC.

Focus: In the episode, Renee's character Pam is in prison wearing the prison garb with her hair loose around her and an un-impressed facial expression

It debuted on March with the concluding episode airing on April 12.

Renee said of the role and preparing for it: 'It was prosthetics, it was a [padded] suit, it was the choice of clothing, it was the briskness in her step-step-step, her gait. All of those things were really important because all those bits and pieces are what construct the person that we project our own conclusions and presumptions too,' in an interview with Vanity Fair.

Adding: 'Oh, gosh, if you don't recognize an actor or an actress in a performance, that's a great compliment. You're not trying to tell your own story.'

Star: It debuted on March with the concluding episode airing on April 12; (l-r) Renee Zellweger as Pam Hupp, Judy Greer as Leah Askey, Josh Duhamel as Joel Schwartz, Katy Mixon as Betsy Faria, Glenn Fleshler as Russ Faria
Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi is smoking hot in a series of new lingerie photos.

The Shahs Of Sunset star is promoting what appears to be her latest venture - a line of sexy underthings called Intimately GG.

The media influencer took to Instagram to some behind-the-scenes photos of a catalog shoot for her latest endeavor, writing, 'relax yourselves... I'm here to stay!' and then plugging the new brand as 'Coming soon...'

New venture: Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi is smoking hot in a series of new lingerie photos. The Shahs of Sunset star is promoting what appears to be her latest venture - a line of sexy underthings called Intimately GG

The 40-year-old mother of one chose several eye-popping looks for the shoot, including an animal print bra and panties combo that showed off her flat abs.

The reality star's toned legs look even longer in a complementary pair of animal print pumps.

The provocative look was accented with a white coverup inspired by a man's shirt in one look, with the popular podcaster writing, 'I paid for it... so it's mine. If you want some... get in line.'

Lights, camera: The entrepreneur posted Coming soon....' referring to this photo in which she's paired the leopard print bra and panties with a black menswear inspired jacket

No mom jeans: The 40-year-old mother of one, chose several eye-popping looks for the shoot, including an animal print bra and panties combo that showed off her flat abs. The reality star's toned legs look even longer in a complementary pair of animal print pumps

Her Shahs co-star Lilly Ghalichi commented, 'Ok mama' and added a set of flame emojis, and former Real Housewife of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi added a 'Yes girl!!!'

GG also posted 'I'm not your average baby mama. Coming soon....' referring to a photo in which she's paired the leopard print bra and panties with a black menswear inspired jacket.

The 5ft8in doyenne donned a lacy black teddy with thigh high stockings as she sat seductively against a white background, and another in which leans forward giving a 'come hither' look straight into the camera.

Tall order: The doyenne donned a lacy black teddy with thigh high stockings as she sat seductively against a white background as she hopes to promote interest in her new line of lingerie

Business success: The self-proclaimed 'Persian princess' has already tried her hand quite successfully at selling hair extensions and in the cannabis industry as the CEO of Wusah, a company that sells a variety of products including topical creams and capsules

The new line will include some sexy outer wear. GG looked stunning in a black maxi-dress with a racer-back and hip-high slits on either side.

The self-proclaimed 'Persian princess' has already tried her hand quite successfully at selling hair extensions and in the cannabis industry as the CEO of Wusah.

The forthcoming star says she first turned the cannabinoid CBD to deal with her rheumatism. The company sells a variety of products including topical creams and capsules.

Behind the scenes: The influencer shared some behind the scenes photos from a catalogue shoot including a shot of GG looking stunning in a black maxi-dress with a racer-back and hip-high slits on either side

Meanwhile, Shahs Of Sunset has reportedly been canceled.

The Bravo series that kicked off in 2012 will come to a close after season nine finishes, TMZ claimed on Thursday.

But the show's network, Bravo, may work down the road with some of the top stars of the series, including MJ Javid, Gharachedaghi and Reza Farahan, it was also claimed by the site.

Done: The reality TV series Shahs Of Sunset has reportedly been canceled. The Bravo series that kicked off in 2012 will come to a close after season nine airs, TMZ claimed on Thursday

The series followed Persian-Americans living in the Los Angeles area. It put a spotlight on their personal lives and careers while sharing their struggles with living an LA life with parents that want them to stick to their roots.

Other stars of the show include Asa Soltan Rahmati, Destiney Rose, Lilly Ghalichi, Nema Vand, and Asifa Mirza.

One of the staples of the show, Mike Shouhed, has been in the news recently.

The 43-year-old reality star - who is engaged to fiancee Paulina Ben-Cohen - was arrested for 'intimate partner violence with injury,' on March 27 according to PageSix.

The term 'intimate partner violence with injury' is said to be used to describe when there is a 'visible injury' on the victim.

The set up: The series followed Persian-Americans living in the Los Angeles area. It put a spotlight on their personal lives and careers while sharing their struggles with living an LA life with parents that want them to stick to their roots

However, the identity of Shouhed's alleged victim has not yet been revealed.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on Monday that West Valley police officers had responded to a call of 'unknown' trouble at around 10pm local time.

DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for the reality star for comment but he is said to be denying the charges.

Per the report, Shouhed was charged with corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, a felony, and was released on $50,000 bail.

He is now due back in court on July 25.

Shortly before deleting his Instagram account, Shouhed had shared a cryptic post to his Stories that read: 'Your life is your responsibility. Your success is your responsibility. Your failure is your responsibility. Your reaction is your responsibility. Your behavior is your responsibility.'
On Wednesday, Focus Features dropped the second action-packed trailer for The Northman, which will be released in UK theaters this Friday and US theaters on April 22.

The preview capitalizes on early reviews from Epic Film Guys, Time Out, Feeling Seen Podcast, and Slash Film which helped the $90M-budget 12th century-set epic score 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

In it, Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgard is out for revenge as Viking Prince-turned-warrior Amleth, who declares: 'Fate has no mercy. I cannot escape my fate.'

Coming soon! On Wednesday, Focus Features dropped the second action-packed trailer for The Northman, which will be released in UK theaters this Friday and US theaters on April 22

As a boy, Amleth witnessed his father King Aurvandill War-Raven (four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke) get beheaded by his uncle Fjolnir (Claes Bang).

Many years later, Amleth seeks justice by having his men swarm, pillage and burn a village connected to Fjolnir in a bloody massacre.

There are two glimpses of Emmy nominee Anya Taylor-Joy as sorceress Olga of the Birch Forest.

'A beast of a film': The preview capitalizes on early reviews from Epic Film Guys, Time Out, Feeling Seen Podcast, and Slash Film which helped the $90M-budget 12th century-set epic score 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes

In it, Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgard is out for revenge as Viking Prince-turned-warrior Amleth, who declares: 'Fate has no mercy. I cannot escape my fate'

Origin: As a boy, Amleth witnessed his father King Aurvandill War-Raven (R, Ethan Hawke) get beheaded by his uncle Fjolnir (L, Claes Bang)

Savagery: Many years later, Amleth seeks justice by having his men swarm, pillage and burn a village connected to Fjolnir in a bloody massacre

There's a blink-and-you-missed-it flash of four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool.

And there are two shots of 15-time Grammy nominee Bjork as the eerie Seeress, a sort of 'Slav witch.'

It was Alexander who helped convince Oscar winner Nicole Kidman to join The Northman after playing her abusive husband in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies from 2017-2019.

Ethereal: There are two glimpses of Emmy nominee Anya Taylor-Joy as sorceress Olga of the Birch Forest

Boo! There's a blink-and-you-missed-it flash of four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe as Heimir the Fool

She has Viking blood: And there are two shots of 15-time Grammy nominee Bjork as the eerie Seeress, a sort of 'Slav witch'

The Swedish 45-year-old told GQ Hype on Wednesday: 'Nicole was probably expecting me to suggest a rom-com. And instead I'm, like, "Hey! Do you wanna play my incestuous mom?"

In the new trailer, the Australian 54-year-old could be seen in only one shot as Queen Gudrun, the mother of Amleth.

The Northman is the third feature film from director Robert Eggers, who previously helmed The Lighthouse in 2019 and The Witch in 2015.

Reunited: It was Alexander who helped convince Oscar winner Nicole Kidman to join The Northman after playing her abusive husband in the hit HBO series Big Little Lies from 2017-2019

The Swedish 45-year-old told GQ Hype on Wednesday: 'Nicole was probably expecting me to suggest a rom-com. And instead I'm, like, "Hey! Do you wanna play my incestuous mom?"

Nine-year age difference: In the new trailer, the Australian 54-year-old could be seen in only one shot as Queen Gudrun, the mother of Amleth

'The quote about it being "this generation's Gladiator," Rob and I just had a conversation about that,' Skarsgard told the mag.

'We both felt that my moral journey in The Northman is, uh, pretty different from Russell Crowe's in Gladiator. But then we agreed, it's really not a bad way to sell a movie. It's a f***ing cool quote. So why fight it?'

An open mountain top in Northern Ireland doubled for Scandinavian countries to more authentically depict the legend, which served as the inspiration behind William Shakespeare's Hamlet.

April 4 screening in Rome: The Northman is the third feature film from director Robert Eggers (M), who previously helmed The Lighthouse in 2019 and The Witch in 2015

Skarsgard told the mag: 'The quote about it being "this generation's Gladiator," Rob and I just had a conversation about that. We both felt that my moral journey in The Northman is, uh, pretty different from Russell Crowe's in Gladiator. But then we agreed, it's really not a bad way to sell a movie. It's a f***ing cool quote. So why fight it?'
Chrishell Stause posed up a storm during a sizzling photoshoot for her collaboration with Next Plcs Lipsy London - which launched on Thursday.

The Selling Sunset star, 40, looked sensational in a variation of stylish ensembles as she strut her stuff in front of a stunning view.

The actress-turned-realtor wowed in a blue maxi dress with a thigh-high split detail, flashing her bronzed physique.

Wow! Chrishell Stause posed up a storm in a blue maxi dress with a thigh-high split detail during a sizzling photoshoot for her collaboration with Next Plcs Lipsy London - which launched on Thursday

Chrishell boosted her height in a pair of black strappy heels, while her shiny golden locks fell in loose curls to her shoulders.

The blonde bombshell was all smiles during the shoot as sported a bronzed makeup palette accentuating her natural features.

In another outfit from her collection she looked red hot as she donned a chic halterneck jumpsuit - which also comes in black.

Work it: The Selling Sunset star, 40, looked sensational in a variation of stylish ensembles as she strut her stuff in front of a stunning view

Gorgeous: In one outfit from her collection she looked red hot as she donned a chic halterneck jumpsuit - which also comes in black

Radiant: The range features a selection of dresses, including a midi white polka dot one with a revealing cut-out detail

Beaming: Chrishell flaunted her ample assets in a sparkling party dress

The range features a selection of dresses, including a midi white polka dot one with a revealing cut-out detail.

Chrishell beamed as she flaunted her ample assets in a sparkling party dress, before changing into a classic black number.

The star posed from all angles as she flaunted her peachy bottom in a white figure-hugging ruffled dress.

Flawless: The natural beauty let her shiny golden locks fell in loose curls to her shoulders

Looking good: The star posed from all angles as she flaunted her peachy bottom in a figure-hugging ruffled dress

Glowing: The blonde bombshell was all smiles during the shoot as sported a bronzed makeup palette accentuating her natural features

Vibrant: Chrishell showed off her bold fashion sense in a bright yellow midi dress

It comes after Netflix revealed the highly-anticipated fifth season of their hit reality series Selling Sunset will return with lots of 'drama' on April 22, 2022.

The show is set to focus on the short-lived romance between Chrishell and her boss Jason Oppenheim, who broke up in December after seven months of dating.

On Twitter, the streaming platform posted Selling Sunset's official release date and a cast photo, featuring Stause, Christine Quinn, Mary Fitzgerald, Heather Rae Young, Amanza Smith, Maya Vander and Davina Potratz.

Doomed relationship: The new season of Selling Sunset is set to focus on the short-lived romance between Chrishell and her boss Jason Oppenheim, who broke up in December after seven months of dating

In the stills shared by Netflix from the upcoming season Chrishell could be seen staring lovingly into her then-beau's eyes on a night out.

The All My Children alum placed one hand on top of Oppenheim's head as they enjoyed a romantic dinner outside.

The news of their relationship had come as a shock to fans of the Netflix reality series, who were used to seeing Chrishell and Jason work in a professional manner together.

In December, the pair split just five months after they confirmed their romance during a trip with their co-stars in Italy over the summer.
Kelly Macdonald cut a stylish figure as she attended the Ten Percent press launch at the Picturehouse Central in London on Wednesday.

The actress, 46, wore a copper satin co-ord with a paisley pattern and bold black and orange panels for her outing.

She wore her top unzipped at the front and opted for a pair of black heels to add a few inches to her stature.

In style: Kelly Macdonald, 46, cut a stylish figure as she attended the Ten Percent press launch at the Picturehouse Central in London on Wednesday

The star wore her brunette hair pinned back behind her head and went for a subtle look with her make-up to highlight her pretty facial features.

Kelly makes a cameo in the Amazon Prime show which follows the same basic premise as Call My Agent!, following life at a top talent agency in London.

The staff struggle to please their precious celebrity clientele as they try to keep the business afloat following the death of the founder.

Glitterati: The actress wore a copper satin co-ord with a paisley pattern and bold black and orange panels for her outing

Completing the look: She wore her top unzipped at the front and opted for a pair of black heels to add a few inches to her stature

She was joined by Jack Davenport, 49, who plays the character of Jonathan Nightingale in the series.

Jack cut a dapper figure at the event, opting for a navy blue shirt which he wore unbuttoned at the collar under a blazer.

He wore a pair of black jeans and completed his look with a pair of brown suede shoes.

Dashing: She was joined by Jack Davenport, 49, who plays the character of Jonathan Nightingale in the series

Also in attendance was Rebecca Humphries, 34, who plays Julia Fincham in the show.

Rebecca looked stylish in a sheer lilac off-the-shoulder dress with a sweetheart neckline.

She wore a pair of unique white platform heels and carried a small matching handbag.

All stars: Also in attendance was Rebecca Humphries, 34, who plays Julia Fincham in the show while Prasanna Puwanarajah ensured he caught the eye in a gold and white paisley jacket

Prasanna Puwanarajah, who plays Dan Bala, ensured he caught the eye in a gold and white paisley jacket which he wore over a grey top.

He wore a pair of black jeans and some pristine white Adidas trainers for his outing.

Lydia Leonard, 40, looked stylish in a chic black dress with lace detail over the arms and shoulders.

Glamorous: Lydia Leonard, 40, looked stylish in a chic black dress with lace detail over the arms and shoulders

Stepping out: She wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features and was happy to pose for pictures at the event

The actress, who plays Rebecca Fox, opted for a pair of heels with silver chain straps for the evening.

She wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features and was happy to pose for pictures at the event.

Meanwhile, Hiftu Quasem looked chic in a sheer pleated black skirt and a matching jacket for the evening.

Fashion focus: Meanwhile, Hiftu Quasem looked chic in a sheer pleated black skirt and a matching jacket for the evening

She wore a pair of black leather boots and carried a matching handbag as she arried.

The star, who plays Misha Virani, was joined by Maggie Steed, 75, who plays Stella Hart in the show.

Maggie looked elegant in a charcoal grey dress and a navy blue jacket over the top.

Screen star: Maggie Steed, 75, who plays Stella Hart in the show, looked elegant in a charcoal grey dress and a navy blue jacket over the top

The trailer for the English-language remake of hit French comedy series Call My Agent! was been unveiled this month.

It sees a feisty Helena Bonham Carter lock horns with other actors and agents in the series about fictional talent agency Nightingale Hart.

The trailer sees the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Dominic West and Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor all make cameo appearances as exaggerated versions of themselves, while other stars play the fictional agents.

Hilarious: The trailer sees the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Dominic West and Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor all make cameo appearances as exaggerated versions of themselves

Tensions: The Amazon Prime series, titled Ten Percent, follows the fictional London talent agency Nightingale Hart as it struggles to adapt

In the first look trailer, fans are given a glimpse at the humorous storylines set to unfold as Kelly Macdonald pours a smoothie over the head of her agent Dan (Prasanna Puwanarajah).

The agency find themselves in an array of chaotic scenarios as Helena Bonham Carter and Olivia Williams lock horns as they are awkwardly offered the same part and David Oyelowo tries to hide from his real-life wife Jessica.

But the biggest reveal of the jam-packed clip is when experienced agent Jonathan, played by Jack Davenport, reveals the agency is 'f**ked' and must sell to an American company.

The agency is sent into more turmoil when the American representatives arrive to shake things up, with the agents desperately attempting to keep their clients onboard.

The British show, which will be released on April 28, is based off the French comedy series Dix pour cent, known in the UK and US as Call My Agent!.
Game of Thrones actor Joseph Gatt has been arrested for allegedly having sexually explicit chats online with a minor across state lines.

The 50-year-old British actor was arrested and served with a search warrant at his Los Angeles, California home on April 6, TMZ reports.

LAPD sources have said Gatt was taken into custody and arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for 'contact with a minor for a sexual offense.'

The LAPD's Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, are now seeking to identify any additional victims after the arrest.

Booked: Game of Thrones actor Joseph Gatt, 50, arrested for allegedly having 'sexually explicit' online chats with minor in another state (Pictured above earlier this month)

He was released on $5,000 bail the same day of his arrest.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for the actor who have so far been unavailable for comment.

Gatt played Thenn Warg on the popular HBO fantasy series, a member of the Thenn, a tribe of Free Folk known for their practices of ritual self-scarification and cannibalism.

Starring role: Gatt played Thenn Warg (pictured right) on the popular HBO fantasy series

His character appeared in three episodes of the George R. R. Martin series in 2014.

In addition to Game of Thrones, Gatt has starred in major blockbuster films including the live-action Disney remake Dumbo, Stark Trek Into Darkness and Thor.

Gatt - who was diagnosed with alopecia universalis at the age of 12 - is said to reside in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Mercy Malick.

The thespian has been in a relationship with Malick since 2009.

He started his acting career with an appearance on British police drama The Bill in 1999.
Simon Gregson was 'hauled in to an emergency meeting by Coronation Street bosses' after he was quizzed in the back of a police van following an altercation between two men at a Toby Carvery in Aintree on Friday night.

The Coronation Street actor, 47, was at The Rocking Horse pub opposite the racecourse after Aintree Ladies Day having enjoyed some time at one of the course's luxury suites earlier in the day.

And the star, who plays Steve McDonald in the soap, has allegedly been given a talking to in a bid to get him to keep his behaviour in check on nights out, according to a new report.

Oh dear: Simon Gregson was 'hauled in to a meeting by Coronation Street bosses' after he was quizzed in the back of a police van following an altercation between two men at a Toby Carvery in Aintree on Friday night (pictured at the event)

A source told The Sun: 'Simon is one of Corries longest-serving stars and is loved on set, but that doesnt mean he has carte blanche to behave however he likes.

'Bosses have told Simon his recent behaviour is not ok and its not a good look for the soap.

'Theyve warned him to clean up his act. Simon apologised and told them hed be on his best behaviour from now on.'

'He was acting pretty wildly': It comes after Simon was reportedly kicked out of his co-star's leaving party in Manchester by bouncers after dancing shirtless on furniture

MailOnline has contacted ITV and representatives for Simon for comment.

A spokesperson for Toby Carvery Aintree told MailOnline of the incident at the weekend: 'We can confirm there was an incident at the restaurant on Friday night which was reported to the police. We are fully co-operating with the police inquiry.'

According to the Mirror, police spoke to Simon as he sat in the back of their van in the car park of The Rocking Horse on Friday after the altercation inside the pub.

A source told the publication: 'There was a bust-up and bouncers kicked him out  they pinned him to the ground before the police arrived. He was taken to the police van and spoken to for some time. It was all very messy.'

Friends in high places: Simon was seen with the likes of Princess Annes daughter Zara Tindall, 40, and her ex-England rugby captain husband Mike, 43, at Aintree Ladies Day

A police spokesperson added to the newspaper: 'We can confirm Merseyside Police were in attendance at the Rocking Horse pub on Grand National Avenue, Aintree.

'At around 9.20pm we received a report two men were involved in an altercation inside the pub. No injuries were reported and the victim declined to make a formal complaint to police. Inquiries are ongoing.'

Earlier in the day, Simon was seen with the likes of Princess Annes daughter Zara Tindall, 40, and her ex-England rugby captain husband Mike, 43.

MailOnline contacted a representative for Simon and Merseyside Police for comment.

Hilarious: An onlooker said: 'He was the life and soul of the party but took it a bit far and it annoyed the bar staff and bouncers in the end' (pictured, centre, with Alexandra and her boyfriend Joe Parker, far left)

It comes after Simon was reportedly ordered by bouncers to head home from his on-screen daughter Alexandra Mardell's leaving party in Manchester's Deansgate district in February.

In footage obtained by The Sun, the soap star could be seen dancing shirtless on furniture after becoming 'a bit merry'.

Simon allegedly directed his fury towards the security staff with an expletive-filled rant after they attempted to kick him out of the venue.

An onlooker told the publication 'He was the life and soul of the party but took it a bit far and it annoyed the bar staff and bouncers in the end.'

A lip-reading expert told the publication Simon he appeared to be saying 'f**k' and 'f**k you' to the two members of staff before assuring: 'I will get down.'

The star - who plays character Steve McDonald in the soap - had been partying with Corrie's Katie McGlynn at the showbiz bash.

She allegedly stepped in-between her pal and the bouncer in a bid to cool down the situation, later posting a beaming photo of herself in an unmissable yellow dress alongside Alexandra, who plays Emma Booker in the ITV favourite.

The source continued: 'Simon was acting pretty wildly  but more in the sense that he was in high spirits and getting carried away.

'The crowd were laughing and cheering, with a lot of people egging him on, and most people there saw the funny side. But some clubbers were shouting abuse at him as well, which was unnecessary.'

Alexandra's photos from the night saw her party with Millie Gibson (Kelly Neelan), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Georgia Taylor (Toyah Battersby), Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow) and Mollie Gallagher (Nina Lucas).

Simon's representatives were contacted for comment by MailOnline.

Gang: Elle Mulvaney (far left) Steve (centre-left), Emma (centre) and Tanisha Gorey (centre-right) appeared to be in high spirits during the star-studded party

As Simon rose to fame in the 1990s as a new heart-throb in one of the nation's most beloved soaps, he was hiding a secret life of binge-drinking and drug-taking.

Speaking exclusively previously to the Sunday Mirror, the star admitted that soon after his 1989 debut as Steve McDonald on Coronation Street, marijuana, cocaine and booze took a grip on his personal life.

'I went completely wild,' the 40-year-old actor admitted. 'Id go through a bottle of Scotch at four or five am after the pub... Sometimes Id be two hours late for work. Other times Id not be there at all.

Looking back: As Simon rose to fame in the 1990s as a new heart-throb in one of the nation's most beloved soaps, he was hiding a secret life of binge-drinking and drug-taking (pictured 2016)

'I didnt take it seriously and I didnt want to be there. I hated being famous. Im not proud of my behaviour, but getting wasted was a way of forgetting... The cocaine use came hand in hand with the alcohol abuse. I started smoking marijuana first.

'Reality wasnt too great so this alternative reality with the use of substances was a better place to be. It was an experimentation at first and I could afford it... I was spending a lot on it. It changed me as a person.'

Admitting that his resulting tardiness on the Corrie set led to tensions with on-screen dad Charlie Lawson, he turned things around soon after his troubles were made public in 1995.

However , a sober Simon said: 'Everything that happened has made me the person I am today and I am so grateful for the life I have. I have a fantastic job, a gorgeous family and amazing friends and colleagues. I am a lucky bloke.'
She joined in the family business and became a restaurateur in 2017 with the launch of her first restaurant, Back 40.

And Olivia Culpo simply sizzled wearing a slinky black mini for the grand opening of Union & Main, her family's second restaurant in Rhode Island, on Tuesday evening.

The 29-year-old former pageant queen stunned in a silky mini dress with a thigh-grazing slit as she tucked into delicious Italian food while celebrating the new eatery with her siblings.

Stepping out! Olivia Culpo simply sizzled wearing a slinky black dress for the grand opening of Union & Main, her family's second restaurant in Rhode Island, on Tuesday evening

Olivia's darling black dress featured delicate straps wrapped around her neck and across her back.

She added inches to her petite frame with a matching pair of stilettos with sparkling silver bottoms.

Her dark brown hair was tied tightly into a bun, and she showed off her flawless complexion with bold brows and just a hint of highlight on her cheekbones.

Strike a pose: The 29-year-old former pageant queen stunned in a silky mini dress with a thigh-grazing slit as she tucked into delicious Italian food while celebrating the new eatery with her siblings; seen with Aurora (left) and Sophia (right)

In the details: Olivia's darling black dress featured delicate straps wrapped around her neck and across her back

Whatever it takes! While the former Miss Universe was dressed to the nines, she wasn't afraid to get in the kitchen and in front of the grill

Her father and part owner, Peter, was all smiles as he posed with his daughters and wife Susan at the grand opening

And while the former Miss Universe was dressed to the nines, she wasn't afraid to get in the kitchen and in front of the grill.

Chef Rob Pirnie helped with a little seasoning while Olivia checked out the new family restaurant in her home state.

Family affair! Her father and part owner, Peter, was all smiles as he posed with his daughters and wife Susan at the grand opening

All hands on deck: Chef Rob Pirnie helped with a little seasoning while Olivia checked out the new family restaurant in her home state

Let's eat! Olivia enjoyed a pasta dish from the kitchen of her new restaurant

She told the local Providence Journal that her latest endeavor with her dad also includes cousin Joshua Culpo and their business partner Justin Dalton-Ameen.

'It's a family restaurant, and for me that is the cherry on top,' she said. 'We grew up in an atmosphere that appreciated both good food and community. To do that now with my family is so special.'

Olivia said her father, who also owns several bars and restaurants in the Boston area, is someone she admired for his strong work ethic and determination.

'I've watched my dad work really hard my entire life, and to be able to do this project with him and with my family, it's so rewarding and I'm excited for people to join in with us,' she told Turnto10 news.
Former Dancing With The Stars co-host Brooke Burke is raising eyebrows with her latest comments about Tyra Banks on Wednesdays episode of David Yontefs Behind the Velvet Rope podcast.

While speaking about the 48-year-old supermodel, the 50-year-old fitness guru said 'everybody knows' the star is 'a diva.'

'There's nothing wrong with that, and I'm not saying anything bad about her  be a diva!' the mom-of-four replied when asked her opinion on Banks replacing longtime hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews on DWTS in 2020. But then she added the host cannot be a diva because the show is really about the dancers.

Not holding back: Former Dancing With The Stars co-host Brooke Burke raised eyebrows with her latest comments about Tyra Banks, who replaced Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as the host of Dancing With the Stars in 2020; pictured in 2013 with Bergeron

The TV personality, who co-hosted the show for seven consecutive seasons alongside Tom Bergeron, continued: 'It's [just] not the place to be a diva.

'Change is hard for everyone. They've gone through a lot on that show, that's for sure,' she said, adding that 'you are just not the star' as the host.

Burke concluded: 'Like, it is just not about you as the host, right? So, yeah, I think Tyra is great in a shining role. I will just say that.'

Not a good fit? While speaking about the 48-year-old supermodel, 50-year-old fitness guru said 'everybody knows' the America's Next Top Model judge is 'a diva'; seen in 2021

After making her hosting debut on the show, Banks admitted she knew she wasn't 'perfect' but 'had a lot of fun' even when she 'messed up.'

'I said the wrong words, but the thing is I kept going,' she told her TikTok followers at the time.

At this point, the Life-Size actress host had suffered weeks of trolling on social media, with many viewers describing her hosting as 'awkward.'

Getting better: In response to the backlash, she told Television Critics Association press last year: 'The world is angry at the talent, but theres a whole control room and things happening and craziness going on' (seen in 2020)

Since becoming host, she has accidentally announced the wrong two bottom couples, asked contestants uncomfortable questions, and been accused of trying to steal the show with her over-the-top outfits.

In response to the backlash, she told Television Critics Association press last year: 'The world is angry at the talent, but theres a whole control room and things happening and craziness going on.'

After her debut, a flood of DWTS fans desperately begged for the reinstatement of former hosts Bergeron and Andrews, who were shockingly canned in July 2020.

They were dynamo together: Bergeron co-hosted DWTS with Erin Andrews before being let go to make room for Banks; seen in 2018

Bergeron had been with the Dancing With The Stars franchise since it launched in 2005, while his former co-host Andrews joined the show in 2014.

In an interview with Extra following his firing, Andrews revealed that her and Tom's unexpected dismissals from Dancing With The Stars 'was a surprise' and that hers came via phone call.

Though there was never a direct reason given as to why the pair were axed, Valerie Bruce, general manager of LA Productions, stated that Dancing With The Stars was being taken 'in a new creative direction' for season 29.

She also offered her, 'sincere thanks to Tom and Erin, whom we will always consider part of the Dancing with the Stars' family.'
They are currently soaking up the sun on a romantic getaway in Santorini.

And Faye Winter, 26, looked loved-up with boyfriend Teddy Soares on Wednesday after she surprised him with a trip to Greece for his 27th birthday.

The Love Island stars cosied up as they enjoyed a boozy meal while watching the sunset in the stunning exotic location.

Faye Winter , 26, looked loved-up with boyfriend Teddy Soares on Wednesday after she surprised him with a trip to Greece for his 27th birthday

Faye wowed in a gold mini dress which showed off her sideboob, while accessorising with gold hoop earrings.

She looked radiant as she sported a dewy makeup look and swept her golden locks back into a low bun.

Meanwhile, Teddy looked handsome in a black shirt with white detail as he beamed and put his arm around Faye's waist.

Alongside the joint Instagram post shared with both their followers, they penned: 'Santorini was always a good idea'

The Love Island stars cosied up as they enjoyed a boozy meal while watching the sunset in the stunning exotic location and wrote alongside the photos: 'Santorini was always a good idea'

Faye updated her 1.2 million Instagram followers on the trip on Monday by sharing a slew of sizzling selfies in front of the sea.

The bronzed beauty donned a cream bralet and matching crocheted cardigan and brought back her famous brown lipstick.

She captioned the stunning snaps: 'I'm on holiday, guess what's back' with a lipstick and brown heart emoji

Teddy flashed his dazzling white smile in front of the sunset and Santorinis recognisable whitewashed buildings, letting fans know he had arrived in paradise, as he wrote: 'Smiling, but at which view?'

Looking good: Faye updated her 1.2 million Instagram followers on the trip on Monday by sharing a slew of sizzling selfies in front of the sea

Gorgeous: The bronzed beauty donned a cream bralet and matching crocheted cardigan and brought back her famous brown lipstick

Teddy flashed his dazzling white smile in front of the sunset and Santorinis recognisable whitewashed buildings, letting fans know he had arrived in paradise, as he wrote: 'Smiling, but at which view?'

It comes after Faye pulled out all the stops to surprise Teddy with the trip for his 27th birthday.

Faye's Instagram post from Teddy's birthday showed a beautifully decorated room which featured white and blue balloons attached all the way up the staircase and a stunning cake.

Teddy didn't realise what his present was until he read the words on the display behind him which said: 'Loving you is easy, fancy a trip to Santorini?'

The blonde beauty captioned the snap: 'Yesterday we got to celebrate you @teddysoars and the incredible man you are. I couldn't be anymore in love with you. Happy Birthday Baby'
Amanda Bynes took to Instagram on Wednesday with a clip from DIAMONDS, a new single she collaborated on her with fiance Paul Michael.

The 36-year-old actress captioned the post: 'DIAMONDS on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon music and itunes! search DIAMONDS Amanda Bynes Paul Michael.'

The single begins with Michael doing a rap prior to Bynes interjecting the lyrics, 'Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds on my neck on my wrist/ Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds on my fish all wet.'

The latest: Amanda Bynes, 36, took to Instagram on Wednesday with a clip from DIAMONDS, a new single she collaborated on her with fiance Paul Michael

The What I Like About You star's lawyer David A. Esquibias told ET that Bynes and Michael put the track together amid the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.

'Amanda is creative and playful,' Esquibias said. 'She had a lot of fun recording DIAMONDS during the first shutdown of the pandemic. She is now able to share it with her fans.'

The latest creative offering from the Thousand Oaks, California native was released less than a month after a conservatorship her parents presided over since 2013 was terminated in Ventura County Superior Court in Oxnard, California.

'The court determines that the conservatorship is no longer required and that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship of the person no longer exist,' Judge Roger Lund said in court docs.

The art for the newly-released single featured stacks of hundred dollar bills

The What I Like About You star's lawyer David A. Esquibias said that Bynes and Michael put the track together amid the initial stages of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown

Bynes was placed under the conservatorship in 2013 amid a series of legal issues, and problems with mental health and substance abuse.

Last month, the judge said that the actress had proven she was adept to deal with her health issues without oversight from her parents, who did not object to the change in plans.

When the conservatorship was initially implemented in 2013, the star's parents Rick and Lynn Bynes said in court docs they were worried Bynes could harm herself or other people unless they were able to oversee her medical affairs and finances.

Her parents said they were concerned she could undergo potentially perilous plastic surgery, and told the court the actress believed she was being monitored through her vehicle's dashboard and smoke detectors in her home.

Bynes told ET following the ruling that she was focused on her education and work on a fragrance product she was planning on releasing in the future.

Bynes said following the ruling that she was focused on her education and work on a fragrance product she was planning on releasing in the future

Bynes said she is 'traveling to New York in June to work on developing a fragrance'

'I am continuing with my Bachelor's Degree at FIDM, majoring in Creative Industry Studies with a core in Beauty Marketing and Product Development,' Bynes told the outlet, noting that she was 'traveling to New York in June to work on developing a fragrance.'

Bynes found fame as a child star at the age of 13 on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show, and went on to have success on shows such as All That and What I Like About You. She was also featured in films including She's the Man, What a Girl Wants and Hairspray, with her last appearance in a motion picture coming in 2010's Easy A.

She said on Twitter that year that she was retiring from her acting career, writing, 'Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem. If I don't love something anymore I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore so I've stopped doing it.'
Heidi Klum is a supermodel, TV host, actress and fashionista.

And the stunner did not disappoint as she headed to the America's Got Talent set in Pasadena looking incredible in an all black ensemble.

The 48-year-old beauty showcased her pert derriere in a sheer black dress, adding a leather jacket.

Wow factor: Heidi Klum is known is a super model, TV host, actress and fashionista. And the stunner did not disappoint as she headed to the America's Got Talent in Pasadena

Heidi wowed in the calf-length frock that was sheer, revealing her cheeky black undergarments and her backside.

The stunning blonde layered an edgy leather jacket as well as slouchy matching boots and a coordinating hand bag.

The German born runway star added Gucci sunglasses with her blonde hair sleek and rocking a fringe.

She is a judge on America's Got Talent, alongside Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara.

Striking: The 48-year-old beauty showcased her pert derriere in a sheer black dress, adding a leather jacket

Stunner: Heidi wowed in the calf-length frock that was sheer, revealing her cheeky black undergarments and her backside

Shortly after her arrival, Heidi's equally stylish co-judge Sofia Vergara arrived to the audition venue.

The Modern Family star stunned in a black off-the-shoulder dress and a pair of quirky green sandals.

Fellow judge Howie Mandel looked cool upon his arrival in all-black, while host Terry Crews was captured playing a flute outdoors as he filmed a fun segment for the show.

Fellow fashionista: Shortly after her arrival, Heidi's equally stylish co-judge Sofia Vergara arrived to the audition venue

Keeping it cool: Fellow judge Howie Mandel looked cool upon his arrival in all-black

Fun! Host Terry Crews was captured playing a flute outdoors as he filmed a fun segment for the show

Just two days prior, Heidi stood out in a black and yellow zebra jacket and matching trousers, adding statement sunglasses.

She rocked black combat boots and straight hair, opting for minimal makeup to round out her look.

On Sunday, Heidi shared a series of photos to her Instagram of herself posing Sofia, Howie and Simon for playful snaps.

Style icon: Just two days prior, Heidi stood out in a black and yellow zebra jacket and matching trousers, adding statement sunglasses

Cute: On Sunday, Heidi shared a series of photos to her Instagram of herself posing Sofia, Howie and Simon for playful snaps

Heidi is married to Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz, 32; they were first linked March 2018 and went public with their relationship two months later.

They got engaged on Christmas Eve 2018 and wed February 2019 privately and held a ceremony on a yacht in Italy on August 2019.

She has four children: a daughter named Leni, 17, with ex flame Flavio Briatore, 72; Leni was later adopted by her second ex-husband Seal.

Heidi and Seal, 59, had three children together during their marriage, which was from 2005 to 2014: Henry, 16, Johan, 15, and Lou, 12.

AGT season 17 is set to premiere on Tuesday, May 31 for a two-hour premiere at 8 pm ET on NBC.
The Australian Ballet will stage Swan Lake as the centrepiece of its 2023 season, in the first major commission for the company's new artistic director.

David Hallberg's production will also work as a symbolic tribute to the very first show staged by the company, in 1962.

'We're not trying to reinvent the wheel, but show audiences why this is the most famous ballet in the world,' he told AAP.

The Australian Ballet has already performed the famed tale of Prince Siegfried and his love for Odette/Odile almost 700 times, and Hallberg anticipates 2023's Swan Lake will be around for decades to come.

'What's so important is that every major ballet company around the world has a Swan Lake that they can turn to and let audiences enjoy,' he said.

As artistic director of the Australian Ballet he follows in the footsteps of David McAllister, who was in the job 20 years - which anyone might think would be challenge enough.

But Hallberg spent his first months in the new role cancelling and postponing shows due to COVID-19 lockdowns, while trying to motivate professional dancers who found themselves suddenly unable to perform.

'We've weathered the storm but it was devastating, it was nothing like the organisation has ever experienced,' he said.

Yet rebuilding and resilience is at the very core of his relationship with the company he now helms.

Hallberg credits the Australian Ballet with reviving his dancing career when it looked like injury would force his early retirement.

He joined the American Ballet Theatre in 2001 and was the first American dancer to become a principal with Russia's Bolshoi Ballet in 2011.

But in 2014, complications from ankle surgery left him almost unable to plie.

He spent more than a year recovering in Melbourne with physiotherapists at the Australian Ballet, going on to become its first resident guest artist.

The company is staging its own recovery in 2022, with a successful production of Anna Karenina at the Sydney Opera House, and a production of Kunstkamer opening later in April.

Hallberg says Swan Lake, a guaranteed hit, can only help.

The production will feature crisp and realistic set and costume design in a re-imagination of Anne Woolliams' iconic 1977 version.

Hallberg believes the show can also help the company define its new vision, which he says is already beginning to crystallise through the results of an intensive period of studio work.

But he cautions change will happen slowly, in part due to the cultural importance of the institution that sets the benchmark for Australian dance.

'What Australian Ballet means to Australians is really important, much like what the Bolshoi means to Russians is really important,' he said.

The Australian Ballet will announce its full 2023 season later this year.
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Bella Hadid couldn't stop smiling as she left her apartment in New York City rocking a brown wool vest over a white t-shirt, which she styled with a pair of brown leather pants and snakeskin booties, on Tuesday afternoon.

The 25-year-old supermodel looked incredibly stylish with a number of chic accessories, including a several gold stacked bracelets, a matching Christian Dior belt, statement earrings and an orange shoulder bag with brown handles.

While stepping out for some fresh air, the Kin Euphorics co-founder wore her chocolate brown hair in a sleek half-up, half-down style as held onto her laptop and a blue journal.

Beaming: Bella Hadid couldn't stop smiling as she left her apartment in New York City rocking a brown vest over a white t-shirt, which she styled with a pair of brown leather pants and snakeskin booties, on Tuesday afternoon

As she displayed a glimpse of her toned midriff, the Vogue cover girl strutted into a waiting black car in her snakeskin booties with a chunky heel.

Hadid, who is has been dating art director boyfriend Marc Kalman since July 2020, also rocked some black nail polish and three different rings on her left hand.

Her outing comes after announcing her plans to break into acting with a role on the upcoming third season of the Hulu sitcom Ramy.

Looking good! While stepping out for some fresh air, the Kin Euphorics co-founder wore her chocolate brown hair in a half-up, half-down style

Fot as ever: As she displayed a glimpse of her toned midriff, the Vogue cover girl strutted into a waiting black car in her snakeskin booties with a chunky heel

The little sister of Gigi will have a recurring part on the series, according to a recent report in Deadline.

Ramy was co-created by the comedian Ramy Youssef, who stars as a first generation Egyptian American in New Jersey.

Previous recurring guest stars on the show have included Mahershala Ali, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for Moonlight.

Cool girl: Hadid, who is has been dating art director boyfriend Marc Kalman since July 2020, also rocked some black nail polish and three different rings on her left hand

Exciting: Her outing comes after announcing her plans to break into acting with a role on the upcoming third season of the Hulu sitcom Ramy

TV debut: The little sister of Gigi will have a recurring part on the series, according to a recent report in Deadline

In addition to thriving professionally, Bella and her beau are just two months away from ringing in their second anniversary.

The lovebirds went public with their relationship in July 2021 while the model was at Paris Fashion Week and the Cannes Film Festival.

Last month they traveled to Paris, France together and have been nearly inseparable this week in New York while enjoying two romantic dinner dates.

Coming soon: Ramy was co-created by the comedian Ramy Youssef, who stars as a first generation Egyptian American in New Jersey

In good company: Previous recurring guest stars on the show have included Mahershala Ali, who won a best supporting actor Oscar for Moonlight

Moment of pause: Bella was captured later in the day hanging out on a bench in Tribeca
Australia's Owen Wright is facing a crucial heat to start Thursday's World Surf League event at Bells Beach.

Wright, who is surfing to avoid the new mid-season cut, is in action in a round of 32 clash with American Griffin Colapinto as organisers face a big day of men's action.

Olympic bronze-medallist Wright beat 11-time world champion Kelly Slater and fellow American Nat Young in their opening-round heat.

Australia's Owen Wright is facing a crucial heat to start Thursday's World Surf League event at Bells Beach

With the field to be cut on the WSL tour at the end of the next round at Margaret River, WA, he needs strong results to stay alive given he's equal-31st in the rankings.

Colapinto should provide a tough test after securing his first tour win in Portugal at the previous stop of the calendar.

Organisers are hopeful conditions will hold for them to get through the 16 30-minute heats in the men's round of 32.

'We've got really nice waves right now,' WSL head of competition Jessi Miley-Dyer said.

'It's going to be a big day.

'This morning there are quite a few nice sets so it's going to be good.'

Other Australians set to compete in their heats on Thursday include Mikey Wright, Connor O'Leary, Morgan Cibilic and three-time world champion Mick Fanning, who is competing as a wildcard.

Fanning will be up against Japan's Kanoa Igarashi having beaten Seth Moniz in a second-round eliminator.
Danniella Westbrook showed off her post-op look after having nose surgery as she attended Revelations: A Portrait Of Magic at S&P Gallery in London on Wednesday.

The actress, 48, opted for casual attire, wearing a white top with an attached shawl and tasseled detail for the evening.

She wore a pair of skinny jeans and some white trainers as she stepped out in the UK capital.

New look: Danniella Westbrook, 48, showed off her post-op look after having nose surgery as she attended Revelations: A Portrait Of Magic at S&P Gallery in London on Wednesday

Former EastEnders cast member Danniella wore a gold chain around her neck and had on an Alice band to keep her blonde hair swept back off her face.

The ex Celebrity Big Brother housemate smiled as she posed outside the gallery, appearing to have regained some of the confidence she has long desired as a result of her recent surgery.

Last week, Danniella took to Instagram to reveal the results of her recent nose surgery after she had the first in a series of reconstruction operations.

Happy: The ex Celebrity Big Brother housemate smiled outside the gallery, appearing to have regained some of the confidence she has long desired as a result of her recent surgery

The star, who was pictured with a heavily bandaged face earlier this month, recently revealed plans to have a rib inserted into her face after years of drug abuse caused her nose to collapse.

Taking to Instagram, a happy Danniella revealed her new look as she posed for the camera in a fun video.

With her blonde hair styled in a chic bob and glamorous make-up, the star wore a white jacket with striking black thread detail.

In style: The actress opted for casual attire, wearing a white top with an attached shawl and tasseled detail for the evening

Completing the look: Former EastEnders cast member Danniella wore a gold chain around her neck and had on an Alice band to keep her blonde hair swept back off her face

New woman: Last week, Danniella took to Instagram to reveal the results of her recent nose surgery after she had the first in a series of reconstruction operations

Danniella captioned the video: 'I can't help but take the Mickey - all these sultry insta posts are everywhere So here's one from me.'

'Representing the old girls, it's only a bit of fun people #justforlaughs.'

Danniella previously underwent a rib insertion procedure in 2018, after osteoporosis rotted away her cheekbones and gums and, after spending the last year getting lip filler and Botox, in addition to surgery on her face, she is hoping to get back to her best.

Stepping out: Danniella was joined by Lizzie Cundy who put on a leggy display in a pair of white shorts and a pretty pink jacket while out with a male friend

Star quality: Lizzie added a touch of sparkle to her outfit by wearing a unique pair of see-through heels which sparkled in the light

The television personality has previously had five reconstructive operations but she is still targeted by cruel online trolls over her appearance, with people telling her to 'just go and kill yourself'.

Meanwhile, Danniella was joined by Lizzie Cundy who put on a leggy display in a pair of white shorts and a pretty pink jacket.

She was seen walking arm-in-arm with a male friend who wore a blue shirt underneath a navy jacket.

He opted for some denim jeans and a pair of brown suede shoes for his night out with Lizzy.

Influential? Influencer Becca De Laroque looked chic in an all-white outfit while fellow digital creator Faye Dickinson wore a sheer top over a black bra and brown PVC trousers
Maura Higgins showcased her sensational style on Wednesday evening as she stepped out for a meal with pals after landing in Los Angeles.

The Love Island star, 31, flaunted her incredible figure in a black semi-sheer Mugler catsuit in a sizzling snap shared with her 3.4 million Instagram followers.

The Irish native completed the ensemble with a black leather jacket propped on her shoulders and a strappy pair of heels.

Wow! Maura Higgins showcased her sensational style in a black semi-sheer Mugler catsuit on Wednesday evening as she stepped out for a meal with pals after landing in Los Angeles

Maura accessorised with a stylish Dior saddle handbag and made a statement by wearing a trendy pair of black sunglasses inside the restaurant.

The model tied her glossy chocolate locks into a sleek bun and highlighted her natural beauty with an edgy cat eye make-up look.

She tagged celebrity hair stylist Carl Bembridge and makeup artist Suzy Clarke in the post which was captioned: 'Matrix debut'

Taking to her Instagram Story earlier in the day, Maura was soaking up the sun as she was seen popping on her shades while penning that she 'missed LA'

Pals: The model tied her glossy chocolate locks into a sleek bun and highlighted her natural beauty with an edgy cat eye make-up look while joined by celebrity hair stylist Carl Bembridge (right) and makeup artist Suzy Clarke (left)

Glowing: Taking to her Instagram Story earlier in the day, Maura was soaking up the sun as she was seen popping on her shades while penning that she 'missed LA'

Maura recently attended the glamorous arrivals at the 2022 Gossie Awards on Friday night.

The glitzy awards bash, which was held at The Convention Centre in the Irish city, saw major stars from TV, radio, music, and social media grace the red carpet.

The brunette beauty looked stunning in a backless black floor-length gown with an elegant train custom made especially by designer Celia Kritharioti.

Flawless: Maura looked stunning as she attended the glamorous arrivals at the 2022 Gossie Awards on Friday night

The low cut dress was decorated with beautiful silver detail down the length of it which also showed off her incredibly toned physique.

The TV personality scooped two gongs on the night, winning the award for Most Stylish Lady and Best Female TV Presenter.

As she took the podium to collect her awards and told the 400 guests in the room that there was 'no place like Ireland' and it was 'great to be home.'
When we hear Boeing 737 MAX, the aircraft model, the first thing that pops up in mind is the two fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019. The tragedy of the Malaysian Lion Air Flight 610 crash and the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which together killed 346 people (no survivors), still sends a chill down the spine.

The aircraft model is once again in news, and in India this time around. However, its not due to the aircraft itself. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has banned 90 pilots of SpiceJet from operating the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft till they undergo re-training.

File Image of SpiceJet Boeing 737 MAX plane. Photo: Getty Images

Why have the pilots been banned? During an observation of the training of the pilots at SpiceJet, it was found that the 90 pilots were not trained to satisfaction. Sources told India Today that the stick shaker, a part of the aircraft that rapidly and noisily vibrates in the cockpit warning that the plane is resisting lift, had been disabled during the simulation training. Hence, the 90 pilots were untrained on what do to during such an event.

What is a stick shaker in aviation? Stick shakers, like the one depicted in the video below, warns the pilots of an impending stall. Now when a plane is stalled, it doesnt mean it falls off the sky; but that the plane goes dangerously out of control and the pilots need to bring it back under control.

Once a plane goes into an aggravated stall, its difficult to bring the plane under control.

In a stall, a plane dangerously climbs with its nose up. But a severe nose-up means that the plane will stop climbing and resist further lift, which means that the plane will start falling with its nose up.

Here are 5 instances of plane crashes due to a stall:

1. MIAMI PLANE CRASH ON HIGHWAY

In 1997, a Fine Air cargo plane took off, pitched up, stalled and crashed into the ground, through a highway and into a malls parking lot, killing all 4 onboard and one person on the ground.

The video is a reenactment of the fatal crash.

2. MEDITERRANEAN SEA CRASH

In 2008, XL Airways Germany Flight 888T during a test crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, off a French coast killing all 7 people on board. The plane also went into a stall, and while the pilots used textbook methods to get it back in control, it didnt work.

The video is an animation of the crash.

3. NATIONAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 102

In 2013, the National Airlines Flight 102 cargo flight took off from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and was flying to Al Maktoum airport in Dubai. However, part of the cargo broke off in the plane and rolled to the back of the aircraft, disabling rear flight control systems. The pilots were unable to make a recovery from the impending stall. The plane crashed, killing all 7 people on board.

Usually, cargo plane crashes also occur due to improperly secured cargo breaking loose.

4. DEEP STALL DUE TO PILOT ERROR CRASH

In 2005, the West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 took off from Panama City and was headed to France with a total of 160 people on board. However, the plane crashed in Venezuela due to what is reported as pilot error and lack of situational awareness, killing everyone on board. The planes speed had decreased and it entered a stall, but the crew were mistaking the error to a double engine flame out and didnt do anything to get the plane out of the stall.

The video above is an animation of the crash.

5. AIA FLIGHT 808

American International Airways (AIA, now Kalitta Air) Flight 808, another cargo flight, crashed in 1993 on landing at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Fortunately, all the 3 crew members survived the crash with serious injuries. The plane crashed due to a stall and also because pilots were unable to bring it under control partly due to fatigue.

Does the temporary pilot ban have anything to do with the previous Boeing 737 MAX crashes? The 2018 and 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crashes were a result of criminal negligence by the aircraft manufacturer  Boeing. They failed to tell the pilots that the new models of the aircraft had something called the MCAS system installed. The MCAS system basically is fitted to prevent the airplane from tipping up dangerously, like in a stall, and it forces the planes nose to dive. While the system is helpful in cases where a plane gets into a dangerous stall position, Boeing and the US FAA both refuted media reports that the MCAS is an anti-stall system. Boeing and the US FAA said, Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS)  flight control law implemented on the 737 MAX to improve aircraft handling characteristics and decrease pitch-up tendency at elevated angles of attack.

SpiceJet is the only airline in India that has 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts in its fleet. Akasa Air is also set to have a fleet of the same aircraft, but it has not yet arrived.
Social_media

Gordon out as university president

Gordon

Dr. Scott Gordon is out as president of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Board of Regents announced Gordons departure after meeting for 4 and a half hours behind closed doors Sunday.

President Scott Gordon and the University have mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of both parties for the employment relationship to end, Regent chairwoman Karen Gantt said, reading from a prepared statement.

Regents named retired university vice president Dr. Steve Westbrook as interim president.

The departure comes seven months after Regents said Gordon would remain president following a vote of no confidence by the Faculty Senate that was endorsed by deans of the universitys six colleges.

Faculty members on Monday said they werent shocked at Gordons departure but were surprised that it came mid-semester.

I think everybody was taken off guard by the precipitous way it was done, said one faculty member who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about university business.

I think something finally snapped.

Gordon leaves a mixed legacy marked with accomplishments but marred by turmoil at the university where he was hired as top administrator in 2019.

Regents lauded Gordons accomplishments, reading off a laundry list of accolades during Sundays meeting. He oversaw the university though the coronavirus pandemic, the creation of an aviation program and its establishment of the Distinguished High School Program, which gives scholarships to certain students at partnering high schools.

The university also has engaged in a significant amount of construction projects started under former president, the late Dr. Baker Pattillo. But enrollment remained flat and eventually declined because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revenue decreased after the state clawed back 5% of funding from state agencies.

A year ago, Regents gave Gordon an $85,000 raise, which they reversed in September after uproar from faculty and staff who said they were facing steep budget cuts because the universitys finances were faltering.

The raise was among several issues cited by the Faculty Senate when they passed a vote of no confidence.

A representative for the Faculty Senate declined to comment Tuesday.

Faculty and staff reached by The Sentinel said they remain uncertain about the budget despite an audit showing the universitys financial position had improved.

Gordon was hired in August 2019, coming to Nacogdoches from Eastern Washington University where he served as provost. His salary and other compensation totals $365,000 a year, according to documents on file with the Legislative Budget Board.
Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world's busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

The two-term Republican governor, who has ordered that commercial trucks from Mexico undergo extra inspections as part of a fight with President Joe Biden's administration over immigration, refused to fully reverse course as traffic remains snarled.

The standoff has stoked warnings by trade groups and experts that U.S. grocery shoppers could soon notice shortages on shelves and higher prices unless the normal flow of trucks resumes.

Abbott announced Wednesday that he would stop inspections at one bridge in Laredo after reaching an agreement with the governor of neighboring Nuevo Leon in Mexico. But some of the most dramatic truck backups and bridge closures have occurred elsewhere along Texas' 1,200-mile border.

I understand the concerns that businesses have trying to move product across the border, Abbott said during a visit to Laredo. But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border.

Abbott said inbound commercial trucks elsewhere will continue to undergo thorough inspections by state troopers until leaders of Mexico's three other neighboring states reach agreements with Texas over security. He did not spell out what those measures must entail.

At the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, where more produce crosses than any other land port in the U.S., truckers protesting Abbott's order had effectively shut down the bridge since Monday. But Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said the protests had concluded and commercial traffic had resumed.

Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia joined Abbott in Laredo, where backups on the Colombia Solidarity Bridge have stretched for three hours or longer. Garcia said Nuevo Leon would begin checkpoints to assure Abbott they would not have any trouble."

Abbott said he was hopeful other Mexican states would soon follow and said those states had been in contact with his office. On Tuesday, the governors of Coahuila and Tamaulipas had sent a letter to Abbott calling the inspections overzealous.

This policy will ultimately increase consumer costs in an already record 40-year inflated market  holding the border hostage is not the answer," the letter read.

The slowdowns are the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. Abbott ordered the inspections as part of unprecedented actions he promised in response to the Biden administration winding down a public health law that has limited asylum-seekers in the name of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to the inspections, Abbott also said Texas would begin offering migrants bus rides to Washington, D.C., in a demonstration of frustration with the Biden administration and Congress. Hours before the news conference in Laredo, Abbott announced the first bus carrying 24 migrants had arrived in Washington.

During the last week of March, Border Protection officials said the border averaged more than 7,100 crossings daily.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called Abbotts order unnecessary and redundant. Trucks are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents upon entering the country, and while Texas troopers have previously done additional inspections on some vehicles, local officials and business owners say troopers have never stopped every truck until now.

Cross-border traffic has plummeted to a third of normal levels since the inspections began, according to Mexico's government. Mexico is a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S., and importers say the wait times and rerouting of trucks to other bridges as far away as Arizona has spoiled some produce shipments.

The escalating pressure on Abbott, who is up for reelection in November, has come from his supporters and members of his own party.

The Texas Trucking Association, which has endorsed Abbott, said that the current situation cannot be sustained.

John Esparza, the association's president, said he agrees with attempts to find a remedy with Mexico's governors. But he said if talks take long, congestion could overwhelm bridges where inspections by Texas are no longer being done.

The longer that goes, the more the impact is felt across the country, Esparza said.  It is like when a disaster strikes.

The slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Critics question how the inspections are meeting Abbotts objective of stopping the flow of migrants and drugs. Asked what troopers had turned up in their truck inspections, Abbott directed the question to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As of Monday, the agency said it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the inspections turned up migrants or drugs.

____

Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show it's Customs and Border Protection.
To the editor,

Leora Levys opinion piece appeals to her readers conscience. But her criticism of President Joe Bidens responses to the events in Ukraine are unjustifiable. I am in complete agreement with her moral outrage over the unprovoked Russian military assaults in Ukraine that we have witnessed since late February. She relates to the current refugee crisis of the Ukrainian people from a personal perspective, having escaped the communist regime of Fidel Castro in 1960. I concur with her humanitarian sympathies.

But politics, not ethics, shape her argument. Levy claims that by not seizing Russian tankers in U.S. waters and opening the spigots of American oil and gas Biden is immoral and cruel to the current workforce in those industries and to consumers who must pay higher gas prices. Her ad hominem criticism of Bidens environmental policies since taking office in 2021, including cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline and protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil exploration and drilling implies a false equivalency. Those policies do not affect the lives of Americans in ways comparable to Putins military forces that are killing innocent Ukrainian civilians and loyal soldiers defending their homes, as she suggests. Her further unfounded claim that Bidens leadership has enabled Putins forces is merely divisive political rhetoric.

Ms. Levy wants the United States to act unilaterally to send planes and armaments into Ukraine. I would ask her to consider the example of the Cuban Missile Crisis, comparable in several aspects to the current crisis. Diplomatic negotiations and military restraint brought an end to the tense confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States and to the threat at the time of a nuclear war. In response to the events in Ukraine, President Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, with a coalition of allies in the EU and NATO are exerting diplomatic, economic, and political forces to end the violence of Putins invasion. Yes, those efforts will have economic and political costs at home as well. But the hope is that collectively they will secure a less explosive international alignment and support democratic footholds in the region.

As to the obligations to our children and grandchildren, open-minded debate and embrace of known science must shape our environmental ethics to attain a legacy we can be proud of. Politics is only a way to create practical compromise on a path to energy independence. Theres no use for a rigidly fixed mindset in finding constructive compromise. If Ms. Levy has high-minded political aspirations, she would be wise to promote unbiased opinions.

Martha Moore Crowley, Ph.D.

Greenwich
To the editor,

Re: Commentary April 8, by Leora Levy, Bidens failures in Ukraine have led to deaths and destruction.

There is an old saying; Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread. Leora Levy, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate frightens me. She blames our President Joe Biden for what she calls failures in the Ukraine for the death and destruction now taking place in that part of the world.

The blame falls upon one man, the authoritarian, fascist demigod Vladimir Putin of Russia. Our president has promised that no boots on the ground by American military forces will be sent to the Ukraine. President Biden has gathered together our European allies to bring about Ukraine freedom by, imposing economic sanctions on the Russian leader.

Ms. Levy states when diplomacy fails to resolve a crisis it is the military that must take the baton. The weaponry all sides have today is far greater than ever before in the history of weapons. We can kill millions of Russians with one large size nuclear bomb and they can retaliate and kill millions with their bombs. Let President Biden and our allies play out their present mission, treading cautiously, not waving a baton of war.

We are not a nation of cowards. As I mentioned above, Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.

Marvin Cohen
$75-125

Join DCOWA and the Dayton Peace Prize Cttee on Saturday, May 7, in honoring Ambassador Tony Hall, recipient of the 2020 Dayton Peace Prize. Rescheduled from January, previous tickets honored

In 2022 the Dayton Council on World Affairs celebrates its 75th anniversary with our annual meeting, gala dinner, and silent auction in support of the Junior Council. This year we join with the Dayton Peace Prize organization as we honor Ambassador Tony P. Hall, recipient of the 2020 Dayton Peace Prize.

Ambassador Hall served in the Ohio legislature and as Dayton's congressmen before being appointed as US ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture. He is now executive director emeritus of The Alliance to End Hunger, has received many awards for his work on world hunger, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. We're fortunate to have him here for this gala event as our keynote speaker.

VIP attendees can arrive at 5:30; the main event with dinner and presentations starts at 6pm. A cash bar will be available. Proceeds will go to benefit the Hall Hunger Initiative.
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Officials from the city police said that anybody with a basic sense of field-based marketing and negotiating skills could register to become a real estate agent. (Representational image/DC

Hyderabad: The Lack of background checks on real estate agents by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TSRERA) is allowing goons to join the business. Police officials said that such elements cheated NRIs and businessmen with bogus deals.

Besides, recent murders have been linked to real estate deals gone wrong or grudge over commission on land transactions.

Officials from the city police said that anybody with a basic sense of field-based marketing and negotiating skills could register to become a real estate agent.

Either the goons themselves get into illegal land dealings or they are hired by land-grabbers who target land parcels and properties with weak owners or NRIs, said K. Naveen Kumar of the Rachakonda police.

After identifying such plots of land, they create fake documents and claim possession of the land. The owner is forced to approach them for trespass. Then, they threaten the owners and ask for a settlement. Most of these deals eventually leads to murder, the official said. There are several such cases in court.

When asked about this, M.S. Shankar from the TS RERA said, We do not check for background or criminal history. Just basic documentation and standard requirements should be met, he said, adding that the rule mentions that the agents must not indulge in any unfair trade practices.

Bloody history

A few of the recent cases involving murder.

March 27: Balapur police arrest eight for murder of rowdy-sheeter Ilyas Nawab.

March 3: Ibrahimpatnam police arrests real estate agents for murder of two realtors.

December 1: Realtor murdered at Trimulgherry by cousin over commission.
VIJAYAWADA: Renovation of 25,000 government schools estimated to cost Rs 11,267 crore in AP under the second phase of Nadu Nedu programme got a shot in the arm. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy gave instructions at the camp office at Tadepalli to speed up works. He further instructed that two junior government colleges be ensured in every mandal, one each for boys and girls thus adding 468 junior government colleges.

Jagananna Vidya Kanuka scheme to provide kits to school students was also emphasised during the meeting. The CM asked officials not to mind the cost as it is the responsibility of the government to take care of students. The officials informed him that the expenditure rose to Rs 960 crore, an addition of Rs 200 crore compared to last year and the kits were ready.

In keeping with the New Education Policy (NEP), the CM directed authorities to set up adequate classrooms for students and start the process to roll out six types of schools in a phased manner from July 2022. He stated that a subject-wise teacher placement programme must be undertaken in line with the categorisation of schools and completed by July 2024. He said that every high school and high school plus school must be affiliated to CBSE and told them to work in that direction. Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy asked officials to make an app for teachers and students for pronunciation of English words and include parents in it. Later, he enquired about the implementation of Jagananna Goru Muddha, and Sampoorna Poshana schemes and ordered authorities to monitor them constantly.

The officials informed that an SOP was done on duties to be performed by women police in the education system. They will be creating awareness on safety in schools and colleges besides educating them on how to use the Disha App.

Meanwhile, education minister Botsa Satyanarayana skipped the first review meeting on the education department. There are rumours that the minister was unhappy with the education portfolio. Sources said the minister was busy with arrangements for the marriage of his brother's daughter and informed the CM that he will skip the meeting.

Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma, school education Special CS Buditi Rajasekhar, finance secretary N. Gulzar, School Education Commissioner S. Suresh Kumar, SSA State Project Director Vetriselvi, and other senior officials were present.
New Delhi: Speedy delivery of justice, reduction in pendency of litigations and rising vacancies in the judiciary are likely to top the agenda of a conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to be held on April 30 after a gap of six years.

The conference is a platform to discuss challenges being faced by the judiciary and it was last held on April 24, 2016.

Such conferences are usually inaugurated by the prime minister in the presence of the Chief Justice of India and the Union law minister. This time too the prime minster is likely to inaugurate the day-long meet.

Though the agenda for the conference is yet to be finalised, sources in the government said issues such as speedy delivery of justice, vacancies in lower courts and the 25 high courts, judicial infrastructure and reduction in pendency are likely to come up for deliberations.

A few months ago, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana had sent a proposal to the government to set up a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI) to ensure adequate infrastructure for courts.

The proposed organisation will act as a central body in laying down the road map for planning, creation, development, maintenance, and management of functional infrastructure for the Indian court system.

The government has informed Parliament that the proposal has been sent to states for their comments as the state governments are key players in developing infrastructure for high courts and the lower judiciary.

Though it is not yet clear whether the issue of NJIAI will form part of the agenda, it may come up for discussion as a broader agenda for enhancement of infrastructure facilities for courts, the sources said.

After the inauguration of the conference, various working sessions are held where chief ministers and chief justices discuss the agenda items and try to reach a consensus.

Usually such conferences are held every two years but there have been exceptions. While the last conference was held in April 2016, the one before it was held in 2015. Before that, the conference was held in 2013.
Vijayawada: The Supreme Court directed the Andhra Pradesh government not to transfer funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to personal deposit account.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna heard a petition on Wednesday over objections against the diversion of SDRF funds meant for providing ex gratia of Rs 50,000 per head, to the kin of the deceased due to Covid-19, to the personal deposit account.

The court issued directions to serve a notice to Andhra Pradesh government and also restrain it from transferring funds from SDRF to personal deposit account. The court said that if the funds were already diverted, they should not be used for the purpose other than under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The advocate and petitioner-in-person Gaurav Kumar Bansal informed the court that the Centre had come to know about the diversion of SDRF funds by the AP government and directed it to take corrective measures earlier. The case is posted for next hearing on April 28.

Meanwhile, the petitioner relied on the statement made of Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary in reply to a query by TD MP Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in the Budget Session of Lok Sabha in February with reference to CAGs report. The statement said that AP government received Rs 324.15 crore as the Central share of SDRF and Rs 570.91 crore under National Disaster Relief Fund.

AP transferred Rs 1,100 crore to the Personal Deposit Account of Directorate of Agriculture towards payment of input subsidy to farmers for kharif as gratuitous relief and this amount again was transferred to PD Account of commissioner, Directorate of Agriculture on March 31, 2020. The state government transferred this amount to PF account by showing expenditure as disaster relief and rehabilitation in violation of the Appropriation Act.

The entire expenditure transferred to PD account was adjusted from SDRF by showing it as expenditure deducted in violation of SDRF accounting procedure. Booking the expenditure without actually incurring it raised questions about the accuracy of expenditure figures of the state government.

Moreover, the AP government said that these funds were demarcated for pandemic related expenditure and were used in the following financial year even as SDRF guidelines allow adjustment of expenditure from the fund only for expenditure incurred on providing immediate relief.

However, the state government transferred the funds from SDRF to PD Account without spending on immediate relief.

SC advocate and petitioner Gaurav Kumar Bansal said, The AP government flouted all norms to divert funds from SDRF to PD account to implement welfare schemes and give freebies to the poor. The SC directed it not to divert funds from SDRF and also not to utilise such funds in case already diverted so that the funds released to be used for the purpose they are meant for like providing relief to the Covid-19 victims families.
Hyderabad: In a huge relief to AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, the special court dealing with criminal cases registered against public representatives on Wednesday acquitted him from all charges against him in connection with two alleged hate speeches by him at Nirmal and Nizamabad in December 2012.

Addressing a massive rally in Nirmal town, he warned that Muslims would demonstrate their physical strength if the police were away from the roads for 15 minutes. He reportedly demeaned Hindu deities at a speech in Nizamabad.

Based on the videos viralled in the social media, several complaints were filed and police registered cases under IPC sections 120-B, 153-A, 295 (A), 298 and 188. The CID investigated the Nizamabad case and filed a chargesheet in 2016 while the district police, who probed the Nirmal case, submitted their chargesheet in the same year. A total of 41 witnesses were examined in the Nizamabad case and 33 people in the Nirmal case. The prosecution also filed a forensic report obtained from the Chandigarh FSL in connection with the audio/video recording.

However, the special court found Owaisi not guilty in the cases registered against him. It found the evidence provided by the prosecution insufficient and gave Owaisi the benefit of doubt. Meanwhile, the court cautioned him against making such comments or speeches again. It also directed him not to publicly celebrate the clean chit given to him.

There was no significant evidence with the prosecution to prove the charges against the legislator and hence, the acquittal, said M.A. Azeem, counsel for Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Note from the editorial board: Today we are reproducing a pair of very important articles that blow sky high all the lying western propaganda that has surrounded the war in Ukraine from day one up to the present. The author of these remarkable documents is not a Marxist. Far from it. He is Jacques Baud, a former colonel in the Swiss army and ex-member of the Swiss Strategic Intelligence Service. He also worked for NATO, during and after the 2014 Ukraine crisis, following which he participated in programmes related to Ukraine.

We do not necessarily subscribe to every dot and comma in these articles, nor to anything else Baud may have written. But the very fact that this critique comes, not from a Marxist, but from a former high-ranking official of western intelligence and NATO, renders it a hundred times more valuable.

In their totality, these documents represent a devastating rebuttal of lies told in the western press about the Ukraine war. And they provide a striking confirmation of everything that marxist.com has been saying since the beginning of the conflict.

We ask our readers to give this article the widest possible circulation.

The locomotive of history is truth, not lies. (L. Trotsky)

About the author

Jacques Baud attained the rank of colonel in the Swiss armed forces, and between 1983 and 1990 was a member of the Swiss Strategic Intelligence Service. He was involved in discussions with Russian military and intelligence officials at the highest level, just after the fall of the USSR.

In 1995, he led United Nations missions in Africa to assist refugees, and in 1997 organised projects to fight against anti-personnel mines. In 2002, he joined the Centre for International Security Policy (CPSI) at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; and in 2005, led a civilian-military intelligence center for the UN mission in Sudan.

In 2009-2011, he served as Head of Policy and Doctrine with the Office of Military Affairs at the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York, before returning to Africa to lead the Research Department of the International Peace Support Training Center (IPSTC) in Nairobi. Starting in 2013, he worked for NATOs Political Affairs and Security Policy Division in Brussels.

He holds degrees in International Security and Humanitarian Law from the Graduate Institute for International Relations in Geneva, and has written a number of books on warfare, intelligence and terrorism.

Originally published in French here and here, and reproduced in English here and here. Also reproduced in Swiss news outlet Bon Pour la Tete.

The Military Situation In The Ukraine

1 April 2022

Part One: The Road To War

For years, from Mali to Afghanistan, I have worked for peace and risked my life for it. It is therefore not a question of justifying war, but of understanding what led us to it. I notice that the experts who take turns on television analyze the situation on the basis of dubious information, most often hypotheses erected as factsand then we no longer manage to understand what is happening. This is how panics are created.

The problem is not so much to know who is right in this conflict, but to question the way our leaders make their decisions.

Lets try to examine the roots of the conflict. It starts with those who for the last eight years have been talking about separatists or independentists from Donbass. This is not true. The referendums conducted by the two self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in May 2014, were not referendums of independence (), as some unscrupulous journalists have claimed, but referendums of self-determination or autonomy (). The qualifier pro-Russian suggests that Russia was a party to the conflict, which was not the case, and the term Russian speakers would have been more honest. Moreover, these referendums were conducted against the advice of Vladimir Putin.

In fact, these Republics were not seeking to separate from Ukraine, but to have a status of autonomy, guaranteeing them the use of the Russian language as an official language. For the first legislative act of the new government resulting from the overthrow of President Yanukovych, was the abolition, on February 23, 2014, of the Kivalov-Kolesnichenko law of 2012 that made Russian an official language. A bit like if putschists decided that French and Italian would no longer be official languages in Switzerland.

This decision caused a storm in the Russian-speaking population. The result was a fierce repression against the Russian-speaking regions (Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Lugansk and Donetsk) which was carried out beginning in February 2014 and led to a militarization of the situation and some massacres (in Odessa and Marioupol, for the most notable). At the end of summer 2014, only the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk remained.

At this stage, too rigid and engrossed in a doctrinaire approach to the art of operations, the Ukrainian general staff subdued the enemy without managing to prevail. The examination of the course of the fighting in 2014-2016 in the Donbass shows that the Ukrainian general staff systematically and mechanically applied the same operative schemes. However, the war waged by the autonomists was very similar to what we observed in the Sahel: highly mobile operations conducted with light means. With a more flexible and less doctrinaire approach, the rebels were able to exploit the inertia of Ukrainian forces to repeatedly trap them.

In 2014, when I was at NATO, I was responsible for the fight against the proliferation of small arms, and we were trying to detect Russian arms deliveries to the rebels, to see if Moscow was involved. The information we received then came almost entirely from Polish intelligence services and did not fit with the information coming from the OSCEdespite rather crude allegations, there were no deliveries of weapons and military equipment from Russia.

The rebels were armed thanks to the defection of Russian-speaking Ukrainian units that went over to the rebel side. As Ukrainian failures continued, tank, artillery and anti-aircraft battalions swelled the ranks of the autonomists. This is what pushed the Ukrainians to commit to the Minsk Agreements.

But just after signing the Minsk 1 Agreements, the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko launched a massive anti-terrorist operation (ATO/ ) against the Donbass. Bis repetita placent: poorly advised by NATO officers, the Ukrainians suffered a crushing defeat in Debaltsevo, which forced them to engage in the Minsk 2 Agreements.

It is essential to recall here that Minsk 1 (September 2014) and Minsk 2 (February 2015) Agreements did not provide for the separation or independence of the Republics, but their autonomy within the framework of Ukraine. Those who have read the Agreements (there are very, very, very few of those who actually have) will note that it is written in all letters that the status of the Republics was to be negotiated between Kiev and the representatives of the Republics, for an internal solution to the Ukraine.

That is why since 2014, Russia has systematically demanded their implementation while refusing to be a party to the negotiations, because it was an internal matter of the Ukraine. On the other side, the Westled by Francesystematically tried to replace the Minsk Agreements with the Normandy format, which put Russians and Ukrainians face-to-face. However, let us remember that there were never any Russian troops in the Donbass before 23-24 February 2022. Moreover, OSCE observers have never observed the slightest trace of Russian units operating in the Donbass. For example, the U.S. intelligence map published by the Washington Post on December 3, 2021 does not show Russian troops in the Donbass.

In October 2015, Vasyl Hrytsak, director of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), confessed that only 56 Russian fighters had been observed in the Donbass. This was exactly comparable to the Swiss who went to fight in Bosnia on weekends, in the 1990s, or the French who go to fight in the Ukraine today.

The Ukrainian army was then in a deplorable state. In October 2018, after four years of war, the chief Ukrainian military prosecutor, Anatoly Matios, stated that Ukraine had lost 2,700 men in the Donbass: 891 from illnesses, 318 from road accidents, 177 from other accidents, 175 from poisonings (alcohol, drugs), 172 from careless handling of weapons, 101 from breaches of security regulations, 228 from murders and 615 from suicides.

In fact, the army was undermined by the corruption of its cadres and no longer enjoyed the support of the population. According to a British Home Office report, in the March/April 2014 recall of reservists, 70 percent did not show up for the first session, 80 percent for the second, 90 percent for the third, and 95 percent for the fourth. In October/November 2017, 70% of conscripts did not show up for the Fall 2017 recall campaign. This is not counting suicides and desertions (often over to the autonomists), which reached up to 30 percent of the workforce in the ATO area. Young Ukrainians refused to go and fight in the Donbass and preferred emigration, which also explains, at least partially, the demographic deficit of the country.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense then turned to NATO to help make its armed forces more attractive. Having already worked on similar projects within the framework of the United Nations, I was asked by NATO to participate in a program to restore the image of the Ukrainian armed forces. But this is a long-term process and the Ukrainians wanted to move quickly.

So, to compensate for the lack of soldiers, the Ukrainian government resorted to paramilitary militias. They are essentially composed of foreign mercenaries, often extreme right-wing militants. In 2020, they constituted about 40 percent of the Ukrainian forces and numbered about 102,000 men, according to Reuters. They were armed, financed and trained by the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France. There were more than 19 nationalitiesincluding Swiss.

Western countries have thus clearly created and supported Ukrainian far-right militias. In October 2021, the Jerusalem Post sounded the alarm by denouncing the Centuria project. These militias had been operating in the Donbass since 2014, with Western support. Even if one can argue about the term Nazi, the fact remains that these militias are violent, convey a nauseating ideology and are virulently anti-Semitic. Their anti-Semitism is more cultural than political, which is why the term Nazi is not really appropriate. Their hatred of the Jew stems from the great famines of the 1920s and 1930s in the Ukraine, resulting from Stalins confiscation of crops to finance the modernization of the Red Army. This genocideknown in the Ukraine as the Holodomorwas perpetrated by the NKVD (the forerunner of the KGB), whose upper echelons of leadership were mainly composed of Jews. This is why, today, Ukrainian extremists are asking Israel to apologize for the crimes of communism, as the Jerusalem Post notes. This is a far cry from Vladimir Putins rewriting of history.

These militias, originating from the far-right groups that animated the Euromaidan revolution in 2014, are composed of fanatical and brutal individuals. The best known of these is the Azov Regiment, whose emblem is reminiscent of the 2nd SS Das Reich Panzer Division, which is revered in the Ukraine for liberating Kharkov from the Soviets in 1943, before carrying out the 1944 Oradour-sur-Glane massacre in France.

Among the famous figures of the Azov regiment was the opponent Roman Protassevitch, arrested in 2021 by the Belarusian authorities following the case of RyanAir flight FR4978. On May 23, 2021, the deliberate hijacking of an airliner by a MiG-29supposedly with Putins approvalwas mentioned as a reason for arresting Protassevich, although the information available at the time did not confirm this scenario at all.

But then it was necessary to show that President Lukashenko was a thug and Protassevich a journalist who loved democracy. However, a rather revealing investigation produced by an American NGO in 2020 highlighted Protassevitchs far-right militant activities. The Western conspiracy movement then started, and unscrupulous media air-brushed his biography. Finally, in January 2022, the ICAO report was published and showed that despite some procedural errors, Belarus acted in accordance with the rules in force and that the MiG-29 took off 15 minutes after the RyanAir pilot decided to land in Minsk. So no Belarusian plot and even less Putin. Ah! Another detail: Protassevitch, cruelly tortured by the Belarusian police, was now free. Those who would like to correspond with him, can go on his Twitter account.

The characterization of the Ukrainian paramilitaries as Nazis or neo-Nazis is considered Russian propaganda. Perhaps. But thats not the view of the Times of Israel, the Simon Wiesenthal Center or the West Point Academys Center for Counterterrorism. But thats still debatable, because in 2014, Newsweek magazine seemed to associate them more with the Islamic State. Take your pick!

So, the West supported and continued to arm militias that have been guilty of numerous crimes against civilian populations since 2014: rape, torture and massacres. But while the Swiss government has been very quick to take sanctions against Russia, it has not adopted any against the Ukraine, which has been massacring its own population since 2014. In fact, those who defend human rights in the Ukraine have long condemned the actions of these groups, but have not been supported by our governments. Because, in reality, we are not trying to help the Ukraine, but to fight Russia.

The integration of these paramilitary forces into the National Guard was not at all accompanied by a denazification, as some claim. Among the many examples, that of the Azov Regiments insignia is instructive:

In 2022, very schematically, the Ukrainian armed forces fighting the Russian offensive were organized as:

The Army, subordinated to the Ministry of Defense. It is organized into 3 army corps and composed of maneuver formations (tanks, heavy artillery, missiles, etc.).

The National Guard, which depends on the Ministry of the Interior and is organized into 5 territorial commands.

The National Guard is therefore a territorial defense force that is not part of the Ukrainian army. It includes paramilitary militias, called volunteer battalions ( ), also known by the evocative name of reprisal battalions, and composed of infantry. Primarily trained for urban combat, they now defend cities such as Kharkov, Mariupol, Odessa, Kiev, etc.

Part Two: The War

As a former head of the Warsaw Pact forces in the Swiss strategic intelligence service, I observe with sadnessbut not astonishmentthat our services are no longer able to understand the military situation in Ukraine. The self-proclaimed experts who parade on our screens tirelessly relay the same information modulated by the claim that Russiaand Vladimir Putinis irrational. Lets take a step back.

1. The Outbreak Of War

Since November 2021, the Americans have been constantly threatening a Russian invasion of the Ukraine. However, the Ukrainians did not seem to agree. Why not?

We have to go back to March 24, 2021. On that day, Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree for the recapture of the Crimea, and began to deploy his forces to the south of the country. At the same time, several NATO exercises were conducted between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, accompanied by a significant increase in reconnaissance flights along the Russian border. Russia then conducted several exercises to test the operational readiness of its troops and to show that it was following the evolution of the situation.

Things calmed down until October-November with the end of the ZAPAD 21 exercises, whose troop movements were interpreted as a reinforcement for an offensive against the Ukraine. However, even the Ukrainian authorities refuted the idea of Russian preparations for a war, and Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukrainian Minister of Defense, states that there had been no change on its border since the spring.

In violation of the Minsk Agreements, the Ukraine was conducting air operations in Donbass using drones, including at least one strike against a fuel depot in Donetsk in October 2021. The American press noted this, but not the Europeans; and no one condemned these violations.

In February 2022, events were precipitated. On February 7, during his visit to Moscow, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed to Vladimir Putin his commitment to the Minsk Agreements, a commitment he would repeat after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky the next day. But on February 11, in Berlin, after nine hours of work, the meeting of political advisors of the leaders of the Normandy format ended, without any concrete result: the Ukrainians still refused to apply the Minsk Agreements, apparently under pressure from the United States. Vladimir Putin noted that Macron had made empty promises and that the West was not ready to enforce the agreements, as it had been doing for eight years.

Ukrainian preparations in the contact zone continued. The Russian Parliament became alarmed; and on February 15 asked Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of the Republics, which he refused to do.

On 17 February, President Joe Biden announced that Russia would attack the Ukraine in the next few days. How did he know this? It is a mystery. But since the 16th, the artillery shelling of the population of Donbass increased dramatically, as the daily reports of the OSCE observers show. Naturally, neither the media, nor the European Union, nor NATO, nor any Western government reacts or intervenes. It will be said later that this is Russian disinformation. In fact, it seems that the European Union and some countries have deliberately kept silent about the massacre of the Donbass population, knowing that this would provoke a Russian intervention.

At the same time, there were reports of sabotage in the Donbass. On 18 January, Donbass fighters intercepted saboteurs, who spoke Polish and were equipped with Western equipment and who were seeking to create chemical incidents in Gorlivka. They could have been CIA mercenaries, led or advised by Americans and composed of Ukrainian or European fighters, to carry out sabotage actions in the Donbass Republics.

In fact, as early as February 16, Joe Biden knew that the Ukrainians had begun shelling the civilian population of Donbass, putting Vladimir Putin in front of a difficult choice: to help Donbass militarily and create an international problem, or to stand by and watch the Russian-speaking people of Donbass being crushed.

If he decided to intervene, Putin could invoke the international obligation of Responsibility To Protect (R2P). But he knew that whatever its nature or scale, the intervention would trigger a storm of sanctions. Therefore, whether Russian intervention were limited to the Donbass or went further to put pressure on the West for the status of the Ukraine, the price to pay would be the same. This is what he explained in his speech on February 21.

On that day, he agreed to the request of the Duma and recognized the independence of the two Donbass Republics and, at the same time, he signed friendship and assistance treaties with them.

The Ukrainian artillery bombardment of the Donbass population continued, and, on 23 February, the two Republics asked for military assistance from Russia. On 24 February, Vladimir Putin invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which provides for mutual military assistance in the framework of a defensive alliance.

In order to make the Russian intervention totally illegal in the eyes of the public we deliberately hid the fact that the war actually started on February 16. The Ukrainian army was preparing to attack the Donbass as early as 2021, as some Russian and European intelligence services were well aware. Jurists will judge.

In his speech of February 24, Vladimir Putin stated the two objectives of his operation: demilitarize and denazify the Ukraine. So, it is not a question of taking over the Ukraine, nor even, presumably, of occupying it; and certainly not of destroying it.

From then on, our visibility on the course of the operation is limited: the Russians have an excellent security of operations (OPSEC) and the details of their planning are not known. But fairly quickly, the course of the operation allows us to understand how the strategic objectives were translated on the operational level.

Demilitarization:

ground destruction of Ukrainian aviation, air defense systems and reconnaissance assets;

neutralization of command and intelligence structures (C3I), as well as the main logistical routes in the depth of the territory;

encirclement of the bulk of the Ukrainian army massed in the southeast of the country.

Denazification:

destruction or neutralization of volunteer battalions operating in the cities of Odessa, Kharkov, and Mariupol, as well as in various facilities in the territory.

2. Demilitarization

The Russian offensive was carried out in a very classic manner. Initiallyas the Israelis had done in 1967with the destruction on the ground of the air force in the very first hours. Then, we witnessed a simultaneous progression along several axes according to the principle of flowing water: advance everywhere where resistance was weak and leave the cities (very demanding in terms of troops) for later. In the north, the Chernobyl power plant was occupied immediately to prevent acts of sabotage. The images of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers guarding the plant together are of course not shown.

The idea that Russia is trying to take over Kiev, the capital, to eliminate Zelensky, comes typically from the Westthat is what they did in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and what they wanted to do in Syria with the help of the Islamic State. But Vladimir Putin never intended to shoot or topple Zelensky. Instead, Russia seeks to keep him in power by pushing him to negotiate, by surrounding Kiev. Up till now, he had refused to implement the Minsk Agreements. But now the Russians want to obtain the neutrality of the Ukraine.

Many Western commentators were surprised that the Russians continued to seek a negotiated solution while conducting military operations. The explanation lies in the Russian strategic outlook since the Soviet era. For the West, war begins when politics ends. However, the Russian approach follows a Clausewitzian inspiration: war is the continuity of politics and one can move fluidly from one to the other, even during combat. This allows one to create pressure on the adversary and push him to negotiate.

From an operational point of view, the Russian offensive was an example of its kind: in six days, the Russians seized a territory as large as the United Kingdom, with a speed of advance greater than what the Wehrmacht had achieved in 1940.

The bulk of the Ukrainian army was deployed in the south of the country in preparation for a major operation against the Donbass. This is why Russian forces were able to encircle it from the beginning of March in the cauldron between Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Severodonetsk, with a thrust from the East through Kharkov and another from the South from Crimea. Troops from the Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk (LPR) Republics are complementing the Russian forces with a push from the East.

At this stage, Russian forces are slowly tightening the noose, but are no longer under time pressure. Their demilitarization goal is all but achieved and the remaining Ukrainian forces no longer have an operational and strategic command structure.

The slowdown that our experts attribute to poor logistics is only the consequence of having achieved their objectives. Russia does not seem to want to engage in an occupation of the entire Ukrainian territory. In fact, it seems that Russia is trying to limit its advance to the linguistic border of the country.

Our media speak of indiscriminate bombardments against the civilian population, especially in Kharkov, and Dantean images are broadcast in a loop. However, Gonzalo Lira, a Latin American who lives there, presents us with a calm city on March 10 and March 11. It is true that it is a large city and we do not see everythingbut this seems to indicate that we are not in the total war that we are served continuously on our screens.

As for the Donbass Republics, they have liberated their own territories and are fighting in the city of Mariupol.

3. Denazification

In cities like Kharkov, Mariupol and Odessa, the defense is provided by paramilitary militias. They know that the objective of denazification is aimed primarily at them.

For an attacker in an urbanized area, civilians are a problem. This is why Russia is seeking to create humanitarian corridors to empty cities of civilians and leave only the militias, to fight them more easily.

Conversely, these militias seek to keep civilians in the cities in order to dissuade the Russian army from fighting there. This is why they are reluctant to implement these corridors and do everything to ensure that Russian efforts are unsuccessfulthey can use the civilian population as human shields. Videos showing civilians trying to leave Mariupol and beaten up by fighters of the Azov regiment are of course carefully censored here.

On Facebook, the Azov group was considered in the same category as the Islamic State and subject to the platforms policy on dangerous individuals and organizations. It was therefore forbidden to glorify it, and posts that were favorable to it were systematically banned. But on February 24, Facebook changed its policy and allowed posts favorable to the militia. In the same spirit, in March, the platform authorized, in the former Eastern countries, calls for the murder of Russian soldiers and leaders. So much for the values that inspire our leaders, as we shall see.

Our media propagate a romantic image of popular resistance. It is this image that led the European Union to finance the distribution of arms to the civilian population. This is a criminal act. In my capacity as head of peacekeeping doctrine at the UN, I worked on the issue of civilian protection. We found that violence against civilians occurred in very specific contexts. In particular, when weapons are abundant and there are no command structures.

These command structures are the essence of armies: their function is to channel the use of force towards an objective. By arming citizens in a haphazard manner, as is currently the case, the EU is turning them into combatants, with the consequential effect of making them potential targets. Moreover, without command, without operational goals, the distribution of arms leads inevitably to settling of scores, banditry and actions that are more deadly than effective. War becomes a matter of emotions. Force becomes violence. This is what happened in Tawarga (Libya) from 11 to 13 August 2011, where 30,000 black Africans were massacred with weapons parachuted (illegally) by France. By the way, the British Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (RUSI) does not see any added value in these arms deliveries.

Moreover, by delivering arms to a country at war, one exposes oneself to being considered a belligerent. The Russian strikes of March 13, 2022, against the Mykolayev air base follow Russian warnings that arms shipments would be treated as hostile targets.

The EU is repeating the disastrous experience of the Third Reich in the final hours of the Battle of Berlin. War must be left to the military and when one side has lost, it must be admitted. And if there is to be resistance, it must be led and structured. But we are doing exactly the oppositewe are pushing citizens to go and fight and at the same time, Facebook authorizes calls for the murder of Russian soldiers and leaders. So much for the values that inspire us.

Some intelligence services see this irresponsible decision as a way to use the Ukrainian population as cannon fodder to fight Vladimir Putins Russia. This kind of murderous decision should have been left to the colleagues of Ursula von der Leyens grandfather. It would have been better to engage in negotiations and thus obtain guarantees for the civilian population than to add fuel to the fire. It is easy to be combative with the blood of others.

4. The Maternity Hospital At Mariupol

It is important to understand beforehand that it is not the Ukrainian army that is defending Marioupol, but the Azov militia, composed of foreign mercenaries.

In its March 7, 2022 summary of the situation, the Russian UN mission in New York stated that Residents report that Ukrainian armed forces expelled staff from the Mariupol city birth hospital No. 1 and set up a firing post inside the facility.

On March 8, the independent Russian media Lenta.ru, published the testimony of civilians from Marioupol who told that the maternity hospital was taken over by the militia of the Azov regiment, and who drove out the civilian occupants by threatening them with their weapons. They confirmed the statements of the Russian ambassador a few hours earlier.

The hospital in Mariupol occupies a dominant position, perfectly suited for the installation of anti-tank weapons and for observation. On 9 March, Russian forces struck the building. According to CNN, 17 people were wounded, but the images do not show any casualties in the building and there is no evidence that the victims mentioned are related to this strike. There is talk of children, but in reality, there is nothing. This may be true, but it may not be true. This does not prevent the leaders of the EU from seeing this as a war crime. And this allows Zelensky to call for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

In reality, we do not know exactly what happened. But the sequence of events tends to confirm that Russian forces struck a position of the Azov regiment and that the maternity ward was then free of civilians.

The problem is that the paramilitary militias that defend the cities are encouraged by the international community not to respect the customs of war. It seems that the Ukrainians have replayed the scenario of the Kuwait City maternity hospital in 1990, which was totally staged by the firm Hill & Knowlton for $10.7 million in order to convince the United Nations Security Council to intervene in Iraq for Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Western politicians have accepted civilian strikes in the Donbass for eight years, without adopting any sanctions against the Ukrainian government. We have long since entered a dynamic where Western politicians have agreed to sacrifice international law towards their goal of weakening Russia.

Part Three: Conclusions

As an ex-intelligence professional, the first thing that strikes me is the total absence of Western intelligence services in the representation of the situation over the past year. In Switzerland, the services have been criticized for not having provided a correct picture of the situation. In fact, it seems that throughout the Western world, intelligence services have been overwhelmed by the politicians. The problem is that it is the politicians who decidethe best intelligence service in the world is useless if the decision-maker does not listen. This is what happened during this crisis.

That said, while some intelligence services had a very accurate and rational picture of the situation, others clearly had the same picture as that propagated by our media. In this crisis, the services of the countries of the new Europe played an important role. The problem is that, from experience, I have found them to be extremely bad at the analytical leveldoctrinaire, they lack the intellectual and political independence necessary to assess a situation with military quality. It is better to have them as enemies than as friends.

Second, it seems that in some European countries, politicians have deliberately ignored their services in order to respond ideologically to the situation. That is why this crisis has been irrational from the beginning. It should be noted that all the documents that were presented to the public during this crisis were presented by politicians based on commercial sources.

Some Western politicians obviously wanted there to be a conflict. In the United States, the attack scenarios presented by Anthony Blinken to the Security Council were only the product of the imagination of a Tiger Team working for himhe did exactly as Donald Rumsfeld did in 2002, who had thus bypassed the CIA and other intelligence services that were much less assertive about Iraqi chemical weapons.

The dramatic developments we are witnessing today have causes that we knew about but refused to see:

on the strategic level, the expansion of NATO (which we have not dealt with here);

on the political level, the Western refusal to implement the Minsk Agreements;

and operationally, the continuous and repeated attacks on the civilian population of the Donbass over the past years and the dramatic increase in late February 2022.

In other words, we can naturally deplore and condemn the Russian attack. But WE (that is: the United States, France and the European Union in the lead) have created the conditions for a conflict to break out. We show compassion for the Ukrainian people and the two million refugees. That is fine. But if we had had a modicum of compassion for the same number of refugees from the Ukrainian populations of Donbass massacred by their own government and who sought refuge in Russia for eight years, none of this would probably have happened.

As we can see, more than 80% of the victims in Donbass were the result of the Ukrainian armys shelling. For years, the West remained silent about the massacre of Russian-speaking Ukrainians by the government of Kiev, without ever trying to bring pressure on Kiev. It is this silence that forced the Russian side to act. [Source: Conflict-related civilian casualties, United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]

Whether the term genocide applies to the abuses suffered by the people of Donbass is an open question. The term is generally reserved for cases of greater magnitude (Holocaust, etc.). But the definition given by the Genocide Convention is probably broad enough to apply to this case. Legal scholars will understand this.

Clearly, this conflict has led us into hysteria. Sanctions seem to have become the preferred tool of our foreign policies. If we had insisted that Ukraine abide by the Minsk Agreements, which we had negotiated and endorsed, none of this would have happened. Vladimir Putins condemnation is also ours. There is no point in whining afterwardswe should have acted earlier. However, neither Emmanuel Macron (as guarantor and member of the UN Security Council), nor Olaf Scholz, nor Volodymyr Zelensky have respected their commitments. In the end, the real defeat is that of those who have no voice.

The European Union was unable to promote the implementation of the Minsk agreementson the contrary, it did not react when Ukraine was bombing its own population in the Donbass. Had it done so, Vladimir Putin would not have needed to react. Absent from the diplomatic phase, the EU distinguished itself by fueling the conflict. On February 27, the Ukrainian government agreed to enter into negotiations with Russia. But a few hours later, the European Union voted a budget of 450 million euros to supply arms to the Ukraine, adding fuel to the fire. From then on, the Ukrainians felt that they did not need to reach an agreement. The resistance of the Azov militia in Mariupol even led to a boost of 500 million euros for weapons.

In the Ukraine, with the blessing of the Western countries, those who are in favor of a negotiation have been eliminated. This is the case of Denis Kireyev, one of the Ukrainian negotiators, assassinated on March 5 by the Ukrainian secret service (SBU) because he was too favorable to Russia and was considered a traitor. The same fate befell Dmitry Demyanenko, former deputy head of the SBUs main directorate for Kiev and its region, who was assassinated on March 10 because he was too favorable to an agreement with Russiahe was shot by the Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) militia. This militia is associated with the Mirotvorets website, which lists the enemies of Ukraine, with their personal data, addresses and telephone numbers, so that they can be harassed or even eliminated; a practice that is punishable in many countries, but not in the Ukraine. The UN and some European countries have demanded the closure of this siterefused by the Rada.

In the end, the price will be high, but Vladimir Putin will likely achieve the goals he set for himself. His ties with Beijing have solidified. China is emerging as a mediator in the conflict, while Switzerland is joining the list of Russias enemies. The Americans have to ask Venezuela and Iran for oil to get out of the energy impasse they have put themselves inJuan Guaido is leaving the scene for good and the United States has to piteously backtrack on the sanctions imposed on its enemies.

Western ministers who seek to collapse the Russian economy and make the Russian people suffer, or even call for the assassination of Putin, show (even if they have partially reversed the form of their words, but not the substance!) that our leaders are no better than those we hatefor sanctioning Russian athletes in the Para-Olympic Games or Russian artists has nothing to do with fighting Putin.

Thus, we recognize that Russia is a democracy since we consider that the Russian people are responsible for the war. If this is not the case, then why do we seek to punish a whole population for the fault of one? Let us remember that collective punishment is forbidden by the Geneva Conventions.

The lesson to be learned from this conflict is our sense of variable geometric humanity. If we cared so much about peace and the Ukraine, why didnt we encourage the Ukraine to respect the agreements it had signed and that the members of the Security Council had approved?

The integrity of the media is measured by their willingness to work within the terms of the Munich Charter. They succeeded in propagating hatred of the Chinese during the Covid crisis and their polarized message leads to the same effects against the Russians. Journalism is becoming more and more unprofessional and militant.

As Goethe said: The greater the light, the darker the shadow. The more the sanctions against Russia are disproportionate, the more the cases where we have done nothing highlight our racism and servility. Why have no Western politicians reacted to the strikes against the civilian population of Donbass for eight years?

Because finally, what makes the conflict in the Ukraine more blameworthy than the war in Iraq, Afghanistan or Libya? What sanctions have we adopted against those who deliberately lied to the international community in order to wage unjust, unjustified and murderous wars? Have we sought to make the American people suffer for lying to us (because they are a democracy!) before the war in Iraq? Have we adopted a single sanction against the countries, companies or politicians who are supplying weapons to the conflict in Yemen, considered to be the worst humanitarian disaster in the world? Have we sanctioned the countries of the European Union that practice the most abject torture on their territory for the benefit of the United States?

To ask the question is to answer it and the answer is not pretty.

The Military Situation in the UkraineAn Update

11 April 2022

The Operational Situation

As of March 25, 2022, our analysis of the situation confirms the observations and conclusions made in mid-March.

The offensive launched on February 24 is articulated in two lines of effort, in accordance with Russian operational doctrine:

1) A main effort directed toward the south of the country, in the Donbass region, and along the Azov Sea coast. As the doctrine states, the main objectives arethe neutralization of the Ukrainian armed forces (the objective of demilitarization), and the neutralization of ultra-nationalist, paramilitary militias in the cities of Kharkov and Mariupol (the objective of denazification). This primary push is being led by a coalition of forces: through Kharkov and Crimea are Russian forces from the Southern Military District; in the center are militia forces from the Donetsk and Lugansk republics; the Chechen National Guard is contributing with engagement in the urban area of Mariupol;

2) A secondary effort on Kiev, aimed at pinning down Ukrainian (and Western) forces, so as to prevent them from carrying out operations against the main thrust or even taking Russian coalition forces from the rear.

This offensive follows, to the letter, the objectives defined by Vladimir Putin on February 24. But, listening only to their own bias, Western experts and politicians have gotten it into their heads that Russias objective is to take over the Ukraine and overthrow its government. Applying a very Western logic, they see Kiev as the center of gravity (Schwerpunkt) of Ukrainian forces. According to Clausewitz, the center of gravity is the element from which a belligerent derives his strength and ability to act, and is therefore the primary objective of an adversarys strategy. This is why Westerners have systematically tried to take control of capitals in the wars they have fought. Trained and advised by NATO experts, the Ukrainian General Staff has, predictably enough, applied the same logic, focusing on strengthening the defense of Kiev and its surroundings, while leaving its troops helpless in the Donbass, along the axis of the main Russian effort.

If one had listened carefully to Vladimir Putin, one would have realized that the strategic objective of the Russian coalition is not to take over the Ukraine, but to remove any threat to the Russian-speaking population of the Donbass. According to this general objective, the real center of gravity that the Russian coalition is trying to target is the bulk of the Ukrainian armed forces massed in the south-southeast of the country (since the end of 2021), and not Kiev.

Russian Success or Failure?

Convinced that the Russian offensive is aimed at Kiev, Western experts have quite logically concluded that (a) the Russians are stalling, and that (b) their offensive is doomed to failure because they will not be able to hold the country in the long term. The generals who have followed each other on French TV seem to have forgotten what even a second lieutenant comprehends well: Know your enemy!not as one would like him to be, but as he is. With generals like that, we dont need an enemy anymore.

That being said, the Western narrative about a Russian offensive that is bogged down, and whose successes are meager, is also part of the propaganda war waged by both sides. For example, the sequence of maps of operations, published by Liberation from the end of February, shows almost no difference from one day to the next, until March 18th (when the media stopped updating it). Thus, on February 23rd, on France 5 [TV station], the journalist Elise Vincent evaluated the territory taken by the Russian coalition as the equivalent of Switzerland or the Netherlands. In reality, we are more in the area of Great Britain.

As an example, let us observe the difference between the map of the situation on March 25, 2022, as published by Ouest-France:

 and as published by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces:

In addition, it should be noted that Ukrainian forces do not appear on any map (presented in our media) of the conflict-situation. Thus, if the map of the French Ministry of Armed Forces gives a slightly more honest picture of reality, it also carefully avoids mentioning the Ukrainian forces encircled in the Kramatorsk cauldron.

In fact, the situational map, as of March 25, should look more like this:

The Situation as of March 25, 2022. [Poussee principale= main thrust; poussee secondaire= secondary thrust]. The bone-shaped, blue area marks the location of the mass of the Ukrainian army (in reality, this massed Ukrainian army is split into several smaller cauldrons). The red-lined arrows show the overall offensive of the Russian army. The orange-lined arrows show the thrust of the Donbass forces. The red dotted line shows the maximum advance of Russian coalition forces

Moreover, Ukrainian forces are never indicated on our maps, as this would show that they were not deployed on the Russian border in February 2022, but were regrouped in the south of the country, in preparation for their offensive, the initial phase of which began on February 16th. This confirms that Russia was only reacting to a situation initiated by the West, by way of the Ukraine, as we shall see. At present, it is these forces that are encircled in the Kramatorsk cauldron and are being methodically fragmented and neutralized, little by little, in an incremental way, by the Russian coalition.

The vagueness maintained in the West about the situation of the Ukrainian forces, has other effects. First, it maintains the illusion of a possible Ukrainian victory. Thus, instead of encouraging a negotiation process, the West seeks to prolong the war. This is why the European Union and some of its member countries have sent weapons and are encouraging the civilian population and volunteers of all kinds to go and fight, often without training and without any real command structurewith deadly consequences.

We know that in a conflict, each party tends to inform in order to give a favorable image of its actions. However, the image we have of the situation and of the Ukrainian forces is based exclusively on data provided by Kiev. It masks the profound deficiencies of the Ukrainian leadership, even though it was trained and advised by NATO military.

Thus, military logic would have the forces caught in the Kramatorsk cauldron withdraw to a line at the Dnieper, for example, in order to regroup and conduct a counteroffensive. But they were forbidden to withdraw by President Zelensky. Even back in 2014 and 2015, a close examination of the operations showed that the Ukrainians were applying Western-style schemes, totally unsuited to the circumstances, and in the face of a more imaginative, more flexible opponent who possessed lighter leadership structures. It is the same phenomenon today.

In the end, the partial view of the battlefield given to us by our media has made it impossible for the West to help the Ukrainian general staff make the right decisions. And it has led the West to believe that the obvious strategic objective is Kiev; that demilitarization is aimed at the Ukraines membership in NATO; and that denazification is aimed at toppling Zelensky. This legend was fueled by Vladimir Putins appeal to the Ukrainian military to disobey, which was interpreted (with great imagination and bias) as a call to overthrow the government. However, this appeal was aimed at the Ukrainian forces deployed in the Donbass to surrender without fighting. The Western interpretation caused the Ukrainian government to misjudge Russian objectives and misuse its potential of winning.

You dont win a war with biasyou lose it. And thats what is happening. Thus, the Russian coalition was never on the run or stopped by heroic resistanceit simply did not attack where it was expected. We did not want to listen to what Vladimir Putin had explained to us very clearly. This is why the West has thus becomevolens nolensthe main architect of the Ukrainian defeat that is taking shape. Paradoxically, it is probably because of our self-proclaimed experts and recreational strategists on our television sets that the Ukraine is in this situation today.

The Conduct of Battle

As for the course of operations, the analyses presented in our media come most often from politicians or so-called military experts, who relay Ukrainian propaganda.

Lets be clear. A war, whatever else it is, is drama. The problem here is that our strategists in neckties are clearly trying to overdramatize the situation in order to exclude any negotiated solution. This development, however, is prompting some Western military personnel to speak out and offer a more nuanced judgment. Thus, in Newsweek, an analyst from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the American equivalent of the Direction du Renseignement Militaire (DRM) in France, noted that in 24 days of conflict, Russia has carried out some 1,400 strikes and launched nearly 1,000 missiles (by way of comparison, the United States carried out more strikes and launched more missiles on the first day of the Iraq war in 2003).

While the West likes to soften up the battlefield with intensive and prolonged strikes, before sending in ground-troops, the Russians prefer a less destructive, but more troop-intensive approach. On France 5, the journalist Melanie Tarvant presented the death of Russian generals on the battlefield as proof of the destabilization of the Russian army. But this is a profound misunderstanding of the traditions and modes of operation of the Russian army. Whereas in the West, commanders tend to lead from the rear, their Russian counterparts tend to lead from the frontin the West they say, Forward! In Russia, they say, Follow me! This explains the high losses in the upper echelons of command, already observed in Afghanistanbut it also tells of the much more rigorous selection of staff-personnel than in the West.

Furthermore, the DIA analyst noted that the vast majority of the airstrikes are over the battlefield, with Russian aircraft providing close air support to ground forces. The remainderless than 20 percent, according to U.S. expertshas been aimed at military airfields, barracks and supporting depots. Thus, the phrase indiscriminate bombing [that] is devastating cities and killing everyone echoed by the Western media seems to contradict the U.S. intelligence expert, who said, If we merely convince ourselves that Russia is bombing indiscriminately, or [that] it is failing to inflict more harm because its personnel are not up to the task or because it is technically inept, then we are not seeing the real conflict.

In fact, Russian operations differ fundamentally from the Western concept of the same. The Wests obsession with having no fatalities in their own forces leads them to operations that are primarily in the form of very lethal air strikes. Ground troops only intervene when everything has been destroyed. This is why, in Afghanistan or in the Sahel, Westerners killed more civilians than terrorists did. This is why Western countries engaged in Afghanistan, the Middle East and North Africa no longer publish the number of civilian casualties caused by their strikes. In fact, Europeans engaged in regions that only marginally affect their national security, such as the Estonians in the Sahel, go there just to get their feet wet.

In the Ukraine, the situation is very different. One only has to look at a map of linguistic zones to see that the Russian coalition operates almost exclusively in the Russian-speaking zone; thus, among populations that are generally favorable to it. This also explains the statements of a US Air Force officer: I know that the news keeps repeating that Putin is targeting civilians, but there is no evidence that Russia is intentionally doing so.

Conversely, it is for the same reasonbut in a different waythat the Ukraine has deployed its ultra-nationalist paramilitary fighters in major cities, such as Mariupol or Kharkovwithout emotional or cultural ties to the local population, these militias can fight even at the cost of heavy civilian casualties. The atrocities that are currently being uncovered remain hidden by the French-speaking media, for fear of losing support for the Ukraine, as noted by media close to the Republicans in the United States.

After decapitation strikes in the first minutes of the offensive, the Russian operational strategy was to bypass the urban centers, and to envelop the Ukrainian army, pinned down by the forces of the Donbass republics. It is important to remember that the decapitation is not intended to annihilate the general staff or the government (as our experts tend to understand it), but to sunder the leadership structures so as to prevent the coordinated maneuver of forces. On the contrary, the aim is to preserve the leadership structures themselves in order to be able to negotiate a way out of the crisis.

On March 25, 2022, after having sealed the cauldron of Kramatorsk which denied any possibility of retreat to the Ukrainians and having taken most of the cities of Kharkov and Marioupol, Russia has practically fulfilled its objectivesall that remains is to concentrate its efforts on reducing the pockets of resistance. Thus, contrary to what the Western press has claimed, this is not a reorientation or a resizing of its offensive, but the methodical implementation of the objectives announced on February 24.

The Role of the Volunteers

A particularly disturbing aspect of this conflict is the attitude of European governments that allow or encourage their citizens to go and fight in the Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskys call to join the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine, which he recently created, has been greeted with enthusiasm by European countries.

Encouraged by the media that present a routed Russian army, many of these young people head off, imagining they are goingliterallyon a hunting trip. However, once there, disillusionment is high. Testimonies show that these amateurs often end up as cannon fodder, without having any real impact on the outcome of the conflict. The experience of recent conflicts shows that the arrival of foreign fighters brings nothing to a conflict, except to increase its duration and lethality.

Moreover, the arrival of several hundred Islamist fighters from the Idlib region, an area under the control and protection of the Western coalition in Syria (and also the area in which two Islamic State leaders were killed by the Americans) should arouse our concern. Indeed, the weapons we are very liberally supplying to the Ukraine are already partly in the hands of criminal individuals and organizations and are already beginning to pose a security problem for the authorities in Kiev. Not to mention the fact that the weapons that are being touted as effective against Russian aircraft could eventually threaten our military and civilian aircraft.

The volunteer proudly presented by the RTBF on the 7:30 p.m. news of March 8, 2022 was an admirer of the Corps Franc Wallonie, Belgian volunteers who served the Third Reich; and he illustrates the type of people attracted to the Ukraine. In the end, we will have to ask ourselves, who gained the most[in this case] Belgium or the Ukraine?

Distributing weapons indiscriminately could well make the EUvolens nolensa supporter of extremism and even international terrorism. The resultwe are adding misery to misery, in order to satisfy the European elites more than the Ukraine itself.

Three Points Deserve to be Highlighted by Way of Conclusion

1. Western Intelligence, Ignored by Policymakers

Military documents found in Ukrainian headquarters in the south of the country confirm that the Ukraine was preparing to attack the Donbass; and that the firing observed by OSCE observers as early as February 16 heralded an imminent outbreak in days or weeks.

Here, some introspection is necessary for the Westeither its intelligence services did not see what was happening and they are thus very bad, or the political decision-makers chose not to listen to them. We know that Russian intelligence services have far superior analytical capabilities than their Western counterparts. We also know that the American and German intelligence services had very well understood the situation, since the end of 2021, and knew that the Ukraine was preparing to attack the Donbass.

This allows us to deduce that the American and European political leaders deliberately pushed the Ukraine into a conflict that they knew was lost in advancefor the sole purpose of dealing a political blow to Russia.

The reason Zelensky did not deploy his forces to the Russian border, and repeatedly stated that his large neighbor would not attack him, was presumably because he thought he was relying on Western deterrence. This is what he told CNN on March 20thhe was clearly told that the Ukraine would not be part of NATO, but that publicly they would say the opposite. The Ukraine was thus instrumentalized to affect Russia. The objective was the closure of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline, announced on February 8th, by Joe Biden, during the visit of Olaf Scholz; and which was followed by a barrage of sanctions.

2. Broken Diplomacy

Clearly, since the end of 2021, no effort has been made by the West to reactivate the Minsk agreements, as evidenced by the reports of visits and telephone conversations, notably between Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin. However, France, as guarantor of the Minsk Agreements, and as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has not respected its commitments, which has led to the situation that the Ukraine is experiencing today. There is even a feeling that the West has sought to add fuel to the fire since 2014.

Thus, Vladimir Putins placing of nuclear forces on alert on February 27 was presented by our media and politicians as an irrational act or blackmail. What is forgotten is that it followed the thinly veiled threat made by Jean-Yves Le Drian, three days earlier, that NATO could use nuclear weapons. It is very likely that Putin did not take this threat seriously, but wanted to push Western countriesand France in particularto abandon the use of excessive language.

3. The Vulnerability of Europeans to Manipulation is Increasing

Today, the perception propagated by our media is that the Russian offensive has broken down; that Vladimir Putin is crazy, irrational and therefore ready to do anything to break the deadlock in which he supposedly finds himself. In this totally emotional context, the question asked by Republican Senator Marco Rubio during Victoria Nulands hearing before Congress was strange, to say the least: If there is a biological or chemical weapon incident or attack inside the Ukraine, is there any doubt in your mind that 100% it would be the Russians behind it? Naturally, she answered that there is no doubt. Yet there is absolutely no indication that the Russians are using such weapons. Besides, the Russians finished destroying their stockpiles in 2017, while the Americans have not yet destroyed theirs.

Perhaps this means nothing. But in the current atmosphere, all the conditions are now met for an incident to happen that would push the West to become more involved, in some form, in the Ukrainian conflict (a false-flag incident).

Reproduced with permission.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday announced that the government had decided to purchase paddy at minimum support price (MSP) from farmers in the rabi season, which will cost the state about Rs 3,500 crore.

He said that the government had also decided to revoke GO 111, which protects the two drinking water lakes Himayatsagar and Osmansagar.

The Chief Minister, who was briefing the media on the decisions taken by the state Cabinet, said that a committee headed by the Chief Secretary had been formed to frame guidelines on how to protect the two lakes from pollution after GO 111 is revoked, by ensuring adequate green zones and drawing up an effective master plan to regulate construction activity.

The Cabinet also approved the setting up of six private universities which includes one for agriculture, one on pharmaceuticals and another for aviation, and setting up a common recruitment board to fill over 3,500 teaching and non-teaching vacancies in state universities.

The CM stated that paddy procurement centres would be opened in all the villages from Wednesday, and appealed to farmers not to resort to panic selling or selling their produce below MSP to rice millers or traders.

"We did everything from our side to bring pressure on the Centre to procure paddy but there was no response. We dont want farmers to suffer losses on account of the Centre's wrong policies. For that reason, we have decided to purchase paddy on our own although it may put an additional burden of Rs 3,500 crore on the state government. the Chief Minister said.

Our aim was to expose the Centre's double standard on paddy procurement and make it stand guilty before the people with our agitations. We were successful in this," Rao said.

He lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Centre again, accusing them of dividing the people on communal and religious lines to gain votes, in the process causing irreparable loss to the economy, investments and job opportunities. He warned that if this trend was not checked immediately, it would take at least 100 years for India to recover.

The CM announced that he would intensify the agitation against the BJP for its anti-farmer policies. He announced the holding of a national convention of farmers in Hyderabad next month in which an integrated national agriculture policy will be drafted with suggestions from farmers and experts.

"We will announce this new agriculture policy which gives Constitutional protection for farmers to get MSP for their produce. We will demand that the Centre implement this policy. If not, farmers will change the government and bring in a new government which will implement this policy," Rao stated.

The CM took BJP leaders to task for asking why paddy procurement had become a problem only in Telangana and not in other states, and for accusing the TRS government of playing paddy politics..

"Today, Telangana produces a quantity of paddy which no other state can match due to the TRS government's pro-farmer policies, the CM said. In the rabi season, the total crop sown area of paddy in the country is 1.03 crore acres of which Telangana has 35.84 lakh acres. No other state can boast of at least half of what Telangana achieved. It is for this reason that paddy procurement has become an issue in Telangana because the Centre is not in a position to procure the amount of paddy produced in the state," Rao explained.
Adivasi farmers told the Governor that while they were interested in raising horticulture crops in their lands such as palm oil etc., if officials provided saplings, the government, was discouraging them.  Representational image/DC

PUSUKUNTLA (BHADRADRI): Adivasis of Pusukuntla and Gogulagudem in Dammapet mandal in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district poured out their woes to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who visited their villages on Tuesday.

Adivasi farmers said while they are interested in raising horticulture crops in their lands such as palm oil etc., if officials provided saplings, the government, is discouraging them. They said the government is discouraging them despite claiming that Dammapet and Aswaraopet mandals form a horticulture hub.

Speaking on civic amenities, Unnam Narayanamma apprised the Governor that rainwater enters their houses during monsoon and asked her to help in the construction of a protection wall near the hillocks. She also requested the Governor to use her good offices to get pucca houses sanctioned for the Adivasis.

After giving a patient hearing to the Adivasis, the Governor said that she had adopted Pusukuntla and Gogulagudem and all facilities are being provided in a phased manner, one by one.

She said that Adivasi women should be cautious of the health of their kids. "I am very happy to visit your village. I wish to develop these habitations on all fronts and make use of all government schemes," she said.

She set the foundation stone to the community halls and primary school building in these two habitations. She visited some of the houses and interacted with them and she inaugurated a free medical camp on the occasion.

Earlier the Adivasis welcomes the Governor with the traditional kommu dance. Later, she handed over two autorickshaws to the elders of these villages to be used for transportation of the residents to the other places. The Indian Red Cross Society donated the vehicles. to these habitations.
HYDERABAD: Senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao, a former Rajya Sabha member, said that he would tour the state and hold protests against the police for keeping a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in its custody for four years.

The statue was in a police station and had not been installed at the Panjagutta circle in Hyderabad, he said. The state government had dishonoured the statue of the architect of the Constitution, the Congress leader said.

Speaking to reporters at Gandhi Bhavan here on Tuesday, Hanumantha Rao said that former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had followed the principles of Dr Ambedkar for social integration. Being a follower of loyalists of the Gandhi family, I will follow their ideology, he said.

Hanumantha Rao, a former PCC president, said that the Ambedkar statue was unnecessarily removed by the police from the Panjagutta circle after it had been installed. I am ready to sacrifice my life for setting up the Ambedkar statue, he said, turning emotional.

Fabricating false cases, the police kept the statue in the police station, he alleged. We will fight against the anti-Ambedkar attitude of the government, he said.

Hanumantha Rao said he had written to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana over the Ambedkar statue issue. I urged the CJI to take the initiative in this regard, he said.

I have brought the issue to the notice of TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy and CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, he said and asked BSP state coordinator Dr R.S.Praveen Kumar, a former IPS officer, as also leaders of other parties, to react on the issue.

If Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has concern for the Dalits, he should immediately instal the Ambedkar statue at Panjagutta circle, he said.
Sikkim will soon have a separate department for non-performing babus. Chief minister Prem Singh Golay announced this while addressing a meeting of entrepreneurs in Gangtok. It wasnt an April Fools Day gag, in case you are wondering but said with some seriousness, and in the presence of some very senior babus. But those in the know say that this is not the first time that Mr Golay has expressed his exasperation with bureaucratic apathy.

Last year, an extensive drive was conducted against officials reporting late for work in government offices and the latecomers were reprimanded. But the drive petered out within a month and babus were soon back to their old ways.

However, this time, Mr Golay has a definite plan to discipline the obstinate babus. The government is setting up a new department of coordination under the home department with immediate effect, where all engineers, accounts officers, and even the likes of additional chief secretary-level officials, who are known to be lax towards their duties will be transferred. Or sent to Coventry, as the old saying goes!

And to rub it in further, these ostracised babus will not be given official vehicles and other perks theyve enjoyed thus far, only their salaries. The aim is to separate these employees from those who are efficient and productive.

For a public long resigned to the inefficiencies of the system, it all sounds too good to be true. But it is also hoped that steps will be taken to ensure there is no victimisation of honest workers in the name of improving governance.

Subbarao sparks debate on civil services existential crisis

A recent exchange between two former senior IAS officers on the state of the civil service drew some attention in babu circles. Some noted it with dismay and some with concern. It started with D. Subbarao, former RBI governor and former finance secretary, bemoaning that the IAS had turned into elitist, self-serving babus who were out of touch with reality and lost the courage of conviction to stand for whats right.

The sceptics among the public would say that it has become a sort of a trend for some babus to run down the service and distance themselves from it, of course after retirement and with the wisdom of hindsight. But Mr Subbarao has always been known for his sober views, and what he says cannot be discounted easily. Yet Deepak Gupta, former chairman of UPSC and the author of a serious history of the IAS, wrote a riposte to counter the issues that Mr Subbarao had raised.

Undoubtedly, both views merit study and reflection. Its not often that two senior babus cross swords over the fundamental issues of administration. Some observers feel that this debate may have been triggered, especially now, by potential changes to the system the government may be contemplating. The coming weeks and months will likely clear the air.

Netagiri beckons babu?

A little bird tells us that Haryana IAS officer and whistleblower Ashok Khemka, recently promoted to chief secretary grade, could dip his toes into politics. It appears that a party with national ambitions after having tasted success recently is now keen to create a space for itself in Mr Khemkas cadre state.

The whistleblower is best known for canceling Robert Vadras illegal land deal in Gurgaon and having run into trouble with politicians across the board. He has been transferred 54 times in 29 years by various state governments after he exposed corruption in the departments that he had served. The forever-in-transit officer is even the subject of a bestselling biography detailing his checkered career, which can be viewed as either exemplary or a cautionary tale!

Will Mr Khemka cross over to the other side, as is being whispered by some observers? If he does, he certainly wont be the first babu to do so  or the last! Were waiting with bated breath.
Russian troops intensified their campaign to take the port city of Mariupol on Tuesday as part of an anticipated massive onslaught across eastern Ukraine that the United States warned might include the use of chemical weapons. Moscow is believed to be trying to connect occupied Crimea with Russian-backed separatist territories Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas, and has laid siege to the strategically located city, once home to more than 400,000 people. stay tuned for more updates.
Pakistans former interior minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday acknowledged that there were tensions between the powerful Army and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Rashid, head of his Awami Muslim League (AML), had been a vocal supporter of Khan as his minister and ally, and talked about the "misunderstandings" of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) with the military establishment in the wake of his ouster.

A campaign on social media against the armed forces and its leadership was quite active and slogans critical of the Army were also chanted during protests on Sunday following the successful no-confidence motion.

Also Read | Imran Khan 'forcing' PTI lawmakers to resign from Pakistan's National Assembly: PML-N leader

No slogan should be raised against the Army," he said ahead of a key PTI rally in Peshawar, which will be addressed by Khan.

He said that PTI should follow the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz which was critical of Army but make peace to come to power.

"If those (PML-N) who curse [the Army] can make peace with them (the Army), then we should also remove our misunderstandings and establish good relations with them (the Army)," he said.

Talking about PML-Ns heavy criticism of the Army, he said its leaders openly cursed this Army and now they're polishing their boots.

Ruffled by the amount of criticism, the Army on Tuesday took note of it and expressed complete confidence in the leadership's "well-considered stance to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law".

The Federal Investigation Agency arrested eight people in a crackdown on social media activists targeting the Army.

The powerful Pakistan Army has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75 years of existence and has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy.

The Army, however, distanced itself from the recent high-voltage political tussle between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and ousted premier Khan, saying it has nothing to do with politics.

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The Rajasthan Police on Wednesday detained BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and Rajasthan unit president Satish Poonia while they were on their way to violence-hit Karauli.

Police stopped the BJP leaders and workers near Mahua on the Jaipur-Agra highway, with the authorities citing law and order issues.

Despite being asked to get into a bus and taken away from the spot, the protesters kept demanding that they be allowed to meet victims of the April 2 violence, which broke out after a bike rally being carried out to mark the Hindu new year was pelted with stones. Over 30 people were injured in the violence.

"This is Rajasthan and not Afghanistan. The state government should stop giving second-grade treatment to Hindus. I condemn the anti-Hindu and anti-India policy of the state," Surya said after police stopped him.

Surya called the Congress the "modern-day Muslim League" and accused it of committing atrocities against Hindus.

Karauli riots indicate clear lawlessness in Rajasthan The deliberate attempt to disturb Ram Navami shobha yatra & the unwillingness of congress govt. to act against the aggressors is deplorable@BJYM will continue to protest until culprits are brought to justice#ChaloKarauli  Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) April 13, 2022

"The way Indian Muslim League was dividing Hindus and committing atrocities against them, today Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot are continuing the same tradition," Surya alleged.

Earlier in the day, BJYM workers took out a "Nyay Rally" to meet victims of the violence in Karauli. When police stopped them near Mahua on the Jaipur-Agra highway, they sat on a dharna.

According to police, the BJP leaders were stopped from going to Karauli as a curfew was in place.

Reacting to the BJP's march, Congress National Convenor for Social Media Nitin Agarwal said that, "the BJP is trying to polarise to expand its base in Eastern Rajasthan where the saffron party has poor presence."

When situation is becoming normal due to quick action by the Rajasthan Government, the BJP is indulging in instigating people to take political mileage, he alleged.

The BJP should concentrate on burning issues like price rise and lack of jobs instead of spreading hatred between communities. Rajasthan is known for being the most peaceful state and BJP's attempt to divide the society on communal lines will not succeed, he said.

The BJP also faced criticism for handling the law order situation in Madhya Pradesh where curfew continued in violence-hit Khargone city for the third day on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh Police said around 100 people have been arrested so far for allegedly indulging in the violence which broke out after stones were pelted on a Ram Navami procession on Sunday in Khargone.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre and others on a PIL filed by the wife of a prisoner of war, Major Kanwaljit Singh in Pakistan, for establishing a mechanism for effectively enforcing the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant said that the plea raised an important issue, as it sought a response from Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the Chief of Army Staff made parties in the matter.

The plea, filed through advocate Namit Saxena, sought a direction to all the respondents to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Pakistan with appropriate judicial remedies, which are binding in nature for release of all the Indian PoWs held under the torturous custody, in violation of the Geneva Convention for Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The plea has been filed by Jasbir Kaur, the wife of Major Kanwaljit Singh, and Bir Bahadur Singh, a retired soldier of the Indian Army, who is the secretary general of Voice of Ex-Servicemen Society.

The plea contended that the state functionaries have to evolve methods and strategies to safeguard every citizen's rights, including the rights of PoWs.

The plea said that Kaur's husband was among the 54 known PoWs detained by Pakistan since the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

It also sought a direction for procuring from the International Red Cross, the list of PoWs, who were scheduled to be repatriated by Pakistan in years succeeding the 1971 war, but ultimately not repatriated as scheduled.

The plea also claimed the Union government and specifically the Indian Army, have not initiated any concrete steps for establishment of a mechanism for effective enforcement of provisions of the Geneva Convention.

"The utmost suffering and trauma is evident from the overwhelming admitted reality that 54 PoWs, narrated in the Gujarat High Court judgement dated December 23, 2011, who are worthy soldiers of this great nation, are living a miserable life for almost 50 years now," the plea pointed out.

The plea said the lack of will to ensure observance of Geneva Convention, has led to repeated gross violation, with even more rigour and perpetuity, ultimately leading to the conscious shaking incident of Capt Saurabh Kalia and his men during the Kargil War in 1999.

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Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa turned down the demand of the opposition Congress seeking his resignation after a contractor who had accused him of demanding 40 per cent commission was found dead in a Udupi hotel on Tuesday.

Santosh Patil from Belagavi was found dead in his room in a hotel in Udupi. He had earlier accused Eshwarappa of demanding commission on the work executed by him. The minister not only dismissed the allegations but also filed a defamation suit against him. In his purported WhatsApp message, Patil held the minister responsible for his death.

Also Read: Karnataka CM promises impartial probe into Santhosh Patil's death

"There is no question of resigning. We have to wait for the verdict of the court in the case I had filed against Santosh Patil. I make it very clear that I am not at fault anywhere," Eshwarappa said. The minister reiterated that he did not know Santosh. According to him, based on Santosh's allegation, the Union Ministry for Rural Development had written to the RDPR in Karnataka and accordingly, an answer was given.

"It is very clear that I am not wrong. After I filed the defamation suit, a notice has been sent to him. Now I have learnt through you that he has committed suicide. Other than that, I don't know anything else," Eshwarappa said. The opposition Congress demanded the Minister's resignation after the contractor allegedly ended his life in Udupi.

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The Playhouse Derry has announced it will host the delivery of peacebuilding workshops in border counties.

Workshops will be led by facilitators from The Playhouse Theatre of Witness Project, a form of performance that gives voice to those who have been marginalised, forgotten or are invisible in society.

The work hopes to bring people together across divides of difference to bear witness to truth, healing and reconciliation through art and storytelling.

Performers include former police officers, paramilitaries and relatives of those killed or injured in conflict.

The process aims to create and encourage shared dialogue in a safe space during the workshops.

The workshops will be hosted by The Playhouse's new freelance Community Project Co-ordinator, playwright Laurence McKeown.

Laurence McKeowns involvement in creative works, political education, and academia began during his period of incarceration as a political prisoner (1976-1992).

Following his release from prison, Laurence completed a doctoral thesis at Queens University, Belfast, which was published in 2001 entitled 'Out of Time.'

In the late-1990s Laurence co-wrote the feature film, H3, based on the 1981 hunger strike within the prison, which he participated in- for 70 days- and during which 10 prisoners died.

Laurence then began to work as a playwright, using full-length plays and bespoke theatre to explore issues concerning the legacy of the conflict in the North of Ireland.

Laurence McKeown said: Im delighted to take up this new appointment with The Playhouse with whom Ive worked on two projects in recent years.

Everyone has a story to tell and, if provided with a safe environment and a structured approach, the telling of that story can be a liberating experience, even if simultaneously difficult and painful.

"I very much look forward to taking Theatre of Witness workshops to communities throughout the border counties in the coming months.

Community Relations Co-ordinator at The Playhouse, Kieran Smyth, said: We cant think of anyone better placed to help us deliver the diversity of stories that Theatre of Witness explores.

"For almost 30 years Laurence has used the arts to engage true narrative and real life stories from all sides of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

"We hope groups from all areas of the border join him and our facilitators as they share their true narratives through arts and peacebuilding.

Workshops are free for anyone aged 14+ interested in exploring how art can inspire healing, empathy and understanding.

For more information or to book a workshop contact laurence@derryplayhouse.com.

Or, for more information about The Playhouse Theatre of Witness Project visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk.


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Telecel Group has finally completed its acquisition of Mattel Mauritania from Tunisie Telecom and Comatel for an undisclosed fee.

In a statement, Telecel noted Mattel is its fifth acquisition since 2018 and pledges to invest more than US$700 million over the next three years in further mobile operator acquisitions, fibre optic construction and mobile infrastructure expansion.

Mattel was the first operator to launch in the West African nation of Mauritania when it deployed services in May 2000. The operator is the smallest player in the ICT and telecoms sector commanding a 33% market share in the African nation but has deployed 4G and fibre in Mauritanias largest cities. The company has over 120 locations across the country to provision its services.

Mattel shareholders said: After a competitive process, we are pleased to announce that Telecel Group has been selected for the sale transaction of Mattels shares. We are satisfied with the interactions with Telecel Group and remain confident for the rest of the process.
Googles Equiano subsea cable system will connect Nigeria this month (April) a move that is expected to boost broadband speeds for the country and its neighbours fivefold.

Google West Africa director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor said: Nigeria is a major landing point for the Equiano cable and the launch of this major milestone is expected to take place in April 2022, at an event with Nigerias minister of communications and digital economy Isa Ali Pantami, reported Ecofin Agency.

The Equiano subsea cable will be located in Lagos and will mark the sixth international cable Nigeria has connected to. Google will also execute other projects in Nigeria during the Equiano deployment.

Googles subsea cable project was launched in 2019 and was originally scheduled to connect Nigeria in 2021. Equiano recently went live in Togo, its first African country. It is part of Googles US$1 billion pledge to aid Africas digital transformation over the next five years and create 1.6 million jobs in the process.
Global Ireland Summit

Press release

The 2022 Global Ireland Summit takes place at Dublin Castle tomorrow, Thursday 14 April.

The summit is an important instrument for delivery of the implementation and oversight of the Governments Global Ireland 2025 policy and agenda.

Welcoming the summit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., said:

The overarching topic for the Global Ireland Summit will be Irelands role in, and engagement with, key international institutions in dealing with the challenges we face, and to deliver on the ambition of the Global Ireland programme to double Irelands impact in the world by 2025. Ireland has shown time and again, that we are not lacking in the ability to address the challenges we face

Minister Coveney added:

The Global Ireland summit takes place almost a month after St. Patricks Day 2022, an unmatched opportunity to underline Irelands support for Ukraine and for the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as celebrating our place in Europe.

This year the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and ministers carried out 41 programmes in 30 countries across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. The programme was supported by an expanding Team Ireland presence around the world with new missions in Rabat and Manila, and in Los Angles, Cardiff and Manchester.

I would like to thank all the members of Team Ireland, at home and abroad, whose efforts resulted in such a successful St. Patricks Day programme.

The theme of the summit is Ireland Reconnecting. Discussions will involve an expert-led exploration of how Ireland reconnects with the world and delivers on the Governments Global Ireland ambition through collaboration and multilateralism. Both the crises facing the world at present - in Ukraine and from the pandemic and climate challenges - as well the opportunities and responsibilities arising from our membership of the EU and the UN Security Council provide the context for these discussions.

Speakers addressing these issues include the Taoiseach, Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, the Secretary General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, Renata Dwan, the Tanaiste and Minister Eamonn Ryan.

The Global Ireland Summit comes in the same week Government approved Irelands participation at World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Participation at Expo Osaka 2025 is in direct support of Irelands foreign policy and will highlight Irish innovation, support trade, investment, and tourism opportunities, and strengthen Irelands bilateral relationship with Japan.

A key focus of participation is to drive awareness of Irelands attractiveness as a place to live, visit, study, and work and do business. Participation will be managed through a Team Ireland approach, with strong collaboration across Government Departments, State agencies, cultural institutions, academia and other partner organisations, which has been a major factor in the success of our participation at Expo Dubai 2020.

ENDS

Press Office

13 April 2022

Note to Editors The 2022 Global Ireland Summit can be accessed via https://ireland.ie/en/globalirelandsummit/

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Minister Byrne meets Finlands Minister Tuppurainen before Heads of Mission Conference

Press release

Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Thomas Byrne, T.D., met in Dublin Castle this morning with Ms. Tytti Tuppurainen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering of Finland, for a bilateral meeting.

Minister Tuppurainen is in Dublin to participate in a Department of Foreign Affairs Heads of Mission Conference, where she is taking part in a panel discussion with Minister Byrne on Managing Uncertainty  the Role of Smaller EU Member States.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Minister Tuppurainen to Dublin today for Global Irelands annual Heads of Mission Conference, and to take the opportunity also to conduct a bilateral meeting, where we discussed the security situation in Europe, the Rule of Law, and the Global Ireland Nordic Strategy.

I was delighted to then join Minister Tuppurainen later this morning at the Conference, for an engaging discussion on the important role of smaller in states in the European Union, and the part they play in reinforcing the rule of law and democracy on the continent.

ENDS

Press Office

13 April 2022

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Where to Watch / Stream Queen of Versailles Reigns Again Online Watch Now View Prime Video Plan

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About Queen of Versailles Reigns Again Queen of Versailles Reigns Again was released on Apr 14, 2022 . This show is available in English language. Clarke Keown, Maggie Zeltner and Jackie Siegel are playing as the star cast in this show. You can watch the show online on Prime Video, as long as you are a subscriber to the video streaming OTT platform. Queen of Versailles Reigns Again is available in Drama genre.

Disclaimer: All content and media has been sourced from original content streaming platforms, such as Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Digit Binge is an aggregator of content and does not claim any rights on the content. The copyrights of all the content belongs to their respective original owners and streaming service providers. All content has been linked to respective service provider platforms.This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by

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SEATTLE (AP)  Officials with Washington State Ferries acknowledge the system is short on staff and in need of dozens of new recruits.

KING-TV reports a March report from the ferry system says staff shortages are unprecedented in the system's 70-year history.





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A group of local nonprofits  including LIHI, Alliance for Pioneer Square and Chief Seattle Club  are speaking out against a proposed land-swap between the city of Seattle and King County that would transfer City Hall Park to the county.

In a letter recently submitted to the Seattle City Council by LIHI, the nonprofit states that it strongly oppose(s) the transfer of our much loved City Hall Park to King County, citing concerns about residents who live by the park and the need to keep the area as a civic green space. LIHI owns and manages the Frye Apartments across the street from the park at 223 Yesler Way.





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Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Yacine Fal, the African Development Bank Groups Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, on Monday signed the protocol of agreement for the African Union Institutional Capacity Building Project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The project is expected to bolster the AUs efforts to implement Agenda 2063. Adopted in 2015, Agenda 2063 (https://bit.ly/37h4L4O) is the African Unions vision for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

The project cost, amounting to $11.48 million, is being supported with a grant from the Bank Groups concessional financing window. It was approved by the Board of Directors in February 2022. The signing of the protocol of agreement signals the start of the implementation phase of the project.

Deputy Chair Nsanzabaganwa alluded to the process of consultation that led to the signing of the agreement. As you know, this ceremony and the signing of the protocol of agreement represent the culmination of a series of interactions and consultations that have occurred between the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and several stakeholders starting last year, she said.

The project will upgrade and automate several AU systems, including those for information management, procurement and financial management, human resources and results management. It will also address gaps in the AUs continental early warning system, a critical instrument in the prevention and management of conflicts and fragility across the continent.

In her remarks, Bank Acting Vice President Fal said, Today is a milestone. Reaching it would not have been possible without the mutual trust and collaboration that our respective institutions have shown historically and throughout the process.

Among key priorities the two institutions share are to drive regional integration and build the capacity of African institutions and businesses.

Not only are Bank investments plugging regional infrastructure gaps, they are also strengthening the institutional capabilities of the AU, regional economic communities, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Secretariat, and other regional mechanisms, Fal said

Fal headed a Bank delegation to the signing ceremony. The delegation included Deputy Director General for the East Africa Region Abdul Kamara, and Acting Director of the Regional Integration Coordination Office Jean-Guy Afrika, among others.

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The need for inclusivity when finding solutions to improve sub-Saharan Africas quality of education is of importance if we want to make effective change. Within education and EdTech, the sharing of ideas and working together to achieve goals is paramount not only to our success, but also to our students.1 This was the theme that emerged from the first pan-African EdTech Think Tank launch.

Injini  a non-profit organisation founded in part by the Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative (CiTi)  launched its research division as an avenue to produce and distribute research and insights about education and innovation that is for Africa and by Africa. The division aims to support EdTech entrepreneurs through relevant market research, support corporate initiatives in achieving their commitments toward educational outcomes and advocate for educational reform through evidence-based research and engagement with policymakers in targeted African countries.

The launch saw people from varying backgrounds, both from the public and private sectors, come together with the aim to collaborate in order to create a more inclusive and quality education system. This emphasised the need for spaces of conversation and how eager people are to collaborate and work together to meet common goals. EdTech has become significantly relevant in minimising the gap in quality and access to education in Africa. It is widely accepted that most of Africas education and training programs suffer from low-quality teaching and learning, as well as inequalities and exclusion at all levels.2

A common consensus was the importance of collaboration between the different sectors, and how research can assist in mitigating the risk of project failure when implementing educational solutions. Executive Head of Injini, Krista Davidson, says: Injini has always had the objective of improving educational outcomes on the continent in a way that is centred around supporting EdTech entrepreneurs from across Africa. Our new research offering has allowed us to expand our mandate to ensure that we are including all stakeholders in the education value chain, which we hope will drive the quality, accessibility and relevance of education in Africa in the right direction.

During a panel discussion at the launch event, former Superintendent General (Head of Department) of the Western Cape Education Department, Brian Schreuder, added: Educators should be included [in research about EdTech in classrooms] as they are implementers of educational tools and are always willing to work towards the best outcomes for their students. Such research initiatives are a need in our society because although the state contributes significantly, there is a disconnect in the evidence due to the lack of resources to share the work with the public. This is the perfect platform for partnerships to emerge, as this will allow for the state to become more flexible and for civil society and the broader ecosystem to push to have these conversations with their respective departments of education.

To further bolster the improvement of the quality of the education system, the Injini Think Tank team built up significant momentum and experience in supporting EdTech entrepreneurs and startup businesses with bespoke market research, which is a service they are extending to organisations outside of Injinis programmes.

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Harrisonburg, VA (22801)

Today

Rain. High around 50F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Rain showers early becoming more intermittent overnight. Low near 40F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The regulation of the sale of turf will help with chronic health issues in the long term, Minister Eamon Ryan said.

Speaking after the Cabinet signed off on VAT reductions on electricity and gas bills, Ryan said turf will not be banned.

There isnt a ban on turf or burning turf or anything like that," he said.

He said the Government had been clear that it will regulate the point of sale to make sure that the products for sale actually help our environment and help peoples health, this is not new.

Its something thats been worked on for years, Minister Ryan said.

The Green minister said he is often asked - when will you address health, chronic health issues and air quality which is killing our people.

We will do that in a way that still gives people the right to use the turf in a variety of ways. But we do have to regulate to improve public health, he said.

The new regulations are particularly aimed at the enforcement on the ban of smoky coal being for sale, which has been sold across the border. There is a ban on smoky coals in designated towns which is set to be extended across the country.

It is understood that under the new regulations, turf will not be available for sale in shops, but the sale of peat briquettes will not be initially affected.
Attention Spencer County Journal Democrat Users! You will need to create a new user account by clicking the sign up button at the top right hand of the webpage, even if you had an account on the old site. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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ADA, OK -Martha Jane Cooper Hill received her wings on May 5th, 2022 in Oklahoma City. She was born to Ruby Milligan Cooper and Preston Cooper in Ada, OK. Martha married Fred Hill Sr. on Dec. 14th, 1955. Martha and Fred had 5 children. Jackie & husband Robert Buchanan, OKC; Patty & h
Dundalk Institute of Technology are delighted to congratulate Damien Flynn on his amazing joint national win last week.

Damien received the honour of being awarded a Department of Education and Skills Silver Medal.

This achievement highlights Damiens individual dedication and commitment to his craft.

The National WorldSkills Ireland final competition was hosted on the DkIT campus, the Electrical Installations, Skills 18 Competition had representation from all regions around the country.

The event which took place in DkITs Electrical Workshop from the 21st  22nd March 2022 was sponsored by local companies ToolFix and Bellews Electrical.

The joint win means that there will be a runoff event in DkIT to decide who will represent Ireland in WorldSkills, Shanghai in October 2022.

Damien was joint winner of the national competition alongside Shane Walsh from MTU.

All the individual regional competitors were tasked with installing an electrical installation within a 14-hour time limit, following a technical brief provided by WorldSkills Ireland.

Their work was then judged on its electrical function, wiring, testing and inspecting, installation quality and measurements by a national panel of experts from WorldSkills Ireland.

DkIT has a long history of successful apprentices competing in WorldSkills Ireland and this year were absolutely delighted to add Damien Flynn from Blackrock, Co Louth to the Institutes illustrious hall of fame.

Damien is proudly supported by the lecturers at DkIT, as a Centre of Excellence in Apprenticeship, in conjunction with the HEA, SOLAS, Department of Education and the Government of Ireland.

Gerard Galligan  Head of Section Electrical & Motor Trades DkIT On behalf of DkIT we would like to congratulate Damien on his achievement and wish him every success in his future.
The two warehouses proposed by Lehigh Valley developer Jaindl Land Co. in White Township, New Jersey , will be built on solid ground, Matthew Mulhall, a geologist hired by Jaindl, said at Tuesday nights township planning board meeting.

With several dozen people signed into the virtual meeting and some members of the board expressing concern about potential sinkholes, Mulhalls presentation sought to alleviate those fears.

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However, there were more than a few skeptics that spoke during the meeting, which lasted more than three hours. That bumped another witness from offering testimony. He will make his presentation at the next board meeting May 10. Over the months, Janidl has presented experts on such topics as warehouse operations, engineering and traffic concerns.

The presentation was one more step of a more than three-year process to build two warehouses on 585 acres of land along Foul Rift Road between Route 519 and the Delaware River just south of Belvidere. Jaindl bought the acreage from Talen Energy. Five deeds were recorded in February 2019, with total consideration of about $11.3 million, Warren County real estate records show.

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The proposed buildings are 1.8 million-square-foot and 800,000-square-foot high-cube warehouses.

Mulhall said he cant guarantee that a sinkhole wont appear after construction begins, but his investigation has found that debris from the last ice age 50,000 years ago has left a stable layer that will alleviate any erosion of the bedrock that is made of carbonate rock composed of limestone and dolomite.

He based his evidence on interviewing a farmer who currently uses the land, aerial photographs going back more than 80 years, drilling dozens of test bores and using technology such as a light detection and ranging map.

One thing is I havent seen anything from any reports that would indicate that the sites and the buildings cannot be constructed on this property or anything to indicate that this project cannot move forward from any of the experts, Mulhall said.

Mulhall said that mitigation plans will be in place if any sinkholes appear. They are based on methods used nationwide by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. He said they can be posted by the engineering company for public inspection.

Fanelli Consulting Engineers has assured me they can do that, Mulhall said, so that its very clear when youre constructing on this site the measures that need to be taken during that process if the sinkhole is to occur, the measures that should be taken to fix that scene.

During questions, Ira Sasowsky, a geologist hired by the township, asked about a map published as part of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan that included the project area.

That map had a number of sinkholes indicated on it on the property, said Sasowsky, a professor at the University of Akron in Ohio. Can you say anything about those features and why youve discounted them or chose not to count them as sinkholes on the property?

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Mulhall said he couldnt find any reports or maps that backed up the data used on the states map.

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I have not found any reliable information that says there are sinkholes on this property, Mulhall said. I cant find anything in the New Jersey Geological Survey that substantiates this map.

Mulhall added that the map was not included in the 2019 edition of the plan

Mulhall was later asked by resident Tom Bodolsky about potential sinkholes, and how many would be too many.

How many sinkholes is too many for a geologist to say that this site is not suitable? he asked.

Ive testified earlier that the chance that well find a sinkhole is much lower here than it is in other areas of Warren County simply because we have a thick glacial sediment, Mulhall answered. Im not expecting to find too many synchrony forming on the building on these properties as a result of that.

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Under further questioning by Bodolsky, Mulhall said he hasnt had to recommend against using a site in Warren County, or elsewhere in the state, because of sinkholes.

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com.
Join Louth Whiskey Society on Wednesday 20 April at 7.30pm, in Kennedy's Railway Bar Dundalk, for the final chapter in the "Story of Cooley" tasting series. This third and final tasting in the series explores rebirth, and the innovative maturation and finishing of Cooley stock by Teeling Master Distiller and Blender, Alex Chasko.

The tasting will also include Teeling whiskeys produced in the Newmarket Distillery, including single malt and single pot still. Louth Whiskey Society hosts regular tasting events throughout Louth to enjoy, celebrate and learn about our native spirit. Established by Lorcan Dunne, and Anthony Sheehy - founder of Irishwhiskeyauctions.com, the Louth Whiskey Society team also includes Sean Keegan and Robert Johnson.

Cooley Distillery was founded by John Teeling and under the expert guidance of Master Distiller and Blender, Noel Sweeney, it went on to win numerous awards on the world stage. John Teeling went on to found the nearby Great Northern Distillery, while his children Jack and Stephen established the Teeling Distillery in Dublin, using stock acquired from Cooley.

The first tasting event in November celebrated Noel Sweeney's and John Teeling's huge contribution to the Irish Whiskey landscape, the second event explored exciting brands that creatively use Cooley stock, such as Killowen, Two Stacks and May Loag.

This final tasting in the series is the natural conclusion as 5 Teeling samples will be poured and discussed by some very special guests on the night. Tickets are limited and will sell out fast. Purchase now to avoid disappointment: https://www.louthwhiskeysociety.com/upcoming-events.
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 58F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low near 35F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Biden: Russia war is genocide, trying to 'wipe out' Ukraine

President Joe Biden says Russias war in Ukraine amounts to genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.
China rolls out five-year plan on family education

Xinhua) 09:28, April 13, 2022

BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A five-year plan on the guidance and development of family education has been released by 11 relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the All-China Women's Federation.

The ultimate goal is to build a guidance system for family education that serves both urban and rural areas, improve the mechanism of school-family-community cooperative education, and ensure that children can grow up healthily, according to the plan.

By 2025, the number of guidance service providers for family education will be increased substantially, a professional workforce will be basically formed, and the supply of relevant social resources will be greater, says the plan.

It also specifies efforts to revamp family education policies, explore paths for launching guidance institutions, and expand the building of education venues for parents in primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and communities that conduct regular guidance sessions.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
A pedestrian accident that left a Kutztown University student in critical condition has heightened existing concern on the campus about the safety of students who cross Kutztown Road at the crosswalk in front of Old Main.

University officials plan to join the student government board on a previously scheduled safety walk on April 13 in the aftermath of the Sunday afternoon accident, according to an email message addressed to the " KU Campus Community by the Office of University Relations.

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This is just one proactive effort in place as we strive to make our campus as safe as possible, the message said, adding that suggestions and comments are welcome..

The accident happened about 4:15 p.m. when the student, Hope S. McKeone, 23, of Harleysville, Montgomery County, was walking east across Kutztown Road in the crosswalk and was struck by a northbound car driven by Joel A. Koehn, 26, of Mertztown, state police from the Reading station said.

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Neither Koehn nor his passenger was injured.

McKeone was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, by Kutztown Ambulance. University officials said McKeone was listed in critical condition Monday night. An updated condition was unavailable.

Kutztown Road bisects the campus and is a convergent point for thousands of students who cross the road during classes and thousands of vehicles traveling north and south through the borough of Kutztown and into the campus in Maxatawny Township, university officials said.

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The university provides crossing guards during periods of peak pedestrian and vehicular traffic. There is also a traffic light at Schaeffer Lane and blinking yellow warning lights on Kutztown Road on both sides of the campus.

While these precautions enhance pedestrian safety on Kutztown Road, we also must remain vigilant and alert to motorists at all times, the message stated.

While the above efforts will certainly enhance campus safety even more, our priority today is monitoring the health of our injured student and praying for a full recovery, the message concluded.

___

(c)2022 the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.)

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Visit the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.) at readingeagle.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
New York City police have found an unoccupied U-Haul van in Brooklyn matching the description and license plate number of a vehicle being sought in connection with Tuesdays shooting on a rush-hour subway train
PORTALES -- A civil lawsuit has been filed against Portales Municipal Schools in connection with events from an honors English class that also led to the teachers resignation in February.

Portales attorney Eric Dixon filed the action on behalf of two student plaintiffs who have only been identified by initials due to their juvenile status. The lawsuit names Meredith and Dustin Siefert also as plaintiffs and parents of one of the juvenile plaintiffs along with Natalee and Joe Christensen as plaintiffs and parents of the other juvenile plaintiff.

Portales Superintendent Johnnie Cain confirmed he had received notification of the lawsuit, and said, Were not going to comment on any pending litigation.

The English teacher mentioned in the lawsuit, Kelly Cradock, did not respond to last weeks request for an interview. She resigned on Feb. 18 and has also declined to discuss her reasons for that action.

In the lawsuit, Dixon details in January the honors English class began studying the book The Hate U Give and that neither plaintiff objected to the teaching of the book.

The young adult short story written by Angie Thomas, first published in 2017, is about a Black teenager who witnesses the death of a childhood friend at the hands of a white police officer, according to the literary website Goodreads.

The book deals with how the young woman reacts to the shooting and what she does in the wake of the event.

The lawsuit alleges that the two plaintiffs and one other student were verbally attacked by Cradock for beliefs they stated during discussion questions about the book. It is also alleged Cradock encouraged other students into bullying [the plaintiffs] as dissidents.

On Feb. 22, according to the lawsuit, the parents of one of the plaintiffs sent an email to school administrators concerned for the safety of their child. No written reply was received, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that Cradock reported to her students that her job was in jeopardy because the two boys and their parents complained about the book. It alleges that in making such a classroom announcement Cradock turned the other students against these two 

On Feb. 25, an unspecified number of Portales High students staged a walkout in support of Cradock. During the protest, the plaintiffs were labeled as racists and were the target of obscene signs, the lawsuit alleges.

Cain has declined to discuss reasons Cradock gave for her resignation. I cant get into that, he said, but added, We didnt expect her to resign. We werent pushing for any kind of resignation. I think some agitation was going on in that classroom and it kind of got out of hand. He said he believes the agitation was based on misinformation but declined to elaborate.

The two student plaintiffs have since enrolled in another school district.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for the plaintiffs for negligent operation of the high school, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, violation of their civil rights, punitive damages under the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, and for reasonable attorneys fees.
By David Stevens The Staff of The News

On this date 

1952: Isaac Lorah, who lived at 820 Brazos St. in Portales, said he was about to retire from his trade as a blacksmith  at the tender age of 85, The Portales Tribune reported.

Lorah had been a blacksmith for 65 years.

I could work a long day at the forge with the best of them, he told the newspaper.

Lorah said he gave up blacksmithing for about six years after losing thousands of dollars in the unstable Oklahoma country around Lawton  mostly due to the people moving in and out, without paying their blacksmith bill, he said.

But his attempt at farming failed after a grasshopper plague and persistent drought. So he moved to Portales in the early 1930s and returned to the profession he knew best with his hammer and anvil.

Lorah said he was proud of his Pennsylvania-German ancestry and that hed been born into a family of hard-working people. He worked as a blacksmith in Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico after hiring out to do farm work in Pennsylvania at age 12.

Lorah died in 1968 in Clovis at the age of 101. He is buried in Portales.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

[email protected]
HARRISBURG  A Commonwealth Court judge on Wednesday denied a challenge to nominating petitions of Enid Santiago in the 134th House District filed by Rep. Peter Schweyer and others, setting up a likely rematch of a very close 2020 Democratic primary election.

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The decision from Judge Patricia McCullough was the last one rendered in 47 court challenges to nominating petitions filed by candidates for legislative seats.

The decision may be appealed, but Schweyer said Wednesday he was not sure if he would do so.

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He is a four-term incumbent in the 22nd district. In 2020, he defeated Santiago  at the time an unheralded and little-funded candidate  in that district by only 55 votes.

Legislative maps were redrawn this year based on new U.S. census data, and Schweyer and Santiago both now live in the 134th District, which includes Emmaus and parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township. Since the map-drawing took longer than anticipated, candidates had only 11 days rather than the usual 22 to gather signatures on petitions.

The shorter signature period drew much criticism. Incumbents of both parties said it favored incumbents, who have more experience with the process.

A House candidate must file petitions with 300 valid signatures to obtain a spot on the election ballot.

The challenge to Santiago came from Schweyer, Leroy Bachert Jr. and Luis Lantigua. It led to a hearing before McCullough that stretched over three days.

In a written opinion, the judge said Santiago began with 508 signatures on her petitions, with 239 of them called into question in the challenge.

Lawyers for both sides came to pre-hearing agreements that left Santiago with 287 valid signatures and 24 still under objection. McCullough concluded five more signatures were invalid and 19 were valid, giving Santiago 306 valid ones.

Candidates react

Santiago thanked the volunteers who helped her gather signatures.

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She portrayed Schweyer as an establishment candidate backed by an entrenched network of support, and said his challenge to her petitions showed that.

This case is just another example of the David-versus-Goliath story of our political system. Corporate-backed, machine-generated candidates are afraid to run against authentic, working-class candidates backed by the people and not special interests, Santiago said.

Her attorney, Matthew Mobilio, said they believed from the outset the challenge would not serve any legitimate public interest and would only serve to disenfranchise voters.

Mobilio said he hoped what he described as frivolous suits and desperate antics were over and the candidates could concentrate on issues.

Schweyer, who said his petitions bore more than 700 signatures, said he disagreed with the judges ruling.

Referring to the pre-hearing agreements, Schweyer said, Ms. Santiago readily admitted that more than one-third of the total number of her signatures were bad, and people are allowed to remain skeptical.

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The petition process, Schweyer said, is an important indicator of a candidates work ethic, grassroots support and organizational ability  vital qualities for an elected official.

By submitting nearly 2  times the number of required signatures, Schweyer said, he and his team showed those qualities.

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Ms. Santiago and her volunteers had to reach the same minimum standard that we had to reach, Schweyer said. My volunteers worked very hard, and they should rightfully expect that the rules will be applied evenly.

Lehigh County Democratic Committee Chairperson Ed Hozza said the committee does not endorse candidates and is committed to neutrality in primary elections.

Asked about the shortened petition period and its effect on challenges, Hozza said, We understand the politics of Harrisburg and we have to be adaptable to an ever-changing political climate.

Other cases

Several other Lehigh Valley area candidates will no longer be listed on primary election ballots after losing petition challenges unless successful appeals are mounted.

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They are Kim DiGaetano, a Republican in the 40th Senate District in Monroe County; Beth Whitehall-Finch, a Republican in the 132nd House District in Lehigh County; and Anna Lopez, a Democrat in the 115th House District in Monroe. All three were challengers who would have faced a sitting lawmaker in the election.

DiGaetano intends to continue her campaign as a write-in candidate.

Morning Call Capitol correspondent Ford Turner can be reached at fturner@mcall.com.
A CORK carer, who herself has disabilities, has spoken of the daily struggles which led her to record her despair in the time capsule section of her census form.

Ireland is a cold, cruel place for people with disabilities and carers, Julie Anne Cunneen wrote in her census form.

Ms Cuneen, who is deaf and has arthritis, is the mother of a 14-year-old boy who is also deaf and suffers from arthritis, and who has autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

Ms Cunneen told The Echo that her son Liam received cochlear implants ten years ago, but she says they have received little in the way of other State supports since then.

This years census form, which households were obliged to fill on Sunday 3 April, offered for the first time an optional time capsule section in which people could record a message which will be published in the year 2122.

Ms Cunneen, who lives in Upper Glanmire, wrote in her time capsule that for carers and people with disabilities there are no services, no supports, no respite, no future. Everything is waiting lists, no accountability.

We are seen as a burden, a problem. I am tired of being forgotten, of being treated like a third-class citizen, of burning out from physical, emotional and financial strain. Ireland had lost its way, and, she said, Government had left the most vulnerable behind.

Who will hear our voices, and show strength and leadership? she asked. Who will change our future? Things can, and need to change.

Ms Cunneen wrote that there is no compassion, and no real understanding, for those living with disabilities: Its every man, woman for themselves. I write this in hope there will be change. A brighter future.

Ireland is a cold, cruel place for people with disabilities and carers, Julie Anne Cunneen wrote in the time capsule section of her census form.

Ms Cunneen told The Echo that she had been despairing when she filled out her census form, and she said many carers struggle with the sense that they have been abandoned and left behind by the State.

Cork families express anger at meeting with disabilities minister https://t.co/gPnF17Olgy  EchoLive.ie (@echolivecork) April 7, 2022

Every section of government from education, transport, housing, to health has turned their backs on carers and people with disabilities, she said.

People with disabilities and carers are barely living in the now, we are barely hanging on from the lack of services and support.

We are the forgotten citizens of Ireland, the ones that are being left behind. We are waiting to die, but in equal measures, we fear death, and leaving our children with no support in the future, she said.

Who will love and support my son when I am dead and gone? How will his complex needs be met? Will he be afraid, or treated badly when I am no longer here? Ms Cunneen said carers are exhausted from trying to get access to services while facing endless waiting lists.

I feel like we dont matter, and I feel I am drowning in a vast ocean of responsibility, fear, pain, and financial debt, she said.

I dont feel any hope that Ireland will protect her most vulnerable, but I am crying out to see change, to see our needs being met, and to see carers being paid a fair wage for the extremely hard work they do.

I want my son to be proud of the Ireland he is growing up in, and to feel part of his community and to be heard. Ms Cunneen said for there to be a better future for people like her and her son Liam, Ireland needed to start listening to people with disabilities and their carers.

Walk in my shoes and I will show you real life, the life of a person with a disability, the life of a full-time career, working 24/7, Ms Cunneen said.
Campaigners have delivered over 10,000 signatures on a petition calling for a public and secular National Maternity Hospital that is free from religious influence and capable of providing necessary reproductive healthcare.

Local constituents and Uplift members gathered outside Taoiseach Micheal Martins Cork South-Central constituency office today to deliver the petition, signed by over 10,000 people, calling for the new National Maternity Hospital to be publicly owned and secular.

Bernie Linnane, Chair of Our National Maternity Hospital group that started the petition, said that the bottom line is that the new National Maternity Hospital must be publicly owned and it must be built on land that is publicly owned and it must be operated with a secular ethos with no religious interference whatsoever.

We originally submitted a petition a few years ago with well over 100,00 signatures on it calling for the hospital not to be given to the Religious Sisters of Charity which was the original plan, she said.

She said there has been some ducking and diving by various ministers who since then came up with a scheme whereby a separate company would be formed to run the new hospital.

This company is made up of two other companies, the existing National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street, and the St Vincents Healthcare Group, which is St Vincents Hospital, St Michaels Hospital and St Vincents private.

Its all very intertwined but the bottom line is that St Vincents Healthcare Group today remains in 100% ownership of the Religious Sisters of Charity. Their successor company cannot, in our opinion, own the site on which our new National Maternity Hospital is built.

One reason is the religious ethos that hangs over every site owned by a religious organisation in the world and the other is handing a public asset paid for with public money to a private company, the successor of the religious sisters of charity is outrageous, she said.
ONCE upon a time, Ireland was home to an extensive forest, with 80% of the island covered in trees - but today these have all but disappeared.

South-west of Macroom in County Cork lies The Gearagh, an ancient submerged glacial woodland and nature reserve, which was flooded in 1954 to facilitate the building of two hydro electric dams, one in Carrigadrohid and another in Inniscarra.

Although the vast oak trees are long since gone, what still remains is an evocative ghostly imprint of their former existence.

Along with three other ancient forests, The Cairo and Gilboa fossil forests of the Catskill mountains in New York state, as well as the ancient forest of Svalbard in the High Arctic, The Gearagh is the inspiration behind a current exhibition, Shadow Forests, at the Lord Mayors Pavilion in Cork running until April 23.

Angela Gilmore's The Dawn of Trees, (first forests, 385 Ma Cairo,US), 2022, acrylic on FSC birch panel

Shadow Forests is a multi media immersive installation and features the combined artistic expression of artist Angela Gilmour and writer Beth Jones, with work including painting, scientific drawings, digital stories and 3D models of ancient fossils.

In the exhibition, Angela and Beth have managed to capture the still lingering ethereal beauty from the presence of these former ancient forests.

This joint exhibition focuses on the intersections of Deep Time, the critical nature of climate change, and the life and death cycle of forests.

Deep Time refers to the time scale of geological events which stretch way further back from the measurement of the scale of human life, extending into millions of years back in time.

Its an extraordinary and quite frankly a very moving experience to stand beside the roots of 380 million year old trees, its mind- boggling actually, said Beth, who is not only a digital storyteller, but also a journalist for The New York Times and The Boston Globe, as well as being an author and education consultant based in Boston.

That amount of time is nearly impossible to imagine, she said.

Angela Gilmore's Cladoxylopsida Wattieza (first forests, 383 Ma, Gilboa, US), 2022 acrylic on FSC birch panel

In Dreaming of Trees, which is part of the exhibition, I was inspired by my visits to the visible fossil forest in New Yorks Catskill mountains, along with a paleobotanist and a consultant geomorphologist.

I was trying to imagine 385 million years into the future - and thats a pretty tough thing to do!

Her creative partner for this exhibition is Angela Gilmour, who lives and works as a visual artist in Macroom. She was formerly a practicing physicist, and holds a Masters in Science, an Honours Degree in Physics from the University West in Scotland, as well as an honours Degree in Fine Art from Crawford College in Cork, and has exhibited her work in Europe, Australia and America, as well as in Ireland.

The adventurous pair met each other in June, 2019, while on a residency programme in art and science sailing around in The Arctic Circle. During the expedition they travelled the waters of the international territory of Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago ten degrees south of the North Pole.

Shadow Forests is a response to their shared experience on The Arctic Circle residency programme, employing their field research, interviews and scientific investigations into ancient forests as a means of communicating topical events relating to the climate.

Beth Jones Resin's 3D printed leaf fossils and petrified wood from Longyearbreen Glacier.

It was an incredible experience sailing around the Svalbard with artists and scientists, recalls Beth.

It was spectacularly beautiful but also extraordinarily fragile and at risk from climate change.

We were both very surprised at how warm it was while we were there, much warmer than average for an Arctic summer. The highest temperature ever recorded occurred while we were there, she said, and indeed the temperature hit a startling 38 degrees in the Arctic that summer.

The content of this exhibition was a steep learning curve for both of us, said Angela. We were privileged to be given access to the forests themselves, as well as research papers, images, and even one of the worlds most extensive fossil collections at the NY state museum.

Ancient forests changed the composition of the environment removing CO2 and making the planet habitable, unfortunately we are going in the wrong direction now, putting more CO2 into the environment. We cant exist without trees, we rely on them to regulate the atmosphere, stabilize the soil, and maintain a habitable temperature.

Angela Gilmore's Borehole through deep time (first forests - 383 Ma Gilboa, US) 2022 acrylic on FSD birch panel

My work process starts with a lot of research, and I read and digested a lot of scientific papers. Science and art have both been interests of mine since childhood. Even when I was studying physics, I took art classes at night.

One of the interesting things I learned is that when the first forests arrived on the planet there were no flowers, no flying insects, and the only colours you would have seen were greens and browns.

"So in my painting I introduced colour by using sunsets and sunrises, the landscape changed in appearance depending on the angle of the sun on the horizon.

Angela continues to be deeply inspired by The Gearagh.

Living near the Gearagh National Park has inspired my work enormously. The Gearagh is a magical and haunting place. Its dramatic and eerie. Its beauty changes so much with the weather and levels of water, sometimes it becomes almost lunar.

Its a fascinating place, but what is also important is that the eeriness is due to the trees having been removed long ago.

The subject of refugees from both war and from climate change is something that Angela also continues to explore.

Her work also examines the extraction of natural resources and minerals from fragile environments, and she will continue exploring similar themes in upcoming exhibitions.

Shadow Forests the remains of the Gearagh' acrylic on canvas 100x120cm.

In the mid-nineties, Beth launched a mindfulness programme for the Harvard Medical school. She took an existing clinical programme in behavioural medicine and transformed it into a direct service programme to teach mindfulness to educators and students from pre through to high school.

When it comes to climate anxiety, she is extremely conscious of its impact upon young people.

We need to acknowledge their fears without dismissing them, and also acknowledge how we and previous generations have taken resources for granted.

"We need to support their efforts, however big or small, in regard to creating a more just ecological future.

We can help them by supporting climate and environmental justice warriors such as Greta Thunberg, and so many others around the world who recognise that the Earth as they know it is at risk.

It is essential to learn the lessons that time teaches us. Understanding the deep past can lead to change in thought and action and positively impact the environment.

It is our hope that Shadow Forests will draw attention to the critical nature of our existing woodlands and the importance of preserving them for the future.
In the middle of the night, Hurricane Laura made landfall, hitting the Gulf Coast in Louisiana with record-setting 150 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center, which warned of an unsurvivable storm surge.

Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes. This surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate coastline, and flood waters will not fully recede for several days after the storm.

The storm weakened rapidly as it moved inland, losing strength as it was downgraded to a category 3 hurricane. Early Thursday morning, it was down to a category 2 and the National Hurricane Center expects it will weaken to a tropical storm as it turns northeast and moves over Arkansas Thursday. At the time of landfall, Laura was a ferocious looking hurricane with a clear circular eye, an intense eyewall, and tightly-coiled surrounding spiral bands, the National Weather Service said in an update on the storm early Thursday, as The Washington Post reported.

Cameron, Louisiana on the Gulf Coast, about 35 miles east of the Texas border, bore the brunt of Laura as it moved on shore with near record winds. In Lake Charles, a city of 78,000 people, buildings shook as the storms winds ripped through the citys streets. There will be parts of Lake Charles underwater that no living human being has ever seen before, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told WWL Radio, as CNN reported. We are marshaling all of our people and assets to go in  and start a very robust search and rescue effort.

The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm surges would make a low-lying area, like Cameron, part of the Gulf of Mexico until the storm had passed and the floodwaters receded, as The New York Times reported. In the run up to the storm, governors from both Louisiana and Texas urged people to evacuate. Im asking people right now to pay attention to this storm, to get out of harms way, said Edwards during a briefing before the storms arrival, as The New York Times reported. Understand, our state has not seen a storm surge like this in many, many decades. We havent seen wind speeds like were going to experience in a very, very long time.

While the storm is weakening, its heavy winds are still ripping through Western Louisiana and grazing East Texas, causing widespread power outages. Furthermore, the hurricane is dropping five to 10 inches of rain over a wide swath of the Gulf Coast, and up to 18 inches in some areas, according to The Washington Post. That intense rain is leading to flash flooding in some areas. The National Hurricane Center warned that just because the storm is weakening does not mean it is safe. The effects will continue to be felt through the weekend for areas east of the Mississippi River.




Egypt considers importing wheat from India

The Supply Ministry of Egypt is considering to add wheat from India to 16 other countries accepted by the state grains buyer, to supplement grain imports which have been disrupted by Russia's invasion into Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Egypt's Agriculture Ministry has sent delegates to India to discuss phytosanitary measures and examining grains before approving imports of Indian wheat.

Egypt, the biggest wheat importer in the world, purchases the grain through tenders decided by the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), the state grains buyer.

Countries accredited for wheat imports into Egypt include Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and the US.

GASC usually imports from the Black Sea region because of its nearby location, quality and competitive prices, but shipments from the area have been disrupted by Russia's invasion into Ukraine. Russian wheat shipments to Egypt continued in March.

A US wheat bid was offered to Egypt in its last tender but it was not purchased.

The Supply Ministry said Indian wheat imports will hinge on suppliers offering competitive bids in GASC's tenders plus quantities offered.

India seeks to enter the wheat export market after a gap was left due to the Ukraine conflict. India has been hampered by logistical issues and quality concerns to export its grains globally despite oversupply of wheat stocks.

Egypt has been discussing with Argentina, France, and the US about diversifying its purchases.

The Egyptian government has been looking into issuing limited origin tenders or direct purchases outside the tender framework to purchase wheat, according to several traders.

- Reuters




UK imports more wheat in February

The UK imported more wheat in February at 123,746 tonnes, up from 112,585 tonnes in January but remains below last season's pace based on data from UK customs, Reuters reported.

Most of the imported wheat in February came from Denmark, with 64,390 tonnes shipped. This was followed by Germany with 40,222 tonnes.

The UK's cumulative imports totalled 1.31 million tonnes from the start of the 2021/22 season (since July 1, 2021), this is lower than the 1.70 million in the same period the year prior.

The UK has imported 327,437 tonnes of wheat from Denmark, the largest supplier in the 2021/22 season.

UK wheat imports are projected to decline this season after a bumper wheat harvest of 14.02 million tonnes last summer, 45.2% higher compared to the previous year.

- Reuters




ABPA: Brazil exported 91,400 tonnes of pork in March

The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) said pork exports from the country totalled 91,400 tonnes in March 2022, 16.3% lower year-on-year, ABPA reported.

This was worth US$190.3 million, 27.3% down compared to US$261.7 million in March 2021

Pork exports reached 237,500 tonnes in the quarter, 6.3% down compared to the 253,500 tonnes exported year-on-year. The reported balance was US$498.5 million in revenue, down 16.1% compared to the US$594 million in January to March 2021.

Ricardo Santin, president of ABPA, said when compared to data from previous months, there is increased pork exports which has stemmed rising input costs.

The biggest Brazilian pork buyer was China (34,100 tonnes). Other top purchasers include Hong Kong (9,700 tonnes), the Philippines (6,800 tonnes), Singapore (5,200 tonnes) and Argentina (5,000 tonnes).

Luis Roy, director of markets at ABPA, said China is expected to import more Brazilian pork in the next few months.

- Brazil Association of Animal Protein




Ireland's swine industry affected by rising grain and protein prices

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) informed the Irish government that the country's swine industry is losing EUR 15 million (~US$16.2 million; EUR 1 = US$1.08) monthly due to rising grain and protein prices, The Times reported.

MII representatives told the joint committee on agriculture, food and the marine that the swine industry is coping with "unprecedented challenge" and experiencing "unsustainable losses" because of soaring livestock feed costs.

The representatives also said an unstable Chinese market, the effects of Brexit, African swine fever outbreaks in Europe, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have all contributed to issues in the sector, but Russia's invasion into Ukraine has been particularly damaging to the industry.

- The Times
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Washington, MO (63090)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 52F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Nominations are being invited for the North American Manx Awards, which recognise students who made an outstanding contribution to Manx culture in 2021.

Clubs, charities and organisations can nominate students in a number of categories, which cover areas such as Manx language, music and the arts - with all but two for under-18s.

In addition, there are two awards for students who have made the most improvement in the Manx Language.

The awards have been run each year since 1978, when the convention of the North American Manx Association assembled at Rocky River, Ohio, and resolved to spend $1000 on a project to commemorate the Millennium of Tynwald in 1979.

The winners will be presented with a specially minted silver medal at a ceremony in Douglas on 8 July.
Jersey aligned with Isle of Man's corporate tax approach

Treasury Minister David Ashford MBE MHK today welcomed the publication of a policy paper by Jersey on the reforms to international tax rules currently being finalised by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).

Minister Ashford said: Todays paper aligns with the Isle of Mans own thinking on this topic and also with the reactions the Assessor has been receiving in recent months as she engages with relevant businesses. This is no surprise as we have worked closely with Jersey and Guernsey throughout the development of the OECDs new two-pillar solution to reform international taxation rules.

No final decisions have been made on our response to the two-pillar plan but I am mindful that the business community values certainty, stability and a consistency of approach with the Channel Islands.

We will continue to engage with relevant local businesses and to work with our Jersey and Guernsey colleagues. A decision on the Isle of Mans final response will also depend on when and how this complex two-pillar plan starts to be implemented in other jurisdictions and will be taken on the grounds of what is best for the Island in the long-term.

The two-pillar plan will be relevant only to a relatively small number of businesses in the Isle of Man which are part of large multinational groups. To discuss this topic or provide comments, contact the Income Tax Division.
Ora Mixon's funeral service will be noon, May 7th, at the Round Island Creek Mission Center. Interment will be in the Thatch Mann Cemetery. Visitation was 5-6 p.m. May 6th at Royal Funeral Home in Athens.
Amazon is said to have intensified its anti-union efforts ahead of a union election at a warehouse later this month. The Amazon Labor Union told Motherboard the company is mandating daily anti-union meetings at LDJ5, a facility in Staten Island, New York. It's also said to have distributed anti-union literature and disciplined a leader of the drive for organizing on the warehouse floor. What's more, ALU says Amazon has hired anti-union consultants to pose as employees.

Workers at the warehouse, which reportedly has around 1,500 employees, are scheduled to begin a union election on April 25th. Amazon's anti-union efforts ramped up in recent days, according to the report. The ALU recently won an election at a nearby facility, JFK8, which became the first Amazon warehouse in the US to formally unionize. Amazon plans to appeal the union's victory.

Amazon and the National Labor Relations Board in December reached a deal in December, under which the company agreed to inform past and current warehouse workers in the US of their right to organize. The terms of the agreement afforded workers more leeway to organize in break rooms, which is said to have been a key factor in ALU's success at JFK8.

However, Amazon reportedly isn't sticking to those terms at LDJ5. The ALU said the company removed pro-union literature from the break room and took down a pro-union banner after the JFK8 election result became clear. A lawyer representing ALU workers has filed unfair labor practice charges against Amazon for removing the banner and allegedly retaliating against a worker to stifle unionization efforts.

Engadget has contacted Amazon for comment.

Amazon has long been accused of cracking down on workers' attempts to organize. Last year alone, it spent $4.3 million on anti-union consultants. The company's also said to be working on a chat app for workers, in which terms like "union" and "pay raise" are on a blocklist.

The NLRB said the company illegally interfered in a union election in Bessemer, Alabama last year and called for a rerun. However, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union claimed Amazon interfered in the second election as well. The result of that vote hinges on a court hearing over challenged ballots.
A former lawyer with Californias Department of Fair Employment and Housing has accused Governor Gavin Newsom of interfering with the agencys sexual harassment lawsuit against Activision Blizzard. According to an email seen by Bloomberg, DFEH assistant chief counsel Melanie Proctor said Tuesday she was resigning her position to protest the abrupt firing of Janette Wipper, the watchdogs chief counsel.

The Office of the Governor repeatedly demanded advance notice of litigation strategy and of next steps in the litigation, Proctor writes in her resignation. As we continued to win in state court, this interference increased, mimicking the interests of Activisions counsel. Proctor alleges Wipper was abruptly terminated for attempting to protect the DFEHs independence. According to the email, the former chief counsel is considering all avenues of legal recourse, including a claim under Californias Whistleblower Protection Act.

"Claims of interference by our office are categorically false," Erin Mellon, communications director for Governor Newsom, told Engadget. "The Newsom administration supports the effective work DFEH has done under Director Kevin Kish to enforce civil rights laws and protect workers, and will continue to support DFEH in their efforts to fight all forms of discrimination and protect Californians."

News of the resignation comes little more than two weeks after a federal judge ordered Activision Blizzard to pay $18 million to settle a US Equal Opportunity Commission lawsuit accusing the publisher of fostering a discriminatory workplace. Before that complaint was filed, California's fair employment agency launched its own lawsuit against Activision Blizzard following a two-year investigation into sexual harassment allegations at the publisher. The DFEH case is currently scheduled to go to trial in February 2023, but the allegations put forward by Proctor are likely to raise questions about the ultimate fate of the lawsuit.

"In recent years, under this administration and my leadership, DFEH has litigated groundbreaking cases that are a model of effective government enforcement of civil rights," said DFEH director Kevin Kish. "We continue to do so with the full support of the administration. Our cases will move forward based on the facts, the law, and our commitment to our mission to protect the civil rights of all Californians."

Update 4/14/22 11:33AM ET: This post has been updated with statements from both Governor Newsom's office and DFEH director Kevin Kish.
Elon Musk has only been Twitters largest shareholder for a few weeks, but hes already facing a class action lawsuit over his handling of the investment. A Twitter shareholder has filed a class action lawsuit against Musk over his 11-day delay in officially disclosing his investment in Twitter to the SEC.

Under securities law, Musk was required to file paperwork with the SEC by March 24th  10 days after his stake in Twitter grew to 5 percent  but he didnt do so until April 4th. That delay might not sound particularly significant, but it may have netted him as much as $156 million . According to the lawsuit, those gains came at the expense of other shareholders, who were not able to similarly profit.

Investors who sold shares of Twitter stock between March 24, 2022, when Musk was required to have disclosed his Twitter ownership, and before the actual April 4, 2022 disclosure, missed the resulting share price increase as the market reacted to Musks purchases and were damaged thereby, the lawsuit states.

According to the shareholder who brought the suit, he and other investors sold shares at artificially deflated prices as a result of Musks actions. The suit also alleges that Musk made materially false and misleading statements and omissions by failing to disclose to investors that he had acquired a 5% ownership stake in Twitter as required.

The lawsuit comes after a chaotic few days for Twitter and Musk. The Tesla CEO and noted Twitter troll had initially agreed to join Twitters board of directors, much to the dismay of some employees. But the decision was abruptly reversed following several days of characteristically bizarre tweets from Musk, who polled his Twitter followers whether the company should change its name, and speculated on whether the service was dying.

In an email to employees, Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal noted that as a board member Musk would have been a "fiduciary of the company, where he, like all board members has to act in the best interest of the company and all our shareholders. He added that he believed it was for the best that Musk ultimately wouldnt take the position.
Just a couple weeks after Kia announced a European release window for its EV9, the automaker has revealed when US drivers will be able to get behind the wheel of the electric SUV. It said at the New York Auto Show that the EV9 is coming Stateside in the second half of 2023.

Kia didn't announce any more details at the show, as Autoblog notes, meaning pricing is still unknown. Still, at least the timeframe has been narrowed down.
Sony and Nintendo are following Microsoft in halting payments for unused gaming subscriptions in the UK. The country's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has obtained an agreement with Sony that will wind down unused PlayStation Plus accounts. Sony will remind inactive subscribers how to end payments and, if there's still no activity, stop taking payments altogether. Nintendo, meanwhile, no longer auto-renews Switch Online subscriptions by default.

Microsoft said in January it would cancel dormant Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass subscriptions in the UK, and eventually worldwide. Like Sony, it will first notify customers (albeit after a full year of inactivity) and, one year later, halt payments. Microsoft also said it would provide more immediate information about memberships to customers, such as auto-renewal details and refunds.

The changes have led the CMA to end an investigation into online gaming services that began in 2019. The probe focused not only on auto-renewals, but on the difficulty of obtaining refunds and on potentially unfair subscription terms. While it's not yet clear if the CMA has resolved every problem, the core issue appears to have been addressed  you're less likely to get a bill for a service you stopped using a long time ago.
Spotify hasn't been just a music streaming service for quite some time now. Over the past few years, it has acquired exclusive shows and inked massive deals as part of its push to become a power player in the world of podcasts. One of the company executives that helped make that happen was Courtney Holt, who played a key role in bringing on the Obamas, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as controversial host Joe Rogan to the platform. Now, The Ankler reports that Holt is leaving the company after almost five years.

Holt is reportedly stepping down in the coming weeks but will stay on as an advisor for a year. Spotify will divide his work and team between Max Cutler, the head of new content initiatives, and Julie McNamara, head of its US studios. As The Ankler notes, Holt's departure comes shortly after Lydia Polgreen stepped down as the managing director of Gimlet, one of the podcast studios Spotify purchased in 2019 along with Anchor and Parcast. Holt also helped Spotify clinch those deals.

The executive didn't say why he's leaving the company and posted a simple thanks to Spotify on Twitter:

I want to give thanks to the incredible teams at @Spotify I was luck enough to lead and interact with. The goals we set were ambitious, and yet we achieved so much. There is a great future for the company beyond what you can see and hear today!  Courtney W. Holt (@mootron) April 12, 2022

Apparently, there's growing unrest within the company regarding massive podcast acquisitions that haven't been delivering the kind of results and audiences Spotify expects. If you need an example of the scale of the company's acquisitions: Its deal with Rogan reportedly cost it at least $200 million. The Joe Rogan Experience isn't one of the shows that hasn't lived up to Spotify's expectations, seeing as it's the top podcast on the service. However, it did demonstrate that the company wasn't quite prepared to deal with the issues original content might bring.

Rogan and Spotify came under fire earlier this year after the host guested Dr. Robert Malone, who's known for spreading unfounded claims about COVID-19 and its vaccines. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek also apologized to the company's employees after it was brought to light that Rogan used racist language in some of the show's episodes, which have since been removed. Ek remained steadfast in his stance not to remove episodes with misinformation, though, claiming that preserving them fostered "critical thinking and open debate."
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There are plenty of reasons that Princess Diana's name could be trending on Twitter right now. People could be talking about the Kristen Stewart-led film, Spencer, which was recently nominated for an Oscar; there could be more drama with the still-living royal family - perhaps Prince William invoked her in a speech? Or new information about Prince Andrew has come to light? Heck, ore than once she's even trended just because of a John Mulaney joke from his Comeback Kid special, maybe he has a new one on his current tour.

Nope. None of that is what's happening. Princess Diana is trending today because BTS fans believe that their beloved Jungkook - one of the members of BTS, for the uninitiated - is her reincarnation.

Their evidence? Well...

Number one, they point out that he was born the exact day after Princess Diana died - September 1, 1997.

Number two, they apparently have quite similar style sensibilities.

And number three, their faces look kind of similar?

Y'all I'm here Jungkook and Princess Diana agenda pic.twitter.com/KjWBuQUKsn  SumSumJIMIN OST (@SumSumSeVeN) April 13, 2022

All of this is happening today for seemingly no reason - but some fans are saying that it's just because they're so phenomenally bored without a new BTS album that the fans will jump onto anything that gives them this sense of community. So...here we are.
13 April 2022

The IT Co-operation programme covers an extensive range of tools and applications used by the EPO, national offices in member states and applicants. Further details are set out in Goal 4 and in Annex 2 of the EPO Strategic Plan 2023.

Central to the programme is the creation, together with National Patent Offices and end user representatives, of a new generation of online filing tools providing a modern Front Office to all participating member states. This started with the successful launch of new EP (or NP) filing software solutions together with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) and the State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania with Greece's national Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) becoming the third office to pilot the service since Jan 2022.

Two further key milestones in the IT Co-operation programme have now been achieved in the form of the first EP Validation and PCT filings at national offices.

On 6 April, Ms. Jurga Petniunaite from AAA Law filed the first online EP Validation request via the State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania using the new Front Office filing software. The same day, a test of the end-to-end PCT application using the Front Office filing software was completed via the Spanish Patent Office (OEPM). The latter paves the way for subsequent live filings, once further fine tuning and testing of integration with OEPM systems is completed.

Easy-to-use Front Office software is key to the successful uptake of online tools by applicants, which in turn helps national patent offices (NPOs) to deliver improved quality products and services. Both milestones reported here were achieved thanks to the intense collaboration between the national offices concerned, EPI representatives, EUIPO, and EPO teams.

Further Information:
Russian oil exports into the EU are to a degree locked in to the European market. In the first place most of the Russian crude arriving in Europe is Sulphur heavy Urals crude. European refineries are specifically fitted out to take such crude products. There would be significant switching costs if Moscow tried to sell that crude say to Chinese refineries. In addition to the 3mbd coming into Europe, approximately 750,000bd comes in via the Druzbha pipeline. It is likely to be difficult for Moscow to find additional tanker capacity to dispatch that oil to anywhere else. In addition, none of the oil fields supplying the European market have any direct pipeline or terminal connections to the Asian market. These lock in factors can be reinforced by imposing targeted EU and US sanctions on tanker and insurance businesses to make it extremely difficult to sell Russian oil exports anywhere else.

At the same time the EU and US with other Western allies could decide to replace Russian oil exports to Europe with a mix of alternative supplies. Part of the alternative supply source could be taken from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The members of the IEA, consisting of the EU states, the US and other Western allies, maintain a reserve of 1.5 billion barrels. They could decide to draw upon the reserves to replace some of the Russian oil exports to the EU. A second source of oil flows for the EU would involve drawing upon extra production from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States and the US. The aim would eventually be for oil producing states to produce all the additional oil that the EU would need.

It is unlikely that Moscow can survive a loss of 3/5ths of its oil revenues for very long. With the rolling sanctions that have been imposed by the EU and the US, including the withdrawal of SWIFT access, and the freezing of approximately 50% of Russian foreign reserves, Moscow is desperately short of foreign exchange. This is clear from the recent decision of the Russian Central Bank to forcibly convert domestically held dollars and euros into rubles. For the EU and the US to now stop the flow of dollars into Moscow from Russian oil exports would have a severe impact on the financing of the Russian state and its military. The impact is likely to be so severe that the EU and US could offer Moscow an alternative.

This would be to accept EU control over Russian oil and gas revenues. The EU would impose an oil levy on Russian oil stripping a significant part of the revenues from Moscow. This would deprive it of much of its capacity to pay for the war, while providing the EU funds to pay for the war costs that fall upon the EU and Ukraine. While Moscow will also clearly object to this proposition, it is a better proposition than to face a cut off of 3/5ths of its oil revenues.

Clearly there is a danger that if we seek to strip Moscow of its oil revenues, it will try to manipulate the price of natural gas to obtain additional revenues. Hence in any deal with Moscow over oil revenues there would have to be also a parallel deal on gas. In some respects, it is easier to control natural gas flows because almost all of Russian exports to the EU come via pipeline (in 2021 140 billion cubic meters (bcm) of a total of Russian exports of 155bcm). There are no pipelines in Gazproms Western Siberian fields to take that gas anywhere else other than Europe. In order to limit market distortions, the Union could for instance impose a fixed price for natural gas and impose an agency which would act as the sole purchaser of Russian natural gas. The agency would then feed gas into the spot and long term contract markets.

Moscow could of course seek to evade any total EU/US organized cut off of exports to the EU. It would, however, be difficult to move huge quantities of oil in the face of sanctions on tanker fleets and insurance companies. Even if some Russian oil was sold despite sanctions, given the release of oil from the SPR and additional oil production, the effect would be to increase market liquidity and thereby push oil prices lower. Already without sanctions Russian oil is having to be discounted by 20-30% to find any buyers. So even with evasion, Moscow would face the double discounting of 20-30% off a price which would itself have fallen because of its own attempts to push additional supplies into global markets.

The EU and US together have more capacity than first appears to inflict heavy costs on Moscow for waging aggressive war against Ukraine. We can take steps to either deny Moscow directly a large chunk of its oil revenues or strip those revenues from the Kremlin. Either way we sought to act. While there may be some initial disruption from either step, the overall costs that would fall upon European businesses and consumers would be limited.

Playing the Oil Lever: The EU and US Together Can Strip Moscow of Its Oil Revenues  Opinion by Alan Riley  Barcelona Centre for International Affairs / CIDOB.

The Opinion can be downloaded here
Madrid

Hallan sin vida a los dos operarios desaparecidos en la explosion en un edificio en el distrito de Salamanca en Madrid
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia visited Ukraine, touring the bombed-out remains of Borodyanka and meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv to pledge their support resisting Russia's invasion.
Robert BB Wagstaff was a course shy of completing his bachelors degree in accounting when he died of COVID-19 on April 10, 2020.

Wagstaff, 30, became one of the first San Antonio residents to succumb to the virus.

On Monday, a day after the second anniversary of his death, his mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his former employer and the hospital where he died.

Audrey Wagstaff alleges her son contracted the coronavirus while working at Wells Fargo Bank.

Wells Fargo had its employees working in close proximity to one another even after the COVID-19 pandemic started, and failed to provide a safe working environment forRobert A. Wagstaff even after other employeeshad contracted the COVID-19 virus, her lawsuit says.

On ExpressNews.com: COVID-19 victim posthumously awarded his A&M San Antonio degree

When the virus began spreading in March 2020, Wagstaff hardly left the house he shared with his mother. But he continued to work at Wells Fargo, she told the Express-News in May 2020. Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where he attended class, had moved all classes online.

The last week of March 2020, he began feeling sick but couldnt get a COVID-19 test from his primary-care doctor or a clinic he visited.

On April 3, 2020, Audrey Wagstaff found her son in his room wearing one sock and too exhausted to put on the other. She got him to an emergency room. He died a week later.

Wells Fargo breached its duties to Wagstaff by failing to provide a clean, sanitary and safe workplace, her lawsuit alleges.

The bank declined to comment on the lawsuit.

We are saddened by the loss of Mr. Wagstaff, Wells Fargo said in an email Wednesday. His family and loved ones continue to be in our thoughts. The health and safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority. We continue to take steps every day to protect employees while continuing to carry out our role as a provider of essential services to the public.

Northeast Baptist Hospital, where Wagstaff was hospitalized, and three physicians caused and/or contributed to (his) wrongful death by failing to meet the standard of care in treating him, the suit adds. The complaint doesnt give any details of his hospital stay. The hospitals parent company, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., also is named as a defendant.

We are committed to providing high quality care to our patients and we do not comment on pending litigation, Baptist Health System said in a statement.

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Audrey Wagstaff also named Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., in the suit. She accuses the firm of engaging in a two-year letter writing campaign of subterfuge, fraud, bad faith and malfeasance in denying death benefits.

Contributed by Audrey Wagstaff

Sedgwick has provided a myriad of nonsensical excuses for refusing any benefits to plaintiffs, the suit says. She has sued Sedgwick for breach of contract, fraud and deceptive trade practices. Sedgwick didnt respond to two emails seeking comment.

Audrey Wagstaff says the defendants collective wrongdoing has caused her emotional distress. She seeks more than $1 million in damages in the complaint, filed in state District Court in San Antonio.

Following Roberts death, Texas A&M University-San Antonio officials announced they would award his degree posthumously.

Roberts passing so close to completing his degree was a true tragedy, University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said at the time. Were honored to include him in our graduating class. He earned this, and were proud to claim him as a Texas A&M-San Antonio graduate.

pdanner@express-news.net
SWAKOPMUND, Namibia, April 13 (Xinhua) -- PRIME motorsport club Team Kyle will host Swakopmund Spin City this Easter weekend, on April 16.

The event will feature Team Kyle's renowned spinner Kyle van Wyk, who is expected to deliver a stellar performance with two V8s and his M20.

Besides Van Wyk's famous 360s, kitchen to kitchen and M20 stunts will be complemented by South African spinner Zarn Wichman. Female spinner Ayanda will also feature at the event.

"It is with great pleasure that Team Kyle presents the Easter Spin in Swakopmund this year at Swakopmund Spin City. As it has been a tradition for the past three years, this event is a fun-filled day for motorsport enthusiasts, to come out and enjoy the day. The event does not only include burning rubber, but we will have a live DJ as well. DJ Valen is known for his ability for keeping crowds entertained both young and old," Team Kyle Chairlady, Felicity Van Wyk, told Xinhua.

Van Wyk added, "We are planning a 'convoy drive through' in Walvis Bay for the 15th and in Swakopmund on the 16th. We want the fans to meet and interact with the spinners. So please bring along your family and camping chairs to come to enjoy this day with Team Kyle." 
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Dear Cathy,

While there are (thankfully) quite a few rescue organizations to help dogs and cats, zoo animals, and sanctuary animals in Ukraine, there dont seem to be many that are assisting abandoned farm animals. I really want to donate to legitimate organizations that will use the money to actually help these animals as best they can. Do you have any recommendations?

Pat

Dear Pat,

There are a lot of groups in the U.S., Ukraine and around the world that are supporting Ukrainian animal welfare groups with financial support and/or by putting boots on the ground with staff and/or volunteers. Food is the No. 1 resource needed, both for animals still in Ukraine and for those crossing the border. While the news may focus on efforts for pets, many of these same groups are also helping farm and zoo animals.

The following are some groups recommended by my animal welfare colleagues who are in the know about the rescue work being done for Ukraine.

Humane Society International, hsi.org, is helping Ukrainian refugees with their pets by providing emergency funding to local organizations and supplies such as pet food, blankets and veterinary care. You can also support UAnimals, a Ukrainian group HSI recommends, at patreon.com/uanimals. UAnimals network of volunteers is helping companion, farm and zoo animals.

Located in Ukraine, Shelter Ugolyok: Animal Rescue and Farm Sanctuary keeps its Instagram site up to date on the pets and farm animals its helping at its sanctuary. You can donate to the shelter at patreon.com/ShelterUgolyok.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare has been on the ground helping local animal shelters since the beginning of the war. You can donate at ifaw.org.

SavetheDogs.eu is a Romanian group helping Ukrainians and their pets crossing into Romania by giving out food and supplies. FourPawsUSA.org is sending food to animals still in animal shelters and at the Kyiv Zoo.

The Greater Good is helping with funds to help animal groups but also has had a team on the ground helping people and pets crossing the border into Poland.

There are also several groups setting up free veterinary care along the neighboring countrys borders for pets fleeing the war. Donate to the American Veterinary Medical Association charitable arm, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, at avmf.org/Donate, and to Romanian shelter Savas Safe Haven at savasafehaven.com/donate.

To see details on what these groups are actually doing, please visit their respective websites. There are many great animal welfare organizations trying to help, so please dont rule out an organization because I didnt list them here.

Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert. Send your pet questions, stories, and tips to cathy@petpundit.com.
Melissa Lucio has spent the last 15 years on death row after she was convicted of capital murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah. Many family members and supporters say the girl's death was an accident.

Lucio is scheduled to be killed by lethal injection on April 27. As her execution looms, her options are slim despite new evidence her lawyers say proves her innocence. Here are nine things to know about the case.

Who is Melissa Lucio?

Lucio is a 53-year-old Harlingen mother of 14 who has struggled with a history of poverty, addiction and violence. She endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of family members and, later, sexual and domestic abuse from her partners. She experienced homelessness and extensive drug abuse and the household had been visited by Child Protective Services. While family readily admits Lucio was not a perfect mom, her lawyers contend that she never physically abused any of her 14 children. They point to decades of CPS records as proof that she never physically harmed them amid the struggles that brought social workers to her door.

Courtesy/The Innocence Project Courtesy/The Innocence Project Courtesy/The Innocence Project Family photos of Melissa Lucio and her children. (Courtesy) Family photos of Melissa Lucio and her children. (Courtesy)

The Cameron County jury at Lucio's capital murder trial never heard testimony about her background as a victim of repeated sexual and domestic abuse who faced homelessness and poverty.

Would Melissa Lucio be the first Latina put to death in Texas?

Technically, yes. If Lucio is not granted a reprieve or a stay of execution, she would be the first Latina to be put to death in Texas in the modern era, and the first Texas woman executed in nearly a decade. The last woman to be put to death in Texas was Lisa Coleman in 2014, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The first was Josefa "Chipita" Rodriguez, who was hanged in San Patricio County in 1863. The Texas Legislature passed a resolution more than a century later that Rodriguez did not receive a fair trial.

What happened to Melissa Lucio's daughter?

Lucio's family says that Mariah fell down a rickety flight of stairs outside their Harlingen apartment in 2007 while the family was in the process of moving. Two days later, she died in her sleep.

The Cameron County medical examiner ruled Mariah's death a homicide, stating that the bruising on Mariah's body was the worst case of child abuse she had ever seen. On the night of Mariah's death, Lucio, who was pregnant with twins, was questioned by investigators for a prolonged period. Her lawyers say police coerced her to give a false confession and her conduct during the interrogation was unjustly used to build a case against her.

What does Melissa Lucio say about her case?

Lucio has long maintained her innocence. On the night of Mariahs' death, she told investigators both verbally and nonverbally she was innocent more than 100 times, according to her lawyers. In a 2020 Hulu documentary that argues for her innocence, Lucio contends she would never hurt her children and says she made the false confession under duress, in part to shield another one of her older daughters from being blamed for Mariah's death. The older daughter told a private investigator she was the one to blame for Mariah's fall, according to deleted scenes from the documentary that have been shared with the Houston Chronicle.

What does Melissa Lucio's family say?

Lucio's family members have been traveling across the state and holding rallies to encourage residents to see the documentary and sign an online petition calling for her release. They've also held daily prayer vigils outside the Cameron County courthouse, calling on District Attorney Luis Saenz to review her case and withdraw her death warrant. Saenz's intervention would be the safest and swiftest method for a reprieve, according to Death Penalty Action, an advocacy group that has been traveling with the family and helping spread awareness about her case.

But Lucio's relatives have been torn apart in the wake of her incarceration. Most of her adult children are living their own lives with children of their own. After the documentary suggested an older daughter was a possible culprit in Mariah's death, that daughter and a few other siblings took to social media to make claims against Lucio.

They argue that the older daughter had nothing to do with Mariah's death as the documentary implies, but these daughters still do not wish to see their mother executed. They have signed a document alongside their other siblings pleading with Gov. Greg Abbott and The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to spare their mother's life.

Most of Lucio's family, including her elderly mother, her son, John Lucio, and her sister, Sonya Valencia Alvarez, have been relentless in their mission to shed light on Lucio's case and get her off of death row.

Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer Denise Cathey, MBI / Associated Press Melissa Lucio's son, John Lucio (left) and sister, Sonya Valencia Alvarez (right). (Denise Cathey, MBI / Associated Press) (Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer) Melissa Lucio's son, John Lucio (left) and sister, Sonya Valencia Alvarez (right). (Denise Cathey, MBI / Associated Press) (Yi-Chin Lee, Photographer / Staff photographer)

My sister is innocent, Sonya Valencia Alvarez said at a Houston rally on a chilly February day. This is an innocent woman. This is a loving mother of 14 children who was sent to death.

What new evidence is there in the Melissa Lucio case?

Lucio's lawyers from the Innocence Project have filed a plethora of legal motions on her behalf, including a new clemency petition with evidence they say proves her innocence. Included in that petition are statements by five jurors at her capital murder trial who said they would have decided differently had they known about Lucio's personal history or seen other evidence that was not presented at trial.

[T]he fact that you cant pinpoint what caused Mariahs death means that [Melissa] shouldnt be executed, juror Johnny Galvan said in his statement.

Galvan wrote in an Op-Ed in the Houston Chronicle, saying he felt pressured to sentence Lucio to death and that he "wished I had never done so."

A forensic expert states in the clemency petition that Mariah's bruising was likely caused by head trauma she sustained when she fell down the stairs. The expert said the medical examiner's ruling that the girl died as a result of child abuse was a rush to judgment. Anti-domestic violence organizations, faith leaders in Texas, death row exonerees and other wrongfully convicted people have shared statements of support as part of her request for relief.

LUCIO CASE: Catholic leaders urge Abbott to stop execution of Hispanic mother in childs death

Beyond the unexplored evidence, Lucio's lawyers also argue her trial was unfairly influenced by bigotry and corruption from both sides of the courtroom, including the case brought by a DA who was later sentenced to prison.

What are Melissa Lucio's options?

Lucio's lawyers have requested her death sentence be commuted to life in prison, or that she be granted an evidentiary hearing and a chance to prove her innocence. Her lawyers say it's typical for the Board not to decide about a clemency petition until just days before a person is set to be executed.

Abbott has also the authority to stop Lucio's execution. He could grant her clemency and reduce her sentence. Lucio's third and final option is for Cameron County District Attorney Saenz to withdraw her death warrant and reinvestigate the case. Saenz has remained silent for years, but Lucio's oldest son spoke with him briefly after stopping him in the courthouse parking lot during a protest in late March. Saenz was captured on video telling John Lucio he "would be glad to take a look" at his mother's case.

Who has spoken out about the Melissa Lucio case?

Texas lawmakers and big-name celebrities are asking the state to take action in Lucio's case. In late March more than 80 Texas lawmakers requested clemency for her, pleading with Abbott and the Board to intervene. Another group of Texas lawmakers met privately with Lucio on Wednesday to hear her case and discuss efforts to stop her execution, the Associated Press reported.

Kim Kardashian on Wednesday shared Lucio's case with her more than 70 million followers, calling her situation "heartbreaking."

Death Penalty Action is hosting weekly live streams with celebrity guests that include Carmela Zumbado from the Netflix show "You"; Sherry Cola from Freeform's "Good Trouble"; and Julissa Calderon from Netflix's "Gentefied," according to a representative from the organization.

Where can I watch the Melissa Lucio documentary?

The 2020 documentary, The State of Texas vs. Melissa, is available on Hulu and Amazon Prime.

rebecca.hennes@chron.com
CONCORD (AP)  Lawmakers working to shut down New Hampshires troubled youth detention center heard competing opinions Tuesday on whether to construct a new facility or contract with a private company.

The state currently spends $13 million a year to operate the 144-bed Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, although the typical population is currently about a dozen teens. Debate over its future began years ago, but has come to a boil amid horrific sexual abuse allegations. Last June's state budget has mandated closing the center by March 2023.

The Senate passed a bill last month, however, that would extend the deadline, giving the state until June 30, 2024, to build a new facility. Now debate has moved to the state House.

At a public hearing Tuesday before a House committee, supporters said this timeline was more realistic given demands on the construction industry. They emphasized that a state-run facility would allow the Office of the Child Advocate, an independent oversight agency, to maintain real-time access to childrens records and to respond to problems immediately if necessary.

Our impression is that a state-owned facility will provide the best return on investment and the most flexible use of that investment, said Cassandra Sanchez, who took over as director of the four-year-old watchdog agency earlier this week.

The Senate bill has the support of the Juvenile Rights Policy Group, a coalition of nonprofit groups that advocate for vulnerable youth, and the Department of Health and Human Services. But opponents argued that contracting with an existing private facility could save money because the state would be paying per child, per day instead of maintaining its own, fixed-cost facility. And they said private companies with expertise in treating such children could do a better job than the state, given its poor track record of keeping children safe.

The youth center, named for former Gov. John H. Sununu, has been the target of a criminal investigation since 2019, and 11 former workers were arrested in April. Lawmakers also are considering a $100 million fund to settle claims brought by nearly 450 former residents who have sued the state with allegations involving more than 150 staffers from 1963 to 2018.

Do we expect another couple hundred million dollars in lawsuits five, 10, 20 years from now? said former Rep. Neal Kurk, who opposed the Senate-passed bill and said it would create a mini-Sununu Center.

Its a bad approach," he said. The idea that we would pass the Senate bill suggests we have learned nothing from history and we want history to repeat itself.

Rep. Mary Jane Wallner, D-Concord, agreed, saying the Senate-passed bill focused too much on the building and not enough on appropriate treatment of children.

To me this feels like were taking another step backward, she said. Its incarceration of these children and not looking at what we could be doing for them in their own communities.
CHICAGO (AP)  The widow of a northern Illinois police officer who killed himself amid an investigation of his alleged theft of thousands of dollars from a youth program was sentenced on Tuesday to two years probation for her role in the scheme.

Melodie Gliniewicz, who pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of deceptive practices in exchange for prosecutors' agreement to drop several other charges, faced a maximum sentence of three years in prison. But Lake County Judge James Booras' sentence was not surprising given that prosecutors did not ask that Gliniewicz be sent to prison.

In sentencing Gliniewicz, Booras said that there was no indication that Gliniewicz took any money from the Fox Lake Explorers Post that her husband oversaw. Booras said her involvement was totally the result of her late husband, Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joe Gliniewiczs scheme to use thousands of dollars from the programs funds to pay for a vacation, meals, health club membership and other personal expenses.

Further, he said, The defendant appears to be rehabilitated."

The sentencing came after an all-day hearing during which Gliniewicz tearfully told the judge that she did not know the extent of her husband's use of the money from the Fox Lake Explorers program and, in fact, paid money back when she learned what had happened.

I never took a cent from the Explorers fund, no matter what has been reported," she said.

Gliniewicz said she has been punished daily for what her husband did, telling the judge that she has been unable to find a job because of my name and that her husband's grave has been defaced by vandals.

The sentencing is the latest chapter in a bizarre story that began after Lt. Gliniewicz was found shot to death on Sept. 1, 2015, shortly after he radioed a dispatcher to report that he was chasing three suspects on foot in the community about 45 miles (72.42 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.

The discovery of his body, with two bullet wounds in his torso, sparked a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers from area law enforcement agencies, helicopters, heat-sensing sensors and K-9 units, as local residents locked themselves in their homes out of fear that the killers were on the loose.

Weeks later, officials made a stunning announcement that the popular lieutenant known as G.I. Joe" and whose funeral procession attracted thousands of people who lined the streets to pay their respects, had staged his suicide. Officials later sad the 30-year department veteran stole thousands of dollars from the youth program he oversaw.
Minutes after his name was made public as the next San Antonio Independent School District superintendent, Jaime Aquino was already on task, introducing himself to the community.

His excitement was evident in lively hand gestures and full body responses to questions about his vision for the district and the 45,000 students he called his children.

Im up for this challenge, Aquino told the SAISD board Monday evening, after trustees picked him as their lone finalist for the position. This concept of family, of familia. Im not going to be alone. First, I dont believe in this theory of a superman or superwoman thats going to come and transform the district or a school by himself or herself. This is really going to take a village.

Ronald Cortes / Contributor

His brief news conference was livestreamed. So was his meeting Tuesday afternoon with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board, another round of introductions, questions and approving nods from board members.

Despite a doctorate in curriculum and teaching that protocol might prompt most to address him as Dr. Aquino, the lone finalist made it clear  several times  that he wants to be called Jaime.

Aquino, 57, said he thinks of himself as a teacher rather than an administrator. He was 22 when he came from the Dominican Republic to Public School 52 in Queens, N.Y., in 1987, recruited as a bilingual teacher. Aquino later taught science there, according to a resume provided by SAISD.

He had spent years in a seminary, drawn to become a priest as a way to serve the most vulnerable communities in his native country. The calling to an education career was stronger, though he thought about quitting in his first year of teaching.

Acknowledging the challenges and stress pushing educators out of the field, Aquino repeatedly brought the conversation back to the students.

I am an immigrant who came to this country as an adult, Aquino said. Im also an English learner who is still trying to learn English.  I am committed to make sure that every single student in this great city can become me, or  why not  better than me.

On ExpressNews.com: Live: Meet Jaime Aquino, SAISD's sole finalist for superintendent

Ronald Cortes / Contributor

The board must now wait 21 days before voting to formalize Aquinos hiring with a contract, which will likely be for five years.

The districts search drew 40 applicants vying to replace Superintendent Pedro Martinez, who departed in September. Naming a sole finalist by April was the boards best-case scenario.

Dr. Aquino brings the sensitivity, brings the compassion, he brings the insight and the ability to listen and work with a diverse group of board members and a diverse community, trustee Ed Garza said. We couldnt have written the script any better, in terms of how this turned out.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio ISD board picks Jaime Aquino, veteran administrator, as superintendent finalist

In 1993, Aquino began his career as an administrator as a bilingual resource specialist focusing on bilingual educators teaching math and science, this time for Community School District 28 in New York. A year later, he transitioned to a similar position with the New York City Board of Education.

He was an assistant professor at California State University in 1996, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and later deputy superintendent at Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut, in 1999 and 2003, and the deputy superintendent of instruction at Los Angeles Unified School District between 2011 and 2014. He returned to New York to help struggling schools as a distinguished educator for the state. He has been a consultant in recent years.

Ronald Cortes / Contributor

When asked if he was prepared to make San Antonio a long-term home, Aquino said he is committed to staying here as long as he is wanted and needed and hoped to retire here.

This is the last leg of my professional journey, Aquino said.

Aquino had gotten a sense of the district and the community when SAISD hired New Leaders, a training company he worked for between 2014 and 2018, to train aspiring principals.

One of the biggest attracting factors that Aquino saw in SAISD was community engagement and support, he said, which was evident in the passing of two large bond issues, which he took as voters commitment to better the education of their children. He said he saw a school board that places students first.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio ISD looks to Latin America for hard-to-find dual language teachers

I would not have taken this role if it werent for the board of trustees, Aquino said. I found this team of leaders, first, to be so aligned in terms of mission. They may disagree but  are driving in the same direction. And the fact that they are so student-centered in their approach to making decisions.

As far as what challenges await him once his employment becomes official, Aquino said student academic achievement is one of his top priorities. He wants to work on a long-term vision  and specific plans  that include intervention and safety nets to catch students when they need help the most.

Ronald Cortes / Contributor

Teacher support is also necessary, he added, and he plans to regularly adopt a teacher to make sure he has a foot in the classroom  and adopt principals and students while hes at it. He pledged transparency, including to trustees, whom he said he warned early in his interview that he would always tell the truth. Parental engagement can be increased by providing the tools needed  in English and Spanish  to know what is happening in the classroom, Aquino said.

Once his tenure starts, the plan is to embark on what he called a listening tour throughout the district and the community. And for the first three to six months, he will open his door for 15-minute meetings to hear from as many people as he can.

Yo voy a tener mi puerta abierta, Aquino said, addressing a question in Spanish from a parent of two SAISD students Monday night. Esto para mi como inmigrante es muy cercano. Asi que yo espero que usted este, no detras de mi, si no al lado mio.

He will have his door open, he said.

danya.perez@express-news.net | @DanyaPH
On April 1, Isidro Leal drove from his McAllen-area home to monitor construction crews near the historic Eli Jackson Cemetery, a little less than a mile from the Rio Grande. Leal said it was upsetting and confusing to find workers bulldozing brush within 10 feet of the 19th century burial ground.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection had already built concrete slabs topped with 18-foot steel bollards to the east and west of the cemetery when Leal, a member of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, visited several months ago.

A small stretch of the levee immediately north of the cemetery had remained untouched, Leal said. By his most recent visit, the brush-covered slope from the cemetery to the levee has been cleared and graded. He said construction crews are expanding the levees and are laying concrete slabs topped with steel bollards, shorter versions of the fencing used for past wall construction.

Hes worried the construction is affecting the headstones and the overall stability of the land right next to the levee.

Bob Owen, STAFF-photographer / San Antonio Express-News

In a letter to wall opponents this year, CBP said contractors are repairing damage caused by earlier wall construction. The repairs will result in more than 15 miles of new concrete levee walls topped with steel posts.

Wall opponents say CBP is violating the law  Congress in 2020 passed legislation protecting the Eli Jackson Cemetery from border wall construction  and shows that the current administration is building border wall despite President Joe Bidens pledge to halt construction.

Congressional Democrats during budget negotiations last month abandoned their effort to cancel about $2 billion in leftover wall funding allocated in 2018, 2019 and 2020, money that CBP must now spend. Earlier this year, the agency told Rio Grande Valley landowners it was conducting an environmental assessment as part of its plan to build 86 miles of new border wall, essentially walling off the Valley.

The construction near the Eli Jackson Cemetery is part of a less ambitious plan, according to a letter Ruynard Singleton, the executive director of the Border Patrols program office directorate, sent the Center for Biological Diversity after the center said it intends to sue and seek a halt to construction.

CBP is spending the leftover border wall funds to build 15.6 miles of new wall along flood control levees, which it says were damaged during Trump administration border wall construction, according to the February letter. CBP didnt respond to questions, but Singleton wrote that construction is scheduled to be completed by January.

Bob Owen, STAFF-photographer / San Antonio Express-News

The agency is building six-to 14-foot concrete levees on the existing earthen levees, Singleton wrote. On top, crews will install roads.

Because the levee road will (be) used by both the U.S. Border Patrol agents to patrol the border and by members of the general public, four-to-five-foot bollards are being installed river side of the border road on top of the levee, Singleton wrote.

Singleton wrote that CBP initially identified 13.4 miles of levee that needed repairs, but recently determined an additional 2.2 miles will need remediation. That includes a 500-foot stretch of levee next to the Eli Jackson Cemetery, said Paulo Lopes, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Environmentalists say the shorter levee walls restrict the passage of the regions wildlife, including the endangered ocelot. During floods, animals that would have scaled the earthen levees will now be trapped between the steel-topped concrete slabs and the rising Rio Grande. And opponents of the wall point out that Congress in 2019 and 2020 prohibited spending border wall funds for construction within historic cemeteries.

If a historic cemetery is being turned into a construction zone, whats to stop the Biden administration from using the guise of levee remediation to build Trumps border levee wall through other places Congress protected? Lopes said. Congress protected these historic and wildlife-rich areas for good reason. These walls, roads and infrastructure will do irreversible damage. The Biden administration needs to stop pretending this is somehow less harmful than Trumps wall.

Eric Gay, STF / Associated Press

Congressmen Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, whose districts include parts of Hidalgo County, didnt respond to requests for comment.

The Eli Jackson Cemetery is a unique Valley historic site. Rancher Eli Jackson, who died in 1911, was the son of Nathaniel Jackson and Matilda Hicks, a white man and Black woman who had helped people fleeing slavery in the U.S. Their descendants still live and work in the Valley.

Deana Limon, a descendent of Matilda Hicks's daughter Emily, who was born before Hicks married Jackson, said she visited the cemetery last week and was disappointed to see construction equipment so near the graves. The oldest headstone in the cemetery is from 1898, Limon said. The most recent is from 2020.

Among the more than 100 people buried buried in the cemetery, she said, are two U.S. military veterans, a descendant of the Canary Islanders who settled San Antonio and the brother of a Texas Ranger. It's also home to a memorial for Paulino Caseres and Federico Jackson, cousins and best friends born on the same day. The two were killed on the same day in 1920 by Texas Rangers, Limon said.

These people are the pioneers of the Valley, she said. It kind of feels like the wall keeps moving forward. There's no taking it down at this point.

The family of Ramiro Ramirez, a descendant of Eli Jacksons brother Martin, owns the nearby Jackson Ranch Church and cemetery. Ramirez said he grew up hearing stories about the Jacksons fleeing slavery and injustice in Alabama and helping others at the ranch near the Rio Grande. Hes concerned about the impact the construction will have on the 19th century structure. Hes also worried about access to the site for funeral services, maintenance and for emergency personnel in case theres a fire.

They're going to put in a gate, Ramirez said. They won't tell me whether it's going to be locked. Whether there will be a code for access. Whether there's going to be 24/7 security there. That's a great concern for us to have access to the church and the cemetery.

From 2017 to 2020, the cemetery and a nearby church were the site of an occupied protest by the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, descendants of people whose villages could be found on the Rio Grande banks when Spaniards arrived. The tribe has not been recognized by the federal government. Carrizo/Comecrudo members are concerned that wall construction, and clearing brush and grading for a 150-foot CBP enforcement zone will disturb burial sites and other tribal areas, said Chairman Juan Mancias.

We know there were villages all along the river and we know there were ceremonies conducted in those villages, so they're sacred sites, Mancias said.

The Trump administration used legislation that allows government to waive federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, to expedite wall construction. The Biden administration is using the waivers for the levee remediation. Lopes wants Biden to rescind the waivers.

Singleton said in his letter to the Center for Biological Diversity the Biden administration considered alternatives to the levee project, but it decided to stick with the plan to avoid delays in the work, which it says is urgent.

The Department of Homeland Security determined that the best course of action to ensure the safety of the 200,000 impacted residents was to proceed with the concrete levee design, which has allowed DHS to expedite construction by utilizing existing materials, funding, and contracts, he wrote.
Monte Bach/San Antonio Express-News

One student has been disciplined at Churchill High School as the result of an investigation into an incident in the boys locker room showers, the North East Independent School District confirmed Wednesday.

The district and San Antonio Police Department have not completed their investigation, which began this month after students reported what Principal Todd Bloomer, in a letter to parents, called inappropriate behavior.
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In 2009, Graham Weston, an entrepreneur who co-founded the mass-testing agency Community Labs at the start of the pandemic, presented an award to young Chuy Campos at the Greater San Antonio After-School All-Stars annual luncheon.

Little did Weston know their roles would be reversed at the same event exactly 13 years later as he was named the All-Stars Community Hero.

Launched in 1995 with a grant from Arnold Schwarzeneggers Inner City Games Foundation, the All-Stars is a local after-school program that hosts sporting events and other extracurricular activities, including Zumba and ceramics classes, for inner-city kids. In a normal (non-pandemic) year, Executive Director Patricia Karam said, the program serves about 3,500 students in Edgewood and San Antonio independent school districts.

We have a high rate of what we call Title I students, which means that they  have a lower family income, Karam said.

Weston, the keynote speaker, revealed Campos, who had been scheduled to introduce him, was forced to cancel due to a possible COVID-19 infection.

William Luther, Staff

But Weston made sure Campos presence was felt nonetheless. Calling attention to the empty seat at his table, Weston highlighted Campos accomplishments.

Im really proud of him, and Im proud that I intersected with his life, Weston said.

Campos took part in All-Stars as a student in SAISD. There, he honed his computer skills, which he now applies to his work at Toyota. In fact, Campos recently received an award for a major accomplishment: reducing a manufacturing time, according to Karam.

He attributed that to the training he had gotten in the after-school program, Karam said.

Held at the Briscoe Western Art Museum on Tuesday, the 2022 luncheon honored prominent community members known for supporting the All-Stars. They included Henry Cisneros, mayor from 1981 to 1989, and his wife, Mary Alice; George Hernandez, CEO of University Health System; J.D. Salinas, vice president of AT&T; Megan Rooney, chief financial officer of H-E-B; and Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philips College.

About 300 guests at the luncheon heard testimonials from current participants. Most are elementary schoolers, Karam said, but a few are slightly older. Between roughly 3 p.m., when school lets out, and 5:45 p.m., they read, do homework and play  sports, board games, arts and crafts. The structured nature of the program keeps them occupied and ensures they dont put off their assignments.

William Luther, Staff

The things that we teach them in elementary school  responsibility, goal-setting, the value of academics  that all contributes to their graduating from high school, Karam said.

Reflecting on his time in the program, one alumnus, Saint Gonzales, said the program was consistently fun.

It ... kept me away from getting into trouble, Gonzales, 14, said.

Since low socioeconomic status has been correlated with poor academic and professional outcomes, the program is designed to help offset this disadvantage. It succeeds, according to Karam. She said the administrations research shows participation has been linked to better academic performance overall.

William Luther, Staff

Their attendance is better, and their grades are better, and theres a higher percentage of them that are promoted to the next grade compared to the kids that arent in the after-school program, Karam said.

Concluding his remarks, Weston said, This is a story of San Antonio, and Chuy personifies the story thats taking place every single day. San Antonio has so much talent. We have so many talented young people; we have so much potential.

What many of them lack, he added, is the opportunity to bring out that potential  which is exactly what All-Stars offers.

caroline.tien@hearst.com
A San Antonio teenager has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing a former state prison correctional officer in 2018.

Raul Ignacio Cervera was 15 when he was arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Abram Garcia IV, who had worked at a state prison in Hondo.

Garcia left that job in January 2018 and began working with MBP General Contract Services, according to reports.

The Docket: Local crime and courtroom news, delivered to your inbox weekly

Garcia and his girlfriend were visiting Cervera at an apartment in the 700 block of Drury Lane and got into an argument with Cervera as he was leaving the night of Nov. 12, 2018, in what police later said was a robbery attempt during a drug transaction.

Garcias girlfriend was in the drivers seat and Garcia was getting into their vehicle when he was shot three times. She tried to get Garcia to a hospital but had to pull over at a motel in the 1000 block of South Laredo to meet paramedics. Garcia was pronounced dead.

Cervera was not identified when arrested because he was a juvenile. He was initially charged with murder but indicted on a capital murder charge because he was alleged to have killed Garcia while trying to rob him, a San Antonio police detective testified in a 2019 hearing.

On ExpressNews.com: Teen accused of killing former correctional officer certified as adult

Cervera had met Garcia and his girlfriend to buy marijuana but instead demanded all of the drugs and shot Garcia in a robbery attempt, the detective testified.

Defense attorney Loraine Efron called several witnesses who spoke of Cerveras troubled upbringing, including an expert who told the court he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood circumstances, had an IQ of 80, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and was low functioning.

Prosecutors argued Cervera knew what he was doing that night, presented their own expert and convinced a judge to certify the defendant to stand trial as an adult.

The capital murder charge was reduced to murder as part of an agreement reached between prosecutors Kathleen Takamine and Khristina Fielder and defense attorneys Efron and Joanne Eakle. Cervera pleaded no contest to murder in February before Judge Carlos Quezada, who found him guilty.

Now 19, Cervera was sentenced as an adult Tuesday in 289th Juvenile District Court, drawing a 30-year sentence.

He received credit for the 933 days he has spent in the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Cervera will not be considered for parole until he serves at least 15 years.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
Devincy Debongo works at the international students' office of Hefei University of Technology (HUT) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, March 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)

HEFEI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- In the summer of 2008, young Devincy Debongo, from the Central African Republic who had just finished high school, was contemplating his options for pursuing undergraduate study at the university.

He was in a state of dilemma, unsure whether to choose Zambia or Canada, until he met his cousin who had just returned from a business trip to China.

This was the first time Debongo was hearing first-hand about China, a moment that would change the future trajectory of his life.

His cousin suggested he go to China because the country was developing at a rapid pace and he would have numerous opportunities.

Following his cousin's advice, Debongo -- fluent in English and French -- got himself enrolled at Jiamusi University in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, thus embarking on his China journey.

The young man made most of the opportunity of studying in China. His outstanding academic record helped him win a number of scholarships from the Chinese government, and he eventually graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics and later earned a master's degree in law.

As a fortunate stroke of serendipity, Debongo also met his girlfriend at school and they got married in 2016.

A year later, he was admitted to Hefei University of Technology (HUT) in eastern Anhui Province to pursue a doctorate degree in business administration.

Being a longtime resident of China, Debongo loves to share his experience with other international students who are new to the country. He has also developed proficiency in the Chinese language over the years, and his trilingual skill -- Chinese, English and French -- makes him an excellent international student coordinator.

When the COVID-19 epidemic befell China in 2020, Debongo helped purchase daily necessities for international students on the campus, said Hu Mengjie, deputy dean of the International Education College of HUT.

Debongo believes that it is a responsibility and an honor for him to help his fellow schoolmates, and it also gave him a chance to strengthen his management and coordination skills.

Last year, he was hired by the international students' office as an assistant, helping foreign students with Chinese language lessons, providing psychological consultations and assisting students with the school's information system.

The 35-year-old man is recently busy writing his PhD dissertation ahead of his graduation this summer. After living in China for almost 15 years, he hopes to stay here for the next 10 years.

"I hope to be a bridge between China and Africa, introducing more investment from China to Africa and bringing more products from Africa to China. My cousin must be so proud of me now," Debongo said. 

Devincy Debongo (1st R) talks with international students at Hefei University of Technology (HUT) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, March 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)
The Schertz City Council conducted its first closed-door session April 5 to begin the search for a new city manager.

City Manager Dr. Mark Browne, 67, announced in late March that he will retire from his position Nov. 23. His retirement request was officially accepted by the council at its March 22 meeting.

I want to sincerely express my gratitude to Mark Browne for his service to Schertz as our city manager, said Mayor Ralph Gutierrez in a press release. His dedication and passion have been evident in everything he has done.

Browne was named Schertz city manager in December 2018, accepting that position after holding the same post in Alamo Heights for seven and a half years. Before that, he spent six years as city manager of Terrell Hills.

His entire career in government service spans more than 40 years, including 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. Browne retired from the military in 2005 with the rank of colonel and during that time the Galveston native earned a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Alabama.

Everybody just reaches that point in their lives where they feel theyve accomplished what they want to accomplish, and I think that is true for me, Browne said in a recent telephone interview. Ive been considering it for a while now, so it is not a flash decision. So after 40 years of government service, I reached a point where I felt this was the right time for me to go.

Browne pointed to several of those accomplishments during his tenure as the $190,841-a-year top administrator for Schertz, but especially the citys handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We managed to get through it. Our economy has been solid and our recovery has been well done so the team responded very well to that challenge, he said. Handling the COVID pandemic was certainly one of our accomplishments. The city is in a very good place.

Another high point, he added, was the communitys continuing emphasis on infrastructure, including the construction and opening of Fire Station No. 3, the renovation of a new state-of-the-art fleet facility, a new city water storage tower on Corbett Road, and city-wide improvements in streets as well as water and sewer systems.

In addition, Browne and his staff spearheaded participation in an Emerging Leaders Program where 10 employees are put through an eight-month leadership training program. We hope that this will help us grow our own future leaders throughout the city departments, he said.

Yet another accomplishment Browne cited is the citys recently signed contract with Joint Base San Antonio to provide all emergency medical services on the former Randolph AFB, a joint effort between the base and the Alamo Area Council of Governments. It is a superb addition to our service area, he noted.

But Schertz, with its rapid growth over the past several years, still has some trials ahead, Browne explained.

I think development is both good and yet still a challenge for us, he said. Weve had very strong development including some large commercial projects that are still underway, but there is still a lot to be done in that arena.

Residential development in southern Schertz, still largely a rural area, will be another thing a new city manager will need to focus on, Browne noted.

We have several new subdivisions coming in there (with developers) working on their projects and set to be underway in the next several months, he said. Were also poised for a lot of commercial development in the citys north side as well, which, in turn, will require new water and sewer infrastructure to support all of that.

And staffing remains a concern. Coming out of the pandemic, I dont think Schertz is very unusual in this. It is a national issue, he said. But there are major challenges in areas such as public safety, public works, and our parks system in getting and retaining quality employees.

As the council begins its process to find Brownes successor, he emphasized that the primary reason he announced his retirement so early was to ensure a smooth transition. I wanted to give them plenty of time, he explained, that they had enough runway, so to speak, so they could make their decisions without being overly rushed.

Another element, Browne added, is that there is the possibility that the terms of his and his successor might overlap and he would welcome the possibility of helping the new person fit into the job.

And one possible reason for that is whoever is hired will be Brownes city manager. He and his family plan to remain in Schertz after he retires. I plan to stay active in terms of doing something, but Im not quite sure what that is going to be yet, he said.

I might teachIm sure I could do thatand Im sure I will be doing quite a bit of volunteering with my church and community. I plan to stay active in that way, for sure.
A former Southwest Research Institute engineer has been charged in a scheme to defraud the San Antonio research and development organization by funneling business to a firm he ran with his wife.

A 28-page federal indictment unsealed Wednesday accused Xiaojian Tao, 63, of using his position at Southwest Research  designated as Company 1 in court documents  to gain more than $2.5 million in business through a competing company he controlled with his wife, Yu Lang, also known as Laura Long, 63.

The pair are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud.

Tao also faces three export-related charges accusing him of shipping sensitive technical specifications or data for U.S. military fighter jets, helicopters and related military aircraft to China, in violation of U.S. arms embargoes on that country.

The indictment said Tao and Lang since 1997 have owned and operated Tyletech, also known as Tylex Tech LLC and Tyle Tech, which provides engineering consulting services. The indictment said that, from 1994 to March 2020, Tao also worked for Company 1, an unnamed research and development company.

The San Antonio Express-News confirmed Company 1 is Southwest Research Institute.

Although Tao certified that each year he would notify the R&D Company of any conflicts of interest and follow Standards of Conduct, Tao and Lang hid Taos role in Tyletech, instead funneling business from the R&D Company to Tyletech, U.S. Justice Department officials said in a news release.

In 2010, for instance, while in China to represent Southwest Research, Tao met with a firm there, Company 7, to discuss Tyletechs providing it with services and testing. In May 2011, he invited representatives of that company to Southwest Research, allegedly to develop business for it, but the firm provided Tyletech with $188,691 worth of business from 2012 to 2017, and none at all to Southwest Research.

The indictment said Taos field of research at Company 1 was in fuel systems and contamination control research, where he worked on projects that included the design, development and testing of automotive air, fuel, and oil filters and filtration systems, industrial filtration and process control, and engine component wear studies using surface layer activation and bulk radioactive tracer techniques.

Tao also served on SwRIs internal research and development committee, which controls its research and development projects and determines which projects will be funded and pursued, the indictment said.

Taos position on the IR&D committee permitted Tao unrestricted access to the latest unclassified innovations for which COMPANY 1 scientists and engineers sought approval and funding, the indictment said. Some of these projects may contain proprietary information and some may be subject to export control restrictions requiring a license before being exported from the United States.

Since 1990, the United States has maintained an arms embargo that prohibits the export, re-export, or transfer of any defense items, technical data and related services to China.

Several online postings, including Taos LinkedIn account, said he was an engineer at Southwest Research Institute, but Tim Martin, its executive director of corporate communications, would not confirm or deny that Tao worked there.

Martin said on Wednesday that the institute would cooperate with the federal investigation.

Lawyers for the couple could not be reached on Wednesday.

SwRI, on San Antonios West Side, has more than 4,000 active projects at any given time, funded by both the government and commercial sectors. At the close of fiscal year 2021, it had about 3,000 employees and was conducting nearly $726 million in research.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Advertisers want nothing more than to generate attention, and Angel Studios got what it was aiming for this week.

On Tuesday, a billboard in San Antonio and others across the country promoting The Chosen were defaced in an apparent attempt to market the multi-series show about Christ.

In case you missed it: 'Manipulative': San Antonio 'The Chosen' billboard defaced for apparent marketing ploy

The show posted photos of several of the vandalized billboards on its Facebook page. And that left a mix of people on social media outraged, but for drastically different reasons.

The majority of people commenting on social media appeared to take the vandalism seriously and blamed everyone from Starbucks to Democratic Satanists for defacing the billboards, which originally encouraged people to binge Jesus.

Monte Bach / Express-News

Others felt advertisers had gone too far, suggesting that they were attempting to emotionally manipulate people by defacing the billboards with a scrawled graffiti message that criticized the show.

Jeremiah Smith, the vice president of creative for the show, said that the vandalized advertisements were meant to be seen as satire and accomplished its goal of getting people to "pay attention."

The show worked with the Harmon Brothers, the ad agency behind the Squatty Potty commercials. The goal was to make the vandalism on dozens of billboards across the country look real.

But Smith said the campaign wasn't expecting backlash and was working to apologize and explain what happened to its "core" group of fans. The show and company have done little to clarify the stunt on their websites or social media accounts.

The billboard in San Antonio off of Interstate 10 near downtown had been there for days. Seemingly overnight, the billboard looked like it had been vandalized by someone who directed people to a mysterious website that vaguely promised to "reveal answers" at 3:33 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Similar acts of "vandalism" could be seen elsewhere in the country and the show posted photos of it on social media.

At 3:33 p.m., a parody video of the devil and a group of students inside a classroom, poking fun at the show and Christianity, was uploaded to the website.

Courtesy of Angel Studios

On Wednesday morning, at least 12 hours after the campaign ran, the company responded in a Facebook comment on one of its posts.

As you may have heard, these billboards are one part of a larger marketing campaign that launched yesterday, the company said in the comment section.

Dallas Jenkins, the shows director, is reportedly going to explain what was behind the campaign during a streaming event on Wednesday evening. Jenkins is the son of Left Behind author Jerry Jenkins.

Smith said he wished they had acted sooner.

"We did make one mistake and that is we did not share our plans with our core fans," Smith said. "We should have included them in on this sooner. When we heard from our core audience, they saw the billboards and vowed to protect the show. They wanted to do something about it."

Among those core fans were a host of people on social media who felt hurt by the promotional stunt. Many even sought to blame others.

One person tagged Jenkins and thanked him for remaining so strong and steadfast in this evil, corruptive society. She also thanked him for doing Gods work.

Others weren't as duped and figured out what was going on soon after the video was posted.

One person said: Did I just fall for the greatest marketing ploy ever?

Added another: It makes me sad. Seems misleading and manipulative. I really like The Chosen so this hurts.

"It was never our intention that they were the butt of the joke or somehow the ones we were aiming this at," Smith said. "Our target audience were people who have never watched the show or never thought to experience the authentic Jesus depicted in the show.

timothy.fanning@expres-news.net
When Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian government officials recently asserted their right to use nuclear weapons in the case of Ukraine potentially joining NATO, which Russians interpret as posing an existential threat to their security, the West reacted with justifiable horror.

However, the United States has also considered using nuclear weapons on multiple occasions in the post-World War II era.

While discussions of their use may not have been as public or as forceful as the Russians, its wise to reflect on those instances.

The first was Operation Vulture during the Vietnam War era  a plan designed by the Pentagon as the Viet Minh were defeating the French at Dien Bien Phu.

At President Dwight D. Eisenhowers National Security Council meeting on April 7, 1954, U.S. Navy Adm. Arthur Radford suggested using three tactical atomic bombs to assist the French troops. U.S. Navy Adm. Felix Stump remarked later that three atomic weapons were in place and an attack could be launched within minutes of receiving the order.

Eisenhower decided to not go forward with the plan and concluded the U.S. should never again use atomic weapons without the approval of its major allies.

In 1958, when China began to shell two small islands, Quemoy and Matsu, between China and Taiwan, U.S. Air Force Gen. Nathan Twining suggested the use of nuclear weapons, this time against Chinese air force bases to prevent a successful air interdiction campaign.

The next, and most frightening, plan to use nuclear weapons was code-named Fracture Jaw. In early 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnsons senior military officers, without presidential authorization, undertook preparations for the use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam.

When Johnson learned of the plan, he quickly halted the project.

In a July 1985 interview, former President Richard Nixon said he considered using nuclear weapons four times during his presidency. The first was when determining whether to adopt a massive retaliation policy in Vietnam. The second was during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The third was during the intensification of the Soviet-Chinese border dispute. The final incident was when the Soviets threatened to intervene in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

The thought of using these weapons is frightening, but the U.S. has never had a no first use nuclear weapons policy  a policy that stipulates nuclear weapons are used only if the U.S. is first attacked with nuclear weapons by an adversary.

For decades, the U.S. has instead maintained a policy of flexible deterrence. President Joe Biden campaigned supporting a no first use policy. However, the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review states the U.S. would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of its allies and partners, meaning first use by the U.S. is still a possibility.

In January, 55 Democrats signed a letter to Biden urging him to declare a no first use policy for nuclear arms. However, the majority of Democrats in Congress and all congressional Republicans oppose a no first use policy. Moreover, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Australia have urged Biden to reject a no first use policy.

U.S. history illustrates that highly educated decision-makers using rational policy analysis can justify the use of nuclear weapons. However, when it comes to actually using them, the cost shows there is no moral high ground.

Larry Hufford is a professor of political science and international relations at St. Marys University.
W e have high hopes for Jaime Aquino, the lone finalist to serve as San Antonio Independent Districts next superintendent.

He just might be the leader the district needs at a time of great tumult in public education but also great promise at SAISD. Someone who can build on the momentum the district achieved under former Superintendent Pedro Martinez. Someone who can connect with students, parents and teachers, and elevate the district to a national model for investment and innovation.

We appreciate Aquinos energy, humility and stated passion to empower lives through education.

Now Playing: 5 things to know about SAISD's new sole finalist Jaime Aquino Video: Abigail Im Multimedia Producer, Ronald Cortes Contributor

This is a district that is on the rise, he said. We can move from good to great and not stop at great, but go to extraordinary.

Amen.

Aquino has an intriguing background. A native of the Dominican Republic who was recruited to work in New York as a bilingual teacher, Aquino, 57, has held leadership roles in New York, Los Angeles and Denver across his 35-year career.

This range of experiences offers a wealth of wisdom. It also raises some concern about his staying power at SAISD, and we asked about this during the Editorial Boards livestream meeting Tuesday.

He assured us hes committed to making San Antonio his home and would like to retire here. He said hes ready to serve and will work tirelessly to ensure every child in the district receives the highest quality education possible.

There is an abundance of work ahead, especially in elevating two-thirds of SAISDs students to grade level.

After our meeting, we found reports of issues that came up in vetting that include a purchasing controversy in Los Angeles, for which Aquino denies wrongdoing and says he was cleared.

Aquino would be leading a district that has made incredible strides  and he was quick to acknowledge this. He is encouraged by SAISDs diverse, student-centered school board; improvement from an F to a B state rating; and the passion from students, parents and community members.

The district transformed under Martinez, and our hope is Aquino keeps that evolution going. He called Martinezs accomplishments incredible. This district is nowhere near where it used to be, he said. Its also nowhere near where it needs to be.

This would be a nationally recognized district that would show America the beauty and strength that lies within a diverse community like San Antonio.

Aquino promised to be transparent, to work with the board and leverage the community to set a new road map for the district.

His first priority is continuing to improve student achievement for the 67 percent of students who are not on grade level and the 48 percent of students who are not college or career ready, and addressing the disproportionate achievement gaps for Black, Latino and special education students.

Part of his plan is to prioritize teachers and staff, work to increase student attendance and review the budget to ensure it aligns with priorities. Hes already begun his listening tour; among the first on his list was a meeting with the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, the SAISD union often critical of Martinez.

During the Monday night board meeting, San Antonio Alliance President Alejandra Lopez asked Aquino what he would tell a teacher who was contemplating quitting.

I dont have all of the answers. I will ask them, What ideas do you have, and what we can do to make this more rewarding for you? he said. I believe the majority of teachers went into the profession for the right reasons.

Its that instinct to listen and learn from stakeholders and the community that we hope helps Aquino build relationships and success. State law requires a 21-day waiting period before superintendent finalists can officially be hired. The board plans to officially welcome him May 2.

SAISDs success is our success. It is the success of 45,000 students  and generations to come.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott relented Wednesday, agreeing to ease the additional safety inspections of trucks at the busiest border entry point near Laredo in exchange for promises of more border security by Mexican officials along one 8-mile stretch of the border.

The move comes after Abbott endured days of withering criticism from both Democrats and Republicans and faced pushback from shipping companies and the Texas Trucking Association.

Since he implemented the more thorough inspections a week ago, truck traffic at many of the Texas ports of entry have stalled. In Laredo, the nations biggest trucking port, the normal 30 minutes or less to get across ballooned to three hours or longer, delaying shipments of everything from produce to electronics and driving up costs for trucking companies.

But Abbott said on Wednesday that the easing of inspections is only happening along the 8-mile stretch of border with Nuevo Leon, which has just a tiny portion of the 1,254-mile border with Texas. Abbott said hes talking to leaders of other Mexican states to work out similar agreements in return for speeding up inspections in Texas.

Since Nuevo Leon has increased its security on its side of the border, the Texas Department of Public Safety can return to its previous practice of random searches of vehicles crossing the the bridge from Neuvo Leon, Abbott said with the Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda at his side.

IN-DEPTH: Beto ORourke, trucking companies say Abbott wreaked havoc at border with latest crackdown

Almost instantly, wait times plummeted for truckers trying to get across the Columbia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo, which connects Nuevo Leon to Interstate 35 and is by far the busiest port in Texas for truck traffic coming from Mexico. More than 2.5 million trucks crossed into Laredo in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

At 3 p.m. it was taking those trucks six hours to get across the bridge. Within an hour of Abbott signing his agreement with Garcia, the wait dropped to five minutes.

Abbott was far from admitting defeat on Wednesday, insisting the increased inspections were always about improving safety on Texas roadways and forcing Mexican officials to do more at the border.

DPS officials have estimated that they have found that 25 percent of all vehicles coming across the border had serious mechanical issues, like bad brakes or tires.

There may be Texans whose lives were saved because of the vehicles taken out of operation by what the Texas Department of Public Safety did, Abbott said. Because otherwise those dangerous vehicles, with dangerous brakes could have run into a Texan walking across the road or driving down a road.

Abbott last week instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety to ramp up truck inspections because the cartels that smuggle illicit contraband and people across our southern border do not care about the condition of the vehicles they send into Texas.

However, the state troopers were not allowed to inspect vehicles for illegal drugs or human smuggling. They could only check vehicle working conditions, like brakes, tires and taillights.

But as those inspections went into place, travel times at the busiest truck traffic ports exploded, with drivers saying waits lasted eight hours at some border crossings, forcing truckers to burn more diesel and risking perishable cargo like produce.

In Mexico, the governors order triggered a revolt from truckers who have set up blockades shutting off all U.S. trucks from entering the country at key points in Hidalgo County and in El Paso.

The White House slammed Abbott on Wednesday, saying his actions were resulting in more supply chain disruptions and hindering U.S. Customs checks at the border.

The continuous flow of legitimate trade and travel and CBPs ability to do its job should not be obstructed, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in the statement.

Even Abbotts biggest allies began to turn against his policy over the last few days. The Texas Trucking Association, which just two months ago endorsed his re-election, released a statement criticizing the policy.

Unfortunately, this new initiative duplicates existing screening efforts and leads to significant congestion, delaying the products Americans rely on from our largest trading partner, Mexico, TXTA President & CEO John D. Esparza said.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, called the Abbott inspections catastrophic.

This is not solving the border problem, it is increasing the cost of food and adding to supply chain shortages, Miller said.

Abbott blames the Biden administration for not doing more to secure the border. He said hes having to take unprecedented action to make up for Bidens neglect, and that the goal all along was to make sure people understood the consequences of an open border and that Texas isnt going to tolerate it any more.

Abbott said he knew the order would lead to Mexican officials reaching out to him, and that he could push directly for better security on their end. He credited Garcia for making commitments to beef up patrols along the border south of the Rio Grande.

Were willing to make an effort to patrol all that 14 kilometers we have with Texas to be an example for other states in Mexico, Garcia said Wednesday.

Abbott said DPS has already been seeing stepped up patrols in Nuevo Leon at the port of entry and along the river.

jeremy.wallace@chron
Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz, the only person besides the governor with the ability to immediately stop the scheduled April 27 execution of Melissa Lucio, refused to do so on Tuesday, although he said he does not believe the execution will go forward as scheduled.

During an afternoon hearing of the Texas House Criminal Justice Reform committee, led by Rep. Jeff Leach, a Dallas Republican, lawmakers pressed Saenz to intervene. More than half of the 150 members of the House signed onto a letter last month calling for a reprieve, as Lucios application for clemency awaits a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott could grant a 30-day stay of execution, but cannot issue a pardon or commute Lucios death sentence to life without a recommendation from the board.

IN-DEPTH: Melissa Lucio could be the first Latina executed in Texas. Family members say her crime was a tragic accident

I would just beg you, urge you on behalf of Melissa and her attorneys but also the Legislature and a sense of justice  to push the pause button, Leach said at the hearing. Make no mistake: Washing your hands of the ability to make this decision yourself is very, very shocking and disappointing.

Growing increasingly more agitated throughout his testimony, Saenz refused to pull back the execution warrant. At one point, he said it would be unfair to the hundreds of others on death row who by the way, are also innocent, with a note of sarcasm that drew gasps from the crowd in the hearing room. He said there was no reason to delay Lucios execution.

Then Saenz clarified: I do not believe that this execution is going to go through on April 27, as he believes the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will issue a stay. Pressed by members of the committee, Saenz finally said he would delay the execution date if a court does not do so. Lawmakers were speechless for a moment, and one asked him to repeat himself.

A jury sentenced Lucio, a resident of Harlingen, to death in 2008 for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah. The evidence against her largely consisted of bruising on the girls body and Lucios tearful admission that I guess I did it. Im responsible, after hours of aggressive interrogation.

Lucio has since maintained her innocence, and experts have raised serious doubts about her statement to investigators, saying her history as a survivor of physical and sexual abuse put her at increased risk of making a false confession.

BACKGROUND: 9 things to know about Melissa Lucio, the Texas mom who could be the first Latina executed in the modern era

During her trial, Lucios defense lawyers did not present evidence that would have supported their contention that Mariah had fallen down a flight of stairs two days earlier. Attorneys helping her challenge her conviction, as well as medical experts they have found to support them, say such a fall could have also caused her fatal injury and the bruising.

Five jurors from the original trial have since expressed regret for their decision to sentence Lucio to death. The original prosecutor was convicted on corruption charges in 2014.

One of the jurors testified at Tuesdays hearing: The idea that my vote to take a persons life was not based on complete and accurate information is horrifying  I was wrong to sentence Melissa Lucio to death.

Saenz, the DA, was unmoved.

You keep saying youre not going to relitigate it, but thats what youre doing  Im not going to get into it, he said. At this point, Im telling you that even if I have that authority, I will not do that. Even if I have that authority, I dont intend to do that.

He added later that he would withdraw the execution if a court does not do so before April 27, as there are pending legal matters.

Back in Harlingen

Lucio's sister Sonya Valencia Alvarez watched with tears in her eyes as Saenz said he did not believe Lucio's execution would go forward as scheduled on April 27, despite declining to withdraw her death warrant amid pleas from Texas lawmakers.

Flanked by her mother, Hope, and Melissa's five-year-old grandson, Elijah, Alvarez watched the hearing over Zoom from their home in Harlingen. The family said they were disappointed Saenz refused to intervene, but are still hopeful.

LUCIO CASE: Melissa Lucio's lawyers file petition with new evidence they say proves the mother of 14's innocence

"We were so scared, we are still scared, but we see God moving mountains for Melissa, for us, for her kids," Alvarez said. "It's just overwhelming because -- (her voice breaks) this is April. I believe she is coming home. I know that Melissa will be here soon."

Alvarez said overall, she was disappointed with the outcome of the hearing and that Saenz repeatedly stated he does not plan to make any unilateral moves in the case.

"He has the power to stop it now, but he refuses to," Alvarez said. "We are praying and hoping that he does the right thing...he is playing god (and) he is putting Melissas life in his hands."

"The DA was very much pressured, he felt a lot of pressure," another family member, Diane Cerda, said. "I think he is going to do the right thing. It might not have been today but I think that he will."

Landmark cases

The death penalty in Texas has taken on increased attention of late due to several landmark cases, including Lucios.

Lucios execution is scheduled for April 27, and Rodney Reed  a Black man convicted in Bastrop County of murdering a white woman by an all-white jury in 1996  awaits a decision from the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals on his death sentence.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who advocates against the death penalty, has called for clemency for both Reed and Lucio.

Since 1973, the modern era of the death penalty in the United States, there has been about one exoneration for a person on death row for every eight executions that have occurred, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In addition, Texas has executed 10 people since 1989 despite strong evidence of innocence, the group estimates.

False confessions to the crime have led to 30 exonerations in death penalty cases over that time.

The group also identifies child deaths as a common source of wrongful convictions due to faulty medical evidence and emotional jurors.

edward.mckinley@chron.com


Slovenian political parties have not formed a consensus over the creation of a new national carrier to aid the countrys battered connectivity following the demise of national airline Adria Airways in September 2019. Ahead of Parliamentary Elections next Sunday, some parties have expressed strong support for the launch of a new national airline, some have proposed holding a referendum on the matter, while others have ruled out the idea altogether, according to the Slovenia Press Agency (STA). The governing Slovenian Democratic Party led by incumbent Prime Minister Janez Jansa, has said the country does not have sufficient potential to support a new airline. Slovenia does not have enough potential to start and ensure the successful operation of a national airline, but we believe that the countrys strategic position should be better used in the future to establish new routes and better connectivity, the Slovenian Democratic Party said. Slovenian political parties have not formed a consensus over the creation of a new national carrier to aid the countrys battered connectivity following the demise of national airline Adria Airways in September 2019. Ahead of Parliamentary Elections next Sunday, some parties have expressed strong support for the launch of a new national airline, some have proposed holding a referendum on the matter, while others have ruled out the idea altogether, according to the Slovenia Press Agency (STA). The governing Slovenian Democratic Party led by incumbent Prime Minister Janez Jansa, has said the country does not have sufficient potential to support a new airline. Slovenia does not have enough potential to start and ensure the successful operation of a national airline, but we believe that the countrys strategic position should be better used in the future to establish new routes and better connectivity, the Slovenian Democratic Party said.





The main opposition LMS, led by former Prime Minister Marjan Sarec, during whose tenure Adria Airways declared bankruptcy, said they are in principle in favour of new carrier but that a feasibility study must be carried out beforehand. LMS notes that it is essential for Slovenia to improve its connectivity to foreign markets in order to boost economic development, international trade and tourism. On the other hand, Party of Alenka Bratusek, led by the former Prime Minister during whose term as Deputy PM from 2018 until 2020 Adria went bankrupt, said, The establishment of Air Slovenia is a priority.





However, the majority of parties vying for seats in parliament and government next week are opposed to a new national airline. On the other hand, the Truth movement believes a referendum should be held to settle the matter. A new government will likely be formed by several parties who may have differing views on Slovenias new flag carrier and a compromise will be needed to settle the issue. Over the last two years. the Slovenian Ministry for Economic Development and Technology has turned down several offers by airlines to either establish the countrys new national carrier or station aircraft in Ljubljana. Talks were held with the Lufthansa-owned Air Dolomiti, low cost carrier Wizz Air, Slovenian cargo airline Solinair and the French Valljet. An unnamed carrier from the Middle East has also expressed interest in establishing a new Slovenian operation.




A consignment of products to help Ukrainian pig farmers is on its way from the UK to the war-hit countrys pig producing regions.

The consignment was drawn together by the National Pig Association (NPA) and allied members after receiving an appeal for support from the Ukrainian pig industry.

A few weeks ago, the Association of Ukrainian pig breeders issued a plea for humanitarian assistance as the war generates an 'enormous' crisis for the country's pig industry.

Its message to the global pork sector listed certain feed ingredients and veterinary products needed to maintain the country's 3.6 million-strong pig herd.

The products from the UK are travelling to Kyiv via Poland, and then to pig businesses in the Donbass region in the east, the Mykolaiv region in the south and in the west of Ukraine.

NPA allied industry member Jonathan Bradley, of Suffolk-based equipment supplier Genetics Solutions, helped draw up the consignment with the help of a German firm and a distributor in Ukraine.

In the context of the massive problems facing Ukraine pig farmers, he described the donation as a "drop in the ocean to what is going to be needed short and long term."

However, he said he was pleased to contribute to directly to where aid was needed, and intended to do so again in the coming months.

The Association of Ukrainian pig breeders said the war had caused a "crisis of enormous scale that threatens food security, particularly the animal protein supply".

"The industry is currently under extreme circumstances that are far from routine," the association added.

"Vast areas are in close proximity to war zones, numerous pig producers cannot sell pigs to be slaughtered, some of them are isolated by occupiers and have no choice but to euthanise the animals."

It said that traditional supply chains were broken - access to certain feed ingredients and veterinary products was limited due to problems with logistics.

The association added there was a lack of revolving funds in sending collecting and shipping to Ukraine of any amount of products listed."
ADDIS ABABA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank announced on Wednesday it has approved a 300 million U.S. dollars rehabilitation fund for Ethiopia.

In a press statement, the World Bank said the newly approved funds will be used to rehabilitate those affected by conflict and its consequences in various parts of the East African country.

"Conflicts in Ethiopia have resulted in loss of lives, humanitarian crises, destruction of private and public assets and have left communities in dire need of support," the statement said.

"Conflicts have also caused the displacement of thousands of people throughout Ethiopia and have further exacerbated the incidence of gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls," the statement said.

The World Bank also said the new funds will support efforts to address the immediate needs of communities, rehabilitate infrastructure destroyed by conflict and increase community resilience to the impacts of conflict in a sustainable manner.

The 300 million U.S. dollars funds will cover the needs of at-risk people in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia and Tigray regional states, which host a large number of Internally Displaced People.

The World Bank statement also said the project for the newly released funds will be implemented by federal, regional, community-based organizations as well as independent third-party entities. 
Alaska Airlines recently modified its uniform and grooming requirements for employees, allowing them to express themselves in an industry that has traditionally enforced strict policies. Flight attendants, lounge personnel and airport agents will all be wearing new uniforms starting last week. The airline announced the amended requirements in a letter to employees, which include gender-neutral guidelines on footwear, makeup, jewellery and nail paint.



Since 2020, Alaska has been revising its uniform policies to give employees additional options, such as enabling flight attendants to order any pant, parka, or uniform kit regardless of gender identity.











In a statement, the airline stated, We've modified our uniform standards, which go into effect immediately, to allow for more individual and gender expression freedom and flexibility. We've also revised our grooming regulations to allow tattoos in more places, more hairstyle alternatives, and we're renaming our uniform kits to emphasise fit rather than gender identifications.



An Alaska Airlines employee had claimed in 2021 that the airline's uniform policy discriminated against employees whose gender expression did not suit the male and female clothing requirements, particularly nonbinary personnel  individuals whose gender identity falls beyond the binary of male or female. Personal pronoun pins have also been made by the corporation for staff to wear with their uniforms.





I love who I am and refuse to make myself smaller in order to be accepted; this is one thing that I cant compromise over, says Monique Mo, she/her, Alaska flight attendant based in San Diego. We all want to look professional, and we all want to be ourselves at the same time  your gender shouldnt define what you wear or how you look, she adds.





Alaska isn't the only airline that has abandoned gender-specific uniform criteria in recent years. SkyUp, a Ukrainian budget airline, announced in October that female flight attendants would no longer be required to wear heels and pencil skirts to work. Instead, employees can wear sneakers and slacks. In addition, in 2019, Virgin Atlantic eliminated the necessity for women to wear makeup while working.



Traditional uniform requirements that overly stress on female aesthetics are being phased out by airlines such as SkyUp and Virgin, setting a good example for other organisations and businesses to emulate.





Also Read: In A First, Karnataka Reserves Teaching Jobs For Transgenders
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Police said on Wednesday that a nurse working at Sonam Kapoor's Delhi residence was arrested along with her husband for allegedly stealing cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.4 crore in February. Aparna Ruth Wilson looked after the actor's mother-in-law at the house on posh Amrita Shergill Marg, they said, adding that Wilson's husband Naresh Kumar Sagar works as an accountant at a private firm in Shakarpur.





The theft occurred on February 11 and a police report was filed on February 23 at Tughlak Road Police Station, as per the police. According to them, the complainant in the case was the manager of Ms Kapoor and her husband Anand Ahuja's house, which employs over 20 people.



"The Delhi Police Crime Branch along with a team of the Special Staff Branch of the New Delhi district conducted a raid in Sarita Vihar on Tuesday night. They apprehended Wilson and her husband, both 31 years old," according to a senior police officer. He also added that they have been arrested

However, according to sources, the stolen jewellery and cash have yet to be recovered.

The police have said that additional investigation is underway, and the majority of the people working at the Amrita Shergill Marg house have been questioned.

The case had been transferred to the Special Staff Branch of the New Delhi district for investigation, they said, adding that the Crime Branch was also looking into it.





In March, the Faridabad Police arrested a gang of highly skilled cybercriminals who allegedly defrauded Ms Kapoor's father-in-law's export-import firm of Rs 27 crore.

The police then stated that the scammers had been duping Harish Ahuja's Shahi Export Factory by misappropriating Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies licences meant for his company on the basis of his forged Digital Signature Certificate.
- Global end-to-end electric vehicle company helping companies like MOKE International transition into revolutionary electric era makes foray into Canada -

TORONTO, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EV Technology Group Ltd., (NEO: EVTG) (the "Company"), a global end-to-end electric vehicle company focused on electrifying iconic driving experiences, today announced that it has received final approval to list its common shares on Canada's Neo Exchange. Trading is expected to commence at market open on April 12, 2022 under the symbol "EVTG." The Company also announces the successful closing of its previously announced reverse takeover of EV Technology Group Inc. ("EVT") by Blue Sky Energy Inc. ("BSI") (the "Reverse Takeover").



EV Technology Group is focused on electrifying iconic driving experiences, helping companies like MOKE International Limited ("MIL") transition into the booming electric era. As the largest shareholder of MIL, EVTG is working with MIL to launch the MOKE Electric in summer 2022 and roll out vehicles across Europe and internationally. The release of this ground-breaking electric vehicle aligns with the Company's mission of bringing joy back to motoring by creating sleek, new experiences for drivers, and the Company's core values around supporting greener transportation and a carbon-neutral world.

"EV Technology Group recognizes the unprecedented support Canada is injecting into the uptake of EVs, and given the country's strong existing automotive industry, Canada is a natural fit for EV Technology Group's mission to further accelerate our growth and expand our reach into new jurisdictions and to new customers. This is why we have chosen to list our company on the NEO Exchange," said EVT Group CEO, Wouter Witvoet. "We believe the NEO Exchange to be an innovative leader supporting the technology revolution, focused on tech start-ups and scale-ups that recognize the potential of industries like ours."

The Company is led by a diversified team of entrepreneurs, engineers and motor enthusiasts who are creating full market value by creating the total customer experience - owning emblematic car brands and controlling their manufacturing and distribution. EV Technology Group's strategic focus is on developing and commercializing electric vehicle technologies that have significant growth potential in unique, niche, and underserved markets.

Mr. Witvoet adds, "So much of the focus right now in the EV industry is centered around creating EV brands from scratch. At EV Technology Group, we see value in building a company focused on acquiring existing brands and making them electric, turning them into key EV players. If the world wants to achieve carbon neutrality, we can't forget that the reason people buy EVs isn't simply to go from point A to point B, it's also about enjoying the experience of owning and driving a car. Investing in the luxury electric vehicle market is critical for us to achieve carbon goals in the years to come."

*For more information on the Reverse Takeover, see the formal press release here: https://evtgroup.com/ev-technology-group-announces-closing-of-reverse-takeover-transaction-and-approval-of-listing-on-the-neo-exchange/

About EV Technology Group

EVT Group was founded in 2021 with the mission of accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and the vision to champion the joy of motoring in an electric world. As passionate investors and operators of EV technology companies, EVT Group believes in three things: electric vehicles are the future; EVs will transform the way people live, work, and have fun, and there is an opportunity to accelerate the adoption of this technology - beginning with a focus on technologies that have growth potential through targeting unique, niche, and underserved markets - by electrifying iconic driving experiences. To learn more visit: https://evtgroup.com/

About Neo Exchange Inc.

The NEO Exchange is Canada's Tier 1 stock exchange for the innovation economy, bringing together investors and capital raisers within a fair, liquid, efficient, and service-oriented environment. Fully operational since June 2015, NEO puts investors first and provides access to trading across all Canadian-listed securities on a level playing field. NEO lists companies and investment products seeking an internationally recognized stock exchange that enables investor trust, quality liquidity, and broad awareness including unfettered access to market data.

Neo Exchange has not reviewed or approved this press release for the adequacy or accuracy of its contents.

Forward - Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward - looking information that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This forward - looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward - looking information. The parties undertake no obligation to update forward - looking information except as otherwise may be required by applicable securities law.

Media Contact:

Rachael D'Amore | rachael@talkshopmedia.com | 519-564-9850
Accolade presented at inaugural Newsweek World's Greatest Auto Disruptors event

Award recognizes Executive Chair Euisun Chung for his integral role in the rise of Hyundai and Kia globally

for his integral role in the rise of Hyundai and Kia globally Under Chung's leadership, Hyundai Motor Group continues to redefine what's possible in mobility and is providing increased freedom of movement for humanity

NEW YORK and SEOUL, South Korea, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair, Euisun Chung, today won the 'Visionary of the Year' award at the inaugural Newsweek World's Greatest Auto Disrupters event.

Newsweek recognized Chung for his significant role in the rise of Hyundai and Kia in the global automotive industry. Under his leadership and bold vision for the future, the Group is redefining what is possible in mobility, and providing greater freedom of movement for humanity through vehicle electrification, robotics and advanced air mobility (AAM).

"Today's leading automakers are pushing the boundaries in ways that keep us moving and also capture the imagination. The disruptors on this list deserve to be recognized for pushing the industry forward, as well as for their leadership in responding to the challenges brought on by the pandemic," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek.

Executive Chair Chung said: "On behalf of everyone at Hyundai Motor Group, I would like to thank Newsweek for these three prestigious awards. They reflect the hard work of all our people and business partners, who are focused on transforming the Group into a smart mobility solutions provider with sustainability at the core of what we do. Their dedication to making disruptive technologies a reality is why I am here to share this honor."

"Hyundai Motor Group is committed to making our mobility vision a reality to benefit all humanity. We want to enable more time and more space for everyone to do what truly drives them. Of course, Hyundai Motor Group cannot achieve this alone. I hope that our vision inspires the imaginations of talented people all over the world, and that they will join us in solving the greatest challenges facing humanity," said Chung.

In all, the Group won three out of the six awards given at the World's Greatest Auto Disrupters 2022 event. Newsweek also honored the Group for 'Research and Development Team of the Year' and 'Powertrain Evolution of the Year'.

globalpr.hyundai.com

www.kianewscenter.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1795029/Press_photo1_cover_page.jpg
Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows rescuers working at the scene of a truck accident in Minyambouw sub-district, Pegunungan Arfak district, West Papua, Indonesia. Eighteen people were killed and four others were seriously injured in a truck accident in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua on Wednesday, an official said. (BASARNAS/Handout via Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen people were killed and four others were seriously injured in a truck accident in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua on Wednesday, an official said.

"The death toll rises to 18 people after two people died in a hospital," head of the Disaster Management Agency of West Papua Province, Derek Ampnir, told Xinhua by phone.

Previously Muhammad Khairul Basyar, a press official of the search and rescue office in the province's district of Manokwari, said that 16 people were killed and six others suffered serious wounds.

The accident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. local time (1800 GMT) when the truck with 29 people was passing a downhill road in Minyambouw sub-district, Pegunungan Arfak district, the official said.

"The truck hit a hillside. Thirteen people died on the scene, three passed away in a hospital, and six others sustained serious wounds," Basyar told Xinhua by phone, adding that seven others survived the mishap.

The truck was heading to Manokwari district after departing from Anggi, the capital of Pegunungan Arfak district, he said. 

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows rescuers working at the scene of a truck accident in Minyambouw sub-district, Pegunungan Arfak district, West Papua, Indonesia. Eighteen people were killed and four others were seriously injured in a truck accident in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua on Wednesday, an official said. (BASARNAS/Handout via Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows rescuers working at the scene of a truck accident in Minyambouw sub-district, Pegunungan Arfak district, West Papua, Indonesia. Eighteen people were killed and four others were seriously injured in a truck accident in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua on Wednesday, an official said. (BASARNAS/Handout via Xinhua)
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 12, 2022 / Perk Labs Inc. (CSE:PERK) (OTCQB:PKLBF) (FKT:PKLB) ("Perk" or the "Company"), the parent company of Perk Hero, the digital franchise company helping businesses transition to the digital economy, is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting"), held on April 12, 2022, at Suite 1165 - 555 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. At the Meeting, all matters put forward before the shareholders for consideration and approval as set out in the Company's Notice of Meeting and Management Information Circular, dated March 1, 2022, were approved by a majority of votes cast at the Meeting.

Election of Directors

The five (5) nominees were elected as directors of the Company, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The voting results for each nominee are as follows:

Votes For % of Votes Cast - For - Votes Withheld % of Votes Cast - Withheld - Kirk Herrington 32,466,252 96.64 1,127,380 3.36 James Topham 32,343,152 96.28 1,250,480 3.72 Larry Timlick 32,340,052 96.27 1,253,580 3.73 Steve Cadigan 32,370,974 96.36 1,222,658 3.64 Jonathan Hoyles 32,728,624 97.43 865,008 2.57

2. Appointment of Auditors

Appointment of Saturna Group Chartered Professional Accountants LLP as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing the directors to fix the auditor's remuneration

Votes For % of Votes Cast - For - Votes Withheld % of Votes Cast - Withheld - 65,296,742 98.88 738,175 1.12

About Perk Labs Inc.

Perk Labs Inc. (CSE: PERK) (OTCQB: PKLBF) (FKT: PKLB) is the owner of Perk Hero, the mobile commerce platform on a mission to empower business owners with the digital tools to provide their customers with experiences that are more engaging, convenient and rewarding. Perk Hero is growing through a unique community-driven digital franchise business that is available to entrepreneurs at an attractive start-up price.

For more information about Perk Labs, please visit www.perklabs.io. Visit Perk Hero at www.perkhero.com.

For more information on a Perk Franchise, visit www.perkfranchise.com.

For more information contact:

Jonathan Hoyles

CEO

Perk Labs Inc.

(833) 338-0299

investors@perklabs.io

Jules Gagnon

Director of Investor Relations & Community

(833) 338-0299

investors@perklabs.io

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "may", "believe", "thinks", "expect", "exploring", "expand", "could", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "pursue", "potentially", "projected", "should", "will" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. These forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to, among other things, the discussion of the Company's business strategies and its expectations concerning future operations. Although the Company considers these forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

SOURCE: Perk Labs Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697197/Perk-Labs-Announces-Voting-Results-Following-its-Annual-General-Meeting
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 12, 2022) - SPC Nickel Corp. (TSXV: SPC) ("SPC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Company's Annual and Special General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") held on February 22, 2022.

At the Meeting, the following directors were re-elected: Scott McLean, Grant Mourre, William Shaver, Brian Montgomery, Alger St-Jean, Olav Langelaar, and Alistair Ross. In addition, shareholders of the Company approved the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as described in the Management Information Circular dated January 19, 2022, as well as the re-appointment of McGovern Hurley LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year.

The Company also announces that it has issued five million stock options to certain employees, consultants, officers, and directors of the Company. Each stock option entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of 12 cents per share until April 12, 2027. All such stock options vest immediately, except for 25,000 options that were granted to an investor relations provider and, in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, vest in four equal quarterly installments over a one-year period, with the first installment period being the three-month period following the date of grant.

About SPC Nickel Corp.

SPC Nickel Corp. is a new Canadian public corporation focused on exploring for Ni-Cu-PGMs within the world class Sudbury Mining Camp. The Company is currently exploring its key 100% owned exploration projects Lockerby East and Aer-Kidd both located in the heart of the historic Sudbury Mining Camp and holds an option to acquire 100% interest in the Janes Project located approximately 50 km northeast of Sudbury. In addition, the Company recently acquired over 45,000 hectares covering a considerable proportion of the high prospective Muskox Intrusion, located in Nunavut. Although the Company's focused on Sudbury, it is an opportunistic company always looking for opportunities to use our skills to add shareholder value. Additional information regarding the Company and its projects can be found at www.spcnickel.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Further information is available at www.spcnickel.com by contacting:

Grant Mourre

Chief Executive Officer

SPC Nickel Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

Email: gmourre@spcnickel.com





Figure 1: Regional map showing the location of SPC Nickel's Ni-Cu-PGM Projects

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6510/120264_99794c264436da19_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120264
Tokyo and Reykjavik, Iceland, Apr 13, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu and Atmonia ehf., an Icelandic start-up company developing a sustainable process for ammonia production, today announced signing of an agreement regarding conduct of joint research to accelerate catalysts development for the clean production of ammonia, leveraging on high-performance computing (HPC) and AI technology.As the world races to achieve carbon neutrality, ammonia represents a promising alternative to fossil fuels as an energy source that does not emit CO2 when burned and is easier to transport than hydrogen. The two companies will conduct high-speed quantum chemical calculations using HPC and AI technologies to accelerate the selection and optimization of new catalytic materials for sustainable ammonia production.Based on the results of this joint research, the two companies ultimately aim to establish a clean ammonia production method as a basis for power generation and hydrogen energy and to contribute to the discovery of new materials to achieve a carbon-zero future.Background and ChallengesAmmonia offers a potentially promising alternative to fossil fuels and engines that run on ammonia are already available. However, the emission of large amounts of CO2 during industrial processes to produce it remains a major challenge. Ammonia is currently produced on an industrial scale using the Haber-Bosch(1) process, which relies on hydrogen sourced from fossil fuels. Retrofitting the industrial process to use hydrogen sourced from electrolysis of water is possible. However, this is a more energy intensive route and does not fit well with the intermittent nature of renewable sourced electricity (such as solar/wind) as the Haber-Bosch process requires a continuous source of hydrogen to maintain operation of the downstream processes, which in turn requires uninterrupted source of electricity.In addressing this issue, Atmonia has been conducting research on innovative methods to produce ammonia by only using water, nitrogen from air, and clean electricity. To develop new catalysts that can produce ammonia using protons from water and nitrogen from air, Atmonia aims to further expand and improve the efficiency of its research in catalysts for ammonia production by conducting various tests to simulate chemical reactions using quantum chemical calculations.Outline of the joint researchWithin the joint research, the two companies will leverage HPC technology and AI technology for scientific discovery(2) developed by Fujitsu, as well as simulating data on ammonia production accumulated by Atmonia to conduct high-speed quantum chemistry simulations of a wide range of catalysts. The research will focus on the development of technologies for the discovery of new materials that can reduce the time required for selecting catalytic materials and optimizing surface structures(3).By identifying new catalysts for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction, the two companies aim to promote a carbon-free next-generation energy carrier that contributes to the goal of realizing carbon neutrality.1. Period: April 13, 2022 to March 31, 20232. Responsibilities of the two companies :Fujitsu- Develop technology for high-speed simulation to discover new catalysts using HPC technology for quantum chemistry simulation.- Develop AI technology for the discovery of new materials, and new catalyst candidates for ammonia synthesis.Atmonia- Provide data from simulations and experiments on catalyst candidates and reaction environments for the nitrogen reduction reaction.- Provide methodology for examination of catalyst search, interpretation method, and know-how for selection of simulation methods.- Verification and evaluation of the developed technology for the discovery of new materials.Future PlansThe two companies will work to establish a clean ammonia production method, where the ammonia can be used as sustainable fertilizer, fuel for combustion and energy carrier, promoting efficient methods for the discovery of new materials with the ultimate goal to contribute to efforts to achieve zero carbon emissions.Fujitsu will further leverage technologies to accelerate chemical simulations developed during this joint research as well as AI technology and principles from Materials Informatics(4), to support companies that develop new materials.(1) Haber-Bosch method :A method for producing ammonia by fixing hydrogen with nitrogen (directly under high temperature and pressure conditions) over an iron-based catalyst.(2) HPC technology and AI technology for scientific discovery :HPC technology and AI technology for scientific discovery developed in a joint research project with the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS, as follows) that started in fiscal 2021.(3) Fujitsu and Atmonia conducted research to efficiently discover new reaction mechanisms including the adsorption between substances by calculating the reaction energy and reaction rate between nitrogen and hydrogen and catalysts to reduce the time required for selecting catalytic materials and optimizing surface structures.(4) Materials Informatics :field of study to accelerate the discovery of new materials by combining data science and AI technologies with technologies to simulate and analyze the synthesis of materials that can reduce time and costs necessary for development of new materials to a great extent.About FujitsuFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 126,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$34 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.About AtmoniaAtmonia is a Icelandic tech startup company developing a sustainable process for ammonia production. Atmonia's mission is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions with new technologies in the field of ammonia and nitrate production. The company's technology is both economical and environmentally friendly, and will contribute significantly in the fight against global warming. Atmonia's new technology will produce ammonia from air and water and will emit no greenhouse gases, but the current ammonia production method is responsible for 1-2% of the world's anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. For more information, visit www.atmonia.com.Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
MAJURO, Marshall Islands, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.io, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has pulled out all the stops during this year's Paris NFT Day event. As one of the sponsors of the event, Gate.io has an exciting activation at their booth during the event, which will also be featured on Decentraland's virtual event.

Gate.io's booth at the Paris NFT Day event, hosted on April 12th at the Palais Brongniart in Paris, features many exciting activations including a Creative Corner where an artist, Yassin Latrach, will create personalized art for attendees, which they can claim on Gate.io's NFT Magic Box platform. The Creative Corner will also create a collective NFT which will be auctioned off with the proceeds given to participants.

The main attraction will be the company's eGaming Corner, which will feature a racing simulator where attendees can compete for their share in exciting prizes by setting one of the fastest lap times on a virtual race track. There will also be a crypto raffle for attendees who claim their GatePass at the Gate.io booth and enter the competition.

"Paris Blockchain Week continues to be one of the premier European crypto events, we're excited to be part of it once again, especially during the Paris NFT Day event that we are sponsoring. Events are an important driving force behind the growth and expansion of the crypto market as it offers insights from industry leaders and offers great networking opportunities for both big and small players in the industry," said Marie Tatibouet, Chief Marketing Officer at Gate.io.

Paris NFT Day will see over a hundred speakers from across various sectors give insights into the market and their operations, with a keen focus on the luxury, sports, gaming, art and metaverse sectors. The event will also be hosted in the metaverse through a dedicated event on Decentraland.

Gate.io's presence at the event follows its attendance of several other events worldwide including Crypto Expo Dubai 2022, AIBC Dubai, CryptoCompare London, Block World Tour Andorra 2022, and Non Fungible Conference Lisbon and the upcoming Paris Blockchain Week, which Paris NFT Day is part of.

About Gate.io

Established in 2013, Gate.io is one of the oldest, leading cryptocurrency exchanges. Gate.io offers most of the leading digital assets and has over 10 million registered users across the world. It is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 cryptocurrency exchanges based on liquidity and trading volume on CoinGecko, and has been verified by the Blockchain Transparency Institute (BTI). Additionally, Gate.io has been given a rating of 4.5 by Forbes Advisor, making it one of the Best Crypto Exchanges for 2021. Besides the main exchange, Gate.io also offers other services such as decentralized finance, research and analytics, venture capital investments, wallet services and more.
CANBERA, AUSTRALIA, Apr 13, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Northern Territory of Australia (Northern Territory), NEC Australia and NEC Corporation today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The signing will strengthen the NEC and Northern Territory Government partnership to develop a sustainable innovation ecosystem and grow the Territory's digital capabilities. It follows significant private sector investment in subsea fibre optic cable and data centre infrastructure.As part of the MoU, the parties will set out a framework and identify major areas for digital development in the Territory.This agreement will also allow NEC to explore the use of its world-leading technologies, such as submarine cable systems, Open-RAN 5G, and artificial intelligence in the Territory, as well as building industry training opportunities for Territorians.The partnership cements the Territory's position as Northern Australia's most advanced digital economy and leading tech hub, which will help expand local industry, create new opportunities for businesses and more jobs for Territorians.As one of the largest employers outside of Government in the Territory, NEC Australia consistently contributes to the local economy while also creating new digital career pathways through various developments and mentoring. The company currently employs 187 full-time staff across the Territory.Growing the digital and tech industries is a key part of Territory Government's plan to grow the economy to AU$40 billion by 2030 and create more jobs.Michael Gunner, Chief Minister, Northern Territory of Australia, said:"The Territory has an excellent relationship with NEC, with more than 180 locals employed across the Territory. This signing will see the next steps in place to continue working together to boost the Territory's digital capabilities. Off the back of significant subsea cable and data centre infrastructure announcements, the Territory is becoming a global destination for all things digital."Takayuki Morita, President and CEO, NEC Corporation, said:"NEC Corporation is very pleased to be entering this MoU with the Northern Territory Government. The Territory is emerging as a forward-thinking, technology-focused region and we are honoured to be working closely with them to build a successful future."Mike Mrdak, Executive Chair & CEO, NEC ANZ said:"NEC Australia has a long history working in the Northern Territory and we are excited to build on our success in the top end with this unique opportunity. This partnership underpins NEC's vision to support Governments who seek to provide citizen services and create a connected future for their people.""We look forward to helping the NT Government create a more connected, sustainable and smart future for the Northern Territory."About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
New Independent Mineral Resource Estimates for San Dionisio and San Antonio

Including Open Pit Zone at San Dionisio With an Estimated Copper Resource Grade That Is ~140% Higher Than Existing Reserves at Cerro Colorado Open Pit

NICOSIA, CYPRUS / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Atalaya Mining Plc. ("Atalaya" or "the Company") (AIM:ATYM)(TSX:AYM) is pleased to announce new Mineral Resource Estimates, prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure requirements of NI 43-101, for its San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits, which form part of Proyecto Riotinto and are located adjacent to the Company's operating Cerro Colorado open pit and 15 Mtpa plant. The estimates will be included in a new NI 43-101 technical report that is being prepared by Ore Reserves Engineering for the overall Proyecto Riotinto property and which will be published in Q2 2022.

Highlights

San Dionisio Open Pit resource: west extension of existing Cerro Colorado open pit M&I Resource: 56.1 Mt at 0.91% Cu, 1.14% Zn, 0.23% Pb (0.15% Cu cut-off) Copper resource grade: ~140% higher than existing reserves at Cerro Colorado

San Dionisio Underground: polymetallic resource located below potential open pit Inferred Resource: 12.4 Mt at 1.01% Cu, 2.54% Zn, 0.62% Pb

San Antonio Underground: polymetallic resource east of the Cerro Colorado pit Inferred Resource: 11.8 Mt at 1.32% Cu, 1.79% Zn, 0.99% Pb

Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") is planned during 2022 for an operating schedule that combines Cerro Colorado reserves with higher grade material from the San Dionisio deposit

Subject to the relocation of certain infrastructure and receipt of final permits, the potential open pit at San Dionisio could begin to deliver material to the Proyecto Riotinto plant by mid to late 2023 Could potentially account for approximately one-third of processing capacity, with Cerro Colorado ore providing the remainder San Dionisio contains copper mineralisation that could be processed at the existing plant with minimal modifications Contribution from San Dionisio could potentially provide an uplift to Riotinto copper production by increasing the blended head grade



Alberto Lavandeira, CEO, commented:

"The completion of an independent Mineral Resource Estimate for the San Dionisio deposit is an important milestone for Atalaya. As a result of its location beside Cerro Colorado and its nature as a pit extension, San Dionisio could become a near-term source of feed for the Proyecto Riotinto plant. Its development could provide material that is substantially higher grade than Cerro Colorado's existing reserves, thereby increasing copper production while maintaining current plant processing rates.

Similarly, the new NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for San Antonio highlights another potential source of higher grade material that could increase production and extend mine life in the Riotinto District. Its proximity to the Riotinto plant and legacy infrastructure are expected to expedite future development and reduce capital intensity."

Proyecto Riotinto Overview

Since its restart in 2015, all mining at Proyecto Riotinto has been conducted from the Cerro Colorado open pit. The other known mineral deposits within the Riotinto concession area - the San Dionisio deposit and the San Antonio deposit - have not been mined by Atalaya.

The San Dionisio deposit is located less than 1 kilometre west of the Cerro Colorado pit, and was historically mined by the Corta Atalaya open pit and the Pozo Alfredo underground mine, which targeted copper-rich stockwork and massive sulphide mineralisation.

The San Antonio deposit is located around 1 kilometre east of the Cerro Colorado pit. It is an eastern extension of the historical Planes deposit, which was mined in the early 20th century. Mineralisation at San Antonio is characterised mainly by massive sulphides and the deposit is shallow at 150 - 300 metres below surface. In the 1960s and 1970s, an exploration programme at the deposit was undertaken by sinking a shaft, developing two levels and completing 183 drill holes, however, no mining took place. The deposit can be accessed by a ramp collared at the east of the Cerro Colorado pit.

Figure 1: Approximate Locations of Riotinto orebodies (refer to Website announcement)

New Proyecto Riotinto NI 43-101 Technical Report

Ore Reserves Engineering of Lakewood, CO, was retained by Atalaya to prepare a new NI 43-101 technical report for the overall Proyecto Riotinto property, including the Cerro Colorado, San Dionisio and San Antonio deposits.

San Dionisio Mineral Resource Estimation Details

The drilling data used for resource estimation was based on 1,003 drillholes over 83,554 metres, of which 45 holes over 16,991 metres were completed by Atalaya between 2015-2021, while the remainder by past operators.

The Mineral Resource model was created as a three-dimensional block model using Datamine Studio RM software. The model block size is 10x10x10 metres, which is consistent with the estimated mining bench height and the estimated selective mining unit. The horizontal extent of the model is defined to cover the San Dionisio deposit, plus sufficient space outside the deposit to cover the ultimate pit.

San Dionisio Mineral Resource Estimate

Table 1: San Dionisio Open Pit - By Cut-off

San Dionisio Open Pit - Total Mineral Resource % Cu Grade Contained Metal cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt 0.14 Measured 50.8 0.92 1.09 0.21 467 556 108 Indicated 6.6 0.70 1.31 0.35 46 86 23 M+I 57.4 0.89 1.12 0.23 513 642 131 Inferred 0.9 0.77 0.54 0.23 7 5 2 0.15 Measured 49.7 0.94 1.11 0.22 466 552 107 Indicated 6.4 0.71 1.33 0.35 46 86 23 M+I 56.1 0.91 1.14 0.23 511 638 130 Inferred 0.8 0.78 0.55 0.23 7 5 2 0.16 Measured 48.5 0.96 1.13 0.22 464 548 106 Indicated 6.3 0.72 1.35 0.36 45 85 22 M+I 54.8 0.93 1.16 0.23 509 633 128 Inferred 0.8 0.79 0.56 0.24 7 5 2

Notes: July 2021 Model (21G) - 31 Dec 2020 Topo - $3.60/lb Cu Pit; totals may not sum due to rounding

Table 2: San Dionisio Open Pit - By Ore Type

San Dionisio Open Pit - Copper Resource (MinZ & Zone2a) % Cu Grade Contained Metal cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt 0.15 Measured 27.0 0.78 0.28 0.06 212 75 17 Indicated 2.0 0.66 0.18 0.04 13 4 1 M+I 29.0 0.78 0.27 0.06 225 78 18 Inferred 0.4 0.95 0.19 0.03 4 1 0 % Cu Grade Contained Metal cut-off Class Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt 0.15 Measured 22.6 1.12 2.11 0.40 253 477 90 Indicated 4.4 0.73 1.85 0.49 32 82 22 M+I 27.0 1.06 2.07 0.41 286 559 112 Inferred 0.4 0.62 0.91 0.43 3 4 2

Notes: July 2021 Model (21G) - 31 Dec 2020 Topo - $3.60/lb Cu Pit; totals may not sum due to rounding

Table 3: San Dionisio Underground

San Dionisio Underground - Total Mineral Resource Grade Contained Metal Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt Inferred Resource 12.4 1.01 2.54 0.62 125 315 76

Notes: July 2021 Model (21G); totals may not sum due to rounding

Planned Preliminary Economic Assessment

The new Mineral Resource Estimate for San Dionisio will be used to support a PEA that considers concurrent mining from the Cerro Colorado open pit and the open pit portion of the San Dionisio deposit. Atalaya expects to complete the PEA in 2022.

San Dionisio Conceptual Development Plan

Based on the new Mineral Resource Estimate and prior internal studies, Atalaya believes that the development of the San Dionisio deposit has the potential to create significant value for the Company. The Company will further evaluate the development plan in the PEA.

Mining

The open pit portion of the Mineral Resource at San Dionisio is expected to be mineable by conventional open pit methods, with San Dionisio being an extension of the operating Cerro Colorado open pit. In order to expand the Cerro Colorado pit into the San Dionisio area, the Company would need to relocate the public road, power lines and water lines that currently run between the two deposits. Further dewatering of the historical Atalaya pit would also be required once open pit mining reaches a certain level, similar to how Cerro Colorado was operated.

Mining would be conducted concurrently at San Dionisio and Cerro Colorado, with current expectations that San Dionisio would contribute approximately one-third of existing processing capacity of 15 Mtpa, while Cerro Colorado would account for the remaining two-thirds of ore.

Processing

San Dionisio has two main types of mineralisation - copper and polymetallic. In the initial years of operation, copper-rich material plus approximately 10% high-grade polymetallic material would be mined from the upper zones of the Mineral Resource and processed. According to past metallurgical tests and additional work completed by the Company, it is expected that San Dionisio copper material could be blended with ore from Cerro Colorado and processed at the existing Proyecto Riotinto plant without requiring any major plant modifications.

Upon transitioning to the polymetallic mineralisation, certain modifications to the plant are expected to be required in order to improve copper recoveries and recover zinc and lead. Options include the addition of a conventional differential flotation circuit, and / or the application of the E-LIX System. Atalaya recently approved construction of a Phase I industrial plant that utilises the E-LIX System.

Impact

The contribution by San Dionisio of approximately one-third of future processing feed is expected to provide an uplift to the blended grade at the plant, due to San Dionisio's open pit copper resource grade being approximately 140% higher than Cerro Colorado's existing reserves. This is expected to provide an uplift to copper production at Proyecto Riotinto, even as plant processing capacity is maintained at current levels.

As other deposits in the Riotinto District are developed, such as San Antonio and Proyecto Masa Valverde, further Cerro Colorado ore is expected to be displaced to provide additional capacity for higher grade material.

Permitting

The Company is advancing the various permits and modifications required to develop the San Dionisio deposit and to continue operations at Cerro Colorado, including those related to relocating the public road, power lines and water lines, additional long term tailings capacity and heritage matters.

San Antonio Mineral Resource Estimation Details

The drilling data used for resource estimation was based on 185 drillholes over 18,305 metres, of which 8 holes over 1,504 metres were completed by Atalaya, with the remainder by past operators.

The Mineral Resource model for the mineralised zone of San Antonio was created as a three-dimensional block model using Datamine Studio RM software. The model block size is 2x2x2 metres, which is used to more accurately define the geometry of the deposit. The horizontal extent of the model is defined to cover the San Antonio deposit and the adjacent Planes deposit, plus sufficient space outside the deposit for mine planning.

San Antonio Mineral Resource Estimate

Table 4: San Antonio Underground

San Antonio Underground - Total Mineral Resource Grade Contained Metal Mt Cu % Zn % Pb % Cu kt Zn kt Pb kt Inferred Resource 11.8 1.32 1.79 0.99 155 210 117

Notes: May 2021 Model (21E); totals may not sum due to rounding

San Antonio Conceptual Development Plan

Mining of the San Antonio deposit is likely to be conducted via underground methods. The deposit would be accessed by constructing a ramp collared in the eastern portion of the Cerro Colorado pit that connects to the historical Pozo Rotilio shaft, which could provide the future mine with ventilation and an emergency exit. Due to San Antonio's shallow nature and sub-horizontal shape, the mining methods are expected to be room and pillar and complemented with sublevel open stoping.

In advance of any development decision for San Antonio, the Company will complete additional drilling from surface, including confirmation and infill drilling to upgrade the current Inferred Resources to higher categories, as well as exploration drilling to the east where the deposit is believed to remain open. In addition, metallurgical testwork will be required to confirm recoveries and determine whether conventional differential flotation or the E-LIX System are most suitable.

Qualified Person Statement

The Mineral Resource Estimates for San Dionisio and San Antonio were prepared by Ore Reserves Engineering ("ORE") in accordance with CIM guidelines and with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") under the supervision of Alan Noble, PE of ORE. Mr. Noble is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 and the AIM Rules and is independent of the Company. Mr. Noble consents to the inclusion of information related to Mineral Resources in this disclosure, in the form and context it appears.

A version of this announcement containing all referenced figures can be found on the Company's website at www.atalayamining.com (the "Website Announcement").

Glossary of Terms

Ag Silver Au Gold CIM Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Cu Copper CuEq Copper Equivalent FLEM Fixed Loop Electromagnetic Survey g/t Grams per tonne Indicated Mineral Resources An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve. Inferred Mineral Resource An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. kt Thousand tonnes Measured Mineral Resources A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve. M&I Mineral Resources The aggregate of Measures Mineral Resources and Indicated Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources A concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such a form and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. Mt Million tonnes Mtpa Million tonnes per annum n.a. Not available NI 43-101 Canadian National Instrument for the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ORE Ore Reserves Engineering Pb Lead PEA Preliminary Economic Assessment PPM Parts per million S Sulphur Stockwork It's a complex 3D network of structurally controlled or randomly oriented veins. They are common in many ore deposit types. They are also referred to as stringer zones. VMS Volcanic Massive Sulphide Zn Zinc

This announcement contains information which, prior to its publication constituted inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

Contacts:

SEC Newgate UK Elisabeth Cowell / Axaule Shukanayeva / Max Richardson + 44 20 3757 6882 4C Communications Carina Corbett +44 20 3170 7973 Canaccord Genuity

(NOMAD and Joint Broker) Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio +44 20 7523 8000 BMO Capital Markets

(Joint Broker) Tom Rider / Andrew Cameron +44 20 7236 1010 Peel Hunt LLP

(Joint Broker) Ross Allister / David McKeown +44 20 7418 8900

About Atalaya Mining Plc

Atalaya is an AIM and TSX-listed mining and development group which produces copper concentrates and silver by-product at its wholly owned Proyecto Riotinto site in southwest Spain. Atalaya's current operations include the Cerro Colorado open pit mine and a modern 15 Mtpa processing plant, which has the potential to become a centralised processing hub for ore sourced from its wholly owned regional projects around Riotinto that include Proyecto Masa Valverde and Proyecto Riotinto East. In addition, the Group has a phased, earn-in agreement for up to 80% ownership of Proyecto Touro, a brownfield copper project in the northwest of Spain. For further information, visit www.atalayamining.com

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Atalaya Mining PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697211/Atalaya-Mining-PLC-Announces-New-Resource-Estimates-San-Dionisio-San-Antonio
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) (OTCQB: SCRSF) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to report a significant increase in the Covid-19 testing numbers this year, which attributes to the Company's stronger cash position. Covid testing remains in high demand for the film and production industry. Due to the nature of the work environment, staff members are often operating in contained areas and in close proximity. With various highly contagious variants, such as Omicron and the numbers of infections increasing, we foresee more contracts throughout 2022.

The Company also faces a rise in demand for testing in the travel and tourism industry along with its concierge (home/office visit) services. In addition to the news release on March 24th, 2022, the Company has received three additional testing contracts in television and production dated as of April 8, 2022, resulting in a total of 21 new productions to date for Q1 of FY22.

Recent testing numbers are as follows:

December 2021 resulted in a total of 14,202 Covid-19 tests

January 2022 resulted in a total of 19,446 Covid-19 tests

February 2022 resulted in a total of 23,655 Covid-19 tests

March 2022 resulted in a total of 25,333 Covid-19 tests

"As Canada faces a spike in Covid-19 cases and a possible sixth wave, the Company continues to build momentum with the Covid testing business for the film and production industry. We have also increased our testing services in the travel industry to meet potential demand as more and more people are travelling internationally," said Michael Yeung, Chairman of the Company.

"The film industry is still feeling the strain of the pandemic and have to continuously turn to Covid testing to keep individuals safe whilst on set. As the need for Covid testing expands, and as more people travel, we are confident that our testing continues to yield great revenue and profitability. We also anticipate securing more contracts which will attribute to higher revenue and profit for our shareholders," said Lena Kozovski, CEO of the Company.

About ScreenPro

ScreenPro is a Screening and Medical Technology company that provides turnkey screening solutions with its proprietary medical alerting software. ScreenPro's unique access to multiple manufacturers of high-quality test kits and its strategic partnership with labs in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec allows ScreenPro to be a full-service nationwide provider of COVID testing and breast cancer screening solutions across Canada. In addition, ScreenPro has its own medical doctor and nursing professionals with on the ground support staff and transportation, with access to high quality PPEs to ensure that clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs.

For additional information on ScreenPro and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.screenprosecurity.com.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor it's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Lena Kozovski, CEO

Email: investors@screenprosecurity.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements relating to expectations regarding the acquisition and business of Concierge Medical Consultants Inc. and the future development of ScreenPro's business. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The actual results of ScreenPro could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which ScreenPro operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to ScreenPro's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ScreenPro. Management of ScreenPro believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents ScreenPro's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. ScreenPro disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120120
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - PZ Cussons Plc (PZC.L), a British maker of personal healthcare products, in a trading update on Wednesday reported a rise in like-for-like sales for the third quarter, backed by price/mix contribution of over 8 percent. For the third quarter ended in February, the firm reported a revenue of 146.3 million pounds, a 8.5 percent increase on a like-for-like basis, compared with the same period a year ago. For the year to date period, like-for-like revenue grew by 1.3 percent, and declined by 5.5 percent on a reported basis. The company said its reported revenue growth of 0.7 percent for the three-month period primarily reflects an adverse FX headwind related to the general strengthening of Sterling as well as the disposal of five:am, completed last year. Looking ahead, the company said its outlook for the fiscal 2022 remains intact and it continues to expect to deliver a growth in like-for-like revenue and adjusted PBT within the range of current expectations. Jonathan Myers, CEO said: 'Our strategy is working, with revenue momentum from our Must Win Brands improving, and up 12.6% compared to before the pandemic. We also have a stronger portfolio following the disposal of non-core assets and the recent acquisition of Childs Farm.' Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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.
SARAWAK, Malaysia, Apr 13, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - A deep interest in forestry prompted Januarie Kulis, 37, to turn this field into a career. She has been the Niah National Park Ranger since 2011, and has never regretted leaving the city's busy atmosphere and making flora and fauna as her 'office'.Born in Sibu, Sarawak, Januarie is a graduate in Bachelor of Forestry Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation since 2006.As park ranger, Januarie is responsible for managing overall field operations at Niah National Park including protection and conservation, management and eco-tourism."When I graduated from university, I chose to work in this field. I wanted to be a part of the process of conservation and protection of this treasure. Now, I have the opportunity to be directly involved in conserving and protecting the invaluable natural world."While this career seems tough and far from the perception of every woman's dream job, Januarie never considered her job as a challenge because she was doing the job she loved.For Januarie, many valuable memories and experiences can be enjoyed that may not be available through other careers. She is able to meet and engage with different communities through the programmes conducted."Many tourists think that all national parks in Sarawak are the same until they visit every national park in the state. Each national park in Sarawak has its own value and provides a different experience for each visitor."In Niah National Park, there are four significant attractions, which are archaeological historical sites, swiftlet nests (sarang burung walit), limestone and biodiversity," she said.Niah Cave is in the hinterland of Miri, Sarawak and has been gazetted as a historic site under the authority of the Sarawak Museum and located within the Niah National Park which is protected by the National Park and Nature Reserve Ordinance.Januarie said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Niah National Park had to be closed for a period of time. However, they are ready to reopen the national park with stricter Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in compliance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH)."The tourism industry plays an important role in connecting this national park with the public as well as generating economic income. National parks can provide many benefits in terms of physical, spiritual and mental.""Those who love nature will be able to enjoy peace at this park. Eco-tourism has many benefits and can build a healthy society," she said.Eco-tourism is one of the main themes of tourism activities in Sarawak. Now, many city dwellers have begun to appreciate the values of nature as a therapeutic tool to get away from the congestion of city life.The flora and fauna found in Sarawak is unique and has an undeniable diversity, both for researchers and the general public. Iconic species such as orangutans, rafflesia flowers and a variety of habitats provide an exciting experience for tourists.Meanwhile, according to a Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) spokesperson, efforts to make Gua Niah National Park recognised as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) is underway."Niah National Park has been listed in the category of 'MIXED PROPERTIES' which means it has both advantages in terms of nature and culture that can be highlighted and has the opportunity to compete with other candidates in the world," she said.Niah National Park: https://niahnationalpark.my/Source: Niah National ParkCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical President, Lim Chong-yoon, established a public interest foundation for a global standard vaccine research and production facility in Pohang City.

- Pohang city is expected to grow as a center for bio/vaccine/healthcare research and production.

POHANG, South Korea, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pohang City announced that KHUB Science Park, which is a non-profit public interest research foundation led by the president of Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Lim Chong-yoon (Chairman of Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization: KoreaBIO), will be formed (KHUB Science Park, KSP) in Pohang Convergence Technology Industrial Zone in the first half of this year, starting with the purchase of the site and full-fledged tasks to be added.

This is a follow-up measure after the signing of a 300-billion-won investment MOU together with Hanmi Science-Pohang City-Gyeongsangbuk-do-Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone Authority in 2020. The officials of Pohang City and KHUB consortium put a lot of effort into it, and most of the issues have been resolved, attracting attention as a tangible result.

KHUB Science Park is necessary to secure public goods such as raw materials for vaccines and diagnostic devices. It will be built as a place equipped with human resources training and research and production facilities based on establishing a global partnership with the UK, a leading and developed country for vaccines, also conducting industry-university cooperation with UK universities and Bio companies. KHUB Science Park is a non-profit public organization, and it is designed to provide research and production infrastructure and equitable R&D and production opportunities to biotech companies.

Kang-deok Lee, Mayor of Pohang, said, "The city of Pohang will continue to support 'KHUB Science' to be built in the Pohang Convergence Technology Industrial Zone Park to become a base of the bio-health industry in nation. Developing 'KHUB Science' will be the biggest turning point for population decreasing due to the creation of jobs in various fields and the influx of young people and realizes balanced regional development."

According to President Lim Chong-yoon, 'KHUB Science Park' is a program that covers 'education-research-clinical-production' and also international vaccine hub capable of implementing all functions of the vaccine industry, which develops into a leading exemplary case of public works.

And more importantly, Pohang is positioning itself as a global vaccine hub by pursuing balanced regional development that has emerged as a national challenge.

By priming this project, the Pohang-type bio-health industry ecosystem has a significant ripple effect. The bio-health industry takes a long time and a lot of money for R&D, but as a promising industry, it has high potential for future growth and employment, and high value added that contributes to public health.

In particular, the establishment of the 'KHUB Science Park' and the 'Research-oriented Medical College' and 'Digital Hospital', which are being promoted in Pohang City, is not only nurturing excellent medical professionals, but also greater synergy effects are expected by linking research, clinical trials and commercialization.

According to an official of the KHUB Vaccine Consortium, the 'KHUB Science Park' is scheduled to be completed with a five-year plan. Due to the nature of vaccines as public goods, mRNA vaccines are currently under discussion with British university bio ventures and it is under progression of GMP facility for plant-derived Covid vaccine production of BioApp, a company specializing in green vaccines which is located in Pohang City.





Meanwhile, the KHUB Vaccine Consortium, with the goal of becoming a global vaccine hub for mRNA, includes Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group, Coree, Dx&Vx, BioApp, Herrings, GS Neotek, POSTECH, Global Institute of Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Life Science and Technology Institute, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang City.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796219/K_Hub_Science_Park_pohang_city_IMAGE.jpg
ATHENS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Greece will further ease its COVID-19 restrictions from May 1, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said here on Wednesday.

Until August 31, it will no longer be mandatory to present a vaccination or recovery certificate to access indoor spaces, he was quoted by Greek national broadcaster ERT as saying.

Also from May 1, students and teachers will no longer be obliged to take a test prior to entering classrooms.

In the same period, all venues will be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity and unvaccinated employees will be required to participate in weekly rapid COVID testing before going to work. Under the rules currently in force, they have to take two rapid tests per week.

"As of April 15, the fine of 100 euros (108 U.S. dollars) per month for all people aged 60 and over who are not vaccinated will be suspended," the minister said. The fine was introduced in January to promote vaccination.

"All these measures will be re-examined on Sept. 1 depending on the evolution of the pandemic," he said.

Following the advice of experts, the government decided to keep the face mask mandate in place for indoor public places until May 31, he added.

With the summer tourism season approaching, the government will also decide soon whether travelers entering Greece will continue to be obliged to present vaccination certificates, Plevris said. (1 euro= 1.08 U.S. dollar) 
- British subsidiary of Cantourage receives pharmaceutical licences from Home Office and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

- The licences allow Cantourage to import, supply and distribute CBPMs (cannabis-based products for medicinal use) to UK patients

- The company launches Cantourage Clinic, a Care Quality Commission-registered private tele-healthcare clinic

LONDON and BERLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- European medical cannabis company Cantourage has received two British government licences that authorise the company to import medical cannabis into the UK. The company has also received the required regulatory registration to prescribe medical cannabis products to clients via a new facility, Cantourage Clinic.

The company's subsidiary Cantourage UK, formed in January 2021, has now been awarded a WDA(H) (Wholesaler Dealer's Authorisation) licence from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The licence allows Cantourage UK to import and distribute medicinal products for human use. Cantourage UK was awarded the licence on 10thDecember 2021 following inspection by the MHRA, an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Cantourage UK is now also in receipt of the necessary narcotics licence from the Home Office to handle cannabis-based products for medicinal use, under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.

Tele-healthcare clinic launches today

In addition, Cantourage UK received regulatory registration for "Cantourage Clinic", a private tele-healthcare clinic specialised in medical cannabis. The registration by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a non-departmental public body of DHSC and independent regulator of all healthcare services in England, will allow Cantourage UK to provide patients and prescribers with an alternative to the existing UK medical cannabis clinics.

The clinic's first product arrived in the UK this week. Manufactured and processed in Germany, the high-THC medical cannabis product is now available for prescription to patients via Cantourage Clinic.

Increasing the availability and range of medical cannabis products in the UK

These three licences position Cantourage in the UK medicinal cannabis market, which is forecast to reach approximately US $1.3 billion with almost 400,000 patients by 2024[1].

They enable London-based Cantourage UK to import all of its EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-certified products[2] from the Cantourage facility in Germany into the UK and prescribe to patients. This includes the full range of dried flower and extract products, significantly increasing the availability and range of medical cannabis products available to patients throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Cantourage's extensive global network of partner producers via the fast-track access platform, will enable the company to address UK supply issues, importing and distributing medical cannabis products into the UK from as far afield as Uganda, Jamaica and Canada. Cantourage's products are all treated with a unique microbiological reduction process that reduces the products' contaminants without the use of irradiation. This ensures that the profile of the terpenes, the aromatic compound that creates the characteristic scent of many plants, stays intact.

Gabriel Newman, CEO of Cantourage UK, said: "We have been working closely with Cantourage for two years, collating what we feel to be the best producers of medical cannabis from around the world. Last year, we formed a formal joint venture with Cantourage and helped to launch the 'Fast Track Access' platform, built to give patients and prescribers in Europe a wider array of medicines to help treat eligible illnesses."

"The UK experienced promising growth in terms of patient numbers and prescriptions over the course of 2021 and we believe we will be a catalyst for further growth. We aim to instil patients with confidence in supply consistency of high quality CBPMs, launching Cantourage manufactured, non-irradiated cannabis supply chains into the market. Our strategy in the UK has been built to improve patient access and care; we are committed to paving the way for more patients to reliably access medical cannabis safely and securely. As of today, patients will be able to directly access our unique portfolio of products via our patient-centric CQC-registered clinic."

Philip Schetter, CEO of Cantourage GmbH, said: "We are delighted to have formed Cantourage UK and received the necessary pharmaceutical licences to import medical cannabis products into the UK and supply patients there with high-quality products from all over the world. Given the high levels of demand we are witnessing in the UK, we are confident that this year will see significant growth and we are looking forward to a number of exciting milestones. We are grateful to our team in London for the excellent contribution they have made so far in what is one of Europe's most promising cannabis markets."

Cantourage UK believes consistency of supply of quality cannabis flowers to be a key challenge in Britain, which the company intends to focus on tackling in 2022, following the grant of the two pharmaceutical licences and clinic registration.

Cantourage UK was formed on 20thJanuary 2021, as a joint venture between Berlin-based European medical cannabis leader Cantourage GmbH and NICE Partners, a London-based cannabis company that specialises in developing strategic alliances, supply relationships, business development and compliance in the European cannabis market.

About Cantourage

Cantourage GmbH is a leading European medical cannabis company. The Berlin-based company was founded in 2019 by industry pioneers Dr Florian Holzapfel, Norman Ruchholtz and Patrick Hoffmann.

With its unique Fast Track Access platform, Cantourage enables producers from across the world to become part of the rapidly growing European medical cannabis market. Cantourage focuses on long-term collaborations and strategic partnerships: each partner along the value chain can focus on what they do best - from growers to logistics, manufacturers to pharmacies and wholesalers. All with one clear goal in mind: to provide patients in Europe with an unprecedented selection of the highest quality cannabis medicines at affordable prices. Cantourage offers products in all relevant market segments: dried flowers, extracts, Dronabinol and pharma-grade Cannabidiol.

Cantourage UK was formed in January 2021 as a joint venture between Cantourage and NICE Partners, a London-based cannabis company, founded in 2019 by Benjy Cuby, Gabriel Newman, Joshua Cuby and Niall Ivers. The company specialises in developing strategic alliances, supply relationships, business development and compliance in the European cannabis market. Cantourage UK imports medical cannabis products from Germany into the UK and Channel Islands, supplying a broad range of products to patients throughout the country.

[1] Prohibition Partners UK Cannabis Report https://prohibitionpartners.com/reports/the-uk-cannabis-report/

[2] Good manufacturing practice (GMP) describes the minimum standard that a medicines manufacturer must meet in its production process. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) coordinates inspections to verify compliance with these standards and plays a key role in harmonising GMP activities at European Union (EU) level.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796302/Cantourage.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796226/Cantourage_Logo.jpg
Project Leverages Expertise of ZHAW School of Engineering to Develop Prototype Device

Device Provides Commercial Potential as Both Standalone Product and Companion Diagnostic to Therapeutic Pipeline

Versantis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies for orphan and pediatric liver diseases, today announced that Innosuisse, the Swiss national innovation agency, will co-fund a project to develop a prototype portable point-of-care (POC) device for blood ammonia monitoring. Increased blood ammonia levels are a common sign of chronic and acute liver diseases and lead to hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a serious and potentially fatal complication. To date, ammonia monitoring is a time-consuming process involving health care professionals, laboratory equipment, and burdensome hospital logistics. Innosuisse will contribute approximately CHF475,000 to the project.

Versantis will enlist the ZHAW School of Engineering to develop a prototype POC device based on the polymersome-based ammonia quantification method TS-01, developed and validated by ETH Zurich and published recently in Nature Scientific Reports. The ZHAW School of Engineering will receive the grant funding to develop the optoelectronic component and engineer the biomedical instrumentation for the prototype device.

"There is a great unmet medical need for an accurate and user-friendly device to monitor the levels of ammonia in patients with liver disease," said Dr. Vincent Forster, CSO and co-Founder of Versantis. "Hyperammonemia and its associated neurological manifestations, such as hepatic encephalopathy, affects 30-45% of cirrhotic patients and can lead to coma and death. We believe using a novel portable point-of-care device will allow daily monitoring of ammonia, thereby significantly reducing hospitalizations and fatal outcomes for patients, while also saving time, effort, and expense of health care professionals, supporting caregivers, and family members."

"This Innosuisse grant will allow us to advance our TS-01 technology to a fully-functional in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) POC device and partner with leading IVD manufacturers for planned marketing authorization and commercialization," said Mark Fitzpatrick, CEO of Versantis. "The numbers of patients with cirrhosis continue to grow rapidly and a large proportion of them would benefit from better monitoring. This unique technology provides us with a significant market opportunity both as a standalone product and as a companion diagnostic to our lead therapeutic product candidates VS-01 and VS-02, potentially alleviating the growing healthcare burden associated with ACLF and HE."

"We are eager to start this exciting project and bring our engineering expertise to design a state-of-the-art prototype and help transfer the technology to the patient bed side," said Prof. Mathias Bonmarin, Head of the Sensors and Measuring Systems Lab at ZHAW School of Engineering.

About TS-01

TS-01 is a unique point-of-care diagnostic device in prototype development for the at-home measurement of ammonia in blood, the primary cause of HE. The TS-01 assay exclusively licensed by Versantis is based on transmembrane pH-gradient polymersomes that encapsulate a pH-sensitive ratiometric fluorophore. By measuring this fluorescence signal, the ammonia concentration in the sample can be determined. TS-01 has been shown to be accurate across a wider physiological and pathological ammonia concentration range than today's existing instrumentation and is negligibly impacted by endogenous interferences.

About Versantis

Versantis is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on addressing the growing, unmet medical need in liver diseases. With a pipeline of drug and diagnostic product candidates to potentially address chronic and orphan acute indications, Versantis believes it can revolutionize current standard of care for patients suffering from acquired and genetic hepatic deficiencies. Versantis' lead program, VS-01, is in clinical development as a potential first-line therapy for the timely reversal of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). It harnesses Versantis' proprietary scavenging liposomes to extract ammonia and ACLF-related metabolites from the body and, if approved, will be the first drug to take advantage of the intraperitoneal route to potentially support the liver, kidneys and brain, the organs that most often acutely fail in cirrhotic patients. VS-01 has received orphan drug designation (ODD) from the EMA and U.S. FDA, as well as a Rare Pediatric Diseases Designation from the U.S. FDA for Urea Cycle Disorders. Founded by scientists from ETH Zurich with entrepreneurial drive, Versantis has built a team and Board of seasoned industry executives with a proven ability to advance novel therapies from the idea stage into clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercial launch. The company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with an established wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Versantis, Inc. For additional information, visit: www.versantis.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005419/en/

Contacts:

Versantis AG

Vincent Forster, +41 44 500 8891

info@versantis.com



Halsin Partners

Mike Sinclair, +44 7968 022075

msinclair@halsin.com
SHENZHEN, China, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei Digital Power held the Next-Generation Data Center Facility Seminar on April 12, 2022. The event brought together nearly 200 technical experts from Colo, large enterprises, carriers, consulting firms, and research institutions across the globe to exchange ideas on three key topics, such as the definition of next-generation data centers, innovative power and cooling solutions, and how to achieve data center facility automation.

Charles Yang, Senior Vice President of Huawei and CEO of Huawei Data Center Facility, said in his opening remarks "As carbon neutrality becomes a global consensus and the digital economy expands, the data center industry is facing the challenges of high energy consumption, huge carbon footprint, difficult operation and maintenance and low reliability. In response to these challenges, data centers will have to embrace changes in the service form, its role in energy supply, and operation and maintenance models. Huawei will conduct in-depth discussions with customers and industry players to grasp market trends timely and jointly promote the green and sustainable development of the industry through continuous innovation and investment."

Topic 1: How to define the next-generation data center facility

Sanjay Kumar Sainani, Global Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Huawei Data Center Business, suggested that with the skyrocketing growth of data volume and computing power, the next-generation data center will evolve toward a green and low-carbon design, elastic capacity expansion, rapid deployment, modular, simplified architecture, and sustainability.

Industry experts at the event reached a consensus on key performance indicators for data centers of the future: In addition to the extensively used Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), other key metrics, including Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE), Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), Space Usage Effectiveness (SUE), Grid Usage Effectiveness (GUE) and lower life-cycle pollutant emissions, will also affect the future of the industry. The next-generation data center facility features high renewable energy utilization, high energy efficiency, high reliability, and highly intelligent management.

Topic 2: Power and cooling technology innovations for next-generation data center facilities

The power supply and cooling systems are key parts of data center facilities. Experts at the meeting believed that the next-generation data center facilities will adopt the ultra-simplified power supply architecture, the lithium-ion battery, natural cooling, and liquid cooling. Given that renewables will become the dominant source of energy, the development of low-carbon data centers with "Generation-Grid-Load-Storage" Synergy will be the mainstream direction. In addition, with the development of heat recovery technologies and policies, data centers are expected to transform from energy-consuming centers to energy-supply centers.

Topic 3: How to achieve data center facility automation

Finally, when it comes to data center facility management, experts said digital technologies would be further integrated with power supply and cooling systems to facilitate predictive maintenance, resulting in improved system reliability. Intelligent technologies are also leveraged to optimize energy efficiency for the ultimate PUE. In the era of carbon regulations, digital twin technologies will help data centers achieve visualized and accurate carbon management throughout their lifecycle.

Collective intelligence is pooled to illuminate the future of data center facilities. Fei Zhenfu, CTO of Huawei Data Center Facility, concluded that Huawei would continue to make breakthroughs in data center facility solutions, join hands with partners to build an open and win-win ecosystem, and jointly usher in the next generation of data center facilities.

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Metapoly XM, a brand under Poly Auction (Xiamen), held a "MetapolyXM- 12 Digital Zodiac Heads Special Auction' on March 31, on which Justin Sun, the TRON founder and undoubtedly a prominent figure in the field of NFT art, had successfully auctioned off a complete set of NFT works featuring the heads of the twelve animals with a price of 9.8325 million CNY, as he posted on Twitter. This collection uses blockchain technology to NFTize actual zodiac animal heads. Also, in the form of NFT, MetapolyXM transfers this into the hottest "metaverse" of today.

An increasing number of NFT authors and works have come to the market since the concept of NFT was put up more than two years ago, despite the constant questioning of it. In the last year, some of the most prestigious auction houses in the world have begun to turn their attention to this area of art. Not only famous auction houses such as Christie's and Sotheby's have entered the market, but also a number of auction platforms specifically designed for NFT works, such as Opensea and Nifty Gateway, which shows the great potential of the NFT sector.

The most precious 12 Chinese Zodiac Animal Heads were alloy bronzes made by the imperial court. Master hands crafted those heads. The skin of the animal, the folds of the eyes, the ears, the mouth, and the nose are precisely and brilliantly carved. The Chinese animal heads are a wonderful representation of the Chinese zodiac in its entirety, and are worth collecting and appreciating.

The zodiac animal heads touch the hearts of every Chinese. According to records, the twelve signs of the zodiac originated in the animal worship of primitive Chinese society and were used as a "chronology of tribes and branches" from the time of Emperor Shun. Although not all historians agree with this view, it is obvious that the "Chinese zodiac" embodies traditional Chinese culture. In addition, "rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig" represent the Chinese people's involvement in different years. However, only 7 (ox, monkey, tiger, pig, rat, rabbit and horse) of the 12 zodiac animal heads placed in Haiyan Hall of Old Summer Palace in China have returned to China so far. The whereabouts of the rest remain unknown.

Justin is a new collector who has just entered the art scene. For him, the exhibition "MetapolyXM- 12 Digital Zodiac Heads Special" has a lot of appeal. "It is a proud moment to bring together the 12 signs of the zodiac," Justin Sun expressed his joy in a series of tweets after receiving the entire NFT collection, which includes the heads of the 12 Zodiacs. As a member of the worldwide Chinese community, there's no need to say much about Justin Sun's emotions of the "12 Chinese zodiac signs". The reunion of the twelve zodiac animal heads is the wish of Justin Sun and many Chinese. And Justin Sun is expected to place greater emphasis on the eternity of the "12 Zodiac Animal heads" in the future.

NFT artworks are identical to physical artworks in terms of creativity and aesthetics while they have a wider reach than physical artworks in the way they are presented, and they are not limited by time or space. The reunion of the NFTs with the heads of the zodiacal signs also underscores another aspect of the value of the NFTs. Physical works of art can dull or break over time, but the existence of the NFTs seems to give them a different kind of immortality. The NFTization of physical artworks offers a novel way to express rights and their representation, which could be argued that it fully satisfies the requirements of both art collectors and creators.

More notable figures have burned original works of art after the NFTization of genuine works of art to more intuitively demonstrate the value of NFT works to the public. Take the 2016 work "Morons" by Banksy, a British painter and well-known street graffiti artist, whose value nearly quadrupled when it was destroyed and converted to NFT, sparking heated debate in the art world. Of course, this behavior is not desirable for expensive physical artworks.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005431/en/

Contacts:

Name: Jessica ZHANG

E-mail: jessica.zhang01@tron.network
Increasing need to detect and prevent fraudulent activities on the internet boosting the global FDP market, says Frost & Sullivan

SAN ANTONIO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis finds that enterprises' increasing need to detect and prevent fraudulent activities on the internet is accelerating the global fraud detection & prevention (FDP) market. FDP solutions leverage identification and authentication technologies to identify potentially fraudulent actions and help organizations investigate suspicious behaviors and inconsistent data elements, keeping organizations safe from financial and reputational damage. The FDP market will likely reach $15.44 billion by 2024 from $9.32 billion in 2020, an uptick at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%.

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and North America (NA) are the top two regions contributing to FDP market growth over the forecast period. EMEA's demand is largely driven by a strong regulatory environment, pushing the need for anti-fraud solutions. Cyber adversaries' increasing malicious activities on the internet targeting US firms will drive the demand for FDP solutions in NA.

For further information on this analysis, please visit: https://frost.ly/777

"The rapid shift by enterprises to digital environments such as online banking and eCommerce during the pandemic resulted in a surge in cyberattacks," said Jarad Carleton, Director of Research, Security, Frost & Sullivan. "In turn, this has compelled companies to adopt advanced FDP solutions such as fraud management and fraud analytics to ensure overall security while simultaneously providing a seamless experience to the end-user."

Carleton added: "The dynamic regulatory landscape worldwide is also a key factor in driving the FDP market. Organizations willing to comply with new regulations such as the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) will have no choice but to invest in anti-fraud solutions despite potential budgetary constraints."

To support business firms' digital transformation journey and ensure their safety, FDP vendors should focus on:

Practicing continuous user authentication : Market participants must demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of continuous user verification solutions to their current and prospective clients.

: Market participants must demonstrate the efficacy and efficiency of continuous user verification solutions to their current and prospective clients. Implementing application program interface (API) security : Market players should collaborate with API designers and data privacy specialists to design and implement the highest security standards.

: Market players should collaborate with API designers and data privacy specialists to design and implement the highest security standards. Adopting behavioral biometrics: Vendors should encourage customers to deploy behavioral biometric security as it uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance accuracy by minimizing false positives.

The Global Fraud Detection & Prevention (FDP) Market is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's Security research and analyses available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organizations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion

The Global Fraud Detection & Prevention (FDP) Market

MG1C

Contact:

Melissa Tan

Corporate Communications

T: +65 6890 0926

E: melissa.tan@frost.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796155/Enterprise_Security.jp
BUCHAREST (dpa-AFX) - Romania's industrial production declined in February mainly due to falls in mining and quarrying, and utilities output, data from the National Institute of Statistics showed on Wednesday. Industrial production decreased a seasonally and working-day adjusted 1.0 percent month-on-month in February. Manufacturing output grew 0.5 percent monthly in January. Meanwhile, production in mining and quarrying declined 1.4 percent and output in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply fell 2.8 percent. On a yearly basis, industrial production fell a working-day adjusted 1.0 percent in February. On an unadjusted basis, industrial production increased 3.9 percent monthly in February and grew 0.6 percent from a year ago. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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.
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Triad Pro Innovators, Inc. (OTC PINK:TPII) is pleased to update its shareholders on its MOU with One World Ventures, Inc. (OWVI) to develop a power generation and storage solution enabling cost-effective U.S. crypto mining operations based in Wyoming.

To this end, TPII is developing a unique generation and storage solution leveraging natural gas-powered hydrogen fuel cells in combination with its proprietary eCell energy storage technology. The proposed solution will allow OWVI to take advantage of natural gas that would otherwise be flared from pipelines as its primary source of energy, with TPII's rapid-charging eCells providing the energy storage required to ensure uninterrupted operations.

To deliver this solution to OWVI, TPII has entered into an additional MOU with Kingsberry Fuel Cell Power, Inc. as its primary supplier of fuel cells. Specifically, TPII is targeting the use of Kingsberry's Excalibur X5 High-Temperature PEM (HTPEM) Fuel Cells, which allow for the clean and efficient use of hydrocarbon gases as an alternative to pure hydrogen gas.

In addition to the clean, climate-friendly conversion of natural gas into usable electricity, the Kingsberry fuel cells TPII has selected also assure the delivered solution will be low-maintenance; a critical design requirement owing to the on-site consumption constraint on OWVI's access to gas flares in Wyoming. In combination with TPII's eCell solid-state energy storage solution that come with a lifetime in excess of 30,000 discharge-recharge cycles, OWVI will profit from extremely low maintenance burden.

Noting the potential for further developments stemming from the OWVI crypto mining solution, Murray Goldenberg, CEO of TPII, said, "The potential to generate a low-cost, climate-friendly, and stable supply of electricity using Kingsberry fuel cells in combination with our patent-pending eCells unlocks a number of exciting possibilities. We are currently evaluating the use of this and similar configurations for use in a couple of additional projects we now have on the table."

Da Mu Lin, CEO of One World Ventures (OWVI), said, "We continue to develop our Cryptocurrency projects in Wyoming and we welcome Triad and their technology team to assist us in maximizing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrency mining opportunities. Triad's technology and Artificial Intelligence driven software can only help us achieve maximum efficiency while minimizing carbon emissions. Together we are also exploring Hydrogen based electricity generation as another means of "Going Green" when it comes to cryptocurrency mining. Working together with Triad, we want to bring all the latest technology, from Artificial Intelligence to Machine learning, Blockchain, Smart Contracts and NFTs that are all becoming a big part of the future. Web 3.0 as it is being called," he added.

About Triad Pro Innovators, Inc. (OTC PINK:TPII):

Triad Pro Innovators, Inc. has developed a proprietary device to be utilized in a variety of circumstances to store electricity. The newly developed Triad Pro power supply provides our storage system with tremendous operational flexibility. Using our propriety hardware and software solution, our eCell can be configured to store energy at a rate limited only by the network providing it, and then release that energy in a regulated way based upon the application, which allows for flexibility unknown in current chemical battery-based storage systems. Triad Pro creates and designs renewable energy solutions including Co-Generation and the patent pending eCells that can be used stand alone or modular as energy demands increase.

About One World Ventures, Inc. (OWVI):

World Ventures Inc. seeks out emerging industries with leading-edge technologies and innovators who are ahead of the curve with new and brave ideas that strive to make the world a better place. We use a combination of technological applications, data-driven analysis, and objective processes to make a determination of success.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pursuant," "target," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding TPII's plans, objectives, future opportunities for TPII's services and products, future financial performance and operating results and any other statements regarding TPII's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond TPII's control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and include, without limitation, results of litigation, settlements and investigations; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; volatility in customer spending; global economic conditions; ability to hire and retain personnel; loss of, or reduction in business with, key customers; difficulty with growth and integration of acquisitions; product liability; cybersecurity risk; anti-takeover measures in our charter documents; and, the uncertainties created by the ongoing outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus that was recently named by the World Health Organization as COVID-19. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in our reports and other documents filed with OTC Markets Group in satisfaction of the company's obligations as an alternative reporting company. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

info@triadpro.com

714.790.3662

SOURCE: Triad Pro Innovators, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697236/TPII-To-Deliver-a-Hydrogen-Fuel-Cell-Energy-Generation-Solution-Backed-by-Its-Patent-Pending-eCell
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil extended gains on Wednesday after having jumped around 7 percent in the previous session, as China partially eased Covid curbs and OPEC warned it would be impossible to replace potential supply losses from Russia. Benchmark Brent futures climbed 1.7 percent to $106.41 a barrel, while U.S. crude futures were up 1.4 percent at $101.94. Prospects for peace in Ukraine seem to fade as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue the war and U.S. President Joe Biden has called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'genocide,' a term his administration has been avoiding. Putin vowed to continue the invasion of Ukraine until 'full completion' of goals. He said that peace talks were 'at a dead end,' and Russia's military operation was going as planned. The U.S. aims to send more weapons to Ukraine, in a sign the war is expected to drag on. The full impact of sanctions and buyer aversion to Russian oil will take full effect from May onwards, the International Energy Agency said, adding that it expects Russian oil output losses to average 1.5 million bpd in April, with losses growing to close to 3 million bpd from May. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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. - April 13, 2022) - Kesselrun Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KES) (OTC Pink: KSSRF) ("Kesselrun" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update.

2022 Drill Program

The 2022 drill program on the Huronian Gold Project is now well underway with the recent addition of a second drill rig. A total of 15,000 metres of drilling is planned in this phase. Currently, the first drill rig is operating in the Fisher Zone area where multiple high-grade zones are situated, all in close proximity (see news release February 15th, 2022). The second drill rig is now drilling on the McKellar Zone. The immediate focus will be for zone expansion and infill drilling on all the zones surrounding the historic Huronian gold Mine.

Moss Southwest Target

The southern portion of the Huronian Gold Project hosts the untested strike extent of the Moss Gold Deposit, currently being explored by Goldshore Resources. An unmanned aerial vehicle borne (UAV) magnetic survey has been commissioned to commence in early May covering this highly prospective area. The results of this survey will be integrated into the geological model and be instrumental in reefing drill targets currently being planned. Testing of these targets by drilling is estimated to commence by June.

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of the Company, commented, "The addition of a second drill will increase the speed at which we are expanding the footprint of the zones in close proximity to the Huronian Mine. It will also allow the testing of the Moss Southwest target without significantly impacting the progress on the Huronian Mine zones. The results of the UAV-borne magnetic survey, in combination with Kesselrun's previous work, will be valuable in defining our priority drill targets."

About the Huronian Gold Project

The 100% owned Huronian Gold Project hosts the past producing Huronian Mine, Northwestern Ontario's first gold mine with an historic resource estimate of 44,592 oz Au at an average grade of 15.3 g/t Au in the indicated category and 501,377 oz Au at an average grade of 14.4 g/t Au in the inferred category. The resource estimate presented for the Huronian Project is historic in nature. Kesselrun Resources' qualified person has not completed sufficient work to confirm the results of the historical resource. Kesselrun Resources is not treating this as a current mineral resource but is considering it relevant as a guide to future exploration and includes it for reference purposes only. The historic resource was estimated by Minescape Exploration Inc. in 1998. Further drilling will be required by Kesselrun Resources to verify the historic estimate as current mineral resources.

As well, the Huronian Gold Project hosts the same lithological package of rocks, as interpreted from both Government of Ontario and Kesselrun Resources mapping, compilation and modelling, on strike from the adjacent Moss Lake Gold Deposit with an historic resource estimate of 1,377,300 oz Au at an average grade of 1.1 g/t Au in the indicated category and 1,751,600 oz Au at an average grade of 1.1 g/t Au in the inferred category as outlined in Wesdome Gold Mines' 2013 PEA (1) (2). Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on Kesselrun Resources' property.

(1) Moss Lake Gold Mines (a subsidiary of Wesdome Gold Mines at the time) news releases February 20, 2013 and September 9, 2013.

(2) On January 26, 2021, Wesdome Gold Mines announced that the Moss Lake Project would be purchased by Goldshore Resources Inc. (see Wesdome and Goldshore news releases dated January 26, 2021).

Qualified Person

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President and CEO of Kesselrun, is the Qualified Person responsible for the project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this news release.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our personnel and contractors is always top priority to Kesselrun. The current situation presents new challenges above and beyond what we normally face while working in the field. Kesselrun has implemented further measures to minimize the risk due to the current situation and ensure the health and safety of all working on the Company's projects.

About Kesselrun Resources Ltd.

Kesselrun Resources is a Thunder Bay, Ontario-based mineral exploration company focused on growth through property acquisitions and discoveries. Kesselrun's management team possesses strong geological and exploration expertise in Northwest Ontario. For more information about Kesselrun Resources, please visit www.kesselrunresources.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 news release.

For additional information please contact:

Kesselrun Resources Ltd.

Michael Thompson, P.Geo., President & CEO

807.285.3323

michaelt@kesselrunresources.com

Corporate Communications

1.866.416.7941

information@kesselrunresources.com

Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Kesselrun, including, but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, dependence upon regulatory approvals, the execution of definitive documentation, the availability of financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120226
Global crisis response non-profit launches prepaid cards program in collaboration with EML, the Stichting Giustra International Foundation, Tommy Humphreys and the Parker Foundation to continue the expansion of relief efforts.

Crisis response non-profit CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) has launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Cash Assistance Program in partnership with EML Payments Limited (ASX: EML) (S&P/ASX 200), Mastercard, the Stichting Giustra International Foundation, Tommy Humphreys and the Parker Foundation. The program will provide digital cash assistance directly to Ukrainian refugees, empowering families to choose how to cover basic needs and safely relocate on their own terms.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005426/en/

Sean Penn's crisis response non-profit CORE launches a Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Cash Assistance Program with EML. (Photo: Business Wire)

With over 4 million people displaced*, humanitarian aid is urgently needed, and CORE and Mastercard have combined resources to develop a flexible cash assistance program in the form of prepaid cash cards. During the early pilot period of the program, beginning today, 2,500 cards pre-loaded with 150 are being distributed to refugees fleeing Ukraine to Poland and other bordering countries. These funds will allow families to purchase essential supplies and obtain shelter during the 72-hour period typically spent in the region. After the initial pilot, CORE and its partners will provide thousands more prepaid cards to continue supporting refugees as this crisis unfolds.

"After lives have been upended so abruptly and violently, we want to give agency to Ukrainian families to make the best choices for themselves as they navigate this humanitarian crisis," said CORE Co-Founder and CEO, Ann Lee. "We are humbled and grateful for the support of our incredible partners, EML, Mastercard and the Stichting Giustra International Foundation, for making this cash assistance program a reality. CORE is fully committed to supporting the needs of Ukrainian refugees as this crisis continues to unfold, and we will continue to work alongside local partners on the ground in Poland and other bordering countries to address immediate needs."

"As the humanitarian emergency in the Ukraine continues to unfold, we are partnering with CORE and EML to quickly mobilize this prepaid card relief programme, which will disperse funding and humanitarian aid directly into the hand of refugees," said Solveig Hatton, SVP of Government Engagement, Mastercard Europe. "By delivering aid in the form of money on a card, we can provide payment security and flexibility to those most in need."

Easily transportable and reloadable, the cards are an important source of crucial aid that provides flexibility for the beneficiaries. General demographic information gleaned through the Cash Assistance Program will help identify migration trends, allowing CORE and Mastercard to anticipate future needs and adapt quickly. Funding for the program was made possible through an initial investment from the Stichting Giustra International Foundation.

'EML is working with CORE, its founders Sean Penn and Ann Lee, and Mastercard to urgently help financially empower communities through and beyond the crisis in Ukraine. We are passionate about ensuring that people who have had to flee disasters worldwide can rapidly access emergency funds in their time of need,' said David Curneen, Group COO at EML.

"The unprovoked Russian invasion of its neighbor has created a humanitarian disaster on a scale that we have not seen in Europe since World War II," said Frank Giustra, Chair of the Stichting Giustra International Foundation. "Under these conditions, it is imperative to move quickly to help those suffering the most. This project promises to put money in the hands of those who need it most, and to enable them to make decisions about what they need for themselves. We are calling on communities worldwide with an ask to make a donation to match ours, so that we can ensure as many people as possible receive the support they need."

In addition to the cash assistance program, CORE is also working with international and local partners to provide emergency relief supplies, such as hygiene kits and thermal blankets, as well as supporting community-based refugee centers in Poland and Romania as the influx of individuals fleeing continues to increase. To donate and learn more about CORE's work, please visit www.coreresponse.org.

About CORE

Founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE is a global crisis response organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities in and beyond crisis. CORE responds immediately to fill gaps, mobilize resources, and establish trust and partnership. Driven by a diverse, female-led team, CORE listens and learns to adapt its critical, equity-focused efforts to save lives and strengthen communities for the future. In rapid response to the urgent humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, CORE was one of the first organizations supporting refugees in Poland and Romania, where it continues to provide critical support. For more information, visit www.coreresponse.org, and follow CORE on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

About EML Payments

EML provides an innovative payment solutions platform, helping businesses all over the world create awesome customer experiences. Wherever money is in motion, our agile technology can power the payment process, so money can be moved quickly, conveniently and securely. We offer market-leading programme management and highly skilled payments expertise to create customisable feature-rich solutions for businesses, brands and their customers.

Come and explore the many opportunities our platform has to offer by visiting us at: EMLPayments.com

Read more EML stories by visiting our Newsroom: https://www.emlpayments.com/newsroom/

*Source: UNHCR, April 11th, 2022 https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005426/en/

Contacts:

Sarah Bowles, Group Chief Digital Officer

EML Payments Limited (ASX: EML)

sbowles@emlpayments.com

+61 439 730 968

Marie O'Riordan, Global Director of Public Relations

EML Payments Limited (ASX: EML)

marie.oriordan@emlpayments.com pr@emlpayments.com

+44 207 183 5856 +353 46 94 2010 9
EU to set up humanitarian hub for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova

Xinhua) 09:29, April 13, 2022

BRUSSELS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission is setting up a hub for humanitarian aid in Moldova, to support its partners working with Ukrainian refugees, a Commission spokesperson said here on Tuesday.

"The operation consists in the installation of a hub in Chisinau for humanitarian partners, and the delivery of over 1,200 EU-owned tents and 4,000 blankets for people displaced by the conflict," said Balazs Ujvari, the Commission's spokesperson for humanitarian aid and crisis management.

Moldova is also receiving help from Norway and 18 European Union (EU) member states through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which can be triggered by any non-EU country when they face a situation in which they might need help from EU member states.

Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Feb. 24, more than 4.5 million people have fled Ukraine, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)


PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday pampered Binga chiefs with over 17 kapenta fishing rigs.

Five Zanu PF youth league members and five womens league groups also received rigs.

The gesture comes a few weeks after Zanu PF Binga North candidate Kudakwashe Munsaka lost the constituency to the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Prince Dubeko Sibanda despite Mnangagwa dishing out bicycles during a rally at Siabuwa growth point.

His visit to Binga yesterday follows a Cabinet resolution that gave the greenlight to the implementation of a number of major projects in the district.

For several years, people in Binga have blamed the ruling party for the marginalisation and under-development of the district.

If there is a chief who will be installed in the future, we will give him his/her own fishing rig. If there are war veterans who want fishing rigs, they must work together and I will assemble the fishing rigs for them.

I am doing this because chiefs in other provinces requested farm land and I gave them. In Binga, they dont do farming, so I gave them fishing rigs. Party leadership also approached us saying that we should give fishing rigs to women and the youth league, Mnangagwa said.

He said chiefs in Binga had also appealed to him for clean water.

There is provincial drill which will be stationed here until Binga communities get water, he said.

He also promised that Binga schools and clinics will be electrified, while two boarding schools will be constructed in the district. Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo said the fishing rigs would economically empower local people.

You declared that no place and no one will be left behind in development and this is, indeed, true in our province where there is no farming land. These rigs were made locally in Binga hence economically empowering the local people, Moyo said.

The commissioning of 35 fishing rigs by Mnangagwa is despite the 2020 statement by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority that they were no longer able to issue more fishing permits.

Zimbabwe has the capacity to hold 275 fishing rigs at Lake Kariba, while Zambias capacity is 225. Newsday
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.
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") ispleased to provide an overview of its 2022 plans for its Oxide Peak earn-in project ("Oxide Peak") in the Toodoggone District, B.C. Oxide Peak is contiguous to the north of TDG's 100 % owned former producing Baker-Shasta gold-silver project (Figure 1). The project was added to TDG's portfolio of Toodoggone assets in 2019 (see TDG news release December 23, 2019) through an option and joint venture agreement signed with ArcWest Exploration Inc. Completion of the proposed exploration activities in 2022 will result in TDG achieving 60 % ownership of Oxide Peak. Oxide Peak has a valid work authorization (three-year Multi-Year Area Based) Notice of Work ("NoW") and is fully permitted for TDG's proposed 2022 exploration activities.

Figure 1. Location of the Oxide Peak Project, Toodoggone District, B.C.

In 2020, TDG completed an airborne magnetic survey over the Oxide Peak property consisting of two survey blocks, which provide 84 square kilometres ("km") of coverage at 100 metre ("m") line spacing. Ground survey work was also completed, including soil geochemistry and a ground Induced Polarization ("IP") survey. During the 2021 exploration season, TDG completed airborne geophysics, Light Detection and Ranging ("LiDAR") / Orthophoto and small-scale geological mapping focused on the Drybrough target area ("Drybrough") located adjacent to Baker and leading to 1,029 m of diamond drilling at Drybrough completed in December 2021.

Oxide Creek - 2022 Target #1

Oxide Creek is a porphyry-style target located at the northern portion of the Oxide Peak mineral tenure. The target appears to be hosted by a multiphase intrusion, which cores an extensive zone of quartz-sericite-pyrite ("QSP") and advanced argillic alteration. Magmatic-hydrothermal breccias with quartz-magnatite-chalcopyrite veins and relict potassic alteration outcrop at Oxide Creek. A potassic altered copper-gold ("Cu-Au") mineralized centre may exist at relatively shallow depths with the potential for Cu-Au grades to improve with depth and potassium alteration intensity. The target has been identified by coincident soil geochemistry, alteration/geological mapping and geophysical expression (Figures 2 & 3). A detailed high-resolution ground magnetic survey is planned as an initial follow-up on 50 m spaced survey lines (Figure 4), which will aid in refining the final drill target location, to be executed in 2022. Oxide Creek has never been drill tested, to date.

Figure 2. Location of Oxide Creek Target Over Copper Soil Geochemistry, IP Chargeability Anomaly.

Figure 3. Location of Oxide Creek Target Over Gold Soil Geochemistry, IP Chargeability Anomaly.

Figure 4. Location of Oxide Creek Target with Planned 2022 High-Resolution Magnetic Survey.

Drybrough - 2022 Target #2

The Drybrough porphyry copper ("Cu") and gold ("Au") target is a conceptual geophysical target identified in 2021 centered on a magnetic high about 1 km across (see TDG News Release, November 16, 2021). This magnetic feature is flanked by surface gossans originally mapped by Dupont Canada in the 1980s. Two drillholes were completed during the 2021 field season at Drybrough, for a total of 1,029 m drilled (Figure 5 & Table 1). Both drillholes intersected a sequence of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks (ash tuff, crystal tuffs and lithic tuffs) intercalated with fine sedimentary horizons. Alteration was generally quartz-chlorite, with localized zones of variable intensity hematite and potassic alteration. Fine-grained pyrite was ubiquitous through the drill intersections with trace quartz-carbonate veins/veinlets containing increased pyrite concentrations. Both drillholes intersected anomalous silver ("Ag"), which increased with depth along with certain pathfinder elements. OXP21-01 (-60) intersected 4.11 grams/tonne ("g/t") Ag over 3.36 m at the end of the drillhole (510 m downhole depth) in coarse-grained sericite-chlorite altered lithic tuff with up to 10 % pyrite, increasing downhole in an interval of increasing small gouge filled faults.

Full multi-element analysis was undertaken on the drill core assays, which TDG is continuing to review as part of targeting for the next phase of drilling at Oxide Peak in 2022.

Figure 5. Oxide Peak Property - Drybrough 2021 Drillhole Locations.

Table 1. 2021 Oxide Peak Drillhole Particulars.

HOLE UTME (NAD83) UTMN (NAD83) Azimuth () Dip () Final Depth (m) OXP21-01 615608 6352494 300 -60 513 OXP21-02 615608 6352494 300 -80 516

Additional Target Areas

Multiple additional Cu-Au exploration targets exist throughout the property (Figure 6), all of which are untested by diamond drilling. These include large, variably Cu-Au mineralized gossans at the Gordonia, Falcon and Saunders Creek, where grab samples have returned assays from below detection limit to up to 46.1 g/t Au. Stream sediment samples collected from the Saunders target area have returned assays from below detection limit to in excess of 10,000 parts per billion ("ppb") Au. This Au anomaly has yet to be traced to source, and will be a high priority follow up area in 2022.

Figure 6. Oxide Peak Property - 2022 Target Areas.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

This news release includes historical information that has been reviewed by the Company's geological team. The Company's review of the historical records and information reasonably substantiate the validity of the information presented in this news release; however, the Company cannot directly verify the accuracy of the historical data, including the procedures used for sample collection and analysis. Therefore, the Company encourages investors to exercise appropriate caution when evaluating these results.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral claim holder in the historical Toodoggone Production Corridor of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta, Baker and Mets mines, which are all road accessible, produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. In 2021, TDG advanced the projects through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and, for Shasta, drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their extensions. TDG currently has 96,343,142 common shares issued and outstanding.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information contact:

TDG Gold Corp.,

Telephone:+1.604.536.2711 Email: info@tdggold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697219/TDG-Gold-Corp-Identifies-2022-Drill-Targets-at-Its-Oxide-Peak-Earn-in-Project-Toodoggone-BC
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Surge Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Surge") (TSX.V:NILI), (OTC PINK:NILIF), (FRA:DJ5C), is pleased to announce additional soil geochem sampling is underway to complete the soil survey previously cut short by poor weather conditions at its Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) in Elko County, Nevada. The program is scheduled to be completed before the end of the month.

Proposed Soil Sample Map - Northern Nevada Lithium Project

Further to preliminary results reported by the Company on December 31, 2021, and April 6, 2022 Rangefront Mining Services has been contracted to complete a survey of over 500 additional samples on sampling lines spaced 100 meters apart. This sampling program will expand the area of previous sampling where assay results for lithium ranged from 29.1 ppm to 5,120 ppm Li. Results included 89 samples outlining a highly anomalous zone containing sample points greater than 1,000 ppm Li. Currently, the zone of highly anomalous samples extends about 1,700 meters east-west in two bands each about 300 to 400 meters wide. Previous work on the property had returned values up to 1,500 ppm Li in stream sediment samples. The anomalous samples appear to be in soils developed on airfall or water lain rhyolitic tuff overlain by welded ash flow tuff. Depending on results achieved, Surge may decide to expand the size of its mineral claims and soil coverage.

Soil Survey Lithium Results - Northern Nevada Lithium Project

Mr. Greg Reimer, Company President & CEO states: "While the geological understanding and the depositional model for the highly anomalous lithium results found over a wide, consistent area are yet to be fully determined, the Company is highly encouraged to continue our exploration efforts in northern Nevada with the lithium values found to date. Along with having a fully funded 2022 exploration program in Nevada, we are excited to see the results of the current sampling work. These results which will allow us to continue to work at this new discovery throughout the summer months."

Alan J. Morris of Spring Creek, Nevada is the qualified person for Surge Battery Metals and has approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc. surgebatterymetals.com

The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for nickel-iron alloy and Copper in British Columbia and lithium in Nevada whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Nevada Lithium Claims

The Company owns a 100% interest in 95 mineral claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Northern Nevada Lithium Project is located in the Granite Range about 34 line- km southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 line-km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a Thacker Pass or Clayton Valley type lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Jarbidge Rhyolite package. The project area was first identified in public domain stream sediment geochemical data with follow up sediment sampling and geologic reconnaissance.

Additionally, The Company's' San Emidio Desert Lithium Project, located 60 miles Northeast of Reno in the San Emidio Desert, Washoe County, Nevada covers about 5,525 acres (2,235 Ha). The Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in 84 association placer claims covering 4,885 acres (1,975 Ha), subject to a 2% NSR, from Lithium Corporation (OTCQB: LTUM). The Company also recently completed a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest 16 minerals claims comprising 640 acres adjoining this property.

The Company owns a 100% interest in 663 ha (1,640 acre) property in the Teels Marsh Playa Mineral County, Nevada. The property is located in an active region for both lithium exploration and production.

Nickel Projects, Northern BC

The Company has a Property Option Agreement to earn an undivided 80% interest in certain mineral claims from Nickel Rock Resources Inc.

The Surge Nickel Project consists of two non-contiguous mineral claims groups consisting of 6 mineral claims in the Mount Sidney Williams area (HN4) covering 1863 hectares immediately south of and adjacent to the Decar Project and the Mitchell Range area (N100) covering 8659 hectares, located in Northern British Columbia. Three of the claims are subject to 2% NSR, including the (HN4 claim and the two southernmost claims of the N100 claims).

The exploration stage project is in the Trembleur Lake area of central British Columbia, partially adjacent to FPX Nickel Corp.'s Decar Nickel Project, which is an advanced project targeting awaruite, a nickel-iron alloy mineral, hosted by serpentinized ultramafic intrusive rocks of the Trembleur Ultramafic Unit.

Caledonia Project, Vancouver Island, BC

The Company has a Property Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 7 mineral claims including the Caledonia, Cascade and Bluebell claims, subject to a NSR between 1-2%. The Caledonia Project claim area lies within a 50-kilometer-long copper belt in the Nanaimo Mining Division on northern Vancouver Island. The claims are host to widespread copper and gold skarn mineralization 7 km north-west of BHP's past producing Island Copper Mine. During its prime operating period the Island Copper mine was Canada's third-largest copper producer. Additionally, our property lies partially adjacent to NorthIsle Copper and Gold currently developing one of the most promising copper gold porphyry deposits in Canada. Northisle recently completed an updated PEA for its 100% owned North Island Project and is advancing towards a pre-feasibility study.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Greg Reimer"

Greg Reimer, President & CEO

778-945-2656

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Surge Battery Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697220/Exploration-Program-Underway-on-Surge-Battery-Metals-100-Owned-Northern-Nevada-Lithium-Project
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - SoLVBL Solutions Inc. (CSE: SOLV) (OTCQB: SOLBF) ("SoLVBL" or the "Company"), an innovative cybersecurity company that provides proprietary data authentication using advanced cryptography on a SaaS based model, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a product design agreement with KRFTWRK Inc. ("KRFTWRK"), a Toronto, Ontario based leading product design and digital marketing company, to collaborate in developing unique user experiences and user interfaces for SoLVBL's cybersecurity and data authentication products.

With the recent hiring of key technical people and the appointment of Jim Slinowsky as the head of product development, SoLVBL plans to rapidly role out new cybersecurity and data authentication products in 2022. KRFTWRK's collaboration in product design, including developing unique user experience, wire-framing and high-fidelity design protypes will allow SoLVBL to ensure new cybersecurity products are developed and delivered on-time and at the quality level our customers expect.

"We are very excited to be working with KRFTWRK to develop exciting new data authentication and cybersecurity products for our institutional and corporate clients," said Kaiser Akbar, President & CEO of SoLVBL. "SoLVBL is at the forefront of the rapidly changing data authentication and cybersecurity landscape, and KRFTWRK looks forward to partnering with SoLVBL as they obtain a leadership position in this space," said Justin Wood, founder and CEO of KRFTWRK.

You can authenticate your data before use by Q by SoLVBL. Q by SoLVBL allows you to create Trust, Fast.

If you have data worth forging, it's worth protecting with Q by SoLVBL.

About KRFTWRK Inc.

KRFTWRK is a Toronto-based digital design and marketing company dedicated to driving change. The Company does this through rapid prototyping, and growth marketing tactics. The Company specializes in Digital Marketing, Website Design, UI, UX, Growth Hacking, Product Design, Growth Marketing, Design Sprints, and User Interface Design.

SoLVBL Solutions Inc.

SoLVBL is an innovative cybersecurity and data authentication company. The Company's mission is to empower, better, faster decisions by developing a universal standard for establishing digital record authenticity. Q by SoLVBL, is a proprietary technology platform of the Company, designed to be easy to use and adopt, economically priced and provide digital record authentication at very high speed. Q by SoLVBL allows organizations to establish trust in their data. The Company is currently pursuing the following verticals: chain of custody for digital evidence; including, NG-911, data used in the financial sector, medical applications and critical IoT infrastructures.

For Further Information, Contact:

SoLVBL Solutions Inc.

Kaiser Akbar, President & CEO

100 King Street West, Suite 5700

Toronto, ON, M5X 1C7

E: kaiser.akbar@SoLVBL.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS MARKET REGULATOR (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE CSE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. 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. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives, including, the implementation and success of Q by SoLVBLTM, and expectations for other economic, business and/or competitive, factors. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, SoLVBL assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the "United States", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120290
Exceptional gold results in Hole CAL22-012

Initial gold results from 8 additional drill holes still pending

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Aztec Minerals Corp. (TSXV:AZT)(OTCQB:AZZTF) announces that it continues to intersect broad well mineralized gold mineralization from the 2022 RC drill program at the California target on the Cervantes property located in Sonora, Mexico. Results for hole CAL22-012 returned 152.4 metres grading 0.87 gpT Au including 33.5 metres grading 2.05 gpT Au.

California Zone Drill Highlights

0.43 gpT Au over 132.2 m in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry and hydrothermal breccias in CAL22-011, including 12.2 metres of 1.29 gpT Au located at the northern edge of the central portion of the mineralized zone

in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry and hydrothermal breccias in CAL22-011, including located at the northern edge of the central portion of the mineralized zone 0.87 gpT Au over 152.4 m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccias in CAL22-012 including 33.5 metres of 2.05 gpT Au located at the northern edge of the central portion of the mineralized zone

in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccias in CAL22-012 including located at the northern edge of the central portion of the mineralized zone 0.48 gpT Au over 54.9 m in mineralized porphyries and hydrothermal breccias in CAL22-014, located at the northern edge of the eastern portion of the mineralized zone

The primary focus of the Phase 2 RC drill program at Cervantes is to expand the previously drilled California zone by completing two drill hole fences parallel to and on either side of the 2017-18 Phase 1 drill hole fence. To-date, every hole drilled at California has intersected near surface, oxidized gold mineralization with minor copper oxides.

View drill section here:

Link to section view hole CAL22-011

Link to section view hole CAL22-012

Link to section view hole CAL22-013

Link to section view hole CAL22-014

Reported lengths are apparent widths, not true widths, and the observed gold mineralization appears to be widely distributed in disseminations, fractures and veinlets within quartz-feldspar porphyry, feldspar porphyry stocks and related hydrothermal breccias.

Aztec CEO, Simon Dyakowski commented, "These intersections continue to expand the oxide gold mineralized zone at California. This discovery further advances the California gold zone in demonstrating the open pit heap leach gold potential of the project. The Cervantes 2021-2022 RC drill program continues to return strong gold grades over broad widths in every drill hole reported to date."

California 2022 RC Drill Program Plan Map

Holes CAL22-011, 012 and 014 intersected extensive gold mineralization, see table below, extending the known mineralized zone at depth and to the north. The RC Phase 2 drilling program has been completed. It covers an area now measuring approximately 900 metres long by 250 to 500 metres wide, with demonstrated, continuous mineralization up to 265 metres depth vertically. The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions.

Drill Hole From m To m Interval m* Au gpT Comments CAL22-001 22.86 111.3 88.41 1.1 230 Az, -60 Including 22.86 77.74 54.88 1.56 30.49 45.73 15.24 3.962 30.49 36.57 6.08 7.44 CAL22-002 0 108.2 108.2 0.374 225 Az, -60 CAL22-003 45.7 91.5 45.7 0.451 233 Az, -60 Including 60.9 74.7 13.7 0.868 CAL22-004 0 167.2 167.2 1.002 236 AZ, -59 Including 131.1 155.5 24.4 4.247 CAL22-005 0 136.8 136.8 1.486 236 Az, -59 Including 54.88 106.7 51.68 3.424 CAL22-006 16.77 117.38 100.32 0.75 229 Az, -60 Including 16.77 25.91 9.14 3.087 128.05 140.25 12.2 0.925 CAL22-007 32.01 39.63 7.6 0.684 225 Az, -59 83.84 147.87 63.84 0.422 CAL22-008 0 54.72 54.72 0.884 212 Az, -58 Including 36.58 50.3 13.72 1.965 187.5 195.1 7.6 0.745 CAL22-009 0 86.64 86.64 0.5 235 Az, -60 CAL22-010 0 138.32 138.32 0.53 227 Az, -52 Including 50.3 60.98 10.67 1.622 CAL22-011 25.9 158.5 132.2 0.427 224 Az, -59 Including 88.8 100.6 12.2 1.291 184.5 193.6 9.1 0.462 CAL22-012 41.2 193.6 152.4 0.872 228 Az, -59 Including 117.4 150.9 33.5 2.048 CAL22-013 140.2 147.9 7.7 0.209 229 Az, -60 CAL22-014 0 54.9 54.9 0.484 205 Az, -58

The Aztec-Kootenay JV has now completed its Phase 2 Reverse circulation (RC) program of 26 holes, totaling 4,649 metres at the Cervantes Property. Drilling commenced in December 2021. The planned drill testing of the four main targets of the Cervantes phase 2 drilling program is now complete. The primary objectives of the 2021 - 2022 phase 2 exploration program was to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East.

Drill samples cuttings are collected every 5 feet (1.52m) from all drill holes. The samples are analyzed by Bureau Veritas for gold with a 30-gram sample size using the method FA430 followed by MA300. Over limits, when present, are analyzed by AR404 or FA550. All holes contain certified blanks, standards, and duplicates as part of the quality control program. The QA/QC has delivered excellent results to date good data integrity. The samples are shipped to and received by Bureau Veritas Minerals laboratory for the gold and multielement geochemical analysis and additional gold results will be received and reported in the next several weeks. Final multielement ICP results are expected to follow the release of the preliminary gold assays and are expected to be received during the second quarter 2022.

Aztec has recently completed drill hole collar surveying, field work for Drone Photogrammetry survey to create a detailed ortho-topographic base map, and Terraspec readings on the RC drill chips. Aztec will now carry out channel sampling and geologic mapping of the new drill roads at California, California Norte and Jasper, as well as to expand surface sampling and mapping on the property in general to continue the 2021 phase 1 surface program.

Cervantes Property Highlights

Cervantes is a highly prospective porphyry gold-copper property located in southeastern Sonora state, Mexico. The project lies 160 km east of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico within the prolific Laramide porphyry copper belt approximately 265 km southeast of the Cananea porphyry copper-molybdenum mine (Grupo Mexico). Cervantes also lies along an east-west trending gold belt 60 km west of the Mulatos epithermal gold mine (Alamos Gold), 35 km northeast of the Osisko Development San Antonio gold mine, 45 km west of the La India mine (Agnico Eagle), and 40 km northwest of Santana gold deposit (Minera Alamos). View: Cervantes Project Location Map

Large well-located property (3,649 hectares) with good infrastructure, road access, local town, all private land, water wells on property, grid power nearby

(3,649 hectares) with good infrastructure, road access, local town, all private land, water wells on property, grid power nearby Seven prospective mineralized zones related to high level porphyries and breccias along an 7.0km east-northeast corridor with multiple intersecting northwest structures

to high level porphyries and breccias along an 7.0km east-northeast corridor with multiple intersecting northwest structures Distinct geophysical anomalies, California target marked by high magnetic and low resistivity anomalies, high radiometric and chargeability anomalies responding to pervasive alteration

California target marked by high magnetic and low resistivity anomalies, high radiometric and chargeability anomalies responding to pervasive alteration Extensive gold mineralization at California zone , 118 soil samples average 0.44 gpt gold over 900 m by 600 m area, trench rock-channel samples up to 0.47 gpt gold over 222m

, 118 soil samples average 0.44 gpt gold over 900 m by 600 m area, trench rock-channel samples up to 0.47 gpt gold over 222m Already drilled the first discovery hole at the California zone, intersected gold oxide cap to a classic gold-copper porphyry deposit, drill results up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160 m

hole at the California zone, intersected gold oxide cap to a classic gold-copper porphyry deposit, drill results up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160 m Excellent gold recoveries from preliminary metallurgical tests on drill core from California zone; oxide gold recoveries in bottle roll tests range from 75% to 87%

from preliminary metallurgical tests on drill core from California zone; oxide gold recoveries in bottle roll tests range from 75% to 87% California geophysical anomaly wide open laterally and at depth, IP chargeability strengthens and broadens to >500m depth over an area 1100 m by 1200 m

laterally and at depth, IP chargeability strengthens and broadens to >500m depth over an area 1100 m by 1200 m Three-Dimensional IP Survey conducted in 2019 extends strong chargeability anomalies to the southwest covering Estrella, Purisima East, and Purisima West, coinciding well with alteration and Au-Cu-Mo soil geochemical anomalies, all undrilled.

Marketing Service Agreement

Aztec announces that on April 7th it had entered into a services agreement (the "Agreement") with Lakefront Enterprises Inc. ("Lakefront"), an arm's-length party to the Company and a digital and mobile marketing firm, to provide marketing services focused on the North American markets. Lakefront will provide the Company with content creation, distribution, and advertising services in North America. The term of the Agreement commences on or around April 14th ("Term"), and will run for an approximate 12 month period. In consideration for the services provided, the Company has agreed to pay Lakefront a fee of CAD$80,000.

Allen David Heyl, B.Sc., CPG., VP Exploration of Aztec, is the Qualified Person supervising the Cervantes exploration program. Aztec is conducting reverse circulation drilling at Cervantes and collecting 5 feet (1.52m) samples for all drill holes. All drill hole sample batches contain certified blanks, standards, and duplicates as part of the quality control program. Mr. Heyl reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

"Simon Dyakowski"

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer

Aztec Minerals Corp.

About Aztec Minerals - Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large polymetallic mineral deposits in the Americas. Our core asset is the prospective Cervantes porphyry gold-copper property in Sonora, Mexico. Aztec also has control of the historic, district-scale Tombstone properties host both bulk tonnage epithermal gold-silver as well as CRD silver-lead-zinc mineralization in Cochise County, Arizona. Aztec's shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).

Contact Information - For more information, please contact:

Simon Dyakowski, CEO or Bradford Cooke, Chairman

Tel: (604) 619-7469

Fax: (604) 685-9744

Email: simon@aztecminerals.com

Website: www.aztecminerals.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in 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, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Aztec Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697210/Aztec--Kootenay-JV-Reports-Additional-Strong-Drill-Results-from-California-Zone-at-Cervantes-Project-in-Sonora-Mexico-Intersects-087-gpT-Au-over-1524-m-Including-205-gpT-Au-over-335m
Intersects Nickel Bearing Massive Sulphides Underneath The Past-Producing Dumbarton Nickel Deposit

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Grid Metals Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) today provided a drill update on its Makwa Nickel Property. Makwa which is part of the Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM Project located in southeastern Manitoba - where the Company has just completed 14 exploration drill holes. The current Makwa drill program focused on four geophysical targets (MK02-MK05) all located close to the 2014 pit-constrained Makwa Ni-Cu-PGM resource. Results from the first drill hole at the MK02 target intersected two separate intervals of <1 metre of massive sulfide mineralization with nickel grades greater than 1.5% within a broader mineralized package including 15 metres of 0.64% and 3.5 metres of 1.14% nickel equivalent grade. Drilling at Makwa is ongoing. Drilling is also continuing at the Company's Donner Lake Lithium Project located 35 km north.

Drill hole MK22-02 was drilled underneath the former producing Dumbarton Mine horizon at the Makwa Property. Assays successfully confirm that there is nickel copper cobalt sulfide mineralization remaining below the former mine workings. The geophysical anomaly (MK02) that was targeted has a minimum strike length of 400 meters and extends at least 300 metres below the mined out part of the Dumbarton deposit. Six additional drill holes have been completed on the MK02 target with results pending. Initial results from MK22-02 are tabulated below.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) NiEq* (%) MAK22-02 174.76 190.02 15.26 0.39 0.29 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.64 inc. 181.00 189.00 8.00 0.50 0.36 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.81 and inc. 183.00 186.55 3.55 0.79 0.28 0.07 0.02 0.01 0.01 1.14 and inc. 184.53 186.55 2.02 0.97 0.24 0.08 0.02 0.02 0.01 1.34 with 184.53 185.11 0.58 1.63 0.12 0.12 0.02 0.01 0.01 2.07 and with 186.19 186.55 0.36 1.53 0.12 0.12 0.03 0.03 0.01 1.97

Above: Highlights for MAK22-02, Dumbarton Zone, Makwa nickel property. NiEq (%) = the nickel equivalent grade that was calculated using the equation: NiEq (%) = Ni (%) + 0.469 * Cu (%) + 3.125 Co (%) + 0.319 Pd (g/t) + 0.21 * Pt (g/t) + 0.319 Au (g/t). The metal price assumptions in $US used to determine the equivalency factors are: Ni - $8.00/lb; Cu - $3.75/lb; Co - $25.00/lb; Pd - $1,750/oz; Pt - $1,150/oz; Au - $1,750/oz. na = not analyzed. The true thickness of the Dumbarton Zone intercepts reported here is estimated to be 60-70% of the reported interval lengths.

Above: Plan view map of MK02 EM conductor plates and Grid Metal's 2022 drilling locations. The modeled plates have a near vertical orientation. The Dumbarton Zone was underground mined between 1970 and 1973 to a depth of ~ 150m ( source Manitoba Mineral Inventory File No.999 ) The Grid 2022 drill holes intersected the Dumbarton Zone below the historical mine workings. Historical drill hole MM09-139 (far left) intersected 3m @ 0.85% nickel and 0.23% copper from 141m depth. The B series holes (1953) shown on this map were drilled by Falconbridge Ltd. in the area that was mined out or just below the historical underground mine workings. They include historical intersections of the Dumbarton Zone as reported by Falconbridge Ltd. (internal company drill report) of 18.3m of 1.05% Ni including 11.0m of 1.52% Ni in hole B50 and 7.6m of 1.16% Ni in hole B46.

Makwa Nickel Project - Overview and Current Drill Program

The Makwa Nickel Deposit was the subject of a standalone positive feasibility study completed in 2007 (Micon International) for the mining and production of nickel concentrate for sale to a smelter. National Instrument 43-101 resources at Makwa included in the 2014 PEA ( RPA Inc) are 7.2Mt grading 0.61% nickel; 0.13% copper 0.36 g/t Pd and 0.10 g/t Pt in the Indicated category - all open pit constrained. The Makwa resource does not include any material from the Dumbarton Zone.

The Makwa resource does not include any material from the Dumbarton Zone. The Makwa Deposit was incorporated into a 2014 PEA (RPA Inc.) combining the Makwa Deposit and the Mayville Cu-Ni-PGM Deposit located ~35 km to the north of Makwa. The Mayville NI 43-101 resource is a pit constrained 26.6 Mt grading 0.44% Cu; 0.18%Ni; 0.14 Pd - Indicated.

Indicated. The last drilling at Makwa was in 2010.

The current exploration drilling program is partially guided by an extensive 2018 ground EM survey at Makwa which defined many new exploration targets

The 14 drill holes completed this winter have tested four of the identified geophysical targets in close proximity to the Makwa open pit resource.

in close proximity to the Makwa open pit resource. The main targets are 1) MK04 - the deeper extension of the main mineralized zone underneath the resource pit shell; 2 and 3) MK02 and MK03, both of which are associated with the along strike extension of the Dumbarton Zone; and 4) the MK05 target, which may represent a southern offset of the main Makwa Ni-Cu-PGM deposit. MK-05 is currently being drill tested from the south.

Above: Location of the 14 diamond drill holes completed at the Makwa nickel property in January and February. Also shown are the EM conductor plate targets discussed above and relevant historical drill hole ( red line traces ) that intersected the edges of these plates. Drilling is continuing at the MK05 Plate target.

EM plate targets were generated from the Company's 2018 ground EM survey. Most of these EM conductors have been partially drill tested by limited historical drilling that, combined with the 2022 drilling results, will give a sense of their resource potential. Hole specifications for each of the 14 holes completed this winter are provided in the Appendix.

Makwa Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Co Project

The project has many key attributes including defined NI 43-101 resources, the project location in southeastern Manitoba serviced with renewable power and all season roads, extensive metallurgical work and previous economic studies, e.g., the 2007 PFS authored by Micon International and the 2014 PEA on the combined Makwa and Mayville deposits in 2014 authored by RPA Inc. Importantly the Company has an exploration agreement in place with the Sagkeeng First Nation on whose traditional lands the projects are situated. Additional information about exploration results and a project development schedule will be released in the coming weeks

Dr. Dave Peck, the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Business Development stated: "The resumption of activity at our Makwa nickel project is ideally timed to rising nickel prices and heightened investor and end user interest in nickel sulfide projects with strong ESG credentials located in Tier 1 mining jurisdictions. The new drilling at Makwa was designed to test prominent geophysical targets associated with known trends of nickel-copper sulfide +/- PGM mineralization that sit outside the current pit constrained mineral resources."

Donner Lake Lithium Project - Drilling Continuing

Drilling is also ongoing at the Company's 75% owned Donner Lake lithium project, located directly south of the Mayville Cu-Ni-PGM deposit in the northern part of the Bird River greenstone belt - see location map, below. The new drilling is targeting spodumene-bearing granitic pegmatite dykes that are part of the world class Winnipeg River pegmatite field, which hosts Canada's only current spodumene producer - the Tanco Mine, which has been producing cesium and/or tantalum +/- lithium from the Bernic Lake pegmatite deposit since 1968. The first two drill results from Donner Lake were announced on April 5, 2022 by the Company. Additional drilling results will be released over the coming weeks.

Above: Location of Grid Metals' Makwa and Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM properties and Donner Lake lithium property in the Bird River greenstone belt, southeastern Manitoba.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Grid Metals applies best practice quality assurance and quality control ("QAQC") protocols on all of its exploration programs. For the Makwa drilling program, core was logged and sampled at the Company's core facility located on the Makwa Property. Standard 1.0 metre sample lengths were used. Samples were bagged and tagged and then transported by secure carrier to the Actlabs (Thunder Bay) laboratory for sample preparation and analysis for nickel, copper, cobalt and selected major and trace element abundances using a multi-acid digestion method followed by ICP-OES analysis. Samples were also analyzed for Pd, Pt and Au using a lead collection 30 g fire assay method followed by ICP-OES analysis. The Company is using two certified reference materials ("CRMs") and one analytical blank for the Makwa program to monitor analytical accuracy and check for cross contamination between samples. The analytical results for the two CRMs and the blank for MAK22-02 results reported here did not show any significant bias compared to the certified values and the fell within the acceptable limits of variability.

Dave Peck, P.Geo., has reviewed the contents of this press release and is the qualified person for purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About Grid Metals Corp.

Grid Metals Corp. has a portfolio of exploration and development stage properties focused on battery metals (nickel, copper, platinum group metals, cobalt, palladium and lithium) which are located in the Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. In Manitoba the Company is currently drilling at both its Makwa Nickel Property and its Donner Lake Lithium Property.

To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director

Telephone: 647 201 6844 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com 416 955-4773

Appendix: Specifications for drill holes MAK22-01 to 14, Makwa nickel property. Collar coordinates are based on a NAD83 UTM Zone 15N projection.

Hole Number Target Plate Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth (degrees) Dip (degrees) Length (m) MAK22-01 MK05 325927 5593239 298 180 -45 432 MAK22-02 MK02 326699 5593745 310 180 -45 446 MAK22-03 MK05 325927 5593239 298 160 -45 356 MAK22-04 MK02 326699 5593745 310 180 -60 371 MAK22-05 Met Test 325391 5592980 287 360 -60 224 MAK22-06 MK02 326699 5593745 310 205 -55 404 MAK22-07 MK04 325470 5592913 287 295 -62 329 MAK22-08 MK02 326699 5593745 310 155 -55 398 MAK22-09 MK04 325470 5592913 287 275 -52 302 MAK22-10 MK04 325470 5592913 287 16 -61 338 MAK22-11 MK02 325470 5592913 287 135 -52 302 MAK22-12 MK03 325927 5593239 298 322 -45 299 MAK22-13 MK02 326579 5593652 309 160 -45 130 MAK22-14 MK02 326579 5593652 309 210 -60 260

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697139/Grid-Metals-Completes-14-Drill-Holes-at-Makwa-Nickel-Deposit-Manitoba-Canada
Three Newly Purchased Drill Rigs Will Be Deployed Across 16 Kilometers of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex to Find Additional High-Grade Nickel in the USA

Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) ("Talon" or the "Company"), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project") in central Minnesota, has purchased three new drill rigs. These new drills will be deployed to expand Talon's exploration of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex for additional high-grade nickel, copper and cobalt.

The three Boart Longyear drill rigs, two LF-160's and one LF-230, have increased depth capacity and bring Talon's in-house drilling fleet to six drill rigs. The new rigs will be focusing on exploration outside of the main resource area, where numerous intercepts of high-grade nickel-copper mineralization (up to 9.95% nickel (drill hole 18TK0264)) have already been discovered. The first three zones that will be targeted are known as the 221 Zone, the 264 Zone, and the 164 Zone (see Figure 1 below). The Company also plans to drill a highly conductive anomaly that sits directly below the main zone resource area (see Figure 2 below).

"The need to secure domestic sources of battery minerals like nickel has grown more urgent. Climate change is accelerating, and the United States is dependent on foreign countries for the key ingredients required for clean power and battery storage. President Biden, with bipartisan support in Congress, has recently elevated domestic sourcing of battery materials like nickel to a national priority. Our investment in new equipment, people and technology to explore for battery minerals in Minnesota addresses this national priority and purpose," said Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon.

He continued: "Talon's in-house geology and geophysics teams have already established the initial high-grade zone of nickel-copper mineralization at the Tamarack Nickel Project that will supply Tesla and potentially other customers. Our investment in these three new drill rigs and hiring the people to deploy them on a 24/7 basis will hopefully confirm our geologists' view that Tamarack is a "district scale" resource similar to other large-scale nickel sulphide districts in Canada and Russia that have been shown to have numerous zones of high-grade mineralization."

Brian Goldner, Chief Exploration and Operations Officer of Talon said: "Over the last two years, our in-house drilling and geology teams have gone to the next level in terms of targeting and successfully hitting high-grade nickel-copper zones at the Tamarack Nickel Project. Based on last year's metrics alone, we increased our hit ratio from 50% to 95%, and drilled a record 33,000 meters while intersecting a record amount of high-grade massive sulphides. With these new rigs, we plan to exceed the past milestones and hope to demonstrate that Minnesota has even more to contribute to the clean energy transition and serve as a domestic source of infinitely recyclable battery materials like nickel, copper, cobalt and iron."





Figure 1. Geological map of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex highlighting target areas for exploration by Talon in 2022.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/120251_48740a48d4541bbd_001full.jpg





Figure 2. Cross-section panel of the Magneto-Telluric (MT) (geophysics) survey passing through the current Tamarack Nickel Project resource area within the Main Zone, showing the interpreted MT anomaly directly below the Tamarack Nickel Project resource

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/120251_48740a48d4541bbd_002full.jpg

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) #3 of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" ("PEA #3") with an effective date of January 8, 2021 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Leslie Correia (Pr. Eng), Andre-Francois Gravel (P. Eng.), Tim Fletcher (P. Eng.), Daniel Gagnon (P. Eng.), David Ritchie (P. Eng.), Oliver Peters (P. Eng.), Volodymyr Liskovych (P.Eng.), Andrea Martin (P. E.) and Brian Thomas (P. Geo.) for information on the QA/QC, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company. The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex, and (iii) exploring the prospects for significant carbon storage in the ultra-mafic rocks that comprise the Tamarack Intrusive Complex through carbon mineralization. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com/.

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1-(202)-714-8187

malan@talonmetals.com

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the timing and results of the exploration program, including the potential for a district scale at the Tamarack Project with numerous zones of high-grade mineralization and the amount of drilling to be completed. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 1: Collar Location of Drill Hole 12TK0164

Drill Hole

# Easting

(m) Northing

(m) Elevation

(masl) Azm Dip End

Depth

(m) 12TK0164 5167136 5169084.4 386.72 349.98 -78.88 587.35

Table 2: Assay Results of Drill Hole 12TK0164

Drill Hole

# From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Assay Ni

(%) Cu

(%) Co

(%) Pd

(g/t) Pt

(g/t) Au

(g/t) NiEq

(%) CuEq

(%) 12TK0164 473.43 476.32 2.89 3.67 1.97 0.08 0.11 0.12 0.1 4.59 12.25

Length refers to drill hole length and not True Width.

True Width is unknown at the time of publication.

All samples were analysed by ALS Minerals. Nickel, copper, and cobalt grades were first analysed by a 4-acid digestion and ICP AES (ME-MS61). Grades reporting greater than 0.25% Ni and/or 0.1% Cu, using ME-MS61, trigger a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES finish (ICP81). Platinum, palladium and gold are initially analyzed by a 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish (PGM-MS24). Any samples reporting >1g/t Pt or Pd trigger an over-limit analysis by ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP27) and any samples reporting >1g/t Au trigger an over-limit analysis by AAS (Au-AA26).

NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.00/$8.00 + Co% x $12.00/$8.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$8.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$8.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$8.00/22.04

CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$3.00 + Co% x $12.00/$3.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$3.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$3.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$3.00/22.04

No adjustments were made for recovery or payability.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120251
The premium craft brand arrives with flower, vapes and concentrates available for purchase ahead of 420

Cresco Labs (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) ("Cresco" or "the Company"), a vertically integrated multistate operator and the number one U.S. wholesaler of branded cannabis products, today announced the launch of its premium craft brand FloraCal Farms, which features unique genetics in curated flower, live rosin vape and live rosin concentrate formats now available at all Illinois Sunnyside stores and other retailers ahead of the 420 cannabis holiday.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005236/en/

Cresco Labs's premium craft brand FloraCal Farms expands to Illinois with novel, exclusive genetics and flower, vape and concentrates formats. (Photo: Business Wire)

"FloraCal Farms' vision is to deliver a first-class experience to sophisticated cannabis consumers who value unique terpene profiles, flower structure and all the fruits of artisanal cultivation and processing methods," said Charles Bachtell, CEO Co-Founder of Cresco Labs. "We plan to launch FloraCal Farms in other markets throughout the year to reach the ultra-premium shopper. Along with our Cresco and High Supply brands, our uniquely designed portfolio architecture of tiered inhalable offerings and pricing will allow us to offer a variety of value propositions for consumers and to compete incredibly well in the marketplace."

Born in Sonoma County, FloraCal Farms continues to honor its California heritage through a commitment to tailored craftsmanship established by wife-and-husband founders Karen and Drew Duval, who oversee commercial sales and cultivation at the Company. FloraCal Farms maintains a rigorous pheno-hunting process that starts with hundreds of plants, then hand-selects only the winning strains to be developed into flower, vapes and hand-crafted concentrates. Flower is always hand-harvested, trimmed and packaged to preserve delicate flower characteristics. Live rosin vapes and concentrates follow solventless extraction processes, an innovative method new to Cresco Labs' wholesale portfolio that removes the oil containing components from the raw materials simply through ice water and manual agitation without the use of chemical solvents. The resulting materials are pressed to produce live rosin bursting with the terpenes, flavor and potency that cannabis connoisseurs enjoy.

Available for sale forms at launch in Illinois include hand-trimmed flower (3.5g), live rosin vape cartridges (500mg) and live rosin badder concentrates (1g). More products and exclusive strains will arrive on dispensary shelves throughout the year.

The launch of FloraCal Farms in Illinois rounds out the Company's wholesale portfolio in Illinois. Other available brands include Cresco, High Supply, Good News, Mindy's, Wonder Wellness and Remedi.

For more information about FloraCal Farms, visit www.floracalfarms.com. To learn more about Cresco Labs, visit www.crescolabs.com.

About Cresco Labs Inc.

Cresco Labs is one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States, with a mission to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry. Employing a consumer-packaged goods ("CPG") approach, Cresco Labs is the largest wholesaler of branded cannabis products in the U.S. Its brands are designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and comprised of some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, High Supply, Mindy's Edibles, Good News, Remedi, Wonder Wellness Co. and FloraCal Farms. Sunnyside, Cresco Labs' national dispensary brand, is a wellness-focused retailer created to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco Labs operates the industry's largest Social Equity and Educational Development initiative, SEED, which was established to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work and own businesses in the cannabis industry. Learn more about Cresco Labs at www.crescolabs.com.

Facebook: Cresco Labs

Instagram: Cresco Labs

Twitter: Cresco Labs

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005236/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs

Chief Communications Officer

press@crescolabs.com

Investors:

Megan Kulick, Cresco Labs

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

investors@crescolabs.com

For general Cresco Labs inquiries:

312-929-0993

info@crescolabs.com
DGAP Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]



13.04.2022 / 13:46

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG



Announcement on the First Implementation of the Repurchase of A-Shares through Centralized Bidding Transactions

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 13 April 2022 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published a mandatory announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to the first implementation of the repurchase of A-Shares through centralized bidding transactions.

The announcement is fully available at:

https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020220413648567871569.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20on%20the%20First%20Implementation%20of%20the%20Repurchase%20of%20A%20Shares%20through%20Centralized%20Bidding%20Transactions

IR Contact:

Haier Smart Home Hong Kong

T: +852 2169 0000

Email: ir@haier.hk

Press Contact:

CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Sara Pinto

Sven Pauly

pi@crossalliance.de

T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35

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 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 small 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.

13.04.2022 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Technology Company Records 58% Year Over Year Sales Growth with the Best Sales Month in Company History

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. ("Leafbuyer" or "the Company") (OTCQB:LBUY), a leading cannabis technology company, announced today that its monthly cash sales rose 58% in the month ending March 31st 2022. The increase reflects cash sales booked in the month versus the same month of the previous year.

Leafbuyer's development of new technologies, continued integrations with leading POS companies and organic client growth, account for the year-over-year success.

"We had very strong growth in March and are pleased with the result. We have been in business over eight years and have seen our company sales surge nearly 22% in just the last four months," said Kurt Rossner, CEO of Leafbuyer. "We are booking these results with nearly half the overhead we had 18-months ago. That is a testament, not only to our great team, but to the products and solutions we are providing to our customers. We hope to continue these results for the foreseeable future".

The Company has made significant progress in recent months by developing advanced solutions and bolstering its texting platform. The company expects to release full GAAP quarterly results on or before May 15th.

To learn more about Leafbuyer, visit tech.leafbuyer.com

About Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

Leafbuyer Technologies is one of the most comprehensive technology and communication software providers for the cannabis industry. Leafbuyer.com is an all-inclusive online resource for cannabis deals and information. Leafbuyer works alongside businesses to showcase their unique products and build a network of loyal patrons.

CONTACT:

Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

Vida Almich 720-427-3927

vida@leafbuyertech.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and 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 and any payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock, statements 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 the forward-looking statements due to several factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings.

SOURCE: Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697238/Leafbuyer-Technologies-Inc-Announces-All-Time-Record-Sales-Month
THE involvement of members of the security sector in the upcoming population census has raised eyebrows, with observers describing it as a calculated move by the Zanu PF government to manipulate the results ahead of the 2023 elections.

Government yesterday announced that members of the security sector, who include the police, soldiers and members of the Central Intelligence Organisation will be involved in the census together with other civil servants and Zanu PF youths.

The 2022 population census, which is expected to run from April 21 to 30, 2022, will involve youths and security officers at the exclusion of teachers who have traditionally been recruited as enumerators, following their fallout with government over salaries.

Cabinet wishes to inform the public that preparations for the 2022 population and housing census are on track, with levels one and two training having been completed in March 2022, acting Information minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu said during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.

Cabinet highlights that the bulk of the personnel is drawn from the teaching fraternity, youth and other civil servants from the security sector.

Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStats) spokesperson Mercy Chidemo did not disclose the number of security officers who had been recruited for the exercise, but curtly said they were enough to cover the cantonment areas.

Members of the security forces were recruited to cover cantonments areas where civilian enumerators cannot enumerate for security reasons, Chidemo said.

Recruitment of security forces will not jeopardise the exercise as they are enumerating people in their barracks. (They are) enough to cover the cantonment areas.

But analysts said the deployment of security officers as enumerators was tantamount to militarising the process which could threaten the accuracy of the census outcome.

Following the 2017 coup that ousted the late former President Robert Mugabe, concerns have been raised over involvement of the army in government institutions.

Serving and retired army officers have been deployed at roadblocks, while some have been appointed to top posts in key government institutions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Health ministry and several others.

Human rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama bemoaned lack of transparency in the recruitment of enumerators, which he said raised suspicion of a sinister motive by the government.

The recruitment should have been publicised and with consultation with the relevant stakeholders, Muchadehama said. Government was at loggerheads with teachers who are usually recruited as enumerators over the issue of salaries and it then scratched the majority of them off the census programme. In one way, the government is trying to buy loyalty from the security sector. There is no doubt that just like any other civil servants, the security forces know that their salaries are not enough so when they are recruited they then get extra money from the programme, they will then remain loyal to the paymaster.

Political analyst Effie Ncube said: The militarisation of the census is as bad as the militarisation of the electoral process. This can only lead to rigged results. The militarisation also endangers democratic accountability as required by the Constitution as it will be difficult to bring the members of the security sector to account, given the circumstances.

But constitutional lawyer and National Constitutional Assembly party leader Lovemore Madhuku said there was nothing amiss about members of the security sector being involved in the census programme as they could carry out the duties just like any other civil servant.

They are just like any other civil servants who are entitled to benefit from such programmes. World over, soldiers are also involved in such national exercises such as the census. Do we question involvement of soldiers in other social circles, say attending church services, for instance? In actual fact, involvement of soldiers could improve accountability of the whole process.

Meanwhile, government has directed that tertiary education institutions be closed from April 18 to 30, 2022 during the duration of the census.

Government urged church members to be at their places of residence between April 18 and 30 to allow the smooth conduct of the census. Newsday
GUANGZHOU, China, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 131st China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has hosted a "Trade Bridge" virtual industry promotion event on April 11 in Guangzhou and Berlin for household appliances and toys.

An offline event was hosted at the same time in Berlin, which was attended by more than 150 guests from industry associations, exhibitors, buyers and corporate representatives.

Qiu Yuanling, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Germany, spoke at the event and noted that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. 2021 saw the bilateral trade volume exceed 240 billion euros, and China has become Germany's largest trading partner for six consecutive years, China is also the second-largest export destination country and largest source of imports for Germany.

"The Canton Fair has continued to extend new functions and services. It is hoped that buyers in Germany will actively join talks and negotiations with fruitful results," said Qiu.

The Canton Fair has further improved and enhanced platform functions to support more convenient online negotiations, and optimized global network acceleration configuration to make visiting the platform more stable and smoother. The system has also added labels to quality companies and products to improve search accuracy so that buyers can quickly find exhibitors that they are interested in.

With authorization, exhibitors can also view buyer information and initiative instant communication actively, further improving trade matching via the virtual exhibition. The Canton Fair is organizing 50 "Trade Bridge" virtual promotions and 8 "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey" activities online that will showcase China's foreign trade transformation and upgrading, promote brands and new products, as well as connect with top multinational corporations.

According to Xu Bing, Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, an average of 3,000 German buyers would attend the Fair each session, making positive contributions to the promotion of Sino-German economic and trade development.

During the promotion event, the Chenghai Toy Base in Shantou and Shunde Household Appliances Base in Foshan were introduced respectively. Chenghai has the world's largest manufacturing and export base for plastic and smart electronic toys, while Shunde is one of China's largest household appliance manufacturing and export bases.

Andreas Young, Vice President of BVMW (German Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises), noted that as the world's largest and most important trade event, the Canton Fair has contributed positively to maintaining the stability of the global supply chain, as well as providing an excellent platform for German companies in international trade.

The 131st Canton Fair will be hosted from April 15 to 24 online. Over 2.93 million exhibiting items will be presented to global buyers through the virtual exhibition, including over 910,000 new products, 110,000 intelligent and smart products, 480,000 green low-carbon products and 240,000 products with proprietary intellectual property rights.

Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796367/IMAGE.jpg
The war in Ukraine is affecting millions of people. OQ Chemicals launched a fundraising campaign within the company to support the children there, which was impressively supported by the employees. Within four weeks, more than 40,000 euros were collected, of which OQ Chemicals provided 10,000 euros. This money will be earmarked and donated 100 percent to the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF. UNICEF uses donations for emergency humanitarian aid on the ground and finances support centers in refugee zones, e.g., for unaccompanied minors.

"Children are particularly affected by the war quick and concrete help is important to us here," said Dr. Oliver Borgmeier, CEO of OQ Chemicals. "Taking social responsibility is an integral part of our corporate culture. In times of crisis, this also goes beyond neighborly help. And with UNICEF, we are supporting a professional organization that can provide precisely this kind of help," Borgmeier continued.

According to its own information, UNICEF knows the situation in Ukraine very well and has been involved there for several decades. With the donations, UNICEF, together with partners, brings life-saving aid to children in Ukraine. The aid organization provides them and their families with food and water, hygiene items, warm clothing, first aid kits, and school materials. In addition, UNICEF has established safe hubs for children and families so-called "Blue Dot Centers" along the escape routes in the border areas of neighboring countries.

About OQ Chemicals

OQ Chemicals (formerly Oxea) is a global manufacturer of oxo intermediates and oxo performance chemicals such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These are used to produce high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. OQ Chemicals employs more than 1,400 people worldwide and is part of OQ, an integrated energy company originating in Oman. OQ Chemicals sells its chemicals in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information about OQ Chemicals, visit chemicals.oq.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005556/en/

Contacts:

OQ Chemicals GmbH

Thorsten Ostermann, Communications and Press Relations

Phone: +49 (0)2173 9993-3009, sc.communications@oq.com
HELSINKI, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Bioretec Ltd Company announcement13 April 2022 at 3 p.m. EEST

The Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Bioretec Ltd was held today, 13 April 2022 at 12:00 EEST in Tampere. The Annual General Meeting approved the Financial Statements for the financial year 2021 and resolved to discharge from liability the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO for the financial period from 1 January to 31 December 2021.

Treatment of profit or loss

The Annual General Meeting resolved, according to the proposal of the Board of Directors, to credit the loss of EUR 5,947,718.62 for the financial period from 1 January to 31 December 2021 to the equity as profit/loss from preceding financial periods. No dividend shall be distributed.

Number of members of the Board of Directors, election of members of the Board of Directors and their remuneration

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be five (5).

The Annual General Meeting resolved that Tomi Numminen, Michael Piccirillo, Sarah Fisher and Pekka Simula were re-elected as members and Paivi Malinen is elected as a new member of the Board of Directors for a term starting at the end of the Annual General Meeting and expiring at the closing of the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the following remuneration will be paid to the members of the Board of Directors for the term beginning at the end of the Annual General Meeting and ending at the end of the 2023 Annual General Meeting: EUR 2,500 per month for the Chairman of the Board of Directors; and EUR 1,500 per month for the members of the Board of Directors.

The Annual General Meeting resolved that the company may extend the consultancy agreement with Tomi Numminen in respect of consulting services related to the company financing and commercialization of the company's products in the United States. The consultancy fee payable pursuant to such agreement is EUR 7,500 per month.

Election and remuneration of the auditor

The Annual General Meeting resolved to elect the auditing firm Ernst & Young Oy as the auditor of the company until the closing of the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Auditing firm Ernst & Young has notified that Erika Gronlund, Authorized Public Accountant, is the responsible auditor. The auditor will be compensated as reasonably invoiced.

Authorization of the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares

The Annual General Meeting resolved to authorize the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of shares, as well as the issuance of option rights and other special rights entitling to shares pursuant to Chapter 10 of the Finnish Companies Act, as follows:

Under the authorization, up to 5,000,000 shares (including the new shares to be issued based on the special rights) can be issued, which represents approximately 35 per cent of all outstanding company shares at the Annual General Meeting record date April 1, 2022.

The shares or special rights entitling to shares can be issued in one or more tranches, either against or without payment. The shares issued under the authorization can be new shares or shares in the company's possession.

The authorization can be used for the financing or execution of acquisitions or other business arrangements, to strengthen the balance sheet and financial position of the company, for implementing the company's share-based incentive plans, or for other purposes determined by the Board of Directors.

Under the authorization, the Board of Directors may resolve upon issuing new shares, without consideration, to the company itself.

The Board of Directors is authorized to resolve on all terms for share issues and granting of special rights entitling to shares in the company. The Board of Directors is authorized to resolve on a directed share issue and issuance of special rights entitling to shares according to the shareholders' pre-emptive rights and/or in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive right, provided that there is a weighty financial reason for the company to do so.

The authorization is valid until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than until 30 June 2023. The authorization revokes previous unused share issue authorizations except for the authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting held on 26 June 2020 authorizing the Option Program 2020-1.

Granting option rights to the members of the Board of Directors

The Annual General Meeting resolved, according to the proposal of the Board of Directors, to grant Option Rights in accordance with the terms of the stock option plan 2020-1 entitling in aggregate to up to 106,666 new shares to members of the Board of Directors as set out below:

Subscriber Option sub-group 2020-1A up to Option sub-group 2020-1B up to Option sub-group 2020-1C up to Number of option rights in total up to Amount of shares possible to be subscribed based on the option rights Sarah Fisher 400,000 300,000 300,000 1,000,000 66,666 Paivi Malinen

300,000 300,000 600,000 40,000

Annual General meeting minutes

The meeting minutes of the Annual General Meeting will be available no later than 19 April 2022 on the company's website at https://bioretec.com/investors/investors-in-english/governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2022



Resolutions of the organizing meeting of the Board of Directors

At the Organizing meeting, held after the Annual General Meeting on 13 April 2022, the Board of Directors of Bioretec Ltd Tomi Numminen as Chairman of the Board.

Further enquiries:

Tomi Numminen, Chairman of the Board of Directors, tel. +358 40 581 2132

Timo Lehtonen, CEO, tel. +358 50 433 8493

Information about Bioretec

Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device company that continues to pioneer the application of bioresorbable orthopedic implants. The company has built unique competencies in the?biological interface?of active implants?to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries.?

Bioretec intends to introduce a new generation of bioresorbable materials with enhanced strength for improved surgical outcome. The new RemeOs product line is based on a magnesium alloy and hybrid composite. The RemeOs implants are resorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The combination has the potential to make titanium implants redundant and help clinics reach their Value-Based Healthcare targets while focusing on?value for patients through efficient healthcare. With the U.S. and EU market authorization for the first RemeOs product expected in 2022, Bioretec is positioning itself to enter the addressable USD 7 billion global orthopedic trauma market and become a game changer in surgical possibilities. Better Healing - Better Life.?www.bioretec.com.

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

https://news.cision.com/bioretec/r/resolutions-of-bioretec-ltd-s-annual-general-meeting-and-the-organizing-meeting-of-the-board-of-dire,c3546036
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / CopperBank Resources Corp. ("CopperBank" or the "Company") (CSE:CBK) is pleased to announce the initial results of a drill core re-sampling program aimed at confirming historic high-grade breccia-hosted mineralization and sampling of previously unsampled drill core adjacent to the breccias.

Paul Harbidge, President & CEO, commented: "Development of a technically sound geological model forms the foundation of a robust mineral resource estimate that will enable the delivery of an optimized technical study. I am pleased with the progress the team has made on validating historical data and the re-interpretation of the various datasets. We are advancing towards the publication of a geological model for Copper Creek in May 2022 and a combined open pit and underground Mineral Resource Estimate in the third quarter of this year."

Highlights:

Hole G4: 48.47 metres of 1.69% copper from 15.54 metres, confirming historic intercepts of 1.66% copper over the same interval,

confirming historic intercepts of 1.66% copper over the same interval, Hole G5: 33.52 metres of 1.20% copper from 36.58 metres, confirming historic intercepts of 1.08% copper over the same interval,

confirming historic intercepts of 1.08% copper over the same interval, Hole G10: 20.12 metres of 0.22% copper from 215.19 metres, in previously unsampled drill core, including 6.39 metres of 0.43% copper from 215.19 metres, confirming the existence of peripheral mineralization outside the known, high-grade, breccia-hosted mineralization.

confirming the existence of peripheral mineralization outside the known, high-grade, breccia-hosted mineralization. Over 2,800 metres of the 5,000 metre drilling program has been completed.

Dr. Thomas Bissig, Vice President of Exploration, commented: "Our initial geochemical results are very encouraging as they confirm near surface high-grade historic results, thereby increasing our confidence in the data, and they demonstrate the existence of mineralization in previously unsampled core adjacent to the known, high-grade breccia intercepts.

We are currently working on expanding the geochemical data coverage in proximity to the Copper Giant, Copper Prince and other breccia bodies (Figure 1). The goal of this work is to expand the near-surface mineralized footprint ahead of our new open-pit and underground Mineral Resource Estimate, which is expected to be published in the third quarter of 2022."

Discussion of Geology of the Historic Glory Hole Drillholes with the New Results

The geology of the area is dominated by Paleocene Glory Hole volcanics intruded by the Laramide age Copper Creek Granodiorite, both of which are crosscut by mineralized hydrothermal breccias. Drillholes G4, G5 and G10 were originally drilled by AMT (USA), Inc. in 1997. The results of the recent sampling program are summarized below, as well as in Table 1 and Figure 2:

Hole G4 was drilled at a dip of 65 degrees due north to a depth of 92.4 metres and intersected Glory Hole volcanics intruded by intensely quartz-sericite altered and quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite cemented breccia from approximately 36.3 metres to 62.8 metres;

Hole G5 was drilled at a dip of 80 degrees to azimuth 120 degrees to a depth of 90.5 metres, intersecting Glory Hole volcanics crosscut by intensely quartz-sericite altered and quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite cemented breccia from 17.2 metres to 61.1 metres; and

Hole G10 was drilled at a dip of 64 degrees to azimuth 245 degrees to a depth of 388.3 metres. The first 162.1 metres intersected Glory Hole volcanics followed by a tectonic breccia to 186.9 metres, after which the dominant lithologies are granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry. Magmatic-hydrothermal breccia was intersected from 314.3 metres to 340.9 metres depth. Historic sampling only included the intervals from 137.2 metres to 198.1 metres and 274.3 metres to 365.8 metres. The best grades are hosted in the breccia interval, with lower grade mineralization present adjacent to the breccia within granodiorite. Moderate to intense quartz-sericite alteration overprinting potassic alteration characterizes the mineralized intercepts.

Update on Phase I Drilling Program

The 5,000 metre diamond drilling program was designed to test previously undrilled areas between zones of known high-grade breccia mineralization, confirm historic results, obtain geotechnical information needed to advance mine design and planning, provide samples for metallurgical test work, and commence hydrogeological studies (Figure 3).

Over 2,800 metres has been completed, representing four of the eight planned holes. Three of the completed holes intersected breccias over significant interval lengths between approximately 40 metres and 200 metres, and mineralization has been observed in all drill holes. Assay results remain pending.

Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance

All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from the Project to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken as  and  core, as far as possible honoring historic sample intervals (up to 10 feet or 3.05 metres). Samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade Cu samples. A certified reference sample was inserted every 20th sample. Coarse blanks were inserted every 20th sample as well. Approximately 5% of the previously unsampled core samples were submitted as field duplicates. On top of internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results.

Qualified Persons

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by CopperBank's VP of Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P.Geo, who is deemed a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About CopperBank

CopperBank is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing two copper projects in The United States of America. The Company trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CBK".

For additional information please contact:

Paul Harbidge President and CEO

Phone +1-778-987-2761

E-mail pharbidge@copperbankcorp.com

Website www.copperbankcorp.com

Figure 1: Location Map

Figure 2: Long section through Glory Hole Breccia, looking east

Note: Inset shows plan view of the breccia body and the section line. Copper concentrations from resampled and previously unsampled core are shown as bar graphs left of drillhole trace, whereas historic copper values are shown downhole. Other drillhole traces shown as thin black lines.

Figure 3: Plan view of historic block model and current drill hole program

Drill Hole Details

1: From Childs-Adwinkle to Mammoth, N to S - IN PROGRESS

2: Below Glory Hole from NW to SE - COMPLETED

3: From Glory Hole SE towards Copper Prince - COMPLETED

4: Angled NW to SE across Copper Creek to Keel - PENDING

5: From Copper Prince to Copper Giant drilled to N - COMPLETED

6: From Copper Giant to Copper Prince drilled to S - COMPLETED

7: Angled hole to N across American Eagle - PENDING

8: From NE to SW below Old Reliable - PENDING

Table 1: Results from Reanalyzing High-Grade Breccia Intercepts and Previously Unsampled Drill Core

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Cu %) Incl From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Cu %) Historic New Historic New G4 15.54 64.01 48.47 1.66 1.69 G5 36.58 70.10 33.52 1.08 1.20 G10 137.16 198.12 60.96 0.11 0.14 173.74 188.98 15.24 0.20 0.26 G10 215.19 235.31 20.12 N/A 0.22 215.19 221.58 6.39 N/A 0.43 G10 274.32 365.76 91.44 0.24 0.26 313.94 341.38 27.44 0.68 0.72

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of CopperBank to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration prospects and projected resources of the properties of CopperBank, future capitalization and market capitalization of CopperBank, development of and future drilling on the Copper Creek property.

Although CopperBank believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which CopperBank does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by CopperBank. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in CopperBank's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in CopperBank in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. CopperBank does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required under applicable securities legislation. For more information on the CopperBank, readers should refer to www.sedar.com for the CopperBank's filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.



SOURCE: CopperBank Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697175/CopperBank-Confirms-Historic-High-Grade-Copper-Intercepts-and-Identifies-Mineralized-Zones-in-Previously-Unsampled-Core-at-Copper-Creek-Project-in-Arizona-Update-on-Drilling-Program
Ranked #2 for Cyber Attacks in Latin America, Mexico is Positioned as a Lucrative Market for Identillect's Delivery Trust Blockchain-Based Email Security

DANA POINT, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Identillect Technologies Corp. (TSXV:ID), an industry leader in email security, has hired Gustavo Olvera as Global Relations Manager to lead the Company's expansion into Mexico. Identillect has recognized Mexico as a priority for its global growth, considering it ranks as #2 in Latin America for cyber attacks. The Company's Delivery Trust secure email system is a unique, hyper-secure solution adopted by hundreds of U.S. based companies.

With Mexico experiencing more than 78,000 cyberattacks every hour, and an average loss of USD $2 million for each successful incursion, the cost to Mexican companies can become astronomical unless they take precautions. Identillect's Delivery Trust platform integrates seamlessly with all the commonly used email clients, including services such as Gmail and O365, so employees can keep using software they are familiar with, while ensuring AES based end-to-end encrypted email.

"I look forward introducing Identillect to companies throughout Mexico," said Gustavo Olvera, Global Relations Manager for Identillect Technologies. "The country's vulnerability to cyber-crime is both significant and poorly understood, especially among businesspeople. In today's environment, with the millions lost every year, no company can assume it is safe without proper protection."

Olvera joins Identillect with a background in both commercial and governmental experience. Prior to joining Identillect, he spent nearly 10 years working in government in several senior positions, including as Secretary of Finance for the state of Baja California and as an Administrator at Las Palmas medical clinic within the Institute of Security and Social Services for Baja California. He obtained over 10 years' experience working for Four Seasons General Merchandise as Commercial Director for Latin America, responsible for the purchase, distribution, and sales generation for all stores throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America.

"We are very pleased to have Gustavo on board and leading our efforts in Mexico," said Todd Sexton, Identillect CEO. "His unique and extensive experience with both international companies and governmental organizations make him a distinct asset to our efforts in expanding Identillect's customer base. As well, his deep ties in the Mexican business community provides Identillect with access to key decision makers for increased business opportunities."

About Identillect

Identillect Technologies is the leading provider of email encryption service Delivery Trust, empowering enterprises of all sizes to protect their business and their client's critical information against cyber security attacks.

For more information, or your free trial, please visit www.identillect.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of:

IDENTILLECT TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Todd Sexton

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (949) 468-7878

Email: todd.sexton@identillect.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are 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 statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

SOURCE: Identillect Technologies Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697204/Identillect-Technologies-Hires-Gustavo-Olvera-to-Lead-Mexico-Sales-Team
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY), (OTC PINK:LKMNF), (FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has received assay results for trench T-21 from its ongoing work at the Wayka epithermal gold discovery at its 100% owned Fortuna Property ("Fortuna") in southern Ecuador.

Trench T-21 assays 5.24 g/t gold across 14 metres.

This new trench is located approximately 100 metres northwest of the combined trenches T-5 and T-6 where an average of 1.67 g/t gold was reported over 61 metres (please see November 9, 2021 News Release).

Trench T-21 is mineralized along east north-east trending lenses hosted in silicified shists with fine grained pyrite. Hydrothermal solutions appear to have penetrated preferentially along the rock foliation.

Overall, field observations indicate that mineralization appears to be influenced by the intersection of NW, NE and EW trending faults and fractures. Lucky has retained the services of SRK Consulting (Toronto office) to complete a structural analysis of the mineralized structures at Wayka.

Francois Perron, President and CEO of Lucky adds: "Our field work has exposed another structure of scale with T-21 reporting 14 metres of mineralization averaging more than 5 g/t gold. The fact that this structure is approximately 100 metres from where high-grade trenches T5-T6 are, highlights the potential for multiple mineralized structures relatively close to each other. Confirming multiple mineralized structures in close proximity to each other is important as it would enhance the potential for world class gold mineralization. The fact that relatively high grades were found in schist rocks rather than meta-granites is also intriguing. We are still in the early days of understanding the full potential at Wayka. The team is working on more trenches and preparation for drilling continues to advance apace."

Table 1: Trench T-21 gold assay result

Table 2: Trench T-21 average gold assay results across 5 metres (included in Table 1)

Table 2 shows gold assay results in Trench T-21 in silicified in silicified schists. Wall rock alteration is mainly comprised of advanced argillic alteration (kaolinite, alunite and/or pyrophyllite).

Trench T-21 location in respect to trenches T-5, T-6, T-14, T-20

Trench T-20 Assays 21.0 metres of anomalous gold

Trench T-20 was dug to intercept the continuity of a silicified lens outlined in T-6; a moderately silicified section was observed that measures 7 metres wide with 0.11 g/t gold.

Wayka - Next Steps

Work including drill hole targeting continues in preparation for the upcoming first 3,000 metres phase of drilling.

Targeting will be informed by the following:

Soils (completed); Alteration mapping of Wayka project area (completed); geophysics (completed, finalizing inversions); trenches (ongoing); Structural analysis of Wayka area (field work completed awaiting final report); Prospecting on anomalous areas.

Preparation work for mobilization of drilling equipment is underway.

QA/QC Protocols

All exploration work is completed following QA/QC protocols and include the insertion of a coarse blank, a standard and duplicate sample on every batch of 25 samples.

All rock samples were submitted to ALS Chemex Labs in Quito for preparation work, and the analytical work was completed at their lab facility in Lima, Peru. ALS Chemex is an ISO certified and accredited laboratory.

Further analytical results will be released as they are received.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Francois Perron"

Chief Executive Officer

About Lucky

Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property.

The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador.

Covid-19 Safety Protocols

Lucky has strict rules in place for all workers arriving to and from field sites. All personnel are tested upon arriving and leaving and are tested every two weeks. All personnel are following COVID protocols with permanent disinfection procedures in place and are following correspondent social distancing while being isolated from the surrounding communities.

Qualified Person

Victor Jaramillo, M.Sc.A., P.Geo., Lucky's Exploration Manager and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Fortuna Project for Lucky Minerals and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. Or by contacting:

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Kerry Schacter: kschacter@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989

www.renmarkfinancial.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 Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697176/Trench-T-21-Assays-524-gt-Gold-Across-14-Metres-Including-1075-gt-Across-5-Metres
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - PVH Corp. (PVH) introduced its multi-year strategic growth plan 'PVH+ Plan.' The company reaffirmed its first quarter and full year 2022 outlook. It has increased the stock repurchase plan by $1 billion. The PVH+ Plan provides roadmap for brand-, digital- and direct-to-consumer (DTC)-led sustainable, profitable growth through 2025 to deliver accelerated financial performance and long-term value creation. The company noted that the execution of the PVH+ Plan will accelerate the growth of its two key brands Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER. The company expects execution of the PVH+ Plan will achieve high single-digit compounded annual growth in revenue from 2021 to approximately $12.5 billion in 2025. Free cash flow is expected to be over $1.0 billion in 2025. The company still expects first quarter 2022 earnings per share to be in a range of $1.55 to $1.60. Revenue in the first quarter of 2022 is still projected to be relatively flat or increase approximately 4% on a constant currency basis compared to the prior year period. The company still projects that 2022 earnings per share will be approximately $9.00. Revenue in 2022 is projected to increase 2% to 3% or increase 6% to 7% on a constant currency basis as compared to 2021. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Pantera Silver Corp. (TSXV: PNTR) ("Pantera" or the "Company") reports the initial drill results from it's Nuevo Taxco Silver Project (the "Property") in the Pregones Mining District of Guerrero State, Mexico. Multiple gold and silver intervals were intersected in veins and stock-work zones, with individual sample intercepts to 225 g/t Ag and 1.85 g/t Au.

This initial drill program focused on two (2) of twenty-one (21) high grade silver veins previously mapped and surface sampled within the 1,100 hectare Property. Silver mineralization was confirmed at depth on the "La Negrilla" and "El Creston de Maria" veins, and drilling intersected new mineralized structures and mineralized stockworks.

Pantera Silver President, Jay Roberge stated, "This is a very large system with this initial drilling testing an initial 630 meters of a combined 11 kms of vein strike on the property with all veins open along strike. Nuevo Taxco is on strike with Grupo Mexico's Taxco Silver mine to the southeast, and Grupo Mexico's exploration activity on our shared property border to the north and west. The Taxco region has produced millions of ounces of silver over four centuries from very high grade vein shoots. Fortified with this confirmation of the system, our field team is working to identify high priority targets for continued drilling."

The initial drill holes confirmed the continuity of the silver mineralization 50 m below the La Negrilla mine, in the same vein and in "splays" of that vein. Drilling along the La Negrilla vein confirmed continuity of surface rock sample results generated by Impact Silver in 2013 (refer Table 1). These results confirm the continuity of silver mineralization to 50m below the historical La Negrilla workings and identify additional vein splay mineralization.

Table 1

Drill hole Structure Samples From To True width Gold

g/t Silver

g/t DDH 21-01 splay 1 57.5 58.05 0.55 0.038 98 La Negrilla vein 1 75.5 76.65 1.15 0.104 47.6 DDH 22-02 splay 1 80 81.6 1.6 0.043 98 La Negrilla vein 4 99.5 100.8 1.3 0.032 96.2 100.8 101.95 1.15 0.011 22.8 101.95 102.75 0.8 0.057 81.8 102.75 104.6 1.85 0.088 225 DDH 22-03 La Negrilla vein 1 86.63 87.25 0.62 0.068 132 La Negrilla vein 1 92.12 92.6 0.48 0.031 48.5

The El Creston de Maria vein was selected for drilling owing to surface sample values of up to 1,100 gr/t Ag and 0.729 gr/t Au: drilling intersected stockwork mineralization to 108 g/t Ag (over 5.05m) and 1.86 g/t Au (over .86m) (refer Table 2).

Table 2

Drill hole Structure/Zone Samples From To True width Gold

g/t Silver

g/t DDH 22-04 stockwork 1 36.15 41.2 5.05 0.301 108 1 45.35 47.1 1.75 0.422 7 El C. de Maria Vein 1 68 69 1 0.414 13.8 DDH 22-05 stockwork 3 51.9 54.25 2.35 0.53 38.5 DDH 22-06 stockwork 1 43.64 44.5 0.86 1.86 35.3 1 45.44 45.93 0.49 0.519 10.6 1 49.63 50.88 1.25 0.509 8.5 4 50.88 55.17 4.29 0.78 8.8

With the discovery of a new gold zone and confirmation of mineralization continuous from the historical La Negrilla workings Pantera plans to detail the wider area with geological and structural mapping to sequence future drilling at the new gold target and to prepare for more extensive definition of the La Negrilla silver mineralization where the vein system is suspected of local widening and narrowing both longitudinally and to depth. Exploration drilling will also be expanded to other structures with high silver values on the remaining 19 mapped and surface sampled veins.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Carlos Cham Dominguez is a "qualified person" within the meaning of the NI 43-101, and is responsible for the technical information disclosed in this news release. Mr. Dominguez is a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) No. 11760.

About Pantera Silver Corp.

Pantera Silver Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company committed to enhancing shareholder value by advancing a diverse portfolio of mineral projects through collaborative partnerships and highly experienced technical teams. Pantera will continue to seek out and secure high-quality, unencumbered projects through research, staking and strategic acquisitions. Throughout the process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities that build lasting relationships through honest and respectful business and environmental practices.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Jay Roberge"



CEO/Chairman

Pantera Silver Corp.

panterasilvercorp@gmail.com

http://www.panterasilver.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual financial results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward looking statements and the forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Pantera Silver Corp disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120279
Published Preclinical Data Shows KLS-13019 More Effective Than Cannabidiol (CBD) in Prevention, Reversal of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

DOYLESTOWN, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Neuropathix, Inc. ("Neuropathix" or the "Company") (OTCQB:NPTX), a socially responsible, pioneering life-sciences company devoted to addressing the opioid crisis, highlighted today positive preclinical data published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. The publication centered on pre-clinical research for its proprietary, cannabinoid-derived analog KLS-13019 showing both the prevention and reversal of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The pre-clinical studies in the animal model indicated that KLS-13019, like CBD, prevented the development of CIPN. However, KLS-13019 was able to reverse the effects of CIPN, whereas CBD could not.

The studies, which took place at the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, aimed to characterize the behavioral pharmacological effects of KLS-13019 in comparison to CBD and morphine in mouse models for the treatment of CIPN. Over the course of several weeks, nine unique experiments took place where researchers introduced mice to a pure form of CBD, morphine or KLS-13019, then observed their effects on the mechanical sensitivity of the mice. Key findings from the studies showed that while CBD and KLS-13019 were both effective in preventing the development of pain associated with CIPN, KLS-13019 was also able to reverse CIPN-related pain - while CBD proved ineffective in doing so. Even more noteworthy, results from the studies revealed that KLS-13019 did not bind to opioid receptors in the brain, meaning it holds a very low risk for chemical dependency.

"Following our recent grant award from the National Institute of Health - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH-NINDS), under the HEAL initiative, these results are leading us down the path towards and IND filing in the future and worth highlighting," said Dean Petkanas, CEO of Neuropathix.

"Pain of all kinds continues to be one of the largest unmet need areas in medicine. Other than opioids, which have a strong risk for dependency and do not address the underlying cause of neuropathic pain, effective treatments are limited with a very small number of companies working on alternative treatments. As I noted in my recent shareholder letter, I believe this is due to the social backlash that opioid manufactures are facing, paired with the complexity of treating generalized pain. This is why we have taken our novel lead drug candidate into research and development of an important and potentially life altering indication of CIPN. We believe that a successful safety study under a Phase I clinical trial can begin to open other doors that involve inflammatory processes in the field of treating neuropathic pain. While the current data regarding KLS-13019 is preclinical, the results are overwhelmingly positive and gives us a great deal of optimism for the future of our lead drug candidate.

Additional information from the study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology note, among other things, that "these studies demonstrate that like CBD, KLS-13019 can prevent the development of mechanical sensitivity following paclitaxel administration in mice, including following oral administration. Because KLS-13019, based on our previous data, binds to fewer biological targets, these findings can bring us closer to identifying molecular mechanisms shared by CBD and KLS-13019, which represent viable treatment targets for the prevention of the development of CIPN. While prevention of CIPN represents a significant unmet medical need, so does the treatment of existing CIPN for thousands of cancer survivors."

Petkanas added: "I am constantly asked about our clinical progress, and we felt it important to continue to point to the study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology as it tells you what direction we are heading. In addition to the publication in the BJOP, we also focus on the $2.97 million NIH-NINDS HEAL grant award, the summary review from highly respected peer reviewing scientists and the impact score of 20 that they provided. All tolled we have to be excited about the prospects for our technology. As we move towards the clinic, our next steps include drug discrimination, animal tox and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls. As we move the chains down field, we will continue to update our investors and the scientific community on our progress in near future."

The global neuropathic pain market was valued at US$ 6.3 billion in 2019 and is forecasted to reach US$ 9.8 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2020 and 2027. The increasing prevalence of cancer is expected to propel growth of the global neuropathic pain market over the forecasted period. The global opioids drug market is expected to reach US$ 31 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 2.5% from the forecasted period of 2020-2027.

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Award Number R42NS120548.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About KLS-13019

KLS-13019 is Neuropathix patented lead clinical compound for the potential treatment of a range of inflammatatory, neurodegenerative and neuropathic pain disorders, beginning with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). KLS-13019 is a monotherapeutic non-opioid cannabinoid derivative that has been shown to prevent and reverse neuropathic pain in pre-clinical animal studies. KLS-13019 has not been reviewed or approved for patient use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other healthcare authority in the world. Its safety and efficacy have not been confirmed by FDA-approved research.

About Neuropathix, Inc.

Neuropathix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of a pipeline of next generation, socially responsible pain management and neuroprotective therapeutics to treat patients with significant unmet medical needs. Over the past ten years, Neuropathix has discovered, developed, and patented a global intellectual property estate, led by its lead clinical target, KLS-13019, as novel, new therapeutic agents designed to prevent and reverse neuropathic pain, reduce oxidative stress, and act as anti-inflammatory neuroprotectants. The Company's family of patented monotherapeutic molecules focuses on treating oxidative stress-related diseases, chronic pain management, and neurodegenerative disorders. The therapeutic targets include chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a chronic neuropathy caused by toxic chemotherapeutic agents; hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neurotoxic brain-liver disorder caused by excessive concentrations of ammonia and ethanol in the brain; mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), a disorder associated with single and repetitive impact injuries; and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease associated with highly repetitive impact injuries in professional and amateur sports. Neuropathix conducts its research and development efforts at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County in Doylestown, PA. For more information about Neuropathix, visit www.neuropathix.com and the Company's Twitter page at @neuropathix.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This press release contains statements about expected future events, the Company's business plan, plan of operations, the viability of the Company's drug candidates, the targeted beneficial effects of KLS-13019, the Company's position, and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties. The Company does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act.

CONTACTS:

Public Relations:

Kathryn Brown

Account Supervisor

CMW Media

P. 858-264-6600

E: kathryn@cmwmedia.com

www.cmwmedia.com

Investor Relations:

Louie Toma

Managing Director

CORE IR

P: 516-222-2560

E: louie@coreir.com

www.coreir.com

SOURCE: Neuropathix, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697208/Neuropathix-Inc-Highlights-Positive-Preclinical-Study-Results-on-Lead-Drug-Candidate-KLS-13019
CITIZENS Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has said former MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe is free to join the party.

You cant stop someone who has come and said they want to be part of CCC. After all, this is a citizen initiative, this belongs to the people, we are working to change the nation for the better, not for CCC, but everyone, so even those in Zanu PF who want to see change are welcome, Chamisa said.

Speaking to NewsDay, days after addressing an internal party meeting in Bulawayo attended by Khupe, the opposition leader tried to calm supporters who were jittery over MDC members such as Khupe joining CCC.

Khupe, who was at the centre of decimating the MDC Alliance after recalling Chamisas parliamentarians and grabbing assets and funding from the party before being elbowed out by Douglas Mwonzora, has pledged allegiance to Chamisa, but CCC members view her with suspicion.

Wary of the threat posed by those who might be seeking to destroy CCC from within, Chamisa, said while everyone was free to be a member, the party would also define its membership and protect itself.

Obviously, we will define our membership, we will protect from those who might want to harm the party, but its critical for everyone to understand that we are not about positions, but delivering change that will benefit not only us, but generations to come, this country needs a break, it needs new leadership and a breath of fresh air, this is our focus and not positions, Chamisa said.

Chamisa said citizens were the guardians and vanguard of the party with the mandate to put people in leadership positions.

Commenting on the recent by-elections, Chamisa said: Now that the by-elections are over and we have made our political statement, over the next few months, we will be focusing on building our party structures across the country and building a robust leadership machinery that will take us through to the 2023 elections. We urge those who have been elected to carry out their mandates with the seriousness they deserve.

The CCC leader said it was a misconception that the opposition would traditionally fail to do well in rural areas.

I know that while we performed well in urban areas, there are concerns over the rural areas. We are going to work hard over the next months to enhance our fortunes countrywide and our performance at the next elections. It is a myth that rural areas belong to Zanu PF, Chamisa added.

We know it is a myth because we have won in various provinces with many rural constituencies before and we are going to win again. We are committed to building a stronger and mutually enriching relationship with citizens in rural areas just as we have established a long-lasting relationship with the urban communities.

The opposition leader told his supporters that mobilising and building the party was everyones responsibility.

Everyone is a change champion and must be responsible for mobilising at grassroot level, this movement is not about positions, its about delivering a new Zimbabwe, one that restores dignity to the people of this country, Chamisa said. Newsday
Interim leadership in place with a new CEO to be announced in the coming weeks

Outseer, the leader in payment authentication and monitoring solutions, announced today the retirement of Reed Taussig, Outseer's Chief Executive Officer. Taussig's retirement will take effect on May 13th, 2022.

Taussig joined RSA Security in late 2020 as CEO of its Fraud Risk Intelligence division, which transitioned into a new standalone company, Outseer, in June of 2021. Since Outseer's launch, the company has experienced substantial acceleration and growth, including over $195 billion in protected payment transaction volume via Outseer 3-D Secure, new major customers, key executive appointments, and the launch of a brand new solutions category, Outseer Emerging Payments.

"In November of 2020, I began the journey to transform RSA Fraud Risk Intelligence from a product line within RSA Security into a viable, standalone business," said Taussig. "The reception to our new and exciting corporate identity, a renewed commitment to customer success, and real investment in product innovation has been nothing short of spectacular."

"I have worked in this industry since 1977, almost 45 years. It's been a long and rewarding run as a software executive," continued Taussig. "For me, it is time to step aside from the day-to-day commitments of my professional life and spend quality time with family and loved ones."

"Reed's retirement is truly a bittersweet moment," said Rohit Ghai, Group CEO of RSA Security. "He did exactly what the board hired him to do: successfully transform RSA Fraud and Risk Intelligence into a flourishing company with a distinct corporate identity. His leadership has been instrumental in the success of Outseer. We wish Reed nothing but the best in his upcoming and well-deserved retirement."

More details will be shared in the coming weeks regarding Taussig's replacement.

About Outseer

Outseer is on a mission to liberate the world from transactional fraud. Our market-leading payment and account monitoring solutions protect over $200 billion in annual payments while increasing revenue and reducing customer friction for card issuing banks, payment processors, and merchants worldwide. Leveraging billions of annual transactions from more than 6,000 institutions across the globe, our identity-based science delivers the highest fraud detection rates and lowest customer intervention in the industry. See what others can't at outseer.com.

Join the Outseer community on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005301/en/

Contacts:

David Pedersen

David.Pedersen@outseer.com
LA JOLLA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / TONOGOLD RESOURCES, INC. (OTC:TNGL) ("Tonogold" or "the Company"), a company holding rights to acquire a substantial portion of the Comstock Mining District, is pleased to announce changes to its board and management team that will be effective immediately.

William Hunter has joined the board of directors as Chairman and will serve as Interim CEO while the Company completes a search for a permanent CEO. In addition, Ryan Welker has joined the board as an independent director. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Welker each bring a wealth of experience in the natural resources sector to the Company.

Brian Metzenheim, Tonogold's Interim CEO since April 2021, commented: "We welcome Bill and Ryan to the Company. Adding them to Tonogold constitutes the first step in a refresh of the Company's Board and Management. Their knowledge and experience will be crucial in leading the development of our valuable assets."

With Mr. Hunter assuming the role of Interim CEO, Mr. Metzenheim will step down from that position to the role of VP of Exploration, allowing him to focus on advancing exploration of the Comstock District.

Additional board candidates are under consideration and will be announced as their appointments are finalized. As part of the refresh of the Company's board, Travis Miller and Gustavo Mazon Escalante have agreed to step down from their positions as Company directors upon the appointment of two additional directors, anticipated to take place during the next one to two months. Bob Kopple will remain on the board to assist with the transition of the Company's board and management team.

Mr. William Hunter

During his 30-year career Mr. Hunter has been involved in more than $20 billion worth of transactions in the natural resources, transportation, and industrial sectors. He has extensive experience in capital markets and has been involved in directing and financing resource companies, most recently as President and Chief Financial Officer of Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of AMCI Acquisition Corp. Mr. Hunter also previously served as Chief Financial Officer of AMCI Group, and as an independent director of American Battery Technology Company. Since 2015, he has been Managing Partner at Hunter Natural Resources LLC, a consulting firm in the industrial, consumer, and natural resources sectors. From 1999 to 2015, Mr. Hunter worked as a Director or Managing Director at Nomura Securities, Teneo Capital, Dahlman Rose & Co., Jefferies & Company, and TD Securities. He holds a B.S.C. in Finance and an M.B.A. in Finance from DePaul University.

Mr. Ryan Welker

Mr. Welker is currently Managing Director of ASX listed gold producer Medusa Mining Limited. His previous and current experience includes management, corporate development, and finance. Prior to moving back to Australia in 2019, Mr. Welker worked for EAS Advisors in New York, where he advised and raised more than $2 billion for numerous ASX, LSE, TSX and AIM-listed companies. Prior to EAS, Mr Welker held positions at Rio Tinto, Hancock Prospecting, Standard Bank and served as a Non-Executive Director of Mineral Resources Limited. He is currently the Co-Founder and Chairman of the private company Vitrinite Pty Ltd which operates the Vulcan Coal Complex in Queensland's Bowen Basin, adjacent to the 1064 Drummond Basin gold exploration projects. In this role, he led an exploration and project development team in Queensland for more than five years.

Forward-Looking Statements :

This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Tonogold. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: capital raising activities and negotiations; market conditions; future changes in exploration activities, production capacity, and operations; future exploration, production, operating, and overhead costs; production of feasibility studies, technical reports, or other findings related to estimated mineralization; operational and management restructuring activities; capital expenditures (by Tonogold or other parties) and their impact; investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, business combinations, asset sales; consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects, and initiatives; contingencies; environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales, equity dilution, and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; including a redemption of the debenture, and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings, and growth. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by Tonogold management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments, and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations, or warranties, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments, and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or the market price of Tonogold's securities. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to Tonogold or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Tonogold does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any other securities or Tonogold.

Contact Information for Tonogold

Brian Metzenheim

Interim CEO

M: +775 848 9578

bmetzenheim@gmail.com

SOURCE: Tonogold Resources, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697292/Tonogold-Announces-New-Board-Members-And-Management-Changes
CHICAGO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new research report, the "Defense Integrated Antenna Market by Type (Aperture Antenna, Wire Antenna, Array Antenna, Microstrip Antenna), Platform (Ground, Airborne, Marine), Application, Frequency and Region (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, RoW) - Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 543 million in 2022 to USD 722 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. An antenna converts electronic signals to electromagnetic waves (and vice versa) with a minimum loss, and an integrated antenna consists of miniaturized antennas printed on densely populated printed circuit boards (PCB) to electrically large arrays and reflector antennas. Defense integrated antennas are more ruggedized than regular commercial antennas to withstand harsh conditions. The defense integrated antenna market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, owing to the high demand for compact/integrated antennas. These antennas should be rugged to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Modernization programs of various military vehicles and increasing procurement of defense systems for tracking, navigation, and surveillance due to terrorist activities are also expected to fuel the growth of the defense integrated antenna market.

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Growing investments by several governments particularly in developed and developing economies such as the US, India, and China, among others. COVID-19 has affected the Defense integrated antenna market growth to some extent, and this varies from country to country. Industry experts believe that the pandemic has not affected the demand for Defense integrated antenna.

Based on type, array antenna segment is estimated to witness the largest share of the defense integrated antenna market from 2022 to 2026.

Based on type, array antenna is estimated to witness the largest share of the defense integrated antenna market in 2022. There is a growing demand for array antennas due to the increasing need for throughput satellite communication. Thus, companies are introducing new passed array antennas for effective satellite communication.

For instance, in May 2021, Viasat demonstrated phased array antennas on business jets. The first demonstration flight took place in April 2021 during a flight from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Payerne, Switzerland. This was part of Project AIDAN, which is led by Viasat Antenna Systems (Switzerland) and involves a consortium of partners that include Viasat Netherlands, NLR, and Lionix International.

Based on platform, marine segment of the defense integrated antenna market is projected to witness the largest share in 2022.

Based on platform, marine segment is projected to lead the defense integrated antenna market during the forecast period. The growing need of advanced antennas for reliable and high quality communication for underwater operations, large scale search and rescue mission, and for better communication between ships and drone/UAVs will drive defense integrated antenna market.

Based on application, communication segment is estimated to account for the fastest growth of the defense integrated antenna market from 2022 to 2026.

Based on application, communication segment of the defense integrated antenna market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is driven due to the need for uninterrupted long-range communication through integrated antennas. Military operations are highly dependent on communication antennas to ensure effective decision-making, which is crucial to the success of military missions. Increased bandwidth and use of high frequencies have made it possible to establish uninterrupted communication between control rooms and defense personnel over long distances. For instance, in 2021, L3Harris Technologies received a contract to provide long-range communications to the US military through mosaic antennas composed of spatially distributed low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) transceiver elements.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Defense Integrated Antenna Market"

321 - Tables

51 - Figures

281 - Pages

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Based on frequency, X-band is estimated to account for the largest share of the defense integrated antenna market from 2022 to 2026.

Based on frequency, X-band segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the defense integrated antenna market during the forecast period. This growth is driven because x-band facilitates high-throughput communication from satellites to ground stations. X bands operate within a range of 8-12 GHz. X-band antennas have recently become a reality for satellites owing to the advent of commercially available monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). X-band antenna is crucial for naval operations, including searching and tracking of surface targets.

The Asia Pacific market is estimated to account for the fastest growth from 2022 to 2026 in the Defense integrated antenna market

Based on region, Asia Pacific is estimated to account for the fastest growth rate in defense integrated antenna market from 2022 to 2026. Instability across all border areas and neighboring countries, improving domestic capabilities of aerospace industry, focus on strengthening combat capabilities of UAVs by integration of antenna will drive the market. For instance, in November 2021, South Korea developed a new homegrown antenna designed for stealth aircraft, which will help reduce the possibility of detection by enemy radar systems. This antenna was developed by Agency for Defense Development (ADD) along with Hanwha Systems Co.

Contracts were the main strategy adopted by leading players to sustain their position in the Defense integrated antenna market, followed by new product developments with advanced technologies. Many companies also collaborated to set up special centers for the research & development of advanced Defense integrated antenna.

The Defense integrated antenna market is dominated by a few globally established players such as L3Harris Technologies (US), Airbus (Netherlands), General Dynamics (US), Maxar Technologies (US), and Honeywell International Inc. (US), among others.

Related Reports:

Military Antennas Market by Component (Reflectors, Feed Horn, Feed Networks, Low Noise Block Converter (LNB)), Frequency Band (HF, VHF, UHF SHF, AND EHF), End Use (OEM and Aftermarket), Type, Application, Platform and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Aircraft Antenna Market by Frequency (VHF&UHF band, Ka/Ku/K band, HF band, X band, C band, L band), Antenna Type, Installation, Application, End User (OEM, Aftermarket), Aircraft Type, & Region (North America, Europe, APAC, RoW) - Global Forecast to 2026

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VANCOUVER, BC, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global biobetters market size reached USD 27.37 Billion in 2021 and is expected to register a significantly rapid revenue CAGR during the forecast period, according to latest analysis by Emergen Research. Comparatively easier and less costly manufacturing processes are driving market revenue growth.

Drivers:

Biobetters are a strong competitor to biosimilars owing to the compelling need to discover a solution to improve biologics' safety and efficacy. The biobetters market's growth patterns have been determined by increasing investment in discovering therapeutic medicines with superior effectiveness and safety profiles for malignant tumors and autoimmune illnesses. There have been considerable attempts in recent decades to reduce the economic cost of chronic illnesses. The growing availability of antibodies such as monoclonal antibodies had a favorable impact on the biobetters market. Increasing incidence of chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy-induced anemia also have an impact on market's revenue growth.

Request Free Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/1001

Restraints:

However, biobetters are also difficult to deal with. Biobetter development, like all biologics, is loaded with danger and necessitates extensive research and development., Biobetters are bound to have a greater success rate than originator biologics owing to a specific biologic target, although an enhanced biologic is far from definite and may require extensive testing. Biobetters may also have new and unanticipated negative effects that are not present in the original biologics. Biologics License Application (BLA) with a complete complement of pre-clinical and medical evidence is also required for approval of a biobetter. As a result, biobetter Research and Development (R&D) expenses will be much higher than those of a biosimilar .

Growth Projections:

The global biobetters market is expected to register a CAGR of 30.7% over the forecast period and revenue is projected to increase from USD 27.37 Billion in 2021 to USD 301.08 Billion in 2030. Longer product half-life which means the time required for a quantity of a biobetter product to reduce to half of its initial value is longer than biosimilar product and it has less dosing frequency than biosimilar, which is driving market revenue growth.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

COVID-19 can cause severe disease in those who have certain underlying medical disorders. Diabetes, cancer, renal illness, and neurodegenerative disease are among these conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), existing research shows that patients with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk from COVID-19. In general, infections are more dangerous in diabetics. One explanation is that diabetes alters the immune system's function, making it more difficult for the body to combat infections. Diabetes also results in high blood sugar levels and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) notes that the new coronavirus "may thrive in an environment of increased blood glucose." The COVID-19 pandemic has had an influence on nearly every element of cancer care and research, from bringing new dangers for cancer patients to interrupting cancer therapy and research. These factors will generate an opportunity for the biobetters market.

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + Infographics@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/biobetters-market

Current Trends and Innovations:

Manufacturers are working on a variety of ways to develop biobetters for some of the most popular antibody products. One such technique is to create a fragment of the originator antibody that preserves the antibody's effectiveness while providing delivery or safety improvements. Lucentis, for example, is a fragment of Roche's Avastin antibody, which is used to treat age-related macular degeneration and edema. Avastin is also used to treat colon and other malignancies. Only Lucentis is licensed for ophthalmic usage and the antibody fragment may enter the retina better than the whole antibody.

Geographical Outlook:

Market in Europe is expected to grow at a moderate rate during the forecast period owing to the region's well-defined regulatory requirements and increased number of pipeline projects for biobetter development.

Strategic Initiatives:

Major companies included in the global market report are Amgen Inc. Novo Nordisk A/S, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Marck KGaA, Sanofi, Genentech, Inc. Eli Lily and Company, Biogen, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and CSL Behring.

In March 2022 , Broad collaborated with Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences and University Medical Center Gottingen (UMG), Germany , for the development of NanoAbs which is a biobetter addressing diseases with large unmet medical needs and attractive commercial opportunities such as asthma, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and macular degeneration.

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Emergen Research has segmented global biobetters market on the basis of drug class, application, route of administration, distribution channel insights, and region:

Drug Class Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

Erythropoietin Biobetters



Insulin Biobetters



G-CSF Biobetters



Monoclonal Antibodies Biobetters



Anti-Hemophilic Factor



Other Biological Drug Biobetters

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

Cancer



Diabetes



Renal Disease



Neurodegenerative Disease



Genetic Disorders



Others

Route of Administration Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

Subcutaneous



Oral



Inhaled



Intravenous



Others

Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2019-2030)

Hospital Pharmacies



Retail Pharmacies



Online Pharmacies

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Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2030)

North America



US





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





UK





Italy





Spain





Benelux





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





South Korea





Rest of APAC



Latin America



Brazil





Rest of LATAM



Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE





South Africa





Turkey





Rest of MEA

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Live-streaming to students directly from under the ocean.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2018, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) launched Reefs Go Live, their flagship education programme that reaches 28 countries and live streams directly from the ocean to students in classrooms in real time. In March 2022, the CCMI team launched Reefs Go Live Season 4, complete with new teaching materials and an improved digital support platform to enable more participant interactivity during the broadcast.

Reefs Go Live provides an opportunity for students from all over the world to engage with the stunning ocean environment in its most natural format. As coral reefs around the world face unprecedented pressure, generating increased engagement with these precious ecosystems creates an opportunity to promote marine sustainability in a positive and fun way.

Reefs Go Live utilises underwater streaming technology to enable real time broadcasting from Little Cayman's stunning coral reefs. Little Cayman hosts one of the healthiest reef ecosystems in the Caribbean region, which remains resilient to climate change impacts. The team of scientists and educators at CCMI combine up to date and relevant research results linked to the local reef systems in Little Cayman with ocean literacy and education curriculum principles.

Director of Advancement at CCMI, Kate Holden, impresses why programmes such as Reefs Go live are so important:

"Creating a connection to the ocean is not only valuable in increasing support for improved marine protection and sustainability, but it is a fantastic programme that offers a relevant and unique experience for students of all ages. Little Cayman, the remote tropical island where CCMI's marine research facility is based, offers genuine insight into how corals can thrive today. The reef Is stunning here! We are so lucky to interact with this beautiful ecosystem every day, and to be able to share what we see, is just incredible. The Reefs Go Live platform provides the opportunity for students and citizen scientists to ask us questions in real time, and it is also a wonderful way to engage students with the precious ocean biosphere."

Reefs Go Live is a free education programme and the next episode will be broadcast on April 14th 2022 at 10am (UTC-6). To register for the broadcasts and teaching resources, please see:

https://reefresearch.org/what-we-do/education/reefs-go-live/

Contact: Kate Holden, KHolden@reefresearch.org

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXStRH93lWc
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Dynasty Gold Corp. (TSXV: DYG) (FSE: D5G1) (OTC PINK: DGDCF) ("Dynasty" or the "Company") is responding to an article published by the Globe and Mail on April 11, 2022 in which Dynasty Gold was named with Walmart, Lululemon and Amazon Canada for allegedly employing or using goods made with forced labour in the Xinjiang province of China. According to the article, a complaint has been made to the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE). The Company has no current operation in Xinjiang and wishes to provide some background of its historic experience with its mining operation in Xinjiang.

Dynasty's Xinjiang work began when it funded an exploration and development program in the Hatu Qi-2 gold mine between 2004 to 2008. This was done through a legal Sino joint-venture between Dynasty and a State-owned company (Xinjiang Non-Ferrous Industrial Group Limited ("XFN")), and two of XFN's wholly owned subsidiaries. Dynasty held and still holds a seventy-percentage (70%) interest in the joint-venture company. A significant gold discovery was made at the Hatu Qi-2 gold mine with 100% funding by Dynasty. The Hatu Qi-2 gold deposit is within a 600 square km land package that the joint-venture held in the prolific Tien Shan gold belt.





To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

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In June 2005, a NI43-101 resource estimate prepared by SRK Consulting Canada was published, and a pre-feasibility study was completed in 2007 which confirmed an in situ resource of 6.29 million tonnes with a grade of 2.65 g/t gold, using a cut off of 1.0 g/t for a total of 536,000 ounces gold calculated by using $600 per oz gold and open pit mining. Today, at $1,900+ gold per oz, the value of this resource would be substantially higher. Per the Globe and Mail's article titled "Canadian firms operate in China's Xinjiang region" published on January 18, 2021, the resource was estimated to be "worth around US$1B at current gold prices".

Dynasty has encountered challenges in the continuing operations at Hatu since 2008. XFN operated and continues to operate the mine with no input or participation from Dynasty.

In 2016, a subsidiary of XFN, and thirty percent (30%) Hatu Qi-2 gold mine minority property holder, Western Region Gold Co. Ltd., listed the Hatu gold mine in an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange without recognizing Dynasty's 70% interest in the mine. This was clearly established in a number of joint venture agreements and subsequent amendments signed between the parties during the period between 2003 to 2007, all of which confirmed Dynasty's 70% interest in the Hatu Qi-2 gold deposit, and the parties' intention to form a mining joint venture to develop the mine.

In 2017, Dynasty filed a claim against XFN and its subsidiaries in Xinjiang's local court to restore its joint-venture and seek compensation from the Chinese parties for any loss suffered resulting from the Chinese parties' actions. Among other comments from the end of December 2019 hearing, the local court did not recognize the NI 43-101 resource report by SRK because it was written by a foreign company, not in accordance with Chinese standards. The Company disagrees with these assessments but due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and lockdown in the last two years, the Company was unable to travel to China to follow up but intends to do so as soon as travel bans are lifted to continue to pursuing a fair and just outcome for its investment. Other alternatives to seek compensation are also under consideration.

While developing the resource in Xinjiang, the Company employed over 150 workers and support staff at its peak and equitable compensation was provided to all. Its work force consisted of people from many ethnicities in the region; including Uyghur who were represented at all levels of the work force. All protocols and cultural practices were followed. Since 2008, all operating responsibilities and labour relations have been the sole responsibility of XFN. Dynasty has had no involvement whatsoever.

About Dynasty Gold Corp.

Dynasty Gold Corp. is a Canadian exploration company currently focused on gold exploration in North America with projects located in a greenstone belt in Ontario and in the Midas gold camp in Nevada. The Company is currently advancing the definition of the Thundercloud gold deposit which contains 182,000 oz gold. The 43-101 Mineral Resource report was filed on www.sedar.com. The 100% owned Golden Repeat gold project is in the Midas gold camp in Elko County Nevada, and surrounded by a number of large scale operating mines. In addition, Dynasty owns a 70% interest in the Hatu Qi-2 gold mine, discussed herein, in the Tien Shan Gold belt, Xinjiang, China, with which it is in legal dispute with Xinjiang Non-Ferrous Industrial Metals Group and its subsidiary Western Region Gold Co. Ltd. For more information, please visit the Company's website www.dynastygoldcorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DYNASTY GOLD CORP.

"Ivy Chong"

_________________________________

Ivy Chong, President & CEO

For additional information please contact:

Ivy Chong, Dynasty Gold Corp.

Email: ichong@dynastygoldcorp.com, Phone 604.633.2100

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The TSX Venture Exchange 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/120282
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Silk Road Energy Inc. (TSXV: SLK.H) reports that it has finalized its 2022 exploration program for its 100 percent-owned Amikougami gold property in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

The company anticipates commencing its 2022 field program in August subject to the availability of a drilling rig, personnel and field equipment.

The company is planning to drill five "short" diamond drill-holes to 75 metre depths to establish the nature of the mineralization on the property. Two of the proposed drilling locations are targets identified by an earlier IP (induced polarity) geophysical survey.

Before this work can begin, the company will need to establish access, strip overburden, excavate trenches and conduct channel sampling.

Silk Road has already begun the process of compiling, digitizing and reprocessing historical aeromagnetic, gravity and radiometric data. This data has been obtained from assessment reports from Ontario Government reports.

The company has begun the process of analyzing regional geological structures and map data to more clearly define structural controls of mineralization in the area. The reports, maps and results from this exploration phase will be the basis of the field activities.

"Kirkland Lake is a great place to be exploring and drilling for gold," says Michael C. Judson, Silk Road, Director. "We are right beside one of the most prolific gold mines in the world, in one of the best mining jurisdictions. From an exploration and mine development point of view, it has everything - roads, power, personnel and site accessibility."

Amikougami is located 4000 metres from Agnico-Eagle's Macassa Mine. The Amikougami and Otto gold properties consist of 16 patented mining claims including five mining licenses. The combined area for both properties is 192.56 hectares. There is no exploration program planned for Otto during this field season.

Historical Work:

In an assessment report filed by S.J. Carmichael in 1999, prospecting activity on the Amikougami property occurred in 1920 to1930 and again in the 1940s-1950's period resulting in pits and short shafts to explore the mineralization. Since there is no record of this work, Kirkland Lake prospector, Fern Rivard, undertook to relocate and examine these earlier prospecting pits and undertook additional work on the claims in 1998 and 1999.

Rivard established a mine grid at 100-metre spacing and completed a ground magnetometer survey at 10-metre intervals. A number of old pits and shafts were located confirming the earlier prospecting activity.

From the pits, Rivard collected grab samples which were found to contain finely granular pyrite in highly chloritic biotite-bearing shears. Rivard also selected five grid lines and conducted an IP survey with readings at 10-metre intervals.

The IP survey identified several high-chargeability anomalies associated with shear or fault zones and a couple of high resistivity anomalies associated with outcrop having a very fine grained, silicified appearance and stockwork fractures with hairline quartz-carbonate filling.

Gold mineralization identified by exploration company, Warrior Gold Corp, at its Goodfish Lake property located east of Amikougami, occurs as stockwork veinlets in similar silicified areas. In addition, pyrite-bearing shear zones associated with high chargeability anomalies are found on Goodfish. This style of mineralization is unlike that found in the main Kirkland Lake gold camp but is now receiving considerable exploration attention outside the camp.

Recent Work by Record Gold Corp:

Record Gold Corp management including consulting geologist, Edward Procyshyn of Le Groupe GeoInfo, visited the property in late September of 2020. Regional and local geological and geophysical historical information was compiled and reviewed by Procyshyn during 2020 to 2022. The compiled map results are preliminary and robust in quality and need to be digitally reformatted, geographically rectified and verified with field observation to establish the nature and potential distribution of gold mineralization on the property.

Qualified Person:

Edward Procyshyn, Geo, a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

The following are excerpts of a 43-101-compliant geological report on the property prepared by geological consultants, Steel and Associates:

'The pits and trenches from the 1944 exploration program were opened by Mr. Rivard (Mr. Fern Rivard, a local prospector), who noted the presence of chlorite alteration and mining quartz-calcite veins and stringers. He also mapped the Amikougami Fault, which bisects the Amikougami Property mining patents. He notes that the fault was late in the geological history of the area as it offsets the Main Break at the Macassa Mine some three km to the south."

"A structure located on the adjoining property to the north is seen on the 1945 map and may represent a proxy of gold-bearing mineralization on the Amikougami Property. Pits were blasted in chalcopyrite rich shears east of Amikougami Creek, and returned gold values of 0.21 oz/T and 0.25 oz/T (Carmichael, 1999, p6)."

For more information please contact:

Michael C. Judson, Director,

Silk Road Energy Inc.

T. +1-514-865-5496

Website: www.silkroadenergyinc.com

Cautionary Statements

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", an or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would" , "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: approval of the Private Placement and obtaining a full revocation order. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the market acceptance of the Private Placement; the ability of the Company to obtain a full revocation order and the receipt of all required approvals in connection with the foregoing. Forward looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market price for securities; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder, court or regulatory approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, including the NEX Board, nor the Canadian Securities Exchange have approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

The Units and the securities comprising the Units have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in the Unites States, or any other jurisdiction, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120294
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (CSE:GLM)(OTCQB:GOLXF) ("GLM" or the "Company") following on the heels of its new discovery at the Hamburg Mine Target (PR, March 22th, 2022, intercept of 26.37 meters averaging 5.38 grams gold per tonne (g/t Au), is pleased to announce the strategic acquisition of four patented claims from two arms-length property owners, in the heart of its Jewel Ridge property. The property acquisitions include the "Cardinalli Portfolio" and the "Lord Byron" patented claim.

The Company can earn a 100-per-cent interest (less net smelter royalty (NSR)) in the Cardinalli Portfolio through cumulative cash payments of US$550,000 plus issue a total of 1 million shares over a 48-month period. A 2-per-cent NSR will be granted to the vendors and the company will have an option to purchase 50 per cent of the NSR for $1 million at any time.

The Company has purchased a 100-per-cent interest in the Lord Byron patented claims through a one-time cash payment of US$70,000.

The principal acquisition is known as the "Cardinalli Portfolio", consisting of three patented mineral claims called the Sentinel, the Clipper and the Golden Rule comprising approximately 23 acres (9.34 hectares). The Sentinel and Clipper claims are contiguous to, and dovetail with, other patented claims that host significant CRD (Carbonate Replacement Deposit) and Carlin-style mineralization of the Eureka Tunnel Zone that the Company has been actively exploring. Company's drill holes have been located as close as 15 meters (see section below) to the Clipper/Sentinel patented claim boundary with intercept (JR-21-32DD) of 0.68 gram gold per tonne (g/t Au) over 51.51 meters, starting at surface. The acquisition of the Cardinalli Portfolio claims allows for near-term access for drill sites to test for on-trend extensions of the Eureka Tunnel Zone.

Historically the Cardinalli portfolio comprised part of the "Consolidated Golden Rule" property, mined in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Production records are very limited, but old maps (Circa 1860's) indicate two shafts, stoping (mining), and trenchs, trending North-northwest for over 100 meters on the Clipper claim and an adit with underground drifting and cross-cuts on the Sentinel claim. All evidence of old workings and openings have been covered by activities and dumps from the Eureka Tunnel in later years.

The Lord Byron patented claim is located on Prospect Ridge, approximately 600 meters west of the Cardinalli Portfolio Golden Rule patent, at an elevation of 2,621 m ASL ( 8,599 ft). The Lord Byron patented claims comprised 4 acres (1.63 hectares) and is contiguous with the Company's A & E targets (over the Albert and Eloise patented claims). Sampling by the Company on the A&E target returned significant values from surface (outcrop and dumps) grab samples (Press Release June 26, 2020) including values up to 29.49 g/t Au, 333.0 g/t Ag, 1.35 per cent copper (% Cu), 4.00 % lead (Pb), and 9.53 % zinc (Zn). The median (based on gold values) of nine samples on the two patented claims is 2.30 g/t Au, 47.4 g/t Ag, 0.18 % Cu, 0.20 % Pb and 0.62 % Zn. Note, grab rock samples are not representative of the grade of mineralization of an occurrence, but are useful in determining prospectivity, and geological features.

The Lord Byron was staked very early in the history of the Eureka District (#16 in the district, national survey #54), with production recorded from 1885 to 1894. The A&E patented claims cover underground works, but the portal and the access roads to the target are located on the Lord Byron patented claim. The adit is currently collapsed and inaccessible, but the underground workings have been compiled by Nolan (1962 report) and are useful in refining drill targets.

Mike England, CEO, said, "The addition of these four, strategically positioned, patented claims on our keystone Jewel Ridge property, further strengthens our property position in the district, gives us immediate near-term drill targets, and represents excellent potential for both CRD and Carlin-style mineralization."

About the Jewel Ridge Property

The Jewel Ridge property is located on the south end of Nevada's prolific Battle Mountain - Eureka trend, along strike and contiguous to Barrick Gold's Archimedes/Ruby Hill gold mine to the north and Timberline Resources' advanced-stage Lookout Mountain project to the south.

The property comprises 96 unpatented lode mining claims and 34 patented claims covering approximately 728 hectares (1,826 acres). The Jewel Ridge property contains several historic small gold mines. The Company's focus is on Carlin-style disseminated gold deposits, the primary focus in the area since the late 1970s.

Nevada Carlin-type gold deposits (CTGD) have a combined endowment of more than 250 million ounces, which are concentrated (85 per cent) in only four trends or camps of deposits: Carlin, Cortez (Battle Mountain-Eureka), Getchell and Jerritt Canyon. The Company cautions that results on adjacent and/or nearby projects are not necessarily indicative of results on the Company's property.

Qualified person

Golden Lake Exploration's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry Clark, P.Geo., who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Golden Lake Exploration Inc.

Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property. The Jewel Ridge property is located on the south end of Nevada's prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka trend, along strike and contiguous to Barrick Gold's Archimedes/Ruby Hill gold mine to the north and Timberline Resources' advanced-stage Lookout Mountain project to the south. The Company also owns a large (37.814 hectare) early-stage property in south-central British Columbia, contiguous to Kodiak Copper Corp., and Gold Mountain Mining Inc., that is highly prospective for copper-gold porphyry and mesothermal gold-bearing quartz-vein mineralization.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Mike England"

____________________________

Mike England, CEO & DIRECTOR

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Telephone: 1-604-683-3995

TollFree:1-888-945-4770

Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM).

SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697306/Golden-Lake-Completes-Strategic-Acquisition-in-the-Heart-of-the-Jewel-Ridge-Property-Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - GENERAL EUROPEAN STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS INC. (OTC Pink: GESI) (the "Company") and EuroGas Inc. have instructed US law firm, Baker McKenzie, to file criminal charges in the US Federal Court against Schmid Industrieholding Gmbh (SIH) ("Schmid").

After successfully securing evidence of criminal acts against EuroGas Inc's assets, which are 80% owned by GESI's wholly owned subsidiary ZB Capital AG, EuroGas Inc. has mandated US lawfirm, Baker McKenzie, to proceed with criminal proceedings in the US Federal Court against Schmid, its owners, directors and management.

These criminal acts where committed over a period of 7 years against EuroGas Inc and its 57% controlled Slovak subsidiary Rozmin s.r.o.

This evidence has originated from credible sources within the Slovakian Government.

Wolfgang Rauball, GESI's CEO, stated, "This is the very first step to ensuring redress for the alleged illegal expropriation of EuroGas Inc.'s previously owned mining rights over the world-renowned, Gemerska Poloma talc-soapstone deposit, located in central Slovakia, one of the largest and purest talc ore bodies in the world. We also plan to file additional claims with ICSID separately."

Forward Looking Statements:

This 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. Such statements include any that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate", "project", "intend", "forecast", "anticipate", "plan", "planning", "expect", "believe", "likely", "should", "could", "would", "may" or similar words or expressions. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results and financial position to differ materially from those in such statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Company's ability to grow. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted and any reported should not be considered an indication of future performance. Potential risks and uncertainties include the Company's operating history and resources, together with all usual and common economic, competitive, and equity market conditions / risks.

Contact:

Robert Seguin, V.P., Investor Relations

General European Strategic Investments Inc.

Robert.Seguin@gesi-usa.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120301
NOIDA, India, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the Natural Sweeteners market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The Natural Sweeteners market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Natural Sweeteners market. The Natural Sweeteners market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Natural Sweeteners market at the global and regional levels. The Natural Sweeteners Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% from 2021-2027 to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2027.

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Market Overview

Increasing cases of obesity especially among young children are the major driving factor for increased adoption of natural sweeteners as table sugar alternatives. For instance, as per WorldAtlas, in 2019, 38 million children below the age of five were either obese or overweight. Moreover,obesity is responsible for close to 5 million deaths annually, or 8% of the global deaths in 2017, representing a 3.5% increase from 4.5% in 1990. However, the proportion varies across different continents. In2017, over 15% of the deaths were attributed to obesity across North Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Central Asia because of its high prevalence.

Furthermore, natural sweeteners are sweeter than sugar and are fewer calories. Therefore, a very small amount of them is sufficient. For instance,Stevia is 50-350 times sweeter than table sugar and has zero calories. Similarly, monk fruit is 250 times sweeter than table sugar and has zero calories.

COVID-19 Impact

COVID19 has resulted in a profound re-evaluation of the advantages and costs of Natural Sweeteners. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in the supply chain worldwide. This has had a profound impact on Natural Sweeteners. The rising spread of the virus led to strict lockdown restrictions across many countries around the globe. The supply chain and logistics were harmed as a result of the closing of borders across numerous countries. For instance, as per ISM in 2020, there is a 14% increase in the number of 2019 supply chain disruptors which was 3,700. It has resulted in significant disruptions to businesses and economic activities globally and is expected to have a short-term negative impact on the Natural Sweeteners market due to limited or non-availability of raw material transport and disruption in service providers. This aspect led to a decrease in the growth rate of the natural sweeteners market.

The food and beverage industry, on the other hand, was excluded from the lockdown limitations. As a result, there were only minor growth hiccups during the rigorous lockdown period. For instance, the global market fornon-alcoholic beverages was valued at $1.03 trillion in 2020, a reduction of roughly $100 billion from 2019.

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Global Natural Sweeteners Market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Type, the market is primarily bifurcated into

Stevia

Sorbitol

Xylitol

Mannitol

Erythritol

Sweet proteins

Other types

Based on type, the global market is fragmented into stevia, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, sweet proteins, and other types. The Sorbitol segment dominated the market with a share of 48% in 2020 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period owing to its varied functional properties such as helping in maintaining shelf life, appearance, the texture of foods, offering medicinal qualities, and helping in retaining moisture.

By Application, the market is primarily segmented into

Bakery products

Confectioneries & gums

Spreads

Beverages

Dairy products

Frozen desserts

Tabletop sweeteners

Pharmaceutical products

Other applications

Further based on application, the market is fragmented into bakery products, confectioneries & gums, spreads, beverages, dairy products, frozen desserts, tabletop sweeteners, pharmaceutical products, and others. In 2020, confectioneries & gums accounted for a maximum market revenue share of 33% and is expected to remain dominant during the analyzed period owing to low cost, readily available, and easy use during processing.

By End-Users, the market is primarily bifurcated into

Food & beverages

Pharmaceutical

Direct sales

Other end-use sectors

Based on end-users, the market is fragmented into food & beverages, pharmaceutical, direct sales, and others. In 2020, the food & beverage segment accounted for a maximum market revenue share of 83% and is expected to remain dominant during the analyzed period owing to the growing demand from end consumers resulting in a shift among manufacturers for the choice of their ingredients in the food & beverage sector.

Natural Sweeteners Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America ( United States , Canada , and Rest of North America )

( , , and Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , United Kingdom , Italy , France , Spain , and Rest of Europe )

( , , , , , and Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , Australia , and Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , and Rest of ) Rest of the World

Based on the estimation, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the Natural Sweeteners market with almost US$ 1.3 billion in revenue in 2020 on account of the rising health among consumers which results in an increased demand for healthy products. As consumers are becoming more health-conscious, the demand for low sugar drinks and low-calorie content is increasing.

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The major players targeting the market include

Ingredion Incorporated

Tate & Lyle PLC

Cargill

Roquette Freres

FoodChem International Corporation

PureCircle Ltd

Whole Earth Brands

Sagana Association

Pyure Brands LLC

Stevia Hub India

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Natural Sweeteners market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the Natural Sweeteners market?

Which factors are influencing the Natural Sweeteners market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the Natural Sweeteners market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the Natural Sweeteners market?

What are the demanding global regions of the Natural Sweeteners market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @https://univdatos.com/report/natural-sweeteners-market/

Browse Other Related Research Reports from UnivDatos Market Insights

Ultra High Temperature Milk Market: https://univdatos.com/report/ultra-high-temperature-milk-market/

Nut Products Market: https://univdatos.com/report/nut-products-market/

Plant-Based Protein Market: https://univdatos.com/report/plant-based-protein-market/

Dairy Products Packaging Market: https://univdatos.com/report/dairy-products-packaging-market/

Brown Sugar Market: https://univdatos.com/report/brown-sugar-market/

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

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UnivDatos Market Insights

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Director Operations

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Helen Mirren has nothing but rave reviews for her experiences working with Bruce Willis.

The Oscar-winning actress says she absolutely loved teaming up with Willis on the 2010 action-comedy Red, which follows a retired Black-ops CIA agent who reunites with former colleagues to find out whos trying to assassinate him.

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He taught me a lot about acting, actually, Mirren told the Daily News while promoting her new comedy-drama, The Duke.

When I came into Red, Id never really done that kind of movie before, and I was quite nervous. Number one, Bruce was incredibly welcoming and he immediately made me feel comfortable, and I will always be grateful to him for that. And then I would watch him, and Bruce was a brilliant actor. Brilliant.

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Helen Mirren (right) with Bruce Willis at the British premiere of "Red" in October 2010. (MAX NASH/AFP via Getty Images)

Willis family announced last month that the longtime action star is stepping away from acting at age 67 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that can impact a persons ability to communicate.

He and Mirren also worked together on the 2013 sequel Red 2. Mirren praised Willis sense of timing as an actor and said she really tried to learn from him.

I can understand, we dont want Bruce to leave our screens because hes such a wonderful presence on screen, Mirren, 76, said. But also hes given us an absolute, enormous, lifetime of work, and we should be grateful for that.

[ The Godfather star James Caan reflects on Sonnys iconic moments as film returns to NYC theaters for 50th anniversary ]

Mirrens next movie, The Duke, explores the real-life theft in 1961 of the Francisco Goya painting Portrait of the Duke of Wellington. Mirren stars as Dorothy Bunton, the wife of Kempton Bunton, a working-class man who stood trial for the paintings disappearance.

The Duke, which is the final movie directed by late filmmaker Roger Michell, arrives in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on April 22.
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Antler Gold Inc. (TSXV: ANTL) ("Antler" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company and its wholly owned subsdiary, Antler Gold Namibia (Pty) Ltd. ("Antler Namibia") have entered into a binding agreement dated April 13, 2022 to acquire 90% of the Onkoshi Gold Project (the "Project") in Namibia (the "Agreement") from an arm's length vendor. The Project will be held in Antler's project generation vehicle ("Project Generator") owned 87.5% by Antler and 12.5% by Sherpa Resource Holdings Ltd. (see Antler Press Release dated March 24, 2022 for details).

The Onkoshi Gold Project is located approximately 140km northwest of Windhoek, was previously known by the Erindi and Vredelus Projects and has had a significant amount of historical work performed over it in the past. Table 1 contains previous drill holes reported in a NI 43-101 report completed in 2004 for Helio Capital Corporation ("Helio Technical Report"). Note that the results below are historic and have not been verified by Antler.

Table 1: Summary of Rossing Uranium Ltd. best RC drill and diamond drill intersections calculated at a cut-off of 0.5 g/t Au.

Drillhole Depth (m) Intersection ERRC 18 12-23 9.53 g/t Au over 11 m ERRC 23 51-56 3.04 g/t Au over 5 m and 60-67 4.88 g/t Au over 7 m ERRC 25 26-38 3.09 g/t Au over 12 m ERD 2 11.18-23.53 5.54 g/t Au over 12.35 m ERD 3 5.92-12.34 3.27 g/t Au over 6.42 m and 70.64-75.64 12.85 g/t Au over 5 m

Significant exploration potential exists on the Project as outlined in Helio Technical Report and based on the initial review of Project data by Remote Exploration Services (Pty) Ltd. ("RES") on behalf of the Project Generator, which includes:

Limited historical work over the strike extents of both the historical Erindi and Vredelus Prospects which are contained within EPL 7464 offer immediate exploration targets.

Numerous significant gold in rock and gold in soil anomalies discovered during historical sampling campaigns were not followed up with any additional exploration work.

Historical analytical lower limits of detection for gold were in the order of 20 ppb and thus potential gold mineralisation with a surface expression of less than 20 ppb would not have been delineated by the historical soil sampling campaigns.

Mineralisation on the Project has been shown to be conductive and magnetic and is therefore suitable for detection by both magnetic and electrical geophysical survey techniques.

The terms of the Agreement provide for Antler Namibia to pay C$30,000 on signing and C$50,000 upon the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate ("ECC") and successful transfer of the Project EPL to Antler. In addition, Antler Namibia must pay a further C$20,000 one year from the date of ECC issuance and Antler must issue the vendor or their nominee C$100,000 of Antler common shares based on the 10 day VWAP immediately prior to issuance. A Finder's Fee of C$20,000 will be paid to an arm's length party who introduced the Project to Antler. The transaction is subject to TSXV approval.

Daniel Whittaker, President and CEO of Antler commented, "I'm pleased to announce the acquisition of the Onkoshi Gold Project by our Project Genenator venture with Sherpa. We look forward to unlocking the potential of this Project using techniques applied in and knowledge gained from recent other significant gold discoveries in Namibia. I want to thank everyone on our skilled team for their excellent work securing this Project for the Project Generator."

Technical Discussion

The Onkoshi Gold Project is located in the Southern Central Zone of the Damaran Orogenic Belt and shares significant similarities to B2 Gold's Otjikoto and Wolfshag deposits. Mineralisation is hosted in magnetite-amphibole skarns and massive sulphide and sulphide-bearing calc-silicates and marbles of the Swakop Group. The dominant ore minerals are pyrrhotite, pyrite and magnetite with minor chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and gold. Historical work completed included reconnaissance mapping with soil and rock grab sampling follow up. Wagon, reverse-circulation and diamond drilling were also undertaken. The Erindi ER3 grid produced the most significant results and based on the Rossing Uranium Ltd. drill results, BAFEX, a subsidiary of Helio Capital Corporation, interpreted two 5-20m wide zones of mineralization (the Foot Wall Zone and the Hanging Wall Zone) which appear to be sub parallel, strike east west and are separated by about 80m to 100m of tectono-stratigraphy (as presented in Helio Technical Report).

Historical ground magnetic and induced polarisation geophysical surveys and an airborne electro-magnetic survey show the mineralisation to be highly conductive and magnetic and have an interpreted combined strike length in the order of 5.5 km. Numerous gossans and gold in soil anomalies greater than 100 ppb Au defined from historical exploration are associated with this strike length and as yet many have not had any follow up exploration undertaken over them. Historical soil sampling work was apparently hampered by complicated regolith with locally thick zones of recent sand and calcrete cover and a poor 20 ppb Au lower limit of detection.

Future Plans

Antler plans to immediately commence environmental work required to apply for the ECC as well as compile and interpret all available historical work in order to plan an exploration programme for the Project. The Project Generator will be retaining RES to perform this work.

Qualified Person

Peter Hollick, BSc. (Hons), is a Consulting Geologist at RES and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mr. Hollick is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No. 400113/93) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About Antler Gold Inc.

Antler Gold Inc. (TSXV: ANTL) is a Canadian company, focused on the acquisition and exploration of gold projects in Namibia, Zambia and Africa. Antler's Erongo Gold Project covers areas of the Navachab-Damara Belt, which shares geological similarities to the areas containing the known Namibian Gold mines (QKR's Navachab and B2 Golds' Otjikoto) as well as Osino's recent Twin Hills discovery. Namibia is recognized as one of Africa's most politically stable jurisdictions, with an extremely well-established national infrastructure.

The Company continues to assess new opportunities to expand its African portfolio.

Further details are available on the Company's website at www.antlergold.com.

Cautionary Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information, such as statements regarding the acquisition of the Onkoshi Gold Project in Namibia by Antler and future plans and objectives of Antler, including the acquisition of new projects in Africa. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions (including assumptions in connection with the continuance of the applicable company as a going concern and general economic and market conditions) that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including risks relating to the ability to satisfy the conditions to complete transactions, exploration programmes and fund acquisitions in Africa. Actual results may differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. Antler assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this release, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information unless and until required by applicable securities laws. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings made by Antler with Canadian securities regulators, copies of which are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact Daniel Whittaker, President and CEO of Antler Gold Inc., at (902) 488-4700 or Chris Drysdale, VP at +264 81 220 2439.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120300
AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Stellantis N.V. (STLA) said that it expects double-digit adjusted operating income margin, and industrial free cash flows to be positive for fiscal 2022. In North America, the company expects moderate sales growth in all markets, particularly U.S. At the annual general meeting, the company said it expects solid sales growth in India and Japan. In a separate press release, Stellantis said it plans to consolidate its auto financial services in China into a Stellantis wholly owned Auto Finance Company (AFC). Stellantis and DPCA stake in Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Company or DPCAFC, the 15-year-old auto finance joint venture between Stellantis, DPCA and Dongfeng Group, will be sold to Dongfeng, subject to regulatory approval. The proposed transaction should be completed during the second half of 2022. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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:

Getlink (Paris:GET):

The combined general meeting (ordinary and extraordinary) is convened on April 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m (CET) at Cite des Echanges, 40 rue Eugene Jacquet, 59700 Marcq-en-Barul, France. The notice of meeting and the convening notice (which include the agenda of the meeting and the draft resolutions) were published in the French BALO (Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires) dated respectively April 6, 2022 and March 2, 2022.

In accordance with Articles R. 225-83 and R. 225-89 of the French Commercial Code, the documents that must be made available to shareholders in connection with General Meetings are available at Getlink's registered office.

Since the organisation of the Shareholders' Meeting is likely to change in line with health, legislative and regulatory requirements, shareholders are invited to regularly check the 2022 General Meeting page on the Company's website where the documents and information relating to the meeting referred to in article R. 225-73-1 of the French Commercial Code are available on the at the following address: https://www.getlinkgroup.com/en/shareholders-investors/2022-general-meeting/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005754/en/

Contacts:

For UK media enquiriescontact

John Keefe on 44 (0) 1303 284491

Email: press@getlinkgroup.com

For other media enquiries contact

Romain Dufour on +33(0)1 4098 0464

For investor enquiries contact

Jean-Baptiste Roussille on +33 (0)1 40 98 04 81

Emailjean-baptiste.roussille@getlinkgroup.com

Michael Schuller on +44 (0) 1303 288749

Email:Michael.schuller@getlinkgroup.com
Regulatory News:

The Vicat Group (Euronext Paris: FR0000031775 VCT) announces today that the Group's Combined Annual General Meeting was held today.

All the resolutions presented to the Annual General Meeting were adopted, including the resolution to increase the dividend to 1.65 per share, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

The detailed report of the 2022 Annual General Meeting, with the voting results, will soon be posted on www.vicat.fr.

Next report:

First-quarter 2021 sales on 4 May 2022 after the market close.

About Vicat

The Vicat Group has close to 9,500 employees working in three core divisions, Cement, Concrete Aggregates and Other Products Services, which generated consolidated sales of 3.123 billion in 2021. The Group operates in twelve countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Kazakhstan, India and Brazil. Vicat, a family-owned group, is the heir to an industrial tradition dating back to 1817, when Louis Vicat invented artificial cement. Founded in 1853, the Vicat Group now operates three core lines of business: Cement, Ready-Mixed Concrete and Aggregates, as well as related activities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005413/en/

Contacts:

Investor relations contact:

Stephane Bisseuil

Tel. 33 (0)1 58 86 86 05

stephane.bisseuil@vicat.fr

Press contacts:

Karine Boistelle-Adnet

Tel. +33 (0)4 74 27 58 04

karine.boistelleadnet@vicat.fr
SAN ANTONIO, April 13, 2022. Rackspace Technology joins the MISA ecosystem of independent software vendors and managed security services providers by demonstrating global delivery capabilities and integration of the Rackspace Elastic Engineering for Security managed services into Microsoft's suite of cloud-native security services and hybrid cloud technologies - helping businesses around the world better defend against increasing threats.



For over 18 years, Rackspace Technology and Microsoft have cultivated a global relationship focused on helping businesses make the most of Microsoft technologies. Rackspace Technology is a Gold Security Partner and has become a trusted advisor to organizations, helping them develop strategic security plans by leveraging the organization's deep bench of Rackspace Elastic Engineering for Security experts. The Rackspace Technology services include providing visibility into immediate threats and vulnerabilities across Microsoft Azure, on-premises, and in multicloud environments, improving security postures for the long term through managed security services like XDR leveraging Microsoft Sentinel, and conducting remediation in Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud environments.

"The cloud is agile, flexible, and scales quickly. To be effective, security solutions must do the same," said Gary Alterson, Vice President, Security Solutions at Rackspace Technology. "Rackspace Technology has a strong security relationship with Microsoft, providing customers Azure cloud-native security tooling paired with expert architecture and engineering services. Together, we help customers transform their businesses into secure, compliant-by-design, Azure native ecosystems."

Through Rackspace Elastic Engineering for Security, organizations gain access to a pod of certified security experts to assess, architect, implement, engineer, monitor, manage, and respond to complex challenges. Through the Rackspace Technology collaboration with Microsoft, customers can:

Supplement and up-level team skills, with on-demand access to dedicated engineering resources, hands-on management of Azure environments, and scalability.

Alleviate the complexity of security and compliance in Azure environments with consultative services.

Modernize approaches to security with expert deployment and management of the right security technologies for each Azure environment.

Expertly manage the security needs of businesses by identifying ongoing threats and vulnerabilities and reducing the attack surface.

Design and build cloud security controls to address compliance mandates, such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and more.

Improve their cloud security posture by better understanding cloud threats and vulnerabilities.

Achieve ongoing security innovation through Azure native security tools to meet business transformation objectives.



"The Microsoft Intelligent Security Association has grown into a vibrant ecosystem comprised of the most reliable and trusted security software vendors across the globe," said Maria Thomson, Microsoft Intelligent Security Association Lead. "Our members, like Rackspace Technology, share Microsoft's commitment to collaboration within the cybersecurity community to improve our customers' ability to predict, detect, and respond to security threats faster."

Learn more about the Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Security Workshop delivered by Rackspace Elastic Engineering for Security, for a customized threat and vulnerability analysis of your environment and learnings on how to build and operate a more robust cloud security ecosystem. Go here for additional information and to register for the Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Security Workshop.

"Being able to secure our cloud services is critical to running our businesses. As our company performance has grown significantly, merger & acquisition activity has also further complicated our cloud footprint. The Rackspace Elastic Engineering for Security experts worked closely with our team to deliver the Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Security Workshop," said Andres Salaverria, Sr. Manager, Penske Logistics. "The Rackspace Technology delivery of this workshop was critical to validate the security of our cloud environments, evaluate and get ahead of potential vulnerabilities, help us standardize our security configurations across all of our Azure tenants, and to modernize our security strategy with Microsoft native security services."

For more information about Rackspace Technology security experts to architect, engineer, and manage your security solutions click here.

About Rackspace Technology

Rackspace Technologyis a leading end-to-end multicloud technology services company. We can design, build and operate our customers' cloud environments across all major technology platforms, irrespective of technology stack or deployment model. We partner with our customers at every stage of their cloud journey, enabling them to modernize applications, build new products and adopt innovative technologies.

Media Contact

Natalie Silva

Rackspace Technology Corporate Communications

publicrelations@Rackspace.com
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

13 April 2022

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 50,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 822.80p per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 1,887,684; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 223,103,619.

The figure of 223,103,619 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A near-total ban on abortion has become law in Oklahoma after Governor Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 612. Under the law, performing an abortion or attempting to perform the procedure will be considered as felony, punishable by up to a $100,000 fine and/or up to 10 years in prison. The Bill, which the state Senate passed in 2021, was approved in the state Republican-led House of Representatives on Tuesday by an overwhelming majority (70-14). State Senator Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, who is the primary author of the legislationBill, said, 'From my first day in office, protecting the unborn has been one of my top priorities. Senate Bill 612 is the strongest pro-life legislation in the country right now, which effectively eliminates abortion in Oklahoma,' he added. 'SB 612 is monumental for the unborn in OK. It is the strongest Pro-Life bill in the nation, and I was honored to author it and work with my colleagues in the legislature to get this bill passed,' he wrote on Twitter. A known Pro-Life activist, Dahm vowed that he will do everything in his power to end abortion on the national level. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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.




KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 13, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - The 12th Global edition of World Cyber Security Summit aims to bring together global CISOs, Cyber Security leaders, investors, media outlets and government representatives all under one roof. Leading cyber security specialist agency, CyberSecurity Malaysia will join the Summit as the Supporting Partner.World Cyber Security Summit - ASEAN, is set to take place on 12 April 2022 virtually. Dato' Ts. Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab; CEO, CyberSecurity Malaysia, will enlighten the attendees on 'New Danger of Digital Society: Why Cyber Security is so important today and what to be ready for tomorrow?'- Strategic approach: How Governments are handling cyber security in a digital era.- Cyber Security and Smart Cities: advanced technologies for citizens' safety"Cybersecurity becomes a major concern for many sectors and industries within a country. Its vulnerabilities are alarming and cyber-attack is beyond control. Furthermore, it is impossible to develop 100% cybersecurity approach. No matter how advanced cybersecurity implementation in one's country, perpetrators often find loopholes to attack. Hence, it is critical for a country to practice cyber resilient, understand potential risks and take effort to reduce them. Organisations within a country must be able to effectively respond to cyber-attack, bounce back and restore critical infrastructures to resume operations," said Dato' Ts. Dr Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, CEO of CyberSecurity Malaysia."Companies from ASEAN today are facing an increasingly competitive threat. Cyber-attacks and data breaches are sophisticated and personalized, putting ASEAN companies at greater risk of collapse. However, there are measures that they can leverage to protect themselves and ensure the safety of their organizations.," stated Mithun Shetty, CEO of Trescon,About CyberSecurity MalaysiaCyberSecurity Malaysia is the national cybersecurity specialist and technical agency under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (K-KOMM). In essence, CyberSecurity Malaysia is committed to provide a broad range of cybersecurity innovation-led services, programs, and initiatives to help reduce the vulnerability of digital systems, and at the same time strengthen Malaysia's self-reliance in cyberspace. Among specialized cyber security services provided are Cyber Security Responsive Services; Cyber Security Proactive Services; Outreach and Capacity Building; Strategic Study and Engagement, and Industry and Research Development. For more information, please visit http://www.cybersecurity.my.About World Cyber Security SummitWorld Cyber Security Summit is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused, global series of events that takes place in strategic locations across the world.The Summit is a one-of-a-kind gathering of pre-qualified CIOs, CEOs, CTOs, Heads of AI, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Innovation and International Cyber Security experts.Witness powerful keynotes, workshops, use-case presentations, product exhibitions, panel discussions and tech talks to find solutions for issues and trends within the Cyber Security and RPA space.About TresconTrescon is a global business events and consulting firm that provide a wide range of business services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, governments and individuals. Trescon is specialized in producing highly focused B2B events that connect businesses with opportunities through conferences, road Summits, expos, demand generation, investor connect and consulting services.For further details about the announcement, please contact:Jagriti Jaiswal,Corporate Communication,Trescon | media@tresconglobal.comSource: tresconCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Press Release



Basel, Switzerland, April 13, 2022

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that shareholders approved all proposals of the board of directors at today's annual general meeting (AGM) for the financial year 2021.

In accordance with the COVID-19 Ordinance 3 issued by the Swiss Federal Council, the board of directors of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. had decided to hold the AGM 2022 without the physical presence of shareholders. Accordingly, shareholders exercised their voting rights exclusively via the independent proxy. At the AGM, a total of 3,759,995 shareholder votes, equivalent to 28.9% of the share capital and 49.1% of the shares entitled to vote, were represented by the independent proxy.

At the AGM, the shareholders approved the annual report, the financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year 2021. They also endorsed carrying forward the accumulated deficit and approved the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors and the Management Committee.

Domenico Scala was re-elected as Chairman and Dr. Martin Nicklasson, Dr. Nicole Onetto, Steven D. Skolsky and Dr. Thomas Werner were re-elected as members of the Board of Directors. Leonard Kruimer was elected as new member of the Board. Following the election at the AGM, the Board appointed him as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. In addition, Dr. Nicklasson, Dr. Onetto and Dr. Werner were re-elected to the Compensation Committee. The term of all board members lasts until the AGM 2023.

The shareholders also approved the proposed maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Board of Directors for the period to the AGM 2023, and the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Management Committee for the financial year 2023. In a non-binding advisory vote, the shareholders endorsed the compensation report for the financial year 2021.

The shareholders approved the proposed amendment of the Articles of Association to create additional conditional share capital.

Moreover, the shareholders approved the amendment of the Articles of Association to change Basilea's registered office following the move of headquarters. Finally, they also re-elected Dr. Caroline Cron as independent proxy until the end of the next AGM and re-elected PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd, Basel, as auditors for the financial year 2022.

At the time of the AGM, 66.2% of the share capital were registered in Basilea's share register.

About Basilea



Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the needs of patients with bacterial and fungal infections and cancer. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. We are conducting clinical studies with two targeted drug candidates for the treatment of a range of cancers and have several preclinical assets in both anti-infectives and cancer in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com.

Disclaimer



This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com)

investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com)

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

Attachment




Singapore, Apr 13, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - The 3rd global edition of World Data & Analytics Show, with a special focus on the ASEAN market, is all set to take place virtually on 19 April 2022. The event will gather top experts from ASEAN region where they will shed insights on analytics to improve an organization's operational performance, boost consumer engagement, and simplify supply chains.Notable speakers include Celine Le Cotonnec, Vincent Toh, Hartnell Ndungi, Juan Intan Kanggrawan, Benedict Benoit, Bhaskar Vetrimani, Dr. Shidan C Murphy, Sam Majid, Bhaskar Vetrimani, Meenakshi Nissim Ghoge, Balaji Jayaraman, Martijn Wieriks, Ram Kumar & more. These experts will present eye-opening keynotes, government and enterprise use-case presentations, exciting product showcases, take part in panel discussions and tech talks to discuss the latest challenges and explore data-powered solutions.Businesses in the ASEAN region are embracing data analytics to help them grow post-Covid-19. The diversified economic environment of the region adds further difficulties to decision-making. Data analytics has been shown to be an efficient method for identifying the aspects that produce value for regional businesses. This digital revolution aids in the improvement of efficiency and business operations.ASEAN companies are facing unique challenges in optimizing their business processes while balancing privacy and compliance. However, the use of data analytics allows companies to foresee trends, improve operations, and streamline operations. By increasing efficiency and productivity, data analytics can help ASEAN companies become more competitive globally."According to our research, more than 90 percent of APAC business executives believe that data analytics is important for their organizations to remain performant, but less than 19 percent of enterprises across the region have achieved maturity in analytics. At Alteryx, we are committed to empowering everyone and anyone to make data-driven decision and advancing organizations' capability in analytics. Join us at our session in this year's World Data and Analytics Show 2022, to uncover how your organization can transform from being data-rich to data-driven," stated Suganthi Shivkumar, VP of Asia, Alteryx."Dataiku will show you how extraordinary AI for everyday purpose is brought to life in this edition of the World Data and Analytics Show 2022. As a lead sponsor, we await the opportunity to connect with attendees and discuss how to realize their AI strategy at scale and speed; no matter the stage of AI or analytics maturity. Meet us at our booth to find out more on how Data Science meets Everyday Use!," said Jiunn Hao; Director, APAC Partnerships, Dataiku.Among the early adopters of future tech, groundbreaking experts taking the center stage include:- Celine Le Cotonnec, Chief Data Innovation Officer, Bank of Singapore- Vincent Toh, Snr Manager, Sales Engineering, Alteryx ASIA, Singapore- Benedict Benoit, Area Vice President, Collibra, Australia- Bhaskar Vetrimani, Head of Sales & Business Development, APAC, Lingaro- Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer, Absa Bank Kenya PLC, Kenya- Grant Case; Director of Sales Engineering, Dataiku, Australia- Juan Intan Kanggrawan, Head of Data Analytics and Digital Products, Jakarta Smart City, Indonesia- Ankit Singi, Data Science Implementation Manager, Dataiku, Singapore- Sam Majid, CTIO, MCMC Malaysia- Benedict Benoit, Area Vice President, APAC, Collibra, Australia- Srinivasan Sankar, Enterprise Data and Analytics Leader, The Hanover Insurance Group, United States- Igor Rotin, Chief Data Scientist, Liebherr Aerospace and Transportation, Germany- Meenakshi Nissim Ghoge, Director - Data & Analytics, Mondelez International, Singapore- Katrina Briedis, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, APAC Denodo- Balaji Jayaraman, Senior Vice President- Head of Data and Analytics (APAC), Citi Bank, Singapore- Martijn Wieriks, Chief Data Officer, JULO, Indonesia- Dr. Shidan C Murphy, Director of Data Analytics, Altair, APAC- Bhaskar Vetrimani, Head, Sales and Business Development, Lingaro APAC- Ram Kumar, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Cigna, Singapore; to name a few."Businesses are facing increasing expectation to utilize data analytics to drive decision-making, improve service levels and generate new revenue streams. However, ASEAN businesses need to overcome limitations in data (data literacy and digital literacy), policy and capability to fully utilize the potential of data analytics," stated Mithun Shetty, CEO, Trescon.The event will be hosted on the virtual events platform Vmeets to help participants network and conduct business in an interactive and immersive virtual environment. Participants can also engage with the speakers during Q&A sessions and network with solution providers/sponsors at their virtual exhibition booths, private consultation rooms and meeting tables.World Data & Analytics Show - ASEAN is officially sponsored by:- Headline Sponsor - Alteryx- Lead Sponsor - Dataiku | TechData- Platinum Sponsor - Collibra- Gold Sponsors - Denodo & Lingaro- Silver Sponsors - Altair & Cloudera- Bronze Sponsor - Snowflake & EnterpriseDBAbout World Data & Analytics ShowWorld Data & Analytics Show is a thought leadership-driven, business-focused, global series of events that takes place in strategic locations across the world.As part of the world tour, this ASEAN edition is virtually gathering pre-qualified C-Suite IT Leaders, Business Analysts, Data Analytics Heads, Heads of Business Intelligence, Industry Practitioners, IT Decision Makers and Experts in Data & Analytics among others from cross industry verticals across ASEAN region.The show would feature exciting keynotes, government and enterprise use-case presentations, product showcases, panel discussions and tech talks to discuss the latest challenges and explore the latest applications in data powered solutions.About TresconTrescon is a global business events and consulting firm that provides a wide range of business services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, governments, and individuals. Trescon specializes in producing highly focused B2B events that connect businesses with opportunities through conferences, road shows, expos, demand generation, investor connect and consulting services.For further details, please contact:Jagriti JaiswalCorporate Communications,Trescon | marketing@tresconglobal.comSource: tresconCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
In Roar, there is no such thing as subtlety.

The anthology series, premiering Friday on Apple TV+, takes its eight stories from Cecelia Aherns book of short stories of the same name. In one episode, a mother (Nicole Kidman) eats photographs to relive happy memories. In another, a trophy wife (Betty Gilpin) sits on a shelf for her husband to stare at all day.

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Theres a literalization to some of the ideas, which is appealing from the visual standpoint, co-showrunner Liz Flahive, reuniting with creative partner Carly Mensch from GLOW, told the Daily News.

Especially with female stories, theres an expectation of everything being emotional or internal.

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So they leave nothing up to the imagination.

Merritt Wever stars in Roar. (Apple TV+)

In its boldness, Roar sheds the layers that its women have had to cloak themselves in to conform. A lonely wife (Meera Syal), discontent with her inattentive husband, brings him back to the store to exchange him. An ignored Black woman (Issa Rae) becomes invisible.

These are not revolutionary ideas by any means, Merritt Wever, who previously worked with Flahive and Mensch on Nurse Jackie, told The News.

[ HBO Max workplace comedy Minx finds a home at an erotic magazine for women ]

Instead, they are the same ideas women have been talking about forever, told in a new way that hopefully gets them attention.

In Wevers episode, The Woman Who Was Fed By A Duck, she plays a single woman studying for her Medical College Admission Test who, egged on by her sister, brings home a duck, voiced by Justin Kirk, that she finds at the park. Quickly, their relationship turns toxic.

Alison Bries character tries to solve her own murder. (Apple TV+)

Its quite a dark, troubling, upsetting dynamic but its given the container that has a rom-com gloss to it, the 41-year-old New York native said.

Every episode is tinged with darkness, some more than others. In The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder, Alison Bries character haunts her crime scene as two detectives, played by Chris Lowell and Hugh Dancy, ignore the evidence and write her off as a party girl because that is the only way they can see a young woman.

[ The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel goes back to square one ]

There are lessons, Brie told The News, about violence against women and incel culture and the casual misogyny that weve all become a little too comfortable with in the online world.

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But its also about just getting people, particularly men, to think about how they treat women.

In The Woman Who Found Bite Marks on Her Skin, Cynthia Erivos character rushes back to work after giving birth, juggling a newborn, a toddler and a workplace where shes already being cut out because she had the nerve to be a mother. Her fears of being torn apart by her responsibilities, and guilt about not being good enough for any of her roles, manifests physically.

Cynthia Erivos character feels physical manifestations of her guilt. (Apple TV+)

A lot of women dont get that moment when they can finally voice that thing they are feeling, finally voice how underwater they are feeling, Erivo told The News. We spend so much time swallowing how we feel and trying to manage it all.

Across eight episodes, Roar tells eight distinct stories, all tied together by a woman. Not a single woman but the idea of a woman and who shes supposed to be: a perfect wife, a perfect mother, a perfect piece of eye candy. She exists for the role she provides for others.

The wonderful thing about this series is that it takes the things weve been talking about for years and centuries and makes it visible, Erivo told The News.

The absurdity is in front of peoples eyes.
Palm Beach, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - The first-ever Crypto Polo Cup to take place in the world is now leading the charge as one of the top tech events. On April 9th, nearly one thousand people gathered in Palm Beach, FL where the worlds of Web 3.0 and polo collided to celebrate the elite players in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries.

Nikita Sachdev with winners of the Crypto Polo Cup

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The Crypto Polo Cup was hosted by Luna PR, an award-winning public relations and marketing agency that has worked with more than 600 crypto and blockchain projects globally. Based in Dubai, the agency also hosted the invite-only event as a celebration of its expansion to Miami.

Along with the high-goal polo match, dozens of industry professionals gathered for a cocktail hour, a 3-course lunch, an exclusive fashion show and ended the day with an invite-only NFT afterparty. As one of the most exclusive events during Bitcoin Miami, the guestlist included top-notch investors, media and celebrities, making the Crypto Polo Cup a highly sought-after event for sponsors and up-and-coming blockchain brands.

One of several sponsors was Oly Sport, the world's first horse racing metaverse game that allows users to earn both virtual and real land. Oly Sport is built with an esport structure, by using blockchain technology.

Guests were also welcomed with luxury cars parked in front of the event sporting a Quint logo and QR code. Quint is a boutique NFT marketplace that caters to art-lovers and collectors.

Due to the success of the Crypto Polo Cup in South Florida, Luna PR now plans to host the event several times a year across the globe, with the next one being in June of this year in Austin, TX, during the week of Consensus 2022.

"The purpose of the event is to connect people from traditional businesses and the Web 3 world, where ideas and innovation can spring to life while enjoying the common denominator of polo," says Nikita Sachdev, founder of Luna PR.

She added, "With so much success in this year's event, we want to bring this exclusive event around the world. It's game on."

About Luna PR

Nikita Sachdev founded Luna PR in 2017, which quickly became an award-winning advising, marketing, and public relations agency. It is a full-stack digital marketing agency with dozens of clients across the globe. With the use of their highly skilled team, Luna PR helps upcoming and established blockchain and crypto projects reach their full potential. To learn more about Luna PR and its services, visit its website, Twitter, & Instagram.

About Crypto Polo Cup

The Crypto Polo Cup is a first-of-its-kind event that combines the Web 3.0 revolution with the prestige of polo, bringing together the biggest names in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. The invite-only event is set to take place multiple times a year in the world's hottest crypto spots: Miami, Austin, Dubai and Singapore.

Website | Instagram | Twitter

Media Contact:

LunaPR.io

sarina@lunapr.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120336
ELKO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Lithium Corporation (OTCQB:LTUM) ("LTUM" or "the Company"), a North American company focused on energy metals for the growing energy storage sector and high-tech industries, wishes to inform shareholders that, contrary to a press release issued by unknown parties on the 12th of April and rumors circulating on social media, we have not received so much as an expression of interest from Tesla, Inc. and no employees have left Lithium Corporation to take up employment with Tesla. We would be happy to chat with Elon if he was inclined, but presently there is no relationship between the two companies.

About Lithium Corporation

Lithium Corporation is an exploration company based in Nevada devoted to the exploration for energy storage related resources throughout North America, and looking to capitalize on opportunities within the ever-expanding next generation energy storage markets. The Company has maintained a strategic alliance with Morella Corporation (the Company's single largest shareholder) for the past nine years, and has recently entered into a formal agreement with Morella with respect to an earn-in on the Company's Fish Lake Valley lithium-in-brine prospect in Esmeralda County, Nevada.

Website: www.lithiumcorporation.com

Contact Info

Tom Lewis, CEO

Lithium Corporation

775-410-5287

info@lithiumcorporation.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This current report contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of minerals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lithium Corporation (OTC-LTUM) 1031 Railroad St. Ste 102B Elko NV 89801 (775) 410-5287 www.lithiumcorporation.com

SOURCE: Lithium Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697340/Lithium-Corporation-Comments-on-Tesla-Rumor
Milford, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) -Grow Space New England, Grow Space New England is the gateway to cannabis cultivation in Massachusetts., will be participating in the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, which will take place on April 20 and April 21 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

Robert Wolf will be speaking at 12:00 PM ET on April 21st. Interested parties can register to attend here.

Members of the Grow Space New England management will also be holding one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day.

"Why head out West when you can attend the biggest cannabis event to hit the East Coast? The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will bring more than 1,000 of the top movers and shakers in the cannabis industry to your backyard," said Chief Zinger Jason Raznick. "We've kept the pedal to the metal during COVID-19 and continue to be very excited to shine the spotlight on the cannabis industry. This conference will be the best place to raise money, create partnerships, and expand media visibility for all involved."

To register and access please follow this link.

About Grow Space New England

Grow Space New England is the gateway to cannabis cultivation in Massachusetts. We find legally compliant sites, get the necessary construction permits, then construct greenhouse and outdoor grow facilities that are leased to licensed cultivators. Much more than a sale lease-back program. We add value at each step and offer investors an exceptional opportunity to leverage real estate assets without operating risks. Investment opportunities range from an entry-level crowd fund program to outright facility purchases. Speak to us now for the best opportunities this spring

About The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

The premier gathering of cannabis entrepreneurs and investors in North America is returning to Miami.

The next iteration of the famed Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will gather industry insiders and investors from around the world once again on April 20 and 21 in Miami. Attendees can expect two full days of keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking, company presentations, celebrity appearances, and more.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is guaranteed to offer participants all the benefits of an immersive and robust in-person conference from any remote location. The conference will feature an interactive forum of live and on-demand presentations from top CEOs, investors and leaders in the cannabis space.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Rob Wolf

530-768-6517

rob@growspacene.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Erica Lalos

774-287-5653

erica@growspacene.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / For most of its history, America has led the way in offering refuge to those fleeing repressive regimes. Many of these immigrant groups not only flourished in the liberty of their adopted homeland but often gave back to the world in spades.

Photo Credit: Shen Yun Performing Arts

Consider the Quakers.

They not only found a place to freely practice their faith, but they led the charge against slavery-ensuring the U.S. march toward a "more perfect union." People the world over benefited from that march and the Quakers' drive to make it happen.

Today, performing arts group, Shen Yun , has been given the same opportunity in America to share the rich culture of China, which has been almost destroyed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. And like the Quakers, Shen Yun is another U.S. success story - a hard-working immigrant group that brings the profound wisdom of authentic Chinese culture to captivate audiences the world over.

Looking Back: The Rise of Communism in China

Twenty years after rising to power, Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enacted The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in an effort to further consolidate power through cultural, political, and academic hegemony. The purpose of the "revolution" was to reaffirm communism and purge "The Four Olds": old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. In its place was a unified identity based solely on belief in the new system, the chairman, and the party.

"The understanding of China-think about the Olympics recently-is driven by one main message source, and a lot of that information is not comprehensive. It doesn't tell the whole story," says David R. Stilwell , former assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

China has an incredibly long, complex, and rich history that introduced the world to many modern ideas and practices. More than a thousand years ago, it established a merit-based civil service system that has served as the basis for modern civil service systems across the world. It is the birthplace of Confucianism, Taoism, and a major proliferate of Buddhism. And it brought us the Art of War, profound poetry, intricate and breathtaking architecture, and unparalleled subtlety through ink brush painting.

Yet the long, bloody, and chaotic period from 1966 onward saw a massive devaluation of core cultural principles, experiences, and of history itself, as well as targeted attempts to eviscerate practices deemed at odds with the national mission. Institutions of learning and arts were shut down, texts of China's rich literary canon were banned and burned, monasteries were destroyed, and works of art were smashed.

At times it grew horrifically brutal. Neighbors were incentivized to turn on neighbors. Students reported on their instructors. Championing traditional thought and culture was seen as subversive and punishable.

This practice of corralling subversion is an ongoing struggle for the CCP, and radical implementation is seen in cycles. In 1999, there was another similar crackdown under former Party Leader, Jiang Zemin. Many were dragged from their beds in the middle of the night, captured, and tortured, prompting a number of cultural champions to flee before they faced the same fate. Some found their way to the United States, found each other, and found a community.

A Classic American Success Story

Even with its own complicated history, the United States has given freedom and renewed purpose to those fleeing systematic persecution since the Pilgrims arrived in 1620. Of the few former Chinese citizens who escaped in 1999, fewer still were artists and academics, those most knowledgeable and equipped to carry forward traditions. However, these torchbearers, each with a unique and lived connection to their history, came together in Upstate New York. Determined not to let their culture die, they founded Shen Yun .

These were classical dancers, choreographers, composers, instrumentalists, painters, sculptors, and professors. They aimed to keep their cultural memory not only alive but present, seeking to shine a light on the persecution that many still face. How does a group like this accomplish such a task? By works of art unlike any found anywhere else.

Art, as it is so often called upon to do, became the spotlight shining on oppression. Shen Yun's central art form is classical Chinese dance, a comprehensive dance system with roots in imperial court dances, theatrical plays, and martial arts. Storylines on the stage are drawn from classical Chinese literature and history. Also featured is an orchestra seamlessly blending delicate Eastern instruments with the grandeur of Western symphony orchestration.

The show received global acclaim, resonating deeply with audiences with a profound sense of culture and authenticity that transcended cultural, geographical, and religious boundaries.

"You don't want to look away," says Milena Hrebacka . "I was very surprised by how deep the stories went and how they developed the characters."

Word spread quickly, attracting classically trained artists from around the world to join Shen Yun, galvanized by their story and inspired by the mission. They gained enough attention that the Chinese government tried to disrupt their performances, albeit rather crudely - slashing tires on tour buses and pressuring theaters to cancel Shen Yun. This did not deter the company, and their success and recognition only grew, soon rivaling any institution of classical Chinese dance in technical ability and cultural depth.

Inspiring Millions Worldwide

In the 10 years since Shen Yun's conception, they have become a true global phenomenon. A total of seven dance companies touring 150 cities across five continents now exist under the umbrella of Shen Yun. Academic and political leaders across the globe have seen the performance and lent their voices to its praise.

"There is a massive power in this that can embrace the world. It brings great hope." - Daniel Herman, the former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic.

"I've been a student of China for 40 years. This [performance] reminded me of why I chose that... This is the authentic treasure that Chinese civilization contains." - Dr. Arthur Waldron, professor of international relations at the University of Pennsylvania.

It's a remarkable feat, capturing "real Chinese Culture." While it may not represent the same thing to all people, it is certainly beyond the assertions of one political party.

Shen Yun's brilliance is the communication of something deeper, something that connects us all on a spiritual, intellectual, and profoundly human level. A sense of culture that isn't forced, but built by decades of commitment to freedom and truth, a collective offering of shared memory, and a selfless invitation into that experience.

Media Contact:

Denise C. Riley

979-554-1877

info@camdenmedia.net

SOURCE: Shen Yun

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697345/How-Shen-Yun-Performing-Arts-Became-a-Great-American-Story
Zaandam, the Netherlands, April 13, 2022 - Today, Ahold Delhaize held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a hybrid set-up, meaning shareholders attended both in-person and virtually. Virtual shareholders were asked to vote upfront and were offered the opportunity to ask their questions upfront or live. In-person attendees could vote either in advance or during the AGM and were offered the opportunity to ask questions during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by 81 shareholders, representing approximately 650 million shares. The meeting was webcasted live via the Ahold Delhaize website .

Shareholders adopted Ahold Delhaize's 2021 financial statements and agreed to the proposed 2021 annual dividend of 0.95 per common share for the full year. An amount of 0.43 per common share was paid as interim dividend on September 2, 2021. The remaining amount of 0.52 eurocents per common share shall be payable on April 28, 2022. Shareholders adopted all other proposals on the agenda, including the appointment of Pauline van der Meer Mohr as member of the Supervisory Board and the new remuneration policies of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board.

PwC was re-appointed as the external auditor of the Company for the financial year 2022 and KPMG was appointed for the financial year 2023.

During his speech, Ahold Delhaize CEO Frans Muller said: "I would like to reflect with you on what is happening in today's society and our company's role in it. Rooted in our local communities, Ahold Delhaize is open to everyone, and we make healthy and sustainable choices easy and affordable to all. We are a financially strong and well-managed company and we are convinced that our strategy provides us with the right way forward."

"When I look back at the past year, I want to mention the hard work of our associates. I greatly appreciate their incredible commitment. They are the face of our company, of the 19 great local brands that make Ahold Delhaize."



"When we sharpened our objectives during our Investor Day in November last year, we identified four priorities for the next four years that will determine our investment choices. These priorities are our customers, our operations, a sustainable world and our impressive brand portfolio. Further digitalization is the basis for many of these priorities and our investments. By accelerating digital innovation, we drive growth while helping customers to eat well, save time and live better."

During her speech, Ahold Delhaize CFO Natalie Knight said: "As we close 2021, we are proud of our accomplishments and are in great shape financially and operationally. I would particularly like to thank this audience for your continued engagement with us on a wide variety of topics, and we appreciate and highly value your ongoing input. I am pleased to reiterate our financial guidance for 2022. Looking to the future, I am also pleased to reaffirm the commitments we outlined in detail at our November 2021 Investor Day."

- Ends -

Cautionary notice

This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words and expressions such as shall, 2022, 2023, would, convinced, strategy, right way forward, want, next four years, will, determine, choices, priorities, further, accelerating, innovation, drive, help, continued, ongoing, guidance, looking to the future, reaffirm, commitments or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the "Company") to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company's management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Company's management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.
Highlights the importance of full scene radar emulation for ADAS and autonomous driving

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced that the Keysight Radar Scene Emulator (RSE) won the Tech.AD Europe Award 2022 in the Testing, Validation Safety category.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005820/en/

Left to Right: Sven Kopacz, Sven Leitsch, Peter Mosshammer and Aaron Newman, Keysight Technologies, accept the award at TechAD Berlin for best AV Test equipment. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Tech.AD Europe Award exclusively honors extraordinary projects in the automotive industry and celebrates exceptional solutions and innovations. The expert jury reviewed all applications and nominated the best projects. On the main stage of the Tech.AD Europe on April 4th, the winners were chosen during a live-voting session with the largest community of autonomous driving decision-makers in Europe. Keysight developed and submitted a video that was shared during the awards ceremony and viewed by the audience to make their voting decision.

Automotive companies understand how complex it is to test autonomous driving algorithms, and the safety issues at stake. Using full scene rendering that emulates near and far targets across a wide continuous field of view (FOV), Keysight's Radar Scene Emulator enables customers to rapidly test automotive radar sensors integrated in autonomous drive systems with highly complex multi-target scenes.

"We have received a lot of positive feedback from the industry for the RSE. The Tech.AD Europe Award now publicly shows how much the system is needed to get to level 3+ vehicle autonomy," said Thomas Goetzl, vice president and general manager of Keysight's Automotive Energy Solutions. "Full-scene emulation in the lab is critical to developing the robust radar sensors and algorithms needed to deploy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) capabilities."

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight's dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow's technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics markets. Keysight generated revenues of $4.9B in fiscal year 2021. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005820/en/

Contacts:

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES CONTACTS:

Geri Lynne LaCombe, Americas/Europe

+1 303 662 4748

geri_lacombe@keysight.com

Fusako Dohi, Asia

+81 42 660-2162

fusako_dohi@keysight.com
Kamloops, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Advance Lithium Corp. (TSXV: AALI) ("Advance Lithium" or "the Company") announces that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it proposes to undertake a non-brokered private placement of units (the "Units") at a price of five cents ($0.05) per Unit (the "Financing"). Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant with each warrant being exercisable to purchase one common share at a price of seven cents ($0.07) per share at any time within 24 months of the date of issuance.

The Financing will be for a maximum of $300,000 resulting in 6,000,000 Units being issued. Funds will be used to advance the Lithium project and for general corporate purposes.

The Company intends to close the private placement immediately following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of all regulatory approvals. There are no material facts or material changes relating to the Company that have not been previously disclosed.

About Advance Lithium Corp.

Advance Lithium is a junior exploration company focused on acquiring and exploring mineral properties containing precious metals, battery metals and fertilizer minerals. The company acquired a 100-per-cent interest in the Tabasquena silver mine in Zacatecas, Mexico, in 2017, and the Venaditas project, also in Zacatecas state, in April, 2018.

In addition, Advance Lithium holds a 3% NSR on strategic claims in the Liranda Corridor in Kenya, East Africa. The remaining interest is held by Shanta Gold Limited (project previously owned by Barrick Gold Corporation, for details see Advance Gold News Release dated 2020-08-26).

In March 2020, the Company moved into the lithium space with a purchase agreement to acquire 13 lithium-potassium boron prospective salars in central Mexico, which also includes rights to a patent pending proprietary lithium and potassium extraction method.

For further information, please contact:

Allan Barry Laboucan,

President and CEO

Mexico Cellular Phone: 492-238-5282

Email: allan@advancelithiumcorp.com

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120361
Highlands Ranch, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology (CSE: FAT) (OTCQB: FRRSF) (FSE: F0R0) (www.foremostlithium.com) ("Foremost" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Gravelle has agreed to be the Chair of its board of directors. Mr. Gravelle has board experience with several TSX main board and venture public mining companies, and is currently a director of Century Global Commodities Corporation and KP3993 Resources Inc. He is a retired partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he served in various leadership roles related to the mining sector including Global Mining Industry Leader. He is a Canadian CPA / CA.

Scott Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foremost Lithium commented, "We welcome Mr. Gravelle as Chair of the Board of Directors. We believe his strong financial background and extensive public company board experience will bring additional value to the Company as it continues to execute its value creation strategy."

About Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.

Foremost Lithium is an energy tech company driven to become one of the first North American Companies committed to produce high quality battery-grade lithium hydroxide domestically to fuel the electric vehicle and battery storage market. Given the importance and global focus on increasing energy decarbonization, especially when it comes to vehicles, The Company is hyper-focused in continued exploration and growth on its four (4) lithium properties, Jean Lake, Grass River, and Zoro located in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and Hidden Lake in the Northwest Territories. Foremost Lithium also holds assets in precious commodities with its Winston Gold/Silver Project in New Mexico, USA.

For further information please contact:

Scott Taylor

President and CEO

Foremost Lithium Resource &Technology Ltd.

Email: scott.taylor@foremostlithium.com

Phone: +1 (604) 330-8067

Twitter: @lithiumlane

Follow us and contact us on social media:

Twitter: @foremostlithium

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foremost-lithium-resource-technology/mycompany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForemostLithium

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Foremost within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Foremost provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to market conditions, exploration findings, results, and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Foremost's public filings under Foremost's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Foremost has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Foremost disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as lithium as result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120360
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled sharply higher on Wednesday amid concerns about possible supply shortage after China relaxed Covid restrictions and OPEC warned it would be impossible to replace supply losses from Russia. Oil prices moved higher despite data from Energy Information Administration (EIA) showing a much larger than expected jump in U.S. crude inventories in the week ended April 9. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for May ended higher by $3.65 or about 3.6% at $104.25 a barrel. Brent crude futures were up $4.25 or 4.1% at $108.89 a barrel a little while ago. Natural gas contracts for May closed stronger by $0.32 or about 4.8% at $6.997 per million btus. Data from EIA showed crude inventories increased by 9.382 million barrels last week, as against an expected increase of about 0.863 million barrels. The data showed gasoline inventories dropped by 3.649 million barrels last week and distillate stockpile dropped by 2.902 million barrels. Meanwhile, prospects for peace in Ukraine seem to fade as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue the war and U.S. President Joe Biden has called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'genocide,' a term his administration has been avoiding. Putin vowed to continue the invasion of Ukraine until 'full completion' of goals. He said that peace talks were 'at a dead end,' and Russia's military operation was going as planned. The International Energy Agency said that the full impact of sanctions and buyer aversion to Russian oil will take full effect from May onwards. The agency added that it expects Russian oil output losses to average 1.5 million bpd in April, with losses growing to close to 3 million bpd from May. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved 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.
During ECW's high-level mission - with strategic partners USAID, FCDO/UK and Theirworld - USAID announced a new $18 million contribution.

CHISINAU, Moldavia, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding on Education Cannot Wait's (ECW) US$5 million Ukraine First Emergency Response grant announced in March, ECW today announced a new, initial US$1.5 million allocation to support the education in emergencies response for the Ukraine refugee crisis in Moldova while on mission with strategic partners USAID, FCDO/UK and Theirworld. This new allocation brings ECW's total Ukraine crisis education response to US$6.5 million to date.

The new grant will be delivered in partnership with the Government of Moldova to ensure refugee children and youth can access safe and protective learning opportunities. Investments will also benefit children in the host communities.

During the high-level mission, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional US$18 million contribution to the ECW global trust fund to further support ECW education responses in crisis-impacted countries across the globe. This contribution makes the USA the third largest donor to ECW - the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises - after Germany and the UK.

With an estimated US$30 million funding gap for the emergency education response in Ukraine, ECW calls on donors and strategic partners to urgently provide additional funding to respond to the vast humanitarian crisis unfolding across the region.

According to recent reports, approximately 400,000 people have crossed the border into Moldova fleeing the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine since February. While the majority continued their journey towards other neighboring countries and Western Europe, Moldova hosts today an estimated 100,000 refugees. These include about 50,000 refugee girls and boys, of whom only 1,800 are currently enrolled in school.

"Refugee children from Ukraine have fled a brutal war and have arrived dispossessed and traumatized in Moldova. Public schools are open to refugee children, however the capacity is over-stretched and there is a need for urgent mental health and psycho-social services, sanitation, and teachers to respond to the influx of pre-school and school-aged refugee children," said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait.

The war is putting children and adolescents living in Ukraine at grave risk. Recent estimates indicate that almost 5 million refugees have fled Ukraine, with an additional 7.1 million people internally displaced. All school-age children in Ukraine have seen their education disrupted by the conflict, and according to the latest estimates, more than 900 education facilities have been destroyed or damaged in the fighting, and as many as 3.3 million school-aged children require urgent humanitarian assistance.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796594/WhatsApp_Image_2022_04_13_at_9_57_40_AM_1024x682.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg
A former NYPD officer convicted of trafficking massive quantities of date rape drugs to the U.S. was sentenced Tuesday to a decade in prison.

John Cicero spent years betraying his former law enforcement partners, enriching himself, and endangering the community by importing GBL, a date-rape drug, said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

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Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, Cicero will serve a substantial sentence in prison for his callous crimes.

(ShutterStock)

Cicero, 40, played a prominent and leadership role in the scheme to transport the dangerous liquid date-rape drug from China and methamphetamine from Mexico, the feds say. He pleaded guilty in October.

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The lifelong Westchester County resident trafficked the drug throughout Westchester County and New York City from 2017 through 2020, including in Hells Kitchen and Midtown around Penn Station.

In 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 6.6 kilos of GBL from China bound for an apartment that belonged to Ciceros parents. Ciceros phone records turned up the name of a meth supplier in Mexico, and pictures of kilos of meth on a scale, court papers show.

The ex-cop traded stolen identities to pay for luxury hotel rooms and other services on top of the drug trafficking, authorities said. Cicero was busted at the luxury Andaz Wall Street Hotel in February 2020, where he was staying under a fake name, Alexander Brandt, and storing meth and GBL in the room, the feds said.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

While he was a police officer, Cicero was accused of slamming a mans head into the ground as he lay splayed and handcuffed on a Bronx sidewalk. He pleaded guilty to the assault in 2010, and was sentenced to 400 hours of community service.

Ciceros lawyers said his conviction in the Bronx case and subsequent departure from the NYPD led him to suffer significant mental health issues, which they say are the root of his personal problems.

Mr. Cicero is an individual who lost his way in life, became addicted to prescribed opioids and later illegal drugs, suffered significant depression that went untreated following the loss of his career, and self-medicated with illegal drugs in response, said one of his lawyers, Steven Feldman.

Feldman urged White Plains Federal Judge Kenneth Karas to impose a five-year sentence and said Cicero, who has been jailed since his arrest, has never met his baby son. Also, Feldman said, Ciceros father died while he awaited the resolution of his case.

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He knew at the time that what he was doing was wrong, but acted through the clouded brain of a drug addict, the lawyer wrote.

Besides the prison term, Karas ordered Cicero to serve four years post-release supervision and pay more than $216,000 in fines.
Lochem, 13 April 2022



ForFarmers nominates Chris Deen as CEO

The supervisory board of ForFarmers N.V. nominates Chris Deen as member of the Executive Board of ForFarmers, to be appointed by the general shareholders meeting. Upon his appointment, Mr Deen will hold the position of Chief Executive Officer ('CEO'), starting as of 1 July 2022. This requires convening an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders ('EGM'), which is expected to take place in June 2022.

Chris Deen (55) is currently CEO of Aviko, one of the four largest potato processors in the world and subsidiary of cooperative Royal Cosun. He started in this position at the beginning of 2020. Despite the outbreak of the Covid-pandemic, he managed to implement his assignment to continue the successful growth strategy of Aviko by making the right decisions at the right time.



Chris Deen has a degree in business economics and information management from Amsterdam University. He also attained a postgraduate degree as chartered accountant. He started his career in 1991 as accountant at EY. He moved to Sara Lee/Douwe Egberts in 1996, where he held various positions until 2010. These included CFO of Douwe Egberts Coffee Systems in the Netherlands and General Manager of Sara Lee International Foodservice Iberia (Barcelona, Spain). Subsequently, Chris Deen joined Bakkersland, at the time the largest bakery producer in the Netherlands, where he was CFO and CEO between 2012 and 2016. Prior to joining Aviko, he was COO and Integration Director at Euroma (products based on herbs and spices).

Jan van Nieuwenhuizen, chairman of the supervisory board of ForFarmers: 'We are pleased to nominate Chris Deen as CEO. His broad and international experience in the food sector is characterised by initiating and implementing successful transformations within leading companies in quickly changing and challenging markets. He has an engaging and decisive personality. We are of the opinion that he fits well with the other members of the executive board and the executive team and that he has the skills and experience to positively influence the development of ForFarmers.'



The proposed appointment of Chris Deen relates to the current CEO, Yoram Knoop, stepping down after the AGM on 14 April coming. From 14 April until 1 July, Roeland Tjebbes will temporarily take on the CEO role next to his CFO responsibilities. As was previously announced, ForFarmers intends to disclose the outcome of the strategy update sometime after the new CEO has joined.



This press release contains information that qualifies as inside information in the sense of Article 7 paragraph 1 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Note to the editor / For additional information:

Caroline Vogelzang, Director Investor Relations and Communications

T +31

About ForFarmers N.V.

ForFarmers N.V. is an international organisation that provides complete innovative feed solutions to the, www.forfarmersgroup.eu

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to ForFarmers legal obligations in terms of capital and liquidity positions in certain specified scenarios. In addition, forward-looking statements, without limitation, may include such phrases as "intends to", "expects", "takes into account", "is aimed at ", 'plans to", "estimated" and words with a similar meaning. These statements pertain to or may affect matters in the future, such as ForFarmers future financial results, business plans and current strategies. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which may mean that there could be material differences between actual results and performance and expected future results or performances that are implicitly or explicitly included in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may result in variations on the current expectations or may contribute to the same include but are not limited to: developments in legislation, technology, jurisprudence and regulations, share price fluctuations, legal procedures, investigations by regulatory bodies, the competitive landscape and general economic conditions. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect any forward-looking statements or the actual results of ForFarmers, are discussed in the last published annual report. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only statements as of the date of this document and ForFarmers accepts no obligation or responsibility with respect to any changes made to the forward-looking statements contained in this document, regardless of whether these pertain to new information, future events or otherwise, unless ForFarmers is legally obliged to do so.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Cybin and Baroyeca Gold & Silver on their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Cybin (NEO:CYBN) announces positive results from a pharmacokinetic study of CYB004

Cybin (CYBN) has announced positive preclinical data from a pharmacokinetic study of its proprietary deuterated dimethyltryptamine (DMT) molecule, CYB004. When inhaled CYB004 demonstrated significant advantages over both IV DMT and inhaled DMT, including a longer duration of action, and improved bioavailability. CEO Doug Drysdale sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Doug Drysdale and to learn more about Cybin's news, click here.

Baroyeca Gold & Silver (TSXV:BGS) provides an update on exploration at the Atocha and Santa Barbara projects

Baroyeca (BGS) has provided an update on exploration work at the flagship Atocha project and upgrades at the Santa Barbara Project. Baroyeca has finished the phase 1 drilling campaign at Atocha and is now resuming ground exploration activities. Baroyeca President Raul Sanabria sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the updates.

For the full interview with Raul Sanabria and to learn more about Baroyeca's news, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

Brianna Anthony

brianna.anthony@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697364/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-with-Cybin-and-Baroyeca-Gold-Silver


NEW BRUNSWICK (dpa-AFX) - An appeals court in California has upheld a lower court ruling that Johnson & Johnson is liable to pay penalties to the state for wrongly marketing pelvic mesh implants for women.



In 2020, the company had appealed against the ruling of superior court judge Eddie Sturgeon who assessed $344 million in penalties against J&J's subsidiary, Ethicon. Following a non-jury trial, the judge arrived at the conclusion that the company had made many misleading and possibly harmful statements in several advertisements and instructional brochures over the past two decades.



California's fourth district court of appeals issued a ruling on Monday that $42 million as penalties for the company's sales pitches to doctors were not needed as there is no evidence of what the sales representatives actually did. As a result, the court reduced the amount to $302 million.



However, the appeals court said Sturgeon had got sufficient evidence that Ethicon knowingly deceived both physicians and patients about the risks posed by its products.



Commenting on the developments, Ryan Carbain, a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson, said that the company would appeal against the ruling to the state supreme court. He said, 'Ethicon responsibly communicated the risks and benefits of its trans-vaginal mesh products to doctors and patients and in full compliance with US Food and Drug Administration or FDA laws.'



In the court ruling ordering the penalties, the judge said, 'The instructions for use in all the company's pelvic mesh implant packages falsified or omitted the full range, severity, duration, and cause of complications associated with Ethicon's pelvic mesh products, as well as the potential irreversibility and catastrophic consequences.'



The court also said that the fines are not excessive, as 'the court found that Johnson & Johnson had a net worth of more than $70.4 billion.'



Many women across the US have sued the company, alleging that the mesh caused severe pain, bleeding, infections, discomfort during intercourse and that it should be removed through surgery.



The condition is estimated to affect 3-17 percent of women and it sometimes becomes severe after age 70.



Pelvic mesh is surgically inserted to treat conditions like stress-related urinary incontinence, bladder leakage and organ prolapse.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

JOHNSON & JOHNSON-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
RICHMOND, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX:HBP) ("Helix" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immuno-oncology, based on its proprietary technological platform DOS47, is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") to extend its previously announced Early Warrant Exercise Incentive Program (the "Incentive Program") from April 28, 2022 to May 31, 2022. The Incentive Program is a period during which holders of the Company's eligible common share purchase warrants ("Eligible Warrants") may take advantage of a temporary reduction in the exercise price of the Eligible Warrants to a price of C$0.26 ("Incentive Exercise Price") and is more fully detailed in the Company's March 11, 2022 news release. The extension of the Incentive Program is subject to final approval of the TSX.

Eligible Warrants are those warrants that are not held by insiders of the Company or non-arm's length parties, including all such warrants previously referenced in the Company's March 11, 2022 news release. The Eligible Warrants include an aggregate of 49,806,469 warrants that if exercised at the Incentive Exercise Price will result in the Company receiving gross proceeds of up to $12,949,682. There can be no assurances as to the number of Eligible Warrants that will be exercised under the Incentive Program.

In connection with the extension of the Incentive Program, the Company also announces that it is further extending the exercise period of a total of 4,683,500 warrants (the "Extended Warrants"), all of which are held by arm's length parties, until May 31, 2022 (the "Warrant Extension"). The Extended Warrants were issued pursuant to private placements of the Company that closed in April 2015, have a current exercise price of $1.54 (prior to the contemplated adjustment pursuant to the Incentive Program), have a current expiry date of April 28, 2022, and represent approximately 3.16% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. The expiry date of the Extended Warrants is being extended in order to provide the holders of such warrants with the opportunity to exercise their Extended Warrants pursuant to the terms of the Incentive Program. Final approval of the Warrant Extension is subject to the final approval of the TSX.

Interested holders of Eligible Warrants that wish to take advantage of the Incentive Exercise Price are encouraged to contact the Company or Anne Mitchell at Grove Issuer Services Inc. for assistance: helixbiopharma@grovecorp.ca or (+)1 647 249 7660.

Private Placement

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has received a binding subscription for the purchase of 7,700,000 additional common shares of the Company from Mr. Jerzy Wilczewski ("Mr. Wilczewski"), an insider of the Company, on a private placement basis at a price of $0.26 per share for gross proceeds of $2,002,000. The Company expects to close such subscription by the end of April 2022 and may close additional tranches for common shares prior to or following such date. Additional details relating to this subscription will be set out in the closing press release of the Company.

About Helix BioPharma Corp.

Helix BioPharma Corp. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immune-oncology for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on our proprietary technological platform DOS47. Helix is listed on the TSX under the symbol "HBP".

For more information, please contact:

Helix BioPharma Corp.

9120 Leslie Street, Suite 205

Richmond Hill, Ontario,L4B 3J9

Tel: 905-841-2300 x 233

Frank Michalargias, Chief Financial Officer

ir@helixbiopharma.com

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.Forward-looking statements are statements and information that are not historical facts but instead include financial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to the Company's future business, operations, research and development, including the Company's activities relating to DOS47, and statements regarding the potential amount of funds received from the exercise of any Eligible Warrants and the timing of the closing of the subscription received from Mr. Wilczewski and any additional private placement subscriptions. Forward-looking statements can further be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "ongoing", "estimates", "expects", or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results, or that events or conditions "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved, or comparable terminology referring to future events or results.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are also uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward- looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements, including financial outlooks, are intended to provide information about management's current plans and expectations regarding future operations, including without limitation, future financing requirements, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Certain material factors, estimates or assumptions have been applied in making forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, the use of proceeds of the private placement, the timing and expected amount of proceeds to be received in connection with the Incentive Program, and receipt of final TSX approval of the extension of the Incentive Program and the Warrant Extension.

The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation; the risk that the Company's assumptions may prove to be incorrect; the risk that additional financing may not be obtainable in a timely manner, or at all, and that clinical trials may not commence or complete within anticipated timelines or the anticipated budget or may fail; third party suppliers of necessary services or of drug product and other materials may fail to perform or be unwilling or unable to supply the Company, which could cause delay or cancellation of the Company's research and development activities; necessary regulatory approvals may not be granted or may be withdrawn; the Company may not be able to secure necessary strategic partner support; general economic conditions, intellectual property and insurance risks; changes in business strategy or plans; and other risks and uncertainties referred to elsewhere in this news release, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or the Company's anticipated future results. Certain of these risks and uncertainties, and others affecting the Company, are more fully described in the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis for the year ended July 31, 2021 under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and Helix's Annual Information Form, in particular under the headings "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and other reports filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions, opinions and expectations of Helix's management on the date of this new release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Helix BioPharma Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/697378/HelixBiopharmaCorpAnnounces-Extension-of-Early-Warrant-Exercise-Incentive-Program-and-Receipt-of-Private-Placement-Subscription
Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Harfang Exploration Inc. (TSXV: HAR) ("Harfang") and LaSalle Exploration Corp. (TSXV: LSX) ("Lasalle") are pleased to announce that they have completed their previously announced merger by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which Harfang has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of LaSalle (the "LaSalle Shares") on the basis of 0.1813 common share of Harfang (on a post-consolidation basis) (the "Harfang Shares") for each LaSalle Share. Harfang also announces that it has implemented the previously announced consolidation of its common shares on a 2.1554 for 1 basis (the "Consolidation") following the approval of such Consolidation by the board of directors of Harfang as shareholder approval of same was not required under Harfang's governing corporate law. Following the completion of the Consolidation, the new CUSIP number for the Harfang Shares is 412379208. The transactions contemplated herein are expected to be effective at the opening of trading on the TSX Venture Exchange or around April 19, 2022.





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This transaction consolidates the contiguous gold exploration assets of Lasalle's Radisson and Harfang's Serpent properties, James Bay Region, Quebec, both of which will benefit from operational efficiency, synergies and a combined exploration strategy as the projects advance, along with an extensive portfolio of highly prospective exploration projects in Quebec and Ontario.

Transaction Highlights

The transaction offers several positive direct benefits to the shareholders of Harfang and LaSalle, including, the following:

Highly qualified board and management team with a track record of success;

Approximately $10M in the treasury along with strong support from major Quebec Institutional Funds;

Improved exploration focus on the district-scale gold corridor found on the consolidated Serpent / Radisson property that covers a total surface area of 508.4 km 2 in the James Bay district;

in the James Bay district; An extensive portfolio of highly prospective exploration properties including Egan, Menarik, Menarik East, Lake Aulneau and Blakelock among others that offer significant potential to unlock shareholder value;

Solid platform for further consolidation and growth opportunities.

Ian Campbell, incoming President and CEO of Harfang, commented, "I am very excited about leading the team as we begin this new chapter of Harfang. We are uniquely positioned as a value focused explorer based on the wide range of skillsets and depth of talent that both management and the Board bring to the table. I look forward to reporting on our progress as we advance on multiple fronts on our existing portfolio and continue to establish ourselves as a premier growth vehicle. On behalf of Harfang, I wish to recognize the valuable contributions of management and board members of both LaSalle and Harfang not continuing on with us, all of whom have played an important role in achieving this platform and wish them every success going forward."

Release of Proceeds of Subscription Receipts Financing

Upon closing of the Arrangement, the total gross proceeds arising from the previously announced $4.25 million private placement of subscription receipts conducted by Harfang were released from escrow and each subscription receipt of Harfang automatically converted into one (1) Harfang Share resulting in the issuance of 7,727,271 Harfang Shares. In addition, in connection with the closing of the Arrangement and as previously announced, Harfang has subscribed for 1,250,000 common shares of Monarch Mining Corporation, at a price of $0.60 per share, for a total amount of $750,000.

Board and Management

The Arrangement brings together a highly experienced team of mining industry professionals with the Board of directors, now composed of:

Jean-Pierre Janson as Chairman (current Chairman of Midland Exploration)





Andre Gaumond (former President of Virginia Mines)





Daniel Innes (founder and original CEO, Lake Shore Gold Corp.)





Ian Campbell (President and CEO of LaSalle)





Sylvie Prud'homme (former Manager, Investor Relations at Osisko Mining Corporation)





Karen Rees (former VP Exploration and Corporate Secretary at Temex Resources Corp.)





Vincent Dube-Bourgeois (CEO of GoldSpot Discoveries Corp.)

In addition, the previously announced resignation of Francois Goulet as President and Chief Executive Officer of Harfang became effective and Ian Campbell was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Harfang and Ron Stewart was appointed as Vice President, Corporate Development of Harfang. Francois Huot remains Vice President Exploration and Yvon Robert remains as Chief Financial Officer.

LaSalle Delisting

With the closing of the Arrangement, Harfang will have LaSalle delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange and LaSalle will request the appropriate securities regulatory authorities to revoke its reporting issuer status and terminate its reporting obligations.

All the details of the Arrangement (including the Consolidation and the private placement of subscription receipts) are contained in the proxy circular of LaSalle which can be found in the SEDAR issuer profile for LaSalle, at www.sedar.com.

Qualified Person

Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved on behalf of Harfang by Francois Huot, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Harfang, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Harfang Exploration Inc.

Harfang is a mining exploration company whose primary mission is to focus on underexplored gold districts in the province of Quebec and Ontario. Harfang's development model includes the generation of new exploration projects and the establishment of partnerships with major exploration and mining companies to advance its exploration projects. Harfang trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "HAR". Harfang and its wholly owned subsidiary will continue to actively explore the Radisson property in the developing Eeyou Itschee-James Bay region in Quebec as well as the Egan and Blakelock high-grade gold properties located in northeastern Ontario.

For further information please contact:

Harfang Exploration Inc.

Ian Campbell, President & CEO

Telephone: (647) 680-3820

Email: info@harfangexploration.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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated benefits of the Arrangement, the Serpent and Radisson properties (the "Projects"), including anticipated operational synergies between the properties, are forward-looking statements. Although Harfang and LaSalle (the "Companies") believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Companies can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Companies' periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators; the estimated costs associated with the advancement of the Projects; and the Companies' ability to achieve the synergies expected as a result of the Arrangement. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companies' expectations include risks associated with the business of Harfang and LaSalle; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Harfang and LaSalle; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Projects; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the impact of COVID-19 on the Companies' business; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Harfang and LaSalle's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Neither Harfang nor LaSalle undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120375
Wilmington, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - EvonSys is seeking investors, using investment crowdfunding platform WeFunder. Their goal is to allow EvonSys to reach its full potential using raised capital.

EvonSys is a revolutionary low-code services provider focused on developing application solutions to customers that present the public with beautiful, responsive user interfaces while utilizing automation to streamline company operations and productivity. Their approach to application development allows for increased efficiency- and ultimately, revenue.

As an established and profitable company, EvonSys' massive clients include global banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies, differentiating it from newer and higher-risk companies.

With a 16.1% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), EvonSys is poised to continue disrupting the massive digital transformation industry (presently valued at $3.6 trillion).

In 2021, EvonSys was the winner of Pega's Delivery Excellence Award, a prestigious award referred to as the Nobel Prize of the software development industry. At the time of the award, Chief Operating Officer Nish Fonseka was quoted as saying, "EvonSys' culture of continuous innovation and thought leadership brings immense value to its customers. Our comprehensive methodology integrates Pega Express and our in-house accelerators in providing fast and seamless Pega Delivery."

For those outside of the tech sector unfamiliar with low-code services, the approach to software development dates back to 2011. It is a faster and more efficient method of developing applications and other forms of software that is highly visual. This means that it allows for greater understanding and collaboration in a manner that is not easily achieved with advanced coding.

The efficiency of this method of development cannot be understated. Leading tech research and consulting firm Gartner estimates that "by 2024, low-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity."

With low-code development, the process of turning ideas into usable, accessible applications and software is greatly streamlined. It eliminates the communication breakdown that often occurs between coding professionals, clients, and stakeholders, allowing for better applications and software that can be completed and available for rollout much more quickly than traditional methods.

EvonSys has anticipated the increasing demand for low-code development and continues to adapt to the ever-shifting needs of customers and businesses, while staying ahead of technological advances in the field.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for digital transformation was growing at a slow rate. Roughly 24% of organizations worldwide reportedly had the capabilities for digital transformation within their companies. The pandemic greatly increased the urgency of digital transformation, skyrocketing the number of companies seeking and implementing digital transformation to well over 60%.

EvonSys is a company with a finger on the pulse of technological advances, connecting clients with methodologies that will increase productivity and allow services to reach customers much more quickly while adapting to their specific needs.

To become an investor, visit Evonsys' WeFunder page. To learn more about EvonSys, visit their website, reach out to info@evonsys.com, or call one of their five global locations: United States tel: 8443866797| India tel: +914048521482 | Sri Lanka tel: +94112822369 | Australia tel: +610299591063 | Netherlands tel: + 3100707999941

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120366
Nabsys, a Providence, R.I.-based electronic whole-genome mapping company, closed a $25m funding round.

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation made the investment, which also provides for an additional $13m upon achieving certain milestones.

The company intends to use the funds to complete development and commercialization of the second-generation of its High-Definition Mapping (HDM) platform. increase headcount in R&D, manufacturing, and global commercial operations.

Led by Barrett Bready, M.D., founder, and CEO, Nabsys is the pioneer in high-definition electronic genome mapping. By employing electronic detection, HD-Mapping can offer cost-effective hardware and consumables while delivering high-resolution single-molecule measurements. The platform makes long-range structural information accessible to every laboratory.

FinSMEs

13/04/2022
Payaut, an Amsterdam, Netherlands-based automated payment solution for online platforms and marketplaces, raised 8m in seed funding.

The round was led by Gradient Ventures, Googles AI-focused venture fund, with participation from existing investors LocalGlobal and Entree Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its operations across Europe with the roll out of its new multi-currency platform, which will enable customers to accept payments in currencies including USD, GBP, JPY and AUD.

founded in late 2019 by Ernst van Niekerk, Payaut is a fintech company that offers an automatic payment solution for online platforms and marketplaces. With the system, these online marketplaces can seamlessly pay their sellers and ensure compliance with PSD2 legislation while having flexibility on which payment provider(s) they use. It also provides automated solutions such as reconciliation, balance management, invoicing, seller verification through KYC checks, and split payments.

By expanding beyond EUR payments, the company will also be positioned to enter markets outside of Europe. Payaut plans to begin its expansion drive by increasing its presence in Germany, Southern Europe and the Nordics.

FinSMEs

13/04/2022
Surance.io, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based InsurTech startup, closed a usd4m Series A funding round.

Tech Mahindra acquired 25% equity of the startup with an option to invest in additional 20%.

The investment will support the global expansion of the company.

Led by Eyal Paltin, CEO, Surance.io offers a preventive cyber-safety insurance policy, which features 24/7 AI & human response in case of attack. The app provides users with ad hoc services such as security plans, safety alerts, 3-tier support for claim management and 24/7 AI & human support. The app may also include loyalty programs and incentives to encourage users for a safe cyber behaviour.

Surance.io offers a white labelled full stack solution allowing insurer carriers, telcos, and other partners to launch a product of cyber protection service backed by insurance within few weeks. By adding this innovative product to their portfolio, partners gain improve in customer retention, increase customer cross-buying intentions, enhance trust and affective commitment resulting in higher renewal rates.

FinSMEs

13/04/2022
Gunshot erupted across Brooklyn and the Bronx Tuesday night, leaving a man and woman dead and at least 13 other people wounded over a bloody six-hour span, police and sources said.

The violence comes on the same day a gas-mask wearing gunman shot 10 people in a subway in Sunset Park.

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The shootings spree began just before 4:30 p.m. on Gates Ave. near Marcy Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where a 43-year-old man was shot in the lower back, a 41-year-old man was grazed in the right arm, and a 26-year-old man was hit in the left leg, cops said. All three are expected to recover.

Just after 7 p.m., a 15-year-old girl was shot in the left leg on Laconia Ave. and E. 226th St. in the Edenwald section of the Bronx. Its not clear if the girl, who was in stable condition at Jacobi Hospital, was the intended target, cops said.

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A few minutes later, a 41-year-old man was shot in the leg on Etna St. by Nichols Ave. in Cypress Hills, in Brooklyn.

The first fatal shooting of the night happened around 7:40 p.m. near the intersection of E. 180th St. and Mohegan Ave. in Crotona, where three assailants fired off 10 rounds at three victims before fleeing, a police source said.

NYPD investigate the scene on Mohegan Ave. where a male was fatally shot on April 12, 2022. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

A 22-year-old man  the intended target of the attack, according to a police source  was hit several times. The victim was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Medical Center.

The other two victims wounded in the attack were a 47-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the right leg and a 21-year-old man with a wound to the left leg. Both were in stable condition at St. Barnabas, police said.

Police made no immediate arrests; an investigation was underway.

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At 8:20 p.m., another man was shot and wounded on E. 86th St. and Flatlands Ave. in Brooklyn.

Police secure the scene on Laconia Ave. at E. 225th street where a person was shot Tuesday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

And roughly 20 minutes later, the Bronx saw its second slaying of the night: a 23-year-old woman sitting in a parked car who was shot in the head at Sheridan Ave. and McClellan St. in Concourse.

Medics rushed her to Lincoln Hospital, but she couldnt be saved. Police were still trying to sort out if she was the killers intended target.

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The violence in the Bronx continued at 9:50 p.m., when 47-year-old man was shot in the head on Cruger Ave. by Burke Ave. in Williamsbridge. Medics took him to Jacobi Hospital in critical condition.

And less than 20 minutes later, a group of gunmen walked up to three men and a woman on Olinville Ave. near Boston Road in Allerton, police sources said.

Three gunmen opened fire, hitting a 21-year-old man in the head, a 33-year-old woman in the arm, a 23-year-old man in the leg and a 22-year-old man in the back, sources said. The 21-year-old victims was in critical condition, cops said.

So far this year, the city has seen an 8% increase in shootings and a 9% increase in shooting victims, with 363 people shot in 322 incidents as of Sunday. That compares with the 332 people shot in 297 incidents during the same timeframe last year.
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Frank R. James is walked from the 9th Pct. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Manhattan, New York. James was arrested after the NYPD received a tip after he was spotted on First Ave. near St. Marks Place. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News)

New Yorkers have places to be  even when a crazed gunman is on the loose.

The citys subway system lurched back to life Wednesday morning, a day after a bloody attack on an N train near the 36th St. station in Brooklyn left 10 people with gunshot wounds and another 13 injured.

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Thats my neighborhood. Its really hard because you have to get out every day to go work, said Damares Batista, 48, who regularly commutes along the same line as the shooting. I just feel scared, a little scared. I see people on the train today, they always on their phone but nobody was on the phone today, everyone looking at each other.

The accused attacker, Frank James, was taken into custody in the afternoon and charged with strapping on a gas mask, releasing smoke canisters and firing 33 shots in the train car, police said.

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But before the city breathed a sigh of relief, plucky straphangers said they wouldnt be deterred from their daily routines  in many cases because they have no other way to get around.

Pedestrians pass the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. (John Minchillo/AP)

Im just moving on, said Terry Williams, 37, a regular subway rider who commutes through the Franklin Ave. station in Crown Heights. Its f---d up, people got their own problems, but we just have to keep going.

Frank James (YouTube)

Like a majority of New York City commuters, postal worker Junior Drincivil said he relies on the subways to get to work.

Drincivil, 33, takes the R train every day to 86th St. in Bay Ridge from the 36th St. station that on Tuesday morning looked more like a war zone than a mass transit hub.

Police continued to hunt Wednesday for the gunman who opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, an attack that left multiple people shot and once again interrupted New York City's long journey to post-pandemic normalcy. (John Minchillo/AP)

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You gotta go to work, you got a family to feed, said Drincivil. For the commuters that rely on public transportation, you dont really have a choice if you dont have your own vehicle.

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Authorities said the suspect boarded the train with an assortment of luggage filled with fireworks, smoke bombs, gasoline and a hatchet. A Glock 9-mm. pistol was recovered at the scene.

Lonya Nash, 34, who commutes into the city for school from Suffolk County, said the shooting didnt stop her from taking the trains  but noted she was a bit more alert the day after the attack.

I have a car, but since parking is so limited everywhere you go, its kind of wasteful, said Nash. Its unnerving because Im alone, so Im always by myself, I work late nights. Its unnerving that someone can go down into the subway with so much stuff.

Aniket Soni, 24, a student at Pace University who also commutes out of the 36th St. station, said he is confident the city will heal from the horrifying shooting.

Its terrifying, but we cant stop taking the subways, he said. New Yorkers are stronger together, we will move past this. They say time heals everything. It will.
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Two NYPD officers who drove their police SUVs into a crowd of protesters during a demonstration following George Floyds death should be punished for their actions, the departments watchdog has ruled.

The Civilian Complaint Review Board recommended the police commissioner bring disciplinary charges against officers Daniel Alvarez and Andrey Samusev over the caught-on-video May 30, 2020 incident in which cops accelerated their SUVs into a group of people who had surrounded them.

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The incident of the police vehicles suddenly surging forward into the crowd, knocking people down was caught on camera. (Obtained by Daily News)

Police say the CCRBs recommendation is under review.

I think its a travesty that theyre talking about Should we take away their vacation days. They should be rotting in prison, said Aaron Ross, a protester who was rammed by one of the vehicles.

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Ross says he suffered herniated discs and trauma to his spine. He filed a Civilian Complaint Review Board complaint in June 2020 and heard this week that the case was substantiated, which means the board believes there is sufficient credible evidence to believe that the officers committed the alleged act without legal justification.

Ross was among a crowd of protesters on the streets in Prospect Heights that day when two police SUVs suddenly surged forward into the crowd, knocking people down and sending others screaming and fleeing in an incident caught on video. It was not clear if Samusev and Alvarez were in the same vehicle or not.

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Before the vehicles drove into the group, video shows some protesters hurling water bottles and trash bags at a cop car. Another NYPD SUV pulled up, and then both drove into the crowd, the video shows.

What the police did is a terrorist attack. If any civilian got in their car and drove or accelerated into a crowd of people, theyd be charged with terrorism, said Ross, who also has a pending lawsuit in Brooklyn over the incident.

Aaron Ross (Courtesy of Aaron Ross)

The CCRB found that Samusev struck four people  including Ross  with his NYPD vehicle, while Alvarez had charges substantiated against him for striking one individual, according to a document obtained by the Daily News.

Another cop, Arthur Roldan, was found to have damaged an individuals property and threatened someone with use of force, though its not clear how he was involved in the incident.

Samusev and Alvarezs will go to the police trial room, where an NYPD judge will preside over the CCRBs case against the officers. If an NYPD judge finds the officers violated police procedures or other rules, their punishment will ultimately be decided by the police commissioner.

In March, the CCRB announced it had substantiated misconduct allegations against 104 NYPD officers stemming form complaints filed relating the George Floyd protests.

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The CCRB declined to comment on the case. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Many local residents know Georg Cleverley as a patrol lieutenant with the Gatesville Police Department, but before she served the community in blue, she wore U.S. Army green and camo in 25 years of military service.

Originally from Virginia, Cleverley's service has taken her around the world, including stops in Germany and South Korea.

"When I finished school in the mid-1970s, there weren't a lot of opportunities for lower middle class girls right out of high school," she said. "I had been accepted to college but there weren't many scholarships available. I knew the G.I. Bill would pay for my college, so I joined the military. I wanted to see the world and do something different."

Because the Army had a limit on the number of females it would admit at any one time, Cleverley said she had to delay her entry into the military for five months.

"After three years (in the service), I decided to stay and ended up in the Army for 25 years," she said. "I retired in 2001 as a sergeant major and decided to go into law enforcement."

Cleverley said she originally wanted to be a military police officer, but was considered to be too short and did not weigh enough according to the Army's standards at the time.

Instead, she joined the signal corps. During her service, the Women's Army Corps was blended into the regular Army.

"My first duty station was at West Fort Hood," Cleverley said. "Then I went to Korea and was promoted to sergeant. I learned a lot over there, including how lucky I was to be an American citizen. It really opened my eyes."

Cleverley was later stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina for three years, and also served as the only female instructor at the U.S. Army Academy.

She was stationed in West Germany in the early 1980s and later served nine years at Fort Hood, including during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, when Iraq invaded Kuwait and President George H.W. Bush helped lead an international coalition to oust Iraqi troops from that nation.

"My unit was attached to the 82nd Airborne," Cleverley said. "We went with the first wave and did very well. We were over there for about a year."

After the coalition repelled Iraq from Kuwait, Cleverley went back to Germany where she served as a first sergeant.

She said that wherever she was stationed, she was the highest-ranking female. Early in her career, she was passed over for a promotion because those in authority did not expect her to stay in the Army. When it was clear she planned to stay in the Army long-term, she earned promotion after promotion.

"I enjoyed my time in the military," Cleverley said. "When it was time to get out, I remembered that I had wanted to be a police officer. I went to police academy and ended up here (in Gatesville). This department gave me an opportunity."
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Local officials are considering how to spend a $1 million windfall, targeted specifically for the unhoused in Benton County, on staffing a homeless response office.

Oregon House Bill 4123, which took effect March 23, delivers eight individual $1 million grants to areas around the state for addressing homelessness. Benton County, in collaboration with the city of Corvallis, is among the recipients of the funding.

Im doing some research on what are the best organizational structures for a coordinated response office, Julie Arena told the Benton County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, April 12. Arena is the program coordinator for the Home, Opportunity, Planning, and Equity Board, a city-county joint advisory board known as HOPE.

The money is designated for program establishment, staffing and outreach over the course of two years. Arena said her research includes looking at current operations at the Joint Office of Homeless Services in Portland and other programs. Shes also networking with a long list of agencies and organizations on the topic of homelessness.

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Its not yet clear exactly how the money will be used locally. In an email, Arena said no decisions have been made regarding the type or number of staff for the work in question. She said the process of researching potential models for the community is ongoing.

"My understanding is we got the funding because we were ready and had a plan," Benton County commissioner Pat Malone said during the meeting.

Oregons homelessness rate is one of the highest in the nation, with an estimated 15,876 people who are unhoused on any given night, according to information included in a state legislature staff report. Thats an average of 37.9 per 10,000 people in the general population.

The number of the unsheltered statewide increased by 37% since 2015, according to Oregon Housing and Community Services, and a 2019 statewide study found a shortfall of 5,800 emergency shelter beds.

HB 4123 directs the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to provide the grants to create a coordinated homeless response system. Aside from Benton County, the money will go to Coos, Deschutes, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook and Umatilla counties and the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council.

The bill requires each grantee to adopt a five-year strategic plan for sustainable funding and coordination of services, and also to report to the Oregon Housing Stability Council and the Legislative Assembly by Nov. 15, 2023, and Sept. 15, 2024.

Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter via @News_Mann_.

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An Albany man died Monday, April 11 while in custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

According to a news release from the DOC, Phillip Charles Wagner, 65, died while on hospice care. He was incarcerated at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario. He entered custody April 16, 2015, from Linn County and had an earliest release date of May 31, 2039.

According to Oregons online court database, Wagner was convicted of first-degree sodomy and third-degree rape. Court documents say one victim was under the age of 12 and the other was under the age of 16 at the time of the crimes.

The DOC notified Oregon State Police of the death, as is department protocol.

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Bronx stray bullet victim Angellyh Yambo was dressed in her Sweet 16 gown and tiara in a pristine white casket Monday as shattered family and friends gathered to pay their respects and grieve her senseless death.

The teen  cut down by a 17-year-old gunman wielding a ghost gun Friday afternoon  cast a tragic figure in bright pink, with pink eyeshadow, shiny nails and a flowery tiara. She clutched a white rose, and a butterfly decal adorned the back of the casket.

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Angellyh Yambo in a photo from her Sweet 16 birthday. (Obtained by Daily News)

Tears flowed at the Williams Funeral Home in Kingsbridge as the slain teens mom greeted mourners, accepting hugs. She occasionally bent over her daughters casket, rubbing the teens hands and leaning in close, as if she was speaking to her.

Im a parent myself, and its not supposed to be the parents burying their child. Its the other way around, said mourner Hector Torres, 45, wiping his eyes as he left the funeral home.

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The prayer card for the wake of Angellyh Yambo, 16. (Obtained by Daily News)

Torres doesnt live far from the building where Angellyhs father worked for years as a doorman.

Occasionally, the proud dad would bring her with him to work, and take her to trick-or-treat on Halloween.

Angellyh was full of energy, young, beautiful, he recalled. What kids are supposed to be.

Her accused killer, Jeremiah Ryan, 17, was wielding a build-it-yourself ghost gun when he fired a half-dozen bullets a half-block away, near University Heights High Schools South Bronx Campus, police said. Angellyh was fatally struck; two other teens were wounded.

Ryan is charged with murder and is being held without bail.

It hurts. They could bring him to justice, they could give him life, they could give him capital punishment. But its not going to bring the kid back, Torres said.

Flower arrangements from friends and community groups lined the room, some shaped like hearts and butterflies. A TV screen flashed photos of Angellyh  including baby pictures and an image of her at her January Sweet 16 party, wearing the same pink, sparkling dress.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Several relatives wore shirts emblazoned with her Sweet 16 photo, and a heart on the back with words reading, Angie you are forever in our hearts.

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Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark briefly joined the mourners, offering condolences to Angellyhs family.

Beautiful family. Her two grandmothers live in the building. Beautiful children, A-student. Never hung in the hallways, nothing, neighbor Phellissia Adams, 71, said as she left the funeral home.

I remember when she was a baby, with the grandmother. I love both grandmothers. Her parents are beautiful people.

Adams said she was shocked to learn the teenage gunman was using a ghost gun, which are made by local gun dealers who fabricate some parts with 3D printers, and order the parts they cant make from online vendors.

Unbelievable. They should do away with ghost guns. Im going to the mayors office. They gotta do something about ghost guns, she said. Im at a loss for words.

Angellyh will be laid to rest Wednesday in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
President Joe Biden warned China that if it helps Russia in its savagery against Ukraine, the U.S. might apply sanctions to Chinese products. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman expanded on that thought: Sanctions imposed on Russia should give President Xi Jinping "a pretty good understanding of what might come his way should he, in fact, support (Vladimir) Putin in any material fashion."

Then there is the American consumer whose closets and toy boxes bulge with stuff from China. This may be the most powerful voice as mass disgust over Putin's war crimes sticks to countries that defend him, much less weaken efforts to squeeze Russia's economy.

Over the weekend, yours truly was rustling through the clothing racks when her heart quickened at the sight of a turquoise blouse selling at a freakishly low price. She can report that the "made in China" label quickly extinguished any shopper's lust.

Bill Browder, the former hedge fund manager in Russia who fought corruption and remains a Putin target, speaks of the high moral cost now attached to Chinese products. "China has been very clear that it's not going to join the rest of the world in challenging or punishing Putin for what he's doing," he said. "I think that China has to be careful."

Browder thinks our consumers may start boycotting Chinese products  even before the U.S. government installs any official sanctions. And it's not just things from China.

The owner of Uniqlo, a Japanese fast fashion chain, originally refused to leave Russia as other retailers had. A consumer backlash quickly forced Uniqlo to reconsider. It has since changed course and pulled out of Russia.

The Chinese telecom giant Huawei is now closing its office in Russia, as have other IT companies before it. Russia was a big and growing market for Huawei, but the risks of doing business there, including the prospect of additional sanctions, caused a turnaround.

Early in February, Xi and Putin joined forces at the Beijing Olympics to declare their alliance and enmity toward nonauthoritarian governments supporting freedom of thought. Even now, China is submerging its people in Russian lies  among them, denials that Russians are viciously attacking civilians in Ukraine. Such reports are hoaxes created by the West, says official Chinese media.

China's softening economy and shutdowns over new COVID-19 outbreaks have also rattled the leadership, raising speculation that China would turn its focus on helping Russia out of its economic isolation. For example, as Europeans try to cut their consumption of Russian oil and natural gas, talk grows that China could replace that market. (Europe now spends $1 billion a day for Russian oil and gas.)

And China could fill in Russia's loss of access to Western financial infrastructure and technology. But China's financial systems can't nearly match the Western ones for size. China is certainly behind Europe in internet services. In any event, if China sells it to Russia, its companies face secondary sanctions or consumer boycotts, witness the decision of Huawei to close offices.

Western private equity companies have been getting cold feet about investments in China, according to Bloomberg. Some of it is Xi's crackdowns on the private sector. Some of it is travel restrictions in China. But a lot of it is political disquiet over China's soulless alliance with the cruel leadership in Moscow.

Behind all these flashing red lights stands the mighty and mightily pissed American consumer. If Browder is right, U.S. shoppers may now already be on the case. To which we might add that even before the Russian aggression, American companies were trying to replace Chinese supply chains snarled by the pandemic.

China has to choose: Russia or us. The better bet seems clearer all the time.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com.

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Janesville greenhouse would house 'biggest' indoor strawberry grow in Midwest, if not whole US

JANESVILLE

A proposed greenhouse operation on Janesvilles south side would likely be the biggest indoor hydroponic strawberry farm in the Midwest, if not the entire continental U.S., its prospective developer told The Gazette on Tuesday.

The proposed greenhouse operation would be a massive glass box that could cover 1.57 million square feetabout 36 acresin whats now part of a pheasant farm at highways 11 and 51.

Image courtesy Three Leaf Partners An artists rendering shows what a proposed development involving housing, industry and a 1.5-million-square-foot, hydroponic strawberry greenhouse on Janesvilles south side could look like.

On Tuesday, the public got its first big look at a proposal by Milwaukee developer Three Leaf Partners and Fort Wayne, Indiana, hydroponic grower Local Roots landmark proposal.

The industrial greenhouse, which developers said would specialize largely in fresh-grown strawberries, is just one part of a sweeping $300 million plan Three Leaf gave details of Tuesday at an open house at Jackson Elementary School aimed at potential south side neighbors. The developer plans to buy 175 acres of land owned by Janesvilles MacFarlane family that is being used for a big portion of McFarlane Pheasants as an outdoor pheasant farm.

The developer and the greenhouse company showed neighbors a slew of conceptual drawings and plans for what would be a mixed-use development that would migrate part of MacFarlanes longstanding farm.

Plans in the works include single-family housing, apartments and industrial developments on the propertys north end, adjacent to a residential subdivision just north of MacFarlanes land.

But its the initial plans for Local Roots proposed greenhouse that seemed to draw most residents to the open house.

Strawberry fields forever?

Joann and John Hemming, who live on DuPont Drive about a half a mile north of Three Leafs proposed development, said they have lived on the south side for decadeslong enough that their home was among the first built in their subdivision.

Joann Hemming said she is intrigued by the greenhouse plans, but she was surprised to learn of the proposed projects sheer scope.

She pointed to a map at the open house that showed the proposed greenhouse development lays out a block of industrial greenhouse that would dwarf the 1 million square foot Dollar General distribution warehouse just south across Highway 11.

Im for hydroponic farming because I think that its a good idea to cut on use of water and pesticides and things like that. It makes a lot of sense, Hemming said. But I just dont know if Im totally happy with something of that pure size being built right by a residential area.

John Hemming put it another way. He just shrugged and tossed out a reference to a well-known song by The Beatles.

I dont know. Strawberry fields forever, I guess, he said.

The developer has been in internal development discussions with the city for more than a year over mixed-use plans that would leverage further development of the area adjacent to the citys main south side industrial park area along highways 51 and 11.

Concepts Three Leaf presented Tuesday showed future single-family housing slated for land at the far southern tip of city limits, adjacent to an existing subdivision along DuPont Drive.

Big-time operation

The rest of the property that MacFarlane owns on the proposed development sitethe more than 100 acres that is just south in the town of Rockare subject to an annexation request and other zoning conditions the developer plans to bring to the city within the next month.

It is a process that could take weeks, although the groups hope the operation could launch later this year and begin operations sometime in late 2023 or early 2024.

Local Roots co-founder Nick Bloom and COO Jorge Michael came to Janesville on Tuesday to meet with residents and answer questions about the development.

Both company officials shared details about the project, saying they hope to break ground on it this fall, pending annexation and other necessary planning and zoning approvals.

Bloom said the Janesville proposal is the second major greenhouse facility Local Roots plans in the Midwest, and one of the countrys largest, if not the countrys largest hydroponic strawberry greenhouse. Local Roots is operating now in Francesville, a small burg in northwestern Indiana, and Bloom said the company plans other operations on the East Coast.

He said the idea would be to create some sizeable greenhouses that would grow berries that could be trucked to regional clients, including grocery sellers, in the upper Midwest.

Strawberries the company would grow in Janesville would be trucked no more than a couple of hundred miles to market, he said.

Michael said that would be to keep the companys carbon footprint low, but it also guarantees customers at markets the company serves would be able to get fresh berries grown just a few days before they hit the market.

There was a huge shortage in the last year on strawberries throughout the whole country, and theres projected to be another shortage going well into this year on strawberries, Bloom said. So its an item that a lot of larger retailers that I deal with are actually getting on ration; theyre not getting their full orders because theres a supply-chain problem.

So were hopeful that we can help alleviate some of that pressure by offering a value-added fruit crop like this to the market where theyre not needing to truck it from Florida or from California.

Pheasant migration

The greenhouse project and other parts of the development would involve MacFarlane selling off the acreage and vacating that portion of its pheasant farm, including its corporate headquarters and sales offices that have run on the south side for decades.

Its a move owner Bill MacFarlane said he is working toward, although he said MacFarlane Pheasants intends to get hold of replacement land somewhere on Janesvilles outskirts to continue bird farming operations here.

Local Roots is only involved in the proposed greenhouse project. To the north of that project, Three Leaf Partners aims to see land bordering the DuPont Drive subdivision used as future single-family housing. Land due west of DuPont Drive could at some point be developed into affordable apartments, Ford said.

Affordable housing is typically defined by federal standards as costing no more than 30% of a households income at below-median levels in the county. There are different tiers that correspond to federal subsidy levels.

Affordable housing is one of Three Leafs main specialties and could break ground sometime in the next year or two, Ford said.

Ford said an overall development of the MacFarlane land could take years. But ultimately, it would include multiple smaller-scale industrial developments that would stand between housing to the north and the big greenhouse and packing operation planned on the south end of the property.

The project also calls for expansion of existing biking and walking trails and a few new roads within the footprint of the development. Plans shown Tuesday include the developer leveraging an existing drainage green belt that cuts south and west through the property to create a natural easement between industrial and residential facets of the project.

Lighting concerns

Hydroponic growing involves the use of closed-loop irrigation systems that recycle a high percentage of water and because the growing is indoors, the process eliminates the need for most pesticides.

But hydroponic growing does involve the use of lights. Michael said one natural question some residents and city officials have would be what kind of glow would come from grow lights used across the expanse of a 1.5 million square foot greenhouse operation that would have acres of clear walls and ceilings.

Michael said some greenhouses dont use internal screens indoors to prevent glow from light from spilling out into neighboring areas. But he said Local Roots plan is to use special fabric on walls that blocks most of the light.

He said lights in such greenhouse operations are meant to make maximum use of natural sunlight, and grow lights typically are only used for a few hours at night during the winter season.
Gettysburg, PA (17325)

Today

Periods of rain. High around 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of light rain early. Low 42F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Commentary: Coordinating to build a China-Africa community with a shared future

Xinhua) 10:01, April 13, 2022

BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc across the globe. However, it cannot prevent China-Africa cooperation from growing in both depth and substance.

The just-concluded China-Africa conference on civilization dialogue has become a new platform for strengthening exchanges between cultures and civilizations, seeking wisdom that contributes to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

China-Africa ties are built on the long history of exchanges between the two civilizations, which have been embracing mutual cooperation, equal partnership and solidarity to advance their relations in a turbulent international order.

China and Africa are close friends, reliable partners and good brothers. They stand together in terms of mutual assistance, team up amid difficulties and treat each other with sincerity.

In early January, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward a proposal called "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" (HoA), which is expected to play a big role in promoting regional peace, development and stability.

The proposal aims to support countries in the region to jointly tackle security, development and governance challenges, earning it a warm welcome in the HoA.

China believes that Africans, as their own masters, should have the final say in their own affairs.

To this end, China actively promotes the countries in the region in strengthening intra-regional dialogue, suggesting they hold peace conferences and reach political consensus on jointly safeguarding peace and security.

Peace and development cannot be achieved amid poverty.

In late February, as some African countries battled drought, China announced it would provide emergency food aid to Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Meanwhile, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, built by Chinese enterprises, together with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, have also helped boost the local economies and create job opportunities.

China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, and China has always respected and supported Africa. Together with the countries in the region, China will continue to work tirelessly and play a constructive role in bringing peace and development to the HoA.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Frank R. James is walked from the 9th Pct. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Manhattan, New York. James was arrested after the NYPD received a tip after he was spotted on First Ave. near St. Marks Place. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News)

The fugitive suspect wanted for the shooting spree inside a jam-packed Brooklyn subway car was arrested Wednesday on an East Village street, ending a massive manhunt for the gunman who blasted 10 innocent straphangers just one day earlier, the NYPD announced.

Frank James was taken into custody without incident on a federal warrant for committing a terrorist act on mass transit. He faces a Thursday hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court for the terrifying attack aboard a train filled with rush hour commuters.

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The 61-year-old suspect was busted for the Tuesday assault after he called the NYPDs CrimeStoppers hotline, a police source said. In the call, James stated that he was in the East Village, and that he was seeing his face all over the news, said the source.

An operator asked James for his callback number  and he replied that he didnt know it, because his phone was new, and that in any case its battery was about to die. James told the operator hed be charging the phone at a McDonalds or somewhere else nearby, the source said.

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Ninth Precinct officers were soon looking for him.

Hailed as the hero of the day was security camera company worker Zack Tahhan, 21, of Union City, N.J., whose quick actions and keen eye helped land James in custody near the McDonalds on First Ave. at E. 6th St.

At first I was so scared, Tahhan almost shouted afterward, still amped up from the encounter. I saw him walking on the street. I thought This is the guy! Id seen his picture. I saw the car, the police coming, and I said This is the guy!

Tahhan, who grew up in Syria, flagged down the police car. The suspect was quickly apprehended and led away in handcuffs, wearing a blue shirt and sweatpants as the city breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Frank James leaving the Ninth Precinct on Wednesday afternoon. He faces federal charges in Tuesday's subway shooting in Brooklyn, in which 10 people were wounded. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

James faces a sentence of life imprisonment if convicted in the subterranean attack where he donned a gas mask, set off a smoke bomb and opened fire with a two-word warning: Start running.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him, said Mayor Adams. We want to protect the people of this city and protect (them against) those who believe they can bring terror to everyday New Yorkers. Thirty-three shots, but less than 30 hours later were able to say we got him.

The arrest came shortly after the NYPD released new images of the suspected subway shooter as the citywide search continued.

Smartphones around the city blared with alerts urging New Yorkers to contact authorities with any information about the suspect, and police made good on Adams vow that he would be put in handcuffs.

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We used every resource at our disposal to gather and process significant evidence that directly links Mr. James to the shooting, said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. We were able to shrink his world quickly. There was nowhere left for him to run.

James disappeared Tuesday after firing nearly three dozen bullets inside a northbound N train, with 10 riders shot and 13 more injured around 8:30 a.m. as the subway rolled beneath Brooklyn.

Just witnessed the subway shooter Frank James being arrested in the middle of the East Villagecrazy. pic.twitter.com/g5CJsUpUSF  chimichurri (@Ayy_Korobow) April 13, 2022

A 10-page federal court filing alleged the gunman left behind a bag that contained black powder-filled explosives inside the train, and that he tried to scratch away the serial number on the legally purchased 9-mm. Glock 17 weapon used in the assault.

James is accused of using a weapon to attempt to kill dozens of people, wrote FBI agent Jorge Alvarez in a federal complaint, nothing that authorities also executed a search warrant on his Philadelphia storage unit.

He drove a U-Haul van over over the Verrazzano Bridge into Brooklyn around 4 a.m. the morning of the attack, surveillance images show.

At around 6:10 a.m., the court papers say, James got out of the U-Haul at W. Seventh St. and Kings Highway wearing a yellow hardhat, an orange working jacket with reflective tape. He had a backpack in his right hand and pulled a rolling bag with his left, prosecutors said.

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He was two blocks away from a stop on the N line, the court papers said.

After the subway carnage, surveillance video caught James leaving the 25th St. station. He then rode a city bus to a subway station at Seventh Ave. and Ninth St. in Park Slope, where he arrived at 9:18 a.m., police said.

Frank James inside precinct after his arrest.

Authorities had offered a reward of up to $50,000 for info leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.

Later Wednesday, after his arrest, James was led out of the 9th Precinct. James answered no reporters questions as he shuffled to a waiting cop car, then appeared to grimace as he awkwardly tried to get in with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Surveillance images which appear to show Frank James driving over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Tuesday, and then ditching his U-Haul truck as he walked away in a work outfit.

There was a clear desire to create terror, said Adams during a morning appearance on WNYC. When you bring a smoke bomb, when you bring an automatic weapon, wear a gas mask, in a very methodical way injure and attempt to harm innocent New Yorkers  that is terror. Were going to call it as we see it.

The motive behind the shooting spree remained unclear. A police source said it was a miracle that no one was killed, and investigators recovered 33 9-mm. shell casings from inside the subway car.

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A bag filled with fireworks James allegedly left behind in the subway.

[ Survivors speak: Brooklyn subway shooting survivor dodged a bullet as he fought gunman in thick smoke ]

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn treated 21 of the train victims for smoke inhalation and gunshot wounds, with 16 released by Wednesday morning and the remaining five listed in stable condition. Two of the shooting victims were still at Maimonides Hospital, where three other straphangers had been treated and released.

Authorities believe the shooter acted alone when he went on the bloody rampage that sent terrified train riders sprinting for safety as smoke billowed from the subway car.

The gun was recovered at the scene,

James has a criminal record in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wisconsin, and he had nine prior New York arrests between 1992-98, four for possession of burglars tools, said police sources.

For days before the attack, he lived inside the rented U-Haul van on a Brooklyn street, said authorities. Cops recovered a portable heater, clothing and other items inside the vehicle with Arizona plates.

The suspect also left behind a collection of online ramblings, including a YouTube video titled Sensible Violence. In another video, the suspect says he was diagnosed with a mental illness and treated in the Bronx during the 1970s.

Catherine Garcia, 34, of Bay Ridge, who was on the train when the shooting started, cheered news of the arrest.

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Im happy that hes alive, that he didnt kill himself like the cowards do when they do something like this, she said. Im happy they caught him. I want him to know I went to work today. ... Hes not going to take away my sense as a true New Yorker.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Overcast skies and windy. High 68F. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 38F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
The person of interest in Tuesdays mass subway shooting in Brooklyn has recorded dozens of hours of YouTube videos, ranting about Mayor Adams, homeless people in the subway system, gun violence, and how outreach workers are homosexual predators.

Frank James, 62, remains at large after Tuesday mornings attack, which left 10 people shot and another 13 with various injuries.

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This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a Crime Stoppers bulletin displaying photos of Frank R. James, 62, who has been identified by police as the renter of a U-Haul van possibly connected to the Brooklyn subway shooting, in New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP)

In a more than hourlong rant posted on YouTube Sunday night, James raged about the war in Ukraine, and said it would become the precursor for a race war to wipe out Black people.

Theyre white, youre not. Theyre doing that to each other? What do they think theyre going to do to you? he fumed. Its just a matter of time before these white motherf---ers say, Hey listen, enough is enough, these n-----s gotta go. Whatre you going to do? You gonna fight. And guess what? You gonna die.

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NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the NYPD has stepped up security for the mayor as they search for James.

Were not calling them threats. He made some concerning posts, or someone made some concerning posts, she said. They were general topics of concern. Complaints about homelessness, complaints about New York.

Frank James (YouTube)

In a series of videos, James chronicled his trip from Wisconsin to Philadelphia about three weeks ago. And on March 27, he ranted about homeless people in New York Citys subway system, and mentioned staying in an Airbnb. The home-share company said in a statement he hadnt used their app.

Eric Adams, Eric Adams, what the f--k, what are you doing, brother? Whats happening with this homeless situation? I got on the E train, every f---ing car  every car I went to was loaded with homeless people.

In another video from Feb. 20, titled, how you gonna help me, he sits in front of an array of photos of who he claims were the mental health outreach workers he dealt with while he was in crisis in the 1970s through the 1990s in New York.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

So as you listen to the mayor talking about how they want to bring in health workers, they want to help the homeless ... theres no help. Its going to fail! Because all these m-----f----ers are predators. Theyre homosexual predators trying to turn everybody out, he said.

Chief of Detectives James Essig stopped short of calling James the shooter, though she confirmed he rented a U-Haul van linked to the attack.

We are looking for Frank James. We know he rented the van. The key to that U-Haul van was found at the crime scene, he said. We are looking to determine if he has any connection to the train. We know Mr. James rented that U-Haul truck in Philadelphia.

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At least 10 people were shot, while 13 more needed medical care, after the gunman set off two smoke grenades and started shooting at passengers on an inbound N train arriving at the 36th St. stop in Sunset Park, according to authorities.

The shooter left behind a handgun with extended magazines, a backpack, the U-Haul key, ammo, smoke grenades, fireworks and gasoline.

He was talking to himself, mumbling, one high-ranking police source said. Its not clear why he left the bag behind, and no one has come forward to say they grabbed it from him or fought him off.

Cops ask anyone with information about James whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
Brazil and Colombia and Mexico and Peru, April 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyden, a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries, shares regional analysis of leadership and talent trends in Latin America, revealing the highest global level of confidence in growth, the lowest level of confidence in board skills and operations leadership as the top priority for hiring.

The global study, Talent-led transformation in a post-pandemic world: how can global business leaders deliver on ambitions of growth and reinvention? explores the business outlook among CEOs, boards and other senior leaders, and talent trends, priorities and investment in the wake of the pandemic through 2022. In the Regional Analysis: Latin America, survey data across five core talent and strategy themes alongside Boyden expert insights form a nuanced picture of the Latin American leadership landscape.

Demands on leaders today are both broad and complex, comments Luis Lezama Cohen, Managing Partner, Mexico and LatAm Regional Practice Leader, Financial Services. With the pandemic, and now events in Ukraine, companies are accelerating solutions and requiring more out of their executives.

Study findings show that 88 percent of respondents in Latin America are extremely confident or confident in their organizations growth potential, compared with the global average of 77 percent. This contrasts with 67 percent in the region who are extremely confident or confident in having the right talent to align to strategy.

Lack of alignment goes up to board level. Respondents in Latin America are the most concerned globally about board composition, with 61 percent saying a different mix of skills is needed on the board, compared with the global average of 52 percent. The pandemic highlighted competitive differences among companies with well-structured processes and governance, and those without, comments Aurea Imai, Managing Partner, Brazil. Therefore, a number of companies are reinventing their boards to refresh their strategies and gain agility in a dynamic economic environment. There is strong competition between traditional companies, start-ups and VC-backed businesses, with boards pressed to deliver diversity and innovation.

Expansion into new markets and the development of new products are strategic priorities and a means to attract the best talent. Operational leadership is therefore the top priority in hiring, with an additional focus on operational capabilities at board level. Directors need a refined understanding of regional economies and cultural awareness to drive the development of new products and markets. Next generation managers are equipped with better training, wider business perspectives, a fluency in globalization, multicultural approach, language skills and international exposure, comments Antonio Sanchez, Managing Partner, Colombia.

Talent attraction data signals 62 percent are considering new approaches to measuring performance in Latin America, compared with 51 percent globally; the top driver is to tie culture and behaviours to business objectives. Retention challenges are a significant concern, with 63% expecting these, compared with 50% globally. Challenges in talent recruitment are expected by 52% of respondents compared with 49% globally.

Despite the regions enormous potential, the effects of the pandemic and current-state political situation constrain the resolution of existing structural economic and social deficiencies. Business leaders have a significant role to play in pursuing public private collaboration to achieve economic recovery, concludes Carla Woolcott, Managing Partner, Peru.

About Boyden

Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. Boyden is ranked amongst the top companies on Forbes Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2021. For further information, visit www.boyden.com.

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earthbanc the leading carbon credit and finance platform headquartered in Stockholm with operations across 20 countries, raised a US $1.5M investment in a Pre-Seed Round with participation from Regen Network Development Inc (USA), Rampersand VC (Australia), Visive Capital (EU), Katalista Ventures (Lithuania), Sting Accelerator (Sweden), clients of Jindabyne Capital and Kaai Capital (Australia), European Space Agency Incubator (Sweden) and Regenerative Ventures Holdings (USA).

Earthbanc develops carbon projects, sells verified and audited carbon credits, and enables investors to finance carbon removal. The company has audited the carbon stocks of over 13M hectares of forest globally using satellites and proprietary remote sensing technology.

Launch of the Earthbanc Protocol on Regen Ledger

The number of corporations committed to Net Zero has increased exponentially since COP26, but it has been difficult for carbon buyers to source third-party annually audited carbon credits. With venture backing from the European Space Agency for their patent-pending technology, Earthbanc leverages AI, web3, and data science to annually audit the underlying carbon asset in carbon credits bringing increased transparency and credibility to carbon markets.

This investment enables the launch of the Earthbanc Protocol on Regen Ledger, a publicly governed ecological ledger for verification of claims, data, and agreements on ecological state and carbon credits. Earthbanc Protocol will utilize Regen Ledger to store carbon reporting and auditing information on the transparent blockchain, and Earthbanc will mint carbon credits on Regen Registry, the carbon credit registry operated by Regen Network. Earthbanc Protocol is introducing web3 wallets for the nascent regenerative finance (ReFi) market, enabling Regen Network-based eco credits to be financed, held, and staked via the new Earthbanc Protocol web3 platform.

Earthbanc CEO Tom Duncan said: "We welcome the investment from Regen Network Development Inc and Rampersand VC to accelerate the growth of the Earthbanc Protocol platform, which will enable investors to access 8% fixed - 15% variable APY yields and finance nature-based carbon removal projects globally. We are excited to scale up carbon markets with our technology and onboard millions of farmers around the world to help them monetize their carbon, and give investors access to this fast-growing asset class."

Earthbanc has been tapped by the African Development Bank to demonstrate the issuance of the world's first Sustainable Land Bond with fully audited carbon removal on the Earthbanc platform, at the UNCCD COP15 in Africa, May 2022. Solving carbon removal auditing issues with its AI technology is helping attract corporate carbon buyers and investors, unlocking the USD 14 billion pledged at COP26 for the Great Green Wall - an African-led and UNCCD sponsored program. Earthbanc is well-positioned to deliver climate finance and carbon credit services to this 156M hectare mega-project that will sequester 250M tonnes of carbon, estimated to generate USD ~7.25B in credit revenue for local farmers and carbon service providers.

Regen Network Development Inc CEO, Gregory Landua, said: "Regen Network invests in the best regenerative finance (ReFi) ventures to scale faster. The Earthbanc platform is built for the next 1 billion people coming out of poverty through regenerative agriculture, carbon payments, and regenerative payments - enabling capital to flow where it's needed to achieve planetary regeneration and stabilize the climate. The Earthbanc app will provide a carbon bank with accessible on and off fiat ramps for users globally, particularly for the unbanked, bringing the next billion users into the regenerative finance revolution."

Nicole Small, Investment Director at Rampersand VC: "The Earthbanc team has extensive experience in regenerative finance markets, with a demonstrated capability and commitment to the community and environment. Earthbanc's tier-one relationships with leading NGOs, together with proprietary automation and remote sensing technology, deliver huge value in the fast-growing climate finance and nature-based solution (NbS) carbon markets. Equally important is that Earthbanc provides a win-win outcome to farmers through global carbon market access and meaningful carbon sequestration projects."

About Earthbanc

Earthbanc is pioneering a super cost-effective and precise carbon credit and finance platform. On the Earthbanc platform, you can purchase fully audited carbon credits, or choose to invest in carbon removal. The company's investment thematics include land restoration, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, large-scale reforestation and prevention of deforestation, blue carbon including mangroves, seagrass meadows and kelp, marine conservation, agrivoltaics, and social capital projects. Earthbanc's climate fintech innovation was recognized last year when it won the Mastercard Lighthouse FINITIV program in Spring 2021, and the company is now set to scale to the next level in the booming web3 climate and fintech sector.

For additional information, please visit:

https://earthbanc.io, https://registry.regen.network/, https://twitter.com/earthbanc



Media Contact:

Natacha Rousseau

natacha@loalabs.io

(323) 352-6417

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Earthbanc is a carbon and finance Web3 and Refi platform with offices in Europe and the USA.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Washington D.C., April 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recognizing the continued gap in the development and commercialization of medical devices for children versus adults, the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI), in collaboration with MedTech Innovator, is accepting applications through April 22, 2022, for its annual Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids! competition. Recognizing the wide range of unmet needs for diagnostic and therapeutic devices designed especially for children, this years competition is open to any innovation in medical technology that addresses a significant unmet need in pediatric medical care.

As one of the five FDA Pediatric Device Consortia, NCC-PDI is focused on seeking out and addressing significant unmet needs in pediatric medical technology, says Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., M.B.A., P.M.P., vice president and chief innovation officer at Childrens National Hospital and principal investigator of NCC-PDI. While great advances are made in adult medical devices, children are often left behind because the pediatric market is small and there are not incentives to develop for pediatrics. This pitch competition helps to recognize and support the advancement of innovations that can specifically address the needs of pediatric patients.

Using a virtual format, semi-finalists chosen from all submissions will make their first pitch on May 20, 2022. Up to six finalists selected from this first round will earn participation in a special pediatric-focused track of the MedTech Innovator accelerator program, the largest medical device accelerator in the world, beginning in June 2022. These innovators will then participate in the competition finals in the fall 2022 where judges will award up to $150,000 in FDA-sponsored grants to the devices selected as most impactful and commercially viable.

Medical devices created for children face many unique hurdles on the commercialization journey. Thats why it is so important to provide support through MedTech Innovators accelerator program, where we offer up-and-coming innovators valuable mentoring and guidance from seasoned industry leaders, says Paul Grand, CEO of MedTech Innovator. Our program is designed to establish a strong foundation that propels innovators forward to the market where they can positively impact pediatric health.

Unlike devices for adults, the development and commercialization of pediatric medical devices lags behind by approximately five to 10 years, Programs like the NCC-PDI pitch competition and MedTech Innovator accelerator program offer innovators access to expert insight and consultation to help overcome regulatory hurdles and advance the products development path.

For years, doctors have been challenged by the lack of innovation in the pediatric space. Advancing technologies that address the unique developmental needs of children is essential to advancing pediatric health, says William E. Bentley, Ph.D., Robert E. Fischell distinguished professor and director of the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices at the University of Maryland. We look forward to welcoming viable innovations to this years competition, and to helping entrepreneurs take this important next step on the pathway to commercialization.

NCC-PDI is one of five members in the FDAs Pediatric Device Consortia Grant Program created to support the development and commercialization of medical devices for children. NCC-PDI is led by the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Childrens National and the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland with support from partners MedTech Innovator, BioHealth Innovation and design firm Archimedic.

Eskandanian adds that supporting the progress of pediatric innovators is a key focus of the new Childrens National Research & Innovation Campus, a one-of-its-kind ecosystem that drives discoveries that save and improve the lives of children. On a nearly 12-acre portion of the former, historic Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Northwest Washington, D.C., Childrens National has combined its strengths with those of public and private partners, including industry, universities, federal agencies, start-up companies and academic medical centers. The campus provides a rich environment of public and private partners which, like the NCC-PDI network, will help bolster pediatric innovation and commercialization.

For more information and to apply for the upcoming NCC-PDI pitch competition, visit the MedTech Innovator website.

# # #

About Childrens National Hospital

Childrens National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is among the nations top 10 childrens hospitals. It is ranked No. 1 for newborn care for the fifth straight year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Childrens National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Childrens National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Childrens National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Childrens National is home to the Childrens National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children's National Hospital relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.

For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,000 students, 10,000 faculty and staff, and 300 academic programs. As one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright scholars, its faculty includes two Nobel laureates, six Pulitzer Prize winners and 58 members of the national academies. The institution has a $2.3 billion operating budget and secures more than $1.3 billion annually in research funding together with the University of Maryland, Baltimore. For more information about the University of Maryland, College Park, visit www.umd.edu.

About MedTech Innovator

Based in Los Angeles, Calif., MedTech Innovator is the largest accelerator of medical device companies in the world and the premier nonprofit startup accelerator in the medical technology industry. Its mission is to improve the lives of patients by accelerating the growth of companies that are transforming the health care system. MedTech Innovator matches health care industry leaders with innovative early-stage and emerging-growth medtech companies for mentorship and support. For more information about MedTech Innovator, visit https://medtechinnovator.org/ and follow @MedTechAwards on Twitter and on LinkedIn. To receive industry insights and highlights about MedTech Innovators current and alumni participant companies, subscribe to its monthly newsletter.

Media Contact: Samantha Desmond | 713-524-8170 | (973) 903-8300 or Cherri Carbonara | 713-524-8170 | (832) 473-6380
VANCOUVER, BC, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novarc Technologies Inc. (Novarc), a full-stack robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications, announced today the company has been recognized among 500 other companies on the third annual The Financial Times (FT) list of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies 2022. This prestigious award is presented by The Financial Times and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

The Financial Times third annual ranking recognizes 500 companies that grew fastest among the millions of existing North and South American organizations by considering the highest compound annual growth (CAGR) in revenues between 2017 and 2020. Novarc placed #79 out of the 500 companies that accomplished the list, recognizing those companies that contributed the most to economic growth.

We successfully disrupted the welding industry with the launch of the worlds first welding cobot, the Spool Welding Robot (SWR). The SWR not only revolutionized the fabrication sector, but it also paved the way for other cobots in the welding industry, says Soroush Karimzadeh, CEO of Novarc Technologies. We are continuing on this growth trajectory in 2022 which has been almost doubling our SWR annual sales in the past few years. We expect this will be further propelled by Novarcs exciting, unique and even more disruptive product offerings such as our new AI-powered weld control system, NovEye.

Out of the millions of active companies in North and South America, only 500 firms were named to the list, and Novarc is pleased to be recognized as one of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies 2022. The complete list of winners can be found on FT.com.

The FT list of The Americas Fastest Growing Companies 2022 illustrates Novarcs performance and growing global impact. Novarc was also recently recognized for the second consecutive year on the 2021 Report on Business List of Canadas Top Growing Companies by the Globe & Mail, placing #57 out of 448 Canadian companies. Novarc has also been named to the Ready to Rocket Cleantech list for three consecutive years for its outstanding growth potential in the technology sector.

About Novarc Technologies Inc:

Novarc Technologies is a Vancouver-based full-stack robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications. Novarcs Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the worlds first of its kind in pipe welding applications. As a proven pioneer in the field, Novarc has dedicated a team of engineers and scientists to solve challenging welding automation problems that improve customers bottom line. Visit novarctech.com.






SAN MATEO, Calif., April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PerimeterX, the leading provider of solutions that detect and stop the abuse of identity and account information on the web, today announced that Forrester Research has named the company a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Bot Management, Q2 2022.



The Forrester Wave evaluated PerimeterX and 14 other bot management providers across comprehensive criteria including current offering, strategy and market presence, naming PerimeterX a Leader.

PerimeterX received a score of 5.00, the highest score possible, in the following criteria:

Range of supported use cases

Response types

Response configuration

Out-of-the-box reports

Customizable reports and dashboards

Security feedback loops

Innovation roadmap

Planned enhancements

Execution roadmap

Market approach

The Forrester report stated that PerimeterX targets top personas with relevant features and role-specific metrics, and that PerimeterX Bot Defender is a strong choice for customers in e-commerce, travel and hospitality, and financial services.

The Forrester report noted that, Bad bots continue to consume resources and overwhelm organizations, accounting for at least a quarter of all internet traffic. Bot management has evolved from an emerging market to a rapidly maturing offering expected to meet the needs of small organizations with a single application as well as large enterprises with hundreds of them.

The Forrester report further stated that, Modern bot management tools must keep up with ever-evolving attacks, offer a range of out-of-the-box and customizable reports, and enable human end customers to transact business with little friction or frustration.

The Forrester report states that, [PerimeterX] reference customers were overwhelmingly positive, praising the extreme flexibility, reporting, and low false positives. The report also notes, One reference customer added, I found [PerimeterX] to be the ultimate vendor with [an] amazing support team, great vision, and an ever-growing hunger for success.

Bot attacks pose a serious threat to all online businesses as shown in the recent PerimeterX Automated Fraud Benchmark Report , which found that Bot attacks increased 106% year-over-year in 2021.

We believe that being recognized as a Leader by Forrester is a significant accomplishment that our whole team has worked hard to earn. Our product innovations and research leadership stand at the forefront of the web app security landscape, allowing us to consistently deliver value for our customers. PerimeterX takes a comprehensive approach to bot management with proactive detection, real-time attack blocking and insight-gathering to inform future decision making. Bot Defender is the cornerstone to delivering on our vision to protect users' account and identity information everywhere along their digital journey. said Omri Iluz, co-founder and CEO, PerimeterX.

To download a copy of The Forrester Wave: Bot Management, Q2 2022, visit perimeterx.com/wave .
United States, Rockville MD, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a recently published Fact.MR report, the global Bearing market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 7% between 2021 and 2031. The market is expected to reach US$ 145 Bn by the end of 2031.



The demand for Bearing is expected to rise over the forecast period and the market was valued US$ 74 Bn in 2020.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Demand of Bearing Market"

80 Tables and

138 Figures

170 Pages

Revenues are expected to nearly double throughout the forecast period. Uptake is expected to remain elevated across the construction industry, while automotive applications account for the highest revenue share.

For Critical Insights on Ball Bearing Market, Request a Sample Report

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=5353

The sale of bearings used in the automotive industry is directly proportional to the increase in vehicle production. According to data from the International Organization of Motor Car Manufacturers (OICA), global passenger vehicle production reached 69.3 million units in 2018, up 2.25 percent from the previous year. Likewise, incorporation of smart sensor-based technology, such as SKFs InsightTM integrated wireless technology, are making major breakthroughs in the global bearings industry.

How is the Construction Industry Spurring Bearing Adoption?

The bearing industry has been steadily growing in tandem with the development of the construction industry globally. The spike in bearing demand is developing as the industrial and residential construction segments expand with new projects.

Crawler dozers, wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, and other bearing goods are widely utilized in the construction of large buildings, resulting in increased demand. Bulk of this demand is expected to be stimulated from the U.S, India and China, as massive construction and infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for the forthcoming decade.

To learn more about Roller Bearing Market, you can get in touch with our Analyst at https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=5353

Key Segments Covered in the Plain Bearing Industry Survey

By Product:

Ball Bearing

Roller Bearing

Plain Bearing

Other Bearings

By Bearing Type:

Unmounted Bearing

Mounted Bearing

By Component:

Bearing Balls

Bearing Rollers

Bearing Cages

Bearing Rings

Other Bearing Components



By Application:

Automotive Bearings

Construction Bearings

Aerospace Bearings

Power Transmission Bearings

Oil & Gas Bearings

Agriculture Bearings

Other Applications



Get Customization on Automotive Bearing Market Report for Specific Research Solutions

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RC&rep_id=5353

Competitive Landscape

Key bearing manufacturers profiled by Fact.MR include: HKT Bearings Ltd., Minebea Mitsumi Inc., Nachi Fujikoshi Corp., Igus Corporation, JTEKT Corporation, NSK Ltd., Timken Company Ltd., Wafangdian Bearing Group Co. Ltd., NTN Corporation, Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. and SKF Inc. among others. Key expansion strategies include product launches, capacity expansion and acquisitions among others.

Since October 2020, NTN Corporation has begun mass production and delivery of the "ULTAGE Tapered Roller Bearing for Automotive Application," which is developed for automotive transmissions and differentials.

In April 2021, NSK Ltd. has manufactured a third-generation ultra-high-speed ball bearing for electric vehicle (EV) motors that can operate at over 1.8 million dmN*1. It's the fastest grease-lubricated deep groove ball bearing for automotive applications in the world.

Key players in the Bearing Market

HKT Bearings Ltd.

Minebea Mitsumi Inc.

Nachi Fujikoshi Corp.

Igus Corporation

JTEKT Corporation

NSK Ltd.

Timken Company Ltd.

Wafangdian Bearing Group Co. Ltd.

NTN Corporation

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.

SKF Inc.





To understand how our report can bring difference to your business strategy, Purchase a copy of Bearing report at https://www.factmr.com/checkout/5353

Key Takeaways from the Agriculture Bearings Market Study

By product, ball bearing sales to surge at a CAGR of 5% through 2031

Mounted bearings to capture a revenue share worth 45% across the forecast period

By application, automotive bearings dominated the market in 2020, yielding nearly 50% of global demand

U.S to be an attractive market, generating approximately 2 out of 5 bearing sales

Europe to experience an expansion rate of 7% across the forthcoming decade

Asia likely to surpass US$ 95 Bn by 2031, accounting for 2/5th of global market demand

Explore Fact.MR's Coverage on the Industrial Goods Domain 

Rotary Machinery Market Analysis- As end-product demand rises in industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, paint & oil, personal & health care, and textile, the demand for rotary machinery is increasing. High volume manufacturing has been enabled by rotary machines' characteristics, which include consistent and uniform precision cuts, reduced material waste, quick turnaround times, and shorter lead times. These machines have decreased production time and labor costs dramatically, resulting in a faster adoption rate.

Rotary Pumps Market Forecast- In most developing countries, increasing access to water and the importance of sanitation is creating various chances for rotary pump market players. Furthermore, rising consumer disposable income is causing an increase in discretionary expenditure, particularly on chemicals and fuel, which is driving up demand for rotary pumps in developing countries' process manufacturing industries. The introduction of rotary pumps is being aided by recent infrastructure advancements and growing industrialization in emerging markets such as India and China.

Rotary Dial Machine Market Growth - In today's world, industries are looking forward to automation and are gradually implementing it. In terms of future rotary dial machine consumption, demand is expected to rise at a faster rate, resulting in a faster adoption of rotary dial machines in industries. In the product manufacturing process, the rotary dial machine reduces the number of workers required on the job. The market will expand due to changing customer needs and a larger consumer base. The rotary dial machine has the potential to keep up with the anticipated market increase.

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Forde, April 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australia-based open innovation ecosystem EarlyBirds is helping governments all around the world keep up with the demands of an ever-changing and ever-complex digital services delivery environment through the use of actionable innovations. EarlyBirds is a melting pot for the best startups, scale-ups, and mature innovators and subject matter experts who are willing and ready to meet the high tech needs of large companies as well as government bodies struggling to find a foothold in the new information technology paradigm. Readers can find out more about the companys Open Innovation Map by heading over to its website.

United Nations Identify Why There is Slow Speed of Innovation

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social and Economic Affairs, during a presentation about innovation and digital government for public service delivery, compared the speed of the progress of technology, the speed of organization and management, and the speed of public policy decision making in the familiar terms of miles per hour. The organization determined that technological innovation moves at a breakneck speed of 10,000 mph, organization, and management move at 1000 mph, while public policy is the slowest to budge and can be thought of as moving at the paltry speed of 10 mph.

This indirect comparison is indicative of how slow public bodies are usually to respond to changes in technology is due to the nature of government, it is often occupied by people who are of a generally older demographic and are more concerned with geopolitics and human issues as opposed to the sea change that technological innovations can bring about in their citizens lives. Though this perception of ineffective and slow to adapt government rings true in most parts of the world, some technocratic regions are bucking the trend and turning to experts in emerging technologies to solve issues that have held back the long-term growth, wealth, and prosperity of nations. Some governments are using digital technologies to innovate the way they operate, share information, and make decisions and deliver services including engaging and partnering with citizens to solve policy challenges and provide accessible, reliable, and personalized services to citizens.

OECD Policies To Speed Up Government Processes

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization comprised of 38 member countries, that has been working to build better policies for better lives for over 60 years, said that it is supporting the development of strategies that not only speed up government processes whose slow turnaround times are detrimental for public welfare but are also willing to create systems that increase transparency and create more trust between a government and its populace.

Earlybirds Working With Early Adopters

EarlyBirds founder Jeff Penrose talks more about how the company can help governments adapt to the new digital future by saying, Governments are not known for being on the cutting edge as those in power are usually grandfathered in their ways and behind the times. Though wisdom and experience have their benefits in the grand scheme of things, the only way to be competitive in the modern world is to pick the right partners who are willing to revamp the old way of doing things to bring tangible benefits to the lives of their fellow countrymen. EarlyBirds can help you find these innovative young trailblazers who are daring enough to forge their vision of a digital future. If you are an Early Adopter organization or a government body looking for ways in which to dramatically reach and serve more people, find out more about our Explorer and Challenger programs. We are confident that the bright enterprising minds that make up our cohorts of innovators can find smart ways to overcome the unique challenges that you are facing.

EarlyBirds Platform and Services

EarlyBirds Explorer program is suited for businesses who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs or to conduct innovation projects as required. The companys Challenger program is designed to solve one business or technical challenge at a time and search for relevant innovators that meet the business, technical, commercial, and business risk requirements. The EarlyBirds Platform has in excess of 4 Million Innovators with comprehensive search and discovery tools and capabilities to manage Innovation Projects, Innovation Pipeline and to create theme based global Innovation Maps.

For more information, on the many different programs that EarlyBirds has put in place to help those with business and administrative problems find the most elegant and cost-effective solutions, readers can head over to its website at earlybirds.io.

###

For more information about EarlyBirds, contact the company here:



EarlyBirds

Mr Kris Poria and Mr Jeff Penrose

+61 401 287 060

support@earlybirds.io

FORDE SUITE 10, LEVEL 1, 26 FRANCIS FORDE BOULEVARD, FORDE, ACT 2914
A 23-year-old woman sitting in a car in the Bronx was shot dead Tuesday night  the latest bystander in the city killed by gun violence.

The murder of Sally Ntim was part of a six-hour series of shootings in the Bronx and Brooklyn in which two others were killed and 12 more wounded. There have been no arrests.

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The alarming tally came as the city was still reeling from a gas mask-wearing gunmans mass shooting aboard a subway in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, during the morning rush. Ten people were shot and wounded during the attack.

Sally Ntim, 23, was shot and killed when caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in the Bronx on Tuesday night. (Obtained by Daily News)

Police said Ntim was alone, sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car at Sheridan Ave. and McClellan St., when two men walked by about 8:40 p.m.

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One man shot at the other, police said, with the other possibly returning fire.

Ntim was struck in the head and rushed by medics to Lincoln Hospital, where she died.

On Wednesday, mourners set up a memorial outside the Crotona apartment building where Ntim used to live with her family. Pink and white candles spelled out the letter S near photos of her smiling and laughing.

Police secure a vehicle at scene of shooting on Sheridan Ave. and McClellan St. Tuesday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

I cant believe shes gone. Shes a high school graduate, college kid, said Erica Palmer, who described herself like a second mom to Ntim.

She had a future and it was taken away, Palmer said. I helped raise her, she was raised up in my house with my daughters ... always laughing, very happy, always joyful, always.

Ntims family moved to Texas, but she stayed in the Bronx and started her own hairstyling business, Palmer said.

She just started it. Am entrepreneur, her life cut down for nothing.

One message, written on a bright pink poster, read, I really need to hear your laugh one more time.

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Memorial for Sally Ntim, 23, who was shot and killed when caught in the crossfire of a gunfight in the Bronx on Tuesday night. (Ellen Moynihan)

I cant believe I have to put RIP in front of your name, read another.

J.J. Diaz, who works in the Bronx Finest Market next door to Ntims old apartment, said he remembered her buying sandwiches.

I cant f-----g believe this, Diaz, 50, said as he looked at the memorial. She was a wonderful young lady ... always cheery, never any issues.

Police released video of the shooting late Wednesday night. It shows a gunman in a hooded sweatshirt fire one shot across the street, then let loose a second wild shot as he flees.

Her death came hours after family and friends of Angellyh Yambo gathered in grief at a Bronx funeral home to mourn the 17-year-old shot as she was leaving school. Cops have charged a teen with firing a ghost gun last Friday afternoon, killing Angellyh and wounding two other teen students. None were the intended targets.

Angellyhs killing followed the March 31 stray bullet murder of 12-year-old Kade Lewin, shot when bullets tore through a parked car as he ate dinner with two relatives in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

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So far this year, the city has seen an 8% increase in shootings and a 9% increase in shooting victims, with 363 people shot in 322 incidents as of Sunday. That compares with the 332 people shot in 297 incidents during the same time frame last year.

The gun violence following the subway attack began just before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Gates Ave. near Marcy Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where a 43-year-old man was shot in the lower back, a 41-year-old man was grazed in the right arm, and a 26-year-old man was hit in the left leg, cops said. All three are expected to recover.

Police released video of that shooting as well Wednesday night.

Just after 7 p.m., a 15-year-old girl was shot in the left leg on Laconia Ave. and E. 226th St. in Edenwald, the Bronx. Its not clear if the girl, who was in stable condition at Jacobi Medical Center, was the intended target, cops said.

Police on Mohegan Ave. where a male was fatally shot on Tuesday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

A few minutes later, a 41-year-old man was shot in the leg on Etna St. by Nichols Ave. in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.

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The first fatal shooting of the night happened around 7:40 p.m. near the intersection of E. 180th St. and Mohegan Ave. in Crotona.

Police said three men exiting a liquor store were confronted by three other men, one of whom opened fire, hitting Wayne Goodwin, 22, with numerous shots to the body and wounding the other men, a 47-year-old and a 21-year-old, both struck in the leg. All three were rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where Goodwin died and the other victims are in stable condition.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Goodwin appeared to be the intended target, a police source said, though it wasnt clear what sparked the shooting. At least two shell casings were recovered at the scene, though as many as 10 shots may have been fired.

At 8:20 p.m., another man was shot and wounded on E. 86th St. and Flatlands Ave. in Brooklyn.

Police secure scene on Laconia Ave. at E. 225 St. on Tuesday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

Twenty minutes later, Ntim was killed, followed by a 9:50 p.m. incident in which a 47-year-old man was shot in the head on Cruger Ave. by Burke Ave. in Williamsbridge, the Bronx. Medics took him to Jacobi Medical Center in critical condition.

And less than 20 minutes later, four men, three with guns, walked up to three men and a woman near Olinville Ave. and Boston Road in Allerton, the Bronx, police sources said.

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Three gunmen opened fire, hitting Jesse Bynum in the head, a 33-year-old woman in the arm, a 23-year-old man in the leg and a 22-year-old man in the back, sources said. Bynum later died.

Police said it wasnt clear who was targeted or why.

Cops ask anyone with information about the shootings to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers from Hyasta and the University of Wollongong have made a revolutionary discovery that will help them commercialise the world's most efficient electrolyser, reports It Matters To You, the leading provider of car removal Melbourne wide. Experts in the automotive industry anticipate this breakthrough being the kickstart that green hydrogen has been needing, making the sustainable fuel alternative cheaper and more accessible.

Hyasta is a research group formed out of the University of Wollongong (UOW) specifically to find a commercialisation solution for the electrolyser technology already developed by a team at UOW. According to It Matters To You, this electrolyser has the capacity to reach giga-scale hydrogen production by 2025; it also positions Hyasta - and by extension, Australia - at the forefront of the worldwide race to large-scale renewable hydrogen production. This electrolyser technology works by ensuring that the manufacturing, scaling, and installation processes are easy and will deliver higher output and efficiency than other existing technologies.

Experts from the research team reveal that if harnessed, the technology could save hydrogen producers billions in electricity costs by producing green hydrogen at the lowest cost in the world. Eventually, says It Matters To You, this affordable green hydrogen will surpass non-renewable, fossil fuel-derived, traditional hydrogen. Experts are confident that this technology will be the impetus for a large-scale automotive shift, not unlike the shift from combustion engines to electric motors.

It Matters To You reports that research is ongoing and continued development and testing are required before this breakthrough can be utilised in the industry. However, experts believe that this development will likely lead to many more if research continues.

It Matters To You, the leading supplier of cash for cars Melbourne wide, is optimistic about the future of green hydrogen and its economic and environmental benefits not only for Australia but on a global scale. Contact It Matters To You today to learn more about their push for sustainability in Australia's automotive industry.

Contact It Matters To You: 1300 365 221

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BRISBANE, Australia, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading event tech company HeadBox is more than just a marketplace for venues. Connecting venues with bookers, HeadBox's Host products allow venues to unlock brilliant events and generate more revenue from the type of clients they want.

Originally founded in the UK, since launching in Australia in 2021, HeadBox has supported the rebound of the events industry. Providing venues with increased exposure, allowing them to reach new audiences and access relevant leads tailored to their needs, HeadBox's unique business model enables function rooms for hire Brisbane-wide to fill their space and earn more revenue.

HeadBox is an online marketplace with an ecosystem of products designed to deliver high-quality bookings for venues. Host venues can list their space for free and then gain access to HeadBox Business clients, where hundreds of corporate clients are already planning, building, managing and tracking their entire meetings and events spend.

Venues can choose from three listing products. Lead Feed is ideal for function rooms in Brisbane that host a high volume of lower value events and provides venues with access to a live feed of new leads and the freedom to book them, commission-free.

For venues that host high-value corporate events, there is an additional product designed to increase exposure and increase the frequency of relevant enquiries. Power Host enhances the ranking of a venue within the HeadBox ecosystem, offers 3D venue tours and HeadBox's own digital proposals software, which increases exposure to HeadBox Business clients.

Many top venue Brisbane locations are already working with HeadBox and report that the platform has become an integral part of their workflow when sourcing new booking opportunities. HeadBox allows venues to be proactive when it comes to filling calendar space and with access to a client base they might not otherwise be able to reach, and listed venues enjoy a marked increase in booking conversions.

The team at HeadBox is passionate about creating memorable event experiences and works hard to carefully match enquiries with the right venue. To learn more or list a function room in Brisbane, contact HeadBox today.

For Press Enquiries: press@headbox.com

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English Lithuanian

Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, address of the head office Tilzes str. 149, Siauliai, Lithuania.



Siauliu bankas AB has received the notifications of managers on transactions in securities issued by the bank (see attachment).

Director of Securities Operations Department Jolanta Dobiliauskiene is authorized by the Issuer to provide additional information and is available on tel.: +370 41 595669.

Attachments
English French

PRESS RELEASE

April 13th, 2022



CONDITIONS FOR HOLDING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MAY 25th, 2022

AND AVAILABILITY OF THE MEETING DOCUMENTS

Boulogne-Billancourt, April 13th, 2022.

The Combined General Meeting of Renault S.A. will be held at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday May 25, 2022 at Palais des Congres, 2 place de la Porte Maillot, 75017 Paris.

In consideration of the health crisis related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the procedures for holding and participating in the Annual General Meeting may be modified according to the evolution of the health and/or regulatory situation. Shareholders are invited to regularly consult the section dedicated to the Annual General Meeting on the Renault Group website (www.renaultgroup.com) for the latest information concerning the Annual General Meeting.

Conditions to participate in the Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be broadcast on live video and in full on the Companys website (https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/) on Wednesday May 25, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. (Paris time) unless technical reasons make it impossible or seriously disrupt the broadcast. It will also be available in replay on the website after the Annual General Meeting.

In order to encourage participation at this privileged moment of exchange with the Companys management, shareholders will have the possibility, in addition to the legal provision of written questions, to ask their questions on a dedicated page of the Companys website in any of the following two formats:

in writing , from Thursday May 19, 2022 until Wednesday May 25, 2022, including during the meeting;

, from Thursday May 19, 2022 until Wednesday May 25, 2022, including during the meeting; orally by filming themselves in a short video to be posted on the website from Thursday May 19, 2022 until Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. (Paris time). This video may be broadcast during the Annual General Meeting (provided that the required format is complied with).

These questions, which may be combined by theme depending on their number, will be answered during the Annual General Meeting (within the time limit).

Availability of the preparatory documents for the Annual General Meeting

The preliminary notice of meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (French legal gazette) N30 of March 11, 2022 and the notice of meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires N44 of April 13, 2022. These notices are available on to section dedicated to the General Meeting on the Companys website. All updated information on the agenda, the draft resolutions and the formalities for participating and voting at the Meeting are set out in the notice of meeting.

Shareholders holding their shares in registered form will receive their convening documentation by post, or by email for those who have opted for e-notice. All shareholders and holders of units in the corporate mutual funds (FCPE) "Renault France", "Renault International" and "Renault Shares" can now consult the convening documentation on the Company's website. Shareholders holding their shares in bearer form are invited to contact their banking or financial intermediary for voting details.

The information and documents listed under Articles L.225-115 and R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code are available to shareholders as from the convening date of the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the applicable regulatory provisions:

Thus any shareholder may, up to and including the fifth day before the Meeting, ask the Company to send him/her these documents free of charge. For bearer shareholders, exercising this right is subject to the submission of a certificate of participation in the bearer share accounts kept by the authorised intermediary;

Any shareholder may also consult these documents at the Companys registered office situated at 13-15, Quai Alphonse le Gallo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, during the two weeks preceding the date of the Meeting.

The documents listed under Article R. 22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code are available and downloadable on the Companys website (https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/finance-2/general-meeting/).

Shareholders are also encouraged to favour the transmission of all their requests and documents through digital means.

For further information, shareholders may contact the Investor Relations Department  Phone: 0 800 650 650 (calls from France) or +33 (0)1 76 84 59 99 (calls from abroad)  Email: communication.actionnaires@renault.com.

About Renault Group

Renault Group is at the forefront of a mobility that is reinventing itself. Strengthened by its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, and its unique expertise in electrification, Renault Group comprises 5 complementary brands - Renault, Dacia, LADA, Alpine and Mobilize - offering sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to its customers. Established in more than 130 countries, the Group has sold 2.7 million vehicles in 2021. It employs nearly 160,000 people who embody its Purpose every day, so that mobility brings people closer. Ready to pursue challenges both on the road and in competition, Renault Group is committed to an ambitious transformation that will generate value. This is centred on the development of new technologies and services, and a new range of even more competitive, balanced and electrified vehicles. In line with environmental challenges, the Groups ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.

https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/





RENAULT GROUP

MEDIA RELATIONS



Frederic Texier

+33 6 10 78 49 20

frederic.texier@renault.com







Astrid de Latude

+33 6 25 63 22 08

astrid.de-latude@renault.com







Rie Yamane

+33 6 03 16 35 20

rie.yamane@renault.com









RENAULT GROUP INVESTOR RELATIONS Philippine de Schonen

+33 6 13 45 68 39

philippine.de-schonen@renault.com





Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A.I.S. Resources Limited (TSX.V: AIS, OTCQB: AISSF) (the Company or AIS) announces that the Company has completed logging the 39 trays of GHD002 drill hole core from the Golden Bar Reef. These core samples have been sent to Trentham for splitting, and then to the lab for assaying. Further work has been completed in the Pioneer and Reliance mine areas including using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging Laser), substantial soil sampling and mapping to identify the next drill targets.



As announced on January 12, 2022, AIS entered into a joint venture with Clarus Resources to explore the highly prospective Bright Gold Project Exploration Licence EL6194, that covers 57 sq km of land along the Bright-Mytleford highway. The exploration licence is surrounded by Dart Mining (ASX:DTM), Fosterville South (TSX.V:FSX), and E79 Resources (CSE:ESNR).

Figure 1 Phil Thomas, President and Denis Walsh, Chief Geologist inspect the drill core before shipping off to Trentham.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8eb5d0ee-3773-4b6e-ba5d-d4e2c3fe0f63

Golden Bar Reef, Pioneer Mine  Drill Targets

A number of ideal drill target sites have been located at the Pioneer Mine site. The mine site has five shafts of which three are located adjacent to existing roads that make ideal drill pads. Drilling is planned for May 2022. The Pioneer, White Star and Cobbler mines are all located on a main structural trend (the White Star and Cobbler Structural Trend) for gold deposition as indicated in Figure 3. The long-term success of this project revolves around its structural features which are similar or better to a Bendigonian style saddle reef structure.

Figure 2 The map above shows the location of the Pioneer mine shafts and reefs and Wallace reef. The blue shaded area is on the EL6194.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/05f33401-93a1-4900-9357-0dfb054cfc17

Historical results from these mines were Pioneer 19,967 oz at 15.2g/t, Cobbler 274 Oz at 30.7 g/t and White Star 2,753 oz at 56.9 g/t.

Figure 3. White Star/Hope-On trends and historic mine values recorded by the Victorian Mine Surveyor

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38f17a7c-e32c-4e86-9611-594cba848a4a

Hillborough-Catherines-Elgin-Reliance Reefs and Mines  Mapping

Further mapping was done in the Hillborough-Catherines-Elgin Reliance Reef area close to the 22 g/t gold sample collected in 2005. The white face in Figure 3 is located in close proximity to the 22 g/t sample collected in 2005. The reef width is 0.3m wide, with the quartz up to 0.5m, which makes up 3.8m of stockwork within the footwall. The Reef / fault surface dips 60 degrees toward 320 degrees and is parallel to bedding. This reef is part of a trend that connects with the Hillsborough Mine and trends into Elgin-Catherines area.

Figure 4. 11 m wide face sampled (SF01) proximal to 2005 sample grading 22g/t. Looking south.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e13aa35f-53fb-43fb-914e-5cdbc0c1de24

Work Objectives

The following work is planned for the next quarter:

Pioneer - Drilling is the Bright JVs lead prospect and is receiving intensive and immediate community engagement in preparation for an extensive drill program

White Star Hope-On Trend Soil sampling peripheral to Pioneer mine along trends Roadside structural data collection

Reliance-Hillborough-Catherines-Elgin Reefs and Mines Ring fence (small grid) soil sampling-Reliance Modeling recent structural data acquired



Figure 5. Traced reefs of Hillsborough-Elgin-Catherine-Reliance area over LiDAR, near Hillsborough mine

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/029875fa-76f2-4e73-ad26-5820b6a13c19

Historically High Grades

A historical account of production on the Bright Gold Project included surface mining initiated around 1865, and ending in 1905 on mining fronts associated with the Home Reef and Shaws Reef. Records in the Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin calculated that Shaws Reef yielded a grade of 10.14 g/t from 487.7 ton of ore and Home Reef yielded 22.28 g/t from 287 ton of ore. The weighted average from a total of 779.3 ton of ore is 14.66 g/t, with auriferous pyrite contributing between 1.2-1.5 g/t.

Toolleen

AIS has completed the soil sampling program, the geophysics review, a second geophysics review and are now preparing for drilling up to 10 holes at approximately 100-120m. Our community engagement team is currently working with land and traditional owners to advise them of the proposed work pursuant to the latest DJPR Earth Resources guidelines.

Historical Estimates

Historical estimate means an estimate of the quantity, grade, or metal or mineral content of a deposit that an issuer has not verified as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve, and which was prepared before the issuer acquiring, or entering into an agreement to acquire, an interest in the property that contains the deposit and is not NI43-101 compliant nor JORC compliant if an Australian reporting explorer. The statement does not imply that a resource has been estimated and gives no indication that the deposit is economic or not. An issuer must not disclose any information about a mineral resource or mineral reserve unless the disclosure uses only the applicable mineral resource and mineral reserve categories.

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBM, FAusIMM MAIG MAIMVA(CMV) who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the National Instrument 43-101 and is President, CEO of A.I.S. Resources Ltd.

About A.I.S. Resources Limited

A.I.S. Resources Limited is a publicly traded investment issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on lithium, gold, precious and base metals exploration. AIS value add strategy is to acquire prospective exploration projects and enhance their value by better defining the mineral resource with a view to attracting joint venture partners and enhancing the value of our portfolio. The Company is managed by a team of experienced geologists and investment bankers, with a track-record of successful capital markets achievements.

AIS owns 100% of the 28 sq km Fosterville-Toolleen Gold Project located 9.9km from Kirkland Lakes Fosterville gold mine, a 60% interest in the 57sqkm Bright Gold project (with the right to acquire 100%), a 60% interest in the 58 sq km New South Wales Yalgogrin Gold Project (with the right to acquire 100%), and 100% interest in the 167 sq km Kingston Gold Project in Victoria Australia near Stawell and Navarre. AIS has further options to acquire three lithium licences in the Pocitos and Cauchari Salars in Argentina and, also has 20% joint venture interests with Spey Resources Corp. in lithium brines in Argentina at the Incahuasi and Pocitos Salars.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

A.I.S. Resources Ltd.



Phillip Thomas,

President & CEO

Corporate Contact

For further information, please contact:

Phillip Thomas, Chief Executive Officer

T: +1-323 5155 164

E:pthomas@aisresources.com



Or

Martyn Element.Chairman

T: +1-604-220-6266

E:melement@aisresources.com

Website:www.aisresources.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.

ADVISORY: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Dublin, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Worldwide Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market reached a value of US$ 658.1 Million in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 1,015.6 Million by 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 7.10% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software are used to perform non-destructive testing (NDT) for uncovering subsurface defects in various industrial products. The x-ray inspection equipment aids in detecting hidden inconsistencies, flaws, cracks, and voids in a wide array of solid materials, such as plastic, rubber, silicone, metal, and composites, without harming the test item. On the other hand, the imaging software produces a clear image of the inspected location for evaluation by NDT inspectors and to maintain a record of the internal condition of the test piece. In recent years, industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software have gained traction in manufacturing facilities for quality control and risk management.



Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Market Trends:

Industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software assist in enhancing the production quality, determining the soundness of products or materials, and verifying the integrity of the internal structure. As a result, their emerging applications across various end use industries, including oil and gas, semiconductor and electronics, aerospace, automotive, construction, and food and beverage, represents the primary factor driving the market growth. Besides this, the escalating demand for compact devices and the emerging trend of electronics miniaturization are augmenting the product demand for detailed inspection and quality analysis.

Additionally, the leading players are developing next-gen digital radiography (DR) machines integrated with flat-panel detectors (FPDs) to offer higher resolution and faster processing. This, in confluence with the introduction of computer tomography (CT) equipped with FPDs and other innovative technologies, is catalyzing the market growth. Furthermore, the growing consumer demand for high-quality products and the increasing number of semiconductor fabrication plants are accelerating the product adoption rates. Other factors, including the rising oil and gas exploration activities, favorable government initiatives, stringent safety and quality standards, and ongoing research and development activities, are also creating a positive market outlook.



Key Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. Our report has categorized the market based on image type, technology, offering and end use industry.



Breakup by Image Type:

2D

3D

4D

Breakup by Technology:

Film-Based Imaging

Digital Imaging

Computed Tomography

Computed Radiography

Direct Radiography

Breakup by Offering:

Equipment

Software

Breakup by End Use Industry:

Oil and Gas

Aerospace

Food Industry and Construction

Automotive and Manufacturing

Energy and Power

Semiconductor and Electronics

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Carestream Health, DURR NDT GmbH & Co. KG, General Electric Company, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hitachi Ltd., Nikon Corporation, North Star Imaging Inc. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.), Olympus Corporation, OMRON Corporation, Rigaku Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Inc, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and YXLON International (Comet Holding).



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the image type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the offering?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end use industry?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the 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 Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Image Type

6.1 2D

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 3D

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 4D

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Film-Based Imaging

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Digital Imaging

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Key Segments

7.2.2.1 Computed Tomography

7.2.2.2 Computed Radiography

7.2.2.3 Direct Radiography

7.2.3 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Offering

8.1 Equipment

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Software

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End Use Industry

9.1 Oil and Gas

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Aerospace

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Food Industry and Construction

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Automotive and Manufacturing

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast

9.5 Energy and Power

9.5.1 Market Trends

9.5.2 Market Forecast

9.6 Semiconductor and Electronics

9.6.1 Market Trends

9.6.2 Market Forecast

9.7 Others

9.7.1 Market Trends

9.7.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Carestream Health

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.1.3 SWOT Analysis

15.3.2 DURR NDT GmbH & Co. KG

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2.3 Financials

15.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.3 General Electric Company

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.5 Hitachi Ltd.

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Nikon Corporation

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 North Star Imaging Inc. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 Olympus Corporation

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8.3 Financials

15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.9 OMRON Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 Rigaku Corporation

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11 Teledyne Technologies Inc

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.12 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12.3 Financials

15.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.13 YXLON International (Comet Holding)

15.3.13.1 Company Overview

15.3.13.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mc7xow

Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gold Bull Resources Corp. (TSX-V: GBRC) (Gold Bull or the Company) is pleased to report that extensions to the lag geochemical sampling program in the Windmill target area and west of the North Hill deposit has defined additional strong anomalies at its 100% owned Sandman Project (Sandman or the Project) located in Humboldt County, Nevada, USA. The Company intends to increase the current drill program from 4000m to 5000m to test these new targets while the drill rig is onsite. The Company is fully funded to complete this additional drilling.

HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATE:

Drill program extended from 4000m to 5000m to test new targets

Strong gold anomaly at surface (up to 2.36 ppm Au) defined south of North Hill in the Midway target area = new drill target

Lag geochemical sampling program extended from the Silica Valley target area northeast of Silica Ridge deposit

Broad gold lag geochemical anomaly extends west of North Hill in the Sandbowl target area, where 2021 hole SA-0029 returned 10.7m (35 ft) @ 0.51 g/t Au from 131m (430 ft) in rocks that are not usually mineralized at Sandman

Gold and pathfinder antimony anomalism on parallel structures intersecting the Windmill Target area indicate that these are possible conduits for mineralizing fluids along a trend

Drill holes are planned to test Sand Bowl and Windmill Targets in May with results anticipated in June 2022

Drilling continues onsite  first batch of assay results for announcing due imminently



Gold Bull CEO, Cherie Leeden commented:

Lag geochemical sampling is proving to be an excellent low cost tool for detecting new concealed gold areas which have previously not been explored due to a thin veneer of sand cover obscuring the rocks below. We have several target areas at Sandman which require this lag test work to identify new high priority drill targets with the aim of making new gold discoveries. >1g/t gold at surface is very encouraging and is worthy of drill testing.

Background

The lag geochemical sampling program that defined a strong anomaly at the Silica Valley target (refer to press release Gold Bull surface sampling defines new drill target at Sandman dated February 28, 2022) has been extended, resulting in identification of new exploration targets at Sandbowl and Windmill as well as further definition of the Windmill Trend target.

Sandbowl Target



Sandbowl is a target extending from the western edge of the North Hill deposit into an area covered by sand dunes with limited to no prior drill testing. Hole SA-0029, drilled in June 2021 within the southern edge of this target area, returned 12.2 m (40 ft) @ 0.47 g/t Au from 131.1 m (430 ft) down-hole in the lower fluvial sequence. Gold mineralization in this part of the Tertiary stratigraphy at Sandman is unusual and may indicate proximity to a fluid conduit and potential unknown deposit.

The lag sampling program defined a broad zone of gold (up to 0.108 ppm Au) and pathfinder element anomalism extending west of the North Hill deposit into the area north of hole SA-0029. A hole designed to test an interpreted structure intruded by a mafic dyke is planned and will be drill tested within the next few weeks.

Midway (North) Target

The lag sampling program covered the northern end of the Midway target area, which extends between the North Hill and Silica Ridge deposits. Previous explorers had regarded the southern end of the North Hill deposit as being closed off by sparse historic drilling in this area. However, the lag sampling program defined an anomaly with up to 2.36 ppm Au (sample described as bleached, quartz-adularia altered basalt/andesite). This result demands a review of the historic drilling in this area to determine whether the favorable host units have been adequately tested close to the already defined North Hill Mineral Resource.

Windmill Target

The Windmill Target was identified using gravity, helicopter magnetics and CSAMT, which defined intersecting E-W and NNW structures to the south of the historic drilled Windmill drill target. The lag sampling program has defined gold and pathfinder anomalies on two sub-parallel interpreted NNW striking structures that form part of the Windmill Trend Target. A hole has been planned to test one of these structures in the current drill program.

About lag geochemical sampling



Lag sampling is a technique pioneered by Western Mining Corporation in Australia and has demonstrated effectiveness in arid terrain (refer to Carver, R.N., Chenoweth, L.M., Mazzucchelli, R.H., Oates, C.J., and Robbins, T.W., 1987, Lag  a geochemical sampling medium for arid regions: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 28, 1-3, p 183-199). The geochemical sample is collected by screening surficial rock material gathered within a 20-30 m radius of the sample location by removing the fine fraction (mainly aeolian sand), leaving the coarse residual rock fragments. Orientation sampling over the northern end of the Silica Ridge deposit in July 2021 confirmed the effectiveness of this technique for detecting geochemical expressions of covered gold deposits in the Sandman terrain.

Next Steps

The strong gold anomaly in lag sampling south of North Hill indicates that the mineralizing system may extend beyond the current Mineral Resource Estimate. A review of historic drilling is planned.

The current drill program will extend into May and will include additional drill holes testing the new Sandbowl and Windmill targets.

Additional low cost lag sampling is required at Sandbowl to further define the gold anomalism.



About Sandman

In December 2020, Gold Bull purchased the Sandman Project from Newmont. Gold mineralization was first discovered at Sandman in 1987 by Kennecott and the project has been intermittently explored since then. There are four known pit constrained gold resources located within the Sandman Project, consisting of 21.8Mt @ 0.7g/t gold for 494,000 ounces of gold; comprising of an Indicated Resource of 18,550kt @ 0.73g/t gold for 433kozs of gold plus an Inferred Resource of 3,246kt @ 0.58g/t gold for 61kozs of gold. Several of the resources remain open in multiple directions and the bulk of the historical drilling has been conducted to a depth of less than 100m. Sandman is conveniently located circa 25-30 km northwest of the mining town of Winnemucca, Nevada.

Qualified Person

Cherie Leeden, B.Sc Applied Geology (Honours), MAIG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has read and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release. Ms. Leeden is the Companys Chief Executive Officer. Cherie Leeden relied on resource information contained within the Technical Report on the Sandman Gold Project, prepared by Steven Olsen, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, who is a Qualified Persons as defined by the National Instrument NI 43-101. Mr Olsen is an independent consultant and has no affiliations with Gold Bull except that of an independent consultant/client relationship. Mr Olsen is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Quality Assurance  Quality Control

Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories analytical facility in Sparks, Nevada for preparation and analysis. The AAL facility is ISO-17025 accredited by IAS. The entire sample is dried, weighed and crushed, with 70% passing -10 mesh, then riffle split to 250 g aliquots, which are fine pulverized with 90% passing -150mesh. Analysis for gold is by 30 g fire assay lead collection with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) finish with a lower limit of 0.003 ppm. Samples were also analyzed using a 36 multi-element geochemical package by 5-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the 36 elements.

About Gold Bull Resources Corp.

Gold Bulls mission is to grow into a US focused mid-tier gold development Company via rapidly discovering and acquiring additional ounces. The companys exploration hub is based in Nevada, USA, a top-tier mineral district that contains significant historical production, existing mining infrastructure and an established mining culture. Gold Bull is led by a Board and Management team with a track record of exploration and acquisition success.

Gold Bulls core asset is the Sandman Project, located in Nevada which has a 494,000 oz gold resource as per 2021 43-101 Resource Estimate. Sandman is located 23 km south of the Sleeper Mine and boasts excellent large-scale exploration potential. Drilling at Sandman is currently underway.

Gold Bull is driven by its core values and purpose which includes a commitment to safety, communication & transparency, environmental responsibility, community, and integrity.

Cherie Leeden

President and CEO, Gold Bull Resources Corp.

For further information regarding Gold Bull Resources Corp., please visit our website at www.goldbull.ca or email admin@goldbull.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding 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.

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential, indicates, opportunity, possible and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Although Gold Bull believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Companys ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects, to repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of copper and other metals, changes in general economic conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Companys plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Companys operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at:

Figure 1 - https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ef35cab-f620-48e8-86bd-abcafe56ba2e

Figure 2 - https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a994f6a3-04e7-4a07-ad43-9c3f5d1a33e2

Figure 3 - https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04e0c87a-f4de-4f63-a3cb-2ff5b323e3d8
New York, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "AI Infrastructure Market Research Report by Component, Technology, Function, Deployment, End User, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262491/?utm_source=GNW



The Global AI Infrastructure Market size was estimated at USD 20.07 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 24.34 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 21.43% to reach USD 64.39 billion by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the AI Infrastructure to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Component, the market was studied across Hardware and Server Software. The Hardware is further studied across Memory, Networking, Processor, and Storage.



Based on Technology, the market was studied across Deep Learning and Machine Learning.



Based on Function, the market was studied across Inference and Training.



Based on Deployment, the market was studied across On-Cloud and On-Premise.



Based on End User, the market was studied across Cloud Service Provider, Enterprize, and Government Organization.



Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



Cumulative Impact of 2022 Russia Ukraine Conflict:

We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia.



This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for AI Infrastructure market considering the current update on the conflict and its global response.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the AI Infrastructure Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Competitive Scenario:

The Competitive Scenario provides an outlook analysis of the various business growth strategies adopted by the vendors. The news covered in this section deliver valuable thoughts at the different stage while keeping up-to-date with the business and engage stakeholders in the economic debate. The competitive scenario represents press releases or news of the companies categorized into Merger & Acquisition, Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership, New Product Launch & Enhancement, Investment & Funding, and Award, Recognition, & Expansion. All the news collected help vendor to understand the gaps in the marketplace and competitors strength and weakness thereby, providing insights to enhance product and service.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global AI Infrastructure Market, including Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon Web Services, CISCO System, Google LLC, IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, Micron Technology, Microsoft Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation, Samsung Electronics, and Xilinx.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global AI Infrastructure Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global AI Infrastructure Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262491/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immutable Holdings Inc. (NEO:HOLD) (Immutable Holdings or the Company), a publicly-traded blockchain holding company, is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated March 30, 2022, the NFT.com Genesis Key Whitelist Blind Auction will commence on April 26, 2022, at 7:00 pm EDT, and will remain open for 48 hours thereafter. The auction will provide community members with the first opportunity to obtain a unique Genesis Key from a limited collection of 10,000 animated Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Each will allow first access to the platform, ownership of two (2) NFT.com profiles (for example, NFT.com/YOU), and the chance to help steer the future direction of the project.



Community members are required to register with the NFT.com Whitelist (the Whitelist) at whitelist.nft.com in order to participate in the auction. The Whitelist is currently open for registration, and will remain so until 7:00am EDT, on April 26, 2022, 12 hours prior to the opening of the auction. Further details regarding registration on the Whitelist and the mechanics of the Blind Auction have been included in the FAQs section at www.nft.com. Following the auction, additional Genesis Keys will be made available as part of a public sale.

NFT.com is a Web3 Community-Centric NFT ecosystem. For more information or regular updates, visit www.nft.com , follow on Twitter at @NFTcomofficial , or join the discussion in Discord at www.nft.com/discord .

About Immutable Holdings Inc.

Immutable Holdings Inc. (NEO:HOLD), is on a mission to democratize access to Web3 and blockchain-based products and services. Founded by Jordan Fried, a founding team member of the $11B Hedera Hashgraph network, Immutable Holdings already boasts tens of millions under management and a portfolio of businesses and brands built on the blockchain ecosystem, including NFT.com, Immutable Asset Management, and 1-800-Bitcoin. To learn more, visit https://immutableholdings.com/.

For media inquiries and further information, contact:

info@immutableholdings.com

This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including with respect to NFT.com, Genesis Keys, and the Genesis Key Whitelist Blind Auction. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include changes to applicable laws or the regulatory sphere in which the Company operates, general economic and capital markets conditions and stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Dublin, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Military Power Solutions Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global military power solutions market reached a value of US$ 8.18 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 12.01 Billion by 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 6.30% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Military power solutions are devices used to power military machinery and equipment, ranging from small electronic gadgets to large military vehicles across air, land, and sea. They comprise batteries, fuel cells, energy harvesters, generators, and solar power cells to support higher voltages and lower input signals as compared to commercial power supplies used by military hospitals and air traffic control facilities. They assist specific and standard voltage ranges for power continuity, control and effective operations. In addition, they handle vibration and shock caused by tracked and wheeled military vehicles with the impact of artillery fire.



Military Power Solutions Market Trends:

Due to the deployment of troops at isolated regions, there is a rise in the demand for durable military power solutions across the globe. This, along with the growing demand for maintenance-free power solutions to reduce operating costs, represents one of the key factors driving the market.

Moreover, there is an increase in the demand for portable power solutions for being used at any location. This, coupled with the rising defense budget to facilitate the military troops and machinery, is propelling the growth of the market. In addition, the escalating demand for military drones to carry out counterterrorism strikes and surveillance is positively influencing the market. Besides this, the increasing utilization of soundless power solutions to power electronics and drones without revealing the area of the outposts is offering lucrative growth opportunities to manufacturers.

Additionally, governments of several countries are taking initiatives for upgrading defense equipment. This, coupled with extensive investment in research and development (R&D) activities to develop innovative military power products by leading players, is projected to augment the overall sales.



Key Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global military power solutions market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. Our report has categorized the market based on type, source, wattage and application.



Breakup by Type:

Portable

Non-Portable

Breakup by Source:

Batteries

Generators

Others

Breakup by Wattage:

Low Power

Medium Power

High Power

Breakup by Application:

Air

Land

Naval

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Arotech Corporation, Concorde Battery Corporation, Cummins Inc., Denchi Group Ltd., EaglePicher Technologies, EnerSys Inc., Eniquest, Himoinsa S.L. (Yanmar Co. Ltd.), Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Saft (TotalEnergies SE) and SFC Energy AG.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global military power solutions market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global military power solutions market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the source?

What is the breakup of the market based on the wattage?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global military power solutions market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the 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 Military Power Solutions Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Portable

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Non-Portable

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Source

7.1 Batteries

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Generators

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Others

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Wattage

8.1 Low Power

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Medium Power

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 High Power

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Application

9.1 Air

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Land

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Naval

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Arotech Corporation

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Concorde Battery Corporation

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 Cummins Inc.

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Denchi Group Ltd.

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5 EaglePicher Technologies

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 EnerSys Inc.

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 Eniquest

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 Himoinsa S.L. (Yanmar Co. Ltd.)

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9 Raytheon Technologies Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 Saft (TotalEnergies SE)

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11 SFC Energy AG

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uzc9up

Attachment
Zack Tahhan had one thing on his mind when he saw suspected subway shooter Frank James walking along an East Village sidewalk Wednesday afternoon: If someone doesnt stop him, hell hurt more people.

So the 21-year-old security camera technician tried to warn everyone he saw, and then flagged down a police car.

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If you smoke one cigar, youre gonna want to smoke two cigars, you know? Like, this guy is gonna do it again if we dont catch him, and we catch him. Thank God! he said.

Outside the 9th Precinct in Manhattan Wednesday, Zack Tahhan, 21, talks about spotting suspected subway shooter Frank James. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Police arrested James on First Ave. and St. Marks Place in Manhattan, a day after cops allege he detonated two smoke bombs and started shooting at commuters on a subway in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Ten people were hit and 13 others were injured.

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Police sources are calling the arrest a group effort  a tipster called Crime Stoppers after seeing the 61-year-old suspect at a McDonalds at Sixth St. and First Ave., summoning 9th Precinct officers to the area. Cops were also looking at the possibility James called 911 on himself, the sources said.

NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said cops responding to the tip saw James walking on the street and arrested him without incident.

Tahhans role in the capture drew cheers as he recounted what happened to reporters and passers by Wednesday afternoon. He said he recognized James face from an emergency alert on his phone, and started telling people, Thats the guy, thats the guy, he did the problem!

Tahhan, a Brooklyn native, said he grew up in Syria during the Middle Eastern countrys horrific civil war and now lives in Union City, N.J.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

At first, I was so scared. Lets catch him, we need to catch him. If we dont catch him, maybe I die, maybe you die, he said. And we catch him.

One man, who identified himself only as Rafael, said he was eating eggs outside a restaurant called the Wild Son and watched the scene unfold, noting James looked like he was charging his phone at a public charging station.

I was just having lunch, and we were like, Wait, theres something off here. The commotion, and the guy [Zack] screaming, Thats the guy, thats the guy! he said.

Biglee Lloyd, 50, who owns a bar called the Hard Swallow, was having drinks in the sun with a buddy when he witnessed Franks arrest.

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It was five cop cars. Thats why I came out. Usually, Im doing my daily operations at the bar. And I see five cop cars, especially after the state New York is in right now, especially after yesterday, I was like, Oh my God, whats happening now? he recalled. We joked about, like, Theyre probably looking for Frank. We joked about it, and then we came out, and Oh my God, it might be him. It might be Frank. Its him.

The crowd grew as the officers took James into custody.

Im relieved. He actually is mentally unstable, and hopefully gets some treatment, and hes off the streets. It makes my job of running the bar a little easier, Lloyd said.
ST TROPEZ, France, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EV Technology Group Ltd.s wholly owned subsidiary, Moke France SAS, announces today that it has commenced construction on a Moke flagship store in St Tropez, France.

The construction of this flagship fits with EV Technology Groups strategy of electrifying iconic brands: carefully selecting legendary cars and bringing them forward with an electric twist. Moke, the heritage car created by Austin Minis designer, Sir Alec Issogonis, began its rise to cult status in the 1960s when the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Alain Delon drove it along the French Riviera coastline.

Saint-Tropez has a strong resonance in the worldwide collective imagery, and Moke is almost the official car for local owners going to the beach, said Moke France CEO Willy Gruyelle. By opening Casa Moke, a house that feels like home where we will invite customers to experience the Moke art-de-vivre, we celebrate our history in an authentic and meaningful way.

Casa Moke - 3D views (non-final)

In the spirit of authenticity, Moke France partnered with local architect, Olivia Siri, who trained with Nicolas Laisne before coming back to her roots. The project is all about a celebration of the Mediterranean sense of relaxed elegance, and Casa Moke will be a place to gather, learn about the new electric Moke, and share the open to life vision that has been enshrined in the Moke brand DNA since 1964.

Casa Moke is a way for the brand to exist locally with a genuine resonance, but it is part of Mokes strategy to talk with only one voice, said Willy Gruyelle. With such a legacy, its vital to maintain consistent brand equity through all our channels and to showcase it in the best way.

Moke France aims to complete construction before Summer 2022, when the high season starts in Saint-Tropez, and will be welcoming guests for both rental and purchase experiences. Casa Moke represents the brands first direct-to-consumer foray into France.

About Moke International and Moke France

Moke International is the official Moke manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. Moke France handles the exclusive distribution of the new electric Moke in France and will focus on reviving the brand with a focus on heritage and customer satisfaction.

About EV Technology Group

EV Technology Group was founded in 2021 with a mission of electrifying iconic driving experiences. We believe that as we are making the transition to electric, what got lost is that people drive cars for reasons other than going from A to B. EV Technology Group capitalises on this opportunity by acquiring and operating iconic brands that bring back the joy of motoring in an electric age.

For further information contact:

EV Technology Group Ltd.

Wouter Witvoet, CEO and Chairman of the Board

Phone: +41782008566

Email: wouter@evtgroup.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements about the Companys strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions; the opening of a flagship store in St. Tropez, France; and the anticipated demands or interest in the companys products. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as estimated, potential, open, future, assumed, projected, used, detailed, has been, gain, planned, reflecting, will, containing, remaining, to be, or statements that events, could or should occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements, including those factors discussed under Risk Factors in the Filing Statement. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except where required by law. There can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the NEO nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the NEO) has in any way passed upon the merits of the press release and neither of the foregoing entities accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2cb3934d-119e-4604-a897-8b08e7d2ce8a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dff8396c-017a-406c-92e6-2369aafd23f0
Pune, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The sleep apnea device market is driven by increasing prevalence of sleep apnea globally and increasing awareness by government regarding sleep apnea. Moreover, various technological advancements brought by competitors to make the products more comfortable for patients and thus increase patient compliance and adherence to the treatment coupled with growing geriatric population have been crucial in contributing to the extensive growth of this market. However, lack of patient compliance is likely to restrain the market to a certain extent during forecast period.

The global Sleep Apnea Devices Market is estimated to be valued over USD 15.6 Bn by 2030, It is anticipated to reach a CAGR over 8.1% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.

Sleep Apnea Devices Market by Region

The global sleep apnea device market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World (ROW). North America dominated the market of sleep apnea devices during forecast period. North America will continue to dominate the global sleep apnea device market due to the rising geriatric population in the region and high incidence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB). According to the American Sleep Association, in 2018, it was estimated that about 50-70 million adult population in the United States was found to have a sleep disorder. Though, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to increasing prevalence of sleep apnea and initiatives taken by the government & other private organizations to increase awareness about sleep disorders.





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COMPANY PROFILES (Business Overview, Products Offered, Financial Performance, R&D Intensity, Marketing & Sales Intensity, Recent Developments, Analyst Corner)* ResMed Koninklijke Philips N.V. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Compumedics Limited DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC BMC Medical Co. Ltd VYAIRE Curative Medical Invacare Corporation Somnetics International, Inc.

INTRODUCTION Market Definition Market Ecosystem Market Classification Geographic Scope Years Considered for the Study: Historical Years  2017 & 2020 ; Base Year  2021 ; Forecasted Years  2022 to 2030 Currency Used RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Framework Data Collection Technique Data Sources Secondary Sources Primary Sources Market Estimation Methodology Bottoms Up Approach Top Down Approach Data Validation and Triangulation Market Forecasting Model Limitations/Assumptions of the Study ABSTRACT OF THE STUDY MARKET DYNAMICS ASSESMENT Overview Drivers Barriers/Challenges Opportunities UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITIONS (USPs) Product Analysis (Snapshot) Epidemiological Assessment Pipeline Assessment GLOBAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET- ANALYSIS & FORECAST, BY PRODUCT Therapeutic Devices Adaptive Servo Ventilation (ASV) Devices Positive airway pressure (PAP) Devices Oral Appliances Airway Clearance Systems Oxygen Devices Diagnostic Devices Polysomnography (PSG) Devices Oximeter Actigraphy Devices Others GLOBAL SLEEP APNEA DEVICES MARKET - ANALYSIS & FORECAST, BY END USER Sleep Laboratories & Hospitals Home Care

Continued...







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Vendor Assessment

Vendor assessment includes a deep analysis of how vendors are addressing the demand in the Sleep Apnea Devices Market. The MDC Competetive Scape model was used to assess qualitative and quantitative insights in this assessment. MDC's Competitive Scape is a structured method for identifying key players and outlining their strengths, relevant characteristics, and outreach strategy. MDC's Competitive Scape allows organizations to analyze the environmental factors that influence their business, set goals, and identify new marketing strategies. MDC Research analysts conduct a thorough investigation of vendors' solutions, services, programs, marketing, organization size, geographic focus, type of organization and strategies.

Technology Assessment

Technology dramatically impacts business productivity, growth and efficiency. Technologies can help companies develop competitive advantages, but choosing them can be one of the most demanding decisions for businesses. Technology assessment helps organizations to understand their current situation with respect to technology and offer a roadmap where they might want to go and scale their business. A well-defined process to assess and select technology solutions can help organizations reduce risk, achieve objectives, identify the problem, and solve it in the right way. Technology assessment can help businesses identify which technologies to invest in, meet industry standards, compete against competitors.





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Business Ecosystem Analysis

Advancements in technology and digitalization have changed the way companies do business; the concept of a business ecosystem helps businesses understand how to thrive in this changing environment. Business ecosystems provide organizations with opportunities to integrate technology in their daily business operations and improve research and business competency. The business ecosystem includes a network of interlinked companies that compete and cooperate to increase sales, improve profitability, and succeed in their markets. An ecosystem analysis is a business network analysis that includes the relationships amongst suppliers, distributors, and end-users in delivering a product or service.

Regions and Countries Covered

North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (RoW)

Report Coverage

Sleep Apnea Devices Market Dynamics, Covid-19 Impact on the Sleep Apnea Devices Market, Vendor Profiles, Vendor Assessment, Strategies, Technology Assessment, Product Mapping, Industry Outlook, Economic Analysis, Segmental Analysis, Sleep Apnea Devices Market Sizing, Analysis Tables





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Vendor Profiles Covered

All Major Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 companies are covered in this Sleep Apnea Devices Market report (25 Vendor Profiles)

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

What is the potential of the Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

What are the top strategies that companies adopting in Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

What are the challenges faced by SMEs and prominent vendors in Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

Which region has the highest investments in Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

What are the latest research and activities in Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

Who are the prominent players in Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

What is the potential of the Sleep Apnea Devices Market?

Additional vendors profiles can be added based on client business requirements

At MDC Research, we offer research solutions to help businesses break the barriers of doubt or uncertainties when they plan to expand their growth. Our researchers compile data and information that help chief executive officers decide which growth opportunities in a market to pursue.

MDC Research is known for conducting well-researched reports, and the expertise of our researchers contributes to the outstanding quality of our reports. MDC Research enables businesses to make impactful decisions by blending innovation and analytical thinking. Our unique blend of these two skills assures you access to the most complete and up-to-date information about your industry.

MDC Research has a wealth of experience using the latest methodologies to develop reports for a wide range of clients in diverse markets. Our commitment to delivering high-quality research and creating innovative reports is one of the reasons why MDC Research is such a trusted name in the business world today.





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About MDC:

Market Data Centre (Subsidiary of Yellow Bricks Global Services Private Limited)

Market Data Centre offers complete solutions for market research reports in miscellaneous businesses. These decisions making process depend on wider and systematic extremely important information created through extensive study as well as the most recent trends going on in the industry. The company also attempts to offer much better customer-friendly services and appropriate business information to achieve our clients ideas.
DENVER, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ToolCASE, LLC, an AI based transactional and cyber fraud detection and prevention company, based out of Colorado, is proud to announce a new news service dedicated to digital, global industrial fraud trends.



The service, available for free at https://News.ToolCASE.com/, is designed to keep transactional and data housing institutions abreast of industry trends, fraud perpetration trends and solutions to cyber-attacks and institutional fraud.

Sam Piccolotti, VP of Business Development at ToolCASE, said of the new service, Until now, finding valuable, actionable information on fraud trends and solutions has been a struggle for many businesses, both large and small. Data on the issue have been far too disbursed and difficult to find.

Our new news service will bring the most important, actionable information to global transactional and data housing businesses together in one, easy to digest news site. Well cover only the stories that matter most, so businesses know exactly how to be, and remain, protected from fraud.

In addition to its new news site, ToolCASE presents a podcast called FraudCAST, which covers these topics with expert guests and commentators from the banking and credit, healthcare, and cybercrimes community.

FraudCAST, as well as the companys new news site is available subscription-free at: https://News.ToolCASE.com.

About ToolCASE

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, ToolCASE provides clients throughout the U.S. with a comprehensive suite of Ai based solutions and services. The companys flagship RembrandAi delivers best-in-class analytics, visualization, and insight to help detect and prevent digital fraud, as well as solve complex enterprise challenges. ToolCASE solutions support a variety of industries, including financial services, business services, airlines, oil and gas, retail and online stores, health and medical, government, manufacturing, and transportation.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

ToolCASE

Sam V. Piccolotti

720-490-4170

spiccolotti@toolcase.com
Dublin, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Dehumidifier Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global dehumidifier market reached a value of US$ 3.83 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 5.65 Billion by 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 6.3% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that removes moisture from the air by condensing it into liquid water. It reduces humidity levels while preventing the growth of allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and mildew. It also keeps bread and cereal fresh without getting stale for a long time. Besides this, it prevents computer equipment, electronics, and tools from corrosion and helps lower energy costs by enabling the air conditioner (AC) to run more efficiently. As a result, it finds extensive applications in electronics and semiconductors, agriculture, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage (F&B) industries across the globe.



Dehumidifier Market Trends:

The increasing utilization of dehumidifiers in households to control moisture and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold represents one of the key factors driving the market. Moreover, there is a rise in the demand for dehumidifiers in industrial sectors to reduce moisture. This, along with rapid industrialization and the escalating demand for energy-efficient products across the globe, is bolstering the growth of the market. In addition, there is an increase in the demand for advanced portable dehumidifiers with automatic temperature and humidity sensing capabilities.

This, coupled with the rising need to quickly dry plasters and slabs and maintain humidity levels in real-estate hardware stores, is positively influencing the market. Besides this, stringent energy-efficient standards implemented by governments of numerous countries are catalyzing the demand for energy-efficient dehumidifiers. Additionally, the development of cold storage, warehousing, and pharmaceutical manufacturing units worldwide is offering lucrative growth opportunities to the end-users. Furthermore, key market players are extensively investing in research and development (R&D) activities to enhance the overall product quality, which is projected to increase their overall sales.



Key Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global dehumidifier market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. Our report has categorized the market based on product, technology, distribution channel and end use.



Breakup by Product:

Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifier

Heat Pump Dehumidifier

Ventilating Dehumidifier

Breakup by Technology:

Cold Condensation

Sorption

Warm Condensation

Others

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

Offline

Online

Breakup by End Use:

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being AB Electrolux, Condair Group AG, Danby, DeLonghi Appliances S.r.l, General Filters Inc., Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Midea Group, Panasonic Corporation, Research Products Corporation, TCL Technology and Therma-Stor LLC.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global dehumidifier market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global dehumidifier market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end use?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global dehumidifier market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the 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 Dehumidifier Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product

6.1 Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifier

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Heat Pump Dehumidifier

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Ventilating Dehumidifier

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Cold Condensation

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Sorption

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Warm Condensation

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Others

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

8.1 Offline

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Online

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End Use

9.1 Residential

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Commercial

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Industrial

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 AB Electrolux

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Condair Group AG

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 Danby

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4 DeLonghi Appliances S.r.l

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.5 General Filters Inc.

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Hitachi Ltd.

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 Honeywell International Inc.

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.7.3 Financials

15.3.8 Midea Group

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8.3 Financials

15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.9 Panasonic Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10 Research Products Corporation

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11 TCL Technology

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.12 Therma-Stor LLC

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12.3 Financials

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rsni2b

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English French

Paris, April 13, 2022  Atos today announced that it has been positioned in the Leaders Category in IDC MarketScape: European Managed Security Services 2022 Vendor Assessment1. This positioning illustrates the strength and relevance of Atos' cybersecurity solutions and their European DNA, along with its strong awareness of the region's characteristics and needs.



With more than 6,000 experts across the Group, an accelerated innovation process, a dynamic partnership approach, and regular acquisitions, Atos continues to boost its cybersecurity capabilities.

The IDC MarketScape report notes Atos operates a backbone of four global SOCs, two of which are in Europe (Poland and Romania). In addition, Atos possesses five regional multitenant SOCs in Europe that together make up a significant portion of the company's 16 SOCs globally. All SOCs operate on a 24 x 7 basis , while customers can choose a FTS service. Since the IDC MarketScape was published, Atos has opened its 16th SOC in Sofia , Bulgaria.

Atos is developing solutions that are evolving from MSS to full Managed Detection and Response (MDR) , an advanced managed security service that provides threat intelligence, threat hunting, security monitoring, incident analysis and incident response.

According to the IDC MarketScape, Atos can provide a unified view of IT, IoT, and OT, compelling IT/OT convergence capabilities by leveraging a long-standing strategic digital alliance with Siemens.

MSS is a growing market in Europe as businesses of all sizes seek to manage and control their security and data privacy needs amidst seismic changes driven by the pandemic, and growing volumes and sophistication of cyber-attacks. In this context, Atos has a strong footprint in cybersecurity services in Europe, built on its European roots. Atos can differentiate its MSS offering through its in-house security products, use of advanced analytics, and specialized focus on vertical markets. says Claudio Stahnke, senior research analyst at IDC.

We are proud to be recognized by the IDC MarketScape for our position as a Leader in MSS in Europe. We believe this recognition validates our strategy of continuously developing our cybersecurity capabilities, and our ability to provide client organizations with the most efficient end-to-end cybersecurity services, adapted to their sector of activity and geography, ensuring the protection of data sovereignty when needed. Atos European Security Operations Centers not only provide deep, region-specific security insight, but also support the security operations data residency and transfer needs of European customers. says Chris Moret, SVP, global head of cybersecurity services at Atos.

Atos has recently strengthened its MDR portfolio with the launch of the first carbon-neutral MDR ; a new sovereign data version available from the cloud or on-premises; and a specialized MDR for the media sector .

This report evaluated 14 service providers. To access an excerpt of the IDC MarketScape: European Managed Security Services 2022 Vendor Assessment, please visit: https://atos.net/en/lp/idc-marketscape

More about Atos cybersecurity solutions: https://atos.net/en/solutions/cyber-security

***

1 Report: IDC MarketScape: European Managed Security Services 2022 Vendor Assessment (document #EUR146178820, January 2022)

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendors position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and currentand future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 109,000 employees and annual revenue of c.  11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 71 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is an SE (Societas Europaea), listed on Euronext Paris and included in the CAC 40 ESG and Next 20 indexes.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

Press contact

Lucie Duchateau  lucie.duchateau@atos.net - +33 (0)7 62 85 35 10

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KEFAR SABA, Israel, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The MultiPoint Group , founded and managed by Ricardo Resnik since 2009, is expanding due to the high demand for cyber security in these regions, as well as an announcement of a revenue growth of 71% in the first quarter of 2022.



"Mark has led teams through hyper-growth points in markets of cloud services, cyber security, in both emerging and established countries. We are confident that Mark will excel in his new role," says Arie Wolman, COO at the MultiPoint Group. Prior to this position, Mark held various positions at Cisco, Clouditalia and Aegate. He was the Sales Director for Emerging Markets for the cyber security leader, Delinea/Thycotic (Turkey, MEA, EE) and at Europe cyber security leader WALLIX Mark drove sales in the UK, Nordics, Italy, and MEA.

Mark has an engineering degree from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia University. Mark comes from Italy and speaks five languages. He is passionate about Markets, People, and Technology.

Considering Turkey's investment in Cybersecurity, it makes sense that a new office would be opened. All innovation in cyber security is welcome as this 85 million people country accelerates its readiness to tackle vulnerabilities in IT and OT.

Mark De Simone comments on his appointment of Sales Director for Turkey and Central Asia : "of the many exciting, rich, unique country markets part of the broader emerging markets regions that I have led in the last few years, none fascinates me in a more extraordinary way than Turkey and its wonderful people! I know the capabilities of the industry in Turkey, and they are exciting. In my latest year at Delinea, we set up a brand-new subsidiary and we grew the business at triple digit levels. This amazing market is growing, fueled by vibrant innovation, an industrious population, and a changing culture, I look forward to driving amazing growth at The MultiPoint Group in Turkey and in Central Asia."

The MultiPoint Group is a Value-Added Distributor focused on Cyber Security, with offices in Greece & Cyprus, UAE, Romania & Bulgaria, Israel, Estonia, Poland. With a strategic alliance with Ingecom.
The Limited-Time Culinary Series Celebrating the Worlds Most Popular Japanese Food

Brings the Immersive The Art of the Ramen Bowl Exhibition to Life

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, a Japanese cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood, announces the launch of RAMEN DISCOVERIES | A Popup Series, a limited-time culinary experience complementing the recently opened The Art of the Ramen Bowl exhibition. Starting Friday, May 6 through Sunday, July 31, the series will feature ramen popup collaborations spotlighting seven different ramen concepts including a variety of regional ramens (Tokyo, Kumamoto, Fukushima, and Yokohama), inviting diners to learn about the unique varieties and qualities of authentic ramen. Reservations are now available for booking here.

With sweeping views from Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles, the ramen popups take place at the acclaimed JAPAN HOUSE restaurant space on the 5th floor of Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 11:30 a.m.  8:00 p.m., with last order at 7:15 p.m. Ramen will be served in a variety of beautiful Mino ceramic donburi (bowls). Visitors are encouraged to complete their immersive experience by visiting The Art of the Ramen Bowl exhibit before or after dining, to deepen their understanding of the history and culture of Japanese ramen and the Mino region of Gifu Prefecture, a major Japanese ceramics center for over 500 years.

RAMEN DISCOVERIES | A POPUP SERIES Lineup

May 6-8, 13-15 Restaurant: Tsujita Miso no Sho Style: Miso Ramen (a sweet and savory Tokyo-style miso ramen)





May 20-22, 27-29

Restaurant: Keika Style: Keika Ta-Ro Ra-men (a rich, porky Kumamoto-style ramen)





June 3-5, 10-12

Restaurant: Bannai Shokudo Style: Kitakata Ramen (ramen with a wide curly noodle and tender pork chashu)





June 17-19, 24-26

Restaurant: Mengyo Style: Snapper Ramen (new genre of ramen; the soup uses the essence of snapper fished in Uwajima and the noodle is 100% wheat of Hokkaido ground by a millstone)





July 1-3, 8-10

Restaurant: Butayama Style: Wild Pork Mountain Ramen (new genre of Jiro-inspired ramen with a strong broth and rich soy sauce)





July 15-17

Restaurant: Aburado Style: No Soup Umami Fresh Oil Ramen (new genre of ramen; Tokyo abura soba, a soupless, dry noodle dish with egg yolk, pork, and green onion on top)





July 22-24, 29-31

Restaurant: Machida Shoten Style: E.A.K. Ramen (Yokohama Ie-kei Ramen with thick noodles, pork, and soy sauce)







Were excited to collaborate with ramen purveyors and enthusiasts to truly extend The Art of the Ramen Bowl exhibition to the five senses. We hope visitors will enrich their exhibition experience by tasting an authentic bowl of ramen at one of the upcoming popups, said Yuko Kaifu, president, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.

Ramen options will range from $14 - $24. Reservations can be booked online in advance via Tock, and walk-ins are welcome subject to space availability. No reservations accepted over the phone; group reservations must be made together. Only credit cards accepted; no cash sales. A detailed menu with allergen list will be released two weeks prior to each popup.

For more information, visit the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles website and social channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE

JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs  London, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo  conceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community. Occupying two floors at Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a place of new discovery that transcends physical and conceptual boundaries creating experiences that reflect the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs.

Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Website: www.japanhousela.com

Media Contacts:

Nerissa Silao | 310-874-9230 | nerissas@ca.rr.com

Lisa Nakanouchi | 323-904-9298 | lnakanouchi@japanhousela.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65a94909-9558-49f4-9462-71ce531868a0
NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to premiere a new short film, keys to my city, produced with dancer and choreographer Alice Gosti.

Born in Calabria, Italy, Gosti was named a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise Honoree in Dance in 2012. The foundation's production of the film celebrates the contributions of immigrant dance and movement artists to contemporary dance in the United States.

Gosti immigrated to the U.S. to pursue studies at the University of Washington, Seattle. Her artistic practice focuses on material culture and society's relationships to material objects. Gosti incorporates everyday objects, food, and props into her performances; these elements engage audiences viscerally, and invite viewers to question and explore their own relationships to material culture.

In keys to my city, Gosti and collaborators Lorraine Lau and Alyza DelPan-Monley perform wearing a dress made of more than 1,500 keys. The keys were received as donations from locksmiths in Gosti's adoptive home of Seattle, and include broken, discarded, unclaimed, and unfinished keys; the dress, constructed by Gosti, weighs more than 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms). The physical and psychic weight of the object inspires and influences the performers' movements.

"I'm interested in looking at the way that history and politics enter the body and condition the way we move and the way we relate to each other," says Gosti. "The key is a metaphor for not only places but also ideas: concepts and imagination, memories and dreams."

Says Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel, "With keys to my city, Gosti demonstrates her ability to break convention in meaningful and engaging ways. The piece merges aspects of sculpture, performance art, and choreography." He says, "It is a testament to the value of the Vilcek Foundation Prizes to see how Gosti's work has evolved since her receipt of the honor 10 years ago."

keys to my city can be viewed on the Vilcek Foundation website, and on the Vilcek Foundation's YouTube channel.

Learn more and watch the short film at the Vilcek Foundation: Alice Gosti's keys to my city unlocks new perspective on dance.

The Vilcek Foundation

The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $6.4 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and supported organizations with over $5.6 million in grants.

The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3).

Press Contact

Elizabeth Boylan (she/her)

Communications Manager

The Vilcek Foundation

21 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021

phone: (212) 472-2500

email: elizabeth.boylan@vilcek.org



Related Images











Image 1: Alice Gosti, "keys to my city"





An image still from the short film, "keys to my city," produced by the Vilcek Foundation in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Alice Gosti.









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Roosevelt Island, NY, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) announced today the opening of a newly renovated Manhattan Aerial Tramway Station that will make travel on the worlds most iconic urban tramway safer, easier, and more comfortable.

The $7 million dollar renovations include necessary safety, operational, and aesthetic upgrades and feature glass elevators, an expanded platform for ADA compliance, and a beautified station plaza.

As stewards of the iconic Roosevelt Island Tramway, were thrilled to be able to offer both residents and visitors a safer, more comfortable experience, said Shelton J. Haynes, President & CEO of RIOC. These fundamental upgrades are examples of continuous transportation improvements were making across Roosevelt Island and we look forward to sharing more needed enhancements in the near future.

Located on Manhattans Upper East Side, on the corner of Second Avenue and East 60th Street, the station acts as a gateway between bustling Midtown Manhattan and scenic Roosevelt Island. Opening in the late 1970s, the iconic Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway has remained one of New York Citys most exciting views and must-do experiences while serving as a safe, reliable, and sustainable mode of transportation for commuters.

The stations two, eight-passenger ADA compliant elevator cabs replace a single, four-passenger non-ADA compliant elevator, an upgrade thats incredibly important to a number of Roosevelt Islands diverse resident groups including seniors, those who are disabled, and families. Additionally, the elevators all-glass design reduces energy consumption while improving passenger visibility of the surrounding area. As a holistic and complementary component, the surrounding station plaza has been outfitted with an abundance of lighting and improved paving for safer travels.

It was critical that we upgrade the decades old elevator and increase the congested platform space, said Prince Shah, Assistant Director of Capital Planning & Projects at RIOC. This new, two-bank, glass elevator will provide much-needed ADA, security lighting, and aesthetic upgrades to the Tramway station and plaza; all aspects that we worked closely with the community on.

About Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC)

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 by the State of New York as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. With a focus on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, RIOC is committed to providing services that enhance the island's residential community. RIOC manages the two-mile long island's roads, parks, buildings, a sports facility, and public transportation, including the iconic Roosevelt Island Tramway. Additionally, RIOC operates a Public Safety Department that helps maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, employees, business owners, and visitors.
Shyfts new tool  Veriscope  provides a comprehensive solution for previously unsolvable Sunrise Issue



Exchanges can now seamlessly, efficiently comply with global AML and sanctions regulations

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shyft Network announced today the launch of Veriscope, a fully decentralized, open-source tool that offers crypto exchanges a comprehensive solution to the so-called Sunrise Issue  addressing what has until now been a vexing, unsolvable challenge for crypto exchanges as they come into compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Anti-money laundering (AML) Travel Rule.

The Sunrise Issue arose in recent years as crypto exchanges across the globe began work to adopt the Travel Rule at different times, resulting in some exchanges coming into compliance with the requirement at different times than their counterparties. The Travel Rule requirements can only be met if all (both) counterparties are in compliance. Regulators have demanded a solution to the issue.

The Sunrise Issue is a complex problem, and only Veriscope has been able to solve it, said Malcolm Wright, Head of Veriscope. Governments are deeply concerned about cryptos use in illicit finance, and sanctions evasion in particular  as they should be  and with Veriscope, we are able to offer an efficient, elegant compliance solution for the entire industry.

The FATF Travel Rule requires collection and exchange of customer details in order to adhere to international rules against money laundering, sanctions evasion and other malicious activities.



With Veriscope, crypto exchanges can automatically discover which exchange, liquidity provider or custodial wallet is the recipient of crypto assets sent by their customers. Then, Veriscope enables these service providers to transmit the required customer data to each other to ensure that their customers are not involved in money laundering, sanctions evasion, or other illicit activity.

Veriscope enables Travel Rule compliance while protecting customer data through a peer-to-peer data connection that does not store any personally identifiable information (PII), uses encrypted communication, and is the only solution to provide for user consent for data sharing and storage to comply with GDPR regulations.

The industry acclaimed feature comes as major exchanges and liquidity providers including Binance, Deribit, Tether, Huobi, MoonPay, Nexo, Gate.io, Bitfinex, LocalBitcoins, GSR, Galaxy Digital, Coinhako, BTSE Nogle, and more adopt Veriscope as their Travel Rule solution.

Veriscope is already scaling globally as more and more exchanges understand the comprehensive benefits of the tool, said Joseph Weinberg, co-founder of Shyft Network and veteran of crypto security and regulatory solutions.



The tool takes a unique, decentralized approach to identifying counterparty exchanges solely from the crypto address. Because we dont require any additional information from an exchanges customers, we can rebuild Travel Rule data on historic transactions. The result is that our client is in full compliance with the Travel Rule, and the customer experience is absolutely seamless, with no interruption to transactions, but offering bulletproof assurances of privacy and security of customer data.

This came on the back of recent partnership announcements with FIS Worldpay and DLA Piper.

About Shyft Network

Shyft Network ($SHFT) is a public blockchain protocol designed to aggregate and embed trust, validation and discoverability into data stored on public and private ecosystems, and permissioned and permissionless networks. By facilitating bridging across siloed datasets, Shyft allows for layering of context on top of data, ultimately turning raw data into meaningful information.

About Veriscope

Veriscope is an open-source, decentralized travel rule solution. Veriscope allows Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to comply with the FATF Travel Rule, preserve data integrity, maintain data sovereignty and enable a frictionless customer experience. Veriscope has been designed in collaboration with leading global cryptocurrency exchanges.
Police located a U-Haul van linked to the gunman who set off a smoke bomb and shot at least 10 people at a Sunset Park subway station Monday, cop sources said.

The van, which has Arizona license plates, was found just before 4:30 p.m. on Kings Highway near W. 3rd St. in Gravesend, police sources said.

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Police respond after a rental van sought in connection with a subway shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning was located on Kings Highway near W. 4th St. in Brooklyn. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News)

A patrol officer with the 62nd Precinct found the van abandoned.

Police officials soon replaced the patrol cop with an unmarked vehicle, then shut down the block as they waited for Bomb Squad and Emergency Services Unit officers to arrive.

Advertisement

At one point, ESU officers approached the van, rifles drawn.

An NYPD Emergency Services Unit officer approaches a rental van sought in connection with the Brooklyn subway shooting on Tuesday. A patrol officer found the van on Kings Highway near W. 4th St. in Brooklyn. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

A worker at Friends Pharmacy a block away said the van was parked on the street since this morning.

Theyre clearing the area right now. Theyre telling everybody to stay inside just for safety, said the worker, who only gave his first name, Danny.

The areas pretty secure, Danny said. Theres dozens of cops. They seem to have anything under control.

At least 10 people were shot, while 13 more needed medical care, after a gunman set off a smoke bomb and started shooting at passengers on an inbound N train arriving at the 36th St. stop in Sunset Park, according to authorities.

None of the wounds were believed to be life-threatening.

A worker at Friends Pharmacy a block away said the van was parked on the street since this morning.

Theyre clearing the area right now. Theyre telling everybody to stay inside just for safety, said the worker, who only gave his first name, Danny. The areas pretty secure. Theres dozens of cops. They seem to have anything under control.
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the Nation's leading provider of inspection, maintenance, repair and specialized construction services for industrial railroad infrastructure, American Track is proud to announce the acquisition of The Railroad Associates Corp (TRAC) in Boiling Springs, PA.

In 2021, DFW Capital Partners acquired American Track and has assisted with an aggressive strategy to grow the organization organically and through acquisition. Operating now from 10 full-service offices in strategically located markets, the Company provides mission-critical services for its customers that ensure the safety, compliance, operability and flexibility of onsite railway assets. American Track serves a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, petrochemical, mining, agricultural products, food and beverage, basic raw materials, ports and transload facilities across the U.S.

Thomas Lucario, Chief Executive Officer of American Track, commented: "TRAC has been a strong force in the railroad services industry, and we are happy to have them join the American Track family. With the addition of the TRAC team, American Track greatly enhances our service delivery capabilities, customer base and national reach."

"We are excited to join the American Track organization," stated Mike Kennedy, founder of TRAC. "We set out 22 years ago to build a great company, and joining American Track is the culmination of those efforts. We are happy to be a part of a team that delivers to rail service clients a shared commitment to strong customer service, quality workmanship and safety." Dave Goretski, former COO of TRAC, added, "With our strong maintenance presence in the Northeast and nationwide presence on rail construction projects, TRAC brings new and increased solution-based service capabilities to an already strong, national organization." As part of the combination, Dave will serve as the Chief Development Officer for American Track, while Mike will remain active with the organization and support in an advisory capacity. Dave, Mike and certain key TRAC employees also have joined in the management equity ownership of American Track.

TRAC was represented in the process by TM Capital www.tmcapital.com. Affiliates of DFW Capital Partners made an additional equity investment in the company, coupled with support from the existing American Track lender, PineBridge Investments.

About American Track

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, American Track is the leading independent provider of turnkey railroad design, repair, maintenance, construction, and inspection services for critical rail infrastructure at industrial, municipal, and logistics sites. American Track, www.AmericanTrack.com, is a portfolio company of DFW Capital Partners. www.dfwcapital.com

About The Railroad Associates Corp (TRAC)

Founded in 2000, TRAC is the final succession in a multi-generational rail services business owned by the Kennedy Family in eastern Pennsylvania. TRAC specializes in providing railroad design and construction services from concept to completion. Additionally, TRAC performs railroad maintenance and terminal services for industrial customers in the Northeast U.S. More information can be found at www.railroadtracusa.com.

For more information regarding this release, please contact:

Thomas Lucario, American Track, tlucario@americantrack.com, (817) 439-5693

Related Images











Image 1: American Track









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Visiongain has published a new report on  Rare Disease Market Forecast 2021-2031: By Drugs (Revlimid, MabThera/Rituxan, Opdivo, Imbruvica, Sprycel, Tasigna, Copaxone,Rebif, Gleevec, Velcade, Others), Disease (Rare Oncology Diseases, Rare Metabolic Diseases, Rare Neurologic Diseases, Rare Hematology Diseases, Rare Infectious Diseases, Other Rare Diseases) Type (Non Biologics, Biologics) Age (Adult, Pediatric) End Use (Specialty Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) Plus COVID-19 Recovery Scenarios.

Download Exclusive Sample of Report @ https://www.visiongain.com/report/rare-diseases-market-2021/#download_sampe_div

COVID-19 on the Rare Disease Market?

COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global economy and disrupted the flow of trade since the coronavirus spread in late 2019. As lockdowns were imposed in all the countries, diagnosis rates went down in majority of countries during the year hitting the drug sales for some period. Although lockdown measures have been eased up in most countries by mid-year 2020, this trend is expected to continue beyond 2020, stock up of medicines by patients is likely to propel the drug sales in majority of the developed economies, which account for majority of rare diseases.

Regional Analysis:

Based on regions, the global rare diseases market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. According to Visiongain analysis, North America dominated the global rare diseases market and is predicted to do over the forecast period. The market dominance is attributed to due to high number of approved drugs, high awareness levels regarding diagnosis and management of diseases.

Furthermore, government funds for geriatric population is also one of the major reason for North America being dominant across the globe. However, APAC region is projected to witness highest growth rate over the forecast period owing to increasing growth of prenatal as well as new born screenings in countries such as India, Thailand, Singapore, and many more. Rising geriatric population coupled with increasing awareness regarding symptoms, diagnosis is anticipated to fuel the regional market over the study period.

Get Detailed TOC @ https://www.visiongain.com/report/rare-diseases-market-2021/#download_sampe_div

Disease Analysis:

Based on disease, the global rare disease market has been divided into has been segmented based on rare oncology diseases , rare metabolic diseases, rare neurologic diseases, rare hematology diseases, rare infectious diseases, other rare diseases. The rare oncology segment is likely to grow owing to rising number of rare cancers coupled with large pool of clinical trials being conducted in the U.S. and Europe for the same.

Companies Profiled

Pfizer Inc. Novartis AG Merck KGaA Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Amgen Inc. Biogen Inc. Teva Pharmaceuticals Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Sanofi S.A. AbbVie Bristol Myers Squibb Takeda Pharmaceuticals Roche Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Find quantitative and qualitative analyses with independent predictions. Receive information that only our report contains, staying informed with this invaluable business intelligence.

To access the data contained in this document please email contactus@visiongain.com

Information found nowhere else

With our newly report title, you are less likely to fall behind in knowledge or miss out on opportunities. See how our work could benefit your research, analyses, and decisions. Visiongain's study is for everybody needing commercial analyses for the rare diseases market and leading companies . You will find data, trends and predictions.

Find more Visiongain research reports on Therapeutic Drugs Sector click on the following links:

Do you have any custom requirements we can help you with? Any need for a specific country, geo region, market segment or specific company information? Contact us today, we can discuss your needs and see how we can help: catherine.walker@visiongain.com

About Visiongain

Visiongain is one of the fastest growing and most innovative, independent, market intelligence around, the company publishes hundreds of market research reports which it adds to its extensive portfolio each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis across 18 industries worldwide. The reports cover a 10-year forecast, are hundreds of pages long, with in depth market analysis and valuable competitive intelligence data. Visiongain works across a range of vertical markets, which currently can influence one another, these markets include automotive, aviation, chemicals, cyber, defense, energy, food & drink, materials, packaging, pharmaceutical and utilities sectors. Our customized and syndicated market research reports mean that you can have a bespoke piece of market intelligence customized to your very own business needs.

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SOURCE Visiongain Limited.
BALTIMORE, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protenus is pleased to announce a recent study found that on-the-spot interventions for healthcare employees who inappropriately accessed PHI were 95% effective in preventing repeat offenses. The article, "Effectiveness of Email Warning on Reducing Hospital Employees' Unauthorized Access to Protected Health Information: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial" by authors Dr. John (Xuefeng) Jiang, Ph.D., Professor, Plante Moran Faculty Fellow, Department of Accounting & Information Systems at Michigan State University; Nick Culbertson, CEO and Co-Founder of Protenus; and Dr. Ge Bai, Ph.D., CPA, Professor of Accounting at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, was published on JAMA Network Open yesterday.

Insider data breaches are no small matter for healthcare organizations, especially large academic medical centers like the one in the trial. 92% of combined small and large breaches in 2019 were tied to unauthorized access, according to publicly available U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) data. Typically, organizations focus on the low-volume, high-risk events like VIP patient privacy violations that often go public, rather than the high-volume, low-risk events such as access to a family member's information or self-access, which can be just as violating to the patient.

In the case of small compliance teams or limited staff resources, it's easy to miss all the benign or smaller events, but those often turn into bigger offenses over time. Says Nick Culbertson, "If you just wait for a big event, you're going to miss the preventable small actions that can escalate into higher risk violations. Prevention is the most effective strategy. And that's what we do at Protenus  working to eliminate risk, not waiting for it to happen."

The researchers hypothesized that education could help stop first-time offenders from further violations. Through their trial, they uncovered supporting evidence that this was indeed the case. "What an email warning can do to deter employees' unauthorized access is stunning. A simple email can lead to big changes," says Dr. Ge Bai  an outcome that confirms the power of technology in supporting the proven hypothesis.

With healthcare constantly under attack by cybercriminals, it's encouraging that the risk from insider events can be greatly mitigated. Dr. John (Xuefeng) Jiang says, "In my previous work, we found more than half of the healthcare data breaches were caused by providers' internal mistakes or neglect. So I was thrilled to find out that a simple email warning could significantly reduce these internal mistakes. I look forward to working with Nick and Protenus to uncover other solutions to the cybersecurity challenges in healthcare."

Read the complete report from JAMA now

If allowed to go unchecked, healthcare employees committing unauthorized access to protected health information present a huge financial and reputational risk to the organization and most importantly, its patients. To learn more about how data breaches are affecting the healthcare industry, download the 2022 Breach Barometer from Protenus.

About Protenus

Protenus harnesses the power of AI to provide healthcare organizations with scalable risk-reduction solutions that drive the safest patient outcomes while protecting the reputation of the organizations. We are committed to innovation, determined to reduce risk, and focused on supporting our community of employees, customers, and ultimately, patients. Empowering healthcare to eliminate risk is at the heart of all we do. Founded in 2014, Protenus is a three-time winner of Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers, is a Great Place to Work-Certified company, and was named one of 2021 CBInsights Digital Health 150, one of The Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare, and one of the Best Places to Work in Baltimore by the Baltimore Business Journal and the Baltimore Sun. Learn more at Protenus.com and follow us on Twitter @Protenus.

Michigan State University

Johns Hopkins University

Media Contact

Amanda Rogers

Marketing Content Writer

amanda.rogers@protenus.com

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Image 1: Protenus Logo









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Miami, FL, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AMC Token fair launch aims to craft a wider distribution and an effective price discovery. The project will not set a dollar price for the tokens; demand and supply in the fair launch event will. No Pre-Sale, Initial Coin Offering, Seed Round, or Whitelist before fair launch is completed; everyone has the same opportunity to acquire The AMC Token (TAMC) from day one.





A Fair launch is the cryptocurrency Holy Grail. Still, every fair launch attempt after Bitcoin has been plagued with underlying high valuations before launch and information inequality; for these reasons, no token has reached the ideal conception of Bitcoin. Still, TAMC can replicate a fair distribution to all the meaningful investors interested in a self-governed community-based token, giving all equal chances to be in the TAMC structure.

TAMC (The Apes Movement Community Token) is proud to be the first token created to generate wealth for the holders by the Social/Meme coin status and expose the malpractices done in the financial systems nowadays for the benefit of a few. In this manner, holders can go to the moon and establish a more fair, transparent, and less corrupt financial system is a win- win situation.

The real holders of many tokens, coins, or altcoins in the industry are the team founders and institutional investors, for example, Dogecoin or Shiba Inu coin. But not, with The AMC Token, its fair launch mechanism, and the fact that the founder team has renounced 92,5 % of all the tokens, the actual holders of the tokens will be the community.

The launch will be on the Ethereum Network (ERC-20) for its standardized characteristics, security, transparency, and transferability. The ticker is TAMC and has a max supply of 513,960,784 tokens.

Inspired by GME and AMC movement one year ago, The AMC Token is ready for takeoff; more details about the project can be found in the whitepaper and the launch details can be found in the official fair launch page.

Media Contacts:



The AMC Token

https://theamctoken.com

media@theamctoken.com

https://t.me/officialtheamctoken

https://twitter.com/theamctoken




English Dutch French

PRESS RELEASE

REGULATED INFORMATION

Brussels, 13 April 2022  5.40 PM CEST

Ordinary general meeting of 16 May 2022



  

The board of directors of the Company (the Board of Directors) invites the shareholders of the Company to attend the annual general meeting of the Company that will be held on Monday 16 May 2022 at 16.00 pm, in Maison de la Poste, Picardstraat 5 box 7, 1000 Brussels.

An annual general meeting with physical access is organized, taking into account the current health and safety measures in force.

Depending on the evolution of the Covid-19 situation, the Company reserves the right to change the (participation) modalities of this meeting should the corona measures be strengthened and/or additional measures or guidelines apply, taking into account the general safety and health concerns, and will inform the shareholders thereof, by means of a press release and on its website www.nextensa.eu.

The documents regarding this general meeting (including a.o. the notice of the meeting) are available as of today on the website www.nextensa.eu - Investor relations  General meeting.



For more information



Michel Van Geyte

Chief Executive Officer

+32 3 238 98 77

michel.van.geyte@nextensa.eu

About Nextensa

Nextensa NV/SA (previously named Leasinvest Real Estate) is a mixed property investor and developer since 19 July 2021. The companys investment portfolio, which is spread over the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (45%), Belgium (42%) and Austria (13%), had a total value on 31/12/2021 of approximately 1.41 billion. Nextensa is one of Luxembourgs biggest property investors. The development portfolio is spread over the Tour & Taxis (B) and Cloche dOr (L) sites, where mixed (residential and office) developments are ongoing and new sub-projects will be launched in the coming years. In addition, there is also a development pipeline in Belgium and Luxembourg of more than 300,000 m of offices and residential real estate. The company is listed on Euronext Brussels and it has a market capitalisation of  721.1 million (value on 12/04/2022).





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ATLANTA, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (Gray) (NYSE: GTN) has named John OBrien as the General Manager of WAVE3, the NBC affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky (DMA 48).



For the past 14 years, John has served as General Manager of Grays WNDU, the NBC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana. Before his move to South Bend, John was the General Sales Manager at Grays WILX, the NBC affiliate in Lansing, Michigan. Over the years, he has held sales management positions at WNWO in Toledo, Ohio, and WWMT in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

During his tenure at WNDU, the station expanded local news into new dayparts, collectively adding five and one-half hours of additional local news weekly. On multiple occasions, the Indiana Broadcasters Association has selected WNDU as its Station of the Year. In 2020, the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation selected WNDU to receive its Service to Community Award for Medium Market Television for the stations series Never Again: Prevent Bus Stop Tragedies, which culminated in a new state law designed to protect children at bus stops. The Foundations Service to America Awards recognize outstanding community service by local broadcasters and selects local radio and television stations for their exemplary service to their communities.

John begins at WAVE on April 25th. He succeeds Ronna Corrente, who was promoted to Senior Vice President-Local Media last month.

About Gray:

Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nations largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States that serve 113 television markets reaching approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. We also own video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Honey, and PowerNation Studios, as well as Third Rail Studios.

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English French

Press Release



April 13, 2022 - N7

COMBINED SHAREHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD

ON May 18, 2022

AVAILABILITY OF THE DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE 2022 COMBINED SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

The Companys shareholders are invited to the Combined General Shareholders Meeting to be held on:

Wednesday May 18, 2022

at 10:00

at the headquarters of SCOR SE

5, avenue Kleber

75016 Paris

The notice of meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) (Bulletin n 43) of April 11, 2022, and contains the agenda and the draft text of the resolutions to be submitted to the vote of the General Meeting of shareholders.

Holders of bearer shares should ask their financial intermediaries for proxy or distance voting forms. Holders of registered shares will receive these forms with their convening notice.

Information relating to this Meeting may be consulted on SCORs website at www.scor.com under the Investors/Shareholders Meetings section.

The documents referred to in article R. 22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code are available on the Companys website at www.scor.com under Investors / Shareholders Meetings / Documents related to the 2022 General Meeting or upon request from the Investor Relations department (investorrelations@scor.com).

The documents referred to in article R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code will also be available to shareholders as of the convening date, in accordance with the applicable regulatory provisions:

any holder of registered shares may ask the Company to send them these documents, until the fifth (5 th ) day (inclusively) preceding the Shareholders Meeting. For holders of bearer shares, such right is subject to the provision of a share certificate for the bearer share accounts held by the authorised intermediary;





) day (inclusively) preceding the Shareholders Meeting. For holders of bearer shares, such right is subject to the provision of a share certificate for the bearer share accounts held by the authorised intermediary; any shareholder may also consult such documents at the headquarters of the Company during the fifteen (15) days preceding the Shareholders Meeting.





*

* *

Contact details

Media Relations

Nathalie Mikaeloff

media@scor.com

Investor Relations

Yves Cormier

ycormier@scor.com

www.scor.com

LinkedIn: SCOR | Twitter: @SCOR_SE

SCOR, a Global Tier 1 Reinsurer

SCOR, the worlds fourth largest reinsurer, offers its clients a diversified and innovative range of solutions and services to control and manage risk. Applying The Art & Science of Risk, SCOR uses its industry-recognized expertise and cutting-edge financial solutions to serve its clients and contribute to the welfare and resilience of society.

SCOR offers its clients an optimal level of security with its AA- rating or equivalent from S&P, Moodys, Fitch and AM Best. The Group generated premiums of more than EUR 17.5 billion in 2021, and serves clients in more than 160 countries from its 36 offices worldwide.

For more information, visit: www.scor.com.

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English Swedish

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Stockholm, April 13, 2022

Shareholders of BTS Group AB (publ) are hereby invited to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, May 13th, 2022, at 1pm, at the companys offices on Grevgatan 35, 5th floor, Stockholm.

Shareholders who wish to participate must be registered in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB on Thursday, May 5, 2022, and register with BTS Group AB no later than Friday, May 6, 2022. The notification is made either in writing to BTS Group AB, Grevgatan 34, SE-114 53 Stockholm, Sweden, by e-mail to ir@bts.com or by phone (+468 587 07000).

Upon notification, the shareholder must state the name, personal identity number or corporate identity number, address, telephone number and registered shareholding. Proxies, registration certificates and other authorization documents must be available at the general meeting, and should, to facilitate entry to the meeting, be submitted to the company no later than Friday, May 6, 2022. A power of attorney may not be older than 1 year, unless the power of attorney is valid longer (but not more than 5 years). The company provides proxy forms on the company's website (www.bts.com) and sends these free of charge to the shareholders who request it and state their postal address.

Shareholders who have chosen to register their shares in the name of a trustee must, to participate in the meeting, temporarily re-register their shares through the trustees' care in their own name with Euroclear Sweden AB. The presentation of the general meeting share register as of the record date, i.e. Thursday 5 May 2022, will take into account voting rights registrations that have been made no later than Monday 9 May 2022. This means that the shareholder should inform their trustee well in advance of this date.

Draft agenda

Opening of the Annual General Meeting Election of the chairman of the meeting Establishment and approval of the electoral register Election of one or two people who adjust the minutes Examination of whether the meeting has been duly convened Approval of agenda Presentation of the annual report and the auditors report, as well as the consolidated financial statements and the auditors report on the consolidated financial statements for 2021, as well as the board of directors renumeration report as per chapter 8, 53 a  The Companies Act and the auditors statement as per chapter 8, 54  The Companies Act. Resolutions regarding adoption of the income statement and the balance sheet as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet appropriation of BTS profit in accordance with the adopted balance sheet discharge from liability of the members of the board of directors and the president approval of the board of directors renumeration report Determination of the number of members and deputy members of the board of directors and auditors Determination of the fees payable to the board of directors and auditors Election of board of directors and chairman of the board of directors Election of auditor Resolution regarding the board of directors proposal on authorization to resolve on issue Closing of the meeting

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS

The nomination committees proposed decisions

The nomination committee is composed of Anders Dahl (representing Henrik Ekelund), Elisabet Jamal Bergstrom (representing SEB Investment Management), Stefan af Petersens (shareholder) and Reinhold Geijer (chairman of the board). Anders Dahl has acted as chairman of the nomination committee.

The nomination committee proposes the following in relation to items 2, 9-12:

Election of the chairman for the Meeting (item 2)

Attorney Klaes Edhall is proposed as chairman of the AGM, or in his absence the person appointed by the CEO instead.

Determination of the number of members and deputy members of the board of directors and auditors (item 9)

Five ordinary members of the board of directors and one deputy member, and one auditor without deputy.

Determination of the fees payable to the board of directors and auditors (item 10)

It is proposed that total fees of SEK 1,655,000 (previous year SEK 1,355,000) are to be paid to members of the board of directors, whereof SEK 500,000 (previous year SEK 480,000) to the chairman of the board of directors and SEK 225,000 (previous year SEK 215,000) to each of the other members. Fees to the deputy are proposed to be SEK 55,000 (previous year 50,000). Total fees of SEK 200,000 (previous year SEK 180,000) shall be paid for committee work.

Fees to the auditor are proposed to be paid according to approved invoice.

Election of board of directors and chairman of the board of directors (item 11)

Re-election of Mariana Burenstam Linder, Henrik Ekelund, Stefan Gardefjord, Reinhold Geijer and Anna Soderblom is proposed. Re-election of Olivia Ekelund as deputy board member is proposed. Election of Henrik Ekelund as chairman of the board is proposed.

Election of auditor (item 12)

In accordance with the audit committees recommendation, re-election of the registered auditing firm Ohrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (PwC) is proposed for the period until the end of the AGM 2023.

The board of directors proposed resolutions

Dividend (item 8 b)

The board of directors proposes for the financial year 2021 a dividend of SEK 4,80 per share, divided into two payouts of SEK 2,40 each. Proposed record day for the first dividend payment of SEK 2,40 is Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and the proposed record day for the second dividend payment of SEK 2,40 is Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Provided that the AGM approves the board of directors proposal, the first dividend payment is expected to be disbursed by Euroclear Sweden AB starting on Friday, May 20, 2022, followed by the second dividend payment starting on Friday November 18, 2022.

Approval of renumeration report (item 8 d)

The board of directors proposes that the AGM approves the remuneration report prepared by the board of directors for 2021.

The Board's proposal for authorization to decide on issue (item 13 a. and b.)

The board of directors proposes that the AGM authorize the board of directors, on one or more occasions and until the next Annual General Meeting, to resolve on issuing  in deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights  a maximum of 1,200,000 new B shares or of convertibles exchangeable for a maximum of 1,200,000 new B shares. The board of directors shall also be able to make decisions in such cases when contributions can take place with assets other than cash (non-cash considerations) or with right of set-off or otherwise subject to conditions.

The share capital may not increase by more than SEK 400,000 in total.

The purpose of the authorization, and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, is to be able to carry out acquisitions and to then also be able to set off such purchase price receivable that has arisen from the acquisition.

The board of directors proposes that the AGM authorize the board of directors, on one or more occasions and until the next AGM to resolve on issuing  in deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights  a maximum of 1,200,000 new B shares or of convertibles exchangeable for a maximum of 1,200,000 new B shares. The board of directors shall have the right to decide on issue for cash consideration, or with right of set-off or otherwise subject to conditions.

The share capital may not increase by more than SEK 400,000 in total.

The purpose of the authorization, and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, is to provide the board of directors with financial preparedness and, when necessary, to enable the board of directors to implement the necessary raising of capital quickly and efficiently.

When the board of directors decides on issuance based on the authorizations in accordance with points a. and b. above, the issue price for the new shares issued shall align to the share price, and the issue price for the new convertibles issued, respectively, shall align to the share price as a starting point for a market valuation, and in cases with deductions for such market discount, which the board of directors deems necessary. Other terms are decided by the board of directors, which must, however, be market-based

The number of newly issued shares and convertibles issued, respectively, that can be converted into shares, and which may be issued on the exercise of the above authorizations, may not, for both authorizations, exceed 1,930,000 shares, corresponding to a total dilution of no more than 10 percent of the number of shares in the company.

The board of directors finally proposes that the board of directors or the board of directors appointed thereto be authorized to make the minor adjustments in the resolution of the AGM regarding the above proposals, which may prove necessary in connection with registration thereof with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB.

Resolutions of the AGM regarding the above are taken as two separate resolutions. For a valid decision, shareholders with at least two-thirds of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the meeting shall assist each of the two resolutions.

__________

SHARES AND VOTES

At the time of this convening notice, the total number of shares in the company was 19,374,347 shares, whereof 853,800 were Class A shares and 18,520,547 were Class B shares. The total number of votes in the company amounts to 27,912,347.

DOCUMENTS

The annual report and the auditors report as well as the board of directors and the nomination committee's complete proposals for resolutions as above, the board of directors renumeration report for 2021, the auditors report according to the Companies Act, chapter 8, 54 and proxy forms and forms for voting in advance, will be available on the company's website: www.bts.com from Friday, April 22, 2022, and will be sent to shareholders upon request and who provide their address.

INFORMATION AT THE MEETING

Shareholders are entitled to certain information at the Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors and the CEO shall, if any shareholder so requests and the Board of Directors considers that it can be done without material harm to the Company, provide information about circumstances that may affect the assessment of an item on the agenda, the financial situation of the company or subsidiaries or the company's relationship with another group company.

PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

For information on how your personal data is processed see:

https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy%20notice%20BOSS%20-%20final%20220324.pdf

______________________

Stockholm in April 2022

BTS Group AB (publ)

The Board of Directors

About BTS Group AB

BTS is a global professional services firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with about 1,100 professionals in 34 offices located on six continents. For over 30 years, weve been partnering with our clients to enable strategy execution. At BTS, we believe that success comes from people understanding how their daily work impacts business results, so we provide the skills, tools, and knowledge your people need to take the right action at the right moment.

We are experts in behavior change and care deeply about both delivering results for our clients and ensuring that their people do the best work of their lives. Our engagements range from embedded multi-year transformation projects to brief, targeted capability development.

Its strategy made personal.

Our primary practice areas include Change and transformation, Leadership development and Sales and marketing. In support of offerings from our primary practice areas, we have centers of excellence in Assessments for talent selection and development, Business acumen and innovation skill-building and Coaching as a practical tool to shift mindsets and turn strategy into action.

Weve partnered with over 1,200 organizations, including over 40 of the worlds 100 largest global corporations. Our major clients are some of the most respected names in business: Salesforce, SAP, Abbott, Tetra Pak, EY, Tencent, Vale, and BHP.

BTS is a public company listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm and trades under the symbol BTS B.

For more information, please visit www.bts.com .

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE: GATO) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now. A securities class action has been filed and certain investors who purchased shares in Gatos Silvers Oct. 2020 IPO and/or on the open market afterwards may have valuable claims.



Class Period: Oct. 28, 2020  Jan. 25, 2022

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Apr. 25, 2022

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/GATO

Contact An Attorney Now: GATO@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Gatos Silver, Inc. (GATO) Securities Class Action:

The litigation focuses on Gatos statements concerning its Cerro Los Gatos (CLG) mine located in Chihuahua, Mexico, including the Companys estimates in its July 1, 2020 Technical Report (2020 Technical Report) that the CLG deposit contains approximately 9.6 million diluted tonnes of proven and probable mineral reserves.

According to the complaint, defendants made materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts, including: (1) that the 2020 Technical Report contained errors; and (2) that, among other things, the GLG mineral reserves had been overestimated by as much as 50%.

The truth came to light on Jan. 25, 2022, when Gatos disclosed that during a resource and reserve update process, which included a detailed reconciliation of recent production performance, the Company concluded that there were errors in the 2020 Technical Report, as well as indications that there is an overestimation in the existing resource model. As a result, the Company estimated a potential reduction of the metal content of CLG mineral reserve ranging from 30% to 50% of the metal content and warned that the mineral resource and reserve estimates in the 2020 Technical Report should not be relied upon

This revelation drove the price of Gatos shares as much as 70% lower on Jan. 26, 2022.

Were focused on investors losses and proving defendants knew the 2020 Technical Report was inaccurate at the time of the IPO and thereafter, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Gatos and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Gatos should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email GATO@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
DriveBid, with Black Book data, helps dealers find, bid and buy vehicles direct from consumers.



CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Technologies Group, Inc (OTC: CATG) a company that acquires, operates and organically develops disruptive technologies, today provided an update with respect to its minority interest in data technology and media company, DrivenIQ.

Black Book has announced the integration of its VIN-specific valuation and VIN Decoding data into DrivenIQs new DriveBid platform.

DriveBid, the first consumer-driven Live Trade-in Marketplace, helps dealers sell more cars while sourcing valuable inventory direct from the consumer. At NADA, DriveBid signed over 250 dealers onto their new platform.

Integrating Black Books data into DrivenIQs DriveBid platform provides dealers with the data they need to increase their revenue and maximize their profit, said Jared Kalfus, President of Black Book. Dealers will have up-to-date, precise data so that they can more competitively bid for new inventory, make more desirable trade offers and sell more vehicles.

The DriveBid marketplace allows consumers to place their vehicle into a virtual garage and receive Black Books trade-in valuation or valuation range for their vehicle. Dealers can then bid on the vehicle or make a purchase offer. At the same time, dealers can display their inventory and enable it to be shopped by consumers.

It was great to be back to in-person events, and were thrilled with the success that we saw in Las Vegas at NADA, our industrys largest convention, said Albert Thompson, CEO of DrivenIQ. DriveBid connects dealers who need inventory with consumers who are looking for the best offer for their vehicle in a real-time, easy-to-use online platform. DriveBid empowers consumers to watch live bidding and simultaneously communicate with dealers to ask and answer questions, as well as to explore inventory for their next vehicle purchase. Black Books data allows us to create transparency in the trade-in and vehicle purchasing process that until now, has never existed.

DrivenIQ is a data-driven intelligence technology firm. Late last year, Capstone Technologies Group, Inc (OTC: CATG), a company that acquires, operates and organically develops disruptive technologies, acquired an initial minority interest in DrivenIQ and has invested additional capital to further accelerate the companys growth.

To register or for more information, visit DriveBid.

About Black Book

Black Book is a leading provider of automotive vehicle pricing and analytical services that are delivered to industry-qualified users through mobile, online and Data as a Service applications. Since 1955 Black Book has continuously evolved to ensure that it achieves its goal of delivering mission-critical information to its customers, along with the insight necessary to successfully buy, sell, and lend. Black Book data is published daily by National Auto Research, a Hearst company, and maintains offices in Georgia as well as Toronto, where Canadian Black Book is based. For more information, please visit BlackBook.com or call 800.554.1026

About DrivenIQ and DriveBid

DrivenIQ is an omni-data ad tech company that specializes in zero party and 1st party data to help businesses best advertise to their ideal customers. The company offers a variety of services, including website traffic analytics, geo-zoning technologies, text message marketing, social media solutions, and DriveBid, a live vehicle trade-in marketplace, to help businesses and marketers engage with their existing and prospective customers, Founded by Albert Thompson, a digital advertising expert and former car dealer, DrivenIQ is best known for its automotive industry data solutions, although it helps small, medium, and large businesses across various industries. Visit www.driveniq.com for more information.

About Capstone Technologies Group

Capstone Technologies Group, Inc (CATG) seeks to acquire, operate and organically develop disruptive technologies across several sectors where they have expertise aided by a network of experts and advisors. Capstone Technologies Group also intends to invest through a wholly owned subsidiary Capstone Venture Partners, LLC alongside best-in-class investors or directly in proven founders building companies with technologies that will shape the future.

DrivenIQ Contact

Albert Thompson

President, Co-Founder

albert@driveniq.com

443-370-9143

http://www.driveniq.com/ (New website coming soon)
A Florida man and juvenile girl are facing battery charges in connection with stabbing a man in the neck after a road rage incident Tuesday near Tampa, according to local authorities.

Andrew Armer, 25, is facing a charge of aggravated battery, and the girl  whose name and age have not been made public  is facing a simple battery charge following the incident in Largo, about 26 miles west of Tampa, according to a Largo Police media release.

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The road rage incident  which was not detailed  occurred on Roosevelt Blvd., with the victim in one car, heading to Tropical Smoothie Cafe on that street, and Armer and the girl in another car, according to the release.

Andrew Armer (Pinellas County Sheriffs Office)

Upon exiting the shop, the victim, whose name was not reported, was met by the girl, who allegedly screamed and spat at him, according to the release.

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The man proceeded to dump his drink on her, leading to the girl spitting at him again, which police say was followed by Armer getting out of his car and stabbing the mans neck, causing a two-inch laceration.

The suspects fled, though police quickly stopped and detained them.

First aid was administered to the victim at the scene and he was transported to nearby hospital. As of late Tuesday afternoon, he was in stable condition, according to the release.
PITTSBURGH, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organic Remedies, a medical marijuana cultivation and research organization based in south central Pennsylvania, is celebrating the upcoming opening of its sixth Pennsylvania dispensary at 5002 Library Rd., Bethel Park, PA. Organic Remedies President Eric Hauser, RPh., along with state and local dignitaries and medical marijuana advocates, cut the ceremonial ribbon during the Open House event on Wednesday, Apr. 13 at 12:00 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by local and state officials and hosted by South Hills Chamber of Commerce.



We are proud to bring our unique brand of patient-focused healthcare to Pittsburgh patients, said Eric Hauser, RPh., President, Organic Remedies. Since 2018, we have been strongly focused on improving the health and wellness of Pennsylvania patients. With our newest dispensary in the greater Pittsburgh area, we are looking forward to helping even more patients realize the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. We are also committed to becoming a vital member of the Bethel Park community by offering new employment opportunities, supporting local veterans organizations, participating in community outreach events, and giving back through charitable contributions.

The new Bethel Park dispensary will provide a wide selection of therapeutic products for patients suffering from qualifying health conditions, including the companys own line of branded products. Organic Remedies state-of-the-art cultivation and manufacturing facility, located in Carlisle, PA, grows dozens of strains of premium medical marijuana and produces numerous forms of the plant for a variety of health conditions. Unique among its products are Elixirs, Nano HT and Nano-emulsion Capsules, which are all formulated using a proprietary technology creating water-based products that enhance bioavailability and may be easier for some patients to digest.

The Bethel Park dispensary is expected to officially open for business Monday, Apr. 18. Delivering affordable products for patients on a budget is important to Organic Remedies. The company offers patient discounts for seniors (60 and over), military veterans, and birthdays. In addition, Organic Remedies rewards program offers patients increased savings along with an annual 30% OFF discount that can be used at any time during the year. Curbside and inside service is available. CanPay is accepted as an alternative to cash transactions.

New patients can visit the companys website at www.organicremediespa.com to learn more about products and services or to schedule a free pharmacist consultation. Once the dispensary is officially open for business, only patients with a valid Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana card may enter the dispensary.

About Organic Remedies

Organic Remedies is a life science organization committed to improving the overall wellness of patients by producing and dispensing affordable quality medical marijuana products while continuing the advancement of medical marijuana therapies through genetics, collaborative research, and superior patient care. Based in Carlisle, Pa., Organic Remedies cultivates and manufactures safe, effective medical marijuana products for certified Pennsylvania patients. Organic Remedies dispensaries are located in Chambersburg, Enola, N. Pittsburgh, S. Pittsburgh, Paoli, and York. Specially trained pharmacists and patient care consultants deliver a clinical approach for the utilization of medical marijuana that is patient-focused, collaborative and outcomes-based. For more information, visit www.OrganicRemediesPA.com .

CONTACT:

Janice Spurlock

Dir., Marketing and Communications

717-819-3895

J.Spurlock@OrganicRemediesPA.com
REGINA, Saskatchewan, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Information Services Corporation (TSX:ISV) (ISC or the Company) advises that it will release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 after market close. ISCs Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Notes and Managements Discussion and Analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and our website at www.company.isc.ca.

An investor conference call will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the results. Participants may join the call by dialing toll-free (844) 419-1765 or (216) 562-0470 for calls outside North America. It is recommended that participants dial in to the call 10-15 minutes before the start time to avoid long hold times or missing the start of the call.

ISC encourages those who are joining the call on a listen-only basis to join the live audio webcast of the conference call which will be available on our website at www.company.isc.ca/investor-relations/events. The audio file with a replay of the webcast will be available about 24 hours after the event on our website at the link above. Media are invited to attend on a listen-only basis.

About ISC

Headquartered in Canada, ISC is the leading provider of registry and information management services for public data and records. Throughout our history, we have delivered value to our clients by providing solutions to manage, secure and administer information through our Registry Operations, Services and Technology Solutions segments. ISC is focused on sustaining its core business while pursuing new growth opportunities. The Class A Shares of ISC trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ISV.

Investor & Media Contact

Jonathan Hackshaw

Senior Director, Investor Relations & Capital Markets

Toll Free: 1-855-341-8363 in North America or 1-306-798-1137

investor.relations@isc.ca
Salt Lake City, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One year after a specialized medical team at Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital and University of Utah Health performed the first in-utero fetal surgery in the state of Utah  the young patient and her family will reunite with her caregivers to celebrate this successful Utah medical milestone.

The complex, often life-saving surgery is available at only a few hospitals nationwide and now includes the Utah Fetal Center. The procedure is performed only by specially trained pediatric surgeons, with extensive planning and care for the mother and unborn child. Fetal surgeries are a game-changer in expert care that can significantly improve health outcomes for newborns.

The surgery is so complex that only a handful of hospitals in the country can perform it, said Stephen Fenton, MD, a pediatric surgeon with University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital and director of Utah Fetal Center. We now have the partnership, expertise, and facilities to perform these fetal surgeries here in Utah so families dont have to travel across the country to access this innovative procedure.

The fetal surgery is made possible through a partnership between University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital.

Alisha Keyworth of Victor, Idaho, and her unborn baby were the first to undergo the surgery one year ago, on April 6, 2021. During an ultrasound, doctors discovered her fetus had Spina Bifida, a condition that leaves an area of the spine open and nerves exposed.

At the newly created Utah Fetal Center, doctors performed surgery on the fetus to address the anomaly at 25 weeks gestation. The fetal spine then was able to heal as part of its natural development. A month after her surgery Keyworth needed an emergency c-section and gave birth to her daughter Abigail, who is now 11 months old.

The procedure and later, the birth of the child, take place at University of Utah Hospital. After the child is born, the infant is taken to Primary Childrens Hospital, which is connected by a sky bridge. The infant receives care at the Primary Childrens newborn intensive care unit before going home.

Im so excited to celebrate the one-year milestone of Abigails surgery, and to see her doing so well. I still cant believe what a miracle it is to have this type of surgery available and not have to travel across the country to get it, said Keyworth. Abigail now has a better shot at a healthier, happier life because of this procedure.

Fetal surgery is part of Intermountain Healthcares Primary Promise to create the nations model health system for children. This multi-faceted plan and investment of at least $500 million in childrens health will be shared by Intermountain Healthcare and community philanthropic support through an emerging campaign organized by Intermountain Foundation.

Fetal surgery provides life-saving treatments and care coordination to expectant mothers and their unborn babies, giving children greater opportunities to grow and thrive, said Katy Welkie, RN, MBA, CEO of Primary Childrens Hospital and vice president of Intermountain Childrens Health. By receiving this care all in one place it helps relieve the stress and anxiety that comes with a life changing diagnosis.

Spina bifida occurs in 1 of every 3,000 U.S. births, but is slightly more common in Utah. In the past, Utah women had to travel long distances to have the procedure and stay in a city far from home for months to receive the care that they needed.

In many cases the burden was so great, women chose to wait until the after their baby was born to have surgery to fix the condition. Doctors note waiting to fix spina bifida isnt optimal either because theres more room for complications to arise.

Fetal surgery also can address other anomalies of the heart and lungs when caught early.

Having fetal surgery is a game-changer for the way we care for patients and their families, said Dr. Fenton.

Keyworth says her daughter has had some setbacks since her birth, but for the most part is happy and doing well. Abigail will need more follow up care throughout her childhood.

Intermountains effort to create the model health system for children is designed to help children like Abigail with the help of an emerging philanthropic campaign.

This campaign is led by four civic and community business leaders: Gail Miller, owner and board chair of Larry H. Miller Group of Companies and chair of the Intermountain Healthcare Board of Trustees; Crystal Maggelet, chair and CEO of FJ Management Inc. and Intermountain Healthcare trustee; Steve Lund, co-founder and executive board chair of Nu Skin Enterprises; and most recently, Spencer Zwick, co-founder and managing partner of Solamere Capital and former senior advisor to Utah Sen. Mitt Romney.

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ABOUT INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE

Based in Utah with locations in seven states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers, a health plans division called SelectHealth with more than 1 million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.

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WESTPORT, Conn., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit on April 27. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative security and business technology leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, innovation, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today  and into the future.



The 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit will bring together the top female technology leaders from around the world who will share their recommendations for making hybrid work environments more inclusive and equitable for employees. Global female tech executives will also discuss their hard-fought lessons scaling the ladder of success in a male-centric C-suite.

Female technology leaders have a unique and compelling perspective on fostering cultural change, along with the importance of making hybrid work environments more inclusive and equitable for all employees, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO at HMG Strategy. Our Global Women in Technology Summits place a unique lens on the challenges and opportunities facing female technology leaders in their roles in both the C-suite and in leading across the organization along with orchestrating change across the enterprise.

World-class CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will be speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit will include:

Diane K. Adams , Chief Culture and Talent Officer, Sprinklr

, Chief Culture and Talent Officer, Sprinklr Renee Arrington , President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International, Inc.

, President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International, Inc. Dora Boussias , Transformational Leader, Data Strategy & Architecture, Stryker

, Transformational Leader, Data Strategy & Architecture, Stryker Cindy Finkelman , Strategic Advisor, Mantissa Group LLC

, Strategic Advisor, Mantissa Group LLC Mamar Gelaye , VP  Ops Tech IT, Amazon

, VP  Ops Tech IT, Amazon Karen Gibson , SVP  Digital Health, Quidel

, SVP  Digital Health, Quidel Daphne Jones , Board Member; Founder, Destiny Transformations Group

, Board Member; Founder, Destiny Transformations Group Lori Lagares , VP of Customer Success, Nexthink

, VP of Customer Success, Nexthink Lesley Ma , CIO and Chief Continuous Improvement Officer, NSF International

, CIO and Chief Continuous Improvement Officer, NSF International Alexa Raad , Chief Policy and Regulatory Affairs Officer, HUMAN Security

, Chief Policy and Regulatory Affairs Officer, HUMAN Security Sabina Schneider , Chief Solutions Officer, Globant

, Chief Solutions Officer, Globant Rhonda Vetere , EVP & CIO, Herbalife

, EVP & CIO, Herbalife Cindy Warner , Strategic Board Member, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

, Strategic Board Member, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Kelley Watson , Director, Workplace Solutions, Southern Company

, Director, Workplace Solutions, Southern Company Jennifer Wesson Greenman, CIO, Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global



Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit include Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Fortinet, Globant, Nexthink, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Skybox Security, SnapLogic, Sprinklr, Strata, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit and to register for the event, click here.

HMG Strategy is also excited to be hosting its 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit on April 21 at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park, CA.

The 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will bring together the top minds and innovative leaders from Silicon Valley to explore effective techniques used by technology and innovation executives to foster creativity between their teams to help accelerate the 21st century business.

World-class CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will be speaking at the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will include:

Snehal Antani , Co-Founder and CEO, Horizon3.ai

, Co-Founder and CEO, Horizon3.ai Shaun Braun , SVP of Digital Transformation, 3M

, SVP of Digital Transformation, 3M Andrew Bray , Vice President, Head of Information Systems Division, Renesas Electronics

, Vice President, Head of Information Systems Division, Renesas Electronics Steve Caliger , Managing Partner, The Loring Group

, Managing Partner, The Loring Group Paul Chapman , VP, CISO, Cisco

, VP, CISO, Cisco Ekta Chopra , Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty

, Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty Stuart Evans , Director of the Emirates, Carnegie Mellon University i-Lab

, Director of the Emirates, Carnegie Mellon University i-Lab Patty Hatter , Chief Customer Officer, Palo Alto Networks

, Chief Customer Officer, Palo Alto Networks Rohit Jain , Senior Management  IT, Upwork

, Senior Management  IT, Upwork Mike Josephson , Manager, Solution Architecture, OutSystems

, Manager, Solution Architecture, OutSystems Sineesh Keshav , CTO & CIO, Prologis

, CTO & CIO, Prologis Zoe Koven , VP, Customer Advocacy, Zendesk

, VP, Customer Advocacy, Zendesk Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

, Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search Ralph Loura , SVP & CIO, Lumentum

, SVP & CIO, Lumentum Jeff Miller , CIO, Quantinuum

, CIO, Quantinuum Michael Nixon , VP of Product Marketing, SnapLogic

, VP of Product Marketing, SnapLogic Gautham Pallapa , Senior Executives Advisor, VMware, Inc.

, Senior Executives Advisor, VMware, Inc. Rusty Patel , SVP & CIO, Tenneco

, SVP & CIO, Tenneco Michael Piacente , Co-Founder and Managing Director, Hitch Partners

, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Hitch Partners Sahaar Rezaie , Executive Director, Genesys Works

, Executive Director, Genesys Works Trevor Schulze , CIO, Alteryx

, CIO, Alteryx Piyoush Sharma , Co-Author, The Purple Book of Software Security, Head of Enterprise Security & Technology Operations, Zuora

, Co-Author, The Purple Book of Software Security, Head of Enterprise Security & Technology Operations, Zuora Muddu Sudhakar , CEO, Aisera

, CEO, Aisera Josh Tamayo-Sarver , VP Innovation, Inflect Health

, VP Innovation, Inflect Health Hugo Vliegen , VP, Product Management, Aryaka

, VP, Product Management, Aryaka Sandeepa Wijesekara , CTO, Home Care Assistance

, CTO, Home Care Assistance Tony Young, CIO, Sophos



Valued Partners for the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit include Aisera, Akamai, Aryaka, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Globant, Moveworks, Nutanix, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Skybox Security, SnapLogic, Sprinklr, Strata, Synopsis, Tonkean, Upwork, Zendesk, Zoom, and Zscaler.

To learn more about the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit and to register for the event, click here.

To learn about all of HMG Strategys Upcoming CIO & CISO Summits, click here .

About HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 400,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

HMG Strategys global media model generates more than 1 million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands.

HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years.

HMG Strategys regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent.

HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led research services such as its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) program which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles.

HMG Strategys Global Peer Actionable Insights Services Stack is a unique set of research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global geo-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries.

HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return.

HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise technology and security leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world.

To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db6ea428-bc25-4ac1-8373-e82250ae74f7
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trakref, the leader in software as a service solutions for refrigerant and HVAC/R systems, announces new strategies and solutions for the proposed SEC Climate Disclosure Scope 1 refrigerant emissions reporting requirements. With these new reporting requirements, companies must prepare to calculate fugitive emissions data, including those from HVAC/R operations.

On Monday, March 21, the SEC proposed rule changes that would require registrants to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports, including information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations, or financial condition, and certain climate-related financial statement metrics in a note to their audited financial statements. The requirements defined by the SEC will require publicly-traded companies to report on fugitive emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Climate change disclosures will now be considered stakeholder documents just like financial documents.

This affects HVAC/R operations by requiring operators to track, manage, and report on fugitive refrigerant emissions as part of Scope 1 emissions annually. In simple terms, fugitive emissions are gases that are released into the atmosphere accidentally during normal business operations.

Trakref is launching unique solutions developed by the policy team that will enable companies to operationalize sustainability, which provides new integration opportunities for strategic planning and day-to-day activities to ensure that companies stay on track toward their emission goals. These also offer a means to make corrective adjustments in real-time. These include:

Automated refrigerant material balance sheets aligned to IPCC AR4 and architected to reflect the General Reporting Protocol for the Voluntary Reporting Program V2.1.

An Installed Inventory Impact Analysis Report to show changes in GWP installed in systems at adjustable intervals that align with reporting requirements. This report allows auditors to track and review transactions from a unique top-line oriented balance sheet for materials.

An upgraded Alerts and Notifications System triggered on thresholds that will impact emissions targeting.

Trakref is using their extensive knowledge of the vast variety of refrigerants to introduce GWP conversion tools along with application-specific reporting into their SaaS offering. This provides customers with simple-to-access tools that report on real-time activity, align with ESG reporting frameworks, and are calibrated to provide weight and GWP factors in accordance with IPCC.

These include:

Turn-key Scope 1 fugitive refrigerant emissions reporting that meets and exceeds SEC and California SB 260 obligations

IPCC's AR-4 GWP factor baked into all transactions

Trakref recognizes the importance of operational activity for fugitive emissions reporting. Moving away from spreadsheets and paper logs will be crucial during this time. It will also be increasingly important to have streamlined communication between C-suite executives compiling reports and facilities and operations managers working on the ground. Mechanical service providers will also need to be included in the communication.

Trakref respects the fact that financial institutions own the bottom line, but at Trakref, they see ESG owning the top line. All their reports are built with this top-line mentality. They all provide the ability to drill down into transactions for auditability. This provides the next step both in terms of a company's reporting journey as well as managing what is happening in real-time.

"With these new regulations, companies will need to move away from business-as-usual practices," says Trakref's CEO Ted Atwood. "The only way to properly account for fugitive emissions from refrigerant is through proper tracking. Technological solutions, along with breaking down siloes for optimal communication, will be crucial for companies moving into this new era of reporting."

Existing clients have been given immediate access to all resources for 2021 reporting.

About Trakref: Trakref is a refrigerant management software company that has been helping facilities manage HVAC/R and refrigerant since 1994. With decades of experience pf helping companies successfully achieve compliance, Trakref is an industry-leading expert in how to leverage insights and its regulatory compliance software to help facilities manage HVAC/R and track fugitive emissions effectively as well as supply data for compliance reports, including ESG reports. Trakref does this through its desktop software solution, mobile app, and sustainability factor. For more information about Trakref, visit www.trakref.com.

Media Contact Information:

Trakref

Gavin Damore

774-240-1013

gdamore@trakref.com

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Image 1: Trakref Announces Solutions for SEC Climate Disclosure Scope 1 Emissions Reporting





Trakref provides an outline as well as new solutions for working through the SEC's new reporting requirements









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Washington, D.C., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas handed down a ruling on Friday in Texas, et al. v. Yellen, et al. that permanently prohibits the Secretary of the Department of Treasury from enforcing an unconstitutional Tax Cut Ban against the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The ruling marks the third consecutive amicus win for the New Civil Liberties Alliance at the District Court level in suits over this lawincluding Ohio v. Yellen, et al. and West Virginia, et al. v. Yellen, et al.contesting Congresss attempt to usurp state taxing authority.

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, allocating nearly $200 billion to states to mitigate the fiscal effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. But in an historically unprecedented move, Congress attached a condition on the receipt of ARPA funds: the states must surrender their core taxing power. A provision in ARPA, the Tax Cut Ban, prohibits states from using ARPA funds to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction in the net tax revenue  resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation  that reduces any tax. ARPA further authorizes Treasury to claw back any funds spent in violation of the Tax Cut Ban.

In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk found Congress exceeded its Spending Clause authority and violated the anti-commandeering doctrine when it enacted [the Tax Cut Ban]. Judge Kacsmaryk held that Congress cannot order states to waive a sovereign power through a conditional offer a State cannot refuse. The Supreme Court has determined that financial inducement crosses over into unconstitutional coercion when the amount is so large that it puts a gun to the head of recipients. Here, the ARPA funds dangled in front of the states are approximately 22 percent of all states annual general-fund budgets. Accordingly, Congress has unlawfully coerced states into accepting a spending condition by offering a massive amount of funding.

Judge Kacsmaryk further concluded that of all the powers the Constitution reserves to the States, there is no power more central to state sovereignty than the power to tax. Congress may tax and spend, but Congresss spending power has limits, and the Tax Cut Bans spending condition on the states exceeds Congresss authority under the Spending Clause. The Court found that the Plaintiff states have met the conditions for injunctive relief to prevent the ongoing harm that this constitutional violation is causing. Thus, the Court permanently enjoined the Secretary from enforcing the Tax Cut Ban against the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

NCLA released the following statement:

All federal courts to have reached the merits to date have held that Congress cannot use its spending power to intrude upon the states sovereignty and dictate to them that they may not cut state taxes, even indirectly. These courts have fulfilled their duty to enforce the Constitution and stop Congress from controlling state budget matters leagues beyond the enumerated powers conferred upon the national legislature by the Constitution.

 Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the amicus brief page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

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EXTON, Pa., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) will now provide its students and their dependents free, 24/7 access to medical and behavioral health services through SwiftMD's telemedicine platform. As part of their tuition, students can contact a doctor or counselor via the platform's app, website, or by phone to treat an extensive list of acute illnesses as well as counseling services, including for crisis assistance.

SwiftMD is a leading provider in telemedicine that offers virtual access to U.S.-trained, board-certified physicians and master's level counselors. The behavioral health component is designed to supplement and support Tri-C's counseling services to help meet the growing need for mental healthcare for students.

"SwiftMD has set out to eliminate the barriers that prevent so many students from accessing quality, affordable healthcare. It is an honor to work alongside Tri-C to provide students with an unmatched quality of care. We are especially excited about the impact the behavioral health component can have on the overall well-being of Tri-C's student population," said John Lawlor, SwiftMD's president and CEO.

"Our goal is to assist and aid our students every step of the way while at Tri-C. A crucial component of this is making sure they remain healthy, both mentally and physically, so they can achieve the success we know they are capable of. This program is part of our total commitment to support our students and their families by creating a positive and nurturing environment," said Tri-C Westshore Campus President Janice Taylor-Heard.

SwiftMD's online medical services will help students and their dependents avoid the costs and wait times for medical visits to their Primary Care Physician, Urgent Care, or Emergency Room. The SwiftMD medical team can treat a range of common, minor conditions and work with the student's pharmacy of choice for prescriptions. Access will also benefit students by cutting down on leaves of absence or withdrawals due to illness. This is especially of value to the students at Tri-C, many of whom are working adults, some with children of their own.

About SwiftMD

SwiftMD is a leading telemedicine platform of choice for providers and their patients. The platform provides a quick and easy way for patients and caregivers to connect with physicians for non-emergency medical care. Unlike other telemedicine providers, SwiftMD offers a platform with access to exclusive physicians, and has the highest utilization in the industry, with an ROI guarantee. To learn more, visit www.swiftmd.com or email jmccrary@swiftmd.com.

About Cuyahoga Community College

Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, Tri-C is a public community college that offers over 1,000 courses in associate degree programs through traditional classroom settings and distance learning services. The college serves Cleveland and the surrounding communities and is the oldest community college within the state. Contact anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu for more information.

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Logo and tagline. SwiftMD. Talk to a doctor. Anytime. Anywhere.









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WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With more Canadian municipalities exploring the trend of backyard chicken-keeping, the Animal Protection Party urges restraint. Were in the middle of a highly pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak that is having a devastating effect on both wild and farmed birds, says Liz White, Party Leader. Why in the world would we consider adding to the problem? continued White.



Avian influenza (AI) has been detected in several flocks on the East coast and is now taking a foothold in Ontario and Alberta, according to information on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) websitei. At least 7 flocks are infected in Alberta and 12 in Ontario, including 3 backyard flocks. So many outbreaks have been detected in the United States that the CFIA is now restricting the importation of poultry products and live birds from over a dozen states.

The welfare implications of AI for backyard chicken flocks are significant. Infected birds suffer from respiratory distress, diarrhea and swelling of their heads, necks and eyes. Those who do not die from the disease are ordered to be killed by the CFIA, whose methods of eradication consist of slowly suffocating birds to death with carbon dioxide.

Toronto is considering expanding its pilot project to become city-wide. The program is expected to attract a mere 1,400 residents at a cost of $250,000 annually to the City to monitor, through the hiring of two new inspectors. Toronto Animal Services staff report back to Committee in January 2023. When you look at the cost to the City and the number of people who might participate, it makes no sense, especially considering how strained Animal Services already is, added White.

Winnipeg is the latest municipality to debate a pilot program. The Animal Protection Partys Winnipeg Centre candidate, Debra Wall, spoke out against the program at yesterdays Standing Policy Committee. The fall-out from such a proposal is as predictable as the sunrise, Wall told the Committee. It happened with hedgehogs. It happened with ferrets. It happens every Easter with rabbits and it happens to chickens in every city where backyard hens are allowed. Unwanted and neglected animals end up in the care of already over-burdened shelters and rescues.

White added, The risk of adding more opportunities for Avian flu to spread, the economic cost, and the likelihood of animal suffering is too high a price for a program that seeks to appease a small group of private interests over the health of the community.

Liz White, Leader Debra Wall, candidate Winnipeg Centre liz@animalprotectionparty.ca debra@animalprotectionparty.ca 416-809-4371

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i https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/response-to-detections-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-/eng/1640207916497/1640207916934
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPX Corporation (NYSE:SPXC) announced today that it will release its first quarter 2022 financial results after market close on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.



SPX Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Gene Lowe and SPX Corporation Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Jamie Harris will discuss the companys first quarter 2022 results during a conference call at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial in five minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will be simultaneously webcast via the companys website at www.spx.com and the slide presentation will be available in the Investor Relations section of the site.

Conference call

Dial in: 877-341-7727

From outside the United States: +1 262-558-6098

Participant code: 8158703

A replay of the call will be available by telephone through Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

To listen to a replay of the call

Dial in: 855-859-2056

From outside the United States: +1 404-537-3406

Participant code: 8158703

About SPX Corporation: SPX Corporation is a supplier of highly engineered products and technologies, holding leadership positions in the HVAC and detection and measurement markets. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SPX Corporation has approximately 3100 employees in 15 countries. SPX Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SPXC. For more information, please visit www.spx.com.

Investor and Media Contacts:

Paul Clegg, Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: 980-474-3806

E-mail: spx.investor@spx.com

Source: SPX Corporation
OLDSMAR, Fla., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC:QB Markets Group Symbol: CCEL) (the Company), the worlds first private cord blood bank to separate and store stem cells in 1992, announced results for the fiscal first quarter ended February 28, 2022.



Financial Results

Revenue

The revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 were $7.26 million compared to $6.86 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 consisted of $7.12 million in processing and storage fee revenue, $18,000 in product revenue and approximately $83,000 in public banking revenue compared to $6.74 million in processing and storage fees, approximately $38,000 in product revenue and approximately $84,000 in public banking revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Net Income

The Company reported net income of approximately $832,000 or $0.10 per basic and diluted common share for the three months ended February 28, 2022 compared to net income of approximately $694,000, or $0.09 per basic common share and $0.08 per diluted common share for the same period in 2021. Net income for the three months ended February 28, 2022 resulted from a 6% increase in revenue, a 5% increase in cost of sales and a 2% decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses. Also, for the three months ended February 28, 2022, the Company recorded a decrease of approximately $116,000 to the fair value of the contingent consideration compared to an increase of approximately $153,000 to the fair value of the contingent consideration for the three months ended February 28, 2021. The contingent consideration is the current valuation of the potential earnout that Cord:Use Cord Blood Bank, Inc. is entitled to from the Companys sale of the public cord blood inventory from and after closing of the acquisition of substantially all of Cord:Uses assets.

Commentary

David Portnoy, Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO, commented, Cryo-Cells cord blood banking business continues to produce solid results as we invest in a variety of projects that we believe will allow us to treat patients in need of innovative care with cellular therapies.

About Cryo-Cell International, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Cryo-Cell International, Inc. is the worlds first private cord blood bank. More than 500,000 parents from 87 countries have entrusted Cryo-Cell International with their babys cord blood and cord tissue stem cells. In addition to its private bank, Cryo-Cell International has a public banking program in partnership with Duke University. Cryo-Cells public bank has provided cord blood for more than 600 transplantations and operates cord blood donation sites across the U.S in prominent hospitals such as CedarsSinai Hospital in Los Angeles and Baptist Hospital in Miami. Cryo-Cells facility is FDA registered, cGMP-/cGTP-compliant and licensed in all states requiring licensure. Besides being AABB accredited as a cord blood facility, Cryo-Cell was also the first U.S. (for private use only) cord blood bank to receive FACT accreditation for adhering to the most stringent cord blood quality standards set by any internationally recognized, independent accrediting organization. Cryo-Cell has the exclusive rights to PrepaCyte-CB, the industrys most advanced cord blood processing technology.

Cryo-Cells mission is to provide the premier cord blood and cord tissue cryopreservation services, to develop, manufacture and administer cellular therapies to significantly improve the lives of patients worldwide and to offer the highest quality and most cost effective biostorage solutions available. In February 2021, Cryo-Cell entered into a license agreement with Duke University that the Company believes has allowed Cryo-Cell to begin its transformation into an autonomous, vertically integrated cellular therapy company. In March 2022, Cryo-Cell launched ExtraVault to offer its expertise in biostorage and distribution to biopharmaceutical companies and healthcare institutions. For more information, please visit ( www.extravault.com ) .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as will, may, should, could, would, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, forecasts, potential or continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Generally, the words anticipate, believe, continue, expect, intend, estimate, project, plan and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance contain forward-looking statements.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and reflect only our current views, expectations and assumptions with respect to future events and our future performance. If risks or uncertainties materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make include, among others, risks related to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our sales, operations and supply chain, the success of the Companys global expansion initiatives and product diversification, including its addition of the ExtraVault services, the Companys actual future ownership stake in future therapies emerging from its collaborative research partnerships, the success related to its IP portfolio, the Companys future competitive position in stem cell innovation, future success of its core business and the competitive impact of public cord blood banking on the Companys business, the success of the Companys initiative to expand its core business units to include biopharmaceutical manufacturing and operating clinics, the uncertainty of profitability from its biopharmaceutical manufacturing and operating clinics, the Companys ability to minimize future costs to the Company related to R&D initiatives and collaborations and the success of such initiatives and collaborations and the success and enforceability of the Companys umbilical cord blood and cord tissue license agreements, together with the associated intellectual property and their ability to provide the Company with royalty fees, along with the Risk Factors set forth in the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on April 13, 2022.

This list of risks and uncertainties, however, is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake and expressly disclaim any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

Contact:


After spending nearly 20 years behind bars for a murder he said he did not commit, a Missouri man walked out of prison and returned home to Kansas City.

Keith Carnes was released Monday from the South Central Correctional Facility in Licking, just days after prosecutors declined to retry him in the 2003 killing of rival drug dealer, Larry White. They concluded on Friday that there was not enough evidence to prove Carnes was the one who gunned down the 24-year-old inside a Kansas City parking garage.

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He was previously sentenced to life in prison for the slaying.

It also comes after the Missouri State Supreme Court last week set aside Carnes conviction, saying the state did not disclose certain pieces evidence, including a police report from a confidential informant, which couldve led to his exoneration.

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Whats more, a pair of witnesses who named Carnes as the killer recanted their testimony in 2014, claiming they had been pushed by both police and Jackson County prosecutors to make the identification.

On Monday, Carnes told reporters he knew he would be free one day because he knew he was innocent. He has long maintained that he was not the one who fatally shot White, KSHB-TV reported.

My prayers have been answered, he said at a news briefing in Kansas City. Its been a long time coming.

Carnes added that after such a long time away, hes most grateful to be able to hug his loved ones again.

To be able to do that without any restrictions felt real good, he said. To hold them as long as I wanted, to kiss and all that. It felt real good.

With News Wire Services
English French

TORONTO, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2B Bank announces an increase to its prime lending rate by 50 basis points from 2.70% to 3.20%, effective April 14, 2022.



About B2B Bank

B2B Bank is a leading provider of banking products to more than 15,000 financial advisors and brokers across Canada. Through the professional advisor and broker channels, it offers a broad range of products and services to consumers including Investment, RSP and TFSA Loans, mortgages, GICs, banking services and investment accounts and services through B2B Bank Dealer Services. B2B Bank is proudly dedicated to serving the needs of its clients and it continues to provide innovative products and solutions that help advisors and brokers build rewarding relationships with their clients. B2B Bank is a Schedule I bank. For more information, please visit https://b2bbank.com.

Contact:

Merick Seguin

Senior manager, media relations

Laurentian Bank of Canada

Mobile: 514 451-3201

merick.seguin@laurentianbank.ca




ACHESON, Alberta, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG or the Company) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the First Quarter ended March 31, 2022 on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).



The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-844-248-9143

International: 1-216-539-8612

Conference ID: 8087141

A replay will be available through May 28, 2022, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-855-859-2056

International: 1-404-537-3406

Conference ID: 8087141

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the companys website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: https://app.webinar.net/al3XOX5DyLK



A replay will be available until May 28, 2022, using the link provided.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. (www.nacg.ca) is one of Canadas largest providers of heavy construction and mining services. For more than 65 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource, and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

North American Construction Group Ltd.

Phone: (780) 960-7171

Email: ir@nacg.ca
Denver, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is proud to announce Colorado as the first state to receive the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, joined the announcement, along with CDHS executive Director Michelle Barnes and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. Colorado was awarded nearly $3.9 million.

Colorado will be awarding two-year grants with this funding, and applications will be open through May 25. This grant will provide funding targeted for local and regional socially disadvantaged producers for food purchases distributed in underserved communities. CDHS will accept grant applications for projects that design innovative procurement programs that strengthen the local and regional food system and purchase foods that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to the geographic area.

We are in a unique position to connect new and historically underrepresented communities to healthy, local food, said CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. CDHS is passionate about alleviating hunger across the state, and we are proud to partner with the USDA on this important effort to bolster food access. We hope this program touches those in need of food, as well as farmers, ranchers and food producers, in as many regions of Colorado as possible.

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel and several rounds of awards are expected. The locally grown food will be distributed to underserved populations in need of nutrition support through food banks, food pantries, schools or congregate feeding sites. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds will help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged producers.

The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program demonstrates USDAs commitment to working with state and tribal governments to strengthen local partnerships, address food insecurity, and expand market opportunities for local agricultural products, said USDA Under Secretary Moffitt. USDA is excited to partner with Colorado on this first cooperative agreement to better support historically underserved producers and ensure that underserved communities have increased access to locally sourced, healthy, and nutritious food.

This partnership between CDHS, CDA, and USDA will help strengthen relationships between local growers and food access programs. It also creates new market opportunities for producers who are meeting Colorado residents desire for food grown in their own communities, said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. The grants will create a great opportunity for Colorado producers to bring fresh, nutritious, Colorado-grown food to communities with low access to healthy foods.

The goals of this program are:

To support local food producers and socially disadvantaged farmers and food producers

To establish, strengthen and broaden partnerships with producers and the food distribution community, local food networks and nonprofits distributing fresh and nutrition foods in rural, remote, and underserved communities

To provide an opportunity for states and federally recognized tribal governments to strengthen their local and regional food system

To build and strengthen relationships and purchase and distribution channels, which continue past the conclusion of the LFPA grant program

To provide opportunities to purchase food directly from farmers and producers in as many regions of Colorado as possible

To provide opportunities for food distribution is as many regions of Colorado as possible

Interested applicants can find the application and more information, visit the ColoradoVSS portal and select Public Search in the left navigation menu. Search for the notice using the keyword 2022000350 for the "Local Food Procurement Agreement RFA".

Watch the press conference on the CDHS Facebook page.

###
Tokyo, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The electric bus market is expected to witness remarkable growth in near future. The electrification of public transportation has increased significantly over the world. Because of this, electric buses have reduced maintenance costs. Furthermore, the government is spending heavily in the development of charging infrastructure across the board. In addition, the cost of battery research and development is rising. Throughout the world, the electric bus is regarded as a green transportation choice. There is a spike in demand for ecologically friendly transportation and mobility solutions in developing regions such as Latin America and the Asia-Pacific.



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In addition, transportation corporations are refocusing their efforts on renewable energy sources. As a result, since a few years, there has been a high demand for electric buses. Thus, these factors are driving the growth of the global electric bus market.

Report Highlights

The battery electric bus, hybrid electric bus, plug-in hybrid electric bus, and fuel cell electric bus are the different types of electric bus. Due to the factors such as growing need for sustainable public transportation solutions and increase in infrastructural development projects all over the globe, the battery electric bus segment held the highest share in 2020. This segment is also expected to expand and develop in the near future.





Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 17.41 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of 12.7% from 2022 to 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Data 2022 to 2030 Regions Covered North America

Europe

APAC

Latin America

MEA

Regional Snapshot

In the electric bus market, the Asia-Pacific is the largest. Factors such as rising disposable income, fast industrialization and urbanization rates, and new product introductions in the electric bus industry are driving the market in Asia-Pacific.

In terms of region, the electric bus market in North America area is the fastest expanding region. The electric bus market in North America is developing due to reasons and drivers such as increasing public acceptance of electric cars, strict government restrictions aimed at reducing the negative effects of fuel and gasoline-based vehicles, and rising demand for sustainable alternatives.

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Key Players

The major players operating in the electric bus market are Tata Motors, Daimler AG, Geely Automobiles Holdings Ltd., Man SE, Scania, AB Volvo, Workhorse, BYD Company Ltd., Dongfeng Motor Company, and Paccar Inc.

Market Dynamics

Drivers: Growing government initiatives

The government all around the world is striving hard for the reduction of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. For this, the government has enacted stringent regulations that need to be followed by all. The government has also started providing tax benefits to the electric bus manufacturers or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The countries with high population are largely adopting electric buses due to favorable government regulations. Thus, the growing government initiatives are driving the growth of the global electric bus market over the projected period.

Restraints: High cost of development

The process of manufacturing or designing electric buses require huge amount of capital investments. The cost of seats, batteries, equipment, machines, and advanced systems and technologies are involved in the cost of final product. The underdeveloped regions cannot afford high cost of buses. The major market players should strive for the development of economic friendly buses. Moreover, the battery electric bus also requires charging stations and good infrastructure for charging. This also increases the cost of vehicles on a large scale. Thus, high cost of development is restricting the growth of the global electric bus market.

Opportunities: Surge in demand for low or zero emission vehicles

Due to rise in pollution levels and emissions of carbon and greenhouse gases, the demand for zero emission vehicles has increased since a decade. The electric vehicles help in the reduction of pollution and help to save environment. The electric bus is considered as environmentally friendly solution by many nations. The electric bus also helps to save the fuel and gasoline. In every way, the electric bus is beneficial in nature. As a result, the surge in demand for low or zero emission vehicles is creating growth prospects for the electric bus market.

Challenges: Lack of awareness

The concept of electric bus is not so trending in underdeveloped regions. The key market players are also not launching new products in such regions. There is also lack of infrastructure to run electric buses for public. There are no government initiatives in underdeveloped regions for the promotion of electric bus. Thus, lack of awareness is a major challenge for the expansion of the global electric bus market over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

Yutong demonstrated its 5G-enabled Intelligent mobility solution to global travelers in a live-show in China in September 2020. The event featured self-driving buses, intelligent bus stops, and unmanned intelligent bus terminals.

VDL announced a contract to supply 32 electric buses to Hermes, a public transportation business in Eindhoven, in April 2021. These buses will begin service in Eindhoven cityscape in January 2022.

Nova Bus, a Volvo Buses company, announced a supply contract from the Chicago Transit Authority in February 2021. Nova Bus has received an order for 600 new 40-foot electric buses.

Switzerland authorized a project plan in January 2021 for the electrification of two lines in the country. The electric bus industry is likely to grow as the focus on fleet electrification continues.

Related Reports

Market Segmentation

By Propulsion

Battery Electric bus

Hybrid Electric bus

Plug-in Hybrid Electric bus

Fuel Cell Electric bus

By Consumer Segment

Private

Government

By Application

Intercity

Intracity

By Length of Bus Type

less than 9 m

914 m

Above 1 4m





By Vehicle Range

Less than 200 miles

Above 200 miles

By Battery Capacity

Upto 400 kWh

Above 400 kWh

By Power Output

Upto 250 kW

Above 250 kW

By Battery Type

Lithium- Nickel- Manganese- Cobalt-Oxide

Lithium- Iron- Phosphate

Others





By Component

Motor

Battery

Fuel Cell Stack

Battery Management System

Battery Cooling System

EV Connectors

By Seating Capacity

Up to 40 seats

40-70 seats

Above 70 seats





By Level of Autonomy

Semi-autonomous

Autonomous

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Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally.

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Montreal, CA, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Led by prominent Canadian investors  Luge Capital, Investissement Quebec, and Tactico  the $6M financing round will further enhance Emmas impressive growth in the Canadian market. A year after taking part in the inaugural cohort of Intuit Prosperity Accelerator, Emma has grown by more than 500% and is now looking to help even more Canadian families get the right life insurance coverage.







Emma Services Financiers





In its push to disrupt the insurance industry, Emma will use the funds to provide its insurance products in all Canadian provinces, double the size of its current team, and build new products. Felix Deschatelets, Emmas CEO and co-founder, explains that its no secret that the demand for truly modern life insurance products has skyrocketed in the past years. With seasoned investors, strong partners, and a talented team, we now have the means to fulfill our ambitions and become families most loved insurance solution.

Thanks to its strategic partnership with the insurance company Humania Assurance, Emma is able to build its own insurance products. While the startup currently offers the simplest and fastest life insurance in Canada, it also aims at bringing more inclusivity and accessibility with a series of new products. Nicolas Moskiou, Humanias Executive Vice-President, expresses: We are proud to have supported this insurtech, which offers peace of mind to thousands of young Canadian families. It is with innovative partnerships like this one that the insurance industry can evolve.



Luge Capital General Partner, David Nault, highlighted the startups vision and proximity with its clients as its key differentiators: We love Emmas modern approach to insurance and so do their customers. Their growth and reviews convinced us that they are onto something big. Thrilled that a modernized solution is available to Canadians, Liam Cheung, Tactico founder, adds The life insurance industry has been in need of disruption as the inefficient processes have not evolved in the same way as other financial services.

"Investissement Quebec is proud to support Emma in this round of financing, which will allow the company to pursue its growth. This investment reflects our commitment to contribute to the development of promising young Quebec companies in all regions by facilitating their access to capital and providing them with the assistance they need to achieve their objectives," states Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Quebec.







Thanks to Emmas innovative spirit, Canadian families can now look forward to more modern solutions to their financial security needs. If youre looking for life insurance, visit emma.ca.











FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Felix Deschatelets press@emma.ca

Newsroom: news.38digitalmarket.com

Disclaimer:

This is not an endorsement or recommendation. All investments carry significant risk and all investment decisions of an individual remain the specific responsibility of that individual. There is no guarantee that it will result in profits or that it will not result in a full loss or losses All investors are advised to fully understand all risks associated with any kind of investing they choose to do.

There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation.





Attachment
The search continued in California and beyond on Wednesday for a third suspect wanted in connection with the mass shooting in Sacramento earlier this month, which authorities now suspect was triggered by gang violence.

The Sacramento Police Department on Tuesday identified Mtula Payton as one of at least five people who opened fire along K Street in the early hours of April 3.

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Six people were killed and another 12 were wounded in the explosion of gunfire. They were identified as Johntaya Alexander, 21; Melinda Davis, 57; Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21; Sergio Harris, 38; Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32; and Devazia Turner, 29.

Payton is wanted on multiple felony warrants including on domestic violence and gun charges, according to CBS Sacramento. They stem from an incident on April 2 inside a relatives home, where Payton allegedly harmed a woman.

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Mtula Payton (Sacramento Police Dept.)

Authorities were not able to locate the 27-year-old suspect at the time, but they have been searching for him ever since.

Another two men, brothers Smiley and Dandrae Martin, have also been accused of firing shots amid the mass shooting earlier this month.

Dandrae was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon but prosecutors have only charged him with a gun possession offense. He sustained minor injuries during the gunfire and has not entered a plea. His brother was more seriously injured in the shooting and arrested in the hospital on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a machine gun.

They both have criminal records.

The remaining two gunmen have yet to be identified by police.
LAGRANGE [mdash] Anna Marie Eash, 71, LaGrange, died at 3:35 a.m., Thursday, May 5, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. She was born Feb. 20, 1951 in LaGrange, to Chris J. and Mary W. (Lambright) Knepp. On July 13, 1988 in LaGrange, she married Daniel L. Eash. He died April 27, 2014. Surviving ar
The South Dakota House of Representative has voted to impeach state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who left the scene after he fatally struck a pedestrian while driving home from GOP fundraiser in September 2020.

State lawmakers voted 36-31 on Tuesday to oust Ravnsborg, paving the way for his trial before the Senate, which could lead to his permanent removal from office. He is the first South Dakota official ever to be impeached.

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The proceedings stem from a deadly crash on a dark road on Sept. 12, 2020.

Ravnsborg was driving a 2011 Ford Taurus westbound on U.S. Highway 14, just outside of Highmore, when he struck 55-year-old Joseph Boever just after 10:30 p.m. The attorney general immediately phoned 911, initially telling dispatchers he hit something, most likely a deer, but that he could not find it after the crash.

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South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

When he returned to the site the following morning, Ravnsborg discovered Boever dead in a ditch. He later pleaded no contest to a pair of traffic misdemeanor counts as part of a deal, which ultimately allowed him to avoid jailtime.

While each charge carried a maximum sentence of 30 days behind bars, a judge only ordered that the states top prosecutor pay $500 fines for each count and another $3,742 to cover court costs.

The Senate must wait at least 20 days before holding a trial. They will be tasked with determining whether Ravnsborg was responsible for Boevers death and whether or not he misled law enforcement officers in the aftermath of the crash.

Investigators have alleged the elected official was reading news articles on his phone, leaving him distracted in the moments before he ran off the road. Ravnsborgs claims that he did not realize hed struck a person have also faced scrutiny.

Nick Nemec, the cousin of Joseph Boever, poses with a wedding photo of Boever in the South Dakota House gallery before lawmakers voted to impeach Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. (Stephen Groves)/AP)

A recording of his interview with law enforcement that night revealed Boevers glasses were discovered inside Ravnsborgs car  though the attorney general denied seeing them.

His face was in your windshield, Jason, a detective said to him in one of the recordings. Think about that.

With News Wire Services
Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces More Than Seven Million Virginians Have Received One Dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine

RICHMOND, VA  Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that more than seven million Virginians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) launched the states vaccination campaign in late December 2020. VDH reached this vaccination milestone as we celebrate National Public Health Week.

That figure of 7,000,752 represents 81.5% of Virginias total population of 8,590,563 people and 92.4% of the adult population of 6,724,143 Virginians 18 years of age and older. Of those, 2,938,260 Virginians have received their recommended booster or third dose of vaccine.

Over seven million Virginians have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose, an incredible milestone in our path towards normalcy and demonstrates that Virginia is leading in the fight against COVID-19, once again. I will continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine, as its the best method to prevent serious illness from the virus, said Governor Glenn Youngkin. While Ive been a strong advocate of getting the vaccine and boosters, I will not mandate it. Im pleased that over 80% of Virginians have made an individual decision to get the vaccine.

As we celebrate Public Health week in Virginia, its important to not just recognize the commitment of our public health workers, but also to acknowledge that public health must be a community-wide focus. COVID-19 made that very clear and todays vaccine achievement is the result of collaboration among public health and other healthcare workers, community groups, pastors and many others. As we look forward to tackling other health and wellness challenges, those partnerships will be the driver of success. said Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel.

This represents yet another victory in our fight against COVID-19. By allowing for extensive protection against hospitalization and death from the virus, this achievement paves the way for the continued return of our daily lives to normalcy. We could not have reached this milestone without the combined efforts of VDH employees, healthcare workers, and a host of community volunteers that continue to make vaccination against COVID-19 readily available, said Acting State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH. As we recognize this week as National Public Health Week, our vaccination efforts illustrate the power of public health and community partnerships to make a difference and save lives."



Reaching the point of having seven million Virginians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is a huge accomplishment, said State Vaccination Coordinator Christy Gray, MPH, whos also the director of the Division of Immunization in VDHs Office of Epidemiology. We couldnt have done it without the hard work of the more than 3,500 VDH employees and of our partners across the state: pharmacies, physicians offices, hospitals, long term care facilities, and numerous community partners helping to take the vaccination message to the public. Our vaccination campaign is a triumph of the entire community against this virus.

On December 15, 2020, Sentara Healthcare employee Yolanda Dumas in Hampton Roads became the first Virginian to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine just days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave its approval to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) administration of the the mRNA vaccine. At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, frontline healthcare personnel and people living in long term care facilities were prioritized for vaccination.

In phased rollouts, other groups of individuals became eligible for vaccination in early 2021: persons ages 65 years and older; persons 16-64 years old with certain underlying conditions; frontline essential workers such as police, fire and emergency medical personnel, teachers, and grocery and manufacturing workers; and other workers in sectors essential to the functioning of society.

VDH has employed a number of different strategies to reach people in its vaccination campaign including:

Vaccinate Virginia: A statewide call center (877-VAX-IN-VA) and website ( Vaccinate.Virginia.gov ) were established for Virginians to register for notification of vaccination appointments. Public awareness campaigns have been conducted across media platforms, including print, broadcast, and digital.

Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs): The state set up large-scale vaccination centers across Virginia that administered hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses.

Community Partnerships: Local health districts across the commonwealth developed partnerships with organizations throughout their coverage areas to get vaccines to hard-to-reach, vulnerable populations through mobile clinics, vaccination events at churches and community centers, and, in some cases, taking vaccination directly to homebound individuals.

Pharmacies, both those participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and partnered with local health districts, have delivered more than seven million vaccine doses to Virginians, out of the more than 15 million total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered thus far in Virginia. Local health departments have administered more than 2.6 million doses, followed by medical practices (1.9 million), other community health providers (1.7 million), and hospitals (1.35 million).

VDHs vaccination campaign continues today with hyper-targeted outreach to unvaccinated Virginians in rural areas of the state, persons hesitant to be vaccinated, and persons in need of boosters to be up to date on their vaccinations.

* * *

To find a free vaccine or booster near you, visit Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages.

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Lance Stroll had a colorless weekend in Australia. Once again he didn't score any points for Aston Martin and in qualifying he torpedoed Nicholas Latifi, probably because he wasn't looking closely in his mirrors. It led to many negative reactions on Twitter.

Stroll least popular driver

VegasInsider analyzed 67,800 tweets during the weekend of the Australian Grand Prix. What stood out was that Stroll overwhelmingly received the most negative comments. 50% of the 2,194 tweets addressed to the Canadian were negative. In addition, Stroll also received, on average, the most swear words thrown at his head. Of the more than 2,000 tweets, 19% contained a swear word.

It is notable that also Esteban Ocon (18% of 677 tweets) and George Russell (15% of 5,834 tweets) saw a lot of swearing back in tweets addressed to them. This while Ocon and Russell both had a fine weekend without any major incidents.

Positive outliers

Not unexpectedly, McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo (10% negative tweets from 2,716 tweets) and Lando Norris (12% negative tweets from 3,512) scored best. The two drivers have always been very popular among fans and for Ricciardo it was his home race. It was Yuki Tsunoda who received the least amount of swearing at his head on average. Only 5% of 164 tweets addressed to the Japanese contained a swear word.
Red Bull Racing has been able to identify the cause of Max Verstappen's retirement during the Australian Grand Prix. Helmut Marko announced this in conversation with Speedweek.com. As expected, it turns out to be another problem that came along earlier in Bahrain.

The Dutchman clearly fell short of Charles Leclerc during the GP of Australia, but with a second place he seemed to get the maximum out of his car. Just before lap 40, however, he had no choice but to pull over and get out of his car.

It was a big disappointment after the race. It was not the first time Verstappen had to retire early this season, as he also had to deal with problems with his car in Bahrain. The Austrian racing team had to search hard for a solution to the problem that arose.

Red Bull finds reason for crash

According to Marko, it is now clear what the cause was. "We have been able to find out the cause of the fuel leak in Max's car," says the advisor, who does not want to reveal the details. "The case is very complex. The problem is absolutely different from the one in Bahrain."
Reporter's Notebook

In my column I have often mentioned what good neighbors I have. I particularly mention Dave and Dorothy Stiegelmeyer, who frequently are doing little things to make life easier for me.

I received a postcard recently from an old friend asking if he was a good neighbor when living next to us in Nampa, Idaho when we were both attending college.

That was in or about 1957.

I assured him that he was.

Earl Tromburg and his wife Velma lived right next to us in the Vetville apartment complex made up of about a dozen apartments for students attending school there.

At the end of our college days, we went our own ways  Earl back to the Midwest, while I was making my way to the Seattle area.

While in Nampa, Earl worked at a meat packing plant nearby and followed this up with a career in the meat industry. Earl was a salesman and could convince you that a live chicken was a cut of beef.

While in Nampa, I worked for his father, Henry, who supervised the night watchman. That was me; the campus had only one.

When Earl retired, he made his way back to the Northwest where most of his family lived.

The four of us got together occasionally to renew our friendships and to share a laugh or two.

While in Nampa, Earl and I did a little fishing together.

On this one occasion we went deep in the woods north of Boise, set up our tent and started to fish. I remember we got distracted by a few huckleberry bushes, put our rods down and picked about a cup of berries. I remember waking up in the middle of the night to find Earl eating the huckleberries. This produced a laugh whenever we got together.

I read his postcard and called him last week to assure him that he and his wife were, indeed, good neighbors.

He explained in his postcard that he reads my column online and always gets a chuckle from The Stars Coulee Cops column.

It was nice to renew old friendships. However, Earl advised me that Velma had passed away from cancer. When my wifes dementia got worse, it was not possible to maintain friendships as before.

So we kind of lost track of each other, to my regret.
Elon Musk needed to share information about these shares.

The outlandish Tesla CEO was sued in Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday by a jilted Twitter investor who accused him of violating a stock trading law.

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Marc Bain Rasella filed what he hopes will be a class-action lawsuit against Musk over the billionaires process of buying shares of Twitter.

Elon Musk is the subject of the lawsuit. (Patrick Pleul/AP)

Musk purchased shares in small chunks day by day beginning Jan. 31, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. He disclosed his purchases on April 4, when hed obtained a 9% stake in Twitter and therefore became the companys largest shareholder.

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However, SEC rules require a person to declare their stake in a company within 10 days of acquiring 5% of its shares. According to the suit, Musk hit that threshold on March 14, meaning he shouldve declared by March 24.

As soon as Musks massive stake, worth more than $2.5 billion, was made public April 4, Twitters stock price skyrocketed.

Rasella had sold some of his Twitter shares between March 24 and April 4. In the suit, he claimed that had he known Musk had invested in Twitter, he wouldnt have sold.

The class-action suit seeks to represent anyone who sold Twitter stock between March 24 and April 4, claiming they were all shorted by Musks delayed disclosure. If the suit is allowed to go ahead, it could take months to track all those people down.

Additionally, the suit claims that because Musk delayed his filing and was able to keep buying shares at a lower price before his disclosure sent prices soaring, he illegally saved $143 million. Musks net worth is estimated at over $250 billion.

Following his massive investment, Musk was offered a seat on Twitters board of directors but turned it down. As of Tuesday night he has not responded to the suit, either in court or on Twitter.
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The information contained herein is general in nature and is based on authorities that are subject to change. It is not, and should not be construed as, accounting, legal or tax advice provided by Grant Thornton LLP to the reader. This material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the readers specific circumstances or needs and may require consideration of tax and nontax factors not described herein. Contact Grant Thornton LLP or other tax professionals prior to taking any action based upon this information. Changes in tax laws or other factors could affect, on a prospective or retroactive basis, the information contained herein; Grant Thornton LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any such changes. All references to Section, Sec., or  refer to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Poland recently vetoed an agreement among EU finance ministers seeking to implement global minimum tax rules under Pillar 2 of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and G20s Inclusive Framework on base-erosion and profit-shifting. EU procedural rules mandate unanimous member agreement for rule implementation, meaning Polands objection delays Pillar 2 implementation in the EU.Pillar 2 seeks to impose a 15% minimum tax on the earnings of certain multinational groups with revenues of 750 million euros or more. For additional information on Pillar 2, see our prior story, .Polish Secretary of State Magdalena Rzeczkowska noted that her objection largely hinges on her desire for Pillar 2 to have an explicit legal link to the other main piece of the OECD/G20s Inclusive Framework: Pillar 1.Pillar 1 generally seeks to sets up a framework for signatories to tax online sales for certain large multinational enterprises. Certain large businesses would no longer solely pay tax where they have a bricks and mortar physical presence  instead, they would also need to register and pay tax where they create value, including e-commerce sales initiated outside the jurisdiction. There is a high threshold of qualification for businesses to qualify for Pillar 1 taxation (20 billion euros in global turnover and pre-tax profit margin of more than 10% of revenue), and there also are sector exclusions for regulated financial services and extractive industries.Rzeczkowska stated that Polish companies should not be subjected to the global minimum tax under Pillar 2 without ensuring that large digital companies are fully taxed under the profit reallocation rules under Pillar 1. However, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said it is not possible to establish an enforceable link between the two.The developments in the EU last week follow the historic October 2021 agreement in which nearly 140 countries  including Poland  agreed to pass domestic legislation implementing both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. The October agreement also calls on countries to pass domestic legislation enacting Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 to be effective from the beginning of 2023  but with so many things for legislators and businesses to do in such a short space of time, some jurisdictions may push back on such an aggressive timeline.PartnerWashington National Tax Office+1 202 861 4104PartnerWashington National Tax Office+1 202 521 1509Managing DirectorWashington National Tax Office+1 202 861 4144
South Africa: Load shedding suspended in eThekwini

Eskom Chief Executive, Andre de Ruyter, says the power utility will not be implementing stage two load shedding at the flood-hit eThekweni Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

Despite this promise, some areas in the KZN region are without power due to damaged Eskom infrastructure, which the power utility is attending to.

By and large, our grid is still intact. We have some minor interruptions in isolated areas where there are some short-term interruptions. We have offered some assistance to municipalities in KZN to help with spares and maintenance crews.

We have made an arrangement with eThekwini Municipality and we are not implementing load shedding at this point in time. We are ready and prepared to offer any assistance that we can to help KZN through this very challenging period, he said.

Load shedding

De Ruyter said the power utility is working as hard as [it] can to return units to service and to attend to broken down generation units, which have led to the implementation of stage two load shedding.

We are working as hard as we can to restore electricity and end load shedding as soon as possible. We apologise for this interruption to our normal services and I can give the assurance that the Eskom teams are working all hours of the day and night to restore supply and end load shedding as soon as we can, de Ruyter said.

He said the power utility is down on capacity of about 13 663MW, which will result in the power utility falling short  by some 3 518MW  of consumer demand.

We had to take a decision to extend load shedding... at least until Friday, depending on how the situation changes with units either returning to service from unplanned trips or potential further breakdowns and of course, that risk remains, he said.

Breakdowns and trips at the power utilitys power stations are:

A shutdown at Komati power station unit nine.

A trip at Majuba Power Stations unit six.

An interruption at the Apollo substation, which transmits at least 220MW electricity imported from Mozambiques Cahora Bassa hydroelectric power station.

A unit tripped at Grootvlei Power Station.

A unit was lost at Camden Power Station.

A boiler tube leak tripped the Medupi Power Stations unit two.

Furthermore, units at risk are in excess of 11000MW of power.

Turning to the power utilitys emergency reserve capacity, De Ruyter said Eskom is not currently burning any diesel at its emergency and peak hour generating power station, Ankerlig.

We have been able to keep Ankerlig diesel supply stable. We have about 28 hours left at the power station but of course, we have to maintain that reserve in the event that there are further losses of more generation units. We have to keep a buffer in order to prevent an overall system blackout.

At Gourikwa power station we are currently running five units and weve got 35 hours of generating capacity, with diesel levels sitting at just over 83%, he said.

The power utilitys water pumped storage facility in Drakensburg has 57 hours of generation capacity and Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme, which has been affected by heavy rain, has some 24 hours generation capacity.

We anticipate that we will require 11 open cycle gas turbines to get us through this evenings peak [and] again, we appeal to South African public to please be responsible in how they manage their electricity consumption. It makes a difference and it will really help us to protect those emergency reserves.

We require, in order to provide for any unforeseen events, reserves of about 2 200MW and therefore we do need to preserve diesel and maintain our dam levels. We cant simply run them to depletion and take a risk of coal-fired units tripping, which would then create a very risky situation for us in terms of the overall grid stability, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-04-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Feature: Chinese ambassador's fond memories in Malawi

11:19, April 13, 2022 By Kondwain Magombo ( Xinhua

LILONGWE, April 12 (Xinhua) -- "The beauty of Malawi and the smiling faces of Malawians have all left me with a very, very deep impression and when I go back, and when COVID-19 goes away, I will take my family to visit Malawi once again."

Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Liu Hongyang made the remarks before his 4-year mission in the southern African country comes to an end this month.

In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of a donation ceremony in the capital of Lilongwe, Liu described his duty in Malawi as the most memorable time thanks to the beauty of the country and the hospitality of its people. At the ceremony, the Chinese embassy donated 60 modern electric sewing machines to Malawi's labor ministry to boost vocational skills in country's community technical colleges.

"I've been here for almost four years. The greatest feeling that touches my heart is the peace and tranquility that Malawians enjoy compared with other parts of the world," he said.

The ambassador said he will be going home with memories of a country with warm-hearted, intelligent and hardworking people, to which he developed a special attachment.

"I've traveled extensively in Malawi, from the south to the north, and the west to the east, and everywhere I go, I can see people are working very hard -- whether it's in their cornfields or making furniture and crafts out of bamboos or woods," Liu added.

During the recent farewell ceremony, Malawian Foreign Minister Nancy Tembo spoke highly of Liu's contributions to the development of the two countries' relationship and cooperation.

Tembo said that during the ambassador's tenure of office in Malawi, which is important to the country, China has helped promote Malawi's development by providing assistance and constructing various projects.

The Malawian foreign minister wished the ambassador well, saying the Malawian government will remain committed to strengthening its relations with China at "both bilateral and multilateral levels on matters of shared interests."

In March, Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding with China on Belt and Road cooperation, which Tembo said will add new impetus to bilateral cooperation.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
The estranged wife of the father of Harmony Montgomery, the 7-year-old New Hampshire girl last seen in October 2019, has been arrested again on new charges unrelated to her disappearance.

Kayla Montgomery, 31, has been charged with two counts of receiving stolen property related to a theft of firearms that occurred in September and October 2019, the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday.

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Between Sept. 29 and Oct. 22, Montgomery received or retained a rifle and a shotgun, knowing or believing that they were stolen, according to prosecutors.

Her then-husband, Adam Montgomery, was charged last week for allegedly stealing a rifle and a shotgun in the same time frame, as well as other charges for being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.

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No other details were released, but the attorney generals office stressed that theres no evidence that the stolen guns are linked to Harmonys disappearance.

Kayla Montgomery, pictured in January, was arrested again Tuesday. (Jessica Rinaldi /AP)

Kayla Montgomery was previously arrested in January and charged with one count of theft by deception and two misdemeanor charges of welfare fraud for allegedly collecting more than $1,500 in food stamp benefits between December 2019 and June 2021, when Harmony was no longer living with them.

Before the gun charges, Adam Montgomery, Harmonys father, was arrested for felony second-degree assault for a 2019 incident involving Harmony, one misdemeanor charge of interference with custody and two misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child.

[ Father of missing 7-year-old Harmony Montgomery arrested ]

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The 31-year-old father had gained custody of Harmony in July 2018 while her mother, Crystal Sorey, struggled with substance abuse issues.

Adams brother and uncle both told police about witnessing him abuse Harmony, including spanking her, leaving her with a black eye and forcing her to scrub the toilet with a toothbrush.

After Sorey formally filed a missing persons report with the Manchester Police Department in mid-November, it took almost six weeks for investigators to track Adam Montgomery down on New Years Eve while he was sleeping in his car with his girlfriend in Manchester.

Harmony Montgomery was last seen in October 2019. (Manchester Police)

During our interaction with Adam, we stressed my concern that (Harmony) had not been physically observed in over two years and that we had concern for whether or not she was alive, his arrest affidavit reads. Adam did not exhibit much emotion or reaction to this.

The girlfriend, Kelsey Smalls, was found dead in a hotel room in late March.

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Harmony is listed at 4 feet tall, weighing about 50 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. She is blind in her right eye and should be wearing glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711, Detective Jack Dunleavy at 603-792-5561 or the anonymous CrimeLine tip line at 603-624-4040.
Glencore and General Motors announced a multi-year sourcing agreement in which Glencore will supply GM with cobalt from its Murrin Murrin operation in Australia. Cobalt is an important metal in the production of EV batteries, and the cobalt processed from Australia will be used in GMs Ultium battery cathodes, which will power electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC HUMMER EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.

Both Glencore and General Motors are members of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), and Glencores Murrin Murrin operation is conformant with the OECD-aligned Responsible Minerals Assurance Process.

Cobalt is a metal that makes up only 0.001% of the earths crust. It is known for its heat-resistant properties and is added to lithium-ion battery cathodes to improve energy density and battery longevity.

By the end of 2025, GM plans to have capacity to build 1 million electric vehicles in North America, and has announced a series of actions to create a new and more secure EV supply chain, including projects targeting key EV materials and components:

Cathode Active Material (CAM) with POSCO Chemical. GM and POSCO Chemical are building a new facility in Quebec, Canada, as part of their joint venture to produce CAM for GMs Ultium batteries.

Lithium with Controlled Thermal Resources (CTR) to secure lithium produced by the first stage of its Hells Kitchen Project in California.

Rare earth materials with GE, to develop a rare earth value chain.

Alloy flakes with MP Materials, which will establish the first North American processing site for alloy flakes. The company will then expand into magnet manufacturing around 2025 at its new production facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Permanent magnets with VAC, the largest producer of permanent magnets in the Western Hemisphere with nearly 100 years of experience. VAC will establish a North American footprint to support GMs magnet requirements starting in 2024, including locally sourced raw materials and finished magnet production.

Murrin Murrin is a remote, fully integrated nickel and cobalt producer located in the north-eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. The company uses conventional open pit mining methods to extract the nickel and cobalt ore, before processing and refining the laterite ore at its hydrometallurgical facility.





The process plant consists of High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology and a Refinery.





At the facility, the ore is sorted according to grade, crushed and blended to ensure consistent feed into the plants ore feed preparation circuit. The ore is then mixed with water to form a slurry for processing in the HPAL circuit. The HPAL circuit consists of four titanium-lined autoclaves, each the size of a small submarine.

The nickel and cobalt is leached out of the ore slurry, and into solution, by raising the pressure up to 44 atmospheres and mixing it with highly concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature of 255 C.

This generates substantial quantities of heat, which is recovered and then used to pre-heat incoming slurry.

Once the nickel and cobalt have been leached and are in soluble form, they must be separated from the residue waste material. This solution is washed to remove the waste residue, allowing the nickel and cobalt solution to move forward for further processing, and the residue to be neutralized for tailings disposal as inert waste.

Leached ore solution then passes into the neutralization circuit where calcrete is added to neutralize the acid.The solution is then passed into the mixed sulfides precipitation circuit, where hydrogen sulfide gas is added to convert the solution into a mixed nickel and cobalt sulfide precipitate.

The mixed nickel and cobalt sulfide enters another autoclave where pure oxygen converts the solids from a mixed sulfide into a metal sulfate solution. Impurities such as iron and zinc are then removed, before the cobalt and nickel are separated using solvent extraction.

The nickel sulfate solution then enters six parallel autoclaves, known as the hydrogen reduction circuit, where the hydrogen is added, nickel metal is precipitated and then separated from the nickel-free liquid stream. The nickel powder is then dried before entering the final processing stage.

The powder is formed into a pillow-shaped briquette, sintered in a furnace and then packaged for transportation.

The cobalt sulfate solution from solvent extraction follows a separate processing path which is similar to the nickel processing path but on a smaller scale, producing cobalt briquettes.

In 2021, Murrin Murrin produced 30.1 kt of nickel metal and 2.5 kt of cobalt metal, down 17% and 14% respectively, year-on-year, reflecting a lengthy scheduled statutory shutdown in May/June and various maintenance issues earlier in the year.
Toyota has launched the all-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV (earlier post). Coming to dealerships this spring with an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles (for XLE front-wheel drive models, based on EPAs testing procedure standards), the 2023 Toyota bZ4X will have a starting MSRP of $42,000.





bZ4X is the first Toyota vehicle to be launched under the global bZBeyond Zeroseries, with more bZ vehicles on the horizon intending to elevate the BEV segment for years to come. Toyota plans to expand to around 70 electrified models globally by 2025. This future lineup will feature 15 dedicated BEVs, including seven carrying the bZ (Beyond Zero) brand moniker.

Offered in both Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD), the all-electric bZ4X produces a horsepower rating of 201 for FWD and a horsepower rating of 214 for AWD. Estimated 0-60 acceleration time is 7.1 seconds for FWD and 6.5 seconds for AWD.

The XLE FWD model has an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles. The XLE AWD model has an EPA-estimated range of up to 228 miles. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for XLE FWD is 131 MPGe city, 107 MPGe highway and 119 MPGe combined. The EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for XLE AWD is 114 MPGe city, 94 MPGe highway and 104 MPGe combined.

The bZ4X is built on the BEV-dedicated e-TNGA platform, a first for Toyota. Through this architecture, bZ4X achieves a low center of gravity and greater rigidity thanks to the high-capacity Lithium-ion battery pack placed flat under the floor.





Handling is due in part to the battery cross-framing structure, which adds to overall vehicle rigidity. The adoption of a lightweight body structure with sections of high tensile steel reinforced frame components around the battery pack coupled with a dynamic suspension contribute to the agile responsiveness of bZ4X.

An intelligent throttle feature provides a smoother feel when accelerating and decelerating and slip suppression provides control on slippery roads. The Regenerative Braking Boost Mode feature reduces the frequency the brake pedal must be depressed, helping to reduce the burden on the driver.

The engineering team also focused on features that help optimize energy-saving and cruising range for year-round driving. In addition to aerodynamic design choices and body weight reduction efforts, the following systems and equipment were adopted to reduce energy consumption, especially power used for heating in cold climates:

Heat pump system for both heating and air-conditioning

Available Seat and steering wheel heaters

Available Front-seat radiant foot-and-leg heater (first for Toyota)

Coupled with Multi-terrain Select, the new AWD system with X-MODE can be used in two modes (Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud) to tackle slippery or uneven surfaces.

For unpaved and bumpy roads, engaging Snow/Mud Mode applies the brakes on spinning wheels to produce a limited-slip differential (LSD) effect for additional traction. This mode also tackles softer road surfaces covered by heavy snow, providing more vehicle stability by automatically positioning the tires to slip in a way that clears away snow or mud. In downhill situations that require the driver to apply heavy braking, Downhill Assist Control helps maintain a constant speed to allow the driver to concentrate on steering.

Another feature of the AWD system is Grip-Control, a low-speed system that leverages motor drive power modulation to achieve capable off-road performance during turns. This feature was developed as an added X-MODE function to determine road surface characteristics and maintain a constant speed to prevent slipping on rough roads, allowing the driver to focus more on steering.

All bZ4X models are equipped with a J1772/CCS1 (Combined Charging System (CCS)) socket, which allows for both home and public charging. The 6.6 kW onboard charger allows the bZ4X to charge from low to full in about 9 hours with a Level 2 charger either at home or at a public charger (at optimal outside temperatures).

New bZ4X owners can also include a ChargePoint home charging system into the cost of their new vehicle purchase or lease, as they will have the option to purchase a ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger from participating Toyota dealerships or directly from ChargePoint online. ChargePoint Home Flex is ENERGY-STAR-certified and Wi-Fi-enabled, can be installed indoors or out, comes with a 23-foot charging cable to support different parking configurations and can charge electric vehicles up to nine times faster than a standard outlet. Translated for the bZ4X, the home charger can charge up to 25 miles of range per hour and fully charge the battery when plugged in overnight.

Qmerit has been selected to help guide bZ4X customers through the process of locating a certified EV charger installer, offering an initial free quote and additional services to support them all the way through to installation completion.

Customers who purchase or lease a new 2023 Toyota bZ4X will also get one year of unlimited complimentary charging at all EVgo-owned and operated public charging stations nationwide. Customers will be able to use the Toyota App on their mobile device to sign up for this offer, locate EVgo stations and initiate complimentary charging for their new bZ4X.

Driver Assist and Safety. bZ4X is the first to feature the latest Toyota Safety Sense safety package (TSS 3.0). This system has been enhanced by expanding the detection range of the millimeter wave radar and monocular camera. Toyota has enhanced the performance of each function and added new functions to assist in normal driving conditions.

For example, the Pre-collision system has been enhanced to offer Low-Light Cyclist Detection, Daytime Motorcyclist Detection and Guardrail Detection. Also, lane recognition is enhanced to add improved functionality while in Lane Tracing Assist mode. The goal of TSS is designed to help prevent or mitigate accidents, further reduce traffic fatalities and injuries and ease the burden on drivers.





Blind Spot Monitor is standard on all grades. A new safety feature and a Toyota First, Safe Exit Assist, is also standard on bZ4X. This system helps support avoidance of collisions between an open door and/or occupants who have exited and vehicles approaching from the rear.

As part of the Blind Spot Monitor functionality, if the system detects an approaching vehicle and judges that there is a possibility of a collision with an opened door or passengers who have exited, an indicator in the outer mirror is lit to audibly alert the occupants. Even with the door closed, the indicator will be lit if the system judges that there is a possibility of a collision if the door is open.

Birds Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan including 360-degree Overhead View in low-speed drive and reverse, and Curb View is available on the Limited grade.

The engineering team strategically placed the Top-Mounted Meter right above the steering wheel with the goal to reduce the number of times the driver takes their eyes off the road. The parallax angle of the meter also extends the perspective for the driver when viewing, also achieving a reduced response time between the road and the MID. Even the steering wheel is more ergonomicthe spoke width has been reduced, achieving excellent grip comfort and the diameter of the wheel is smaller to allow for a meter layout that requires minimal eye movement.

In terms of battery safety, Toyota added many measures to help protect cell integrity, thanks to the design and a multiple monitoring system intended to protect the vehicles battery system. This includes:
The Biden Administration announced several steps to spur the development and adoption of homegrown biofuels.

$700 million for biofuels producers: As part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide up to $700 million in funding through a new Biofuel Producer Program. The Program will support agricultural producers that rely on biofuels producers as a market for their agricultural products. By making payments to producers of biofuels, the funding will help maintain a viable and significant market for such agricultural products. Producers can expect awards before the end of April.

$100 million for biofuels infrastructure: USDA announced $100 million in new funding for grants for biofuels infrastructure to make it easier for gas stations to sell and to significantly increase the use of higher blends of bioethanol and biodiesel at the pump. The funding will provide grants to refueling and distribution facilities for the cost of installation, retrofitting or otherwise upgrading of infrastructure required at a location to ensure the environmentally safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends of E15 and greater or fuel containing biodiesel blends B-20 and greater. USDA will also make funding available to support biofuels for railways as a means of assisting with supply chains and helping to reduce costs for consumer goods and transportation.

$5.6 million for infrastructure for renewable fuels through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program: To expand the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from US agricultural products, USDA is announcing $5.6 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The purpose of the program is to significantly increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The awards being announced will support 9 projects in 7 states. For example, in Illinois, Power Mart Express Corp., DBA PME, is receiving a $2.9-million grant to increase ethanol sales by 17.5 million gallons per year. This project will replace 293 dispensers and 30 storage tanks at 15 fueling stations in Chicago, Maywood, Cicero, Des Plaines, and Wilmington.

Spurring a new market in sustainable aviation fuels: USDA is partnering across the federal government to advance the use of cleaner and more sustainable fuels in American transportation and investing billions of dollars in research and agricultural activities to improve aircraft fuel efficiency. Steps include: A new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge to inspire the increase in the production of sustainable aviation fuels to at least 3 billion gallons per year by 2030;

New and ongoing funding opportunities to support sustainable aviation fuel projects and fuel producers totaling up to $4.3 billion; and

An increase in R&D activities to demonstrate new technologies that can achieve at least a 30% improvement in aircraft fuel efficiency.
A Kansas City middle school student died late Tuesday, hours after he was found stabbed in a school bathroom.

Missouri police responded to Northeast Middle School around 9 a.m., 40 minutes after first period started, after the boy, identified Wednesday as 14-year-old Manuel J. Guzman, was found with stab wounds.

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They rendered first aid and Manuel was rushed to the hospital, where he died that evening, according to the Kansas City Police Department.

Another male student was taken into custody as a person of interest, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department confirmed to the Daily News Wednesday. He was charged with murder in the first degree, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon through the juvenile court in Jackson County.

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Manuel Guzman (GoFundMe)

In a letter to parents, Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell said that counselors would be on hand Wednesday for students and staff.

I trust our trauma team to lead this work as we move forward together, he wrote. Our students need us  now more than ever. Tomorrow, we start the difficult work of helping students and staff process grief and loss.

Kansas City Mayor Quentin Lucas also offered condolences to the students family and friends.

Too many of our children are struggling and we all have to do more to get them the help they need, he said in a statement.
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GREENWICH  Plans for a seven-story apartment building in central Greenwich, with one-third of its units designated as affordable, are raising questions about whether the need for affordable housing can be balanced with the goal of historic preservation.

A proposal submitted earlier this year calls for demolishing seven buildings on the block at Sherwood Place and Church Street, including Victorian homes and other structures built about 100 years ago. The block is part of the Fourth Ward Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The developers, SJP Properties and Eagle Ventures, are looking to include 58 affordable units, as part of the proposed 192-unit building. Under state law, the Planning & Zoning Commission cannot deny an affordable-housing project unless there are health and safety issues involved, or other factors in the public interest that may include historic preservation.

At its Tuesday meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission grappled with the issue of whether preserving the older buildings could be factor in its review and decision-making process, and whether it could be a priority.

Commissioners said they were disappointed that the developers are seeking to demolish all of the buildings and did not come up with any alternative ideas for preservation.

Couldnt you have done an application that respected the historic district  and still figured out how to do some below-market housing? Thats the question we have asked since the beginning, Commission Chairwoman Margarita Alban said.

Were asking how we can make the two goals to work together  an application that provides below-market housing and respects the district and preserves these buildings, Alban continued. Everyone on the commission has articulated a desire to protect the historic district.

The lawyer representing the proposal, Chip Haslun, said the developers are not considering any modifications at this point, and the current plan is the one that works financially. It does not make financial sense to maintain these buildings, Haslun said of the older structures that would be torn down. The team thinks we have a great plan, we think its really well-designed and will serve a wonderful purpose.

The future of the seven structures has become a rallying point for local preservationists, with a petition created by the Greenwich Preservation Network to save the buildings attracting about 2,200 signatures. According to its chairwoman, Diane Fox, Connecticut law states planning commissions can use their powers to protect substantial public interests in health, safety or other matters which the commission may legally consider.

Fox, a former town planning official in Greenwich, said, Historic preservation falls under the other matters which the commission may legally consider.  Fox called for reasonable alternatives that could be pursued.

Only a few court cases have set precedents that involved a conflict between affordable housing and historic preservation. There is really very little case law, Alban noted.

In 1994, state Superior Court Judge Marshall Berger Jr. ruled that the Stonington planning commission was within its rights to deny an affordable-housing building project based on the goal of historic preservation  along with other factors.

Meanwhile, the building proposal for central Greenwich has gone before the State Historic Preservation Office. That process could lead to mediation through the auspices of the state attorney generals office.

Representatives from the development team have said the need for affordable housing should supersede the goal of historic preservation.

It is not unreasonable to take seven  vernacular buildings and demolish those buildings to gain dozens of affordable units, said Mary Jo Andrews, an attorney working with developer who has a specialty in preservation issues.

Andrews and other representatives for the developers said affordability is one of the distinctive features of the Fourth Ward, where lower-income Irish immigrants and African-American residents made their homes beginning in the 19th century. The proposed building would be in keeping with that tradition, they said. More than a dozen structures in the Fourth Ward District have been demolished in previous years, she said.

The fact they did it in the past doesnt mean its right today, Commissioner Peter Lowe said.

The proposal is continuing to draw public opposition as well as support.

The Rev. Felix-Gerard Delatour, of the Little Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, said it is unfortunate that many staffers and workers at Greenwich Hospital are unable to live in town because of high housing costs. We must do something, he said, to promote affordable housing.

Dean Gamanos, a neighborhood leader, said the proposed structure looked like a fortress and said it wasnt interactive with the local streets and smaller homes that characterize the area. Its like an aircraft carrier in the middle of a small town, he said.

The review of the building proposal is continuing. Commissioners said they would scrutinize easements and private-property rights for access at the site that may impact any decisions on the project.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
ST. LOUIS (AP)  A St. Louis man with a long history of stealing and fraud convictions was sentenced Tuesday to federal prison for fraudulently receiving $2.7 million in federal coronavirus aid.

Robert Williams, 58, was sentenced to 10 years and five months in prison after he filed about 30 fraudulent applications for aid under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was designed to help small businesses affected by the pandemic.
Samsung's Galaxy Watch4 family features a blood pressure monitor already, but Apple is taking its sweet time in adding something similar to its wearables. According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company may only have an Apple Watch with blood pressure monitoring on the market in 2024.

This is because it's apparently "hit some snags", which mean "the technology isn't expected to be ready until 2024 at the earliest", according to the omnipresent "people with knowledge of the matter".

Teams are already working on this, but accuracy has allegedly been a challenge in determining whether a user has high blood pressure. The feature has been planned "for at least four years", but eventually the release might actually slip to 2025.

Apple reportedly wants to go its own way with blood pressure readings, and not give out specific systolic and diastolic readings, instead just warning Apple Watch wearers that they may have hypertension. That sounds way less exciting than Samsung's implementation, but that requires monthly calibration with a traditional monitor, whereas Apple wants its solution to be fully independent.

Apple also has teams working on adding noninvasive blood sugar monitoring to its wearables, but this feature is said to be "several years away" and "hasn't been assigned a target year of release yet". In the meantime, Apple wants to improve support for third-party glucose meters.

Before the blood pressure monitoring tool launches, the Health app for iPhone will get an update adding expanded sleep tracking functionality, medicine management, and new women's health features. The medical management part will let you scan your pill bottles into the app, and it will monitor adherence and remind you to take your meds. That said, the initial version may only have a subset of these functions.

A body temperature sensor may arrive on this year's Apple Watch. This would initially only be used to help with fertility planning, and could eventually determine if a user has higher than normal body temperature, but, like with blood pressure, is unlikely to show an actual measurement. That's the same way Fitbit does it on the Sense - you get a "range" and are told by what temperature delta you deviated from your normal range.

The atrial fibrillation detection feature is going to be improved too, calculating "burden", or how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a certain period. That feature is apparently coming in watchOS 9 this fall.

Also new in watchOS 9 will be a low-power mode that lets the smartwatch run a limited set of apps and features while using less battery. Expect "many" of the built-in watch faces to be refreshed too, and new workout types and additional running metrics to be added to the Workout app.

Apple will launch "as many as" three new Apple Watches this year, including a standard Series 8, a low-end SE, and "an upscale model with a rugged casing that is aimed at extreme athletes".

Source
Update:

We received a statement from Xiaomi India regarding the report. You can read it below:

"Xiaomi is a law-abiding and responsible company. We give paramount importance to the laws of the land. We are fully compliant with all the regulations and are confident of the same. We are cooperating with authorities with their ongoing investigation to ensure they have all the requisite information."

Original story:

Manu Kumar Jain, former managing director of Xiaomi India, is under investigation over possible breach of Indias foreign exchange laws, Reuters reveals, quoting two sources with direct knowledge.

The executive, currently global VP and residing in Dubai, UAE, is already in India but did not respond to a request to comment.

Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi Global VP

Indias Enforcement Directorate is looking into the relationship between the Chinese company Xiaomi and its Indian division. Fund flows between the two entities are being reviewed, and that includes royalty payments.

The agency requested documents back in February, including details on foreign funding, shareholding, funding patterns, financial statements and key executives running the business, reported Reuters.

Source
Motorola has begun seeding a stable Android 12 update to its Moto G200 in Europe. The firmware bears the S1RX32.50-13 build number and has rolled out to the XT2175-1-DS model of the phone. The update comes in at just over 1GB in size and brings the March security patch. There are two ways to update your phone - OTA or via PC.

The former simply requires going into your phones system update settings and toggling the update. The latter step involves downloading Motorolas Rescue and Smart Assistant Tool on your PC and downloading the latest firmware which can then be flashed on your phone.

The Android 12 rollout for the Moto G200 has gone live in Europe while Latin America and the UK are expected to be next in line. Plenty of other Motorola phones are in line to receive the Android 12 update in the coming months and you can catch the full list here.

Via
Less than a week before Easter, a candy manufacturer is recalling some chocolate products due to bacteria concerns.

Ferrero USA is encouraging consumers to toss out Kinder chocolates that were not authorized to be sold in the U.S., after a batch of chocolates was recalled last week in Europe due to potential contamination of salmonella typhimurium.

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On April 7, the Italy-headquartered international conglomerate recalled Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats basket  with best before dates in July 2022  manufactured in a facility where the potentially deadly bacteria was detected.

Ferreros Kinder chocolate (Shutterstock/Shutterstock)

Nearly 150 children in Europe and the United Kingdom were reportedly infected with Salmonella found in an Arlon, Belgium, manufacturing plant for products that was sent to more than 60 countries.

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The company announced on April 8 that operations were suspended at the plant in the context of the ongoing salmonella investigations taking place in collaboration with food safety authorities.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Roughly 7% of Kinders products manufactured globally are produced at the Arlon plant.

Ferrero has also recalled several batches of Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs and other products in Spain, Britain and Ireland.

Belgian health authorities urged consumers not to eat several recalled Kinder products, Reuters reported.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children younger than 5 years old, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness after consuming food contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Most people who get ill from salmonella can experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps usually beginning six hours to six days after infection and lasting four to seven days.

The Atlanta-based government national public health agency estimates out 1.35 million infections, 26,500 people are hospitalized, and 420 people die in the U.S. every year.

Ferrero deeply regrets this situation. We take food safety extremely seriously and every step we have taken has been guided by our commitment to consumer care. We will continue to work cooperatively with the Food and Drug Administration to address this matter, the company said in a statement.
Boonie Stompers Inc. is inviting hikers to join a trek Saturday to Mount LamLam/Jumulong-Manglo.

The hike is rated medium and expected to take four hours to travel 3 miles. Hikers will go up to the large cross on top of Jumulong-Manglo to see amazing views and then head to the tallest peak on Guam.

Be prepared for the hike by wearing sunscreen and gloves. You should also bring 2 quarts water, insect repellent, lunch and a camera.

Special conditions for the hike include sword grass, rough rocks, steep slopes and a little shade.

To join the hike, meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot behind CHamoru Village in Hagatna.

The cost is $5 for hikers over the age of 17. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and hikers should provide their own transportation.

If you complete 10 hikes, you get a free Boonie Stomp T-shirt.
With the recent arrival of the USS Annapolis on Guam, the Navy has completed its goal of stationing five Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines on the island before the end of the year.

As part of the strategic laydown plan of 2021, the homeport for the USS Annapolis was shifted from Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, to Guam.

This submarine joins USS Asheville, USS Key West, USS Jefferson City and USS Springfield.

The USS Springfield arrived March 21, a week before the USS Annapolis.

My crew is proud to join the submarine force team in Guam, said Cmdr. James Tuthill, USS Annapolis commanding officer, in a Navy news release issued Wednesday. Its an excellent place to live, with a strong sense of community and a clear mission. We worked hard to get the ship through a shipyard period ahead of schedule, and were ready to assume our place on the front line.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires the Navy station the most capable ships forward to allow rapid responses for maritime and joint forces, with the ships and submarines with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability, the release stated.

I would like to personally extend a warm hafa adai to the sailors and families of our fifth homeported submarine on Guam, USS Annapolis, Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, Joint Region Marianas commander said in the release. Guam and the Mariana Islands are incredibly important to the overall defense of the region.

Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines support a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as strike warfare.

My sailors keep close tabs on world events, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region said Tuthill. Were ready to get to work.

Commissioned April 11, 1992, Annapolis is the fourth in the Navy named for the city of Annapolis, Maryland. Annapolis has a crew of approximately 16 officers and 127 sailors.

Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines make up the majority of the submarine force, with nearly 40 still in commission.

Annapolis is assigned to Submarine Squadron 15, which is located at Polaris Point. The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support.
A man on probation in an assault case was charged with robbing a man at knifepoint and stealing 30 cents, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

Jimbo Stephen, 30, who also prior convictions for criminal trespass and criminal mischief, was being held on $5,000 bail Wednesday.

On Sunday, a man was taking a smoke break outside his workplace in Hagatna when he dropped his keys. When he went back to look for them, Stephen and another man approached him, according to the complaint.

Stephen repeatedly asked the man, Do you have a problem? to which the man replied no before saying he was looking for his keys. Stephen reached into his back pocket and pulled out what the man described as 5-inch kitchen knife and the mans keys, according to the complaint.

Stephen pointed the knife at the man and said, Youre gonna help us? Were homeless, the complaint stated.

The man gave Stephen all the money in his pocket, which came out to be 30 cents. Stephen took the money, gave the man his keys and left, according to the complaint.

The man reported the incident Tuesday, and with his description and surveillance footage, police were able to identify Stephen.

Stephen initially denied the robbery, but later admitted to taking the keys he found outside. Stephen also admitted to asking for money in exchange for the keys, the complaint stated.

Stephen was charged with second-degree robbery and terrorizing with special allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with theft as a misdemeanor.

A warrant for Stephens arrest was issued after he failed to report to his probation officer after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in September 2021. Terms of his plea agreement required Stephen to stay away from deadly weapons and obey all laws. His probation in that case would have ended in September.

According to PDN files, Stephen was charged in connection to using rocks to smash windows of two Yigo mayors office vehicles.
A judge denied a motion to dismiss the charges connected to a Guam Police Department trainee who is accused of assaulting two medics.

Jose Vanzuela Aguon was charged with assault on a peace officer as a third-degree felony when he allegedly kicked and slapped two uniformed medics from the Guam Fire Department, according to the magistrates complaint.

Aguon was being transported to Guam Memorial Hospital after sustaining injuries in a traffic collision on Route 1 near Polaris Point in November 2021, the complaint stated.

Earlier this year, Aguon filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him and argued that he did not know the medics were peace officers from GFD.

The motion goes on to define that peace officers include, fire personnel when engaged in the enforcement of the fire prevention code, all arson investigators, and those designated by the fire chief of the Guam Fire Department.

Aguon further argued the medics were only providing medical assistance following the crash, so he wouldnt have known they were peace officers, documents state.

Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III denied the motion in an order filed earlier this week.

Aguon, who at the time of the incident was a GPD trainee, has since been placed on administrative leave while GPD conducted an internal investigation.

As of press time, GPD was unable to confirm Aguons status of employment.
A man was charged with child abuse after a 6-week-old infant was brought to a hospital with several bruises.

Clayton Charles Smith, 31, was charged with child abuse and family violence as misdemeanors, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

On Tuesday night, a woman told police officers she was asleep earlier that morning and heard her baby crying. She said Smith had been watching the infant while she took her turn sleeping and no one else was present.

The woman said the infant wouldnt stop crying. She said saw bruises on the infants stomach and told Smith to leave. The woman later noticed the bruises turning darker and took the infant to Guam Memorial Hospital, according to the complaint.

A GMH nurse told police the infant had hand-shaped bruises on the chest and abdomen. There also was bruising and discoloration on the right lower leg, according to the complaint.

Police found Smith in his room and said he refused to cooperate, according to the complaint.

In Smiths first hearing since being charged, his attorney, Curtis Van de veld, argued there was no probable cause to charge Smith with abuse.

Van de veld cited doctors reports that stated the bruise and discoloration on the right leg was caused by in the insertion of an IV. Van de veld further said the handprints on the infants chest and abdomen could have been caused when Smith was holding the child, as the baby had a propensity to bruise.

Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan thought there was probable cause.

Smith was released on a $500 personal recognizance bond and ordered to stay away from the infant.

Previous charges

According to PDN files, Smith in 2019 was charged with criminal mischief in connection to punching and kicking the locked doors of a Tumon club after he was asked to leave.

Smith also was seen arguing with a woman known to him.

After being arrested, Smith was heard yelling in a cell before officers saw a surveillance monitor black out. Smith was found in the cell with an audio/video cable from the camera and there was damage to the ceiling, PDN files state.
A man entered a plea of guilty Wednesday for six counts of theft between November 2021 and January 2022.

Jeremiah Peredo, 20, pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of Guam to stealing items from several Tamuning residences.

In January, Peredo was charged in connection with a string of burglaries that began Nov. 23, 2021. Hhe stole a total of $8,000 in cash.

On Dec. 4, 2021, Peredo burglarized a home for a second time, taking bags containing tablets and phones.

On Dec. 18, Peredo took two flat-screen televisions from a different residence before going to another home Christmas Day and taking jewelry, electronics and Airsoft rifles.

Peredo was charged after stealing similar items from two separate residences Jan. 20 and Jan. 27, the complaint stated.

Peredo was found by officers in a residence with most of the items that had been reported stolen and admitted stealing them, noting from which houses they were taken, according to the complaint.

Peredo also pleaded guilty to assisting a man in a separate theft case.

Terms of Peredos plea agreement include cooperating with the government and possibly testifying at trial in the separate case.

Peredo faces up to three years of imprisonment and will be sentenced at a later date.
The military is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Prutehi Litekyan over open burn and detonation units used to dispose of munitions at Andersen Air Force Base.

In January, the nonprofit sued the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force, alleging they failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act when applying for permits with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.

Prutehi Litekyan wants the court to compel the military to withdraw its application and conduct an environmental analysis before re-applying.

The military asserts: the National Environmental Policy Act doesnt apply to the permitting process as other federal regulations are in place; the court lacks jurisdiction; and Prutehi Litekyan lacks standing in the case, according to a motion filed in the District Court of Guam.

The open burn and open detonation units were established on base property in 1982. Permits with Guam EPA are renewed every three years. The burn unit hasnt ben used since 2002 but may be reactivated.

Ordnance from the Department of Defense and unexploded ordnance from World War II are detonated along Tarague beach. The burn pit would operate nearby.

Compounds containing several known carcinogens are permitted for disposal at Andersen, the PDN reported last year.

Militarys filing

According to the militarys filing, legislation put in place by Congress  the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act  governs EPAs permitting for hazardous waste disposal.

Plaintiff contends that, in addition to seeking a (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) permit, and before Guam EPA even acts on that permit, defendants must also conduct a separate and parallel analysis on the facility under the National Environmental Policy Act, the motion to dismiss states, citing a series of previous court rulings. Plaintiff is wrong.

Guam EPA has the power to request more information for the permit, documents state, but going beyond that would be unduly burdensome and time consuming.

The motion states the military already complies with the National Environmental Policy Act, pointing to a 2015 environmental impact statement that studied the environmental consequences of ordnance disposal at the range and contemplated 36 events per year at the detonation unit.

Authority

The court doesnt have the authority to intervene on the permit application, the motion asserts, as the U.S. is immune from lawsuits that dont challenge final agency actions. Applying for a permit for the open burn and detonation units was not a final action and the application is still pending.

Instead, all of the potential harms plaintiff alleges may happen as a result of the operation, ... such as contamination of the environment, possibility of fires and harm to wildlife,  could only occur, if they do at all, after the permit has been issued.

Intervention by the court would also inappropriately interfere with Guam EPAs consideration of the application, according to the motion.

Harm

Additionally, according to the military, the nonprofits members didnt demonstrate sufficiently that they would be harmed.

Prutehi Litekyans suit outlined several concerns members had over the disposal units, including contamination of land taken from CHamorus, contamination of nearby water and harm to endangered green sea turtles.

Here, the harms plaintiff alleges cannot occur as a result of defendants submission of the now-pending application to Guam EPA.

The application, the motion states, is the only federal action challenged in the lawsuit.
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Brookwood High School student wins 4th District Congressional App Challenge with driver's license checklist app

Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., presents a certificate to Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the schools media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans From left, Gwinnett County Commissioner Jasper Watkins, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel, Brookwood High School computer science teacher Kerry Duncan, Gwinnett County commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson and state Rep. Rebecca Mitchell pose for a photo at Brookwood on Tuesday. Johnson visited Brookwood to recognize Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans From left, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., poses for a photo with Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the schools media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., presents a leather-bound notebook portfolio to Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the schools media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson addresses attendees at a ceremony at Brookwood High School on Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson looks on. Johnson visited the school to recognize Brookwood junior Niheer Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans Gwinnett County Commissioner Jasper Watkins, right, congratulates Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel, left, for winning the 4th Congressional District's Congressional App Challenge on Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., visited Brookwood to present a certificate to Patel during a brief ceremony. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., presents a leather-bound notebook portfolio to Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the schools media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional Districts Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., recognizes Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the school's media center on Tuesday. Johnson highlighted Patel for winning the 4th Congressional District's Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., presents a certificate to Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the school's media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional District's Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., presents a certificate to Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the school's media center on Tuesday. Johnson recognized Patel for winning the 4th Congressional District's Congressional App Challenge. Photo: Curt Yeomans U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., recognizes Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel in the school's media center on Tuesday. Johnson highlighted Patel for winning the 4th Congressional District's Congressional App Challenge.

Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel took an interest in computer coding at an early age.

In fact, he was a just third-grader in elementary school when he first started to work on codes. Hes quick to point out his early computer codes were nothing too elaborate, but he has stuck with it.

Its been something that Ive done for a very long time and have gotten better and better at over the years, Patel said. My dad is a computer scientist so it started with simple block code and things and its kind of evolved from there.

All of those years of doing computer coding has paid off for Patel. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson visited Brookwood on Tuesday morning to recognize the 17-year-old as the 4th Congressional District winner for the annual Congressional App Challenge.

Members of Congress are invited to hold app challenges for high school students in their district. The winner from each district that participates is highlighted in a display at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington D.C., said Joshua Smith, who is from Johnsons office. The district winners will also be recognized during a virtual ceremony later this month.

Smith said about 300 congressional districts hosted app challenges this year.

Patel was one of 12 students who participated in the challenge for the 4th Congressional District.

I think its really important that our young people be involved in coming up with practical solutions to solve new challenges, and to make life easier, and make sure our time is more efficiently spent, and thats what Niheers app does for us, Johnson said.

The Brookwood junior created an app, called Georgia DDA Checklist, to help people prepare to get their drivers license. It provides a checklist outlining all of the documentation and requirements from the Georgia Department of Drivers Services to get a drivers license in the state.

It was the first app that Patel made that was not done for a class project, and it was inspired by the fact that he was preparing to get his drivers license at the same time that the app challenge came up.

I know that getting your drivers license, from what Id heard from my friends, can be pretty challenging in terms of, Do I have all of the required documentation? Have I gotten my ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program) certification?

Theres just a whole slew of things with Joshuas Law that you have to have prepared ahead of time to have the smoothest experience. So I had this upcoming for myself and all of my friends who havent gone through the process, and thats where I came up with the idea.

Patel said he not only created the app for the Congressional App Challenge. He also decided to use himself as a test subject to see how it worked.

I finished the app and then used it to get my license, Patel said.

The app is not available in an app store yet, the student said.

Brookwood High School computer science teacher Kerry Duncan was not surprised to see Patel win the Congressional App Challenge. She taught him during his freshman year and worked with him since then because he is a member of Brookwoods Technology Student Association and Robotics Team.

That has given Duncan an opportunity to see Patels computer coding skills develop during his school career.

Hes just blossomed, she said. I feel like he was the typical ninth-grader. He just remained quiet, pretty much sat by himself, and then he just blossomed that year ... The class I had him in was AP Computer Science Principals and very few ninth-graders get to take extended AP courses.

From that, hes taken every AP engineer STEM (course) and hes in robotics. (Hes going to do) something to do with engineering (after school) Im sure because hes been in robotics for four years.

In addition to presenting a certificate to Patel on Tuesday, Johnson also gave the student a leather-bound notebook portfolio and a pin as a reward for winning the competition.

Gwinnett County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson and Commissioner Jasper Watkins also spoke at the ceremony, and Hendrickson presented a proclamation from Commissioner Ben Ku as well.

Johnson said the Congressional App Challenge allows members of Congress to have an opportunity to recognize students who take up computer coding to create apps that display their talents. Its similar to how the annual Congressional Art Competition recognizes the artistic talents of high school students.

I see creativity and innovation, which are qualities that all students should be inspired to have, Johnson said. Maybe not everyone is technically motivated, but everyone has something they can get a little excited about and take things to the next level of their own volition.

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A 13-year-old Michigan boy with autism was fatally struck by an oncoming car just moments after his school bus driver allegedly allowed him to exit the vehicle without activating its flashing stop sign.

Debra White was charged with one count of second-degree child abuse and one count of failure to stop at the scene resulting in death, Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy announced in a press release on Monday. The 65-year-old from Detroit, who works as a driver with ABC Student Transportation, is accused of violating safety protocol that could have prevented the death of Zyair Harris.

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Harris was on his way home from school when the deadly incident unfolded the evening of April 6, officials said. The teen was hit by a car as he crossed Nevada and Healy streets on Detroits east side.

White did not ensure Harris was able to safely cross the street, Worthy said, adding that the buss lights and flashing stop sign had not been on at the time of the deadly crash.

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Zyair was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries on Monday.

Its the bus drivers fault, Zyairs mother, Cassandra Jones, told WXYZ-TV

My son was autistic, so you didnt care, you just let him out in the middle of the street, Jones added. And then when he got hit, she pulled out; she saw him get hit and still pulled off.
ALBANY  Brian Benjamins indictment on federal bribery charges came as a surprise to Gov. Hochul, who claimed Wednesday she was caught off guard by the scandal that ensnared her hand-picked right-hand man.

The governor said she made the best decision she could based on the information I had at the time when choosing Benjamin to be her lieutenant governor last year, despite ethical questions raised before his appointment.

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Clearly, we need a better process. It was very disappointing to me personally how this played out, she told WNYCs Brian Lehrer.

Benjamin resigned Tuesday, hours after he was arrested on charges of bribery, fraud and falsifying records related to an alleged scheme involving illegal campaign donations and state grants.

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You know it was a surprise. It really was, but it was clear to both of us that [Benjamin] cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor, Hochul said.

The indictment lays out how Benjamin, while serving as a state senator, allegedly steered a $50,000 state grant to a nonprofit run by Harlem real estate developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for donations to his failed city comptroller campaign. Migdol was arrested in relation to the straw donor scheme last November.

Prosecutors allege Benjamin repeatedly lied on the vetting forms he filled out before he was appointed lieutenant governor.

Last year, the Daily News first reported that the 45-year-old Democrat provided incorrect information on a background check submitted to the governors office and state police as part of the vetting process for his current position.

Then-New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin (left) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (right) (Richard Drew/AP)

On his initial background form, signed and dated Aug. 16, Benjamin reported he hadnt been contacted by law enforcement or a regulatory body concerning any possible legal, regulatory, ethical, or campaign finance, infraction or violation or investigation.

He had, in fact, been contacted by the state Elections Board over his use of campaign funds, and was aware that the Manhattan district attorneys office and federal prosecutors were already looking at donations made to his comptroller campaign.

Benjamin told The News last week that he had done nothing wrong and followed the process.

Democratic candidate for Governor of New York, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and his running mate for Lieutenant Governor of New York, Democratic candidate Diana Reyna (right) (Getty Images)

During his comptroller campaign, The News reported Benjamin used his Senate campaign account to pay for constituent services at a Harlem jazz club at almost exactly the same time he and his wife held a wedding celebration at the location as well $1,200 in car repairs and other expenses.

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When announcing Benjamin as her pick, Hochul said at the time that the wedding matter had been investigated and resolved, but would not say by whom. Benjamins January expense filing showed he eventually paid back about $26,000 to his old campaign account.

We had been told that every one of them had been resolved, the governor said of Benjamins earlier issues following an afternoon event Wednesday at Queens College. That there had been restitution paid in the past and they were something that occurred before.

Hochul, who replaced disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo last year following his resignation over sexual harassment allegations, is now taking serious heat for choosing Benjamin last August despite the myriad news reports about past campaigns and spending issues.

Just shows a complete lack of experience and a complete lack of judgment, said Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-L.I.), who is mounting a primary challenge against the governor. Shes in over her head.

Hochul said Wednesday that she is still weighing options for replacing her disgraced second-in-command.

Theres been absolutely no decisions made, she said, adding that theres a lot of people to consider.

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Complicating matters, Benjamin will still remain on the Democratic ballot for the June 28 primary despite his resignation and suspending his campaign.

The easiest option to remove Benjamin from the ballot would be for the embattled ex-politician to move out of state, disqualifying him from running. Due to his bail conditions, Benjamin is allowed to travel to Virginia or Georgia while awaiting trial.

The laws are very complicated, Hochul said. It will all be clear when we dive into our options here.

Asked about speculation that she could attempt to poach Diana Reyna, Suozzis running mate, Hochul reiterated that no decisions have been made.

Suozzi, meanwhile, openly encouraged the move.

The governor should appoint Diana Reyna as lieutenant governor, she absolutely should appoint her, shes completely qualified. Shed be great at the job, he said. The downside for the governor is that shes endorsed me.

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Reyna, a former City Council member and deputy Brooklyn borough president who will appear on the June ballot against Benjamin and activist Ana Maria Archilla, said she wouldnt turn down the offer but made clear where her allegiance would remain.

Kathy Hochul got herself into this mess, and she now has to figure out how to get herself out of it, she said.

With Tim Balk




Haiti - Diaspora Covid-19 : Daily Bulletin #754





GLOBAL SITUATION 2019-2022:

Epidemiological situation:

Wednesday l April 13, 2022 the number of people infected worldwide with the Covid-19 coronavirus and its variants since the start of the pandemic (March 11, 2020) amounts to 501,189,739 cases (+1,119,224 in 24 hours ), the day before (+857.186)



Number of infected countries: 225



*Healings: 451,376,990 people have been cured of Covid-19 worldwide (+1,427,156 in 24 hours), the day before (+1,155,223)

*Deaths: 6,209,749 people have died of Covid-19 worldwide since the start of the pandemic (+3,569 in 24 hours), the day before (+2,719)

*Active cases (less deaths and recoveries) in the world is currently 43,603,000 cases (-311,501 in 24 hours), the day before (-300,756)



Average cure rate in the world: 90.06% (+)



Average mortality rate in the world: 1.23% (-)



World: Active cases trend: (minus recoveries and deaths)





(Day-1)



Vaccination: 11.47 billion doses of vaccine injected (+10 million doses injected. Updated April 11, 2022 (latest data available).



HAITI:

Warning: The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) did not make available after April 6, 2022 daily data on the Covid-19 situation in Haiti. As a result, the data below on the situation in Haiti is the latest available.



According to the Ministry of Public Health, +10 new cases of Covid-19 and its variants have been confirmed in Haiti as of April 6, 2022 (latest partial data available ) for a total of 30,585 confirmed cases throughout the national territory (48.7% women and 51.3% men), since the first case (March 19, 2020 hhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html ). Previous update (+8 cases as of April 2, 2022).



Healings: 29,082 (+107)



Cure rate: 95.08% (+)



Deaths: 835 deaths (+2) (West +2)



Death rate: 2.73% (+)



5th Wave (Omicron Dominant):

Total of the 5th wave (beginning of December 27, 2021) 4,591 confirmed cases and 69 deaths



Screening since the start of the pandemic: 191,478 tests (+1,242 in 4 days) since March 19, 2020, latest data available. Note that the very small number of people screened every day at the national level out of a population estimated at 11.6 million citizens, does not statistically allow us to make a representative estimate of the situation in Haiti, which translates into a < B>number of daily confirmed cases largely underestimated.



TOP 5 of the most affected municipalities in the West (2022):

Delmas: 744 (+3); Petion-ville 624 (+0); Port-au-Prince 407 (+0); Tabarre 288 (+0); Cross-Bouquets 242 (+1)



Confirmed cases by department (2022 / 2021 / 2020):

West: 2022: 2,563 cases; (2021: 9.890); (2020: 6,945 cases)

North: 2022: 269 cases; (2021: 664); (2020: 677 cases)

Center: 2022: 230 cases; (2021: 1.001); (2020: 508 cases)

Artibonitis: 2022: 188 cases; (2021: 855); (2020: 593 cases)

Northeast: 2022: 148 cases; (2021: 404); (2020: 314 cases)

Southeast: 2022: 268 cases; (2021: 768); (2020: 274 cases)

South: 2022: 216 cases; (2021: 891); (2020: 262 cases)

North West: 2022: 263 cases; (2021: 383); (2020: 229 cases)

Grand'Anse: 2022: 176 cases; (2021: 861); (2020: 176 cases)

Nippes: 2022: 39 cases; (2021: 249) (2020: 149 cases)



Cumulative deaths by department (2022-2021):

West: 296 deaths (2020: 104 deaths)

North: 54 deaths (2020: 34 deaths)

Center: 79 deaths (2020: 13 deaths)

Artibonite: 42 deaths (2020: 39 deaths)

North East: 7 deaths (2020: 6 deaths)

South: 51 deaths (2020: 6 deaths)

Southeast: 15 deaths (2020: 9 deaths)

North West: 15 deaths (2020: 12 deaths)

Grand'Anse: 7 deaths (2020: 13 deaths)

Nippes: 27 deaths (2020: 5 deaths)



Distribution of deaths by age (since the start of the epidemic):

0-9 years: 15 deaths

10-19 years: 10 deaths

20-29 years: 31 deaths

30-39 years: 56 deaths

40-49 years: 80 deaths

50-59 years: 135 deaths (+1)

60-69 years: 187 deaths

70-79 years: 184 deaths (+1)

80 years and over: 137 deaths



Vaccination:

163,369 Haitians (1.4% of the population) +2,205 in 6 days have received a 1st dose of vaccine since July 16, 2021, date of the first injection through 149 open vaccination centers and 111,914 Haitians are fully vaccinated (2 doses, 0.96% of the population) +1.585 in 6 days. Update March 22, 2022 latest information available (source MSPP).



List of the 149 Vaccination Centers open in Haiti (and hours) by department:

(updated October 20, 2021, latest information available)

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35051-haiti-covid-19-list-of-149-vaccination-centers-open-in-the-country.html



DIASPORA :

Epidemiological situation:



USA:

*Cases since the first case (February 29, 2020): 82,133,342 cases (+30,275 in 24 hours), the day before (+40,078)

*Healings: 80,015,081 healings (+55,625 in 24 hours), the day before (+50,936)

National Cure Rate: 97.42% (+)

*Deaths: 1,013,044 deaths (+583 in 24 hours), the day before (+310)

National death rate: 1.23% (=)

*Active cases (minus deaths and recoveries): 1,105,217 (-25,933 in 24 hours), the day before (-11,168)



USA: Trend active cases: (minus recoveries and deaths)





(Day-1)



Vaccination: 566.38 million doses of vaccine injected since December 14, 2020, date of the first injection in the United States (+920,000). Update April 11 (latest data available).



DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

Confirmed cases since March 1, 2020: 578,570 cases (+14 in 24 hours) the day before (+25 in 24 hours). First case (March 1, 2020)

Healings: 574,133 healings (+23 in 24 hours), the day before (+75)

National Cure Rate: 99.23% (=)

Deaths: 4,375 deaths (+0), previous (+0)

Death rate: 0.75% (=)

Positive rate over 4 epidemiological weeks: 0.78% (=)

Active cases: (excluding deaths and recoveries) 62 cases (-50 in 24 hours) the day before (- 50)



Dominican Republic: Trend of active cases: (minus recoveries and deaths)





(Day-1)



TOP 5 Provinces with the most new cases in the last 24 hours:

Distrito Nacional: +9 new cases in 24 hours (-)

Santo Domingo: +6 new cases in 24 hours (-)

Santiago: + 5 new cases in 24 hours (-)

San Cristobal: + 2 new cases in 24 hours ()

La Altagracia: + 1 new cases in 24 hours (-)



Vaccination: 15.55 million doses of vaccine injected since February 16, 2021, date of the first injection in the Dominican Republic (+10,000 doses injected). Updated April 10, 2022 (latest data available).



QUEBEC:

Confirmed cases since the first case (February 27, 2020): 1,003,491 (+2,596 in 24 hours), previous (+8,246 in 72 hours)

Healings: 958,740 people (+2,660 in 24 hours) previous (+9,064 in 72 hours)

Cure rate: 95.54% (=)

Deaths: 14,579 (+35 in 24h) previous (+32 in 72h)

Death rate: 1.45% (=)

Active cases: (excluding death and recovery) 30,172 cases (-99 in 24 hours), previous (-85 in 72 hours)



Quebec: Trend of daily confirmed cases





(average weekly trend)



Vaccination: 18,923,834 doses of vaccine injected since December 14, 2020, date of the first injection (+25,602 doses in 24 hours), latest data available - MSSS as of April 11, 2022)



FRANCE:

*Confirmed cases since the first case (January 24, 2020): 27,163,629 cases (+190,762 cases in 24 hours), previous (+133,146)

*Healings: 24,344,051 healings (+145,401), previous (+180,599)

National Cure Rate: 89.62% (-)

Deaths: 143,625 (+159 in 24h), previous (+178)

Death rate: 0.52% (-)

Active Cases: 2,675,953 (+45,202 in 24h), previous (+83,475)



France: Trend of active cases: (minus recoveries and deaths)





(Day-1)



Vaccination: 142.23 million doses of vaccine injected since December 27, 2020, date of the first injection in France (+60,000 doses injected). Update April 11, 2022 (latest data available)



Previous bulletin : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36409-haiti-diaspora-covid-19-daily-bulletin-753.html



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30165-haiti-flash-first-case-of-covid-19-in-the-dominican-republic.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Romney, WV (26757)

Today

Rain. High 47F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible..

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Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 38F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Published on 2022/04/12 | Source

How sweet!

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Fans were enthusiastic about Hyun Bin treating Son Ye-jin like a princess.

Actor Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, who married on the 31st of last month, left for their destination Los Angeles (LA) via Incheon International Airport on the 11th.

In the video that fans seem to have taken, Hyun Bin is holding Son Ye-jin's bag in the duty-free section of the airport. Son Ye-jin, who seemed to have brought light belongings in her Valentino bag to which she is Ambassador, showed her sweet daily life of newlyweds by taking care of Hyun Bin's outer jacket instead.

Fans who saw the photos and videos said, "It's like we are watching an extra episode of "Crash Landing on You"", "Is this reality?", "The bag looks very light, but he's so sweet to hold it for her" and more.

Meanwhile, the two, who developed into real lovers after working together in the movie "The Negotiation" and the drama "Crash Landing on You", married after two years of dating from March 2020.
Published on 2022/04/13 | Source

Korean movie opening today 2022/04/13 in Korea: "Take Care of My Mom" (2021)

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Directed by Park Kyung-mok

With Kim Young-ok, Kim Young-min, Park Sung-yeon, Kim Hye-na, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Tae-baek,...

Synopsis

Stranger like family, family like stranger

What is 85-year-old Mrs. Jeong Mal-im's choice?

Mrs. Jeong Mal-im, an 85-year-old lady enjoys living alone with her longtime friend's dog in an old Western-style house in Daegu. Her only son, Jong-wook, will visit from Seoul after a long time, and while preparing here and there, her arm broke, and through the accident, a caregiver named Mi-seon was hired. She really hates being indebted to her children, and she doesn't feel comfortable with others so she insists on sending Mi-seon away, and Jong-wook who installed CCTVs due to his worries for her mother is frustrated at what's happening.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jeong seems to disappear from objects and side dishes after Mi-seon came, but there is no physical evidence, and Mi-seon, who takes care of her more gently than her real son, is proud of her, and the two become like real mothers and daughters.

Then, one holiday, when Jong-wook's family suddenly visited, the conflict in the relationship that had been buried, bursts when they saw Mi-seon wearing the clothes of Mrs. Jeong, which was a gift from her daughter-in-law Yoo-jin...

What's wrong with this family? We'll live together now so "Take Care of My Mom".
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President Biden has, for the first time, accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine, using a harsh international legal term that could raise the stakes for all sides in the nearly seven-week invasion.

He said Russian strongman Vladimir Putin used the invasion to try to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.

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Yes, I called it genocide, he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday. Its become clearer and clearer.

President Joe Biden (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Kremlin wasted no time in rejecting the accusation of genocide.

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(Its) unacceptable to attempt such a distortion of the situation, said top spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Meanwhile, the White House may announce a fresh $750 million in military assistance to Ukraine to help it fend off the Russian invasion as soon as Wednesday, Reuters first reported.

The new aid is expected to include military hardware including howitzers, artillery and Humvees, an official said.

The assistance would be authorized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which allows the emergency transfer of U.S. stockpiles without congressional approval.

Biden and other Western leaders had steered clear of using the term genocide because it has specific implications under international law and could potentially complicate peace negotiations with Putin or efforts to hold him accountable for atrocities committed by Russian invaders.

The American presidents comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pushing Western leaders to use the term to describe Russias invasion of his country.

True words of a true leader @POTUS, he tweeted. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far, and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

True words of a true leader @POTUS. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.    (@ZelenskyyUa) April 12, 2022

Biden said it would be up to legal war crimes experts to decide if Russias conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed.

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It sure seems that way to me, Biden said. More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation.

Last week, Biden said he believed Russias actions amounted to war crimes, but not necessarily genocide.

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Some invasions or attacks on other nations may be bloody and unjustifiable without being classified as genocide because they dont aim to destroy an entire people.
Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 64F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph.

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Clear skies. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunshine and some clouds. High 69F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
Indiana lawmakers are going to have to try harder if they really believe excess state revenue should be returned to Hoosier taxpayers.

Data released Friday by the State Budget Agency show Indiana can cover the entire 2023 budget year cost of the highly touted tax cuts approved in March by the Republican-controlled General Assembly using just the state's extra revenue from February and March.

Last month, Indiana took in $1.46 billion in revenue, including $732.8 million in sales tax receipts, and $537.2 million in individual income tax payments, data show.

That total was $167.9 million, or 13%, more than anticipated by the state revenue forecast revised in December, as well as $224 million, or 18.1%, greater than the monthly revenue estimate used by state lawmakers in April 2021 as they crafted the two-year, $37.4 billion state spending plan.

The March result follows a February that saw Indiana beat its revised monthly revenue expectations by $136.1 million, or 13.6%, giving Indiana $304 million in excess revenue in just the last two months.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates the new tax cuts will cost Indiana $300.1 million during the state budget year that begins July 1.

Applying the February and March excess to that expense still leaves Indiana with $1.2 billion in extra revenue for the current budget year before tallying the state's April, May and June receipts that typically outpace most other months.

Indiana also is projected to end the current budget year June 30 with $5.1 billion in its budget reserve, or 28.9% of 2023 state spending, notwithstanding an extra deposit of $545.5 million in a teacher pension account and using another $545.5 million to provide Hoosiers an automatic taxpayer refund.

Hoosiers should begin receiving their $125 automatic taxpayer refund payments later this month, or in early May, after the General Assembly last month approved Senate Enrolled Act 1 making all adults eligible for the payment, instead of only Hoosiers who pay income tax.

The $125 payment isn't connected to the new tax cuts. But for most Hoosiers it will be more money than they'll get from the tax law House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, falsely claimed is "the largest tax cut in state history."

The only tax savings Hoosiers will see this year is the elimination of the utility receipts tax beginning July 1. That's a 1.46% charge paid by both businesses and consumers on a portion of their electricity, natural gas, water, steam, sewage and telephone bills.

The biggest savings generally will go to big businesses since they tend to be the biggest users of utility services. A Northwest Indiana resident paying $100 a month to NIPSCO for electricity and natural gas will see their bill drop by about $1.

A $50 monthly phone bill may only go down a few pennies because of how different communications services are bundled and taxed.

Hoosiers, in theory, will know how much less they're paying if they read the fine print at the bottom of their bills, even if they barely notice the reduction amid surging commodity prices driving up their overall utility costs.

The General Assembly has mandated utility providers note on the two bills following repeal of the utility receipts tax  in August and September, just ahead of the Nov. 8 general election  exactly how much each customer has saved because House Enrolled Act 1002 was adopted by the Legislature.

The other tax cut in the measure is a reduction in the individual income tax rate to 3.15%, from 3.23%, beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

That change will shrink the total state income tax paid by a Hoosier worker earning $50,000 a year to $1,575, instead of $1,615, an annual savings of $40, or about $1.54 more money in each biweekly paycheck.

Altogether, the legislation potentially drops the state income tax rate to 2.9% over a seven-year period so long as Indiana meets certain revenue and pension funding targets.

If fully implemented, the annual income tax savings for a $50,000 a year worker would amount to $125 a year beginning in 2029.

GOP lawmakers last month rejected a Democratic plan to drop both tax cuts in favor of pausing the collection of Indiana's 32 cents per gallon gasoline tax and the state's 7% sales tax on gasoline (approximately 22 cents per gallon) to immediately save Hoosiers money with fuel prices continuing to top $4 per gallon.
Plans for transforming the site of one of metro Phoenixs first major malls are taking shape. A development groups plans for the Metrocenter Malls site include multifamily housing surrounding a a pedestrian-oriented town center with shops, restaurants, a park and offices. The mall along Interstate 17 in north Phoenix was built in 1973 and was a popular community hub and teen hangout over the years. But foot traffic declined and the mall closed in mid-2020 during the pandemic. The timeline for the site's transformation include demolition during the fall and winter and the start of construction in early 2023.
A draft opinion circulated among Supreme Court justices suggests that earlier this year a majority of them had thrown support behind overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. That's according to a report published Monday night in Politico. Its unclear if the draft represents the courts final word on the matter. The news outlet published what was labeled as a 1st Draft of the Opinion of the Court in a case challenging Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks,. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the draft, which if verified marks a shocking revelation of the high courts secretive deliberation process.
Editor: The left has constantly complained about the need for immigration reform.
Editor,

My name is Samuel Thomas. I am running to give Montana voters a viable alternative to Matt Rosendale, whose views and votes in Congress do not represent Montana values.

Im running because our country is in trouble. We have extremist politicians like Rosendale who voted no on the critically important infrastructure package that provided historic investment in Montana highways, roads, bridges, broadband expansion, and water projects, including the restoration of the Milk River Project that provides drinking water and irrigation water from Havre across Montanas Hi-Line. Instead, he put politics over people and voted no when he should have voted yes.

As the Libertarian alternative I will never vote against my constituents interests. Getting elected to an office means becoming a humble public servant to the people who elected you. That is what I want to provide to Montana voters.

Samuel Thomas

Missoula
The plan was to buy everyone cake.

My husband, Peter, and I are finally getting ready to leave Mexico, and we cant say we are too happy about it.

The last two months in San Miguel de Allende have convinced us that it is a place we want to return to, and now leaving it feels very hard  especially when my sister tells me about the freezing rain hitting her home right now.

We had to cancel our trip to visit Uncle Andy and Bea! she tells me. The roads were terrible!

As I sit in the evening sunshine, in a city where people usually dont need to heat their homes and never need air conditioning, the idea of freezing rain does not exactly make me homesick.

Why are we leaving, again? Peter asks.

But Im anxious to see family again. My dad is going in for a bunch of tests. My sister is getting her knee operated on. Peters sister, Shelley, will be having a procedure done on her back. All of these things are important  if not particularly fun. So the plan yesterday was to do something festive, and I couldnt think of anything more festive than cake.

The idea for the party was Peters.

We were so grateful to find this little hotel when we did. Our lodging on the coast turned out to be a disaster, and our choices were to either return home early or find something back in San Miguel de Allende  in the high season, without reservations. When we found this little one-bedroom apartment overlooking a courtyard filled with more than 2,000 smiling sun faces, we felt as if we had been saved.

I am calling you Salvador, Peter told Jorge, the owner of the small hotel. You saved us! Jorge smiled.

The hotel used to be Jorges family home. He was born and raised within its walls, along with his 12 siblings. In the mid-1980s, he began the process of converting it into a hotel. Now it is his pride and joy, and he spends his days putting more artwork on the walls and more plants into pots.

We ordered a chocolate layer cake with buttercream frosting. It had fresh fruit between the layers and a smiling sun face on the top. A woman at the market squeezed about 50 lemons for me, and we made fresh lemonade. Then Jorge and his employees and the three artists he keeps busy every day all gathered together in the courtyard with the 2,000-plus suns to eat cake.

Once we were all gathered, I found myself completely without Spanish words to thank them properly. This is what happens to me when I have something important to say in Spanish  I forget every word I ever knew. So, instead, we cut the cake and poured lemonade and smiled a lot. I think they all got the message.

That was a good party! Peter announced when we finally returned to our little apartment upstairs. Jorge ate a lot of cake!

We dont know what they really think of us, the kind people running this family hotel. We wouldnt blame them if they thought we were a little awkward or odd.

But we wanted to try to let them know how much we appreciated finding such a clean, cheerful place to live. We appreciated all the beautiful art being made, the plants being grown, the countless small kindnesses shown to us every day.

Gracias! we say again and again. Thank you.

De nada, they always reply. Its nothing.

But, of course, it is everything.

Till next time,

Carrie



Carrie Classons memoir is called Blue Yarn. Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.
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Former President Trump has chipped in $500,000 to help oust his arch-enemy Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, signaling he may play a more active role in taking revenge against Republican intraparty rivals.

In his first major contribution to a race since leaving the White House, Trumps Save America PAC has transferred $500,000 to a group aiming to topple Kemp, who is locked in a bitter primary fight with ex-Sen. David Perdue, Politico reported.

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Trump despises Kemp for refusing to help him overturn his 2020 election loss to President Biden. He has vowed to engineer Kemps defeat in the fast-approaching May 27 primary.

Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Georgia) (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Trump rarely opens his own wallet for anything, let alone to help a political ally.

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So the fact that he is putting his money where his mouth is to take down Kemp suggests he may do the same in other contentious GOP primaries like his effort to unseat anti-Trump rebel Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)

President Trump is committed to supporting his endorsed candidates across the nation, Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich said in a statement.

Former President Donald Trump (Tony Dejak/AP)

Trumps PAC has amassed an eye-popping $110 million war chest, giving him a potent weapon in primary fights if he chooses to use it.

He has vowed to defeat all 10 Republican lawmakers who voted in favor of his impeachment as well as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who voted to remove him from office.

Trumps contribution to the anti-Kemp effort appears to reflect the growing concern about the state of the race.

A Kemp victory would deal an ugly black eye to Trump in one of the earlier primary fights.

Despite Trumps endorsement, Perdue has been stuck behind Kemp in most polls and he has been criticized for running a lackluster campaign.

Kemp, on the other hand, has run a smooth campaign and has stuck to bedrock conservative issues like lower taxes, abortion and gun rights.

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He has largely avoided talking about his famous feud with Trump, which culminated when the former president demanded that he find enough votes to allow him to beat Biden in the Peach State.

The winner of the GOP slug fest will face Democratic voting rights activist Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost to Kemp in a surprisingly close race in 2018.
Henderson, NC (27536)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 66F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 44F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
BRCC wins $1 million grant to build greenhouse for horticulture program

Two students in the BRCC horticulture program work on separating tropical pitcher plants in the college's greenhouse. (Photo Credit: RICH KEEN/ BRCC Marketing & Communications

Blue Ridge Community College has received a $1 million grant to fund a new greenhouse for its horticulture program, the Golden Leaf Foundation announced.

The new structure will enable students to maintain automated growing systems and teach skills valuable to area growers and agribusinesses.

The grant was one of 14 awarded by the Golden Leaf Board of Directors totaling $10.1 million for community-based projects in Western North Carolina. The grants will support workforce preparedness, job creation, economic investment and the agriculture industry in Henderson, Transylvania, Buncombe, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson and Madison counties.

I am so pleased and excited about the opportunities this greenhouse will provide our students, said Blue Ridge horticulture instructor Rachel Meriwether. With the new greenhouse, we will be able to expand our conservatory and indoor plant program, as well as do more experimental jobs in the original greenhouse.

Meriwether described the current greenhouse as a wonderful structure, but one the program is quickly outgrowing. The grant will add a state-of-the-art second greenhouse to the College where students will learn all about the green industry. In addition to growing plants, they will learn about marketing, budgeting, seasonal timing, year-round pest control, and more.

Lisa Adkins, Blue Ridge Vice President for Advancement, explained how the grant will support the Colleges efforts to create a workforce training pipeline that supports the rapidly expanding grower industry in Henderson County.

"The number of new, commercial growers in the region is increasing, and current growers are expanding their operations, she said. Golden Leaf and Blue Ridge will not only provide trained professionals to fill these jobs, but also provide continuing education to help current employees advance their careers.

Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County (AgHC), explained that there is a global movement toward controlled environmental agriculture. Henderson County, he said, is well positioned for this movement with its climate, agricultural infrastructure and a successful history of greenhouse production since the 1970s.

Blue Ridge has been growing its programs right along with the industry, he said, and this grant will further enhance the educational experience through the incorporation of the latest high-tech systems. Ultimately, it will be a major benefit to current and future greenhouse growers who critically need well-educated workers to fill the many good jobs they have to offer.

Over the past two decades, Golden Leaf has funded 1,989 projects totaling $1.18 billion.
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Henry County exploring options to build additional electric vehicle charging stations

Staff Photo: Heather Middleton A resident chargers her Mustang SUV at the Walmart on Hudson Bridge Road in Stockbridge Thursday. Henry currently has 16 electric vehicle charging station locations spread throughout the county.

McDONOUGH  A discussion around the cost of installing additional car charging stations was held during the Board of Commissioners most recent meeting.

The presentation detailed Georgia Powers Make Ready Program, new charging station options and locations as well as what the county currently offers the electric driving community.

Make Ready Program

Under the program, Georgia Power will provide the electricity distribution system. The county would be responsible for purchasing the actual chargers and paying for installation. Per the program, six chargers per charging station are required.

Public Charging Options

 Level 2  208V (24 miles per hour charged)

 Level 3  480V (Cars are fully charged in 5 to 60 minutes)

Each can be networked or non-networked, meaning motorists will pay for their charge if networked. At non-network stations, the county will pay for the electricity.

County price tag

 Networked chargers  $18,000 for Level 2 and $25,000 for Level 3

 Non-networked chargers  $12,000 for Level 2 and $20,000 for Level 3

The amount reflects only the chargers. The cost to install is dependent on the location of the station.

Existing Henry County stations

 McDonough Nissan, McDonough

 Tru by Hilton Atlanta/McDonough Tesla Destination, McDonough

 Home2 Suites Atlanta South/McDonough Tesla Destination, McDonough

 Fair Oaks, Ellenwood

 Georgia Power Liberty Vill DC, McDonough

 DC Solar SCT20HEV-72142, Hampton

 Comfort Suites McDonough Tesla Destination, McDonough

 Walgreens  Ellenwood #9621, Ellenwood

 Welcome Center, McDonough

 Locust Grove Tanger EV1, Locust Grove

 Walmart 3402, Stockbridge

 Georgia Power Liberty Vill L2, McDonough

 DC Solar SCT20HEV-171495, Hampton

 DC Solar SCT20HEV-172140, Hampton

 Locust Grove Tanger EV 2, Locust Grove

 Kohls McDonough 1, McDonough

Remaining questions

Transportation Planning Director Sam Baker advised the Board of Commissioners several questions must be answered before plans can move forward.

 Who will use the stations (Government employees, residents, etc..)

 What volt levels to purchase

 Networked or non-networked

 Site locations

Commissioner comments

Commissioner Johnny Wilson said the county needs to survey residents to see how many people are needing and wanting additional charging stations.

Commissioner Vivian Thomas asked staff to look into cost savings associated with switching some county vehicles from gas to electric.

She said the county should consider if this is a good time to allow Georgia Power to pay for infrastructure and we invest in charging machines  because were moving toward that.

Commissioner Bruce Holmes wanted to know the financial benefit to the county and who would be using the stations.

Thats something that needs to be discussed, Baker answered. He noted the information shared was for presentation only with the goal of informing the board of what Georgia Power has to offer.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Vladimir Putin vowed Tuesday that Russias bloody offensive in Ukraine would continue until its goals are fulfilled and insisted the campaign was going as planned, despite a major withdrawal in the face of stiff Ukrainian opposition and significant losses.

Russian troops, thwarted in their push toward Ukraines capital, are now focusing on the eastern Donbas region, where Ukraine said Tuesday it was investigating a claim that a poisonous substance had been dropped on its troops. It was not clear what the substance might be, but Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during his visits to the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region Tsiolkovsky , Russia, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Evgeny Biyatov/AP)

Russia invaded on Feb. 24, with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly regime. In the six weeks since, Russias ground advance stalled, its forces lost potentially thousands of fighters and the military was accused of killing civilians and other atrocities.

Putin insisted Tuesday that his invasion aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed rebels and to ensure Russias own security.

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He said Russia had no other choice but to launch what he calls a special military operation, and vowed it would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.

For now, Putins forces are gearing up for a major offensive in the Donbas, which has been torn by fighting between Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence. Military strategists say Russian leaders appear to hope local support, logistics and terrain in the region favor Russias larger and better-armed military, potentially allowing its troops to finally turn the tide in their favor.

In Mariupol, a strategic port city in the Donbas, a Ukrainian regiment defending a steel mill claimed a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. It indicated there were no serious injuries. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified.

A destroyed self propelled artillery unit is seen on a road near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Felipe Dana/AP)

It came after a Russia-allied separatist official appeared to urge the use of chemical weapons, telling Russian state TV on Monday that separatist forces should seize the plant by first blocking all the exits. And then well use chemical troops to smoke them out of there, the official, Eduard Basurin, said. He denied Tuesday that separatist forces had used chemical weapons in Mariupol.

Ukraines Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions  which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons  had been used in Mariupol.

Much of the city has been razed in weeks of pummeling by Russian troops. The mayor said Monday that the siege has left more than 10,000 civilians dead, their corpses carpeted through the streets. Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the death toll in Mariupol alone could surpass 20,000 and gave new details of allegations by Ukrainian officials that Russian forces have brought mobile cremation equipment to dispose of the corpses.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acknowledged the challenges Ukrainian troops face in Mariupol. He said on Twitter that they remain blocked and are having issues with supplies, while Zelenskyy and Ukrainian generals do everything possible (and impossible) to find a solution and help our guys.

In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, April 11, 2022. (AP)

For more than 1.5 months our defenders protect the city from (Russian) troops, which are 10+ times larger, Podolyak said in a tweet. Theyre fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.

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British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the use of chemical weapons would be a callous escalation in this conflict, while Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it would be a wholesale breach of international law.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the U.S. could not confirm the drone report. But he noted the administrations persistent concerns about Russias potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine.

Britain, meanwhile, has warned that Russia may resort to phosphorus bombs, which are banned in civilian areas under international law, in Mariupol.

Most armies use phosphorus munitions to illuminate targets or to produce smoke screens. Deliberately firing them into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Once you start using the properties of white phosphorus, toxic properties, specifically and deliberately, then it becomes banned, he said.

In the face of stiff resistance by Ukrainian forces bolstered by Western weapons, Russian forces have increasingly relied on bombarding cities, flattening many urban areas and leaving thousands of people dead. The war has also driven more than 10 million Ukrainians from their homes  including nearly two-thirds of all children.

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Moscows retreat from cities and towns around the capital, Kyiv, led to the discovery of large numbers of apparently massacred civilians, prompting widespread condemnation and accusations that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Reports have primarily focused on the northwestern suburbs such as Bucha, where the mayor said 403 bodies have been found. Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk feared the toll would rise as minesweepers comb through the area.

Ukraines prosecutor-generals office said Tuesday that it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast.

The prosecutors office said the bodies of six civilians had been found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and that Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people, including a 13-year-old boy. In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed, including two children, when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.

Nadiya Trubchaninova, 70, sits next to a plastic bag that contains the body of her son Vadym Trubchaninov, 48, who was killed by Russian soldiers in Bucha on March 30, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

Putin falsely claimed Tuesday that Ukraines accusation that hundreds of civilians were killed by Russian troops in the town of Bucha were fake. Associated Press reporters saw dozens of bodies in and around the town, some with hands bound who appeared to have been shot at close range.

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The Russian leader spoke at the Vostochny space launch facility in the countrys Far East, during his first known foray outside Moscow since the war began. He also said that foreign powers wouldnt succeed in isolating Russia.

He said that Russias economy and financial system withstood the blow from what he called the Western sanctions blitz and claimed they would backfire by driving up prices for essentials such as fertilizer, leading to food shortages and increase migration flows to the West.

Addressing the pace of the campaign, Putin said Russia was proceeding calmly and rhythmically because it wanted to achieve the planned goals while minimizing the losses.

While building up forces in the east, Russia continued to strike targets across Ukraine in a bid to wear down the countrys defenses. Russias defense ministry said Tuesday that it used air- and sea-launched missiles to destroy an ammunition depot and airplane hangar at Starokostiantyniv in the western Khmelnytskyi region and an ammunition depot near Kyiv.
Jimmy McMinn, Sr., 85, of Greenville, passed away peacefully in his home on May 5, 2022. Jimmy was born on July 17, 1936, to Thomas J. and Mary McMinn. Jimmy was a Christian man who loved to play golf and fish. He met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Burkhart, on March 2, 1958. He
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we've all known individuals who have done more than their share to help their neighbors and communities with food, comfort, care, companionship and dozens of other needs. If you know of such a person, you can nominate them to be featured in our upcoming H
WASHINGTON  Mentions of Donald Trump have been rare at the first few trials for people charged with storming the U.S. Capitol, but that has changed: The latest Capitol riot defendant to go on trial is blaming his actions on the former president and his false claims about a stolen election.

Dustin Thompson, an Ohio man charged with stealing a coat rack from the Capitol, doesnt deny that he joined the mob on Jan. 6, 2021. But his lawyer vowed Tuesday to show that Trump abused his power to authorize the attack.

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Describing Trump as a man without scruples or integrity, defense attorney Samuel Shamansky said the former president engaged in a sinister plot to encourage Thompson and other supporters to do his dirty work.

Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump storm the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. An Ohio man charged with stealing a coat rack from the U.S. Capitol doesn't deny that he joined the mob that stormed the building last year. But a lawyer for Capitol riot defendant Dustin Thompson vows to show that former President Donald Trump abused his power to authorize the attack on Jan. 6. (John Minchillo/AP)

Its Donald Trump himself spewing the lies and using his position to authorize this assault, Shamansky told jurors Tuesday during the trials opening statements.

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Justice Department prosecutor Jennifer Rozzoni said Thompson knew he was breaking the law that day.

He chose to be a part of the mayhem and chaos, she said.

Thompsons lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as witnesses at his trial this week. A judge rejected that request but ruled that jurors can hear recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions. The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts with which they were charged.

In a February court filing, Shamansky said he wanted to argue at trial that Thompson was acting at the direction of Trump and his various conspirators. The lawyer asked to subpoena others from Trumps inner circle, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former White House senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Trump lawyers John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

Then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Prosecutors said Thompson cant show that Trump or Giuliani had the authority to empower him to break the law. They also noted that video of the rally speeches perfectly captures the tone, delivery and context of the statements to the extent they are marginally relevant to proof of Thompsons intent on Jan. 6.

Thompsons lawyer argued that Trump would testify that he and others " orchestrated a carefully crafted plot to call into question the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Shamansky claimed that Giuliani incited rioters by encouraging them to engage in trial by combat and that Trump provoked the mob by saying that if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

Shamansky said Thompson, who lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, became an avid consumer of the conspiracy theories and lies about a stolen election.

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This is the garbage that Dustin Thompson is listening to day after day after day, Shamansky said. He goes down this rabbit hole. He listens to this echo chamber. And he acts accordingly.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled in March that any in-person testimony by Trump or Giuliani could confuse and mislead jurors.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from Jan. 6. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

Rioters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo/AP)

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson has a co-defendant, Robert Lyon, who pleaded guilty to riot-related charges in March.

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Thompson, then 36, and Lyon, then 27, drove from Columbus, Ohio, to Silver Spring, Md., stayed overnight at a hotel and then took an Uber ride into Washington on the morning of Jan. 6. After then-President Donald Trumps speech, Thompson and Lyon headed over to the Capitol.

Thompson was wearing a Trump 2020 winter hat and a bulletproof vest when he entered the Capitol and went to the Senate parliamentarians office, where he stole two bottles of liquor and a coat rack worth up to $500, according to prosecutors.

Thompson and Lyon traded text messages during the riot.

Some girl died already, Lyon said in one text, an apparent reference to a law enforcement officers fatal shooting of a rioter, Ashli Babbitt

Was it Pelosi? Thompson replied.

Im taking our country back, Thompson later texted Lyon.

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Around 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, Thompson and Lyon were sitting on a sidewalk and waiting for an Uber driver to pick them up when Capitol police officers approached and warned them that they were in a restricted area. As they started to leave, Thompson picked up a coat rack that appeared to be from the Capitol, the FBI said. Thompson ran away when the officers told him to put down the rack, dropping it as he fled. Lyon stayed behind and identified himself and Thompson to police.

That night, Thompson received a text from his wife that said, I will not post bail.

The FBI said agents later searched Lyons cell phone and found a video that showed a ransacked office and Thompson yelling: Wooooo! Merica Hey! This is our house! A surveillance video also captured Thompson leaving a Capitol office with a bottle of bourbon, the FBI said.

Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Lyon pleaded guilty to theft of government property and disorderly conduct. Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of one year in prison. Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.
ST. JOSEPH  Berrien County Trial Court Judge Dennis Wiley recently dismissed a lawsuit against three local school districts, saying the case is moot because the districts are no longer mandating masks be worn.

The lawsuit  which was filed Jan. 21 against Lakeshore, St. Joseph and Watervliet school districts  alleged the three school districts were overstepping their authority by unlawfully making healthy students wear masks.

Court documents state all three school districts lifted their mask mandates around mid-February due to the declining rate of COVID-19 cases and not because of the lawsuit.

In Wileys order filed April 8, he said because the issue is moot, theres no reason to rule on claims of irreparable harm, its success on the merits, its balancing of harms or the public interest of such an injunction.

Money to hire a lawyer to file the lawsuit was crowdfunded by the private Facebook group Berrien County Parents for School Freedoms, according to Victory Woodall, one of the administrators of the group.

When contacted by phone Tuesday, Woodall said the group is considering its options.

She said she disagrees with Wileys ruling.

We are challenging the legality of (the mask mandate) in the first place, she said. We wanted him to make a ruling so that we could have this not happen again in the future.

In his order, Wiley said he cant rule on hypothetical future facts. He said a future mask mandate may arise upon different facts and circumstances that the ones pleaded in this case.

If a mask mandate be imposed in the future, Plaintiffs are welcome to seek judicial relief at that time and need only adjust their complaint to the new circumstances on which a new mandate might rest, Wiley stated in his order.

Woodall said that would require the Facebook group to raise thousands more dollars to have the lawsuit refiled.

Thats so frustrating. We wanted our day in court, she said.

A hearing on the motions was set for March 22, but the groups attorney, James Thomas of Grand Rapids, was late, saying he had put the wrong time on his calendar.

When Thomas didnt show up after 20 minutes, Wiley decided to rule on the case based on the pleadings.

Wiley denied a request to have the hearing reset.

He said in his order that the attorneys lack of appearance had no bearing on the case because both sides had submitted briefs that thoroughly explained their position and applicable law.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four parents who have five children, ages 5-16, in the school districts.

When contacted by The Herald-Palladium, Lakeshore Superintendent Greg Eding, Watervliet Superintendent Ric Seager and St. Joseph Superintendent Jenny Fee declined to comment.
Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High around 55F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 41F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
KYIV, Ukraine  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity by the leaders of the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. They traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Borodyanka, one of the towns near Kyiv where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the countrys east.

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In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, from left: Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Latvian President Egils Levits and Estonia's President Alar Karis pose for a picture during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP)

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

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Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters in seven weeks of war. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. The fighting has also rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europes post-Cold War balance.

Men wearing protective gear exhume the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

A day after he called Russias actions in Ukraine a genocide, Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the west have sustained Ukraines fight so far and we cannot rest now. The weapons include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historical Mariinskyi Palace on Tuesday, the European leaders  Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia  reiterated their commitments to supporting Ukraine politically and with transfers of military aid.

Duda described what is happening not as war but as terrorism.

Those who commit war crimes  they have to be brought to justice, he continued, saying the accountability must extend not just to soldiers who committed atrocities but also those who gave the orders, Duda said. We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means.

An expert report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of [international humanitarian law] violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. The report was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published Wednesday by the Vienna-based organization that promotes security and human rights.

The report said that there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and has said it would investigate.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, and on Tuesday insisted Russia had no other choice but to invade. He said the offensive aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to ensure Russias own security. He vowed it would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.

He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Following those setbacks, Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence. Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

Natalya Verbova, 49, and her son Roman Verbovyi, 23, attend the funeral of her husband Andriy Verbovyi, 55, who was killed by Russian soldiers while serving in Bucha territorial defense, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday , April 13, 2022. (Rodrigo Abd/AP)

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak tweeted that the citys defenders were short of supplies but were fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade had surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV channel the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when the surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

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According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television on Wednesday broadcast footage that it said was from the port city showing dozens of men in camouflage outfits walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag on a staff in one hand and the handle of a stretcher in another. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and its roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

Another Zelenskyy adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, did not comment on the surrender claim, but said in a post on Twitter that elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said the country is investigating a claim that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. She said it was possible phosphorus munitions had been used in Mariupol.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russias conduct met the international standard for genocide.

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French President Emmanuel Macron declined to use the word but said it has been established that war crimes have been committed by the Russian army.

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An International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes is underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscows retreat from the Kyiv area, where Ukrainian authorities say more than 720 people were killed, with 403 bodies found in the town of Bucha alone.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who visited Bucha, said in a tweet Wednesday that Ukraine is a crime scene, and the court must pierce the fog of war to determine what has occurred.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine, as the UN was seeking.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury those who died in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, the residents wrote the names of those who perished during the ordeal. The list counted 18 people.

An old man died near me, and then his wife died next, said resident Valentyna Saroyan. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... She died as well. Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.
Diamond Harbour : A civic volunteer and his friend were killed by armed assailants at a crowded cattle market in Magurpukur area of Mograhat, South 24-Parganas, on Saturday morning.

Civic volunteer Barun Chakraborty, 35, attached to Mograhat police station, and his friend Maloy Makhal, 31, were dragged into the deserted office room of a construction firms office, where the criminals shot the two friends from close range before hacking them with sharp weapons, a police source said.

The brutality of the murder of Barun Chakraborty and his friend Maloy Makhal by a notorious businessman, Jane Alam Molla and his gangs created a huge retaliation with immediate effect which brought the police in intense intervention.

Multiple sources in the area said that the duo were killed as they were putting pressure on a local businessman turned Mafia Jane Alam Molla to return the money he had taken from them as investment after promising high returns.

The businessman summoned the duo at 11.30am on Saturday morning with the lure of returning the money His people took them inside his office, where they were killed, a relative of Chakraborty alleged.

People in the market area heard gunshots from inside the office room of the construction firm. While some ran away, others went near the office to see what happened.

We first saw Jaan-e-Alam, owner of the company, coming out of the room. At least four others were following him and suddenly one of them hurled a bomb, which created panic in the area, said an eyewitness.

The gory scene of murder had an obvious similarity with ISIS execution, first the gun-shot from pointblank range, then slit of throats with sharp weapons.

The police, on being informed, went inside the office from where they recovered the bodies and took them to Diamond Harbour district hospital where doctors declared them brought dead.

The news of murders in the office of a crowded market created unrest. A mob ransacked some shops, torched a vehicle protesting the poor law-and-order in the area.

Some local people said that the duo had paid around Rs 80,000/- to Jane Alam as investment in his company.

For a decade fraudster Jane Alam Molla has been earned a lot of money and sold huge properties here and there out of accumulated money from false assurance. Molla had over a dozen houses in South 24 Parganas and Kolkata including other unknown locations.

During 2005-2006, Jane Alam Molla created many companies like J A Spice Private Limited, J A Cotton Mills Private Limited, Nabo Jagoron Patrika Private Ltd (Islamic News Paper House), J A Electronic India Pvt Ltd, J A Export India Pvt Ltd, J A Television Network Pvt Ltd, J A Music World Pvt Ltd, J A Airlines India Pvt Ltd and others including his widely networked building construction business and labour supply business.

Most of these businesses were fraud and run with the shield of local politics time to time. It is reported that one of Jane Alams brothers, Jahangir Molla is the Prodhan (Member of TMC) of Mohanpur Gram Panchayet .i.e. village local bodies (South 24 Pgs) from where Jane Alam Molla was getting more political indulgence for his criminal activates.

The double murder of Barun and Maloy was happened also inside Jane Alam Mollas premises from where he used to run his illegal building material business, illegal cattle trading and bio-manure production from bovine caracas.

Escaping from the murder scene, Jane Alam Molla hided himself in the vicinity of outer South 24 Parganas and in Kolkata, but police successfully located him in Charu Market area of Kolkata through tracking the mobile tower Molla was using time to time.

According to Kolkata police sources, accused Alam Mollah was arrested. Additional OC Pulkesh Chowdhury also recovered a 9mm pistol. An FIR with the charges of murder, weapons law and organized criminal activities have been filed so far against Jane Alam Molla.

Police said Molla had planned to flee the state to Jharkhand and even Bangladesh as his second wife Meena Bibi is from Bangladesh.

On Monday Alam was produced at Diamond Harbour ACJM Court and police took him in remand for 14 days (MGT PS Case No 133/2022) as per court order.

It is said that as a school dropout Jane Alam disappeared from his locality in 2002 and went to Ajmer Sharif. After two years Alam returned to Mograhat and Jhinki Hat areas as a stone (Ajmer Shariff stones) seller. Since then Jane Alam took himself in the underworld and used to carry fire arms with him for 24 hours. Jane Alam Molla also organized and sponsored many Islamic conferences (jalsa) in Magrahat areas in last 10 years.

The way Jane Alam shot Barun and Maloy from point blank range and silted their throats with sharp chopper that was very similar to the ISIS execution video as available in the internet. It should be revealed whether the accused person is a sympathizer of ISIS or had any Jihadi training in the period of his disappearance which is still in mystery.

Source : Hindu Existence
Colombian peace process sets example of ending conflict through talks, says Chinese envoy

Xinhua) 11:47, April 13, 2022

UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian peace process has set an example of ending a conflict and building peace through dialogue and negotiation, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said on Tuesday.

China commends the Colombian government and other relevant parties for their efforts in implementing the peace agreement. China welcomes the positive progress over the past five years, he said.

Colombia held its congressional elections last month. Special electoral districts in rural conflict-affected areas were established with 16 seats in the House of Representatives. More than 10,000 former combatants have been reintegrated and tens of thousands of rural families are gradually abandoning illegal crops. The number of former combatants who join the productive projects is on a steady rise. These achievements should be treasured, Zhang said.

"The peace agreement embodies the common aspiration of the Colombian people for lasting peace and development, and will play an irreplaceable and important role in achieving long-term national stability and regional peace and stability," said the envoy.

The full implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is a long-term and comprehensive process. There is still a long way to go to deepen and consolidate peace, and it requires relentless efforts by all parties in Colombia and the international community, he said.

Accelerating development is essential for consolidating peace dividends and ending violent conflicts. China hopes that the Colombian government will overcome the challenges of current global crises in energy, food, and supply chains and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerate land distribution and rural reforms, ensure the sustainability of illicit crops substitution, expand basic social services in former conflict areas, and promote balanced development in all regions, he said.

China supports Latin America in speeding up regional integration and hopes that regional countries will play an active role in helping Colombia fully tap its potential in development so as to eliminate the root causes of violent conflicts, he said.

"The peace process in Colombia is irreversible. This is a consensus shared by people from all walks of life in Colombia as well as the international community," Zhang said.

China hopes the Colombian government and people will score greater achievements in their state-building and development. China is ready to work with the international community and will respect the leading role of the Colombian government and people in implementing the peace agreement and play its constructive role in Colombia's journey toward comprehensive peace, stability and development, he said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
Its no laughing matter but Ali Wong and her husband are calling it quits.

The comedienne and actress is divorcing Justin Hakuta after eight years of marriage.

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Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta attend the Premiere Of Netflix's "Always Be My Maybe" at Regency Village Theatre on May 22, 2019 in Westwood, California. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images,)

The couples rep confirmed the split to People on Tuesday.

Wong, 39, married the Harvard Business School-educated entrepreneur, also 39, in 2014 after meeting four years earlier at a wedding.

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The couple share two daughters.

The Always Be My Maybe star often referenced the marriage in her Netflix stand-up specials, such as Baby Cobra and Don Wong.

A prenup she said his family forced her to sign also became fodder for her 2019 memoir Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets and Advice for Living Your Best Life.

The son of Japanese-American inventor and TV personality Ken Hakuta (aka Dr. Fad), Hakuta previously served as the vice president of the technology company, GoodRx.
Half Moon Bay, CA (94019)

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Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 57F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph..

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Two politically incorrect guys teamed up for a photo that unsurprisingly generated controversy.

I always enjoy coming to the Joe Rogan Experience and spending time with the great Joe Rogan, HBO host Bill Maher captioned a photo of himself alongside Rogan.

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[ No indication that ivermectin is clinically useful says COVID study ]

That tweet from Maher also included a link to the podcast the pair recorded for a Tuesday release. Among the topics covered was Mahers new Club Random podcast.

Maher, who credited Rogan as the king of the podcast world, said he was told by friends that he should consider doing a program that wasnt about politics, so he did. His HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher is almost entirely political. On a podcast, Maher said he could be free to be himself.

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Bill Maher (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

Before we had to dance around the fact we can get baked and we can drink and we can smoke, which is what we would do normally, Maher told Rogan. I thought theres not a lot of podcasts that have a nighttime feel and I have a place in my house thats perfect for that.

So, according to Maher, he invited guests to his home, imbibed and recorded what transpired.

Not all of the funnymans fans were pleased with Mahers meeting with Rogan.

I always enjoy coming to the #JoeRoganExperience and spending time with the great @JoeRogan. https://t.co/36VvKxtwM8 pic.twitter.com/WtaXJWtVzX  Bill Maher (@billmaher) April 12, 2022

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Im throwing up right now, tweeted one follower.

Another said the photo of Maher with Rogan was the impetus needed to stop following the former on Twitter.

Crazy, two guys I used to like but cant stand now in the same darn picture.... another commenter added.

Maher and Rogan are both known to have Libertarian streaks that straddle conventional party lines. Neither is known to turn down a good time, either. And both talkers have been faulted for their pontifications on COVID-19, more so Rogan, who has advocated for the seemingly ineffective anti-parasite drug Ivermectin.

[ Andrew Yangs attempt at political unity results in conflict ]

During Tuesdays The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan said the Donald Trump presidency contributed to polarization throughout the country.

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It turned people into this ... youre one or zero, youre with us or against us, and I think thats bonkers, Rogan said.

Maher agreed and claimed he hasnt changed over the years, but said because of the times, he may seem more conservative. He referred to himself and Rogan as common-sensical.
Arya Stark got revenge on nearly everyone who ever wronged her on Game of Thrones, but the actress who played her still has some grievances to air.

Maisie Williams says she resented playing Arya after hitting puberty on the set of the Emmy-winning HBO hit, which aired from 2011 to 2019.

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I think that when I started becoming a woman, I resented Arya because I couldnt express who I was becoming, Williams, 24, told British GQ in an interview out Tuesday, recalling being given a bra in the Thrones costume trailer. And then I also resented my body, because it wasnt aligned with the piece of me that the world celebrated.

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in "Game of Thrones." (Helen Sloan/HBO)

After the show concluded in 2019, after 8 seasons, Williams told the magazine that she was rejecting a lot of the pieces of me and my image that Id been so well known for, which she regards more as a compulsion to express myself.

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Asked whether shed ever reprise Arya in more than just voice  as she did for the Warner Bros. video game, MultiVersus  Williams didnt rule out the possibility, though she did rule out appearing in the forthcoming prequel, House of the Dragon, premiering in August.

Maisie Williams attends the Prada Show during Milan Fashion Spring/Summer 2022 on September 24, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Pietro D'Aprano/Getty Images for Prada)

It has to be the right time and the right people. It has to be right in the context of all the other spin-offs and the universe of Game of Thrones, said Williams. It has to be the right time for me.

Though she misses none of it  it being the show  that doesnt mean the New Mutants star has any regrets.

I dont think its healthy [to miss it], because I loved it, said Williams. I look at it so fondly, and I look at it with such pride. But why would I want to make myself feel sad about the greatest thing that ever happened to me? I dont want to associate that with feelings of pain.
Radisson Resort Phan Thiet has opened its doors on Vietnam's serene southeast coast, introducing an exciting new era of upscale hospitality to this up-and-coming beachfront destination. Located just a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, this 76-key Mediterranean-style resort is set to become a popular choice with Vietnamese and overseas guests alike.

Nestled directly on a secluded stretch of sandy beach, 15 minutes' drive from the coastal town of Phan Thiet and surrounded by natural and cultural attractions, this brand-new resort is ideally situated for couples, families and friends. Travelers can choose from contemporary rooms, suites and bungalows, all integrated with modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, including complimentary Wi-Fi. A selection of family units are ideal for visitors who need a little extra space.

Radisson Resort Phan Thiet has opened its doors on Vietnam's serene southeast coast, introducing an exciting new era of upscale hospitality to this up-and-coming beachfront destination. Located just a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, this 76-key Mediterranean-style resort is set to become a popular choice with Vietnamese and overseas guests alike.

Nestled directly on a secluded stretch of sandy beach, 15 minutes' drive from the coastal town of Phan Thiet and surrounded by natural and cultural attractions, this brand-new resort is ideally situated for couples, families and friends. Travelers can choose from contemporary rooms, suites and bungalows, all integrated with modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, including complimentary Wi-Fi. A selection of family units are ideal for visitors who need a little extra space.

Children can enjoy endless hours of fun at the playground, the sandy beach provides a spectacular setting for families to stroll and splash together, and all ages can hire bicycles to explore the local countryside, coasts and fishing communities. For deeper discoveries of this intriguing area, the ancient Po Sah Inu Cham Tower, Ta Cu Mountain cable bar, and the iconic Red and White Sand Dunes are just a short drive away.

Hotel website
Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, the newly renovated Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel is ready to welcome guests to its 825 newly renovated guest rooms and suites. The serene, light-filled spaces range in size from a generous 310 sq ft to a sprawling 1,956 sq ft for the Presidential Suite. In the new rooms and suites, guests are welcomed into a bright, well-lit space with warm, residential appeal, along with new tools for productivity, such as a height-adjustable work table, integrated power and charging and layered lighting.

The Sheraton Club, located on the 37th floor of the hotel, is expected to reopen May 2022 with a bold new look and breathtaking views. True to the brand's vision, the stylish and exclusive space is welcoming, elevated, and purposefully designed for an engaging experience, along with complimentary breakfast, evening appetizers, and a selection of refreshments.

The dynamic hotel is an ideal choice for leisure travelers, prized for its central location and 'urban oasis' offerings including sixth floor terrace, indoor lap pool, jacuzzi, spa, and 24-hour Sheraton Fitness Centre.

Hotel website
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its debut in Ghana with the opening of Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals. In partnership with Belfast City Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kwarleyz Group, the hotel also marks the second Radisson Individuals hotel opening in Africa.

Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals is located on the most prominent street in Accra, in the Osu neighborhood, on the doorstep of the city's financial business district and government ministries. It is conveniently located for both business and leisure travel as it is situated just 4km from Kotoka Accra International Airport, 200m from the Koala Shopping Center, and in close proximity to all the city's great local attractions, including Black Star square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Museum.

The 108 luxury residential units spanning across 1500m2, create an architectural marvel that has quickly become one of the most iconic structures in Ghana. The outdoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and serene spa provide the ideal activities for guests to unwind in luxury. The terrace offers a welcoming location for midday drinks and light meals, while Restaurant Uno creates memorable and delectable meals with a contemporary a la carte menu and wine selection.

As a member of Radisson Individuals, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites will be integrated into Radisson Hotel Group's global platform, benefitting from its international awareness and experience, while also retaining its own unique identity. Each property in this curated collection is selected for its individual personality and gives travelers the chance to explore new parts of the world in properties that reflect the spirit of their locale, supported by the Group's "Yes I Can" service philosophy. The hotel will also join Radisson Rewards, the Group's industry-leading loyalty program which offers exclusive benefits to millions of guests worldwide.

With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, A Member of Radisson Individuals is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.

Hotel website
Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America's fastest-growing and one of Canada's largest hotel brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brigitte Diem-Guy as Vice President, Revenue Strategies and Communication.

In her new role, Brigitte will lead Coast Hotels' Marketing, Communications, Revenue Performance and Sales operations, a new position representing the consolidation of these disciplines into one tightly knit department. This consolidation will allow Mark Hope, Vice President, Development, to lead the exponential growth strategy and advance distribution for Coast Hotels in major gateway cities throughout North America.

Known as an accomplished senior revenue generation leader and advisory board member, Brigitte brings over 28 years of global marketing, communications, sales and brand positioning strategy to her role at Coast Hotels. Her proven success record spanning a broad cross-section of industries from destination marketing, travel and tourism, software and hospitality, includes the role as VP Sales, Marketing & Communication for SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts from 2011 to 2017.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm has named its new director of operations - hiring internally as the resort bolsters its leadership team. Antonio Ostuni steps up to the role from his previous position of director of F&B.

With a strong CV in F&B operations, it is one of Ostuni's first roles in top-level hospitality operations. From 2012 to 2014, he was F&B manager at The Westin Langkawi Resort and Spa, later moving to Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai as pre-opening director of F&B.

Staying with Marriott, he went on to serve as director of F&B for the JW Marriott Cairo, leading 500 staff and more than 730,000 total covers annually. At the time, he led 12 restaurants, 30 meeting rooms, and event operations as well.

Moving to Waldorf Astoria in Cairo next, he became cluster director of F&B, directly reporting to the complex general manager and in charge of the food & beverage division for a total of 600-plus staff and one million covers yearly.

He joined Sofitel Dubai The Palm in 2020 as its director of F&B. During that time, he was entrusted with deploying plans that continue the hotel's gastronomic success and elevate the reputation of all of its restaurants.
Two hotels are now being run by the same familiar face. Matthias Sieber-Wagner, General Manager of the IntercityHotel Mainz, took on the additional responsibility of heading up the IntercityHotel Frankfurt Airport on 1 April 2022. Mr. Sieber-Wagner is following in the footsteps of the previous General Manager Uwe Troll, who has now retired after almost 50 years in the hotel business and five years at the helm of the IntercityHotel Frankfurt Airport.

Uwe Troll began his career at Deutsche Hospitality in 1981, when he obtained a position as sous chef and deputy head chef at the Steigenberger Bad Orb. After further stints as a head chef in his own right, as an F&B manager and as a director at Steigenberger Gastronomie for the Hanover Expo, Mr. Troll took on his first leadership role as Hotel Director of the MAXX by Steigenberger Deidesheim in 2000. He moved to IntercityHotel in 2008 to take over as Director of the IntercityHotel Mainz and has been in charge of the IntercityHotel Frankfurt Airport since 2017.

Matthias Sieber-Wagner also has long-standing ties with IntercityHotel. After joining the brand as a receptionist in 2000, he advanced to become Assistant General Manager at the IntercityHotel Mainz in 2008. Following a year at Head Office of Steigenberger Hotels AG in Frankfurt, Mr. Sieber-Wagner was appointed General Manager of the IntercityHotel Nuremberg in 2013. He will continue to perform his duties as General Manager of the IntercityHotel Mainz in conjunction with his new duties at the IntercityHotel Frankfurt Airport.
As Head Chef at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya's distinguished restaurant, Autor, Jersai Miranda Sanchez leads the kitchen to serve up distinctive Mexican cuisine using a blend of fresh and ancestral Mexican techniques. The resort's most sophisticated dining experience is an ode to its chef or 'author' where guests experience a personalized culinary journey curated by Chef Jersai Miranda Sanchez. With offerings that are complex in flavor and simplistic in execution, standout dishes include decadent bone marrow tacos and campeche shrimp, made using local ingredients from the surrounding region.

Sanchez studied at the Culinary College of Morelia, and during this time, traveled around the country to learn about ingredients, cultures, techniques and flavors. Sanchez worked in several renowned restaurants in the city of Morelia prior to starting his journey in the Mexican Caribbean at the Thompson Hotel in 2017. Sanchez then joined Chef Pedro Abascal's, 'PRIMO', where he helped the restaurant earn its nomination for 'Best Restaurant in the Riviera Maya' by Travel + Leisure in 2019. In that same year, Sanchez was a semi-finalist in "Cocinero del Ano" Mexico Chef of the Year awards.
Yong Chen, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland, where he lectures in marketing and economics of tourism and hospitality. His research interests include tourist happiness, tourism demand, economic impacts of tourism and hospitality, the sharing economy, and Chinese outbound tourism. Dr. Chen's research has been published in diverse outlets, including Tourism Management, the Journal of Travel Research, and the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. His opinions on the sharing economy, Chinese tourism demand and the hotel industry also appeared in CNN, MarketWatch, South China Morning Post, and EHL Hospitality Insights. He is also a Research Fellow at Lausanne Hospitality Research Center of EHL, where he shepherded the research project of Swiss Tourist Happiness Index funded by the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO).
Pamela Anderson smiled and held a bouquet of roses after making her much-anticipated Broadway debut with Tuesdays performance in Chicago.

Anderson waved to the audience and held hands with her co-stars during the curtain call at the Ambassador Theatre Tuesday night, which kicked off her eight-week run playing Roxie Hart in the musical.

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Actor Pamela Anderson appears on stage during the curtain call for her Broadway debut playing Roxie Hart in "Chicago," at the Ambassador Theatre on Tuesday. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

The Chicago performances led by Anderson are set to continue through June 5.

She just looked like she was having a great time at the end of the show, an unnamed attendee told People after Andersons debut.

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Anderson, 54, told ABCs Good Morning America last month that she was excited to get outside of her comfort zone by starring in a stage musical.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 26 Pamela Anderson is all smiles as she shows off her curves in a black wetsuit while filming a Baywatch-themed Ultra Tunes commercial on the Gold Coast in Australia on Nov. 26, 2019. (Backgrid AU / BACKGRID)

I like that kind of dangerous, crazy feeling that you cant do something, and then you surprise yourself, Anderson said at the time. You dont know what youre capable of until you try it, and so thats what Im really curious about, is what can I actually do?

Anderson, who played C.J. Parker on Baywatch, is the latest big-name star to portray the dancer-turned-murderer Roxie on Broadway, with Christie Brinkley, Brooke Shields, Gwen Verdon and Liza Minnelli among the others.

Chicago, which debuted on Broadway in 1975, was revived in 1996 and has been playing ever since, making it Broadways longest-running musical.
LOS ANGELES - Pioneering European hospitality group, edyn, joins BLLAs distinguished program for authentic boutique and lifestyle hotels. edyns Chief Development Officer, Eric Jafari, joined the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association as an Advisory Board member for 2022.

Through BLLAs vetted application process, edyns lifestyle aparthotel brand, Locke, was accepted into the exclusive program, including:

Beckett Locke - Dublin, Ireland, Bermonds Locke - London, UK, Buckle Street Studios by Locke - London, UK, Eden Locke - Edinburgh, UK, Kingsland Locke - London, UK, Leman Locke - London, UK, Locke at Broken Wharf - London, UK, Schwan Locke - Munich, Germany, Turing Locke - Cambridge, UK, Whitworth Locke - Manchester, UK, Zanzibar Locke - Dublin, Ireland.

BLLAs Founder & CEO, Frances Kiradjian, and Partner & COO, Ariela Kiradjian, are honored to welcome edyn and Locke to the boutique community. We could not be more excited to include all of these incredible boutique properties into the BLLA family and be promoted as a cherry-picked hotel on our StayBoutique booking site which follows a direct-booking procedure and chat feature for travelers, stated Frances Kiradjian. Locke properties truly embrace that boutique ethos in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to their future expansion.

We are also thrilled to include Eric Jafari on our 2022 Board of Directors. His distinctive insight into development of incredible European boutique hotels and concepts will be highly valued by the BLLA membership-at-large, stated Ariela Kiradjian who leads the BLLA Board and Committees.

Eric Jafari, who started his first term on the BLLA Board of Advisors states, Im thrilled to join the BLLA Board of Advisors alongside so many esteemed members of the boutique hotel movement. For me, I consider boutique hospitality as a form of multi-sensory art, which aims to democratise experiences and redefine individuals perceptions of the world; thats our ambition with Locke, where each property is a unique and genuine reflection of its surrounding neighbourhood.

edyn will unite with the best in boutique to continue the global mission of BLLA:

To counteract corporate monotony and champion creativity. To forget the forgettable and forge the once-in-a-lifetime. To break down doors and link the most brilliant minds in the industry. To build on our now 10-year legacy of reimagining the multifaceted future of boutique  together.

About edyn

edyn is a pioneering hospitality group that is revolutionising the extended stay sector. edyn was built on the philosophy that travel should be a rich journey of discovery, providing unique experiences that inspire, whether traveling for business or leisure. For more than 20 years, the group has expressed this vision through the development of a unique and diverse portfolio of properties reflecting the evolution of the travel and hospitality industries. The group operates an extensive range of properties across the UK and Europe, including its iconic lifestyle brand Locke, and Cove, which offers serviced apartments for the modern traveler. Together, alongside an extensive network of partners around the world, edyn has a created global ecosystem consisting of more than 80,000 sites in 260 locations.

For more information, please visit: www.findingedyn.com

About the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)

Founded in 2009, the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA) is the official association for the world's top visionaries in the boutique lifestyle industry. Membership with the BLLA includes not just a strengthened sense of communityit offers all the resources necessary for small and independent businesses to thrive in this growing sector, including access to distribution channels, marketing tools, webinars, white papers, reports about the evolving boutique landscape, and more. The organization promotes connection, education, and advocacy. As a pioneer in forecasting the boutique movement, the BLLA's network has grown beyond its hotel foundation to welcome more passionate entrepreneurs, businesses, and purveyors that amplify the boutique lifestyle. BLLA is a catalyst for trends and the future of boutique. blla.org

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Across the globe, travel restrictions are falling away. Popular travel destinations that have had their travel restrictions removed are starting to see surges in interest as consumers try to compensate for two years of curtailed travel.

Travel demand forecasts show a growing sentiment of optimism, and a rise in revenge travel as consumers look to make up for lost time. Delayed honeymoons, family gatherings and milestone trips are back on the cards once again, creating opportunities for the hotel industry. With the help of market intelligence data you can closely monitor the industrys turnaround in fortunes following its biggest ever slump.

Identifying a rising tide of traveller demand

Using forward-looking data from OTA Insights Market Insight, we can analyse consumer demand to determine where and what days people are looking for hotels. Market Insight is able to map flight and hotel search data from around the world to provide granular insights into the market, highlighting demand patterns, and booking trends, in the planning stage of the customers booking journey.

This gives hotels a unique window of opportunity to adjust their pricing and marketing strategies and maximise their revenue potential, with the right price, to the right customer at the right time. And, as restrictions ease, and more holiday-makers start dreaming of their next journey, market intelligence data is delivering promising insights.

After removing some of their toughest travel restrictions, and having clear timelines in place, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea are once again seeing growing interest from international visitors. Hawaii became the last US state to ease its travel restrictions, while the opening up of Australia has also led to increasing interest in travel there.

Flight search evolution Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea

Source: OTA Insight

But, reimposed travel restrictions in China show there is still much to be cautious about. And, in Europe, where many pandemic restrictions have been removed, the outbreak of war in Ukraine at the end of February slowed the travel recovery trend in the early days of March. The free resource, global market insight shows the market is still very sensitive.

In this two part analysis, we will track demand through some of Western Europes most popular metropolitan hubs, where we can see increasing flight and hotel search traffic, and positive signs across the map.

We are seeing higher demand earlier in the year, and for dates that may not be in line with historic seasons. Booking lead times have shifted through the pandemic, and there seems to be higher demand for traditional shoulder seasons. These are promising signs that consumer confidence is returning, as travellers are desperate to get back to visiting some of these popular European cities

Amsterdam

Hotel searches to Amsterdam are 7.56 times higher than they were over the same period last year, representing a 756% increase. Flight searches, too, are as much as 10 times higher than they were at the same time last year. GDS searches to Amsterdam - an indicator of the state of business travel - are also higher than they have been since the pandemic began, and 16 times higher than in March 2021. This indicates an increase in corporate travel demand, a sector that was decimated by the pandemic.

GDS search evolution Amsterdam

Source: OTA Insight

Since the beginning of 2022, there has been a noticeable upward trend in search queries for both flight and hotels, and searches are currently higher than they were at any point since the pandemic began. The upward trend was disrupted at the end of February when war broke out in Ukraine, but searches look to be picking up once again.

The majority of search traffic is coming from within Europe - 79% of flight searches, and 73% of hotel searches, and the lead time between booking and travel is also evolving. In March 2021, when there was still so much uncertainty, 70% of hotel searches were for dates more than 90 days ahead. But, by the end of March 2022, this had declined to just 22% of searches.

Currently 34% of all OTA searches are for travel dates in the 8-28 day window, indicating that consumers are increasingly confident that they are able to follow through with their travel plans. A further 34% of hotel searches are for dates in the 29-90 day window. However, hotel searches in this window seem to be declining - in the middle of March 46% were for dates in the 29 - 90 day bucket. 33% of searches were for a stay of between 4 and 7 nights, while 30% are for 3 nights.

Rome

Rome, another major tourism hub, is seeing 10.75 times more flight searches than the same time last year, and a 10.78 times rise in hotel searches compared to the same time last year. GDS searches are also up 5 times since the end of March 2021.

As summer travel gears up, other Italian leisure travel hotspots are also experiencing a significant increase in search traffic. And, in Florence, the booking lead time is evolving. In the middle of March, 46% of hotel booking searches for dates in the 29-90 day window. This has since dropped to 38%. Meanwhile flight searches for dates in the 8-28 day window have grown from 20% to 30% from the middle of March. Theres a similar trend in Venice, where booking lead times are moving more towards the 8-28 day window.

OTA and Metasearch evolution for Florence

Source: OTA Insight

80% of these flight searches are from other European countries, as were 72% of hotel searches. 37% of the searches were for dates in the early part of the summer, while 28% were for dates within the next month. Its in this bucket that these search numbers are increasing, while in the 29-90 window searches have been declining week on week since the middle of March. In Rome, 39% of all searches are for a trip with a 4 - 7 day length of stay, and in Venice 35% were for stays averaging that length of time.

Longer booking lead times are a clear indicator that demand is picking up as peak season approaches. And, after two years of pent up demand, consumers finally have their confidence back.

In part two, we will examine what is happening in some of the other major cities in Western Europe, including Paris and London.

About Transparent

OTA Insight empowers hoteliers to deliver smarter revenue, distribution, and marketing outcomes through its market-leading commercial platform. With live updates, 24/7 support, and highly intuitive and customizable dashboards, OTA Insight integrates with industry tools including hotel property management systems, leading RMS solutions, and data benchmarking providers. OTA Insight's team of international experts supports more than 55,000 properties in 185 countries. Winner of the Best Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence Solution, Parity Management Software, and Business Intelligence categories in the 2021 and 2022 HotelTechAwards, OTA Insight is widely recognised as a leader in hospitality business intelligence.

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Imprint, which offers branded payments and rewards products, today announced a partnership with Selina, the fast-growing lifestyle and experiential hospitality brand targeting Millennial and Gen Z travelers, to launch the Selina Rewards Visa Card.

Consumers will be rewarded like never before with the new Selina Rewards Visa Card, which includes a $25 sign up reward, 5% back at Selina locations and 1% back at everywhere else. The card uses Imprint to provide exclusive rewards and cash back with every purchase - users download the Imprint App, connect their bank account, and use the card anywhere that Visa is accepted.

The Selina Rewards Visa Card is available via the Imprint App. Signing up with Imprint takes under a minute, and the Selina Rewards Visa Card comes with no credit inquiries, no interest, and absolutely no fees. Unlike other cards, Imprint allows members to use their rewards immediately. As consumers earn rewards, points are automatically applied to the next Selina purchase.

Brands like Selina are launching with Imprints platform to power custom rewards programs that reduce the cost to process payments and reinvest the savings into rich rewards for their customers. As a result, brands can boost retention and customer lifetime value with minimal investment.

We are incredibly excited to partner with Selina and offer exclusive rewards and customized experiences to their loyal guests, said Daragh Murphy, CEO & Co-founder of Imprint. Our mission is to work alongside great companies like Selina to build payments systems that reduce costs to the business and provide every customer with access to great rewards.

Selinas global network of hotels spans 144 open and secured properties across 25 countries in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Selina expects to continue to benefit from the surge in remote working and the prioritization of health, wellness and experiences among Millennial and Gen Z travelers.

Rafael Museri, Selinas Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, We are thrilled to begin this special relationship with Imprint to provide our guests and members with added value as we continue to build a dynamic, engaging and authentic lifestyle brand that resonates with consumers. This collaboration is just the latest example of how Selina is partnering with innovative companies to more deeply ingrain our brand in the hearts and minds of travelers.



About Imprint

Imprint is a payment and rewards platform that empowers modern brands to launch their own branded rewards card programs, and provides the end-to-end platform for brands to give their customers the most rewarding way to pay. Imprint works with brands to ensure that customers get the tailored benefits and experiences that create long lasting loyalty, like cashback ranging from 5-10%, and exclusive product releases and pre-sales. Any brand can design their own end-to-end experience and get it up and running in a matter of weeks. Imprint provides the sign-up flow, card management interfaces, rewards software layer and customer service, and brands can launch without any technical integration. Imprint has announced partnerships with innovative brands across a range of industries, including WeWoreWhat, RealSelf, and The Vice. For more information, please visit our website at Imprint.co and also follow us on LinkedIn.

About Selina

Selina is one of the world's largest hospitality brands built to address the needs of Millennial and Gen Z travelers, blending beautifully designed accommodation with coworking, recreation, wellness, and local experiences. Custom-built for today's nomadic traveler, Selina provides guests with a global infrastructure to seamlessly travel and work abroad. Founded in 2014, each Selina property is designed in partnership with local artists, creators, and tastemakers, breathing new life into existing buildings in interesting locations around the world  from urban cities to remote beaches and jungles. Selina's portfolio includes 150 open or secured properties across 25 countries and 6 continents. On December 2, 2021, Selina entered into a definitive merger agreement with BOA Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: BOAS) that will result in Selina becoming a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "SLNA." For further information on Selina, visit www.selina.com or check out @selina on Instagram or Facebook.
Data  its the currency of the modern age. The truth is that information is far more valuable than cash, which is why a growing number of criminals are far less interested in penetrating a businesss bank accounts than they are in stealing the information contained on its hard drives.

This information can be invaluable to hackers for any number of reasons. It can give them access to proprietary information, which they can then sell on the black market, for instance. It can also give them access to consumer personal and financial information, allowing them to steal identities and ruin lives.

Theres a notion out there that only big businesses are at risk of data breaches, but the truth is that hackers are not discriminating. Even small hotels can have their systems hacked and their data stolen. The good news is that there are things you can do to improve data security in hotels. In this post, were going to discuss vital steps to improve cyber security in the hotel industry and what you and your team need to know.

Train Your Staff

One of the first considerations when it comes to data security in hospitality businesses is to ensure that your staff is trained. The majority of data breaches today stem not from direct attacks but from human error. Its all too easy for employees to make a mistake that leaves your data open to hackers who are all too happy to exploit it.

Some of the most common employee mistakes that can lead to data breaches include the following:

Being victimized by phishing emails or phone calls

Not changing passwords at all or often enough

Using easily guessed passwords

Writing passwords down and keeping them on a computer

Not logging out of systems when finished with a task

Its important that you train your staff to avoid these mistakes and to know the signs of a phishing email or phone call. Note that phishing is growing rapidly and has even been adapted to target CEOs and business owners (called whaling in this instance).

Cybersecurity Tools

In addition to staff training, hotel network security also hinges on having the right cybersecurity tools in place. These should be regular parts of your digital network and should be in place already. If they are not, its critical to install them immediately. Some of the most common types of tools/equipment you need to have installed include the following:

Firewalls, both digital and physical

Network monitoring devices to detect intrusions and trace access attempts

Traffic filters to block known and suspected malicious IP addresses

Anti-malware software to prevent and uninstall malicious software that might be installed either intentionally or inadvertently

Antivirus software to remove viruses and other threats (often bundled with anti-malware software)

Its not enough to install these tools, though. You also need to conduct penetrating testing to determine if theyre configured properly to defend your hotel against attacks. If you do not have your own in-house IT team, youll need to outsource this task to a specialist.

PCI DSS Compliance

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, better known as PCI DSS, includes a range of standard practices and procedures designed to help safeguard credit card information. If you accept and process credit cards, you are bound by law to comply with PCI DSS standards. The goal here is to ensure that everyone from the cardholder to the merchant processing the credit card to the payment gateway developer does everything possible to prevent attacks and avoid breaches.

Perhaps the single most important part of these standards for hotels is encryption. All credit card transactions must be encrypted at the point of transaction and then decrypted on the receiving end. So, pay attention when choosing a payment gateway, as this will be the encryption point.

You also need to pay attention to your PMS. It should be PCI DSS compliant, but not all platforms are. Lack of compliance puts your guests financial information in jeopardy but can also land you in hot legal water if you fail to comply with PCI DSS standards.

Updates on Your Devices

We get it. Updating all your workstations and other devices is a pain. It can mean long downtimes as patches and upgrades are applied. That can cause disruptions to the flow of work and, in some cases, may even inconvenience your employees or guests.

Regardless, its imperative that you update your devices whenever necessary. Schedule updates to occur when theyre least disruptive, but do not skip them. They include important hotel network security updates and patches for known exploits. Failing to update devices is another leading cause of data breaches in businesses.

Back-Up Your Data

Data backups are vital for all businesses, including hotels. You should back up your data on a regular basis  daily is preferable. Without regular backups, a breach could leave you with no way to move forward. This will also be of value in case of disasters and other emergencies that might damage your network.

Get into the Cloud

Finally, its important to discontinue on-premises systems. That doesnt mean you should do away with computer workstations entirely, but you should begin the shift to a cloud-based PMS thats PCI DSS compliant and built to deal with the realities of todays situation in terms of security in hotels.

Secure cloud-based systems can be more challenging for attackers to target because theyre less centralized than on-premises systems. Additionally, when theyre designed with modern digital security in mind, they provide a robust defence against malware, viruses, and other types of threats.

In Conclusion

When everything is said and done, data security in hotels is a critical topic. However, there is no one-and-done solution. You will need to train your staff, invest in the right tools and equipment, ensure that youre PCI DSS compliant, focus on updates and backups, and move into the cloud to protect your businesss information, as well as your guests financial and personal information. With that being said, cyber safety is possible! It simply requires the right tools and knowledge combined with a proactive stance toward defeating cyberattacks.

Hotelogix Editorial Desk

Hotelogix's team of researchers and writers are constantly innovating to share the latest trends from the travel and hospitality space. Got suggestions? Write to us on [email protected]
Its no longer enough for companies to have good intentions around sustainability.

Shareholders of public companies are increasingly asking for more information about the risks that climate change could pose to their investments.

A new rule proposed by The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to create across-the-board standards. Its one of the latest policy initiatives worldwide to address the issue.

If finalized, the proposal would require public companies to disclose their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the climate risk their businesses face, including how Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions impact their business operations and financial results. Given that real estate accounts for around 40% of carbon emissions, implementing measures to decarbonize both new and existing buildings has now become a priority.

Shareholders are becoming activists in this sector, and they are putting demand pressure on companies, says JLLs Global Chief Sustainability Officer Richard Batten. But its not just investors. Our clients are also calling for action.

Defined goals

As expectations around corporate action on sustainability continue to grow, investors, customers, and employees are increasingly looking for companies to show comprehensive plans on how theyll achieve their commitments.

It can be a major sticking point. While some companies are leading bullish efforts, such as information technology leader HPs commitment to eliminating 75% of its single-use plastic packaging, many are still trying to set benchmarks and create defined goals.

The key to implementing the SECs proposed guidelines is understanding emissions data, says Jennifer Fortenberry, Global Product Manager, Energy, and Sustainability at JLL.

Getting that data normalized will help companies pinpoint areas to dive deeper to make meaningful change, she says.

Monitoring and analyzing this data helps identify opportunities and implement continuous improvements to energy efficiency. Tools such as JLLs Canopy centralize utility and environmental data and support the type of reporting requirements the SEC is asking for.

You cant manage what you cant measure. If you dont have all this information in one place, then you really cant prioritize efforts to make improvements, Fortenberry says. Reporting and compliance is the bare minimum now.

One stumbling block so far has been a wide variety in sustainability reporting frameworks  if companies have published that information at all.

For long-term, meaningful action to occur, there needs to be consistency in reporting and data, says JLL Sustainability Vice President Cynthia Curtis. Then, it elevates it more closely to the financial reporting and puts the topic smack in the middle of boardrooms and finance departments. And thats an excellent thing.

The proposed disclosures are like those that many companies already provide based on broadly accepted disclosure frameworks, such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

While about a third of public companies already include some information regarding climate-related risk in their annual reports, others state disclosing the data would be cumbersome and costly.

People are recognizing that you cant do it by yourself, and youve got to collaborate with a broad range of partners, Curtis says. Business leaders are looking for partners, they are looking for help, and theyre looking for partners to help them develop those plans and understand what the steps are they should be taking in their space.

Looking forward

As the SEC looks to set new standards on climate-related disclosures, the question of whats next is circulating.

The SECs proposed rule remains relatively lax about the hard-to-track Scope 3 (indirect) emissions; companies would only be required to disclose Scope 3 emissions if they have set up targets.

However, shareholders arent shying away from the conversation.

Recently, Costco shareholders called for the retailer to adopt short, medium, and long-term science-based reduction targets from its whole value chain. And last year, ConocoPhillips shareholders voted in favor of setting emissions reduction targets that include the use of the companys fuels.

Since shareholder resolutions arent legally binding in the U.S., Batten says, the savior here will be regulations."

Experts also anticipate regulations such as New Yorks Local Law 97 to emerge with specific reduction targets over a set timeline  and harsh penalties when those targets arent met.

Other incoming regulations in the U.S. include Boston and Los Angeles requirements that new buildings be built to a zero net carbon standard by 2030. L.A. even takes it a step further, requiring all facilities to be net zero carbon by 2050.

Paris, London, and Tokyo have similar standards to Los Angeles. And the SECs new guidelines are expected to be followed by the International Financial Reporting Standards own initiative to build climate risk reporting standards.

While reaching Net Zero can seem daunting, Batten suggests looking at it as a puzzle. If you break it into these individual pathways and create a plan for each pathway, then low and behold, suddenly youve gone from 100 to zero.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion in 2021, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce more than 98,000 as of December 31, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

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Next week Meyer Jabara Hotels will host its first Extended Stay Development Seminar to educate people wanting to build, own or supply hotels in this thriving market segment. The event will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20th, at The Fountains at Gateway, Plaza Room, 1500 Medical Center Parkway, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

If you want to get a deal done in the extended-stay market, this seminar is for you, said Richard Sprecher, Meyer Jabara Hotels VP of Development. Already more than 50 people have signed up to discuss the state of the hotel industry and investigate why NOW is the perfect time to invest in extended-stay hotels. The short answer is that this segment has compelling returns. The reason for that is a lean labor model. Most have eliminated a 24-hour front desk and housekeeping service is provided once a week or even once a month. With an apartment-like setting, guests cook their own meals and do their own laundry. Its the best possible scenario as the hotel industry continues to struggle with a labor shortage.

We encourage anyone looking to invest in extended stay  developers, financiers, construction teams, feasibility experts, FF&E providers, asset managers etc.  to join us in Nashville next week, he said. Not only will we provide an overview of segment demand, but eight experts will lead a discussion on how to maximize investment returns specifically in middle Tennessee. Attendees will leave with every tool they need to be successful.

Leading the discussion at the Extended Stay Development Seminar are:

Richard Sprecher, VP of Development, Meyer Jabara Hotels

Greg Burgett, Regional Vice President of Development, Extended Stay America

Mike McGaughey, Regional Vice President of Development, Extended Stay America

Scott McGaughy, President & COO, Greenrise Technologies

Nicole Robben, Vice President of Business Development, Petros Pace

Michael Hindman, AIA of Hindman Architects

Jason Clouet, Vice President, Bayview Asset Management

The world has been tied up in Zoom calls and Webinars for the last two years, Sprecher said. Its time to gather face-to-face again and discuss financing options available for new construction hotels  the advantages of using energy-efficiency financing  methods of construction (from wood frame to modular)  benefits of creating usable green spaces  and finding the right management company to operate these hotels. In addition, executives from Extended Stay America (representing 650+ hotels in the U.S.) will discuss their secret to brand success.

Meyer Jabara Hotels recently opened a new development office on the 2nd floor of The Fountains at Gateway. The 47-year-old hotel management and ownership company currently operates 30 hotels in 12 states, of which 17 hotels are fully or partially owned. Their portfolio of hotels includes Marriott (including Residence Inn), Hilton (including Home2Suites), Choice, Hyatt, InterContinental (including Candlewood Suites), and Wyndham brands, as well as several independents. Development projects will soon be underway with Extended Stay America and Choice Hotels WoodSpring Suites and Everhome Suitesextended-stay brands. Management services include corporate strategy, receivership, revenue management, accounting, and financial services, human resources, franchise relationship management, hospitality marketing, risk management, hotel construction management, interior design, and more.

To register for the Extended Stay Development Seminar, email Richard Sprecher at [email protected]. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.mjhotels.com. For media inquiries, call Barb Worcester of PRpro at (440) 930-5770 or email her at [email protected].

About Meyer Jabara Hotels

With headquarters in Danbury, Conn., Meyer Jabara Hotels is an award-winning hospitality company owning, operating or leasing hotels and restaurants in 11 states throughout the eastern portion of the United States. The company was formed in 1977 as Motel Hotel Associates through the partnership of William Meyer, a specialist in real property law, and Richard Jabara, a second-generation hotelier. Their portfolio of hotels includes Marriott, Hilton, Choice, Hyatt, InterContinental, and Wyndham brands, as well as several independent hotels. The company culture, referred to as "The Journey," is considered by Meyer Jabara Hotels to be their strongest competitive advantage because it challenges and encourages each team to create special relationships, or heart connections, with the key stakeholders: business partners, associates and customers. For more information on Meyer Jabara Hotels, visit www.meyerjabarahotels.com.
Alexandria, VA  GBTA, the voice of the global business travel industry, applauds the bipartisan effort to end the current testing requirement for all vaccinated inbound travelers to the United States. Moreover, GBTA calls on the Biden Administration to immediately end the testing requirements and move to allow vaccinated travelers to fly into the U.S.

The current rule requires all U.S. inbound travelers present a negative COVID-19 test within one day before boarding their flight into the U.S. and regardless of their vaccination status or citizenship.

Exempting fully vaccinated travelers, including almost 215 million Americans, from the order would be consistent with the scientific consensus that widespread vaccinations are the single most important element of the fight against COVID-19 while allowing the travel industrys recovery to accelerate.

As business travel and travel at large struggle, many in GBTAs business travel recovery surveys cite government requirements such as testing as a major, if not the greatest, barrier.

Yet, it is unclear whether at this stage in the pandemic the current testing rule is having any meaningful impact on the spread of COVID-19 from overseas destinations to the U.S. As of today, more than 78 million people have contracted COVID-19 in the U.S., meaning that at least 23 percent of the population has had the virusthough this figure is almost certainly underestimated due to the number of asymptomatic infections and limited testing early in the pandemic.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world"s largest business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations across four continents. GBTA"s members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.

Debbie Iannaci

GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research

+1 305 301 7057

GBTA
HONOLULU - Employees from Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) on Oahu will join Honolulu Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a local family in Waimanalo, HI.

In September, Hilton Grand Vacations announced Habitat for Humanity International as the newest partner in its corporate social responsibility program  HGV Serves. HGV donated $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity to support employee volunteerism for new builds in communities across the country.

Hilton Grand Vacations and Habitat for Humanity have a shared commitment to building strong and thriving communities, said Julie Laird Davis, vice president of corporate and foundation relations at Habitat for Humanity International. The companys support, along with volunteer participation from their employees, will make a meaningful impact on the lives of many Habitat homeowners seeking a new path toward stable and independent lives.

Honolulu Habitat will receive $15,000 from HGV to build and repair affordable homes on Oahu. The funding will support the organization's recently announced 5-year strategic plan.

This support comes at a critical time for our organization, said Jim Murphy, CEO of Honolulu Habitat, The need for affordable housing on Oahu is urgent and collaborations with local partners like Hilton Grand Vacations are vital to our ability to serve our mission.

Were proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to forward our shared values and help provide sustainable housing in local communities across the country, said Jeff Bernier, senior vice president  managing director, APAC & Hawaii at Hilton Grand Vacations. To celebrate HGVs 30th anniversary this year, were expanding on our commitment to supporting the communities we call home with 30 volunteer and philanthropic initiatives like this home build.

Habitat for Humanity has improved countless lives in communities around the world, and were honored to support the organizations critical work here in Hawaii, said Derek Kanoa, senior vice president, sales at Hilton Grand Vacations. As we stay committed to our Malama Mindset, this build event helps us malama those in need and sustainably give back to the local community.

HGV employee volunteers joined forces with Honolulu Habitat on April 8 and 9 to help construct a 3-bedroom, single-family home for a low-income family in Waimanalo.Habitat construction staff oversaw the volunteers and provided training and tools they needed to complete the project. Participants learned new skills while working alongside the Habitat homeowner to build their home.

About Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV) is recognized as a leading global timeshare company. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida, Hilton Grand Vacations develops, markets and operates a system of brand-name, high-quality vacation ownership resorts in select vacation destinations. The Company also manages and operates two innovative club membership programs: Hilton Grand Vacations Club and The Hilton Club, providing exclusive exchange, leisure travel and reservation services for more than 325,000 club members. For more information, visit www.hiltongrandvacations.com.
Labor shortage despite available jobs

As Covid-19 cases in the United States started subsiding in the first half of 2021, the economy did not recover as fast as had been expected. There have been widespread reports about labor shortages in the U.S. since last April. The reason for the rising unemployment though is anything but a lack of jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, monthly job openings hit 11 million last July, a record high since the pandemic swept through the world one year ago. Yet many companies are struggling to find workers to fill vacancies.

In the U.S., there was a job growth by 7.4% on average for seven straight months since last January, but the unemployment rate was still higher than pre-pandemic levels (Figure 1). Workers also appeared lukewarm about rising wages and perks provided by companies to entice them back to work. A McDonalds branch is paying potential burger-flippers $50 just to turn up for a job interview. The staffing crisis seems to be a paradox, because higher unemployment comes along with more job openings.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor force statistics from the current population, and Survey job openings and labor turnover survey. Accessed February 23, 2022. Figure 1. Job openings and unemployment rate in the U.S. Photo by EHL

The impact on tourism and hospitality

The labor shortage has drawn a great deal of attention among economists, because it affects when and the extent to which the economy can recover. If the labor shortage persists, the recovery of the economy would be hampered even after the pandemic is contained globally in the foreseeable future. More worrisome is the tourism and hospitality industry that relies on human mobility and interactions in service delivery. The industry cannot be fully automated using robots and the like, neither is it possible for a vast majority of frontline employees to telework, a viable solution that has fared well in other sectors of the economy during the pandemic. In fact, the tourism and hospitality industry is the most devastated by the labor shortage. The U.S. data show that the monthly change in employment in leisure and hospitality sectors is the most elastic to the impact of the pandemic (Figure 2).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment, hours, and earnings from the current employment statistics survey. Accessed February 23, 2022. Figure 2. Employment in various sectors in the U.S. Photo by EHL

Why the labor shortage?

The Economist magazine outlines three factors that may have contributed to the labor shortage:

over-generous unemployment benefits

workers fearful of health risks

reallocation of labor between industries

No doubt, concerns of health and safety would deter workers from work given that infections are staggering and the virus is still mutating. In industries such as health and hospitality where human interactions are imperative, infection risks are much higher. The displacement of workers between industries could explain why some sectors, such as financial and governmental sectors, face less shortage than hospitality and other service sectors do (Figure 2). Some low-skilled labor force is likely to switch from tourism and hospitality sectors to those industries where telework is possible. But such transition is likely to occur in the long run, because certain skills and training need to be acquired by the displaced employees before they can perform their new work efficiently.

Many analysts blame generous unemployment benefits that disincentivize workers from joining the labor force. Of course, many, if not all, behavioral changes, ranging from job seeking to tax evasion, can be attributed to economic incentives. Governments across the world have rolled out a variety of Covid-specific subsidies and unemployment benefits since the beginning of the pandemic. As early as April 2020, the European Union announced a support package of 540 billion for helping workers, businesses and member states affected by the pandemic. In March 2021, the U.S. congress passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, which would make $1400 stimulus payments per person to 90% of households, plus an additional $300 per week to those receiving jobless benefits. The unemployment benefits, along with other subsidies, seem too tempting for people to trade off for work.

Unemployment benefits: too generous to be good?

Yet the incentive theory does not provide a satisfying explanation for the labor shortage paradox. In fact, the paradox may not happen because labor demand and supply will eventually balance in the market. Firms demand for labor will eventually push up wages to a level that is high enough to entice workers. One could also expect that people are willing to resume work as soon as unemployment benefits are expired. This may not be the case either, or may not happen as fast as we expect to.

Even if generous unemployment compensation does matter, it is only part of the story. The incentive theory implicitly assumes a perfect tradeoff between unemployment benefits and wages. Namely, insofar as wages exceed unemployment benefits, people will substitute work for idleness, and hence unemployment will decrease. In the U.S., average weekly wages increased by 8.1% in 2020 compared to that of 2019, which tripled the preceding 10-year average growth. In leisure and hospitality sectors, average weekly wages increased to $479 in the first quarter of 2021 from $461 in 2019, an increase of 4%. This was in part due to minimum wages, which disproportionately benefited hospitality workers, and in part due to companies that raised wages to entice workers. Taking into account a wide of range perks, such as free meals and transport, provided by many companies amid the pandemic, the employment compensation is indeed tempting.

Behavioral econmoics and the paradox of unemployment benefits

The incentive theory can explain the labor shortage in the short run. Yet there is a catch in unemployment benefits. In the long run, unemployment benefits could backfire because they create a status quo or an endowment that people are reluctant to give up even if better alternatives exist. If we treat unemployment benefits and other similar subsidies as an endowment that people possess rather than an incentive they are offered, people would respond to it differently. Returning to work to earn wages simply means surrendering the endowment, which is painful. This could help us understand why the labor shortage paradox is not a paradox at all, but a consistent behavioral bias that can be predicted.

In 1979, psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky published a paper titled Prospect Theory, in which they expounded the idea of loss aversion. Loss aversion has become one of the foundations of behavioral economics ever since. In fact, people dont treat the same outcome symmetrically, depending on whether it is framed as a loss or a gain. Put into context, loss aversion suggests that the pain caused by giving up, say, a $1000 unemployment benefit outstrips the pleasure of earning a $1000 wage, if we ignore the drudgery of work. Yet in standard economic theory, people see them equal, at least they are assumed to in economic models, hence are indifferent between the two options.

In behavioral economics, a $1000 employment benefit is regarded as an endowment that people already possess, but a $1000 wage needs to be earned. If people switch to work to earn the wage, their subjective well-being will decrease despite the fact that the net wealth does not change. We value more what we have, less what we havent. From a psychological point of view, this is perhaps because we are emotionally attached to something we own, and once we lose it, it hurts more. According to prospect theory, peoples welfare actually decreases despite the two actions, a loss and a gain as being framed, cancel each other out in an economic sense. This could explain, other things being equal, why a higher than pre-pandemic wage is not even close to luring workers back to work.

In addition to altering incentives, unemployment benefits change peoples reference point of income. A reference point is a benchmark or anchor against which we make and evaluate our decisions. We spontaneously frame a benefit as a gain upon receiving it yet a loss when losing it. After receiving an unemployment benefit, people will factor it into their present income, thereby forming a new reference point. The reference point is no longer the pre-pandemic income but the income plus the unemployment benefit. Not only does work mean earning wages to have a gain, but it is also accompanied by a loss, which is the surrender of the unemployment benefit. People are reluctant to give up the endowment even though it is less than the wage. The longer the unemployment benefit one has enjoyed, the stronger the status quo of the enjoyment, and the less rewarding work would become.

The sense of well-being linked to gain

Because gains and losses from the same amount of money incentives have asymmetric impacts, employers have to pay more than they otherwise should to entice workers. This increases the social costs of employment. That being said, high wages only correct the negative impacts of unemployment benefits. Any policy that leads to a gain followed by a loss as perceived, social welfare would decrease even though net wealth does not change. Since unemployment benefits will expire anyway, a loss becomes inevitable, while relieving the grievance from the loss entails more resources. However, if people experience a loss followed by a gain with the same value, their well-being may increase because the loss lowers the reference point in the first place. If one loses his or her job which pays $1000 per month followed by obtaining the same amount of unemployment benefits, his or her well-being would increase. Upon losing a job, our reference point will be downgraded to unemployment without income. Thus, any earning not only results in a gain but can boost our well-being to a much higher level.

Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and I agree: Texas businesses should not do like Disney.

Of course, Dan the demagogue wants to silence critics of his plan to humiliate, marginalize and discriminate against transgender people and others who love in ways he finds threatening to his brittle worldview.

I think Patrick has given Texas business leaders plenty of time to mobilize, denounce and oppose his planned affront to the human rights of the states citizens, including their employees. Unlike Disney CEO Bob Chapek, no one can claim they didnt know what the bigots had in mind before they acted.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Patrick's attacks threaten innovation that drives Texass economy

Chapek is getting it from both sides these days after he failed to preemptively condemn Floridas Dont Say Gay bill. The law bans public school teachers from acknowledging the existence or the normality of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.

Disney employs quite a few LGBT people in Florida who rightfully want their children and classmates to respect their community. Chapeks employees asked their CEO to pressure Floridas politicians, including Republican presidential-hopeful Gov. Rick DeSantis, to kill the measure.

Chapek, though, remained silent. Only after Disney employees picketed and DeSantis signed the bill did Chapek promise to do everything possible to get the law repealed. Today, LGBT supporters and the conservatives bigoted against them are all hating on Chapek.

Patrick, who never misses a chance to bully LGBT people, saw an opportunity to seize headlines.

Disney has violated their sacred trust with parents as they actively plan to indoctrinate and sexualize their children, Patrick incorrectly claims in a fundraising email to supporters. He called on Texans to boycott Disney until they change their corporate philosophy.

The boycott is a big personal sacrifice for Patrick, a huge fan of Disneys Davy Crockett miniseries and its Alamo mythology.

More disturbingly, though, Patrick also promised to pass his own Dont Say Gay bill next year if reelected. Patrick has a long history of promoting legal discrimination against LGBT people, and he remains a fierce opponent of same-sex marriage.

Not to be topped, Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state child abuse investigators to prosecute parents of transgender children who seek what the American Medical Association calls best practices medical care for their child.

Before that, Attorney General Ken Paxton won a case at the Texas Supreme Court that determined same-sex couples are not legally entitled to the same benefits as heterosexual couples. He also slammed the Austin Independent School District for holding a PRIDE celebration of LGBT culture.

Texas Republicans believe LGBT bashing is a surefire way to motivate their voters for the November election. After Abbott won his primary race in March, his campaign adviser Dave Carney said persecuting the parents of transgender kids was a winning issue that the governor would pursue in the future.

Such behavior explains why the Edelman Trust Barometer found Americans dont trust politicians. They trust their bosses more than anyone else and expect them to do the right thing on social issues, years of public polling shows.

In the past, the nations top corporate leaders and Texass largest chambers of commerce have condemned anti-LGBT legislation in Texas. They support gay marriage and transgender rights and participate in PRIDE parades.

Sixty-five U.S. companies blasted Abbotts order to investigate therapy for transgender kids as child abuse. Hundreds have condemned Floridas Dont Say Gay law. The next six months will test Texas business leaders.

Texas law forbids corporations from making campaign donations, but company and industry political action committees may. The state places no limit on individual contributions.

Some corporations are two-faced. They proclaim their support for their LGBT employees but then give money to anti-LGBT politicians.

Dallas-based AT&T is a prime example. They have sponsored PRIDE parades and support the Human Right Campaigns efforts to pass LGBT equality laws. But even after Abbott supported multiple pieces of anti-LGBT legislation, AT&Ts PAC still wrote him fat checks.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Walmart's donations to Abbott, other Texas politicians raise questions

A week after last months primary, the Texas Department of Information Resources granted AT&T the contract to provide connectivity and technology services to about 5,000 Texas public agencies and schools. AT&T lobbyists know on which side their bread is buttered.

Will other Texas business leaders practice the same hypocrisy? Will they imitate Chapeks and ignore the politicians rhetoric, hoping the courts will ultimately declare these heinous laws unconstitutional?

Sixty-five companies have spoken out publicly, which is good, but will they take the next step? Will they support the Democratic candidates looking to oust the craven conservatives who leverage bigotry to get reelected?

In politics, like in business, money talks. Business leaders need to find their voice and fight for the civil rights of their employees and customers.

Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Rumor defeaters assemble.

Scarlett Johansson in a new interview responded to the outrageous rumor that she had sex in an elevator with actor Benicio del Toro.

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They probably still write those things about people, maybe, but I feel like when I was younger, it was more acceptable to write really nasty, slutty things about young actresses, the Marvel star, 37, said during Wednesdays episode of the 9 to 5ish with theSkimm podcast.

Scarlett Johansson arrives at the American Cinematheque Awards Honoring Scarlett Johansson on Nov. 18, 2021 in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Though the story followed the Oscar nominee for a long time, she always thought that was outrageous.

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And also, I always was thinking to myself, That would be tough. ... The logistics of that seem so unappealing to me, said Johansson. I am a person whos terrified of being caught doing something Im not supposed to be doing, so that made the story even that much more absurd to me, if you know me personally.

Del Toros name is never mentioned in theSkimm episode, but in a 2005 interview with Esquire, the Puerto Rico-born Sicario star, 55, said, Did I ever have sex in an elevator with Scarlett Johansson after an awards show?

The Oscar winner then fumbled with his response. I kind of like, you know, I, well, I dont know. He concluded: Lets leave that to somebodys imagination. Lets not promote it. Im sure it has happened before. It might not be the last time, either.

Johansson and del Toro in 2018 both starred in Avengers: Infinity War.
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About 27 weeks into her pregnancy, Marisa Resendez had a decision to make. Shed been diagnosed with vasa previa, the dangerous placement of fetal blood vessels near the cervix.

If my water broke or the baby would pass through the vessel, it could break, Resendez said.

And if the blood vessel ruptured, she was told it could result in a permanent brain injury to the baby or a stillbirth.

My world was rocked, Resendez said. I was devastated.

Resendez had a choice. The first option was going into bed rest, almost immediately, for the duration of her pregnancy. Delivery would be early, with a cesarean section.

She would have to stay in the hospital in her hometown of San Antonio, where if she started going into labor, she could be rushed immediately to the operating room.

Her second option was to drive to Houston to meet with Dr. Ramesha Papanna, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

A maternal fetal medicine specialist and research director with the Fetal Center at Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital, Papanna is pioneering a new surgical technique for vasa previa. Fetal laser ablation would allow a natural, full-term birth.

Papanna is one of only a few physicians in the country offering this option.

The surgery, however, presented its own issues, Resendez said. The procedure was new  and if something went wrong, an emergency C-section the day of surgery would be required.

MORE IN RENEW: Houston medical experts explain how to have a healthy pregnancy

Neither scenario fit her best-laid plans for her pregnancy. Both she and her husband, Alberto Moravia, were still working and in the midst of renovating their home.

Staying in the hospital for weeks was not appealing. And bed rest would also mean that Resendez would not be able to carry her baby full term or have a vaginal birth.

Lets go talk to Dr. Papanna, she suggested to her husband. Were either a candidate or not. I would like to explore if surgery is even an option.

The couple came to Houston, consulted with Papanna and were provided with contact information for another patient willing to share her own experience with the surgery.

We really didnt have the time to process everything, because we had to act, Resendez said. We made a judgment call.

By the time she and Moravia headed back to San Antonio, the paperwork was signed for surgery the following week.

We just made the choice, Moravia said. It felt like this was the right decision.

A rare diagnosis

Vasa is Latin for vessel and previa for previous or coming first, Papanna said.

In other words, the vessels get in the way in the birth canal, obstructing the baby during birth.

Picture a hot air balloon as the uterus, Papanna said, and the neck as the cervix. The umbilical cord is attached to the fetus, which goes to the placenta.

The placenta is plastered to the side of the uterus.

Its stuck to the uterus like a painting on a wall, Papanna said.

Almost all of the time, the placenta rests at the top of the uterus. In some cases, it is lower, and that places fetal blood vessels in an exposed, unprotected position, right in front of the fetus head.

As the uterus prepares for delivery in the later stages of pregnancy, and the cervix pulls upward, the blood vessels could tear or they could rupture when the mothers water breaks.

The baby can bleed out very quickly  in a matter of minutes, Papanna said. By the time you get to the hospital, the baby is dead.

He said vasa previa is rare. There are between 2,500 and 4,000 cases annually in the U.S.

Once diagnosed, Papanna explained, the condition must be closely monitored and can result in a healthy pregnancy with a C-section and early delivery.

The chance of being home with a normal baby is 98 percent, Papanna said.

But if the condition goes undiagnosed, the outcomes differ dramatically. Mothers can be injured, and the likelihood of the baby dying is greater than 60 percent.

In the past, when vasa previa was more difficult to diagnose, Papanna said women would show up at the hospital bleeding and not know the cause of the stillbirth until an autopsy was performed.

HEALTHY LIVING: Fitness is important in pregnancy

Things have changed in the past 10 to 15 years, Papanna said. Patients are checked during routine ultrasounds to determine if the placenta and cervix are positioned abnormally. They are also assessed for other risk factors, including multiple births or a bilobed placenta, like Resendez had.

A National Institutes of Health publication describes a bilobed placenta as a placenta with two roughly equal-sized lobes separated by a membrane and it occurs in 2 percent to 8 percent of placentas.

While diagnostics improved, treatment remained the same. Patients could only wait in the hospital and plan an early delivery with a C-section.

We would follow them very closely, Papanna said. And we delivered maybe one or two months early to prevent them from having emergency bleeding.

Only recently did he discover a different option.

A new option

Papanna was at a medical conference when he learned about fetal laser ablation surgery to fix vasa previa.

Its a completely new procedure, Papanna said. It is not the standard of care.

At the event, the doctor listened as 10 cases were presented by Dr. Ramen Chmait, director of the Fetal Surgery Program at the University of Southern California.

He had been investigating the technique for about a decade.

The procedure involves making a tiny incision in the abdomen and using a fetal scope to identify the problematic blood vessel. Next, a laser is used to weld each side of the vessel so it no longer functions.

He struck up a conversation with Chmait and looked at the outcomes.

I thought it was a reasonable offering for patients, Papanna said.

And the procedure involved a technique with which he already had experience correcting an unbalanced vascular system in twins. Papanna personally has completed that operation about 300 times  and there are about 700 on file at the Fetal Center at Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital.

We have the equipment, the surgical technique, the ultrasound skills and all of the tools, Papanna said. We just had to apply it.

A year and a half ago, Papanna did his first fetal laser ablation surgery for vasa previa. He has now completed five operations.

Resendez was his third.

A lifesaving operation

An ideal candidate for the surgery would have only one or two small blood vessels over the cervix that support less than 20 percent of the placenta. That way, the surgeon can remove the vein without causing damage to the baby.

At her initial visit to Houston, a detailed ultrasound created a three-dimensional map of Resendezs uterus.

Papanna uses the image to create a clear plan for surgery.

He also asks his patients to wait until 31 or 32 weeks of pregnancy for two reasons. This gives vessels a chance to migrate on their own to the correct location. And, at that stage, the fetus is large enough to survive in the case of an emergency delivery.

During the procedure, the mother is awake and on local anesthesia.

Resendez was anxious the night before surgery, which was scheduled Aug. 24, 2021.

Dr. Papanna could tell, she recalled. He took it upon himself to kneel down, hold my hand, breathe with me and say, This is going to be OK. You made the right decision. It gave me a world of confidence.

In the meantime, Moravia waited, nervously.

I was terrified, he recalled. It was just very emotional.

Papanna came out afterward and the two talked.

He treated my wife like a family member, Moravia said. Ill owe him for that forever.

Resendez was only slightly sore the following day as the couple returned to San Antonio.

Resendez was 36 weeks into the pregnancy, when her amniotic fluid began leaking. She went for an appointment and ended up in the emergency room.

Her son Luca Moravia was born Oct. 1.

While she was not at full term, as she had hoped, she was able to give birth naturally and was not forced into bed rest.

Luca is now a little over 5 months old and weighs about 13 pounds.

Hes the best baby, Resendez said. Hes beautiful with big blue eyes.

The babys father is grateful that his wifes vasa previa was discovered at all.

Hes a baby that almost didnt have a chance, Moravia said. I definitely feel blessed.

Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.
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The tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018, took the lives of 10 people - eight students and two teachers - and another 13 were wounded. It jolted communities across the nation, including the bedroom community of Huffman where district leaders were concerned for the safety of their own students.

In response, the board approved the position for a police chief to lead, organize, and implement the new department on March 26, 2020, but COVID postponed their plans.

In December of 2020, Superintendent Dr. Benny Soileau reintroduced the measure and received overwhelming support to proceed with the plans. COVID continued to delay the process until Oct. 12, 2021, when the district hung out a help wanted sign for the new chief.

Two months later, on Dec. 13, 2021, the board approved retired Humble police chief David Williams to lead the new department. Williams didnt wait, he started the next day. Now the reality of tougher, tighter security is a reality giving district officials a little bit of a sigh of relief.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Humble sets table for Living Last Supper performance

Ive already started, and right now were calling it the Safety and Security Department because legally, were not recognized as a department yet by the state of Texas. Thats all still in the works, he said, and added will be complete soon.

Williams isnt waiting on the state.

I needed to make a complete assessment of the needs of the district so I could begin to create a security master plan for the entire district, he said.

That meant, with pen and pad in hand, walking the campus of every school, meeting with administrative staff, principals, teachers, students and parents to learn where they felt there was success and potential failures.

That also means a look at traffic and how to better handle that and some traffic enforcement for those passing buses, loading zones, and speeding through school zones, the top cop said. Traffic patterns have long been a sore spot, but some of it the result of volume, engineering and roadway systems designed decades ago.

Were having to live with what exists, but were also looking to see if we can make recommendations to the county or to the state who can help us with some corrections, he said.

Williams said he also wants to be a resource to all groups within the district.

Were grateful for the road work thats being done on 2100, though at times it will be a difficulty, but when its finished, its going to be nice, he added.

Next steps

The focus and the primary mission now by Williams is to acquire state authorization to become a fully functional law enforcement agency.

There's an application process through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement that requires gathering the legal documents, the insurance documents, and then outlining them basically what your business plan is, where you're going to operate, how you're going to operate, what resources you have, and so forth, he explained.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Back Pew Brewery hosting artisan market this Saturday

That also includes gathering memorandums of understanding or mutual aid agreements from all other law enforcement agencies that possess an overlapping jurisdiction.

Williams said thats a real hurdle.

We can put the other things together and control the timeline. With other agencies, however, processing these through the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriffs Office, then theres the County Fire Marshals Office, Harris County Precinct Three Constables Office, Humble Police Department is difficult, he said.

Williams said theyre almost done and once its finished, they will submit the application.

Each of the jurisdictions, he said, has been more than cooperative, but it just takes time to reach the chief who must sign off on the MOU and then the legal team has to look at it and draft what they want in it, and come back to us, and then our attorneys look at it and make sure that they're okay with it. Its just a process and it takes a while to get it done, he said.

There are three jurisdictions to deal with and Williams has already made trips to meet those division commanders and establish relationships with them.

Communications services

The retired Humble police chief turned to his former employer to provide services for his new department.

Weve entered into a cooperative agreement with them to provide communications or dispatch services for the district, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Humble doctor featured in newest season of Small Business, Big Heart

Williams said the contract provided two major things for the district and taxpayers.

It allows us to become operational much faster and we dont have the capital outlay or expense of all the communications equipment, and personnel that it takes to run a dispatch center or communications center, he said.

To do that would mean a minimum of five to six employees to manage the dispatching on a 24/7 schedule with different shifts and vacation time.

I dont expect us to be any type of a burden on those guys at all to be honest with you and well have our own group of channels, he said.

New vehicles which are nearly ready will have a non-emergency number, usually for business hours, and 911 for all emergencies any time of the day.

It would take them a couple of years to acquire and erect a tower and would also take time to get licensure through the federal government.

We can migrate into that later as necessary. But for the foreseeable future, we're going to be in good shape, he said confidently.

According to their own reporting, there were 1,004 calls for service in 2021, most of which were just information only or report calls noting things that had gone on. There were two unconfirmed 911 calls to Huffman schools last year.

I think the superintendent and school board are looking forward trying to anticipate what's going on in the world and in our country, and to ensure the safety and security of the schools and the students, he said.

They are having some difficulty because of the supply chain to get the two already ordered fully equipped.

New hires

Once the equipment comes in and they have received their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement certification, the next step is a posting for the departments first two deputies.

Right now, we currently use a contract with the Harris County Sheriffs Office for two deputies during the week to patrol the various campuses and then we supplement that with contract police officers in the evening at sporting events, he said.

Williams said they will honor the contract with the HCSO deputies through the fall into the new school year and the contract ends on Dec. 31.

Well hire two more additional officers at that time, he said.

The overlap will allow the deputies to share intel.

Well try to gain the institutional knowledge that those deputies have earned over the years, the chief said about the debriefing.

Challenging job

After retiring from his post with Humble PD, Williams took a gig as assistant director at the Houston Airport System, Police, Fire and Security for eight years, a little bigger operation. He left that to fulfil two years of national security service he owed to the Department of Defense by serving in Afghanistan for three years as a senior advisor and executive mentor to the U.S. Counter Narcotics program.

While I was doing that, I called home one day to talk to my wife and she told me she had just bought a house in Huffman, in 2012.

His children had already graduated from Humble ISD, and they love the community.

Everyone has just been wonderful, he said.

His living in the community, he said, played into his decision to apply for the job.

In the past, he had inherited departments and in Afghanistan, managed 2,900 soldiers in the Counter Narcotics program.

Ive never put together a program from scratch. Theres nothing more important that I could be doing at this stage in my life, then trying to help secure the schools and protect the kids. As a father and grandfather, it means a lot to me.

Williams said the marshal program, already instituted on the campus, would not go away, and would serve as a great supplement to the police service.

For security reasons, Williams wouldnt say exactly how they would be used but that they provided a great advantage in the event an adversary entered the campus.

The budget for the program is $225,000 annually and would be offset by the $180,000 already spent for the current contract with the HCSO deputies.

Williams said it was one of the best opportunities to lead the department.

Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, these folks have been so good to me and are making sure we have everything we need to do this right, he said.

Williams said he hoped to be fully operational by the beginning of the start of the new academic year.

dtaylor@hcnonline.com
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As Lee Wilhite recently traveled through Ukraine delivering supplies and helping people to safety, it struck him that you could tell by someones eyes what part of Ukraine they were from.

When you meet these people, you can tell who maybe came from the center of the country versus the people who traveled all the way from the eastern part of the country, he said. Their eyes and their demeanor dont lie. The things these people have been through is just gut wrenching.

Wilhite, of Conroe, recently spent about a month in Poland making trips into Ukraine to help bring supplies to Ukraine, support the Ukrainian police and bring refugees to the border with Poland.

His experiences and stories of the people he met in Ukraine paint a vivid and heartbreaking picture of the cruelties of war.

On HoustonChronicle.com: She came to Texas from Ukraine for a semester. Now she's trying to get her family here permanently.

He made it his mission though, to try to bring help and hope to as many people as possible over his four weeks there.

Wilhites wife, Elizabeth, is the only member of her family born outside of Poland. Her fathers family is from the north side of Poland and her mothers family is from south Poland. She, her mother and two cousins live outside Poland, but the rest of her extended family still lives there.

She was raised in Canada but spent her summers as a girl in Poland visiting family.

Its a very different lifestyle there with an emphasis on togetherness and family, she said.

She and Lee were vacationing in New Mexico when the first Russian attack took place on Feb. 24. While Lee tried to block the news coverage out, Elizabeth couldnt help but worry for her Polish family.

She felt if Vladimir Putin and the Russian soldiers could go after Ukraine, what would stop them from attacking neighboring Poland?

As a nurse practitioner, her thoughts turned to the healthcare needs of the Ukrainian people and medical staff.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Montgomery County residents Stand with Ukraine in show of support

I knew if theres a way, we have to do something, Elizabeth said. If I had to put a phrase to it Id say If not us, then who? If we all turned our head away, then there wouldnt be anyone there to help.

They began to formulate a plan on their way home to Conroe. About a week after returning to Conroe from vacation, Lee flew to Warsaw, Poland landing around March 4.

It was his intention to see if he could help Elizabeths family but the effort turned into so much more. With support from Elizabeths workplace, Next Level Urgent Care, the couple gathered up a bunch of medical supplies for Lee to take to Ukraine in his luggage.

I knew Im not going to be able to lay my head down at night if I dont at least try to help, he said. He was picked up by some of Elizabeths cousins in Warsaw and they went to Polands border with Ukraine to see if they could help.

Within his first few days in Poland, he was a part of a group trying to bring the parents and grandparents of Elizabeths cousins wife out of Ukraine.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Ukrainian mother, daughter escape awful dream of Russian war to find refuge in Houston area

They lived east of Kyiv in an area that had been heavily hit. Elizabeth said they spent the first seven days of the attack in a bunker. But without power and water, they eventually ran out of food and supplies.

They had to make the decision, of were either going to die in this bunker or weve got to take the car with a full tank of gas and try to drive west, she said.

The got in their car and made their way west in Ukraine. However, at a military checkpoint and gas station, they got out of the car for food and restrooms. By the time they all returned to the car, the grandmother had died.

Their immediate thought was to turn around and go back east to have the funeral. A military officer told them there was no going back and handed them a shovel and suggested that they should bury her next to the gas station.

Through social media, a member of the grandmothers side of the family reached out and they were able to all go to a family members house near Odessa in the western part of Ukraine. They remain there now as the mother did not want to leave her husband who was within the fighting age for Ukrainian men.

Next Lee met up with a family friend in Poland, Lukas Tomaszewski, who was planning to take supplies into Ukraine. Lee joined him on the trip as they took a couple vans loaded down with supplies about 20 miles into Ukraine. There they met up with a group that would distribute the supplies.

On their way back to Poland, they picked up a couple that was walking and pushing a girl in a wheelchair. By the time they got to the border, their van was full of refugees who were previously on foot. Lee ended up helping five people who were wheelchair bound get to the Polish border.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston-based medical technology company donates 10,000 bandages to Ukraine military

The disabled, elderly and orphans of Ukraine seemed most vulnerable.

They waited many hours to get into and out of Ukraine at the border. One time, there was a car parked in front of them that had the drivers side window shot out. They began to talk to the man who was traveling with several children. The man said they were driving near Kyiv heading west when a Russian soldier shot through the window and killed his wife. They had to drive two hours until it was safe to stop the car. They buried the wife and mother there on the side of the road and kept going to the border.

Stories like this are everywhere, he said.

Meanwhile back in Conroe, in mid-March, Elizabeth launched the Facebook group, Help Poland Help Ukraine and she began collecting donations and chronicling Lees journey.

On March 15, she posted on the Help Poland Help Ukraine group page When it comes to Poland they are full. When he arrived at the border crossing it was surprising that there was not a lot of volunteers. There were at the beginning but people had to go back to work. Hotels, apartments, airbnbs are full in all major cities. School gyms stadiums are full. Everything you see in Poland is donated by the Poles. People are taking in one, two families, she wrote.

Tomaszewski took in two men in wheelchairs for the night in his home near Gdansk, Poland. From there they were able to board a board to stay with family in another country.

For their second trip into Ukraine, Lukas and Lee were able to secure an 18-wheeler and drove 20 tons of supplies about 180 miles into central Ukraine to again meet up with a group to distribute them.

This time they spent the night in a bunker. In talking to the people there, they developed a bond as the Ukrainians shared their stories.

The next morning, they left the bunker to find a nearby apartment building had been shelled overnight.

They also met with a police commander who described how they were in desperate need of training and protective gear. Lee was also able to help at an orphanage in Elizabeths home town of Koscierzyna, Poland that had taken in 200 Ukrainian children.

In addition to shelled buildings, throughout Ukraine Lee said they came upon burned out and abandoned cars.

Theres no clear military strategy from what anyone has seen, he said. People want to say stuff about Putin, but hes not the one pulling the trigger on these civilians who are trying to leave. The best way I can describe these Russian soldiers is like rabid dogs. I just dont see how someone can do that to another human being.

Lee returned to Conroe about a week ago, but his mind is still very much on Poland and Ukraine.

The Wilhites are still collecting donations to send to her family in Poland and Lee is still trying to get training for the police there and the equipment they need.

They are focused on raising $45,000 to purchase protective gear for police officers in Ukraine. Lee said the police officers of Ukraine really dont get enough credit. While the military officers are off fighting the attack, its the police who are with those who remained and getting those people supplies.

The Wilhites say theyll buy the protective plates in Germany where they can be shipped to officers in a matter of hours. Theyre also raising money for those in charge of orphanages in Poland who can purchase items for children at their facilities.

They are currently working with a nonprofit that is being set up for monetary donations.

In the meantime, they have set up a page for donations at gofundme.com. Search for HPHU-RPS. The RPS stands for rapid police support.

They also have a Facebook group for more about Help Poland Help Ukraine. It is Lees hope to return to Poland and Ukraine with more supplies soon.

Im torn about being here, Lee said. I wish I was still able to be there on the ground helping.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
Houston man Raymond Donald Williams, 29, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing his housemate, Itali Marlowe, in September 2019, the Fort Bend County District Attorneys Office said in a recent release.

Williams shot Marlowe multiple times, killing her, at their home on Ridgeroe Lane in Houston.

Williams pled guilty in December 2021. His sentence was handed down by 268th District Court Judge R. ONeill Williams on April 1, 2022.

Marlowe, a 29-year-old transgender woman, was living with several friends when she met Williams, offered him a place to stay and began helping him get back on his feet.

A disagreement led to Williams taking offense and flashing out, as he claimed at his hearing. He shot her with every bullet in his pistol.

Houston PD officers responding to the shooting call found the victim on the driveway of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Williams fled the scene but was later apprehended in Dallas.

At the hearing, Williams said his history of mental health issues warranted a lesser punishment. However, a prior examination by Dr. Tonya Martin from Fort Bend Behavioral Health Services indicated that Williams was competent and sane.

When questioned by Chad Bridges, prosecutor and chief of the family violence division of the Fort Bend County DAs Office, Martin stated that the defendant exhibited risk factors indicating possible future violence.

Bridges called Marlowe's death senseless and horrific.

Italis family and friends grieve her loss, Bridges said. Itali was kind and gave the defendant a place to stay. She had a generous spirit with a habit of helping others as well.

Murder is a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Williams must serve at least half his sentences before he is eligible for parole because he used a deadly weapon to commit his crime.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
NEW YORK (AP)  A gunman wearing a gas mask set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets inside a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.

Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren't sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.

Authorities were looking at the man's apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten security for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts concerning.

The attack transformed the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground train, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station and bloodied people lying on the platform as others administered aid.

Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.

Now Playing: At least five people were shot Tuesday at a New York City subway station during the mormimg rush hour. (April 12) Video: Associated Press

When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.

Im just grateful to be alive, he said.

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. The shooter's motive was unknown.

Sitting in the back of the train's second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. A riders video shows a person raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound.

Passengers in the smoke-filled car pounded on the door to an adjacent car, seeking to escape, rider Juliana Fonda, who was in that adjoining car, told the news site Gothamist. Fonda is a broadcast engineer for Gothamist's owner, public radio station WNYC.

Investigators believe the shooters gun jammed and kept him from firing more, said two law enforcement officials who werent authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Essig said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.

Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people. One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things.

Several videos mention New York's subways, and Adams is a recurring theme.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun crimes and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, warned at a midday news conference.

In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians who didnt hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said.

High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.

Im definitely shook, the 15-year-old said. "Even though I didnt see what happened, Im still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the citys subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime  especially in the subways  an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasnt immediately clear whether any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred.

The mayor, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.

___

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.
Jay R. Jordan / Jay Jordan, Staff

A 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound was dropped off at a northwest Houston hospital Monday afternoon and ultimately died, according to Houston police.

The teenager was dropped off before 2 p.m. at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospitals emergency room at 18220 Tomball Parkway, where doctors pronounced him dead, police said.
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An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection to the fatal shooting last month of a 17-year-old in Denver Harbor, according to police.

Alfonso Gonzalez is facing that charge, as well as tampering/fabricating physical evidence, in connection to the shooting of 17-year-old Dominic Partida in the early morning on March 20, court records show. Gonzalez did not have a lawyer listed in online court records as of Tuesday evening.
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A man is dead Tuesday night after a shooting in southwest Houston, according to Houston police.

Southwest patrol officers were sent shortly after 8 p.m. to the 8900 block of Braesmont for a report of shots fired, according to Houston police Lt. Larry Crowson.

Police checked the area and found a vacant apartment with a man inside, Crowson said. The 25-year-old man suffered apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities added.

Crowson said homicide investigators would contact any witnesses and seek video surveillance.

Authorities have not found any weapon at the scene or know of a motive at this time, according to HPD homicide investigators.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here.

leah.brennan@chron.com

Joel.Umanzor@chron.com
A man shot by police Saturday after they said he lunged for a gun inside a northwest Houston tire shop has died, police said Tuesday.

The 48-year-old man, who has not been identified, was shot about 5 p.m. at the business located in a strip mall in the 700 block of West Mount Houston Road. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said Tuesday.

Police were at the strip center following up on a complaint from the owner of a bar in the same strip center filed the previous day, Houston Police Department executive assistant chief Larry Satterwhite said at a press briefing Saturday evening.

That owner told police a man had been terrorizing his customers and threatened them with a weapon and had also been known to threaten people at the tire shop, Satterwhite said.

Police first went to the bar on Saturday and when they did not find the man, they went to the tire shop, on the other end of the center.

Officers found him inside an office in the tire shop, sitting near a handgun and what police described as an uzi-style firearm. Police told him to come out. The man lunged toward one of the weapons, Satterwhite said, and police shot him. They then tended to his injuries.

He was in critical condition when he was taken to the hospital. He was pronounced dead about 12:38 a.m. Sunday, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

In a news release issued on Tuesday, Houston police said three officers discharged their weapons, striking the man several times.

The officers were not injured. They were identified as Officer D. Blackerby, who was sworn in as an officer in December 2018, Officer J. Pavlica in December 2014 and Officer J. Mayfield in August 2021. All are assigned to the North Patrol Division

The man had an extensive criminal history and was wanted for a parole violation for engaging in organized criminal activity, Satterwhite said.

He said police had previously responded to reports of the man assaulting people at the business, but he was always gone when they arrived.

This has been an ongoing thing that hes been doing to the people over here, Satterwhite said during the news briefing.

Julian Gill contributed.
A simulator used to train the very first space shuttle crew is now on display at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

The motion simulator trekked from a NASA hangar at Ellington Field to the museums Heritage Hangar on Tuesday, precisely 41 years after NASA astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen launched on the space shuttles maiden voyage. Their mission, STS-1, was dubbed the boldest test flight in NASA history because it wasnt prefaced by an uncrewed flight. The shuttles very first launch had people onboard.
Tampa-based Capital Tacos is bringing its fried queso bites, Mexican street corn, and Big Kahuna fried fish tacos to Orlando, starting with delivery and pickup only.

The chain, with locations in the Tampa Bay area, will set up in the ghost kitchen food hall at 18 N. Dollins Ave. beginning in late May or early June, said co-owner and operating partner Josh Luger.

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The menu will be available through Capital Tacos website and app as well as delivery apps such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub.

This is really about planting the flag, Luger said.

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He said he expects Orlando will see a more physical presence of the brand within a year, including brick-and-mortar and food truck locations.

Orlando has been and is No. 1 for us [for expansion], Luger said. We really view it as a sister market.

Capital Tacos is expanding to Orlando.

The Orlando area is already home to popular taco options such as Tin & Taco, Gringos Locos, and MX Taco. Luger acknowledges there are many taco options in Orlando and Tampa, but he believes his chains food quality and customer experience will stand out.

Ill put our food up against anybodys, Luger said.

The Dollins Avenue hall is home to several restaurants without dining rooms, including a White Castle that only does pickup and delivery. The Orlando Sentinel reported in 2020 it was linked to Uber founder Travis Kalanicks ghost kitchen business CloudKitchens.

Capital Tacos, which started in 2013, is partnering with CloudKitchens to expand in Orlando, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville and Charlotte.

Luger said his chain gets the majority of its revenue from online.

We know were a digitally strong brand, Luger said.

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afuller@orlandosentinel.com
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Jennifer Chavis never went long without calling or showing up at her mothers house with her signature bright smile, a laugh and a playful remark.

But Tanya Childress had not heard from her daughter on a recent Saturday, and made a mental note to call Chavis later that day.

Meanwhile, Chavis, a deputy with the Harris County Precinct 7 Constables Office, was patrolling toll roads across south Harris County early that evening when her agency was notified of a suspected drunken driver. Chavis pulled to the side of the Sam Houston Parkway and waited for the driver to pass in advance of pursuing him, but the male driver veered out of his lane and plowed into the back of her squad car.

Chavis vehicle burst into flames and the 32-year-old died at the scene despite rescue efforts. Her mother never got a chance to say goodbye.

I can still hear your voice and it soothes me when I begin to miss seeing you as often as I did, Childress said in a eulogy at her daughters homegoing service. There can never be enough words for me to express myself at a time like this. My heart is sad. My heart is broken. And Im hurt.

Family friends and local leaders gathered Wednesday at The Fountain of Praise Church on Hillcroft Avenue in southwest Houston to remember the young mother, Army veteran and law enforcement officer whose life was cut short in the line of duty.

Many remembered Chavis as a dedicated person who loved her family, greeted the world with an infectious smile and strove to improve herself and serve her community.

She set goals and accomplished them one by one, Childress said. She always wanted to go higher.

Local and state leaders, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Rep. Al Green, spoke during the service, which was officiated by Bishop James W.E. Dixon, senior pastor for The Community of Faith Church.

She did not live a trivial life, Dixon said. She lived a life of significance, a life of service.

Members of law enforcement agencies from the region and state attended in full uniform and filled the pews of the church. The law enforcement community was like a second family to Chavis, her mother said.

Police officers and deputies take an oath to protect people and head to work each day prepared to sacrifice their own lives, said Patrick, noting that he has been to too many of these.

On the day of the crash, Chavis was trying to help pull over a drunk driver because that drunk driver could have taken someone elses life, the lieutenant governor. Thats a hero.

Chavis joined the Precinct 7 constables office in November 2020 and soon established herself as a smart, eager employee who was quick to learn and often showed up before her shift, said Constable May Walker.

Hidalgo called Chavis one of the countys bravest protectors.

The county judge and Turner both declared April 13 as a day to recognize and honor the deputy.

Adolfo Serrano, 36, is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge in connection with the deputys death. Police said hed crashed into a vehicle earlier in the day and fled, prompting motorists to call 911.

Several other Houston-area law enforcement officers have lost their lives or been wounded already this year. Last week, mourners gathered for the funeral of Darren Almendarez, 51, a deputy with the Harris County Sheriffs Office who was shot to death March 31 while confronting a trio of alleged catalytic converter thieves.

I dont know why certain things happen, Turner said. But I do know that from all of these different events, and funerals that weve attended, that I do believe that the relationship between law enforcement and the community ... in my opinion is getting closer and closer together  because we recognize we need each other.

At the church entrance, memorabilia filled several tables  the trappings of a life full of family, service and achievement. There were the diplomas that Chavis earned while working and parenting, the framed sonogram from her pregnancy and pairs of sneakers and high heels.

In the church, a photo slideshow played for the large audience ahead of the service, showing snippets from the young deputys life: Chavis kissing her sons cheek, posing for a selfie in uniform, eating at restaurants with her family.

Chavis was outgoing and energetic  the life of the party, one person wrote in a tribute tucked into each program. Her younger siblings, Jocelyn and Darius, wrote that Chavis was a shelter in the storm and a hurricane all at once.

And although we were not ready for this reality, you have prepared us well, the siblings wrote in a tribute. You taught us to be strong, relentless in the pursuit of our goals, and consistent in our love of each other.

Born in Baytown, Chavis joined the U.S. Army following high school. She served for six years, spending time in Germany and parts of Africa and the Middle East, before returning to her family in Texas.

Chavis earned a bachelors degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston Downtown in 2015 and a masters degree from Texas Southern University in 2019. She was pursuing a doctorate before her death.

She leaves behind her husband, Quincey Chavis; a 4-year-old son, Billion Chavis; a nephew, Kadence Humphrey, whom she was helping to raise; and her parents, siblings and extended family.

Following the service, members of law enforcement stood in rows in the parking lot while family members gathered under a tent. Flags flapped in the wind and rain began to fall as officials conducted a series of ceremonial proceedings, including a three-volley salute, a riderless horse and a helicopter fly-over.

Six of her coworkers carried Chavis casket to a waiting hearse, and a long line of cars followed it to a cemetery in Liberty.

anna.bauman@chron.com
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo came out swinging Tuesday, shortly after two aides and a former staffer of hers were indicted for their role in communicating with a potential bidder on a county contract before it was awarded.

I dont play the game. And that is threatening to the powers that be, the 31-year-old Democrat, who is up for re-election this fall, said in a statement.

I think the notion is that if they come after me on what is my strength  the ethics of this office and my own  that they can score political points, she continued. I dont think its a coincidence that unfair accusations are being leveled against my team in the middle of my re-election campaign.

Her chief of staff, Alex Triantaphillis, and deputy policy director, Wallis Nader, were each charged Monday with two felonies  misuse of official information and tampering with a governmental record  related to an investigation of a vaccine outreach contract awarded and then rescinded by the county last year.

Aaron Dunn  who recently left Hidalgos office, after serving as a senior adviser  faces the same charges. The three appeared in court Tuesday morning, with their bail set at a combined $3,500.

In her statement several hours later, Hidalgo reiterated that the investigation is proceeding with what is, at best, a serious misunderstanding of the facts and expressed confidence that when those facts are known, her team will be cleared of any wrongdoing.

When a politician comes out with a statement like this one  casting herself as a noble outsider, standing up to a complacent establishment and being targeted accordingly  the appropriate response is often an eye roll and a big sigh.

In this case, Hidalgo is taking an unequivocal stance in defense of the current and former aides in the midst of a tough re-election campaign. No bets are hedged, no equivocation is offered. That sure is striking.

At issue are communications involving Triantaphillis, Nader, Dunn and Democratic political operative Felicity Pereyra in the weeks before the county solicited bids for an $11 million contract that was eventually awarded to Pereyras firm, Elevate Strategies. To critics, the messages from the staffers indicate that they were hoping to subvert the competitive bidding process in order to steer this lucrative contract to an obscure company led by a woman who once worked for Democrat Adrian Garcia, now a county commissioner, and for Hillary Clinton.

Hidalgos lawyers have maintained that the communications involving Pereyra and the staffers were focused on a different, much smaller job  a part-time consulting contract, which wouldnt have been awarded through competitive bidding.

Theres a certain plausibility to this claim, because theres no indication that Hidalgo or her staff stood to gain from Pereyra winning the larger contract. In theory, at least, the data acquired during the course of a vaccine outreach campaign might be useful to a candidate running for re-election. But Hidalgo already won her seat, in 2018, against expectations and without the benefit of some convoluted, county-backed data-mining scheme. If were going to be cynical, lets at least be cynical in a consistent way.

And, in that spirit, it should be said that the scandal embroiling the county judges office this week is surely one that her critics have been eagerly hoping, if not waiting, for.

Since taking office, the 31-year-old Hidalgo  the first Latina to serve as county judge  has been dismissed by critics on the right as a lightweight and referred to derisively in some quarters as Dora the Explorer  a dog whistle, invoking as it does her gender, youth and ethnicity.

During the course of the pandemic shes also been tarred as Comandante Hidalgo, another dog-whistle epithet  and one thats rather at odds with the Dora tag, raising the question: Which is it, guys?

A dispassionate analysis would suggest that while Hidalgo is young, and idealistic, she isnt naive. Weve seen her stand up to state GOP leaders who were far too quick to declare victory over COVID-19 and ably lead the the states largest county through the pandemic. Weve also seen her take stances that werent particularly popular with some of her fellow Democrats, as when she announced she wouldnt take campaign contributions from companies that contract with the county.

Weve also seen Hidalgo make tough decisions with an eye to the optics of a situation  and with an understanding that optics inform how people relate to their county government.

Last fall, she requested that the Elevate Strategies contract be canceled. While she denied the accusations of political favoritism, she explained that the claims themselves were getting in the way of vaccine outreach, a lifesaving effort that had to take priority: The way its being politicized is getting in the way of getting people vaccinated. Its really sad, but its the truth of the matter. We need to focus on so many other efforts.

Hidalgo evinced a similarly realist approach last month, when she expressed a desire for a change in leadership at the county election administrators office after the March 1 primary was marred by slow reporting on election night and a misplaced batch of some 10,000 mail-in ballots  honest mistakes, in her telling, but nonetheless the type that necessitate change.

There are unforced errors, irrespective of one partys efforts to weaken trust in the electoral system, which (have) happened ever since Donald Trumps Big Lie, Hidalgo said in that case. Particularly because of that, we cannot afford to have unforced errors. It is simply not acceptable.

Given that history, its significant that Hidalgo is standing by her beleaguered staffers in this case. After all, she herself hasnt been charged with anything, even though investigators searched her Google accounts, too.

I have not seen anything to suggest that my staff did anything but work tirelessly for the people of Harris County, she said in her statement Tuesday. They will remain on my team.

The staffers who have been indicted are entitled, like any defendants, to the presumption of innocence and to a speedy trial. Harris County voters have a vested interest in the latter, too, with this years general election rapidly approaching.

Republicans on Monday were already starting to make hay of the situation, with some calling for Hidalgo to resign. (Theyre a little more forgiving toward Attorney General Ken Paxton, for example, who has himself been under indictment for felony securities fraud for nearly seven years and still draws a state paycheck. Paxton denies any wrongdoing).

The narrative on the right is that Hidalgos office steered a lucrative contract to a vendor who was under-qualified for the task at hand but ideologically aligned with, or personally close to, the judges administration. If true, that would be bad.

To hear Hidalgos supporters tell it, the judge has spent her entire first term under the critical if not hostile scrutiny of peers  Republicans but also some Democrats  who havent been thrilled by her leadership and were predisposed to see her ascent as some kind of fluke in the first place.

Both of these things could be true, or the truth may lie somewhere in between. Lets see where the evidence leads.

erica.grieder@chron.com
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The bail bond industry will undergo a big change, with licensed agents set to be required to take an upfront fee of at least 10 percent from defendants charged with violent crimes to ensure their release from jail, according to a vote by the Harris County Bail Bond Board on Wednesday.

Enforcement of the new rule will rely on a bail bondsmans sworn word in affidavits  and litigation to nix the policy is likely to follow, criminal justice stakeholders said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: As Harris County judges take heat for felony bonds, critics point to unnoticed culprit: The bondsmen

The vote followed a failed attempt in March to pass the 10 percent minimum  despite the Commissioner Courts unanimous support of the measure as an attempt to tackle the drastic rise of violent crime during the pandemic.

Paul Castro  whose son David Castro was shot and killed in 2021 following an Astros game  urged the board with heartfelt testimony to pass the measure, saying that he felt on the verge of violence himself after learning his sons accused killer had made bond.

He expressed gratitude to the voting members that took a courageous stand.

Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer

This is a first step in regulating the bail industry, Castro said, noting that more fixes to Harris Countys criminal justice system are required outside of the measure. He implored a fix for the backlog in the criminal court to expedite the trial for the man charged with murder in his sons death.

Debate over bail fees stemmed from a Houston Chronicle investigation last year that found bail bondsmen  who act as intermediaries between the defendant and the court  have for years offered defendants discounted rates. A newspaper review of court records for that investigation found that bail bondsmen have been increasingly accepting lower fees on more violent crimes amid diminishing profits. Bail agents have more recently relied on payment plans.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia subsequently offered  and the Commissioners Court adopted  a resolution calling on the bail bond board to impose the 10 percent requirement.

More from Nicole Hensley: Houston Police Chief Troy Finner calls bail bond payment plans worrisome

The vote Wednesday was as follows: Six board members  Kathryn Kase, legal counsel for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo; Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez; Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne; District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, Municipal Courts Judge J. Elaine Marshall and Michael Butera, representing District Attorney Kim Ogg  approved the measure.

Three jurists  Amy Martin in the 263rd District Court, Shannon Baldwin in Criminal Court of Law No. 4 and Justice of the Peace Angela Rodriguez  abstained. Bail bondsman Mario Garza and defense attorney Troy McKinney voted against the measure.

Butera previously abstained in March but changed his vote after having another month to analyze the legality of the measure. He also expanded which kind of offense constitutes a violent crime for the measure.

Having more time to look at it allowed us to identify gaps, loopholes, omissions and if the intent was to identify violent crimes and sexual offenses  there were some things missing, Butera said.

Martin said the judges abstained because of their roles in the criminal justice process.

Theres an inherent conflict for judges on any issue that they participate in, like this, Martin said. Ethically, I don't believe we have much of an option.

Hidalgo offered brief remarks to the board after returning from the funeral for Precinct 7 constables deputy Jennifer Chavis. She left the vote in Kases hands.

Im not going to pretend that it will solve everything, but it will be a big important step, the county judge said. We have this incredible wave of gun violence throughout our county and the truth is, too many people who should be behind bars are out re-offending.

The vote capped a three-hour meeting that took chaotic turns with board members expressing confusion over the agenda and some taking on testy debates with lawmakers and victims loved ones speaking in support of the resolution.

Prior to the resolutions introduction in March, a typical bail bond meeting garnered little to no public comment and strictly focused on the licensing of bail bondsmen. This resolution is the first time the board has set regulations on what bail bondsmen charge.

Scoffs, finger snapping and applause often erupted from the audience predominantly relatives of homicide victims  and threats of removal from the auditorium were issued. Bail bondsmen also filled the seats. Public commenters included State Sen. John Whitmire, State Rep. Ann Johnson, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and several relatives of slain children Arlene Alvarez and Diamond Alvarez.

Arlene Alvarezs mother, through tears, described the measure as historic but suggested 10 percent is possibly not enough. Her 9-year-old daughter in February was mistakenly shot and killed by a robbery victim.

Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer Wendy Alvarez, mother of Arlene Alvarez, 9, who died after being shot, speaks along with her husband, Armando Alvarez, during the Harris County Bail Bond Board meeting Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Houston. April Aguirre, right, holds up a photo of Arlene Alvarez, her goddaughter, taken in the hospital. The board voted on a proposal to set minimum 10 percent fee on bail bonds. (Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer) Wendy Alvarez, mother of Arlene Alvarez, 9, who died after being shot, speaks along with her husband, Armando Alvarez, during the Harris County Bail Bond Board meeting Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Houston. April Aguirre, right, holds up a photo of Arlene Alvarez, her goddaughter, taken in the hospital. The board voted on a proposal to set minimum 10 percent fee on bail bonds. (Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer)

It hurts me, shatters me that people cannot even be driving because they are just getting shot at, Wendy Alvarez said. The more people who work in this case, the more well be able to make a change.

In the middle of the meeting, temporary chair duties were rescinded from Justice of the Peace Rodriguez and handed to McKinney, who was earlier selected to take over the boards leadership.

CHRONICLE INVESTIGATION: As killings tied to defendants out on bond rise in Houston, crime data reveals a crisis in courts

McKinney opposed the measure and expressed his lack of confidence in the new policy.

The amount of premium somebody pays to the bondsman is not going to have any effect on how they behave when they get out on bond, McKinney said. The belief that this is going to solve it, Im sorry, it has no basis in fact.

He offered two futures stemming from the policy.

Either this is going to make no difference in a meaningful way about who gets out. In which case, this has all been much ado about nothing, McKinney said in the meeting. Or this is going to affect a lot of people. In which case, a lot of people will remain in jail over this kind of measure.

Sheriff Gonzalez, after the meeting, said he was not concerned about the possible effects on the jail. Repeat and violent offenders  if the risk is there  should not be cycling through the jail, he said.

Regardless, McKinney expressed his belief that the legislature is better suited to handle the quandary over bail fees.

Its been made clear, if something like this passes, there will be a lawsuit passed immediately, he continued. This will then be put on hold and we know how long litigation takes.

Ken Good, a lawyer specializing in bail law, said a lawsuit is certain to happen. Some of the public speakers, he continued, would have argued for a 100 percent premium or a strict no-bail rule.

I thought (they) made a decision based upon raw emotion, Good said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: New bail dashboard offers look at trends in Harris County criminal courts

In most cases, state law requires that judges grant bail to defendants, who are innocent until proven guilty. Affordable bail is also a U.S. constitutional right, and opponents of enforcing a 10 percent minimum have likened the measure to price fixing, adding that it would disproportionately affect poor defendants.

Houston City Council was expected to consider an ordinance Wednesday that would require bail bond businesses to charge 10 percent premiums for serious violent and sexual offenses. The vote was delayed and then canceled after`the bail bond boards decision, according to city officials.

I'm very gratified to see the Harris County Bail Bond Board adopt this policy today, Mayor Sylvester Turner said in response to the boards decision. When judges set high bonds for violent offenses, bail bond companies should not waive or reduce premiums, thus jeopardizing public safety.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
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City employees will have access to paid parental leave for the first time beginning in May after a decade-long push to adopt the family-friendly policy that advocates hope will help the city attract and retain working parents.

City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the new leave policy, which will give workers who have been with the city for at least six months up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The policy also includes paid time off during pregnancy for certain health matters.

WATCH: Houston councilman's gaffe gets a laugh and a quick lesson on childbirth during paid leave discussion

Council members, many of whom described their struggles with pregnancy and childcare ahead of the vote, greeted its approval with cheers and tears. City workers previously had to accrue vacation time or take unpaid leave after welcoming a child.

Parental leave is not a vacation, said District C Councilmember Abbie Kamin, who gave birth to a son last year.

The policy will be available to all city employees, regardless of gender.

It was unclear Wednesday how many workers will take advantage of the new policy. Framing it as a way to make Houston a more desirable place to work, human resources officials said they do not expect the policy to significantly alter city operations. On average, just 67 employees a year, or 0.3% of all city staffers, requested family medical leave in recent years, officials said.

The city has no way of knowing how many people may get pregnant under the new policy, Human Resources Director Jane Cheeks said Wednesday. She previously noted that city workers skew older, with an average age of 55.

Employees who have had a baby within the last 12 months are retroactively eligible for infant leave to bond with their infants, meaning there may be an initial bump in parents seeking paid time off.

Because existing staff members typically pick up the slack when a co-worker is out on leave, human resources officials said they do not expect the policy to cost the city additional money, a claim that prompted skepticism from some council members.

I do think there will be a cost to the city for this, maybe unforeseen at the moment, but definitely a cost, District A City Councilmember Amy Peck said Wednesday, echoing previous comments from Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin. Peck, who gave birth twice as a city staffer, said she ultimately decided to vote in favor because it will benefit the city at minimal cost to taxpayers.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Profit or quality child care? The pandemic is forcing Houston preschools to choose.

The policy is not expected to significantly affect trash pick-up, as pregnant women are not allowed to work in solid waste collection.

When 911 dispatch trainer Brianna Nelson was pregnant with her now-8-month-old daughter, she used vacation time to attend prenatal medical appointments. With little remaining after the babys birth, Nelson had no choice but to take an unpaid leave of absence, a sacrifice she said came with significant financial hardship.

On Wednesday, Nelson excitedly watched the council meeting on her phone, satisfied that other new parents will not have to make a choice between caring for a newborn or getting a paycheck.

Its the start of a change, she said.

The mood was similarly jubilant inside the council chambers, where at least one expectant staffer watching the proceedings gained some much-needed peace of mind. Katie Shelton, chief of staff to Councilmember Mary Nan Huffman, no longer will have to work while sick or scrounge for vacation days until her first child arrives in July. Instead, she will be eligible for 8 weeks of paid leave  a benefit she assumed was a given until she was hired by the city six years ago.

I hope this has an effect on the private sector, that this becomes the norm in our city, she said.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, less than a quarter of American workers receive paid parental leave through their employers, making the United States the only industrialized country that does not guarantee the benefit.

Several staffers flanking the council members brought their children to the chambers for the meeting. Nwamaka Unaka, chief of staff to District D Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, cradled her infant in what she said was a statement on the essential role working parents play in the citys workforce.

Unaka returned to work less than 12 hours after giving birth to daughter Muna Grace in January, even taking a face-to-face meeting from her hospital bed. On Wednesday, Unaka said she was ecstatic and grateful for the policys passage.

nora.mishanec@chron.com
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State Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday urged the Harris County Bail Bond Board to adopt a 10 percent minimum on bond payments after a vote on the measure failed last month.

The board is scheduled to take up the issue again Wednesday in the face of opposition from bondsmen. But many local officials support making the long-held 10 percent standard an official rule, saying that allowing variances renders judges bail decisions useless.

Anything different than that completely breaks the bail bond system, Whitmire, D-Houston, said during a news conference at Crime Stoppers of Houston.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston Police Chief Troy Finner calls bond payment plans worrisome

A Houston Chronicle investigation in 2021 found that bail bondsmen  who act as intermediaries between the defendant and the court  have for years offered defendants rates of less than 10 percent of their bail, sometimes going as low as 2 or 3 percent or turning to payment plans to aid in their release from jail. Until recently, the 10 percent fee was thought to be uniform for surety bonds, which are paid by defendants as security that they return to court while awaiting trial.

Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

Concerned about defendants reoffending while out bond, some public safety advocates have turned the unpredictability of payments into a rallying cry.

Harris County Commissioners Court in February voted unanimously and across party lines to encourage the board to pass a minimum 10 percent fee, but the measure has gone no further. The Bail Bond Board failed to gain a majority on the vote, which would have included 14 violent or sexual felony charges, including murder, sexual assault and aggravated assault, under its umbrella.

Of the eight members present on the 11-person board, four voted in favor of the minimum fee. Two members voted against. And a justice of the peace and Harris County District Attorneys Office representative abstained.

The prosecutor said he did not vote due to questions around the measures legality, and the judge did not offer a reason during the meeting. One of the judges who was absent, Elaine Marshall, told the Chronicle she had a family emergency and would have been a yes vote.

Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

During his news conference, Whitmire said that legal concerns can be ironed out and are not sufficient reasons for abstentions.

I dont accept any of that, with the exception of the emergency of a family member, he said. Everyone goes into those positions to make tough decisions and do the right thing.

On HoustonChronicle.com: How bail and bond work in Harris County

Two families of slain children joined the state senator, who has announced he will push for a state law to require bail bondsmen in Texas to collect a 10 percent minimum from some defendants. Supporters of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, who was fatally shot on Valentines Day when her fathers truck was struck by gunfire, held signs reading, No more bogus bonds.

Paul Castro, whose 17-year-old son David Castro was killed in July in a road-rage shooting on their way home from an Astros game, was also present.

Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

Both suspects in the shootings are now out on bond, and the victims families suspect that bail bondsmen had given them bargains to be released. The amount that defendants pay bondsmen is not required to be disclosed, because bail bonds agencies are private enterprises.

Castro said he feels some bondsmen are putting a discount on justice.

That covenant that we understood  has been broken by bad behaviors of some bail bondsmen, he said.

Annie Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

Wendy Alvarez, Arlenes mother, said she feels suspects are getting more consideration than victims in court. Family member April Aguirre showed a graphic photo of Arlene on a hospital bed, stressing that other families might experience the same suffering.

The repercussions shouldnt be inconsequential. Getting out of jail shouldnt be simple, the mother said. We all have blood on our hands.

In most cases, state law requires that judges grant bail to defendants, who are innocent until proven guilty. Affordable bail is also a U.S. constitutional right, and opponents of enforcing a 10 percent minimum have likened the measure to price fixing, adding that it would disproportionately affect poor defendants.

Houston City Council is also expected to consider an ordinance Wednesday that would require bail bond businesses to charge 10 percent premiums for serious violent and sexual offenses.

Mayor Sylvester Turner previously had said he would bring that ordinance, part of his administrations One Safe Houston plan to address crime, if the bond board failed to pass such a measure on its own. City Council will meet hours before the bond board convenes Wednesday.

This story has been corrected to reflect that the defendants in Arlene Alvarez and David Castro's shootings are currently out on bond.

Dylan McGuinness contributed to this article.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
Something smells at the border. And its not molding strawberries or precious avocados ripening past the point for salvageable guacamole.

No, its a governor wholl stop at nothing to boost his political profile  and future presidential prospects. At a press conference Wednesday in Laredo following a firestorm of criticism from businesses and elected officials on both sides of the border, Abbott defended his stunt to conduct excessive, duplicative vehicle inspections that have backed up commercial traffic for days, disrupting international trade, exacerbating supply chain issues and angering Mexican truckers to the point that they formed a blockade against south-bound traffic in protest.

Abbott appeared alongside Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda and the two announced an agreement in which law enforcement on the Mexican side would better patrol its 9 miles of shared border to thwart illegal crossers in exchange for Texas letting up on vehicle inspections and allowing traffic and commerce to resume. Before the cameras, the two governors depicted the memorandum of understanding they signed as an historic win-win.

There were two ways to read Abbotts performance: either he was donning his apron and working clean up on aisle three. Or he was indeed declaring a small victory in a shrewd plan to essentially hold border commerce hostage until Mexican officials acquiesce to deals he can construe as border security triumphs.

Probably a little of both.

Viewers who tuned into the press conference would be forgiven for thinking it was President Joe Biden who caused hundreds of truckers to protest Monday, bringing traffic at the busy Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge between Texas and the state of Tamaulipas to a standstill after days of increasing frustrations. If you want relief from the clogged border, Abbott insisted, call President Biden.

But thats not who Mexican governors called when wait times stretched from  in the case of Nuevo Leon  the usual 10-20 minutes to up to six hours in recent days. Nor was it who Texas Agricultural Commissioner and fellow Republican Sid Miller accused of political theater. You know things are bad when our clownish ag commissioner starts making sense.

Yes, as weve noted before, the Biden administration needs to provide more resources at the border to humanely recieve and process newcomers, many of whom seek asylum.

But only Abbott, and perhaps a wily campaign consultant, is to blame for the mess at the border over the past few days. And what, if anything, have Department of Public Safety troopers found during these additional searches  other than some trucks with bad brakes? The governor couldnt tell us.

Clogged bridges can end only through the type of collaboration that we are demonstrating today, Abbott told the crowd of reporters.

Somehow, we dont feel reassured.

Surely, border delays have long been a strain, according to the Texas Tribune, due to a staffing crunch. But Abbotts intervention was both entirely avoidable and poorly executed. Teclo Garcia, the economic development director for Laredo, told the Tribune that the state didnt contact local officials before launching its latest overreach during one of the busiest times at the border.

The border is reliable red meat for Abbott, who gained wind from Trump allies who  in a feverish war games fantasy  warn of a looming invasion with the upcoming repeal of the federal COVID-era Title 42 policy that restricted border crossing. The governor echoed this rhetoric Wednesday. With an eye on the November re-election bid against Democrat Beto ORourke, Abbott continues to reference Operation Lone Star as though its actually accomplished something other than bogging down local courthouses and jails, and now, international trade. We can imagine his chest swelling when the first (voluntary) busload of migrants, chartered by Texas taxpayers, arrived in Washington D.C., dropping off conveniently close to the U.S. Capitol and the offices of Fox News.

On Monday, Abbott was in El Paso at the annual meeting of the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition busy talking up the operations success in seizing drugs and bad actors at the border. He seems unconcerned that the numbers the state once credited to his operation  11,000 arrests!  were actually found, in an investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and The Marshall Project, to be misrepresentations at best and outright lies at worst.

It turns out some of those arrests and seizures were happening far from the border, unrelated to any Operation Lone Star spending, while others predated the initiative or came from jurisdictions that werent even included in it. the initiative.

Its irrational because he doesn't come and say, 'Hey, what do you guys need? How can we help you?' El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego told El Paso Times.

There are real threats at the border, including the 191,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 97,600 pounds of cocaine and 11,200 pounds of fentanyl seized in 2021, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. But that same agency is already at the border on the lookout for such threats.

If Abbott really wants to help Texas businesses, law enforcement and land owners, he should start reaching out to those actual communities and stop with the stunts that just muck things up more for commercial truckers trying to feed us.

Editors note: Updated throughout from at 8:50 p.m. from earlier version.
There are some problems facing the Harris County criminal justice system that are complex, requiring legislation, money, or years of debate to solve. This aint one of them.

A rule change before the Harris County Bail Bond Board today would require bail bondsmen to charge their clients a fee of at least 10 percent, making it harder for bonding companies to offer the kinds of cheap deals that have allowed violent, repeat offenders back out on the streets to await trial.

Who would oppose this? Well, the Harris County Bail Bond Board, whose members either actively or passively torpedoed the idea in an initial vote last month. It was a disappointing, and frankly befuddling, setback toward adding a modicum of accountability to this shadowy industry. Today, we urge board members to correct that mistake.

Harris County bondsmen have for years been offering bargain basement fees on an increasing number of violent felonies. A Houston Chronicle investigation found that bail bondsmen are requiring much smaller cash payments to secure bonds  sometimes 1 or 2 percent of the bond amount a judge set in the case. Some bonding companies even offer payment plans. These deals further compromise an already faulty cash bail system.

Theyre also compromising our public safety and they need to stop. Yet, when Bail Bond Board members had a chance to curb the practice, they refused.

Eight of the 11 board members were present for the previous vote on March 9. Four supported the measure; two opposed it. Four other board members  District Attorney Kim Ogg and Judges Angela Rodriguez, Amy Martin and Shannon Baldwin  abstained from voting. Another member, Municipal Court Judge J. Elaine Marshall, said she didnt vote due to a family emergency, but told the Chronicle she would have voted yes.

Martin and Rodriguez did not respond to our requests for comment.

But the other officials who blocked the measure appeared to have been concerned about whether they had the power to implement it. Oggs spokesman told us the DA had serious concerns about the rules legality and enforceability and, instead, preferred to push for state action to remove the Texas constitutional right to pre-trial bail for violent repeat offenders. Judge Toria Finch, the presiding judge of the county criminal courts at law, echoed those sentiments on behalf of Baldwin.

Such concerns might seem reasonable, except that theyre apparently unfounded. We recently checked with County Attorney Christian Menefees office about whether the 10 percent rule is legal and enforceable. Indeed it is, says first assistant Jonathan Fombonne. And interestingly, he said his boss made that clear to board members in an executive session before they voted.

Does the board have the authority to even pass such proposal? Our view is yes, Fombonne told the editorial board last week. The law itself is very broad about what the board can regulate, which is each phase of the bonding business. Fombonne added that the offices legal opinion is supported by state Supreme Court case law.

As for the resolutions enforceability? Fombonne told us thats also covered by state law. The board has the power to revoke a bail bondsman's license for not following rules it sets.

Welp, that should settle it. The board should pass this resolution today when it meets for another vote. Refusing to do so again might make some bondsmen happy but it would aggravate the countys spike in violent crime. It would also undermine the tough-on-crime rhetoric of those who vote no, especially in the case of Ogg, who has been a passionate critic of judges bonding decisions and efforts to stamp out crime.

Bondsmen are business people, as weve noted before  and, occasionally, they are generous campaign donors. We dont blame them for trying to make money, or for trying to influence policies that affect their bottom line, or for offering deals to lure new customers in a tough market. Industry competition has been stiff since bail reform resulted in most non-violent, misdemeanor defendants being released on no-cash bonds.

So whom do we blame? Local elected officials for giving these business people too much leeway in our criminal justice system. We must have rules and standards. And we must have some way of checking if theyre being followed. As private entities, bonding companies are not obligated to disclose fees and that leaves judges in the dark as to whether the bond they set was sufficient to keep a high-risk defendant off the streets.

No, we dont like cash bail. We believe a defendants ability to pay or borrow money to secure freedom before trial is an unreliable method of protecting the community from dangerous people. Pre-trial jailing decisions should be based only on the persons risk of fleeing or of harming someone else. That said, as long as were stuck with cash bail, and as long as the Texas Constitution guarantees almost all defendants an initial right to bail, the least we can do is mete it out fairly and consistently.

The officials who abstained from voting last month have had ample time to review the proposals legality. Their concerns over legality and enforcement apparently arent concerns at all.

Judges in particular should jump at the chance to enhance their power to determine bail amounts, especially after Harris County voters booted six incumbent criminal court judges, evidently because of dismay over how they perceived the judges handled bail for violent offenders. The 10 percent rule would ensure that bail judges set wont be undercut by bondsmen allowing defendants to pay a minimal percentage of the amount required for release.

No more excuses. Requiring bondsmen to charge defendants 10 percent to get out of jail isnt problematic, unfair or anti-business. Its common sense for anyone who puts public safety first.
Regarding European leaders stream into Ukraine to show solidarity, (April 9): My family and I fled Hungary in November 1956, following the heroic, but failed Hungarian Revolution against Soviet oppression. My father was a Hungarian freedom fighter. Initially, Hungarians thought they had won. Russian soldiers retreated, only to return and cruelly crush the uprising. They executed, imprisoned and tortured the brave Hungarians who had fought for their freedom. Help Hungary, help Hungary were the desperate cries from the Hungarian radio station until their voices were dimmed by the dark clouds of Russian brutality. The West did not help. In Ukraine, the West is helping Ukraine defend itself against Putins war but is not doing enough. Ukraine needs additional military hardware and equipment  planes, anti-aircraft missiles, tanks and artillery. We must do more to help the brave Ukranian people defend their homeland. I stand with Ukraine.

Eva Stubits, Houston

CBS 60 Minutes interview with Ukraine President Zelensky was phenomenal. Zelensky combines the shrewdness and brilliance of Benjamin Franklin, the eloquence of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln and the bravery, leadership and fortitude of George Washington. Oh what a contrast with the likes of Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, and the unholiest of them all, Donald Trump. Men who'd throw their own mothers under the bus to advance personal power and whod crawl into the nearest sewer at the merest sound of danger. The United States needs to do everything possible to aid Ukraine and oppose Putin and the Russians.

Dale Stevens, Plantersville

Security Council seat

Regarding Give Ukraine the U.N. Security Council seat, (April 10): If you feel a chilly draft around your ankles it's because Marc Thiessen has written a column that is actually thoughtful and right  for the most part. I could not agree more with his proposition that Russia should be removed from its permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. The council was established to ensure international peace and security. Russia  which is not really on the council but merely occupies the seat previously allocated to the now non-existent USSR  by its actions, deserves no seat. The fact that Russia still has a seat at that most important of tables makes an absolute mockery of the entire institution.

Without a doubt, Russia should be removed given that this position allows veto power. However, given that Ukraine is directly involved as the victim of Russias criminal invasion I dont think, as Thiessen argues, that they should replace Russia. They probably deserve a seat on the Security Council, but given the lack of historical independence I would not hand them the veto power of a permanent seat. Norway, or perhaps Australia would be far more fitting in such a position.

Tanner Garth, Houston

I never agree with Marc Thiessen, but his column advocating for kicking Russia off the Security Council is spot on. And giving Ukraine its seat is fine with me. Ukraine is fighting for civilization as we know it. She has more than earned it.

Ilona Thomson, Houston

Ripple effects

Regarding Russia praises India's neutral stance on Ukraine fighting, (April 1): The ongoing conflict in Ukraine will affect practically all the countries in the world, including India which finds itself in a difficult and delicate situation. Russia has been a strategic ally of India, one of its main defense partners for many years. India also depends on Russia as a counterweight to China in Central Asia. The United States has also become a close ally of India, especially in the Indo-Pacific area. The U.S. is a sister democracy and the Indian public has a lot of sympathy for Ukrainians who are fighting to save their nation from aggression.

The only beneficiary in this conflict is communist China. If Putin loses, Russia will become more dependent on China. If Russia wins, it will further weaken the U.S., the principal rival of China. The more the conflict lasts, the better for China as the U.S. will have less time and resources to spend in the Indo-Pacific area opposing China.

India did not create this problem, but cannot isolate itself from it. Morality really does not count in an international power game. A country has only permanent interests, no permanent enemy or friend. In 1971 President Richard Nixon had no problem joining Chairman Mao Zedong to support Pakistan, a military dictatorship, against India, a fellow democracy, when millions of refugees were coming to India from East Pakistan to escape genocide. So far India has played its card well balancing its national interests without antagonizing either side, but how long can this last?

Jay K. Raman, Houston

It is without a doubt that the international system in politics, finance and culture has been shaped by the dominance of the United States. However, with the ongoing war in Ukraine and subsequent diplomatic and economic ripple effects, the dynamic of the U.S. leading the international system with their ideals of Western liberal democracy is being questioned.

Foreign policy failures in Afghanistan and Eastern Europe play into the argument of the United States not being an effective leader in global politics today.

As markets and international forums are not currently convinced of a particular path forward, I encourage more conversation about the current structure of Western politics and how it affects the world at large. More so, all persons need to take heed of how a possibly faltering America is going to affect what they can put on their plates, what they can wear on their backs and what roof they can have over their heads.

Jade-Mark Sonilal, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago
I dont know what you want me to say. Im responsible for it.

By the time Melissa Lucio uttered those words, she had been interrogated by police for several hours about the death of her 2-year-old, Mariah, who had taken a nap and never woke up one Saturday in February 2007. It wasnt until 3 a.m. that Texas Ranger Victor Escalon Jr. decided hed heard enough.

By then, the ranger had pushed the Harlingen mother of 12, pregnant with twins, past her repeated insistence of innocence and into a confession that she was responsible for her youngest daughters death.

Escalon would later tell a Cameron County jury that he knew Lucio was guilty by the way she avoided eye contact and slumped her shoulders  an observation that speaks to the flimsy evidence and analysis in a case that sent Melissa Lucio to Death Row and now, two weeks before her scheduled execution, seems to be withering under the light of international scrutiny, late-hour appellate filings and public pleas for Gov. Greg Abbott to grant clemency.

We urge the governor to intervene in the case and stop the state of Texas from killing Lucio. A bipartisan group of lawmakers have made the same request. Five jurors who heard all the evidence at the 2007 trial now express regret or doubt over imposing the death sentence. At the very least, Lucios attorneys deserve more time to show how new evidence casts doubt not only on her death sentence, but also on her conviction and even on whether a murder occurred at all.

Were not venturing a determination as to Lucios guilt or innocence but we know one thing for sure: Lucios deeply flawed case  filled with apparent bias, attorney incompetence, hunches, assumptions and inexplicable judicial reasoning  is exactly why this editorial board opposes the death penalty. Lethal injection is an irreversible act that cannot be undone in the event that a mistake is discovered in a human system susceptible to grievous human error.

In Lucios case, the errors are as evident as freshly dusted crime scene fingerprints.

From the get-go, Lucio was a suspect in her daughters death. Responding paramedics were the first to doubt Lucios explanation that Mariah had fallen down a staircase, in part because the familys first floor apartment had only three steps leading to the front door. Paramedics didnt realize the family had just moved from a second-story apartment with a rickety outdoor wooden staircase.

In the emergency room, a doctor who saw Mariahs injuries, an arm apparently broken for more than two weeks, and bruises that seemed to pock her little body from head to toe, called it the absolute worst case of child abuse hed ever seen, an observation later bolstered by a medical examiner who determined only severe abuse could explain Mariahs death.

It may have been an all-too-easy narrative for investigators to accept of a poor, Latina mother with a drug addiction and a years-long history with Child Protective Services. CPS had documented signs of neglect and found enough reason to temporarily remove children from the home. They had been returned about three months before Mariah died.

To the jury, prosecutors presented a simple story: a bad mother abused her daughter to death. It had to be true, even if no direct evidence connected Lucio to her daughters death, and even if there was no record of Lucio ever having been physically abusive to her. And whats more: the mother confessed.

She admitted it. She admitted that she caused all of the injuries to that child, the prosecutor insisted in closing arguments.

Why would a mother confess to killing her child if it werent true? The defense had an answer but jurors werent allowed to hear it from an expert psychologist whose testimony the judge inexplicably deemed irrelevant. The psychologist would have argued that Lucio regularly took blame for things she hadnt done, behavior he attributed to a lifetime of abuse starting at age 6 and continuing at the time with Mariahs father, Robert Alvarez.

Whether the exclusion of the expert testimony deprived Lucio of her right to present a complete defense has been one of her strongest points of appeal, and a question of great controversy for judges. A small panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted her relief, only to be reversed by their colleagues in a 10-7 decision of the full court, largely on technical grounds. The U.S. Supreme Courts refusal to hear the case then led to the setting of Lucios execution date.

Lucio still has other appeals pending. On Tuesday, current Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz told lawmakers under intense questioning that he expected Texas highest criminal court to grant a stay in the case and he ultimately even agreed to withdraw the execution request if that didnt happen  a hopeful development, no doubt.

Still, what about the signs of physical abuse? Are Lucios lawyers asking us to believe that it was merely coincidence that the same child suffered a broken arm, a fall and extensive bruising around the same time? Yes, actually.

Her lawyers, now joined by the national Innocence Project, piece together compelling evidence in their clemency petition arguing that Mariah suffered from developmental delays, behavioral issues and a turned foot that seemed to make her prone to falls, including one at her daycare that knocked her unconscious. Even though falls remain the number one cause for traumatic brain injury in children of Mariahs age, writes a pediatric forensic pathologist in the clemency petition, a thorough analysis was never completed to rule out the impact of Mariahs falls on her death.

As for the bruising, the same expert said a condition that can result from head injury, known as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation or DIC, can cause widespread bleeding and bruising throughout the body that the medical examiner may have mistaken for abuse.

There are several potential causes and contributions to Mariahs injuries and death that have nothing to do with intentional force, wrote the pathologist. The initial inaccurate testimony that insisted Mariah had been beaten shortly before her death creates, the pathologist concluded, a risk of a serious miscarriage of justice.

Other issues too numerous to detail here have been raised, both by Lucios attorneys and by a recent documentary on the case. Certainly, the fact that the original district attorney was later convicted of corruption and may have had political reasons for pushing the conviction, is troubling, as are the failings of her trial attorneys who later went to work for the opposing team in the DAs office.

In 27 years and close to 100 cases, this is the first time I've ever had a case where there wasnt actually a murder, Tivon Schardl, chief of the capital habeas unit of the federal defenders office in the Western District of Texas and one Lucios lawyers, told the editorial board.

While the clemency petition explicitly asks the governor for a one-time, 30-day reprieve or a commutation to a life sentence, this editorial board feels that the depth of the new, compelling analysis merits a new trial.

The governor has previously granted clemency in a death case where a father argued the execution of his son would only bring more pain and trauma. Lucios family members argue similarly.

Please do not kill an innocent mother, Lucios daughter, also-named Melissa, who was 18 when her mother was arrested, said in a statement earlier this year, do not take her away from our family, by killing her you will be killing me too.

As the governor awaits the parole boards recommendation  expected just days before Lucios April 27 execution date  we implore him to consider carefully the facts, and the life, before him.

Lucio may well be guilty of a crime for her admitted and, in our view, inexcusable failure to seek medical attention when her daughter fell ill after the fall. For the same failing, Mariahs father was sentenced to four years in prison. Lucio has already served 15. Mariahs death was a tragedy, but one that cannot be avenged, and would only be exacerbated by the unjustified execution of her mother. Texans, join us in urging the governor not to let that happen.
The median rent prices in Central Florida from March 2021 to March 2022 went up by 16.1%, according to data from RentHub released in early April.

Rent prices across Central Florida average $2,000 per month, according to a snapshot of RentHub data that includes Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard and Polk counties.

The year-over-year rise has tapered off since the Sentinel looked at similar data in January, which was seeing nearly 19% increases across Central Florida. Across the region, though, the average rent was only $1,900 three months ago, which has now risen by $100.

The biggest rise came in 34741 which is near Kissimmee in Osceola County. The average rent is $1975 a month, a 46.3% increase year over year.

That was followed by 32835, the Orlovista neighborhood of Orlando with an average of $2,150, an increase of 45.86%; 32822, which is Azalea Park in Orange County with an average of $2,020, an increase of 45.85%; 32809, covering Sky Lake in Orange County with an average of $1,849, an increase of 42.78%; and 32827, the Lake Hart area in Orange County around SR-417 with an average of $2,444, an increase of 42.67%.

Not everywhere increased. ZIP code 32820, which is Bithlo in Orange County, with an average of $2,190, a decrease of 2.62% year over year.

The next lowest was ZIP code 32805, which is Holden Heights in Orlando with an average of $1,095, a decrease of 0.45%.

ZIP codes 32836, which is Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista near I-4; 32735, which is Grand Island in Lake County; and 32763, which is Orange City in Volusia County, were all unchanged from year over year at 0%.

Those rents are $2,315 per month for 32836; $1,644 per month for 32735; and $1,639 per month for 32763.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, better known by his nickname AMLO, set an unusual record on April 10, surviving Mexicos first presidential recall vote in what was undoubtedly the largest recall by population in world history.

The AMLO recall did not grab the same attention as some other recalls, including those against California Governors Gavin Newsom and Gray Davis, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker or Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. This may be because it was truly an unusual recall event. There was one big backer, and that was AMLO himself.

AMLOs focus on a recall is not new and was not based on his still-impressive polling numbers. He actually proposed the recall law during his campaign and has constantly looked to have the recall vote happen. Unlike practically every recall that takes place, AMLO encouraged his supporters to sign the petitions and get the more than 2.7 million valid signatures needed to get to the ballot.

One factor made this recall different from most of the ones we witness in the U.S. The Mexican recall law has a requirement that not only must a majority of voters cast their ballots to remove the official, but 40 percent of voters must turn out in order for the recall to count. While a turnout law is not common in the U.S. (though Idaho has its own version), it is a regular feature in other countries. Notably, Romanias president survived a 2012 recall due to low turnout and so did the mayor of Warsaw, Poland. This low turnout is actually the defensive strategy, as, rather than trying to defeat the recall by gaining more votes, the officials supporters simply do not vote and prevent the turnout requirement from being met.

AMLOs results were the opposite of what we would normally expect. While AMLO easily triumphed, with about 92 percent of the vote in his favor, the numbers are seen as less than impressive. Feeling that they had little chance of winning, many in the opposition simply boycotted the vote. Given his popularity and given that he would have been replaced by a member of his own party, many did not feel they had a chance at winning anything of value. Instead, they hoped that poor turnout would make AMLO look weaker rather than stronger. The result was only about 17 to 18.2 percent of the voters came out to vote. AMLO blamed the low turnout on the INE, the electoral commission, claiming they did not do enough to promote the recall. The INE, in turn, argue that they simple were not given enough money for a more expansive effort.

Yet AMLO can still be seen as the big winner here. When he originally pushed for a recall, his opponents feared that he would try to use a recall success to repeal the one six-year term limit for president. AMLO repeatedly batted away this idea and  so far  he has not seemed to make any effort to change the law. Instead, the recall can be seen as a ratification of his term and his policies, and a way to strengthen his position with other officials.

In the U.S., we have seen this work, as officials who survived  and sometimes those who lose  witnessed a benefit to their careers. Most famously, San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein triumphed over a 1983 recall and was quickly on the short-list for the vice presidential nomination. Shes now Californias longest serving U.S. senator. Others have gone from winning a recall vote to Congress. And even recall losers can be long-term winners. The first governor to face a recall vote in the U.S., North Dakotas Lynn Frazier, lost his seat in 1921. In 1922, he won the first of three terms to the U.S. Senate.

While AMLOs performance, even if a bit underwhelming, may shore up his political position, we should not expect too many officials to adopt the self-recall route. History is littered with political figures who overestimated their popularity and came to regret their overconfidence. In the UK, both David Cameron and Theresa May lost their prime ministerships because of disastrous miscalculations on their level of support in an election.

AMLOs recall may not have been an earth-shaking event. But the fact that he so easily triumphed and gained what can be seen as a vote of confidence from the voters may give him the boost he was looking for.

Joshua Spivak is a Senior Fellow at the Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform at Wagner College. He is the author of Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom.
WASHINGTON  Gov. Greg Abbott made good on his vow to send migrants from Texas to D.C. as state officials dropped off a busload of asylum seekers there early Wednesday morning.

Abbotts office said the migrants from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were dropped off between the U.S. Capitol and Union Station, a major transportation hub. The announcement said a second bus is en route to D.C.

By busing migrants to Washington, D.C., the Biden Administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border, Abbott said in a statement. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden Administrations failure to secure our border.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the migrants Texas is transporting to D.C. have all been processed by Customs and Border Protection and are free to travel about the country while they await the outcomes of their immigration proceedings.

Its nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination, she said.

BACKGROUND: Gov. Abbotts threat to bus migrants to Washington isnt quite what he made it out to be

Fox News reported that the Texas Division of Emergency Management dropped off dozens of migrants about 7 a.m.

The bus, which traveled from the Del Rio sector in Texas, unloaded outside a building housing offices for Fox News and other media outlets, Fox anchor John Roberts reported. The building is a couple blocks north of the U.S. Capitol, where Abbott had said he would send migrants. Fox covered the arrival live on TV.

Two or three dozen migrants onboard checked in with officials and had wristbands they were wearing cut off before being told they could go, the report says.

Abbott unveiled the busing plan as part of his response to the Biden administrations announcement that it would end a public health order it has used to immediately expel asylum seekers at the border.

The governor, who is running for re-election, was raising funds off the news by Wednesday afternoon, sending an email to supporters with the Fox article and erroneously calling the migrants illegal immigrants.

Abbott has said he would only transport migrants to Washington if they wanted to go there and had already been processed and released by federal authorities, meaning they were allowed to stay in the U.S. to make their cases for asylum, a legal form of immigration.

A spokeswoman for Catholic Charities in D.C. said the organization provided information for those who rode the bus on where to get food and medical care, if they were in need. CNN reported that some who got off the bus said the ride was over 30 hours long and that they were provided food and water along the way. Some were planning to leave D.C. for other cities, CNN reported.

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Abbotts move sparked outrage among immigrant advocates and Democrats on Wednesday.

Of *course* Greg Abbott ordered the bus with migrants on it to show up in front of Fox News headquarters here in DC, tweeted Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Policy Counsel at the American Immigration Council. Its an incredibly dehumanizing and cynical stunt.

U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, called it a heinous political stunt.

He is targeting innocent people for simply escaping desolate poverty, cruel violence, and extremely dangerous situations, she said in a statement.

Republicans, meanwhile, were cheering the move.

Washington D.C. is a border town, tweeted U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

ben.wermund@chron.com
WASHINGTON  An attorney for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat whose home and campaign office were searched by the FBI earlier this year, says the Department of Justice told him that the congressman is not a target in the federal investigation.

Over the last several weeks, the Justice Department, in a conversation I had with the prosecutor, let me know that Congressman Cuellar is not a target of this investigation, Joshua Berman, Cuellars attorney, told Fox News.

Berman confirmed the same to Hearst Newspapers in a text message on Wednesday, saying: DOJ informed me that Congressman Cuellar is not a target of the investigation.

BACKGROUND: Cuellars long ties to convicted Azerbaijani businessman scrutinized amid FBI probe

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its unclear why the FBI searched Cuellars home and campaign headquarters in January. ABC News reported at the time that the investigation is part of a wide-ranging federal probe relating to the former Soviet state of Azerbaijan and several U.S. businessmen.

Eric Connolly U.S. House Office of Photography, Official House Photographer

Cuellar is a 17-year incumbent locked in a tight primary runoff with progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros, whose campaign has wielded the FBI searches against him. Cuellar has previously said the investigation would show no wrongdoing on his part.

There is an ongoing investigation that will show there was no wrongdoing on my part, Cuellar said in a video tweeted by his campaign. I am fully cooperating with law enforcement and committed to ensuring that justice and the law is upheld.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Cuellar is the co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus and has a long relationship with the nations Ambassador Elin Suleymanov, whom he has credited with helping to establish a partnership between Texas A&M International University and the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan.

He also has ties to a Houston-based businessman who was convicted of lying to Congress about Azerbaijans role in funding a 2013 trip to the western Asian nation for 10 lawmakers, federal records show.

Kemal Oksuz, who pleaded guilty in that case, was a regular campaign donor to Cuellar and other Texas politicians and in 2015 enlisted Cuellar to establish the partnership.

ben.wermund@chron.com
"Predicting food shortages, Sid Miller calls on Gov. Greg Abbott to stop new vehicle inspections at the border" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Gov. Greg Abbott to halt his recent policy of additional commercial inspections at the border, calling the measure political theater and predicting it will leave grocery store shelves empty within weeks.

In an open letter addressed to the governor Tuesday, Miller said Abbotts economy killing action is exacerbating already strained supply chains and causing massive produce shortages resulting in untold losses for Texas businesses.

Your inspection protocol is not stopping illegal immigration, Miller said in his letter. It is stopping food from getting to grocery store shelves and in many cases causing food to rot in trucks  many of which are owned by Texas and other American companies.  The people of Texas deserve better!

Abbott announced last week that state troopers would conduct inspections of northbound commercial vehicles in addition to those performed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at ports of entry between Texas and Mexico.

Officials with the United States Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protections already conduct extensive inspections of commercial vehicles entering the United States at Texas border crossings. Resources should be placed where illegal crossings take place, not to create a crisis where they do not, Miller wrote.

Miller is one of the first Republicans in Texas to break with Abbott over the new border policy. The measure is part of Abbotts response to the Biden administrations decision to end Title 42, a pandemic-era emergency health order that allowed immigration authorities to turn away migrants at the border, even those seeking asylum.

Following the measure, commercial movement along much of Texas southern border slowed to a standstill and Mexican truckers waited in mileslong lines at ports of entry.

On Monday, matters went from bad to worse as truckers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge protested the measure by creating a blockade on the north- and southbound lanes on the Mexican side of the crossing. Commercial traffic at the bridge, the busiest trade crossing in the Rio Grande Valley, has come to a complete halt, and trucks carrying avocados, broccoli, peppers, strawberries and tomatoes have been sitting idle.

A similar protest in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, affecting traffic into and out of El Paso was also reported by Border Report on Monday. So far, more than 20,000 commercial trucks have been backed up on the border, Miller said.

Miller is running for a third term as agriculture commissioner, but was seen as a potential challenger to Abbott because of his vocal criticism of the governors handling of COVID-19. Miller is also a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

Abbotts office did not respond to an immediate request for comment on the letter.

In addition to the increased inspections, Abbott announced other measures in response to the end of Title 42, including busing undocumented immigrants to the nations capital.

The Presidents failed border policy does not need to be enhanced by a state policy that does little or nothing to impact illegal immigration, Miller said.

We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news  all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/12/sid-miller-greg-abbott-border-inspections/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
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"Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter" screens Friday, April 15, at the Florida Film Festival. (Paul Elledge / Courtesy photo)

A new film chronicling the life of one of Americas most iconic and influential chefs will run this Friday, April 15, at Enzian Theater as part of the Florida Film Festival.

Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter colorfully depicts the brilliant culinarian, who died of a stroke in 2013 at age 54, from his youngest days as a driven dreamer to the illness and erratic behavior widely publicized towards the end of his life  as well as the indelible influence on modern cuisine for which he is enduringly remembered.

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Degustation menus that changed nightly. Vegetable-based menus. Microgreens. The Chefs Table concept. All Trotter-launched.

Alinea may be on the post-Millennial foodies bucket list, but while Grant Achatzs sleek, molecular gastronomy-driven enclave eventually unseated Trotter from the top of the heap, earning three Michelin stars the same year Trotters earned two, it was in Charlies kitchen that this new-era titans career began its evolution, learning lessons that would propel him toward his own destiny.

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One of our great curses, Trotter told the Chicago Tribune in 2011 in the wake of his perceived Michelin snub, is that weve been around so long we get taken for granted. And I respect that; people want something new, they like to see things evolve. But our story is still extremely vibrant and valid.

Close to a decade after Trotters death, this remains truer than ever. And Director Rebecca Halpern presents that story beautifully, channeling the duality of Trotter  a sensitive, eccentric young man who went by Chuck until the opening of his Chicago restaurant, then pivoted into Charlie, whose drive toward perfection and achievement required quite a bit of sacrifice along the way.

Orlandos foodies and film buffs can catch it Friday at 4:30 p.m. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session by Trotters longtime friend, Chef Art Smith, owner of Chef Art Smiths Homecomin Kitchen at Disney Springs and former personal chef for Oprah Winfrey.

Using Trotter's own letters and postcards as a gorgeous, graphic vehicle, director Rebecca Halpern tells the story of Trotter's life with help from friends and family members. (Oak Street Pictures / Courtesy photo)

Using the gorgeous, graphic vehicle of Trotters actual postcards  written to loved ones throughout his life  the story, from childhood to college to culinary exploration and incredible success, unravels.

There is drama and controversy, humanity and fierce ambition in this warts-and-all telling of Trotters tale. Also incredible love from those who knew him best including his mother, sister and first wife, Trotters veterans like Achatz, and dear friends and colleagues, including Chef Norman Van Aken, who calls Trotter his brother.

At the outset, Van Aken  whose new Orlando restaurant will open later this year  says he was wary of the filmmakers interest, protective of Trotters story and the way in which strangers might tell and receive it.

But the weight has been lifted now and I see it with the deep appreciation of what the filmmakers were able to do  which was not easy. Theyve done a marvelous job and my concerns have melted.

COVID-19 created unique challenges for the creative team, says producer Renee Frigo, who met Trotter in 1998, when on the heels of a 10-year music career in L.A., she booked a seat at his Chefs Table, hoping to turn the chef on to the joys of Lucini Olive Oil, an upmarket product shed spun up over her kitchen table. A Chicago native, Frigo knew the power of Trotters name.

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I thought: the best chef in the world is Charlie Trotter. I need him to have this oil. I naively put a bottle in my purse, and I pulled it out at the table.

Trotter uncapped it, took a full-blown swig and bought six cases on the spot.

The next month, Wine Spectator put a huge picture of the bottle in the magazine, she says. It became the oil Charlie Trotter used. Frigo cooked with it alongside Smith on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

I owed something big to Charlie, she says.

The film depicts Trotters rep for ruthlessness in the kitchen, but also foundational traits  a spirit of fun and fierce kindness and generosity. Some friends have noted an absence of his philanthropic side.

Lisa Ehrlich, Trotters first wife, who remained a friend and confidante throughout his life, addressed this at a Q&A following the films recent screening in Miami.

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Director Rebecca Halperin. (Oak Street Pictures / Courtesy photo)

She said it would have been too self-serving to show the depth of what he did, says Frigo. But family members who wanted to show the truth of Trotters life also felt it was important to see people benefit from its release.

Restaurant After Hours is a nonprofit that offers free mental health services to members of the hospitality industry. Future screenings, including a Michelin chef-led dinner and auction in Sonoma County, will benefit the foundation.

He would have wanted us to be doing good with this film, says Frigo.

Chef Smith agrees.

He was a generous, kind man who cared about people. Smith never cooked with Trotter, but got to know him when they worked together on an event to benefit victims of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1993.

Not only was he one of the greatest American chefs he was also one of the most philanthropic, says Smith, who later began doing floral arrangements at Trotters restaurant.

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He was always lovely to me, Smith continued, adding that he endured criticism himself. Id get made fun of for cooking housewife food, but Charlie would bring his family and theyd eat fried chicken at my restaurant on Sundays. It was good enough for him.

Smith was among those who spoke at Trotters memorial in 2013. In 2022, hes still emotional in recollection.

Cooking for people is a tough business, says Smith. Charlie Trotter was American royalty, with the best restaurant in the world. Constantly under a microscope. And beneath all that was a wonderful man who like all of us, had challenges.

There is a sacrifice that happens in order to be the best, he says. Your restaurant becomes your mistress, your obsession.

Van Aken, who cooked with Trotter in South Florida in the early days of their careers, spoke often with the chef at the end of his life, as Trotter battled what he calls the private hell of his failing health.

We talked about opening a place with just food, he says. No tasting menu. None of the puffery. A place in the middle Keys with a jukebox where wed cook in our shorts again.

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Anthony Bourdain tweeted in the wake of Trotters passing.

Rest In Peace Charlie Trotter. A giant. A legend. Treated shabbily by a world he helped create. My thoughts go out to those who loved him.

Van Aken finds truth in it.

In popular culture, we have a bland predictability that occurs over and over and over again. Theyre characters weve seen before, he says, but to those who knew him, Charlie Trotter was multidimensional, real, beautiful.

The film shows it all.

Our lives were so much more than cooking, says Van Aken.

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For tickets, visit floridafilmfestival.com.

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Lets Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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After first being elected to the Hudson Common Council in 2018, Paul Deziel was unseated by Joy Knudson, who will now be representing District 3.

Incumbent Paul Deziel loses race to alderperson elect Joy Knudson Incumbent Paul Deziel lost his race for alderperson of Hudson's District 3 to Joy Knudson. S

The first thing Deziel had to say when asked about the election results was congratulations to Knudson.

I am glad that half of the Hudson City Council will now be represented by women because it more accurately reflects the gender makeup of our city, Deziel said. I will certainly be here to support her as she transitions into her new leadership position.

Deziel credits a significant part of Knudson's victory to her long-established relationships in town and her well-run campaign.

She earned her win, he said.

As District 3 changed during the post-census redistricting process, the demographic of the voters changed, another factor potentially helping Knudson secure her win.

The neighborhoods of Stone Pine, Carmichael Ridge and Bella Rose were added to the district.

Currently, Deziel does not have plans to pursue political positions in the future, though one never knows what future opportunities may arise, he said.

I am very proud of my service and record representing the people of District 3 the past four years, Deziel said.

Right now, he plans to enjoy more time with his family, who he thanks profusely for the sacrifices they made during his candidacies and time on council. Deziel is open to exploring other ways to serve in Hudson.

On Tuesday, April 19, Knudson and Mike Kennedy, who ran unopposed in District 4, will be sworn in to the Hudson Common Council,

Knudson didnt run with one, specific goal in mind. Rather, she wanted to contribute to communication between constituents and council, awareness of the city budget and prioritize the tasks that council is responsible for.

Two-way communication between council members and the public is important to her as a resident and a representative. Public comment is part of that, and it is something she hopes to continue to fine-tune.

During her campaign, Knudson went door to door, talking with her neighbors in District 3. She heard residents voice their desire for bike paths, neighborhood sidewalks, controlled traffic and a free place to dump fall cleanup, like leaves.

Knudson and her husband have owned two businesses, both veterinary practices in Hudson and New Richmond. Though she is semi-retired now, practicing on a simplified schedule, she feels this experience might have been a contributing factor for voter support. A combination of her business experience, her community involvement in Hudson and her last 30-some years as a parent and resident of the city.

Knudson wants to ensure Hudson keeps moving forward.

Bill Alms was re-elected, unopposed, and has returned to his seat representing District 2.

Mayor

Mayor Rich OConnor hung onto his seat in office by 450 votes.

Liz Malanaphy, the opposing candidate for mayor, knew she was coming into the race as the underdog, going up against OConnor. She emphasized the importance of running, regardless of the outcome.

Despite the fact that I did not expect to win, it was most important just to run, she said.

Malanaphy was recently accepted into a masters program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for sustainable peacebuilding and is considering pursing it.

Losing the election will actually allow me to (consider moving) move forward with that, she said. It would be an amazing base for me to continue to build on as a potential community leader.

During her bid for mayor, Malanaphy became aware of a larger constituency who are thinking about the same kinds of changes as she is: hoping to make it a more equitable, environmentally friendly, logical, sustainable and collaborative place.

There is so much we can do outside of city government, Malanaphy said. She doesnt see herself slowing down, but rather the opposite. I actually feel strongly that I might be able to do more good for our community as an activist, instead of the mayor, at this time.

Malanaphy is open to running for mayor and other positions in the future, if she feels there is a need for alternative representation, though she is happy with her current District 5 representative, Sarah Bruch, and would not run against her.

Mayor OConnor did not respond to emails and voicemail messages by deadline with post-election comments.

School Board

Hudson School District re-elects president Jamie Johnson Hudson re-elected school board president Jamie Johnson and previous school board member Rob 

Jamie Johnson has served three terms on the Hudson School Board and was elected to serve his fourth term on April 5.

I think voters appreciated the job the school district has done in educating children, especially over the last two years, he said. Parents in particular appreciated that the Hudson School Board made it a priority to continue in-person learning for students 4K-12, while school districts just across the river in Minnesota remained in virtual mode for a long time.

Johnson says he will continue to lead with the same moderate, common sense and even keel approach he has had over the last nine years.

My focus will not divert from student achievement, which is the boards No. 1 commitment, he said.

He will be re-joined on the board by Rob Brown, who previously served on the school board from 2015 to 2021.

Our community can expect my insistence on community engagement on major decisions like options and direction for primary space, a focus on the development of our children while being cognizant of our neighbors pocketbooks and doing what we can to attract and keep the best instructional staff districtwide, Brown said.

Brown believes that voters saw him as a representative that would be conscientious of their pocketbooks, actively seek community involvement and work toward continued educational, emotional and social development of our children.

The community has also become more aware of the budget constraints our school district will be facing through declining enrollment which creates declining revenue and continued reductions in state aid, he said. I believe voters were looking for an experienced hand who will seek to elevate the publics voice.

One of Browns concerns that has been brought to his attention over the last few election cycles is the placement of yard signs on public property, like roadways and ditches, as well as yards of vacant homes and commercial property without permission.

These signs, after the election, become trash, littering these spaces as many times they are forgotten, he said. No one ever hopes for their good name to be associated with trash.

Brown said that a consideration for all candidates, for any election position, should be placement of campaign signs.

On April 25, Brown and Johnson will be taking the oaths of office as elected board members.

As a school board, we cannot move this district forward and achieve our goals without the support of our community, Johsnon said. We are going to do everything we can to engage the community and pursue consensus in making decisions and taking action that is in the best interests of our students, families and taxpayers.
Charles Barnes (left) and Jay Ketcik (right) pleaded guilty to casting more than one ballot in an election. (Sumter County Jail)

Two residents from The Villages confessed to voter fraud charges after filing two ballots in the 2020 Presidential election, court records show.

Charles F. Barnes and Jay Ketcik pleaded guilty to casting more than one ballot in an election, a third-degree felony that could have resulted in a maximum five-year prison sentence.

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According to the pre-trial intervention documents, the prosecution of Barnes, 64, and Ketcik, 63, will be deferred if they abide by a series of court-ordered requirements set by the office of Ocala-based State Attorney Bill Gladson. Court records show the men will avoid further punishment if they regularly meet with a supervising officer, complete 50 hours of community service and attend a 12-week adult civics class, among a handful of other requirements.

News 6-WKMG first reported the news.

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In December, Ketcik, along with Joan Halstead and John Rider, who also reside in The Villages, was arrested on voter fraud charges for casting more than one vote during the 2020 election, according to police affidavits. Halstead, 71, and Rider, 61, are still awaiting trial. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

That following month Barnes was arrested and taken to Sumter County Jail with similar charges.

State voter records show Barnes and Rider are not affiliated with a political party in Florida. Ketcik and Halstead are registered Republicans. It is unclear if they knew each other.

Before moving to The Villages, Barnes previously held an address in Connecticut, according to an arrest report.

Ketcik was accused of casting an absentee ballot in Michigan and voting by mail in Florida, an arrest report said. He turned himself in to be booked at the Sumter detention center Dec. 8.

Both men were released from jail after paying a $2,000 bond.

Florida election officials made 75 referrals to law enforcement agencies regarding potential fraud during the 2020 election, according to data from the Florida Secretary of States office.

arabines@orlandosentinel.com
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 57F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Low around 40F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Williamstown Police Working for Departmental Accreditation

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Select Board on Monday heard reports on a couple of initiatives that officials hope will restore trust in the town's police department.

Interim Chief Mike Ziemba shared the outcome of a March symposium on local policing, and the veteran officer brought in to consult on the force's efforts to gain accreditation discussed the benefits of that process.

Charles Chandler, a graduate of the FBI's National Academy and 25-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department, where he retired as captain in 2005, has gone through the accreditation process at multiple agencies during his more than 40 years in the field.

"It's similar to what you'd expect from a hospital or university," Chandler said. "You'd expect them to be accredited by an outside body that tells you they adhere to best practices.

"Chief Ziemba can tell you about the improvements he's made, but an accreditation process requires there be documented proof of what's been done. It works by having outside assessors, people from outside the community, generally experienced law enforcement executives, who visit you and examine every single directive. And by 'directive,' I mean a rule or regulation, a policy or procedure, general orders, special orders, personnel orders.

"And the only acceptable score in order to be accredited is 100 percent."

Chandler said the Police Department is about two years away from earning a certification award, and then it would be a continuing process to review department directives on an annual basis to maintain accreditation

Select Board member Hugh Daley, who owns a manufacturing firm in North Adams, likened the accreditation process for police departments to the International Organization for Standardization process that manufacturers strive to fulfill.

"You don't get to just say, 'Yeah, I'm doing it right,' " Daley said. "Someone gets to come in and say, 'Prove it.' Objective evidence."

Chandler said a lot of the police accreditation process is drawn from the ISO 9000 certification used in factories.

"The Williamstown Police Department has good directives in place," Chandler said. "I see the chief's commitment to making the WPD better, and I think the accreditation process will be a major component of that."

Ziemba took over as acting and later interim chief in late 2020, about four months after release of a lawsuit against the town containing allegations about the WPD that shocked the community, sparked protests against the department, led to the departure of the chief and town manager and prompted the Select Board to commission an independent investigation into issues raised in the suit.

In addition to pushing to accredit the department, Ziemba enrolled the WPD in the Department of Justice's Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships program. On Monday, he shared a written report from March's daylong SPCP conference at Mount Greylock Regional School.

The report includes both the issues that community members and police officers identified and potential action steps to address those concerns.

"I thought it was a great event," Ziemba said of the conference. "It was a great time to hear concerns and meet people and look at how we're going to move forward with vetting those concerns through the SPCP Council.

"That event was not the be-all, end all. The council was formed. The DOJ will help us for a couple of more meetings to get us on our feet. We're going to address the items that came out of that."

In other business on Monday, Select Board Chair Andy Hogeland informed his colleagues that initial negotiations have gone well with the finalist the board picked to be the next town manager. The board unanimously agreed to sign a letter supporting a Massachusetts Department of Transportation initiative that could see electric vehicle charging stations placed on Main Street (Route 2) under the Federal Highway Administration's Alternative Fuel Corridors program. And the board recognized interim Town Manager Charlie Blanchard for his year of service to the community.

The board also finalized a lengthier-than-usual annual town meeting warrant and wrestled with the advisory votes it traditionally makes to the meeting, scheduled this year for Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at Williamstown Elementary School.

The board recommended  but not unanimously  passage of nearly all 49 articles on the warrant as presented on Monday evening.

It made no recommendation on three of the Planning Board's 10 proposed zoning bylaw amendments because those three still were subject to a Planning Board public hearing that was continued to Tuesday, April 12. In theory, the planners could still vote to amend or even withdraw potential bylaw amendments through the public hearing process.

As for the rest of the zoning bylaw changes on the table, Hogeland and Daley each said they were not clear on the ramifications of the proposals and indicated they would rather the Select Board pass on making advisory votes.

"I feel relatively engaged on this stuff, but I feel I'm not totally clear on all of it," Daley said.

In the end, the board went forward with the advisory votes it typically records for the town meeting warrant, with Hogeland and or Daley choosing to vote against a recommendation or abstaining on several. Daley noted that he did generally agree with the concept of densification in Williamstown's core but questioned the impact of zoning changes that will affect more rural parts of town.

Jane Patton argued against waiting to make changes to the bylaw until all the town has answers that may never come about potential impacts.

"Where I land on all of these is: Don't let the perfect get in the way of the possible," she said. "I don't think this [zoning change] means we're suddenly going to have Southworth and other streets lined with condos. I think we're trying to find a way to move this stuff forward to some degree.

"I don't think these are perfect, but in this particular case after years and years of talking about zoning and we're always wanting to put it off to the next study or the next master plan  it's time to really stop all of 'this,' in my humble opinion, and stop trying to get it perfect in order for it to be possible."

Jeffrey Johnson agreed.

"I've been living in the most dense part of town forever," Johnson said. "I love where I live.  My neighborhood is probably the most diverse in town. If this is what we're striving for, this is where we start."

On fiscal matters, the board also split on an article that would continue the town's financial support for the Sand Springs Recreation Center.

More negative votes were cast on recommendations to town meeting on appropriations from the Community Preservation Act.

With three Select Board members abstaining, the only ones expressing an opinion on a request for CPA funds from the Store at Five Corners Stewardship Association, Patton and Hasty, voted no. With Daley abstaining, Hogeland and Hasty voted against recommending the May meeting approve CPA funds for the Williamstown Meetinghouse Preservation Fund, causing a 2-2-1 vote.

The Select Board split on a pair of articles placed on the town meeting warrant via citizens' petition.

It voted 4-1 in favor of town meeting passing an article in support of the Fair Share Amendment with Daley expressing concerns that the proposed new tax revenue might not be spent as proponents advocate it will.

And the board voted 4-1 against a recommendation that the town enact a stipend system for members of town boards and committees. Most of the board agreed that the plan needs more study before it can be implemented. Hasty cast the lone dissenting vote.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly reflected the Select Board's vote on an appropriation for the Williamstown Youth Center.
PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The investigation into the shooting of Miguel Estrella on March 25 by a Pittsfield Police officer continues as area residents demand more answers nearly two weeks after the deadly incident.

A march and vigil on Sunday was followed with a small gathering outside the District Attorney's Office on Tuesday afternoon.

District Attorney Andrea Harrington on Tuesday said the investigation was a priority but could still take some time.

"I recognize the community's urgent need for details, and I've requested that the involved agencies prioritize this investigation. Typically, these types of investigations take four to six months to complete but I am committed to significantly reducing that timeframe without compromising accuracy, thoroughness, or objectivity," she said in a statement.

On Tuesday, a handful of self-described left-wing organizers stood outside her office demanding justice for Estrella and reallocations of police spending.

Estrella fatally shot by police who said he was in a state of distress while wielding a knife. The event remains under investigation and the two responding officers have not been named.

Patrick Doyle, a lifelong Pittsfield resident, feels that the city has the right to know the officers' names because the citizens' tax money pays them.

"This is just more reason to radicalize people, to disarm the police, defund the police, we don't need military police or armed police on our streets," he said.

"I'm 40 years old, I've seen Pittsfield go down the tubes and the police get more money every year, they don't change anything, they don't stop crime, they solve 20 percent of the crime I think is the national statistic, so 80 percent of the time they're getting paid for nothing, and they murder people, and then we don't know who they are and they get paid leave, that's not right."

The demonstration included signs with slogans such as "fire the killer," "11 million for killer cops and scraps for our community," and "Pittsfield PD, where murder gets you paid vacation."

The group wants to see the officer who shot Estrella fired instead of being given administrative leave and for the Pittsfield Police Department's budget  which was about $11.5 million in the fiscal 2021 cut by $705,000 to reallocate that money into public projects.

The organizers said they want to conduct this protest weekly to further the conversation about Estrella's death and police brutality in general. On Sunday, nearly 200 people attended a march in downtown Pittsfield demanding justice for the 22-year-old man.

Another attendee, Wes Blackwell, said the group is frustrated but not surprised by the incident.

"Any time I've been in a situation and the police show up, they show up, and they're immediately belligerent, they never show up and ask, 'how can I help?'" Doyle said.

"They always show up with violence and it's not a thing that's just here in Pittsfield and Berkshire County, it's nationwide and money and guns don't solve it, I'd rather see police actually walking on the streets of Pittsfield than patrolling it with cars and guns because then they'd have a rapport with people and it's like they purposely do not form rapport."

He pointed to a situation that happened just days before police responded to Estrella where a Pittsfield man barricaded himself in a mobile home in Cheshire with a crossbow for hours, highlighting that the man was white and lived.

The man, Timothy Tatro, was arraigned soon after with charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of an emergency restraining order, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and disturbing the peace.

State Police assigned to the District Attorney's office have interviewed five civilian witnesses, five emergency medical technicians and the officers involved in the shooting. According to the DA's office, they have also canvassed the neighborhood several times to identify potential witnesses and seek video footage.

Investigators have also obtained medical records from Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield Police Department reports, photographs from the scene, reports from emergency medical services and have attended the autopsy and produced an initial autopsy report. They have also secured surveillance video, preserved social media postings from witnesses, and obtained and reviewed recordings of 911 calls, Pittsfield Police Department dispatches and radio transmissions and EMS radio transmissions. The office is obtaining transcripts of all audio and video statements.

They are further seeking ShotSpotter reports and the State Police Crime Lab will conduct testing and will provide ballistic reports on the guns and the Pittsfield Police Department will provide an analysis of the Tasers.

Harrington said she and First Assistant Karen Bell are reviewing the evidence and will draft written findings. The office will make Spanish translations of all transcriptions and written findings available to the Estrella family. The report will not be released until it is shared with the family.

The State Police have identified additional civilian witnesses that they seek to interview and encourage any other witnesses to contact the Berkshire Detective Unit at 413-499-1112.
A 31-year-old man walked into a Clermont-area apartment uninvited and was shot to death by a resident in what Lake County Sheriffs deputies believe could be a Stand Your Ground incident, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The shooting took place Tuesday in the Cagan Crossings apartment complex near Clermont.

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Lt. Fred Jones with the Lake County Sheriffs Office said authorities responded to several 911 calls regarding gunshots being fired around noon. When officers arrived, they found Dejuan McWilliams dead with multiple wounds inside 36-year-old Christopher Deloatchs third-floor apartment.

According to the Sheriffs Office, McWilliams and Deloatch knew each other. The motive for the killing is not yet clear, but according to police reports, there was a confrontation between the men leading up to the shooting.

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No arrests have been made at this time. Jones told the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday theres a possibility the shooting could be justified as self-defense under Floridas Stand Your Ground law, which gives victims the right to defend themselves if they feel a reasonable threat of death or bodily injury.

The investigation is ongoing.

arabines@orlandosentinel.com
Michael Cogswell is sworn in as police officer by City Clerk Marcus Lyon on Tuesday. Cogswell holds a bachelors in crime and justice studies from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He began part time in June 2019 and completed the academy on April 7.

North Adams Council, School Committee Support Fair Share Amendment

Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Police Chief Jason Wood, introduces new Police Officer Michael Cogswell.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Both the City Council and School Committee have endorsed the Fair Share Amendment, a ballot initiative that would impose a 4 percent surtax on earned income past the first $1 million.

Proponents of the amendment say it will generate $2 billion a year for infrastructure and education.

The School Committee last week voted unanimously to support the amendment.

The approval on the City Council side was not unanimous  at 5-4  with Councilors Peter Oleskiewicz, Brian Sapienza, Ashley Shade and Wayne Wilkinson voting in opposition.

Shade had aired her concerns after the presentation on the amendment last month, saying it could set a precedent for other groups to be singled out for taxation. She also pointed out that the amendment did not explicitly state that the money would be used for infrastructure and education.

"If we were to vote to support this, what we are saying is we support changing the state constitution so they can raise taxes. And I am fundamentally against that idea," she said. "I think by supporting an amendment like this, it opens up the door to potentially support other amendments that raise taxes like this. ...

"I'm strongly against this resolution. I'm strongly against communities adopting this resolution, because it's a signal that says we're okay with the constitution of our state being overridden to raise taxes."

Councilor Marie T. Harpin, who submitted the resolution, said the city's need for repairs to its crumbling bridges, walls and roads was obvious and that the city's children deserve the best education.

"If this is a tool that we could use in some way to help our community, I think, as an elected official, I feel obligated to be able to do that and to advocate for that," she said, adding that the School Committee is supporting it as well as Pittsfield City Council and School Committee, the Dalton Select Board and the entire Berkshire delegation. "Do I believe that North Adams could reach some benefits from this? Yes, I do. And I do believe that it could it could help our community and that's why I would support it."

Shade said she wasn't against any of things the amendment would fund -- but that funding mechanism wasn't part of the amendment.

"It doesn't legally bind any of that money to be used for those things," said Shade, adding it will be on the ballot and should be up to the taxpayers to decide, not the city. And it wasn't worth overriding the oldest constitution in the world to impose taxes.

Wilkinson agreed with Shade, saying, "you couldn't have said it better, I'm right on board."

Sapienza said a primary concern for him was what the city would get out of it.

"How much of this money will support North Adams or Northern Berkshire in general?" he said. "We need better transportation in this community. We need better schools. I am all for supporting education. I don't believe this is the way to do it. ... I feel that most of this money will stay in the eastern part of the state and will not make its way to Western Massachusetts or Berkshire County."

Councilor Michael Obasohan, however, agreed with Harpin.

"I think every time we have a conversation around education and supporting our education system, it always takes the back burner," he said. "I think that as an elected official, we should be supporting education. We should be supporting safe ways to transport our students, our children to get to these places. So I am in support of this Fair Share."

But Shade said it will be up to the voters in November.

"I don't think it's right for the city to make that decision," she said. "It's a question on the ballot box and I think it's more appropriate to leave it there for the voters to decide."

The presentations to the School Committee and council were made last month by Judith Fairweather and Mary Scanlon, respectively, both speaking on behalf of the North Adams Teachers Association.

School Committee member Josh Vallieres, a recent graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, said he had run for School Committee to make a positive impact and that the money raised through this amendment will make a difference for students and schools.

"I believe it's important that people who are well off and can afford to pay more that they should pay more," he said asking why "we would let the rich get richer in the state of Massachusetts while we neglect on a systematic basis the teachers and staff in our schools who deserve adequate pay."

Committee member Tara Jacobs said she attended a gathering explaining the amendment and reiterated it would only be on the person income over $1 million  not on investments, savings or assets. The impact on public education will be "enormous," she said.

There is an estimated 254,201 multimillionaire households in Massachusetts and the last tally of million-dollar income earners was more than 18,000 in 2017. The bulk of these millionaires is in the Boston area but about a 100 (individuals and couples) were living in the Berkshires in 2016, according to data compiled by the Boston Globe.

In other business, the council approved the appointment of Diane Crosier to the Mobile Home Rent Control Board to fill the unexpired term of Suzanne Wick, ending Sept. 25, 2023; Andrew Fitch and Molly Graether to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Commission, the first to fill the unexpired term of Joseph Santelli, ending Feb. 8, 2025, and the second to fill the unexpired term of Stephanie Mirante, ending Feb. 8, 2024; and Chad Jzyk to the Windsor Lake Commission for a term to expire April 1, 2025.

 The council approved an application by National Grid for installation of a utility pole on Pattison Road to service a new home.

 Michael Cogswell was sworn in as a full-time police officer on the North Adams Police Department. On April 7, he completed the Police Academy, where he was named squad leader of his group.

 Several traffic issues were continued until the Traffic Commission could address them.
Adams and North Adams Receive Green Community Grants

Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Patrick Woodcock announced the grant recipients in Lawrence Wednesday.

LAWRENCE, Mass. Both Adams and North Adams were among the 64 municipalities in the Commonwealth that were awarded Green Community Grants to fund clean energy projects.

During an event Wednesday in the City of Lawrence, Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Patrick Woodcock announced the awarding of $8,291,629 in Green Communities Competitive Grants.

"Ongoing collaboration with public sector leaders at the state and local level significantly contributes to our Administration's goal of a cleaner, more reliable, and equitable energy future," said Governor Charlie Baker. "The innovative and cost-effective projects receiving grants will increase energy efficiency and clean energy use in municipal buildings and vehicles across the Commonwealth, significantly helping our state achieve its long-term emissions reduction requirements."

Adams will receive $161,373, and North Adams will receive $189,915.

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. The grants provide financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the designated communities' clean energy goals.

Two-hundred eighty Massachusetts cities and towns have currently earned the Green Communities designation which accounts for 87 percent of the Commonwealth's population.

These competitive grants are awarded to existing Green Communities that have successfully invested their initial designation grants and previous competitive grant awards. Grants are capped at $200,000 per municipalities.

"Massachusetts has created a nation-leading clean energy sector with forward-thinking policies and strong partnerships at both the state and local level," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "The Green Communities team and our many municipal partners across the state have played and will continue to play key roles as we work toward building a clean energy future for Massachusetts that is affordable, equitable, and reliable."

The grants fund a range of projects from ventilation system upgrades to the installation of insulation and energy management systems at municipal buildings and facilities. Projects also include the installations of air-source heat pumps, hybrid police cruisers, and electric vehicle charging stations.

DOER has awarded over $153 million to Green Communities in Designation Grants and Competitive Grants since 2010. Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

"These competitive grants will enable municipalities across the state to implement innovative and cost-effective renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and lower municipal energy costs," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "Meeting our ambitious long-term climate goals will require the continued deployment of clean energy, but achieving those goals will not be possible without collaboration and partnerships at all levels of government, and Massachusetts has been a leader at that through our Green Communities program."

Representing total cost savings of over $1.3 million annually and leveraging utility incentives of over $1.6 million, once completed, these grant-supported projects are estimated to yield energy savings of over 43,000 MMBTus, which translates to the amount of energy consumed by 339 Massachusetts households, according to a press release.

In greenhouse gas emissions terms, the projects are estimated to reduce emissions by 3,316 metric tons  roughly equal to taking nearly 700 cars off the road.
Dalton Historical Told Drive-Throughs Won't Affect Historical Districts

DALTON, Mass.  The Historical Commission was relieved to learn last week that the proposed drive-through bylaw will not include the town's three historic districts.

The commission had declined to endorse the bylaw over concerns over its possible effects, particularly on the two districts that are still in the process of being designated historical areas.

"The Town Planner [Grant McGregor] came over to the office and talked to us and said that the Planning Board is going to adopt a drive-through bylaw that will be on the town meeting in May, and that they adopted our proposals to say no drive-through is allowed in one historic district and our two proposed historic districts," said Vice Chairwoman Louisa Horth. The commissioners, however, did not formally vote to endorse the bylaw at last Wednesday's meeting.

They did get an update on the recommendations to have the bylaw include conditions to protect the sanctity of the historical districts. They had reached out to the Planning Board after a special meeting held on March 7 requesting that conditions be added to the proposal to protect the historical districts.

The requested section would prohibit drive-throughs being built in historic districts aside from banks and car washes.

The commissions argued that many other towns in Berkshire County do not allow drive-throughs in their historic districts and that Dalton should follow in their example.

The members also requested that the board include a stipulation that would require a special permit that would be subject to the Design Review Board for approval.

It is still unclear if the planners will include adding a special permit subject by the Design Review Board to the proposal but the committee was pleased to find out that they plan on adding the stipulation to prevent drive-throughs in the first approved historical district.

Craneville Historic District is the first approved historic district and is located on Main and South Street. The commissioners said the district has a rich history because of the activity in building, acquiring, and using the homes in the center of Craneville.

The remaining two proposed historical districts, East Main Street and Dalton Center, are still in the process of being approved. It is going to cost $30,000 to have someone from the Massachusetts Historical Commission review the sites and the documentations so that the site can be officially designated as historical.

The proposed East Main Street historic district is located east of North Street and extends to Orchard Road. This district includes historical houses in Georgian, Greek revival, East Lake and craftsman styles, and later Cape Cod and ranch style, and features the oldest burial ground in town.

The proposed Dalton Center historic district runs down Main street and features a variety of historical landmarks including Mitchell Tavern, St. Agnes' Church, Zenas Crane Colt's colonial revival, and many more buildings that showcase Italian and Greek revival styles.

Horth wrote to Town Manager Tom Hutcheson requesting that the town give the committee $30,000 to complete the other two proposed historical districts.

"I moved the town transfer $15,000 from free cash as a grant match for establishing the towns to remaining proposed historic districts. A yes vote would allow the historic committee to complete their applications for two historic districts in town," Hutcheson wrote back.

Next year, the commissioners plans to apply for a grant through Mass Historical to cover the cost because they missed the deadline this year.

"Mass Historical's grants come out in January so we missed this year's but we didn't have this matching grant. And we don't know if we'll have the matching grant until after the town meeting in May," Horth said.

The proposed drive-through bylaw and the request for free cash transfer will be presented during the town meeting in May.
Newborn rare gibbon spotted in Hainan national park

Xinhua) 14:24, April 13, 2022

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- South China's Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park officially confirmed on Tuesday that a gibbon cub was born earlier this year.

The staff members of the park administration spotted the newborn gibbon on Jan. 24 during routine monitoring, and after two months of observation, it was confirmed that the gibbon population has increased to 36 in five families in the island province.

"The cub has been named 'Yuannan' and it is in good condition," said Qi Xuming, an official with the park administration, adding that the newborn cub has been able to separate from its mother at close range.

Hainan gibbon, the world's rarest primate, has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Numbering over 2,000 in the 1950s, the Hainan gibbons' population plunged to about seven in the 1980s, due to excessive hunting and lumbering which pushed them to the brink of extinction.

Hainan gibbons typically live in rainforest trees over 10 meters tall. They have long arms and legs but no tail, and rarely set foot on the ground, making captive breeding difficult.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Liang Jun)
A day after jurors watched a videotaped confession in which Anthony Todt described suffocating his wife and children, he took the witness stand Wednesday and claimed he wasnt even present at their Celebration home when his three kids were killed by their mother.

I came home and my kids were dead, Todt said. It was the most horrible day of my life. What made it more horrible was my wife died in front of me also.

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Todt, testifying under questioning from his defense, said that his wife became fixated with reincarnation as her health declined, becoming convinced that if they burned the family karma in their current life, they would be reincarnated to a better life.

Mr. Todt, what could have prevented Megan from killing her children? Orange-Osceola Public Defender Bob Wesley asked his client.

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I have no idea, Todt testified. We woke up that morning she was pain-free. Everything was good. ... Thats the biggest thing that affects me. I didnt see this coming.

Both the state and defense rested Wednesday in the case against Todt, on the trials third day of testimony. Jurors will return Thursday morning to hear closing arguments from attorneys before they begin deliberating.

Todt is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty in the killings of 42-year-old Megan Todt; the couples children Alek, 13, Tyler, 11, and Zoe, 4; and their dog Breezy. He has pleaded not guilty.

Defense attorneys presented no witnesses other than Todt.

In his testimony, Todt said his wife Megan Todt suffered from Lyme disease and heart conditions in her youth, then was diagnosed with drug-induced hepatitis in 2011, after which her health steadily declined.

Anthony Todt testified Wednesday in his first-degree murder trial, telling a jury it was his wife who killed his children and claiming he took the blame for her when he confessed to their slayings. (Ricardo Buxeda/Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Before she got sick we were blessed with two wonderful boys, Todt told jurors on the stand. She went from a mom who provided for everything  to a person who could barely walk stairs on certain days.

She became depressed following miscarriages in 2011 and 2019 and developed an interest in alternative medicine and Eastern religions, he said.

Todt claimed on the stand that, after he came home to find his kids dead in late 2019, his wife told him she had killed the children with a poisoned pie and stabbed them. He testified that he told her he would take the blame  and claimed he does not remember the confession jurors watched for hours Tuesday.

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I was covering for my wife, he said. Obviously, unsuccessfully. I had no clue how my kids died.

Prosecutors picked at the inconsistencies in Todts testimony during their cross-examination, including where he was when he claims his wife killed the children.

Todt told jurors he drove to a condo they owned nearby after dinner to pick up some items for the children and did not see them eat the pie. He then said he walked back, played basketball with the children and left again to the condo.

But Todt said he never ended up going into the condo, instead falling asleep as he sat in his vehicle to charge his phone. He told jurors he woke up in the morning and walked back home, where his wife confessed to killing their children and then stabbed herself.

Assistant State Attorney Danielle Pinnell asked Todt if he tried to call for help using his phone.

The [phone] battery never charged, Todt said. ... There were other phones in the house but Megan would not tell me where she hid them.

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Law enforcement found Todt living with the blanket-wrapped decomposing bodies in January 2020 at his familys Celebration home on Reserve Place.

In the confession jurors saw Tuesday, Todt told detectives his wife, who was chronically ill, started watching videos that predicted an upcoming apocalypse and described how to reach salvation, which led to them plotting the killings of their kids together.

Todt in the video described laying on top of Zoe and smothering her with a pillow for about 10 to 15 minutes. He said Megan Todt was outside when he killed their daughter but she helped him suffocate Alek by holding his legs, before he suffocated and stabbed Tyler.

An evidence photo of one of two knives presented during the trial of Anthony Todt, the Connecticut physical therapist accused in the killings of his wife, children and dog, at their Central Florida home. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

He claimed in the video he killed his wife at her request after she stabbed and drugged herself, then in the weeks that followed tried to kill himself in a variety of ways, including overdosing on Benadryl and hanging himself, though he chickened out of using a knife.

On the witness stand Wednesday, he reiterated that claim, testifying he tried to kill himself 10 times but found it hard to stab himself.

I chickened out, yes, he said. I tried other means. I tried at least three episodes of Benadryl.

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Todt testified he bought a pellet gun to kill himself after he could not purchase a firearm because of Floridas three-day waiting period.

What kind of gun were you trying to buy? Pinnell asked.

Any gun they would sell me, Todt responded.

The prosecutor asked if Todt was aware the mandatory waiting period did not apply to shotguns.

No, he said.

Todt told detectives he drove to Sarasota after the killings and accidentally left his phone at a Starbucks. On the witness stand, he told Pinnell was in no condition to drive to Sarasota but did say he went to Publix, CVS, Academy Sports + Outdoors and fast-food restaurants after his familys deaths.

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Todt said he had no recollection of his interviews with detectives, and only remembered falling and waking up in jail, which he thought was purgatory.

My testimony today is the fact that Megan killed her kids and killed herself, he says. ... I said things that have been proven incorrect.

Jurors on Tuesday also heard from several experts, including a medical examiner who said Megan Todt and her three children had been dead for at least a couple weeks before they were found by law enforcement.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

Federal authorities and Osceola deputies were at the familys Celebration home Jan. 13, 2020, to arrest Todt on insurance fraud charges related to his physical therapy business when they found the bodies of his family.

Evidence photos of garbage presented during Anthony Todt's trial showed empty bottles of a generic version of Benadryl, which contributed to the deaths of his wife and kids. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

The cause of death for all four victims was homicidal violence of unspecified means in association with a Benadryl toxicity, according to an autopsy. A forensic toxicologist testified the amount of Benadryl in the victims could have caused fatigue, lethargy or possibly a coma.

The medical examiner said the boys each had one non-fatal stab wound to their abdomens. Neither wound hit vital organs or caused hemorrhaging, which means they were stabbed after they died, former Orange-Osceola associate medical examiner Jennifer Nara told jurors.

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Megan Todt, though, had two stab wounds that went at least eight inches deep into the abdominal cavity and hemorrhaging, Nara said, meaning she was stabbed while she was alive.

Closing arguments in the trial at the Osceola County Courthouse will begin Thursday at 10 a.m.

Staff writer Jeff Weiner contributed.

mcordeiro@orlandosentinel.com
Area of Wenatchee receives two feet of snow in two days. Where else did it accumulate? More coming...
A Central Florida man was arrested for pretending to be an undercover DEA agent so that he could receive a discount at Wendys.

Bunnell Police Department officers arrested Jesse David Stover for trying to impersonate a law enforcement officer on Monday, according to a press release from the City of Bunnell in Flagler County.

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The release said officers responded to a call about suspicious activity at Wendys after Stover asked for the law enforcement discount at the restaurant.

When employees asked Stover to show a valid ID, he flashed a gold-colored badge, according to the release. Staff denied his request, and an argument ensued. Stover then said he wasnt a police officer but worked for the DEA as an undercover agent. The release stated Stovers been demanding the discount for more than two years.

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Officers found the fake officer badge and a concealed weapon permit badge that looked very similar.
BREAKING: Alaska Airlines flights at East Wenatchee airport will be down to one per day due to pilot shortage
Cold case: 'Gunshot to the head' killed man whose remains were found in Kittitas County in 1978
Tens of billions of dollars in federal money to improve broadband internet service in rural areas across the country are starting to reach the groups that will help provide the service, but experts say supply chain issues, labor shortages and geographic constraints will slow the rollout
Reds president to fans: `Where are you going to go?'

Cincinnati Reds President Phil Castellini appeared to tell fans they had no choice other than to accept the teams pared-down roster, then apologized hours later
Swiss prosecutors are concluding without any charges a decade-long investigation into alleged money laundering and organized crime linked to late former President Hosni Mubaraks circles in Egypt and will release some 400 million Swiss francs ($430 million) frozen in Swiss banks
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Phan Bui Bao Thy was sentenced on April 7 by the Peoples Court of Quang Tri to one year of mandatory re-education classes for alleged defamation. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the sentencing and calls on the Vietnamese authorities to withdraw all charges against Phan Bui Bao Thy.

The Peoples Court handed Phan Bui Bao Thy the sentence for allegedly defaming state leaders on social media. Those sentenced to re-education are able to live outside prison but are required to attend mandatory classes on Vietnams local law and regulation.

According to Asia Politik, Thy, who is the bureau chief of the online magazine Giao Duc Va Thoi Dai (Age and Education), was charged under Article 331 of the Vietnamese Criminal Code.

Officials agreed on the journalists sentence after five days of deliberation.

The court referred to 79 Facebook posts published by Thy, as well as Vietnamese businessman Le Anh Dung, between April 2020 and February 2021, claiming they violated the reputation, honour and dignity of state leaders. Dung was handed the same punishment but sentenced for 18 months.

Thys is the second journalist in one week to be charged under Article 331 of Vietnams Penal Code. On April 5, Nguyen Hoai Nam was handed a three-and-a-half-year prison term for a report he published that allegedly criticised the state.

Article 331 penalises those who allegedly abuse the rights to freedom and democracy or violate the States interests and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals.

The IFJ said: The continuing use of the Penal Code to arbitrarily detain journalists gravely impacts freedom of expression and press freedom in Vietnam. The IFJ urges the Vietnamese authorities to drop all charges against the Phan Bui Bao Thy and allow media workers to work freely, without the threat of harassment, intimidation, or arrest.
TALLAHASSEE  In one of several cases stemming from campus shutdowns during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, an appeals court Wednesday rejected a potential class-action lawsuit against Miami Dade College over fees collected from students in 2020.

A three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal ordered the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by Fernando Verdini, a Miami Dade College nursing student who was required to learn remotely in the spring and summer of 2020 after the pandemic hit the state.

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Like similar lawsuits filed in Florida and other states, Verdini alleged a breach of contract because he paid fees for on-campus services that were not provided during the shutdown. The case involved fees for such things as student services, capital improvements and technology. It did not involve tuition.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge William Thomas last year refused to dismiss the case, but the appeals court said Miami Dade College was shielded by sovereign immunity, which generally protects government agencies from lawsuits. The appeals court said sovereign immunity blocks such a lawsuit in the absence of an express contract.

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Verdini supported his breach-of-contract allegations with documents such as invoices that detailed the fees. In declining to dismiss the case, Thomas pointed to those invoices.

Judges have taken differing stances on whether colleges and universities breached contracts when they required students to learn remotely to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For example, an Alachua circuit judge in October refused to dismiss a potential class action lawsuit against the University of Florida. Like in the Miami Dade College case, attorneys for the university argued that the school was shielded by sovereign immunity.

The university has taken that case to the 1st District Court of Appeal.
Guided by the principle that knowledge is power, and that education can pave the way to a brighter future, Epson Philippines has teamed up with Save the Children Philippines, the world's leading independent children's organization.

In support of Save the Childrens Safe Schools Common Approach, Epson Philippines donated 24 printers and 90 bottles of inks to 24 schools, 8,830 learner beneficiaries, and 336 teacher beneficiaries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Save the Children Philippines carefully chose the academic institutions in need of technical assistance within the region for this endeavor.

Safe Schools Common Approach is a partnership between the Save the Children and the BARMM to ensure the fulfillment of childrens rights during situations of armed conflict and other emergencies, including calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is an all-inclusive, all-hazards approach to keeping children safe in and around schools. Its goal is to bridge the digital divide and divisions in communities through inclusive education & technology that promotes justice, peace, and overall development for all and future generations of the Bangsamoro people.

Empowerment through Education

In line with Epson Philippines commitment to help shape a better future for the next generation, the company has pledged to provide printers for several school beneficiaries who are most in need of new equipment. The donated Epson printers will be used to produce the learning materials of children.

Learning materials have been vital for both face-to-face and distance learning setups, said Eduardo Bonoan, General Manager of Marketing Division at Epson Philippines. This is why Epson Philippines has decided that providing printing equipment would be the best way to support more childrens right to education. Through this pledge, we hope to empower young Filipinos to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams.

Save the Children is a leading humanitarian organization for children. For the past four decades, this nonprofit organization has been dedicated to protecting and supporting children in need. Aside from helping children gain access to quality education, Save the Children also provides healthcare services, saves lives in emergencies, and upholds childrens rights.

The partnership between Epson Philippines and Save the Children Philippines was agreed upon to provide support in strengthening childrens resilience and capacity to protect themselves from risks brought by the impact of COVID-19, climate change and disasters, and violence (including armed conflict) through continued education.
Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), the leading regulated virtual asset provider (VASP) in the country, has tapped the services of US-based crypto regulatory technology firm Notabene, to initiate the companys compliance with the Travel Rule, a government policy that requires customers to divulge personally identifiable information when their transactions exceed a certain threshold.

PDAX tapped Notabene for its innovative, end-to-end Travel Rule compliance software that supports integration to the broadest number of Travel Rule messaging protocols on the market, allowing customers to send and receive counterparty information along with blockchain transactions to any counterparty in the worldwithout interference with the user experience.

The cooperation between PDAX and Notabene aims to facilitate the exchanges compliance with the Travel Rule, an additional requirement under Circular No. 1108, series of 2021, issued by the central bank of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) through its policy-making body, the Monetary Board.

The said circular requires that users who send amounts equal to or greater than USD 1,000 (around Php50,000) in funds will need to provide additional information such as the recipient's full legal name, the recipient's cryptocurrency wallet address, and the name of the recipients exchange. In such transactions, details about the user, including the full name, customer ID, and address, amongst other requirements, will be automatically disclosed to the counterparty exchange.

Nichel Gaba, CEO and Founder of PDAX comments Our agreement with Notabene is an important step in complying with the Travel Rule and guarding the virtual asset market against financial crimes. We hope that with continued support from the banking system, the BSP, and the rest of the virtual asset ecosystem, we can help encourage more Filipinos to start trading virtual assets.

Pelle Brndgaard, CEO of Notabene adds The Philippines ranks fifth in the world when it comes to cryptocurrency ownership, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. As crypto transactions become more commonplace, we are thrilled to support PDAX as they roll out Travel Rule compliance in the Philippines to safeguard their customers. PDAX chose our end-user friendly universal Travel Rule solution to ensure minimal friction as they lead the Philippine market in crypto regulatory compliance.

By maintaining an information trail on large-volume transactions, the BSP hopes to prevent and mitigate money laundering acts and other financial crimes. The BSP Circular No. 1108, series of 2021 amended and improved the guidelines that govern VASPs in the Philippines that were earlier stipulated in the virtual currency framework passed in 2017. The Monetary Board brought their updates consistent with the standards of risk management regarding AML/CFT that are set by the global regulatory authorities such as FATF. In the future, all Philippine VASPs must comply with the Central Banks rules regarding wire transfers.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has partnered with PLDT mobile arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) for its aim to mobilize youth volunteers to serve as poll watchers in the upcoming national elections.

An accredited citizens arm of the Commission on Elections, PPCRV is a national parish-based political but non-partisan lay movement that promotes clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections.

As part of their partnership, Smart is providing logistical support for PPCRV to engage and empower more youth volunteers across the country.

To help with the connectivity needs of the organization, Smart has also set up a dedicated mobile hotline for PPCRV at 09287008222. Smart has also turned over mobile phones and committed monthly prepaid load assistance to the election watchdog as well as donated over 390,000 shirts, which will serve as the official uniform of PPCRV volunteers.

"Smart has been an invaluable partner to PPCRV through the years. Once again, Smart stands side by side with PPCRV to ensure Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful elections. Our volunteers nationwide are truly grateful for your support," said Myla Villanueva, PPCRV Chair.

Smarts support for PPCRV is in line with its various efforts to inspire the Filipino youth to live their passion with purpose.

It is an honor for Smart to support PPCRV in its noble mission to promote clean and peaceful elections. We believe in the critical role of poll volunteers - especially the youth - in fulfilling this mission, and we hope that through this collaboration, we would be able to encourage more young Filipinos to direct their passion into positive action and simply live smart and vote smart, said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

Interested volunteers may directly coordinate with the PPCRV coordinator in their parish.

Aside from poll watching at precincts, PPCRV volunteers may also express their preference in other assignments, including Voter's Education; Voters' List Cleansing and Verification; Voters' Assistance Desk; Election Monitoring System Encoders; Logistics for Food and Supplies; and Transportation and Communications, among others.

Smart's partnership with PPCRV is also part of its commitment to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly UNSDG 16, which calls for strong institutions.

To know more about PPCRV and its mission, visit www.ppcrv.org.
These are boom times for electric bicycles, as the war in Ukraine continues to drive gas prices higher across the United States. But for founders of e-bike, e-scooter, and electric moped companies, the spike in interest from commuters and recreational riders hasn't resulted in the windfall you might expect.

Rad Power Bikes founder and chief executive Mike Radenbaugh says over the past month, 30 percent of customers of his Seattle-based direct-to-consumer electric bicycle company have been looking to purchase because of rising gasoline prices, and to replace car miles they'd typically drive with bicycle miles.

"Rising gas prices are a catalyst for a whole new tranche of consumers," he says. "Maybe they knew about e-bikes, but are finally jumping on board now."

Bird saw a 30 percent rise in traffic to its website, where it sells e-bikes and e-scooters, in the weeks immediately following the initial spike in gas prices, according to a spokesperson. The remote-based startup, best known for running urban fleets of electric vehicles, increased its direct-to-consumer sales by 60 percent during the period.

Outdoor retailers typically experience a surge in sales in March, and e-bikes are no different, says Ely Khakshouri, the founder and chief executive of Perris, California-based outdoor-gear startup Retrospec. But the rise in gas prices blew his projections out of the water; Retrospec saw a 200 percent increase in e-bike sales from February to March 2022. Miami-based electric scooter retailer Fluidfreeride's founder Julian Fernau told The Wall Street Journal it sold twice as many units in March as it had in February, and that sales for March were 70 percent higher than in the same month in 2021.

Still, greater sales don't tell the full story for electric-transit startups, whose costs are significantly affected by U.S. gas prices. With a gallon surging to a high of $4.33 on March 11 and hovering above $4 since, increased demand for the companies' products won't necessarily move their bottom lines. "Energy prices aren't just driving consumers. They also impact our cost and expenses at a time when our expenses have never been as unpredictable and volatile," Khakshouri says. "The supply chain environment is as hostile as it can possibly be. And now this on top of it."

Khakshouri says shipping prices are easing a bit--but the relief isn't enough for his company, which through the pandemic has been trying to keep consumer prices accessible. (Electric bicycles range from $779 for a basic commuting model to more than $3,000 for a premium bike. Retrospec's city bike is $1,299, and its popular fat-tire Koa model is $1,899.) "Transportation costs in ocean freight have come down 50 percent, but it's still five times our historical average," he says. Roughly 100 different Retrospec bicycle components are made in Asia.

For Rad Power Bikes, a 700-person company that ships electric bicycles direct to consumer in the U.S. and Canada in addition to running five stores, shipping costs remain high across all ports of call. Radenbaugh says the rising prices of aluminum and cobalt are also challenging the company's efforts to keep its products affordable.

Other factors may also be piquing consumer interest, and continuing to drive sales to electric transit through summer, including a tough new and used car-buying market, as well as remote employees heading back to their pre-Covid workplaces. "During the pandemic we saw a lot of recreational sales. Now we're seeing the return to office, and a segment bringing their hobby into their commute," Khakshouri says.
Flurries of Slack messages may have been daunting for those who've been remote for the past couple of years, but the office, too, presents a minefield of distractions for those returning to it.

From navigating mid-day meetings to water-cooler conversations with coworkers, simply working in an office again is something of a culture shock for workers, according to a new survey from gaming website Solitaired. The survey, which included more than 1,500 U.S.-based remote or in-person respondents, noted that workplace interruptions clock in as the No. 1 distraction for 25 percent of respondents. The survey was conducted in early March of this year.

While socialization is indeed a good thing, it can be somewhat jarring for those who've been out of practice -- and business owners themselves should be aware of the internal conflict.

They can remind workers of proper etiquette and give them space to get re-acclimated, says Amber Clayton, the senior director of the Society for Human Resource Management's HR Knowledge Center, which is based in Alexandria, Virginia. She points to the instance of a coworker who wants to catch up during an inopportune time.

"You might want to politely indicate that you're trying to get re-acclimated to being in the office again and set up something instead to talk, or take a coffee break so they're not interruption you when you're trying to work," she recommends.

Clayton points to other distractions as well that extend beyond people -- such as construction noises or power outages. And don't forget fire drills.

As workers return to the office, they'll have to configure their work flows in an environment among their peers. A group of entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council previously recommended in a post for Inc.com that companies designate quiet areas, as well as a variety of work spaces and an office communications process that can help boost productivity in a noisy open office. Allowing workers to book a room to take a lot of calls is also wise.
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The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today said that new Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreements with Australia and UAE would open infinite opportunities for Textiles, Handloom, Footwear etc. He said that Indian textile exports to to Australia and UAE would now face zero duty and expressed confidence that soon Europe, Canada, UK and GCC countries would also welcome Indian textile exports at zero duty.



Goyal was delivering the Keynote address at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 'Confederation of Indian Textile Industry- Cotton Development and Research Association' (CITI- CDRA) in New Delhi today. The Vice President of India, Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu was the chief guest at the celebration.



The Minister mentioned that Trade Agreements would help in increasing exports from labour-intensive industries. He added that India must also be open to receiving new technology, rare minerals, raw materials which are in short supply in India etc. from the world at reasonable costs. This will only increase our production, productivity and quality, which in turn will increase demand for our products all over the world, he said.



Shri Goyal also said that the Indian textile Industry has the potential to achieve USD 100 billion dollars in exports by 2030.



Referring to the theme of the event,' Kapas ki Adhik Upaj, Shudh Upaj', Shri Goyal said that the theme perfectly converged with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis bid to boost farm production, productivity and raise farm incomes.



He applauded CITI-CDRA for working towards developing a robust cotton ecosystem by directly engaging about 90,000 cotton farmers.



The Minister observed that more than just a fiber, Cotton has been an integral part of Indian culture, lifestyle and tradition.



Reminiscing the monopoly enjoyed by India in manufacturing of various cotton textiles for about 3,000 years, the Minister said that the entire world sang praises of the superiority of Indian fabrics. By mid-17th century, Indian Calico and Chintz were superhits in Europe, he added.



The Minister also spoke of the Khadi 'Charkha' (spinning wheel) of Gandhiji which became a symbol of Swadeshi and resistance against British.



Speaking of the need to achieve atmanirbharta in the textiles sector, Shri Goyal said that our textiles must become a symbol of Quality, Reliability and Innovation.



Pointing out that the world today was looking for alternative manufacturing sourcing hubs owing to geopolitical reasons, the Minister said that Indian Textile Industry is in a very sweet spot to grab this opportunity and hit 'Mauke pe Chauka'.



It may be noted that the Indian Textile sector accounts for about 10% (approximately USD 43 billion) of Indias total merchandise exports. India is the largest producer of Cotton with 23% of global production, sustaining 65 lakh people directly and indirectly, the Minister said.



Goyal called upon Indian cultivators to adopt new technologies and global best farm practices. He spoke of the AI technology that is enabling farmers in Australia to control spraying operations, as cotton crop is sensitive to spraying through data-driven decision making.



The Minister commented that modern Australian cotton growers were not just farmers but drone pilots, data analysts and agri-scientists. He said that we must augment the capacity of Indian farmers who are already very talented and capable, to make them experts in allied areas as well.



Listing the various interventions made by the government for enhancing the productivity of cotton such as High-Density Planting System (HDPS), Drip Irrigation, rainwater harvesting, inter-cropping etc, the Minister said that we must place greater focus on special varieties of cotton such as the Kasturi cotton.



Goyal asked the textiles and apparel industry to focus on sustainability and farmers to focus on natural methods of farming. He said that we must encourage innovation, Research and Development and asked farmers to work in collaboration with ICAR, Agri-Universities, IARI and Cotton Research Institutes. He also asked research institutions of eminence working in the field of cotton farming and textiles to work with each other to maximize production and productivity.



He called upon the nation to work together to achieve the 5F vision of Honble PM for textiles - Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. The Minister also said that we must aim for global dominance in organic cotton. He urged the nation to be Vocal for Vocal and take Local to Global.
ICICI Bank and GIFT SEZ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote GIFT SEZ to Indian as well as global businesses including IT / ITeS and financial services. GIFT SEZ is the countrys first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) which is being developed as a global financial services hub. ICICI Bank has been a prominent player in GIFT SEZ with its banking business since 2016.



Ms. Vishakha Mulye, Executive Director, ICICI Bank and Mr. Tapan Ray, MD & Group CEO, GIFT City, signed the MoU at a virtual event today. GIFT City, promoter of GIFT SEZ, provides a planned business district that offers an ecosystem to financial and technology service providers with walk-to-work concept, state-of-the-art infrastructure, tax benefits, various incentives, unified regulator and competitive regulatory regime.



As per the MoU, ICICI Bank and GIFT SEZ will jointly work towards attracting global investors and capital market firms to set up operations in GIFT SEZ. Further, both the organisations will promote GIFT SEZ among Indian and foreign MNCs as the preferred location for availing cross-border trade finance. GIFT SEZ and ICICI Bank aim to promote development of GIFT SEZ as fintech hub of India and will make concerted efforts to support start-ups and fintech firms.



They will act in a coordinated manner to promote GIFT SEZ as a hub for wealth management business. Both organisations intend to spread awareness about the attractive proposition that GIFT SEZ poses for setting up of Global In-house Centres (GICs).



Another objective of the MoU is to promote GIFT SEZ as the destination of choice for offering competitive regime for setting up capital markets business among industry stakeholders such as Alternate Investment Fund (AIF), Portfolio Management Services (PMS), Broking Entities, Venture Capital, Private Equity Funds and Custodians.



Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Vishakha Mulye, Executive Director, ICICI Bank said, Over the years, India has emerged as a preferred destination for foreign investment. The young demographic profile, strong consumer demand and supportive Government initiatives have boosted Indias economic outlook significantly. GIFT SEZ will play an important role and become a gateway for Indian businesses to connect with the world and global businesses to participate in fast growing Indian economy."



"At ICICI Bank, our strategy is to provide 360 degree banking to all our customers and their entire ecosystem. Accordingly, our branch at GIFT SEZ is an integral part of our strategy, providing foreign currency banking solutions across trade, transaction banking, capital markets, treasury and wealth management. We are excited to work with GIFT SEZ and to continue building the entire financial services ecosystem at GIFT SEZ, Vishakha added.



Mr. Tapan Ray, MD & Group CEO, GIFT City said, "With GIFT IFSC making giant strides in recent times, it is imperative to create synergies with leading financial institutions to take the progress forward. This MoU with ICICI Bank will stimulate participation by global financial institutions and further promote GIFT City as a preferred business destination for international financial services and products. ICICI Bank's early mover advantage in the digital space will also help in attracting fintech companies and help in the development of a fintech hub at GIFT City."



The Bank and GIFT SEZ will jointly collaborate on the preparation of literature and reports to address the requirements of global investors, institutions, and businesses. Further, both will work closely to create awareness about the IFSC regime through seminars, knowledge series, webinars, conferences, physical and virtual roadshows.
Eighty Jewellers Limited became the 370th company to get listed on the BSE SME Platform on April 13, 2022. Eighty Jewellers Limited came out with an initial public offering of 27,00,000 Equity Shares of Rs.10 Each (Equity Shares) For Cash at a Price of Rs41 Per Equity Share (The Offer Price), Aggregating to Rs11.07 crore.



The company has successfully completed its public issue on April 05, 2022.



Eighty Jewellers Limited is Chhattisgarh based company whose registered office is at Raipur. The company engaged in the trading of various jewellery, ornaments, watches and luxury articles made out of gold, silver, diamonds and platinum under the brand name of Anopchand Tilokchand Jewellers. The company is located in Chhattisgarh. Eighty Jewellers Limited has the right to open stores in the Brand name of Anopchand Tilokchand Jewellers either directly opening a showroom or through sub-franchise arrangements.



The company operates on a B2B business model, selling jewellery products to a sub-franchisee store at Korba operated by M/S Chhattisgarh Sales Corporation and also serves as a wholesaler to M/s Grand Bhagwati Store in Bilaspur.



Mumbai based Hem Securities Limited, was the lead manager to Eighty Jewellers Limited.



So far, 135 companies have migrated to the main board. The 369 companies listed on BSE SME Platform have raised Rs.3,917 crore from the market and total market capitalization of 369 companies as on April 12, 2022 is Rs. 51,689 Crore. BSE is the market leader in this segment with a market share of 60 percent.



SEBI came out with detailed guidelines on 18th May 2010 for launching of SME Exchange/Platform. BSE became the first stock exchange to get the approval from SEBI and launch its SME platform on 13th March 2012.



The response since the launch of this platform by BSE has been very positive till date.
Orange County Public Schools plans to open five new schools in August, 2022. They are clockwise from top left: Stonewyck Elementary School, Hamlin Elementary School, Kelly Park School, Hamlin Middle School and Panther Lake Elementary School. - Original Credit: Orange County Public Schools (Courtesy photo)

Orange County Public Schools plans to open five new campuses in August, and Tuesday night approved their names. All five new schools are to relieve crowding at existing ones and are under construction in the countys fastest-growing areas.

Three will open in the Horizon West development: Hamlin Middle School, Hamlin Elementary School and Panther Lake Elementary School. Kelly Park School, a kindergarten-to-eighth-grade campus, will open in Apopka, and Stonewyck Elementary School will open in southeast Orange.

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The new schools will bring to 210 the number of OCPS campuses. Central Floridas biggest school district opened four new schools last year and its ongoing construction program has built, replaced or renovated more than 100 schools in the last decade.

As the boards policy requires, the names for the 2022 schools were suggested by students, and their parents, who will be zoned for those campuses.

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Its a happy name, its a happy thought, said board member Melissa Byrd, who represents the Apopka area, as she recommended the new K-8 school be named for Kelly Park. The popular nearby park is home to Rock Springs and is officially Dr. Howard Kelly Park, in honor of the man who in 1927 donated the land to the county to help protect it.

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The new K-8 school is to relieve crowing at Wolf Lake Middle School and Wolf Lake and Zellwood elementary schools.

Two of the new Horizon West schools will be named Hamlin, a nod to the variety of orange that used to grow in the area. The massive Horizon West development is constructed on 28,000 acres of freeze-ruined citrus groves. The communitys commercial district is called Hamlin, too. Panther Lake Elementary is named for a nearby lake.

Because of rapid residential growth, Horizon West has been home to lots of school construction as campuses fill quickly. The new elementary schools, for example, are to help relieve crowding at Water Spring Elementary School, which opened in 2019 and three years later has nearly 500 more students enrolled than it was built to handle.

Other crowded Horizon West area schools that are to get relief: Bridgewater, Horizon West and SunRidge middle schools and Castleview, Summerlake and Whispering Oak elementary schools.

Stonewyck Elementary in southeast Orange is named for the street on which it sits. It will relieve Wetherbee and Wyndham Lakes elementary schools, both over capacity by hundreds of students.

This elementary school is highly anticipated and much needed in our area, said board member Linda Kobert, who represents the area.

lpostal@orlandosentinel.com
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www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
Anand Rathi Wealth: Profit in Q4FY22 grew at a healthy space, rising 239 percent year-on-year to Rs35 crore and revenue increased 49 percent YoY to Rs115 crore with assets under management growing strong by 23 percent to Rs32,906 crore compared to year-ago period.



Simplex Infrastructures: The company in a BSE filing said the board has approved raising of funds up to Rs421.8 crore by issuing equity shares and warrants at a price of Rs56.61 per share, to Swan Constructions.



TVS Motor Company: Swiss E-Mobility Group (Holding) AG, a subsidiary of the company, has acquired 100 percent shareholding in Alexand'Ro Edouard'O Passion Velo Sarl. The acquired company is primarily engaged in the sale of e-bikes as well as e-bike accessories across a range of premium e-bike brands such as TREK, Riese & Muller, Cannondale, Moustache and others. The arm acquired company for CHF 2.79 million.



Hathway Cable & Datacom: The digital cable TV & broadband internet service provider recorded lower consolidated profit at Rs28.42 crore for quarter ended March 2022, down 60.6 percent compared to Rs72.14 crore profit in year-ago period due to tepid revenue growth. Revenue during the quarter increased by 2.3 percent YoY to Rs448.8 crore in Q4FY22.



HeidelbergCement India: The cement company has commissioned a 5.5 Mega Watt (MW) solar power plant in its mining area in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh. The said solar plant is expected to generate 10 gigawatt hours per annum solar energy and the same will replace electricity purchased under short term open access and from grid.



Duroply Industries: Ace investors Porinju Veliyath & his wife Litty Thomas bought 7,000 equity shares in the company via open market transactions on April 12. With this, their shareholding in the company stands increased to 5.61 percent, up from 5.5 percent earlier.



Choice International: The company in a BSE filing said subsidiary Choice Consultancy Services has received a contract worth Rs107 crore from public sector undertaking. The arm will provide support for various rural water supply scheme under Indian government's 'Jal Jeevan Mission'. The scope of work included services of preparing detailed project reports and project management services for Maharashtra and West Bengal.



Results today: Infosys, Den Networks, and Lesha Industries.


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Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible..

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The Taliban announced the ban on the cultivation of opium poppy to stop the smuggling of illicit drugs. The bright red flower that produces opium is used to produce drugs like heroin.



The decision was taken during the peak season of opium harvesting in the southern region. This sector accounts for thousands of jobs and a significant percentage of the country's GDP.

The same ban was imposed in 1994 and early 1995. However, it was revoked after the Taliban was removed from power in 2001.

AFP

Afghan media TOLO news reported that Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister has called on international donors for their cooperation to help find alternative businesses for farmers.



Crops will be destroyed

It was also said that breaking rules would lead farmers to prison and crops will be burned. The order states, "If anyone violates the decree, the crop will be destroyed immediately and the violator will be treated according to the Sharia law."

Further, the trade of heroin, hashish and alcohol is also prohibited.

The countrys economy is already in freefall and many international donors pulled funding after the Taliban takeover in 2021. The jobs are already dried up and this move might further worsen the situation.

World's largest producer of opium

AFP

The largest producer of opium in the world is Afghanistan. Before the Taliban takeover, the country produced more than 6,000 tons of opium in 2021. According to a report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 320 tons of pure heroin could be yielded with this quantity.



The country alone produces more opium than all opium-producing countries combined. This huge number is seen even though the US and international community spent billions of dollars to eradicate the production. The US spent more than USD 8 billion trying to reduce production in the country.

An important source of income

According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the country produces more than 80% of the world's supply of opium products. Millions of farmers rely on harvesting opium as it is their major source of employment and income.

The UN data also shows that Afghanistan generates annual revenue of over $1.8 billion from producing opium products.

Collapsing economy

AFP

In August 2021, the Taliban take over the country after the United States had withdrawn its forces. With decades-long instability and insecurity, the country continues to witness an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The decision will further affect its poorest citizens.



The public health care sector is in chaos. The government employees are not getting wages and people are struggling to meet their needs. The current situation could worsen the situation and also lead to civil war.

A UN report revealed that income from opium products was a whopping USD 1.8 to USD 2.7 billion in 2021. This is more than 7% of Afghanistans GDP. Further, the illicit drug supply chains outside Afghanistan increase the number even more.

Why do farmers yield opium?

Farmers from different parts of the country plowed over their wheat fields as they were unable to bring them to market lacking roads and infrastructure. Thus, they returned to opium farming.

The harvest of opium brings higher and faster returns as compared to legal crops. Reports suggest that small farmer's day labourers earn upwards of USD 300 through its production. . According to a report published in Reuters, the Taliban admitted that they are anticipating tough resistance from some elements against the ban.

At last, the move also shows that the Taliban is trying to get international recognition and also replacing the crop with food crops to fight the hunger crisis in the country.








The rape and alleged murder of a minor in West Bengali's Hanskhali has shaken the entire country. CM Mamata Banerjee's 'outrageous' remarks received a lot of flak, and why not? It's high time we realize victim-blaming in India is the root cause of why we fail to provide justice.

Representational Image

Reacting to Mamata Banerjee's comments and the silence of the people of West Bengal, actress-turned-politician BJP MP Roopa Ganguly shared her state of mind.

Instagram

Comparing the 'barbarity on women in West Bengal' to the incivility faced by the character of Draupadi in Mahabharat, Roopa Ganguly recalled her distressing days when she played the character of Draupadi.

representational Image

In the clip shared by ANI, Ganguly said she used to spend days crying only at the thought of the humiliation faced by the character of Draupadi played by her.

#WATCH | BJP MP Roopa Ganguly chokes as she talks about "atrocities against women in West Bengal" while drawing a parallel with her character Draupadi from Mahabharat saying she would constantly cry over 'Draupadi Chirharan' sequence pic.twitter.com/0ksvwoqGg4  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022

Drawing parallels between Draupadi's situation and what women in India go through, Ganguly urged people to empathize and think through the actual conditions of victims of rape.

Screengrab

Condemning West Bengal people's indifference towards the Hanskhali rape and murder case, Ganguly added,



"Close your eyes for 30 seconds and imagine your child's face beside the victim. Then tell me if you're able to sleep for the next few days."

A 14-year-old girl was raped and murdered in West Bengal's Hanskhali. The girl later succumbed to her injuries due to excessive bleeding.

Rape

The minor had reportedly attended a birthday party at the suspect's house when she was drugged and raped. The accused's kin allegedly threatened the victim's family not to contact the authorities over the matter.

PTI (Representational)

However, they went ahead and filed an FIR on April 10. The petitioner noted in his plea that the police became aware of the incident after one week.



The Calcutta High Court ordered the probe of the Hanskhali rape case to be transferred to the CBI earlier this week.

"In the circumstances of the case and after considering the legal position, we are of the opinion that to have a fair investigation in the matter and to instill confidence of the family members of the victim and also the residents of the locality and the State, the investigation should be carried out by CBI instead of the local police," the Calcutta High Court bench said.



(For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.)
In its submission to the Allahabad high court, Uttar Pradesh Government has said that validating same-sex marriage in India would be against culture, laws, and Indic religions, Live Law reported.

The court was hearing a Habeas Corpus plea filed by a mother seeking custody of her daughter, who she claimed, had been detained by another woman.

What did the UP govt tell the high court?

Unsplash

Referring to the Hindu Marriage Act, the Additional Government Advocates reinstated that marriages happen between women and men. In the absence of either of them, marriage cannot be accepted, as it would be beyond the Indian family concept.



They further stressed that according to Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Special Marriage Act 1954, and even the Foreign Marriage Act 1969 don't permit homosexual marriage.

Unsplash

The State of UP argued that even Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, etc., religions have also not recognized homosexual marriage.

The State of UP further submitted that Indian Sanatan Vidhi consists of 16 types of rituals.

Unsplash

These rituals range from pregnancy to funeral rites. In all 16 rituals, a man and a woman have a definitive role to play, and in their absence, such rituals can't be completed.

In their plea, they submitted,

Unsplash

"As per the Indian law and culture, a biological husband and biological wife have been said to be essential for marriage, and only their marriage has been recognized. In their absence, homosexual marriage cannot be recognized as it lacks males and females, nor can they produce children. Marriage is considered important in Hindu law, under which both men and women live together and carry forward the human chain by producing children."



Considering the same, HC rejected the request of the Corpus to recognize her same-sex marriage, and the habeas corpus plea was accordingly disposed of.

Unsplash

In 2018, the Supreme Court of India annulled section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and decriminalized homosexuality.



(For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.)


In a shocking incident, two Sikh men were attacked and robbed in Queens, New York.

The incident took place on Tuesday, in the same area where an elderly Sikh man was assaulted last week.

One person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Reuters

Indian Consulate termed the attack on two Sikh men 'deplorable'.

"Assault on two Sikh gentlemen in Richmond Hills, New York today is deplorable. We have approached the local authorities & New York City Police Department in the matter. Understand police complaint filed & one person arrested. We are in touch with community members. Ready to offer all assistance to the victims," read the statement by the Consulate General.

Second incident in the same area

The Sikh Coalition said that the two Sikh individuals were attacked and robbed in Richmond Hill, Queens Tuesday. The attack happened very close to the area where septuagenarian Nirmal Singh was punched in an unprovoked assault on April 3.

The Sikh Coalition said that out of respect for their privacy, it was not sharing the names or images of the two Sikh individuals, who are responsive and getting medical care.

However, video footage shared on social media showed the two individuals surrounded by and being attended to by locals and police personnel. One of the injured is seeing sitting on the side of the road, while another is standing next to him, covering his injury near his eye with a cloth. In the video, the two Sikh men are seen without turbans on their head.

2nd attack on 2 Sikhs within 10 days exactly at same location in Richmond Hill

Apparently, targeted hate attacks against Sikhs happening in continuation. We condemn this in strong words. These shd be investigated & perpetrators must be held accountable @IndiainNewYork @USAndIndia pic.twitter.com/Ld0RIxIeNn  Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) April 12, 2022

The Sikh Coalition said it is in direct touch with the New York Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force, who has shared that one suspect is in custody while the search is on for another attacker.

Law enforcement believes both men were targeted for being Sikh, and the attacks are being investigated as anti-Sikh hate crimes, the Sikh Coalition said.

We also remind everyone that no one community is deserving of--or responsible for--hate crimes. In these difficult moments, anti-Black racism is directly harmful to our shared efforts to stop the hate violence that endangers us all.

AFP

Increase in hate crimes against Sikhs

In January this year, a Sikh taxi driver was assaulted at the JFK International Airport, with the attacker allegedly calling him turbaned people and to go back to your country.

AFP

There are around 500,000 to 700,000 Sikhs living in the US, and ever since the 9/11 terror attacks, members of the community have come under increasing hate crime attacks, as they are often mistaken to be Muslims.

For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A Florida woman described as a bookkeeper for international child modeling websites that sexually exploited young Eastern European children has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

Tatiana Power, 41, of Weston, Florida, handled many financial aspects of a business called Newstar Websites, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release Wednesday.

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The sentence was imposed by Tampa U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven after Power pleaded guilty earlier this year to a money laundering conspiracy charge.

Prosecutors say the company recruited people under age 18 from Ukraine, Moldova, and other Eastern European countries under the guise they would become child models on the websites. In fact, prosecutors say, they were used to make about 4.6 million exploitative videos and images that were sold on the websites to customers in 101 different countries.

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The children, some as young as 6, were engaged in sexual conduct wearing outfits like police and cheerleader costumes, transparent underwear, pantyhose and miniskirts, officials said.

The business used fraudulent bank accounts to launder some of the $9.4 million it made. Officials have disabled Newstars servers and are seeking forfeiture of that money.

Power was one of six people charged in connection to the case. Two have died, two others were sentenced to prison and the last defendant is not in U.S. custody.
According to a declassified US document, a meteor that hit Earth in 2014 came from another solar system. It is the first known interstellar object to make its way to our planet.

The interstellar object known as Oumuamua was discovered five years ago.

A memo about the same was released by the US Space Command and they confirmed this discovery. The command explained that the rocky body that measured 0.45 metres across was indeed an interstellar object.

According to NASA, the meteor lit up skies near Manus Island, Papua New Guinea on January 8, 2014, and had travelled at more than 160,000 kilometres per hour.

6/ I had the pleasure of signing a memo with @ussfspocs Chief Scientist, Dr. Mozer, to confirm that a previously-detected interstellar object was indeed an interstellar object, a confirmation that assisted the broader astronomical community. pic.twitter.com/PGlIOnCSrW  U.S. Space Command (@US_SpaceCom) April 7, 2022

Apparently, scientists are still in search of the debris of this object. They have been searching the South Pacific Ocean to find the origins of this object.

At a Space Foundation panel on Planetary Defense, Lt. Gen. John Shaw confirmed the updated classification of the rock. He said: I had the pleasure of signing a memo with US Space Operations Commands Chief Scientist, Dr Mozer, to confirm that a previously-detected interstellar object was indeed an interstellar object, a confirmation that assisted the broader astronomical community.



The memo said, Dr Mozer confirmed that the velocity estimate reported to NASA is sufficiently accurate to indicate an interstellar trajectory.

A student pursuing astrophysics at Harvard named Amir Siraj has been leading the research. He mentioned that the study has been awaiting peer review and publication for years, but has been hamstrung by the odd circumstances that arose from the sheer novelty of the find and roadblocks put up by the involvement of information classified by the U.S. government.



Representational Image/iStock

It would be a big undertaking, but we're going to look at it in extreme depth because the possibility of getting the first piece of interstellar material is exciting enough to check this very thoroughly and talk to all the world experts on ocean expeditions to recover meteorites, he noted.



After the researchers discovered Oumuamua, they looked through historical data from NASAs Center for Near-Earth Object Studied (CNEOS) for evidence of similar meteors that could have come from outside the solar system.

Universe Today (Representational Image)

Which is what led them to the rock found near Papua New Guinea in 2014. After much research Siraj and his co-author, Abraham Loeb were 99.999% sure that the meteor found in 2014 was interstellar.

However, the amount of margin error couldn't get their research published. But now, the memo has been signed by Dr Mozer and Lt. Gen. Shaw, which could get it published.

H/T - Vice.com

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Isn't it absolutely devastating when you go out to buy something and end up with something completely different? Well, that is what happened to a guy who went to buy weed but ended up with celery.

A video is going viral on the internet where an Indonesian man is complaining to the police about buying celery instead of marijuana from a drug dealer.



In the said video, a man in a green jacket is seen making a police report about an illegal substance. He's holding a mysterious piece of paper that contains the drugs he bought.

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But when he opened the piece of paper it emerged that the drugs were not the marijuana he had been hoping for  it was just celery leaves. It also contained normal grass.



The police officers can be seen laughing while hearing the report and asking the man to open the paper packet he was holding. This instance occurred at the Palembang police station in South Sumatra.



The incident took place on March 28. The original video was uploaded by Instagram user @Palembang_Bedesau, but it went viral when it was reposted on the account @potretpalembang.



According to a translation, the man said: I bought it for 50,000 Rupiah (2), sir. But it was only ordinary leaves.



Then the police asked the man if marijuana, which he was hoping to buy, was a drug or not. He was even asked how many times he has used the drugs. But there was no proper response.

The police even thought of arresting him for drug possession, but let him go as it wasn't actual drugs that he was holding.

Getty Images

This is not the first case when another leafy plant has been mistaken for marijuana. Last year in 2021, a woman from Oklahoma, USA was left in tears when she was told to leave a church for bringing marijuana even though it was just coriander.

This woman named Ashley Antiveros claimed that she was accused of bringing drugs when she attended a service involving prison inmates at Redemption United Methodist Church. She even asked the church members to smell it but nobody wanted to do that. She was then insulted and asked by the pastor to leave the church immediately.



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Our organizations thrive on content, with documents still at the heart of our myriad workflows. Once those documents have served their initial purpose, theyre still important; those forms, reports, and papers all capture essential business knowledge. Although we could just dump them in the digital equivalent of trash, its far better to take advantage of low-cost storage, either on premises or in the cloud, to build digital hoards of knowledge that might come in useful someday.

Those digital troves are nothing like old paper archives. The more information they store, the more useful they become, providing a pool of knowledge that lets software tease out links in our corporate knowledge graph and provide insights into what we know and who knows it. But we cant do that without smart stores and effective search tools.

Enterprise content management tools, such as Microsofts SharePoint, are nothing like the content management platforms powering sites like InfoWorld. Although they do create a framework for displaying and managing content, theyre better thought of as a digital librarian, providing tools for cataloging and searching files. You can think of them as specialized databases, a precursor of todays NoSQL document databases, working with large text files of unstructured content. Instead of only working with JSON, though, SharePoint is optimized to work with Office content.

Back when Microsoft was developing what became Office 365, it was clear that SharePoint was going to be its Office Server, a counterpart to Windows Servers storage tools. Today its one of the hubs of Microsoft 365, underpinning Lists, parts of Teams, and the enterprise OneDrive. Its also a development platform in its own right, allowing you to build and deploy intranet applications using its own development tools and the Microsoft Graph.

Search in SharePoint

Perhaps the most important tool for building any SharePoint application after workflow is search. This is how your users will find documents and content and get relevant results. SharePoints search is built on top of two different query technologies, with a common index and content crawler that can work across all your document stores. Queries are built using either KQL, the Keyword Query Language, or FQL, the FAST Query Language that was developed for the FAST enterprise search platform acquired by Microsoft in 2008.

Searches can be constructed and run inside web content or through a REST API that connects to the SharePoint search service. This takes both POST and GET requests, simplifying development. Its simple enough to use this to programmatically deliver queries to SharePoint, using either URLs via GET or as JSON parameters via POST.

In practice, its best to use POST and JSON, as this gets around URL length restrictions and supports more complex query types. Both GET and POST return XML-formatted responses by default, though if you prefer, you can choose to receive JSON documents.

As SharePoint is a document store, queries are relatively simple. Were not looking to return a specific entry; instead, were bringing back a list of documents that a user can then click through to explore.

Building REST searches

The Search API takes a familiar form, similar to that used by most Microsoft Graph APIs, though here its targeted at your own SharePoint server instances. Starting with a server domain name, its a relatively simple structure:

GET http://server/_api/search/query?query_parameter

In the example, replace server with the fully qualified domain name of your SharePoint server, with the search terms and any modifiers delivered as the query parameters. This makes a query very easy to construct in your choice of programming languages. GET requests like this are clearly best suited for relatively simple queries. More complex requests can be assembled as JSON documents containing the appropriate key/value pairs for each request element.

Responses can be limited to a set number of documents, or you can choose to make response data paged, loading blocks of results as users move from page to page or adding new results as they scroll through a single-page web application. Paged results like this fit well with providing ready-to-use data for formatting to work with fixed windows in desktop applications.

Although the APIs have their own syntax, you still need to think about KQL and FQL when constructing your query terms. For example, if you want to refine responses, then youll need FQL filters. These let you choose the documents returned in your result set. Using the GET API limits you to one filter. For more, use POST to deliver an array of FQL filters to your search server.

Customizing results

Unlike most search environments SharePoints API gives you a lot of options to customize results. Thats not surprisingthis isnt a general-purpose search tool. It needs more control, for example, ensuring that roles and other access control mechanisms are applied, as well as giving your SharePoint admins the ability to apply some level of editorial control to results to set how results are ordered and displayed. SharePoint queries are, by default, only available to authorized users, but you can allow a limited set of results for anonymous users, a useful feature if youre powering public document stores off SharePoint-based web servers.

As well as the search REST API, Microsoft offers a .NET SharePoint set of tools that supports search and a related JavaScript library. This gives you access to the same set of features but makes it easier to work with native response objects rather than parsing JSON or XML. Youll find both FML and KML operators useful for refining queries, as SQL is not supported. Features such as NEAR help find related content, and XRANK helps manage the response ranks.

Suggested queries

One useful feature is the option to return suggested queries based on what other users have searched for. The SharePoint search API offers a simple Suggest endpoint for this, using parameters to deliver possible search terms that can trigger a suggestion. These are likely to be your users current search terms to help them quickly refine queries either before or after running a search. Your request can include the number of suggestions to include and add formatting rules to ensure responses are capitalized correctly.

You could use this approach with a free text input to build your own equivalent of major search engines dynamic query builder by requesting suggestions each time a user enters some text. However, in practice, this can be overly complex, and its easier to deliver a set of other users looked for suggestions after returning a response.

Other options will let your suggested responses include names, which allows you to surface individuals related to search terms. This can help show subject matter experts or members of relevant teams, enabling users to focus searches more effectively.

Using SharePoint as your enterprise document repository continues to make sense, and Microsoft is enhancing it with regular updates for both on-premises and in-cloud instances. Having relatively simple APIs like its search tool helps, as you can quickly build your own custom interfaces to SharePoint-hosted content on the web, on mobile, or on PCs.
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Today

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In this edition of Ask General Counsel, we discuss how business owners can (and should) protect their business before (and during) a divorce.

If you dont want to read this article, you dont have to. . . . instead, you can watch General Counsel, P.C. attorneys Joanna Foard and Evan St. John discuss How to Protect Your Business in a Divorce in this webinar: https://youtu.be/3XAPwn61VeU

If you are still reading, you are likely a business owner and may be contemplating divorce. For many business owners, the business itself is the individuals most valuable asset. Careful planning can help you protect your business. Below are some steps from Foard for business owners to consider if they want to protect their businesses from a potential, or eventual, divorce.

1. Form a Trust or Separate Business Entity  Placing your business in a trust can help protect it from the equitable distribution process during a divorce. Similarly, forming a separate business entity, such as an LLC or corporation, creates a separate entity that owns the business assets.

This strategy is more effective if the entity is created before marriage, but can still be a helpful strategy after marriage, but prior to divorce. However, its critical that marital assets arent used to pay for business expenses, or the business may still be seen as a marital asset, despite the separate entity.

2. Utilize Marital Agreements  If spouses entered into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that set out the terms for property division in the case of divorce, the couples assets, including any businesses, may not be subject to equitable distribution.

If you have a business youd like to protect in the event of a divorce, you should consider a prenuptial agreement, or postnuptial agreement if youre already married, establishing that your business is separate property and will remain your separate property in any divorce proceedings.

3. Distance Your Spouse from the Business  If your spouse is employed by the business or helps to manage aspects of the business, there is a greater likelihood that the business will be deemed marital property and that your spouse will be entitled to a portion of the business. If your spouse isnt already employed by or engaged with the management of the business, its best to keep it that way if youre looking to protect your business interests.

If your spouse is involved with the business, you should try to ease them out as quickly as possible. The longer a spouse is involved with a business and the greater the role they play with the business, the more likely it is that the spouse will be entitled to a share (or larger share) of the business.

4. Negotiate with Other Assets  During the equitable distribution process, not every asset is necessarily split 50/50. Instead, one spouse may retain full ownership of some assets and the other spouse keeps other assets. If your main priority is protecting your business interests, you may be able to sacrifice other assets, such as the family home or retirement assets, and retain full ownership of the business.

5. Pay Yourself a Competitive Salary from the Business  If the business-owning spouse chooses not to take a salary from the business, or takes a low salary, and instead reinvests all profits back into the business, the non-business owner spouse may have a better case of being entitled to a share of the business. While it may seem business-savvy to reinvest as much as possible, your spouse may have an argument that since you didnt take a salary and contribute to family finances, they didnt benefit from the business and are now entitled to a portion of the business.

6. Avoid Using Marital Funds to Pay Business Expenses (and vice versa)  Using marital funds to pay for business expenses (and vice versa) makes it more likely that the business will be designated a marital asset. Instead, keep good records of the companys finances and avoid commingling funds.

For more information about how to protect your business during a divorce, or other questions about family law or divorce, contact Joanna Foard at jfoard@gcpc.com.

In our next Ask General Counsel article, we will discuss how to protect a business with multiple owners when one of the owners goes through a divorce. For a sneak peak, you can review this article, Corporate Issues In Divorce  Avoiding Divorce Issues Among Equity Holders, written by General Counsel, P.C. Senior Corporate Associate, Evan St. John.

Based in McLean, Virginia, since 2004, General Counsel, P.C. has been representing businesses, non-profits, and individuals throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro Area (and beyond) with the following practice areas: Business Law, Employment Law, Government Contracts, Litigation, Family Law, and Estate Planning. We believe that Everyone Deserves a General Counsel. Please contact us if we can assist you at info@gcpc.com.
Philadelphia is reinstating its indoor mask mandate after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, the citys top health official announced Monday.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen more than 50% in 10 days, the threshold at which the citys guidelines call for people to wear masks indoors, said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the health commissioner.

Philadelphia is the first major U.S. city to go back to requiring masks since cases declined at the beginning of the year.

The city is reporting more than 140 cases per day, a fraction of what it saw at the height of the omicron surge, and hospitalizations remain low. But Bettigole said the recent increase in infections indicates the city might be at the beginning of a new wave, and city officials are seeking to stay ahead of it by requiring indoor masking.

Health inspectors will start to enforce the mask mandate at city businesses starting April 18.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19
NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, April 13, 2022, in New York. Police continued to hunt Wednesday for the gunman who opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, an attack that left multiple people shot and once again interrupted New York City's long journey to post-pandemic normalcy. (John Minchillo / AP)

NEW YORK  Frank James posted dozens of videos ranting about race, violence and his struggles with mental illness. One stands out for its relative calm: A silent shot of a packed New York City subway car in which he raises his finger to point out passengers, one by one.

Even as police arrested James on Wednesday in the Brooklyn subway shooting that wounded 10 people, they were still searching for a motive from a flood of details about the 62-year-old Black mans life.

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An erratic work history. Arrests for a string of mostly low-level crimes. A storage locker with more ammo. And hours of rambling, bigoted, profanity-laced videos on his YouTube channel that point to a deep, simmering anger.

This nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof, and its going to die a violent death, says James in a video where he takes on the moniker Prophet of Doom.

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After a 30-hour manhunt, James was arrested without incident after a tipster  thought by police to be James himself  said he could be found near a McDonalds on Manhattans Lower East Side. Mayor Eric Adams triumphantly proclaimed We got him! Police said their top priority was getting the suspect, now charged with a federal terrorism offense, off the streets as they investigate their biggest unanswered question: Why?

New York City Police, left, and law enforcement officials lead subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, 62, right, into a car and away from a police station, in New York, April 13, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP)

A prime trove of evidence, they said, is his YouTube videos. He seems to have opinions about nearly everything  racism in America, New York Citys new mayor, the state of mental health services, 9/11, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and Black women.

A federal criminal complaint cited one in which James ranted about too many homeless people on the subway and put the blame on New York Citys mayor.

What are you doing, brother? he said in the video posted March 27. Every car I went to was loaded with homeless people. It was so bad, I couldnt even stand.

James then railed about the treatment of Black people in an April 6 video cited in the complaint, saying, And so the message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting.

In a video posted a day before the attack, James criticizes crime against Black people and says things would only change if certain people were stomped, kicked and tortured out of their comfort zone.

Surveillance cameras spotted James entering the subway system turnstiles Tuesday morning, dressed as a maintenance or construction worker in a yellow hard hat and orange working jacket with reflective tape.

Police say fellow riders heard him say only oops as he set off one smoke grenade in a crowded subway car as it rolled into a station. He then set off a second smoke grenade and started firing, police said. In the smoke and chaos that ensued, police say James made his getaway by slipping into a R-train going the opposite direction and exited after the first stop.

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Left behind at the scene was the gun, extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van, police said.

That key led investigators to James, and clues to a life of setbacks and anger as he bounced among factory and maintenance jobs, got fired at least twice, moved among Milwaukee, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.

Investigators said James had 12 prior arrests in New York and New Jersey from 1990 to 2007, including for possession of burglary tools, criminal sex act, trespassing, larceny and disorderly conduct.

James had no felony convictions and was not prohibited from purchasing or owning a firearm. Police said the gun used in the attack was legally purchased at an Ohio pawn shop in 2011. A search of James Philadelphia storage unit and apartment turned up at least two types of ammunition, including the kind used with an AR-15 assault-style rifle, a taser and a blue smoke cannister.

Police said James was born and raised in New York City. In his videos, he said he finished a machine shop course in 1983 then worked as a gear machinist at Curtiss-Wright, an aerospace manufacturer in New Jersey, until 1991 when he was he was hit by a one-two punch of bad news: He was fired from his job and, soon after, his father whom he had lived with in New Jersey died.

Records show James filed a complaint against the aerospace company in federal court soon after he lost his job alleging racial discrimination, but it was dismissed a year later by a judge. He says in one video, without offering specifics, that he couldnt get any justice for what I went through.

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A spokesperson for Curtiss-Wright didnt immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

James describes going in and out of several mental health facilities, including two in the Bronx borough of New York City in the 1970s.

Mr. Mayor, let me say to you Im a victim of your mental health program in New York City, James says in a video earlier this year, adding he is full of hate, full anger and bitterness.

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James says he later was a patient at Bridgeway House, a mental health facility in New Jersey, although that could not be immediately confirmed. Messages left with the facility were not returned.

My goal at Bridgeway in 1997 was to get off Social Security and go back to f------ work, he says in a video, adding that he enrolled in a college and took a course in computer-aided design and manufacturing.

James says he eventually got a job at telecommunications giant Lucent Technologies in Parsippany, New Jersey, but says he ended up getting fired and returned to Bridgeway House, this time not as a patient but as an employee on the maintenance staff. A message seeking comment was sent to Lucent Technologies.

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I just want to work. I want to be a person thats productive, he said.

Touches of that earnest, struggling man showed up after James parked car was hit in Milwaukee. Eugene Yarbrough, pastor of Mt. Zion Wings of Glory Church of God in Christ next door to James apartment, said James was impressed that the pastor owned up to hitting the car. Neither James nor anyone else was there to see the accident. And James called him up to say so.

I just couldnt believe it would be him, Yarbrough said. But who knows what people will do?

AP reporters Michael Balsamo in Washington, Deepti Hajela in New York, Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia, Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin and Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee contributed to this report.
An arbitrator has ruled that two Buffalo police officers didnt violate the departments use-of-force guidelines when they pushed a 75-year-old protester to the ground in June 2020 during racial injustice protests following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The episode drew national attention when a news crew captured video of Martin Gugino being shoved by officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski in downtown Buffalo, as crowd control officers in riot gear cleared demonstrators for an 8 p.m. curfew.

Gugino, pushed backward, started bleeding after hitting his head on the pavement and spent about a month in the hospital with a fractured skull and brain injury.

In a decision Friday, arbitrator Jeffrey Selchick wrote, Upon review, there is no evidence to sustain any claim that Respondents (police officers) had any other viable options other than to move Gugino out of the way of their forward movement.

The level of force used by the officers was justified because Gugino refused to comply with orders to leave the scene and was acting erratically, and walked directly in front of McCabe, according to Selchick.

The use of force employed by Respondents reflected no intent on their part to do more than to move Gugino away from them, he wrote.

McCabe and Torgalski were suspended without pay and arrested within days of the incident, but last year a grand jury declined to indict them and charges were dropped.

An attorney for Gugino, who has sued the city, told the Buffalo News that the ruling has no bearing on the lawsuit.

We are not aware of any case where this arbitrator has ruled against on-duty police officers, so his ruling here on behalf of the police was not only expected by us, but was certainly expected by the union and city who selected and paid him, Melissa Wischerath told the newspaper.

Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said in a statement he will reinstate the two officers to duty on Monday, the newspaper reported.

Email messages seeking comment were left Sunday with an attorney representing the city, which argued for the disciplinary charges, and with the Buffalo police union.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Civil Unrest
Proxy advisers Glass Lewis and ISS have recommended Credit Suisses shareholders vote against discharging the banks board and management from liability for the 2020 financial year at its annual general meeting on April 29.

Glass Lewis said in a report on Monday that shareholders could reasonably hold the board and executives accountable for the identified deficiencies in the companys risk and control framework that were in place during fiscal year 2020.

Credit Suisse Warns Greensill Litigation Against Insurers, Debtors May Take 5 Years Japanese Insurer Tokio Marine Says Greensill Obtained Policies Fraudulently

ISS noted in a report on Tuesday that the same issues had entailed entailed substantial monetary and reputational costs for the company, and by extension its shareholders.

Shareholders are set to scrutinize the performance of Switzerlands second-largest bank during 2020 and 2021, when a series of scandals prompted ousters, investigations and losses.

Credit Suisses board will leave managers potentially liable for its Greensill-linked funds collapse when it asks investors to grant them a discharge for other activities.

The bank racked up a 1.6 billion Swiss franc ($1.7 billion) 2021 loss, partly as a result of a $5.5 billion hit from the implosion of investment fund Archegos.

It was also hit by the collapse of $10 billion in supply chain finance funds linked to insolvent British financier Greensill for which it is still trying to recover funds.

Votes at this years AGM will cover two financial years as Credit Suisse withdrew an agenda item from its meeting in 2021 while it investigated the Greensill and Archegos matters.

Both ISS and Glass Lewis recommended shareholders vote in favor of discharging Credit Suisse directors from liability for the 2021 financial year.

While the bank still had a long way to go to effect a convincing turnaround and materially reduce its exposure to reputational and litigation risk, it had taken meaningful steps to improve its culture and risk governance, Glass Lewis said.

ISS said a qualified vote in favor of managements performance for 2021 was warranted due to significant levels of personnel refreshment and remedial measures implemented.

Nevertheless, some concern is still raised for 2021 considering the actions of the former board chair during the year, it added.

Credit Suisse said it took note of the recommendations, adding that Glass Lewis and ISS had recommended shareholders support the boards positions on all but one proposal.

Shareholder groups have submitted two proposals running counter to the board of directors, asking investors to approve a special audit examining the banks actions, and separately to strengthen its climate change strategy.

Glass Lewis and ISS recommended shareholders reject both.

(Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; editing by Michael Shields and Alexander Smith)
Howden, the London-based international insurance broker, announced the signing of the acquisition of SPF Private Clients (SPF), subject to regulatory approval.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

SPF was formed in 2011 after a management buyout and rebrand of Savills Private Finance, the financial arm of Savills plc, before Cabot Square Capital acquired a majority stake in the business in 2018. SPF specializes in residential and commercial mortgage broking, commercial real estate insurance, high net worth personal lines insurance, property title insurance, life assurance and associated wealth management consulting.

Howden said the deal will extend its offering to the mortgage broking market while enhancing its existing general insurance and wealth management offering, including its high net worth and private client focused businesses.

SPF will join Howdens UK & Ireland business to further enhance its position as an independent insurance distributor in the region with Mark Harris remaining as CEO, said Howden. SPF Private Clients employs 180 people across offices in London, Oxford, Bath, Cambridge, Manchester and Guernsey, advising clients in the UK and overseas. Its parent company, SPF Group Holdings, also owns specialist lender Lendco, which is not part of the Howden transaction.

SPF and Howden are highly complementary businesses that focus on providing the best solutions to our clients while always putting our people first. SPF will benefit from the significant opportunities that being part of Howden will deliver, with a big drive into offering our debt product lines across the group. We will carry on doing what we do best, ultimately enabling us to develop products to best serve our clients while allowing our talent to flourish, commented Mark Harris, CEO, SPF.

With SPF, the recent acquisition of A-Plan and the upcoming completion of Aston Lark, Howden UK & Ireland will be a leading end-to-end insurance distributor capable of supporting all of our clients, whatever their insurance and mortgage needs, underpinned by market-leading digital and data capability, said Carl Shuker, CEO, Howden UK & Ireland.

Howden and SPF have a long-established trading relationship, so SPF joining the Howden family is a natural next step in our partnership. Its unique qualities will greatly enhance our offering in the region by diversification into complementary product distribution that will further position us as a leader in our home market, said Chris Evans, deputy CEO, Howden Broking Group.

It has been a privilege to partner with Mark Harris and the SPF team. Since we backed SPF in 2018, the business has strengthened its position as the leading UK property, insurance, and wealth intermediary for affluent and high net worth individuals, maintaining its differentiated relationship led approach whilst underpinned by significant technology investment, said Tarun Sharma, partner, Cabot Square Capital. We are delighted with the outcome and are confident SPF will continue to thrive as part of Howden.

Deloitte acted as financial and tax due diligence adviser and RPC as legal adviser to Howden on this transaction. KPMG Corporate Finance acted as adviser to SPF shareholders. HSF acted as legal advisor to Cabot and Taylor Wessing acted as legal advisor to management shareholders on this transaction.

About Howden Broking

Howden Broking, part of Howden Group, is an independent provider of re/insurance brokerage, risk consulting and employee benefits advice. Howden comprises owned businesses across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Middle East. Established in 1994, Howden employs more than 11,000 people worldwide.

About Cabot Square Capital

Cabot Square Capital is a leading mid-market private equity fund manager focussed on cash-yielding assets (real assets, credit, infrastructure) and related services businesses in Western Europe. Established in 1996 and headquartered in London, Cabot Square Capital is currently managing its fourth and fifth private equity funds.

Source: Howden Broking

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
A push by Britain to toughen up corporate environmental disclosures will cast a spotlight on climate change dawdlers as campaigners increasingly turn to the courts to force a speedier transition to a low-carbon economy.

Almost 2,000 climate change-related lawsuits have been launched around the world to date, the bulk in the last seven years, Londons Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment showed.

While the vast majority have been aimed at public authorities, a rising number are being lodged against companies on grounds that include allegations of breaching a duty of care to prevent climate change or misleading consumers about efforts to address global warming and shifts in weather patterns.

Vulnerable companies will be those which are meaningful contributors to climate change, or are failing to manage the risks posed by climate change to their businesses, or those presenting a green facade to consumers which is not backed up by the facts, says Isabella Hervey-Bathurst, co-manager of the Schroder ISF Global Climate Leaders fund.

Britain on [April 6] became the first G20 country to make it mandatory for more than 1,300 companies to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities, in line with the global Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Standards and frameworks such as TCFD are designed to encourage companies to be more transparent as the world strives to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial norms by mid-century.

If directors are open about how they are managing the ever-changing risks of transitioning to a more climate-friendly future, they are likely to protect themselves from adverse allegations. But those that fail to engage or seek to mislead risk becoming the target of litigation, experts say.

Thomas Tayler, a sustainable finance expert at Aviva Investors, said mandatory disclosure addresses transparency, an area which litigation has focused on to date.

However, it is likely (to) also drive other forms of litigation, focusing on inadequate or incomplete disclosures or using the information in the disclosures made to inform litigation against perceived laggards.

Full Disclosure

U.N. climate scientists warned last week there was little time left to cap global warming in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Environmental law charity ClientEarth, which is involved in around 168 active cases, says transparency through frameworks such as TCFD would help  but the quality and breadth of corporate disclosures is crucial.

Plans need to be clearly disclosed and companies need to be accountable for them, including whether they are genuinely Paris-aligned, notes Maria Petzsch, a ClientEarth climate lawyer. Failing to do so will leave boards and their directors open to litigation.

In March, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed mandatory rules for U.S. companies, while in the European Union thousands of companies are captured by the blocs new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

At a global level, minimum sustainability disclosures are being consulted on but for most countries, disclosures remain voluntary and vary widely in quality and breadth.

In an effort to simplify a complex risk analysis, experts are urging governments to standardize basics, such as climate models, as leading investors warn they are prepared to challenge directors over how they account for climate risks.

There is a large amount of uncertainty inherent in climate risk, and therefore risk reporting, notes Iggy Bassi, founder and CEO of climate technology company Cervest.

In the absence of that (standardization)  and in litigious societies  we can expect to see a lot of lawyers springing into action.

Climate Liabilities

The geographic spread of lawsuits has broadened since the earliest challenges of the 1980s, with courtrooms from Argentina to Japan and Australia now grappling with cases.

Among the biggest targets so far are energy companies, responsible for the bulk of man-made emissions through the use of coal, oil and gas, with Shell, TotalEnergies, Enea and RWE, all facing litigation in recent years.

As Shell appeals a landmark Dutch court ruling that ordered it to slash emissions by 45% by 2030, it also faces an ambitious challenge to hold its directors personally liable for alleged failures in tackling climate change.

In what one lawyer called a key moment for climate change litigation, ClientEarth  also a Shell shareholder  last month announced plans to sue Shells 13 directors for alleged failures to adopt a strategy that truly aligns with the Paris Agreement.

Shell has said the challenges of energy supply cannot be solved by litigation and points to the need for effective, government-led policies.

Gone are the days where shareholders will skim over the ESG part of company reporting, says Elaina Bailes, a committee member of the London Solicitor Litigation Association.

It (ESG) is now as crucial as financial performance, and ClientEarths argument that Shells board has failed to promote the success of the company for its shareholders reflects this trend.

(Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

Topics Lawsuits
A group that wants to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota submitted paperwork Monday to the secretary of state to begin the approval process.

If approved by the secretary of state, the group would need to gather 15,582 signatures by July 11 to get the measure on the ballot for the general election in November.

The proposed measure would allow any person over the age of 21 to use limited amounts of marijuana and purchase products from registered establishments in North Dakota. The measure would put policies in place to regulate retail stores, cultivators, and other types of marijuana businesses.

A similar effort failed in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hampered the groups signature-gathering.

Marijuana was a major topic in the Republican-controlled Legislature last year. State representatives brought bills to legalize and tax the drug, but the Senate killed the bills that were passed by the House.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cannabis
Relatives of five of the eight people who were shot and killed last year at an Indianapolis FedEx warehouse by a former employee sued the shipping giant and a security company on Monday, accusing them of negligence and failing to ensure that the workplace was safe.

The federal lawsuit, which names as defendants the FedEx Corporation, three of its operating units and Securitas Security Services USA, alleges that gunman Brandon Scott Hole, 19, had exhibited emotional and mental instability on multiple instances before the April 15, 2021, shooting.

The suit contends that the defendants knew or should have known of Holes potentially violent and dangerous propensities, which were reasonably likely to result in injuries to himself and others.

The families complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, seeks unspecified damages.

FedEx said in a statement that it was aware of the lawsuit and was reviewing the allegations. The company added that it continues to mourn the loss of our team members in the senseless tragedy.

Securitas Security Services USA, which the complaint says provided security at the warehouse, didnt immediately reply to a message left Monday seeking comment.

The plaintiffs are relatives of shooting victims Amarjeet Johal, 66; Amarjit Sekhon, 48; Jasvinder Kaur, 50; John Weisert, 74; and Karli Smith, 19.

The families of the three other people killed _ Matthew R Alexander, 32; Samaria Blackwell, 19; and Jaswinder Singh, 68 _ are not involved in the suit.

Indianapolis police and federal authorities said at a July 2021 news conference that Hole, a former FedEx employee, acted alone and used the attack as an act of suicidal murder. Four of the victims were Sikh, but authorities said the attack was not racially or ethnically motivated and that Hole believed he would demonstrate his masculinity and capability while fulfilling a final desire to experience killing people.

Hole was able to legally purchase the two rifles he used in the shooting, even after his mother called police in March of 2020 to say her son might attempt suicide by cop. Police seized a pump-action shotgun from Hole, then 18, when responding to his mothers call.

Lawyers for the victims have said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County prosecutors office failed to follow Indianas red flag law when they decided not to file a case with the courts to suspend Holes gun rights in March of 2020.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Indiana
The law firm that defended Martin Shkreli against antitrust charges said it has not been paid, and on Tuesday asked a U.S. judge for permission to withdraw from representing the former pharmaceutical executive best known for hiking the price of a lifesaving medication more than 40-fold.

Duane Morris LLP said Shkrelis former company Phoenixus AG agreed to cover his legal fees but has refused to pay the $2.04 million owed through March 31, after exhausting the limits of an insurance policy covering the fees in October.

In a filing in Manhattan federal court, Duane Morris also said Shkreli has no assets to pay its fees, and would not be harmed if it withdrew because the antitrust trial is over. The law firm said Shkreli did not oppose its withdrawal.

Lawyers for Phoenixus did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shkreli, 39, became known as pharma bro after raising the price of the anti-parisitic drug Daraprim overnight to $750 per tablet from $17.50 in 2015, and appearing unrepentant when criticized.

In January, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan banned Shkreli from the drug industry for life and ordered him to pay $64.6 million, finding he illegally sought to keep generic Daraprim rivals off the market.

The case had been brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and seven U.S. states.

Shkreli is serving a seven-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2017 of defrauding investors in two hedge funds he ran and scheming to defraud investors in another company.

He is eligible for release on Nov. 7.

In February, the Brooklyn judge who oversaw the criminal case and a related U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission civil case permanently banned Shkreli from serving as an officer or director of public companies.
AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to a- (Excellent) from a (Excellent) of Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company (Louisiana Farm Bureau) (Baton Rouge, LA). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Louisiana Farm Bureaus balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The rating downgrades reflect a change in AM Bests assessment of Louisiana Farm Bureaus operating performance to adequate from strong, following continued volatility in results over the past few years due primarily to severe weather-related events. The company experienced major catastrophe events in 2020 and 2021, which have driven deterioration in key profitability ratios and elevated underwriting losses, ultimately aligning the companys performance with the adequate assessment. Despite the volatility, substantial efforts have been made related to exposure management, and re-underwriting, which coupled with sizable rate action, is expected to stabilize operating results in the near term.

Louisiana Farm Bureaus very strong balance sheet continues to be supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), conservative investment portfolio and comprehensive reinsurance program. The business profile assessment reflects the companys concentration of personal property business in a hurricane-prone state. ERM remains appropriate and in line with the companys risk profile, with strategies focused on the identification, mitigation and control of risk exposures, especially in the coastal areas of Louisiana.

Source: AM Best

Topics Louisiana Agribusiness AM Best
Ray Farmer would probably never be accused of being a caretaker government official or a mere bureaucrat.

Hes accomplished a lot in the position. Hell be leaving behind some big shoes to fill, said Russ Dubisky, executive director of the South Carolina Insurance Association.

After more than nine years as director of the South Carolina Insurance Department, Farmer last week was recognized by the state General Assembly. Lawmakers passed a resolution marking Farmers retirement and commending him for his work since taking office in 2012.

The highlights cited by the lawmakers and by others include Farmers push for the states data security law, considered the first in the nation to require insurance companies to have a comprehensive plan to protect consumer data  a law the National Association of Insurance Commissioners used as a model for its own model data security legislation.

Farmer served as president of NAIC in 2020 and was honored by the association for his leadership.

Farmer also championed South Carolinas Private Flood Insurance Act of 2020, which encouraged more flood policies by allowing insurers to test products in the market and to have more flexibility on coverage requirements. The director has pushed for stronger building codes to reduce flood damage, and has advocated for greater use of parametric insurance to fill coverage gaps as storms and flooding grow worse in parts of the country.

He also oversaw the establishment of an Insurance Fraud Division at the department in 2021.

The number of carriers that have come into South Carolina under his watch has created more competition and has benefited consumers, Id say, Dubisky said Tuesday after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster made Farmers retirement announcement official.

Farmer was named DOI director by then-Gov. Nikki Hayley, and McMaster in 2018 asked him to stay in the job for another few years.

Through innovative consumer protection policy, natural disaster education programs, and by expanding career advancement opportunities for SCDOI employees, Director Farmer has led the agency to new heights and built a strong foundation for the future, McMaster said in a statement.

Farmer, who has spent a half-century in the insurance world, is a native of Atlanta. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and his law degree from John Marshall School of Law in Atlanta.

I can say that after 53 years in the insurance industry, this is truly the best job Ive ever had, Farmer said in a statement. It has been an honor to work alongside my team of dedicated public servants for the last nine years as we strived to make life better for every consumer in the Palmetto State.

Farmer leaves office April 15. Michael Wise, who has worked at the department since 2009, will now serve as acting director, the governor said. Wise is the deputy director of actuarial and market services at the DOI.

Top photo: Farmer when he was appointed by Hayley in 2012.

Topics Agribusiness South Carolina
A month after Florida lawmakers failed to require more frequent and more thorough inspections of aging condominium buildings, Miami-Dade County officials have drafted their own reforms.

But a few engineers said the proposed changes, which are set to receive a public hearing today, April 13, wouldnt be enough to prevent another tragedy like the collapse of the Champlain Towers, which killed 98 people last year adjacent to Miami Beach.

The Miami Herald newspaper reported that while the ordinance would require inspections 30 years after construction, instead of the 40-year inspections now in place, it would not mandate that inspections look at a buildings design plans, check for proper reinforcement structures or perform other needed testing.

Many of the changes being made to Miami-Dades recertification guidelines dont address what went wrong in the June 24 collapse in Surfside, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Washington told the newspaper. One part would require examination of foundation settlement and signs of overloading, but would not check for water intrusion, steel corrosion or concrete deterioration.

This seems to be skipping around the actual big issues, said Professor Dawn Lehman, who was hired by the Herald to examine the causes of the condo collapse. The good thing is theyre trying to hit on the right subject matter, but I think what is underneath there is probably something missing.

Some property insurers arent waiting for officials to act, according to news reports, and in many cases are asking condo associations for information on inspections, repairs and engineering work before renewing policies. Premiums are expected to spike dramatically for many condos, driving many long-time residents out of high-rise buildings.

Related:

New Lending Rules Could Stifle Loans, Insurance for Florida Condos that Need Repairs

Second Miami Beach Condo Evacuated after Inspection

Photo: A makeshift memorial for the victims of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Topics Condominium
In a bitterly divided Congress, it was a rare measure that had been expected to sail through without a fight.

A bill to name a federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, after Justice Joseph W. Hatchett, the first Black man to serve on the Florida Supreme Court  sponsored by the states two Republican senators and backed unanimously by its 27 House members  was set to pass the House last month and become law with broad bipartisan support.

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But in a last-minute flurry, Republicans abruptly pulled their backing with no explanation and ultimately killed the measure, leaving its fate unclear, many of its champions livid and some of its newfound opponents professing ignorance about what had happened.

Asked what made him vote against a measure that he had co-sponsored, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., was brief and blunt.

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I dont know, he said.

The real answer is as much an allegory about the state of House Republicans in 2022 as it is about a federal building in Florida. With little notice and nothing more than a 23-year-old news clipping, a right-wing, first-term congressman mounted an eleventh-hour effort on the House floor to convince his colleagues that Hatchett, a trailblazing judge who broke barriers as the first Black State Supreme Court justice south of the Mason-Dixon Line, was undeserving of being honored.

The objector was Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia. Shortly before the House vote, he began circulating an Associated Press article from 1999 about an appeals court decision that Hatchett wrote that year that struck down a public school policy allowing student-approved prayers at graduation ceremonies in Florida. The decision, which overruled a lower court, held that the policy violated constitutional protections of freedom of religion.

He voted against student-led school prayer in Duval County in 1999, said Clyde, a deacon at his Baptist church in Bogart, Georgia. I dont agree with that. Thats it. I just let the Republicans know that information on the House floor. I have no idea if they knew that or not.

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) addresses a campaign-style rally in Commerce, Ga., on March 26, 2022. (Audra Melton/The New York Times)

Since being sworn in last year, Clyde has drawn attention for comparing the deadly Capitol attack to a normal tourist visit and voting against a resolution to give the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who responded that day. He also opposed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which made lynching a federal hate crime and explicitly outlawed an act that was symbolic of the countrys history of racial violence. Clyde also voted against recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

The naming of federal buildings is among the more mundane tasks that Congress undertakes, and it is usually a consensus matter. In the Senate, it is often accomplished without debate or even a recorded vote, which is how that chamber passed the measure to honor Hatchett in December. In the House, it is typically considered under a fast-track process reserved for uncontroversial matters that limits debate and requires a two-thirds majority for passage.

But Clydes late objection turned the routine ritual into a conservative litmus test for Republicans, who quickly joined him in turning against Hatchett.

The bill failed on a 238-187 vote, falling short of the two-thirds threshold, with 89% of Republicans opposed.

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I was appalled, said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., who grew up hearing about Hatchett from her father, a former county court judge. I was looking around, saying, What is happening?

A legal legend in his state, Hatchett could not stay in the hotel where the Florida bar exam was being administered when he took it in 1959 because of Jim Crow laws segregating the South. When he was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Hatchett was the first Black man to serve on a circuit that covered the Deep South.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., one of the bills sponsors, said the judge, an Army veteran who died last year at 88, had lived an inspiring life of service.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who co-sponsored the measure, said in a statement after the Senate passed the bill in December that Hatchett broke barriers that have inspired countless others in the legal profession.

But Clyde found the school prayer ruling disqualifying, and the vast majority of House Republicans  including many who had initially co-sponsored the legislation  were quick to join him.

During the vote series, a colleague shared some of the judges rulings with me I had not previously read, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said in a statement. This caused me to withdraw my support for the measure.

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Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., who was recuperating at home with broken ribs, voted by proxy against the bill.

Upon learning of the controversial ruling, Congressman Bilirakis no longer wished to proceed with the building name change, a spokesperson said. She said he had signed on to the bill only as a professional courtesy to the bill sponsor to allow for its consideration. (The entire state delegation must sign off for a naming bill to be considered.)

Other supporters of the bill who ultimately voted against it said they were confused about what was happening on the House floor. Staff members for Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., were scrambling to figure out why the vote had started to go south, calling other offices to determine what was happening.

A spokesperson for Buchanan, who initially did not provide a reason for his vote, clarified that the congressman had opposed the bill because of the judges position against prayer at graduation ceremonies.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the minority leader, also voted no. He declined to comment on why he opposed the measure.

Clyde said a legislative aide had unearthed the 1999 ruling while vetting the courthouse naming bill, and he made sure to share it with his colleagues before the vote.

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Livid as she watched the red lights signifying no fill the vote board on the wall of the House chamber, Castor said she approached one of her Republican colleagues on the floor, searching for answers.

They didnt articulate a reason for voting no, she said. It was knee-jerk, herd mentality.

Some Democrats noted that in the decision in question, Hatchett had followed the U.S. Supreme Courts 1992 decision in Lee v. Weisman regarding student prayer in public schools.

They said they saw the episode as the latest example of extremism in the House Republican Conference, where members have weaponized cultural issues against Democrats and pushed back against efforts to grapple with the nations history of racism, such as the push to strip Confederate names from military bases.

If the standard that we use is one ruling out of thousands, then what else could we conclude but that they are not willing to name a courthouse after a Black person, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. It seems pretty suspect.

Clyde insisted that race had nothing to do with his opposition to the measure.

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Were one race  the human race, he said. It has everything to do with the decision he made.

Democrats said the fact that Clyde, one of the most junior Republicans in the House, was able to derail an uncontroversial bill that had already passed the Senate was the latest evidence that McCarthy could not control the most conservative and fringe elements of his conference.

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The inmates are running the asylum, and the minority leader is terrified to do anything but cast his lot with the most extreme and unhinged elements in his party, said Drew Hammill, a deputy chief of staff to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

A spokesperson for McCarthy declined to comment.

Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., who sponsored a House version of the bill, said the last-minute Republican stampede against it during the final seconds of the vote was abhorrent.

Rubio has expressed optimism that the setback will be temporary and that Congress will find a way to name the courthouse after Hatchett. House leaders are working on next steps to bring the legislation back to the floor, Hammill said.

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Still, the setback has been unsettling for Hatchetts former colleagues, family members and supporters, who have called on the House to reconsider.

What a black eye, Castor said. What a stain on these folks, who sponsored a bill and then flipped.

c.2022 The New York Times Company
Florida state Sen. Jeff Brandes is not waiting for legislative leaders or the governor to call a special session to tackle the property insurance crisis, and is polling his colleagues to force a meeting, as allowed by statute.

Florida law notes that at least 20% of lawmakers must sign their support for a special session, if legislative leadership or the governor doesnt call one. This week, Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said he had already received enough signatures, according to news reports. The Department of State now has seven days to poll lawmakers. A session would have to be convened if three-fifths of both houses agree.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports the effort, and will support a special session as long as lawmakers craft a workable bill ahead of time, according to Florida news reports.

I absolutely support what Sen. Brandes is doing, DeSantis told news outlets Monday. I think its just a matter of, as you remember, it kind of fell apart at the end of the session. So, we just want to make sure that we have a product that will pass muster.

A few prominent Democrats took the opportunity to criticize DeSantis for not addressing the insurance issues head-on. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, of Orlando, said in a news conference that DeSantis had ignored the issues earlier this year.

Now that its become politically dangerous for him to be silent on it, he is now speaking in support of a special session, Eskamani told reporters this week. I think its important to stress that we had 60 days where we could have managed and addressed these real-life issues. But instead, his (DeSantis) priority bills, which were all culture wars, are what took up all the time.

Sen. Annette Taddeo, D-Miami, one of several Democrats running for governor this year, also blasted DeSantis for ignoring the crisis that has led to higher homeowner insurance premiums across the state. She said in a news release that the governor had signed a bill last year that raised rates for Citizens Property Insurance, the states insurer of last resort.

She also connected DeSantis to Vyrd, one of the few new property insurers to set up shop in Florida in recent years, noting that Vyrds parent company is backed by investments from China. Vyrd is backed by SiriusPoint Ltd., whose largest shareholder is listed as China Minsheng Investment Group, and Kole, Inc.

Ironically, in Ron DeSantis freest state in the country, the only new insurance company approved in Florida in years is funded by communist China, Taddeo said. When hes not investing $300 million of our money in Putin, DeSantis is serving up millions in massive rate hikes paid by Floridians to communist China.

Democrats have criticized the governor for not doing more, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to have the state-employee retirement system divest millions invested in Russian-backed companies and projects. Like the insurance crisis, DeSantis has said that would be better left to the Legislature, and that rapid divestiture could cost the retirement system, according to the Tampa Bay Times and other news outlets.

Its unclear at this point when an insurance session would be held, if approved by lawmakers. A separate special session is set for April 22 to redraw Congressional district lines, in keeping with maps DeSantis has proposed.

Topics Florida
In another case involving the notorious Strems Law Firm, a Florida man has been charged with operating as an unlicensed claims adjuster and promising homeowners free roofs and kitchens to be paid for by an insurance carrier, state authorities said.

Jairo Adolfo Rivera, 33, was arrested Tuesday, charged with six counts of impersonating a public adjuster, a felony. He was booked into the Miami-Dade County jail, although his alleged actions took place in Immokalee two years ago, according to Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

Patronis said the arrest was the result of an investigation by his Department of Financial Services investigative unit. It found that in April and May of 2020, Rivera, working for Adjusting Experts Inc., solicited Habitat for Humanity homeowners and convinced them to sign assignment-of-benefits agreements.

Altogether, 32 claims were filed on 18 Security First Insurance policies in Collier County, all claiming damage from Hurricane Irma, the DFS said in a news release.

This type of fraud is especially heinous when used against Habitat for Humanity home recipients who just want to provide a good home for their family to live a better life, Patronis said.

Rivera also talked many of the homeowners into signing contingency fee agreements for the Strems Law Firm in Coral Gables, but the man did not explain that the agreements authorized the firm to file suit over the claims, DFS said.

The Strems name is infamous in the Florida property insurance community. Scot Strems was suspended from practice by the Florida Bar and a judge in 2020, after the firm reportedly violated ethics rules and court orders and for filing thousands of unnecessary lawsuits, many of them on the same insurance claim.

DFS investigators also said in court documents that Strems worked closely with adjusting firms that may have utilized unlicensed adjusters. The law firm is now closed and calls to the office number did not go through on Wednesday.

Rivera and the president of Adjusting Experts, Ramon Batista, of Miami, also could not be reached for comment.

If convicted on all charges, Rivera could face up to five years in prison, the DFS said. Its unlikely that Rivera could face stiffer penalties provided by an anti-fraud bill passed by the Florida Legislature last month. House Bill 749, which Patronis advocated for, would double financial penalties for adjusters, including unlicensed adjusters, who violate the law during states of emergency, raising the fines to a maximum of $20,000.

The bill passed both chambers unanimously but it has yet to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. A spokesman for DeSantis said Wednesday that the bill had not yet been sent to the governor, more than six weeks after it was approved by the Senate. Once officially presented to the governor, he has two weeks to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

The arrest of Rivera marks the second time this spring that DFS has taken action against a claims adjuster. In March, the agency filed an administrative complaint against Scott David Thomas, an all-lines adjuster in Miami, charging that he repeatedly stonewalled insurance companies adjusters and appraisers.

Topics Florida
The University of Southern California is suing two YouTube performers who the school says created panic after barging into classrooms to film prank videos for their channels.

Court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times claim the pair caused terror and disruption during three classroom takeover incidents in the universitys Mark Taper Hall of Humanities.

The YouTubers, Ernest Kanevsky and Yuguo Bai, are not USC students. They could not be reached for comment, and it was unclear whether they have attorneys who could speak on their behalf.

A judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order banning the pair from USCs downtown Los Angeles campus.

In the latest incident, on March 29, Kanevsky and Bai interrupted a lecture on the Holocaust while pretending to be a member of the Russian Mafia and Hugo Boss, a known manufacturer of Nazi uniforms during World War II, according to court documents.

Students ran from the classroom  in some cases tripping over seats and leaving behind laptops and backpacks  in an attempt to flee what reasonably appeared to them as a credible threat of imminent classroom violence, the court filing says.

The universitys lawyers said the pairs conduct amounts to both a public and private nuisance that caused students to experience fear and emotional distress.

In September, Kanevsky, Bai and an associate entered a data science lecture and allegedly used physical intimidation to force the professor out of the classroom before taking over the lectern and subjecting the students to insults and demeaning behavior, court documents say.

In addition to the restraining order, the suit seeks unspecified compensatory damages, along with attorneys fees and other related costs.

Kanevsys YouTube channel has more than 111,000 subscribers and his videos have received more than 8.3 million views, the Times reported. The channel features prank videos at universities, in gyms and restaurants, on the beach and in other locations.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits California Education Universities
Reliance bringing future technology to Irish firms today

Reliance is a fourth-generation Cork family business that was formed in 1921 but is today at the cutting edge of robotics providing automation solutions to other companies.

Peter Creighton, Managing Director of Cork firm Reliance Automation.

Initially, the firm operated as a sole trader and then as a limited company in 1925. In another strong link with Cork's past, the company began operating from the back of a Model-T Truck. Since then, the company has evolved significantly.

Reliance has been selling bearings since its inception however today, the business is far more. The company re-branded as Relianceand has significantly extended product ranges. Today Reliance is the largest nationwide supply partner of a wide range of engineering products, related services and advanced automation solutions to both industry and agriculture in Ireland. Their core products they distribute include bearings, gearboxes, electric motors and lubrication. The company also services all manufacturing and agricultural sectors directly through a network of established resellers nationwide.

The business manages its logistics function from three locations in Cork, Dublin and Limerick consisting of a combined 45,000 sq ft of warehousing. In January they opened a new state of the art facility in Dublin including an innovative automation hub where they can show off their robotic and automation technologies.

Customers and engineers are invited to visit the hub to experience the automation technologies dedicated to manufacturing. As a result, customer satisfaction, customer retention and sales are key KPIs for the business. In addition to the external sales team feeding back information, the business conducts annual customer surveys to evaluate their performance.

In addition to the automation hub, they are currently setting up a unique website platform for automation tenders to be posted. This new approach to automation projects will streamline a process and will bring integrators and industrial end-users closer together.

Reliance has invested heavily over the last three years to provide a modern infrastructure to facilitate growth. The business has invested in IT, building infrastructure and people to push the business to new heights. During that time it has also purchased, upgraded and moved to modern facilities in both Limerick and Dublin beyond its head office in Little Island in Cork. It has grown to become the largest automation supply partner in Ireland. The company employs 45 people.

Reliance has a strong relationship with the life science manufacturers providing a managed procurement and storage function which includes compliance standards being continually met, a technical advisory service for both sophisticated technologies and on-site applications.

Emma lacey of Reliance said: "Reliance has worked hard for the last number of years for the business to achieve significant new heights and all the staff of Reliance are absolutely thrilled that we have been selected as a finalist in the SME section of this years Cork Chamber Company of the year awards."

Starcircle helping the worlds top companies hire talent at scale

Taking a unique approach to solving the critical talent shortages facing companies today, Starcircle is a rapidly growing recruitment company helping firms to find candidates and hire at scale.

James Galvin CEO and founder of recruitment firm StarCircle.

Informed by data and guided by human expertise, the company has already helped some of the worlds biggest brands including Google, Cisco, Meta and Amazon.

Starcircle is already achieving a big impact on a global scale. Last year, they doubled their workforce and turnover and announced plans to create a further 100 new jobs. This growth has been enabled by the talent pool in Cork. The company is proudly headquartered in Cork located in the city on MacCurtain Street but also has offices in the US and Asia.

CEO James Galvin said the company is aligned to how talent acquisition has become a top priority for CEOs across the globe. He point to the fact that in the US alone there is more than 10 million job openings.

It is particularly successful at supporting clients who need to recruit talent at scale whether it is as a result of significant scale-up or as part of diversity hiring initiatives. The international market is a key focus for Starcircles continued business growth. The big challenge is that over 85% of the talent pool is passive and not easily identified, he said. Were changing the way that top companies engage with talent. We go beyond job descriptions to identify high potential candidates that would otherwise have gone overlooked. While constantly improving and pioneering, Starcircle said it remains grounded in its ethos and mission for inclusion, diversity, equality and corporate governance. This year it introduced the formation of a Board of Management and has commissioned Deloitte to complete its first consolidated audit. It has also built out its leadership team. It also recently welcomed a significant investment from a local businessperson who recognises the potential that Starcircle represents.

After just the first month of 2022, it is already on track to exceed its budget and growth trajectory for the year. Locally, Starcirle is deeply invested, in every way, in its local roots in Cork. The company has a keen vision to be part of the vibrant culture of the city and was passionate to restore, repurpose and reimagine the iconic Thompson House building on McCurtain Street, to become its global headquarters.

Diversity and equality are also central to their mission - demonstrated through their hiring policies to create inclusive working environments through flexible working which particularly supports those with autism and neurodiversity. Gender equality is a key focus also - Starcircles leadership team is 40% female.

Cork is a city on the rise, ranking among the top cities in Europe for economic potential, James said. With so many vibrant SME companies in the area, we feel honoured to be considered for this award. The business community is proud and supportive of SMEs, and we are lucky to have such depth of talent in the region

Simply Blue Group paving the way for radical transformation

Solving our future energy needs in a sustainable way has become a critical goal for the world.

At the forefront of this effort are companies like the Simply Blue Group (SBG). They are an early-stage developer of blue economy projects in floating offshore wind, wave energy and low-impact aquaculture. Headquartered in Cork City, they have offices in Dublin, Edinburgh, Pembroke, Newquay, Oregon and Hamburg. The company currently employ 63 staff, up five-fold over the past 18 months.

Dr Val Cummins, Director of the Simply Blue Group.

SBG have a global pipeline of 9GW of floating offshore wind projects. In Ireland and the British Isles, they have 3GW of floating offshore wind projects, partnered with Shell New Energies (Ireland), Total Energies (Wales) and Subsea 7 (Scotland). They are also developing wave energy off County Clare and a low-impact aquaculture project in Scotland, using state-of-the art waste capture technology.

A flagship development from Simply Blue is the Emerald Floating Wind project that will be located around the former Kinsale Gas Fields. Another is the Western Star project which will be located at least 35km off the west coast of Co Clare. Both projects will have a capacity of 1.35gw, enough to power 1,145,000 homes each. Energy giant Shell has entered an agreement with Simply Blue for a share in both projects.

Their efforts off the Cork coast to deliver offshore wind are paving the way for one of the most radical transformations in the region, not seen since the IDA promotion of Ringaskiddy for pharmaceuticals. In 2021, international investor Octopus Renewables invested 15m in the company taking a 24% stake highlighting the future potential for the firm and its future projects. SBG is also paving the way in the US in terms of offshore wind and have carried out supply chain studies in the UK.

Their business model is unique and their customers are joint venture partners. Their ability to drive successful partnerships with these global companies reflects SBG's commitment to excellence in their project development process, including their approach to project management, engineering and consenting.

Director of the Simply Blue Group, Dr Val Cummins who is Project Managing Director of the Emerald and Western Star projects said: "Being a finalist in the Cork Company of the Year awards is a huge honour, given the exceptional pedigree of businesses operating from the thriving hub of Cork."

"This is a coming of age milestone for Simply Blue Group, as we have been scaling rapidly, growing our talented and passionate team from our headquarters in Corks Docklands. Being shortlisted acknowledges our success in partnering with some of the largest companies in the world, and in raising investment from Octopus Renewables. We are delighted that the Chamber recognises the importance of the work of Simply Blue Group, as we work with the oceans to address the climate, energy and food security crisis worldwide."
The emerging hemp industry in Ireland is in a catch-22, according to Robert Johnson of Hemp Cooperative Ireland.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner at the recent Irish Hemp Event held at Teagascs Ashtown Food Research Centre in Dublin 15, Mr Johnson said that unless more hemp is grown, there wont be the processing facilities put in place on a scale, but that farmers interested in growing it also need the stability of facilities and a market.

He said that the co-op has found young farmers and entrepreneurs to be really engaged with the crop, and can see potential uses for it.

Theyre incredibly dynamic, theyre thoughtful and they ask the right questions and they take risks; they havent been beaten down the years, theyve got the youthful vigour, Mr Johnson said.

Younger people dont seem to get the stigma. Hemp is doing good things, its helping and healing people.

Its unusual that were so far behind our European neighbours.

He said some of the problems lie with educating people and then allowing for the removal of the stigma, and then moving to more regenerative farming in Ireland.

Farming is at risk and Im sure all the farmers know that, he said.

Its a viable crop, it can add value to your farm, thats the biggest thing. People are fixated on the THC [tetrahydrocannabinol] content and the next thing needs to obviously be removing it from the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Hemp is a crop, there is a safe limit of THC in food. Theres a zero-tolerance policy here and that cant continue.

Learning curve

Wicklow hemp farmer Ed Hanbidge told the event that he grew his first crop of hemp in 2015, having looked for something different to do alongside his beef and sheep enterprise.

He grew an absolutely great crop, despite having known nothing about it, but that the only way to do anything is to just go and do it, learn by doing.

He said that farming is one side of it, but its not so simple to sell, because markets are only emerging and only developing.

He started to look at the food side of things, and researched the Finola hemp variety, a dwarf variety, easy to combine, to grow for seed for hemp oil production, and thats what he went for.

We now have our own combine, we have a drying trailer to dry it, we have our own cleaners so were able to clean the seed, and we have our own presses, so were able to press the seed and we make the hemp seed oil, and were also looking now at balms and various different hemp products, Mr Hanbidge said.

My biggest problem is being a farmer  because Im too involved in the farm as such, that Im not a business person, Im more of a farmer, I like to be stuck in the lambing shed, elbow deep, but I need to be out selling and its harder for me because Im not a salesperson.

The start-up, Keadeen Mountain Farms, has been a learning curve.

Part of that, first and foremost, was learning how to grow hemp, then how to process it, and the steepest curve was learning how to sell it, and market it.

'A bit of a problem'

With hemp, he has encountered barriers in accessing finance and insurance for his business endeavour.

Theres a bit of a problem there, he said.

Why is it such a problem? Why can we not get money for hemp food, and it is safe food? Food that is healthy, very healthy.

I thought we had moved away from the stigma but there still seems to be that stigma there.

There still seems to be a barrier, but for no reason; I dont know what that reason is.

THC is what the fear is about. Were afraid of THC. Maybe its time we grew up a little bit.

To me, its ridiculous  because Im immersed in the industry and I know hemp has so little THC.

He said hemp is just a plant, and we should embrace it.

THC is stifling the industry. Its really holding the whole thing back.

There [are] safe levels and theres education.

Theres a lot of money to be made. Theres nothing wrong with profit, and theres a lot of profit to be made in the hemp industry.

Once we get a market and we get people to realise the potential, what hemp can do and what hemp products can be made.

Speaking at the event, Teagasc energy and rural development specialist Barry Caslin said that there are a lot of opportunities in hemp, with the development of markets in Ireland to be one of the most interesting areas in the future.

There have been challenges in this area in the last number of years, and a lot of it is getting critical mass, getting the required volume of product to justify creating markets, Mr Caslin said.

He said farmers need stability and structure, especially when theyre deciding to grow a crop like this.

If you bring your milk to the dairy co-op you get your price per litre, you bring your grain to the co-op you get a price per tonne, or you bring your cattle to the factory you get a price per kg.

Those structures are there for most commodities.

Around hemp, those structures are not really there and in terms of the processing of the hemp, the decortication, theres been a lot of stop-starts in hemp over the last years.

Weve seen a lot of emphasis in more recent times on CBD [cannabidiol], on the food side, there have been challenges there in terms of legislation.

He noted that the programme for government has an emphasis on industrial hemp, with a consultation recently being held on how markets can be developed for this.

It is a very interesting crop in terms of what can be developed from it, what can be produced from the crop, Mr Caslin said.

In terms of industrial fibre crop, theres no issue in getting licensing for that, farmers can legally grow industrial hemp and get a licence to do that.

Its about getting the critical mass of crop in the ground that justifies building a decortication plant and process all of that and that requires coordination, it requires pulling the right people together, and having that critical mass.

Only cultivars with less than 0.2% THC  the narcotic component of the plant  may be grown for fibre and seed oil production in the EU, according to information compiled by Mr Caslin.

Read More New forum tasked with growing and developing organic sector in Ireland

CBD is not a controlled drug following separation and extraction. While it is psychoactive, it is not psychotropic. However, if CBD-containing products or preparations also contain THC, in any quantities, these are considered controlled drugs.

There is currently no legal exemption in Ireland under the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework for any amount of THC, causing a barrier for the processing of hemp in Ireland, as the main two cannabinoids in industrial hemp are CBD and THC, Mr Caslin said.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, cannabis means any part of the plant of the genus cannabis, but excludes the following after separation from the rest of the plant: the mature stalk and fibre produced from it; and the seeds.

Under current legislation, hemp farmers must destroy the hemp flower, and as cannabinoids are produced in the flower head, there is a further regulatory barrier to the development of an Irish hemp-derived food and cannabinoid market.

The sale of the flower could be permitted between farmer and processor to allow for the extraction of cannabinoids. Once the cannabinoids are separated from the plant the waste can be destroyed, per An Garda Siochana requirement.
Cloud communications provider Comms Group has appointed Zachary Crofts to the newly created position of CEO for its global business unit.

"This important role will strengthen the global management team and is recognition of the significant progress Comms Group has made in the region following our global contract win with Vodafone Business announced in March 2022," said Comms Group CEO and managing director Peter McGrath.

"Zac will join the company in April 2022 and brings a wealth of experience to Comms Group. We are looking forward to Zac and the team accelerating our growing and expansive global business. Working closely with the leadership team, Zac is well positioned to support the international growth that is well underway for the business, and with his background, leverage the many opportunities in the region for Comms Group Global."

Crofts will be based in Singapore.

He brings more than 17 years of international IT and telecoms industry experience to his new role, having previously worked at Telcoinabox, initially in Australia, before expanding it to New Zealand and the UK, where he served as UK managing director of the company.

McGrath added "This appointment rounds out the executive leadership team with Zac joining Next Telecom CEO, Gavin Roache, onPlatinum CEO, Shannon Overs, Matthew Beale group CFO, and Michael Diamond group COO all reporting into myself, as Comms Group Limited CEO and managing director."
Three cities along the I-4 corridor  including Orlando  are willing to take in refugees from Ukraine seeking asylum in the United States, according to a letter sent to by three mayors to President Joe Biden on Monday.

The letter, signed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, states that each city has organizations experienced in providing services to refugees and would help if need be.

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We are prepared to work with federal and local partners to ensure that refugees of this terrible crisis have the support and assistance that they need to join our communities if they so wish, the letter states. Our region is home to several organizations with extensive experience in providing services to individuals and families in this position.

Castor tweeted a copy of the letter Tuesday evening, which was retweeted by Dyer.

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Tampa Bay stands together in support of the Ukrainian people - their courage & resilience is an inspiration.@orlandomayor, @MayorKenWelch, and I have notified @POTUS that our region welcomes refugees and that we're ready to work in unison with federal & local partners to help. pic.twitter.com/27bpWZlvZk  Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) April 12, 2022

The Biden administration is planning a program to expedite accepting refugees from Ukraine  a process that can take years. The President committed last month to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians through a number of ways, including as refugees, CNN reported Tuesday.

More than 4.6 million people have left Ukraine since Russias invasion of the country began, according to the United Nations, with more than half arriving in neighboring Poland.

The letter says the cities have been inspired by the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of an unprovoked war against their home.

For generations, Florida cities have welcomed refugees with open arms. We have opened our hearts and doors to those fleeing dangerous conflicts or escaping the aftermath of natural disasters, it reads. In this spirit, our cities would like to welcome and assist refugees seeking asylum in the United States.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
Experienced company director and former IBM and ANZ Bank executive Kathleen Bailey-Lord has been appointed to the board of Australasian information technology services company Datacom Group.

Datacom says Bailey-Lords sector experience includes more than 15 years with IBM where she helped the global company transform its local presence from a hardware business into a professional services company in Australia.

Her executive experience spanned diverse sectors in Australia and Asia, including Managing Director of PMPs media solutions division, marketing and strategy director for Phillips Fox Lawyers (now DLA Piper) and group general manager for ANZs global shared services  all involving significant transformational change.

Datacom says Bailey-Lord brings to the company extensive experience and interest in innovation anchored in bringing together people and technology to solve real business challenges.

Datacom board chair Tony Carter says in addition to Kathleen Bailey-Lords extensive board and sector experience, she has a keen focus on areas that are very important to Datacom.

Kathleens keen interest in disruptive innovation and the technology industry is an excellent fit with Datacom. Were also very excited to be joined by someone of her calibre with a strong commitment to life-long learning, experience in talent attraction and retention, and passionate support of gender equity and diversity, particularly in the inclusion and development of First Nations people with new roles and opportunities.

Bailey-Lord currently serves on the board of Alinta Energy, QBE Insurance (Auspac), Melbourne Water, Monash College and Janison, and is a member of the technology and innovation advisory panel for the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

My focus is always strongly customer-centric. Across my executive leadership and board roles, in banking, professional services, insurance, education and utilities, evidenced time and again was the ability of digital solutions to transform customer experiences and the way products and services are delivered to create value for all stakeholders, says Bailey-Lord.

Datacom is part of this transformational journey with many respected and trusted brands across Australia and New Zealand. It is exciting to be joining the board of a company that plays an active role in these successes, working with customers to identify new ways for businesses to thrive in what is a complex and rapidly evolving landscape.

Bailey-Lord s previous board memberships include the Bank of Queensland, Australian Government Solicitor, Trinity College and the University of Sydneys transformation board.

Bailey-Lord is also a member of Chief Executive Women, an organisation bringing together business leaders to enable gender equality, and Global Women Leaders Strategic Philanthropy, a global community of collaborative philanthropy.
It's Stress Awareness Month and Meltwater analysed the social media postings of 13,000 Australians who spoke about being stressed in the last year. The findings are Twitch users and gamers top the list, along with males, and Melbourne residents.

Meltwater is a media monitoring and social analytics platform and performed the research for Stress Awareness Month to identify the demographics of those who post about being stressed on social media.

The most significant finding was gamers and Twitch users were the largest group experiencing and expressing stress. This was followed by writers and the media, then political activists and especially climate change activists.

61% of people posting about being stressed are male. The largest age group was 18-24 years, making up 30% of stressed posters, and the largest single region was Melbourne with 30% of all those posting about stress hailing from there.

Meltwater enterprise director Georgina Bitcon said by using metadata from social accounts we were able to determine the demographics of this population. Our AI-powered technology scanned their social media interactions to pull these insights and to better understand the different personas of people most likely suffering from stress.

Meltwater took the data and overlaid it with additional data from IBM Watson to further gauge the personality of those who report being stressed. They found these key characteristics:

Authority-challenging: they prefer to challenge authority and traditional values to bring about positive changes

Philosophical: they are open to and intrigued by new ideas and love to explore them

Melancholy: they think quite often about the things they are unhappy about

Further data and analysis identified the top content sources of those who are stressed as these:

The Guardian Australia

The New York Times

BBC Breaking News

The Shovel

The Chaser

The Betoota Advocate

FriendlyJordies

The analysis also found these Australians who post about being stressed are four times more likely to use Twitch and Reddit than average Australians.

They also have a particular affinity for Grace Tame, Laura Tingle, Louise Milligan, Sally McManus and Norman Swan.

Image credit: Stress by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
COMPANY NEWS: Specialist Sydney-based consulting firm HTANALYSTS, an industry leader in scientific-based services to the healthcare industry, has launched a new consulting practice to deliver new capabilities in social impact measurement, government services, sustainability, aged care and disability.

Commenting on the decision to expand its capabilities, HTANALYSTS chief executive officer Alasdair Godfrey says, Today, its no longer acceptable for organisations to talk about success in financial metrics alone, with nine-in-ten employees wanting companies to lead with purpose.

Employees believe its no longer acceptable for companies just to make money, and expect them to positively impact society as well1. As a result, theres an increasing need to demonstrate meaningful contributions to society through impact, whether that be environmental, economic, or cultural.

HTANALYSTS scientific rigour has proven valuable in the healthcare sector for more than two decades, helping major pharmaceutical and medical technology companies measure, analyse and then effectively communicate impact through a healthcare lens. This work has included reimbursement submissions, policy work and leveraging health economics to define value.

It has become clear that this skillset is valuable to a broader audience, continues Godfrey. Communities and governments are demanding greater certainty that budgets are being spent on actions, products, programmes and initiatives are only beneficial to society.

Increasingly, people need to demonstrate impact or want to feel more connected to positive influence. That means organisations are often required to show the advantageous outcomes of what they do, buy or sell, and consider how that contributes to job satisfaction in their employees.

Salary, bonuses and other perks are no longer enough to keeping good talent. Happiness in a career is also largely down to how positive and fulfilling people find the impact their job has.

To service these new capabilities, HTANALYSTS has expanded its team and re-positioned the firms offerings. According to CVO Colman Taylor, the company is creating a world where human-centric impact is a core purpose of every organisation.

To maximise our impact, we need to position ourselves among the emerging and established global challenges. Aging and disability are silent epidemics that create immense pressure on our society. Organisations need to demonstrate that they are rising to the challenge and are putting a healthy society ahead of profits, says Taylor.

Building on its extensive experience in the healthcare sector, HTANALYSTS is now being approached to undertake impact assessments, including Social Return on Investment (SROI) analyses. Led by Irene Deltetto, Director of Healthcare Strategy and Innovation, SROI is becoming a boardroom conversation.

SROI is a type of impact assessment that tells a rich story of how change has been or is being created, by measuring social, environmental, and economic outcomes, such as triple bottom line represented by monetary values. By comparing these outcomes to the cost of implementation, change is understood, and the wider value creation story can be demonstrated, she says.

For more information, please refer to HTANALYSTS insights page, found here.

About HTANALYSTS

Originally founded as Health Technology Analysts in 2002, HTANALYSTS has traditionally provided consulting services for the healthcare industry by way of health technology assessment, health economics and outcomes research. We have clients from across the health sector, including most pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, academic research institutions, not for profit organisations and government health departments. Our team is composed of highly specialised consultants from biomedical, scientific, academic and medical backgrounds. The methodologies employed by our team are complex yet proven and rigorous. All of which has made HTANALYSTS leaders in our field.

More information available via our website.
Australia's international borders have at last re-opened but will free movement alleviate the shortfall of willing and able ICT personnel that has bedevilled local businesses since the onset of the Covid crisis?

In my opinion, the answer to this question is a very cautious 'perhaps'. For better or worse, the country's high tech industry has long had a heavy reliance on overseas talent. Visa workers, who come for stays of varying lengths, are routinely used to plug the skills gap that arise regularly in our innovative and fast moving industry.

Or at least they were, until the onset of the worst pandemic in a century saw the federal government seal our international borders in March 2020.

The disruption to ICT talent supply was immediate and severe. The number of temporary skilled migrants joining Australia's technology workforce decreased by more than 30% in the 2019-20 financial year, compared to the previous year, according to the ACS and Deloitte's 2021 Digital Pulse report. Most of the reduction was in offshore visa grants, which were down by 40% from the previous financial year.

Open for business

Since 21 February, the borders have been wide open once more but whether overseas professionals will be as keen to make the trek Down Under as once they were remains to be seen.

Anecdotally, it appears there are plenty of once willing individuals who have been put off by Australia's track record in recent years regarding treatment of would-be immigrants, especially with extended lock-downs and lock-outs. It's reasonable to think that, given the choice, many of them will say 'yeah nah' to a stretch in Australia and 'hell yeah' to an offer to head to the US, Canada or other greener pastures instead.

Our often-protracted visa application process to enter Australia doesn't help either. At Class, we've found it can take up to 12 months for visas to be approved  far longer than most applicants and would-be employers care to be kept in limbo.

Offshoring pieces of work may be an option for some organisations, however, in our experience, not all activities are best served by a team split across countries, languages and time zones. Simple testing works just fine. Complex software development activities that call for extensive collaboration and innovation, not so much.

Moreover, the rise of these economies globally, with many emerging countries with pools of tech talent becoming middle-income countries, means these offshore options have become a lot more expensive and less attractive options.

Lack of planning

Australia finds itself in this predicament after decades of off-shoring IT roles and thereby making tech a less attractive career option in Australia. Having found ourselves short of tech talent onshore we started to bring in, rather than build up, our local workforce. Our failure to create and nurture a local pipeline of tech talent has left us with a shortage of the sort of experienced and credentialed professionals that vendors and organisations are today crying out to hire.

To compound the problem, the number of them that we need is growing fast. The Deloitte Access Economics and the Australian Computer Society Digital Pulse 2021 report said that, 'In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, digital technology has become even more important to Australian businesses, workforce and economy Technology workers are key to enabling this extra demand for digital infrastructure and services."

Nurturing homegrown talent

It's time we start to do something  several things  to turn the situation around. I believe alleviating the skills shortage and creating the workforce we need for an increasingly digitised future will only occur as the result of a multi-pronged approach.

We could start by raising the profile of the high-tech sector in the wider community and alerting teens to the advantages of working in technology. Traditionally, it hasn't been viewed as a cool career option but inspirational founders like Mike Cannon-Brookes and Melanie Perkins, of Atlassian and Canva respectively, could show that it's so.

Eliminating legacy technologies and methods from the IT curricula in schools and universities, and introducing students early in their school career to the latest developments in cloud and digital instead, could also amp up the interest and help new starters hit the ground running.

Doing more to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds is also essential. In particular, we have a huge pool of untapped female talent. Women remain under-represented in the local ICT sector  they account for just 26% of technical and professional roles in Australia, according to one 2021 study. We need to explore other avenues to attract and cross-train a range of candidates. The good news is we are seeing a number of programs to funnel them into the sector slowly bearing fruit.

Investing in a smarter tomorrow

Alas, there's no quick fix for local companies struggling to plug the gaps in their talent line-up in 2022. In common with our counterparts across the sector, we expect to be working overtime to attract and retain the personnel we need to capitalise on opportunities and achieve our growth targets, this year and next. But, with a concerted effort from government, industry and academia, surely we can solve the problem and ensure our country has the ICT workforce it needs to succeed in the long term?
GUEST OPINION: Backlinks are the cornerstone of SEO success as they have the potential to improve the website's rankings. More importantly, the fuel brand authority of your business by associating your website with topically relevant and authoritative sources.

Quality backlinks serve as trust signals that Google follows for the long run. But quality is the word that matters the most as you cannot expect random backlinks to get the desired outcomes. You have to invest in ones that Google surely loves. While there is no proven formula to create them, you can follow some easy strategies to build the best ones. Here are some tried and tested link-building strategies you can rely on.

Opt for audience-first guest blogging

Guest blogging has been around for ages, and SEO professionals trust this technique for yielding measurable and sustainable results. But you cannot shoot in the dark and expect to hit the bull's eye every time. Experts at Outreach Monks recommend opting for audience-first guest blogging to go the extra mile with the strategy. Essentially, it is about finding the relevant blogs that attract your target audience and getting your content published on them. Think beyond looking for high authority and niche-relevant websites when you prospect for guest-blogging. Create your target persona and identify the sites they are likely to follow. You can also check the competitor backlinks to find relevant publications.

Invest in resource pages

If you want Google to prioritize your backlinks, invest in resource page link building. It is about aligning your content topics with linkable audiences. These are groups of curators likely to link to the informative resources on the web. A quick Google search for the topics your audience will be hungry for gives you a good idea for creating resource pages. Besides picking the apt topics, you must provide long-form and in-depth content to cover answers to every possible question of the audience. The more your resource page content offers, the greater number of backlinks it is likely to attract.

Build strategic content partnerships

Strategic content partnerships take you a long way with building backlinks that Google will love. The best part is that you capitalize on the authority and following of your partners and make quick gains without a lot of work. The strategy involves exchanging backlinks reciprocally with like-minded niche blogs. Remember to ensure that these exchanges are natural and with no manipulation, or you may end up getting a penalty sooner than later. Look for partnering with industry blogs having similar domain authority to gain mutual benefits by exchanging links without going on the wrong side of Google guidelines.

Promote infographics

Investing in infographics is another good option to impress Google with quality backlinks. These content pieces are great for generating traffic and social shares for websites. Infographics present content in an attractive format, so they are more likely to attract attention. When people like and share these pieces, Google gets positive trust signals. As a result, it gives your ranking a boost. Good promotion is the only way you can make good content click with the audience and get attention from search engines. Look for publishing partners to give your infographics the reach and exposure they deserve.

Diversify content formats

Infographics give you a good start with content diversification, but you must think beyond them. Diversity in your content and backlinks is another effective measure to get into the good books of Google. You can write listicles, why posts, and how-to posts to attract quality backlinks for your websites. Informative videos also make a great way to get more with less. People love to link with quality content in unique formats, and these genuine backlinks are enough to impress Google to push your website higher on the search rankings.

Replicate competitors' best backlinks

Replicating the best backlinks of your competitor is another smart way to go the extra mile with your link-building efforts. They may have hundreds of them, so it may seem like a lot of work. You can collaborate with an SEO agency for the task. Many leading agencies work with white label link building partners who are great at securing high-quality editorial links for their clients. You can rely on them to create a comprehensive link profile that takes your website on par with the competitors. Even as they replicate competitor links, these experts make sure they do not lag on the quality front.

There's a difference between building backlinks and creating one Google loves. Remember not to focus on numbers because they do not ensure the success of your SEO plan. Everything boils down to quality, as it is the most important factor for search engines. A mix of these tactics can get you the desired results. Let experts choose the best backlink strategies for your business and take your website a notch higher.
GUEST OPINION: Setting up an international business is like a leap of faith for entrepreneurs. Yet countless Americans explore the opportunity every year. Italy is the choicest destination for them because it offers a favourable landscape for global businesses.

The market is lucrative, and the tax and regulatory climate are constructive. Beyond the business benefits it offers for international ventures, the country also stands apart for uncomplicated immigration.

It is easy to secure Italian citizenship by descent and get your venture off its feet sooner than later. The best thing is that millions of Americans are eligible for the descent route, so you may get a chance to breeze through. You can check Bersani Law Firm website to assess your eligibility and understand the process. Let us explain how Italian citizenship by descent can expedite your business plans.

Leverage your ancestral roots for eligibility

As an aspiring business owner, you will want to focus more on establishing your venture. The last thing you want to do is worry about immigration. Fortunately, the citizenship by descent option lets you leverage your ancestral connections to claim dual citizenship. You only need to trace your lineage in the first place. But besides an Italian bloodline, you have to establish the following facts to qualify for the Jure Sanguinis process-

Your ancestor was alive and a citizen of the country after its formation in 1861

The person did not give up on Italian citizenship by naturalization in another country before the birth of the next person in the bloodline

The good thing is that there are no generational limits to ancestry, so you can apply through a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, and beyond. But things can be complicated for those claiming through a female ascendant. You have to claim through the 1948 Rule rather than Jure Sanguinis if your female relative gave birth before 1948.

Establish and grow your business with dual citizenship

After ensuring eligibility, you can go ahead with the Jure Sanguinis process to claim a dual citizenship status. It entails a consulate process where you need to submit documents validating your ancestral ties at your local consulate. The route may take more than a year because the queues at consulates are typically long. But completing the process entitles you to dual citizenship. Once you get a second passport, you can live and work in Italy. Setting up your business here becomes a breeze as you have all the rights and entitlements of a citizen. You can buy a property and hire a team to start your venture. Even better, you can explore the Schengen markets because Italian citizenship empowers you to travel visa-free in this part of the world. You have one of the most powerful passports that opens global travel benefits as well.

Pass on the citizenship rights to the next generations

Another advantage of Italian citizenship by descent is that you can pass on the citizenship rights to the next generations. You can bring your spouse and dependent children along and ensure they qualify as Italian citizens. It means you can build a home in the country and start a new life apart from setting up your business here. Your family members can also live and work in Italy. They can access the education and healthcare benefits available to the locals. Moreover, your citizenship rights pass automatically on to the next generations. Your children, grandchildren, and the next generations can run and grow the business you establish today. It is a great motivation for an entrepreneur because you can build an empire that passes on from generation to generation.

Expedite your business plans with professional expertise

Expediting your business plans with Italian citizenship by descent is also about ensuring a seamless process. Although the route is pretty straightforward, the eligibility norms and exceptions can lead to delays. Likewise, the smallest errors or omissions in the paperwork can lead to rejection. Obtaining ancestral documents from your relative's commune is another challenge. These factors can delay your application, and the delay can slow down your business plans. However, you can ditch these challenges by collaborating with a professional who ensures no errors and delays.

Italian citizenship by descent is the best immigration route for people with ancestral connections in the country. You can depend on it to claim your rights and use them to set up a dream business in Italy at the earliest. Experts recommend seeking assistance from a local immigration specialist as they can help you ease and speed up the process.
Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans has been honoured with the Women in Industry Excellence in Engineering Award at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

Evans was acknowledged as an outstanding engineer and trailblazer in her field  she was the first woman to graduate from electrical engineering at Wollongong University and her career has taken her from industry and academia to the boardroom.

The first woman to occupy the role of CEO at Engineers Australia, Evans was previously the first female CEO of Standards Australia, where she was instrumental in improving the standards development process and was elected to a global role on the ISOs governing Presidents Committee.

She has held a plethora of non-executive positions, many on a volunteer basis, in areas including Industry4.0, STEM, industry-academia connections, construction and innovation.

Evans is a Chartered engineer and Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia. In 2021, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Swinburne University and appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to engineering, to standards and to medical technology.

In accepting the award, Evans said there was still much work to do to increase the number of women in industry.

Nights like tonight are important so we can celebrate our successes. However, we still need to have difficult conversations about education, bias, assumptions and missed opportunities for women in industry, she said.

"We know we will have succeeded when women are represented 50% top to bottom. I urge all of us here tonight to use our profiles and our influence to be role models and to be champions for the amazing women who are joining our industries and professions.

Category sponsor BAE Systems said they were particularly proud to sponsor the Engineering Excellence category in 2021.

We have female engineers to thank for many of the worlds greatest innovations, yet they make up only 12% of engineers employed in Australia. Awards such as these are important to not only celebrate achievement but to also provide inspiration to others to break down barriers and excel in the engineering industry, they said.

The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding women from the industrials sector  those who work in mining, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and infrastructure.
Today

Some clouds early. Mostly sunny skies along with windy conditions this afternoon. High 101F. SW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Mostly clear skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 68F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tomorrow

Sunny skies with gusty winds developing later in the day. High 91F. Winds W at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Florida lawmakers had a lot of money to spend this year. But its still easy to look around the state and see unmet needs. In the coming year, more than 20,000 Floridians with disabilities will linger on the states waiting list for services, along with more than 90,000 seniors who need in-home or nursing home care. Low-income women will still lose Medicaid coverage within a few months of giving birth, increasing the risk of long-term health complications. Florida will miss the chance for greater investment in incarceration prevention, which could save hundreds of millions in long-term prison costs.

Yet somehow, lawmakers found $50 million to blow on a brand-new judicial palace to house an additional district court of appeals  something Florida doesnt need, and most of the states legal community didnt want. That doesnt include nearly $10 million in salaries and other costs for six new judges, lawyers, clerks, security and other personnel, or the intangible cost of reshuffling district boundaries. (Orange and Osceola counties would shift to the new district, moving local appeals from Daytona Beach to Lakeland.)

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A closer look at the numbers and the politics behind this startling expenditure should send Gov. Ron DeSantis reaching for his veto pen.

No good reasons

Start with the numbers. Floridas caseload has been declining for years  a trend that predates COVID. In the fiscal year ending in 2011, Floridas five appellate courts (which are the middle layer of the states court system) handled 26,187 cases. By the year ending in 2020, that annual figure was down to 17,785. The decline is even more striking in light of Floridas 14 percent population increase over the same time frame.

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Those trends didnt help the hand-picked committee that studied court expansion last year (with the clear expectation that they would enthusiastically support a new district). Neither did a series of surveys about Floridas appellate courts. Of the 64 appellate judges who responded, only two said they thought Florida needed another appellate district. Among more than 1,500 trial-level judges and attorneys, support for another district was a little more generous, at nearly 18 percent. But thats still four no answers for every yes.

Next, the committee examined case-clearing rates and efficiency  and struck out again, finding that between 92 and 98 percent of appellate cases were concluded within 180 days of oral argument.

The committees final recommendation rested on the flimsiest of rationales. Survey respondents rated appellate courts lowest on two factors: Diversity of applicants for vacant judgeships, and public trust and confidence in appellate decisions. The committee didnt delve too deeply into how another $50 million courthouse and millions in extra salary expenses would solve those problems  it just concluded that it would help.

In its order supporting a new court, the state Supreme Court picked up that leap-of-faith argument and looked right past the statistics showing Floridas appellate courts were doing fine. The only dissent came from Justice Ricky Polston, who pointed out the utter lack of objective data supporting a sixth court, as well as the blithe indifference toward the courts own rule requiring the consideration of less disruptive and expensive ways of improving court access before adding an entire new court.

The other six members of the Supreme Court ignored that rule. Ignoring rules is not something the Supreme Court is supposed to do.

The next stop

One would think that lawmakers  who had no problem withholding money from needy seniors and people with disabilities  would have pounced on such a flimsy rationale for spending so much money (especially since bashing appellate courts has become an official sport in the right-wing Olympics).

And lawmakers  those needle-eyed fiscal conservatives  did have a problem with the plan to add a brand-new court, along with six unnecessary judgeships.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Seven, they decided, would be better.

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The majority of the Supreme Court scrambled to concur. Only Polston stood out, grumbling that if Florida didnt need six new judges, it certainly didnt need seven.

Certainly, there are politics involved here. Rumor had it that the new court had its roots in the 2021 tug-of-war over the location of a new courthouse for the Second District Court of Appeals. Powerful Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, (whose husband is an appellate judge) wanted it in her town. House Speaker Chris Sprowls wanted it in Pinellas County. Sprowls won, but offered a cryptic statement about a multi-year plan to address court needs. Lo and behold, the new Sixth District courthouse will be located in Lakeland.

As for the bump from six to seven judges, who knows? Many guess it was a gift to the governor, increasing the number of powerful judicial positions hell be able to fill.

If so, it only increases DeSantis motivation to kill the entire sticky mess by vetoing the budget line items and the bill (HB 7027) redrawing district lines. If he allows it to stand, he should expect uncomfortable questions about his own stake in such a massive, and unnecessary, expenditure.

Florida has a lot of needs. A fancy new courthouse is not among them. But Floridians do have a need for politicians to handle tax money with respect, and refrain from doing $60 million favors for each other. If the governor plans to brag about his actions to drain the swamp in Tallahassee, he shouldnt miss this opportunity to pull the plug.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick and El Sentinel Editor Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
No one ever knows wholl make history at the Kentucky Derby, but citing data from the Kentucky Derby and other sources, Stacker features 10 jockeys with the most Derby wins. Click for more.
Jacksonville, TX (75766)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.




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U.S. should take more action in Ukraine

Does anyone seriously believe that the Russians ambitions will be met by annexing Ukraine? History tells us otherwise. No rational person wants to go to war, but some things are worth fighting for. I fear that by taking no aggressive steps to stop the massacre, we are morally complicit. No, we are not the worlds policeman, but the ongoing slaughter is unlike anything seen since World War II. I dont want to have to look my grandchildren in the eye and tell them why we allowed the slaughter to continue. We must impose and enforce a no-fly zone.

Mark O. Cooper Altamonte Springs

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DeSantis vs. Disney: Battle of the century

Floridas chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, wrote this in a letter last week: In Florida, under Governor Ron DeSantis leadership, we value free speech and honest debate. All these freedom lovers, when they start to settle down, will realize the losses they will incur in the future. It seems DeSantis will not allow you to dispute what he says or does.

It never ceases to amaze me to see what lengths DeSantis will go to in order to bring his dissenters into line. When Disneys staff were upset because Disney did not object to the Dont Say Gay bill and the CEO raised issues in support of its staff, DeSantis decided to get even because Disney stopped its political contributions. So now all attention is on destroying Disneys influence in Central Florida. Of course, as soon as the GOP blew the dog whistle, their constituents came out to support the GOP and are seen protesting at Disney. We are going to watch the battle of the century.

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Barbara Hill Eustis

Oil companies, airlines are gaming the system

Im not defending Joe Biden and his administration, but Im not sure everyone is seeing the big picture when it comes to the economy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government bailed out the oil and airline industries because of economic collapse. Now those same industries are limiting oil drilling and airline capacity, despite the comeback in the economy. Seat capacity is 8% lower on flights than in 2019 and oil companies are slow to expand drilling.

This allows them to limit supply and raise prices. Would this be the case if there were a Republican president? Could this lead to a pro-business Republican in the White House in 2024?

Paul Sternschein Alafaya
Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Cloudy with occasional light rain during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 46F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Multiple listed companies on the stock market are set to announce their charter capital raising plans at the upcoming general meetings of shareholders.

Among the listed companies, the banking group seems to have been the most eager.

Vietnam International Bank (VIB) has attracted great attention from investors with its plans for capital increase, profit growth and bad debt reduction.

VIB plans to increase its charter capital to over VN21 trillion (US$918 million) through the distribution of bonus shares at the rate of 35 per cent of charter capital to existing shareholders, and 0.7 per cent of equity sources to employees under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) programme.

In 2022, VIB sets a profit target of VN10.5 trillion, an increase of 31 per cent compared to 2021. The targets for total assets, total credit balance and capital mobilisation all increased by 30 per cent, respectively to VN402.5 trillion, VN265.6 trillion and VN280.6 trillion.

The bank also aims to control the bad debt ratio below 3 per cent, the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) calculated according to Basel II standards above 10 per cent. The return on assets (ROA) and return in equity (ROE) are expected to be 2.4 per cent and 29.5 per cent, respectively.

In April, many banks will hold their general meetings of shareholders, announcing information on capital increases and business targets. Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) will submit to shareholders a plan to increase capital through stock issuance. The bank plans to pay dividends in 2021 at the rate of 25 per cent in shares, raising its charter capital to more than VN33.7 trillion.

Similarly, at the beginning of 2022, the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Viet Nam (VCB) issued more than 1.02 billion shares to pay dividends from the remaining profit in 2019 to increase charter capital to more than VN47.3 trillion. This year, VCB will continue to submit another plan to increase charter capital.

Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam has just also completed its plan to raise charter capital to VN50.59 trillion. This bank is also set to issue 341.5 million new shares, equivalent to 8.5 per cent of charter capital through public offering or private placement to continue raising charter capital.

In the group of securities companies, many "huge" capital raising plans have also been released. For example, Saigon-Hanoi Securities Joint Stock Company (SHS) has just been approved by the State Securities Commission to issue shares to existing shareholders at a ratio of 1:1 at the price of VN12,000 per share to increase capital to VN6.5 trillion.

Having just doubled its capital from VN731.5 billion to VN1.46 trillion, APG Securities Joint Stock Company (APG) is expected to submit to the 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders a plan to increase its capital to more than VN4 trillion.

At the annual general meeting of shareholders held earlier this week, SmartInvest Securities JSC (AAS) also asked for shareholders' opinions on the plan to increase its charter capital by 6 times to VN5 trillion.

Thanh Tam, an investor told tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn that information on raising capital had a positive impact on stock price movements, attracting lots of attention. However, the possibility of them buying would depend on factors such as strategic partners participating in the issuance, if any, the plan to use capital and the target profits.

In the current context, many experienced investors will not only look at the plan of increasing capital, but they will also pay attention to the ability to realise the growth and profit goals of the business, Tam said.

Ambitious plans

Tran Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of SmartInvest Securities JSC (AAS), said that it was likely that the market would receive mainly positive news, with many bold and ambitious plans.

Explaining this more specifically, Tuan said: "The size of the economy and the market have both increased significantly compared to previous years, so listed companies, especially financial enterprises such as banks and securities will increase capital to increase financial strength, competitiveness, providing more complete services according to market demand. Along with the capital increase plans, they have also announced positive earning plans.

At present, except for large listed companies that have clear information disclosure processes, most small and medium-cap companies have not paid enough attention to the process of information disclosure. In this regard, the information provided to shareholders has not been regular and timely, Tran Khanh Hien, Director of Analysis of VNDIRECT Securities Joint Stock Company, said.

In addition to publishing quarterly financial statements, many businesses seem to only provide information on their production and business situation once a year, during the general meeting of shareholders. This is not enough in the current context of many macro fluctuations, she said.

In this year's season of the general meeting of shareholders, perhaps many capital increase plans will be announced. Taking advantage of favourable market movements, many businesses have planned to increase capital to expand production and business and strengthen their financial capacity to recover from the pandemic. This is a good sign, proving that the stock market is becoming an increasingly important capital channel for the economy," said Hien.

However, listed companies all needed to balance between optimising capital efficiency and meeting the long-term expectations of shareholders, she said.

Therefore, businesses need to provide clearer information about capital use plans to ensure confidence for investors.

On the other hand, investors also need to closely monitor the capital use plan of the business, giving priority businesses with transparent plans and an effective history of capital raising, she said. VNS
Barbara Buchele and Martha Williamson, both of Winter Park, check out maps showing the existing district lines, as constituents gather to voice their opinion to House and Senate members during the Florida Legislatures redistricting hearing in Orlando, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre downtown, Wednesday, July 27, 2011. (JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL)

We have a trio of topics today, including an update on the investigation into dark money and a ghost candidate in Seminole County and an odd story about a Florida congressman who voted against his own bill and claimed he didnt know why.

But lets start with a hot topic: redistricting.

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Youve probably seen how Florida Republicans are fighting with each other  and, to a lesser extent, with barely-relevant Democrats  over the states redistricting plan.

This happens every decade among both parties in most states. Why? Because asking politicians to fairly choose their own districts works about as well as asking a flock of turkey vultures to equitably split up a pile of roadkill.

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Turkey vultures might actually be better at sharing roadkill than politicians are at fairly presiding over redistricting efforts. (Courtesy of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center)

Thats why Florida should look at what Arizona did to neuter the influence of politicians on this process  by removing them from it altogether.

In Arizona, politicians dont draw the districts. Instead, Republicans pick two people to serve on a redistricting committee. Democrats pick two. And then those four members are required by law to work together until they can jointly agree upon a fifth member.

Basically, the process begins by forcing the two major parties to do something unusual  work together. And none of the people drawing the districts are selecting the voters they desire for their own personal elections.

Theoretically, Florida lawmakers could set up a similar commission. But youd have a better chance of teaching calculus to one of those turkey vultures. So citizens would probably have to do what they did with the Fair Districts amendment and pass a statewide change to the Florida Constitution. Thats what Arizonians did; take control of things.

Theres no perfect plan. There will always be politics in politics. And, thanks to the Fair Districts initiative most of you passed, things are already better in Florida than they used to be when legislative and congressional districts looked like psychopathic jigsaw puzzles. But the further away you can keep politicians from the process, the better off everyone else is.

Investigation, anyone?

Last week, the Sentinel carried a head-scratching story with the headline: New Seminole election security initiative wouldnt target ghost candidates.

Why was it odd? Because the only real controversy in the last round of Seminole County elections involved ghost candidates and dark money  which Seminole officials now say they wont be probing.

It was like announcing a toxic-waste cleanup committee that wasnt interested in toxic waste.

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Admittedly, probing crimes is more the responsibility of law enforcement than local elections supervisors. But law enforcement in Seminole has been largely M.I.A. on all this.

So where does that leave us? Well, eight months ago, after a lot of pressure, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it was opening a preliminary investigation into activity surrounding the Senate District 9 race won by Jason Brodeur.

On Wednesday, the FDLE said that preliminary probe is still active.

OK, but were now going on two years since questions first arose about this race  about the sources of the dark money that poured into the district, a mystery (ghost) candidate who didnt campaign and then left for Sweden, a secretive political committee whose leader told investigators her signature was forged and one person who told the Sentinel he never made a campaign donation that state records claimed he did.

When shady activity surfaced in South Florida, the prosecutor leapt into action, opened an investigation, issued subpoenas and made arrests. Here in Seminole, prosecutor Phil Archer and other officials didnt do squat.

Voters in Seminole deserve answers  and the same kind of accountability demanded by authorities down south. So well keep watching.

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I dont know

And finally, we have an odd and unseemly flap in Washington that (of course) features Florida politicians.

Joseph W. Hatchett, the first Black justice to serve on the Florida Supreme Court, accepted the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2021.

The New York Times detailed the hubbub in its story, House G.O.P., Banding Together, Kills Bid to Honor Pioneering Black Judge, revealing how a routine bill to honor Floridas first Black Supreme Court justice got derailed.

The story noted that members of Floridas congressional delegation united across the aisle to suggest naming a federal courthouse in honor of that historic first justice, Joseph W. Hatchett. And most everyone seemed to think it was a swell idea  until Georgia Republican Andrew Clyde, who made headlines for describing the deadly Capitol attack as a normal tourist visit, learned of a ruling Hatchett once made involving school prayer that Clyde disliked.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Suddenly, a whisper campaign transpired, and a number of Republicans no longer wanted to honor Hatchett. That included Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan, whod actually co-sponsored the naming in Hatchetts honor.

Asked why he voted against his own measure, Buchanan responded: I dont know.

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U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., told the New York Times he didn't know why he opposed his own bill to honor Florida's first Black Supreme Court justice. A spokesman for Buchanan later insisted he did. (Chris O'Meara/AP)

Kudos for candor, Congressman.

The Times reported that a spokesman for Buchanan later clarified that when Buchanan said he didnt know why he voted the way he did, what he really meant was that the congressman had concerns about the prayer ruling. (The word clarified seems to be doing some heavy lifting in that sentence.)

Other members of Congress seemed embarrassed by the whole ordeal, and Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio said he believed Congress would find a way to honor Hatchett.

Still, the episode seems like a pretty good example of partisan strife, Washington dysfunction and herd mentality  if the herd included knee-jerk reactionaries unable to explain their own actions.

smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Missouri...Kansas... Elk River near Tiff City affecting McDonald County. Spring River near Waco affecting Jasper County. Spring River at Carthage affecting Jasper County. Spring River above Baxter Springs affecting Cherokee County. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Missouri... Shoal Creek near Joplin affecting Newton and Jasper Counties. For the Spring River Basin...including Baxter Springs, Waco, Carthage...Moderate flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Many flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. The next statement will be issued Saturday evening at 845 PM CDT. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Spring River at Carthage. * WHEN...Until early Sunday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 14.0 feet, moderate flooding occurs at the gage site. The levee system closes due to flood waters affecting the north central industrial section of Carthage. Flood waters affect low lying areas and country roads north and west of Carthage along the river. Kellogg Lake Park floods and is closed. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 7:45 PM CDT Friday the stage was 14.2 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage early tomorrow afternoon and continue falling to 5.0 feet Wednesday evening. - Flood stage is 10.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Roscosmos space agency employees at a rocket assembly factory during his visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 125 miles from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region Tsiolkovsky , Russia, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Evgeny Biyatov/AP)

While war rages in Ukraine and Russia deals with international sanctions, the countrys space program is moving forward with an uncrewed mission to the moon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Tuesday about plans to launch the Luna-25 spacecraft to the moons south pole by the third quarter of 2022.

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The mission looks to test out landing technology, and will launch on a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far eastern parts of Russia.

We will restore the moon program; I am talking about the launch of the Luna-25 automatic robotized spacecraft from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Putin said as reported by the countrys Tass news agency.

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Putin visited the spaceport to mark the 61st anniversary of Yuri Gagarins 1961 mission becoming the first human in space.

Russias lunar missions ended in the 1970s. Luna 24, another robotic mission, launched in 1976. Russia never landed a human on the surface with only 12 NASA astronauts having achieved the feat.

Russia also is not joining NASA and the European Space Agency for its Artemis plans, but instead announced in 2021 plans to join forces with China to develop a lunar space station that will either orbit, or be on the surface of the moon.

NASAs lunar plans are set to progress this summer with the launch of Artemis I from Kennedy Space Center. The uncrewed mission using the years-in-the-making Space Launch System will lift off with the Orion capsule for a months-long trip to orbit the moon.

A crewed flight to the moon without landing is slated for no earlier than May 2024 followed by Artemis III no earlier than 2025 that would return humans including the first woman to the moon for the first time since 1972.
A rendering of the hydrogen-filled balloon that Space Perspective hopes will one day carry civilian passengers 100,000 feet into space. (Courtesy Space Perspective)

The company that wants to fly passengers up to the edge of space in a balloon from Kennedy Space Center looks to do it with style.

Space Perspective revealed interior space renderings this week for its Spaceship Neptune, the planned 650-foot-tall balloon that can carry up to eight guests on a six-hour flight. Trips will lift off from KSCs former shuttle landing facility, rise over two hours to 20 miles altitude and then float above the Earth for two hours before coming back down.

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So instead of strapping in for the G forces of a rocket launch in flight suits, passengers will enjoy the Space Lounge, offering 360-degree views and reclining seats.

The goal was to create a welcoming interior featuring comfortable lounge chairs, mood lighting, and even plants and herbs such as lavender, basil, and rosemary that can be used in food and drink prep, reads a post on the companys website.

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Space Perspective revealed renderings for the interior space of its planned space balloon Spaceship Neptune it aims to have carrying passengers in 2024. (Space Perspective)

The lounge will feature a full-service bar, allow food, offer Wi-Fi and have bathrooms. For those who need to go, even the bathroom will have a window so they dont have to miss the view.

The look and feel is a stark contrast from competitors like SpaceXs Crew Dragon, Blue Origins New Shepard and Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo.

This creates a calming environment in which to relax, and is the opposite of the bright white utilitarian interiors you find on other spacecraft, the post reads.

Go For Launch - Space News Weekly Fix your telescope on all space-related news, from rocket launches to space-industry advancements. >

The dark interior aims to reduce reflection and glare from the windows.

As far as the trip, the company is willing to work with customers to make adjustments.

If you can dream it, our team is ready and waiting to work with you to make it a reality. From the menu and cocktails onboard, to the soundtrack and lighting, your individual preferences can be incorporated into your journey to create your definitive ultimate adventure, reads the post.

Prices for the flights are $125,000, with deposits starting at $1,000 per person. The company had already sold 500 tickets, including a pair to recent space travelers Mark and Sharon Hagle, who flew with Blue Origin last month to an altitude of nearly 66 miles, but that was only about a 10-minute ride. They said theyll get to fly on the balloon on its fourth crewed trip.

The company aims to pilot 25 flights in its first year of operation, flying from locations around the world, but with initial operations from Brevard County.

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The company already sent up a successful test flight in June 2021 with an unmanned balloon that hit an altitude of 108,409 feet crossing Florida from the east to the west and splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico during a six-hour, 39-minute flight. The company plans a crewed test flight in 2023.

Flights are subject to approval by the Federal Aviation Administrations Office of Commercial Spaceflight.










RADISSON HOTEL GROUP DEBUTS IN GHANA WITH THE OPENING OF NUMBER ONE OXFORD STREET HOTEL & SUITES, A MEMBER OF RADISSON INDIVIDUALS Radisson Hotel Group debuts in Ghana with the opening of Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals RADISSON HOTEL GROUP DEBUTS IN GHANA WITH THE OPENING OF NUMBER ONE OXFORD STREET HOTEL & SUITES, A MEMBER OF RADISSON INDIVIDUALS Radisson Hotel Group debuts in Ghana with the opening of Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals Ghana - Industry economy - Hotel opening

This is a press release Category: Africa Indian Ocean This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2022-04-13







Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its debut in Ghana with the opening of Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals.



In partnership with Belfast City Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kwarleyz Group, the hotel also marks the second Radisson Individuals hotel opening in Africa within the last two weeks.



Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals is located on the most prominent street in Accra, in the Osu neighborhood, on the doorstep of the citys financial business district and government ministries.



It is conveniently located for both business and leisure travel as it is situated just 4km from Kotoka Accra International Airport, 200m from the Koala Shopping Center, and in close proximity to all the citys great local attractions, including Black Star square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Museum.



The 108 luxury residential units spanning across 1500m2, create an architectural marvel that has quickly become one of the most iconic structures in Ghana.



The outdoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and serene spa provide the ideal activities for guests to unwind in luxury. The terrace offers a welcoming location for midday drinks and light meals, while Restaurant Uno creates memorable and delectable meals with a contemporary a la carte menu and wine selection.



Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, says: "We are delighted to mark our official debut in Ghana and maintain the momentum of our new Radisson Individuals brand in Africa with the rebranding of this landmark hotel, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites. Africa presents a key opportunity for Radisson Individuals, as it perfectly responds to the evolving demands of the continents market for both hotel owners and guests. We look forward to guests enjoying this beloved hotel, coupled with our renowned Yes I Can! service and hospitality.



Nana Kwame Bediako, CEO of Kwarleyz Group, Founder of Belfast City Management and Owner of Number One Oxford Street Hotels and Suites says: "When our hotel launched before the global pandemic, we envisioned a product that perfectly landed in a post-pandemic world where social distancing and space would be in high demand for travelers, even without a pandemic. We provide our guests with multiple separate fully functioning spaces, whether they stay for a short while or remain in residence with us for an extended period. This hotel marks our first collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group and it is the intention to continuously serve our guests that has led us to this great partnership. We aim to keep delivering the same high levels of security, comfort, safety and privacy that Number One Oxford Street Hotels & Suites has been known for as we open as the second member of Radisson Individuals on the African continent.



As a member of Radisson Individuals, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites will be integrated into Radisson Hotel Group's global platform, benefitting from its international awareness and experience, while also retaining its own unique identity.



Each property in this curated collection is selected for its individual personality and gives travelers the chance to explore new parts of the world in properties that reflect the spirit of their locale, supported by the Group's "Yes I Can" service philosophy.



The hotel will also join Radisson Rewards, the Groups industry-leading loyalty program which offers exclusive benefits to millions of guests worldwide.



With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, A Member of Radisson Individuals is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program.



The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the worlds leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. ABOUT RADISSON INDIVIDUALS Radisson Individuals is a brand that allows hotel properties to maintain and promote their unique characteristics and personalities by focusing on one-of-a kind locations and experiences, whilst meeting the high standards of quality and service that guests have come to expect from the Radisson Hotel Group. It is a complement brand to the other existing eight brands in the portfolio, and an ideal first step for individual hotels with strong service scores who may be considering transitioning to one of the other successful core brands at a later stage. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson Individuals by participating in Radisson Rewards, a global loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.



Radisson Individuals is a part of Radisson Hotel Group, which also includes Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.









[ Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals ]



[Website of the company which publishes this press release]




The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With Valentine's Day coming up, do you think the ECU community and the City of Greenville is doing all they can to make people feel loved and supported?

Survey
Reporter

Susan covers the towns of Somers and Enfield. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year.
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Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
Today

Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 46F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy skies. High 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Amnesty International accused Malian authorities Wednesday of making little progress in investigating war crimes or civilian abuses in the Sahel state, arguing that impunity still prevails in such cases.

In a report, the rights group said that instances of war crimes and violence against civilians had risen since 2018, particularly in conflict-torn central Mali.

The rights group listed massacres variously blamed on jihadists, Malian armed forces or the French army, which first intervened in the country in 2013.

Abuses have been committed against civilians by armed Islamist groups such as the GSIM and EIGS, whose insurgency has gradually spread from the north to the central regions, it said, referring to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).

Among numerous incidents, for example, suspected GSIM members killed at least 32 people in the villages of Tori and Diallassagou in July 2020. Numerous people have been abducted and held captive by members of these groups during the period covered by this report. Villages have been blockaded, impeding the most basic rights of individuals.

Mali has been struggling to quell a brutal jihadist conflict that first emerged in 2012, before spreading to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Poorly paid Malian soldiers are also often accused of committing abuses against civilians.

Amnesty said in a statement accompanying its report on Wednesday that impunity still prevails in Mali despite pledges from authorities to investigate recent massacres.

Many of the documented abuses constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, the rights group said.

Investigations are hampered by rampant insecurity, as well few protections for witnesses and illegal detentions of suspects by the countrys intelligence services.

Impunity for the most serious crimes only encourages their repetition and the cycle of violence thus continues, the report said.

Amnesty called for more financial and technical resources for Malis judicial system, as well as greater political will to advance the investigations.

A landlocked nation of 21 million people, Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world.
The International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor visited the town of Bucha on Wednesday  the scene of hundreds of civilian killings which Ukraine has blamed on Russian forces who occupied it for several weeks.

Ukraine is a crime scene. Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court are being committed, Karim Khan told reporters

We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth. That requires independent, impartial investigation, he said.

Khan said an ICC forensic team was set to work so that we can really make sure we separate truth from fiction.

We have to keep an open mind and we have to follow the evidence, he said.

The law needs to be mobilised and sent into battle to protect civilians.

Russia has denied responsibility for the deaths and President Vladimir Putin has dismissed reports of Russian soldiers shooting civilians as fake.
US President Joe Biden accused Vladimir Putin of committing genocide against civilians in Ukraine, as Kyiv halted humanitarian corridors in several parts of the country Wednesday deemed too dangerous for evacuations.

Bidens accusation came as Moscow  already accused by the West of widespread atrocities against civilians  appears to be readying a massive offensive across Ukraines eastern Donbas region that Washington warned might involve chemical weapons.

In Mariupol, where strikes continued to pummel the battered city, more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered, Russias defence ministry said Wednesday. Ukraine did not confirmed the claim.

Following its pullback from areas north of Ukraines capital, Kyiv, Russia is refocusing its efforts eastward, the new frontline of the nearly seven-week war.

It appears aimed at capturing more territory in Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists control the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, to create a solid southern corridor to occupied Crimea.

Ukrainian authorities have been urging people to flee west in advance of the expected Russian offensive but on Wednesday, all humanitarian corridors were halted, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

The situation along the routes is too dangerous, Vereshchuk said, claiming Russian forces around Zaporizhzhia in the south were blocking buses transporting the evacuated, while shooting at fleeing civilians in Lugansk.

In the past 24 hours, seven civilians were killed by Russian shelling in the northeastern Kharkiv region, said regional governor Oleg Synegubov on social media.

Bidens charge of genocide was the strongest accusation yet from Washington against Putin, yet one that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly levelled.

Biden previously called Putin a war criminal following the discovery of hundreds of civilians killed in Bucha and neighbouring Kyiv suburbs held by Russian forces that sparked global condemnation.

Yes, I called it genocide, said Biden, defending his use of the term Tuesday during a speech, while saying hed let lawyers decide whether or not it qualifies as such.

Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

The International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor Karim Khan said Wednesday that Ukraine is a crime scene, speaking on a visit to Bucha.

Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court are being committed. We have to pierce the fog of war to get to the truth, he told reporters.

 Clean them out 

The worst civilian toll is feared to be in Mariupol, where Zelensky accuses Russia of killing tens of thousands.

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian army said on Telegram that air strikes continued, particularly targeting its port and the huge Azovstal iron and steel works.

The maze-like complex has been a focus of resistance in Mariupol, with fighters using a tunnel system below the vast industrial site to slow Russian forces down.

Its a city within a city, said Eduard Basurin, a representative for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, citing subterranean areas that cannot be bombed from above.

You have to go underground to clean them out, and that will take time.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not confirm allegations that Russia had used chemical weapons in the area, but Washington had credible information Russia might use tear gas mixed with chemical agents in the besieged port.

 Devil incarnate 

On Wednesday, US private satellite firm Maxar Technologies published images it said showed ground forces moving towards Russias border with Ukraine on Monday, likely in preparation for an offensive.

In the eastern city of Kramatorsk, the Ukrainian militarys main operations hub for the region, a steady stream of residents sought once again to leave by bus and train

The citys train station was hit by a missile attack on Friday that killed 57 people.

What is happening is inhuman, (Putin) is a fascist. I dont know what to call him  a devil incarnate, said Russian-born Valentina Oleynikova, 82, fleeing the city with her husband.

Another woman, 44-year-old Nadiya Zhizhunas, bid goodbye to her husband, holding him tightly for several minutes before boarding a train.

I have no idea when we will be together again, Zhizhunas said. We have to survive first.

 No words 

In areas recently abandoned by Russian forces, the grim work of accounting for the civilian dead continued.

In the Kyiv commuter town of Gostomel, north of Bucha, locals exhumed the body of Mayor Yuriy Prylypko, whom authorities said was shot while handing out bread to the hungry and medicine to the sick and hastily buried by a local priest.

Up to 400 people are unaccounted for Gostomel, said regional prosecutor Andiy Tkach, as war crimes investigators began a probe. AFP witnessed dozens of body bags filling a refrigerated lorry trailer, as two others awaited more corpses.

Loading the truck, Igor Karpishen said he had never before done such work.

But our citizens are murdered and we must bury every person in the right way, said Karpishen.

I dont have any words to express these feelings.

Zelensky sounded the alarm Tuesday about snowballing allegations of rape and sexual assault by Russian forces in previously held areas, saying hundreds of cases had been recorded, including of young children and a baby.

Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said more than 400 people were found dead after Moscows forces withdrew, with 25 reported rapes.

Putin dismissed reports of civilian atrocities as fakes Tuesday while saying the Russian offensive was proceeding according to plan.

Meanwhile, an official in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro said Wednesday that the remains of more than 1,500 Russian soldiers were being kept in its morgues.

 Tycoon swap 

The presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia headed for Kyiv in a show of support Wednesday, a day after Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier  who has long held a detente policy towards Moscow  said his offer to visit was rejected.

In a separate development, Zelensky offered to swap a pro-Kremlin tycoon  arrested after escaping from house arrest  for captured Ukrainians.

Zelensky posted a picture of a handcuffed Viktor Medvedchuk  one of Ukraines richest people, who counts Putin among his personal friends  wearing a Ukrainian army uniform.

Medvedchuk, a hugely controversial figure in Ukraine, was under house arrest over accusations of attempting to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.
A report by the worlds largest security body on Wednesday accused Russia of clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations in Ukraine.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) report said if Russia had respected its international obligations after invading Ukraine on February 24, the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower.

The 110-page report presented at the OSCEs permanent council meeting pointed at damaged and destroyed houses, hospitals, schools, water stations and other infrastructure.

The three experts who wrote the report, which included information from NGOs on the ground, said given the timeline and scope of their mission it was not possible to identify war crimes.

Nevertheless, the mission found clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities, the report said.

The mission was set up following a request by Ukraine on March 3.

It covers the period from the invasion on February 24 to April 1, before images of bodies emerged as Russia withdrew from the town of Bucha and elsewhere in northern Ukraine.

The images shocked the world and prompted accusations of Russian war crimes.

But the report noted that evidence points to a major war crime and a crime against humanity committed by the Russian forces, calling for an international probe.

The reports authors said it was likely other violent acts documented, such as targeted killing, enforced disappearance or abductions of civilians, qualified as a crime against humanity.

The report also found the conflict has exerted and continues to exert particularly negative effects on women, children, older people and people with disabilities.

It also expressed concern over Ukraines treatment of prisoners.

As this report shows, violations occurred on the Ukrainian as well as on the Russian side. The violations committed by the Russian Federation, however, are by far larger in scale and nature, it said.

The report was carried out under the OSCEs so-called Moscow Mechanism, which allows for an ad hoc team of experts to be established to assist in resolving an OSCE member states problems.

Russia declined to contribute to the report, according to the experts, deeming the mechanism largely outdated and redundant.

The OSCE began in the early 1970s as a forum for dialogue between East and West.

The Vienna-based body has 57 member states on three continents  including Russia, Ukraine and the United States.
Almost 100 cultural and religious sites in Ukraine have sustained damage since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO said on Wednesday.

The estimate represents a near doubling of the previous number UNESCO issued two weeks ago as concern grows over the consequences of the assault for Ukrainian cultural heritage.

The mark of 100 damaged or totally destroyed sites will be reached on Thursday or Friday  this morning we are at 98 sites and monuments listed in eight regions of the country, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of world heritage at UNESCO, told AFP in an interview.

He said these included a range of sites, including some from the early mediaeval era to others seen as landmarks of early Soviet architecture.

The number could rise still further, Eloundou Assomo warned, saying some areas were becoming accessible only now while others were the scene of intensifying fighting.

Some of these sites and monuments will take time to rebuild and others probably cannot be rebuilt at all.

He warned that any targeting of buildings bearing the UNESCO-backed Blue Shield that signals cultural heritage is a violation of international law and could also be considered a war crime.

UNESCO uses satellite images and witness reports from the scene to verify information provided by the Ukrainian authorities.

None of those confirmed damaged are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Ukraine, such as the Saint-Sophia Cathedral and monastic buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the capital.

However the historic centre of the city of Chernigiv, which has seen damage in heavy fighting, is on the Tentative List, meaning Ukraine wants it considered for World Heritage status.

As for the seven sites classified as World Heritage by Unesco, they have so far not been damaged, according to the information we have, Eloundou Assomo said.

In a letter sent on March 17, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, UNESCOs Director General Audrey Azoulay reminded Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russias obligations under an international convention to protect cultural heritage during conflict.
A war criminal and butcher who cannot remain in power: over recent weeks, US President Joe Biden has steadily escalated his attacks on Russias Vladimir Putin  at the risk of wrong-footing allies, and even his own team.

The latest, most striking example: Bidens accusation of a Russian genocide, during a Tuesday speech on biofuels and helping Americans with the cost of living.

Going further than any top administration official to date, Biden for the first time used the loaded term to characterize attacks on Ukrainian civilians by Putins forces.

The White House, as in the past, prepped journalists behind the scenes that a clarification would be coming  but, notably, none has.

Instead, asked later if hed meant what he said, Biden doubled down.

Yes, I called it genocide, said the president, adding that he would let lawyers decide whether or not it qualifies as such.

Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

Addressing reporters Wednesday, the US envoy to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Michael Carpenter, reiterated that it will be for international law experts to weigh the evidence and determine if Russias actions meet the definition of genocide.

Thats going to take some time to be completed but in the meantime the president has made a very clear moral determination on this issue, he said.

Russian forces are accused of indiscriminate killings of Ukrainian civilians including in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, and the genocide remark also came amid unconfirmed reports of Moscow using chemical agents.

The Kremlin hit back at Bidens comment, calling it hardly acceptable for the president of the United States to attempt to distort the situation in this way.

 True leader 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in no doubt what Bidens words signified.

True words of a true leader Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil, he tweeted.

White House officials have been more fastidious than the boss in staking out carefully-worded responses to each new development in the conflict  yet Biden has repeatedly gone one step further.

Last week, he called reports of Russian atrocities in Ukraine a war crime but resisted using the term genocide.

He also called Putin a war criminal following Zelenskys highly-charged appeal to the US Congress for help last month, only for his officials to try to soften the remark later.

Bidens staffers were similarly caught off guard 10 days later in Poland when the president called Putin a butcher who cannot remain in power.

The White House sprang into action, clarifying within minutes that Biden was not advocating regime change.

Biden largely stood by his words, though later explaining the comments were not a policy change but an expression of moral outrage.

The president has been criticized on each occasion but the frequency of the controversies might suggest he is deliberately dragging more cautious aides into a tougher stance against Russia.

Bombarded by reporters questions Wednesday on Bidens slipping genocide into a speech about US gasoline prices, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: Hes the president of the United States and the leader of the free world and he is allowed to make his views known at any point he would like to.

 Its madness 

While Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan have declined to use the word genocide, Biden is sure to have pleased hawks from both parties on Capitol Hill, who have been pressuring the White House towards a more strident response.

It is a genocide, Chuck Schumer, the leader of Bidens Democrats in the Senate, said on April 6.

When these people are shot simply because of their nationality, they dont have arms, thats genocide  especially when it occurs in the large numbers it has already.

Other leaders in the Western alliance have been more reserved.

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the use of the term butcher and has refused to follow Biden in using the term genocide.

I want to try as much as possible to continue to be able to stop this war and to rebuild peace, he said. Im not sure that verbal escalations serve this cause.

A European diplomat told AFP Biden was trying to thread the needle of speaking in terms that would be sufficiently robust to satisfy Congress while avoiding harming the pursuit of a negotiated settlement.

The president Wednesday announced a new $800 million military aid package for Ukraine, including armored personnel carriers and helicopters, as it faces a revamped Russian offensive in the Donbas region.

But he has ruled out sending troops or getting involved in the conflict by any other means, meaning the only option still on the table for attacking Putin is the occasional verbal broadside.
War crimes prosecutors visiting the site of civilian killings called Ukraine a crime scene Wednesday, as tens of thousands of Ukrainians fled their country in advance of a fresh assault to the east.

The visit by the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor to Bucha  the Kyiv suburb now synonymous with scores of atrocities against civilians discovered in areas abandoned by Russian forces  came as the new front of the war shifts eastward, with new allegations of crimes inflicted on locals.

Ukraine is a crime scene, the ICCs chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, told reporters in Bucha. The Hague-based court investigates and prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court are being committed, said Khan, promising to follow the evidence as forensic teams began their work.

To the south, Ukrainian forces struggled to hold the key strategic port of Mariupol Wednesday as artillery pounded the battered and besieged city that has been cut off from the rest of the country since early March and where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has estimated tens of thousands of civilian deaths.

Russias defence ministry said Wednesday that 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers from the 36th Marine Brigade had surrendered in Mariupol, including 162 officers. Ukraine has not confirmed the claim.

Following its pullback earlier this month from areas north of Ukraines capital, Kyiv, Russia is refocusing its efforts eastward, the new frontline of the nearly seven-week war.

It appears aimed at capturing more territory in Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists control the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, to create a solid southern corridor  including the port of Mariupol  to occupied Crimea.

 Permeated with pain 

As Zelensky warned the whole of Eastern Europe was at risk if Europe wasted time in stopping Moscow, the Polish and Baltic presidents visited Ukraine in a show of support, while Britain said it had slapped sanctions on Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine and additional oligarchs.

It is hard to believe that such war atrocities could be perpetrated in 21st-century Europe, but that is the reality, said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda during a visit to the town of Borodyanka outside Kyiv, calling the area permeated with pain and suffering.

Civilian Ukrainians were murdered and tortured here, and residential homes and other civilian infrastructure were bombed.

Britain said it would sanction 178 Russian separatists, including the two self-styled leaders of the Russia-backed Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics, and six more oligarchs and their families.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said Russia had engaged in clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations in Ukraine.

The report by the worlds largest security body covered the period from Russias February 24 invasion through April 1, before the discovery of hundreds of bodies in Bucha and elsewhere.

Those images spurred US President Joe Biden on Tuesday to level Washingtons strongest accusation yet, of genocide, against Putins actions in Ukraine, after having previously called the Russian president a war criminal.

Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian, Biden said, defending his statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Bidens accusation unacceptable Wednesday, a day after Putin said Russias military campaign in Ukraine was going to plan while brushing off images of civilian deaths as fakes.

 Hiding crimes 

In a desperate attempt to flee what Ukrainian authorities warn will be a bloody new clash in the east, more than 40,000 people fled the country in the past 24 hours, the United Nations said Wednesday, bringing to 4.6 million the number of people who have fled since the conflict began.

But Kyiv halted humanitarian corridors in several parts of the country Wednesday, deeming them too dangerous for evacuations.

Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Russian forces around Zaporizhzhia in the south were blocking buses transporting the evacuated, while shooting at fleeing civilians in Lugansk.

Underscoring the risk to civilians, Ukrainian prosecutors on Wednesday accused Russian troops of shooting six men and one woman the day before in a residential home in the occupied southern village of Pravdyne.

After this, intending to hide their crime, the occupiers blew up the building with the bodies, prosecutors said in a statement.

Meanwhile, seven civilians were killed by Russian shelling in the northeastern Kharkiv region in the past 24 hours, regional governor Oleg Synegubov said on social media.

 Clean them out 

In Mariupol, air strikes continued, particularly on the port and the huge Azovstal iron and steel works, the Ukrainian army said on Telegram.

The steel plants maze-like complex has been a focus of resistance in Mariupol, with fighters using a tunnel system below the vast industrial site to slow Russian forces down.

Its a city within a city, said Eduard Basurin, a representative for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, citing subterranean areas that cannot be bombed from above.

You have to go underground to clean them out, and that will take time.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not confirm allegations that Russia had used chemical weapons in the area, but Washington had credible information Russia might use tear gas mixed with chemical agents in the besieged port.

 Russians in morgue 

Suggesting a Russian buildup to the east, US private satellite firm Maxar Technologies published images Wednesday it said showed Russian ground forces moving towards the border with Ukraine.

Other convoys in and near the Donbas region comprised around 200 vehicles including tanks, artillery and armoured personnel carriers, it said.

Even as the military focus shifted eastward, the grim work of accounting for the civilian dead continued in areas recently abandoned by Russias army.

North of Bucha in the town of Gostomel, locals exhumed the body of Mayor Yuriy Prylypko, who authorities said was shot while handing out bread to the hungry and medicine to the sick and hastily buried by a local priest.

Up to 400 people are unaccounted for Gostomel, said regional prosecutor Andiy Tkach. AFP witnessed dozens of body bags filling a refrigerated lorry trailer, as two others awaited more corpses.

Our citizens are murdered and we must bury every person in the right way, said Igor Karpishen, loading the truck.

I dont have any words to express these feelings.

Zelensky accused Russian forces in occupied towns of committing hundreds of rapes, including of young children and a baby.

Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said more than 400 people were found dead after Moscows forces withdrew, with 25 reported rapes.

Meanwhile, an official in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro said Wednesday the remains of more than 1,500 Russian soldiers were being kept in its morgues.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned Wednesday that European forces would not cooperate with Malis military while it maintained links to Russia, during a visit to the conflict-torn Sahel state.

At a news conference in the capital Bamako, Baerbock said she feared massive war crimes were being committed against Malian civilians, which she suggested followed a pattern used by Russian forces in Syria and Ukraine.

Russia has supplied what are officially described as military instructors to Mali.

But the United States, France, and others, say the instructors are operatives from the Russian private-security firm Wagner.

The shadowy organisation has long been suspected to be the Kremlins paramilitary arm.

The alleged presence of Wagner operatives, as well as delayed elections, has driven a wedge between the countrys army-dominated government and Western countries.

On Monday, the EU decided to halt its military training mission in Mali citing insufficient guarantees from Mali over Wagner.

Baerbock said during Wednesdays news conference: We cannot continue the cooperation without demarcation from the Russian forces.

Some 300 German soldiers participate in the European Union Training Mission in Mali.

However, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop suggested that Baerbock was unfairly comparing events in Mali and Ukraine.

We must not confuse things, he said, adding that Mali was not involved in the war in Ukraine.

Diop added that Malis foreign partners should respect the countrys choices.

An impoverished nation of 21 million people, Mali has over the past decade been wracked by Islamist violence. Swathes of the country are in thrall to myriad rebel groups and militias.

Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes.

Malis under-equipped army has also often been accused of committing abuses during the brutal conflict.

Three Germans suspected of terrorism in Mali were released meanwhile, a German government spokesman said Wednesday, amid Baerbocks visit.

 Alleged massacre 

There are allegations that Malian troops  in coordination with foreign fighters  massacred hundreds of civilians in late March, for example.

Malis army said on April 1 that it had killed 203 militants during a military operation in Moura in the centre of the country. However, the announcement followed social media reports of a civilian massacre in the town.

Human Rights Watch later released a report alleging that Malian troops accompanied by white, non-French-speaking foreign fighters killed about 300 civilians in Moura.

Mali, which has been governed by a military junta since a coup in 2020, has opened an investigation into the affair.

The army-dominated government regularly defends the rights record of the military, however. It has also repeatedly denied hiring Wagner operatives.

Mali has a state-to-state relationship with Russia, Foreign Minister Diop said on Wednesday.

The countrys ruling junta also sparked international anger after reneging on a promise to stage elections in February this year.

West Africa bloc ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Mali, including a trade embargo, over the delayed return to civilian rule.
The French and German leaders declined Wednesday to repeat US President Joe Bidens accusation that Russia was carrying out genocide against Ukrainians, warning that verbal escalations would not help end the war.

Biden accused Vladimir Putins forces on Tuesday of committing genocide in Ukraine, saying it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday agreed it was right to describe Russias attacks in Ukraine as genocide.

I think its absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing, what Vladimir Putin has done, Trudeau told reporters in Quebec.

But speaking to France 2 television as he ramps up his re-election campaign against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, French President Emmanuel Macron said leaders should be careful with language.

I would say that Russia unilaterally unleashed the most brutal war, that it is now established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and make them face justice, Macron said.

But at the same time I look at the facts and I want to try as much as possible to continue to be able to stop this war and to rebuild peace. Im not sure that verbal escalations serve this cause, he said.

Macron said it was best to be careful with the terminology on genocide in these situations, especially as the Ukrainians and Russians are brotherly peoples.

 Myth 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Macrons refusal to categorise the killings in Ukraine as genocide as well as his reference to Russians as a brotherly people.

Such things are very painful for us, so I will definitely do my best to discuss this issue with him, Zelensky said at a press conference with the visiting leaders of Poland and the Baltic states.

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko also took issue at the French leaders claim that Ukrainians and Russians are brotherly peoples, saying that this myth began to crumble in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.

There is no longer any moral or real reason to talk about fraternal ties, he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday also spoke of war crimes in Ukraine but steered clear of mentioning genocide.

This is a terrible war in Eastern Europe. And I think thats what shouldnt be minimised, Scholz told German radio RBB.

War crimes are being committed, he added.

The German chancellor also clarified that he did not intend to travel to Ukraine in the near future, though he was in regular contact with Zelensky. Scholz visited the country in late February, before the Russian invasion.

The comments by Macron, who has kept dialogue going with Putin during the conflict, echo concerns the French leader expressed last month after Biden called Putin a butcher.

In his interview with France 2, Macron indicated he would be holding new telephone talks with both Putin and Zelensky in the coming days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denounced French leader Emmanuel Macrons refusal to call killings in Ukraine genocide and his reference to Russians as a brotherly people.

Such things are very painful for us, so I will definitely do my best to discuss this issue with him, Zelensky said at a press conference with the visiting leaders of Poland and the Baltic states.

The leaders of France and Germany declined Wednesday to repeat US President Joe Bidens accusation that Russia was carrying out genocide against Ukrainians, warning that verbal escalations would not help end the war.

Biden had accused Vladimir Putins forces on Tuesday of committing genocide in Ukraine, saying it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

But speaking to France 2 television as he ramps up his re-election campaign against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, French President Emmanuel Macron said leaders should be careful with language.

I would say that Russia unilaterally unleashed the most brutal war, that it is now established that war crimes were committed by the Russian army and that it is now necessary to find those responsible and make them face justice, Macron said.

Its madness whats happening, its incredibly brutal, he added.

But at the same time I look at the facts and I want to try as much as possible to continue to be able to stop this war and to rebuild peace. Im not sure that verbal escalations serve this cause, he said.

Macron said it was best to be careful with the terminology on genocide in these situations, especially as the Ukrainians and Russians are brotherly peoples.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday it was right to describe Russias attacks in Ukraine as genocide, repeating US President Joe Bidens accusation.

I think its absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing, what Vladimir Putin has done, Trudeau told reporters in Quebec, making him one of the first world leaders to use the term.

We have seen this desire to attack civilians, to use sexual violence as a weapon of war, he said. This is completely unacceptable.

Trudeau added that Canada was one of the first countries to initiate a process at the International Criminal Court to hold Russias leader accountable for his war crimes.

Biden on Tuesday accused Putin of genocide, while giving a speech about gasoline prices.

Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank  none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away, Biden said at the event in Iowa.

The Biden administration has sought to blame sharp rises at US gas stations on Putins invasion of neighboring Ukraine, during which Russian troops have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

Biden said it would ultimately be up to courts to determine whether Russias actions in its ex-Soviet neighbor constitute genocide.

But the evidence is mounting, he added.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said last week that the alleged massacre in Bucha doesnt look far short of genocide to me.

Ukraine has been accusing Russia of committing war crimes and genocide since even before the discovery of hundreds of civilians reportedly killed in Bucha sparked an outpouring of revulsion.

But western countries have stopped short of using the term genocide, in line with longstanding protocol, because of its strict legal definition and the heavy implication the accusation carries.

The French and German leaders acknowledged Wednesday Russia had committed war crimes but declined to repeat Bidens accusation, warning that verbal escalations would not help end the war.
US President Joe Biden announced an $800 million military aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday as international prosecutors declared the war-torn Western ally a crime scene amid fears of a massive revamped Russian assault.

The announcement came with the Russian military threatening to strike Ukraines command centers in the capital Kyiv if Ukrainian troops continue to attack Russian territory.

We are seeing Ukrainian troops attempts to carry out sabotage and strike Russian territory. If such cases continue, the Russian armed forces will strike decision-making centers, including in Kyiv, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.

The warning sparked alarm in Ukraines largest city, as Moscow was believed to be refocusing its war aims  withdrawing from Kyiv after failing to capture it and shifting attention to the south and east.

Biden has accused President Vladimir Putin of genocide  a claim dismissed as unacceptable by the Kremlin  as Russia comes under increasing scrutiny over atrocities discovered in towns since abandoned by its forces.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backed Biden but France and Germany declined to follow suit, drawing the ire of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who denounced French leader Emmanuel Macrons stance as very painful for us.

The Pentagon says it has been looking to provide Ukraine with weapons that would give them a little more range and distance, with Kyiv girding for a huge escalation of violence in the eastern Donbas region.

The new US shipment will include armored personnel carriers, helicopters and some of the heavier equipment Washington had previously refused to send to Ukraine for fear of escalating the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.

Before announcing the aid, Biden spoke to Zelensky for about an hour, the White House said, pledging to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court, which deals with rights abuses, has investigators in Ukraine and told reporters the country had become a crime scene.

 Permeated with pain 

Officials in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha  now synonymous with scores of atrocities  say more than 400 people were found dead after Moscows forces withdrew, with 25 reported rapes.

Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court are being committed, the ICCs chief prosecutor Karim Khan said on a visit to the town.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda made his own trip to the town of Borodyanka, a half hour drive further northwest, calling the area permeated with pain and suffering.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said Russia had engaged in clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations.

Before the latest military aid package, the United States had supplied or promised Ukraine 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 5,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles, several thousand rifles with ammunition and a range of other equipment.

Reportedly using Ukraines own Neptune missiles, Kyiv claimed Wednesday to have damaged the Russian Black Sea fleet flagship Moskva off the coast of the strategic port of Odessa.

But even with their own weaponry and US support, Ukrainian forces have struggled to hold the key southern port of Mariupol, where Zelensky has estimated tens of thousands of civilians have died.

Russias defense ministry said Wednesday more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered in Mariupol, as air strikes targeted the citys huge Azovstal iron and steel works.

The plants maze-like complex has been a focus of resistance in Mariupol, with fighters using a tunnel system below the vast industrial site to slow Russian forces down.

But the city is part of an apparent Russian push to create an unbroken corridor from occupied Crimea to Donbas, where Russian-backed separatists control the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Leonid Pasechnik, a separatist leader in eastern Ukraine, said up to 90 percent of territory of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Peoples Republic was now under rebel control.

He told reporters separatist troops would liberate the rest of the territory and then decide whether to support Russian troops in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic.

Britain said Wednesday it would sanction 178 Russian separatists and the leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics, as well as six more oligarchs and their families.

Russia announced its own sanctions Wednesday, introducing retaliatory measures against 398 members of the US Congress and vowing more sanctions would follow.

 Counting the dead 

In a desperate attempt to flee what Ukrainian authorities warn will be a bloody new clash in the east, more than 40,000 people have left the country in the past 24 hours, the United Nations said, bringing those displaced abroad to 4.6 million since the conflict began.

But Kyiv halted humanitarian corridors in several parts of the country Wednesday, deeming them too dangerous for evacuations.

Others have chosen to stay, like Maria, a resident of the most easterly city still held by Ukrainian forces, Severodonetsk.

Theres no electricity, no water, said the young woman, who did not want to flee her home even though the bombing from Russian forces has made the city a deserted shell of its former self.

But I prefer to stay here, at home. If we leave, where will we go?

Underscoring the risk to civilians, Ukrainian prosecutors on Wednesday accused Russian troops of shooting six men and one woman the day before in a home in the occupied southern village of Pravdyne.

Another four civilians were killed in Russian strikes on second city Kharkiv on Wednesday, local authorities said.

US private satellite firm Maxar Technologies published images Wednesday it said showed Russian ground forces moving towards the border with Ukraine.

But even as the military focus shifted eastward, the grim work of accounting for the civilian dead continued in areas recently abandoned by Russias army.

North of Bucha in Gostomel, locals exhumed the body of Mayor Yuriy Prylypko, whom authorities said was shot while handing out bread to the hungry and medicine to the sick.

Up to 400 people are unaccounted for in the town, said regional prosecutor Andiy Tkach. AFP witnessed dozens of body bags filling a refrigerated lorry trailer, as two others awaited more corpses.

Our citizens are murdered and we must bury every person in the right way, said Igor Karpishen, loading the truck.

I dont have any words to express these feelings.

The United Nations has asked for a ceasefire as it awaits a Russian response to concrete proposals for evacuating civilians and delivering aid.

That was our appeal for humanitarian reasons but it doesnt seem possible, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a news conference.

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Lafayette, LA- Russia's invasion of Ukraine is still sending shockwaves across the world. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette currently has only one Ukraine student needing extra help.

For students on U-L's campus, this is hitting close to home, especially for student Kayla Heard. She says she saw her classmate struggling to pay for his tuition and necessities while his family was in Ukraine, so she's taking matters into her own hands.

For one international student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Daniil Katerynchuk, life has been challenging as he worries about his native country, Ukraine. "It was a shock for me cause no one really expected that. Like in the twenty-first century in the middle of Europe, one country can try to take over another one."

Katerynchuk is one of the hundreds of Ukrainian students living in the united states, who planned to return home for summer break, but as the war continues, it would be difficult to return to the states. "Even if I return to Ukraine, I won't be able to leave the country cause men from the age of eighteen to sixty are not allowed to exit the country."

Now, he needs assistance as the spring semester is almost over, and he plans to continue his education through summer and next fall. The big issue is he'll have no place to stay.

To lift his spirits, classmate Kayla Heard started a Gofundme in hopes of assisting Daniil through the summer and upcoming semester. " I want to support him as a friend but then he is also going through difficulties because he is not there. It's just devastating and heartbreaking, you know," says Heard.

Lafayette, LA- Despite being thousands of miles away from home, Katerynchuk is grateful for people who've donated and hopes to see his family again one day. "They are actually applying for refugee status, but I hope that I'll be able to see them in the near future."

His GoFundMe is still available. If you would like to donate, Click here.
Streaming is much easier as "Happiness," the zombie drama starring Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo, is now on Netflix!

Park Hyung Sik, Han Hyo Joo's 'Happiness' Is Now On Netflix

Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo's apocalyptic thriller drama "Happiness" is now available for online streaming on Netflix!

On Tuesday, April 12, the tvN series, which aired in November 2021, was released with English subtitles on the widely used streaming site Netflix.

"Happiness" is a dystopian apocalyptic thriller that follows the story of citizens from all walks of life who are trapped inside a high-rise apartment building due to the threatening infectious disease.

The drama was well-received by the public, and scored solid viewership ratings during its broadcast.

"Happiness" is now available for streaming on Netflix in countries outside South Korea like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and more.

Is There Any Possibility For 'Happiness' Season 2?

Due to its positive reviews and popular demand, the discussion for "Happiness 2" was brought up to the table.

However, the distributor confirmed that the drama creators never planned for a new season, simply because the 12-part series completed the story already and there's nothing much left to explore in the future.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Hyung Sik, Han Hyo Joo and Jo Woo Jin Talk About Their Roles in New Apocalyptic Thriller 'Happiness' and More

Meanwhile, the devoted fan base of the drama, as well as Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo, hopes for a spinoff in the near future. Stay tuned for future updates!

What's New With Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo

The lead stars of "Happiness" are booked and busy, all thanks to their acting chops and charisma!

Currently, Park Hyung Sik decorates the small screen with romance and chemistry alongside Han So Hee.

The two play the role of best friends Sun Woo and Eun Soo, who are undeniably in love with each other, in the 4-part series "Soundtrack #1."

"Soundtrack #1" was released on Disney+ on March 23. Watch the teaser of the drama here:

Meanwhile, Han Hyo Joo recently returned to the silver screen with the star-studded film "The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure."

Kang Ha Neul, EXO Sehun, Chae Soo Bin and Lee Kwang Soo are also part of the main cast. In the film, she played the role of a pirate captain who works together with the bandits to find the missing royal treasure of the Joseon dynasty.

The film grossed a total of 10 million USD with 1.32 million admissions during its first week. Watch ""The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure" on Netflix now!

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Netflix's original sci-fi movie "Space Sweepers," which premiered in 2021 and starred Kim Tae Ri and Song Joong Ki, received nominations in these two huge awarding ceremonies abroad.

Keep on reading for more detaails.

'Space Sweepers' Receives Nominates at 2022 Hugo Awards, 57th Nebula Awards

As it turns one year this year, 2022, the record-breaking South Korean film "Space Sweepers" gets nominated for the 2022 Hugo Awards and 57th Nebula Awards, known as two major sci-fi literary awards events in the United States.

On April 7, the 80th World Science Fiction Convention officially revealed the set of candidates for the 2022 Hugo Awards. "Space Sweepers" is nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation, competing with Disney's "Encanto," Marvel Studios' "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," WandaVision," Denis Villeneuve's "Dune," and David Lowery's "The Green Knight,"

This category targets science fiction, fantasy, and other related works produced in dramatic forms, such as movies, series, radio broadcasts, music, and games.

On the other hand, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), which is the primary organizer of this year's 57th Nebula Awards also unveiled the final nominees. Song Joong Ki and Kim Tae Ri's movie was able to land under the Outstanding Dramatic Presentation category along with "Encanto," "The Green Knight," "WandaVision," "Rocky," and "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

Netflix's original film made history as it is the first-ever South Korean work to bag nominations in the said award ceremonies.

Furthermore, "Space Sweepers" dominated Netflix's Top 10 list worldwide since its release in February last year. It also received positive reviews from viewers in Korea and abroad.

Is It True? 'Space Sweepers' to Have a Sequel

Due to its popularity overseas, "Space Sweepers" might produce a sequel. According to Star News last May 2021, Song Joong Ki and Kim Tae Ri's movie would be getting a new season.

In addition, VFX supervisors Jeong Cheol Min and Jeong Seong Jin who worked with the production team in season one reportedly agreed to supervise again "Space Sweepers 2." Its original cast is not yet confirmed whether they will also be appearing in the next sequel.

The sci-fi movie bagged multiple awards in numerous ceremonies. Some of them include Best Art Direction at the 30th annual Buil Film Awards and the Best Technical Awards at the 2021 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards.

Adding to its achievements, "Space Sweepers" ranked fifth in the top 20 Most-Mentioned K-movies on Twitter, globally.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Joong Ki's Movie 'Space Sweepers' to Possibly Return with Two More Sequels

Congratulations to "Space Sweepers" team!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity updates, keep your tabs open on KDramastars.

KDramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Good news for local and overseas fans: A-list stars Gong Yoo, Jung Yu Mi, Suzy, and more to potentially make a big-screen comeback in the first half of 2022 with "Wonderland."

Sci-Fi Movie 'Wonderland' Reportedly To Come To Cinemas in May

According to multiple media reports on April 12, the highly-anticipated Korean film "Wonderland" stars Gong Yoo, Suzy, Choi Woo Sik, Park Bo Gum, Jung Yumi, and Tang Wei, to possibly meet the viewers in theaters this coming May.

The movie finished its production last year and is already scheduled to release in South Korea and China on the second of 2021. But due to the effect of COVID-19, the original premiere date has been postponed.

K-movie, "Wonderland" is a virtual world where people can meet again their loved ones who have already passed away or people whom they may not meet again in person. These will be possible through artificial intelligence.

Particularly, a young adult woman requests to meet her lover, who is in a coma, and a man in his 40s who wants to meet again his deceased wife.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Choi Woo Sik Draws Gong Yoo, Suzy's Faces and Their Reactions are Priceless

The confirmed release date and other movie details are yet to be announced.

Where To Watch 'Wonderland' Cast Before the Much-Awaited Movie Premiere

Since "Wonderland" is composed of a stellar cast, these K-stars also have new dramas to also premiere this 2022.

Nation's first love, Bae Suzy is returning to the small screen with Coupang Play's "Anna," which is set for release this year. She is also in talks to lead the webtoon-based drama "Lee Doo Na" which might be released on Netflix.

Park Bo Gum, who just got discharged from the military, is currently preparing for an appearance in show business. However, viewers can watch his previous series, "Record of Youth," "Reply 1988," "Love in the Moonlight," and "Encounter."

Meanwhile, actress Jung Yu Mi is gearing up for her next drama, "Until the Morning Comes" which is slated to premiere this year. Furthermore, Gong Yoo is busy creating vlog content on Management Soop's official YouTube channel. He is also active on his newly established Instagram account, where he regularly updates his fans.

Award-winning actor Choi Woo Sik just finished his Melo-romance drama "Our Beloved Summer," where he reunited with "The Witch" co-star Kim Da Mi.

Are you excited about the forthcoming film "Wonderland"? Share your comments with us!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Weather Alert

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET... * WHAT...Snow expected above 2000 feet. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, except 3 to 7 inches above 3500 feet. * WHERE...Higher terrain of Central Douglas County, Eastern Curry County and Josephine County and Jackson County, including the higher passes of Highway 199 south of Obrien, the passes on Interstate 5 north of Medford and the Tiller Trail Highway 227 over the Umpqua Divide. This could also affect Jacksonville Hill and Highway 62 near Prospect. * WHEN...From 3 AM to 11 AM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Winter driving conditions can be expected with slushy or snow covered roads causing difficult travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates may briefly reach up to one inch per hour in eastern Curry and southern and western Josephine County early Sunday morning. This could cause reduced visibility to less than one half of a mile with quickly changing road conditions from wet to snow covered. * View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... * Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. * Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities. * See https://www.tripcheck.com for latest road conditions. * A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. &&
A memorial pays tribute to Gina Goulet outside her residence in Shubenacadie, N.S. on Thursday, May 14, 2020.The summary released Wednesday by a public inquiry says Gina Goulet was shot at about 11 a.m. at her home in Shubenacadie, about 60 kilometres north of Halifax, roughly 10 minutes after a final text to her daughter Amelia Butler.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Legalized cannabis may be good for business, but is it good for people? These issues are explored on the NOVA (8 p.m. on Channel 10, 9 p.m. on Channel 11, PBS) presentation The Cannabis Question.

This NOVA documentary presents the most recent research on the relationship between cannabis and human body chemistry and looks at concerns about the effects of marijuana use on the developing brain.

TONIGHTS OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

American Arctic on Nature (7 p.m. on Channel 10, 8 p.m. on Channel 11, PBS) follows the winter migration of musk ox and caribou in Alaskas northern latitudes.

Archer and Asher squabble over a patients care on Chicago Med (7 p.m., NBC).

Adam enrolls in a Jazzercise class on The Goldbergs (7 p.m., ABC).

Home from the war, Bruce dates an older woman on The Wonder Years (7:30 p.m., ABC).

Teams compete on Domino Masters (8 p.m., Fox).

Dans generosity irks Louise on The Conners (8 p.m., ABC).

A colleague is taken hostage on Chicago Fire (8 p.m., NBC).

Toms self-imposed deadline looms on Home Economics (8:30 p.m., ABC).

Halstead mentors a rookie on Chicago P.D. (9 p.m., NBC).

Glum Gary needs cheering up on A Million Little Things (9 p.m., ABC).

NEW ON STREAMING

Former President Barack Obama hosts, produces and narrates Our Great National Parks, streaming on Netflix. Filmed on five continents, the series explores protected natural habitats for plants, birds and animals that have become increasingly endangered as human populations expand into areas once considered wilderness.

CULT CHOICE

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel and Ann Miller star in the 1953 musical Kiss Me Kate (2:30 p.m., TCM), an adaptation of Shakespeares Taming of the Shrew.

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SOMERS  An Arlington Heights, Ill., woman faces numerous charges in Kenosha County Circuit Court after allegedly causing a scene in a Walmart parking lot Tuesday.

Karen A. Kline, 52, was charged with felonies of calling 911 with false emergencies and possession of narcotics, along with misdemeanors of resisting an officer, disorderly conduct, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kenosha County Sheriffs Department deputies responded to Walmart, 3500 Brumback Blvd., on Tuesday for a woman who allegedly called 911. When the dispatcher attempted to get more information from the woman she reportedly said that they should know where she is.

A sheriffs deputy who arrived at the Walmart parking lot reportedly observed a silver Toyota bearing an Illinois license plate parked in front of the Walmart doors.

In the drivers seat of the vehicle was a female, later identified as Kline, who was reportedly shouting and honking her horn while blasting an anti-police song by rap group N.W.A. on her stereo with the windows down.

When the deputy approached the vehicle, Kline allegedly drove away. However, the deputy continued to hear her horn honking elsewhere in the parking lot.

Earlier call

A loss prevention employee then came outside and reportedly pointed the deputy towards Klines vehicle. The deputy intercepted Klines vehicle and observed the license plate was associated with an earlier call Kenosha Police responded to at Chase Bank, 22901 Washington Road, where a female was reportedly yelling at bank patrons.

When the deputy approached Klines vehicle Kline reportedly told him not to approach her and rolled her window up. Kline then reportedly rolled the window down, threw three cards out of the window and yelled at deputy that he worked for her before rolling the window back up. The deputy then placed spike strips in front of Klines front passenger-side tire so she could not drive away.

Kline then reportedly played the anti-police song again and started honking her horn. At this time, the deputy observed Walmart employees watching the incident. Kline then reportedly tapped on her window and held up a piece of paper telling the deputy to contact her lawyer. Kline then rolled the window down again, gave the deputy the middle finger, and told the deputy that she is tired of being called a Nazi.

When the deputy attempted to ascertain Klines mental state, she refused to answer his questions, according to the complaint.

Another deputy responded to assist in the situation and reportedly observed Kline roll her window down and use her left hand to fist bump the air repeatedly and dance with her eyes closed. Kline reportedly told a deputy he was dismissed and when he asked her what was going on she reportedly stated my constitutional rights and rolled her window back up.

When deputies detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle Kline allegedly called 911 and said she could not breathe.

Somers Rescue personnel responded to check on Kline, but she allegedly refused to speak with them and started to yell various insults at people, such as you are killing people and you are scaring me! Somers Rescue personnel asked Kline if she had any identification, to which Kline allegedly threw an insurance card out of the window and yelled educate yourselves.

Kline then went back to honking her horn, according to the complaint. Somers Rescue placed a tire chock block device on Klines vehicle to prevent her from leaving. Dispatch advised that Kline had called Kenosha 911 six times, stating the cops are all around me and are killing me! and had also allegedly called 911 repeatedly in several Illinois jurisdictions.

Multiple deputies ordered Kline out of the vehicle. When she refused, deputies were able to pull her from the vehicle and handcuff her. Deputies observed Kline was only wearing socks, no shoes, and asked if she needed shoes. Kline reportedly responded God bless the USA.

Kline then asked for a sip of water and for her Newports and her weed.

Kline was eventually placed in the back of a squad car. When deputies searched her vehicle they reportedly found a glass pipe and several THC vape pens. A green leafy substance reportedly found in the vehicle tested positive for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinols and fentanyl.

Kline was later transported to an area hospital where she allegedly created a disturbance and swore at deputies and nurses. Kline reportedly stated there wont be any drugs or alcohol in my system, but there will be marijuana.

According to the criminal complaint, Kline was previously convicted of making a false alarm/false complaint to 911 in Cook County, Ill., in May 2021.

The booking process was not completed as of Wednesday evening.

Court Commissioner Loren Keating set a $3,000 cash bond Wednesday at intake court Wednesday. Kline was not present at court but an adjourned initial appearance is set for April 20.

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Nearly a century ago, Wisconsin legislators passed a state law limiting the number of liquor licenses that municipalities in the state could have.

After Prohibition ended in 1933, state lawmakers were concerned about the number of bars opening up. So in 1939, they passed the law limiting the number of establishments that could get Class B liquor licenses.

The law limits liquor licenses based on a citys population, with one license for on-site liquor consumption per every 500 people in that municipality.

At the time when the law was passing, the Journal Times Editorial Board endorsed the state law limiting the number of liquor licenses based on population and wrote, Proposed law to limit number of taverns would be a good thing for Wisconsin.

Since then, a lot has changed. Its time for the current Legislature to revisit this important issue and revise the law.

Officials in Burlington recently brought up concern about this old law after the city issued its last liquor license, meaning that if a restaurant or other new business is considering opening in Burlington, the city has no liquor license available for the foreseeable future, and could risk losing economic development.

The board appealed to Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, to change the law.

Vos, who grew up in Burlington and now resides in Rochester, responded that he is willing to consider relaxing the states restrictions.

I would certainly be open to looking at that, he said. That is good news and we hope those words are followed with actions.

If this archaic law is repealed, it doesnt mean there has to be a free-for-all. Municipalities would still need to put rules in place and could still put limits in place if they felt that was right for their communities. That should be done along with guidance from constituents and police who will be monitoring the establishments.

Yes, Wisconsin already has a lot of drinking, as well as drinking and driving. But allowing municipalities to have a few more liquor licenses is not going to make a difference in regards to how much people drink. It just gives them more options and economic opportunities for the community.

This is not 1939. Times have changed and laws should, too. Lawmakers cannot be afraid to stand up to the all-powerful Tavern League. They should do what is right for their communities.

The current law is very limiting for new businesses. If someone wants to open, say, a Mexican restaurant in a town, what is the point if they cannot serve margaritas? Likewise, a fine-dining steakhouse is not going to want to open in a community where Old Fashioneds or other rail drinks cannot be served. They will go to a neighboring town.

Its time. The law to limit the number of taverns must change.

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First Baptist Church of Murray was recognized for its work during the December tornado outbreak in western Kentucky.
An Illinois man was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for illegal sturgeon fishing in the Ohio River.
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The Great Resignation. I doubt there is a medical practice out there that has not been affected by it. And experts predict we are just at the beginning. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics early data from 2022 shows that health care is among the top three industries increasing in monthly quit rate, second only to accommodation and food services. 2.6 million health care workers quit their jobs from May to September 2021, and 1 in 5 physicians plan to leave their current practice in the next two years, according to a survey funded by the American Medical Association. So this is likely the tip of the iceberg.

Yet I think many of us recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic, while a major contributing factor, is not the main reason behind the Great Resignation in health care. The U.S. health care system was already akin to a leaking and cracked dam; the pandemic had just broken the flood gates wide open. I say this because between 35 to 54 percent of American nurses and physicians were already feeling burned out before the pandemic. The number of physician suicides  28 to 40 per 100,000  is more than twice that of the general population at 12.3 per 100,000. It is the highest rate of any profession, including the military. While we encourage our patients to get treatment for mental health, there is still so much stigma around treating ourselves. We suffer in silence because we were trained to.

So are doctors just a more depressed group of people, in general? While difficult to study, In the U.S., there is some evidence that the prevalence of depression in doctors is similar to the general population. A cohort of male medical graduates from Johns Hopkins self-reported a lifetime prevalence of 12.8 percent, similar to the 12 percent lifetime prevalence of major depression in American men. Self-identified lifetime prevalence of depression in American women doctors has been estimated at 19.5 percent, comparable with women in the general population and women professionals. But I dont think the one million-plus of us (1,018,776 to be exact, as of a 2020 census) are more prone to mental health issues than the general population. We are a diverse group practicing in a diverse range of settings, and the only commonality we all share is our profession. So burnout and mental health issues are old news. But this quit rate is most definitely a plot twist.

I am well acquainted with health care burnout. I have been burned out in my career at least twice before the pandemic. As painful and life-altering as each one was, I am grateful I had been through it before because I knew the signs, and more importantly I knew what my boundaries for overwork and underappreciation were. I also knew I needed to respond before I got to the danger zone of depression and very dark thoughts, because I had been there previously. Burnout #3 was very predictable and likely similar to many other stories out there. My very corporate and for-profit primary-care practice of two years which I had started in the fall of 2018, became less tolerable as the pandemic wore on, not because of COVID-19, but because of our leaderships oblivious behavior and decision to choose profit margins over patients and providers. It was the final straw from two years of unsupportive leadership and lip service, so I left in October of 2020 and never regretted my decision. Many other providers followed suit. Has this company changed its ways? From what I hear through the grapevine, that is a resounding nope.

While I did not feel regret, I did have pangs of guilt. Guilt over leaving my patients, of the extra workload my panel disbursement would create for my colleagues, many of whom were my good friends. And just the larger existential guilt of tapping out in the middle of what I knew was going to be a very long road to the end of the pandemic. So this was not a decision I took lightly, but one I had to make for self-preservation. So many of us in the practice had tried to bring our concerns and frustrations to our leadership, many times before the pandemic. And our complaints were brushed aside and glossed over, always. So ultimately, I knew it was time to call it because I couldnt be of help to anyone if I was a frazzled, exhausted, angry mess.

I took four months off work, sailed down the California coast to Baja and the Sea of Cortez, and found contentment at a time when I knew so many of my colleagues were miserable. I took a remote job in public health. Although it was a sizeable pay cut, my work culture is supportive and flexible, and my work stress is basically non-existent compared to what I have previously experienced. It took a few months, but my burnout gradually faded away sans any therapeutic intervention except regaining my sovereignty.

This is my experience, and I am only one person. But anecdotally, I know I am not alone. We arent quitting because we arent resilient enough, or got a better offer elsewhere, or had that lightbulb moment that now is the time to pursue a career as an artist. We are quitting because we are done with martyrdom. We are done with the infantilizing speeches and practices of our leadership, with not having control over our schedules, our panel sizes, our visit times. We are done being cogs in the great American medical machine. We are finally standing up for our mental health, our freedom, and our work conditions. Most of us dont have union access, and organized strikes by physicians in the U.S. are essentially illegal. But if we individually quit, give our honest reasons why in our exit interview (I sure did!), and uphold our own personal boundaries of what we will and wont tolerate at work? A strike, by proxy.

Jessica de Jarnette is a family physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English visited the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office (LEO) today where he met with council officials, members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.

The Minister of State was greeted at County Hall by Councillor Fidelis Doherty, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise and Deputy John Paul Phelan as well as other officials and was briefed about developments in the county as well as future plans. He then heard from the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office team, members of the Evaluation Committee and Local Authority Members.



Onsite at the Abbey Quarter

There is certainly a lot of activity here in Kilkenny and it is great to hear about the work of the council and the Local Enterprise Office and their exciting future plans," said Minister of State English.

"The support of the LEOs has been vital for many local businesses all over the country, providing training, mentoring and other practical assistance. With our new Regional Enterprise Plans now in place the role of the LEO network will be even more important and their support will help to drive growth and job creation across the country.

The visiting TD then met with some of the LEO client companies. Red Robin Events Ltd were established just last year and offer niche focused logistics and design service solutions. Loanitt started their journey with the Kilkenny LEO just three years ago and are now the largest financial intermediary in Ireland and a High Potential Start -Up Client with Enterprise Ireland.



He was greeted at the town hall by Sean McKeown (DOS, KCC), Colette Byrne (Chief Executive, KCC), Fiona Deegan (Head of Enterprise) and Cllr Fidelis Doherty (Cathaoirleach, KCC)

Nirvana Lighting sells its own range of brand designed and manufactured, unique lighting products. CDS Metal Products design, manufacture and install bespoke feature metalwork products. CF Pharma, manufactures a range of novel specific Health Food Supplements, Medical Device Formulations and Advanced Topical Dermatological Solutions for human and animal healthcare.

Minister of State English then travelled on to the Abbey Quarter where he met with Tony Lauhoff, Senior Project Engineer, who outlined the future development plans for the site.

His next port of call was Cakeface, a LEO client company owned by Rory Gannon. The business operates a cafe, cookery school and roastery. Minister English also met with Kay Lyng of KKajoux Jewels, a LEO client and Irish owned handmade jewellery company who design and create their own pieces. Miriam Cushen of Cushendale, also a LEO client company, explained how the company designs and creates a signature range of lambswool and mohair products from natural ecru yarns.

He concluded his visit to Kilkenny at Mileeven Fine Foods, one of Irelands leading honey companies. This LEO client has won many awards including Great Taste Awards, Irish Food Awards, Blas Na Eireann and Gulfood Awards.
This years Good Friday Walk will be in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, members of the Ukrainian Community in Kilkenny will lead the walk for peace, healing, and safety for all affected by the war.

A relic of the True Cross will be carried in procession for a service of blessing and prayer around the Cross-in the Friary Church. Pope Francis will carry the cross with a similar relic through the streets of Rome. This is the third time that the relic will be used on Good Friday for blessing of those who come to the walk and service. The relic of the true cross is one of a kind in the world and has the original and official seal of authenticity and approval by the Vatican.

This is the 20th year of the walk, which will leave from St John's Church at 7pm on Good Friday, it will move down John Street and up High Street to the Capuchin Friary Church for prayer around the Cross. As part of the Service in the Friary Church on Good Friday evening people will be able to come and be blessed with the relic of the True Cross.

The annual Good Friday walk is a symbol of our solidarity with those who suffer said Fr Willie Purcell who will lead the service. This year a large crowd is expected to venerate the Cross and be blessed with the relic. People are encouraged to join in the walk from St. Johns Church.

Over the years many miracles have taken place through the veneration of the true cross, people venerate the cross to identify the sufferings of their lives with the sufferings of Christ. Mary Kealy, PRO of the Kilkenny Gospel Choir, said all are welcome to this special time of prayer on Good Friday.
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The Sri Lankan Association gathered to protest in the center of the Drill Field.
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The Communist Party of China does not have its own interests and Party officials should not harbor any selfish interests, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, urging Party officials to put all their efforts into ensuring the people live a good life. He made the remark while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, on Monday, the second day of his inspection tour in the southern island province of Hainan. Xi visited the homes of local people from the Li ethnic group and had exchanges with village officials and villagers. What the CPC cares about is how to ensure that the lives of Chinese people of all ethnic groups get better and better every day, he said. Xi said that as China has completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the country is now marching toward modernization and promoting common prosperity. He urged solid efforts to consolidate the achievements made in poverty alleviation and to continue to advance rural vitalization on the basis of these achievements. Earlier on Monday, Xi paid a visit to a section of a tropical rainforest national park in Wuzhishan, during which he stressed the importance of building the national park in Hainan province. Xi said it is necessary to fully understand the strategic significance of Hainan's national park development, as it is among a country's most fundamental interests and he urged continuous efforts in this regard. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, which contains more than 95 percent of original forest and more than 55 percent of the natural forests on Hainan island, is among the first group of national parks that China has officially designated. It is the only place in the world where the Hainan gibbon can be found. Xi announced the establishment of China's first group of national parks when he delivered a speech via video link at the leaders' summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in October.


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Carnes was released from prison Monday after 18 years behind bars for the 2003 murder of Larry White, a murder he says he did not commit.
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The publishing rights to "Cursed Bunny," a novel by Korean author Chung Bora shortlisted for this year's International Booker Prize, has been sold to a major American publisher, the book's local agency here said Wednesday.







According to Greenbook Agency, it signed a deal with Algonquin Books, a publisher of literary fiction and narrative nonfiction under Hachette Book Group, to sell the rights to publish the book in print, audio and electronic versions in the United States.







Based in New York, Hachette Book Group is one of the biggest publishing companies in the U.S., issuing more than 1,600 books per year.







Greenbook Agency said it has sold or is about to sell the local publishing rights of "Cursed Bunny" to 15 countries, including Japan, China, Spain and Germany.







Published in Korea in 2017, "Cursed Bunny" is a collection of 10 science-fiction short stories on curses and revenge.







Its English translation, published by Honford Star of Britain, was among the six finalists for the 2022 International Booker Prize, one of the three largest literary awards in the world. (Yonhap)






Students and youth take part in a dancing party to commemorate the 10th anniversary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's election as the top party and state leader, at the Arch of Triumph plaza in Pyongyang, in this April 11 picture. AFP-Yonhap





The United States will continue to raise international awareness about gross human rights violations in North Korea, a U.S. official said Tuesday, adding Washington hopes justice will one day be achieved for the people of the reclusive state.







Lisa Peterson, acting assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, also said the U.S. will impose sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in North Korea whenever possible.







"So we do recognize that the DPRK is among the most repressive authoritarian states in the world, and, obviously, we remain deeply concerned about reports of systemic, widespread and gross human rights violations committed by the DPRK government," Peterson said in a press briefing, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.







"And we certainly hope that one day, justice may be achieved for the people of North Korea," she added.







The remarks came as the state department released its annual country reports on human rights practices, which said North Korea continued to seriously restrict and violate the human rights of its citizens in 2021.







State Secretary Antony Blinken said the reports painted a "clear picture of where human rights and democracy are under threat."







"They highlight where governments have unjustly jailed, tortured, or even killed political opponents, activists, human rights defenders, or journalists, including in Russia, the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria," he said in the preface of the report.







The 2021 report on North Korea greatly resembled that of the previous year, although the department said the North's COVID-19 preventive measures, which include border closure, further limited access to the reclusive state.







Still, the department said, "Impunity for human rights abuses and corruption continued to be a widespread problem."







"The (North Korean) government took no credible steps to prosecute officials who committed human rights abuses or corruption," it added.







The report said there were "significant human rights issues" in all areas of basic liberties including freedom of expression, religion and conscience, assembly and association, as well as bans on political opposition, independent media, civil society, trade unions and labor rights.







In terms of respect for the integrity of the person, the report said, "There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary and unlawful killings."







It also pointed to the North's "shoot to kill" order to kill anyone attempting to leave the country or escape from political prison camps.







"The state also subjected private citizens to attendance at public executions," it said, citing a 2019 survey.







U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary Lisa Peterson of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor speaks during the release of the "2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" at the State Department in Washington, March 30, 2021. Reuters-Yonhap





Peterson said the U.S. will continue to raise global awareness of the serious human rights situation in North Korea when asked how the U.S. seeks to amend the situation in the reclusive state, adding, "We also seek to impose sanctions on those who are complicit in abuses and in violations and as always promote respect for human rights within the DPRK."







She said the objective of the annual reports was not to criticize others, but simply to raise issues that need to be addressed.







"It is not an effort by the U.S. government to judge others. It does not reach legal conclusions, rank countries or draw comparisons," she said.







"So our objective with the Human Rights Report is simple  Bring the facts to the table. It is only when we're armed with the truth that the United States can most effectively use our voice and our influence to call attention to violations and abuses of human rights worldwide," added Peterson.







Meanwhile, the report on South Korea said significant human rights issues included reports of restrictions on freedom of expression, government corruption, lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women and laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults in the military.







The Seoul government, however, "took steps to identify, investigate, prosecute and punish officials for corruption and human rights abuses," it said. (Yonhap)










Hyundai Motor said Wednesday it will invest 370 billion won ($300 million) in its U.S. plant to begin the production of environment friendly vehicles there later this year.







Hyundai Motor will upgrade the existing assembly lines of its Alabama plant for the production of the Santa Fe gasoline hybrid model and the all-electric Genesis GV70 sport utility vehicle in October and December, respectively, the company said in a statement.







"Hyundai is taking its first steps toward bringing EV production to the United States. We are excited to showcase our team members in producing EVs here in Alabama," Ernie Kim, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, said in the statement.







Hyundai Motor's new growth plans in Montgomery will help prepare the state's auto industry for the EV revolution while also aligning with its strategic initiatives, such as Drive Electric Alabama, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said.







The latest U.S. investment plan is part of Hyundai Motor Group's broad plan to invest $7.4 billion in its U.S. plants and markets by 2025.







The group, which has Hyundai Motor and Kia as major affiliates, aims to launch seven electric models in the U.S., the world's most important automobile market, this year.







Hyundai Motor's U.S. sales from January to March fell 2.3 percent to 171,399 vehicles from a year earlier amid global chip shortages.







The carmaker produces the Elantra compact, the Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz SUVs in the Alabama plant.







It has seven domestic plants and 11 overseas plants  four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India, Brazil and Indonesia. Their combined capacity reaches 5.65 million vehicles. (Yonhap)


By John J. Metzler





For the third time in a month, the U.N. General Assembly has resoundingly rebuked Russia for its actions in Ukraine. A tough resolution supported by 93 countries versus 24 backing Moscow, suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council.



The move was as overdue as it proved poetic justice to oust Putin's Russia from its seat on the 47-member Geneva-based Council.



Though the victory in a sense represented the afterglow reaction to an earlier video speech by embattled Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy before the Security Council, the suspension reflected global reactions to an appalling litany of war crimes perpetrated by Russian military forces inside Ukraine.



Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya urged member states to keep the Human Rights Council from "sinking" and to suspend Russia, stating that it has committed "horrific human rights violations and abuses that would be equated to war crimes and crimes against humanity."



There's no question that tough diplomacy by the Americans and Europeans has isolated Russia diplomatically. Yet this vote with 93 backers was far fewer than the first two earlier resolutions, when 141 and 140 countries supported resolutions chiding Moscow for its invasion and causing the ensuing humanitarian trauma of Ukraine, respectively. In those two previous votes, only four countries backed Russia; but this time, the number rose to 24. Equally, the number of abstentions jumped to 58.



Though originally off balance in the General Assembly, apparently Moscow's Foreign Ministry has stabilized the political tailspin and reasserted party discipline of a sort with many of its traditional comrades and friends. China, Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Vietnam and Zimbabwe were among the usual suspects who voted alongside Russia.



So in a sense, Russia got the "old band back together" but with some new members: Algeria, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Mali. Impressively the 93 supporters of the resolution included the U.S., Canada, all of Europe, along with East Asian partners such as Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Equally, most of the Caribbean and Latin America backed the resolution too, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Uruguay.



As American U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated poignantly, "We are holding Russia to account." The abstentions numbered 58 and offer a keen insight on how many countries are either quietly supporting Moscow, are afraid not to, or are simply politically fence-sitting. For example in Latin America, Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador abstained. Equally, in South Asia, notables like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained again, as did key ASEAN states such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Africa's abstentions included Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.



The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths puts the conflict in stark context: "More than 11 million people have been forced to flee their homes, of whom 4.2 million are refugees in generous neighboring countrieson total more than a quarter of Ukraine's population has fled in the extraordinary short time."



The Ukrainian refugees have found refuge in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.



Ireland's U.N. Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason stated, "Let's be clear: the Russian authorities are responsible for these atrocities, committed while they had effective control of the area. The Russian authorities are subject to the international law of occupation. There can never be impunity from such crimes. Never ever."



But while diplomacy at the U.N. has churned on amid a steady stream of resolutions and spirited meetings, key political figures have also visited embattled Kyiv; first came the prime ministers of Slovenia, Czech Republic and Poland. European Union President Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell followed.



British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a surprise walk around visit in Kyiv to offer both his solidarity and an arsenal of new weapons for the embattled Ukrainians.



Where are the key American representatives?



While Europe's political class fires rhetorical salvos and the United States hurls moral outrage at the Kremlin, the killing in Ukraine continues. The war is far from over and Vladimir Putin is

planning his next moves. This grim saga continues.





John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism  The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China."


SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk poses as he arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer Awards ceremony in Berlin in this December 2020 file photo. AFP-Yonhap



Homegrown rocket mired in conflict



By Park Jae-hyuk



Korea's upcoming space missions are expected to depend more on Elon Musk's SpaceX over the next few years, instead of Russia's Soyuz rockets, due to international economic sanctions on Moscow for invading Ukraine, according to aerospace experts.



The likelihood of Korea's increased reliance on the American company has grown, since the U.K.'s OneWeb joined hands with SpaceX in March, following Russia's refusal to launch the British firm's satellite.



OneWeb had initially planned to use the Soyuz rocket to launch 36 satellites into space on March 4 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.



However, Russia's state-run Roscosmos, which operates the Soyuz rockets, abruptly cancelled the launch, citing the U.K. government's refusal to accept its request to sell the entire stake in OneWeb and guarantee that the company's satellites would not be used for military purposes.



At that time, the Russian space agency also removed the flags of Korea, the U.S., the U.K., Japan and France from its rocket that was supposed to carry OneWeb's satellites, while retaining the Indian flag.



Among the six countries whose governments or companies own OneWeb shares, India is the only one that has not joined international sanctions against Russia.



Roscosmos' action prompted the Ministry of Science and ICT to accelerate efforts to look for alternative vehicles for its space projects, in order to brace for a worsening diplomatic relationship with Russia, which has been the most important partner for Korea's space exploration since its early stage.



Before the invasion of Ukraine, the ministry signed contracts with Russia to launch the Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 6, or Arirang 6, using the Angara rocket and the next-generation, mid-size Satellite No. 2 via Soyuz by the end of this year.



"The Russo-Ukrainian crisis will have a direct impact on Korea's aerospace sector," the Korea Institute of Science & Technology Evaluation and Planning said in a recent report. "Russia's stance on the U.S. and the Western countries tightening sanctions seems to be a variable."



The European Space Agency's Ariane rocket is also viewed as an alternative to Soyuz.



Most domestic aerospace experts, however, expect the government to opt for American rockets over European ones, considering its recent partnership with SpaceX and a security alliance between Korea and the U.S. that dates back seven decades.



"It is inevitable for Korea to rely more on SpaceX for most of the country's space missions," said Lee Chang-jin, a professor at Konkuk University's Department of Aerospace Engineering. "It seems that Korea will not be able to use Russian rockets over the next couple of years."



SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 launch vehicles have already been slated for use by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to launch the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) this year and the Korean military to launch its homegrown spy satellite in late 2023.



According to KARI, the lunar orbiter will be moved to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida next month to be launched by Falcon 9 on July 31 (local time) according to the institute's contract with SpaceX in 2017.



After entering the moon's orbit next January, KPLO will conduct various scientific experiments for a year, including transmitting BTS' song "Dynamite" to Earth.



The Korean military signed a contract with SpaceX last year to launch five reconnaissance satellites sequentially by the end of 2025 with the aim of monitoring North Korea's missile and nuclear test sites.



In July 2020, the Korean military's first communication satellite named Anasis-II was launched by Falcon 9.





A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Korea's Anasis-II communication satellite lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in this July 2020 file photo. AP-Yonhap
Ko Hun-seok, left, a project manager at KT's Digital and Bio Health Business Department, and Yim Seung-hyouk, second from left, senior vice president of KT, pose with Le Thi Huong, center, dean of the Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health at Hanoi Medical University, and other staff of the school after signing an agreement at Hanoi Medical University in Vietnam, Wednesday. Courtesy of KT



By Baek Byung-yeul



KT plans to expand its digital healthcare business to Vietnam. Using the Southeast Asian country as a bridgehead, the company also aims to expand its operations to other countries in the region, the mobile carrier said, Wednesday.



The company said it signed an agreement with Hanoi Medical University in Vietnam to offer pilot telemedicine services for chronically-ill patients. The agreement includes the development of chronic disease management services, joint research on artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the medical sector and training of Vietnamese medical staff.



Based on the cooperation, KT will launch a pilot telemedicine platform service there by the end of this year. To provide quality service, the mobile carrier will hold additional meetings with decision makers there from various sectors such as state-run agencies, pharmaceutical companies and medical-related IT companies.



"KT saw this year as the best time to advance into Vietnam, given that interest in health and medical care has increased due to the spread of COVID-19. In Vietnam, demand for professional medical services has increased as the proportion of the middle class has increased, and increasing spending on medicine and medical services is also considered to have contributed to the decision to start the business," the company said.



KT and Hanoi Medical University are also conducting joint research on medical AI technologies. KT is in charge of analyzing AI algorithms. Their research will be based on early Alzheimer's diagnosis technology by a research team at Korea's Kyung Hee University, which is also working with KT.



In addition to cooperating with Hanoi Medical University, KT has also conducted joint research with the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital since 2021 for early diagnosis and the treatment of cancer using medical AI technology.



Vietnam's medical sector has grown rapidly. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency's September 2021 data, the size of the Vietnamese market for medical services is expected to reach $23 billion in 2022.



Ko Hun-seok, a project manager at KT's Digital and Bio Health Business Department, told reporters that the company decided to work with the Vietnamese medical staff to increase its capabilities in the telemedicine sector. Telemedicine services are prohibited in Korea due to regulations.



"Some overseas digital healthcare companies are just passing the Korean market due to regulations on telemedicine," Ko said. "Unlike Korea, Vietnam has no regulations on additional services such as drug prescriptions and delivery."



The fact that it is easy to expand its business to neighboring countries also influenced the decision to cooperate with Vietnam. "Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia, so if it succeeds in Vietnam, it will be easy to expand our service to neighboring countries," Ko said.


A man looks outside from his window during a COVID-19 lockdown in the Jing'an District of Shanghai, April 12. AFP-Yonhap



Soon after midnight on Thursday, a group of 7,500 medical staff boarded buses in Jiangsu Province, on a round trip to Shanghai around 300km away, a total journey time of 12 hours.

Soon after midnight on Thursday, a group of 7,500 medical staff boarded buses in Jiangsu Province, on a round trip to Shanghai around 300km away, a total journey time of 12 hours.

They arrived at the stricken metropolis in the early hours, donned protective suits and spent the day swabbing the throats of hundreds of thousands of residents for COVID-19, before starting the long drive home that evening.



Similar journeys were made by more than 30,000 other medical staff from at least 15 provinces to help the city carry out mass testing of its 25 million people, currently enduring the largest effort to control the virus since it was first reported in Wuhan two years ago.



But while the Wuhan lockdown won widespread support from a population eager to contain the outbreak, there has been growing discontent since Shanghai adopted similar measures, March 28.



There have been harrowing reports of people screaming from their homes over the prolonged confinement, as well as food shortages, unmet medical needs and pets bludgeoned to death by zealous pandemic workers.



While Shanghai's outbreak shows no sign of subsiding, there are also concerns for another COVID-19 hotspot, 2,000km away in the northern province of Jilin. Its capital Changchun has been in lockdown since March 11, when 160 local infections were reported.



The city of 8.5 million people has been through two peaks in infections and has yet to achieve "societal clearance"  the point at which all new cases are found in quarantined areas  with another 845 cases reported Monday.



While other countries have pivoted to a pragmatic approach of living with the virus, China remains determined to stop outbreaks in their tracks. But the evolving nature of COVID-19 has raised questions over the continuing effectiveness of a strict response.



New variants of the virus are more transmissible, but so far they are also less virulent among the vaccinated population. Shanghai's daily local infections have hovered above the 20,000 mark for more than a week, but most cases are asymptomatic and there have been no deaths from COVID-19.



Someone with the latest Omicron variant can in theory infect nearly 10 people, with a doubling of cases every three days if transmission is left unchecked.



But there are also more powerful tools to control COVID-19, including Pfizer's antiviral pills that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by nearly 90 per cent. The Pfizer treatment has been approved for use in China, and there is also a domestically developed antibody treatment that works well against the Omicron variant.





Medical personnel in protective gear wait for people to come for COVID-19 testing in a residential community under lockdown in Shanghai, April 12. EPA-Yonhap



China's vaccination rate is also high, at 87 percent, although the elderly population lags behind. Most have been inoculated with inactivated vaccines, whose effectiveness against Omicron is greatly reduced.



Scientists have been calling for the more effective mRNA vaccines  developed by BioNTech and distributed in China by Shanghai Fosun Pharma  to be made available to the public, but approvals have been stuck in administrative review for almost a year.



Shanghai residents expected a swift end to the lockdown 10 days ago for Pudong, east and south of the Huangpu River, under the government's original plan for a staged containment. Communities on the river's west bank were due to reopen a week ago.



Instead, according to the latest government plan, Shanghai residents can now expect to be confined to their homes for another 14 days if there is a positive case in their neighborhood over a seven-day period.



The government has not specified when the new plan will begin, but it will also allow residents of neighborhoods which remain COVID-free for 14 days to walk around their area.



Liang Wannian, who heads the National Health Commission working group's expert panel, said the stealth BA. 2 variant of Omicron was hard to control, with its fast transmission rates and higher levels of patients with few or no symptoms.



"Shanghai has gone from small-scale transmission at an early stage to the gradual emergence of community transmission, and now cases in all 16 districts and counties of the city, indicating it is difficult to fight Omicron in the same way as Delta. More decisive and determined measures are needed," he said.



According to Liang, the aim is to do everything possible to reduce the viral R0 rate to below 1, the epidemiology indicator of an outbreak's peak, when every infection spreads to fewer than one other person.





A resident waits for a food delivery behind a gate blocking an entrance to a residential area under lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, April 13. Reuters-Yonhap



The quick deterioration of the situation in Shanghai left authorities ill-prepared. Horror stories emerged of people sent for isolation to unfinished facilities without access to food, water or treatment.



Reports of young children left unattended and frightened in large open wards after forced separation from their parents prompted appeals to the authorities for families to be allowed to isolate at home.



The arrival of Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan earlier this month to personally oversee the city's response to the outbreak has seen more frequent testing and stricter enforcement of isolation rules for positive cases.



Sun has been leading the country's pandemic response and in Shanghai has overseen a rushed effort to turn some of the city's giant exhibition centers into makeshift hospitals, including two with a combined 65,000-bed capacity.



Facilities are also going up in the neighboring provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, each capable of handling 30,000 COVID-19 patients.



Zhu Huachen, associate professor with the school of public health at the University of Hong Kong, said the strict response in first Jilin and then Shanghai needed to be implemented thoroughly to work well.





Commuters wearing face masks walk across an intersection in the central business district in Beijing, April 12. AP-Yonhap
Film: 'Beast' (Released in Theatres). Duration: 156 minutes.

Director: Nelson Dilipkumar. Cast: Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley, Selvaraghavan and Shine Tom Chacko.

By Manigandan K.R.

Director Nelson Dilipkumar's 'Beast' is an action comedy whose only aim seems to be to glorify its hero's character. As a result, it fails to impress. It is just an ordinary commercial entertainer that has exaggerated action sequences, little or no humour and a wafer-thin plot.

The story revolves around Vijayaraghavan (Vijay), who is from India's elite intelligence agency, RAW. Vijayaraghavan has quit the agency because of a child getting killed in a military operation he was involved in. Time passes and the former agent is still unable to overcome the psychological trauma caused by the death of the child.

One day, Vijayaraghavan goes to a mall in the city accompanied by his girlfriend, Preethi (Pooja Hegde), and the head of a private security service (VTV Ganesh). On reaching the mall, he instantly realises that it is under seige by terrorists. How Vijayaraghavan saves the hostages and neutralises the terrorists is what the film is all about.

The film can basically be broken into two components -- humour and action. While some of the action sequences make you laugh, most of the humorous parts don't.

Director Nelson, who is known for his sparkling humour, seems to have miserably failed in his attempt to recreate the magic of his earlier films, notably 'Doctor' and 'Kolamavu Kokila'.

This is not to say that all jokes fall flat. Some jokes click, but these are few and far between. And the exaggerated action sequences seem to have been added with the sole intention of glorifying the hero's character.

Some of the sequences involving VTV Ganesh, Yogi Babu and Redin Kingsley work, but these offer little or no satisfaction to audiences who were expecting a humour feast from Nelson Dilipkumar.

One other thing that has gone horribly wrong for Nelson in 'Beast' is that while his earlier films always had a story that had logic. This one seems to be completely devoid of it, as the film looks to glorify the character of Vijayaraghavan at every given opportunity.

Sample this for instance. The hero can kill terrorists at will, without so much as breaking into a sweat. He consistently keeps taking on the terrorists who are shooting to kill, but strangely never gets shot even once!

He might be from RAW but he can also fly fighter planes! That's not all! He can also even order other fighter squadrons in the Air Force! One could go on, but then, you get the point, right?

Pooja Hegde has not much to do. Honestly speaking, no character other than that of the hero has anything significant to do.

Manoj Paramahamsa's cinematography is neat and Anirudh's music is outstanding. To cut a long story short, 'Beast' is an exercise in self-glorification!
Dreamcatcher's "Apocalypse: Save Us" has earned the girl group several milestones as it debuted at No. 1 on various iTunes charts.

Keep on reading to learn about their amazing feats.

Dreamcatcher Hits Several Feats as 'Apocalypse: Save Us' Lands on US iTunes

On April 12, Dreamcatcher finally made their comeback with a new album titled "Apocalypse: Save Us" along with the music video for the title song "MAISON."

Featuring powerful sounds, "MAISON" sends a message to people who shamelessly ruin the environment in the current state of the Earth, which is slowly seeing negative changes due to the actions of humankind.

Shortly after its release, Dreamcatcher's "Apocalypse: Save Us" immediately went up straight to the top of different iTunes charts.

In particular, "Apocalypse: Save Us" debuted at No. 1 on the US iTunes Album Chart, becoming the girl group's very first album to top the chart.

Dreamcatcher has now become the second K-pop artist in 2022 to debut directly at No. 1 on the US iTunes, following SHINee Onew (with his second mini-album "DICE").

Moreover, Dreamcatcher's "Apocalypse: Save Us" becomes the third K-pop album released this 2022 to reach No. 1 on the US iTunes Album Chart, after SHINee Onew's "DICE" and Stray Kids' "ODDINARY."

"ODDINARY" didn't directly land at No. 1 on US iTunes. It first entered at No. 3 before rising to No. 1.

Furthermore, Dreamcatcher becomes the fifth K-pop girl group to hit No. 1 on the US iTunes Album Chart, following BLACKPINK, TWICE, LOONA, and Red Velvet.

Not all K-pop albums can make it to No. 1, or even the top 5, on either the US iTunes Song Chart or the US iTunes Album Chart, which makes Dreamcatcher's achievements more remarkable. This only demonstrates the massive support that the US fans give to the girl group.

Fans around the world are also showing their support to Dreamcatcher's "Apocalypse: Save Us" as the album also ranked first on other iTunes album charts.

"Apocalypse: Save Us" debuted at No. 1 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart, becoming the band's third album to score the top after "Raid of Dream" and "Dystopia: Road to Utopia." It also placed first on the European iTunes Album Chart.

It is also also charting #1 in 19 other countries, such as Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Brazil, Romania, Turkey, Moldova, Bahrain, Latvia, and more.

Congratulations to Dreamcatcher on their success with their comeback album "Apocalypse: Save Us"!

Dreamcatcher's 'MAISON' Enters Top 20 Most-Viewed K-pop MVs in the Last 24 Hours

Meanwhile, the music video for Dreamcatcher's "MAISON" is also seeing good results on YouTube.

After it came out on April 12 at 6 p.m. KST, the "MAISON" MV instantly gained thousands of views. Not to mention, it was one of the most-viewed K-pop music videos that day.

By the end of April 12, Dreamcatcher's "MAISON" MV garnered a total of 529,886 views. It claimed the No. 14 spot on the top 20 list of most-viewed K-pop MVs in the past 24 hours.

At approximately 3:15 a.m. KST on April 13, the "MAISON" MV has surpassed one million views.

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Maria Scott
As BTS Jin's military enlistment gets nearer, the interest in the group's possible military exemption also gets higher. In the past few days, this didn't just only become a huge topic among fans, but outside the K-pop circle as well. But why is it really a huge deal?

K-Media Cited 'Politics' as Start of BTS Military Exemption Controversy

On April 13, the Korean news outlet Asia Economy discussed how politics set fire to the controversy of whether BTS members should be exempted from their military services.

To trace the root of this issue, the conservative party, which considers national security important, first proposed the exemption from military service of BTS. This initially gained disappointment.

A so-called "BTS law" was then promulgated in 2020 to delay Korean male citizens' enlistment until 30 years old, given that they contributed to the increase of national prestige.

On April 12, Sung Il Jong, the chairman of the People's Power Policy Committee, said on a radio broadcast:

"There is unlikely to be a disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties because it is related to equity and national interests. Since pop culture artists are not in the field of physical education and pure art, they do not give military service exemptions even if they win first place on the Billboard for popular music, but they want to give BTS military service exemptions."

Newsis also added:

"Politicians have steadily expressed interest in military service exemptions for BTS, which has been active worldwide. This is because it is an opportunity to win the favor of BTS's powerful fandom, 'ARMY'."

According to the current military service law, special military service exemptions are not applied to pop culture artists. In the case of art workers, only the field of 'pure art' is applicable.

Although K-pop artists are not included in this clause, politicians and officials then explained that BTS produced results that anyone could recognize. They contribute to the promotion of national prestige rather than pure artists.

Some of the examples include their GRAMMY nomination and how BTS topped the Billboard chart, which economic inducement effect will reach 1.7 trillion won.

Why Korean Male Netizens Were Not Pleased With BTS Military Exemption Consideration

However, the atmosphere of netizens is unusual. Male netizens, who supported the power of the people with pledges to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, are angry, saying:

"Popularity and military exemption are two different things."

They also pointed out and criticized President Moon Jae In and BTS' attendance at the U.N. General Assembly in September last year as a "show."

In regards to the claims that BTS military service will hurt pop culture artists and the national loss that puts the Hallyu brand ahead. Netizens also showed frustration over this.

Male citizens and the media cited that prominent pop culture artists such as Elvis Presley completed his two-year military enlistment and were still able to continue popularity after discharge.

K-pop acts such as EXO, SHINee and INFINITE who also joined the military were able to maintain their status through military musicals. Hallyu star Hyun Bin was also able to solidify his status as a top star after his discharge from the Marine Corps.

In fact, this is not an issue to BTS at all, the main characters of the controversy. The members themselves have maintained their position that they will "go to the military" whenever questions about military service are asked.

As the situation turns around, some point out that the political circle may rather encourage BTS' military service exemption.

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson
Tamil Nadu BJP legislative party leader Nainar Nagendran has said that the party would not allow imposition of Hindi in the state. In a statement, he said that there was no need to learn a language under any compulsion to prove that he was an Indian.

The BJP leader said that the party would oppose any forceful imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu.

BJP state president K. Annamalai had also on Tuesday said that the state BJP would not allow the imposition of Hindi language on the people of the state.

Both the leaders were responding after severe criticism had erupted in Tamil Nadu over the statement of Union Minister Amit Shah that Hindi should replace English as the link language among the states.

Nainar Nagendran said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not approved the draft of the National Educational Policy that had Hindi as the main language. The BJP legislative party leader said that the Prime Minister had given the go-ahead to the National Educational Policy only after Hindi was made an optional language.

The BJP Tamil Nadu unit president has lashed out against the Congress and said that the party had politicised the issue for the past 40 to 45 years and added that P. Chidambaram as Union Minister had stressed the need to give importance to Hindi language during a function at Hindi diwas during the UPA- II regime.

He said that the DMK was part and parcel of the UPA government and had the ministers representing the party when Chidambaram as Union minister had mooted the idea to give importance to the Hindi language.

Annamalai had also welcomed the suggestion of musician A.R. Rahman that Tamil could be the link language of the nation and added that stress must be given to develop the language.

The BJP state president had said that no efforts have been made in Tamil Nadu to develop that language and added that the number of students taking the Class 12 board exam in Tamil medium was coming down drastically and said that soon it will fall below 50 per cent.
CNN's Shimon Prokupecz describes how police located and arrested Frank James, the man suspected of shooting over a dozen people in a subway station in Brooklyn.
A total o f 49 terrorists have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir by the security forces since January 1 this year till date, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials said here on Wednesday.

They also said that during this period, 71 terrorists have been apprehended while three ultras surrendered.

In the month o f April, eight terrorists were killed in the operation while 10 were apprehended by the security forces including the CRPF.

The officials also said that during the recent operations, one Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in Anantnag district on April 9, two foreign terrorists were killed in Srinagar on April 10 while two including one foreign terrorist were killed on April 11 in Jammu and Kashmir.

They further informed that as many as 311 insurgents were apprehended in the northeast while 55 have surrendered during this period.

Referring to the Left Wing Extremism areas, the officials said that six Maoists have been killed in anti-Maoist operations while 183 were nabbed and 204 have surrendered since January 1 till date.

The CRPF officials also said that the force will provide full security cover to the impending Amarnath Yatra which will begin from June 30 this year after a gap o f two years.

The Force will provide adequate security to the pilgrims and chalking out strategies for the deployment o f the security personnel, they said.

The CRPF is the nodal agency for providing security at the bases o f this Yatra and throughout the holy cave. The Amaranth Yatra will commence from June 30 and will end on August 11.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - April is the month of the military child, and the Great Falls community is honoring military children's strength and sacrifices with Purple Up day.

It is my honor to recognize the sacrifice Montana military families, especially our children, make each and every day. In acknowledgment and gratitude, every second Tuesday of the year will be celebrated in Montana as our Purple Up! Day, said State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen.

The state of Montana has nearly 3,800 school-aged military-connected children, according to data from Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

And roughly 11.3 percent of the Great Falls Public School population, over 1,100 students, are military-connected.

Many of these students know what it's like when mom, dad, or both parents are deployed far from home.

Schools across the city and even the state are working hard to become Purple Star Schools.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction Montanas 2021-2022 Purple Star School Awardees are:

Flathead High School in Kalispell

Holy Spirit Catholic School in Great Falls

Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls

Great Falls Central Catholic High School in Great Falls

Ben Steele Middle School in Billings

Townsend School District in Townsend

The 2021-2022 Purple Star Champion Awardees are:

Jennifer Bernhart of Missoula (Community Supporter)

Hunter Jones of Billings (Educator)

Joe Firda of Great Falls (US Air National Guard and Community Supporter)

Kim Ray of Great Falls (Principal)

Last year, the Purple Star schools were Glacier High School, Loy Elementary School, North Middle School, CMR High School, and Valley Christian School.

Purple Star schools have gone above and beyond being military friendly, through a maintained commitment to serve their military students and continually honor the military family sacrifice.

Great Falls Public Schools are also working on early childhood learning and job shadow opportunities for students as they partner with Malmstrom Air Force Base.

"Malmstrom considers itself part of Great Falls and as community partners, we have a shared commitment to education and where we can make contributions to enhance the educational experience, not just for military children, but children across the state - we want to be partners in that endeavor," said Col. Christopher Karns, commander for the mission support group at Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB).

MAFB says they will continue to partner with the community as military children and families are mission essential.

"Education goes hand in hand with military readiness and quality of life. And when we get this right what we see increased retention of our forces and our families and it makes for a greater community experience," said Col. Karns.

The color purple was chosen to honor military kids because it indicates all branches of the military being supported.
MISSOULA, Mont. - The International Conference on Central & Southwest Asia presented by the Central and Southwest Asia Studies Center at University of Montana will return to Missoula for the 19th year. This year's conference will focus on an aspect of life many Montanans can connect with.

The conference will take an in-depth look at horse culture in Asia and its global impacts.

While Asian culture may seem foreign to a place like Montana, Janet Rose, communications director for the Montana Center for Horsemanship, explained how its connection to horses is something many Montanans can relate to.

"Horse culture is Montana," Rose said. "Montana was built on the back of a horse, so we're very oriented towards horses. It's something we understand, love and known. All horses began in Central Asia."

According to Rose, Central Asia is the region where horses were first established as a use-animal in 6,000 B.C.

In addition to exploring how horses are used and their importance to Asian culture, the conference also brings experts from around the world to discuss issues affecting the region, like U.S. foreign policy in Russia and Ukraine, and the refugee crises in Ukraine, Syria and Iran.

This year's expanded focus on horse culture will include a showing of the film 'Wings of Kyrgyzstan' and a visit from the film's producer Sophie dia Pegrum.

She shared the similar roles horses play in both Asian and American cultures.

I think everybody thats a horse person really understands the great admiration that we have when we get around an animal that is magnificent," dia Pegrum said. "People there have this incredible pride and prestige attached to, being around and caring for animals like that. I think thats the thing well recognize.

'Wings of Kyrgyzstan' will screen Thursday, April 14 at 2 p.m. in the University Center Theater on University of Montana's campus.

The conference is free and open to the public.

A full schedule is listed below:

Wednesday April 13, 2022

12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Keynote Presentation: Why They Flee: Viewing Asian Regimes through an American Immigration Lens

Presenter: Susan Cohen (Internationally Recognized Immigration Attorney, Founding Chair, Immigration Practice)

Chair-Moderator: Robert Seidenschwarz (Past President, Montana World Affairs Council, Visiting Scholar, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center)

2:00pm-3:00 pm

Panel Presentation: Immigration, Nationalism & the Nation State: the Case of France

Presenters: Mladen Kozul (UM Associate Professor of French), Immigration, Nationalism and French Political Culture; Michel Valentin, (UM Retired Professor of French), Capitalist Fluxes and Populism in Contemporary France

3:00 pm-4:00 pm

A Roundtable on United States Foreign Policy in Russia & Ukraine

Presenters: Michael Mayer (UM Department of History); Robert Seidenschwarz (Past President, Montana World Affairs Council, Visiting Scholar, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center; Mehrdad Kia (Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center)

7:00 pm-7:10 pmWelcome Remarks: Reed Humphrey (Provost, University of Montana), Nathan Lindsay (Associate Provost, University of Montana)

7:10 pm-9:00 pm

Keynote Presentation: Iranians and their World: In the Shadow of the Russian Bear

Presenter: Ambassador John Limbert (Former U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran in the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. A veteran U.S. diplomat and a former official at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where he was held captive during the Iran hostage crisis)

Thursday April 14, 2014

12:30 pm-2:00 pm

Central & Southwest Asian Studies Keynote Presentation: Centrality of Central Asia

Presenter: Ardi Kia (Director, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center, University of Montana)

2:00 pm-3:30 pm

Horsemanship in Central Asia

Film Presentation: Wings of Kyrgyzstan Documentary Screening & Introduction/Talk by Visual Anthropologist/Filmmaker Sophia Dia Pegrum

Chair-Moderator: Janet Rose (Director, Development, Communications & Strategic Partnerships, Montana Center for Horsemanship)

3:30 pm-5:00 pm

Central & Southwest Asian Studies Student Panel

Presenters: Alex Anderlik, Zachary Kompel, William Schuman-kline, Hazel Videon,

Chair-Moderator: Ardi Kia (Director, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center, University of Montana)

7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Keynote Presentation: The New World Disorder: Hybrid Wars, Displacement, Sanctions and Reconstruction from Syria to Ukraine

Presenter: Amr Al Azam (Professor of Middle East History & Anthropology, Shawnee State University)
The following is a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Montana:

BILLINGS  A Shepherd man who owns the Feedlot Steakhouse in Shepherd was sentenced today to three years of probation, ordered to pay restitution and forfeited vintage vehicles he admitted to buying with approximately $75,000 in a COVID-19 relief loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) instead of using the money to help his business, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Michael Eugene Bolte, 70, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to theft of government money, property or records, a misdemeanor, as charged in a superseding information.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters ordered $76,989 restitution to the SBA. In addition, the government previously seized and Bolte forfeited four vintage automobiles purchased with the funds: a 1916 Studebaker, a 1929 Franklin, a 1939 Ford Deluxe, and a 1941 Ford Super Deluxe.

The government alleged in court documents that on April 1, 2020, Bolte applied to the SBA for a business loan under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. On May 24, 2020, Bolte signed a loan agreement for $74,800 and expressly acknowledged the EIDL loan would be used solely as working capital for his business. Boltes intent at the time of signing for the loan was to buy vintage automobiles as an investment, and not as working capital for his business. Eleven days after receiving the loan, Bolte wrote a check for $75,000 for the purchase of four vintage vehicles. The SBA would not have approved or funded Boltes loan had it known Boltes intended and actual use of the funds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the SBA Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
TUCSON (KVOA) - After nearly an eight-year pause, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said Tuesday the state is ready to resume executions.

"We do these not only because justice demands it, but because ultimately people who commit these types of crime deserve the ultimate punishment," Brnovich said.

The first scheduled execution since the summer of 2014 is set for May.

On July 23, 2014, Joseph Wood was the last inmate on Arizona's Death Row to be executed. Wood died by lethal injection.

The process took almost two hours and Wood's lawyers argued the execution was botched.

That is something Brnovich denies.

"There was an independent examination, a medical examiner," Brnovich said. "There is no facts, no evidence that this defendant suffered in any way. In fact, he was sedated the whole time."

On May 11, Clarence Dixon is set to be put to death for the murder of 21-year-old Arizona State student Deana Bowdoin in 1978.

Bowdoin was raped, strangled and stabbed to death in her Tempe apartment.

Only days ago, Dixon's lawyers filed a motion to stop the execution, saying it is unconstitutional because Dixon is mentally incompetent.

Robert Dunham is the executive director of the death penalty information center.

"Just before the murder, he was found legally insane," Dunham said. "He was acquitted of a prior offense by judge, later Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. At the time, she found him not guilty by reason of insanity. He had paranoid schizophrenia at that time and that's a disorder that does not improve, particularly if it's untreated."

Dunham argues there are problems with the way Arizona carries out the death penalty.

"From the provision of counsel to very questionable appeals," Dunham contends. "Clarence Dixon's case is an example of that. This is an individual who was severely mentally ill at the time of the trial. The jury never knew about it. The court allowed him to represent himself."

Dixon still has some time to decide whether he wants to die by lethal injection or lethal gas.

As his lawyers and opponents look for alternatives, Brnovich stands by the state's decision.

"No one's heart should ache or break for these degenerate killers," the attorney general said. "We need to make sure justice is done and the fact it has taken decades, literally decades for these families to receive closure is heartbreaking to me."

"It's been more than four decades." Dunham said. "That's something that's going to create continuing pain for the victim's family. And giving this enough time to get it right, may mean the execution doesn't go forward in a month."

One of Dixon's attorneys, Jennifer Moreno released the following statement in regards to the execution.

"Arizona has a history of problematic executions and has not executed anyone since the horrifically mishandled execution of Joseph Wood in 2014. The State has had nearly a year to demonstrate that it will not be carrying out executions with expired drugs but has failed to do so. Under these circumstances, the execution of Mr. Dixon  a severely mentally ill, visually disabled, and physically frail member of the Navajo Nation  is unconscionable."
Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com.
Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, seen here in October 2020, in Washington, DC, was removed from North Carolina voter rolls amid state investigation into voter fraud allegations.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the level of understanding he encountered in his meetings with American interlocutors on India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war, but expressed frustration with the persisting lack of it in the public domain, chiefly, though he did not name anyone, the media and even some lawmakers.

"People in the administration, people dealing with policy, they are well-informed, (and) in many ways they understand where India is coming from," Jaishankar said, adding, "At the same time, I would quite honestly say the narrative, the public narrative, sometimes is very, very different."

Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh faced repeated questions at a presser with their American counterparts on Tuesday about India's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its continued purchase of energy from Russia.

There has also been a barrage of criticism of India among American lawmakers and experts.

"I think today, there is a gap between the policy and the narrative. And, you know, how do we narrow that and how do we bridge it," Jaishankar said.

While the Joe Biden administration has expressed understanding of India's historical ties with Russia and its longstanding dependence on Russian military hardware, there has been an outpouring of outrage in US media and among lawmakers over India's steadfast refusal to condemn the invasion, and for continuing to buy Russian gas.

India has made it clear, however, that it is against the war and backs the use of diplomatic channels to resolve any and all issues.

India has also extended humanitarian aid to Ukraine and recently condemned the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called for an independent investigation.

Among US lawmakers who have been critical of India's refusal to condemn the invasions is Ro Khanna, an Indian-American member of the House of Representatives.

"First, India should condemn (Vladimir) Putin in the UN for the blatant human rights violations. Second, they need to realise, they have to pick sides," he had said at a congressional hearing in March.

Jaishankar spoke to Indian mediapersons at the end of his three-day visit to Washington DC for the fourth edition of the 2+2 ministerial meeting with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

The meetings were flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on Monday with a video call, which was the first such high-level participation by the leaders of the two countries in these meetings.

The war in Ukraine dominated the meetings from the word go, including the Modi-Biden video call.

"A lot of our time went to the situation in Ukraine," Jaishankar conceded, adding that the US side presented their analysis of the situation.

The war and related issues of food and energy security came up in his meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Asked if the US team - the President or his secretaries - asked India to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict or pass on a message to the Russians or the Ukrainians, both of whom have been in touch with India at the highest levels, the minister said no such offer was made or a message was asked to be passed on.

While the Indo-Pacific - another way to refer to the global threat posed by China - figured in the discussions as did the Quad (the security group India and the US form with Japan and Australia), the minister said in response to a question, there was no specific mention of the India-China border conflict in the discussions.

He, though, did not rule out the possibility of it figuring in Rajnath Singh's discussions with Austin.

In fact, the India-China border conflict had indeed come up in Singh's meeting with Austin.

"We're facing urgent and mounting challenges to this shared vision," Austin had said, adding, "Across the region, the People's Republic of China is attempting to challenge and undermine the sovereignty of its neighbours."

Jaishankar said an entire range of issues were discussed by the two sides at the 2+2 meetings and bilateral interactions between Indian ministers and their American counterparts -- from the situation in the neighbourhood to Afghanistan, West Asia and the continued global threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the state of the global economy.
DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KVOA) - Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is expected to visit the southern border Wednesday.

Kelly is scheduled to tour the Douglas Port of Entry and speak with U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the public health order, known as Title 42.

According to a press release, Kelly will speak to CBP officials on "how he can continue to support border personnel."

After two years of being in place, the Biden administration plans to lift Title 42 on May 23.

This is a developing story.
The Northern New England Red Cross is installing smoke detectors this weekend. Do you have a fire evacuation plan for your home? How about when you are traveling?
They also said that during this period, 71 terrorists have been apprehended while three ultras surrendered.

In the month of April, eight terrorists were killed in the operation while 10 were apprehended by the security forces including the CRPF.

The officials also said that during the recent operations, one Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in Anantnag district on April 9, two foreign terrorists were killed in Srinagar on April 10 while two including one foreign terrorist were killed on April 11 in Jammu and Kashmir.

They further informed that as many as 311 insurgents were apprehended in the northeast while 55 have surrendered during this period.

Referring to the Left Wing Extremism areas, the officials said that six Maoists have been killed in anti-Maoist operations while 183 were nabbed and 204 have surrendered since January 1 till date.

The CRPF officials also said that the force will provide full security cover to the impending Amarnath Yatra which will begin from June 30 this year after a gap of two years.

The Force will provide adequate security to the pilgrims and chalking out strategies for the deployment of the security personnel, they said.

The CRPF is the nodal agency for providing security at the bases of this Yatra and throughout the holy cave. The Amaranth Yatra will commence from June 30 and will end on August 11.

A huge number of pilgrims are expected to visit the holy cave this year in 2020 and 2021, the pilgrimage was not conducted because of the Covid pandemic.
CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo.  A former Camden County Sheriffs Deputy is suing the sheriffs office, Sheriff Tony Helms, and former Captain Chris Twitchel for sexual harassment and discrimination.

In the suit filed by Bethany Bowen, she alleges Twitchel, now the Police Chief of Buffalo, Mo., sexually harassed her on multiple occasions, and gives specific details of those instances.

The lawsuit points to an alleged history of sexual harassment and misbehavior by Twitchel. It claims that while he was a deputy during Sheriff Dwight Franklins administration (prior to Helms), he was under investigation for an alleged sexual relationship with an informant. At the time, according to the lawsuit document, Twitchel was pulled into Under Sheriff Waldens office and told they had heard about the relationship and was given the option to resign or an investigation was going to be started Twitchel, at that time, resigned. The lawsuit says Bowen has information that either the Missouri State Highway Patrols Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) or a federal office had an open investigation on Twitchel, during that time.

However, when Tony Helms defeated Dwight Franklin in the 2016 election and took office in January 2017, Helms re-hired Twitchel and gave him the rank of Captain.

In a recorded conversation from 2021 between local citizen (and current Camden County Commissioner Candidate) Nathan Rinne and Sheriff Helms, the sheriff appears to acknowledge he was aware of allegations made against Twitchel during his prior employment with other law enforcement agencies.

In that audio clip, Helms discussed some individuals who had contacted him for references on Twitchel as he had applied for the Police Chief position in Buffalo. I told them that there was a risk here, and I told them what it was over. And I said I cant substantiate any of it so as far as were concerned, hes got a clear conscience, if he wants to leave he can leave.

Helms mused, Chris is a narcissist he has to be in control, adding, Well be better off [with him gone] is all Ive got to say.

He can be heard telling Rinne there had been a personnel file on Twitchel but that when he went and looked through those files (presumably the day he took office), the files on Twitchel were missing: I was in here at 12:01 on New Years Eve. The first thing I did was go through the personnel files. And all of those were gone.

When asked about it for this article, Helms declined to comment about it or any other element of the case. Attorney Andrew Holder, with Overland Park-based Fisher Patterson Sayler & Smith, LLP, representing the defendants, also declined to comment.

Helms did confirm that Twitchel is still paid as a subcontractor for the Camden County Sheriffs Office to write grants.

Sexual Comments & Behavior

(Reader note: the following information is available in the public filing. That filing and our reporting contains specific allegations of sexual harassment. These are allegations made in court, and all defendants are, and should be, presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

About four months after Twitchel was re-hired to the sheriffs office, the lawsuit says the deputies had switched over from long-sleeved black shirts to short-sleeved tan shirts. Twitchel allegedly asked a few deputies what they thought about the shirts, and one person said tan was a bad color for deputies working the roads because it shows sweat stains around the neck. The lawsuit filing then states:

Everyone was walking out of Twitchels office when Twitchel turned and looked at the Plaintiff and said you should be used to white salty stuff around your face; He continued on to the reports room to get something he printed from the printer, laughing Plaintiff was in complete shock The next morning, Plaintiff went to her direct supervisor, Lt. Arlyne Page, and told her she wanted to make an unofficial complaint, but wanted someone to talk to him about his comments Page told Plaintiff she would take care of it, but it is unknown what, if anything, was ultimately done.

The lawsuit says Twitchel was written up a short time later for a comment he made to a female deputy about hooking a taser up to her nipples.

The suit alleges another comment made to Bailey, stating: October 2018, the sheriffs office participates with no shave November; Captain Twitchel was in charge of this fundraising event Plaintiff went to Twitchel to see if we could figure out something for the females in the office to do to be able to participate -- Plaintiff brought up wearing blue jeans on Fridays for the office staff and maybe a blue streak in the female deputys [sic] hair Captain Twitchel told Plaintiff he really didnt care but, stated, suggestively, you still have to shave and then followed up with do you like hair in your food? Neither does your husband.again, he just laughed and I walked out of his office.

The lawsuit alleges that on one occasion, a dispatcher made a complaint to Camden County that Twitchel had licked her face.

It also references an alleged incident in October 2019 in which Bowen claims Twitchel and two others were watching a video on his computer and laughing hysterically, then closed the screen when Bowen walked in the room. The lawsuit filing says, Twitchel said, uh, we arent watching anything and then everyone scattered; Plaintiff walked out of the office and contacted Major Schmidt and told him what had just happened since Plaintiff was under the impression it was something inappropriate.

She also alleges other sheriffs office deputies participated in the sexual misconduct: she says one would routinely tell other employees to suck [his] dick and made other comments regarding his genitalia; he even said this in front of the command staff and nothing was ever done. The lawsuit also notes that a former major with the sheriffs office was subjected to an investigation for sexual harassment, saying, It is unknown if he quit or was terminated.

The suit also points to the hiring of Deputy Leonard Wilson in February of 2017, allegedly without a background check being completed. Wilson had prior charges for stalking, child molestation, and possession of child porn, the lawsuit states; he was charged later that year with child molestation and possessing child porn. He was fired in the summer of 2017, and Bowen says in the lawsuit that she had voiced her discomfort with his presence; the document also notes Wilson had applied and was disqualified under the prior administration due to questionable things in his background check.

The lawsuit also states, On one occasion, Sheriff Tony Helms made a sexual comment to Plaintiff, and Plaintiff had heard that Helms had made sexual comments about another female deputys butt.

Intimidation

The lawsuit claims a former major in the sheriffs office had a cork board behind his chair at his desk and when he would fire someone, he would tack their nameplate to it, which Plaintiff took as an intimidating gesture with regard to making complaints.

It points to an alleged conversation between Lt. Arlyne Page and Bowen in which Page said a lieutenant had said in staff meeting women dont belong in law enforcement.

Sex Discrimination In Promotions

The lawsuit claims, From January 1, 2017-February 25, 2020, at least 13 male deputies were promoted and zero females were promoted. During this time, only two openings were posted via email, both for the same Corporal rank held by Plaintiff Upon information and belief, male employees were generally better compensated.

Bowen claims she was routinely passed up for promotions, due to her gender and/or her complaints.

In March 2020, at age 39, Bowen turned in her two-week notice. In the lawsuit, she says she resigned due to sexual harassment, disparate treatment, lack of advancement opportunities, and hostile work environment, feeling that she had no other choice. She says she had planned on resigning at age 60 rather than age 39, but was pushed out of her career, at great financial loss, after serving in Camden County for 16 years.

The lawsuit mentions three male deputies who were promoted to a higher rank upon their retirement. Bowen was not.

Seeking Recompense

Bowen is asking for a trial by jury for all the issues raised in the complaint filed. And she is requesting the following:

-A review of the reasons she was not promoted and an order that the defendants did not comply with federal law regarding her promotion

-Training for all managers regarding sex discrimination, retaliation and review Defendant Camden County Sheriffs Departments policy regarding discrimination and retaliation

-Training regarding how to prevent bias (including stereotypes) from impeding the advancement of women and those who report sexual harassment in the workplace

-The forbidding of future violations of Title VII, the First Amendment, and the Equal Protection of the Fourteenth Amendment and other laws prohibiting sex discrimination and retaliation in the workplace

-The adoption of policies aimed at preventing and remedying any future violations that may occur, including an effective reporting procedure and effective investigation procedures that prevent retaliation

-Notification of employees of the violation and remedy

Bowen is also seeking monetary relief.
There was a surge in book banning in 2021. valmas/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

The United States has become a nation divided over important issues in K-12 education, including which books students should be able to read in public school.

Efforts to ban books from school curricula, remove books from libraries and keep lists of books that some find inappropriate for students are increasing as Americans become more polarized in their views.

These types of actions are being called book banning. They are also often labeled censorship.

But the concept of censorship, as well as legal protections against it, are often highly misunderstood.

Book banning by the political right and left

On the right side of the political spectrum, where much of the book banning is happening, bans are taking the form of school boards removing books from class curricula.

Politicians have also proposed legislation banning books that are what some legislators and parents consider too mature for school-age readers, such as All Boys Arent Blue, which explores queer themes and topics of consent. Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrisons classic The Bluest Eye, which includes themes of rape and incest, is also a frequent target.

In some cases, politicians have proposed criminal prosecutions of librarians in public schools and libraries for keeping such books in circulation.

Most books targeted for banning in 2021, says the American Library Association, were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons. State legislators have also targeted books that they believe make students feel guilt or anguish based on their race or imply that students of any race or gender are inherently bigoted.

There are also some attempts on the political left to engage in book banning as well as removal from school curricula of books that marginalize minorities or use racially insensitive language, like the popular To Kill a Mockingbird.

Defining censorship

Whether any of these efforts are unconstitutional censorship is a complex question.

The First Amendment protects individuals against the governments abridging the freedom of speech. However, government actions that some may deem censorship  especially as related to schools  are not always neatly classified as constitutional or unconstitutional, because censorship is a colloquial term, not a legal term.

Some principles can illuminate whether and when book banning is unconstitutional.

Censorship does not violate the Constitution unless the government does it.

For example, if the government tries to forbid certain types of protests solely based on the viewpoint of the protesters, that is an unconstitutional restriction on speech. The government cannot create laws or allow lawsuits that keep you from having particular books on your bookshelf, unless the substance of those books fits into a narrowly defined unprotected category of speech such as obscenity or libel. And even these unprotected categories are defined in precise ways that are still very protective of speech.

The government, however, may enact reasonable regulations that restrict the time, place or manner of your speech, but generally it has to do so in ways that are content- and viewpoint-neutral. The government thus cannot restrict an individuals ability to produce or listen to speech based on the topic of the speech or the ultimate opinions expressed.

And if the government does try to restrict speech in these ways, it likely constitutes unconstitutional censorship.

Whats not unconstitutional

In contrast, when private individuals, companies and organizations create policies or engage in activities that suppress peoples ability to speak, these private actions dont violate the Constitution.

A school board in Tennessee in February 2022 ordered the removal of the award-winning 1986 graphic novel on the Holocaust, Maus, by Art Spiegelman, from local student libraries. Maro Siranosian/AFP via Getty Images

The Constitutions general theory of liberty considers freedom in the context of government restraint or prohibition. Only the government has a monopoly on the use of force that compels citizens to act in one way or another. In contrast, if private companies or organizations chill speech, other private companies can experiment with different policies that allow people more choices to speak or act freely.

Still, private action can have a major impact on a persons ability to speak freely and the production and dissemination of ideas. For example, book burning or the actions of private universities in punishing faculty for sharing unpopular ideas thwarts free discussion and unfettered creation of ideas and knowledge.

When schools can ban books

Its hard to definitively say whether the current incidents of book banning in schools are constitutional  or not. The reason: Decisions made in public schools are analyzed by the courts differently than censorship in nongovernment contexts.

Control over public education, in the words of the Supreme Court, is for the most part given to state and local authorities. The government has the power to determine what is appropriate for students and thus the curriculum at their school.

However, students retain some First Amendment rights: Public schools may not censor students speech, either on or off campus, unless it is causing a substantial disruption.

But officials may exercise control over the curriculum of a school without trampling on students or K-12 educators free speech rights.

There are exceptions to governments power over school curriculum: The Supreme Court ruled, for example, that a state law banning a teacher from covering the topic of evolution was unconstitutional because it violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the state from endorsing a particular religion.

School boards and state legislators generally have the final say over what curriculum schools teach. Unless states policies violate some other provision of the Constitution  perhaps the protection against certain kinds of discrimination  they are generally constitutionally permissible.

Schools, with finite resources, also have discretion to determine which books to add to their libraries. However, several members of the Supreme Court have written that removal is constitutionally permitted only if it is done based on the educational appropriateness of the book, but not because it was intended to deny students access to books with which school officials disagree.

Book banning is not a new problem in this country  nor is vigorous public criticism of such moves. And even though the government has discretion to control whats taught in school, the First Amendment ensures the right of free speech to those who want to protest whats happening in schools.

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Erica Goldberg does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Wisconsin Supreme Court justices pressed lawyers about whether state law bars family members from dropping an absentee ballot in a mailbox as part of a hearing Wednesday in a case that will decide how ballots can be returned in the states upcoming midterms and future elections.

Responding to a question from liberal Justice Jill Karofsky on whether a voter could complete an absentee ballot, walk it to a mailbox and hand it to a child to formally place it in the box, Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel for the conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, said such a practice would not be allowed.

Im sure you can appreciate how absurd that result is, Karofsky said.

Statutory language, even in passive voice, is quite clearly concerned with the identity of the person who is doing the mailing, Esenberg said. It must be the elector.

Justice Brian Hagedorn, a conservative who has sided with liberal justices in the past and could be the deciding vote in the case, also questioned whether anyone other than the registered voter is allowed to hand in an absentee ballot.

If Im mailing an absentee ballot and my wife takes the three steps to put it in the mailbox, have I violated the law? Hagedorn asked. Do we need to decide that question?

Hagedorn also asked whether a voter would be allowed to have their ballot delivered by an official with a political party, which Charles Curtis, an attorney for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, said would likely be legal as long as the ballot hadnt been tampered with.

Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, however, expressed doubt that state law allows anyone other than the actual voter to hand in an absentee ballot.

The case stems from a request by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty on behalf of two Milwaukee voters asking the states high court to take up the matter after the District 4 Court of Appeals stayed a ruling by Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren that barred the use of absentee ballot drop boxes except in a clerks office.

The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled 4-3, with Hagedorn joining the courts three liberal justices, to allow the use of the free-standing, mailbox-like drop boxes in the February primary. The court later denied a request to extend the stay and allow use of the boxes through the April 5 election, with Hagedorn joining fellow conservative justices on the ruling. The court is expected to come to a final ruling on the matter later this spring or summer.

Ongoing battle

The ongoing battle over the use of drop boxes has persisted since the 2020 election, due in part to unfounded claims of election fraud by former President Donald Trump, who lost Wisconsin to President Joe Biden by about 21,000 votes. The Nov. 8 election is expected to draw high turnout as Democrats seek to oust U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and Republicans look to prevent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers from securing a second term.

The 2020 election is over. Heres what happened (and what didnt) The 2020 election was the most secure in American history, according to the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructu

A focal point of the case stems in part from guidance issued by the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission in early 2020 to allow election clerks to use their discretion when determining whether to make use of drop boxes. Hundreds of municipal clerks made use of the boxes that year when there still wasnt a vaccine for COVID-19 and public health officials were warning against large gatherings, like at polling places. At the same time, the large number of absentee ballots requested that year, combined with cutbacks at the U.S. Postal Service, led many to worry their ballots wouldnt make it back in time if they were mailed.

Bohren ruled that the commissions guidance has the effect of law and the agency should have gone through the formal rule-making process. An attorney for the commission said guidance is created to provide local clerks with discretion on the matter when administering an election, but does not set mandates.

What happens is that the guidance  in effect, in reality and in practice, it does become the law that governs elections in the state of Wisconsin, Bradley said.

Accommodating voters

That guidance was rescinded by the commission in February following Bohrens ruling. The commission, Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Wisconsin Faith Voice For Justice and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin have asked the state Supreme Court to reverse the lower courts action, citing concerns that upholding Bohrens ruling would disenfranchise voters with disabilities across the state.

Bohren ruled in January that state law only allows absentee ballots to be delivered through the mail or in person at a local clerks office. He also asserted that delivering an absentee ballot on behalf of another individual, even someone who is unable to deliver their own ballot, is illegal. State law does not explicitly prohibit or allow the practice.

Milwaukee resident Martha Chambers, who has been paralyzed for 27 years after a horseback riding injury, said in a media briefing after oral arguments that she cannot physically put her absentee ballot in the mailbox and will not be able to vote if she is not allowed to give her ballot to someone else to do that.

I cannot hand it to a mail carrier, Chambers said in the briefing, which was organized by Law Forward, a law firm representing several groups in the case including Disability Rights Wisconsin. I do not have the option of opening the door of my home and driving my chair to the post office. Its just impossible.

State law

Wisconsin law is also silent on the use of ballot drop boxes, which were used in at least 43 cities, 46 villages and 156 towns throughout the state in the 2020 election, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau. Many of those were in areas in the northeast and northwest parts of the state where Trump won the vast majority of counties. Eleven states also use the boxes.

Drop boxes were among the supplies Wisconsins clerks purchased in 2020 with money from the Mark Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life, which has also become a target of Republican ire and that of GOP-appointed special counsel Michael Gableman, who baselessly claims the Chicago-headquartered group was integral to an illegal conspiracy to boost turnout in Democratic-leaning areas in the 2020 election.

Court rulings have found nothing illegal about the more than $10 million in grants the Center for Tech and Civic Life distributed to about 214 municipalities in 39 of Wisconsins 72 counties, including many solidly won by Trump. Nor did the center turn down grant requests from any of the Wisconsin municipalities that made them. Although, on a per-capita basis, Wisconsins five largest, and mostly Democratic, cities received two to four times more money than smaller communities.
A person was taken to University Hospital with burns after a fire at Camp Randall Stadium on Wednesday morning, authorities reported.

I don't have any details yet on how the fire started, or how the person was injured, but it appears that the fire was out when we arrived, Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster told the State Journal.

She said there might have been some construction going on at Camp Randall.

More details will be released as they are available, Schuster said.
Dasha Zarovna, a freshman business major from Odesa, is one of the only international students from Ukraine at LMU. Many of her family and friends remain in Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war, fighting for their own lives and finding ways to help those in need.
Weather Alert

...LONG DURATION RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALL OTHER AREAS FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM MDT TODAY AND AGAIN 10 AM TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT AREA WIDE FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .An exceptionally dangerous and likely historic stretch of critical fire weather is on tap beginning today and lasting each day through at least to the middle of next week. Widespread strong west to southwest winds, above normal warmth, many hours of single- digit humidities, and an unstable atmosphere will exist through Monday. The Northeast Highlands could continue with critical fire weather conditions from late this morning through Sunday evening, with little or no break tonight. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands from 11 AM MDT Saturday through 10 PM MDT Sunday evening for the Red Flag Warning. Monday morning through Monday evening for the Fire Weather Watch. * 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph on Saturday. West-southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with potential gusts of 40 to 60 mph Saturday night. Southwest winds of 25 to 40 mph with occasional gusts of 45 to 55 mph on Sunday. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 to 50 mph Monday. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Ranging from 4 to 15 percent each day with long duration single digit humidity. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and will be hard to control. Long range spotting and dangerous fire behavior will be possible. Outdoor burning should not be done. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch. &&

...LONG DURATION RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALL OTHER AREAS FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM MDT TODAY AND AGAIN 10 AM TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT AREA WIDE FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, ABOVE AVERAGE WARMTH AND A VERY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE... .An exceptionally dangerous and likely historic stretch of critical fire weather is on tap beginning today and lasting each day through at least to the middle of next week. Widespread strong west to southwest winds, above normal warmth, many hours of single- digit humidities, and an unstable atmosphere will exist through Monday. The Northeast Highlands could continue with critical fire weather conditions from late this morning through Sunday evening, with little or no break tonight. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM MDT SUNDAY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... * AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Highlands from 11 AM MDT Saturday through 10 PM MDT Sunday evening for the Red Flag Warning. Monday morning through Monday evening for the Fire Weather Watch. * 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph on Saturday. West-southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with potential gusts of 40 to 60 mph Saturday night. Southwest winds of 25 to 40 mph with occasional gusts of 45 to 55 mph on Sunday. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 to 50 mph Monday. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Ranging from 4 to 15 percent each day with long duration single digit humidity. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and will be hard to control. Long range spotting and dangerous fire behavior will be possible. Outdoor burning should not be done. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch. &&

...AIR QUALITY ALERT... The following message is transmitted at the request of the New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment. * WHAT....Transport winds from the northwest and west through this evening will gradually shift from the west southwest on Friday. As a result, smoke transport that has generally been toward the southeast over the past 12 hours or so will begin to shift more toward the east and northeast on Friday. Diminishing winds and nighttime inversions tonight will focus the greatest overnight impacts close to and down-drainage of the large fires. * WHERE....Smoke will continue to significantly impact areas across much of Los Alamos, Mora, southeast Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel and Santa Fe counties during the next 24 hours. This includes, but is not limited to, the following communities: Espanola, Kewa Pueblo, La Cueva, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Mora, Ocate, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Santa Fe, Sapello and White Rock. * WHEN...Remainder of this afternoon through noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Those with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, and heart disease will be especially vulnerable to impacts from poor air quality, as will adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women if smoke concentrations become unhealthy. * HEALTH INFORMATION...Remember, your eyes are your best tools to determine if it is safe to be outside. Use the 5-3-1 Method available at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. If visibility is: Under 5 miles, the air quality is unhealthy for young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness. Outdoor activity should be minimized. Around 3 miles, young children, adults over age 65, pregnant women, and people with heart and/or lung disease, asthma or other respiratory illness should avoid all outdoor activities. Around 1 mile, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone. People should remain indoors and avoid all outdoor activities including running errands. Unless an evacuation has been issued, stay inside your home, indoor workplace, or in a safe shelter. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affecting New Mexico and with the wildfire season underway, New Mexicans will need to take extra precautions. Smoke from wildfires may cause people to have more severe reactions if they are infected COVID-19. The best way to protect against the potentially harmful effects of wildfire smoke and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and create a clean indoor air space. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/IndoorQuality.html and https://cv.nmhealth.org New Mexicans will also need to take steps to keep their homes cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. NMDOH offers tips here: https://nmtracking.org/health/heatstress/Heat.html. For smoke forecast outlooks from the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program please visit: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net.
Jamnagar (Gujarat) [India], April 13 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to attend the Madhavpur Mela in Gujarat's Porbandar on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday arrived in Gujarat's Jamnagar.

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President Ramnath Kovind on Sunday inaugurated the annual Madhavpur Mela and said the five-day cultural fair is a "festival of uniting people of the country through feelings".

He also expressed hope that the annual cultural fair will have a special place in the traditions of India.

Also Read | Mehbooba Mufti Says She is Under House Arrest in Jammu and Kashmir.

The week-long 'Madhavpur Mela' is held in the village of Madhavpur near the sea at Porbandar in Gujarat and celebrates the marriage of Lord Krishna with Rukmini.

Madhavpur Mela begins on Ram Navami, the day marking the birth of Lord Rama as per the Hindu lunar calendar. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
After the recent communal violence witnessed in some parts of the country over Ram Navami processions, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday demanded the Centre and the state governments to curb such acts immediately.

Calling the incidents 'anti-Muslim mischiefs', JIH Vice President Salim Engineer said, "The same pattern was seen in all these places where processions were first taken out on the occasion of a festival, special flags were waved, weapons, especially swords and knives, were openly brandished and provocative and disparaging slogans were raised against Muslims and Islam.

"Attempts were also made to damage some mosques. In some places, property and shops owned by Muslims were also damaged. Incidents of arson and looting were also noted. All these incidents reflect the growing atmosphere of unrest and hatred in the country."

Engineer said that it is a matter of great concern that some state governments through their actions are now inculcating a feeling in the people that they are the governments of a particular people of the country, while governments should treat all citizens fairly.

"This attitude of some state governments has emboldened the miscreants. Reports are being received from many places that the police are targeting the victims instead of taking action against the culprits. Large number of innocent Muslim youth are being arrested and false charges are being framed against them. In Madhya Pradesh, there are cases of extreme cruelty where people's houses are being demolished by bulldozers," he said.

Condemning these incidents, Engineer said, "JIH believes that these incidents are the product of the hatred that is being spread across the country. Some political leaders known for their vitriolic speeches are also responsible for the violence. They should be arrested immediately. These ongoing incidents are undermining public confidence in the government and the administration.

"It is also the responsibility of the Central government to take notice of the situation and call upon the state governments to take timely and stern action against the elements responsible for the violence as well as the forces inciting sectarian hatred. Action should also be taken against the police officers who are biased and guilty of dereliction of duty."

Engineer went on to say: "JIH has been working for the establishment of law and order in all these areas since day one. JIH leaders are trying to liaise with state officials and the police and press for effective action. A central delegation is also reaching Madhya Pradesh where the situation is quite grave.

"Efforts are being made to establish law and order in these areas in collaboration with civil society groups and leaders of different religions. Efforts are also being made to take legal action against the oppressors and provide legal assistance to the oppressed."

On Tuesday, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind held a meeting with the JIH state leadership of all the affected areas, reviewed the situation and gave necessary instructions to the state leadership and to the departments concerned.

According to its state leadership, various efforts are being made to provide immediate assistance to the distressed victims, including legal action against the oppressors and rioters.

The JIH appealed to the Muslim community to continue building the country and society while adhering to the highest values of prudence, patience and justice in the current situation.

Engineer said, "Don't be instigated by any kind of provocation or fear. Fight the situation within the law without any psychological pressure and keep trying to improve the situation in coordination with just people. Fight hatred by sharing love.

"These are the Islamic teachings and this is also the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was a mercy to the worlds. In this blessed month of Ramadan, let us also take special care to offer prayers for the betterment of the situation and peace and order in the country."

The JIH has also appealed to the leaders of all political parties and all conscientious citizens to feel their responsibility in this situation and play an active role in maintaining law and order and preventing this 'cycle of hatred, poisonous speech, and violence'.
New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved the continuation of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) till 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 5,911 crore, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said in a Cabinet briefing.

CCEA, in an official statement, said that of the total financial outlay of the scheme, the Central Share is Rs 3,700 crore and that of State Share is Rs 2,211 crore. It also said that the revamped centrally sponsored scheme of RGSA has been approved for implementation during the period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026 (co-terminus with XV Finance Commission period) to develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

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The Cabinet said that the approved scheme of RGSA will help more than 2.78 lakh rural local bodies including traditional bodies across the country to develop governance capabilities to deliver on SDGs through inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilisation of available resources. The key principles of SDGs, that is, leaving no one behind, reaching the farthest first and universal coverage, along with gender equality, will be embedded in the design of all capacity building interventions including trainings, training modules and materials.

Cabinet said that priority will be given to subjects of national importance principally under themes, namely, poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages, healthy village, child friendly village, water sufficient village, clean and green village, self-sufficient infrastructure in village, socially secured village, village with good governance, and engendered development in village.

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As panchayats have representation of schedule castes, schedule tribes and women, and are institutions closest to the grassroots, strengthening panchayats will promote equity and inclusiveness, along with social justice and economic development of the community. Increased use of e-governance by PRIs will help achieve improved service delivery and transparency. The scheme will strengthen gram sabhas to function as effective institutions with social inclusion of citizens particularly the vulnerable groups. It will establish the institutional structure for capacity building of PRIs at the national, state and district level with adequate human resources and infrastructure.

Panchayats will progressively be strengthened through incentivisation on the basis of nationally important criteria to recognise roles of panchayats in attainment of SDGs and to inculcate spirit of healthy competition.

No permanent post will be created under the scheme but need based contractual human resources may be provisioned for overseeing the implementation of the scheme and providing technical support to States/UTs for achieving goals under the scheme.

Around 60 lakh elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of rural local bodies including traditional bodies across the country will be direct beneficiaries of the scheme, the Cabinet said.

The revamped RGSA will comprise Central and State components. The Central Components of the scheme will be fully funded by the Government of India. The funding pattern for State Components will be in the ratio of 60:40 among Centre and States respectively, except NE, Hilly States and Union Territory (UT) of J&K where Central and State share will be 90:10. However, for other UTs, Central share will be 100 per cent.

The scheme will have both Central Component - National Level activities viz. National Plan of Technical Assistance, Mission Mode project on e-Panchayat, Incentivization of Panchayats, Action Research & Media and State component - Capacity Building & Training (CB&T) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Institutional support for CB&T, Distance learning Facility, Support for construction of Gram Panchayat (GP) Bhawan, co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in GP Bhawans and computer for GPs with special focus on NE States, Special Support for strengthening Gram Sabhas in PESA Areas, support for innovation, support for Economic Development & Income Enhancement support for Economic Development & Income Enhancement etc.

The implementation and monitoring of the activities of the scheme will broadly be aligned for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panchayats are the focal points for all the developmental activities and implementation of schemes of various Ministries/ Departments and State Government to achieve SDGs.

Ministry under revamped RGSA will shift its focus towards capacitating the elected representatives of PRIs for Leadership Roles to develop effective third tier of Government to enable them to deliver on localization of SDGs principally for nine themes, namely: (i) Poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages, (ii) Healthy Village, (iii) Child Friendly Village, (iv) Water Sufficient Village, (v) Clean and Green Village, (vi) Self-Sufficient Infrastructure in Village, (vii) Socially Secured Village, (viii) Village with Good Governance, and (ix) Engendered Development in Village.

The scheme will also converge capacity building initiatives of other Ministries/ Departments for attainment of SDGs. The Sector Enablers of Rural Local Bodies including traditional bodies to be included in training programmes of different Ministries/ Departments, imparting training to the functionaries and other stakeholders in their respective domain.

To recognise roles of panchayats in attainment of SDGs and to inculcate spirit of healthy competition. A greater role for the nodal ministries in assessment of performance of panchayats and sponsoring of awards in the corresponding areas envisioned.

To provide in depth analysis, evidence based research studies and evaluation will be carried in the fields related to PRIs. Activities related to awareness generation, sensitizing rural masses, disseminating government policies and schemes through electronic, print, social and conventional media will be undertaken.

The Central Government and the State Governments will take action for completing the activities approved for their respective roles. The State Government will formulate their Annual Action Plans for seeking assistance from the Central Government as per their priorities and requirement. The scheme will be implemented in a demand driven mode.

This scheme will extend to all States and UTs of the country and will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where panchayats do not exist. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 13 (ANI): Amid the Opposition's demands for Minister KS Eswarappa's resignation in connection with contractor Santosh Patil's death, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that the Opposition is trying to "find fault in the incident" while assuring that the investigation will be done as per the law and without the state's intervention.

"Investigation into the Santosh Patil suicide case would be conducted in accordance with the law and there would be absolutely no interference from the state", Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday.

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Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Bommai said, "Opposition leaders are trying to find faults in the case. The investigation will bring out the truth as to who has played what role and what is the background. The truth will come out. The party top brass is aware of the issue."

The Karnataka Chief Minister said that he will speak to Minister KS Eswarappa in connection with contractor Santosh Patil's death, to know about the latter's stand on his resignation over the matter. "The FIR has been registered in the Santosh Patil suicide case. Details have been obtained. I will speak to minister KS Eshwarappa over the phone and also talk to him personally," said Bommai.

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When the Chief Minister's attention was drawn to Eshwarappa's statement that he is ready to resign if the CM instructs, Bommai said," I do not know what he has said. Things will be clear if I speak to him directly. We will decide after discussing a few issues."

Patil who was a BJP leader and a contractor and had accused the Minister Eshwarappa of corruption was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday.

A Karnataka Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot demanding the dismissal and arrest of state Minister KS Eshwarappa over contractor Santosh Patil's mysterious death.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that he has directed the police to ensure a speedy and transparent investigation into the matter.

"I have instructed the police officers to ensure a systematic, speedy, honest, and transparent investigation with assistance from the Forensic Lab," Bommai added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 13 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that he will speak to Minister KS Eswarappa in connection with contractor Santosh Patil's death, to know about the latter's stand on his resignation over the matter.

Speaking to the reporters here, Bommai said, "Yes, FIR registered. Collected all information. I will speak with Eshwarappa.... I will speak with him over the phone call and directly.... I don't know what he (Eshwarappa) said (about resignation). It will be cleared when we speak directly."

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Amid the Opposition's demands for the Minister's resignation in the matter, the Chief Minister said that they (Opposition) are trying to "find fault in the incident" and the truth will surface after the probe.

"Opposition parties trying to find fault in the incident. The truth will come out in the probe. Will come to know who all are involved in the incident, and the background of the incident in the probe. The investigation will be done without any interface. The high command knows everything ( about the incident)," he said.

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A Karnataka Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot demanding the dismissal and arrest of state Minister KS Eshwarappa over contractor Santosh Patil's mysterious death.

Notably, Patil who was a BJP leader and a contractor and had accused the Minister of corruption, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Bommai had directed the police to ensure a speedy and transparent investigation into the matter. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the global vice president of Chinese mobile manufacturing company Xiaomi, Manu Kumar Jain, for questioning in a probe linked to alleged contravention of the foreign exchange law, officials said on Wednesday.

The federal probe agency, according to sources, is investigating the company and its executives under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

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Allegations related to violation of forex laws in the Indian arm of the Chinese company over the last few years are being investigated, they said.

Jain, the former India head of Xiaomi, has been asked to furnish some financial documents linked to the company by appearing in person on Wednesday or sending it through an authorised representative.

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A Xiaomi spokesperson said they were "a law abiding and responsible company."

"We give paramount importance to the laws of the land. We are fully compliant with all the regulations and are confident of the same. We are cooperating with authorities with their ongoing investigation to ensure they have all the requisite information," the spokesperson said.

Proceedings under the FEMA are civil in nature and the final penalty, post adjudication, can be at least three times the amount contravened under the law.

Xiaomi and few other Chinese mobile manufacturing companies were raided by the Income Tax Department in December last year on charges of tax evasion.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi's former India managing director, to appear before it in a probe linked to the firm's business practices conformed with Indian foreign exchange laws, said sources on Wednesday.

Jain has been asked to appear before the investigators by 11 am on Wednesday at its Delhi headquarters.

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ED is learnt to have issued summons to Jain earlier asking him to join the investigation against the firm.

Sources said that the agency has started an investigation against the firm in February this year based on some specific inputs and that the former India head of China's Xiaomi Corp, Jain, is asked to share details related to the investigation of whether the company's business practices conformed with Indian foreign exchange laws.

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Jain, currently a global vice president at Xiaomi based out of Dubai, was currently in India, the sources said, though the purpose of his visit was not clear.

ED actions indicate its widening scrutiny of the Chinese smartphone maker, whose India office was raided in December last year in a separate investigation over alleged income tax evasion. Some other Chinese smartphone markers were also raided at the time.

As per sources, the ED is probing the existing business structures between Xiaomi India, its contract manufacturers and its parent entity in China, as well as various other things including fund, flows between Xiaomi India and its parent entity.

Xiaomi is among the biggest of India's smartphone sellers and the firm reportedly was on top in selling smartphones in India in 2021 followed by South Korea's Samsung Electronics. Xiaomi also deals in other tech gadgets in India, including smartwatches and televisions. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhopal, Apr 13 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a two-member claims tribunal to recover damages from those involved in communal violence during the Ram Navami celebrations in Khargone city, an official said on Wednesday.

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A gazette notification for setting up of the tribunal was issued on Tuesday, he said.

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According to notification, the tribunal has been formed as per provisions of the Public and Private Property Recovery Act-2021, for hearing cases pertaining to the assessment of damages during the violence in Khargone city on Sunday.

The tribunal, headed by retired district judge Dr Shivkumar Mishra and also comprising retired state government secretary Prabhat Parashar, will complete the work in a period of three months, the notification said.

The tribunal will also ensure the recovery of damages from the rioters involved in such cases, it added.

After the violence in Khargone during the Ram Navami festival on Sunday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said that the tribunal will be set up to assess the losses and for the recovery of damages from the rioters.

Curfew was clamped in the entire Khargone city on Sunday after stone-pelting during the Ram Navami procession triggered arson and torching of vehicles.

Nearly 100 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence, officials earlier said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 13 (ANI): Reacting over MNS Chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum on the usage of loudspeakers in mosques, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday that Thackeray should not be given much importance.

The Dy CM said, "Raj Thackeray must not be given so much importance when the right time comes, I'll surely answer to it, I have the answer for every question."

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Earlier Pawar had said that the state government will discuss the order of the court and will talk to the Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil about it. To this, Thackeray called Pawar an atheist, who "does not believe in any religion".

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray on Tuesday reiterated its warning to the state government that they should shut loudspeakers in mosques by May 3.

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"Loudspeakers in mosques should be shut by May 3 otherwise, we will play Hanuman Chalisa on speakers. This is a social issue, not a religious one. I want to tell the state government, we will not go back on this subject, do whatever you want to do," the MNS chief had stated.

The debate sparked after Raj Thackeray asked the state government to remove the loudspeakers from mosques and warned of "putting loudspeakers in front of the mosques and play Hanuman Chalisa." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kohima, Apr 13 (PTI) The North East Students' Organisation (NESO), a conglomeration of eight students' bodies, has taken umbrage over the Centre's decision to make Hindi a compulsory subject till Class 10 in the region, contending that the move will be detrimental for indigenous languages and create disharmony.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NESO has called for immediate withdrawal of the unfavorable policy, suggesting that indigenous languages should be made compulsory in their native states till Class 10, while Hindi should remain an optional or elective subject.

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Shah had said at a meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee in New Delhi on April 7 that all northeast states have agreed to make Hindi compulsory in schools till Class 10.

It is understood that the Hindi language accounts for approximately 40-43 per cent of native speakers in India, however it is worth noting that there is a plethora of other native languages in the country, which are rich, thriving and vibrant in their own perspectives, giving India an image of a diverse and multilingual nation, NESO said.

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In the northeast, each state bears its own unique and diversified languages spoken by different ethnic groups ranging from Indo-Aryan to Tibeto-Burman to Austro-Asiatic families, the organisation, comprising the All Assam Students' Union, Naga Students' Federation, All Manipur Students' Union and All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union among others, said.

The imposition of Hindi as a compulsory subject in the region will be detrimental not only for the propagation and dissemination of the indigenous languages, but also to students who will be compelled to add another compulsory subject to their already-vast syllabus.

Such a move will not usher in unity, but will be a tool to create apprehensions and disharmony NESO is vehemently against this policy and will continue to oppose it, the letter dated April 12 and signed by its chairman Samuel B Jyrwa and secretary general Sinam Prakash Singh, said.

NESO added that the Centre should, instead, focus on further upliftment of indigenous languages of the northeast, like incorporation in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and facilitating more schemes for their development and progress.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhopal, Apr 13 (PTI) Police have registered four more FIRs against Congress MP Digvijaya Singh for allegedly promoting religious enmity after he tweeted a picture of a mosque in another state while commenting on communal violence at Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Wednesday.

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Earlier, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Singh in Bhopal on Tuesday evening after a complaint by local resident Prakash Mande. The four other FIRs were registered on Tuesday night in Gwalior, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram and Satna, the official said.

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Meanwhile, Singh wrote a letter to Bhopal police commissioner, seeking that an FIR be registered against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for allegedly posting a fabricated video about Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on May 16, 2019.

In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Singh said, Instead of answering my question they have filed FIR against me. Is that Democracy BJP Model or Modi Model? What about the Hate speeches made by BJP and RW fraud Babas?

Singh had earlier posted a picture showing some youths hoisting a saffron flag at a mosque, and referred to the violence that broke out during a Ram Navami procession at Khargone. He later deleted the tweet.

A case was registered in Satna against Digvijaya Singh for allegedly spreading religious frenzy through the tweet, based on a complaint by BJP functionary Vikas Mishra, Satna Kotwali police station in-charge Satyendra Mohan Upadhyay said.

In Gwalior, a case was registered against the Congress Rajya Sabha member at Indarganj police station under relevant IPC sections following a complaint, city Superintendent of Police Vijay Bhadauria said.

In Jabalpur, a case was registered on a complaint by Bharat Vikas Parishad, said an official from Omti police station.

In Narmadapuram, the Kotwali police lodged a case against Singh on the basis of a complaint by one Vishal Diwan, said inspector Santosh Chouhan.

Earlier, in Bhopal, the case against Singh was registered under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 465 (forgery) and 505 (2) (public mischief), according to police.

On Wednesday morning, Singh in a letter to Bhopal police chief sought that a case be registered against CM Chouhan under relevant sections of the IPC and the IT Act for allegedly sharing a fabricated tweet with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's video of a speech delivered in Mandsaur in the state.

In the video shared by Chouhan, Gandhi was purportedly seen terming Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as Madhya Pradesh's CM.

Digvijaya Singh claimed the video was doctored.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday announced the setting up of a single-window portal for benefit of pensioners and superannuated elder citizens.

Singh said the Portal will not only enable constant contact with pensioners and their associations across the country but will also regularly receive their inputs, suggestions as well as grievances for a prompt response.

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Addressing the 32nd Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) for Review and Rationalisation of Pension Rules i.e. (CCS) (Pension) Rules, 2021, the Union Minister said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several revolutionary changes were brought in since 2014 in Pension Rules for bringing "Ease of Living" to the common man.

"The objective of Common Pension Portal is to create a single window digital mechanism for pensioners to raise their grievances and get the same resolved without approaching different authorities in person," he said.

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He said that all ministries responsible to process, sanction or disburse pension dues, are interlinked to this system and grievances are forwarded after assessment to the concerned ministry or department for resolution. "Pensioners, as well as Nodal officers, can view the status of the grievance online till disposal in the system.," he added.

SCOVA is a useful platform for holding consultations with the stakeholders i.e. the pensioners through their Associations and concerned Ministries/Departments.

It provides the Associations with an opportunity for raising their issues concerning pensioners' welfare etc. directly before the concerned ministries/departments.

Pensioner Associations from Jammu, Jaipur, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chandigarh and other parts of the country participated in the meeting.

In today's meeting, discussions were held on the issues relating to the shortage of doctors in CGHS wellness centres, periodical health check-ups of pensioners, various issues related to CGHS wellness centre at Jammu, Nomination of Pensioners for lifetime arrears, Pension Adalat and Sanction of Grand-in-Aid and Laptop to Identified Pensioners' Associations.

Singh said we need to emphasise making good use of the knowledge, experience and efforts of the retired employees which can help in value addition to the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare.

The Union Minister informed that since the launch of Doorstep Service for submission of Digital Life Certificate (DLC) through Postman in November 2020, more than 3,08,625 Life Certificates through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) have been done.

"The facility to submit life certificate online through Jeevan PramaanPortal was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2014 with the objective to provide a convenient and transparent facility to pensioners for submission of Life Certificate," he said.

Singh added that doorstep banking for the collection of Life Certificates is in place in 100 cities by Public Sector Banks and the number of Life Certificates done through Banking Agents is 4,253.

Singh said that the Face Authentication Technique through Android phones for submission of life certificates digitally has been launched on November 29, 2021, and till date, more than 20,500 Life Certificates through face authentication have been done.

Similarly, he informed that as on date the total number of DLCs submitted by the Central Government Pensioners is around 1,07,75,980 since 2014. In 2021 total DLCs submitted till date is 19,80,977.

Singh said that the 'Bhavishya' platform, an integrated online pension processing system is at present being successfully implemented in the main Secretariat of 96 ministries/ departments including 813 Attached Offices.

"As on date, more than 1,50,000 cases have been processed ie. PPOs issued which includes more than 80,000 e-PPOs," he said.

The Minister also informed that Bhavishya 8.0 was released in August 2020 with a new feature to PUSH the ePPO in Digilocker. Bhavishya' is the first application to use the Digilocker Id based PUSH Technology of Digilocker.

He said that the Department had started in 2017 the unique experiment of holding Pension Adalats to resolve chronic grievances of Central Government Pensioners, falling within the four walls of extant policy and the First Pension Adalat was held on September 20, 2017. "So far, the Department has conducted a total of 6 Pension Adalats. The next Pension Adalat is scheduled to be held on May 5, 2022," he added.

Singh directed the officials to create widespread awareness of the initiatives for the welfare of pensioners through official and social media channels.

Singh said the earlier Pension Rules were notified 50 years ago in 1972. Since then, a large number of amendments to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 have taken place.

He said, in the light of such changes and several office memoranda clarifying different provisions of these Rules, the Department has brought out a revised and updated version of the Rules i.e. Civil Services (CCS) (Pension) Rules, 2021.

Singh clarified that the revised Rules do not make any changes in regard to entitlement of amount of pension, family pension or gratuity.

"However, the new Rules bring about several new policy and procedural improvements over the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. Also, some provisions in the old rules, which have become redundant over a period of time, have been omitted from the new Rules," the Minister added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The top predator of the Jurassic and Cretaceous landscapes was usually a species of carnivorous dinosaur. These predators walked on two legs, had powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth and included species from groups known as tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs and carcharodontosaurs.

Tyrannosaurus rex, the goat-eating, jeep-chasing tyrannosaur from the movie Jurassic Park, was the apex predator of North America just before dinosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period.

Although iconic, T. rex was only one species of many large, meat-eating dinosaurs that dominated various ecosystems at different times over the 130 million years of dinosaur reign.

During the Cretaceous period, most species of top predator that evolved in North America and Asia were either carcharodontosaurs (shark-toothed dinosaurs) or tyrannosaurs (tyrant dinosaurs).

The earlier part of the Cretaceous was ruled by carcharodontosaurs, after which tyrannosaurs replaced them as the top predators until the end of the Cretaceous.

Two New Species

Recently, two new species of these large Cretaceous predators were discovered: a tyrannosaur from Canada and a carcharodontosaur from Uzbekistan.

I was lucky enough to be involved in the study of both. These two discoveries, although unrelated, have some interesting parallels.

In 2019, paleontologists Jared Voris and Kohei Tanaka visited museums to look at fossils housed in collections. Voris went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alta., and Tanaka to the State Geological Museum in Uzbekistan.

Each found a fossil specimen they thought may have been important, although overlooked.

Both fossils had been found in Cretaceous age rocks of their respective region, and had sat in the museum collections for at least a decade without much notice.

After many months of study, each of these fossils turned out to be an entirely new species of meat-eating dinosaur, previously unknown to science. This meant that we would need to formally describe them, and each would be given its own species name.

We named the new tyrannosaur species Thanatotheristes degrootorum, which means reaper of death. The name draws inspiration from its predatory role in the 80-million-year-old ecosystem and for the first discoverer of the fossil bones, an Alberta rancher called John DeGroot.

On the other hand, we named the carcharodontosaur species Ulughbegsaurus uzbekistanensis after Ulugh Beg, a historical figure and early astronomer in Uzbekistan.

Top Predators

The two species are known from only a few skull bones, with the remainder of their skeletons completely unknown.

The most recognizable bones are from the jaws  the upper and lower jaw of Thanatotheristes and the upper jaw of Ulughbegsaurus.

From the jaws, it was apparent both species were a respectable and similar size.

We were able to figure out their body size from these preserved bones.

Measuring from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, both species would have been around eight meters long  the length of the average school bus.

In these two studies, we discovered that Thanatotheristes and Ulughbegsaurus were each, by far, the largest predator of their ecosystems.

The previous absence of a large predatory species in either ecosystem before was puzzling, as populations of large plant-eating dinosaurs would likely have grown unchecked, as in living herbivores.

Most other known predatory species from these ecosystems were small, typically less than three meters long.

In fact, the older Uzbekistan ecosystem was also home to a small tyrannosaur species that was dwarfed by the large Ulughbegsaurus.

Rise and Demise of Top Predators

Around 90 million years ago, all carcharodontosaur species went extinct  Ulughbegsaurus was among the last of its kind.

Their extinction left a vacancy in North American and Asian ecosystems for new, large predators to evolve and take over.

The tyrannosaurs, which for the most part, were knee-high to a carcharodontosaur for tens of millions of years prior, finally made their play.

Somewhere between 90 and 80 million years ago, tyrannosaur species began to evolve towards a larger body size.

Thanatotheristes was one of the earliest species of these large tyrannosaurs, living around 80 million years ago in Albertas prehistoric past.

Thanatotheristes and its kin were among the ancestors that led to even larger tyrannosaur species, like the 12-m-long Tyrannosaurus rex.

These large species went on to rule Cretaceous ecosystems of North America and Asia for the last 10 million years before the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.

_____

Jared T. Voris et al. A new tyrannosaurine (Theropoda:Tyrannosauridae) from the Campanian Foremost Formation of Alberta, Canada, provides insight into the evolution and biogeography of tyrannosaurids. Cretaceous Research, published online January 23, 2020; doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104388

Tanaka Kohei et al. 2021. A new carcharodontosaurian theropod dinosaur occupies apex predator niche in the early Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. R. Soc. open sci 8 (9): 210923; doi: 10.1098/rsos.210923

Author: Darla K. Zelenitsky, associate professor, dinosaur paleobiology, University of Calgary.

This article was originally published on The Conversation.
New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday urged people and civil society organizations to join the campaign to eradicate leprosy and called for intensified efforts for equitable access to appropriate treatment and integrated leprosy services.

Naidu made the remarks at the ceremony for presenting the International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, 2021 to Dr Bhushan Kumar from Chandigarh and Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust, Gujarat at his residence here.

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The annual award was instituted by the Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation.

Lauding the efforts of the recipients, Naidu said both Kumar and the Sahyog Kushtha Yagna Trust have been working diligently to raise awareness about leprosy and in providing care to those afflicted with it.

Also Read | Amit Shah to Pay Tribute to Veer Kunwar Singh During His Upcoming Bihar Visit, Says BJP State President Sanjay Jaiswal.

They have also been striving to remove the stigma associated with it, Naidu said, adding that their efforts are truly praiseworthy.

The vice president urged people and civil society organizations to join the campaign to eradicate leprosy.

He said there should be social mobilization in support of this noble cause and called on Gram Sabha to include leprosy eradication in their programmes.

Acknowledging the country's steady fight against leprosy, Naidu said India successfully accomplished levels of leprosy eradication defined as less than one case per ten thousand population.

However, he expressed concern over the fact that India is reporting the highest number of leprosy cases in the world.

India accounts for (51 per cent) of the new cases detected globally (20202021), he noted.

The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) has been at the forefront of the battle against leprosy and has been trying to ensure total eradication, he said.

Recalling the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards eliminating social ostracism suffered by people afflicted by leprosy, the vice president said, "Mahatma Gandhi ji's compassion for patients of leprosy stands out as a towering example of exemplary kindness towards fellow human beings.

"Gandhi ji led by example -- often tending to leprosy patients personally -- in an era in which ignorance about the disease held sway."

Quoting Gandhi, Naidu said, "Leprosy work is not merely medical relief; it is transforming the frustration in life into the joy of dedication, personal ambition into selfless service. If you can change the life of a patient or change his values of life, you can change the village and the country."

Dhirubhai Mehta, Chairman, Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation, Dr. Anil Kumar, DDG (Leprosy), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. B S Garg, Convener, International Gandhi Awards for Leprosy and other dignitaries participated in the event.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, Apr 13 (AP) A cryptocurrency expert was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in federal prison for helping North Korea evade US sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, 39, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, admitting he presented at a cryptocurrency conference in Pyongyang in 2019 even after the US government denied his request to travel there.

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A well-known hacker, Griffith also developed "cryptocurrency infrastructure and equipment inside North Korea," prosecutors wrote in court papers. At the 2019 conference, he advised more than 100 people  including several who appeared to work for the North Korean government  on how to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions and achieve independence from the global banking system.

The US and the UN Security Council have imposed increasingly tight sanctions on North Korea in recent years to try to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The US government amended sanctions against North Korea in 2018 to prohibit "a US person, wherever located" from exporting technology to North Korea.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine Probing if Chemical Weapons Were Used in Mariupol, Says Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence.

Prosecutors said Griffith acknowledged his presentation amounted to a transfer of technical knowledge to conference attendees.

"Griffith is an American citizen who chose to evade the sanctions of his own country to provide services to a hostile foreign power," prosecutors wrote. "He did so knowing that power  North Korea  was guilty of atrocities against its own people and has made threats against the United States citing its nuclear capabilities."

Defense attorney Brian Klein described Griffith as a "brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession" with North Korea. "He viewed himself  albeit arrogantly and naively  as acting in the interest of peace," Klein said. "He loves his country and never set out to do any harm.

Klein added that he was disappointed with the 63-month prison sentence but "pleased the judge acknowledged Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute."

A self-described "disruptive technologist," Griffith became something of a tech-world enfant terrible in the early 2000s. In 2007, he created WikiScanner, a tool that aimed to unmask people who anonymously edited entries in Wikipedia, the crowdsourced online encyclopedia.

WikiScanner essentially could determine the business, institutions or government agencies that owned the computers from which some edits were made. It quickly identified businesses that had sabotaged competitors' entries and government agencies that had rewritten history, among other findings.

"I am quite pleased to see the mainstream media enjoying the public-relations disaster fireworks as I am," Griffith told The Associated Press in 2007.

Klein previously said Griffith cooperated with the FBI and "helped educate law enforcement" about the so-called dark web, a network of encrypted internet sites that allow users to remain anonymous. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI): The 14th Indo-Australian Navy to Navy talks were held from April 11 to 13 in New Delhi to mark the naval partnership between both the countries, as reported by the local media.

Officials from both the navies discussed issues pertaining to information exchange policies, maritime trade, and training. The two countries mutually acknowledged growing cooperation between the two Navies amid the emerging challenges on the maritime front. They also agreed to enhance their relations in terms of interoperability and ensuring security in The Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

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The event was co-chaired by India's Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) J Singh and the Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith. The Hydrographer to the Australian government, Commodore Stewart Dunne, was also present at the event

After completion of the talks, the Rear Admiral Smith also held an interaction with Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru at South Block in New Delhi. (ANI)

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: 191 Children Killed in Ukraine Since Russian Invasion, Say Reports.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 13 (ANI) At the first Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMCG) meeting organized on Tuesday as part of efforts to promote relations between India and its neighbouring countries, Ministries and Departments have been requested to accord priority to India's neighbours in their international activities, programmes and projects.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday convened the first meeting of the IMCG, a high-level mechanism for mainstreaming India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Among various issues that were considered by today's IMCG meeting on India's neighbours were the construction of border infrastructure that would facilitate greater trade with neighbours like Nepal --special needs of countries such as Bhutan and Maldives in terms of supply of essential commodities -- opening rail connectivity with Bangladesh -- humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Myanmar -- fisheries issue with Sri Lanka.

Further, the first-ever training module on India's neighbourhood was also organized by MEA at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration as part of the Foundation Course earlier this year, read a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.

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Secretaries of Ministries/Departments of Home, Commerce, Finance, Fisheries, representatives from Ministries/Departments of Defence, Railways, Economic Affairs, Consumer Affairs, Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Information & Broadcasting and from Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat as well as other relevant agencies along with heads of Border Guarding Forces participated in today's meeting.

The meeting deliberated upon and took important decisions on various aspects of India's bilateral relationship with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the areas of trade and investment, connectivity, border infrastructure, immigration, development cooperation, border security, among others, read the MEA statement.

The IMCG is supported by Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Forces (JTF) convened by the concerned Joint Secretaries in the Ministry of External Affairs. The government of India's efforts to deliver benefits like greater connectivity, stronger inter-linkages and greater people-to-people connect under India's Neighbourhood First policy takes place through a whole-of-government approach with coordination involving various Ministries, Departments and agencies of GOI and of concerned State governments.

As per the press release, the IMCG will further improve institutional coordination across government and provide comprehensive direction to this whole-of-government approach to India's relations with its neighbouring countries. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Rajanth Singh arrives in Hawaii for his visit to United States Indo-Pacific Command (Photo:Twitter/Rajnath Singh)

Hawaii [US], April 13 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (local time) reached Honolulu in Hawaii for his visit to the headquarters of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

"Reached Honolulu in Hawaii for a visit to the Headquarters of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). I shall also be visiting the Headquarters of US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces, during my brief stay in Hawaii," tweeted the minister.

Also Read | Bangladesh Minister Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury Says Our Waterways Can Be Used For Transportation By India, Nepal and Bhutan.

On his arrival from Washington DC, Singh was received by Commander, USINDOPACOM Admiral John Aquilino. The USINDOPACOM and Indian military have wide-ranging engagements, including a number of military exercises, training events and exchanges.

Singh will be visiting USINDOPACOM headquarter, Pacific Fleet and the training facilities in Hawaii on Wednesday (local time) before returning to India. He is also expected to lay wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and visit the headquarters of the US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces during his brief stay in Hawaii.

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Notably, Singh arrived in Washington DC on Sunday as part of his five-day US visit, which included the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on April 11.

The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin was held on April 11 in Washington.

During the dialogue, the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries forged new and deeper cooperation across the breadth of the US-India partnership, including defence, science and technology, trade, climate, public health, and people-to-people ties.

Before the 2+2 Dialogue, Singh also held a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of Defence separately in Pentagon. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], April 13 (ANI): Women's rights activist Zarifa Ghafari called on the Taliban to reopen all girls' schools and asked the world leaders to pay attention to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and "not differentiate between Afghans and Ukrainians".

Ghafari in an open letter to various international organizations pressed with the demand for the reopening of Afghan girls' schools and asked world leaders to pay attention to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and "not differentiate between Afghans and Ukrainians", TOLOnews reported.

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Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) has also expressed concern over the closure of secondary schools for Afghan girls and their safety.

The envoys and representatives of the European Union, US, and the European countries in a joint statement have also said that the international aid to Kabul will depend on Afghanistan's ability to ensure access to education for girls at all levels, said a media report.

Also Read | Imran Khan Faces Probe for Allegedly Selling 'Gifted Necklace' Received From Foreign Nation.

In the joint statement, the envoys and the representatives have said that the type and scope of "international donor assistance will depend, among other things, on the right and ability of girls to attend equal education at all levels," reported TOLOnews.

The joint statement further stressed that the progress towards normalized relations between the Taliban and the international community will depend mostly on Kabul's actions and delivery on commitments and obligations to the Afghan people and to the international community.

Moreover, during a briefing of the Diplomatic Corps on April 6, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mette Knudsen, highlighted that the Taliban's decision to ban girls from attending secondary schools has negatively impacted the attitude of the global community towards them.

The Taliban have issued a decree banning female students above grade six from attending their classes in schools. The girls were further told to stay home until the Islamic Emirate announces its next decision.

The decision by the Islamic Emirate has drawn severe backlash across the world with the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union issuing a joint statement to condemn the Taliban's decision to deny so many Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to schools. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], April 13 (ANI): Two Pakistani soldiers, including an army major, were killed during an exchange of fire between security forces and a group of terrorists in the Birmal area of South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday night, reported local media.

Two other soldiers were also injured in the clash, the Dawn newspaper reported citing officials.

Also Read | Pakistan: PTI, PPP Supporters Engage in Scuffle, Elderly Man Thrashed During Iftar in Islamabad; Watch Video.

According to a statement from the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), two terrorists were also killed in the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in the Angoor Adda area.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the terrorists who had been involved in terror attacks against the security forces, according to the media outlet.

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Following the incident, security forces launched a search operation in the area and some suspects have been arrested, said the officials.

Further, five policemen were also killed in a rocket attack carried out by terrorists in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported on Monday.

According to the police officials, terrorists fired a rocket at the police van and later resorted to heavy firing, however, the terrorists managed to flee from the scene after the fierce attack, reported the Pakistani media. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington [US], April 13 (ANI): The United States is likely to announce a new military aid package worth USD 750 million for Ukraine amid the ongoing war in the country, said a media report citing US officials.

US President Joe Biden's administration is set to expand the scope of weapons it is providing to Ukraine with the Pentagon looking to transfer a range of sophisticated equipment including armoured Humvees, The Washington Post reported citing the officials.

Also Read | Pakistan: PTI, PPP Supporters Engage in Scuffle, Elderly Man Thrashed During Iftar in Islamabad.

According to the officials, the preliminary plans circulating among government officials and lawmakers in Washington included howitzer cannons, coastal defence drones and protective suits to safeguard personnel in the event of a chemical, biological or nuclear attack, however, it is not certain if all these items will be included in the final package. Notably, the new package comes on top of over USD 1.7 billion of assistance provided to Ukraine by the US since Russia launched its military operation on February 24.

Meanwhile, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby informed that Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday. The discussion was part of a "constant dialogue and conversation" between the two officials and focused in part on the weapons and other assistance being provided to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

Also Read | Brooklyn Shooting: US President Joe Biden Briefed on New York City Subway Shootout.

On February 24, Russia launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine, which the West has termed an unprovoked war. As a result of this, the Western countries have imposed several crippling sanctions on Moscow. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Apr 13 (PTI) United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai held a meeting with visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Tuesday, during which they discussed bilateral trade relationship and took stock of the current situation.

Deputy United States Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi also joined the meeting, during which the two leaders took stock of current developments in US-India trade relations, as well as the implications on global trade and economic affairs of Russia's war against Ukraine, a readout of the meeting said.

Also Read | Brooklyn Shooting: US President Joe Biden Briefed on New York City Subway Shootout.

Tai and Jaishankar also shared views on President Joe Biden's initiative to launch an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework aimed at strengthening regional economic cooperation in critical areas such as supply chain resilience, it said.

"They shared the perspective that the US-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF), re-launched in November 2021, holds substantial promise as a mechanism for expanding bilateral trade and reducing barriers, including with respect to trade in agriculture," the USTR said in a statement.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine Probing if Chemical Weapons Were Used in Mariupol, Says Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence.

The two leaders agreed to remain in contact on these and other issues as work continues towards a 2022 meeting of the TPF, the statement said.

Earlier this month, Ambassador Tai, testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, described India as an important trading and strategic partner of the US.

At the same time, she said that despite some sharp differences, the two countries have agreed to work together on various issues, including the market access commitments.

In the financial year 2021, the US exported over USD 1.6 billion of agricultural products to India. The total bilateral trade stood at USD 80.5 billion in 2020-21 as against USD 88.9 billion in 2019-20.

India's exports to the US stood at USD 51.62 billion in 2020-21 as against USD 53 billion in 2019-20. India's imports from the US stood at USD 28.9 billion in 2020-21 as against USD 35.9 billion in 2019-20, according to India's commerce ministry data.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram, April 13: An 80-year-old retired pilot died after he lost his balance and fell from the fourth floor of a residential apartment while reportedly trying to fix a wind chime, the police said on Wednesday.

The deceased, Sarabjit Singh Brar, was a resident of Laburnum Apartments at DLF Phase 1 in Gurugram. Ramzan 2022 Time Table: Sehri and Iftar Timings for 12th Roza of Ramadan on April 14 in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow.

At the time of the incident that occured on Wednesday morning, Brar was at his flat along with his wife.

The police said that the victim was trying to fix a wind chime in the balcony when he lost balance and fell, leading to his death.

Soon after the incident, his wife raised an alarm after which the security guards and other residents of the apartment complex rushed him to a hospital, where Brar succumbed to his injuries.

"The deceased's body has been handed over to his family after autopsy," said a police officer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2022 08:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The Long March 7 carrier rocket tasked with launching the Tianzhou 4 cargo spacecraft arrived at Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Monday, the China Manned Space Agency said.

Next, the rocket will be assembled and undergo ground tests with the robotic spaceship at the coastal launch complex, the agency said in a brief statement.

Tianzhou 4, the country's fourth cargo space vehicle, is set to dock with China's Tiangong space station that has been in low-Earth orbit about 400 kilometers above the ground since April 2021.

According to information previously published by the agency, the launch mission is scheduled to take place in the coming months.

Each Tianzhou cargo spaceship has two parts-a cargo cabin and a propulsion section. Such vehicles are 10.6 meters long and 3.35 meters wide.

It has a liftoff weight of 13.5 metric tons and can transport up to 6.9 tons of supplies to the space station, according to designers at the China Academy of Space Technology.

Last month, Tianzhou 2 fell back to Earth with most of its body burnt up during reentry, while Tianzhou 3 is still connected with the station.

Currently the Tiangong station is manned by the Shenzhou XIII crew who are scheduled to return to Earth very soon.

After the Tianzhou 4, the Shenzhou XIV mission crew will be transported to the Tiangong station and stay there for six months. Then the two space labs  Wentian, or Quest for the Heavens, and Mengtian, or Dreaming of the Heavens  will be launched to complete the station.

Around the end of this year, the Tianzhou 5 cargo ship and the Shenzhou XV crew will arrive at the station.

Upon its completion at the end of this year, Tiangong will consist of three main components  a core module attached to two space labs  and will have a combined weight of nearly 70 tons. The station is scheduled to operate for 15 years and will be open to foreign astronauts, the space agency said.
Auckland, NZ. TradeWindow, a leading Australasian trade tech company headquartered in Takapuna Auckland, has partnered with comprehensive online cargo management system PortConnect, to offer another layer of supply chain visbility for its customers.

PortConnects software provides visibility of the status of cargo within the sea and inland ports, which will be integrated through an API connection with TradeWindows digital trade network.

PortConnect provides container and vessel data for the Ports of Auckland, Port of Tauranga, Timaru Container Terminal and Lyttelton Port Company who together process more than 70% of New Zealands exports. Cargo movements through the ports are a significant stage in exporters (and importers) supply chain transactions.

TradeWindows CEO, AJ Smith says the extra end-to-end visibility is something TradeWindow is always looking to provide for customers, especially at a time where there is more strain than ever on global supply chains.

Given that 99% of New Zealands exports are by sea freight, visibility of cargo is crucial to our customers. To have another segment of the supply chain integrated with our network is exciting for us  we want to be able to provide the best end-to-end transparency and this partnership with PortConnect is a step in the right direction for everyone involved.

Its also good news for importers on TradeWindows platforms  having visbility of cargo in and out of Auckland Port (New Zealands largest import port) will add value for importers using TradeWindows digital trade platform.

PortConnect General Manager, Dan Cowie says the company is pleased to be partnering with TradeWindow to support the New Zealand export market.

This integration creates ease for exporters and importers to ensure containers have required clearances and reduce storage at the inland and sea ports

We are looking forward to working with TradeWindow as an innovation partner providing real-time standardised data for the global supply chain

PortConnect data will be available for select TradeWindow customers from 1 June 2022.

ENDS

About PortConnect:

PortConnect is a software company founded by port professionals with an extensive background in maritime and landside supply chain industries. PortConnect is New Zealand's first comprehensive port community system, providing viewing of and direct interaction with containers at the participating ports and their satellite ports. PortConnect provides a single port of call for shipping lines, transporters, importers, exporters, forwarders, and regulatory authorities for dealing with the participating ports. PortConnect; connecting the supply chain via productivity and precision.

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New Delhi, April 13: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Uttarakhand government to file status on FIRs registered in connection with alleged hate speeches made in December last year during an event in Haridwar.

Counsel, representing the Uttarakhand government, urged a bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and A.S. Oka to give time to file a counter-affidavit in the matter. "We have registered four FIRs and in three of them, charge sheets have already been filed," he said, adding that a status report can be filed in the matter.

Citing the next event is scheduled on April 17 in Himachal Pradesh, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, submitted: "The problem is, the event (in Himachal Pradesh) is on Sunday. That's the real problem. And see what is happening." He urged the top court to issue notice to the state government. Supreme Court Agrees To List Nawab Malik's Plea Against Arrest By ED.

Citing the first order passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, Sibal submitted the order had said that petitioners can intimate the authority about such events. The bench replied that the applicant is free to give intimation to authorities concerned in the Himachal Pradesh in view of the order.

The bench said: "Liberty to serve an advance copy of the application on the standing counsel for the state of Himachal Pradesh." The top court added that the Uttarakhand government will file a status report before the next date of hearing, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 22.

On January 12, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Uttarakhand government on a petition by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna High Court judge Anjana Prakash, seeking action against those who made hate speeches against the Muslim community at Dharam Sansad in Haridwar and in the national capital.

The plea, filed through advocate Sumita Hazarika, said: "Hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens."

According to the plea, the hate speeches were made between December 17-19, last year, in two events organised in Haridwar, by the controversial Yati Narsinghanand, and in Delhi, by an organisation self-styled as Hindu Yuva Vahini with the apparent objective of declaring war against a significant section of the Indian citizenry.

The plea submitted that no effective steps have been taken by the police authorities including non-application of Sections 120B, 121A and 153B of the IPC, to the said hate speeches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2022 07:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation K. K Patel Super Speciality Hospital in Bhuj, Gujarat on 15th April, 2022 at 11 AM via video conferencing. The hospital has been built by Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj, Bhuj.

This is the first charitable super speciality hospital in Kutch. It is a 200 bedded hospital. It provides super speciality services such as Interventional Cardiology (Cathlab), Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Nephrology, Urology, Nuclear Medicine, Neuro Surgery, Joint Replacement and other supportive services like laboratory, radiology etc. Amit Shah to Pay Tribute to Veer Kunwar Singh During His Upcoming Bihar Visit, Says BJP State President Sanjay Jaiswal.

The hospital makes medical super speciality services easily accessible for the people of the region, at an affordable price.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2022 08:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow-citizens on the eve of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In a message, the President has said, On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens.

An economist and advocate of human rights and women empowerment, Dr. Ambedkar is considered as a leading nation builder of our country. He contributed in promoting harmony and tried to eradicate the evils of caste system. A true believer in the rule of law, Dr. Ambedkar constantly worked for the rights of poor and backward classes. Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti 2022: Date, Significance, Landmark Quotes.

We should take inspiration from the life of this great son of India. A true homage to Dr. Ambedkar would be to develop our country on the principles of Social and Economic Justice' and 'Equality of Status and Opportunity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2022 06:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
As per Mythogies, Lord Brahma created the Universe on the day of Puthandu which traditionally marks the first day of the Tamil Hindu Calendar. The holy occasion is also commonly known as Varsha Pirappu which is majorly celebrated by the Tamil community. Puthandu 2022 will be observed on Thursday, 14th of April. From decorating homes with lovely Kolam patterns to making Pongal and other authentic cuisines, families celebrate the new year with their loved ones with great pomp. The Tamil New Year follows the spring equinox and is a public holiday in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. Puthandu 2022 Date in India: When Is Varusha Pirappu? Know History, Significance and Traditions Related to Tamil New Year.

People visit their relatives and friends dressed in new traditional attire, seeking the blessings of elders and exchanging greetings and good wishes for new beginnings. Moreover, one of the most crucial and long-established customs is to adore the house with colourful rangoli art by using different powder colours, or flowers. Puthandi Kolama and Muggulu drawings are artfully and enthusiastically created in Tamil households. Each house has a Tamil Muggulu charm to paint its lives. So we have curated very easy and creative Tamil style rangolis, and distinct kolam ideas to usher in the Tamil New Year 2022. Puthandu 2022 Food: Make Mangai Pachadi Recipe To Celebrate Tamil New Year With Flavour!

Tamil Puthandu Kolam Tutorial Video

Puthandu 2022 Muggulu Art For Beginners

Tamil New Year 2022 Rangoli Ideas

Kolam And Muggulu Patterns For Puthandu Festival

People mostly draw the Kolam designs with coloured rice flour at the entrance of the house early in the morning. In the Hindu religion, rangoli attracts positivity and good vibes and calls the special deity at a particular festival. Here's wishing you a very Happy and blissful Puthandu!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2022 11:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The parallels between Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Katrina are stark. Look no further than the severe and destructive flooding that both storms have left along the Gulf Coast and the sheer number of evacuations due in part to a respective lack of preparation.

Perhaps its because of those similarities that an ABC World News Tonight anchors use of the word looting on Twitter to describe a scene amid Houstons floodwaters reminded many of a debate that raged 12 years ago.

#Breaking We're witnessing looting right now at a large supermarket in the NE part of Houston & police have just discovered a body nearby  Tom Llamas (@TomLlamasABC) August 29, 2017

As Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast in 2005, two images surfaced that would fuel conversation around race and perception in the coming days, weeks and years.

The controversy centered on two photos and their respective captions. One from Associated Press photographer Dave Martin showed a young black man wading through water while holding a bag and a case of soda. The accompanying description stated that he was looting. A second photo from Chris Graythen for Getty Images showed a similar scene, but this time it was a white couple clutching bags of food. Their actions were labeled as finding.

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Remember this after Katrina? The difference between "looting" and "finding" is often black and white pic.twitter.com/nZoaP0KJ2l  Steadman (@AsteadWesley) August 29, 2017

The photos quickly sparked criticism for what many believed to be race-fueled descriptions based on implicit bias. The conversation played out across the Internet, even taking the prime-time stage when Kanye West spoke on the matter during a telethon to benefit victims of Katrina. The outrage was so memorable that five years later, the Newseum in Washington featured the photos and backlash in its Katrina exhibit.

At the time, the Associated Press stood by its description, pointing to its guidelines for justification of using the word looting rather than carrying. An AP spokesman told Salon that the photographer saw the person go into the shop and take the goods, and thats why he wrote looting in the caption.

Getty also stuck by its description to use finding. In a blog post days later, Graythen further explained his reasoning.

These people were not ducking into a store and busting down windows to get electronics. They picked up bread and cokes that were floating in the water. They would have floated away anyhow.

Graythen wrote that his description had nothing to do with race, and added that when he later saw both white and black individuals actually looting a store, he did include that in his caption.

This time around in the wake of Harvey, there was no photo or mention of race. Anchor Tom Llamas simply described a situation in a tweet, later deleting the original and tweeting again, adding that the people he saw looting had covered their faces.

Let me clear this upwe were w/police who had discovered a dead body & mentioned we saw ppl w/faces covered going into a supermarket nearby pic.twitter.com/bfM5WCCO1e  Tom Llamas (@TomLlamasABC) August 29, 2017

Still, the added context and the absence of racially charged images did not preclude criticism. As Katrina demonstrated, the term has a loaded meaning for many people, regardless of the reality behind the situation.

colleen.shalby@latimes.com

Twitter: @cshalby

ALSO:

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Mexican truckers blocked bridges in Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border to protest Governor Gregg Abbott's order to increase the safety inspections. The protests are taking place at the Santa Teresa bridge connecting San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, to Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

According to The Guardian, the protests on several bridges caused traffic at ports of entry and led business groups to warn of supply chain disruptions.

Traffic at the fourth bridge connecting Reynosa to Pharr, Texas was also seen on Tuesday, as drivers parked their trucks on the bridge and began barbecuing on the Mexican side of the port of entry.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said that protests are also occurring on a bridge connecting Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, as well as the bridge in Rio Grande Valley.

One Mexican trucker, Raymundo Galicia, told The Guardian that the protests on one of the bridges took him 17 hours to cross into the United States and return.

"I get paid the same whether it takes me an hour or 10 hours to cross, so this is affecting us a lot," Galicia noted.

Galicia also participated in the protests, claiming that he and his colleagues will target more bridges if the delays continue.

The protests from Mexican truckers came after Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced additional state inspections in response to the decision of the Biden administration to end the Title 42 expulsion, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Abbot has also argued that extra inspections are needed since cargo trucks are often used to smuggle drugs and humans into the United States, according to New York Post.

READ NEXT: Texas Agencies Buckle Up for the Influx of Migrants When Title 42 Expulsion Ends in May

Texas Businesses Warn of Supply Chain Disruptions

On Tuesday, business owners from Texas said that the protests involving the Mexican truckers prompted a supply-chain headache for businesses.

Joe Arevelo, a freight and shipping company from Pharr, Texas, claimed that the current condition at the border can potentially devastate the already delicate supply chain in the U.S. that may lead to an avocado and tomato shortage, per the Post. Arevelo also explained that his client was also forced to look for other ways to get around the Texas border inspections.

Another Texas trucking and shipping businessman, Polo Chow, told the Post that there were not enough troops to inspect the incoming trucks from Mexico. Chow also claimed that some of the products from the U.S., including pork and beef, were not able to cross Mexico.

"As of yesterday, zero trucks crossed (the border.) Typically, you have 3,000 trucks crossing per day here," Chow said.

Meanwhile, Sid Miller said that more than 20,000 commercial trucks have been backed up on the border, per Texas Tribune.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Urges Gov. Greg Abbott to End Mexican Truckers Inspection

On Tuesday, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also issued an open letter to Governor Greg Abbott, urging the inspection among Mexican truckers to be halted.

In the letter, Miller said that Abbot's inspection protocol is not stopping the illegal immigration but instead, it is affecting the food from getting to grocery store shelves, as well as causing other foods to rot in trucks.

Miller then noted that the Border Patrol and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection already have extensive inspections, adding that the state's resources should be allotted where illegal crossing takes place.

Even Republicans agree: @GregAbbott_TXs new inspection policy will have catastrophic consequences for families at the grocery store and businesses working to keep their doors open.Its time for the Governor to put an end to his harmful directives.https://t.co/L1zl4Hw5Db  Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) April 13, 2022

El Paso Representative Veronica Escobar took to Twitter on Tuesday to also urge Greg Abbott from stopping the inspections, claiming that the measure would create "catastrophic consequences" for families and businesses.

READ NEXT: Trevor Noah Jokes About Will Smith's Oscars 2022 Ban: Academy Should Have Consulted Chris Rock!

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Mexico Truckers Protest New Texas Inspections, Halt Trade at Border - From KHOU 11
U.S. President Joe Biden has described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "genocide" for the first time.

Biden made the statement while announcing new initiatives to lower the cost of energy, which has jumped since Russia's attack against Ukraine, according to a Newsweek report.

The president said that he was addressing the "Putin price hike," referencing to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The United States and other officials have accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine after reports have surfaced that Russia has deliberately targeted civilians.

Biden is accusing Putin of a serious crime under international law by calling Putin's actions "genocide."

The term genocide was first used to describe Nazi Germany's efforts to exterminate Jewish people during the Holocaust.

The United Nations has since used the term to describe attempts to "destroy, in whole or in part, a national ethnical, racial, or religious group."

READ NEXT: Brent Renaud, U.S. Journalist and Filmmaker, Killed by Russian Forces in Ukraine

Pres. Joe Biden Calling Russia's Attack on Ukraine 'Genocide'

President Joe Biden said that more evidence is emerging about the "horrible things" that Russians have done in Ukraine.

He added that people are going to learn more and more about it while saying that they will let lawyers decide, internationally, whether or not it qualifies as genocide, according to an NBC News report.

The president concluded that it seems that way to him.

Biden had stopped short of calling the attacks in Bucha a genocide when asked by reporters whether Russian troops' actions there fit the description.

White House National Security adviser Jake Sullivan said at the time that the killings documented in Ukraine did not rise to the level of genocide as defined by the U.S. government.

Biden said that he calls it genocide as it is becoming clearer and clearer that Putin is just "trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the killings in Bucha is considered a genocide.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Biden's statement drew praise from Zelenskyy through a tweet. He said that "calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil."

Zelenskyy has also expressed his gratitude for the U.S. assistance, adding that Ukraine will need more heavy weapons to "prevent further Russian atrocities."

Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that Russian military hackers tried and failed to attack the country's energy infrastructure last week, according to a CNBC News report.

Ukraine's summary of the incident noted that the attack was aimed to infiltrate computers connected to multiple substations and delete all files. It would then shut the said infrastructure down.

Zelenskyy also announced the apparent capture of a pro-Kremlin politician living in Ukraine, Viktor Medvedchuk.

He was in Ukraine under house arrest on treason charges. He allegedly escaped shortly after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine.

In addition, the Ukrainian president has called on the world to respond "preventively" to unconfirmed reports that Russia used chemical weapons in Mariupol, according to an Aljazeera News report.

Zelenskyy said that it is impossible to conduct a full investigation and full analysis of the besieged city.

READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: WHO Advises Ukraine to Destroy Health Lab Pathogens to Curb Spread of Disease

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Biden says Russia is committing 'genocide' - from Associated Press






Mexico has filed a $10 billion lawsuit seeking to hold U.S. gun manufacturers accountable for a deadly flood of weapons across the border. Named in the lawsuit were Smith & Wesson and Strum, Ruger & Co., among others.

A U.S. judge is currently questioning whether allowing Mexico to sue U.S. gun manufacturers for facilitating the trafficking of weapons to drug cartels would open the door to other countries suing them, as well, according to an Aljazeera News report.

Jonathan Lowy, a lawyer for Mexico, argued during a virtual hearing that gun makers know how criminals are getting their guns.

Lowy added that the U.S. gun manufacturers could stop and still choose to be "willfully blind to the facts."

U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor argued whether Mexico's lawsuit would mean the protections against gun makers usually enjoy under the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is "completely hollow."

Steven Shadowen, another lawyer for Mexico, noted that other foreign countries could file a lawsuit if they met the requirements.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Lopez Obrador Denies 'Falsifying' Investigation on 2014 Disappearance of 43 Students

Mexico's Lawsuit Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers

U.S. gun manufacturers have argued that Mexico cannot prove that the violence stated in the lawsuit is their fault. They added that U.S. law protects them from liability over the misuse of their products, according to a BBC News report.

More than a dozen states have backed the Mexico government's lawsuit, including California and New York. Lawyers representing Antigua, Barbuda, and Belize have also expressed their support.

Guillaume Michel, head of legal affairs at Mexico's embassy in Washington, said that the lawsuit does not only affect Mexico.

Michel said that it also has consequences for the United States.

Stop by US Arms to Mexico's data showed that 11,613 weapons were seized by the army, which is a small share of what is believed to be on Mexico's streets.

The project is focused on reducing illegal weapons entering the country.

Ed Calderon, a former police officer in Tijuana, said that criminal groups' arsenals are often comparable to those of the Mexican military and leave police forces "hopelessly outgunned."

Calderon added that it was "horrible for morale." He said that there is a feeling of abandonment, "of not having what they need."

Mexico Gun Violence

In Mexico, firearms were used in more than 68,000 homicides in the last three years, especially when the United States and Mexico declared war on drugs in 2006.

Massachusetts Peace Action noted that the illegal gun trade also continues to grow from gun shops and gun shops, which makes it easy to smuggle into Mexico across the border.

More than 61,000 people are known to have forcibly disappeared in Mexico, with the most of the number being immigrants.

In addition, 99.3 percent of crimes in Mexico are not investigated. It is also the Latin American country with the highest impunity rate.

Between 2006 and 2017, the Mexican army noted that more than 20,000 firearms sold to state and federal agencies in Mexico were reported as lost or stolen.

READ MORE: Mexico: 90,000 People Have Disappeared Without a Trace Amid Drug War

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Mexico sues US gunmakers for role in trafficking and homicides - from Al Jazeera English






Johnny Depp's multi-million dollar defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard opened Tuesday in Virginia with explosive new sex assault allegations.

According to The Daily Mail, Heard's attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, told the jury at the Fairfax County's district court that Depp penetrated the actress with a liquor bottle during a three-day, drug-fueled bender in Australia in 2015.

Describing the incident, Bredehoft noted that the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star had his ex-wife jammed up against the bar, hurled bottles at her, dragged her, punched her, and kicked her.

The lawyer added: "He has told her he's going to fu**ing kill her, and he fu**ing hates her. He's pounding at her, pounding at her. And then, he penetrates her with a liquor bottle."

As the lawyer made that allegation, Depp could be seen shaking his head as if to say, "No." According to Bredehoft, the extreme physical and sexual violence started after the actor had taken eight to 10 tablets of ecstasy, adding that the "next three days are just a cycle of very, very, very violent activity by him."

Depp's spokesman has vehemently denied those claims. In a statement, the spokesman said the claims were "fictitious" and were never made at the onset of Heard's allegations in 2016.

"[Those claims] only advantageously surfaced years later once she was sued for defamation after noting in her op-ed that she was a victim of 'sexual violence.' Words are key in a defamation case and conveniently, this allegation only came after that," the spokesman noted, adding that Heard's claims have continued to change over time for "the purpose of Hollywood shock value of which Amber has mastered and used to exploit a serious social movement."

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are battling over a 2018 op-ed the actress wrote for the Washington Post, calling herself a domestic violence survivor.

The piece did not mention Depp by name, but the actor claimed he was booted from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise due to the "clear implication" that he was the abuser in his ex-wife's op-ed.

Depp further alleged that Heard was the actual "perpetrator" of the violent encounters that damaged their relationship. He is asking for $50 million in damages.

On the other hand, Amber Heard has filed a counterclaim of defamation against the actor, who she divorced in 2017, for nuisance.

READ NEXT: Trevor Noah Jokes About Will Smith's Oscars 2022 Ban: Academy Should Have Consulted Chris Rock!

Johnny Depp's Sister Says Amber Heard Called the Actor an 'Old Fat Man'

According to New York Post, Christi Dembrowski, Johnny Depp's sister, was the first witness to take the stand in the actor's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard.

Dembrowski, who testified on Tuesday, said she was "devastated" when Depp married the actress. She told the jury that the couple fought often, and Heard would often mock her younger brother.

Dembrowski said Heard once called Depp an "old fat man" and questioned why French fashion house Dior was interested in working with the Hollywood actor who "don't have style."

"Why would Dior want to do business with you? They're about class and style, and you don't have style," the "Aquaman" actress allegedly said.

Depp's sister, who helped manage her brother's career, also claimed that she often booked an extra hotel room for the actor to use in case the couple fought when they traveled together.

She added that Heard was the one who refused to sign a prenup as she refuted claims by the actress' camp that it was the actor who decided to forgo a prenup.

Dembrowski also talked about their abusive mother, saying that Johnny Depp would usually just leave the room and never hit their mother.

When asked about the op-ed, Dembrowski said: "I believe there is a negative effect on anyone's career when there are accusations as there have been... Personally, I know he doesn't want people to feel... that he could ever be that type of person, which he isn't."

Depp's sister further noted that the part that the actor bothered him the most was that the abuse allegations would "trickle down to his children."

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Defamation Trial in Virginia

Last August, Fairfax County Chief Judge Penney Azcarte ruled not to dismiss the defamation lawsuit filed by Johnny Depp against Amber Heard, who said the case should be thrown out as a London judge did in 2020.

The actress said the court in Virginia should recognize the decision of London High Court Judge Andrew Nicol. Depp has lost a high-profile case at the High Court in London against a British newspaper that called him a "wife-beater."

The actor sued "The Sun" and its executive editor, Dan Wootton after he was labeled as a "wife-beater" in the paper's 2018 headline.

During a trial, Depp accused Heard of being the "abusive one," arguing that the actress faked photos to make it look like he injured his ex-wife.

Depp further noted that the actress came into his life and took everything that was "worth taking" and allegedly destroyed what remained in his life. Despite his claims, the actor lost the libel case in 2020, and the judge concluded that he "regularly beat" her ex-wife.

In deciding not to dismiss the defamation case filed by Johnny Depp in Virginia, the Fairfax County judge said the statements being defended in the U.K. case were inherently different than the statements published by Amber Heard.

The judge further noted that the actress and The Sun were not in "privity and not mutual." The judge added that since Heard was also not a party in the U.K. case, she was not subject to the "same discovery rules" applicable to named parties.

The defamation trial in Fairfax, Virginia is expected to last more than a month. Apart from both Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the trial will also include testimony from high-profile individuals like Elon Musk and James Franco.

READ MORE: Eva Longoria Husbands: How Many Times Has the Mexican-American Actress Been Married?

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Johnny Depp Smirks as Heard's Lawyer Accuses Him of Being Obsessed With Elon Musk - From The Independent
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Naas General Hospital will host a weekly maternity services clinic in partnership with the Coombe Hospital as the space used for the facility in the Kildare hospital is now needed to care for Covid-19 patients.

Previously, local expectant mothers could book in to receive check-ups, scans and blood tests in Naas without having to travel all the way to the Coombe in Dublin. However the clinic in the Outpatients Department, which was in operation for around 20 years, was suspended at the start of the pandemic.

The service will not be returning to Naas Hospital and will instead be transferred to another location in the HSE's Dublin Midlands Hospital Group catchment area which covers parts of Dublin as well as Kildare, Laois and Offaly.

The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and the Coombe Hospital in Dublin are the other two hospitals that deliver maternity services in the hospital group.

A spokesperson for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group said: In April 2020, the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital centralized their clinics in response to the Covid pandemic.

Unfortunately Naas General Hospital is not in a position for these clinics to return onsite at this time given the increasingly high numbers of Covid-19 cases onsite and active outbreaks, as well as our lack of clinical space to ensure social distancing guidelines.

The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital are working with the Dublin Midland Hospital Group to find a long-term alternative location.

We would hope that this will be achieved in the second half of 2022.

Naas Hospital saw the number of patients with Covid-19 rise above 60 last month putting it among the top 10 highest hospitals in the country.

However the number of cases had reduced to under 30 by this week.

The Naas Local Electoral Area, which has a population of around 30,000 people, also continues to have one of the highest incident rates of the virus per 100,000 people in the country.

It is understood that expectant mothers in the Kildare area have been contacting the Coombe Hospital in recent weeks to inquire about the Naas clinic.

The clinic was usually held on a Thursday afternoon and evening and saw up to 100 women every week, who availed of services such as consultant visits and reviews, scans, midwife reviews and blood tests.

A spokesperson for the Coombe Hospital said: We are working with the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to find a long-term solution to the relocation of this service within the Midlands area.

We would hope that this will be achieved in the second half of 2022.

The issue has been raised with local TD and Minister of State Martin Heydon and Sinn Fein TD Reada Cronin.

Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer told the Leader that having the clinic in Naas provided enormous benefits for expectant Kildare mothers and their families and added that relocating it to an area such as Portlaoise would not be beneficial for these patients.

Cllr O'Dwyer said: "Kildare needs this service to be recommenced back in the county. I will be submitting a question to the Regional Health Forum of which I am a member. We are moving out of the pandemic and my fear is that it may be lost to the people of Kildare which would be a step backwards considering it was identified many years ago."

In a statment the politician added: "While the service was in Naas Hospital it was welcomed by both the hospital and the mothers that attended there.There was a mutual respect for the services and staff from both hospitals had an excellent relationship working side by side.

"Most importantly, the mothers that accessed the clinic appreciated it most.

"The benefits were enormous from being able to attend a clinic in their county, a family-friendly service, reduced waiting time as the clinics are smaller and returning to work on the day of appointment.

"The close proximity and excellent parking facilities were the positive factors. Many mums requested to attend this clinic.

"For student midwives there was the learning opportunity to practice supervised outside of their teaching hospital which many valued."

A source told the Leinster Leader: Most Kildare women had all their care in Naas Hospital and only came to the Coombe to deliver their baby.

Due to Kildares large population, up to 1,500 babies from the county were born in the Coombe every years.

This gives you an idea of the number of women who are really losing out on not having maternity services in Naas available to them.
A farming organising that his headquartered in Laois has lashed out at the ban on turf sales.

Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers' Association Rural Development chair Tim Farrell has said there is simply no justification for making criminals of ordinary people by prohibiting the sale or distribution of turf.

While those with cutting rights will be permitted use turf for their own domestic consumption, from September of this year it will be illegal to gift or sell any amount of turf to neighbours and friends. It beggars belief, he said.

He believed the Government is out of touch with reality.

Vilifying any individual for helping family members, neighbours and friends keep their homes warm is a step too far especially amid spiralling energy costs. Those living in rural Ireland are already being hammered with over-the-top rules and regulations about burning green waste, and now this. It all adds up to the Government being totally out of touch with the practical realities of managing hedges and trees on farms, as well as the use of basic amounts of turf for domestic purposes.

For the people of rural Ireland, the reality of dealing with the ever-increasing burden of bureaucratic nonsense supposedly designed to save the planet is becoming too much to bear. It is becoming more and more clear that what people in the rural population are being asked to do really has very little to do with the problem.

"In the meantime, this Government is continuing to drag their heels on the genuine solutions like incentivising every farmer to cover shed roofs with solar panels or developing the renewable biogas and biofuel sectors, he said in the statement from the ICSA which has offices in Portlaoise.
Laois County Council has inked a contract with developers to build a new car park which should relief for train users in Portlaoise.

The local authority met the Ardain Developments Limited on April 12 to officially seal the deal on the plan for a 94 space public carpark at Railway Street, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

The council says the site, which forms part of a targeted area for urban regeneration and development, is located adjacent to Portlaoise Railway Station on the former CBS school lands. It is a short walk through Portlaoise Cultural Quarter into the heart of the town.

A statement said the 94-space car park will include 10 e-charge parking spaces, parking for mobility and visually impaired together with cyclist parking and storage. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, highlighted the importance of the project.

"The opportunity for this contract arises consequent to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which encourages collaboration between public and private parties to enable town centre redevelopment and regeneration. Considered with a parallel contract for the provision of 67 housing units these lands will provide for significant town centre redevelopment complimentary to our Smarter Travel and Housing objectives," he said.

Tom Musiol spoke on behalf of Ardain Developments.

"This partnership with Laois County Council facilitates car parking and smarter travel objectives in and around the town centre of Portlaoise in a way in which would not have occurred in the absence of this contract. Similarly, our residential development will link directly to the Triogue Way ensuring permeability and connectivity in and around the town centre," he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, commented after the contract signing.

"The principal aim of the development is to augment and support existing town centre parking and to provide enhanced parking facilities for all modes of transport adjacent to Portlaoise Railway Station.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly, Cathaoirleach Portlaoise Municipal District, added that the signing of this contract enables development works on this site that have been the subject of multiple Notices of Motion over the years.

"It is heartening to observe those efforts coming to fruition," he said.

The car park development is valued at approximately 1.5m and is funded under Project Ireland 2040, specifically by the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). The car park will be available for public use by mid-2023.

The contract signing was attended by John Mulholland (Chief Executive LCC), Cathaoirleach LCC Conor Bergin, Tom Musiol (Ardain Developments), Paul McLoughlin LCC, Simon Walton LCC, John Joe Fennelly (Cathaoirleach Portlaoise MD), Ger OBrien (Ardain Developments).
A plan that could see a specialist composting company setting up in Portlaoise could be hit after a claim by an environmental group which says planning permission for the extraction of Bord na Mona peat stocks is required.

It emerged in March that Bord na Mona (BNM) and the international composting company ICL had reached an agreement to reopen the Cuil na Mona plant.

Laois Sinn Fein TD claimed at the time that the agreement would see ICL lease the plant from Bord na Mona initially for three years using the peat stockpiles taken from Laois bogs as a component for the horticulture compost. He added that the company have also developed an advanced wood fibre technology solution in terms of the components for the new compost product.

However, the Friends of the Irish Environment say Bord na Mona faces Court over moving peat stockpiles.

The environmental group say the removal of Bord na Monas 950,000 ton peat stockpiles had to stop on March 13. They say they warned the State company in a solicitor's letter.

A statement outlined the contents of the letter, Friends from the Irish Environment solicitors.

"This peat was extracted without the required planning permission, and without EIA or appropriate assessment. Bord na Mona now seeks to profit from this unauthorised development by using the material unlawfully extracted. The excavation and removal of peat stockpiles amounts to works within the Planning and Development Act 2000 that itself require planning permission and may also require EIA and/or appropriate assessment," it stated.

The statement claimed that Bord na Mona told an Oireachtas Join Committee, the stockpiles of peat are being used for burning at Edenderry, for briquette making at Edenderry, and for horticulture at Cuil na Mona in Portlaoise.

The environmental charity said that if it does not receive the assurances required by close of business, it will seek an injunction under the Planning Acts in order to ensure that planning permission is sought with an opportunity for public consultation.

A spokesperson for FIE said in a statement: "State Agencies are themselves not immune to European Environment law. Bord na Mona recently withdrew a number of applications for retrospective planning permission that could have ultimately authorised these works.

"The most beneficial use of these stockpiles is a matter for respective Planning Authorities - after public participation. A State Agency like Bord na Mona can not circumvent the planning law and public consultation to profit from unauthorised development" it said.

Dep Stanley said in March that the existing peat stocks from the local bogs will be ring fenced solely for the Irish market and Irish growers. He said this would solve an immediate problem as horticulture compost is in short supply at the moment in the country with some parts of the horticulture industry having reached crisis point due to supply shortages.

Welcoming the move, the Sinn Fein TD added that five jobs would be created with a possibility for this to grow further.
A priest has praised the people of Camross and Castletown for their generous spirit which he hopes will be mirrored nationwide.

Fr Brian Griffin made the comments in relation to the community's warm response to Ukrainian refugees. The community came together to help convert his former office into a liveable space for Ukrainian refugees.

He explained that as he is covering two Parishes, Camross and Castletown, he had the use of a parochial house in each area. The Castletown Parochial House had operated as an office while he lives in the Parochial House in Camross. When he heard about the Ukrainian refugees he asked Bishop Denis Nulty if he could use the Castletown property for refugees.

Although the house in Castletown wasnt furnished as a house, Fr Griffin approached St Vincent de Paul in relation to its possible use for refugees. However, he then caught Covid 19 and had to go into isolation for a week and a half.

When he returned the entire house had been furnished from top to bottom. I gave them the keys and they did everything, he explained. The house is now being used by two Ukrainian ladies and four children.

Fr Griffin played down his role in the matter and insisted everything had been done by the community. He said the family arrived as I got a call from a man in Portlaoise and he said he had a family who had nowhere to stay.

Praising the community in and around Camross and Castletown, Fr Griffin said his neighbour has taken in four women and five children. Another property belonging to the De La Salle brothers in Castletown is due to take in more refugees.

Fr Griffin, who moved to Laois from Kilkenny last September, said of his new parishes, it is just incredible. They are wonderful people, they really are, he remarked.

I think, you know, we are all horrified at what we are seeing and people like to do tangible things. The minute people got the opportunity they just jumped in there, he said.

According to Fr Griffin, the community are just working on their own initiative in order to help out. He noted a man had arrived and cut the grass at the rear of the parochial house as it hadnt been cut in a long time.

Speaking in relation to the families who have arrived, Fr Griffin said they are glad that they have somewhere to stay but there is a sadness about them. He explained that the younger children are faring better than the older ones who would be more aware of what is happening in Ukraine. The younger children dont mind. They are going to school and they are loving it, he explained. The older children and their parents are very aware of the serious situation in their homeland and are in regular contact with their relations in Ukraine, he said.

Fr Griffin praised the local schools for looking after the children so well despite the language barrier. There is loads of issues but they are working around them, said Fr Griffin.

A teenage refugee living next door to Fr Griffin is training to be an interpreter. She stood up in mass last Sunday and thanked the community on behalf of her compatriots.

Speaking of how he feels blessed to be in Camross and Castletown where people responded so openly to refugees, Fr Griffin said: Hopefully their example will be mirrored around the country.

ENDS
A cemetery in Laois is set to be the first in the county to build a wall to house cremated remains.

Laois County Council is seeking contractors to build the Columbarium Wall in St Peter and Pauls Cemetery in Portlaoise.

A Columbarium Wall is a structure containing alcoves designed to house urns containing cremated human remains.

Undertaker John Moloney welcomed the move and said cremation was becoming more popular in Ireland.

It is very sensible what they are doing...I would say cremations, in comparison to ten years ago, I would say there are twice as many, said Mr Moloney.

Aside from the increasing numbers of cremations in Ireland, Mr Moloney said the Columbarium Wall could accommodate repatriated remains. There is quite a number of peoples remains come back as blessed ashes, he explained.

A tender for the construction of a Columbarium Wall was recently published by Laois County Council.

It states that: Laois County Council have identified a need for a Columbarium Wall to inter cremated remains for members of the public. The Columbarium Wall is to be double sided with 20 niches per side on four levels. Each niche is to be capable of holding two standard sized cremation urns. The deadline for interested contractors is April 29.
A high-ranking garda officer will be in Kildare town on Saturday for an event to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Civic Guard/An Garda Siochana to Co Kildare in 1922, it has been confirmed.

Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie McMahon, who is ranked directly under Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, will speak at the event.

The family-friendly commemorative day will see exhibits from the Garda Museum put on display in the Old Courthouse from 10am to 5pm.

At 11.45am, a garda parade, including the Garda Band and Lord Edwards Own Re-enactment Group, will march from the Fairview area and arrive in Market Square.

An official opening address will be delivered at 12 noon by the cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, Cllr Naoise O Cearuil.

Superintendent Martin Walker, who is based in Kildare Garda Station, will be MC for the proceedings.

Also present will be the vice-president of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association, Marie Roche.

At 12.30pm, an re-enactment will take place at Cunninghams pub to signify the handover of the old RIC Barracks.

Guided walking tours by former garda P J Hester will take place in the town, starting from Kildare Town Heritage Centre.

Between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, the Lord Edwards Own Re-enactment Group will be giving demonstrations and information on period weapons and uniforms in the Old Courthouse Courtyard.

Another part of the commemoration will be an open day for members of the public at Kildare Garda Station between 2pm and 6pm.

The event has been organised and funded by Kildare County Councils Decade of Commemorations Committee, An Garda Siochana, An Garda Siochana Retired Members Association and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-23 initiative.

An Garda Siochana was officially founded on February 22, 1922, and was initially known as the Civic Guard.

It took over policing duties from both the Royal Irish Constabulary and its parallel organisation, the Irish Republican Police after the War of Independence.

Many local garda stations across County Kildare are also holding individual centenary events.

Garda HQ has also sent commemorative coins and medals to serving and retired members of the force.
Into Kildare, the tourism board for County Kildare has officially launched the Paint The Town Red campaign, a best dressed window and building competition which will help promote and support businesses in Naas before and during the Punchestown Festival.

The initiative will see shops and traders in Naas being encouraged to decorate their buildings and shop fronts in a racing inspired theme. This fantastic programme, which is being sponsored by Into Kildare aims to highlight and promote local businesses in Naas and will serve to remind racegoers to shop, dine and do business in the town.

The Punchestown Festival this year runs from Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 th April and there are plenty of great places in Naas for racegoers to visit both pre and post racing including some of Irelands best boutiques, mens shops, hotels, restaurants, and pubs to mention but a few.

Naas businesses have already been provided with complimentary, red Into Kildare promotional material which they can use in their displays while Into Kildare has also sponsored flags which will dress the streetscape and Naas Town Centre.

The trader with the best window will win a two night stay at the luxurious Killashee Hotel for two people. The prize includes dinner on one evening with afternoon tea at Killashee.

The lucky winner will also be awarded with a 100 gift card for Kildare Village and tickets for two people to the A Making an Entrance concert at Castletown House. The runner up will win hospitality for six people at the La Touche Restaurant at Punchestown Racecourse on Saturday the 30 th of April. All entrants in the Paint The Town Red best dressed window competition will be given a pair of complimentary tickets for the opening day of the festival, Tuesday 26 th of April.

The top five finalists will be announced via Punchestown Racecourse social media on the 21 st of April and the overall winner will be announced on the 26 th of April, the opening day of the 2022 festival.

Speaking about the campaign, Aine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare said The Punchestown Festival will attract over 130,000 racegoers to the racecourse this year and those racegoers will of course need somewhere to eat, sleep and shop. The Into Kildare, Paint the Town Red initiative aims to encourage those racegoers to eat, sleep and shop in Naas and to spend their

money with local businesses.

Kildare is known as The Thoroughbred County but we also have lots to offer away from the track including fabulous cultural, dining and shopping experiences. Flags and creative displays will help to create a fun, festival atmosphere and

will remind people that there is plenty to see and do in the area before and after racing. We are calling on all businesses to embrace the racing theme, decorate Naas and Paint the Town Red! It is up to all of us collectively to attract visiting racegoers into the town with attractive offers and showcase the great community spirit that is alive and well in Naas. I would also

like to take this opportunity to thank our members in the tourism network in county Kildare - Into Kildare who have been most supportive and engaging.

Conor O Neill, CEO of Punchestown Racecourse said, We always say that people make Punchestown and after two years of vacant grandstands and deserted enclosures we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone to our Great Comeback Festival. Punchestown offers a unique blend of sport, style, hospitality, and of course craic. With 20% of our attendance hailing from the UK we feel it is important to put on a welcome in Naas, our local

town. The addition of flags, decals and racing themed window and shop front displays creates a festive atmosphere and we extend a sincere cead mile failte to our visitors.

For further information about Into Kildare please see www.intokildare.ie or email into info@intokildare.ie
An Garda Siochana is issuing safety advice to people who intend to meet up with others they meet online.

The advice comes after the body of a man with serious injuries was discovered at his home in Sligo on Monday (April 11).

An investigation is currently underway to determine whether the perpetrator was someone the victim met online, and whether there was a "hate-related" motive.

Gardai advise anyone meeting strangers to get a face picture from the person before meeting them, or to engage in a live video call so that mobile phone numbers do not have to be shared.

Caution is urged if the person does not share a photo or engage in a video call prior to a meeting.

An Garda Siochana are issuing the following safety advice to people who are speaking with or intending to meet up with someone they have met online.

Take precautions before meeting someone in person. If an emergency unfolds, call 999! See more here: https://t.co/UiIFGVw8NF pic.twitter.com/wwvnJOAn4m  Garda Info (@gardainfo) April 12, 2022

Other advice includes asking for social media handles, checking for friends in common and being wary of new accounts with low follower count and few posts.

People are also advised to meet in a public place first, let a friend or friends know the location of a meeting, and to think before accepting food or drink in case it has been spiked.

If an emergency unfolds, call 999. If something happens - report it!
Hello, it's lunchtime in Paris and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen (Rassemblement National) is about to hold a much-awaited press conference on foreign affairs. She is known for her pro-Russian positions and for her hostility against the European Union and NATO. But this has not weakened her at all since the beginning of the bloody invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

What happened yesterday? For the second day in a row, Emmanuel Macon (La Republique en Marche) hit the campaign trail. He held a rally in Strasbourg to warn against the consequences entailed for the European Union if the far right were to arrive at the Elysee Palace.

Why does it matter? After a low-key campaign before the first round, the president showed that he seriously fears defeat. The first polls published since April 10 show him in the lead, but with only a very small gap separating him from his rival Marine Le Pen.

More on this topic French presidential election 2022: The radically opposed manifestos of Le Pen and Macron

What could have been a fatal blow was in fact a boon. For months, far-right candidate Eric Zemmour's shock-and-awe campaign shielded his arch-rival, Marine Le Pen from questions about many controversial points of her platform. Starting with her referendum on immigration, which could challenge the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, not to mention the fact that its organization without a green light from Parliament would already be seen by many as a constitutional coup.

The spotlights were focused on the former Le Figaro journalist and Marine Le Pen took the opportunity to improve her image, trying to appear more consensual and more moderate. She could even afford the luxury of denouncing the presence of questionable characters considered her rival's entourage, pointing at "traditionalist Catholics, pagans, and some Nazis". The cocoon no longer exists, since the night of the first round, and Marine Le Pen is now more exposed.

More on this topic Subscribers only Marine Le Pen faces huge political balancing act

She outlined her vision of political institutions at a press conference on Tuesday, confirming that she intends to regularly bypass the system of representative democracy by using referendums. She suggested a "referendum revolution" if elected, saying that "only the people should have the possibility to revise the Constitution" and not the Parliament made up of the Assemblee Nationale and the Senat, as is currently the case.

"It is much healthier for the people to vote than for the two chambers," she said, adding that she wants the Constitution to include the principle of "national priority" which would open the way to a legal discrimination against foreigners and the primacy of national law over international law (an unveiled attack against European Union's rules). This "referendum revolution" would "make possible the organization of popular initiative referendums on all subjects," including the return of the death penalty (even though she is not personally in favor of it), because "no debate is forbidden in a great mature democracy," she said.

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Funko to close local warehouses, consolidate in Arizona; HQ stays EVERETT  Everett-based Funko formalized that it will be closing its Everett and Puyallup warehouses to consolidate in Arizona, which will create a layoff affecting 258 workers.

Word got out a few months ago when workers were told the news that the warehouses are closing.

Layoffs begin June 9, according to a notice posted by the state Economic Security Department.

In Everett, Funko is currently leasing 424,000 square feet for warehousing and distribution scattered across four sites, plus 142,000 square feet in Puyallup, company filings say.

The makers of vinyl pop culture figures is consolidating its distribution centers to a 958,000-square-foot facility its leasing in Buckeye, Arizona just west of Phoenix, a news release announced.

Funko will remain headquartered in Everett.

Its products are produced by third-party manufacturers primarily in Vietnam and China, the company reports.

Were excited to bring Funko to Arizona with the opening this month of our nearly one million square foot facility in Buckeye, Funkos CEO Andrew Perlmutter said in the news release. The demand for Funko products globally is as high as its ever been and the company recently surpassed a billion dollars in revenue for 2021. The consolidation of several warehouses to one single facility will better improve our customer experience and maximize the growth opportunities as our business scales.

A small group of investors acquired Funko in 2005 from its founder, Mike Becker of Snohomish, when it was a much smaller company.

The Arizona announcement coincided with the notice to government authorities of the planned layoff. The notice was a federal WARN notice, short for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification.

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At the UN General Assembly, during the vote on the resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council, in New York, April 7, 2022. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

European and American leaders are doing everything in their power to avoid turning the war in Ukraine into a diplomatic face-off between Russia and the West. They know that, besides the fighting, this is the main challenge posed by the long-lasting conflict that Vladimir Putin started on February 24. The Kremlin has not stopped presenting the ongoing conflict as a binary confrontation between Russia and the Western world, despite Russia having been marginalized through several United Nations votes since its invasion of Ukraine. Through a great deal of propaganda, Moscow has published on social media eloquent documents aimed at minimizing the reality of Russian isolation. The rapprochement between Russia and China is presented as the keystone of a new world order, to the detriment of Washington and its European allies, who were struck by the return of war on a continent that has been declining and torn apart for a long time.

On paper, the banishment of Russia from the international community is a reality. In recent votes, 141 United Nations member states have condemned the war and called for a ceasefire less than a week after the invasion of Ukraine. Only four states  Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea  voted with Moscow. But 35 others abstained, including China, India and several African and Gulf states.

Many countries are indifferent

On Thursday, April 7, the vote on the suspension of Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council proved a fragile consensus: only 93 out of 193 states voted in favor, 24 against (among them was China) and 58 abstained, including many emerging countries. A diplomat based in New York said, "There are many countries that are indifferent to the war, because they do not want to take sides in a conflict between the great powers and are worried about its consequences on energy and food prices. Russia is isolated, but many countries do not take sides with Ukraine and its Western allies."

More on this topic Zelensky accuses Russia of war crimes in blistering address to U.N.

It may seem hard to explain such a situation when the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers on civilians, the shelling of train stations and hospitals and the siege of Mariupol arouse widely-shared indignation, at least in the Western world. "Many countries want to keep their distance from a conflict whose effects they fear. The defense of key principles by the West is not always considered credible," said Jean-Marie Guehenno, former United Nations Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (2000-2008) and a professor at Columbia University. "They believe that the West's emotions have a variable geometry and that the erosion of international law began during the Kosovo war, with NATO's intervention against Serbia in 1999, and it continued during the Iraq war in 2003." Those are the two events that Russia keeps putting forward to condemn the interventionism of the United States and its allies since the end of the Cold War.

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A LIMERICK school is celebrating and marking its 50th anniversary this year with the launch of a new website.

Scoil Chriost Ri in Caherdavin recently launched the brand new website with help from a past pupil and All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler.

Peter Casey (pictured below with teacher Niamh Walsh) visited the all-boys school to celebrate the launch of the website and to chat with pupils.

Peter's sister Emma is a teacher at the school and Principal Shane O'Neill said the boys were very excited to see him.

Mr O'Neill said: "He would usually be known as Peter, but here he was known as Ms Casey's brother! They were over the moon to have Peter here. They were saying 'Ms Casey's brother is here' which he had a good laugh at."

Peter previously played for Ardscoil Ris and has represented Na Piarsaigh at club level.

As well as the website, the school will be holding two fun days for the pupils to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

There are currently over 300 boys enrolled at the school with 36 staff members including Principal Shane O'Neill, 14 mainstream class teachers, 10 learning support teachers, 10 special needs assistants, secretary and caretaker.

You can visit the school's new website at ctkbns.ie.
A LIMERICK school has been named Healthy Heroes School of the Month for March 2022.

Scoil Fhionain in Kilfinane has been given the title thanks to the students efforts in promoting healthy eating.

Hundreds of primary schools across Ireland are participating in the Healthy Heroes initiative from the Irish Bread Bakers Association and Bord Bia, which aims to educate children on nutrition and how to improve their lunchtime habits.

The Healthy Heroes Lunch Club gives children the opportunity to foster valuable leadership, teamwork and communication skills, all while learning to change their eating habits for the better.

Now running in its ninth year, the successful programme allows both pupils and teachers to learn all about lunchtime nutrition, helping to boost childrens activity levels, all whilst having lots of fun in a non-competitive environment.

Commenting on her schools involvement in the programme, teacher Aisling Ahern says: "The Healthy Heroes Lunch Club is an inclusive programme that encourages healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle amongst our students.

"The biggest change I have noticed in our pupils is that the programme really encourages a collaborative environment, which is especially great for those children who may otherwise usually prefer to observe and not get involved.

"The children have learned brilliant food facts and have taken on leadership roles which promotes confidence, which in turn makes the children very proud of themselves."

For more information on how schools can get involved in the Healthy Heroes Lunch Club, visit Irishbread.ie or email info@healthyheroes.ie.
DAIRY farmers often feel completely misunderstood and undervalued, says Croom's Louise Crowley.

She is to feature in a new National Dairy Council (NDC) campaign entitled From the Ground Up. It is to encourage people to take pride in Irish dairy and demonstrate the passion and commitment of the farmers that make it happen.

Louise, aged 27, along with other NDC ambassadors, will explain how they take care of the environment, employ sustainable farming practices (and why its important) - and how dairy farming is central to Irelands national heritage.

"Very often it feels as if farming  and dairy farming in particular - is completely misunderstood and undervalued," said Louise (pictured in group photo below) who is also the Limerick IFA secretary.

"We are the driving force behind quality products that people want to purchase and are a key part of a healthy, modern lifestyle - the demand for which just keeps increasing  and yet, as an industry, what were doing in the area of sustainability simply isnt recognised.

"The NDCs From the Ground Up campaign  which I was glad to take part in  tells the true farmers story, the story of Irelands dairy food producers. I hope that when people see it, theyll spare a bit of time to think about what it says, and why its so important  not just to us as farmers, but to the country as a whole."

The campaign will be on TV nationally throughout April, May and June.

Zoe Kavanagh, chief executive of the National Dairy Council, believes that  because of the increasingly public debate around dairys sustainability  now is the time to get people on board with the farmers, to show their support and solidarity:

"Dairy farming has been going on in Ireland for over 4,000 years and its a part of our national identity. Our grass-fed family farming system is ideally suited to the Irish climate and such is its place in Irish society that our research shows around one in four people know a dairy farmer personally.

"However, there is a disconnect between those who buy and consume Irish dairy  75% of people believe buying Irish is important  and what our farmers are doing to address the issue of sustainability, particularly when it comes to climate action, thereby guaranteeing their future and that of their families.

"Our From the Ground Up media campaign aims to bridge that gap, encouraging pride, greater understanding and a level of responsibility for our national dairy industry. If we dont support Irish dairy  have a sense of ownership and involvement  then the industrys future, and the future of our 18,000 family dairy farms and the 60,000 jobs that Irish dairy supports is uncertain."
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A VIGIL has been organised in Limerick for two men who were murdered in their homes in Sligo.

Limerick Pride are holding the vigil in memory of Michael Snee, age 59, and Aidan Moffitt, age 42 who were killed in their own homes.

On Monday, the body of Mr Moffitt was found at his home in Carton Heights, Sligo. He had been the subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

Yesterday, Gardai discovered the body of Mr Snee who had also been subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

Two separate murder investigations have been launched in to the deaths of the men.

A man in his 20s has been arrested for murder, he remains in custody, detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Gardai are currently investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive to these murders.



Limerick Pride have called on people to show their solidarity in light of the recent attacks.



The vigil will take place on Monday, April 18 at 6pm in Arthur's Quay Park.
COUNCILLORS are to push the local authority to not grant any more planning permissions at a major business park in Limerick city until an industrial waste-water plant is built.

Ahead of next week's monthly meeting of the Metropolitan District, Sinn Fein and Green Party councillors have teamed up on a motion urging the council to act on the concerns of local farmers and landowners.

They have complained about alleged contamination of their land as a result of waste-water emanating from the Raheen business park.

Since the motion was submitted, the local authority has arranged a private briefing for councillors.

The 'Virtual Briefing for the Members of the Metropolitan District of Limerick on Loughmore Canal/Raheen Business Park' is due to take place this Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, councillors Sharon Benson and Sean Hartigan have requested local authority bosses to serve notice to IDA Ireland, which owns Raheen Industrial Estate, using powers under section 12 of the Local Government Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990 to have the group identify measures to be taken to control the alleged discharge of pollutants from the site into neighbouring lands.

The council will also be asked to request a list from the IDA of all waste products discharged from factories in the estate.

Limerick City and County Council has in the past confirmed to the Leader that its investigating an alleged case of pollution at the Loughmore Canal / Barnakyle River area.

An IDA Ireland spokesperson said the body is aware of the situation and is actively engaged in an ongoing process with stakeholders at present.

Previously, the former Limerick senior hurling manager Tom Ryan has raised concerns about the alleged pollution and the impact on his land.

Now hes been joined by his neighbour Sarah Mulcahy, who says she also has 20 acres of land which is unusable as a result.

The Loughmore Canal runs directly through her land.

For a period of the last two weeks, there has been no rain, but there have been massive discharges down [onto my land]. If we put animals onto this field, we dont know what they might be ingesting. From a farming point of view, its a major no-no, Ms Mulcahy said.

She added shes raised the matter on a daily basis with the local authority.

Its our livelihoods at risk, and I dont exactly have a spare 20 acres to use for grazing instead. We have to close off this land, and its not good enough. The Loughmore Common is known as a heritage area. But nothing has been done about this, and it feels like no care is given, Ms Mulcahy told the Limerick Leader.
TWO UKRAINIAN women who left everything behind and are now living in Limerick have spoken of how they hope one day to return to their independent country in safety.

Ms Kovner (32) and Ms Zhuk (55), met on their way to Ireland, as they took trains, busses, and hostels in an arduous and emotional five-day journey to safety.

Originally from Donetsk, Ms Kovner told the Limerick Leader that she travelled with just her laptop and documents, having lost her job as a lawyer, after living in the capital of Kyiv the last four years.

I left everything behind. I had no money and couldnt stay. I had friends in Ireland who told me that I could come here, get help and that I would be safe, she said.

Battling with a teary eye, she told of how the journey to Limerick was really difficult on her mental health but that the show of support from people when she arrived, has helped ease some of the pain.

Many of her friends who were living in Kyiv, she said, have made it to the safety of neighbouring countries. She still has some distant relatives in Eastern Ukraine but has lost connection with them.

I have an apartment back home in Donetsk, where I was born, but I dont know if it is still standing, she added.

Ms Kovner and Ms Zhuk, who also fled from the Kyiv region at the end of February, were visiting the Ukrainian Support Centre in Limerick city, to receive their Temporary Directive documents.

These essential documents will allow the pair to work, avail of services and receive benefits from the Irish government, for a period of up to one year minimum.

When asked about the recent atrocities and the worsening of the war back home, Ms Kovner admitted that she finds it difficult to stomach.

All it takes is for me to see a little bit of a headline on the news, and my heart breaks, she said.

The pair, now friends through the pain of similar experience, are staying in temporary accommodation on the Ennis Road, in the north side of the city.

They stressed that they are so thankful for the help of the Irish people and for everything that has been done for them, but they hope one day to return home.

We hope one day to return home in safety, to our independent country and for all of our family to just be okay, the young woman concluded.
THE Food Safety Authority of Ireland has revealed the reasons why a takeaway in a Limerick village was ordered to close last month.

As previously reported, a closure order was served on the operators of OPTP Eatery Limited at the Cross, Knocklong at the beginning of March following a HSE inspection.

The premises was ordered to close on March 4 and the FSAI has confirmed the closure order, under the FSAI Act 1998, was lifted a week later on March 11.

According to documents, just published, the HSE inspector ordered the closure due to the "grave and immediate danger to public health".

In their report, the inspector states the procedures "to control pests" were inadequate and that there was "evidence of extensive rodent activity" in a potato chipping area at the rear of the premises.

The HSE inspector also noted the presence of rat droppings and evidence that loose potato chippings on the floor had been 'gnawed' by rodents.

OPTP Eatery Limited was one of four food premises, across the country, which were ordered to close last month.

Commenting on the publication of the latest reports, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said.

It is simply not good enough that there continues to be such grave and serious disregard of basic food safety procedures. The Enforcement Orders in March show that some businesses are failing to comply with safe food practices that are in place to protect consumers health. In particular, several of the closure orders reference significant rodent infestations. This is not acceptable in any food business at any time, as it poses a serious risk to public health."

Dr Byrne added: "Food businesses need to ensure that they have a strong food safety culture, including correct food safety management procedures in place to ensure pest control and best hygiene practice at all times. Consumers have a right to safe food.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday delivered a pointed warning to China on its alignment with Russia, suggesting potential economic consequences from the international community depending on how it approaches President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

China has recently affirmed a special relationship with Russia," Yellen said in a prepared remarks Wednesday to the Atlantic Council -- an institution established in the 1960s to foster support for collective international security. I fervently hope that China will make something positive of this relationship and help to end this war."

In some of her sharpest comments on China since taking office, the Treasury chief warned that going forward, it will be increasingly difficult to separate economic issues from broader considerations of national interest, including national security."

The worlds attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by Chinas reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia," she said.

President Xi Jinpings government has refrained from joining the US-led sanctions on Russia, while calling for respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has also declared that Russias moves on Ukraine are not comparable at all" to Beijings determination to reunify Taiwan with mainland China.

Territorial integrity

China cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if does not respect these principles now when it counts," Yellen said.

She also reiterated that for nations sitting on the fence" over the international effort to punish Russia, any moves to undermine sanctions would draw the ire of the US and its allies.

The speech comes a week before finance chiefs from across the globe gather -- virtually and in person -- in Washington for the spring meetings organized by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

In the face of moves by Xi to lay out Chinas authoritarian system as a model for emerging and developing nations across the globe, Yellen said the future of the international order" was at stake.

Dollar system

Yellen also rebutted any criticism that the efforts led by Washington to isolate Russia from the dollar-based global financial system were motivated by any one countrys foreign-policy objectives."

The U.S.-led neutralizing of about half of Russias foreign-exchange reserves, and cutting off a swathe of Russian institutions from accessing dollar-based financial infrastructure, has raised questions among some analysts about whether its abusing the greenbacks dominance.

Yellen in her speech suggested, however, that the U.S. and its allies were acting to safeguard international rules, rather than violate them. Russia, instead, is the one thats broken with a global norms, the secretary indicated.

Principled Action

We are acting in support of our principles -- our opposition to aggression, to widespread violence against civilians and in alignment with our commitment to a rules-based global order that protects peace and prosperity," she said.

Washington and its allies were successful in exacting deep damage even after Russias central bank largely removed U.S. dollars from its $640 billion-plus reserves -- power that could potentially encourage some emerging markets to turn instead to other currencies for international trade and finance.

Saudi Arabia reportedly was last month considering accepting yuan payments for oil sold to China, for example.

Yellen also used the speech to call on governments to extend the cooperation shown in punishing Russia to other urgent global projects, from fighting climate change to upping the effort on vaccine distribution.

Modernizing institutions

She urged the IMF and multilateral development banks to be modernized so that they are fit for the 21st century."

Nations also need to consider the governance of the IMF to ensure that it reflects both the current global economy and also members commitments to the IMFs underlying principles and objectives," Yellen said.

The Treasury chief called for larger support for developing countries from development banks, bilateral official donors and creditors and the private sector, including for needed infrastructure and climate objectives.

The response to date is not to the scale needed," she said. Experts put the funding needs in the trillions, and we have so far been working in billions."
ARISS contact scheduled for students in Israel

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is the group that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS).



This will be a direct contact via amateur radio. Students at Rakia - Herzliya Science Center, Herzliya, Israel will ask questions to astronaut Eytan Stibbe, amateur radio call sign 4Z9SPC.



Local Covid-19 protocols are adhered to as applicable for each ARISS contact.

Amateur radio station 4X4HSC will operate the contact.



The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint.



The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for Thursday April 14, 2022 at 13:32 UTC, which is 15:32 CEST.



The event will be web cast on:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gJRBkNXyv5tbMZkmjzi4g



and also on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ_Bvr_z-FQ





School Information:



Eytan Stibbe, the Israeli astronaut, and Ax-1 crew member will travel to the ISS for a ten-day stay during which he will perform dozens of educational broadcasts for Israeli students of all ages. Rakia Mission's educational program was created in collaboration with thousands of students, educators, and many formal and non-formal educational organizations.



One of the educational programs, a joint project with Herzliya Science Center and ARISS, gives 200 Israeli high-school students the opportunity to manage all communication with Eytan while onboard the ISS. The 'Tuval' program in which the students attend, teaches radio transmissions and satellite operations. The students, with help from professional guides, are to operate a ground station in Herzliya in order to make contact with Eytan. They have spent the last few months preparing to take their place as part of the Rakia mission.



The Herzliya Science Center is an educational institute that aims to promote STEM studies among students from kindergarten to high-school (K-12). It is located in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Israel.



Herzliya Science Center already successfully participated at 28 October 2011 as 4X4HSC in an ARISS direct radio contact with Mike Fossum KF5AQG.



The Space Laboratory of HSC has a well-equipped and approved amateur radio satellite station 4X4HSC in place for tracking of LEO satellites and is part of the HSC educational activities. It is supported by local radio amateurs of the Israel Amateur Radio Club (IARC).



Students First Names & Questions (Translation):



1. What did you think and how did you feel when you first saw Earth from space?

2. Do you support SpaceX's mission to Mars? If they announce a mission to Mars, will you agree to participate and why would you be able to do it?

3. Do you think there's life in this universe besides us? What is their shape and do you think we will ever find out if they exist?

4. How does it feel to be zero gravity? Did you suffer from a particular illness or fatigue while in space? If so, how are you doing? Are you concerned that being in space can damage the body?

5. We are aware of the world's huge investment in the construction of space stations and very great efforts. What do you think the reward and contribution of this to humanity is? Is it worth it?

6. How time passes on you when you are on the International Space Station?

7. What's the hardest workout you've ever had to get you ready for space flight?

8. Do you think space should be turned into a major subject (megama) in schools? (lessons learned to be astronauts)

9. Have you always wanted to be an astronaut? How was the process of becoming one?

10. What would you say to yourself when you were 15 or 16? Did you imagine you'd get where you are?

11. How do you want or expect your mission to affect society?

12. Do you think that one day such stations could be used as transit stations to reach other places in the universe, or as an alternative home to Earth?

13. Do you think we as human beings have a role to play in this universe?

14. If you could take one more person (alive or dead) who would you take and why?

15. Does it take time to get used to not being able to do basic actions in space?

16. What will this flight do to you personally and socially?

17. What instruments do you train on at the space station?

18. What thoughts do you have when you look out the window and see the space? Is it scary? Interesting? Imaginary?

19. Do you think space tourism will evolve in the years to come?





ARISS CALENDAR



The ARISS Operations Team meets weekly by telephone conference and much more frequently via e-mail and telephone. Activities coordinated by the ARISS operations team will be announced in this public Google Calendar. These are the ARISS school contacts, HamTV activities (other than blank transmission) and SSTV activities.



Calendar integration features



On this page we show the ARISS contacts calendar in a Google Calendar format.

This calendar allows you to share ARISS contacts with other calendars or it allows you to integrate info about ARISS activities into your own calendar.

https://www.amsat-on.be/ariss-calendar-with-scheduled-contacts-by-the-ariss-operation-team/



About ARISS



Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program.

The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org





TO CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS

Changing the e-mail address for ARISS-Europe News Bulletins takes two steps:

1. Using the old e-mail address, unsubscribe from the subscribers list with the link available at the bottom of each Bulletin.

2. Subscribe with the new e-mail address using the procedure available at

https://www.amsat-on.be/ariss-europe-news-bulletin-mailing-list/





73,

Gaston Bertels ON4WF
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After its Tuesday evening performance, Broadways Aladdin paid tribute to Gilbert Gottfried. Gottfrieds family shared that the comedian died after battling a long illness earlier in the afternoon.

Actor Don Darryl Rivera, who serves as the productions original and continuing Iago, honored Gottfried with a speech during the shows curtain call. Gottfried was the first actor associated with the role of Iago, lending his unmistakable voice to the mischievous macaw in the original 1992 animated film Aladdin.

Wed like to take a moment to celebrate the life of a comedy legend, a funnyman with an indelible voice, the man who breathed life into Iago for the animated film, Mr. Gilbert Gottfried, Rivera said. I, along with five other actors worldwide, have the distinct privilege to bring Iago to life onstage. But I think one of the main reasons this character is who he is is because of what Gilbert brought to the animated film: his comedy and that voice  that voice that the New York Times once said sounded like a busted Cuisinart.

Rivera continued by recounting his own meeting with Gottfried during the early days of the Broadway production.

The curtain had just come down and out comes Gilbert from the wings. He put his arm around me and we snapped a few photos. But then, I pulled out this, Rivera said, before producing a VHS copy of the 1992 film. His eyes lit up like it was the magic lamp itself. He signed it for me and its still one of my most treasured possessions. Gilbert was really kind and sweet and surprisingly soft-spoken. He will be deeply missed by his friends and his family.

Gottfried died Tuesday after battling a long illness. He was 67. His publicist informed press that he died of myotonic dystrophy type 2, a form of muscular dystrophy.

Watch the full tribute to Gottfried below:

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Gustavo Dudamel's transfixing talent is obvious throughout the documentary "Viva Maestro!," a compelling but incomplete look at the prodigious Venezuelan conductor. For all the gusto with which the floppy-haired virtuoso performs before a packed concert hall, Theodore Braun's film captures Dudamel at his most astute during decidedly less glamorous rehearsals.

One example: an early sequence in which Dudamel, now 41, pushes his orchestra to hit the ubiquitous opening notes of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 with precision and aplomb. "When he gives us instruction, he rarely says a technical thing like 'shorter' or 'faster' or 'longer,'" one player says. "It's always, 'I want it to feel like this.'" That speaks to the immeasurable "it" factor that made Dudamel such a wunderkind, as he took the reins of the Los Angeles Philharmonic when he was just 28 years old and helped inspire the Amazon series "Mozart in the Jungle."

"Viva Maestro!" follows Dudamel from 2017, as he prepares Venezuela's renowned Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra for an international tour, through 2018, when he travels to Chile to conduct performances in honor of his late mentor, the music educator and activist Jose Antonio Abreu. But this seemingly conventional portrait has the opportunity to transform into something more nuanced when political and socioeconomic strife plunge Dudamel's homeland into crisis.

Those in tune with the classical music world will know how that played out: Having long separated his artistic clout from his political views, Dudamel spoke out against the repressive regime of President Nicolas Maduro. In retaliation, Maduro's government pulled the plug on tours of both the Bolivar orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, and Dudamel found himself no longer welcome in his homeland.

Braun tries to hit the necessary notes as his film takes an unexpectedly timely turn, but their delivery is flat. Key context about Venezuela's political discontent is skimmed over, and Dudamel himself has little to add beyond recitations of the views he has already shared on Facebook and in a New York Times op-ed. When Bolivar musicians give up their instruments and take to the streets, an illustration of the orchestra's seating chart - with chairs fading away amid the attrition - makes for a powerful visual that gets frustratingly little follow-up. And the death of a teenage violist during a demonstration in Caracas is mentioned in puzzlingly brief fashion.

"Viva Maestro!" fares better in service of what one can only assume was its original intent: shining a light on Dudamel's generational genius and his advocacy for music as an "essential human right," especially among Venezuela's youth. He's particularly passionate about the value of El Sistema, the nationwide music education program founded by Abreu in 1975, and footage of Dudamel engaging with the next generation of musicians is inspiring.

While Dudamel's personal life goes all but unaddressed, his connections with two former Bolivar players - who leave Venezuela's unrest for the stability and musical promise of Berlin - offer insight into the empathetic man behind the flamboyant musician. In fact, their stories are so wrenching that one wishes Braun had broadened the scope to further focus on them and other Bolivar exiles.

But Dudamel does have a knack for seizing the spotlight, and this documentary is no exception. When Dudamel pontificates about music's ability to unify communities and heal the soul, his voice comes through with pitch-perfect emotion. With such a mesmerizing star, one can forgive Braun's film for being a shade off-key.

- - -

Two and one-half stars. Unrated. Contains brief images of violence. In English and Spanish with subtitles. 99 minutes.

Rating guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.
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Il Posto (A Steady Job), which world premiered Tuesday at Visions du Reel film festival, is set to launch in Europe on Franco-German channel ARTE and German broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk in September. The film is directed by Italian duo Mattia Colombo and Gianluca Matarrese, whose Fashion Babylon premiered recently at CPH:DOX.

Il Posto, which is competing in Visions du Reels Grand Angle section, takes the viewer on a road movie between southern and northern Italy alongside Italian nurses in search of a steady job.

The bus service is run by Raffaele, an unemployed nurse who decided to set up his own company to help freelance nurses like himself travel to the north at low cost to pass an exam that will secure them a job in the public health system.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hits, Raffaele sees the number of his clients drop and, with his business on the brink of bankruptcy, he decides to go back and take the test himself one last time.

 Il Posto is a documentary about the mirage of a steady job and the tragedy of a nation grappling with unemployment, Matarrese tells Variety. Its a journey into the heart of a great moral and economic social crisis that, although it is set in Italy, in part reflects a European condition.

The overnight bus journeys and the inhuman mode of recruitment through giant public examinations perfectly embody the social change we are facing. The voice of the nurses is the voice of an entire generation, who make up the emptied, impoverished, devalued workforce. In a changing world of smart working, start-uppers and freelancers, what does it mean to fight for a steady job?, he asks.

While it follows multiple journeys over several years, delving into the intimacy of each characters story, from the young graduate nurse to the disenchanted veteran who has lost all trust in the system, or the single mother struggling to make ends meet, the story is always the same, says Colombo.

Each trip has similar dynamics; the emotional arc is replicated almost identically every time. Even the feelings that move the characters are often similar. And this is why all these overnight journeys, in the end, become a single journey. The end may have the bittersweet taste of defeat but, as in a real road movie, it will bring home our protagonists with a different awareness of who they are, what they dream of and what they want for their future, says Colombo.

Matarrese is currently working on several new projects including a doc set in an elite Paris high school, a hybrid project based on an adaptation of Emile Zolas LAssommoir and another on the psychoanalysis of famous drag queen Miss Fame. Colombo is currently in the editing phase of his new doc Pure Unknown, about a Milan lab where nameless bodies are identified. He is also co-writing and co-directing a fiction crime series based on the writings of renowned Italian forensic scientist Cristina Cattaneo.

Il Posto is an Italian-French co-production between Altara Films and Bocalupo Films with NDR/ARTE and Vosges Television, in association with Milan-based outfit The Family, with the support of Frances CNC, Procirep and SCAM.

Il Posto picked up pitching and doc lab Agora awards at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in 2020, and two further industry awards in Italy (Medimed and the Milano Film Network).

The festival runs in Nyon, Switzerland until April 17.

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The Library of Congress 25 selections to be added to the National Recording Registry for 2022 range from mid-century standards by Nat King Cole and Ernest Tubb to rock classics Bohemian Rhapsody and Dont Stop Believin' to contemporary R&B and hip-hop standard-bearers like Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest  and the most recent inclusion, a WTF With Marc Maron podcast.

Music recordings of enduring renown named to the Registry represent the 1920s, with James P. Johnsons seminal Harlem Strut; the 40s, with country music pioneer Tubbs Walking the Floor Over You; the 1950s, with Duke Ellingtons Ellington at Newport; the 60s, with Coles The Christmas Song and Andy Williams Moon River; the 70s, with Queens signature opus; the 80s, with Linda Ronstadts first Spanish-language album and Bonnie Raitts Nick of Time; the 90s, with Ricky Martins Livin La Vida Loca and Enter the Wu Tang; and the 2000s, with Keys debut album, Songs in A Minor.

Not all of the selections are musical. On the spoken-word/historical side, among the earliest selections is a complete collection of Franklin D. Roosevelts presidential speeches from the 1930s and 40s; among the most recent is a series of WNYC radio broadcasts from 9/11. But perhaps the most surprising inclusion, and an obvious sign of the times, is the first-ever selection of a podcast, with an episode of WTF With Marc Maron that the host did with guest Robin Williams in 2010.

The full list of 2022 selections, in chronological order:

Harlem Strut  James P. Johnson (1921)

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-1945)

Walking the Floor Over You  Ernest Tubb (1941) (single)

On a Note of Triumph (May 8, 1945)

Jesus Gave Me Water  The Soul Stirrers (1950) (single)

Ellington at Newport  Duke Ellington (1956) (album)

We Insist! Max Roachs Freedom Now Suite  Max Roach (1960) (album)

The Christmas Song  Nat King Cole (1961) (single)

Tonights the Night  The Shirelles (1961) (album)

Moon River  Andy Williams (1962) (single)

In C  Terry Riley (1968) (album)

Its a Small World  The Disneyland Boys Choir (1964) (single)

Reach Out, Ill Be There  The Four Tops (1966) (single)

Hank Aarons 715th Career Home Run (April 8, 1974)

Bohemian Rhapsody  Queen (1975) (single)

Dont Stop Believin  Journey (1981) (single)

Canciones de Mi Padre  Linda Ronstadt (1987) (album)

Nick of Time  Bonnie Raitt (1989) (album)

The Low End Theory  A Tribe Called Quest (1991) (album)

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)  Wu-Tang Clan (1993) (album)

Buena Vista Social Club (1997) (album)

Livin La Vida Loca  Ricky Martin (1999) (single)

Songs in A Minor  Alicia Keys (2001) (album)

WNYC broadcasts for the day of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2001)

WTF with Marc Maron (Guest: Robin Williams) (April 26, 2010)

Several of the performers whose works are being inducted issued statements. Said Keys, Im so honored and grateful that Songs in A Minor, the entire album, gets to be recognized as such a powerful body of work that is just going to be timeless.  What is it about (the album) that I think resonates with everybody for so long? I just think it was so pure.  People hadnt quite seen a woman in Timberlands and cornrows and really straight 100% off of the streets of New York performing classical music and mixing it with soul music and R&B  And people could find themselves in it. And I love that.

We are honored to have our work added to the prestigious National Recording Registry amongst so many other astounding works, said Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest. We are humbled and grateful for this acknowledgement. Thank you so, so much.

With these 25, the number of recordings selected the National Registry now numbers 600.

The National Recording Registry reflects the diverse music and voices that have shaped our nations history and culture through recorded sound, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. The national library is proud to help preserve these recordings, and we welcome the publics input. We received about 1,000 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry.

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Sundance Film Festival: London will host an industry program alongside public screenings and events, it has been confirmed, with producer Christine Vachon giving a keynote speech.

Hosted by the Sundance Institute and Picturehouse, the four-day industry event in June will be comprised of roundtable meetings, keynotes, masterclasses, themed panel discussions and daily networking drinks enabling attendees to build their personal networks, understand industry trends, discover new work, and share their own unique storytelling passions with other independent filmmakers.

Attendees will include writers, directors, producers, funders, buyers and sellers with executives from BBC Films, Film 4, Film London, Doc Society, Nowness, Elusian, Bohemia Euphoria, Altitude, Cornerstone, Bankside and HanWay scheduled to speak as well as Alison Owen, Ameenah Ayub Allen, Prano Bailey-Bond, Negeen Yazdi from WME and music supervisor Phil Canning, among many others.

We are so excited to launch our first dedicated industry programme in 2022, said festival producer Wendy Mitchell. People at all stages of their careers are desperate for in-person connection with each other as we come out of the pandemic, and we think Sundance Film Festival: London is the perfect event to bring people together and share knowledge and inspiration. Its been so encouraging to see how many experts from across the industry have already agreed to participate, and of course were so thrilled that such an independent film icon like Christine Vachon will be our industry keynote speaker.

Vachon is of course the U.S. based producer who co-founded Killer Films (Kids, Velvet Goldmine, Boys Dont Cry) alongside Pamela Koffler.

Sundance Film Festival: London runs from June 9  12 at Picturehouse Central.

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Brand executive Rich Santiago has joined Vice Media Group as senior vice president of brand strategy and creative experience, Variety has learned exclusively. He will report to Nadja Bellan-White, Global Chief Marketing Officer, VICE Media Group, who announced the news on Wednesday.

Santiago joins the company from Meta (formerly Facebook), and will partner with Vices existing creative and editorial teams.

VICE Media is an innovative media company that consistently delivers thought provoking and edgy news and content, said Bellan-White. Richs addition to our growing team will elevate our creative work across all VMG brands.

Santiago added that the company continues to skyrocket with their award-winning, impactful content and storytelling. Now, more than ever, I am honored to join this team of creative and thought-provoking minds as we navigate new and exciting frontiers.

Prior to joining VICE Media, Santiago was a creative leader at BBDO Worldwide, Meta (formerly Facebook), Live Nation, the Obama administration and MullenLowe. Throughout his career, hes garnered recognition working with such iconic brands as Google, Starbucks, AT&T, McDonalds, CVS Health and Anheuser-Busch.

Santiago will be based in VMGs headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Vice Media Group encompasses creative scripted and unscripted content studios and distribution arms, as well as editorial operations. These include: Vice News, Refinery29, Motherboard, Munchies, fashion nexus i-D, and the creative agency voices. Under CEO Nancy Dubuc, the company recently took full operating control of the label Pulse Films, behind releases including Pig, Mogul Mowgli and the Sundance player Meet Me in the Bathroom.

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NEW YORK (AP)  As the year began, New Yorkers shuddered at a subway crime straight out of urban nightmares  the death of a woman shoved onto the tracks by a disturbed stranger. The citys new mayor vowed to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system.

But commuters Tuesday morning faced an attack that evoked many riders deepest fears. A rush-hour train car filled with smoke as it pulled into a Brooklyn station. Gunshots  at least 33 of them  rang out, wounding at least 10 people.

Frightened riders fled, and so did the gunman.

Authorities on Wednesday afternoon said they arrested a suspect, Frank R. James, 62, in Manhattans East Village.

Much is still unknown about the attack, but it was a searing reminder of the citys unyielding battle with gun violence and the specter of terror-like attacks that hangs over New York City  and particularly the subway system that is its transportation backbone.

Police and security officials have made many attempts to harden the city against such attacks, putting officers on trains and platforms, installing cameras and even doing rare spot checks for weapons on passengers entering some stations.

Yet the sprawling system, with nearly 500 stations, largely remains like the city streets themselves: Too big to guard and too busy to completely secure.

Public officials say the subway system is crucial to the citys recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, which saw many New Yorker avoiding mass transit during its peak. Typical daily subway ridership fell from 5.5 million riders to less than a tenth of that.

But as more people return to offices, ridership is increasing. On Monday, estimated ridership was 3.1 million, according to the MTA, which operates the system.

Even as the gunman was still on the loose Wednesday morning, commuters like Ana Marrero were on their way again.

You have to be more vigilant of your surroundings. But scared? No, said Marrero, who has taken the subway to work for 30 years. You think of the tragedy and the people that were hurt, but you have no other choice and do what you have to do.

In Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, several riders said they prayed for safety as they returned to the 36th Street station, reopened a day after the shot-up trained pulled into it.

I didnt want to come to work today, said Jonathan Frias, a construction worker, but I had to.

Dan Dzula, who lives four blocks from the station, stayed home Tuesday after receiving an alert on his phone about the shooting. The next day, he encountered a crowded yet quiet platform on his commute into Manhattan.

Its a little spooky, Dzula said. "I have to be here and I want to. No one likes feeling threatened.

Gov. Kathy Hochul posted a photo on social media showing her riding a train after the shooting, and Mayor Eric Adams pledged to increase patrols in subway stations.

We know that this hurts the mindset of many New Yorkers who are afraid of what happened, but were a resilient city. We've been here before, Adams told MSNBC on Wednesday.

Even before the attack, the mayor had vowed to increase subway patrols and launch sweeps of subway stations and trains to remove homeless people using them as shelters.

In a rambling video posted on YouTube, James replayed recent speeches by Adams and Hochul and mocked their efforts to address violence as weak and futile.

Their plan is doomed for failure, James said in the video.

In the 1980s, New York Citys subways were a symbol of urban disorder: graffiti-covered, crime-plagued and shunned by tourists.

Like the rest of the city, though, the subways have since cleaned up their act. Before COVID-19 hit, the main problem with the trains wasnt crime but overcrowding and breakdowns related to aging infrastructure.

After the Sept. 11 terror attacks, New Yorkers learned to live with the worry that the subways or other parts of the city could be a terror target.

In 2017, an Islamic State group sympathizer detonated a pipe bomb strapped to his chest in a subway station near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, injuring several bystanders.

That same year, the city began expanding the use of vehicle-blocking sidewalk barriers after two attacks. In one, a man who prosecutors said was also supportive of IS drove a rented truck down a bicycle path along the Hudson River, killing eight people and maiming others. In another, a psychologically disturbed man drove a car at high speed into pedestrians in Times Square, killing one and injuring at least 20.

In 2016, a man who prosecutors said sympathized with Osama bin Laden set off homemade bombs in Manhattan and New Jersey, injuring some bystanders, before being captured in a shootout with police. And in 2010, a man tried to set off a car bomb in Times Square, only to have it fizzle.

Christopher Herrmann, a former city police officer who is now a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said episodes like Tuesday's are bound to provoke a new round of anxiety, especially among subway riders.

With 9/11, you have a specific target: the World Trade Center, Herrmann said. A lot of people can wrap their heads around that.

But the seeming randomness of Tuesday's attack really invokes a lot of fear and worry, he said, because most people dont consider themselves a target.

Theres a lot of things that happen out of your control, said Alexi Vizhnay, who considered boarding a ferry across the East River after work Tuesday but decided to take his chances on the quicker subway. As tragic as it is, all I can do is remind myself to be vigilant and be cautious.

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Associated Press journalists Jennifer Peltz, Michael R. Sisak, Seth Wenig and Joseph B. Frederick contributed to this report.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli forces on Wednesday shot and killed three Palestinians, including a teenage boy, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued a days-long operation in the occupied West Bank in response to a spate of deadly attacks.

The three deaths, all in separate incidents, were the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has erupted as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan.

In two cases, the Israeli military said its troops fired at suspects who threw firebombs at soldiers during West Bank operations.

But Palestinian officials said one of the two, lawyer Mohammed Assaf, 34, just happened to inadvertently drive into a battle zone in the northern West Bank town of Beita.

The other was a 14-year-old, killed by Israeli army fire in Husan, a village near Bethlehem, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The teen's death is likely to draw international criticism of Israeli military tactics. Earlier this week, the fatal shooting of an unarmed Palestinian woman drew accusations from European officials that the military was using excessive force.

Murad Shtaiwe, a Fatah party spokesman, said Assaf, the lawyer, was driving relatives to school. They passed through an area where clashes were taking place and Assaf was fatally shot, Shtaiwe said.

"What happened today is a new crime," he said.

Also, the Israeli police said that in a joint security operation with the army and Shin Bet intelligence agency, troops arrested four suspects in the town of Silwad, near Ramallah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20-year-old Omar Muhammad Alyan was killed after he was shot in the chest during the Israeli arrest raid.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 18 others were injured as a result of the Israeli military's activities. The military said one soldier was lightly wounded in the clashes and that it arrested 15 people in its raids Wednesday.

Israel has sent troops to comb through Palestinians cities and villages in recent days, looking for suspects or accomplices tied to recent Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Last week, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on a packed Tel Aviv bar, killing three and fleeing the scene, sparking an hours-long manhunt that culminated in his killing by police.

That assault, as well as three other attacks elsewhere in Israel in recent weeks, have killed 14 people, the deadliest outburst of bloodshed against Israelis in years.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass office accused Israel of destabilizing the West Bank, saying the situation has become dangerous and sensitive and is rapidly deteriorating.

On Wednesday, Egypts Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said the Arab state strongly condemned Israels West Bank operations and what he called excessive force against Palestinians. Hafez urged in a statement for containing such growing and accelerating developments, which could lead to further escalation and mutual violence.

The tensions have escalated as Muslims mark Ramadan, which this year converges with major Jewish and Christian holidays. In the coming week as Passover and Easter commence, tens of thousands from the three faiths are expected to stream into Jerusalem's Old City, the emotional heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a frequent flashpoint for violence.

Unrest in Jerusalem during last year's Ramadan escalated into an 11-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian militant groups called on Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Israel to camp out at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque this weekend.

After a meeting with Hamas's Gaza leader Yehiyeh Sinwar, the factions called for mass protests to break the Israeli restrictions recently imposed on the city of Jenin and said militants in Gaza were on alert and ready to take the necessary decisions to protect our land, people, and holy sites.

Israel's government has sought to lower the flames by moving ahead on its plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the holy month. But, with two of the attackers in the recent violence from Jenin and the surrounding area, Israel has tightened restrictions on movement in and out of the city.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants. Israeli forces often come under fire when operating in the area. Even the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank and coordinates with Israel on security matters, appears to have little control.

Israel had made numerous arrests in recent days, and in some cases, Palestinians have protested against the raids. Several Palestinians have been killed in the raids or in response to attacks or attempted attacks.

Late Saturday, Palestinian protesters set fire to a West Bank shrine revered by Jews and smashed part of the the tomb inside. On Wednesday, Israel carried out repairs to the site, known to Jews as Joseph's Tomb, and a day earlier the military said it arrested a suspect linked to the arson. The military said clashes also broke out nearby as the repairs were underway.

___

Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
Key members of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council said Tuesday that the Biden administration hadn't done enough to make good on its promise that 40% of all benefits from climate investment go to disenfranchised communities.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the HBCU Climate Change Conference in New Orleans, the council members said they've secured $14 million from the Bezos Earth Fund for a program called Engage, Enlighten and Empower to hold the Biden administration accountable for carrying out its Justice40 initiative.

President Biden made the commitment in a sweeping executive order on his first day in office. The initiative has been held up as an unprecedented push to bring environmental justice to communities long plagued by pollution and climate inaction.

The three members of the federal environmental justice council leading the $14 million-dollar effort, Beverly Wright, Peggy Shepard and Robert Bullard, have been working closely with the administration on Justice40.

But Wright told members of the press that more needs to be done to turn a novel idea into a project that works."

The trio are combining philanthropic grants from the Bezos Earth Fund, $6 million from Shepard's WE ACT for Environmental Justice, $4 million from Wright's Deep South Center for Environmental Justice and $4 million from the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, to ensure federal funding from Justice40 goes where it's intended, Shepard said.

The effort should ensure equitable implementation of the Justice40 initiative at the state and local level and empower local communities to participate in the policy-making that comes as a result of the initiative, a press release said.

The funds will go to educate grassroots organizations on the resources available to them through Justice40, inform state and local governments on how the money should be used, and develop a screening tool to determine where Justice40 funds are needed most, one that includes racial demographic data. Controversially a federal screening tool used by the administration does not take into account the racial makeup of communities.

There has been little change on the ground yet from the Justice40 pledge because the federal government is still trying to figure out which communities are most in need of the investment. In recommendations to the Biden administration, many reputable environmental justice advocates pushed for a methodical, intentional process for identifying disadvantaged communities and disbursing funds.

At the briefing, Wright and Bullard said they've seen past federal social and infrastructure projects fail to deliver on promises to disadvantaged communities and don't want to see it happen again.

There's been a lot of really novel approaches at changing the lives of Americans in general that have worked out" benefitting just white Americans, Wright said.

Bullard pointed to discrimination in how flood relief was distributed in Texas, where the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice is located, as an example.

__

Follow Drew Costley on Twitter: @drewcostley.

___

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.
Algiers, 13 April 2022 (SPS) - Spain has lost its position as gas hub of the south of Europe, according to the Spanish paper El-Mundo, noting the importance of the gas agreement signed between Algeria and Italy.



By signing an important gas agreement with Italy on Monday, Algeria opts for this friendly country as a big European energy ally to the detriment of Spain which has lost its positions as a gas hub of the South of Europe, said the newspaper.



Italy is becoming estranged, as it never did, from Spain as a big European partner of Algeria in terms of gas, wrote El Mundo on Tuesday, underlining that with this colossal agreement and the energy alliance between the two countries, Algeria opts for this country as a big European energy ally.



Spain received big quantities of Algerian gas, which would have qualified it to become a big gas platform for Europe, said El Mundo.



However, said the source, at a time when the Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi took advantage of Algerias limited additional capacity to increase its gas sales, Spain lost its position as a hub of the South of Europe to supply its partners in the continent.



Draghi, added the article, is different from the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez concerning the issue of Western Sahara and called for a solution respecting the rights of the Sahrawi people.



062/SPS/APS
AUSTIN  Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, this week won 45 awards in the Press Women of Texas' 2021 Professional Communication Contest.

Founded in 1893, the organization champions First Amendment rights, supports women in communication and funds student scholarships.

She swept five categories, earning first-, second- and third-place prizes for her speeches, press releases, advertisements, crisis communication campaigns and page designs.

The senators 17 first-place entries will advance to the National Federation of Press Women's contest, in which they will compete against the work of talented communicators from across the country. She also won 15 second-place awards, nine third-place awards and four honorable mentions in 24 categories.

"I am delighted to receive these awards from the Press Women of Texas, of which I have been a member since 1973," Zaffirini said. "They reflect my longstanding commitment to excellence in communication, especially in my capacity as a legislator."

Notably, her efforts surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Laredo's boil water notice and Winter Storm Uri won first, second and third place, respectively, in the crisis communication category.

"Communicating during emergencies is integral to effectively serving the constituents of Senate District 21," Zaffirini said. "I prioritize sharing timely updates, acting with transparency and adapting to meet their needs."

Of the more than 1,100 awards she has won for her legislative, professional and civic leadership, more than 400 are in communication, including this years 45.

Zaffirini holds Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and PhD degrees in communication from The University of Texas at Austin, where she worked at The Daily Texan as a reporter, feature writer, copy editor, headline writer, assistant editor and special issue editor. The university and its Moody College of Communication named her a Distinguished Alumna in 2003 and 2016, respectively, and she received the UT Presidential Citation in 2013.

Zaffirini, D-Laredo, represents Senate District 21 in the Texas Senate. She has won more than 400 awards for communication projects, including 45 in this years Press Women of Texas Professional Communication Contest.
Bettmann / Contributor via Getty

Were all obsessed with at least one crime doc or miniseries, and now Hulu is premiering a three-part documentary focused on the lives of Merceds famous Steven and Cary Stayner. The documentary, titled Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story, premieres on Hulu on April 21  and each of the trio of episodes drops the same day, so you can either binge-watch away or dole out one episode at a time.

Documentary focused on the lives of Merceds famous Steven and Cary Stayner hulu.com $14.00 Shop Now

The documentary tells the story of then 7-year-old Steven Stayners kidnapping in 1972 by a convicted sex offender, Kenneth Parnell, who would go on to pose as Stayners father as he held him captive. In 1980, Parnell abducted a second child, then five-year-old Timmy White, and Stayner and White were able to break out of the remote cabin Parnell had held them in and hitchhiked to Ukiah. The return was seen as nothing short of a miracle after years of national media attention, and the boys case spawned a book, made-for-TV movie, and way down the line in 2019, a 20/20 episode.
A quiet morning commute on a Brooklyn subway quickly became a 'war zone' leaving more than 20 people injured, NYC mayor says
At the time of the US test, Biden was preparing for a visit to NATO allies in Europe, including a stop in Poland where he met with Ukraine's foreign minister and defense minister.
Louis J. Valery entered into eternal life on May 5, 2022 in his home in Venice, Florida. Born September 14, 1932, in Lockport, NY, Louis was the son of Joseph (Casey) and Frances (Enzinna) Valery Louis spent most of his life in Lockport, NY. He was a member of the first graduating class at t
The Bawm people were animists until about a century ago. But in 1918 the British government started funding and supporting spread of Chistianity amongst them and other inhabitants of CHT and different other parts of North East India.

by Pradip Kumar Dutta

I was excited when I had an invitation to attend a wedding deep inside the Chittagong Hill Tracts. We have a very special bondage with quite a few officials of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board. They include Bangalees and hill people belonging to different tribes,who are the ancient inhabitants of our hills. They include Chakmas,Marmas,Tripuri,Mro,Tanchangya,Khiyang,Lushai,Bawm and others. These fine young men and girls have graduated(some have become even Masters)from different educational institutions of the country and have found an employment in CHTDB that specializes in the developmental work in our hills.

We have been coming to the remote regions of our CHT for more than 20 years now on several occassions a year for execution of different community development projects like medical camps,distribution of warm clothings and blankets,arranging potable water, distribution of educational materials,etc. We come under banners of Rotary and other charitable organizations like Pay it Forward and Honest. To reach and get the envisaged project done flawlessly in very remote areas we get help from these young people every time. They are our partners in service ensuring our safe passage and local support. They have by now become very close family friends. They are of different age groups,some being very young. One such young man is our beloved hard-working Lalrinhsang Bawm. We have known him since last three years as an enthusiastic member of our Community Development projects. With a smiling face he always would appear before you with extended hands of support. He has been in an affair with his fiance for several years and has reminded me every time we talked that I have promised to attend his wedding. Out of affection to this loving young man I always nodded an approval. Finally the day had come. Two months ago,one fine morning Mr Thuisa Ching Marma,one of the CHTDB officers who coordin







ates our activities in the hills informed us that Lalrinhsang's wedding date was fixed and as promised earlier,I have to attend. Lal was expecting me there very much. Thuisa said that he was chalking out a pleasure trip coupled with the wedding for those of us and our associates who wished to join. Lalrinhsang was not in any delay and sent me the invitation card. He also called me and would not hang the receiver until I confirmed my attendance. I had to agree any way but when I heard about the venue I was doubly interested. The wedding ceremony would be in a church at Moonlai Para,a dream destination for all young travellers who frequent CHT nowadays. It is a little short of the legendary Boga Lake and is known as the cleanest village in Bangladesh. As usual,Anjana,my wife and Dr Panna,my friend jumped into the wagon. After all they(of course there are few others) are the ones who render the medical support during our Community Development projects.

Before we come to the celebrations,let us study some history,so that we can know and understand our country better. We will discuss the history of Bawm people of our land now. Bawms live in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh,Mizoram of India and Chin hills of Myanmar. In total they are estimated to be about 50000 in number,the largest portion of the population being in about 70 villages of Bangladesh. They are akin to Lushai,Mizo,Kuki and Chin people and speak a Sino Tibetan language,the script being Latin,that has been adopted less than a century ago. The Bawms are believed to be one of the early settlers of this region which was uninhabited till then. They are thought to have originated somewhere in Yunnan of China and have come to this area by migrating through Chin hills of Burma around 500 years ago. In Bangladesh we find Bawm people in Ruma,Thanchi,Bandarban sadar and Rowangchhari areas. Bawms call their inhabited area as Bawmram(Land of the Bawms) and the very word Bawm means Ties. The whole community is tied together and they love collectivism in all activities.

The Bawm people were animists until about a century ago. But in 1918 the British government started funding and supporting spread of Chistianity amongst them and other inhabitants of CHT and different other parts of North East India. Protestant Christianity in different denomination started spreading it's wings under which many indigenous people including the Bawm found shelter.Presbytarian Church, Evangelical church and Baptist church were the main to flourish. Welsh Missionary Welkins Roberts formed the Thado -Kuki Pioneer Mission in 1913 for preaching Christianity in Mizoram,Manipur and Nagaland. From this mission a new whiteman(Zo sapthar in Bawm language) was sent for a vast area of Tripura,Mizoram and Chittagong Hill Tracts in 1918/9. Rev Rowlands was this new whiteman,their saviour. He was on his way on foot with a friend from their HQ in Manipur and reached a CHT village Vairelh on 12 December,1918. He sprung into action immediately.His first area of operations being three close villages Tlangpi,Fiangpidung and Pankhiang.First three years went in foundation laying and they have termed same as preparatory years. In 1921 3 native preaches alias Patlaia,Lianthawnga and Sonkunga were despatched from Mizoram to assist Rowlands.Soon the first three converts to Christianity from Bawm animism came up from the village Tlangpi. The process continued slow and steady. In 1928 the first meeting was organised in the area for fellowship and worship on 24December and the next day first ever Christmas was celebrated in the hills of Chittagong. On this day 12 converts were baptized.

Encouraged by this success,the Mizoram Church bosses sent two more pastors Ruala and Dala for working in Mru and Bawm areas. They remained Superintendents of their respective areas till 1956 when they were replaced by another white man again. He was Dr P D Samuels,who came with his wife. The couple helped the hilly people with treatment,education and day to day life. Preaching Christianity was of course high on their agenda. They were in those remote places till 1965 when Pakistan government restricted foreigner's movement in the hills.Before then the first churches were already in operation and most of the Bawms and some others from different other tribes embraced Christianity. Now,every Bawm village has at least one church(Presbytarian or Evangelist). Thier hierarchy lies with superior churches in Mizoram and they get theological training and instructions from Aizwal.

Now that we have learnt about the history of the Bawm people,lets concentrate on the trip that we arduously undertook to participate in the wedding being special invitees of the groom himself.

On the due date Dr Anjana and Dr Panna got ready in time and three of us were on the wheels from Chittagong after morning coffee and breakfast. According to plan we had lunch on the way courtesy Dr Panna and crossed Bandarban city in the early afternoon towards Ruma. Meantime, Thuisa and his comrades started on their mo-bikes from different places of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban,Khagrachhari,Rowangchhari,Alikadam,Rangamati,etc.). The aim was to reach Ruma before dark. We did reach in time and got settled in a neat guest house run by a Bawm family,situated near Ruma bazar. The caretaker cum owner knew about our arrival and kept it ready for immediate use. It was okay. In such a place you don't expect star facilities.We had a quick freshen up and tea after which we proceeded to the venue of the wedding which was supposed to commence there at 8AM sharp the next day. It was in our dream Moonlai para, the cleanest and most organised village of Bangladesh. The village was being decorated and prepared for the upcoming grand event. There was festive look all around. The wedding itself would be solemnised in the Presbyterian church but the social part of merry making was to be held in a wide field in front of the bride's house. Her father was the immediate past Chairman of the Union Parishad of the area. It is the base of the local government and as such he was well respected and revered gentleman in the area. To do justice to his name and fame he had chalked out elaborate programme of feast and socio- cultural activities for his invitees from far and near. Many relatives came from remote villages on foot involving long walks and treks. Accomodation was arranged for them. Meantime our associates of CHTDB Mr Thuisa and company also assembled from different directions. We spent some time with Lalrinhsang and his would be in laws supervising the grand gala preparations and decided to spend some quality time in a remote restaurant in the hills not far from Boga Lake. By the way,few have sprung up but they remain open to tourists during the daytime. But ours was a different case. The restaurant served us till about 10pm. We had a relaxing evening adda with the CHTDB boys and girls discussing mostly difficulties of life in the hills and methods of development. It was a mesmerising evening. No body around. Serene nature. Sound of nocturnal birds and insects. Our discussions and occasional laughters. In due time we retired for the night to be ready to get up early in the morning.

Next morning we were in the village again by 8am. The whole village seemed getting ready for the ceremony. All girls and ladies wore their traditional dress of very colourful hand woven Thami/Phanek/Paachhra and corresponding blouse. Men wore mostly suits. Some were in traditionals. The wedding Choir ladies were standing in line in front of the church and were busy in the last minute practice. Finally the zero hour came. We were ushered into the Church by the pastor. The President of the Bawm society gave the welcome address and handed over the proceedings to the Pastors.All the procedure including the Choir music went in their native Bawm language. But we apparently understood everything. Finally the couple was declared Man and Wife unto death. The 150 some audience including ourselves burst into a huge applaud of happiness. Music went on. Baloons were bursted. Everyone took his/her turn in greeting the newlyweds . The joyous atmosphere persisted in the church till about 10am. Then came the real mass celebration for may be two days. Everyone proceeded to the well decorated venue. It was,I suppose made ready for about a thousand guests. The couple took the centerstage and more greetings followed. Simultaneously music both traditional and modern started. Some were singing,some others dancing. By 11am the wedding feast started. The menu included Mutton,Pork,Beef,Chicken,Fish,Vegetables,fried rice and also sticky jhum rice. I have a nuance that in one of the corners there was elaborate arrangement of local liuor called do chuani. Without this alcoholic drink no celebratory feast in the hills is complete. We greeted and blessed the couple,stayed with the maddening celebratory crowd for some time and were whisked off to a neat residence of one of the villagers. Since we would not have felt comfortable with many of the items,it was thoughtful of them to have arranged accordingly. A group of the villagers of both the genders were in attendance while we had our lunch. We discussed their lifestyle,customs, difficulties in life abd developments currently taking place in the hills. They showed us some of their handlooms and Anjana could not resist her temptation to order some. We had to pack up since we had a five/six hours journey back to Chittagong ahead of us.

We went to the merry making venue,greeted and blessed the couple one last time,bade adieu to the relatives and crowd of attendees and set forth towards Chattogram. On our way back we had a few short stops to enjoy the beauty of Nature in the hills including sunset.

This unforgettable experience of an exquisitely arranged wedding ceremony of an ethnic tribe of our country,at such a remote place will remain in my memory for a long time to come.

Let all newlyweds be happy like Lalrinhsang and his spouse. Let the Bawms and all other ethnic minorities of our country be able to practice their culture,language,customs,religion and ethnicity without any hindrance or coercion. This country belongs to all of us. Joy Bangla.
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It has often been said that libraries are the last remaining institutions of society where you leave class, politics, religion, everything at the door. Age, gender, race, money do not place you above or below anyone. Once you step through those doors, you are equal to everyone else in the building.

It was that sense of welcome and belonging that outgoing County Librarian Mary Carleton Reynolds was so eager to instill in the local community when she first walked through the doors of Longford Library in December 1991.

Since then, her welcoming smile, unforgettable colourful power suits and statement jewellery that reflect her bright and joyful personality have been part and parcel of the local Arts scene.

Friendly, enthusiastic and always ready to stop and chat with anyone who crosses her path, the Leitrim woman retired at the start of this month feeling happy with all she and her library team have accomplished.

I always loved books, Mary told the Leader over coffee last week. When I was thinking about college, a lot of people were going into teaching and stuff like that but I just always loved books and was always curious about people.

I went to University in Aberystwyth, which was the place for Librarianship at the time. And I absolutely loved it from the get-go.

Ive always felt that culture is transformative in peoples lives from reading a particular book or poetry or seeing a nice painting, going to a play or whatever. You really just transform everything.

If youre trying to analyse how youre feeling or you want a pick me up, Ive always loved poetry. I love old-fashioned poetry like Yeats. But I also love modern poetry. And it depends on your mood. As a child, I always read and we always loved books in our house, so thats where it all started from.

After qualifying from Aberystwyth University in Wales, Mary started working in Dolphins Barn, Dublin - an area with a lot of challenges where the library was like a beacon.

Meeting children and giving them an experience of storytelling and books I found my calling, Mary reflected.

I was involved in NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency and I just felt that anybody who reads is never bored, never lost. Youre never alone. Its so uplifting.

She soon moved on in her career, moving to Swaziland in southern Africa where she lived and worked for three years.

That was an amazing experience. And again, I worked in the University library there and I was headhunted from there to set up a resource centre to work with women in the most remote rural parts of Swaziland and I loved that. I just love people. We went there for a year and ended up staying for three years, she recalled.

When she came home, she had no desire to return to Dublin, particularly after being away from her family for so long and so she returned to rural Ireland with hopes of working close to home.

Im from Leitrim but my mother is from Longford, so Longford was always our local town. And my dream job was to be a county librarian, Mary explained.

She was only home a week when she got word of a big job advertised in Longford and things very quickly began to fall into place.

I rang up the local appointments commission because it was a national appointment and they said the closing date is Wednesday and this was Monday morning and I hadnt even put together a CV or anything, Mary laughed.

I said I wont have time to get all the stuff in and they said if I put in my application I could let it follow. So I did the interview then and a month or two later, I got word I got the job.

In fact, Mary walked straight into the role of County Librarian - her dream job and a role she has held and cherished for three decades.

I didnt think I had a chance. I thought it was too good to be true, particularly to get a job at that level after jaunting around Africa for three years. I thought that experience wouldnt count.

I was really lucky because the job had been advertised in June and the woman who got the job was from Limerick and she couldnt make up her mind about whether shed move to Longford or not.

Eventually, she decided she wasnt going to move and so the job had to be advertised again and thats how I ended up applying. It was obviously meant to be.

She began her new appointment in December 1991 and loved it from the very moment she walked through the doors.

Longford was a very different place then. It was a big shock to my system coming back and working here after Africa and after working in a very developed service in Dublin, she said.

And I was actually the first County Librarian for Longford because, before that, Longford and Westmeath were a joint library. So I started here and I absolutely loved it from the first day I started working. I had a vision for the service and how we could get involved with schools and community groups.

Mary dove right into the thick of it, bringing communities together, using her experience in Africa and her understanding of culture and the importance of the arts to realise her vision for Longford Library.

I think Longford is a wonderful place. I love this county. I think its a great county and I just think people need to have more confidence in it. And the community spirit of this county is incredible, she said.

And I just discovered wonderful people. The first thing I did was start up a Longford Writers Group and people like Tiernan Dolan got involved in the Writers Group and that was fantastic because there were so many people interested in writing.

My focus was very much on showcasing Longford and Longford people and giving an opportunity to Longford people - young and old - to experience it all.

I remember my first experience of bringing a childrens writer out to one of the Granard schools. I remember the writer - it was Tony Hickey and he wrote a book called the Matchless Mice, she recalled.

I had known Tony in Dublin and I invited him out to Aughnagarron National School and the children mobbed him. He was like a superstar. He was so chuffed.

Some of the children said to me they thought all the writers were dead because they had never experienced meeting a writer.

The Irish writing scene was a very small field. So that really struck a chord with me that people thought they would never meet a living writer. So we started bringing more and more writers to the county and people really responded to that.

Over the years, the arts continued to grow. Five years after Mary took up her role as County Librarian, Fergus Kennedy took up a post as County Arts Officer and the government began to invest more in arts and culture.

And then, of course, you needed to have buildings that were fit for purpose. Soon there was a whole infrastructure in place and Marys vision for the county started to come true, first with the opening of Drumlish Library, followed by Lanesboro. Next, Ballymahon library was opened, followed by Granard and finally, last year, the brand new, state-of-the-art, 4.5m Edgeworthstown Library.

There are so few spaces now where people can meet, where there are no labels attached. Theres no cost involved. And where youre actually bringing culture right into the heart of the community, Mary explained.

You see the difference that the library brings to Ballymahon and its part of the whole regeneration of the town - the same thing with Edgeworthstown. I always say a rising tide lifts all boats, but the fact that theres a space there and people can meet - the library is there for everybody.

Over the years, different programmes were established, such as Creative Ireland, which brought funding to the county, allowing the library to support artists from various fields. Theres the annual Cruthu Arts Festival which sees the town burst into colour. There are various events sprinkled throughout the year which keep the arts very much in the spotlight where they deserve to be.

Then we have the programmes like the Healthy Ireland programme which is all about peoples mental and physical health, said Mary.

The focus on that is very, very important. Then theres the Right to Read programme, which is giving every child an opportunity to read and that was my dream and my vision that every child in the county would get an opportunity to be able to read and experience the joys of reading, not just for school but also for pleasure.

Over the years, Mary has watched new communities arrive in Longford to enjoy and experience what she says is a great quality of life. New groups have formed, giving people the opportunity to meet new people.

At the end of the day, my job was all about people and giving people the opportunity to express themselves in whatever way they wanted, she said.

We have the Older Persons Council, which is fantastic, with such dynamic people who are willing to volunteer. And then people meet each other in the library that wouldnt meet each other normally, so theres that whole network around culture and creativity.

And its all down to the diversity of the people living in the county, she added. Without the people, none of what she has achieved would have been possible.

What Id say more than anything else about Longford is what a great county it is. People say to me you live in Leitrim but your heart is in Longford.

We need to have more confidence in ourselves and what we have because we have a lot of great people here, Mary continued.

We have young writers like John Connell wanting to come back and live here after so many years away and we have lots of young artists living in the county as well and you see the little craft shop opening in Ballymahon and the popup gallery we had a Christmas.

The funding that has come now for culture and the arts compared with when I came here first, I can honestly say its front and centre of everything because theres so much community and giving people confidence in their community.

We have fantastic schools in the county and wonderful teachers and we can achieve so much if we work together. That was one of the things I found. It helped to have that network of people where you linked people to each other.

Sometimes people grab onto the negative things. But there are so many positive things that are happening here. And there are so many really good people who are capable of making a difference, like Gene Rhatigan who does the Cruthu Arts Festival every year and Shane Crossan. We have just some fantastic people here in the county.

And then when you think of our musicians or artists, its been fantastic to be part of all that. That has been what has nourished me down the years.

The Backstage Theatre is a fantastic facility, according to Mary who added Mona (Considine) and the staff are amazing. The local theatre offers us all the opportunity to experience theatre from across the country and from around the world right here in our little county.

When you think of going out for a night in Dublin to the Abbey and the Gaeity and what it costs you, compared with here. Its like a big occasion where you have to dress up and everything, whereas here you just go and you enjoy it and I love that about it. Theres nothing elitist about it. Its very accessible, said Mary.

And thats what we wanted to do with the library, is break down those barriers and make culture accessible to people so you walk into the library and you see an exhibition and theres no big deal about it. And we always try to keep costs to a minimum as well.

So the first thing was to provide that accessible space. And nobody makes any judgements. If you see somebody walking into a library, you cant just say oh, they must be going to do whatever because they could be doing so many different things and thats what I wanted the space to be - a living, vibrant, welcoming space.

Thats what weve been about. You can go into any one of those libraries any time and you could find a mother reading with her child or you could find an older person reading the paper or somebody upstairs involved in an art class. Thats really what was my drive - that it was a vibrant, very much alive space.

The big thing about Longford Libraries is that theyve always been able to pivot, Mary added. As society changed, the library reflected those changes by installing the latest technologies, providing digital skills, banishing the old-fashioned idea of a library being a shhh place with a stereotypical librarian behind a desk stamping books. In fact, the staff are extremely friendly.

At the heart of everything we do is our staff. We have three MyOpen Libraries, which means the library is open seven days a week from eight oclock in the morning to ten oclock at night, Mary explained.

There are a lot of people who want to use the space. If you were to go in and find a nice space on a Sunday to either read or get your printing done or your copying, youre able to do that.

And the staff really are there to engage with people and help people with activities and all that, not just checking books in and out. So its not that old-fashioned idea of the librarian behind the counter stamping books or whatever. That whole thing has gone.

The things that have given Mary so much joy over her career are the number of people who use the libraries now, the wonderful connections that have been made with community groups and how the libraries have been able to showcase the creativity in the town and the county.

The removal of all barriers is another achievement that brings her great pride. Fines and charges have been banished which has been a huge step forward for libraries, encouraging members of the public to enjoy the facility without concern.

Then the whole area of mental health, she said. I would say books are the medicines of the mind. Or writing. I find if something is bothering me, I write it down and suddenly the problem is no longer there because when you actually write it down and think about it and analyse it, it helps.

The thing about reading too is I think it makes everything more analytical. We need to think a little bit more. I worry about people who just take the headline from the phone or the iPad. And so many times, people dont analyse the problem.

But there are some wonderful people who have added to the county. And the majority of people are good people. Theres a very small minority of people causing trouble.

When I saw the headline the other day about the stabbing in Longford I thought it was just so unfair because you have one or two bad people who can bring the whole county into disrepute.

There are so many groups of good people that you couldnt even have imagined 30 years ago. So the county has been transformed out of all recognition and people need to focus more on that rather than the negative things. Great things have happened because people came together.

Mary admitted to being blown away in the last few weeks by the well wishers as she bids farewell to what has been her dream job. With approximately 200 cards from people who have received help or support from her over the years, she is, perhaps, beginning to see the impact she has had on this county.

It has been very emotional over the last couple of weeks. But it has been emotional because of the people and the different people that have come forward and said such nice things, she said.

But that was just my job. I only ever did my job. And when you work in the public service, youre a public servant. Its all about service.

She was also quick to praise the council and local councillors who have always been supportive of her vision.

We wouldnt have the infrastructure if the Chief Executive didnt support it, she said. Nor would we have such a thriving library service without the support of the elected members.

And then, the staff. What makes the service is the welcome that people feel. And thats the frontline staff. Thats not me. And down through the years, Ive had fantastic people. Its the team.

But Ive always felt that people bought into the vision that I had for the service. And now when you see the regeneration of the county - its a real source of pride for me to see that the library is seen as the focal point or the catalyst really for the new generation.

Its a trusting space. Its so important. And weve never been political. Were always very non-judgemental. The labels and the barriers are left at the door when youre coming in.

And then you have wonderful people like Jude Flynn who launches his book every year in the library. It was part and parcel of what we did. And Paddy Egan came into me the other day and said, well you were always a daycent auld shkin, Mary laughed.

And that is the best comment I could get, that Im a daycent auld shkin. But these are all the characters. You meet such interesting people.

And that creative gene thats there has been whats kept me alive and kept me young - being surrounded by creative people. Anything that I could ever do to help or encourage or maybe give somebody a little bit of guidance, I felt that was very much part of my role as well.

But Mary has no intention of saying goodbye to all that. As she said herself, her heart is in Longford and so the county can expect to see her enjoying the rich culture she helped nurture.

Im leaving happy. Im very sad because Ill miss the people but Im really looking forward to having a bit more time to enjoy all this theatre and music and all the different things, just to be a spectator as opposed to being mixed up in the middle of it, she said.

Mary has always had an extremely busy schedule - and thrived on it. But now, as she settles into retirement, she admits to having no major plans. And who deserves a break more than she?

For the first time in my life, since I was 18, when you start planning for work and college and everything, Ive decided not to make any plans. Ive decided to enjoy being just like this, she said.

Ill make it up as I go along and spend time with family and friends and just enjoy the simple things. Ive been studying or working all my life. This is me time.
Members of Longford County Council have slated the current legal system and local judges for granting bail and legal aid to criminals charged with repeat violent offences in Longford town.

At today's council meeting, anger and outrage were expressed at the frequency with which judges grant bail and free legal aid to perpetrators of extreme violence in Longford.

Cllr Paraic Brady brought a notice of motion before his council colleagues at today's meeting, calling on Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to carry out an immediate review of the Free Legal Aid System in Ireland.

"People are just bewildered at what has been going on in Longford and our judicial system isnt dealing with or helping the problem," he said.

"I want to make this quite clear - Im not against free legal aid. However, when you have serious crime and serial offenders abusing the free legal aid system - which is happening in our courts, not only in Longford but all over the country - the problem is the taxpayers of Ireland are paying this bill.

"There are some solicitor firms making huge amounts of money off the free legal aid system and its a business. But the system is broken," he added.

"When you see people coming in on numerous occasions, getting free legal aid, and back in front of the court system again and the guards bring them back in and they look for free legal and more free legal aid, the system isnt working and it cant work.

"Theres no incentive for the guards or for anybody to take these people in because theyre on free legal aid, theyre on a gravy train the whole time from when they go into the court until they leave the court."

Cllr Martin Monaghan, in support of the motion, revealed a staggering 70m was paid out in legal aid fees in Ireland last year., which he said was "an abuse of the system".

"There were 1,550 legal aid certs issued every week last year. That was up a hundred certs per week from the year before. And we were in lockdown," he said.

Councillors also condemned the term "feuding", stating that the crimes that have been recently committed in Longford are "attempted murder" and "assault".

"This is serious, serious criminal activity that doesnt have a place in any civilised society and it doesnt have a place in Longford. And I would absolutely hate to think that Longford is defined by these people," said Cllr Seamus Butler.

"If I went down to my business today and brought a knife and attacked somebody, its attempted murder as far as Im concerned. Thats the bottom line," Cllr Monaghan agreed, stressing that criminals are "laughing" at hardworking Gardai as they walk out of the courtroom after being granted bail for such attacks.

Cllr Gerry Warnock hit out at the judges who are granting bail to those who are repeatedly committing violence offences in Longford.

"You pull a weapon on someone to do harm to them, its attempted murder - how could you in any conscience let someone like that loose on society again?" he fumed.

"And I do agree that the use of the term feuding is nearly sanitising the whole issue here. Its criminality and serious criminality at that and its about time our legal system woke up to the realities of crimes, not only in Longford but in Ireland."

Meanwhile, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Peggy Nolan stressed that criminals should have to "forfeit their rights" if they become involved in such violent crimes against another person, "because you have taken their rights away when you set out to cause the harm that youre being charged with".

Cllr Garry Murtagh, in his address to the chamber, chose to tackle the term 'feuding' directly, imploring the media to stop using a term that "desensitises" what is really going on in Longford.

"Its attempted murder and its assault. And thats really all it is, bottom line," he said.

"Theres no such thing. Feuding is ridiculous. There are other ways to deal with stuff like that other than going into the public and creating mayhem for ordinary, decent people."

For a full report, see next week's Longford Leader.
Plans to ban the sale of turf from September have been "paused", Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said this evening.

The controversial plan caused uproar across rural Ireland to an extent that Cllr Colm Murray was permitted to bring an emergency notice of motion before a meeting of Longford County Council this afternoon.

The motion called on Longford County Council to write to the leaders of the three government parties demanding that ministerial regulations which propose to ban the sale of turf are not enacted.

A lengthy discussion, in which the motion was wholly supported, was held among councillors this afternoon.

Senator Micheal Carrigy has welcomed the statements from An Tainiste Leo Varadkar at tonight's Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting in relation to the proposals regarding turf cutting.

Senator Carrigy raised his objection to any such proposal at the meeting. Any decision will be paused for further consideration and he also pointed out that these proposals find not form part of the Programme for Government.
A murder investigation has been launched, after the body of a man was discovered in Co Sligo on Monday.

The victim has been named locally as Aidan Moffitt.

Gardai confirmed on Tuesday evening that they were investigating whether he met his attacker online, as it was confirmed that a murder investigation has begun.

They are also investigating whether there was a hate-related motive involved in the murder.

Irish police were called to a house at Cartron Heights in Sligo at around 8.30pm on Monday, after a body was discovered.

The victim had sustained what gardai called significant physical injuries.

The scene remains preserved and a technical and forensic examination is continuing.

The body of Mr Moffitt was removed on Tuesday afternoon to University Hospital Sligo and a post mortem will be carried out by the state pathologist.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

In particular, anyone in the Cartron Heights or the general Cartron area on Monday afternoon up to 8.30pm with any potential information is being asked to contact gardai.
Others, Local News

By Long Island Published: April 13 2022

The Nassau County Legislative Majority joined with Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Upper Brookville Mayor Elliot Conway to announce a local law to provide another tool for the county in its fight against the rising ...

Today the Nassau County Legislative Majority joined with Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and Upper Brookville Mayor Elliot Conway to announce a local law to provide another tool for the county in its fight against the rising theft and illegal resale of catalytic converters.

Under this law, all businesses buying catalytic converters will be required to obtain information from the seller, including their ID, copy of title, and the make, model and vehicle identification number of the vehicle the part came from. Businesses will be required to keep these records for 5 years of the purchase date and they must be made available for inspection, upon request, by the Nassau County Police Department and Consumer Affairs within 72 hours after date of purchase.

There has been a sharp increase in catalytic converter thefts nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. A catalytic converter is a device that looks like a small muffler along with the exhaust system. It is designed to convert the environmentally hazardous exhaust emitted by an engine into less harmful gasses. To do this, manufacturers use platinum, palladium, or rhodium, making them valuable to scrap metal businesses and more prone to theft.

With theft of catalytic converters on the rise in Nassau County and throughout the country it is important that we provide our law enforcement with as many tools as possible to stop this activity, Presiding Officer Nicolello said. This legislation is designed to make it more difficult for thieves to profit from their illegal acts.

Crime statistics show that the most common catalytic converter thefts are from Prius, Toyota, Lexus, and Honda Accord models. The cars tend to be parked on streets or in parking lots. Thieves have even gone after new cars in car lots.

Catalytic converter theft has been an epidemic in Nassau County, especially among certain makes and models of cars, Legislator Bill Gaylor, one of the legislations co-sponsors said. By reducing the number of places thieves can sell the parts stripped from catalytic converters, we are putting a dent into their system. Further, by providing the police and consumer affairs with the information necessary to track down the sellers in case the parts were stolen, we have given law enforcement the necessary tools to make Nassau County safer.

The cost to replace a catalytic converter can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 and experienced thieves can crawl under your car and cut out the catalytic converter and be gone in under two minutes. The car will still run without a catalytic converter, but it will not be able to pass a yearly inspection.



This new legislation will make it much more difficult for catalytic converter thieves to profit from their work and will act as a deterrent to all car thieves, Legislator John Giuffre, one of the legislations co-sponsors said. It will also give our law enforcement the necessary tools needed to track down stolen parts and the people who sell them. Let it be known, we will not tolerate this in Nassau County.

The most common signs your catalytic converter has been stolen include loud noises coming from the vehicle, less torque, your check engine light being on, and extra components visible under your car. In 2022 alone there have already been 348 incidents of catalytic converter theft. Commissioner Ryder says investigations are ongoing and there have been 5 arrests so far.

In my district, car thefts and break-ins have gone on the rise, Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation said. This bill will help deter criminals from being able to sell catalytic converters, thus making them less popular to steal. The law will not eliminate car thefts entirely though, and I still urge residents to always lock their vehicles and take their key and any other valuables with them.

This new legislation will go through the Legislative Committees and full Legislature in May.

This new legislation will assist the Police Department with an increase of mandatory record keeping regarding the sale of Catalytic Converters. By collecting this important data, we will be able to better track the items during investigations, stated Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. To better protect yourself against theft, all residents should try and park their vehicles in a well lite area and call the police immediately if they see any suspicious persons or vehicles.

Additionally, the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) recently issued a public alert concerning an increase in stolen automobiles and vehicle break-ins. The thefts are occurring at all times of the day and night especially involving cars that have been left unlocked and the key FOB left in vehicles equipped with a push button start. In some more modern vehicles, when key FOBs are left inside the car, the mirrors remain standing out; when the FOB is removed from car, mirrors automatically fold inward. Thieves look for these signs as a way of knowing whether they can get into your car.

While NCPD are constantly on patrol, it urges the public to be vigilant by practicing the following safety tips to help safeguard your vehicle:

Always lock your vehicle, even when its parked in your driveway.

Park in your garage when possible. If not, park in your driveway rather than on the street.

Remember to lock your garage.

Always take your keys or FOB with you.

Never leave or hide a smart key, valet key, or spare key in your vehicle.

Never leave your car running, while unattended or unlocked.

Park in well-lit areas.

Keep the exterior of homes and driveways well illuminated.

Close all your vehicle windows completely when parked.

Consider installing a GPS system, a visible anti-theft device or an audible alarm.

Never leave valuable personal property in your vehicle.

Also, secure your garage door opener to prevent access to your home.

Car thefts are attractive to criminals because it is a lower risk crime. When a thief enters your unlocked car, rummages through your belongings, and leaves with nothing, it becomes nuisance criminal activity and is very difficult to effectively prosecute. However, if thieves get just a few successful thefts of possessions in a particular neighborhood, that area remains a recurring attractive target.

Remember, if you see something, say something. Dial 9-1-1 and be ready to provide the police with as much information as possible regarding the description of the suspicious person or vehicle. License plate numbers are extremely valuable for the police if you can capture that information.
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From the moment he watched the quesabirria trend explode on social media, chef Julio Salazar knew he had to put Mexicos white-hot tacos on his menu.

The owner of Bohemian Latin Grill in Fort Lauderdale watched newsfeed clips of the tantalizing tacos on repeat: Deep-fried orange corn tortillas, stuffed with shredded beef and chihuahua cheese  with blistered queso dripping down the sides  being dunked in slow-motion into a deep-red broth of rich complexity.

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I swear I could smell birria through the phone, recalls Salazar, a Salvadoran who runs Bohemians flagship on Galt Ocean Mile with his brother, Jose. Im not Mexican but I told my brother, Listen, this is trending, so lets mess around with a recipe and put it on our menu. "

The Salazar brothers watched YouTube tutorials last August and experimented. They made their version of quesabirria a permanent menu item in March when their second Bohemian opened on Commercial Boulevard.

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The Salazars werent the only ones. Chefs at local taquerias and pan-Latin eateries, mystified but encouraged by the Instagram and TikTok trend, added the savory handhelds to their menus to boost badly needed sales in the pandemic. Now quesabirria, for many, is their hottest-selling menu item.

Between the crunch and the juices, its a delicious, greasy bite, says Salazar, who goes through 240 pounds of short rib a week. Being Salvadoran, we use corn for pupusas, and quesabirria is like a pupusa with cheese, only thinner. And yet, its crazy, it sells more than any other item. It boosted sales for us at a time when the pandemic was hurting.

Quesabirria may be trendy now, but birria (pronounced bee-ree-ya) has been around since conquistadors landed in Mexico 500 years ago, says Karla Gutierrez, chef and co-owner of Casa Monarca Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Fort Lauderdale. Around Jalisco, Mexico, where she grew up and where its traditionally prepared, birria is goat or lamb stew massaged with spices and cooked slowly in a clay pot sitting at the bottom of a freshly dug pit. Cooks would cover the pot with cactus leaves, which dripped juices into the broth. Finally, the birria would be piled into soft, handmade flour tortillas, and served for breakfast  or family celebrations like quinceaneras and weddings, she says.

That was until 2019, when young Mexican-American entrepreneurs in Los Angeles and Tijuana turned birria into a cheesy, deep-fried experience. It was birria in quesadilla form  and they called it quesabirria, adds Francisco Rosa, chef-owner of La Cabana Latin Grill in West Palm Beach. They swapped flour tortillas for corn because it crisped better. They replaced lean goat with fattier beef, which was more palatable for American tastes. They deep-fried the tacos on the griddle until they achieved a hard crunch, added rivers of Mexican cheese and repurposed the au jus as a dipping sauce.

TACOS DE BIRRIA are now available ALL DAY EVERYDAY !! Stop by and get yours. Delivery also available on all delivery platforms. #AutehticMexican  #Birria #TacosDeBirria #ShortRibTacos #Consome #Quesatacos #Davie #SouthFlorida Posted by Davie Taco Bar on Thursday, October 28, 2021

The taco wasnt just about the birria anymore. It was the combination, Rosa says. When I saw they were crunchy, and people on social media were explaining the adventure of dipping, the cheese dripping out, the birria juices when they dip it into the broth, it was a whole new experience.

When Juan Cedenco, co-owner of Davie Taco Bar, put quesabirria on his menu last November, his video introducing the taco gained 125,000 views.

This trend isnt going anywhere, he says. We cant stop selling them.

Here are 10 restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties that recently added quesabirria to their menus.

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Casa Monarca Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

2980 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-765-6864, CasaMonarcaFL.com

A cocktail bar, brass candelabras and trendy paintings of women in sugar-skull makeup distinguish this clubby Mexican restaurant and spirits hub, which opened in March. Monarca comes from co-owner Karla Guttierez, who uses flank steak, which braises for five hours. Gutierrez grew up outside Jalisco, the birthplace of birria, and uses a closely guarded family recipe for the broth that includes overripe tomatoes (right on the edge of being not good, she says), ancho and guajillo chilies, ginger, oregano and garlic salt. Its a twist on how they serve it in Mexican border towns, and made for American palates who arent used to goat or lamb, says Gutierrez, who also runs a pair of restaurants in New Hampshire. Monarcas version of quesabirria tacos ($15) are three soft corn tortillas filled with shredded steak, a cheddar-American cheese blend, red onions and cilantro. All tacos are dunked in red consomme before theyre fried to a crisp. Next, theyre plated with sides of Mexican rice and refried beans. In the dining room, the shredded beef had a chewier texture than most birria de res  likely because this cut of beef is less expensive  and its spicy consomme tasted savory, albeit more oily than rich. Off-menu tip: Monarca will also give the birria treatment to burritos on special request.

La Union Mexican Bakery and Restaurant

7796 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs; 954-757-0702, LaUnionMexicanBakeryandRestaurant.com

Inside La Union, a gigantic plywood cabinet near the entrance is stacked with every carbohydrate you can imagine: guava-stuffed empanadas, conchas (sweet bread rolls shaped like shells), slices of Nino Envuelto (a coconut-topped jelly roll), sugar cookies dyed the colors of the Mexican flag. Customers grab metal tongs and load up pastries on red cafeteria trays lined with wax paper. In short, this hidden gem of a panaderia feels like the last place that might hop aboard the birria bandwagon, and yet owner Alicia Nieto put them on her menu last fall, after hearing about Instagrams latest taco craze. (You wont find it advertised on La Unions menu or website, though; those were updated last year before she added birria). La Unions lone version of quesabirria ($12.99) comes with four fried corn tortillas on a white plastic tray, served with Mexican rice, red consomme and veggies. Unlike most South Florida taquerias that stuff birria tacos with cilantro, diced onion and lime by default, La Union leaves it on the side. But dont ignore them: The light cilantro-onion crunch is a bright counterbalance to the rich, savory birria dipping sauce.

Quesabirria empanadas with red consomme at The Gringo in Delray Beach on Monday, April 11, 2022. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

The Gringo

916 SE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach; 561-455-2533, TheGringoDelray.com

This Argentinian-owned takeout eatery does empanadas in many trendy configurations  lobster mac n cheese, Cubano, even dulce de leche  but owner Alan Brown had no idea that birria empanadas would account for 80 percent of his sales. Since he opened in March, Brown has sold 2,500 of them. The chef (formerly of Polo Club in Boca Raton, 3rd & 3rd in Delray Beach) says the riskiness of the pandemic ruined his idea for an empanada wholesale business, but his 700-square-foot storefront with a takeout window let him experiment. You can make anything with empanadas, he says. And with birria, everyone makes their own style these days. Brown uses ground chuck, which simmers in a pot of broth for six hours with four chilies, coriander and cumin. Next he stuffs it into baked empanadas with a blend of oaxaca, blanco and mozzarella cheeses, and serves it with consomme dip ($4.45 apiece, $10 for two and a drink, $49.99 for a dozen).

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Papamigos

44 NE First St., Pompano Beach (food truck) and 6370 N. State Road 7, Unit #120, Coconut Creek (storefront); 954-729-9269, Papamigos.com

Lauren Grosso and Brian Faeths food truck, parked at Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard since 2020, serves Mexican-Asian fare (what its owners have dubbed Mexi-crasian) led by a bold-flavored mashup: birria ramen. At Papamigos, birria is braised for six to eight hours in a rich consomme (cabbage, cilantro, dried chilies, onion, carrots, other spices), then piled into three handmade, deep-fried corn tortillas topped with melted mozzarella cheese ($16). Those tacos can be ordered solo, with a cup of spicy, deep-red birria consomme, or customers can add wavy ramen noodles, a savory flavor bomb in the broth ($20). Meanwhile, birria nachos ($18) are smothered in queso, sour cream, cilantro, chipotle mayo, pico de gallo and a generous pile of shredded Mexican cheese.

Quesabirria tacos with red consomme at Bohemian Latin Grill in Oakland Park on Monday, April 11, 2022. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Bohemian Latin Grill

1199 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park, 954-530-8102; 3341 NE 32nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-809-5878. BohemianLatinGrillFll.com

In March, Salvadoran brothers Julio and Jose Salazar added quesabirria tacos to their two Bohemian Latin Grill restaurants. Although hes witnessed traditional birria being cooked in Mexico before, Julio put it on Bohemians menu after seeing the flurry of birria food porn invading his Instagram feed. I was like, We should create something similar, the chef-owner recalls. The only difference is we use short rib instead of lamb, because not a lot of Americans are used to lamb. His tacos de birria ($15.99) begin with short rib braised for seven to eight hours, low and slow, in a rich adobo that includes ancho chilies, star anise, tomato paste and lager beer. Melted Oaxaca cheese and a dusting of cotija cheese, fresh onions and cilantro top the handhelds  the same as La Burrita ($17.99), a flour birria burrito stuffed with a double portion of short rib.

Jenny With the Pot

Pop-up at Broski Ciderworks in Pompano Beach, Yeasty Brews in Lauderhill, and Craft Beer Cellar and LauderAle in Fort Lauderdale; 754-213-1313, check Facebook.com/JennyWiththePot for weekly schedule

If you detect the aromatic sizzle of cheesy tacos outside the taproom, chances are it belongs to Jenny With the Pot, a birria stand thats popped up at Broward and Miami-Dade breweries over the past year. Here youll find chef Venecia Jenny Africa, wearing her signature black bandana, flipping quesabirria tacos on the flattop until theyre dark red-orange  the perfect color, she says, as important as their crispiness. Her birria is a short-rib blend. As her corn tortillas fry on a puddle of red consomme, chihuahua cheese drips out, blistering against the outer shell like cheese on a well-done pizza. Its got to be extra crispy on the outside so it doesnt fall apart as you hold it, while staying juicy on the inside, Africa explains. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, she emigrated to South Florida six years ago after graduating from the citys Chefs Training and Innovation Academy. When Africa and her partner, Keith Guzah, saw birria trending on social media last year, she watched YouTube videos and learned how to re-create the dish, and debuted her pop-up outside breweries that dont serve food. Now she sells 1,200 tacos a week. A standard order ($10.99 and up) comes with two quesabirria tacos topped with onions and cilantro, and a clear condiment cup of red consomme dipping sauce (served mild or spicy). Birria ramen ($16.99) is also available.

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El Primo Red Tacos

801 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach; 502-230-4567, ElPrimoRedTacos.com

The long pandemic shutdown of Miami-area restaurants forced Frank Neris Mexican seafood restaurant PEZ to close in early 2020, but he pivoted with a hot taco trend: birria. His El Primo Red Tacos pop-up in Miami proved a hit with takeout crowds, where he sells more than 1,000 pounds of birria a week, and now hes planning a storefront to open in Hallandale Beachs trendy Atlantic Village in May or June. Neris quesabirria ($9 for two tacos) is braised for 16 hours in a brick-red soup of chili pepper, garlic, cumin and bay leaves. Birria is then piled into fried corn tortillas and served with a red consomme for dipping. It takes two shifts of people working at the restaurant to prepare one batch over 15 hours, Neri says. The recipe was brought by one of our cooks from Tijuana, and we tweaked it a bit. Until it opens, El Primos Miami flagship (20 W. Flagler St.) also serves birria ramen ($14) and huesitacos ($7 each), which include bone marrow, along with birria smash burgers as a special on Fridays.

The quesabirria tacos with a cup of red consomme from Davie Taco Bar on Friday April 8, 2022. Birria is slow-braised beef simmering in a pot of red chile, then shredded and tucked into fried. cheesy corn tortillas, and served with a dipping-sauce cup of red consomme. (Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Davie Taco Bar

13040 W. State Road 84; 954-530-4321, Agave-TacoBar.com

This strip-mall taqueria in western Davie used to be called Agave Taco Bar until co-owner Juan Cedenco bought it three years ago and changed the name. His taqueria struggled for customers in the pandemic until quesabirria tacos blew up on social media. He knew birria as a common Mexican stew but hed never seen people taking the meat out of the soup and putting it in deep-fried tacos, he says. After his quesabirria video went semi-viral on Instagram last November, customers streamed in. The taco bars short-rib birria is served with cheese ($11.99 for three) and without ($10.99), and made in a pressure cooker over two hours. A cooker gives you the same tenderness but its way faster than letting it braise in a pot all day, Cedenco says. We have so many taco meats and fillings, so we have to optimize time.

Roccos Tacos

Multiple locations from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Gardens; RoccosTacos.com

Chef Rich Garcia, the culinary director for Roccos Tacos, had been thinking about adding brisket tacos to the menu in late 2020 when one of his sous chefs shared a birria video from Instagram. So, with help from Big Time Restaurant Group chef Lisbet Summa (Elisabettas), Garcia experimented, marinating brisket overnight for at least 12 hours. Next, the brisket is pan-seared for smoky flavor, then added to an adobo of guajillo, morita and ancho chilies, roasted tomatoes and garlic, carrots and cinnamon cloves for nine hours. I look at this dish as Mexicos French dip sandwich, Garcia says. Its worthless without the au jus. Thats why its so Instagrammable. Its colorful and hits all those savory markers: cheesy, crunchy, greasy. Because Roccos is a chain, and Garcia wanted to be mindful of dairy allergies, birria tacos come without cheese by default ($20.50 for three white corn tortillas topped with pickled red onions, crema and lime) and with for $1 extra. Roccos also serves birria ramen ($23).
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(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust PLC - investor in sustainable listed growth companies - Net asset value total return for year ended January 31 is 2.9% compared to benchmark total return of 16%. NAV per share increases 1.8% to 364.6 pence at year-end, from 358.2p a year before. Proposes final dividend of 1.5p, bringing total to 4.2p, unchanged from the prior year. "Most of the underperformance occurred in January 2022 at the end of what was a year of high volatility in stock markets when at times more cheaply rated value stocks have at times led the market," the company explains.

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Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC - London-based fund investing in energy storage assets - Raises GBP150 million via issue of 136.4 million new ordinary shares at 110 pence each in initial placing, initial offer for subscription and initial intermediaries offer. " Institutional and retail investor demand was considerable and substantially more than GBP150 million was raised in the initial issue and was therefore subject to scale back," the company says. Net proceeds will be used towards Gore Street's pipeline of 1.3 gigawatt projects.

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Power Metal Resources PLC- London-based metals exploration company focused in North America, Africa and Australia and Red Rock Resources PLC - natural resource development company with interests in gold and base metals in Africa and Australia - Announce that joint-venture subsidiary New Ballarat Gold Corp PLC's first phase of diamond drilling is complete at Victorian Goldfields, Australia. "Initial results received confirm that two gold-bearing lode structures have been intersected at the O'Loughlin's Prospect, including 0.4 metres at 12.34 grams per tonne gold from 75.7 metre downhole, and 0.5 metres at 1.44 grams per tonne gold from 50.6 metre downhole from hole OL21D002," the companies say. Preliminary molybdenum and bismuth results from Mount Bute suggest bigger targets for intrusive related gold mineralisation than first thought, they say.

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MJ Hudson Group PLC - London-based asset management consultancy - Reshuffles leadership as Geoffrey Miller, current senior independent director to become non-executive chair from May 1, with current Chair Charles Spicer replacing Miller as senior independent director. Until recently, Miller was chair of Globalworth Real Estate Investments Ltd. Odi Lahav, the company's chief operating officer joins the board.

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Boku Inc - London-based mobile payments - Its M1ST platform launches real-time payments for PromptPay and K Plus in Thailand, reaching over 100 million consumer accounts in the country. "Allowing business customers to pay for their digital advertising directly from their banking app is already demonstrating the B2B use cases that exist for real-time mobile payments," explains Chief Executive Officer Jon Prideaux.

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Intercede Group PLC - cybersecurity software firm with offices in Virginia, US and Leicestershire, England - Names Nitil Patel as new chief financial officer from next Tuesday. Patel was previously interim CFO at D4t4 Solutions PLC, and CFO of Merit Group PLC. Before those appointments, he served as CFO of Zinc Media Group PLC. Outgoing Andrew Walker will remain as a director until June to ensure a smooth transition, Intercede says.

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Pathfinder Minerals PLC - Mozambique-focused natural resources explorer - Considers options regarding its legal dispute with the Mozambique government, including conventional litigation funding arrangements, through to a full acquisition of the claim via disposal of its wholly-owned subsidiary IM Minerals Ltd. "Whether the company pursues a claim itself or disposes of IMM, the board intends to pursue other opportunities within the minerals sector which are under detailed review," says Chief Executive Officer Peter Taylor.

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PureTech Health PLC - Boston, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotherapeutics - Says founded entity Akili Interactive Labs Inc publishes findings from Stars-MDD clinical trial for AKL-T03 depression treatment in the American Journal of Psychiatry. "Results of the study demonstrated that the addition of AKL-T03 to antidepressant therapy significantly improved sustained attention in adults diagnosed with MDD compared to the control," Puretech says. Also announces publication of research from collaborators demonstrating its Glyph platform enhances oral absorption of Buprenorphine, a drug used for pain management and opioid replacement therapy. The paper is published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology journal.

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Calnex Solutions PLC - provider of test and measurement solutions for the telecommunications sector - Acquires iTrinegy Ltd, a developer for software defined test networks technology, for GBP2.5 million cash on completion, with a further GBP1.0 million due on milestones. Acquisition will be accretive to earnings in financial 2023, Calnex says. Says it has shipped all orders scheduled for March as planned, despite ongoing component shortages. Says results for year ended March 31 will be slightly ahead of current market expectations, and will be announced on May 24.

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Novacyt SA - Surrey, England-based biotechnology company - Receives approval for PROmate Covid PCR test in UK under Coronavirus Test Device Approvals regulations.

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Bluebird Merchant Ventures Ltd - British Virgin Islands-based gold development company focused on Korea - Secures funding package with initial debt tranche of USD500,000 at 10% interest, repayable on April 15 2023. Refinances existing loan of GBP250,000 on the same terms. Funding has the support of Southern Gold, it notes. Board of directors agree to 12-month lock-in on their shareholdings. As part of the new funding solution, a total of 13.0 million shares are issued at an average price of 2 pence per share and warrants over 25.3 million shares with an exercise price of 2.5 pence per share and three-year life, Bluebird says.

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Burford Capital Ltd - London-based asset management firm - Closes private offering of USD360 million of 6.9% senior notes due in 2030 by its wholly-owned subsidiary Burford Capital Global Finance LLC. Says proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including the potential repayment of debt.

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Zinc Media Group PLC - UK-based TV and multimedia content producer - Launches new television label Rex "to address the growth in popular factual and documentaries genre", to be led by BAFTA-award winning programme maker Lana Salah as creative director.

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SulNOx Group PLC - London-based supplier of fuel conditioners - Signs new distribution agreement in Chile with Comercial Neo Energy Spa.

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Advanced Oncotherapy PLC - London-based proton therapy system provider - Announces equity fundraises of GBP1.7 million via direct subscription of 6.9 million ordinary shares at 25 pence each. Issue price is a premium of 6.4% to closing middle market price on Monday. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

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MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd - Perth, Australia-based medicinal cannabis - Says Chief Financial Officer Daniel Kendall ends role, with Chief Executive Officer Roby Zomer to assume the CFO responsibilities while a new London based replacement can be found.

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CEPS PLC - Bath, England-based investment company focused on the industrial sector - Says 75% owned subsidiary Aford Awards Ltd purchases business and related assets of Impact Promotional Merchandise Ltd for GBP1.0 million with GBP558,000 on completion and a deferred consideration of GBP450,000 payable in instalments until March 2025. IPM supplies products such as trophies, glass awards, medals, as well as customisable items. "The acquisition of IPM furthers AA's goal of increasing market share and consolidating a fragmented retail market whilst providing economies of scale and improving AA's website technology," CEPS says.

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By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
A woman and a teenage girl were shot and killed near a North Lauderdale apartment complex Wednesday morning, and the Broward Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding the suspect.

The shooting was reported about 9 a.m. at the Willow Woods townhomes development near the 7900 block of Tam Oshanter Boulevard.

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Deputies with the Broward Sheriffs Office found the two victims when arriving at the scene. A TV helicopter captured a view of a yellow tarp on the ground covering what appeared to be a body outside the apartment complex with two backpacks nearby.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

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[ IN OTHER NEWS: 'I don't want them anymore.' Mother arrested, accused of killing her 2 children, ages 3 and 5 ]

Late Wednesday, the Sheriffs Office issued an arrest warrant for Andre Anglin, who is suspected of being involved in both shootings. The BSO said they do not have an address for him, but he is known to frequent the Margate area.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Andre Anglin, suspected in the shooting deaths of a woman and a teenage girl in North Lauderdale on Wednesday. (Broward Sheriff's Office/Broward County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies say there is no further danger to the neighborhood.

Broward Sheriffs officials blocked off numerous streets near Tam Oshanter Boulevard for most of the day while they investigated, including Southwest 78th Avenue, Southwest 80th Avenue, and Southwest 10th Street.

One resident who didnt want to give his name said its a usually quiet neighborhood.

[ IN OTHER NEWS: 3 people charged with hate crimes after beating and blinding man because of his sexual orientation, prosecutors say ]

I was asleep when everything happened, he said.

The man, who said he lives down the street from the incident, said his mother called him this morning to make sure he was OK and then informed him there was a shooting in his neighborhood. The man said he called his friends in the area to make sure they were OK.

Anyone who knows Anglins whereabouts or has information about him is asked to call Homicide Detective John Curcio at 954-321-4212. To submit an anonymous tip, contact Broward Crime Stoppers directly at 954-493-TIPS (8477), or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Any information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

Staff writer Kathy Laskowski contributed to this report.

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Chris Perkins can be reached at chperkins@sunsentinel.com.

[ LEE EN ESPANOL: Matan a tiros a 2 personas en vecindario de North Lauderdale ]
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Amati AIM VCT PLC - Edinburgh-based investment company - Says net asset value grew to GBP247.1 million at January 31, from GBP238.3 million a year before. NAV per share drops to 180.7 pence from 206.1p, as the number of shares in issue increases to 136.7 million from 115.6 million. Share price discount to NAV increases to 7.9% from 7.6%. NAV total return falls to loss of 7.5% from a return of 39% the year before. "Some of this fall was for company-specific reasons, in particular Polarean Imaging and Frontier Developments, while some was due to a sharp deterioration in sentiment," Chair Peter Lawrence explains. A final dividend of 4.5p is proposed, bringing full-year total to 9.0p, down year-on-year from 10.5p.

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Cellular Goods PLC - London-based consumer products with lab-made cannabinoids - Notes Food Standards Agency's position on new products not on sale before February 2020 not being eligible for public list, and confirms its branded products are manufactured and supplied by Chanelle McCoy Health whose products are validated and on the FSA's permitted list. Will seek clarification with Food Standards Agency's stance on its ingestibles products, noting they are identical to products already approved.

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Sareum Holdings PLC - Cambridge, England-based drug developer for cancer and autoimmune diseases - Notes agreement for Sierra Oncology Inc to be acquired by GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Sierra is the license holder for SRA737, a treatment discovered and developed by Sareum before the license was sold to Sierra. Sierra has several potential clinical trials in the pipeline for SRA737 as a combination treatment for haematologic and solid tumour indications. According to an amended USD299 million licensing deal for the drug, Sareum still has a 28% share of future milestone payments as well as royalties on future sales. "The dosing of the first patient with SRA737 in any new clinical trial would result in a USD2.0m payment from Sierra, with 28% of this due to Sareum," the company explains.

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CIP Merchant Capital Ltd - Guernsey-based investment company - Says following the offer from Corporation Financiere Europeenne SA becoming unconditional, it terminates all irrevocable undertakings for its shareholders to not accept any offer from CFE. CFE owns or holds acceptances for 57% of the company. Also notes announcement by Coro Energy PLC on Monday confirming completion of the restructuring of its Luxembourg listed Eurobonds. CIP Merchant holds EUR4.1 million of the EUR11.3 million tranche A eurobonds.

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Sureserve Group PLC - Basildon, Essex-based compliance and energy services, focused on UK public sector - Appoints Sameet Vohra as permanent chief financial officer with immediate effect. Vohra has been CFO at Science Group PLC, and director of finance at Spectris PLC.

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Gensource Potash Corp - fertilizer development company located in Saskatchewan, Canada - Reaches binding agreement to acquire Innovare Technologies Ltd, "a privately-held developer of patented selective solution mining and brine processing technology for the recovery of potash and other soluble minerals". The deal values Innovare USD11.5 million, and is anticipated to close in the second quarter of this year.

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Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC - London-based digital infrastructure investor - Signs binding sale and purchase agreement to acquire GAData Holdings Ltd, which trades as Volta Data Centres, for GBP45 million. "Data centres form a key part of the digital infrastructure backbone. The acquisition of Volta, which was a pipeline investment identified at IPO, adds to our portfolio of data centres which are in key connectivity locations, as D9 continues to build an integrated platform, driving connectivity throughout its investments," Chair Jack Waters explains.

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Tertiary Minerals PLC - Cheshire, England-based precious metals mining company - Updates on Pyramid silver-gold project in Nevada, as drilling completed thus far does not return favourable results, and the continuity of mineralisation at depth is not established. Previous soil and rock chip sampling and trenching showed " wide intervals of significant silver and associated gold mineralisation at surface at North Ruth along a zone over 500 metres in length", with additional trenches in February providing further evidence of the surface extent of mineralised zone. "We executed a limited and cost-effective drill program, utilising reverse circulation, to determine if the mineralisation is present at depth but the results have been disappointing. A detailed analysis of the results will be needed before any further exploration is undertaken. Indications are that localised supergene enrichment of silver has resulted in the grades observed at surface," says Managing Director Patrick Cullen.

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By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Airlines should be fined for ignoring passengers' rights, a UK consumer group has claimed.

Which? called for aviation regulator the UK Civil Aviation Authority to be given "teeth" following travel chaos in the run-up to Easter.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in recent days due to airlines struggling to recruit and deploy new staff, and coronavirus-related absences among existing workers.

In some cases, airlines have been accused of failing to meet their responsibilities under consumer laws.

They should offer affected passengers a refund or re-route them as quickly as possible using other carriers if necessary, as well as provide adequate refreshments and accommodation.

Passengers may be entitled to at least GBP220 in compensation for flights cancelled less than seven days before departure.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: "Lessons should be learnt from the travel shambles this Easter.

"With many in the industry predicting a busy summer, the Government must work with airlines and airports to ensure they have the resources and capacity to handle increased passenger numbers, as there can be no excuse for a repeat of these failings.

"Airlines wouldn't be ignoring the law and their passengers' rights if the aviation regulator had some teeth.

"The Department for Transport can support consumers by equipping the Civil Aviation Authority with direct fining powers.

"It should also drop its plans to change compensation rules for UK flights which are an important deterrent against passengers being treated unfairly."

The Department for Transport is proposing to make the amount of compensation payable for heavily disrupted domestic flights capped at the airfare paid.

By Neil Lancefield

source: PA

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - A Twitter shareholder is suing Elon Musk for failing to disclose that he had bought a substantial stake in the company, affecting share prices. The Tesla CEO revealed on 4 April that he had acquired a 9.2% stake in Twitter. Shares in the social media company soared, as investors viewed the move as a vote of confidence from the richest man in the world. - Guardian

More than one in eight privately rented homes in England pose a serious threat to people's health and safety, costing the NHS about 340m a year, according to a report from a committee of MPs. It also uncovered evidence of unlawful discrimination, with an estimated one in four landlords unwilling to let to non-British passport holders. - Guardian

Priti Patel was warned a month ago about a looming wave of travel chaos after passport control staff were sent to deal with the Dover migrant crisis instead. Airline chiefs told the Home Secretary in March that a lack of Border Force workers could spark massive passenger queues at terminals across Britain. - Telegraph

US regulators have banned Imperial Brands' myblu vaping device after a review found there was a lack of evidence they would protect public health, in a blow for the tobacco industry's transition from cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration has issued marketing denial orders for several myblu electronic nicotine delivery products. After considering their design and manufacturing it concluded the applications "did not demonstrate that the potential benefit to smokers who switch completely or significantly reduce their cigarette use would outweigh the risk to youth". - The Times

Glencore funded two Russian refinery businesses whose owners are close associates of President Putin, documents show. The FTSE 100 commodities giant has sought to play down its links to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, saying that its trading exposure to Russia is "not material". But newly uncovered documents show that in recent years it has had more extensive dealings benefiting senior figures close to the regime than previously reported. - The Times
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Louisiana... Mississippi River At Red River Landing affecting West Feliciana, East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes. For the Lower Mississippi River...including Red River Landing... Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/lix. Click on the Rivers and Lakes menu for forecasts and observations. The next statement will be issued when updates are needed. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FRIDAY, MAY 27... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Mississippi River At Red River Landing. * WHEN...Until Friday, May 27. * IMPACTS...At 51.0 feet, All river islands along the reach from Red River Landing to Baton Rouge will be inundated. Recreational camps and river bottom farm land will be under water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 7:00 PM CDT Friday the stage was 48.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to drop briefly below flood stage this weekend before rising above flood stage Tuesday. The river will crest near 51.0 feet Friday, May 20. - Flood stage is 48.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 52.4 feet on 02/14/2010. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Discover what ships are moored in the Port of Palma right now thanks to the Port of Palma's website.

Ship of the day

Today's ship is: Mein Schiff Herz which is scheduled to dock today at 03.00 in Palma. She is due to depart today at 22.00.

Mein Schiff Herz (formerly MV Mercury, Celebrity Mercury and Mein Schiff 2) is the second of two Century-class cruise ships operated by TUI Cruises. Built for Celebrity Cruises at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, she was launched on 11 July 1997, and was christened and entered service as MV Mercury on 27 October 1997. She can carry 1,912 tp 2,669 passengers and has a crew of 900. Mein Schiff Herz current cruise is 10 days, one-way from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Palma de Mallorca.

Also scheduled today is Voyager of the Seas. Arrives at 8.00 and departs at 17.00.

In Ibiza we have MSC Seaside arriving at 11.30 and departing at 22.00.

In Minorca (Mahon) we have Sirena arriving at 8.00 and departing at 17.00 and Hanseatic Nature arriving at 8.00 and departing at 19.00.

Here you will discover what is moored up. Follow the link and click here.

You can also find out what is scheduled to come to Palma and the rest of the Balearics over the next few days
A mother, a father, and their son could spend the rest of their lives in prison for the hate crime theyre accused of committing when they targeted a man based on his sexual orientation.

Inna Makarenko, 45, Yevhen Makarenko, 43, and Oleh Makarenko, 21, beat the man so severely during the August attack that he sustained serious injuries, including permanent vision loss that left him blind, prosecutors said Tuesday.

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Authorities say the Makarenkos knew the victim and targeted him because of his sexual orientation. Planning to beat him, they broke into the mans home and struck the victim numerous times with their hands, feet and an unknown object, nearly killing him, according to arrest warrants and a page of the indictment against them.

The family was arrested March 10 and charged with attempted first-degree murder, burglary with battery, and kidnapping with prejudice, all charges elevated under Floridas hate crime law, the Broward State Attorneys Office said.

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Another son, 25-year-old Vladyslav Makarenko, was taken to the Broward Main Jail from Alabama on Monday. Prosecutors will decide whether hell also be charged under the hate crime statute.

The Broward State Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that they have filed hate crime charges against Oleh Makarenko, left, Inna Makarenko, middle, and Yevhen Makarenko, right. The three are accused of beating a 31-year-old Pompano Beach man nearly to death because of his sexual orientation, prosecutors said. The man is permanently blind and suffered other serious injuries. (Broward County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities havent yet released additional details about what led up to the beating or how the family knew the victim. The family has been jailed since last month, and are being held without the possibility of bond. Facebook accounts that appear to belong to them were locked Wednesday.

Because they were charged under Floridas hate-crime statute, their first-degree felony charges become life felonies under Florida law. If convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

The Makarenkos have pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

The victim, a 31-year-old man from Pompano Beach, was not identified. He filed to withhold his name under Marsys Law, a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018 that allows crime victims to shield their name and personal information from the public.

During their first appearance in bond court, a state prosecutor read from court documents that describe how the Makarenkos son was involved, though its unclear which son the prosecutor was referring to.

He drove the vehicle, got them inside the property where they were able to gain access to the victim, he said. He witnessed the incident, made no attempts to intervene, and during a 14-hour period after the incident made no calls to 911 to have the victim get medical assistance.

Vladylav Makarenko, 25, was transported to Broward County Main Jail from Alabama on Monday, the Broward State Attorney's Office said, though formal charges have not been filed as of Tuesday. (Broward County Sheriff's Office)

The clip from first-appearance court aired on WSVN-Ch. 7. The documents that the prosecutor read from were not publicly available Wednesday.

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A petition on Change.org surfaced that claims that the family is innocent. In the petitions summary, someone self-described as a close family friend says theyre working to raise awareness about the familys situation. The petition portrays the Makarenkos as a hardworking Ukrainian family that faces deportation if convicted, among other possible outcomes.

The page explains theyre raising money to pay for a defense attorneys ongoing work. The defense attorney listed on the Makarenkos court documents did not return a call from the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday.

Brooke Baitinger can be reached at: bbaitinger@sunsentinel.com, 954-422-0857 or on Twitter: @bybbaitinger
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 54F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Mankato, MN (56001)

Today

Sunny early then partly cloudy and windy this afternoon. High 72F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy with gusty winds. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
BEIJING -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its attempts to take advantage of the Ukraine situation and masquerade the Taiwan question as an international issue.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference that the DPP authority has been following anti-China forces in the West and hyping up the so-called "military threat" from the mainland, in an attempt to provoke further confrontation and create more tensions across the Taiwan Straits.

The spokesperson warned that "Taiwan independence" would lead to a loss of peace and plunge the region into peril. He also denounced the DPP's "Taiwan independence" provocations as the greatest threat to the security across the Straits.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bristled in response to questions from journalists and legal experts about the unconstitutional flaws in his "Big tech" crackdown. But a federal judge didn't care about the governor's feelings. He ruled the law clearly unconstitutional. Taxpayers are paying lawyers as much as $675-an-hour to defend bad laws - and repeatedly lose. (Carl Juste/AP)

Florida lawmakers keep getting smacked around by federal judges who say the politicians in Tallahassee treat toilet paper with more respect than the United States Constitution.

Judges from both sides of the aisle have shot down the governors and Legislatures attempts to manipulate election laws, take control of privately funded social media operations and imprison citizens who donate to political causes the politicians dislike. Yes, imprison.

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In some of these cases, GOP lawmakers knew what they were doing was illegal. Their own staffers warned them. So did fellow Republicans. But they didnt care. Not about the Constitution they took oaths to uphold. Nor about how many of your tax dollars they spent defending this garbage.

Theyve tried to hide that last part. (Im still waiting for copies of legal bills I requested last July.) Fortunately, the Orlando Sentinel isnt scared to fight for public records. Neither is the First Amendment Foundation, a legal advocacy group for open government and Florida media.

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And records the First Amendment Foundation obtained show Florida has paid lawyers $425 an hour and as much as $675 an hour  more than some Floridians make in a week.

Some of those big bills were paid in the case where Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP legislators tried to make it illegal for you to donate more than $3,000 to any grassroots efforts to get an amendment proposal on the Florida ballot. If you gave $3,001 to a campaign to raise the minimum wage or shrink class sizes, for instance, they wanted the ability to imprison you.

Now, these politicians knew they couldnt do such a thing. The U.S. Supreme Court had already ruled it unconstitutional. But they tried anyway.

In striking down the law, conservative federal Judge Allen Winsor  a Donald Trump appointee  described it as wholly foreign to the First Amendment.

Again, lawmakers knew that before they passed the law and started paying lawyers with the Shutts & Bowen firm to defend it. They just didnt care. Because it was your money they were wasting.

In fact, theyre trying again this year with a similar contribution cap that once again applies only to amendment efforts. Judicial rulings be damned.

Invoices provided to the First Amendment Foundation showed Shutts billed the state as much as $745 an hour for its services. But Shutts attorney George Meros said Tuesday night that invoice was a mistake  that he and his partner were paid only $425 an hour.

If so, that was less than the $675 an hour Florida paid other lawyers to defend the Legislatures attempts to regulate social media, only to suffer a similarly expected judicial beatdown.

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The legislators own staffers had warned them. One GOP senator described it as so obviously un-American that it seemed seemed better suited for Cuba.

But Republicans legislators passed it anyway  after carving out a special theme-park exemption for their donor buddies at Disney  and then used your tax dollars to defend that junk law.

The judge in that case noted the Republicans favoritism for Disney but said the constitutional problem was that government was trying to control speech on privately funded platforms.

None of this was about serious policy. It was about pandering to a red-meat base that doesnt care about true conservatism any more than it does constitutionalism.

It was taxpayer-funded demagoguery  and a windfall for Florida lawyers.

Keep in mind: All these legal bills were in addition to the armada of full-time, taxpayer-funded staff attorneys the state already has on the payroll.

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The state claims its in-house lawyers lack the necessary legal experience to defend this legislation. But really, how much experience do you need to get your tail whupped in court over and over?

Some partisan defenders may say: Well, any governor is going to face some legal challenges. And thats true. In fact, I sometimes roll my eyes at DeSantis critics who immediately claim that anything they dislike is unconstitutional.

But lets be clear: These specific cases were different. They all involved laws that legal scholars  and even the Legislatures own staffers  warned them about.

Think about it. Do you need a law degree to know that politicians cant throw you in freakin jail for donating $3,001 to a campaign for the environment while the politicians take checks of up to $5 million apiece?

Do you really need a federal judge to tell you that government cant force a private business to allow a child predator or Klan member to use that companys privately funded media platform to spread filth?

Or that a governor cant appoint a lawyer with nine years of legal experience to the Supreme Court when the state constitution says he or she must have 10? (That was one of DeSantis earlier, clearly unconstitutional actions  one rebuffed by his own hand-picked members of the Florida Supreme Court.)

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You dont need a J.D. to know that stuff. You just need half a brain and an ounce of integrity ... which is apparently more than most Florida politicians have to offer.

The elected officials who support this clearly unconstitutional crud should be voted out of office. But as long as theyre still there, they should be the ones paying all these ridiculous legal bills. Not you.

Taxpayers work way too hard to see their money flushed right down the toilet, especially at a flush rate of $675  or even a measly $425  an hour.

Contact Scott Maxwell at smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com.
Brooklyn Beckham has been gifted a vintage Jaguar XK120 by his parents David and Victoria Beckham after he married Nicola Peltz last weekend.

The wedding, which was held at Palm Beach in Florida, cost four million dollars, but it's Brooklyn's wedding present that that may raise a few eyebrows.

Brooklyn Beckham shows off parents' wedding gift

The 1954 Jaguar has been fully restored, modernised and electrified for Brooklyn after father David Beckham commissioned the bespoke vehicle from Lunaz, who are based in Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

Just a day after the wedding, Brooklyn and new wife Peltz were seen in the Jaguar in Miami.

Beckham and Peltz: A luxury wedding in Miami

The wedding was held at a mansion worth almost 100 million dollars, owned by the family of Peltz. Such was the prestige of the event, those who were invited wore Dior suits designed by Kim Jones.

Aware of events taking place on the other side of the world, Brooklyn and Peltz partnered with the humanitarian organisation Care, and encouraged guests to make donations on their behalf to help people in Ukraine against the Russian invasion of the country.

Peltz's parents were among the first people to donate to the cause.
A U-Haul van during an ongoing investigation in the Brooklyn.

A U-Haul van during an ongoing investigation in the Brooklyn. AP

New York City Police Department found an abandoned U-Haul van in Brooklyn after a reported shooting that left multiple victims dead.

The van matched the description and license plate number from a sought vehicle in connection with the subway train shooting.

New York City Police Department ordered their officers to spot, stop a U-Haul truck and detail the occupants.

A gunman in a gas mask and a construction vest set off a smoke canister on a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn and shot at least 10 people.

"My subway door opened into calamity. It was smoke and blood and people screaming," eyewitness Sam Carcamo told radio station 1010 WINS. Smoke poured out of the train car as the door opened, he added.

Five people were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least 29 in all were treated at hospitals for gunshot wounds, smoke inhalation, and other conditions.

The gunfire erupted on a train that pulled into a station in the Sunset Park neighborhood, about a 15-minute ride from Manhattan and predominantly home to Hispanic and Asian communities.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was "not ruling out anything." The shooter's motive was unknown.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun violence and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced last fall that it had put security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an "express track to justice."

However, the cameras malfunctioned in the station where the train arrived, Mayor Eric Adams told WCBS-AM.
Marysville, KS (66508)

Today

Partly cloudy. Gusty winds during the afternoon. High near 75F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
Since 1885, the Giffard family has been making some of the bartending communitys most loved liqueurs and syrups. Millie Milliken travelled to its home of Angers, France, to meet the generations taking the brand into the 21st century

Standing on the almost bare five hectares of land in Chemille where the Giffard family has been growing Mitcham mint for their oldest product, Menthe-Pastille, for the last 10 years, its hard to believe that in a few months time, this area will be filled with enough of the plant to make the brands iconic peppermint digestif.

For a brand with such a rich history, its also hard to believe that  while its a go-to for bartenders  not more of the British public are familiar with a business that pumps out 60 different liqueurs, from apricot and banana to pepper and peach and around 5 million bottles a year.

Indeed, seeing the inner workings of the distillery where the fourth and fifth generations oversee the making of their liqueurs  not to mention the shiny new factory which turns out 90 syrups  even Im surprised at the sheer scale of this over 200-year-old dynasty.

So, how did a chemist create Frances leading liqueur company?

Mint condition

In the distillerys visitor centre, Edith Giffard, deputy CEO, explains the story of how her grandfather, Emile Giffard, began the family business. Born in 1842, Emile studied to be a chemist in Paris before returning to his home county and setting up his own pharmacy in Angers Place du Ralliement. Come the summer of 1885, a heat wave hit the Loire Valley town.

Good timing, as Emile had been studying the cooling effects of mint and making his own mint liqueur. He gave it to the guests of the neighbouring Grand Hotel to help them cope with the heat  its success spurned him on to turn his pharmacy into a distillery and Menthe-Pastille was born.

As was the overarching brand of Maison Giffard, which includes many others from the family within the business. Aside from Edith, her brother Bruno is CEO, his daughter Emillie is sales and brand development manager and Ediths son Pierre is COO.

The cultural significance of the brands original product is clear to see with prints of its vintage advertising posters lining the walls. Some of the art worlds most famous artists, illustrators and animators have depicted the bottle in politically humourous, or striking settings, from the father of modern advertising Leonetto Capiello, to Paul-Michel Foucault, Eugene Oge and Ferdinand Mifliez.

The family brought Mitcham mint, which as its name suggests is originally from Britain, to France and work with a local farmer to grow this crucial ingredient. Harvesting takes place in July when the plants are cut at the base and left to dry on the field (important considering they are steam distilled) before being distilled all in one go. Its continued popularity is evident as I spend a couple of days in the area  with most restaurants I visited listing it as a digestif on their menus.

Flavour, flavour

Of course, Menthe-Pastille is only one part of the story. Giffard makes 60 different liqueurs based on fruits, spices and weird and wonderful flavours (including bubblegum).

Watching the distillery in action from the viewing gallery, Edith explains the different processes each ingredient must go through before maceration or infusion (it differs depending on the fruit) in order to create the final liquids: cherries are processed with their stones, elderflower and rose are dried before infusion while mint is kept fresh. Across the board, when it comes to their fruit liqueurs, the entire fruit is used rather than just the juice to make the most of their aromatics (incidentally, when it comes to making their syrups, its the opposite).

As well as its classic range, the family decided to launch a premium arm to its liqueur offering inspired by a trip to the UK and the flavour profiles bartenders needed behind the stick. Favourites have to be the premium ranges Banane du Bresil (which Ive already waxed lyrical about in a banana-themed article) and smacks of caramelised and buttery banana; Cassis Noir de Bourgogne using blackcurrants from Burgundy and an absolute no brainer for a Kir Royale (mixed with Champagne); and the Abricot du Roussillon, made by macerating Rouges du Roussillon apricots. The core range has plenty of standouts too: Creme Fraise de Bois, bursting with wild and grassy strawberry notes; Creme de Violette, perfect for using to make Aviation cocktails; and Poire William, infusing William pears with Poire William brandy.

Sweet nectar

As well as creating new and exciting flavours in their liqueur range, the Giffards are also bringing the syrup side of the business (which began in 1992) into the 21st century. In 2017, it began operation in a new facility complete with a solar panel, water reuse system and plans to reduce the weight of its glass bottles, reducing it by a whopping 400,000 tonnes in the process. Marketing director Romain Burgevin tells us that plans to do the same for the liqueurs are in motion for 2023.

Giffard also works hard to engage with the global bartending community. It celebrated the relationship between art and drinks with two books chronicling UK and Southeast Asian bartenders stories behind their tattoos, while the 2022 round of its annual West Cup competition is underway with bartenders across 17 countries invited to enter.

Considering the origins of the Giffard brand, born in a small pharmacy in Frances Loire Valley, its ability to still excite bar  and home- tenders is testament to its dedication to capturing and bottling flavours in all their complexity. Next time you find yourself in hot climes, think about prescribing yourself a dose of Menthe-Pastille.

Click here to browse the Giffard range at Master of Malt.
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues. * WHERE...Portions of east central Oklahoma, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Oklahoma, including the following counties, in east central Oklahoma, Muskogee and Okfuskee. In northeast Oklahoma, Creek, Mayes, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner. In southeast Oklahoma, Haskell, McIntosh and Pittsburg. * WHEN...Until 500 PM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 451 PM CDT, The rain has ended. Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Flooding is already occurring in the warned area. Widespread rain estimates between 4 and 7 inches of rain fell Wednesday and Wednesday night with 7 to 11 inches estimated in several locations. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Tulsa... Broken Arrow... Muskogee... Okmulgee... Wagoner... Bristow... Okemah... Eufaula... Bixby... Sapulpa... Jenks... Okfuskee... Glenpool... Coweta... Henryetta... Fort Gibson... Checotah... Drumright... Chouteau... Haskell... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. &&
A defining story of early Fort Lauderdale was the far-sighted decision by about 100 residents in 1947 to chip in and buy a slice of beachfront property known as Coast Guard Base Six for the sum of $600,000. In the years immediately after World War II, the city didnt have the money, but local businessmen knew a good deal when they saw one.

That was a bargain, considering the government wanted $1 million, according to Checkered Sunshine, a book about the citys colorful boom years. The surplus property would become Bahia Mar, the premier East Coast yacht basin and a unique peninsula that was instrumental in establishing Fort Lauderdale as the yachting capital of the world. The city later acquired the site by issuing recreation bonds, and the investors got their money back, with 4% interest.

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A banner headline from the Fort Lauderdale Daily News on the sale of the city's former Coast Guard base. (newspapers.com )

One wonders what those civic pioneers would think of the citys decision to grant a land lease to a private developer at Bahia Mar for up to 100 years, with plans for four high-rise luxury condo towers containing 350 units on that public land.

Surrounding the condos will be a four- or five-star hotel, marina, pedestrian promenade, marina village, retail stores and other features. The developer is projected to pump more than $2 billion into the city treasury over the next century.

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The 4-to-1 decision came at an April 5 commission meeting at City Hall as dozens of residents argued in vain against those condos. The final decision seemed premature yet preordained  regardless of opposition.

[ RELATED: Banking on Bahia Mar: Fort Lauderdale says yes to 100-year deal after developer promises big payout on public land ]

I can really feel it from the community, warned former Mayor Jim Naugle, a populist slow-growth advocate. Theres not public support to do this development.

So much for public notice

Mary Fertig of the Idlewyld Improvement Association, who called the decision a betrayal, accused city officials of keeping residents in the dark by excluding dozens of pages of incomplete lease exhibits. So much for public notice, she said.

The city attorney said the exhibits were of minimal importance, but how are residents to know? It only adds to community cynicism. Fertig and others also said a real estate consultants projections of future rent payments to the city were inflated, to which Commissioner Heather Moraitis agreed.

Attorney Neil Kolner was one of a number of residents demanding the city put the question of private development of public land to a vote of the people. City Attorney Alain Boileau shot down the idea, saying that any such referendum would not be effective until 2062, when the citys 50-year lease with the developer would expire.

Attorney Neil Kolner urged Fort Lauderdale commissioners to reject a private condominium development on public land at Bahia Mar. (City of Fort Lauderdale)

To add to their frustration, residents recalled that commissioners said in March 2021 they would not allow condos on the property, citing an earlier site plan. You made a promise, Kristen Maus told commissioners. Im very disappointed and disheartened.

Officials of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, in a lawsuit filed in Broward Circuit Court against developer Rahn Bahia Mar LLC, urged a delay, citing a rule that they say limits them from speaking freely about the project.

If anything in this controversy appears to have widespread support, its the need for continued success of the boat show. As a legal dispute festers in the background, it made sense to defer the Bahia Mar vote until those issues are resolved.

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Facing a skeptical audience, Mayor Dean Trantalis emphasized that the city was forced to work off a flawed 2017 site plan which he opposed, with 651 rental units and more than twice as much commercial space. I wish we had a blank slate, the mayor said. (Its five years later, and the developer hasnt acted on that 2017 blueprint.)

Not the right answer

Bahia Mar is central to the citys identity, and the bedraggled resort needs a makeover, no question. But is this the right answer? We think not, and we think the fate of such an important piece of property that has implications for 100 years needs a community-wide consensus, which this certainly does not.

In a city with worsening gridlock, the level of traffic on a narrow stretch of A1A appears to have received far too little attention. Then there are the implications of climate change, which may be beside the point. As Commissioner Steve Glassman said at one point: In 2062, I believe the peninsula would be underwater. (The developer has agreed to build up the site and make seawall improvements).

The Bahia Mar lease may well be remembered as the most controversial decision by this commission, which will soon be disbanding because of personal and political decisions. Three of its five members will leave in November.

Moraitis will depart with two years left in her term, Commissioner Robert McKinzie is running for the Broward County Commission and Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen, who cast the only vote against the project, is running for Congress.

The upheaval ahead and the fate of Bahia Mar gives voters in districts 1, 3 and 4 plenty of motivation to make sure the next commissioner is more vigilant about protecting public lands. In the meantime, residents should start gathering enough signatures to force a referendum to amend the city charter so that any more private development of public land requires voter approval.

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These decisions are too important to be left solely in the hands of a few politicians.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Editorials are the opinion of the Board and written by one of its members or a designee. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com.
Note: Special one-year subscription at a reduced price for first-time subscribers or for subscriptions that have been expired for at least one year  those living in Jackson County and the Cherokee Indian Reservation (28719) addresses qualify. Offer good through Friday, Aug. 2, 2019.

We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover; we do not accept AMEX.
Sara Ann (Miller) Byler, age 76, of Panama, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1st, 2022, surrounded by her family. Surviving is her husband, Daniel D. Byler, whom she was married to for 58 years. Also surviving are 6 daughters and 2 sons, 31 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, a
BUTLER [ndash] Funeral services for Mary Shirley Cooper of the Snell Community will be Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Chapel of Bumpers Funeral Home in Butler, Ala. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Butler, Alabama. 
Pictured are actors Chris Rock (left) and Will Smith (right) after a public assault. Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles Times.
Katie Clark sorts through some Lobularia plants as she gets one of Katies Flowers greenhouses ready for the planting season April 4 at Reids Orchard. The orchard opened this past weekend with 600 ferns, 2,000 hanging baskets and 7,000 bedding plants for sale. The annual Apple Festival will be moving to the Daviess County Lions Club Fairgrounds in Philpot in 2023.
City commissioners will determine how to use an additional $1 million in federal funds, which are earmarked toward reducing and preventing homelessness.

The funds come through the American Rescue Plan Act, the COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress last year. The $1.007 million Home Investment Partnerships Grant came from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant is separate from the $13.3 million in ARPA funds the city received last year.

The goals of the grants, which were distributed nationwide, are to assist people who are experiencing homelessness, are at-risk of becoming homeless and are fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, human trafficking or dating violence.

Owensboro Community Development Director Abby Shelton said the city is gathering public input via its website  through this week  about how the funds should be used. After that, city officials will meet with nonprofit groups that work with the homeless community and will hold a public meeting before recommendations are made to city commissioners.

Its a big pot of money, so we want to make sure we do this right, Shelton said.

The city did not have to apply for the funds. But part of the process included doing an analysis of the citys housing needs. The analysis found more than 12,000 Owensboro residents are considered to live in poverty, a total that includes 4,345 children. The citys child poverty rate is 30.6%, according to the analysis.

The report was put together by Bowen National Research, an Ohio firm that studies city and county housing needs. The report found that 36.3% of renters in Owensboro earn less than $30,000 annually, while 65% of renters made less than $40,000.

(T)here are very few vacant rental housing units affordable to lower-income households, and many of the affordable rental properties maintain long wait lists, the report says.

Because rental housing for low-income residents is scarce, many low-income households are forced into living in housing that creates a cost-burdened or overcrowded housing situation, living in substandard housing conditions or possibly being displaced from their home and neighborhood, the report says.

The report looked at 1,552 multifamily rental units in Owensboro that were either government subsidized or where housing tax credits were available, and found only 26 vacancies.

At any give time, there are about 225 people classified as homeless in Owensboro, the report found. In 2020, 21.6% of the citys homeless were victims of domestic violence, 17.9% were suffering from a mental illness, 20.4% were suffering from substance abuse and 9.9%% were veterans. Of the remainder, 6.2% were unaccompanied youth and 24.1% were considered chronically homeless, the report said.

The housing analysis showed there is a need for assisting people on the brink of homelessness, Shelton said.

Shelton said the funds dont have to be allocated for several years, so officials have time to plan how to use them.

We dont want to rush into something and overlook an important project, Shelton said.

The public survey can be found on the citys website in the community development department page by clicking the HOME-ARP link. The survey deadline is Friday. The public meeting has not been scheduled.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse
Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mostly cloudy during the afternoon with heavy thunderstorms becoming likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy this evening with showers developing after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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MBABANE - Eswatini is of the view that for SACU to move to the next level of industrialisation, the sharing and harnessing of available resources in the region is very critical.

This was said by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo, when addressing delegates during the ongoing two-day Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Ministerial Investment Roundtable in Gaborone, Botswana yesterday. Eswatini is a member of SACU alongside Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. The theme of the event is , Positioning SACU as industrial, investment, manufacturing and innovation hub for the African continent and beyond. In his address, the minister said addressing the availability and the competitive pricing of sugar was welcome.

Challenge

As we are all facing the same challenge of youth unemployment, let us industrialise in a manner that will create jobs in all member States. SACUs industrialisation strategy would not go down in history as having succeeded if the industrialisation of one member State negatively impacts another economically, said the minister. Youth unemployement in Eswatini is estimated at 58.2 per cent. With regard to sugar, it was recently reported, especially in Namibian media that due to riots, strikes and reduced sugar harvests, South Africa and Eswatini- the only two sugar producers in SACU have run out of refined sugar before the start of new sugar harvest season kicked off. The minister stressed that Eswatini was looking forward to the implementation of the outcomes of the investment roundtable. We believe that the implementation will bring greater regional integration, economic diversification and industrialisation in SACU by expanding markets in the priority sectors, as well as drawing together capacities from all member States.

Greater

This will require a greater degree of specialisation and competitiveness in SACU member States so as to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which has all the attributes of being a wider captive and domestic market for us, he highlighted. The minister, on the other hand, acknowledged the role played by the private sector in economic development of the region, saying the private sector was the custodian of the proposed cross border projects. We believe that the private sector with the support of member States will take the lead in the regional value chains, he added. The minister further shared that to make the environment conducive for the private sector, under the development of infrastructure to support value chains, the Government of Eswatini, through the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), constructed a number of pack houses across the country to enhance cold chain management and to improve turnaround time for farmers.

Complementary to this programme, to increase production and yield under irrigation, government in collaboration with the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE), is currently engaged in expanding dam construction in strategic places in the country covering a target population of 120 000 people, including small holder farmers in an irrigated area measuring 35 200 hectares.

Implementation

We in Eswatini align ourselves with the view that the implementation of our cross border projects will not be possible without a suitable, inclusive and participatory funding model.

We believe such a model, once identified under the work programme, will enable us as SACU to achieve our industrialisation aspirations and ambitions, the minister said. Meanwhile, the first-ever SACU Investment Roundtable will further look into investment and export opportunities in the priority sectors in the region. There will further be discussions on enhancing competitiveness of the trading environment in SACU. Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi headlines the list of guests.
BALTIMORE (AP)  Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced plans Tuesday to seek reelection as she awaits trial on federal criminal charges stemming from her purchase of two Florida vacation homes.

Mosby released a campaign video that combines aerial views of the city with her interacting with residents and a number of local and national leaders, interspersed with newspaper headlines and video excerpts. She tells viewers Baltimore has seen good days and bad days in recent years, but the one constant has been the unwavering resilience of the people who call it home.
Midland is working towards installing new sidewalk segments, per citizen requests.

On Monday, the City Council discussed prioritizing sidewalk projects. Cost and creating special assessment districts were also a part of the discussion.

Council was presented a resolution by City Engineer Matt Lemon, who spoke about City Manager Brad Kayes report for sidewalk improvement. The city received requests from residents regarding where they would like to see sidewalks installed.

Five projects to be prioritized are:

West side of Dublin Avenue from Saginaw Road to south of Amberwood Court.

North side of E. Ashman St. at 3545 E. Ashman St. (residence).

West side of West Main St. at 4525 W. Main St. (residence).

West side of Dublin Avenue at 6003 Dublin Ave. (residence).

East side of Waldo Avenue from East Patrick Road to south of Eastlawn Drive.

Two other projects on the east side of North Jefferson Avenue from Joseph Drive to Julie Ann Drive, and the south side of Saginaw Road from Dublin Avenue to H.H. Dow High School, were considered by the city, but it was recommended to council not to move forward with the requests.

With these five segments of sidewalk, the estimated cost is about $153,000 with the city's portion being about $53,700. The roughly $99,800 remaining would be the property owner's responsibility to pay through a special assessment, Lemon said. The cost to each property owner is determined by the property frontage where sidewalks are constructed, multiplied by the assessment rate. The assessment rate for the sidewalks would be $24.58 per foot of frontage.

The resolution at the meeting was to receive and accept the city managers report with the cost share estimates for the recommended sidewalk requests and to schedule and set a hearing of necessity for the prioritized projects on May 9, Lemon said.

The resolution passed in a 5-0 vote. Kaye said the city will reach out to residents a part of the special assessment district. At the hearing, residents will tell council if they think this is necessary for the city to move forward with these projects or if they object to them. Council would then have to vote on the projects.

If council does decide to move forward with the projects, Kaye said property owners will have the opportunity to build the sidewalks themselves, as long as they meet the citys standards.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP

THE VILLAGES, Fla. (AP)  Two men from a sprawling retirement community in Florida will have to enter a pretrial intervention program, perform community service and attend adult civics classes in exchange for deferred prosecutions on their charges of voting more than once in the 2020 election.

Charles Barnes and Jay Ketcik, both from The Villages area, must perform 50 hours of community service each and get a grade of C or better in the adults civics class, according to court records filed last week.
The deadline for filing for Midland City Council races is coming up next Tuesday, and one of the five wards will have no incumbent running for reelection.

People interested in running as a candidate in the 2022 council election this November must submit a completed nominating petition to the City Clerks office by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Council member Pam Hall, Ward 1, told the Daily News that she does not plan on running for re-election. Council members Mayor Maureen Donker (Ward 2), Steve Arnosky (Ward 3), Diane Brown Wilhelm (Ward 4) and Marty Wazbinski (Ward 5) all told the Daily News they will be running again for their wards.

Midland is divided into five wards, with each electing a City Council member every two years. To qualify as a council candidate, a person must be a registered voter in the City of Midland, a resident of the city for at least one year as of the date of the election, and a resident of the ward from which they seek to be elected prior to the date of election.

Candidates must file a nominating petition containing at least 20, but no more than 40, valid signatures of registered voters of the ward from which they seek election. Candidates must also complete an affidavit of identity and receipt of filing.

Petition forms, affidavit and 2022 City Council Election information are available at the City Clerks office inside City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth Street. A statement of organization form must also be completed at the Midland County Clerks office at 220 W. Ellsworth Street.

If three or more nominating petitions are received for any one ward, those candidates names will appear on the primary election ballot on Tuesday, August 2 for that ward only. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes cast in the August primary election will be placed on the November 8 general election ballot for their ward. The person receiving the highest number of votes in the November election will be declared Council member for that ward.

Members of the 2022-2024 Midland City Council will be sworn into office on Monday, November 14 for a two-year term.

For questions or more information about nominating petitions or the election process, contact the City Clerks Office at 989-837-3310 or visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/runforoffice.

Due to redistricting updates following the 2020 census, some City of Midland ward boundaries have changed since the last election. To view a map of the new ward and precinct boundaries or find a polling location, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/electionmap.
Star of MTV's "Catfish" has been seen in Bay City and was last spotted at a bar downtown on Monday, April 11.

Old City Hall restaurant in downtown Bay City shared images of the show's creator Nev Schulman on its Instagram page.

"Big shoutout to Nev Schulman from MTVs 'Catfish' for visiting our establishment this evening!" The restaurant stated in the post. "But the real question isWhos getting catfished?"

This isn't the first time the creator of the series, who brings together couples who've interacted solely through their screens, has visited Michigan.

Nev's catfish journey began in the Mitten. The 2010 documentary on which the show is based featured Nev's online relationship with a woman from Ishpeming.

Recently, season six of the show featured 26-year-old Saginaw resident Alante Shelby.

Nev seemed to enjoy his visit to "small-town America" according to a Facebook post on his page Monday.

He was also seen riding Bird scooters around Bay City in a video posted on his Instagram story.

According to Facebook comments, the producers of the show were looking for someone in the community to offer their home as a filming location. It is unclear who was chosen.

Season eight of MTV's "Catfish" began in January 2022. New episodes air on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

According to the show's Facebook page, to catfish means "to pretend to be someone youre not online by posting false information, such as someone elses pictures, on social media sites usually with the intention of getting someone to fall in love with you."

Nev and Kamie Crawford, the new co-host, are casting for the show. If you think it's time to find out if your online relationship is true, you can apply on MTV's website here.
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PIERRE, S.D. (AP)  The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 car crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history. He will at least temporarily be removed from office pending the historic Senate trial, where it takes a two-thirds majority to convict on impeachment charges. The Senate must wait at least 20 days to hold its trial, but has not yet set a date.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boevers death as a tragic accident.

In narrowly voting to impeach the state's top prosecutor, the Republican-controlled House charged Ravnsborg with committing crimes that caused someones death, making numerous misrepresentations to law enforcement officers after the crash and using his office to navigate the criminal investigation. A Senate conviction would mean Ravnsborg would be barred from holding any state office in the future.

When were dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone, said Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment.

Ravnsborg said in a statement he is looking forward to the Senate trial, where I believe I will be vindicated.

Meanwhile, Tim Bormann, the attorney generals chief of staff, said his staff would professionally dedicate ourselves to their work while Ranvsborg is forced to take a leave.

Ravnsborg, who took office in 2019, was returning home from a Republican dinner in September 2020 when he struck and killed Boever, who was walking along a rural highway. A sheriff who responded after Ravnsborg called 911 initially reported it as a collision with an animal. Ravnsborg has said he did not realize he hit a man until he returned the next day and found the body.

The Highway Patrol concluded that Ravnsborgs car crossed completely onto the highway shoulder before hitting Boever, and criminal investigators said later that they didnt believe some of Ravnsborgs statements.

The House rejected the recommendation of a GOP-backed majority report from a special investigative committee, which argued that anything wrong he did was not part of his official duties in office. But even Republican lawmakers who argued his actions did not meet constitutional grounds for impeachment said Ravnsborg should resign.

He should have stepped down, should have done the honorable thing, said House Speaker Spencer Gosch, who oversaw the House investigation and voted against impeachment.

The articles of impeachment required approval from a majority of the 70 members of the House and passed by just one vote.

Of the 36 people who voted in favor, eight were Democrats and 28 were Republicans. The 31 against it were all Republicans. Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach recused himself because he had given legal advice to the attorney general after the crash. Two other Republican lawmakers were absent.

Ravnsborg, who had been largely silent about the crash and was not present for the vote, sent lawmakers a pair of defiant letters Monday night urging them not to impeach him.

In a few hours, your vote will set a precedent for years to come, Ravnsborg wrote. No state has ever impeached an elected official for a traffic accident.

He also accused Republican Gov. Kristi Noem of interfering in the investigation and of supporting impeachment because of the attorney generals investigations into her behavior.

After Ravnsborg fell out with the governor following the crash, he pushed a pair of ethics complaints against Noem to the states Government Accountability Board. His office is also investigating whether an organization aligned with the governor broke campaign finance disclosure laws.

Noem lauded the vote on Twitter, writing that the House did the right thing for the people of South Dakota and for Joe Boever's family.

The decision brought some relief for his family, who his wedding photo as they watched from the House gallery during the vote. They have decried the criminal prosecution as a slap on the wrist for Ravnsborg.

Were a step closer to justice. Were not done, said Boevers cousin, Nick Nemec.

Now we just need the Senates help on this because these laws need to be changed badly, said Jennifer Boever, who was married to Boever. People are getting hurt and killed, and the pedestrian has no self-defense against a 4,000 pound (1,814 kilogram) vehicle.
Teresa Ross had been raising objections at work for months when her bosses brought in a psychologist hoping to make her question her own sanity.

A longtime manager at a Seattle health plan called Group Health Cooperative, Ross had opposed changes to the way the company billed Medicare. With the help of a new vendor, the insurer identified new diagnoses for patients, bringing in millions of extra dollars from the government. Ross insisted much of it was fraud. She says she was cut out of meetings.

Then she was invited to one with the psychologist. He asked how she was feeling and revealed that a senior executive had sent him to discuss her objections.

People arent seeing you as a team player, she recalls him saying. Theyre concerned that you have a loud voice within the organization. And you're objecting to this thing that's making us lots of money and everybodys happy.

Ross felt blindsided and insulted. The visit made no difference.

Ross had already filed a sealed whistleblower suit against the company, which later merged with Kaiser Permanente in 2017. After years of investigating, the Justice Department took up her case last year. Other whistleblowers came forward too, with allegations accusing Kaiser and some of its competitors of inflating how sick their members appeared to be to get higher payments from Medicare.

The industry vehemently contests the allegations and says that plans get paid appropriately for the risk they take on. But the disputed billing practices at the heart of Ross case have become central to the health care business and, as baby boomers retire, to Americas fiscal future. Medicare covers 64 million people and will spend $900 billion this year, or 4% of U.S. gross domestic product. Almost half of people on Medicare now get their benefits through Medicare Advantage  private plans like the one Ross worked for, which get paid more for patients with more severe illnesses. That means a growing share of Medicares billions flows through arrangements susceptible to the kind of manipulation that Ross described.

Each year, the plans submit giant data files to Medicare with diagnostic codes meant to reflect their members illnesses. Those codes determine how much they get paid. A federal watchdog warned in March that coding differences brought Medicare Advantage plans $12 billion in excess payments in 2020, compared to what traditional Medicare would have paid to cover the same population. The cumulative extra payments since 2007 will soon top $100 billion, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC.

Those payments mounted as American seniors flocked to the private version of Medicare. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage doubled in the last decade to more than 26 million people, on pace to cover a majority of Medicare beneficiaries.

Insurance companies have built billion-dollar businesses propelled by this growth. UnitedHealth Group Inc., Humana Inc., and CVS Health Corp.s Aetna unit combined enroll more than half of Medicare Advantage members. Kaiser Permanente, with about 7% of the market, isnt far behind, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a research group unaffiliated with the health plan.

The industry calls the program a win-win. Medicare Advantage caps members out-of-pocket costs and offers extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing coverage that traditional Medicare doesnt. Private plans also send clinicians on house calls, deliver meals and offer rides to medical appointments, stitching together medical care with services intended to address members social needs.

The programs growing popularity has made it politically powerful. Republicans extoll its private-sector innovation while Democrats know that enrollees are disproportionately low-income and people of color. An industry coalition recently touted a letter signed by 346 U.S. representatives  more than 80% of the House  urging the Biden administration to provide a stable rate and policy environment for the program. Soon after, Medicare proposed payment rates for 2023 that an analyst for Veda Partners called surprisingly good news for industry.

Yet rising Medicare Advantage enrollment has also prompted warnings about the cost. The programs hospital trust fund is projected to be depleted in 2026. Failure to stem the excess spending created by coding intensity further jeopardizes the Medicare programs already challenging fiscal sustainability, MedPAC wrote in a comment letter to Medicare officials in March.

The industry has billions at stake in how the payments are calculated. In February, UnitedHealth asked the Supreme Court to review a case it lost on appeal challenging a policy to make insurers return payments for unsupported diagnoses. The policy imposes potentially billions of dollars in additional payment obligations on plans and would destabilize the Medicare Advantage program, the company said in its petition. Letting the decision stand threatens to reduce benefits and increase costs for seniors in the program, UnitedHealth argued.

Official scrutiny is growing. The Department of Justice called policing Medicare Advantage an important priority on its anti-fraud agenda. The agency said in February that it pursued health plans that gamed the system by submitting unsupported diagnosis codes to make their patients appear sicker than they actually were, and cited Ross case as an example. Ross attorneys estimate the scope of such frauds reaches into the billions of dollars.

Ross filed her complaint against Group Health under seal a decade ago, and it remained a secret for seven years. With the aid of other whistleblowers, the Justice Department has also sued industry giants including UnitedHealth, Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. over similar allegations in recent years. The companies are fighting the cases.

Now its up to the courts to decide which practices are legitimate and which constitute fraud. Ross remains shaken by her experience. Coming forward wasnt easy, she said. The easy thing would've been to sit down and just let it happen.

Ross, 57, grew up outside Seattle, a math whiz in a family that kept busy with music lessons and school activities. Her father had a heart attack while she was in high school, and she spent a lot of time at the hospital, pressing his doctors for information. That early exposure coupled with her mathematical acumen led Ross into a career in an obscure corner of the health care industry. In 1998, she arrived at a nonprofit insurer called Group Health Cooperative to lead a division building statistical models of patient risk.

In the 2000s, these models became central to the growing Medicare Advantage industry. Money hinged on the illnesses that plans documented for their members. Traditional Medicare pays doctors and hospitals directly for each test or service. In Medicare Advantage, health plans get a fixed payment from the government for each member they take on. The program will spend on average about $14,000 per enrollee this year. Through a process called risk adjustment, added diagnoses typically bump payments by $1,000 to $5,000, sometimes even $10,000, according to MedPAC. Its meant to compensate insurers for taking on sicker patients and discourage them from cherry-picking healthy people.

Health care companies developed increasingly sophisticated methods to maximize payments. A cottage industry of vendors emerged to help them. They mine data from patient charts, send staff to do health-risk assessments in patients homes and prod doctors to review potentially missed diagnoses.

Ross said she and Group Health originally embraced the system as a way to identify patients who needed care but werent getting it. Its not just digging for dollars, she said. Its improving care.

Her whistleblower suit and the Justice Department complaint that followed describe a growing pressure within the company to engineer higher risk scores for greater payments. She rebuffed one vendor called Leprechaun LLC hired in 2008 that wanted to submit claims based on documentation that was clearly inadequate, according to Ross complaint.

By 2011, Group Healths finances deteriorated, and it was facing downgrades from credit raters. That fall, Group Healths chief executive officer met a counterpart from a Buffalo plan called Independent Health, which had just formed a new subsidiary focused on risk adjustment called DxID, according to Ross complaint. In an early pitch, DxID CEO Betsy Gaffney told one of Ross colleagues that Group Healths internal approach to risk-adjustment is really putting you back financially, according to the Justice Department complaint. I get what the purpose of the policies are theoretically, and even kind of agree philosophically, but it is very restrictive, she wrote in a November 2011 email.

Group Health hired DxID the next month on a contingency basis. The vendor would keep 20% of any new revenue it brought in from combing old patient charts to uncover missed diagnoses. Gaffney proposed new ways to identify patients who suffered from illnesses like chronic kidney disease or low oxygen levels, a condition called hypoxia, according to the Justice Department complaint.

Ross recalls her managers lit up when they realized how much money it might bring in. Reviewing two years of data, DxID added thousands of potential diagnoses that increased Group Healths revenue by $32 million, the U.S. alleged. But when Ross checked DxIDs work, she found that three-quarters of the diagnostic codes it submitted for payment lacked proper documentation and didnt stand up to scrutiny, according to her complaint.

The plan got paid for one patients depression diagnosis even though a physician said it had resolved and the patient now had an amazingly sunny disposition, according to Ross complaint. It claimed another patient had kidney complications from diabetes even after a doctor had explicitly ruled that diagnosis out.

DxID would pull illnesses from the problem list doctors maintained in electronic medical records, a section of the chart that sometimes contained old or resolved conditions, Ross said. The company also used lab tests or other orders as proxies to infer diagnoses, even when clinicians had not documented the illnesses. For example, patients getting supplemental oxygen were assumed to have hypoxia, even though oxygen can be prescribed for less serious problems like sleep apnea, the complaint says. Later DxID would send physicians addendum forms to update charts with suggested diagnoses, paying them $25 to fill them out, the U.S. alleged.

This approach produced some unlikely results. One patients depression was supposedly documented during a visit to an ophthalmologist, according to Ross complaint. In another case, when Gaffney was working for Independent Health, a woman was coded for prostate cancer, because when a married couple has any disease, both were assigned to that disease, she wrote in an email, according to the Justice Department complaint.

As Ross and her colleagues reviewed the submissions, they found DxID was adding diagnoses that doctors hadnt made. Coders are not allowed to diagnose anything, Ross said. Thats for doctors.

Despite Ross protests, Group Health adopted most of the coding policies DxID proposed, Ross and the Justice Department allege. Her managers spurned her, she said, and eventually brought in the psychologist. Ross attorney, Mary Inman, a partner at whistleblower law firm Constantine Cannon, said Ross experience fits a pattern of tactics used to isolate corporate dissenters. This is where you get the whistleblower to start to doubt herself, Inman said. Thats part of the corporate playbook that we see in these cases.

Ross wasnt dissuaded. In April 2012, after 14 years in a job she loved, she filed her complaint in federal court for the Western District of New York, where DxID was based. The company that I had known to be ethical all of a sudden wasnt, she said. They didnt care about whether or not it was compliant. At least in my eyes, they were more concerned about what Betsy Gaffney was hanging out in front of them, which was millions and millions of dollars.

Attorneys for Gaffney didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. In a statement to the Buffalo News last year, they said she was unfortunate victim of an ancient lawsuit premised on inaccurate allegations. In legal filings seeking to dismiss the case, the defendants characterized the dispute as good faith disagreements over objectively ambiguous coding criteria and said that the allegations from Ross and the Department of Justice dont meet the standards of a False Claims Act claim.

Whistleblowers file their initial complaints under seal to give the government time to investigate and decide whether to proceed. In Ross case, it lasted years. She left Group Health the year after she filed her complaint and moved on to other jobs while her case sat sealed on the docket.

Mostly unknown to Ross, other whistleblowers were coming forward with similar accounts at other companies, and federal investigators were building cases of their own. Both targeted some of the largest companies in the industry, which increasingly relied on Medicare Advantage as a source of profitable growth.

In 2017, the Justice Department intervened in a case against UnitedHealth, the largest Medicare Advantage provider. It sued Anthem in 2020. A whistleblower suit against Cigna was also unsealed that year. The companies are fighting the cases and have disputed allegations of wrongdoing. CVS Health and Humana have also both disclosed investigations into their risk adjustment practices and said theyre cooperating with the probes. UnitedHealth and CVS declined to comment for this story. Representatives for Anthem, Cigna and Humana didnt respond to requests for comment. The Department of Justice declined to comment.

In 2017, Group Health was acquired by Kaiser Permanente, the giant California-based HMO. Ross own suit was unsealed in 2019, when the U.S. initially said it would not intervene but would keep investigating.

Kaiser Permanentes Washington state subsidiary denied Ross allegations. Without admitting liability, the health plan resolved the lawsuit in 2020 in a settlement for $6.3 million  about one-fifth of the revenue increase Ross attributed to the practices in two years of its engagement with DxID. Ross was awarded $1.5 million, with the rest recovered by the government.

Kaiser Permanente spokesman Marc Brown said in an email that Group Health submitted its data in good faith and in reliance on recommendations by DxID, its contracted risk adjustment vendor, which purported to be an expert in this area.

DxID ceased operations last summer. But the U.S. attorney in the Western District of New York is pursuing the civil fraud claims Ross initiated against the vendor, its parent company Independent Health, and Gaffney as an individual defendant.

Independent Health and DxID deny wrongdoing and have moved to dismiss the lawsuit. We believe the coding policies being challenged here were lawful and proper and all parties were paid appropriately, Independent Health said in a statement. Independent Health and DxID diligently navigate complex and vague coding criteria to ensure that all diagnosis and billing codes properly reflect our members medical conditions and are supported with documentation in the members medical records. The company also said its plans received high ratings from Medicare.

Last summer, the Department of Justice intervened in six other cases against Kaiser Permanente filed by separate whistleblowers alleging that it defrauded Medicare through inflated risk codes. The health system says it will fight the suits and defended its audit record with Medicare. Our policies and practices represent well-reasoned and good-faith interpretations of sometimes vague and incomplete guidance, Kaiser Permanente said. The company declined interview requests.

The cases could take years to resolve. Ross, who struggled initially with her decision to come forward, has been heartened by the number of counterparts across the industry who raised similar concerns. It took a long time for the government to really understand what was happening to them in this space, she said.
UPDATE (4/12): A person of interest in the Brooklyn subway shooting on Tuesday morning has been identified, according to the New York City Police Department. NYPD shared photos of a person identified as Frank James, along with a tip line via an online statement early Tuesday evening. This is Frank James who is a person of interest in this investigation. Any information can be directed to @NYPDTips at 1-800-577-TIPS, the tweet states.

***

Police error may have allowed the suspect in Tuesday mornings Brooklyn subway shooting to escape, according to an NYPD source.

The shooting happened while the Manhattan-bound N train was between 59th and 36th streets. When the train pulled up at 36th Street, victims poured out onto the platform as smoke from munitions let off by the gas-mask-wearing shooter billowed from the train car. However, the local duty captain of a Brooklyn South patrol reportedly did not freeze all trains in and out of the 36th Street station, which is a transfer point for the N, R, and D lines.

The NYPD rebuffed this claim on Twitter, stating, This statement is factually inaccurate. Speculation, especially in the middle of a crisis, is not helpful to our investigation, the victims, or the people of NYC. The victims on the train relied on the subway moving to the next stop to get to safety, and seek help.

Some victims were contacted by police at the 25th Street station, indicating they got on a northbound local train after fleeing the N train where shots were initially fired. Similarly, the D line was not frozen in either direction in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

The first indication that service had been suspended came via the subways Twitter account nearly an hour after the incident occurred. When asked for comment on when the suspension started, NYC Transit told Rolling Stone they had no information on the matter.

The deputy commissioner of public information did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment.

New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said at a press conference that the incident is not currently being investigated as an act of terrorism, although a source with knowledge of the matter told Rolling Stone that the NYPD was investigating the attack as potentially just that. The situation, however, remains fluid, with Sewell herself adding, This investigation is only hours old, so please note this information is subject to change.

When asked why law enforcement would rule out terrorism, Sewell replied, Im not ruling out anything. Were determining what that motive is, and well find that out as the investigation continues.

Rolling Stone has reached out to the FBIs New York City field office to see if they are asserting jurisdiction, which would likely happen if there is a suspected nexus to terror. As of this writing, the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mike Regan, FBI assistant special agent from an FBI-NYPD joint terrorism task force, was on the scene for the presser, though, and a rep for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was also in attendance.

According to preliminary reports, at least five people were shot on the N train April 12. A New York City Fire Department representative told NBC News that 13 people were injured in the mayhem, although it was unclear how many of them were shot. Police also said they were seeking a suspect identified only as a man wearing a gas mask and a construction vest. An NYPD representative tells Rolling Stone there are multiple people injured, but that number keeps changing. So far, however, all the victims are stable. The NYPD representative added that this is still an active investigation.

At the press conference, Sewell said, I want to begin by assuring the public that there are currently no known explosive devices on our subway trains.  We can also report that although this was a violent incident, reportedly we have no one with life-threatening injuries as a result of this case.

She also offered a detailed account of the incident, saying, Just before 8:24 this morning, as a Manhattan-bound N train waited to enter the 36th Street station, an individual on that train donned what appeared to be a gas mask. He then took a canister out of his bag and opened it. The train at that time began to fill with smoke. He then opened fire, striking multiple people on the subway and on the platform.  We would describe him as  a Black male, approximately five feet five inches tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a green construction-type vest and a hooded sweatshirt. The color is grey.

Its unclear at the moment whether the subway station had working security cameras during the attack. Thats under investigation as we speak, Sewell said during her press conference. Per ABC News, a police official said there were no working cameras at the station.

On top of the possible police error that may have allowed the suspect to escape, and the questions over the functioning security cameras, it appears a uniformed police officer at the station was unable to personally call for help. Andrew Hinderaker, a photo editor at The New York Times, said amid the panic around the attack, an officer asked subway passengers to call 911 because his radio wasnt working.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also issued a statement: This morning ordinary New Yorkers woke up in anticipation of a relatively normal day. They left their homes en route to school, en route to their jobs, and to a normal day, as I mentioned. That sense of tranquility and normalness was disrupted  brutally disrupted  by an individual so cold-hearted and depraved of heart that they had no caring about the individuals that they assaulted as they simply went about their daily lives. This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous.

ADVISORY: Due to an investigation, avoid the area of 36th Street and 4th Avenue area in Brooklyn. Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area. pic.twitter.com/xPIAHbtSA7  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022

Derek French, a photographer who happened to be on a train passing through the station, told Rolling Stone in an email: I had just arrived on the Manhattan-bound R train arriving at the station and saw an N express train. Tried hopping on it but MTA conductor told us to get off. Trying to find a semi-empty car, I saw the victims lying on the floor. Myself and a few other citizens just wanted to help out as best we could for those affected by rendering medical aid until paramedics arrived. I hope theyre OK, as thats what one emergency response person told us.

Multiple people shot at 36 street station by two people in #sunsetpark. All are currently being transported to the hospital #NewYork #Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/3Va2iXf0JQ  Derek French Photo (@derekcfrench) April 12, 2022

One witness told the New York Post that she lost count of the number of rounds the shooter fired off, and saw the man drop some kind of cylinder that sparked at the top.  I thought he was an MTA worker at first because I was like, I didnt, like, pay too much attention, you know? Youve got the orange on.

It is unclear what the cylinders were, but New York  and Brooklyn, specifically  has weathered subway bombings and bomb plots in the past. In 1997, police foiled a plot by two men to detonate pipe bombs in the busy Atlantic Avenue station in downtown Brooklyn.

In April 2021, a Brooklyn man was sentenced to life in prison for detonating a pipe bomb strapped to his chest in the subway station near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. He claimed to be inspired by ISIS. Multiple people were convicted in a 2009 plot by Al Qaeda-trained men to bomb the subway systems in New York and London.

#Exclusive video shows moment the train filled with smoke pulls into the 36th st station in #SunsetPark. @1010WINS @FDNY says multiple undetonated devices. Hearing 10 ppl shot, 13 injured 2 critical. @NYPDnews investigating along with @NewYorkFBI #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/n5cvD0YY3M  Samantha Liebman (@SamiLiebman) April 12, 2022

Tuesdays attack came amid a spate of violent crimes on the subway, which have hampered New Yorkers abilities to readjust to daily life following the lifting of pandemic lockdown restrictions. But these incidents have also coincided with a huge surge in NYPD officers patrolling subway stations at the direction of New York Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Hochul. Despite deploying more than 1,000 additional cops to patrol the subways, eight people were attacked over one weekend in February, with victims being stabbed, punched, robbed, or hit. On a Saturday morning in January, 40-year-old Michelle Go was fatally shoved in front of a train at the Times Square station. Go was of Asian descent, and although there was no indication she was targeted because of her race, her death further punctuated fears surrounding rising violence against Asian people during the pandemic.

The decision by Adams and Hochul to increase the number of cops in NYC subway stations was largely part of a plan to stop unhoused people from sleeping in stations and on trains. Houseless people, however, have been responsible for very few of the recent violent crimes.

This story is developing.

Additional reporting by Brenna Ehrlich.
MIDDLETOWN  The Common Council held its first two rounds of budget workshops this week, with the highly anticipated Board of Education report scheduled for April 18.

These meetings are a chance for each department head to address council members and explain their budgetary needs for the 2022-23 fiscal year. It also offers council members a chance to ask questions and make suggestions.

The first workshop took place at City Hall on Monday evening, with Mayor Ben Florsheim beginning the conversation.

He said its too early to speculate on what the citys tax rate will be, but the goal is to keep it as close to flat as possible. There are a lot of options we can explore to keep that increase minimal, Florsheim said.

The Board of Educations budget dominated the early stages of the workshop, including the discussion of a potential audit into the school districts financial processes, which Florsheim called for in his budget address.

Council Minority Leader Philip J. Pessina raised his concerns about the cost of the investigation into allegations of improper conduct by certain members of the administration.

The elephant in the room is the investigation, Pessina said. It is my hope, and I think its all the councils hope, that they will come to us when they meet us on the 18th with some kind of figure.

A few members, including Majority Leader Eugene Nocera, asked why this budget was being so heavily questioned.

Im a little disappointed tonight that the council took up a lot of time to talk about the Board of Ed, which is going to be with us on Monday, Nocera said.

Deputy Mayor Vinnie Loffredo, however, said the discussion was justified, given how much of Florsheims address focused on the boards spending package.

Florsheim reaffirmed his desire that he and the citys Director of Finance and Revenue Carl Erlacher can work together with the school board to rework their budget.

My hope is that there would be a collaborative approach, Florsheim said.

The police budget was also discussed at length. Chief Erik Costa expressed the need for a 2.2 percent increase in his departments budget, mostly caused by mandates through the states police accountability bill.

These are not wants, or wishes, or fluffing up the police department, Costa said. These are the needs of the department to service the city correctly and to be efficient and effective.

This includes new technology and a required accreditation manager position. The department will also be adding a new police captain post to head up a new community services division, as well as a new social worker, which Florsheim said has already proven to be successful.

Its really been able to improve our effectiveness in responding to mental health calls, which are an increasing portion of the calls that the department receives, Florsheim said.

The fire departments budget includes repairs and maintenance, such as improvements to a generator, sprinkler system, garage doors and software.

The council also heard from representatives from several other departments, such as arts and culture, the treasurers office, finance director, probate judge, emergency management and communications.

Sessions continued on Tuesday, where the council heard from several more entities, including the Old Burying Grounds Association, Council of Veterans, Transit District, registrars office, land use, Russell Library, technology services, general counsel, water and sewer, and public works.

Republican Registrar David Bauer told the council that this year will be a more costly one for his office due to minimum wage increases, impacts from the pandemic, and extra work due to recent voting precinct changes based on the 2020 census.

One issue is that more people than ever are voting through absentee ballot, a process that costs a lot more, Bauer said.

His department is also in the process of recruiting poll workers for the November election.

The council held a lengthy discussion with Russell Library Director Ramona Burkey after she addressed the board, saying that for the sixth year in a row, her budget will remain flat, but extensive repairs and other expenses will be needed in the near future.

We are faced with ever-increasing repair costs for our aging building, Burkey said. Weve got to make some plans and some decisions for the coming decades and coming generations.

She explained that an estimated $2.2 million is needed within the next five years for repairs and services, including a new chiller and HVAC system, plumbing repairs, elevator maintenance and more.

She said the public bathrooms at Russell Library are also in serious need of repair. That is something that desperately needs to be addressed, Burkey said.

Nocera suggested that undesignated American Rescue Plan Act funds could potentially be used for some of these repairs. Some of the money is already going toward water and sewer projects in the city, the councilman said.

Florsheim said that, ultimately, much of the budget is still up in the air until the state finalizes its budget.

There are a number of proposals before the legislature that would significantly impact Middletowns budget, mostly in a positive way, the mayor explained.

The budget workshop, including a discussion of the Board of Educations budget, will take place April 18. A public hearing will follow the next evening.

For information, go to middletownct.gov/755/Granicus.
MBABANE  Misery has overwhelmed orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs)attending school at Zombodze National High.

This comes after the school demanded E3 000 deposit upfront to issue a social welfare form for the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM) approval. It has been gathered that the school is locking out all pupils who have not paid deposits. In an interview with some parents, they said all children under the DPMs Office were supposed to receive forms from the Social Welfare Department upon acceptance. Instead, they said the school did not issue the form but gave the pupils a deposit slip.

The parents stated that their children were locked out of the gate by the security guard, who mentioned that only those who had paid deposits and school fees in full would be allowed inside. This, according to the parents, happened when the school released the end of year examination results. One of the parents stated that she had three children in the same school and in total had to pay E9 000. The parent said after receiving the deposit slips, she went to the school to state her case that she could not afford the said amount as she was a domestic worker and the father of her children passed away.

Results

According to the parent, the school did not chase away the children but withheld their results and claimed that they would be released after all school fees had been settled. When reached for comment, the schools Head teacher, Bheki Zwane, stated that parents reached a resolution during one of their meetings that all learners should pay the deposit, whether under the OVC Fund or not. Zwane said about three quarters of the pupils were under the OVC Fund. He said the school could not function if the deposits were not charged. The school head stated that the resolution was made based on the fact that the OVC funding was insufficient, as government paid E1 900 irrespective of how much the school fees cost.

He said guardians of OVCs were also required to pay top-up fees. The DPMs letter is issued after the pupils pay the deposit. Zwane said they then added the deposit to what government paid. He said government was aware of their arrangement, which was endorsed even by the auditors and was not a secret. He said they allowed the pupils into class, but encouraged that they paid the fees. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Bheki Gama said parents decided on the school fees. Gama said new parents who brought in their children also follow the laws made by the parents at the school. He said the ministry only supported in bringing in teachers to the schools.
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MIDDLETOWN  A blaze destroyed gourmet grilled cheese food trucks early Tuesday morning outside the R.M. Keating Historical Enterprise Park on Johnson Street.

The charred remains of the Whey Stations truck and trailer could be seen Tuesday afternoon at 180 Johnson St., and the old factorys windows have been boarded up with wood.

The Whey Station, which occupies a space in the city-owned business incubator factory in the North End, as well as the Whey Station(ary) restaurant at 544 Main St., shared the news on social media, wryly noting that it occurred on National Cheese Day.

The business is owned by husband-and-wife Josh and Jillian Moskites.

We wish we had better news, they wrote on social media.

While knocking down the blaze, one Middletown firefighter received a minor cut that required stitches, Fire Chief Jay Woron wrote on the City of Middletown Professional Firefighters Local 1073 Facebook page.

Strong work by the Middletown Fire Department assisted by South Fire District and Westfield Fire kept the fire from extending to the building, Woron wrote.

Some windows and doors in the exterior of the old factory suffered damage, he added.

Shortly after midnight, the owners said on Facebook, firefighters found the truck and trailer engulfed in flames.

They worked fast to put out the flames, and (we) appreciate their hard work, but, unfortunately, it was too late and both are beyond repair.

Truck manager Emily Harrison was outside the building Tuesday afternoon, examining the wreckage and taking photographs for the insurance company.

Last night, I heard something that sounded like a bunch of trash cans dropping, said Harrison, who lives nearby.

Soon after, she saw a fire truck go by. She checked social media and learned what was happening and rushed to the scene.

Harrison never thought the Whey Station would be involved. Weve been parking this here forever, she said, gesturing toward the blackened metal hull of the trailer, and short bus, which is regularly used, especially now with the advent of fair, festival and food truck season.

A lot of food prep for the restaurant is done in the sizable space they rent in the city-owned building, as well as cheese grating by hand, Harrison said.

The bus contained refrigerated cheeses sourced from local purveyors ready to be brought to the Main Street eatery. We had enough cheese on there to do three days at the restaurant  or one big truck event, she said.

Were trying to formulate a plan to grate cheese by hand . and go from there, Harrison added.

The trailer had not been used since September, she said.

Its the beginning of truck season. Weve been really aggressively booking. We have so much stuff coming up, such as weddings, the Coventry Farmers Market and more, Harrison said.

The Whey Station will be back, it will only be a matter of time, the owners said on Facebook.

The blaze is under investigation by the fire marshals office.

The downtown restaurant will reopen Wednesday for its normal operating hours.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department declined a request this week from the House oversight committee to disclose the contents of records that former President Donald Trump took to his Florida residence after leaving the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The move could serve as a setback for Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform as it was ramping up its investigation into Trumps handling of sensitive and even classified information during his time as president and after he left the White House. It remains unclear what implications the decision could have for the panel's probe, which was announced in March.

The Justice Departments decision is part of an effort to protect confidential information that may compromise an ongoing investigation, according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The development was first reported Tuesday by The Washington Post.

The National Archives had referred the matter of Trump's handling of those records to the Justice Department earlier this year. Because of that, the DOJ is asking the National Archives not to share information related directly to it, including the contents of the 15 boxes that Trump took to his Mar-a-Lago residence.

The notice to the committee comes days after its chair, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., accused the Justice Department of obstructing the panels expanded investigation by preventing the release of information from the National Archives.

The Justice Department has not formally announced it is investigating Trump's handling of the records, but letters between the committee and the department seem to indicate that investigators are taking steps toward it.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined a request for comment Tuesday.

In addition, the FBI has taken steps to begin examining the potential mishandling of classified information related to the documents in the boxes, according to two other people familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to discuss it by name and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. It wasnt clear exactly what work investigators had done so far or what additional steps they were planning to take.

In a letter to the National Archives last month, Maloney made a series of requests for information she said the committee needs to determine if Trump violated federal records laws over his handling of sensitive and even classified information. In response, the general counsel for the archivist wrote on March 28 that based on our consultation with the Department of Justice, we are unable to provide any comment.

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Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
In a rare move, the state Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into Superior Court Judge Alice Brunos more than two-year absence from the bench while collecting upwards of $400,000 in salary.

The order, issued Tuesday, comes after an hourslong hearing last week in which Brunos attorney argued that she had not violated the judicial code of conduct, but was kept from returning to the bench because the Judicial Branch failed to accommodate her medical disability.

The three-page order states, this court shall commence an expedited investigation to determine whether there exist grounds for removal or suspension of Judge Bruno from her judicial office in accordance with the statute.

The court has appointed attorney Robert Devlin, a former judge serving as the states first inspector general, to conduct the investigation.

Devlin will be given wide access to materials and personnel, including the chief court administrator, all judges and any judicial staff, according to the order. He will also have unfettered access to Brunos medical records. Devlin may also seek to have an independent medical evaluation of Bruno conducted as part of the investigation, the order shows.

Bruno, who has been on leave since November 2019, is accused of violating the judicial code of conduct as it relates to promoting confidence in the judiciary, giving precedence to office and competence, records show.

In last weeks show-cause hearing, Bruno described the whole process as extremely difficult.

Theres nothing I want more than to serve the people of Connecticut fairly and appropriately, Bruno said.

During the hearing and in filings, Brunos attorney, Jacques Parenteau, argued there was no basis to investigate his clients absence from her work as a judge. He told the Supreme Court justices that she had tried to return to work in December 2020 with certain accommodations, but that was not granted.

Judge Bruno wanted to be back at work in a judicial district where she had a supportive environment since 2020, so theres no cause to commence an investigation to determine whether or not she violated these judicial rules, the code of conduct, Parenteau said.

In a statement Tuesday, Parenteau said: As we stated to the Supreme Court last week, Judge Bruno should have been back to work with an accommodation for her disability starting in October of 2020, and certainly by December 11, 2020. Judge Bruno intends to cooperate fully with this investigation and will demonstrate she has not engaged in any conduct that would violate any rule of the judicial code by seeking an accommodation for her disability as provided by law.

In a filing ahead of the hearing, Bruno alleged that a hostile work environment had worsened preexisting conditions and eventually accommodations for those conditions were needed. She first went on medical leave in 2019 after she was hospitalized for cardiac testing related to the stress of her job, according to a court filing.

While on leave, Bruno continued to collect her more than $170,000 annual salary.

Youve indicated that over the last two-plus years, Judge Bruno has not performed any services on behalf of the people of Connecticut in exchange for the $400,000 she has received. Is that correct? Justice Andrew J. McDonald asked Parenteau during the hearing.

Parenteau said he was not certain that she had received $400,000, but acknowledged the pay was an accommodation for her condition.

A medical leave is a form of accommodations. She had every right to believe she was being accommodated by the Judicial Branch while we were trying to find a solution. And that solution was there to be had. We couldve had that solution if only there was good faith on the other side, Parenteau said at the time.

It was not immediately clear the last time the state Supreme Court ordered a similar investigation.
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PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

Earlier Wednesday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said France had sent 100 million euros ($109 million) worth of weapons to Ukraine in recent weeks as part of a flow of Western arms.

Earlier in his term, Macron had tried to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to improve Russias relations with the West, and Macron met with Putin weeks before the Russian invasion in an unsuccessful effort to prevent it. Since then, however, France has supported EU sanctions against Moscow and has offered sustained support to Ukraine.

Le Pen also said France should strike a more independent path from the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

And despite the atrocities that Russian troops have committed in Ukraine, Le Pen said that NATO should seek a strategic rapprochement with Russia once the war is over. Such a relationship would be in the interest of France and Europe and I think even of the United States, she said, to stop Russia from forging a stronger alliance with world power China.

She did not directly address the horrors unfolding in Ukraine.

Le Pen was speaking at a press conference Wednesday to lay out her foreign policy plans, which include halting aid to African countries unless they take back undesirable migrants seeking entry to France. She also wants to slash support for international efforts to improve womens reproductive health in poor countries, increase minority rights or solve environmental problems.

At the end of the event, protesters held up a poster showing a 2017 meeting between Le Pen and Putin. One activist was pulled out of the room. Anti-racism protesters also held a small demonstration outside.

The election of Madame Le Pen would mean electing an admirer of Putins regime, an autocratic regime and an admirer of Putins imperialistic logic, said Dominique Sopo, head of the group SOS Racism. It would mean that France would become a vassal to Putins Russia.

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Follow all AP stories related to France's 2022 presidential election at https://apnews.com/hub/ french-election-2022.

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Follow all AP stories on Russia's war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Gov. Ned Lamont on Wednesday announced 13 nominations to fill some of the vacancies in the states supreme, appellate and superior courts.

Lamont said he nominated Judge Joan K. Alexander of Cromwell to serve as an associate justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also nominated Judge Hope C. Seeley of Coventry to serve as a judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court. Lamont nominated 11 other attorneys to serve as judges of the Connecticut Superior Court.

Alexander, 59, currently serves as a judge of the state Appellate Court, where she has served since 2020. Before that, she was a Superior Court judge dating back to 2000, Lamonts office said. She has also served as a the chief administrative judge for the Connecticut Judicial Branchs Criminal Division. Before she was appointed to the bench, she was a prosecutor with the state Division of Criminal Justice. She graduated from Yale University and holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Lamont said Alexander was nominated to fill the vacancy created earlier this month when Justice Christine E. Keller took senior status.

Seeley, 58, has been a Superior Court judge since 2013. She is also an assistant administrative judge for the judicial district of Hartford, as well as the presiding criminal judge, Lamonts office said. Before she was appointed to serve in Hartford, she was a criminal trial judge in the Windham and Tolland districts. Before she was appointed to the bench, she was in private practice. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and holds a law degree from UConn School of Law.

Lamont said Seeley was nominated to fill a vacancy on the appellate court that is expected to be created by the confirmation of Alexander to the supreme court.

Selecting nominees to fill vacancies on our courts is one of the most important tasks a governor is required to do, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to elevate these two talented judges to the supreme and appellate courts, Lamont said in a prepared statement.

The state currently has 60 judicial vacancies on the superior court, Lamont said. The 11 nominations to that court announced Wednesday come on top of 22 more that were announced in February. The 22 nominations from February are pending confirmation by the state legislature, Lamont said.

The 11 attorneys nominated for judgeships Tuesday were:

Scott R. Chadwick, 59, of East Hartford, is a current probate judge for the East Hartford district. He graduated from Western New England University and obtained his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Victoria W. Chavey, 55, of West Hartford, is the current owner of Chavey Legal Services. She established her own legal practice last year. She completed two clerkships, one with a chief supreme court justice and another with a second circuit judge. She graduated from Dartmouth College and holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law.

Thamar Esperance-Smith, 36, of Glastonbury, is currently an assistant attorney general at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General in the Child Support and Collections Department. She serves as the president-elect of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association. She graduated from Pace University and obtained her law degree from the UConn School of Law.

Josephine S. Graff, 46, of Glastonbury, is currently an assistant attorney general at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, where she handles employment cases. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and holds a law degree from the UConn School of Law.

Jeanet Figueroa-Laskos, 53, of Shelton, is currently an assistant attorney general at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, working in the Child Protection Department. Before that, she was a special deputy states attorney that prosecuted criminal cases. She has served as a member of the Client Security Fund Committee since 2018. She graduated from UConn and obtained her law degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law.

Steven D. Jacobs, 63, of New Haven, is a current partner at a law firm that mainly focuses on personal injury, medical malpractice and workers compensation cases. He graduated from Trinity College and holds a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Brian W. Preleski, 55, of Avon, has served as the states attorney for the New Britain district since 2011. He has worked in various roles within the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice since 1993. He graduated from UConn and obtained a law degree from the UConn School of Law.

Alina Marquez-Reynolds, 56, of Fairfield, is currently general counsel and justice initiative deputy director at the Grace Farms Foundation. She served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for Connecticut from 1995 to 2019. She currently serves on the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violences Fatality Review Task Force. She graduated from Georgetown University and obtained a law degree from Boston College Law School.

Charles M. Stango, 52, of Waterbury, is currently the supervisory assistant states attorney in Milford GA 22. He has worked in the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice since 1998. He is the current president of the Connecticut Association of Prosecutors. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and obtained his law degree from the UConn School of Law.

Cecil J. Thomas, 40, of Coventry, is currently an attorney at Greater Hartford Legal Aid, where he has spent his entire legal career. He is president of the Connecticut Bar Association. He graduated from Brandeis University and holds a law degree from the UConn School of Law.

David L. Zagaja, 57, of Wethersfield, is currently a supervisory assistant states attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, where he has been a prosecutor since 1996. He was an adult probation officer for eight years before becoming a prosecutor. He graduated from Trinity College and holds a law degree from the UConn School of Law.
Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, has been removed from North Carolina's list of registered voters after documents showed he lived in Virginia and voted in that state's 2021 election, officials said Wednesday.

Questions arose about Meadows last month, when North Carolina Attorney General Josh Steins office asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into Meadows voter registration, which listed a home he never owned  and may never have visited  as his legal residence.

A representative for Meadows, a former congressman from the area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meadows frequently raised the prospect of voter fraud before the 2020 presidential election, as polls showed Trump trailing Joe Biden, and in the months after Trumps loss, to suggest Biden was not the legitimate winner. In his 2021 memoir, he repeated the baseless claims that the election was stolen.

Judges, election officials in both parties and Trumps own attorney general has concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Experts point to isolated incidents of intentional or unintentional violations of voter laws in every election.

Under North Carolina general statutes, If a person goes into another state, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district, or into the District of Columbia, and while there exercises the right of a citizen by voting in an election, that person shall be considered to have lost residence in that State, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district from which that person removed.

Public records indicated Meadows had been registered to vote in Virginia and North Carolina, where he listed a mobile home he did not own as his legal residence weeks before casting a 2020 presidential election ballot in the state.

Meadows listed a mobile home in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, as his physical address on Sept. 19, 2020, while he was serving as Trumps chief of staff in Washington. Meadows later cast an absentee ballot for the general election by mail. Trump won the battleground state by just over 1 percentage point.

The New Yorker spoke to the former owner of the Scaly Mountain property, described as a 14-foot by 62-foot mobile home with a rusty metal roof, who indicated that Meadows does not own the home and never has. The previous owner said Meadows wife rented the property for two months at some point within the past few years but only spent one or two nights there. Neighbors said Meadows was never present, The New Yorker reported.

The New Yorker story doesnt identify the former owners name, saying she requested that her name not be used.

In announcing his removal from the voter rolls, the Macon County Board of Elections said it had received no formal challenge and was referring the matter to the SBI, the state elections board said Wednesday.

Macon County District Attorney Ashley Welch had asked the attorney generals office to handle any investigation into Meadows voter registration, recusing herself from the matter because Meadows contributed to her campaign for DA and appeared in political ads endorsing her.
BOSTON (AP)  Multiple U.S. government agencies issued a joint alert Wednesday warning of the discovery of a suite of malicious cyber tools created by unnamed advanced threat actors that are capable of sabotaging the energy sector and other critical industries.

The public alert from the Energy and Homeland Security Departments, the FBI and National Security Agency did not name the actors or offer details on the find. But their private sector cybersecurity partners said the evidence suggests Russia is behind the industrial control system-disrupting tools  and that they were configured to initially target North American energy concerns.

One of the cybersecurity firms involved, Mandiant, called the tools exceptionally rare and dangerous.

In a report, it called the tools' functionality was consistent with the malware used in Russia's prior physical attacks though it acknowledged that the evidence linking it to Moscow is largely circumstantial.

The CEO of another government partner, Robert M. Lee of Dragos, agreed that a state actor almost certainly crafted the malware, which he said was configured to initially target liquified natural gas and electric power sites in North America.

Lee referred questions on the state actor's identity to the U.S. government and would not explain how the malware was discovered other than to say it was caught "before an attack was attempted.

Were actually one step ahead of the adversary. None of us want them to understand where they screwed up, said Lee. Big win.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which published the alert, declined to identify the threat actor.

The U.S. government has warned critical infrastructure industries the gird for possible cyberattacks from Russia as retaliation for severe economic sanctions imposed on Moscow in response to its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Officials have said that Russian hacker interest in the U.S. energy sector is particularly high, and CISA urged it in a statement Wednesday to be especially mindful of the mitigation measures recommended in the alert. Last month, the FBI issued an alert saying Russian hackers have scanned at least five unnamed energy companies for vulnerabilities.

Lee said the malware was designed to be a framework to go after lots of different types of industries and be leveraged multiple times. Based on the configuration of it, the initial targets would be LNG and electric in North America.

Mandiant said the tools pose the greatest threat to Ukraine, NATO members and other states assisting Kyiv in its defense against Russian military aggression.

It said the malware could be used to shut down critical machinery, sabotage industrial processes and disable safety controllers, leading to the physical destruction of machinery that could lead to the loss of human lives. It compared the tools to Triton, malware traced to a Russian government research institute that targeted critical safety systems and twice forced the emergency shutdown of a Saudi oil refinery in 2017 and to Industroyer, the malware that Russian military hackers used the previous year to trigger a power outage in Ukraine.

Lee said the newly discovered malware, dubbed Pipedream, is only the seventh such malicious software to be identified that is designed to attack industrial control systems.

Lee said Dragos, which specializes in industrial control system protection, identified and analyzed its capability in early 2022 as part of its normal business research and in collaboration with partners.

He would offer no more specifics. In addition to Dragos and Mandiant, the U.S. government alert offers thanks to Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks and Schneider Electric for their contributions.

Schneider Electric is one of the manufacturers listed in the alert whose equipment is targeted by the malware. Omron is another.

Mandiant said it had analyzed the tools in early 2002 with Schneider Electric.

In a statement, Palo Alto Networks executive Wendi Whitmore said: Weve been warning for years that our critical infrastructure is constantly under attack. Todays alerts detail just how sophisticated our adversaries have gotten.

Microsoft had no comment.

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AP writer Alan Suderman contributed from Richmond, Virginia
Water restrictions have continued this week at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, just nine months after the facility opened its doors.

As of Wednesday, hospital employees and patients were able to use the water for handwashing and showering, but restrictions continued on its use for drinking or medical needs such has sterilization and surgery after sediment and discoloration was found throughout the facility last week.

Employees noticed there was debris in the water in one department on March 25, according to a base press release. Officials thought the problem was limited to that section, but hospital-wide testing found the sediment elsewhere.

Read Next: Soldier Who Was First Service Member Charged After Jan. 6 Riot Is Being Removed from the National Guard

Hospital leaders declared the water unsafe to drink out of "an abundance of caution" on April 7.

They noted, however, that the installation's environmental health team found no "pathogenic or environmental concerns," and also determined, via testing, that the problem did not stem from the water supply, which is drawn from the city of El Paso.

"Hospital officials suspect the root cause ... lies within the hospital's internal plumbing," they wrote in a press release.

A replacement for an aging medical center 10 miles away, the hospital was scheduled to open in 2017 at a cost of $740.4 million. The opening was pushed to September 2020 and again to this year as a result of the pandemic, with the cost exceeding $1.3 billion.

The seven-story complex serves thousands of patients with 30 specialty clinics, 10 operating rooms and an emergency department and trauma center.

A Fort Bliss spokesperson told Military.com that water test results are expected Thursday. In the meantime, the installation has brought in stand-alone eye-washing facilities and "exterior water storage solutions."

It flushed the pipes last week and shut off the main water line for inspections before allowing limited use over the weekend.

According to officials, experts from U.S. Army Environmental Command, the Defense Health Agency, the Corps of Engineers, Army Installation Management Control and Army Medical Command have responded to the problem.

"We have the right experts on the ground, and everybody's working around the clock. I am in no way a scientist, but to these folks work, it's pretty awesome," said Lt. Col. Allie Scott, the spokesperson.

As a result of the issues, the hospital is sending new trauma patients to local facilities and has postponed all elective surgeries. Equipment sterilization is being conducted in various locations off-site, according to Scott.

No patients have been moved from the hospital, she added.

The 6-building hospital complex, with a 135-bed inpatient capacity and two large outpatient clinic buildings, opened last August following years of construction delays and cost overruns.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed the project, which was designed by HDR Inc., a Nebraska-based architectural firm, and built by Clark McCarthy Healthcare Partners II, a joint venture between Clark Construction in Bethesda, Maryland, and McCarthy Building Companies in St. Louis.

The Corps of Engineers also is managing construction of a replacement for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The Defense Health Agency announced earlier this year that it had awarded a $969 million contract to joint partners Zublin, a Stuttgart-based company, and Gilbane Building Company, which constructed Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.

That facility is expected to open in late 2027.

The water issues appear to be confined to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center campus and do not affect any base housing or work spaces other than the hospital facilities.

"WBAMC and Fort Bliss place the safety of patients and the hospital staff first. Technical experts continue to troubleshoot systems and develop both near and long-term solutions," Fort Bliss officials said in a press release.

In November, residents of U.S. Navy housing in Honolulu reported fuel contamination in their tap water leading to the displacement of thousands of families from their homes for more than three months. The fuel spill that caused the contamination and subsequent investigation led the Navy to shut down the largest Defense Department fuel depot in the Pacific Region.

William Beaumont officials advised any Tricare beneficiaries who have health concerns about the facility's water to contact their primary care provider; call the Tricare Nurse Advice Line, 1-800-874-2273; or go to an urgent care clinic in El Paso.

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

Related: 'We Have Put You in an Unsafe Condition': Top Navy Officials Apologize for Tainted Water at Pearl Harbor
MANZINI  A woman is fighting for her life after she was severely hacked by her husband, who later took his own life by drinking a herbicide.

The incident took place at Timbutini under Mafutseni Constituency in the Manzini Region on Monday night. According to a source close to the matter, he alleged that the man, who is an ex-migrant worker, hacked his wife several times all over the body using a bush knife. The source alleged that the bone of contention was that the man allegedly told his wife that in the morning (yesterday), she should wake up and drive cattle to the dip tank. He alleged that the wife responded by saying she could not do that when he was around. After that, they had a heated argument and the man ended up hacking her several times all over the body, mainly on the head, the source alleged.

Thereafter, he claimed that the man supposedly thought that the woman was dead and he drank a herbicide. He alleged that the couple was rushed to the hospital and the man died while receiving medical attention, while the woman was admitted with serious injuries. In fact, she is in a critical condition, the source said. When giving a brief background about the matter, the source alleged that the mans first wife died and he got involved with the one in question. He alleged that the woman had issues with her stepchildren such that they took each other to court for a peace binding order.

Again, the source alleged that the couple did not see eye-to-eye and they would often have serious arguments. As a result, he alleged that they also took each other to court for a peace binding order, but the man allegedly asked the court to give them an opportunity to sort out their issues at family level. He added that after the court granted the man his wish, the couple seemed to get along, until this incident took place. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. She said the man died in hospital while the woman was in a critical condition. She added that the police were aware that the couple had made means to process a peace binding order before the incident took place.
TOKYO -- U.S. and Japanese warships, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, are conducting their joint naval exercise in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula for the first time in five years. It's a show of their close military alliance amid growing speculation of North Korea's missile or nuclear testing later this week.

The U.S. 7th Fleet and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said Wednesday they conducted a joint naval exercise at the Sea of Japan on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was the first time the U.S. aircraft carrier held the exercise in the area since 2017 and is seen as an apparent attempt to deter North Korea's provocation.

Defense experts have warned that North Korea may launch another missile or even conduct a nuclear test as early as this week when Pyongyang marks the birth anniversary of its founding leader Kim Il Sung. Tension is rising in the region ahead of an annual joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea.

Japan has also stepped up joint military exercises with its closest ally, the United States, as well as regional partners in recent years amid rising concern over China's increasingly assertive military actions in the regional seas.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that the ongoing joint exercise is "aimed at strengthening military cooperation between Japan and the United States, and is not keeping in mind a specific country. ... We will continue to strengthen deterrence and response capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance and to do utmost for the defense of our country."

Details of the exercise will be released by the Japanese Defense Ministry "when the situation allows a disclosure."

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said its destroyers JS Kongo and JS Inazuma, as well as Japanese F-2 fighters joined USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group "in order to strengthen the capability of Japan-US alliance for effective deterrence and response."

"Our works contribute to the regional peace and stability," the Japanese navy tweeted.

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense official said they cannot provide specific dates and locations of the ongoing joint exercise until it's finished.

Tension has risen in the area over North Korea's spate of missile tests this year, including its first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years.

Some experts say the North's recent missile tests were meant to perfect its weapons technology, boost its leverage in future negotiations with the U.S. and secure stronger internal loyalty. They say North Korea could soon conduct another ICBM launch, a launch of a satellite-carrying rocket or a test of a nuclear device in coming weeks.
U.S. troops deployed to Europe will begin training the Ukrainian military on howitzers and radar systems as part of a massive new weapons and security aid package announced Wednesday.

The planned training is a major development in the U.S. involvement in the bloody Russian war on Ukraine and will put its military once again in direct contact with Ukrainian forces after U.S. troops left the country in the weeks ahead of Russia's invasion.

President Joe Biden has vowed that Americans will not fight in the country, and thousands of troops deployed to eastern Europe have so far only guarded the border of the NATO alliance as the conflict rages next door.

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The new aid for Kyiv includes 18 of the U.S. military's 155mm howitzers and 12 counter-artillery and surveillance radar systems. The $800 million package -- the latest in a total of $2.6 billion worth of war support since February -- was approved by Biden on Wednesday as Russia's planned conquest of Ukraine appeared to enter a new phase in the eastern Donbas region and Moscow continued an assault on the key city of Mariupol.

The artillery and radars, including the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder and AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel, were among a lengthy list of hardware worked out with the Ukrainians in recent days and will require the U.S. military to provide guidance on how to use them, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

"We believe that we can put together appropriate training for some of these systems very, very quickly. These are not highly complex systems," Kirby said.

There are about 100,000 U.S. troops total in Europe, with about 14,000 of those being deployed in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion and floundering attempt to take over Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that has carefully nurtured independence and contact with the West since the end of the Cold War.

Origin APNews

The Pentagon said details of who would provide the training and where it would occur had not been worked out on Wednesday.

"It's more likely than not that what we would do, because they are in an active fight, is a train-the-trainers program," Kirby said. "So, pull a small number of Ukrainian forces out so that they can get trained on these systems and then send them back in."

The security package also includes a myriad of other equipment. Ukraine is getting another 300 of the Switchblade drone missiles, as well as 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been slated to go to Afghanistan; 2,000 optics and laser rangefinders; M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mines; 200 M113 armored personnel carriers; 100 Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles; chemical and biological protective gear; and body armor and helmets.

A mysterious "unmanned coastal defense vessel" will also be donated by the Navy. The Pentagon refused to provide any details on the vessel, which appeared to be a ship drone not known to the public.

U.S. troops may also be tapped to provide training to Ukrainians on the optics, Claymore mines and Switchblade drones. A small number of Ukrainians who were in the U.S. since before the Russian invasion on Feb. 24 have been trained on the drones, which are essentially flying missiles that can loiter over the battlefield. Those Ukrainians spoke with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday from Biloxi, Mississippi, before returning to Ukraine.

The U.S. and NATO allies have pumped weapons such as Stinger and Javelin missiles into Ukraine that may have been key so far in repulsing Russian forces and destroying its tanks and aircraft. The new weapons approved Wednesday could further help give the Ukrainians an edge as Russia appears to refocus its forces on the breakaway Donbas region in the east, and continues its assault on the southern city of Mariupol, where victory could give Moscow a new opening to take other areas of the country.

But Biden and the Pentagon have been careful about deeper involvement in the conflict over concerns of triggering an escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a public vow of retaliation against any nations that oppose his invasion that was widely interpreted as a threat to use Russia's nuclear weapons.

Kirby said the U.S. training is just a continuation of the other types of support for Ukraine.

"This is a piece of that, and this is representative of the kinds of capabilities that Ukrainians themselves have asked for and said they need as this fighting now gets focused on the eastern part of the country," Kirby said. "How that gets interpreted by the Russians, you can ask Mr. Putin at the Kremlin."

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: Investigators: Drone that Crashed in Croatia Carried a Bomb
'Top Gun' is a classic and arguably one of the most visually stunning aviation movies ever made. Few movies in cinematic history have been as prolific in contributing to the pop culture lexicon, as well. (Who among us hasn't said, "I feel the need for speed" in random social situations?)

And if you ask military aviators who signed up for flight school after 1986 why they did it chances are they'll list 'Top Gun' as one of the reasons.

Paramount had a huge challenge when they decided to make 'Top Gun.' Real-life air-to-air combat doesn't lend itself to the silver screen in that it's super technical, very chaotic, and generally takes place at ranges that would prevent two jets from being in the frame at the same time.

So, of course, writers Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. and the late-great director Tony Scott had to take some liberties to make the dynamic world of fighter aviation into something that might entertain moviegoers.

But, even allowing for that, 'Top Gun' has a bunch of cringe-worthy technical errors that cause it to be as much cartoon as tribute. Here's WATM's list of the big ones (annotated by the exact time they occur). After reading them we guarantee you'll never look at the movie the same way again.

(4:23) CATCC controller is sweating. Those spaces on the ship are usually freezing cold to protect the electronics.

(4:26) Bald-headed guy (played by actor James Tolkan) walks in wearing cover, something the crew doesn't do on Navy ships unless they're on watch on the bridge. What is this guy's billet anyway? CAG? Carrier CO? Tomcat squadron skipper? (He's an 0-5, so that would make him too junior for the first two, but he acts like he's in charge of everything.)

(4:33) (Not an error but a technical note): MiGs-28s are actually F-5Fs painted black. (Top Gun still uses F-5s as aggressor aircraft.)

(4:45) GCI controller refers to crews by their callsigns: "Cougar and Merlin and Maverick and Goose." A controller would refer to jets by aircraft side numbers.

(4:56) Maverick and Goose are sweating in the cockpit, which they'd only do if the pilot had the environment control system (ECS) jacked up uncomfortably high and the RIO didn't bitch at him to turn it down.

(5:00) RIO's radar presentation shows a 360-degree PPI presentation. Tomcat's radar only sweeps 65 degrees either side of the nose. (Wouldn't want a radar that pointed back at the crews. That would be a huge radiation hazard, to put it mildly.)

(6:00) Tomcat's wings are swept fully aft, which means -- at that altitude -- that the aircraft is going supersonic or the pilot commanded them into that position, which he wouldn't do because the airplane doesn't turn that well in that configuration.

(7:21) Standby gyro is un-caged as Maverick "goes for missile lock" by twisting a nob on the mid-compression by-pass selector -- a system that has nothing to do with the Tomcat's weapons suite.

(8:00) Cougar transmits: "This bogey's all over me. He's got missile lock. Do I have permission to fire?" Well, whatever the ROE, the question is moot until you do some pilot shit and actually maneuver your jet into a position to commit a weapon.

(9:01) As far as Maverick's "4-G inverted dive" (as Charlie later labels it) goes, if the two airplanes were that close the Tomcat's vertical stabs would be jammed into the MiG-28.

(9:03) The RIO wouldn't be carrying a Polaroid camera. He'd have a regular "intel" camera, and if he didn't get good photos of an airplane that nobody had ever been that close to before (as Goose says) then he would have failed in his part of the mission, big time.

(9:59) Merlin taps on a fuel gauge that doesn't exist in the rear cockpit of the F-14, only in the front cockpit. (The RIO only has a fuel totalizer.)

(10:06) Cougar rips his oxygen mask off to breathe more oxygen, which would be in short supply at high altitude.

(10:12) Cougar has a photo of his wife and baby taped over the airspeed gauge to the left of the altimeter. Meanwhile the vertical speed indicator shows he's descending at 6,000 feet per minute, which would be an aggressive dive. At the same time the altimeter, which shows he's at 31, 500 feet, is set to standby with the barometric pressure dialed to 28.32 when it should be at 29.92.

F-14 A Tomcat cockpit. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

(10:26) ICS comms (intra-cockpit chatter) can be heard in air ops.

(10:48) A ball call (the transmission indicating the pilot sees the Fresnel lens that gives him glide slope information for landing) would not include the pilot's call sign.

(10:57) Goose has the same non-existent rear cockpit fuel gauge as Merlin.

(10:58) Maverick crosses the ramp with his hook down and then a second later he has the hook up. (It takes several seconds to cycle between fully up and fully down.) Then he pulls the throttles aft to go around, which would reduce engine power, as somebody screams "Cougar!" over the radio.

(11:06) Maverick instantly bolters -- in full burner, no less -- with the hook down again.

(12:25) Cougar never calls the ball when instructed but gets a "roger, ball" from the LSO.

(12:27) There's no way Cougar wouldn't have been waved off based on that wild approach. He gets at least FIVE "power" calls and no "wave off" call. The Air Boss would have had Paddle's ass after that.

(12:51) Cougar traps, leaves lights on (Case I or Case III approach? Unclear here), and immediately shuts the jet down instead of taxiing out of the landing area. Maverick is still airborne, low on gas, and needs to land but can't now because Cougar has fouled the landing area and has to be towed out of the wires.

(13:00) Nice stateroom for a squadron CO. (He's an 0-5, fer crissakes.) Again, what's this guys' billet?

(13:58) First glimpse of random patch assortments on flight suits as Maverick and Goose get chewed out by skipper in his really nice stateroom. (And everybody's sweating.)

(14:19) Ship's captain/CAG/squadron skipper says, "With a history of high-speed passes over five air-controlled towers." Not sure what those are but they must be different than ground- or water-controlled towers.

(15:36) Ship's captain/CAG/squadron skipper says, "You can tell me about the MiG some other time" and dismisses the crew to head for Top Gun, thereby committing professional suicide by not getting the only information that anyone above him in the chain of command would care about that particular day.

(16:06) "Um, tower, there's some dork riding a motorcycle down one of the taxiways shaking his fist at us."

(16:59) There is no Santa Claus. And there's no such thing as the Top Gun Trophy.

(17:46) Slider is a lieutenant (junior grade). That's too junior for a Top Gun slot.

(18:32) Navy leaders would be reprimanded for encouraging arrogance because the Navy spent money on posters that read "excellence without arrogance."

(20:02) Goose quips, "Slider, thought you wanted to be a pilot, man; what happened?" So he's a RIO slamming a fellow RIO for being a RIO? Not likely. And the "RIOs as second class citizens" vibe left the community with the F-4.

(25:52) A hangar isn't the most conducive place for detailed flight briefs.

(26:29) Charlie briefs, "The F-5 doesn't have the thrust-to-weight ratio that the MiG-28 has." Must be because black paint is lighter than other colors.

(26:37) Charlie briefs, "The MiG-28 does have a problem with its inverted flight tanks." Those must be different than upright flight tanks.

(26:54) Anybody who showed up to a flight brief wearing a cowboy hat would have his or her wings pulled on the spot.

(27:36) Maverick makes a big deal about how the information regarding his MiG encounter is classified and then proceeds to reveal it in front of the entire group with no idea of whether they have clearance or not. Again, they're briefing in a HANGAR. Not exactly a SCIF.

(28:42) Jester says, "All right, gentlemen, we have a hop to take. The hard deck on this hop will be 10,000 feet. There will be no engagements below that." Of course we haven't briefed any of the other details of this event -- including ACM rules of engagement -- because Charlie has wasted our time hitting on Maverick, but whatever...

(29:53) Smoke effect is actually the Tomcat dumping fuel . . . a stupid idea when you're about to enter a dogfight.

(30:01) First merge happens very low to the ground over the desert, not exactly a hard deck of 10,000 feet.

(30:51) Goose says "Watch the mountains!," words never spoken during an air combat maneuvering event with a hard deck of 10,000 feet.

(31:31) Maverick "hits the brakes" by pushing the throttles forward, which would increase power, not decrease it.

(31:49) Jester's evasive maneuver in the A-4 is an aileron roll  not exactly an effective move in terms of creating the sort of lateral displacement that might defeat an enemy's weapons solution.

(32:08) Goose says, "We're going ballistic, Mav. Go get him," which makes no sense because a pilot has no control over a ballistic airplane.

(33:34) Maverick does a barrel roll after the tower fly-by in full afterburner, a violation of Federal Aviation Regulations to the extreme without an FAA waiver, which he certainly didn't get at the spur of the moment. That would have cost him more than an ass chewing by Viper. He would have lost his wings.

(35:52) Maverick explains, "We weren't below the hard deck for more than a few seconds. I had the shot. There was no danger. So I took it." The hard deck simulates the ground, so basically Maverick is saying, "We didn't hit the ground for more than a few seconds..."

(37:10) Any lieutenant whose fitness report reads "He's a wildcard. Completely unpredictable. Flies by the seat of his pants" would be done flying, not to mention unqualified for a Top Gun slot.

(38:26) Goose says to Maverick, "They wouldn't let you into the Academy 'cause you're Duke Mitchell's kid." There are lots of reasons not to get admitted into a service academy -- low SAT scores, for instance. Being the dependent of a veteran isn't one of them; in fact, that status qualifies the candidate for a Presidential nomination.

(39:26) Maverick explains to Charlie during a TACTS debrief, "If I reversed on a hard cross I could immediately go to guns on him." She replies, "But at that speed it's too fast." Um, what are you guys talking about, and what language are you even speaking?

(51:43) Charlie says, "That's a big gamble with a $30 million plane." Tomcat unit cost (cost per jet) circa '86 was $42 million. Maybe she wasn't including the cost of the two engines, which could have been a subtle dig on his energy management skills.

(55:31) Why is Hollywood eating an orange on the flight line?

(55:45) More dumping of gas going into a dogfight.

(56:30) Crews are surprised that Viper is one of the bandits. They would have briefed with him (in accordance with safely of flight rules).

(57:26) Logic of the engagement is ridiculous. Maverick lets Jester go and then flies in parade formation behind Hollywood who's saddled in super-close behind the other bandit. Hollywood whines at Maverick not to leave him when he should just shoot the bandit right in front of him, and then Maverick leaves to go after Viper and ultimately winds up getting shot because Goose does a shitty job of keeping their six clear (at 59:23).

(57:49) More fuel dumping.

(58:42) HUD display looks nothing like the real thing.

(59:04) Maverick switches to guns but HUD symbology stays the same.

(1:06:16) Iceman transmits, "I need another 20 seconds then I've got him" while flying so close that if he took a gun shot he'd probably FOD his own engines with the debris from the airplane in front of him. What does he need 20 seconds for?

(1:06:56) Goose says "Shit, we got a flameout. Engine 1 is out." The RIO has no engine instruments in the rear cockpit of the F-14.

(1:07:13) Iceman transmits, "Mav's in trouble. He's in a flat spin and headed out to sea." When an airplane is in a flat spin it is not heading anywhere except straight down.

(1:07:22) Goose reports, "Altitude 8,000. 7,000. Six, we're at six." They should have ejected already. NATOPS boldface (immediate action steps committed to memory) procedures read like this: "If flat spin verified by flat attitude, increasing yaw rate, increasing eyeballout G, and lack of pitch and roll rates: 8. Canopy - Jettison. 9. EJECT - RIO Command Eject."

(1:07:23) Goose says "We're at six [thousand feet]" while the altimeter shows 2,200 feet.

(1:07:48) See step 8 above. If Goose had followed procedures he wouldn't have died.

(1:14:20) A Field Naval Aviator's Evaluation Board (FNAEB -- pronounced "fee-nab") would not look like a judicial proceeding held in a courtroom.

(1:23:08) Viper tells Maverick about the day his dad died like this: "His F-4 was hit. He was wounded but he could have made it back. He stayed in it. Saved three planes before he bought it." And Maverick doesn't respond by saying, "That makes no sense, sir. How does a pilot save three planes after his jet is hit? Why are you bullshitting me?"

(1:23:20) Viper explains, "It's not something the State Department tells dependents when the battle occurred over the wrong lines on some map," which ignores the fact that the Pentagon would be pissed if some random State Department dude spoke to surviving family members at all.

(1:26:50) Aviators wouldn't get orders at the Top Gun graduation. They'd get them via a frustrating process of arguing with their detailers on the phone over the period of a few months.

(1:27:24) Again: What. Is. This. Guy's. Billet?

(1:28:56) Pilots salute cat officers for launch with oxygen masks off.

(1:29:08) Maverick walks on the flight deck during flight ops without his helmet on.

(1:32:10) Tomcat does an aileron roll right off the cat, which it wouldn't have the speed to do -- not to mention that maneuver would be a gross violation of Case I departure procedures.

(1:33:08) Random lieutenant reports, "Both catapults are broken. We can't launch any aircraft right now," which ignores the fact that modern aircraft carriers have FOUR catapults.

(1:34:47) Controller says, "Maverick's re-engaging, sir." There's no way his radar displays would give him any indication of that.

(1:36:41) Ice says, "I'm going for the shot" while at close range behind a bandit, but he switches from 'Guns' to 'Sparrow/Phoenix' -- the long range, forward-quarter weapons.

(1:36:54) Missile magically transforms from an AIM-7 Sparrow into a AIM-9 Sidewinder in flight.

(1:37:48) Maverick shoots a Sparrow in the rear quarter at short range, which wouldn't work because the AIM-7 needs a lot of closure to guide.

(1:38:02) Again the missile magically transforms from a Sparrow into a Sidewinder in flight.

(1:38:54) Once again Maverick 'hits the brakes' by ADVANCING the throttles, which would make the airplane speed up.

(1:39:47) Maverick leads a two-plane fly-by next to the carrier with a wingman that's been riddled with bullets and most likely has sustained major damage to the hydraulic system that powers the flight controls.

(1:41:14) Iceman says, "You can be my wingman any time," which ignores the fact that unless he's the ops officer or schedule officer or squadron CO who signs the flight schedule then he just needs to shut up and fly with whomever he's assigned to fly with.

(All photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures except as otherwise indicated.)

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Global Bismuth Oxide market trend 2022-2026 The Applications of Bismuth Oxide by Newsmis-asia

The U.S. and its allies plan to impose sanctions on more Russian industries and supply chains.

The US government representatives recently visited Europe to consult with allies on strengthening and enforcing sanctions to punish Russia. They also plan to take action to disrupt their critical supply chains.

The US government claims that the sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion began on February 24 have proved extremely effective, plunging Russia into a financial crisis. The sanctions include a freeze on the Russian central bank's foreign exchange assets, a ban on hard currency transactions by major Russian banks and wealthy individuals, and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. The sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and left the Kremlin with fewer resources.

The volatile international political situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the Bismuth Oxide.







What is Bismuth Oxide Powder?

Bi2O3 bismuth oxide powder is one of the most important bismuth compounds. It has excellent dielectric properties, high oxygen fluidity, large energy gap, high refractive index, significant photoconductivity and photoluminescence, and is an advanced Functional materials;

The pure product of bismuth trioxide has  type and  type. The  type is yellow monoclinic crystal with a relative density of 8.9 and a melting point of 825C. Soluble in acid, insoluble in water and alkali.  type is bright yellow to orange, cubic crystal system, relative density 8.55, melting point 860C,soluble in acid but insoluble in water. Easily reduced to metallic bismuth by hydrogen, hydrocarbons, etc.

The main features of Bismuth Oxide Powder

Bismuth oxide is an important additive in electronic ceramic powder materials, purity is generally required to be above 99.15%, the main application objects are zinc oxide varistor, ceramic capacitor, ferrite magnetic materials in three categories.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide or water-soluble carbon dioxide reacts easily with Bi2O3 to form bismuth subcarbonate. Bismuth oxide is considered to be an alkaline oxide, which explains its high reactivity with carbon dioxide. However, when an acidic cation such as Si(IV) is introduced into the bismuth oxide structure, the reaction with carbon dioxide does not occur. Bismuth (III) oxide reacts with a concentrated mixture of sodium hydroxide and bromine or with a mixture of potassium hydroxide and bromine to form sodium bismuth or potassium bismuth, respectively.

Bismuth Oxide Properties Other Names bismuth trioxide, Bi2O3 powder CAS No. 1304-76-3 Compound Formula Bi2O3 Molecular Weight 465.96 Appearance Light Yellow Powder Melting Point 817 C Boiling Point 1890 C Density 8.9 g/cm3 Solubility in H2O N/A Exact Mass 465.945541

Bismuth Oxide Bi2O3 powder CAS 1304-76-3

The applications of Bismuth Oxide Powder

Used to prepare bismuth salt; used as electronic ceramic powder material, electrolyte material, photoelectric material, high temperature superconducting material, catalyst. As an important additive in electronic ceramic powder materials, bismuth oxide usually requires a purity greater than 99.15%. The main applications are zinc oxide varistors,ceramic capacitors, ferrite magnetic materials; and glaze rubber compounding agent, medicine, red glass compounding agent, etc.

Bismuth oxide Bi2O3 powder is widely used in the electronics industry, chemical industry, glass industry, plastic industry, ceramic glaze and other material industries, such as electronic ceramic powder materials, electrolyte materials, magnetic materials, photoelectric materials, high-temperature superconducting materials, catalyst, Fireproof materials (firepro of paper), nuclear reactor fuel, firework materials, radiation protection materials, ceramic packaging materials, etc.

The supplier of Bismuth Oxide Powder

Luoyang Trunnano Tech Co., Ltd (TRUNNANO) is a professional oxide powder supplier with over 12 years of experience in chemical products research and development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.

If you are looking for high-quality boron carbide powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.





Europe has been facing the gas shortage problem since the second half of 2021. The worsening situation in Russia and Ukraine has reduced Russian gas shipments to Europe, leading to a doubling of European gas prices. Energy shortages have sent electricity prices soaring. For these reasons, it is predicted that the price of the Bismuth Oxide will continue to increase.



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Global Boron Carbide Powde market trend 2022-2026 What is Boron Carbide Powder B4C? by Newsmis-asia

According to statistics from China Chemical and Physical Power Supply Industry Association China's export volume and export value of lithium-ion batteries have continued to increase. In 2021, China's exports of lithium-ion batteries were 3.428 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 54.34%. The export of lithium-ion batteries was 28.428 billion DOLLARS, up 78.34% year on year.

From the battery export destination, so far. China's lithium-ion batteries are mainly exported to the Asia Pacific and the United States and other places. In terms of price, the price of products exported to the United States is significantly higher than that in the Asia-Pacific region, mainly because the demand for lithium-ion batteries in the United States is higher than that in the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of export volume, the number of China's lithium-ion battery exports to Asian countries and regions far exceeds that of other countries. In 2021, The number of China's lithium-ion battery exports to Hong Kong, China is 675 million. 648 million were exported to Vietnam; 440 million were exported to India; 337 million were exported to the U.S. 222 million were exported to South Korea. The market for other Boron Carbide Powde, led by lithium-ion batteries, is expected to expand globally.

About Boron Carbide Powder

Boron carbide powder is hard, black, and shiny. Its hardness is lower than industrial diamond but higher than silicon carbide. Boron carbide is less fragile than most pottery. It has a large thermal neutron capture cross-section, and strong chemical resistance. It is not subject to attack by hot hydrogen fluoride and nitric acid. It is soluble in molten alkali and insoluble in water and acid. The relative density (D204) is 2.508 to 2.512. The melting point is 2350 . The boiling point is 3500 .



Physicochemical Properties of Boron Carbide Powder

Boron carbide does not react with acid and alkali solution and has high chemical potential. It has the properties of neutron absorption, wear-resistance, and semiconductor conductivity. It is one of the most stable substances to acids and is stable in all concentrated or dilute acid or alkaline water solutions. Boron carbide is basically stable under 800 in the air environment.

When some transition metals and their carbides coexist, they have special stability. The transition metals , , and  in the periodic table react strongly with boron carbide powder to form metal borides at 1000 ~ 1100. At higher reaction temperatures, it has been reported that boron carbide tends to nitride or react with transition metal oxides to form corresponding boron nitride and borides, which are mainly rare earth and alkaline earth metal hexaborides.

It has a Mohs hardness of about 9.5 and is the third hardest substance known after diamond and cubic boron nitride, which is harder than silicon carbide.

Due to the preparation method, boron carbide is easy to form carbon defects, resulting in a wide range of boron to carbon ratio changes without affecting the crystal structure, which often leads to the degradation of its physical and chemical properties. Such defects are difficult to be resolved by powder diffraction and often require chemical titration and energy loss spectrum.



Boron Carbide Powder Properties Other Names B4C, B4C powder, black diamond, boron carbide powder CAS No. 12069-32-8 Compound Formula B4C Molecular Weight 55.26 Appearance gray black powder Melting Point 2763  C Boiling Point 3500C Density 2.52g/cm3 Solubility in H2O insoluble Exact Mass N/A

Boron Carbide B4C Powder Cas 12069-32-8





Applications of Boron Carbide Powder

Boron carbide is suitable for hard materials of drilling, grinding, and polishing, such as hard alloy, ceramic wear parts including wear plate, pump parts, bearings, faucet, nozzle, valve parts engineering ceramics, biological ceramics, nuclear reactor pellet, lightweight body armor materials applications. Specifically,

1. Used to control nuclear fission. Boron carbide can absorb large amounts of neutrons without forming any radioactive isotopes, making it an ideal neutron absorber for nuclear power plants, where neutron absorbers control the rate of nuclear fission.

2. As abrasive materials. Boron carbide has been used as a coarse abrasive material for a long time. Because of its high melting point, it is not easy to cast into artifacts, but by melting at high temperatures, it can be machined into simple shapes. Used for grinding, drilling, and polishing of hard materials such as hard alloy and precious stone.

3. For coating coatings. Boron carbide can also be used as a ceramic coating for warships and helicopters. It is lightweight and has the ability to resist armor-piercing bullets penetrating the hot-pressed coating as a whole.

4. For the nozzle. It is used in the arms industry to make gun nozzles. Boron carbide is extremely hard and wear-resistant, does not react with acid and alkali, has high/low-temperature resistance, high-pressure resistance, density 2.46g/cm3; Microhardness  3500kGF /mm2, bending strength 400MPa, melting point is 2450. Because the boron carbide nozzle has the characteristics of wear resistance and high hardness, the boron carbide sandblasting nozzle will gradually replace the known carbide/tungsten steel and silicon carbide, silicon nitride, alumina, zirconia, and other materials of the sandblasting nozzle.

5. Others. Boron carbide is also used in the manufacture of metal borides and smelting of sodium boron, boron alloys, and special welding.



Main Supplier of Boron Carbide Powder

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boron carbide powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality boron carbide powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.

A preparation developed in China; the comfort and the multifunctional properties of nanomaterials make "dead skin" capable of sensing again. Electronic skin is artificial skin that mimics the function of human skin. Recently, the world-renowned journal Advanced Science reported a simple and highly programmable electronic skin on a leather substrate developed by a Chinese team, which combines the natural complex structure of leather, the comfort of wearing, and the multi-functional properties of nanomaterials. , so that the "dead skin" has the ability to sense again.



In the future, Boron Carbide Powde will be used in various high-tech fields, and the market demand for Boron Carbide Powde will also be great. Please contact us for more information on Boron Carbide Powde.







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Global cement foaming agents market trend 2024-2029 The two kinds of cement foaming agents by Newsmis-asia

The biggest immediate challenge for the EU will be replenishing its depleted gas inventories. While the EU could still increase LNG imports from countries such as the US, such purchases would be more expensive.

Refilling natural gas storage space to historical average levels this year could cost 70 billion euros, a sevenfold increase, compared to 10 billion euros in previous years. "

A complete replacement for Russian gas is not only very expensive, but it also may not be possible.

In the next 12 months, there is little way to meet the demand for a "normal" year in the absence of Gazprom, which also includes cement foaming agents.





The introduction of Cement foaming agent:

Cement foaming agent refers to all the surface active substances whose solutions can be produced in large quantities through physical (stirring, compressed air, etc.) or chemical reactions under specific conditions. It is surface active, and the double-electron layer is arranged on the surface of the liquid film to inhale air to form bubbles, which are then composed of a single bubble.

1. Plant cement foaming agent

Plant-based plant fumigants mainly include soaps and saponins teas. They are the main source of refined smoking and oil absorbents. They do not contain pollutants, but smoked synthetic absorbents have more appearance than synthetic absorbents. In addition, the main component of these headphones comes from nerves, so they are classified as snorting nerve receptors.

The plant-based adsorbent uses high-quality natural plant polymer chemical materials as raw materials and is made through delicate and complex reactions. The product is pure and transparent oily fluid. It is not sensitive to hard water, non-toxic, tasteless, and has no sediment. PH neutral, dust-free cement, does not pollute the environment. The headset has no camera, is not easy to change, the appearance is rich in shape, and the foam cement is stable. The application has the advantages of low consumption and low cost. It can be widely used in ground heating decoration projects and roof landscape decoration projects, which can reduce operations on a large scale.

2. Polymer cement foaming agent

The product is a shallow viscous liquid with low content, strong diffusibility, uniform quality, stable quality, adsorption and foam. Because the foam surface formed by the adsorbent has high strength and stability, the foam cement made of the adsorbent has an independent closed state, and the bubbles are not produced with the bubbling, but the foam is produced. Good permeability resistance of cement products. Its powerful foam cement can reach more than 1.5 meters without collapsing.

Luoyang TRUNNANO Specializes in the production of foaming agents. We are professionals in lightweight concrete and foam concrete solutions. We can supply concrete foaming agent, superplasticizer, aerogel and foam concrete strength enhancer for lightweight concrete mix, CLC blocks all over the world.

If have any need, please feel free to contact: sales4@nanotrun.com





At present, international supply chains were shocked, and logistics and transportation efficiency decreases. Geopolitical conflicts further aggravate uncertainties about the European and American economic recovery and the global commodity supply. For this reason, I assume the price of the cement foaming agents would not decrease significantly in the short term.



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Global foam concrete market trend 2023-2029 The difference between foam concrete and lightweight aggregate by Newsmis-asia

Australian alumina ban disrupts Rusal foam concrete prices for chemicals. Patel said. "One possible outcome could be Chinese buyers buying alumina and reselling it through eastern Russian ports." Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina Refinery, which has a capacity of 3.95 million tonnes a year, thus providing Rusal with 790,000 tonnes a year, Patel said. In addition, Rusal's Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, which has an annual capacity of 1.75 million tonnes, has been suspended due to the conflict, he added. WoodMac said Rusal was also experiencing supply chain problems at its 2 million tonne a year Aughinish refinery in Ireland.

Foamed concrete and lightweight aggregate concrete are both lightweight concretes.

What is foam concrete?

Foamed concrete is to fully foam the foaming agent diluent by mechanical means through the foaming system of the special equipment for foamed concrete, and evenly mix the foam with the cement slurry, and then conduct in-situ construction through the pumping system of the special equipment for foamed concrete. A new type of lightweight thermal insulation material with a large number of closed pores formed by natural curing.

Foamed concrete is a member of the concrete family. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the research and development of foamed concrete at home and abroad, making it more and more widely used in the field of construction and transportation.

What is Lightweight Aggregate Concrete?

Concrete prepared with light coarse aggregate, light sand (or ordinary sand), cement and water, whose dry apparent density is not greater than 1950 kg/m3, is called light aggregate concrete.

Lightweight aggregate concrete is divided into:  Natural lightweight aggregate concrete. Such as pumice concrete, volcanic slag concrete and porous tuff concrete.  Artificial lightweight aggregate concrete. Such as clay ceramsite concrete, shale ceramsite concrete, expanded perlite concrete and concrete made of organic lightweight aggregates. Industrial waste light aggregate concrete. Such as cinder concrete, fly ash ceramsite concrete and expanded slag bead concrete.

In the current practical application, ceramsite concrete is the most used lightweight aggregate concrete.





We can basically believe that foam concrete is the first choice for building slopes. Its advantages are obvious, and the summary is as follows:

1. The convenience of construction is beneficial to the construction period

2. The light weight is conducive to reducing the load of the building, and it has obvious economic benefits.

3. Good compatibility with building structure and synchronous life

4. The compressive strength can meet the design requirements

5. Low engineering cost





Cabr is a cement foaming agent supplier with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.



If you are looking for high quality foaming agent, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry:sales@cabr-concrete.com











Overall, the demand for foam concretes is on the rise, and future foam concretes will continue to evolve. Although the prosperity of the brand name has rebounded, there are still many outstanding problems in foam concrete, and the foam concrete will develop steadilyif you need product nanme please contact us.

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Global Silicon Boride Powder market trend 2022-2029 What is Silicon Boride Powder? by Newsmis-asia

The U.S. and its allies plan to impose sanctions on more Russian industries and supply chains.

The US government representatives recently visited Europe to consult with allies on strengthening and enforcing sanctions to punish Russia. They also plan to take action to disrupt their critical supply chains.

The US government claims that the sanctions imposed on Russia since the invasion began on February 24 have proved extremely effective, plunging Russia into a financial crisis. The sanctions include a freeze on the Russian central bank's foreign exchange assets, a ban on hard currency transactions by major Russian banks and wealthy individuals, and export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and other technologies. The sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and left the Kremlin with fewer resources.

The volatile international political situations will continue to affect the markets and prices of many commodities like the Silicon Boride Powder.





Introduction to Silicon Boride Powder

Silicon Boride (also known as boron silicide) is a lightweight ceramic compound made up of silicon and boron. There are silicon triboride, silicon tetraboride, silicon hexaboride, and so on.

Silicon hexaboride or hexaboron silicide is a glossy black gray powder. The chemical formula is SiB6. The molecular weight is 92.95. The relative density is 2.47 g/cm3, the melting point is 2200. The hardness is between diamond and ruby. Silicon hexaboride can conduct electricity. It is insoluble in water. When heated in chlorine and water vapor, the surface can be oxidized.



Physicochemical Properties of Silicon Boride Powder

The SiB6 crystal structure consists of interconnected icosahedrons (polyhedrons with 20 faces), icosahedrons (polyhedrons with 26 faces), and isolated silicon and boron atoms.

It is insoluble in water and resistant to oxidation, thermal shock, and chemical erosion. Especially under thermal shock, it has high strength and stability. The grinding efficiency is higher than boron carbide.

Surface oxidation occurs when SiB6 is heated in air or oxygen and is eroded at high temperatures by boiling sulfuric acid and fluorine, chlorine, and bromine. Borides are electrically conductive. Hexamborides have a low thermal expansion coefficient and high thermal neutron cross-section.



Silicon Boride Powder Properties Other Names silicon hexaboride, SiB6 powder CAS No. 12008-29-6 Compound Formula SiB6 Molecular Weight 92.95 Appearance dark grey to black powder Melting Point 1950  Boiling Point N/A Density 2.43g/cm3 Solubility in H2O insoluble Exact Mass 93.04

Silicon Boride SiB6 Powder CAS 12008-29-6





Preparation Methods of Silicon Boride Powder

The mixture of boron and silicon can be heated directly, the excess silicon can be removed with HF and HNO3, and the B3Si in the mixture can be decomposed with molten KOH.



Applications of Silicon Boride Powder

1 Used as various standard abrasives and grinding cemented carbide;

2 used as engineering ceramic material, sandblasting nozzle, manufacturing gas engine blade, and other special-shaped sintering parts and seals.

3. Used as an oxidant for refractories.



Main Supplier of Silicon Boride Powder

Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12-year-experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, zinc sulfide, calcium nitride, 3D printing powder, etc.

If you are looking for high-quality Silicon Boride Powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry. ([email protected])



In 2021, Russia's palladium, nickel and aluminum exports will account for 24.6%, 21.9% and 9.9% of the global total, respectively. Russia exported 2.819 million tons of palladium, accounting for 43.37% of global production. Platinum exports amounted to 962,000 tons, accounting for 15.01% of global production. Russia controls 10 per cent of the world's copper reserves. Russia and Ukraine are also important producers and exporters of neon gas. Markets were volatile after the russia-Ukraine conflict. The London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel, aluminum and copper prices rose 75.3 percent, 28.3 percent and 4.9 percent respectively from the end of last year, thus driving up costs for downstream companies such as electronics, auto parts, military and aerospace. If you are looking for a Silicon Boride Powder with low price fluctuation range and excellent quality, click here will be a good choice.



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Global Vanadium Nitride Powder market trend 2024-2028 The Applications of Vanadium Nitride Powder by Newsmis-asia

The roble had hit a record low after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. Russia's president recently ordered exports of Russian gas to "unfriendly" countries to be settled in robles. The speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said Moscow was prepared and could shift supplies to markets such as Asia if Europe refused to buy Russian energy.

European countries, which pay mostly in euros, say Russia has no right to reset contracts. The G7 rejected Russia's demand and urged companies not to agree to pay in robles, saying most contracts stipulated payment in euros or dollars. Wholesale gas prices in Europe have risen further recently on concerns about potential supply disruptions.

The Kremlin spokesman said, "According to the March 31 deadline set by Russia's president, we are developing all payment methods to get a simple, understandable, and feasible system for relevant European and international buyers,"

The markets and prices of more commodities like the Vanadium Nitride Powder would be affected because of the volatile international political situations.



What is Vanadium Nitride Powder?

Vanadium nitride VN is a compound of vanadium and nitrogen. Vanadium nitride, also known as vanadium-nitrogen alloy, is a new type of alloy additive that can replace ferrovanadium in the production of micro-alloyed steel.

The main features of Vanadium Nitride Powder

It has two crystal structures: one is V3N, a hexagonal crystal structure, with extremely high hardness, with a tiny hardness of about 1900HV and an undetectable melting point; the other is VN, with a face-centered cubic crystal structure, with a tiny hardness of about 1520HV and a melting point of 2360 degrees.

Zirconium Nitride Powder Properties Other Names Zirconium(III) nitride, Nitridozirconium,ZrN powder. CAS No. 25658-42-8 Compound Formula ZrN Molecular Weight 105.23 g/mol Appearance yellow-brown crystals Melting Point 2980 C Solubility in water N/A Density 7.09 g/cm3 Purity >99.5% Particle Size 5-10um Poisson's Ratio N/A Specific Heat N/A Thermal Conductivity N/A Thermal Expansion N/A Young's Modulus N/A Exact Mass 103.908 Monoisotopic Mass 103.908

Vanadium Nitride VN Powder CAS 24646-85-3

The applications of Vanadium Nitride Powder

Vanadium nitride has high wear resistance and can greatly improve vanadium steel after nitriding treatment.

1.The comprehensive mechanical properties of high-strength steel, such as strength, toughness, ductility and thermal fatigue resistance, give the steel good weldability. When the same strength is reached, adding vanadium nitride can save 20-40% of the vanadium addition, thereby reducing costs.

2.Vanadium-nitrogen alloy can be used for structural steel, tool steel, pipe steel, steel bar and cast iron. Vanadium-nitrogen alloy used in high-strength low-alloy steel

3.Vanadium nitride can carry out effective vanadium and nitrogen microalloying at the same time, promote the precipitation of carbon, vanadium and nitrogen compounds in the steel, and play a more effective role in strengthening settlement and refinement.

4. Adding vanadium nitride to steel can improve the comprehensive mechanical properties of steel, such as strength, toughness, ductility and thermal fatigue resistance, and make the steel have good weldability.

5.When the same strength is reached, adding vanadium nitride can save 30-40% of the vanadium addition, thereby reducing costs. Vanadium-nitrogen alloy can be used for structural steel, tool steel, pipe steel, steel bar and cast iron.

6.The vanadium-nitrogen alloy used in high-strength low-alloy steel can simultaneously perform effective vanadium and nitrogen microalloying, promote the precipitation of carbon, vanadium and nitrogen compounds in the steel, and more effectively play the role of settlement strengthening and graining. Refinement.

The supplier of Zirconium Nitride Powder

Luoyang Trunnano Tech Co., Ltd (TRUNNANO) is a professional nitride powder supplier with over 12 years of experience in chemical products research and development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.

If you are looking for high-quality boron carbide powder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.





The war in Russia and Ukraine is roiling global financial markets. Russia and Ukraine are important commodity suppliers in the world, so their conflict is bound to make a full impact on the global commodity supply. In view of this, the price of the Vanadium Nitride Powder may continue to rise in the future.



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MBABANE  Senate hopeful Bhutana Dlamini has won his case where he was challenging his disqualification as a candidate for the Senate race.

Bhutana wanted the court to declare that he qualified to stand for the Senate elections to replace the late Jimmy Hlophe, who had replaced Mike Temple, who also passed on. He also wanted the decision to disqualify him to be reviewed and set aside. The court yesterday ruled in his favour. Respondents in the matter were clerk to Parliament, the Speaker, Elections and Boundaries Commission, Attorney General, Sifiso Dlamini and five others. In his judgment, Judge Nkosinathi Maseko said it was shocking that the Clerk to Parliament was aware as early as August 31, 2021 that Bhutana was owing the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) a minor debt of E668.20 and did not inform him, but went on to prepare ballot papers and unilaterally excluded him without affording him the opportunity to present his side of the story.

The court observed that on September 2, 2021, when the elections were due to be conducted, the applicant (Bhutana) and members of the House of Assembly made a shocking discovery that his name was not there. When the clerk was asked on the spot why the applicants name had been excluded from the ballot papers, his response was that Bhutana had been disqualified and when asked why, he was unable to provide reasons. Judge Maseko further noted that Bhutana also requested for the reasons of his disqualification and the clerk was not able to provide same to him. Owing to the failure of the clerk to provide the reasons to the MPs, the House in its wisdom, adjourned the elections.

The court said Bhutana was forced to launch these proceedings on September 9, 2021, to compel the first respondent (Clerk to Parliament) to provide reasons for his disqualification. The reasons were eventually provided to the applicant pursuant to a court order. Judge Maseko said the clerk to parliament conducted himself in a dishonest manner, because in paragraph 11 of his answering affidavit, he stated under oath that as at September 11, 2021, the applicant had not requested from me reasons for his disqualification. The statement by the clerk to parliament is untrue because the applicant requested for the reasons of his disqualification from the Senate Elections from him on September 2, 2021, the day of the elections and also on September 7, 2021 through his attorneys. As to why the first respondent decided to mislead the court in this matter leaves a lot to be desired, said Judge Maseko.

Disqualifying

The judge further found that: The conduct of the first respondent in unilaterally disqualifying the applicant from Senate Elections without informing him of the reasons for such disqualification, and the refusal to provide the reasons when requested to do so firstly, by the applicant, secondly by the House of Assembly and thirdly by the applicants attorneys, left the court with no alternative but to conclude that his (clerk of parliament) intention was to prevent the applicant from taking part in the elections on September 2, 2021, however, the House of Assembly suspended the elections to enable the clerk to provide reasons why he unilaterally disqualified the applicant. Judge Maseko further pointed out that it defeated logic why the clerk of parliament decided to verify Bhutanas tax compliance status when the ERS itself had cleared the applicant to take part in the elections.

It was further the courts observation that even the correspondence of August 31, 2021, referred to the debt as a minor debt. The court wondered why the clerk of parliament did not disclose this debt to Bhutana on August 31, 2021, when he (clerk) received the information from the Eswatini Revenue Service on September 1, 2021, when he (Bhutana) and the House of Assembly requested for the reasons which caused him to unilaterally disqualify the applicant from taking part in the Senate Elections when he had been nominated by a majority vote of the House of Assembly.

The answer to the above is known by the first respondent, however, what is true in the circumstances is that the applicant was not going to participate in the Senate Elections of September 2, 2021 if the Honourable Members of Parliament (House of Assembly) did not suspend the Senate Elections when the clerk failed to provide them with the reasons for such disqualification of the applicant, reads part of the judgment. Bhutana was represented by Derrick Jele of Robinson Bertram. Assistant Attorney General Mndeni Vilakati and Principal Crown Counsel Ndabenhle Dlamini appeared for the respondents.
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Global artificial graphite market trend 2023-2028 What is the application classification of artificial graphite? by Newsmis-asia

The biggest immediate challenge for the EU will be replenishing its depleted gas inventories. While the EU could still increase LNG imports from countries such as the US, such purchases would be more expensive.

Refilling natural gas storage space to historical average levels this year could cost 70 billion euros, a sevenfold increase, compared to 10 billion euros in previous years. "

A complete replacement for Russian gas is not only very expensive, but it also may not be possible.

In the next 12 months, there is little way to meet the demand for a "normal" year in the absence of Gazprom, which also includes artificial graphite.





Graphite electrodes

It is mainly made of petroleum and needle coke as raw materials and coal tar pitch as a binder. It is made by calcining, batching, kneading, pressing, roasting, graphitization and machining. According to their quality indicators, conductors that are heated and melted can be divided into ordinary power, high power and ultra-high power. Graphite electrodes include:

(1) Common power graphite electrodes. Graphite electrodes with a current density lower than 17A/cm2 are allowed to be used, mainly in ordinary power electric furnaces such as steelmaking, silicon making, and yellow phosphorus smelting.

(2) Anti-oxidation coated graphite electrode. The surface of the graphite electrode is coated with an anti-oxidation protective layer to form a protective layer that is both conductive and resistant to high-temperature oxidation, reducing electrode consumption during steelmaking.

(3) High-power graphite electrodes. It is allowed to use graphite electrodes with a current density of 18-25A/cm2, mainly used in high-power electric arc furnaces for steelmaking.

(4) Ultra-high power graphite electrodes. Graphite electrodes with current densities of more than 25 A/cm are allowed and are mainly used for ultra-high power steelmaking electric arc furnaces.

Graphite anodes

It is mainly made of petroleum coke as raw material and coal tar pitch as a binder. It is generally used as a conductive anode for electrolysis equipment in the electrochemical industry. include:

(1) Various chemical anode plates.

(2) Various anode rods.

Special graphite

Mainly using high-quality petroleum coke as raw material, coal tar or synthetic resin as binder, through raw material preparation, batching, kneading, tabletting, crushing, re-kneading, moulding, multiple roasting, and multiple roasting impregnations, purification and graphitization, Machined. Generally used in aerospace, electronics and nuclear industries.

It includes pure graphite, high-purity, high-strength, high-density and pyrolytic graphite.

graphite heat exchanger

The artificial graphite is processed into the required shape and then impregnated and cured with resin to make impermeable graphite products for heat exchange. Used in the chemical industry. include:

(1) Block hole heat exchanger;

(2) Radial heat exchanger;

(3) Falling film heat exchanger;

(4) Tube heat exchanger.

Non-standard products

Refers to various special-shaped graphite products transformed from graphite products after further processing, including shovel anodes, fluorine anodes and crucibles, plates, rods, blocks and other special-shaped products of various specifications.

Impermeable graphite

It refers to various graphite special-shaped products made by impregnation and processing of resin and various organic substances, including the matrix block of the heat exchanger.

High quality artificial graphite manufacturer

Luoyang Moon & Star New Energy Technology Co., LTD, founded on October 17, 2008, is a high-tech enterprise committed to the research and development, production, processing, sales and technical services of lithium ion battery anode materials. After more than 10 years of development, the company has gradually developed into a diversified product structure with natural graphite, artificial graphite, composite graphite, intermediate phase and other negative materials (silicon carbon materials, etc.). The products are widely used in high-end lithium ion digital, power and energy storage batteries.

If you are looking for graphite or lithium battery anode material, click on the needed products and send us an inquirysales@graphite-corp.com





Cancer cells can "stretch out a big hand" and take away the mitochondria of immune cells. The Harvard Medical School research team cultured mouse and human breast cancer cells and immune cells, such as killer T cells, and used field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to observe the relationship between cancer cells and immune cells. interactive. Interestingly, they found that cancer cells stick out long nanotubes, typically within 100-1000 nanometers in diameter, each of which connects to multiple immune cells along the way. The researchers used the drug L-778123, which inhibits the formation of nanotubes, for treatment. The higher the concentration of L-778123, the better the treatment effect.



Product name are used in various high-tech fields, so the market demand for artificial graphite will continue to rise. We are a quality supplier of artificial graphite name, please feel free to contact us.



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Frontrunner Vaccine Will Affact the Price of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target - Market Trend

CEO of Pfizer partner BioNTech says coming winter will be hard but by April, 300 million immunization units should be ready, which will have an impact on the global pandemic.

If coronavirus vaccinations are rolled out widely, life could return to normal by next winter, one of the scientists behind the front-running coronavirus vaccine told British television on Sunday.

Ugur Sahin, the Turkish co-founder of the German firm BioNTech, told the BBCs The Andrew Marr Show that this winter will be hard, without any major impact from vaccinations.

Together with US giant Pfizer, BioNTech is developing the leading candidate in the worldwide chase for a vaccine. Israel has ordered millions of units of the vaccine, hoping that the first deliveries will arrive in the country by January.

Affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth. This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth.

The price of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum, various opportunities and challenges. However, during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026, the global Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target sales market is expected to continue to be above average. The growth rate will continue to increase. It is expected that from today to next week, the price of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target will increase to a certain extent.

Due to changes in consumer demand, import and export conditions, and various investigations on the development of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target, the cost of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target is constantly changing. Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis, channel partners, demand and supply, the cost of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target will also be affected to a certain extent. It is estimated that the cost of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target will increase slightly from today to next week.

The market trend of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target?

The global Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Targetmarket is constantly changing. The latest Global Market Report provides clear and accurate statistics and market estimates of the global Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target target market. The report includes an analysis of the different factors driving the market growth. It includes market drivers, constraints, opportunities and trends. This report is written by experienced and knowledgeable market analysts and researchers. It is an amazing compilation of important research that explores the competitive landscape, segmentation, geographic expansion, and revenue, production and consumption growth of the global Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target target market. In addition, the report provides a series of different market segments and applications that can promote market development during the forecast period. In-depth information is based on historical milestones and current trends. In addition, the Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target market report also covers development policies and plans, manufacturing processes and cost structures, marketing strategies, and then analyzes top Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target producers, distributors, marketing channels of Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target, potential buyers and Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target History of development. The report also lists import and export, supply and consumption data as well as costs, prices, revenue and gross margins by region.

The market demand for Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target?

The world's leading Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target target market report contains research on competitive dynamics. It also has a specific awareness that can help you choose the right business execution and steps. Market reports systematically display information in the form of organizational charts, facts, charts, statistics and graphs, which represent the status of related transactions on global and regional platforms. In addition, the report also includes the entire business chain, through which the growth rate and decline rate of specific industries in the market can be analyzed. The report also describes the total cost of manufacturing the product and analyzing its assembly process. In addition, the report also includes major developments in the market. The report involves value chain analysis and represents the workflow in the market. In addition, the market is classified by category, process, end-use industry and region. The report divides the market based on geographic location.

TRUNNANO (aka. Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd.) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials. As a leading nanotechnology development and Tantalum Sulfide (TaS2)-Sputtering Target manufacturer, Luoyang Tongrun dominates the market. Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries, create value, and easily cope with various challenges. Please send an inquiry as needed.

Li3N is short for lithium nitride, which is a metal nitrogen compound that is a purple or red crystalline solid, showing a light green luster under reflected light and a ruby color in transmitted light. At room temperature, metallic lithium can partially generate lithium nitride when exposed to air, and lithium generates lithium nitride in a nitrogen stream 10 to 15 times faster than in air. At this time, all lithium is converted into lithium nitride. Learn more knowledge about Lithium nitride from nanotrun website.

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Global low alkali cement market trend 2022-2030 What is the difference between low alkali cement and ordinary cement by Newsmis-asia

Australian alumina ban disrupts Rusal production -- Australia's ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ore to Russia, including bauxite, will further disrupt supply chains and production at leading aluminium producer Rusal.

The Australian government announced the ban on Sunday as part of its ongoing sanctions against Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine, saying Russia relies on it to meet one-fifth of its alumina needs. WoodMac senior manager Uday Patel said in a statement that the ban would make it difficult for Rusal to maintain normal primary aluminum production.

Rusal said it was assessing the impact of Australia's move and would make further announcements if necessary. "It is increasingly likely that UC Rusal's only option for alumina procurement will be through a Chinese entity." The Australian alumina ban has also had an impact on low alkali cement prices for chemicals. Patel said. "One possible outcome could be Chinese buyers buying alumina and reselling it through eastern Russian ports." Rusal has a 20% stake in the Queensland Alumina Refinery, which has a capacity of 3.95 million tonnes a year, thus providing Rusal with 790,000 tonnes a year, Patel said. In addition, Rusal's Nikolaev refinery in Ukraine, which has an annual capacity of 1.75 million tonnes, has been suspended due to the conflict, he added. WoodMac said Rusal was also experiencing supply chain problems at its 2 million tonne a year Aughinish refinery in Ireland.

There are many types of cement, such as low alkali cement, ordinary cement and so on. Do you know the difference between low alkali cement and ordinary cement? What are the precautions for the use of cement?

The difference between low alkali cement and ordinary cement

1. The properties are different. The raw materials of low-alkali cement contain a large amount of blast furnace slag, while the raw materials of ordinary cement are mainly limestone and clay.

2. The characteristics and functions are different. Low-alkali cement is suitable for use in particular areas because the alkalinity is relatively low, while ordinary cement has a broader range of use and higher alkalinity.





Precautions for the use of cement

1. Do not expose to the sun for quick drying

After the construction is completed, attention must be paid to the maintenance of the glue to avoid the evaporation of water too fast, resulting in too fast drying and reducing the strength. The general maintenance time is about seven days.

2. Avoid freezing at a negative temperature

After the concrete is mixed, it cannot be frozen because the temperature is too low. So be sure to choose a suitable temperature environment for construction.

3. Avoid high temperature and heat

If the construction temperature is too high, the calcium hydride in the concrete is easily decomposed, which will lead to the problem of reducing the strength of the concrete. If it needs to be constructed in a high-temperature environment for some special reasons, it is best to add some heat-resistant materials to the concrete, which can increase the strength of the concrete.

4, avoid the base layer from being dirty and soft

Be sure to treat the base layer firmly before construction so that the cement and the foundation will be firmly bonded together during construction. If the construction is on a smooth base surface, the base surface must be brushed so that the cement and the base surface can bond more firmly. In addition, when mixing concrete, be sure to mix evenly so that the concrete setting effect will be better during construction.





TRUNNANO is a concrete additives supplier with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.

If you are looking for high quality concrete additives, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.

sales@cabr-concrete.com





Prior to the impact of COVID-19 on the chemicals and materials industry and the price of the low alkali cement, many industry observers expected low to flat growth in 2021 in all regions outside Asia, with many countries seeing slower growth compared to recent years. Operational excellence has long been a hallmark of the low alkali cement chemical industry, and many companies are financially able to withstand short-term dips in end-market demand due to rapid leverage from reduced capex on hand.

The analysis shows that, whatever the final course of the pandemic, we can expect the inevitable long-term effects. Workplaces are expected to slowly return to pre-COVID-19 practices. Companies investing in enterprise-wide digital initiatives saw these "payoffs" in the early pandemic environment. For more information about low alkali cement, please feel free to contact us.

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Global white cement market trend 2023-2028 The Introduction of white cement by Newsmis-asia

U.S. natural gas futures rose about 5 percent to a near nine-week high as global energy prices surged on concerns over a pricing plan for energy exports, keeping U.S. LNG export demand near record highs. U.S. natural gas prices have risen despite forecasts of mild weather and lower-than-expected demand, which will allow utilities to fill up storage facilities next week. On Wednesday, Germany launched an emergency plan to manage gas supplies in Europe's largest economy. If natural gas supplies are interrupted or stopped, the German government could take unprecedented steps to limit electricity supply.

Affected by the increase in the price of natural gas, the price of the white cement will also increase.



What is white cement?

The raw material of appropriate composition is burned to partially melted. The clinker with calcium silicate as the main component and low iron content is added with appropriate amount of gypsum, and it is a white hydraulic cementing material made by grinding, called white silicate cement (referred to as white cement).

When grinding cement, it is allowed to add limestone not exceeding 5% of the cement weight.

Note: It is allowed to add grinding aids that do not damage the cement performance to grind cement, and the addition amount does not exceed 1% of the cement weight. Incorporation of other admixtures must be tested and submitted to the Ministry of Building Materials Industry for approval.





Grade of white cement:

(1) Label: There are four labels: 325, 425, 525, and 625.

(2) Whiteness: the minimum whiteness is not less than 87. 90 whiteness and 92 whiteness.





Characteristic of white cement:

White cement, white Portland cement is abbreviated as white cement, is a hydraulic cementitious material made of white Portland cement clinker added to gypsum and ground. The typical feature is high whiteness and bright color.





Applications of white cement:

The typical characteristic of white cement is that it has high whiteness and bright color. It is generally used as a variety of building decoration materials. Typical examples are stucco, sculpture, ground, terrazzo products, etc. White cement can also be used to make white and colored concrete components. It is the largest variety of decorative cement produced.





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The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not only had a significant impact on public health, it also severely affected one of the linchpins of the global economy  the tourism industry. As many countries introduced curfews and travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, travel across the world significantly declined from early 2020 onwards. The financial repercussions of the coronavirus have already begun to manifest themselves within the tourism industry. In 2020, global revenue from the travel and tourism industry was estimated to drop from a forecasted 711.94 billion U.S. dollars to 568.6 billion U.S. dollars, representing a decrease of over 20 percent. The region predicted to see the highest decline in revenue was Europe, decreasing from 211.97 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 to roughly 124 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.The downturn in tourism has caused the recession, and the weakening of the economy has also affected the market demand for white cement. Recently, however, the demand for white cement has increased, so contact us for the latest news on white cement.

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Afro Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has said the Ghanaian music industry has failed to properly hail artists whose works have helped take the countrys music to the global stage.

Stonebwoy said this in a post on Twitter to celebrate Hiplife grandpapa Reggie Rockstone on his birthday.

The post which was dated April 11, 2022, indicated; Legend, Happy birthday, GrandPapa! Do you think our industry idolizes legends enough?

According to the Putuu hitmaker industry legends havent been idolized enough.

Born in the late 1960s, Reggie Rockstone, born, Reginald Osei started a Ghanaian-based hip-hop culture called Hiplife.

Now a businessman, Reggie Rockstone runs a bar in Accra called the Django bar and a Waaakye business known widely as Jar waakye.
Founder and leader of the Saviour Light In Jesus Ministry sited in Asofan, a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra Region, Osomafo Mensah has urged the government to continue putting measures in place to control illegal mining activities that have polluted some water bodies in the country.

Such illegal miners Osomafo Mensah noted needed to be sanctioned or punished when caught since their activities contravene the environmental laws of the country.

Osomafo Mensah made the call when he delivered his new year message on Sunday, April 3, 2022 according to the biblical (God's) calendar in the month of April.

He indicated that government needs the support of all Ghanaians to ensure the protection of the countrys forest and water bodies.

According to the man of God, Ghana may soon import raw water from the neighbouring countries if illegal mining is not fully checked.

Osomafo Mensah alleged that Ghana may soon lose all of its water bodies if care is not taken due to the level of destruction of the country's water bodies by illegal miners.

He said the pollution of the water bodies is not done by only illegal miners but those who have permits to mine but refused to follow the laid down guidelines and regulations to protect the environment.

The clergy said most miners who have permits are not actually following the rules questioning such miners where they deposit their tailings (waste materials after extracting their gold).

Osomafo Mensah further appealed to government to pursue and punish anyone found culpable of law without any fear or favour.
NGWENYA- The National Education Health Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) has pledged full support for pro-democracy movement in Eswatini.

The South African workers union said its primary objective was to liberate the people of Eswatini. As a result, it promised to give full financial support to the pro-democracy movement calling upon the liberation of Eswatini. If it means that we have to take up arms with Eswatini, so be it. Our intelligence as federations, political parties and trade unions is beyond what the Eswatini regime has. We cannot plan what we ought to do in the general public because the regime will always be ready for us once we communicate our plan in public. If we plan in public, we will all die once we go there, said Funny Ngwenyama, Provision Chairman of NEHAWU.

Warned

Ngwenyama warned that some people were eager to encourage others to go to war yet they were the first ones to run away. He said the political formations needed to engage and decide on the next move, collectively. He urged members of the political formations not to allow the collapse of gatherings in a foreign jurisdiction, stating that such gatherings were not allowed in Eswatini. He warned the members against any form of misconduct towards their leaders. However, in an interview after the event, Ngwenyama stated that he blamed no one since members were pushed by frustration to behave disorderly during the protest. He said he was happy with the attendance, despite the hardships faced by the fellow comrades from Eswatini.

Strategy

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) Secretary General Thokozani Kunene said their strategy was to ensure that every family in Eswatini provided a member to be in the frontline of the struggle. He said it should reach a stage where every family would attest that one of their own was part of the struggle. If it calls for a raid to ensure that we have all people in the struggle, we should not isolate even a single homestead. The regime cannot win us once we have all family members in the struggle, Kunene said. He added that their sole purpose was to ensure that they stopped the economic wheel so that industries would come to a standstill. He said sabotage to the regime would be done no matter what. He said they were aware of the labelling of freedom fighters as insurgents to legitimise brutality. Members of SWALIMO were called to order as Kunene made his address.
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) Mr. Nuhu Lukeman has stated that the outfit needs training centres to train more youth in artisanal and vocational skills as part of the Association's efforts to tackle youth unemployment in the country.

Lukeman who spoke to our correspondent in an interview linked the inability of the youth to develop interest in skills training to the failure to encourage the youth to venture into skills acquisition.

Hence with the comprehensive measures put in place the Association is urging the government to provide them with training centres to enable them recruit more youth to be trained to earn their own livelihood.

Touching on the slow pace of development of the Otumfour Industrial Hub at Abuakwa Achiase in the Nwabiagya North Municipal of the Ashanti Region, the vice chairman blamed the situation on the past and current governments for their inability to support the project.

Mr. Nuhu Lukeman expressed worry that garages though noted to be one of the popular industrial businesses in West Africa, no attention is paid to see it grow.
Prophet Martin Anane

13.04.2022 LISTEN

A Kumasi based renowned man of God, Prophet Martin Anane has described taxation as one of the best concepts which help collectively develop a nation.

Prophet Anane also known as Osofo Odumgya founder and leader of the Heart Of Christ Ministry located at Pakyi No.1, a town along the Kumasi-Obuasi Road in the Ashanti region who spoke to our correspondent in an interview observed that without tax no country can achieve its economic agenda.

He noted that the advanced countries never used magic wands to build their economies.

According to him, judicious use of taxes is the secret of their development.

Therefore, he said, taxation must be embraced by all towards national development.

To achieve positive results, Prophet Odumgya entreated government to sensitize the public on the need to honour their tax obligations.

Having defined the important role tax plays in building a solid economy, the man of God pointed out that one challenge that deters most Ghanaians from paying taxes is the wanton dissipation of revenues from taxes.

According to him, people feel they do not benefit from the taxes they pay.

To reverse this trend, the clergy suggested to the government to always make visible all projects funded with proceeds from taxes.

By this, he stressed that people would be more encouraged to pay their taxes to help government embark on more projects to develop the country.
A renowned Muslim scholar who also doubles as the Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) Mr. Lukeman Nuhu Appiedu has stressed the need for his fellow Muslims to continue showing love towards others even after the holy month of Ramadan.

He urges Muslims to avoid paying 'evil for evil' after the end of the month-long fasting.

Speaking to the correspondent in an interview, Mr. Lukeman Nuhu noted that Muslim communities have been tagged negatively which doesn't augur well for the image of the Zangos.

He said as Muslims it is important to remain resolute and adopt the habit of forgiveness even after Ramadan.

"We need to demonstrate our love and do good to our fellow brothers and sisters in the society, Lukeman pointed out. We have to forget the name tagging which is allegedly soiling the image of the Islamic religion and focus on the word of Allah which is the important ingredient for our survival," Lukeman stated.

He appealed to the wealthy ones in the Muslim communities to support the needy and poor in order to help reduce the poverty rate in the Zango communities.
Bishop Dr Adu

13.04.2022 LISTEN

The founder and leader of the New Jerusalem Chapel sited at Kumasi Ampayoo in the Ashanti region, Bishop Dr John Yaw Adu has stated that President Nana Akufo Addo and his Vice President Dr Alhaji Bawumia are though on the right path to solve the challenges confronting the country, lack of awareness campaign is creating the impression that government has not chalked any success since it came to power in 2017.

Speaking to ModernGhana News in an exclusive telephone interview on Friday April 8, 2022, Bishop Adu expressed worry about the manner in which some people especially the opposition NDC attack government on economic matters.

The man of God blamed the NPP Communicators and some District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives for failing to explain and highlight government policies and achievements at the grassroot level to the ordinary people.

The respected Bishop noted that if the NPP is serious about breaking the eight, it is time measures should be put in place to engage the people especially those in the rural areas to get a better understanding of government policies as well as achievements to enhance their chances of victory come 2024.

Touching on the passage of the e-levy bill, the man of God described the decision taken by President Nana Akufo-Addo as one of the best tax policies he has ever introduced to help build the country.

Bishop Adu observed that the current population of the country stood over 30 million, yet only a handful fraction of businessmen pay taxes.

Therefore, the introduction and passage of the e-levy he stressed has come at the right time to compel Ghanaians to make small contributions to help develop the country.

In order for the government to realize its tax agenda, he called for the implementation of the digitization process to avoid fraud and also to ensure that probity and accountability are fully enforced in the utilisation of the funds.

Commending the President and his Vice for the good policies they have initiated to solve some of the major challenges that were confronting the country in education, power outage (dumsor), jobs, roads, health facilities among others, Bishop Adu urged the President to stand firm and shun distractors who he claims have nothing good to offer the country.
At least 45 people have died in floods and mudslides after rainstorms struck the South African port city of Durban and surrounding KwaZulu-Natal province, the authorities said on Tuesday.

The country's meteorologists forecasted more "extreme" rains on the way Tuesday night accompanied by "widespread flooding".

"The latest reports indicate that over 45 people have lost their lives as a result of the heavy rains, this number could possibly increase as more reports come in," the province's Department of Cooperative Governance announced in a statement.

Days of pounding rain flooded several areas, tore houses apart and ravaged infrastructure across the southeastern city, while landslips caused train services across KwaZulu-Natal province to be suspended.

A huge crack opened up in this road after its foundations were washed away. By PHILL MAGAKOE AFP

The rains have flooded city highways, torn apart bridges, submerged cars and collapsed houses. A fuel tank was floating in the sea after being tossed off the road.

Several shipping containers that were stacked high atop of each other, fell like dominoes and lay strewn on a yard, while some spiled over into a main road in the city, one of southern Africa's largest regional gateways to the sea.

"At around 3am (0100 GMT), I felt the truck shaking and I thought maybe someone bumped it and when I tried to open the curtain I saw the water level... was very high," said truck driver Mthunzi Ngcobo.

The disaster management department in KwaZulu-Natal province, of which Durban is the largest city, urged people to stay at home and ordered those residing in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

More than 2,000 houses and 4,000 "informal" homes, or shacks, have been damaged, provincial premier Sihle Zikalala, told journalists.

Rescue operations, aided by the military, are underway to evacuate people trapped in affected areas, the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance said.

Those trapped include teachers and students at a Durban secondary school, it said.

'It's an absolute nightmare'

Durban mayor Mxolisi Kaunda earlier told reporters that power stations had been flooded and water supplies disrupted -- and that even graveyards had not been spared the devastation.

One picture posted on Twitter by an anti-theft vehicle-tracking agency showed what looked like a human skull that had been washed to the surface of a cemetery.

High winds and lashing rain caused containers at a storage facility to topple over. By PHILL MAGAKOE AFP

The city had only just recovered from deadly riots last July in which shopping malls were looted and warehouses set on fire, in South Africa's worst unrest since the end of apartheid.

A local humanitarian agency, Gift of the Givers, said in a statement: "The need of the hour is huge."

The country's rail service PRASA said landslips and rubble on the tracks had forced it to suspend all train services in the province.

"It's an absolute nightmare. Plenty of mudslides, people (dying)," Garrith Jamieson, director of Durban-based ALS Paramedics Medical Services, told AFP as he predicted "more fatalities".

Southern parts of the continent's most industrialised country are bearing the brunt of climate change -- suffering recurrent and worsening torrential rains and flooding.

Floods killed around 70 people in April 2019.

"We know it's climate change getting worse, it's moved from 2017 with extreme storms to supposedly having record floods in 2019, and now 2022 clearly exceeding that," University of Johannesburg development studies professor Mary Galvin said.

"Droughts and floods will become more frequent and more intense and that's what we are seeing" she said, frustrated at government's lack of preparedness.

"It's not surprising, it's absolutely devastating but equally devastating is the fact that we haven't done anything to get ready for it," she lamented.

The South African Weather Service admitted in a statement that "the exceptionally heavy rainfall overnight (Monday) and (Tuesday) morning exceeded even the expectations of the southern African meteorological community at large".
As it became clear on Sunday evening that Marine Le Pen will face incumbent Emmanuel Macron in the second round of France's presidential election, the European Union and NATO are coming to terms with the possibility of a Euroskeptic leader in the Elysee Palace - one who has been a longtime enthusiast of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

For Brussels, Washington and NATO, the next 10 days will be crucial for all three to take on board whether Paris will remain committed to the European project and stay on side in Putin's war in Ukraine.

When Le Pen faced Macron in the 2017 run-off, the National Front candidate lost having garnered only 34 percent of the vote.

After meticulously rebranding the far-right party in a bid to attract more mainstream conservative voters, the leader of the newly renovated National Rally has refined her image, toned down her rhetoric and reconciled France's role within the European Union.

With all the spit-and-polish that has brought the National Rally into the heart of France's political mainstream, polling agencies expect her to offer Macron a much more serious challenge for the presidency than she did five years ago.

But many of Le Pen's detractors and opponents at a European level are unconvinced that her core external policies have changed.

No 'secret agenda' for pulling out of EU

Speaking on France Inter this Tuesday morning, Le Pen stressed that she has no "secret agenda" for France to leave the European Union, even if her vocal attempts to reform the bloc fail.

However, she did underline that she believes "a large majority of French people no longer want the European Union as it exists today."

She continued by blasting the European Union that she believes functions in "an absolutely undemocratic way, which advances by threat, by blackmail and which implements policies that are against the interests of the people."

Although Marine Le Pen has ditched past plans to haul France out of the EU, the free-movement Schengen zone and the euro, her cynicism towards Brussels remains intact.

Ultimately, Le Pen envisages the EU as an alliance of member states, and when asked if she would leave the EU if all her attempts to reform the bloc failed, she replied: "Not at all."

The policies: what the second-round candidates, Le Pen and Macron, stand for

Macron backpedals on retirement age to appeal to working class voters on the left

'Aloof' Macron must engage

For the outgoing president Emmanuel Macron, he will be seeking to refocus the agenda on Europe, insisting to his supporters - and the undecided electorate - that Le Pen's policies would create a deep crisis within the European Union.

Le Pen won her 23.15 percent behind Macron's 27.85 percent by appealing directly to France's working class voters on the issues of purchasing power, energy prices and better living conditions.

Macron, who entered the campaign late, refused to engage in any debate and appeared to be aloof to the concerns of the people of France, with more international grandstanding over Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Since Sunday's result, the incumbent has come to terms with the fact that he has a lot of convincing to do on the ground over between now and 24 April, to keep the electorate on his side and maintain his advantage as a president seeking re-election in a time of war and crisis in Europe.

Europe's far-right partners

Speaking to RFI this Tuesday, David Rachline went for Macron's jugular over his track record in giving the people of France a voice when it comes to the European Union.

"We are ready for a debate on this subject," said Rachline, the Rassemblement National's vice-president. "[Macron] does not want to touch anything, to change anything, whereas the European Union must be re-founded. It must be profoundly reformed."

Rachline maintains that the French "want to be freer, more independent" and have their democratic choices respected along with their partners in Europe.

It should be remarked that those partners include Germany's ultra-nationalist AfD, Italy's Lega party and of course excellent relations with Hungary's freshly re-elected Viktor Orban and Poland's Law and Justice administration under Andrzej Duda.

Within the European Union, the national control of immigration and security unites them.

But for the Rassemblement National, the party "wants to engage in economic protectionism in order to save French companies and to better protect them," Rachline told RFI, adding there are two very different visions of the EU at play in the second round campaign. Macron want's to maintain Europe like "a sieve" while Le Pen wants a Europe that "protects".

Le Pen insists that France's national laws should prevail over European legislation, a move that has already seen Poland being sanctioned by the European Commission for doing the very same.

"The European Union must also bend to the will of the European people," Rachline insists. "[The EU] must at least take them into account, which is not the case today.

"This is also a major difference in vision between Emmanuel Macron and us. We want the European Union to finally take into account the voice of the European people."

NATO, Le Pen and Putin

But if a future "President Le Pen" marches to Brussels to renegotiate everything and is stone-walled by European institutions, what will the consequences be? Could it go as far as France's withdrawal from the EU, triggering a so-called "Frexit" if a far-right government in Paris doesn't get what it wants?

"Let's leave room for debate, let's leave room for this negotiation," Rachline replied inconclusively. "We want to have this debate. We want to set it up and negotiate ... We have a lot of European partners and groups within the European Parliament which will enable us to make these democratic choices tomorrow for the benefit of the European people."

However, when it comes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Le Pen's desire to pull out of the alliance's integrated command has rung alarm bells at NATO's HQ.

In what is styled as a selfless commitment for the French "to be no longer caught up in conflicts that are not ours", France remains the only European nuclear power within the alliance, and her previous close relations with Vladimir Putin has provoked particular concern.

Although Le Pen has outwardly condemned Putin's invasion of Ukraine, she has been hesitant on sanctioning Russian coal and gas supplies as it could have an adverse effect on French living standards.

It would appear over the next 10 days; Marine Le Pen will be unflinching when it comes to holding tight to her populist agenda.
12.04.2022 LISTEN

The Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Abdul Karim, has assured members of equal opportunity and a level playing ground in the party.

According to him, the NDC which is a social-democratic party is big enough to accommodate more members who are willing to help wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) come 2024.

He gave the assurance to members in Accra during the partys ongoing re-organisation exercise in Kwashibu ward and Santa Marie ward in the Anyaa Sowutuom constituency.

Mr. Karim said the party would register anyone who is willing to join it, indicating that, NDC is not a social club, we are a political party with a socialist ideology and it is in our numbers that our strength lies.

He, therefore, called on NDC members in the constituency to work in unity in order to move the party forward.

Mr. Karim also urged party members to encourage more people to join the party.

He said he was optimistic that the NDC will make Ghanaians proud in 2024.

Present were, the ward coordinator for Kwashibu, Mr. Patrick Adade and the secretary for Santa Maria ward, Mr. Michael Ofori Addo.
Drought and increasing food prices are putting millions of people in Somalia at risk of famine, several United Nations agencies have warned, and the country is not receiving the amount of aid it needs to address the crisis, as other global emergencies are being funded.

Six million Somalis, or about forty percent of the population, are on the brink, said the World Food Programme, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the OCHA humanitarian agency and UNICEF Tuesday, calling the coincidence of poor rainfall and increased global food prices a perfect storm that could very quickly lead to famine.

Somalia is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and has been facing a drought and poor rainfall projections, with the failure of the April-June 2022 rainy season.

The drought has affected the entire Horn of Africa region, which is facing its driest conditions since 1981, but the UN agencies, warned in a statement that Somalia also faces a critical gap in donor funding to address the crisis, as it competes with other global emergencies, like the war in Ukraine, for funds.

Humanitarian agencies had been able to supply aid to almost two million people in Somalia, but the agencies say only 4.4 percent of the 1.2 billion euro 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan has been funded.

The agencies are calling for an immediate injection of funds to provide assistance, to avoid a repeat of the 2011 famine in Somalia, when 260,000 people died of hunger or hunger-related disorders  half of them children under the age of six.

The funding we need to respond to a crisis of this magnitude has simply not come, said Etienne Peterschmitt, the FAO Representative in Somalia, adding that it is not too late for funding to have an impact.

Funding received today can still prevent the worst, but it has to come at scale and it has to come very soon, he said.

The UN agencies warn that children under the age of five are the most vulnerable, and access to food and milk is difficult because of the increase in commodity prices and the loss of livestock.

About 1.4 million children face acute malnutrition through the end of the year, with around one quarter facing severe acute malnutrition, the statement said.

(with AFP)
A French court on Tuesday sentenced Nicolas Zepeda, a Chilean man, to 28 years in jail for murdering his Japanese ex-girlfriend in 2016 in eastern France, after a high-profile investigation spanning three continents.

The jury at the court in Besancon convicted Nicolas Zepeda, 31, * of murdering Narumi Kurosaki, then aged 21, in December 2016. Prosecutors had called for a life sentence.

Kurosaki, a brilliant scholarship student, arrived in the eastern city in the summer of 2016 to learn French. She disappeared on 4 December.

Zepeda, with whom she had broken up a year before, was the last person to see her alive.

As the verdict was read out after four hours of jury deliberations, Zepeda remained motionless, looking dejected.

Sitting opposite, Narumi Kurosaki's mother Taeko Kurosaki watched him, her head tilted slightly to the side, handkerchief in hand and still holding the photo of her daughter she had clutched since the start of the trial late last month.

"It's a huge relief for the family," said Sylvie Galley, the lawyer for Kurosaki's family.

"They will leave today with a lot of pain and suffering... but also with the feeling that this pain was heard," she told reporters.

Earlier, Zepeda, who proclaimed his innocence throughout the trial, again denied murdering Kurosaki.

"I am not Narumi's killer," Zepeda told the court before the six members of the jury and three judges retired to consider their verdict.

"I am not who I would like to be but I am not a killer and I am not the killer of Narumi," he added, speaking in French for the first time in the trial.

'Five years of suffering'

Prosecutors alleged that Zepeda was unable to deal with the couple's breakup, coming to Besancon to kill Kurosaki in her student dorm room before dumping the body in the forests of the rugged Jura region.

The Chilean has admitted spending the night with Kurosaki in December, claiming he ran into her by chance while travelling through France.

But several witnesses reported hearing "screams of terror" and thuds "as if someone was striking someone else" -- though none called the police at the time.

But so far no trace has been found of Kurosaki's remains.

It was more than a week later, on 13 December, that a university administrator reported her missing, at which point Zepeda had already left for Chile after spending several days with a cousin in Spain.

Zepeda turned himself in to Chilean police and said Kurosaki had been alive when he left her after spending the night together.

No sign of blood or a struggle was found in Kurosaki's student room, and all her belongings were still there apart from a suitcase and a blanket.

Zepeda quickly became the prime suspect after he was found to have gone out of his way via a forest, and to have bought matches and a container of flammable liquid.

Some of Kurosaki's friends received strange messages in the following days from her social networking accounts, which police believe were sent by Zepeda.

He was extradited from his country to France in 2020.

In her testimony last week, Taeko Kurosaki called Zepeda a "liar" and said that "this demon cannot remain free."

"She expressed five years of suffering during her testimony in court," Galley said.

(with AFP)
Most Africans living in France and on the continent are not surprised by the results of the first round of the French presidential elections. A good many hold no illusions on a radical change of French foreign policy towards Africa

A Macron/Le Pen round is without any challenge. Emmanuel Macron will earn votes to stop Marine Le Pen's extreme right party from winning, not because voters believe in his programme. This is not good for democracy, said Ronnie from Montpellier on RFI's radio programme, Appels sur l'actualite where listeners call in to ask current affairs questions and air their views.

He added that a runoff opposing Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Melenchon would have enabled a true political debate.

The second round of the French presidential elections is due on 24 April with the same two candidates as in 2017.

For this first round, incumbent President Emmanuel Macron scored 27,84 percent (24,01 percent in 2017) of the votes while Marine Le Pen reached 23,15 per cent (21,30 percent in 2017).

Melenchon, in 2022, increased his tally from 21,95 percent from 19,58 percent five years ago.

Melenchon, the chouchou

Nessan Akemakou, from the think-tank L'Afrique des idees, said that Melenchon was a favourite of the Africans, both those living in France and on the continent.

Melenchon is in favour of a reform of the CFA Franc, as requested by several African civil society groups. He also said that he wanted the withdrawal of French troops in Africa, he added.

According to a survey on how French people of African descent will vote, conducted by IFOP for Jeune Afrique magazine, 36 per cent of them chose Melenchon, 27 per cent said they would vote for Macron and 9 per cent for Le Pen.

In the same survey, carried out in March 2022, a Macron/Le Pen run off gave 73 per cent for Macron while a Macron/Melenchon run off gave 51 per cent to Melenchon

Many of the African listeners who called RFI were wondering how Macron will be able, in just two weeks, to rally the support of those who did not vote for him.

This election expose deep rifts in France. The incumbent has not been able to eradicate the radical parties, said Kobbo in London.

The traditional left and right parties harvested the worst results of their history, both of them under the five per cent bar, which means that the government will only give them 800,000 euros as reimbursement of campaign funds. The Republican's Valerie Precresse won 4,78 per cent of the votes while the Socialist Party's Anne Hidalgo scored only 1,75 per cent.

Francis Laloupo, author of Blues Democratique, told RFI that he is not in the least surprised by a Macron / Le Pen run off for the second round. He is from Benin and has been working as a lecturer and journalist in France for decades.

I don't think that either of the two candidates, Macron or Le Pen, will change anything in France's relations with Africa, particularly its former colonies.

"At this point in my life, I frankly wish that there is no French foreign policy tailored for the African continent given how poorly it has fared so far.

African support for Le Pen

From Mali's capital, Bamako, Aguibou Tall said that he wishes Le Pen would beat Macron so that the France-Africa umbilical cord could be cut definitively.

France needs to leave for good so that Africa may become truly independent, he said.

Echoing Tall's sentiment, Raphael Rafiki Mukubibo, from Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said that supporting Le Pen means that Africans may reclaim Africa back.

I wish for Le Pen to win the second round as France has not, so far, been able to rein back the islamists and she is the only one who can crush them, said Hubert from Yaounde in Cameroon.

France is giving visas to people who do not have the profile to live in this country. There are neighbourhoods where the police cannot even patrol.

Emmanuel from the south of France reacted to Hubert's comments saying that he does not live in the country.

It is better for this gentleman not to talk about what he does not experience first-hand. What is true, however, is how Africa has completely disappeared from the political debates.

Hopes for Macron

RFI's Amanda Morrow was at the Macron campaign headquarters on Sunday 10 April, she met a Cameroonian lady who has been living in France since 2000 and was a neighbour of the Macron couple in Amiens.

I am so happy. Alleluia. You know, he [Macron] had a Jesuit education. I am a practicing Catholic and I can tell you that it is not an easy training.

We have been betrayed by Francois Hollande who [indirectly] helped promote Marine Le Pen. Macron is the only one who can beat Le Pen and he has done a lot for this country.

Macron represents the future of the black continent said Junior Nasser from Yamoussoukro. Mbouille Sissoko, from Bamako, believes that Macron is the most pragmatic candidate, namely regarding African politics.

He speaks to Africans truthfully. We ought to face our responsiblities and stop blaming others, he added.

France has not friends, just vested interests, said Ousmane Inoussa in Niger. I does not matter who wins the presidential race, as none of them roots for Africa. We, Africans, need to wake up.
Citizen groups demonstrate near the US military base in Busan, South Korea on April 5, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

SEOUL - South Korea has been gripped with rising fear over US biological weapons laboratories operated by the US Forces Korea (USFK), aiming to transform the Asian country into its "overseas hub" for biological warfare experiments.

The United States has flouted international conventions by steadily advancing its germ warfare program here. It sees South Korea as a country "friendly" enough to let the US military test lethal toxins without institutional hurdles.

Enraged at the opaqueness of the US biological labs, civic groups and local residents have taken to the streets to demand the US military take its hazardous weapons and vacate the country.

WHY SOUTH KOREA

The US military has secretly run its biological weapons program in South Korea since at least 2009.

It was made known to the general public here in 2015 when live anthrax samples were sent from a US military lab through postal service FedEx to the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 70 km south of the capital Seoul.

The USFK initially said it was the first time it experimented with deadly biological agents. But a joint panel investigation showed that the USFK brought in and tested dead anthrax samples 15 times at the Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul between 2009 and 2014.

In addition to the live anthrax samples delivered in 2015, one milliliter of inactivated plague samples was sent to the Osan Air Base, revealing the USFK's false explanation.

Article 9 of the South Korea-US Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) stipulates that a custom's examination "shall not be made" in case of "military cargo consigned to the US armed forces," according to a document posted by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

"According to the SOFA, the US military cargo is exempt from customs inspection, allowing (the USFK) to bring in whatever it wants ... (South) Korea is a very friendly country for the United States to import germs and conduct tests," Lee Jang-hie, emeritus professor at law school of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told Xinhua.

The law professor said the delivery of anthrax samples to South Korea violated the Biological Weapons Convention, signed by over 180 nations, including South Korea and the United States, to ban the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition or retention of biological agents or toxins.

The violation of the 1975 convention requires the UN Security Council's official investigation at the request of the country concerned.

"Lax regulations and the Korean government's reluctance to protest against it created an easy, favorable environment (for the US military) to carry out experiments with germs here," Lee noted.

The US biological weapons program in South Korea has evolved over the past decade under the Joint USFK Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition (Jupitr) and the Capabilities to Enable NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) Threat Awareness, Understanding and Response (Centaur) projects.

"Figuratively speaking, Jupitr installed in the central headquarters serves as the brain. The Centaur, which operates in each regional military unit, constitutes the hands and feet of Jupitr to detect and send biochemical samples to it," Woo Hee-jong, professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Seoul National University, told Xinhua.

The Jupitr program was established between 2013 and 2018 after former US President Barack Obama issued an executive order in July 2010 that read "a robust and productive scientific enterprise that utilizes biological select agents and toxins is essential to national security," according to the professor.

According to the US Army website, the US military touted Jupitr as its flagship program, saying in 2014 that Jupitr's presence on the Korean Peninsula aligns with its "strategy to rebalance military efforts toward the Asia-Pacific region."

The Centaur's basic framework was completed between 2019 and 2020. The US military planned to run relevant experiments here by 2026 to advance Centaur and create an integrated system with Jupitr, Woo said, citing the US Department of Defense budget estimates.

"The projects represent an overseas hub of information on the US biological weapons experiments" as information on biochemical pathogens and samples, collected in South Korea for analysis from US biological labs worldwide, is shared with the US mainland and overseas military units, Woo said.

It was disclosed that the USFK had continuously conducted military biological activities here between 2017 and 2019 by bringing hundreds of vials of deadly biological samples, including botulinum, ricin and staphylococcal enterotoxin, into Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Kunsan Air Base, Osan Air Base and Busan Port's Pier 8.

The USFK claimed that the samples were rendered inactive and not dangerous as they were toxoids, or toxins whose toxicity is inactivated, according to the USFK report submitted to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, obtained by Rep. Lee Jae-jung of the ruling Democratic Party.

Each vial contained 2 nanograms of the biological agents. The division of the samples into 2 nanograms, equivalent to 2 billionths of a gram, indicated that the samples were lethal because there was no need to divide them into an infinitesimal amount if they were not toxic, Woo said.

Furthermore, the USFK delivery list included botulinum, widely seen as the deadliest toxin on the planet.

The professor said the UN Security Council should launch an investigation into biological labs here, considering the evidence that South Korea has been used as a test site to develop US biological weapons.

Despite the 2015 incident of live anthrax samples delivery, the USFK expanded biological labs into Busan Port's Pier 8 in 2016, Jeon Wi-bong, director of the Association to Push for Shutdown of US Biochemical Experiments in Busan Port Pier 8, told Xinhua.

Faced with public protest, the USFK said no experiments with biological agent samples would be conducted. Still, the claim proved false, as seen in the USFK report, where the importation of deadly inactivated toxins, including botulinum, into the Busan Port lab continued from 2017 to 2019, said Jeon.

Citing the Pentagon's fiscal year 2019 budget estimates, the local daily Busan Ilbo reported that 3.5 million US dollars were earmarked for the Jupitr project in Busan Port's Pier 8 alone that involves "live agent" tests.

The USFK claimed that the live agent tests were conducted in the United States, not South Korea. But civic groups and residents have raised doubts about the claim because of the project's repeated false explanations and opaqueness.

"Since 2015, the US military was supposed to give a prior notification to (South) Korea when carrying in germ samples, but there was no advance notification as Korea has no right to do a customs inspection on USFK goods," said Jeon.

"Highly toxic agents had been brought in for three years since 2017, but the Korean government did not carry out any investigation. Korea is the only country in the world to do such a thing," Jeon noted.

A group of civic activists and citizens toured the country for a week through Sunday to inform the public of the deployment of US biological weapons labs and other war weapons in South Korea.

"A person in charge of US military biological labs said Korea is friendly to operate such labs. I got infuriated when I heard that because it belittles my country severely," Choi Won-seok, who joined the tour, told Xinhua near the Busan Port's Pier 8.

"(The USFK) gave no prior notification and carried out no discussion with Busan residents to build these dangerous biological labs," said the 28-year-old college student, who expressed fear over the impact a slight leak could have on the city's inhabitants.

Protesters against the USFK's biological lab in Busan have had enough. "This land is our land," they shouted. "Leave this land with your extremely dangerous germ weapons" at once.
NGWENYA - A peaceful April 12 Uprising Commemoration.

The planned border blockade at the Oshoek/ Ngwenya Border Gate remained peaceful from morning till late in the afternoon. The South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, in particular, exercised zero tolerance to any disorderly conduct yesterday, while most of those who took part in the protest equally behaved. As such, no violent scenes were witnessed for the better part of the protest at the border. The intended blockade was organised by National Education Health Allied Workers Union NEHAWU) based in South Africa in support calls for change in Eswatini. Upon arrival on the South African side of the border gate, the political formations leaders were shown a space to utilise for their activity. The space was a lane on the public road next to the border gate. The leaders were warned against blocking traffic coming in and out of the two countries during the course of the picket.

Arrangement

However, the arrangement did not sit well with some of the members of the political formations present. Some felt that the leaders were too soft to accept the arrangement. Some openly blamed the leaders for accepting the arrangement, stating that picketing next to the road was not what they came for at the border gate. We are here for one aim, and that is to block the border gates so that nothing enters or leaves both countries. We are not here for speeches but to work, said some of the members. However, NEHAWU Provisional Secretary, identified as Linet, pleaded for calm, stating that the lack of interest and blame game might please the Eswatini regime.

Remember, we are here for a common goal, which is to send a message for the liberation of our fellow comrades in Eswatini. We cannot, therefore, show signs of disjoint once we are here. May we please cooperate and listen to our leaders. Our leaders are here to send the message, let us give them a chance, said Linet, before calling upon the leaders, who included those from the political formations from both countries.

Eswatini political formations and workers were represented by PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) President Bheki Mamba and National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) Presidents Thulani Hlatshwayo. There were also representatives from some political formations such as Ngwane National Libratory Congress (NNLC), Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS), and Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO). Each speaker was afforded two minutes to make their presentations. Makhanya, Mamba and Hlatshwayo got a chance to make submissions about the current situation in Eswatini as far as the call for democracy was concerned. SAPS officers were recording the proceedings from start to end. They zoomed in on those who tried to conduct themselves in an unruly fashion during the course of the event.
The Russian Morozov collection drew over one million visitors during its 6 month display at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris. However, this remarkable feat has been overshadowed the French culture ministry's decision to retain two of the works due to the war in Ukraine.

"We registered 1.25 million visitors, 84 percent of them French," the Foundation said, indicating that although it didn't top the 2016-2017 Russian Shchukin Collection (1.3 million) visitors, it was indeed exceptional.

The slightly lower score was attributed to the restrictions in place due to the Covid pandemic and the absence of foreign visitors, notably from Asia.

The collection, started by brothers Mikhail and Ivan Abramovitch Morozov at the start of the 20th century, includes works by European masters such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, as well as works of Russian art by the likes of Malevitch and Repine.

Initially planned until 22 February, the "Collection Morozov; icons of modern art" was extended until 3 April 2022.

It was the first time that a collection of this size  more than 200 works - has been shown outside Russia.

It is now being dismantled with most of the works to be returned to the Tretyakov and Pushkin museums in Moscow and the State Hermitage museum in Saint Petersburg as well as to a few private collections.

What was heralded as a major diplomatic achievement between France and Russia, has since been tainted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Just a few months ago, the exhibition catalogue featured the enthusiastic words of both presidents; Emmanuel Macron hailing "the bridges that artists and art-lovers have built" while Vladimir Putin spoke of his "French friends".

In fact, the exhibition itself, nearly didn't take place, due to international tensions over the Syrian conflict and the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

It was only in 2017, after Putin met with Macron in Versailles for talks as part of the "Dialogue du Trianon" that an agreement was signed to allow the exhibition to go ahead.

However, on Saturday, the French culture ministry announced that two of the artworks from the collection would remain in France due to the Ukraine crisis.

Asset freeze

One picture, currently owned by a Russian oligarch targeted by Western sanctions, and another, belonging to a Ukrainian museum.

A source close to the issue, who asked not to be named, told the French news agency AFP that the first picture is a self portrait by Russian artist Pyotr Konchalovsky owned by the Russian oligarch Petr Aven.

Aven, a billionaire financier and banker, is seen as close to President Vladimir Putin.

This painting "will remain in France so long as its owner... remains targeted by an asset freeze," the ministry said in its official statement.

The second picture, a painting of Margarita Morozova by the Russian painter Valentin Serov belongs to the Fine Arts museum in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and will stay in France "until the situation in the country allows its return in security," said the ministry.

It emphasised that this was "at the request of the Ukrainian authorities".

International agreement

Meanwhile, France is currently assessing the situation concerning a third picture owned by a private foundation linked to another Russian oligarch who is being added to the sanctions list, the ministry said.

The source added to AFP that this picture is owned by the Magma foundation linked to Viatcheslav Kantor. He is already targeted by UK sanctions over his shareholding in a fertilizer company.

Some have questioned whether France has the right to take action in this way, especially considering an international agreement in place stipulating that artworks on loan from other countries cannot be confiscated arbitrarily by governments.

It was signed in 1994, after a legal battle involving an artwork by Henri Matisse. His descendants wanted to keep it in France instead of it being returned to Russia as part of the Shchukin collection. The court ruled in favour of the Russian state.

The law was created to prevent works being seized during the time they are on display overseas, a kind of artistic "immunity", specialist lawyer Olivier de Baecque told France Info.

The payoff is that it has allowed France to borrow artworks from around the world more easily, he says.

Blacklist

For the Morozov collection, three official decrees were signed by the French foreign affairs ministry and the Culture ministry adhering to the accord on 19 February 2021, as well as those of 18 May and 6 January 2022 to cover the extension.

The current decree is valid until 15 May when the collection is due to return to Russia.

But there are concerns about the return of the pictures, which is set to take place by land rather than air due to the current restrictions on air travel between Europe and Russia.

France began seizing assets belonging to Russian oligarchs from 3 March, as part of sanctions decreed by the European Union.

A "black list" of 510 Russian companies and individuals has established by the French finance ministry and so far five yachts have already been seized.
12.04.2022 LISTEN

Introduction

It is said that privacy underlies the very essence of human dignity. It is a fundamental right that every human being enjoys as a person in his or her own right as a human being. It is an inherent right and it is not given by a State or government. Ones right to privacy can only be taken away under circumstances stated by law, such as for the prevention of crime or safeguarding national security. Each individual has the right to determine which aspects of their life they wish to be in the public domain and what they choose to keep away from the public. This article discusses the Supreme Courts case in which the Court had to decide whether a court order made for the oral examination of a judgment debtor is an infringement on his right to privacy.

Do privacy rules apply to proceedings in court?

The case under discussion is Martin Alamisi Amidu v Attorney-General, Waterville Holdings, Alfred Agbesi Woyome.[1] What happened in that case was that, Benin, JSC (sitting as a single Justice of the Supreme Court) had granted an ex parte application filed by the 1st defendant (simply referred to as the Attorney-General), under Order 46 of C.I 47 for the oral examination of the 3rd defendant/judgment debtor (simply called Alfred Agbesi Woyome or Woyome) to find out how Woyome intended to pay the balance outstanding on his judgment debt of about GH51 million cedis to the State. Benin, JSC granted the application. In the order paper, some questions were set down for Woyome to answer under the oral examination.

Woyomes lawyer then filed an application to have Benin, JSCs order for oral examination of Woyome set aside on grounds that the order for oral examination of his client infringed and violated his clients right to privacy as provided for under article 18(2)[2] of the Constitution. The Deputy Attorney-General (representing the State as its lawyer) replied that, it was untenable and unmeritorious for Woyomes lawyer to say that his oral examination as to how he intended to pay his judgment debt violated his right to privacy under the Constitution. He stated further that, all such rights provided for in the Constitution are not absolute rights. They are rights citizens enjoy but could be interfered with when necessary by law as happens in a free and democratic society.

The Deputy Attorney-General added that, the relevant constitutional[3] and statutory provisions[4] state that, all court proceedings are to be held in public unless a law directs that the proceedings in a particular case must be in camera/chambers. He also referred to substituted service of court documents that are published in national daily newspapers and added that, those publications cannot be said to be infringement of privacy rights of the parties involved.

After listening to the incisive arguments by the lawyers, the Supreme Court held that, the orders made by the single Judge for oral examination of the 3rd defendant did not infringe or violate his constitutional right to privacy in article 18 (2) of the Constitution.

Conclusion

This decision by the Supreme Court is most commendable. It is one of the decisions given by the apex Court in recent years, highlighting on the scope and extent of an individuals right to privacy in Ghana. But it is regrettable that neither the lawyers nor the Court itself referred to the Data Protection Act.[5] The Data Protection Act states clearly that, when a persons personal data is ordered to be disclosed by a court order, the person cannot refuse to make the disclosure. Simply put, the Acts provisions on non-disclosure do not apply where a court orders the disclosure to be made.[6]

[1] Civil Motion No. J7/1/2018 dated 31st January, 2018, SC (unreported), Coram: Atuguba, Sophia Adinyirah and Dotse, JJSC.

[2] No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence or communication except in accordance with law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others.

[3] Article 126 (3) of the Constitution states: Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or as may otherwise be ordered by a court in the interest of public morality, public safety or public order, the proceedings of every court shall be held in public.

[4] Section 102 (1) and (2) of the Courts Act, 1993, (Act 459) provides as follows: (1) Except as may be otherwise ordered by a Court  in the interest of public morality, public safety or public order, the proceedings of every Court or  including the announcement of the decision of the Court or tribunal shall be held in public. (2) Nothing  shall prevent a Court  from excluding from the proceedings persons other than the parties to the case or action and their Counsel, to such an extent as the Court  may consider necessary or expedient-

(a) in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interest of justice or any interlocutory proceedings; or

(b) in the interest of defence, public safety, public morality, the welfare of persons under the age of majority or the protection of the private lives of persons concerned in the proceedings.

[5] 2012 (Act 843).

[6] Section 66 provides thus: Personal data is exempt from the provisions on non-disclosure where the disclosure is required by or under an enactment, any rule of law or by the order of a court. (Emphasis supplied)
12.04.2022 LISTEN

A private legal practitioner in the opposition National Democratic Congress, Lawyer Eric Delanyo Alifo has urged leadership to expedite the reform of the party's branches.

In a post on social media, the NDC's former parliamentary aspirant in the Volta Region encouraged the party to quickly take steps to register new members on a limited registration basis to stimulate the party's base.

He pleads with the party's leadership to make ID cards available to all registered members who are willing to apply for them.

In a one-page statement, Lawyer Alifo has also encouraged the party to release a clear timetable for internal elections in order to keep supporters up to date.

Read full statement below:

The NDC Leadership must be Proactive in Reorganizing the Branch Many people are becoming concerned.

These days, when we hear and see our national and regional executives on radio and TV, we want to hear them tell us more about the plans the party has to register new members, particularly those who were left out in the last registration of members at the branches; issue the new party ID cards to all members; organize new branches at the new polling stations that were created by the Electoral Commission for the 2020 general elections; and when we shall have new elections at the branches, constituency, region, and national level.

We can slow down on the bashing of Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP for a moment and tidy up our base and re-energize our rank and file for the upcoming battle of the 2024 general elections as a matter of urgency.

CURRENT REORGANIZATION STAGE

We understand that, currently, the old party ID cards are being replaced with new ones. However, enough of the new cards are not sent to the branches to be distributed to our members who may be holding money and ready to buy them. The constituencies are supposed to pay for the cards upfront, and many of them are unable to find money to procure the cards, so they are falling back on the benevolence of some party members to help them buy the cards for distribution to our members for free, in some cases. This is not helping very much because only a very small number of cards are usually obtained by them for distribution at a time.

At many branches, the few cards that have been provided by the constituencies through the kindness of a few individuals have not been distributed at all, or have not been distributed properly because they would go around only a few members. As a result, in many branches, apart from the nine branch executives who have been issued with the new cards, the rest of the very few cards remain in the custody of some individual branch executives, who are hoping that they will receive more free cards to add before they begin to distribute them to only some members.

INFORMATION DEARTH

There is no real publicity going on anywhere, or in many places, about the replacement of the cards. This is known mainly to constituency executives and a few branch executives. Since the party did not plan to take the cards out to the branches and ask our members to come and get their old cards replaced for a small fee of GHC2.00, nobody saw the need to sensitize our members about the exercise and encourage as many of them as possible to find their GHC2.00 and come for the new cards. As a result, many of our supporters are not aware at all that the party is replacing their old membership cards for GHC2.00.

Every now and then, our supporters are calling anyone they think is in a better position than them to have some information on when the new registration of members will be done and when branch elections will be held, and they are asking questions which many of us cannot answer because we also do not have the answers. I must say, many are becoming very anxious, and perhaps impatient too, and it is time our topmost leadership woke up and got the ground properly energized. We are running very late, comrades.

Our elected executives are responsible and accountable to us, and we have every right to complain to them, about them, and call on them to respond to our grievances. I hope they will not treat the anxiety of our grassroots just like a usual rant, which must be ignored. We are in opposition and want to be more aggressive than those who are holding power and abusing it. Leadership must not fail us.

So stay tuned!

Eric Delanyo Alifo
Paul Amaning, the Eastern Region New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman hopeful, has backed the recent ruling of the Apex Court supporting the fact that Deputy Speakers are allowed to vote while leading proceedings in the house.

The ruling brought some uneasy calm amongst parliamentarians as the opposition NDC does not agree with the ruling of the Apex court.

He argued that the onus lies on the Judiciary to interpret the law of the land, debunking the Minoritys claims that the ruling amounts to the interference of the legislature.

There is nobody or organ in the Ghanaian state that is above the laws of the land. To suggest that Parliament should operate without interference is to advocate for the very matter we have tried to avoid, the concentration of power. We have had that experience before and dont want that, Paul Amaning exclusively told Okogyeabour Ocran Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7

On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling stated that Deputy Speakers of Parliament can take part in voting while presiding over proceedings of the house in the absence of the main Speaker of Parliament.

The said matter was taken to court by a law professor, Justice Abdulai, who was contesting the First Deputy Speakers decision to count himself to form a quorum for voting on the 2022 budget.

The Court also quashed order 109 (3) of the Standing Orders of Parliament, describing it as unconstitutional.

Some are of the view that this judgment interferes with the business of Parliament.

But Paul Amaning disagrees with this assertion and was happy with the ruling.

He said he was astonished at how much public energy has been wasted in an area or issue where there is so much clarity.
The midwife of Bulpelisi Health Centre and residents in the Tempane District of the Upper East Region are appealing to government to urgently reproof their health centre which was ripped off by a violent rainstorm.

According to the midwife, Janet Anambuni, the rainstorm has destroyed their equipment including the only solar panel that supplies electricity to the facility hence making their work difficult.

The Assemblymember for Akarateshie, David Akparibo has called on philanthropists and other organisations to come to their aid.

According to him, the situation will affect health care delivery of the only health centre in the area if the facility is not immediately maintained.

The Administrator of the facility, Akolbilla Ibrahim Nurudeen said the facility has not been able to continue to provide services due to the destruction. He has appealed to authorities in the district to help fix the situation.

Meanwhile, Abugri Ayaw, who was helpless told the news team his entire house was completely brought down by the rainstorm.

"I have suffered for over five years to build this 9 bedroom house. In fact, I have sold all my property to make sure I have a house but today I am homeless. I cannot control myself when I look into my building. I am appealing to anyone who has the heart to come to my aid. I have two wives and 12 children," he lamented.
The death toll from floods and mudslides after rainstorms struck the South African port city of Durban and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal province has climbed to 59, authorities said on Tuesday.

The country's meteorologists forecasted more "extreme" rains on the way Tuesday night accompanied by "widespread flooding".

"Many people lost their lives with Ethekwini (Durban metro) alone reporting 45 so far," while in iLembe district "more than 14 are reported to have tragically lost their lives," the provincial government said in a statement.

It said the disaster "wreaked untold havoc and unleashed massive damage to lives and infrastructure" affecting all races and social classes from rural areas, townships to luxury estates.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to visit the affected area on Wednesday.

"This is a tragic toll of the force of nature and this situation calls for an effective response by government," said Ramaphosa.

Days of driving rain flooded several areas, tore houses apart and ravaged infrastructure across the southeastern city, while landslides forced train services to be suspended.

The rains have flooded city highways to such depths that only the tops of traffic lights poked out, resembling submarine periscopes.

Torrents tore several bridges apart, submerged cars and collapsed houses. A fuel tank was floating in the sea after being tossed off the road.

A huge crack opened up in this road after its foundations were washed away. By PHILL MAGAKOE AFP

The rains have flooded city highways, torn apart bridges, submerged cars and collapsed houses. A fuel tank was floating in the sea after being tossed off the road.

Several stacked shipping containers fell like dominoes and lay strewn on a yard, while some spilled over into a main road in the city, one of southern Africa's largest regional gateways to the sea.

Global shipping firm Maersk suspended its operations in Durban on Tuesday due to the floods.

"At around 3:00 am (0100 GMT), I felt the truck shaking and I thought maybe someone bumped it and when I tried to open the curtain I saw the water level... was very high," said truck driver Mthunzi Ngcobo.

Looting

The disaster management department in KwaZulu-Natal province, of which Durban is the largest city, urged people to stay at home and ordered those residing in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

More than 2,000 houses and 4,000 "informal" homes, or shacks, have been damaged, provincial premier Sihle Zikalala, told journalists.

Rescue operations, aided by the military, are underway to evacuate people trapped in affected areas.

Fifty-two secondary students and teachers who were marooned at a Durban secondary school, were successfully airlifted to safety following "a long traumatic night, trapped", education authorities said.

More than 140 schools have been affected by the flooding.

Durban mayor Mxolisi Kaunda earlier said that power stations had been flooded and water supplies disrupted -- and that even graveyards had not been spared the devastation.

High winds and lashing rain caused containers at a storage facility to topple over. By PHILL MAGAKOE AFP

The city had only just recovered from deadly riots last July in which shopping malls were looted and warehouses set on fire, in South Africa's worst unrest since the end of apartheid.

There have been reports of looting, with TV footage showing people stealing from a cargo containers.

The provincial government condemned "reports of the looting of containers" during the flooding, calling on police to ensure that property was protected.

'Climate change getting worse'

Southern parts of the continent's most industrialised country are bearing the brunt of climate change -- suffering recurrent and worsening torrential rains and flooding.

Floods killed around 70 people in April 2019.

"We know it's climate change getting worse, it's moved from 2017 with extreme storms to supposedly having record floods in 2019, and now 2022 clearly exceeding that," University of Johannesburg development studies professor Mary Galvin said.

"Droughts and floods will become more frequent and more intense and that's what we are seeing" she said, frustrated at government's lack of preparedness.

"It's not surprising, it's absolutely devastating but equally devastating is the fact that we haven't done anything to get ready for it," she lamented.

The South African Weather Service admitted that "the exceptionally heavy rainfall overnight (Monday) and (Tuesday) morning exceeded even the expectations of the southern African meteorological community at large".
President Muhammadu Buhari vowed on Tuesday there would be no mercy for those behind the killings of more than a hundred people in a series of attacks in central Nigeria.

Gunmen raided and ransacked a group of villages there, local sources said, in one of worst attacks this year blamed on heavily armed criminal gangs.

Condemning what he called the "heinous" killings, Buhari promised that the perpetrators would receive "no mercy".

"They should not be spared or forgiven," he said in a statement.

Sunday's attacks in Plateau State and a high-profile kidnapping raid on a train in neighbouring Kaduna State have highlighted intensifying insecurity in northwest and central regions of Africa's most populous nation.

On Sunday, gunmen attacked more than four villages in Plateau, leaving more than 100 people dead with scores of homes destroyed, two local community leaders and the commander of a local vigilante force said Tuesday.

Details of the attack were still sketchy, with local officials and security forces confirming the assault but declining to give a death toll.

"Many people were killed with houses and properties destroyed," Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong said in a statement that condemned the violence but gave no precise toll.

One local community leader, Malam Usman Abdul, told AFP on Monday that 54 dead bodies were found at Kukawa village, 16 local vigilantes were also found dead at Shuwaka village, 30 villagers were recovered at Gyambahu and four more were found around other villages.

"People are still looking for their family members," he said.

Bala Yahaya, operational commander of the local vigilantes who work with security forces told AFP they had recovered 107 bodies, including 16 members of his group.

Another community leader gave a similar figure for the number of fatalities.

Mass burials

Residents said there were mass burial services on Monday for the victims of the attack in four adjoining villages.

Security forces and local government officials did not respond to requests for confirmation of a toll.

Major Ishaku Takwa, military spokesman, said on Monday that many villages had been ransacked but that the number of casualties was still being verified.

Northwest and central states in Nigeria have long struggled with a security crisis that has emerged from tensions and clashes between farmers and herders over water and land.

Tit-for-tat revenge killings spiralled into broader criminality as gangs known locally as bandits with hundreds of members targetted villages for raids, mass kidnapping and looting.

Despite a military campaign to flush them out of their forest hideouts, attacks by bandit gangs have intensified.

Last month, gunmen blew up rail tracks and attacked a train between the capital Abuja and the northwestern city of Kaduna, killing eight people and abducting an unspecified number of other passengers.

They later released videos showing their hostages.

The train attack came two days after bandits killed a security guard at the perimeter fence of Kaduna's airport, prompting two local airlines to temporarily halt flights into the city.

Nigeria's overstretched security forces are already battling a grinding 12-year jihadist insurgency in the country's northeast, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province are operating.

The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and forced around 2.2 million more people to flee their homes since it erupted in Borno State in 2009.
A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago.

"Baraa" (Arabic for "innocence") has also been criticised by rights activists and secular politicians for its portrayal of customary "orfi" marriage, religious unions not sanctioned by the state.

Both practices are punishable by up to a year in prison under the country's 1956 family code.

But in one episode, the series' main character, Wannas, declares to his wife and children that he has the right to marry a second woman under Islamic law, which "trumps all other laws".

The series, aired at prime time after observant Muslims break their daytime fast, has sparked a backlash on social media.

"It's disappointing to see these subjects being debated," said Tunisian actress Mariem Ben Hussein.

In one episode of the series, the main character declares to his wife and children that he has the right to marry a second woman under Islamic law. By Achraf OUERGHEMMI AFP

Post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba outlawed polygamy in the family code passed just five months after the country's 1956 independence from France, a piece of legislation that was nothing short of revolutionary in the Arab world at the time.

It also changed the law so that divorce cases had to go through the courts, meaning a husband could no longer simply declare a marriage over.

'Out of the question'

Tunisia's 2011 revolt, which overthrew Bourguiba's successor Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, brought in a parliamentary system ideologically divided between secularists and Islamist-leaning parties such as Ennahdha.

The strongly secular Free Destourian Party (PDL) founded by one-time members of Ben Ali's ruling party has been one of the loudest voices against "Baraa", saying that "putting these questions back on the table is out of the question" and an affront to women's dignity.

The PDL also blames Ennahdha, politically dominant after the 2011 revolt, for a rise in "crimes" under the family code and has frequently called for its rival to be dissolved.

Polygamy was outlawed in Tunisia's family code, passed in 1956 just five months after independence from France. By ACHRAF OUERGHEMMI AFP

Rights group Aswat Nissa ("Women's Voices") said polygamy and customary marriage were "forms of violence against women" and that discussing them "normalises a culture of impunity".

The group has urged the country's broadcast regulator to take the programme off the air.

But sociologist Mohamed Jouil said the series does "not necessarily reflect Tunisian society".

"Talking about polygamy and orfi marriage doesn't threaten the gains that women have made," he told AFP.

Jouil added that many Tunisians happily discuss such issues in private but are angered when they are aired in public -- where commentators are "instrumentalising" the issue for political gain.

'Subject of debate'

Civil servant Nadia Abdelhak agreed.

"The over-reactions to the series are trying to convince people that everything related to Islam is backwards," the 28-year-old said.

Rights groups say polygamy and customary marriage are forms of violence against women and that discussing them normalises a culture of impunity. By Achraf OUERGHEMMI AFP

Sociologist Foued Ghorbali said that while the subject remains taboo, polygamy is still an issue in Tunisia.

After Islamist movements grew following the 2011 revolt, "religious marriage became more common" particularly among university students looking for "halal" sex, he added.

"Some Tunisians support customary marriage," he said.

The justice ministry said courts examined 1,718 cases of orfi marriage between 2015 and 2020 in the country of 12 million people.

Moreover, the freedom of speech that came with the end of Ben Ali's dictatorship allowed people in favour of such practices to openly say so.

In early 2018, a group of women held a protest to demand the re-legalisation of polygamy.

Such controversies ought to be reflected in the arts, Ghorbali said.

"It's not the role of drama to present a positive image of society. It can show a point of view or phenomena in society that could be a subject of debate," he said.
In her 40 years living by the water's edge, Amissa Irakoze never much feared Lake Tanganyika. Floods were frequent, even lapping at her front door, but eventually they always receded.

She could never have foreseen what happened in April 2020. Returning from working in the fields, Irakoze found her home in northwest Burundi was under the water and her 10 children missing.

"I screamed, 'My children, my children, my children!'" the single mother recalled, miming a gesture of desperation.

"The children were swept away, but some people nearby who could swim used boats to fish them out, and brought them to me." All miraculously survived.

Two years later, the floodwaters have not receded and Africa's second largest lake remains at highs not seen in decades, pushed outward by erratic and extreme rainfall linked to a warming planet.

Irakoze and her family languish in a makeshift camp behind the lakeside city of Gatumba.

Those driven off their land have little to keep them busy, their children passing their time playing in the camp's alleyways.

Missing school: Some 65 percent of those displaced by the lake are children. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP

"We used to farm, we used to do jobs that helped us survive. But since we've been here we've done nothing," said Lea Nyabenda, another mother of 10 who arrived at the camp two years ago.

"Life is miserable, and the shelter and lack of food makes me anxious. Sleeping in a place like this when we had a beautiful big house," she said.

Ghost town

Gatumba has grown significantly in recent decades thanks to its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi's massive neighbour to the west.

Amissa Irakoze and her family languish in a makeshift camp behind the lakeside city of Gatumba. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP

As cross-border trade boomed, construction in Gatumba has proceeded at a clip but some new dwellings sprang up on a watery plain where building was prohibited.

Nyabenda's old neighbourhood was one such place.

As the lake rose, her suburb turned into a swamp. Some homes remain intact, but most are watery ruins covered in tall grass.

"This is where my house used to be," said Nyabenda, pausing before a mound of earth and scraps of wood, and pointing out where the bedrooms and living spaces used to be.

"I avoid coming here. I can feel the tension rising."

The neighbourhood has a ghostly emptiness.

Schools and commercial establishments "have been destroyed, there are also crops, plantations that have been flooded," said Geoffrey Kirenga, country director for charity Save the Children.

Map of Burundi. By AFP

Some 65 percent of those displaced by the lake are children. Most no longer have access to school or any form of learning, and have started working to support their families.

"Children are getting involved in fishing, which is dangerous. It is unprotected so it exposes them to physical harm," said Kirenga, looking toward the murky lake filled with hippos and crocodiles.

Threat is real

Save the Children expects the situation to worsen as the rainy season begins in Burundi, which the World Bank ranks the world's poorest by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

A man makes a fish trap next to makeshift shelters for people displaced by the rising waters. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP

Political violence and civil strife drove hundreds of thousands of people from their homes over recent decades in this tiny but densely-populated nation sandwiched between Tanzania, DR Congo and Rwanda.

Burundians are still moving in great numbers but today the driver is not man but nature.

Natural disasters were responsible for nearly 85 percent of the country's 113,000 internally displaced people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

By some measures, Burundi is among the most vulnerable nations on earth to a changing climate.

Natural disasters were responsible for nearly 85 percent of the country's 113,000 internally displaced people, says the International Organization for Migration. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP

According to experts, an increase in annual rainfall -- particularly torrential equatorial downpours -- is feeding the vast lake that runs the length of Burundi's southwestern frontier.

But other factors could also be contributing to its dramatic rise, said Albert Mbonerane, the country's former environment minister, and a champion for the conservation of Tanganyika.

The lake has ebbed and flowed in cycles for generations.

But the amount of trash dumped into rivers feeding the lake has risen sharply and its only outlet -- a waterway running into Congo -- could be blocked and preventing levels from falling, Mbonerane said.

He said there has been no movement in lake height since 2020.

"When I see all the solid waste, everything that is thrown into these rivers... The lake is almost vomiting, as if to say, 'What do you want me to do about it?'" he said.

To the east of Gatumba, the country's largest city Bujumbura also wraps around the lake.

Lea Nyabenda, a mother of 10, arrived at the camp two years ago. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA AFP

Plots of land are flooded, and half of a four-lane road that once ran around the shore is underwater.

"Sometimes when we talk about the environment it seems like it's just a story we're telling. But the reality is there," said Mbonerane.
The Supreme Court will later today, Wednesday, rule on an application seeking to stop James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself as the Member of Parliament for Assin North.

A seven-member panel of the SC presided over by Justice Jones Dotse set the date to rule on an interlocutory injunction after hearing oral arguments by counsel for Mr Quayson, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Frank Davies who represented Michael Ninfa, the applicant, and Emmanuel Adei, counsel for the Electoral Commission, the second defendant.

Ninfa, a teacher and resident of Yamoransa in the Central Region filed the interlocutory motion and urged the court to bar the lawmaker from holding himself out as MP.

His application originated from the decision of the Cape Coast High Court dated July 21, 2021 that nullified the 2020 Assin North Parliamentary election because Mr Quayson, a Canadian citizen, failed to renounce his Canadian citizenship at the time he picked nomination forms to contest the election.

Appearing before the seven-member panel, Mr Davies said Mr Quayson had breached the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the electoral rules.

He argued that the people of Assin North had been saddled with an unqualified person.

If he continues to be in Parliament, he will still be in breach of the constitution. The people of Assin North have been saddled with an unqualified person for far too long, Mr Davies added.

Mr Davies told the justices that motions for interlocutory injunction had invariably succeeded while the substantive writ is pending and said that the balance of convenience should tilt in favour of his client.
Kuwait Finance HouseBahrain has signed an agreement with Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH), enabling KFH  Bahrain debit card, credit card and the Visa Platinum WorldPay prepaid card holders to receive special offers from the hospital.



The promotional offers and special discounts from the hospital will run until the December 31, 2022, a KFH-Bahrain statement said.



The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) took place at the banks headquarters in the Bahrain World Trade Center, and witnessed the presence of Hamed Mashal, Head of Retail Banking at KFH-Bahrain, Majed Ardati, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, in addition to a number of representatives from both parties.



It gives us great pleasure to collaborate with KFH  Bahrain to provide their valued customers with special offers on all our health services, which are provided by a qualified medical team consisting of reputable consultants and therapists within their respective fields. Customers will be able to benefit from these offers when making payments via their KFH cards, commented Majed Ardati.



Hamed Mashal said: Our partnership with Bahrain Specialist Hospital stems from our continuous efforts to provide banking products and services that meet our valued customers needs. We look forward to conducting more fruitful partnerships in the future, which will support our clients and provide them with rewarding services.



This collaboration comes as part of our committed efforts in providing health-related services to our customers, which is a primary objective in our social responsibility initiatives directed towards society and individuals alike.



The credit cards and Visa Platinum WorldPay prepaid card from KFH  Bahrain provide customers with various advantages including obtaining points on the loyalty program which can be exchanged for valuable services, which are also Sharia compliant and are approved worldwide.  TradeArabia News Service
The Paris attacks trial resumed on Tuesday with the interrogation of Mohammed Amri and Hamza Attou, the two men who admit driving to Paris on the morning after the 13 November 2015 killings to bring surviving terrorist Salah Abdeslam back home to Belgium.

The contrast is striking.

Mohammed Amri is soft, round, smiling. He is patient in the face of repeated, pointless questions. He is given to gentle humour as, on Tuesday, at the expense of a lawyer he had spotted snoozing earlier in the session. "Of course you didn't hear my answer, Maitre, you were asleep."

Hamza Attou is all nerve and sinew, never smiles, takes no nonsense from nobody. On Tuesday he warned the court president that, if the judge didn't like Attou's answers, he could go elsewhere. The accused was told to moderate his tone. "I will, if you stop asking the same questions in the search for the answers you want to hear."

Facts established beyond doubt

There is no doubt about the facts.

Late on the evening of 13 November 2015, Mohammed Amri was at work when he got a call from a clearly distressed Salah Abdeslam. His friend said that he had been involved in a serious motor accident in France and needed help to get home. Urgently. Abdeslam was in tears.

Amri explained that he was on duty until 2AM, and could do nothing before that. But he did offer to ask their mutual friend, Hamza Attou, if he could find someone to make the trip, or borrow a car and drive down himself.

Eventually, Amri and Attou set out together in the middle of the night, in Amri's car. Neither had any idea that the man they were driving south to help had been part of the terrorist attacks in the French capital.

Salah Abdeslam met the pair in the south Paris suburb of Chatillon. Almost immediately, he told his two rescuers that he had been one of the terrorists.

Salah Abdeslam was worried that his brother Brahim was dead. Brahim Abdeslam had been one of the terrace killers, and blew himself up at the Comptoir Voltaire cafe.

Wanted to avenge his brother's death

Salah Abdeslam explained that he himself had been wearing a suicide vest, had entered a cafe intending to set off an explosion, but had changed his mind "because the place was full of young people". He was nervous, confused and angry, and spoke of wanting to avenge his brother's death.

The three drove back towards Brussels, taking the main A2 motorway. They didn't talk much. Abdeslam appeared to be asleep at least some of the time.

They were stopped three times by the police, now on nationwide alert in the wake of the attacks, but were allowed to continue their journey because investigators had not yet established the identity of Salah Abdeslam as a suspect.

Mohammed Amri left his car with Attou and Abdeslam and went home shortly after their arrival in Brussels. He was arrested later the same day.

Attou went to his parents' apartment. Abdeslam vanished.

Minor drug dealer out of his depth

Hamza Attou told the court that he had been smoking hash for several days and was completely wrecked when Salah Abdeslam asked him for help. He claims to have known nothing about the Paris attacks before hearing Abdeslam's own account of events. He says he was terrified.

"I was afraid of everything. I was sure I was going to die." He was 21 years old at the time.

He says he spent his days dealing and smoking narcotics, took no interest in current events. He was arrested boarding a metro in Brussels.

The trial continues.
13.04.2022 LISTEN

Ghanaian medical doctor and politician, Arthur Kobina Kennedy has praised National Security Minister Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah over his recent comments about the justice system in Ghana.

Speaking at a sensitization workshop on National Security Strategy for judges, Hon. Kan Dapaah echoed concerns about public confidence in the judiciary.

Injustice occasioned as a result of the absence of an effective justice delivery system or delayed justice or biased justice is certainly a threat to national security.

Indeed when Injustice occurs, particularly in situations where the bench which is considered the final arbiter of justice is deemed biased, citizens tend to take the law into their own hands most of the time without recourse to established systems of justice delivery," the Minister said.

Ken Dapaah stressed that if the interpretation of the law is tilted in ones favour all the time, people will start accusing the judiciary and will not have the confidence that they need.

Despite the criticisms and backlash at the National Security Minister since making those comments, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy says he was right.

According to him, the justice system becomes a threat to national security should it continuously be seen as biased.

Kan Dapaah was right and we must heed his wise and patriotic counsel.

Courts that are seen as biased cease to ensure justice and become, as he said, a threat to national security, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy notes in his latest write-up.

Below is the write-up:

Our Courts And Politics; Once again, our judges are in the news for the wrong reasons.

Speaking at a sensitization workshop on National Security strategy for judges, Hon. Kan Dapaah echoed concerns about public confidence in the judiciary.

He said, "Injustice occasioned as a result of the absence of an effective justice delivery system or delayed justice or biased justice is certainly a threat to national security. Indeed when Injustice occurs, particularly in situations where the bench which is considered the final arbiter of justice is deemed biased, citizens tend to take the law into their own hands most of the time without recourse to established systems of justice delivery. If the interpretation of the law is tilted in our favour all the time, people will start accusing the judiciary and will not have the confidence that they need."

Following these common sense remarks, Mr. Dapaah has faced a barrage of criticisms, mostly from the governing NPP. The most detailed of these criticisms was from former Attorney General Ayikoi Otoo. The former Attorney General said, "I am sorry to say that I don't think he sought legal advice ( before commenting) because judges have taken an oath to do justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, ill-will or affection. He was saying that if someone brings a bad case, the Supreme Court must give a decision to favour that person because a ruling for you will make people feel there is something wrong."

Now before commenting on these matters, let me confess my ignorance of the "I-put-it-to-you" procedures. I am NOT one of Ayikoi Otoo's learned friends and I have not sought legal advice. But it shouldn't matter. Our constitution recognizes the interest of laypeople in the law by making it possible for us to petition the Supreme.

Our President implored us, admiringly, "to be citizens, not spectators" and a National Security Minister who has been in charge of both Defense and Interior is not just a citizen--he is a leader. And if my memory serves me right in the contempt case involving then NPP General Secretary, "Sir John", one Ayikoi Otoo, steeped the law, invoked a defense rooted in common sense and culture. He told the Supreme Court that Sir John had committed "contempt of court" because of "Gbesi"! Now, I am ignorant of the law but I am sure a defense based on "Gbesi", until Ayikoi invoked it, was not a legal principle!

To return to Kan Dapaah, he wasn't warning against theoretical dangers. We are already seeing the effects of waning public and political confidence in our courts. Former President Mahama has served notice that the next elections will be settled, not at the Supreme Court but "at the polling stations" and that they would be a "do or die" affair.

And it does not help the public's confidence in the courts that the NPP has become its reflexive defender-- a practice of defending independent state agencies that is unfortunately bipartisan and in evidence when the NDC is also in power.

Now, unanimous opinions have their place--as was demonstrated to positive effect in Brown vs Board of Education in 1954 and the case and the case of the Nixon tapes in 1974 in the US. But they are uncommon for a good reason. Courts must reflect honestly the differences in a society to earn the public's confidence. That is why, according to ABC News analysis, the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously only 48% in the last decade and Canada's Supreme Court did so only 40% in 2019. And knowledge of the law is no insurance against wrong and even bad Court decisions. That is why courts reverse themselves. The Dredd Scott and Plessy vs Ferguson decisions in the US, as well as re:Akoto decision in Ghana were delivered by learned judges. And as Atuguba warned about politics and Anas demonstrated with goats and cash, our courts can be influenced by more than the law.

Kan Dapaah was right and we must heed his wise and patriotic counsel.

Courts that are seen as biased cease to ensure justice and become, as he said, a threat to national security.

Long live Ghana.

Arthur Kobina Kennedy (April 12th, 2022)
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal government control would be necessary." James Madison

The "Fixthecountry" movement has been asking the government to fix the country, but they have not been able to articulate what they want to be fixed and how to fix them in a well-thought fashion. Instead of thinking and strategizing about what they want to see done and how to do it, they have resorted to insults and insinuations, as if Ghanaian leaders care much about insults. One of the most potent weapons that can be used to fix the country is the law. I refer to workable and enforceable laws with strict consequences for everyone irrespective of their social station in society. Ghana's number one problem is general lawlessness from the ordinary person in the street to the country's president. Just enforce the law, and there will be enough resources to take care of every Ghanaian. Americans or Europeans obey the law not because they are more law-abiding people than Africans by nature, but instead, they obey the laws because the laws come with sanctions.

For example, when Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was found guilty of federal corruption charges in 2009 about the filling of President Obama's vacant Senate seat and other charges, he was impeached, convicted, and removed from office in 2009 by the Illinois General Assembly. The Illinois Senate also barred him from holding public office in the state ever again. Blagojevich was also sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. So, you can understand why the law works in the United States but does not work in Ghana. How many politicians in Ghana have ever been impeached or removed from office, or gone to jail for public corruption?

The goal of the law is to change human behaviors. The law can accomplish its goals directly through fear of sanctions or desire for rewards. It can also do so indirectly by changing attitudes about regulated behaviors. However, only the law can alter moral attitudes when enforced with sanctions. For any society to survive, it has to be guided by law that governs the behavior of the members of the society, their relations, their rights, and obligations irrespective of their social stations. The laws we promulgate must be a mandatory cause of our conduct accepted by all of us as established by the legitimate authority of our society. Our very existence depends on the quality of the law.

Many Ghanaians hope that their standard of living will improve one day. They believe one day they can access better healthcare services, drive on better roads and bridges, receive better protection from the police, better transportation, better education, and better physical and social infrastructural services. They ask, when will our standard of living improve? There is always hope for the future, but that hope seems to dim every day. We must understand that our economy will not grow past our growth in moral behavior and our growth in instituting laws and enforcing them.

Ghanaians live in dualistic societies where one group lives in opulence, while others live in abject poverty. Ancient sages' idea that immorality and evil result from lack of education and miseducation does not hold water for the educated Ghanaian elites. One has to ask: where do these politicians and bureaucrats get their money to finance the expensive buildings, cars, and foreign trips for their girlfriends? The Ghanaian elite does not know the difference between stewardship and ownership because they are never asked to account for their stewardship: they can use government resources entrusted to them in any way they want without any repercussions.

How often have the incoming governments promised to investigate the previous government and hold them accountable without fulfilling their promises? They could not because they knew they were also coming to do the same thing without consequences. Why do we expect humans to do the right thing without checks and balances, transparency, and accountability?

The idea of a state of nature or human nature was an essential component of the social contracts of English philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and the social contract theory of the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Though their views sometimes diverge, they all consider human nature as the beginning place to think about law and governance. Their political and legal theories provided the theoretical bases for western democracy.

It is not only in politics and law that human nature or behavior features prominently but also in economics. While many scholars know about Adam Smith's work, "The Causes of Wealth of Nations, "only a few know that Smith's first major book was about moral sentiments. Smith, who laid the ground for capitalism, was a moral philosopher before shifting his attention to Economics. Smith believed that the free market or the capitalist economy could operate only when there are laws to address the externalities that stem from individuals pursuing their self-interest in a society.

One of the earliest political theorists, Machiavelli, also believed that people are governed by two broad categories of political motivation: their loves and fears, but primarily by fear. For Machiavelli, fear of punishment is an essential political motivator. He observed, "The prince must love his city more than his soul. Furthermore, to love his city all right, the prince must "Learn how not to be good." In other words, a leader cannot say, I love my country while allowing lawbreakers to go unpunished. Thomas Hobbes, in the Leviathan, observed that in the state of nature, people left to their own devices without a central government or the enforcement of laws would quickly descend into squatting, infighting, and intolerable bickering and seek their interests. For Hobbes, evil is the natural state of humans.

Highlighting the abuse of governments by public officials and the need for checks and balances, James Madison, in the federalist papers, wrote, "It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?" In other words, any government or leader that does not devise means to deal with human nature in pursuance of governance is bound to fail. One thing about the Holy book that even atheists do not dispute is its teaching about the sinfulness of humans. Madison continued with this famous quote, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal government control would be necessary."

As a nation, our problem is not a lack of resources or infrastructure, lack of employment, or social amenities. These perceived problems are manifestations or symptoms of the critical moral problem beneath the surface. The problems we have are not rooted in Economics or Finance, but the problems confronting us are human. Societies over the years have found that humans left to themselves often would not adhere to societal norms and order. The holy book does not just tell us about the depravity of humans but also advocates for the government to exact punishment to ensure order in societies.

In Romans 13:1-5, the apostle wrote, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. There is no authority except God, and God appoints the existing authorities. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience's sake."

My earlier articles have touched on public sector inefficiencies and corruption, which partly stem from the lack of strong leadership to enforce the laws. The issue we have discussed appears to be about lack of government leadership and irresponsibility, yet the main issue is that we do not have legal mechanisms to restrain human instincts or hold people responsible for their actions or inactions. Like all animals, humans have instincts that enhance us to cope with our environment. Nevertheless, such animistic instincts as denial, revenge, tribal loyalty, intentional negligence, and greed threaten our very co-existence as a nation if not restrained by law.

There is too much cacophony without symphony: Too much talking without substance. There is a need to do root cause analysis to determine the underlying causes of our problems? The most critical element in policy analysis is defining the problem to be solved. We cannot solve any problem if one gets the definition wrong. We have to begin with the understanding that we have all the natural resources to cater to our needs if they are well managed. The fundamental question is: How do we restrain our politicians and bureaucrats from transferring our pooled resources into their personal or family accounts? In other words, how do we make them responsible and accountable stewards?

We live in a lawless society where the rules sometimes apply to those without social connections like "Akuapem Polo." All the cacophony about "Fixthecountry," and the insults will amount to nothing if they do not affect the political prospects of the politicians and the bureaucrats or brings sanctions against them when they unlawfully abuse their positions. For Ghanaian politicians and bureaucrats, they see the "fixthecountry" cacophony as a temporary political agitation that will soon pass.

I do not care what adjectives we use to describe leaders like Lee Kuan Yew or Paul Kagame; Ghanaians need leaders like these two men. We need benevolent dictators who take some of our unnecessary rights away for the benefit of all. We need leaders who will hold people responsible and accountable. Sub-Saharan Africa needs strong, benevolent leaders because we will live in a state of nature without such leadership, as Thomas Hobbes described in his work "Leviathan." According to Hobbes, the natural condition of humankind is a state of war in which life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" because individuals are in a "war of all against all."

When laws are mere words and not deeds, those who deceive others (the voters) into signing off their rights in return for good governance will always take the citizens for granted as soon as the votes are counted. One should tell me why ministers should not take a 10% cut if they can do so without being caught or prosecuted. Without enforceable laws, we take it for granted that people will be honest and not launder the money borrowed from international financial institutions into their offshore accounts. Where do we get that optimistic hope from?

Our very existence depends on the quality of the law. We all should have an inherent interest in preserving our interests and national interests. We should understand that individual members share various behaviors, from submissiveness to delinquency. The relevancy of the law is to direct individual members of our society to behave in specific ways or face specified sanctions. Our discussions should be on what legal sanctions can we bring to bear on our leaders to dissuade them from abusing our resources? Insults and yelling will produce nothing but the change of government from one corrupt party to another corrupt party. The focus of the 2024 campaigns should be on government reforms and not projects.
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The Embassy of Lebanon has called for the arrest one of its own in Ghana for threatening to behead an unidentified man.

In a viral video on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, a man alleged to be a Lebanese is seen angrily daring an unidentified man to face off with him.

Spotted with a sword, the man was seen vowing to behead the man he is pursuing.

After spotting the viral video, the Lebanon Embassy has said it rejects all forms of violence calling on Ghanaian authorities to arrest the alleged Lebanese man.

We reject all forms of violence and intimidation, as well as anyone who does not treat the people of the host country with respect and in accordance with applicable laws.

We call on the competent authorities to conduct the necessary investigations and to take appropriate measures against the offender, the Embassy has shared in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has taken up the matter and investigating to get to the bottom of it.
The Bole Magistrate Court has granted a bail of GHS20,000 to two poachers from the Larabanga Community of the West Gonja Municipality.

Identified as Mumin Baharu and Osman Ibrahim aka Vuga, they were arrested by the Rangers of the Mole National Park on 9th April, 2022.

On 11th April 2022, the suspects were arraigned for unlawful entry to the Mole National Park and unlawful poaching of a pregnant buffalo.

At the Bole Magistrate Court, the two men pleaded guilty to the charges but the was no interpreter to communicate the hearing, so the presiding judge, His Worship Edward Essel adjourn the hearing to 27th April, 2021.

Source: Classfmonline.com
A Nigerian national staying in Ghana has been convicted for one year for unlawfully attempting to secure a Ghana Card.

The imposter, Justin Jeff Manu was convicted by the Offinso Circuit Court presided over by His Lordship Frederick Kwabena Twumasi alongside his accomplice, Mary Fowaa on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

The Offinso Circuit Court presided over by His Lordship Frederick Kwabena Twumasi has convicted a Nigerian citizen Justin Jeff Manu for falsely representing himself as a Ghanaian in order to acquire a Ghana Card contrary to law.

His accomplice, a Ghanaian, Mary Fowaa has also been convicted, a press release from the National Identification Authority has disclosed.

Details of the case:

On Thursday, 24h March 2022, Mary Fowaa went to the NIA District Office in Offinso South to vouch for Justin Jeff Yaw Manu.

According to Mary Fowaa, Justin Jeff Yaw Manu is one of her three children she gave birth to whilst living in Nigeria.

In the course of the interview, the Assistant Registration Officer at the Offinso South District Office of the NIA noticed some discrepancies in Justin Jeff Yaw Manu's answers and suspected he was not a Ghanaian.

Upon further interrogation at the NIA District Office, Justin admitted that he was not a Ghanaian.

NIA officials in the District brought this to the attention of the District Police who have investigated and prosecuted the offence.

On Thursday. 7th April 2022, they were arraigned before the Offinso Circuit Court and were both convicted to a one-year jail term or 200 penalty units.

Find more in the NIA Press Release below:
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The Supreme Court has today, Wednesday, April 13 restrained James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency.

The seven-member panel of the Supreme Court in a 5-2 ruling said the MP is restrained from holding himself out as an MP for the area.

Ninfa, a teacher and resident of Yamoransa in the Central Region filed the interlocutory motion and urged the court to bar the lawmaker from holding himself out as MP.

His application originated from the decision of the Cape Coast High Court dated July 21, 2021 that nullified the 2020 Assin North Parliamentary election because Mr Quayson, a Canadian citizen, failed to renounce his Canadian citizenship at the time he picked nomination forms to contest the election.

Appearing before the seven-member panel, Mr Davies said Mr Quayson had breached the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the electoral rules.

He argued that the people of Assin North had been saddled with an unqualified person.

If he continues to be in Parliament, he will still be in breach of the constitution. The people of Assin North have been saddled with an unqualified person for far too long, Mr Davies added.

Mr Davies told the justices that motions for interlocutory injunction had invariably succeeded while the substantive writ is pending and said that the balance of convenience should tilt in favour of his client.
Political Judgment is the ability to hear the distant hoofbeat of the horses of history. Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable  the art of the next best  Otto Von Bismarck

After listening to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during his thought-provoking presentation on the state of the economy, I couldn't help but to stand up and clap unceasingly for him when he ended his presentation. You screw with this economic whiz-kid at your own peril. Ex-President John Mahama was the first to throw down the gauntlet and Dr. Bawumia picked it up and did justice to it.

So what next? Mr. Mahama was the chairman of the Economic Management team when he was the Vice President during the Atta Mills era. He is not an economist but the NDC has very good economists in their camp. I throw a challenge to Mr. Mahama to assemble his economists to come out with a presentation which is contrary to what Dr. Bawumia presented.

It is a challenge which he must not run away from. Ghanaians are waiting for Mr. Mahama and his team to expose Dr. Bawumia if they can. Mr. Fiifi Kwetey was making ugly noises on Joy News Pulse programme before Dr. Bawumia's presentation.

If he is the economist that he boasts of, he should come out with facts and figures to debunk what Dr. Bawumia presented. There is no time for bragging and infantile provocation of confrontation. Mr. Mahama and his team of noise makers should put up or shut up for the government to steer the ship of state ashore.

Bawumia's presentation is like the way an eagle deals with a snake. When an eagle sees a snake on the ground, it will fly up and descend to grab the snake, with one of its claws grabbing the head and the other grabbing the tail of the snake. It will then fly back and perch on the tree and tear the snake into two with its sharp beak before devouring it. With the mission accomplished, the eagle will proudly roam about in the firmament looking for another opportunity to strike.

This is exactly what Dr. Bawumia did to the snake called John Dramani Mahama who never loses an opportunity to ridicule the tested economist simply because Dr. Bawumia once called him an incompetent president.

An eagle likes challenges. If the eagle sees a storm gathering with wind and thunder, it will fly up to meet the storm. The eagle is not like the chicken which will shiver and run away to hide anytime the storm gathers. If Mahama fails to challenge Dr. Bawumia, I will add CHICKEN to his name. Imagine ex-president Chicken Mahama!

I was happy Dr. Bawumia was addressing the TESCON. I am sure copies of the speech will be duplicated and distributed to the TESCON. It should also be distributed to all the constituencies for the communicators to use to campaign. The truth is that few party supporters know what Dr. Bawumia said. This speech should be a campaign tool for the party communicators to use to explain things better in order to dilute the poison of misinformation of the NDC.

You see, the government has done so many good things which the public is not aware. The One District One Factory is going on, but only those who live in the districts that a factory is built are aware. Dams are constructed in villages in the Northern regions but NDC apparatchiks sit in Accra and poison the minds of people that nothing is being done.

School blocks, dormitories and other facilities are being built in Senior High Schools to solve the issue of accommodation and Double Track, but party communicators are saying nothing about it. The communication wing of the party should spend money to buy airtime on TV stations to showcase these projects and stop their unnecessary press conferences which do not sink in.

For the five years that the NPP government has been in power, the government has built about seven flyovers and interchanges, but since they are not located in some regions, the NDC is out there saying they built them. The Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, the Tema Interchange, the Nungua Interchange, the Tamale Interchange, the Takoradi PTC Roundabout Interchange, the Pokuase Interchange, etc are all the handiwork of the NPP government, but the story is not being told by party communicators.

When the NDC built the Circle Interchange, they made sure huge billboards depicting the project were erected in almost all the regions in Ghana. When it was being commissioned, comedians and other dignitaries were brought from Nigeria and other countries to grace the occasion amidst drumming and dancing. I did not blame them because the Bible says you don't light up a lantern and hide it under a bed.

The NDC has established some radio and TV stations to spew out lies and misinform the populace. It is their agenda, and it seems to be working well for them. They spend huge sums of money to buy some half-baked journalists who sit on radio and TV stations to mess around.

What is the NPP doing in this respect? As a government in power, what keeps the NPP from setting up similar radio and TV stations to set records straight? Anyone who listened to Dr. Bawumia's presentation will wish it is translated into local languages so that the common man on the street will also understand and refuse to follow the lies of the NDC. The truth is that the NPP is losing the propaganda war. Very sad indeed.

The NPP is underrating the power of the NDC propaganda machine. When the founder of the NDC, the late JJ Rawlings usurped power, he looked up to the communist countries to propagate his revolution. He sent young men and women to countries like Cuba, Bulgaria, Libya, Russia, etc to learn the art of propaganda. These are the people who are lying through their teeth to hoodwink Ghanaians. Their lust for political power is insatiable. If they tell you to look up, you better look down else you will be bitten by a snake.

What is worrisome is that if we allow them to lie their way to power, they will undo the good works of the NPP. The Free SHS will be their first target. And Mr. Mahama has already served notice.

The Surgeon General of the United States of America has warned that cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health. He did not warn that cigar smoking is dangerous to your health. That is why I continue to do my own thing. Here I go with a stick of Cohiba.

[email protected]

From Eric Bawah
13.04.2022 LISTEN

Eric Adjei, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy Director of Communications for the Bono Region, has urged the government to be truthful to Ghanaians and admit that the country has returned to the days of erratic power outages popularly known as dumsor.

He revealed that the recent power outages are a reflection of the financial troubles facing the energy sector due to the governments mismanagement.

"Last night I didn't sleep home. I have been without light for the past few weeks and is sad the Akufo-Addo led government have failed to find a solution to this problem. During Former President Mahama's era alot of Ghanaians chastised him for the erratic power supply which was not his fault," Eric Adjei exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Adwenkasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9FM.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo governments ineptitude and its mismanagement of the energy sector has led the country back to dumsor despite the huge made by former President Mahama before leaving power.

Eric Adjei called on government to release a load shedding timetable following the recent power outages across the country.
Mr Eric Adjei, who is the NDC's Deputy Director of Communications for the Bono Region, has said nothing but the mismanagement and reckless spending of the NPP government is all to blame for the countrys present economic woes.

Contrary to assertions by government, he says the present economic situation of the country cannot be blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.

He further stressed that the same Covid-19 pandemic affected regional neighbours such as Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Ivory Coast but whose economies are doing far better than Ghanas economy.

It is worthy to note that, several countries in the sub-region such as Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, among others, have better budget deficit, debt to GDP ratio and other economic indices than Ghana despite being hit by the COVID pandemic. None of these countries has slapped their citizenry with the kind of draconian revenue measures the Ghanaian people are witnessing at the hands of the insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

"Therefore, COVID-19 can neither be a reasonable justification for the reversal of benchmark discounts on imported products nor the imposition of unprecedented hardships and misery on Ghanaians by this government, "Eric Adjei exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei On Adwenkasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9.

He said after mismanaging the Ghanaian economy for the past five years, it is sad Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government are refusing to accept responsibility for the mess.
Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain), one of the leading Islamic banks in Bahrain, has signed a partnership with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to provide scholarships for high school graduates. The aid will help them attain a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Management from the University of London.

The signing ceremony was held at BIBFs headquarters, in the attendance of Mohammed Fahmi Hamad, Executive Manager - Operations, IT and Corporate Communications at KFH-Bahrain and Dr Ahmed AlShaikh, Director of the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, as well as officials from both entities.

Commenting on the occasion, Hamad said: Our partnership with the BIBF aligns with the banks efforts towards sustainable development and developing the human capital within the banking industry. Through this initiative, we are supporting the academic journey of Bahraini students as part of our commitment towards social responsibility and developing local talent. We additionally aim to equip the students with the necessary skills to enter the job market by providing them with practical training and internship opportunities as well as offering them future employment opportunities upon graduation, and enabling them to become future successful leaders.

Necessary skills

Dr AlShaikh, said: The initiative will enable Bahraini youth to gain practical knowledge and the necessary skills required to support the banking and financial services sector which is one of the most vital sectors in Bahrains economy.

Interested applicants can benefit from scholarships provided by contacting the BIBF for the necessary application process. Applicants will undergo a series of evaluations and tests, in addition to passing the admission requirements set by the University of London.-- TradeArabia News Service
Traders and hawkers selling along the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) roundabout have vowed to resist any attempts by the Kumasi City authorities to evict them.

They said until a suitable place is allocated to them, no amount of pressure and intimidation from both the Kumasi city and KATH authorities can make them yield.

The traders have turned the place into a marketplace selling all kinds of foodstuffs on the ground, a situation that poses health dangers to the traders and pedestrians.

The traders, who were once plying their trade at the then old Kejetia and Kumasi Central market, said the city authorities are yet to find them a suitable place after failed promises.

Speaking to Otec News reporter Nana Akwasi Acheampong, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the traders complained that they are yet to be relocated after they rejected Kumasi Race Course for lack of space.

I have been selling here since 2017 after we were evacuated from the central market. The KMA told us to go to the Kumasi Race Course but they were no space there. I have no option than to come here, a palm-nut trader said.

Until the city authorities find us a place where we can sell our wares, we are not moving an inch. We are also Ghanaians and deserve the right to trade and feed our families. We have armed ourselves and waiting for them (KMA), an angrily traded added.

The chaotic scene encountered at the roundabout and the heaps of refuse created by the traders deface the KATH beautiful edifice, a situation that needs to be addressed with immediate effect to prevent any outbreak of diseases.

There is also the danger of vehicles with failed breaks running into traders and hawkers.

The KMA and KATH authorities are yet to respond to the matter.
Private legal practitioner, Mr Frank Davies has said the Supreme Court has upheld the 1992 Constitution by ordering the embattled Assin North lawmaker, James Gyekye Quayson to stop holding himself as Member of Parliament.

Mr Davies said Mr Gyekye Quayson cannot breach the constitution and still continue to hold himself as a citizen of Ghana.

The Supreme Court by a majority decision of 5-2 has ordered Gyekye Quayson from holding himself as a lawmaker.

Justices Agnes Dordzie and Nene Amegatcher dissented while Prof. Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi voted in favour.

The Cape Coast High Court, presided over by Justice Coram Kwasi Boakye, had earlier ruled that Mr Gyakye Quayson was not eligible to contest the December 7, 2020 Parliamentary Elections because he bore dual citizenship before picking nomination forms from the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC).

Fresh elections were, as a result, ordered to be conducted while Mr Gyakye Quayson was asked to cease from holding himself as MP.

But the man accused of having Canadian and Ghanaian citizenship allegedly goes to Parliament to join in proceedings.

Speaking to journalists after the Supreme Court ruling, Mr Davies said Because of what we had put before the court, my expectation was that the constitution of the land would be upheld and that the constitution of the land will be given its highest priority, that is what has happened.

One cannot involve in grievous breaches of the Constitution and still go around holding himself as a citizen of this country. From day one when the judgment of the High Court was rendered it was manifestly obvious that James Gyekye Quason cannot hold himself out as a Member of Parliament but he was attending to the business of Parliament. But today, that road has been effectively blocked.

---3news.com
The Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has blamed the recent power outages in parts of the country on the burnt Aboadze switchyard plant.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information Meet The Press series in Accra, today, Wednesday, 13 April 2022, Dr Prempeh admitted that parts of the nation is experiencing power outages (dumsor), but his ministry is working tirelessly to solve the situation.

He also added that they are also changing some power lines that are outdated, which is also another cause of the recent power outages.

Last week the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has announced the reconstruction of power transmission lines along the Achimota substation through Avenor to Mallam substation.

The work, GRIDCo said, involves removing two 161Kv transmission lines on Saturday, April 9, 2022 to Thursday, June 30, 2022.

The outage is to enable GRIDCo to upgrade the transmission capacity on each line. This important exercise is to meet the growing demand for electricity in Accra and its environs, GRIDCo said in a statement.

The statement added that The outage will affect customers served by the Electricity Company of Ghanas (ECG) distribution systems crossing these transmission lines (between the Achimota Substation at Dzorwulu and Avenor in Accra) during the day, for the stated period.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame strongly believes the ousted Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyekye Quayson must suffer the fate of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Bawku Central Adamu Dramani Sakende.

The late Bawku MP was sentenced to two years imprisonment after he was found guilty of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer.

He was sentenced on three counts of perjury, false declaration and deceit of a public officer. He contested the Bawku seat even though he had not conclusively denounced his UK Citizenship.

In the case of Mr Gyekye Quayson, the Supreme Court on Wednesday April 13, 2022 ordered him to stop holding himself out as a lawmaker.

Presided by Justice Jones Dotse, the Apex court ruled by a majority decision of 5-2.

Justices Agnes Dordzie and Nene Amegatcher dissented while Prof. Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi voted in favour.

Addressing the media after the court proceedings, Godfred Dame said I think that there ought to be even application of the law , there ought to be an equal application of the law, the same fate that befell Adamu Sakande who was not qualified at the time that nominations were opened and we all know what happened to him. Subsequently, they declared him ineligible and his seat was taken away so there ought to be even application of the law.

A Cape Coast High Court, presided over by Justice Coram Kwasi Boakye, had earlier ruled that Gyakye Quayson was not eligible to contest the December 7, 2020 Parliamentary Elections because he bore dual citizenship before picking nomination forms from the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC).

Fresh elections were, as a result, ordered to be conducted while Mr Gyakye Quayson was asked to cease from holding himself as MP.

But the man accused of having Canadian and Ghanaian citizenship allegedly goes to Parliament to join in proceedings.

---DGN online
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resource will soon embark on a house-to-house audit to deal with illegal water connection, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has said.

She said illegal water connection was one of the challenges with water supply delivery in the country and hopeful the audit would help rid the system of bad customers.

The Minister said the details and modalities of the audit would be worked out soon, saying although most Ghanaians were believed to be honest, the bad ones must be brought out and made to face the full rigors of the law.

Speaking at a press briefing, on Monday, in Accra, Madam Dapaah said other challenges included intermittent power supply, obsolete electro-mechanical equipment, old distribution and transmission pipelines, and nonpayment of bills.

Others are encroachment on water supply infrastructure, sand and stone winning at the Dalun headworks in Tamale and Weija Headworks in Accra, illegal mining activities at the intake of the Daboase, Sekyere Hemang, Odaso, and Wa Water Treatment Plants, and farming practices along buffer zones.

She noted that Ghana currently had an estimated 53.2 billion cubic meters per year of natural freshwater resources out of, which only 14 percent was currently being utilised, adding that the integrity of the renewable freshwater resource endowment, together with the availability of groundwater at various geological locations, was constantly being threatened by irresponsible human activities such as illegal mining, and farming activities.

The Sector Minister noted that the Ministry was currently undertaking some replacement of weak sections of the 1050mm (42-inch) transmission pipeline from Kpong Water Treatment Plant to Tema Booster Station to improve water supply to Tema and surrounding communities.

A total of 240m of the pipeline were replaced in the past year at a cost of GHS 2.4 million, replacement of the four defective treated water pumps that were initially put out of service at the Tema Booster Station. Nationwide installation of Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) to stabilize power supply and installation of Bulk Meters and Zonal Metering, she added.

Madam Dapaah added that currently, filters were also being rehabilitated to reduce water treatment losses to improve efficiency of water filtration process at most production stations in the Central, Western, Volta and the Greater Accra Regions.

Some interventions put in place to enhance water resource management, according to the Minister, also included routine water quality assessment, increasing the number of monitoring stations from 62 to 86, tree planting activities in response to the degradation along riverbanks, and collaboration with UNESCO to undertake an assessment to determine the extent of water quantity and quality of groundwater resources in Ghana.

Measures are continually being implemented to improve the protection of waterbodies from unregulated activities of small-scale miners and illegal gravel or sand winners, and mapping out hydrologically sensitive areas, which are subject to degradation, erosion, drought, flooding, and pollution from human activities within forest reserves and other selected areas such as the sources of rivers and wetlands, to provide valuable information for decision-making.

She added that the Ministry, through the Water Resources Commission, was also implementing and facilitating the creation of riparian buffer zones to restore the ecological health of degraded water bodies.

On sanitation, Madam Dapaah said the report of the 2021 Populations and Housing Census on Water and Sanitation indicated that 59.3 percent, three in five households, now had access to toilet facilities, with more than half of the households sharing improved toilet facilities, an increment of 26.3 percent from the previous year's value of 33 percent.

She said the Phase I of the GAMA Project had provided over 35,541 household toilets to low-income beneficiaries and completed 406 disability-friendly, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)-considerate school toilets with separate blocks for girls and boys with locks for each cubicle to ensure privacy, water and soap for hand washing, and a sanitary disposal system to benefit over 251,872 school pupils.

The Minister said the project had also supported the provision of a total of 56km conventional offsite simplified sewage systems to serve some low-income urban communities in Accra, namely, Ashaiman New Town Community, TDC quarters and Bankuman.

GNA
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Madam Elizabeth Kaakie Mann, has expressed satisfaction at the commencement of the reconstruction of the drainage system under the Achimota Mile 7 Flyover.

She said the persistent calls on the authorities, including the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highways Authority, had paid off and expressed utmost gratitude to them for delivering on their promise to address the situation.

She said: When I assumed office, I came with the technical officers to conduct feasibility studies and then prepared and submitted a report to the Regional Minister. We thank God for making it possible for this work to start.

The MCE said this when she inspected the ongoing reconstruction work at the site.

She said the work entailed the construction of new and bigger drains to divert water that stagnated at the site whenever it rained and was expected to curtail the perennial flooding and improve traffic flow under the flyover.

The project has two components with phase one, which is being executed by Highbrains Limited, involving the excavation and laying of bigger pipe culverts, measuring 900mm and 1,100mm in diameter, from the Old Peace FM (now Best Point) to the underpass and from there towards Achimota ABC.

Madam Kaakie Mann said when completed, the flow of water would be channeled from the existing choked drains and chambers around the flyover into the new culverts, which could contain heavy volumes of water and end the flooding situation.

The phase two of the project involves the resurfacing of the underpass leading to the covering of the gapping chambers, which often cause heavy vehicular traffic, especially when it rains and the area floods.

She assured residents in the Municipality of her total commitment towards delivering on her road's agenda, adding that efforts were being made to ensure that all the critical roads in the Municipality were fixed as soon as possible.

The Assembly Member for Dome East, Mr Joseph Iddrisu Boakye, commended the MCE for efforts at ensuring the start of the work.

He appealed to motorists and residents in the area to cooperate and support the contractor by complying with the necessary arrangements put in place to ensure the smooth execution of the project.

GNA
The first witness in the case involving Kwame Nkrumah University of Science Technology (KNUST) lecturer, Dr Wilberforce Aggrey, who has been accused of kidnapping his own wife, Rhodaline Darko, will appear before the High Court in Kumasi.

According to the Attorney Generals office, the first witness to be called out of 3 is a teaching assistant who worked under the KNUST lecturer.

The Lecturer has been accused of deceit of a public officer and kidnapping his wife.

In court, on Tuesday, 12 April 2022, State Attorney, Charles Edward Yirenkyi, prayed the court to restrain the accused from getting in touch with the witness in order to avoid interference following the case management conference session.

The case has been adjourned till Tuesday, 26 April 2022.

Meanwhile, the mother of the 33-year-old missing lands commission officer, Cecelia Obenewaa Appiah who was in court for the second time, since hearing began, has expressed confidence in the AGs office to ensure justice for her daughter.

She told journalists that: Oh yes! I think the Attorney-Generals Department is doing its work. They are very active and working as expected so we have hope in them.

So far as the Attorney-General is concerned, they are working.

According to the police, the KNUST lecturer was invited for interrogation following incoherent statements he made when his wife went missing on Monday, 30 August 2021.

The husband made a report to the police on Thursday, 2 September 2021 after the wife allegedly left home at Gyenyase in Kumasi and did not return.

Per police investigations, communication from the KNUST lecturers phone reporting the incident to family members and that from the alleged kidnappers using the missing ladys phone to demand a ransom were from the same location close to the residence of the couple.

The prosecutor for the case told the court that the lecturer had admitted to sending messages from the wifes phone under threats from the alleged kidnappers that his family would be harmed if he failed to do so.

He revealed that the messages that had been sent from Mrs Aggreys phone to her husbands phone and later from her husbands phone to relatives were all sent from the same location near the couples residence, according to their investigations.

He further revealed that the lecturer explained that he had to send his wife to a location near the Volta Lake to ensure her safety.

The Lands Commission staff left home for Sunyani on Monday, 30 August 2021 and has since not been found, her family disclosed in a statement following her disappearance.

Source: classfmonline.com
Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, a Deputy Minister of Education, Tuesday dined with students of the St John's Grammar Senior High School at the School's dining hall in Accra.

Patricia Quarshie, a Form One student and a table head, served Rev. Fordjour jollof rice and fish as hundreds of students sat at the dining hall for lunch.

The Minister visited the School unannounced to check on enrolment after attending a ceremony at the Amasaman Senior High Technical School (AMASTEC) earlier in the day and decided to spend time with the students at lunch.

The Israeli Embassy in Ghana on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 handed over a modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) classroom to AMASTEC as part of its "Education for Digital Innovation Project."

Whiles at St. John's Grammar SHS, Rev. Fordjour inspected the progress of work on a newly-built girls' dormitory intended to house the newly enrolled students.

As of the time of the visit, the project had been fully completed.

The Minister also inspected the quantity of food at the School's stores and assessed measures being put in place by the management to guarantee the comfort of the new entrants.

After expressing satisfaction with the quantity of food items in stock, the Minister proceeded to eat with the students.

"This is delicious," he said and commended the School's caterers.

As of Tuesday afternoon, April 12, 2022, the School enrolled a total of 1,158 new students.

Dr Edmund Fianu, Headmaster, St John's Grammar SHS, told the Minister that the School was expecting many more students to report in the coming days.

He said the School had adequate food in stock to cater for all the students for the entire semester.

Dr Fianu said the School needed a minimum of 150 beds to accommodate students in the new girls' dormitory.

Rev. Fordjour assured that the Government would provide the School with the needed logistics and resources, including beds for the new dormitory to enhance teaching and learning.

Rev. Fordjour said by the end of the ongoing SHS enrolment, some 2.2 million students would have benefited from the Government's Free SHS and TVET Programme since its inception in 2017.

He said between 2017 and 2022, the Government had initiated not less than 1,132 infrastructure projects in second cycle institutions across the country.

"Out of this number, some 734 has since been completed and handed over. The rest are at various stages of completion and we are poised to ensure their timely completion," he said.

GNA
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has insisted that today's Supreme Court ruling on the case involving the Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson is an application of the principle of law.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, restrained James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself as the Member of Parliament for Assin North constituency.

The seven-member panel of the Supreme Court in a 5-2 ruling said the MP is restrained from holding himself out as an MP for the area.

Speaking to the media after the apex court decision today, Godfred Yeboah Dame stressed that based on precedence, the Supreme Court ruling is the right call.

For me, this is a sound application of the principle of law that has long been established by the Supreme Court in Yeboah against G.H Mensah way back in 1997/98 and then the recent Zenator where Atuguba established clearly that it is the opening of nominations that should be the determining factor as to whether a person is qualified to stand for election or not.

There ought to be equal application of the law. The same faith befell, the Attorney General told the media.

In his view, bye-elections should have been conducted by the Electoral Commission in the Assin North Constituency a long time ago.

He said now with the latest ruling from the Supreme Court, the road should be cleared for the elections to be held.

Meanwhile, Baba Jamal who is a member of the legal team of James Gyakye Quayson says the ruling is vehemently rejected.

Speaking to the press, he bemoaned the fact that the people of Assin North have lost their representation in parliament.

According to him, today is a sad day for Ghana.
Clubhouse Ghana, a subsidiary of Clubhouse International on Saturday, April 2, 2022, partnered with three rotary clubs to extend a helping hand to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

The support by the management of Clubhouse Ghana was done in collaboration with Rotary Clubs of Accra-Industrial, Accra-Cantoments and Sekondi-Takoradi as part of an Outreach Program for the betterment of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

The purpose of the outreach was to establish a sustainable relationship with the patients to support their smooth transition into the community including access to appropriate services.

The plan is to have recovered patients transition into the Clubhouse-Franchised Rehabilitation Center once it is completed later this year.

The patients will have a recreational community that will welcome them daily and be provided several services.

The Clubhouse model has been streamlined to ensure every recovered patient that becomes a member receives their basic SHS Education if they need it through the Ministry of Education.

Patients will subsequently be offered transitional employment to train as artisans, become independent, and be self-sufficient within less than a year.

During the visit earlier this month, the members engaged with the patients to provide them with some psychological counselling and also with the staff to get first-hand information on the challenges facing the hospital. The teams also donated large quantities of assorted non-perishable food items, drinks and cleaning products in support of the upkeep of the patients.

Speaking during the visit, the Country Director of Clubhouse Ghana, Mr. Richard Selase Agboga shared words of praise for the Chairman of the Board and Founder of the organisation, ML Brookshire for his vision as he commended the entire Accra Psychiatric Hospital management for their sacrifices and support of individuals living with mental health disorders.

He stressed that Clubhouse Ghana and Rotary Clubs will continue to support the hospital with a particular focus on facilitating the rehabilitation of all the recovered patients this year.

Mr. Richard Selase Agboga urged Ghanaians not to neglect issues of mental health as he charged members of the public facing such challenges to seek professional assistance as soon as possible.

Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Clubs, Karol Kunko highlighted the pillars of Rotary and how Clubhouse Ghana has been able to align with the international organization in the area of environmental preservation, provision of basic education, and community development, and elimination of diseases.

On his part, Dr. Ramata Seidu, who received the items on behalf of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital expressed appreciation to Clubhouse Ghana and the Rotarians for the support.

Stressing that the kind gesture will go a long way to sustain the facility, he appealed to other institutions to emulate and extend helping hands to keep the facility running.
Global invoice financing marketplace, Incomlend, today (April 13) announced that it has set up a new office in Dubai, UAE). The move marks the next step in the companys global expansion plan to scale its reach and deliver invoice financing solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide.

A pivotal milestone in its growth strategy, the proximity advantage of having a physical presence in the UAE will enable Incomlend to serve its existing customers better, the company said in a statement. It will effectively extend its invoice financing marketplace and non-recourse working capital solutions to more businesses in the Middle East and nearby regions like North Africa, Europe, and South Asia.

One of the companys key customers in the area includes a metal trading firm that processes metals purchased across the globe, including Hong Kong, Japan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The firm sells processed metal to companies in the UAE. Incomlend provides it with a quick turnaround working capital solution to finance invoices for a total facility of $4 million. The cash flow enables the company to pursue new business streams and grow its business.

Recognising the tremendous market potential and unmet financing demands in the Middle East through these deals, Incomlend has appointed Loic Hennocq, previously Head of Operations at Incomlend, as the General Manager of its Dubai office. With more than 20 years experience in the trade finance industry, he will lead and grow the companys footprint in the region and commit to engaging more SMEs that are underserved by traditional financial institutions.

Commenting on the companys expansion into the UAE, Incomlend Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Morgan Terigi said: As a regional financial hub and a leader in the fintech space, we see the immense opportunity for Incomlend to grow the business in the UAE and the Middle East region. We will be closer to markets like India, Bangladesh, and Turkey, where trade activities abound. With our office opening in Dubai, we now have our ears on the ground to better support more SMEs in the region. We continue the mission to deliver competitive and alternative working capital solutions to more quality SMEs and support their growth.

Former Head of Operations at Incomlend, and now General Manager of the Dubai office, Loic Hennocq commented: Incomlend is a company with proven experience in the UAE. Given the global trade climate, expanding into the Middle East was a natural move that has always been a part of our global growth strategy. I am excited to lead the team in the region and look forward to growing Incomlend as a trusted and reliable fintech partner to more SMEs through our tech-enabled working capital solutions.--TradeArabia News Service
Devastating floods killed 259 in the South African city of Durban and surrounding areas, a senior government official said Wednesday, after hillsides were washed away, homes collapsed, and more people were still feared missing.

The heaviest rains in 60 years pummelled Durban's municipality, known as eThekwini. According to an AFP tally, the storm is the deadliest on record in South Africa.

"At the moment the confirmed figures of people that have perished during this disaster is 259, across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province," Nonala Ndlovu, spokeswoman for the provincial disaster management department told AFP.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the floods as a "catastrophe" and a "calamity".

"Bridges have collapsed. Roads have collapsed. People have died... this is a catastrophe of enormous proportions," he said, addressing a local community after inspecting the damage from the floods that have claimed 259 lives.

The search for missing persons is still going on, said Ramaphosa, promising to "spare nothing" in dealing with the disaster.

The search for missing persons is still going on, said Ramaphosa. By RAJESH JANTILAL AFP

"This disaster is part of climate change. We no longer can postpone what we need to do... to deal with climate change.

"It is here, and our disaster management capability needs to be at a higher level," said the president.

Earlier the provincial health chief Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu had expressed their "biggest worry" about the huge toll telling eNCA television that "mortuaries are under a bit of pressure, however we are coping".

The United Methodist Church in the township of Clermont was reduced to a pile of rubble. Four children from a local family died when a wall collapsed on them.

Other homes hung precariously to the hillside, miraculously still intact after much of the ground underneath them washed away in mudslides.

The storm forced sub-Saharan Africa's most important port to halt operations, as a main access road suffered heavy damage.

Shipping containers were tossed about, washed into mountains of metal.

Sections of other roads were washed away, leaving behind gashes in the earth bigger than large trucks.

The provincial government said the storms 'wreaked untold havoc and unleashed massive damage to lives and infrastructure'. By PHILL MAGAKOE AFP

"We see such tragedies hitting other countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, but now we are the affected ones," Ramaphosa said as he met with grieving families near the ruins of the church.

South Africa's neighbours suffer such natural disasters from tropical storms almost every year, but Africa's most industrialised country is largely shielded from the storms that form over the Indian Ocean.

These rains were not tropical, but rather caused by a weather system called a cut-off low that had brought rain and cold weather to much of the country.

When storms reached the warmer and more humid climate in Durban's KZN province, even more rain poured down.

450mm in 48 hours

"Some parts on KZN have received more than 450 millimetres (18 inches) in the last 48 hours," said Tawana Dipuo, a forecaster at the national weather service -- nearly half of Durban's annual rainfall of 1,009 mm.

Rain continued in parts of the city on Wednesday afternoon, and a flood warning was issued for the neighbouring province of Eastern Cape.

The storm struck as Durban had barely recovered from deadly riots last July which claimed more than 350 lives, in South Africa's worst unrest since the end of apartheid.

The national police force deployed 300 extra officers to the region, as the air force sent planes to help with the rescue operations.

Days of driving rain flooded several areas, smashed houses and ravaged infrastructure across the city, while landslides forced train services to be suspended across the province.

The rains flooded highways to such depths that only the tops of traffic lights poked out, resembling submarine periscopes.

Torrents tore several bridges apart, submerged cars and collapsed houses. A fuel tanker floated at sea after being swept off the road.

More than 6,000 homes were damaged.

After TV footage showed people stealing from shipping containers, the provincial government condemned "reports of the looting of containers" during the flooding.

Southern parts of the country are bearing the brunt of climate change -- suffering recurrent and worsening torrential rains and flooding.

Floods killed 140 people in 1995.
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The ruling New Patriotic Party's Volta Regional Recourse group has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to consider reshuffling his ministers who they say are becoming complacent and seen to be acting with impunity in some situations.

The advisory group, which is made up of known senior members of the Patriotic Party in the Volta Region, says the time is right for the introduction of fresh energy and ideas into the various ministries to help the party win the 2024 elections.

Having acknowledged the government for the various interventions initiated which they say are yielding positive results, the group said the party also needs to pay attention to the activities of polling station and constituency level leaders whose actions are creating discontent among the rank and file of the party.

The Secretary to the Advisory Group, King David Akpabli, said he is hopeful that the party will win the upcoming elections if actions are taken to bring in new individuals into the ministries and also within the party.

The group is of the view that to ensure necessary reinvigoration and reinforcement, there is the need at this time for a ministerial reshuffle to bring in new leaves. In the light of the above point is also the view that the current leadership of the party also needs some relief for new and fresher energies and ideas to increase the momentum for more effective management, mobilization, and organization of the grassroots to address the complacency and impunity that is seemingly taking over our party. All hands must be on deck in order to break the 8 because the current situation where party members are suspended or intimidated will not enable us to break the 8, he said.

King David Akpabli

In July 2019, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reshuffled some ministers in his government.

Among the changes was the removal of Catherine Afeku as the Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture.

Sulemana Alhassan, the Upper West Regional Minister was also reassigned  his position was taken over by Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih.

Other changes announced in the reshuffle were the coming of Gifty Twum Ampofo and Freda Prempeh as Deputy Education Minister and Deputy Gender, Children, and Social Protection minister respectively.

---citinewsroom
Three people have been hospitalised following a bloody clash in Sanso, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

According to information gathered, the clash is as a result of a chieftaincy dispute between Chief of Sanso Okatakyie Bawuah Okyere Darko and Chief of Adumanu Nana Asrifi Asare.

The clash that occurred on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 has seen three people sustain various degrees of injuries. They were admitted at the hospital to receive healthcare.

One of the victims who identified himself as Michael Owusu Tieku in an interview with Akoma FM disclosed that he almost lost his life.

Speaking while in pain from the several machetes and scissors injuries, he explained, The youth of Sanso has been in bad terms with the chief [Okatakyie Bawuah Okyere Darko] so when the youth started the agitation, the crowd gathered there so I saw some people fighting and I decided to separate them.

Michael Owusu Tieku added, The son of Sansohemaa [Queen] stabbed me multiple with a pair of scissors in my head so I was rushed to the hospital.

Joining the conversation on the same platform, the Obuasi District Police Commander, DSP Martin Asenso revealed that it took great effort from police officers to bring the situation under control.

He said the angry youth have been advised to avoid resorting to violence when addressing issues.
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The lawyer for the plaintiff in the Assin North MP case, Frank Davies, has welcomed the latest Supreme Courts decision to restrain James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself as the MP for Assin North.

Speaking to the press after the Supreme Court decision on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, Mr. Davies said the decision also counted as justice for the Assin North constituency.

Mr. Davies was speaking after the Supreme Court restrained James Gyakye Quayson from holding himself as the MP for the Assin North.

Because of what we had put before the court, my expectation was that the constitution of the land will be upheld and the constitution of the land will be given the highest priority.

He also said the courts decision was in the interest of the people of Assin South.

You cant have an ineligible person running around as a Member of Parliament when he is not. It obviously leads to a mutilation of the sovereign will of the people of Assin North.

They are better off without someone who is parading as a Member of Parliament when he is not, Mr. Davies added. Background

This decision was taken in a petition brought before the Supreme Court by Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region.

Mr. Ankomah-Nimfa had earlier secured a judgment at the Cape Coast High Court overturning the election of Mr. Quayson as null and void, but the embattled legislator ran to the Court of Appeal to have the decision set aside.

Mr. Ankomah-Ninfa is challenging the eligibility of Mr. Quayson as the MP for Assin North following allegations that he held dual citizenship prior to contesting the MP position.

Although the Court of Appeal dismissed his case, Mr. Quayson subsequently went to the Supreme Court to have his issue resolved.

Michael Ankomah-Nimfah also took the issue to the Supreme Court to seek interpretation of Article 94 (2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

In the same case, Mr. Ankomah-Nimfah asked the apex court to place an injunction on Mr. Quayson from holding himself as the MP for Assin North until the final determination of the case.

In his statement of case, Mr. Quayson insisted that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship before contesting the Assin North parliamentary seat.

---Citi Newsroom
A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio, says the government is on track to collapse the Dumasi Tent Camp and relocate all displaced Appiate residents from the camp to the Future Global Resources Company's temporary resettlement site by May 1.

Speaking during an inspection of roofing at the temporary site and a visit to the Dumasi tent camp since the destruction of the camp by rainfall, Benito Owusu-Bio said the ministry has taken delivery of adequate roofing sheets for the temporary site and hopes to finish the roofing for use by May 1st.

We have come here to console you, especially with the recent rainfall that brought extra hardship. The President has asked us to rebuild the permanent Appiate community for you, but we also have in mind your current welfare since the reconstruction can take about a year. This is why we arranged with Future Global Resources Limited to temporarily use their settlement site here. What was left to complete was the roofing sheets, but they informed us that the roofing sheets had been brought here.

So we came to see for ourselves, and we hope that by the 1st of May 2022, we will be back here to help you relocate from the tent camps into the roofed-block buildings. We will collapse all the tents for use during any future disaster. We would need everyone to move into the resettlement camp when the time comes because we don't want to hear of any future rainfall disasters, he said.

He added that there are 31 buildings to be roofed for the temporary resettlement which will be able to house up to 110 family units with each family at the camp acquiring a room of their own, an average of 4 individuals per family, but more rooms will be added if the need arises to ensure that everyone has a safe place of abode.

The Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Appiate Reconstruction Implementation Committee, assured the displaced Appiate residents of the government's commitment to providing them befitting a permanent rebuilt Appiate community.

We are at the same time working seriously on the rebuilding of Appiate town. Just recently, we advertised for contractors and architects to bring their proposals for the redevelopment of Appiate which will end on Friday 15th April. We have also submitted the architecture of the road to the Roads Ministry which has been there to do some work on that, he said.

A Member of the Appiate Reconstruction Implementation Committee and a representative from the Ghana Institute of Architects, Blankson Hermans, who was part of the Deputy Minister's entourage also highlighted what is happening to the 6,000 donated bags of cement.

There are about 6,000 bags of cement received as donations, so rather than wasting them, we decided to start using them to make blocks in anticipation of using them for the foundation. From the calculations so far, we will get about 150,000 blocks from the 6,000 bags of cement which will be used for the foundation whiles we determine what to use for the supper structure, he said.

---citinewsroom
A Lebanese national, captured in a viral video holding a sword and a sheath in Osu and threatening the life of his victim has been arrested.

The suspect who was heard screaming Come out, come out! I will cut your neck! is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Police in a statement said the suspect will be taken through the due process of the law.

Prior to his arrest, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare was said to have reached out to the victim yesterday, Tuesday, 13th April 2022 via a telephone call and he seemed traumatised by the incident.

As a result upon the IGPs instruction, the victim has been given psychological support by a clinical psychologist from the Police Hospital. The IGP also followed up with a personal visit to the victim today, Wednesday, 13th April, 2022.

We wish to assure the public that, in line with our mandate, we will continue to ensure law and order in the country. We therefore seek your continued to support in this endeavour.

The Lebanese Embassy in a brief statement condemned the action, calling on the Ghana Police Service to investigate and take appropriate measures against the offender.

We reject all forms of violence and intimidation, as well as anyone who does not treat the people of the host country with respect and in accordance with applicable laws, the embassy posted on Facebook yesterday after the video had gone viral.

Explaining what led to the incident on The Asaase Radio on Wednesday, Iddrisu Yusif, the Ghanaian who had the confrontation with the man of Middle Eastern origin, said the latter parked at the spot where he sells shoes and after an hour he asked him to move his vehicle, which resulted in the unprovoked attack.

The trader was disorientated, telling the ABS: I didn't do anything wrong to him  I'm not feeling good at all, and I don't know why. I don't know what is happening to me.

The victim said he has lodged complaint with the police hence the arrest of the suspect.

---DGN online
13.04.2022 LISTEN

A New Jersey man has been sentenced for murdering three people and attempting to kill three others after becoming enraged over a Facebook post.

Jeremy Arrington, 32, was sentenced to 375 years behind bars following a 10-day jury trial for the murders of Ariel Little Whitehurst, 7, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, 11, and Syasia McBurroughs, 23, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

The prison term is the equivalent of three life sentences per New Jersey law, to be served consecutively, along with an additional 50-year sentence for each of three counts of attempted murder.

Under the state's No Early Release Act, which mandates inmates to serve at least 85% of their prison term, Arrington will be eligible for parole in 281 years.

Justice has been served, said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab. This defendant is pure evil and clearly deserves all 375 years in New Jersey State Prison for the terrible crimes he committed on Nov. 5, 2016. These families have waited over five years for this moment, and we are all so grateful for this sentence.

Arrington stood accused of breaking into a Newark home on Nov. 5, 2016, with a loaded gun and holding six people hostage, as previously reported. His captives included the Whitehurst children and McBurroughs  all of whom he murdered  as well as the children's then-29-year-old mother and her 13-year-old twin siblings, prosecutors stated.

Arrington tied the victims up and began torturing them by stabbing them with kitchen knives.

At the time, there were nine people in the home, which was owned by the Whitehurst victims' grandmother.

Police were able to respond because a young girl with autism, who is unrelated to the family and was just visiting, escaped and called for help from her phone in a closet, according to the prosecutor's office.

Arrington fled before responders arrived at the scene.

The Whitehurst children suffered severe stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the University Hospital, while McBurroughs was shot to death and pronounced dead on the scene.

The Whitehursts' mother and her twin siblings, a male and female, also sustained stab wounds but survived the attack.

Arrington was apprehended the next day at a Pomona Avenue residence, where he barricaded himself and claimed to have a hostage, according to the prosecutor's office. Police learned his claims were false and arrested him shortly thereafter.

Prosecutors said Arrington initiated the violent attacks after becoming enraged over a Facebook comment.

Someone in the house, it appears, may have posted the media account of the fact that Mr Arrington was wanted on a social media platform, and it appears that that's part of the motivation, at least, for him going to the house on Saturday, then-acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in 2016.

Arrington reportedly believed one of the victims reposted a social media alert by police, which named Arrington as a suspect in a previous shooting and sexual assault, according to NBC News.

Arrington was convicted of 28 criminal charges, including three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Other charges included burglary, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a knife, and possession of a handgun and a knife for an unlawful purpose.

Assistant Prosecutor Edwab sought six consecutive life sentences for Arrington, citing the defendant's lengthy criminal background, which included 10 arrests between 2006 and 2016, according to the prosecutor's office. Arrington had four felony convictions and three separate pending charges on the day of the murders.

Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before arriving at the verdict, according to NBC News.

While nothing can bring back the lives of Ariel, Al-Jahon, and Syasia, we hope today's sentence will provide some sense of closure to their families, said Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Coleman.

At sentencing, Judge Ronald Wigler called Arrington's crimes perhaps the most horrific, heinous, cruel, and depraved murders this county has ever seen, according to NBC News.

Arrington's defense attorney could not be reached for comment.

Source; NBC News
13.04.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of the Lebanese man in the viral video captured threatening to behead an unidentified man.

In a video that went viral on social media on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, the man who is alleged to be Lebanese national is seen shouting and making gestures of his intention to behead a shop owner.

Following investigations by the Ghana Police Service, he was tracked and arrested.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested Osman Brustani in connection with a viral video in which he was captured threatening the life of his victim.

The suspect is in police custody and will be taken through the due process of the law, parts of a Police statement issued on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, have said.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has reached out to the victim via a telephone call.

The man who is said to be traumatised by the incident has been given psychological support by a clinical psychologist from the Police Hospital.

The Police in its statement have assured the general public that in line with its mandate, it will continue to ensure law and order in the country.

Find more from the story in the attachment below:
13.04.2022 LISTEN

Some 1,000 personnel from the Ghana Police Service have been deployed to provide security for this years Kwahu Easter and Paragliding Festival, which begins tomorrow, April 14, 2022.

The personnel have been drawn from the National Headquarters, Greater Accra Regional Command, and the Ashanti Regional Police Command to assist their colleagues in the Eastern Region to provide topmost security during the entire festivities.

The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told Citi News the officers are ready to clamp down on criminal activities that may arise.

The command is ready for this year's Easter Kwahu Festivities. We have made the men ready for the event. Men have been drawn from all the divisions, and we are getting support from even the headquarters and the Ashanti Region. About one thousand men both in plain cloth and in uniform have been deployed to ensure there is law and order around areas where the events will take place.

The MTTD will also be at the post to ensure the road instructions are obeyed to avert any road crashes.

This year's Kwahu Easter Festival will officially be launched on Thursday.

---citinewsroom
On 6 April, Asante Gold Corporation announced that it had entered into discussions with Kinross Gold to purchase the Chirano gold mine. Behind the acquisition of this asset by a junior company lies an ambitious government initiative that seeks to create a new leader in the mining sector that will above all defend the interests of Ghanaians. This is precisely why the government, through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the Mining Income Investment Fund (MIIF), will finance 100% of this acquisition.

Will Chirano become the new Springfield?

In his vision of Ghana Beyond Aid, President Akufo-Addo seeks to limit the country's dependence on foreign intervention. To this end, the government is encouraging the creation of local champions in the strategic extractive sector. In 2021, Ghana has seen many successes in this area, with the growing influence of Springfield, a Ghanaian junior oil company. On 23 July last year, the Accra Court ruled in favour of Springfield in a dispute with Italian oil major ENI. On 21 October 2021, the High Court of Accra dismissed ENI's appeal, ordering it to recognise the unitisation for the Sankofa and Afina fields. Another great victory for Ghana. Springfield, a Ghanaian company, thus ensures the country's long-term hydrocarbon supply. In the wake of this success in the oil and gas sector, the government is trying to reproduce this model in the mining sector with the acquisition of Chirano.

Chirano holds all the cards to succeed

With four Ghanaians on its management team, Asante Gold Corporation is as close as possible to the issues on the ground and the needs of the local communities. This is one of the reasons why the government is investing in this mine with Asante. Moreover, the junior is beginning to have a relatively significant portfolio of assets. After Kubi Gold in the south of the country and Bibiani in the west, Chirano completes the company's growing operational mines.

With the financial support of the government, Chirano has major advantages in terms of financial and technical expertise. The MIIF created in 2018 will play a leading role in the monitoring and management of Chirano. Composed of seasoned experts and closely linked to the powerful Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the MIIF is a strong ally for Chirano and a guarantee of success. Moreover, Chirano will be able to take advantage of the financial manna of this public fund, which should raise nearly 500 million dollars during the year to invest in the mining sector.

Many hopes are thus being built around Chirano, which could soon become a national champion, combining local experience, reinforced dynamism and strong resilience.
Honeywell said that its new assembling facility for personal gas detectors in Dammam, Saudi Arabia will become fully operational by the end of April 2022, having recently received its required licensing and regulatory approvals.



With this facility, Honeywell has become the first international company to assemble gas detectors in the Kingdom, enabling local availability of the equipment, shorter lead times and on-the-ground customer support. The devices will provide a reliable and cost-effective way to ensure the safety, compliance and productivity of workers who are operating in hazardous environments areas in Saudi Arabia.



We are excited to ramp up operations to full capacity at the facility as we advance the production of critical safety technology for use across multiple sectors in Saudi Arabia, said Shabbab AlGhamdi, country leader, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions.



While supporting the industrial development of the nation, were proud to be contributing to the IKTVA objectives. We are creating job opportunities and enhancing skills through this facility, where nearly all of the workforce is comprised of Saudi nationals.



Multiple types of Honeywell gas detectors will be assembled at the facility, including single gas detectors (BW Solo), multi gas detectors (BW Micro clip XL and BW MAXTII) and fixed gas detectors (Optima and XNX) in the Kingdom.



Saudi Arabia and Saudi Aramcos In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) aim is to achieve 70% localization of production and jobs, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The new facility will support these objectives by creating production jobs for Saudi nationals, which leads to enhanced local skills and capabilities for future developments.



As well as the new gas detector assembly facility, Honeywell recently launched two new sites in Jubail, including a state-of-the-art facility for the manufacturing and assembly of natural gas and liquid fuel solutions, opened in partnership with Gas Arabian Services, and a new production facility for its Callidus flare technology to provide ultra-low steam consumption flares that can help reduce the carbon footprint of the Jubail petrochemical complex.  TradeArabia News Service
Trains seem to be a magnet for many people suffering from deep depression and intent on ending it all by suicide. At other times a little carelessness in getting or off a train leads to crippling accidents or fatalities. For the railway police, however, keeping track of what happens and preventing these sad souls from harming themselves calls for vigilance and quick action that goes beyond their call of duty since there is always a risk to themselves. And yet, to those of us who commute to routine day jobs, these acts of bravery either go unnoticed or seem just another day in the life of police officials. Maybe it is time we paused, noted and applauded them too?

Dadar Railway Station

It was around 11:30am at Dadar Station on 22 January 2022 when railway police officers Mahendra Shinde and Rajendra Kul received a call from a sweeper informing them that a 35-year-old woman was waiting for the train to arrive and seemed intent on jumping in front of it.

The officers, along with a lady constable, rushed to the platform and discovered that the woman, Sapna (name changed to protect identity), was already on the tracks waiting for the train to arrive and run her over. They quickly got onto the tracks, keeping a vigilant eye for signs of an oncoming train and managed to get her back to the safety of the platform. The officers, along with a lady constable, rushed to the platform and discovered that the woman, Sapna (name changed to protect identity), was already on the tracks waiting for the train to arrive and run her over. They quickly got onto the tracks, keeping a vigilant eye for signs of an oncoming train and managed to get her back to the safety of the platform.

Sapna is married and has a son. Her family is in the catering business. She had decided to end her life, distraught after a nasty argument with her husband.

After she was rescued, the police took her to the police station, talked to her, got details of her family and called her parents as well as her parents-in-law to the police station. She was handed over to her family after they were all counselled.

Solapur Railway Station

Officer Deepak Salvi was on duty at the Solapur railway station when his attention was caught by an injured man lying on the tracks in excruciating pain  one of his legs was severed, and the other was severely injured. He beckoned to police constable Yasheant Jamadar, who was off duty then, to come and help him.

While the mans agony had caused a commotion among passengers, few seemed to realise that he would bleed out within the hour if there was no help. What is worse, people were busy clicking pictures and recording videos instead of coming forward to help. While the mans agony had caused a commotion among passengers, few seemed to realise that he would bleed out within the hour if there was no help. What is worse, people were busy clicking pictures and recording videos instead of coming forward to help.

The victim was Mahmuddin Imam, 40, a resident of Ambikanagar, Kalburgi. Having arrived late, he was rushing to board the Basava Express, which had already started and was gathering speed. Tragically, he slipped and fell on the track and came under the wheels of the train.

An ambulance was called and with the help of a sweeper, Mangesh Shinde, the two constables managed to lift the man to the platform, got him on a stretcher and took him to a hospital in time for medical attention in under 15 minutes. The swift action saved his life.

The following day the police called his family at Solapur after finding their numbers on his phone. They rushed over and took charge of him.

From that day on, Mahmuddin Imams life would never be the same again, but at least he was still alive, thanks to the swift actions by the police team.

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A few weeks ago, the movie Kashmir Files was released to an unprecedented blaze of publicity. State governments controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) competed to give it tax-free status; the prime minister (PM) and top political leaders spoke about it and special shows were organised across India. This column is not about the controversy over the film but an interesting trick that has been employed to stymie piracy and illegal, free downloads of the movie. Unwittingly, the police have led the publicity effort by issuing warnings about the scam. The media, in turn, has been broadcasting the warnings without checking.

The publicity trick involved a short and effective video that exploits the fear factor. It shows a girl being added to a WhatsApp group, ostensibly created to share and circulate the latest movie downloads for free. On the list is the recently released Kashmir Files, so she is tempted and is about to click on it when there is an incoming call. The caller is a distraught friend who tells her that her phone was hacked when she clicked on a free download link for Kashmir Files and all the money was stolen from her bank account. Watch the video here:

Kashmir Files Warning

The message is fake. Your bank account cannot be emptied merely on downloading a pirated video. But, stunningly, the police across Indiafrom Haryana to Telengana were either conned or persuaded to tweet the video from their official handles or issue warnings about this specific scam in statements to news agencies and the media.

Let us examine this in some detail. All cyber fraud operates on two emotionsfear and greed. There are plenty of ways to induce fear: your account or credit card is blocked or will be blocked for delayed payment, failure to update KYC (know-your-customer) data, because you were watching porn, etc. The fraudsters either frighten you into clicking on a link (which helps plant malware or take you to a spoof website where you end up sharing details of your bank account) or to get you to call a number where a smoothing scammer persuades you to part with information. The fear-factor fraud works well with senior citizens and those who are not very savvy with apps and technology.

The far more successful fraud is playing on peoples greed. There are tens of thousands of these frauds running simultaneously across the country and they find new victims everyday with just a slight variation to their dubious tricks to ensnare people. From job offers, to sure-fire trading strategies, insurance fraud and even petty fraud devoted to false helicopter bookings, liquor delivery, free coupons, movie downloads, etc. There is a website called The420 that is devoted to warning people who care to look before they are lured into these schemes. Despite warnings and thousands of media reports highlighting such frauds, greed is such an overwhelming emotion that it finds new victims every day and people have lost tens of thousands of crores of rupees to fraud and Ponzi schemes.

The Kashmir Files Video

Since most Indians have little respect for intellectual property, downloads and circulation of pirated movies and pdf copies of books is routine and rampant. Most people don't even understand how wrong it is or the loss inflicted on producers and publishers from piracy. So, using a video to prevent people from downloading the movie was a very smart and effective strategy. However, the video projects a false idea for two reasons.

First, free download links can be used to plant malware, but it cannot instantly hack and empty your bank account without an overt follow-up action on your part such as sharing a password. Our banking system is not so flimsy. Yet, police across India were merrily issuing warnings to the media and posting the video on Twitter, complete with the hashtag of the video-maker. Who induced the police to do this? Were they only pleasing their political masters by jumping on to the Kashmir Files discussion one way or the other? First, free download links can be used to plant malware, but it cannot instantly hack and empty your bank account without an overt follow-up action on your part such as sharing a password. Our banking system is not so flimsy. Yet, police across India were merrily issuing warnings to the media and posting the video on Twitter, complete with the hashtag of the video-maker. Who induced the police to do this? Were they only pleasing their political masters by jumping on to the Kashmir Files discussion one way or the other?

Secondly, there are no victims. The police officer widely quoted in media reports about this so-called fraud, admits as much; but it is glossed over by alluding to the proliferation of cyber fraud in general. He is quoted as saying: There has been no specific case here yet in which the movie's name has been used but there are inputs regarding such methodology being used by conmen for hacking into people's phone or duping them of money.

He then goes not to mention that three people who were duped of Rs30 lakh recently, but not through this. Somehow, the number finds its way into the headline and is quickly twisted by other content generators to claim that people lost Rs30 lakh by downloading this particular film. One site even claims there are 30 lakh fake links of the film going around!!

Popular movies and television shows are, indeed, targeted by cyber criminals to develop scams. But they usually plant malware to access data or lure people to part with information in exchange for the free download. In June 2020, McAfee, the anti-virus company, released a list of 10 movies and television shows that were ( How Entertaining Ourselves at Home Has Become a Risky Business ) used by cyber criminals to plant malware. This was immediately after global lock-downs forced people to stay at home in the initial days of the COVID pandemic. Even McAfee does not say that clicking on the links emptied out bank accounts. In fact, the article seems more about marketing McAfee Total Protection and McAfee Webadvisor than warning about scams.

If a much-talked about video leads to public awareness and dissuades people from their casual support of piracy, it is a welcome development. But wouldnt it be nice if the police showed similar alacrity in warning about other cybercrimes and working harder to shut down at least those that are controlled by overseas entities and are laundering money out of India?

There isnt a day when people do not receive WhatsApp messages promising easy money through games, trades, work-from-home offer and freebies. In most cases, you are asked to deposit some money to participate in the scheme and, in the initial days, lured to part with more by showing results. That is typical modus operandi of a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. The money lost runs into thousands of crores of rupees.

Ashish (name changed), who lost Rs2 lakh to a part-time job scam, launched his own personal investigation which revealed that the scam where he lost money was operating out of Hong Kong and China. Those communicating with him used Google translate to communicate with victims, through Indian WhatsApp numbers, which he believes were hacked.

An Indian number gives access to potential victims here; but the transfer of money outside India needs a far more organised effort. Money collected from victims is deposited into bank accounts, routed through money mules (people who allow their bank account to be used for routing funds) and transferred to shell companies before it can be transferred overseas. Ashish, who is tech-savvy, tracked the funds to several shell companies with accounts and UPI IDs with leading Indian banks. Given the onerous documentation for a legitimate business to get a new bank account these days, one has to wonder how thousands of cyber criminals have no problems opening and closing routing accounts.

All this is the domain of the ministry of corporate affairs, the police, the department of revenue intelligence (DRI) and the hyper-active enforcement directorate (ED). And, unlike money laundering by business, the cyber criminals are openly active on YouTube getting influencers to post scores of videos luring people with the promise of quick riches.

Yet, barring the work done by the Telangana police under former additional director general of police, VC Sajjanar, one has rarely seen a concerted drive by the police to crackdown on cybercrime in a manner enough to silence them for a while. If a fake anti-piracy fear-mongering message could get so much action, surely victims of other scams have a right to expect more from Indian investigation agencies and the police! Not everybody can come up with a smart trick to prevent piracy!
The Supreme Court on Wednesday restrained the Andhra Pradesh government from transferring funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to a personal deposit account, saying "it is a very serious issue".

A plea filed by state resident Palla Srinivasa Rao said when the top court is actively and continuously monitoring the implementation of its October 2021 order, dealing with the issue of disbursing ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to next of kin of Covid-19 victims, the diversion of funds by the AP government from the SDRF to personal deposit account is not only against the law of the land but is also contemptuous in nature.

Advocate Gaurav Bansal, representing Rao, submitted that AP government diverting funds from SDRF to a personal deposit account, is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, also said that the Finance Ministry has asked questions from the state on the issue.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna said this is a very serious issue and asked the state government not to divert funds under the Disaster Management Act. After hearing the arguments, the bench issued notice to the state government in the matter.

The bench also directed the state government to not to utilise the funds which they have transferred to other accounts under DM Act.

The plea said: "That the applicant... has knocked the door of temple of justice for the reason that State of Andhra Pradesh is illegally utilising the funds of State Disaster Response Fund for the purposes other than specified under Section 46 (2) of the Disaster Management Act - 2005."

The plea cited a letter issued on March 12, 2022, by Union Minister of State for Finance, which crystal clearly says that Andhra Pradesh government received an amount of Rs 324.15 crore as the central share of State Disaster Response Fund and an amount of Rs 570.91 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund.

"The said letter dated March 12 also mentioned that state of Andhra Pradesh has transferred the funds from State Disaster Response Fund to Personal Deposit Account without spending on immediate relief," added the plea.

The plea contended that once the statute prohibits utilisation of funds deposited under the National Disaster Response Fund and the State Disaster Response Fund, Andhra Pradesh government has no authority to divert the said fund to any other use.

The plea also sought a direction to the Andhra Pradesh government to submit the details of funds which they have utilised under State Disaster Response Fund during the Covid pandemic.

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.
Jimmy Page has explained why he turned down featuring on Ozzy Osbourne's new album.

The Led Zeppelin legend has claimed he snubbed an appearance on one of the tracks on the Prince of Darkness' star-studded follow up to 2020's 'Ordinary Man' because he likes to record in the studio with the other artists and not just ring it in.

He told Classic Rock magazine: I will never be one of those people wholl record alone and send someone a file. I never went into music in the first place to do that  it was for playing together.

The 78-year-old rocker also revealed that he has a number of other projects in the works, including a new solo LP, but he doesn't want to mislead people by giving away hints of his plans.

He said: Theres various things Im working towards.

Its not just one thing, its multiple things, and I dont want to even give a hint, because if you do  you give a one-sentence sound bite, and then if it doesnt materialise, its like: Why didnt you do a solo album?

"So I dont want to say what it is that Ive got planned, because I dont want to give people the chance to misinterpret it.

The axe-slayer insisted: I really cant put on record what the new record is. Ill leave it to your imagination. The thing is there are so many ways I could present myself right now. Actually, not right now. Ill rephrase that: within a space of time!"

Ozzy has just completed the album, which features Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The 73-year-old musician wrote on Instagram: "I'm so happy to let everyone know that I finished my new album this week and delivered it to my label @EpicRecords. I'll be sharing all the information about the album and its' upcoming release with you in the next weeks."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sherri Papini, the Northern California woman charged last month with faking her kidnapping in 2016, accepted a plea bargain with prosecutors Tuesday and acknowledged she made up the story that prompted a frantic search and international headlines.

Defense attorney William Portanova said his client will plead guilty to charges of lying to a federal officer and mail fraud.

I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so very sorry for the pain Ive caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story and those who worked so hard to try to help me, she said in a statement released through Portanova. I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done.

The search for Papini, 39, of Redding, set off a three-week search across California and several nearby states until she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.

She had bindings on her body and injuries including a blurred brand on her right shoulder and a swollen nose. She had other bruises and rashes on many parts of her body, ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, and burns on her left forearm.

Federal prosecutors alleged in early March that she actually was staying with a former boyfriend nearly 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in Southern Californias Orange County and injured herself to back up her false statements.

Portanova told The Associated Press he's not sure why his client did what she did.

Honestly I dont know if anybody does. I dont know if she knows, he said.

In my opinion it is a very complicated mental health situation, but one that has to be confronted and dealt with  and that includes admission and acceptance and punishment, Portanova said. He said treatment is not required under the plea deal, but counseling is part of her daily life and will continue to be.

The plea agreement calls for Papini to pay restitution topping $300,000.

That includes $30,694 to the California Victims Compensation Board, which reimbursed her for things including visits to her therapist for treatment for anxiety and PTSD and for the ambulance ride to the hospital after she surfaced near Sacramento.

She also will pay the Shasta County Sheriffs Office nearly $149,000 and the FBI more than $2,500 for their expenses during the investigation. She also owes the Social Security Administration at least $127,568.

The Sacramento Bee first reported that Papini had reached a plea deal.

The charges carry penalties of up to five years in federal prison for lying to a federal law enforcement officer and up to 20 years for mail fraud. Prosecutors agreed as part of the plea bargain to recommend a sentence on the low end of the sentencing range, estimated for Papini to be between eight and 14 months in custody.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Sacramento filed amended charges Tuesday of 34 counts of mail fraud and one count of making false statements. But Papini agreed to plead guilty to a single count of mail fraud and one count of making false statements.

She is scheduled to be arraigned on those charges Wednesday and will likely enter the guilty pleas next week, Portanova said.

Papini was reported missing Nov. 2, 2016. She was found alongside Interstate 5 nearly 150 miles (240 kilometers) from her home, battered and with remnants of bindings on her wrists and ankles.

She told authorities at the time that she had been kidnapped at gunpoint by two Hispanic women, and provided descriptions to an FBI sketch artist along with extensive details of her purported abduction.

She was still making false statements as recently as August 2020, when prosecutors said a federal agent and a Shasta County sheriffs detective showed her evidence indicating she had not been abducted and warned her that it was a crime to lie to a federal agent.

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $49,000 to help the family, which the couple used to pay off bills and for other expenses, according to a court filing by investigators.

She was a stay-at-home mom at the time and her husband worked at Best Buy. The family wasnt wealthy and there was never a ransom demand, officials said at the time.

She had gone jogging that day near her home about 215 miles (350 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Her husband, Keith Papini, found only her cellphone and earphones when he went searching after she failed to pick up their children at day care. She left her purse and jewelry behind.

He passed a lie detector test, investigators said.

Papini had both male and female DNA on her body and clothing when she was found, and the DNA eventually led to the former boyfriend, prosecutors say.

The former boyfriend told investigators that Papini stayed with him while she was gone, and that she had asked him to come to Redding to pick her up. Authorities verified his account by tracking two prepaid cellphones that they had been using to secretly talk to one another as early as December 2015, according to the court filing.

A cousin of the former boyfriend also told investigators that he saw Papini, unrestrained, in the mans apartment twice. Records also backed the ex-boyfriends story that he rented a car and drove Papini back to Northern California about three weeks later.
NEW YORK (AP)  A gunman wearing a gas mask set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets inside a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.

Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators weren't sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.

Authorities were looking at the man's apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten security for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts concerning.

The attack transformed the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground train, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station and bloodied people lying on the platform as others administered aid.

Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.

When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.

Im just grateful to be alive, he said.

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. The shooter's motive was unknown.

Sitting in the back of the train's second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. A riders video shows a person raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound.

Passengers in the smoke-filled car pounded on the door to an adjacent car, seeking to escape, rider Juliana Fonda, who was in that adjoining car, told the news site Gothamist. Fonda is a broadcast engineer for Gothamist's owner, public radio station WNYC.

Investigators believe the shooters gun jammed and kept him from firing more, said two law enforcement officials who werent authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Essig said police found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman entered the train system, Essig said.

Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people. One, posted April 11, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things.

Several videos mention New York's subways, and Adams is a recurring theme.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun crimes and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nation's busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, warned at a midday news conference.

In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians who didnt hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, transit officials said.

High school student John Butsikaris was riding that other train and initially thought the problem was mundane until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.

Im definitely shook, the 15-year-old said. "Even though I didnt see what happened, Im still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the citys subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime  especially in the subways  an early focus of his administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasnt immediately clear whether any officers were in the station when the shootings occurred.

The mayor, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.



Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.
Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village on Wednesday as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools.

Homes were among the structures that had burned, but officials did not have a count of how many were destroyed in the blaze that torched at least 6.4 square miles (16.6 square kilometers) of forest, brush and grass on the east side of the community of Ruidoso, said Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the Lincoln National Forest.

Rabon announced emergency evacuations of a more densely populated area during a briefing Wednesday afternoon as the fire jumped a road where crews were trying to hold the line. She told people to get in their cars and go.

So far, no deaths or injuries were reported from the fire, which has been fanned by strong winds.

The winds prevented forced a suspension of the aerial attack on the flames and kept authorities from getting a better estimate of how large the fire has grown. But some planes returned to the air as winds subsided late in the day, and seven airtankers and two helicopters have now been assigned to the fire, Forest Service officials said Wednesday evening.

While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, fire officials and forecasters warned Wednesday that persistent dry and windy conditions had prompted red flag warnings for a wide swath that included almost all of New Mexico, half of Texas and parts of Colorado and the Midwest.

Five new large fires were reported Tuesday, and nearly 1,600 wildland firefighters and support personnel were assigned to large fires in the southwestern, southern and Rocky Mountain areas, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Hotter and drier weather weather coupled with decades of fire suppression have contributed to an increase in the number of acres burned by wildfires, fire scientists say. And the problem is exacerbated by a more than 20-year Western megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change. The fire season has become year-round given changing conditions that include earlier snowmelt and rain coming later in the fall.

In Ruidoso, officials declared a state of emergency and said school classes were canceled Wednesday as the village  about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of El Paso, Texas  coped with power outages due to down power lines.

The residences that burned were mostly a mix of trailers and single-family homes, and close to 4,000 people were displaced by evacuations that were ordered Tuesday. That number was expected to grow with the latest call for residents to leave.

Village spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said authorities spent part of Wednesday surveying as much damage as possible before the winds kicked up again. Air tankers also were able to drop a few loads of slurry, and more air support was expected Thursday.

Right now, everybody is just rallying around those who had to be evacuated, Gladden said. Were just trying to reach out to make sure everyone has places to stay."

Donations were pouring in from other communities in southern New Mexico. State officials said emergency grants have been approved that will provide resources to firefighters and for other emergency efforts.

Ruidoso in 2012 was hit by one of the most destructive wildfires in New Mexico history, when a lightning-sparked blaze destroyed more than 240 homes and burned nearly 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

Rabon said Wednesday that no precipitation was in the forecast and humidity levels remained in the single digits, which would make stopping the flames more difficult.

"Those extremely dry conditions are not in our favor, she said.

Another wildfire in the Lincoln National Forest northwest of Ruidoso burned at least 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers) after it was sparked Tuesday by power lines downed by high winds. Crews confirmed Wednesday that 10 structures there were lost.

Elsewhere in New Mexico, wildfires were burning along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, in mountains northwest of the community of Las Vegas and in grasslands along the Pecos River near the town of Roswell.

In Colorado, crews were battling wind-whipped grass fires that had destroyed two homes and forced temporary evacuations.



Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Davenport from Phoenix.
(BPT) - The weather is warming and now is the best time to plan your spring and summer vacation in the beautiful outdoors of The Natural State  Arkansas.

While Arkansas offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities on dry land and in the water, one of the premiere locations is Buffalo National River, which winds through the majestic Ozark Mountains.

This year marks the Buffalo National Rivers 50th anniversary as a unit of the National Park Service, becoming Americas first national river.

The crystal-clear waters of the Buffalo National River extend for 135 miles cutting through limestone basins. The limestone is responsible for the beautiful turquoise color. The river chemically breaks down the limestone sediment, which is transported downstream. When hit by the sunlight, the sediment reflects the turquoise hue for which the Buffalo is well-known.

Whether visitors stay for a day or for a week, there is plenty to see and experience at Buffalo National River. It starts with spending time on the river itself. Bring your own canoe or rent one from the various nearby private outfitters and enjoy a variety of river experiences ranging from an exhilarating paddle to a relaxing and peaceful float. As you do, you will marvel at the tall limestone and sandstone bluffs that border the river.

Wildlife comprises an important part of the Buffalo National River ecosystem. While black bears are native to the area, visitors often travel many miles to Buffalo National River to see some of the nearly 100 Rocky Mountain Elk, which call the Boxley Valley area near the river home. There are also approximately 200 species of birds that depend on the river for at least some part of the year, including Bald Eagles.

After a few hours of floating Buffalo National River, visitors can change out of water shoes and slip on a pair of hiking boots for a glimpse at undisturbed and protected landscapes. There are over 100 miles of maintained trails throughout the Park. The trails will lead you to one of many picturesque waterfalls and to scenic overlooks that cascade several hundreds of feet to the river below.

Nighttime is especially magical at Buffalo National River. There you will see some of the darkest skies in North America. Designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, visitors will marvel at the beautiful starlit skies, which are unlike any youll see in the city.

While at Buffalo National River, visitors can pitch a tent or park their RV at one of the 11 designated campgrounds located within the park. There are also several private lodging options near the river.

Take a year away from amusement parks and city life and return to nature. Introduce your family to an experience theyll never forget and one to which they will long return.

Go to www.nps.gov/buff for more information on the Buffalo National River. And book your Arkansas vacation at www.arkansas.com.
April 13, 2022 U.S. Military Intelligence Official Refutes 'Russian Atrocities' Claims Russian soldiers left the town Bucha in Ukraine on March 30. Two days later the Ukrainian Gestapo like SBU and men of the fascist Azov battalion moved in to find and remove 'traitors'. On April 2/3 video was published that showed freshly killed men laying on the streets of Bucha. Several of them had white arm bands signaling to Russian forces to see them as friendlies. The 'west' and Ukrainian officials immediately called those dead the result of 'Russian atrocities'. I had called it a provocation: The Bucha 'Russian' atrocities propaganda onslaught may have worked well in the 'west' but it lacks evidence that Russia had anything to do with it. The former Indian ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar calls it an outright fake: ... And a fake it was. Thankfully there are still some sane U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency officials and William Arkin is talking with them: Last Wednesday, Bucha Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk said that 320 people had been killed in the town of 37,000.

...

"It is ugly," a senior official with the Defense Intelligence Agency tells Newsweek. "But we forget that two peer competitors fought over Bucha for 36 days, and that the town was occupied, that Russian convoys and positions inside the town were attacked by the Ukrainians and vice versa, that ground combat was intense, that the town itself was literally fought over."

...

"I am not for a second excusing Russia's war crimes, nor forgetting that Russia invaded the country," says the DIA official. "But the number of actual deaths is hardly genocide. If Russia had that objective or was intentionally killing civilians, we'd see a lot more than less than .01 percent in places like Bucha." 320 of 37,000 is not .01 percent. But we do not know how many of those dead were Russian or Ukrainian soldiers. Some of the dead were so called 'civilian defenders' which were supposedly local civilians to whom the government had handed guns to 'fight the Russians'. During a war a 'civilian' with a government issued gun shooting at enemy soldiers is a combatant, not a civilian. The DIA official continues: "Have the Russians been indiscriminate? Absolutely. But it shouldn't too surprising. It's part and parcel of the Russian way of war, lining up their artillery guns and letting loose," the DIA official says. "But here in particular, in Bucha and the other towns around itIrpin and Hostomelthere was intense ground fighting that involved almost 20 battalion tactical groups." I doubt that there is really intentional 'indiscriminate' Russian artillery fire. The Russians have held back quite a lot and paid in blood for it. One should also note that the often shown mass graves in Bucha were not from recent actions but had been dug on March 10 after heavy fighting when Russian soldiers tried to enter the town: Maxar Technologies, which collects and publishes satellite imagery of Ukraine, said the first signs of excavation for a mass grave at the Church of St. Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints were seen on March 10. "More recent coverage on March 31st shows the grave site with an approximately 45-foot-long trench in the southwestern section of the area near the church," Maxar said. The DIA official clearly says the civilian casualties in Ukraine, which are quite low, get overplayed and that attributing them solely to Russia is wrong: On Monday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it had recorded 1,793 deaths and 2,439 injuries to civilians in all of Ukraine since the war began on February 24. U.S. intelligence believes that the true number is some five times greater, as previously reported by Newsweek. "It's bad," the DIA official says. "And I don't want to say it's not too bad. But I can't help but stress that beyond the clamor, we are not seeing the war clearly. Where there has been intense ground fighting and a standoff between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the destruction is almost total. But in terms of actual damage in Kyiv or other cities outside the battle zone, and with regard to the number of civilian casualties overall, the evidence contradicts the dominant narrative."

...

The official says that it is dangerous to attribute one or even several graves and scenes of civilian disaster to Russian barbarism rather than just being realistic about the depredations of war. The official also worries that attributing the destructiveness only to Russian conduct, rather than to war itself, creates future dangers. "If we blame all the damage on Putin, as if he commanded it and that it is due solely to Russian war crimes, we are going to walk away from Ukraine with some illusion in our heads that modern warfare can be fought more cleanly, that the Ukraine war is an anomaly solely created by Russia's behavior. This war is just demonstrating how destructive any war on this scale would be." One should avoid to wage war whenever possible but it also important to end wars as quickly as possible: "Maybe it's heartless to urge that we look at Ukraine with precision, without human emotion," says the DIA official. "But for those who think tens of thousands have died and Russia is intentionally killing civilians and pursuing genocide, I say that's even more of an argument to find a diplomatic solution to cease fighting. But nothing is going to happen in the coming days or weeks to change the reality on the battlefield. That's why stopping the fighting should be our highest priority." Unfortunately ending the war is not a priority for the U.S. nor the EU. Their leaders are drunk on the idea that the Ukraine defeated Russia around Kiev. They seem to believe that the Ukraine can defeat Russia everywhere. But the retreat from Kiev was ordered because the deceptive move towards it had fulfilled its purpose of keeping a large number of Ukrainian soldiers in place around Kiev while the Russian army opened the land corridor to Crimea. The Ukraine has no chance to defeat the Russian army no matter how many old tanks or airplanes the U.S. and EU countries move to it. Sending more weapons only prolongs the war and inevitably creates more military and civilian casualties on both sides. Posted by b on April 13, 2022 at 14:55 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
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GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP)  A former Franciscan friar was convicted Wednesday of sexually abusing a grade school student during the 1990s at a Mississippi Catholic school.

A Leflore County jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Paul West, 62, guilty of one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust, the Greenwood Commonwealth reported.

West was accused of sexually abusing La Jarvis Love, now 39. Circuit Judge Ashley Hines sentenced West to 30 years on the first count and 15 years on the second count, to be served consecutively.

Love began crying when the verdict was read.

I want to thank the state. I want to thank everybody that represented us, Love said. "I just want to thank God, the provider, the creator. He restored my faith today. I really appreciate him, and I believe again."

Gaunt and relying on a walker, West made no comment when escorted by deputies from the Leflore County Civic Center, where the two-day trial was held.

As first reported by The Associated Press in 2019, La Jarvis Love and his cousin, Joshua Love, now 38, had accused West of numerous instances of sexual abuse while they were students at St. Francis of Assisi School in Greenwood.

Both Loves testified Tuesday of repeated abuse by West beginning when they were in the fourth grade. They testified the abuse occurred both at the school and on trips to New York and to Wisconsin, where the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary are based. West was a member of the religious order.

West was also charged with two counts of abusing Joshua Love. It was not immediately clear why the jury did not act on those charges.

A third man, Joshua Loves younger brother, Raphael Love, also alleged that West sexually abused him. He reported the abuse to church authorities in 1998, after which West returned to Wisconsin and left the order.

Mark Belenchia, volunteer state coordinator for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said church officials should have taken more decisive action after learning of Rafael Love's allegations.

Justice delayed is justice denied," Belenchia said. This should have happened 20 years ago.

West has been held in Mississippi's Leflore County Jail since September 2020, when he was extradited from his home state of Wisconsin to face two counts of sexual battery and two counts of gratification of lust. He pleaded not guilty.

La Jarvis Love now lives in Senatobia, Mississippi, with his wife and four children. He identified West in the courtroom as his abuser and said this was the first time he had seen him in person in more than 20 years.

La Jarvis Love testified that he was in third grade when he first encountered West, who was his physical education teacher. West later became principal of the school, Love said, and received permission from Love's grandmother to use corporal punishment, such as paddling.

La Jarvis Love said the sexual abuse began when he was in fourth grade, with touching, groping, and what he called extra friendly physical activity. The abuse lasted until eighth grade, he said. He also said West began calling him to his office, showing him pornography on Wests computer, and fondling him. La Jarvis Love testified that the abuse included oral sex and anal penetration.

La Jarvis Love said his grandmother allowed him to work various jobs at the school, which he said gave West more opportunities to abuse him. He said the only person he told about the abuse was his grandmother, who confronted West but was told nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

He said the abuse has left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

When asked by Wests attorney, Wallie Stuckey, why he didnt tell anyone, La Jarvis Love said he feared West.

When youre being groomed, you think everything is OK, La Jarvis Love said.

Joshua Love, who lives in Greenwood, testified that West set himself up as a mentor and began abusing him when he was in fourth grade. He also said that his grandmother granted West permission to paddle him and said this began in 1996.

Joshua Love said the first instance of abuse he could remember happened in the school cafeteria, where West was going to paddle him for misbehaving. He said West excused the cafeteria workers before taking him to a back room to fondle him.

Joshua Love said the abuse included oral sex, anal penetration and showing him pornography. He also said West attempted to have him and La Jarvis Love perform sex acts on each other during a trip to New York.

Both cousins testified they never spoke to each other about the abuse at the time.

Joshua Love alleged that West threatened to kill him if he told anyone about the abuse. He said he did not know La Jarvis Love had been abused until he told church officials about five years ago.

After Joshuas testimony, the prosecution rested its case. The defense declined to call witnesses, and West declined to testify.
A lawsuit in federal court has been filed against Midland County and former Midland County assistant district attorney Ralph Petty and former District Attorney Al Schorre for alleged deprivation of rights under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The suit by Erma Wilson is another legal issue following Pettys employment as an assistant district attorney and as a law clerk for Midland County district judges. Wilson was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) in a trial more than two decades ago. She alleges that then-District Judge John Hyde denied her motions before, during and after her trial in 2001, including motions to suppress evidence. Working for Hyde, according to the lawsuit, was Petty, advising them on legal matters and drafting the judges orders and opinions.

For nearly 20 years, Petty served as several judges right-hand advisor, engaging in ex parte communications and surreptitiously drafting opinions and orders in the prosecutions favor in more than 300 cases, the lawsuit states.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in September tossed a capital murder conviction and granted a new trial for Clinton Lee Young, a death row inmate convicted by a Midland County jury in 2003. The appeals court overturned Youngs conviction because of the same revelation that Petty helped prosecute Young as an assistant district attorney and then moonlighted as a judicial clerk in the same trial.

The lawsuit references the Youngs case, stating Mr. Youngs federal and state due process rights were violated by  both the trial courts use of prosecutor Ralph Pettys services as a paid law clerk during Mr. Youngs trial  and the prosecutions withholding of that arrangement.

Like Mr. Young, Erma was a victim of Pettys conflict of interest, the lawsuit states. If Erma had known about Pettys involvement as a law clerk in her case, she would have requested Judge Hydes recusal and a new trial.

The lawsuit also states that Midland County adopted and enforced an official employment policy or custom of permitting a prosecutor to work as a law clerk to judges in cases he was also prosecuting and in cases in which his employer was a party.

It mentioned Pettys arrangement as a law clerk and ADA was signed off on by (former) County Treasurer Jo Ann Carr, County Attorney Russell Malm and Schorre.

With Midland Countys policymakers knowledge and consent, Petty worked as a law clerk in Ermas trial while also working for the District Attorneys Office and, on information and belief, advising on the prosecution of her case, the lawsuit states. This dual role violated due process by depriving Erma of a criminal proceeding free from either actual or perceived bias.

The lawsuit states that the defendants  the county, Petty and Schorre  caused harm to Wilson, including preventing her from pursuing a career in her chosen profession of nursing, inhibited her ability to obtain gainful employment and forced her to spend money on attorney fees and court costs related to her defense.

It also said her quality of life and pursuit of happiness were harmed, especially living with a felony record. It also harmed her access to justice, harmed her family life, harmed her faith in the criminal justice system and harmed her reputation.

The lawsuit also states Wilson seeks attorney fees, other legal costs and other relief as the court may deem just and proper.
A sign is pictured outside a Google office near the company's headquarters in Mountain View, California on May 8, 2019.
Gibraltar Spring Festival 2022  Programme Launch

Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, has launched the Gibraltar Spring Festival Programme, which covers the period 1st May to 18th June 2022.

The winner of the Spring Festival Logo Competition, Kathleen Murphy, was awarded her prize of 500 at the launch, alongside participants who were awarded Highly Commended Certificates.

The full Gibraltar Spring Festival 2022 programme is below.
A spanking incident at a Conway daycare led to the operator being arrested on a felony charge last month, according to public records.

Rodney Wayne Cox, who operates the Conway Christian Academy daycare on Main Street, was arrested on March 30 and charged with unlawful neglect of a child, according to a warrant. A conviction could carry up to 10 years in prison.

Between August 2021 and January 2022, the 58-year-old Cox did unlawfully bend the minor victim over his lap and spank her buttocks repeatedly," the warrant states. Records show the spanking happened at the daycare.

Cox was released from jail the same day he was arrested on a $10,000 surety bond, online records state.

Coxs attorney, Johnny Gardner, did not immediately respond to a request for comment and a person who answered a Ring doorbell call at the daycare center Wednesday said the facility was closed.

An employee of the Conway Christian Academy was also arrested on March 30, charged with "failing to report child abuse or neglect," according to an arrest warrant. The warrant states that between August 2021 and January 2021, Nakita Rene Stevens, "While employed at Conway Christian Academy... was informed of a child neglect incident by a subordinate." The warrants states that "the defendant failed to report said incident to authori[ti]es."

A state Department of Social Services worker made an additional allegation against Cox in January in connection with a different incident, records show.

According to a police report, Conway police officers responded to the Conway Christian Academy on Jan. 25 in response to a complaint of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

The report states a DSS worker was the complainant, and the complaint was that there was a minor child who reported allegations of a sexual assault that occurred while he attended the daycare. The child was not on scene and had not returned to the daycare a week prior to Tuesday. The mother of the child was also not on scene.
BANGKOK (AP)  Celebrations of Thingyan, Myanmars holiday marking the traditional new year, were uncharacteristically quiet Wednesday, as the violent struggle for power between the military government and its opponents cast a shadow over the usual merrymaking involving the playful splashing of water.

Opponents of military rule, who have widespread support, urged a boycott of the celebrations organized by the government. The armed wing of the resistance reinforced that call by warning that it might carry out bombings targeting security forces in Yangon, the countrys biggest city. In 2010, at least 10 people were killed by bombs in an attack the military government then in charge blamed on a fringe opposition group.

But no major incidents had been reported by nightfall on Wednesday, the first day of the holiday.

Small nonviolent protests, some online, were carried out in several spots around the country against the army's seizure of power last year.

People usually celebrate the hot season holiday by pouring, spraying and splashing water in gatherings large and small. Many who have moved to cities for work return to their native villages to reunite with their family and relatives. The celebration is normally spread over several days and ends this year on Sunday, which is New Year's Day.

The coronavirus pandemic curbed celebrations for the past two years, as it has in nearby Thailand and Cambodia, which observe similar holidays. In Myanmar, the armys ouster of the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi last year further smothered the holiday spirit.

After peaceful mass protests against the takeover were put down with lethal force by the army and police, resistance turned into armed struggle, and U.N. experts now characterize Myanmar as being in a civil war. Urban guerrillas are active in the cities, and the military has carried out full-scale offensives against anti-government militias in the countryside to try to quash all opposition.

We need to show that people are not quiet during Thingyan about their revolution, and that the military council is not allowed to rule at all. We encouraged people to carry out the Thingyan celebration with compassion for areas that are being raided by the military, rather than for fun or happiness, said Nan Lin, a leader of the General Strike Coordination Body, a major underground opposition group.

In Yangon, the city government built three main pavilions in different neighborhoods and state television broadcast the official ceremonies. But residents said few people attended beyond those affiliated with government bodies.

It was evident from postings on social media, where complaints are frequent about repression, power blackouts and an economic crunch, that many people were not inclined to celebrate the usually light-hearted holiday.

I'm not in a mood to participate in this years Thingyan. My family doesnt have plans to join the festival at a time when the whole country is in turmoil. And this festival is arranged by the military council. It is not fun and safe. I want to stay away from them, said Ma Pwint, a Yangon resident.

In Yangon, an urban guerrilla coalition called United Alliances announced that bombings would be carried out across Yangon during Thingyan and urged people to stay away from events guarded by the security forces. Such groups have carried out targeted killings of people associated with the military and bombings of establishments with official ties.

Scattered pro-democracy rallies were held Wednesday, including in the north-central region of Sagaing and the southern region of Tanintharyi. Protesters including Buddhist monks carried banners with slogans such as Revolution is not a festival, We do not accept a fun Thingyan and Revolutionary Thingyan is the true voice of civilians.

Resistance guerrilla forces claimed to have carried out attacks on the security forces in Sagaing, including in the city of Monywa, where the group Monywa The Boys said they had fatally shot a policeman.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden now says Russia's war in Ukraine amounts to genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa on Tuesday shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. Its become clearer and clearer."

Last week, Biden stopped short of saying Russia's actions amounted to genocide.

At an earlier event Tuesday in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices caused by the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences because of the contention.

Biden's comments drew immediate praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country. But French President Emmanuel Macron declined to take his rhetoric that far in comments Wednesday.

I am prudent with terms today," Macron said. "Genocide has a meaning. The Ukrainian people and Russian people are brotherly people. ... Im not sure if the escalation of words serves our cause.

Macron said it's been established that the Russian army has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy applauded Biden's assessment.

True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted Tuesday. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

Biden called Zelenskyy on Wednesday and the pair spoke for nearly an hour. Biden subsequently announced that he was authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other security assistance to Ukraine.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said in a statement. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that there are official processes around determinations of genocide but added of Biden's using the term, I think its absolutely right that more people ... (are) talking and using the word genocide in terms of what Russia is doing and Vladimir Putin has done.

The way they are targeting Ukrainian identity and culture, these are all things that are war crimes that Putin that is responsible for," Trudeau said.

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russias in Ukraine to be genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene. That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard, but it sure seems that way to me.

More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting the overthrow of Putin, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said of Putin.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasnt articulating a policy change.

___

Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report.
Solid Colours/Getty Images

A new commission created by the Illinois Supreme Court will examine ways the state can better serve its older population.

The Commission on Elder Law will look at legal issues the elderly face in the state and ways to protect them from various threats, such as scams.
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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Armed gangs attacking remote communities in Nigerias troubled northwest are now working with extremist rebels who have waged a decade-long insurgency in the country's northeast, a top government official said Wednesday.

The gunmen and the Islamist rebels are in an unholy handshake, Nigerias Minister of Information Lai Mohammed told reporters, for the first time confirming a collaboration that security analysts have warned of.

The result of the alliance is the recent deadly train attack near Abuja, Nigerias capital, said the minister. Explosives were used to blow up the rail track in that attack in which eight passengers were killed and more than 100 were abducted and remain missing.

Nigeria, Africas most populous country with 206 million people, has been battling violence in its troubled north and an alliance between the two groups could worsen the crisis, analysts told The Associated Press.

The security crisis is dominated by two groups: bandits many of whom are formerly herdsmen now carrying arms and Islamic extremist rebels of the Boko Haram group and its breakaway faction the Islamic State in West Africa Province.

The partnership between the groups might drive further attacks on innocent civilians and state infrastructure, said Oluwole Ojewale of the Africa-focused Institute of Security Studies, as the extremists move their insurgency beyond the northeast where they had been largely restricted for many years.

With the military already fighting factions of the extremists, Nigeria's security situation is already dangerous enough, said Confidence MacHarry with the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence security firm.

Adding Boko Haram to the terror problem in the northwest would greatly stretch the security forces to more than its capacity, said MacHarry.

Nigeria's security crisis continued Wednesday with the abduction of four female students by an armed gang that attacked their school in northwest Zamfara state and the killing of 23 persons in northcentral Benue state, local authorities said.

It is becoming increasingly glaring every day that my people are now an endangered species and so we can no longer wait for help from anywhere, Benue governor Samuel Ortom said, repeating his appeal for residents to be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves.

The persistent violence, including the killing of more than 100 villagers in the northcentral Plateau state during the weekend, has raised further doubts about the Nigerian governments ability to restore peace in volatile areas despite having declared the armed gangs as terrorist organizations.

The major problem, though, is the political will and the will to act, said security analyst MacHarry. Boosting the capacity of security services to respond to security crisis is one thing, but actually responding to the crisis is another," he said.

Responding to such criticisms, Nigerias Minister of Defence Bashir Magashi said the government is still in control.

We are really on top of the situation, Magashi said. We are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Jeffrey William Knopf, Middlebury Institute of International Studies

(THE CONVERSATION) Reports emerged from Ukraine on April 11, 2022, alleging that Russia had used a drone to drop an unknown chemical agent in the besieged southern city of Mariupol.

There has been no official confirmation of these reports as of April 12. But the Pentagon has said the news reflects U.S. concern about Russias potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine.

A chemical weapon can be any chemical that is used to harm people, including to injure or kill them. Many substances have been used as chemical weapons. Nerve agents are the deadliest, because they require a smaller dose to be fatal.

As an expert who has studied the use of chemical weapons in Syrias civil war, I have thought since Russia first attacked Ukraine that the likelihood of Russia using chemical weapons there is low. Russia has little political or military motivation to use them and would face strong international rebuke and possible military consequences for this kind of attack.

But as recent reports might indicate, Russian use remains a possibility under certain circumstances. This is particularly true if Russian President Vladimir Putin believes chemical weapons are the only way to break a stalemate in a key battle zone.

Chemical weapons in Syria

The ongoing Syrian civil war offers the most recent example of widespread chemical weapons attacks on civilians.

There have been reports of more than 300 chemical attacks in Syria since the war began in 2012. A joint team from the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigated some of the larger attacks, and conclusively attributed several to the Assad regime.

Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, continued supporting the Syrian government despite these attacks.

The Assad regime used chemical weapons on its own people because it feared what would happen if it lost the war. Assad would lose power if rebel parties defeated him. Assad and his associates also worried they could be killed.

In August 2012, President Obama warned Syria against chemical weapon use, stating it would be a red line for the U.S.

By the end of 2012, reports began to emerge of the Syrian militarys carrying out chemical attacks.

In August 2013, Syrian forces carried out the largest chemical attack of the war. They fired rockets containing the nerve agent sarin into Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, killing an estimated 1,400 people, including children.

Russia increased its support for Assad after these strikes.

Russia did, however, work with the U.S. to persuade a reluctant Assad in 2013 to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention, an international treaty that outlaws both possession and use of such weapons. Putin feared that without this deal, a possible U.S. military response could grow into an effort to prompt regime change in Damascus and make Russia lose its closest ally in the Middle East.

The deal led to destruction of more than 1,300 tons of Syrian chemical agents by early 2016. It also persuaded the Obama administration to refrain from military action in Syria.

Nevertheless, in 2014, Syria resumed attacks using chlorine, which can be deadly. Syria later also returned to occasional use of sarin.

Russian forces never used chemical weapons themselves, but they did conduct massive airstrikes  similar to the ones used on multiple cities in Ukraine  that destroyed significant portions of the Syrian city of Aleppo in 2016.

Political rationale

Chemical weapons were first used in World War I by nearly all major combatants. Opposing armies used mustard gas, chlorine and phosgene as part of battlefield operations.

In the Syrian war, chemical weapons were part of a counterinsurgency campaign by Assad to hurt rebel forces and their civilian supporters.

Syria had two clear objectives for using chemical weapons.

First, most attacks served a psychological purpose. They were intended to terrify civilian populations so they would stop hiding rebel forces in their communities. Second, some of the larger attacks aimed to drive rebel forces out of areas they controlled.

These chemical attacks were not necessarily effective at reaching this military goal.

Instead, they were largely a function of desperation. Assad escalated chemical attacks when his army began to run short on manpower and conventional munitions  especially in areas where his regime was losing control.

Russia and chemical weapons

Russia is believed to possess chemical weapons despite having signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Russia has twice been accused of using chemical weapons in attempted political assassinations.

In 2018, Russia poisoned a former Russian double agent living in the U.K., Sergei Skripal, and his daughter with Novichok, a nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union in the final years of the Cold War.

The Skripals survived, but two other people who accidentally came in contact with the Novichok died as a result.

In 2020, Russia also attempted to poison opposition leader Alexei Navalny with Novichok. Navalny was hospitalized and almost died, but he ultimately recovered.

Russia has never admitted possessing Novichok. But the two assassination attempts show that Russia likely retains elements of a chemical weapons program.

There are other examples of Russias using chemicals in law enforcement operations that turned deadly. In October 2002, after Chechen militants held more than 900 people in a Moscow theater hostage, Russian security services pumped a gas into the theater.

The potency of the gas killed more than 100 of the hostages. Russia never revealed the gas it used, but experts believe it was a form of the opioid fentanyl.

Implications for Ukraine

It is clear that Putin would have no moral issue with using chemical weapons. But at the moment, Russia likely feels no pressing need to use them.

The conditions that motivated the Assad regime  a shortage of conventional forces and fear of being overthrown  do not apply to Russias situation in Ukraine.

Although Russian forces face rising casualty numbers in Ukraine, Russia still has the military capacity to continue fighting at a conventional level. And because the war is not taking place inside Russia, Putin is not at risk of being toppled by Ukrainian forces if they win the conflict.

Russias ability to terrorize civilians  a major goal of chemical weapons use  might also be limited.

A chemical attack may not have the intended psychological effect of demoralizing civilians. Putin appears to have misjudged Ukrainian civilians fortitude. Ukrainians would likely want to keep fighting even if Russia used chemical weapons against them.

This situation could change if the Russian military is on the brink of a decisive defeat. Then, desperation might lead Putin to consider a chemical option.

Although the risk of chemical weapon use, and especially large-scale use, remains low, it does remain possible.

[The Conversations Politics + Society editors pick need-to-know stories. Sign up for Politics Weekly.]

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/russia-isnt-likely-to-use-chemical-weapons-in-ukraine-unless-putin-grows-desperate-180534.
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Something remarkable is happening in Japan; combustible cigarette use is disappearing. And, with the right policies in place, this collapse in deadly cigarette use can happen in every country.

Japan Tobacco Internationals third-quarter results for 2021 showed that domestic sales of cigarettes in Japan had fallen by 8.2% during the previous year, which followed an 8.9% decline in the preceding quarter.



A foretaste of this phenomenon was seen in 2018, with the Financial Times reporting that Philip Morris heated tobacco product, IQOS, was laying waste to cigarette sales in Japan. According to the report, shipments of traditional cigarettes declined by more than 7% in 2018, which had followed an 11.5% decline in the first quarter of 2017. Meanwhile, shipments of heated units increased from 1.2 billion to 6.4 billion during the period. In fact, during the quarter, nearly 9% of Philip Morris global revenue was from reduced-risk products.



In all, reported volumes of cigarettes sold in Japan have now declined 42% compared to 2016 when heated tobacco products went mainstream in the Japanese market. It is an unprecedented collapse in cigarette sales. This level of destruction of smoking rates has never been experienced anywhere in the world.



Interestingly, heated tobacco products are likely to be the cause of such reductions in cigarette usage. An American Cancer Society research study in 2020 concluded that heated tobacco products likely reduced cigarette sales in Japan. Another 2020 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health came to a similar conclusion, stating that the accelerated decline in cigarette-only sales since 2016 corresponds to the introduction and growth in the sales of heated tobacco products.



This isnt an isolated phenomenon. In Sweden and Norway, snus  an extremely low-risk product comprising pasteurized tobacco sold loose or in small pouches to deliver non-combustible nicotine through the gum  has led to dramatic declines in smoking prevalence. And, wherever e-cigarettes are widely available as a consumer product, the outcome has been the same.



Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that the harm-reduction potential of these products could be starting to translate into real world effects. Investigations into recent Japanese population medical data have shown a significant downward trend in hospitalizations attributable to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischemic heart disease from 2017 onward, which correlates closely with the proliferation of heated tobacco products.



Neighboring South Korea has also seen its traditional cigarette industry losing customers at an unprecedented rate after the introduction of heated tobacco and is observing similar health trends. A 2021 study by the Seoul National University College of Medicine found that compared to smoking, switching to reduced-risk products  which, in South Korea is almost exclusively heated tobacco  was associated with 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Guo Chongfeng (C), general manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ethiopian Branch, speaks at a donation ceremony in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on April 9, 2022.(Xinhua/Wang Ping)

ADDIS ABABA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Yakob Kiros, a seventh grader at Kotari Primary School, in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, is optimistic that he will one day be able to help other vulnerable school children to pursue their dreams, just like he was helped by a Chinese firm building the new headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

"I often see our families give up their personal and household priorities so as to fulfill our educational needs, such as pens, exercise books and school bags," said 13-year-old Kiros, one of the students receiving educational supplies donated by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) last Saturday.

In addition to notebooks, pencils and school bags, the donation also included recreational and sporting kits.

Kotari Primary School Principal Ashenafi Wondimu said the support will help ensure students' comprehensive development.

"Today, our students received much-needed educational material, which will certainly play an important role in their future academic performance," he said.

The donation, in addition to helping improve the school children's academic performance, will also boost students' psychological well-being as they witnessed the "great gesture of togetherness showcased by our Chinese partners, which in turn will further propel their education," Wondimu said.

Kiros thanked the Chinese company for the support.

"Their good deeds also inspired us to be successful and be able to help vulnerable school children when we grown older and become successful," he said.

Netsanet Belachew, a fellow seventh grader at Kotari Primary, said the support will boost students' academic and overall life endeavors.

"I want them to know that the support is very helpful since some of us here either have no family to support us or our families are not able to do so," said the 14-year-old girl.

Guo Chongfeng, general manager of CCECC Ethiopian Branch, said education is fundamental to a country's development, which will ultimately shape the future of a country and its people.

"Support in education is a deep reflection of China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' to share the fruits of development," he said. "I hope today's (donation) will boost our children's morale, and encourage more Chinese companies to join this endeavor."

"When I see you, I see hope. I see future," Guo told the school children, urging them to work harder for success in their future development.

Admasu Dechasa, deputy head of Addis Ababa Education Bureau, commended the Chinese company for its critical support to the vulnerable students.

He said that support in the education sector will help cement link between countries and peoples.

Such help will help the Ethiopian government in realizing its "education for all" goal and manage challenges in maintaining educational quality, Dechasa said.

"We appreciate the support that the Chinese government, people, and organizations have done to Ethiopia and the city of Addis Ababa, in particular. We hope that the support will be continued," he added. 

Students of Kotari Primary School attend a donation ceremony in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on April 9, 2022.(Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Admasu Dechasa (C), deputy head of Addis Ababa Education Bureau, speaks at a donation ceremony in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on April 9, 2022.(Xinhua/Wang Ping)
Falklands Lecture Series

As part of the commemorative plans for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, Gibraltar Cultural Services on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, will be hosting a series of lectures. 2022 marks 40 years since the end of the conflict.

Gibraltar, as a British overseas territory had its own role to play during and in relation to the conflict, which lasted 74 days. This included the refitting of the SS Uganda to a hospital ship and the HMS Hecla to an ambulance ship at the Dockyard. Gibraltarians also served as military personnel in the Falkland Islands.

There will be four lectures taking place between Monday 23rd and Thursday 26th of May, at the Charles Hunt Room at the John Mackintosh Hall. Speakers are Richard Setter, who was an RAF18 Sqn Chinook Technician during the Falklands campaign, and Mark Trasler who served on HM Hospital Ship Uganda, joining the ship from Gibraltar, and treating casualties during the conflict. Michael Sanchez will be recounting his detailed diary of Gibraltars role, documenting daily events with photographic material, and Dr Geraldine Finlayson from The Gibraltar National Museum will be presenting a talk Tales from the Museum: Trafalgar, the Falklands and much more as part of the Museum lecture series.

Tickets are free and available from Buytickets.gi.
Depps friend expresses doubts over Heards allegations View Photo

A longtime friend and next-door neighbor of Johnny Depp testified Wednesday that Depps ex-wife, Amber Heard, had told him the movie star threw a phone at her and hit her inside the couples Los Angeles penthouse.

But Isaac Baruch said he never noticed any evidence of abuse on Heards face, both when he first saw her in the hallway or the next day in the sunlit lobby of their art deco-style building.

Shes got her face out like this to show me, and Im looking, and I inspect her face, Baruch said of the encounter in May 2016. And I dont see anything.  I dont see a cut, a bruise, swelling, redness.

Baruch is the second witness called in the trial over Depps allegations that Heard falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser. Depp says that an opinion piece Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018 indirectly defamed him.

Heard refers to herself in the article as a public figure representing domestic abuse. It doesnt name Depp. But his attorneys argue that it clearly referenced a restraining order that Heard sought in May 2016, right after Depp told her he wanted a divorce.

Depp denies abusing Heard.

Baruch, a painter, has been friends with Depp since 1980. He also worked at the Viper Room when the Pirates of the Caribbean actor partly owned the famed Los Angeles club. Baruch said Depp has financially supported him, providing him with places to live and giving him about $100,000 over the years.

Baruch testified that he noticed no makeup on Heards face when she said Depp hit her. But during cross-examination, Baruch conceded he didnt know if Heard  who worked with cosmetics giant LOreal  had applied any concealer, foundation, powder or tint.

At one point, Baruch got emotional, stating that Heard needs to take responsibility and move on.

He said he never saw violence from Depp.

His family has been completely wrecked by all of this stuff, and its not fair, Baruch said. Its not right, what she did.  Its insane.

Baruch also testified that he saw security video showing Heards sister Whitney throwing a fake punch at Heards face while the two waited for an elevator in the building where he and Depp and Heard lived.

And then they start laughing, Baruch said.

Depps attorneys argue that the sisters were practicing for a real punch to to feign abuse from Depp.

But Heards lawyers have said the evidence will show that Depp physically and sexually assaulted Heard on multiple occasions. And theyve argued that Depps denials lack credibility because he frequently drank and used drugs to the point of blacking out and failing to remember anything he did.

The first witness called for the trial was Depps older sister, Christi Dembrowski, who faced a barrage of questions from Heards lawyers about Depps alcohol and drug use.

When she took the stand Tuesday, Dembrowski said she and her brother endured a difficult childhood in which Depp learned to hide from an abusive mother. Dembrowski, who also worked as Depps personal manager, said she saw the same pattern in Depps relationship with Heard, adding that she would book an extra hotel room for Depp if Heard started a fight.

But Dembrowski struggled on cross-examination when asked why she sent texts to Depp in February 2014 that said, Stop drinking. Stop coke. Stop pills.

Heards lawyers asked similar questions Wednesday, zeroing in on a text exchange between Heard and Dembrowski in February 2014.

Ms. Heard says, JD is on a bender, and your response is, Where are the kids?  correct? J. Benjamin Rottenborn asked.

Dembrowski said that was correct. She also confirmed a 2014 email exchange she had with a doctor who treated Depps addiction to pain medication.

You believe that your brother needed help with drugs and alcohol? Rottenborn asked.

Dembrowski responded that she was concerned about Depps use of one medication but didnt believe that he had a problem with drugs or alcohol overall, or that he romanticized drug culture.

Both Depp and Heard are expected to testify at the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court, scheduled for six weeks, along with actors Paul Bettany and James Franco and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Heards lawyers had sought to have the case tried in California, where the actors reside. But a judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case in Virginia because The Washington Posts computer servers for its online edition are located in the county. Depps lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.

By BEN FINLEY

Associated Press
Frances Le Pen warns against sending weapons to Ukraine View Photo

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because  the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

Earlier Wednesday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said France had sent 100 million euros ($109 million) worth of weapons to Ukraine in recent weeks as part of a flow of Western arms.

Earlier in his term, Macron had tried to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to improve Russias relations with the West, and Macron met with Putin weeks before the Russian invasion in an unsuccessful effort to prevent it. Since then, however, France has supported EU sanctions against Moscow and has offered sustained support to Ukraine.

Le Pen also said France should strike a more independent path from the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

And despite the atrocities that Russian troops have committed in Ukraine, Le Pen said that NATO should seek a strategic rapprochement with Russia once the war is over. Such a relationship would be in the interest of France and Europe and I think even of the United States, she said, to stop Russia from forging a stronger alliance with world power China.

She did not directly address the horrors unfolding in Ukraine.

Le Pen was speaking at a press conference Wednesday to lay out her foreign policy plans, which include halting aid to African countries unless they take back undesirable migrants seeking entry to France. She also wants to slash support for international efforts to improve womens reproductive health in poor countries, increase minority rights or solve environmental problems.

At the end of the event, protesters held up a poster showing a 2017 meeting between Le Pen and Putin. One activist was pulled out of the room. Anti-racism protesters also held a small demonstration outside.

The election of Madame Le Pen would mean electing an admirer of Putins regime, an autocratic regime and an admirer of Putins imperialistic logic, said Dominique Sopo, head of the group SOS Racism. It would mean that France would become a vassal to Putins Russia.

___

Follow all AP stories related to Frances 2022 presidential election at https://apnews.com/hub/ french-election-2022.

___

Follow all AP stories on Russias war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Snow in Arnold View Photo

The Winter Weather Advisory for the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada above 5,500 feet, remains in effect until 11 PM Thursday.

Additional snow accumulations above the 4,500 foot elevation, will range from four to fifteen inches.

Motorists are encouraged to check with myMotherLode.com and click the Traffic tab for the very latest road conditions.

A Winter Weather Advisory means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. You should be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
CAL FIre TCU crews working the Spring Valley prescribed burn in Calaveras County View Photo

Sonora, CA  As the drought continues, private property owners need to have a burn plan  a prescribed fire on private lands workshop can help in developing that.

The Motherlode Prescribed Burn Association, working with Columbia College, the Tuolumne and Calaveras Resource Conservation Districts, and the University of California Cooperative Extension, will be hosting a two-day workshop on April 22nd and 23rd, from 9 a.m  4 p.m. each day. The goal is to give landowners and land managers skills in prescribed fire planning and implementation.

The first day of the workshop will include a tour of burn units at Columbia College, a review of different tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment, and participation in a burn if the weather allows. Organizers recommend participants bring maps and other property information to develop a customized burn plan. Experts will be on hand to help landowners develop their project descriptions, maps, and permitting and understand liability. Day two of the workshop will be held at a landowners property and will include burning preparation, planning, and burning if the weather allows.

The registration deadline for the workshop is April 19, click here to apply. The cost is $20, which will cover lunch and materials. After registering, organizers say property owners will be provided with further instructions on the workshop and the agenda of presentations.

The association provided this schedule for the workshops:

April 22nd, 9-4 Columbia College, Sonora

April 23rd, 9-4 Location TBD (but nearby)

For more information, contact Susie Kocher at sdkocher@ucanr.edu.
Site for the proposed additional MACT facility in Angels Camp View Photos

Angels Camp, CA  The M.A.C.T. (Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne) Health Board is looking to build a new administration building and Native American museum in Angels Camp that will include a mural along Highway 49.

The groups current building is located at 64 South Main Street, off the highway. It is asking the citys planning commission to grant a site development permit for the nearly one-acre vacant lot, seen in the image box, zoned Community Commercial. The plan is to build a more than 12,000-square-foot, two-story administration and cultural building on the lot with the museum on the bottom floor. There will also be a pedestrian walkway to connect the old building to the new one. City Planner Amy Augustine detailed what it would house, stating, Historically, there was a gentleman who received payment sometimes in Native American artifacts. So, they would like to display those things, like baskets.

An outdoor cultural park is also part of the plans, with Augustine describing, Outdoors theyre going to have a traditional roundhouse, some bark houses, greenery, public bathrooms. Theyre going to have a mural of traditional Native American dancers that will flank either side of the roundhouse.  The murals will be facing the highway.

If approved by the planning commission at its Thursday (April 14) meeting beginning at 6 p.m. in the firehouse located at 1404 Vallecito Road in Angels Cam, then the city councils approval is also needed, but not for the entire project. Augustine noted, The City Council must approve a long-term lease for a portion of city property adjacent to the site for continued parking. The city council will have to approve just the land used for parking. We are proposing a 25-year lease at this time.

There is no word on when construction might begin if the company gets those needed approvals.
Slain Nevada womans brother seeks a positive from her death View Photo

FERNLEY, Nev. (AP)  A Navy veteran who served as an engineer on a nuclear submarine is on an even more important mission now  seeking a way to help others in the name of his little sister, who was kidnapped, killed and buried last month in northern Nevadas high desert.

At the end of the day, I just dont want this to happen to any other families, Casey Valley told The Associated Press. I want to do everything I can to make sure no one ever has to go through any of this.

Hundreds of townspeople turned out for a weekend celebration of the life of 18-year-old Naomi Irion at a park in rural Fernley, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Reno.

The daughter of U.S. State Department workers, Irion moved there from South Africa last summer to live with her brother. She disappeared after video surveillance in a Walmart parking lot showed a man get into her car and drive them away early in the morning on March 12.

Troy E. Driver, a 41-year-old from nearby Fallon with a violent criminal history, was arrested and jailed on a kidnapping charge March 25. Driver previously served more than a decade in a California prison.

Four days after his arrest, a tip led investigators to a remote gravesite more than 60 miles (96 km) away, where Irions body was found in neighboring Churchill County. On Friday, Driver was arraigned in Fernley on an amended criminal complaint and ordered held without bail on first-degree murder, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and other charges.

Valley, a soft-spoken man with a bushy red beard, said he was frustrated that sheriffs deputies didnt act quickly enough to file a missing persons report when he first contacted them March 13.

He went the next day to the Walmart near U.S. Interstate 80 where Irion had gone to wait for a shuttle bus to take her to her job at a Panasonic plant. Signs posted in the parking lot alert shoppers cameras in use.

Valley knew he had to find out if there was surveillance video of his sister, so he tracked downed a store security officer.

At first he didnt take me seriously. But finally he said, What do you want? Valley said. We sat in the security office and watched the tape and became convinced it showed the suspect enter her car. I called the sheriff, and they were there in 15 or 20 minutes.

Valley said he then spent probably two hours reviewing the footage with a deputy.

Prosecutors say in the amended complaint that Driver shot Irion northeast of Fernley, where he took her for the purpose of committing sexual assault and/or purpose of killing her. In addition to burying Irions body, Driver disposed of tires from his truck in an effort to eliminate incriminating evidence, according to prosecutors.

Drivers public defender, Richard Davies, said Driver maintains his innocence.

We are prepared to generate an aggressive defense, he told reporters Friday. Right now, everybody is jumping to conclusions.

While initially critical of the investigation, Valley told reporters outside Justice Court on Friday that finding his sisters body was some amazing detective work. He said the family went to the remote gravesite, which looks like any other part of the Nevada desert.

Its one drop of water in the Pacific Ocean, he said. It truly is a miracle that we have closure and Naomi is not suffering.

We need to take whatever peace we can get from that, he said.

Sundays gathering was surrounded by ribbons in rainbow colors  Irions favorite  which continue to flutter from sign posts along main street just off I-80. The town was founded more than a century ago along a canal that was built as part of the U.S. Wests first irrigation project, intended to help make the desert bloom and attract settlers.

Valley, 42, served as a Navy submarine nuclear machinist mate stationed in Bangor, Washington, from 2009-16 and now works as a critical facilities engineer for Apple.

He has emphasized from the start Driver is a human being who is innocent until proven guilty. He said after the initial arrest for kidnapping he was concerned for Drivers safety if released from jail.

Davies said prosecutors have not declared whether they will seek the death penalty but acknowledged all options are on the table.

For now, Irions family isnt advocating for Drivers execution, Valley said.

Well see what happens, he said, adding he knows death penalty cases can drag on with years of appeals.

It complicates the process. That being said, it is the DAs decision. If this guy is tried and found guilty, I just dont want the perpetrator to be able to do this to any other person.

Irion lived with her parents at U.S. embassies around the world growing up. When she was 13, they moved to Moscow, then Frankfurt, Germany, then South Africa, where she graduated from high school before moving last summer to Fernley.

Valley, who was 14 when his sister was born, changed her diapers and became her de facto babysitter, said family and friends already have begun work to create a scholarship in her name.

I would like people to know Naomi would want positive change to come from this. We want to let people know this can happen to anyone, he said.

Naomi was my responsibility. Im her big brother. Its my job.

By SCOTT SONNER

Associated Press
Capitol riot defendant: I was following Trumps instructions View Photo

An Ohio man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol and stealing a coat rack testified Wednesday that he joined thousands of protesters in ransacking the building last year on what he thought were orders from the president, Donald Trump.

Dustin Byron Thompson, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, said he took to websites after being laid off from his exterminator job in March 2020 and in his pandemic doldrums fell under Trumps sway as he bought into conspiracy theories and went down the rabbit hole on the internet.

On trial in U.S. District Court in Washington, Thompson testified that the claim that the election was stolen seemed credible to him because it was coming from the president. His defense team is the first to argue that Trump and those connected to him were responsible for the actions of the mob that day.

It seems like everyone was attacking him (Trump). He needed someone to stand up for him, and I was trying to do that, Thompson said.

Under questioning by the prosecution, Thompson acknowledged that he ignored signs he shouldnt be at the Capitol  broken glass, alarms, chemical irritants in the air  and said he stole the coat rack to keep others from using it as a weapon. He also said he witnessed fierce fighting between police and rioters outside the building, and later ran away from officers. He said he realized weeks later that what he had done was wrong and now feels shame for his actions.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions. The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts. Thompsons defense team is the first to argue that Trump and those connected to him were responsible for the actions of the mob that day.

If the president is giving you almost an order to do something, I felt obligated to do that, Thompson testified.

Thompsons lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as witnesses, but U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton rejected that request. Jurors on Wednesday began listening to recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot. They were expected to finish listening to recordings Thursday morning and begin deliberations later in the day.

Thompsons wife, Sarah Thompson, testified that she voted for Democrat Joe Biden, as well as Democratic presidential nominees Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. She said her husbands views were more moderate then but shifted during the Trump years as he started encountering conspiracy theories. She said she did not share his views but helped arrange his travel to Washington for the Stop the Steal rally near the White House because he had a right to protest and she enjoyed having a quiet house.

Much of the prosecutions case was built around testimony from several Capitol Police officers placing Thompson at the scene, wearing a bulletproof vest that he said he found, and carrying a coat rack he took from the Senate Parliamentarians Office.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

A co-defendant, Robert Lyon, 27, pleaded guilty in March to theft of government property and disorderly conduct. Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment. Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.

By JACQUES BILLEAUD

Associated Press
Lawyer: US Rep. Cuellar not the target of FBI investigation View Photo

DALLAS (AP)  U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellars lawyer said federal authorities have informed him that the Democrat is not the target of an investigation that led FBI agents to search the congressmans South Texas home.

Cuellar, whos in the midst of a reelection campaign, denied any wrongdoing in January after agents searched his house in the border city of Laredo as part of an investigation related to the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.

The congressmans Washington, D.C.-based attorney, Joshua Berman, said Wednesday that his client is cooperating and that the Justice Department has informed me that Congressman Cuellar is not a target of the investigation. The statement was first reported by Fox News.

Bermans comment comes as Cuellar, who is among the most conservative Democrats in Congress, is locked in a primary runoff with a progressive challenge: Jessica Cisneros, a 28-year-old immigration attorney. Neither got the more than 50% of the vote needed to win outright in a March primary and they will appear on the ballot again in May.

The search of Cuellars home was part of a broader investigation related to Azerbaijan that saw FBI agents serve a raft of subpoenas and conduct interviews in Washington, D.C., and Texas, a person with direct knowledge of the probe previously told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately clear what connection the search of Cuellars home had to the ongoing investigation.

Federal disclosures show that the nine-term congressman traveled to Azerbaijan in 2013. Two years later, Cuellars office announced an agreement between a Texas university and an organization called the Assembly of Friends of Azerbaijan for the purposes of collaborating on oil and gas research and education.

The FBI and a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington declined to comment.

___

Tucker reported from Washington.

By ERIC TUCKER and JAKE BLEIBERG

Associated Press
AP source: DOJ denies panel details in Trump records probe View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department declined a request this week from the House oversight committee to disclose the contents of records that former President Donald Trump took to his Florida residence after leaving the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The move could serve as a setback for Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform as it was ramping up its investigation into Trumps handling of sensitive and even classified information during his time as president and after he left the White House. It remains unclear what implications the decision could have for the panels probe, which was announced in March.

The Justice Departments decision is part of an effort to protect confidential information that may compromise an ongoing investigation, according to the person, who was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The development was first reported Tuesday by The Washington Post.

The National Archives had referred the matter of Trumps handling of those records to the Justice Department earlier this year. Because of that, the DOJ is asking the National Archives not to share information related directly to it, including the contents of the 15 boxes that Trump took to his Mar-a-Lago residence.

The notice to the committee comes days after its chair, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., accused the Justice Department of obstructing the panels expanded investigation by preventing the release of information from the National Archives.

The Justice Department has not formally announced it is investigating Trumps handling of the records, but letters between the committee and the department seem to indicate that investigators are taking steps toward it.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined a request for comment Tuesday.

In addition, the FBI has taken steps to begin examining the potential mishandling of classified information related to the documents in the boxes, according to two other people familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to discuss it by name and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. It wasnt clear exactly what work investigators had done so far or what additional steps they were planning to take.

In a letter to the National Archives last month, Maloney made a series of requests for information she said the committee needs to determine if Trump violated federal records laws over his handling of sensitive and even classified information. In response, the general counsel for the archivist wrote on March 28 that based on our consultation with the Department of Justice, we are unable to provide any comment.

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Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.

By FARNOUSH AMIRI

Associated Press
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (AP)  A shooting inside a Southern California shopping mall Tuesday wounded a 9-year-old girl and authorities were seeking the attacker, reports said.

The shooting took place at around 6:30 p.m. at the Mall of Victor Valley in Victorville, about an hours drive northeast of downtown Los Angeles, San Bernardino County authorities said.

The city Fire Department declared an active shooter incident and family members identified the victim as a 9-year-old girl who was shot several times, the Victor Valley News reported.

She was taken to the hospital in stable condition, the county Sheriffs Department said.

Stores were locked down and customers sheltered inside as deputies searched for the attacker, who acted alone and fled the mall after the shooting, authorities said.

The mall was evacuated and closed.

Other details werent immediately available.
Feature: Chinese firm donates much-needed educational supplies to Ethiopian school children

 00:00:00



Guo Chongfeng (C), general manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ethiopian Branch, speaks at a donation ceremony in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on April 9, 2022.(Xinhua/Wang Ping)

Yakob Kiros, a seventh grader at Kotari Primary School, in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, is optimistic that he will one day be able to help other vulnerable school children to pursue their dreams, just like he was helped by a Chinese firm building the new headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).



"I often see our families give up their personal and household priorities so as to fulfill our educational needs, such as pens, exercise books and school bags," said 13-year-old Kiros, one of the students receiving educational supplies donated by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) last Saturday.



In addition to notebooks, pencils and school bags, the donation also included recreational and sporting kits.



Kotari Primary School Principal Ashenafi Wondimu said the support will help ensure students' comprehensive development.



"Today, our students received much-needed educational material, which will certainly play an important role in their future academic performance," he said.



The donation, in addition to helping improve the school children's academic performance, will also boost students' psychological well-being as they witnessed the "great gesture of togetherness showcased by our Chinese partners, which in turn will further propel their education," Wondimu said.



Kiros thanked the Chinese company for the support.



"Their good deeds also inspired us to be successful and be able to help vulnerable school children when we grown older and become successful," he said.



Netsanet Belachew, a fellow seventh grader at Kotari Primary, said the support will boost students' academic and overall life endeavors.



"I want them to know that the support is very helpful since some of us here either have no family to support us or our families are not able to do so," said the 14-year-old girl.



Guo Chongfeng, general manager of CCECC Ethiopian Branch, said education is fundamental to a country's development, which will ultimately shape the future of a country and its people.



"Support in education is a deep reflection of China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' to share the fruits of development," he said. "I hope today's (donation) will boost our children's morale, and encourage more Chinese companies to join this endeavor."



"When I see you, I see hope. I see future," Guo told the school children, urging them to work harder for success in their future development.



Admasu Dechasa, deputy head of Addis Ababa Education Bureau, commended the Chinese company for its critical support to the vulnerable students.



He said that support in the education sector will help cement link between countries and peoples.



Such help will help the Ethiopian government in realizing its "education for all" goal and manage challenges in maintaining educational quality, Dechasa said.



"We appreciate the support that the Chinese government, people, and organizations have done to Ethiopia and the city of Addis Ababa, in particular. We hope that the support will be continued," he added.

Students of Kotari Primary School attend a donation ceremony in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on April 9, 2022.(Xinhua/Wang Ping)
Police: Girl shot as California shop owner fires at thieves View Photo

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California shoe store owner opened fire at two shoplifters, police said, but mistakenly shot a 9-year-old girl about to get her picture with a mall Easter bunny. The store owner fled the state and was arrested in Nevada, authorities said Wednesday.

Marqel Cockrell, 20, was chasing the shoplifters out of the store Tuesday evening at the Mall of Victor Valley in the small city of Victorville when he fired multiple shots at the shoplifters, Victorville police said in a statement.

Cockrells shots missed the shoplifters and instead hit the 9-year-old female victim, the statement said.

The girl, identified by family members as Ava Chruniak, had been getting ready for pictures with the Easter bunny in the mall when the shots were fired, said her grandmother, Robin Moraga-Saldarelli. The girl was left with three gunshot wounds, including two in her arm, Moraga-Saldarelli said.

One bullet fractured a bone.

And its the kind of fracture they cant surgically fix. Shes going to have to wear a special brace for it, and its going to take a lot longer to heal, she told Fox 11 TV in Los Angeles.

Itll be awhile before the bone heals and then we will see the extent of the nerve damage, but shes a trooper. She really is a tough little kid, Moraga-Saldarelli told KNBC-TV.

Deputies responding to the reports of gunfire found Ava wounded at about 6:30 p.m., the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said.

She was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition, officials said. The malls stores were locked down and customers sheltered inside as deputies searched for the shooter.

Cockrell, a co-owner of the shoe store Sole Addicts, was arrested in his car at about 9 p.m. in Clark County by the Nevada Highway Patrol, Victorville police said.

He was being held Wednesday for lack of $1 million bail at the Clark County Detention Center on an extraditable warrant, for attempted murder, Victorville police said. An extradition hearing was scheduled for Thursday and jail and court records did not indicate whether Cockrell had an attorney representing him who could comment on his behalf.

Im glad they caught him and he will definitely pay for this. I really hope they throw the book at him, Moraga-Saldarelli told KNBC-TV.

The mall was closed Tuesday after the shooting and reopened on Wednesday.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Members of California's first-in-the-nation reparations task force convened in a historic African American church in San Francisco on Wednesday, making their own history as they work to educate the public and develop a restitution proposal for the people harmed by the institution of slavery.

The two-day meeting at the Third Baptist Church in the city's Fillmore district was the first time the nine-member task force gathered in person since its inaugural meeting nearly a year ago. The meeting comes mere weeks after the group voted to limit restitution to descendants of enslaved Black people.

Morning attendance was light, but the emotions largely jubilant. About a dozen speakers lined up for public comment, some thanking the task force members for undertaking its critical work.

"Everybody in here is a part of history," Chris Lodgson of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, a reparations advocacy group, said before the meeting. I couldn't be more excited and blessed, really, to be here.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation creating the two-year reparations task force in 2020, making California the only state to move ahead with a mission to study the institution of slavery, educate people about its findings and develop remedies. Reparations at the federal level have not gone anywhere, but cities and universities across the country are taking up the issue.

Wednesday's meeting was held in a neighborhood once thriving with African American night clubs and shops until government redevelopment forced out residents  a prime example of how local policies decimated a Black neighborhood.

Third Baptist Church was founded in 1852, the first African American Baptist congregation founded west of the Rocky Mountains, according to a city landmark designation awarded the church in 2017. Its pastor is the Rev. Amos Brown, task force vice chair, longtime civil rights activist and president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP.

More than three dozen people were in the wooden pews for the all-day meeting, which included testimony from experts in disparities in education. On Thursday, the committee is scheduled to discuss a report to be made public in June that shows how the institution of slavery continues to reverberate throughout California, including in the form of disparities in household income, health, employment and incarceration.

In a dramatic vote last month, Californias task force split 5-4 to limit reparations to people who can show they are descended from enslaved or free Black people in the U.S. as of the 19th century. Those who favor broader eligibility says lineage-based reparations unfairly shuts out Black people who have also suffered systemic discrimination.

But Josiah Williams, a member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California in Oakland, said the vote validated African Americans who have striven throughout history to make society more equitable for everyone else, only to watch as some minority groups received compensation but not them.

This isnt about excluding anyone. Its about making sure we get what we need for our own people. Like, were just trying to breathe, said Williams, 37. We're just trying to get repair for the first time.

Several members in the audience were with his coalition, which worked on the legislation to get the task force created. But others were learning about the state's reparations efforts for the first time  as well as the possibility of having to collect paperwork to prove their eligibility for restitution.

Oakland native Terrill Johnson, 41, showed up Wednesday after a friend told him about the meeting.

"I didn't even know this was an actual topic that was going on," he said.

Attorney Cheryce Cryer, who had traveled from Los Angeles to attend the meeting in person, turned around in her pew to advise Johnson to start researching his lineage to enslaved ancestors.

Don't assume, Cryer advised him. Get your documentation together now.

Committee member Cheryl Grills, a clinical psychologist and professor at Loyola Marymount University, said before the meeting that the task of turning reparations into reality is daunting given that advocates will have to craft a plan that will be approved by lawmakers and funded by the government.

But she acknowledged the excitement.

"Weve never seemed to get this close to actually being acknowledged, being seen, being understood, being empathized with, she said. This country has never done that.

Since its inaugural meeting in June, the nine-member panel has dedicated much of its time to hearing from experts in weighty areas such as housing and homelessness, racism in banking and discrimination in technology.

Task force members were appointed by the governor and the leaders of the two legislative chambers. A plan for reparations is due to the Legislature in 2023.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli forces on Wednesday shot and killed three Palestinians, including a teenage boy, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as Israeli troops continued a days-long operation in the occupied West Bank in response to a spate of deadly attacks.

The three deaths, all in separate incidents, were the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has erupted as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan.

In two cases, the Israeli military said its troops fired at suspects who threw firebombs at soldiers during West Bank operations.

But Palestinian officials said one of the two, lawyer Mohammed Assaf, 34, just happened to inadvertently drive into a battle zone in the northern West Bank town of Beita.

The other was a 14-year-old, killed by Israeli army fire in Husan, a village near Bethlehem, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

The teen's death is likely to draw international criticism of Israeli military tactics. Earlier this week, the fatal shooting of an unarmed Palestinian woman drew accusations from European officials that the military was using excessive force.

Murad Shtaiwe, a Fatah party spokesman, said Assaf, the lawyer, was driving relatives to school. They passed through an area where clashes were taking place and Assaf was fatally shot, Shtaiwe said.

"What happened today is a new crime," he said.

Also, the Israeli police said that in a joint security operation with the army and Shin Bet intelligence agency, troops arrested four suspects in the town of Silwad, near Ramallah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20-year-old Omar Muhammad Alyan was killed after he was shot in the chest during the Israeli arrest raid.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 18 others were injured as a result of the Israeli military's activities. The military said one soldier was lightly wounded in the clashes and that it arrested 15 people in its raids Wednesday.

Israel has sent troops to comb through Palestinians cities and villages in recent days, looking for suspects or accomplices tied to recent Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Last week, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on a packed Tel Aviv bar, killing three and fleeing the scene, sparking an hours-long manhunt that culminated in his killing by police.

That assault, as well as three other attacks elsewhere in Israel in recent weeks, have killed 14 people, the deadliest outburst of bloodshed against Israelis in years.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass office accused Israel of destabilizing the West Bank, saying the situation has become dangerous and sensitive and is rapidly deteriorating.

On Wednesday, Egypts Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said the Arab state strongly condemned Israels West Bank operations and what he called excessive force against Palestinians. Hafez urged in a statement for containing such growing and accelerating developments, which could lead to further escalation and mutual violence.

The tensions have escalated as Muslims mark Ramadan, which this year converges with major Jewish and Christian holidays. In the coming week as Passover and Easter commence, tens of thousands from the three faiths are expected to stream into Jerusalem's Old City, the emotional heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a frequent flashpoint for violence.

Unrest in Jerusalem during last year's Ramadan escalated into an 11-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian militant groups called on Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Israel to camp out at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque this weekend.

After a meeting with Hamas's Gaza leader Yehiyeh Sinwar, the factions called for mass protests to break the Israeli restrictions recently imposed on the city of Jenin and said militants in Gaza were on alert and ready to take the necessary decisions to protect our land, people, and holy sites.

Israel's government has sought to lower the flames by moving ahead on its plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the holy month. But, with two of the attackers in the recent violence from Jenin and the surrounding area, Israel has tightened restrictions on movement in and out of the city.

Jenin is considered a stronghold of Palestinian militants. Israeli forces often come under fire when operating in the area. Even the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank and coordinates with Israel on security matters, appears to have little control.

Israel had made numerous arrests in recent days, and in some cases, Palestinians have protested against the raids. Several Palestinians have been killed in the raids or in response to attacks or attempted attacks.

Late Saturday, Palestinian protesters set fire to a West Bank shrine revered by Jews and smashed part of the the tomb inside. On Wednesday, Israel carried out repairs to the site, known to Jews as Joseph's Tomb, and a day earlier the military said it arrested a suspect linked to the arson. The military said clashes also broke out nearby as the repairs were underway.

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Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russia's actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine's fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means," Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war," he said. "This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraine's state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

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Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

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Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village on Wednesday as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools.

Homes were among the structures that had burned, but officials did not have a count of how many were destroyed in the blaze that torched at least 6.4 square miles (16.6 square kilometers) of forest, brush and grass on the east side of the community of Ruidoso, said Laura Rabon, spokesperson for the Lincoln National Forest.

Rabon announced emergency evacuations of a more densely populated area during a briefing Wednesday afternoon as the fire jumped a road where crews were trying to hold the line. She told people to get in their cars and go.

So far, no deaths or injuries were reported from the fire, which has been fanned by strong winds.

The winds prevented forced a suspension of the aerial attack on the flames and kept authorities from getting a better estimate of how large the fire has grown. But some planes returned to the air as winds subsided late in the day, and seven airtankers and two helicopters have now been assigned to the fire, Forest Service officials said Wednesday evening.

While the cause of the blaze was under investigation, fire officials and forecasters warned Wednesday that persistent dry and windy conditions had prompted red flag warnings for a wide swath that included almost all of New Mexico, half of Texas and parts of Colorado and the Midwest.

Five new large fires were reported Tuesday, and nearly 1,600 wildland firefighters and support personnel were assigned to large fires in the southwestern, southern and Rocky Mountain areas, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Hotter and drier weather weather coupled with decades of fire suppression have contributed to an increase in the number of acres burned by wildfires, fire scientists say. And the problem is exacerbated by a more than 20-year Western megadrought that studies link to human-caused climate change. The fire season has become year-round given changing conditions that include earlier snowmelt and rain coming later in the fall.

In Ruidoso, officials declared a state of emergency and said school classes were canceled Wednesday as the village  about 140 miles (225 kilometers) northeast of El Paso, Texas  coped with power outages due to down power lines.

The residences that burned were mostly a mix of trailers and single-family homes, and close to 4,000 people were displaced by evacuations that were ordered Tuesday. That number was expected to grow with the latest call for residents to leave.

Village spokeswoman Kerry Gladden said authorities spent part of Wednesday surveying as much damage as possible before the winds kicked up again. Air tankers also were able to drop a few loads of slurry, and more air support was expected Thursday.

Right now, everybody is just rallying around those who had to be evacuated, Gladden said. Were just trying to reach out to make sure everyone has places to stay."

Donations were pouring in from other communities in southern New Mexico. State officials said emergency grants have been approved that will provide resources to firefighters and for other emergency efforts.

Ruidoso in 2012 was hit by one of the most destructive wildfires in New Mexico history, when a lightning-sparked blaze destroyed more than 240 homes and burned nearly 70 square miles (181 square kilometers).

Rabon said Wednesday that no precipitation was in the forecast and humidity levels remained in the single digits, which would make stopping the flames more difficult.

"Those extremely dry conditions are not in our favor, she said.

Another wildfire in the Lincoln National Forest northwest of Ruidoso burned at least 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers) after it was sparked Tuesday by power lines downed by high winds. Crews confirmed Wednesday that 10 structures there were lost.

Elsewhere in New Mexico, wildfires were burning along the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, in mountains northwest of the community of Las Vegas and in grasslands along the Pecos River near the town of Roswell.

In Colorado, crews were battling wind-whipped grass fires that had destroyed two homes and forced temporary evacuations.

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Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Davenport from Phoenix.
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Good morning! Happy morning! Rabbi Avraham Wolff exclaimed, with a big smile, as he walked into the Chabad synagogue in Odesa on a recent morning.

Russian missiles had just struck an oil refinery in the Ukrainian city, turning the sky charcoal gray. Hundreds were lining up outside his synagogue hoping to receive a kilo of matzah each for their Passover dinner tables. The unleavened flatbread, imperative at the ritual meal known as a Seder, is now hard to find in war-torn Ukraine amid the war and a crippling food shortage.

But the rabbi wanted no challenge to get him down  be it the lack of matzah or that he was missing his wife and children who had fled the Black Sea port for Berlin days ago.

I need to smile for my community, Wolff said. We need humor. We need hope.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews have fled while about 80% remain in Ukraine, according to estimates from Chabad, one of the largest Hasidic Jewish organizations in the world. Inside and outside Ukraine, a nation steeped in Jewish history and heritage, people are preparing to celebrate Passover, which begins sundown on April 15. Its been a challenge, to say the least.

The holiday marks the liberation of Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt, and their exodus under the leadership of Moses. The story is taking on special meaning for thousands of Jewish Ukrainian refugees who are living a dramatic story in real time.

Chabad, which has deep roots and a wide network in Ukraine, and other groups such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Federations of North America, have mobilized to help Ukrainian Jews celebrate Passover wherever they have sought refuge. In Ukraine, Chabad plans 52 public Seders welcoming about 9,000 people.

In Odesa, Wolff is preparing to host two large Seders  one in early evening at the Chabad synagogue for families with young children and a later Seder at a hotel where participants can stay the night, obeying a 9 p.m. curfew.

He's been waving in trucks loaded with Passover supplies  matzah from Israel, milk from France, meat from Britain.

We may not all be together, but it's going to be an unforgettable Passover, Wolff said. This year, we celebrate as one big Jewish family around the world.

JDC, which has evacuated more than 11,600 Jews from Ukraine, has shipped more than 2 tons of matzah, over 400 bottles of grape juice and over 700 pounds of kosher Passover food for refugees in Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania, said Chen Tzuk, the organizations director of operations in Europe, Asia and Africa. In Ukraine, their social service centers and corps of volunteers are distributing nearly 16 tons of matzah to elderly Jews and families in need, she said.

Passover is something familiar and basic for Jewish people, Tzuk said. For refugees who have left everything behind, it's important to be able celebrate this holiday with honor and dignity.

JDC is organizing in-person Seders in countries bordering Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, she said, and is facilitating online Seders where its too dangerous to gather in person.

The Jewish Federations of North America has set up a volunteer hub in support of refugees fleeing Ukraine; it's a partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, the JDC and IsraAID. Russian-speaking volunteers, such as Alina Spaulding, will help organize a Seder for 100 refugees at a hotel in Budapest.

Spaulding, a resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, fled Kharkiv, Ukraine, as a 5-year-old in the 1970s with her parents. She said the war has rekindled strong connections to Ukraine.

My mom showed me a photo of me with my grandpa on a street that was recently bombed, Spaulding said. We talked about the university in Kharkiv where my mom and dad went, which was also hit. Suddenly, it all felt so personal.

Spaulding believes spending Passover with refugees will be an experience to remember."

Part of the magic of Passover is finding your own story, she said. Were in the middle of a modern-day exodus. I cant even imagine the stories I will hear.

Celebrating a holiday can give people a rush of hope and happiness even in grim situations, said Rabbi Jacob Biderman, who leads Chabad activities throughout Austria, including a center in Vienna that is sheltering about 800 Ukrainian Jews. Days after refugees reached his center, Biderman led a joyous celebration of Purim, a festival commemorating the deliverance of Jews from a planned massacre in ancient Persia.

The look on their faces changed from sorrow to joy... Their eyes lit up, Biderman said. It gave them a sense of normalcy, dignity and the belief that their spiritual life is something no one can take away from them.

That fueled Biderman's determination to provide a memorable Passover Seder for the refugees.

Dr. Yaacov Gaissinovitch, his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children  ages 11, 8 and 4  will be part of that celebration. They fled the Ukrainian city of Dnipro by car on Friday, March 4. Gaissinovitch, a urologist and mohel who performs the Jewish rite of circumcision, said it pained him, as an observant Jew, to drive on Shabbat  a forbidden act on the day of rest and prayer except when lives are at stake.

I drove nonstop for 12 hours to Moldova to save us all, he said. We sang all the Shabbat songs in the car. It was very, very hard.

In Dnipro, Gaissinovitch had his offices in the sprawling Menorah Center, which serves as a center of Jewish life, housing a synagogue, shops, restaurants, museums and the office of the citys chief rabbi.

After a month of being severed from everything familiar, the Chabad center in Vienna has been a blessing, Gaissinovitch said.

Weve been accepted here very warmly, he said. After being disconnected for days, the children have been able to see that our life hasnt stopped.

A similar community at the Chabad center in Berlin is housing about 1,000 refugees, including Rabbi Avraham Wolffs wife and children from Odesa. The center plans to host eight Seders citywide and has distributed matzah and other food to community members. Refugees, including 120 children from an Odesa orphanage who arrived in Berlin along with Wolffs family, distributed the items to locals, said Yehuda Teichtal, the chief rabbi of Berlin.

To me, this is extremely touching, he said. That people on the receiving end are able to give and not be viewed as victims. Its empowering and energizing.

As they prepare for Passover, Teichtal, Biderman and Wolff said they have been inspired by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who was among the most influential global leaders in Judaism in modern times. April 5 marked the Rebbes 120th birth anniversary, a special number in Jewish tradition.

The Rebbe built a strong foundation (in Ukraine) so were able to do what were doing now, Wolff said.

Schneerson grew up in Ukraine during a challenging time in the former Soviet Union, Teichtal said.

In spite of all the darkness, his focus was selflessness, dedication, love for all humanity and the unwavering faith that we are going to overcome, Teichtal said.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Mentions of Donald Trump have been rare at the first few trials for people charged with storming the U.S. Capitol, but that has changed: The latest Capitol riot defendant to go on trial is blaming his actions on the former president and his false claims about a stolen election.

Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man charged with stealing a coat rack from the Capitol, doesn't deny that he joined the mob on Jan. 6, 2021. But his lawyer vowed Tuesday to show that Trump abused his power to authorize the attack.

Describing Trump as a man without scruples or integrity, defense attorney Samuel Shamansky said the former president engaged in a sinister plot to encourage Thompson and other supporters to do his dirty work.

Its Donald Trump himself spewing the lies and using his position to authorize this assault, Shamansky told jurors Tuesday during the trial's opening statements.

Justice Department prosecutor Jennifer Rozzoni said Thompson knew he was breaking the law that day.

He chose to be a part of the mayhem and chaos, she said.

Thompson's lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as witnesses at his trial this week. A judge rejected that request but ruled that jurors can hear recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions. The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts with which they were charged.

In a February court filing, Shamansky said he wanted to argue at trial that Thompson was acting at the direction of Trump and his various conspirators. The lawyer asked to subpoena others from Trump's inner circle, including former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former White House senior adviser Stephen Miller and former Trump lawyers John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

Prosecutors said Thompson can't show that Trump or Giuliani had the authority to empower him to break the law. They also noted that video of the rally speeches perfectly captures the tone, delivery and context of the statements to the extent they are marginally relevant" to proof of Thompson's intent on Jan. 6.

Thompson's lawyer argued that Trump would testify that he and others  orchestrated a carefully crafted plot to call into question the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Shamansky claimed that Giuliani incited rioters by encouraging them to engage in trial by combat and that Trump provoked the mob by saying that if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

Shamansky said Thompson, who lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, became an avid consumer of the conspiracy theories and lies about a stolen election.

This is the garbage that Dustin Thompson is listening to day after day after day, Shamansky said. He goes down this rabbit hole. He listens to this echo chamber. And he acts accordingly.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled in March that any in-person testimony by Trump or Giuliani could confuse and mislead jurors.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from Jan. 6. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson has a co-defendant, Robert Lyon, who pleaded guilty to riot-related charges in March.

Thompson, then 36, and Lyon, then 27, drove from Columbus, Ohio, to Silver Spring, Maryland, stayed overnight at a hotel and then took an Uber ride into Washington, D.C., on the morning of Jan. 6. After then-President Donald Trumps speech, Thompson and Lyon headed over to the Capitol.

Thompson was wearing a Trump 2020 winter hat and a bulletproof vest when he entered the Capitol and went to the Senate Parliamentarians Office, where he stole two bottles of liquor and a coat rack worth up to $500, according to prosecutors.

Thompson and Lyon traded text messages during the riot.

Some girl died already, Lyon said in one text, an apparent reference to a law enforcement officer's fatal shooting of a rioter, Ashli Babbitt

Was it Pelosi? Thompson replied.

Im taking our country back," Thompson later texted Lyon.

Around 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, Thompson and Lyon were sitting on a sidewalk and waiting for an Uber driver to pick them up when Capitol police officers approached and warned them that they were in a restricted area. As they started to leave, Thompson picked up a coat rack that appeared to be from the Capitol, the FBI said. Thompson ran away when the officers told him to put down the rack, dropping it as he fled. Lyon stayed behind and identified himself and Thompson to police.

That night, Thompson received a text from his wife that said, I will not post bail.

The FBI said agents later searched Lyons cellphone and found a video that showed a ransacked office and Thompson yelling: Wooooo! Merica Hey! This is our house! A surveillance video also captured Thompson leaving a Capitol office with a bottle of bourbon, the FBI said.

Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress' joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Lyon pleaded guilty to theft of government property and disorderly conduct. Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of 1 year imprisonment. Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.
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DALLAS (AP)  The federal requirement to wear face masks on airplanes and public transportation is scheduled to expire next week, and airline executives and Republican lawmakers are urging the Biden administration to let the mandate die.

The fate of the rule  and consideration of an alternate framework of moves to limit the spread of COVID-19  was under discussion Monday within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Officials described it as a close call.

This is a decision that the CDC Director Dr. (Rochelle) Walensky is going to make," White House coronavirus-policy adviser Dr. Ashish Jha said Monday. I know the CDC is working on developing a scientific framework for how to answer that. We are going to see that framework come out I think in the next few days.

Jha said that extending mask mandate again is on the table.

The administration gave the rule a one-month reprieve in March so that public-health officials would have time to develop alternative methods of limiting the transmission of COVID-19 during travel.

The mask mandate is the most visible vestige of government restrictions to control the pandemic, and possibly the most controversial. A surge of abusive and sometimes violent incidents on airplanes has been attributed mostly to disputes over mask-wearing.

Critics have seized on the fact that states have rolled back rules requiring masks in restaurants, stores and other indoor settings, and yet COVID-19 cases have fallen sharply since the omicron variant peaked in mid-January.

The American people have seen through the false logic that COVID-19 only exists on airplanes and public transportation, Republicans on the House and Senate transportation committees said Friday in a letter to the administration.

However, a recent uptick in cases could provide reason for the CDC to keep the mask rule a bit longer.

After a steep, two-month decline, the seven-day rolling U.S. average of new reported COVID-19 cases has turned slightly higher in recent days, although from relatively low levels.

Several prominent officials have contracted the virus, including the 82-year-old House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who tested positive for the virus last week after appearing  without a mask  at a White House event with President Joe Biden. Also last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo disclosed that they had tested positive after a gathering that was quickly dubbed a super-spreader event.

Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist at the New England Complex Systems Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, believes that if the mandate is dropped, more air travelers and airline crew members will get sick. He said the CDC made a mistake by linking mask guidance to hospitalization rates because less-severe but highly transmissible variants can still kill large numbers of people.

In public health we try to prevent crashes. Medicine is basically mechanics who try to fix cars after they have already crashed, he said. Do you say, Oh, you dont need to buckle your seat belt today, hospital beds are not full?' Who does that?

Airlines began requiring masks in 2020, months before the government mandate was issued days after President Joe Biden's inauguration. Airlines faced financial ruin because of the pandemic, and the masks and other measures such as blocking middle seats were meant to reassure frightened passengers that flying was safe from the virus.

In December, the CEO of Southwest Airlines was forced to walk back a comment that masks didnt do much to improve health safety in the cabin because planes have strong air filters.

Travelers have returned  the number of Americans getting on planes surged past 2 million a day in March  and airlines think they can sell plenty of seats without the mask rule.

My flight attendants are begging us to stop this, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said. Every day its causing all of these incidents on board, and its frustrating and its dangerous. Youre asking a 24-year-old flight attendant to explain it to someone who is mad about the rule.

Unions that represent flight attendants once supported the mask rule but are now neutral. Officials say their members are divided, which could explain why the two largest U.S. flight-attendant unions declined to comment on the issue this week.

Executives of 10 airlines including American, Delta, United and Southwest wrote to Biden last month, urging the White House to drop the mask rule and a requirement that international travelers test negative for COVID-19 before flying to the U.S. Much has changed since these measures were imposed and they no longer make sense in the current public health context, the executives said.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing those big airlines, and three other industry organizations made a similar appeal to Dr. Jha on Friday. They pointed to recent CDC guidance which found that the most Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors because hospitalization rates in their communities are relatively low.

Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst for Raymond James & Associates, said there are some people who will feel uncomfortable flying with fellow passengers who aren't wearing masks, but there could be others who have avoided flying because they're not comfortable wearing one for a long flight.

I expect the vast majority of passengers and flight attendants will welcome the change (if the rule is dropped), given that it is consistent with most other areas of everyday life, Syth said. She said any impact on travel demand will be small, and that airlines would get a much bigger boost from elimination of the testing requirement on inbound international travelers.

Chris Lopinto, co-founder of travel site ExpertFlyer.com, said that because of the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, it might be wise to keep the mask mandate until cases subside again.

I don't think there would be a material effect on demand either way, considering airlines can barely keep up with the demand they already have, he said.

Most congressional Democrats continue to support the mask mandate. A leading liberal, Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass, urged the CDC and the Transportation Security Administration to keep the rule in place, saying that the virus and variants remain a threat to seniors and people with weakened immune systems or disabilities.

The political calculus could be shifting, however. Last month, eight Democrats broke with the White House and joined Senate Republicans in a symbolic vote against the mask mandate. Four of those Democrats face difficult re-election races in November, and the party is unlikely to keep control of the Senate if any of them lose.

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Associated Press White House reporter Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
The father of the famous TikTok duo, Enkyboys, revealed to his more than 15 million followers why he's been looking extra thin lately. Randy Gonzalez, who's from the Houston area, said he has been battling cancer in a TikTok he posted on Tuesday, April 12.

Six months ago, Gonzalez, 34, said he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He added his doctor said he only has two or three years to live, noting he could extend it to five if he goes through chemotherapy.

"I didn't know how to take it," Gonzalez said. "It was devastating...But, I believe in God and I believe in Jesus, and no man can dictate my life and tell me I only have a certain amount of time to live."

Enkyboys

Brice and Randy, the father and son duo from Enkyboys, are known for creating hilarious TikTok videos together. The pair have blown up since they started their TikTok journey together in November 2019, appearing on Good Morning America and being highlighted in multiple media outlets like BuzzFeed and Yahoo Lifestyle.

The fame rose, even more, after Brice landed a role in Eva Longoria's Flamin' Hot project. Brice will play one of the sons of the main character of the movie about Richard Montanez, the Frito-Lay janitor who says he cooked up Flamin' Hot Cheetos in his home kitchen.

While Gonzalez battles cancer, he said he wants to use his platform to help raise awareness for young men to get checked for colon cancer. He said his doctor told him it's very rare for a young guy like himself to be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Enkyboys

Gonzalez said he's also going to start a GoFundMe page to help pay for some of the medical bills. He said The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston turned him away as a patient after they didn't accept his insurance.

"I was shocked," Gonzalez said. "...They said my medical expenses are going to be over $150,000 to $200,000 just to get my chemo."

The father of three added he will use some of the funds to help him pay for his medical bills. However, Gonzalez said he will also use it to help other men get a colonoscopy. So far, the GoFundMe page has raised $50,000.

"I'm so blessed that I have followers and friends on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook that are asking me if I'm ok because I lost weight," Gonzalez said. "All I really need, seriously, is just prayers. I just want to say thank y'all so much for your love and support for me and my son, and if it wasn't for y'all, it wouldn't be the Enkyboys."
Two San Antonio TV reporters are signing off this week. News 4 San Antonio reporters Mike Jimenez and Joe Galli both announced on their social media pages they would depart the newsroom in April.

Jimenez calls the move in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 5, disappointing and cites personal reasons for severing ties with the NBC affiliate. Though he didnt elaborate on the reasoning, he did thank the San Antonio community, Fox 29, and News 4 for supporting him.

Jimenez went on to say in his post, It was my goal to just report here when I started as an intern with News 4 back in 2009 then Fox 29 in 2012My last day with the station will likely be April 17th!

Jimenez is originally from Lytle but calls San Antonio home, according to his biography on the News 4 San Antonio website. He graduated from Lytle High School, Palo Alto College, and Texas A&M San Antonio where he received his Bachelors in Communications in 2014.

Jimenez has covered everything from hurricanes and political corruption to hard crime and, most recently, a string of suspicious fires on San Antonios Eastside.

His coworker, Joe Galli, also announced he would be leaving News 4 in a Facebook post on Tuesday, April 12. Galli says he is moving on to focus solely on my career in professional wrestling with the National Wrestling Alliance.

If you ever visited his Facebook page and scrolled through the posts, youll quickly realize he has a passion for the ring and is now ultimately jumping in full time.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Courtesy, News 4 San Antonio Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy, News 4 San Antonio Show More Show Less 3 of 3





I will miss covering breaking news, natural disasters and the big stories families talk about every day. I will miss working with incredible professionals at News 4/FOX San Antonio every day, Galli said in his Facebook post.

The TV veteran has logged about 11 years in the TV news industry and won an Emmy for his work covering devastating wildfires in Palm Springs, California, according to his biography on News 4 San Antonios website. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. He says this will be his last week at the TV station. You can follow him on the professional wrestling streaming TV program NWA Powerrr and NWA USA.

MySA reached out to the news director for comment but has not heard back.
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Gov. Greg Abbott to halt his recent policy of additional commercial inspections at the border, calling the measure political theater and predicting it will leave grocery store shelves empty within weeks.

In an open letter addressed to the governor Tuesday, Miller said Abbotts economy killing action is exacerbating already strained supply chains and causing massive produce shortages resulting in untold losses for Texas businesses.

Your inspection protocol is not stopping illegal immigration, Miller said in his letter. It is stopping food from getting to grocery store shelves and in many cases causing food to rot in trucks  many of which are owned by Texas and other American companies.  The people of Texas deserve better!

Abbott announced last week that state troopers would conduct inspections of northbound commercial vehicles in addition to those performed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at ports of entry between Texas and Mexico.

Officials with the United States Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protections already conduct extensive inspections of commercial vehicles entering the United States at Texas border crossings. Resources should be placed where illegal crossings take place, not to create a crisis where they do not, Miller wrote.

Miller is one of the first Republicans in Texas to break with Abbott over the new border policy. The measure is part of Abbotts response to the Biden administrations decision to end Title 42, a pandemic-era emergency health order that allowed immigration authorities to turn away migrants at the border, even those seeking asylum.

Following the measure, commercial movement along much of Texas southern border slowed to a standstill and Mexican truckers waited in mileslong lines at ports of entry.

On Monday, matters went from bad to worse as truckers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge protested the measure by creating a blockade on the north- and southbound lanes on the Mexican side of the crossing. Commercial traffic at the bridge, the busiest trade crossing in the Rio Grande Valley, has come to a complete halt, and trucks carrying avocados, broccoli, peppers, strawberries and tomatoes have been sitting idle.

A similar protest in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, affecting traffic into and out of El Paso was also reported by Border Report on Monday. So far, more than 20,000 commercial trucks have been backed up on the border, Miller said.

Miller is running for a third term as agriculture commissioner, but was seen as a potential challenger to Abbott because of his vocal criticism of the governors handling of COVID-19. Miller is also a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

Abbotts office did not respond to an immediate request for comment on the letter.

In addition to the increased inspections, Abbott announced other measures in response to the end of Title 42, including busing undocumented immigrants to the nations capital.

The Presidents failed border policy does not need to be enhanced by a state policy that does little or nothing to impact illegal immigration, Miller said.

We cant wait to welcome you in person and online to the 2022 Texas Tribune Festival, our multiday celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news  all taking place just steps away from the Texas Capitol from Sept. 22-24. When tickets go on sale in May, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.
Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

The McCreless Branch Library on the Southeast Side is finally reopening after closing two years ago for extensive renovations. The library at 1023 Ada Street will reopen on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m., according to a news release.

The McCreless library closed in November 2020 for a $2.5 million renovation funded by the 2017 bond. The renovations are part of larger renovations that occurring across the system, including a fresh coat of paint at the library downtown.
If the pandemic has left you craving some smoooooth tunes courtesy of a man and his sax, Kenny G is coming to Yoshis Jazz Club in Oakland for four nights in April  beginning this Thursday, April 14.

Known for his easy listening jazz as well as his signature shoulder-length hair, Kenny G is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold over the course of his career.

After beginning to play saxophone at the age of 10, he would score a job as a sideman for Barry Whites Love Unlimited Orchestra at just 17 and while still in high school. Nine years later, he played a take on Dancing Queen by Abba for Arista Records president Clive Davis and subsequently signed with the label. In 1986, he found mainstream fame with his fourth solo album Duotones, which sold 5 million copies in the US.

Kenny G live at Yoshi's Jazz Club Shop Now

Many collaborations have followed, including early ones with Aretha Franklie and Dionne Warwick, and later ones with Weezer, Celine Dion, Foster the People (for a Saturday Night Live performance), Kanye West, the Weeknd, and, a bit further back in the day, even DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. In 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America named him the 25th highest-selling artist in the U.S.

Kenny G was also the subject of last years "Listening to Kenny G," a documentary that streamed on HBO Max and explores the mismatch between his popular and commercial success and how hes often perceived by critics.

Hell be performing at Yoshis, one of the best places in the country to take in jazz, this week beginning Thursday with an 8 P.M. set, Friday at 8 P.M. and 10 P.M., Saturday at 7:30 P.M. and 9:30 P.M., and Sunday at 7 P.M. and 9 P.M.

Tickets for Thursday and the early shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday are sold out, but are still available directly from Yoshi's for the later weekend shows. Tickets for all shows, including dates sold out through the venue, are also available through StubHub.
Lambert and I, and many readers, agree that Ukraine has prompted the worst informational environment ever. We hope readers will collaborate in mitigating the fog of war  both real fog and stage fog  in comments. None of us need more cheerleading and link-free repetition of memes; there are platforms for that. Low-value, link-free pom pom-wavers will be summarily whacked.

And for those who are new here, this is not a mere polite request. We have written site Policies and those who comment have accepted those terms. To prevent having to resort to the nuclear option of shutting comments down entirely until more sanity prevails, as we did during the 2015 Greek bailout negotiations and shortly after the 2020 election, we are going to be ruthless about moderating and blacklisting offenders.

Yves

P.S. Also, before further stressing our already stressed moderators, read our site policies:

Please do not write us to ask why a comment has not appeared. We do not have the bandwidth to investigate and reply. Using the comments section to complain about moderation decisions/tripwires earns that commenter troll points. Please dont do it. Those comments will also be removed if we encounter them.

* * *

Cops: Cat Used As Weapon In Domestic Battery The Smoking Gun (resilc)

Mild dust devil in Yukon, Canada pic.twitter.com/48v6skhC72  Gabriel Hebert-Mild  (@Gab_H_R) April 10, 2022

Mushrooms Have Their Own Language With Up to 50 Words My Modern Met (David L)

Psilocybin for depression could help brain break out of a rut, scientists say Guardian (Kevin W)

How the Battle Over a Pesticide Led to Scientific Skepticism Wired (Robert M)

Scepticism is a way of life that allows democracy to flourish Aeon (resilc)

#COVID-19

Climate/Environment

New Not-So-Cold War

Trump

Gov. DeSantis signs bill addressing fatherhood crisis WLRN (resilc)

Democrats Bail On Promise To Shed Light On Corporate Political Spending Lever

Oklahoma governor signs bill making nearly all abortions illegal Axios (Kevin W)

Our Famously Free Press

If you are wondering how the launch of CNN+ is going, Jake Tapper's Book Club (@TapperBookClub) just broke the 430 follower mark  It wasn't in my district (@DoctorFishbones) April 12, 2022 Take out your credit card so you can pay to see life-long agents of the US security state on CNN's payroll lie to you:https://t.co/6YgJDDoii9  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 12, 2022

Brooklyn subway shooting Live Updates: 23 people injured after gunman fired 33 bullets; shooter at large Indian Express. Includes many secondary stories.

2. Let's start with Apple, which systemically transferred technology to Chinese firms after Tim Cook in 2016 made a $275 billion investment pledge to invest in China. https://t.co/BRRr5gh91y  Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) April 12, 2022

Facebook is making employees read Chinese propaganda to impress Beijing Quartz (Kevin W)

Supply Chain

China Port Congestion Strands Ship Cargos From Grains to Metals Bloomberg (resilc)

Elon Musk accused of breaking law while buying Twitter stock Associated Press

Lumber falls to fresh 2022 lows as spike in mortgage rates cools housing demand and inflation puts dent in home renovations Business Insider

Dark personalities and Bitcoin(R): The influence of the Dark Tetrad on cryptocurrency attitude and buying intention ScienceDirect (furzy). As you know, we are not fans, but this sort of armchair psychologizing needs to get its own DSM category.

Why American Teens Are So Sad Atlantic (resilc)

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (CV):

An anti-antidote, unless you really like bats or homely animals (guurst):

Hammer Headed Bat pic.twitter.com/oBB2mBknph  Nature Is Metal (@NatureIs_Metal) April 11, 2022

And a more typical bonus, again from guurst:

 Graellsia isabellae pic.twitter.com/jZaQhtyrGf  Nature Is Metal (@NatureIs_Metal) April 6, 2022

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
(Natural News) Criminal prosecutions could be on their way stemming from election fraud that took place in 2020 in Maricopa County, Arizona. This is according to Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who recently published an interim report that was sent to the president of the Arizona Senate, Karen Fann, relaying the findings of a forensic election audit. The AG calls for criminal prosecutions in the report.

Brnovich explains that in addition to the many issues outlined in the report, the Attorney Generals Election Integrity Unit, or EIU, is reviewing additional complaints that allege potential misconduct and other election failures in 2020. He wrote that after spending thousands of hours analyzing the election system and processes in Maricopa County, reviewing the Senates audit reports, carrying out interviews and looking at other complaints, EIU investigators and attorneys have reached the conclusion that serious vulnerabilities exist in Maricopa County that need to be addressed.

AG Brnovich reported that the EIU found individuals who have committed voter fraud, and he said that they have been or will be prosecuted for various election crimes. However, he stopped short of disclosing the specific civil and criminal charges due to the ongoing investigation.

One focus of the report was the countys improper signature verification process. The county had more than 200,000 early ballot affidavit signatures, and election workers sometimes had just seconds to review signatures. The report states: We can report that there are problematic system-wide issues that relate to early ballot handling and verification. The early ballot signature verification system in Maricopa County is insufficient to guard against abuse. At times election workers conducting the verification process had only seconds to review a signature.

The report also recommended changing laws to allow for the immediate production of election records upon the AGs request in light of the challenges the EIU faced in obtaining the records in a timely fashion.

Hundreds of thousands of ballots transported without proper chain of custody

Another issue identified by the report relates to the transportation of ballots from drop boxes to the election headquarters. According to estimates in the report, as many as 200,000 ballots are believed to have been transported without a proper chain of custody. This is more than enough to have changed the course of the election; Trump lost the state of Arizona by just 10,457 votes that year. Moreover, the report points out that there are no election protection measures in place for the chain of custody for the 2022 elections.

The interim report also calls for higher penalties for election-related crimes such as ballot harvesting and tampering with ballot drop boxes, in addition to greater protections for whistleblowers.

Section VI of the report states in part: The Legislature should also consider adding a crime where members of an organization, including a non-profit or non-governmental organization, that knew or should have known members (whether employees or volunteers) in their organization are engaged in widespread ballot harvesting are subject to criminal liability.

Brnovich also sought to ensure that a new law making it unlawful to prepare or conduct elections in Arizona using private or non-governmental grant money is being enforced. According to the report, Democratic strongholds received nearly $8 million in private, non-governmental grant money under the direction of Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, during the 2020 election. An initial review raised red flags about where the money was spent, and the AG vowed to continue investigating the matter.

The report states that its goal is restoring confidence in the states elections across all parties, emphasizing the need to ensure that every legal vote is counted, and illegal votes are not allowed.

Sources for this article include:

100PercentFedUp.com

AZAG.gov
(Natural News) Brighteon.TV host Dr. Alan Keyes sat down with Dan Happel on the April 8 edition of Lets Talk America. The two touched on the subject of the Democratic Party and its globalist backers tearing down the U.S. to Build Back Better.

[Regarding] that slogan Build Back Better  everybody needs to realize this. You cant say build back better unless something has been torn down and destroyed, and thats the [Democrats] goal right now for our country, said Keyes.

The former Reagan administration official cited the example of the medical tyranny seen during COVID-19 pandemic as an example of this demolition of freedom. Under the guise of public health, the freedoms of many people worldwide were suppressed.

During the course of the COVID-19 crisis, I think a lot of us started to get that taste of tyrannical government. Its a taste of authoritarian rule. Its a taste of slavery where, by and large, most human beings in most places in the world did not live as a free people. They lived as slaves, forced servants of those who [wield] the superiority of their power. (Related: Democrats climate agenda will mimic their COVID tyranny.)

Keyes lamented that the vast majority of the American population has surrendered the authority by which, as a people, govern the country and perform the sovereign role of determining the composition of government. He added: We transform, give up and otherwise abandon the self-government that we have enjoyed as a people.

Happel, host of Connecting The Dots, concurred with Keyes.

I think its so critical at this point that the American people better start acting quickly  very, very quickly  because were going to lose the opportunity to keep the greatest experiment in freedom that the world has ever known. Were going to lose it because we are complacent, because weve lost the ability to discern truth from lies [and the ability to] understand what truth really is, Happel said.

God doesnt appreciate the fact that so many Americans today are afraid to be part of the solution. They just expect someone else to do all the work for [them]. They think somehow that Gods going to take everything under His hand, and Hes going to do it without us having to put an effort into it. That is so totally wrong.

Building back better by transhumanism

According to Happel, the Democrats and their globalist backers seek to tear down freedom first and then the human soul afterward.

[On] technocracy and transhumanism, part of it  and they openly state [it] when they talk [about] these things  [says] that theyre after the human soul. They think they have the ability [and] the genius to recreate human beings in the image that they want. Frankly, thats a very subservient image because they plan on controlling everything.

Happel added many of these globalists are actually Satanists, and they believe that they have to destroy the human soul. They look at humanity as being kind of a germ [or] a plague on the Earth, and they want to get rid of a large percentage  so that they can make their job easier. He warned that if the globalists succeed, it will be the rule of the few over the many, and the [population of the] many will be reduced significantly.

Israeli intellectual Yuval Noah Harari is one such globalist who has put forward the possibility of humans being hackable animals. He said in an interview: Humans are now hackable animals. The idea that humans have this soul or spirit, they have free will? Thats over. Harari added that three things are needed for this endeavor: enough biological knowledge, sufficient data and sufficient computing power.

They are trying to take our souls. If they get our souls [and] take away the essence of what makes us Christian [and] human, then we can become something that really goes beyond humanity  and that is transhumanism, said Happel.

The idea of transhumanism is literally taking man, destroying the essence of what makes us human and [making] us a lot more controllable. The globalists truly believe that they can create a humanity that is in the image that they want and not in Gods image. When they say build back better there, theyre wanting to literally take humanity apart and recreate [it] in the image that they can control.

Visit Enslaved.news for more stories about Democrats and their globalist backers wanting to control humanity.

Watch the full April 8 episode of Lets Talk America with. Dr. Alan Keyes and Dan Happel below. Catch new episodes of Lets Talk America from Monday to Friday at 1-3 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

This video is from the BrighteonTV channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Yuval Noah Harari: Humans are now HACKABLE ANIMALS thanks to vaccines.

Clay Clark discusses government CORRUPTION and globalist COLLUSION  Brighteon.TV.

Thrive Time Show: Covid vaccines part of bigger plan to ELIMINATE free will  Brighteon.TV.

Globalists push transhumanism agenda with computer chips inserted into humans via COVID injections.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com 1

Brighteon.com 2
(Natural News) Dr. Bryan Ardis has been making waves this week with allegations that the covid-19 virus, covid vaccines and at least one covid treatment all originated from snake venom molecules (the King Cobra, to be specific).

The first interview on this was released yesterday by Stew Peters at Red Voice Media in a documentary-style video called, Watch the Water. In the video, Bryan Ardis expresses concern that snake venom-related molecules (peptides or proteins) could have been dripped into the water supply (or released via other methods such as aerosolization) in order to create a covid-19 outbreak fear scenario that ultimately drove people into covid vaccines, lockdowns, mask mandates and other forms of mass medical hysteria.

We also interviewed Dr. Ardis about this same topic. In a largely unedited interview, Dr. Ardis shared with us his extensive research linking snake venom to antibodies, vaccine production, and eerily similar side effects observed from mRNA vaccines and covid treatments. As Dr. Ardis explains in the video (below), every single side effect attributed to covid-19 is also a known effect from toxic venom exposure.

VenomTech just announced a Targeted-Venom Discovery Array for new pharmaceutical interventions

To anybody who doesnt yet realize that snake venom is routinely used to develop pharmaceuticals and medical interventions, check out todays announcement from a company actually called, VenomTech. They are bragging about, Targeted-Venom Discovery Array (T-VDA) libraries provide researchers with a straightforward solution to rapidly screen thousands of individual venom fragments, with each array specifically designed to maximise hits for a specific target.

The CEO of VenomTech, Paul Grant, even continued:

Venomtech has been at the forefront of venom research for drug discovery for more than a decade. Through this relationship with Charles River Laboratories  a global leader for drug discovery contract research  we can now showcase our innovative technology, introducing the wider industry to the potential of venoms for the successful delivery of more leads, more quickly, for a broad range of targets.

Natural News reaches out to Gilead Sciences to request an interview

Today, Natural News reached out to Gilead Sciences, requesting an interview with their Chief Science Officer to answer these allegations and present their side of the story on this important issue. So far, no response has been received from Gilead.

InfoWars has also covered this emerging story. A quick internet search reveals plenty of mainstream media publications admitting at the onset of the Covid outbreak that it may have been derived from snakes, reports InfoWars.com. From Scientific American to CNN, the snake theory was promoted widely at first.

That story cites Scientific American and its 2020 article, Snakes Could Be the Original Source of the New Coronavirus Outbreak in China.

That story cites the similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and snake genetic material, stating:

Snakesthe Chinese krait and the Chinese cobramay be the original source of the newly discovered coronavirus that has triggered an outbreak of a deadly infectious respiratory illness in China this winter.

Dr. Ardis believes that cobra venom was used as the starting point for gain-of-function augmentation of SARS-CoV-2, effectively transforming the virus into a venom-like payload delivery system that poisons the body much like a snake bite.

Also from the Scientific American story:

The researchers used an analysis of the protein codes favored by the new coronavirus and compared it to the protein codes from coronaviruses found in different animal hosts, like birds, snakes, marmots, hedgehogs, manis, bats and humans. Surprisingly, they found that the protein codes in the 2019-nCoV are most similar to those used in snakes.

As InfoWars reports:

A 2021 study also connected the Chinese Krait and King Cobra to the Covid-19 spike protein, explaining, the discovery of a superantigen-like motif in the S1 Spike protein, as well as two other neurotoxin-like motifs that have peptide similarities to neurotoxins from Ophiophagus (cobra) and Bungarus genera.

Later during the interview, Dr. Ardis touched on the fact that hydroxychloroquine, defamed by the media, has been known to block nicotine receptors in the brainstem from being injured by cobra and viper venom.

That cited study is entitled, Toxin-like peptides in plasma, urine and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients. It concludes: (emphasis added)

The presence of toxin-like peptides could potentially be connected to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their presence suggests a possible association between COVID-19 disease and the release in the body of (oligo-)peptides almost identical to toxic components of venoms from animals.

See the Dr. Ardis interviews here

Is Dr. Ardis correct about the snake venom origins of covid, covid vaccines and some covid treatments? We present his evidence in the following interviews, which are packed with detailed citations from medical journals and news sources. As stated earlier, we have reached out to Gilead Sciences to request a response, but so far have received no reply.

Here are parts 1 and 2 of the interview, followed by my Situation Update podcast which further analyzes what may be going on with snake venom and covid-19 (also now called Covenom-19):

Part 1:

Part 2:

And heres my Situation Update podcast that discusses mRNA transfection transhumanism and the reptilian-human hybrid phenomenon:

Brighteon.com/dc8f6219-379f-478a-91d8-8e0beb55312e

Discover more information-packaged podcasts each day, along with special reports, interviews and emergency updates, at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport

Also follow me on:

Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger

Telegram: t.me/RealHealthRanger

Truth Social: Username = HealthRanger

Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger

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Join the free NaturalNews.com email newsletter to stay alerted about new, upcoming audiobooks that you can download for free.

Download my current audiobooks  including Ghost World, Survival Nutrition, The Global Reset Survival Guide and The Contagious Mind  at:

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(Natural News) Dozens of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths at Shanghais Donghai Elderly Care Hospital make the citys residents question whether Beijings zero-COVID strategy for dealing with outbreaks is worth the human toll.

The financial hub has quickly become the epicenter of the communist nations latest coronavirus outbreak. Beijing ordered the city of 26 million to enter lockdown last month and ordered mass testing, forced quarantining and other measures as part of the Chinese Communist Partys zero-COVID strategy. (Related: Shanghai extends COVID lockdown indefinitely, sparking rebellion.)

The citywide lockdown turned Shanghai into a city on the brink of collapse. It completely disrupted daily life and virtually all economic activity. Many residents, trapped in their apartment buildings, are unable to buy enough food through food delivery and grocery apps to last them until the end of the lockdown.

Chinese social media platforms are filled with videos from residents showing chaotic scenes of people rushing to buy food and other essential supplies. Others have even posted public pleas for relatives who require urgent aid but are not being cared for.

But this zero-COVID strategy did not prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city. All it has done is destroy the citys economy and starve people locked out of ways to procure essential supplies.

Donghai Elderly Care Hospital experienced dozens of deaths  but official reports claim zero COVID-19 deaths

One of the places that could serve as definitive proof that Beijings zero-COVID strategy has failed is the Donghai Elderly Care Hospital, a 1,800-bed facility that was ravaged by the recent outbreak.

In Donghai, multiple patients, doctors and care workers were infected with COVID-19. The facilitys employees even went on Chinese social media to post cries for help due to being overwhelmed by the number of cases. Relatives of Donghai patients even told Reuters on condition of anonymity that there have been several deaths.

From March 1 to April 9, Shanghai reported over 180,000 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19. On April 9 alone, the city reported more than 23,000 new local cases. Despite this, health authorities claim nobody has died and only one person experienced a severe bout of the virus.

One of the hospitals patients, 99-year-old Lu, was a long-time resident of Donghai. Before the recent outbreak, her loved ones were confident that she would get round-the-clock care at the facility.

Lu had coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Her relatives, who asked that she be identified only by her surname, were informed that she contracted COVID-19 on March 25. She was immediately placed in an isolation facility, away from the care workers most familiar with her situation, as would be normally done under Chinas quarantine regulations.

Lu died seven days later. Health authorities listed her cause of death as due to her underlying medical conditions and not COVID-19.

Another casualty was Shen Peiming, 71, who died on April 10 without any relatives by her side. Due to severe COVID-19 lockdown regulations, none of her family members were able to visit her.

Shen had lived on and off in the hospital for three years, ever since a stroke partially paralyzed her. Much like Lu, Shen needed round-the-clock care. Attendants had to assist her with eating as she was unable to eat solids.

Before last months outbreak, Shens family was able to visit her every week. But these visits abruptly ended. By March 26, the family was informed that the facility had positive cases and many employees had to be quarantined.

When Shen died, none of her relatives were able to get to the hospital to learn what her cause of death was. One relative was repeatedly told differing, unclear answers by hospital staff. How many times have there been lockdowns since 2020? They still dont have experience managing this? said the family member.

All they know is Shen did not have her doctor or any nurses familiar with her situation there to care for her.

In the past, if there was an issue, theyd always call me. This time, there wasnt even a voice message. She died so suddenly, said Shens relative.

The hospital is asking Shens family to sign a form to cremate the deceased. The family is refusing to do so until they get a clear answer regarding her cause of death.

Read more COVID-related news at Pandemic.news.

Watch this video of clips coming out of Shanghai revealing the tyranny Beijing has imposed upon the citys residents as part of its zero-COVID strategy.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Shanghai residents are being ASSAULTED by authorities for not complying with COVID-19 lockdown orders.

Its not over: Globalists still using COVID-19 to MIND CONTROL people into submission.

Shanghais latest COVID lockdown has left the city in shambles: Pushed to the brink of collapse.

To keep its residents safe from COVID, Shanghai officials are starving people to death in their homes with new citywide lockdown.

Shanghai residents rush to stock up as Chinese officials place half the city under strict COVID-19 lockdown.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

APNews.com

WSJ.com

Brighteon.com
JUBA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese medics on Tuesday started attending the second phase of Chinese language lessons aimed at deepening the mutual understanding and friendship between their people.

Mu Jianjun, the counselor for economic and commercial affairs in the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, said that language is an important bridge for communication and culture, noting that the Mandarin is currently popular across the world.

"Today, the second phase of the Chinese language training class starts as scheduled, which aims to help the staff of Juba Teaching Hospital better to communicate with the Chinese medical team, learn about the Chinese language and culture, and deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and South Sudanese people," said Mu during the opening ceremony in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The Chinese language lessons conducted at the Juba Teaching Hospital commenced last year, under the eighth batch of the China medical team which has since been replaced by the ninth batch.

On April 20, the United Nations Chinese Language Day will be celebrated across the world.

Ding Zhen, leader of the ninth batch of the China medical team, said South Sudan and China have over the years enjoyed cordial bilateral relations through medical exchanges.

"As we know, China and South Sudan have enjoyed many years of friendship with the people of South Sudan. The China medical team is here to provide free medical services, free drugs and free consultation to patients in South Sudan," said Ding.

Gift Gibson Natana, deputy director-general of the Juba Teaching Hospital, encouraged staff of the hospital to show commitment in learning Chinese language due to the unlimited opportunities it provides.

"Teaching our people Chinese language is very important because China is a leader in science and technology and economic development," said Natana.

"Learning another language is very important because it opens many opportunities. I would encourage all the staff of Juba Teaching Hospital to be committed to learning Chinese because you see the role of China in the world is expanding every year," he added.

Joseph Kenyi, a medical assistant with eight years of working experience with various Chinese medical teams, said attending Chinese language lessons will improve his communication skills.

"I have to improve my communication skills, so that I am able to teach my fellow South Sudanese to understand instructions from the Chinese doctors because most of the Chinese people speak only Mandarin and are not fluent in English," said Kenyi.

Alloace John, a 27-year-old dentist, said she sees great opportunities ahead in her medical career upon completing her Chinese language lessons.

"It's a difficult language, but you have to know different languages, so that if you find someone who speaks it you can communicate with him. If I want to study in China it will help improve my communication skills," said John. 
(Natural News) Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the battle over abortion and the sexualization of children K2 in public schools was a battle of those who believe that they are God and have control over life and death and even their sex and those who believe there is a Creator, who believe in God, believe in Jesus Christ.

(Article by Patrick Butler republished from TheEpochTimes.com)

Patrick made his comments during a 15-minute phone interview at Dallas area radio station 660 AM The Answer on April 6.

Whatever their denomination is and their faith is, they believe there is a higher power who decides life and a higher power who designed us as human beings, Patrick said.

He also described the radical left ideology as the Marxist, socialist agenda to disrupt the family.

In a series of communications in 2022, Patrick has made known his concerns about primary school education, higher education, and abortion.

Previously, Patrick has advocated the revocation of tenure for professors hired by the Texas university system; he has vowed to review books in public school libraries promoting transgender identity; he has affirmed the so-called Heartbeat Bill that restricts abortions after about six weeks, and he has now framed the gender issue in early primary school education in religious terms.

On April 4, the lieutenant governor, whos up for reelection in November, released a campaign email after the Walt Disney Company had objected to the recent Florida legislation restraining schools from teaching young children about sexual orientation or gender identity.

Disney said its goal was to see the Florida law repealed or defeated.

Patrick not only defended the Florida laws implementation but said he wants to see it enacted in Texas.

I will make this law a top priority in the next session, Patrick wrote. This issue will be addressed in our interim Education Committee Hearings under Parental Rights.

The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida, released a statement at the end of March saying the Florida measure should never have passed and should never have been signed into law.

Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that, the statement read.

We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.

Patrick criticized Disney in his April 4 email.

This crazy woke radical agenda is pushed by a few, but rejected by almost everyone in America, across all political spectrums, he wrote.

What can we do? Until they change their corporate philosophy, stop spending money with them. Cut off the Disney Channel. Cancel your trip or cruise, if one is planned.

Let Kids Be Kids

After being roundly criticized in some of the North Texas Press on April 5 and his email being characterized as a Tirade against Disney, Patrick took to the airwaves the next day.

Cant we let kids be kids, especially in kindergarten and first and second grade? he said.

We have the left who wants to teach, If youre a girl, you can be a boy, or vice versa.  That is not what parents want their children taught at that age, and some at any agetheres no need for it, kids dont understand it and parents dont want it.

However, his strongest statements were for the left.

The radical left is pushing this ideology into our system, which is the Marxist, socialist agenda to disrupt the family unit, Patrick said.

His campaign isnt Dont Say Gay in Texas, and no one should be bullied because of their orientation, he said.

If someone chooses to be gay, thats their lifestyle; just dont try to turn society upside down about it, Patrick said.

Playing God

LGBTQ+ has to understand that other people have rights, too. Parents have rights to say, I dont want my first and second graders to learn about being gay or lesbian or that they can change their sex.

If you can take a life in the womb because you want to, you play God, Patrick said. If you can change your sex because you want to, even though you know you cantboys will always be boys and girls will always be girls thats biologythen you play God.

This is a battle between those who believe they are God and have control over life and death and even their sex, and those who believe there is a Creator, believe there is a God, believe in Jesus Christ.

This is what this battle is about. This is the heart of it.

Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com
(Natural News) At the start of the plandemic, the official story was that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) came from bats at a Chinese wet market. It turns out, however, that the very first claim actually tied the virus to snakes.

In a bombshell interview with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger  watch below  Dr. Bryan Ardis unpacked new revelations that are not exactly new, but that were never widely reported. Because of this, most people are not even aware of the snake connection.

On Dec. 1, 2021, after months of going around warning about the potential dangers of monoclonal antibodies as an early treatment for the Fauci Flu, Dr. Ardis received a text from a medical doctor that at first appeared random.

If you got bit by a rattlesnake, would you go to a hospital and get anti-venom? the text read.

Dr. Ardis did not actually look at the text until several weeks later on Dec. 18, and initially brushed it off as being unrelated to covid. But after looking into the matter further, he discovered that monoclonal antibodies may be a remedy for the Wuhan Flu, which appears genetically to have actually come from bats that were tampered with in a laboratory.

Many people missed it, but early corporate media articles about SARS-CoV-2 listed snakes as a likely source of the virus due to the fact that its encoded proteins most closely resemble those found in snakes.

Based on similarities between the viruss codons and those of its potential animal hosts, snake is the most probable wildlife reservoir for the 2019-nCoV, one team of researchers wrote in a study about the virus published in early 2020.

This same research team wrote that the virus could have come from many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus) or Chinese cobra (Naja atra), and may have combined with a bat virus to spark a new outbreak.

On Jan. 22, 2020, SciTechDaily published a story calling the Chinese Virus snake pneumonia, though, again, most people missed it amid a wave of stories blaming the outbreak on bats.

Did covid originate in snakes that were tampered with via gain-of-function splicing?

A genetic analysis found that for the first time  snake is the most probable wildlife animal reservoir for the 2019-nCoV.

New information obtained from our evolutionary analysis is highly significant for effective control of the outbreak caused by the 2019-nCoV-induced pneumonia, that analysis found.

So, did gain-of-function research take something from snakes and augment it? This is not what anyone was told, but this is what appears to have happened, according to Dr. Ardis.

Codon usage bias reflects the origin, mutation patterns and evolution of the species or genes, reads another research paper about the subject.

Dr. Ardis has long worried that people taking monoclonal or even polyclonal antibodies as an early treatment for the Fauci Flu should be put at risk of long-term health problems, seeing as how some of them were derived from the cancer cells of pig spleens.

It turns out that this remedy, which was widely decried by the federal governments despite receiving emergency use authorization (EUA), may actually have anti-venom properties, which is why it works well for many.

Different species have a different tendency the way they arrange their genetic code  thats what codons are, Adams further explained during the segment about how SARS-CoV-2 could not have come from humans, at least.

So the same goals genetically can be accomplished with many different codon points. So, what youre pointing out here is that the codon usage bias indicates snake as the origin  I want to tell people, thats a fingerprint because those codon sequences cant come from humans because human DNA isnt encoded the same way, its very far from snake DNA because reptiles vs. mammals.

The latest news about the plandemic can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

Healthline.com
(Natural News) Epidemiologist and cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough warned that more Americans were killed by the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine than some of the wars involving the United States.

McCullough made this claim while speaking at the COVID-19 Town Hall of OPTIMIST Bahamas on April 8.

OPTIMIST, which stands for Offering Preventing Therapeutic Interventional Medicines Increasing Safety and Trust, is an organization of doctors, other healthcare professionals, lawyers and concerned individuals who do not want countries to rely on the vaccine only strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to its website, OPTIMIST does not want to be called anti-vax. The group added that its only goal is to educate the public about alternative preventative measures and treatment strategies for dealing with the coronavirus. This includes the potential use of banned treatments and therapeutics like ivermectin.

Strategically targeting each phase of the COVID-19 disease (contraction, incubation, acute illness and recovery) is vital, wrote the organization on its website.

COVID vaccines have killed thousands of Americans

As evidence for his claim, McCullough used multiple scientific papers showing Americas accurate death count from the experimental and deadly COVID-19 vaccines. He argued that the actual death count is likely significantly higher than what is documented in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the federal governments program for collecting reports of injuries and deaths caused by all vaccines. (Related: Global pandemic of the vaccinated gets worse as more people take deadly shots.)

[A paper] concluded that the upper bound of a confidence interval for death could be as high as 187,000 Americans losing their life after vaccination. It could be that bad, he said.

For comparison, around 116,000 Americans died during World War I. The only other American wars that have more fatalities than the COVID-19 vaccine are World War II and the Civil War, where around 405,000 and 655,000 Americans died, respectively.

Citing data from the federal governments VAERS program, McCullough explained how many of the severe adverse reactions to the vaccine originated in many parts and organs of the human body where COVID-19 vaccine particles were found.

I can tell you, looking at this VAERS report with 12,000 Americans who have died, voluntarily after taking an injection, the COVID-19 vaccine is worse than a war, he said. Its worse than most wars.

McCullough added that 86 percent of the time the report is made by a doctor, a nurse or a healthcare professional who thinks the vaccine caused the problem. He is referring to a recent analysis of COVID-19 vaccine death reports submitted to VAERS.

The most recent analysis includes data released on VAERS on April 8 and is updated through April 1. According to the data, VAERS has received a total of 12,298 reports regarding COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths

If McCulloughs analysis of the recently published scientific papers is correct, this means VAERS has only recognized less than one-fifteenth of the actual number of deaths in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine casualties in America by reading the latest articles at VaccineDeaths.com.

Watch Dr. Peter McCulloughs entire talk during the OPTIMIST Bahamas COVID-19 Town Hall below.

This video is from the channel TheDeadGene on Brighteon.com.

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Leaked top-secret Pfizer document shows COVID-19 vaccine is FAR MORE DANGEROUS than the world knows.

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Sources include:

InfoWars.com

OPTIMISTBahamas.com

FacingHistory.org

VAERSAnalysis.info

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Mark Zuckerberg spent huge sums of money on the 2020 elections. While he was trying to justify it by saying he was bolstering alternative voting methods due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), his motives were seen to have changed at some point in the process.

Most of Zuckerbergs money went to the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), an organization that provides grants to fund local elections. While these grants were billed as a way to expand access for voters who were unable or unwilling to go to the polls because of COVID-19 concerns, CTCL is not an election or a public health group. It has its own agenda.

Emails between the CTCL and local election officials show that the group is not discussing COVID-19 at all, but rather about buying equipment and mail sorters.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman said Zuckerberg may have started out attempting to help address coronavirus concerns as related to the 2020 elections, but the goal may have changed along the way.

Somewhere along the line, the evidence is showing that there may very well have been a bait and switch, he said. The bait was to keep citizens safe from COVID, but then it switched  it may very well have switched  to a partisan get out the vote effort on behalf of Joe Biden for the purpose of defeating Donald Trump. (Related: Facebook smoking gun: Conservatives targeted for censorship because of their political beliefs Facebook rigging elections.)

The money that CTCL gave to Democratic areas compared to Republican ones also provided further evidence of their ulterior motives. During an appearance with Sean Hannity on March 31, Citizens United president, David Bossie, said his group found that 92 percent of CTCLs 160 largest grants went to Biden counties.

Zuckerbergs moves affect future elections

With congress providing only a fraction of the money needed during the pandemic, Zuckerbergs $400 million in grants has become the target of Republicans in at least 28 states who are now working on bills that would ban future private grants to election officials.

The bills are part of a broader push for the states to tighten election laws in light of the widespread voter fraud that happened in the 2020 elections. The ban sponsors, which are backed by the conservative group Heritage Action, said that they are worried about the private influences during elections.

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said during a bill-signing in Florida that Zuckerbergs money should no longer be allowed as it is basically commandeering the machinery of the elections.

Zuckerberg and his wife gave $419.5 million through their philanthropic investment group, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, to two non-profits that distributed them: the CTCL and the Center for Election Innovation & Research.

In a public statement posted on the social media site in October 2020, Zuckerberg agreed the elections should be publicly funded.

To be clear, I agree with those who say that government should have provided these funds, not private citizens. I hope that for future elections the government provides adequate funding. But absent that funding, I think its critical that this urgent need is met, he wrote.

The grants faced legal challenges in multiple states and were ultimately thrown out, and an application for an injunction to halt them was denied by the Supreme Court in October 2020. (Related: Facebook bans Stop the Steal page with 350,000 followers trying to expose election fraud.)

Amid Trumps attacks on the election results, however, Heritage Action announced that it will spend $10 million to persuade the state lawmakers to ban any future grants, providing them with the exact wording for their legislation.

Some states went beyond Heritages outline, making it a misdemeanor or a felony for elections officials to accept such grants. These bans have been signed into law in several states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. It has also been passed by legislatures in Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Follow Corruption.news for more on questionable grants in line with the 2020 elections.

Watch the video below for more information about how Mark Zuckerberg rigged the 2020 elections.

This video is from the Anti-Disinformation channel on Brighteon.com.

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Melissa Red Pill: County clerks latest bombshell report is proof of election fraud  Brighteon.TV.

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Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

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Brighteon.com
(Natural News) As air travel approaches pre-pandemic levels, major U.S. airports have turned to robots to ensure Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols are followed.

Robots are now in charge of checking if travelers comply with COVID-19 mask mandates inside the Dallas Love Field Airport (DLFA) in Texas, reported the Dallas Morning News. The seven-foot-tall machine named the Security Control Observation Tower (SCOT) can also assist passengers and warn travelers flouting air transport rules. SCOT can also call airport security and operations in case additional help is required.

According to DLFA spokeswoman Lauren Rounds, two SCOT units were installed last month to determine if they are capable of efficiently supplementing current airport operations. One machine was installed near the baggage reclaim area, while the other one was installed near security checkpoints.

The units currently make scheduled and detection-based announcements directed toward our passengers and visitors. Some of these focus on reducing vehicular congestion at our curb using license plate recognition, increasing federal mask compliance using facial recognition technology, added Rounds.

While the SCOT robots at DLFA check if travelers comply with federal mask mandates on public transportation, other robots help clean and disinfect the airport premises. The Breezy One robot now aids human staff members in two airports under the Houston Airport System to ensure surfaces remain clean. The system spent almost $1 million dollars in 2021 for six Breezy One units, with four units deployed at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (GBIA) and two at the William P. Hobby Airport (WPHA).

Breezy One disinfects frequently touched surfaces such as tables, chairs, doorknobs and keyboards using an environmentally safe disinfectant. One unit can decontaminate more than 150,000 square feet of space in an hour, reported CultureMap. (Related: Hong Kong airport trying out innovative technologies to prevent coronavirus spread.)

According to GBIA Terminal Manager Sam Rea, the Breezy One robots have enabled the airport to step up cleanliness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the onset of the pandemic, we needed to explore new and innovative solutions so that when people come through the airports, they feel safe and secure.

Meanwhile, WPHA Custodial Services Manager Traci Rutoski lauded New Mexico-based Build With Robots, the company behind Breezy One, for providing the airport with the best tools to keep passengers, employees and stakeholders safe.

Questions abound regarding use of robots and masks in airports

Several individuals have pointed out possible issues with regard to the use of robots in airports. Attorney Adam Schwartz is one of them, voicing out concerns with DFLAs adoption of SCOT.

It is concerning that an airport has installed a new system of artificial intelligence. It raises a lot of questions about what that technology is doing, said Schwartz. The senior staff attorney for digital privacy rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation also mentioned that more and more institutions and companies have turned to artificial intelligence to monitor spaces.

Aside from the use of robots, others have also questioned the need for people to mask up on board airplanes and inside airports. Airlines for America (A4A), a coalition of U.S. carriers, called on the Biden administration to drop COVID-19 protocols for air travel  including mask mandates and pre-departure COVID-19 tests.

The science clearly supports lifting the mask mandate. [Doing so] in airports and onboard aircraft can be done safely, wrote A4A in a March 23 letter. It cited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that 99 percent of the U.S.s population can eschew indoor masking. It also mentioned two studies, including one from the Department of Defense, concluding that an airplane cabin is one of the safest indoor environments.

It makes no sense that people are still required to wear masks on airplanes  yet are allowed to congregate in crowded restaurants, schools and at sporting events without masks, despite none of these venues having the protective air filtration system that aircraft do.

Head over to Robots.news for more stories about the use of robots in airports.

Watch David Knight discusses surveillance technology being used at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York below.

This video is from The David Knight Show channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

MSN.com

Dallas.CultureMap.com

Airlines.org

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Over 150 financial transactions involving Hunter Biden or his uncle James were flagged as concerning by banks in the United States.

While reports said that flagged transactions do not necessarily mean they were improper or illegal, it does mean that they are being reviewed. One of the reasons for doing this is to determine whether or not there has been an effort to hide the source of the transactions. The amounts of various transactions and their frequency can also make a bank want to ask questions to the account holder to determine what is going on.

However, there are no details yet regarding the results of the review.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said he believes James Biden to be instrumental in Hunters business activities in China. Moreover, James Bidens company, the Lion Hall Group, was said to have received money from what the reports said was a Chinese-financed group in 2018.

Grassley noted the monthly retainer fees from a Chinese group amounted to $100,000 for Hunter Biden and $65,000 for James Biden. Grassley also agreed that the records they have been reviewing came directly from the banks, with no third parties involved.

However, CBS News noted that the federal subpoena sought bank records from the two Bidens going back to 2014.

Robert Weissman of the advocacy group Public Citizen said Hunter and James should not have entered into relationships with the Chinese. In the best case, those things look really bad. In the worst case, the consequences can be quite serious, to the extent those occurred while Joe Biden was the vice president, theres a worry that they hope to get something direct from the Obama administration, he said.

He also noted that the concerns do not end when Joe left the vice presidency, because there was a concern about investing in his family members to get future benefits in the possibility that he will become president later on.

Grassley also said new records show Hunter and an executive of a Chinese firm applying jointly for a $99,000 line of credit in 2017  the first records that have ever been made public on the issue.

In the September 2020 report with Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Grassley said Hunter, James and his wife Sara tapped into the line of credit to purchase over $100,000 in airline tickets, hotels and restaurants.

These years of records show that Hunter Biden and James Biden were more connected to the communist regimes elements than had been previously known, Grassley said. (Related: Hunter Bidens laptop reveals Biden familys ties to secret biological projects in Ukraine.)

Political scrutiny of First Family not unusual

The Bidens were not the first to be scrutinized for their bank transactions. In 2019, a bank handling business for members of the Trump family was also flagged for similar reviews. However, a spokesperson for the Trump Organization said at the time that company officials were not aware of such flagged transactions.

James Bidens name, however, surfaced last year in connection with a separate international business venture, which he abandoned after a White House ethics review flagged it for potentially involving conflicts of interest.

Family members of the president are also required to notify the White House counsels office regarding business engagements, which are then reviewed for conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts. The office then advises them on their findings and makes decisions about how to proceed. (Related: Theres a reason the media are suddenly reporting on Hunter Bidens corruption.)

James was reported to have been involved with a number of finance and business ventures, including insurance and political consulting jobs, as well as an interest in a nightclub.

Hunters and James attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. The White House chief of staff did say the actions of Hunter and James are private matters that do not involve the president, although federal officials have confirmed that Hunter is the focus of an ongoing investigation out of the U.S. Attorneys office in Delaware regarding tax and other financial issues.

The president also said he was not involved in his sons and brothers business dealings.

Follow Corruption.news for more updates about the Bidens dealings with foreign companies.

Watch the video below for more information about the investigation on Hunter Bidens finances.

This video is from the In Search Of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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The plot thickens: Hunter Biden investment firm funded Ukraine biolabs.

Mainstream media still refusing to cover Hunter Bidens connection to Ukraine biolabs.

Fact-checkers give high rankings to fake news outlets that covered for Hunter Biden.

Hunter Bidens laptop reveals Biden familys ties to secret biological projects in Ukraine.

Sources include:

WesternJournal.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Police officers in China are beating pets that are tied up in sacks. Sadly, this is not new in the Asian country.

In 2021, there had been reports of China killing cats and dogs due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In November, reports of local health workers in Chinese cities breaking into peoples homes and killing their pets while their owners are in quarantine resurfaced. In one case, a dog owner witnessed through her home security camera people in hazmat suits entering her home and beating her pet corgi to death with iron rods while she was away at a quarantine facility. She later tested negative for the virus.

The owners video has gone viral on Chinas social media site, Weibo, attracting millions of views from users who were furious with the way pets have been disposed of in fear that the animals could transmit the virus to humans.

More recently, another pet dog was beaten to death by a health worker in Shanghai  an incident that sparked fury online. The beating apparently happened at a residential compound in Pudong district and was met with horror after going viral on April 6.

The clip appeared to have been filmed by a resident from a nearby building. It shows a COVID-19 prevention worker dressed in protective gear chasing the pet down and hitting it three times with a shovel. In the two photos posted online, the pet was seen running after a bus. Another photo showed its body being taken away in a plastic bag.

Reports also surfaced that the pets owner was in quarantine during the time of the attack and had released the dog onto the streets after being unable to find anyone to care for the animal in his absence.

Shanghai put its 25 million residents under lockdown until further notice and they are slated to face several rounds of mass testing. Those who test positive are then mandated to isolate. (Related: Chinese city implements harshest lockdown yet as Beijing aims for zero-COVID.)

In the end, I thought I could let [the dog] loose outside to become a stray, at least it wouldnt starve to death. I never thought once we had left, it would be beaten to death, the owner wrote in an online group, explaining that he had no dog food left at home and that the neighborhood committee declined to assist in caring for the pet.

Low risk of animal-to-human COVID transmission

International health authorities have said the risk of transmission from animals to humans is low. There is no evidence that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID-19 to humans, either. Chinas National Health Commission also stated that there is no evidence of people catching COVID-19 from pets.

China has adhered to a zero-COVID policy since the beginning of the pandemic. This allowed them to stamp out all clusters and chains of transmission through border controls, mass testing, quarantines and lockdowns. (Related: Chinas zero-COVID strategy results to food shortages, delays in medical care.)

It also resorted to extreme measures, including separating infected toddlers from parents and barring residents from leaving their homes  sometimes for weeks.

This policy was also said to be broadly popular among the public, with many saying that it was necessary to avoid the high death tolls and economic collapses seen in other countries.

Reactions on social media have been mixed initially. Many expressed sympathy and anger, others argued that killing the animals was necessary due to the pandemic. This time, however, most online comments condemned the killing, which may be perceived as a sign of thinning patience from the public living in deteriorating conditions under lockdown.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the video below to know more about what is going on in Chinas zero-COVID camp.

This video is from the Data Dumper channel on Brighteon.com.

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Shanghai residents are being ASSAULTED by authorities for not complying with COVID-19 lockdown orders.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

NPR.org

9News.com.au

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) People everywhere are dumping their smartphones and returning to dumbphones, which are simpler, less digitally connected, and thus more appealing to people who are tired of social media and the global technocracy.

Young people especially are snapping up brick and flip phones in order to be engage more with real people in real life as opposed to fake social media life.

Seventeen-year-old Robin West of London told BBC News that she doesnt have a smartphone and has become somewhat of an anomaly among her friends. However, that sentiment is changing as the trend of ditching digital gains traction.

I didnt notice until I bought a brick phone how much a smartphone was taking over my life, West said. I had a lot of social media apps on it, and I didnt get as much work done as I was always on my phone.

Im happy with my brick  I dont think it limits me. Im definitely more proactive.

Instead of endlessly scrolling through TikTok like many of her peers, West uses her phone to make calls and occasionally text. The rest of the time, she is living life as a person who is not constantly glued to a digital screen.

Could you live without a smartphone?

West made the decision several years ago as a spur of the moment kind of thing. She was actually looking for a new replacement smartphone in a second-hand shop when she came across an old brick phone.

The cost of the MobiWire device was just 8 (about $10), which was a steal compared to the hundreds she would have had to pay for a replacement smartphone. So, she decided to give it a shot.

It turns out that Wests life improved after opting for the brick phone instead of the smartphone. And as an added bonus, her monthly bills are now much less than they used to be.

According to a report by software firm SEMrush, Google searches for dumbphones rose by a whopping 89 percent between 2018 and 2021. Global sales figures are also estimated to have hit one billion units last year, which is up from just 400 million units in 2019.

This compares to worldwide sales of 1.4 billion smart phones last year, following a 12.5 percent decline in 2020, Zero Hedge reported.

In the United Kingdom, some 10 percent of mobile phone users use a dumbphone as opposed to a smartphone.

It appears fashion, nostalgia and them appearing in TikTok videos, have a part to play in the dumbphone revival, says Ernest Doku, a mobile phone expert from the price comparison site Uswitch.com.

Many of us had a dumbphone as our first mobile phone, so its natural that we feel a sense of nostalgia towards these classic handsets.

In non-U.S. markets back in 2017, Nokia relaunched its iconic 3310 handset, first released in 2000. The original was the best-selling mobile unit of all time, and the new one continues to gain popularity across Europe.

Nokia pushed the 3310 as an affordable alternative in a world full of high-spec mobiles, Doku further explained, noting that while Apple and Samsung models might be glitzier, the Nokia 3310 can outshine them in equally important areas such as battery life and durability.

The new Nokia 3310 can last up to a month while powered on in idle mode. Comparatively, the average Apple or Samsung smartphone can only last a full day on a newer, fully charged battery.

Before I would always be stuck to the phone, checking anything and everything, browsing Facebook or the news, or other facts I didnt need to know, said Przemek Olejniczak, a Polish psychologist who swapped his smartphone for a Nokia 3310.

Now I have more time for my family and me. A huge benefit is that Im not addicted to liking, sharing, commenting or describing my life to other people. Now I have more privacy.

More related news about the shift away from smartphones can be found at Technocrats.news.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Autoimmune disease is spiking in the fully vaccinated, and many are now calling the collection of ailments associated with it AIDS-like syndrome.

An eight-year-old boy from Bongara, Peru, as one example, was recently diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) just days after receiving his second dose of Pfizers Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. SJS is said to be extremely rare, but the boy, named Richard Jefferson Bustamante Bautista, developed it after getting his second injection of Pfizers experimental mRNA drug.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, the Mayo Clinic reported. Its usually a reaction to medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters.

Excess deaths overall are also up big time among young people ever since the jabs were introduced. Edward Dowd, formerly of BlackRock, warned that what is currently transpiring can be compared to the Vietnam War for todays Millennial generation.

Young people between the ages of 25 and 40 saw an 84 percent increase in excess mortality last fall, which Dowd said is the worst-ever excess mortality, I think, in history.

Excess deaths among Millennials were higher than any other age group last year, and a whopping seven times higher than the Silent Generation, which includes people over the age of 85.

Not surprising is the fact that this increase directly coincided with the jab mandates and subsequent approval of booster shots for the Fauci Flu.

Basically, Millennials experienced a Vietnam War in the second half of 2021, Dowd said during a recent interview, noting that 58,000 people died in the conflict.

Are the fully vaccinated all quietly developing AIDS?

While the world has been distracted with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the government of the United Kingdom quietly published data showing that people who are triple vaccinated are now just weeks away from developing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), if they have not developed it already.

The reason for this is explained in the Stanford study, which explains that the spike protein in COVID-19 injections is lentivirus, which contains a combination of HIV types 1-3, SRV/1 (AIDS), MERS and SARS.

The best-known lentivirus is the human immune deficiency pathogen, which causes AIDS, which explains why we are now seeing autoimmune disease and neurodegenerative decline occur following COVID injection.

The mRNA from the lentivirus cocktail, which is found in the vaccine, is being inserted into the DNA of human cells through an invasive procedure (injection), permanently changing the genome of cells. This devastating condition is also known as prion disease.

Then there is aphasia, a post-injection condition that recently caused 67-year-old Hollywood actor Bruce Willis to retire, ending his career. Aphasia is a common side effect caused by COVID injections, and is associated with brain fog and failure to concentrate.

Aphasia leaves a person unable to communicate effectively with others, explained Johns Hopkins Medicine about the language disorder, which affects specific areas of the brain associated with language expression and comprehension.

Many people have aphasia as a result of stroke, the resource added.

Stroke, by the way, along with myocarditis and other forms of cardiovascular illness, is another common adverse effect associated with COVID injections. It is occurring in many otherwise healthy young people following the injections.

Its five minutes past midnight, wrote someone at Infowars. Wake up: they are murdering us via untested, warp speed COVID-19 vaccines.

Instead of coming out with an actual AIDS vaccine, Fauci came up with a vaccine to give you AIDS, wrote another.

More related news coverage about COVID injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources include:

Infowars.com

NaturalNews.com

Banned.video

HopkinsMedicine.org
(Natural News) Astonishingly, it is rapidly becoming apparent in the aftermath of the Dr. Bryan Ardis revelations about snake venom origins for covid-19 that many people  even some in alt media  are completely unaware that snake venom is commonly used as the starting point for pharmaceutical research.

Earlier today, a UK company literally named Venomtech announced a massive venom peptide and venom fragment library to be used for drug discovery by pharmaceutical companies (as well as pesticide used for agricultural companies).

The news was widely covered in the biotech media, including at News-Medical.net, which published the announcement, Venomtech announces new drug development collaboration with Charles River.

From that announcement:

Venomtech is collaborating with Charles River Laboratories, International Inc. to help drug developers explore venom-derived compounds for a wide range of therapeutic targets. This newly formed collaboration will bring together Venomtechs biology expertise and vast venom-derived peptide library, with Charles Rivers drug development and screening knowhow, providing pharmaceutical manufacturers with a one-stop service to explore this unique natural resource.

Venomtechs Targeted-Venom Discovery Array (T-VDA) libraries provide researchers with a straightforward solution to rapidly screen thousands of individual venom fragments, with each array specifically designed to maximise hits for a specific target.

The announcement carries this statement from Venomtech CEO Paul Grant:

Venomtech has been at the forefront of venom research for drug discovery for more than a decade we can now showcase our innovative technology, introducing the wider industry to the potential of venoms for the successful delivery of more leads, more quickly, for a broad range of [cellular] targets.

we can now offer our clients access to bespoke venom libraries, potentially accelerating their [drug] discovery pipelines using this powerful natural resource.

The Venomtech company is described as follows:

Venomtech is a global leader for venom research enterprises, based out of world-class laboratories at Discovery Park in Kent, UK.

[we are] helping our customers worldwide make pioneering advances in drug discovery, crop protection, and cosmetics. We have the largest library of naturally sourced venom-derived compounds in the UK, from a growing collection of vertebrate and invertebrate species.

Note that Venomtechs clients include pharmaceutical companies, pesticides companies and cosmetic product manufacturers. Venom-based molecules are widely used in drug research and other areas of biotech.

So to those in the corporate media  and even in alt media  who are expressing shock and dismay at Dr. Ardis claiming that snake venom is the most likely origin for research into SARS-CoV-2 gain-of-function enhancement or even covid vaccines, you are ignorant of the state of the art in biosciences.

The use of snake venom in pharmaceuticals isnt a conspiracy theory. Its a common practice, representing what most bioscience experts would describe as the cutting edge of drug discovery.

For the record, by the way, we are not ascribing any nefarious accusations to the Venomtech company here. We mention them solely to prove to any skeptics that snake venom is, in fact, widely used as a resource for pharmaceutical development (and it has been for decades).

What Dr. Ardis has claimed is not science fiction. It is the state of bioscience in 2022.

Anyone dismissing the snake venom theory in relation to covid treatments or vaccines is flatly ignorant of the resources used in todays drug discovery pipelines.

20,000 varieties of venom peptides

As VenomTech says on their own drug discovery page:

Our naturally derived peptide, protein, and small molecule compounds enable pioneering perspectives and solutions that have proven effective even on hard-to-hit targets where traditional approaches have previously failed. They affect a variety of molecular targets, such as ion channels, GPCRs and enzymes, with a high degree of selectivity and potency, reaping the benefits of millions of years of evolution rather than just over a hundred years of drug discovery.

Our customers have access to a library of 20,000 peptides, proteins, and small molecules derived from venoms  the largest library of naturally sourced compounds available in the UK  supplied as an innovative Targeted-Venom Discovery Array and custom arrays with a demonstrated track record of success for drug discovery applications.

We believe the Venomtech company very likely has a very bright future in its industry, by the way. Biomimicry means copying nature, and Big Pharma has a long history of pirating molecules from nature and turning them into multi billion-dollar profit centers. The best ideas come from nature, of course, even though the FDA and other health regulators claim natural molecules are useless and cant be considered medicine. Yet Big Pharma gets most of its blockbuster drugs from natural molecules, such as lovostatin molecules found in red yeast rice (now turned into high profit statin drugs).

Never forget that the symbol for the World Health Organization is a snake and a staff that dominate the planet:

And the symbol of the American Medical Association (AMA) is a serpent encircling a staff, resembling a DNA strand while also representing the idea of the serpents venom:

World Economic Forum brags about drugs made from venom, admits ability to synthesize venom particles using RNA technology

If youre looking for even more proof that snake venom is used in drug development, take a look at this article from the World Economic Forum, published as part of the WEFs Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils (2018):

Venomics  the scientific analysis of venom  offers some groundbreaking solutions to health problems from heart disease to diabetes, to managing chronic pain.

In fact, there are already six drugs approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States that are derived from venom.

But with 15% of the worlds animals producing venom of some kind, we have really only just begun to scratch the surface of their potential contribution to medicine.

Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, a type of drug used to treat high blood pressure and improve survival and reduce the risk of heart failure after a heart attack. Its main compound is derived from a species of pit viper found in Brazil.

Prialt, derived from the venom of cone snails, is used by some of the estimated 22 million adults in the US who suffer from severe and chronic pain.

Byetta is part of a new wave of drugs designed to lower blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. Its key ingredient, exendin-4, is found in the saliva of the Gila monster, a large lizard species native to the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico.

Synthesizing snake venom for mass production, using RNA technology

Also from that WEF article:

One reason for the growing interest in this field is that advances in DNA and RNA technology allow research to be carried out much faster.

For instance, traditionally, live venom would be extracted from the animal, then injected into an unsuspecting live rodent or fish to study its impact.

Nowadays, the DNA and RNA of the venom have already been identified, which allows researchers to synthesize its components and test out their theories.

Nanocarriers can stabilize snake venom peptides for delivery via water

In response to Dr. Ardis revelations about the possibility of snake venom peptide delivery via water systems, there has been almost derision from certain influencers who claim that snake venom wouldnt be stable in municipal water systems. In effect, they are absurdly claiming that tap water is anti-venom.

If that were true, all snake bites could simply be treated by drinking tap water.

In truth, the National Library of Medicine has published a study that reveals the existence of nanocarriers which can stabilize snake venom peptides in order to achieve delivery via water systems.

Entitled, Nanoparticles Functionalized with Venom-Derived Peptides and Toxins for Pharmaceutical Applications, the study abstract explains the mechanism by which snake venom peptides are stabilized in water and other solutions: (emphasis added)

Venom-derived peptides display diverse biological and pharmacological activities, making them useful in drug discovery platforms and for a wide range of applications in medicine and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Due to their target specificities, venom peptides have the potential to be developed into biopharmaceuticals to treat various health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic pain. Despite the high potential for drug development, several limitations preclude the direct use of peptides as therapeutics and hamper the process of converting venom peptides into pharmaceuticals. These limitations include, for instance, chemical instability, poor oral absorption, short halflife, and off-target cytotoxicity. One strategy to overcome these disadvantages relies on the formulation of bioactive peptides with nanocarriers. A range of biocompatible materials are now available that can serve as nanocarriers and can improve the bioavailability of therapeutic and venom-derived peptides for clinical and diagnostic application. Examples of isolated venom peptides and crude animal venoms that have been encapsulated and formulated with different types of nanomaterials with promising results are increasingly reported.

Mic drop.

So for anyone who thinks that snake venom cant be stabilized for delivery in water systems, they clearly dont know the state of the science. Nanocarriers accomplish the task quite simply.

Once you become aware of Big Pharmas technology, Dr. Ardis claims dont seem outlandish at all

The bottom line in all this is rather clear: The only people lashing out against Dr. Ardis claims about snake venom in covid-19 vaccine formulations or snake venom peptide exposure through various environmental vectors (water, air, contact surfaces) are people who are uninformed about the widespread use of snake venom peptides in medical research and drug delivery systems.

The shock that many people experience when first hearing about snake venom used in drug development is an artifact of their lack of knowledge about modern medicine. The widespread use of venom from snakes, lizards, frogs, cone fish, stingrays and other creatures is well known in pharmaceutical research circles. It isnt a fringe theory, nor a conspiracy theory.

It is a biological fact.

Millions of Americans swallow reptile venom every single day and call it medicine

Remember the WEF article linked above? It states, Prialt, derived from the venom of cone snails, is used by some of the estimated 22 million adults in the US who suffer from severe and chronic pain.

Millions more take Captopril, and there are several other venom-derived, FDA-approved drugs that are routinely prescribed by doctors.

The irrefutable fact is that millions of Americans swallow reptile venom every single day. They just call it meds.

The fact that most of them are completely ignorant of the origins of these substances doesnt excuse those in the corporate media or indy media for also being ignorant. Those who are going to comment on Dr. Ardis and the snake venom theory should at least familiarize themselves with the state of the art in biosciences. If they fail to do that, they are just flinging nonsense much like Jen Psaki at the White House.

And havent we had enough of all the lies and ignorance in our world? Isnt it time we listened to people whose words actually have a basis in fact rather than those who are pushing narratives to protect Big Pharmas dishonest narratives?

Here are parts 1 and 2 of my recent interview with Dr. Bryan Ardis, followed by my Situation Update podcast which further analyzes what may be going on with snake venom and covid-19 (also now called Covenom-19):

Part 1:

Part 2:

And heres my latest Situation Update that documents all this in more detail, including the World Economic Forum and its admission that their scientists can synthesize snake venom peptides using RNA technology:

Brighteon.com/88a49a34-64b0-4a90-89ff-8c148b11e323

Yesterdays podcast discusses mRNA transfection transhumanism and the reptilian-human hybrid phenomenon:

Brighteon.com/dc8f6219-379f-478a-91d8-8e0beb55312e

Discover more information-packaged podcasts each day, along with special reports, interviews and emergency updates, at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/HRreport

Also follow me on:

Brighteon.social: Brighteon.social/@HealthRanger

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ADDIS ABABA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The impact of the drought in eastern and southern Ethiopia is deepening, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has warned.

"The impact of the drought in eastern and southern Ethiopia is deepening and so are the suffering and loss of the affected pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in these areas," the UNOCHA said in its latest situation update issued late Monday.

The UNOCHA said the prolonged drought due to three consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020 has adversely affected 81 million people in Ethiopia's Oromia, Somali, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) and Southwest regions.

Noting that the number of livestock dying from lack of pasture and water is staggering, the UNOCHA said that more than 1.46 million livestock deaths were estimated by the affected regional governments, up from more than 170,000 deaths that were reported in the regions in January.

"This is a key indicator of how alarming the situation has become," the UNOCHA said.

It said surviving animals have a significantly deteriorated body condition, which has decreased their market value and has led to a correlated decrease in the purchasing power of households, who are becoming increasingly vulnerable with further limited coping strategies.

Food and nutritional insecurity have further soared because livestock remains the main source of nutrition and income for these communities.

Figures from UNOCHA showed that at least 286,000 people who have the means to travel -- 183,000 in Somali Region and 103,000 in Oromia Region -- have migrated in search of water, pasture or assistance, leaving behind their elderly and the sick, which is exposing them to higher vulnerabilities and protection risks.

"The situation is not expected to improve rapidly and will require a continuous engagement over the months to come, with a likelihood of a fourth consecutive poor rainy season," it said. 
(Natural News) People need to start getting ready for the worst as the global economy heads south.

In the April 7 episode of The Late Prepper, host JD Rucker discussed the importance of prepping. While most people would not be convinced about prepping until necessary, Rucker said things are already getting bad now. And its going to be potentially irreversibly bad here in less than one year, he said.

He also shared an article from Michael Schneider of the Economic Collapse Blog, who has been prepping for years. But while Schneider has been going on and on about such collapse for a long time, Rucker believes that it is now imminent.

According to Schneiders piece, experts are now telling people that the global shortage of fertilizer could result in horrifying famines all over the world, and to a large extent.

While Americans are still eating food from 2021, economists are already talking about food shortages. However, this is not always apparent because supermarkets and groceries still have supplies, from chips to meat, milk and eggs. Looking at the stores, things dont seem drastic  at least, not yet.

Prices are going up, but its not economic collapse  at least, not yet.

However, food yield is low, and there are farms that cannot put out their crops because of the fertilizer prices going up. It is not cost-effective and farmers are likely to lose money if they try to grow the crops and sell them. This is unfortunately going across the board. (Related: 12 Signs that food shortages are already here.)

Disruption in exports continue

The disruption in export flows resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, followed by international sanctions against Russia has spurred fears of the global hunger crisis, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where its effects are already playing out.

Russia and Ukraines vast grain-growing regions are among the worlds top producers of major commodities such as wheat, vegetable oil and corn, with their prices reaching the highest levels ever in March.

Ukrainian ports have been blocked by the Russians and there are concerns about the harvests this year as the war rages on during sowing season. Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices for a basket of commodities, averaged 159.3 points last month and up 12.6 percent from February. (Related: Farming insider warns upcoming food shortages will be FAR WORSE than expected.)

The FAO said the war in Ukraine is largely responsible for the 17.1 percent rise in grains, wheat, oats, barley and corn as the warring countries account for approximately 30 and 20 percent of global wheat and corn exports.

The biggest price increase so far was for vegetable oils, of which the price index rose by 23.3 percent and was driven by higher quotations for sunflower seed oil that is used for cooking: Ukraine is the worlds leading exporter of sunflower oil, and Russia is second.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the war is impacting the most vulnerable people because of the disruption of the breadbasket of the world. He said the sword of Damocles hangs over the global economy, especially in the developing world and that the UN must do everything possible to avert hunger and the meltdown of the global food system.

With the lack of fertilizer meaning far less food being grown in 2022, the war between Russia and Ukraine certainly took things to the next level. Global hunger has already grown in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, what will happen in the months ahead will be completely unlike anything that the world has dealt with in the past.

Follow Collapse.news for more information about the global food and economic crisis.

Watch the video below for more information about food shortages and The Great Reset.

This video is from the JD Rucker channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden casually tells Americans that food shortages are going to be real as a necessary price of his anti-Russia sanctions.

Inflation, food shortages and the ongoing energy crisis are all coinciding with escalating war.

Global food shortages about to become much worse as Ukraine halts all exports of commodities.

Ukraine farmers unable to work on their fields due to war, increasing fears of global food shortages.

Joe Biden warns of looming food shortages coming to America as occupying regime commits economic suicide.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

AlJazeera.com

DW.com
We adore canines. Almost everyone does. Big dogs, tiny dogs, yappy dogs, fluffy dogs - we call them pups and puppies, woofers and boofers, pupperinos and cutie-booties, and we cherish them like no other, the joy that pets offer to our lives, and for many people, it's a psychological bond.

Human-Dog Bond

Suppose you ask a dog owner why they love their dogs so much. In that case, they'll probably tell you that they have a strong and lasting link with them, care about them deeply, and know their dogs care about them in return, providing them with companionship, love, and irrefutable devotion.

In fact, over three-quarters of dog parents believe they can read their pets' thoughts.

Also Read: Lab Ranks No. 1: Labrador Retriever Hailed as America's Most Popular Dog Breed

Prefered Pet Behavior

The latest poll findings coincide with Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige's annual calendar day, which she started in 2006 to encourage adoptions.

74 percent of the 2,000 dog owners polled believe they know what their pet wants at any one time. Moreover, 71% believe their dog understands them.

Half of the respondents said it took roughly six months to reach that point after bonding activities like playing fetch with a ball or taking them on walks.

Teaching some of the simplest orders for dogs, such as "sit," "lay down," or "stay," began communication skills, while other commands, such as "down," "dinnertime," and "no," required longer.

Most dog owners are so familiar with their pets that 70% regard their dogs as mini-me since they have similar traits.

The study, conducted on Ollie's behalf by OnePoll, also asked respondents to describe their dog's amusing or unusual attributes and behaviors.

Owners are inclined to characterize them as "The Guardian" (protective, imposing, devoted), "The Family Dog" (easy to get along with, wonderful with children, gentle), or "The Class Clown" when it comes to personality (goofy, entertaining, clumsy).

Eighty-four percent of parents with Guardian dogs or Dedicated Workers (reliable, obedient, high-energy) feel they can read their dogs' minds.

Similarly, 72% of dog owners believe they know what their dog will do before it happens. And, according to 62 percent of "The Class Clown" owners, they understand what wacky acts their dog will engage in next, with two-thirds of those owners claiming to be as amusing as their dogs.

Why do we love dogs?

The partnerhsi[ started-well, no one knows when it began. Human and dog bones were first interred together 14,000 years ago, although some unsupported findings are thought to be more than twice as ancient. The discovery's significance is the broader point: humans lived with dogs and then decided to be buried with them. Think about it.

In recent decades, dog research has surged. Canine cognition labs have been established at universities, and scientists have studied dogs' intellect, behavior, biology, and talents.

Clive Wynne, a psychologist and the founder of Arizona State University's Canine Science Collaboratory, has a new book that takes readers through the burgeoning field of canine science. In it, he believes that what distinguishes dogs is their ability to create intimate connections with other animals - in other words, their ability to love.

Related Article: 7 Animals That Prove 'Forever' is Real in Mating

For more news about the animal kingdom, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Forecasters have predicted that the Easter weekend would bring the warmest temperatures of the year in New Jersey so far, with highs of up to 22C (72F).

The warm weather is likely to last through the week, with dry weather forecast for the majority of the country before the bank holiday weekend.

Due to the expected high volume of traffic on major motorways, travel advisories have already been issued, with the Brighton coastline being a favorite destination when the weather is nice.

This week's weather forecast in New Jersey calls for a mix of sun and clouds, mild temperatures, and only a minor possibility of patchy rain showers.

However, according to an expert from The Asthma Center in South Jersey and Philadelphia, this week could be especially difficult for allergy sufferers.

Spring has sprung in New Jersey

Much of the United States has seen bitterly cold weather in the second half of the year, and March has seen usual weather changes.

It's no surprise that many Americans are looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the fresh air and constant warmth.

This time of year, however, can be especially difficult for the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies.

The amount of pollen falling from trees and drifting through the air has begun to increase in large numbers, and this week's warm weather, with temperatures expected to reach the 60s on Tuesday, the 70s on Wednesday, and close to 80 degrees on Thursday, could intensify the pollen that's falling from trees and drifting through the air, as per NJ News.

Dr. Marc F. Goldstein, director of The Asthma Center and chief of allergy and immunology at Pennsylvania Hospital, part of the Penn Medicine health network, believes it will only grow worse as the weather becomes warmer and drier.

Pollen counts of ragweed are highest in summer and fall.

This year's ragweed, according to AccuWeather researchers, will be much worse than normal, not just in New Jersey but all over the eastern United States.

According to AccuWeather's spring allergy forecast for 2022, weed pollen will dominate the entire East Coast as a rise in moisture and warmth creates a suitable environment for weeds to thrive.

Weed pollen counts are projected to rise in the Mid-Atlantic region during the summer, according to the report.

In the late summer and early fall, weed pollen levels in the Northeast will rise to higher-than-normal levels.

Also Read: Increase In Pollen Grains Due To Climate Change Leads To Longer Allergy Seasons

Warmer weather in brighton

Friday, April 15, is predicted to start gloomy, but the forecast includes some comparatively sunny intervals and a little breeze to take the edge off the heat, as per Brighton and Hove News.

According to Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth, sun-seekers should head to the eastern parts of the country this weekend.

She claimed that if people are looking for sunshine, they will find it in the eastern states.

For the most part, temperatures will be well above average across the US over the bank holiday weekend, with the south east in particular likely to be particularly hot.

Temperatures will be warmer than average, but not hot enough to qualify as a heatwave.

Related article: Warm Weather Expected to Occur in the Northeast Until the End of the Month
US meteorologists have issued their latest short-term weather forecast.

It includes fresh warnings for multi-hazard weather conditions such as severe weather, fire weather, and a major storm system that is currently causing a blizzard across the Contiguous United States (CONUS).

Latest Forecast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Weather Service (NWS) has issued fresh weather warnings for potential life-threatening and disruptive weather hazards from mid-week and before the weekend.

The hazards include significant severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes; intense wildfires triggered by dangerous fire weather conditions; and further risk from the ongoing snowstorm due to the weather disturbance.

Its latest "short-range public discussion" was posted on the US weather agency's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Tuesday, April 12, and is valid from Wednesday to Friday, April 13 to April 15.

However, the forecast and warnings within the said "discussion" may be updated or changed in the coming days.

Also Read: Severe Thunderstorms and Critical Fire Weather Conditions Expected in Multiple US Regions on Friday

Significant Severe Weather

Severe storms with potentially heavy rain and flash floods are possible from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Midwest via the Lower Ohio Valley throughout Wednesday.

Related weather events, such as twisters, may occur in the valley from Memphis to Louisiana.

Widespread damaging winds, coinciding with a moving cold front and large hail, are also one of the deadliest hazards of adverse weather.

The NOAA - NWS said there is a "Slight Risk" for torrential rain and flooding in the region.

As the storms pass through a cold front, they will yield a significant downpour of rain along their path.

In addition, the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) noted that the "Moderate Risk" of the severe thunderstorms may wreak havoc from eastern Nebraska, Iowa, southern Minnesota, and southeastern South Dakota.

Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions

In the Western US, fire weather will also set conditions for increasing the growth and spread of wildfires.

One of these factors includes widespread sustained winds of up to 20-30 miles per hour (mph), said the NOAA - NWS.

Air humidity, soil moisture, and drought are also the main indicators of fire weather.

In addition, the SPC also issued a warning for "extremely critical" fire weather conditions, affecting the Permian Basin into southwestern Kansas.

Meanwhile, critical fire weather will pose a threat to parts of central and southern High Plains.

During a wildfire, the hotspot areas are forested or grassland areas. The spread of flames may transpire with little or without warning.

Major Storm System

A system is causing a major winter storm, bringing heavy snow and blizzard conditions, to parts of the Northern Plains, and this may continue until Thursday, April 14, based on the NOAA - NWS short-range forecast.

The accumulation of snow is expected to be between 1 foot and 2 feet from eastern Montana into the western-northern parts of North Dakota. It may reach as high as 2 to 3 feet.

Snow showers, along with a stationary front, have been forecasted through the central-northern Rockies and into the Pacific Northwest.

Moreover, the occurrence of related blizzard conditions, with a deadly combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds, are likely in the Central US, as per USA Today.

Related Article: Spring to Bring Extreme Weather Conditions in the US
Methane is one of the primary greenhouse gases (GHG) that contributes to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.

However, a bacteria has been discovered that can harness electricity from methane, as per a new study by microbiologists from the Radboud University (RU) in The Netherlands.

Microorganism-Generating Electricity

In their new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology on Tuesday, April 12, the RU microbiologists demonstrated this ground-breaking discovery by using a methane-consuming bacteria that can generate electricity inside the laboratory.

The microbiologists called the bacteria Candidatus methanoperedens, which uses the said GHG chemical compound to naturally grow.

The microorganism can be found in fresh bodies of water, such as ditches and lakes.

In the Dutch territory, the bacteria thrive in natural sites where both the groundwater and surface water are contaminated with the chemical element nitrogen.

This is due to the fact that the bacteria use nitrate elements to break down methane.

Also Read: Methane From Gas Stoves Worsens Climate Change and Harms Your Health

Potential Usage for Different Sectors

During the research, the RU scientists were astonished by the conversion process, highlighting its utilization for potential users, such as battery manufacturers, and other concerned industries.

As a result, the research team wanted to know more about its potential to generate power, which can be very useful for the energy sector, according to study author and microbiologist, Cornelia Welte, as cited by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Welte explained that the ability of microorganisms to burn methane produces a turbine-like system that generates power, wherein less than 50% of the biogas is converted into power, as cited by the AAAS.

With this, Welte expressed plans to evaluate if humans can do better using microorganisms.

From a macro perspective, the electrical power generation capability of the bacteria can also help the electric power industry in its task to generate, transmit, and allocate power supply to the public.

However, there are currently no significant action plans yet on how to integrate bacteria into the said sector.

A Measure to Curb Power Outages?

The said methane-electricity conversion process is also useful for impoverished or remote areas worldwide where the basic need for a power supply is almost non-existent.

According to the US-based international non-profit organization World Wide Web Foundation, approximately 940 million people or 13% of the global population are living with no electricity.

The group claimed that affected people are facing almost daily disruption, including a lack of internet access.

War-torn areas, including Yemen, and locations devastated by natural disasters are also susceptible to this kind of power-stricken environment.

According to The Washington Post, nearly 1.3 billion or around 80% of people without power in the Middle East are living in Yemen.

Methane and Climate Change

Various research has attributed methane to be more significantly powerful than GHG carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the planet once it reaches the atmosphere.

Although the presence of methane in the skies is common, human-caused GHG emissions of the compound are environmentally detrimental.

In light of the new study, the findings may not only help the energy sector but also serve as a potential tool for future climate study research since the consumption of methane means also mitigates the effects of the greenhouse gas effect.

Related Article: Seagrasses Found to Continue Releasing Methane Even After Death
Wildlife smuggling is rampant worldwide, and it is characterized by the unauthorized transfer of an exotic animal from one location to the other, but mostly between two or more countries.

Government by international laws and respective border authorities have their own measures in dealing with this crime.

However, recent anecdotal evidence and empirical research suggest that Norway allegedly practices the killing of smuggled wildlife after confiscating them.

Regardless, the potential issue is within a larger context of international laws that govern either the moral or legal legitimacy of handling wildlife trafficking.

Systematic Euthanasia

According to the non-profit and independent online publication UNDARK, the Norwegian government has been killing confiscated smuggled wildlife animals through the so-called process of systematic euthanasia.

The organization claims that in 2010, a traveler by name of Bjorn Avik traveled from Sweden and was carrying alcohol, tobacco, and 14 African gray parrots.

However, Bjorn was not caught by Swedish customs as he did not declare his items.

Upon entry to Norway, its border customs inspected Bjorn's vehicle after its plate has been registered by a camera detector at the border.

The local authorities confiscated the traveler's items, including the wildlife birds, claiming they have no permit from the Norwegian Environment Agency.

Bjorn was convicted of attempted smuggling of endangered species and was sentenced to 30 days in prison with two years of probation.

The said traveler was reportedly "expecting" the authorities would transfer the confiscated birds to a zoo.

Instead, a veterinarian killed the parrots purportedly under the direction of the Norwegian Environment Agency, said UNDARK.

Also Read: Wildlife Trafficking Plummeted Amidst the Pandemic, Giving Perfect Opportunity for Long-Term Solutions

Weighing in Legality and Morality

In a book about wildlife trafficking published by Routledge in September 2020, the author Ragnhild Aslaug Sollund from the University of Oslo highlights the empirical research from Norway and Colombia regarding the dangers of illegal trade of wildlife and the existing measures against them.

In the past 15 years, the research claimed that the Norwegian government has seized smuggled animals at least 30 times.

A number of instances showed that some of these wildlife animals were killed, as cited by UNDARK.

These activities have raised questions about a country's handling of animal trafficking, which led to Norway and Colombia being the subject of such scrutiny in the book.

CITES Multinational Agreement

In Norway, the Norwegian Environment Agency is responsible for overseeing and implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

It is a multinational agreement that aims to protect both wild animals and plants.

Under CITES, countries are required to send back confiscated animals to the exporting country or to a government-recognized rescue center or other facilities that the respective government deems credible.

First enforced in 1975, the agreement came into effect as a result of its first adoption in 1963 by members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Geneva, Switzerland.

The main proposition of the multilateral treaty is for governments worldwide to regulate or ban international trade for species under threat, as per the World Wildlife Fund.

Although the general provisions of the agreement are clear, there are no specific guidelines on how each country will interpret and enforce its own measures against wildlife trafficking.

Related Article: Cartels are Turning Into Illegal Wildlife Trade
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...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...In Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Washington. In Oregon, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon and North Central Oregon. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 10 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects. &&
KHARTOUM, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A tripartite mechanism of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Tuesday called on the Sudanese authorities to adopt measures to create a suitable environment for a serious dialogue to end the country's political crisis.

The mechanism made the call when Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan received here a delegation of the mechanism which included head of the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan Volker Perthes, the AU Special Envoy to Sudan Mohamed El Hacen Ould Lebatt and the IGAD representative Ismail Wais, the council announced in a statement.

"The mechanism seeks, through its efforts, to build a political consensus based on the widest range of consensus among the Sudanese," Mohamed Belaish, spokesman of the tripartite mechanism, was quoted in the statement as saying.

He pointed out that the solution to the crisis in Sudan should be based on consensual spirit and adopt a gradual approach in dealing with four basic issues, including constitutional arrangements, standards for selecting the head and members of the technocrat government, a work program addressing the basic and urgent needs of the citizens, and a timetable for holding free and fair elections.

Belaish also expressed optimism for an imminent breakthrough to the current crisis, reassuring the Sudanese people that they would soon see what would make them happy.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on Oct. 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

Since then, the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other cities have been witnessing continued protests demanding a return to civilian rule. 
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NEWINGTON  Hundreds of drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians die every year in crashes in work zones nationwide, including three such fatalities in Connecticut last year.

And in 2020, there were nearly 900 accidents in work zones with four fatalities in the state, according to the University of Connecticuts CT Crash Data Repository.

As construction season begins each spring, the industry honors those killed and raises awareness of work zone accidents and deaths. This year, the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week runs from April 11 through April 15.

In 2020, there were 774 fatal work zone crashes across the nation, resulting in 857 deaths, DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti said at the kickoff event at DOT headquarters Tuesday morning. Out of the 857 fatalities, 117 were work zone workers.

Work zone workers include DOT staff doing the construction, police officers and state troopers monitoring and ensuring the safety of the work zone and tow truck drivers assisting at the work sites.

In Connecticut DOTs history, 37 workers have been killed on the job in work zone accidents. A memorial featuring ribbon-wrapped orange construction cones is in the DOT lobby year-round as a constant reminder of the risks that workers face daily.

While many drivers view the orange cones and barrels signifying construction as a nuisance, since January 2020, there have been 1,650 crashes in work zones in Connecticut, involving 3,273 vehicles and 4,167 people, according to UConn data.

Early data from the UConns crash repository shows that in 2021 there were 748 crashes in work zones resulting in three deaths.

With the approach of the highway and roadway construction season, now is that time. We have to remind everyone of the importance of paying attention to the approach and drive through work zones so that motorists and our roadway workers are safe, Giulietti said. Maybe the number of crashes went down, but the horrific crashes are up.

Connecticuts DOT has a committee dedicated to raising awareness about work zone safety. It has organized the weeks events since 1999, according to DOT.

During the awareness week kickoff event, Giuletti read a proclamation from Gov. Ned Lamont, who was unable to attend since recently contracting COVID-19.

Those in attendance included Amy Jackson-Grove, Connecticut division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration; Mike Ellesio, director of fleet operations for AAA Northeast; and Naugatuck Police Officer Danielle Durrette with K-9 officer Indy.

For construction workers and police officers stationed at highway work sites, the roads are their offices, said Vincent Stetson, director of public works in South Windsor.

Imagine looking up from your work to see a minivan traveling through the work zone, with the driver never looking up from their phone or realizing they never hit a flagger. That is enough to cause very frayed nerves among the crew members, Stetson said.

When an impaired drivers goes barreling through the work zone, 15-pound traffic barrels go from being helpful tools to projectiles hurtling through the air toward our employees, he said.

Of the nations 857 fatal work zone crashes, 37 percent involved speeding, and 170 pedestrians or bicyclists were killed, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Stetson and DOT road workers offered tips on how to ensure a safe drive through work zones.

Texting, using social media, speeding and not obeying the orange signs leading up to construction zone are key factors in causing many of accidents, Stetson said.

Traffic jams become even more dangerous when road rage engages two strangers that cannot seem to merge into one lane in the work zone, he said. These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they are funerals, children that no longer have fathers or mothers, and spouses that must figure out how to have a future now on their own.

Smaller events and campaigns will take place this week to encourage drivers to recognize work zones and to be patient during delays.

On Wednesday, DOT and organizations around the country will participate in Go Orange Day, by wearing orange in support of work zone safety, according to a DOT statement. The public is encouraged to join in the campaign by posting online with the hashtags #NWZAW #ObeyTheOrange and #GoOrange4Safety.

At noon Friday, DOT encourages all residents to join the nation for a moment of silence to honor and remember people killed in work zone crashes.

Do not value the like button on your Facebook or Instagram feed more than your fellow humans working in the roadways, Stetson said in closing. You will have the thanks of a child, spouse, brother or sister that has their family member come home safely as your reward.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP)  Climate activists  including influential campaigners Vanessa Nakate and Hilda Nakabuye  are urging more banks and insurers not to back the controversial $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline that is primed to transport oil from the Hoima oilfields in Uganda to the Tanzanian coastal city of Tanga.

The climate crisis is affecting many people in Africa, Nakate said at an event on Wednesday, dubbed the Africas peoples annual general meeting. There is no future in the fossil fuel industry which has done more harm than good in much of Africa. We cannot eat oil nor drink oil.

The growing pressure mounted by environmental groups, under the banner #StopEACOP, has led to a growing list of banks and insurers quitting the oil pipeline project. Just this week the project suffered another major setback after insurer Allianz Group pulled out of the project. It joins 15 banks and seven insurance companies  including HSBC, BNP Paribas and Swiss Re  who have denied financially backing the pipeline in response to the campaign waged by numerous environmental organizations, led by the international group 350.org.

The 897-mile (1,443 kilometer) oil pipeline is billed as the longest heated pipeline in the world. The China National Oil Corporation and French energy conglomerate TotalEnergies, alongside the Uganda National Oil Company and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Cooperation, have remained firm in pushing ahead with the pipeline project which is expected to start transporting oil in 2025.

Construction of the pipeline will displace thousands of families and threaten water resources in the Lake Victoria and River Nile basins, according to 350.org. The environmental group goes on to say that the crude pipeline will generate some 37 million tons (34 million metric tonnes) of carbon dioxide emissions annually, fueling climate change.

TotalEnergies is putting profits over people and it shows. Communities in Uganda and Tanzania have been fighting tirelessly against the planned pipeline and the trail of destruction it is already leaving in its wake, Omar Elmawi, the coordinator of the #StopEACOP campaign, said. At a time when scientists call for the phasing out of fossil fuel projects, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it is ill-advised and irresponsible to go ahead with this project, while ignoring the cries of those most affected.

Environmental activist Hilda Nakabuye added that the pipeline would mostly negatively affect women and children through spillage, pollution and displacement along the proposed route. Climate campaigners have also filed a case against the pipeline at the regional East African Court of Justice that sits in Arusha, Tanzania.

TotalEnergies has defended the pipeline noting that it adheres to strict Ugandan and Tanzanian environmental laws. An environmental social impact assessment report conducted by the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment raised concerns about significant risks posed to wildlife notably chimpanzees in the Bugoma, Wambabya and Taala forest reserves.

Initially priced at $3.5 billion, the underground electrically heated pipeline will now cost $5 billion and is expected to start near Lake Albert in Hoima District, western Uganda. It will skirt around Lake Victoria entering northern Tanzania on its way to Chongoleani peninsula on the Indian Ocean transporting 216,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The pipeline is expected to displace over 14,000 households in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the international poverty charity Oxfam. But proponents of the project are citing a $2 billion annual revenue from the oil exports alongside some 12,000 direct jobs in its defense. Supporters say it will also encourage development on the continent.

Africa needs cheap stable power as that afforded by oil and coal to grow its manufacturing sector, Johnson Nderi, a financial analyst in Nairobi who supports the oil pipeline, said.

British firm Tullow Oil first discovered oil in the Lake Albert Basin in 2006, with recoverable oil estimates pegged at 1.2 billion barrels. In 2020, Tullow sold its entire stake to Total Energies. In early February, the oil pipeline's major backers, led by Total Energies, announced the conclusion of the Financial Investment Decision, signaling the commencement of the construction of the oil pipeline.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Hillary Levin/AP

CARLYLE, Ill. (AP)  A Kentucky man jailed in connection with the fatal shooting of an Illinois deputy and a subsequent carjacking in neighboring Missouri last year failed in an escape attempt, authorities said.

Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, escaped from his cell at the Jefferson County Justice Center early Sunday morning but was captured by Mount Vernon police, who had established a perimeter around the lockup, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said.
New Castle, PA (16103)

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Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. High 58F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 38F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Fujitsu announced it will launch a cloud service based on the same hardware used in the world's fastest supercomputer, Fugaku.

The first step in what it calls Fujitsu Computing-as-a-Service (CaaS) will be Fujitsu Cloud Service HPC, which offers the high-performance computing power of the Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX1000, which is based on the A64FX 64-bit Arm processor Fujitsu developed specifically for Fugaku.

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The A64FX is a 48-core custom Arm processor designed for HPC that does not use traditional DRAM memory sticks, or DIMMs. Instead it has 32GB of high bandwidth memory (HBM) directly on the CPU die sitting right next to the CPU chip itself.

So in addition to performance, Fugaku is extremely power efficient because it doesnt have any memory DIMMs sucking up power. Fugaku debuted at the number one position on the TOP500 list of supercomputers in June 2020 and has remained there. It also debuted at the top of the Green 500 list of the most power-efficient supercomputers, although It has since fallen out of the top spot.

In the coming months, Fujitsu will add services for its Digital Annealer technology and AI cloud services. Digital Annealer technology uses the quantum annealing process as a cheaper alternative to quantum computing, which Fujitsu says is very complex and expensive, to find the optimal solution to complex problems.

Fujitsu is really going all out to help customers with Fujitsu Cloud Service HPC. They will certainly be at least competitive with the big cloud providers in terms of offering services to customers and reducing the amount of work customers need to do.

Fujitsu says the HPC service will include support and a service integration platform, as well as a suite of software and libraries to help customers deploy HPC applications. The company will also offer consulting and tuning services for customers.

The on-demand HPC services, such as compute nodes, login nodes, job scheduler, storage, and application software for HPC are set up in advance. Users do not have to build their own HPC environment. They only need to prepare their data needed for analysis.

It will offer a simple transfer of research results generated on the Fugaku supercomputer to CaaS services, and users planning large-scale analysis and research projects will eventually be able to migrate to Fugaku as well.

Fujitsu will also offer the development of HPC utilization plans tailored to customers business plans, and services are offered on a consumption basis.

So while you cant initially run your workloads on Fugaku, you may be able to eventually. Satoshi Matsuoka, director of the Center for Computational Science at RIKEN, the research facility where Fugaku is housed, said that in the past two years, 149 companies have utilized Fugaku in 48 use cases, including trial operations prior to full-scale implementation.

We are working with Fujitsu to make its CaaS to be highly compatible with Fugaku to support such requirements, and we expect CaaS to become an important service for quickly connecting R&D on Fugaku to industrial use and practical implementation in society. Moving forward, we will collaborate with Fujitsu to further synergize Fugaku with this new service to provide its capabilities seamlessly in the cloud, he said in a statement.

Fujtisu CaaS launches in Japan in October, with international rollout to follow in the subsequent months. Fujitsu is taking advance orders starting now.
Finland-based telecommunications equipment giant Nokia has announced that it would cease most of its operations in Russia, in response to that countrys month-old invasion of Ukraine.

Nokia said in a statement that it would suspend equipment deliveries, accept no new orders and move our limited R&D activities out of the country, saying that it has been clear for Nokia since the early days of the invasion of Ukraine that continuing our presence in Russia would not be possible.

Russia accounted for less than 2% of the companys net sales in 2021, according to Nokia, which added that the move will not affect the bottom line in a significant way, and that the company expects to hit all of its immediate earnings targets going forward.

While the impact on the bottom lines of the companies involved is likely to be minimal, the same cant be said for the impact on telecommunications in Russia. According to an IDC report issued last month, major Russian telecoms had contracts with Ericsson and Nokia to help build out advanced wireless networks, and those plans are necessarily now on hold.

The impact of these sanctions will seriously delay the availability of new technologies such as 5G and edge computing, the report said.

Nokia did stop short of full divestiture in its announcement, saying that continued access to the internet should help provide outside perspectives to the Russian people, and that the company would keep supporting existing networks in the country by applying for licenses to provide that support without violating economic sanctions levied against Russia by the west.

Nokia joins one of its chief competitors, Ericsson, in pulling most operations out of Russia. The Sweden-based rival firm announced that it was taking similar steps in a statement issued Monday, saying that business with Russian customers has been suspended indefinitely.

According to Forrester senior analyst Alla Valente, these moves had been coming for some time, thanks to economic retaliation against the Russian government and the optics of continuing to do business with the Putin regime.

Given the burden from new and mounting sanctions, the cost of regulatory scrutiny, plus the potential reputational risk for remaining silent or not acting quickly enough created a very different calculus that cant be ignored, she said. Nokias decision makes sense for them and there are likely other companies evaluating the same decision. The longer this war continues, the more likely we are to see changing dynamics account for more companies halting or even exiting the Russian market.
DAR ES SALAAM, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania has embarked on a 10-year (2020-2030) research aimed at identifying improved cassava seeds, a cabinet minister told parliament on Wednesday.

Hussein Bashe, the Minister for Agriculture, said the research is intended to increase cassava production from the current 8.2 million tons annually to 24 million tons annually by 2030.

Bashe told the august House that the research was being implemented in selected agricultural research centers in tandem with attracting investors in the production of the crop.

He made the remarks when he responded to the Member of Parliament for Muheza constituency, Hamis Mwinjuma, who had asked the minister to explain efforts by the government to increase production of cassava.

Bashe added that the government is also inviting investors to invest in cassava processing plants in the east African nation. 
Relatives and friends attend the funeral on Tuesday of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as a territorial defense soldier and was captured and killed by the Russian army in Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine.
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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).
KIGALI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Wednesday remembered politicians killed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, at the end of the mourning week of the 28th commemoration, calling for an end to denial, negation and trivialization of the genocide.

The ceremony took place at the Rebero genocide memorial in Kicukiro district of the capital city Kigali, where wreaths were laid on the graves of 12 prominent politicians.

The event was attended by senior government officials led by Augustin Iyamuremye, President of the Senate, families of fallen politicians and members of the diplomatic corps, among others.

"The fallen politicians we are remembering and honoring today, opposed to and stood firm against the bad politics, discrimination, hatred, injustice and other atrocious acts that culminated into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi," said Iyamuremye during the somber ceremony.

He added that genocide perpetrators and their accomplices are using social media to deny and trivialize the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi which left more than a million people dead, saying that Rwandans should strengthen efforts in the fight against persistent denial and trivialization of the genocide.

"Genocide against the Tutsi was planned and executed by the bad politics of divisionism and discrimination that characterized the genocidal regime," said Iyamuremye.

Remains of more than 14,400 genocide victims are buried at the Rebero genocide memorial.

Adrie Umuhire, spokesperson of Rwanda's National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations, called on political parties and politicians to focus on promoting unity, peace and equality among all Rwandans.

"As political parties, we are responsible for promoting unity and good politics that advocate for good governance and peace among Rwandans. Discrimination has no place in our politics and we shall never tolerate those politicians with divisive politics," she added.

Umuhire said that genocide denial and trivialization among genocide perpetrators roaming freely abroad is being perpetuated through public seminars and social media channels.

Rwandans should join hands in the fight against genocide denial and trivialization, she added.

More than 1,000 Rwanda genocide suspects are still at large in regional countries and overseas, according to Rwanda's Genocide Fugitives Tracking Unit.

After the national mourning week, genocide commemoration activities will continue until July 4 to mark the 100-day calamity, during which more than one million people, mainly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, were killed. Perpetrators included extremists from Hutu ethnic group and Interahamwe, the youth wing of the then ruling party. 
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
AP

In Rio, rescue dogs watch out for their rescuers

In Rio de Janeiro, two rescue dogs have turned local mascots and budding online influencers after joining their rescuers ranks, wooing their growing audience, one bark at a time
Illinois State Police said just after 2 a.m. Saturday, a 31-year-old Champaign man who was headed east on I-74 was hit by gunfire from a car headed in the same direction.
SEOUL, April 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol nominated eight more ministers and his chief secretary on Wednesday ahead of his inauguration as president on May 10.

During a press conference, Yoon tapped Park Jin and Kwon Young-se, four-term lawmakers of the main conservative People Power Party, as foreign and unification ministers respectively.

Kim Dae-ki, former presidential chief of staff for policy, was named as Yoon's chief secretary, while Han Dong-hoon, senior prosecutor and one of close confidants to Yoon, was nominated as justice minister.

Yoon announced the nomination of Kim In-chul, former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies as minister of education who doubles as deputy prime minister for social affairs.

Lee Sang-min, former vice chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, was nominated as interior and safety minister, while Han Wha-jin, honorary researcher of the Korea Environment Institute, was selected for minister of environment.

Cho Seung-hwan, former chief of the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion, was tapped as minister of oceans and fisheries, and Rep. Lee Young of the People Power Party was picked as minister of SMEs and startups.

On Sunday, the president-elect declared the nomination of eight ministers, including finance and defense ministers, after picking the prime minister nominee a week earlier.

The prime minister is the only cabinet position that requires a parliamentary approval. 
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
Longtime university photographer Steve Buhman caught snapshots of Carbondale and documented life campus. Take a look at the moments Buhman has
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.
Telemedicine is a practice of providing medical care from a distance using technology, most commonly by videoconferencing.

Telepsychiatry, a segment of telemedicine, can include psychiatric evaluations, patient education, therapy (group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy), and medication management.

Image Credit: Julia Lazebnaya/Shutterstock

Telepsychiatry can entail direct interaction between a psychiatrist and a patient. It also includes psychiatrists who provide mental health care consultation and expertise to primary care providers. Mental health care can be given in live, interactive communication with patients or caregivers. It may also include recording and transmitting medical information, such as videos or images for a later review.

Benefits of Telepsychiatry

Video-based telepsychiatry can aid in meeting patients' need for helpful, easily accessible, and reasonable mental health services. It can help patients in various ways, including:

Increases access to mental health specialty care that would otherwise be unavailable (e.g., in rural areas).

Assists in integrating behavioral health and primary care, resulting in improved outcomes.

Reduces need to visit the emergency room.

Ability to bring medical care to the patient's location.

Improves care continuity and follow-ups.

Reduces the need for time away to attend appointments that are far away from work, childcare services, etc.

Reduces care delays.

Reduces the stigma barrier.

Minimizes the potential transportation barriers, such as a lack of transportation or the requirement of long drives.

Telepsychiatry During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the last decade, psychiatry has worked to understand and master the art of maintaining the clinician-patient relationship across a variety of technology platforms and settings that blends with in-person interactions, referred to as hybrid physician-patient relationships.



The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the conventional way of psychiatric assessment and treatment through face-to-face interaction. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the patient-related benefits of telemedicine were primarily focused on convenience and efficiency. The service eliminates the need for patients to travel to the hospital or clinic, as well as provides greater flexibility in scheduling appointments. Since the pandemic outbreak, the primary focus has been on safety and adherence to mandated physical distancing measures.



Telemedicine allows doctors and patients to interact without the risk of contamination. In the case of suspected COVID-19 cases, it allows for triage without exposing healthcare workers to the virus. Suspected cases can be evaluated remotely at first, and investigation and treatment plans can be developed accordingly.



It allows for ongoing patient monitoring and evaluation, as well as medication prescriptions, in primary care settings. It also allows for the continuation of out-patient services across all medical specialties, though the limitations of limited physical examination capacity affect some specialties more than others.



In psychiatry, using a telemedicine approach facilitates the potential for the preservation of a large proportion of doctor-patient interactions. It enables ongoing therapeutic work, particularly when a clinician and patient have a good working relationship.



When considering this approach, therapists must consider the individual needs of the patient and specific situation, providing enough time to complete the required preliminary steps and making sure that they are well informed about the present guidelines in the jurisdiction.

In responding to the current crisis and the associated risks for individuals with mental disorders, who are especially vulnerable to service undersupply, mental healthcare professionals must always be guided by the principle that high standards of care must be maintained.



As the pandemic began, a team of psychiatrists from various World Health Organization (WHO) countries reported that, unfortunately, most countries were not fully prepared to implement the telepsychiatry resource. The exceptions were a few countries like Colombia, Singapore, New Zealand, Kosovo, Egypt, and the United States of America, as telepsychiatry had played a marginal role prior to the pandemic. Apart from Kosovo, Egypt, and Singapore, all of these countries had local telepsychiatry guidelines. However, in most countries, it was primarily limited to private practice, and practitioners received insufficient training. As a result, while only a few countries had a semi-established telepsychiatry practice, even fewer had adequate training and local guidelines to support practitioners.



Countries like Italy, China, and Iran attempted to provide virtual aid groups via various social platforms like Whatsapp, Telegram, Skype, and Facebook. Integrating telepsychiatry with virtual support groups may improve mental health service accessibility and affordability.

Image Credit: Giuseppe_R/Shutterstock



Effectiveness

There is substantial scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of telepsychiatry in the treatment of mental illness. There is a hypothesis stating that treatment based on video conference achieves the same outcomes as face-to-face therapy and that telepsychiatry is a suitable alternative when face-to-face therapy is not feasible.



The first largest evaluation research study to find out patients' attitudes toward telepsychiatry was conducted by Guinart, D., et al. (2020), which yielded highly favorable results. The study showed that most subjects suggested they feel more comfortable at home, can save money and time on transportation, are able to express themselves more freely, and/or request less time off work, hence, are most likely to consider using telepsychiatry in the future.



However, a few subjects expressed strong feelings of lack of closeness, disengagement, fear of the doctors reduced ability to detect body language signs, nonverbal cues, and/or physical signs of disease, trouble finding a quiet setting, getting tests done, or filling out forms, technical difficulties, and a lack of resources (such as not owning a smartphone or laptop).



Telepsychiatry must remain tailored to the individual patients needs with shared decision making. The study also suggests that video conferencing should be preferred over phone calls, especially given current technology that allows for encrypted private communications.

Patients with sensory and/or cognitive limitations, such as mutism, cognitive impairment, visual or hearing difficulty, may especially require the use of additional technologies and/or human resources.

In a separate study where telepsychiatry was given to patients with depressive disorders, PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and/or schizophrenia, as well as for suicide prevention, telepsychiatry was also well received.

Future of Telepsychiatry



Revolutionary changes have been observed in telemedicine regulations in response to COVID-19, but it is uncertain if the current licensure, prescription, and reimbursement changes will revert to pre-COVID-19 rules as the federal and state COVID-19 emergency declarations end.



The COVID-19 crisis regulatory and system changes provide an opportunity for the field to learn valuable lessons and shape the post-COVID-19 world of psychiatry and telepsychiatry strategically. This work may lead to a golden age for psychiatric technology, in which we can combine the advantages of telepsychiatry and virtual care while maintaining the core of the treatment: human connectedness.



There are additional barriers to expanding the use of telepsychiatry in the future. Legal barriers, as well as a population's confined digital literacy or inadequate access to necessary tools, like an internet connection. In Colombia, for example, service users must receive simultaneous face-to-face support from general practitioners (GPs), limiting the use of telepsychiatry in remote areas with no access to GPs.

Most countries' inability to provide e-prescriptions adds an additional barrier; like in Iran, patients can access subsidized medication only with a hard copy of the prescription.



All of the above-mentioned barriers prevent telepsychiatry from being used more broadly, particularly to support remote or low socio-economic communities within each country. In other words, those who are most likely to require this resource are also the ones who are least likely to have access to it.

Read next: What is Remote Surgery/Telesurgery?

References:

Abbasy, Shamil. (2020). Importance and Advantages of Telepsychiatry in Mental Health During COVID 19 Pandemic. Psychology and Psychotherapy Research Study. 4. Doi: https://doi.org/10.31031/PPRS.2020.04.000585

Chakrabarti, S. (2015). Usefulness of telepsychiatry: A critical evaluation of videoconferencing-based approaches. World journal of psychiatry, 5(3), 286.

Ransing, R., Adiukwu, F., Pereira-Sanchez, V., Ramalho, R., Orsolini, L., Teixeira, A. L. S., ... & Kundadak, G. K. (2020). Early career psychiatrists perspectives on the mental health impact and care of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102085

Stoll, J., Sadler, J. Z., & Trachsel, M. (2020). The ethical use of telepsychiatry in the Covid-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 665.

Shore, J. H., Schneck, C. D., & Mishkind, M. C. (2020). Telepsychiatry and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemiccurrent and future outcomes of the rapid virtualization of psychiatric care. JAMA psychiatry, 77(12), 1211-1212.

What is Telepsychiatry? (2020). American Psychiatric Association. Available at https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-telepsychiatry

Further Reading
The replication crisis is an ever-present issue in scientific research. This article will look at this subject, providing a brief overview of this complex subject.

Image Credit: Tartila/Shutterstock.com

The Replication Crisis: An Overview

The replication crisis, also known as the reproducibility crisis and the replicability crisis, is a crisis that impacts the methodology of scientific research. Over time, it has been realized by several bodies that the results of many scientific studies are hard or almost impossible to accurately reproduce. The reproducibility of empirical data is essential for the scientific method, so difficulties in reproducing the results of a study or theory undermine its credibility.

Because of this, valuable scientific knowledge may be lost. The peer-review process is an integral part of scientific research, and if the data cannot be reproduced it cannot be validated. The crisis particularly affects the medical and social sciences. Considerable efforts in these fields have been performed into revisiting classic results, confirming their viability, and assessing the reasons for their failure if they are found to be unreliable. There is strong evidence from survey data that the crisis impacts every natural science field.

Growing awareness of the problem led to the term being coined in the early 2010s. The identification of the issue and considerations of causes and remedies have led to the new scientific discipline of metascience which uses empirical research methods to examine empirical research practices.

Both obtaining and analyzing data are involved in empirical research. Because of this, there are two categories of consideration concerning reproducibility. Reproducibility is the validation of the analysis and the interpretation of the data. Repeating an experiment or study to obtain new independent data which verifies the results of the original study is called replication.

Causes

There are a few causes of low reproducibility. A major cause is publication bias, where studies can become statistically skewed in the chase for significant results and overwhelming the correct results. Additional causes include questionable data analysis practices such as researcher degrees of freedom, data dredging, and HARKing. There can also be a failure to adhere to good scientific practice due to the generation of unprecedented rates of new publications and data, and the desire to publish or perish.

Scope

The journal Nature highlighted the scope of the issue in 2016 with a poll of 1,500 scientists. 70% of respondents reported that they had failed to reproduce the results of at least one of their peers studies. 87% of chemists, 69% of physicists and engineers, 77% of biologists, 64% of environmental and earth scientists, 67% of medical researchers, and 62% of all other respondents reported this issue. 50% had failed to reproduce one of their own experiments.

Additionally, several respondents reported that academic editors and reviewers told them to tone down comparisons to original studies when they reported failed replications. Sometimes the problem appears to be deliberate, as well  out of respondents to a 2009 study, 2% admitted that they had falsified studies at least once, and 14% said they knew someone who did. According to one study, this misconduct is more prevalent in medical research.

A 2021 study found that papers with reproducible results tend to be cited less than papers with findings that cannot be replicated in leading journals. The authors of the study stated that one of the reasons for this is that the review team may face a trade-off between maintaining standards and how interesting the paper is. Additionally, the authors stated that some papers create hype, and there is pressure to receive grants and court media coverage.

Psychology: A Field at the Center of the Controversy

Psychology has a particular problem with the reproducibility of study data and results. A 2018 meta-analysis study of 200 papers concluded that psychological research, on average, is littered with examples of low statistical robustness. Social psychology has been particularly implicated, but the fields of educational research, clinical psychology, and developmental psychology all have problems with reproducibility.

A study published in Nature Human Behavior failed to replicate 13 out of 21 behavioral and social science papers published in Science and Nature, two leading journals. In another study, 186 researchers from 60 laboratories failed to replicate 14 out of 28 findings despite large sample sizes. One explanation is the prevalence of questionable research practices in the field of psychology, including selective reporting, partial publication of data, post-hoc storytelling, and optional stopping.

In a study, a majority of 2,000 psychologists who responded admitted to using at least one questionable research practice. Solutions are difficult to realize in the field, but large-scale collaboration between researchers to make their data freely accessible is becoming more common practice.

Is there a reproducibility crisis in science? - Matt Anticole Play

Medical Science

Non-reproducibility of results in the field of medical science can have serious consequences. The US Food and Drug Administration, for example, discovered that 10-20% of medical studies between the years 1977 and 1990 were flawed. In 2012, Begley and Ellis discovered that out of 53 pre-clinical cancer studies, only 11% could be successfully replicated.

A survey by Nature discovered that more than 70% of respondents had failed to reproduce the results of at least one other study. Over half could not replicate at least one of their experiments. John Ioannidis of Stanford University has called for widespread reform, with one solution being to build a more patient-centric model of medicine instead of the current practices which favor the needs of physicians, sponsors, and investigators.

The Future

For research to be valid, the results and data must be reproducible, and currently, there is a crisis in multiple scientific fields. There are no easy solutions to the replication crisis, but researchers, journals, academic editors, patients, and advocacy groups can play a role in ensuring that robust standards are adhered to in scientific research. With increasing focus on the replication crisis, there may be a way forward that will improve the validity and quality of research exponentially.

References:

Serra-Garcia, M & Gneezy, U (2021) Nonreplicable publications are cited more than replicable ones Sci Adv 7(21) eabd1705 [online] Accessed 27 th Jan 2022 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8139580/

Jan 2022 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8139580/ Stanley, T.D. et al. (2018). What Meta-Analyses Reveal About the Replicability of Psychological Research Psychological Bulletin, 144, 13251346 [online] Accessed 27 th Jan 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30321017/

Jan 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30321017/ Camerer, C.F et al. (2018) Evaluating the replicability of social science experiments in Nature and Science between 2010 and 2015 Nature Human Behavior 2 pp. 637-644 [online] Accessed 27 th Jan 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-018-0399-z/

Jan 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-018-0399-z/ Ionnaidia, J.P.A (2016) Why Most Clinical Research is Not Useful PLoS Med 1396) e1002049 [online] Accessed 27th Jan 2022 https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002049

Further Reading
WELLINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand recorded 9,495 new community cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Of the new community infections, 1,828 were detected in the largest city of Auckland, according to the ministry.

In addition, 47 new cases of COVID-19 were detected at the New Zealand border, said the ministry.

Currently, 551 patients are being treated in New Zealand hospitals, including 27 in intensive care units. The ministry also reported 15 more deaths from COVID-19.

New Zealand has reported 793,740 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.

From 11:59 pm local time on Wednesday, New Zealand will move to the second highest Orange settings under its COVID-19 Protection Framework, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told a press conference.

Under Orange there are no indoor capacity limits and the seated and separated rule for hospitality venues lifts, so bars, cafes and restaurants are able to fill up again, Hipkins said, adding people are required to wear a face mask in many indoor settings. 
A clinical study from Spain recently confirmed laboratory experiments made by researchers of Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Kent who showed that the protease inhibitor aprotinin prevented cells to be infected by SARS-CoV2. The authors of the clinical study report that patients receiving an aprotinin aerosol could be discharged from hospital significantly earlier.

SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, needs its spike proteins to dock onto proteins (ACE receptors) on the surface of the host cells. Before this docking is possible, parts of the spike protein have to be cleaved by host cell's enzymes called proteases. In 2020, a scientific team led by Professor Jindrich Cinatl (Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany), Professor Martin Michaelis and Professor Mark Wass (both University of Kent, UK), conducted cell culture experiments and found that aprotinin, a protease inhibitor, could inhibit virus replications by preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.

In a more recent study, the research consortium further showed that aprotinin is also effective against the Delta and Omicron variants.

Now, a Spanish research consortium has published the findings of a phase III clinical study investigating the use of an aprotinin aerosol in COVID-19 patients. Among other improvements, aprotinin treatment reduced the length of hospital stays by five days.

This shows how scientific collaborations work even without a direct relationship between researchers. I am very glad that our cell culture study inspired this successful clinical trial". Professor Jindrich Cinatl, Goethe University Frankfurt

Professor Martin Michaelis, University of Kent, said: "Our cell culture data looked very convincing. It is exciting that aprotinin has now also been shown to be effective against COVID-19 in patients."
In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers compared the outcomes and characteristics of hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients during the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants dominant periods in Germany.

Study: Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients during B.1.1.529 (Omicron) dominance compared to B.1.617.2 (Delta) in 89 German hospitals. Image Credit: karegg / Shutterstock

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of concern (VOC) was initially reported in late November 2021, and it rapidly became the most prevalent variant around the world. Existing reports indicate that Omicron induces a less severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the previous globally dominant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) VOC.

Data on variations in features and in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients in Germany during Omicron dominancy relative to Delta dominancy are not carefully evaluated. Further, monitoring for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) is a critical feature of infectious disease control in Germany.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers evaluated the outcomes and characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Germany and estimated Omicron-induced COVID-19 severity, and the temporal patterns during the B.1.617.2 to B.1.1.529 transition period. For this, the team examined the SARI frequency in COVID-19 patients.

The scientists retrospectively analyzed the administrative data obtained from 89 German Helios hospitals. While laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Version 10, German Modification-code U07.1 (ICD-10-GM-code U07.1), SARI patients were identified by ICD-10-codes J09-J22. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were categorized by coinciding SARI, i.e., 1) SARI+ (COVID-19 with SARI) and 2) SARI- (COVID-19 without SARI). In total, 4,494 in-patients were assessed in this investigation.

Considering the dominating SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.617.2, B.1.617.2 to B.1.1.529 transition, and B.1.1.529), a nine-week observational timeframe was designed and split into three stages between December 6, 2021, and February 6, 2022, in this study. In in-hospital COVID-19 patients, the outcomes were assessed using regression analysis and controlled for gender, Elixhauser comorbidities, and age.

COVID-19 cases since the beginning of 2020 are stratified by encoded SARI. The colored bars represent three phases with respect to the dominating SARS-CoV-2 variants. SARI = Severe Acute Respiratory Infection; SARI- = COVID-19 without SARI; SARI+ = COVID-19 with SARI

Results and discussions

The study results displayed that SARI was frequent among SARS-CoV-2 patients, with the first four COVID-19 pandemic waves showing the highest occurrence rates. Nevertheless, SARI- patients outnumbered SARI+ patients during the Delta to Omicron transition period. The percentage of SARI+ patients reduced from 64.3% in the Delta dominant period to 30.6% in the Omicron dominant period.

Further, the findings demonstrated a dramatic change in COVID-19 patient features in the Omicron dominant period. COVID-19 patients in the Omicron dominant period were younger, female, and had reduced comorbidities than in the Delta dominant period. The mean age of the total SARS-CoV-2 cohort declined from 61.6 to 47.8 years with the Delta-to-Omicron-transition.

During the Omicron dominancy, the COVID-19 patients in the SARI+ group were older than the SARI- cohort. Further, the percentage of male COVID-19 patients declined substantially for the total cohort. The overall cohort had a substantial decline in the mean weighted Elixhauser comorbidity index of 8.2 during the Delta dominant period and 5.4 in the Omicron dominant period, and the SARI- cohort, while not the SARI+ cohort.

SARS-CoV-2 patients during the Omicron dominant period Swere less likely to require intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation, and they had a decreased mortality risk in the entire cohort and the SARI+ cohorts than in the Delta dominant period. In contrast, no drastic risk lowering was observed in the SARI- group for ICU treatment and mechanical ventilation during the Omicron dominant period, whereas the in-hospital deaths were reduced. Further, the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and hospital stay dropped in the total cohort during the Omicron dominant period compared to that of Delta. Similarly, the length of hospital stay and mechanical ventilation duration were reduced in the SARI+ cohort.

Hence, the authors stated that Omicron possibly induces less severe COVID-19. The simultaneous occurrence of SARI appears to be linked to the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. As a result, SARI surveillance might be critical for the COVID-19 pandemic surveillance.

Conclusions

According to the authors, this was the first study comparing COVID-19 patient outcomes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic fourth and fifth waves in Germany based on the dominating viral VOCs.

The study findings indicated that the COVID-19 patients during the Omicron dominant period were younger, more likely to be females, and had a lower comorbidity load than in the Delta dominant period. SARS-CoV-2 patients had a substantially decreased risk for mechanical ventilation, in-hospital death, and ICU treatment in the Omicron dominant period compared to that of Delta. This finding was likewise true for the SARI+ cohort. Furthermore, the SARI- cohort had more cases than SARI+ during the Delta-to-Omicron-transition period and the Omicron dominant period.

Overall, the present work illustrated that COVID-19 patient features and outcomes varied during the Omicron dominant period versus the Delta dominant period, indicating that Omicron infections were less severe. Further, the study states that persistent ICD-code-based SARI monitoring might be critical in COVID-19 surveillance and determining the severity of future SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains. Nonetheless, further studies are required to corroborate this observation.

*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.
CoVac-1, a new vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, induced T-cell immune responses in 93 percent of patients with B-cell deficiencies, including many patients with leukemia and lymphoma, according to results presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2022, held April 8-13.

To our knowledge, CoVac-1 is currently the only peptide-based vaccine candidate specifically developed and evaluated for immunocompromised patients." Juliane Walz, MD, senior author of the study and professor of peptide-based immunotherapy at the University Hospital Tubingen, Germany

While vaccination induces a robust immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the majority of individuals, approved vaccines have shown decreased efficacy in many immunocompromised people. Patients undergoing treatment for blood cancers represent one such population, as their treatment regimens often damage healthy immune cells, particularly B cells, in addition to malignant ones.

"In the clinic, we see many cancer patients who do not mount sufficient humoral immune responses after vaccination with available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines," Walz said. "These patients are thus at a high risk for a severe course of COVID-19."

Many chemotherapies and some immunotherapies destroy B cells, the immune cells responsible for humoral (antibody-mediated) responses. Currently approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines rely heavily on humoral responses, which may be impaired in patients with a B-cell deficiency. One way to compensate for this is to enhance the response from T cells, another type of immune cell.

"T-cell immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are of particular importance for patients with B-cell deficiencies, who develop very limited antibody responses after infection or vaccination," said Claudia Tandler, MSc, a graduate student at the University of Tubingen, who presented the study. "T cell-mediated immunity is indispensable for developing protective antiviral responses, and previous evidence has shown that T cells can combat COVID-19 even in the absence of neutralizing antibodies."

Designing a vaccine to stimulate T cells, Tandler explained, requires the careful selection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens-;small pieces of viral proteins that can stimulate immune cells. While the current mRNA-based vaccines produce a larger piece of a single protein-;the spike protein-;which our cells can break down into antigens, Tandler and colleagues chose six specific antigens from different parts of the virus (not limited to spike) to make up their vaccine. CoVac-1 is a peptide vaccine, meaning that the protein pieces are injected directly, rather than being encoded via mRNA.

"CoVac-1-induced T-cell immunity is far more intense and broader, as it is directed to different viral components than mRNA-based or adenoviral vector-based vaccines that are limited to the spike protein and are thus prone to loss of activity due to viral mutations," Tandler said.

The researchers previously tested the safety and preliminary efficacy of CoVac-1 in individuals without immune deficiency and found that all those who received the vaccine maintained robust T-cell responses three months after vaccination, including responses against omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, with minimal systemic side effects. These results provided the foundation for a phase I/II clinical trial testing the vaccine's efficacy in immunocompromised patients.

In the phase I part of this trial, the researchers recruited 14 patients with a B-cell deficiency, including 12 patients with leukemia or lymphoma. The patients were given a single dose of CoVac-1 and monitored for up to six months for safety and immunogenicity. Notably, 64 percent of the patients in this study had been previously vaccinated with an approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that failed to elicit a humoral immune response.

Fourteen days after vaccination, T-cell immune responses were observed in 71 percent of patients, which rose to 93 percent of patients 28 days after vaccination. The researchers measured the potency of CoVac-1-induced T-cell responses and found them to exceed spike-specific T-cell responses observed in B cell-deficient patients after vaccination with mRNA vaccines. T-cell responses from CoVac-1 also exceeded those mounted by individuals who are not immunocompromised following a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The researchers are currently preparing a phase III clinical trial to evaluate CoVac-1 in a larger population of immunocompromised individuals, and Walz is hopeful that the results will allow this new vaccine to protect cancer patients with B-cell deficiencies from severe cases of COVID-19.

"CoVac-1 is designed to induce broad and long-lasting SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity, even in individuals who have impaired ability to mount sufficient immunity from a currently approved vaccine, and thus protect these high-risk patients from a severe course of COVID-19," Walz said.

Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size with low racial and ethnic diversity.

Funding of this study was provided by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the State
A new study published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes [EASD]) finds that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - a large and diverse group of industrial chemicals found in many everyday products - is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes in midlife women. The study is by Dr Sung Kyun Park and colleagues at the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

PFAS are a group of more than 4,700 synthetic chemicals, first developed in the 1940s and which are widely used in industry as well as in consumer products such as non-stick cookware, water and stain-repellent coatings, food packaging, carpeting, firefighting foam, and even cosmetics. Their molecular structure is based on a linked chain of carbon atoms with one or more fluorine atoms attached, and the extreme stability of those carbon-fluorine bonds make PFAS highly resistant to being broken down. This durability causes PFAS to persist and accumulate in the environment as well as in the bodies of humans and animals where they can remain for years, leading to them being referred to as "forever chemicals".

Their ubiquity and persistence in both the environment and the human body has led to PFAS exposure becoming a serious public health concern, resulting in restrictions and even bans on their use. At least one type of PFAS was present in the blood samples of nearly every American tested by the US Biomonitoring Program, and they were also detected in the drinking water supply of more than 200 million people in the USA. A recent review of possible health effects of these chemicals suggests that exposure to some may be associated with pre-eclampsia, altered levels of liver enzymes, increased blood fats, decreased antibody response to vaccines, and low birth weight, although causal relationships have yet to be established.

Many PFAS have molecular structures which resemble those of naturally occurring fatty acids, resulting in them having similar chemical properties and effects on the human body. Fatty acids act on a class of protein molecules found in cells called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which act as fat and insulin sensors and are the main regulators of the formation and development of new adipocytes (fat cells) as well as the control of the body's fat and glucose levels. Structurally and chemically similar PFAS compounds could potentially interact with the same PPARs, disrupting their regulatory behaviour and suggesting a possible mechanism for these substances to affect diabetes risk.

Experimental studies with cell cultures suggest that exposure to the high levels of PFAS found in some humans may interfere with PPAR function, leading to increased production of fat cells, changes to fat and sugar metabolism, and abnormal inflammatory responses.

The sample group for the study was selected from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), an ongoing multi-site, multi-ethnic, community-based prospective cohort study of midlife women to characterise the menopausal transition and its association with subsequent health endpoints. A total of 3302 premenopausal participants aged 42-52 years who met the selection criteria for SWAN were recruited at seven locations in the USA during 1996-1997, and given a baseline clinical examination which was repeated annually.

The SWAN-Multi-Pollutant Study (SWAN-MPS) was initiated in 2016 to evaluate the roles of environmental pollutants in chronic diseases during and after the menopausal transition. It analysed the stored blood and urine samples from 1400 of the study participants, which had been collected by SWAN from the third follow-up (1999-2000) onwards. These were tested for the presence of environmental chemicals including seven PFAS.

After excluding women who had diabetes at SWAN-MPS baseline, as well as participants for whom insufficient data was available, the authors were left with a final sample of 1237 women with a median age of 49.4 years who had been monitored from 1999-2000 through to 2017. During the 17,005 person-years of follow-up there were 102 cases of incident diabetes: a rate of 6 cases per 1000 person-years. Compared to participants who remained free of the disease, those who developed diabetes were more likely to be black, from Southeast Michigan (a more socioeconomically disadvantaged area), less educated, less physically active, have a larger energy intake and higher BMI at baseline.

The authors observed that: "Higher serum concentrations of certain PFAS were associated with higher risk of incident diabetes in midlife women." They also note: "The joint effects of PFAS mixtures were greater than those for individual PFAS, suggesting a potential additive or synergistic effect of multiple PFAS on diabetes risk".

Serum concentrations of PFAS were categorised into high/middle/low exposure groups (tertiles), and a hazard ratio (HR) for incident diabetes was calculated by comparing the incidence rate in the 'high' or 'middle' tertiles to that in the lowest tertile (reference group). The team found that combined exposure to the seven different PFAS had a stronger association with diabetes risk than was seen with individual compounds. Women in the 'high' tertile for all seven were 2.62 times more likely to develop diabetes than those in the 'low' category, while increased risk associated with each individual PFAS ranged from 36% to 85%, suggesting a potential additive or synergistic effect of multiple PFAS on diabetes risk.

The strength of the association between combined exposure and incident diabetes rates also suggests that PFAS may have substantial clinical impacts on diabetes risk. The authors point out the 2.62 times increased risk was roughly equivalent to the magnitude of having overweight or obesity (BMI between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2) compared with having normal weight [(BMI less than 25 kg/m2 (HR 2.89)], and even greater than that for current smokers vs never smokers (HR 2.30) observed in their study population. They say: "Given the widespread exposure to PFAS in the general population, the expected benefit of reducing exposure to these ubiquitous chemicals might be considerable."

This prospective cohort study supports the hypothesis that exposure to PFAS, individually and as mixtures, may increase the risk of incident diabetes in midlife women. Although the effect sizes in men and other populations not included in their study are unknown, if these results are also applicable to men as well as to individuals of all ages and ethnicities regardless of location, then approximately 370,000 cases (around 25%) out of the 1.5 million Americans newly diagnosed with diabetes each year could be attributable to PFAS exposure. These findings suggest that PFAS may be an important risk factor for diabetes and have a substantial public health impact.

The authors conclude: "Reduced exposure to these 'forever and everywhere chemicals' even before entering midlife may be a key preventative approach to lowering the risk of diabetes. Policy changes around drinking water and consumer products could prevent population-wide exposure." They advise that regulations which focus on a few specific compounds may be ineffective and persistent PFAS may need to be regulated as a 'class'. Finally, they note that clinicians need to be aware of PFAS as unrecognised risk factors for diabetes and to be prepared to counsel patients about sources of exposure and potential health effects.
Poverty and crime can have devastating effects on a child's health. But a new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that some environmental factors influence the structure and function of young brains even before babies make their entrances into the world.

A study published online April 12 in the journal JAMA Network Open found that MRI scans performed on healthy newborns while they slept indicated that babies of mothers facing social disadvantages such as poverty tended to be born with smaller brains than babies whose mothers had higher household incomes.

MRI scans of full-term newborns born to mothers living in poverty revealed smaller volumes across the entire brain -; including the cortical gray matter, subcortical gray matter and white matter -; than found in the brains of babies whose mothers had higher household incomes. The brain scans, which were conducted only a few days to weeks after birth, also showed evidence of less folding of the brain among infants born to mothers living in poverty. Fewer and shallower folds typically signify brain immaturity. The healthy human brain folds as it grows and develops, providing the cerebral cortex with a larger functional surface area.

A second study of data from the same sample of 399 mothers and their babies -; this one published online April 12 in the journal Biological Psychiatry -; reports that pregnant mothers from neighborhoods with high crime rates gave birth to infants whose brains functioned differently during their first weeks of life than babies born to mothers living in safer neighborhoods. Functional MRI scans of babies whose mothers were exposed to crime displayed weaker connections between brain structures that process emotions and structures that help regulate and control those emotions. Maternal stress is believed to be one of the reasons for the weaker connections in the babies' brains.

These studies demonstrate that a mother's experiences during pregnancy can have a major impact on her infant's brain development. Like that old song about how the 'knee bone is connected to the shin bone,' there's a saying about the brain that 'areas that fire together wire together.' We're analyzing how brain regions develop and form early functional networks because how those structures develop and work together may have a major impact on long-term development and behavior." Christopher D. Smyser, MD, one of the principal investigators

Babies in the study were born from 2017 through 2020, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smyser, a professor of neurology, of pediatrics and of radiology, said that to successfully scan newborns during the first few weeks of life, babies are fed when they arrive for scans because they tend to fall asleep after eating. They are then snuggly swaddled into blankets and a device that helps keep them comfortable and still. The brain scans take place while they sleep.

In the study involving the effects of poverty, the researchers focused on 280 mothers and their newborns. First author Regina L. Triplett, MD, a postdoctoral fellow in neurology, had expected to find that maternal poverty -; referred to in the paper as social disadvantage -; could affect the babies' developing brains. But she also expected to see effects from psychosocial stress, which includes measures of adverse life experiences as well as measures of stress and depression.

"Social disadvantage affected the brain across many of its structures, but there were not significant effects that were related to psychosocial stress," Triplett said. "Our concern is that as babies begin life with these smaller brain structures, their brains may not develop in as healthy a way as the brains of babies whose mothers lived in higher income households."

In the second study, which implicated living in high-crime neighborhoods as a factor in weaker functional connections in the brains of newborns, first author Rebecca G. Brady, a graduate student in the university's Medical Scientist Training Program, found that unlike the effects of poverty, the effects of exposure to crime were focused on particular areas of the babies' brains.

"Instead of a brain-wide effect, living in a high-crime area during pregnancy seems to have more specific effects on the emotion-processing regions of babies' brains," Brady said. "We found that this weakening of the functional connections between emotion-processing structures in the babies' brains was very robust when we controlled for other types of adversity, such as poverty. It appears that stresses linked to crime had more specific effects on brain function."

Reducing poverty and lowering crime rates are well-established goals of public policy and public health. And the researchers believe protecting expectant mothers from crime and helping them out of poverty will do more than improve brain growth and connections in their babies. But if social programs that aim to help people reach their full potential are to succeed, the researchers said the policies must focus on assisting people even before they are born.

"Several research projects around the country are providing money for living expenses to pregnant mothers now, and some cities have determined that raising pregnant mothers out of poverty is good public policy," Smyser said. "The evidence we're gathering from these studies certainly would support that idea."
In a recent study under consideration at the BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth journal and posted to the Research Square* preprint server, researchers described the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced pandemic on mother-baby dyads immediately after the first wave of the pandemic, i.e., between March and August 2020.

The apprehension of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pandemic-induced lockdown stressed the general population, especially pregnant women and lactating mothers. Consequently, it was expected that the pandemic would hurt the emotional state of expecting mothers, breastfeeding rates, and mother-baby bonding.

Study: Maternal Mental Health and Breastfeeding amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic: outcomes in a Catalan cohort. Image Credit: HTeam / Shutterstock

About the study

In the current prospective observational study, researchers enrolled 91 mothers who gave birth immediately after the lockdown period in a public hospital in Catalonia, Spain. Notably, only 56 mother-baby duos completed the follow-up.

The current study assessed mothers perinatal mental health, the establishment of a successful mother-child relationship, and the newborns well-being during the first 28 days after birth.

The team executed the study in two sequential steps.

First, the researchers interviewed the mothers using a 36-question questionnaire that explored areas such as personal and family history of psychiatric disorders, breastfeeding intention, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the patients lives, and the economic condition of the household.

They also performed three psychometric tests, including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), to explore perinatal anxiety.

EPDS consisted of 10 questions in which women rated their emotional state in the last seven days before labor on a scale of 0 to 3. A higher EPDS score indicated a higher likelihood of depression.

The STAI-S test comprised 40 questions and measured both trait and state anxiety, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety. Similarly, the PBQ test diagnosed mother-baby bonding disorders through 25 questions, with scores over 40 indicating severe bonding disturbances.

Next, the team assessed the newborns health and well-being during the neonatal period. They telephonically interviewed the mothers on the dates when their newborn was seven, 14, and 28 days old and asked questions about the breastfeeding status, neonatal weight gain, and the childs overall health.

As a reference set, to compare the data collected for the present study, the researchers used data from the hospital records for the same time in the three previous years- 2017 to 2020.

Study findings

In the STAI test, pregnant women scored below the threshold; however, 25% screened positively in the EPDS test. Additionally, the PBQ test did not detect any anomalies in the quality of bonding established between the mother and the child.

Compared to three years before the pandemic, the number of mothers practicing any form of breastfeeding [exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) or mixed breastfeeding (MBF)] significantly increased during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the follow-up period, the authors observed no major health issues in babies, and the average neonatal weight gain in the first 28 days was adequate, with over 75% of the newborns gaining over 21.4 grams daily.

The incidence of depressive symptoms in the immediate postpartum period was slightly higher, with 25% screening positively in the EPDS against 21% at six weeks postpartum which was reported earlier. However, the study findings did not find substantial alterations in rates and severity of anxiety among pregnant women in response to COVID-19. Since the pandemic had worsened depressive symptoms, closer monitoring of mothers mental status might benefit women and their newborns during postpartum.

The stress caused by the pandemic in pregnant women did not adversely affect their newborns health, mothers moods, the establishment of breastfeeding, or impair the development of a strong mother-child relationship. Several care-related factors might have contributed to this positive effect; for instance, home visits by expert midwives 24 hours after early discharge helped closely monitor the newborn and enhanced the breastfeeding rate despite shorter hospital stays.

Over 33.9% of the mothers (19/56) claimed to be misinformed about breastfeeding, highlighting some negative aspects of clinical practice and a potential area for improvement.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated no adverse outcomes in women and newborns in the neonatal period immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors observed no concerns related to breastfeeding, mother-baby bonding, and neonatal weight gain, despite the difficulties imposed by the pandemic.

Maternal anxiety levels were under normal limits, and there was an improvement in breastfeeding rates than those observed before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, the authors advised that the mother-child dyads should have adequate means of accessing all the requisite information to reduce out-of-home visits to the emergency services. Additionally, there should be the highest level of coordination between primary care, multispeciality centers, and all the caregivers involved in the process, such as obstetricians, pediatricians, psychologists, midwives, and nurses.

*Important notice

Research Square publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The diameter of the thoracic aorta is a biomarker for heart attacks and other adverse cardiovascular events in women and men, according to a new study published in the journal Radiology.

The aorta is a large artery that carries oxygenated blood to the heart and other parts of the body. The portion that passes through the chest, known as the thoracic aorta, is divided into an ascending aorta that rises from the left ventricle of the heart and a descending aorta in the back of the chest.

The thoracic aorta grows as we age, but changes of vessel size and structure, a phenomenon known as vascular remodeling, have a systemic nature involving hemodynamic-;basic measures of cardiovascular function and blood circulation-;and biological processes that are also linked to cardiovascular disease.

While enlargement of the thoracic aorta is a frequent finding in clinical practice, few longitudinal data regarding its long-term prognosis for major cardiovascular disease outcomes at the population level exist." Maryam Kavousi M.D., Ph.D., study senior author, Department of Epidemiology at Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Dr. Kavousi and colleagues assessed these associations in 2,178 participants from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Participants underwent multi-detector CT scans between 2003 and 2006 and were followed for nine years, on average. Thoracic aorta diameters were indexed for body mass index (BMI).

Larger BMI-indexed ascending and descending thoracic aortic diameters were significantly associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes like stroke and death in both women and men.

"Our results suggest that imaging-based assessment of diameter of thoracic aorta can be considered as a risk marker for future cardiovascular disease," Dr. Kavousi said.

In women, greater ascending aortic diameter was associated with 33% higher cardiovascular mortality risk. Remodeling of the aging aorta seems to be different between women and men with faster deterioration in women.

"Aging could affect aortic health and structure more adversely in women than in men," Dr. Kavousi said.

The study findings suggest that cardiovascular risk assessment associated with thoracic aortic size among asymptomatic women and men could lead to effective, sex-specific prevention strategies.

"As the aortic diameter is significantly related to body size, use of aortic diameters indexed for body measurements could improve its prognostic value for cardiovascular outcomes," Dr. Kavousi said.

Thoracic aorta size assessment could easily be added to existing screening methods, the researchers said. The cardiac CT scans deployed in the study are already commonly used to assess coronary calcium. Thoracic aortic diameter could also be measured routinely, for example as part of CT-based lung cancer screening.

The current study was based on a single CT-based assessment of thoracic aorta among a large group of participants from the general population, followed up for nine years for incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. The researchers have recently repeated the CT-based assessment of thoracic aorta among these participants after a median of 14 years.

"This provides an exciting and unique opportunity to study sex-specific risk profiles and patterns of growth in thoracic aorta in the general population," Dr. Kavousi said.
As the midterm election season ramps up, the Biden administration wants rural Americans to know it'll be spending a lot of money to improve health care in rural areas.

It has tasked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack with delivering the message that the covid-19 pandemic exposed long-standing problems with health care infrastructure in remote parts of the country and pushed many rural health providers to the brink.

Vilsack spoke to KHN ahead of an announcement Wednesday that the Agriculture Department has awarded $43 million in grants to 93 rural health care providers and community groups in 22 states. Biden administration Cabinet members are fanning out across the country to promote the benefits of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act and a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to rural Americans.

"The health care industry, particularly in rural places, was stressed by virtue of either not having adequate resources to deal with the virus or having a circumstance where they just didnt have the capacity in terms of personnel or equipment or materials," Vilsack said.

Vilsack, who recently tested positive for covid, didn't travel to Pennsylvania for Wednesday's announcement. He said his symptoms are mild and he's continuing to work.

The Biden administration's push into the American heartland comes as midterm election campaign season gets underway. Leading Democrats have said their party can't afford to lose more votes from the nation's core, particularly if they want to maintain control of the evenly divided Senate, where Vice President Kamala Harris can cast tiebreaking votes.

Although urban voters overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election, rural voters backed Donald Trump 2-to-1, according to the Pew Research Center. In February, Montana Sen. Jon Tester criticized fellow Democrats, saying they didn't show up enough in Middle America. He even located it for them  "the area between the two mountain ranges, the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains." In the high-stakes Senate contest in Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a leading Democratic candidate, told The Associated Press recently that his party can't afford to ignore voters from rural areas.

Democrats' rural problems reflect the divide among voters, which intensified during the pandemic as people argued over what covid-related rules they should have to live by. That split can be seen in covid vaccination rates. As of March, urban counties in 46 states had higher covid vaccination rates than their rural counterparts, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Biden administration recently unveiled a "rural playbook" that touts the billions of dollars the infrastructure law will funnel into areas with far-flung resources. Projects include expanding high-speed internet, creating clean drinking water and modern waste systems, spurring good-paying jobs  and, in the case of Wednesday's Agriculture Department announcement, improving access to health care.

Jeremy Johnson, a political scientist at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, said he doubts the strategy will bring rural voters back to Democrats in the midterms. Montana Democrats made health care a top issue in the 2020 election and still got swept by Republicans in statewide and federal elections.

"Its good that were discussing these issues, but it just seems like our system has evolved to be very combative," said Johnson, who focuses on health in politics. "If people agree on things, they dont even talk about it that much."

Vilsack said the point is improving rural health care, not to score points for Democrats.

"Whether this gains political support or not isnt the purpose," Vilsack said. "The purpose of this is to basically say, 'Look, we want you to know that when this law was written, it was specifically written with rural as well as other parts of the country in mind.'"

The grants announced Wednesday are the first stage of allocations from $475 million set aside for rural health care organizations through the American Rescue Plan Act.

How the money will be used varies from one grantee to the next. In Pittston, Pennsylvania  the site of the Agriculture Department's announcement of the grants  the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance Association is using its $226,900 to buy emergency care gear. In Atchison County, Kansas, a hospital will use its $414,800 to replace revenue lost during the pandemic.

In Terry, Montana, a hospital was awarded about $500,000 to upgrade its emergency room. Burt Keltner, CEO of the Prairie County Hospital District, said the critical-access hospital, built in the 1970s, had fallen into disrepair until staff began making upgrades after 2016. Keltner said that after two years of operating at the covid political flashpoint, he's relieved the hospital is working on a project that goes beyond the pandemic.

"The reality is our community is aging, and its not getting younger  people are leaving, people are dying," Keltner said. "We are what those people are going to need whether they want us or not."
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology, researchers examined the risk of breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, hospitalizations, and mortality among COVID-19-vaccinated cancer patients.

Background

Before the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccination, studies reported that cancer patients were at an elevated risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severe disease. Although vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been effective in real-world settings, breakthrough infections have often been documented.

According to one study, cancer patients or those undergoing anti-cancer treatment demonstrated poor immune responses following messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine administration, compared to healthy controls.

In contrast, another study observed that these population sub-groups developed adequate immunity in response to vaccination. Nonetheless, not much is known about COVID-19 breakthrough cases, hospitalization, and mortality of vaccinated cancer patients.

About the study

In the current study, researchers analyzed the electronic health records of vaccinated patients with cancer and characterized breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 cases, hospitalization, and mortality among this subset of the population.

The study population had been diagnosed with at least one of the 12 most common cancers in the United States  bladder, colorectal, breast, lung, liver, endometrial, hematologic, pancreatic, skin, prostate, and thyroid cancers.

A control group with vaccinated subjects without any cancer diagnoses was instituted. Eligible participants had evidence of COVID-19 vaccination between December 2020 and November 2021 with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection before vaccination.

The monthly incidence and the cumulative risk of breakthrough cases were also estimated. The authors assessed if cancer increased the risk for breakthrough infections and whether the risk profiles differed between those who had medical encounters with cancer in the past year and those who did not. Additionally, the risk of hospitalization and mortality in breakthrough cases was investigated relative to non-breakthrough cases.

Breakthrough infections were compared between cancer and non-cancer patients after propensity score matching for demographics, social determinants of health (SDOHs), comorbidities, and vaccine types (mRNA or adenoviral-vectored vaccines). Similarly, propensity scores were matched for the corresponding parameters between those with a history of a medical encounter with cancer within one year and those without.

Findings

The study population comprised 45,253 vaccinated patients with cancers, and the control group had over 0.59 million vaccinated patients without cancers. The mean age of cancer patients was 68.7 years, and 53.5% of them were females. About 74.1% were White individuals, 15.4% were Black, 4.9% were Hispanic, and 3.8% were Asian. In the control group, the mean age was 51.1 years, 55.1% of them were females, and over 62%, 14.2%, 12.2%, and 8.3% were White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian, respectively.

The monthly incidence rates of breakthrough infections increased steadily in the study period across both cohorts but were significantly higher in the cancer patients than in the controls. The cumulative risk for cancer patients was 13.6% compared to 4.9% for the controls. The highest risks were noted among patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancers (24.7%) and liver cancers (22.8%), and the lowest risk was observed among those diagnosed with thyroid cancer (10.3%). This indicates that cancer was a risk factor for breakthrough infections among the vaccinated cohort.

Likewise, the risk of breakthrough infections was higher among individuals with a recent medical encounter with cancer within a year than those who did not have a history of medical encounters.

Overall, the risk of hospitalization for cancer patients with breakthrough infections was 31.6% compared to 3.9% for those without breakthrough infections. Likewise, the corresponding mortality risks were 6.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Among the control patients, the risk of hospitalization was 25.9% in patients who had breakthrough infections compared to 3% in the non-breakthrough cohort and the corresponding mortality risks were 2.7% and 0.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study findings showed that breakthrough infections increased during the study period among cancer and non-cancer patients, indicating the waning of immune responses following vaccination, and that cancer was a risk factor. Notably, the incidence of breakthrough infections was higher in cancer patients than in controls, reflecting their increased susceptibility or less protective nature of COVID-19 vaccines among this population group.

Additionally, breakthrough infections were significantly associated with hospitalization and mortality risk among SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated cancer patients, emphasizing the indispensable need to follow mitigation or preventive measures.
A recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server assessed the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its vaccination on antibody responses.

Background

Various studies have reported the induction of higher neutralization potency by three severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations as compared to that of double vaccinations or convalescent individuals. However, antibody titers have been reported to be significantly lower in the case of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant as compared to those for the wildtype (WT) or the Delta strains.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers examined the affinity and concentration of antibodies against the spike (S) protein of the receptor-binding domains (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 WT, Delta, and Omicron strains. They also assessed the influence of COVID-19 and its vaccination on antibody concentration and affinity.

The team obtained heparin plasma samples from 50 pre-Omicron patients who were hospitalized at the University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Among these 50 samples, 49 were assessed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity against the WT S protein. Microfluidic antibody affinity profiling (MAAP) was used to evaluate the complicated antibody affinity in SARS-CoV-2-infected plasma samples. The team also analyzed the anti-Omicron affinity of patients who were diagnosed with a pre-Omicron infection or had received vaccines in the pre-Omicron period.

The pre-Omicron samples were examined using MAAP for SARS-CoV-2 WT, Delta, and Omicron RBD. The team also assessed the antibody isotypes and subtypes in the samples and estimated the antibody affinities and concentrations in the serum samples. Furthermore, antibody affinity and concentration profiles were characterized into four cohorts: (1) infected but not vaccinated; (2) non-infected but vaccinated; (3) infected and vaccinated; (4) treated with a combination of two monoclonal antibodies, called REGN-COV.

The team also evaluated the levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgA, IgM, antibodies against the WT S ectodomain (ECD), the WT S1, the WT S2, the WT RBD, the Omicron RBD, the Delta RBD, and the nucleocapsid (NC) proteins. Furthermore, they ascertained the correlation of antibody affinity and concentration with parameters like age, gender, the number of vaccinations, disease severity, and treatment with REGN-COV.

Results

The study results showed that the eligible patients had a median age of 65 years while the median number of days post-onset (DPO) of disease manifestation was 12. A total of 19 patients reported COVID-19 history.

There was a significant decline in the affinity of monoclonal antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron RBD. Among the 50 pre-Omicron samples studied, 41 included two patients who had no history of prior COVID-19 or vaccination, eight who had a history of COVID-19 but were not vaccinated, 20 who had never been infected but were vaccinated with either BNT162b2 or messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-1273 vaccines, and 11 who had a history of both prior COVID-19 and vaccination.

The antibody affinity constants ranged between 3.59 M-1 and 943.3 M-1, indicating an almost 250-fold affinity range. The IgG concentrations were between three and 49,074 nM. The team also observed an overall reduction in the affinity constants of the antibodies in the case of Omicron as compared to the WT and the Delta strains.

Moreover, there were no substantial differences in the affinity constants of the quantifiable and non-quantifiable samples between any of the antigens, serum samples, or samples that had an infection and/or a vaccine-induced response. However, an increase in the evasion of antibody binding was noted for Omicron.

Overall, following a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection, the antibody response was less susceptible to a substantial decline in Omicron binding as compared to that in monoclonal antibodies.

Antibody profiling showed that the antibody response was predominated by IgG, followed by IgA and IgM. Except for IgG2, all IgG subtypes were responsible for the IgG response against the SARS-CoV-2 S domains. The team also found significant levels of IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 NC in almost all patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Furthermore, the researchers found a remarkable positive correlation among the antibody isotypes or subtypes, which could be attributed to the presence of all domains within the viral S-ECD. Notably, true correlations were found between IgG1 and IgG, while spurious correlations were found between IgM, IgG, and IgG2. Disease severity was positively associated with the antibody reactivity against the NC protein, for the IgG1, IgG3, and IgA while an increasing number of vaccinations was negatively associated with NC for IgG1 and IgA.

Overall, the study findings showed that the SARS-CoV-2 WT and Delta S proteins could induce a potent polyclonal immune response against the Omicron S with comparable antibody affinity. The researchers believed that post-infection and/or vaccination, B-cell-mediated immunity could elicit a response that was robust enough to protect against newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

*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.
by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The deteriorating humanitarian conditions in war-torn Yemen drew the world's attention to the ongoing two-month ceasefire between Yemen's warring parties, and the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) following the Yemeni peace talks held in the Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh from March 29 to April 7.

Some Egyptian experts regard the ceasefire as a "turning point" not only in Yemen's political landscape, but also in the strategies implemented by Saudi Arabia, the Gulf country that has been leading an anti-Houthi military campaign in Yemen since 2015.

TURNING POINT

The Yemeni scene is heading towards "a major turning point" based on two main variables, said Ahmed Eliba, a political researcher at Cairo-based Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS).

The first change is related to the form of the political authority in Yemen. "The structure of the new authority reveals a gradual return to the rules of governance in Yemen that corresponds to the latest developments," Eliba told Xinhua.

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi announced Thursday in Riyadh that he has handed over his power to the newly-formed PLC that will succeed him in running the government and holding peace talks with the Houthis.

He explained that the formation of the PLC is a replacement of the role of tribes, which the typical Yemeni authority relied on, with an alliance of political forces, but "it is too early to judge the strength of this alliance."

The eight-member PLC is headed by Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, an advisor to Hadi and former interior minister under the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Al-Alimi is known for close ties with various factions in Yemen as well as with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The second change is related to Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Yemeni crisis, according to Eliba.

"Saudi Arabia intends to end its military role in the Yemeni crisis," he said.

He noted that the ongoing UN-brokered truce reached in early April between the Houthi militia and the Yemeni government forces could be "a prelude to a future security agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis for a ceasefire."

LONG WAY TO GO

The process of "transition of power" did not come within a process of "political transition" that comprises all the conflicting parties in Yemen, particularly the Houthis, which indicates that "it is still too early to reach a real project for a settlement in Yemen," according to Eliba.

For his part, Gehad Auda, a political science professor at Helwan University, preferred to describe the results of the inter-Yemeni talks in Riyadh as "a beginning" and "a good step" towards a settlement in Yemen rather than "a turning point."

The success of the Yemeni dialogue in Riyadh depends on the agreement between Saudi Arabi that backs the Yemeni government and Iran that supports the Houthis, said Auda.

"There will be a solution to the crisis, but it will be slow and longstanding," the professor told Xinhua.

The "big and complicated" Yemeni issue needs the mediation of other powers, like the United States, Britain and Israel, which have a base on the Yemeni island of Socotra, he noted.

Otherwise, it will remain a regional issue, he added. 
LISBON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government decided on Tuesday to extend the "state of alert" due to the COVID-19 pandemic until April 22.

According to a statement of the Council of Ministers released Tuesday, the resolution "maintains the measures currently in force unchanged", including the mandatory use of masks in public indoor spaces, health services, and transport.

For those who do not have the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the negative test for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains mandatory in visits to nursing homes and health facilities.

The alert situation is the lowest level of response to disaster situations provided for in the Civil Protection Basic Law, and its validity will end on April 18.

Positive cases and hospitalizations are decreasing in Portugal, but mortality from COVID-19 "maintains a growing trend", according to the Portuguese Directorate-General for Health.

For every one million inhabitants, 29 people died in the last 14 days, considering that the "red line" stipulated by Portugal is 20 deaths per million inhabitants. 
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found that Zika virus can mutate to become more infective-;and potentially break through pre-existing immunity.

"The world should monitor the emergence of this Zika virus variant," says LJI Professor Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., who co-led the Cell Reports study with Professor Pei-Yong Shi, Ph.D., of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

Zika virus is carried by mosquitoes, and the symptoms of Zika infection are usually mild in adults. However, the virus can infect a developing fetus, resulting in birth defects such as microcephaly.

Zika virus and dengue virus overlap in many countries worldwide. Like Zika, dengue virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, and thus shares many biological properties. In fact, the viruses are similar enough that the immune response sparked by prior dengue exposure can offer protection against Zika.

In areas where Zika is prevalent, a vast majority of people have already been exposed to dengue virus and have both T cells and antibodies that cross-react." Sujan Shresta, PhD, Professor, La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Unfortunately, both viruses are also quick to mutate. "Dengue and Zika are RNA viruses, which means they can change their genome," explains Shresta. "When there are so many mosquitoes and so many human hosts, these viruses are constantly moving back and forth and evolving.

To study Zika's fast-paced evolution, the LJI team recreated infection cycles that repeatedly switched back and forth between mosquito cells and mice. This work gave the LJI scientists a window into how Zika virus naturally evolves as it encounters more hosts.

The researchers found it is relatively easy for Zika virus to acquire a single amino acid change that allows the virus to make more copies of itself-;and help infections take hold more easily. This mutation (called NS2B I39V/I39T mutation) boosts the virus's ability to replicate in both mice and mosquitoes. This Zika variant also showed increased replication in human cells.

"This single mutation is sufficient to enhance Zika virus virulence," says study first author Jose Angel Regla-Nava, Ph.D., former postdoctoral researcher at LJI and current Associate Professor at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. "A high replication rate in either a mosquito or human host could increase viral transmission or pathogenicity-;and cause a new outbreak."

Adds Shresta, "The Zika variant that we identified had evolved to the point where the cross-protective immunity afforded by prior dengue infection was no longer effective in mice. Unfortunately for us, if this variant becomes prevalent, we may have the same issues in real life."

So how can we prepare for this kind of variant? Shresta's laboratory is already looking at ways to tailor Zika vaccines and treatments that counteract this dangerous mutation. She will also continue to work closely with Regla-Nava to better understand exactly how this mutation helps Zika replicate more efficiently.

"We want to understand at what point in the viral life cycle this mutation makes a difference," says Shresta.
Kent McCoskey was brutally beaten inside of his New Albany home on Sunday evening. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for expenses related to the incident.
BERLIN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The German Public Prosecutor General on Wednesday filed charges against a 20-year-old man for the attempted formation of a right-wing terrorist organization and for preparing a serious act of state-endangering violence.

Before his arrest in September 2021, the German citizen had researched potential targets for attacks and produced unconventional explosive devices with a blast "that achieved a level of effectiveness roughly comparable to military explosives," according to the prosecutor.

In the summer of 2021, the accused man allegedly decided to "ignite a race and civil war" in Germany, based on the ideology propagated by the U.S. terrorist group Atomwaffen Division (AWD). The accused had sought to establish his own branch of AWD in Germany.

Only a week ago, the German Prosecutor's Office took action against militant neo-Nazi networks with nationwide raids, leading to four arrests. The operation was targeting 50 individuals and was also directed against a German AWD branch. 
(Newser)  Update: It's more than five years behind bars for Virgil Griffith, the hacker accused of helping North Korea evade US sanctions with his cryptocurrency tips. NBC News reports the 39-year-old received a 63-month prison sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy; he admitted to presenting at a Pyongyang crypto conference in 2019, despite the US government telling him not to go. The BBC notes Griffith was also hit with a $100,000 fine. "Justice has been served," US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Griffith's attorney says he's disappointed with the sentence but glad to see the judge acknowledging "Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively." He faced up to 20 years. Our original story from December 2019 follows:

His seminar was entitled "Blockchain and Peace," but US authorities didn't find anything peaceful about it. Now Virgil Griffith, a 36-year-old described by the Los Angeles Times as a "rabble-rousing computer scientist," has been arrested, taken into custody at LAX on Thursday by FBI agents after being accused of helping North Korea evade US sanctions. Per a criminal complaint, Griffith, who works at the Ethereum Foundation, allegedly traveled to Pyongyang "in or about" April to attend a cryptocurrency conference.

He was denied permission to go there by the State Department due to US sanctions against North Korea, but Griffith snuck in anyway, via China, the complaint alleges. While at the conference, Griffith is said to have given a presentation on cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum, as well as on blockchain, the tech underlying these types of systems. However, prosecutors say Griffith took direction from a conference organizer to gear remarks on how cryptocurrency could be used to launder money and get around sanctions.

Per Business Insider, UN experts have warned that North Korean hackers are known for swiping cryptocurrency to funnel to state activities; the feds say Griffith's e-communications suggest he had an awareness that North Korea may use cryptocurrency to circumvent sanctions, Ars Technica reports. An ethereum co-founder took to Twitter on Sunday to back up his colleague, noting Griffith didn't offer any information not available online. Prosecutors have charged Griffith with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which could bring him 20 years in prison. Per the Times, Griffith was released on an $800,000 bond, though CoinDesk notes that could take "a few weeks." (Read more cryptocurrency stories.)
(Newser)  A police officer who resigned from a Tupelo-area force days after a drunk-driving arrest in 2020 was wearing a different force's uniform when he was arrested for the same offense on Friday night, authorities in Mississippi say. Jonathan Boyd, 32, was arrested in Saltillo by the Mississippi Highway Patrol and charged with offenses including DUI-second offense, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, and driving with an expired license, the Daily Journal reports.

It's not clear exactly how long Boyd was patrolling the streets for the Verona Police Department without a valid driver's license, but since Mississippi licenses expire on the driver's birthday and Boyd was born in July, it would have been at least eight months, the Journal notes. Boyd's first DUI offense was in Oct. 2020, when he was employed by the Saltillo Police Department. He launched an appeal after pleading no contest and it's not clear whether the suspended license charge is connected to the case.

Saltillo Police Chief Daniel McKinney says that in the Friday incident, Boyd was wearing his Verona uniform when he sideswiped another vehicle, WCBI reports. The chief says the two drivers agreed to meet at a nearby Exxon station, and the other driver called 911 after Boyd didn't stop. Verona Police Chief Marsenio Nunn says Boyd was off duty at the time of the incident. He says Boyd has been suspended and an internal investigation is underway. (Read more Mississippi stories.)
(Newser)  Russia's coronavirus vaccine was the first approved for use in any country just six months into the global pandemic. But Sputnik V has now seen "an inauspicious fall," the Washington Post reports, adding Russia's invasion of Ukraine looks to have "sabotaged any further aspirations" for the vaccine "whose arrival stunned the world." A team from the World Health Organization was expected to visit manufacturing plants in Russia on March 7 to complete the final step toward emergency-use authorization, which would allow Sputnik V to join the global vaccine-sharing initiative COVAX. But the visit has been delayed indefinitely due to operational issues, and an emergency-use declaration by the WHO now looks "unlikely," per the Post.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which partnered with the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology on the vaccine, has been sanctioned by the US and European Union. The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control labeled RDIF a "slush fund" of Russian President Vladimir Putin, per Nature. But RDIFwhich was touting the Sputnik Light single-dose booster in the days before the invasionclaims the sanctions, depriving billions of people of its "safe and efficient" vaccine, are politically motivated. Gamaleya Director Alexander Gintsburg agrees, telling the Post that delays in the approval process are meant to prevent "a large share of the market going over to Sputnik V and the Russian Federation that is promoting it."

But the invasion of Ukraine exacerbated existing production issues with Sputnik V. Per Reuters, production slowed in India, where people are now having to wait for Sputnik boosters. Germany's Bavaria state, also home to a production facility, has said it would block production even with the WHO's approval. As it stands, no more than 300 million doses of Sputnik V have been sold compared to more than 5.3 billion doses of Chinas Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, which have "lower reported efficacy," per the Post. As RDIF's deal with UNICEF to provide enough Sputnik V doses to vaccinate 110 million people in developing countries hinges on the WHO's approval, competitors including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are now expected to step in. (Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)
(Newser)  Comedian-actress Ali Wong and husband Justin Hakuta are getting a divorce. People magazine confirmed through a source that "its amicable and they will continue to co-parent lovingly." The couple met in 2010 at a friends wedding; he was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Business, and she was just gaining traction in her career. In a 2016 standup routine, Wong joked: "The first thing I learned about him was that, at the time, he was attending Harvard  And I was like, 'Oh, my God, I'm gonna trap his a--. Going to trap his a--!' And I trapped his a-- initially by not kissing him until the fifth date, which is a very unusual move on my part."

They got married in 2014. Since then, Wong has worked as a character and voice actor in films and series, but she may be best known for playing herself on comedy shows like Baby Cobra (2016), Hard Knock Wife (2018), and Don Wong (currently), all on Netflix. She is also a writer. In her 2019 memoir, Wong credited her professional success in large part to her prenup with Hakuta because it motivated her to build financial independence, just in case. She wrote, "My father always praised 'the gift of fear,' and that prenup scared the s--- out of me. In the end [it] was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me and my career." For his part, also per People, Hakuta is a successful entrepreneur and former VP at GoodRx. He is also son of Ken Hakuta of Dr. Fad fame. The couple has two young daughters, Mari and Nikki. (Read more ali wong stories.)
(Newser)  This story has been updated with new developments. Police have named Frank James as a person of interest in Tuesday morning's New York City subway attack. The 62-year-old, who is still at large, allegedly rented a U-Haul truck linked to the attack, NBC New York reports. Police say James rented the truck in Philadelphia and it was later found abandoned around five blocks from the Brooklyn subway station where the attacker was last seen. "We are looking to determine if he has any connection to the train," NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said. Police say James' criminal history includes making "terroristic threats" and he has made some "concerning" statements online.

James is a Milwaukee resident, WISN reports, though law enforcement sources say he also has ties to Philadelphia and New York. The number of people injured in the attack has risen to 29, but there have been no fatalities, and a jammed gun may be part of the reason why. Police say there was a jammed round in a Glock handgun they found at the scene, ABC7 reports. Investigators tell CNN that they also found a bag containing several high-capacity magazines, smoke devices, fireworks, and a credit card that has given them a good idea of who the attacker is. A key to the U-Haul truck was also found, per the New York Times.

Police say the attacker threw smoke bombs and then opened fire on a subway train as it pulled into East 36th Street station in Brooklyn. At least 10 people were shot on the train and the platform. At least 29 people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, smoke inhalation, and other issues, the AP reports. Authorities say five people are in critical condition but are expected to survive. Police say the attack appeared to have been planned, but they haven't commented on a possible motive. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul described the suspect as "cold hearted and depraved."

Agents from dozens of agencies continued searching for the gunman after the empty van was found, the Times reports. After the attack, police described the gunman as a Black man, about 5-foot-5 with a heavy build. He was wearing a green construction vest and gray hooded sweatshirt and put on a gas mask before opening fire. Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that there will be an investigation to determine why the security camera system in the station apparently malfunctioned. Police say they were able to get images of the suspect from bystander video. (Read more New York City Subway stories.)
(Newser)  President Biden said Tuesday Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to "genocide," accusing Vladimir Putin of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." "Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. "Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." At an earlier event in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices resulting from the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details, the AP reports. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment.

Biden's comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country. "True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities." Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but said it sure seems that way to me.

"More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said. Just last week, Biden said he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, only that they constituted "war crimes." Earlier Tuesday, Putin described the goals of Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "clear and noble" and vowed that the offensive could continue "until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set." (Horrific stories are emerging from Bucha and other towns formerly occupied by Russian forces.)
(Newser)  A rare pieceor rather piecesof space history are about to go to the highest bidder. Five samples of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission will be sold at a Bonhams auction on Wednesday. Thought to be worth $1.2 million, "the first lunar sample collected by humanity," according to the auction house, is also the only known lunar dust sample to be legally sold after being authenticated by NASA, NBC News reports. "It was a real journey from the moment it was collected in 1969 until it arrived on our premises," says Bonhams specialist Adam Stackhouse.

The bag used to collect the dust was at one time loaned to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center before the private museum's director, Max Ary, was found guilty of stealing and selling artifacts in 2005. Seized by the US Marshals Service, the bag and several other space-related items were sold at a 2015 auction to Nancy Lee Carlson, a lawyer from Illinois, for a measly $995. The sale, it turned out, was a mistake. When Carlson sent the bag to NASA to be authenticated, the space agency claimed ownership and refused to return it. But a federal judge eventually granted ownership to Carlson, who sold the bag for $1.8 million in 2017. She's now selling the moon dust removed during NASA's testing.

According to the Houston Chronicle, NASA initially kept the moon dust after returning the bag to Carlson, prompting another lawsuit and later a settlement. The dust particles come on five aluminum disks, "each topped with a small piece of carbon tape" that was used to retrieve the dust from the bag, and held in a plastic container, per NBC. The item will be auctioned alongside a fragment of the recovered rocket that launched the Soviet Union's Sputnik-1, which became the first artificial satellite in Earth's orbit in 1957, and a mockup of the first American satellite to orbit Earth. Those items are valued at $80,000 to $120,000 and $40,000 to $60,000, respectively, per NBC. (Read more auction stories.)
(Newser)  Ukrainian officials say fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, who is both the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been detained in a special operation carried out by the countrys SBU secret service. In his nightly video address to the nation Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading Ukrainians now held in Russian prisons, the AP reports. Ivan Bakanov, the head of Ukraines national security agency, said on the agencys Telegram channel that Medvedchuk had been detained.

The statement came shortly after Zelensky posted on social media a photo of Medvedchuk sitting in handcuffs and wearing a camouflage uniform with a Ukrainian flag patch. Medvedchuk was the former leader of the pro-Russian party Opposition Platform - For Life. He was being held under house arrest before the war began and disappeared shortly after hostilities broke out. Putin is the godfather to Medvedchuks youngest daughter. Says Ukraine's security service in a statement cited by the BBC, "You can be a pro-Russian politician and work for the aggressor state for years. You may have been hiding from justice lately. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform for camouflage. But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! Shackles are waiting for you and same goes for traitors to Ukraine like you." (Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
LISBON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese companies are "very welcome" to the immense Chinese market, the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang said on Tuesday. The embassy will "provide all necessary assistance," to these companies, he added.

The statement was made at an online seminar called "Promotion of the 5th edition of China International Import Expo (CIIE)," where the ambassador highlighted the importance of bilateral trade relations between Portugal and China.

The two countries "have always maintained friendly and cooperative relations, and the two economies are highly complementary," he said.

China is a "large market for products with the protected origin and high added value," especially Portuguese wines, olive oils, and fruits, Zhao emphasized.

The ambassador highlighted that China has "sent a clear message to the world" that the country has "open doors," and that China shares with Portugal "the same desire for cooperation at a high level."

Meanwhile, the Portuguese Ambassador to China, Jose Augusto Duarte, highlighted at the seminar that the political understanding between the two countries has always been excellent.

"China is always ready to listen and help Portugal, even in this difficult world context," said the Portuguese diplomat.

It is now necessary for the two countries to work to "equilibrate the trade balance," which in his view should "better correspond to the size of political cooperation."

"The organization of this CIIE event, which is the largest in the field of exports, is especially important to increase and enhance trade," Duarte added.

The Portuguese exhibition area will be expanded at the 5th edition of the fair, which will be hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

In 2021, the event was attended by nearly 3000 exhibiting companies from 127 countries and regions, and was visited by around 480,000 people.

The fair is divided into three segments: the Hongqiao Forum economic congress, national institutional pavilions, and a business exhibition divided into six sectors: food and agricultural products, automobiles, consumer goods, medicine and health, information technology, and trade in services. 
(Newser)  There's a new trucker protest underway, this time along the US southern border. Reuters reports that big-rig drivers from Mexico have been blocking bridges leading in and out of Texas for days, a protest against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's recent mandate that officials carry out vehicle safety inspections at ports of entry to deter contraband and people smugglers. The truck drivers say the delays due to the inspections are costing them hours of time, and therefore money, with the Mexican government adding that it "rejects" the inspections that are costing both American and Mexican businesses "significant revenue." The Texas International Produce Association agrees, noting in a letter this week that Abbott's order "is destroying our business and the reputation of Texas," per the Financial Times.

In the late afternoon on Monday, the average time for commercial vehicles to cross the border at the Ysleta Port of Entry into El Paso peaked at seven hours, per stats from US Customs and Border Protection cited by the Texas Tribune. Mexican industry groups put that time lag even higherup to 30 hours in some cases, per the Times. At the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, the thoroughfare that handles the bulk of Mexican produce entering the US, trucks have been backed up for miles for at least five days. For refrigerated trucks, running out of fuel while idling in line, leading to spoiled produce, is a concern.

CBP doesn't sound happy about the inspections, saying in a statement that the "unnecessary" searches were leading to "critical impacts to an already-strained supply chain," per Reuters. Earlier this week, Texas state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa called the situation "a mess" that isn't needed. "Many of my constituents are asking, 'Why are we being punished?'" Hinojosa said, per the Tribune. "This doesn't seem to have much or anything to do with border security. This is hurting people in their pocketbook." No comment from Abbott's office on the growing calls to rescind the order. (Read more US-Mexico border stories.)
(Newser)  A man in Oklahoma apparently had his heart set on an Audi, but his alleged scheme to acquire one didn't work out the way it was supposed to. KTUL reports that Randy Cantwell was arrested in Tulsa after police say he showed up at a car dealership in Tulsa, claimed he was a federal marshal, and tried to drive away in one of the lot's vehicles. According to the Tulsa Police Department, Cantwell arrived at the dealership in the south part of the city on Monday and expressed interest in an Audi there, per employee accounts. With keys in hand, a worker reportedly took Cantwell over to see the car, though he explained Cantwell couldn't actually take it for a spin because the vehicle wasn't prepped to drive.

That's when things took a weird turn. Cops say Cantwell told the employee the car was stolen, that he was a federal marshal, and that he was leaving with the car. Quick-thinking workers say they blocked him in, however, forcing Cantwell to ditch the car and try to walk off the lot. Police arrived at the scene, and they say the only ID Cantwell provided was a driver's licensemeaning it didn't appear he was a federal marshal after all, despite him telling officers he became one after Donald Trump declared martial law while president, per FOX23. Cantwell was arrested for false impersonation of law enforcement. (Read more weird crimes stories.)
(Newser)  Russia claims that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines have surrendered in Mariupol, a development that, if true, would mean Ukraine has lost its first major city since the Russian invasion began, per Reuters. The news comes via Russia's Defense Ministry, which said that 1,026 soldiers from Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade put up the white flag, including 162 officers. While Ukraine's Defense Ministry conceded that Russian forces were continuing their assault on the port city, a spokesman says there was no information on any surrender. More on the war in Ukraine:

Meeting of the presidents: The leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania headed to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports Al Jazeera. "On our way to Kyiv, to a city that has suffered terribly," Estonian President Alar Karis tweeted of his trip with Gitanas Nauseda (Lithuania), Andrzej Duda (Poland), and Egils Levits (Latvia).

The leaders of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania headed to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports Al Jazeera. "On our way to Kyiv, to a city that has suffered terribly," Estonian President Alar Karis tweeted of his trip with Gitanas Nauseda (Lithuania), Andrzej Duda (Poland), and Egils Levits (Latvia). Macron won't say 'genocide': Despite US President Biden using that term this week, the French president remains wary, per the Washington Post. Macron says he's reluctant to describe the atrocities Russian troops are carrying out in Ukraine with that word because "an escalation of rhetoric" won't help stop the war, and because Ukrainians and Russians "are brothers."

Despite US President Biden using that term this week, the French president remains wary, per the Washington Post. Macron says he's reluctant to describe the atrocities Russian troops are carrying out in Ukraine with that word because "an escalation of rhetoric" won't help stop the war, and because Ukrainians and Russians "are brothers." Going after predators: The UN's refugee agency has asked the British government to target a "Homes for Ukraine" scheme in which single UK men are matched up with Ukrainian women who've fled their home country, per the Guardian. The agency's request comes after reports that women, with kids and without, may be vulnerable to sexual exploitation there.

The UN's refugee agency has asked the British government to target a "Homes for Ukraine" scheme in which single UK men are matched up with Ukrainian women who've fled their home country, per the Guardian. The agency's request comes after reports that women, with kids and without, may be vulnerable to sexual exploitation there. Zelensky's wife: CNN has an interview with the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in which she says she hasn't seen her husband in a month, and that their two children, 9-year-old Kyrylo and 17-year-old Sasha, "have grown dramatically during this time."

(Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
(Newser)  Two months after Australia declared koalas as endangered across much of the country's east coast, researchers are hoping to stock up on frozen koala sperm. Scientists at the University of Newcastle in the southeastern state of New South Wales have proposed the creation of a lab to store that sperm, which would then be used in a captive breeding program, per the BBC. The World Wildlife Fund-Australia estimates as few as 50,000 koalas remain in the wildabout half the population of 20 years ago. A 2021 inquiry found koalas would be extinct in NSW by 2050 without urgent action, following bushfires that killed 5,000 in the state over the Australian summer of 2019-20, per the BBC.

At present, "we have no insurance policy against natural disasters like the 2019-2020 bushfires that threaten to wipe out large numbers of animals at the one time," Dr. Ryan Witt says in a release. The sperm lab would provide a "way to bring them back" from extinction while improving genetic diversity, Witt adds. "We can cryopreserve koala sperm, just like we do for humans," researchers write of the model published Tuesday in the journal Animals. It notes "biobanking" would be up to 12 times cheaper than existing captive koala breeding methods, which require large colonies to prevent inbreeding. Witt says the frozen sperm would be "used to impregnate female koalas in breed-for-release programs," per the release.

"Recent advances have shown us that artificial insemination using fresh and chilled sperm works in koalas," says Dr. Lachlan Howell, lead author of the modeling research. "The hurdle is trying to freeze sperm and make use of it." The model follows Monday's announcement from NSW's environment minister of $193.3 million in funding for koala conversation over five years, per the Guardian. The animalswhich the federal government shifted from "vulnerable" to "endangered" in the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales in Februaryface additional threats from "land-clearing, drought, disease, car strikes, and dog attacks," according to the WWF. (Read more koala stories.)
(Newser)  Critically acclaimed debut albums by Wu-Tang Clan and Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin's Latin pop megahit "Livin' La Vida Loca," and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" are among the recordings being inducted this year into the National Recording Registry. The Library of Congress announced on Wednesday the 25 songs, albums, historical recordings, and even a podcast that will be preserved as important contributions to American culture and history, reports the AP. Keys' Songs in A Minor, released in 2001, introduced the young New York musician to the world with her unique fusion of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop and earned her five Grammy awards. With songs like "Fallin'" the album has been certified as seven-times multiplatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The Staten Island collective Wu-Tang Clan, including RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and more, released their highly influential debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993, which combined East Coast hardcore rap centered around kung fu film storylines and samples. Other albums that were included were Linda Ronstadt's Canciones de Mi Padre, a musical tribute to her Mexican-American roots; Bonnie Raitt's Grammy-winning Nick of Time; A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory; and the Cuban musical ensemble's self-titled debut Buena Vista Social Club, which also inspired a film by the same name.

Other songs now in the registry include Journey's "Don't Stop Believin,'" "Walking the Floor Over You" by Ernest Tubb, "Moon River" by Andy Williams, and "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" by the Four Tops. Other recordings include public radio station WNYC's broadcasts from Sept. 11, 2001, and Marc Maron's interview with Robin Williams on his podcast WTF With Marc Maron.

(Read more National Recording Registry stories.)
(Newser)  The deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has been tracked since 2015 by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). An INPE report out Friday says the numbers recorded in the first quarter of this year were the worst yet. CNN reports 363 square miles, an area just about the size of Dallas, was cleared in the January-to-March period. That's a 64% jump over the 221 square miles cleared in the same quarter of 2020. More:

Blame. CNN points a finger at President Jair Bolsonaro, who has eroded environmental protections since taking office in 2019; he has described such protections as a hindrance to economic growth. Reuters reports he is in favor of farming and mining in protected areas as a way of reducing poverty.

CNN points a finger at President Jair Bolsonaro, who has eroded environmental protections since taking office in 2019; he has described such protections as a hindrance to economic growth. Reuters reports he is in favor of farming and mining in protected areas as a way of reducing poverty. Worse numbers ahead? Al Jazeera reports Brazil is currently experiencing its rainy season, which generally sees less logging and land clearance by burning.

Worse numbers ahead II? Researchers tell Reuters it's likely authorities will reel in their enforcement of environmental laws in the run-up to Brazil's October election as they have in election-years past.

Researchers tell Reuters it's likely authorities will reel in their enforcement of environmental laws in the run-up to Brazil's October election as they have in election-years past. Go deeper. The Washington Post has a fascinating report by Terrence McCoy on Highway 319, which runs for more than 500 miles through the heart of Brazil's portion of the Amazon. More than 200 miles of its middle section remain unpaved and in rough conditionwhich has functioned as protection against deforestation. Bolsonaro and others are in favor of paving that middle part. Read the full story here.

(Read more Amazon rainforest stories.)
(Newser)  The Miami Seaquarium's Dolphin Flipper Show didn't go to plan on Saturday: a dolphin reportedly attacked a trainer in the water mid-show. Audience member Shannon Carpenter videoed the incident and tells WSVN what he saw: It "looked like the dolphin rammed into the trainer. There was a struggle, some kind of collision under water happened. The lady on the paddleboard, she paddled out of the water pretty quick, and then the lead trainer started swimming back towards the dock, and it looked like she got ran into a couple more times." The Seaquarium attributed the incident to a scratch.

On Tuesday it said that after a trainer accidentally scratched a dolphin named Sundance with her hand, Sundance "reacted by breaking away from the routine and swimming towards and striking the trainer." The Seaquarium pointed out that the scratch "was undoubtedly painful to Sundance" and noted both the dolphin and trainer are recovering just fine. Local10 calls it "just the latest in a string of incidents at the Seaquarium currently under the microscope by USDA investigators." Though Local10 points out the Seaquarium is now under new ownership, it cites a June USDA report that detailed numerous animal welfare violations there, including the use of rotten fish as food and the degradation of the tank where Lolita the orca has lived for 25 years.

PETA, which CBS Miami reports spent years pushing for the Seaquarium to set Lolita free, weighed in: "PETA urges this 'abusement" park to end its exploitation of dolphins by getting them to sanctuaries as quickly as possible so that they'd never be used in tawdry shows again and no one else would get hurt." The Seaquarium announced an end to shows involving Lolita in March. (Read more aquarium stories.)
(Newser)  Update: New York City subway shooting suspect Frank James was ordered held without bail on Thursday. The 62-year-old had a "subdued demeanor" in a court appearance as he quietly answered questions and acknowledged that he understood the charges against him, per the AP. Later, defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg cautioned against a rush to judgment," saying outside the courtroom that "initial reports in a case like this are often inaccurate." Our earlier story from Wednesday follows:

Frank James was taken into custody Wednesday, hours after authorities said the 62-year-old had gone from being a "person of interest" to a suspect in Tuesday morning's New York City subway attack. Law enforcement sources tell NBC New York that James, who was at large for more than 24 hours after the attack, was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village after a call to a Crime Stoppers tip line. Sources tell ABC7 that James was named as a suspect after police determined they had probable cause to arrest James for the attempted murder of 10 people. Some 29 people were injured in the attack, including 10 who were shot on a subway train in Brooklyn and on the platform of 36th Street Station.

The motive for the mass shooting is unclear. James' sister, Catherine James Robinson, tells the New York Times that he was born in the Bronx but spent his life moving from city to city. Robinson, who denies that James is mentally ill, says their mother died when he was 5 years old and he has "been on his own his whole life." "I dont think he would do anything like that," she says. James, who is Black, has been linked to a series of rambling videos on YouTube and elsewhere in which he makes racist and violent remarks about groups including Black people, CNN reports.

In videos posted earlier this year, James mentioned New York City's subway system and criticized Mayor Eric Adams' plans to deal with homelessness and gun violence. In a video posted Monday, he said "drastic action" was needed to deal with crimes against Black people, the AP reports. "Its not going to get better until we make it better, he said. He said things wouldn't change until some people were stomped, kicked, and tortured out of their comfort zone. In videos from the weeks before the attack, James spoke about his travels across the country since leaving his apartment in Wisconsin. "I'm heading back into the danger zone," he said. (Read more New York City Subway stories.)
(Newser)  French President Emmanual Macron said Wednesday he still prefers the term "war crimes" over "genocide" in reference to events in Ukraine, per the Hill. Macron said he wants to "stop the war and build peace," and he worries such rhetoric will only raise tensions. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says genocide is the correct word for Russian actions. "Calling things by their name is essential to stand up to evil," he tweeted earlier this week. Zelensky was expressing agreement with President Joe Biden, who on Tuesdayfor the first timeaccused Russia of committing genocide.

Bidens remark "initially came offhandedly during a speech at a bioethanol plant in Iowa," the New York Times reports. It marked a major departure from a recent statement in which he called Putin a war criminal after evidence of atrocities was found outside Kyiv, but Biden specifically said events there did not rise to the level of genocide. Per the Guardian, Macron referred to Ukrainians and Russians as "brotherly people" in justifying his stance. A spokesman for Ukraines Foreign Ministry responded by saying, "'Brotherly people' dont kill children, dont shoot civilians, dont rape women, don't mutilate the elderly, and dont destroy the homes of other 'brotherly' people."

In later remarks, Biden said he called it genocide "because its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out even the idea of being Ukrainian. According to NBC News, the term genocide is defined by the UN as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group." The UN definition includes, among other things, killings and other forms of serious bodily or psychological harm, efforts to prevent births, and the forcible transfer of children. Also per NBC, in the US, the State Department makes determinations if mass killings amount to genocide and will collect evidence over a long period of time before making a ruling. (Read more Emmanuel Macron stories.)
(Newser)  Three family members in Floridaand possibly a fourthare facing potential life sentences over an attack that left a gay man permanently blind. Broward County prosecutors say parents Inna Makarenko, 44, and Yevhen Makarenko, 43, are facing hate crime charges over the Aug. 6, 2021, attack, as is son Oleh Makarenko, 21, CBS reports. They were charged last month with first-degree attempted murder, burglary with battery, and kidnapping. Hate crime charges were filed Tuesday.

Another son, 25-year-old Vladyslav Makarenko, was extradited to Florida from Alabama on Monday and prosecutors are still weighing hate crime charges against him, reports the Bradenton Herald. Prosecutors say the family members knew the 31-year-old victim before the attack and targeted him based on his sexual orientation. In the attack in Pompano Beach, just north of Fort Lauderdale, the Makarenkos allegedly broke into the man's home to beat and "terrorize" him. "He has been permanently blinded and sustained other serious injuries as a result of the incident," prosecutors said in a statement.

According to arrest forms, the family members "struck the victim numerous times ... causing serious bodily injury and disfigurement, almost resulting in his death. To protect the victim's privacy, authorities haven't disclosed his name or other details of the attack. A CBS Miami reporter who went to the family's home found signs on the mailbox with a QR code for a petition to "help Ukrainian refugees wrongly jailed." According to the petition site, which had more than 350 signatures, the family has been in the US for six years. (Read more hate crime stories.)
MADRID, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Spain's National Court on Tuesday sentenced to seven years in prison a man who had threatened to kill Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Manuel Murillo, 66, posted messages on social media with words threatening Sanchez.

Police raided Murillo's home and seized seven prohibited firearms, including an automatic rifle.

The court ruled that Murillo had decided that "the solution to produce a change in the Spanish political situation was to cause the death of the prime minister."

The judges also said that his "arsenal of seized weapons" was "a circumstance that is indicative of the high danger involved in the decision adopted by Murillo." 
(Newser)  Russia slapped sanctions on 398 House lawmakers Wednesday, drawing reactions ranging from defiance to amusement. Russia released a list of hundreds of lawmakers from both parties, saying they would face "mirror" sanctions in retaliation for US sanctions placed on hundreds of Russian lawmakers last month, the Hill reports. "These individuals, including the leadership and committee chairmen of the lower house of the US Congress, are placed on the Russian stop list on a permanent basis," a Kremlin statement said.

The lawmakers will be barred from visiting Russia, but they don't seem be losing sleep over it. "Well there goes my Spring Break plans!" Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle joked in a tweet. Republican Rep. John Curtis tweeted: "It's an honor to be on this list! Congress will continue to support Ukraine and its people." Other House members, including committee leaders, had already been sanctioned. Now, "all members of the US Congress have been blacklisted on the basis of reciprocity," said the Kremlin, which also sanctioned 87 Canadian senators. (An earlier round of sanctions included Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton.)
Shamokin, PA (17872)

Today

Rain likely. High 49F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Rain ending early. Remaining cloudy. Low 36F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Overcast with showers at times. High 53F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 34F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Public Prosecution has ordered to remand a woman, who allegedly beat up her sons classmate while he was returning from school. A thorough investigation has been ordered into the incident, which was apparently caught by one of the surveillance cameras in the area before someone posted it on all social media platforms.

The video was among the most watched across the nation with many urging the authorities to take strict action against the accused. It is learnt that the victims mother informed the Child Protection Centre under the Social Development Ministry after coming to know about the incident.

The video shows the woman brutally beating up her victim, who had a school bag mounted on his back. Although he was attempting to resist the attack, the woman would throw many punches before leaving the place. The Public Prosecution said yesterday the case has been registered after watching the video.

The accused, who admitted to assaulting the child, said she did the act in revenge after the boy previously assaulted her son. A pretrial detention of the accused pending investigation has been ordered, a statement issued by the Public Prosecution said. The son of the accused studies in the same class as the victim.

Meanwhile, the Child Protection Centre has been tasked to offer support to the victim while assessing his psychological condition following the assault. The centre has also been asked to provide a report to the Public Prosecution in this regard. The Family and Child Prosecution stated that the child is eligible for social and legal protection and his safety will be guaranteed by all means.

What the accused did is undoubtedly criminal behaviour. The justification put forward by the accused that her son was earlier beaten up by her victim is not acceptable, both socially and legally. The Kingdom has one of the best justice systems in the world to protect childrens rights.

The laws of the state guarantee to protect childrens rights, shields them from maltreatment, assault, exploitation, or moral and physical neglect and affords them physical, emotional, health, educational, educational and social care, in accordance with international human rights, especially the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, that the Kingdom acceded in 1991, and its two optional protocols.
'Bahrain is keen to build bridges of cooperation and friendship with its regional and international partners'

'Bahrain is keen to build bridges of cooperation and friendship with its regional and international partners'

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is keen to build bridges of cooperation and friendship with its regional and international partners, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said.

Spreading the values of peace, dialogue and coexistence among all cultures, civilisations, races and religions is its message to the world as part of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas diplomatic vision, he added.

Dr Al Zayani was speaking during the Ramadan Ghabga organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night.

Present were senior officials, in honour of the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Kingdom, led by the Ambassador of Jordan to Bahrain, Rami Saleh Wreikat Al Adwan.

Dr Al Zayani expressed Bahrains pride in the leadership of HM the King and the government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He voiced the Kingdoms appreciation for the efforts of the ambassadors in strengthening the close and growing friendly relations of cooperation and partnership between Bahrain and other countries.

The minister also stressed Bahrains constant keenness to provide the necessary capabilities and facilities to enable the diplomatic missions to perform their duties in a manner that serves the interests of citizens and residents and contributes to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between countries.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

A surge in beggars has been witnessed across Bahrain, allegedly taking advantage of the Holy Month and the charity act, which is obligatory upon Muslims.

Across the malls, car parking areas, food streets and bus stops, one can spot beggars at any giver hour during daytime.

The organised units of beggars, mainly expatriates, are also found in some areas of Bahrain.

Since the beginning of the Holy Month, the rising number of beggars have become an inconvenience to the citizens and residents, most often annoying them.

According to sources, they frequent shops, seeking money from shopkeepers as well as their customers.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Sujeesh PR, a resident, said: Begging cannot be seen as a crime. But, of course, it is a social problem, which raises a lot of concerns.

I always refrain from giving alms as I dont want to add to this social problem. But this refraining also leaves a guilty feeling in me. What if they genuinely need some help? Sujeesh said, adding that the authorities should urgently look into the issue. V K Nair, another expatriate, said many beggars even cursed him for not giving the alms.

Most of them are expatriates, who are trying to exploit the situation since the beginning of Holy Month. Where were all of these beggars before the beginning of Ramadan? Helping a destitute is definitely an act of charity, especially during the Holy Month. But some people are taking it as a profession.

There are many healthy youngsters, disguised as road pen sellers or sticker sellers, who come near cars and beg. These are tough acts to witness. The concept of charity is being misused or exploited by some people. And, of course, by doing these kinds of acts they are blocking all support to those who are in real need.

The Daily Tribune spoke to an expat, who was seen begging on a busy road in Tubli. I came here after obtaining a job with a private firm. But upon arrival, they said they dont want to employ me.

I cant return home as my family expects me to send money home. This is a special month and at least I should get my children good food and good clothing. I never trouble anyone. I am only seeking support to overcome the most difficult times of my life.

Earlier, commenting on the matter, Dr Anna Mostafa, a leading psychologist in the Kingdom, had said: There could be psychological factors for begging; perhaps the individuals mental and cognitive capacity may play a role. Perhaps, they are unaware of the resources available to them by charities and shelters set in place to support them.

Dr Anna also stressed on the significance of rehabilitation. Public awareness campaigns and increased efforts at disseminating information of available services to police, mosques, public transport and other areas where people gather could be beneficial.

Begging is legally prohibited in the Kingdom and offenders face imprisonment and fines. Dar Al Karama has been taking care of beggars and the homeless. It is a governmental social institution affiliated to the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Department of Social Welfare. It is concerned with the provision of care and different services for the first-time beggars and homeless people.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Trade between Bahrain and South Korea has been growing steadily, with its volume up by 135 percent from 2017 to 2021.

This is reflected in a report titled Trade in Focus issued by the Studies and Initiatives Center of Bahrain Chamber for Commerce and Industry (BCCI), which offers a view of the trade relations between the two countries.

The report exhibits key trade indicators, and highlights potential sectors. Exports from Bahrain to South Korea exceeded imports for the first time in the past five years, and witnessed a 141% increase in 2021 compared to its 2020 levels.
Agencies | Moscow

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are smuggling weapons to arm Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, according to a Tuesday report in the Guardian.

RPGs, anti-tank missiles, and Brazilian-designed rocket launcher systems have made their way from Iraq to Ukraine, according to the report, which cited members of the Iranian-backed militias as well as regional intelligence services familiar with the matter.

An Iranian-made Bavar 373 missile system was also donated to Moscow by Iranian authorities, a source who helped organize the transfer told The Guardian.

RPGs and anti-tank missiles belonging to the Hashd al-Shaabi Shia militia group were transported from Iraq to Iran on March 26 where they were collected by Russian authorities who then shipped them to Russia by sea, a commander of the militia branch that controls the crossing told the British daily.

Hashd al-Shaabi also dismantled Brazilian-designed Astros II rocket launcher systems on April 1 for shipment to Russian forces.

We dont care where the heavy weapons go [because we dont need them at the moment], one Hashd al-Shaabi source told The Guardian. Whatever is anti-US makes us happy.

The reported weapons transfers represent the latest progression in Russias relations with Iran as Moscow finds itself increasingly isolated and struggling to keep up on the battlefield as Western sanctions continue to pile up.

The smugglings also risk hampering US support for the Iraqi government and army, which have hosted American troops since 2003.

US officials said that Russia has also been leaning on China to send its own military aid for use in the Ukraine invasion, according to The Guardian.

Ukraine has also accused Georgia of helping Russia receive sanctioned military equipment.

Georgian special services received a directive from their government not to interfere with smuggling channels from East Asia, Kyivs intelligence services said in a statement last week.

The pro-Russian government in Tbilisi denied the accusation.
LOS ANGELES, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Los Angeles (LA) are on high alert in the wake of a New York City subway shooting that left at least 20 people injured on Tuesday.

While noting there had been no credible threats to the Metro system which was operating normal service, the LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) said in a statement that it is "on heightened alert and is working with its security partners at the local, state and national levels to monitor threat levels and share information."

As a precaution, LA Metro said it would deploy additional security personnel at transit stations in LA County and urged transit riders to report suspicious activities.

The LA County Sheriff's Department (LASD) said in a statement that its Transit Services Bureau was on heightened alert due to the NYC transit attack and were deploying resources to keep everyone safe.

"Our Explosives Detection K9 teams, Special Assignment Unit, Team Leader Deputies, and Commuter Enhancement Teams are deployed throughout our areas of responsibility. Our field patrol units have been briefed on the situation in New York and are on high visibility patrol throughout the Metro System," said the police agency.

The LA Police Department (LAPD) also tweeted that it was closely monitoring reports of the multiple-victim shooting Tuesday morning at a subway train station in Brooklyn, New York City, noting that the department was in contact with its local, state and federal partners and providing high visibility patrols throughout the city, including bus and rail stations.

LA is the second-largest U.S. metropolitan region after New York. 
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its naval strike group is currently operating in the Sea of Japan for the first time in five years, the Navy said on Tuesday.

Officials said that the group is in the Sea of Japan off the Korean coast as part of bilateral operations. It comes at a time of increased concern about North Korean missile tests and possible nuclear tests.

The U.S. Naval Institute's satellite tracking also shows the nuclear-powered carrier's location.

Last week, U.S. officials warned that North Korea could conduct a nuclear weapons test around the anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung's birthday on Friday. A U.S. representative said then that the anniversary is concerning in that Pyongyang "may be tempted to take another provocative action."

The carrier strike group is conducting joint operations with Japan's navy.
The health ministry will raise the government-set dental treatment remunerations that involve silver fillings containing palladium in May, as prices of the rare metal of which Russia is a major producer have soared following Moscows invasion of Ukraine, people familiar with the matter said Monday.

The so-called silver fillings containing palladium and other metals are covered by national health insurance, and remunerations dentists receive for treatment using them are reviewed four times a year  in January, April, July and October  due to fluctuating market prices for the materials used.

In an emergency measure, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare decided to raise the cost of silver filling treatment in May after the market price of palladium rose sharply due to supply concerns, causing dentists to lose money in their procurement of the materials, the sources said.

According to the Finance Ministrys trade statistics, 34.5% of Japans palladium imports came from Russia in 2021, second to South Africa at 48.8%.

Other than dental fillings, palladium is also used in automobile catalytic converters to help remove pollutants from exhaust emissions.
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April 20 has become a "high holiday" for cannabis users, and this year, a few Connecticut restaurants are marking the occasion with special events and dinners.

The date and number have been associated with enthusiasts since the 1970s, when a group of California high school students inherited a map that allegedly led to a crop of abandoned cannabis plants near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station, Rolling Stone reported in 2018. The students gathered at 4:20 p.m. for weeks to drive out and hunt for the plants, smoking joints along the way.

They never found the plants, "yet the term '420' became embedded in their dialogue, referring to their favorite plant while teachers and parents were conveniently left in the dark," reporter Zoe Wilder wrote.

In 2022, just about nine months after Connecticut legalized recreational cannabis, state chefs are celebrating the culture (and potential munchies) with craveable foods.

Lisa Nichols

At Zephyr's Street Pizza in West Hartford, owner Dante Cistulli has lined up a 4/20 "chefs' potluck" party he's calling Hot Dog Heroes. He's invited 10 Connecticut chefs to cook their own hot dog recipes at the restaurant that night, and guests will choose a winner.

For $25, customers will get tasting portions of all 11 hot dogs (Cistulli is also competing) and a string of beads, which they'll use to award to their favorite chef's creation. But there's also a chef's vote, Cistulli said, where the chefs have to choose their favorite recipe  and they can't vote for their own.

Participating chefs include Ashley Flagg of Millwright's, Mo Major from The Place 2 Be, Xavier Santiago of Statement Group/ The Place 2 Be, Carlos Perez of @ The Corner, BobRoy Wheaton from Four Dads Pub, Corey Cistulli of Farmington Polo Club, Ethan Czarneski of Present Company, Doug Kelly of Max Burger and Tom Kaldy of The Charles.

The winner of that contest gets the "ultimate bragging rights," he said, but the bottom three losing chefs have to get a tattoo of a hot dog.

"Some chefs are going to try to get all cheffy, and I'm telling you, my guess is a plain dog with chili, ketchup, mustard will probably make the top three," he said. He plans a mortadella dog for his own recipe.

The event, which kicks off at 5 p.m., will also feature giveaways and live music by Mind Goblin. Cistulli plans to make it an annual party.

Kyle Marcoux / Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

At Bear's Smokehouse BBQ in New Haven, the restaurant is teaming up with The Vulgar Chef for a "Fast Food 'Meats' BBQ" dinner on April 20 at 6 p.m. The Vulgar Chef, also known as Kyle Marcoux, has a large and loyal social media following for his preposterous food creations: the more absurd, the better. Recent recipe videos include a Slim Jim "Wellington," with macaroni and cheese rolled around the meat sticks and wrapped in puff pastry, and "beanut butter" cups  dark chocolate cups filled with baked beans.

Marcoux also happens to handle marketing and social media for Bear's, so he's working with the restaurant to design different takes on fast food items using smoked meats. Planned items include a "Big Mac" empanada with cheeseburger and pickle filling, brisket sliders, Doritos-crusted French fries, Flamin' Hot Cheetos-topped macaroni and cheese and Texas taquitos with Bear's smoked sausage.

A platter of food is $60, including desserts, and it serves two people, Marcoux said. The event will also feature giveaways, including bottles of Truff hot sauce and VIBES rolling papers.

The event is THC-free, though, Marcoux said. "We're just shooting for that food that people are on the hunt for."

Olmo Bagelry in New Haven is giving away 420 bagels with schmear from noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday  or whenever the 420 bagels are gone, whichever comes first. Guests can order online for pickup through Snackpass, or in person at Olmo's digital kiosks. No additional purchase is necessary.

At Black Rock Social House in Bridgeport, which hosts a monthly "food culture series" with menus from different countries, the restaurant hosts a dinner with CBD-infused courses. The menu, which spotlights Ukrainian dishes, is available on April 20 and 27, and specific ingredients like salt, sugar, grapeseed oil and herb butter are infused with cannabidiol.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  In anticipation of a new Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved an $800 million package of military assistance, including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery.

The Ukrainians also will receive armored personnel carriers, armored Humvees, naval drone vessels used in coastal defense, and gear and equipment used to protect soldiers in chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological attacks.

This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine, Biden said in a statement.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden added. It has helped ensure that (Russia President Vladimir) Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.

Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is the latest in a series of U.S. security assistance packages valued at a combined $2.6 billion that has been committed to Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. The weaponry and support material has played an important role in Ukraine's successful defense thus far.

Biden is under pressure from members of both parties in Congress to expand and accelerate U.S. aid.

Robert Gates, a former CIA director and defense secretary, said Wednesday he believes the administration needs to push hard for weapon donations by NATO members in Eastern Europe, whose arsenals include Soviet-era tanks and other weaponry and equipment that could help Ukraine immediately.

The United States ought to be acting, 24/7  how do we mobilize the equipment and how do we get it into Ukraine and into the hands of the Ukrainians, Gates said in an online forum sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

It's critically important and critically urgent, and we ought to be sort of ransacking the arsenals of those states, and I think they would be cooperative, particularly if they are given assurances that the Pentagon will provide American replacements for the donated weapons.

The Pentagon said the $800 million package announced by Biden includes weapons and equipment that will require some training for a Ukrainian military not fully accustomed to American military technology. U.S. and allied forces had been present inside Ukraine to provide training for eight years before pulling out in advance of the Russia's latest invasion.

The new arms package includes 18 of the U.S. Army's 155mm howitzers and 40,000 artillery rounds, two air surveillance radars, 300 Switchblade kamikaze armed drones, and 500 Javelin missiles designed to knock out tanks and other armor. Also included are 10 counter-artillery radars used to track incoming artillery and other projectiles to determine their point of origin for counter attacks.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said delivery of the material will be expedited, but he offered no specific timetable.

This list came directly out of multiple conversations with Ukrainians in the last few days as we began to see the Russians now start to reprioritize the Donbas fight, he said, referring to Russia's shift from a failed offensive in Ukraine's north aimed at Kyiv, the capital, to a force buildup in the country's eastern Donbas region, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting since 2014.

Ukrainian military personnel will need training on the radars as well as the howitzers and the Switchblade drones, Kirby said. He said the training may be done by U.S. soldiers in Europe and the arrangements are being worked out.

These are not highly complex systems, Kirby said, and so extensive training will not likely be required.

Among the other items in the package are 11 Soviet-era Mi-17 helicopters that the United States had planned to provide to Afghanistan before Biden last year decided to fully withdraw from the country. They are transport helicopters that also can function in an attack role. The Pentagon previously had sent five Mi-17s to Ukraine, Kirby said.
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DANBURY  A task force has identified several city locations that could provide emergency shelter beds and other types of housing for an estimated 100 Danbury people without homes.

In a report approved Tuesday evening, the task force recommended how best to provide social services to these individuals and suggested the city open emergency beds, an overflow shelter and transitional housing at several locations, including the former Super 8 motel property.

If the system works right, we will have far less homeless people and well be doing something great for our community, said Robert Botelho, chairman of the task force and president of Victorian Associates, which offers multi-family housing at competitive rates in the Danbury area. And over time (if) the system works, itll basically end homelessness as we knew it before.

The task force approved the report on the same day that the state Senate voted to extend the executive order related to non-congregate housing that has allowed a controversial shelter to operate at that 3 Lake Ave. Extension property without zoning approval.

Mayor Dean Esposito formed the 19-member task force to develop short and long-term solutions for what to do once the executive order expires. In the report, the task force said it plans to update the administration every 60 days.

The mayor said he would evaluate the report with his administration.

Next, the task force and city need to communicate with the state about available resources, while trying to find specific solutions to the support the spectrum of facilities that are needed in the community, said James Maloney, founder of the Connecticut Institute for Communities.

This report is a first step but it is only a first step, he said.

Under the task forces plan, the Super 8 could provide 40 to 60 units of transitional housing. The group pitched a 20-bed emergency shelter on New Street, a 20-bed transitional shelter at Elm Street, a 25-bed winter overflow shelter at First Congregational Church, and other transitional housing through nonprofits.

The next step is to identify which organizations would take responsibility for each location, said Ari Rosenberg, vice chairman of the task force and head of the Association of Religious Communities. State funding would need to be secured to acquire these properties and ensure they are up to code. Then, we are looking forward to support from Planning and Zoning for this rational and compassionate course of action to address our collective responsibility to house Danburys homeless residents.

Individuals staying at the facilities should receive services such as medical clinics, case management for basic needs, employment and housing assistance, the task force stated. The report listed 17 organizations involved in supporting individuals without homes.

Ideally, programmatic services would be located in one designated space, with multi-purpose, dining, and quarantine rooms, the draft report states. In the absence of such a resource hub, however, what is critical is that Danburys service providers communicate and collaborate together to best meet the needs of Danburys homeless residents.

Super 8 property

The plan for the Super 8 property comes with complications. Pacific House, the nonprofit that operates the existing shelter there, sued Danbury Zoning Commission over its rejection of a zoning change that would have paved the way toward the shelters approval.

The leadership of the Task Force did discuss this concept with officials and representatives of Pacific House, the draft report states. While they expressed interest in the approach, Pacific House has not concluded their own deliberations as to how to proceed with their building.

Rafael Pagan, Jr., executive director of Pacific House, said hed like to see up to 60 units of affordable housing be created in the building because this would reduce the number of people who need shelter beds. Adding affordable housing has been effective in Norwalk and Stamford, where the nonprofit is based, he said.

Its hard to do any transitional housing because theres really no funding for it, he said. Transitional housing doesnt solve the problem because its just an interim step, and my thinking is: Why put people in transitional housing when you could just house them?

As a backup plan, the nonprofit has considered operating a center for substance abuse recovery in the building, which could support individuals who are at risk of homelessness, he said. Thats not the first choice, and the nonprofit would rather support what Danbury thinks is best for themselves, Pagan said.

Botelho said hed like to see Pacific House take on operating and providing supportive services at as many of the proposed facilities as it could.

This is something we dreamed about years ago, he said. We could get it with the help of Pacific House. They are a company that is well respected throughout the state and by the state of Connecticut. They have the ability to get the resources to get the task done.

He envisions Pacific Houses offices being on the first floor of the Super 8, with transitional housing on the upper floors for people who have gone through the homeless services system.

They have some sort of ability to pay, whether its through a voucher or whatever, but theyd be people who have gone through the system, Botelho said. Basically at that point, theyre on their own.

Jeff Berlant, who lives near the Super 8 property and is one of the leaders of a group of residents opposed to the prior plan of the shelter, said the community could get behind that idea, although he hasnt surveyed his neighbors yet. The plan would need to go through the proper zoning process, he added.

It sounds like a step in the right direction, but the community has to be involved, he said.

His neighbor Ben Doto, who opposed the earlier plan, agreed community involvement is key. He had a few concerns, including that the city could be working with a nonprofit thats suing Danbury. Neighboring towns should be asked to do their part, as well, he said.

Theres no mention as to what the surrounding communities and towns are going to do to assist in caring for their fair share of the homeless, Doto said.

Other locations

Botelho said the task force split into two groups  social services and real estate  and worked together to develop recommendations for the mayor, who he said supported the groups work.

Weve come up with a really good plan, he said. Now we have to find out how we can execute it and what commission or commissions well have to go to.

Amos House, Harmony House and Renewal House could provide transitional housing for people with special needs, such as seniors, women, children and people with mental health challenges, the report states. Each nonprofit would offer no more than 20 beds. Amos House is under construction and wont be available in the immediate future, according to the report.

The task force envisions reopening the 41 New St. facility where the city operated a shelter prior to the pandemic. But the new facility would be managed differently. Clients wouldnt be forced to leave in the morning, and groups like Nuvance Health would work with them to get them the services they need, Botelho said.

The city would need to resolve multiple financing, planning and zoning issues to operate New Street and 98 Elm Street, a building owned by the Danbury Housing Authority where the city once pitched building 20 apartments for homeless individuals.

Local nonprofits may be willing to work with the city to provide services, while state funding may be available, according to the report.

The idea is that these facilities would go beyond what a simple shelter could do.

We want to be more than that, Botelho said. We want to be a support center.
Put your son in Sherman Peebles' barber chair and along with a buzz you could count on Peebles, a sheriffs deputy who cut hair as a sideline, to issue a fatherly warning about staying out of trouble.

Now, seven months after the dapper sergeant died of COVID-19, life goes on at the Columbus, Georgia, shop owned by his best friend. But the aching emptiness of Peebles' absence lingers. The brotherly affection he brought to each day, gone missing. The jokes and stories that go untold.

The pandemic has claimed nearly 1 million lives in the U.S., leaving empty spaces in homes and neighborhoods across the country, whether we are aware of them or not.

In portraits of these places left behind, emptiness claims a chair at a nurses station in a busy Alabama hospital, long occupied by a caregiver co-workers recall as like everybodys mama.

It fills the Arizona bedroom of a 13-year-old lost to COVID, his action figures lined up just as he left them, on the dresser.

It floats, silent, over a wooded path that a retired teacher, who died in the pandemics early months, often visited with her daughter and granddaughter to enjoy North Carolinas flowers.

You have to look carefully to see the emptiness left by the loss of 1 million souls. But in the shadows, it is all too easy to feel it.

___

Sherman Peebles worked as a barber on weekends, in addition to his full-time job as a sheriff's deputy. He died of COVID in September, at age 49. His best friend Gerald Riley, who owns the barber shop, still arrives each Saturday expecting to see Peebles truck parked outside. At days end, he thinks back to the routine he and his friend of 25 years always followed when closing. I love you, brother, theyd tell one another. How could Riley have known those would be the last words theyd ever share?

___

Donovan James Jones' mother can hardly bear to go into the room of her 13-year-old son, who died from complications of COVID in November. Teresita Horne was in the hospital battling the virus herself and never got the chance to say goodbye to her only son. Its always difficult to go into his room because I always wait for the day for him to come back. I wait for him to come home after school, says Horne, of Buckeye, Arizona. I would say to the world if they could know one thing about Donovan, he was very kind, especially in todays climate and culture where kindness is a lost concept. I would want people to show some type of kindness to someone for no reason at all, but to be kind.

___

Eddy Marquez spent 33 years cutting and arranging displays at his work station at US Evergreen Wholesale Florist in New Yorks flower district. He died of COVID in April 2020 during the deadliest week of the outbreak in the city. His brother-in-law, who lived in the same house, died days earlier. Marquez, who was 59 and the father of three, loved plants, and the yard of the family's home is filled with the hydrangea bushes and fruit trees he tended. His daughter, Ivett Marquez, recalls that her dad worked long hours, but always set aside Sundays for family. He was an amazing father. He was an amazing husband, an amazing person. My father was just our best friend. You know, I guess his daughters first love, she says. He was everything to us. A supporter, a friend, just everything. He loved his job. He loved this family. He loved his house, his plants. That was just Eddy. She now tends the plants in his place.

___

Mary Jacq McCulloch loved to explore the paths that wind through the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, often visiting with her daughter and granddaughter. McCullochs death in April 2020 at 87 came at the height of spring. Now, with the season arriving again, daughter Karen McCulloch is reminded of their drives together around Chapel Hill to gaze at the trees in blossom. Mary Jacqs favorite were the redbuds. They are stunning magenta, Karen McCulloch says. I cant see one in bloom without thinking, Mom would love this. Kind of like her  brightly colored and demanding attention.

___

Arnie Kantrowitz got sick last winter when the omicron variant swept through New York, despite holing up in his home for most of the lockdown. The author, scholar and gay rights activist died of COVID in January. He was 81. Im not really grieving fully yet. Thats going to go on for the rest of my life, said his long-time partner Larry Mass. Its like Im still caring for him. Hes still with me." Sometimes when world events make him angry, he thinks about what Kantrowitz would have said to bring him back to earth. He was always good at that. Hes not totally gone, Mass says. Hes there in my heart.

___

Luis Alfonso Bay Montgomery worked straight through the pandemics early months in Somerton, Arizona, piloting a tractor among lettuce and cauliflower fields. Even after he began feeling sick in mid-June, he insisted on laboring on, says Yolanda Bay, his wife of 42 years. When he died, at 59, in July 2020, Bay was on her own for the first time since theyd met as teenagers in their native Mexico. In the months since her husband died, Bay, a taxi driver, has worked hard to keep her mind occupied. But memories find a way in. Driving past the fields he plowed, she imagines him on his tractor. Its time to get rid of his clothes, but ...  she says, unable to finish the sentence. There are times that I feel completely alone. And I still cant believe it.

___

Jennifer McClung, a longtime dialysis nurse, was a central figure at the nurses station in her ward at Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama. In November of 2020, McClung, 54, tested positive for COVID. Mama, I feel like Im never coming home again, she texted her mother, Stella Olive, from a hospital bed. Her lungs severely damaged by the virus, she died just hours before the nations vaccination campaign began, on December 14. If only the vaccine had come in time, McClung might have made it, friend and fellow nurse Christa House says. Today, a decal with a halo and angels wings marks the place McClung once occupied at a third-floor nurses station. It still just seems like she could just walk through the door, McClungs mother says. I havent accepted that shes shes gone. I mean, a body is here one day and talking and laughing and loving and and then, poof, theyre just gone.

___

Larry Quackenbush worked as an audio and video producer for the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination based in Springfield, Missouri. He died in August after contracting the virus while caring for his then 12-year-old son, Landon, who came home from summer camp sick with COVID. Even when he started feeling sick, he kept taking care of everybody, daughter Macy Sweeters said.

"It just hurts so much. He was my best friend.

___

Neil Lawyer loved to sing while his son, David, accompanied him on the piano in his living room in Bellevue, Washington. The elder Lawyer died at 84 in March 2020, among the first residents of a Seattle area nursing home who succumbed to COVID during the outbreak. At weddings, he joined his sons, grandson and nephew to serenade brides and grooms in a makeshift ensemble dubbed the Moose-Tones. Last October, when one of his granddaughters married, it marked the first family affair without Lawyer there to hold court. The Moose-Tones went on without him. He would have just been beaming because, you know, it was the most important thing in the world to him late in life, to get together with family, David Lawyer says. I can honestly tell you he was terribly missed.

___

Fernando Morales and younger brother Adam Almonte used to sit, always on the same benches, at New York's Fort Tryon Park, eating sandwiches together. On the deadliest day of a horrific week in April 2020, COVID took the lives of 816 people in New York City alone. Morales, 43, was one of them. Walking through the park, Almonte visualizes long-ago days tossing a baseball with his brother and taking in the view from their bench with sandwiches in hand. He replays old messages to just to hear Morales voice. When he passed away it was like I lost a brother, a parent and a friend all at the same time, Almonte says. Thats an irreplaceable type of love.

___

Associated Press National Writer Adam Geller contributed to this story.
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NEW FAIRFIELD  The owner of Sarahs Gift n Ship is looking for someone to take over the business as she opens a new chapter of her life in Tennessee.

Sarah Aldrich said she and her husband are moving to be close to their daughter  and while she could just shut the doors and walk away from the Brush Hill Road business shes owned for more than 14 years, thats not what she wants to do.

Im hoping that someone buys Sarahs Gift n Ship and continues to offer the very valuable services the store has provided, she said. We have a very strong preference to sell it to someone local, because we feel thats what would be best for the community.

Aldrich and her husband have been thinking about moving for the last two or so years after their daughter moved to the Nashville area with her family.

Our daughter had identical twin girls last year, so she has six children now, and we decided around Christmas that it was time to relocate to be near them, she said. We sold our house (in New Fairfield) and were able to buy a house next to hers down there.

The shop has become a local go-to for shipping, printing and scanning services, as well as unique gifts and toys.

We feel very, very strongly about selling it because the store offers a lot that New Fairfield needs, she said.

On an average day, Aldrich said she handles at least 50 packages between the U.S. Postal Service, UPS and FedEx on an average day  and its not unusual for her to handle 100.

Thats a lot of packages that move through my hands in a week  and if I cant do it, people would have to take them somewhere else, she said.

Because Sarahs Gift n Ship is an authorized shipping center, she said New Fairfield residents dont have to travel to mail FedEx packages. The nearest location is a drop-box on Federal Road in Brookfield, according to FedExs website.

In addition to shipping packages, the store provides faxing and scanning services.

We get people who are working from home who never have to print anything but suddenly need to print a document, and well do that for them, Aldrich said. We try to take the tack of: If we can do it, we do it. I cant be all things to all people, but Ive tried very hard to meet their needs.

The store also sells gifts and non-licensed toys  stuff you would find in specialty toy stores, she said.

In addition to childrens items like coloring books, craft kits, puppets and games, people can find adult puzzles, mugs, purses, jewelry, candles and wine glasses at Sarahs Gift n Ship.

The shop carries merchandise with Candlewood Lake, New Fairfield and Sherman themes  some of which Aldrich said shes designed herself.

Weve packed as much as we can into the space that we have. About 800-square-feet of the store is devoted to retail. Lets just say we dont waste much space, she said.

While shes looking forward to being close to her daughter and grandchildren, Aldrich said shes going to miss New Fairfield  the closest thing shes ever had to a hometown.

I grew up moving every three or four years, so Ive never really had a hometown until I moved to New Fairfield almost 30 years ago, she said.

Aldrich said shes going to miss her daily interactions with customers.

Ive been here long enough that Ive really gotten to know them, she said. Im really going to miss the people I see everyday and the sense of community I get from being in New Fairfield.

Aldrich said owning and operating Sarahs Gift n Ship for more than 14 years has been an honor.

People ask me what the best part of my job is and I say making the place I live a better place to live, she said. I think Sarahs Gift n Ship has been a real asset to the town, and Im really going to miss the people.

With their New Fairfield home already sold and the purchase of their new home in Tennessee in its final stages, Aldrich said she and her husband have been actively seeking buyers to take over Sarahs Gift n Ship.

There are people were talking to, but were not yet at a point where weve signed any contracts, she said. Im keeping the faith that someones going to step up to the plate.

Although she and her husband have to be out of their New Fairfield home by June 17, Aldrich said shes more than willing to stick around to help transition ownership of Sarahs Gift n Ship.

I will stay up here if I need to until things are resolved, she said.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Court records indicate that a suspect charged in a deadly Iowa nightclub shooting is the father of one homicide victims child and once worked at the nightclub.

Timothy Rush, 32, was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree murder and other counts in the shooting death of 35-year-old Nicole Owens and the critical wounding of another man early Sunday at the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge in Cedar Rapids.
MONTREAL, April 13, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Pharmascience is pleased to welcome a new member to its executive team, Roger-Ketcha Ngassam, who will join the team on April 4 as Vice President of Operations. Roger-Ketcha will succeed John Primak, Vice President, Global Operations, who is retiring in June 2022.

With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Roger brings a wealth of knowledge and management experience. He held various roles throughout his career, both at the operational and commercial levels.

In recent years, his expertise has taken him to Europe, where he has held management positions in Switzerland and Bulgaria. During this time, he worked to implement major strategic initiatives.

With a strong manufacturing background, both in sterile and oral solid dosage (OSD), his achievements are numerous.

"The human aspect is paramount in Roger's eyes, and he makes a point of honour to recognize the impact that people can have on the company. His ability to listen as well as his leadership skills will be a great asset in helping us continue to develop and execute our various operational strategies," said Jean-Guy Goulet, Chief Operating Officer at Pharmascience.

The entire Pharmascience team welcomes Roger-Ketcha!

ABOUT PHARMASCIENCE INC.

Founded in 1983, Pharmascience Inc. is the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec with 1,500 employees proudly headquartered in Montreal. Pharmascience Inc. is a full-service privately owned pharmaceutical company with strong roots in Canada and a growing global reach with product distribution in over 50 countries. Ranked 47th among Canada's top 100 Research & Development (R&D) investors in 2020, with 40-50 million dollars invested each year, Pharmascience Inc. is among the largest drug manufacturers in Canada.

Pharmascience Inc. has strong values based on the importance of investing in its employees and young people. Through various programs and initiatives, the company ensures it supports their personal development and life. In 2022, Pharmascience Inc. has proudly been recognized for its investments by being selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People and named as one of Montreal's best employers, as part of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. Pharmascience is now certified as a Great Place to Work.

SOURCE Pharmascience Inc.

For further information: please contact [email protected]
The report shares the results of collaboration across the aviation and clean fuel ecosystems, and a potential path forward to help this hard to decarbonize industry meet its climate targets

TORONTO, April 13, 2022 /CNW/ - According to a new report by Deloitte Canada, in order for Canada to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it needs to take immediate action to decarbonize its economy, including hard to decarbonize industries, such as aviation. The report, Reaching cruising altitude: A plan for scaling sustainable aviation fuel in Canada, explores ways to foster the use and production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), while positioning Canada as a leader in clean energy.

The report maps a path forward to making progress, accelerating Canadian capabilities and partnerships, and identifying mechanisms that can advance the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. SAF is a critical component of the decarbonization of the aviation industry and plays a part in Canada's energy transition.

"Meeting Canada's net-zero commitment by 2050 requires that every sector in the economy undergoes deep decarbonization, including the aviation industry" says Nathan Steeghs, Partner, Risk Advisory, Deloitte Canada. "Aviation has fewer and less affordable emission-reduction options than most sectors, and its share of global emissions will increase over time. Replacing petroleum jet fuel with SAF can have tremendous and direct impact on decarbonization. This report reinforces our commitment to tackle climate change through bold action."

Following a series of interviews, surveys, and workshops with stakeholders from across the aviation and clean fuel value chain, including major airlines, the report states that Canada is well positioned to lead in the production of clean fuels, thereby creating jobs and supporting continued economic growth. To lead, the country will have to introduce measures to accelerate low-carbon fuel.

"The good news is that SAF is compatible with current aircraft and infrastructure and can substantially lower the life-cycle carbon emissions of aviation fuel," says Andrew Pau, Partner, Consulting, Deloitte Canada. "If Canadians do not find ways to scale the supply and uptake of SAF now, the aviation sector's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions will continue to grow and will cost Canadians more  in effort and impact  in the future."

Critical to the proposed pathway were Canadian-based solutions that will support resilient supply chains, allowing Canada to further diversify its economy and sustain the future workforce transition from employment in fossil fuels to renewable energy. The need for a made in Canada solution led to a focussed pathway with a series of proposed actions required to accelerate SAF production in Canada, the most pressing of which include:

The establishment of a clear mandate for SAF leadership and governance, including, for example, a lead agency responsible for a multi-agency task force that mirrors the complexity of this emerging market, representing aviation, clean fuel, innovation, and investment expertise.

Development and evaluation of SAF-specific policies in Canada in the context of a broader regulatory framework to decarbonize Canada's aviation sector.

in the context of a broader regulatory framework to decarbonize aviation sector. Early voluntary SAF procurement and agreement from public and private sectors.

Accelerated action through industry partnerships that provide coordinated and consistent input and work directly with a government led task force.

While Canada's reliance on the aviation industry will only grow, the roadmap proposed in this report gives Canadians the opportunity to make a substantial impact on the planet's overall health, while ensuring Canada does not become reliant on importing clean aviation fuel. In the near to medium future Sustainable Aviation Fuel remains the core solution to decarbonizing air travel with important roles for both consumers and participants from across the aviation ecosystem.

To learn more about the proposed roadmap for decarbonizing the Canadian aviation sector through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, please visit: Reaching cruising altitude: A plan for scaling sustainable aviation fuel in Canada

Contributors, research and workshop participant organizations:

Advanced Biofuels Canada, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Air Canada, Airbus, Biofuels Consulting/Forge, Bombardier, Canadian Oilseed Processors, Canfor/Arbios, Carbon Engineering, Collins Aerospace Canada, Environment Canada, FSM Group, C-SAF, GTAA, Irving Oil, McCrimmon Innovation Consulting, Nawitka Capital Advisors, Nieuport Aviation, Natural Resources Canada, Parkland, Purolator, Refuel Energy, SAF+ Consortium, Shell Canada, Suncor, Tidewater Renewables, Transport Canada, University of British Columbia, Vancouver International Airport, West Coast Reduction, WestJet

Quotes:

Air Canada is investing in SAF as one of several transformational strategies to support its net zero emissions by 2050 commitment. The continued collaboration of SAF ecosystem stakeholders to scale up sustainable, long-term SAF supply here in Canada will facilitate meaningful improvements towards aviation decarbonization, enable Air Canada to continue being a major economic contributor, and will also support Canada's climate change leadership position on the world stage.

- Teresa Ehman

Air Canada

Canada is well positioned to lead in the production of clean fuels, creating jobs and supporting continued economic growth for the country. However, other jurisdictions are moving quickly on policies to incentivize the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, leading to the expansion of the renewable diesel and SAF markets outside of Canada. A global SAF race has started. We must take action now to introduce measures to accelerate SAF production, including building production plants and resilient supply chains, and putting the necessary infrastructure in place before time runs out.

- Geoff Tauvette

C-SAF

Canadians rely heavily on aviation to connect communities and supply essential goods across our vast nation. What I have learned through this process is that, like YVR, the entire aviation industry's value chain is committed to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions tied to those connections. We are agreed that now is the time to scale up the supply and uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to make a real impact.

- Marion Town

YVR

All parts of the SAF supply chain are part of the solution. Airports can play a leadership role since they are invested in the success of their regions. We want to see SAF available across Canada.

- Todd Ernst

GTAA

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact.

To learn more about Deloitte's approximately 330,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

SOURCE Deloitte & Touche

For further information: Katie Watkins, Deloitte, 437-778-6339, [email protected]; Mike Filion, Deloitte, 514-463-8945, [email protected]
MONTREAL, April 13, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC), a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world, has been awarded a four-year advisory and engineering services contract by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to support its offshore operations power project. A first-of-its-kind high-voltage, direct current (HVDC-VSC) subsea transmission system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the project will power ADNOC's offshore production operations with cleaner and more efficient energy.

"Our work with ADNOC on this significant project will support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and reinforces our commitment to work with our global clients on their net zero journeys," said Ian L. Edwards, President and CEO, SNC-Lavalin. "Through our world-class engineering services and HVDC expertise, we will ensure the project is delivered to the highest quality, safety, and environmental standards to drive more efficiency and green impact."

The project, which is in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of ADNOC's offshore operations by more than 30%, replacing existing offshore gas turbine generators with more sustainable power sources available on the Abu Dhabi onshore power network. This will be achieved by developing two subsea HVDC-VSC links from onshore Alternating Current (AC) power substations to artificial islands. SNC-Lavalin's scope of work includes the design review of the converter stations, the submarine cables, integration with the onshore and offshore grid, as well as reviewing the implementation plans for HSE, Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) of contractors. In addition, SNC-Lavalin will provide supervision throughout the construction and commissioning phases. The project will be supported by the company's global HVDC Center of Excellence in Canada, and its regional expertise based in the Middle East.

"SNC-Lavalin's Canadian HVDC Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been active in the field for half a century," said Dale Clarke, CEO, Engineering Services, Canada at SNC-Lavalin. "This CoE has delivered close to 50 landmark projects across five continents and adapts each project to its unique environments."

SNC-Lavalin has a proven track record in delivering some of the most complex and challenging HVDC systems worldwide. The company's global team of expertise work with clients across the entire asset life cycle, ensuring  from development and design to project development and commissioning, to rehabilitation and end-of-life management  the utmost benefits of clean, effective and cost-effective power are realized.

About SNC-Lavalin

Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, technology and data to design, deliver and operate the most complex projects. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital.  and delivered to clients in key strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear, Operations & Maintenance and Capital. News and information are available at snclavalin.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE SNC-Lavalin

For further information: Media: Harold Fortin, Senior Director, External Communications, [email protected]; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice President, Investor Relations, 514-393-8000, ext. 57553, [email protected]
JAKARTA, Indonesia and TORONTO, April 5, 2022 /CNW/ - PT Sun Life Financial Indonesia (Sun Life Indonesia), a subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF), and PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga; IDX: BNGA) announced today that they are deepening their existing partnership in Indonesia.

Sun Life Indonesia currently offers insurance solutions to CIMB Niaga customers through digital and out-of-branch channels. This new agreement makes Sun Life Indonesia the provider of insurance solutions to CIMB Niaga customers through all channels for a term of 15 years starting in January 2025. It also extends the term of the existing relationship by six (6) years to 2039.

This partnership combines Sun Life Indonesia's comprehensive range of insurance solutions and expert Client care across all life stages with CIMB Niaga's extensive distribution network of 427 branches serving seven (7) million customers across Indonesia. Established in 1955, CIMB Niaga is the second largest private bank by total assets in Indonesia as of December 31, 2021. Sun Life is also the exclusive bancassurance partner for CIMB Group in Malaysia.

The Indonesian market is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and offers significant growth potential, reflecting a young, emerging middle class with low insurance penetration rates. This deepening partnership will accelerate Sun Life's long-term strategy to grow its distribution capacity, supported by bancassurance. It will also enhance the value proposition for CIMB Niaga customers and provide them with a comprehensive range of protection and long-term savings solutions to address their evolving needs.

"We are delighted to deepen our regional partnership with CIMB to help millions more Clients in Indonesia achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives," said Ingrid Johnson, President of Sun Life Asia. "It will also extend Sun Life's reach in a market with tremendous potential for further growth with a partner that shares our focus on building a brighter, more sustainable future for Clients, employees and communities."

"We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Sun Life Indonesia. This partnership marks another step in CIMB Niaga's continued efforts to be the bank of choice for Indonesian consumers and businesses. CIMB Niaga and Sun Life Indonesia have highly complementary strengths and a shared focus on providing an extraordinary experience for our customers. Together, we foresee that this partnership will help us create significant lasting value for our customers and key stakeholders," said CIMB Niaga President Director Lani Darmawan.

"As one of Indonesia's leading banks, our customers rely on us to deliver best-in-class products and services. By deepening our partnership with Sun Life Indonesia, we are reaffirming our commitment to provide high-quality solutions across wealth and insurance products to serve customers' needs today and in the future," said Noviady Wahyudi, Chief of Consumer Banking CIMB Niaga.

"It is a great honour to strengthen the partnership between Sun Life Indonesia and CIMB Niaga. CIMB Niaga is a quality bank with a well-known brand and has been a trusted partner to Sun Life Indonesia since 2009. During that time, we have developed a lasting partnership as we worked together to build a comprehensive range of protection and financial solutions for Indonesians at every life stage," says Elin Waty, President Director of Sun Life Indonesia.

Visit www.sunlife.com for slides and more information related to this announcement.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.44 trillion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About Sun Life Indonesia

Sun Life Indonesia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. It offers a variety of protection and financial management products, from life insurance, education insurance, health insurance, and retirement plans. Sun Life Indonesia partners with leading financial institutions, both national and international, to serve multi-channel distribution strategies and provide wider access to our insurance solutions.

For more information please visit www.sunlife.co.id

About CIMB Niaga

CIMB Niaga was established under the name PT Bank Niaga in 1955. Approximately 92.5% of CIMB Niaga's shares (including the 1.02% owned by PT Commerce Kapital) are owned by CIMB Group. As the second largest private bank in Indonesia by assets, CIMB Niaga offers a comprehensive portfolio of conventional and shariah banking services, including consumer banking, SME banking, commercial and corporate banking, treasury and capital markets, and transaction banking services, supported by nationwide 427 branch offices, 4,481 ATM units, branchless banking networks, as well as 12,217 employees (consolidated) as of December 31, 2021.

Sun Life Press Contacts

Shierly Ge

Chief Marketing Officer

Sun Life Indonesia

T: +62 21 5289 0000

[email protected] Sun Life Investor Relations Contacts

Yaniv Bitton

Vice-President, Head of Investor Relations

& Capital Markets

T: +1 (416) 979-6496

[email protected]



Sarah James

Head of Communications

Sun Life Asia

T: +852 6021 5797

[email protected] David Mathews

Assistant Vice-President,

Investor Relations & Capital Markets

T: +1 (416) 979-6464

[email protected]



Rajani Kamath

Associate Vice-President

Corporate Communications

Sun Life

T: +1 (647) 515-7514

[email protected]





CIMB Niaga Press Contact

Deddy T. Hasibuan

Media Relations and Reputation Group Head

CIMB Niaga

T: +62 21 270 0555 CIMB Niaga Investor Relations Contact

Graha CIMB Niaga

Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav. 58

Jakarta 12190, Indonesia

T: +62 21 250 5252, 250 5353

Website: www.cimbniaga.co.id

[email protected]

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) chairman Rekha Sharma lambasted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her views on the matter, calling it unfortunate, amid a debate over the alleged gang-rape and death of a minor in Nadia.

Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister, made a terrible statement on the tragedy. She should be able to understand the suffering of another woman since she is a woman. It was wrong, she remarked, pointing fingers at the sufferer  said Rekha Sharma.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, questioned whether the girl was raped or had a love affair that resulted in her pregnancy on Monday.

In a statement she said What evidence do you have that she was raped? The cause of death has yet to be determined by the police. I had inquired of them. Was she pregnant, having an affair, or sick? Even family members were aware that it was a love affair. What can I do if a couple is in a relationship?

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar demanded a response from the state administration on Monday in connection with the alleged gang rape and death of a 14-year-old girl in Hanskhali, Nadia district.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was given permission to investigate the Hanskhali rape case by the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday.

A 14-year-old girl died earlier this month in West Bengals Nadia district after being allegedly gang-raped. In this case, the victims family has implicated the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader.
NASA announced that the Crew-4 mission will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) no sooner than April 23.

NASA announced in a press statement that the Crew-4 mission will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) no sooner than April 23.

NASA and SpaceX are now planning to launch the agencys Crew-4 mission to the International Space Station from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:26 a.m. EDT [9:26 a.m. GMT] on Saturday, April 23.

Following the launch of the Axiom Mission 1 to the ISS on April 8, the agencies will have enough time to finish final prelaunch preparation for the Crew-4 mission.

According to the announcement, NASA will perform a flight readiness review on Friday, focusing on the preparedness of SpaceXs crew transportation system, the International Space Station, and the international partners supporting the voyage.

If the launch is postponed on April 23, the crew will be able to launch on April 24 and 25.

NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines, and Jessica Watkins, as well as European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, will be launched to the International Space Station on the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon capsule. NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida will launch the rocket.
After swearing in as Pakistans PM, Shehbaz Sharif ordered the issuing of a diplomatic passport to his elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday.

It is being said that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan on a diplomatic passport after Eid.

Since his removal from office by the Supreme Court in July 2017 in the Panama Papers case, the Imran Khan government has filed several corruption proceedings against the former leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz).

However, the Lahore High Court granted him four-week permission to travel overseas for illness, Nawaz Sharif left for London in 2019.

He had made an assurance to the Lahore High Court to return to Pakistan within four weeks or as soon as he was certified well and fit to travel by physicians, citing his criminal record.
In PoK, a gangrape survivor sought shelter and security from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and told him about her trauma.

A woman in Pakistans Occupied Kashmir (POK) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for assistance. The woman was gang raped and is seeking for justice against this crime with her for a long time. Yet there has been no development in the case, therefore she has requested help from the Prime Minister.

The women identified herself, Maria Tahir in a video message shared on social media for PM Modi.

In an emotional video, Maria said I am a gang rape survivor and have been struggling for justice for the last seven years. Im seeking protection from Prime Minister Modi because the police, governments, and judiciary of PoK have failed to provide me with justice for the last seven years.

She further added stating that her kids are facing death threats from Local Police and a senior politician, Choudhary Tariq Farooq.

Maria has been pleading with authorities to hold those responsible for the horrible incident in 2015 accountable. Haroon Rashid, Mamoon Rashid, Jameel Shafi, Waqas Ashraf, Sanam Haroon, and three others have all been accused of sexually assaulting her.

In several attempts for justice, Maria also wrote a number of letters to officials, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has stated that reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is the governments next priority.
EAST HAVEN  The winning bid for the now-disassembled skate park ramps that the town put up for an online auction has been rejected, leaving the future of the ramps in limbo.

The skate park previously located at Joseph Melillo Middle School was removed March 25, following a monthslong evaluation of the space by the recreation department, with officials citing alleged drug and alcohol use and neighbor complaints as reasons for removal.

Since the ramps were removed from the park, supporters have organized a Facebook group, protests and petitions, and attended Mayor Joseph Carforas State of the town Address contending that allegations of improper behavior at the skate park were not true.

The ramps, once removed, had been put up for auction on the liquidation website GovDeals.

One person involved in the protests, Brendan Brown, felt so passionately about saving the skate park that he bid on the auction.

He did not have a set plan on what he would do with the ramps if he won but had put out feelers to find a place to store or place them, including with other municipalities.

Brown, a New Britain resident who traveled to skate at the East Haven park a few times a month, went on to win the auction, planning to spend $3,300 of his own money if it meant saving the ramps.

However, the town apparently declined the sale following the auctions end.

An email sent to Brown by GovDeals reviewed by the New Haven Register showed the sale was declined, however the reason was left blank. The email said if Brown had questions regarding the auction to contact GovDeals customer service.

I emailed customer service to find out if thats all legit and everything and I just havent heard back, Brown said.

Brown said he did not contact the town directly.

East Haven Finance Director Jim Keeley said in an email Tuesday that any bid can be rejected by the seller if price expectations are not met by actual bids.

I felt accepting the bid would not be in the Towns best interest based on value of property, Keeley wrote. Although the Towns intent to remove the skate park was due to safety and liability concerns and not that of revenue recognition, we still feel the need to do our due diligence to ensure that the best value is received.

Keeley said there currently is no timeline to put the skate park back up for auction as the town is reviewing the process and pricing structure.

The finance director also clarified that GovDeals does not charge East Haven to list items and that fees for the site get paid by winning bidders  so no taxpayer money had been spent.

While taxpayers did not pay to list the items for auction, they still are on the hook for the skate park itself, which was constructed in 2017 using Connecticuts Local Capital Improvement Program through the Office of Policy and Management.

Lora Rae Anderson, director of communications for the state chief operating officer, said on April 1 that taxpayers will be left to pay the debt on the 20-year bond used for the project.

As for whats next for the space where the park used to stand, the recreation department said the area is being evaluated and that the department is committed to using it as a recreational space that will serve a broad scope of the community.

Our recreation department will always work to provide activities that directly impact our community's youth population and that will be fair to the residents in the respective areas, the department said in a statement.

Brown, despite advocating for the skate park, said he was somewhat relieved with how things turned out. After winning the auction, he began planning to ship the ramps, find a temporary home for them and more.

This last week was really stressful, Brown said. Im drained from it.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
MIAMI (AP)  Police in Miami have arrested a 41-year-old woman in the deaths of her two young children after officers responded to repeated hang-up 911 calls from her apartment where they found their tied-up bodies.

Come get them, I don't want them anymore," Odette Lysse Joassaint told officers who responded to the scene on Tuesday night, according to the arrest report. Police said she appeared to be irrational.

The officers entered the apartment and found a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. The children were lying in a prone position on the bed with their arms, legs and neck tied, a police report said.

They tried to resuscitate the children until a Miami Fire Rescue crew arrived and pronounced them dead. Authorities have not released information on how they were killed, but the woman has been charged with two counts of murder.

It is not yet clear how many calls were made to 911 or whether she spoke to a dispatcher.

Miami police spokesperson Michael Vega said the father was not living there at the time but said there had been at least four calls made to the address in the past year over domestic violence, trespassing and disturbance. None of the incidents involved the children and no arrests were made, Vega said.

The father, Frantzy Belval, told The Associated Press that he would pick up the children every weekend and they would go and spend the night with him. Joassaint and Belval are both originally from Haiti, but he arrived in 1995 and she came to the U.S. in 2015.

She had asked me to cancel my contract with the apartment to move in back with her, he said. But she created too many problems.

Belval said he was not aware of any diagnosis for mental illness, but he said Joassaint had lost custody to the state of an older child. That child's father remained in Haiti.

Law enforcement is also working with the Florida Department of Children and Families, but it is not yet clear whether it had been involved with the family in the past. The state agency did not respond to requests for information.

___

News researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
For the last few years, Connecticut lawmakers have been working to develop legislation providing stronger protections for consumer data  a task made all the more urgent as the COVID-19 pandemic drove much of daily life and work online.

After efforts stalled in the 2021 session, a new push this year could add Connecticut to the growing list of states enacting consumer data privacy laws.

Senate Bill 6, which could be heard on the floor as soon as next week, would allow consumers to see which companies are collecting their data and what data those companies are collecting  and to opt out of sales of that information to third parties. Consumers under 18 would have to opt in to data collection.

The law would also require companies to notify consumers about their privacy rights and to protect the data they collect. The law would go into effect July 1, 2023.

In absence of action by the federal government, its incumbent upon the states to step up to protect our citizens and their privacy, said Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, chair of the General Assemblys general law committee, which introduced the bill.

Maroney said hes spent much of the last two years working with lobbyists and advocates around the country to ensure the legislation aligns with other states laws and doesnt create challenges for companies that operate across state lines.

Ive gone to great lengths to ensure interoperability, he said.

The protections provided in Connecticuts S.B. 6 hew closely to those in the Colorado Privacy Act, enacted last year  which landed between the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act and the stronger California laws passed in 2018 and 2020. More than a dozen states are considering similar bills this year, including Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

During public testimony before the general law committee, the bill received pushback from business groups who argued that the ability to collect and share data was important to their operations. Several raised concerns about the costs of compliance and questioned whether the legislation was duplicative to other regulations already in place. Hospitals, utilities and other groups proposed making exemptions for certain types of organizations.

As presently drafted, S.B. 6 contains provisions that could hinder Connecticut residents access to valuable ad-supported online resources, impede their ability to exercise choice in the marketplace, and harm businesses of all sizes, including tens of thousands of jobs tied to the advertising industry in Connecticut, that support the economy, members of the Digital Advertising Alliance, an industry group, argued in written testimony.

On the other end of the spectrum, Maureen Mahoney of Consumer Reports advocated for the bill to go further in expanding consumer privacy rights.

A group representing trial lawyers, opposed a provision in the bill that limits enforcement to the attorney general and doesnt allow consumers to seek civil damages directly from a business.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong testified in support of the bill, writing: The bill enables our Office to appropriately investigate potential violations and make use of a wider array of redress options, including penalties and injunctive relief where circumstances warrant. Among Tongs misgivings, however, was the potential for sweeping exemptions that could serve to dilute the effect of the law.

The general law committee approved the bill with a vote of 14-4 on March 15. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee, where it passed by a narrower margin this week. It could reach the Senate floor for debate as soon as next week.

Maroney said many of the concerns raised in committee have already been addressed, and several provisions in the bill are still being negotiated. For example, he said, the opt-in age limit could fall to 13 or 16, as is the case in other states laws.

Lawmakers said a tremendous amount of work has gone into drafting the bill and engaging with a broad array of constituent groups over the last year.

This year marks Maroneys third attempt to get the consumer privacy legislation passed, and hes feeling confident.

They usually say with major legislation, it takes at least three times to get it across the finish line, he said. This is my third try, so Im hoping that proves true.
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  Federal officials say it may be necessary to reduce water deliveries to users on the Colorado River to prevent the shutdown of a huge dam that supplies hydropower to some 5 million customers across the U.S. West.

Officials had hoped snowmelt would buoy Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border to ensure its dam could continue to supply power. But snow is already melting, and hotter-than-normal temperatures and prolonged drought are further shrinking the lake.

The Interior Department has proposed holding back water in the lake to maintain Glen Canyon Dam's ability to generate electricity amid what it said were the driest conditions in the region in more than 1,200 years.

The best available science indicates that the effects of climate change will continue to adversely impact the basin, Tanya Trujillo, the Interiors assistant secretary for water and science wrote to seven states in the basin Friday.

Trujillo asked for feedback on the proposal to keep 480,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell  enough water to serve about 1 million U.S. households. She stressed that operating the dam below 3,490 feet (1,063 meters), considered its minimum power pool, is uncharted territory and would lead to even more uncertainty for the western electrical grid and water deliveries to states and Mexico downstream.

In the Colorado River basin, Glen Canyon Dam is the mammoth of power production, delivering electricity to about 5 million customers in seven states  Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. As Lake Powell falls, the dam becomes less efficient. At 3,490 feet, it cant produce power.

If levels were to fall below that mark, the 7,500 residents in the city at the lake, Page, and the adjacent Navajo community of LeChee would have no access to drinking water.

The Pacific Northwest, and the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico and Texas are facing similar strains on water supplies.

Lake Powell fell below 3,525 feet (1,075 meters) for the first time ever last month, a level that concerned worried water managers. Federal data shows it will dip even further, in the most probable scenario, before rebounding above the level next spring.

If power production ceases at Glen Canyon Dam, customers that include cities, rural electric cooperatives and tribal utilities would be forced to seek more expensive options. The loss also would complicate western grid operations since hydropower is a relatively flexible renewable energy source that can be easily turned up or down, experts say.

Were in crisis management, and health and human safety issues, including production of hydropower, are taking precedence, said Jack Schmidt, director of the center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. Concepts like, Are we going to get our water back just may not even be relevant anymore.

The potential impacts to lower basin states that could see their water supplies reduced  California, Nevada and Arizona  aren't yet known. But the Interior's move is a display of the wide-ranging functions of Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, and the need to quickly pivot to confront climate change.

Lake Powell serves as the barometer for the rivers health in the upper basin, and Lake Mead has that job in the lower basin. Both were last full in the year 2000 but have declined to one-fourth and one-third of their capacity, respectively, as drought tightened its grip on the region.

Water managers in the basin states  Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado  are evaluating the proposal. The Interior Department has set an April 22 deadline for feedback.

___

Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  A California appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that Johnson & Johnson must pay penalties to the state for deceptively marketing pelvic mesh implants for women, but reduced the amount by $42 million to $302 million.

Johnson & Johnson had appealed in 2020 after Superior Court Judge Eddie Sturgeon assessed the $344 million in penalties against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon.

Sturgeon found after a non-jury trial that the company made misleading and potentially harmful statements in hundreds of thousands of advertisements and instructional brochures for nearly two decades.

California's Fourth District Court of Appeal issued a ruling Monday that $42 million in penalties assessed for the companys sales pitches to doctors were unjustified because there was no evidence of what the sales representatives actually said.

But the appeals court said Sturgeon received ample evidence that Ethicon knowingly deceived both physicians and patients about the risks posed by its products, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Ryan Carbain, a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson, told the Chronicle that the company would appeal the appeals court ruling to the state Supreme Court.

The instructions for use in all of the company's pelvic mesh implant packages falsified or omitted the full range, severity, duration, and cause of complications associated with Ethicons pelvic mesh products, as well as the potential irreversibility and catastrophic consequences, Presiding Justice Judith McConnell of the appeals court said in a 3-0 ruling upholding the $302 million in penalties.

She rejected the companys claim that the fine was excessive, saying it amounted to less than 1% of Johnson & Johnsons net worth of $70.4 billion.

The products, also called transvaginal mesh, are synthetic and surgically implanted through the vagina of women whose pelvic organs have sagged or who suffered from stress urinary incontinence when they cough, sneeze or lift heavy objects.

Many women have sued the New Jersey-based company alleging that the mesh caused severe pain, bleeding, infections, discomfort during intercourse and the need for removal surgery.

The condition is estimated to affect 3% to 17% of women and it sometimes becomes severe after age 70.

Johnson & Johnson, the worlds biggest maker of health care products, is contesting other lawsuits over drug side effects, its role in the U.S. opioid epidemic and allegations its baby powder caused cancer in some users.
MILFORD  A Bridgeport man charged with robbing a Naugatuck Avenue home at gunpoint while dressed in an Amazon uniform says his arrest is a case of mistaken identity, according to his lawyer.

Hes adamant that he wasnt there and they have the wrong person, said William Gerace, an attorney representing 25-year-old Shane Gordon.

Gordon surrendered to police last week after detectives obtained a warrant charging him with home invasion, first-degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree larceny, second-degree assault, stealing a firearm, possession of a firearm, and three counts of conspiracy in connection with the stickup, during which the victim was pistol-whipped and robbed of jewelry, cash, and a gun.

Gordon is due in court May 26 after posting a $750,000 bond following his arrest. Gerace said his client turned himself in because hes positive about how the case will turn out.

He surrendered knowing that the bond would be substantial because hes very confident theyve arrested the wrong person, Gerace said.

A second suspect, Jahsim Trotman, 25, also posted a $750,000 bond after he was arrested in the case March 16, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in court April 21. A third suspect named in the warrant had not been charged as of Wednesday.

An arrest warrant written by Detective Tyrone Dancy states the victim was home about 11 a.m. Jan. 10 when his doorbell rang and he looked outside the window to see an Amazon delivery person  despite the fact that he was not expecting a delivery and something did not feel right  so he grabbed his 9 mm handgun and put it on his hip.

When he opened the door, two individuals dressed as Amazon employees immediately forced their way into his apartment, the warrant states.

The suspects  who police said were later identified as Gordon and Trotman  overpowered, pistol-whipped, punched and kicked the man repeatedly while asking if he had money upstairs. Then they bound him with duct tape while ransacking the house, before another suspect alerted the others that a neighbor was calling police and they needed to leave.

At one point, the victim told police, Trotman told Gordon to shoot the victim, so Gordon pointed the muzzle of a gun at his forehead and pulled the trigger, but it didnt fire because there wasnt a round in the chamber. Gordon then allegedly racked the slide to load the chamber, after which the victim begged for his life and told both suspects that he had valuable jewelry and money upstairs, the warrant states.

The suspects allegedly made off with a Rolex worth $45,000 and a diamond necklace valued at $20,000, along with several other watches, the victims gun, and about $1,600 in cash.

The warrant says surveillance video depicted the suspects using a Hyundai Genesis with a California plate which was caught by a license plate reader in Bridgeport about an hour before the robbery.

Two days later, a lieutenant in the Bridgeport polices gang intelligence unit reported to Milford cops that an informant identified the suspects as Gordon, Trotman, and their alleged accomplice.

Cops found Gordon had a Hyundai Genesis like the one used in the robbery, and later found it at the Shelton address of one of the other suspects. They obtained a search warrant for the home, where they allegedly found clothes identical to those worn by one of the suspects in the robbery, but the man denied being involved and said he was home all day.

The warrant says police later obtained search warrants for the suspects cell phone records, which allegedly showed the suspects phone communicating in the time leading up to the robbery and traveling together to and from the stick-up.

The warrant says Milford detectives were notified by Bridgeport police Jan. 26 that Gordon had been shot in Bridgeport. When questioned at the police station, Gordon denied any knowledge of the home invasion or the vehicle registered to him.

Gordons lawyer declined to comment Wednesday on whether his client had been shot in Bridgeport.

I cant address that, Gerace said.
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ANSONIA  Her name was Naomi Ruth Wallace. But to a generation of Ansonia youth, she was always Miss RuthE.

Valley Save our Youth co-founder Len Duffus, who attended the Ansonia Community Center and now leads Valley Save our Youth, a nonprofit that mentors at-risk teens, said he didnt know her real name until after she died April 3 at age 89.

Thats the only way I ever knew her. I never knew her name. I was like, Oh, wow. I only knew her as just RuthE, Duffus said.

Wallace was the former assistant director of the Tinney Community Center on Olson Drive. Her impact on young residents was so great that when she retired in 2013, then Mayor James Della Volpe announced Jan. 10 as Naomi Wallace Day.

She spent her final years in retirement at Shady Knoll Health Center, according to her obituary.

Duffus said Wallace, and other women like former Councilwoman Diane Stroman and long-time Ansonia Community Action staff member Dorothy Coleman were known for their dedication to the city when he was growing up.

They were just positive, strong people in the community, who cared and stepped up. And (are) an inspiration for what I do right now, he said.

Wallace was born in South Carolina in 1932, according to her cousin Brenda Hazzard. Her family later moved to Ansonia, where she was an honors student at Ansonia High School.

She never had children, but her obituary describes her as a mother, auntie, and big sister to many in the city.

Stroman said Wallace was a special person.

Naomi was a one of a kind, Stroman said. She cared deeply about her community, especially the children she served over the years at the Tinney Community Center. They were her Tinney Center Angels. She impacted, counseled, taught, guided and nurtured hundreds of children and adults during her lifetime.

David Morgan, the CEO of TEAM Inc., a nonprofit housing and social services organization based in the Naugatuck Valley, said Wallaces wisdom and leadership brought people together.

Naomi Wallace was the godmother of the Valley, he said. A lot of my learning and growth, and Im sure many other leaders in the Valley, stems from her wisdom and leadership in bringing people together from all backgrounds in order effectuate positive change throughout our Valley community.

Morgan said a part of the community would go with Wallace, but her legacy here in the Valley will echo for generations.

Valley NAACP President Greg Johnson was the former director of the Tinney Community Center. He said Wallace brought awareness of different cultures in her role as an assistant director.

She was famous for her international festivals that she hosted after our Martin Luther King celebrations annually for many years, which brought many, many cultural and diverse populations to the table with their dishes, Johnson said. We were able to break bread and share information in our community.

While others knew Wallace as a dedicated community advocate, Hazzard said Wallace was also known for her sharp fashion style.

She always wore beautiful clothes. Her hair was always fixed beautifully, Hazzard said. She just loved pretty things and she was a very talented seamstress. And she always made herself and her friends the most beautiful outfits. She liked to go out and have fun.

Hazzard said Wallace also liked to go out to casinos with friends and play Scrabble, which they played from morning to night. She said she remembered her being in high spirits even while in hospice care, showing off pictures of her godsons baby to visitors.

And if Valley residents rarely referred to her by her actual name, the habit was returned. Wallace herself tended to refer to people in terms of endearment like honey or sweetie, Hazzard said.

Asked why she referred to herself as Miss RuthE, Hazzard said it was just because it was different and dramatic.

Wallace, Hazzard said, was the kindest person she knew and would often visit her home.

Wallace also was aware of the influence she had, spreading a little joy around a small city in a small state. Hazzard said she remembered a write up of her in a listing of African Americans and churches in the Naugatuck Valley. Her quote in the booklet captured Wallace perfectly, Hazzard said.

I would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, she said.
NEW HAVEN  It was a night of friendly bartering.

Members of the Board of Alders huddled in small groups Tuesday as they hashed out boundaries that will equalize populations in the citys 30 wards based on the 2020 census.

At the center of the horse trading was Jake Conshick, the citys new GIS (Geographic Information System) analyst. Hired less than a month ago, Conshick volunteered for the assignment.

It is fun. I honestly find this very intriguing, Conshick said.

He said he was familiar with the software and felt it would be easier for him to jump in to tackle the issue.

Beyond the ward boundaries themselves, another goal is to not split them among state House or Senate seats.

Such splits mean some residents now see their polling places change depending on whether it is a local or a state election year, which some may find confusing.

All evening, Conshick plugged in data on a digital map to show how close the movement of certain census blocks would come to an acceptable range of residents in each ward.

The ideal size is 4,467 persons, but it could vary by 5 percent over or under for a low of 4,243 to a high of 4,690 residents.

The initial calculation a few weeks ago showed which ones would need a contribution from a contiguous ward or a subtraction for those over 4,690, but there have been some surprises.

In the 18th Ward, the 2020 census consolidated several census blocks as calculated in the 2010 census, which left an unexpected deficit of 552 residents.

This could only be corrected by taking residents from the contiguous 17th Ward. Another rule does not allow a town to split a census block.

Alder Sal DeCola, D-18, and Alder Sal Punzo, D-17, have proposed some changes that would affect a number of streets.

Half of Soundview Terrace, a portion of Upson Terrace, an additional piece of Townsend Avenue, half of Elizabth Ann Drive and all of Hopkins Drive are among the changes going from Ward 17 to Ward 18 on the East Shore and Annex neighborhoods.

If needed, some wards can make multiple trades, depending on how many others are contiguous.

Ward 18, which is at the end of the east side of the citys land mass, is contiguous only to Ward 17.

When you are at the end of the line, it is easy. You can only go one way, DeCola said.

I just want to make a decision that is best for everybody, Punzo, a retired school principal, said.

In Fair Haven, Alder Sarah Miller, D-14, has a proposal that would place Farren Avenue and some side streets, such as Lancraft Street, in Wards 8 and 13, and possibly Ward 17.

They currently are in Ward 14, isolated across the Quinnipiac River, which has been an issue for decades.

As part of the proposal, Ward 14 would absorb some of Wards 15 and 16, leaving all of Ward 14 in the peninsula of Fair Haven, Miller said. It is still just a draft, but it would be an improvement.

We just want the wards to make more sense from a neighborhood perspective, Miller said.

While Wards 14 through 16 mainly are Fair Haven, there are also small sections of the neighborhood that are in Wards 8, 9 and 10. It just doesnt feel cohesive, Miller said.

It wasnt clear whether it was possible to have fewer alders representing Fair Haven to more easily work as a group. Currently, some alders have to attend multiple management meetings, she said.

The issues in East Rock are really different than the issues in Fair Haven, Miller said. It is really tough on Election Day. It is really confusing.

Alder Anna Festa, D-10, now represents portions of East Rock, Cedar Hill, Quinnipiac Meadows and Fair Haven. She will give up Gando Drive and a portion of Middletown Avenue to Ward 12.

Miller agreed that Alder Rose Ferraro Santana, D-13, should take the portion of Quinnipiac Avenue up to Judith Terrace that is now in Ward 14.

The changes discussed among the alders Tuesday will result in an interim working map that could change again as trading continues to bring Westville/Beaver Hills Wards 26 and 27, which have too few numbers, and Newhallvilles Ward 21, which has too many, into compliance.

The Special Committee on Ward Redistricting will meet next on April 26. Alder Evelyn Rodriguez, D-4, who is chairing the committee, urged residents to share their concerns with their alders.

She said she is checking to see whether they can present a draft map for a public hearing before a vote by the May 31 deadline. This has been requested by good government groups, such as the League of Women Voters.

Rodriguez said the alders are making progress and she credited the help received from Conshick in making that possible.
NEW HAVEN  One of three new administrative hires backed by the city school board this week is the daughter of a school board member.

Monica Joyner, an alumni and long-time employee of the district, will become supervisor of mathematics for the district on July 1.

She is currently an assistant principal at Hill Regional Career High School. In her new job she will earn $163,352. Her father is Edward Joyner, one of two elected members to the seven-member city school board.

The appointment was approved on a 5-0 vote during an online meeting of the board this week, with Joyner recusing himself from the vote and Board Member Darnell Goldson abstaining.

The board also approved the hiring of Kenneasha Sloley as principal at Conte West Hills Magnet School starting in July and Tessa Gumbs-Johnson, the districts supervisor of professional learning, as the new principal of King Robinson Magnet School. Gumbs-Johnsons new salary was not immediately posted.

Sloley, who will earn $163,352 in her new role, is currently the principal at Calvin Leete School in Guilford.

While Sloley and Gumbs-Johnsons appointment were unanimously approved, Joyners promotion was the subject of board discussion.

Goldson said he could not vote in favor of the appointment but not because of the candidates qualifications.

I have a fundamental problem with administrative appointments or promotions (who have) family members sitting on the board, Goldson said.

He said he was making no claim of impropriety. He just said it doesnt look good ethically.

Mayor Justin Elicker, a member of the board, pointed out that the board last year promoted the son of then-board member Larry Conaway to an administrative position without debate.

You cant limit family members the opportunity just because they have a relative on the board, Elicker said. New Haven is a small place. People on the board of ed have family members.

As long as the board member related to the candidate recuses him or herself from the situation, Elicker said he didnt see a problem.

Neither did Board Vice Chairman Matt Wilcox, who said he gave the matter extra scrutiny and determined Joyner deserving of the opportunity. She has 20 years of experience as a district math teacher, another 10 years as an administrator and endorsements that included the departing math supervisor, he said.

To my eyes it looked in order, Wilcox said.

Board Member Abie Benitez, a retired district educator, agreed.

I need to trust the superintendent and her team, Benitez said. I need to trust the process works.

Goldson said his concern was not with the individual but with the process. The board did not see resumes of other candidates. He also said that he was not at the August meeting when Conaways son Adham was promoted from a sixth-grade teacher at Davis Street Magnet school to assistant principal. If he had, he said he would have voiced the same opposition.

We dont need family members (of board members) moving through the upper echelon of the system, Goldson said.

Goldson added he received calls and emails when the proposed appointment was made public.

It is not the first time questions have been raised about Monica Joyners rise through the district. In 2019, the Rev. Boise Kimber of First Calvary Baptist Church, who has clashed politically with Edward Joyner, alleged his daughter was the beneficiary of her fathers influence.

Schools Superintendent Iline Tracey told the board that she plays no role in the hiring process until a long vetting process that includes a resume cut, interviews with teams of individuals and then a group of assistant superintendents before the top candidate is presented to her.

Tracey called Monica Joyner a proud product of the New Haven Public School system who returned after college to support the students of the district. She called the promotion well-deserved.

For her part, Monica Joyner said she was extremely proud, humbled, and excited to accept the position that will put her in charge of district math teachers.

I am excited with the challenges that lies ahead to help our students reach the enormous potential that lies inside of them, Joyner said.

Sloley, who has a superintendents certificate, according to Tracey, told the board she is committed to maintaining a school community of excellence at Conte.

I am extremely excited, Sloley said.

Gumbs-Johnson, who has spent 24 years in public education, said she is committed to being an advocate for students at King Robertson.

It is a great place to work, she said.
NEW HAVEN  The city will use a $5.35 million state grant to realign and redevelop lower State Street from Audubon Street to George Street and open several existing parking lots for transit-oriented, mixed-use development, Mayor Justin Elicker announced, calling it truly a game-changer.

The project has the potential to add 652,000 square feet of development to downtown, including 447 new residential units and 80,000 square feet of retail, Elicker said at a news conference adjacent to the entrance to the State Street rail station at the northwest corner of State and Chapel streets.

Any housing that gets built within the corridor will have affordable housing included as a component, Elicker and state Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Daum both said.

This multimillion-dollar investment is a game-changer for lower State Street in the Downtown and Wooster Square neighborhoods, Elicker said in a subsequent release.

The realignment of State Street in this critical commercial and transit hub will help jump-start new opportunities for inclusive growth and housing, generate new tax revenue to pay for essential city services, improve safety for residents through traffic-calming measures, and improve connections to the Farmington Canal greenway, he said.

The city is grateful to Gov. (Ned) Lamont and (DECD) Commissioner (David) Lehman for their ongoing support of New Haven, Elicker said. My gratitude also extends to the leadership of Sen. (Martin) Looney, Rep. (Roland) Lemar, Alder (Eli) Sabin and the community that came together to develop the Wooster Square Planning Study, which recommended new growth on these very underused parking lots.

Lamonts office created the Connecticut Communities Challenge Grant Program last year to fund a wide range of revitalization projects that improve the livability and vibrancy of communities throughout the state, with the goal of creating approximately 3,000 new jobs.

Lamont announced last week that the state would award $45 million to 12 cities and towns, including the State Street project in New Haven.

Other grants were awarded for projects in Hartford, Middletown, Stamford, Norwalk, East Hartford, Killingly, Mansfield, Middletown, New London, Norwich, Winchester and Windsor.

With a few adjustments to the flow of traffic on State Street, this part of New Haven has the potential to be redeveloped into a bustling neighborhood that is active with retail space in a walkable community with lots of new housing, Lamont said in the release.

I am glad the state can partner with the city and Mayor Elicker to help this proposed project become a reality, he said.

As part of the project, the city will work with existing stakeholders in and around the eight-block stretch of State Street, including the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen and Liberty Safe Haven, as well as existing small businesses such as Cafe Nine and Sharon Joy Salon, the release said.

Projects like the one in New Haven demonstrate how important public-private partnerships are to driving local economic development and community revitalization efforts, said Daum. I firmly believe collaborative planning and investment leads to more impactful proposals and results.

When complete, these 12 projects will expand Connecticuts housing stock, create jobs, boost the vibrancy of our downtowns and generally make Connecticut communities even greater places to live, work, and play, she said.

Beyond that, the project in New Haven will put more feet on the street, she said.

The alders present were pleased to see the project move forward.

I am very excited to work with my Downtown and Wooster Square neighbors, Mayor Elicker and his team and my colleagues on the Board of Alders to bring our community together and make this crucial stretch of State Street safer and more vibrant for everyone, said Sabin, in whose 7th Ward much of the area involved is located.

I am very grateful to our state partners for providing the funding we need to make it a reality Sabin said. This project will help us achieve the goals of our Downtown for All plan of building affordable housing, creating good jobs, bringing in tax revenue, improving public safety, and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Hill Alder Carmen Rodriguez, D-6, said during the new conference that were very excited to be able to work with Alder Sabin ... to make it a downtown for all, according to a video recording posted on Facebook by the New Haven Independent.

We want people to be able to walk and we want inclusivity, Rodriguez said. We want inclusivity. We want people to walk from Dwight, from the Hill, and come here, shop, eat and enjoy ... with safety measures put in place so they can feel safe while walking or riding their bicycles, she said.

The planned redesign would support additional commuters using the State Street Station, which sits in the middle of the planned project area and provides thousands of rail and transit connections to jobs all over Connecticut, said New Haven Parking Authority Executive Director Doug Hausladen.

The New Haven Parking Authority will continue to support the redevelopment of our surface parking lots by partnering with developers in the corridor at our recently renovated State Street Garage at 270 State St., Hausladen said.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
KENT  Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy recently announced that it has surpassed a new conservation milestone: 13,000 acres of land and water permanently protected.

The newly conserved lands in Bridgewater, Kent, Sharon, and Washington, include a public nature preserve, working farmland, and habitat for rare species, members said.

Connecticut is not on track to meet its statewide land conservation goals. To help address this, NCLC is ambitiously accelerating its pace of conservation and has set a goal of protecting an additional 2,500 acres by 2025, said NCLC Executive Director Catherine Rawson.

According to the conservancy:

In Bridgewater, NCLC completed two conservation projects in 2021. The first, a bequest of land from longtime resident Susan Hansen, protected 73 acres of core forest with exceptional biodiversity and established a permanent wildlife corridor to other conserved lands in town. The second was the permanent protection of the 100-acre Jane Pratt Farm in partnership with the Bridgewater Land Trust (BWLT). For that conservation project, NCLC guided BWLT through the process of selling a conservation easement to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, ensuring this remarkable community resource will remain available for agricultural use forever.

Julie Stuart, Executive Director of Bridgewater Land Trust, said, "Our partnership with NCLC was critical to our enrollment in the state's farmland protection program. The experience and support they brought to the process were key to the successful outcome. We are thrilled to be the first land trust to have this additional protection from the state, and we hope this will pave the way for others.

In Kent, NCLC and the Kent Land Trust established another innovative partnership model to ensure the perpetual conservation of the Iron Mountain Preserve, a 300-acre public hiking preserve. The property, previously owned by The Nature Conservancy, was transferred to KLT in 2021, and KLT subsequently granted a conservation easement to NCLC. The addition of the conservation easement provides the highest level of conservation protection possible and ensures the public nature preserve will be maintained in its natural state in perpetuity.

In Washington and Sharon, landowners Ben Nickoll and Chrissy Armstrong continued their tremendous conservation legacy by conserving 14 acres and 59 acres, respectively. The properties, which protect core forest and farmland, provide essential habitat for rare species and wildlife connections to other conserved lands. According to NCLC, Nickoll and Armstrong have protected close to 800 acres with NCLC in Litchfield County over the past seventeen years.

Paul Elconin, NCLCs Director of Land Conservation, said, More than 90% of the lands protected by NCLC are conserved through private donation. We feel tremendous gratitude for Chrissy and Bens commitment to conservation, as well as to each of our land donors that have chosen conservation over other potential outcomes. Their charitable gifts benefit our communities, help keep our air and water clean, and provide places for us all to explore and enjoy.

To learn more about NCLC or to become involved, visit ctland.org
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NEW HAVEN  A New Haven man was charged Tuesday in an attempted murder in New York, the New Haven Police Department reported Wednesday.

Police said the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 26-year-old Joshua Williams on Melroe Drive. He was placed in custody as a fugitive from justice.
Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media

HAMDEN  A stretch of Whitney Avenue has reopened after a crash early Wednesday morning left water across the road from a fire hydrant that had been struck, police said.

Whitney Avenue was shut down all day Wednesday to traffic between Mount Carmel and Sherman avenues after the incident, police said. The road reopened to traffic in both directions by 6 a.m. Thursday, police said.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus on Wednesday kicked off an initiative to give women an equal say in any renewed push to reunify the eastern Mediterranean island nation.

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, Ersin Tatar, inaugurated the plan at a United Nations compound off the defunct Nicosia airport, which is inside a buffer zone that runs for 180 kilometers (120 miles) across the island.

The meeting didnt appear to go well. Anastasiades said after the event that he was sincerely saddened by Tatar's steady intransigence after repeating his demand for recognition of the breakaway north as a sovereign state on par with the internationally recognized Cyprus government before peace talks can resume.

The hard-right Tatar upended a decades-long, U.N.-endorsed understanding between the two sides that any deal would be on the basis of a federation by insisting on a two-state peace deal. Greek Cypriots say they would never accept any arrangement that would formalize the islands forced partition.

Anastasiades also said Tatar sidestepped his appeal to curb the steady stream of migrants who arrive in the north and cross the porous buffer zone to apply for asylum and European Union protection in the south.

Efforts to reunify Cyprus and potentially unlock the speedy exploitation of natural gas deposits off the islands southern coastline to European markets have remained stalled since 2017, when the most recent top-level unity negotiations collapsed amid mutual recriminations as to who was to blame.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots accuse the Greek Cypriots of being unwilling to share power in an envisioned federation. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots fear a bid by Turkey to place the entire island under its control through Ankaras demands for a permanent troop presence, military intervention rights and a Turkish Cypriot veto at all decision-making levels.

The initiative is hoped to be embraced as a small, but notable step forward in helping revive peace talks. It was set in motion following a U.N. Security Council resolution last year calling for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the peace process.

According to a U.N. statement, a committee made up of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has been given the job of bolstering gender equality will reach out to womens organizations, youth groups and others for their views on including gender perspectives in a renewed peace drive.
TRUMBULL  A brief, but fiery, meeting of the town council on Monday resulted in every Republican member that attended walking out of the chamber by meetings end.

Despite the walkout, the council still voted to approve a resolution to redistrict the town.

Republican Town Council member Tony Scinto said he orchestrated the walkout, asking the other Republican council members to leave if the vote was called to question.

Calling to question stops all debate, he said.

The town last redistricted in 2020, going from four voting districts to seven. Since then, two things have happened.

One is that the 2020 Census data was released, and districts are supposed to be created using the most recent census information. The second is that the Connecticut General Assembly redrew state representative districts, based on the new census data.

Based on that, the town now has to accommodate four state House districts instead of the previous three.

According to the redistricting committee, part of the reason for redistricting was create as few split districts as possible. This is when town council districts include multiple legislative districts.

Even before the walkout, Mondays town council meeting  which clocked in at less than an hour  was a contentious one. Early on, several council members and members of the public had spoken out against the redistricting resolution, which retained seven voting districts in the town, but redrew them, based largely on the updated census data, and the state redistricting.

Those speaking out against resolution complained that, among other things, the seven-member redistricting committee had a Democratic majority, and that one of the members was Tom Kelly, chair of the Trumbull Democratic Town Committee. There were also concerns that people werent sufficiently informed about the plan.

Most people know nothing about it, said Joe Pifko, a member of the Trumbull Republican Town Committee who spoke during the public comment portion. He also debated the necessity of redistricting so soon.

This has to be something that lasts  not something that changes every two years because of whos in office, Pifko said.

But some were in favor of the plan, including DTC member Marshall Marcus.

This committee was charged, not to redistrict but to realign, he said. Not everyone going is to be happy. We cant make everyone happy but we can make everyones vote count.

Discussion between the council members was also contentious. Republican council member Stephen Lemoine, who was also on the redistricting committee, said he was concerned that the committee did not actively seek to involve community in drawing the districts, and that Mondays meeting was the first public hearing on the matter.

Lemoine also said he and the other Republicans on the committee wanted to pursue other options besides seven voting districts, including possibly having three districts, but their requests were dismissed out of hand.

Democratic Majority Leader Jason Marsh took issue with the complaints, pointing out that the seven-member committee was proposed by Republican Minority Leader Carl Massaro, who wasnt present at the meeting.

I dont know what to say about that, other than you got what asked for, Marsh said.

He also pointed out that, despite concerns voiced about Kelly being on the committee, other members of the committee included Mark Block, who is secretary of the RTC and was the most recent Republican candidate for first selectman.

Were you ever denied right to speak on the committee? Marsh asked the Republican members of the committee.

When Scinto pushed back, Marsh pointed out that he wasnt on the committee because your behavior on the previous committee precluded us putting you on this committee.

In November 2020, the Trumbull Ethics Commission ruled that Scinto had violated the towns code of ethics when he made derogatory comments about a volunteer municipal mapmaker during a meeting on redistricting.

Lemoine asked that the current report get sent back to committee for further work. That motion was eventually voted down, and the resolution was called to question, prompting the walkout.

Marsh asked if it was OK to vote in light of the walkout and was told it was fine as long as there was a quorum. The redistricting resolution passed, and the new districts will be effective, starting with the primary elections to be held on Aug. 9.

Kelly said he watched the meeting online, and pointed out that his standing as chair of the Democratic Town Committee had nothing to do with his inclusion on the redistricting committee.

I was also on the last committee and thats why they asked me to be on this committee, he said. It had nothing to with me being an officer of (the DTC).

Kelly said he was particularly disturbed by the walkout, and that there was no call for it.

Republicans and Democrats dont agree on everything, he said. Thats fine. The solution to not agreeing is not walking out.
HONOLULU (AP)  Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi tested positive Wednesday for COVID-19, his office said.

He is currently isolating and resting at home and is in good spirits despite experiencing mild symptoms related to the infection, his office said in a release.

Blangiardi is fully vaccinated and boosted, his office said. The 75-year-old mayor was scheduled to get his second booster shot later this week, said spokesperson Ian Scheuring.

This is Blangiardi's first time contracting COVID-19, Scheuring said.

The office is notifying those who had close contact with the mayor in recent days.

The mayor is working remotely as needed and is expected to remain out of the office until sometime next week, his office said.
So many vintage things are back in style, from butterfly hair clips to middle parts to drive-in movies.

And, fortunately for us, in Connecticut you can part your hair in the middle, secure your butterfly clips and pull up to a drive-in movie theater all over the state.

These five drive-in theaters still operating in Connecticut have food trucks, snacks, double-features and more to keep families entertained this summer.

Pleasant Valley Drive-In Movie Theater

Pleasant Valley Drive-In features movies Thursdays through Sundays. Movies start at 9 p.m. but gates open and tickets are sold starting at 6:30 p.m.

On Fridays tickets are $20 a car; Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets are $10 per person ages 13 and up and $5 per person ages 6 through 12. Children under 6 are free. Tickets are cash only. Movie schedules for each weekend are posted on the drive-in website.

Passes for the 2022 season are available on its website now through April 15. A Family Pass, which can be used by two adults and two children, can be purchased for $150. A Teen Family Pass, which lets families choose four people that can use the pass including teens, is available for $175.

47 River Road, Barkhamsted; pleasantvalleydriveinmovies.com

The Original Southington Drive-In

The Original Southington Drive-In hosts drive-in movies every Saturday night. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Upcoming movies for the 2022 summer season include Jaws," "Monsters Inc.," "Frozen," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Ratatouille," "Luca," "Beauty and the Beast," "Tangled," "UP," "The Lion King," "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," "The Goonies," "Encanto," "Spider-Man No Way Home" and "Grease," according to its Facebook page.

Tickets are $20 per car and $5 for individual walk-ins. Cash only. Tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks. Check the drive-in Facebook page for times and a full list of movies.

995 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington; Facebook.com/OfficialSouthingtonDriveIn

Stamford Museum & Nature Center / Contributed photo /

Stamford Museum and Nature Center Drive-In Movie Nights

Stamford Museum and Nature Center is hosting Drive-In Movie Nights this year. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the movie shows as soon as dusk permits, according to the museum's website. The movie line-up will be announced next week, according to the museum.

Tickets are $40 for two people or $60 for three or more people, and tickets must be purchased online in advance.

151 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford; stamfordmuseum.org/exhibitions-and-adults/nights-out/nightsout

Mansfield Drive-In Theater and Marketplace

Mansfield Drive-In plays new-release movies daily at 9 or 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $13 per person ages 12 and up, $9 for children ages 4 through 11 and $9 for seniors and military members.

The theaters snack bar includes options such as clam fritters, cheeseburgers, fried Oreos, popcorn and more.

228 Stafford Road, Mansfield Center; mansfielddrivein.com

Remarkable Theater

This Drive-In plays movies periodically near Levitt Pavilion in Westport. Upcoming screenings have not been announced yet, however, they will be soon, according to the theaters website.

50 Imperial Ave., Westport; remarkabletheater.org

sarajane.sullivan@hearstmediact.com, @bysarajane on Twitter
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 57F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 38F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says it is an abuse of press freedom for journalists to refer to President Muhammadu Buha...

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says it is an abuse of press freedom for journalists to refer to President Muhammadu Buhari as a major general.

Mohammed said this on Tuesday when executives of the International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria chapter, paid a courtesy visit to him at his office in Abuja.

The minister said Nigeria has one of the most vibrant and free press in the world, adding that the media has no reason to fear the government.

I remember saying at the opening of the 2016 IPI World Congress in Qatar that the government of the day in Nigeria is not a threat to the media, and that it is not about to stifle press freedom or deny anyone his or her constitutionally-guaranteed rights, he said.

That statement remains true today as it was then. I even told the congress that the Nigerian media have no reason to fear the government, and that  if anything  it is the government that is at the mercy of the media. That, too, remains true today.

After all, this must be one of the very few countries in the world where a section of the media can refuse to recognise popular sovereignty, or how does one describe a situation in which a president who was duly elected by millions of Nigeria is willfully stripped of that title, president, and then cheekily cloaked in the garb of a dictator by playing up his military title?

Despite that abuse of press freedom, those doing that have continued to practise their profession without hindrance.

The information minister further charged IPI Nigeria to take seriously the issues of ethics, credibility, and fake news.

Also, the issue of fake news needs to be taken seriously before it strips the media of its credibility, he said.

If people can no longer believe what they read, hear or watch on the various media platforms, then we are all in trouble.

On the issue of ethics, is it part of the ethics of journalism for a media organisation to function like an opposition party, seeing nothing good in the government of the day and only reporting bad news?

The last time I checked, the constitutionally-guaranteed role of the media here in Nigeria is that of a watchdog, not an opposition.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has advised youths to be courageous about taking active part in politics. Abubakar spoke on Tue...

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has advised youths to be courageous about taking active part in politics.

Abubakar spoke on Tuesday at a meeting with leaders of support groups aligning with his presidential bid.

Addressing the leaders of the groups at the event held in Abuja, the former vice-president said he was delighted that more young people were showing interest in politics, adding that his dream is to mentor the young generation and hand over his political structure to them.

It is encouraging that these days, I see many young people come to me declaring intentions to run for various political positions  some state assemblies, some national assembly and even some aspiring to be governors, NAN quoted him as saying.

The beautiful thing is that this shows that our democracy is being strengthened. I also started early like many of you.

I started in my late 30s. During our time, our direction was to fight the military and return the country to civil rule.

In joining politics, you have to be focused, principled and courageous. For example, I contested for the governorship position four times before I was finally elected. That is politics for you. You have to be determined and be courageous.

He expressed appreciation to the leaders of the support groups for the roles they played during the 2019 election.

We are more organised now. It is a reflection of the fact that we are now more experienced and with experience comes more knowledge, he said.

What that means is that if there was any mistake that we made last time, we are in a better position to avoid such mistakes now.

On his part, Raymond Dokpesi, national coordinator of the Atiku Abubakar technical support team, urged the groups to engage with the necessary stakeholders to ensure that the former vice-president wins the 2023 presidential election.
Pastor Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel artist, Osinachi has told Police investigators that he is not responsible for the death of ...

Pastor Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel artist, Osinachi has told Police investigators that he is not responsible for the death of his wife.

Denying allegations of battery, assault and other domestic violence levied against him by family members and close associates of the popular artist, Peter said the truth was that his wife had been sick for a long time (since November last year) and he has been moving her from one hospital to another in a bid to get her treated

He said he first took his wife to Federal Medical Center in Abuja, later to Gwagwalada General hospital and later to National hospital where she finally died.

A source however said he could not provide evidence of the ailment that the late Osinachi was suffering from neither could he show documents confirming the hospitals he took the gospel artist to.

The source said that following Pastor Nwachukwus statement, he was taken to his home in handcuffs in a Police van in the Lugbe district on Tuesday, for a search for documents or evidence that will help in the investigation of case.

Meanwhile the case has been transferred from Lugbe Police Station to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says its operatives discovered a handgun concealed in the luggage of a passenger who arrived the c...

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says its operatives discovered a handgun concealed in the luggage of a passenger who arrived the country from the United States.

The agency said the traveller was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Amos Okpu, assistant comptroller for immigration, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

The Lagos Airport Comptroller, CIS Kemi Nandap stated that the Service received a credible intelligence that the passenger had boarded for Nigeria in Houston and had concealed a firearm in his luggage, the statement reads.

Upon arrival we declared him a person of interest and contacted the Customs Service for a search on his luggages. The handgun and 26 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from him.

The passenger who holds dual nationality of Nigeria and the United States is currently with us undergoing further interrogation to determine his intentions of bringing in the firearm.
Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the Port Harcourt refinery is on course to resume operations by the first q...

Timipre Sylva, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the Port Harcourt refinery is on course to resume operations by the first quarter of 2023.

Sylva said this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the facility tour in Eleme, Rivers, on Tuesday.

In 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited commenced the rehabilitation of the refinery  after the federal executive council (FEC) approved the sum of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation exercise.

Speaking on the work progress of the rehabilitation exercise, the minister said the plant would refine 60,000 barrels of crude per stream day (bpsd) when it resumes operations.

This project kicked off second quarter last year, and where they are now is quite impressive. It is on schedule, Sylva said.

The commitment is to deliver 60,000 barrels per day from this refinery by the first quarter of next year, and, of course, we are quite happy.

The minister assured that the federal government would end all forms of illegal oil bunkering going on in the Niger Delta.

Sylva said the modular refinery programme of the FG was also on course, urging people to take advantage of the programme.

He, however, said modular refinery should be separated from the illegal oil refining taking place in the Niger Delta, resulting in the soot pandemic in Port Harcourt and its environs.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had inaugurated a modular refinery in Imo state last year.

Visited Portharcourt refinery alongside the Hon Minster Timipre Sylva, NNPC Ltd Board Chairman Sen Margery Okagdigbo and other Board members to assess status of our rehabilitation works. Grateful to our determined team. pic.twitter.com/fSYEaTjfRX  Mele Kyari (@MKKyari) April 12, 2022





He added that similar projects were currently ongoing in other parts of the country, including Rivers state.

When people begin to equate modular refinery with the criminality that is going, I think they dont go together, the minister said.

The criminality should be taken on. What is going on in Port Harcourt and some of these areas causing problem is a criminal activity, and we cannot legalise that criminal activity.

We must stop that activity by law enforcement and that has started. The programme of starting a modular refinery had always been on.

Any law-abiding Nigerian who wants to invest in this area can access funding and the licenses from the federal government.
Screen-based media have proliferated over the past 20 years or so, and their ubiquity in the lives of children is looking more and more problematic, says family psychologist John Rosemond. Dreamstime/TNS
South Africa: Ports Authority rescues stranded flood survivors

Transnet National Ports Authority has rescued at least 80 people during the torrential flooding in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.

The areas has received significant downpours of rain that have claimed numerous lives over the past few days and destroyed homes, infrastructure and businesses.

A statement from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) reports that the people were rescued from various flooded areas using the ports authoritys helicopters.

Meanwhile, the department said operations at the Port of Durban have resumed gradually, with ongoing risk assessments to ensure the safety of employees and infrastructure.

Operations  including shipping  were suspended also due to the heavy rains.

The department said shipping operations will recommence once safety has been established for marine craft and vessel navigation.

The DPE said it is working with several stakeholders, including Transnet, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and Eskom, to implement key interventions at the port.

Priority interventions include repairing Bayhead Road, which is the main access road to the container terminals at the port and Island View, and investigating alternative access roads into the port while Bayhead Road is being repaired.

There was a washaway of a section of Bayhead Road at the outfall of the Umhlathuzana canal into the harbour. Cargo which will be prioritised for evacuation from the port today includes food, medical supplies and petroleum products.

Eskom is assisting the municipality to repair damaged infrastructure and electricity was restored overnight to the Island View precinct. [Electricity] safety checks are being conducted before operations by customers can resume, as some customers facilities were damaged by the flooding, the statement said.

According to the department, operations at the Richards Bay Port are continuing at a less efficient pace, with wet cargo presenting difficulties.

The DPE said Transnets rail operations in eThekwini are being assessed.

Transnet Freight Rail is carrying out ongoing assessments on the rail network in Durban and surrounds to determine the extent of damage before any train services into and out of the port can resume. The North Coast, South Coast and mainline from Durban to Pietermaritzburg remain closed, the department said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-04-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for its attempts to take advantage of the Ukraine situation and masquerade the Taiwan question as an international issue.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference that the DPP authority has been following anti-China forces in the West and hyping up the so-called "military threat" from the mainland, in an attempt to provoke further confrontation and create more tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

The spokesperson warned that "Taiwan independence" would lead to a loss of peace and plunge the region into peril. He also denounced the DPP's "Taiwan independence" provocations as the greatest threat to the security across the Strait. 
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra on Wednesday extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for 90 days, carrying it to mid-July. Greg Nash/Pool/Getty Images/TNS
Yes. It is the next logical step in banning abortions.

No. I think "Plan C" pills should still be allowed, and that the right to an abortion be upheld.

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The barbecue shrimp at Afrodisiac are big, beautiful and buttery. Theyre also spicy, though not in the usual black pepper way of the New Orleans staple.

Here, the heat comes from a Jamaican jerk seasoning, pulsing with Scotch bonnet pepper, a strong dose of allspice and thyme. The first bite pops on the palate and then keeps coming, not overwhelming, but robust and riveting.

The dish also serves as a fitting first taste of Afrodisiac, a restaurant that blends Jamaican and New Orleans Creole flavors.

What started as a food truck has grown into a full-service restaurant in Gentilly.

Chef Caron Kay Garel and her husband, Shaka Garel, opened the doors in March, adding a multifaceted new restaurant to a neighborhood always eager for more of them.

Afrodisiac serves lunch and dinner. It also serves as a bar with its own small lounge and a carefully composed cocktail program focusing on island-style drinks.

And in back, this cottage-sized restaurant opens to a large, terraced patio, lushly fringed by ginger and palmetto.

Rebounding from disaster

The idea of fusion comes naturally to this couple. Shaka Garel is a first-generation Jamaican-American who grew up in a home surrounded by island culture. Kay Garel grew up in Lafayette and came to New Orleans to attend Dillard University.

Their whole life together plays out as a blend of Jamaican Creole heritage, and that inspired the approach to food.

Kay Garel learned to cook at home; food was central to family life. She and her husband made the first moves to build a business around it about eight years ago. They bought a one-time bread delivery van and painstakingly turned it into a food truck themselves, adding a service window and kitchen equipment.

This mobile version of Afrodisiac was a regal purple rig that debuted along the Endymion parade route in 2017. Soon, it was making appearances at festivals and community celebrations and regular stops outside hospitals, breweries and other venues.

When the pandemic hit, the Garels pivot was to redeploy the truck as a portable kitchen for the citys feeding effort for homeless people.

Then Hurricane Zeta hit later that year. The storm felled a tree that landed right on the truck, essentially crumpling it. It seemed like they were wiped out, but not for long.

The calamity inspired an outpouring of community support, with an online fundraiser and events hosted at other restaurants and cafes. It put wind in the couples sails to propel the business forward.

Fusion in life, on the plate

Now with a full restaurant, they are finding new ways to express their fusion ideas. The menu is much larger now and continues to evolve.

A shrimp stew mixes Louisiana flavor and island vibrance beautifully, with lump shrimp mixing it up with smoked sausage and potatoes in the curry sauce, and a clutch of cornmeal-crusted catfish finishing it all off.

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

For the fried Jamaican fish, theyve been using local drum, which flakes apart under a crisp, dark shell, with the tangy-bright tangle of onions and peppers in an escovitch sauce.

Kay Garels approach to jerk is foundational to this kitchen. Like the barbecue shrimp, the jerk chicken pulses with steady, building heat from those Scotch bonnet peppers. The chicken is also smoked over pimento wood the traditional way, before being finished on the griddle.

Jerk chicken nachos  heaped with cheese and pico de gallo  deploy these flavors in a different way, and make an ideal snapshot of Jamaican Creole fusion bar food.

Good thing, because Afrodisiac is bringing something unique to Gentilly with its bar.

Island dreaming at the bar

To develop this part of the business, the couple worked with Toure Folkes, the local bar consultant and founder of Turning Tables, a nonprofit thats addressing racial inequity in restaurants and bars with mentorship and training.

Several of Afrodisiacs staff members are graduates of the program.

The opening drinks list brings some unique twists to classics, like a margarita made with guava and pineapple syrup (the Guava Rita). The Red Gyal Ring, named for a part of Jamaica, blends dark and white rums with strawberry shrub and fruit juices for a long sipper that will have you looking for a hammock.

Afrodisiac has an island vibe all over. Bright, colorful and open, it emulates spots the Garels are drawn to in their own travels around the Caribbean.

When we saw this place, we knew it was right, it looks like us, said Shaka Garel.

A mural of African beauty and Louisiana food bounty by Lionel Milton adorns one wall. A pattern of iridescent irises covers another. Little touches of personality and color appear across the small dining rooms leading out to the patio.

The space was previously home to StuphD Beignets and Burgers, which relocated to St. Claude Avenue in 2020. Earlier, it was known as the JuJu Bag Cafe, which had a popular following, especially for music nights, poetry readings and other such events.

Thats something that Garels plan to introduce as the restaurant develops.

Afrodisiac

5363 Franklin Ave., (504) 302-2090

Wed.-Thu. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

+9 Ian McNulty: This crawfish starts with garlic butter, adds cultural pride, makes statement Crawfish is a Louisiana staple that seems endlessly open for customization. Gather any number of people around a boiling pot and you can have 

+26 Looking for different seafood? Here are 24 answers for peak season in New Orleans Its a matter of seasonal clockwork. As soon as Mardi Gras ends and Lent begins, New Orleans doubles down on seafood. There are important cult

+4 Fried Chicken Festival to return this fall, with new home on New Orleans lakefront As the spring festival season finally returns to form, moves are underway to bring back fall festivals after a pandemic hiatus as well.
The Times-Picayune filed a motion Tuesday in Orleans Parish Civil District Court to intervene in a case involving the non-profit foundation that controls the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Demetric Mercadel, a past president of the board of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation Inc., sued the foundation in March. Michael Bagneris, another past president, filed an identical suit. Both requested that their cases be put under seal and hidden from public view.

Judge Omar Mason of Civil District Court's Division E signed the sealing order for portions of Bagneris' lawsuit on March 22. Judge Nicole Sheppard in Division J sealed portions of Mercadels suit on March 28.

The newspapers request to intervene, filed in Sheppards court, asserts that the sealing order and the closure of hearings related to the case violates the First Amendment right of access, the Louisiana Constitution, and Louisiana law.

The newspaper is seeking access to an April 13 hearing on Mercadels request for a preliminary injunction against the foundation, as well as access to all future hearings.

The newspaper also requested that Sheppard unseal all documents related to the case.

Tickets and parking passes

Mercadels original petition and her request for a preliminary injunction were filed under seal. But subsequent motions and responses from the foundation are publicly accessible.

Those documents gave some indication as to what she and Bagneris want from the foundation they previously led.

In her lawsuit, Mercadel asked a judge to require the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation Inc., or NOJHFF, to provide specific performance to Plaintiff in the form of consideration, including but not limited to personal tickets to Jazz Fest, parking privileges, and options to buy additional tickets at discounted prices for each year that Jazz Fest is held," according to an opposition memo filed Friday by the foundations attorneys.

Court documents indicate Mercadel is seeking a preliminary injunction against the foundation before the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival opens at the Fair Grounds on April 29.

The issues are time sensitive, particularly given that the Jazz Festival is set to begin later this month, Mercadels attorneys wrote. Should the hearing be continued, there is a risk that the relief requested in the motion would be rendered moot and, as a result, irreparably harm Ms. Mercadel.

In opposing Mercadels request, the foundations attorneys contended that she incorrectly suggests that she will suffer such irreparable injury" if not given free and discounted tickets.

Mercadel, the board notes in the court documents, is not prevented from buying tickets or parking passes to Jazz Fest, which are available to the general public.

Bagneris, a former Civil District Court judge and a 2017 mayoral candidate, first became president of the foundation board in 2000. Mercadel, a retired Entergy executive who now runs U.S. Rep. Troy Carters district offices, was elected board president in 2014. Board presidents typically serve two one-year terms.

Sources familiar with the boards operations have said past presidents received 70 free Jazz Fest tickets annually, plus the right to buy 100 more at half price.

They also received four laminate badges that granted access to a reserved viewing area for the board and its guests on the festivals three biggest stages and parking privileges on the festival grounds.

Changes to board rules

Several years ago, the Past Presidents Senate was dissolved, but the boards former leaders continued to receive perks worth several thousand dollars.

The board amended its bylaws in 2019 to eliminate all giveaways and other perks for past members.

Because the 2020 and 2021 Jazz Fests were canceled by the pandemic, the upcoming 2022 Jazz Fest, which opens at the Fair Grounds on April 29, is the first since the past presidents tickets were cut off.

The current board president, David Francis, said in a prepared statement last week that current board members also had their ticket allotment reduced. Those and other changes were made "in line with best practices for nonprofits" and to "preserve the 501c3 status of the foundation."

In its request to open up the Mercadel case to scrutiny, the newspaper asserts that the matter is of significant public concern throughout the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Public interest is high in the operations of the NOJHFF and its place as a cultural cornerstone in New Orleans.

The newspapers motion contends that other than Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest is perhaps the biggest tourist attraction each year. It is not a stretch to suggest to the Court to say that to a large degree, the city reduces to a crawl during Jazz Fest  as citizens from all walks of life take time from work to enjoy an annual cultural gem.

Additionally, the newspapers motion notes that the NOJHFF is a significant recipient of taxpayer funds through state subsidies, and there is enormous public interest in its operations.

Similarly, there is public concern given the involvement of these public figures in the pertinent facts at bar  given the involvement of Hon. Michael Bagneris and Demetric M. Mercadel.
PORT FOURCHON - Thirteen American flags, folded in triangles and encased in dark wood, rested on a red tablecloth in a parking lot.

Nearby, newly etched bronze plaques bearing the names of 13 crewmen and passengers who perished in the Seacor Power lift boat accident last April were on view at the bottom of a statue of the Lady of the Gulf, a roadside memorial to the dead at sea.

Family members and loved ones approached the memorial teary-eyed Wednesday, as they gathered to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadliest accident to take place off the Louisiana coast in modern history.

Hundreds came to pay tribute to the victims, who perished after the lift boat capsized in a brutal afternoon storm that packed hurricane-force winds and took its captain and crew by surprise.

Six of 19 men aboard were rescued within hours of the lift boat flipping in pounding seas as crew members tried to lower its 265-foot legs to the sea floor for stability. The remains of six others were recovered within days. Seven were never found.

A trio of musicians played Amazing Grace as a toddler ran into the arms of Scott Daspit. The oil services consultant, who led a weeks-long search for survivors or remains around the toppled vessels debris field, wept as he hugged 3-year-old Sawyer, one of two boys and a step-daughter that his son Dylan Daspit left behind.

A year ago, Scott Daspit was rushing from the same spot, outside the emergency operations center on A.O. Rappelet Road, in a frantic search for a good boat to reach the wreckage and do what he could to find his son.

The Seacor Power capsized at 3:41 p.m. on April 13, 2021, eight miles south of Port Fourchon, headed to a job at a Talos Energy platform 40 miles east of Venice. The remains of Dylan Daspit, a contractor who had turned 30 two days earlier, were never found.

Also never recovered were Joe "Jay" Guevara; Chaz D. Morales, Sr.; Gregory Walcott; Jason Willis Krell; Darren Encalade, Sr. and Christopher Cooper Rozands. Remains were found for Captain David Ledet; Ernest Williams, Jr.; Quinon Odell Pitre; Anthony Hartford; James "Tracy" Wallingford; and Lawrence "Larry" Warren, II.

Scott Daspit said he spoke with his son a few hours before the ill-fated trip and had planned to bring him a birthday card, which he now keeps in the console of his truck.

Theres a hole, he said, a piece of me missing.

Another son, Garrett Daspit, said the search for his older brother and the other missing crewmembers and passengers remains a blur.

I cant tell you what we did or where we did it, he said. I was on a mission for one thing: to bring my brother home.

Family members said peace remains elusive. Some remain critical of efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and Seacor Marine, the boats owner, to adequately search the submerged vessel in the days and weeks after the calamity.

"This is the only closure we're going to have," said Dot Daspit, Dylan's grandmother, of Wednesday's memorial. "It's a disgrace what they've done, leaving that vessel down there like that."

At a hearing last summer, Good Samaritan rescuers and Coast Guard officials recounted halting early attempts at rescues, and alarming troubles just pinning down the number of people aboard. Confusion reigned onshore for the better part of an hour after the Seacor Power flipped, while survivors clung to the hull of the toppled 175-foot boat.

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Rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and Seacor Marine, once underway, were frustrated by increasingly violent seas from a rare and potent low-pressure system called a wake low. Equipment problems and a labored effort to roust vessels to the crash site may have confounded hopes to save more lives, according to the testimony.

Neither the Coast Guard nor the National Transportation Safety Board has released the conclusions of an investigation into the causes of the massive wreck. The NTSB said the final report can take up to two years from the date of the incident before it is completed and made public.

Dwayne Lewis, an independent consultant who survived for hours in a raging sea after being tossed from his stateroom window, paced silently around the memorial on Wednesday.

Family members said it marked their first full gathering since the heady early days of the search, when they holed up at the Port Fourchon firehouse waiting for positive news that never came. More than a dozen survivors or family members have since filed federal lawsuits over the capsizing.

I was really hoping that they would find a bone, a tooth, anything, so theres closure, said Cristal Saddler, whose brother, Gregory Walcott, 62, had worked offshore since he was a teenager.

Several members of Walcotts Abbeville family turned out in personalized T-shirts on Wednesday for Walcott, who went by Red and never wanted to be more than a galleyhand, she said.

He loved his job, she said. Hed say, Im working for yall, but one of these days I might not come back.

Walter Leger Jr., an attorney for families of four of the deceased, said that depositions in the civil cases began earlier this month and the process is likely to drag on for at least another year before it gets to court.

"A year later, it's still tough for all of the surviving family members," Leger said. "It's especially tough for those whose loved ones were never found. In some sense today was a funeral for them."

A half-dozen contractors who had worked with Seacor Power crewmen on other vessels also wore matching shirts that had their departed colleagues' names embroidered above the back pleat as tribute.

Maddy Boteler, who a year ago showed up at the firehouse hoping that Chaz Morales, the uncle who brought her so much joy, would be among the survivors, said the last year hasnt brought many satisfying answers.

Everybody has questions, because my uncle Chaz is still under the water, said Boteler, 18.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, who counts the Daspits among his constituents, was on hand Wednesday to hand out the ceremonial flags and plaques to family members and to offer words of solace. He said Seacor Marine should have done more to recover the bodies and salvage the vessel in its entirety.

"They should have spared no expense or effort to recover all of the vessel from the sea floor," he said.

Several Seacor Marine officials were on hand for Wednesday's memorial.

In response to questions about why the company decided to leave much of vessel, including the sleeping quarters, unrecovered at the bottom of the sea, Amy Boyle Collins, a spokesperson for the company, provided this statement: "We remained in close contact with the U.S. Coast Guard and worked closely with the agency during the salvage operations. We have complied with all U.S. Coast Guard orders with respect to the wreck removal and continue to cooperate with NTSB in its investigation."

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly identified Leger as a former Louisiana state senator.
Tulane University is launching a new institute focused on innovation and supporting entrepreneurship as part of its growing downtown campus, the latest move by New Orleans institutions and investors aimed at putting more resources towards the local startup sector.

The Innovation Institute, supported by an undisclosed amount of philanthropy and private funding that school officials said was in the millions of dollars, is expected to open later this year. It will include seed funding and other support for entrepreneurs who are trying to turn their research into products and companies.

The goal, according to Tulane President Michael Fitts and other officials, is to eventually seed at least $100 million of startup investment derived from research at the university and from entrepreneurs in the region more broadly.

"Research has expanded logarithmically over the last few years and is expected to expand even further," said Fitts in an interview to discuss the institute, noting that biomedical, environmental, and energy research dollars in particular have seen big increases. "The idea for us is to pick out early stage investment that might make a real difference and to shepherd them along to the point where a venture capital firm might come in and fund them as a business."

The $1 billion sale of New Orleans market-research firm Lucid in October, which followed the $500 million sale of construction-software firm LevelSet a month earlier, has brought renewed interest to the city's tech sector.

City boosters are hopeful that the proceeds of those deals will be re-invested into other local firms, and that support from Tulane and other investment funds like Saints owner Gayle Benson's Benson Capital Partners, will provide the needed funding and support to create more businesses.

Fitts said that one of Tulane's main aims is to forestall a brain drain of promising students and faculty who take their ideas to places like Silicon Valley instead of starting businesses in New Orleans.

A successful innovation center "is amazingly important in attracting top faculty," Fitts said. He added that Tulane has studied similar institutes it wishes to emulate, such as the Penn Center for Innovation, which was started by the University of Pennsylvania in 2016, and the Ohio University Innovation Center, which has been around since 1983.

The initial funding for the institute will come from wealthy alumni, with the lead investment from the Priddy Family Foundation, which will fund the Robert L. Priddy Innovation Lab within the institute. Priddy, who graduated from Tulane in 1969 with a degree in economics, founded ValuJet and AirTran, which was sold to Southwest Airlines for $1.4 billion in 2011.

The Priddy Innovation Lab, which will be a discrete part of the institute, will provide proof-of-concept and early-stage gap funding for aspiring entrepreneurs and promising technologies, as well as mentorship, training and administrative support, according to a Tulane spokesperson. The aim is to provide "millions of dollars in grants and direct investment."

The size of the Priddy donation wasn't disclosed. Fitts said they were still in the process of raising funds for the project, which will be ongoing as the institute begins to invest.

Another major donor is David Mussafer, who is a member of the Tulane board, and his wife, Marion, who have established an endowment to support various aspects of the institute, including paying for staff. David Mussafer is chairman and managing partner of Advent International Corp., a private equity firm which manages $88 billion of assets.

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Institute's first head selected

Fitts said they have already selected the institute's first executive director. That job will be know as "the David and Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer." The name of the person wasn't disclosed.

Also backing the project is David Barksdale, a university board member add principal at Alluvian Capital, a private investment firm, and his wife Stephanie, a social innovation and social entrepreneurship instructor at Tulane's Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking.

Carol Bernick, chair of the Board of Tulane and CEO of Polished Nickel Capital Management, a privately held investment company, is investing. So too is Walter Isaacson, the writer and historian who is an emeritus member of Tulane's board and a professor of American history there, together with his wife, Cathy, who is vice chair of The Idea Village, a startup accelerator.

Jeffrey Silverman, co-founder and managing partner of Laconia Capital Group, a New York-based venture capital firm, and his wife, Amy, also are investors.

The institute will be based initially in Thirteen15, the building on Duncan Plaza that was formerly the Warwick Hotel and which was converted into residences and retail and office space last year and leased entirely to Tulane. Later, it will move to the old Charity Hospital building, where Tulane is anchor tenant and taking 350,000 square feet of space when the $350 million renovation of that building is competed.

Creating the innovation district

As well as providing a way for Tulane to attract and retain staff and students, Fitts said that creating the institute is also a recognition of the university's central role in developing the broader innovation district in the city. Such entrepreneurial institutes have been key to the success of innovation districts like The Cortex in St. Louis, which has attracted hundreds of companies and accounted for about 6,000 jobs in the past decade.

One of the aims of the new institute will be to partner with other entrepreneur-boosting organizations in the city, including The Idea Village and the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. Tulane was one of the institutions that bailed out the latter three years ago when it nearly ran out of funding. Tulane's chief operating officer, Patrick Norton, is currently its chairman.

Investors in the project said they expect the institute to have a wide impact.

In the Innovation Institute, I see a promising idea with the power to capitalize on Tulanes existing strengths and grow into something huge for the city and the Gulf Coast," said Robert Priddy in a prepared statement announcing the institute. "Im captivated by this projects possibilities and the opportunity to play a role in developing new concepts that can produce jobs, improve the local economy and change the world for the better."
The New Orleans coroner identified on Tuesday two victims of gunfire slain in Algiers, a neighborhood that saw four fatal shootings during a bloody 72-hour span. Citywide, six people died and 12 were injured in 15 shootings last weekend.

The coroner identified David Curley, 38, as the man shot to death in the 2100 block of Cobblestone Lane at around 12:14 p.m. Saturday. Curley was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead on the scene.

Corey Page, 46, was identified as the man shot at around 4 a.m. in the 3700 block of Herschel Street.

Anyone with information about the homicides may call Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an indictment.
New Orleans attorney Nicole Burdett, the law partner and co-defendant to Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams in his federal tax fraud case, was booked on new state Medicaid fraud charges in Baton Rouge.

Burdetts attorney Mike Magner confirmed that his client turned herself in to authorities Wednesday morning and was released on her own recognizance a short time later.

Burdett surrendered herself after learning that state Attorney General Jeff Landrys office had obtained a warrant for her arrest, Magner said. She faces felony charges of government benefits fraud and filing false public records.

In a statement, Magner wrote, Ms. Burdett vehemently denies these allegations which stem from a miscommunication when she was transitioning her children to private health insurance.

"We are hopeful that when the Attorney Generals office understands the full facts of the matter that they will decline prosecution in this matter. The AGs office has offered to meet with us in the very near future and we believe that we will be able to explain this unfortunate misunderstanding.

Allegations date back years

The allegations against Burdett stem from her application for Medicaid in 2018, according to an arrest warrant.

Burdett claimed that she had a monthly income of $2,000 and her husband earned $1,709 every two weeks, state agents said. Yet the couples joint tax returns revealed that they had $276,820 in income that year.

Throughout 2018, Burdett allegedly received improper Medicaid benefits worth $8,970, according to the arrest warrant.

The new allegations against Burdett hew closely to what prosecutors have already laid out in her federal tax fraud case.

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There, prosecutors sought to introduce evidence about Burdetts years of Medicaid coverage to a jury, arguing it showed she habitually lied to government agencies for financial gain. A district court judge denied that request, stating that it would merely confuse jurors about the charges at hand.

An anonymous tip

In the arrest warrant obtained in the 19th Judicial District Court on Monday, state agents said they received word about the Medicaid issue not through a referral from federal prosecutors  but through an anonymous, online tip to the state Department of Health.

That agencys anti-fraud unit conducted a preliminary investigation and referred the case to the Attorney Generals Office on Feb. 11, 2021, eight months after Burdett was charged in federal court.

Burdett and Williams are scheduled for trial in federal court on July 18 on 11 counts of tax fraud. The law firm associates are accused of conspiring to cheat on their taxes by inflating business deductions over a five-year period.

Williams has consistently and vigorously proclaimed his innocence, blasting the charges as politically motivated.

It is unclear how the new allegation against Burdett by the Attorney Generals office might affect her federal case, including the looming trial date.

In an unusual twist, Leon Cannizzaro, a fierce Williams critic and his predecessor as district attorney, is now director of Attorney General Jeff Landrys criminal division. It is not clear what role, if any, Cannizzaro played in the new case against Burdett.

The Attorney Generals Office didnt immediately comment.
Kenner police detectives investigating a homicide that occurred on Vouray Drive last month were assisted by the department's SWAT team in serving a search warrant in the case on Wednesday.

Officers went to a residence in the 3500 block of East Loyola Drive (map) in Kenner about 10:35 a.m. to execute the search, said Lt. Michael Cunningham, a police spokesperson.

The search is related to the March 25 shooting death of Terrall McGee, 26. McGee was gunned down about 9 p.m. in the 700 block of Vouray Drive in Kenner.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, no one had been arrested in connection with McGee's death or the search on East Loyola Drive, Cunningham said.
Incoming New Orleans public schools Superintendent Avis Williams is poised to make $300,000 annually when she takes over the all-charter system, a figure higher than even that of the Louisiana education superintendent.

The Orleans Parish School Board will vote on Williams proposed contract on Thursday. If approved, the contract would run through July 2026.

Because New Orleans has a fully charter school system, the superintendent takes on an unconventional role, approving charter schools and holding existing ones accountable, as well as overseeing central office staff and some other citywide operations including property management and enrollment.

Enrollment in Orleans Parish public schools is about 44,000 students.

Board president cites her experience

It is unclear when Williams, who has been superintendent of Selma, Alabama, schools for the past five years, would step into her new role. Current Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr.'s contract ends in June.

When determining Williams salary, School Board members took into account her five years of experience as superintendent and 20 years in the education field, School Board President Olin Parker said. The contract does not include a car allowance but does allow for reimbursement for job-related meals, travel and other expenses.

"From an equity piece, we want to make sure that we are treating our first female superintendent the same way that we treated all the males before her, and that goes for stipulations that are in her contact as well as level of compensation," Parker said.

Lewis' salary is now about $293,000, Parker said.

More than state official

The board picked Williams, a North Carolina native with experience in the classroom and as well as an administrator, last month to succeed Lewis.

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If the board approves her contract, Williams' salary would surpass that of state Superintendent Cade Brumley, who is paid $285,000 annually. Brumley's contract calls for 3% annual pay raises upon positive job reviews, but he turned down the raise last year.

When Lewis became Orleans superintendent in 2015, his base salary was $180,000. Had he stayed another year, his salary would have been just shy of $300,000, Parker said.

"Dr. Williams is doing the same job Dr. Lewis is doing, so she should not be paid less," Parker said, adding that Williams will be responsible for about 250 employees.

3% raise for satisfactory evaluation

The base salary puts Williams in the 75th percentile of superintendents from around the country with 25,000 to 49,999 students, according to data from the American Association of School Administrators. The figure was compared to recently hired superintendents in comparable school systems, including East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mobile, Alabama.

In Atlanta, a school system of about 52,000 students, the superintendent makes $320,000 in salary and $384,000 in total compensation, Parker said.

Williams' pay would be higher than those of some school leaders across the New Orleans region. St. Tammany Superintendent Frank Jabbia was hired in 2020 with a four-year, $215,000 contract. And Jefferson Superintendent James Gray was hired in 2020 at a starting base salary of $265,000, but has since received a raise. Sito Narcisse, superintendent of the East Baton Rouge school system, was hired in 2021 with a base salary of $255,000, but his total compensation includes another $18,000 that covers transportation, technology and other expenses.

Williams' proposed contract calls for 3% annual increases if she receives a satisfactory or higher evaluation from the School Board.

She could make an additional $20,000 each year, which does not count toward her annual salary, if the board decides she has met performance objectives including developing a plan for a tax renewal for school facilities, developing a plan to evaluate schools and students after the effects of the pandemic and adequately addressing truancy. Meeting criteria would mean $5,000 per objective.

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story gave an incorrect current salary for Lewis.
Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. The big blaze burning near the community of Las Vegas has charred more than 217 square miles. Residents in neighborhoods on the edge of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes. It's the biggest wildfire in the U.S. and is moving quickly through groves of ponderosa pine because of hot, dry and windy conditions that make for extreme wildfire danger. Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across New Mexico and in western Texas.
Residents of a cluster of Bedouin communities in the occupied West Bank have vowed to stick to their land and resist an order by Israel's top court to evict them. The order came after a more than two-decade legal struggle by Palestinians to remain in their homes in Masafer Yatta. Israel has argued that the residents only use the area for seasonal agriculture and that they had already rejected compromise offers giving them occasional access to the land. The Palestinians say that if implemented, the Israeli Supreme Court's ruling opens the way for the eviction of all 12 communities that have a population of 4,000 people.
Paxinos, Pa.  A LED light installation at an apple orchard is expected to bring a host of benefits to the orchard's operations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently visited Dries Orchards to review the technology upgrade, funded in part by a DEP Agricultural Energy Efficiency Rebate.

Lighting presents one of the easiest energy-saving opportunities for farm buildings, and efficient LEDs use up to 70% less energy than traditional incandescent or high-pressure sodium lights, said DEP Energy Program Specialist Michelle Ferguson. DEP was pleased to support Dries Orchards LED lighting project through a rebate, and we encourage other agricultural producers to apply for this program to help lower their electricity costs and improve their operations.

During the tour, Dries Orchards Manager John Bzdil explained that upgrading to LED lights has resulted in a brighter workspace, improving quality control during the apple packing process and increasing overall employee morale.

Dries Orchards was excited to receive support from DEP to help kickstart the LED lighting upgrade to our facility, and we are already seeing a savings impact on our monthly electric bills, said Bzdil. We strongly encourage other farms to make the step to upgrade their lighting through this DEP rebate.

The Agricultural Energy Efficiency Rebate Program helps agricultural producers reduce energy consumption through the use of energy efficient technologies.

Rebates are available for LED lighting, fixtures and controls; energy-efficient ventilation equipment; and energy-efficient milk-pumping equipment. Rebates will pay 50% of equipment costs, up to $2,000 per technology category or $5,000 per business.

Representatives from the Northumberland County Conservation District, the Small Business Development Center at Bucknell University, the Environmental Management Assistance Program at Widener University (EMAP), and the Susquehanna Economic Development Association-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) also attended the event and discussed the benefits of energy efficiency improvements to farm and agricultural operations.

Applications for the program are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as funding remains available or through June 30, 2022.

Interested applicants should apply to secure a rebate voucher prior to installing the equipment. More information and the application can be found at this link.

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Williamsport, Pa.  The James V. Brown Library is among 200 libraries nationwide to receive a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association.

The ALA has awarded $2 million in humanities funding from the American Rescue Plan to libraries nationwide as part of a grant program to deliver relief to libraries recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the libraries will use funds to anchor themselves as strong humanities institutions and centers of learning, conversation, and connection.

Libraries have faced significant hardships throughout the pandemic  from budget cuts to staff furloughs to building closures  especially in our communities of the greatest need, said ALA President Patty Wong. This crucial support from NEH will enable our beloved institutions, and the dedicated people who run them, to rebuild and emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.

The libraries, selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process, include public libraries, academic/college libraries, K-12 libraries, and tribal, special and prison libraries. The recipients represent 45 states and Puerto Rico and serve communities ranging in size from 642 residents in Weir, Kansas to 12 million in the city of Los Angeles. Libraries were chosen with an emphasis on reaching historically underserved and/or rural communities.

The American Rescue Plan opportunity will help libraries create or preserve jobs, support or maintain general operations, create or sustain humanities programs, and implement new humanities activities or sustain existing activities.

Strong public libraries are at the heart of healthy communities, said NEH Chair Shelly C. Lowe. The National Endowment for the Humanities is grateful to the American Library Association for their exemplary work in helping distribute NEH American Rescue Plan funding to assist our nations libraries in recovering from the financial impact of the pandemic, and strengthen their role as local centers of humanities learning, research, and public programs.

The libraries selected in Pennsylvania are:

Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, Waynesboro Apollo Memorial Library, Apollo Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Allentown Braddock Carnegie Library Association, Braddock Cambria Library Association, Johnstown Community Library of the Shenango Valley, Sharon Cooper-Siegel Community Library, Pittsburgh James V. Brown Library, Williamsport Jefferson Hills Public Library, Jefferson Hills Kutztown Community Library, Kutztown Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, Nazareth North Wales Area Library, North Wales Saint Marys Area School District, St Marys Sayre Public Library, Sayre Somerset County Library, Somerset Upper Dublin Public Library, Fort Washington William Jeanes Memorial Library, Lafayette Hill

In addition to the $10,000 grant, selected libraries will receive a print copy of Going Virtual: Programs and Insights from a Time of Crisis'' by Sarah Ostman for the ALA Public Programs Office online resources and support.

The Brown Library will use this funding to create book clubs for all ages, provide ongoing history programs for adults, create senior outreach kits, offer free performances by local theatre companies, design cultural connections kits for children, and host a summer digital arts camp for teens.

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Williamsport, Pa. -- The Community Arts Center has received $3,000 from Truist to support the Student Summer Stock, Educational Series, and "The Nutcracker" programs. The grant funds are made possible through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

Supporting the arts can ignite new passions for students and families across Williamsport, said Michael Petrine, Senior Vice President for Truist. At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities  my hope is this grant will help inspire a new generation of performers who found their love of the arts at the Community Arts Center.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit grants allow approved organizations to invest in projects that improve access to high quality education programs. Organizations must be pre-qualified by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to participate.

EITC funds are essential in developing the arts through our region, and Truist is an invaluable partner in supporting this mission, said Jim Dougherty, Executive Director. Generosity like this allows us to open our doors to students throughout the area for quality performances from all over the world through our Educational Series and myriad other programs.

Funding for the educational programming is derived from various sources, including EITC Funds, donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

For nearly 30 years the Community Arts Center has been a vital part of downtown Williamsport, said Ana Gonzalez-White, Director of CAC Development. Our educational, student-centered programs reach our youngest and most diverse population and we are proud of that. The support from Truist makes that all possible.

For information about donations to the CAC, EITC or otherwise, please contact Ana Gonzalez-White, Director of CAC Development, at (570) 327-7657 or email awhite@caclive.com.

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Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 63F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed a bill to ban abortions in the state, except in medical emergencies.

As Governor, I promised to sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hit my desk, Stitt said on Twitter after signing the bill. Today I kept that promise by signing SB 612 into law, once again showing the world that Oklahoma is the most pro-life state in the country.

He added in a separate post, The most important thing is to take a stand for the unborn and protect life. Every life is precious. As a father of six, thats what I believe and I know thats what Oklahomans believe.

Under the legislation, those who are found to have carried out abortions can be penalized up to $100,000 and face up to 10 years in prison. There is no exception for rape or incest.

Attorney General John OConnor and I know this bill will be challenged immediately by liberal activists from the coast, Stitt noted at the legislations signing.

SB 612 will take effect this summer unless it is blocked in court.

Oklahoma had become a frequent destination for those who seek to have an abortion from Texas after the Lone Star state in September banned abortions for pregnancies from about six weeks.

Planned Parenthood abortion providers in Oklahoma saw a nearly 2,500 percent increase in Texas patients in the months after the Texas law took effect compared to the same period in 2020, the organization said.

Melissa Fowler, the National Abortion Federations chief program officer, said in a statement that the Oklahoma abortion ban will have a devastating impact on people seeking abortions from Oklahoma and from Texas.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki in a White House statement called the ban the countrys most restrictive legislation regulating access to reproductive health care.

She called on Congress to pass legislation, the Womens Health Protection Act, that would codify what she calls a long-recognized, constitutional right nationally.

The actions today in Oklahoma are a part of disturbing national trend attacking womens rights and the Biden Administration will continue to stand with women in Oklahoma and across the country in the fight to defend their freedom to make their own choices about their futures, Psaki added.

Pro-life group Live Action praised the legislation. Oklahomas governor just signed a bill into law that protects preborn children from the moment of conception, outlawing abortion in effectively every circumstance, the group said on Twitter. A great step forward for human rights!

In the past few months, Republican-led states including Oklahoma have been passing abortion bans in hopes that an impending U.S. Supreme Court decision could help the bans withstand legal challenges.

A Mississippi law, which bans abortion after 15 weeks of gestation, is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is due to rule by the end of June on the laws constitutionality.

If the court rules in Mississippis favor, it could give pro-life groups a chance to repeal the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that prohibited states from banning abortions prior to when the fetus is considered viable, deemed at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed a bill to ban abortions in the state, except in medical emergencies.

As Governor, I promised to sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hit my desk, Stitt said on Twitter after signing the bill. Today I kept that promise by signing SB 612 into law, once again showing the world that Oklahoma is the most pro-life state in the country.

He added in a separate post, The most important thing is to take a stand for the unborn and protect life. Every life is precious. As a father of six, thats what I believe and I know thats what Oklahomans believe.

Under the legislation, those who are found to have carried out abortions can be penalized up to $100,000 and face up to 10 years in prison. There is no exception for rape or incest.

Attorney General John OConnor and I know this bill will be challenged immediately by liberal activists from the coast, Stitt noted at the legislations signing.

SB 612 will take effect this summer unless it is blocked in court.

Oklahoma had become a frequent destination for those who seek to have an abortion from Texas after the Lone Star state in September banned abortions for pregnancies from about six weeks.

Planned Parenthood abortion providers in Oklahoma saw a nearly 2,500 percent increase in Texas patients in the months after the Texas law took effect compared to the same period in 2020, the organization said.

Melissa Fowler, the National Abortion Federations chief program officer, said in a statement that the Oklahoma abortion ban will have a devastating impact on people seeking abortions from Oklahoma and from Texas.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki in a White House statement called the ban the countrys most restrictive legislation regulating access to reproductive health care.

She called on Congress to pass legislation, the Womens Health Protection Act, that would codify what she calls a long-recognized, constitutional right nationally.

The actions today in Oklahoma are a part of disturbing national trend attacking womens rights and the Biden Administration will continue to stand with women in Oklahoma and across the country in the fight to defend their freedom to make their own choices about their futures, Psaki added.

Pro-life group Live Action praised the legislation. Oklahomas governor just signed a bill into law that protects preborn children from the moment of conception, outlawing abortion in effectively every circumstance, the group said on Twitter. A great step forward for human rights!

In the past few months, Republican-led states including Oklahoma have been passing abortion bans in hopes that an impending U.S. Supreme Court decision could help the bans withstand legal challenges.

A Mississippi law, which bans abortion after 15 weeks of gestation, is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is due to rule by the end of June on the laws constitutionality.

If the court rules in Mississippis favor, it could give pro-life groups a chance to repeal the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that prohibited states from banning abortions prior to when the fetus is considered viable, deemed at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
With petitions signed by a majority of the House and of the Senate, the state Legislature would be able to end public health emergency declarations by future governors under legislation approved by a House committee
A lawyer for former Democratic Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer has told the Iowa Supreme Court that a lower court judge was wrong to kick her off the June 7 primary ballot for U.S. Senate and the high court should allow her to run in June's primary for the chance to try to unseat Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley
North Dakota Democrats made eleventh-hour filings to fill gaps in the June primary but still lacked candidates for one statewide office and several House and Senate slots in some legislative districts
Hong Kongs former No. 2 official John Lee has formally registered his candidacy in the election for the top job after securing 786 nominations to enter the race
BOSTON (AP)  Russian military hackers attempted to knock out power to millions of Ukrainians last week in a long-planned attack but were foiled, Ukrainian government officials said Tuesday.

At one targeted high-voltage power station, the hackers succeeded in penetrating and disrupting part of the industrial control system, but people defending the station were able to prevent electrical outages, the Ukrainians said.

The threat was serious, but it was prevented in a timely manner, a top Ukrainian cybersecurity official, Victor Zhora, told reporters through an interpreter. It looks that we were very lucky.

The hackers from Russia's GRU military intelligence agency used an upgraded version of malware first seen in its successful 2016 attack that caused blackouts in Kyiv, officials said, that was customized to target multiple substations. They simultaneously seeded malware designed to wipe out computer operating systems, hindering recovery.

Authorities did not specify how many substations were targeted or their location, citing security concerns, but a deputy energy minister, Farid Safarov, said 2 million people would have been without electricity supply if it was successful.

Zhora, the deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communications, said the malware was programmed to knock out power on Friday evening just as people returned home from work and switched on news reports.

He said that power grid networks were penetrated before the end of February, when Russia invaded, and that the attackers later uploaded the malware, dubbed Industroyer2. The malware succeeded in disrupting one component of the impacted power station's management systems, also known as SCADA systems.

Zhora would not offer further details or explain how the attack was defeated or which partners may have assisted directly in defeating it. He did acknowledge the depth of international assistance Ukraine has received in identifying intrusions and the challenges of trying to rid government, power grid and telecommunications networks of attackers. The helpers include keyboard warriors from U.S. Cybercommand, which declined comment.

The Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine thanked Microsoft and the cybersecurity firm ESET for their assistance in dealing with the power grid attack in a bulletin posted online.

Officials said the destructive attacks had been planned at least since March 23, and Zhora speculated it was timed by Russia to invigorate its soldiers after they took heavy losses in a failed bid to capture Kyiv, the capital.

Zhora stressed that Russian cyberattacks have not successfully knocked out any power to Ukrainians since this invasion began.

GRU hackers from a group that researchers call Sandworm twice successfully attacked Ukraines power grid  in the winters of 2015 and 2016. U.S. prosecutors indicted six GRU officials in 2020 for using a previous version of the Industroyer malware to attack Ukraine's power grid by gaining control of electrical substation switches and circuit breakers.

In the 2016 attack, Sandworm hackers used Industroyer to turn circuit breakers on and off in a sequence designed to create a blackout, said Jean-Ian Boutin, director of threat research at ESET.

We know that Industroyer still has the capability to turn off circuit breakers, he said.

Working closely with Ukrainian responders, ESET also determined that the attackers had infected networks at the targeted plants with disk-wiping software.

Successfully activating the malware would have rendered plant systems in operable, seriously hindering remediation and recovery and destroying the attackers' digital footprints, Boutin said.

One of the destructive malware varieties used in the attack, dubbed CaddyWiper, was first discovered by ESET in mid-March being used against a Ukrainian bank, he said.

Western prosecutors blame Sandworm for a series of high-profile cyberattacks including the most destructive, the 2017 NotPetya wiper virus that caused more than $10 billion in damage globally by destroying data on entire networks of computers of companies doing business in Ukraine including those belonging to the shipper Maersk and the pharmaceutical company Merck.

Russias use of cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure during its invasion has been limited compared with experts pre-war expectations. In the early hours of the war, however, an attack Ukraine blames on Russia knocked offline an important satellite communications link that also impacted tens of thousands of Europeans from France to Poland.

In another serious cyberattack of the war, hackers knocked offline the internet and cellular service of a major telecommunications company that serves the military, Ukretelecom, for most of the day on March 28.

Zhora said the potential of Russian (state-backed) hackers has been overestimated and cited a number of reasons why he believes cyberattacks have not played a major role in the conflict:

 When the aggressor is pummeling civilian targets with bombs and rockets there is little need to hide behind covert cyberactivity.

 Ukraine has significantly upped its cyber defenses with the help of volunteers from sympathetic countries.

 Attacks as sophisticated as this effort to knock out power are complex and tend to require a lot of time.

This is not an easy thing to do, Zhora said.

Ukraine has been under steady Russian cyberattack for the past eight years, with Zhora noting that the attacks have tripled since the invasion when compared with the same period last year.

Russia has said its invasion was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine, a false claim the U.S. had predicted Russia would make as a pretext for the invasion. Ukraine has called Russia's assault a war of aggression, saying it will defend itself and will win.

Associated Press writer Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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HAMMOND  A Chicago man pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing gang violence in the name of the Latin Dragon Nation.

Keenan Seymour, 22, of Chicago, appeared Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon to admit he is guilty of a federal racketeering conspiracy charge.

Simon scheduled a sentencing to take place Aug. 10.

Seymour is one of 19 men charged in recent years with conspiring to violently traffic illicit drugs as a member of the Latin Dragons, a Chicago-based street gang that also operates in Hammond and other parts of the Region.

A federal grand jury indicted Seymour three years ago with taking part in acts of murder, attempted murder and gun violence from 2000 to 2020.

The indictment alleges Seymour and Justin Anaya, another Latin Dragon co-defendant, were traveling Nov. 24, 2017 to a Chicago neighborhood on a gang-sponsored search and kill mission when Anaya fatally shot rival gang member 22-year-old Manuel Salazar.

Anaya already is serving a 35-year sentence for his earlier guilty plea to the murders of Salazar and a 10-year-old boy in a separate 2017 gang-related shooting.

The indictment alleges Seymour and another Latin Dragon member assaulted a fellow Cook County Jail inmate July 4, 2019, breaking the victims jaw.

The government alleges Seymour was also involved in social media messaging to discuss illicit marijuana sales in 2017.

The U.S. attorneys office has yet to decide whether to dismiss a second charge alleging Keenan was involved in gang-related drug trafficking or require Keenan to stand trial on that charge.

Seymour had been scheduled to be tried next month. The judge canceled that trial date.

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Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter

Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
HAMMOND  A 20-year-old man was killed in a shooting Saturday night in an alley in the 800 block of Drackert Street, officials said.

Amarion Holmes, who had addresses in Gary and Hammond, was flown to the University of Chicago Medical Center after he was found slumped over inside a vehicle, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office and Hammond police.

Officers were dispatched to the area about 4:30 p.m. after a 911 caller reported hearing one shot in the alley, Lt. Steve Kellogg said.

Holmes was found inside a white vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Holmes was pronounced dead about 6 p.m. at the Chicago hospital. The death was ruled a homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. James Onohan at 219-852-2997.

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GARY  Remains found Wednesday morning during a K-9 search have been positively identified as 23-year-old Ariana Taylor, authorities said.

Taylor, who was last seen about 1 a.m. April 3 at her Calumet Township residence by her family and friends, was first reported missing April 3 after the Chevrolet Trailblazer she was known to drive was found crashed at the bottom of a ravine off Interstate 65, near the overpass for Interstate 80.

Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said evidence police gathered in the past week led them to believe that Taylor's body was likely still in the area where her vehicle was found.

Northwest Indiana K-9 Search and Rescue brought five teams of dogs to the area near Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center on Wednesday and found Taylor's remains after 21 minutes of searching, he said.

Hamady, Police Chief Brian Evans and Deputy Police Chief Michael Jackson declined to comment on whether foul play is suspected because the investigation into Taylor's death had just began.

However, police said it would have been possible for Taylor to walk about a mile from where her vehicle was found to the mucky area where her body was discovered.

The Lake County coroner's office was able to positively identify Taylor within hours, but her cause and manner of death remain under investigation, Hamady said.

Lake County Coroner David Pastrick said Taylor was identified by both of her parents, who met with his investigators at the scene.

An autopsy was planned for Thursday, he said.

Patrick offered his condolences to the family and all those involved in the search and recovery efforts.

Detective Sgt. William Poe, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, will join Gary Detective Sgt. Mark Salazar in the investigation, Hamady said. The Metro Homicide Unit investigates deaths from various causes, and its involvement does not necessarily mean police suspect Taylor's death is a homicide.

Taylor's remains were found in a shallow drainage ditch, which would not have been accessible to the search parties that previously combed the area because of a fence, Hamady said.

One of the K-9s picked up a scent and led officers to the body. Police declined to comment on the condition of the remains, including Taylor's clothing.

Earlier in the day, Indiana State Police and Gary officers blocked off an entrance to Bellaboo's in the 2800 block of Colorado Street as a Lake County coroner's van and Lake County Sheriff's Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit vehicles responded to the scene.

Evans and Hamady each spoke with Taylor's mother, Queena Taylor, near where the road was blocked.

Evans said Taylor was devastated, as any mother who had just lost a child would be. Friends, family and bodyguards gathered at the scene with Taylor, who said she did not feel like talking to media Wednesday.

Hamady said the family began receiving negative messages after the missing persons case went viral.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince asked the public to show compassion for Taylor's family and pray for them.

After Taylor's Trailblazer was found April 3, Lake County sheriff's police, Gary police, Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police all participated in searches. The sheriff's helicopter, drones, K-9s and officers on horseback assisted.

Private search parties also scoured the area, and a pair of jeans that appeared to have a red substance on them and white sneakers were found near Bellaboo's.

Hamady said Gary police collected the jeans from Taylor's mother and were awaiting the results of DNA testing to confirm if they could be linked to Taylor.

Indiana State Police handled the crash investigation and processed Taylor's SUV for evidence.

It appeared no other vehicles were near Taylor's Trailblazer when it left the interstate, and there was no evidence anyone came to pick her up at any point before or after the crash, police said.

Police interviewed the people who were last known to be with Taylor. Like Taylor's family, those individuals also have had to take steps to protect themselves because of the level of attention the case has received on social media, Hamady said.

The investigation was ongoing, and authorities planned to release more information as it becomes available, they said.

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Bob Kasarda Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. Follow Bob Kasarda 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
VALPARAISO  A Portage man was taken into custody Tuesday nearly three years after being charged with repeatedly molesting a young girl at his home, according to court and police records.

Johnny Levin, 37, was booked into the Porter County Jail at 8 a.m. Tuesday and since has bonded out, police say.

His case stems back to June 2019 when Portage police learned the girl had told her mother she has been sexually abused by Levin, whom she knows, on multiple occasions between August 2014 and June 2018, according to a charging document.

"Victim 1 said this happened a lot until she was in the seventh grade," police said.

The girl said she remembered the abuse beginning after Levin was released from jail in December 2011, charges state.

Levin showed up at the Portage police department in June 2019, "seeking help regarding a sexual incident allegation made against him," police said.

He reportedly told police he remembered one night from more than a year earlier when he returned home and awoke in a questionable situation with the girl in question, a charging document reads.

"Levin stated that he could not say whether or not he did anything sexual to Victim 1 that night because he could not remember due to him being likely intoxicated," according to police.

The girl's mother reportedly told police when she confronted Levin, he said he remembered the questionable incident.

"Levin broke down and made comments about being 'blackout drunk,'" police said.

Levin is charged with a felony count of child molesting, which carries a potential prison sentence of two to 12 years, records show.

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CROWN POINT  The first of three women charged in 2017 after police recovered guns, knives and alcohol inside a Merrillville home child care entered into a pretrial diversion agreement Tuesday.

Roberta Sanders, 26, of Gary, was one of two child care employees found April 11, 2017, inside the home in the 1700 block of West 53rd Avenue after police were dispatched to assist with an investigation of possible neglect.

If Sanders stays out of trouble for the next year and pays fees associated with a pretrial diversion program, Lake County prosecutors will dismiss all 26 counts against her.

Sanders, who was represented by attorney John Cantrell, told Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas she understood the terms of her agreement and signed it.

The owner of the home child care, Tawana Cole, 49, of Merrillville, is scheduled to stand trial beginning May 31 on 13 felony counts of neglect of a dependent and 13 felony counts of criminal confinement.

Co-defendant Adriana Johnson, of Warsaw, Indiana, is next scheduled to appear before Cappas on May 4.

According to charging documents, Merrillville police were contacted by the Indiana Department of Child Services after three children reported their caretaker, Cole, had been drinking daily at the child care home.

Child welfare employees attempted to check on the residence at 4:30 p.m., but sounds within the home went silent when they rang the doorbell, court records state.

A woman then appeared at the residence and told the inspectors she received a phone call from Cole informing her that her son had a head wound and needed to be taken to the hospital.

A police sergeant crawled into the home through an unsecured window and let the other officers and state employees in through the front door.

Officers discovered Sanders, Johnson and 15 small children, including a child with blood-covered napkins pressed to his forehead, hidden in the master bedroom of the home, records state.

The officers found a loaded 9 mm pistol under the kitchen sink. A loaded .357 revolver and two loaded shotguns were located in the bedroom, where officers also found "a pile of assorted swords and daggers" and several half-empty hard-liquor bottles, documents state.

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CROWN POINT  Lake County is preparing to use a portion of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to extend sanitary sewer service to residents, businesses and a school located along State Road 2 in unincorporated Lowell.

On Tuesday, the Lake County Council unanimously approved a recommendation by Councilman Christian Jorgensen, R-St. John, to contribute $1.1 million, and seek additional state resources, for the State Road 2 Corridor Septic Project.

"It's half their project cost, and I think they can get it off the ground sooner rather than later," Jorgensen said. "They can go ahead and apply for any grants that they need because they're assured the money is there for the project."

Jorgensen explained that extending sewer service west of Lowell on State Road 2 will position the area for new residential, commercial and light industrial development, as well as enable existing businesses to expand.

The project also will allow Lake Prairie Elementary School, located just west of State Road 2 and U.S. 41, to connect to sewer service and save the Tri-Creek School Corp. the cost of rehabilitating the school's septic system, Jorgensen said.

In addition, Indiana American Water has agreed to extend water lines to the area where sewer service is installed, ensuring an adequate supply of water for consumer use and fire protection in the unincorporated portion of Lowell.

Project backers will need to secure 22 utility easements, acquire a parcel of land for a sanitary pump station and get approval from the Indiana Department of Transportation to cross U.S. 41 and CSX to cross its railroad tracks, records show.

Altogether, the $2.5 million project calls for using 9,500 feet of gravity sanitary sewer and 4,300 feet of sanitary force main.

This is the third major sewer project to which Lake County has dedicated ARPA funds after previously allocating $65 million to bring sewer service to unincorporated Calumet Township and dedicating $5 million to extend sanitary sewers to homes in unincorporated areas near Crown Point.

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CALUMET CITY  A 34-year-old South Holland man was shot to death early Sunday morning in Calumet City, officials said.

Calumet City police responded to the 1900 block of Memorial Drive at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday for a ShotSpotter alert. Police then received reports of a gunshot victim, authorities said. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located Jarvis J. Evans, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, police said.

Officers began performing lifesaving measures on Evans until Calumet City EMS arrived.

Evans was taken to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead just after 1 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police said the suspect in the shooting is a 34-year-old man who knew Evans. The suspect has been taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, police said.

Authorities said the shooting was an "isolated incident."

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CROWN POINT  A developer is looking to bring a McDonald's, Texas Roadhouse and hotel to Crown Point.

Jeff Ban, principal with DVG Team Inc., representing I-65 Partners, LLC, presented the project to the Crown Point Plan Commission during a Monday night meeting. The development would sit on the south side of 109th Avenue, near I-65.

The entire area is about 16 acres, and while developers only have three businesses planned for the land now, Ban said more will likely be added in the future.

Just a short drive from the Crown Point Sportsplex, the development area will cater to families, especially those visiting Crown Point for one of the many tournaments hosted at the sporting facility.

When the Sportsplex first opened in 2011, Crown Point Mayor David Uran said his goal was to make the city a "sports tourism destination." Ban said both the owners of the Texas Roadhouse and the hotel were "excited" about the area because of all the sporting events Crown Point offers.

"Texas Roadhouse's customer base is really driven by serving families," Ban explained. "One works with the other: The reason the restaurant is going there is because the hotel is going there and the reason the hotel is going there is because the restaurant is going there.

Ban's plan included the creation of a public road that would travel along the south side of the property. Called "109th Place," the road would connect to Delaware Parkway and end in a roundabout in front of the Texas Roadhouse and the hotel.

The proposed McDonald's would have two drive-thru lanes and would sit at the corner of Delaware Parkway and 109th. The Texas Roadhouse and the hotel would be located on the east side of the property, closer to I-65. Current designs show the Texas Roadhouse being over 8,000 square feet.

The TownePlace Suites proposed for the land south of the Texas Roadhouse would be Crown Point's second modern hotel. Last summer a $12 million Hampton Inn opened at 10850 Delaware Parkway.

Owned by Marriot, the TownePlace Suites would consist of 112 spacious units.

Because the development project will cater to families visiting for sporting events, having a sidewalk connecting the businesses is important, Ban said.

The developers are also considering using a patch of land south of the hotel as a sort of "warm-up area" for young athletes to practice and recreate, Ban said. Though, the developers have also discussed using the land as a park.

Your creativity on this difficult property is admirable," Commissioner Laura Sauerman said.

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GARY  The City of Gary has been awarded a significant grant aimed at equipping officers with body cameras.

Gary Police Department Chief Brian Evans said this recent development will increase safety for both officers and the public alike.

Im very appreciative of the support weve received from the state and from Sen. Eddie Melton in securing funding for the 'Local Body Camera' program," Evans said. "Getting the funding to implement this program fulfills a personal goal of mine as well as a request from the Gary Police Reform Commission. This initiative will allow us to better promote safety and transparency in our streets, and I look forward to the increased security for citizens and officers that this change will bring to our community.

The announcement came following the approval of the city's application for the Local Body Camera Grant with full funding. A total of $88,000 will be given to the city.

Indiana Senate Assistant Democratic Leader and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Eddie Melton, D-Gary, said this is the second-largest award in this year's cycle.

"During the height of unrest following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, residents of Gary and the state made it clear that they wanted more accountability and safety in our criminal justice system," Melton said. "Thats why I was pleased to help successfully work with faith leaders, Hoosiers, legislators in both chambers and organizations throughout Indiana to pass the historic Senate Enrolled Act 1006 with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now, funding approved in that critical legislation is being used to fund the Local Body Camera Grant Program in Gary."

In March 2021, the Indiana Senate joined the House in unanimously approving the police reforms in House Enrolled Act 1006. This act requires de-escalation training to be taught in conjunction with the proper use of force to new and returning officers at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, and it provides $70 million to upgrade the facilities at the state's police academy.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said he supports this measure, which has been in the city's sights for some time.

"I'm thankful to Sen. Melton and the entire Northwest Indiana legislative delegation," Prince said. "When we announced the recommendations of our Police Reform Commission last year, providing our Gary police officers with body cams was one of the top issues. Our legislators have clearly shown improving public safety is a very high priority for everyone in the Region."

In a news release, Melton said he plans to push for ongoing funding to provide hardware and tools needed for the body cameras.

"Strengthening accountability and transparency in our law enforcement agencies was exactly why HEA 1006 was drafted, and Im happy that were seeing the impact of this bill in communities like mine," said Melton. "As ranking minority member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting for essential police reform and training to help our law enforcement agencies run effectively in Gary and across Indiana. Ensuring safety and promoting trust among law enforcement and our communities is a top priority of mine.

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Robert Coplan, a professor of psychology at Carleton University in Canada, said that people who have been sheltering in place with others might not realize their irritability and stress could be tied to lack of alone time. Dr. Coplan has termed the craving for solitude while surrounded by others aloneliness, which he calls the mirror image of loneliness.

Allowing someone 24 hours of rest, or even just a few hours of undisturbed time with themselves, can change the way they can show up for others, said Nedra Tawwab, a therapist in Charlotte, N.C., and author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. Many parents dont have the downtime needed to restore themselves. Its restorative to do nothing, and to be granted the ability to do nothing is a loving act.

Free time for parents can extend to separate vacations, in which partners trade off staying home with the kids. Jessica Griscavage, owner of Runway Travel in McLean, Va., said she is booking more solo vacations. Everybody needs some alone time, especially after the year weve had, she said.

Trinita Brown, owner of D.C.-based travel agency Dream Vacations, is also seeing an uptick this year of spouses booking separate trips, and friends reuniting to travel. Normally I arrange larger tours, she said. But now Im seeing a newer phenomenon of smaller groups of women friends who have not seen each other, who want to be face to face, have some wine, hug each other.

Ms. Brown mentioned that even her husband, who usually doesnt vacation separately with friends, is considering it this year. He has always wanted to go to Vegas with his friends during the N.C.A.A., she said. He missed it last year, obviously. I told him, Start planning.

Offering the gift of free time has multiple benefits, said clinical psychologist Jodie Eisner, who treats patients in New York and Florida. A day of total freedom is both an opportunity to connect with your individual self, and helps foster feelings of empowerment, which is a powerful antidote to the helplessness that a lot of us have felt during the pandemic, she said. It expands your recently narrowed comfort zone by reminding you that youre capable and independent.

Its helpful to establish a few loose rules when giving or exchanging the gift of free time, Dr. Eisner said. Offer your partner full freedom to use their time however they want. While a gift for you might mean having the house to yourself, for your partner it may mean a day at the beach. You dont have to understand your partners decisions in order to support them.
Emergency-room data has been monitored for almost two decades by the C.D.C. as part of a response to 9/11 and a congressional mandate to track health measures in the event of disease outbreaks or other public-health emergencies. Though mental-health data from the E.R. has not been a specific focus for the C.D.C. over the years, it has now enabled the agency to produce a report that is meant, Radhakrishnan says, to raise awareness among parents, physicians and mental-health organizations.

This is especially important for emerging conditions in order to reduce misdiagnoses. For the tics many adolescent girls are having, for example, we would want to treat looking at anxiety and depression, says John Piacentini, an expert in tic disorders and director of the Child Anxiety Resilience Education Support Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Those conditions can increase the vulnerability of children to developing tics and eating disorders. Hence doctors should use great care in prescribing medications for tics because Tourettes syndrome and other movement disorders  and kids can have more than one  often involve different neurological pathways.

With the social isolation and lack of social connection, I think that hit girls harder than boys, Piacentini says. Girls tend to socialize in different ways. If, as experts believe, the tics that many of them have experienced during the pandemic mirror behavior they saw online, it may be an unintentional way of trying to make connections during what for many has been a period of loneliness. I think its a little beyond their control, he says of the tics. I dont think most kids are doing this for attention.

It would be easy to blame the pandemic for changes in mental health that have been observed since March 2020. But in December, when the surgeon general noted a mental-health crisis among young people, he made clear that rising numbers of children and young adults were struggling with anxiety and depression before Covid-19. Between 2013 and 2019, A.D.H.D. and anxiety were the most common mental disorders among those 3 to 17 years old, with each condition affecting roughly one in 11 children, according to the C.D.C. More than one in five 12- to 17-year-olds experienced a major depressive episode. Yet in 2019, fewer than 15 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 received some kind of mental-health treatment. Pre-Covid we had a mental-health crisis, says John T. Walkup, chairman of the psychiatry and behavioral-health department at Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago. The biggest misconception is that Covid makes people mentally ill. From my point of view, Covid unmasked people who have underlying vulnerabilities.
Nokia, whose telecommunications equipment plays an important role providing internet and communications in Russia, said on Tuesday that it was exiting the country because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The company had already suspended deliveries, stopped new business and begun moving research and development work out of Russia because of the war. Nokia, based in Finland, has been a leading manufacturer of telecommunications equipment used by Russian companies to provide internet and wireless services.

Word of the departure closely followed a similar announcement on Monday by Ericsson, a Swedish rival. The departures could cause difficulties as Russia seeks to expand and maintain its telecommunications networks, which are built with equipment from the two firms.

Last month, The New York Times reported on Nokias role in allowing its wireless networks to connect to a vast government surveillance apparatus used by Russias intelligence service. Documents revealed that the company knew how its technology was used as part of the surveillance network, which human rights groups and European courts have criticized.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued the credit-reporting firm TransUnion and a former senior executive  John Danaher, who led the companys consumer sales unit  for violating a 2017 order to stop using deceptive tactics to lure customers into recurring subscription payments.

TransUnion is an out-of-control repeat offender that believes it is above the law, said Rohit Chopra, the bureaus director.

After the 2017 order, TransUnion used hard-to-spot fine print on its website and enrollment forms to lure customers into recurring charges for its products, the bureau said. For example, TransUnion ran ads on annualcreditreport.com  the official site where consumers can obtain one free credit report a year from each of the three major bureaus  that, when clicked, diverted people to a sign-up form for paid credit monitoring, according to the bureau.

Hundreds of people complained that they had tried to get their free annual report and instead ended up enrolled in a paid monthly subscription, the bureau said in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago, where TransUnion is based.
Im trying really hard to keep it together and not show any of my fear, Ms. Ghosh said. The kids were playing with Play-Doh at the end of the day and wanting to show me the ice cream they made, and I was like, Im texting your mom and trying to make sure she can pick you up, but thanks!

Annie Tan, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at a school about a mile away from the shooting, also shielded her students from the full story after their school got a shelter-in-place order, telling her students it was just a drill.

We were all freaked out, she said. We kept it as normal as we possibly could.

Though Ms. Tan was able to keep her students occupied with art lessons and science projects, some of her students noticed something was off. Some questioned why they couldnt go outside for recess on a sunny day, and why a lockdown drill would last several hours.

At the end of the day, Ms. Tan warned her students that it might take longer for them to get home, and that their families, friends or other relatives might be there to pick them up. Immediately, one of her students asked her if there had been a shooting.

I told the truth, but not the whole truth, she said. I said everyone was OK, no one died, because I didnt want to freak out the students.
Hourari Benkada, 27, said he was sitting next to the man who carried out an attack on the subway in Brooklyn Tuesday morning. He ended up getting shot in the back of the knee.

Im in serious pain, Mr. Benkada said in a text message on Tuesday while he was recovering from surgery. And I was sitting closest to the gunman  closest one to him was me, he added. He was in too much pain to say more.

Mr. Benkada told CNN that he boarded the last car of the N train and sat next to a man with a duffel bag who was wearing an M.T.A. vest. The man set off what seemed to be a smoke bomb, he said, seconds after the train left the station, and then began shooting.

I feel shocked; I feel shaky; I dont know if I can ever ride a train, Mr. Benkada, a lifelong New Yorker, told CNN.
The suspect in Tuesdays subway attack in Brooklyn appears to have posted dozens of videos on social media in recent years  lengthy rants in which he expressed a range of harshly bigoted views and, more recently, criticized the policies of New York Citys mayor, Eric Adams.

The man, Frank R. James, 62, has addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia, the police said.

Image Frank R. James had addresses in Wisconsin and Philadelphia, the police said. Credit... via New York City Police Department

Two law enforcement officials said that a credit card with Mr. Jamess name on it had been found at the scene of the shooting, as had a key to a van that Mr. James had rented, along with a Glock 9-millimeter handgun, three ammunition magazines, a hatchet, fireworks and a liquid believed to be gasoline.

It appeared that Mr. James had rented the van in Philadelphia sometime over the last several days, driven it close to the subway line where the attack occurred and abandoned it there, one official said. The police found the van eight hours after the attack.
A neighbor of Frank R. James, the suspect in Tuesdays mass shooting on a subway train in Brooklyn and who is now in custody, said in an interview that Mr. James was gruff and standoffish, and once confronted her over a key left in her apartment door.

The neighbor, Keilah Miller, said on Tuesday that she had not seen Mr. James since late March  a timeline that aligns with Mr. Jamess description of his recent travels, posted in a YouTube video last month.

Ms. Miller, 32, said that she lived in an adjacent unit to Mr. James, 62, and that he had moved into the two-story triplex in Milwaukee within the past year.

Ms. Miller said she had heard him yelling on the phone several times, including a conversation in which he complained about ignorant people. After she mistakenly left her key in her lock, they had an altercation in which she recalled him yelling, Dont ever do that again!
Facing a growing public-safety crisis, Mayor Eric Adams said on Tuesday night that a mass shooting had turned a Brooklyn subway into a war zone, and that gun violence was a national problem New York City could not solve on its own.

I will not stop until the peace we deserve becomes the reality we experience, Mr. Adams said in a video message from Gracie Mansion. You have my word as a former police officer, a fellow New Yorker and your mayor that we will end this epidemic, and that we will capture the individual responsible for todays attack.

Mr. Adams, a former police captain, has pledged to reduce crime, but it has risen in his first months in office. He recommitted to his campaign pledge to get guns off the streets and struck a defiant tone: We will not surrender our city to the violent few.
The lack of security camera footage from the 36th Street subway station has become a significant obstacle in efforts to detain the gunman in Tuesdays attack, putting the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys surveillance system under renewed scrutiny.

Mayor Eric Adams said a malfunction was the reason that at least one camera at the station failed to capture anything. M.T.A. officials claimed on Tuesday that no more than 1 percent of the subway systems cameras are out of service at any given time.

One senior law enforcement official said that it appeared none of the stations cameras were in full operation at the time of the shooting on Tuesday. It is unclear exactly how many cameras were at the station. The official requested anonymity because it is an ongoing case.

Cameras are checked regularly, Tim Minton, an M.T.A. spokesman, said. He could not say how often. When the agency announced in September that it had finished installing security cameras in every one of the citys 472 subway stations, officials touted them as a safety benefit. The M.T.A. has nearly 10,000 cameras in its system, Janno Lieber, chief executive officer of the agency, said.
Multiple East Coast cities are increasing security on their subway systems following a shooting on a train in Brooklyn on Tuesday.

Officials in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., said that while there were no credible threats to their subways, additional police officers would be there for extra security and to be more visible to riders.

Ian Jannetta, a spokesman for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, said on Tuesday night that, as a precaution, officers were conducting additional K-9 sweeps and patrols.

In Philadelphia, police officers joined the transit police on Tuesday to boost the visibility of patrols on the system, said Andrew Busch, a spokesman for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
The attack at a subway station in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn snarled subway lines all over the city, the authorities said, though many had picked up again by Tuesday night.

The D, N and R lines had resumed service along their full routes in both directions but trains were bypassing the 36th St. station, and riders should expect longer waits, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Q and 6 lines had resumed normal service with no alerts.

It was not immediately clear if the W and B lines, which were suspended until the end of the day on Tuesday, would return to normal for the Wednesday morning commute.

Earlier reports of trains having stalled in tunnels were not accurate, the New York Police Department said in a tweet, noting that all trains had been moved into stations.
Hours after a gunman in an orange construction vest released two smoke grenades and fired at least 33 shots on an N train in Brooklyn, hundreds of police officers were searching Tuesday night for a 62-year-old man whom police officials have linked to the shooting.

Detectives were seeking to question the man, Frank R. James, about the attack at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park that injured at least 23 people, some of them children traveling to school.

Ten of the victims were shot, and 13 suffered smoke inhalation or were injured while fleeing. Five of them were critically hurt, but officials said they all were in stable condition and were expected to survive.

The mass shooting  one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the subway in recent history  heightened fears across New York at a time when officials have been confronting a rise in violent crime and struggling to lure riders back to a public transit system hobbled by the pandemic.
But there are intermediate cases between basic meaning and bona fide idiom. When we say that someone threw up, is that an idiom? Part of the essence of an idiom is that you wouldnt immediately know its meaning out of context  chewing the fat, being stood up, throw that up to me, etc. In contrast, the relationship of throw up to throwing is, upon a bit of reflection, rather obvious; its why people also say hurl or upchuck to mean the same thing. If people are learning English, do we consider their recognition that this is how we routinely refer to that action as having grasped one of our idioms? Not really. Throw up, in this sense, is a word that happens to have two parts that we write separately.

What we think of as one word with one meaning can in use actually be many, many more words, and not just in the sense of stark and obvious homonyms such as spring as a season and spring as a coil. This is beautifully illustrated with my favorite example: pick up. Its basic meaning is to lift something. But we also pick up our kids from school. Someone might pick someone up at a bar. You pick up a disease, or someone says youve picked up the habit of overusing certain salty words. In all those cases, we see a relationship with the lift meaning. Few would say that when we talk of picking up our kids, we are tossing in an idiom. Rather, these uses of pick up are something more mundane than idioms; they are words of their own.

That these are separate words is especially clear when the relationship with lifting gets more abstract: A car picks up speed; a cocktail picks up your spirits; we pick up a sound from far off; we pick up where we left off. Yes, pick and up are words in their own right, but in this case a combination of the two is the source of what are actually many more words, and this is the case with countless others. Think a bit about the different things make up can mean, for example. Yet no one would be accused of overusing the words pick or make, much less the word up. The key is how we use them.

And this brings us back to the profanity issue. When we perceive a word as used a lot or too much, its often being used to mean multiple things. The casual usage of like divides into about four different usages, some having drifted pretty dramatically from its stock definition. The N-word that ends with er and the N-word that ends with a are, for all intents and purposes (idiom alert!), different words now, and the latter is also developing into, of all things, new pronouns. What we might hear as a mere matter of yet another F-bomb is actually a vocabular sapling sprouting apace, with branches growing in different directions. As I put it in Nine Nasty Words (with wording a notch too zesty to print here), the F-word can convey destruction, deception, dismissal, dauntingness and down-to-earthness.

Russian speakers seem to get this more readily about profanity than English speakers. There is a tradition among Russians of cherishing its richness; for example, a Russian I am especially fond of has given me dense, sober volumes chronicling and exploring their profanity. Hence, what some bemoan as too much profanity is, to me, the equivalent of the glories of what Russians call mat, or dirty language. As the writer Edward Topol wrote in Dermo!: The Real Russian Tolstoy Never Used, a nonnative speaker who learns even one-third of this lexicon can be sure of being the most popular and honored foreigner at any Russian gathering.
FRONT PAGE

An article on Tuesday about tensions at Twitter after Elon Musk became the companys largest shareholder described incorrectly the role of Rich Greenfield. He is an analyst for the research firm LightShed Partners, not the venture capital investment fund LightShed Ventures.

NATIONAL

An article on Sunday about residents in Puerto Rico who remained without electricity days after a power outage misidentified the company that controls the power plant in Puerto Rico where a fire broke out. It is the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, not Luma Energy.

An article on Tuesday about Miya Ponsetto, a California woman who tackled a Black teenager at a SoHo hotel after falsely accusing him of stealing her cellphone, described incorrectly Ms. Ponsettos guilty plea. She can enter a new plea to a lesser charge  a misdemeanor  if she abides by the pleas terms, but it is not the case that the lesser charge will not include a hate crime element.

ARTS

An article on Tuesday about a temporary permit from New York City officials allowing the Fearless Girl statue to remain outside the New York Stock Exchange for 11 months described incorrectly the work of State Street Global Advisors. It is an asset management arm of State Street Corporation, not a hedge fund.
I want to capture the people that are artistic, that are able to go into the club and appreciate the music, said Mr. Gao, Nebulas owner.

Mr. Gao, 42, is new to the nightlife industry. A classically trained oboist who once played in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, he said he has a hand in several businesses, including a wine store in Astoria and East River party boats. About five years ago he started looking for club space in Manhattan, insisting the ceiling height be at least 21 feet. After signing the lease in late 2018, he sought out Mr. Romero.

Nebulas location has a long history in clubland. It was formerly Saci, Show and Arena. Most recently, it housed Circle, a Korean American spot that defined going out for a generation of the Asian and Asian American communities in New York until it closed in 2018. Mr. Romero promoted parties at all of those venues, except Circle. In recent years, he drifted out of nightlife and got into quick-service restaurants, opening a pizza chain, Zazzys, only to be lured back by Mr. Gao.

I believe in good bones. And this room always had good bones, said Mr. Romero, who speaks at 200 beats per minute. Sat down. Saw the vision. Came in here. We started putting it all together and made Nebula Nebula.

Business boomed in the brief window between opening and Omicron, Mr. Romero said. Since then, supply chain problems have led to shortages of Don Julio 1942, the clubs most popular tequila. The banquettes meant for the edges of the main dance floor didnt arrive until last week.

For those who remain wary of big crowds, Mr. Gao designed private rooms at the basement level, each with its own sound system, lights and bathroom. Despite reports of coming Covid-19 waves, he said he is optimistic.
Few galas are as over-the-top as the Save Venice ball, which took place last Friday at Cipriani South Street at the southern tip of Manhattan.

By 8 p.m., the cocktail area was a sea of mermaid ball gowns and penguin tuxedos, fitting for a masquerade ball that raises funds for the waterlogged city. Some 500 well-groomed guests  including Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark, and Sienna Miller  mingled over bellinis and posed for photographs inside a giant, Botticelli-style clamshell.

Some took this years theme, Enchantment by the Sea, to heart. This is our favorite gala because we get to be the best version of ourselves, said Alexandra Salanic, a graphic designer who wore an oyster-inspired dress of her own design. (Her husband, David, wore a hat topped with an oyster platter.) Other galas are more buttoned up.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Tuesday that peace talks with Ukraine had reached a dead end and he falsely called the evidence of Russian atrocities in a Kyiv suburb fake, using his first extended remarks about the war in nearly a month to insist that Russia would persist in its invasion.

Speaking at a news conference at a newly built spaceport in Russias Far East, Mr. Putin said that Ukraines negotiating position at the talks, last held in Istanbul two weeks ago, was unacceptable. He pledged that Russias military operation will continue until its full completion.

But the operations goals, he said, centered on the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia separatists have been fighting since 2014. It was the first time that Mr. Putin himself had effectively defined a more limited aim for the war, focusing on control of the Donbas  and not all of Ukraine, which Mr. Putin and his subordinates have said should not even be an independent country.
In 1930, Albert Barnes, the art collector and founder of the Barnes Foundation, did something a bit audacious: He asked Henri Matisse, who was visiting the United States as a juror for the Carnegie International exhibition in Pittsburgh, to create an enormous painting. Matisse, then 60, had not completed any paintings during the previous year.

Lucky for Barnes  and, it turns out, for Matisse.

The result, a 45-foot-long, three-part representation of dancing figures that Matisse completed in France, called The Dance (1932-33), reinvigorated his career, leading him to return to easel painting with new techniques, including the use of pre-colored papers that he cut to plan his compositions.

The innovative decade that followed is the subject of a new exhibition, Matisse in the 1930s, which is slated to open in October at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The show, believed to be the first major exhibition to focus on this decade of the painters life, is a collaboration with the Musee de lOrangerie in Paris and the Musee Matisse Nice. It will include more than 100 drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures and feature work from public and private collections in the United States and Europe. It will also include archival photos and documentary films.

The Barnes mural came at the right time because he had been going through a fallow period, Matthew Affron, the curator of modern art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, said in an interview. It jump-started him back in a new direction.
When she turned 18, a friend introduced her to Craigslist, and she said she became a sugar baby, receiving gifts from older, wealthy American sex tourists. One bought her Fenty Pumas, her first pair of sneakers. This one guy had photos of himself on a camel, she said impishly. I was like, Hes got money!

Even though shes playful as she talks about it, Tokischa didnt like the work, especially when clients crossed the lines of consent. She transitioned to OnlyFans, the subscription-based platform where people can charge for access to photos and videos, and eventually started modeling and incorporating herself into the creative community in Santo Domingo. She learned how to write and record music after meeting producers in the scene through her manager, Raymi Paulus. She swiftly cultivated her vocal style, now her central weapon: an unmistakable, high-pitched, coy moan that oozes sex and allows her devilish, sensual raps to land with precision.

Her first official single was Picala, a trap song featuring Tivi Gunz that dropped in 2018. Then came a torrent of equally racy dembow singles: Desacato Escolar, with Yomel El Meloso; El Rey de la Popola, with Rochy RD; and last years Yo No Me Voy Acostar, among many others.

The major labels soon came running: Last summer, she released Perra with the Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin. Then came Linda, and more recently La Combi Versace, both with the Spanish experimentalist Rosalia. In March, she completed her first U.S. tour, selling out Terminal 5 in New York in 30 minutes. She has a single with the EDM producer Marshmello arriving at the end of the month, and plans to record a full album over the next two years.

Shes different than people imagine. Shes very professional, very disciplined, said LeoRD, the superstar dembow producer whos collaborated with Tokischa on several tracks. In a phone call, he said that her climb has been unprecedented in the world of dembow. In so little time, with just a few songs, Ive seen her evolution go from zero to 100.
A book about Motown Productions, the film and television arm of the legendary Motown Records; preservation of the traditional language and lifestyle of Yupik and Cupik Alaskan Native people; and research on how communities  and insurance companies  in Bermuda understand risk caused by rising sea levels and climate change are among the 245 projects across the country that are receiving new grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The grants, which total $33.17 million, support historic collections, exhibitions and documentaries, humanities infrastructure, scholarly research and curriculum projects.

Among the 13 categories in which the grants were awarded, the most money  $11 million  went toward 23 infrastructure and capacity building challenge grants, which leverage federal funds to spur nonfederal support for cultural institutions.

Included in those were awards to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, to make collections documenting Hawaiian and Pacific history and culture more accessible, and to the First Peoples Fund in Rapid City, S.D., to create outdoor classroom spaces for education programs about the Lakota cultural traditions at the Pine Ridge Reservations Oglala Lakota Artspace.
SEEK AND HIDE

The Tangled History of the Right to Privacy

By Amy Gajda

376 pages. Viking. $30.

In her wry and fascinating new book, Seek and Hide, Amy Gajda traces the history of the right to privacy and its (understandably fraught) relationship in the United States with the First Amendment. English common law includes the concept of truthful libel  the notion that anything harmful to a persons reputation, even if factually accurate, could be treated as a punishable offense.

Truthful libel may sound like a contradiction in terms, but it arose out of a recognition that being ridiculed for something real could in some ways feel more ruinous than being mocked for something bogus  that, as Gajda puts it, the emotional damage and desire for physical revenge would be even more profound to the outed individual than had falsity been published.

Emotions and feelings come up a lot in Seek and Hide  something I wasnt expecting from a book that does serious work as a history of ideas, too. Gajda, who was a journalist before becoming a law professor, is a nimble storyteller; even if some of her conclusions are bound to be contentious, shes an insightful guide to a rich and textured history that gets easily caricatured, especially when a culture war is raging. One might think that the Founders, writing under pseudonyms and spreading gossip in order to lay low their political rivals, didnt give much thought to emotional damage, but Gajda suggests otherwise. Ben Franklin observed that every Person has little Secrets and Privacies that are not proper to be exposd even to the nearest friend.

As it happens, a number of people in Gajdas book can seem like free speech absolutists in one context and zealous advocates for privacy rights in another. Justice Louis Brandeis was known as a staunch defender of the First Amendment, but before joining the Supreme Court he was also the co-author of the landmark article The Right to Privacy (not to mention a vigilant protector of his own personal affairs). Upton Sinclair, whose book about the Chicago meatpacking industry turned stomachs and changed policy, blanched at all the newfound attention from sensationalist papers clamoring to know about his marital difficulties and what he ate for breakfast (a cup of water and six prunes).
10. And finally, Google sues over puppies.

The tech giant filed a lawsuit this week to shield vulnerable and unsuspecting people from what it called a nefarious scheme: the sale of adorable but imaginary puppies.

The lawsuit claims a man used a range of Google services, including Gmail accounts, Google Voice numbers and advertisements, to ask people to pay upfront for dogs they never received. Google says it spent more than $75,000 to investigate and remediate his activities and is suing to reclaim those costs and to make up for damage to its reputation.

Online pet schemes have exploded during the pandemic, as scammers took advantage of peoples loneliness.

Have a cautious evening.

Eve Edelheit compiled photos for this briefing.

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Peace talks reach a dead end, Putin says

In his first extended remarks about the war in almost a month, Vladimir Putin, Russias president, said that his country would persist in its invasion of Ukraine until its full completion. Peace talks with Ukraine had reached a dead end, he said, as he falsely described as fake evidence of Russian atrocities in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. Follow the latest updates.

For the first time, Putin explicitly moved away from his goal of gaining total control of Ukraine. He said Russias aims now centered on the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia separatists have been fighting since 2014. Our goal is to help the people who live in the Donbas, who feel their unbreakable bond with Russia, he said.

Those comments cannot necessarily be taken at face value. For months leading up to the invasion, Russian officials insisted that there were no plans to invade and that a buildup of troops was merely a military exercise. Ukrainian and Western officials now anticipate an intense offensive in the Donbas region, where the Russian military has been pouring in troops.

Mariupol: Almost seven weeks into the war, the Russians have yet to conquer Mariupol, the strategically important southern Donbas port. Western officials said they were evaluating accounts that Russian forces might have dropped chemical weapons there, a war crime.
Biden also said the U.S. would transfer additional helicopters  though he did not indicate whether they would come directly from the U.S. or another country. He said his administration would continue to facilitate the transfer of other weapons systems from allied countries to Ukraine to help in the fight.

Last week, Slovakia agreed to send Ukraine a Soviet-era S-300 air defense system after the U.S. agreed to position a more modern Patriot system in Slovakia.

The Pentagon separately hosted a meeting with leaders from the top eight U.S. arms manufacturers to discuss sending more sophisticated weaponry to Ukraine and to eventually restock supplies if needed.

Lockheed Martin Corporation and the Raytheon Company, two of the firms at the meeting, together make the Javelin anti-tank weapons, and Raytheon makes the Stinger antiaircraft weapon, both of which the U.S. has supplied to Ukraine.

The U.S. has also increased the flow of intelligence to Ukraine about Russian forces in the Donbas and Crimea, officials said.
McKinsey also allowed employees advising Purdue to help shape materials that were intended for government officials and agencies, including a memo in 2018 prepared for Alex M. Azar II, then the incoming secretary of health and human services under President Donald J. Trump. References to the severity of the opioid crisis in a draft version of the memo, the documents show, were cut before it was sent to Mr. Azar.

Todays report shows that at the same time the F.D.A. was relying on McKinseys advice to ensure drug safety and protect American lives, the firm was also being paid by the very companies fueling the deadly opioid epidemic to help them avoid tougher regulation of these dangerous drugs, Representative Carolyn Maloney, the New York Democrat who chairs the committee, said in a statement.

McKinsey says that its consultants are forbidden to share confidential information or discuss their work with clients that have competing interests, and in a statement a spokesman disputed that there was a disclosure requirement related to the work it did for the F.D.A.

Since McKinsey has not advised the F.D.A. on specific regulatory decisions or on specific pharmaceutical products, our consulting engagements with pharmaceutical companies did not create a conflict of interest with McKinseys consulting work for the F.D.A., the spokesman said. Because there was not a conflict of interest, there was not a requirement for a disclosure.

Dr. Smith, who this year was promoted to senior partner, did not respond to phone calls or emails seeking comment. One former McKinsey consultant familiar with his work said Dr. Smiths assignment at the F.D.A. was very high-level project management and could not have helped Purdue. The former consultant spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was subject to a nondisclosure agreement.

For nearly a century, McKinsey has taken on clients in the same industries, with internal rules meant to prevent trade secrets from leaking to competitors. As McKinsey expanded to 67 countries, serving many of the worlds biggest companies, it also began to mine a new source of revenue: governments, including in the United States, Europe and Asia. It wasnt until McKinsey began to work extensively with federal agencies that potential conflicts of interest drew the attention of Congress.
There are things that the newsletter writer Kirsten Han misses about Substack. They just arent enough to outweigh the downsides.

She disliked how the platform portrayed itself as a haven for independent writers with fewer resources while offering six-figure advances to several prominent white men. The hands-off content moderation policy, which allowed transphobic and anti-vaccine language, did not sit well with her. She also didnt like earning $20,000 in subscription revenue, and then giving up $2,600 in fees to Substack and its payment processor.

So last year, Ms. Han moved her newsletter, We, The Citizens, to a competing service. She now pays $780 a year to publish through Ghost, but said she still made roughly the same in subscriptions.

It wasnt too hard, she said. I looked at a few options that people were talking about.

Not long ago, Substack haunted mainstream media executives, poaching their star writers, luring their readers and, they feared, threatening their viability. Flush with venture money, the start-up was said to be the media future.
That remains to be seen, but he did convince one of his toughest customers. I converted my father, Mr. Campello said, referring to the companys co-founder, Ugo Campello.

Savage x Fenty, the lingerie brand started by Rihanna, released its first mens collection in 2020. It sold out in 12 hours, the entire thing, said Christiane Pendarvis, the brands chief merchant. We were blown away. A racy collection with cherry-red harnesses and mesh crop tops was released this year for Valentines Day.

Many of the customers, Ms. Pendarvis added, were not the girlfriends, partners or spouses, but the male buyers themselves. Its about self-expression, she said. You want to wear some lace thong underwear? Go right ahead.

And Fleur du Mal, an upscale lingerie line with stores in New York and Los Angeles, recently introduced a Fleur Pour Homme collection, including boxers made from sheer lace. The boxers sold out in two days and have a wait list of more than 500 people, according to Jennifer Zuccarini, the brands founder.

Lingerie sales have been strong during the pandemic, and many lingerie makers see an untapped market for men that tracks another apparel trend: the rise of gender-expansive clothing.

Mens lingerie is one small part of a bigger movement, said Francesca Muston, the vice president of fashion content at WGSN, a trend forecasting company. Youve got a whole generation who is just very embracing of the inclusivity and diversity within gender. And for the fashion industry, for our clients at WGSN, this is a huge deal.
Videos from the subway car where the smoke bomb went off and the shots rang out showed commuters running and just trying to breathe as they pulled their sleeves and their collars across their faces. My colleague Sarah Maslin Nir writes that there were a few panicked screams before the train pulled into the next stop, the doors opened and riders who could escape poured out, gasping in the smoke.

Theres been a shooting, a woman said as she fled. Behind her a man limped out of the smoky subway car. Other passengers collapsed once they made it out, while in the car, wounded passengers lay on the blue seats or on the floor.

The gunman  who had been on the train for eight stops, according to the police  apparently escaped in the maelstrom on the platform. At least one surveillance camera that could have captured the gunman was not working, Mayor Eric Adams said.

The camera malfunction appeared to hamper the search as the police fanned out through Sunset Park. Police officials said they were looking for a person of interest, Frank R. James, a 62-year-old man who had rented a U-Haul van they found several miles from the station where the attack occurred. They said the van had been rented in Philadelphia.

In the station, they said, they had found a nine-millimeter semiautomatic handgun, a hatchet and a bag with fireworks. Keechant Sewell, the police commissioner, added that there were online postings possibly connected to the man where he mentions homelessness, he mentions New York and he does mention Mayor Adams. As a result, she said, the mayors security detail was being tightened in an abundance of caution
Two days before the shooting, New York City Transit workers had reported that the camera system in that station and two adjacent ones were malfunctioning, The Times reported Wednesday, citing transit officials. Maintenance workers traced the problem to a fiber-optic cable connection failure, the Times reported.

But cameras did capture Mr. James entering the subway system on Tuesday morning, at the Kings Highway N-train stop in Brooklyn, said James Essig, the Police Departments chief of detectives. As an N train approached the 36th Street station, Mr. James, wearing a construction workers helmet and vest and a gas mask, threw two smoke grenades onto the floor and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at about 8:30 a.m., officials said.

After the shooting, passengers piled onto an R across the smoke-covered platform. They swarmed out of the 25th Street station, one stop away. Footage showed Mr. James leaving there, Chief Essig said.

Investigators found video of Mr. James entering the Seventh Avenue subway stop in Brooklyns Park Slope neighborhood, more than a mile away, around 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Chief Essig said.

He evaded law enforcement for over a day.

On the train, the police discovered an array of belongings, including a Glock 9-millimeter handgun, three ammunition magazines, a credit card with Mr. Jamess name on it and a key to a U-Haul van.

Image Frank R. James Credit... via New York City Police Department

That vehicle was found at West Seventh Street and Kings Highway in the Gravesend neighborhood late Tuesday afternoon, two blocks from the N-train stop where Mr. James entered the subway and about five miles from the station where the shooting had taken place.
A man who the police had identified as a suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting, Frank R. James, was taken into custody on Wednesday, according law enforcement officials.

The arrest comes more than 24 hours into the wide-ranging search that began after an attack on a Brooklyn subway train left 23 people injured.

The motive behind the attack remained unclear on Wednesday.

Heres what we know so far.

What happened?

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., a man in a construction vest and construction helmet, whom authorities later said was Mr. James, put on a gas mask as a crowded N train approached the 36th Street station in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, tossed two smoke grenades on the floor of the car and fired 33 shots before fleeing.

Mr. James then left the N train and boarded a local train across the platform, the R train, which several of his victims also fled to, officials said. He exited the subway system at 25th Street and managed to evade law enforcement for over a day.
Michel Bouquet, a French actor whose talent for suggesting passion and turmoil beneath a bland, middle-class facade made him a favorite of New Wave directors, died on Wednesday in Paris. He was 96.

The Elysee Palace, the office of the French president, announced the death in a statement.

Mr. Bouquet, one of Frances great theater actors, found a special niche in film in the late 1960s and 70s playing ordinary Frenchmen, somber and reserved, with complicated inner lives and deep reserves of emotion, a contrast heightened by his impassive, guileless face.

He played the lethally jealous husband in Claude Chabrols Unfaithful Wife (1969) and the advertising executive leading a double life in that directors Just Before Nightfall (1971). He was one of Jeanne Moreaus hapless victims in the Francois Truffaut film The Bride Wore Black (1968).
I see both sides on this one. Unconditional pacifism is pure but impractical. President Barack Obama said as much in his Nobel Peace Prize lecture in 2009: A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitlers armies. Negotiations cannot convince Al Qaedas leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism  it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

That recognition of history is why there are few unconditional pacifists. More common are people who support only just wars, such as those fought for self-defense, protection of innocents and perhaps punishment of wrongdoing. Im not a pacifist, really, John Tepper Marlin, an economist and adjunct professor of ethics at the Stern School of Business at New York University, told me this week. If you want peace, be prepared for war. The issue becomes how much you spend for military versus social services.

Russias invasion of Ukraine puts people who would like to wash their hands of war in a tricky spot. That includes people who dont want their companies working for the Pentagon. In 2018, more than 3,000 employees of Google signed a petition opposing its participation in Project Maven, a Defense Department venture that uses artificial intelligence to interpret video imagery and could improve drone targeting.

Its likewise complicated for E.S.G. funds that screen out defense contractors. I spoke with Andrew Montes, the director of digital strategies for As You Sow, a nonprofit based in Berkeley, Calif., that focuses on corporate accountability. He said: We unequivocally condemn the invasion, and the Ukrainians have a right to defend themselves. But its a separate question if defense stocks belong in the portfolio.

We try to take the view of long-term investors, Montes went on. If youre investing in weapons companies, youre essentially saying that you hope they are financially successful over the next 30 years. In other words, even if you approve of the arming of the Ukrainians, you might not want to own shares in a company whose profits depend on the arms race continuing for years to come.

Another group raising questions about investment in defense contractors is Datamaran, a company that uses software to screen companies for E.S.G. concerns. The defense contractors can argue that theyre on the right side in the Ukraine war, but you cannot base your position on just the current context; you must consider past, present and future actions, Marjella Lecourt-Alma, the chief executive and a co-founder of the company, wrote in an email.

The best outcome would be for todays weapons to serve as peacemakers  to work so well against the Russians that Putin and other aggressors would think twice before invading a neighbor. Before the invasion of Ukraine, there was a clear pattern of diminishing war in the world, said Joshua Goldstein, an emeritus professor of international relations at American University. There were just smaller civil wars, and fewer of those. The whole trend was in a positive direction. My hope is that this war will be such a spectacular failure that nobody can fail to draw the lesson that war is not a good way to get what you want.
In an earlier article, in the September 2020 issue of Foreign Affairs, The Fragile Republic: American Democracy Has Never Faced So Many Threats All at Once, Lieberman and Mettler argue that

for the first time in its history, the United States faces all four threats at the same time. It is this unprecedented confluence  more than the rise to power of any particular leader  that lies behind the contemporary crisis of American democracy. The threats have grown deeply entrenched, and they will likely persist and wreak havoc for some time to come.

Trump, the authors argue,

has ruthlessly exploited these widening divisions to deflect attention from his administrations poor response to the pandemic and to attack those he perceives as his personal or political enemies. Chaotic elections that have occurred during the pandemic, in Wisconsin and Georgia, for example, have underscored the heightened risk to U.S. democracy that the threats pose today. The situation is dire.

How much of a danger do Trump and his allies continue to represent? I asked Pepinsky how likely anti-democratic politicians are to use democratic elections to achieve their ends. He replied by email:

It is very possible  not sure how likely, but entirely possible. The G.O.P.s rhetoric is clear about what it believes a G.O.P.-led government should be able to implement, and the party has proven repeatedly unwilling to sanction its most visible political figure for plainly illegal and undemocratic behavior. And the G.O.P. machine at the state level is mobilizing to stack electoral bureaucracies with conspiracy-curious lickspittles who would love nothing more than to refuse to certify elections won by Democrats. The threat is real.

Lieberman, in turn, stressed in an email the key role of white discontent as a factor in the crisis American democracy faces:

The perception among many white Americans that their status at the top of the political hierarchy is eroding is certainly a critical factor fueling the crisis of American democracy today. This is a recurring pattern in American history: when proponents of expanded and more diverse democracy gain power, those who have a stake in old hierarchies and patterns of exclusion are often willing to defy democratic norms and practices in order to stay in power.

But, Lieberman continued,

its not necessarily inevitable that those defenders of old hierarchies will find refuge in the mainstream of a major political party, which gives their aims credibility and political force. When that has happened, as with the Democrats in the 1880s and 1890s, the result has been disastrous democratic backsliding. But in the 1960s, by contrast, a coalition of northern Democrats and Republicans was able to overcome those antidemocratic forces, at least for a short time.

The efforts by Republicans to take over control of elections through state laws giving local legislatures the power to overturn election results  as well as by running candidates for secretary of state who espouse the view that the 2020 election was stolen  are troubling, to say the least.

Donald Moynihan, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University  and the author of Delegitimization, Deconstruction and Control: Undermining the Administrative State in the current issue of The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science  wrote by email that he is more worried about declines in democracy driven by formal changes in the law than by events like January 6th.

Moynihan pointed out that at 3:32 a.m. on Jan. 7  hours after protesters incited by Trump swarmed the U.S. Capitol  a majority of House Republicans

voted not to accept the results of the last election. This represents an astonishing signal by a group of elected officials of their willingness to play procedural hardball to upend democratic outcomes. State legislatures are passing laws that constrain individual rights via democratic means, and also shifting powers in a way that can ensure Republican victories. Its very possible to envision how newly elected state and local election officials who believe Trumps false claims about the 2020 election would make decisions where they refuse to certify free and fair elections.

It is now possible, Moynihan continued,

to envisage some state legislatures using fraudulent fraud claims as an excuse to select a slate of electors consistent with their partisan interests rather than with the actual outcome of their election. This is not the most likely outcome, but it is significantly more likely than it was just a couple of years ago. The confluence of events  a close election in swing states, allegations of fraud, state legislatures stepping in to choose the winner and a Republican majority in Congress endorsing this  is an entirely plausible democratic process to nullify democracy.

Partisan polarization has pushed Americans not only into mutually exclusive political parties but also into two warring civic cultures.

In a March 2022 paper, Good Citizens in Democratic Hard Times, Sara Wallace Goodman of the University of California, Irvine, examined the growing disagreement among voters over what the obligations of a good citizen are.

Goodman compared voter attitudes on what constitutes good citizen norms in 2004 and in 2019. A strikingly high level of agreement between Republicans and Democrats in 2004 had nearly disappeared by 2019, according to her research:

Where 15 years prior, the only difference between partisans was in helping others (and the difference was slight), we see in this second (2019) snapshot several items of disagreement. In the United States, Democrats are more likely to value associational life and respecting opinions of others as values of good citizenship. Moreover, the gap between Democrats and Republicans in helping others has widened significantly. For Republicans, respondents are significantly more likely to value obeying the law. This portrays a clear erosion of overlapping norms, on almost every item.

In his March 2022 article Moderation, Realignment, or Transformation? Evaluating Three Approaches to Americas Crisis of Democracy, Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at New America and the author of Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop, argues that neither moderation nor realignment is adequate to address current problems in American democracy:

Only reforms that fundamentally shake up the political coalitions and electoral incentives can break the escalating two-party doom loop of hyperpartisanship that is destroying the foundations of American democracy.

Drutman makes the case that moderation is futile because

in todays politics, with national identity, racial reckoning, and democracy itself front and center in partisan conflict, it is hard to understand moderation as a middle point when no clear compromise exists on what are increasingly zero-sum issues. This is where the moderation principle falls especially short. If one party or both parties have no interest in moderation or cross-partisan compromise, would-be moderates cannot straddle an unbridgeable chasm.

What about a realignment in which the Democratic Party regains its majority status more firmly?

Drutman writes in his essay:

Any future scenario in which Democrats achieve a decisive and sustainable national majority is a future in which the Republican Party is almost certain to be led by the illiberal radicals who have been gaining power within the party for years as small-l liberal Republicans have fled the party. In short, realignment in the form of an extended period of Democratic majority rule does not offer a clear solution. It runs up against significant structural obstacles. And the more likely it seems, the more it stands a very good chance of pushing the Republican Party into even more radical insurrectionism.

In fact, Drutmans basic argument is that there is no feasible solution to the current crisis within the two-party system itself, given the escalating polarization and the extremist trajectory of the Republican Party.

According to Drutman, this kind of polarization, which involves not just (or not even) policy agreement but instead deep distrust of fellow citizens, is a very typical precursor of democratic decline. Conversely, in more proportional systems, out-party hatreds are rarer and tend to only be directed toward extreme parties.
jane coaston

Its The Argument. Im Jane Coaston. Zach, Bret, thank you guys so much for being here. I really appreciate it.

bret stephens

Anytime.

zach beauchamp

Hey, this is great.

jane coaston

And let me introduce you. Bret Stephens is a Times Opinion columnist, and Zach Beauchamp is a senior correspondent at Vox. And normally, this would be extremely annoying to me. But we are in part here to talk about a tweet. Zach, will you please read your tweet for us?

zach beauchamp

Yes, Im glad that I got cited for a good tweet as opposed to a bad tweet.

jane coaston

Exactly.

zach beauchamp

Because I feel like most of what you get picked up on for is for saying something that makes someone mad. So I wrote that, quote, The biggest challenge for liberalism today is the use of its own key features against it: free speech enabling the spread of authoritarian propaganda, democracy empowering illiberal leaders and markets producing an unresponsive oligarchic class.

jane coaston

Thank you.

zach beauchamp

Youre welcome.

jane coaston

So, yeah, were here to talk about liberalism, which is a value everyone in this country has a stake in, whether they like it or not. Its like the force. Its the superstructure that surrounds us. It binds us together. And were not just talking about this because of the tweet, but because of Viktor Orbans election victory in Hungary, leading to what has been called a soft autocracy and what he himself calls an illiberal democracy. And in the U.S. we see some on the right who are celebrating Orban. For instance, heres Hungarian foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, on Tucker Carlsons show.

archived recording (peter szijjarto) What they say is that the only way to have a progressive successful political system is that you have to be extremely liberal. And our existence makes it very clear that, no, this is not the only way to be progressive, to be successful to fulfill the interests of your nation, but our way, the conservative, patriotic, Christian Democratic way, you know, respecting our historic and religious heritage, respecting our values like family. This brings success also.

jane coaston

I think thats kind of ridiculous. But I think that gets at the big question I have, is that if were thinking about liberalism, are we thinking about it as the means to an end or an end in and of itself? Bret, Ive talked to you before about how you think that America needs a new liberal party because you think both the right and the left have become intolerant to ideas that dont match their worldview. Before we get into Zachs problems with liberalism, I want to ask you how illiberal a country do you think we are right now, and why do you think that?

bret stephens

Well, just to be clear on the semantics here, just because theres usually a confusion, I dont think any of us here is speaking about liberalism in the sense of Nancy Pelosi, welfare state 

jane coaston

No, no.

bret stephens

 liberalism. Were talking about 

jane coaston

Were talking Western democracy.

bret stephens

Right, democracy is hardware. Its institutions and procedures that create representative government, right? I mean, elections, houses of Congress and parliament, executives, and so on, expressing the will of the people. Liberalism, in my view, stands for the set of values, the software, that typically undergirds those procedures and those institutions. So free speech is a liberal value, tolerance, pluralism, a belief in freedom of conscience, all of these things that I think used to be the taken for granteds of American politics, and that, by and large, leaders from both political parties subscribe to these values. And so when someone like Viktor Orban talks about illiberal democracy, hes talking about keeping the democratic institutions in terms of representative government, but none of the values we typically associate with democracy. So with that out of the way, one of the things that has been probably my central political concern for the last six or seven years is the way in which the United States at a cultural level, I think, is moving away from liberalism. Its one of the reasons I became a Never Trump conservative because I thought the conservatism I grew up with was broadly within the family of liberalism. The conservatism of Donald Trump and his followers with its emphasis on nationalism, closed borders, protectionism, and so on, struck me as foundationally, or at least directionally, illiberal. And Ive also written a lot about what I see as a creeping illiberalism on the left when it comes to canceling speakers they dont like or de-platforming people they dont like. So I think liberalism is under profound threat in the United States, even more so in states in Europe. And the person who is effectively the global champion of that illiberal worldview right now strikes me as Vladimir Putin.

zach beauchamp

So theres a few things Id like to add to Brets clarification. Part of it is a central point of disagreement in this conversation, which I dont know if its worth getting into in significant depth, but I 

jane coaston

Oh, its always worth getting into the central disagreement on The Argument.

zach beauchamp

Because I dont see there being a parallel level of illiberalism on the left and the right in the United States. I dont see it being particularly comparable. And I think the Hungary example, Jane, you started this conversation with, is really useful in thinking through this. Theres no contemporary left-wing equivalent to Hungary, which is not just an illiberal democracy, by the way. Its not a democracy. It pretends to be. And this is my issue with the category of illiberal democracy to begin with, is, oftentimes, governments will say, OK, all we are doing is pursuing conservative cultural values or you know, leftist economic policies in the case of something like Venezuela. And in that sense, weve abandoned a certain level of liberalism. But what theyre actually doing is violating democratic freedoms that are liberal freedoms, freedom of speech, freedom of association, the freedom of an opposition to organize, freedom of the press, and grinding them into dust in order to secure their own hold on power. And thats what Orban has done without formally outlawing elections or stuffing ballot boxes. And you can see this, for example, in the recent Hungarian election, right? The districts in the sort of U.S. style single member districts were so absurdly gerrymandered that it was something like out of the capital of Budapest, his party won 86 out of 88 districts. And thats not reflecting just a random distribution of support, right, or stronger support in the countryside for his party, though there is some of that. Its that the districts were designed by them and completely transformed the electoral system to favor them. We can go on down the list. About 90 percent of media in Hungary is owned by the government. And you know, these facts typically get washed away when people celebrate Orban as a model for a conservative polity or a right-wing movement in the United States and this movement. Theres no equivalent on the American left. And that, I think, is telling about the asymmetry thats at work here.

bret stephens

I think thats just not true. And its one of the things that I think would behoove us all to pay closer attention to whats happening on our own side before making arguments about the opposing side. My hometown is Mexico City. Mexico elected a populist left-wing leader, Lopez Obrador. And literally, right now, he is in the process of dismantling 30 years of hard won Mexican democratic institutions. And I think part of the problem is that I hardly see anyone noticing.

jane coaston

Right, but I want to get back at something that weve been talking about a little bit. But Zach, you wrote a piece in 2019, saying that critics on the left and the right are waging war against the fundamental ideas that define our politics. And you said that liberalism was in crisis. But like my question is, when was liberalism not in crisis? Was there a high point of liberalism that we have fallen away from? Was liberalism in crisis in 1965? Was liberalism in crisis with McCarthyism? Or is it a crisis of comfort?

zach beauchamp

So I think its right to say that liberalism periodically experiences a wave of internal threats. Thats sort of the nature of liberal politics, right? When you have a society thats defined by tolerance and polyvocal centers of conversation and different people who disagree with each other, trying to participate in the same system, inevitably, youre going to get people operating inside the confines of that system who challenge its fundamental core values. And there are also issues where its not obvious what a liberal polity should do. Theres actual significant tension between different liberal values. This is classically the case with issues related to religion or the status of life, like abortion or animal rights. But what were seeing right now globally, I think its not one of the normal ones. And I dont want to say liberalism had these long placid periods where everything was fine. Arguably, the U.S. didnt become a liberal democracy until 1965, depending on who youre listening to, right, because of the widespread persistence of a system of apartheid and authoritarian government control in the South, right? Thats what Jim Crow was. So what I think is happening, especially in the West, right, and by the West here, I want to be clear on what Im talking about. I mean North America and Western Europe, right? This kind of anti-democratic right-wing populism is, again, not a uniquely modern phenomenon, but one that has gained a particular amount of power since the Brexit referendum, Trumps victory, the rise of Viktor Orban and the Law and Justice Party in Poland, right? It sort of has a generally coherent ideology that leads to cross national connections, which makes it, I think, fair to describe as a kind of united international challenge to liberalism, even if they arent always constantly coordinating. But there are mechanisms and organs of coordination. So Id say, yes, its a very particular kind of crisis with a lot of political momentum behind it, an attempt to turn the clock back on certain liberal gains that weve seen recently and even undermine the institutions of democracy itself.

jane coaston

I want to go back to Zachs original tweet, and its very weird to just keep referring to a tweet. It makes it sound like we are just having the most online conversation ever, but we arent. Zach, you listed three features of liberalism that you see as both necessary and facing real challenges right now. Free speech, democracy and free markets  all things, big fan, love it. But lets start with free speech because I think you and Bret might have different opinions as to what the problem is. And one point you made in your tweet was talking about the rise of authoritarian propaganda. Can you explain what you mean by that?

zach beauchamp

Yeah, its interesting because typically, we just think of that as being a top-down phenomenon, where a government is using state organs or state-controlled media to issue propaganda dictates out to the public. And then people learn that, and other sources of information are repressed. Thats how things work in Russia. Its how things work, to a lesser and more subtle degree, in Hungary. Its not really whats happening inside advanced democracies, where I see sort of a different kind of problem, which is that there are authoritarian political movements, primarily affiliated with the trend that I was just talking about, that are using techniques of authoritarian governments to dismantle the idea of a shared reality and to ensconce their followers in a separate and alternative world where they dont have contact with certain key features of actual shared political reality. And this relies on different mechanisms in different places. In the U.S., it works because of hyperpolarization. Theres a lot of political science evidence about how polarization fuels democratic backsliding in authoritarian movements, but in this case, when you become so deeply and fundamentally attached to your political identity and to your tribe, your team, you start to become suspicious of information that contradicts that worldview. And thats a tendency in both right and left. We saw during the Trump years is that theres this very particular infrastructure on the American right centered, but not exclusively residing in Fox News, that allows people and political leaders to disseminate basically falsehoods to turn them into a sort of totem of belief or an image, right? Like, you have to hold out this thing, like the 2020 election was rigged, in order to be a member in good standing of this particular political movement. And so for the Trumpist wing of the Republican Party, this really does create an anti-democratic authoritarian propaganda effect, where you have to accept the certain dictates that exist inside that world, right? And there are all sorts of different specific ways through which this consensus is enforced, but it pushes people away from participation in a shared democratic reality and one where to talk about some recent events, anyone whos advocating for L.G.B.T. rights can be described as a groomer, right? Like trying to recruit kids to some kind of nefarious sexual thing, which turns them into existential enemies, right? People who need to be not just defeated at the ballot box, but repressed. That kind of language and the spread of that kind of thinking through these controlled mechanisms is very harmful for democracy.

jane coaston

But the language, I would say, its very similar to what authoritarians have said, what, the way that Maoists put the logic of Maoism in the 50s and 60s, the idea that there is disorder and inequality in the world, and only I can fix it. Only we can fix it. And Pat Buchanan was saying vaguely authoritarian things in 1991. I would say that whats being said hasnt changed as much. Its just who is saying it. But Bret, Im interested in your thoughts because you were talking about speech, and you had a line where you were talking about how compromised liberalism has left a generation of writers weighing their every word for fear that a wrong one could wreck their professional lives. And I think that thats a concern about speech. But again, both of you are concerned about speech and the curtailing of speech, but not necessarily from an authority. Neither of you are saying like, the government is going to come in and shoot you because you tweeted something. Its other people. Its your fellow citizens who are enforcing this authoritarian conceit.

bret stephens

Well, yeah, I mean, I think were losing our grip on what it means to live in a free society, where you not only should accept that other people have a right to say things that you find offensive or misinformed or downright dangerous, but actually go so far as to celebrate living in that society. And it used to be a foundational American value. Now, thats not the country that many Americans feel that they are living in. And thats, I think, a fairly widespread phenomenon. Now, whats changed? You asked a question a while back about whether this is any different from 1965 or 75 and so on. And I think it has changed in a material sense for two reasons. Number one, in 2016, an illiberal nationalist gained what used to be called the commanding heights of American politics, which is different. I mean, there was Joe McCarthy, but he was opposed by President Eisenhower. He was opposed by President Truman. There were the segregationists in the South, but they were owned by Lyndon Johnson. So the question of who had the commanding heights has now shifted since 2016 in a way that profoundly worries me. The second thing is that social media, digital media, has essentially reintroduced mob politics into democratic, or at least, American life in a way that I think would have been unimaginable for the last 100 years. But suddenly, at least in the last 10 years, those mobs were able to once again collect in the form of digital space and create a very active public pressure that canceled the careers of a few people, but much more importantly, created a culture of people thinking that its wiser to keep their mouths shut. And that, I think, is another distinction between now and, say, 50 or 40 years ago that just makes our era different. Now, whether we have the resources to change that, thats an open question.

jane coaston

I want to push back on you on a couple of things there because I am curious about this. First, with regard to kind of the historical analogy, I think that the concern here is, first and foremost, when were thinking about McCarthyism, McCarthyism had its own web and network of language and ideas. And a lot of that was based on the idea that liberalism was itself a problem because it was allowing people to do things they did not like people doing. And so I think that people, obviously, the mobs online are different than the mobs that would be formed in the streets, but the self-censorship that youre thinking about, I think, would have been very common to many people who were writers or thinkers in the 50s. Its just that the self-censorship would be coming from different entities. It might be coming from the government with the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and it might be coming from the people you work with. So how do we differentiate between self-censorship now and self-censorship then?

bret stephens

Well, thats a great question. And I imagine, I mean, a just first pass answer to a really smart question, its very hard to quantify because you can never really get a grip on just how many people are self-censoring and what is the distinction between self-censorship because youre just trying to find your way to saying something halfway intelligent and self-censorship in the sense that you have something intelligent to say and just are terrified for reputational reasons or professional reasons. Theres something of a difference in scale today, simply because there were only so many people who could be hauled before the House on Un-American Activities Committee and screamed that. These things are sort of seared into our minds because theyre relatively rare examples. Now this is extraordinarily common. The other difference, obviously, is that that was in the 1950s. That was a government agency, a body of Congress that was doing this. Now its not. Obviously, theres always been a profound streak of a liberalism in any democratic culture. And we may find 30 years from now that well think, oh, that was really just a blip. It wasnt so bad. It was hysteria about something that was a recurring feature of American life. That would be great if thats the case. I dont think its going to be the case. I think were going to remember this period as a uniquely dangerous period for liberal sensibilities in the American Republic.

zach beauchamp

So my money is on that second theory, Bret, if I had to bet on this particular thing for a few reasons. First, social media does make it easier for us to identify instances of individuals being, you know, repressed or punished for their speech through social sanction, but thats an issue of identification, right, not an issue of whether or not it was happening. So lets say you were a communist in a suburban neighborhood, lets say, outside of Chicago in the 1950s. Do you think that would have been comfortable talking about your political beliefs? Do you think if you did talk about them publicly, you wouldnt have suffered social sanction? You wouldnt have suffered maybe even professional consequences at the height of the Red Scare? I think the answer to that is, obviously, yes, you probably would have, or at least, would have been afraid of those things. Its much 

bret stephens

Not my relatives.

zach beauchamp

Some, maybe not  I dont know.

bret stephens

It depends on what neighborhood of 

zach beauchamp

It depends on the community.

bret stephens

 Brooklyn you were living in at the time.

zach beauchamp

But exactly, right? That depended on community then. It depended on where you were. It depended on who your social circle was. And the same thing is true today. And this is probably a feature of democratic politics basically everywhere. Social media allows us to make it more visible. And what it does do that I think is unique is it can hold up random people to a much greater scale of social opprobrium. But that, I dont think, is the same thing as it being a whole new type of experience. Right? I think the second thing is that theres just a difference in sort of qualitative difference, really, between the two kinds of illiberalism, Bret, in your framing that you were describing. On the one hand, you have sort of nebulous, vague, sometimes popping up impulse to attack people viciously and even try to impose professional consequences for their opinion. And on the other hand, you have a political movement that is basically dedicated to imposing an Orban style, Hungarian style political system on the United States and is doing it in a variety of different ways using the immensely powerful levers that are available, particularly at the state level. So its just, it strikes me as two different things that almost dont even belong in the same conversation with each other, right? Like, one is a concern, to be sure, but not a kind of existential extinction level event for American democracy, which the Trumpist movement is.

jane coaston

Clearly, we could talk  I was going to say that we could free speech some more, but this is a private platform. So I dont have to let you guys keep going. This is my platform 

bret stephens

You can do whatever you want. Youre the dictator 

jane coaston

Its true.

bret stephens

 of this conversation.

jane coaston

But that actually brings me to another challenge that Zach brought up in your tweet that a crisis facing liberalism is an unresponsive oligarchic class. And my first thought when I saw that was like, yeah, but every system has one, which is, I mean, I dont know if thats just how humans work, but like the Gang of Four in Maoist China was an unresponsive oligarchic class that made revolutionary ballets and killed people. The Soviet Union had the nomenclature. And Im curious, Zach, if this is a question of, is the problem the existence of the oligarchic class, or is the problem what theyre doing? In other words, if theres a version of Rupert Murdoch, where all hes doing with his money is just giving everyone a puppy, like, is that OK?

bret stephens

It depends on the puppy, Jane.

jane coaston

Its true.

zach beauchamp

I think that its kind of tricky to do hypotheticals about what would people with extreme wealth do in a hypothetical world if they wanted to all be super generous, because thats just not the case, right? Over the course of modern American history and even the long arc of history, generally speaking, the people who do extraordinary amounts of philanthropy with highly concentrated wealth are the exception. And the rule is that when you get really, really, really that level of rich, its some combination of the incentives, the social circle that you live in. And really, the kind of personality that compels one to pursue that kind of stratospheric wealth tends not to incline one towards public works. So it is more that the existence of extreme inequality creates structural conditions that make it likely for that power to be abused in a way that damages or threatens democracy because it creates people who, by virtue of their wealth, are difficult to impose accountability on. But I think the much more worrying stuff is  well, I mean, the obvious example is Rupert Murdochs media empire, right? And that wealth creates a set of institutions that can encourage anti-democratic trends inside societies that cant really be effectively controlled or corralled through the use of democratic politics. And in fact, maybe it shouldnt be, but the other thing that I wanted to emphasize that I wrote in that tweet that we havent picked up on as much is that these are features of a liberal democratic society that are being weaponized against itself, right? It is the case that in a society where there is private property rights, non-public ownership of the means of production, that theres going to be a significant level of inequality. And part of that  and I think I buy the sort of conservative libertarian take that you need things like that as a bulwark against state power. You cant just have everything owned by the government without serious risks of autocracy. But that does create its own set of risks. And I dont think thats a reason to tear down or eliminate capitalism. I do think that is an argument to think more creatively about what one does when the rich people, as I argue they almost inevitably do, make choices that endanger a free political system. That, I think, is the difficult question. And I dont know what the answer to it is.

jane coaston

Well, Im going to be here, and Im going to stand up for capitalism, as Winston Churchill put it, that capitalism is the worst economic system, except for all the other ones.

zach beauchamp

Doesnt he say that about democracy? Thats a democracy quote you just 

jane coaston

I thought it was capitalism.

zach beauchamp

 repurposed for  no, its democracy.

bret stephens

Zachs right.

jane coaston

Oh, dang it. Thank you, Bret. But I think that, again, if democracy itself is the challenge, isnt that simply because people are going to use democracy to do things that we dont like? I think that thats something to go to talking about Hungary and Viktor Orban, someone made a really smart point to me a while back that was like, the reason why someone like Rod Dreher likes Orbans Hungary is because he finds freedom there because the people he doesnt like are repressed there, whereas I think he feels repressed here because the people he doesnt like find freedom here. And isnt that kind of an inherent challenge that people are going to use liberalism and use democracy to do things that we do not like? What do you think, Bret?

bret stephens

I mean, I agree with, I think, the implicit argument in your question, Jane, which is, I read Zachs tweet only because it was sent to me, not because I read Twitter. But I read Zachs tweet, and I thought, this is the kind of stuff sort of the far right  I dont want to say the far right in a racist sense, but the anxious right kept saying during the Cold War, people like Jean-Francois Revel, democracy against itself, the idea that the institutions of democracy had become essentially useful idiots, as it were, for the ambitions of its totalitarian players. Its a perpetual threat to any democratic system. But the Orban government, to me, is a perfect example of how you weaponize the mentality that you cant allow too much liberalism or too much democracy because it might be instrumentalized by your enemies in order to create a political system that most of us recognize is not really democratic and is certainly not liberal. So its hard for me as I think of the potential cures that are sometimes suggested for reining in the excesses of liberalism or democracy, reining in misinformation, reining in far right extremism. And time and again, all of those cures strike me as really bad ideas. And one of the reasons theyre bad ideas is that two can play the game, right? I mean, you want to rein in Fox News, eventually someone is going to do that to their opposite numbers on MSNBC. You dont like the excesses of rich right wing billionaires giving money to candidates like JD Vance, whom you dislike? Well, eventually, thats going to swing around to other liberal billionaires giving money to democratic causes. Typically, the best response to the problems of freedom, in my view  this is kind of libertarian of me  is usually more freedom. I dont apply that universally. There are exceptions, and those are interesting exceptions. But I think its really dangerous when people start going down the path and saying, capitalism, yes, but heavily regulated capitalism. Democracy, yes, but heavily regulated democracy. Same for free speech. I think you end up in a cul-de-sac with unintended consequences that are harmful to your own side.

zach beauchamp

I was so close to saying that I was going to agree with everything that you just said, Bret, and then you threw in democracy and capitalism there as the same kind of entity that, heavily regulated, should be viewed with extreme caution, and I was like, oh, oh, no, Im going have to argue with him again. But no, look, I mostly agree with what youre saying. And Id rather focus on that than a disagreement in kind about capitalism versus democracy or social systems, right? Because I really do think that part of being a liberal and part of taking the ideas of liberalism seriously is accepting that there are defects in the system that you cant fix, or more precisely, you cant use government power to fix, that it would be wrong for the state to be involved in a certain set of things.

jane coaston

You cannot excise sin from the nation, whatever you see it, by the use of the government. Like, someone somewhere is going to do something you dont like.

zach beauchamp

Right, and that is just  thats just a fact. Its a feature of the system, right? Because what I dont like might actually end up being a good thing, or, even better, an authentic representation of a certain strain of the people who would otherwise have to be repressed by force. And it would be really, really, really bad in a democratic system if you end up having people who feel like they cant speak or participate in public life, unless they do so through the force of arms. Their viewpoint is so thoroughly repressed that they need to resort to violence. That doesnt obviate the need to analyze the way that liberalism generates its own problems and challenges internally, right? We cant just be, oh, well, liberalism will just go solve things on its own through the magic processes of freedom, right? I dont think thats true either. We need to acknowledge the problems the system creates, while defending it and figuring out what kinds of solutions are compatible with the protection of fundamental freedoms and liberal values.

bret stephens

Yeah, and I think, I mean, I agree with what Zach said. Maybe this is contrary to the spirit of this podcast, but 

jane coaston

The agreement.

bret stephens

The agreement part. There are always exceptions to rules, right? I mean, even a crazy right winger like me is not for totally unregulated capitalism, right? I also believe that, you know, there have to be guardrails in all kinds of ways around certain kinds of speech, around democratic procedures. The question is what the tendency is, right? Is your tendency to censor or is it to disclose? Its the instinct more than the rule that strikes me as whats at issue today. And one of the reasons I worry about liberalism today is I feel like our instincts are moving in the wrong direction, repeatedly towards censoriousness, towards shutting conversations and shutting lines of inquiry down, rather than saying maybe we need to check our instinct to suppress before we do that, because, again, this issue of unintended consequences is what repeatedly ends up hurting us the most. [MUSIC]

jane coaston

What are you arguing about with your family, your friends, your frenemies? Tell me about the big debate youre having in a voicemail by calling 347-915-4324. And we might play an excerpt of it on a future episode. I want to go quickly to  we talked about Hungary earlier. And I was saying that like the closest thing I could think of to how conservatives have been talking about Hungary is the way liberals talk about, say, Finland, which I always talk about like, yeah, its an extremely racially homogeneous country with a very different political history than ours. So its not like this. But Zach, I did want to ask you, what parallels are safe to draw between whats happening with autocracy in Hungary and the rest of Europe and the United States, and what comparisons do feel like a stretch?

zach beauchamp

Yeah, I think there are a few substantive similarities, right? I think the most important one when it comes to the Hungary example is this concept that political scientists have called competitive authoritarianism. And the basic idea is that you have a political system that has formerly free elections in the sense that the ballot box isnt stuffed. But you have rules that govern the way that elections are conducted that make them functionally unfair, so through things like extreme gerrymandering, government control over media, campaign finance rules that are rigged for one side. So free and not fair is sort of the tagline for this kind of election. So Hungary is like the textbook example of this kind of system. And Ive argued that increasingly, in almost like a unified ideological manner, but more sort of in practice, state Republican parties are starting to embrace this as a governing methodology. The best examples are Republican parties in Wisconsin and North Carolina that have embraced a variety of procedural tricks to make it extremely difficult for Democrats to participate in elections in the state. And we can run on down the list, right, of the competitive authoritarian hallmarks that you see. So in Hungary, for instance, theres an attempt to control the nature of education so that children are not exposed to narratives that they deem unpatriotic, essentially to manufacture consent for their particular vision of what Hungary should be. You can see versions of that in various different state laws that are proliferating right now  the, quote unquote, critical race theory bans, the Dont Say Gay law in Florida. And all of that suggests to me that there are very, very strong affinities between Fidesz, the party in power in Hungary and the Republican Party as it currently exists. That does not mean they are the same or that the U.S. is inevitably going down that trajectory. There are all sorts of differences, right? The federal system both enables this kind of political abuse and also puts a check on it, right? Because it makes it hard for them sort of to be issued from a top-down level. So I dont mean to be catastrophic here, but I do mean to say that there is a real parallel in the way the Republicans are approaching the electoral system in the United States and sort of the levers of democracy, the way theyre getting implicated and pulled into culture war concepts, right? Those parallels are real, and they really should worry us, especially if we dont want to just assume that the end of the Trump presidency is the end of our problems, or even if Trump loses in 2024, because I just dont think thats the case.

bret stephens

Yeah, I think we have to be careful with comparisons. I mean, one of the things that amazes me  Im no fan of Viktor Orban, but the coalition that was opposing him was the Jobbik party, which is a neo-Nazi party. Its a profound difference with the United States. The other difference that  I think Zach puts his finger on this rightly  Orban just won his, I think, fourth election. Trump couldnt even win his first election. I dont mean it was stolen, but he certainly could win a majority of the popular vote, and he got decisively routed in the second one. And I think from my conversations with Republicans, there is real, real misgivings about having him be the standard bearer the next time around. So we have to be, I think, somewhat careful with those comparisons. I would push back a little bit, Jane, that you know, if you go back to the year 2000, all the way up until around 2010, the extent to which there was left-wing enthusiasm for the Chavez government in Venezuela was astonishing. This has all been swept under the rug, but just look at the tweets that people like Jeremy Corbyn sent when Chavez died, the fact that the district attorney of San Francisco spent time with the Chavez government. I mean, it was not just something to blink at. So Im only saying that in that whats the line of, dont point out the moat in someone elses eye when you have a beam in your own, I think is always pretty useful advice.

jane coaston

I mean, I think that we risk doing that thing where were just like, oh, my wide receivers arrest is fine. Your wide receivers arrest is a show of your ignominy and evil. But I do think that what gets me is, Hungary is a terrible country comparison for the United States in almost every respect.

bret stephens

But Zachs point is very important, and I should stress this so theres no misunderstanding. The rights fixation with Hungary is really dismaying, because they are seeing in it a kind of an example of this kind of illiberal democracy, managed democracy that is sort of the high road to Putinism. But the central point, which is this idea on the right that we can have a form of democracy in which we tilt the rules so hard against our ideological opponents that theyre essentially shut out of power, has been the story of the Republican Party, or largely the story of the Republican Party, for the last several years. And in that sense, it is, in fact, a really big deal because sure enough, theres going to be a Republican president, whether its Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis or someone else. You know, sometime in the next few years, theres probably going to be a Republican Congress in 2023. And if Hungary is the country they look to as a kind of a gold standard for what a well-managed democracy should look like, then, in fact, its terrifying. So talking about Hungary is not at all a bad idea.

jane coaston

We spent a lot of time talking about the challenges of our current politics and how what were seeing abroad is influencing how we think about our own politics  too much so, I think. But I am curious to hear from both of you, how do we respond? What do we do about it? And is there a thing to be done?

zach beauchamp

Ugh, God.

bret stephens

What is to be done 

zach beauchamp

This is such a big question.

bret stephens

Such a Leninist question.

zach beauchamp

Yeah, I was about to say, were ending on our pro-democracy confrontation here with the Lenin question. Its really certainly a choice.

jane coaston

Its a good question.

bret stephens

Well, I really feel like the most important thing that those of us who consider ourselves liberals, whether youre an old-fashioned liberal, or I should say, a progressive liberal or a conservative liberal, is to talk to your own side, fix your own problems. You know, its very easy to lob bombs at the other guy, and much harder and I think much more courageous when you take up the work of saying to people where you have standing to say, hang on a second. We need to check this illiberalism among us. I mean, look, I tried to do that on the conservative side. Look where it got me. But I still think its actually morally important. And its the only thing that has a real hope of success to recenter the parties. Even if youre of Zachs view, you know, that the problem on the Democratic side is much smaller than the problem on the Republican side, well, fine. In that case, much easier to solve, right? So take up the work, as I know Zach has, and call this stuff out. Were not going to get very far if its simply a matter of, as you put it, I think, so beautifully, Jane, like, your wide receiver is worse than my wide receiver. Its just not a winning political strategy. I guess, the other thing is, I think its a huge task for universities that we need to be educating particularly our elites for genuine democracy. It would be amazing if more university professors and presidents and deans and provosts and so on could say, you know, weve got a problem here. There is a lot of illiberalism, too much illiberalism on college campuses. We can do something about it. And if they could do that, I think it would be a transformational shift in American culture with results we would know about in 10 or 20 years.

jane coaston

Zach, what is to be done?

zach beauchamp

Ive been thinking a lot about this, right? Because it is not easy. I think that there are a few things that one can look at. When it comes to the health of the democratic system itself, I think there are some encouraging signs that you can see especially from activist groups that are focusing on pro-democracy work at the very local level. As weve been stressing in this conversation, the U.S. federal system, it creates different kinds of points of vulnerability for democracy. Jim Crow demonstrated the way that you can have subnational authoritarianism in the United States. So when you have groups that are contesting local elections, that are working against anti-democratic ordinances at the state and even the granular county level, right, that kind of political organizing and thinking, which I think has been absent from a pro-democracy perspective until very recently, youre starting to see it with groups like Run for Something, I think is a really good example of this. On the ideological side, its a lot more complicated, right? But one thing I would like  and this is almost directly a product of my disagreement with Bret about the significance of the sort of cancel culture or social media shaming stuff  is like, less focus on that and more focus on between people who believe in liberal principles to stop fighting about things like defunding the police or getting angry at each other about one persons bad tweet or something like that, and much more focus on developing a kind of shared liberal ideological front, because I think a lot of the people who are on different sides of certain cultural disputes share a commitment to core liberal democratic values.

jane coaston

Bret, Zach, thank you so much. That was a great conversation.

zach beauchamp

Thank you. Thanks for having me.

bret stephens

Thank you, Jane. Thanks, Zach. [MUSIC]

jane coaston
The long-run impact may be more significant than the short-run impact, said Barry Ickes, head of the economics department at Pennsylvania State University, who specializes in the Russian economy. Eventually, Russia has to diversify its economy away from oil and gas, and it has to accelerate productivity growth. Tech was a natural way of doing that.

Workers left the country because they objected to Russias invasion of Ukraine, no longer wanted to live under the Putin regime and feared they could not speak their minds if they remained. Working in tech, a comparatively lucrative industry, they had money to flee the country. And like other tech workers globally, they could continue their work from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection.

Others left because their companies pulled them out.

After foreign governments imposed sanctions on Russia and many American and European companies stopped selling products there or barred access to banking and internet services, some Russian tech workers did not have the tools needed to do their work. Companies struggled to pay them.

Some worked for companies based in Russia and others for companies with headquarters elsewhere. Many start-ups in the United States and Europe  including many founded by Russian-born entrepreneurs  relied on software coders, engineers and other tech workers in Russia. To Russian entrepreneurs living abroad, these workers were a known quantity, and they were not as expensive as specialists in Silicon Valley and other parts of the United States.

StudyFree, a San Francisco start-up that helps students find university scholarships and grants, employed about 30 workers in Russia, but keeping them there became a liability, so the company has moved them out, said Dasha Kroshkina, the companys Russian-born founder.

We will not be able to attract as much funding if we still have employees in Russia, she said.
When Google employees returned to their mostly empty offices this month, they were told to relax. Office time should be not only productive but also fun. Explore the place a little. Dont book back-to-back meetings.

Also, dont forget to attend the private show by Lizzo, one of the hottest pop stars in the country. If thats not enough, the company is also planning pop-up events that will feature every Googlers favorite duo: food and swag.

But Google employees in Boulder, Colo., were still reminded of what they were giving up when the company gave them mouse pads with the image of a sad-eyed cat. Underneath the pet was a plea: Youre not going to RTO, right?

R.T.O., for return to office, is an abbreviation born of the pandemic. It is a recognition of how Covid-19 forced many companies to abandon office buildings and empty cubicles. The pandemic proved that being in the office does not necessarily equal greater productivity, and some firms continued to thrive without meeting in person.
A California woman whose disappearance in 2016 prompted an intense, weekslong search has accepted a plea bargain, admitting that she made up the story she gave the authorities about being abducted, beaten and leashed to a pole in a closet, prosecutors said.

Sherri Papini, 39, of Redding, Calif., will plead guilty to one count of making false statements to F.B.I. agents about her disappearance and one count of mail fraud based on her account of being a kidnapping victim, Phillip A. Talbert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, said in a statement on Tuesday.

I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so very sorry for the pain Ive caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story and those who worked so hard to try to help me, Ms. Papini said in a statement released through her lawyer, William J. Portanova.

She added, I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done.

The court has yet to schedule a date for Ms. Papini to enter her guilty pleas, Mr. Talbert said.
JAKARTA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people were killed and six others seriously injured in a truck accident in Indonesia's eastern province of West Papua on Wednesday, said Muhammad Khairul Basyar, a press officer at the search and rescue office in Manokwari district of the province.

The incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. local time when the truck carrying 29 people was passing a downhill road in Minyambouw sub-district of Pengunungan Arfak district, the officer said.

"The truck hit a hill at the side of the road, 13 people died on the scene and three others were dead in a hospital, six others sustained serious wounds," Khairul told Xinhua via phone.

Seven others survived the accident, according to the officer. 
The Biden administration extended the U.S. coronavirus public health emergency, now more than two years old, for another 90 days on Wednesday. The move will maintain a range of health benefits received by some of the most vulnerable Americans during the pandemic, including access to coronavirus tests and telehealth services.

The decision to extend the emergency was expected, public health experts said, even though top federal health officials have said the nation is now in a favorable position, with fewer people hospitalized for Covid-19 lately than at any time since the early weeks of the pandemic.

The Department of Health and Human Services made a commitment at the beginning of President Bidens term to give states at least two months warning before allowing the emergency declaration to lapse. Some governors have asked for even more time to prepare. The latest extension pushes back the expiration to mid-July.

Republican lawmakers called on the administration in February to stop extending the emergency, which was first declared by the Trump administration, saying that its continuation at a time when the crisis was ebbing amounted to government overreach.
WASHINGTON  The United States will send an additional $800 million worth of military and other security aid to Ukraine and step up intelligence sharing, American officials announced on Wednesday, as Russian forces appeared to be preparing for a new offensive in the countrys east.

President Biden promised that the assistance would include more of the weapons that the United States has previously given Ukraine, as well as new capabilities. The expanded intelligence sharing will make available more information about Russian troops in Crimea and the eastern Donbas region, parts of the country that Russia and Russian-backed separatists have occupied since 2014 or 2015.

Mr. Biden delivered the news about the arms package to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine during a nearly hourlong telephone call on Wednesday, according to White House officials. It came as the United States is considering whether to send a high-level official to Kyiv, Ukraines capital, as another sign of support, according to a person familiar with the internal discussions.

In a statement, Mr. Biden vowed to continue efforts to assist Ukraine, which has been pummeled by Russian artillery over the past month.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Federal prosecutors concluded their conspiracy and terrorism case against a British member of the Islamic State on Wednesday with a wrenching account of how an aid worker had been brutalized and sexually assaulted during a year and a half in captivity.

For much of her ordeal, the aid worker, Kayla Mueller, 24, was held by a notorious cell of four Islamic State members known for their viciousness and nicknamed the Beatles for their British accents, muffled behind black balaclavas.

Prosecutors say the defendant, El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, is Ringo. For nearly two weeks, they have argued that the polite, bespectacled defendant was a central figure in the Beatles, responsible for drafting ransom emails and mistreating prisoners. Among those captives, they say, were Ms. Mueller and three American men  James Foley, Steven J. Sotloff, and Peter Kassig  who were later beheaded by one of Mr. Elsheikhs close associates.

In his closing remarks, the first assistant U.S. attorney, Raj Parekh, asked jurors to pay particular attention to the suffering endured by Ms. Mueller, who was not only physically abused like the other American captives, but treated as a slave in the months leading up to her death, under mysterious circumstances, in early 2015.
Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff in the Trump White House, has been removed from the voter rolls in North Carolina as officials investigate whether he fraudulently registered to vote and cast a ballot in the state during the 2020 presidential election, according to a local election official.

Mr. Meadows, who helped amplify former President Donald J. Trumps false claims of voter fraud, was administratively removed from the poll book by the Macon County Board of Elections on Monday after documentation indicated he lived in Virginia and last voted in the 2021 election there, Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina Board of Elections, said in a statement.

Mr. Meadows represented North Carolina in Congress until March 2020, when he went to work in the White House. Months later, Mr. Meadows and his wife, Debra, registered to vote using the address of a modest, three-bedroom mobile home with a rusted roof in Scaly Mountain, N.C.

On the voter registration application that Mr. Meadows submitted on Sept. 19, 2020, he stated that he intended to move into the home the following day.
Two of former President Donald J. Trumps top White House lawyers met on Wednesday with the House committee investigating the Capitol attack, after Mr. Trump authorized them to engage with the panel, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Pat A. Cipollone, the former White House counsel, and Patrick F. Philbin, who was his deputy, met separately with the panel, two people familiar with the sessions said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the meetings.

It was not immediately clear how much information Mr. Cipollone and Mr. Philbin had provided to the committee or what they said, but they were present for key moments in the buildup to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including pivotal conversations and meetings in which Mr. Trump discussed using the powers of his office to try to overturn the election.

Their cooperation, which was reported earlier by Politico, added to the more than two dozen White House officials who agreed to take the committees questions.
HOUSTON  Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said on Wednesday that days of snarled traffic on the border, caused by new safety inspections he ordered last week, were part of a concerted effort to force Mexican officials to do more to stop the flow of migrants into the United States.

Ratcheting up the stakes in a clash over immigration that has tangled trade routes into Texas, Mr. Abbott said he would end the inspections only at one entry point  the bridge between Laredo and the Mexican city of Colombia, Nuevo Leon  and only because the governor of that state had agreed to increase border security on the Mexican side.

The Texas police, Mr. Abbott said, would continue to stop all trucks coming from other Mexican states for safety inspections, despite increasing pressure from truckers, business groups and officials from both parties who are calling for an end to the delays that have stretched for hours and even days and sharply limited commercial traffic.

Clogged bridges can end only through the type of collaboration that we are demonstrating today between Texas and Nuevo Leon, said Mr. Abbott, a two-term Republican up for re-election this year.
MANILA  Rescue workers battled intermittent heavy rain to reach many people still missing Wednesday, three days after Tropical Storm Megi pummeled the country, causing widespread landslides and flooding in the central Philippines.

By noon Thursday, 123 deaths had been confirmed. Hardest hit was the city of Baybay in central Leyte Province, where landslides buried a remote community. Eighty-six people were known to have died there, local officials said.

Mark Timbal, a spokesman for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said local officials in Leyte had pre-emptively evacuated many residents in Baybay into areas that were safe  or so they thought.

The landslide reached beyond the hazard-prone areas, Mr. Timbal said in Manila on Wednesday. Some of the residents had evacuated there and did not expect the landslide to reach that location.
Thousands of tourists and international students arrived in New Zealand from Australia on Wednesday, some to reunite with family and friends, in a further sign of reopening in countries that have maintained some of the worlds strictest coronavirus restrictions.

In the largest influx of new arrivals in many months, at least 4,000 passengers on Air New Zealand flights alone arrived at airports throughout New Zealand, many of them Australians with family living in New Zealand, after the border reopened to Australian citizens and permanent residents arriving from anywhere in the world, as well as up to 5,000 international students.

New Zealand citizens were already able to enter, and the country intends to reopen to travelers from elsewhere in the world in a phased reopening over the coming months.

At Auckland International Airport, Justine Kanapu told the national broadcaster Radio New Zealand that she was waiting to see her mother  who was traveling from the Australian city of Perth  for the first time in almost three years. We have missed out on a lot: my parents 60th birthdays, some funerals, some real special moments and some real sad moments, she said. So I cant wait to see my Mum.
President Biden on Tuesday for the first time accused Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, of perpetrating genocide on the Ukrainian people, but emphasized that was his personal view, not a legal determination.

The remark initially came offhandedly in a speech at a bioethanol plant in Iowa, in which Mr. Biden was announcing measures to counteract rising gas prices. About halfway through the speech, he made reference to Mr. Putin and the wars economic impact on Americans.

Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away, Mr. Biden said. It was a marked escalation from statements earlier this month, when he said Russian atrocities in the suburbs near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, amounted to war crimes, but did not rise to the level of genocide.

On the tarmac later on Tuesday afternoon as he left Iowa, the president reaffirmed his characterization.
LONDON  Prime Minister Boris Johnsons office said he would announce a migration partnership with Rwanda on Thursday, prompting speculation that the deal will include sending migrants arriving in Britain to the African country for processing.

Details of the new pact, and who it might impact, were not clear Wednesday night, though British media reports have suggested that the government was exploring proposals to fly asylum seekers arriving in Britain to Rwanda, for their claims to be dealt with there.

Downing Street said the move Mr. Johnson was set to announce would be as an effort to tackle illegal immigration at a time when thousands of people have crossed the English Channel in small boats.

Any proposal to offshore the processing of asylum application would be likely to provoke opposition and outrage on civil liberties grounds. Previous efforts to discuss the processing of migration cases in Albania and Ghana came to nothing.
BRUSSELS  Even before his invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had warned Sweden and Finland of retaliation should they join NATO. It was, after all, Ukraines desire to join the alliance that he cited time and again as provocation for his war.

But if his invasion of Ukraine has succeeded at anything so far, it has been to drive the militarily nonaligned Nordic countries into the arms of NATO, as Russian threats and aggression heighten security concerns and force them to choose sides.

In a rapid response to Russias invasion  and despite Mr. Putins threat of serious political and military consequences  both Finland and Sweden are now seriously debating applications for membership in the alliance and are widely expected to join.

Their accession would be another example of the counterproductive results of Mr. Putins war. Instead of crushing Ukrainian nationalism, he has enhanced it. Instead of weakening the trans-Atlantic alliance, he has solidified it. Instead of dividing NATO and blocking its growth, he has united it.
LONDON  One said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had taken responsibility, another that he had apologized unreservedly, while a third appealed to Britons to look at the bigger picture and cut some slack to a politician who was delivering for Britain.

By Wednesday nearly every member of Mr. Johnsons cabinet had defended their boss against demands for his resignation after he was fined by the police for breaching lockdown laws in Downing Street. Only one lawmaker from his Conservative Party gave media interviews calling on him to quit.

While that suggests Mr. Johnson can ride out the immediate storm, the danger is far from over for a prime minister who could face further fines in a swirling scandal called partygate over lockdown-busting social events held in Downing Street and other government buildings.

Even if he isnt fined again, a number of analysts believe the damage is done.

My view is that this was one of those rare moments where prime ministers see their brand change irrevocably, said James Johnson, a polling expert who worked in Downing Street for the previous prime minister, Theresa May.
PARIS  Rejecting a herd-like conformity with the Biden administration, Marine Le Pen, the French far-right candidate for the presidency, said Wednesday that France would quit NATOs integrated military command if she were elected and would seek for the alliance a strategic rapprochement with Russia.

As Russias war in Ukraine rages on, Ms. Le Pen effectively signaled that her election would terminate or at least disrupt President Bidens united alliance in confronting President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, and perhaps create a breach in Western Europe for Mr. Putin to exploit.

Dismissing multilateralism, blasting Germany, criticizing the European Union, relegating climate issues to a low priority, attacking globalists and maintaining a near silence on Russias brutal assault in Ukraine, Ms. Le Pen gave a taste of a worldview that was at once reminiscent of the Trump presidency and appeared to directly threaten NATOs attempts to arm Ukraine and defeat Russia.

A lurch to the far right by France, a nuclear power and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, would realign the world, with unpredictable and disruptive consequences.
Her eyes flooded with tears when she described the generosity of Zabkis government and residents upon their arrival.

But the family lives precariously, reliant on a small allowance from the Polish government and the generosity of their Polish neighbors. It is impossible for her to work right now because she must care for her baby.

It is a story that I heard over and over from Ukrainian women in Poland. They told me that their priorities were simple: a safe place to live with their children, far from bombs and battles.

But security and stability often cost more than the small allowance the Polish government offers to Ukrainian families. Thousands of Polish citizens across the country have lent rooms or apartments to refugees, but many are already asking when their guests will leave. Soon they will need to pay rent. And to afford it, as rents around the country skyrocket in response to the sudden demand, they will need to work.

That means Ukrainian mothers must solve a higher-stakes version of the problem working mothers face all over the world: how to find affordable and reliable child care, and employers willing to accommodate their needs as parents.

A challenging environment

Family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours, are relatively rare in Polish workplaces  the legacy of years of high unemployment, said Ida Magda, a labor economist at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics who studies Polish womens participation in the labor market.

Care for children under 3 is often so expensive that many women find it cheaper to stay home until their children are old enough for preschool. And although the government has recently expanded state-funded preschools for 3- to 6-year-olds, known in Poland as kindergartens, spaces were in short supply in many parts of the country even before the war began.
KRAKOW, Poland  Across Ukraine, kindergartens have been bombed, elementary schools have been converted into shelters and in some cities like Mariupol, their grounds have even become makeshift graveyards.

As the war tears at the social institutions of the country, education has been one of the major casualties. Parents, teachers and school administrators are scrambling to provide classes for the 5.5 million school-age children who remain in the country, as well as for thousands of others who have fled to other countries.

In many places, students are connecting with their normal classrooms online, if their hometown schools are still operating and they have access to the internet. But with such vast displacement of teachers and students, the paths to learning are circuitous: In some cases, teachers who relocated within Ukraine are instructing students who have already fled the country, through a school system that they both left behind.

The study is just like during the Covid times but with constant interruptions for the air sirens, said Inna Pasichnyk, 29, who fled with her 11-year-old son, Volodymyr, to the Czech Republic from their home in the Donetsk region. He still dials into his classroom every day.
Still, Mr. Medvedchuk has been close both politically and personally to Mr. Putin for more than two decades, and he was a prominent figure in the pro-Russian wing of Ukrainian politics, a circle where Mr. Manafort found several clients.

Mr. Putin is the godfather to Mr. Medvedchuks daughter. The two men met frequently over the years, and Russian air traffic control authorities granted special exemptions for Mr. Medvedchuks private jet on flights to Moscow, he said in an interview in 2017.

Some European politicians, including the former chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, had publicly endorsed a role for Mr. Medvedchuk as an intermediary in the standoff between Russia and Ukraine, given his personal ties to Mr. Putin.

But in Ukraine, outside of a narrow base of support mostly in the countrys east, he was widely viewed as a loathsome quisling who had reaped wealth from energy deals with the Kremlin while promoting Russian foreign policy goals, including weakening the central government under a federalization overhaul that he had championed for years.

At various times, he had served as deputy speaker of Parliament, a presidential adviser and a negotiator in prisoner exchanges with Russia. And as a figure at the nexus of various financial and political influence operations run by the Kremlin, Mr. Medvedchuks importance extended beyond Ukraine.

Mr. Manafort, before he became chairman of Donald J. Trumps presidential campaign in 2016, worked for a decade as a consultant for Russian-leaning politicians in Ukraine, including the Opposition Bloc party, in which Mr. Medvedchuk was one of three leading figures.

Russia-Ukraine War: Key Developments Card 1 of 4 Victory Day concerns. Officials across Ukraine issued urgent warnings about the threat of stepped-up Russian missile strikes over the weekend, amid fears that President Vladimir V. Putin might use Russias Victory Day holiday on May 9 to intensify attacks and turn what he calls a special military operation in Ukraine into explicit, all-out war. In Mariupol. In the ruined city, where fighting continued to rage, an evacuation convoy was dispatched again to the Azovstal steel plant, where about 200 civilians are believed to be trapped underground, along with the last Ukrainian soldiers defending the city. The Russian bombardment of the factory continued overnight. On the ground. Ukrainian soldiers are trying to drive Russian forces back from outside the two strategically important cities of Kharkiv and Izium. Russia appears to have escalated its attempts to trap and destroy Ukrainian units farther south. Russian oil embargo. The European Union unveiled a plan to halt imports of Russian crude oil in the next six months and refined oil products by the end of the year. If approved as expected, it would be the blocs biggest and costliest step yet toward ending its own dependence on Russian fossil fuels.







Mr. Manafort advised the party on its electoral strategy based on polling, Mr. Medvedchuk said in the interview in Kyiv in 2017. He recalled a party conference that the American consultant had attended ahead of parliamentary elections a few years earlier. Mr. Manafort, he said, had endorsed the partys pro-Russia policies as electorally sound in Ukraines southeastern region.
The art is instead loosely-grouped according to its aesthetic content  paintings and sculpture related to the land fill one room, for instance, while pieces more focused on water and sky fill another. The resulting selection, which is expected to remain in place for several years, juxtaposes contemporary artists with the long dead, painters with sculptors, and religious Jews with secular Arabs.

Israeli art was preoccupied with its identity from the beginning, Ms. Matatyahu said. Throughout the history of Israeli art, she added, artists and curators have wondered, What is Israeli about art? What is Israeli art?

Im trying to get out of this narrative, she added.

By prioritizing artistic content above artistic reputation, Ms. Matatyahu has omitted some of the biggest names in the Israeli canon, like Menashe Kadishman and Micha Ullman, and sometimes selected lesser-known works of the canonical artists who still made the cut.

More than a quarter of the work on display had not been shown in the museum before. Forty-one of the artists are women, about a third more than in the previous incarnation of the permanent collection. And while the show does not make a point of prioritizing work by Israels Arab minority, some of whom do not wish to have their work displayed in Israeli institutions, the number of Arab artists is still higher than before.
What were seeing right now is the buildup of decades where state legislatures have been adopting restriction after restriction, and now theyre moving to adopt ban after ban, said Elizabeth Nash, state policy analyst for the Guttmacher Institute. She said the legislation reflected the efforts of increasingly conservative state legislatures moving to take advantage of rightward shifts in the courts.

Several states already have so-called trigger bans, which will make abortion illegal if Roe is overturned or scaled back. All of the legislation proposed so far is likely to be enacted, Ms. Nash said. But some efforts may face court challenges: In Idaho, for example, an abortion ban modeled on that of Texas was set to take effect on April 22, but was temporarily blocked by the Idaho Supreme Court on Friday. Planned Parenthood said on Tuesday that it would challenge any abortion ban enacted in Oklahoma.

Even as they pass more far-reaching bans, states have not let up passing other restrictions, including waiting periods and parental consent laws. On Tuesday, a judge in Florida allowed a 24-hour waiting period that abortion rights groups had spent seven years attempting to block.

Which states have reinforced their support for abortion?

With Roe v. Wades future unclear, many states are pushing legislation that protects the right to an abortion. Some 30 states and the District of Columbia are considering measures that protect and expand access to abortion, according to Ms. Nash. Laws that protect the right to an abortion already exist in at least 16 states and the District of Columbia.

Some states have gone further: Lawmakers in Vermont voted in February to move forward on an amendment to the State Constitution that would guarantee the right to an abortion.

In Connecticut, lawmakers approved a bill that would expand the field of people who can perform certain types of abortions beyond doctors, to include nurse-midwives, physician assistants and other medical professionals.

Understand the State of Roe v. Wade Card 1 of 4 What is Roe v. Wade? Roe v. Wade is a landmark Supreme court decision that legalized abortion across the United States. The 7-2 ruling was announced on Jan. 22, 1973. Justice Harry A. Blackmun, a modest Midwestern Republican and a defender of the right to abortion, wrote the majority opinion. What was the case about? The ruling struck down laws in many states that had barred abortion, declaring that they could not ban the procedure before the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb. That point, known as fetal viability, was around 28 weeks when Roe was decided. Today, most experts estimate it to be about 23 or 24 weeks. What else did the case do? Roe v. Wade created a framework to govern abortion regulation based on the trimesters of pregnancy. In the first trimester, it allowed almost no regulations. In the second, it allowed regulations to protect womens health. In the third, it allowed states to ban abortions so long as exceptions were made to protect the life and health of the mother. In 1992, the court tossed that framework, while affirming Roes essential holding. What would happen if Roe were overturned? Individual states would be able to decide whether and when abortions would be legal. The practice would likely be banned or restricted heavily in about half of them, but many would continue to allow it. Thirteen states have so-called trigger laws, which would immediately make abortion illegal if Roe were overturned.







And in what lawmakers said could be a model for other states seeking to safeguard abortion rights, the Connecticut law would also shield abortion providers and patients from lawsuits initiated by states that have banned or plan to ban abortion, even outside their own borders. Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, has said he intends to sign the bill.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state governments, U.S. Census Bureau. The C.D.C. reported on Nov. 30 that booster doses are sometimes misclassified as first doses, which may overestimate first dose coverage among adults.

About this data Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state governments, U.S. Census Bureau. The C.D.C. reported on Nov. 30 that booster doses are sometimes misclassified as first doses, which may overestimate first dose coverage among adults.

The hot spots map shows the share of population with a new reported case over the last week.

Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (daily confirmed and suspected Covid-19 hospital admissions); Census Bureau (population data). Data prior to October 2020 was unreliable. Data reported in the most recent seven days may be incomplete.

This chart shows for each age group the number of people per 100,000 that were newly admitted to a hospital with Covid-19 each day, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dips and spikes could be due to inconsistent reporting by hospitals.

Sources: State and local health agencies (cases, deaths); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (tests, hospitalizations, I.C.U. patients). Tests, hospitalizations, I.C.U.s and deaths show seven-day averages. Hospitalization and I.C.U. data may not yet be available for yesterday. Figures shown are the most recent data available.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state governments, U.S. Census Bureau. The C.D.C. reported on Nov. 30 that booster doses are sometimes misclassified as first doses, which may overestimate first dose coverage among adults.

About this data Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state governments, U.S. Census Bureau. The C.D.C. reported on Nov. 30 that booster doses are sometimes misclassified as first doses, which may overestimate first dose coverage among adults.

Sources: State and local health agencies (cases, deaths); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (tests, hospitalizations, I.C.U. patients). The seven-day average is the average of the most recent seven days of data. Cases and deaths data are assigned to dates based on when figures are publicly reported. Figures for Covid patients in hospitals and I.C.U.s are the most recent number of patients with Covid-19 who are hospitalized or in an intensive care unit on that day. Dips and spikes could be due to inconsistent reporting by hospitals. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government. Tests represent the number of individual P.C.R. viral test specimens tested by laboratories and state health departments and reported to the federal government. Hospitalizations and tests are counted based on dates assigned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and are subject to historical revisions.

Sources: State and local health agencies (cases, deaths); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (hospitalizations); Centers for Disease Control and state governments (vaccinations); Census Bureau (population and demographic data). The daily average is calculated with data that was reported in the last seven days. Hospitalized for each county shows the average number of Covid-19 patients hospitalized per 100,000 residents within any hospital service areas that intersect with the county and is updated once a week. Vaccination data is not available for some counties. All-time charts show data from Jan. 21, 2020 to present.

This table is sorted by places with the most cases per 100,000 residents in the last seven days. Statewide data often updates more frequently than county-level data, and may not equal the sum of county-level figures. Charts show change in daily averages and are each on their own scale. The state does not update its data on weekends. Prior to April 2022, it released new data daily.

About the data

In data for Maryland, The Times primarily relies on reports from the state, as well as health districts or county governments that often report ahead of the state. The state does not update its data on weekends. Prior to April 2022, it released new data daily. The state reports cases and deaths based on a persons permanent or usual residence.

The Times has identified reporting anomalies or methodology changes in the data. More about reporting anomalies or changes Feb. 16, 2022: Maryland added about 24,800 cases from recent months representing people who were infected more than once.

Maryland added about 24,800 cases from recent months representing people who were infected more than once. Dec. 31, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2022: Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the New Year's holiday.

Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the New Year's holiday. Dec. 28, 2021: Maryland reported many deaths from the previous month after resolving a technical issue.

Maryland reported many deaths from the previous month after resolving a technical issue. Dec. 24, 2021 to Dec. 25, 2021: Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the Christmas holiday.

Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the Christmas holiday. Dec. 20, 2021: Maryland reported many cases on Dec. 20 after resolving technical issues that prevented the state from reporting updates for more than two weeks.

Maryland reported many cases on Dec. 20 after resolving technical issues that prevented the state from reporting updates for more than two weeks. Dec. 5, 2021 to Dec. 19, 2021: Maryland was unable to report new cases data for more than two weeks. The state announced it was responding to a cyberattack that affected data systems.

Maryland was unable to report new cases data for more than two weeks. The state announced it was responding to a cyberattack that affected data systems. Nov. 25, 2021: Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Maryland did not announce new cases and deaths for the Thanksgiving holiday. May 27, 2021: Maryland added 538 deaths from the past year after reconciling records.

Maryland added 538 deaths from the past year after reconciling records. April 15, 2020: Maryland began reporting probable deaths.

The tallies on this page include probable and confirmed cases and deaths.

Confirmed cases and deaths, which are widely considered to be an undercount of the true toll, are counts of individuals whose coronavirus infections were confirmed by a molecular laboratory test. Probable cases and deaths count individuals who meet criteria for other types of testing, symptoms and exposure, as developed by national and local governments.

Governments often revise data or report a single-day large increase in cases or deaths from unspecified days without historical revisions, which can cause an irregular pattern in the daily reported figures. The Times is excluding these anomalies from seven-day averages when possible. For agencies that do not report data every day, variation in the schedule on which cases or deaths are reported, such as around holidays, can also cause an irregular pattern in averages. The Times uses an adjustment method to vary the number of days included in an average to remove these irregularities.
A man released a canister of smoke and opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn during rush hour on Tuesday morning. At least 23 people were injured, including 10 by gunfire. The New York City Police Department was still searching for the gunman on Wednesday but said it had identified a suspect.

BRONX 3The R train took passengers, including some who were injured, up one stop to 25th Street, where they departed. MANHATTAN QUEENS Shooting BROOKLYN STATEN ISLAND South Brooklyn Marine Terminal 25th Street station GOWANUS EXPWY 27TH ST. FIFTH AVE. 2When the train pulled into 36th Street, riders poured out and across to the Manhattan-bound R train on the other side of the platform. 36th Street station 36TH ST. Bush Terminal Piers Park FIRST AVE. Green-Wood Cemetery SECOND AVE. M.T.A 38th St. Train Yard 41ST ST. D train line 48TH ST. 45th Street station Sunset Park 1After the Manhattan-bound N train left the 59th Street station, the gunman released a canister of smoke and opened fire. The N train skips these stations EIGHTH AVE. 53rd Street station SUNSET PARK 59th Street station BROOKLYN 800 ft. 3The R train took passengers, including some who were injured, up one stop to 25th Street, where they departed. BRONX MANHATTAN QUEENS South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Shooting STATEN ISLAND BROOKLYN 25th Street station GOWANUS EXPWY 27TH ST. 2When the train pulled into 36th Street, riders poured out and across to the Manhattan-bound R train on the other side of the platform. FIFTH AVE. 36th Street station 36TH ST. Bush Terminal Piers Park Green-Wood Cemetery FIRST AVE. 41ST ST. SECOND AVE. D train line Sunset Park The N train skips these stations 45th Street station 1After the Manhattan-bound N train left the 59th Street station, the gunman released a canister of smoke and opened fire. 48TH ST. EIGHTH AVE. SUNSET PARK 53rd Street station 59th Street station BROOKLYN 800 ft. BRONX MANHATTAN QUEENS Shooting 3The R train took passengers, including some who were injured, up one stop to 25th Street, where they departed. STATEN ISLAND BROOKLYN Bay Ridge Channel GOWANUS EXPWY 2When the train pulled into 36th Street, riders poured out and across to the Manhattan-bound R train on the other side of the platform. 25th St station FIFTH AVE. 36th St station Green-Wood Cemetery FIRST AVE. D train line Sunset Park The N train skips these stations 45th St station EIGHTH AVE. SECOND AVE. SUNSET PARK 53rd St station 59th St station BROOKLYN 1After the Manhattan-bound N train left the 59th Street station, the gunman released a canister of smoke and opened fire. 800 ft. Base map data from OpenStreetMap. The New York Times

The gunman, who was wearing a construction vest and had put on a gas mask, opened fire between the 59th Street and 36th Street stations on the express N train in the Sunset Park neighborhood.

Passengers rushed out of the smoke-filled train at 36th Street. Some left the station there, and some ran onto an R train on the other side of the platform. The two exit stairways on the northbound platform are both at the extreme south end  relatively far from the part of the train where the shooting took place, near the front.

36th Street subway station Witnesses reported smoke and gunshots coming from this car. Injured people and others crossed the platform to board the R train. Train platform Exit stairs Witnesses reported smoke and gunshots coming from this car. Injured people and others crossed the platform to board the R train. Train platform Exit stairs Witnesses reported smoke and gunshots coming from this car. Injured people and others crossed the platform to board the R train. Train platform Exit stairs The New York Times

Chris Fiocco, who was on an R train traveling toward Manhattan to switch trains at 36th Street, noticed smoke when his train arrived at the station and its doors opened.

I was supposed to get off to go across the platform to get on my next train, but I couldnt get through because hordes of people were crying, hysterical and just panicked, he said.

At least one security camera at a nearby station that could have captured images of the gunman was not in operation, hindering the search, The Times learned from a senior law enforcement official briefed on the investigation.

Inside the N train Smears of blood were visible on the floor in this area. One witness reported seeing shell casings in this area. Witnesses described smoke coming out of all car doors after the train arrived at 36th Street. Smears of blood were visible on the floor in this area. One witness reported seeing shell casings in this area. Witnesses described smoke coming out of all car doors after the train arrived at 36th Street. The New York Times

The R train took passengers, including some who had been injured, to the next stop at 25th Street, where they rushed out of the station. Police officers barricaded the entrances to the stations at 36th and 25th Streets, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspended service for N, R and D trains in the area.

Before the pandemic, about 13,000 subway riders passed through the 36th Street station on an average weekday, according to data from the M.T.A. In 2020, it was the 13th busiest station in Brooklyn, though its weekday ridership dropped to about 6,000 that year because of the pandemic.

Police recovered an empty U-Haul van five miles from where the shooting took place, and they said they believed it had been driven by the suspect, Frank R. James. The N.Y.P.D. said Mr. James had rented the van in Philadelphia and left the keys to it on the train where the shooting occurred, along with a Glock 9-millimeter handgun, ammunition, a hatchet, fireworks and a liquid they believed to be gasoline.

Mr. James has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the police said, and appears to have posted many videos on YouTube, in which he expressed extreme views, criticized Mayor Eric Adamss subway safety policies and said it would be easy to commit crimes on the subway. In a video posted Monday, the day before the shooting, he said that he had wanted to kill people and to watch people die.
Celebrity lookalikes are nothing new, but its rare to find one that resembles the original as closely as Brazilian Priscilla Beatrice resembles pop icon Rihanna.

Priscilla Beatrice may not be Rihannas only lookalike, but shes definitely the most famous one. With over 450,000 followers on Instagram and 2.4 million followers on TikTok, you could say she is a social media sensation in her own right. She has made a name for herself impersonating the Barbadian superstar both online and in various cities around the world, with fans of Rihanna flocking to get an autograph or have their picture taken with her. And who could blame them? The resemblance is so uncanny, youd be tempted to think she was Rihannas identical twin sister.

Beatrices resemblance to Rihanna has landed her appearances on national television in her native country of Brazil, and she even attracted the attention of the artist she has been imitating. Where the album sis? #R9 Rihanna herself commented on one of her dopplegangers clips.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

Priscilla Beatrice first went viral online for her uncanny resemblance to Rihanna in 2020, when The Shade Room shared one of her clips imitating the idol, and her popularity has been growing ever since.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

Although its easy to attribute Beatrices success solely to chance, in reality, the influencer put in a lot of work, studying Rihannas makeup, style and mannerisms in order to perfectly emulate her. Putting on makeup for a shoot can take the 29-year-old over an hour, and thats with the help of her team, otherwise it would take even longer.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

The Brazilian said she started her career as an impersonator after her friends kept telling her that she looked like Rihanna. She started focusing on imitating the pop star, and before long, people took notice and her online profiles started blowing up. Today, she is able to make a living as an online influencer.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priscila Beatrice  (@priscila.beatrice)
Dave Parro, Mark Miller

Walker Sands promotes Dave Parro to chief operating officer and Mark Miller to chief financial officer. Parro has been with the agency since 2012, most recently serving as executive vp, operations. He established the companys client services department in 2019 and developed its first large-scale integrated marketing programs. As COO, Parro will lead the agencys operations, IT, client services, sales and marketing teams. Miller was previously senior vp, finance. Before coming to Walker Sands in 2018, he was director, finance and operations at HBR Consulting. Walker Sands is more sophisticated than ever and both Dave and Mark have had a huge hand in that, said CEO Mike Santoro.

Jenny Lewis

Digital wedding planning company The Knot Worldwide brings on Jenny Lewis as chief marketing officer. Lewis was previously head of US & Canada Marketing at Uber. She previously worked at Undertone Advertising and Fox Networks Group (FX, National Geographic Channel, Fox Sports), where she developed co-marketing strategies with brands such as MillerCoors and Volkswagen. In her new post, Lewis will lead all marketing, insights, and editorial initiatives for The Knot Worldwide and its 19 global brands across 16 countries. "She is a highly experienced, seasoned business leader responsible for building one of the most well-known global marketplace brands: Uber," said The Knot Worldwide CEO Tim Chi, Chief Executive Officer of The Knot Worldwide. "I am confident that Jennys consumer-centric approach to full-funnel marketing and ability to anchor a brands relevancy with current and prospective consumers will drive innovation.

Summer Frein

Turning Point Brands, which manufactures, markets and distributes branded consumer products including alternative smoking accessories, hires Summer Frein as chief marketing officer. Frein was most recently general manager at Cronos Group, USA, where she designed and implemented the companys sales and marketing strategy. Prior to joining Cronos, she held a variety of senior leadership roles at Altria Group across sales, digital and brand marketing, strategy and business development. In 2018, she led Altrias cannabis research investment initiative. Summers vast experience leading the planning, strategic development and execution for notable consumer brands will be extremely valuable, said Turning Point Brands president and CEO Yavor Efremov.
12/04/2022 - The Global Forum published today two new peer review reports on transparency and exchange of information on request (EOIR) for El Salvador and Gabon. Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic having prevented assessors from performing on-site visits to evaluate the practical implementation of the international EOIR standard, the reports only cover the first phase of the assessment, analysing the jurisdictions legal and regulatory frameworks against the EOIR standard. Ratings for each of the ten elements of the assessment and overall ratings will be attributed at a later stage for both jurisdictions, once on-site visits are carried out and full reviews encompassing the implementation of the standard in practice can be undertaken.



Key findings and recommendations include:



El Salvador has a legal and regulatory framework in place that requires the availability of legal ownership, accounting and banking information, and generally ensures the exchange of relevant information for tax purposes in accordance with the standard. Since its previous peer review in 2016, El Salvador has made important improvements, notably by abolishing bearer shares in 2021 and through the ratification and subsequent coming into force of the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters in June 2019. However, improvements are needed with regard to the availability of beneficial ownership information, which still relies on the limited information available through outdated customer due diligence obligations of banks and other financial institutions. Provisions in the Tax Code on access by the tax administration to information held by banks have been set aside by the Constitutional Court in 2018, which makes access more complicated and at times impossible. El Salvador is expected to ensure the tax administration can access information held by banks for tax exchanges purposes. Read the report



While Gabons legal framework generally requires that relevant information is available and that it can be accessed for tax purposes, improvements are required in a number of areas. In particular, Gabon does not yet have an adequate network of international instruments allowing the exchange of information, as too few of the treaties signed by the country have entered into force. Deficiencies were also identified on the availability of information on owners of bearer shares and on beneficial owners of relevant entities and arrangements. Further, Gabon should ensure that accounting and banking information is available for companies that have ceased to exist. Read the report



 Find out more about the peer review process



The Global Forum is the leading multilateral body mandated to ensure that jurisdictions around the world adhere to and effectively implement both the EOIR standard and the standard of automatic exchange of information. These objectives are achieved through a robust monitoring and peer review process. The Global Forum also runs an extensive technical assistance programme to support its members in implementing the standards and help tax authorities make the best use of cross-border information sharing channels.



For further information, journalists should contact Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, (+33 1 45 24 91 08), or Zayda Manatta, Head of the Global Forum Secretariat, (+33 1 45 24 82 29).

Related Documents
MORE than 15,000 has been sent to Ukrainian refugees in Romania after financial donations were requested through Tullamore parish.

Tullamore parish is one of many around the diocese of Meath where an appeal was made to aid the diocese of Iasi in Romania, a location to which many fleeing the Russian invasion have fled.

Tullamore parish revealed in its bulletin at the weekend that the total sent to the Romanian diocese to date was 15,548.

Sincere thank you for your generosity, parishioners were told.

The financial donation came about through a relationship the Catholic diocese of Meath has with its counterpart in Iasi.

Three priests from Iasi are currently working in the diocese of Meath, including one in Mullingar.

The bishop of Iasi, Iosif Paulet, wrote a letter of thanks to the bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.

Bishop Paulet said: We are all deeply saddened and worried by this crisis and human failure, which is so close to our country, but also by the other conflicts or wars around the world, which have been going on for years or decades.

All this situation gives us the impression that human society is plagued by a widespread cancer triggered by the forces of evil. How good it is when brothers in God love each other and live in love and peace in the world, are the words of a song from our culture.

He added: We all want to live in the love and peace for which Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross and left us as an inheritance. I strongly believe that this living heritage has given birth to the beautiful connection we have between the dioceses of Meath and lasi.

I would like to thank you for the noble gesture of charity and generosity that you have made in the name of faith, that of supporting the Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war, but also all those who are in the front line to embrace the refugees with their human, spiritual and material support.

The financial support you sent us has been redirected to our diocesan association Caritas, which is present day and night on the border with Ukraine, and to all our parishes, which are close to the border with Ukraine and which offer unconditional support to all refugees.

Those wishing to make donations can do so by leaving the offering into a church sacristy or into the Parish Centre.
A secondary school principal tried to wrestle an iron bar from a teenage pupil who was among a gang of seven students that tried to attack a young boy in an alleged violent disorder incident last year, a court has heard.

Gift Osabuehaen (19), 42 Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, David Nevin (18), 8 Camlin Meadows, Farneyhoogan, Longford and Nikolas Bikar (18), 10 Annaly Park, Longford and Angel Miranda (18) 48/49 Lower Main Street, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath appeared alongside three juveniles at a District Court sitting in Longford.

That came as a consequence of what the court heard was 60 seconds of madness at St Mels College, Ballinalee Road, Longford on April 12, 2021.

Sgt Darren Conlon, in outlining the States case, said the incident had stemmed from ongoing animosity between two groups of youths.

He said the youngest of those before the court, a 14-year-old pupil and a second year student at the school had been involved in a dispute outside the school.

Sgt Conlon revealed the school phoned the boys father who arrived to collect his son sometime later and proceeded to leave.

Moments later, Judge Bernadette Owens was told the young boy and a number of his co-accused who were also in the vehicle spotted a number of youths from the rivalling gang, exited it and gave chase.

Sgt Conlon said there followed a momentary altercation that involved a third year pupil in the school not before the courts when he became separated from his peers.

In a bid to evade those chasing him, it was revealed the pupil sought refuge in the principals office.

The seven defendants are captured on CCTV running into the school after him, said Sgt Conlon.

He said the first two suspects identified were David Nevin and Nikolas Bikar, who, at the time of the incident, were juveniles.

They see the injured party inside the principals office, they see him through the window and they go in, he said.

CCTV footage, Sgt Conlon, added, showed the two teenagers push by the teacher in order to enter his office.

Angel Miranda, he added, arrived on the scene a short time later with another juvenile who cannot be named for legal reasons but failed to gain access to the school.

Another teenager under the age of 18, emerged seconds later accompanied by Gift Osabuehaen.

The incident, he said, escalated at that juncture where a number of the accused try for a second time to enter the school.

A PE teacher, Judge Owens was told, then arrived on the scene just as one of the youths, who cannot be named due to their age, appeared armed with a metal bar.

(The teenager) who has been floating around outside the principals office goes into the school and at that point you have all seven defendants in the school at the one time, said Sgt Conlon, who described the incident as 60 seconds of mayhem.

As the scene became increasingly more volatile, Sgt Conlon said the school principal could be seen on CCTV visibly and forcibly trying to wrestle the metal bar off one of the teenagers.

A number of seconds later, all seven defendants fled by returning up the colleges long entrance avenue.

The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had given consent for the case to be dealt with summarily, meaning it could be discharged within the confines of the district court.

Judge Owens remanded all six of the accused on continuing bail to June 7 for the purposes of probation reports to be carried out with Mr Nevin due back before Longford District Court on April 26.
Fianna Fail TD for Offaly, Barry Cowen has revealed that he is to meet Minister Eamon Ryan to discuss concerns regarding proposals for an outright cliff-edge ban on the commercial sale of turf.

Deputy Cowen commented, Im meeting Minister Ryan to raise my concerns with the current proposal. Ill be seeking to ensure that there is a means of recognising the long-standing relationship between many households and commercial cutters without a cliff-edge ban on the transaction between the two.

We can live with the banning of sales at filling stations, retail outlets or the side of the road, but there should be an allowance made for dependent households and bogowners/cutters.

The Offaly TD had already stated that, some commercial turf-cutters have annual customers in localities where many homeowners dont have their own plot and rely on these suppliers. It is those families and those providers who are impacted by a commercial sale ban.

We have to try to see if some agreement can be reached for the phasing out of commercial sales in such instances, rather than the cliff edge proposal being suggested. It is important to make the point that proposals, while not finalised, do not impact on people continuing to cut turf for their own use.

Deputy Cowen also added that, ultimately, we need a phasing out by agreement, whereby a just transition is realised with realistic and cost-efficient alternatives being made available for those impacted by proposals.
Gardai are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body of a woman at a residence on Seville Place, Dublin 1, today, Wednesday April 13, 2022.

Gardai attended the scene of the incident at approximately 11:50am. A woman, aged in her 80s, was located deceased inside the property with fatal injuries. Her body remains at the scene.

The scene is currently preserved and a technical examination will be carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau. The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem will be conducted later today.

A female aged in her 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to this incident. She is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Store Street Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.

Gardai in Store Street are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Any person with any information which may be relevant to the Garda investigation should contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8089, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Offaly local Ekaterina Koneva from Birr was among a number of migrants that were celebrated at an event recently, as she graduated from the Migrant Leadership Academy, run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, aimed at increasing migrant representation in society.

The Offaly graduate was presented with a certificate by Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe OBrien TD, at the event which took place at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin.

Also in attendance were some of the political representatives who mentored migrant interns as part of the Migrant-Councillor Internship Scheme, including Mayor of Galway Colette Connolly, Dublin City Councillor Anne Feeney, Cork County Councillor Gearoid Murphy, and Leitrim County Councillor Sean McGowan.

Speaking about the graduation, Minister of State Joe OBrien said, I am honoured to have presented the 26 participants with their certificates. The work that the Immigrant Council does in promoting diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Irish life, especially politics, is important for an everchanging Irish society. Its vital that those marginalised in society see themselves represented and have a voice in politics and the programmes being run by the Immigrant Council facilitate this.

Having previously worked in the area of migrant rights, I am passionate about creating a society that is welcoming to all. More than ever, Ireland needs an organised movement of migrants, refugees and allies to build a truly diverse and inclusive society. I look forward to seeing the graduates on a political stage in the future. With more migrant involvement in politics and in their local communities, we will see diversity in representation, and a truer reflection of the society we live in today.

Speaking at the graduation, Immigrant Council of Ireland Integration Manager, Teresa Buczkowska, said: Ireland is an increasingly diverse society, with one in eight of us coming from a migrant background. The reality, however, is that us migrants dont see ourselves represented in many key sectors of Irish society, including the social justice sector. Migrants in Ireland should be included in conversations on issues affecting us, from housing, education and discrimination to immigration policy reform and more. Both the Migrant Leadership Academy and the Migrant Councillor Internship Scheme equip participants with the skills to begin to use their voice to enact change.

Many migrants and refugees are doing great work in their local communities championing issues and effecting positive change, but their hard work is often overlooked. We want to celebrate what the participants in both schemes have achieved during their time on the programmes and we wish them every success in the next step on their journey.
Offaly children starting school this September in North Offaly will be invited to collect a free book bag and join their local library as part of the roll-out of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative.

The initiative will provide a My Little Library book bag in English or Irish to every child starting school in September. They can be collected from libraries across the country, with information for parents in each bag to support children on their learning journey. Children will also be offered free library membership, with a specially designed Little Library card wallet.

Cllr Mark Hackett stated: The My Little Library book bags will be available in our public libraries and is a wonderful opportunity for every family with a child starting school to get their little ones excited about learning and starting their new school adventures. We know that early childhood is a vital period in childrens learning and development, and by inviting children to join their local library before they start school we can encourage a new generation on a life-long love of reading and stories. The Easter holidays are the perfect time to pick up the bags and spend some time at the library.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic OGorman TD said: I am delighted to announce the launch of this new initiative for 45-year-olds. As the Minister for Children, I have asked every local library  thats 330 libraries across Ireland - to put together these book bags for children starting school in 2022. The stories in the books are about starting school, being happy in yourself, and making friends. I hope that parents and their children will join the library and refill the book bag with borrowed books whenever they can.

The Green Party is committed to transforming supports for early years in Ireland. This is another small step in a wide suite of measures that I am working hard for in Government to deliver for young families and the future of our children.

Minister OGorman also this week announced changes to the National Childcare Scheme that will extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children and families. This means the hours spent in pre-school or school will no longer be deducted from a familys entitlement to subsidised hours, benefitting up to 5,000 children and their families in the initial phase.

The Minister also announced the opening of the Transition Fund for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare providers, which encourage providers to freeze fees at September 2021 levels. This means that parents will not be faced with fee increases, and the full affordability effects of the National Childcare Scheme, and the universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Pre-school Programme, will be felt by parents.
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned Tuesday in the wake of his arrest in a federal corruption investigation, creating a political crisis for Gov. Kathy Hochul seven months after she selected Benjamin as a partner to make a fresh start in an office already rocked by scandal.

Benjamin, a Democrat, was accused in an indictment of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamins agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled.

Facing charges including bribery, fraud, conspiracy and falsification of records, Benjamin pleaded not guilty Tuesday at an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court. He was released and bail was set at $250,000. The terms of his release call for his travel to be restricted and bar him from returning to the state capitol in Albany.

He submitted his resignation to Hochul hours later.

I have accepted Brian Benjamins resignation effective immediately. While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them," Hochul said in a statement.

Two lawyers representing Benjamin said he was suspending his campaign to focus on defending his actions in court and said the grant in question was used to buy school supplies.

There was nothing inappropriate about this grant. He will focus his energies on explaining in court why his actions were laudable  not criminal. He looks forward to when this case is finished so he can rededicate himself to public service, the statement said.

Hochul in September plucked Benjamin, then a state lawmaker, to serve as second-in-command when she became governor, taking over for Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid allegations he sexually harassed 11 women, which he denied.

Hochul, also a Democrat, was Cuomos lieutenant governor. She is now running in this years election to try to remain governor. Benjamin had been her running mate.

Hochul's office and campaign did not respond to messages Tuesday evening about her plans moving forward for a new lieutenant governor and running mate.

Benjamin was the states second Black lieutenant governor. During his state Legislature career, he emphasized criminal justice reform and affordable housing. His district included most of central Harlem, where he was born and raised by Caribbean immigrant parents.

New York law makes it tough to remove Benjamin from the June primary ballot: He could move out of New York to disqualify himself from running for state office, or the state Democratic party could let him run for a down ballot office.

Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs said the party is exploring its options.

Im not ready at this time to outline what we are considering, suffice it to say we will look at the options expeditiously, Jacobs said.

Two months after Benjamin became lieutenant governor, a real estate developer who steered campaign contributions toward Benjamins failed bid for New York City comptroller was indicted. Federal authorities accused Gerald Migdol of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in illegally giving donations to Benjamins campaign.

The indictment said Benjamin and others acting at his direction or on his behalf also engaged in a series of lies and deceptions to cover up the scheme that stretched from 2019 to 2021.

They falsified campaign donor forms, misled municipal regulators and provided false information in vetting forms Benjamin submitted while he was being considered to be appointed as lieutenant governor, the indictment said.

Prosecutors had previously not made any accusations against Benjamin, and his campaign said at the time of Migdols arrest that it had forfeited any improper donations as soon as they were discovered.

More recently, reports came out saying subpoenas had been issued to Benjamin regarding the financial issues even before Hochul picked him as lieutenant governor.

Before Benjamins arrest and resignation, Hochul had defended him, saying last week she had the utmost confidence in him. She said last week that she didnt know of the subpoenas when she tapped Benjamin to be her No. 2.

Top Republicans and at least a dozen of Benjamins fellow Democrats in the Legislature called on him to resign by Tuesday afternoon.

Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, is taking on the duties of lieutenant governor  a role she took before Benjamins appointment last year when Hochul became governor.

Two candidates for governor, Democratic U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi and Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, blasted Hochuls judgment for selecting Benjamin in the first place despite longstanding concerns about his potential campaign finance violations.

Immigration advocate Ana Maria Archila, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor alongside New York City public advocate and gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, said Albany politicians have traded favors for money for too long.

Today is a dark day, with Albany at its worst on display for all New Yorkers to see, Archila said.

The scandal is the latest in a long history of lawmakers and other Albany leaders whove been engulfed in allegations of wrongdoing.

Cuomos resignation as governor came not only amid allegations of sexual harassment but that his administration misrepresented the number of New Yorkers who died in nursing homes from COVID-19.

In 2008, then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution investigation.

Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful figures in state government, resigned in 2015 after he was arrested on federal corruption charges.

Former Republican state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who for a time shared power with Silver, was convicted of extortion, wire fraud and bribery.

Hays reported from New York. Associated Press writers Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and Larry Neumeister contributed from New York and Michael Hill contributed from Albany.
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One million gallons of radioactive water is inside a former nuclear power plant along Cape Cod Bay and it has got to go.

But where, is the vexing question, and will the state intervene as the company dismantling the plant decides?

Holtec International is considering treating the water and discharging it into the bay, drawing fierce resistance from local residents, shell fishermen and politicians. Holtec is also considering evaporating the contaminated water or trucking it to a facility in another state.

The fight in Massachusetts mirrors a current, heated debate in Japan over a plan to release more than 1 million tons of treated radioactive wastewater into the ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant in spring 2023. A massive tsunami in 2011 crashed into the plant. Three reactors melted down.

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts, closed in 2019 after nearly half a century providing electricity to the region. U.S. Rep. William Keating, a Democrat whose district includes the Cape, wrote to Holtec with other top Massachusetts lawmakers in January to oppose releasing water into Cape Cod Bay. He asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to examine its regulations.

Keating said in late March that Holtec's handling of the radioactive water could set a precedent because the U.S. decommissioning industry is in its infancy. Most U.S. nuclear plants were built between 1970 and 1990.

If they're listening, sensitive and work with these communities, it's important, he said. That's the message for future decommissioning sites.

Holtec has acquired closed nuclear plants across the country as part of its dismantling business, including the former Oyster Creek Generating Station in New Jersey and Indian Point Energy Center in New York. Its taking ownership of the Palisades Nuclear Plant on Lake Michigan, which is closing this year.

Pilgrim was a boiling water reactor. Water constantly circulated through the reactor vessel and nuclear fuel, converting it to steam to spin the turbine. The water was cooled and recirculated, picking up radioactive contamination.

Cape Cod is a tourist hotspot. Having radioactive water in the bay, even low levels, isn't great for marketing, said Democratic state Rep. Josh Cutler, who represents a district there. Cutler is working to pass legislation to prohibit discharging radioactive material into coastal or inland waters.

Holtec said Pilgrim already discharged water into the bay for 50 years while the plant was operating and environmental studies, conducted by the plant operators and now Holtec, have shown little or no environmental impact. Radiological environmental reports are shared with the NRC annually.

We are working to provide scientific data, educate the public on the reality of radiation in everyday life, and working to have experts explain the true science versus the emotional fear of the unknown, spokesperson Patrick OBrien wrote in an email in March.

WHAT ARE HOLTEC'S OPTIONS?

Holtec could treat the water and discharge it in batches over multiple years, likely the least expensive option. Or, it could evaporate the water on site, as it says it has done with about 680,000 gallons (2,600 kiloliters) over the past two years.

Evaporating the water would be more challenging to do now because the spent nuclear fuel is in storage, and couldnt be used as a heat source. Holtec would have to use a different  likely more expensive  method that would release gas.

Or, Holtec could truck the water to an out-of-state facility, where it could be mixed with clay and buried or placed in an evaporation pond, or released into local waterways. Thats what Keating wants.

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, another boiling water reactor, was shut down in Vernon, Vermont, in 2014. Its sending wastewater to disposal specialists in Texas and other states. Entergy operated and sold both Vermont Yankee and Pilgrim. NorthStar, a separate and competing corporation in the decommissioning business, is dismantling Vermont Yankee.

Nuclear plants occasionally need to dispose of water with low levels of radioactivity when they're operating, so a process to release it in batches into local waterways was developed early in the nuclear industry.

In recent years at Pilgrim, the two largest releases were in 2011, with 29 releases totaling about 325,000 gallons (1,500 kiloliters), and 2013, with 21 releases totaling about 310,000 gallons.

The water from those releases was well below the federal limits for the amount of radionuclides in millirems a person would be exposed to in a year if they ate local seafood or swam in nearby waters, according to the NRC.

NRC spokesperson for the Northeast Neil Sheehan said the limits are set very conservatively and are believed to be protective of the public and environment. He said its important to consider the role of dilution  once the discharges mix with vast quantities of water any radioactivity is typically not detectable.

WHY ARE PEOPLE WORRIED?

In Duxbury, Kingston and Plymouth Bays, there are 50 oyster farms  the largest concentration in the state, worth $5.1 million last year, according to the Massachusetts Seafood Collaborative. The collaborative said dumping the water would devastate the industry, and the local economy along with it.

Diane Turco, a Harwich resident and longtime Pilgrim watchdog, questions if the water is heavily contaminated, especially from the pool that covered the stored, spent fuel for cooling and shielded workers from radiation.

Isnt this a crazy idea for Holtec to use our bay as their dump? No way, she said.

Others didn't know Pilgrim's water went into the bay in previous years and they don't want it to happen again.

We can't change that, but we can change what's happening in the future, said Cutler, the state lawmaker. It's the first time it has ever been decommissioned, so to compare this to the past is a convenient excuse. Well, we did it in the past, that sounds like my kid.

Towns on the Cape are trying to prohibit the dispersal of radioactive materials in their waters. Tribal leaders, fishermen, lobstermen and real estate agents have publicly stated their opposition as well.

Sheehan, the NRC spokesperson, said the water is not different or distinct, compared to water released during the plant's operations. Holtec would have to handle it the same way, by filtering it, putting it into a tank, analyzing the radio isotopes and calculating the environmental impacts if it was released in batches, he added.

WHO GETS THE FINAL SAY?

Holtec wouldn't need a separate approval from the NRC to discharge the water into the bay. However, Holtec would need permission from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if the water contained pollutants regulated by the Clean Water Act, such as dissolved metals.

If the water contained only radioactive materials regulated by the NRC, Holtec wouldn't need to ask the EPA for a permit modification, according to the EPA's water division for New England. Holtec has never given the EPA a pollutant characterization of the water associated with decommissioning, the division's director said.

Mary Lampert, of Duxbury, is on a panel created by the state to look at issues related to the Pilgrims decommissioning. She believes the state could use its existing laws and regulations to stop the dumping and plans to press the Massachusetts attorney general to file a preliminary injunction to do so.

The attorney generals office said it's monitoring the issue and would take any Clean Water Act violations seriously.

Holtec said this week its examining the water for possible pollutants but the lab results wont be available for awhile.

The company expects to decide what to do with the water later this year. Discharge, evaporation and some limited transportation will likely all be part of the solution, Holtec added.
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Midland-area families have been home from spring break trips for almost two weeks, but local health experts are reporting only a slight uptick in COVID cases.

Community spread of coronavirus appears to be very low after many Midland area students had spring break, and some families traveled, from March 28 to April 1.

Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow also told the Daily News the schools have had no positive cases reported to the district since spring break.

"Our daily attendance rates are over 95%," he said Tuesday. "There appears to be no increase of illness at this time."

Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News

The Midland school district is no longer tracking COVID cases or using testing protocols, after the state updated its public health guidance for schools. The State of Michigan's Test to Stay program suggests that local schools adapt testing based on local needs, and the Michigan health department updated an epidemic order that previously required schools to publicly report cases.

According to MI Safe Start, the test positivity rate for Midland County during spring break in 2021 (March 29 through April 2) was 16.8% while new cases were 390 per 100,000. During spring break this year (March 28 through April 1), Midland Countys positivity rate was 2.9% and new cases were 14 per 100,000.

Midland County Department of Public Health Medical Director Cathy Bodnar explained Midland County continues to have a low community transmission level, while areas of southeast Michigan are seeing a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases.

She said its likely the recent uptick in COVID cases is due to the presence of the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, which is more transmissible.

As weve seen these variants come, theyre more transmissible, Bodnar said.

Dr. Tami Sivy, chemistry professor and department chair of Saginaw Valley State Universitys Department of Chemistry, is hopeful after seeing low wastewater treatment levels of COVID in the area.

Sivy explained that wastewater treatment levels can roughly predict COVID trends about a week in advance. As residents have returned from spring break and the days have passed, there has been little change in the wastewater treatment levels. Because of this, Sivy is hopeful that there wont be any major influxes of COVID cases in the near future.

To me, thats reinforcing were not in a time where we have to be concerned about the transmission of the virus, Sivy said.

Midland County, Saginaw, and Frankenmuth have very low levels. There has been a slight increase in the sewage levels in Beaverton, but levels remain quite low, according to Sivy.

Its staying pretty low," said Sivy. "Its looking promising.

Testing is being conducted on wastewater samples from March and into April to detect the BA.2 subvariant. Bodnar explained its hard to tell if the subvariant is more serious than previous versions, as there is more immunity in the population due to the availability of COVID vaccines and boosters.

Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News

Although the community transmission rates are currently low, Bodnar advises that everyone get up to date on their COVID shots and follow quarantine/isolation guidelines if they are exposed or begin to show symptoms of COVID-19.

The health department is holding vaccination opportunities with both doses for children ages 5 to 11, and ages 12 and up.
BEULAH -- Benzie Bus launched its new non-emergency medical transportation service, Health Rides, on April 11.

Health Rides, which will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays will be available for appointments in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee and Wexford counties.

Lack of reliable transportation can significantly affect health, including by hindering access to health care, said Jessica Carland, mobility manager for Benzie Bus. Affordable, reliable transportation services are essential to a healthy community, but as we know, not all medical needs can be met with the limited resources here in Benzie County.

Benzie Bus receives calls weekly from people requesting transportation to medical facilities outside of Benzie County, Carland said.

Benzie Bus is able to offer Health Rides thanks to a grant from the National Rural Transit Assistance Program and interlocal agreements put in place with neighboring transit agencies.

Our neighboring transits understand the importance of working together to meet the needs of our residents, said Bill Kennis, executive director for Benzie Bus. Were grateful to have such willing partners in this new endeavor.

Douglas Durand, executive director of Benzie Senior Resources, said he was excited to partner with Benzie Bus.

When family and friends are unable to help, this alternative option provides relief and security," Durand said. "Benzie Senior Resources will provide financial assistance via a sliding-fee scale, based on the persons income, for those who could not otherwise afford this service.

Benzie Bus provides curb-to-curb service to residents and visitors in Benzie County, including connections to neighboring Grand Traverse and Manistee counties. Visit benziebus.com or call 231-325-3000 ext. 1 for more information.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A Pennsylvania government agency would get more flexibility about what to do with the former official residence of the lieutenant governor, located on a military facility, under a bill passed unanimously Tuesday by the state House.

Lawmakers previously voted to transfer the home at Fort Indiantown Gap to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for use as a veterans' outreach center.
BIG RAPIDS  The Michigan Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting to discuss potential lane configuration changes in three locations on state highways in Big Rapids from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Big Rapids City Hall, 226 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids.

MDOT officials will provide project details, scheduling information and traffic impacts during the meeting.

The public is invited to stop by anytime during the meeting to learn more about the project and provide comments.

MDOT is proposing reconfiguration from four lanes to three lanes at the following three locations:

Maple Street from Warren Avenue to the east end of the Muskegon River Bridge.

Third Avenue from north of Colburn Avenue to north of Bronson Avenue.

State Street from Maple Street to Waterloo Street.

City manager Mark Gifford told the Pioneer that MDOT is planning to resurface state highways in and around the city in 2023, and in the midst of evaluating the traffic patterns, they suggested changes at the three different sections of road.

They are talking about changing lane configurations, and they dont want to do it without people having the opportunity to give feedback as to whether they think it is a good idea or a bad idea, Gifford said. I think the community would be really interested in what they are proposing. I think they have some good ideas, but people need an opportunity to weigh in and that is what this meeting is for.

Del Kirby, with MDOT, said that at all three locations the roadway would be reconfigured form four lanes to three lanes, as a pilot program to get feedback on how the changes are working out.

We want to try this different configuration and see if the traffic patterns change and if the pedestrians are doing better with crossing the streets, Kirby said. We will be taking feedback on it as the year goes on to see if there is anything we are missing, if it is unreasonable to do it because of X, Y or Z.

Kirby explained that the lane changes will take place this summer, ahead of the resurfacing of the streets next summer, in order to see if the proposed changes are performing the planned improvements in vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

We want to pilot it, which means, if we put down the new markings now and everyone hates it, then we wont do it when we resurface the roads in 2023, he said.

The purpose of the changes is to try to reduce traffic speeds, lower the incidents of crashes and improve pedestrian safety in those areas, he said.

Traffic speeds in those areas tend to be high with people coming into town and using the inside lane for passing. That speeds up traffic, Kirby said. We would like to see the speeds in those areas reduced because it makes it a little bit better in addressing the crash patterns we see there, and it makes it a little more pedestrian friendly.

The trouble with the configuration as it is now is we have people racing each other, and the inside lane tends to be the fast lane, but it is also the lane where people are making a left hand turn onto a side street and so there is a pattern of rear-end crashes, he continued. This will address that because once you have the three lanes and you get in that center lane (to turn left) you are not going to have those crashes anymore. Also, with the traffic slower, as you cross the street you dont have to look across four lanes at a time. You can cross one lane, and then have a center turn lane to look at traffic before you cross the other lane.

Kirby added that they are particularly interested in making State Street and Third Street more pedestrian friendly near the schools so that students crossing those streets will have an easier time getting across.

If you have this change in configuration for kids crossing at Crossroads or at the junior high school, crossing the street will be a lot easier and safer for them, he said. There has always been a degree of concern with the four lane as far as kids who are crossing, so I would like to see their (parents and community members) take on it and their concerns regarding crossing to the schools.

Kirby said the peak traffic volume on the streets designated for proposed changes is well below the threshold of concern for a three lane configuration.

Community stakeholders, local business and residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the planned road improvements. Doors will open to the public at 3:30 p.m. A brief presentation will take place at 4 p.m. and at 5 p.m. Time will be provided for attendees to discuss any thoughts/concerns with TSC personnel one on one.

Accommodations can be made for persons who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for participation. Large print materials, auxiliary aids or the services of interpreters, signers, or readers are available upon request. Please contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or complete Form 2658 for American Sign Language located on the Title VI webpage at www.Michigan.gov/MDOT. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide the requested accommodation or an effective alternative, but accommodations may not be guaranteed.

Comments and input can be submitted using the online comment form or by calling 517-241-7462 by May 3.
Shelterhouse has announced that Karen S. Carter, chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer at Dow, will serve as honorary chairperson for its premier spring fundraiser, Shelterhouse Midland Restaurant Week, taking place throughout Midland County Monday, April 25 through Saturday, May 7.

Chefs for Shelterhouse is Midlands original culinary celebration. In light of the past few years, chefs from over 25 restaurants throughout the county are partnering with Shelterhouse to bring our community a new way to support survivors in the form of Shelterhouse Midland Restaurant Week.

The program, debuting April 25, is a culinary event to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence, cultivate healthy relationships, and infuse economic empowerment throughout our community while enjoying delicious cuisine. Local restaurants, cafes, and bars will be offering diners a little something special while also helping to raise funds for, and awareness about, Shelterhouse.

Community members and tourists are encouraged to meet up with friends for coffee, dine out, or order take-out during the promotional period.

I am honored to support survivors in this unique way. Shelterhouse Midland Restaurant Week is an evolution of an incredible legacy event, one that has transformed to be more inclusive with the ability to engage our entire community, Carter said.

As chief human resources officer at Dow, Carter is responsible for developing and implementing human resources policies and practices to support the companys global workforce. As the companys first chief inclusion officer, she guides and directs the companys efforts to create a more inclusive environment and diverse workforce.

We are so grateful for Karens support and service as the honoree chair for the event," said Denise Berry, executive director of Shelterhouse.

Carter has more than 25 years of experience with Dow, and is an active member of the community. She is on the board of directors for the Great Lakes Bay Region Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and is chair of Catalyst Board of Advisors.

There are two phrases that we often use to tell Shelterhouses story, when survivors become empowered, our whole community flourishes and success goes beyond the four walls of Shelterhouse," Berry said. "Karen embodies this spirit and her chairing this event is a continuation of this."

For ore information about Shelterhouse Midland Restaurant Week visit www.midlandrestaurantweek.com or @MidlandRestaurantWeek on Facebook and Instagram.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence or has experienced sexual assault, help can be found by calling 877-216-6383.
Metro Creative Graphics/File Photo

A jury found Rubicon Township resident Todd Irvine not guilty of malicious use of a telecommunications device in a jury trial that took place on April 5 at Huron County District Court.

Huron County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Rutkowski previously said the charge was made based on statements that Irvine allegedly made on the phone.
Authorities are warning Michiganders to be on guard against scam callers posing as members of the Michigan State Police and asking for money.

Troopers from the MSP post in Caro said they have received several calls from Thumb residents who have been contacted by individuals claiming to be members of the Michigan State Police. The callers ask for donations over the phone.
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GENEVA (AP)  Swiss prosecutors will not file any charges after concluding a decade-long investigation into alleged money laundering and organized crime linked to late former President Hosni Mubaraks circles in Egypt, and will release some 400 million Swiss francs ($430 million) frozen in Swiss banks.

The office of the Swiss attorney general said Wednesday that information received as part of cooperation with Egyptian authorities wasnt sufficient to back up the claims that emerged in the wake of Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 that felled Mubaraks three-decade rule.

Mubaraks sons, Alaa and Gamal, hailed the decision as a full exoneration.

A Swiss investigation into claims that banks in Switzerland were used to squirrel away ill-gotten funds had originally targeted 14 people, including Mubarak's two sons, as well as dozens of other individuals and entities that had assets totaling some 600 million francs frozen.

More than 210 million francs were already released in an earlier phase of the case, which also could not substantiate the allegations, and Wednesdays announcement means about 400 million more will be released and returned to their beneficial owners, the attorney-generals office said.

The final part of the Swiss investigation centered on five people, it said, without identifying them.

According to a statement sent to The Associated Press by Swiss law firm Ming Halperin Burger Inaudi, which represents the family, Gamal Mubarak said the decision validates the position we have held all along following more than a decade of intrusive investigations, sanctions and mutual legal assistance proceedings.

"The decision marks an important step in our efforts to assert our rights and prove our innocence from the flagrantly false allegations leveled against us over the past 11 years, he said.

The law firm, in a statement, also said the attorney-general's office had awarded an indemnity to the brothers of 270,000 francs to refund their legal costs, and said much of the frozen funds that will be released derive from returns on investments in financial instruments held over a long period on their bank accounts.

The attorney-general's office declined to confirm those allegations from the law firm, saying in an email it would not comment further on the case because the decision hasn't taken effect yet.

Swiss prosecutors say they didnt receive a response to a request for information from commissions created in Egypt to analyze financial transfers connected to people under investigation in Egypt  notably the Mubarak family, the office said. Mubarak died in 2020, aged 91.

As a result, in the absence of evidence relating to potential offenses committed in particular in Egypt, it is not possible to show that the funds located in Switzerland could be of illegal origin, it said. The suspicion of money laundering cannot therefore be substantiated based on the information available.

Swiss banks, reputed for their discretion, have been a favored repository over the years for many wealthy foreigners  including Western industrial tycoons, Russian oligarchs, and autocrats and other leaders and their families and cronies in places as diverse as Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Swiss authorities have touted a recent crackdown against money laundering through Swiss banks, but advocacy groups and watchdogs say the effort has not succeeded in completely ending such activities.
MANISTEE  The Manistee Conservation District is partnering with Michigan Worm Works to hold an educational workshop on the topic of vermicomposting.

Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to convert organic worm waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for farmers and growers, according to the Michigan Worm Works website.

The workshop made its debut last year, making this the second time the workshop will be offered.

The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. on May 11 at the Michigan Worm Works facility located at 1965 Pine Creek Road in Manistee. Pre-registration is required to ensure an adequate number of supplies are available.

To register, contact the Manistee Conservation District at 231-889-9666 or manisteecd@macd.org. Registrations will be accepted through May 4.

Elana Warsen, owner of Michigan Worm Works, and Justin Brown, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program technician with the Mason-Lake and Manistee conservation districts, will kick off the workshop with presentations highlighting the benefits of vermicomposting, how it works and how to start your own practice.

Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to create their own vermicomposting bin to take home. The bins will be created using two five-gallon buckets, shredded cardboard for bedding material, water and worms.

The educational portion of this workshop is free and open to anyone, and creating a bin to take home is optional. The Manistee Conservation District will provide the buckets and bedding material free of charge, but the participants are asked to purchase their own worms. The worms can be purchased prior to the workshop through Michigan Worm Works website at michiganwormworks.com/shop. A limited supply of worms will be available for purchase the day of the workshop.

Those not interested in creating their own bins can still attend the workshop for the informational materials and handouts.
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Writing is an art form, a means to express the innermost thoughts or live vicariously through the exploits of a storys characters. Established writers frequently enjoy seeing others try their hand at creating a tale that draws a readers interest, especially if theyre young and enthusiastic.

Such was the case for Dennis Collins of Oak Beach. Collins is the author of a half dozen novels. He attends writers conferences, and has book signings throughout the state. He appreciates works of fiction and is always on the lookout for people who share his love of writing.

A natural story teller, Collins enjoys talking to people who are interested in his novels, and those who share his love of writing. Book signings are a perfect way to achieve those goals.

In 2010 I was doing an Author Day book signing at a library in West Branch, Michigan, Collins said. The event coincided with an award ceremony for a high school essay contest. Seeing the excitement and enthusiasm on the students faces made me wonder if there was such a contest in Huron County.

He mentioned the possibility to some of the other writers present at the event.

Some told me they had tried it in their home areas and found very little interest, Collins said. They said Id be lucky to get 20 to 25 entries.

Not one to be easily discouraged, Collins presented the idea to the Huron Area Writers Group, an organization he had helped found a few years earlier.

We decided to give it a try, Collins said.

In an attempt to keep it from sounding like a homework assignment, they dropped the word "essay."

We simply called it, 'A Celebration of Young Writers,' Collins said. The first year yielded one 150 entries  of much better quality than expected.

This will be the 11th year for the contest. Collins recently distributed more than 1,900 entry forms to schools throughout Huron County. Past winners have come from public, parochial, and rural schools. HAWG would love to see participation from those who are home-schooled, as well. However, contacting them has been a problem.

We have no structured way to contact home-schooled students, Collins said.

Judging for the contest is done by a minimum of five people. Its carried out in such a way that the judges know only the entrants age and grade.

In a community as tight knit as Huron County, its important to keep the school and the students name confidential, to remove any question of favoritism or home field advantage, Collins said. At this time we have an adequate cadre of experienced judges, but we are always open to hearing from interested parties.

Some of the judges are published authors from throughout Huron County. Members of the Thumb Arts Guild have also volunteered to be judges for this contest, and TAG has been a regular financial supporter. The last few years have seen past winners of the contest, who have aged out, become judges.

Autumn Tait of Pinnebog entered the contest during her junior and senior years of high school. She received awards both years.

Writing has always been a passion of mine, Tait said. The HAWG writing contest was the perfect experience for me to improve my confidence and push my writing capabilities.

She is presently attending college and also runs a small agricultural business. She feels the contest helped during college classes.

Within my college business degree, I had to prepare numerous reports and short essays, Tait said. Many professors were impressed with my submissions and advanced writing ability. Its incredible that after years of entering the contest, I am now in my second year as a judge.

Another young writer-turned-contest-judge is Will Johnson of Bad Axe. Johnson was the overall winner of the contest multiple years. This will be his third year as a judge for A Celebration of Young Writers.

Heavily involved in the arts through the Port Austin Community Players, Johnson is presently employed as a manager-in-training at Meijer in Bad Axe. His writing skills help in both endeavors. He has fond memories of the contest.

Ten years later, I still remember the initial elation at the idea of strangers reading something Id written, along with the dread and anticipation that followed submitting my story, Johnson said. To win that years contest was and is a point of pride for me, and changed my life in a number of ways. I was allowed creative validation and direction among people my age with similar interests, alongside grown-ups who shared my hunger for creativity in all forms.

He encourages young writers to take part in the contest, regardless of their level of skill.

I think any student even slightly curious about the writing contest should enter, Johnson said. If you have passion and curiosity, youre most of the way there. Dont worry about what to write, just write what feels true to you  or even what doesnt.

Collins sister, Diana, of Pinnebog, handles all the paperwork for the contest. She is the only one who knows the names of the entries prior to the winners being announced. She noticed a trend.

Right from the beginning, the kids who win tend to enter year after year, Diana Collins said. Autumn and Will are not the only ones who have won three or four times.

Winners of the contest will be announced at Authors Day, an event that will be held Saturday, May 21, at the Pigeon District Library. Local authors will be on hand sharing their knowledge and expertise, and offering their published works for sale. Collins will be the featured speaker, offering words of advice and congratulations to the young writers. In addition, each winner, usually a first prize, second prize, third prize, and honorable mention in each age group, will receive a certificate and check.

Area businesses and organizations have donated money for the awards  additional sponsors are encouraged to donate. All funds go to the winners of the young writers contest.

The entries are divided into several categories based on age, Collins said. We dont view the work the way an English teacher, editor, or literary agent would. Were looking for a good, imaginative story thats fairly easy to follow. Our efforts have rewarded us with the strong community support that we need in order to provide meaningful cash awards to the winners.

The writing contest gives young people the opportunity to display their creativity in a healthy, informative way.

We are proud of this contribution to the future leaders of our community, Collins said. Our little contest is our way of showing confidence.

Writing is a form of expression, a method of conveying thoughts, hopes, and fears. Its an art form, and A Celebration of Young Writers, sponsored by the Huron Area Writers Group, is one way to help youngsters grow.
Funeral service for Rodger Duncan, 79, of Forest Hill passed away on Mon., April 25, 2022 in Forest Hill. Viewing will be held on Fri., May 6 at Emanuel Funeral Home of Palestine from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral will be held on Sat., May 7 at Providence Baptist Church in Montalba at 11 a.m. wi
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The President of the Transition in Mali, Colonel Assimi Goita, Wednesday launched the 12th edition of the High Council of Agriculture, setting the producer price of a 50 kg bag of mineral fertilizer at 12,500 CFA francs as opposed to 15,000 CFA francs previously
bpost and the City of Namur in Belgium have set up a zero-emission Ecozone for parcel deliveries, through a network of parcel lockers and electric vehicles. The Ecozone is planned to be fully operational by the summer of 2022.

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The citys existing delivery network will be supported by new parcel lockers at six locations, where the inhabitants of Namur will be able to pick up their parcels 24/7, on foot or by bike, within 400m of their home. These pickup and delivery options have been installed to remove the need for recipients to drive to collect their mail.

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To improve the citys ecological sustainability and air quality, 20 electric vehicles are to be used to deliver letters and parcels in Namur city center, with 62 e-vans used to deliver to the postcode areas 5000, 5001, 5002 and the center of Jambes (5100). Mail carriers in the region will switch to e-bikes from the summer of 2022.

bpost and the City of Namur, which became a pilot city for bposts sustainable business processes in September last year, have also collaborated with retailers digital showroom NamurBoutik to ensure that online orders sent to Namur are handled at bpost distribution centers in the Ecozone or are placed in a parcel locker. This is intended to lighten the traffic on the logistics routes to the sorting centers.

Jean Muls, CEO of bpost Belgium, said, bpost is constantly refining its approach to urban deliveries. We are continually adapting how we work to ensure we deliver letters and parcels in a responsible and sustainable way. With this new Ecozone in the Walloon capital, in association with the municipal authorities, we improve the quality of life in the city based on zero-emission vehicles, soft transport options, a huge network of pick-up points and a partnership with local retailers through NamurBoutik.

Stephanie Scailquin, councillor for urban planning, urban attractiveness and employment, added, bposts Ecozone solution ensures letters and parcels are not transported outside the zone except when absolutely necessary. This has an immediate positive impact on the environment. Similarly, the fleet has been completely adapted and the drop-off/pickup points have been placed in strategical areas accessible by a whole host of transport options. This also boosts local e-commerce, with the active participation of NamurBoutik.

Petra De Sutter, Federal Minister of public enterprises and postal services, said, This partnership between the City of Namur and bpost is good news. By setting up this Ecozone, bpost is contributing to the greening of letters and parcel delivery, a goal that is particularly important to me. The Ecozones make our cities more sustainable and our environment healthier by reducing carbon emissions. They are also good for the health of inhabitants and urban spaces become more livable when our streets are less clogged. We congratulate bpost on its role as driver in the transition to a more sustainable economy.
Photo: (Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Lori Daybell, a mother accused of conspiring to kill her estranged husband, children, and a lover's wife, is now mentally competent to stand trial on some of the charges, an Idaho judge announced in his ruling Monday, April 11.

According to the Associated Press, Lori and her new husband, Chad Daybell, face numerous charges in the complicated Idaho murder case, which involves allegations of bizarre spiritual beliefs, doomsday predictions, and even zombies.

Prosecutors have said that Chad and Lori Daybell adopted religious beliefs to justify or encourage the murders. The case against Lori had been on hold for months after Judge Steven Boyce ordered her committed to a mental facility. Boyce made such a ruling so that Daybell could undergo treatment to make her mentally fit enough to assist in her own defense during the trial.

Lori Vallow Daybell restored to competency

According to Boyce's new order, the judge said that Lori Vallow Daybell "is restored to competency and is fit to proceed" in the Idaho murder case. Boyce did not provide other details about Daybell's mental condition or treatment.

East Idaho News reported that Lori is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week, and both of the Daybells are set to stand trial together early next year. They are both charged with conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Chad Daybell's first wife, Tammy Daybell, as well as Lori Daybell's kids, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow.

Lori Daybell is also facing charges in Arizona for conspiring to kill her estranged former husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of Alex Cox, her now-deceased brother. Chad Daybell has already pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his wife Lori has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea.

John Prior, Chad Daybell's attorney, declined to comment regarding the case. Jim Archibald, Lori Daybell's attorney, did not immediately respond to email and voice messages when asked to comment about the charges.

According to the indictment, Chad and Lori Daybell began espousing an apocalyptical religious belief system in 2018 while they were still married to other people. Cox then shot and killed Vallow in suburban Phoenix. According to the indictment in Arizona, Cox asserted that the shooting was in self-defense and was never charged.

Read Also: Michael Lelko Arrested on Felony Charges: Suspected of Burying Mom and Sister in Backyard

Lori and Chad Daybell marry two weeks after his first wife's death

Shortly after Vallow's death, Lori Daybell, who was still Lori Vallow at the time, moved to Idaho with her two children. KUTV reported that they relocated near where Chad Daybell lived. Chad was still married to his wife Tammy, who then died from natural causes in October 2019.

However, authorities became suspicious when Chad and Lori Daybell got married just two weeks after Tammy's death. Lori Daybell's two youngest kids were then the subject of a police search after relatives raised concerns about their well-being. Investigators later found the bodies of Tylee and JJ buried in Chad Daybell's yard in Idaho.

Related Article: Miracle Baby Addy Smith Finally Heads Home After Record 848-Day Stay at Rady Children's Hospital
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A Georgia official announced on Monday, April 11, that the victims of a triple homicide found recently in the state were the son and parents of local coroner Richard Hawk. They made the spine-chilling discovery at a gun range that his family owns.

The Coweta County Coroner began to worry after he could not reach his parents and son on Friday. Hawk went looking for them at the family's Lock Stock & Barrel Shooting Range in Grantville, located about 50 miles south of downtown Atlanta in Georgia.

According to CBS News, Hawk discovered the bodies of his parents, Tommy and Evelyn Hawk, and his son, Luke. He spoke to reporters about how he stumbled onto the horrific crime scene. According to Hawk, he did not get the call in an official capacity, and he was the one who actually found them.

Hawk makes shocking discovery at family's gun range

Hawk said his family was not home the way they were supposed to be, and that is why he went to check on them at the gun range. According to Hawk, that was when he made the discovery.

According to funeral home announcements, Hawk's parents were each 75 years old at their deaths, while his son was just 18 years old. Hawk said his son, Luke, was on spring break from East Coweta High School when the deadly robbery occurred.

Hawk declined to discuss the gruesome crime when asked by reporters, fearing that he could jeopardize the ongoing police investigation. He admitted, though, that they don't have enough leads right now. Hawk also said that he is relying heavily on his faith to guide him through this troubling time.

Police told ABC7 that about 40 weapons and a video camera were taken during the robbery, which took place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8. Investigators are now looking for leads, asking residents in the area whether they saw any vehicles - other than a black Ford SUV or a white Ford truck - near the Hawks' shooting range late Friday afternoon.

Read Also: California Launches New Pilot Program For Families to Access 200 State Parks for Free

Solving this case is a top priority for ATF

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Grantville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are all investigating the killings. A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone who has information that will lead to an arrest or a conviction of those responsible for the deaths.

Benjamin Gibbons, the special agent in charge of the ATF office in Atlanta, issued a statement regarding the investigation, saying, "The brutality of these senseless murders along with the fact that these killer(s) have acquired additional firearms make solving this case our top priority."

Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood also issued a statement to NBC News about the killings, calling the deaths "senseless and tragic." He also said that the slayings have left the community "with hurt, pain, and very little answers."

Related Article: Miracle Baby: Woman Gives Birth After 13 Miscarriages and Lupus Diagnosis
Photo: (Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

White House's new COVID czar Ashish Jha told NBC's "TODAY" show on Monday, April 11, that the federal mask mandate for public transportation, including planes, buses, trains, transit hubs, and airports, may be extended by the United States government.

The mask mandate is scheduled to expire next Monday, April 18. Jha said that this is a decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and he thinks the extension is absolutely on the table. Jha added that the director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, will make her decision based on the framework that the scientists in her federal agency will create, and they will make a decision collectively based on that.

The mask mandate has been extended several times already since the directive went into effect back in February of last year. Before that period, the U.S. government strongly recommended mask-wearing on trains and planes, but it was not federally mandated.

CDC developing scientific framework to determine if mask mandate will stay

According to Jha, Walensky is now working on developing a scientific framework that would determine whether to prolong the mask requirement rule. Jha said they would see that framework come out, he thinks, in the next few days.

The expiration of the mask mandate in the United States looms as the BA.2 omicron subvariant, which accounted for about 72 percent of the cases in the country as of last week, and is more contagious than the original omicron variant, is driving up COVID-19 cases in states like New York, Arizona, and Nebraska.

According to a report by NPR, the state of Philadelphia announced on Monday that it would reinstate its indoor mask requirement next week after COVID cases increased by more than 50 percent in the last ten days.

Overall, the United States has seen a nearly 6 percent increase in the average number of daily COVID cases over the last two weeks. However, many disease experts believe that the current number of COVID infections is dramatically undercounted.

Read Also: Angry Mom Crashes Event of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Wants Toddler Mask Mandate to End

Attorneys general sue Biden administration over mask mandate

The mask mandate was a contentious issue in the U.S. Just last month, the attorneys general from 21 states sued the administration of President Joe Biden over the mask mandate for transportation, according to a report by Forbes. The suit says that the CDC should have allowed states to carry out their own mandates or tailored its restrictions to modes of public transportation that carry the highest risk of COVID infection. All but three of the attorneys general that sued are from Republican-led states.

U.S. airline executives also asked Biden to end the mask requirement, writing a letter to the President last month for this request. In early March, the American Public Transportation Association also made a similar plea to the White House, asking the government to re-evaluate its mask policy. Both of these letters cited growing challenges with enforcing the mask mandate.

Related Article: Ukrainian Children Used As Human Shields by Russian Forces, Kids Placed in Front of Tanks
Photo: (Photo : Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

A Texas firefighter who was stolen at birth learned of the harrowing details surrounding his adoption before finally having a tearful reunion with his real mom, who is from Chile.

Tyler Graf, 38, told ABC 30 Houston that a loving and caring American family took him in. Yet he still wanted to find out about his birth family when he welcomed his first baby and became a dad himself.

What he learned, however, seemed like a story straight out of a movie or a book because he was apparently kidnapped as a baby. Someone from an organization called Hijos y Madres del Silencio contacted him to let him know that he was a victim of child trafficking in Chile.

His American family had no clue that Graf was illegally taken from his real mom. His mother, on the other hand, was told that her baby died in childbirth and she was barred from seeing the body.

One mans journey to find his birth family. The unimaginable truth, a baby boy stolen from his birth mom and put up for adoption as part of a government sanctioned plot. @JujuChang is with Tyler Graf in Chile as he reconnects with his birth family and searches for answers. pic.twitter.com/JFls4pdDNP  Nightline (@Nightline) April 12, 2022

Read Also: Woman Pleads Court to Reduce Sentence of Her Kidnapper, the 'Only Mother She Knew' for 18 Years

Coercive Adoptions in Chile in the 1980s

Hilda del Carmen Quezada was 26 years old when she gave birth to a son she planned on naming Sergio. But when she woke up after the C-section, Quezada was told of her son's death.

The mother never thought that Sergio would be miles away in the U.S. and handed over to an American family. In turn, the American family's only information about the birth mom was that she gave up her child because she was financially unstable and would not be able to raise the boy.

In the 1980s, coercive adoptions were widespread in Chile, involving hospitals, churches and even the government. According to Click2Houston, some 8,000 to 12,000 Chilean kids were kidnapped and forcibly adopted in the U.S. during that period.

Meanwhile, Graf said that, ever since he can remember, he felt some resentment towards his birth mother. Despite being aware that he's adopted, the Texas firefighter who was stolen at birth admitted that he carried this chip on his shoulder for most of his young life.

Despite this, he grew up as a well-adjusted kid who became a firefighter in Houston. During one of his training many years ago, he met a Chilean firefighter who informed him of Hijos y Madres del Silencio, in case he wanted to reconnect with his biological family.

Graf had a DNA test to help find any relatives in Chile. Then in mid-2021, the Texas firefighter finally got that call that would reconnect him with his birth mom.

Back in Chile, Quezada also got the call from Hijos. It took her some time to grasp the information because she has never forgotten Sergio and commemorated his birthday every year for the last three decades.

"I felt like I had been hit by a bat and was seeing stars," the mother said. "I wanted to scream. I questioned a lot of things."

Reunion Between Tyler Graf and Hilda del Carmen Quezada

According to the New York Post, Graf and Quezada first got to know each other through phone calls and Zoom meetings before she boarded a flight to the U.S. to finally hug her son. Both mom and son stood crying as they hugged each other for a long time.

Since their reunion last year, the Texas firefighter who was stolen at birth also visited Chile and got to meet his three biological sisters. The young dad said that he's trying his best to keep a balance between his adoptive and birth families. He's very conscious of the feelings of both his adoptive parents and his birth mom.

Graf has also established Connected Roots, a nonprofit that raises awareness of child trafficking. The organization provides free DNA tests to those who want to find their real families as well.

Related Article: Stolen Baby: Mom Reunites With Daughter Taken 42 Years Ago
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

Since the Russian invasion six weeks ago, almost two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have fled their homes. The United Nations also announced that there had been 142 deaths, but the agency thinks the number could be higher, the Associated Press reports.

According to Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF's emergency programs director, having 4.8 million out of 7.5 million children displaced in such a short time is incredible. He says that it is something that he has not witnessed in his 31 years of humanitarian work.

The kids have been forced to leave everything behind - their homes, schools, and even family members. He said he had heard stories of parents getting their kids to safety despite the significant risks and of children saddened that they cannot get back to school.

Children displaced in other parts of Ukraine, and other countries

Ukraine's UN ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, said that Russia has taken more than 121,000 children out of Ukraine and is drafting bills to simplify the adoption procedures for orphans and even those who have parents and relatives. Kyslytsya says that the children were removed from the besieged southern port city of Mariupol and were taken to eastern Donetsk and the Russian city of Taganrog.

UNICEF said they heard similar reports, but they do not have the access that they need to be able to look and verify if they can assist.

Of the 4.8 million children, 2.8 million are in Ukraine, while more than 2 million are in other countries. Nearly half of the estimated 3.2 million children are still in their homes in Ukraine but are at risk of running out of food supply, The Independent said.

The closing of schools affects the education of 5.7 million younger children and 1.5 million students in higher education.

The UN Women agency also said they are hosting 95,000 Ukrainian women refugees. Sima Bahous, the agency's executive director, says her agency hears allegations of rape and sexual violence. She is also concerned about the risk of human trafficking, especially for young women and unaccompanied teenagers.

Ukraine's ambassador said his country's prosecutor's office is now investigating a case in which a Russian soldier killed a resident in Kyiv and raped his wife in their home. The perpetrator has been identified, the ambassador said.

Read Also: Fate of Ukrainian Pregnant Women Gets Grimmer as Russia Continues Ukraine Attacks

The cost of war on women and children

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has bombed orphanages and maternity hospitals, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. She said they had seen mass graves of children stacked on top of each other.

Albanian Ambassador Ferit Hoxha, on the other hand, has accused Russia of committing "unspeakable crimes" such as throwing bodies in mass graves, burning civilians, attacking schools and playgrounds on purpose, and leaving Ukrainians, especially women and children, suffering.

The ambassadors also point to the bombing of at least 52 women and children at a train station in eastern Kramatorsk. Hoxha said that the missile had a vicious message "for our children."

Lord Tariq Ahmad, Britain's minister of state for the UN, said that the Russian attacks on the civilians and residential areas are "truly barbaric," The Yahoo! News reported.

Related Article: Six-year-Old Ukrainian Girl Dies Alone at Home in Mariupol Due to Dehydration
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

The mother of a Puerto Rican Olympian, Mabel Martinez, 56, was killed by a stray bullet in her Connecticut home on Saturday afternoon when two people opened fire outside in the street, the Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo announced at the news conference.

Martinez was the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez, a rifle shooter on the Puerto Rico Olympic team. She competed in the Summer Olympics last year and in 2016.

Shootout outside the home

According to ClickOrlando, people in two cars, including a convicted felon known for drug dealing, figured in a shootout outside the home of Mabel Martinez. The dispute is unclear. A man on the street who was also involved in the confrontation was shot in the hip. He survived the shooting.

The shooting raises questions about how illegal guns get into communities and how people on parole and probation are monitored.

Mabel Martinez was an unintended victim of a drug dispute, the police officials said. No arrests were made.

The officers found 15 9-mm casings and seven caliber cases where the shootout happened. They also found the cars involved in the shooting and one of its owners. The other car owner is sought for questioning. The car owners were convicted felons and are known to have sold drugs. However, they have not been charged in connection with the shooting.

Spagnolo said that investigators believed the shooting was drug-related and had nothing to do with Mabel Martinez. He told the Associated Press that Mabel Martinez's death was a "random, tragic act of violence." She was not the intended target.

Read Also: Boy Saved from Accident after Onlookers Spotted an Unrestrained Boy on Free Fall Ride

Distraught relatives

Yarimar Mercado Martinez traveled to Waterbury from Brazil on Sunday. Associated Press reports that she was supposed to compete in an international shooting competition.

In her Instagram post, she expressed her anguish, saying, "Why you? Why this way? You were sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did."

She also posted that days before her death, she called her with excitement when she asked to save the date and help her prepare for her renewal of vows in Puerto Rico.

The Olympian shooter wrote that the family intends to bring her mother's body to Puerto Rico so friends and family can bid their last goodbyes.

She also apologized to the people of Puerto Rico as she could not compete in the coming Olympics, as her place is with her family, she wrote.

Gilberto Hernandez, president of the Puerto Rico Shooting Association, said that it is not yet clear when the body will arrive in Puerto Rico for the burial.

The husband, according to Spagnolo, was inconsolable. Washington Post reports that Spagnolo expressed his sympathies to the family at the news conference. He said the incident was tragic, and he could not find the words to console the family, but he vowed to work "very hard" to understand what happened and bring justice to the people responsible for the crime.

Related Article: Eight-Year-Old Hero Brother Saves Baby Sister From Choking, Claims He Learned It From Nickelodeon
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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has been a busy reporter of late and in his latest report posted this afternoon he points to Apple's customers facing longer wait times for their shiny new MacBook Pro laptops. The culprit, likely the COVID-19 lockdowns in China.

Apple's supply side time is certainly working overtime to keep its supply chain running smoothly during the COVID era -- especially as China pursues a zero-tolerance policy for outbreaks. More than 30 Taiwanese companies, including Apple laptop manufacturer Quanta Computer Inc., have halted production in China because of lockdowns. In Quantas case, the company shut a Shanghai plant to comply with government restrictions.

U.S. consumers trying to order Apples latest high-end models are now seeing delivery estimates pushed into June. And the date range for the lower-end configuration of the 14-inch MacBook Pro was as late as May 26 as of Wednesday. Those wait times represent a jump from recent days, before supply chain snags worsened again.

Apples highest-end MacBook Pro configuration -- a $3,499 version with additional graphics cores and memory -- is seeing delivery estimates as late as June 16 in the U.S. For more on this, read the full Bloomberg report.

The BBC report added that the restrictions in Shanghai are already beginning to be eased though Compal, one of Apple's suppliers for iPad experienced slowdown activity.

Dan Ives, an analyst at investment firm Wedbush Securities, said he expected the shutdowns to have an impact on production. He estimated that the production of 3 million iPhones has been affected so far this month, "with more to come if this continues."

Ives added that "The Pegatron closures throw gasoline on the raging fire which is the supply chain for Apple and other parts of the iPhone ecosystem," he said. "This amplifies supply chain issues for iPhones."

Mr. Ives also told the BBC that production of 2 million iPads and 1 million MacBooks may also be affected.

Apple's Financial Conference Call is scheduled for April 28 at 2:00 p.m. PT and it's at that time that Apple's CEO and CFO will hopefully provide us with little more color on the production shutdown situation and more.
The star -studded event of the 6th edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) successfully held at the Kempinksi Gold Coast City Hotel last Friday left patrons wanting more with Coca-Cola carrying the night as winner of the coveted Product of the Year Category.



Coca-Cola beat compelling beverage brands such as Vitamilk, Alomo Bitters, Blue Skies Fruit, Bel Aqua Active and Verna Natural Mineral Water to emerge winner in the keenly contested Product of the Year category.

Other companies and beverages awarded on the night included Liberty Industries Ventures Kpoo Keke and Twellium Industrial Companys Rush Energy Drink.



Receiving the award, Corporate Affairs Director for West Africa Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Bethel Yeboah, expressed gratitude to the organizers and the GBA Committee for recognizing their hardwork for the year under review and according them the needed recognition whiles thanking consumers for their loyalty.



It is truly a great honour to receive this award. We are excited about this achievement. On behalf of the management of The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, I say thank you to all whose contribution have made this possible. To our cherished consumers, we are especially grateful for your loyalty and patronage which has brought us this far.



He added, The beverage industry has over the years undergone a lot of dynamism in terms of consumer preferences. For us at The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, this is a clarion call for us in many ways as the awards goes to fan aflame the spirit of innovation within us so we can continue to stand tall in providing Ghanaians with the needed refreshment and nutrition.



Taking his turn, Ernest Boateng, Chief Executive Officer for Global Media Alliance, congratulated The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited for grabbing the topmost award while lauding all stakeholders for supporting the awards scheme.



It truly feels like yesterday when the first edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards was held in 2016. Being in the sixth year, we believe as organizers that Ghana Beverage Awards has indeed come a long way. Undoubtedly, the successes chalked over the years could not have been possible without the support of our stakeholders and industry players whose participation and interest in seeing that GBA grows to the level where it will be widely known locally, in the sub-region and internationally knows no boundaries.



Permit me to also congratulate The Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, producers of Coca-Cola for coming tops in the keenly-contested Product of the Year category. It is well-deserved, he said.



Ghana Beverages Awards is organized under the theme Inspiring Excellence in Ghanas Beverage Industry. In the last six years, the awards scheme has been instrumental in shining a spotlight on the local beverage industry, while promoting both local and foreign beverages as well as the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in Ghana. It has remained a force to reckon with through its contribution to ensuring that beverage-manufacturing companies are compliant with the highest standards of practice in the production and delivery of their products.



GBA is proudly supported by the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSIR, Perception Management International (PMI), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). Its media partners are Citi FM, Happy FM, YFM, Akonoba FM, Neesim FM, Bolga Neesim FM-Tamale, ETV Ghana, Net 2 TV, Oman FM, Mx 24, Business and Financial Times, Daily Guide and Ghanaweb.



Below is the full list of winners



Energy Drink of the Year: Rush Energy Drink



Bitters of the Year: Alomo Bitters



Carbonated Soft Drink of the Year: Coca-Cola



Dairy Product of the Year: Hollandia Yoghurt



Fruit Drink of the Year: Ceres Fruit Juice



International Liquer of the Year: Seagrams Imperial Blue Whisky



International Beer of the Year: Heineken



International Spirit of the Year: Jameson Irish Whisky



New Beverage of the Year: Sahara Solace



RTD of the Year: Django Ginger Ale



Cocoa/Chocolate Product of the Year: Vitamilk Choco



Liquer of the Year: Kpoo Keke



Spirit of the Year: Darling Lemon Drink



CSR Company of the Year: Coca Cola Bottling Company of Ghana



Manufacturing Company of the Year: Twellium Industrial Company



Water of the Year: Verna Mineral Water



Beer of the Year: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout



Product of the Year: Coca-Cola





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Elon Musk, Twitter Inc's (TWTR.N) biggest shareholder, on Saturday suggested a raft of changes to the social media giant's Twitter Blue premium subscription service, including slashing its price, banning advertising and giving an option to pay in the cryptocurrency dogecoin.



Musk, who disclosed a 9.2% stake in Twitter just days ago, was offered a seat on its board of directors, a move which made some Twitter employees panic over the future of its ability to moderate content. read more



Twitter Blue, launched in June 2021, is Twitter's first subscription service and offers "exclusive access to premium features" on a monthly subscription basis, Twitter says. It is available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.



In a Twitter post, the head of electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O)suggested that users who sign up for Twitter Blue should pay significantly less than the current $2.99 a month, and should get an authentication checkmark as well as an option to pay in local currency.



"Price should probably be ~$2/month, but paid 12 months up front & account doesn't get checkmark for 60 days (watch for credit card chargebacks) & suspended with no refund if used for scam/spam," Musk said in a tweet.



"And no ads," Musk suggested. "The power of corporations to dictate policy is greatly enhanced if Twitter depends on advertising money to survive."



Musk also proposed an option to pay with dogecoin and asked Twitter users for their views.



Twitter declined to comment on Musk's suggestions.



The company already lets people tip their favorite content creators using bitcoin. Twitter had said last year that it planned to support authentication for NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, which are digital assets such as images or videos that exist on a blockchain.



Musk also started a poll on his Twitter account - which has more than 81 million followers - asking whether the firm's San Francisco headquarters should be converted to a homeless shelter as "no-one shows up (to work there)". The poll got more 300,000 votes in an hour, with 90% answering yes.

Source: REUTERS









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Amber Heard's attorneys have claimed Johnny Depp penetrated her with an alcohol bottle in a heated three-day 'hostage situation' in Australia in 2015.



Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft told the jury in Depp's $100million defamation trial Tuesday, 'He has her jammed up against the bar. He has hurled bottles and bottles at her. He has dragged her across the floor on the broken bottles. He has punched her. He has kicked her. He has told her he's going to fu**ing kill her, and he fu**ing hates her. He's pounding at her, pounding at her. And then, he penetrates her with a liquor bottle.'



As she spoke Depp shook his head as if to say: 'No.'



Read Full Story .... dailymail.co.uk >>> :

















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Algeria condemned on Tuesday what it called an attack by Morocco against a convoy of trucks in the border area between Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara, saying it will jeopardize United Nations attempts to ease regional tensions.



The purported attack took place on Sunday morning in the Ain Bentli region, according to Algerian press reports.



"Algeria strongly condemns the targeted assassinations committed by using sophisticated weapons of war ... against civilians," a statement released by Algeria's foreign affairs ministry said.



There was no immediate reaction from Mauritania or Morocco.



Morocco considers sparsely populated Western Sahara a part of its territories. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front wants to establish its own state there.



Rabat ignored a similar accusation in November, when Algeria said Morocco targeted Algerian truckers in an area in eastern Western Sahara, where the Polisario said in 2020 it was resuming its "armed struggle."



However, there is no evidence of serious fighting. Morocco said it was attached to the UN-brokered ceasefire agreement but would respond to any attack on Western Sahara territories.



Relations between Algeria and Morocco have been bad for decades and the border between them closed since 1994.



Algeria cut ties with Morocco in August last year, accusing its neighbour of working together with Israel to undermine its security, igniting fires in the Kabylie region and supporting an independence group the Amazigh speaking region.



It then closed its airspace to all Moroccan aircrafts and halted a pipeline deal that carries gas to Spain via Morocco.



Morocco called the accusations false and absurd.



Rabat says the most it can offer as a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict is autonomy within its sovereignty.



Most recently Spain and Israel gave support to Morocco's plan, joining the United States, Germany and other countries in the Arab World and Africa.

Source: REUTERS









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The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has expressed concern over the rising number of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) related deaths in the country.



According to him, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers among others are killing more people compared to malaria and HIV/AIDS.



He was speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the International Strategic Dialogue on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)on April 12, 2022, in Accra.



Ghana's Health Minister decries rising cases of Non-Communicable Diseases

First Lady Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo who has been working towards the fight against child cancers, noted with concern the high number of non-communicable diseases among children. She has therefore stressed the need for the training of more health workers in handling of NCDs.



The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare noted that many people are dying of NCDs. He called on world leaders to work restlessly to reverse the trend.



Dr. Nsiah Asare outlined some efforts being made by the government of Ghana and launched the Global Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Compact 2020-2030 which aims to save by 2030, the lives of 50 million people from dying prematurely.



Other world leaders who joined the dialogue virtually and in person stated their resolve to help reduce non-communicable diseases (NCD) in their respective countries, as it is estimated that some 41 million people die of NCDs each year.





Source: gbc









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AirtelTigo in collaboration with the International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC), Ghana, undertook a sickle-cell disease sensitization and screening exercise at the Ajumako- Mando Traditional Area in Ajumako over the weekend.



This is in support of measures being taken to raise awareness on sickle-cell disease (SCD) in Ghana and to improve the lives of people living with the disease.



Speaking during the sensitization and screening exercise, the Head of Brand and Communication at AirtelTigo, Nancy Assor Asiedu-Amrado said, Approximately 18,000 children are born each year in Ghana with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder.



Through our corporate social initiative, AirtelTigo Touching Lives, we are pleased to collaborate with ISCC to promote sickle cell education and embark on todays screening in the Ajumako-Mando traditional area.



This indeed marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort on tackling sickle-cell disease in Ghana. As we endeavour to deliver the best and quality telecommunication service in Ghana, we are also driven by our mantra of making life simple for our customers through social investments that create value for the society in which we operate.



Addressing the community, Dr. Mary Ansong, Founder and President of the ISCC, thanked the community members for welcoming the team and showing interest in SCD.



She stated that, One of the major problems in tackling the morbidity and mortality rate of sickle-cell disease in Ghana and Africa is the lack of awareness of the condition and the needed interventions to save lives. It is therefore important for Ghana to implement a universal newborn screening program as well as the screening of the entire population for the sickle-cell gene.



This is because early detection helps institute the needed measures that allow people living with the disease to enjoy a fuller and healthier life.



Dr. Mary applauded AirtelTigo, Sysmex West & Central Africa, and Wesley Methodist Church for coming on board to support ISCC during the SCD screening and to help raise awareness in Ghana.



The community members expressed their massive appreciation to the ISCC, AirtelTigo, and their partners for the kind gesture towards their well-being.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has admonished media company TV3 Network to protect the reputation that has seen it cement its place as one of the leading television networks in the country.



According to him, as TV3 celebrates 25years of success it is imperative that the management of the company continue to guard against occurrences that have the potential to undermine the reputation of credibility it has built over the years.



He gave the admonition at the 25th-anniversary launch of the television station in Accra on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.



The next 25 years are more important than the past 25 years. And over the next 25 years one of the things, you should pay attention to is your risks. What are the risks you face as a business? In our industry one of the risks, I think you should pay attention to is reputation risk.



Reputation risk is the end product of what your staff as individuals or group of staff or the corporate programming may churn out. And so, as we excite ourselves today and celebrate, I want to draw your attention to that the 25 years are ahead of you."



"Look out for the risks that your face and how to mitigate those risks. So that 25 years down the line, we can join you for more celebrations, he said.



This the Minister challenged the network to sustain its strong track record in the countrys media space and continue to produce relevant content for both local and international viewers.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Ghana Culture Forum (GCF) has called on the government to consider the establishment of a national arts gallery.



It said such a facility would preserve the artistry and intellectual works of artists for posterity.



Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, General Secretary of the Forum, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, bemoaned how the country had lost out on the legendary artworks of Amon Kotei, Kofi Antubam and continue to miss out on arts work from the younger generation.



I am a visual artist, but we do not have an art gallery to showcase the work of legendary Ghanaians like Kofi Antubam, Amon Kotei," he said.



The Artist said the art gallery was one of the infrastructural investments the government ought to put up to help promote the industry value chain activities through exhibition, promotion and sales of artworks.



Nana Owoahene Acheampong said galleries all over the world had become a fundamental space in the art market to bring together sellers and buyers, which Ghana must take advantage of.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), said the creative art industry had great potential and that the government would unleash that through education and skills training.



The Creative Arts Senior High School, in Kwadaso, whose construction is currently 70 percent complete, will serve as a beacon for many young and talented people seeking a fulfilling career in this field, the President said.



Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong lauded the establishment of the School, saying it would bridge the gap.



He, however, suggested that the government put up at least one complex training centre in all the 16 regions to train budding and industry players in the various domains  film, arts, sculpture, music, among others.



As it stands now everybody in the industry is trying to find a way to equip him or herself, therefore, proper accredited institutions should be established, capacity building programmes and seminars should be in place for members, he added.



Nana Owoahene Acheampong also appealed to the government to support the industry with credit facilities.

Source: GNA









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Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has issued a stern warning to Ghanaians not to litter about on the streets of the region, in their homes and environment.



According to him, as part of measures towards sanitation of the Region, a task force has been set up to enforce the sanitation regulations.



Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, the Minister revealed that a bye-law has been enacted to check unsanitary practices in the region and, to enforce the bye-law, 3,500 personnel have been recruited and currently undergoing military training to execute the task of keeping Accra clean.



Out of the 3,500, 1,000 personnel have passed the training while the rest continue their training.



The thousand, he stated, will from Tuesday, April 19 begin work by joining forces with about ten thousand (10,000) National Service personnel to go house-to-house and to the streets ensuring the sanitation conditions are met by the residents in the Region.



"I need to put on record that they are not Military people. They cannot fully be military but it is just to shape their psyche . . . They are trained to engage . . . So, there is nothing rambo style about it. It's instilled into them so they can dispatch their duties professionally," he clarified why the military training for the task force.



He added the task force have been trained not to engage in any violent actions while enforcing the laws.



They are advised to be professional and disciplined knowing their service is for ''God and country and not for themselves'', he stressed.



He advised the residents to comply with the sanitation laws and keep their surroundings neat.



With regard to vendors along the road, Hon. Henry Quartey implored them to move their merchandise to the appropriate places authorized by the authorities.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Ghana will produce vaccines for the first time in the next year or two, hopefully, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Presidential Advisor on Health, has indicated.



He said government was working hard to improve the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to level four, which was the highest maturity level to improve the vaccine production for COVID-19 and other Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) vaccines.



Ghana is doing very well on the EPI sector that is why we hardly see cases of measles in our various hospitals, he said.



Dr Nsiah-Asare said this during a panel discussion organised by the German Development Cooperation in collaboration with the Presidential Vaccine Manufacturing Committee to commemorate the World Health Day celebration and the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.



The event was themed; "two years of COVID-19 Management in Ghana: Lessons and Interventions towards a better Ghana."



He noted that Africa with a population of about 1.3 billion, produced only one per cent of the vaccines used in the continent, adding that the remaining 99 per cent were imported.



To reverse that trend, the African Union (AU) decided to produce a lot of vaccines in the country to reduce the gap to at least 60 per cent local production, and 40 per cent import by 2040, he said.



The Presidential Advisor noted that the desire for Ghana to become a house for vaccine production, he said, was in three categories, that is, the short term, medium-term, and long term.



Dr Nsiah-Asare explained that the short term, which was the first two years would see the manufacturing of at least COVID and other vaccines, the medium term, up to five years, we will improve the FDA to the extent that we can then do at least EPI vaccines.



The long term would be when we produce our own candidate vaccine so that Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) can boast of manufacturing vaccine for this pandemic, he added.



Dr Nsiah-Asare lauded the donor organisations, especially GIZ and the Germans for supporting the initiative with five million Euros to start with for the next three years.



He said the government was working through the private sector, from a consortium of pharmaceutical companies, to execute the initiative.



Ghana can turn this crisis into opportunities by strengthening the infrastructure, finance, and barriers to our health systems, Dr Nsiah-Asare indicated.



Dr Oliver Commey, the Head of the Infectious Diseases Centre, during the discussions, noted that managing a pandemic was very expensive and thus called for a national fund to enable the country to deal with future pandemics.



Dr Angela Ama Ackon, the Technical Advisor for Essential Medicines, World Health Organisation, called for the need to strengthen Ghanas health systems to improve healthcare delivery.

Source: GNA









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The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has called on Ghanaians, particularly Christians to shun acts of evil during and after the celebration of this years Easter festivities.



A statement signed by the Most Rev. Philip Naameh, President, GCBC, said let usrenew our commitment to reject any acts of evil, including acts of war, conflicts and any actions, which will lead to the senseless loss of lives and the creation of needless crises.



"Easter is significant for us because the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a source of hope and new life for Christians, and indeed, for all mankind," the statement added.



This year, the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference is celebrating Easter on the theme: Returning to Galilee, finding the path to peace and hope in a time of crisis.



It asked Christians to see the resurrection as a call to the world to do all to break the barriers that kept us separated or divided.



In the resurrection, all of us are invited to live and share in Gods life of glory and find Gods path that leads to peace.



Unfortunately, this gift of the Prince of Peace is often rejected by acts of conflicts, wars and division.



Thus, when we look all around us, we see conflicts, wars, and the horrors associated with these acts of evil, it noted.



The Conference said God had created from all the races of the world, one common race and one family for Himself and that the uneasy calm at Bawku, the Russia-Ukraine war and other conflicts and wars around the world must be addressed.



The statement admonished Christians to pray fervently to God for peace and an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.



Let us never get tired of praying for peace, because a Church on its knees is stronger than an army on its feet, it added.



The Conference also urged the citizenry to continue to deal with difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect themselves and others always.

Source: GNA









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The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise their health to help promote socio-economic development in the country.



He said although we can pray for healing, it was important to take proper care of our bodies in the form of exercising regularly, eating well, resting enough and visiting the hospital regularly for checkups.



Rev. Frimpong-Manso gave the advice at the inauguration of the Doron Prestige Healthcare at the Head Office of the Assemblies of God Church in Accra.



I have always said that healthy people make up a healthy nation. So, let us all do our best to support the government in the area of our health.



We can pray for healing but we have to seek medical attention too, visit Doron Prestige Healthcare for your regular check-ups as they offer the best of health care, he said.



He also advised the health personnel working there to work efficiently and effectively towards the delivery of quality health care to the public.



Doron Prestige Healthcare



The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Doron Medical Centre, Dr Godwin Kofi Ahlija, said the health facility opened, in partnership with the Assemblies of God Church, sought to offer a comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate and cost-effective healthcare.



He described the facility as a one-stop-shop centre adding that the services being offered included geriatrics; gynecology; physiotherapy; orthopedics and dentistry.



We did that with the mind that when you come here, we dont have to refer you, he said.









Source: graphiconline.com









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The Police at Akatsi in the Volta Region have received a month-old baby girl who was abandoned on the porch of a building near the Mighty Destiny Glorified Ministry Church at AkatsiTatorme.



The baby was found at about 0530 hours Monday in the building believed to be a shop along the Xavi-Anta Estate Road by two women who were going to damp refuse.



Sources at the Akatsi Police Station told the Ghana News Agency that the two women picked up the baby after hearing her cry and brought her to the station.



She was later sent to the hospital for medical examination.



Officers from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service have since visited the scene and the baby at an undisclosed hospital.



Police stated that the baby was receiving some form of treatment as they continued with investigations and appealed to the public to relay information regarding the whereabouts of the parents.

Source: GNA









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To help ease the burden and the frustrations that residents especially unwell go through in some of the deprived communities in Ayensuano to access health care, the Ayensuano District Assembly has through their IGF constructed and commissioned Four New CHPS Compounds for the tesidents in Four Communities which were in such challenge of accessing health care.



Over the years, such communities had not Health Center to address their health problems but must travel miles to Suhum, or Asamankese or the main district capital, Coalter to access medical care. Some of the communities that are fortunate to have a medical centers are also occupying dilapidated structures not resourced well.



The situation discourage the unwell residents who are basically Farmers to travel to other urban communities to access health care.



The unfortunate and worrying situation wasn't the best and worsened the health cases and at the end, lives are lost.



This unfortunate situation compelled the Ayensuano District Assembly to act immediately to provide CHPS Compounds for the communities with such challenges.



The beneficiary communities are Asuboi, Sowatey, Kuano, and Anum Apapam. Each of the CHPS compound has also been given borehole to provide 24hrs constant water supply to the facilities.



Speaking at the commissioning of the Four Projects, the DCE for the District, Hon. Josephine Ansah Awuku Nkoom said the projects were awarded in 2021 with six months period but for some reasons and few challenges it needed to extend to this period.

She however urged the personnels in charge of the facilities, chiefs , Assembly members and all Ghanaians to inculcate the habit of maintenance culture so as to ensure longevity of the projects.



She said the assembly will put measures in place to resource the area council offices so that revenues that come to the council can be used for rehabilitation works on government projects within their areas to ensure that such projects and properties are well maintained.



She also hinted that the Ayensuano district haven benefited from the president's agenda 111, which very soon the contractor will come to site and begin the construction of the Ayensuano district hospital saying the district hospital when constructed will save the district from transferring emergency cases to Suhum and Nsawam.



She finally said one of the projects was funded by the district assembly common fund and the three others were funded by the District Performance Assessment Tool "DiPAT" and was awarded to Misun ventures company limited.



Mrs. Esther Oku Afari the Ayensuano district health director also on her part, expressed her joy and thanked the DCE and the government for providing ultra modern chip compounds for the Ayensuano district urging that the district assembly should continue to support the health sector in the district.



She said , initially due to the condition of the already existing CHPS compounds in the communities, even admission of patients was very difficult since there were not enough spaces to detained or admit the sick persons, and also they were not able to admit pregnants women on delivery but now that they have been handed over a fully furnished chip compounds with enough spaces , the facility will now be able to admit many people without any challenges.



The MP for constituency Hon. Nana Yaw Tedi on his part thanked the president and the district chief executive for the area for honouring the Ayensuano district with such health projects because health issues has been the major problem in the district.



He promised that he will continue to collaborate and work closely with the DCE and lobby for developmental projects for the Ayensuano constituency.



He added that, as MP for the area he is in full support of the government's agenda 111 since parliament just approved a loan for the construction of the Ayensuano district hospital which is part of the agenda 111.

Source: Michael Akrofi









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Dr. Amakye Boateng, a Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, has described as problematic, the recent endorsement of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.



The Minister said in an interview with Metro TV last week that the Vice President had shown that he was a capable hand to take over after his boss, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The claim, according to the lecturer, does not bode well for the party going into the keenly awaited 2024 elections.



What is going on in the party will spell the downfall of the party, he said on Accra-based Neat FM on Monday, April 11, 2022.



He added: Ghanaians will not allow the political patronage playing up in the party. I believe Ghanaians will not let this happen in the body politics of the country.



The academic also avers that such premature endorsements do not help in party cohesion especially when there are known procedures that the party employs at specific times to elect its leaders.



What did Ofori-Atta say:



On the sidelines of the April 7 State of the Economy address delivered by Bawumia in Kasoa, the Finance Minister said:



I think it lays out very distinctly what we have done as a party and the capacity to take us to the transformation level that we are talking about.



"Clearly for me, also makes it very evident to Ghanaians that we have the type of person who can lead after Nana Akufo-Addo leaves and that is reassuring, he told Metro TV on the sidelines of the event Thursday.



Bawumia is seen as a leading candidate in the race for the New Patriotic Party flagbearership slot. If he is to contest, he is likely to come up against the likes of Alan Kyerematen, Joe Ghartey and Boakye Agyarko.





Source: ghanaweb.com









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Honorable Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah has expressed his condolences to the family of late former 2nd Lady of Ghana, Hajia Ramatu Mahama.



The death of Hajia Ramatu Mahama came as a shock on Thursday, 7th April at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.



Speaking to Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah, he said; Whereas death is inevitable, so do we have to comfort ourselves with the Islamic principle of "Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" which literally means: _Surely we belong to Allah and to him shall we return.



He added; I wish therefore to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Former Vice President, H.E Aliu Mahama and the entire New Patriotic Party family, for the loss of our beloved Former 2nd Lady, Hajia Ramatu Mahama.



May Allah admit the soul of our mother to Janna and strengthen the family in these trying times.



May her soul rest in peace.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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Russia has warned Finland and Sweden against joining Nato, saying the move would not bring stability to Europe. Nato was formed in 1949 to counter the threat of Soviet expansion and domination, and since the fall of the Berlin wall a number of formerly communist eastern European countries have joined the military alliance.



Member states agree to come to one another's aid in the event of an armed attack against any individual member state. Back in February Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, warned of "military and political consequences" if the countries joined the bloc.



And on Monday, April 11, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that "the alliance remains a tool geared towards confrontation" and thst Moscow is clear when it comes to opposing any potential enlargement of the alliance.



Peskov warned the bloc "is not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability, and its further expansion will not bring additional security to the European continent".



The warning by Russia comes as US defence officials expect Sweden and Finland to bid for membership of the alliance, potentially as early as June saying Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has been a "massive strategic blunder" which is likely to bring Nato enlargement.



The move would see the Western alliance grow to 32 members and US State Department officials said last week that discussions had taken place between Nato leaders and foreign ministers from Helsinki and Stockholm.



Before Russia invades Ukraine, Russia demanded that the alliance agree to halt any future enlargement, but the war has led to the deployment of more Nato troops on its eastern flank and a rise in public support for Swedish and Finnish membership.



Finnish lawmakers are expected to receive a security report from intelligence officials this week, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said she expects her government "will end the discussion before midsummer" on whether to make a membership application.



Finland shares a 1,340km (830 miles) long border with Russia and has been angered by the invasion of Ukraine.



While Sweden's ruling Social Democratic party, which has traditionally opposed Nato membership, said it is rethinking this position in light of Russia's attack on its western neighbour. Party secretary Tobias Baudin told local media that the Nato review should be complete within the next few months.





"When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally," the party said in a statement on Monday.

Also both countries stepped up defence spending since the invasion of Ukraine.



On Monday, army leaders in Helsinki announced a new plan to allocate 14m (10.88m) to purchase drones for Finland's military.

And last month Swedish officials said they would boost defence spending by three billion kronas ($317m; 243m) in 2022.









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The National Democratic Congress (NDC), Member of Parliament (MP) for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, sees absolutely nothing wrong with National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaahs caution to the judiciary.



He said the minister was brave to have voiced out issues involving the judiciary despite his key involvement in the current Nana Addo-led government.



He [Kan-Dapaah is one person who is always bold to speak the truth, he said.



Adding that, I am happy this issue is not coming from any NDC member but a member from the ruling government.



Background



Kan-Dapaah, during a meeting last week with members of the judiciary, underscored the importance of the third arm of government to peace and national security.



While urging them to ensure the continuous delivery of fair judgments, he pointed out that any perception of bias on the part of the judiciary has dire consequences on the countrys security.



Injustice occasioned as a result of the absence of an effective justice delivery system or delayed justice or biased justice is certainly a threat to national security. Indeed, when injustice abounds, particularly in situations where the bench, which is considered the final arbiter of disputes, is deemed biased, citizens tend to take the law into their own hands most times without recourse to the established systems of justice delivery.



If the interpretation of the law is tilted in our favour all the time, people will start accusing the judiciary and will not have the confidence that they need, he warned.



Backlash



His comments has however, generated controversy with many including members of his own party, attacking the former Member of Parliament for his utterances.



Leading the charge is the New Patriotic Party (NPP)s Legal Committee Chairman, Frank Davies, who described the Ministers comments are misplaced.



 . . saying that one political party is in power [so] the justices should be mindful of how they interpret the law is completely lopsided. National security would be threatened in what way? So, what? The judges are supposed to balance the equation? They give five judgements in favour of the NPP and give another five in favour of the NDC?



Its not a sharing party. I really respect Kan Dapaah a lot but I think maybe he got the context completely wrong, he stated.



Pat On The Back



Ahmed Ibrahim, however, lauded the National Security Minister for addressing the issue of a possible security threat to the nation. To him, Mr Kan-Dapaah might have grounds for passing such comments considering the highly sensitive security position he wields.



He was speaking based on national security perspective, he noted.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, has said that the Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyakye Quayson must face the law like the former Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Adamu Dramani Sakande.



This comes after the Supreme Court in a majority 5-2 decision, ruled that Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson can no longer perform Parliamentary duties.



The counsel for the state, Godfred Dame speaking to journalists after the ruling made reference to the case of former Bawku Central MP, Adamu Sakande who was served a jail sentence for forgery among other charges.



I think that there ought to be even application of the law, there ought to be an equal application of the law, the same fate that befell Adamu Sakande who was not qualified at the time that nominations were opened and we all know what happened to him, he said.



In July 2021, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Adamu Dramani Sakande was convicted by an Accra High Court after he was found guilty perjury and forgery. This was after he failed to denounce UK Citizenship before contesting for the Bawku Seat.



Relating it to the case of James Gyakye Quayson, the Attorney General, Godfred Dame said there ought to be even application of the law.









Source: ghanaweb.com









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The typical Easter movie is about the crucifixion, burial, resurrection and sometimes ascension of Jesus Christ. But what if Mary, the mother of Jesus decides to sue God on behalf of her son Jesus Christ - what reason would she have to file such a bizarre lawsuit? The answer lies in the ultimate Easter movie with the most innovative twist - MARY AT THE COURT OF LAW.



The movie, MARY AT THE COURT OF LAW, written and produced by author and playwright, Lady Pastor Nora Osei-Bonsu of the Qodesh Family Church, is an unusual story where a mere mortal like the Virgin Mary, takes God to court accusing the Supreme Being of "hypnotising" her son Jesus to his grave.



Yes, Mary drags God to court to explain the reason for Jesus's untimely death at a very young age of 33, when He (God) had actual told her that her son will live forever.



The twist to the story gets even more interesting as the Almighty God, the creator of the universe and giver of life, actually honoured the invitation to appear before a court where a mere mortal was the judge. But can any human being stand God's presence, much less put Him on trial?



Mary lawsuit against God may be bizarre, but it is also sensational enough to attract massive media coverage, and the news went viral. The result is that the courtroom banter was replicated on the airwaves and on the streets and gave rise to the celebration of the risen Lord everywhere.



This is an Easter titled Movie where the resurrection of Jesus Christ is heightened - the reason for the redemption of the world and the celebration of Easter.



The producer, LP Nora said her personal study of the Biblical character, Mary inspired the story behind the movie.



She noted that Mary was a young woman who had a pleasant encounter with Angel Gabriel, earned an ugly reputation for getting pregnant out of wedlock, almost lost the love of her life and then witnessed the painful death of her son Jesus.



"I thought to myself that as Mary watched her son give up the ghost, she probably might have asked this question - God, what about what Angel Gabriel told me: thou are blessed amongst women - and what about your promise that my son will grow to become a mighty God...is that what I just witnessed? he could not even defend himself."



Set mainly in a courtroom and TV studio, the 100-minute-long movie features a cast made up of some very experienced stage actors drawn from the Qodesh Family Church, Makarios Church, Calvary Baptist Church and International Central Gospel Church.



The maiden Trading Talents Pictures production, directed by Dickson Dzakpasu and Patrick Collins, is slated for premiering on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at the Jesus Cathedral of the Qodesh Family Church.



Regarding what audience should expect, LP Nora simply said "Well, Hollywood just came to the Qodesh. We are 'putting our swag on - we are dressing up for the Red Carpet - we expect media to be present in their numbers and there will be an after party for the cast and invited guests."



The playwright, poet and serial stage play director said after Mary in the Court of Law, "another unusual story will be released next year."

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Police hang off a truck as authorities work to end a protest against COVID-19 measures that had grown into a broader anti-government demonstration and occupation lasting for weeks, in Ottawa, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. Ontario Superior Court began hearing arguments to release Ottawa convoy organizer Pat King on bail after his lawyer requested a review of the initial decision to keep him in jail until his trial.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Canadian Pacific Railway trains sit idle on the tracks due to a strike at the main CP trainyard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. The Constitution is being amended as it relates to the Saskatchewan Act to remove a section that exempts Canadian Pacific from paying taxes in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
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Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl Rakes in his First Super MILLION$ Title

April 13, 2022 Matthew Pitt Editor

Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl will remember April 12, 2022, for many years to come. Not only did the Austrian win his first GGPoker Super MILLION$ for $369,934 but the prize money collected pushed his Super MILLION$ earning past $1 million and his GGPoker winnings through the $2 million barrier.

Gaehl's victory denied Jans Arends his first Super MILLION$ victory, although the $290,059 Arends banked for second place should go some way to numbing the pain of defeat.

Super MILLION$ Season 2 Episode 38 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Sebastian "Weizen" Gaehl Austria $369,934 2 Jans Arends Austria $290,059 3 Pablo Brito Silva Brazil $227,431 4 spaise411 Russia $178,325 5 Aniket "lockstock" Waghmare India $139,822 6 Dalton "morgota" Hobold Brazil $109,632 7 Niklas Astedt Norway $85,960 8 Beriuzy Canada $67,400 9 Andras Nemeth Hungary $52,847

Andras Nemeth busted during the first level of the final table's action, missing a big draw and finishing ninth. India's Aniket "lockstock" Waghmare min-raised to 120,000 from early position, and Nemeth called from the big blind. The flop fell ace-four-three, and Nemeth check-raised Waghmare's 60,000 continuation bet to 162,000. Waghmare called, leading to a nine on the turn. Nemeth moved all-in for 397,312 into the 661,500 pot and Waghmare called and showed ace-ten. Nemeth held six-five and missed his draw when a five completed the board.

Streamer "Beriuzy," who won his $10,300 seat for only $525, was the next player heading for the showers. The action folded to Beriuzy on the button during the 35,000/70,000/8,500a level, and he raised to 150,500 with pocket queen. Pablo Silva, at his third straight Super MILLION$ final table, three-bet to 440,240 from the small blind with ace-four of diamonds, before calling the 923,996 shove from Beriuzy. An ace on the flop ended Beriuzy's impressive run.

Five-time Super MILLION$ champion Niklas Astedt finished in seventh place and banked the tournament's final five-figure prize. Astedt's stack had dwindled to 11.5 big blinds, and he pushed that short stack into the middle from the small blind with queen-nine. Waghmare looked him up from the big blind with king-ten of diamonds. Neither player improved, and Astedt was gone.

Brazil's Dalton "morgota" Hobold sat down in third place and busted in sixth for a $109,632 score, which all but doubled his lifetime Super MILLION$ earnings. The now chip leader Gaehl opened to 280,000 from the small blind during the 40,000/80,000/10,000a level, and Hobold responded with a three-bet jam worth 1,900,575 in the big blind. Gaehl called and flipped over ace-king, which crushed his opponent's dominated ace-queen. Hobold flopped a queen and hit another on the river, but Gaehl turned a flush courtesy of the board four-flushing.

Waghmare will have to wait to add a Super MILLION$ title to his WSOP Circuit ring because he ran out of luck and steam in fifth place. Silva min-raised to 200,000 from under the gun with ace-king and called when Waghmare three-bet all-in from the small blind for 2,358,477 with ace-queen. An eight-high board sent Waghmare home earlier than he would have wanted, and Silva to the top of the chip counts.

The final four became three when Russia's "spaise411" lost a coinflip against Gaehl. Blinds had just increased to 80,000/160,000/20,000a when Gaehl open-shoved from the button for 15 big blinds effective, doing so with ace-seven. spaise411 made a stand with pocket fives from the small blind for his 1,182,728 stack, but lost when a seven, not an ace, completed the community cards.

Pablo Brito Silva finished third in his third consecutive Super MILLION$ final table

Heads-up was set when Silva bowed out in third. Gaehl open-shoved from the small blind with jack-eight of clubs, and Silva called all-in for 15 big blinds with pocket nines. The nines remained true up to the river when the jack of hearts appeared.

Gaehl's sun run towards the business end of the tournament saw him lock horns with Arends holding a lead in excess of seven-to-one. Arends is not the type of player to give up without a fight, and he must be commended for not only drawing level but claiming the chip lead at one stage. However, the epic fightback ended with a cooler of a hand during the 125,000/250,000/30,000a level.

Gaehl limped in with ace-three, and Arends called. The jack-three-five flop gave both players something, but Arends a much stronger something! Arends checked, Gaehl bet 250,000 and then called the 1,000,000 check-raise from Arends. The turn was another three, gifting Gaehl trips. Arends led for 1,750,000 into the 2,560,000 pot, and Gaehl called. A ten on the river saw Arend value-shove for 3/4 pot, Gaehl instantly called and became the latest in a long line of Super MILLION$ champions.
To justify its illegal invasion of Ukraine, Russian propaganda has long painted its neighbor  falsely  as a fascist state that needs to be de-nazified.

Recently, a prominent Malaysian politician sympathetic to Russia took the opposite approach, accusing Ukraine of being a Zionist puppet.

In an April 7 Facebook post, Abdul Hadi bin Awang, president of the Malaysian Islamic Party and the Malaysian Prime Ministers special envoy for the Middle East, baselessly claimed Russias invasion of Ukraine is part of a Zionist plot to get Jewish Ukrainians to settle in Israel.

Abdul Hadi accused Zionists of causing chaos [across] the whole world, clandestinely colonizing other countries and forming proxies to engage in warfare directly through leaders who were tools or by subtle provocations.

Most recently, Ukraine became an established Zionist base, as 40 percent of its citizens were Zionists or Jews despite the real, hidden statistics. Most of [Israels leaders] come from Ukraine or surrounding countries such as Poland, Hungary, Austria and others, Abdul Hadi said.

Now, the Zionists have succeeded in appointing a new head of state of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from among the Jews and hardcore Zionists. In his statement, Zelenskyy mentioned that the state of Ukraine needs to be saved like the state of Israel, thus making the allegations clear and obvious.

Abdul Hadi claimed Ukrainians have received better treatment as refugees than war victims in West Asia and Africa due to how strong the Zionist influence is on European countries and their allies.

He compared provocations by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitlers incitement of World War II.

Echoing false Kremlin claims, he said NATO expansion was an act of provocation that forced Russia to launch an initial attack to save its country.

Abdul Hadi then made this bogus claim:

[Ukrainian Jews] did not respond to the Zionist call for them to emigrate to the state of Israel to strengthen the struggle of the Supreme State of Israel as the sole aspiring superpower at the end of time. Thus, the war that took place wisely forced them to migrate to Israel.

The idea that Zionists are behind Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine to prompt Ukraines Jewish population to emigrate to Israel is absurdly false, as is the claim that 40 percent of Ukraines citizens are Zionists or Jews.

According to some estimates, Jews represent at most 1 percent of Ukraines population. And while a recent survey showed Ukrainians generally have favorable attitudes toward Israel, that does not necessarily mean they are Zionists, that is, supporters of the movement for Jewish people to have a homeland in the Land of Israel and the region of Palestine.

Even support for the existence of the state of Israel does not necessary correlate to support for the status quo, which Amnesty International and others have described as a policy of apartheid against Palestinians.

However, criticism of Zionism goes beyond support for Palestinian rights. It also crosses over into antisemitic conspiracy theory, including, as Abdul Hadis comments imply, the belief that Jews somehow secretly control Western governments.

Abdul Hadi also drastically overestimated the size of Ukraines Jewish population.

In 2016, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research estimated that the core Jewish population of Ukraine at 56,000 or 0.13 percent of the countrys total population. The World Population Review puts the number of Ukrainian Jews at 43,000.

The European Jewish Congress estimates that Ukraines Jewish population is 400,000, or less than 1 percent of Ukraines total population. That figure has been contested, however, and there are reasonable explanations for discrepancies in the population estimates.

Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, Jonathan Boyd of the London-based Jewish Policy Research Institute noted that the religious aspects of Judaism were strongly suppressed in the Soviet Union, while Yiddish culture was all but destroyed after the Second World War.

That, he said, left Soviet Jews with an extremely limited knowledge of Jewish religion or culture, able only to be identified as Jews by nationality or to affirm their Jewishness on the grounds of being part of a minority group with common ancestry.

According to Boyd, multiple criteria are used to determine who is and who is not Jewish. About 45,000 people in Ukraine self-identify as religiously or ethnically Jewish, he said, adding that if you include those with at least one Jewish parent who do not identify as Jewish, the figure grows to 90,000.

Ukraines enlarged Jewish population  including those living in Jewish households who might not even be Jewish  is 140,000.

Taking into account people eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, which includes anyone who is the descendent of at least one Jewish grandparent and their immediate family members (regardless of whether they are Jewish or not)  brings Ukraines total Jewish population to 200,000.

Thus, the estimate that Ukraines Jewish population is 400,000 is way off, Boyd argued in his piece for the Jewish Chronicle.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Israel did encourage Ukrainian Jews to immigrate to Israel. On March 24, the Times of Israel said 6,000 Ukrainians did so. The newspaper did not explicitly state whether those individuals qualified to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.

Some 500,000 of Israels 9.5 million citizens have Ukrainian heritage.

Still, the idea that Israel would clandestinely drive Russia to invade Ukraine to attract, at most, 200,000 Ukrainian refugees to resettle there, strains credulity.

And while Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is Jewish, he was elected by Ukraines overwhelmingly non-Jewish population. The claim that he was appointed by Zionists is baseless.

Zelenskyy has drawn criticism for expressing sympathy for Israelis targeted in Palestinian rocket attacks.

Zelenskyy also drew criticism, and not only from Abdul Hadi, for a March 22 speech before Israels legislature. In it, the Ukrainian president said: We are in different countries and in completely different conditions. But the threat is the same: for both us and you  the total destruction of the people, state, culture. And even of the names: Ukraine, Israel.

However, in that speech, which the Times of Israel described as scathing, Zelenskyy cited the Holocaust and other tragedies to upbraid Israel for failing to arm Ukraine or take in more refugees. He also lambasted Israel for not following the lead of other Western nations and instituting harsh sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy and others have called Russias actions in Ukraine genocide.

His personal views on Israel aside, Zelenskyy was making a rhetorical appeal to get more support for Ukraines war effort. He had specifically pushed Israel to share its Iron Dome air defense system with Ukraine. In order not to hurt relations with Russia, Israel had previously stopped the United States from delivering several batteries of the system to Ukraine.

This shows that Ukraine and Israel have separate and independent foreign policies.

Ukraine has also criticized Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories.

In December 2016, Ukraine was one of the 14 Security Council members to vote for a resolution stating that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

While Zelenskyy was not president at that time, Ukraine then had a Jewish prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman.

Israels then prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, canceled a visit with Groysman over that vote.

Ukraines foreign ministry at the time said the country had experienced the tragic consequences of violations of international law  a reference to Russias annexation of Crimea and clandestine war in eastern Ukraine.

While Malaysia joined 140 other countries in condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Southeast Asian country opted not to impose unilateral sanctions against Russia.

Political analysts in Malaysia said pro-Moscow messaging had widely shaped Malaysian public opinion about Russia, the South China Morning Post reported.

They said anti-Western sentiment in the Muslim-majority country, fueled by the view that the United States has treated Palestinians and Muslims elsewhere unfairly in the post 9/11 era, also spurred that sentiment.

Similar trends have been observed in neighboring Indonesia.
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The sparkly teal ribbons going up and down Laurens Street in the heart of downtown Aiken are difficult to miss.

The ribbons, which aim to draw notice to sexual assault awareness month, are to help spread the word on statistics and resources available within the community.

The Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons, a local nonprofit organization, focuses on helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties.

We try to define exactly sexual assault is, what consent is, what consent is not, said April Jordan, director of outreach with the Cumbee Center. We do a lot of presentations as well as groups that are single and multi-session in the community starting with little people all the way from daycare with puppet shows all the way up through college and on into ladies groups, corporate groups, churches, community groups, health care, lots of different things.

Teal ribbons can also be spotted on Georgia Avenue in downtown North Augusta, the Courthouse Square in downtown Edgefield and Main Street in downtown Barnwell.

Raising awareness helps reduce the tolerance of it," said Jordan. "It also helps to define what sexual assault is, (and) what its not, so that survivors can feel more confident in sharing their story and moving on in their trauma journey.

The Cumbee Center uses trauma-informed responses from volunteers and professionals to help those who are in need.

According to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, 92% of people who are assaulted know their assailants.

Jordan wanted to share the importance of resources within the community.

Sexual assault remains a critical public health issue. Its one of the most catastrophic crimes in our society today. Aside from the physical injuries, survivors of sexual violence endure lifelong pain from emotional and psychological trauma, Jordan said. The staff and volunteers  both, here at the Cumbee Center  we provide confidential and trauma-informed services to these victims every single day, and we can attest to those emotional and psychological scars that last well beyond the physical stuff  our goal is to believe, educate and empower.

The teal ribbons will be up through the end of April. For more information or to get involved in the Cumbee Centers efforts, visit cumbeecenter.org.
A downtown hotel that quietly changed hands earlier this year for $48 million recently made some key hires and changed up its food and beverage offerings.

The Ryder, which replaced an existing lodging at Meeting and Hasell streets last May, now has a new menu and happy-hour program at its poolside restaurant and bar, Little Palm. The hotel also recently announced new senior management.

Makeready  the Dallas-based hospitality firm that operates the high-end Hotel Emeline near the City Market  took over management of The Ryder in January.

The hotels ownership also changed that month in a deal that was not announced publicly. It was sold Jan. 12 to RB Ryder LLC, according to Charleston County property records that were recently posted online. The Columbus, Ohio, address listed for the buyer on the deed is affiliated with the private investment firm Rockbridge Capital.

Rockbridge also owns Emeline, which it acquired in 2015, before it was converted from a DoubleTree to an independently branded property.

The Ryder previously changed hands in late 2019, when an affiliate of Atlanta's High Street Real Estate Partners and WHI Real Estate Partners of Chicago paid $43 million for the hotel.

At that time, it was operated as the King Charles Inn. After a major overhaul, it was reopened last spring under its new name with 91 rooms, a coffee shop and Little Palm.

Named for a character in a Jack Kerouac novel, the hotel was described when it was opened as having "laid-back vibes" and a modern look.

During its development and for most of its first year, it was managed by Atlanta-based Davidson Hotels. Little Palm was opened by Gin & Luck, the group behind the Manhattan cocktail bar Death & Co.

Now, under Makereadys management, the restaurant has a new chef, menu and happy hour offerings. Ben Rebhan, who had been working at Emelines Frannie & The Fox, is Little Palms new chef de cuisine. Rebham worked with Frannie & The Foxs executive chef, Tim Morton, to develop a menu featuring dishes like shrimp cocktail, shishito peppers, steak frites and fried chicken skewers.

The new happy hour, offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, has $7 drinks including a paloma, a Mai Tai and a boilermaker made with beer from local brewery Edmunds Oast. Little Palm has also started hosting live music every Monday night, featuring the local band Good Trouble.

Makeready announced this week that The Ryders new general manager is Irvin Dinkel, who most recently was director of operations at The Alida, the companys hotel in downtown Savannah. The new sales director is Codie Blue who had been working just a few streets away at Emeline as the director of corporate and leisure travel.

Along with The Ryder, Emeline and their food-and-beverage operations, Makereadys Charleston portfolio also includes Hanks Seafood on Hayne Street.

The company is still looking to expand its footprint in the city. When it took over management of The Ryder this year, Makeready said it was involved in a development being planned with restaurant and rooftop experiences, and that it continues to pursue new hotel and restaurant opportunities in the area.

Get all of our latest tourism and hotel news in our business section.
CONWAY  Conway Medical Center has taken another step in easing previously instituted COVID-19 measures and restrictions, citing lower infection rates in Horry County since the pandemic first began.

Wearing medical masks at the healthcare facility off Singleton Ridge Road is now optional for employees and visitors who are fully vaccinated  the first hospital across Horry and Georgetown counties to take such a step.

Other hospitals  including Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, Tidelands Health with locations in Georgetown and Murrells Inlet, and McLeod Health with locations in Little River and Loris  all said they will continue to require masks to be worn in their medical facilities regardless of vaccination level.

Conway Medical Center has additionally removed former triage tents in the parking lot that were used for patients who showed symptoms of COVID-19 as well as those who did not require treatment in the emergency room steps away.

Previously set in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic in Horry County, the tents were first removed in May 2021 when numbers started to subside but were placed again last August as a result of a surge in cases over the summer.

Its a great feeling to see these tents come down, said Dr. Paul Richardson, chief medical officer at Conway Medical Center. I hope they stay down this time.

Richardson said there are three COVID patients within the system as of April 11  a reason for the new mask policy and tent removal.

As the barrack-shaped tents were being removed on April 11, medical workers came outside and captured the moment by taking photos with their cellphones.

I think its a real morale booster for everybody, for the community as well, Richardson said. Again, were not saying COVID is gone by any stretch of the imagination. Were just at a point where we believe this is the right move at this point.
FOUNTAIN INN  A top automotive glass manufacturer plans to expand its operations in Greenville County with a $34.5 million investment at its Fountain Inn plant that would create an additional 121 jobs.

Fuyao Glass America, Inc., a subsidy of Fuyao Groupe, which has been one of the worlds leading suppliers of auto glass, will expand its operations by adding assembly operations for installing auto glass parts such as sensors and antennas.

The expansion further builds the companys presence in South Carolina just three years after it announced it would build a new 182,000-square-foot processing center with light production capabilities in Fountain Inn.

The companys $16.1 million initial investment was projected to create 70 new jobs.

The expansion adds to its Fuyao's locations in Michigan, Illinois and its largest U.S. operation, in Ohio.

We are excited to expand our manufacturing footprint in Greenville County and the Upstate, a key region for the automotive industry, Zuogui Xie, president of Fuyao Glass America Inc., said in a statement. This expansion will strengthen our relationship with our customers and accommodate increased demand of our products.

The expansion announcement comes after the county had agreed to offer Fuyao a tax incentives package in February that allows the company to pay a set fee in place of taxes over the next 30 years.

In exchange, Fuyao agreed to invest at least $7.5 million in the next five years at its Fountain Inn plant. Its projected investment far outpaces what is required under its agreement with the county.

The company is also expected to pay for the widening of Sterling Grove Road as part of its investment and agreement with the county.

Fuyao is a key member of our automotive manufacturing ecosystem, and we congratulate them on their exciting expansion, Greenville County Council Chairman Willis Meadows said.

Fuyao holds more than 1,000 patents for automotive glass and manufactures 4 million sets of auto glass in the United States each year.

The expansion is expected to be finished by March 2023. It also comes with job development credits from the S.C. Commerce Department's Coordinating Council for Economic Development.
GREENVILLE  As the ribbon fell to commemorate the opening of DC Blox's fifth-ever data center in the country, one South Carolina ambassador said it won't be the last investment by the company in the Palmetto State.

Three months after the facility opened Jan. 4, Gov. Henry McMaster joined former state legislator and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins and DC Blox CEO Jeff Uphues and other civic and economic development leaders April 12 to celebrate the center that will provide hyper-secure "Tier III" housing for data.

Over the past 18 months, Wilkins and Uphues have traveled around the state, having over 50 meetings with state officials and business leaders to tell "the DC Blox story," which at first had Greenville ranking seventh or eighth on a list of potential cities to erect the next center. It wasn't until a site visit to the area moved the Upstate into the top spot.

"The best part of the story is this is the first facility of DC Blox in South Carolina, but it certainly will not be the last," Wilkins said. "The good news for all of us is DC Blox is committed to substantially expanding their investments in South Carolina."

DC Blox announced its plans to establish operations in Greenville in September 2020 with Greenville Area Development Corporation president Mark Farris calling it a bright spot during the economic slowdown of the pandemic.

The Atlanta-based company said that the facility off Dairy Drive in the Global Business Park could pull in more than $200 million in equipment investments in the coming years while creating five "high-paying" jobs.

The project has been brewing since as early as spring 2019, at first dubbed the codename "Project Fiber" in past Greenville County documents, as it went through the County Council voting process for a tax-incentive deal finalized in December 2020.

The incentive deal reduces the tax rate on the property from the industrial rate of 10 percent to the commercial rate of 6 percent for 30 years.

It also allows DC Blox to pay its local taxes in the form of a fee. For the first 10 years, the county will also let DC Blox dedicate half of the fee proceeds to infrastructure on the site.

State and local officials along with economic development leaders gathered in April 2021 to break ground on the interstate-facing project.

While the clients who use the data center are not disclosed, state, local and city governments as well as health-care providers, universities and medical research facilities are typical users. The center has backup power, cooling systems, on-site and remote security and storage redundancies to keep data safe.

For now, the facility is 25,000-square feet and has more than 400 cabinets of IT equipment and 3 megawatts of power. At full-build-out, the facility will have a capacity of 54,000 square feet of white space, over a thousand cabinets of equipment and 18 megawatts of power.

DC Blox has other centers in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Huntsville and Birmingham, Ala. Another facility is planned for the High Point-Greensboro area in North Carolina.

Anna B. Mitchell and Ryan Gilchrest contributed.
GREENVILLE  A global company that provides products and service in the automated-vehicle production industry is establishing a test facility and investing $2.6 million.

Argo AI, which operates across the U.S. and Europe, will establish a closed-course track in the SC Technology and Aviation Center  SCTAC, formerly known as the Donaldson Center  south of Greenville.

This will be the company's third test track along with others in western Pennsylvania and Munich, Germany.

The company plans to create 40 jobs as part of the investment, the company announced April 13.

The company expects to begin operation later this year.

The track will conduct highway-speed testing as the company expands toward commercial autonomous operations in multiple cities.

As Argo AI advances toward commercial operations across the U.S. and Germany, we are developing the Argo Autonomy Platform for safe operations in cities, suburbs and the highways that connect them," company president and co-founder Peter Rander said. "We look forward to bringing our highway-speed closed-course testing to Greenville County.

The expansion has is supported by state job-development credits.

Anyone looking for a job opportunity can visit Argo's career page.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 75F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 50F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
COLUMBIA  The lawyer for a Myrtle Beach man convicted of the 2013 kidnapping of Heather Elvis asked the state Court of Appeals April 13 to acquit his client, arguing the state relied on unscientific testimony and lacked direct evidence that his client committed the crime.

Sidney Moorer was convicted in 2019 and received a 30-year prison sentence in the case that captured national attention, even generating an hourlong Dateline special in 2021, years after the 20-year-old waitress first went missing.

Elvis was last seen Dec. 18, 2013, after leaving home to go on a date. Her car was found two days later by Horry County police abandoned near Peachtree Landing in Socastee, along the Waccamaw River. She was never found.

Horry County police arrested and charged Sidney Moorer and his wife, Tammy Moorer, with murder and kidnapping in 2014, though the murder counts were later dismissed because Elvis body has never been found.

According to court records, Elvis was having an affair with Sidney Moorer after meeting at a Myrtle Beach restaurant where the two worked. State prosecutors said the Moorers planned to abduct Elvis, painting Tammy Moorer as a jealous wife threatened by the possibility that Elvis might have been pregnant with Sidney Moorers child.

In its case, the state placed Sidney Moorer near the site of Elvis' disappearance based on video footage of a truck that appeared to belong to the Moorers.

The state then relied on testimony by Grant Fredericks, an expert in forensic video analysis, that the truck was indeed the Moorers', excluding similar vehicles based on headlight patterns.

Moorer's lawyer, Taylor Gilliam, called Fredericks analysis unscientific, an argument that drew questions from the judges.

"Don't you think it's incredible that you can say that it's that particular vehicle as opposed to that type of vehicle?" Appeals Court Judge John Geathers asked the prosecution.

Appeals Court Judge James Lockemy called it "an amazing leap."

The state argued it's similar to the use of ballistics evidence

"We have ballistics experts who testify, 'I can tell this gun fired this bullet right here.' And that's accepted. And this is acceptable, too," Senior Assistant Attorney General David Spencer responded.

The judges will have to decide whether the defense properly objected to the experts testimony at the time of the trial.

Gilliam then went on to argue that the case made by the state contained no direct evidence that Elvis was actually kidnapped by the Moorers.

There was no sign of a struggle and even if the Moorers' vehicle was spotted in the area, there are multiple turnoffs between where the truck was seen on video and the boat landing, Gilliam said.

"What is required then by the jury is an assumption, unsupported by the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, he said. "What we have here is simply mere suspicion that the accused is guilty."

The judges are expected to issue their opinion at a later date.

Moorer also has another upcoming hearing at the S.C. Supreme Court on May 17, this one to overturn his 2017 conviction for obstruction of justice in the case, for which he received a 10-year prison sentence.

The hearings come five months after his wife, Tammy Moorer, appealed to reverse her 2018 conviction on a related kidnapping charge for which she was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The appeals court also has not issued a decision in Tammy Moorers case.

Sidney Moorers case before the Supreme Court centers on an obstruction of justice charge related to the kidnapping case. His attorney at the time said his client didnt hinder the investigation, and prosecutors are looking to put somebody away.

Moorer believes the state did not prove his guilt through evidence. However, the Court of Appeals said in its opinion issued in 2020 that the trial court proved there was enough evidence to prove his guilt.

In her appeal, Tammy Moorer said she wasnt given a fair defense because a judge denied possible testimony by her children and mother that would have given her an alibi.

The state countered that the possible witnesses violated the judges sequestration order by watching the trial via live stream after they were warned to not pay attention to trial facts or proceedings.

If Tammy Moorers appeal is denied, she also could appeal to the Supreme Court.

Editor's Note: This story has been changed to correct a quote that should have been attributed to Judge John Geathers.
Charleston is again seeking federal funding for the Lowline after getting rejected for a recent grant application to support the project.

Officials hoped to nab $25 million to build the planned linear park along the spine of the peninsula when they applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation in July.

But the agency said plans for the park were too preliminary to warrant the large grant. The city applied with a "concept plan" but not a detailed design of the project.

Now, City Council is scaling back its request by applying for a separate grant to fund the design and public input process for the project. Council on April 12 unanimously approved the $7 million grant application, also through the federal Transportation Department.

The park, which would cover 1.7 miles as it cuts under the overpasses for Interstate 26, has been a priority in Charleston for years. Once complete, the Lowline will follow an old railroad bed that runs through the middle of the peninsula. The project draws inspiration from New York City's High Line park, which developed from one of Manhattan's elevated railroad tracks.

"It really provides the opportunity to reknit the neighborhoods together on either side of I-26," said Charleston Director of Parks Jason Kronsberg.

The project is supported by the nonprofit Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline. The group seeks private donations to supplement the costs of the project, while the city plans to use grant funding, general fund money and revenue from the area's tax increment financing district, commonly referred to as a TIF.

The city and nonprofit partnered in 2017 to buy the unused railroad track and adjacent land from Virginia-based transportation company Norfolk Southern Corp. for $4.84 million.

Kronsberg said he is confident the city will score highly on the new federal grant application this time around. If the city receives the $7 million, planners will spend the funds on detailed designs and public input. The city would be expected to contribute up to $1.75 million, if approved.

The City Council agenda stated TIF revenue and funds raised by the Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline will go toward the city's match for the grant.

"As we get closer to the reality of this project, we need to get a sense of where the money is," Councilman William Dudley Gregorie said during a Ways and Means Committee meeting earlier in the day.

The city could again apply for the original federal grant it had sought to cover construction costs, Kronsberg said.

"We will have a shovel-ready project at the end of this," he said.

City officials hope that the current grant, if awarded, will allow them to use public input to shape the final designs of the park. The proposal has drawn concerns from at least one council member, who fears the project will use TIF money that could be better spent on flood mitigation efforts in the area.

Prioritizing the TIF revenue for flood projects could enable the city to undertake necessary stormwater upgrades on the East Side without those projects competing with flood-prevention measures in other parts of Charleston, Councilman Keith Waring said during a discussion of the project last year.

That means more money from the city's primary stormwater fund could be freed up for frequently flooded areas on James Island, Johns Island and in Waring's district in West Ashley.
An attorney accused of assaulting his girlfriend at a West Ashley bowling alley last year will be allowed to get his law license reinstated after a nearly yearlong suspension was lifted by the state Supreme Court.

The high court ruled on April 13 that Pano Michael DuPree's law license would be suspended for nine months.

But the suspension is retroactive, meaning DuPree  whose license has been suspended for almost a year already  can immediately apply to get his law license reinstated.

DuPree's license was suspended after he was arrested March 20, 2021, at Ashley Lanes on a misdemeanor assault-and-battery offense.

Two witnesses at the bowling alley told Charleston police they saw a man, later identified as DuPree, place his arms around his girlfriend's neck from behind and pull her hair during an argument, according to an incident report.

A male bystander at the bowling alley ran up and punched DuPree, sending him sprawling to the floor with some of the woman's hair still in his hand, the report states.

DuPree, 59, was cited at the time with third-degree assault and battery.

The case was transferred to Dorchester County, where DuPree completed a pretrial intervention program and the case was dismissed. The circuit court subsequently ordered the destruction of the related arrest records.

DuPree had trouble with the law before his arrest last year.

In 2012, he was suspended from practicing law for nine months after he allegedly punched and bit a Utah state trooper who stopped his vehicle during a vacation.

In 2003, DuPree was arrested by Charleston police after a struggle with officers responding to reports of a fight at the Charleston Riverview Hotel. Charges were dismissed in that case.

On April 13, in addition to the suspension, the Supreme Court ordered DuPree to pay the court's costs for investigating the assault allegations. If his license is reinstated, DuPree will be required to sign a three-year contract for counseling with the S.C. Bar's Lawyers Helping Lawyers program.

The attorney would also have to file quarterly reports from his treating physician with the Commission on Lawyer Conduct, the government body responsible for investigating misconduct, the court ruled.

DuPree, a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law, was admitted to the S.C. Bar in 1988.

DuPree did not respond to a phone call or email seeking comment.
Olivia Diaz covers crime, courts and breaking news in the Charleston area. She is a Connecticut native who studied journalism and global affairs at the University of Richmond. ProtonMail: oliviardiaz@protonmail.com.
He was hiding under the stairwell.

When Chantelle Mitchell emerged from the apartment, he put his revolver to her head. She pushed it away, adrenaline and panic fueling her actions, and it went off. The slug missed her, but the blast, so close to her head, broke her nose and lodged tiny bullet fragments in her face.

You shot me!

No I didnt shoot you, but this time I will.

And then he placed the barrel of the gun to her forehead. Thats when the kids ran out, shouting, Please dont shoot my mommy!

Maybe those words got through. In any case, he turned and fled the scene.

Mitchell, a member of the anti-violence advocacy group Women in Action, recalled this 2014 episode before a gathering of domestic violence victims and their supporters on April 11 at the home of the late Ebony Myers Clare in North Charleston.

Clare, a hairstylist, was killed on Sept. 27, 2019. Her husband is accused of firing several shots in the kitchen, striking her in the back. A slug still is lodged in the refrigerator door. Clare was 37.

The meeting was convened by the Palmetto Hope Network, which works with victims of domestic violence and now is hoping to secure Clares former house and transform it into a transitional shelter that can accommodate around 10 women at a time.

The Charleston metropolitan area badly needs such a safe house, said Alicia Rahiem-Kennedy, outreach coordinator for the Palmetto Hope Network. Last month, the nonprofit My Sisters House announced it was selling its shelter and modifying its strategy, embracing a scattered-site model. The women they serve would be put up in area hotels, enabling My Sisters House to focus more on services and outreach.

The vicarious trauma exposure, lack of autonomy, privacy, and independence, and compromised confidentiality had grown to be too great a risk for our clients, CEO Tosha Connors declared last month.

But that change doesnt sit well with the women remembering Clare and working to rescue her property from foreclosure.

Clares mother, Nedra Myers, who acted as the evenings host, said shes made an effort to keep the property in good shape so its ready to be converted into emergency housing. Shes also been working to raise awareness of domestic violence and the terrific harm it inflicts on families and children.

Michelle Simmons, a member of the ad hoc group Stylists Against Domestic Violence, said she and her colleagues have been assembling bags of toiletries to make it a little easier for victims who chose to escape their circumstances. Often, Simmons said, these women make sudden decisions and leave empty-handed.

Delores Dawson, a survivor of domestic violence, said her daughter was killed by her partner in 2013, leaving behind seven children. Dawson has raised them all, and now volunteers for Palmetto Hope Network. Shes in favor of more shelters, she said.

The house in which Clare was attacked has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen and a yard. No serious renovation would be required. The kitchen and one of the common areas sit between two distinct wings.

Palmetto Hope Network and Women in Action have until May 3 to raise $68,000, which would get the property out of foreclosure and grant them some time to come up with the rest of the money  another $164,000  to complete the purchase and obtain the deed.

Thats a tall order, Kennedy said. But the women will do their best to make it happen. If they fall short, they will turn to Plan B and find a different property they can use as a safe house for battered women. They are determined to set up a shelter one way or another, Kennedy said.

They are getting some legal assistance from the Peper Law Firm and Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, she said.

Palmetto Hope Network has arranged for short-term hotel accommodations for victims of abuse until space at a shelter opens up or housing becomes available. Hotel rooms might work on a temporary basis, but theyre not ideal, especially if children are involved, Kennedy said. A shelter has staff who can provided some level of counseling and encouragement, she said. At a hotel, theres nothing but vending machines. And without trained supervision, it can be easier for violent offenders to reach their targets.

If an offender is caught on the property of a safe house, an additional penalty is added to their sentence if convicted of a crime, she said. Shelters, therefore, have a built-in disincentive.

Mitchell said she encourages her children to talk freely about domestic violence. Too often, women feel stigmatized by it, yet the problem is so serious and common that it must be dealt with directly.

Victims, she said, need a transitional home that comes with amenities and security. Without that, they are less likely to escape their abusive relationships.

Their partners might resort to violence, but many women, especially those on the lower end of the economic spectrum, believe that tolerating abuse is the price they pay for a roof over their heads, the bills being paid, access to a yard and a general sense of financial security, she said.

Simone Middlebrook-Snyder, another victim of abuse, said much more than shelters are needed. Domestic violence too often is treated as a private matter between spouses and not as a public crime, she said. She endured her then-boyfriends violence for seven years, often calling the police. When she did so, he would flee and the authorities would not launch a search. So he went unpunished, she said.

Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, attended the gathering and said that public pressure was needed to ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Social Services could recruit and retain qualified employees. Both agencies have been losing staff recently, and the Legislature agreed to an upward adjustment in their pay scale in an effort to limit the attrition, he said.

Gilliard said he would help amplify the womens concerns and calls for help in Columbia.

In 2019, the last year for which the state of South Carolina has precise figures, 42 people were murdered by a member of the household, 36 of them women, according to a report from the Attorney Generals Office. Domestic homicides were reported in 21 of 46 counties, including Colleton, Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

Fifty-five percent of victims were Black, 45 percent were White, and ages ranged from 18 to 83. Guns were used in 79 percent of these incidents, knives in 12 percent.
A woman was indicted on nine federal financial crimes on allegations she stole someone's identity, defrauded a bank and illegally wired money from a local church to pay off a credit card bill.

A Charleston grand jury handed down the charges April 12 in U.S. District Court against 40-year-old Felicia Alfreda Lyles.

Lyles is charged with identify theft, aggravated identity theft, three counts of bank fraud, two counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false financial statements.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in South Carolina is asking that Lyles forfeit all proceeds she allegedly obtained from a slew of financial crimes committed from December 2019 to August 2021.

Authorities say the defendant stole some $96,000 from Wells Fargo between December 2019 and March 2020 through a check-kiting scheme, according to the indictment. The woman allegedly floated checks among four different banks to commit the fraud.

In January 2020, Lyles allegedly stole a persons identity and banking details, using the information to obtain goods and services.

When the female victim reported the fraudulent activity, Lyles called the bank and used the victim's identifying information to unfreeze the accounts, according to the indictment.

Authorities said Lyles at one point called the victim, demanding she stop freezing her accounts.

In another scheme, Lyles is accused of using fake personal information to obtain a credit card, the indictment states. After racking up charges on the card, the defendant allegedly used money wired from a Charleston Baptist Church bank account to pay the bill.

It was unclear from court records whether Lyles had hired an attorney.

Pastor Kevin Giordano, head pastor at the church, said April 14 he commended investigators' work on the case. The church prays the suspect understood the impact of the alleged crimes and hopes she would be restored afterward to live a different way of life, Giordano said.
It was time for college freshman orientation in August 1985. In the sweltering New Orleans heat, smiling bank representatives lined up in rows and vied for our business. They hawked free water bottles, T-shirts and blankets. How could we resist?

Unfortunately, we didnt. We signed our names on credit card applications from American Express, Discover and even Diners Club, having no idea that we were actually applying for loans. Unchecked, those lines of credit led many members of my generation to enter into cycles of high-interest debt.

Fast forward nearly 25 years, and the Credit CARD Act of 2009 was finally signed into law to stop these types of predatory credit card sales tactics on unassuming young people. Fast forward another decade, and here I am, proud to say that my students would never fall for those tactics anyway.

I teach personal finance at Lucy Beckham High School in Mount Pleasant. We are one of only a handful of high schools in South Carolina that have made this class a requirement for all students before graduation. My students create budgets using spreadsheets, then assess how much college debt is reasonable based on their expected income so they dont throttle those budgets after graduation. Theyre up to date on the fast-changing investment world, explaining why an ETF (exchange traded fund) is probably a better long-term investment than an NFT (non-fungible tokens).

These are critical life skills I wish I had when I was their age. When parents thank me for teaching their kid how to do their taxes, I see the courses multi-generational impact. My students are explaining to their families how FICO scores are calculated and why its important to review credit reports annually.

With so many parents hesitant to talk about money with their children, this course is opening constructive dialogue. This ripple effect on families and communities is why the South Carolina Legislature must pass Senate Bill 16, which would guarantee all high schoolers a semester-long course in personal finance before graduation.

While Im thrilled that my school had the foresight to require this course, these skills are too important to wait for individual schools to initiate classes like this on their own. Currently, only 4% of S.C. high school students are required to take a personal finance course before graduation. Voters are overwhelmingly in agreement: In a recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, 84% of our states voters said they think all high school students should be guaranteed to take a basic course in personal finance, and 92% said this bills passage is an urgent need.

Our legislators should review the research, which shows conclusively that students who receive high-quality personal finance instruction in school manage their finances better as adults, resulting in less debt, higher credit scores, greater personal income and a better quality of life.

Lets not let South Carolina fall behind in this critical subject. If we look around the country, we see a wave of legislation focused on increasing access to financial education. Indeed, there are 47 bills pending in 20 states to support personal finance education. Florida recently guaranteed that all its students will take a full-semester personal finance course before graduation, and Georgia has a similar bill waiting on its governors signature.

S.16 is our chance to give future generations the knowledge and confidence to manage their money wisely while empowering families right now. The Senate and House have both passed the bill, but there are differences in the two versions that the two bodies still haven't resolved. The bill will die if the two sides don't reach an agreement by mid-May. Please urge your senator and House member to approve S.16 and send it to Gov. Henry McMaster.

Bill Joy is a personal finance teacher at Lucy Beckham High School in Mount Pleasant.
You wont see excavators, cranes or guys with shovels around MUSC today, but Charleston is now officially digging a big hole over there.

And when its finished next summer, the medical district should get some relief from chronic flooding.

That big hole is basically a drain, a $15 million extension of sorts to the citys massive Spring-Fishburne project  a tunnel beneath the Crosstown that will move 1 million gallons of water off the peninsula every three minutes.

The hospitals can supply more than their fair share of that water. Even by Charleston standards, the area around the Medical University, Roper Hospital and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center is particularly, dangerously flood prone. During Tropical Storm Irma in 2017, some patients and healthcare workers had to be evacuated from the hospitals by boat.

This week the city is giving its contractors the green light to start construction on the Ehrhardt shaft, which will run three blocks north and connect to the Spring-Fishburne tunnels.

This will serve 27 acres around Jonathan Lucas and Ehrhardt streets, where a lot of emergency vehicles come in, says Matthew Fountain, the citys director of stormwater management. This will allow us to get some critical infrastructure in there, and let us get some emergency relief to a crucial area. Its one piece of the puzzle.

And its perhaps one of the most important pieces, because anything that inhibits access to the hospitals is inherently life-threatening.

Still, this is only happening because of a confluence of factors too rarely seen in government these days: common sense, bipartisanship and perfect timing.

In 2018, Gov. Henry McMaster set up a statewide commission to coordinate local, state and federal efforts to mitigate coastal flooding. Which meant finding ways to leverage federal money to help pay for necessary, and wildly expensive, public works projects.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg was appointed to the commission and offered to host a meeting. While the group was here in February 2019, he invited its members to tour the Spring-Fishburne tunnels.

When they reached the end of the line, 150 feet beneath the intersection of Cannon and President streets, Tecklenburg pulled out a map and showed McMaster where they were. He noted that if the city could dig just a few blocks farther south, they could siphon off stormwater from the hospitals.

McMaster understood the significance. Hed just gotten an alarming letter from MUSC President Dr. David Cole that predicted the states premier medical university was in danger of being hopelessly compromised by floodwaters. Roper officials had expressed similar concerns (and have since announced the hospital is relocating).

He didnt pause, Tecklenburg recalls. He said: Thats just common sense. Im going to help you do that.'

The governor proposed $10 million for the tunnel in the state budget, but lawmakers  who sometimes arent especially sympathetic to Charleston woes  ignored the request. So McMaster took the money from a federal Housing and Urban Development grant fund that his office controls.

HUD officials supported the spending since the hospitals serve about half a million low- and moderate-income residents every year.

The collaboration is unusual, Fountain says. Its rare that everyone agrees its a great project. Normally that takes years.

The medical district didnt have that kind of time.

When Charleston started planning a series of major infrastructure projects to alleviate downtown flooding, the medical district was included in one called Calhoun West. The size and scope of that project is still amorphous, and its final form will depend on several factors, including whether the city builds a sea wall.

Since Calhoun West is at least a decade away, the city began looking for ways to help the hospitals more quickly. Connecting part of the hospitals' territory to Spring-Fishburne made the most sense.

But that drainage system is set to start moving water within two years. Once that happens, it would become more difficult and expensive to add another tunnel. Tecklenburg says the city gambled $1 million on engineering and design plans before funding was assured, just to be ready.

Construction costs have gone up since then, and the city had to put in $5 million  a pretty sound investment when the alternative is having residents cut off from the emergency room.

Of course, the Ehrhardt tunnel alone wont solve all the medical districts flooding problems. But engineers expect it will make noticeable improvements, and thats a start.

This is the perfect example of investing in a long-term project that will secure a safer, more stable future for South Carolinians, McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes says.

Its also a good example of common sense, of public officials simply agreeing on whats important and getting it done.

If only every government endeavor was that efficient.
Russia has found just the man to lead its ongoing assault on Ukraine, Gen. Alexander Dvornikov.

The top-level general takes over a war that had no single overall commander and as the Russian military has suffered embarrassing setbacks, retreating from its planned siege of Kyiv.

Dvornikov has led the Russian forces in the south and east of Ukraine, which Moscow will now make its main objective, and perfectly encapsulates the remorseless and long-running brutality of the Russian military.

He became known as the Butcher of Syria for his role leading the Russian campaign in Syria, most notoriously the reduction of Aleppo.

A United Nations human rights official called that city, after the Russians were done with it, a slaughterhouse. He depicted a gruesome locus of pain and fear, where the lifeless bodies of small children are trapped under streets of rubble and pregnant women deliberately bombed.

That ghastly description, of course, sounds all too familiar. Naturally enough, the Russian government honored Dvornikov for his bloody handiwork in Syria as a hero of the Russian federation.

Bucha is another tragic place name in a long catalogue of Russians atrocities, perpetrated against foreigners and its own people, perpetrated when the Soviets struggled for control during their rule, and afterward, perpetrated with relatively primitive military technology and with the most up-to-date modern firepower.

Where the Russian military goes, war crimes are sure to follow. It is a reflection of a twisted Russian political culture that has never developed an appreciation for individual worth, democratic accountability or humanitarian norms. Vladimir Putin is not to be confused with Lenin or Stalin. He paints his horrors on a much smaller canvas. But his cold-eyed brutality is characteristically Russian.

For the last 100 years, Russia has been a brutalized and brutalizing country. It suffered nearly 3.5 million deaths in World War I, another 8 million dead in the Russian Civil War, and then 27 million more in World War II.

The founder of the Soviet state, Lenin, was a theorist and practitioner of mass terror. After the Revolution, the civil war between the Bolsheviks and their opponents was a series of atrocities.

Then came the cataract of unspeakable violence in the death struggle with the Nazis.

The Red Armys decisive march to Berlin at the end of the war was one long, pitiless war crime.

The Russians raped 2 million German women. According to historian Antony Beevor, author of The Fall of Berlin 1945, one doctor believed that of 100,000 women raped in the city, 10,000 died as a consequence, many by suicide.

The English-speaking world features its share of shameful and brutal acts, but nothing on the mind-numbing scale of such depravities.

And the crimes in the U.S. and elsewhere are looked back on with shame, whether slavery or the expropriation of indigenous people.

In contrast, in the 21st century, when more civilized practices are supposed to have prevailed, Putin is adding more disgraceful blots to Russias woeful record.

What kind of force considers a hospital a legitimate military target? Terrorist groups  and the Russian military.

In Syria a few years ago, Russia bombed four hospitals in 12 hours, a savage performance forecasting the treatment theyd mete out to Ukraine. According to The New York Times, Syrian health care workers believed that a United Nations humanitarian deconfliction list containing the locations of hospitals was used as a target list by Russian forces.

Of course, Russia leveled the city of Grozny in the late 1990s, killing thousands of civilians. Its soldiers raped and tortured.

What the Russian lacks in planning and proficiency, it makes up in barbarity and utter disregard for humanity. War is hell, but almost all advanced nations try to keep it within some bounds of decency.

Russia is an outlier. For it, the cruelty is the point  and the reflexive practice.

Rich Lowry is the editor of the National Review.
President Joe Biden is right to be cautious about how much the United States involves itself militarily in aiding Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The United States and NATO should avoid getting directly involved in a shooting war against Russia that could escalate into a nuclear conflict. Mr. Biden's circumspection is rooted in the absolute necessity of deterring that horrible scenario from playing out.

It remains very unlikely that Russia would launch a nuclear strike, but with its forces losing on the ground and growing evidence of atrocities against Ukrainian civilians, the question of how far the United States can go in helping to repel the unprovoked Russian aggression remains an important one to figure out.

After all, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened early to use nuclear weapons in retaliation against nations that helped Ukraine. He also has put Russian nuclear forces on high alert.

Mr. Biden had at least two risky choices in responding to these reckless Russian actions: Address them directly by raising the alert level of U.S. nuclear forces or make statements pointing to the terrible consequences of such an attack. He took a prudent path of quietly reassuring U.S. allies worried about a Russian nuclear attack and showing Russia that the United States had no hostile intentions toward it.

But Mr. Biden also sent a clear and important message by reaffirming U.S. doctrine that nuclear weapons might be employed not only in response to a nuclear attack, but also to stop an overwhelming conventional attack on the United States or its NATO allies. In doing so, he walked away from a campaign promise to limit the use of nuclear weapons solely as a response to a nuclear attack. We hope that decision never has to be made, but his message marked a clear example of an elected official responding appropriately to the actual circumstances that confront him rather than the hypothetical circumstances he expected to encounter while on the campaign trail.

Diplomacy rightly continues even under these circumstances. In order to preserve the possibility of a new agreement with Russia on limiting medium- and long-range missiles in Europe, President Biden canceled an ongoing program for a nuclear-armed, submarine-launched cruise missile.

Mr. Biden joined allies in providing Ukraine with weapons that have proved very effective thus far against Russian ground and air forces. He blocked a plan to transfer MiG fighter jets from Poland to Ukraine, which may have been the correct decision if the goal was to prevent further provoking the Kremlin. However, it does risk giving Mr. Putin the impression that he has veto power over U.S. actions.

Against this backdrop, the continued reports of Russian atrocities and Mr. Bidens passionate declaration that Mr. Putin is a war criminal raise anew the question how far the United States can go in helping Ukraine. The frustrating answer is that no one knows for certain. What is known is that Mr. Putin's ill-considered invasion already has proven that he's capable of making terrible decisions that cost countless lives.

So as much as our instincts urge us to rush more forcefully to Ukraines defense, a cautious approach continues to make the most sense.
S.C. Chief Justice Don Beatty demonstrated again Monday how quickly the judiciary can respond to ethical problems, when he ordered court officials to stop relying on a Greenwood attorney whose family has purchased properties that he auctioned off as a foreclosure judge.

Justice Beattys order barring Curtis Clark from acting as a temporary judge came just eight days after The Post and Couriers Thad Moore reported that Mr. Clarks wife and children purchased dozens of properties he had ordered sold, in one case even deeding over part of the property to him.

Since Greenwood County is too small to have a permanent judge to handle foreclosure cases, the clerk of court appoints a referee for each case, and that referee has all the power of a regular master-in-equity judge to order the property sold, and then auction it off to the highest bidder, often at a deep discount. Mr. Clarks temporary status made it easier to remove him from the job, as we had called on the clerk of court to do in our Saturday editorial.

But this isnt the first time the chief justice has acted in his capacity as administrative head of the judicial branch of state government to deal with ethical problems that could undermine the publics confidence in the impartiality of our courts.

In November, he scolded magistrates for taking a lackadaisical approach to their jobs, ordering full-time judges to work full-time. And in January, he lifted an order that had given lawyer-legislators special privileges in the courtroom, essentially allowing them to delay their cases indefinitely if that worked to their clients advantage. He reversed his order a day later, but then partially restored it within days, telling judges they could start requiring lawyer-legislators to show up in court in some instances on Mondays and Fridays, when the Legislature isnt in session.

Were still disturbed by the way he flip-flopped that order  and particularly by how he waited more than a month to amend the original language on the court's website  but the effect was to remove a small portion of the special privileges lawyer-legislators have received in the courtroom since long before he became chief justice.

The overall effect of the three actions underscores the important role the chief justice can  and should  play in protecting the integrity of our courts. Normally, the chief justice should be oblivious to public opinion, making his decisions based entirely on the constitution, the law and the facts. The exception is when hes acting in this capacity as head of our court system: Here, public opinion  specifically the public perception of the impartiality of the courts  should be his top priority.

We welcome Justice Beattys swift action in doing what the elected clerk of court in Greenwood County should have done to deal with a problem that was sullying the public perception of the courts. The court should now consider whether any disciplinary action should be taken against Mr. Clark.

On a more systemic level, the chief should expand the use of the courts Advisory Committee on Standards of Judicial Conduct  a committee that advises judges on ethics questions, and a committee Mr. Clark never consulted even though he admitted to having qualms about allowing his relatives to purchase property that was available for sale only because of his decisions.

Instead of simply making the committee available for judges who choose to consult it on questions of ethical conduct, the Supreme Court should require a real-time outside adjudication whenever people raise concerns about conflicts of interest, so those problems can be addressed before any harm is done to the parties, or to the judge's career. That process also would make members of the public more likely to raise concerns than the current process of simply reporting them to the judge in question. And judges who dont report their potential conflicts to the parties and seek out an advisory opinion about whether they have a conflict should be subject to punishment.
Berkeley County is seeking public input on its annual plan to address housing and development needs.
Zach Hall, 27, and Anastasia McClure, 25, are brother and sister who were both born at Summerville Medical Center and now work there.
Mike Woodel reports on Georgetown County for The Post and Courier. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018 and previously worked for newspapers in Montana and South Dakota.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster has signed a law adding South Carolina to a list of states seeking to amend the U.S. Constitution through a first-ever national convention, saying he's convinced that opponents' fears of a runaway convention won't happen.

"I do not think these serious theoretical concerns warrant opposing a narrowly tailored" convention of states, McMaster, a Republican, wrote in a two-page letter April 13 explaining his decision, which came hours ahead of his midnight deadline to act.

His signature makes South Carolina the 19th state calling for a convention of states with the stated purpose of forcing Congress to rein in spending, limit the federal government's power and cap how long federal politicians can remain in office.

Supporters contend it's the only way to redirect a federal government that's run amok. Opponents from across the political spectrum have warned legislators there's no way to limit discussion on proposed changes, and the end result could be a drastic altering of America. Opponents on the conservative end argue the proposed fix might backfire and produce liberal policies, like outlawing guns.

Such fears are what prompted the Legislature in 2004 to repeal a law passed 28 years earlier calling for a convention.

McMaster said he shares those concerns. But he believes the nation's Founding Fathers put enough safeguards in the Constitution to prevent the eliminating of "fundamental constitutional rights" such as the Second Amendment.

"I see the ever-increasing size and scope of the federal government as the larger threat," McMaster wrote. "I believe that the time has come to utilize the mechanism expressly available to the states in Article V," referring to the provision in the Constitution that creates the option.

The founders who wrote the document allowed two ways to amend it.

But only one has ever been used. The 27 existing amendments came through a process that involves a supermajority of Congress passing an amendment thats ratified by at least three-fourths of states, which is 38. But people on both sides of the issue agree Congress won't vote to limit its own powers without substantial pressure.

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The other option is what the new law seeks to do, through a state-called convention  something thats never happened since the 1787 convention that produced the Constitution.

It allows for a convention of states if two-thirds of states, or 34, pass a resolution seeking one. If that happens, any amendment proposed during it would then still need to be approved by 38 states.

Additional states have passed laws seeking a convention using different reasons and wording. It's unclear whether Congress would count those toward the 34.

"At a minimum," McMaster wrote, he hopes South Carolina's law and others like it "awaken and consolidate the attention and patriotism of the people to the threats to their liberties," prompting Congress to make changes before it's forced to call a convention.

His letter noted his decision was partly due to the organized advocacy of supporters across the state, who packed legislative hearings and, last weekend, stood outside the Governor's Mansion to ask McMaster to sign the bill.

"This is the ultimate pushback of the federal government," said Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, who first filed the legislation in December 2013 using the language 17 other states have mimicked.

"Everyone knows that Washington is broken," Taylor added. "Its bloated, and its far outside the boundaries of its constitutional authority."

Georgia, Alaska and Florida were the first states to pass it in 2014. The effort went on pause after March 2019, with no more states added to the list until this year. States that passed the law earlier in 2022 were Wisconsin, Nebraska and West Virginia.

"The federal government is to have limited power and the states all the remaining power, and that's gotten turned upside down over the years," Taylor told The Post and Courier. "Our founders gave us this as a tool, and it's our job to use it in times like these. They authorized the states to come together and fix the federal government."
COLUMBIA  South Carolina senators are expected to fast-track a number of wide-ranging election reforms ahead of the 2022 elections after a nudge by Gov. Henry McMaster, who said he would support the bill.

The measure containing those reforms, which passed the House unanimously earlier this year, implements a number of changes to the way South Carolina does elections, including an identification requirement for absentee ballots, a guaranteed number of voting sites in every precinct and an expanded early voting period.

The bill would also implement processes for state employees to audit the results of elections and create new enforcement mechanisms for possible voter fraud.

"This much-needed oversight would enhance accountability at the state Election Commission and safeguard the voting process against the threat of fraud, which  if left unchecked  could do permanent damage to our republican form of government," McMaster wrote of the reforms in a Post and Courier Op-Ed endorsing the legislation published April 9.

"It's certainly been a priority of the governor's," Brian Symmes, a spokesperson for the governor, said in an interview.

The bill comes in the wake of widespread difficulties counting ballots during the 2020 election, where delays in tallying results and unproven rhetoric from President Donald Trump about rampant fraud led to a swath of election reforms introduced in states around the country.

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The S.C. Senate could propose a number of amendments to the bill. Some discussed during an April 12 subcommittee hearing on the bill including one cutting the maximum number of early voting locations per county from seven to five and reducing the number of no-excuse early voting days from the 14 proposed by the House to 11.

Other possible changes included limits on how many absentee ballots a qualified elector can request on someone else's behalf  a change Republicans said was designed to mitigate the practice of "ballot harvesting" in places like retirement homes.

"I expect we're gonna have a pretty robust conversation on the floor about this," Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, told reporters at the Statehouse April 12. "My guess is we'll take a lot of what the House proposed, but I think there will also be some things added from the Senate side."

The subcommittee did accept several amendments during the April 12 hearing. These included an amendment to bar private companies and individuals from making contributions to individual county election boards and instead, distributing those funds on a pro rata basis. The proposal came after revelations companies like Facebook pumped millions into election offices located in swing states such as Florida and Pennsylvania.

The bill still needs to be heard by the full Judiciary Committee. However, Massey said on the Senate floor the offering would likely be heard on the floor for the first time April 19, with a second-reading vote expected the following day. The 2022 session concludes May 12.

While the bill was initially proposed to take effect upon the governors signature, Massey said he believed it would be difficult to implement the reforms before the 2022 primaries. Election officials did testify during the April 12 hearing they are prepared to implement the proposed changes before voters go to the polls in June.
Bernadette Bernie Valencia was sworn in on Feb. 24 to serve on the University of Guam Board of Regents. She replaces former regent Father Francis X. Hezel and will serve a full six-year term until January 2028., according to a release from UOG.

Valencia is the vice president of Hawaii sales for Matson Navigation Inc. She began her career at Matson in 2008 as the regional sales manager and was later promoted to general manager in 2013, where she led the companys strategic plan to expand and establish a new service route to Okinawa, Japan. In 2017, she was promoted to vice president for the Guam, Micronesia and Okinawa region.

After earning her bachelors degree in aviation maintenance from San Jose State University in California in 1993, Valencia worked as an airframe and powerplant mechanic for then-Continental Air Micronesia. She joined Mobil Oil Guam and Micronesia Inc. in 1994 and moved up the corporate ladder throughout her 14-year career with the company. In 2009, she co-founded iCAN Resources Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Guam.

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She has won several awards throughout her career, including the 2020 Supply and Demand Chain Executive Women in Supply Chain Award, the 2018 Guam Business Magazine Executive of the Year, and the 2010 Matson Presidential Award.

The Board of Regents has general supervision over UOG. The board sets the policies governing the duties, conditions of employment, compensation and salary of all UOG employees. The board also submits the Universitys annual budget to the Guam Legislature.
The University of Guam is requesting about $41.3 million in appropriations for next fiscal year with the bulk of that request consisting of funding for general operations, at nearly $34 million.

Another $4.2 million is requested for student financial aid programs, $1.6 million for capital improvements and $1.6 million in continuing special appropriations for various programs.

UOG officials appeared before lawmakers Tuesday to discuss their budget request for Fiscal 2023.

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Speaker Therese Terlaje noted that the university is seeking $12.9 million more than requested by the governor in her executive budget request.

"This also is  from the general fund  $11.4 million more than what was allocated last year," Terlaje said.

During budget talks last fiscal year, UOG requested a flat general operations budget but part of that included a 5% increase in tuition, leading the speaker to ask whether the university anticipated another tuition hike.

UOG President Thomas Krise said the tuition increase was offset by rebates using American Rescue Plan funding.

"We anticipate just continuing on this path. Right now, we're the second least expensive land grant university. Only the University of Wyoming is cheaper. We would like to be as affordable as possible and the college affordability initiative is even more important now in the aftermath of this pandemic," Krise said.

Just under 50% of UOG students had been eligible for federal Pell Grants, but the current figure is about 61%, according to Krise. The Pell Grant will see a $400 increase and that will assist UOG in some ways, he said.

"There's, of course, conversation in Congress and the White House about a significantly bigger increase in the Pell. So maybe there's some more hope there. ... Just being able to have more Pell grants enables more students to afford college," Krise said.

UOG spent $3.2 million out of $13.2 million in total institutional ARP funding for student rebates, reimbursements and additional student aid. This institutional funding also supported the university's move to online platforms, COVID-19 mitigation efforts and helped cover lost revenue.

The university still has some ARP funding, which can be spent up to June 2023, according to Krise.

"We have to figure out what we can afford to allow to happen within that time," Krise said.

The university implemented salary increases during COVID-19 years - 2020 and 2021. The impetus for these raises began in 2018, with the recognition that administrator salaries were lagging.

A more current pay scale was adopted and the UOG board gave the president five years to implement that scale, according to Randall Wiegand, the UOG vice president of administration and finance.

"With all the change that was happening at the university, more and more employees, more and more administrators were coming on to the new scale. So in 2020, the decision was made to try to move the remaining 13 administrators to the new scale. And then in April 2021, the second half of the move was made, to get, at that point, 11 remaining administrators onto the new scale,"

Both moves to the new scale cost a total of $175,000, he said. This was done with non-appropriated funds.

Sen. Telo Taitague asked Wiegand why UOG didn't hold off on the pay raises, considering the pandemic and budgetary considerations at the time.

"The way I looked at it, we were asking our people to step up and we had the disparate system. So, while we were asking these people to go the extra mile with all the difficulties of COVID, we felt like we could not continue to ask them to continue being on a lesser pay scale than other administrators at the university," Weigand said.
There have been contradictions about our local government's strategy on COVID-19 testing and limitations for those who have come in close cont Read more
Two months into the shutdown of the public universities following a strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigerian government on Tuesday announced the establishment of three new polytechnics.

The federal ministry of education, in a statement by its director of press, Ben Goong, said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the three polytechnics to be located in Kabo, Kano State; Umunnoechi, Abia State, and Orogun, Delta State.

The announcement comes amidst industrial action by lecturers and other university workers unions under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU). The non-academic workers strike entered its third week on Monday while the ASUU strike has been on for about two months.

The announcement is also coming at a time stakeholders in the education sector, and particularly the workers unions, have continued to kick against what they described as proliferation of tertiary institutions in the country.

They said the existing academic institutions are poorly funded, and faulted what they termed politicisation of education in the country.

A significant part of the grievances of the workers unions of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education is the frequency with which the Nigerian government at both the federal and state levels establish new academic institutions.

They said the new institutions are established without adequate planning and evidence of sustainability strategies.

New polytechnics

Tuesdays statement said the establishment of the new institutions is in line with the determination of the Buhari-led administration to make tertiary education more accessible to young Nigerians.

The statement added that the new institutions are to commence academic activities in October 2022.

This brings to thirty six (36) the number of federal polytechnics in the country. All states of the federation now have one federal polytechnic each, the statement reads in part.

Polytechnic education

Findings by PREMIUM TIMES through the data of the annual application for the unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME), indicate a sharp decline in enrollment in polytechnics.

The larger percentage of UTME candidates opt for universities while few choose polytechnics, colleges of education and monotechnics.

While there had been many failed attempts by both the federal and some state governments to upgrade some polytechnics to universities, the Lagos State Government recently announced the metamorphosis of its owned Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the special adviser on education to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tokunbo Wahab, said the key performance indicators revealed that the polytechnic education has lost its relevance.

Mr Wahab, who linked the dwindling enrollment figures into the polytechnics to what he described as the disparity between the certificates awarded by the polytechnics and the university degrees, also argued that polytechnic education is no longer relevant in the 21st century.

Sincerely yours, we need to call a spade a spade; NCE, OND and HND are simply no longer relevant, Mr Wahab said, adding; The discrimination against them in the labour market is too much.

And if I should ask, why do you think the British, which bequeathed this system of education to us, scrapped its polytechnics more than 30 years ago? It is because they saw the future ahead of time, Mr Wahab said.

When asked about the production of middle-level manpower for the economy, the governors aide said the state is now rebuilding its technical schools to meet the needs of the smart city that the government is passionate about building.
Gunmen, locally known as bandits, on Tuesday night, abducted a yet-to-be-confirmed number of female students of the Zamfara State College of Health Technology, Tsafe.

Tsafe is a hotbed of banditry in the state. Several communities have been sacked and thousands killed and abducted in Zamfara State by groups of gunmen.

Efforts by the Nigerian government to clear the state of these gunmen have so far yielded little results and the situation is getting worse.

Local sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the bandits attacked a privately run hostel opposite the school at around 11.24 p.m. and abducted many of the students in the residence.

An older brother to one of the victims, Asamau Salisu, Usman Abdullahi, said his family was informed of his sisters abduction Wednesday morning.

We woke up to that phone call that my sister was one of the students taken, he said.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the attack to this newspaper on Wednesday morning when our reporter reached out to him for comments on the incident.

He said the bandits broke into a rented apartment around 3 a.m. and abducted the students. He said four students of the school were abducted.

Yes. But it was not inside the school as Ive seen some of you saying. The attack was in an off-campus area. Five female students were abducted but one of them escaped while they were being taken into the forest and she has now returned home. The remaining four are with the bandits, he said.

Mr Shehu added that the state police command has drafted its special forces alongside other security personnel to rescue the victims.

As I speak with you now, our men are in the forest for rescue operations. Ill update you, he added.
At least, 2,968 people were killed while 1,484 were abducted in Nigeria from January to March 2022, according to data released by the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST)

Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations, gathers the data though weekly surveys of Nigerian and international media.

Recorded deaths

According to the data, more people were killed in the North-west region than in other regions in the country. At least 1,103 people were killed within the period in the region.

The North-central region recorded the second-highest number of murders with 984 killed during the period while in the North-east 488 were killed.

In the South-east 181 were killed during the period under review, while in the South-west and South-South regions 127 and 85 people were killed respectively.

Gunmen, locally called bandits, have been attacking and killing thousands of people in the countrys North-west since 2017. These assailants have attacked rural dwellers, destroyed their farmlands and in many cases only allow them to the farm after they have paid protection fees. They have also targeted travellers across the region in what some analysts say is one of the most lucrative kidnap-for-ransom syndicates in the continent.

In the North-east, the Islamist group, Boko Haram, has waged a bloody insurgency against the country, an estimated 35,000 people have been killed and over 3 million people displaced by the conflict.

In the South-east, unknown gunmen, which is a euphemism for members of the separatist organisation, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), have killed several people. They especially target government buildings and security personnel. They also run a kidnap-for-ransom operation in the region.

In the South-South region, there has been a lull in attacks by the Niger Delta Militant group. However, cult clashes are still rampant in River State. In Cross River and Akwa Ibom, many villages have been sacked and hundreds of people killed due to communal clashes. Cult clashes and armed robbery are also rife in the South-west.

In January, 998 people were killed, 756 were killed in February and 1,214 if March across the country.

More violence in the north

The data show that the countrys north is the more violent region with 2,575 (86.8%) murders, while the countrys south recorded 393 deaths (13.2%)

Some of the most violent states in the country are Niger with 840 deaths followed by Zamfara with 404, Borno 392, Kaduna 332 and Kebbi 114.

Abductions

The data further show that the North-west recorded 746 abductions during the period. In the North-central 547 were abducted while 61 people were abducted in the North-east.

In the South-east, 53 people were abducted, 44 were abducted in the South-South and 36 people were abducted in the South-west.

The northern part of the country with 1,354, has 91.2% of those abducted while the southern part with 130 abductees has 8.8%.

In January, 623 people were abducted while in February, 342 got kidnapped and 519 March.

Based on a state by state analysis, the top five states with the highest number of abductees are Niger 458, Kaduna 448, Zamfara 138, Katsina 138, Katsina 106 and Kogi 51.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, upheld a sentence of six years jail term with N22.9 billion fine for an official, John Yusufu Yakubu, who stole N25 billion in police pension fund.

A five-member panel of the court unanimously affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which imposed the sentence in 2018.

Agreeing with the N22.9 billion fine added to six years jail term, Tijjani Abubakar, who read the Supreme Courts lead judgement, said it was in tandem with the gravity of the offence and its impact on retired police officers who are the victims of the crime.

It must be made clear that victims are entitled to be compensated, Mr Abubakar said, adding, I fully endorse the judgement of the lower court.

He described the January 2013 decision of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, which initially sentenced the pension thief to two years imprisonment with an option of N750,000 as a mere slap on the wrist.

Mr Abubakar said the sentence imposed by the High Court was paltry and insignificant

Considering the humongous amount stolen, the nature and gravity of the crime and its destructive effect on the country and its impact on retired police officers and the grave breach of public trust, a severe sentence that would deter the further commission of such a crime and prevent the convict from retaining any part of what he stole to avoid him obtaining financial benefit from his crime should be imposed, Mr Abubakar said, echoing the words of the Court of Appeal on the case.

Other members of the five-member panel led by Helen Ogunwumiju agreed with the lead judgement. Others on the panel were Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Centus Nweze, and Adamu Jauro.

Mr Abubakar read the concurring decisions of the other four members who were all absent from the proceedings on Wednesday.

Another Justice of the Supreme Court, Emmanuel Agim, who was the judge that prepared the Court of Appeals lead decision in 2018, was seated beside Mr Abubakar.

Mr Agim was not part of the Supreme Courts panel that decided Yakubus case, but was only present to read other judgements in other appeals he was involved in.

Background

Mr Yakubu, a former official of the Police Pension, in 2013, pleaded guilty to stealing the humongous amount of pension fund, but walked free after paying a paltry N750,000 fine imposed by the trial court.

He was the only one among other defendants who pleaded guilty to three of the counts filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The trial judge, Abubakar Talba, then of the FCT High Court in Gudu, Abuja, had in his judgement delivered on January 28, 2013, sentenced Mr Yakubu to two years imprisonment with an option of an N750,000 fine.

The judgement was widely criticised for imposing the light sentence seen as disproportionate to the gravity of the offence.

EFCCs prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also fumed against the verdict, saying accusing the court of departing from the plea agreement which he said included a mandatory prison sentence.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), spurred by the public outcry against the judgement, suspended Mr Talba for one year.

ALSO READ: Pensioners give Ogun govt ultimatum over unremitted deductions

But Mr Talba, adjudged by the NJC not to be judicious in applying his discretion in the Yakubu case, would later be rewarded with an elevation to the Court of Appeal bench some years later.

EFCCs appeal

Following an appeal filed against the decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Court of Appeal in Abuja quashed the sentence given by the High Court and replaced it with six years imprisonment in addition to an order for the convict to refund N22.9 billion to the public treasury.

The court agreed with EFCCs legal team led by Rotimi Jacobs supported by Oluwaleke Atolagbe that the High Courts decision was unreasonable.

In the decision delivered on March 21, 2018, the Court of Appeal held that the sentences levied by the High Court are light and lenient ones.

Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement of the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, noted that the convict admitted to misappropriating or stealing N24 billion but was given the option to pay a fine of N750,000 fine for him to enjoy the huge balance he had in his possession.

He added: The funds stolen or misappropriated by the convict are police pension funds for the payment of monthly pensions and other retirement benefits of police officers nationwide.

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The theft or misappropriation of over N24billion of that fund would make the prompt payment of monthly pensions to retired police officers very difficult, if not impossible, with attendant hardship and suffering inflicted on such retired officers who rely on their monthly pensions as their only means or source of sustenance in retirement.

He added that the hopeless, helpless and dehumanising conditions the crime has put the retired police officers into is obvious.

He also noted that the offence has become habitual and widespread amongst government officials in pensions departments of government whose duties are to be in the custody of pension funds and process the payment of gratuities, monthly pensions and other retirement benefits to retired public servants.

After quashing the sentences imposed by the High Court, the judge imposed two years imprisonment on Mr Yakubu for each of the three counts he was convicted on.

He ordered that the sentences shall run consecutively, meaning that the convict would spend the cumulative six years in jail.

Mr Agim also imposed fines of N20 billion, N1.4billion and N1.5billion on the convict in addition to each of the prison terms attached to the three respective counts.

Mr Yakubu, who took a long time to be rearrested and brought to prison, failed in his bid to have the Court of Appeals decision overturned by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the partys forthcoming presidential primary, a presidency source has told PREMIUM TIMES.

He (Fayemi) came here two weeks ago to inform the president that he would be running, the official disclosed, asking not to be named because he had no permission to discuss the matter with journalists.

The president received him well and encouraged him to go ahead, saying having worked closely with him in the past few years, he is confident he would make a good successor.

The source said it however remained unclear if Mr Buhari would throw his weight fully behind Mr Fayemis candidature especially given the fact that he has kept the identity of his preferred successor secret.

When contacted Tuesday night, Mr Fayemi confirmed he met Mr Buhari but declined to provide details of what he discussed with the president.

Messrs Buhari and Fayemi have had a close political relationship for almost a decade beginning in 2012 when the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) began talks to merge into a single political platform.

Mr Buhari was a member of the CPC at the time while Mr Fayemi, who was in his first term as Ekiti governor during the period, was a member of the ACN.

Mr Fayemi lost reelection in 2014 but was shortly afterwards appointed director of policy, research and strategy of Mr Buharis 2015 presidential campaign.

After the APC came to power in 2015, Mr Buhari appointed Mr Fayemi as the minister of solid minerals development, a position he held until May 30, 2018, when he resigned to again contest the Ekiti governorship election which he won.

Since 2019, Mr Fayemi has been the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Forum, an association of the countrys 36 governors, which again provided him with an opportunity to regularly interface with the President.

It, however, remains unclear whether this long-term working relationship would count for something when Mr Buhari eventually settles for a preferred successor.

Why Fayemi is yet to declare

Meanwhile, sources close to Mr Fayemis campaign told one of our reporters that the governor remained interested in seeking the presidential ticket of his party but is waiting for the most auspicious time to make a formal declaration.

As you know, this is a most spiritual moment for Christians and Muslims. The Lent season is on and so is Ramadan. The governor believes it is spiritually disruptive and inappropriate to infuse too much politicking into this period. But he will surely declare once Ramadan ends in less than three weeks, one of the sources said, asking not to be named because he has no permission to discuss the matter with journalists.

The official said despite not having formally declared, Mr Fayemi has of late been engaged in intense consultation across the country selling his candidature to fellow governors, top government officials and party leaders.

Another source close to the governor also confided that Mr Fayemi visited the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, on Tuesday evening during which he formally informed him of his intention to seek the presidential ticket of the party.

He said beginning Wednesday, the governor would be visiting states of the federation to meet with party leaders and prospective delegates to the forthcoming presidential primaries.
Four police officers were killed Wednesday when gunmen attacked Atani Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The incident happened at about 1 a.m.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng Echeng, led a team of police officers to the area to restore normalcy.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police said it was unfortunate that four police officers were killed during the gun battle.

Unfortunately, during a gun battle, four of our police operatives paid the supreme price, he told PREMIUM TIMES.

The police spokesperson said the quick intervention of police operatives saved the facility from further attack by the gunmen.

Mr Ikenga said the police have begun intelligence gathering to track down the suspects behind the attack.

The latest attack occurs less than a week after the headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area in the state was razed by gunmen.

ALSO READ: Gunmen kill Ebonyi businessman one week before wedding

The Nigerian government has blamed the outlawed separatist group, IPOB, for the attacks that often target security operatives and government facilities.

IPOB, however, denies that it is responsible for many of the attacks.

The group wants an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for treason.
The Nigerian government says it is doing all it can to free the dozens of people kidnapped from a train in Kaduna last month.

Information minister Lai Mohammed said though the government would not disclose details of its efforts to the media, what I can assure you is that as we speak, the respective arms of the government are actually engaged in getting those victims released.

Mr Mohammed spoke at the end of Wednesdays Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.

What the federal government is doing wont be the subject matter of a press conference, because we have lives at stake. The various arms of security are working night and day to unravel the mystery surrounding the attack as a whole and the kidnapped people, the minister said.

What I can assure you is that as we speak, the respective arms of the government are actually engaged in getting those victims released. Its natural for anybody who is a father or a mother of a kidnapped person to be worried and to be concerned.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the March 28 attack on a Kaduna-bound train by gunmen. At least eight people were killed by the gunmen and dozens of other passengers were kidnapped. The gunmen have since released videos of some of the kidnapped passengers.

End to Attacks

Mr Mohammed said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, is working hard to bring to an end the frequent attacks on innocent citizens.

He said the government is aware of the concerns of Nigerians regarding the security situation in the country.

At the level of government, we appreciate the concerns of citizens and we are leaving no stone unturned, but well not give you specific steps were taking. I think it will be counterproductive and not going to aid or help those who are kidnapped or help the security forces who are tracing and ensuring that therell be no repeat of such attacks, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that about 3,000 people were killed and almost 1,500 kidnapped in the first three months of 2022. This is according to data released by the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), a project of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Bandits working with Boko Haram

On Wednesday, the minister also said the government is aware of a collaboration between bandits operating mainly in the North-west and members of the Boko Haram terror group, that operates mainly in the North-east of Nigeria.

What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents. Preliminary reports of what transpired at the Kaduna train attacks show that there is a kind of collaboration between the bandits and the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the northeast. I can tell you very confidently that the Federal Government is on the top of this matter, he added.

Apart from the information minister, defence minister Bashir Magashi also addressed journalists after the FEC meeting.

He said the military would soon unravel those behind the incessant attacks and banditry.

Honestly, I think the security chiefs are working hard to unveil those that are involved, and we will tell you very soon those that are carrying out these attacks. Both in Jos and Kaduna, we will come and explain to the public what is really going on and our efforts to ensure that all these activities are stopped once and for all.

We are really on top of the situation, we are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible, he said.

Mr Magashi announced that at Wednesdays meeting, the Federal Executive Council approved the purchase of more operational vehicles for the military.

He said they would be used for the transportation of troops and cargo to various areas where there are security challenges.
The lawmaker representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has 92 persons were killed in the fresh attacks on some communities in the state

Mr Gagdi disclosed this on Wednesday while moving a motion on the killings, during the plenary session.

He said apart from the 92 killed, 20 others were injured during the attacks by the terrorists on Sunday.

The lawmaker further disclosed that the 3,413 persons were displaced after the terrorists destroyed 41 houses, 86 shops and eight motorcycles.

Terrorist unleash terror on the People of Kanam Local Government and neighbouring Communities killing 92 persons, injured over 20 people and destroyed properties in Kukawa, Kyaram, Gyambau and Dungur among other communities, Mr Gagdi said.

Mr Gagdi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, said the State Security Service (SSS) had intelligence on the movement of the terrorists but did not take any proactive action.

Despite intelligent reports by the Department of State Service, on the influx of terrorists fleeing to Plateau and other neighbouring communities of Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas, no proactive measures were initiated by security agencies to avert these ugly terror attacks.

The security agencies have reliable information at their disposal of the various camps of these terrorists in Kambari forest in Taraba State as well as Bangala in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State where these terrorists use to organise and coordinate attacks on innocent citizens of Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria.

Continuing, Mr Gagdi said, We must ask ourselves questions, insecurity issues will never be discussed correctly if you dont detach political affiliation from it. Is Mr President aware of what is going on in this country?

Before people are killed, one of the operational commandants must be responsible. Who are the various security agencies that are supposed to protect the lives of the people? Of course, the armed forces; call them.

We both vote money to these agencies every year and we provide supplementary budget to them. We must hold someone accountable. There must be someone somewhere that have neglected his responsibility.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that no few than 100 persons were killed in the attacks in the two councils of Plateau State, namely Kanam and Wase.

Failed State

In her contribution, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Lynda Ikpeazu, declared that Nigeria is a failed state.

Ms Ikpeazu, who represents Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, lamented the inability of the military to subdue the general insecurity across the country.

She said Nigeria is a failed state because the killings have become normal.

She added, It has actually become normal in Nigeria to hear these sort of things. The point is what are we doing about it?

Mr Speaker, this is a failed state. Nigeria right now is a failed state. What can we do? Nigeria is a failed state. It is a failed state where you cannot protect your people.

The lawmaker said the problem is not about the law because the buck stops on the table of Mr President.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), who presided over the plenary session, divorced the security situation in the country from politics.

This situation is not about politics. Anyone that wants to politicise this is making a huge mistake.

In my own community, we had a soldier who was supposed to be in Zamfara given pass for consecutively six months, giving uniform to the bandits. Till this moment, he has not been taken to court.

I want you to understand the complicity of security agencies in this matter. Why would you give your personnel six months pass? Even when we raise motions its sufficient for security agencies to act but they are adamant. Drastic actions must be taken against some officers.

Resolutions

Following the debate on the motion, the House asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, and the Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi, to initiate a coordinated joint security operation in Kambari in Taraba State and Bangala in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

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It also mandated the Committees on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Armed forces (Defence, Army, Navy, Air force), Police, National Security and Intelligence as well as Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance

Previous debates

Debates on killings on the floor of the House of Representatives have become a daily affair, yet, despite several resolutions, the country is still not secured.

Last week, the leadership of the House met with the military chiefs and other officials. After 4hours of a closed-door meeting, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the country will witness some improvement.

However, killings across the country have not abated. States like Kaduna and Plateau are witnessing renewed killings.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he contested for the governorship position four different times before he finally won in 1999.

The former Vice President made this revelation on Tuesday while having an interaction with leaders of over 200 support groups across the country in Abuja.

Addressing the leaders of the groups, Mr Abubakar said that he was delighted that more young people were participating in politics today, adding that his dream is to mentor the young generation and hand over his political structure to them.

He urged youth to be consistent and be courageous in pursuing their aspirations.

It is encouraging that these days I see many young people come to me declaring intentions to run for various political positions, some state assemblies, some national assembly and even some aspiring to be governors.

The beautiful thing is that this shows that our democracy is being strengthened. I also started early like many of you.

I started in my late 30s. During our time, our direction was to fight the military and return the country to civil rule.

In joining politics, you have to be focused, principled and courageous. For example, I contested for the governorship position four times before I was finally elected. That is politics for you. You have to be determined and be courageous, he said.

Mr Abubakar expressed gratitude to leaders of the support groups for the roles that they played during the 2018/2019 election and commended the groups for their discipline and their determination to be better organised than the last outing.

We are more organised now; it is a reflection of the fact that we are now more experienced and with experience comes more knowledge.

What that means is that if there was any mistake that we made last time, we are in a better position to avoid such mistakes now.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of Atiku Abubakar Technical Support Team, Raymond Dokpesi, challenged the members of the group to tour round the country and meet all the stakeholders in the party.

He encouraged them to engage in all necessary lobby to ensure that the aspiration of Mr Abubakar becomes a reality.

(NAN)
About 26 officers of the Nigerian Navy are currently receiving training from the United States Marine Raiders on maritime security, field medical training and counterterrorism.

The U.S. mission in Nigeria, which tweeted the details on its verified twitter handle on Wednesday, said the training, which is currently ongoing at Ojo, Lagos State, is part of the enduring security partnership between the United States and Nigeria.

According to the embassy, the training is part of the annual Joint Combined Exercise and Training between the U.S. and Nigerian Special Forces.

It said the training also demonstrates the close security relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

Last year, Nigeria took delivery of some Tucano jets from that country.

The training of Naval officers in the country comes in the heels of heightened insecurity across Nigeria.

Almost every geo-political zone in the country has its own peculiar security challenges, whose operations have been taken over by the Nigerian military.

The Navy, whose operations should ordinarily be around marine areas, has also been engaged in the fight against insecurity in other parts of the country.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Auwal Gambo, had, last year, in an interactive session with journalists, said the Navy was heavily involved in the anti-insurgency, anti-terrorism and also the internal security operations across the north.

In the North-east, the Navy has over 170 personnel operating in Operation Hadin Kai counter-insurgency.

In the North-west where the Joint Task Force (North-west Operation Hadarin Daji) operates, the Navy has over 250 persons that are fighting to counter banditry.
The Sokoto State Commissioner of health, Ali Inname, has said the state recorded 1,000 cases of measles between January to March this year.

Mr Inname, who spoke in Sokoto, said the cases were recorded in all the 23 local government areas of the state.

While urging parents to embrace the habit of taking their children for immunization, Mr Inname said those affected were mostly unvaccinated children.

Though there were cases of children who were vaccinated but still got affected. But their cases were not severe compared to those unvaccinated.

The commissioner said that some children lost their lives in three communities of Dan Madi, Kaurare and Aljannare in Tambuwal Local Government.

He said despite the provision of 500 centres for routine immunisation across the state, some parents are still resisting the call to have their children immunised.

In Sokoto state, weve 500 centres that are providing routine immunization and we have adequate vaccines. But we have some communities that are still not responsive to our immunization campaigns, he said.

He said medical officers have been dispatched to the most affected areas to study the situation.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Sokoto State is one of eight states in the country with the worst cases of measle outbreaks in the country. The state is also one of the states with the lowest rates of child immunisation.

The United Nation Children Fund estimates that less than one-tenth of the children in the state receive immunisation against early childhood diseases like measles.

Infant mortality in the state is as high as 78 per 1,000 live births. In 2017, the state government initiated a programme to roll back the outbreak of measles in the state. It launched a vaccination campaign that was aimed at immunising 1 million children against measles. But the recent outbreak in the state indicates that the campaign was far from reaching its mark.
The House of Representatives has directed an investigation into the alleged maltreatment of staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the agencys management.

It mandated its Committee on Labour and Productivity to investigate all anti-labour activities in the agency, and to look into all promotions made in the past five years.

It asked the Managing Director of NAN, Buki Ponle, to redeploy Collins Yakubu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NAN chapter, back to Abuja.

Mr Yakubu was allegedly deployed to Plateau State because of his labour union activities.

These resolutions were sequel to a motion moved by Lawrence Ayeni (APC, Osun) on Wednesday.

In the motion, Mr Ayeni said there have been reported cases of victimisation and anti-labour activities in the agency, stressing that public establishments like NAN are under obligation to comply with the extant provisions in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which, guarantees the freedom of association and to hold an opinion.

The current situation in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a public institution saddled with the responsibility of disseminating governments activities, has been overwhelmed by politics in terms of staff promotion, he said.

ALSO READ: Two Anambra lawmakers defect to PDP

He added that the management of the agency has been promoting some staff of the agency without following due process.

Mr Ayeni stated that these activities are against public service rules and a breach of due process.

He noted that union labour leaders have been victims of most of the maltreatments that have been taking place in the agency.

Leaders, arbitrarily suspended the NUJ Chairman, in contravention of all known conventions and labour practices in the country, he stated.

Consequently, the House directed its Committee on Information, Culture and National Orientation to support the Committee on Labour and Productivity to carry out the investigation into the issues raised in the motion, which was not subjected to debate.

The committees were mandated to recommend appropriate sanctions in their report.
A gender-focused media group  St. Ives Communications, founder of Women Radio, has said the endemic corrupt practices in Nigeria negatively affect women and girls.

The group listed some of the major areas where Nigerian women are more impacted by the consequences of corruption to include employment scandals, health care corruption, justice system, among others.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the media groups communication officer, Mayowa Olulowo, the group said it is committed to relevant initiatives that are aimed at lessening the burden.

According to Ms Olulowo, the media group, in partnership with Voice of Women, has launched a radio programme, which she said is airing in six different radio stations that are scattered across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

She added that the new initiative will focus on how corruption affects marginalised women and girls, and raise conversations towards addressing them.

Findings

Meanwhile, the project, which already kicked off in March in Imo, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Lagos and Borno States, has uncovered the major thematic areas where attention must be prioritised.

Revealing the specific areas, Ms Olulowos statement reads in part; In Nigeria, petty corruption, death of unborn babies, sexual extortion, paying for bribes in exchange for public service like job opportunities and healthcare are some of the heavy burdens women experience daily.

Corruption in Nigeria has worsened despite the governments effort to fight fraud and bribery. In 2021, Nigeria was the 26th most corrupt country out of 180 countries. Millions of Naira allocated for rural development are stolen and misused by corrupt officials under the guise of executing public services.

The statement said these corrupt practices have been found to have made more women poor, noting that they find it difficult to survive in a system characterised by bribery and political largesse.

The programme

The statement added that the programme discusses everyday corruption women face and suggests practical ways to ending the challenge.

Ms Olulowo said the programme, which is also supported by the MacArthur Foundation and broadcast in Hausa, Yoruba, Pidgin and English languages, is currently being aired on some radio stations in six states of the federation including Kwara, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Borno, Lagos and Sokoto.

The radio programme commenced on Monday, March 21, 2022, and will continue on these stations every first Monday of every month, Ms Olulowo said.

Corruption and women

According to APO Group, a public relations agency, corruption impacts women and men in different ways but that the results of corruption often make women more vulnerable, leaving them excluded from decision-making roles and limiting their chances for educational and economic advancement.

The group in a recent publication noted that women can be at greater risk of exposure to certain forms of corruption than men, especially through their use of public services.

When corruption erodes the efficiency of public services or reduces a states tax income base resulting in cuts to public services such as healthcare, education or social services, this is likely to impact more on women and children than men, the group said.

Corruption in Nigeria

Corruption has been identified as the major challenge in Nigeria, and hardly a day passes without one corruption case or another taking the front burner in national discussions in the country.

On Wednesday, barely 24 hours after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) released a report on the corruption situation around constituency projects by politicians, the nations Supreme Court upheld a sentence of six years jail term with N22.9 billion fine for an official, John Yakubu, who reportedly stole N25 billion in police pension fund.
The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel have arrested 12 impostors of the Army in full military regalia.

The spokesperson of the division, Olaniyi Osoba, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

The 81 Division Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel have arrested over 12 suspected impostors fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light during OPERATION CHECKMATE within Lagos and Ogun states, the statement said.

According to Mr Osoba, a major general, the impostors specialise in mounting roadblocks around the Ajah area of Lagos and extorting unsuspecting citizens.

He said a new operation Operation Checkmate has been launched to track imposters and so far, over 150 have been arrested.

He warned the general public against using army insignias such as belts, t-shirts, stickers and painting private vehicles to military colours, as such will lead to arrest.

Read full statement:

81 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY OPERATION CHECKMATE ARRESTS IMPOSTORS IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES

The 81 Division Nigerian Army Military Police Personnel have arrested over 12 suspected impostors fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light during OPERATION CHECKMATE within Lagos and Ogun States.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Major General Umar Thama Musa in a press briefing dispelled the unfounded narrative that all illicit acts committed by persons dressed in military uniforms are always military personnel. He noted that person displaying military banners and accoutrement such as belts and stickers on vehicles and driving commercial vehicle in military uniform as well as driving civil vehicle painted in Army colour are most often not personnel of the Nigerian Army. He said in an effort to curtail this ugly trend, the Division has heightened the activities of OPERATION CHECKMATE to ensure regular arrest of impostors and offenders within the Division area of responsibility. The GOC disclosed that over 150 impostors have been arrested from January last year till date.

Major General Musa during the parade of the suspected impostors explained that preliminary investigation revealed that some of suspects specialized in mounting road block along Ajah road to extort money from motorist as well as indulge in other illegal duties while dressed in Nigerian Army Camouflage uniform. Similarly, the GOC said there are some arrested fully dressed in military uniform who were caught along the Ilaro Border area of Ogun State where they carry out smuggling of rice and other contrabands.

81 DIVISION NIGERIAN ARMY OPERATION CHECKMATE ARRESTS IMPOSTORS IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES impostors were fully dressed in military camouflage uniforms portraying the Nigerian Army in bad light https://t.co/7ZkfSpWbv1 pic.twitter.com/xWwZjtdCfq  Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) April 13, 2022

The GOC said the arrested impostors would be handed over the Nigerian Police for further action. He therefore urged members of the public to desist from wearing military uniform and T- Shirts, display of military Banners, Belts and stickers on vehicles as well as driving of civil vehicles painted in Army colour. He further implored members of the public to continue to support the Divisions OPERATION CHECKMATE by providing information to the nearest Nigerian Army Formations or Units as part of efforts to rid Lagos and Ogun States off criminal elements who are bent on tarnishing the highly revered image of the NA. The GOC thanked members of the press for their efforts in objective reportage of activities of the NA

OLANIYI JOSEPH OSOBA

Major

Acting Deputy Director

81 Division Army Public Relations

13 April 2022
The Benue State High Court in Makurdi, on Wednesday, postponed its judgement in a case involving Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the state polytechnic, accused of raping and causing the death of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Ochanya Ogbanje, in 2018.

Mr Ogbuja and his fugitive son, Victor, who are both maternal relations of the deceased, were accused of serially raping her until she fell ill and subsequently died.

Ochanya was admitted at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi for two months before she died on October 17, 2018.

As the police manhunt for Victor had yet to yield any result, the Benue State government, on October 10, 2019, arraigned 54-year-old Mr Ogbuja before the Makurdi High Court on four counts of rape and Miss Ogbanjes death.

Why judgement was shifted

Family members of Miss Ogbanje and members of civil society organisations gathered at the court in anticipation of judgement in the case on Wednesday, only to later the find out that the court would not be sitting.

A court official who asked to not be named because of lack of authorisation to talk to the media about the case, said the judge, Augustine Ityonyiman, was unable to deliver the verdict because of an official meeting he would be participating in.

The court official said the case had been judgement rescheduled for April 28.

The judge, Mr Ityonyiman, had fixed Wednesday, April 13, for judgement after parties canvassed their closing arguments in March.

Mr Ogbujas lawyer, Abel Onoja, in his closing arguments, urged the judge to dismiss the case as there was no evidence linking to the crime.

Mr Ogbuja had, in his defence, denied the charges filed against him.

I did not rape her but that of my son, Victor Ogbuja, I cannot say anything, because I dont know.

My son Victor Ogbuja is a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and currently on industrial attachment in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr Ogbuja said in court papers dated October 24, 2018.

Prosecutions case

The prosecution had closed their case after calling eight witnesses including medical experts, family members and investigators.

The prosecuting lawyer, Peter Ukande, who is also the states Director of Public Prosecution, had during the trial, played a video recording of one of Miss Ogbanjes last moments speaking of her ordeals at the hands of the Ogbujas. The video clip evoked emotions of family members and friends who knew her.

Mr Ukande urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

State prosecutors had first arraigned Mr Ogbuja at a Magistrates Court for rape, but later had the case transferred to the High Court and the charged amended after the late Miss Ochanyas death and transferred the case to the High Court.

Ochanya died in October 2018, two months after the interview.

Court slates April 28 for verdict on Mrs Ogbujas trial

Similarly, the Federal High Court in Makurdi, has fixed April 28 for judgement on the trial of Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, wife of Mr Ogbuja.

The date for the federal courts decision coincides with the new date chosen for the verdict on Mr Ogbujas case.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) had charged Mrs Ogbuja with negligence leading to the rape and death of Ochanya.

The anti-trafficking agency accused Mrs Ogbuja of failing in her duty to protect the deceased teenager from being raped by her husband and son, Victor.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the judge, Mobolaji Olajunwo, fixed April 28 for judgement after lawyers to the parties adopted their final written submissions.

In the course of the prosecution, Mrs Ogbuja had told the court of her intention to reach a plea-bargain agreement with the prosecution, before making a U-turn when talks between the parties collapsed.

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Concerns

Women and childrens rights campaigner, Lemmy Ughegbe, criticised the postponement of judgement on Mr Ogbujas case.

Mr Ughegbe who leads a womens rights advocacy group Men Against Rape, told journalists in Makurdi, on Wednesday, that the courts eventual decision in the two trials will be a watershed in Nigerias approach to tackling sexual and gender-based violation.

Enuwa Soo, who was Ochanyas caregiver, expressed concerns over the trauma the deceased girls family had been subjected to for nearly four years of trial.

Mrs Soo, founder of Restorer of Paths Foundation, vowed to continue her battle against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) until all perpetrators are brought to justice.

Background

In search of sound education, Ochanyas mother, Rose Abah, had taken het to live with the Ogbujas.

Mrs Ogbuja is said to be Mrs Abahs blood relation.

Their residence, where they lived with the deceased, was said to be located on a street almost opposite the Emmanuel Primary and Secondary School where Ochanya obtained her primary education in Ugbokolo, Benue State.

Ochanya, who was a JSS1 pupil of the Federal Government Girls College Gboko in Benue State, died on October 17, 2018, of complications linked to alleged serial rape by Mr Ogbuja and his fugitive son.

This newspaper had reported how Mr Ogbuja was arraigned on four counts of sexual abuse of the late Ochanya during a period of over five years,, which resulted in her death in October 2018.

The father and son allegedly abused the late Ochanya while she was living with them. But the son, Victor, disappeared after police started looking for him and his father over the case.

Doctors later diagnosed Ochanya Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) attributed to serial rape allegedly by the two men.
The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved N1.4 billion for purchase of additional equipments for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as part of efforts to improve power supply in the country.

The approval came less than one week after the country expirenced the fifth grid collapse in three months.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, made the disclosure while addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

I presented two memos from the ministry of power for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, he said.

He said the first one was a variation of the sum of a contract for 132/33 KV substation at Kafanchan, Kaduna State, with a KV line base extension at Jos substation, in Plateau State. This is in the sum of N132.7 million, he said.

The second approval he got was for the supply of handling equipment and operational vehicles for the Transmission Company of Nigeria at the cost of N1.3 billion.

The second memo was for the supply of handling equipment, haulage and operational vehicles for the TCN at N1, 338, 159, 080. 88. They are heavy lifting equipment that the TCN requires for doing its work in the store and on the field, while changing equipment and moving transformers and the council graciously approved, he said.

The FEC also ordered the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) to begin negotiations with Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to establish the new Okpai 11 power plant on the grid.

The government entered an agreement with the Nigeria

National Petroleum Corporation Gas and Power Investment Company Limited (NGPIC a subsidiary of NNPC) on the Okoloma gas processing plant to restore the full capacity of the 650MW Alom VI combined cycle power plant.

The government said the recurring collapse happened as a result of vandalism, poor management system and gas supply issues.
The police in Kebbi State Tuesday confirmed the murder of a woman and her four-year-old daughter at her residence in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

The deceased, Sadiya Idris, 25, and daughter, Khadijah, 4, were reportedly killed on Sunday night at her residence at Labana Rice Mills Area in Sani Abacha Bypass road, Birnin Kebbi by yet to be identified assailants.

The police said some body parts of the mother and her child were missing. Their bodies were found in the early hours of Monday.

The police said they are investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, visited the family of the deceased to console them. The mother and daughter have been buried according to Islamic rites.

While this killing appears to be for ritual purposes, Kebbi is one of the states suffering from incessant attacks by gunmen operating as bandits.

Hundreds of people have been killed or kidnapped in the state in the past few years.

Apart from Kebbi, other states suffering from attacks by bandits include Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna.

The attacks have continued despite the heave deployment of security operatives to the affected states.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Tuesday met with senators who are members of the ruling party, APC.

At the meeting, Mr Osinbajo solicited the support of the lawmakers for his presidential ambition.

The lawmakers were led to the meeting and breaking of Ramadan fast dinner by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Mr Lawan briefed journalists after the meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

He said the National Assembly caucus of the APC is working hard to ensure the party retains power in 2023.

Mr Lawan said the vice president briefed the caucus about his intention to run for the office of the president in 2023 and caucus members wished him well.

Mr Osinbajo had in a video posted online on Monday declared his interest to run in the 2023 presidential election.

We had dinner with the vice president to break the fast and thereafter, we had a brief interaction on our government and the vice-presidents declaration to run for the presidents office.

Naturally, the vice president told us he had expressed his interest and that he needed to consult with the Senate APC caucus.

He wanted us to hear from his mouth and that we did; and he was seeking our support in whatever way we can at the appropriate time; and we wished the vice-president good luck in this endeavour.

Let me assure everyone that the Senate APC caucus and indeed, the National Assembly caucus of the APC will continue to work very hard for our great party the APC, to continue to provide services to Nigerians.

We shall also work hard to ensure that by 2023, the next administration is an APC administration at the federal and states levels by the Grace of God, Mr Lawan said.

Apart from Mr Osinbajo, other APC members who have declared their intentions to contest for president include ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, Kogi governor Yahaya Bello and transport minister Rotimi Amaechi.
At least four presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party say they will accept a consensus arrangement to position the party for victory in 2023.

The aspirants made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the outcome of their visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia in his Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the decision was informed by their determination to make Nigeria better.

He said that the lives and welfare of Nigerians were more important than the individual ambition of every aspirant.

He said: Nigerians are going through hardship and insecurity.

These are the events that are happening in the country that make some of us to see that we are doing the right thing.

Let me reassure Nigerians that we are very determined and driven by the determination to make this country work.

If this is the sacrifice that we will make to turn things around in Nigeria, we want to let Nigerians know that we are willing to make it.

Mr Saraki said that they were in Abia to seek the governors support to ensure that the consensus arrangement would work so that PDP would win the general elections.

He further said that Mr Ikpeazus encouraging words had inspired and further motivated them to move forward.

Mr Saraki said that this was the first time aspirants would come together on their own to adopt a consensus arrangement.

He said that although the initiative was a tough challenge, they were convinced it would make Nigeria work.

We are heading for Enugu to see the governor of the state and by the time we have visited Enugu we would have completed the tour of the 19 PDP states and the governors have shown their support, he said.

Responding, Mr Ikpeazu expressed delight over the development, saying that it had rekindled his hope in the emergence of a new Nigeria.

He described the consensus arrangement as a commendable and altruistic initiative.

He said it was borne out of the desire to forge an alliance to transform the nation.

I want to say that you have my commitment and cooperation to move on and I will do my bit to ensure that all of us come together.

The survival of our country, interest of the poor masses of the country should come before whatever personal agenda we have.

I am happy that Nigeria has patriots and leaders, who are capable of putting Nigeria first, the governor said.

He promised to support efforts aimed at uniting the party and helping it to present a common front during the upcoming elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the aspirants included Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

(NAN)
Simon Harry, Nigerias statistician-general who was appointed just seven months ago, is dead.

The National Bureau of Statistics confirmed his passing Wednesday.

A spokesperson, Sunday Ichedi, said details would be made available later.

Mr Harry was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2021 to succeed Yemi Kale as statistician-general of the federation.

Before then, Mr Harry was the Director of, Corporate Planning and Technical Coordination Department of NBS with almost three decades of experience.

He joined the Federal Office of Statistics as Statistician 11 in 1992 and rose to the position of a substantive Director of Statistics in 2019.

In the course of his civil service career, he contributed to several reform initiatives including the reform of the then Federal Office of Statistics which was transformed to the current National Bureau of Statistics.

He also contributed to the reform of the Nigerian Statistical System which resulted in the creation and establishment of state bureaus of statistics at the sub-national level.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has sworn in Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State despite a court order directing parties to maintain the status quo.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on April 7 directed all parties to maintain the status quo in an appeal filed by the former secretary of APC Caretaker Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, for a stay of execution as well as challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja which declared Mr Ntukepo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom.

However, on April 11, 72 hours after the court directives, Mr Ntukekpo was sworn in by Mr Adamu as the substantive chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom State in defiance of the Appeal Court order.

The party spokesperson, Felix Morka, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

The APC in Akwa Ibom State has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis before and after the state congress of the party in October 2021.

The state congress of the party resulted in two different sets of executives claiming leadership of the party in the state.

The crisis

Two parallel state congresses of the party were held in October 2021 which produced two parallel state executives, both claiming to be the legitimate body in charge of the party in the state.

One faction is led by Austin Ekanem as state chairman, which is loyal to Mr Akpanudoedeghe emerged from the congress conducted at Sheergrace Arena in Uyo and was reportedly monitored by a committee deployed by the partys national headquarters and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The second faction led by Mr Ntukekpo as state chairman, which is loyal to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, emerged from the congress conducted the same day but in another location  Kara Event Centre also in the state capital, Uyo.

Leadership crisis amid legal tussle erupted immediately after the state congress, but Mr Akpanudoedehes faction, led by Mr Ekanem, had the upper hand when their principal was in office as Caretaker Committee Secretary of the party.

Mr Ekanem was, on March 7, sworn into office as the state chairman of the party along with others by the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, who was then acting chairman of the partys caretaker committee while the then chairman, Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State, was abroad for medical treatment.

On March 17, a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the March 7 swearing-in of Mr Ekanem, and ordered that Mr Ntukekpo be issued with Certificate of Return and sworn in as the party chairman in the state.

Displeased by the ruling of the court, Mr Akpanudoedehe applied for a stay of execution and also challenged the courts jurisdiction on its March 17 declaration at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The Appeal Court, after hearing the application, adjourned for the two Motions for Stay of Execution and Jurisdiction to be taken together on May 17 and ordered parties in the matter to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the two applications.

However, three days after the court directives, one of the parties, the APC, through its National Chairman, Mr Adamu, swore in Mr Ntuekekpo as chairman of the party in the state in defiance of the court order.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the swearing-in took place shortly before the commencement of the weekly virtual meeting Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The commissioners of the NPC included Benedict Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Eyitayo Oyetunji (Oyo).

The ICPC commissioners included Olugbenga Adeyanju (Ekiti State), Anthony Agbo (Ebonyi), Anne Otelafu Odey (Cross River), and Goni Ali Gujba (Yobe), and Louis Mandama (Adamawa).

NAN reports that those attending the FEC meeting physically at the Council Chamber are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

Other ministers attending the meeting include the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Agriculture, Mahmud Muhammed, and Environment, Muhammed Abdullahi.

Others are Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunimbe Mamora.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan and other cabinet ministers are participating virtually from their respective offices in Abuja.

(NAN)
Gunmen have shot and killed an Ebonyi-based businessman, Issac Nnaemeka Chukwu, a week before his wedding.

Mr Chukwu, who is popularly known as Ochudo, hailed from Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

He had concluded arrangements for his wedding to his fiance, Favour Chioma, who was with him when the gunmen struck.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr Chukwu, who sells groceries, was killed by suspected assassins in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, on Monday night.

A relative quoted the victims fiance as saying that Mr Chukwu was shot at night after closing one of his shops as he made to enter his car.

He has a shop at International Market where he deals on provision goods. He owns another joint at Chukwuma Ofeke street Ameke Aba, the source said asking not to be named as he has no permission to speak to journalists on the matter.

The incident according to the wife happened at about 9 p.m. when they had closed shop and were about to enter their vehicle.

Some boys accosted them, first shot into the air, then ordered the guy to lie down and then shot him three times; (then they) collected the wifes phone and left, the source said.

The pre-wedding pictures of the couple have gone viral on social media following his death.

Also, the wedding invitation seen by PREMIUM TIMES shows that the Traditional Wedding was to take place on April 21 in Ikwo local government.

The White Wedding was to hold on April 23 in Abakaliki.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Loveth Odah, said she was not aware of the incident.

She promised to get back to our reporter after contacting the officer in charge of the area but has yet to do so at press time.

The killing of the businessman highlights the growing insecurity and crime rate in the five southeastern states of Nigeria. This is despite the activities of security operatives deployed by the federal and state governments.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has said that it will open a book of infamy to document every individual whose action or inaction encourages or allows the harassment of journalists and the media in Nigeria.

President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, stated this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the body to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed in Abuja.

According to a press statement issued yesterday by the IPI Nigerias Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, Mr Mojeed said the move became necessary in view of the countrys worsening press freedom record under the current administration.

He said, I like to inform you of a decision recently taken by the Nigerian National Committee of IPI. We have decided to open a black book to document every individual whose action or inaction encourages or allows the harassment of journalists and the media in Nigeria.

The records so gathered will be regularly updated and shared periodically with embassies, and all relevant international and human rights groups across the world.

We will use the records to ensure named individuals are held accountable one way or another.

He said there were many Nigerians who believe the media was freer and stronger in 2015 than it is now, a perception that tallies with at least two global rankings.

According to him, between 2013 and 2015, Nigeria improved on the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

Nigeria was ranked 115 out of the 180 countries surveyed in 2013, 112/180 in 2014 and 111/180 in 2015. But the reverse has been the case since 2016 when we were ranked 116/180.

The situation worsened in the succeeding years. The country was ranked 122/180 in 2017, 119/180 in 2018, 120/180 in 2019, 115/180 in 2020 and 120/180 in 2021.

In fact, the 2021 ranking described Nigeria as one of West Africas most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often spied on, attacked, arbitrarily arrested or even killed, he said.

He said the country is not faring any better in the Freedom in the World Report, an annual report by Freedom House.

We scored a cumulative 43/100 in the global freedom scores and was ranked a partly free country in the 2022 report, a performance worse than our 2021 showing when we scored 45/100, he said.

Responding, the minister said Nigeria is one of the very few countries in the world where journalists continued to practice their profession without hindrance despite abuse of press freedom.

I remember saying at the opening of the 2016 IPI World Congress in Qatar that the government of the day in Nigeria is not a threat to the media, and that it is not about to stifle press freedom or deny anyone his or her constitutionally-guaranteed rights, he said.

That statement remains true today as it was then. I even told the congress that the Nigerian media have no reason to fear the government, and that  if anything, it is the government that is at the mercy of the media. That, too, remains true today.

He also said some persons misconstrued the governments efforts to ensure a responsible use of social media as an attempt to tamper with press freedom or threaten independent journalism.

We do not harbour such intentions, and that is why we invited stakeholders, including the NUJ and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, to sit down with us to fashion a way forward in this regard.

He, therefore, appealed to IPI Nigeria not to relent in its promise to take a holistic look at the issues of fake news, credibility and ethics, among others.

Other members of the IPI Nigeria in the delegation to the minister were the Treasurer of the body, Rafatu Salami; the Managing Director of Triumph newspapers, Lawal Sabo Ibrahim; the Head of Media and Public Relations of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dr. Fabian Benjamin, and the Features Editor of Peoples Daily Newspaper, Ochiaka Ugwu.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday said Nigeria needs a courageous leader who would immediately provide solutions to the challenges facing the country.

Mr Tinubu spoke at a one-day parley for serving Speakers and former Speakers and deputies held in Lagos.

The theme of the event, hosted by Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of Lagos Assembly, was The Legislature, Changing Times and Nigerias Democratic Journey.

The former Lagos governor described himself as the most qualified for President in 2023, adding that his aspiration is for a nation that would not be an index of poverty.

We have the brilliance, the resources, the focus. We dont just know how to run the race and take care of the gear of progress, Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Tinubu said he is brilliant, courageous and sound enough to know the solutions to Nigerias problems, adding that Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me.

Scorecard

Mr Tinubu noted that as governor; he was instrumental to the changed fortunes of Lagos.

In the face of tyranny, I have survived, struggled for democracy. I have endured the bush path, lived without a family, spent resources.

To make Nigeria one is a task, and who could do it? I am one. I am the first governor to grant autonomy to the House of Assembly. I survived the non-allocation of local government funds. We didnt suffer, we didnt retrench. We made progress out of adversity.

I inherited N600m as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with zero allocation from Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). But we survived and today, Lagos is number one economy.

That is why I am begging you to do me a favour so that I can do Nigeria a favour.

It is a very challenging time for us in the country and we have to get it right. We need to intellectually interrogate ourselves.

Mr Tinubu also said he was the first governor to bring Independent Power Project (IPP) to Nigeria.

It was 300 megawatts. If they had followed my advice then, Nigeria will not be facing epileptic power supplies, he said recalling how he brought major investors to Nigeria and promising that he is ready to do it again.

Mr Tinubu also said he believes in religious tolerance and womens participation in politics.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was a guest of honour at the parley, urged the legislators to key into the desire to make Nigeria a better country with Mr Tinubu as President.

Mr Obasa described Mr Tinubu as a true democrat.

I am standing here before you because Asiwaju is a talent hunter. He is someone that would support you, raise you to a point of leadership and give you room to excel.

I can confirm that he is the brain behind the legislative autonomy that we enjoy today at the Lagos State House of Assembly and he did this far before the clamour for it by other states.

So we can see that he is a person who will support the legislative arm of government to remain strong. Dear colleagues, let us all stand with him and support him, he said.
Nigerias Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said bandits operating in the North-west and parts of the North-central zones are now collaborating with Boko Haram terrorists who were dislodged from the North-east region.

The minister stated this on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.

The disclosure comes few days after at least 142 persons were killed across 10 villages in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

It also comes two weeks after the attack by suspected bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja rail track.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the bandits rigged the tracks of the rail lines with explosives, causing damage to the Kaduna bound train, while also shooting sporadically at the passengers on board the train.

At least eight people were confirmed killed in the attack while others are still missing, according to the Kaduna State Government.

The bandits, a few days later, released a video of the kidnapped victims who were urging the federal government to heed to their demands before they were released.

Collaboration

Mr Mohammed, while reacting to the train incident, revealed that the dislodged terrorists from the North-eastern part of the country are now in collaboration with the bandits who had hitherto operated in the other two zones in the north.

He added that the federal government are working hard to put an end to the menace.

What is happening now is that there is a kind of an unholy handshake between bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.

Preliminary reports of what transpired at the Kaduna train attacks show that there is a kind of collaboration between the bandits and the dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from the North-east.

I can tell you very confidently that the federal government is on the top of this matter, he said.

On the rescue efforts for the kidnapped victims, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, who was also at the briefing, said the government is on top of the situation.

Honestly, I think the security chiefs are working hard to unveil those that are involved, and we will tell you very soon those that are carrying out these attacks.

Both Jos and Kaduna, we will come and explain to the public what is really going on and our efforts to ensure that all these activities are stopped once and for all. We are really on top of the situation. We are planning hard and we will get it out as soon as possible, he said.

No connection

The revelation by the information minister about the collaboration between the two terrorist group appears to contradict the position of one of the kingpins of banditry in the North-west region.

Notorious kingpin, Bello Turji, had in an interview with Daily Trust newspaper recently, said he had no connection with ISWAP and Boko Haram members.

Mr Turji said he did not need to have any links with ISWAP and Boko Haram because he had no political agenda or looking to establish his own territory.

We are not interested in establishing any religious organisation. We are not aspiring to have a territory of our own, and we dont have any political aspirations.

We took up arms to protect the lives of our people that are being killed, it is not just because we are merciless or we are unconscious of Allah who created us.

Speaking further, Mr Turji said the Muhammadu Buhari-led government cannot curb the illegal firearms in circulation and access to communication in the country.

After months of foot-dragging, the federal government, in January, designated the bandits as terrorists.
Three collapsed transmission towers on the Papalanto/Ojere 132KV double-circuit lines will cut power supply to Abeokuta residents and those in four other towns in Ogun State, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said Wednesday.

Besides the state capital, Ayetoro, Imeko, Owode Egba, and Mowe are affected.

According to the statement shared on social media, IBEDC said the collapse of the towers adversely affected the Abeokuta Transmission Sub-station (T/S), Ojere, and New Abeokuta T/S at Kobape.

The Senior Communication Officer of IBEDC in Ogun State, Ayodeji Bada, confirmed the development.

The distribution company apologized to its consumers for the inconvenience, assuring them that it would restore power as soon as possible to the towers.

All 33KV feeders from these two sub-stations will be out until the towers are reconstructed.

Power supply will be restored to the affected communities as soon as the towers are reconstructed.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

Nigerias electricity grid has collapsed, at least five times in 2022, with the latest caused by vandalism on a transmission tower on the Odukpani-Ikot Ekpene 330KV double circuit transmission line, according to the Ministry of Power.
The conflict between the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian government continues as the lecturers union has accused the Nigerian government, particularly the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), of deliberately frustrating resolution efforts.

The Lagos Zone of ASUU, in a press statement issued on Tuesday, after a meeting held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, specifically accused NITDA of deliberately misinforming the public over the integrity of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) that it developed to replace the governments Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as a payment platform.

ASUU said certain utterances by NITDA and some other unidentified government officials are parts of what it described as a deliberate plot to ensure the elongation of the strike.

The statement, which was signed by the chairman of ASUU in the zone, Adelaja Odukoya, an associate professor at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, added that its opposition to the appointment of the minister of communications and digital economy as a professor by a university is being used as a reason for vendetta.

But NITDA has said it would not engage the union in a war of words, saying its earlier statement issued on the matter suffices.

ASUUs allegations

ASUU said NITDA is deliberately frustrating the process of replacing IPPIS with UTAS by constantly misinforming the public.

It accused the NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa, and Mr Pantami of politicising the process, saying the development is not unconnected to the unions position on Mr Pantamis professorship.

The statement reads in part; We are aware that the position of the DG NITDA is not consistent with the enthusiasm of the technical team from the agency he superintends over and the DG is unduly politicising the entire process to the disadvantage of the country, possibly in the interest of the minister for communication and digital economy.

Their dispositions amount to passing a vote of no confidence on the Nigerian intelligentsia and our union would not allow this to fly. Good enough, we are convinced that the technical team from NITDA, is quite abreast of the process and the responsibilities around their certified qualifications.

ASUU, therefore, called on the public to call Mr Inuwa to order on the point of integrity not to play politics and vendetta [Pantamize] with the future of Nigeria and that of our public universities as national treasures

We are convinced that the DG of NITDA is only out to carry out the hatchet job of a minister whose professorial fraud was challenged by our union, ASUU alleged.

ASUU had, while declaring its initial four-week strike on February 14, said the review of the processes that led to Isa Ibrahim, the minister of communications and digital economys appointment as a professor of Cybersecurity by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), were against the laid-down procedures within the university system.

The unions president, Emmanuel Osodeke, said: ASUU NEC rejects in its entirety the purported appointment of Dr Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami as a professor of cybersecurity.

From the evidence available to us, Dr Pantami was not qualified, and the said appointment violated established procedure for appointment of professors in the university.

The minister refused to comment on ASUUs position as he said the matter is already in court.

Alleged misinformation

ASUU said UTAS passed all the tests conducted on it by NITDA, saying rather than going ahead with the implementation, the government agency has continued to misinform the public that UTAS failed some certain tests.

The union said it wondered how over 90 per cent total score amounts to failure as propagated by NITDA.

ASUU said it was agreed at a meeting with the minister of labour and employment that joint re-assessment tests between the technical teams of ASUU and NITDA be conducted and that these were conducted on between Tuesday March 8 and Friday 18, 2022.

The statement reads in part; Present at the exercise were representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

The following were conducted (i) User Acceptance Test (ii) Vulnerability Assessment Test and (iii) Penetration Test. Expectedly, the assessment of all the 698 tests conducted was successful with an overall score of 99.3%. The few exceptions are five (5) cases requiring modifications.

However, while the re-assessment tests were ongoing, the DG, NITDA released misleading information to the public from the discredited report of the first test that UTAS failed again, leaving out the result of the jointly conducted second test of 99.3%. Our Union then wonders how and where 99.3% test score would be adjudged as a failure.

No excuse not to approve UTAS

Meanwhile, ASUU said the government has exhausted all its excuses not to deploy UTAS.

It said: What has become very clear to our Union is that the unilateral cancellation of the meeting of Monday March 28th is a proof that NITDA has come to the final stop and admitted failure in all the orchestrated unpatriotic attempts to sabotage and discredit UTAS which an otherwise forward looking government would be finding ways of deploying beyond the Nigerian public universities for which it was designed.

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It can therefore not be over-emphasized that the Government has run out of reasons and lies not to accept, approve and adopt UTAS.

ASUU said NITDAS concern that when UTAS is approved, other sectors would make similar demands is out of NITDAS mandate.

First, this is an unnecessary diversion and totally unrelated to the brief and mandate given to NITDA on this matter.

Second, UTAS is a product of the governments challenge to our Union to develop an alternative platform better than IPPIS which accommodates the peculiarities of the Nigerian University system. We have delivered on this, it is just honourable for the government to salute our union and replace IPPIS with our better home-grown solution.

NITDA speaks

In a terse response to PREMIUM TIMES request for response on the fresh allegation, NITDAs head of corporate affairs and external relations, Hadiza Umar, said the agency still stands on its last statement.

She added that NITDA awaits ASUU to revert with the much improved UTAS platform for another series of tests.

According to the said statement released on March 28, NITDA said its interaction with ASUU has positively impacted the functionality of UTAS.

There is no doubt that the exercise has positively impacted on the functionality and robustness of the UTAS platform. Furthermore, we believe that the interaction availed ASUU the opportunity to understand and appreciate NITDAs commitment and level of professionalism exhibited in carrying out its responsibilities, the statement reads in part.

It added: Considering the challenge encountered, the assessment methodology had to be reviewed to facilitate daily remediation of critical issues as they occur. This, although not in NITDAs Standard Operating Procedure for exercises such as this, was adopted. Consideration was made to the national importance attached to the exercise as well as the need to complete it in a reasonably shorter period of time.

The attention of stakeholders and the general public is drawn to the need for the UTAS platform to be sufficiently robust with key functionalities implemented before being deployed to the production environment.

NITDA said its assessment revealed that UTAS is limited, noting that there are critical functionalities that have to be implemented, tested and passed before it can be considered to meet the agencys due diligence requirements.

These areas of improvement have been fully documented and shared with the ASUU team for necessary action. It is expected that ASUU will improve on the areas identified, work on the security issues flagged and resubmit the Solution for further assessment, NITDA added.

Backstory

ASUU has been at loggerheads with the government over the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG agreement, and the deployment of UTAS to replace IPPIS in the university system.

Other demands by the union include the payment of earned academic allowances, proliferation of universities, funding for state-owned universities, and the release of white papers on the visitation panel to universities.

To press home its demands, ASUU embarked on an initial four-week strike on February 14, and has since extended it by eight weeks.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the labour and employment minister, Chris Ngige, who is serving as the conciliator between the government and the union, criticised both the ministry of education and the striking lecturers.

He berated ASUU for constantly invoking strikes whenever theres a disagreement with the government.

He said: The bosses in the federal ministry of education do not feel the strike. There are things that are above me. I am not the minister of education.

I cannot go to the education minister and dictate to him how to run his place.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.
Of all the people who are aspiring to the top position in this country, none has acknowledged this incidence, called for a moment silence, or incorporated the incidence into his speech. Something is permanently broken in the Buhari government. The sheer recklessness, mindlessness and unthinking attitudes of those who work with Buhari are simply mindboggling.

Well, I am angry. Angry because the blood of those bombed or shot to death at the dastardly Kaduna-bound train attack has not dried up before we started seeing all sorts of funny declarations for the presidency in 2023. Nobody wishes such events to happen  except perhaps the perpetrators and their puppeteers  but once such happens, a proper response is required, and part of that response is some sobriety, not the rolling over of the dead, traumatised and wounded, by political armoured tanks driven by happy-go-lucky politicians, who are only thinking about power by any and every means possible. The kidnappers have been taunting the country and the relatives of the unfortunate folks who are in their captive, with videos wherein they promise to kill everyone at will, if President Buhari does not give them what they want. They say the president  or better still the government  knows exactly what they want. Its as if the government has always been in touch with them. And why will we not think this way? Governor El Rufai of the State of Kaduna, which has turned out to be the new epicentre of kidnapping, murder and terrorism, said openly that they know these terrorists, know where they live and even listen to their calls from time to time.

A joke is circulating online that the only person who has been prosecuted and relieved of his job so far is the Imam of the Apo Legislative Quarters mosque, Sheikh Khalid. He was summarily and disgracefully removed from office by a committee led by Senator Dansadau, for embarrassing the president. He was told that the mosque pulpit is only for praising the government in power, never for excoriating it or telling those in government to sit up, no matter how many people get killed, anywhere in the country. To date, its been a massive conspiracy of silence. The president too  to my knowledge  has said nothing to the country over that tragedy. He has only put out the usual mechanical, tepid statement through his aides, the kind of material that lulls us all back to sleep. The vice president visited the victims, but soon reverted to the normal mode. He has also declared to run for president, without as much as acknowledging that event, which is at the same level as the kidnapping of the Chibok girls. 167 people lay in captivity as I typed this article, according to the kidnappers, who showed their abhorrent recklessness when they stormed the ill-fated train and shot innocent people at will. Trust the global media to get excited at the prospect of girls being kidnapped in Chibok. And that was okay for the attention it brought to that incident, despite there being much fuzziness around how it happened. All the people who mattered in the world tweeted #BBOG and carried placards. The incumbent government rode in on the misfortune and ineptitude of the Jonathan government. I recall General Buhari being accosted by a foreign journalist at the coronation of Emir Sanusi Lamido about the postponement of the 2015 elections. He angrily shot back: what is Boko Haram!?

How responsible is Amaechi? After passing the buck, he tricked people to Port Harcourt under the pretext that he wanted to do some thanksgiving, only to declare for presidency. The presidency has now become a joke for anyone serving in government, who has totally screwed up in his current role. The situation is worse than 2019. Every minister and governor, having made a few billions, has now developed balls so big he has to try and plonk it on the presidents seat in Aso Villa.

By every means, with toddlers, mere babies, whole families, students, women in the kidnappers captivity, this is worse than Chibok or Dapchi put together. In Chibok, we didnt hear that those boys killed people wantonly to get to their target. In this event, they killed a beautiful, young medical doctor  Chinelo Megafu Nwando  who had lovingly served her country in Kaduna. They killed two top trade unionists, a director of a top parastatal, a married woman just minding her business and many more. We even have the profile of the killers  very young, agile boys. Fulani by language and body structure. Buharis kinsmen. Some of them likely from outside Nigeria. For once, and from unbiased sources, we could identify the people who hit us with a view to knowing how to tackle them. But no. President Buhari is more interested in protecting such folks and offering excuses for them. Of all the people who are aspiring to the top position in this country, none has acknowledged this incidence, called for a moment silence, or incorporated the incidence into his speech. Something is permanently broken in the Buhari government. The sheer recklessness, mindlessness and unthinking attitudes of those who work with Buhari are simply mindboggling. I must say quickly that only Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responsibly and mindfully canceled his own 70th anniversary celebrations and colloquium because of that incidence. The rest couldnt care less.

And there is this guy called Rotimi Amaechi. He supervenes over the transport ministry. He procured the trains, finished the rail tracks, declared that they were good for use, and set up the systems there. We the poor people of this country believed in him. We gladly used the trains, believing that someone had our backs; that a responsible government official had made sure that they were safe for all. We didnt know that Amaechi had left us in the lurch. He said he tried to procure some surveillance machine from abroad but Vice President Osinbajo stepped down the purchase. No alternatives were offered or pushed. Until there were eight people dead, dozens more in the hospitals treating gunshot wounds, and scores with kidnappers. How responsible is Amaechi? After passing the buck, he tricked people to Port Harcourt under the pretext that he wanted to do some thanksgiving, only to declare for presidency. The presidency has now become a joke for anyone serving in government, who has totally screwed up in his current role. The situation is worse than 2019. Every minister and governor, having made a few billions, has now developed balls so big he has to try and plonk it on the presidents seat in Aso Villa.

What exactly is wrong with our stars? I am not saying anyone should not run for presidency though. But we cannot altogether lose our humanity and steep ourselves in hypocrisy because of politics. Even the vice president, who is supposed to know better, did not bother to include this incidence in his tepid, apparently forced declaration speech. This train tragedy is the stuff that whole governments resign for.

As I typed this, there are no alternatives to traveling to Kaduna and we have now been necessarily pushed back to the roads  for only essential travels. One guy asked how far it is by road between Abuja and Kaduna. Another twitterati replied that it could take between two hours to maybe six months, depending on the cooperation of your family  in paying the ransom, that is. Many simply never make it down. The suggestion by Governor El Rufai that what they need is a military base is equally untenable, after all these guys have routed many military bases in the past. Forget surveillance gadgets. You need to respond to the alerts and the criminals would have been done and dusted. Forget military bases too. As far as I am concerned, only the people living around the rails could secure the rails  every inch of it. However, there is something we arent being told by core northern folks. Perhaps the poor people have revolted against centuries of oppression and the northern elite is making sure the whole of Nigeria pays for their sins? Something is just not right. And the rest of us are not getting the full picture.

To make our matters worse is the fact that Amaechi financed these rail networks, which were meant to be Buharis flagship achievement, with borrowed funds from China. China has stopped lending to Nigeria partly because they believe we are overborrowed and have no class (too corrupt). When will we be able to build confidence back in our budding rail system? Are we soon going to abandon the whole thing someday, just because we cannot manage anything on our own? What exactly is wrong with our stars? I am not saying anyone should not run for presidency though. But we cannot altogether lose our humanity and steep ourselves in hypocrisy because of politics. Even the vice president, who is supposed to know better, did not bother to include this incidence in his tepid, apparently forced declaration speech. This train tragedy is the stuff that whole governments resign for.

Tope Fasua, an economist, author, blogger, entrepreneur, and recent presidential candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), can be reached through topsyfash@yahoo.com.
Thou shall set money aside for election tribunals and judges. Keep Ghana Must Go bags at home for naira or a briefcase for dollars, euros and pounds. Thou shall check if they accept Rubles. Divide your expenses into two: Money to rig the election; and, since someone will most likely take you to court, the money to rig the judgement.

Rule 1: Thou shall not be poor. Poverty is anathema in Nigerian politics. You need money. Lots of it. If you can print it, the better for you. Your health issues are profitable but wait till you have been sworn in. You can fly in and out with their money at any time. Park the plane and let Nigerians pay the rent.

Rule 2: Thou shall be ambitious. Ambition is the secret to success in politics. You must be addicted to your ambition. Dream big; big enough to make you lose focus on your main mission. Remember, nobody wants to hear the truth again; tell them as many lies as possible. It sells faster in their ears. You know your followers are praying to be like you  the philosophy of turn-by-turn creates truckloads of admirers.

Rule 3: Thou shall have a rigging plan. Politicians drift to the party with the machinery to rig elections. You need just one best friend before the election, the INEC chairman.

Rule 4: Thou shall sharpen and trigger your ethnic roots and spice your federal character pepper soup. Are you not Fulani or Yoruba, or Igbo? If so, do the arithmetic of ethnic representation. If you are Yoruba, dont allow them to include Obasanjo (OBJ), as his mother is Igbo. If you are Tiv, dont listen to the Igbo when they say they have not produced a president: They forget Ironsi.

Rule 5: Thou shall rent a crowd. There are rental companies. Call super-cop, Abba Kyari, for consultation and services. Give them a customised bag of rice with a thousand naira to buy soup ingredients. They will praise you forever. And thou shall have branded egunjes (bags of rice, bottles of vegetable oil, kola nuts, etc.) for the market women, area boys and the traditional chiefs. Call it palliative, but remember to open the warehouses a week before the elections.

Rule 6: Thou shall mobilise your thugs. Dont worry about what happens after the elections. They can make a good living as bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. But remember to teach them the Fela song of 1977, Sorrow, Tears & Blood.

Rule 7: Thou shall set money aside for election tribunals and judges. Keep Ghana Must Go bags at home for naira or a briefcase for dollars, euros and pounds. Thou shall check if they accept Rubles. Divide your expenses into two: Money to rig the election; and, since someone will most likely take you to court, the money to rig the judgement.

Rule 8: Thou shall honour and respect your terrestrial and spiritual lords. Spiritual fortifications are mandatory. Sacrifice blood, preferably that of your closest relations. Put pastors or Imams or the traditional rulers on your payrolls. Give them new SUVs (Nigerians call them jeeps). A month before the elections, attend several church programmes and services at various mosques; they will call you to campaign before the benediction.

Rule 9: Thou shall be famous and popular to get 25 per cent in two-thirds of the voting areas for the presidency, governorship, local government or respective legislative positions. You can get cheap promotions from Fuji musicians, and hip hop artists, with praise songs patented to you. It must be good enough to make it to night joints, drinking places, and ceremonies. Remember the lines and choruses: Your God is bigger than their Gods! Your wallet is bigger. Your stomach is bigger. Your wives and mistresses are more. You know the cities of the world: Dubai, Chicago, London, New York, Paris.

Rule 10: Thou shall be officially young and active. Get a good special legal adviser on reincarnation to help you cook your birth certificate to enable you to graduate from primary school before you were born. Jog in public, and walk fast with your two policemen running after you. Let them see your little mistresses; the dark skin in the kitchen and the over-bleached pepper yoyo by your side. Eat agbado and boli by the roadside. Ensure your social media handle recorded and shared the videos.

Rule 11: Thou shall have a good killer instinct against your opponents. Negative campaigns and fake news are more effective than facts. Establish your newspapers and television stations, or let your friends assist you. Spread lies about others and praise yourself.

Rule 12: Thou shall remember that politics is a do or die game. It is not an Olympic game. It is not enough to take part. It is a must-win business. Thou must win, and thou must steal money to spend on the next elections.

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.
The Emir of Dutse, in Jigawa State, Nuhu Mohammadu-Sanusi has endorsed the presidential ambition of Rotimi Amaechi, Nigerias Minister of Transportation, saying that he is the best man for the countrys number one job.

The Emir endorsed Mr Amaechi after he visited him at his palace on Tuesday. Mr Mohammed-Sanusi said the ministers track record as a former speaker, governor, and minister makes him the best person for the countrys top position.

Mr Amaechi was received by a crowd of party supporters. Mr Amaechi is on a northern tour campaigning to be nominated as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The minister said he was in Jigawa to inform the emir and his friend, the governor, about the rail project, which is expected to pass through Dutse to Maradi and to inform them about his political ambitions to contest the presidency of Nigeria.

Mr Amaechi is an honest man, and whatever you say about him, you cannot change the fact that he is an honest man. He is a confident person. Wherever you see him you know he is the meaning of total confidence. These are qualities of leadership. These are things that we need in a leader especially today, people who are confident, and who can face realities and challenges. He is resilient.

His resilience I will tell you also, if Amaechi wants to achieve something, by whatever means, he will find a way to get it done because he is a communicator. This is why I have endorsed him. I have high regard for him and I have confidence in his executive capacity. He is fully competent, being a speaker twice. He is most qualified, the Emir said.

The emir recalled that Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State fought insecurity to a standstill and also improved the lives of his people.

In Nigeria, we are always carried away by tribal, political and other issues but heres a Nigerian that I know, and Amaechi is a true Nigerian who is detribalized. He provided a place for Muslims to worship in Rivers State which I understand are been destroyed after he left, he endured all the humiliations targeted at making the Muslims feel unwanted in Port Harcourt, and I also know that God will reward him.

In this country, we are faced with distress, and part of it is by our own making, not the government. What are these issues? Job opportunities, fighting corruption, Infrastructural development and social vices such as armed robbery, banditry and so on. These are the problems that are facing our country today, the emir said.

He is a bridge-builder and he is a man who is always meeting people. About 16 years ago, this Council (Dutse emirate) decided to adopt children from Rivers State, particularly from his local government area, Ikwerre, we adopted the 16 children, put them in school with my own children, most of them are graduates, some are married now, and when I told him, he was very grateful and I have high regard for him and I have confidence in his capabilities, so he knows what to do, he is not a new hand, and he wont bother himself buying houses and building houses, and so, he is fully most qualified for the job, the emir said.

When I heard about the train going to Maradi, I called Amaechi to ask why the train was not passing through Dutse, and he told me that he would do something about it. And this gentleman, three months later was able to get the approval for Dutse to be included in the Kano-Maradi rail line, this is the Rotimi Amaechi that I know, and I hope you will come back like you brought Buhari two times here to campaign for him, we hope the next visit will be when you clinch the seat, the monarch said.

In his remarks, Mr Amaechi said he has been a friend of the people of Jigawa since when he was a Governor of Rivers State.

I have a lot of connection with Jigawa, therefore, I will not commence my activity, my search to seek the support of Nigerians to vote for me to be the President without coming to Jigawa to see you and the people of Jigawa State support me, Mr Amaechi said.

Governor withholds endorsement

After the palace endorsement, Mr Amaechi, visited Governor had a closed-door meeting with the governor of the state Muhammad Badaru at the Government House, Dutse.

Mr Badaru commended Mr Amaechi for the railway projects connecting Jigawa State, he said it impacts the positively the economic fortune of residents of the state. He, however, did not endorse the ministers move to become president, explaining he would rather wait for the decision of the APC Governors Forum (NGF), before endorsement any aspirant.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday published the personal particulars and list of candidates (Form EC9) for the Osun State governorship election.

The commission in a statement by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja, said the list was published at INEC state and local government offices in Osun State as required by law.

Mr Okoye said that the list was published in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, following the close of nominations by political parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the published particular of the 15 candidates, while none of the governorship candidates was female, six of the deputy governorship candidates were female.

The published candidates include Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, Adeleke Nurudeen of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Omigbodun Akinrinola of Social Democratic Party.

He remind political parties that under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022, any party that observes that the name of its candidate is missing from the list shall notify the Commission in writing.

He said that such letter must be signed by such party national chairman and secretary, supported with an affidavit not later than 90 days to the election.

Furthermore, the attention of parties is drawn to Section 32(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which provides that failure to notify the Commission shall not be ground to invalidate the election.

The final list is published in our State and Local Government offices in Osun State as well as our website and social media platforms for public information as required by law.

Political parties are enjoined to note the provision of the law for compliance, he said.

(NAN)
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PARIS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Coave Therapeutics ('Coave'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing life-changing gene therapies in rare Ocular and CNS (Central Nervous System) diseases, today announced that CEO Rodolphe Clerval will present a company overview at the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean, in Barcelona, Spain at 13:45 pm CET on 20th April.

The conference, which is taking place from 20th to 22nd April 2022, is a hybrid event and the company presentation will be streamed live for virtual attendees.

A recording of the presentation will be available from the virtual platform within 24 hours for on demand viewing.

About Coave Therapeutics

Coave Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing life-changing gene therapies in rare ocular and CNS (Central Nervous System) diseases.

Coave Therapeutics' next-generation AAV-Ligand Conjugate ('ALIGATER') platform enables targeted delivery and enhanced gene transduction to improve the effectiveness of advanced gene therapies for rare diseases.

The Company is advancing a pipeline of novel therapies targeting rare ocular and brain diseases where targeted gene therapy using AAV-Ligand has the potential to be most effective.

Coave Therapeutics, which is headquartered in Paris (France), is backed by leading international life science and strategic investors Seroba Life Sciences, Thea Open Innovation, eureKARE, Fund+, Omnes Capital, V-Bio Ventures, Kurma Partners, Idinvest, GO Capital, Sham Innovation Sante/Turenne.

For more information, please visit www.coavetx.com or follow us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/coavetx/

CONTACTS

Coave Therapeutics

Rodolphe Clerval, CEO

contact@coavetx.com

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting

Sylvie Berrebi, Eleanor Perkin, Mark Swallow

coavetx@medistrava.com

Tel: +44 (0)7714 306525

SOURCE Coave Therapeutics
STOCKHOLM, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The shareholders in SciBase Holding AB (publ), reg. no. 556773-4768 (the "Company"), are hereby given notice to attend the annual general meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday 18 May 2022. The meeting will be held through postal voting only (see below).

The board of directors has, in accordance with the Swedish Act (2022:121) on temporary exceptions to facilitate the execution of general meetings in companies and other associations, decided that the annual general meeting shall be held without physical presence of shareholders, proxies and/or external parties and that the shareholders shall have only the opportunity to vote by mail prior to the annual general meeting.

The Company welcomes all shareholders to exercise their voting rights at the annual general meeting through postal voting as described below. Information on the resolutions passed at the annual general meeting will be published on Wednesday 18 May 2022, as soon as the result of the postal voting has been finally confirmed.

Notice

Shareholders wishing to participate at the annual general meeting must be entered in the shareholders' register, kept by Euroclear Sweden AB (the Swedish Central Securities Depository & Clearing Organisation), on the record day which is Tuesday 10 May 2022 and no later than on Tuesday 17 May 2022 notify the Company of their attendance by casting their postal vote in accordance with the instructions under the heading "Postal voting" below so that the postal voting form is received by Setterwalls Advokatbyra AB no later than that day. Please note that a notification to attend the general meeting can only be done by a postal vote. A shareholder represented by proxy shall (as always) issue a power of attorney. Further instructions regarding this are available below under the heading "Proxy voting".

Nominee registered shares

In order to be entitled to participate and vote at the meeting, shareholders who have their shares registered in the name of a nominee must have their shares registered in their own name, so that the shareholder will be included in the transcription of the share register as of Tuesday 10 May 2022. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting rights registration) and is requested to the nominee in accordance with the nominee's routines at such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting rights registrations made by the nominee no later than Thursday 12 May 2022 will be taken into account in the preparation of the share register.

Postal voting

The shareholders may exercise their voting rights at the annual general meeting only by voting in advance, so-called postal voting, in accordance with Section 22 of the Swedish Act (2022:121) on temporary exceptions to facilitate the execution of general meetings in companies and other associations.

A special form shall be used for postal voting. The form will be available on the Company's website, http://investors.scibase.se/en/annual-general-meeting-2022. The postal voting form is considered as the notification of participation at the annual general meeting.

The completed voting form must be received by Setterwalls Advokatbyra AB no later than Tuesday 17 May 2022. The form may be submitted by post to Setterwalls Advokatbyra AB, Attn: Johan Tonnesen, Box 1050, 101 39 Stockholm or via e-mail to johan.tonnesen@setterwalls.se.

The shareholder may not provide special instructions or conditions in the voting form. If so, the vote (i.e. the postal vote in its entirety) is invalid. Further instructions and conditions are included in the form for postal voting. The shareholders may request in the postal voting form that a resolution on one or several of the matters on the proposed agenda below should be deferred to a so-called continued general meeting, which cannot be conducted solely by way of postal voting. Such general meeting shall take place if the annual general meeting so resolves or if shareholders with at least one tenth of all shares in the Company so requests.

Proxy voting

A shareholder represented by proxy shall issue a power of attorney which shall be dated and signed by the shareholder. If the shareholder postal votes by proxy, the power of attorney shall be enclosed to the form. If issued by a legal entity, the power of attorney shall also be accompanied by registration certificate or, if not applicable, equivalent documents of authority. Power of attorney forms for those shareholders wishing to postal vote by proxy will be available on the Company's website http://investors.scibase.se/en/annual-general-meeting-2022.

Processing of personal data

For information regarding how your personal data is processed in connection with the annual general meeting, please refer to the privacy policy on Euroclear Sweden AB's website, https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf.

Proposed agenda

1. Opening of the meeting and election of chairman of the meeting.

2. Preparation and approval of the voting list.

3. Approval of the agenda.

4. Election of one person who shall approve the minutes of the meeting.

5. Determination of whether the meeting has been duly convened.

6. Submission of the annual report and the auditor's report as well as of the consolidated financial statements and the auditor's report on the group.

7. Resolution in respect of:

i.adoption of the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet as well as of the consolidated profit and loss statement and the consolidated balance sheet;

ii.allocation of the Company's results according to the adopted balance sheet; and

iii.the members of the board of directors' and the CEO's discharge from liability.

8. Resolution regarding the number of members and, where applicable, deputies of the board of directors and number of auditors and, where applicable, deputy auditors.

9. Determination of the fees payable to the members of the board of directors and the auditors.

10. Election of members of the board of directors and auditor.

11. Resolution on principles for the appointment of a nomination committee.

12. Resolution on an authorisation for the board of directors to resolve upon issues of shares, warrants and convertibles.

13. Closing of the meeting.

The nomination committee's proposed resolutions

The nomination committee is composed of the chairman of the board of directors of the Company (i.e. Tord Lendau), Christer Jonsson (appointed by Fouriertransform), Erik Esveld (appointed by VanHerk Group) and Iraj Arastoupour. The nomination committee has presented the following proposed resolutions in relation to items 1 and 8-11 in the proposed agenda.

Item 1 - Election of chairman

Olof Reinholdsson (lawyer at Setterwalls Advokatbyra) is proposed as chairman of the meeting, or if he is unable to attend the meeting, any other person proposed by the board of directors.

Items 8-10 - Election of and remuneration to the board of directors and auditors

The nomination committee proposes that the board of directors, until the end of the next annual general meeting, shall consist of five (5) ordinary members without deputy members. Furthermore, it is proposed that a registered accounting firm shall be elected as auditor.

The nomination committee furthermore proposes that the fees payable to the board of directors for the period until the end of the next annual general meeting shall be SEK 200,000 for the chairman of the board and SEK 150,000 to each of the other ordinary board members (who are not employed by a larger shareholder in the Company). It is proposed that the Company's auditor shall be paid in accordance with approved invoices.

The board of directors today consists of the following five (5) ordinary members without deputy members: Tord Lendau (chairman), Diana Ferro, Thomas Taapken, Matt Leavitt and Jvalini Dwarkasing.

The nomination committee proposes that all current board members are to be re-elected and proposes no election of new board members. Furthermore, Tord Lendau is proposed to be re-elected as chairman of the board of directors.

The registered accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers AB (PwC) is proposed to be re-elected as auditor. The accounting firm has informed that Magnus Lagerberg will remain as principally responsible auditor.

Additional information regarding the board members is available on the Company's website.

Item 11 - Resolution on principles for the appointment of a nomination committee

The nomination committee proposes the following decision for election of a nomination committee for the annual general meeting 2023 (same principles as the previous year). The nomination committee for the annual general meeting 2023, which shall comprise of four members, shall be appointed by way of that the chairman of the board of directors will consult with the three largest shareholders of the Company at the end of the third quarter of 2022. These shareholders will be requested to each appoint one member who, together with the chairman of the board of directors, will form the nomination committee. The composition of the nomination committee shall be publicly announced no later than six months prior to the annual general meeting. The nomination committee, whose mandate period applies until the time a new nomination committee has constituted itself, shall appoint a chairman among its members. The nomination committee shall prior to the annual general meeting 2023 prepare and submit proposals regarding the election of the chairman of the annual general meeting, the number of board members and, where applicable, deputy members, the number of auditors and, where applicable, deputy auditors, the election of board members, chairman and, where applicable, deputy members, auditor and, where applicable, deputy auditors, remuneration for the board of directors and the auditor, as well as guidelines for the appointment of the nomination committee for the following annual general meeting. The nomination committee's proposals shall be presented in the notice to a general meeting where election of board members and auditor shall take place and on the Company's website. Should a member of the nomination committee resign from its assignment, a replacement shall be sought from the shareholder that appointed the departing member. Should a shareholder that has appointed a member of the nomination committee substantially decrease its ownership in the Company, the next shareholder in size order shall, if the nomination committee so resolves, be requested to appoint a member to the nomination committee.

The board of directors' proposed resolutions

The board of directors of the Company has presented the following proposed resolutions in relation to items 2, 4, 7(ii) and 12 in the proposed agenda.

Item 2. - Preparation and approval of the voting list

The voting list that is proposed for approval is the voting list to be prepared chairman of the general meeting, based on the shareholders' register for the general meeting kept by Euroclear Sweden AB, and postal votes received, and approved by the person appointed by the meeting to approve the minutes.

Item 4. - Election of one person who shall approve the minutes of the meeting

The board of directors proposes that Erik Esveld (VanHerk Group) is to be appointed as the person verifying the minutes together with the chairman of the general meeting, or in the event that he or she is prevented from doing so, the person the board of directors appoints instead. The person appointed to verify the minutes shall, apart from approving the minutes of the general meeting together with the chairman of the general meeting, check the voting list and that the result of received votes are correctly reflected in the minutes of the general meeting.

Item 7 (ii) - Allocation of the Company's results according to the adopted balance sheet

The board of directors proposes that SEK 202,229,730 shall be carried forward in new account. Accordingly, no dividend is proposed.

Item 12 - Resolution regarding authorisation for the board of directors to resolve upon issues of shares, warrants and convertibles

The board of directors proposes that the annual general meeting resolves to authorize the board of directors to, until the next annual general meeting, on one or more occasions, decide upon issuances of new shares, issuance of warrants and/or convertibles. New issues of shares and issues of warrants and/or convertibles may occur with or without preferential rights for shareholders of the Company and may be made either in cash and/or by way of set-off or contribution in kind or otherwise be conditional. Through issuances resolved upon with support from the authorisation - with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights - the number of shares issued, or number of shares created in connection with exercise of warrants or conversion of convertibles, shall correspond to not more than a 20 per cent dilution of the share capital and the number of shares and votes in the Company after such issue(s). The chairman of the board of directors, the managing director or a person appointed by the board of directors shall be authorized to make any minor adjustments required to register the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Shareholders' right to request information

The board of directors and the CEO shall, if any shareholder so requests and the board of directors believe that it can be done without material damage to the Company, provide information regarding circumstances that may affect the assessment of an item on the agenda or of the Company's, or a subsidiary's economic situation. Such duty to provide information also comprises the Company's relation to the other group companies. A request for such information shall be made to the Company in writing no later than on Sunday 8 May 2022. The information will be made available at the Company's office from Friday 13 May 2022, at the latest. The information will, from the same date, also be available on the Company's website www.scibase.com. The information will also be sent, within the same period of time, to the shareholder who has requested it and stated its address.

Majority requirements

Resolution in accordance with the board of director's proposal in accordance with item 12 on the agenda requires that the general meeting's resolution is supported by shareholders representing at least two thirds of the shares represented at the general meeting as well as of the votes cast.

Number of shares and votes in the Company

The total number of shares in the Company at the time of issuance of this notice is 68,475,107. The Company does not hold any of its own shares.

Documentation

The financial accounts and auditor's report will be kept available at the Company's office and on the Company's website www.scibase.com no later than 27 April 2022. Copies of such documents will be sent free of charge to shareholders who so request and state their postal address. The proposals of the board of directors and the nomination committee are set out in full in the notice.

Stockholm, April 2022

SciBase Holding AB (publ)

The board of directors

For more information, please contact:

Simon Grant, CEO SciBase

Tel: +46 72 887 43 99

Email: simon.grant@scibase.com

Certified Adviser:

Vator Securities

Tel: +46 8 580 065 99

Email: ca@vatorsec.se

The information was submitted, through the agency of the contact person set out above, for publication at the time stated by Scibase's news distributor Cision upon publication of this press release

About SciBase and Nevisense

SciBase is a global medical technology company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, that has developed a unique point of care platform for the non-invasive detection of skin cancer and other skin conditions. SciBase is a pioneer within augmented intelligence, combining artificial intelligence with Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to provide objective information that assists dermatologists and others in clinical decision-making. SciBase's products include Nevisense and Nevisense Go and to date the platform addresses the areas of melanoma detection, non-melanoma skin cancer detection and skin barrier assessment. Nevisense is the only FDA-approved device for the detection of melanoma and the only MDR-approved technology for skin cancer detection in Europe. SciBase's technology is based on more than 20 years of academic research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information please visit www.scibase.com.

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

https://news.cision.com/scibase/r/notice-to-attend-the-annual-general-meeting-in-scibase-holding-ab--publ-,c3545845

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/12371/3545845/1563917.pdf SciBase Holding AB (pub) - Press release notice to attend AGM 2022 (ENG) _final

SOURCE SciBase
Qiu Yuanling, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Germany, spoke at the event and noted that 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. 2021 saw the bilateral trade volume exceed 240 billion euros, and China has become Germany's largest trading partner for six consecutive years, China is also the second-largest export destination country and largest source of imports for Germany.

"The Canton Fair has continued to extend new functions and services. It is hoped that buyers in Germany will actively join talks and negotiations with fruitful results," said Qiu.

The Canton Fair has further improved and enhanced platform functions to support more convenient online negotiations, and optimized global network acceleration configuration to make visiting the platform more stable and smoother. The system has also added labels to quality companies and products to improve search accuracy so that buyers can quickly find exhibitors that they are interested in.

With authorization, exhibitors can also view buyer information and initiative instant communication actively, further improving trade matching via the virtual exhibition. The Canton Fair is organizing 50 "Trade Bridge" virtual promotions and 8 "Discover Canton Fair with Bee and Honey" activities online that will showcase China's foreign trade transformation and upgrading, promote brands and new products, as well as connect with top multinational corporations.

According to Xu Bing, Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, an average of 3,000 German buyers would attend the Fair each session, making positive contributions to the promotion of Sino-German economic and trade development.

During the promotion event, the Chenghai Toy Base in Shantou and Shunde Household Appliances Base in Foshan were introduced respectively. Chenghai has the world's largest manufacturing and export base for plastic and smart electronic toys, while Shunde is one of China's largest household appliance manufacturing and export bases.

Andreas Young, Vice President of BVMW (German Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises), noted that as the world's largest and most important trade event, the Canton Fair has contributed positively to maintaining the stability of the global supply chain, as well as providing an excellent platform for German companies in international trade.

The 131st Canton Fair will be hosted from April 15 to 24 online. Over 2.93 million exhibiting items will be presented to global buyers through the virtual exhibition, including over 910,000 new products, 110,000 intelligent and smart products, 480,000 green low-carbon products and 240,000 products with proprietary intellectual property rights.

Visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index#/foreign-email for more opportunities.

SOURCE Canton Fair
This project leverages the first patient-powered registry for adults with CHDthe Congenital Heart Initiative (CHI). Tweet this

This project leverages the first patient-powered registry for adults with CHDthe Congenital Heart Initiative (CHI). Patients who are recruited for this research will participate via enrollment in the registry, which will allow researchers to ask patients directly about health, wellness and any specific barriers to care. The effort is led by Children's National Hospital and Louisiana Public Health Institute.

"The long-term wellbeing of our patients is a top concern for all physicians who provide care for those born with congenital heart defects," said Dr. Ronald Kanter, Director of Electrophysiology at Nicklaus Children's. "It is our sincere hope that the study helps us gain understanding that will improve the care management for these individuals."

As identification, understanding and treatment of CHD have improved over the last few decades, the number of adults living with CHD now exceeds the number of children born with these various structural defects today, but little is known about long-term outcomes for these adults. The new research study will combine clinical data with patient-reported data to help guide health care providers in how best to care for the unique needs of this population throughout their lives.

PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010 to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians and other healthcare decision makers with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare choices.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians, including more than 390 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

For more information:

Rachel Perry Bixby

305-663-8476

[email protected]

SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Bohlen to Support Advisor Growth Throughout the South

FORT MILL, S.C., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Resources Group Investment Services, LLC (Financial Resources Group) announced today that Adam Rean Bohlen has been named the firm's next Director of Business Consulting. Bohlen will join company's business consulting team of 10 who are dedicated to helping advisors grow their books of business. Bohlen will be supporting growth initiatives throughout the south.

Adam Rean Bohlen, Director of Business Consulting

Based in Dallas, Bohlen brings to the firm more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, he held the position of VP, Financial Professional Relationship Manager at Infinex Financial Group. Bohlen has previously worked under LPL Financial (LPL) from 2011-2019 serving in a business development role.

Financial Resources Group President Steve Lank expresses his enthusiasm of having Bohlen join the firm. "Adam brings to the table extensive business development experience from his background at LPL. His familiarity with our broker-dealer coupled with his eagerness to help our advisors grow their businesses makes him not only a valuable asset, but a perfect fit for our talented business consulting team."

Looking to enhance his advisor offerings, Bohlen found joining Financial Resources Group a great opportunity for his career. "Joining Financial Resources Group was an easy decision for me. I trust the team, leadership, and without a doubt know that this firm is the best match for me and my personal growth," said Bohlen. "The transition was extremely comfortable and smooth with so many familiar faces I've had the professional courtesy of working with over the past 15 years."

Bohlen holds his Series 7 and 66 registrations with LPL. Prior to entering the industry, Bohlen served eight years in the Marine Corps where he was enrolled in the intensive leadership training program. Additionally, he earned a meritorious promotion to Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Supporting independent as well as bank and credit union-based advisors through partnering with financial institutions, is Bohlen's top priority as he looks forward to making lasting impacts out in the field. "I want to be my territory's personal advisor concierge and their first resource when looking for solutions to everyday industry problems. When they don't know where to go, my hope is they always start with me," said Bohlen. "This isn't just a job, but a passion for me and very much look forward to their partnership and positively impacting their businesses."

About Financial Resources Group

Based in Fort Mill, SC, Financial Resources Group is LPL Financial's largest enterprise*, providing customized services to financial advisors and financial institutions to help them grow their programs and practices. Representatives are registered through LPL Financial as their broker-dealer. For more information on Financial Resources Group, visit https://www.financialresourcesgroup.net

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is the nation's largest independent broker-dealer**. They serve independent financial advisors, professionals, and institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. For more information, visit www.lpl.com

* Based on assets (brokerage and advisory), total revenue and affiliated professionals as of December 2021.





** As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2021, based on total revenue.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Resources Group Investment Services, member FINRA/SIPC, is a separate entity.

Contact Information:

Financial Resources Group

Steve Lank

[email protected]

704-816-8018

SOURCE Financial Resources Group Investment Services
BELLEVUE, Wash., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Advocat AI has created an AI-enabled platform to create legal documents to help in-house attorneys with legal intake, research, and drafting. This provides seamless integration between corporate legal departments and their business counterparts to improve efficiency, productivity, and to free up attorneys' time for more strategic work. The artificial intelligence platform, aimed at enterprise businesses' sales, procurement, and HR teams, also improves the consistency of legal language in documents across the organization.

Advocat's AI platform for legal documents allows non-lawyers to quickly create well-researched legal documents, streamlining the sales process by saving corporate attorneys hours of work while improving quality and consistency. The Advocat app automatically updates changes in laws and standards and incorporates the latest legal rulings. This creates more accurate documents earlier in the contracting lifecycle, saving everyone time while moving the business process forward.

"For example, let's say you have a sales rep at a large company who needs a contract ASAP from in-house legal. Her request might take a while as she waits for the corporate lawyers to carefully construct every word in the contract," said Advocat chief executive and founder Pradnya Desh, J.D. "But the sales rep is concerned the delayed contract may cost her the deal."

Advocat's AI tailors contract templates as users provide information, fills in the correct data pulled from company databases, performs legal research to update the document, and presents the legal draft for approval - all within minutes. "It means faster, better contracts for everyone," Desh said.

In addition to using Advocat's platform to create complex sales agreements, procurement documents, employment agreements, leases, and statements of work, it can be used to quickly execute contracts that may be more boilerplate, such as standard non-disclosure agreements.

"We believe that working with the in-house legal department should be a delight to the people who do this. Attorneys should help business get done, and their jobs should be joyful, not tedious," Desh said. "We believe the relationship between legal and those who need it is interrupted by the volume of attorney responsibility and legal noise. We fix it by absorbing the noise and delivering a clean user experience."

The technology is ideal for enterprise sales, HR and procurement teams that don't have time to wait for corporate attorneys who get bogged down manually researching and drafting routine documents.

Advocat can save large companies millions of dollars in legal costs each year. "A legal department that employs 1,000 lawyers can spend $9 million on Advocat to save $451.8 million per year," Desh said. "Using Advocat is like increasing the capacity of a legal department by seven times!"

Advocat is being recognized by the tech world. The company is expected to close its latest funding round in April 2022. In 2021 it raised $1.3 million of strategic financing from investors, including Spark Growth Ventures and San Diego Angel Conference, to reinforce development and build the sales and marketing teams to accelerate customer acquisition. In July, 2021, Women in Cloud and TiE Seattle named Advocat the winner of the #CloudInnovateHER Pitch Challenge.

Advocat AI provides a bridge between business teams that use customized contracts and corporate attorneys. Advocat allows business teams to quickly create legal documents that are then approved by the corporate legal department. This reduces time and cost and simplifies legal paperwork to improve business processes. For more information, go to www.advocattechnologies.com.

CONTACT:

Cynthia Flash

425-603-9520

[email protected]

SOURCE Advocat AI
Alio takes steps toward making better chronic care management a reality

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Alio Inc., announced it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its remote monitoring system intended for use by healthcare professionals to intermittently collect physiological data in home use settings. Collected physiological data includes skin temperature, auscultation sound data and heart rate.

Alio technology provides real-time, 24/7, noninvasive remote patient monitoring. By sharing clinical data, Alio makes it possible for caregivers and clinicians to enable better patient care. The Alio SmartPatch can potentially serve as a remote patient monitoring system for a number of conditions.

"Remote patient monitoring is by no means a new concept in the patient care landscape but advancements in the technology that's deployed have lagged behind," said Richard Neville, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Inova and Director of Inova Vascular Director of Inova Vascular. "Patients should be able to benefit from the latest innovations technology has to offer. The Alio clearance is a step in the right direction in terms of ushering in a new era of remote patient monitoring."

This is the first of several intended submissions for the company. Currently, Alio is undergoing clinical investigations to assess additional indications for use in remote patient monitoring of electrolytes, fluid management, and fistula status and specific patient populations such as chronic care patients with conditions such end stage kidney disease (ESKD), patients undergoing hemodialysis, and patients with heart failure and peripheral vascular disease.

At present, Alio's primary focus is the management of ESKD which is not just a technological challenge but one which continues to expand in scope - almost 150,000 new patients start dialysis each year in the USA and arguably more need dialysis treatment. In fact, The National Institutes of Health estimates that 9 out of 10 people in the US who have chronic kidney disease don't realize it.

Eric Hargan, former HHS Deputy Secretary commented on the relevance of the Alio 510(k) clearance in hemodialysis patients, "a lot of progress has been made in recent years to improve care for dialysis, such as CMS continuing to expand its reimbursement for remote patient monitoring technologies, and the CURES Act mandating dialysis patients be given access to Medicare Advantage plans. The tragic reality is that many patients may unnecessarily end up in the hospital, while we as a country spend $14 billion on dialysis-related hospitalizations, 65% of which are preventable. Alio is poised to make a significant impact in decreasing hospitalizations and improving dialysis patients' quality of life."

"Alio is driven by innovation. Since the founding of Alio, we have always known that remote patient monitoring with Alio can improve patient outcomes and increase the likelihood of a better quality of life at a lower cost to the healthcare system," said David Kuraguntla, Chief Executive Officer of Alio. "We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone as a company, it truly makes our vision feel even closer to reality."

About Alio

Alio Inc. is a medical technology company developing SmartPatch technology and using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor multiple chronic indications, including end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis. Alio is dedicated to the development of tools and products for monitoring multiple metrics and providing actionable clinical data for a variety of conditions to better target interventions for improved outcomes and reduced hospitalizations. The company's products include SmartPatch and its remote monitoring system, which provides clinical data based on continuous monitoring of multiple metrics. Alio has an experienced management team with extensive experience in medical technology and devices. Visit our website for more information: https://alio.ai/

Media Contact

David Kuraguntla

Chief Executive Officer

(855) 979-1600

[email protected]

SOURCE Alio
LITTLETON, Colo., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Titan CEO and headline sponsor Wipfli LLP are pleased to announce Dani Kimlinger, Ph.D., CEO, MINES and Associates, as a 2022 Titan 100. The Titan 100 program recognizes Colorado's Top 100 CEOs & C-level executives. They are the area's most accomplished business leaders in their industry using criteria that include demonstrating exceptional leadership, vision, and passion. Collectively the 2022 Titan 100 and their companies employ more than 34,000 individuals and generate over $22 billion dollars in annual revenues. This year's honorees will be published in a limited-edition Titan 100 book and profiled exclusively online. They will be honored at an awards ceremony on June 2nd, 2022 and will be given the opportunity to interact and connect multiple times throughout the year with their fellow Titans.

"These passionate and driven Titans of industry exemplify the true definition of leadership. We honor them for their unwavering commitment to building their businesses, shaping our communities, and making Colorado a better place to work and live." says Jaime Zawmon, President of Titan CEO.

Dr. Kimlinger has served as MINES' CEO since January 2017. She currently sits on the National Board of Directors for the American Obesity Association, the Board of Directors for Self-Insured Institute of America Foundation, and United Labor Association of Nevada, is the State Director Elect for Colorado SHRM, and is on both the SIIA International and National Behavioral Consortium Thought Leadership Committees. In her time as CEO, Dr. Kimlinger's vision of increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment has yielded great results including new digital and virtual service delivery, online digital intake platform releasing later in 2022, and the expansion of MINES specialty subnetworks to support first responders, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other critical communities.

"I am humbled, honored, and have a heart full of gratitude to be recognized as a Titan 100 CEO for the second year. I learned last year how powerful it is to be part of the Titan 100. The networking, learning, and contagious passion of my fellow Titans helped me grow more in one year as a CEO than I could have imagined." says Dani Kimlinger, CEO of MINES.

Dani Kimlinger will be honored at the Titan 100 awards on June 2nd, 2022 at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum located in Denver, CO. Wings Over the Rockies is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base. The museum is housed in the historic Hangar No. 1, built in 1939, and features dozens of historic airplanes, space vehicles, and interactive exhibits. This unique cocktail-style awards event will gather 100 Titans of Industry for an evening unlike anything that exists in the Colorado business community.

"On behalf of all the partners and associates at Wipfli we congratulate all the Titan 100 winners. It's an honor to recognize this diverse group of leaders in the Colorado business community. We appreciate the lasting impact each leader has made, and continues to make, in building organizations of significance both here in Colorado and abroad. Your ingenuity and creativity have set you apart, and the honor of being seen as an industry Titan is richly deserved," says Pete Aden Partner at Wipfli.

This year, in addition to celebrating 100 Titans of Industry, Titan CEO and Wipfli will be presenting the Titan 100 Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor has been awarded to only twelve Titan 100 honorees as part of this inaugural commemoration.

Titan award recipients are allowed to make the Titan 100 list up to three years, with each year getting progressively more difficult. To make it to the Hall of Fame, Titans must complete on-camera interviews and answer a series of questions where they do not know what will be asked in front of a live judging committee.

The Titan 100 Hall of Fame are a class of elite entrepreneurs that have consistently shown over the past three years their ability to demonstrate the characteristics of a Titan who is a pillar of our community.

CONTACT: Nic Mckane + [email protected]

SOURCE MINES & Associates
IPX1031 Expands Mountain Region with Ashleigh Price as VP, National Accounts in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) is pleased to announce the addition of Ashleigh Price as Vice President, National Accounts to the IPX1031 Mountain team.

Price joins forces with her former colleague, Mark Bullock who is the Regional Attorney Manager for IPX1031's Mountain Region. Together they bring Utah the most comprehensive 1031 knowledge, tools, and solutions that the 1031 industry can offer.

"We are excited to have a respected and well-rounded industry veteran who understands the nuances of 1031 Exchange strategy and will help bridge the strengths of industry partners," said Jennifer Keen, IPX1031 Executive Vice President and manager of Western Operations. "As our company, and in particular our Mountain Region, faces unprecedented growth, Ashleigh is an excellent addition to our already impressive team."

With a focus on providing exceptional quality of service, Price's goal is to nurture long-term relationships through a foundation of loyalty and trust. Price brings over 10 years of 1031 Exchange, CRE, property management, wealth management and instructional experience to IPX1031.

Price's responsibilities will include educating and consulting with clients as well as tax, legal, and real estate professionals to structure 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges locally at IPX1031's Utah headquarters and throughout the State.

Ashleigh Price can be reached at 801.419.6646, via email at [email protected] or on her webpage at www.ipx1031.com/price

About IPX1031

Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. (IPX1031) is the largest and one of the oldest Qualified Intermediaries in the United States. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, a Fortune 500 company, IPX1031 provides industry leading security for exchange funds as well as expertise and experience in facilitating all types of 1031 Exchanges. IPX1031's nationwide staff, which includes industry experts, veteran attorneys and accountants, are available to provide answers and guidance to clients and their legal and tax advisors. For more information about IPX1031 visit www.ipx1031.com.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Keen, EVP, Western Regional Manager

[email protected]

(760) 672-5368

SOURCE IPX1031
AVL List GmbH (AVL) is the world's largest independent company for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry, and in other sectors. Drawing on its pioneering spirit, the company provides customer with the concepts, solutions, and methodologies to shape future mobility trends.

As CFO of AVL Michigan Holding Corporation, Will Bonnici will be responsible for the entire range of finance, accounting, tax and financial planning and analysis activities.

Prior to joining AVL, he worked for Horizon Global Corporation as the Senior Director of Operations Finance and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis. After ten years practicing public accounting, Will Bonnici has held various financial leadership roles including Vice President of Finance, Director and Controller roles at Vari-Form Group, Dura Automotive Systems and Global Automotive Systems. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting from the University of Michigan  Dearborn.

"We are proud to welcome Will Bonnici to the AVL team," commented Manvel. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 25 years of financial leadership experience."

About AVL

With more than 11,000 employees, AVL is the world's largest independent company for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry, and in other sectors. Drawing on its pioneering spirit, AVL provides concepts, solutions, and methodologies to support customers in shaping their future mobility trends.

AVL creates innovative and affordable technologies to effectively reduce CO2 by applying a multi-energy carrier strategy for all customer applicationsfrom hybrid to battery electric and fuel cell technologies. The company supports customers throughout the entire development process from the ideation phase to serial production. To accelerate the vision of smart and connected mobility, as well as advancing propulsion systems, AVL has established competencies in the fields of ADAS, autonomous driving, and digitalization.

AVL's passion is innovation. Together with an international network of experts that extends over 26 countries and with 45 Tech- and Engineering Centers worldwide, AVL drives sustainable mobility trends for a greener future.

AVL Michigan Holding Corporation is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, and has additional locations in Plymouth, Ann Arbor, MI, and Lake Forest, CA. Visit www.avl.com for more.

Media Contact

Joshua Lupu, Marketing Director, North America

[email protected]

SOURCE AVL
BabyLiveAdvice provides virtual telehealth support to minority pregnant women in Georgia & Chicago Tweet this

"I never felt that anyone cared about me or my baby," said Letisha R, a South Chicago mom who participated in the project for 15 months. "I could live or die, and no one will care, until I met LaTanya my nurse on BLA. She was there when I needed her throughout my pregnancy and after Shetty was born, talking to her made me trust again that someone cared about us and that we will be all right."

Full data from this project will be available later this year, but early findings show that 78% of the Black and Hispanic mothers were able to adopt and utilize telehealth with high patient satisfaction and low attrition rates. The project also improved the doctor-patient interactions, with a 48% reduction in no-show rates to scheduled medical appointments, and improved overall pregnancy outcomes for the participating mothers.

The success of the initial project has led to approval of a second phase, which will enable BLA to support six hundred Black mothers in the state of Georgia. For this second phase, BabyLiveAdvice is immensely and especially excited to be partnering with the National Black Doulas Association, whose doulas will serve as a critical part of the BLA provider team, to bring virtual support to Black (BIPOC) birthing families in the State of Georgia, for no cost.

Black mothers face the highest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the United States. BLA, and the National Black Doulas Association are both committed to serving these mothers, and their families, in a meaningful way, to improve the birthing experience and help reduce mortality and morbidity rates in their community. Through this project, Black mothers, birthing people, and parents will be able to connect with doulas, midwifes, nutritionists, diabetic educators, lactation consultants, nurse practitioners and nurses to receive free, one-on-one virtual support as well as educational group classes, from preconception to 6 months postpartum.

The next phase of the project will support further evidence around adoption and utilization of telehealth among the urban and rural underserved BIPOC communities in the state with the highest Black maternal mortality rates. BLA is extremely excited to join with the National Black Doulas Association and continue its mission helping mothers, birthing people, and parents, especially those most in need.

SOURCE Baby Live Advice
Prior to joining FMB, Clark was Vice President of Environmental Products Trading at Kataman Metals where he developed trading in compliance and voluntary carbon markets. Before Kataman, Clark served as Head of Risk Management at Big River Steel and helped the mill integrate ferrous financial markets into a risk management strategy for raw material procurement and commercial sales. He holds a MA in International Relations from University of Westminster, London UK.

Kessler comes to FMB from CME Group where he served as Director, Metals Products. In that role he was responsible for the strategic management, development, and profitability of CME's industrial and precious metals business. Kessler also served as a Metals Trader at Red Kite Group and ED&F Man Capital Markets, Inc. He holds a Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation, marking the highest education within the discipline and is the preeminent designation for practitioners of technical analysis worldwide.

"Adding Brad and Sean to our team illustrates once again our commitment to bringing the world's top talent in metals hedging to FGM and FMB," said Jeremy Flack, Founder and CEO. "Brad and Sean will be instrumental in helping FMB devise new financial products for our clients to provide certainty in securing metals supply and pricing."

Flack Metal Bank (FMB), separates metal supply from metal pricing for OEMs, allowing them to take advantage of pricing on the forward curve for flat-rolled products without disrupting their existing supply relationships. The process involves converting fixed price arrangements into floating and vice versa. FMB creates a relatively easy method for entering into risk management when compared to other methodologies, as all transactions are backed by FGM's balance sheet, trading group, and sophisticated research arm

ABOUT FLACK GLOBAL METALS

In 2010, Flack Global Metals (FGM) was founded with the mission to reinvent how metal is bought and sold. The company has evolved into a hybrid organization with three distinct lines of business. FGM is an innovative domestic flat-rolled metals distributor and supply chain manager, an international commodities trader, and a global hedge fund, purpose-built to deliver certainty.

CONTACT:

Patty Rioux

ODEA Group, LLC

312.893.5163

[email protected]

SOURCE Flack Global Metals
MAUMEE, Ohio, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) will release its 2022 first-quarter financial results on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. A press release will be issued at approximately 7 a.m. EDT, followed by a conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. EDT. Members of the company's senior management team will be available at that time to discuss the results and answer related questions.



Participants may listen to the audio portion of the conference call either through audio streaming online or by telephone. Slide viewing is available online via a link provided on the Dana investor website: www.dana.com/investors . U.S. and Canadian locations should dial 1-888-311-4590 and international locations should call 1-706-758-0054. Please enter conference I.D. 2565879 and ask for the "Dana Incorporated's Financial Webcast and Conference Call." Phone registration will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

An audio recording of the webcast will be available after 5 p.m. EDT on April 27 by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (U.S. or Canada) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and entering conference I.D. 2565879. A webcast replay will also be available after 5 p.m. EDT and may be accessed via Dana's investor website.

About Dana Incorporated

Dana is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions that power vehicles and machines in all mobility markets across the globe. The company is shaping sustainable progress through its conventional and clean-energy solutions that support nearly every vehicle manufacturer with drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies, including software and controls; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $8.9 billion in 2021 with 40,000 people in 31 countries across six continents. Founded in 1904, Dana was named one of "America's Most Responsible Companies 2022" by Newsweek for its emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. The company is driven by a high-performance culture that focuses on valuing others, inspiring innovation, growing responsibly, and winning together, earning it global recognition as a top employer. Learn more at dana.com.

SOURCE Dana Incorporated
New Move Marks Real Estate Giant's First Brick-and-Mortar Expansion to the Cape & Islands

BOSTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Elliman Realty, one of the largest independent residential real estate brokerages in the United States, announced today that it has opened its first Nantucket office at 12 Oak Street, Suite B, with views of Old North Wharf and Nantucket Harbor. This move underscores the brokerage's commitment to New England, increasing its brick-and-mortar footprint from the Back Bay area of Boston to the Island.

"We could not be more thrilled to land on Nantucket," says Scott Durkin, Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Elliman Realty. "While our agents have done exponential business throughout the Cape and Islands over the past two years, we are proud to finally lay down roots and continue to grow our presence in this prestigious market."

In 2020, Douglas Elliman launched a new initiative that allowed agents to work virtually, outside the vicinity of Elliman offices, including on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod and Nantucket. After two successful years in the Cape and Islands, the brokerage officially opens its doors for business on Oak Street.

"When it comes to expansion, our mantra is to service the places that our clients want to call home," explains Richard Ferrari, President and CEO of Brokerage, New York City and Northeast Region at Douglas Elliman. "Opening an office on Nantucket is a natural next step for us. This new space will allow our agents to thrive in a comfortable environment and be active, engaged members of the community."

"We are dedicated to offering exceptional real estate experiences for both our clients and agents," says Lisa Rainis, Executive Manager of Sales for Douglas Elliman's Massachusetts Division. "Our move to the Island only strengthens our presence in Massachusetts, and we look forward to engaging this flourishing market."

Douglas Elliman has already participated in several sales on the Island, with Michael Passaro of The Holly Parker Team closing deals at 66 Walsh Street, for $7,100,000, 53 Hummock Pond Road, for $3,022,630 and 39 Hummock Pond Road, for $2,800,000.

Other active Douglas Elliman agents on the Cape and Islands include Craig Brody, Jesse Greenstein, George Jedlin and both DJ Gendreau and Allison Cameron Parry of The Gendreau Group.

About Douglas Elliman Inc.

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE: DOUG, "Douglas Elliman") owns Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the New York metropolitan area (which includes New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey and the Hamptons) and the sixth largest in the U.S., with operations in California, Colorado, Texas, Florida and Massachusetts. In addition, Douglas Elliman sources, uses and invests in early-stage, disruptive property technology ("PropTech") solutions and companies, and provides other real estate services, including development marketing, property management and settlement and escrow services in select markets. Additional information concerning Douglas Elliman is available on its website, www.elliman.com.

Investors and others should note that we may post information about Douglas Elliman on our website at www.elliman.com or, if applicable, on our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube or other social media platforms. It is possible that the postings or releases could include information deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in Douglas Elliman to review the information we post on our website at www.elliman.com and on our social media accounts.

SOURCE Douglas Elliman Realty
The new grant will be delivered in partnership with the Government of Moldova to ensure refugee children and youth can access safe and protective learning opportunities. Investments will also benefit children in the host communities.

During the high-level mission, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional US$18 million contribution to the ECW global trust fund to further support ECW education responses in crisis-impacted countries across the globe. This contribution makes the USA the third largest donor to ECW  the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises  after Germany and the UK.

With an estimated US$30 million funding gap for the emergency education response in Ukraine, ECW calls on donors and strategic partners to urgently provide additional funding to respond to the vast humanitarian crisis unfolding across the region.

According to recent reports, approximately 400,000 people have crossed the border into Moldova fleeing the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine since February. While the majority continued their journey towards other neighboring countries and Western Europe, Moldova hosts today an estimated 100,000 refugees. These include about 50,000 refugee girls and boys, of whom only 1,800 are currently enrolled in school.

"Refugee children from Ukraine have fled a brutal war and have arrived dispossessed and traumatized in Moldova. Public schools are open to refugee children, however the capacity is over-stretched and there is a need for urgent mental health and psycho-social services, sanitation, and teachers to respond to the influx of pre-school and school-aged refugee children," said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait.

The war is putting children and adolescents living in Ukraine at grave risk. Recent estimates indicate that almost 5 million refugees have fled Ukraine, with an additional 7.1 million people internally displaced. All school-age children in Ukraine have seen their education disrupted by the conflict, and according to the latest estimates, more than 900 education facilities have been destroyed or damaged in the fighting, and as many as 3.3 million school-aged children require urgent humanitarian assistance.

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
"The enhanced 2023 Hyundai Palisade offers the design appeal and features worthy of Hyundai's flagship SUV," said Olabisi Boyle, vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "More than ever, Palisade is the ultimate family vehicle for daily use and memory-making road trips."

2023 Palisade New Enhancements and Available Features

Exterior

New front and rear bumper fascia

New front grille

New headlamps and daytime running lights

New multi-spoke alloy wheel design

Auto-dimming outside mirrors

Interior

New instrument panel, gauge cluster and audio interface design

New steering wheel design

New seating surfaces and materials

Ergo-motion driver's seat

2 nd -row armrest angle adjuster (8 passenger, first for Hyundai)

-row armrest angle adjuster (8 passenger, first for Hyundai) Heated 3 rd row seats (first application for Hyundai)

row seats (first application for Hyundai) Acoustic-laminated rear door glass (Calligraphy model)

Infotainment/Convenience Technology

12-inch navigation with 720p resolution

Digital, full-display center rearview mirror (first application for Hyundai)

WiFi hotspot (first application for Hyundai)

Digital Key 2 Touch(compatible with iPhone and Android)

New Bluelink features (see Bluelink detail)

Enhanced USB-C ports replace USB-A ports (quicker charging up to 3 amps)

Enhanced wireless device charging (from 5W to 15W)

Enhanced dynamic voice recognition

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control

Highway Driving Assist

Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist

Remote Smart Parking Assist

Passive Safety Technology

Standard rear side-impact airbags

Flagship SUV Design

The design of the 2023 Palisade conveys dignified refinement with clear differentiation worthy of a flagship SUV. A wider, cascading grille form outlines rugged parametric shield elements for a premium appearance. The new forward lighting signature features vertically-connected LED composite lights that frame the grille creating a sharp-edged, technical appeal. New, 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels fill the wheel openings for a premium flagship presence. New strake detailing on the lower front skid plate element further conveys a rugged demeanor. The powerful, extended hood profile creates an impressive road presence, while bold C-pillars and panoramic side glass graphics convey generous third-row spaciousness. The rear view emphasizes a wide, stable stance via vertical LED taillamps and lower fascia skid plate details.

This design has aerodynamic benefits as well, with specific design cues that include a fast A-pillar angle, a rear spoiler side garnish, an optimized front cooling area with an extended internal air guide, aero underside panels, and rear wheel aero deflectors.

Intuitive Utility and Premium Design Elements

2023 Palisade now offers an innovative Ergo driver's seat designed to provide comfort and help reduce fatigue during long drives. Palisade's third-row seating now offers heating for its passengers, a first for Hyundai. The second row of seats now offers wing-out headrests and seat ventilation for extra comfort. For the driver, an available full-display digital center rearview mirror uses a rearview camera to allow the driver to clearly see behind the Palisade without the obstructions of passengers or cargo. New, slim horizontal air vents add a sense of spaciousness and premium ambience. The instrument panel has been redesigned for a more voluminous appearance with new ambient lighting themes.

Wireless charging capability has been upgraded from 5 watts to 15 watts for faster device charging. The 2023 Palisade supports the latest version of Hyundai Digital Key. Digital Key 2 Touch allows owners to leave their car key at home and use an iPhone, Apple Watch, or Samsung Galaxy smartphone to lock, unlock, and start their vehicle. After the car key has been added to Apple Wallet or Samsung Pass, users can simply hold the supported device near the door handle to lock or unlock the car. Touching an Apple Watch near or placing the phone in the wireless charger and then pressing the start button allows the driver to start the Palisade's engine. Apple Wallet or Samsung Pass also allows secure sharing of keys with family and friends. The 2023 Palisade is also the first Hyundai vehicle to offer Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Customers with cellular connectivity will be able to provide a hotspot that allows others to browse the internet, stream videos or music and more  just like at home.

The interior design combines a sense of relaxation and comfort creating a serene environment with eight-passenger seating standard for family adventures. The One-Touch second row seat allows for easy operation to move the seat forward and out of the way for easy access into and out of the third-row seat. For more convenience, the third row offers power-folding/unfolding and reclining seats. Second-row captain's chairs are also available. USB-C outlets have been added for faster device charging throughout the interior, providing extra convenience for all passengers. Even more, a conversation mirror allows the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear.

Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert monitors the rear seats to detect the movements of children and pets, reminding drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle; if the system detects movement in the rear seats after the driver leaves and locks the vehicle, it can sound the horn and send an alert to the driver's smartphone via Bluelink. The system is designed to help prevent children and pets from being forgotten in the car, but it can also help in case children accidentally lock themselves in.

Powertrain

Palisade power comes from an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine, for excellent power and efficiency. This 3.8-liter powerplant produces an estimated 291 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and an estimated 262 lb.-ft. of torque @ 5,200 rpm. Palisade delivers that power to the wheels via a refined eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and offers both two-wheel and HTRAC four-wheel-drive configurations, with a final drive ratio of 3.648 for confident acceleration. Palisade is extremely quiet, with generous under-hood insulation, special sound-deadening carpets and powertrain tuning that delivers smooth, linear response. In addition, Palisade offers drivers the ability to start the vehicle via remote key fob or via the Blue Link app.

HTRAC With New Tow Mode Capability

The 2023 Palisade offers Hyundai's HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system, which adds Tow Mode. Tow Mode adjusts the towing powertrain profile, holding lower gears longer and reducing the frequency of shifting response. The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-mode system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch, with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The driver-selectable HTRAC Normal, Sport and Smart modes help provide confident control in all weather conditions. The Sport setting gives a more agile feel by sending more available torque to the rear wheels, for a sporty dynamic feel when desired. This system has a wider range of torque distribution variability than many competitive systems and has been tuned to conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium- or high-speed cornering, and hill starts.

New Safety and Convenience Technologies

SUV buyers do not want to compromise when it comes to protecting their passengers, so Hyundai has expanded its safety technologies on the 2023 Palisade, with rear side-impact airbags as standard equipment to help provide additional occupant protection. Its generous suite of advanced driver assistance systems includes many innovative technologies, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist helps to avoid collisions with objects in front of the vehicle while driving. If a preceding vehicle suddenly slows, or if a forward-collision risk is detected, such as a stopped vehicle or a pedestrian, it provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking. While driving, if there is a risk of collision with a cyclist ahead, or with an oncoming vehicle while turning at an intersection, it can help assist with emergency braking. While driving through an intersection, if there is a risk of collision with oncoming vehicles detected from the left or right, it can assist with emergency braking. When changing lanes while driving, if there is a risk of collision with an oncoming vehicle detected in the next lane or a preceding vehicle in the next lane, it can assist with steering to help avoid a collision. If there is a risk of collision with a pedestrian detected, partially in the vehicle's intended path, it can assist with steering to help avoid a collision.

Lane Keeping Assist

Lane Keeping Assist helps to keep the vehicle within the lane while driving.

Lane Following Assist

Lane Following Assist helps to keep the vehicle centered within the lane while driving.

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist helps to avoid collisions with a rear-side vehicle when changing lanes. When operating the turn signal to change lanes, if there is a risk of collision detected with a rear-side vehicle, it can provide a warning. If exiting a parallel parking spot and there is a risk of collision detected with a rear-side vehicle, it can assist with emergency braking.

Safe Exit Assist

Safe Exit Assist can help avoid collisions with a rear-side vehicle detected when exiting the vehicle. When the occupant opens the door to exit the vehicle after a stop, if an approaching vehicle from the rear side is detected, it provides a warning. It can also help keep the rear door closed through operation of the electronic child lock when a potential collision is detected.

Driver Attention Warning

Driver Attention Warning analyzes the driver's attention while driving and can warn the driver of inattentive driving inputs.

High Beam Assist

High Beam Assist can help switch high beam lights on and off at night for approaching vehicles in the opposite oncoming lane.

Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control

Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control can help maintain safe speeds on the highway using navigation data. In a highway curved section, the speed can be reduced appropriately before entering the curve. When leaving the curved section, the speed can return to the original setting.

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist can help avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles detected on the left or right side of the vehicle while reversing. If there is a risk of collision detected with an oncoming vehicle on the left or right side while reversing, it provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking.

Highway Driving Assist

Highway Driving Assist helps maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a highway and helps center the vehicle in the lane, even when driving through curves.

Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist

Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist can help avoid collisions with rearward objects detected while reversing. If there is a risk of collision detected with a rearward object while reversing, the system provides a warning. After the warning, if the risk of collision remains, it can assist with emergency braking.

Remote Smart Parking Assist

Remote Smart Parking Assist helps remotely park or exit a parking spot from outside the vehicle.

In addition, 2023 Palisade now applies nine standard airbags: dual front, dual side-front and rear, driver's knee, and roll-over-sensing side-curtain airbags. Palisade uses a full-length large side curtain airbag that includes third-row seating coverage for enhanced rear occupant protection in the event of a collision. Palisade has a very rigid structure, with strategic use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) in key areas to provide increased tensile-strength. Use of Advanced High Strength Steel has several benefits: lighter overall vehicle weight and greater vehicle strength and rigidity without the excessive costs of more exotic lightweight materials. Robust underbody and side structures are designed to increase energy absorption and cabin intrusion in a severe collision, especially in the small overlap test. Further, its underbody uses multiple load paths to better disperse potential crash energy in the event of a collision.

New Rugged Palisade XRT Model

2023 Palisade will also offer a new, dark-themed, rugged XRT model to complement the Santa Fe and Tucson XRT models in the Hyundai SUV line-up. The Palisade XRT will include:

Dark-finish, rugged-themed 20-inch alloy wheels

Rugged-look front and rear fascia with skid plate design elements

Rugged-look lower door trim

Dark-finish front grille

Black roof rails

Power sunroof (conventional type)

Black leatherette seating surfaces

Bluelink Connected Car Feature Enhancements

Hyundai offers the latest version of its upgraded Bluelink connected car services with the 2023 Palisade. This range of new features allows customers to control vehicle functions with their smartphone or voice to make their drive more convenient and enjoyable. New Bluelink features include Connected Routing, Last Mile Navigation, and a new User Profile feature.

Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) is an important safety feature within Bluelink. In the event of an accident and an airbag deploys, an Automatic Collision Notification signal can be automatically transmitted to the Bluelink Customer Care Center. A trained Bluelink response operator can attempt to establish voice communication with the vehicle occupants, dispatch appropriate services and remain on the line until help arrives.

New to 2023 Palisade, Bluelink-enabled features include:

Remote Profile Management stores select personalized driver preferences in the Bluelink cloud, and can remotely update and push-back to the vehicle

Remote Start Enhancements offer remote seat heating and ventilation functions as well as preloads of individual driver settings for seating position

Vehicle Status Notifications inform owners if the vehicle has doors unlocked or windows open

Maintenance Alert Enhancement tracks maintenance intervals in the multimedia system, with ability to reset

Palisade's Dynamic Voice Recognition system accepts simple voice commands to conveniently control cabin A/C, radio, hatch opening/closing, heated steering wheel, heated/cooled seats, and other functions. The system can also assist with various points of interest (POI), weather status and stock market data updates.

More details on specific Bluelinkequipped vehicles are available at www.hyundaibluelink.com .

Color

2023 Palisade exterior colors continue to include: Abyss Black, Hyper White, Steel Graphite, Sierra Burgundy, Typhoon Silver and Moonlight Cloud, with Robust Emerald as a new color for 2023. Interior seating is available in cloth, leatherette, leather and premium Nappa leather.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on 'Progress for Humanity' and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 820 dealers sold more than 738,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Chadi Farhat, Brand COO, Ennismore said: " We are very proud to see Sara expanding her role at Fi'lia as our new Executive Chef. Sara not only brings her leadership and culinary expertise to the team, but also her passion for bringing people together through authentic dining experiences ."

Sara Aqel, Executive Chef, Fi'lia adds: "I'm very honored to continue my journey at Fi'lia as Executive Chef and I look forward to exploring even more opportunities to enhance the experiences of our guests with honest and innovative dishes."

In her role of Chef de Cuisine at the recently launched Fi'lia Dubai, Sara led a talented team of women, creating unique stories through her dishes and seeing potential in every ingredient in the kitchen. She has fond memories of cooking with her mother, which perfectly merged with Fi'lia's philosophy of Italian-Mediterranean food passed on from one generation of women to the next.

Honoring a genuine approach to Italian cuisine with a hint of Mediterranean influence, Fi'lia offers a warm setting where guests can savor honest Italian food made with fresh ingredients. Fi'lia's menu takes guests on a culinary story with a menu representative of three stages of womanhood; nonna, meaning grandmother in Italian, represents traditional Italian flavours, mamma, meaning mother, offers a contemporary twist on Italian classics, and finally, figlia, meaning daughter, showcases a modern approach to generational masterpieces.

Born and raised in Jordan and coming from a family who expressed their feelings through food, Sara discovered from an early age that cooking was her passion and something she wanted to pursue professionally. After graduating from high school, she went on to study at Les Roches Crans-Montana in Switzerland, one of the world's leading hospitality schools, with a focus on Culinary Arts and Hotel Management. During her time at Les Roches, she was the only student to be selected for an internship at the prestigious 'The Hong Kong Jockey Club' where she excelled. Following her time in Hong Kong, she successfully completed her studies - holding degrees from Les Roches, as well as the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts in Jordan. Prior to joining Fi'lia, Sara worked for a number of renowned establishments in the Middle East and most notably with Michelin-star crowned Chef Massimo Bottura, where her passion for Italian cooking was fully ignited and nurtured.

FILIARESTAURANT.COM

ABOUT ENNISMORE

Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. It curates and manages unique properties and experiences in some of the most exciting destinations worldwide.

Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha, Ennismore and Accor entered a joint venture in 2021 to create a new autonomous entity, with Accor holding a majority shareholding. Creating the world's fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, it brings together Ennismore's know-how in building brands with creative storytelling, design, and authentic experiences, with Accor's wealth of knowledge in delivering scale, network growth and distribution.

Under the leadership of Sharan Pasricha, Founder & Co-CEO, and Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO, Ennismore comprises 14 brands - with 90 operating properties and further 160 in the pipeline - and a collection of over 150 culturally relevant and diverse restaurants and nightlife destinations.

Ennismore puts innovation at the centre of everything it does, with four dedicated in-house specialist studios, which obsess every guest touchpoint including Carte Blanched  a fully integrated F&B concept platform; a creative studio of interior and graphic designers; a digital product and tech innovation lab, and a partnerships and collaborations division.

Ennismore has been included in Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies lists in 2020 and 2021; ranked#29 in FT1000: Europe's Fastest-Growing Companies; and is part of FT Future 100 - the UK's fastest-growing businesses that are shaping the future of their sector.

The Ennismore brands: 21c Museum Hotel, 25hours Hotels, Delano, Gleneagles, Hyde, J0&JOE, Mama Shelter, Mondrian, Morgans Originals, SLS, SO/, The Hoxton, TRIBE and Working From_. ennismore.com

PRESS CONTACT

Cara Chapman / Emily Venugopal at Bacchus Agency

[email protected]

SOURCE Ennismore
Follador XZero Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG; 0 grams Residual Sugar, 1 gram Carb, 65 Kcal Vegan-Friendly. Tweet this

"This marks the beginning of a great opportunity for Follador Prosecco and we are excited to see what the future holds for our business - said Cristina Follador, the company's Sales & Marketing Director - our family has always strived to deliver the excellence and traditions of our terroir with an innovative approach and M Imports is the ideal partner for our U.S. expansion, thanks to the solid international reputation, expertise and passion for the world of wine of Mark Macedonio and his team".

"The stylish, contemporary and recognizable image of Follador Prosecco is the perfect fit for our U.S. portfolio, and network of leading wholesale distributors, retailers and restaurateurs. Their newest entry Follador XZero Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG Extra Brut has 0 grams Residual Sugar, 1 gram Carbs, 65 Kcal is Vegan-Friendly and rated 93 points Wine Enthusiast. Truly an innovation. This leading-edge producer consistently demonstrates superior quality, always while representing the great Italian tradition - said Mark Macedonio, CEO of M Imports, LLC  we are proud to be part of this next chapter in Follador's global expansion.

M Imports, LLC is an importer of national scope, with a network of leading wholesale distribution partners across the United States. The company markets wines from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Australia.

www.mimportsusa.com

The Follador Prosecco dal 1769 winemaking tradition dates back more than 250 years, in an area where the respectful interaction between man and nature has created a beautiful landscape, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Praise for its wines first came from the Doge of Venice, Alvise IV Mocenigo, in 1769 and since then the history of the company has been inextricably bound to the values of the Follador family which, with its respect for tradition, its deep love for the Valdobbiadene terroir and meticulous selection of its grapes, has passed on its wealth of knowledge and quality to nine generations.

www.folladorprosecco.com

CONTACT: Mark Macedonio, [email protected]

SOURCE M Imports, LLC
Editors Select the 11 Best Up-and-Coming Culinary Destinations to Visit Now, From Boise, Idaho to Biddeford, Maine

NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dotdash Meredith's FOOD & WINE names the seven most exciting up-and-coming big American cities for food lovers right now and shines a light on four smaller urban locations that are making their mark with vibrant food and drink scenes. These 11 standout under-the-radar culinary destinations worth visiting now are featured today on https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities and in the special May travel issue of FOOD & WINE, on newsstands April 22.

FOOD & WINE, May 2022

FOOD & WINE Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis said, "We celebrate our picks for the 11 American cities with the most dynamic and emergent food cultures. Each met the criteria with their creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness. It's an exciting time for food in our country, with places like Cincinnati, where a constellation of food entrepreneurs is spurring a renaissance (Who knew you could get both Lebanese-inspired chocolate-and-tahini cookies and Japanese-style coconut mochi doughnuts there?), and Tucson, where I recently ate my weight in tacos and filled a carry-on bag with Monsoon chocolate bars, pizza flour from Barrio Bread, and flour tortillas from Anita's Street Market to take home."

FOOD & WINE's Next Great Food Cities 2022

7 Most Exciting Up-and-Coming Big Cities for Food Lovers

Boise, Idaho

Charlotte, North Carolina

Cincinnati, Ohio

Indianapolis, Indiana

Jersey City, New Jersey

Omaha, Nebraska

Tucson, Arizona

4 Small Cities with Impressive Food Scenes Worth Checking Out

Biddeford, Maine

Bozeman, Montana

Charlottesville, Virginia

Greenville, South Carolina

For full reports on the people and culinary experiences that make each of these 11 under-the-radar cities such remarkable food and drink destinations, visit https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities. Each city profile highlights standout local chefs, restaurants, producers, pop-ups, retailers, food halls, markets, distillers, brewers, incubators and more.

For those who want to share their favorite under-the-radar food city that didn't make FOOD & WINE's 2022 list of Next Great Food Cities, visit FOOD & WINE on Instagram to cast a vote for the Reader's Choice Award winner between April 14-21. For more, check out www.foodandwine.com/travel/2022-vote-best-food-cities.

About FOOD & WINE

FOOD & WINE is the ultimate authority on the best of what's new in food, drink, travel, design, and entertaining. FOOD & WINE has an extensive social media following on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. FOOD & WINE includes a magazine in print and digital; a website, foodandwine.com; a books division; plus newsletters, events, and more. At FOOD & WINE, we inspire and empower our wine- and food-obsessed community to eat, drink, entertain, and travel betterevery day and everywhere. FOOD & WINE is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

SOURCE Dotdash Meredith
At the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, our seasoned Dual Licensed Tax Attorneys and CPAs have years of experience dealing with the IRS. We know how serious potential FBAR penalties can be, and we can work to help you avoid them when you call us today at (800) 681-1295 or schedule a reduced rate initial consultation HERE.

IRS Reporting Requirements for Foreign Bank Accounts and Assets

If you are a U.S. citizen, resident alien, or otherwise pay taxes to the IRS, there are a number of disclosure requirements that you must meet. One of these disclosure requirements is the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR.

The FBAR requirements come from legislation passed in 1970 known as the Bank Secrecy Act. The goal of the legislation was to prevent sophisticated money laundering practices that used overseas shields to further the scheme. Until recently, the IRS has lacked the ability to investigate and prosecute FBAR violations thoroughly. However, recent upticks in the agency's budget give them substantially more capability in this area.

The IRS requires an FBAR from a taxpayer when they have assets overseas in a given year that exceed $10,000 in value. This threshold is measured cumulatively, meaning that you must file an FBAR whether you have one account with $12,000 or two accounts with $6,000 each.

The FBAR is not your typical tax return. Rather, it is an information return. Therefore, filing your taxes using the commercial software that you might typically use to file your income tax return will not suffice. You do not have to pay any taxes in accordance with your FBAR disclosure. However, you cannot satisfy the FBAR requirements by including a note on your annual income tax return. You will have to submit FCEN Report 114 separately.

When you submit your FBAR filing, it is important that you list the account or accounts with their highest value at any point during the year. Even if the account peaked in value for only one day, that figure is the one that the IRS wants you to include when you file your FBAR.

You should not disregard the FBAR reporting requirements just because the assets are held in some other vehicle than a traditional bank account. Investment portfolios, pension plans, and trusts are all subject to FBAR disclosures. You may even be forced to disclose assets that you have control over but do not actually own or benefit from.

Why Does Willfulness Matter for Assessing FBAR Penalties?

The possible damage from a failure to submit an FBAR where it was required could be substantial. For the purposes of assessing these penalties, it will not matter whether the taxpayer filed an inaccurate FBAR, filed the FBAR too late, or did not file the FBAR at all.

What matters here is whether there is evidence that the taxpayer willfully failed to meet their FBAR filing requirements. The IRS may believe the taxpayer's FBAR violation is based on a number of factors. Below are some of the ways in which willfulness may be imputed in the assessment of FBAR penalties.

The taxpayer failed to file an FBAR over consecutive years

The taxpayer failed to file an FBAR despite having filed it before

The taxpayer did not report income from the foreign assets on their income tax return

The taxpayer has a history of noncompliance

The government may assess willful FBAR penalties even in some cases where they cannot demonstrate that the taxpayer willfully shirked their foreign account reporting responsibilities. Courts have generally sided with the government in instances where the taxpayer displayed recklessness in their failure to file.

While this is still a gray area in the law, some courts have determined that willful blindness is enough to assess willful FBAR penalties. Willful blindness occurs when a taxpayer was aware of the high possibility that they had FBAR reporting obligations and purposefully avoided discovering these obligations.

Rather than sticking your head in the sand, it is always in your best interest to speak with a Dual Licensed Tax Attorney and CPA. Even if you have already missed filing deadlines for your FBAR, you may be able to benefit from the IRS' Overseas Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP). Application for the OVDP can signal to the government that you made an honest mistake and hope to fix it, potentially avoiding harsh penalties.

Potential Penalties for FBAR Violations

If the IRS determines that you mistakenly failed to meet your FBAR disclosure requirements, they will assess penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. This could be based on the number of years in which you failed to file or the number of accounts that you failed to disclose.

If, however, the IRS finds that you willfully violated FBAR filing requirements, the penalties are much more substantial. Individuals who are found to have violated FBAR disclosure laws may face monetary penalties of up to either $100,000 or 50% of the balance in the foreign account or accounts, whichever is greater. Even if you fail to report only a portion of the overseas assets, the percentage calculation will be based on the entirety of the value of all overseas assets, not just the ones that you didn't disclose.

The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing Can Help You Avoid Costly FBAR Penalties

No matter your circumstances, you can reap immediate benefits from bringing your situation to the attention of the Dual Licensed Tax Lawyers and CPAs at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing. Call us today to hear more at (800) 681-1295.

The Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing Can Get to Work for You Today

To find out more about what benefits you could get from the assistance of our Dual Licensed Tax Lawyers and CPAs, call us at our offices today at (800) 681-1295.

If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit, eggshell audit, reverse eggshell audit, or criminal tax investigation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution.

Note: As long as a taxpayer that has willfully committed tax crimes (potentially including non-filed foreign information returns coupled with affirmative evasion of U.S. income t ax on offshore income) self-reports the tax fraud (including a pattern of non-filed returns) through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure before the IRS has started an audit or criminal tax investigation / prosecution, the taxpayer can ordinarily be successfully brought back into tax compliance and receive a nearly guaranteed pass on criminal tax prosecution and simultaneously often receive a break on the civil penalties that would otherwise apply.

It is imperative that you hire an experienced and reputable criminal tax defense attorney to take you through the voluntary disclosure process. Only an Attorney has the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Privileges that will prevent the very professional that you hire from being potentially being forced to become a witness against you, especially where they prepared the returns that need to be amended, in a subsequent criminal tax audit, investigation or prosecution.

Moreover, only an Attorney can enter you into a voluntary disclosure without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (a crime in itself). Only an Attorney trained in Criminal Tax Defense fully understands the risks and rewards involved in voluntary disclosures and how to protect you if you do not qualify for a voluntary disclosure.

As uniquely qualified and extensively experienced Criminal Tax Defense Tax Attorneys, Kovel CPAs and EAs, our firm provides a one stop shop to efficiently achieve the optimal and predictable results that simultaneously protect your liberty and your net worth. See our Testimonials to see what our clients have to say about us!

Contact Our California FBAR Fraud and Civil Penalty Defense Attorneys for Help

If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit, eggshell audit, reverse eggshell audit, or criminal tax investigation, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution.

If you failed to provide accurate information to the IRS, you may be facing tax fraud charges if you do not come into compliance through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure. Our experienced dual licensed California Tax Fraud Defense Lawyers and CPAs are here to help. Call the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing at (800) 681-1295 to arrange a consultation with our team or schedule a reduced rate initial consultation directly HERE.

Regardless of your business or estate needs, the professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing are here for you. We are open for business and our team will help ensure that your business is too. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to discuss your business with one of our professionals.

In addition to our main office in Irvine, the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing has unstaffed (conference room only) satellite offices in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Panorama City, Oxnard, San Diego, Bakersfield, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Carlsbad and Sacramento.

Our office technology allows clients to meet virtually via GoToMeeting. With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link. Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client.

Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

See our Audit Representation Q and A Library

See our 2011 OVDI Q and A Library

See our FBAR Compliance and Disclosure Q and A Library

See our Foreign Audit Q and A Library

Public Contact: Dave Klasing Esq. M.S.-Tax CPA, [email protected]

SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC
Each CMOS DNA chip carries 8.4 million unique oligos

OAKLAND, Calif. and PISCATAWAY, N.J., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GenScript USA Inc ., the world's leading life science research tools and services provider, announced today the debut of the highest throughput semiconductor chip for DNA synthesis in the industry at the annual Built With Biology global conference. Developed using GenScript's proprietary miniature semiconductor chip technology, the High-Density DNA Synthesis Chip allows the synthesis of 8.4 million unique oligos simultaneously, up to 170 bases per oligo. It is first commercial platform for DNA digital data storage.

GenScript's next-generation DNA synthesis platform carries four chips, and more than 5.7 billion oligos may be synthesized in one run. Researchers encoded 100 Mb of mixed data types in the DNA to test the High-Density DNA Synthesis Chip's storage utility and retrieved 100% of the encoded data with no loss.

"DNA could be a powerful medium for data storage given its theoretically limitless storage capacity, stability, and minimal maintenance requirements," said Cedric Wu, Ph.D., vice president of GenScript's Innovation Center. "However, our inability to quickly generate large numbers of DNA sequences to store new material has hindered its commercial promise. GenScript's semiconductor technology addresses DNA digital data storage's most vexing challenges. It is turning fiction into reality."

The size of the global DataSphere is predicted to hit 160 trillion gigabytes by 2025, and the capacity to store it is running out. Storing data in large server farms is unsustainable in the long term, as it requires too much energy, land, maintenance, and money.

GenScript's High-Density DNA Synthesis Chip's active electrode field has a density of over 2.5 million sites per square centimeter. Each electrode site on the chip is independently controlled and can produce a different high-fidelity oligo sequence at every location. GenScript's scientists have built robust pipelines and algorithms for quicker data encoding and decoding along with advanced error correction.

Dr. Wu will share details on the platform and the company's preliminary DNA data storage results at a fireside chat today at 11:20 a.m. at the annual Built With Biology Conference. GenScript is actively seeking participants for a partnership program to expand the applicability of the data storage platform.

In addition to DNA digital data storage, GenScript will be expanding the development of the High-Density DNA Synthesis Chip platform to enhanced targeted enrichment sequencing, precision mutant antibody/enzyme libraries, spatial genomics, and digital microfluidics. It is expected to be fully commercially available in the second half of 2022.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

GenScript Biotech Corporation (Stock Code: 1548.HK) is a global biotechnology group. Based on its leading gene synthesis technology, GenScript has developed four major platforms including the global cell therapy platform, the biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) platform, the contract research organization (CRO) platform and the industrial synthesis product platform.

GenScript was founded in New Jersey, US in 2002 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2015. GenScript's business operation spans over 100 countries and regions worldwide, with legal entities located in the U.S., Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Netherlands and Ireland. GenScript has provided premium, convenient, and reliable products and services for over 100,000 customers.

GenScript has a number of intellectual property rights and technical secrets, including more than 100 patents and over 270 patent applications. As of December 31-st, 2020, GenScript's products and services have been cited by 52,500 peer-reviewed journal articles worldwide.

For more information visit www.genscript.com .

CONTACTS

For GenScript

Cedric Wu, Ph.D.

Vice President

[email protected]

For Media

Susan Thomas

Principal, Endpoint Communications

(619) 540-9195

[email protected]

SOURCE GenScript
GrubMarket acquires WaudWare, a highly reputable Canadian software provider that specializes in building software products for the fresh produce and food supply chain industries in North America, to provide more comprehensive software capabilities to global food supply chain businesses.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GrubMarket today announced it has completed the acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based WaudWare, an award-winning and long-standing enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that specializes in building software solutions for businesses operating in the North American fresh produce industry.

Founded more than 33 years ago by owner F. Charles Waud, WaudWare excels at delivering comprehensive software that improves productivity and performance for its extensive customer base. The company's flagship product is its web-based Produce Inventory Control System (PICS), a supply chain management software that helps customers navigate the complexities of produce traceability, growing, production, buying, selling, inventory tracking, accounting, reporting, security, process control and more. PICS is an all-in-one software solution designed to allow owners and managers to handle all business functions in one place, improving efficiencies through the reduction of manual intervention and input and eliminating the risk of errors. PICS is also known for having industry-leading traceability functionality that meets the stringent regulatory requirements of both the U.S. FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act and Canada's Safe Food for Canadians Act. WaudWare maintains its position as a leading innovator in the industry by staying close to its customers and continuously improving PICS based on customer feedback and market signals.

"We are excited to join the GrubMarket team and welcome the opportunity to add our several decades of advanced supply chain and produce software development experience to GrubMarket's broader eCommerce and software technology platform. Our customers have relied upon WaudWare to provide excellence in software development and post-implementation service. We are thrilled to learn that GrubMarket has built out such a well-integrated software solution to enable a streamlined eCommerce solution for the food supply chain industry. It is truly meaningful for us to join GrubMarket's mission to be a software technology enabler in the under digitized food supply chain industry," said F. Charles Waud, President of WaudWare.

According to Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket: "WaudWare is a pioneer and leader in the software development space for the Canadian fresh produce industry. They've been in business for over three decades, and have a proven track record, with a broad customer base, high customer satisfaction and glowing reviews. As GrubMarket is already a leading software provider for the American food supply chain industry, this acquisition signals our effort to respect and preserve the diversity and unique landscape of the software ecosystem for the Canadian food supply chain industry. This acquisition also enables us to further strengthen our eCommerce and software development capabilities for our software customers and helps us solidify our position in the North American food supply chain industry as a technology enabler. We're thrilled to welcome the WaudWare team to the GrubMarket family."

WaudWare's software development offerings will add to the breadth of GrubMarket's ecommerce and software product family, which already includes the innovative and proprietary WholesaleWare software suite, the company's software-as-a-service platform that provides food industry wholesalers and distributors with seamless financial management, easy-to-use sales and online ordering features, precise inventory management, lot traceability and tracking, grower accounting, and automated routing and logistics tools.

About GrubMarket

Founded in 2014, GrubMarket is a San Francisco-based food technology company operating in the space of food supply chain eCommerce for both business customers and end consumers, as well as providing related software-as-a-service solutions to digitally transform the American and global food supply chain. Currently, GrubMarket operates in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, British Columbia and Ontario (Canada), with plans to expand to the rest of the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world.

For Media Inquiries:

GrubMarket Media Team

[email protected]

(510) 556-4786

GrubMarket Inc.

1925 Jerrold Ave.

San Francisco, CA, 94124

SOURCE GrubMarket
Developer wins top honors as Developer of the Year

DALLAS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillwood Communities, the award-winning master-planned residential and mixed-use developer based in Dallas, was honored with 10 McSAM Awards during a ceremony hosted by the Dallas Builders Association on April 9th at the Renaissance Addison Hotel. Topping the list of awards, Hillwood Communities was selected as the Dallas-Fort Worth Developer of Year for the fourth time in seven years. In addition, the developer also achieved second consecutive year wins in the categories of Master-Planned Community of the Year, People's Choice Community of the Year, Best Community Amenity, Lifestyle Director of the Year, and Lifestyle Program of the Year.

The annual McSAM Awards recognize builders, developers, and associates in the Dallas area who have made significant contributions in the industry through specific achievements in product design, architecture, and sales and marketing categories.

"We are thrilled that the discipline we exercise in developing projects continues to be recognized for creating communities our residents love to call home," said Fred Balda, president of Hillwood Communities. "This would not have been possible without the vision and execution of our team and relationships with great partners including our architects, contractors, landscapers, designers, advertising agency, and homeowners' association."

Harvest by Hillwood was named Master-Planned Community of the Year for its unique agrihood concept, beautiful array of amenities, and year-round lifestyle program that helps connect neighbors and create a true sense of community.

Harvest was also voted People's Choice Community of the Year. This award is based on a consumer survey of the community's most recent buyers asking for feedback on everything from home design, sales experience, customer service, community lifestyle, and overall satisfaction. They were also asked to rate the community on a scale from zero to 10 on how likely they would be to recommend it to a friend or family member. Harvest achieved a 100% participation rate and zero negative results in this year's survey.

"Harvest has always been special, and not only because it was the first agrihood in north Texas," explained Angie Mastrocola, Hillwood Communities Senior Vice President. "Families love the working farm and the community supported agriculture program it supplies, but it's the sense of community created through the award-winning lifestyle program that resonates with families and why they refer it to their family and friends."

Hillwood Communities is a leading privately-owned real estate developer with a reputation for creating sustaining value for communities, homeowners, and other stakeholders. Their master-planned communities help set benchmarks for quality, innovation, and lifestyle in new home communities. The developer purposefully designs each residential development around the needs and desires of today's homebuyers.

"Now, more than ever, buyers are looking for a sense of community," said Balda. "Incorporating innovative amenities, outdoor spaces, natural features and a lifestyle calendar full of events and gatherings creates opportunities for interaction and connection among neighbors. That connection forms the foundation for family and friends to enjoy life to its fullest."

About Hillwood

Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor, and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world's leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners, and the communities we serve.

Through its Communities division, Hillwood has delivered more than 38,000 single-family lots in 104 master-planned communities across 13 states and Costa Rica. These communities continue to raise the bar in terms of quality, innovation, and the unmistakable sense of community that sets each property apart. Before laying the physical groundwork for any new residential development, Hillwood Communities takes the time to focus on the ideals that draw people together  and the everyday interactions that strengthen those bonds. By purposefully designing its walkways, gathering spaces, and structural amenities to spark spontaneous encounters and foster shared interests, Hillwood Communities creates community in every sense. For more information, please visit http://www.hillwoodcommunities.com.

Contact:

Diana L. Carroll

Hillwood Communities

[email protected]

SOURCE Hillwood Communities
NOIDA, India, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the Hydraulic Turbines market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The Hydraulic Turbines market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the Hydraulic Turbines market. The Hydraulic Turbines market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the Hydraulic Turbines market at the global and regional levels. The hydraulic Turbines market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2021-2027 to exceed US$ 1.2 billion by 2027.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=9987

Market Overview

Hydropower is by far the most used renewable energy in comparison to other sources. The usage of hydropower has also grown over the years. Compared to 2010, when the generation of renewable energy was 3436 terawatt-hours, the amount of renewable energy generated in 2020 has increased to 4297 terawatt-hours. Hydroelectric power is one of the oldest and largest low-carbon energy sources. Hydroelectric generation dates back more than a century and is still our largest renewable source, excluding traditional biomass, and today it still accounts for more than 60% of renewable generation. The scale of hydroelectric power generation varies significantly across the world. As of 2018, 1126 GW of installed hydropower energy had been installed around the world. According to powertechnology.com, hydropower of predicted to grow by 125 GW by 2023.

COVID-19 Impact

Due to the unprecedented constraints during the Covid-19 pandemic on social and economic activity and particularly on mobility, there have been severe impacts on energy use. The energy demand is expected to decrease by 6% in 2020 which is the largest drop in 70 years according to IEA. Additionally, there was expected to be an 8% decline in CO2 emissions in 2020, falling to their lowest level since 2010. This drop is also because of the slight increase in the usage of renewable energy sources in recent years. However, the reopening of lockdowns is expected to drastically increase the usage of electricity, and because of the increasing awareness about renewable energy sources, the use of renewable energy after the opening of lockdowns is also expected to grow.

Ask for Price & Discounts @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=9987

Hydraulic Turbines market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Technology, the market is primarily segmented into

Impulse Turbine

Reaction Turbine

Based on Technology, the hydraulic turbines market is segmented into Impulse Turbine and Reaction Turbine. Amongst technology, the Reaction Turbine segment of the market was valued at US$ 0.912 billion in 2020 and is likely to reach US$ 1.107 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 2.7% from 2021-2027.

By Capacity, the market is primarily segmented into

Less Than 1000 kW

Between 1000 - 10000 kW

More Than 10000 kW

Based on capacity, the hydraulic turbines market is segmented into Less Than 1 MW, 1-10 MW, and above 10 MW. Amongst capacity, the above 10 MW segment accounted for a market valuation of US$ 0.918 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach US$ 1.108 billion by the year 2027, at a CAGR of 2.6% over the analyzed period.

Hydraulic Turbines Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

MEA

Based on the estimation, the Asia Pacific region dominated the Hydraulic Turbines market with almost 43% revenue share in 2020 and saw a CAGR of 3.1% in the forecast period due to increasing industrialization and power utilization.

Ask for Report Customization @ https://univdatos.com/report/hydraulic-turbines-market/

The major players targeting the market include

Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA

Andritz AG

General Electric Company

American hydro

Canyon Hydro

Harbin Electric Machinery Co. Ltd.

Dongfang Electric Co. Ltd.

Litostroj

Hitachi Mitsubishi Hydro Corporation

Toshiba

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analysing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the Hydraulic Turbines market. The leading players have been analysed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on global competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the Hydraulic Turbines market?

Which factors are influencing the Hydraulic Turbines market over the forecast period?

What are the global challenges, threats, and risks in the Hydraulic Turbines market?

Which factors are propelling and restraining the Hydraulic Turbines market?

What are the demanding global regions of the Hydraulic Turbines market?

What will be the global market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by global companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @ https://univdatos.com/report/hydraulic-turbines-market/

About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

Contact

UnivDatos Market Insights

Ankita Gupta

Director Operations

Ph: +91-7838604911

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://univdatos.com/

SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced the launch of a private infrastructure investment business in North America. The new platform will apply the firm's global expertise and track record in real estate and private equity to make investments in critical infrastructure companies and projects across North America.

Michael Ryder has joined Investcorp as a Senior Advisor to lead the infrastructure business. Michael has a long history of successfully investing in the private equity and infrastructure spaces, previously holding leadership positions at Morgan Stanley, Blackstone and OMERS Infrastructure. During his tenure at OMERS, Michael was responsible for deployment of almost US$4 billion of equity in the renewable power, regulated utilities, midstream, and government services sectors. Michael has led teams responsible for all stages of the investment lifecycle from transaction origination, structuring and execution, asset management and value creation, through to successful exits.

"The launch of Investcorp's North America infrastructure business builds upon our long history of success investing in private alternatives on behalf of our global client base, leveraging our strong and established experience in real estate and private equity. Infrastructure is a critical focus area as we see increased activity to upgrade the region's aging infrastructure," said Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp. "This initiative will expand our range of capabilities, generate additional value for our clients and stakeholders and lead us steadily forward in our growth strategy. We are deeply impressed with Michael's extensive experience and knowledge of the infrastructure space and look forward to welcoming him to our team."

"I am proud to be joining the Investcorp team at this exciting time, especially as we anticipate a steady rise in infrastructure investment activity in North America during the next decade," said Michael Ryder, Senior Advisor at Investcorp. "Investcorp has been a best-in-class alternative investment manager for 40 years, I look forward to contributing to the firm's growth strategy by leading this important new initiative."

Investcorp established its first Infrastructure investment business in the Gulf Cooperation Council region in 2019 through a strategic joint venture with Aberdeen Standard Investments. The JV utilizes Investcorp's extensive investment expertise and market reach in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and ASI's strong track record of investing in 120 social infrastructure projects during the past 20 years.

About Investcorp

Investcorp is a global investment manager, specializing in alternative investments across private equity, real estate, credit, absolute return strategies, GP stakes, infrastructure and insurance asset management. Since our inception in 1982, we have focused on generating attractive returns for our clients while creating long-term value in our investee companies and for our shareholders as a prudent and responsible investor.

We invest a meaningful portion of our own capital in products we offer to our clients, ensuring that our interests are aligned with our stakeholders, including the communities that we operate within, towards driving sustainable value creation. We take pride in partnering with our clients to deliver tailored solutions for their needs, utilizing a disciplined investment process, employing world-class talent and combining the resources of a global institution with an innovative, entrepreneurial approach. In January 2022, Investcorp issued its 2021 Responsible Business Report which outlines its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) highlights for 2021 and specific initiatives the Firm implemented to meet its goals: https://www.investcorp.com/esg/

Investcorp has 13 offices across the US, Europe, GCC and Asia, including India, China and Singapore. As of December 31, 2021, Investcorp Group had US $40.4 billion in total AUM, including assets managed by third party managers, and employed approximately 460 people from 46 nationalities globally across its offices. For further information, visit www.investcorp.com and follow us @Investcorp on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Investcorp

Katherine Segura 1 973-908-4463 [email protected] Prosek Partners Lindsay Jablonski 1 646-818-9056 [email protected]

SOURCE Investcorp
"John brings proven executive level utility leadership and a wide range of critically important experiences to this role," said Brown. "We are excited to welcome John as a new leader. In particular, he will help us listen to and engage our stakeholders as he drives important conversations around federal policy related to the reduction of carbon emissions and investments in electric infrastructure and resiliency."

Hudson will be responsible for several key groups focused on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues, sustainability and environmental policy, federal governmental affairs and corporate social responsibility. Of particular importance will be John's strategic direction of a recently established team directing the company's efforts to secure infrastructure funding through the federal government's $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law includes $62 billion targeted specifically for clean energy and resiliency investments that could further serve as an economic development engine for the communities in Entergy's service areas.

"A major component of implementing this law will be stakeholder engagement and coordination," added Brown. "John will oversee those vital efforts and partner with senior leaders, technical team members and others throughout the company to ensure alignment and accountability as we serve our customers across the Gulf South region."

Hudson will replace Mike Twomey, who is retiring from Entergy after having served in several roles over the last 20 years.

Prior to joining Entergy, Hudson served as president and chief executive officer of Nicor Gas Corporation, Illinois' largest gas distribution company, which reached more than 2.2 million customers. Previously, Hudson was executive vice president and chief external affairs officer at Southern Company Gas, where he was responsible for the company's external affairs, customer operations, environmental affairs, corporate communications, and marketing efforts.

Hudson received an MBA from Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, a Juris Doctor from Miles College School of Law, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Alabama A&M University. He also completed the executive accounting and finance program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, powers life for 3 million utility customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources. With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,500 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

Download a high-resolution Entergy logo here.

SOURCE Entergy Corporation
NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Care and domestic workers have been among the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a matter of weeks, almost 70% of nannies, housekeepers, and home care workers lost their jobs.

These job losses affected Latina women more than any other group. A UCLA study found that, from March 2020 to March 2021, 2.7% of Latina workers dropped out of the labor market, almost twice the rate of white women.

In the United States, there are more than 2 million domestic workers; almost 92% are women, and the majority are black, Latin, and Asian women, often born outside of the country. However, Latina women make up 29.1% of the caregiving workforce of the entire country.

At the highest point of the pandemic, more than 2.5 million women abandoned the workforce; vice-president Kamala Harris called it "a national emergency."

Angelica Fuentes Tellez, an active defendant of women's rights, points out the struggle that the pandemic has represented for Latin women in the U.S., but reminds us that this is reflection of a historical problem of gender discrimination.

"Historically, domestic work is considered a reproductive work, I mean, women are responsible of doing it. It is not recognized as a real work, although it definitively has an economic value."

"Because it wasn't considered real work, it also got excluded from most labor laws that were supposed to strengthen worker protection," Angelica Fuentes.

On average, domestic workers are paid 12.01 dollars per hour, much less than other workers (paid $19.97 per hour). Compared with demographically similar workers, domestic workers, on average, are paid just 74 cents for every dollar their peers make.

"This is why caregiving labor is considered undervalued," explains Angelica Fuentes.

But the problem is not only related to the wage gap. Other labor issues affect Latin women who work in caregiving.

"Many domestic worker's rights are not recognized, they're low-paid, they lack breaks, and they are not paid overtime or provided with health insurance," indicates Angelica Fuentes.

However, there are efforts driven by Latin women focusing on changing how caregiving is seen in the U.S.

Angelica Fuentes gives as an example the efforts in New York, California, Connecticut, and Illinois, where the law started to recognize domestic workers' rights.

But as of January 2021, and driven by Latin women, nine states, including the aforementioned, have adopted a domestic worker legislation. There are also active campaigns underway in multiple states.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the relevance of caregiving workers and, specifically, the vital role that Latin women have in the economy of the United States".

Suppose the United States wants to achieve an economic recovery. In that case, we must support caregiving Latin women, stand up beside them and fight for more states to recognize their rights as an essential labor force."

SOURCE Angelica Fuentes Tellez
BEIJING, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju" or the "Company") (NYSE: LEJU), a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2022. The Annual Report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.leju.com.

Leju will provide a hard copy of the annual report containing its audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations department, Leju Holdings Limited, Level G, Building G, No.8 Dongfeng South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100016.

About Leju

Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju") (NYSE: LEJU) is a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, offering real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services. Leju's integrated online platform comprises various mobile applications along with local websites covering more than 380 cities, enhanced by complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to the Company's own websites, Leju operates the real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA Corporation, and maintains a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited. For more information about Leju, please visit http://ir.leju.com.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Ms. Christina Wu

Leju Holdings Limited

Phone: +86 (10) 5895-1062

E-mail: [email protected]

Philip Lisio

The Foote Group

Phone: +86 135-0116-6560

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Leju Holdings Limited
Appointments demonstrate commitment to lead cancer research, address cancer disparities in Wisconsin and beyond

MILWAUKEE, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center announced the appointment of several key leadership positions, reflecting a commitment to accelerate cancer research and address disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes in Wisconsin.

Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, MCHES, joins MCW in June 2022 as the inaugural associate director of community outreach and engagement. In his new role, Dr. Rogers will lead the MCW Cancer Center's efforts to increase health equity and foster deeper relationships and engagement with underrepresented and vulnerable populations, in a community that's home to more than 74% of Wisconsin's total minority population1. Dr. Rogers will also serve as a MCW Cancer Center Research Scholar Endowed Chair and an associate professor in the Institute for Health & Equity. His transdisciplinary training in applied mathematics and statistics, health education, community-based participatory research, public health administration and policy, and cancer-related health disparities provides a unique perspective for translating research findings into prevention methods. For more than 10 years, Dr. Rogers' research agenda has contributed to translational solutions that address the complex underpinnings of inequities in men's health, with a primary focus on colorectal cancer awareness and prevention among African American men. Moreover, he has received several honors acknowledging his servant leadership (e.g., 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health for 2021 by the National Minority Quality Forum).



Razelle Kurzrock, MD, FACP, a world-renowned leader in precision oncology and rare cancers research, joined the MCW Cancer Center in November 2021. Dr. Kurzrock assumed the leadership roles of associate director of clinical research for the MCW Cancer Center, associate director of precision oncology at the MCW Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and founding director of the newly established Michels Rare Cancers Research Laboratories at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Kurzrock was recently appointed The Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Endowed Chair in Precision Oncology and is recognized as one of the world's 25 most important voices in precision medicine2 and one of the most highly cited scientists globally. She has authored over 850 scientific and medical publications, serves as the Chair for the Early Therapeutics and Rare Cancers Committee (SWOG NCI) one of the largest clinical trials cooperative groups in the country -- and has been the principal investigator on over 100 early-phase clinical trials, leading eight life-changing drugs to FDA approval. In March 2022, Dr. Kurzrock and the DART rare cancer study team received the National Cancer Institute Director's Award of Merit for outstanding work.

Xue-Zhong Yu, MD, MS, MBA, also joined the MCW Cancer Center in November 2021. He holds the Cancer Center Endowed Chair in Hematology/Oncology and assumes the leadership role of associate director of basic research for the Cancer Center and professor in the department of microbiology and immunology. Dr. Yu brings more than 25 years of cancer research experience, having been trained as a medical doctor and then as an immunologist. His research focuses on cancer immunotherapy, specifically hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematologic malignance and adaptive T-cell therapy for solid tumors.

These additions expand upon the recent leadership appointments of renowned scientists Gustavo W. Leone, PhD, MCW Cancer Center director, and Mary Horowitz, MD, MS, MCW Cancer Center deputy director.

Dr. Leone joined MCW in January 2020 and was appointed senior associate dean of cancer research and professor with tenure in the department of biochemistry. He holds the Dr. Glenn R. and Nancy A. Linnerson Endowed Chair For Cancer Research and oversees clinical operations at the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network.

Dr. Horowitz joined the MCW Cancer Center in February 2021. Dr. Horowitz holds the Robert A. Uihlein Professorship for Hematologic Research at MCW and serves as chief scientific director emeritus of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, of which she is a founding member.

"We're bringing together brilliant minds to accelerate life-saving discoveries that will eradicate the cancer burden in our region," says Dr. Leone. "The remarkable strengths of each individual will deepen our expertise and fulfill our goal of advancing cancer research and care for a diversity of people across the state."

About the Medical College of Wisconsin

With a history dating back to 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,500 students are enrolled in MCW's medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin. MCW's School of Pharmacy opened in 2017. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In the last ten years, faculty received more than $1.6 billion in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,100 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,650 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 4 million patients annually.

1 CDC Data

2 BIS Research, 2019

SOURCE Medical College of Wisconsin
Rise in geriatric population battling with various health-related complications necessitates early illness identification, which is likely to drive market expansion

Due to high adoption rate of ultrasound systems for diagnosis of various diseases, the segment is predicted to rise rapidly over the forecast period

ALBANY, N.Y., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical imaging equipment market is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2028. The global market was valued at US$ 30.7 Bn in 2020 and is likely to reach the valuation of US$ 50.3 Bn by the end of 2028. In order to generate profitable revenue streams, firms in the global medical imaging equipment market are focused on producing high-quality, technologically sophisticated gadgets. The global market is being driven by steadily growing demand for medical imaging equipment in the healthcare industry due to rising prevalence of illnesses, such as cancers, and other chronic and neurological disorders throughout the world.

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Developments in imaging equipment, automation, digital technology deployment, and other technological advances assist product manufacturers to remain ahead of the competition. Additionally, surge in demand for 3D medical imaging devices is likely to propel the market. In order to assure safety, cost-effectiveness, and dependability, governments can boost their expenditures in high-tech imaging equipment.

One of the key reasons expected to boost the global medical imaging equipment market is technological advancements in the healthcare industry. In order to meet the growing demand from the healthcare business, manufacturers are expanding their production capabilities for medical imaging products. The global market is being propelled by the rising usage of digitally advanced equipment for prompt and precise diagnosis. The rapid rise of the global medical imaging equipment market is also due to continuous R&D activity carried out in manufacturing techniques of medical imaging equipment.

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Key Findings of Market Report

As the incidence rate of cardiovascular, neurological disorders, as well as orthopedic, pulmonary, and dental ailments has grown, the demand for speedy diagnosis techniques has also increased. As a result of this factor, the demand for medical imaging equipment such as MRI machines, X-ray machines, CT scanners, and nuclear imaging machines has increased. There is a growing need for portable medical imaging devices to help lab professionals save time and effort.

Countries such as India and China are likely to drive the growth of the global medical imaging equipment market by investing heavily in AI-based tools and machineries to meet the growing demand from hospitals and diagnostic laboratories. Innovative medical imaging technologies with outstanding speed, flexibility, better imaging, and portability are in high demand.

and are likely to drive the growth of the global medical imaging equipment market by investing heavily in AI-based tools and machineries to meet the growing demand from hospitals and diagnostic laboratories. Innovative medical imaging technologies with outstanding speed, flexibility, better imaging, and portability are in high demand. A variety of medical imaging methods allow for accurate and quick three-dimensional (3D) imaging. Computer-assisted detection (CAD) and image analysis applications are a result of breakthroughs in 3D imaging. This promotes demand for practically every modality, especially tomographic imaging methods.

In 2020, the global medical imaging equipment market was led by X-ray devices, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Rise in prevalence of illnesses, as well as the simple availability as well as acceptability of X-ray technologies, is likely to contribute to the segment's expansion.

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Global Medical Imaging Equipment Market: Growth Drivers

Surgeons are increasingly adopting 3D imaging to plan procedures, resulting in rise in use of these systems. Use of 3D imaging for breast cancer screening is on the rise, as it provides a better picture of tissue than traditional mammography.

Growing markets in Asia Pacific offer enormous development potential for the global medical imaging equipment market, owing to reasons such as rise in demand for refurbished imaging systems as more equipment is required while healthcare budgets are being cut

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Global Medical Imaging Equipment Market: Key Players

Some of the key market players are

Toshiba Corporation

Hitachi Medical Corporation

Fujifilm Holdings Corporation

Samsung Medison Co. Ltd

Carestream Health, Inc.

Philips Healthcare

Global Medical Imaging Equipment Market: Segmentation

Product

X-ray Devices

Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] Equipment

Ultrasound Devices

Computed Tomography [CT] Scanners

Nuclear Imaging Equipment

Technology

X-ray Devices

Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] Equipment

Ultrasound Devices

Computed Tomography [CT] Scanners

Nuclear Imaging Equipment

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Industry Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Medical Imaging Market: The demand within the global market for medical imaging has been rising on account of advancements in the field of medicine and healthcare. The cumulative impact of these two industries has been commendable, and has helped in finding cures and treatment mechanisms for a variety of diseases. Medical imaging is one such imaging technology that has played a major role in enhancing the performance of the medical and healthcare industries.

Medical Imaging Management Market: Medical imaging has made tremendous strides on the back two pillars: continuous technological advancements and the sheer pace of digital transformation in radiology. Enormous advancements in content management and ICTs have underpinned new workstations used in medical imaging, driving the evolution of the medical imaging management market.

Medical Imaging Equipment Services Market: The global medical imaging equipment services market was valued at US$ 15.46 Bn in 2020 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2021 to 2031. Government initiatives to improve awareness about advanced technology are anticipated to drive the global medical imaging equipment services market from 2021 to 2031. North America is expected to account for significant share of the global medical imaging equipment services market during the forecast period.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
MHz Choice will also premiere the latest series addition to the long-running German Tatort franchise with Tatort: Weimer , which pairs well-matched yet mismatched detectives Lessing and Kira Dorn as they tackle case after case while weathering true surprises along the way.

Complementing the new series in May is a visual feast from Italy with the main dish being the return of fan-favorite Imma Tataranni (Italy). This popular crime dramedy set in Matera remains both sharp and entertaining with Vanessa Scalera resuming her role as deputy prosecutor Immacolata Tataranni. While new cases, investigative tenacity and a love of cooking remain central to Imma's character, this season she again confronts romantic temptation alongside the emotional needs of her husband and grown daughter. MHz Choice also takes viewers beyond the southern Italian city of Matera with the premiere of four new documentaries, each focusing on a different aspect of Italian cultural heritage.

Also returning to MHz Choice in May are two popular French detective duos: Cherif (Season 3) and Tandem (Season 4).

The full May 2022 schedule available here: https://mhzchoiceblog.com/premiere-schedule/

MAY 3

CHERIF: SEASON 3, FRANCE, FRANCE TELEVISIONS, NEW SEASON

Captain Kader Cherif is a brilliant and eccentric detective in this addictive, long-running mystery series set in Lyon.

FOUR SEASONS IN RURAL SICILY, ITALY, RAI TRADE, NEW DOCUMENTARY

A small farming village outside Palermo struggles to survive and thrive in the 21st century.

MAY 10

TANDEM: SEASON 4, FRANCE, MEDIAWAN, NEW SEASON

Montpellier police investigators Lea Soler and Paul Marchal work together, are both single parents of teenagers and are both recently divorced from each other!

PALERMO - RENAISSANCE, ITALY, RAI TRADE, NEW DOCUMENTARY

A fascinating journey through the streets, palaces and faces of Palermo in its year as the Italian Capital of Culture.

MAY 17

IMMA TATARANNI: SEASON 2, ITALY, RAI TRADE, NEW SEASON

Deputy prosecutor Imma Tataranni cracks cases with attitude to spare in this entertaining crime series set in Matera.

SAN PETRONIO, ITALY, RAI TRADE, NEW DOCUMENTARY

A spellbinding documentary on the history and architecture of the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna.

MAY 24

TATORT: WEIMAR, GERMANY, GLOBAL SCREEN, NEW SERIES

Another odd couple from Germany's long-running Tatort crime franchise: he's an intellectual with a dry sense of humor and she goes by her gut and likes to take action. Together, Lessing and Dorn keep criminals on the run in Germany's historic city of Weimar.

FLORENCE  PALAZZO VECCHIO, ITALY, RAI TRADE, NEW DOCUMENTARY

This documentary tells the story of the works of art in the Palazzo Vecchio museum in Florence.

MAY 31

FIRST RESPONDERS, SWEDEN, REINVENT, NEW SERIES

Swedish procedural drama about an emergency services team in the remote mountain resort of Are - a location as breathtakingly beautiful as it is dangerous!

About MHz Networks

MHz Networks offers viewers in the U.S. and Canada access to a library of the best television mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries subtitled in English through its subscription streaming service, MHz Choice. Select MHz Networks content is also available on DVD and on its free ad-supported service MHz Now, available on Samsung TV Plus and Plex. New MHz Choice customers receive a free 7-Day Trial. For more information, go to mhzchoice.com.

SOURCE MHz Networks
The military helicopter MRO market covers the following areas:

Military Helicopter MRO Market Sizing

Military Helicopter MRO Market Forecast

Military Helicopter MRO Market Analysis

Driver and Challenge

The introduction of new and modernized helicopters is one of the key factors driving the global military helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market growth. For instance, in 2021, the Leonardo AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopter became the new Presidential Transport helicopter in the Republic of Colombia. This will expand the existing AW139 fleet in Colombia during the forecast period. In June 2020, Boeing delivered the final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force. In addition, in September 2020, the Government of Poland planned to acquire new helicopters for the Polish Air Force. The aircraft is expected to replace the Soviet-designed Mil Mi-24 helos, which, in turn, will drive the growth of the global military helicopter MRO market in the region during the forecast period.

The barriers to the adoption of new technology and equipment are challenging the global military helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul market growth. The advancement rate is high in missile technology, rocket-propelled grenades, advanced improvised explosive devices, smart munitions, advanced electronic warfare, and other systems installed in a military helicopter. The prohibitive cost, technology risk driven by certification requirements, and required expertise are several other challenges associated with the introduction of new technology. The advanced equipment needs to go through rigorous testing and evaluation processes prior to certification. In addition, innovations need substantial backing and support from prominent manufacturers and MRO service providers in the defense market. Major players in the industry require a business incentive to support such innovations. Such factors can hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America will account for 39% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The robust aviation base, particularly in the US, will drive the military helicopter MRO market growth in North America during the forecast period. The US is the key country for the military helicopter MRO market in North America. However, market growth in this region will be slower than the growth of the market in other regions.

Companies Mentioned

Airbus SE

AAR Corp.

ARISTA AVIATION

CHC Group LLC

General Electric Co.

GLOBALSTAR AEROSPACE LLC

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Leonardo Spa

Lockheed Martin Corp.

MTU Aero Engines AG

NHV Group

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Rostec State Corp.

RUAG International Holding Ltd.

Safran SA

Sika Interplant Systems Ltd.

TAIGLOBAL Group

Textron Inc.

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Related Reports:

Offshore Helicopters Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

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Military Helicopter MRO Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 3.39% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 1.61 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.63 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key consumer countries US, China, France, Italy, and Russia Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Airbus SE, AAR Corp., ARISTA AVIATION, CHC Group LLC, General Electric Co., GLOBALSTAR AEROSPACE LLC, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Leonardo Spa, Lockheed Martin Corp., MTU Aero Engines AG, NHV Group, Raytheon Technologies Corp., Rostec State Corp., RUAG International Holding Ltd., Safran SA, Sika Interplant Systems Ltd., TAIGLOBAL Group, and Textron Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period, Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Type

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Type

5.3 Field maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Field maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Field maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Field maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Field maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Component depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Component depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Component depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Component depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Component depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Airframe depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Airframe depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Airframe depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Airframe depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Airframe depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Engine depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Engine depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Engine depot maintenance - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Engine depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Engine depot maintenance - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 45: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 46: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 48: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 86: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 88: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 90: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 91: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 92: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 93: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 94: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 95: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 96: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Airbus SE

Exhibit 97: Airbus SE - Overview



Exhibit 98: Airbus SE - Business segments



Exhibit 99: Airbus SE - Key news



Exhibit 100: Airbus SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 101: Airbus SE - Segment focus

10.4 CHC Group LLC

Exhibit 102: CHC Group LLC - Overview



Exhibit 103: CHC Group LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: CHC Group LLC - Key offerings

10.5 General Electric Co.

Exhibit 105: General Electric Co. - Overview



Exhibit 106: General Electric Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 107: General Electric Co. - Key news



Exhibit 108: General Electric Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 109: General Electric Co. - Segment focus

10.6 Leonardo Spa

Exhibit 110: Leonardo Spa - Overview



Exhibit 111: Leonardo Spa - Business segments



Exhibit 112: Leonardo Spa - Key news



Exhibit 113: Leonardo Spa - Key offerings



Exhibit 114: Leonardo Spa - Segment focus

10.7 Lockheed Martin Corp.

Exhibit 115: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 116: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 117: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 118: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Lockheed Martin Corp. - Segment focus

10.8 MTU Aero Engines AG

Exhibit 120: MTU Aero Engines AG - Overview



Exhibit 121: MTU Aero Engines AG - Business segments



Exhibit 122: MTU Aero Engines AG - Key news



Exhibit 123: MTU Aero Engines AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: MTU Aero Engines AG - Segment focus

10.9 RUAG International Holding Ltd.

Exhibit 125: RUAG International Holding Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 126: RUAG International Holding Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 127: RUAG International Holding Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 128: RUAG International Holding Ltd. - Segment focus

10.10 Safran SA

Exhibit 129: Safran SA - Overview



Exhibit 130: Safran SA - Business segments



Exhibit 131: Safran SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 132: Safran SA - Segment focus

10.11 Sika Interplant Systems Ltd.

Exhibit 133: Sika Interplant Systems Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 134: Sika Interplant Systems Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 135: Sika Interplant Systems Ltd. - Key offerings

10.12 Textron Inc.

Exhibit 136: Textron Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Textron Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Textron Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 139: Textron Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Textron Inc. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 141: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 142: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 143: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 144: Research methodology



Exhibit 145: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 146: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 147: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER NEW ORLEANS is the second in the franchise of the award-winning TAKE ME TO THE RIVER films. The new movie celebrates the rich musical history, the heritage, legacy, and influence of New Orleans and Louisiana. A true collaboration and melting pot of influences from around the world, that came together and formed one of the world's most unique cultural jewels. Our adventure shows the resiliency of surviving disaster to a formidable rebirth while pairing legacy musicians with stars of today, and how this unique cultural jewel came to exist. Featuring New Orleans artists such The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Ledisi, G-Eazy, Snoop Dogg, WIlliam Bell, Galactic, Mannie Fresh, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, George Porter Jr., Christian Scott, Donald Harrison, Big Freeda, Ani DiFranco, PJ Morton of Maroon 5, Rebirth Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Voice of the Wetlands, The Givers, Dumpstaphunk, Cheeky Blakk, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Big Sam, Terence Higgins, Walter Wolfman Washington, Dee-1, Davell Crawford and many others. The film is narrated by New Orleans local and actor, John Goodman.

The film will open in New Orleans at The Broad Theater beginning on April 22nd before rolling out theaters in Los Angeles and New York on April 29th. The film will then continue to open in select cities nationwide including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Jackson, Memphis, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Portland, Raleigh, San Diego, St. Louis, and more, bringing the music, history and rich culture of New Orleans to the big screen.

Beginning on May 5th, TAKE ME TO THE RIVER ALL-STARS LIVE featuring musicians from the film including Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Jon Cleary, Robert Mercurio, Terence Higgins & more will be traveling to select cities around the nation to hold live in-person, one night only concerts. Performances will be held in New Orleans (5/5 at House of Blues), Chicago (5/10 at City Winery), Philadelphia (5/11 at Ardmore Music Hall), Brooklyn (5/12 at Brooklyn Bowl), St. Louis (5/13 at The Grandel), and Nashville (5/18 at Brooklyn Bowl). In the weeks following, the film will open in cities such as Jackson, Philadelphia, Portland, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, D.C., Memphis, and more.

Live Musical Tour Events include:

*With more dates and locations to be announced

"Take Me to the River New Orleans is the ultimate love letter to New Orleans and to Louisiana" said director/producer Martin Shore. "The region's culture, history, legacy, heritage, and music. The film, the record, and our live shows are a celebration of the rich music and culture of New Orleans. Come share the joy with our community!"

As Snoop Dogg notes in the film, "They call it music heaven when you are able to work with the greats. It's like I got my angel wings today."

For tickets to both the live music events as well as to see the film in theaters, please visit: http://www.takemetotheriver.org/

Or follow TAKE ME TO THE RIVER NEW ORLEANS on social at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmttrfilm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmttrfilm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmttr_film/

For More Information



TAKE ME TO THE RIVER NOLA Documentary

Contact: Rachel Falikoff

LMN PR

[email protected]

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER NOLA Album + Tour

Brett Loeb

Missing Piece Group

[email protected]

SOURCE TAKE ME TO THE RIVER NEW ORLEANS
The Signature Wholesale Market Pledges to Support and Donate to New York-Based Charity

NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NY NOW, today's wholesale market for tomorrow's retail, where brands, buyers, and designers gather to connect and discover a world of inspiration, today announced their donation to AIDS Walk New York 2022. The $8,000 donation will go towards HIV/AIDS care, prevention services, and advocacy.

Alongside Gift for Life, the gift and home decor industries' sole national charitable organization, NY NOW fielded a team for the in-person return of AIDS Walk New York 2022, an annual 10K walk raising funds for Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), on Sunday, May 15th in New York's Central Park. Through their combined efforts, NY NOW and Gift for Life raised over $15,000 for the cause, with NY NOW matching the first $8,000 in donations.

"NY NOW is thrilled to support the AIDS Walk New York 2022 fundraising efforts," says Karalynn Sprouse, NY NOW Executive Vice President. "Gift for Life is one of our most valued partners, and we are so excited that we were able to help raise awareness and funds for such an important cause. In partnership with Gift for Life, we hope to continue in our mission to support charities on both the national and local level in need of support and raise awareness for these incredible organizations."

NY NOW and Gift for Life are longtime partners, frequently collaborating to raise funds for an assortment of New York based causes. Most recently, Gift for Life curated an exclusive "Floor to Store" installation at the February 2022 in-person return of the NY NOW Winter Market to raise funds for World Central Kitchen.

NY NOW will once again be back in-person this summer for the NY NOW Summer Market, from Sunday, August 14th  Wednesday, August 17th. Registration for the Summer 2022 Market is officially open with over 300 brands confirmed to showcase the latest and greatest across home goods, apparel, accessories, jewelry, stationery and more. Brands include: Opal Road, Addison Ross, The French Farm, Kikkerland, DECO BOKO, Swahili, Philippa Roberts, Alashan Cashmere, Barefoot Dreams, Harper Group, Designworks Collective and Blackwing.

"We're excited to be back in-person for a second year in a row," says Karalynn Sprouse, Executive Vice President of NY NOW. "The NY NOW Summer Market plays an integral role in the businesses of our exhibitors and buyers. We're happy we're able to continue to support our community of small businesses across home, design, accessories and more."

For more information on the Summer 2022 Market and registration, please visit www.nynow.com and follow along on social media @nynow for timely updates.

About NY NOW:

NY NOW is today's wholesale market for tomorrow's retail world. Rich with diverse products for discerning retailers, museum stores and specialty buyers. Where artisans meet designers, celebrate creativity and tell their stories. Where eclectic products shine, from home style to fashion statements, from amazing accessories to the perfect gift. Twice a year in New York City, America's design capital. NY NOW is the best platform to build brand exposure. To generate leads and write orders. www.nynow.com

About Emerald:

Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build out customers' businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.emeraldx.com

About AIDS Walk New York:

AIDS Walk New York is the world's largest and most visible HIV/AIDS fundraising event. It was born in 1986 out of the anguish of gay men in neighborhoods from Greenwich Village to Harlem who were first besieged by the deadly new disease. It was nurtured by the passions of New York's diverse communities of art, culture, and commerce so ravaged by the early HIV epidemic. It was steeled for the long haul by activists who knew that ending HIV/AIDS would require more than fighting the virus. It would also require confronting the social ills that fuel it  racism, sexism, homophobia, and poverty.

SOURCE NY NOW
INDIANAPOLIS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar has joined Lumina Foundation's Board of Directors , which concluded its spring meeting today. Ambar joined Oberlin in 2017, becoming its 15th president and first Black leader in the Ohio college's 188-year history.

Ambar has launched several initiatives designed to improve the student experience at Oberlin. She led the creation of new minors and emphasized career communities and a reallocation of resources to support the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. Ambar established Connect Cleveland, which gives first-year Oberlin students a daylong service-and-experiential learning opportunities, and Sustained Dialogue, designed to help students hold substantive conversations with people of differing perspectives.

In August 2020, Ambar created the Presidential Initiative on Racial Equity and Diversity in response to increasing racial tensions in America. Ambar advised the commission leading the initiative to look across Oberlin's curriculum, hiring practices, and campus climate for opportunities to elevate a long-standing commitment to racial justice and equity.

"Carmen is an insightful, thoughtful, and visionary leader whose front-line experiences on campus will help guide Lumina's efforts toward increasing the number of adults with college degrees or quality short-term credentials," said Jamie Merisotis, Lumina's president and CEO.

"I am gratified to join such an effective and forward-thinking foundation," Ambar said. "Lumina embraces the values of equity and diversity I hold dear and that in today's world require increasingly visible sources of support."

Before joining Oberlin, Ambar was president of Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania for nine years. She also served as a vice president and dean at Rutgers University and the assistant dean of graduate education at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs. As an attorney, Ambar worked in the New York City Law Department as an assistant corporation counsel.

Ambar is a native of Little Rock, Ark., and is the mother of 14-year-old triplets. She holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Princeton University, and a juris doctorate from Columbia Law School.

About Lumina

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation's need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.

SOURCE Lumina Foundation
Debuting in December 2022 and November 2023 respectively, Riviera and Marina will become better-than-new ships in a re-inspiration without peer. Every surface of every suite and stateroom will be entirely new, while in the public spaces, a refreshed color palette will surround a tasteful renewal of fabrics, furnishings, and lighting fixtures that exquisitely encompasses the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises. Tuscan marble, engaging works of art, and designer residential furnishings will adorn the re-inspired spaces. The iconic Library will remain just as plush and hushed, while magnificent views will fill Horizons as never before. From the bejeweled chandeliers in the gracious Grand Dining Room to the Lalique crystal-laced Grand Staircase, Riviera and Marina will each celebrate a rejuvenation so sweeping, it will be positively unimaginable to resist their welcoming embrace.

"At Oceania Cruises, we continue to raise the bar and elevate the guest experience at every opportunity. Whether it's innovative new culinary concepts, immersive new destination experiences, or presenting our guests with ships that are not just better, but better than new, Oceania Cruises sets the standard by which others are judged," stated Howard Sherman, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises.

Floor-to-Ceiling, Wall-to-Wall All-New Suites and Staterooms

Riviera's and Marina's suites and staterooms will be passionately reimagined to provide a radiant and even more decadent degree of lavish residential comfort while leaving no surface untouched, no design detail wanting. Lighter, brighter, and even more spacious, every suite and stateroom on board will glow from a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall re-inspiration. Custom-crafted furnishings, exotic stone, and polished wood finishes, and designer accessories will add an air of elegance and sophistication that are the hallmarks of our completely transformed guest accommodations. Every square inch will be new, enhanced by nuanced shades of the sea and sky, creating a harmonious celebration of style and comfort.

Living and sleeping areas will reflect a luxurious array of new finishes. From lustrous Italian marble to bespoke fabrics in harmonious tones evocative of painted deserts and tranquil skies, each sublime sanctuary will shimmer with the modernity of an inviting Milanese townhouse. Sensuous, curvilinear tables and chairs will beg for attention, subtle lighting will suffuse opulence, and intricate millwork will whisper of the finest European craftsmanship. Bathrooms will be pearlescent, bedecked with glittering fixtures and with spacious storage effortlessly incorporated. Indescribably exquisite, this evolution will be nothing short of perfection.

Suite and Stateroom Highlights:

Riviera and Marina will boast a radiant new glow reminiscent of a sun-dappled Newport estate yet with the warmth and joie de vivre of a chic Parisian apartment in which each element has been carefully chosen to create a comforting sense of home.

will boast a radiant new glow reminiscent of a sun-dappled Newport estate yet with the warmth and joie de vivre of a chic Parisian apartment in which each element has been carefully chosen to create a comforting sense of home. Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms and Veranda Staterooms are the largest standard staterooms afloat at 291 square feet.

Suites and staterooms will embrace a complete transformation that flawlessly melds meticulously considered functionality with refined splendor and a refreshing residential panache.

Each private retreat will gleam with sumptuous new furnishings, sleek restyled bathrooms, fashionable lighting, and myriad thoughtful details, such as an abundance of outlets and USB ports always within reach.

Brand-new bathrooms will be more spacious than ever before and feature generous, oversized showers.

Lustrous, Glamorous, and Radiant Public Spaces

Just beyond the transcendent havens that are the suites and staterooms, the same devotion to grandeur will be suffused into airy and uplifting public spaces tastefully reconceived to further enhance our guests' culinary and leisurely flights of fancy. A twinkle of elegance and comfortable sophistication will further refine our dining venues, creating worthy stages for The Finest Cuisine at Sea. The restyled Grand Bar will specialize in temptation via libation while the butter-soft leather armchairs in The Grand Dining Room will reflect a renewed sense of grandeur that radiates from the glistening chandelier and plush carpets. For aficionados of dining alfresco, there will be even more options to delight in. In addition to the leisurely seaside-inspired retreat that is the Terrace Cafe and the barbecue temptations of Waves Grill, a delightful Trattoria will feature an array of wood-fired pizzas, succulently grilled Italian specialties, tantalizing salads, and indulgent desserts every evening in a relaxed atmosphere caressed by sea breezes and dappled with moonlight.

Public Spaces Highlights

Convivial lounges, tony bars, and decadent dining venues will be gracious beneficiaries of a blissfully elegant restyling, elevating social and epicurean interludes to new heights of congenial sophistication.

The Grand Dining Room will be even grander and more opulent with plush new carpets underfoot and lustrous, leather-covered armchairs creating an indulgently comfortable setting for a lavish evening of dining.

Timeless Italian dining will beckon beneath a canopy of stars at our new tantalizing eatery, an alfresco pizzeria, and trattoria.

Polo Grill will radiate a new contemporary glow. Retaining its rich leather chairs and polished wood paneling, plush new carpeting, exquisite new wall coverings, and dramatic draperies will create an entirely new yet delightfully familiar backdrop for the finest steakhouse experience at sea.

Horizons will be not only completely reimagined but also lighter, brighter, and even more luxurious than before.

Re-Inspiration Debut Sailings

Riviera will debut on December 7, 2022, on a 16-day Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean cruise from Rome to Miami. From there, Riviera will reprise her eternally popular 7- to 14-day Caribbean sailings from Miami to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America for one final season before returning to Europe in late March 2023. Riviera then charts an inaugural season of Far East explorations during later 2023 and early 2024.

Marina will debut on November 13, 2023, on a 7-day cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon. From Lisbon, Marina will bound her way to Miami, where she will kick off her annual South America season on December 3, 2023.

Details on the 2024 itineraries for the entire Oceania Cruises fleet will be released in the coming weeks.

The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same

In a new world of luminous and luxurious design, rest assured that one aspect will remain constant and unchanged: Oceania Cruises' trademark warm and personalized service. Whether guests are sailing for the first time or the fifteenth, they will note the ease with which the staff remembers their names and their preferences along with the genuine smiles and enthusiasm that can only come from the heart.

"Our people remain at the heart of what we do, and the officers and crew of Oceania Cruises are the finest at sea. While the onboard experience continues to surprise and delight, the way our staff approaches the art of service remains delightfully familiar, warm, and gracious," added Sherman.

Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, and Sirena Are Better Than New, Too

In addition to Riviera and Marina, Oceania Cruises' four 656-guest ships are also better than new, having been recently re-inspired. Insignia debuted better than new for her 2019 Around the World in 180 Days voyage, followed shortly after by Regatta and Sirena in the same year, and finally with Nautica, which just re-entered service on April 1, 2022. All-new suites and staterooms are complemented by dramatically restyled public spaces replete with chic and tony residential furnishings and accented by an intriguing international art collection.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About OceaniaNEXT

OceaniaNEXT is a sweeping array of dramatic enhancements so transformational, they are inspirational. This ambitious brand initiative elevates every facet of the Oceania Cruises guest experience to new levels. From thoughtfully crafted new dining experiences and reimagined menus to the dramatic Re-inspiration of the brand's six better-than-new ships, guests savor The Finest Cuisine at Sea, are pampered aboard small and luxurious ships, and enriched through in-depth destination exploration.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's seven small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,210 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has a second 1,200-guest Allura Class ship on order for delivery in 2025. With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with nearly 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 490 destinations worldwide. The Company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising of approximately 24,000 berths.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises
Dr. Murali specializes in the treatment of diseases of the liver and managing patients before and after liver transplants. He focuses on alcohol associated liver disease, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis and its complications, liver cancer, and genetic diseases of the liver, and other conditions.

"The development of a liver center is a significant milestone in the Digestive Health Institute's goal towards establishing a transplant program," said Shyam S. Varadarajulu, MD, president, Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Arvind Murali lead this exciting venture."

Dr. Murali, earned a medical degree from Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute in Bangalore, India. His training includes a residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital's John Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and a fellowship in gastroenterology, hepatology, and transplant hepatology at University of Iowa hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

His research interests include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cancer; outcomes after liver transplantation; genetic and metabolic disease of the liver; and colon cancer screening and surveillance.

Dr. Murali has been published in several medical journals including Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Liver Disease, Hepatology, Liver Transplantation, Endoscopy, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $7.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States.

Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for its pediatric and adult Level One Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level Two Adult Trauma Center in the St. Petersburg region. It is the home of the nation's largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows. The 3,200-bed system includes 16 wholly-owned hospitals and emergency departments; rehabilitation services, cancer and heart institutes, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, physician offices for adults and pediatrics, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with FastMed Urgent Care. Nearly 4,500 physicians, representing more than 90 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 23,000 team members. In FY21, Orlando Health served nearly 160,000 inpatients and nearly 3.6 million outpatients. During that same time period, Orlando Health provided approximately $648 million in total value to the communities it serves in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more. Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @orlandohealth.

Media Contact:

Sabrina Childress

Media Relations & Public Affairs Manager

Orlando Health

321.841.8748

[email protected]

SOURCE Orlando Health, Inc.
BETHEL, Wash., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gian Carlo Obico, a Junior at Bethel High School, has received a Cambridge Scholar award from Cambridge International for outstanding performance in the June 2021 Cambridge examination series. Cambridge International is the world's largest provider of international education programs and part of the University of Cambridge. This award recognizes students who perform exceptionally well across at least three Cambridge Advanced (A and AS Level) examinations.

"Congratulations to Gian Carlo Obico on receiving this high achievement from Cambridge International," said Doug Boyles, Director of Communications at Bethel School District. "There are few programs in the world that can match the curriculum, training, and intensity that Cambridge brings to our school community. It has been a great opportunity for staff and students to take academic rigor to a new level of excellence.

Boyles noted "Cambridge programs and qualifications are recognized and valued by universities and employers around the world. It is one of the paths we offer to prepare our students to be college and career ready after graduation."

The Cambridge International program is an internationally benchmarked K-12 educational system aligning curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment. Cambridge Advanced exams offer students across the country the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, including at all Washington public higher education institutions. In 2020, by earning credit for their Cambridge exams, students and parents saved over $3 million dollars in college tuition for WA higher education institutions. For the June 2021 series, students from Bethel High School can earn in tuition savings amounting to an estimated $400K in college tuition at University of Washington.

Gian received this award for high marks in AS Level Biology, A Level Global Perspectives and Research (GPR), and AS Level English General Paper. GPR provides students with the opportunity to add breadth and depth to their studies by expanding creative, critical thinking and responsible awareness through the tackling of global issues (Global Perspectives), as well as encouraging focused personal exploration and increased depth of study (Research Report). English General Paper builds learners' ability to understand and write in English through the study of a broad range of contemporary topics. They analyze opinions and ideas and learn how to construct an argument. A student with passing grade in AS exam will receive credit for one college course, while a passing grade in an A-Level exam will result in getting credit for two college-level courses at all public institutions in Washington.

Mark Cavone, Regional DirectorNorth America of Cambridge International said: "At Cambridge International, we pride ourselves on working with schools and educators to build programs that emphasize critical thinking skills, independent learning, research, and communications so students are well prepared for their next steps in education and their future careers. This award celebrates students who have demonstrated mastery of all these important college-level skills. We congratulate Gian Carlo Obico on this exceptional achievement."

The Cambridge International program offers a world-class education to all students willing to take on the challenge. Cambridge is a great balance of international standards and assessment, academic freedom, and student choice areas of investigation. Cambridge programs and qualifications are recognized and valued by universities and employers around the world.

Each year, students make more than 2 million Cambridge exam entries. First introduced in the U.S. in 1995, the Cambridge International program has grown rapidly in popularity. More Cambridge Advanced coursework and exams are now taken in the US than in any other country, and Cambridge International partners with schools across 35 states and the District of Columbia. Over 950 colleges and universities in North America recognize and reward Cambridge coursework and exams for admissions, credit, and placement. All public colleges and universities in Washington award credit for passing the AS & A Level exams.

About Cambridge International

Cambridge International prepares school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. We are part of Cambridge Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. Our international qualifications are recognized by the world's best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career. As a not-for-profit organization, we devote our resources to delivering high-quality educational programs that can unlock learners' potential.

SOURCE Cambridge International
"There's currently a nationwide plasma shortage, made even worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is impacting patients' access to life-saving treatments for chronic illnesses including primary immunodeficiencies, bleeding disorders, and cancer," said Wayne Sharp, Parachute's VP of Operations . "Our new center in Corsicana will offer residents of Navarro and neighboring counties a meaningful opportunity to earn extra income while helping others. By allowing residents to earn more money, we are confident that Parachute will have an important economic impact on the community, while also helping countless people get the vital treatments they need."

"We are thrilled to welcome Parachute to Corsicana, bringing the first plasma donation center to our city," said Colleen Cox, VP of Operations, Corsicana & Navarro County Chamber of Commerce.

Parachute's mission is to increase national access to plasma by introducing modern and thoughtfully designed plasma donation centers to new communities. Parachute combines technology and hospitality with donor experience, allowing members to schedule donations, receive customer support, and manage payments through a mobile application.

The new plasma donation center is located at 2501 W 7th Avenue in Corsicana, Texas. To schedule a donation download the Parachute app .

About Parachute

Delivering the best experience possible to as many plasma donors as possible. Parachute's mission is to increase national access to life-saving plasma by reimagining the plasma donation experience into one that is modern and convenient. To learn more about Parachute, visit www.joinparachute.com

SOURCE Join Parachute, LLC
Key Patent for Atmofizer's Air Purification Technology

This news release constitutes a "designated news release" for the purposes of the Company's prospectus supplement dated February 23, 2022 to its short form base shelf prospectus dated January 14, 2022

VANCOUVER, BC, April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Atmofizer Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Atmofizer") (CSE: ATMO) (Frankfurt: J3K) (OTCQB: ATMFF) announces today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "USPTO") has issued a patent related to the Company's air and water purification technology.

The issued patent, titled, "Ultra-Fine Particle Aggregation, Neutralization and Filtration" (US Patent Application No. 17/471,610) provides broad protection for the application of the Company's air and water purification technology.

"This US patent provides protection for our intellectual property and further validation of our novel approach to air and water purification technology and enables Atmofizer to confidently pursue further development of its technology," said Atmofizer CEO, Olivier Centner. "This patent is a critical step in protecting our technology and establishing ourselves as the leaders in purifying air from even the smallest ultra-fine particles. COVID-19 has raised awareness of the importance of indoor air quality and the dangers posed by ultra-fine particles and the market is growing exponentially."

"The importance of this issued patent for Atmofizer is that the patent covers Atmofizer's current commercial embodiment of its flagship air purifier," said Atmofizer Patent Attorney, Joel Weiss. "The innovations claimed in the issued patent represent important steps forward in providing clean and comfortable air in today's confined living spaces."

Corporate Update

Atmofizer has entered into a debt settlement agreement ("Debt Settlement Agreement") with an arm's length business development and media consultant of the Company, for debt in the aggregate amount of $225,000 (the "Debt"). To satisfy the Debt, the Company will issue an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares in the authorized share structure of the Company ("Common Shares") at a deemed price of $0.09 per share, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Debt Settlement Agreement.

The Common Shares issued are subject to a statutory hold period that will expire four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise.

About Atmofizer Technologies Inc.

Atmofizer's consumer and industrial solutions are based on its patent-protected and patent pending technology for ultrafine particle agglomeration and neutralization. This capability creates a revolutionary and more efficient method for addressing the wide range of dangerous nano-scale particles, viruses and bacteria that are too small to be effectively managed by conventional HEPA filters and ultraviolet lights. Atmofizer plans to disrupt the air treatment industry by improving air safety and purification efficiency while lowering customers' operational costs.

Atmofizing air refers to the process of using ultrasonic acoustic waves to agglomerate (cluster together) small particles into a larger target that is then radiated by ultraviolet light to neutralize their harmful properties, making the air you breath less hazardous to your health. Using units that atmofize air in tandem with HEPA filters can make the HEPA filters work more efficiently, enable the use of a less-powerful filter and result in a cleaner and longer-lasting filter that reduces operating costs and is less of a health hazard to clean or replace.

Atmofizer is patent-pending and patent-protected sole source of technology to atmofize air and is applying its proprietary technology in consumer and industrial air purification products currently manufactured under the Atmofizer brand, as well as in retail and commercial devices produced by other companies that integrate Atmofizer technology into their own products under license. Atmofizer's owned and licensed product lines include wearable, portable and mobile use for personal air treatment, as well as larger systems to handle higher air volumes for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential applications.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. The forward-looking information contained herein includes, without limitation, the issuance of Common Shares and the business and strategic plans of the Company.

By their nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release including, without limitation: the Company's ability to comply with all applicable laws and governmental regulations relating to its commercial products; the ability of the Company to protect its intellectual property; impacts to the business and operations of the Company due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the conflict in eastern Europe; having only a limited operating history, the ability of the Company to access capital to meet future financing needs; the Company's reliance on management and key personnel; competition; changes in consumer trends; foreign currency fluctuations; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's continuous disclosure documents, which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Atmofizer Technologies Inc.
The "Jelly Belly Jewel Spring Mix Ube Frrrozen Hot Chocolate" features a Jelly Belly Jewel Spring Mix bedazzled goblet, filled with white chocolate infused with Ube, a creamy sweet derived from the purple yam. Topped with a mountain of candy flower-sprinkled whipped cream, a sugar bunny nestled in an edible grass nest and a candy wafer butterfly! The Serendipity3 "Jelly Belly Jewel Spring Mix Ube Frrrozen Hot Chocolate" will be available for those who dine in at the restaurant from Thursday, April 14th, until Easter Sunday, April 17th for $19.95.

The restaurant has served nearly 30 million of its signature menu item, the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, an iconic blend of 14 exotic cocoas, captivating their worldwide audience and celebrity following including Cher, Kim Kardashian, the Hilton family and so many more. Serendipity3 has been a classic go-to for tourist and local NYC patrons alike to celebrate the holidays for over 67-years, bringing families the eclectic ambiance of dream-like dessert and mouth watering menu items.

""We are thrilled to partner with Jelly Belly to create a dreamlike Easter dessert for New Yorkers alongside one of America's favorite candy brands," said Creative Director of Serendipity3, Chef Joe Calderone, "Jelly Belly's Jewel Spring Mix was the perfect addition to put a vibrant spin to our signature Frrrozen Hot Chocolate and excite our fans and customers for the holiday."

Located at 225 E 60th Street, Serendipity3 is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. ET. For more information and to book a reservation, please visit: www.serendipity3.com .

About Serendipity3:

Serendipity3, the legendary New York City restaurant and general store, founded in 1954, as one of the city's truly unique dining experiences. The home of amazing food and decadent desserts, such as the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, Serendipity has been captivating millions of patrons since its inception. It's an enchanting place where artists got their inspiration and actors fulfilled their cravings. Beginning with Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in the 1950's, continuing with a celebrity following that includes Cher, Candice Bergen, Melanie Griffith and Ron Howard, the restaurant continues to attract celebrities such as Beyonce, Ryan Reynolds, Selena Gomez and Kim Kardashian. In addition, the restaurant has been the setting of three major Hollywood productions, One Fine Day (1996) with George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer, Serendipity (2001) with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, and Trust The Man (2005) with Julianne Moore and David Duchovny.

About Jelly Belly:

With candy-making roots dating back to 1869, Jelly Belly Candy Company began making Jelly Belly jelly beans in 1976. Today, Jelly Belly products are sold all over the world and the company remains family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the candy-making family. For more information about Jelly Belly and its confections, visit www.jellybelly.com or consumers can call (800) 522-3267 and retailers can call (800) 323-9380. Connect with the company online on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Serendipity3
MUNICH and SYDNEY, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoBeta GmbH has announced its first Sydney-based patients were treated with Rhenium-SCT as part of the global phase IV EPIC-Skin Study (Efficacy of Personalised Irradiation with Rhenium-SCT  for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]).

These patients were treated on 8 April and are now part of 210 adults participating in the international study that will follow their progress over the next 24 months.

The EPIC-Skin study is being conducted through study centres located in Australia, Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom. Hosting multiple study centres in Australia, these Sydney patients follow the Gold Coast patients that were the first-globally to be treated as part of the study.

Dr Sam Vohra, Medical Director at OncoBeta Australia, says, "Rhenium-SCT can be applied directly to an affected area, without harming or scarring surrounding tissue. It is important we collect data through the EPIC-Skin Study to further validate the efficacy, safety and patient quality of life after treatment of NMSCs with Rhenium-SCT."

There are more than 7.7 million cases of NMSC each year, and incidence rates are increasing globally.1,2 Standard treatments for NMSCs are surgery-based approaches, which may have a risk of scarring or loss of function. Rhenium-SCT uses a paste containing -emitting particles that is applied directly to the lesion, which eliminate cancer cells in one single session and without the need for surgery.3-5

The EPIC-Skin study will measure Patient Reported Outcomes such as quality of life, treatment comfort and cosmetic outcomes, as well as further evaluating the efficacy of Rhenium-SCT for the treatment of NMSC. To provide a simple and streamlined way to record their experiences, patients in the study will utilise OncoBeta's Clinical Study app.

OncoBeta Australia Country Manager Ken Rikard-Bell says, "NMSC is a significant health concern both here in Australia and around the world. This study will offer new insights into the treatment of NMSC and the role of Rhenium-SCT in the suite of treatments available to patients. It is exciting what this study could mean for the future of NMSC treatment."

Shannon D. Brown III, CEO and Managing Director at OncoBeta, says, "OncoBeta's goal is to provide the best innovative solutions for patients suffering from NMSCs. The patient journey is sometimes a difficult one and as a healthcare service provider we are committed to making this journey as easy, effective and efficient as possible. The EPIC-Skin Study will be critical in assisting us in improving patient outcomes for those suffering from NMSCs."

About the Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy)

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer in humans.2 The most common cause of NMSC is sun exposure, while other predisposing factors include genetic skin conditions and immunosuppressive diseases or treatments.6

The Rhenium-SCT is a painless*, single session, non-invasive therapy providing for unparalleled aesthetic results, even in cases otherwise considered difficult to treat.3-5 The Rhenium-SCT utilizes the radioisotope Rhenium-188 in an epidermal application with optimal properties for the treatment of NMSCs (non-melanoma skin cancers). The Rhenium-SCT is a precise, personalised therapy that is only applied to the area needed to treat without affecting the healthy tissue. The specially designed device ensures the Rhenium-SCT compound never comes in direct contact with the patient's skin and the application is safe and simple for the applying physician. Most cases of NMSCs (Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas) can be treated using the Rhenium-SCT in one single session.5 Scar-free healing of the treated lesion area and the regeneration of healthy tissue occurs usually within a few weeks after treatment.5

About OncoBeta

OncoBeta, with its headquarters located in Garching near Munich, Germany, is a privately held medical device company, specializing in the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art, innovative therapies. Since its foundation, OncoBeta has concentrated its efforts on the development, regulatory approval(s) and commercialization of the epidermal radioisotope therapy Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy), targeting NMSCs. OncoBeta has perfected the customized application and device management system in conformity with all health, safety and environmental protection regulatory standards.

Find out more about the Rhenium-SCT at www.oncobeta.com

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/oncobeta-gmbh/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/oncobeta/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/oncobeta_gmbh/

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of OncoBeta's control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning OncoBeta's plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. OncoBeta undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.

*No reported pain3,4

Complete tumour regression in 98.5% of lesions treated, with 89% after a single application5

References

Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, et al. JAMA Oncol. 2019;5(12):1749-1768. Ciazynska M, et al. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):4337. Cipriani C, et al. J Dermatolog Treat. 2020; Jul 22:1-7. Sedda AF, et al. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2008;33(6):745-749. Cipriani C, Sedda AF. Epidermal Radionuclide Therapy - Dermatological High-Dose-Rate. Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In: Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, editor Baum RP; New York : Springer, 2014. Cancer.net. Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma): Risk Factors and Prevention. October 2020 . https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/skin-cancer-non-melanoma/risk-factors-and-prevention (accessed November 2021 ).

Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12913111

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE OncoBeta GmbH
LUBBOCK, Texas, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Vexus Fiber, a leading fiber service provider in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, is continuing to expand its 100% fiber optic network throughout the state of Louisiana. They are looking to bring fiber to an additional 13,000 homes and invest a total of $12 million in the area over the next 12 months.

Vexus has already built to over 6,500 homes and businesses in the downtown Covington area, as well as down the Highway 59, Highway 21 and Highway 190 corridors. They also plan to add tens of thousands of new passings over the next three to five years.

"We're incredibly excited to be able to continue to expand throughout the Louisiana region," said Hunter McAllister, Director of Operations, Vexus. "Vexus Fiber is proud to bring a 100% fiber optic network with a superior infrastructure to the area. We believe economic prosperity and growth are directly tied to a city's ability to reach gigacity status, and each home and business we turn on brings us a step closer to giving St. Tammany and surrounding areas that gigacity status."

Unlike existing cable technology, fiber optic broadband allows for symmetrical speeds. With households using more bandwidth than ever for streaming, security, work, and more, having as much bandwidth upstream as downstream is more critical than ever. There is an ever-growing need for a fast and reliable connection.

"Access to reliable broadband is becoming a necessity, rather than a luxury," said Mike Cooper, St. Tammany Parish President. "We are incredibly thankful for Vexus Fiber's efforts to connect thousands of our neighbors through sustainable, strong internet. The future of broadband connectivity is here, and we believe this partnership will provide dividends for our citizens for years to come."

The majority of the Vexus network is also underground, giving it extreme reliability and uptime even during the most severe weather.

"Our area sees its fair share of storms and having a network that is underground ensures greater reliability. During Ida we sustained service to almost 99% of homes. This is key during emergencies," said McAllister.

St. Tammany residents and city officials are taking note as well.

"As our community continues to grow and develop, we're seeing a shift in what is defined as a basic need," said Chris Masingill, CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, the economic development organization for St. Tammany Parish. "We continue to see evidence that access to connectivity is a critical infrastructure need. We are proud that Vexus is bringing our residents and businesses the reliable high-speed internet they need to live and work in St. Tammany Parish." Tweet this.

Vexus Fiber currently operates fiber-to-the-home networks in Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Abilene, and surrounding areas in Texas, as well as Hammond, Covington and Mandeville in Louisiana. The company is building new networks in the Rio Grande Valley, Tyler, Nacogdoches, Huntsville, Laredo, and San Angelo, Texas. They are also expanding in Lake Charles, Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana and Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Vexus is headquartered in Lubbock, Texas.

Interested in signing up for Vexus Fiber? Residents and businesses can visit connect.vexusfiber.com to sign up for services today.

Additionally, Vexus plans to hire local sales, technical and customer service professionals to support the area. For those interested in joining the Vexus Fiber team visit vexusfiber.com/jobs .

About Vexus Fiber

Vexus Fiber is a leading provider of fiber-based communications solutions for both residential and business customers across Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. As a technology leader in the industry, Vexus Fiber offers an extensive range of internet connectivity over a true fiber-to-the-premise network. Services also include a robust HD Video platform, Voice, TeleCloud services and more. For more information, please visit vexusfiber.com.

Vexus Fiber Contact: Kyle Alcorn 573-481-2732

For inquiries email: [email protected]

SOURCE Vexus Fiber
DUBLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Worldwide Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Cardiovascular diseases, one of the primary cause of the global mortality was responsible for 17.7 million deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). This global burden of death raised the importance of taking preventive health measures and focusing into development of improved treatment devices in order to achieve effective clinical outcomes. Interventional method deployment in cardiology and peripheral vascular disease treatment is mostly preferred to avoid complications and scar, reducing pain and faster recovery.



This report provides industry experts and business executives with overall in-depth analysis to empower them for building business strategies and in the process of tactical decision making related to the prospects of interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market. The report effectively conveys the comprehensive investigation of market dynamics containing significant market driving factors, limitations, opportunities and challenges. This report additionally gives key existing patterns and future extent of the interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices in conjunction with information for the base year 2016 and forecast from 2021-2029.



Interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market is experiencing lucrative growth with a moderate CAGR owing to increase in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Surging inclination towards minimally invasive procedures will propel the growth of interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market in the near future. Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in elderly population, thus rising geriatric population contributes major growth to the interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market.

An upsurge in high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as a result of sedentary lifestyle is expected to drive the market growth. In the span of 2015-2016, American Heart Association funded more than US$ 163.0 million for 980 research projects into cardiovascular diseases; such increasing expenditure of government for betterment of health has driven substantial market growth. Escalating health awareness among public with various healthcare initiatives in developing nations contributes to the market growth. Evolving technological advancement for developing improved devices and favorable reimbursement policies are further projected for driving the growth of interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market. Furthermore, the high cost of treatment procedures and options of traditional open surgical procedures might pose challenges to the smooth growth of the market.



Global interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular devices market has been classified into different types of products deployed for the purpose of cardiovascular diseases treatment such as angioplasty stents, balloon catheter, guidewires, vascular closure devices, peripheral embolic protection devices, atherectomy devices, endovascular stent grafts, vascular grafts, thrombectomy devices, inferior vena cava filter and other interventional devices. This report covers the cross-sectional data of each and every segment considering 2020 as base year and predicted the market trend up to 2029 along with CAGR of 2021-2029.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Preface



Chapter 2. Executive Summary



Chapter 3. Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Market: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook

3.1. Market Overview

3.2. Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices: Future Trends

3.3. Drivers

3.4. Challenges

3.5. Opportunities

3.6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.7. Attractive Investment Proposition, by Geography,2020

3.8. Major Agreements, Partnerships, and Collaborations

3.9. Competitive Landscape

3.9.1. Competitive Landscape, by Key Players,2020



Chapter 4. Global Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Market, by Product Type,2019 - 2029(US$ Mn)

4.1. Overview

4.1.1. Attractive Investment Proposition: Global Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Market, by Product Type,2020

4.2. Angioplasty Stents

4.3. Angioplasty Balloon Catheter

4.4. Guidewires

4.5. Vascular Closure Devices

4.6. Peripheral Embolic Protection Devices

4.7. Atherectomy Devices

4.8. Endovascular Stent Grafts

4.9. Vascular Grafts

4.10. Thrombectomy Devices

4.11. Inferior Vena Cava Filter

4.12. Others



Chapter 5. Global Interventional Cardiology & Peripheral Vascular Devices Market, by Geography,2019 - 2029(US$ Mn)



Chapter 6. Company Profiles

6.1. Abbott Laboratories

6.1.1.1. Business Description

6.1.1.2. Financial Information (Subject to data availability)

6.1.1.3. Product Portfolio

6.1.1.4. Key Developments

6.2. B. Braun Melsungen AG

6.3. Baxter International Inc.

6.4. Boston Scientific Corporation

6.5. C. R. Bard, Inc.

6.6. Cardinal Health

6.7. Cook Medical, Inc.

6.8. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

6.9. Medtronic plc.

6.10. St. Jude Medical

6.11. Terumo Corporation

6.12. 3M Company



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lb1z36

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
National scholarship awards $3,000 to 40 students living with cystic fibrosis (CF) for academic excellence, creativity and community involvement

Top 40 scholarship recipients are also eligible to receive one of two $25,000 Thriving Student Scholarships, awarded to an undergraduate and a graduate student

AbbVie CF Scholarship program awarded over $3.6 million in scholarships to CF students since 1993

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie today announced that the AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Scholarship program is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic school year. This year's program marks 30 years of honoring and supporting young adults with CF as they pursue their educational dreams. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for the scholarship until May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time by visiting www.AbbVieCFScholarship.com . Students can apply online or by downloading an application on the official scholarship website.

"The AbbVie CF Scholarship has changed my life by providing the means to pursue my academic goals," said Melissa W., 2021 Thriving Graduate Student. "I was honored to be recognized and have the chance to share my story with other students living with CF. A lot of people might not think they deserve recognition, but I'm proof to never underestimate yourself and reach for your dreams  great things can follow!"

AbbVie will award 40 students living with CF a $3,000 scholarship for use toward higher-education expenses during the 2022-2023 academic school year. Those 40 students will also be given the opportunity to compete for an additional $22,000 through one of two AbbVie CF Scholarship award categories: Thriving Undergraduate Student and Thriving Graduate Student.

The 2022 Thriving Undergraduate and Thriving Graduate Scholarship recipients will be announced by AbbVie in the fall. Both awards are granted based on a combination of exceptional academics and achievements, essays and creative presentations, as well as public votes.

"It has been a remarkable 30 years of celebrating the creativity, brilliance and determination of students living with CF. Year after year, we are inspired by their stories and ambition to leave a lasting impact on their communities while following pursuit of their dreams," said John Duffey, Vice President, U.S. Specialty, AbbVie. "We are committed to upholding this legacy with the same strength and passion shown to us every year by our CF Scholars."

The AbbVie CF Scholarship is part of the company's ongoing commitment to the CF community, which is comprised of more than 30,000 people in the United States. Today, more than half of the CF population are age 18 or older.1 For more information about the scholarship, please visit www.AbbVieCFScholarship.com .

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs of those living with this condition.1 In patients with CF, a thick, sticky mucus is produced in certain organs throughout the body, most commonly the lungs and digestive system. The mucus build-up in the lungs can cause difficulty breathing and may lead to life-threatening lung infections. In the pancreas, the thick mucus may prevent the release of digestive enzymes and proper food digestion, potentially leading to malabsorption and malnutrition.

About the AbbVie CF Scholarship

The AbbVie CF Scholarship was established 30 years ago in recognition of the financial burdens many families touched by CF face and to acknowledge the achievements of students with CF. Since its inception, the scholarship program has awarded over $3.6 million in scholarships to over 1,000 students. The AbbVie CF Scholarship is part of AbbVie's ongoing commitment to the CF community, which is comprised of more than 30,000 people in the United States. Today, more than half of the CF population are age 18 years or older.1

It is not necessary for scholarship applicants to have taken, currently take, or intend to take in the future, any medicine or product marketed by AbbVie, and this is not a consideration in the selection criteria. More information about the AbbVie CF Scholarship criteria and application can be found at www.AbbVieCFScholarship.com .

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram .

References:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. About Cystic Fibrosis. https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/ . Accessed April 2022.

SOURCE AbbVie
"Today we thank those with a vision of what could be and the hands to craft it so. Such beauty as this magnificent vessel now begins its river journey. Around every bend lies a new sight to behold, a new experience to savor, a new friend with whom to share it." said Meredith Vieira, during her blessing. "May all aboard her travel safely with eyes wide open to the wonders that await. And what a fitting name: I now christen thee, the Avalon View . Take a little time to enjoy it."

After reciting her blessing, Vieira cut a rope tethered to the locally produced sparkling wine  Johann Hubert Exclusive  causing the bottle to smash against the newly named ship's bow. Managing Director of Avalon Waterways Pam Hoffee, Captain Ambrose Manolache and the ship's crew of 47  as well as 75 invited guests that included journalists, travel agents, local dignitaries and tourism boards  cheered the ship's christening.

"As a difference-making broadcast journalist, executive producer and television host, Meredith Vieira has given us a unique, up-close-and-personal view into her life  and the lives of countless others  with unparalleled storytelling, compassionate interviews and an extraordinary ability to connect with those she meets," said Pam Hoffee. "We are thrilled to celebrate Meredith, and her many accomplishments, today as she honored us as godmother, christening the Avalon View."

The new Avalon View welcomes travelers aboard with a warm mix of light and dark woods, accented by rich taupe, brown and red decor in public spaces and touches of blue throughout the Suite Ship's Suites and Deluxe Staterooms, inspired by Dutch interior designer Liane van Leeuwen. Original art in common areas is by Dutch artist Eelco Maan and cabin paintings were created by another Dutch artist, Sofie Fisher.

"Today, the Avalon View joins an entire fleet of Suite Ships in Europe and Southeast Asia," said Hoffee. "Each features our boutique-hotel inspired Panorama Suites, the industry's only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery. New glass balcony panels on the Avalon View provide an extra, exciting cruising outlook with completely unobstructed views. Even seasoned travelers have never seen  or experienced  the world like this."

Creating wider openings for wide-eyed wonder, Avalon Waterways' Open-Air Balconies were designed with views in mind. A Panorama Suite highlight on all of the Suite Ships of Avalon, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open 11-feet wide in Europe and 14-feet wide in Southeast Asia  Wider than any other balconies in the industry. They blur the line between outside and in while forming a comfortable and spacious seating area without compromising room space. As a result, Avalon guests can enjoy 100 percent of their Panorama Suite, 100 percent of the time.

"Off our Suite Ships, we invite guests to dive into new experiences and exploration, each and every day, with industry-changing Active & Discovery itineraries and our Avalon Choice program, available on every Avalon cruise," said Hoffee.

Avalon Choice offers the widest array of included excursions (up to 28 of them) in river cruising: From classic sightseeing to immersive discoveries and active adventures.

"Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary," said Hoffee. "Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, we place our guests in the captain's seat to navigate their journey and fuel their passions as they cruise down the world's most beautiful waterways. The Avalon View's debut is the perfect kick-off to the 2022 cruising season  a season in which Avalon Waterways' is thrilled to lead a new wave in cruising."

Beginning this week through the 2022 cruise season, the new 443-foot, 166-passenger Avalon View will sail the Danube River on several itineraries including Taste of the Danube, Danube Symphony, Active & Discovery on the Danube and Gone Girl! (a storyteller series cruise with celebrity host, Gillian Flynn).

ABOUT MEREDITH VIEIRA

Meredith Vieira is a 15-time Emmy Award-winning host, executive producer and anchor. She currently hosts the Fox-syndicated game show 25 Words or Less, which premiered in September 2019.

In 2018, Meredith served as co-host of PBS and BBC's Royal Wedding Watch and as host of the PBS series The Great American Read. She served as executive producer on the award-winning documentary TOWER, released in October 2016. Vieira hosted and served as executive producer on her own nationally syndicated daytime talk show, titled The Meredith Vieira Show, which premiered in September 2014 and ran for two seasons. Previously, she received critical acclaim for her hosting of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, The Today Show, and The View. As host of Millionaire, Vieira became the longest-standing female game show host in history. She is also a member of an elite group to have anchored or hosted programs on 5 broadcast networks. Early in her career, Vieira spent more than a decade at CBS News, garnering five Emmy Awards for her work as an editor on the news magazines 60 Minutes and West 57th. Vieira founded and is CEO of Meredith Vieira Productions, which develops and produces film, television, and theatre.

A native of Providence, R.I., Vieira received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. She has three children, Ben, Gabe, and Lily, with her husband, best-selling author and journalist Richard Cohen.

ABOUT AVALON WATERWAYS

Cruising Elevated. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain's seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world's most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you'll see how the tides are changing. Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

For more information, visit www.avalonwaterways.com; travel agents can visit www.globusfamilypartner.com.

SOURCE Avalon Waterways
MIAMI, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACS Laboratory, the largest hemp and cannabis testing facility in the eastern U.S., has created a certificate of authenticity (COA) verification process in partnership with Blockticity ( https://blockticity.io/ ), the leader in guaranteed certificates of authenticity. The platform allows any cannabis or hemp COA authenticated by Blockticity to be available for anyone to review for themselves in the blockchain.

ACS Laboratory on the Blockchain

This is ACS Laboratory's second phase of partnership with Blockticity, and the first COA version of its type, as there is currently no physical track and trace requirement for hemp derived products.

In November 2021, ACS Laboratory began its partnership with Blockticity, in combination with 3Chi, to launch the first national hemp client COA as a non-fungible token (NFT). Now, Blockticity has created an automated solution for the ACS Laboratory COA verification process for any inquires coming from:

Consumers and patients

Companies purchasing raw materials looking to fact-check the lab results

Law enforcement

Media inquiries

"This platform allows anyone viewing a COA to verify that COA's origin (the reporting lab), and confirm if the data points have been altered in any way," said Roger Brown, president of ACS Laboratory. "At ACS Laboratory, we are pleased to once again partner with Blockticity and offer this cutting-edge technology to protect the rights of our clients."

The most commonly altered data points on a COA include and are not limited to:

Disabling the QR Code

Changing the image of the product tested

Changing the date of the test

Changing the weight of the tested materials

Changing the potency results of the cannabinoids

Changing the results for residual solvents and heavy metals

By minting a COA into the blockchain coming directly from the lab or record, Blockticity authenticates the report from its truth source, the lab. When companies look up a COA, they can use the QR code to find that report owned by that company who paid the lab to perform the test.

Editor's Note: High-resolution and 3D images may be downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4qzinik0sg98r3j/AACy1I3rPRP9EDl5rELURAV-a?dl=0

About ACS Laboratory

The Most Trusted Cannabis and Hemp Laboratory in the USA, ACS Laboratory has earned 61 Emerald Test Badges for accuracy in testing in 2019, 2020, and 2021; more than any other laboratory in the USA. ACS Laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited, DEA licensed and CLIA licensed with the largest state-of-the-art facility in the eastern USA. Compliant with the USDA's rules for hemp testing, ACS is also approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture as a "Designated Compliance Laboratory," and deemed a "Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory" by the Florida Department of Health. Due to its success, ACS Laboratory has undergone a 20,000 sq. ft. expansion and increased its reach to 48 states and 16 countries worldwide. Beyond compliance, ACS is committed to innovation, which is why it tests for more cannabinoids than any lab in the country and continuously develops new protocols to analyze lesser-known toxins. Its facility utilizes industry-leading ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatograph technology with proprietary protocols to ensure accurate detection and quantitation.

For an inside look behind the scenes, check out this video . Read our blog for up-to-date information on cannabis science and lab testing for both the hemp and cannabis industries. For more information, visit acslab.com , or call (561) 510-8396.

About Blockticity

Blockticity is the leader in guaranteed certificates of authenticity for the most valuable possessions, providing a different approach to credibility with error-proof certifications through blockchain verification technology. Blockticity provides the platform for the first-ever cannabis and hemp industry blockchain verified certificate of analysis (COA) NFT drop, signifying the beginning of this emerging industry's need for compliance. For more information, visit https://blockticity.io/ .

Media Contact:

Duree & Company, Inc.

954-723-9350

[email protected]

SOURCE ACS Laboratory
LEHI, Utah, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aktify today announced that it has been named a winner in the Business Intelligence Group's Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program. The award recognizes Aktify's achievements in collective intelligence and natural language understanding (NLU).

Aktify develops conversational AI to help sales and marketing teams identify customer intent and drive revenue. The platform's patent-pending technology handles scheduling in natural language conversations, offering immediate speed-to-lead at any point in the customer journey.

"We have more sales conversation data than anyone else in the world," said Dave Barney, chief technology officer at Aktify. "Using this data, we have optimized our AI to achieve 82% NLU intent classification accuracy in enterprise sales conversations. That's higher than IBM Watson, Dialogflow, and the average human."

Businesses utilize Aktify's AI-powered virtual agents to hold text and phone conversations with customers at scale. Each agent is highly specialized and knowledgeable about the brand it represents, and the platform as a whole can hold millions of daily, simultaneous conversations. These conversations have proven to effectively drive positive business outcomes.

"Behind every virtual agent is an elite team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts," said Barney. "We're honored to receive this award from the Business Intelligence Group. It is a testament to the entire team's dedication and effort."

"We are so proud to name Aktify as a winner in our inaugural Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards program," said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer for Business Intelligence Group. "It was clear to our judges that Aktify was using AI to improve the lives of their customers and employees. Congratulations to the entire team!"

About Aktify

Aktify is an intelligence company that converts customers through conversational AI. It solves the pervasive sales team problem of not being able to scale communication because of resource limitations. Robust data science is used to serve customers with thoughtful and dynamic conversations. By managing leads through a CRM or MAP integration, Aktify creates millions of weekly conversations through SMS and phone calls, delivering a 10x ROI to clients. Sales teams no longer need to spend time calling and emailing leads to get a live conversation scheduled - Aktify delivers the inbound calls of interested consumers.

To learn more about Aktify and how AI is changing the way companies intentionally converse with their customers, schedule a demo today: https://aktify.com/get-demo

About Business Intelligence Group www.bintelligence.com

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

SOURCE Aktify
VANCOUVER, BC, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Alexco Resource Corp. (NYSE American: AXU) (TSX: AXU) ("Alexco" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of 7,473,495 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of $1.75 per Share, raising gross proceeds of $13,078,616 for the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for general corporate purposes, including to fund the continued ramp-up of mining operations at Keno Hill.

The Shares issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period and may not be traded until August 14, 2022 except as permitted by applicable securities legislation and the rules and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Alexco

Alexco is a Canadian primary silver company that owns and operates the majority of the historic Keno Hill Silver District, in Canada's Yukon Territory, one of the highest-grade silver deposits in the world. Alexco is currently advancing Keno Hill to commercial production and commenced concentrate production and shipments in the first quarter of 2021. Keno Hill is expected to produce an average of approximately 4.4 million ounces of silver per year contained in high quality lead/silver and zinc concentrates. Keno Hill retains significant potential to grow and Alexco has a long history of expanding the operation's mineral resources through successful exploration.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements ("forward-looking statements") in this news release contain forward-looking information concerning the Offering, made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Alexco's annual information form and Form 40-F, and other information released by Alexco and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at the time they are made. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, Alexco has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that general business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Alexco expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Alexco Resource Corp.
Journey Forward study identifies critical challenges encountered by blind, low vision and deafblind adults during the pandemicdigital accessibility problems and transportation barriers chief among them

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) today announced the publication of the Journey Forward research report, examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. adults who are blind, low vision, or deafblind. The findings are the results of survey data completed by 488 participants during the summer of 2021. Survey topics included digital accessibility barriers , transportation and safety challenges, and access to healthcare, food, and medical supplies.

The Journey Forward study continues the research narrative begun with the Flatten Inaccessibility study, in which the authors examined the impact of COVID-19 on 1,921 adults with visual impairments in the United States, during the spring of 2020. Taken together, the two reports paint a vivid picture of the ways in which the millions of Americans who are blind or have low vision have had their lives affected in ways that demonstrate a clear inequity from their sighted counterparts.

The report includes an in-depth examination of the survey findings for each category, as well as recommendations by the study's authors to address the issues highlighted by survey participants. A brief sampling of findings includes:

Digital inclusion barriers: As in-person access diminished, reliance on web-based information and interfaces grew. Where these services were inaccessible, there were critical barriers to meeting one's basic needs. Study participants reported risks and consequences to both physical and mental health. Use of telehealth was attempted by 70% of survey respondents during this period and 57% of those 330 respondents reported having accessibility challenges with telehealth platforms.

As in-person access diminished, reliance on web-based information and interfaces grew. Where these services were inaccessible, there were critical barriers to meeting one's basic needs. Study participants reported risks and consequences to both physical and mental health. Use of telehealth was attempted by 70% of survey respondents during this period and 57% of those 330 respondents reported having accessibility challenges with telehealth platforms. Access to basic needs: About 47% percent of those who received a vaccine had had someone else schedule the vaccine for them while 34% scheduled the vaccine for themselves or another person. One participant articulated what many people who are blind or have low vision frequently experience: "I think it is assumed that someone else is available (friend, family, whoever) to help/look out for us. Some of us have people to do that. Many people do not. I would rather not have to ask someone to help me but sometimes it is just easier/quicker. It doesn't solve the bigger problem."

About 47% percent of those who received a vaccine had had someone else schedule the vaccine for them while 34% scheduled the vaccine for themselves or another person. One participant articulated what many people who are blind or have low vision frequently experience: "I think it is assumed that someone else is available (friend, family, whoever) to help/look out for us. Some of us have people to do that. Many people do not. I would rather not have to ask someone to help me but sometimes it is just easier/quicker. It doesn't solve the bigger problem." Safety concerns: When asked if they had concerns about maintaining social distancing and monitoring whether others were wearing masks, 71% of 451 respondents reported that they did.

When asked if they had concerns about maintaining social distancing and monitoring whether others were wearing masks, 71% of 451 respondents reported that they did. Transportation: The pandemic caused nationwide logistical problems with transportation, resulting in significant challenges for people with visual impairments. When asked about seeking healthcare services without a vehicle (for example, by walking or taking the bus), almost half of the 185 respondents reported that they were asked to wait outside the facility until the medical provider was ready to see them. In some cases, exceptions were made, but too many participants were left outside in unsafe conditions, such as extreme temperatures or sitting in parking lots, in which they felt uncomfortable and fearful.

The pandemic caused nationwide logistical problems with transportation, resulting in significant challenges for people with visual impairments. When asked about seeking healthcare services without a vehicle (for example, by walking or taking the bus), almost half of the 185 respondents reported that they were asked to wait outside the facility until the medical provider was ready to see them. In some cases, exceptions were made, but too many participants were left outside in unsafe conditions, such as extreme temperatures or sitting in parking lots, in which they felt uncomfortable and fearful. Healthcare: Survey respondents expressed considerable concern about barriers to obtaining health care and supplies, and frustration with protocols that did not account for patients or customers with a visual impairment. Of the 202 participants that responded to a question about getting needed healthcare supplies or prescriptions, 43% reported having challenges. Barriers included difficulty getting in touch with the doctor's office or pharmacy, transportation challenges, and inaccessible websites and prescription labels.

Survey respondents expressed considerable concern about barriers to obtaining health care and supplies, and frustration with protocols that did not account for patients or customers with a visual impairment. Of the 202 participants that responded to a question about getting needed healthcare supplies or prescriptions, 43% reported having challenges. Barriers included difficulty getting in touch with the doctor's office or pharmacy, transportation challenges, and inaccessible websites and prescription labels. Voting: 81% of respondents participated in the November 2020 presidential election and 67% of those voted by mail-in ballot. In the open-narrative question associated with voting experience, 20% of survey participants reported needing to request sighted assistance to complete their ballots, compromising their ability to vote independently and privately.

"We gathered this data to help us understand the short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on those with visual disabilities and learn from their experiences so we can address both COVID-created and systemic issues that have managed to persist in the lives of the blind and low vision community," said Stephanie Enyart, AFB's Chief Public Policy and Research Officer.

The full report is available at AFB.org/JourneyForward.

About the American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. Publisher of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness for over a century and counting, AFB is also proud to steward the accessible Helen Keller Archive, honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador. AFB's mission is to expand pathways to leadership, education, inclusive technology, and career opportunities to create a world of no limits for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. To learn more, visit AFB.org.

SOURCE American Foundation for the Blind
New Facility Brings to the U.S. Critical Capabilities for the Design, Engineering and Testing of ApiJect's High Volume Manufacturing Process for Making Single-Dose, Prefilled Syringes.

STAMFORD, Conn., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ApiJect Systems, Corp., a medical technology public-benefit corporation that will transform how injectable vaccines and medicines are filled, finished, and delivered, announced today the launch of the ApiJect Technology Development Center in greater Orlando, FL.

This new facility is devoted to working with pharmaceutical companies to design, engineer and test how to fill and finish their injectable drug products in a new type of scalable, single-dose prefilled injector that is made using the ApiJect Platform. By bringing together the high-speed, high-volume Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) manufacturing process with attachable components, including Needle Hubs, the ApiJect Platform is designed to make it possible for more injectable medicines and vaccines to efficiently be filled and delivered to patients in a prefilled injection device. This facility provides capabilities to shorten supply chains and bring the development of critical injection device technologies back to the U.S.

With the public-private partnership support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and the U.S. Department of Defense, the ApiJect Technology Development Center (the ApiJect Center, for short) brings to the U.S. critical capabilities for device design, engineering, testing, BFS mold development, and small-scale manufacturing of single-dose, prefilled injectors and other parenteral devices under one roof. The ApiJect Center also enables the fill-finish of smaller batch sizes for feasibility testing and device use testing, leading to commercial development.

ApiJect Chief Executive Officer Jay Walker commented: "The ApiJect Center is where the future of injection technology will be created. The Center adds a critical development capability that supports ApiJect's existing fill-finish lines at our manufacturing partner site in South Carolina, which currently has the capacity to produce up to 540 million single-dose prefilled injectors annually. Together, these facilities expand the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain and catalyze our ability here in the U.S. to respond to key public health issues such as syringe shortages, syringe safety, and the critical need for surge fill-finish capacity not only for this pandemic worldwide, but also for future pandemics and bio-emergencies."

Mr. Walker continued: "There has been much discussion in recent years, rightly focused in my judgment, about the need to shorten supply chains and have critical technology here in the U.S. Our partners in the U.S. Government have strongly emphasized this priority from the pandemic's very beginning. The ApiJect Center has been created to serve just such a purpose. Its current footprint of 16,000 sq. feet is just a start. Over the next year, the ApiJect Center will double in size. The current BFS machines will be supplemented by an additional two machines. The ApiJect Center, here in Central Florida, will be launchpad for the future of injectable device technology."

"Strengthening our nation's health supply chain and expanding domestic manufacturing capacity are key priorities for ASPR," said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O'Connell. "We are pleased to support ApiJect's efforts to develop new and innovative approaches to how injectable vaccines and medicines are filled, finished, and delivered so that the nation is prepared for future pandemics and health emergencies."

The ApiJect Technology Development Center is made possible in part thanks to $9.6 million in funding from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. ASPR leads the federal government's health care and public health preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Bob Ward, President and CEO, Florida Council of 100, a not-for-profit organization of Presidents and CEOs, commented: "We are excited to welcome ApiJect as another great example of a medical technology company expanding the health innovation sector in Florida. ApiJect is exactly the kind of company that builds a strong economic future for our state and its citizens."

ApiJect completed the ApiJect Center's initial phase of design and construction within 9 months and on budget. When fully built out, The ApiJect Center will contain infrastructure for device prototyping and development through U.S. FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) compliant commercial scale fill-finish and production.

The first potential device made on the ApiJect Platform is the Prefilled ApiJect Injector, a single-dose prefilled injector designed to efficiently deliver a 0.5mL dose into a patient with a simple squeeze of the BFS container by the health professional. This new type of prefilled syringe will be ApiJect's first product submitted for regulatory review and approval. The Prefilled ApiJect Injector and its manufacturing process include:

An aseptically filled single-dose container, designed to enable efficient and intuitive injection administration.





Pen needle-style hub (including a patented connector for BFS container interface and Needle Hub mounting).





Innovations in temperature management to expand the range of medicines and vaccines suitable for BFS packaging.

The ApiJect Center's team includes BFS experts, device engineers, machinists, and scientists, each with years of field-related experience. The team will provide ApiJect with the capability to provide process and product proof-of-concept and small-scale manufacturing supporting commercial development. For a fuller description of Best-in-Class Services and the technology supporting them, please click the following link: https://apiject.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/70820_Data-Sheet-only_3.pdf.

About ApiJect Systems

ApiJect Systems, Corp. is a public-benefit medical technology company working to use our platform to bring more prefilled, single-dose injections to patients everywhere. The ApiJect Platform enables pharmaceutical and biotech companies to design scalable prefilled injectors and efficiently fill-finish them with their injectable drug products. This can be done either on one of their own ApiJect-licensed Blow-Fill-Seal packaging lines or at one of our world-class manufacturing partners.

SOURCE ApiJect Systems Corp.
The world's largest swim school franchise celebrates grand opening event for 5,530 square foot, state-of-the-art swim school in East Cobb, Georgia.

MARIETTA, Ga., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is excited to partner with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce for the grand opening of its 121st worldwide location as summer and National Water Safety Month approaches in May. Located off Johnson Ferry Road in the Market Plaza Shopping Center near the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Roswell Road, Aqua-Tots East Cobb officially opened their doors on Monday, November 22, 2021.

The world's largest swim school franchise celebrates grand opening event for 5,530 square foot, state-of-the-art swim school in East Cobb, Georgia.

May is National Water Safety Month because according to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury and death for children ages 0-4. However, participation is formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning by up to 88%. Aqua-Tots is dedicated to year-round swim lessons so that families in the East Cobb region will be able to enjoy many more happy memories around the water.

"Even though we opened November, we know that water safety is at the top of parents' minds as summer approaches. Families will be around the water more during vacations and in neighborhood and backyard pools," said Rhodenbaugh. "We would love for the community to join us as we celebrate our official grand opening with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce on April 14 at 11:00 AM." Families can tour the facility, meet the leadership team, and learn more about the Aqua-Tots program.

Aqua-Tots East Cobb is open 7 days per week. Reserve a spot in small group (4:1 ratio) or semi-private (2:1 ratio), or private lessons before classes fill up.

To learn more or to register for swim lessons, please visit aqua-tots.com/east-cobb or call (404) 566-6875.

About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serves over 120 communities worldwide, offering dedicated, year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old. As the world's largest swim school franchise, their hand-selected instructors are passionate about teaching children how to remain safer in and around the water, using tried and true curriculum, 30 years in the making and trusted worldwide to teach four million swim lessons annually. To learn more, visit www.aqua-tots.com .

MEDIA CONTACT

Mike Steele

770-325-3380

[email protected]

SOURCE Aqua-Tots
ATLANTA and LONDON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital on Tap has secured a $200m funding facility with HSBC and Varde Partners to support their continued US growth.

Capital on Tap launched in 2012 and has provided access to over $5 billion of funding for more than 125,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the U.K. and U.S. Recognized by Forbes as one of the U.K.'s fastest growing businesses, this new investment offers Capital on Tap the opportunity to bolster its impressive expansion in the U.S. The Capital on Tap Business Credit Card , issued by the lender WebBank offers leading employee spending controls, reporting, and rewards.

Capital on Tap made Atlanta its American home when it launched the Capital on Tap Business Credit Card in March, 2021, helping small and medium-sized businesses recover following the pandemic's harsh economic downturn. With 50 employees currently sitting in the Atlanta office and actively recruiting more than a dozen more, Capital on Tap is poised to provide leadership and opportunity for Atlanta's elite tech community.

Alan Hart, CFO, Capital on Tap, commented: "With the closing of this facility we are looking forward to expanding our ability to provide access to essential funding for small businesses across the United States. We are thrilled to be joined in this mission with Varde Partners as well as extending our already international relationship with HSBC."

Aneek Mamik, Partner and Global Co-Head of Financial Services, Varde Partners said: "We are pleased to establish a partnership with Capital on Tap as they continue successfully expanding by making available faster and simpler working capital and payments tools to empower business owners. We see this as a good example of an emerging substantial investable opportunity set for us, providing capital solutions to digitally oriented non-bank companies that are providing access to financing the needs of businesses investing in their products and customers."

About Capital on Tap

Capital on Tap is a privately held, financial technology company that provides access to funding to small and medium-sized businesses in the U.K and U.S. Founded in 2012, Capital on Tap has core offices in London, Atlanta, and Cardiff and has provided access to over $5 billion of funding to businesses. For more information visit www.capitalontap.com .

About Varde Partners

Varde Partners is a leading global alternative investment firm with roots in credit and distressed. Founded in 1993, the firm has invested $85 billion since inception and manages approximately $14 billion on behalf of a global investor base. The firm's investments span corporate and traded credit, real estate and mortgages, private equity and direct lending. Varde has offices in Minneapolis, New York, London, Singapore and other cities in Asia and Europe. For more information, please visit https://www.varde.com.

About HSBC

HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 64 countries and territories in its geographical regions: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2.958 billion at 31 December 2021, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

Press/Media Contact

Kiera Wiatrak

404.216.8767

[email protected]

SOURCE Capital on Tap
MIAMI, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ayr Wellness Inc. (CSE: AYR.A,OTCQX: AYRWF) ("Ayr" or the "Company"), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator ("MSO"), will be participating in the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, which will take place on April 20 and April 21, 2022, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, in Miami, Florida.

Jennifer Drake, Co-Chief Operating Officer, will be speaking at 10:30 AM ET on Wednesday, April 20th. Interested parties can register to attend here .

The panel will be moderated by Tim Seymour, Chief Investment Officer, Seymour Asset Management.

Members of the Ayr Wellness management will also be holding meetings throughout the day.

"We're looking forward to participating in an exciting discussion about the great opportunities ahead of us in the cannabis business," said Jen. "Benzinga has put together a strong lineup, and it will be great to see so many of our industry peers again in person."

"It's an honor to count on the presence of a speaker of the level of Jen Drake at our Miami event," said Chief Zinger Jason Raznick. "The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Miami will bring more than 1,000 of the top movers and shakers in the cannabis industry to your backyard. This conference will be the best place to raise money, create partnerships, and expand media visibility for all involved."

To register and access please follow this link .

Why Attend The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Enjoy exclusive opportunities for curated networking and unparalleled access to private deal flow at an event hosted by Benzinga, a financial news and data company recently acquired at a $300 million valuation. Hear directly from the executives of top-performing cannabis companies and get priceless insights from the world's leading cannabis investors, all in one place.

The upgraded version of the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the biggest and best yet, will not only feature the traditional keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, networking, company presentations, and investor and celebrity appearances, but also a larger exhibit floor and enhanced industry networking opportunities.

Among the top new features of the Miami Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference are:

An expo floor like you've never seen before, with bigger booths and a lot of additional branding opportunities for your company.

A private, VIP area for select companies and investors.

An upgraded system for 1:1 meetings.

More networking opportunities and higher profile attendees than ever before.

"Adding an expo floor is extremely exciting for us. We were waiting for the right time to do this; now that we've had many years to curate the best of the best companies in the cannabis space, we feel confident that the offering will be like no other. This, on top of the already impressive speaker lineup and investment opportunities Benzinga always brings to the table," concluded Patrick Lane, Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Benzinga.

A Proven Model

After 13 extremely successful editions in Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, New York and Miami, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is going bigger than ever.

The April 20 and April 21 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference will include, for the first time ever, an expo floor to give more visibility to the brands that are shaping this space. In addition, attendees will enjoy private meeting areas, comfortable seating and premium food options.

"We've seen cannabis businesses raise tens of millions of dollars at our events and this year's meeting will be even larger, with a record level of investment capital and top-notch operators," said Chief Zinger Jason Raznick.

"We'll also dive into key issues related to cannabis and capital markets with incredible speakers and, for the first time ever, a slew of new features we cannot share publicly just yet."

About Ayr Wellness Inc.

Ayr is an expanding vertically integrated, U.S. multi-state cannabis operator. Based on the belief that everything starts with the quality of the plant, the Company's mission is to cultivate the finest quality cannabis at scale and deliver remarkable experiences to its customers every day.

Ayr's leadership team brings proven expertise in growing successful businesses through disciplined operational and financial management, and is committed to driving positive impact for customers, employees and the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.ayrwellness.com.

About The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, renowned for being the premier gathering of cannabis entrepreneurs and investors in North America, returns for another edition, recharged with an impressive list of speakers.

Check out the full lineup here .

SOURCE Benzinga
EDINBURGH, Scotland, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOCAPTIVA Ltd ("BIOCAPTIVA"), a company developing the BioCaptis, a revolutionary cell free DNA (cfDNA) capture device, designed to transform liquid biopsy testing for cancer management, announces the appointment of Alison Williamson as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Board.

Alison is a highly accomplished senior finance professional with over 30 years' experience in financial strategy, M&A, business planning, risk management and financial modelling. Prior to joining BIOCAPTIVA, Alison was CFO at DYSIS Medical Ltd, a global medical device business developing cancer screening technologies.

Previously, Alison was Finance Director at Aircraft Medical, a specialist manufacturer of video laryngoscopes used for challenging intubations, initially in a part time capacity before joining the company full time in 2010, before it was acquired for $110 million in cash by the leading global medtech company, Medtronic.

Alison began her career at KPMG where she qualified as a charted accountant in 1988. Since then, Alison has held a number of roles in tax and corporate finance at accountancy firms RMD and Deloitte.

Jeremy Wheeler, CEO of BIOCAPTIVA, said, "I am delighted to welcome Alison to the Board and senior team at BIOCAPTIVA. Alison has a strong track record of fund raising and successful exits through her career in medtech which will be hugely important as we enter our next growth phase. As we look to start the first in human trial with the BioCaptis, Alison's commercial awareness and operational expertise will be critical in supporting the path ahead for the company.

"BIOCAPTIVA has made significant progress since spinning out of the University of Edinburgh just over a year ago. I am confident that the company, with the valuable addition of Alison to the team, will continue to forge ahead as we have demonstrated in our first year of operations."

Alison Williamson added, "I am thrilled to join BIOCAPTIVA, a company whose technology is poised to truly revolutionise the liquid biopsy market. BIOCAPTIVA is at a very exciting stage of development, and I look forward to working alongside Jeremy and the team at BIOCAPTIVA to ensure its future success."

About BIOCAPTIVA

BIOCAPTIVA is developing the BioCaptis, a revolutionary medical device which has the potential to transform liquid biopsy testing for cancer management, by improving early diagnosis and monitoring of disease and enhancing clinical trial data of cancer patients. The BioCaptis captures up to 100x more cell free DNA (cfDNA) than a venous blood draw, yielding cfDNA in high quality and quantity for testing, addressing the major challenge of liquid biopsy in cancer management. This will potentially allow the testing of a far greater number of cancer types and stages in a much wider range of patients.

BIOCAPTIVA was founded in 2021 when it spun out from the University of Edinburgh. BIOCAPTIVA is based in Edinburgh and backed by Archangels and Scottish Enterprise.

For more information, please visit www.biocaptiva.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/biocaptiva-limited/

Contacts

Jeremy Wheeler

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

www.biocaptiva.com

Media Relations for BIOCAPTIVA Ltd

David Dible, Eleanor Perkin, Frazer Hall - MEDiSTRAVA Consulting

+44 (0)20 3928 6900

[email protected]

SOURCE BIOCAPTIVA Ltd
BREDA, The Netherlands, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, a European leader in equipment financing that managed more than 35.7 billion worth of assets in 2021, has selected Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and its suite of remarketing tools to optimize its asset valuation and management workflows.

"It is key for us to be able to estimate the value of the equipment we finance so we can include accurate residual values in our contracts and offer more attractive solutions to our customers," said Pierre Pavec, Asset Management and Circular Economy Manager at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions. "With Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions' asset valuation curves, finance calculator, and Mascus' row listings data, we're able to refine our estimation models on all the equipment we finance and set up financing programs that meet the needs of our clients and partners."

Helping the finance industry meet regulatory requirements

Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions technology enables banks, leasing companies and other industrial equipment owners to streamline their asset tracking, valuation, and disposition workflows. Users get access to a comprehensive database with millions of commercial asset transactions, allowing them to make data-driven decisions on instalment rates, risk exposure, and more. Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions' valuation services help finance companies monitor and meet the Basel risk and regulatory requirements.

Asset disposition workflows are built into the software so users can easily push their assets to a selling channel of choice, including unreserved auctions, a reserved online marketplace, and a leading ad listing website. Other services can also be arranged from the platform, including repossession and logistics, intake inspections, refurbishing, advice on repossessed and end-of-lease assets, and more.

"We're very excited to have BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions on board, the world's largest vendor lease supplier," said Tim Scholte, VP and General Manager of Mascus and Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions. "It's a big step forward for the Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions platform that we're continuously developing and we're looking forward to working with the BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions team to help them optimize their asset valuation."

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions started using the Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions platform on April 1, 2022. Learn more about BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions at leasingsolutions.bnpparibas.com and about Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions at rbassetsolutions.com.

About Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions

Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions is a web-based, mobile-friendly software tool that empowers equipment owners to track their assets with real-time market valuations, inspection and appraisal services, and sending equipment and truck inventory to multiple disposition channels with a simple click. The solution brings together a customizable suite of tools and services to help companies better manage, analyze, and sell assets. This includes an inventory management system, allowing dealers to easily list equipment for sale on their own centralized used equipment web shop, as well as local ones; an inspection app; and multilingual marketing tools.

About BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions

As the European leader in asset finance, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions supports the growth of its clients and industrial partners by offering rental and finance solutions with services for their professional equipment. At the heart of the usage economy, we provide businesses with the flexibility they need to remain competitive and grow in a sustainable way. Our 3,700 experts support our clients' and partners' growth by offering them an increasingly digitalised experience. In 2021, we financed 343,000 projects for a total volume of 14.7 billion euros in 20 countries, in Europe and also Asia, the United States and Canada.

About Ritchie Bros.

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Ritchie List, a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales; and sector-specific solutions GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy. The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip, an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros.
TORONTO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting at just $10, Bona Fide Beauty makes the perfect Mother's Day gift so mom can quickly take care of her nails with a buttery smooth finish to prevent breakages and keep them beautiful without seeing an expensive manicurist.

Best of all, she will appreciate it and thank you for years to come.

"Unlike emery board or metal files that can tear and shred nails, our Czech glass files leave a buttery smooth finish with no jagged edges to seal and protect keratin layers for stronger and healthier nails," said Bona Fide Beauty's head of strategy, brand, and product Toral Padia. Since 2019, more than 202,000 customers have placed 252,000 Bona Fide Beauty orders. Articles talking about the benefits of Bona Fide Beauty have appeared in Elle, Harper's Bizarre, Chicago Tribune, Chicago WGN-TV, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, and The Zoe Report.

"Unlike emery board or metal files that can tear and shred nails, our Czech glass files leave a buttery smooth finish with no jagged edges to seal and protect keratin layers for stronger and healthier nails," said Bona Fide Beauty's head of strategy, brand, and product Toral Padia.

Since 2019, more than 202,000 customers have placed 252,000 Bona Fide Beauty orders. Articles talking about the benefits of Bona Fide Beauty have appeared in Elle, Harper's Bizarre, Chicago Tribune, Chicago WGN-TV, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, and The Zoe Report.

The reason it works is due to the fine uniform grit of the Czech glass files, which allows you to easily file in any direction, unlike most emery boards and metal files. These glass files are made flexible so only a gentle touch is needed for mom to give herself a quick manicure.

Mom can say goodbye to that fingernail on the chalkboard feeling that's common after using metal files and emery boards. With regular use, she will receive a smooth finish with no breaks, snagging, or rough edges.

Over time, Bona Fide Beauty can also improve nail strength and appearance and will help her grow healthy beautiful nails.

"Our glass files last up to four times longer than metal files and emery boards. The strong tempered glass is designed for maximum wear and durability. The glass is also water-resistant, hygienic, and easy to clean. Just wash under water with gentle soap," said Padia.

Files are also reusable, 100 percent recyclable, and won't rot, rust, or corrode. Files come in a variety of bright colors and a hard case, so it's easy to find without fumbling through your purse.

"Our glass nail files are made in the Czech Republic using a centuries-old glassmaking technique now recognized globally. Sometimes called bohemian glass, it earned its reputation through superior craftsmanship and is known for its unmatched long-lasting quality," said Padia.

The glass files are ergonomically designed for a tight grip making it easy for mom. Its abrasive surface appears on both sides and looks a bit like frosted glass. The thin two-millimeter-thick files are easy for most people to clean under their nails.

Multipacks make a great gift for mom, but you can also buy individual nail files, singles, cuticle pushers, and nail wraps. Bona Fide Beauty also has foot files that can smooth rough edges and soothe aching feet, and files that are decorated with Swarovski crystal or with a titanium finish.

If mom has a problem with her toenails, Bona Fide Beauty can help. Its Mani-Pedi Set is specifically designed to smooth tough and thick toenails.

To protect pet owners from pets scratching and ruining their furniture, Bona Fide Beaty sells a Pet Nail File. The files are specifically made for dogs, cats, and birds and help keep pet nails strong and healthy.

All products can be purchased directly on the Bona Fide Beauty website or through Amazon.

For further information or to schedule an interview, contact Toral Padia at (647) 870-7510 or [email protected].

Media Contact:

Toral Padia

Head of Strategy, Brand, and Product

Bona Fide Beauty

https://bonafidebeauty.com/

Instagram

Toronto, Canada

Phone: (647) 870-7510

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Bona Fide Beauty
Agreements Subject to Court Approval

TORONTO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Braxia Scientific Corp. ("Braxia Scientific", or the "Company"), (CSE: BRAX) (OTC: BRAXF) (FWB: 4960) announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle (the "US Settlement") to settle claims alleged in a securities class action ("US Class Action") pending against the Company and certain of its former officers filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in April, 2021. The Company also announced it has signed a settlement agreement (the "Canadian Settlement") to resolve a class action lawsuit ("Canadian Class Action") that was filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court in May 2021 against the Company its CEO, certain of its former officers, a shareholder, and underwriters.

The US Settlement contemplates a cash payment by the Company of USD $1 million to settle the US Class Action. The Canadian Settlement contemplates a cash payment of CDN $1.9 million, of which the Company will be paying CDN $1.6 million.

After available insurance, the total cost to the Company to settle both class actions will be approximately CDN $1.36 million. This does not include legal expenses incurred by the Company, estimated at approximately CDN $950,000, of which approximately CDN $750,000 has been paid.

Both the US Settlement and the Canadian Settlement are subject to court approval at hearings expected later in 2022. Under the respective settlement agreement, once the US Settlement and the Canadian Settlement receive court approval, both class actions will be dismissed against all defendants, including the Company and its officers. Approval by the respective courts, notice to the putative classes, and the satisfaction of customary conditions to effectiveness will take several months.

As previously disclosed, given the uncertainties of litigation, the Company had not been in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on its financial condition or to reasonably estimate the amount of potential loss in connection with the class actions. As a result of the entry into the US Settlement and the Canadian Settlement, the Company expects that the above-referenced total cost to settle will be incorporated into its results of operations and financial condition for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022.

Resignation of Director

The Company announces that David Greenberg has resigned as a director. The Company appreciates David's meaningful contribution to the Company and wishes him well in future endeavours.

About Braxia Scientific Corp.

Braxia Scientific is a medical research company with clinics that provide innovative ketamine treatments for persons with depression and related disorders. Through its medical solutions, Braxia aims to reduce the illness burden of brain-based disorders, such as major depressive disorder among others. Braxia is primarily focused on (i) owning and operating multidisciplinary clinics, providing treatment for mental health disorders, and (ii) research activities related to discovering and commercializing novel drugs and delivery methods. Braxia seeks to develop ketamine and derivatives and other psychedelic products from its IP development platform. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, the Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence Inc., Braxia currently operates multidisciplinary community-based clinics offering rapid-acting treatments for depression located in Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dr. Roger S. McIntyre"

Dr. Roger S. McIntyre

Chairman & CEO

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance are "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements include statements about the intended promise of ketamine-based treatments for depression and the potential for ketamine to treat other emerging psychiatric disorders, such as Bipolar Depression. Such forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the failure of ketamine, psilocybin and other psychedelics to provide the expected health benefits and unanticipated side effects, dependence on obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals, including acquiring and renewing federal, provincial, municipal, local or other licenses and engaging in activities that could be later determined to be illegal under domestic or international laws. Ketamine and psilocybin are currently Schedule I and Schedule III controlled substances, respectively, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19 (the "CDSA") and it is a criminal offence to possess such substances under the CDSA without a prescription or a legal exemption. Health Canada has not approved psilocybin as a drug for any indication, however ketamine is a legally permissible medication for the treatment of certain psychological conditions. It is illegal to possess such substances in Canada without a prescription.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the Amended and Restated Listing Statement dated April 15, 2021, which are available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Braxia Scientific Corp.
This year, Cancer Study Group (CSG) launched their Cancer Navigator service with labor union partners in Philadelphia. CSG works with newly-diagnosed cancer patients to help them find great doctors and centers for their specific type of cancer and to get second opinions. Cancer Study Group's partnership with Fox Chase is designed to create a faster, smoother path for patients to receive care (or a second opinion) at the hospital.

"Cancer treatments are advancing incredibly quickly, offering new hope to patients and their families. We know, though, that not every patient reaches the best care for their specific disease," said Adam Bradley, co-founder of Cancer Study Group. "Through partnerships with top centers like Fox Chase Cancer Center, we can ensure that every patient has easy access to top-notch, specialized care that can give them their best shot."

Cancer Study Group's partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center will allow them to deepen the service they provide for patients in the Philadelphia region, making the experience of accessing specialized care even easier for patients.

"Fox Chase Cancer Center is committed to cancer care in our community at every level. We are thrilled to be entering into this collaboration with Cancer Study Group to facilitate increased expedited access to cancer experts for newly diagnosed cancer patients," said Rob Uzzo, MD, acting CEO of the Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center.

The Partnership, with more Detail

Fox Chase Cancer Center has established a direct relationship with Cancer Study Group and the patients their Cancer Navigators serve. For any patient who would like care at Fox Chase Cancer Center, CSG's Cancer Navigators will be able to work directly with designated contacts at Fox Chase to help patients get appointments with the right specialists, right away.

"Patients I work with often want appointments with the top specialists for their type of cancer. As I'm arranging care for these patients, speed and ease of access are essential" said Jenn Smith, Cancer Navigator at CSG. "The Dedicated Access that Fox Chase is providing allows us to get our patients in to see the top experts with fewer delays."

A cancer diagnosis is extremely hard for patients, but reaching the best care doesn't need to be. This partnership will allow Cancer Study Group to make this journey easier for patients.

"This partnership with Cancer Study Group will allow us to better facilitate expert cancer care for patients at every stage of the cancer journey. We are excited to realize the potential of what can be done for the patients represented by Cancer Study Group," said Jeffrey Farma, MD, FACS, chief of the division of general surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

About Cancer Study Group

Cancer Study Group, LLC, is on a mission to guide patients through cancer, helping them reach fantastic doctors for their care. Cancer Study Group offers its Cancer Navigator service as a benefit to patients through their employer and union health plans. Cancer Study Group serves as an impartial advisor to cancer patients and has no financial relationship with any hospital. Any partnerships with hospitals are designed to offer an easier path for patients to specific top centers, should that be their choice.

Contact: Adam Bradley, Co-founder, [email protected]

About Fox Chase Cancer Center

The Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center and its affiliates (collectively "Fox Chase Cancer Center"), a member of the Temple University Health System, is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation's first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center's nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence five consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment. For more information, call 888-369-2427.

Media Contact: Amy Merves, 215-280-0810, [email protected]

SOURCE Cancer Study Group
Product is based from Cyathus striatus fungus extract and a cannabinoid extract

The cell model trial, the fungus extract showed 5 times higher anti-cancer efficacy than the original extract while causing 100% mortality of pancreatic cancer cells

It was developed by Cannabotech in the laboratory of Prof. Fuad Fares, a senior cancer researcher at the University of Haifa

The project is led by Dr. Basem Fares, a cancer researcher on the scientific team of Cannabotech, accompanied by Dr. Itzhak Angel

The company expects to complete the feasibility and safety testing phase by mid-2023;

HERZLIYA, Israel, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cannabotech ( CNTC.TA) , which is involved in the development of a botanical drug based on an extract of the Cyathus striatus fungus and a cannabinoid extract from the cannabis plant, reports that in experiments conducted on a cell model, the fungus extract eliminated 100% of pancreatic cancer cells relatively selectively and without damaging normal cells.

The fungus has been the subject of research to test its anti-cancer efficacy in Prof. Fuad Fares' laboratory at the University of Haifa for about eight years. It was selected as the preferred candidate for the development of a drug for pancreatic and colon cancer after showing better anti-cancer results than a variety of other fungi tested. A few months ago, Cannabotech received global and exclusive rights of use for patents created in Prof. Fares' research and began leading an accelerated process of developing a botanical drug as defined by the FDA.

The first milestone in the botanical drug development process was defined as the adaptation of fungal growth and extraction methods to the FDA protocol for botanical drug development, which the company expects to be significantly cheaper and shorter than the development process of a standard ethical drug. In addition, the anti-cancer activity of the new fungal extract and the cannabinoid composition developed by Cannabotech on pancreatic cancer were examined.

The company is pleased to announce that in a cell model trial, the adapted extract showed 5 times higher anti-cancer efficacy than the original extract while causing 100% mortality of pancreatic cancer cells. In the active concentration on pancreatic cancer cells, no damage to the healthy cells was observed. The cannabinoid extract resulted in an 80% mortality of pancreatic cancer cells.

Cannabotech expects to complete the feasibility study phase within 12 months, by mid-2023, at the end of which it will work to create a development collaboration with a large pharma company vis-a-vis the FDA. As the next milestone in the development process, the company plans to test both the active mechanism of killing cancer cells by extracts and the combined anti-cancer efficacy of the fungus and cannabinoids together, in cells and animals.

The company is accompanied in the development process by Dr. Yitzhak Angel, a pharmacologist specialized in drug development, with over 35 years of experience in drug development and in his work as the director of pharmacology at the pharmaceutical company SANOFI, and Dr. Alex Weisman, an expert in organic chemistry and API manufacturing, who headed the research and development department of the API division at PERRIGO.

Pancreatic cancer is reputed to be one of the most aggressive cancers; it has a very low survival rate and is one of the most significant causes of mortality in the Western world. The FDA also tends to give companies significant relief in drug development processes for this indication, such as defining the drug as an "orphan drug."

Prof. Fuad Fares, a senior cancer researcher: "I am happy that the collaboration with Cannabotech is bearing fruit and achieving very impressive results to strengthen the research we conducted at the University of Haifa in recent years. The fact that such impressive results have been obtained in cells that mimic a subtype of pancreatic cancer that is known to be highly aggressive, reinforces the assessment that anti-cancer activity will be effective in other subtypes of pancreatic cancer as well."

Dr. Itzhak Angel, pharmacological consultant for Cannabotech: "Developing a botanical drug is a challenging process and the results we have achieved are a real indication that the extracts are effective and safe to use as an anti-cancer treatment for pancreatic cancer. We still have a way to go to substantiate that expectation, but we have good hopes to deliver real news to patients and develop a concrete solution to one of the most aggressive cancers."

Elhanan Shaked, CEO at Cannabotech: "We have completed a significant milestone on the way to developing the botanical drug for pancreatic cancer. This is another step that brings us closer to the great vision we set for ourselves and investors about three years ago. I am convinced that we will continue to meet the deadlines and that within 12 months, we will complete the feasibility stage and work for development cooperation with a large pharmaceutical company vis-a-vis the FDA."

About Cannabotech:

Cannabotech is an Israeli start-up company in the field of biomed that develops customized medical solutions, in the fields of oncology and preventive medicine. The solutions are based on combinations of active ingredients from the cannabis plant and fungi and work on two main systems in the human body: the endo-cannabinoid system and the immune system.

Over the last two years, as part of the integrative oncology concept, Cannabotech has also been developing a series of 9 preparations designed to aid in anti-cancer treatment and the side effects of chemotherapy, based on unique combinations of botanicals from medical cannabis and fungus-based products. The company aims to designate the medical products to be integrated as an integral part of the existing treatment protocol of oncology patients.

At the same time, Cannabotech is working to develop a defined treatment protocol that will be accessible to doctors and also to develop treatment customizing technology.

The Cannabotech share is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol CNTC.TA

For further information, please visit the website: www.cannabotechpharma.com

For investment and collaboration options: [email protected]

Cannabotech's offices are located in Herzliya, Israel.

SOURCE Cannabotech
TORONTO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Canntab Therapeutics Limited (CSE: PILL) (OTCQB: CTABF) (FRA: TBF1) (the "Company" or "Canntab") a leading innovator in cannabinoid and terpene blends in hard pill form for therapeutic applications, is pleased to announce that the Company has engaged Mr. Hamish Sutherland as a strategic business consultant to work with Canntab and develop additional sales and distribution channels for the extensive suite of Canntab's products and to assist Canntab in reaching strategic partnerships in the Cannabis industry with a view to enhancing shareholder value.

Mr. Sutherland is a seasoned veteran of the legal cannabis industry in Canada, with over nine years' experience and a successful track record in the sector. His past achievements and contributions include holding the position of founding Chief Operating Officer of Bedrocan Canada Inc. (subsequently acquired by Tweed to form Canopy Growth Corporation), delivering over $750 million in investor value and overseeing the building and commissioning of two licensed facilities, including a 52,000 square foot state-of-the-art automated facility in suburban Toronto. Mr. Sutherland also serves as officer and director of various public and private cannabis companies in Canada, the United States and Australia, including Indiva Inc. (TSXV: NDVA), Mera Cannabis Corp., Altopa Inc. and Asterion Cannabis Inc. Mr. Sutherland holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University as well as a degree in Engineering Physics from McMaster University.

Mr. Sutherland's mandate is to maximize the potential of Canntab's assets, intellectual property, and operations with the primary objective of identifying and negotiating partnerships to assist Canntab in expanding its product offerings in Canada, United States, and other international jurisdictions. In addition, Mr. Sutherland will be working with his extensive network in the cannabis industry to explore M&A opportunities. This process has not been initiated because of receiving any offer and there are no assurances that any additional transactions will be undertaken.

"We are very pleased to have Hamish join our team. Mr. Sutherland's deep operational expertise in the cannabis industry specifically in the areas of finance, capital markets and corporate strategy will expand the skills matrix of the Canntab team, with the goal of generating one or more transactions to enhance shareholder value" said Larry Latowsky, CEO.

Engagement Details

Mr. Sutherland's engagement is initially for a four-month period, which can be extended on a month-to-month basis for an addition two months. Mr. Sutherland will receive $5,000 a month and has been issued 40,000 common shares of Canntab ("Canntab Shares"). In addition, Canntab has also granted 200,000 stock options (the "Options") to Mr. Sutherland exercisable at $0.50 per Share for a period of 4 years. In addition, Mr. Sutherland will be entitled to receive finder's fees for any strategic initiative completed during his mandate or introduced to the Company by him.

About Canntab Therapeutics Limited

Canntab is a Canadian phytopharmaceutical company focused on the manufacturing and distribution of a suite of hard pill cannabinoid formulations in multiple doses and timed-release combinations. Long referred to as Cannabis 3.0 by the Company, Canntab's proprietary hard pill cannabinoid formulations provide doctors, patients and consumers with medical grade solutions which incorporate all the features one would expect from any prescription or over the counter medication sold in pharmacies around the world. These include once a day and extended-release formulations, both providing an accurate dose and improved shelf stability.

Canntab holds a Cannabis Standard Processing & Sales for Medical Purposes License and a Cannabis Research License.

Canntab trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol PILL, on the OTCQB under the symbol CTABF, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol TBF1.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the future plans and goals of the Company; commencing a process to explore and develop transactions with a view to enhancing shareholder value; identifying partners to assist Canntab in expanding its product offerings into the United States and other international jurisdictions and exploring the possibilities of M&A opportunities both for the Company as acquirer and potentially as the target; Mr. Sutherland's development of additional sales and distributions channel for Canntab's products and his assistance in reaching in reaching strategic partnerships in the Cannabis industry; Mr. Sutherland's mandate is to maximize the potential of Canntab's assets, intellectual property and operations; Mr. Sutherland's anticipated work with his extensive network in the cannabis industry to explore M&A opportunities for Canntab; the addition of Mr. Sutherland's expertise to the Canntab team; Mr. Sutherland's engagement and potential continued engagement with Canntab; the ability for Canntab to compensate Mr. Sutherland's with finder's fees and Mr. Sutherland's ability to receive such finder's fee, and the compliance of such arrangement with all applicable exchanges policies and securities legislation.

Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the continued commercial viability, adoption and growth in popularity of the Company's products; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the Company continuing to develop products; continued growth of the Company; the Company hitting its future plans and goals; the Company will enhance of shareholder value through Mr. Sutherland's mandate; the Company ability expanding its product offerings into the United States and other international jurisdictions and the Company's ability to identify or execute on possible M&A opportunities both for the Company as acquirer and potentially as the target; Mr. Sutherland's will further the development of additional sales and distributions channel for Canntab's products and his assistance in reaching strategic partnerships in the Cannabis industry; Mr. Sutherland's mandate will increase the potential of Canntab's assets, intellectual property and operations; Mr. Sutherland's anticipated work with his extensive network in the cannabis industry will identify additional M&A opportunities for Canntab; the successful addition and incorporation of Mr. Sutherland's expertise to the Canntab team; Mr. Sutherland's successful engagement and potential continued engagement with Canntab; the ability for Canntab to compensate Mr. Sutherland's with finder's fees and Mr. Sutherland's ability to receive such finder's fee, and the compliance of such arrangement with all applicable exchanges policies and securities legislation.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations; competition within the industry; risks that the Company will be unable to execute its plans and/or meet its goals; risk that the Company will not grow as anticipated; risks that consumers will not purchase its products; risk that Mr. Sutherland may not be able to identify transactions to enhance shareholder value; risk that the Company not be able to expand its product offerings into the United States and other international jurisdictions; and risk that the Company will be unable to identify or execute on possible M&A opportunities both for the Company as acquirer and potentially as the target; Mr. Sutherland's inability to develop of additional sales and distributions channel for Canntab's products and his inability assistance in reaching strategic partnerships in the Cannabis industry; Mr. Sutherland's inability to fulfill or partially fully his mandate to maximize the potential of Canntab's assets, intellectual property and operations; Mr. Sutherland's inability to complete his anticipated work with his extensive network in the cannabis industry to explore M&A opportunities for Canntab; the inability to incorporate Mr. Sutherland's expertise into the Canntab team; the inability to retain Mr. Sutherland for the initial engagement and potential continued engagement with Canntab; the inability for Canntab to compensate Mr. Sutherland's with finder's fees and Mr. Sutherland's inability to receive such finder's fee, and the inability to maintain compliance of such arrangement with all applicable exchanges policies and securities legislation.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

SOURCE Canntab Therapeutics Limited
BALTIMORE, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Capsulomics, an early cancer detection and prevention diagnostic company, today announced that newly updated American College of Gastroenterology ("ACG") esophageal precancer clinical guidelines, titled Diagnosis and management of Barrett's Esophagus: An Updated ACG Guideline, for the first time, support esophageal precancer screening using nonendoscopic methods combined with biomarkers, including Capsulomics' proprietary technology.

The guideline states, "We suggest that a swallowable, nonendoscopic capsule sponge device combined with a biomarker is an acceptable alternative to endoscopy for screening for BE in those with chronic reflux symptoms and other risk factors."

The guideline cites a 2019 Clinical Cancer Research publication which describes an early version of Capsulomics' Envisage early detection technology developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Capsulomics is driven by the knowledge that if esophageal cancer can be caught early enough, especially while still premalignant, it can be cured, and every patient deserves a chance for a better outcome," said Capsulomics CEO, Daniel Lunz. "Publication of the updated ACG clinical guidelines is a pivotal milestone that reflects the ACGs recognition of the use of nonendoscopic screening technologies combined with biomarkers, including ours, as a solution to a clinical need for screening high-risk patients."

About Capsulomics

Capsulomics Inc. is a life sciences company focused on the development and commercialization of diagnostic tests for cancer prevention. Capsulomics' lead products use DNA methylation for the diagnosis and prognosis of the esophageal precancer Barrett's esophagus, along with the two main types of esophageal cancer, at a very low cost. Preliminary studies suggest that Capsulomics' diagnostics can detect more esophageal diseases, including early cancers, and predict progression more accurately than all existing esophageal cancer or precancer diagnostics currently available.

SOURCE Capsulomics, Inc.
The free digital educational resource launches during Financial Literacy month on the heels of the IPCC's sixth climate assessment report

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbon Collective , the first online investment advisor 100% focused on solving climate change, announces the launch of its book-length Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Investing to increase the individual investor's awareness and ability to solve climate change through sustainable investing decisions. The launch of the guide follows the International Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) sixth climate report, which found that , "while financial flows are a factor of three to six times lower than levels needed by 2030 to limit warming to below 2C (3.6F), there is sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps. However, it relies on clear signaling from governments and the international community, including a stronger alignment of public sector finance and policy."

"We know what we need to do to accelerate the energy transition: divest from fossil fuels and reinvest in climate solutions and renewable energy. The recent IPCC report confirms the urgency of this action" said Zach Stein, co-founder of Carbon Collective and the primary author of the Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Investing. "Not only do we provide great detail in the guide for thinking about education, but we provide data tables that show that most sustainable portfolios available to retail investors don't deliver on the promise of being truly sustainable."

Domestically, U.S. sustainable funds grew by nearly $70 billion in 2021, a 35% increase over 2020's high-water mark, according to Morningstar . At the same time, Morningstar removed the environmental, social and governance (ESG) tag from 1,200 funds representing over $1 trillion, due to analysis that found that they were not delivering on stated ESG goals. This confusion leaves retail investors who desire to invest sustainably unclear on who to trust and how to make investment decisions. With the launch of the Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Investing, Carbon Collective seeks to provide a clear and concise roadmap for investors who are interested in sustainable investing and explain why investment is critical to solving climate change, why investments like retirement accounts matter, and how to analyze the existing ecosystem of options and differentiate the truly green from the green-washed.

One of the guide's key findings is sustainable investing may outperform traditional index investing over the next 30 years as we rapidly invest and scale solutions that solve the greatest challenge to humanity.

The guide includes six chapters that address:

"One of the recurring themes of financial literacy month is that we weren't taught enough about finances, investing, and taxes when we were younger," said Brooke Tomasetti, director of financial education at Carbon Collective. "Investing is key to building long-term wealth and has been proven to be crucial to solving climate change. We need to remove all barriers and increase financial illiteracy, if we are to solve this daunting problem. It's also why we made the guide free, on our website, so people could access it as easily as possible."

The guide follows the launch of Carbon Collective's inaugural Climate Index in 2021 and the employer 401(k) plan for businesses, offered in March of 2022. It is part of the company's overarching theory of change of divesting from industries that rely on fossil fuels, reinvesting in companies building climate solutions, and pressuring companies to decarbonize faster.

About Carbon Collective

Home of the Climate Index, Carbon Collective is the first 100% climate focused online investment advisor with the mission to close the annual $5 trillion dollar climate investment gap. By divesting portfolios from fossil fuels, and reinvesting that same allocation in climate solutions, Carbon Collective makes investing in climate solutions accessible to all with low fee, zero minimum, highly diversified portfolios, with 85% fewer emissions. The Company augments its investment strategy with shareholder advocacy, leveraging member's votes to advocate for corporate climate action. Founded by Zach Stein and James Regulinski, and backed by prominent venture capital firms like Precursor Ventures and My Climate Journey, Carbon Collective is out to disrupt the finance industry and solve climate change.

For more information on Carbon Collective, please visit https://www.carboncollective.co

Disclaimers

Advisory services provided by Carbon Collective Investment LLC ("Carbon Collective"), an SEC-registered investment adviser. A copy of Carbon Collective's current written disclosure statement discussing Carbon Collective's business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC's investment adviser public information website  www.adviserinfo.sec.gov or our legal documents here.

The articles and research support materials available on this site are educational and are not intended to be investment or tax advice. Carbon Collective uses unaffiliated third party research and data it believes to be reliable, but is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness thereof.

Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and Carbon Collective's charges and expenses. For more details, see our Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2 and other disclosures.

SOURCE Carbon Collective
The global carpal tunnel release systems market is fragmented and is characterized by the presence of several established players. Vendors are involved in mergers and acquisitions and extensively expanding on the new product development to maintain their competitiveness in the market. Technavio identifies A.M. Surgical Inc., Arthrex Inc., Conmed Corp., Innomed Inc., Integra LifeSciences Corp., LB Medical LLC, Medical Designs LLC, MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC, Nordson Corp., S2S Surgical LLC, Smith and Nephew plc, Sonex Health Inc., Stryker Corp., and Trice Medical as dominant players in the market.

The increasing prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the increasing success rate of carpal tunnel release surgical procedures, and improved medical reimbursement coverage for CTS surgeries will offer immense growth opportunities. On the other hand, factors such as stringent regulations, the lack of awareness about CTS in developing countries, and the high cost of surgical procedures will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Get highlights on the vendor landscape, key growth drivers, and other important statistics. Request a Free Sample Report

Carpal Tunnel Release Systems Market 2022-2026: Segmentation

The global carpal tunnel release systems market is segmented as below:

Product

Open Carpal Tunnel Release System



Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release System

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)

By product, the open carpal tunnel release system will generate maximum revenue in the market. The high preference for open carpal tunnel systems in procedures to treat symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome is driving the growth of the segment.

Similarly, North America will have the largest share of the market. The region currently holds 34% of the global market share. The high awareness about carpal tunnel syndrome coupled with the availability of advanced and strong healthcare infrastructure is driving the growth of the carpal tunnel systems market in North America. The US and Canada are the key markets for the carpal tunnel release systems in North America. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in the Rest of the World (ROW).

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our carpal tunnel release systems market report covers the following areas:

Carpal Tunnel Release Systems Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the carpal tunnel release systems market. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the carpal tunnel release systems market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Carpal Tunnel Release Systems Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist carpal tunnel release systems market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the carpal tunnel release systems market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the carpal tunnel release systems market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of carpal tunnel release systems market vendors

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Carpal Tunnel Release Systems Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.04% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 441.86 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.54 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key consumer countries US, Canada, Germany, UK, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled A.M. Surgical Inc., Arthrex Inc., Conmed Corp., Innomed Inc., Integra LifeSciences Corp., LB Medical LLC, Medical Designs LLC, MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC, Nordson Corp., S2S Surgical LLC, Smith and Nephew plc, Sonex Health Inc., Stryker Corp., and Trice Medical Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table Of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Open carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Open carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Open carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Open carpal tunnel release system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Open carpal tunnel release system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Endoscopic carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Endoscopic carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Endoscopic carpal tunnel release system - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Endoscopic carpal tunnel release system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Endoscopic carpal tunnel release system - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 51: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 53: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 63: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 78: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 79: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 80: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 81: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 82: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 83: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 84: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 A.M. Surgical Inc.

Surgical Inc. Exhibit 85: A.M. Surgical Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 86: A.M. Surgical Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 87: A.M. Surgical Inc. - Key offerings

10.4 Arthrex Inc.

Exhibit 88: Arthrex Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 89: Arthrex Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 90: Arthrex Inc. - Key offerings

10.5 Conmed Corp.

Exhibit 91: Conmed Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 92: Conmed Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 93: Conmed Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 94: Conmed Corp. - Segment focus

10.6 Integra LifeSciences Corp.

Exhibit 95: Integra LifeSciences Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 96: Integra LifeSciences Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 97: Integra LifeSciences Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 98: Integra LifeSciences Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 99: Integra LifeSciences Corp. - Segment focus

10.7 Medical Designs LLC

Exhibit 100: Medical Designs LLC - Overview



Exhibit 101: Medical Designs LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 102: Medical Designs LLC - Key offerings

10.8 MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC

Exhibit 103: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC - Overview



Exhibit 104: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 105: MicroAire Surgical Instruments LLC - Key offerings

10.9 Smith and Nephew plc

Exhibit 106: Smith and Nephew plc - Overview



Exhibit 107: Smith and Nephew plc - Business segments



Exhibit 108: Smith and Nephew plc - Key news



Exhibit 109: Smith and Nephew plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 110: Smith and Nephew plc - Segment focus

10.10 Sonex Health Inc.

Exhibit 111: Sonex Health Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 112: Sonex Health Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: Sonex Health Inc. - Key offerings

10.11 Stryker Corp.

Exhibit 114: Stryker Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Stryker Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 116: Stryker Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 117: Stryker Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 118: Stryker Corp. - Segment focus

10.12 Trice Medical

Exhibit 119: Trice Medical - Overview



Exhibit 120: Trice Medical - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: Trice Medical - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 122: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 123: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 124: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 125: Research methodology



Exhibit 126: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 127: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 128: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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/

SOURCE Technavio
Chinese scientist Nan Rendong first proposed the idea of building FAST in 1994. In the following 12 years, Nan and his team screened out 391 potential hollows in the mountains of Guizhou. Finally, they selected a unique site that was most suitable for the construction of FAST. This site is free from nearly any interference of human activity signals. And there are many sunken limestone caves which form a natural "sinkhole" that can support the astronomical equipment.

To improve the flexibility of the telescope, Chinese scientists independently developed an automatic reflector, which can adjust the cable net structure to enable FAST to automatically capture signals from outer space.

After FAST began operating in 2017, more and more scientists, from both China and abroad, have come to Guizhou. As a big fan of space exploration, British vlogger Oli Barrett set off on a trip to explore FAST. He was astonished by the massive radio telescope and touched by the story of Chinese scientist Nan Rendong who had devoted his whole life to the advancement of science.

Contact: Zeng Wei

Tel: 008610-68996566

E-mail: [email protected]

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/tp3CEcG18nc

Video - https://youtu.be/tp3CEcG18nc

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1735490/China_Matters_Logo.jpg

SOURCE China Matters
National Grid's former Chief Operating Officer has spent over 20 years with the utility working to modernize energy delivery

BOSTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LineVision, Inc., the world's only provider of non-contact power line monitoring solutions, announced today that former Chief Operating Officer of National Grid, Chris Kelly, will join the company's advisory board. Kelly, who has worked with National Grid for over 20 years in a variety of roles, has been focused on shaping the future of renewable energy delivery for National Grid's 3 million customers.

LineVision

"We have been fortunate to work with Chris and the National Grid team over the past several years as the utility has been deploying LineVision's technology and integrating our data into operations to improve grid performance. I am extremely excited to have Chris join our advisory board," said Hudson Gilmer, LineVision's co-founder and CEO. "There are very few people who understand transmission, grid modernization and the energy transition as well as Chris does, and his counsel will be deeply valued."

Learn more about Chris and his work with National Grid and LineVision here:

Kelly joins an already impressive group of advisors to the Boston-based grid enhancing technology (GET) company, including former FERC commissioner and PG&E Chair, Nora Mead Brownell, Former National Grid CEO, Rick Sergel, head of the High Voltage Laboratory at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Dr. Balint Nemeth, Vice Chairman of Wood Mackenzie's Power and Renewables practice, Chris Seiple, and entrepreneur Gene Dolgin.

"Utilities like National Grid are facing 3 key challenges today: expand grid capacity to integrate renewables and progress toward a net zero grid, improve climate resilience, and optimize the management of aging infrastructure," said Chris Kelly, former COO of National Grid. "LineVision is unique in offering a platform which delivers compelling benefits across all 3 areas."

About LineVision

LineVision provides electric utilities with the real-time monitoring and analytics needed to accelerate the net zero grid. LineVision's patented non-contact sensors collect critical information to unlock additional capacity on existing lines, provide insight into conductor health, and detect anomalies and risks. LineVision's platform is rapidly deployed at scale without the need for scheduled outages, live line work, or specialized installation equipment. LineVision is helping our utility partners around the world lead the energy transition by increasing the capacity, resilience, and safety of the grid. For more information visit: http://www.linevisioninc.com

Contact:

Colin Mahoney, Mahoney Communications Group

212-220-6045

[email protected]

SOURCE LineVision, inc.
Chrysler today unveiled a Graphite variation of its all-electric Airflow Concept at the 2022 New York International Auto Show.

The Chrysler Airflow Concept originally debuted at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, but with the new Graphite, Chrysler offers a reimagined look at the brand's journey to a fully electric future.

The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept features a new Galaxy Black exterior and Cyprus Copper interior and exterior accents to bring out a sleek, refined new personality for the Airflow Concept's official global auto show debut.

Chrysler also announced in January at CES that the brand will launch its first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by 2025 and offer an all-electric Chrysler vehicle lineup by 2028.

"The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept, the latest version of our all-electric concept, represents the many possibilities on our brand's road to an all-electric future," said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO - Stellantis. "This new persona of the Airflow highlights the flexibility of the Chrysler brand's future design direction and our ability to create personalities reflective of our diverse customers. As our brand evolves to offer a full battery-electric vehicle portfolio, we are completely rethinking and reinventing the customer experience. Project Ingenuity is an initiative in which we collaborate with customers on our future innovations and services, offering uniquely personalized and delightful customer experiences throughout the purchase, service and ownership journey."

Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept

The early development of the Airflow included several potential design expressions for the all-electric concept, including the Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept.

The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept features a Galaxy Black exterior body color, inspired by a sophisticated urban mindset that feels at home navigating amid big city skylines. The Galaxy Black hue also provides a vivid contrast to the Arctic White exterior previously shown on the Airflow Concept at CES.

The Galaxy Black exterior unites with Cyprus Copper accents both inside and out to imprint the latest Airflow iteration with its own refined, sophisticated design. Cyprus Copper accents highlight the top of the panoramic glass roof as well as select surfaces of the 22-inch wheels.

The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept interior is modern and spacious, integrating the lightness of Ice Grey and warmth of Cyprus Copper accents to achieve a rich interior feel. Evoking the appeal of a first-class lounge that delivers a comfortable space between home and work, the interior boasts premium features and finishes, using sustainable materials and a calming color palette, creating a greater feeling of spaciousness and comfort.

Visit the Chrysler newsroom to read the full release.

SOURCE Stellantis
"CLEAR's entry into the Ontario International Airport advances our continued commitment to outstanding customer service. We know our customers will appreciate the way CLEAR's secure identity technology and expedited lanes help make travel more predictable and less stressful, and we're pleased to welcome them to ONT," said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Ontario.

Members use CLEAR's network of dedicated lanes to verify their identity with their eyes, replacing the need to take out their wallet and driver's license. After verification, a CLEAR Ambassador escorts members through the dedicated lane and directly to TSA physical security.

"Expanding our footprint to more airports in the Golden State has been an important priority as we continue working toward our vision for a world of frictionless experiences and journeys," said CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker. "Our launch at ONT reflects our commitment to our members, airports and communities across California, and we look forward to continued growth in the months and years ahead."

CLEAR Plus  an opt-in membership that provides access to CLEAR's expedited security lanes  costs just $15 a month billed annually, with discounts available for Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Express members. Newly enrolling active military, veterans, and government officials are also eligible for discounted memberships, and additional family members can be added to an existing CLEAR Plus account for just $60 per adult per year.

About CLEAR

Founded in 2010, CLEAR's mission is to create frictionless experiences. With more than 10 million members and hundreds of partners across the world, CLEAR's identity platform is transforming the way people live, work, and travel. Whether it's at the airport, stadium, or right on your phone, CLEAR connects you to the things that make you, you - making everyday experiences easier, more secure, and more seamless. Since day one, CLEAR has been committed to privacy done right. Members are always in control of their own information, and we never sell member data. For more information, visit clearme.com .

About Ontario International Airport:

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com . Follow @flyONT on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram

SOURCE CLEAR
CHICAGO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Cloud Security Posture Management Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Cloud Model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), Vertical (BFSI, Healthcare, Retail & eCommerce, IT & ITeS, Government, and Education) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global post COVID-19 market size of the Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) Market is expected to grow from USD 4.2 billion in 2022 to USD 8.6 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period. Low visibility across the IT infrastructure and increase in configuration errors in cloud infrastructure, absence of efficient security tools and processes to handle the cloud-based environments and developing cloud security capabilities such as easy DevSecOps integration and threat intelligence are some of the factors that are driving the market growth. However, lack of skilled expertise, and lack of awareness of cloud resources, cloud security architecture, and strategy are some of the factors that are expected to hinder the market growth.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Cloud Security Posture Management Market"

317  Tables

63  Figures

293  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=71228949

By component, solution segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

Based on components, the Cloud Security Posture Management Market is segmented into solutions and services. CSPM solution provides visibility into the public cloud infrastructure of an organization, including cloud resources, compliance, and cloud configurations. CSPM solutions provide the necessary cloud visibility to detect and prevent configuration errors before they cause a breach. Some CSPM solutions may even leverage AI to predict where risks are likely to arise in the future. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing data and traffic on the public cloud and lack of expertise in cloud configurations have made cloud resources more vulnerable than in previous years. CSPM solutions are designed and developed to handle cloud misconfigurations and policy violations. The increasing cloud adoption and IT spending on the public cloud are expected to fuel the market growth of CSPM solutions in the coming years globally.

By cloud model, SaaS security posture management (SSPM) to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period

SaaS applications are sometimes called Web-based software, on-demand software, or hosted software. Whatever the name, SaaS applications run on a SaaS provider's servers. The provider manages access to the application, including security, availability, and performance. Capabilities such as DLP, compliance, and industry regulation solutions and advanced malware prevention are attracting enterprises to use SaaS security solutions. Due to multiple benefits, CSPM providers are now integrating SaaS into CSPM solutions to offer a single solution for SaaS and IaaS-based cloud security services. Companies such as AppOmni and Adaptive Shield are some of the few companies offering SaaS-based CSPM solutions.

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=71228949

North America to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

Major CSPM vendors, such as IBM, Microsoft, VMware, Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and Netskope, are headquartered in North America. All kinds of organizations, either big or small, have faced major threat issues due to misconfiguration, thereby resulting in huge financial losses. According to Check Point, the average number of weekly attacks on organizations globally in 2021 is 40% higher than the average before March 2020, when the first pandemic-related changes went into effect. The volume of attacks on cloud services, especially with the onset of COVID-19, is persuading enterprises in the US and Canada to configure cloud architecture as such to prevent any data breach. North America is contributing significantly to CSPM and is expected to grow further.

Key Players:

Major vendors in the global Cloud Security Posture Management Market include Fireeye (now Trellix) (US), Cisco Systems (US), International Business Machines Corporation (US), Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (US), VMware, Inc. (US), Microsoft Corporation (US), Check Point Software Technologies (Israel), Zscaler (US), Sophos Group plc (UK), Atos SE (France), Forcepoint (US), CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (US), Netskope (US), Trend Micro, Inc. (Japan), Fortinet (US), Qualys, Inc. (US), Fujitsu Ltd (Japan), Radware Ltd (Israel), Oracle Corporation (US), Arctic Wolf Networks (US), Entrust Corporation (US), DivvyCloud Corporation (US), Lookout (US), Aqua Security (US), Aujas Cybersecurity Ltd (US), Fidelis Cybersecurity (US), Foreseeti (Sweden), Sysdig, Inc (US), Cynet (Israel), Snyk (US), and FireMon, LLC (US). Some emerging startups, such as Orca Security (Israel), AppOmni Inc. (US), Adaptive Shield (Israel), OpsCompass (US), C3M, LLC (US), Wiz.io (US), Caveonix (US), Ermetic (US), Obsidian Security (US), and Ascend Technologies (US), are also included in the CSPM market.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Information Security Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports

Cloud Security Market with COVID-19 Analysis by Security Type, Application (Visibility and Risk Assessment, User and Data Governance), Service Model, Organization Size, Vertical (BFSI, IT and ITeS, Retail) and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Cloud Infrastructure Services Market by Service Type (Storage as a Service, Compute as a Service, Disaster Recovery and Backup as a Service), Deployment Model, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2024

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
Juicy Pineapple Coming This Summer

Wild Cherry Makes Debut in Brand's First-Ever National Variety Pack

NORWALK, Conn., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Radeberger Gruppe USA, the #1 German beer importer in the United States, happily announces its new releases for 2022. Arriving in time for the bright days of spring and before the hot days of summer, Radeberger Gruppe USA is promising a new round of happiness with the debut of not one, but two new offerings: Schofferhofer Juicy Pineapple and Schofferhofer Wild Cherry, the latter within the brand's first-ever national variety pack, known affectionately as the Schofferhofer "Happy Pack."

Schofferhofer Juicy Pineapple now available nationwide Schofferhofer Happy Pack featuring Schofferhofer Grapefruit, Schofferhofer Pomegranate, Schofferhofer Passion Fruit and NEW Schofferhofer Wild Cherry

Schofferhofer Juicy Pineapple is the latest addition to the portfolio of award-winning German wheat beers which includes Grapefruit, Pomegranate, and Passion Fruit. This tropically delicious offering is a mix of authentic, unfiltered German hefeweizen beer with 50% pineapple juice and will be available in 11.2oz bottles (6-packs and cases), and in kegs for on-premise locations. Just like all beers in the Schofferhofer family, Juicy Pineapple is a low alcohol offering at 2.5% ABV and will be available nationally in April 2022.

To celebrate its arrival, Schofferhofer plans an extensive digital marketing campaign including advertising, social media posts, in-store displays, and public relations efforts promoting the campaign theme, "Welcome to Our Ohana." Ohana is the native Hawaiian word for "family," and one grand prize winner will win a trip for two to Hawaii as part of this promotional effort. A website for contest entry will be supported with additional marketing efforts taking place throughout June and July, 2022.

A Wider Variety of Happiness

Schofferhofer Wild Cherry is a blend of crisp, slightly sweet-tart cherry juice and smooth German wheat beer creating a lip-smacking, refreshing experience. It will be packaged within the brand's first-ever variety pack. The Schofferhofer "Happy Pack" will feature three each of Schofferhofer Wild Cherry, Schofferhofer Grapefruit, Schofferhofer Pomegranate and Schofferhofer Passion Fruita dozen reasons to be happyall in convenient 11.2-ounce slim cans.

"We listened closely to our consumers and did extensive research to see what was missing in the market and how we might be able to fill that void," said David Deuser, CEO of Sales and Marketing at Radeberger Gruppe USA. "Juicy Pineapple quickly rose to the top of the list and based on the consumer reaction at the EPCOT Food and Wine festival, we knew Wild Cherry would also be extremely well received by consumers, distributors, and retail partners alike. 2022 will be an exciting time for us as we offer an even wider assortment of flavor options to make the most out of summer."

About Radeberger Gruppe USA

Radeberger Gruppe USA is the #1 German beer importer and the ambassadors for German beer culture in the United States and a subsidiary of its parent company, Radeberger Gruppe, Germany's largest brewery group belonging to the family business Dr. August Oetker KG in Bielefeld. With a wide assortment of German beer that reflects the European region known for its commitment and cultivation of beer, Radeberger USA is proudly committed to bringing an authentic taste of Germany to US audiences. Radeberger Gruppe USA's portfolio of German beers include the Schofferhofer family of products (the #1 German beer import in the United States), Radeberger Pilsner and Zwickelbier, Sion Kolsch, DAB, Allgauer Buble, BraufactuM, and the most awarded non-alcoholic beer in the world, Clausthaler.

For more information, contact:

Craig Alperowitz

Bolide Communications

https://www.schofferhofer.us/

(973) 975-3037

[email protected]

SOURCE Radeberger Gruppe USA
DALLAS FORT WORTH, Texas, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Royal House Partners ("RHP") a leading provider of residential and commercial HVAC, plumbing and electrical services in Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma welcomes the addition of Action Heating & Cooling based in Crossville, Tennessee to their family of businesses.

RHP was founded in 2021 by CPS Capital, a Toronto-based investment firm, and 1801 Holdings, a Dallas-based group of seasoned home services professionals, who have spent a considerable amount of time developing a residential and light commercial HVAC, plumbing and electrical roll-up strategy.

As a leadership team, we have been busy the last several months acquiring businesses in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical & Home Services space. The addition of Action allows Royal House Partners to continue to expand its footprint east.

Paul Adams, Chief Growth Officer & Founder of RHP, notes "We are super excited to welcome Jay Wood and his team. Tennessee is a great market and in particular Nashville is growing at a rapid pace and we want to be a part of it".

Jay Wood, Regional Vice President, notes "We are excited to partner with Royal House and CPS. The knowledge they have in the service industry partnered with the expertise that Action provides makes for a great team. Action has always been proactive in the industry and this partnership will enhance benefits for our employees and make Action Heating and Cooling a premier place to work. 28 years of dedication to the community and our employees proves that Action is more than a Heating and Cooling company, we have been and will continue to be a family."

Twin Brook Capital Partners provided debt financing for the transaction.

HVAC businesses interested in joining the RHP team should contact Paul Adams [email protected] For more information about RHP, visit https://www.royalhousepartners.com/home

About CPS Capital:

CPS Capital is a lower middle market private equity firm, based in Toronto, founded by owner-operators who look to partner with business owners to realize their growth and transition goals. CPS Capital is focused on North American opportunities to invest in exceptional businesses in growing industries with attractive characteristics. We look to become value-added partners with every business we work with. We bring significant capability, expertise, and capital to provide business owners with an attractive option compared to traditional financial or strategic buyers.

For more information, please visit us at https://cpscapital.com/

SOURCE CPS Management Corp.
SHANGHAI, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo New Energy," the "Company" or "we"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced that the Company is aware of the fact that it was identified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act of the United States (the "HFCAA") on April 12, 2022. Such identification may have resulted from the Company's filing of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

The Company understands the SEC made such identification pursuant to the HFCAA and its implementation rules issued thereunder, and the identification indicates that the SEC determines that the Company used an auditor, whose working paper cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the PCAOB, to issue the audit opinion for its financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

In accordance with the HFCAA, a company will be delisted from a U.S. stock exchange if such company has been identified by the SEC for three consecutive years due to the PCAOB's inability to inspect the auditor's working paper related to such company. Under the current terms of the HFCAA, the Company's American depositary shares will be delisted from the NYSE in early 2024, unless the Act is amended to exclude the Company or the PCAOB is able to conduct a full inspection of the Company's auditor during the required timeframe.

The Company has been actively exploring possible solutions to best protect the interest of its stakeholders. The Company will continue to comply with applicable laws and regulations in both China and the United States.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company") is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2007, the Company manufactures and sells high-purity polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufactures, who further process the polysilicon into ingots, wafers, cells and modules for solar power solutions. The Company has a total polysilicon nameplate capacity of 105,000 metric tons and is one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon.

For more information, please visit www.dqsolar.com

Daqo New Energy Corp.

Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Rene Vanguestaine

Phone: +86 178 1749 0483

[email protected]

In the U.S.

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "might," "guidance" and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; the Company's ability to significantly expand its polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; the Company's ability to lower its production costs; changes in the political and regulatory environment; and the duration of COVID-19 outbreaks in China and many other countries and the impact of the outbreaks and the quarantines and travel restrictions instituted by relevant governments on economic and market conditions, including potentially weaker global demand for solar PV installations that could adversely affect the Company's business and financial performance. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents the Company has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp.
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Selected for Top Award

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DATAMARK, the public safety geographic information systems (GIS) team of Michael Baker International, this week honors telecommunications personnel in the public safety community by celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week (NPSTW). Held annually during the second week of April, NPSTW recognizes telecommunications personnel across the nation who serve communities, citizens and public safety personnel 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

During DATAMARK Orbit, DATAMARK's third annual virtual conference, the firm announced the winner of its Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Prizes, which included gift baskets and a top award of 24-hours of catering covering every shift at a 9-1-1 center during NPSTW. DATAMARK Orbit attendees had the opportunity to nominate their local PSAP and out of dozens of entries, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, located in St. Augustine, Florida, was selected to receive 24-hours of catering. The winning nomination read: "St. Johns County PSAP is a family of dispatchers from the Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue, call-takers, supervisors, managers, service contractors, MSAG and GIS personnel. We are a well-oiled machine that ensures the front line of public safety needs are met without losing a beat."

"Our organization consists of many former dispatchers, 9-1-1 directors, and emergency responders. Throughout the year, and especially during NPSTW, we do everything we can to give back to this community of telecommunications professionals that we serve and frequently partner with," said Jason Bivens, ENP, Vice President of DATAMARK. "9-1-1 Telecommunicators act as the first line of communication when a member of the public encounters an emergency. We extend a warm thank you to those who have dedicated their lives to helping others. The sacrifices they make help to create safer communities and save lives every day."

Additional winners of corresponding sponsor prizes for NPSTW include Dearborn County Communications in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and the Texas City Police Department in Texas City, Texas.

About DATAMARK

As trusted advisors in public safety, DATAMARK brings comprehensive, real-world expertise in police, fire, EMS and 9-1-1 leadership roles to Next Generation 9-1-1 transitions. The DATAMARK team leads the industry by shaping rules and legislation, and by building a suite of products and services that ensure accurate emergency response location data in life-critical situations. DATAMARK empowers its team and stakeholder partners to foster trusted relationships and cultivate data integrity for informed decision making. DATAMARK, the public safety GIS team of Michael Baker International, has decades of proven experience in mission-critical government addressing projects. The team works with clients to solve their complex needs, from data quality checks and addressing to workflow analysis and more. Learn more about the company at www.datamarkgis.com and follow DATAMARK on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook .

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services. The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner, providing comprehensive services and solutions to commercial clients and all branches of the military, as well as federal, state and municipal governments. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery  Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/ .

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE DATAMARK
Strong Revenue growth guidance of 13%-15% and operating margin guidance of 21%-23% for FY23

BENGALURU, India, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY), (BSE: INFY), (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, delivered $16.3 billion in revenues with the highest annual growth in the last decade of 19.7% in constant currency with a robust operating margin of 23.0%. Growth was broad-based, supported by continued momentum in large deal wins with TCV of $9.5 billion. EPS grew by 15.2% in rupee terms. FCF crossed $3 billion for the year.

Q4 sequential growth was 1.2% in constant currency with operating margin of 21.5%. TCV of large deal wins was $2.3 billion in Q4.

"Infosys delivered highest annual growth in a decade with broad-based performance driven by deeply differentiated digital and Infosys Cobalt led cloud capabilities, powered by 'One Infosys' approach. We continue to gain market share as a result of sustained clients' confidence in our ability to successfully navigate their digital journeys," said Salil Parekh CEO and MD. "With the acceleration of digital disruptions across industries, we see immense potential to engage and partner with clients as they transform, adapt and thrive. We will scale talent globally, invest in employees and accelerate innovation and digital capabilities to capitalize on the expanding market opportunities," he added.

38.8% YoY

41.2% FY

CC Digital growth 20.6% YoY

19.7% FY

CC Revenue growth 21.5% Q4

23.0% FY

Operating margin 13.4% YoY

15.2% FY

Increase in EPS

( terms) $2.3 bn Q4

$9.5 bn FY

Large deal TCV

Guidance for FY23:

Revenue growth of 13%-15% in constant currency

Operating margin of 21%-23%

Key financial highlights:

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022 Revenues in CC terms grew by 20.6% YoY and 1.2% QoQ

Reported revenues at $4,280 million, growth of 18.5% YoY

Digital revenues at 59.2% of total revenues,

YoY CC growth of 38.8%

Operating margin at 21.5%, decline of 3.0% YoY

Basic EPS at $0.18, growth of 9.2% YoY

FCF at $761 million, decline of 4.8% YoY;

FCF conversion at 101.0% of net profit For the year ended March 31, 2022 Revenues in CC terms grew by 19.7% YoY

Reported revenues at $16,311 million, growth of 20.3% YoY

Digital revenues at 57.0% of total revenues,

YoY CC growth of 41.2%

Operating margin at 23.0%, decline of 1.5% YoY

Basic EPS at $0.70, growth of 14.3% YoY

FCF at $3,055 million, growth of 2.8% YoY;

FCF conversion at 102.9% of net profit



"In a year marked by intense supply side challenges, Infosys delivered strong financial performance  EPS growth of 15.2%, Free Cash Flows surpassing $3 billion and Return on Equity of 29.1%, reflecting the company's success, driven by client-centricity and rich capabilities. The Board has proposed a final dividend of 16 per share, taking the total dividend for FY22 to 31 per share, an increase of 14.8% over prior year," said Nilanjan Roy, Chief Financial Officer. "With a robust demand environment ahead, we envisage making appropriate long-term investments in capability building across sales, delivery and innovation. However, we plan to neutralize some of the impact through aggressive cost optimization programs and value led pricing driven by service and brand differentiation. This, along with post-pandemic normalization of expenses, is reflected in the margin guidance," he added.

2. Capital allocation

For FY22, the Board has recommended a final dividend of 16 per share ($0.21 per ADS*). Together with the interim dividend of 15 per share already paid, the total dividend per share for FY22 will amount to 31 (app. $0.41 per ADS*) which is a 14.8% increase over FY21. With this, the company has announced total dividend of approx. 13,000 crore (approx. $1.74 billion*) for FY22.

*USD-INR rate of 75.00

3. Client wins & Testimonials

Infosys launched Infosys Metaverse Foundry, an integral part of Infosys Living Labs to accelerate enterprises' ability to evolve and execute strategies for virtual-physical interconnections. Daniel Schumacher , Head of Global IT Applications and Digital Innovation, Komatsu , said, "Our strategic foresight and transformation roadmap point to the rapid acceleration of digital ecosystems, and we are looking to bring its value to all facets of our business  both as we know them today and to what we can create for the future. We are excited to partner with Infosys metaverse foundry to uncover the most significant investment we must make in the virtual world and plant seeds today that are most likely to bear fruit for our future."

, said, "Our strategic foresight and transformation roadmap point to the rapid acceleration of digital ecosystems, and we are looking to bring its value to all facets of our business  both as we know them today and to what we can create for the future. We are excited to partner with Infosys metaverse foundry to uncover the most significant investment we must make in the virtual world and plant seeds today that are most likely to bear fruit for our future." Infosys collaborated with E.ON for its Digital Workplace Transformation across multiple services. "We were looking for an innovative and future oriented partner for our entire workplace transformation journey. We are delighted to have Infosys as E.ON's digital workplace partner, supporting 75K+ users across 12 countries for all their workplace needs. This collaboration cuts across services that include IT Service Desk, End User Devices, Unified Communication and Collaboration and IT Service Management. Infosys is also engaging with E.ON for multiple other initiatives as our strategic transformation partner. We are confident that this collaboration will be a great enabler in our ongoing digital transformation journey," said, David Benkelberg, Head of User Services, E.ON .

. Infosys collaborated with Telenor Norway to transform its finance and supply chain operations through standardized, Oracle Cloud ERP solution. Terje Borge , CFO, Telenor Norway , said, "Telenor Norway needs to continuously raise the bar in its operational performance to serve as the trusted digital partner for its consumer and enterprise customers. IT as a business enabler plays a critical role in this objective. The ERP transformation program is one of the steps in making Telenor agile and efficient."

, said, "Telenor Norway needs to continuously raise the bar in its operational performance to serve as the trusted digital partner for its consumer and enterprise customers. IT as a business enabler plays a critical role in this objective. The ERP transformation program is one of the steps in making Telenor agile and efficient." Infosys Finacle enabled WhatsApp Baking for Union Bank of India . The new service, called Union Virtual Connect (UVConn), will provide customers personalized and daily banking services. Shri Rajkiran Rai G, Managing Director & CEO, Union Bank of India , said, "It has always been our endeavor to build lasting relationships with customers by offering simple, fast, and contextual banking solutions and experiences with improved convenience. In line with this vision, we have introduced this service on WhatsApp, one of the most popular instant messaging applications in the world. Our retail customers can execute a host of their banking requirements on their own, without visiting a branch, instantaneously and securely. With Finacle Conversational Banking and Remote Banker we can now tap into the growing prominence of social media in everyday life. We expect this simple and convenient form of banking to add immense convenience to our customers and hope to see its rapid adoption in the months to come."

. The new service, called Union Virtual Connect (UVConn), will provide customers personalized and daily banking services. , said, "It has always been our endeavor to build lasting relationships with customers by offering simple, fast, and contextual banking solutions and experiences with improved convenience. In line with this vision, we have introduced this service on WhatsApp, one of the most popular instant messaging applications in the world. Our retail customers can execute a host of their banking requirements on their own, without visiting a branch, instantaneously and securely. With Finacle Conversational Banking and Remote Banker we can now tap into the growing prominence of social media in everyday life. We expect this simple and convenient form of banking to add immense convenience to our customers and hope to see its rapid adoption in the months to come." Nu Skin, a leading health, beauty and wellness company with businesses in over 50 countries, collaborated with Infosys to achieve their vision of becoming a next generation social commerce enterprise. Ryan Napierski , President and CEO, Nu Skin said, "At Nu Skin, we are delighted to partner with Infosys for our transformation into a next-gen social commerce enterprise. Key to this is our collaborative work to provide personalized and engaging consumer journeys to build customer loyalty and help fuel our future growth."

4. Recognitions

Recognized as one of the 2022 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere

Recognized as the fastest-growing IT services brand by Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation firm, in its Global 500, 2022 report

Awarded Global Top Employer 2022 certification in 22 countries across Asia Pacific , Europe , the Middle East , and North America in recognition of its outstanding strategies and people practices

, , the , and in recognition of its outstanding strategies and people practices Received Brandon Hall Group's Organizational Excellence Certification for demonstrating best-in-class talent acquisition strategy and human capital management practices

Certified as a Great Place to Work for excellence in its employment practices in Canada for 2022

for 2022 Ranked #1 among top 100 listed companies in India for receiving the highest score on ESG by Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES)

for receiving the highest score on ESG by Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) Received LEED Platinum certification from US Green Building Council for 4 buildings, situated in Indianapolis , Bengaluru, Mysuru and Thiruvananthapuram, with a total area of 2.15 million sq.ft.

, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Thiruvananthapuram, with a total area of 2.15 million sq.ft. Ranked #2 in Everest Group PEAK Matrix IT Service Provider of the Year

Positioned as a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data and Analytics Service Providers

Infosys Finacle positioned as a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global Retail Core Banking for Finacle Core Banking Solution

Ranked as a leader in Everest Cloud Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022  North America

Rated as a leader in HFS Top 10 Digital Associates Services 2022

Positioned as a Leader in 'Banking Digital Services' ISG Provider Lens Study for U.S., UK and Nordics regions

Ranked as a leader in Everest Cloud Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022  Europe

Positioned as a leader in NelsonHall Quality Engineering NEAT 2022

Ranked as a leader in HFS Top 10 Energy Transition Services Top 10 Snapshot, 2022

Rated as a leader in Avasant's Healthcare Payor Digital Services 2022-2023 RadarView

Positioned as a Leader in 'Mainframes Services and Solutions'2022 ISG Provider Lens

Positioned as a leader in PAC RADAR SAP Services in Germany 2021

2021 Rated as a leader in Avasant's Multisourcing Service Integration 2021-2022 RadarView

Rated as a leader in Everest Digital Product Engineering Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Positioned as a leader in HFS Top 10 Application Modernization Services, 2022

Positioned as a leader in Everest Oracle Cloud Applications (OCA) Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Rated as a leader in NelsonHall Digital Banking Services NEAT 2022

Positioned as a leader in HFS Utilities Services Top 10, 2022

Rated as a leader in Everest Advanced Analytics and Insights (AA&I) Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022

Rated as a leader in HFS Top 10 Retail and CPG Services, 2022

Positioned as a Leader in 'Healthcare Digital Services' ISG Provider Lens Study for U.S. region

Infosys Finacle positioned as a Leader by Everest Group in the Consumer Loan Origination System Products Peak Matrix Assessment 2022 report

Infosys Finacle was a winner at the Finnovex Awards Qatar 2022 under the 'Excellence in Payments' category for its Finacle Payments Suite

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

"Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law."

Infosys Limited and subsidiaries Extracted from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet under IFRS as at: (Dollars in million)

March 31, 2022 March 31, 2021 ASSETS



Current assets



Cash and cash equivalents 2,305 3,380 Current investments 880 320 Trade receivables 2,995 2,639 Unbilled revenue 1,526 1,030 Other Current assets 1,159 938 Total current assets 8,865 8,307 Non-current assets



Property, plant and equipment and Right-of-use assets 2,429 2,519 Goodwill and other Intangible assets 1,042 1,115 Non-current investments 1,801 1,623 Unbilled revenue 124 81 Other non-current assets 1,294 1,180 Total non-current assets 6,690 6,518 Total assets 15,555 14,825 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY



Current liabilities



Trade payables 545 362 Unearned revenue 834 554 Employee benefit obligations 288 276 Other current liabilities and provisions 2,766 2,072 Total current liabilities 4,433 3,264 Non-current liabilities



Lease liabilities 607 627 Other non-current liabilities 521 432 Total non-current liabilities 1,128 1,059 Total liabilities 5,561 4,323 Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company 9,941 10,442 Non-controlling interests 53 60 Total equity 9,994 10,502 Total liabilities and equity 15,555 14,825

Extracted from the Condensed Consolidated statement of Comprehensive Income under IFRS for: (Dollars in million except per equity share data)

3 months ended

March 31, 2022 3 months ended

March 31, 2021 Year ended

March 31, 2022 Year ended

March 31, 2021 Revenues 4,280 3,613 16,311 13,561 Cost of sales 2,955 2,357 10,996 8,828 Gross profit 1,325 1,256 5,315 4,733 Operating expenses:







Selling and marketing expenses 179 165 692 624 Administrative expenses 226 207 868 784 Total operating expenses 405 372 1,560 1,408 Operating profit 920 884 3,755 3,325 Other income, net (3) 78 68 281 271 Profit before income taxes 998 952 4,036 3,596 Income tax expense 245 255 1,068 973 Net profit (before minority interest) 753 697 2,968 2,623 Net profit (after minority interest) 752 697 2,963 2,613 Basic EPS ($) 0.18 0.16 0.70 0.62 Diluted EPS ($) 0.18 0.16 0.70 0.61

NOTES:

The above information is extracted from the audited condensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the quarter and year ended March 31,2022 which have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on April 13, 2022 . A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded from www.infosys.com. Other Income includes Finance Cost.

IFRS-INR Press Release: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2021-2022/q4/documents/ifrs-inr-press-release.pdf

Fact sheet: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2021-2022/q4/documents/fact-sheet.pdf

SOURCE Infosys
LONDON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Elbit Systems UK and KBR Inc's joint venture, Affinity Flying Training Services Ltd (Affinity), has embarked on a series of battery-powered flight tests for the UK Ministry of Defence to assess the feasibility of environmentally friendly alternatives to current military aircraft.

Two-seater pilot training aircraft Elbit Systems UK & Affinity electric

The concept of trialling zero emissions aircraft, and the subsequent pathfinder, was brought to the Ministry of Defence by Elbit Systems UK through its joint venture with KBR Inc, Affinity. The introduction of this pathfinder demonstrates the company's commitment to providing innovative solutions for the UK Armed Forces and addressing the needs of the future.

In line with the Ministry of Defence's 'green' transformation, the flights aim to help the Royal Air Force (RAF) assess the technology of electric aircraft, determine its effectiveness as an impactful pilot training capability and realise the net-zero ambitions of the service's ASTRA initiative.

The flights used a fully certified two-seater pilot training aircraft, the Velis Electro. Flight and safety assurances were developed during the summer of 2021, which was organised and delivered by the team from Elbit Systems UK, through Affinity, in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority.

The pathfinder programme was split into three phases. As part of Phase 1 in December 2021, test flights took off from Damyn's Hall, Essex, and continued into January 2022. Phase 2 commenced in March 2022, and saw the aircraft join Affinity's existing fleet at RAF Cranwell, where up to twenty additional pilots will fly the eco-friendly aircraft. Finally, Phase 3 of the flight trials will welcome senior government officials and observers.

Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK added: "We are delighted to be leading this exciting initiative with the Ministry of Defence. The concept of zero emissions aircraft being utilised by the RAF has always been considered hypothetical and we are proud to have proposed and delivered initial capability for this pathfinder. Elbit Systems UK has always been, and continues to be, at the forefront of advances in the Defence industry, supporting our Armed Forces as they address the requirements of tomorrow."

For Elbit Systems UK media enquiries please contact:

Victoria Mackarness

CMS Strategic

[email protected]

Office: +44 (0) 20 7866 2487

About Elbit Systems UK

Elbit Systems UK Ltd. holds three wholly owned subsidiaries as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 600 personnel are employed by the Elbit Systems UK companies in the UK, in high tech roles in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft within the UK MOD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme. Elbit Systems UK is an established supplier to the UK Armed Forces, participating in several major Defence programmes such as Selborne, Morpheus and MEWSIC Increment 1, and delivering the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator and Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer.

Photo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1796322/Elbit_Systems_UK.jpg

SOURCE Elbit Systems UK
Scholars from New Jersey to California tuned in for a day full of virtual programming. Through the power of technology, the scholars were able to connect with each other and learn more about the Elks.

"This weekend was an incredible experience and brought together scholars from across the country to build connections, engage with each other, and learn what it is to be a part of the #ElksFamily," says Youth Programs Manager Makenna Cannon. "We're thrilled to have these students as Elks scholars."

The top winners of a $50,000 MVS scholarship are Breana Fowler, sponsored by Salisbury, N.C., Lodge No. 699, and Kaden Oqueli-White, sponsored by Slidell, La., Lodge No. 2321.

Through the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, high school seniors can apply for a college scholarship of up to $50,000. To see a full list of the MVS finalists and to learn more about the Elks National Foundation's scholarships, visit elks.org/scholars, follow us on Instagram @ElksScholars, and like us on Facebook @ElksNationalFoundation.

Contact: Elks National Foundation

Makenna Cannon | Manager, Youth Programs

2750 N. Lakeview Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614-2256

773/755-4732 | [email protected]

Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities

With more than 750,000 members in nearly 1,850 Lodges nationwide, Elks are providing charitable services that help build stronger communities across the United States. The Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. To learn more, visit elks.org/enf.

SOURCE Elks National Foundation
Enhanced Offering Delivers Employment, Identity and Education Verifications in a Single Search to Help Enable Faster, More Informed Decisions in a Competitive Hiring Market

ATLANTA, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Equifax  (NYSE: EFX) announced new enhancements to its Talent Report Express solution to help streamline pre-employment verifications for employment, identity and education, delivering all three datasets via a single inquiry in one report. The new, all-in-one solution exemplifies the type of offerings made possible through the Equifax Workforce Solutions Data Hub, which brings together multiple data assets from distinct sources in order to create a more holistic view of a candidate. In this case, the enhanced solution helps serve the fast-growing employee onboarding space, offering greater efficiencies to employers that need to get candidates into roles more quickly in a competitive hiring market.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , there were 1.6 job openings for every new hire made in February. This brings a sense of urgency for employers to quickly fill roles, but verifying a candidate's employment, education and identity can be a time consuming, manual process. Talent Report Express now offers credentialed background screeners and talent acquisition departments access to the over 535 million active and historic records from 2.5 million contributors to The Work Number to help verify employment and identity, as well as verification of all available postsecondary degrees sourced through an exclusive integration with National Student Clearinghouse.

"In today's extremely competitive hiring market, employers and talent acquisition professionals are looking for greater visibility into candidates in shorter periods of time. Speed is of the essence when it comes to hiring and onboarding," commented Joe Muchnick, Senior Vice President of Employer Services and Talent Solutions at Equifax Workforce Solutions. "Our enhancements to Talent Report Express help deliver on our commitment to providing the most complete verification coverage available, helping enable the faster and more informed hiring decisions our customers have come to expect."

Talent Report Express benefits both job seekers and employers by facilitating the consensual exchange of digital identity, education and employment information. Governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers and background screeners must demonstrate that they have a legally permissible purpose for accessing a consumer's employment and education information in order to use the offering. Additional laws at the state or local level may also govern who can access this consumer data, and Equifax follows all such laws.

The National Student Clearinghouse, as higher education's non-advocacy, third-party agent for nearly 30 years, is trusted by education institutions to maintain the integrity of student records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). To ensure a student's consent to only verify their postsecondary degrees by the National Student Clearinghouse, clients are required to obtain a student's signed and dated written consent for the verification of their education records.

Talent Report Express is available now to employer and background screener customers. More information on pre-employment verifications from Equifax is available here , and more information on what consumers can expect and how information is accessed during employment verification in the hiring process can be found on the Equifax Newsroom .

ABOUT EQUIFAX

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 25 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com .

ABOUT NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE

The National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit formed in 1993, is the trusted source for and leading provider of higher education verifications and electronic education record exchanges. Access to our verified 1st party data falls under the same data access provisions and conditions for background screeners. Besides working with nearly 3,600 postsecondary institutions, the Clearinghouse also provides thousands of high schools and districts with continuing collegiate enrollment, progression, and completion statistics on their alumni. For more details, visit studentclearinghouse.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Daniel Jenkins for Equifax Workforce Solutions

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
Care delivery platform leader will exhibit at the ATA's annual conference, May 1-3 in Boston -- Booth #3201

PHOENIX, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its commitment to simplify healthcare delivery to everyone, everywhere, eVisit announced it has become a top level member of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and will be exhibiting in booth #3201 at ATA2022, the telehealth event of record, May 1-3, 2022, in Boston.

ATA's 26th Annual Conference & Expo is the world's largest telehealth innovation event. It's where providers, technology developers, business professionals, and leaders from across the healthcare sector convene to have an in-depth, thoughtful, critical discussion about the future of health. This year's conference theme: "What Now? Creating an Opportunity in a Time of Uncertainty."

For years, eVisit has been on a mission to increase telehealth adoption. Virtual Care services have made significant strides during the pandemic and have subsequently been embraced by some of eVisit's newest customers, including Banner Health, Concentra, Texas Health Resources and Easter Seals. As the sole industry leader in the Forrester Wave: Virtual Care Platforms in Digital Health, Q1 2021, eVisit received the highest possible scores in 13 criteria (see details in the press release here ). According to Forrester's evaluation, "eVisit nails the platform side with its robust clinical interoperability, differentiated UI, and strong support for billing and reimbursement processes."

At the conference, booth visitors will be able to experience eAnalyze , a powerful reporting dashboard that provides eVisit customers with valuable data insights, including usage, wait times, and key financial and operational metrics. It allows users to understand the performance of the eVisit platform and displays metrics in different user-friendly formats, such as graphs, tables, and standalone statistics. The dashboard allows management to track visit data, prompting proactive changes that can improve operational efficiency and help assess how virtual care fits into their overall care delivery strategy.

"We are witnessing unprecedented industry adoption and growth, especially with changing care models in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Bret Larsen, CEO and co-founder of eVisit. "Progressive healthcare providers view telehealth beyond the scope of virtual visits and leverage the technology as part of a hybrid care delivery model that is the future of care delivery: virtual when possible and in-person where it makes sense. As a Level 5 member and conference exhibitor, we look forward to working with the ATA to educate the entire healthcare industry on the full potential of telehealth."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been an incredible proving ground for telehealth," said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the ATA. "Healthcare organizations that were previously reluctant to adopt telehealth have discovered how safe and effective it is to deliver quality care to their patients, especially those in rural and underserved communities. eVisit and the ATA are very closely aligned on the value of telehealth and its potential to deliver needed care to individuals whenever and wherever they need it, while increasing efficiencies and reducing costs. We welcome eVisit as a new, premier member."

To learn more about eAnalyze, read our March 2 news release , stop by booth #3201 at ATA2022, or request a demonstration .

About eVisit

eVisit is the only end-to-end, fully integrated, enterprise care delivery platform built for health systems and hospitals. It delivers innovative consumer experiences in care navigation, care delivery, and care engagement, improving margins at scale without sacrificing quality. eVisit works seamlessly across enterprise service lines and departments to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and boost revenue. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., eVisit helps healthcare organizations, including the largest systems in the U.S., innovate and succeed in today's changing healthcare market. eVisit was recognized as the sole industry Leader in the Forrester Wave: Virtual Care Platforms in Digital Health, Q1 2021, and is a Representative Vendor in the Gartner 2020 Market Guide for Virtual Care. Get your complimentary copy of the Forrester Report here and the Gartner Report here . For more information, visit evisit.com .

About the ATA

As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the ATA is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of health care delivery systems, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models. Visit the ATA COVID-19 Resource Center. @americantelemed #gotelehealth

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE eVisit
2022 Roll Call of Heroes to honor 619 line-of-duty fatalities, 472 from 2021the most ever to be added to the Memorial walls from one year

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has formally announced that there are 619 names of U.S. law enforcement officers being added to the memorial this year who have died in the line of duty. The names will be engraved and properly dedicated on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil held on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets in Washington, DC, at 8:00 pm on May 13, 2022.

The 2022 "Roll Call of Heroes" features the names of official Line-of-Duty Fallen Heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 472 officers who were killed during 2021 (of which 319 fatalities were COVID-19-related), are the most to ever be added to the memorial in one single year. An additional 147 officers died in previous years (before 2021), whose sacrifice had not been previously documented, until the Memorial Fund's research staff and a team of dedicated volunteers confirmed their record of law enforcement service.

Each May 13, during National Police Week, an estimated 30,000 people attend the Candlelight Vigil ceremony in Washington, D.C., including surviving family members, friends, law enforcement colleagues, and others. Due to the pandemic, this year's ceremony will be the first held in a traditional setting since 2019, bringing people together again from across the country to honor the officers, and to be surrounded by strength in remembering their service and ultimate sacrifice.

With these additions, there will now be 23,229 officers' names engraved on the Memorial, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, federal law enforcement, and military police agencies.

"The names of the 619 fallen officers going on the memorial this year is a solemn reminder that each day is fragile, and that officers risk their lives daily so that we all may live safer together," said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "The ultimate sacrifice put forth by these brave men and women will never be forgotten."

The engraving process begins with a lengthy stencil and proofing procedure followed by meticulous engraving and curing processes. Once the engraving and curing process is finished, the covers are removed, and the panel is completed. The utmost care is taken not only in vetting and authenticating each name, but also to ensure that each is engraved on the memorial to the degree that the integrity is forever maintained. The engraving process is expected to be completed by the end of April.

The names of the 619 officers added to the National Memorial this year can be found at the Roll Call of Heroes, 2022. For a complete schedule of National Police Week events in Washington, DC, visit www.LawMemorial.org/PoliceWeek.



Attention media: If you are interested in attending and covering this year's Candlelight Vigil, all credentialing information can be found here. If more than one credential is needed, please submit the form on the landing page for each individual who will be present at the ceremony.

For information on the National Law Enforcement Memorial please visit nleomf.org/memorial/. For media inquiries, please contact Matt Lund at 443-983-0215.

--- www.NLEOMF.org ---

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., which honors the names of all of the 23,229 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The National Law Enforcement Museum at the Motorola Solutions Foundation Building is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund
MONTREAL, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sister brands Garage and Dynamite today announced a total contribution of CAD $151,000 towards the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal from the Canadian Red Cross. To reach this total, parent company Groupe Dynamite Inc matched donations from employees and customers made to its fundraising campaign across its North American store network and online.

"We are watching this tragedy unfold with great sadness for everyone affected." said Donna Lutfy, Vice President of Sourcing. "We commend the generosity of our community, from our team to our customers, who have donated throughout our campaign, and we are proud to match their efforts."

Donations to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to address immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including those who are displaced.

About Groupe Dynamite Inc.

Groupe Dynamite Inc. (GDI) is a leading fashion digital retailer with two clothing and accessory brands, Garage and Dynamite, at the core of its success.

At fashion's forefront in North America, Groupe Dynamite Inc. is the recipient of the prestigious Montreal Employer of the Year Award and Canada's Top Employer for Young People Award and is a long term partner of Centraide/UnitedWay, OutRight International, One Tree Planted and the Canadian Women's Foundation.

About Garage

Garage is the voice of the confident independent individual who is not afraid of living out loud and expressing their personality. Our goal is to inspire individuals everywhere, empowering them to turn up the volume on who they are.

Garage dresses the modern sexy, on-trend individual for their casual lifestyle and provides seasonless apparel and accessories including denim, knit tops, dresses, outerwear, swim and intimates.

Created in Montreal in 1975, Garage has established itself as a leader in the fashion and retail landscape with over 185 boutiques across North America and available globally at garageclothing.com .

About Dynamite

Created for the multifaceted woman on the move, Dynamite is the epitome of femininity and versatility. Rooted in fashion workwear, we draw inspiration from the runway and the street. At Dynamite you'll find curated collections that take you from work to weekend, and include timeless essentials, evening looks and luxe loungewear.

As a leading lifestyle brand, Dynamite connects to its community through engaging content encouraging women to follow their aspirations; confidently navigating through life with style, strength, and ease.

Established in 1984 in Montreal, Dynamite has over 115 retail locations across Canada and the US. In addition, you can find us at dynamiteclothing.com .

SOURCE Groupe Dynamite Inc.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their overall South American strategy, FBSciences is establishing a company and product registrations in Brazil ahead of the 2022-2023 growing season. With the establishment of FBSciences Brasil, FBSciences will leverage their 15 years of successful research in South America and large demand for their biological products in the region to commercialize in the 23 billion USD Brazilian agricultural market. This expansion will complement FBSciences' established company and product registrations in Argentina and other South American countries.

FBSciences will launch FBSciences Brasil with three initial products; their flagship product Transit Duo, premium zinc product Zicron, and seed treatment product designed specifically for soybeans, SuperSede Soybean. Over the last 15 years, FBSciences has conducted 139 commercial and independent trials with independent collaborators and researchers in South America and observed outstanding performance across a wide variety of crops. On the back of successful seed treatment trials showing an average 4.2% yield increase in corn, an average 5.1% yield increase in soybeans, and an average 10.8% yield increase in cotton, in addition to a range of other plant health and stress mitigation benefits, FBSciences is seeing accelerated interest in these products.

Intensifying the demand for these products is the prolonged period of drought and low rainfall that Brazil is currently experiencing, with a particularly devastating impact on corn and soybean production. Predictions are showing 7% decrease in Brazilian soybean production from 2021, while corn exports in Brazil dropped 46% YoY in the 2020-2021 growing season, and are predicted to continue to decline. South American growers and partners are motivated to find solutions that not only help growers adapt to these difficult growing conditions, but also improve the health of the soil and environment for long-term climate mitigation. FBSciences' proprietary biostimulant technology, FBS Transit, which forms the foundation of their crop nutrition products, has been proven to increase water use efficiency and mitigate the effects of abiotic stress, including drought and heat stress. In addition to these adaptation benefits, FBS Technologies have proven their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased soil carbon and reduced N 2 O emissions. A recent trial in Brazil showed a 13.8% increase in nitrogen efficiency with the inclusion of an FBS Transit formulation in a granular Multi Micronutrient Flowable (MMF) application compared to the MMF alone. Read FBSciences' full Climate Impact Report here.

"With the launch of FBSciences Brasil, we reach an exciting landmark in FBSciences' global expansion strategy," said Courtenay Wolfe, Chair and CEO of FBSciences. "Years of successful research trials on FBSciences' flagship products in South America, showing increased yields, improved plant health, and abiotic stress adaptation, have drawn major interest from partners. We expect significant commercial momentum in the region."

At 83 million hectares of total crop planted area, Brazil plays a major role in the global agriculture market and represents a tremendous opportunity in climate adaptation and mitigation, while marking an important milestone in FBSciences' commitment to South America. AS FBSciences continues to see a growing global demand for softer, more sustainable chemistries, they will look to introduce additional products in the South American market, including their FBS Defense line of crop protection products encompassing fungicide, miticide, insecticide, and nematicide products. As they continue to grow across South America and Europe, FBSciences extends invitations and welcomes outreach from partners, distributors, and collaborators in these markets.

About FBSciences

FBSciences is a global leader in the innovation and commercialization of climate-smart biologicals for agriculture and turf. Their naturally derived, proprietary technologies are the foundation for their biostimulant, biopesticide, and fertilizer product lines. With over 100 million dollars in commercial success and more than 1600 independent and university studies over 15 years, FBSciences has proven their technologies and products increase quality and nutrient density, improve stress mitigation and recovery, produce healthier plants and higher yields, and increase utilization of other crop inputs. Their sustainable products provide measurable benefits to the environment, including an increase in nitrogen use efficiency, leading to N 2 O emissions reduction, decreased nitrogen runoff, and increased carbon sequestration. With an opportunity for meaningful impact on every managed acre, FBSciences is committed to harnessing the power of nature to transform agriculture globally. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more at www.fbsciences.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

Courtenay Wolfe

Chair and CEO

[email protected]

SOURCE FBSciences, Inc.
-- Full Year Revenues of RMB400.2 million, up 13.7% year-over-year

-- Full Year Student Enrollments from Continuing Operations of 21,247, up 3.0% year-over-year

-- Total Number of School Programs from Continuing Operations of 22, up 4.8% year-over-year

BEIJING, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. ("First High-School Education Group" or the "Company") (NYSE: FHS), an education service provider primarily focusing on high schools in Western China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial and Operational Highlights  Continuing Operations

Total revenues were RMB400.2 million ( US$62.8 million ), an increase of 13.7% from RMB351.9 million in 2020.

were ( ), an increase of 13.7% from in 2020. Gross profit was RMB126.5 million ( US$19.8 million ), a decrease of 18.1% from RMB154.5 million in 2020.

was ( ), a decrease of 18.1% from in 2020. Income from continuing operations was RMB50.7 million ( US$7.4 million ), a decrease of 37.9% from RMB81.7 million in 2020.

was ( ), a decrease of 37.9% from in 2020. Net income was RMB39.9 million ( US$6.3 million ), a decrease of 51.3% from RMB81.9 million in 2020.

was ( ), a decrease of 51.3% from in 2020. Adjusted net income [1] (Non-GAAP) was RMB39.9 million ( US$6.3 million ), a decrease of 51.3% from RMB81.9 million in 2020.

was ( ), a decrease of 51.3% from in 2020. The total number of students enrolled at our school programs and public schools that we provide management services as of December 31, 2021 was 21,247, an increase of 3.0% from 20,637 as of December 31, 2020 .

at our school programs and public schools that we provide management services as of was 21,247, an increase of 3.0% from 20,637 as of . The total number of school programs at our school programs and public schools that we provide management services as of December 31, 2021 was 22, an increase of 4.8% from 21 as of December 31, 2020 .

[1] Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP measure" in this press release. A reconciliation of the Company's most directly comparable GAAP measure to historical non-GAAP financial measure has been provided in the tables captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measure" included at the end of this press release, and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.

CFO Comments

Mr. Tommy Zhou, Chief Financial Officer of First High-School Education Group, commented:

In 2021, under high market uncertainty and changing regulatory environment, First High-School Education Group achieved stable and high-quality development. Compared with 2020, the Company's revenue from continuing operation increased by 13.7% to RMB400.2 million. The total number of school programs from continuing operations at our school programs and public schools that we provide management services was 22, and respective student enrollments was 21,247, as of December 31, 2021. We are extremely proud of the quality of the education service we provide. For the 2021 graduation year, we grouped top in similar schools with students scored above 700 or 600, and schools with students of most increased scores from entrance to graduation in China.

The Company's fiscal year 2021 profit margin decreased comparatively with 2020, mainly due to non-recurring expenses caused by our initial public offering, and costs related with new school openings. School management must be balanced and long-time focused. We strongly believe our profitability will be greatly increased in 2022 along with the ramp-up of our new schools and overall efficiency improvements.

In 2022, the Company has three specific goals. First, the Company expects to have all the school programs currently in operation yielding improved financial results compared with last year. Second, the Company plans to open certain new high school programs and new vocational education school programs. Third, the Company plans to further extend its service offerings to fully cover the entire educational system, primarily comprising of rendering education auxiliary materials, education human resources, education logistic and boarding services, and education technology. We expect the newly established services to complement our existing school programs and yield greater profitability.

In compliance with the amended Implementation Regulations of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the People's Republic of China and other applicable PRC regulations, the Company has determined to cease to recognize revenues for all activities related to schools providing compulsory education and the sponsor entities after September 1, 2021 within China that are affected by the Implementation Rules, and classified such Affected Entities as discontinued operations.

The discontinued operations of the Affected Entities had certain impact on the Company's financials conditions for the year ended December 31, 2021. Loss from discontinued operations was RMB10.9 million (US$1.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results  Continuing Operations

Total Revenues

Total revenues were RMB400.2 million (US$62.8 million), an increase of 13.7% from RMB351.9 million in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by greater student enrollment due to the opening of new schools and the increased number of students enrolled in our existing schools, along with the higher tuition income and boarding fees.

Revenues from customers were RMB349.3 million (US$54.8 million), an increase of 12.4% from RMB310.6 million in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by greater student enrollment due to the opening of new schools and the increased number of students enrolled in our existing schools, along with the higher tuition income and boarding fees.

Revenues from government cooperative agreements were RMB50.9 million (US$8.0 million), an increase of 23.4% from RMB41.3 million in 2020, primarily due to increased number of publicly-sponsored students served.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues were RMB273.7 million (US$43.0 million), an increase of 38.7% from RMB197.4 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increased staff cost from opening of new schools and enlarged curriculum coverage in arts and sports.

Gross profit

Gross profit was RMB126.5 million (US$19.8 million), a decrease of 18.1% from RMB154.5 million in 2020.

Gross margin was 31.6%, compared with 43.9% in 2020. The decreased gross margin was primarily due to the higher cost of revenues resulted from (1) increased staff costs due to increased number of employees and increased compensation level to attract more talents; and (2) increased school operating expenses, especially for new schools with relatively lower cost efficiency than our existing schools.

Net operating expenses

Net operating expenses were RMB66.0 million (US$10.4 million), an increase of 20.1% from RMB54.9 million in 2020.

Selling and marketing expenses were RMB7.1 million ( US$1.1 million ), an increase of 8.6% from RMB6.5 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increased expenses in brand promotion and marketing activities in relation to the opening of new schools and assertive school opening plan made in 2021.

( ), an increase of 8.6% from in 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increased expenses in brand promotion and marketing activities in relation to the opening of new schools and assertive school opening plan made in 2021. General and administrative expenses were RMB61.8 million ( US$9.7 million ), an increase of 17.4% from RMB52.7 million in 2020. The increase was primarily due to certain non-recurring expenses in relation to the Company's initial public offering in March 2021 .

( ), an increase of 17.4% from in 2020. The increase was primarily due to certain non-recurring expenses in relation to the Company's initial public offering in . Government grants were RMB2.9 million ( US$0.5 million ), a decrease of 31.1% from RMB4.2 million in 2020, primarily due to certain delay in payments from governments in 2021.

Income from operations

Income from operations was RMB60.5 million (US$9.5 million), a decrease of 39.2% from RMB99.6 million in 2020.

Income from continuing operations

Income from continuing operations was RMB50.7 million (US$8.0 million), a decrease of 37.9% from RMB81.7 million in 2020.

Loss from discontinued operations

Loss from discontinued operations was RMB10.9 million (US$1.7 million), compared with an income of RMB0.1 million in 2020.

Net income

Net income was RMB39.9 million (US$6.3 million), a decrease of 51.3% from RMB81.9 million in 2020.

Adjusted net income[2] (Non-GAAP)

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) was RMB39.9 million (US$6.3 million), a decrease of 51.3% from RMB81.9 million in 2020.

[2] Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP measure" in this press release. A reconciliation of the Company's most directly comparable GAAP measure to historical non-GAAP financial measure has been provided in the tables captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measure" included at the end of this press release, and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.

Business Outlook

For the full fiscal year 2022, the Company expects total revenues of continuing operations to be between RMB480.0 million to RMB520.0 million, representing an increase of 15% to 24% on a year- over- year basis. This outlook reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, and the outlook ranges for fiscal year 2022 reflect a number of assumptions that are subject to change based on uncertainties.

Impact of Implementation Rules for Private Education Laws

On May 14, 2021, the State Council of the People's Republic of China promulgated the amended Implementation Regulations of the Law on the Promotion of Private Education of the People's Republic of China () (the "Implementation Rules"), which became effective on September 1, 2021. The Implementation Rules prohibit social organizations and individuals from controlling private schools that provide compulsory education through, among other methods, mergers, acquisitions and contractual arrangements. Additionally, the Implementation Rules prohibit any private schools providing compulsory education from conducting transactions with its related parties. As a result, the Implementation Rules affected the Company's control over the affiliated entities providing compulsory education as well as the sponsor entities (collectively referred to as the "Affected Entities").

In compliance with the Implementation Rules and other applicable PRC regulations and based on the relevant accounting standard in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company has determined to cease to recognize revenues for all activities related to schools providing compulsory education and the sponsor entities after September 1, 2021 within China that are affected by the Implementation Rules, and classified such Affected Entities as discontinued operations. The discontinued operations of the Affected Entities had certain impact on the Company's financial conditions for the year ended December 31, 2021. Loss from discontinued operations was RMB10.9 million (US$1.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2021.

There still exist uncertainties with respect to the interpretation and enforcement of the Implementation Rules. The Company will closely monitor the developments related to the Implementation Rules, and continue to assess the possible impacts on the Company and make any applicable actions to keep in compliance with the Implementation Rules and other applicable PRC regulations.

Conference Call

First High-School Education Group's management will hold an earnings conference call on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM April 13, 2022, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Please dial in 15 minutes before the conference is scheduled to begin using below numbers.

International 1-412-317-6061 United States 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong 800-963976 Mainland China 4001-206115 Passcode 4750951

A telephone replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until April 20, 2022.

International 1-412-317-0088 United States 1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code 5111348

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investors relations website at https://ir.diyi.top/

About First High-School Education Group

First High-School Education Group is an education service provider primarily focusing on high schools in Western China. The Company aspires to become a leader and innovator of private high school education in China, with the focuses on a comprehensive education management integrating education information consulting, education research project development, education talent management, education technology management, education service management, and general vocational integration development services. For more information, please visit https://ir.diyi.top/.

Non-GAAP Measure

The Company has provided in this press release financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The Company considers and uses one non-GAAP measure, adjusted net income, as a supplemental measure to review and assess its operating performance. Adjusted net income enables the Company's management to assess the Company's operating results without considering the impact of non-cash charges, including share-based compensation expenses, and without considering the impact of donation expenses and transaction costs in relation to previous financing activities. The Company also believes that the use of the non-GAAP measure facilitates investors' assessment of its operating performance.

The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of the Company's most directly comparable GAAP measure to historical non-GAAP financial measure has been provided in the tables captioned "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measure" included at the end of this press release, and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.

Exchange Rate

The Company's business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi ("RMB"). This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD" or "US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to USD are made at the rate of RMB6.3726 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on December 30, 2021. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on December 30, 2021, or at any other rate.

Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company's year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected trading commencement and closing dates. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For Investor and Media Inquiries Please Contact:

First High-School Education Group

Tommy Zhou

Chief Financial Officer

E-mail: [email protected]

Customer Service

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 010-62555966 (9:30-12:00, 13:30-16:00 CST)

First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (All amounts in thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted) Years Ended December 31, 2020 2021 2021 RMB RMB US$ Revenues Revenue from customers 310,640 349,280 54,810 Revenue from governments cooperative agreements 41,272 50,947 7,995 Total revenues 351,912 400,227 62,804 Cost of revenues (197,412) (273,746) (42,957) Gross profit 154,501 126,481 19,848 Operating expenses and income Selling and marketing expenses (6,517) (7,076) (1,110) General and administrative expenses (52,656) (61,819) (9,701) Government grants 4,245 2,924 459 Income from operations 99,572 60,509 9,495 Other income (expenses): Interest income 1,155 1,125 177 Interest expense (5,747) (12,913) (2,026) Foreign currency exchange loss, net 469 - - Others, net 1,689 3,576 561 Income from Continuing Operations before Income Tax 97,139 52,298 8,207 Income tax expenses (15,404) (1,577) (247) Income (loss) from Continuing Operations 81,735 50,721 7,959 Discontinued Operations 123 (10,863) (1,705) Net Income 81,858 39,859 6,255 Comprehensive income - Continuing Operations 81,735 50,721 7,959 Comprehensive income (loss) - Discontinued Operations 123 (10,863) (1,705) Attributable to Shareholder of the Company 81,633 50,635 7,946 Non-controlling interests 101 86 13 Earnings per ordinary share

Basic and diluted 1.16 0.69 0.11 Weighted average number of ordinary share outstanding

Basic and diluted 70,488,700 73,234,944 73,234,944

First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (All amounts in thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted) Assets As of December 31, 2020 2021 2021 RMB RMB US$ Current assets Cash 111,978 144,409 22,661 Restricted cash 59,600 - - Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts 30,779 39,975 6,273 Amounts due from related parties 1,964 217,238 34,089 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 45,383 29,653 4,653 Other receivables from the controlling shareholder 78,500 - - Total current assets 328,203 431,275 67,677 Property and equipment, net 127,007 140,670 22,074 Intangible assets, net 48,975 47,523 7,457 Goodwill 40,218 164,873 25,872 Deferred tax assets 12,271 42,193 6,621 Amounts due from related parties 500 - - Other non-current assets 18,045 56,488 8,864 Total assets 575,220 883,022 138,565

Liabilities and Equities Current liabilities As of December 31, 2020 2021 2021 RMB RMB US$ Contract liabilities 164,191 152,448 23,922 Deferred revenue from governments - - - Bank loans 110,778 - - Other payables due to the controlling shareholder 218,313 - - Accounts payable 8,063 13,616 2,137 Accrued expenses and other payables 68,163 350,829 55,053 Income tax payables 15,195 31,639 4,965 Amounts due to related parties 682 - - Total current liabilities 585,385 548,532 86,077 Borrowings 28,643 - - Deferred revenue from governments 26,140 29,328 4,602 Other long-term liabilities 16,881 84,256 13,222 Deferred tax liabilities 11,933 25,914 4,067 Total liabilities 668,982 688,030 107,967 Equity/(Deficit) Ordinary shares - 6 1 Additional paid-in capital 52,567 340,872 53,490 Statutory reserves 36,390 40,441 6,346 Accumulated deficit (183,052) (200,312) (31,433) Accumulated other comprehensive income 144 462 72 Total (deficit)/equity attributable to the shareholders of the

Company (93,950) 181,469 28,476 Non-controlling interests 187 13,523 2,122 Total (deficit)/equity (93,762) 194,992 30,599 Total liabilities and (deficit)/equity 575,220 883,022 138,565

First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd. Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measure (All amounts in thousands) Years Ended December 31, 2020 2021 2021 RMB RMB US$ Reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income: Net income 81,858 39,859 6,255 Add: Share-based compensation expenses - - - Donation expenses - - - Transaction costs in relation to previous financing

activities - - - Tax effects of adjustments* - - - Adjusted net income 81,858 39,859 6,255

* Tax effects were determined based upon the nature, as well as the jurisdiction, of each reconciliation adjustment at the respective applicable income tax rate.

SOURCE First High-School Education Group Co., Ltd
TRONDHEIM, Norway, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aker BP will publish its financial report for the first quarter 2022 on Thursday 28 April 2022. The company issues this trading update to summarize its production and sales volumes and related topics for the quarter.

Oil and gas production and sales

Aker BP produced 208.2 thousand barrels of oil equivalents per day (mboepd) in the quarter, while net volume sold amounted to 216.2 mboepd.

Volumes (mboepd) Q1-22 Q4-21 Net production 208.2 207.0 Overlift/(underlift) 8.0 (1.9) Net sold volume 216.2 205.1 Of which liquids 171.1 165.4 Of which natural gas 45.0 39.7 .



Realised prices Q1-22 Q4-21 Liquids (USD/boe) 100.9 78.8 Natural gas (USD/boe) 171.0 169.5

Other income

Aker BP expects to report Other income of approximately USD 40 million, mainly driven by unrealised gains on commodity derivatives.

Production cost

The company expects to report production costs of approximately USD 220 million. The increase from the previous quarter is mainly driven by higher lifted volumes, power costs, environmental taxes and higher well intervention activity.

Sale of shares in Cognite

During the first quarter 2022, Aker BP sold its shares in Cognite AS. This is expected to generate a gain of approximately USD 100 million (not taxable), which will be recorded as Other financial income.

Conference call and webcast

The company will host a conference call to present its first quarter 2022 results on 28 April 2022 at 08:30 CEST. The conference call will be available as a webcast on https://www.akerbp.com/en. To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers and passcode:

Phone number Norway: +47 2350 0347 Phone number UK: +44 (0) 330 165 3641 Participant passcode: 639109

Contacts:

Kjetil Bakken, VP Corporate Finance and Investor Relations, tel.: +47 91 889 889

Jrgen Torstensen, Senior IR Professional, tel.: +47 95 48 37 07

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

https://news.cision.com/aker-bp-asa/r/first-quarter-2022-trading-update,c3545126

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Aker BP ASA
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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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SOURCE SpendEdge
Acclaimed children's book showcased at Archway Publishing Author Solutions Book Gallery and Bookstore with author and illustrator Robert Vincent, available for interviews

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "From the Pocket of an Overcoat" (Friendly Falls Press; Archway Publishing from Simon & Schuster) will be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 23-24, 2022, being held at the University of Southern California campus at University Park near downtown Los Angeles. The book will be featured in the Archway Publishing Author Solutions Book Gallery and Bookstore (booth 986) and Robert Vincent, author and illustrator, will be available for interviews.

Available online at Amazon, bn.com, target.com, and at the book's website, maxbuckles.com, as well as select bookstores, "From the Pocket of an Overcoat" is based on the real-life story of a cat named Max adopted by Vincent's son Matthew from a homeless woman in Dallas who found Max as a tiny kitten and had him in the pocket of her overcoat as she was trying to find him a home. The tale is about an affable cat, Max Buckles, and how he finds himself and his way to a new home  moving from the cozy overcoat pocket of Sally in the city, to the country with Farmer Buckles and his other animals, including four dogs  Sam, Tots, Scotty (who isn't Scottish but is plaid), and Junior Buckles. Along the way, he discovers a true sense of belonging within his new family. As told through the journey of Max the cat, this is a story about self-identity, acceptance, and animal rescue and adoption.

"Being at the prestigious Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is an honor and a privilege," notes Vincent. "I am very excited to meet fans, give interviews, and talk about Max Buckles!"

Readers and fans of Max Buckles can like and follow the book on Instagram and Facebook, and can also send an email to [email protected] with proof of purchase to get a special Thank You note from Max himself. In addition, a portion of each book sale will be donated to organizations that promote animal rescue and adoption  The Humane Society, Best Friends, and Alley Cat Allies.

To learn more, visit www.maxbuckles.com or explore the following hashtags: #maxbuckles, #maxbucklesbooks, #maxthecat, #readenjoysharemax and #fromthepocketofanovercoat.

About Robert Vincent

Robert Vincent is a children's book author and illustrator, as well as the author of a number of other literary works. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Kathy. Robert and Kathy's son Matthew is a violinist with the Oakland Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. In December 2009, Matthew adopted a lovable black cat named Max. The rest, as they say, is history.

SOURCE Friendly Falls Press
Adoption of stringent government regulations to minimize greenhouse gas emissions is expected to propel the Asia Pacific fuel cell market in the upcoming years

Since fuel cells generate no emissions, they are becoming more popular as a heating element in office properties, which will benefit the global fuel cell market

ALBANY, N.Y, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global fuel cell market was worth US$ 10.37 Bn in 2020. The market is likely to rise at a CAGR of 23.64% during the forecast period, from 2021 to 2031. The global fuel cell market is anticipated to attain the valuation of US$ 107.03 Bn by 2031. Participants in the global fuel cell market are making the technology more widely available in order to lower the cost of its usage in vehicles in the near future. Companies are expecting reliable revenue streams as fuel cells become more widely accepted for uses in consumer appliances, automobiles, as well as transportation uses.

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that have been promoted as a non-polluting source of energy. They are inherently more efficient than several other combustion engines available in the market today, making them suitable alternative green energy technology suppliers in automobiles. Fuel cell applications include various electric appliances, military power units, automobiles, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), submarines, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. As it creates no pollutants, the fuel cell technology has become increasingly more common as a heating source in commercial properties. In the next few years, this factor is likely to benefit the global fuel cell market.

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Owing to the rising need for more electricity, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels and growing acceptance of green energy technologies, the Asia Pacific fuel cell market has been developing at an incredible rate. In addition, growing development in this region is expected to drive the demand for fuel cells dramatically. Furthermore, strict government regulations aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) are expected to boost the Asia Pacific fuel cell market in the near future. The rising need for alternative sources of energy is one of the major factors predicted to propel the Asia Pacific fuel cell market in the forthcoming years. Reducing environmental impact and rising number of private-public companies are two factors that are expected to stimulate market demand. Governments are expected to contribute to these improvements by offering financial assistance for R&D efforts as well as suitable finance schemes.

Key Findings of Market Report

The global fuel cell market is developing as a consequence of increasing demand for a variety of stationary fuel cell applications, and also the eventual substitution of conventional batteries in a few areas. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells and hydrogen fuel cells are projected to gain popularity in a number of industries as reliable power sources in the forthcoming years.

Due to its capacity to provide emission-free electricity, fuel cells are becoming more popular as a heating source in commercial properties. Increasing usage of fuel cells in portable applications is likely to be one of the major drivers of the global fuel cell market. Fuel cells are increasingly being used in various consumer devices, such as cellphones, cameras, power tablets, and laptops. This exhibits a strong upward trend for the global fuel cell market.

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The global fuel cell market is likely to provide enormous value-grab possibilities over the next few years to come. The rising use of fuel cells in a range of applications such as submarines, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, military power units, uninterrupted power supply systems (UPS), cars, electric appliances, etc. is likely to propel market growth.

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Global Fuel Cell Market: Growth Drivers

In 2020, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) category controlled a sizable market share. Growing usage in the transportation industry to operate automobiles and buses, as well as continual technical improvements targeted at enhancing the efficacy of these fuel cells is likely to propel the PEMFC category. Additionally, this technology is often regarded as the best option for a variety of small-scale residential uses.

In the recent years, fuel cells have become prominent as a source of clean electric energy. Government's agencies in several countries have made initiatives to minimize carbon emissions by enacting strict regulations to support their efforts. As such, there is a growing trend toward alternative energy sources such as green energy, which is expected to propel the global fuel market.

Global Fuel Cell Market: Key Competitors

Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology B.V.

FuelCell Energy Inc.

Toshiba Corporation

Doosan Fuel Cell America Inc.

Plug Power Inc.

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

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Global Fuel Cell Market: Segmentation

Type

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells [PEMFC]

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells [DMFC]

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells [SOFC]

Application

Stationary

Portable

Transport

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DUBLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Gene Therapies & Associated Vectors: Intellectual Property Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic limited certain aspects of the wider cell and gene therapies segment of the biopharmaceutical industry, it created significant future opportunities. From the financial perspective, the domain reported strong positive growth, primarily driven by drugs such as ZOLGENSMA, which reported close to 50% year-on-year growth in 2021.

In addition, some innovators, leveraging proprietary technologies, launched COVID-19 directed R&D programs, while others took the opportunity to reposition existing assets in the same direction; either way, industry stakeholders were able to tap into the vast infectious diseases market.

Taking into consideration both historical and recent developments, and modern technological advances, it is evident that this upcoming industry segment is at an inflection point. With the rapidly growing success of genetic medicine prompting more innovators to enter the market, the focus is now on building better and more efficacious assets, based on next generation biotechnology platforms. This is likely to pave the way for a much broader wave of new biological interventions. It is, therefore, important to identify key pockets of innovation and areas of improvement, in order to truly innovate whilst maintaining a competitive edge.

This report summarizes some of the key R&D trends related to gene therapies and affiliated vectors. It also provides a perspective on the pace and focus of innovation in this field, briefly describing the future of gene therapies as mainstream healthcare solutions.



Scope of the Report



The report features an extensive study of some of the key historical and contemporary intellectual property (IP) documents describing gene therapies and affiliated vector constructs. The insights generated in this report have been presented across two deliverables, namely a MS Excel sheet and a MS PowerPoint deck, summarizing the ongoing activity in this domain. Key inclusions are briefly described below:



Overall Intellectual Property Landscape: An in-depth review of the various patents and affiliated IP documents that have been published related to the diverse technologies, methods, and compositions associated with the use of genomic data and synthetic DNA / RNA constructs, for therapeutic purposes. It features insights on both historical and recent trends in R&D within this niche.

An in-depth review of the various patents and affiliated IP documents that have been published related to the diverse technologies, methods, and compositions associated with the use of genomic data and synthetic DNA / RNA constructs, for therapeutic purposes. It features insights on both historical and recent trends in R&D within this niche. Popular / Relevant Prior Art Search Expressions: An examination of IP literature, shortlisting key words and phrases that have been used to describe gene therapies and associated vector constructs. The analysis includes information on the historical use of the aforementioned terms across different types of IP filings, key affiliated terms, and other related trends.

An examination of IP literature, shortlisting key words and phrases that have been used to describe gene therapies and associated vector constructs. The analysis includes information on the historical use of the aforementioned terms across different types of IP filings, key affiliated terms, and other related trends. Patent Valuation Analysis: A competitive benchmarking and valuation analysis of the IP documents published in this field of innovation, taking into consideration important parameters, such as type of IP document, year of application, time to expiry, number of citations and jurisdiction.

A competitive benchmarking and valuation analysis of the IP documents published in this field of innovation, taking into consideration important parameters, such as type of IP document, year of application, time to expiry, number of citations and jurisdiction. Patentability and Freedom to Operate: A systematic approach to identify relevant areas of innovation by analyzing published IP documents, defining the uniqueness of patented / patent pending innovations, understanding the scope of patentability in this domain, and pinpointing jurisdictions where new and / or modified claims may be filed without infringing on existing IP.

A systematic approach to identify relevant areas of innovation by analyzing published IP documents, defining the uniqueness of patented / patent pending innovations, understanding the scope of patentability in this domain, and pinpointing jurisdictions where new and / or modified claims may be filed without infringing on existing IP. Analysis of Patent Applications: A detailed summary of the patent applications that were filed across different jurisdictions and their relative value in the IP ecosystem. The analysis segregates the intellectual capital in terms of area of innovation and intended applications, thereby, offering the means to understand key areas of research and identify innovation-specific IP filing trends.

A detailed summary of the patent applications that were filed across different jurisdictions and their relative value in the IP ecosystem. The analysis segregates the intellectual capital in terms of area of innovation and intended applications, thereby, offering the means to understand key areas of research and identify innovation-specific IP filing trends. Analysis of Granted Patents: An elaborate summary of the granted patents across different jurisdictions and their relative value in the IP ecosystem. The analysis also features a meaningful classification system, segregating granted patents into relevant categories to help develop a more detailed perspective on the diverse types of innovations in this domain and their intended applications, and the feasibility for innovators to enter into promising product markets.

An elaborate summary of the granted patents across different jurisdictions and their relative value in the IP ecosystem. The analysis also features a meaningful classification system, segregating granted patents into relevant categories to help develop a more detailed perspective on the diverse types of innovations in this domain and their intended applications, and the feasibility for innovators to enter into promising product markets. Pockets of Innovation and White Spaces: An insightful analysis of the various CPC codes used in published IP literature and their affiliated families, in order to identify historical and existing pockets of innovation (based on the functional area / industry described by the elaborate and systematic system of classifying IP); the analysis also features a discussion on prevalent white spaces in this arena of research.

An insightful analysis of the various CPC codes used in published IP literature and their affiliated families, in order to identify historical and existing pockets of innovation (based on the functional area / industry described by the elaborate and systematic system of classifying IP); the analysis also features a discussion on prevalent white spaces in this arena of research. Claims Analysis: One of the objectives of the report was to analyze and summarize key inferences from the independent claims mentioned in granted, active patents in the dataset. Using a systematic segregation approach, we have analyzed trends associated with [A] the preamble, [B] type of patent, [C] type of claim and [D] key elements of a claim.

Select Companies Mentioned

Abbott

Abiomed

Acambis

Access Biologics

ACGT

Acuitas Therapeutics

Adagene

Adaptimmune

Adrenas Therapeutics

Affymetrix

Agenovir

Agenta Biotechnologies

Agenus

Alexion Pharma

Alkermes

Alpharma

AlphaVax

Alpine Immune Sciences

Alsatech

Astellas Pharma

AstraZeneca

BASF

Bavarian Nordic

Baxalta

Baxter International

Canji

CanSino Biologics

CytoTherapeutics

CytRx

Dyax

EdiGene

Editas Medicine

Egen

Eisai

Erytech Pharma

Ethicon

Etubics

Evolva

Evotech Biosystems

Evox Therapeutics

Exemplar

Exhaura

Exonics Therapeutics

Exuma Biotech

GeoVax

Geron

Gilead Sciences

Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK)

GlobeImmune

Goleini

Hoechst

Homology Medicines

ProBioGen

Quell Therapeutics

RheoGene

Ribo Life Science

Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals

Richland Bio Medical

Riken

Roche

Rocket Pharmaceuticals

Rubicon Labs

Samyang

Sana Biotechnology

Sandoz

Sangamo Therapeutics

Sanofi Pasteur

Sarepta Therapeutics

Stoke Therapeutics

StrideBio

Strike Bio

Stryker

Therion Biologics

ToolGen

Toppan

Transderm

TransGenRx

UCB Biopharma

Ultragenyx

Umoja Biopharma

Unicyte

Valentis

Vascular Biogenics

Vaxart

Vaxbio

VaxCell

Vecprobio

VersiTech

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

VGX Pharmaceuticals

Vycellix

Wellstat Biologics

Xenetic Biosciences

XyloCor Therapeutics

Zycos

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market reached a value of US$ 658.1 Million in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 1,015.6 Million by 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 7.10% during 2022-2027. Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software are used to perform non-destructive testing (NDT) for uncovering subsurface defects in various industrial products. The x-ray inspection equipment aids in detecting hidden inconsistencies, flaws, cracks, and voids in a wide array of solid materials, such as plastic, rubber, silicone, metal, and composites, without harming the test item. On the other hand, the imaging software produces a clear image of the inspected location for evaluation by NDT inspectors and to maintain a record of the internal condition of the test piece. In recent years, industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software have gained traction in manufacturing facilities for quality control and risk management.



Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Market Trends:

Industrial x-ray inspection equipment and imaging software assist in enhancing the production quality, determining the soundness of products or materials, and verifying the integrity of the internal structure. As a result, their emerging applications across various end use industries, including oil and gas, semiconductor and electronics, aerospace, automotive, construction, and food and beverage, represents the primary factor driving the market growth. Besides this, the escalating demand for compact devices and the emerging trend of electronics miniaturization are augmenting the product demand for detailed inspection and quality analysis.

Additionally, the leading players are developing next-gen digital radiography (DR) machines integrated with flat-panel detectors (FPDs) to offer higher resolution and faster processing. This, in confluence with the introduction of computer tomography (CT) equipped with FPDs and other innovative technologies, is catalyzing the market growth. Furthermore, the growing consumer demand for high-quality products and the increasing number of semiconductor fabrication plants are accelerating the product adoption rates. Other factors, including the rising oil and gas exploration activities, favorable government initiatives, stringent safety and quality standards, and ongoing research and development activities, are also creating a positive market outlook.



Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Carestream Health, DURR NDT GmbH & Co. KG, General Electric Company, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hitachi Ltd., Nikon Corporation, North Star Imaging Inc. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.), Olympus Corporation, OMRON Corporation, Rigaku Corporation, Teledyne Technologies Inc, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and YXLON International (Comet Holding).



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the image type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?

What is the breakup of the market based on the offering?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end use industry?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global industrial X-ray inspection equipment and imaging software market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the 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 Industrial X-ray Inspection Equipment and Imaging Software Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Image Type

6.1 2D

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 3D

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 4D

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Film-Based Imaging

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Digital Imaging

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Key Segments

7.2.2.1 Computed Tomography

7.2.2.2 Computed Radiography

7.2.2.3 Direct Radiography

7.2.3 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Offering

8.1 Equipment

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Software

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End Use Industry

9.1 Oil and Gas

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Aerospace

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Food Industry and Construction

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Automotive and Manufacturing

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast

9.5 Energy and Power

9.5.1 Market Trends

9.5.2 Market Forecast

9.6 Semiconductor and Electronics

9.6.1 Market Trends

9.6.2 Market Forecast

9.7 Others

9.7.1 Market Trends

9.7.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Carestream Health

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.1.3 SWOT Analysis

15.3.2 DURR NDT GmbH & Co. KG

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2.3 Financials

15.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.3 General Electric Company

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.5 Hitachi Ltd.

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Nikon Corporation

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 North Star Imaging Inc. (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 Olympus Corporation

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8.3 Financials

15.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.9 OMRON Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 Rigaku Corporation

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11 Teledyne Technologies Inc

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11.3 Financials

15.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.12 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12.3 Financials

15.3.12.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.13 YXLON International (Comet Holding)

15.3.13.1 Company Overview

15.3.13.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3s9q91

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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SOURCE Research and Markets
VANCOUVER, BC, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - GoldMining Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: GOLD) (NYSE-American: GLDG) is issuing this press release under Section 3.1 of National Instrument 62-103  The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Requirements ("NI 62-103") and pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 62-104  Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids with respect to the acquisition by the Company of common shares (the "GROY Shares") of Gold Royalty Corp. ("GROY").

On April 12, 2022, the Company acquired 250,000 GROY Shares at an average price of US$4.23 (C$5.33) per share through open market purchases over the facilities of the NYSE American.

Prior to the acquisition, the Company beneficially owned and exercised control and direction of 20,000,000 GROY Shares, representing approximately 14.9% of the outstanding GROY Shares. Immediately following the acquisition, the Company beneficially owned and exercised control and direction of 20,250,000 GROY Shares, representing 15.1% of the outstanding GROY Shares.

The GROY Shares were acquired by the Company for investment purposes, and in the future, the Company may acquire additional securities of GROY, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities the Company holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

An early warning report (the "Report") will be filed by the Company pursuant to NI 62-103 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the profile of GROY. The Company's head office is located at 1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2Y3. To obtain a copy of the Report, please contact the Company as follows:

GoldMining Inc.

Attn: Pat Obara, Chief Financial Officer

1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830

Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3

Tel: (855) 630-1001

About GoldMining Inc.

The Company is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold assets in the Americas. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy, the Company now controls a diversified portfolio of resource-stage gold and gold-copper projects in Canada, U.S.A., Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

SOURCE GoldMining Inc.
HanAll Biopharma and Daewoong Pharmaceutical invest in the broad potential of Turn Biotechnologies

Turn has developed a novel cell rejuvenating platform with significant potential for application in an array of age-related diseases

SEOUL, South Korea, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HanAll Biopharma (KRX: 009420.KS) and Daewoong Pharmaceutical (KRX: 069620.KS) today announced expansion of their open collaboration strategy by investing in Turn Biotechnologies, a Silicon Valley based company focused on developing novel mRNA medicines. The companies are supporting Turn Bio's continued development of a high-potential platform and are009420 considering future long-term collaborations.

Turn Bio is a pre-clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on cellular repair via epigenetic reprogramming of cells. The technological foundation for Turn Bio's proprietary Epigenetic Reprogramming of Age (ERA) methodology was developed by Turn Bio's co-founders in the Sebastiano Lab, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine. The technology has since been patented and Turn Bio is currently using it to complete pre-clinical research on therapies targeting indications in dermatology and immunology, as well as developing therapies for ophthalmology, osteoarthritis and the muscular system.

"Many age-related diseases have long been significant areas of patients' unmet need," said Dr. Almira Chabi, chief medical officer and chief development officer at HanAll Pharmaceutical International. "Turn Bio's innovative platform may bring a pivotal transformation to a wide array of therapeutic areas. HanAll is committing support and investment to help realize the full potential of this pioneering technology as Turn Bio advances to a new phase of growth."

"The support of Daewoong Pharmaceutical and HanAll Biopharma validates our approach to cellular rejuvenation and enables Turn to expand its efforts in multiple therapeutic indications," said Anja Krammer, the company's CEO. "We are thrilled that a company as well known for its innovation, has taken interest in our promise to transform the way medicine treats diseases of aging and we look forward to further collaborations to help change quality of life and healthcare economics globally."

The proceeds from this round of financing will support Turn Bio's advancement towards a phase 1 trial of its mRNA therapy candidate TRN-001, which targets indications in dermatology.

About HanAll Biopharma Co., Ltd.

HanAll Biopharma (KRX: 009420.KS) is a global biopharmaceutical company founded in 1973, with a mission of making meaningful contributions to patients' lives by introducing innovative, impactful therapies to address severe unmet medical needs. HanAll has been operating a portfolio of pharmaceutical products in areas ranging from endocrine, circulatory, and urologic diseases for more than 48 years.

HanAll has also expanded its focus to ophthalmology, immunology, oncology and neurology to discover and develop innovative medicines for patients with diseases for which there are no effective treatments. A leading pipeline asset, HL161 (INN: batoclimab), an anti-FcRn antibody drug, is in Phase 3 and Phase 2 trials across the world for the treatment of rare autoimmune disorders including myasthenia gravis, thyroid eye disease, warm autoimmune hymolytic anemia, neuromyelitis optica, and immune thrombocytopenia. Another main asset, HL036 (INN: tanfanercept), an anti-TNF alpha protein drug, is in Phase 3 clinical trials in the US and China for the treatment of dry eye disease.

For further information visit our website , and connect with us on linkedin . For any media inquiries, please contact HanAll PR/IR ([email protected] , [email protected] ).

About Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Co., Ltd.

(https://www.daewoong.co.kr/en)

Established in 1945, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a leading South Korean pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes pharmaceuticals for both domestic and international markets. With a strong and innovative in-house R&D and advanced manufacturing facilities, Daewoong provides a total healthcare solution to customers across the globe. Continuing on their course of building a strong global healthcare company, Daewoong has broadened international operations by establishing branch offices and research centers throughout Asia and the United States. Daewoong has also expanded strategic partnerships in more than 100 countries worldwide.

About Turn Biotechnologies

Turn Bio is a pre-clinical-stage company focused on repairing tissue at the cellular level. The company's proprietary mRNA platform technology, ERA, restores optimal gene expression by combatting the effects of aging in the epigenome. This restores the cells' ability to prevent or treat disease, and heal or regenerate tissue and will help to fight incurable chronic diseases.

Turn Bio's technology provides a platform from which to attack a variety of now incurable chronic diseases. The company is currently completing pre-clinical research on tailored therapies targeting indications in dermatology and immunology, as well as developing therapies for ophthalmology, osteo-arthritis and the muscular system. For more information, see turn.bio or contact Jim Martinez, rightstorygroup / [email protected] or (312) 543-9026

Disclaimer statement

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," or "should" and include statements HANALL (the company, we) makes concerning its 2022 business and financial outlook and related plans; the therapeutic potential of its product candidates; the intended results of its strategy and the company, and its collaboration partners', advancement of, and anticipated clinical development, data readouts and regulatory milestones and plans, including the timing of planned clinical trials and expected data readouts; the design of future clinical trials and the timing and outcome of regulatory filings and regulatory approvals. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors our expectations regarding its the inherent uncertainties associated with competitive developments, preclinical and clinical trial and product development activities and regulatory approval requirements; our reliance on collaborations with third parties; estimating the commercial potential of our product candidates; our ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technologies and drugs; our limited operating history; and our ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its product candidates. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in Korea Stock Exchange (KRX) filings and reports, including in our most recent annual report as well as subsequent filings and reports filed by the company with the KRX. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise the information in this press release, including any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by Korean law and regulations.

SOURCE HanAll Biopharma
Leading Denver home service company invites clients, homeowners to FlyteCo Brewing on April 21

DENVER, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- High 5 Plumbing, a family-owned and operated plumbing company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area, is inviting the public to celebrate National High Five Day with the team from 5-7 p.m. on April 21 at FlyteCo Brewing in Denver.

The event will feature a happy hour with the first 150 attendees 21 and over receiving a free beer ticket. There will also be raffle drawings and plenty of high fives. High 5 Cares partners will be featured at the event as well for those interested in learning more about the program and its benefits.

"Of course, National High Five Day has a special place in our company's heart," said Claire Doyle, marketing director at High 5 Plumbing. "You can't give a high five without a smile on your face, and we are looking forward to passing out complimentary beers and high fives to the Denver community. We plan on having an amazing time celebrating such a fun holiday."

High 5 Plumbing offers a variety of plumbing services to residents in the Denver area, including repair and installation, drain cleaning, pump plumbing, piping, garbage disposal services, sewer line repair, gas plumbing, water heater installation and much more. In addition, the company offers 24/7 emergency services.

"At High 5 Plumbing, we love making a positive impact on our clients, team and community," said Levi Torres, owner of High 5 Plumbing. "Without the community, there is no High 5 Plumbing. This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate with our clients and neighbors while continuing to bring smiles to people's faces one high five at a time."

To celebrate National High Five Day with the High 5 team, come to FlyteCo Brewing at 4499 W 38th Ave #101 in Denver.

For more information on High 5 Plumbing, visit https://www.high5plumbing.com/.

About High 5 Plumbing

Founded in 2012, High 5 Plumbing is a local, family-owned company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area. With a professional team that has extensive experience and a commitment to service, High 5 Plumbing offers comprehensive plumbing, sewer and drain services. The company was built on the values of solving plumbing problems and serving every customer with professionalism and respect. For more information about High 5 Plumbing, visit https://www.high5plumbing.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE High 5 Plumbing
This limited-edition box features a custom design by multimedia artist and cannabis industry advocate Emily Eizen , inspired by the real-life experiences of former cannabis incarcerates Sean and Eboni Worsley . The design features a camouflage print, nodding to Sean's honorable service in the U.S. Army, including his Purple Heart award, along with broken chains, representing the immediate need for change and reform in the American criminal justice system. Each Justice For All product pack includes 12 individually wrapped CBD Gummies from House of Wise including three of each: Sleep, Stress, Sex, and Strength Gummies.

The limited-edition Justice For All CBD Gummy Sampler box retails for $75 and is now available for purchase on houseofwise.co . One hundred percent of profits from all sales of the product will go to Last Prisoner Project's Family Support Fund and the Worsley Family, providing financial support as they focus on trauma healing and rebuilding their family.

In 2016, Sean Worsley was arrested for possession of marijuana, despite his medical cannabis card and official diagnosis of PTSD and traumatic brain injury resulting from service in Iraq with the U.S. Army. At the time of arrest, both Sean and his wife, Eboni, were traveling through Alabama and charged with possession. They both spent six days in jail, with Eboni's charges being dropped and Sean being released on bail after agreeing to a plea deal that included 60 months (5 years) of probation, participation in a drug treatment program, and thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and court costs.

In compliance with the terms of his probation, once he returned home to Arizona, Sean Worsley visited his local Veterans Affairs office to take an assessment for placement in a drug treatment program. However, the VA office rejected his request, stating he "has legal documentation to support his use and therefore does not meet criteria for a substance use disorder or meet the need for substance abuse treatment." While Sean and Eboni were trying to communicate their situation to Sean's probation officer and their attorney in Alabama, Eboni lost her job, and the Worsleys soon found themselves homeless, with Eboni in need of immediate heart surgery.

Now homeless, in need of medical support for his wife, deemed inadmissible to attend a drug treatment program by the VA, and unable to pay the renewal fee for his medical marijuana card, Sean found himself and Eboni in a seemingly impossible situation.

In the eyes of the Alabama court, Sean had failed to receive drug treatment, did not maintain a permanent address, and had a new interaction with police following a traffic violation. Therefore, Sean was seen as having violated the conditions of his probation and was sentenced to five years in an Alabama state prison. Sean served time but was released in October 2020 after public outcry over his charges and story. Today, Sean and Eboni live in Phoenix, Arizona, with their daughter. They are currently working to rebuild their lives and their family and are in need of support.

Sean and Eboni Worsley's story is all too common: they were arrested, ensnared in the complexities of the criminal justice system, and victimized by the incongruency of Alabama versus Arizona law. As a result, they faced severe penalties and long-lasting repercussions to their livelihood and mental, emotional, and physical health. Desperate and in need of help, the Worsley family reached out to Last Prisoner Project for support. Through its partnership with Last Prisoner Project, House of Wise is using its platform to amplify the Worsleys' story.

"I never thought Sean could be sentenced to half a decade in a maximum security prison for possession of marijuana, an herb that is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits. Sean spent years fighting for our country, and cannabis has been a blessing for our family and for Sean's daily wellbeing," said Eboni Worsley. "I rely on CBD to alleviate pain, as well as soothe my mind and body, from ongoing discomfort from sciatica, fibromyalgia, lingering issues from my open heart surgery, and ongoing trauma. By sharing our story, we hope to change the stigmas placed on those who use cannabis or have been incarcerated for cannabis-related convictions. We hope to destigmatize the public's view of cannabis, highlighting its holistic benefits, while ensuring those with cannabis convictions are able to secure freedom and safely reintegrate into society following their release."

"Sean and Eboni's story moved me on so many levels: I felt so angered at our entire system for being designed to ensnare a group of people into hardship. I also feel a sense of responsibility to help spark change by using my art and platform to help amplify Sean and Eboni's story. It is imperative to center criminal justice reform and a push for cannabis clemency in our discussions surrounding 4/20," said Emily Eizen. "With Sean and Eboni's guidance, I aimed to articulate their experience into visual artwork that can help their story reach more people and draw attention to the thousands of people currently behind bars for senseless, nonviolent cannabis charges."

"It is through my artwork and the sales of the limited-edition Justice For All CBD gummies that I hope more people will give CBD a try and experience how it can improve their daily wellbeing," Eizen continued. "Once they experience the benefits of cannabis products, I hope they'll understand the importance of legalizing cannabis on a federal level, starting with granting clemency to those currently serving time for cannabis-related charges."

The limited-edition packaging design is inspired by Sean Worsley's military service, which is the reason he was using medical marijuana and had it with him at the time of his arrest. The main design is inspired by traditional camouflage  a recognizable pattern  but in a refreshed and vibrant aesthetic in line with Emily Eizen's signature style. The green in the camo is emphasized with a dark outline, giving a gentle nod to the hemp and cannabis plant. The purple in the camo design represents the Purple Heart Sean was awarded after his time in Iraq. The camo pattern is thoughtfully printed in a reflective symmetry on the box similar to Rorschach inkblots, giving recognition to the need for treating and caring for mental health, in addition to physical health ailments. The back of the box features broken chains, representing the tens of thousands of people currently incarcerated for cannabis, who have been robbed of their freedom, who deserve to be free at this very moment.

Anyone can get involved and voice their support to grant freedom and clemency to thousands of Americans by signing a national petition urging the Biden Administration to deliver bold action and immediate relief through the creation of a Federal Cannabis Clemency Board. Learn more and sign the petition now .

About House of Wise

House of Wise empowers women to take control of their lives and daily routines, while working to shatter the stigmas and double standards they continue to face today. The wellness brand offers high-quality, originally formulated CBD products, empowering users to give more intention and purpose to their routines so they can take back control of their sleep, stress, strength, and sex. House of Wise features a collection of seven trusted, premium CBD products in addition to wellness products and custom merchandise. Each CBD product is specially designed and paired with additional, thoughtfully selected active ingredients to help women make the most of every day.

About Last Prisoner Project

The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cannabis-related criminal justice reform. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered under America's unjust policy of cannabis prohibition. Through intervention, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, the Last Prisoner Project works to redress the past and continuing harms of these inhumane and ineffective laws and policies. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to donate and learn more.

SOURCE House of Wise Co
All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated

RENO, Nev., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (OTCQX: IAUCF) ("i-80", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated December 14, 2021, it has completed the closing of the gold prepay and silver purchase and sale portions of the financing package with Orion Mine Finance ("Orion"). With these last components of the financing package completed and when combined with the previously completed segments, i-80 currently has approximately US$165 million in cash and restricted cash. The package also provides for access to an additional $100 million potentially available via an accordion feature subject to certain conditions being satisfied (the "Financing Package"). A summary of the gold prepay and silver purchase are set out below:

(i) $45 million gold prepay purchase and sale agreement entered into with affiliates of Orion, as amended by a first amending agreement entered into subsequent to the December 14, 2021 press release (as amended, the "Gold Prepay Agreement"), including an accordion feature potentially to access up to an additional $50 million at i-80's option; and



(ii) $30 million silver purchase and sale agreement entered into with affiliates of Orion (the "Silver Purchase Agreement"), including an accordion feature to potentially access an additional $50 million at i-80's option;

"The closing of the final pieces of the Financing Package has strengthened our balance sheet and positioned the Company to advance our comprehensive plan to create a Nevada focused gold mining company." stated Ryan Snow, Chief Financial Officer. "Our current strong balance sheet allows us to aggressively pursue our 2022 scorecard  key goals & catalysts as disclosed in early January."

The final Gold Prepay Agreement includes an amendment to adjust the quantity of the quarterly deliveries of gold, but not the aggregate amount of gold, to be delivered by i-80 to Orion over the term of the Gold Prepay Agreement. Under the amended Gold Prepay Agreement, commencing on the date of funding, i-80 is required to deliver to Orion 1,600 troy ounces of gold for the quarter ending March 31, 2022, 3,100 troy ounces of gold for the quarter ending June 30, 2022, and thereafter 2,100 troy ounces of gold per calendar quarter until September 30, 2025, in satisfaction of the $45 million prepayment, for aggregate deliveries of 32,000 troy ounces of gold, subject to adjustment as contemplated by the terms of the Gold Prepay Agreement.

Under the Silver Purchase Agreement, commencing April 30, 2022, i-80 will deliver to Orion 100% of the silver production from the Granite Creek and Ruby Hill projects until the delivery of 1.2 million ounces of silver, after which the delivery will be reduced to 50% until the delivery of an aggregate of 2.5 million ounces of silver, after which the delivery will be reduced to 10% of the silver production solely from Ruby Hill Project. Orion will pay i-80 an ongoing cash purchase price equal to 20% of the prevailing silver price.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp. is a well-financed, Nevada-focused, mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio anticipated to be processed at the centrally located Lone Tree processing facility and autoclave.





Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the availability of the US$100 million accordion feature under the Financing Package, pursuing the 2022 scorecard key goals and catalysts, completion of refurbishment and development activities at the Lone Tree project and commencement of mining operations at the Lone Tree project, the Ruby Hill mine or the McCoy Cove project. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: failure to satisfy of the relevant conditions to the completion of the transactions described herein, failure to obtain the relevant regulatory approvals, material adverse changes, exercise of termination rights by any relevant party, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration, refurbishment, development or mining programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp
Boise office to provide local staffing services and culture consulting, in addition to other business growth resources

BOISE, Idaho, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Insight Global, a national leader in the staffing services industry, announced today the official opening of its newest office located in Boise, Idaho. Marking the 61st Insight Global office open to date, the Boise office will be instrumental in connecting with the local community on a deeper level while also creating economic growth opportunities in and around the city.

Insight Global will work with companies throughout the area to provide staffing services, managed services and culture consulting. The office will also have specialized services in technology, healthcare, commercial, semiconductor/engineering/manufacturing, and SLED/federal business.

"We are thrilled to have a home base here in Boise  our very first office in Idaho  which will enable us to help companies find top talent while connecting job seekers with their future careers," said Rebecca Statler, sales manager and office lead at Insight Global Boise. "This is such an up-and-coming area with so much innovation, promise and growth, and we're eager to see the significant impact that we'll be able to make."

Since 2009, Insight Global has placed more than 270 contractors in Boise across 53 companies. As the team looks to capitalize on the momentum, they will be working closely with large Boise-based organizations like Micron Technology, Saint Luke's Health System, HPE, Oracle and Albertsons.

"Boise really is the gem of the Northwest and is an ideal place to live and work given it's beautiful scenery, comparatively low cost of living and growing tech scene," added Statler. "We've seen a significant influx of millennial transplants from states like California, Washington and Oregon, and we're confident we'll be able to create wonderful opportunities here for job seekers and hiring managers alike."

This office is Insight Global's first brick and mortar location in Boise. Insight Global Boise is located at 1100 W Idaho St. Suite 310, Boise, ID 83702.

For more information about Insight Global Boise, please contact the office at (208) 427-8200 and Rebecca Statler at [email protected]. Learn more about Insight Global at www.insightglobal.com.

About Insight Global

Insight Global is a national staffing and services company dedicated to empowering people. We relentlessly pursue opportunities for others, because when we all work together, anything is possible. We specialize in sourcing information technology, accounting, finance, and engineering professionals, and delivering service-based solutions to Fortune 1000 clients. Our team spans across more than 63 regional offices throughout North America and has pledged to place more than 80,000 people in jobs in 2022. Insight Global's services extend far beyond just filling roles. In addition to staffing services, we provide culture consulting, diversity, equity and inclusion guidance, specialized health care staffing and resources, and an array of managed services designed to meet company's individual needs. To learn more about Insight Global, visit insightglobal.com.

SOURCE Insight Global
Consumer Groups Urge Commissioner to Close Loophole Allowing Insurers to Ignore Such Risk Reductions for Denial or Non-Renewal Decisions

LOS ANGELES, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A regulation proposed by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to stop insurance companies from overcharging homeowners who reduce their risk of loss from wildfires must also apply to insurance companies' decisions about which properties they will insure, consumer groups will testify at a public hearing in Oakland today.

Sign in to watch the 1pm April 13th public hearing here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MoTcvOKCRdKSe9GAmZE5Hw

Under current practices homeowners can spend thousands of dollars on wildfire mitigation, reducing their risk, but still lose their coverage or get no break from insurance companies on the premiums they have to pay.

Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Federation of America, and Consumer Federation of California will submit testimony in support of the Commissioner's proposed regulations to require insurance companies to reduce premiums for home and business owners who take steps to reduce the risk of wildfire losses on their properties. Such property-level mitigation efforts include modernizing roofing, vents, eaves, and windows with fire-resistant materials, and clearing brush and combustible objects around their properties. Further premium reductions would be required if the property is located in a community that has taken steps to reduce wildfire risk.

However, the groups urge the Commissioner to close a loophole in his proposal that would allow insurance companies to non-renew or refuse to sell policies rather than give people the required discount.

"We strongly support mandating premium discounts for homeowners who take steps to reduce their wildfire risk and requiring transparency in how companies use models and scores to determine that risk. However, it's not enough to require premiums to reflect mitigation efforts. To effectively protect homeowners who are reducing fire risk, we continue to advocate that the regulation must be amended to apply to insurers' decisions about whether to sell and renew coverage. Without these amendments, insurers will avoid giving premium discounts to property owners who undertake costly mitigation measures by nonrenewing them without accountability," wrote the groups in comments also submitted today.

The advocates said California homeowners need these protections against insurance companies that have been overcharging or arbitrarily refusing to cover individual homes or whole neighborhoods, in violation of anti-discrimination provisions under insurance law Proposition 103.

In an opinion piece published yesterday in the Los Angeles Times, former Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner revealed his homeowners insurance was nonrenewed without consideration of the tens of thousands of dollars he spent on insurer-recommended wildfire mediation. This is the loophole consumer groups seek to fix in the proposed regulation.

As Mr. Poizner urges: "The department should require insurers to base eligibility, renewal and non-renewal decisions on the actual risk presented by an individual home and the steps an owner takes to secure the home, and not on broad geographical areas that arbitrarily deprive hundreds of thousands of Californians of insurance."

The groups also backed provisions of the proposed regulation to enforce voter-enacted Proposition 103's transparency requirements by requiring insurance companies to publicly disclose information on how they use wildfire risk models and "scores" to determine premiums, and said those requirements must also apply to insurers' decisions about which properties to deny coverage.

"Wildfires have long been an expected result of climate change. But the insurance companies' response has been to arbitrarily raise rates and withdraw from neighborhoods throughout California, destabilizing our economy. Californians who invest in protecting their homes and their communities from the devastation of wildfires must be protected against price gouging and losing insurance coverage," said Pamela Pressley, Senior Staff Attorney, on behalf of Consumer Watchdog.

"Requiring discounts for homeowner and community mitigation efforts that are proven to lower wildfire losses is necessary to ensure that premiums aren't excessive or unfairly discriminatory. But Commissioner Lara must add protections needed to prevent insurance companies from denying or nonrenewing coverage to homeowners who invest in home-hardening measures. These measures are well within the Commissioner's legal authority."

"Consumers who do the right thing by hardening their home ought to be treated the right way by insurance companies. Right now that's not happening and it needs to change immediately in the strongest pro-consumer way possible," said Robert Herrell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California.

Consumer Groups Urge Swift Action

Today's hearing is the fourth in a series of public meetings that the Commissioner has convened since October 2020 to address soaring premiums, withdrawal of coverage from neighborhoods, and non-renewals in California's homeowners insurance marketplace. But it is the first formal rulemaking hearing held by the Commissioner to take public comment on the proposed regulations.

Insurance companies have falsely blamed Proposition 103 for their destabilizing actions, saying they need to be free of public oversight in denying and nonrenewing coverage and permitted to use secret models, algorithms and scores rather than open their books and justify their rates and underwriting decisions based on available data, as Proposition 103 requires.

The proposed regulations would adopt measures to stem these arbitrary practices by:

Requiring insurers to provide premium discounts to property owners who undertake mitigation efforts to lower their risk of wildfire losses.





Providing clear standards to enforce Proposition 103's requirements that insurance companies file a complete rate application and publicly disclose all information submitted to the Commissioner, including the models they use to assess wildfire risk and related documentation, which insurers often seek to keep confidential.





Requiring insurance companies to notify consumers about their wildfire "risk score" and the steps they can take to lower their risk and premiums. Consumers would also have the right to appeal their risk scores.

The consumer groups offered additional recommendations for improving the proposed regulations by:

Strengthening the mandatory mitigation factor standards with clearer terminology;





Requiring that mandatory mitigation factors and public filing and disclosure of models also apply to wildfire risk models and scores used to determine eligibility and nonrenewal criteria ;





; Clarifying in explicit terms that wildfire risk models are not allowed to be used to project losses for determining overall rates under existing regulations;





Ensuring that any wildfire risk models used by insurers are based on the best available scientific information and conform to actuarial standards of practice and applicable statutes and regulations; and





Cleaning up and strengthening the wildfire score notice and appeal requirements and making them applicable to scores used for underwriting as well as rating.

Read today's joint comments of Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Federation of America, and Consumer Federation of California here: https://consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/2022-04-13CommentsofCWD_CFA_CFCreREG-2020-00015.pdf

Read Consumer Watchdog's January 21, 2021 letter to Insurance Commissioner Lara urging insurance discounts for homeowners, protections against policy cancellations and withdrawals in wildfire areas

Consumer Watchdog also testified on the industry's actions in a virtual hearing last Fall.

Watch the video, Consumer Watchdog presentation at 1:38:50

Read the op-ed from former Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-04-12/wildfire-insurance-homeowners-fire-risk

Read about voter-enacted Proposition 103's protections against unfair insurance premiums and practices here: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/prop-103-california-insurance-reform

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
Fast-Growing Digital Insurer Expands U.S. Footprint with Industry-First Technology for Multi-Family Properties

MILWAUKEE, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has given insurtech startup Honeycomb approval to write policies statewide. The fast-growing digital insurer has built proprietary technology specifically for multi-family properties of which there are hundreds of thousands of units in Wisconsin and 250,000 in the Milwaukee area alone. These include apartment buildings, condominium complexes, and multi-family homes. This segment of the property insurance market lags woefully behind others in its adoption of digital technology.

Honeycomb Co-founder/CEO Itai Ben-Zaken

Honeycomb is reinventing landlord insurance with Israeli-engineered technology that eliminates the need for on-site physical inspections to assess risk  utilizing instead satellite imagery, computer vision, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. As a result, the arduous, weeks-long process that has long frustrated landlords and condo associations, and the brokers who serve them, is finally coming to an end.

"We are excited to have Honeycomb launch in the Badger state," said Mr. Ben-Zaken, company co-founder and CEO. "There are hundreds of thousands of multi-family housing units in Wisconsin that can benefit from our technology with real-time bindable quotes and more robust underwriting at a lower cost than previously possible."

Honeycomb began writing insurance policies in the U.S. in June of 2021. It now operates in six states -- Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania  with plans this year to launch in eight more, covering 60% of the country. The company today insures more than $1 billion of real estate assets.

The U.S. multi-family housing market is estimated to be worth $26 billion. Honeycomb is the first insurance provider to offer this segment of the market data-driven applications and advanced algorithms that greatly accelerate the process of purchasing and pricing policies.

It offers three distinct benefits:

Streamlining the customer and broker experience;

Leveraging unique proprietary underwriting technology that accurately "right-prices'' every individual risk and surfaces cost savings no other provider can, and

Offering bespoke insurance coverage that is adaptable to changing client needs.

About Honeycomb

Honeycomb is a reinsurance-backed MGA providing simple, fair, and affordable multi-family property insurance through its end-to-end digital platform. With offices in Denver, Chicago, San Francisco and Tel Aviv, Honeycomb leverages proprietary user-generated data, advanced AI, and computer-vision to automate the normally arduous and costly underwriting process. Honeycomb significantly improves the customer experience and provides tailored coverage at a competitive price point and at improved profit margins through its real-time rate/quote/bind offering and its data-driven "right-pricing" advantage.

Honeycomb is backed by top institutional investors including IBEX Investors, SiriusPoint Ltd, Phoenix Insurance, New Era Capital Partners, IT-Farm Corporation, Sure Ventures, and Distributed Ventures. For more information on Honeycomb, visit honeycombinsurance.com .

Media Contact

Alyssa Meyer

1-631-275-7546

[email protected]

SOURCE Honeycomb
More than 300,000 IAFF members and their affiliates across the country to launch MDA Fill the Boot events to raise lifesaving funds for scientific and clinical research and care for MDA families living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.

NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today kicks off more than 2,000 Fill the Boot fundraising events for 2022 on National Boot Day.

International Association of Fire Fighters Launches 2022 Fill the Boot Fundraisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Photo L to R: Frank Lima, General Secretary Treasurer. International Association of Fire Fighters; Donald S. Wood, President & CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Association; Edward Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters. IAFF & MDA Fill the Boot Logo (PRNewsfoto/Muscular Dystrophy Association)

These events support research, care, and advocacy for more than 300,000 families nationwide living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Online donations will continue, even as fire fighters once again take to the streets in communities across the country with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers, and other passersby to support the mission. Online donations may be made at https://bit.ly/MDA_FTB22.

The partnership between MDA and IAFF spans 68 years, beginning in 1954 when the IAFF signed a proclamation designating MDA its charity of choice and vowing to continue raising awareness and funds until cures are found. To date, fire fighters nationwide have raised $679 million over nearly seven decades. In the past seven years, these funds have led in part to 15 new FDA-approved treatments for neuromuscular diseases and access to treatments and care from day one through newborn screening in many states across the country for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Pompe disease.

"Traditions are at the heart of the fire service, and MDA's 'Fill the Boot,' which the IAFF began in Boston over 60 years ago, is very dear and personal to me. With gratitude for the trust of the MDA family, the IAFF is taking to the streets throughout the United States and Canada to 'Fill the Boot' once again. The pandemic has taken its toll on MDA fundraising, and we need to double our efforts," says IAFF General President Edward Kelly. "The kids need us, and MDA is ringing the bell."

"Our partners at IAFF have been a vital part of the MDA family in communities across America for decades. We are forever grateful to IAFF for maintaining their strong commitment to the Fill the Boot program," says Donald S. Wood, PhD, President and CEO of MDA. "Thanks to fire fighters filling the boot for decades, the pipeline of promise is growing and creating hope a longer, more independent life for the millions of people and their families who are at the heart of MDA's mission."

The campaign will be shared on social media channels using #FillTheBoot. Follow MDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Follow the IAFF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

About the IAFF

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 326,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85% of the nation's population. More than 3,500 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.

About Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association
HONOLULU, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- JL Capital, a Honolulu-based real estate and private equity firm, has selected Highgate, a leading hospitality investment and management company, to manage the new Renaissance Honolulu Hotel at Sky Ala Moana. The twin-tower hotel and condominium development is currently under construction on Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center in central Honolulu. The 39-story hotel tower will add 187 new rooms and suites to the island destination and will be topped by Marriott's Renaissance Residences. The condotel will offer a restaurant, bar and an eighth floor Sky Terrace with two swimming pools, men's and women's indoor and outdoor soaking baths, Himalayan salt saunas and a fully equipped fitness center and spa.

Rooted in the culture of Hawai'i with interior artwork created by renowned design team, Sig Zane Kaiao, cultural practitioners Sig Zane and son Kuhao Zane, the Renaissance resort units provide convenient access to the vibrant community in the epicenter of O'ahu. This will be Highgate's tenth property in Hawaii and their portfolio includes the notable Alohilani Resort and the Royal Lahaina Resort, Maui.

"We are thrilled to partner with Highgate as we bring this distinctive brand back to Hawaii. We have been impressed with their leadership and operational excellence in elevating their diverse portfolio, along with their commitment to our community's focus on responsible tourism," said Tim Lee, CEO of JL Capital.

"It is an honor to be selected by JL Capital to reintroduce the Renaissance brand to Hawaii and to be a part of one of the first full-service hotels built in Oahu over the past decade," said Kelly Sanders, EVP of Operations for Highgate. "We are excited to begin this amazing journey working closely with the talented team at JL Capital to bring the Renaissance Hotel and Residences to life over the next 18 months."

About JL Capital

JL Capital, a Honolulu-based real estate investment and private equity firm, is committed to Hawaii's future by investing in and developing sustainable urban communities that provide new jobs, new housing and build strong economic assets for the community.

Deeply rooted in Hawaii through its people and projects, JL Capital currently owns 211,674 square feet of re-development properties in the Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development (TOD) corridor along Kapiolani Boulevard. In addition to the development of Sky Ala Moana, JL Capital plans to further invest and develop another 1,000 dwelling units in the area.

About Highgate

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing footprint in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership

SOURCE Highgate
$600 million USD acquisition will see Juniper Biologics offer the world's first cell-mediated gene therapy to an estimated 300 million patients in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa

SINGAPORE, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Juniper Biologics, a science-led healthcare company focused on researching, developing and commercializing novel therapies announced today that it has gained the licensing rights to develop and commercialize TG-C LD (TissueGene-C low dose) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

The $600 million USD licensing deal which covers Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa was signed with Kolon Life Science, and is Juniper Biologics' second acquisition in as many months. Under the terms of the partnership, Juniper Biologics will be responsible for developing and commercializing TG-C LD to medical professionals and hospitals within these regions. Kolon Life Science will be responsible for supporting the development as well as supplying TG-C LD.

TG-C LD is a non-surgical investigational treatment that has been hailed as the world's first cell-mediated gene therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee,[i] which is the most common form of arthritis.[ii] According to research, osteoarthritis is estimated to be the eleventh[1] leading cause of disability worldwide with an estimated 300 million patients in Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa alone, suffering from the debilitating effects of the degenerative joint disease. It is one of the biggest unmet medical needs among musculoskeletal conditions with the risk demonstrated to increase with age[iii].

A first-in-class cell-mediated gene therapy, TG-C LD targets knee osteoarthritis through a single intra-articular injection. Kolon TissueGene, the license holder for TG-C in the United States (not TG-C LD), has already completed a phase 2 clinical trial in the United States, with initial data demonstrating sustained pain relief and mobility improvement following a single injection in the knee joint, for possibly up to 2 years. Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States comprising 1,020 patients are currently ongoing to confirm the safety and efficacy of TG-C. In addition to confirm the statistically significant pain reduction and function improvements observed from the US Phase 2 clinical trial, the trials are designed to show the delay of disease progression to achieve a DMOAD (Disease Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug) designation.

Juniper Biologics CEO, Raman Singh, said: "We are always looking to identify areas in which we can make the most difference and TG-C LD offers substantial relief for knee osteoarthritis patients who would otherwise be in need of surgery or other treatment options. We are committed to providing innovative treatments to treat osteoarthritis of the knee through the regeneration of cartilage and we believe this innovative investigational treatment will bring relief to millions of patients across the region."

"We are excited to work with Juniper Biologics to establish new avenues for patients to access this innovative investigational cell therapy. This would be a validation of our technology and its market value," said Woosok Lee President and CEO, Kolon Life Science. "We believe patients in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa will be able to benefit from TG-C LD as we go through the rigor of establishing it as a global standard treatment option."

About Juniper Biologics

Backed by The Sylvan Group, Juniper Biologics is a science-led healthcare company focused on delivering novel therapies to improve the health and quality of life of patients, by building a growing presence in Oncology, Rare/Orphan Diseases and Gene Therapy. It was founded on a vision to provide treatments for unmet medical needs focused on specialist therapy areas in which it can make the most difference. Through bold and transformative science, Juniper Biologics is committed to creating possibilities that have the potential to become the next generation of life-changing medicines for patient communities in China, Japan, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa.

About TG-C [TissueGene-C] TG-C [TissueGene-C] is a first-in-class cell-mediated gene therapy targeting osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee through a single intra-articular injection. Clinical trials held in the United States and abroad have demonstrated pain relief and increased mobility, as well indicators towards decreased progression of OA and improvements in joint structure. The allogeneic cell therapy product could provide an alternative to traditional treatment and surgery, or delay the progression of OA to minimize the need for multiple surgical interventions. The TG-C cell therapy product is being developed in two dosages: TG-C developed in the United States by Kolon TissueGene and TG-C LD developed in Korea by Kolon Life Science.

About Kolon Life Science

Kolon Life Science has been developing innovative cell and gene therapies since its founding in 2000. It has exclusive license of developing and commercializing TG-C LD in Asia, which has been granted by original developer of TG-C, Kolon TissueGene. Kolon Life Science's representative pipeline includes KLS-2031 which is targeting neuropathic pain and KLS-3021 which is oncolytic viral therapy. In addition to its biopharmaceuticals business, the company is also engaged in providing active pharmaceuticals ingredients (API), eco-chemicals including antimicrobials for personal-care and industrial applications, as well as water-treatment solutions. For more information, please visit www.kolonls.co.kr/eng.

For more information, please visit: www.JuniperBiologics.com

[1] Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report

[i] http://kolonls.web31.youhost.co.kr/eng/02business/bio02.php

[ii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925

[iii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925

SOURCE Juniper Biologics
HubSpot's customers will be able to use Kanarys' proprietary tool to uncover their progress on their DEI journey and identify ways they can grow their DEI strategy for long-term success.

DALLAS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kanarys , a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) technology company focused on providing the tools organizations need to create long-term systemic change around DEI challenges, announces its DEI Maturity Quiz for leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform HubSpot 's 135,000 customers. The DEI Maturity Quiz will reveal where companies are on their DEI journey, uncover blind spots, and help company leaders identify areas of growth. The announcement comes on the heels of HubSpot's recent investment in the Kanarys platform and the two companies' collaboration to help HubSpot customers improve DEI in their respective workplaces.

The DEI Maturity Quiz is built by Kanarys' subject matter experts, and the proprietary tool analyzes and assesses best practices for critical DEI components, such as talent acquisition, retention and succession planning, DEI Councils, Employee Resource Groups, unconscious bias training, paid apprenticeship programs, supplier diversity programs, and more. Once HubSpot customers have completed the quiz and gained an understanding of their DEI journey, they can utilize Kanarys' comprehensive library of guidebooks and toolkits at no cost to learn the best practices that will help implement lasting changes within their organizations.

"Companies are finding that DEI and true belonging are really at the heart of an organization's success, and those that focus on DEI in a meaningful way are more likely to retain their employees, foster innovation, outperform their competitors, and so much more," said Mandy Price, co-founder and CEO of Kanarys. "In order to leverage DEI for business growth and employee retention, companies must first understand and measure their DEI progress, uncover potential stumbling blocks, and identify areas for improvement. This is why we're excited to offer HubSpot customers Kanarys' DEI Maturity Quiz to help bring about lasting organizational change and ultimately improve the workplace for millions of Americans."

"At HubSpot, we're always working to provide our customers with the tools and resources they need to scale and compete in today's economy," said Andrew Lindsay, SVP of corporate & business development at HubSpot. "We know that investing in DEI is critical to growing companies, which is why we're excited to build on our investment in Kanarys to help our customers solve DEI challenges and leverage DEI for business success.

The business case for DEI is stronger than ever. A recent Gartner study found that 75% of companies with diverse and inclusive decision-making teams will exceed their financial targets in 2022. Alternatively, it can also come at a huge cost if companies do not foster diversity. A lack of diversity within American companies has resulted in an economic loss of nearly $70 trillion . As companies look to rebuild during "The Great Reinvention" of the workplace, they're leaning into DEI to retain top talent, foster culture and belonging, keep employees engaged, and ultimately increase business. Kanarys has been at the forefront of DEI work since 2018, working with mid-sized enterprises and Fortune 500 companies to hone their data-driven approach to solve DEI issues, pinpoint DEI blindspots, and transform workplaces.

About Kanarys

Kanarys is a technology company focused on providing the tools organizations need to create long-term systemic change around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) challenges. Working alongside mid-size enterprises and Fortune 500 companies, Kanarys transforms DEI work with data by providing the framework, benchmarking, and data companies need to incorporate best-in-class DEI into every area of the organization. Like a canary in the coal mine, Kanarys helps organizations ensure healthy work environments by revealing DEI blindspots before they become a problem. For more information on Kanarys, visit www.kanarys.com .

SOURCE Kanarys, Inc.
HOUSTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has been awarded a contract for its ROSE supercritical Solvent De-Asphalting (SDA) technology and Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU) from Taiwan's state-owned oil company, CPC Corporation.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide a license, basic engineering and proprietary equipment to CPC for its proprietary ROSE technology. KBR will also supply the engineering package for the upstream VDU.

ROSE technology is a cost-effective residue upgrading process that allows refiners to produce higher grade, cleaner products while reducing the facility's carbon footprint. This industry leading technology delivers 50% energy savings over conventional SDA technologies.

"We are pleased to work with CPC on this important project that enables clean fuels production with KBR's energy-efficient and sustainable ROSE process," said Doug Kelly, KBR President, Technology. "KBR's design features an innovative integration solution between the VDU and ROSE unit, which significantly reduces the project's carbon footprint.

KBR is a global leader in residue upgrading technologies with the largest installed base and has been involved in the licensing, design, engineering, and/or construction of 70 ROSE units worldwide with a combined licensed capacity of nearly 1.6 million BPSD. This list includes operators that have installed multiple ROSE units.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 28,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission critical roles in 34 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long- term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the significant adverse impacts on economic and market conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's ability to respond to the resulting challenges and business disruption; the recent dislocation of the global energy market; the company's ability to manage its liquidity; the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; the possibility of cyber and malware attacks; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.

The company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE KBR, Inc.
Initial gold results from 8 additional drill holes are pending

VANCOUVER, BC, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased to announce additional positive drill results from the Aztec-Kootenay JV on the Cervantes Project located in Sonora, Mexico.

Results continue to intersect wide intervals of good grade gold mineralization with every hole in the California Zone to date hitting wide intervals of anomalous gold in mineralized quartz feldspar porphyry and hydrothermal breccias.

CAL22-012 returned 152.4 metres grading 0.87 gpt Au including 33.5 metres grading 2.05 gpt Au

California Zone Drill Highlights

CAL22-011

0.43 gpt Au over 132.2 meters , including 1.29 gpt Au over 12.2 meters along the north central edge of the mineralized zone.

, including meters along the north central edge of the mineralized zone. CAL22-012

0.87 gpt Au over 152.4 meters, including 2.05 gpt Au over 33.5 meters along the north central edge of the mineralized zone.

along the north central edge of the mineralized zone. CAL22-014

0.48 gpt Au over 54.9 meters located at the northern edge of the eastern portion of the mineralized zone

To-date, every hole drilled at California has intersected near surface, oxidized gold mineralization with minor copper oxides. There are 8 more holes pending from the California zone including one pending from each of the Jasper and California North targets.

View drill sections here:

CAL22-011 to CAL22-014

California 2022 RC Drill Program Plan Map

Gold mineralization at the California zone now measures approximately 900 metres long by 250 to 500 metres wide, with demonstrated, continuous mineralization up to 265 metres depth vertically. The porphyry gold-copper mineralization is still open in all directions.

Drill Hole From m To m Interval m* Au gpT Comments CAL22-001 22.86 111.3 88.41 1.1 230 Az, -60 Including 22.86 77.74 54.88 1.56



30.49 45.73 15.24 3.962



30.49 36.57 6.08 7.44













CAL22-002 0 108.2 108.2 0.374 225 Az, -60











CAL22-003 45.7 91.5 45.7 0.451 233 Az, -60 Including 60.9 74.7 13.7 0.868













CAL22-004 0 167.2 167.2 1.002 236 AZ, -59 Including 131.1 155.5 24.4 4.247













CAL22-005 0 136.8 136.8 1.486 236 Az, -59 Including 54.88 106.7 51.68 3.424













CAL22-006 16.77 117.38 100.32 0.75 229 Az, -60 Including 16.77 25.91 9.14 3.087















128.05 140.25 12.2 0.925













CAL22-007 32.01 39.63 7.6 0.684 225 Az, -59













83.84 147.87 63.84 0.422













CAL22-008 0 54.72 54.72 0.884 212 Az, -58 Including 36.58 50.3 13.72 1.965















187.5 195.1 7.6 0.745













CAL22-009 0 86.64 86.64 0.5 235 Az, -60











CAL22-010 0 138.32 138.32 0.53 227 Az, -52 Including 50.3 60.98 10.67 1.622













CAL22-011 25.9 158.5 132.2 0.427 224 Az, -59 Including 88.8 100.6 12.2 1.291















184.5 193.6 9.1 0.462













CAL22-012 41.2 193.6 152.4 0.872 228 Az, -59 Including 117.4 150.9 33.5 2.048













CAL22-013 140.2 147.9 7.7 0.209 229 Az, -60











CAL22-014 0 54.9 54.9 0.484 205 Az, -58













Eight holes are awaiting assay results and will be reported accordingly. The program of Reverse circulation (RC) drilling totaled 26 holes and 4,649 metres. Four main target areas were tested with objectives to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East.

All widths are drilled widths, not true widths. Gold mineralization appears to be widely distributed in disseminations, fractures and veinlets within the quartz-feldspar porphyry and related hydrothermal breccias.

Drill samples cuttings are collected every 5 feet (1.52m) from all drill holes. The samples are analyzed by Bureau Veritas for gold with a 30-gram sample size using the method FA430 followed by MA300. Over limits, when present, are analyzed by AR404 or FA550. All holes contain certified blanks, standards, and duplicates as part of the quality control program. The QA/QC has delivered excellent results to date good data integrity. The samples are shipped to and received by Bureau Veritas Minerals laboratory for the gold and multielement geochemical analysis and additional gold results will be received and reported in the next several weeks. Final multielement ICP results are expected to follow the release of the preliminary gold assays and are expected to be received during the second quarter 2022.

Cervantes Property Overview

Cervantes is a highly prospective porphyry gold-copper property located in southeastern Sonora state, Mexico and is held under a joint venture with Aztec Minerals (65%) and Kootenay Silver (35%) respectively. The project lies 160 km east of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico within the prolific Laramide porphyry copper belt approximately 265 km southeast of the Cananea porphyry copper-molybdenum mine (Grupo Mexico). Cervantes also lies along an east-west trending gold belt 60 km west of the Mulatos epithermal gold mine (Alamos Gold), 35 km northeast of the Osisko San Antonio gold mine, 45 km west of the La India mine (Agnico Eagle), and 40 km northwest of Santana gold deposit (Minera Alamos). View: Cervantes Project Location Map

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Qualified Persons

The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed and approved on behalf of Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person.

About Kootenay Silver Inc.

Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico. Supported by one of the largest junior portfolios of silver assets in Mexico, Kootenay continues to provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic development of its priority silver projects located in prolific mining districts in Chihuahua, State and Sonora, State, Mexico, respectively.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

The information in this news release has been prepared as of April 12, 2022. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay 's expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc.
The expanded capability will focus on formulating market insights, evaluating new solutions through advanced analytics, and curating the market to find the best fit solutions for clients



KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockton Companies, the world's largest independent insurance brokerage and people solutions consulting group, announced today the launch of a new Insights & Innovation Lab for People Solutions. The new team of experts will focus on helping Lockton clients make their businesses better with new, cutting edge solutions, while also making their peoples' lives better through improved experiences and better care solutions.

With healthcare and benefits complexity continuing to increase, employers are searching for innovative solutions that help them balance providing competitive benefits with increasing costs, while navigating compliance and administration, and increasing employee engagement. The expanded capabilities from the Lockton Insights & Innovation Lab will help clients identify and assess relevant market trends in healthcare & benefits, evaluate applicable solutions, and curate those solutions to find the best fit for their people and business needs. The Insights & Innovation Lab is one of several new capabilities Lockton is investing in, along with improved data analytics, specialty practices and marketing communications.

"We're excited to expand our cutting-edge research and recommendations to our clients through the launch of this new capability and expertise," said Bruce Sammis, Lockton's People Solutions Executive Committee Chairman. "Our clients will benefit from valuable insights and answers, delivered through this unique capability, that helps them better match their needs with innovative solutions that improve the employee experience."

The Insights & Innovation Lab will be directed by Michael Perlmutter, Senior Vice President. Perlmutter, who joined Lockton in December 2021, has worked in healthcare and health management for more than 30 years while serving in strategic leadership roles at large health plans and innovative health management organizations. He was most recently the Health Imagination Leader at WTW.

"The role of benefits in the workplace is changing as employees prioritize their wellbeing as much as their wallet," continued Sammis. "We will continue to invest in our business in order to bring quick, actionable insights to our clients that help them attract and retain the best talent, while controlling rising costs and navigating an increasingly complex landscape."

Additionally, Lockton welcomed Chase Wagner as the Benefits Director of Marketing & Communications at the end of 2021. Wagner has worked in marketing and communications for nearly 20 years, including the areas of marketing strategy, public relations, corporate communications, corporate responsibility, digital advertising, social media, and public affairs. He was most recently the Director of Corporate Communications at H&R Block.

About Lockton

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 9,000 Associates doing business in over 125 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.

For 13 consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." Lockton was named among the 2021 Best Managed Companies by Deloitte and the Wall Street Journal, a program that recognizes excellence and honors private companies for their strategy, execution, culture, and financials. For more information, visit www.lockton.com.

SOURCE Lockton Companies
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric transmission developer LS Power Grid urged New Jersey to include comprehensive cost containment measures in all of its plans for the development of offshore wind energy systems.

"We applaud the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) for welcoming competitive bids from private developers as part of the state's offshore wind development process," said Lawrence Willick, executive vice president of New Jersey-based LS Power, parent of LS Power Grid. "Given the scale of these projects, comprehensive cost containment measures must be included. Such measures have proven to reduce cost, reduce risk and, ultimately, produce the most affordable energy systems. Well-defined cost containment measures can help New Jersey create not only the best possible offshore wind energy systems, but also the most significant long-term benefits and savings for ratepayers."

Willick participated in a public meeting hosted by the NJBPU on Tuesday, April 12. LS Power Grid is one of 13 private sector companies that have responded to the state's request for proposals on how best to connect offshore wind power to the state's aging onshore electrical grid. Currently, the NJBPU and the regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, are evaluating these proposals.

"LS Power Grid has the expertise, experience and an exceptional track record for delivering major energy projects on time and on budget," Willick said. "In fact, all of LS Power Grid's competitive projects to date have been completed on schedule and within cost containment commitments. New Jersey needs a high quality, resilient and reliable offshore wind energy transmission system that is also cost effective. We can deliver exactly what New Jersey needs  at a cost that is at least $1 billion less than other competing proposals."

For more details about LS Power Grid's proposals for New Jersey and its previous successes in delivering major transmission projects on schedule and within budget, see this press release and visit the company's website dedicated to New Jersey offshore wind energy transmission at https://CleanEnergyGateway.com.

About LS Power Grid

LS Power Grid, a leading electric transmission company, is an advocate for transparent and competitive processes to plan, build and own transmission infrastructure. These processes encourage innovative solutions, facilitate the integration of renewable resources, and lower costs. For information, please visit www.LSPowerGrid.com.

About LS Power

LS Power is a development, investment and operating company focused on the North American power and energy infrastructure sector. Since its inception in 1990, in addition to its development of more than 660 miles of high voltage transmission, LS Power has developed, constructed, managed or acquired more than 45,000 MW of power generation, including utility-scale solar, wind, hydro, natural gas-fired and battery energy storage projects. LS Power actively invests in distributed energy resource platforms, such as CPower Energy Management, Endurant Energy and EVgo, as well as Waste-to-Renewable Generation and Fuel initiatives. Additionally, LS Power invests in renewables and energy storage through REV Renewables. Across its efforts, LS Power has raised in excess of $48 billion in debt and equity financing to support North American infrastructure. For more information, please visit www.LSPower.com.

SOURCE LS Power
Every day, engineers make design and manufacturing decisions that put millions of dollars at stake. A single leaky seal, weak solder joint, or failure-prone casting can mean the difference between a successful product and a costly recallor reputational destruction. Even as the manufacturing world has digitized and become more sophisticated, the tools that front-line engineers rely on to identify these problems, like saws, calipers, and magnifying glasses, have remained stuck in the 19th century.

With the right tools, engineers can take calculated risks with confidence and create groundbreaking products that push the boundaries of modern manufacturing technology. The biggest manufacturers have been able to afford the ultimate engineering tools: CT scanners that give their engineers complete insight into their work. However, first-generation CT scanners have historically been difficult to use and cost upwards of $1 million, so they stay locked away in labs, operated by specialized technicians.

Lumafield's CT scanning system is available for less than $3,000 per month and is so easy to use that entire engineering teams can rely on it for day-to-day work. It uses a series of X-ray images to create a highly-detailed 3D reconstruction of a scanned object's external and internal features. The resulting digital model offers rich insights for designers and engineers, allowing them to visualize and measure aspects of their products that were previously invisible.

"When we were developing the iPod and iPhone, we relied on X-ray CT scanning," said Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPod and founder of Nest, and an investor in Lumafield. "In those days we had to use outside services to get these expensive scans and wait days for results. Even today this critical tool is only accessible to giant companies. But that's going to change quickly: Lumafield puts these insanely powerful tools on engineers' work benches around the world."

Lumafield's Neptune scanner is a revolutionary advance over legacy CT systems. It's at home in any office or workshop environment, ready to become an everyday tool for entire engineering teams. With easy AI-powered configuration, anyone can use it with minimal trainingno dedicated operator required.

Lumafield's Voyager software turns scans into actionable insights. It offers intuitive visualizations that reveal invisible features, measurement tools that take guesswork out of inspection, and a powerful automated analysis engine that pinpoints voids, pores, and cracks before they turn into critical problems. Voyager runs in the cloud, accessible through any desktop web browser, so teams can collaborate and share data in real time.

"Engineers do their best work when they have the best tools," said Eduardo Torrealba, Lumafield CEO and co-founder. "We founded Lumafield to give engineers an unprecedented superpower: full X-ray vision that lets them see their work in every dimension."

Leading product development teams have already begun to use Lumafield's platform, including L'Oreal, OXO, Saucony, Trek Bicycle, Desktop Metal, and WHOOP.

"OXO's product development team is obsessed with quality," said Conor McNamara, Senior Vice President of Engineering at OXO. "Lumafield's technology gives our engineers a powerful new tool for delivering an outstanding customer experience, and gives us confidence in the products that we're sending into the market."

Lumafield has raised $32.5 million in support of its mission to revolutionize the way engineers work. Lux Capital and Kleiner Perkins led Lumafield's 2019 seed round, and DCVC led Lumafield's 2020 series A funding with additional participation from Lux and Kleiner Perkins.

"We invest in companies that have high-quality teams, deep understanding of customer needs, and transformative market opportunities," said DCVC partner James Hardiman. "Lumafield is an outstanding example of all three qualities. The company is made up of world-class engineers who have decades of experience delivering products. They understand the need for CT scanning firsthand, and have what it takes to democratize this previously inaccessible technology into an everyday tool that changes the way engineers work."

Other investors include Haystack Ventures and Figma founder Dylan Field.

About Lumafield

Lumafield is a new startup based in Cambridge, Mass., that has developed the world's first accessible X-Ray CT scanner for engineers. Lumafield's easy-to-use scanner and cloud-based software give engineers the ability to see their work clearly, inside and out, for less than $3,000 per month.

By offering unprecedented visibility into products, as well as AI-driven tools that highlight problems and generate quantitative data, Lumafield promises to revolutionize the way complex products are created, manufactured, and used across industries. Learn more and explore interactive demos at www.lumafield.com .

Lumafield, Neptune, and Voyager are trademarks of Lumafield, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks previously cited are hereby recognized and acknowledged.

For further media information about Lumafield, please contact company PR Counsel Jonathan Hirshon at [email protected].

SOURCE Lumafield
Call Scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 6, 2022

HOUSTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) ("Main Street") is pleased to announce that it will release its first quarter 2022 results on Thursday, May 5, 2022, after the financial markets close. In conjunction with the release, Main Street has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live via phone and over the Internet, on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Investors may participate either by phone or audio webcast.

By Phone: Dial 412-902-0030 at least 10 minutes before the call. A replay will be available through May 13, 2022 by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the access code 13728828#.



By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Investor Relations section of Main Street's website at www.mainstcapital.com. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay of the conference call will be available on Main Street's website shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days.

ABOUT MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION

Main Street (www.mainstcapital.com) is a principal investment firm that primarily provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies and debt capital to middle market companies. Main Street's portfolio investments are typically made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides "one stop" financing alternatives within its lower middle market investment strategy. Main Street's lower middle market companies generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million. Main Street's middle market debt investments are made in businesses that are generally larger in size than its lower middle market portfolio companies.

Main Street, through its wholly owned portfolio company MSC Adviser I, LLC ("MSC Adviser"), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties. MSC Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Contacts:

Main Street Capital Corporation

Dwayne L. Hyzak, CEO, [email protected]

Jesse E. Morris, CFO and COO, [email protected]

713-350-6000

Dennard Lascar Investor Relations

Ken Dennard | [email protected]

Zach Vaughan | [email protected]

713-529-6600

SOURCE Main Street Capital Corporation
 Medical chart review study, published in Drugs in Context, evaluated the real-world use of INOmax (nitric oxide) gas, for inhalation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the U.S. 

DUBLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (OTCMKTS:MNKKQ), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced the publication of findings from a retrospective chart review study assessing the real-world use and outcomes of INOmax (nitric oxide) gas, for inhalation therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a disorder in which fluid leaks into the lungs, making breathing difficult or impossible. The results of the study were published in the peer-reviewed journal Drugs in Context.

INOmax has been on the market in the U.S. since 2000 and is indicated to improve oxygenation and reduce the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in term and near-term (>34 weeks gestation) neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure associated with clinical or echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension in conjunction with ventilatory support and other appropriate agents. Please see Important Safety Information below.

The safety and efficacy of INOmax to treat COVID-19 have not been evaluated, established or approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The retrospective, observational medical chart review study included patients who were at least 18 years old at the time of hospitalization, hospitalized for COVID-19, met the Berlin definition of ARDS,1 received INOmax for at least 24 hours continuously during hospitalization and had a partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2 )/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) ratio (P/F ratio) >100 and 300mmHg when INOmax was initiated. A total of 213 patients were screened for enrollment from seven study sites across the U.S. of which 37 patients met enrollment criteria. Patients were followed from COVID-19related hospitalization up to 30 days post discharge or until loss to follow-up, and data were collected between October 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. The most common reason for exclusion was severe ARDS with a P/F ratio 100 (N=146; 83 percent of excluded patients).2

"These findings of INOmax use in clinical practice may help us gain an understanding of the real-world use of different potential treatment approaches and outcomes in people suffering from mild-to-moderate ARDS, a historically understudied population," said Steve Abman, M.D., lead study investigator and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. "In severe cases of COVID-19, ARDS is a major cause of morbidity, making it critical to continue studying this at-risk underserved patient population."

The data analysis found that when response was defined as an increase in P/F ratio by >20 percent at any time after INOmax initiation, nearly two-thirds of patients (n=23; 62.2 percent) achieved response to INOmax. Additionally, mean P/F ratio (standard deviation) increased from 136.7 (34.4) at baseline to 140.3 (53.2) at 48 hours and 151.8 (50.0) at 72 hours after INOmax initiation (N=34). Median time to response was 3 days (interquartile range 1 to 3 days) after initiation of INOmax. In a sensitivity analysis, when response was defined as a 10 percent increase in P/F ratio, most (n=26; 70.3 percent) patients were categorized as responders. Among the 27 patients (73 percent) receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at the time of INOmax initiation, 4 (14.8 percent) were transitioned to non-invasive ventilation. No patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after initiating INOmax. Data on select adverse events of interest were also collected (methemoglobinemia, airway injury and worsening pulmonary edema) and none were attributed to INOmax treatment. At discharge, 20 patients (54 percent) improved or remained stable according to the Clinical Global ImpressionImprovement (CGI-I) scores.2

Study limitations include the retrospective nature of the study design and the use of data abstracted from medical charts of study patients. The accuracy and completeness of data in this study are limited by the availability and quality of data in each patient's medical chart. Treatment patterns in the study reflect the use of INOmax for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in selected medical centers willing to participate in this retrospective medical chart study and may not be representative of all institutions using INOmax. The dosing and duration of INOmax treatment was variable across sites and determined at the attending physician's discretion. Criteria for initiation of INOmax, INOmax weaning and weaning protocols were not standardized across sites. Detailed information was not collected about all potential interventions for the acute management of COVID-19 ARDS, including diuretics, vasopressors and prone positioning. Future randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine potential efficacy, safety and place in therapy. Due to the retrospective nature of this analysis, it is hypothesis-generating; no formal conclusions should be drawn.

"The results of this retrospective medical chart review analysis support the importance of continued collection of real-world data to help expand our understanding of the investigational use and potential of INOmax," said Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Mallinckrodt.

In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19.3,4

The study was funded by Mallinckrodt.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INOmax is contraindicated in the treatment of neonates dependent on right-to-left shunting of blood.

Abrupt discontinuation of INOmax may lead to increasing pulmonary artery pressure and worsening oxygenation.

Methemoglobinemia and NO 2 levels are dose dependent. Nitric oxide donor compounds may have an additive effect with INOmax on the risk of developing methemoglobinemia. Nitrogen dioxide may cause airway inflammation and damage to lung tissues.

levels are dose dependent. Nitric oxide donor compounds may have an additive effect with INOmax on the risk of developing methemoglobinemia. Nitrogen dioxide may cause airway inflammation and damage to lung tissues. In patients with pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction, INOmax may increase pulmonary capillary wedge pressure leading to pulmonary edema.

Monitor for PaO 2 , inspired NO 2 , and methemoglobin during INOmax administration.

, inspired NO , and methemoglobin during INOmax administration. INOmax must be administered using a calibrated FDA-cleared Nitric Oxide Delivery System.

Please see Full Prescribing Information.

ABOUT MALLINCKRODT

Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and oncology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics; cultured skin substitutes and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com.

Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning inhaled nitric oxide ("iNO") and the Company's INOmax product, including statements with regard to the potential impact of iNO on patients and anticipated benefits associated with its use. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTACT

Media Inquiries

Heather Guzzi

Senior Vice President, Green Room Communications

973-524-4112

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Daniel J. Speciale

Global Corporate Controller & Chief Investor Relations Officer

314-654-3638

[email protected]

Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2022 Mallinckrodt. US-2200197 04/22

References

1 Ranieri VM, Rubenfeld GD, Thompson BT, et al. Acute respiratory distress syndrome: the Berlin Definition. JAMA. Jun 20 2012;307(23):2526-33. https://doi:10.1001/jama.2012.5669.

2 Abman SH, Fox NR, Malik MI, et al. Real-world use of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in patients with COVID-19 and mild-to-moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome. Drugs in Context. 2022;11:2022-1-4. https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.2022-1-4.

3 Adusumilli NC, Zhang D, Friedman JM, Friedman AJ. Harnessing nitric oxide for preventing, limiting and treating the severe pulmonary consequences of COVID-19. Nitric Oxide. Oct 1 2020;103:4-8. https://doi:10.1016/j.niox.2020.07.003.

4 Matthay MA, Aldrich JM, Gotts, JE. Treatment for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19. Lancet Respir Med. 2020. Published Online March 20, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30127-2.

SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc
The foundation's LGBTQ+ Ukrainian Refugee Fund made a $50,000 grant to ORAM (Organization for Refuge, Asylum, and Migration) (https://www.oramrefugee.org/) to be used to evacuate LGBTQ+ refugees from Ukraine to safe and welcoming host countries, including Germany. According to the BBC, "around 100 towns and regions across Poland, nearly a third of the country, have passed resolutions declaring themselves free of "LGBT ideology."

"ORAM would like to express our sincere gratitude to Matthew Siegal Goodworx Foundation for their generous grant," said Steve Roth, Executive Director of ORAM. "Their gift will help us open a safe space in Berlin for displaced LGBTIQ Ukrainians to connect with each other and with needed support and services. The grant also helps makes it possible for ORAM to provide those in need with safe and secure housing in Berlin, a more welcoming city for LGBTIQ people."

BACK ON THEIR FEET FUND

The foundation's Back on Their Feet Fund made a $10,000 grant to Family PASS (https://familypassfairfax.org/), a non-profit that helps working families in Fairfax County, Virginia who are at risk of homelessness. The funds provided by Matthew Siegal Goodworx Foundation were used by Family PASS to purchase a car for its client.

"Our client is a single mom of a child with special needs. Recently, her car was totaled which made it very difficult to get to work and get her child to medical appointments," said Debi Sutton, Executive Director of Family PASS. "She earned too much to be eligible for Vehicles for Change, yet she did not have enough savings or sufficient credit to buy a new car. The grant from Matthew Siegal Goodworx Foundation enabled Family PASS to buy her a car."

Anyone who wishes to make a tax-deductible donation to support Matthew Siegal Goodworx Foundation's Back on Their Feet or LGBTQ+ Ukrainian Refugee funds can do so at https://matthewsiegal.com/current-projects.

SOURCE Matthew Siegal Goodworx Foundation, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. (NYSE: RBA) and (TSX: RBA) invites interested parties to participate in its First quarter 2022 earnings conference call, occurring on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific time / 4:00 p.m. BST. During the call, company executives will discuss Ritchie Bros.' earning results and answer questions from analysts and institutional investors. The Company's First quarter 2022 earnings results will be released after NYSE and TSX markets close the day prior, on May 9, 2022.

Analysts and institutional investors may participate via conference call, using the following dial-in information:

1-888-664-6392 (toll-free North America)

08006522435 (toll-free UK)

1-416-764-8659 (Toronto & overseas long-distance)

Please ask to participate in Ritchie Bros.' First quarter 2022 earnings call, and quote conference ID 15588553 if prompted.

Media and other interested parties may listen to the conference call via webcast, by selecting the First quarter 2022 earnings call webcast link at https://investor.ritchiebros.com .

Please note that there will be presentation slides accompanying the earnings call. The slides will be displayed live on the webcast, and will be available to download via the webcast player or at https://investor.ritchiebros.com/events-and-presentations the morning of the call.

A replay of the conference call can be accessed after 2:00 pm Eastern time / 11:00 am Pacific time / 7:00 pm BST until June 10, 2022, at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (using passcode 588553 #).

About Ritchie Bros.:

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers , the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E , a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Ritchie List , a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales; and sector-specific solutions GovPlanet , TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy . The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC , which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip , an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
CHICAGO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced the appointment of Melissa Napier as senior vice president of Investor Relations, effective April 25, 2022.

In this role, Napier will lead the development and execution of Conagra's investor relations program, including setting strategy in financial communications and quantitative benchmarking and analysis.

"Melissa has an exceptional background in Investor Relations and key areas of the Finance function," said Dave Marberger, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Conagra Brands. "We are excited to welcome Melissa to Conagra. Our leadership team looks forward to partnering with her to ensure we maintain strong relationships with the investment community and continue to maximize value for our shareholders."

Melissa brings more than 25 years of broad finance experience in investor relations, accounting and treasury. She spent the last six years at US Foods as senior vice president of Treasury and Investor Relations. Prior to US Foods, she spent 14 years at Tyson Foods/Hillshire Brands/Sara Lee Corp where she held roles of increasing responsibility in Internal Audit, Investor Relations, Treasury and Accounting.

Napier earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wilkes University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.ConagraBrands.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Mike Cummins, Conagra Brands

312-549-5257

[email protected]

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.
DUBLIN, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Middle Eastern Commercial Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report focuses on the most relevant commercial drone applications in the Middle East and highlights essential companies shaping the market.

The analysis also provides a discussion of growth opportunities for the oil & gas and construction industries, representing the most significant drivers of demand for commercial UAS platforms in the Middle East.

Safety concerns regarding the use of drones are limiting growth for the commercial UAS market in the Middle East, with certain countries, such as Kuwait, Syria, and Iraq, banning drone operations of all types.

However, other states, like Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), permit drone use in the commercial sector. Moreover, technological advances in these states' military industry, particularly in Israel, will contribute to the development of drone technology for commercial use.



Although the restrictive conditions restrain overall growth, this market is nascent and likely to experience exponential growth in the next 5 to 10 years due to its current limited size. Furthermore, recent capital flow into the region will change demand for drone platforms, as many sectors experiencing growth, such as infrastructure and construction, can use UAS to improve workflow efficiencies.



This study integrates information gathered from existing reports in the publisher's database, specialized UAS magazines, and academic papers focused on potential drone applications in the region. Interviews with industry participants contribute deeper insight into the market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on the Commercial UAS Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Purpose/Overview

Overview of Select Companies

Types of Commercial UAS by Market Segment

Platform Distribution by Market Segment

Types of Commercial UAS by Flight Design

Main Challenges and Trends

Growth Drivers

Growth Restraints

Country Snapshot

Representative Industry Participants

3. Growth Opportunity Universe - Commercial UAS Market

Growth Opportunity 1: UAS Applications Help Boost Construction Market Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

Growth Opportunity 2: UAS for Automating Tasks in the Oil & Gas Industry

Growth Opportunity 3: UAS for Precision Agriculture to Boost Soil Efficiency

4. Conclusions and Future Outlook

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ac11s9

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
Leading HVAC Distributor Expands into Heil Equipment

NEW LENOX, Ill., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Munch's Supply (the "Company"), a leading Midwest-based heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") distributor has acquired System Aire Supply Company and Control Aire Supply Company (SASCO/CASCO) including its branches in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. This will expand the Company's geographic footprint to 70 locations serving 17 states and one Canadian province.

"We are pleased to welcome the SASCO/CASCO organization into the Munch family of brands and are excited to represent the Heil equipment line in western Massachusetts and Connecticut," said Bob Munch.

"Our team has proudly served our markets for more than 40 years and we look forward to the additional opportunities that this partnership offers both our customers and employees," said Gary Corliss, owner.

"Superior customer service will remain our number one priority. We are pleased to welcome both the customers and employees at SASCO/CASCO to the Munch family of brands," added Munch.

"We are so happy to find a trusted partner like Munch's to help us carry forward the SASCO/CASCO legacy," added Ed Maluszewski, owner.

The acquisition demonstrates Munch's ongoing dedication to the HVAC and plumbing marketplace and reinforces its commitment to partnering with family and customer-service focused businesses looking for either a long-term partnership or an exit strategy.

Munch's Supply has been operating in the Chicagoland area for more than 65 years and is consistently ranked as a top 10 HVAC distributor in the United States. Marcone, a leading distributor of home appliance, HVAC and plumbing repair parts and equipment across North America acquired Munch's Supply, LLC in 2021, and strives to become the hub for parts and services to the home.

About Munch's Supply

Munch's Supply was founded in 1956 by Willard Munch, who wanted to develop a local source of electrical supplies for area contractors. Today the company has more than 1,000 employees focused exclusively on supplying heating, cooling and plumbing industry contractors with quality products. For more than 65 years, Munch's Supply has operated with a commitment to service as a leading distributor for trusted brands such as American Standard, Trane, Mitsubishi, Rheem, IPEX, AO Smith, Kohler, Tempstar, Keeprite and Frigidaire. Through Munch's Holdings, LLC, it operates Munch's Supply, Tommark, O'Connor Company, Comfort Air Distributing, C&L Supply HVAC and Plumbing, API of NH and Delta T, Marks Supply and TML Supply which continue to serve as the premier sources for HVAC and plumbing equipment and supplies to contractors throughout North America. Visit www.munchsupply.com.

About Marcone

Marcone is an authorized distributor for major brands such as Whirlpool, Electrolux, General Electric, Maytag, Bosch, Samsung, L-G and many more. Through its vast distribution network, Marcone supplies the largest inventory of original replacement parts in the country for household appliances such as refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, and dryers. Marcone exports globally and also operates a comprehensive training institute offering quality business and technical training. Headquartered in St. Louis, Marcone operates 113 facilities, has approximately 2,000 employees, and serves approximately 43,000 technician customers. For more information, visit www.marcone.com.

Media Contacts:

Mary Jo Hann

Munch's Supply

[email protected]

847-833-5223

SOURCE Munchs Supply
Funding will fuel further development and commercialization of Nabsys' second-generation High-Definition Mapping platform

PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabsys, the pioneer in electronic whole-genome mapping, announced today that it has closed on $25 million in funding with strategic partner Hitachi High-Tech Corporation. The deal also provides for an additional $13 million upon achieving certain milestones.

The funding will be used to complete development and commercialization of the second-generation of its High-Definition Mapping (HDM) platform. The company will increase headcount in R&D, manufacturing, and global commercial operations.

"Hitachi High-Tech has had a long-standing interest in the analysis of human structural variation and has been in search of a technology to meet the significant market need," said Tsuyoshi Ogino, general manager, Molecular Research & Diagnostics Division at Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc., and Nabsys board member. "We believe the Nabsys HDM platform is the ideal solution for that important unmet need."

Barrett Bready, M.D., Nabsys founder, and CEO said Hitachi High-Tech's investment will help enable Nabsys to make the analysis of genome-wide human structural variation widely available, accurate, and cost effective.

"Our first-generation HDM instruments have been in customers' hands for over a year now and have been very well-received," said Bready. "We are excited to capitalize on the highly scalable nature of our high-speed, single-molecule, electronic detection to increase throughput and expand the application space."

Structural Variation Challenges:

In the past decade, scientists have determined that structural variants (SVs) account for the majority of human genomic variation. However, SV research has been limited due to relatively high cost, high computational burden, and inadequate performance of current tools. Long-read technologies are expensive and lack sufficient read-length, while optical mapping technologies have inherent limitations in resolution.

Nabsys HD-Mapping Solution:

Nabsys is the pioneer in high-definition electronic genome mapping. By employing electronic detection, HD-Mapping can offer cost-effective hardware and consumables while delivering high-resolution single-molecule measurements. The Nabsys HDM platform makes long-range structural information accessible to every laboratory.

About Nabsys:

The Nabsys mission is to advance the understanding of disease, increase diagnostic yield, and improve patient outcomes by enabling routine, accurate, cost-effective analysis of genomic structural variation. Located in Providence, RI, Nabsys employs a growing interdisciplinary group of dedicated scientists, engineers, and other professionals committed to the advancement of genomic analysis.

About Hitachi High-Tech:

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is engaged in activities in a broad range of business fields, including manufacture and sales of analytical systems, electron microscopes, in vitro diagnostic systems, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and providing high value-added solutions in fields of social & industrial infrastructures and mobility, etc.

Contact:

Nabsys

Brian Paras VP, Commercial Development

[email protected]

SOURCE Nabsys
Both leaders in their respective verticals, the companies are launching the curriculum in time for Financial Literacy Month

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearpod, an interactive instructional platform that gives educators real-time insights into student learning, today expands its partnership with Next Gen Personal Finance to provide free access to a personal finance curriculum. Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit committed to ensuring ALL students graduate high school with personal finance skills, provides free resources and curriculum that prepare students for their financial future. With this partnership, its free, core curriculum covering everything from taxes to investing is now supercharged with Nearpod's engaging platform to empower students with skills that will expand their financial horizons.

The partnership between Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) and Nearpod comes at a time when the need for standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum is undeniable. Research from the National Endowment for Financial Education on high school students shows that after a three-month financial literacy course, 60% of the students had changed their savings patterns, 80% indicated they save for what they really need or want and 20% indicated that they save every time they get money.

The obvious and immediate positive impact financial literacy makes on students' lives is also impacting policy. Late last month, Florida joined 11 other states as it guaranteed a personal finance course for all high schoolers . Equipping students to enter life after high school with strong financial skills stands to create lasting economic impacts for American families in the future.

"At Next Gen Personal Finance, we strive to create equal access and opportunities for every student to gain personal finance skills. Our curriculum lays the groundwork for financial independence and freedom and provides opportunities for us to create greater equity and inclusion in high school and beyond," shared Tim Ranzetta, co-founder of NGPF. "Partnering with Nearpod furthers our ability to ensure that all students graduate high school with personal finance skills by getting high-quality resources and curriculum into the hands of more high school teachers."

Building on an existing partnership through which NGPF lessons on Nearpod have been accessed by students over four million times, the new lessons coming to Nearpod cover taxes, checking, savings, paying for college, types of credit, managing credit, investing, insurance and budgeting in a nine-week course.

"The evidence for incorporating financial literacy into secondary education classrooms is clear, and we're proud to expand the Next Gen content on our platform," shared Pep Carerra, CEO of Nearpod. "Most importantly, we're proud that this robust curriculum will be available for free on our platform. We believe that all students deserve access to this life-changing curriculum, and we're excited to empower educators with engaging content that will have lasting impacts on their students' lives."

April is Financial Literacy month; to begin personal finance education with your students today, click here to access these free NGPF lessons on Nearpod.

About Nearpod

Nearpod offers an interactive, instructional platform that merges formative assessment and dynamic media for live and self-paced learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Nearpod is a device-agnostic platform that engages students with activities such as VR Field Trips, PhET simulations and Desmos, and features more than 15,000 ready-to-run interactive lessons, videos and activities created in partnership with leading brands like Common Sense Education and Smithsonian. In 2019, Nearpod acquired Flocabulary, a learning platform that engages students in academically rigorous K-12 curriculum while promoting literacy through hip-hop videos. Together, Nearpod and Flocabulary reach educators in the 100 largest school districts in the US. In 2018, Nearpod was named EdTech Digest's Company of the Year. In March of 2021 Nearpod was acquired by Renaissance, a global leader in assessment, reading and math solutions for pre-K-12 schools and districts. To learn more about Nearpod, visit www.nearpod.com . For more information about Renaissance, visit www.renaissance.com .





About Next Gen Personal Finance

Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), has become the "one-stop shop" for more than 60,000 educators looking for high-quality, engaging personal finance curriculum to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future. NGPF's curriculum has a broad reach, with more than 8 out of 10 U.S. high school students attending schools where a teacher uses the NGPF curriculum. NGPF invests in teacher professional development with live virtual sessions, certification courses and asynchronous On-Demand modules. The non-profit has been recognized by Common Sense Education as a "Top Website for Teachesr to Find Lesson Plans" and "Best Business and Finance Games."

Media Contact

Christine Yoo

[email protected]

SOURCE Next Gen Personal Finance
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ecology Center published a new report, Toxic Inequities; How an Outdated Standard Leads to Toxics in Low-Cost Children's Car Seats, indicating an upward trend in the number of car seats free of flame retardants and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but many are still cost-prohibitive due to an antiquated U.S. flammability standard. Full report is available at https://www.ecocenter.org/healthy-stuff

Children's Car Seat Product Rankings, 2022

In their 2022 study, the Ecology Center's Healthy Stuff Lab tested 25 car seats, including three from the European Union, from 11 different brands for flame retardants and PFAS. Four of the car seats came bundled with matching strollers, which were also tested.

U.S. car seat companies have made significant achievements in reducing children's exposure to toxic chemicals in the last five years. In 2016 there were no flame retardant-free children's car seats available. Today there are over 40 such models from eight different brands.

"We are encouraged that so many companies have voluntarily made car seats without flame retardants, but the most affordable car seats still contain these chemicals, pointing to the need to update federal guidelines," said the Ecology Center's Senior Scientist Gillian Miller, PhD.

Companies add flame retardants to car seats as a cost-effective way to meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) outdated flammability standard which was created in 1970 largely in response to fires started by cigarettes.

"In my 40 years on the Boston Fire Department, I have responded to hundreds of car fires and hundreds of vehicle accidents. In my experience, supported by statistics, vehicle fires seldom are started by cigarettes, and seldom start in seating material. Putting flame retardants in seating would appear to provide no meaningful safety benefit to an occupant and we are unnecessarily exposing children and firefighters to hazards," stated Joseph (Jay) Fleming, member of the Boston Fire Department and Boston Local 718 for more than 40 years, including 25 years as a Deputy Chief and 18 years as a Field Deputy.

Maxi-Cosi is one car seat company that has risen to the challenge of innovating flame retardant-free car seats and offers the most affordable convertible car seat on the market. "Maxi-Cosi PureCosi Car Seats are able to meet the flammability standard through the use of premium fabrics and higher density foams. These materials are more costly than those that meet with flame retardant additives," said Tim Edwards, Senior Manager of Lab and Regulatory Compliance for the Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc, the producer of Maxi-Cosi car seats. "Lower price point car seat brands would be challenged to maintain their competitive position with the use of those premium materials."

Federal regulators have not been able to show a meaningful safety benefit from requiring compliance with the federal flammability standard. The Ecology Center, along with the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), fire fighters and dozens of environmental health organizations have issued a letter urging NHTSA and the Department of Transportation to update its federal flammability standards and have started a petition on change.org .

There are currently no infant or convertible car seats sold in the U.S. selling for less than $120 that are both flame retardant-free and PFAS-free. The report concludes that parents and families looking for the most affordable children's products are largely bearing the brunt of toxic chemical exposure.

"Parents shouldn't have to strap their child into a car seat that exposes them to toxic chemicals," said Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute. "Car seats are critical for child safety, which makes this health inequity especially problematic. It's urgent that the Transportation Department update the ineffective standard that causes this problem."

Four of the tested U.S. seats were found to contain likely PFAS, chemicals added to make the seat pad resistant to water and stains. The Ecology Center urges all companies to eliminate PFAS from their products.

The Ecology Center reminds parents that child car seats are required by law and are absolutely essential for crash safety. Please, always install and use a car seat for a child, regardless of any chemical concerns.

Media Contact:

Jeff Gearhart

734-945-7738

[email protected]

SOURCE Ecology Center
MINNEAPOLIS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual announced today that six of the company's wealth advisors are among Minnesota's elite according to a new "Best-In-State" ranking from Forbes. The prestigious list  comprised of high-performing financial services professionals  is based on a variety of factors including revenue produced, assets under management, compliance records and industry experience, among others.

Honorees are nominated by their firms, and each advisor is thoroughly vetted, interviewed, and assigned a ranking by SHOOK Research. Forbes receives more than 30,000 applicants for this annual ranking, and only a small percentage are named among the best wealth advisors in their state. Over 100 of the honorees are Northwestern Mutual advisors from around the country  the company's best-ever showing on the annual ranking.

The Minnesota-based Northwestern Mutual advisors recognized in Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State ranking include:

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 90 on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
CHICAGO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual announced today that 10 of the company's wealth advisors are among Illinois' elite according to a new "Best-In-State" ranking from Forbes. The prestigious list  comprised of high-performing financial services professionals  is based on a variety of factors including revenue produced, assets under management, compliance records and industry experience, among others.

Honorees are nominated by their firms, and each advisor is thoroughly vetted, interviewed, and assigned a ranking by SHOOK Research. Forbes receives more than 30,000 applicants for this annual ranking, and only a small percentage are named among the best wealth advisors in their state. Over 100 of the honorees are Northwestern Mutual advisors from around the country  the company's best-ever showing on the annual ranking.

The Illinois-based Northwestern Mutual advisors recognized in Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State ranking include:

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 90 on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
INDIANAPOLIS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual announced today that nearly 10 of the company's wealth advisors are among Indiana's elite according to a new "Best-In-State" ranking from Forbes. The prestigious list  comprised of high-performing financial services professionals  is based on a variety of factors including revenue produced, assets under management, compliance records and industry experience, among others.

Honorees are nominated by their firms, and each advisor is thoroughly vetted, interviewed, and assigned a ranking by SHOOK Research. Forbes receives more than 30,000 applicants for this annual ranking, and only a small percentage are named among the best wealth advisors in their state. Over 100 of the honorees are Northwestern Mutual advisors from around the country  the company's best-ever showing on the annual ranking.

The Indiana-based Northwestern Mutual advisors recognized in Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State ranking include:

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 90 on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
DENVER, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual announced today that seven of the company's wealth advisors are among Colorado's elite according to a new "Best-In-State" ranking from Forbes. The prestigious list  comprised of high-performing financial services professionals  is based on a variety of factors including revenue produced, assets under management, compliance records and industry experience, among others.

Honorees are nominated by their firms, and each advisor is thoroughly vetted, interviewed, and assigned a ranking by SHOOK Research. Forbes receives more than 30,000 applicants for this annual ranking, and only a small percentage are named among the best wealth advisors in their state. Over 100 of the honorees are Northwestern Mutual advisors from around the country  the company's best-ever showing on the annual ranking.

The Colorado-based Northwestern Mutual advisors recognized in Forbes' 2022 Best-In-State ranking include:

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With more than $570 billion in combined company and client assets, $34 billion in revenues, and $2.1 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to nearly five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 90 on the 2021 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2022.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual
Google now links search results directly to records of print books in hundreds of libraries using WorldCat data

DUBLIN, Ohio, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OCLC and Google are working together to link directly from books discovered through Google Search to print book records in the catalogs of hundreds of U.S. libraries. This feature is part of Google's ongoing effort to connect people to their local libraries through Google Search.

The initial phase of this new program connects people using Google Search to the catalogs of hundreds of U.S. libraries whose books are cataloged in WorldCat, a worldwide database of information about library collections, and made available for discovery on the web. The program is expected to expand to more libraries and connect to more library resources in the future.

"People use Google to search the web billions of times every day," said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO. "OCLC and Google are working to ensure that the rich collections of libraries are part of their everyday search for knowledge and information. This new program offers a direct link from Google Search results to books held in libraries near them. It's a significant step forward to bring local library collections closer to people through a simple search."

These links to library catalogs can be found in several different displays of Google Search results for specific books, including under "Get" or "Borrow" the book options in the knowledge panel, or within Google Books previews.

More than 500 million records representing 3 billion items held in libraries have been added to the WorldCat database since its inception since 1971. Libraries cooperatively contribute, enhance, and share bibliographic data through WorldCat, connecting people to cultural and scholarly resources in libraries worldwide.

OCLC has worked with Google for more than 13 years to increase access to information in libraries on the web. Currently, people using Google Search can access results from WorldCat.org, the website where anyone can search the collective collections of libraries and find what they need in a library close to them. This new initiative links from Google Search results directly to records of print books in academic, public, and cultural heritage institution libraries near the user.

OCLC member libraries included in this program receive expanded Google visibility as a benefit of existing OCLC subscriptions. Inclusion requires that eligible libraries maintain current WorldCat holdings and accurate address and catalog link information in the WorldCat Registry.

More about OCLC's web visibility program is on the website at oc.lc/visibility.

About OCLC

OCLC is a nonprofit global library organization that provides shared technology services, original research, and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning, research, and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the most comprehensive global network of data about library collections and services. Libraries gain efficiencies through OCLC's WorldShare, a complete set of library management applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It is through collaboration and sharing of the world's collected knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff, and partners make breakthroughs possible.

SOURCE OCLC
Construction has also commenced at Odd Burger's Brampton, ON location at 9055 Airport Road, Building J Unit 7 and is expected to be completed by Summer 2022. The Brampton location is situated near major highways such as the 410, 407 and 427, as well as near big-box retailers, grocery stores, and gyms.

In additon, permits for the Odd Burger Toronto East location at 731 Broadview Avenue will soon be resubmitted, after the landlord has agreed to rectify structural difficiencies with the building.

Completion of these new locations will bring the chain's total number of operational stores to nine.

"These new locations are a great addition to the GTA and to continuing our presence in Southwestern Ontario," said James McInnes, Odd Burger co-founder and CEO. "As we begin expanding throughout North America to become a global brand, we are still seeing tremendous demand locally, and the potential for expansion into new communities here."

Odd Burger's new locations follow the successful model of compact footprints optimized for fast service, takeout and delivery, affordability, and simplified employee training. Odd Burger smart kitchens feature modern on-demand cooking technology, online ordering, self-checkout kiosks, and cashless transactions. For images of store interiors, menu items, and more please visit https://oddburger.com/pages/press-1.

Odd Burger creates, manufactures, and distributes its own proprietary plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives such as burgers, "ChickUn," sausage, and mac and cheese to make plant-based eating as affordable, mainstream, healthy, and satisfying as it gets.

Follow Odd Burger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oddburgerfastfood

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oddburger

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oddburgerfastfood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oddburgerfastfood

About Odd Burger Corporation

Odd Burger Corporation is a chain of company-owned and franchised vegan fast-food restaurants as well as a food technology company that manufactures and distributes a line of plant-based protein and dairy alternatives under the brand Preposterous Foods to foodservice channels. Odd Burger restaurants operate as smart kitchens, which use state-of-the art cooking technology and automation solutions to deliver a delicious food experience to customers craving healthier and more sustainable fast food. With small store footprints optimized for delivery and takeout, advanced cooking technology, competitive pricing, a vertically integrated supply chain along with healthier ingredients, Odd Burger is revolutionizing the fast-food industry by creating guilt-free fast food. Odd Burger Corporation is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ODD, on the OTCQB under ODDAF, and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under IA9. For more information visit https://www.oddburger.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements that relate to among other things, the Company's strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to: general business and economic conditions (including but not limited to currency rates); changes in laws and regulations; legal and regulatory proceedings; and the ability to execute strategic plans. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Odd Burger Corporation
STAMFORD, Conn., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- O'Donnell Learn +ISG , the learning experience company, and MERLOT , the open educational resource collection, are teaming up for an exclusive collaboration to support instructors in activating affordable learning content. This is an extension of the partnership between the two organizations that aligns with their missions of providing affordable and humanized learning solutions that are faculty and student-centric.

Leveraging the abundant resources from MERLOT and SkillsCommons OER library and O'Donnell Learn+ISG's instructor services and technology platform, Nectar, the partnership will provide purposeful faculty support to identify resources and implement them into their courses in a way that makes sense and adds value to the learning experience.

O'Donnell Learn+ISG will offer an affordable, fee-based service for MERLOT members and users which will include:

Personalized & on-demand support

Affordable learning resources

Expert instructional design

Support from O'Donnell Learn+ISG through the Nectar program will appropriately contextualize the content for the specific instructor, course, region, and student population. Matt Gurney , O'Donnell Learn+ISG's Senior Vice President of Strategy and Product Innovation, sees this as an opportunity to provide humanized, inclusive, and engaged learning to a global community of instructors. "Through humanized navigation of the MERLOT and SkillsCommons libraries, we'll be able to provide structured support to ease the discovery of the resources specific to instructors' needs - whether that be finding resources to supplement existing content or develop new content - to help instructors purposefully activate that content in their courses in a meaningful and contextualized way."

Gerry Hanley , Executive Director of MERLOT & Skills Common, is thrilled to be able to present this exclusive offer to his members and users. "We are now able to offer affordable one-on-one personalized support from experienced and specialized learning design experts that will help faculty implement their vision for their courses effectively and efficiently. Collaboratively assisting faculty to design ways they reuse, revise, remix, retain, and redistribute free and open educational resources will help fulfill the promise of OER and customize the learning resources to meet the learners' needs."

Representatives from MERLOT and O'Donnell Learn+ISG will be on hand to share more details on this exclusive offer at the MERLOT booth during the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Innovate 2022 Conference in Dallas, TX April 12-14, 2022.

About O'Donnell Learn + ISG:

O'Donnell Learn + ISG is the data driven Learning Experience Company that delivers a people centric set of solutions that meet the demands of modern learners and educators. Their technology powered managed services are delivered in a purchasing model that's flexible, accessible, and predictable for today's institution. O'Donnell Learn + ISG is uniquely positioned to help improve learning experiences at scale. For more information, please visit www.odlearn.com .

About MERLOT

The Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching is an international cooperative providing free and open access to an online library of instructional resources and open educational services enabling learning for all. MERLOT's organization and services connect higher education systems, consortiums, and institutions, professional societies and organizations of academic disciplines, corporations, and individual members to form a community of people who strive to enrich the teaching and learning experiences with technologies. To learn more, please visit https://www.merlot.org/ .

CONTACT

Stefanie Scott

O'Donnell Learn

[email protected]

203-973-0635

SOURCE O'Donnell Learn
Over a quarter (29%) even report continued pressure from their management to come into the office while sick during the pandemic 1 and almost half (47%) admit to knowingly not following hygiene protocols. 1 These findings are striking as America returns to the office against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey, conducted in March 2022, underscores the importance of an effective and well-enforced office hygiene program to protect and inspire confidence among employees. Key findings include:

Workers feel positive about returning to the office  but germ concern persists:

87% feel anxiety about having a physical meeting in a confined space such as a conference room 1 and 28% avoid communal areas altogether. 1

and 28% avoid communal areas altogether.

30% are much more concerned with catching a cold or flu in the office now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. 1

Workers feel that their companies' hygiene programs leave room for improvement:

Only 32% feel their company's health and safety measures are excellent. 1



Nearly half the office workers (43%) believe that their office's hygiene protocols could be better enforced. 1



Only 25% say their office is cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day. 1

Workers want control over hygiene:

58% want their employer to provide them with disinfectant sprays and wipes to enable them to protect themselves at work. 1



Only 40% state their employer is providing or planning to provide disinfectant sprays and wipes for protection. 1

Attitudes towards workplace hygiene are changing but need to evolve further:

29% still feel pressure from their boss to come into the office when sick 1  and 31% of all respondents report doing so. 1

 and 31% of all respondents report doing so.

A worrying 47% do not follow the hygiene protocols put in place by the employer. 1

Dr. Lisa Ackerley, Director, Medical and Scientific Engagement, Hygiene, at Reckitt's Lysol Pro Solutions, comments:

"After two years of remote and hybrid working, many Americans are eager to return to the office. However, our survey shows that many office workers feel that their employer could do more  both in terms of implementing hygiene protocols that help to protect them, and providing them with the education and products to protect themselves in the workplace.

"The office environment  where groups of people share spaces  can be a major source for virus and bacterial transmission  not just COVID-19. Germs typically spread via hands to and from surfaces such as keyboards and work surfaces, particularly when people are hot-desking. In addition, offices contain many other shared items and surfaces such as door handles, bannisters, photocopiers, meeting room tables and kitchen surfaces and equipment. Disinfection is key to helping break the chain of germ transmission via these surfaces. This must be combined with good hand hygiene and encouraging employees to stay home when sick.

"While employers should protect their employees when they are in the office, the survey shows that employees also want to do more to protect themselves and their co-workers. A comprehensive office hygiene program should encourage employees to get involved in helping prevent the spread of germs.

"Combined together, these measures can make a real difference not only to improving cleanliness but also showing that the company is nurturing a culture of care for its employees."

Employers can turn to specialists such as Lysol Pro Solutions to help them take the appropriate measures to protect their staff from the spread of germs on surfaces in the office. Lysol Pro Solutions has drawn on its deep understanding of how people move and interact within a space  with a focus on high touch, high traffic areas within those spaces  to create solutions to protect people outside of the home.

Complemented by Reckitt's science expertise and world-renowned research on illness-causing pathogens, Lysol Pro Solutions' programs successfully incorporate enhanced measures for protection and science-based training on when, how and what products to use to clean, disinfect and create protected spaces.

For more information about Lysol Pro Solutions, any of its partners, to arrange an interview, or to obtain Lysol Pro Solutions assets, please contact:

Lysol Pro Solutions press team

E: [email protected]

T: 917-412-6009

ABOUT LYSOL PRO SOLUTIONS

Reckitt's Lysol Pro Solutions harnesses the power of Lysol to help protect businesses and public spaces from the spread of germs. In today's world, consumers have increased hygiene expectations which makes germ-protection more critical than ever. The comprehensive approach from Lysol Pro Solutions incorporates science-backed protocols and training, EPA-approved Lysol products and Lysol branded marketing materials and signage. Lysol Pro Solutions empowers businesses to demonstrate to their staff and customers a commitment to providing a trusted standard for protection.

ABOUT RECKITT

Reckitt* is driven by its purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We fight to make access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment a right, not a privilege, for everyone. Reckitt is proud to have a stable of trusted household brands found in households in more than 190 countries. These include Enfamil, Nutramigen, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Clearasil, Lysol, Dettol, Veet, Harpic, Cillit Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Calgon, Woolite, Air Wick and more. 20 million Reckitt products a day are bought by consumers globally.

Reckitt's passion to put consumers and people first, to seek out new opportunities, to strive for excellence in all that we do, and to build shared success with all our partners, while doing the right thing, always is what guides the work of our 40,000+ diverse and talented colleagues worldwide. For more information visit www.reckitt.com/us.

*Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies

1 Survey conducted by Suzy in March 2022 and commissioned by Lysol Pro Solutions. It received 954 responses from office workers across the US with an equal male/female split.

2 Positive emotions chosen by respondents included: satisfied, content, happy, calm, relaxed, excited and delighted.

SOURCE Reckitt
NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm and business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC) today announced it has acquired a minority stake in Blue Orange Digital, a data science, machine learning, and data visualization firm.

"We have worked with Blue Orange Digital on several projects and have been very impressed with their technical abilities," said Vivek Sen, a Partner with Oliver Wyman and Americas Head of Digital. "Our Digital practice is rapidly growing and investing in Blue Orange Digital will allow us to help our clients optimize and automate their businesses faster and more efficiently."

Josh Miramant, CEO and founder of Blue Orange Digital said, "Oliver Wyman is a leader in the consulting world and we are proud to partner with them and help deliver data science solutions to their clients."

Working together, Oliver Wyman and Blue Orange Digital will help clients unlock the power of data and advanced analytics to generate new sources of value and modernize their data environments.

In the past six months, Oliver Wyman has made several strategic investments. The firm acquired Huron's life sciences strategy consulting practice in November. In February Oliver Wyman acquired Azure Consulting, a premium boutique management consulting firm with offices in Perth and Melbourne. Earlier this month, the firm entered into an agreement to acquire Booz Allen Hamilton's management consulting business serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

About Blue Orange Digital

Blue Orange Digital is a data science, machine learning, and data visualization firm that works with businesses to implement data-driven analytic techniques derived from statistical modeling and data science. Blue Orange Digital has a team of passionate data engineers, PhDs, data scientists, and visualization experts.

About Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in more than 70 cities across 29 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialized expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organization transformation. The firm has more than 5,000 professionals around the world who work with clients to optimize their business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate their organizational performance to seize the most attractive opportunities. Oliver Wyman is a business of Marsh McLennan [NYSE: MMC]. For more information, visit www.oliverwyman.com. Follow Oliver Wyman on Twitter @OliverWyman.

SOURCE Oliver Wyman
Black youth are almost 6X more likely to drown than White children

PORTLAND, Ore., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KEEN, Inc. (KEEN), the global footwear brand on a mission to make outside inclusive and accessible to all, today announced its "Making Waves" partnership with Outdoor Afro , the nation's foremost not-for-profit organization celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature, and the YMCA , the leading U.S. nonprofit committed to strengthening communities. The national program, which aims to impact 100,000 Black youth and their caregivers over the next 10 years, launches with an awareness and fundraising campaign highlighting the alarming statistic that Black children are nearly 6X more likely to die from drowning than white kids, according to the CDC . A limited edition Outdoor Afro x KEEN sandal collection releases April 12 in support of the program and is designed to increase attention while helping to raise funds for Swimmerships, scholarships for swimming lessons happening primarily at YMCAs.

"These alarming statistics demanded action," said Rue Mapp, founder, and CEO of Outdoor Afro. "We need to stop the drownings and give kids confidence in and around the water. It's about saving lives and enabling stronger connections to our waterways and the outdoors. This is an important step in the right direction. We are most grateful that our partner of a decade, KEEN, has supported Making Waves for the last three years, and are excited that the YMCA is adding its strength to the effort. It's great to see this all coming together."

Outdoor Afro created Making Waves in 2019 with KEEN and the YMCA first supporting a pilot program in New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Phoenix in 2021. The expanded partnership will now help Outdoor Afro grow in key markets across the country in 2022. Kids and their caregivers may sign up for Swimmerships on Outdoor Afro's website beginning this summer. Each Swimmership provides a new swimmer with a full swim course of 8-10 lessons. Swim lessons take place at local YMCA's and select community pools. Individuals may sponsor a swimmer on Outdoor Afro's website . $10 = a lesson, $100 = a Swimmership, $1,000 funds a full class.

"The statistics speak for themselves," says Erik Burbank, vice president of the KEEN Effect. "We're proud to be supporting Outdoor Afro on this movement, and it's really motivating to have the YMCA joining the effort. Having a partner that can help us scale the program over time reinforces our ability to create change and have a significant effect on this issue."

"As the nation's largest and best-in-class provider of swim lessons, the Y has decades of experience working to address and eliminate the disparities associated with swimming," noted YMCA of the USA Director of Movement Engagement, Innovative Priorities & Aquatics Safety Lindsay Mondick. "This initiative is what the Y is all aboutmaking meaningful impact on communities and creating connective learning opportunities for alland our expertise around water safety and drowning prevention makes this partnership a perfect fit."

The YMCA over the years has worked to increase participation in swimming among Black children and reduce drowning rates in those and other communities of color. Through public service campaigns, inspiring storytelling across multiple platforms, and partnering with the CDC to explore and analyze the barriers that Black/African American families face with swimming, the Y has made a difference in these areas. The YMCA's commitment is to help all children become strong, confident swimmers and reduce water-related injuries in every community.

The Outdoor Afro x KEEN sandal collection features artwork from Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Leandra Taylor. Taylor has been an inspiration, teacher, and friend to kids hungry to learn about the outdoor experience. Her art is incorporated in silhouettes for the whole family, including Newport H2 for men; Astoria West for women; Newport H2; and Stingrays for kids. The collection will be available on keenfootwear.com and at retailers across the U.S., as well as select retailers in Canada, Europe, and Japan. One percent of all sales will go to fund new Swimmerships. To learn more or to sign up for a Swimmership, please visit .

Go to outdoorafro.com , www.ymca.org and www.keenfootwear.com/the-keen-effect/ for additional information.

SOURCE KEEN, Inc.
"Welcoming Prosperity Capital and Ramaj Balley to the PMG family of brands is a distinct honor and pleasure," said Sarah Gonzalez, PMG President, and COO. "Without question, together they embody our mission to empower purpose-driven leaders and their teams to achieve their personal and professional goals."

Prosperity Capital Mortgage is a full-service mortgage lender serving Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Reno, and Sacramento with plans to expand throughout the country. The company's mission is to serve and create opportunities for its customers, referral partners, local communities, and work family through homeownership.

PMG will serve as an entrepreneurial partner by providing key infrastructure and support to Prosperity Capital. Specifically, PMG's wide-ranging core platforms, including human resources, finance, technology, legal and compliance services, will be leveraged by Prosperity Capital to help realize its long-term strategic vision. The company becomes one of several prominent mortgage companies under the PMG umbrella of recognized brands.

Balley will lead the company in its commitment to engage with communities, including through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, first responders, the military and local school districts. He also plans to empower local branches to identify integral causes to support in their communities. "We're a company with a heart, soul and passion for helping the communities we serve," said Balley. "Our vision and core philosophy are uniquely aligned with PMG's, that's why we know they are the right partner at the right time."

Balley has earned a reputation as an innovative industry thought leader and entrepreneur. Prior to joining Prosperity Capital, he helped grow an early-stage company from 12 to 5,500 employees with $35 billion in annual production, making it one of the nation's largest, privately held independent mortgage companies. In addition, he worked with a core team to start a new company with a corporate tech platform that was scaled and sold to a top hedge fund. Balley most recently served as senior vice president with national mortgage lender Hamilton Home Loans during a time of unprecedented growth.

Balley was also recently accepted into the Mortgage Bankers Association's Executive Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) program. This is the MBA's highest designation in the industry symbolizing respect, credibility, ethics, and achievement within real estate finance.

About Panorama Mortgage Group

Panorama Mortgage Group (PMG) is a multi-brand national mortgage company that began in 2007. PMG originated from Alterra Home Loans, whose mission is to increase family wealth through homeownership for first-time Hispanic homebuyers. Having grown to over $1.3B in annual originations, Alterra was voted by Mortgage Tech Magazine as one of the top tech-savvy companies and recognized by the Hispanic Business magazine as one of the fastest-growing Hispanic businesses. In 2019, PMG grew its mission-driven focus by adding two new brands: Legacy Home Loans, which focuses on increasing the extremely low black homeownership rate in America, and Inspiro Financial, a joint venture between PMG and one of the country's largest real estate firms. Its core platform is to partner with exceptional mortgage leaders and grow brands that are both strategically focused and mission driven.

SOURCE Panorama Mortgage Group
DENVER, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Platte River Equity ("Platte River") is pleased to announce the sale of Vertical Supply Group ("VSG" or the "Company") to Gridiron Capital, LLC ("Gridiron Capital"). VSG is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and direct retailer of work-at-height products for professional and recreational users requiring solutions that enhance safety, performance and ergonomics.

"It has been a great partnership with Tripp and the entire VSG team," said Peter Calamari, Platte River Managing Director. "We believe it is the right time to bring in a new partner to help take the company to the next level but are excited to be retaining an ongoing stake in the business."

"We are proud of the many milestones we have achieved during Platte River's ownership," said Tripp Wyckoff, CEO of VSG. "We have known the Gridiron Capital team for a number of years and are excited to move forward with them given their track record and PPE sector expertise."

BlackArch Partners served as the lead financial advisor to VSG and Platte River, and Canaccord Genuity served as co-advisor. Bartlit Beck LLP served as legal counsel to Platte River. Gridiron Capital was advised by EC Mergers & Acquisitions and Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP on the partnership.

About Platte River Equity

Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies in targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes conservative capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant on-going support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas.

The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.3 billion and is currently investing out of its $625 million fourth fund. Platte River's employees are the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.

About Vertical Supply Group

Founded in 1960 and based in Greensboro, NC, VSG is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and direct e-commerce retailer of arborist tools, rescue and fall protection equipment. Arborists, climbers, technical rescue, and other work-at-height professionals, depend on VSG's ropes, technical equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment ("PPE") to work safely, efficiently, and comfortably high above the ground. VSG boasts an impressive brand portfolio, including Notch Equipment, Sterling Rope, Atlantic Braids, and Rope Logic. The Company is also the exclusive Americas importer and distributor for Silky Saws.

Contact

Brian P. Klaban

Director of Business Development & Debt Capital Markets

Phone #: +1 303 292 7317

Email: [email protected]

Lauren A. Metz

Business Development Senior Associate

Phone #: +1 303 292 7321

Email: [email protected]

https://platteriverequity.com/

SOURCE Platte River Equity
TAMPA, Fla., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Primo Water Corporation (NYSE: PRMW) (TSX: PRMW) (the "Company" or "Primo"), a leading provider of sustainable drinking water solutions direct to consumers in North America and Europe, today announced that the Company will release its first quarter ended April 2, 2022 financial results before the markets open on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Primo will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers:

First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call

North America: (888) 664-6392

International: (416) 764-8659

Conference ID: 27455088

This is a live, listen-only dial-in telephone line.

Webcast for First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call

A live audio webcast will be available through the Company's website at www.primowatercorp.com. The webcast will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for two weeks following the event.

2022 Annual Meeting of Shareowners

The Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareowners will be held solely by remote communication, in a virtual-only format on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The meeting can be accessed by shareowners at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2022 using the control number on their proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.

Technicians will be ready to assist you with any technical difficulties. Please call the technical support number that will be posted on the meeting login page at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2022 if you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during check-in or during the meeting. Primo Water Corporation has designed the format of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareowners to ensure that shareowners are afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting and to enhance shareowners' access, participation and communication through online tools.

Guests can listen to the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PRMW2022, but only shareowners may communicate or vote at the meeting.

At the meeting, shareowners will be asked to receive the financial statements for the year ended January 1, 2022 and the report on those statements by Primo's independent registered certified public accounting firm, elect directors, approve the appointment of Primo's independent registered certified public accounting firm, hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, and transact any other business that properly may be brought before the meeting and any adjournment of the meeting.

The meeting will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for two weeks following the event.

ABOUT PRIMO WATER CORPORATION

Primo Water Corporation is a leading pure-play water solutions provider in North America and Europe and generates approximately $2.1 billion in annual revenue. Primo operates largely under a recurring razor/razorblade revenue model. The razor in Primo's revenue model is its industry leading line-up of sleek and innovative water dispensers, which are sold through retailers and online at various price points. The dispensers help increase household penetration which drives recurring purchases of Primo's razorblade offering. Primo's razorblade offering is comprised of Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. Through its Water Direct business, Primo delivers sustainable hydration solutions across its 22-country footprint direct to the customer's door, whether at home or to businesses. Through its Water Exchange and Water Refill businesses, Primo offers pre-filled and reusable containers at over 13,000 locations and water refill units at approximately 22,000 locations, respectively. Primo also offers water filtration units across its 22-country footprint representing a top five position.

Primo's water solutions expand consumer access to purified, spring, and mineral water to promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle while simultaneously reducing plastic waste and pollution. Primo is committed to its water stewardship standards and is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in North America as well as with Watercoolers Europe (WE), which ensure strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection.

Primo is headquartered in Tampa, Florida (USA). For more information, visit www.primowatercorp.com.

SOURCE Primo Water Corporation
To understand more about Market Dynamics. Download our FREE sample report

According to the recent market study by Technavio, the Reflective Materials Market size is expected to increase by USD 7.14 billion from 2021 to 2026, with an accelerated CAGR of 5.05%. The report provides a detailed analysis of drivers & opportunities, top winning strategies, competitive scenarios, future market trends, market size & estimations, and major investment pockets.

Vendor Insights-

The reflective materials market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The key offerings of some of the vendors are listed below:

3M Corp. - The company offers reflective materials under the brand name Scotchlite.

Find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings. Download Free Sample Report

Regional Market Outlook

The reflective materials market share growth in APAC will be significant during the forecast period. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. China, Japan, and India are the key markets in the region. The thriving construction and automobile industries will facilitate the reflective materials market growth in APAC over the forecast period.

Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries.

Latest Drivers & Trends in the Market-

Reflective Materials Market Driver:

Growing construction industry:



In China , the transition of the economy into a consumer- and services-driven economy has provided opportunities for new types of construction in healthcare, education, social infrastructure, retail, and other consumer end-markets. In India , the construction market will grow almost twice the rate of China during the forecast period. Similarly, southern parts of the US are expected to be the key contributors to the construction industry due to factors such as the growing population. Thus, the growing construction industry will drive the reflective materials market growth during the forecast period.

Reflective Materials Market Trend:

Increasing demand for fire-resistant reflective tapes:



Fire-resistant reflective tapes have unique designs that can handle the heat. These tapes enhance safety by improving visibility in low-light conditions and extreme weather conditions. They contain fluorescent materials and provide daytime and low-light visibility of protective clothing.

Find additional information about various other market Drivers & Trends mentioned in our FREE sample report .

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Here are Some Similar Topics-

Surface Disinfectants Market by Type, Product, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Reactive Adhesives Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Reflective Materials Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.05% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 7.14 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.75 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 46% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, India, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled 3M Corp., Asian Paints Ltd., Avery Dennison Corp., Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material Co. Ltd, Coats Group PLC, Daoming Optics and Chemical Co. Ltd, Daoming Reflective Material India Pvt. Ltd., HJ Corp., Huangshan Xingwei Reflectorized Material Co. Ltd., Jinsung Corp., JRC REFLEX ITALIA S.r.l., Magna Colours Ltd, Nippon Carbide Industries Co. Ltd., ORAFOL Europe GmbH, Paiho Group, Reflectionight Inc., REFLOMAX Co. Ltd., SKC hi-tech and marketing Co Ltd., Unitika Ltd., Viz Reflectives, and Yeshili NEW Materials Co. Ltd Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Application

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Application

5.3 Coatings - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Coatings - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Coatings - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Coatings - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Coatings - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Fabrics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Fabrics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Fabrics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Fabrics - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Fabrics - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Sheets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 37: Chart on Sheets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Sheets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Chart on Sheets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Sheets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Paints and inks - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 41: Chart on Paints and inks - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Paints and inks - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Chart on Paints and inks - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Paints and inks - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 45: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 49: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 50: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 52: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

6.3 Construction - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on Construction - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Construction - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on Construction - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Construction - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Automobiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 58: Chart on Automobiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 59: Data Table on Automobiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Chart on Automobiles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Automobiles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Textiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on Textiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Textiles - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on Textiles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Textiles - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Electronics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 66: Chart on Electronics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Electronics - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 68: Chart on Electronics - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Electronics - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 70: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 71: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 72: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 74: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 75: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 76: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 79: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 84: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 88: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 96: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 99: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 100: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 101: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 102: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 103: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 104: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 105: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 107: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 108: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 109: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 110: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 111: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 112: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 113: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 114: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 115: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.13 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 116: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 117: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 118: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 119: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.14 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 120: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 121: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 122: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 123: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 124: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 125: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 126: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 3M Corp.

Corp. Exhibit 127: 3M Corp. - Overview

Corp. - Overview

Exhibit 128: 3M Corp. - Business segments

Corp. - Business segments

Exhibit 129: 3M Corp. - Key news

Corp. - Key news

Exhibit 130: 3M Corp. - Key offerings

Corp. - Key offerings

Exhibit 131: 3M Corp. - Segment focus

11.4 Asian Paints Ltd.

Exhibit 132: Asian Paints Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Asian Paints Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Asian Paints Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Asian Paints Ltd. - Segment focus

11.5 Avery Dennison Corp.

Exhibit 136: Avery Dennison Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Avery Dennison Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Avery Dennison Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 139: Avery Dennison Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Avery Dennison Corp. - Segment focus

11.6 Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material Co. Ltd

Exhibit 141: Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material Co. Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 142: Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material Co. Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 143: Changzhou Hua R Sheng Reflective Material Co. Ltd - Key offerings

11.7 Coats Group PLC

Exhibit 144: Coats Group PLC - Overview



Exhibit 145: Coats Group PLC - Business segments



Exhibit 146: Coats Group PLC - Key offerings



Exhibit 147: Coats Group PLC - Segment focus

11.8 Daoming Optics and Chemical Co. Ltd

Exhibit 148: Daoming Optics and Chemical Co. Ltd - Overview



Exhibit 149: Daoming Optics and Chemical Co. Ltd - Product / Service



Exhibit 150: Daoming Optics and Chemical Co. Ltd - Key offerings

11.9 Nippon Carbide Industries Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 151: Nippon Carbide Industries Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Nippon Carbide Industries Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Nippon Carbide Industries Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

11.10 ORAFOL Europe GmbH

Exhibit 154: ORAFOL Europe GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 155: ORAFOL Europe GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 156: ORAFOL Europe GmbH - Key offerings

11.11 Paiho Group

Exhibit 157: Paiho Group - Overview



Exhibit 158: Paiho Group - Business segments



Exhibit 159: Paiho Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Paiho Group - Segment focus

11.12 Viz Reflectives

Exhibit 161: Viz Reflectives - Overview



Exhibit 162: Viz Reflectives - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: Viz Reflectives - Key offerings

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 164: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 165: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 166: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 167: Research methodology



Exhibit 168: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 169: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 170: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library 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/

SOURCE Technavio
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ResourceWise, the newly formed parent company of Forest2Market, Fisher International and Tecnon OrbiChem, has acquired Wood Resources International (WRI). WRI is the publisher of Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ), a market report that tracks log, wood chip, lumber, and pellet prices on a global basis.

Effective immediately, the company will be known as Wood Resources International, a ResourceWise company. Hakan Ekstrom, Wood Resources International's President, will join the ResourceWise team. Terms of the acquisition, which became effective March 31, 2022, were not disclosed.

ResourceWise is a group of companies that provide data, analytics, and market insight to natural resource-based commodity markets. Currently serving the global forest products and chemical value chains, the company's mission is to expand into other commodity markets as well.

"The addition of WRI to the ResourceWise family supports our long-term objective to be the leading source of data and analytics platforms to a range of global commodity markets," said Pete Stewart, the CEO of ResourceWise. "With the acquisition of WRI, ResourceWise gains not only Ekstrom's more than 30 years of global forest products industry experience, but also wood fiber price data for more than 20 countries over the course of 25+ years. This data will augment the data that Forest2Market has collected in North America for 22 years, and Ekstrom's expertise will allow us to more robustly cover the analytics and consulting needs of our customers worldwide."

"I am looking forward to contributing my experience tracking global wood prices and forest products trade to the unmatched analytical expertise and data resources at ResourceWise," says Ekstrom. "International trade of forest products and wood raw materials are steadily increasing, which underscores the need for up-to-date and reliable market intelligence. Merging WRI's extensive database of global wood prices with ResourceWise's databanks and business intelligence platform positions the expanded company to be the leading source of insights in international wood product markets."

WRI joins Forest2Market and Fisher International in ResourceWise's data-driven vertical market services for the forest products value chain.

About ResourceWise

ResourceWise was founded in 2021 as a parent brand for a group of companies that provide data, analytics and insights to the forest products, pulp & paper, and chemicals industries. Our intention is to serve additional industries in the natural resources space in the future with value chain optimization and sustainability-support services. For more information, visit www.resourcewise.com.

About Wood Resources International

Wood Resources International LLC (WRI), established in 1987, is an internationally recognized forest industry consulting firm that specializes in evaluations of global forest resources, wood raw-material markets (logs, wood chips and biomass), forest products trade, wood costs outlook, and forest industry developments worldwide. In addition to consulting work, our company has tracked global wood prices through two wood market price reports, updated quarterly since the 1980's. For more information, visit www.woodprices.com.

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

https://news.cision.com/wood-resources-international-llc/r/resourcewise-expands-its-wood-fiber-pricing-globally-with-acquisition-of-wood-resources-internationa,c3545588

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Wood Resources International LLC
Asphalt Shingles from PABCO Roofing Products

Centerpiece of Roofing Project in Philippines

TACOMA, Wash., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Demonstrating that the market for superior quality roofing craftsmanship and materials is truly worldwide, a project recently completed by Roofloor Enterprises Corp. in the Philippines won an Honorable Mention award from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). Roofloor Enterprise Corp., based in the Philippines, won the award for its for its expert management on the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodge roofing project, which included asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products.

Located outside of Quezon City in the Philippines, Roofloor Enterprises Corporation is a roofing contractor as well as an importer and distributor of quality roofing and flooring materials. The award-winning project  Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges  is a master-planned development of lodge-style log homes, situated on an 82-hectare property. At an elevation of 5,300 feet, the development is typically battered by eight or more tropical storms every year.

Aesthetically, the roof styles incorporated into the development reflect the upscale designs of the residences. The roof of each home features a 21 to 35 degree slope. The meticulous work of Roofloor Enterprises accentuates the roof's ridge and chimney, gradually connecting to dormers that crown each porch. The clean design of the roof work, as well as the graceful look of the asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products, results in clean, elegant rooftops that complement each structure and the community as a whole.

"The quality, aesthetics, and durability of the asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were the absolute right solution for Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges," stated Glenn Laquiores Jr., President, Roofloor Enterprises Corp. "Winning this honor from ARMA is testament to the quality of the product and the quality of the installation."

The ARMA Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards Program recognizes contractors who choose asphalt to install beautiful, high-performing roofing systems. The Roofloor Enterprise project was selected from more than 80 entries from six different countries, submitted to ARMA this year. Entries were judged by a panel of industry experts and members of the trade media.

"Roofloor Enterprises is setting a standard, demonstrating that asphalt roofing materials are an ideal solution for projects around the globe," stated Lori Jerome, brand manager, PABCO Roofing Products. "Because of the vision of Roofloor Enterprises, this project is a testament to the durability of our shingle products, even in the harshest tropical environments."

The Premier line of asphalt shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were used in the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges project. The shingles from PABCO Roofing Products were supplied to Roofloor Enterprises by R.M. Waite Company, based in Walnut Creek, Calif.

"Demand for PABCO Roofing shingles, especially the unique Cascade shingle, is growing worldwide," stated Maureen Russell, President and CEO, R.M. Waite Co. "The ability to export outstanding product like PABCO asphalt shingles to international markets demonstrates the quality and value U.S.-based manufacturers are delivering in the building-products sector."

About PABCO Roofing Products

Since 1984, PABCO Roofing Products has been creating best-in-class roofing materials for its customers. The company stands apart by offering its clients a full range of premium products with the personalized service of a trusted local business. PABCO Roofing Products is a family-focused company that truly values its relationships and delivers a quality product and exceptional service each and every time. PABCO Roofing Products is a division of PABCO Building Products which services the building industry in the western United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.pabcoroofing.com, Facebook, Houzz, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.

SOURCE PABCO Roofing
Entertaining in Style: Nancy Astor and Nancy Lancaster

Friday April 22 at 6 pm EST in New York City (also available to rent Zoom recording)

Reception & book signing following

Two American-born women and cousins, politician Nancy Astor and interior designer Nancy Lancaster transformed 20th-century British culture with their inspiration in creating the English country house style, as well as their gracious and sophisticated method of entertaining. Their descendants, designer Jane Churchill and photographer Emily Astor will discuss their relatives and show previously unseen family photographs from Cliveden, Nancy Astor's country house as well as several homes owned by Nancy Lancaster.

Spirit of England: Gin's Intoxicating History

Tuesday, April 26 at 2 pm EST. Zoom webinar available live and rental

Ian Cox, Lecturer and Historian

From James Bond's Vesper Martini to the classic summer G&T, Gin is arguably England most famous spiritnow transformed with modern mixology and small batch gin distilleries. The history of the beverage is a rollicking tale involving the British aristocracy and Parliament, class warfare, the consumption of millions of barrels, the deaths of thousands, and more!

Other upcoming events include:

Noble Ambition: The Fall and Rise of the English Country House after WWII

Tuesday, May 3 at 2 pm EST. Zoom webinar available live and rental

Adrian Tinniswood OBE, Noted author

Spitalfields: From Huguenots to Hipsters

Online Walking Tour led by Mark Rowland, London historian and tour guide

Wednesday, May 11 at 2 pm EST. Zoom webinar available live and rental

A Heaven on Earth: William Morris's Kelmscott Manor Revisited

Tuesday May 24 at 2 pm EST. Zoom webinar available live and rental

Jeremy Musson, FSA, Historian and Author

Isle of Wight: England in Miniature

Online Walking Tour led by Rob Smith, tour guide

Wednesday, June 1 at 5pm EST. Zoom webinar available live and rental

For ticket prices and more upcoming events visit https://www.royal-oak.org/events/spring-2022/

SOURCE The Royal Oak Foundation
The market is driven by the increasing demand for rugged tablets from the defense sector. The armed forces operate in extreme and harsh environments and hence require devices that are manufactured to endure physical damage such as drops and vibrations. This is increasing the use of rugged devices such as rugged tablets in the defense sector. These devices allow military personnel to easily access information on a real-time basis over a secure network. Besides, the defense sector across the world is rapidly evolving with the adoption of the latest mobility technologies and solutions. This has further increased the demand for rugged tablets, thereby driving the growth of the market.

As per Technavio, the growing preference for feature-rich devices will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2022-2026.

Rugged Tablet Market: Growing preference for feature-rich devices

Technological advancements across construction, manufacturing, and logistics segments have increased the demand for rugged devices that come with additional features. This is encouraging vendors in the market to incorporate additional features to attract end-users. For instance, some vendors have started to offer rugged devices backed with built-in barcode scanners and RFID readers. This ensures easier data acquisition during heavy machinery maintenance and efficient tracking. Many such advancements are expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Get highlights on the other major factors influencing the growth of the market. Request a Free Sample Report Now

Rugged Tablet Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the rugged tablet market by technology (fully-rugged tablets, semi-rugged tablets, and ultra-rugged tablets), OS (Windows, Android, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

The North American region led the rugged tablet market in 2021, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa respectively. During the forecast period, North America is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to the increasing adoption of the latest technologies in industrial defense sectors. Also, the growth of the logistics and retail sectors in the region is contributing to the growth of the rugged tablet market in North America. The US is the key market for rugged devices in North America. The market growth in the region will be slower than the growth of the market in APAC and South America.

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Request a free sample report

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

Related Reports:

Rugged Equipment Market by Product, End-user, and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Rugged Display Market by Ruggedness, Application, and Geography Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Rugged Tablet Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.29% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 307.39 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.03 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key consumer countries US, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., DT Research Inc., Emdoor information Co. Ltd., Getac Technology Corp., Handheld Group AB, Honeywell International Inc., HP Inc., JLT Mobile Computers AB, Leonardo Spa, Micro Star International Co. Ltd., MilDef Group AB, MobileDemand Corp., NEXCOM International Co. Ltd., Panasonic Corp., S and T AG, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., STMicroelectronics NV, Trimble Inc., and Zebra Technologies Corp. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by OS



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Technology



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by OS

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 25: Chart on OS - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 26: Data Table on OS - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by OS

Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by OS



Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by OS

5.3 Windows - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 29: Chart on Windows - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Data Table on Windows - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Chart on Windows - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 32: Data Table on Windows - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Android - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 33: Chart on Android - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Data Table on Android - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Chart on Android - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 36: Data Table on Android - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 37: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 38: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Market opportunity by OS

Exhibit 41: Market opportunity by OS ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Technology

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 42: Chart on Technology - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Technology - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Technology

Exhibit 44: Chart on Comparison by Technology



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Comparison by Technology

6.3 Fully-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 46: Chart on Fully-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Fully-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Fully-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Fully-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Semi-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on Semi-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Semi-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on Semi-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Semi-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Ultra-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 54: Chart on Ultra-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 55: Data Table on Ultra-rugged tablets - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Chart on Ultra-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 57: Data Table on Ultra-rugged tablets - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Technology

Exhibit 58: Market opportunity by Technology ($ million)

7 Customer Landscape

7.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 59: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 60: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 62: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 63: Data Table on Geographic comparison

8.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 64: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 65: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 66: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 68: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 72: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 76: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 80: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 84: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 85: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 86: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 87: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 88: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 92: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.11 South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 96: Chart on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 97: Data Table on South Korea - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Chart on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 99: Data Table on South Korea - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.12 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 100: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 101: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 102: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 103: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

8.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 104: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 105: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

9.4 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 106: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 107: Overview on factors of disruption

10.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 108: Impact of key risks on business

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 109: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 110: Matrix on vendor position and classification

11.3 ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Exhibit 111: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 112: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 113: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Key offerings

11.4 Dell Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 114: Dell Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 115: Dell Technologies Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 116: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 117: Dell Technologies Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 118: Dell Technologies Inc. - Segment focus

11.5 DT Research Inc.

Exhibit 119: DT Research Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 120: DT Research Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: DT Research Inc. - Key offerings

11.6 Getac Technology Corp.

Exhibit 122: Getac Technology Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 123: Getac Technology Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 124: Getac Technology Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 125: Getac Technology Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Getac Technology Corp. - Segment focus

11.7 Handheld Group AB

Exhibit 127: Handheld Group AB - Overview



Exhibit 128: Handheld Group AB - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Handheld Group AB - Key news



Exhibit 130: Handheld Group AB - Key offerings

11.8 Honeywell International Inc.

Exhibit 131: Honeywell International Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 132: Honeywell International Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 133: Honeywell International Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 134: Honeywell International Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Honeywell International Inc. - Segment focus

11.9 HP Inc.

Exhibit 136: HP Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: HP Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: HP Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 139: HP Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: HP Inc. - Segment focus

11.10 Leonardo Spa

Exhibit 141: Leonardo Spa - Overview



Exhibit 142: Leonardo Spa - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Leonardo Spa - Key news



Exhibit 144: Leonardo Spa - Key offerings



Exhibit 145: Leonardo Spa - Segment focus

11.11 MilDef Group AB

Exhibit 146: MilDef Group AB - Overview



Exhibit 147: MilDef Group AB - Product / Service



Exhibit 148: MilDef Group AB - Key offerings

11.12 MobileDemand Corp.

Exhibit 149: MobileDemand Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 150: MobileDemand Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: MobileDemand Corp. - Key offerings

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 152: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 153: Exclusions checklist

12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 154: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 155: Research methodology



Exhibit 156: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 157: Information sources

12.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 158: List of abbreviations

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus 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.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
On April 12, Dallas-Fort Worth Guests Get Their First Taste of Customizable Convenient Smoothies

DALLAS, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smoothie King , the leading provider of health and fitness smoothies for 50 years, announces the launch of its new smoothie subscription, Nourish Daily , which allows guests to create custom smoothies in their kitchen. Smoothie King, a trailblazing brand, was the first smoothie chain to practice Clean Blends. Clean Blends is a promise to offer the purest ingredients to blend a more nutritious smoothie from the bottom of the cup up, a commitment extended into the creation of Nourish Daily.

"With 50 years of smoothie-making expertise, we know what blends well and tastes good together," said Rebecca Miller, chief marketing officer of Smoothie King. "Nourish Daily saves our guests time, money and effort by giving them great-tasting purposeful smoothies straight from their freezer to blender to cup."

Nourish Daily focuses on offering elevated options that other smoothie subscriptions do not, such as customization, convenience and compact packaging. The brand's website guides guests to build their smoothie subscriptions based on individual health and lifestyle goals.

Custom

Nourish Daily offers 12 'purpose powders' including keto-friendly protein, muscle-building, vegan and immune support. The subscription allows guests to mix and match their selection of purpose powders with ten different ingredient blend options such as Wild Berry, Strawberry Pineapple and Veggie Mango to curate a truly customized smoothie experience.

To create a custom smoothie, you combine the 'purpose powder,' ingredient blend and preferred liquid (e.g., water, milk, or juice) in a blender. No ice is required. Just blend and pour, making it simple to enjoy delicious smoothies at home that supports a healthy and active lifestyle.

Convenient

Nourish Daily does the backend work for its guests by providing clean ingredients, customized recipes and free scheduled delivery through its online website. It takes the hassle out of sourcing smoothie ingredients, saves time going to and from the grocery store and takes the guesswork out of creating good-tasting recipes.

Smoothie subscriptions are delivered with the convenience of choosing the date and time of the delivery, eliminating time spent tracking shipments or sitting unattended for an extended period. Alternatively, guests can pick up their smoothie subscription in-store at their nearest Smoothie King location .

Compact

Nourish Daily comes in flat, space-saving and recyclable packaging to avoid bulky containers that take up too much freezer space. The smoothie subscription is available in quantities of seven ($6.99 per smoothie), 14 ($6.29 per smoothie), or 21 ($5.29 per smoothie).

ABOUT NOURISH DAILY

Nourish Daily with Smoothie King is a smoothie subscription launched exclusively in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on April 12. Nourish Daily provides customizable purpose-driven smoothies in space-saving recyclable packaging with the convenience of free scheduled delivery. To learn more, follow us on Instagram or Facebook. To build a smoothie subscription, please visit nourishdailysk.com .

SOURCE Nourish Daily
NEW YORK, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Inc. announced today that Daniel Yergin has been appointed Vice Chairman of the company following the completion of its merger with IHS Markit. He will serve as a member of the leadership team and report directly to S&P Global President and CEO Doug Peterson. Previously Vice Chairman of IHS Markit, Yergin's appointment became effective at the close of the merger.

"Daniel Yergin's strong track record as an award-winning author and highly respected authority on energy, international politics and economics make him a tremendous addition to our leadership team," Peterson said. "I am pleased to welcome him as Vice Chairman and look forward to his insights on key issues related to the global economy."

"I am honored to serve as Vice Chairman of S&P Global following the combination with IHS Markit to form what will be an extraordinary firm under Doug Peterson's leadership," Yergin said. "S&P Global already plays a unique and vital role across the global economy, and it is a privilege to join the leadership team as the company continues to evolve its role in providing essential data and analytics to the markets."

A renowned author and historian, Yergin's latest book is entitled The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations. His book The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil Money and Power was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and became a number one New York Times best seller that has been translated into 20 languages. He is also the author of the bestseller The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World and co-author of Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy. Both The Prize and Commanding Heights were made into award-winning television documentaries for PBS and BBC, which Dr. Yergin co-produced, co-wrote and helped narrate.

Dr. Yergin is co-founder and chair of CERAWeek  presented by S&P Global  which is regarded as the world's preeminent energy conference. Dr. Yergin served on the U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board under four U.S. Presidents. He is a director of the Council on Foreign Relations and a trustee of the Brookings Institution and serves on the Energy Advisory Council of the Dallas Federal Reserve.

Dr. Yergin is on the Advisory Boards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative and the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy. He is a member of the Energy Governors of the World Economic forum, the India Petroleum Ministry's Think Tank, and the U.S. National Petroleum Council.

Dr. Yergin holds a BA from Yale University, an MA from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, where he was a Marshall Scholar. He has received honorary degrees from Dartmouth College, the Colorado School of Mines, the University of Houston, and the University of Missouri.

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world.

We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.

Contact:

Ola Fadahunsi

+1 332-210-9935

[email protected]

Jeff Marn

+1 202-560-0776

[email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global
The popular American eatery signed its 8th Lease to open in the NoMaCNTR development in 2023

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ted's Bulletin , DC's iconic all-day neighborhood eatery, is expanding to the emerging NoMa neighborhood at its newest mixed-use development, NoMaCNTR at the intersection of First St, NE and L St, NE. NoMa marks Ted's 8th location. This is the next step in Steve Salis', the founder and CEO of Salis Holdings and the Catalogue network of consumer brands, plan to further expand the classic modern American breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening restaurant. Ted's currently has 6 locations across the region with the 7th location at Ashburn's One Loudoun also opening by early 2023.

Situated on the ground level of the NoMaCNTR development with easy access to two major metro stations, the 5,170 sq. ft. Ted's Bulletin is conveniently located among a variety of retail, office and residential spaces, providing an ideal gathering place for the rapidly growing neighborhood. The all-day menu at NoMa will include fan favorites such as Jon's Omelet, Original Breakfast Burrito, Ted's Tart Pancakes and Ted's Ultimate Breakfast Sammy, along with lunch and dinner must-haves such as the Ted's Burger, Grilled Cheese and Ted's Tomato Soup, Nashville Hot Chicken and Short Rib Pot Roast. NoMa will have an extensive pastry and coffee selection curated by award-winning Culinary Director Vincent Griffith and Ted's celebrated cocktails, wines and beers.

"NoMa is a special place to me as it's where I first planted my roots when I moved to DC about 10 years ago," says Steve Salis. "I always felt the neighborhood had so much potential. We look forward to anchoring the community and having guests discover Ted's as a place to gather and celebrate their Every Day."

Salis is responsible for the recent growth of Ted's Bulletin and the repositioning of the business, which included updating the look and feel of the spaces with new design elements, re-invigorating the branding and driving menu innovation while staying true to the Ted's classics that people know and love. Salis has led the charge on the expansion and launch of other Catalogue brands including Federalist Pig , the two-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner BBQ joint; Kramers bookstore, bar and all-day eatery; Sidekick Bakery , a sweet, savory and everything-in-between bakery; Honeymoon Chicken , which has quickly become the best fried chicken in the region; and Ensemble, a tech-enabled delivery and takeout hub for the Catalogue brands.

Ted's Bulletin NoMa is slated to open during the first half of 2023. Visit the Ted's Bulletin website and follow along on social @tedsbulletin for the latest updates.

About Ted's Bulletin

Ted's Bulletin is your go-to destination to savor the every day, from morning to night. Whatever the celebration, Ted's takes a creative and contemporary approach to classic American dishes and cocktails. Open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the team at Ted's invites you to celebrate your every day. With six locations across DC, MD and VA, including 14th Street, Capitol Hill, Downtown Crown, Merrifield, Reston and Ballston Quarter, Ted's makes every neighborhood feel like home. Ted's classics are also available at Ensemble Digital Kitchen in Bethesda for those who want a taste of the full Catalogue roster of restaurant offerings under one roof.

About Catalogue

Catalogue is a network of brands by its owner Steve Salis of Salis Holdings, which includes some of today's most magnetic consumer brands like Ted's Bulletin, Kramers, Federalist Pig, Sidekick Bakery, Honeymoon Chicken and Ensemble Kitchen. Each concept is a local favorite defined by its own unique character and cult following. As diverse as they are, they share one thing in common; these brands elevate the every day. Catalogue is driven by a belief that the modern consumer deserves better. That's why these brands take the things people love and make them the best they can possibly be through great product, design, and experiences at an approachable price point.

Media Contacts

Bullfrog + Baum

Lily Stearns

[email protected]

SOURCE Salis Holdings
TORONTO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (the "Company" or "Sun Life") (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) has been notified that Obatan LLC ("Obatan") has made another unsolicited "mini-tender offer" to purchase common shares of Sun Life at a price that is significantly lower than recent market prices for Sun Life shares on Canadian and U.S. stock exchanges.

Sun Life is not associated with Obatan and does not recommend or endorse acceptance of this unsolicited offer. Shareholders are not required to sell their shares to Obatan.

Sun Life cautions that Obatan's most recent offer has been made at a price that is significantly lower than recent market prices for Sun Life shares. This offer represents a discount of 35.7% below the closing price of Sun Life's common shares on the TSX and NYSE on April 7, 2022. Obatan has offered to purchase up to 50,000 common shares of Sun Life.

Securities administrators in Canada and the United States recommend that investors exercise caution with "mini-tender offers". Mini-tender offers are designed to avoid disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. Canadian Securities Administrators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities.

The SEC has indicated that "bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price."

According to Obatan's offer documents, Sun Life shareholders who have already tendered their shares can withdraw their shares at any time before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on May 31, 2022 by following the procedures described in the offer documents. Shareholders are cautioned that the terms of the Obatan offer may be varied, and the cash consideration offered may be decreased. In such a case, shareholders who have already tendered to the offer may have limited notice of such change and limited time to withdraw their shares from the offer. There are also no assurances that Obatan will buy the shares delivered under the offer.

Obatan has also made other discounted offers to Sun Life's shareholders in the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information on these offers, please visit: https://www.sloc.co.uk/en/latest-news/warning-on-obatan-llc-mini-tender-offer-/

Shareholders and policyholders should carefully review the Obatan offer documents, consult with their Sun Life advisor or investment advisor to discuss any offer they may receive and review all options they have for their investment in Sun Life shares. If you are in Canada and do not have a Sun Life advisor and are interested in finding one, please visit www.sunlife.ca/en/find-an-advisor/.

If you received your Sun Life shares as a result of demutualization of Sun Life or Clarica and would like to sell your shares, you may be eligible to do so through the Sun Life Share Selling Service. Under this service, shares are sold by TSX Trust Company on your behalf at market price, as opposed to the significantly discounted price offered by Obatan.

Sun Life has stock transfer agents providing shareholder services in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the Philippines. These local agents provide services directly to our registered shareholders and can provide information on share account management, direct deposit of dividends, dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans. Please email [email protected] or call 1-877-224-1760 for more information.

If you were not aware that you own Sun Life shares, please contact [email protected] to verify your ownership and understand your options on dealing with your shares. You can also visit www.verifymyeligibility.com/SunLife, our online search tool to determine if you have unclaimed shares and dividends.

Sun Life requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to Obatan's mini-tender offer for Sun Life common shares.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.44 trillion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars

Media Relations Contact:

Krista Wilson

Director

Corporate Communications

T. 226-751-2391

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Yaniv Bitton

Vice-President, Head of Investor

Relations & Capital Markets

T. 416-979-6496

[email protected]

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.
Personal injury verdict reported as largest in Grayson County history

SHERMAN, Texas, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Accomplished Texas personal injury attorney Jason B. Stephens of Fort Worth-based Stephens Law won a $15.6 million wrongful death verdict for the family of a plumber who was killed when a metal flagpole he was attempting to move touched an overhead electric line.

Mr. Stephens represented the family of Kiley Russell in the three-day trial heard in the 59th District Court in Sherman, Texas. Jurors deliberated for one day before returning the verdict against Dallas-based Monticello Asset Management Inc., which operates the River Ranch Apartments in Sherman.

The award included $10.5 million for Mr. Russell's widow and two minor sons based solely on their past and future loss of companionship and mental anguish. The jury also awarded approximately $5.1 million to two of Mr. Russell's coworkers who were severely injured in the same incident. They were represented by attorneys Bill Kennedy and Joan Ballard of Bill Kennedy Law in Denison, Texas. According to VerdictSearch, the jury's verdict is the largest ever for a personal injury case in Grayson County.

During the trial, Mr. Stephens presented evidence that Mr. Russell and the other two workers were replacing a water main at the River Ranch apartment complex when a flagpole they were attempting to move touched an overhead power line. The resulting blast killed Mr. Russell and severely injured the other two workers.

Even though the apartment complex owners had directed the flagpole to be installed next to the overhead power lines and next to the water main, they claimed that the three workers and their employer were responsible for what happened. After Mr. Stephens presented evidence that the owners had previously moved the same flagpole and another one nearby, the jury instead assessed 50 percent responsibility against Monticello Asset Management.

"Juries don't like it when companies take shortcuts and put profits over safety, which is exactly what we saw in this case," says Mr. Stephens. "As a result, two little boys lost their daddy, and their mom lost the love of her life. Hopefully, this verdict will help ensure that Kiley is remembered in the hearts of all those who knew him and whose lives he touched."

The case is Jackson Wells, et al. v. Monticello Asset Management Inc., No. CV-18-0027, 59th District Court, Grayson County, Texas.

For more than two decades, experienced Fort Worth attorney Jason Stephens and Stephens Law have represented people from all walks of life in serious personal injury cases, wrongful death claims, and truck accidents involving significant injuries. Mr. Stephens is known as a caring, compassionate and relentless advocate for his clients in every case he handles. To learn more about the firm and how they may be able to help you, visit www.stephenslaw.com.

SOURCE Stephens Law
Premier event for open source developers and community contributors will feature visionary speakers offering insights on a range of topics: WASM, Cloud Native Computing, Diversity, Community Leadership, Linux and more.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation , the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today announced the first round of keynote speakers taking the stage at Open Source Summit North America , June 21-24, in Austin, TX and virtually.

Open Source Summit North America is the premier event for open source developers, technologists, and community leaders to collaborate, share information, solve problems, and gain knowledge, furthering open source innovation and ensuring a sustainable open source ecosystem. It is a conference umbrella comprising 14 events covering the most important technologies and topics in open source including Linux, Embedded Systems, Supply Chain Security, AI + Data, Cloud, Community Leadership, OSPOs, Software Vulnerabilities, Diversity, IoT, Critical Systems, Containers and more.

2022 Keynote Speakers Include:

Alena Analeigh , Founder, Brown STEM Girl

, Founder, Eric Brewer , Vice President of Infrastructure, Google

, Vice President of Infrastructure, Matt Butcher , Chief Executive Officer, Fermyon Technologies

, Chief Executive Officer, Taylor Dolazel , Head of Ecosystem, Cloud Native Computing Foundation

, Head of Ecosystem, Melissa Evers , Vice President and General Manager of Software/Ecosystem Strategy, Intel Corporation

, Vice President and General Manager of Software/Ecosystem Strategy, Amy Gilliland , President, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)



, President, Orion Jean , TIME 2021 Kid of the Year, Author and Kindness Activist

Author and Kindness Activist Todd Moore , Vice President - Open Technology and Developer Advocacy, CTO DEG, IBM

Vice President - Open Technology and Developer Advocacy, CTO DEG, Melissa Smolensky , Vice President, Corporate Marketing, GitLab



, Vice President, Corporate Marketing, Linus Torvalds, Creator of Linux & Git in conversation with Dirk Hohndel , Founder, DH Consulting

Creator of & in conversation with , Founder, Chris Wright , Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Red Hat

The full schedule of sessions will be announced on April 21, with additional keynotes also being announced in the coming weeks.

Registration (in-person) is offered at the early price of $850 through April 26. Registration to attend virtually is $25. Members of The Linux Foundation receive a 20 percent discount off registration and can contact [email protected] to request a member discount code.

Applications for diversity and need-based scholarships are currently being accepted. For information on eligibility and how to apply, please click here . The Linux Foundation's Travel Fund is also accepting applications, with the goal of enabling open source developers and community members to attend events that they would otherwise be unable to attend due to a lack of funding. To learn more and apply, please click here .

Health and Safety

In-person attendees will be required to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and will need to comply with all on-site health measures, in accordance with The Linux Foundation Code of Conduct . To learn more, visit the Health & Safety webpage.

Event Sponsors

Open Source Summit North America 2022 is made possible thanks to our sponsors , including Diamond Sponsors: Google and IBM, Platinum Sponsors: Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Intel and Red Hat, and Gold Sponsors: Camunda, Checkmarx, Coder, Dell Technologies, GitLab, InfluxData, Kubecost, Styra and Whitesource. For information on becoming an event sponsor, click here or email us .

Press

Members of the press who would like to request a press pass to attend should contact Kristin O'Connell .

About the Linux Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 2,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit linuxfoundation.org .

The Linux Foundation Events are where the world's leading technologists meet, collaborate, learn and network in order to advance innovations that support the world's largest shared technologies.

Visit our website and follow us on Twitter , Linkedin , and Facebook for all the latest event updates and announcements.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Kristin O'Connell

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Linux Foundation
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and American Jewish Committee (AJC) Project Interchange (PI) are partnering to further enhance Black-Jewish ties across the United States by expanding collaboration between American and Israeli universities.

The highlight of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations is an annual delegation to Israel for presidents and other leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Participants will be selected by TMCF and AJC Project Interchange to foster collaboration between Israeli universities and the 47 institutions of higher learning in the TMCF network. The first cohort of HCBU Presidents and Chancellors will travel to Israel in July.

AJC Project Interchange has hosted many delegations of American college and university chancellors and presidents since 1982. The visits have led to important exchange programs, collaborative research projects and other initiatives mutually beneficial to U.S. and Israeli institutions of higher learning.

"Experiencing Israel's diverse, democratic society first-hand is vitally important to understand the country's achievements and challenges," said AJC Project Interchange Director Nisha Abkarian. "The HCBU Presidents and Chancellors visits will be designed to support capacity building, gain a deeper understanding of Israel's importance to the Jewish community, and to explore the potential for academic and research partnerships with their counterparts in Israel."

"We are excited that our member schools will be able to learn about the incredible research and development initiatives in Israel, especially the agricultural and technology advancements," said Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams, who signed the AJC-TMCF MOU with AJC CEO David Harris. "We look forward to our HBCUs partnering with world-class Israeli institutions, to expand their capacity to prepare HBCU students for future careers."

TMCF has a history of success supporting nearly 300,000 students who attend Historically Black Institutions (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) and creating pathways to economic mobility through degree attainment and lucrative careers. Since its founding in 1987, TMCF has awarded more than $300 million in scholarships for students and boasts a 97% graduation rate for students in its programs.

Project Interchange is an educational institute of American Jewish Committee which brings opinion leaders and policymakers to Israel for intensive, one-week travel study programs. Since its founding in 1982, Project Interchange has connected 6,000 leaders from all walks of life and 120 countries to Israel.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee
SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A Santa Monica jury leveled a $52.3 million verdict last week against a truck driver and his employer, Phenix Transportation, for causing a devastating roadway collision that left a 17-year-old man with a life-altering, traumatic brain injury.

The plaintiff, Joshua Hernandez, suffered catastrophic injuries on June 14, 2017, while traveling as a passenger in a vehicle broadsided by the Phenix Transportation freight truck at an intersection in Southgate, CA.

At trial, the defense did not dispute liability that showed the truck driver was negligent when he slammed into Hernandez's car while driving southbound on Long Beach Boulevard.

Court testimony focused primarily on the long-term medical needs of Hernandez, who will require full-time nursing care, rehabilitation programs, and various medical equipment for the rest of his life.

"In a split second, this young man's life changed forever. We are grateful that the jury recognized the profound nature of his injury and the extensive care he will need to live the most productive life possible in his situation," said plaintiff attorney William D. Shapiro.

The civil trial lasted one week, and the jury rendered its verdict of $52,997,896.67 on April 7, 2022.

William D. Shapiro is the founding partner of The Law Offices of William D. Shapiro.

The main office is located in Southern California, just east of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire area, and offices in Orange County. The firm has limited its practice to specializing in handling, litigating, and trying severe personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from negligent driving and other negligent conduct, defectively designed or manufactured products, and dangerous conditions of public and private property. The firm handles cases in California and throughout the country.

Media Contact:

Gina Fernandes

[email protected]

Source: Law Offices of William D. Shapiro

SOURCE Law Offices of William D. Shapiro
Bentley University's undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022, and will be the university's first on-campus commencement celebrations in three years. More than 1,700 students will receive diplomas and will be joined by their families, friends and members of the university community.

"The Class of 2022 undergraduate and graduate students have traveled a long and winding road to reach commencement," said Bentley President E. LaBrent Chrite. "Despite the unimaginable challenges of the pandemic, they endured and succeeded. I'm so glad we will have the chance to celebrate them as we bring this important tradition back to our campus."

During the respective ceremonies, Mosley and Reynolds will receive honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degrees. Undergraduate students will receive bachelor's degrees from a variety of business and liberal arts programs that prepare them to be successful leaders who are a force for positive change in their communities, organizations and the world. Graduate students will receive advanced degrees that include a Master's in Business Administration, Master's in Business Analytics and Master's in Accounting.

Mosley created Upward Wealth, which operates as BrightUp, to be an emotionally intelligent financial wellness benefit provider. She believes strongly that everyone deserves to be financially healthy. Mosley is an investor and advisor whose career includes 20 years at Wellington Management Company, a $1 trillion global money management firm, where she was a partner, SVP portfolio manager and investment strategist. She also serves on the boards of leading companies including Draft Kings, Groupon and Eaton Vance. Mosley's career and Upward Wealth's mission reflect Bentley's commitment to using business for good.

Reynolds has more than 30 years of investment and financial services experience and is a member of Putnam Investments' executive board of directors. As president and CEO, he is credited with revitalizing Putnam through strong, sustained investment performance, new products designed for today's market challenges, and thought leadership on the future of retirement and workplace savings. In addition to his roles at Putnam, he is chair of Great-West Lifeco U.S. and is regarded as a driving force of innovation and progress in institutional and retail financial services.

Bentley's 2022 commencement will take place on the university's south campus. The undergraduate ceremony will start at 10 a.m. and the graduate ceremony will start at 2:45 p.m. More details can be found on the Bentley University website: http://www.bentley.edu/commencement.

Bentley University is more than just one of the nation's top business schools. It is a lifelong-learning community that creates successful leaders who make business a force for positive change. With a combination of business and the arts and sciences and a flexible, personalized approach to education, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills that prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. Founded in 1917, the university enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu.

SOURCE Bentley University
- Excellent sales and net profit figures

- Benefit from international stock position and sourcing network

- Scale of company boosting profitability

ZWIJNDRECHT, the Netherlands, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group achieved excellent sales and net profit figures in 2021. The result was positively influenced by an improving market demand and higher material prices. Disruptions in the global supply chain led to material shortages during the year. With its strong international stock position and sourcing network, Van Leeuwen was however able to continue to supply customers with materials.

Van Leeuwen's total sales amounted to  1,431 million in 2021 (2020:  1,178 million). The operating result was  79 million (2020:  15 million) and the net result amounted to  64 million (2020:  9.4 million). Solvency has improved significantly to 40.7% (2020: 36.8%).

At the beginning of 2021, economic conditions were more favorable than expected. The recovering economy led to major supply line disruptions and material shortages worldwide. Prices and delivery times at suppliers increased rapidly. After the summer, shortages became smaller and there was even a limited price decrease for welded pipes. Due to the very rapidly increasing energy prices, prices however increased again, especially for seamless pipes. With its strong international stock position and worldwide sourcing network, Van Leeuwen was able to respond effectively to these developments.

In the Industry segment, market demand in Europe was good, especially in the automotive, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and construction segments. Sales grew significantly throughout Europe, particularly at Van Leeuwen companies in Northern Europe, Central Europe and Switzerland. Despite the globally less favorable market situation in the Energy segment, the Paris office supplied, among other projects, to a large pipeline project in North Africa.

The outlook for 2022 is positive, although some factors remain uncertain. In financial terms, the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia will be relatively limited for Van Leeuwen, given the small size of the activities. It is however unclear what the longer-term effect will be with regard to the availability of materials and overall development of the economy.

Peter Rietberg, Chairman of the Management Board: "In 2021, under exceptional market conditions, result as well as sales records were broken. With the inventiveness and commitment of our international network, we were able to continue to supply our customers with materials. We profit from the extra strength that we gained with the acquisition of Benteler Distribution at the end of 2019. It is difficult to predict how 2022 will unfold. But as a family-owned business with a history dating back almost one hundred years, we know very well how to deal with uncertain and changing market conditions."

Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group

The Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group is an international distribution company specializing in steel pipes, and pipe and tube applications. The family-owned company, with its head office in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands, was founded in 1924 and is active in virtually all industrial sectors. The Group has 75 branches spread across 33 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and North America. Van Leeuwen's 2,400 employees have specialist knowledge of sourcing, processing, project management, logistics and stock planning and work closely together with customers in its markets. The combination of global logistics and knowledge of products and customer applications makes Van Leeuwen a leading company in its markets.

www.vanleeuwen.com

Photos are available via this link .

SOURCE Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group B.V.
Attorneys Johnny Ward, Wes Hill and Andrea Fair among trial team

MARSHALL, Texas, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal jury has awarded biotechnology company Seagen Inc. $41.8 million in a patent infringement lawsuit against Daiichi Sankyo Co. LTD, for infringing a cancer treatment pharmaceutical patent developed by Seagen.

The four-day trial took place in U.S. Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap's courtroom in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Marshall. As part of the verdict, the jury rejected claims by Daiichi Sankyo and co-defendant AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals challenging the validity of Seagen's patent at the heart of the dispute.

Seagen filed the lawsuit in October 2020 for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 10,808,039, which relates to a type of cancer therapy that links chemotherapeutic drugs to antibodies using cleavable amino acid units.

According to the lawsuit, Daiichi used Seagen's patent in its Enhertu medication, earning more than $522 million in sales through the date of trial.

"We worked with an incredible team to show how Seagen's drug technology was willfully infringed and used by the defendant to make millions," said Johnny Ward, co-founder of the firm. "We are proud the jury agreed with our side."

Ward, Smith & Hill attorneys Wes Hill and Andrea Fair completed the local counsel team working with trial attorneys Michael Jacobs, Matthew Chivvis, Bryan Wilson and Matthew Kreeger of Morrison & Foerster, LLP.

To learn more about Ward Smith & Hill's patent litigation practice, visit: http://wsfirm.com/practice-areas/patent-litigation/.

The case is Seagen Inc. vs. Daiichi Sankyo Co., LTD, case number 2:20-cv-00337-JRG, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Marshall.

Longview, Texas-based Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC, has tried more than 350 cases to verdict, earning a national reputation in high-stakes claims involving complex commercial litigation, intellectual property law, oil and gas matters, bad faith insurance claims, and serious personal injury claims. The firm frequently assists lawyers nationwide in complex cases before Texas juries. To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.wsfirm.com.

Media Contact:

Sophia Reza

214-559-4630

[email protected]

SOURCE Ward, Smith & Hill, PLLC
The High-Tech Wisewell Transforms Tap Water into the Highest Quality Delicious Drinking Water, Free of PFAS and Microplastics, While Its App Tracks Your Water Quality

BROOKLYN, N.Y. , April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisewell, the sustainability-driven consumer water technology company revolutionizing how we drink water, is pleased to announce the launch of its Model 1 Wisewell. The sleek Wisewell is the only installation-free water purification technology to convert everyday tap water into delicious drinking water through its proprietary four-step process that removes PFAS (harmful forever chemicals) and microplastics, while also powered by a sophisticated app that allows users to monitor the water quality. Today, it is available to pre-order at Wisewell.com for delivery in July 2022.

Wisewell

The EPA has deemed the state of America's water a crisis: over 200 million Americans have PFAS in their drinking water and nearly 60 million Americans solely rely on bottled water because they cannot trust their tap water. Most consumers are unaware of the existence of PFAS and rarely realize the negative impacts they can have on their health, such as thyroid issues, cancer, or autoimmune disorders.

Wisewell's proprietary Full Spectrum Filtration, an advanced four-step process, efficiently removes harmful forever chemicals, microplastics, and other contaminants using three filters and UV light whereas virtually all installation-free filtration systems use one filter and omit the UV light sterilization process. Once purified, remineralization occurs to give Wisewell water a taste and texture that rivals global leading water brands.

A first for any consumer water technology, Wisewells are equipped with sensors that interface with a mobile app that offers users complete transparency into the quality of their tap water, how hard their filters are working to clean water, and when they need to be reordered. In addition, the app tracks consumers' cost savings against nine leading bottled water brands and their improved carbon footprint from not purchasing bottled water. Further, remote monitoring of each Wisewell can ensure the tap water supply is safe in every community and send alerts if there are concerns so a consumer might take action. The filter subscription program ensures when it's time for new filters, they are automatically delivered to their home and easily replaced with Wisewell's twist and click technology.

Wisewell believes aesthetics matter. Its Model 1 is an elegantly designed unit that works seamlessly in any room. Available in black and white with gunmetal finishes, with the slight touch of a button the Model 1 dispenses cold, hot, and room temperature water.

"Wisewell is the consumer water technology of the future, and we could not be more thrilled to announce its launch," said Wisewell Co-Founder and CEO Sebastien Wakim. "It's a convenient, luxurious unit that consumers will be comfortable displaying in any room in the home, and it's run by an app that shows full transparency of the water you're drinking. The Wisewell's installation-free ease of use and low maintenance is something the market has yet to see."

Wisewell is the most sustainable water technology of its competitors. It entirely eliminates the need for bottled water, combating the 1.5 billion plastic bottles that are purchased daily, which in turn leads to more than 70% ending up in landfills annually. And while traditional under-the-sink water filtration systems waste four liters of water for each liter of drinking water they produce, Wisewell does the opposite: it produces four liters of drinking water with one liter of unsuitable drinking water captured that can be recycled for household chores.

"Over 15 billion gallons of bottled water were sold in the United States last year, leading to tremendous plastic waste and environmental impact," said Sami Khoreibi, Wisewell's Co-Founder and Executive Chairman. "Beyond plastic waste, bottled water is the main leading cause of microplastics found in human bodies, proving to be unsustainable for our health and planet. Wisewell is a complete revolution in water consumption offering a healthy and sustainable solution at the fraction of the cost compared to bottled water."

Wisewell's founding team is composed of multidisciplinary experts merging technology, sustainability, and innovation. Co-Founder and CEO Sebastien Wakim is an expert on technology disruptions. As an early employee of Uber, he successfully launched the service in the Middle East and North Africa regions. Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Sami Khoreibi is a seasoned entrepreneur focused on sustainability and renewable energy. His passion for solutions to climate change blends seamlessly with Wakim's experience in circular economy and technology as the pair brings groundbreaking technology and sustainability through high design to the market.

Wisewell enters a rapidly growing market as water quality diminishes globally. The global market for water purifiers is expected to increase from $52 billion in 2020 to $90 billion by 2025. The global market for bottled water was at $300 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $419 billion by 2026.

About Wisewell:

Wisewell is a sustainability-driven consumer water technology company that is revolutionizing the way water is consumed. Its debut product is the sleekly designed Wisewell, an installation-free unit that transforms tap water into high-quality drinking water that rivals the best brands in taste at less than a third the cost per liter. Wisewell's proprietary four-step Full Spectrum Filtration process effectively removes most known contaminants, including PFAS (forever chemicals) and microplastics, before remineralizing the water for great taste and optimal hydration. Wisewell's secret weapon is its app, which monitors users' tap water quality as well as the state of their filters, automatically ordering replacements and sending a notification when it's time to change them. The app also shows users how much money they've saved on bottled water and calculates their improved carbon footprint. A Wisewell costs $699 per unit, plus $180 for an annual subscription for filters but customers who order their Wisewell before July will receive $100 off their Wisewell and an additional six-month filter subscription for free. Wisewell is committed to providing the cleanest and most delicious drinking water in the most convenient way. Visit www.wisewell.com for more information and to preorder a Founder's Edition, which will ship in July 2022.

Media Contact

Kylie Schwartz

646-650-5432

[email protected]

SOURCE Wisewell
CHICAGO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World Business Chicago, the city's private-public economic development agency, today announces a pilot program to connect small, minority-owned businesses on the South and West-Sides of Chicago with technical assistance and funding opportunities. Led by the agency's Community Impact Team, the Black & Latino Excellence Investment Summit is a multi-phased effort that provides counsel, connections to technical assistance, and ultimately, access to capital.

"Minority-owned businesses have greater challenges navigating the process to secure capital," said LaForce Baker, Vice President, Community Impact, World Business Chicago. "This new program is intended to empower Black and Latino businesses-owners by connecting them directly to technical assistance and sources of capital."

Active program participants comprise 15 locally-based business-owners in the retail and professional service spaces, like Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers looking to expand in Chicago's South and West neighborhoods. "As an African American Woman, I feel that I do not have the same access to capital as most traditional businesses," said Wanda Lewis-Fullmer, co-owner, Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers. "I am excited to partner with World Business Chicago in driving inclusive economic development throughout the city, ensuring we all have access to realizing the proverbial American Dream of business ownership."

In order to be eligible small businesses must be for-profit, Chicago-based, and meet the following criteria:

Operate in the retail, light manufacturing and/or professional services industries;

Over $250,000 in annual revenue;

in annual revenue; Minimum of three years in business; and,

Have identified clear growth and development opportunities requiring capital investment.

"We are excited to participate in this Summit because of the opportunities it provides for us to really interact with participating entrepreneurs, to understand their ambitions, and to work with them to craft the best financing solutions to move them from there they are to where they want to be," said Cheryl Wilson, Managing Director, CIBC US. "We recognize the critical role these small businesses play in their local communities and are pleased to sponsor the Summit to help them gain access to the insights and resources they need to succeed."

The program consists of three phases:

Screenings of interested businesses and entrepreneurs (which occurred in March); One-on-one consulting sessions with technical assistance, business advisors and funders underway now through May; In-person event on June 16, 2022 , when capital commitments will be formally announced and celebrated. Visit worldbusinesschicago.com/investmentsummit.

"Access to capital, technical assistance, and strategic public-private partnerships, such as the Black Latino Excellence Investment Summit, provide minority-owned businesses valuable resources to scale and grow," said SomerCor CEO, Manuel Flores. "We look forward to collaborating with World Business Chicago and other organizations to help build and fulfill the entrepreneurial dream for Black and Latino small businesses on the South and West-Sides."

Presenting sponsors are CIBC and SomerCor; supporting sponsors include Founders First, JPMorgan Chase and Wintrust Financial.

About World Business Chicago & its Community Impact Team

World Business Chicago (WBC) serves a critical role in driving inclusive and equitable recovery throughout the city's 77-neighborhoods. As the city's economic development agency, World Business Chicago leads business acquisition, workforce and talent, community impact and equity, support of our business community and promotion of Chicago as a leading global city. Most recently Site Selection magazine awarded Chicago with the distinction as the No. #1 Top Metro, for the ninth consecutive year, for business expansion and relocation, as covered by Chicago Inno. The WBC Community Impact Team supports equitable economic growth through strategies delineated in Chicago's Recovery Task Force, including the main initiative, INVEST South/West. The Black & Latino Excellence Investment Summit is designed to be an opportunity for Black and Latino business owners to work alongside the City of Chicago and key partners, participating in collective efforts to revitalize our city's South and West Side neighborhoods.

SOURCE World Business Chicago
Cloudbreak Discovery PLC (LSE:CDL) announced a partnership with Ultimate Resources and Masterstroke Investments for a venture exploring for oil and gas in Namibia.

The London-listed company will be the financing partner in the venture which seeks to submit a petroleum development agreement and enter final negotiations for Petroleum Exploration Licence Block 2019.

It anticipates providing a financial guarantee of US$70,000 (53,850) to the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia for the first phase of the exploration programme, and, in return will earn a 20% interest in the Prosper Africa Resources Ltd joint venture company that will be the holding entity negotiating for the block.

Cloudbreak will additionally have the right to participate in all future equity offerings in Prosper for up to 10% of the offering.

"This agreement provides another exciting opportunity in Cloudbreak's diversification strategy into the energy sector, said Kyler Hardy, Cloudbreak chief executive.

The technical and management team we have partnered with has decades of experience in the international energy sector and specifically in the development of early-stage energy opportunities.

We believe there could be significant opportunity across the energy sector for Cloudbreak through the deployment of our project generator model. I look forward to working closely with the team on the ground as we begin to realise the potential."

In Wednesdays statement the company provided some details about Block 2019 which is located in the Waterberg basin, in central northeast Namibia.

It is anticipated that the next steps for exploration will involve the gathering of geophysical data and further delineate the basin to refine targeting of favourable stratigraphy on the exploration license, Cloudbreak said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have rejected calls to resign over their partygate fines yesterday but it was another bad day in the headlines for both.

Predictably opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer led the calls alongside SNP head Nicola Sturgeon but a growing list of Conservative backbenchers unhappy over Johnsons two-and half-year tenure also chimed in.

Tory flag-waver The Telegraph is even questioning how much longer the PM can survive.

Changes in political leadership usually impact the equity markets, with the French Presidential race a perfect example of how just a tighter than expected election can cause jitters, with further volatility of Frances leading index forecasted over the next two weeks by analysts.

Observers said that with the next UK general election two years away, investors and companies shouldnt have to worry too much yet about a change of government.

However, that isnt to say a change in leadership wont have any impact.

Sunaks stock plunged among the public last week following his and his wifes non-dom UK status revelations and seemingly scuppering any chance of him succeeding Johnson even if wanted to.

According to Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, any markets jitters because of political instability are likely to be short-lived.

Any major political developments in the coming days may well cause a short-term reaction on the UK market, but the long-term effects are likely to be minimal, she adds.

Political volatility is nothing new, and thats showing, with the FTSE100 unperturbed by the news of rule-breaking at Number 10.

Of course, any political instability does not translate to policy change, which will hit the markets hardest and for the longest.

It may be the case that whoever is PM probably cant deviate too much over the next two years from existing policies, said Ruth Gregory, senior UK economist at Capital Economics.

I suspect it's the behaviour of central banks, not political instability, that will take centre stage for the financial markets, Gregory added.

The Tory party though is notoriously trigger happy when it comes to the leadership ahead of an election.

Local council polls in May wont be pretty for the government and with Johnson and the Conservative party losing voters every day even if the policies stay the same, whos making them might not.
Its been a rip-roaring time for Europa Oil & Gas, so says chief executive Simon Oddie.

The Europa boss caught up with Katie in the Proactive studio following this mornings half year results which framed a business thats going from strength to strength thanks to a better than expected operating performance at the Wressle field, onshore UK, and a soaring crude oil price.

Oddie highlights that it was an outstanding performance in which revenues quadrupled versus the prior six months and represented the small-cap oilers first profit since 2014.

In the interview, Oddie also discusses Europas larger offshore opportunities which now also includes the Serenity project in the North Sea  following a farm-in agreement last month.
Amte Power PLC made a late (unsuccessful) bid to become Londons best performer with the announcement of a partnership with Sprint Power and Eltrium.

The developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells will work with Sprint Power and Eltrium to accelerate the development of next-generation battery technologies to meet the growing and complex needs of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

The shares were up 22% at 106p, making them the second-best performers in London.

3.30pm: Mosman narrows loss

Mosman Oil and Gas Limited advanced 12% to 0.14p after well-received half-year results.

Revenue in the six months to the end of December 2021 rose 79% to A$745,790 from A$383,138 in the first half of the year.

The net loss narrowed to A$498,940 from a first-half loss of A$708,822.

2.35pm: URU Metals sinks after drilling update

URU Metals Limited, down 23% at 344.5p, was the worst performer in London after drilling results from the Zeb Project, located in Limpopo, South Africa.

URU sold the project in August 2021 to ZEB Nickel, in which is owns a 74.82% interest, so clearly, events at the project will have an impact on sentiment towards the AIM-listed company.

ZEB nickel said a new high-grade gold was discovered at the project, with positive assay results from the remaining five holes in its recently completed Phase 2 drilling programme. These assays have confirmed both the grade and continuity of the nickel mineralisation.

1.40pm: Warpaint London scrubs up well in the first quarter

Warpaint London PLC (AIM:W7L) scrubbed up well after a trading update, with the shares jumping 11% to 138.5p.

The specialist supplier of colour cosmetics said group sales in the first quarter of 2022 were roughly 60% ahead of the same period of last year.

Gross product margin has also improved year-on-year, despite increased costs in the supply chain, particularly in respect of freight.

12.45pm: Diploma trading ahead of expectations

Diploma PLC (LSE:DPLM) was not quite top of the class but doing pretty well, up 8.8% at 2,732p after it said it is trading ahead of expectations.

The seals, controls and life sciences firm said it has enjoyed double-digit percentage underlying growth in the second quarter of its financial year, consistent with the first quarter, although growth is expected to moderate in the second half of the year.

Factoring in recent acquisitions, the company expects to achieve revenue growth of just over 20% this year while the operating margin is tipped to be at the top end of the 18-19% guidance range.

11.50am: Bluebird Merchant Ventures lifted by funding package

The bluebird of happiness visited shareholders of Bluebird Merchant Ventures Ltd (LSE:BMV) this morning as the company announced a funding package.

The shares rose 18% to 2.3p after the Korean focused gold development group secured an additional comprehensive funding package with a professional UK investment company specialising in financing mining and small cap entities listed in the UK.

The funding package comprises an initial debt tranche of US$500,000 payable in two equal tranches in April and May 2022 to catalyse operations on the ground and an option to subscribe for a further 100m shares at a floor price of 2 pence per share over the next twelve months.

10.55am: Feedback receives double Bleepa boost

Feedback PLC (AIM:FDBK) was 8% heavier at 0.729p after winning two more NHS contracts, worth 200,000, for its Bleepa app.

One contract was awarded following a successful pilot and two years of co-development work, which the company said represented the first full-cycle realisation of its pilot-to-contract business model.

The second represents a contract renewal following the success of an initial one-year contract, at a higher value than the initial contract.

10.00am: Hornby set to post really useful profits for second year in a row

Hornby PLC (LSE:HRN) chugged 3.0% higher at 34p after the models and collectibles group said group sales in the first quarter of 2022 were very encouraging.

The first three months of the calendar year form the final quarter of Hornbys financial year and the group was able to confirm it will make a profit in the year just ended for the second year in a row.

Managing supply chains continues to be challenging with extended shipping times from its partner factories and disruptions in UK deliveries into its warehouse due to a lack of drivers and fuel. Electronic components availability and lead times have also affected its ability to increase sales as much as the company couldve done.

9.05am: Microlise confident of meeting market expectations this year; Keras rocking at Diamond Creek

Microlise Group PLC (AIM:SAAS) climbed 165 to 140p after its first set of results as a listed company hit the spot.

The provider of transport management software to fleet operators released results for the 18 months ended 31 December 2021 but helpfully also released numbers that covered 2021 alone, and these showed a 17% increase in revenue, a 9% uplift in recurring revenue and a 24% rise in adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

The board said it is confident of delivering a performance for the full year in line with current market expectations, given a strong start to trading in the first quarter.

Keras Resources PLC jumped 12% to 0.1p after an operational update on the Diamond Creek organic phosphate mine in Utah, USA.

Management recently hosted the annual inspection and site visit from the Utah State mining and environmental departments and received all ongoing approvals in line with the project's licence obligations.

The Keras team will now commence the annual rehabilitation on the access roads and start trucking the 5,200 tons or so of run-of-mine phosphate rock remaining at the lay-down area from last year's mining campaign to the Spanish Fork processing facility. An additional 1,500 tons of blasted ore will similarly be excavated and hauled from the pit to Spanish Fork during the early summer months.
Hygrovest Ltd (ASX:HGV) has significantly outperformed a declining Canadian cannabis market, with the investment holding groups net asset value (NAV) decreasing just 14% for the financial year to 31 March 2022, compared to a 60% decline in the benchmark over the same period.

The company also saw its NAV increase by 7% during March 2022.

Outlined in the table below is the current strategy for Hygrovests portfolio of investments:

Hygrovest's portfolio companies are continuing to achieve sales growth, with recent highlights outlined below:
Sirius Minerals may be long-gone but through Anglo American Plc's (LSE:AAL) automation and modern mining technologies the future of the Woodsmith mine, in North Yorkshire, still appears to be alive and kicking.

The Yorkshire fertiliser project - which is designed to extract huge volumes of polyhalite, a somewhat novel type of potash fertiliser, from beneath a national park - has had no shortage of challenges, not least the spiralling costs and financing problems that ultimately saw Sirius sell to Anglo at a bargain basement price back in 2020.

Nevertheless, with global fertiliser prices soaring amidst the current geopolitical crises in eastern Europe theres a stronger economic underpinning to the project.

Anglo, which bought the project for 460mln two years ago, as recently as December revised its plans for the mine, upgrading Woodsmiths scope following a detailed technical review.

In late 2021, the mining group said its review identified elements of the projects design that would benefit from modification to bring it up to Anglo American's safety and operating integrity standards and to optimise the value of the asset for the long term. At that time, Anglo also switched out former Sirius boss Chris Fraser from Anglos Crop Nutrients unit (which holds the British asset) replacing him with Tom McCulley.

The appointment of McCulley was made notable relevant via a new corporate video published by Anglo in the past few days.

McCulley led the development of Anglos giant Quellaveco modern copper mining project in Peru.

Anglo chief executive Mark Cutifani, in the video, described Quellaveco as the model for what a future mine should look like as the mining group espoused the virtues of its automation

Quellaveco represents the future. A representation of what we hope a mine can be, technically, operationally, and in its connection with the local community, Cutifani said.

The Anglo boss added: For us, its the starting point for a much deeper and broader technology-driven future for the mining industry, which is where we need to go.

McCulley, the new man in charge of the Yorkshire mine development, highlighted the advancements used in Peru. Were trying to use everything that FutureSmart Mining [which is Anglos concept to combine technology, digitisation, and sustainability] has to offer today. In 100% automated trucks, automated drills.

Quellaveco is the model for what a future mine should look like  Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive.



Mark, Tom McCulley and Adolfo Heeren discuss Quellavecos journey and what it means for the future of mining. Learn more about Quellaveco here: https://t.co/bTKoPeh0Tj pic.twitter.com/RPef6P7luk  Anglo American (@AngloAmerican) April 8, 2022

Signing off the short promotional corporate video, Cutifani noted: when you look at Quellaveco, Woodsmith to come, Sakatti [a multi-metal mine in Finland] and the other options we have, we really do have a pipeline of opportunities that are second to none in the industry.

In December, Anglo told investors that it expected to improve on the Sirius mine plans, would execute elements of construction differently, and would develop the mine on a more conservative schedule.

A new engineering design, capital budget and schedule are all expected to be in place by the end of 2022, Cutifani detailed in December, and the full project proposal would subsequently be submitted to the Anglo board for an investment decision.
GTI Resources Ltd (ASX:GTR) is now trading on the OTCQB Market in North America.

Investors can find GTIs OTCQB shares under the ticker code GTRIF, with the company trading on the exchange from April 12, 2022 (US time).

The OTCQB Venture Market is generally for investors looking to trade in entrepreneurial and development stage US and international companies.

GTI met all high financial and securities reporting standards to qualify and passed a bid test. The company will now undergo annual verification to keep its listing.

It is expected the OTCQB listing will build shareholder value and secure liquidity and a fair valuation for the company.

It will also enable GTI to expand awareness among potential North American investors.

This market provides companies access to one of the largest investment markets in the world at nominal cost, with fewer additional compliance requirements, compared to traditional major exchanges.

Trading in the home of GTRs uranium projects

GTI executive director Bruce Lane said of the OTCQB listing: Were delighted to advise that GTI shares are now traded on OTCQB as part of our strategy to promote the company to investors in the US, the home of our uranium projects.

"OTC cross trading provides wider access to the large North American investment community and enhanced convenience for these investors to trade GTI ordinary shares.

GTIs strategy is fundamentally North American-focused, and our aim is to define US-based uranium resources for the resurgent US nuclear power business.

Nuclear power: an emissions-free energy source

With nuclear power emerging as an emissions-free, baseload power source that can enable the worlds transition to net-zero emissions, North American natural resource investors are examining uraniums role in a clean energy future.

GTI believes that trading on the OTCQB gives North American investors the opportunity to be a part of its Wyoming ISR uranium plans, which include the recently discovered ISR-amenable uranium mineralisation at its Thor Project.

GTIs shares remain listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under the ticker 'GTR'.
Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) is working with Bryah Resources Ltd (ASX:BYH) (in which it has a 4.9% shareholding) on detailed studies examining the recovery of nickel, copper and cobalt from the tails stream of the Australian Vanadium Project.

The two companies are intrinsically intertwined, as the completion of AVLs bankable feasibility study (BFS) will enable Bryah to rapidly progress its copper and nickel project at Gabanintha.

AVL was awarded a $49 million Australian Government Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) grant to develop the collaborative Australian Vanadium Project in mid-west WA  it's working with Byrah on base metals extraction and ATCO (TSX:ACO.X) for green hydrogen.

Bryah and AVL are teaming up to maximise the use of the mineral resources at the project by concentrating nickel, copper and cobalt from the waste tails stream in a sulphide concentrate.

Commenting on the progress, Bryah CEO Ashley Jones said: With AVLs BFS now completed, Bryah can utilise the updated BFS resource and reserve and mine schedule to work with AVL on progressing the recovery of the additional, highly sought after battery metals from the tails produced by vanadium concentrate production.

AVL has done a tremendous job with a very detailed BFS and receiving support from the Australian Government through the $49 million MMI grant.

"The BFS engineering design of the onsite magnetic separation process has area allocated for a base metals recovery circuit, which will now be the focus of the Bryah team. As AVL progresses towards vanadium production, Bryahs base metals project takes another step forward.
Moho Resources Ltd (ASX:MOH) is encouraged by the final assay results received from the 2021 aircore program at the Tyrells and Hodges gold prospects within the Silver Swan North Project in Western Australia.

The companys drilling has confirmed multiple mineralised gold zones from single metre split assays of four-metre samples with significant results including:

7 metres at 1.59g/t from 14 metres

5 metres at 1.57g/t from 49 metres; and

10 metres at 0.98g/t from 50 metres

Notably, the combined strike length of the two main mineralised zones at Tyrells prospect extends over about 1.2 kilometres.

Moving forward, Moho has further aircore, followed by reverse circulation (RC) drilling planned to test continuity, extent, and grade at Tyrells.

Additional gold mineralisation

Moho managing director Shane Sadleir said: Were very encouraged by the potential for additional gold mineralisation in the two main zones at Tyrells, north of East Sampson Dam.

Were looking forward to drill testing these areas as a priority in the near future.

Gold anomalism

At Tyrells, there is a clear separation into two zones of drill gold anomalism.

This anomalism is best developed on the western side and just to the east of the high magnesium basalt, particularly on sections 6639000N and 6639200N where there appear to be multiple zones of gold anomalism with apparent dips of about 45 to the east.

In the centre of the northern-most traverse the anomalism is weak, although the complexity in the magnetics would suggest a break at about this position.

The anomalism on the ultramafic contact area at the eastern end of the traverses is best developed on sections 6638600N and 66390000N with the source about 100-160 metres west of the ultramafic contact.

At Hodges, significant gold anomalism occurs on section 66404450N both within a steep east dipping zone from surface at the ultramafic contact and also in a flat supergene blanket extending about 160 metres to the west of the contact.

Forward plan

Mohos assay results have focused attention on several areas to test below the refusal depth of the drilling and the supergene blanket.

Follow-up drill targets at Tyrells with a combined NNW-trending strike length of 1.2 kilometres, represent the two main gold mineralised trends and are considered a priority.

Aircore drilling to test continuity and strike extensions of two main mineralised zones at Tyrells prospect.

Furthermore, RC drilling will test the extent and grade of gold mineralisation below the refusal depth of aircore drilling and supergene blanket following receipt of aircore drilling results.
Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR) shares are trading about 1.64% higher intra-day after starting a 20,000 metre drilling program for the 2022 field season at its Lamboo PGE Project within the Halls Creek Project in Kimberley, Western Australia.

Drilling completed in 2021 at Lamboo, prior to the wet season, had identified large zones of PGE (platinum group elements) and nickel mineralisation within the basal contact zone of the Lamboo Ultramafic sequence.

Over 20 kilometres of the prospective basal contact zone exists on the tenements.

Background

The PGE potential at Lamboo was initially identified in 2006.

PGE mineralisation was intersected in a number of locations from limited drill testing over a small area of the basal portion within the folded Lamboo ultramafic complex.

Since this time, Pantoro has undertaken significant work which has concluded that the basal contact over very wide zones is unusually enriched in PGEs, and that there is the potential for large, bulk tonnage styles of PGE mineralisation.

This style distinguishes Lamboo from other PGE discoveries within the region and WA as the mineralisation occurs over very wide zones from surface.

2021 drilling

Holes previously reported at Lamboo during 2021 returned encouraging nickel assays.

Full results including Pt+Pd+Au (platinum+palladium+gold) (3E), nickel and cobalt grades include:

100 metres at 1.10 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E); 0.38% Ni (nickel) and 0.022% Co (cobalt) from surface inc. 66 m at1.34 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E), 0.44% Ni and 0.026% Co from surface.

46 m at 1.11 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E), 0.40% Ni and 0.024% Co from surface.

22 m at 1.11 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E), 0.60% Ni and 0.052% Co from surface.

31 m at 0.90 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E), 0.34% Ni and 0.020% Co from 36 m.

30 m at 1.02 g/t Pt+Pd+Au (3E), 0.54% Ni and 0.033% Co from 3 m.

$45 million capital raise

Last month, Pantoro raised $45 million to strengthen its balance sheet and accelerate exploration at the Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields.

The Aussie gold producer tapped institutional and sophisticated investors to take part in the placement, raising $45 million at $0.29 per share.

As well as the balance sheet and exploration benefits, Pantoro believes the cash injection will:
Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) has entered a master service agreement (MSA) with Clinitrials, an Australian contract research organisation, to help coordinate a pivotal phase three clinical study of the biotechnology company's proprietary cannabis medicine, EMD-RX5.

As part of Emyria's phase three clinical trial, Clinitrials will be responsible for the submission of ethics information, preparing patient recruitment materials, and conducting the clinical trial at five to six sites across Australia.

Emyria is looking forward to using real-world clinical data to provide treatments for unmet medical needs.

The data-backed, drug development company that helps pharmaceutical companies accelerate drug development provided further updates on its registration progress as well as its growing cannabinoid and MDMA (recreational drugs) analogue pipelines.

Multi-indication treatments

"Clinitrials have developed a reputation for rapid patient recruitment via the deep relationships they have established with multiple general and specialist medical practices around Australia. We are very pleased to be working closely with Clinitrials to deliver a pivotal phase three clinical trial in support of the registration of Emyrias first proprietary and ultra-pure cannabinoid capsule, EMD-RX5," said Emyrias managing director, Dr Michael Winlo.

"EMD-RX5 is targeting registration for the treatment of the symptoms of psychological distress - a condition affecting 15% of adults and for which there is currently no approved over-the-counter treatment. EMD-RX5 is currently completing a phase one clinical trial comparing the relative bioavailability of our first ultra-pure cannabinoid formulation to the sole registered and reimbursed CBD oil in the global market to date, Epidyolex."

Cannabidiol (CBD) oils help ease the symptoms of many common health conditions, including anxiety and neurological disorders.

Dr Winlo noted that EMD-RX5, and the next proprietary CBD dose form, EMD-RX7, could become registered treatments for multiple indications.

New CRO

Clinitrials was founded three years ago and has already conducted 15 clinical trials and operates a unique model as both a contract research organisation (CRO) and a site management organisation (SMO).

The phase three trial is expected to support the registration of EMD-RX5 as a ultra-pure, highly bioavailable CBD capsule.

In this study, the drug is being tested as an over-the-counter treatment for psychological distress symptoms.

Beyond Australia, the clinical site management organisation also manages trials in New Zealand.

MSA terms

Emyria's wholly-owned clinical service subsidiary, which is already involved in providing clinical services within Australia, will further increase recruitment by helping identify suitable patients who will then be referred for formal screening at independent sites managed by Clinitrials.

The MSA allows Emyria and Clinitrials to initiate additional clinical trials rapidly as Emyria continues to register a variety of cannabinoid-based medicines and novel MDMA derivatives that are recreational drugs.

Once the phase one study for EMD-RX5 is complete, the pivotal phase three trial will commence immediately.

There are several key conditions in the MSA to ensure that all intellectual property (IP) rights remain with the party that contributed the background IP.

All intellectual property rights in the services IP vest with Emyria.

The two-year agreement will begin on April 12, 2022, and conclude on April 12, 2024.

The agreement may be extended by Emyria in writing and either party may terminate the agreement at any time with 30 days' written notice.

As outlined in separate work orders, clinical trial fees under the agreement are determined by specific clinical trial activities.

- Amrita Ghaswalla
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Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX:RAD) recently signed an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for the universitys promising LRRC15-targeting antibody dubbed 'DUNP19'.

The licensing agreement allows Radiopharm to develop DUNP19 as an antibody-drug conjugate for radiotherapy as part of its clinical development pipeline.

Diamond Equity Research updated its valuation for Radiopharm following the deal, yielding a per-share equity value of $0.87 or ~$222 million, contingent on successful execution by the company (current share price: $0.22).

The New York City-based global equity research firm views Radiopharm as a suitable investment for institutional and high-risk tolerant retail investors given the unique high-risk-reward opportunity.

The following is an extract from Diamonds research update:

Licensing of LRRC15 antibody DUNP19 - Radiopharm Theranostics recently made a significant addition to its diversified pipeline of RPTs. The company licensed a Dual Action LRRC15 targeting monoclonal antibody from the University of California Los Angeles Technology Development Group (UCLA-TDG). The radionuclide carrying LRRC15-targeting antibody DUNP19 holds the potential to be a first-in-class dual-action therapy, targeting both the cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The company will initially study the therapy with osteosarcoma, as it has one of the highest expressions of LRRC15. The preclinical studies displayed encouraging results in osteosarcoma in vivo models under both single dose and multiple doses. Subjects who were administered with a single dose demonstrated considerably slower uptake in tumor volume than those who were not administered. While subjects administered with multiple doses demonstrated minuscule changes in tumor volume at 60 and 90 days.

Progressing clinical and pre-clinical studies - The company has 4 unique assets targeting 8 disease areas under multiple clinical trials. The company is expected to engage in one trial readout (Pivalate BrainMets Dx - phase 2a) and four new trials initiations. The company has planned for eight therapies (diagnostic & therapeutic) to be in clinical trials by the end of 2022. RAD has also announced a Letter of Intent (LOI) with GenesisCare, a global oncology provider to start its first Phase 1 trial in Australia. The therapeutic trial involves the companys Nano-mAb platform, developed to target PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer. The trial is expected to begin in the second quarter of CY2022.

Burn rate below our expectations - The company recently announced its half-year ended 31 December 2021 financial results. RAD reported an operating cash outflow of $4.8 million, which was approximately 48% below our estimated figures. The company has successfully managed to adopt a zero structural and low-personnel cost model, limiting the cash burn rate. In line with the recent financial results, we have adjusted our estimates for both general & administrative expenses and R&D expenses. Progress in the current pipeline and the launch of new preclinical and clinical trials will likely lead to an increase in operating cash burn, but the company has thus far managed expenses very well in our view.

Valuation - We have adjusted our financial model, incorporating the changes in the company comparable valuations, changes in the discount rate, operating expenses estimates, and shares outstanding. Updating our valuation approach yielded a per-share equity value of $0.87 or approximately $222 million, contingent on successful execution by the company. We view RAD as a suitable investment for institutional and high-risktolerant retail investors given the unique high-risk-reward opportunity.
Lucky Minerals is working on more trenches and preparation for drilling continues in Wayka

Lucky Minerals (TSX-V:LKY, OTC:LKMNF) Inc. said it has received assay results for trench T-21 from its ongoing work at the Wayka epithermal gold discovery at its 100% owned Fortuna Property in southern Ecuador.

The assay results showed 5.24 grams per ton (g/t) gold across 14 metres at Trench T-21, which is approximately 100 metres northwest of the combined trenches T-5 and T-6 where an average of 1.67 g/t gold was reported over 61 metres on November 9, 2021.

Our field work has exposed another structure of scale with T-21 reporting 14 metres of mineralization averaging more than 5 g/t gold. The fact that this structure is approximately 100 metres from where high-grade trenches T5-T6 are, highlights the potential for multiple mineralized structures relatively close to each other, said Francois Perron, president and CEO of Lucky Minerals (TSX-V:LKY, OTC:LKMNF), in a statement.

Confirming multiple mineralized structures in close proximity to each other is important as it would enhance the potential for world-class gold mineralization. The fact that relatively high grades were found in schist rocks rather than meta-granites is also intriguing. We are still in the early days of understanding the full potential at Wayka. The team is working on more trenches and preparation for drilling continues to advance apace, Perron added.

The company said Trench T-21 is mineralized along east, north-east trending lenses hosted in silicified shists with fine-grained pyrite. Hydrothermal solutions appear to have penetrated preferentially along the rock foliation.

It added that Trench T-20 was dug to intercept the continuity of a silicified lens outlined in T-6; a moderately silicified section was observed that measures 7 metres wide with 0.11 g/t gold.

As for the next steps for Wayka, work including drill hole targeting continues in preparation for the upcoming first 3,000 metres phase of drilling, and targeting will be informed by:

Soils (completed);

Alteration mapping of Wayka project area (completed);

Geophysics (completed, finalizing inversions);

Trenches (ongoing);

Structural analysis of Wayka area (fieldwork completed awaiting final report);

Prospecting on anomalous areas

Preparation work for mobilization of drilling equipment is underway, the company said.

The Fortuna project is comprised of 12 contiguous, 550 square-kilometre (55,000 hectares, or 136,000 acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
After available insurance, the total cost to Braxia to settle both class actions will be around CA$1.36 million, not including legal expenses incurred by the company, estimated at around CA$950,000, of which around CA$750,000 has been paid

Braxia Scientific Corp. (CSE:BRAX, OTC:BRAXF) told investors it has reached agreements to settle class actions in the US and Canada pending court approval.

The US class action against the company and certain of its former officers was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in April, 2021, while the Canadian Class Action was filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court in May 2021 against the company, its CEO, certain of its former officers, a shareholder, and underwriters.

The US Settlement contemplates a cash payment by the company of US$1 million to settle the US Class Action. The Canadian Settlement contemplates a cash payment of CA$1.9 million, of which the company will be paying CA$1.6 million, the medical research company said in a statement.

After available insurance, the total cost to Braxia to settle both class actions will be around CA$1.36 million, not including legal expenses incurred by the company, estimated at around CA$950,000, of which around CA$750,000 has been paid.

Once the US and Canadian settlements receive court approval, both class actions will be dismissed against all defendants, including the company and its officers.

"Approval by the respective courts, notice to the putative classes, and the satisfaction of customary conditions to effectiveness will take several months," noted Braxia.

"As a result of the entry into the US Settlement and the Canadian Settlement, the company expects that the above-referenced total cost to settle will be incorporated into its results of operations and financial condition for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022," it added.

Also in the statement, Braxia announced the resignation of David Greenberg as a director.

"The company appreciates David's meaningful contribution to the company and wishes him well in future endeavours," it said.

Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
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Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF) has received approvals from the Vietnamese government to start drilling at the highly prospective Chim Van target.

In October 2021, BSX put an agreement in place to collaborate with the Vietnamese government in identifying nickel opportunities outside its Ta Khoa District Tenement.

The fruit of this collaboration was the Chim Van nickel target, just 10 kilometres from Blackstones Ban Phuc open-pit deposit.

Today, the company announced the initial phase of the collaboration with the General Department of Geology & Minerals of Vietnam (GDGMV) has been successfully completed, leading to the mobilisation of a drill rig to site.

Blackstone is very pleased with the ongoing collaboration with the GDGMV at the Chim Van target. Drilling will test the conceptual geological and geophysical target at Chim Van for nickel-copper-platinum group element (PGE) sulphides, and if successful, Blackstone will proceed to take steps to secure an exploration license, Blackstone managing director Scott Williamson said.

Exploration continues to be a major focus for the company as we look to organically increase our mining inventory available to feed the Ta Khoa Refinery. We are excited for the potential that Chim Van has to feed into our longer-term growth profile.

Highlights of the collaboration on the Chim Van exploration target include:

Geophysical modelling suggests a concealed ultramafic target similar to the Ban Phuc disseminated sulfide (DSS) deposit;

Chim Van features a magnetic anomaly an order of magnitude larger than the Ban Phuc ultramafic intrusion; and

Drill rig currently mobilising to the site to commence the first priority drill hole.

Full steam ahead

Blackstone has already hit several milestones in 2022.

The company owns 90% of the Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project (TKNP) in northern Vietnam, 160 kilometres west of Hanoi in the Son La Province. The project includes an existing modern nickel mine built to Australian standards, which is currently under care and maintenance. The Ban Phuc nickel mine successfully operated as a mechanised underground nickel mine from 2013 to 2016.

In February this year, BSX announced that it had completed the pre-feasibility study for the TKNP, which confirmed that an expanded Ta Khoa project will provide a secure, sustainable and economic supply of nickel for Blackstone to produce, through its refinery arm, the Ta Khoa Refinery Project (TKR), a nickel:cobalt:manganese (NCM) precursor for the lithium-ion battery industry.

Read: Blackstone Minerals PFS shows expanded Ta Khoa Nickel Project delivers strong value for vertically integrated business

Just this week, the company took a step towards de-risking the start of full commercial-scale operations with nickel and cobalt feedstocks for the Ta Khoa Refinery Piloting Program delivered to the ALS Metallurgical Laboratory in Balcatta, Western Australia.

The contractor is in the final preparation stage to begin the piloting program this month.

Read: Blackstone Minerals delivers nickel and cobalt feedstock for start of refinery pilot program

BSX has also completed its first Digbee ESGTM assessment to progress Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals for the development of the Ta Khoa Project in Vietnam.

At both the mine (upstream) and refinery (downstream) level, Blackstone is focused on a partnership model and is collaborating with groups who are focused on sustainable mining, minimising carbon footprint and implementing a fully vertically integrated supply chain.
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Bradda Head Lithium Ltd said it successfully completed and closed its UK placing, raising gross proceeds of about 1.96mln.

The North America-focused lithium development group placed 14.5mln shares at 13.5 pence each having received orders in excess of 6.6mln.

The UK placing was nearly 4x over-subscribed.

On Monday, the company said it planned to raise up to about 1.98mln before expenses via a placing of up to 14.7mln shares in the UK.

It also said it raised about 7.92mln before expenses from a North American placing and will use the proceeds to explore and advance its lithium projects in Arizona and Nevada in the US.

READ: Bradda Head Lithium raises 7.92mln in placing to help advance projects in Arizona and Nevada

"The significant demand we've had for this UK and North American placing is extremely encouraging, and demonstrates the strong support from investors in Bradda Head's operations and objectives in the US lithium sector, said chief executive Charles FitzRoy. It also allows us to proceed swiftly with our planned exploration and development timeline in Arizona and Nevada."
Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC, OTCQX:DECPF) told investors that it is now positioned as the first company in the US to deploy certain state-of-the art emissions measurement devices in natural gas upstream operations.

It notes that earlier equipment was capable only of visually detecting fugitive methane emissions, while newer technology being used by the company (the Opgal EyeCGas 2.0, EyeCSite software, and the Semtech Hi-Flow 2 sampler) take the next logical step and estimate the amount of emissions.

This technology uses Artificial Intelligence software to quantify methane leaks, especially emissions originating from difficult to access leak sources, DEC highlighted.

DEC said the addition of the new equipment complements the company's existing emission detection devices and well management initiatives. It is funded from the US$15mln (11.5mln) set aside in November.

"Our investment into advanced and innovative emissions measurement technology advances our efforts to reduce our methane emissions by 30% by 2026 from 2020 levels on the way to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, said chief executive Rusty Hutson.

Adding this technology to the aerial surveillance and handheld detection devices we've placed in the hands of our skilled well tenders further enhances our ability to proactively detect, accurately measure and repair fugitive emissions across our asset base.

We are proud to demonstrate our leadership in the industry with yet another important milestone that supports our fugitive emission reduction initiatives. Diversified remains committed to the continuous improvement of our environmental performance and to outpacing the expectations of our stakeholders."
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC (AIM:EOG) marked 2.2mln of first-half revenue as its part-owned Wressle field continued to perform from strength to strength.

In what the company described as its strongest interim financial performance since H1 2014 the company reported a 700,000 pre-tax profit and noted 900,000 of net cash from operations.

Europa has in recent years focussed on developing Wressle and partnering for offshore exploration ventures, and, with these latest financial results now sees those effort begin to show in its bottom line.

Wressle has continued to exceed its initial production projections of 500 barrels of oil per day, instead yielding rates of 884 bopd plus 480,000 cubic feet of gas. As a result, Wressle more than doubled Europas production volumes to 208 bopd through the six months ended January 31.

Moreover, according to analysis conducted by consultant ERCE Equipoise, higher rates are possible at Wressle  up to 1,543 bopd  if facility constraints on gas production can be alleviated. Europa also noted that additional resources at Wressle, in the Wingfield Flags and Penistone Flags reservoirs, are to be reviewed also to potentially open up further reserves and development possibilities.

"We are delighted to bring you our outstanding financial results for the first half, which saw revenue quadruple to 2.2 million and a swing back to profitability from recent years, said chief executive Simon Oddie.

Europa's positive H1 performance was driven by excellent production result at our Wressle oil field in North Lincolnshire, which saw our average daily production more than double compared to H1 2021 and coupled with elevated oil prices, which are now exceeding US$100 a barrel.

Europa, meanwhile, launched a farm-out process for its project offshore Morocco during the period and continued an ongoing farm-out process for its gas project offshore Ireland.

Elsewhere, more recently, in March, the company struck a deal to farm-in to a 25% stake in i3 Energys Serenity gas discovery in the North Sea where an appraisal will aim to unlock a field development. The deal, which will see Europa carry a portion of i3s well costs, was supported by a 7mln equity raise.

Oddie highlighted: we have now put in place the third leg of the business, the acquisition of a near-term appraisal and development opportunity.

The year is shaping up to be transformational for both our diversified energy portfolio and our financial position."
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"We work closely with our customers to develop strategies that mitigate the risk of fraud," said Mitch Kahan, chief operating officer at Cylix Data Corporation

Xigem Technologies (CSE:XIGM, OTCQB:XIGMF) Corporation has described to investors how its wholly-owned Cylix Data Corporation subsidiary has helped numerous clients to mitigate serious instances of fraud through the effective use of its business intelligence platform.

With the rapid migration of critical commercial relations to the cloud, the Toronto, Ontario-based technology provider said the proactive detection of potential and actual fraud has become a mission-critical necessity for businesses.

Cylix's business intelligence platform is designed to help its customers manage multiple types of risk relating to partners, alliances and their supply chain, Xigem said in a statement. Among the most important risk consideration is the identification of fraudulent activity including but not limited to misrepresentation of one's identity, location, assets or even the nature of its operations."

Xigem noted that, according to a worldwide study by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, organizations can expect to lose 5% of their revenue to fraud. The typical fraud case results in a median loss of US$125,000 and takes 14 months to detect.

The company said the remote economy has resulted in an increasing number of commercial relationships and transactions existing online, often between parties in distant locations, relying on only the integrity of the business data which they collect.

In comparison to traditional in-person interactions, new digital relationships are more susceptible to fraudulent activities by bad actors, it added.

Cylix will often take the guesswork out of when, where and between whom transactions should take place, Xigem said.

The company provided a few examples, with identifying information removed, of actual instances where Cylix's customers successfully mitigated fraudulent activity thanks to its proprietary technology:

A manufacturer had considered procuring materials from a new vendor until Cylix revealed that the vendor existed only through a false online identity.

A distributor was preparing to fulfill an order from an existing customer. Before completing the sale, the distributor ran a Cylix check to discover that the individual placing the order was not authorized to do so on behalf of its customer with the likely intention of diverting resources for personal gain.

A manufacturer was preparing to sell to a new customer when a Cylix query which included a record of corporate officers and directors, uncovered evidence that the principal had a pattern of creating multiple entities to purchase goods and services, with the sole intention of defaulting on payment without recourse.

"We work closely with our customers to develop strategies that mitigate the risk of fraud," said Mitch Kahan, chief operating officer at Cylix Data Corporation. "By cross-referencing data against multiple independent sources, our business intelligence platform can flag situations where people appear to be falsifying information. Organizations can obtain the most effective results by screening potential business partners and transactions through our platform as part of their normal routine.

In 2021, Xigem said the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received 104,295 fraud reports involving over $379 million in reported losses, an increase of 130% from losses reported in 2020. It is estimated that fewer than 5% of victims file a fraud report with the CAFC, meaning the true incidence and economic impact is many times higher, the company added.

Xigem powers technology for the near trillion-dollar remote economy that businesses around the globe are embracing in a post-coronavirus pandemic economy. Its SaaS (software-as-a-service) technology platform, iAgent, provides organizations, businesses and consumers with the tools necessary to support remote working and learning.

Xigem's software improves the capacity, productivity, and overall remote operations for businesses, consumers and other organizations.

Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com
Golden Shield Resources (CSE:GSRI) Executive Chairman Leo Hathaway joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share results from six initial diamond drill holes from the Toucan Creek area at the Marudi Mountain gold project in Guyana.

Hathaway telling Proactive the results will be integrated with surface data to identify targets for follow up drilling. The Toucan Creek prospect is located approximately 1.5km from Mazoa Hill, which is now where their drill is currently operating. So far the company has defined eight priority prospects at the Marudi Mountain gold project.
The firm said its initiatives will create a significant number of direct jobs, even larger indirect employment, and many business opportunities in Rondonia and increase the corporate tax base

Canada Rare Earth Corp (TSX-V:LL). revealed that it has participated in a public forum meeting with Marcos Rocha, governor of the northern Brazilian state of Rondonia, and his cabinet to discuss the company's plans for developing its operations in Rondonia.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company is focused on developing an international vertically integrated business within the global rare earth industry.

Peter Shearing, Chief Operating Officer at Canada Rare Earth and Dorival Carvahlo Pinto, managing director for Brazil at Canada Rare Earth, used the platform to share the company's near and long-term plans with the Governor, his cabinet, the public, and the local media.

READ: Canada Rare Earth says first shipment of rare earth concentrate from new supplier in transit to its customer base

Canada Rare Earth's presentation highlighted the following:

The initial focus will be on establishing mining operations to extract valuable ores contained in the tailings stockpile derived from over 25 years of mining. The tailings are on 590 hectares leased by the company for 25 years;

By reclaiming minerals including rare earths, cassiterite, ilmenite, and zircon from the tailings, Canada Rare Earth will not require an environmental impact study or an additional mining license;

The reclamation processing will help treat waste left behind by previous mining activities. The initial operations will involve both wet and dry processing operations to produce separate mineral streams and will process over 10,000 metric ton per day once in full operation;

In addition, Canada Rare Earth said that during the second phase, it will focus on the development of a rare earth chemical concentrate plant to further refine the stockpile ore.

The planned concentrate is a valuable and highly sought-after feedstock suitable for rare earth separation facilities, said the company. The development and construction of the facility is estimated to take 12-to-24 months, added the firm.

In the meantime, the third phase entails the development of a rare earth separation refinery to produce rare earth oxides and metals which are used in high-profile applications linked to electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and batteries.

The facility will leverage the initial two development stages. Presently the company is evaluating the scope and feasibility of the potential rare earth separation facility to ensure that all the necessary inputs can be sourced and are economically viable.

Notably, rare earth separation technology and capabilities are largely dominated by China and the establishment of a rare earth processing separation facility in Brazil will have a significantly positive impact on the industrial market for rare earth dependent products, said the company.

Canada Rare Earth said its initiatives will create a significant number of direct jobs, even larger indirect employment, and many business opportunities in Rondonia and increase the corporate tax base.

The company noted that the Governor and his cabinet appreciated the presentation and Canada Rare Earths plans, especially the large benefits that would flow to the local Brazilian community.

Separately, Canada Rare Earth said it will be issuing 1.5 million stock options to officers and directors of the company. These options vest over 18 months and are exercisable at $0.07 per share for five years.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
Bhopal, April 13 : The probe into the online sale of marijuana through e-commerce platform Amazon, the case which was busted by the Madhya Pradesh police in November 2021, will now be investigated by the Special Task Force (STF).

A racket, which allegedly sold ganja (cannabis) under the guise of selling a sweetener on Amazon, was busted by Bhind district police. Following which a case was also registered against executive directors of Amazon India.

Earlier, the case was being investigated by the crime research department of the state police, which now has been transferred to the STF. A vide order in this regard was issued last month by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), G.P. Singh. "The case registered in Gohad police station of Bhind district is now being transferred to STF for further investigation," read an order issued by ADGP.

The state police, in November 2021, had arrested two persons - Bijendra Tomar and Suraj alias Kallu Pawaiya and had seized 21.7 kg of ganja from their possession. A case under section 38 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered against executive directors of Amazon India which operates as ASSL in the country.

Notably, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhind Manoj Kumar Singh, who had busted the case, was transferred within a week after unearthing it. At that time, questions were raised on the sudden transfer. However, the state Home Minister Narottam Mishra had refuted allegations that the state government was under someone's pressure and had claimed that Singh himself wanted to be relocated to Bhopal.
Rome, April 13 : Italy has began the process of distributing a second Covid-19 booster shot to the most high-risk members of its population.

Italy's medicines agency, AIFA, gave its approval to the distribution of second booster doses to those over the age of 80 and those over the age of 60 if they are deemed unusually vulnerable, Xinhua news agency reported, adding that in both cases, the shots will be distributed only if the previous vaccine dose was received at least 120 days earlier.

The approval in Italy, which becomes applicable from Tuesday, came a week after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) formally recommended a fourth dose for those over the age of 80, though in its statement, EMA said it was too early to recommend a second booster for the general population.

For most Italian residents, the second booster will represent their fourth vaccination. But for those who previously received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the second booster will be just their third vaccine dose.

According to government data, more than 48.5 million people have been completely vaccinated, excluding booster shots, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the population over the age of 12.
Bhopal, April 13 : Amid the tensions following the clashes during the Ram Navami procession in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone district, the politics in the state has heated up with registering of an FIR against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, who has held district administration and the police responsible for communal violence, has posted a photo showing a group of people hoisting saffron flag on a mosque. However, the photograph turned out to be a fake and subsequently, Singh's post from his twitter account was deleted.

State BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Home Minister Narottam Mishra called Singh's post a "conspiracy to spread communal violence in the state".

Taking it further, the state Home Minister said that action would be taken against Digvijaya Singh. Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against Singh in a Bhopal police station on Tuesday evening.

In response to FIR, Digvijaya Singh later on Tuesday evening wrote a letter to Bhopal Police Commissioner and as well as Shyamla Hills police station to register a complaint against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for an old post on social media.

In the letter, Digvijaya Singh mentioned that Chouhan had shared a tampered video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "On May 19,2019, Shivaraj Singh Chouhan had shared a tampered video of the then Congress president Rahul Gandhi. This was an criminal offence by Chouhan and an action should be taken against him," he said in the letter.

The Congress leader has also shared that video with Bhopal police commissioner, said a party spokesman.

Meanwhile, actions by the police and the district administration against the rioters continued in Khargone, and around 100 people have been arrested so far. Over 50 buildings were also demolished till Tuesday evening.

However, the several Opposition parties have protested against the state government's bulldozer action, arguing that the any action without proper investigation would be injustice.

The state Home Minister, however, has justified the government's action saying those who can be seen on camera throwing stones are being punished. And the buildings which were demolished were illegal.
Seoul, April 13 : The South Korea's government said on Wednesday it will start the second booster shot programme for elderly people aged 60 and over.

It also plans to announce adjustments in social distancing Friday, which will center on normalizing everyday life to pre-pandemic days, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in a virus response meeting.

Health officials have hinted at removing the limit on the number of people for private gatherings and the business curfew, Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korea has seen daily Covid-19 infections decline in recent days, reporting 210,755 cases on Tuesday after reaching its peak of more than 620,000 in mid-March.
New York, April 13 : The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said that they were seeking Frank James, a "person of interest", in connection to a subway shooting in New York City's Brooklyn that left more than 20 people injured.

"Mr. James is just a person of interest we know right now who rented that U-Haul van in Philadelphia," NYPD's Chief of Detectives James Essig said at a press conference on Tuesday night.

The police said a key to the van was found in a collection of belongings on the train that they believe belonged to the gunman, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We are endeavouring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any," Essig said.

The authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in the shooting.

During the rush hour on Tuesday morning, a man opened fire and threw a smoke canister aboard the moving train, according to the police.

The Fire Department said that five victims were in critical condition, but none were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

The attack triggered a massive law enforcement response to Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood and a manhunt for the suspect.

The gunman, who police said was wearing a construction vest and gray hooded sweatshirt, was using a handgun, and fled the scene. Any possible motive was still unknown.

Tuesday's attack came as the city is struggling to cope with a rise in shootings. Citywide shooting incidents increased by 16.2 per cent in March from a year ago, showed NYPD data.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
April 13 : Head of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatts wedding this week, Ranbirs sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and her husband Bharat Sahni were spotted at Mumbai airport as they arrived in the city for the wedding.

In the pictures that are doing the rounds in social media, Riddhima was seen dressed in a camouflaged outfit which she paired with a black jacket, and carried a green handbag. She was accompanied by Bharat Sahni who had sported a black t-shirt with denims. Their daughter Samara was also seen with them.

The paparazzi who had clicked them at the airport, also asked Riddhima about the wedding. When a paparazzo asked her if the wedding is confirmed, she said, Haanmilenge jaldi se. (Yeswe shall meet soon).

Meanwhile, with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt tying the knot this week, the RK Studios, Ranbirs house Vastu, and the under-construction Krishna Raj Bungalow have been decorated with strings of lights. Ranbir and Alia will reportedly live in Krishna Raj Bungalow in Pali Hill after their wedding. While it was speculated that the wedding day is April 14, Alias stepbrother, Rahul Bhatt revealed that the wedding has been postponed by a week. Later in the evening on Tuesday, he was reported saying that the wedding has not been postponed. However, no official announcement has come from Ranbir, Alia or their families.
Chennai, April 13 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin will be the chairman of the reconstituted Tamil Nadu Wildlife board with state Forest Minister R. Ramachandran becoming the Vice-Chairperson.

The State Board for Wild Life(SBWL) will be involved in the effective implementation of wildlife projects and scientific management of project areas. The board will have a tenure of two years Under Section 6 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. The term of the previous board ended in November 2021.

The reconstituted board will have MLA N. Eramakrishnan, T. Udayasuriyan, I.P. Senthilumar, Station commander, Indian Army, Chennai, state DGP, conservationists, environmentalists, biologists, and members of Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes across the state.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife warden will be the member secretary of the board.

The board will formulate policies to protect and conserve wildlife and specified plants. It will also involve itself in selecting and managing places as protected areas.

K. Kalidass, founder of Osai, a Coimbatore-based NGO while speaking to IANS said: "I would suggest the state government take steps to reduce the human, wild animal conflicts and to prevent deaths caused in wild elephant attacks, especially in western Tamil Nadu".

He also said that other than environmentalists, biologists and forest officials, the support of the general public is more important for the protection of wildlife and forests.
Bengaluru, April 13 : The Karnataka Congress has decided to intensify agitation against the ruling BJP government in connection with the suicide case of a contractor and BJP worker, Santhosh K. Patil.

The delegation of top Congress leaders, including party General Secretary and state in-charge Randeep Surjewala is meeting the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday demanding the termination of Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K.S. Eshwarappa.

The delegation will also demand lodging of corruption and murder charges against Minister Eshwarappa and further stress for his immediate arrest. Along with Surjewala, state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, Opposition leader in Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad, Campaign Committee Chairman M.B. Patil and others would meet the Governor and submit a memorandum in this regard.

Santhosh K. Patil, a contractor from Belagavi had stated in his message to the mediapersons that "he was committing suicide as Minister Eshwarappa was not releasing funds for Rs 4 core worth projects that he had executed. He also said that he was being asked to give 40 per cent cuts to him." Patil's body was recovered from Udupi lodge later on Tuesday.

The Congress since Tuesday launched protests against the government demanding the sacking of Minister Eshwarappa. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had lodged a police complaint against him in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the BJP high command has sought a report from its state unit in connection with the suicide case.

The development has proved to be a setback for the ruling BJP which has been riding high on Hindutva agenda in the state for quite some time. Congress party, which was neutral on a series of issues of communal polarization and was on a fix, has come out aggressively on the issue. The deceased Santhosh had earlier written letters to top central BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 40 per cent commission demand by Minister Eshwarappa.

Sources in the Congress said that the party has decided to raise the issue all across the state and at the national level. They also said the party would question Prime Minister Modi, who charged the erstwhile government of Siddaramaiah as a '10 per cent commission government'.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, April 13 : French development agency AFD will support the funding of 28 smart classrooms in Chennai.

The classrooms are to be developed in Royapuram, Thiruvanmiyur, and Adyar.

Of the Rs 95.25 crore budget, the French development agency will fund Rs 76.20 crore. Remaining Rs 19.05 crore will be funded by Chennai Smart City Limited.

Development of hard and soft infrastructure for smart classrooms will form a part of the project. The smart classrooms are developed by the City Investments To Innovate Integrate and Sustain (CIITS).

Chennai corporation Mayor R. Priya while speaking to IANS said: "The enrolment has increased in Chennai schools from 85,000 to 1.3 lakh. Students will get free education in the smart classrooms in 281 Chennai schools with 2,731 teachers. Twenty-eight smart classrooms will be developed at a cost of Rs 95.25 crore of which Rs 76.20 crore will be funded by AFD the French Development Agency and Chennai Smart City will fund Rs 19.05 crore." She said that the work of a smart classroom is underway in Chennai Primary School on Cemetry road in the Royapuram zone at an estimated cost of Rs 4.53 crore.

R. Priya who is the first Dalit woman Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation said that empowerment of the downtrodden and women are her priority and that education is the best tool for such empowerment.
Los Angeles, April 13 : Hollywood star Johnny Depp's lawyers accused his former-wife, Amber Heard, of fabricating domestic violence claims against the actor in order to advance her own career, as a defamation trial got underway in Virginia.

Depp has sued Heard for $50 million, alleging that she devastated his career when she revived her allegations against him in a 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post, reports 'Variety'.

Heard's attorneys, meanwhile, argued in their opening statement on Tuesday that her allegations are entirely true, and that she had a First Amendment right to express her views.

Her attorney Ben Rottenborn argued that Depp is seeking to ruin Heard's life by pursuing the lawsuit.

"For years, all Mr. Depp has wanted to do is humiliate Amber, to haunt her, to wreck her career," Rottenborn argued, calling Depp "an obsessed ex-husband hellbent on revenge".

The trial is expected to last about six weeks, as 11 jurors will be asked to sort through a mountain of documentary evidence and conflicting testimony to decide who is telling the truth, reports 'Variety'.

Depp's attorneys - Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez - noted that the Washington Post piece was published just before the release of 'Aquaman', in which Heard starred, and helped her portray herself as a sympathetic advocate.

"She presented herself as the face of the #MeToo movement - the virtuous representative of innocent women across the country and the world who have truly suffered abuse," Vasquez said. "The evidence will show that was a lie." Heard has accused Depp of numerous instances of assault, including times when she alleges Depp grabbed her by the neck, threw her against a wall, kicked her, choked her and punched her.

Her attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, went through many of the allegations in detail in her opening statement, including one occasion when Depp allegedly sexually assaulted her with a liquor bottle.

That allegation had not been made public before.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Depp denied the sexual assault claim. The spokesperson said it was not part of the original allegations surrounding the couple's divorce in 2016, and emerged only after Depp filed his defamation suit in 2019.

"This follows a pattern of her elaborate, erroneous claims which have continued to change and evolve over time for the purpose of Hollywood shock value of which Amber has mastered and used to exploit a serious social movement," the spokesperson said.

The trial will go into painstaking detail about drug abuse, violence and trashed apartments. In his opening argument, Rottenborn said that jurors should try to keep their focus on her op-ed, which does not identify Depp by name.

"The article isn't about Johnny Depp," he argued.

"The article is about the social change she is advocating." Rottenborn argued that at the time of the publication, Depp's career was in freefall while Heard's career was taking off. The op-ed, he argued, was her attempt to move on from the abusive relationship. But by suing her, Depp is refusing to let her move on.

"This case isn't about a day-to-day chronicle of their marriage," Rottenborn said. "It's not about who you like more. It's not about which party can sling more mud... Ultimately what this case is about is the First Amendment." Heard has filed a $100 million counterclaim against Depp, alleging that his lawyer defamed her by accusing her of fabricating a hoax, reports 'Variety'.

Chew argued that Heard's allegations have caused severe harm to Depp's career, because Hollywood studios do not want to face the backlash that comes with hiring someone accused of domestic violence.

"The evidence will show that Ms. Heard's false allegations had a significant impact on Mr. Depp's family and his ability to work in the profession he loved," Chew said. "Ultimately this trial is about clearing Mr. Depp's name of a terrible and false allegation." Depp has alleged that he was dropped from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise after Heard's op-ed was published. But Rottenborn argued that Disney was discussing dropping him months earlier due to his erratic behaviour.

"Any damages he suffered in his career were not because of this op-ed," Rottenborn told the jury. "It's time to make Johnny take responsibility... It's up to you, ladies and gentlemen, to make him do that." Depp lost a similar lawsuit in 2020 against The Sun newspaper in the UK.

The judge in that case found that Heard's allegations were "substantially true", and that therefore the newspaper did not defame him when it described him as a "wife beater."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 13 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919.

Vice President Naidu tweeted, "My humble tributes to the martyrs who were massacred in #JallianwalaBagh on April 13,1919. We are eternally indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice for the freedom of our motherland.The best tribute we can pay to our freedom fighters is building an India that they envisioned." In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919. Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations. Sharing my speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak last year." Prime Minister Modi also shared his last year's speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak.
Moscow, April 13 : Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a joint press conference that it was important to deepen integration between Russia and Belarus in the face of all-out Western sanctions.

Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hosted the joint press conference on Tuesday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, Xinhua news agency reported citing Russia's Sputnik News.

"We will continue to jointly oppose any attempts to slow down the development of our countries or artificially isolate them from the global economy," Putin said.

On the other hand, Ukraine's negotiating position at the peace talks with Russia remains unchanged, the head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia said on Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian side adheres to the Istanbul Communique and hasn't changed its position," Arakhamia wrote on Telegram.

The only difference is that the Ukrainian side does not take into account all the additional issues that were not included in the Istanbul Communique. This may have led to a misinterpretation of the current state of the negotiation process, he said.

Ukraine has tightened security measures on the borders with Belarus and Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, the Ukrinform news agency reported Tuesday.

"The security measures have been strengthened to prevent escalation in these areas," Andriy Demchenko, the spokesman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, was quoted as saying.

There is a possibility of a military invasion from Belarus to Ukraine, Demchenko said.

Ukraine's gross domestic product will shrink by 45.1 per cent this year due to the conflict with Russia, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Monday, citing a recent World Bank report.

In its report, the bank has projected that the poverty rate in Ukraine will increase from 1.8 per cent in 2021 to 19.8 per cent in 2022.

The outlook for the global economy has darkened since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the World Trade Organisation said in its annual trade statistics and outlook report published on Tuesday.

Global gross domestic product at market exchange rates is projected by the WTO to grow by 2.8 per cent in 2022, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous forecast of 4.1 per cent. Growth is expected to pick up to 3.2 per cent in 2023, close to the average rate of 3.0 per cent between 2010 and 2019.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, April 13 : The AIADMK Coordinator and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O.Panneerselvam on Wednesday requested External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar to secure the release of 13 fishermen arrested and jailed in Sri Lanka.

Panneerselvam in a letter to Jaishankar said 13 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by Sri Lankan navy on February 23 and the court has fixed the bail amount as Rs 1 crore each.

"This act of Sri Lankan court is upping the ante in terms of punishment to the fishermen of Tamil Nadu," Panneerselvam said.

He said the fishermen venture out into the sea fearing attacks by the Lankan Navy.

"Fixing of Rupees one crore each as the bail amount to release the arrested fishermen is adding fuel to the fire," Panneerselvam told Jaishankar.
New Delhi, April 13 : On July 7, 1999, at the height of the Kargil War, Captain Anuj Nayyar fell to a rocket-propelled grenade as he led a charge up the Pimple 2 peak to clear it of Pakistani infiltrators. He died instantly but saved the lives of 15 soldiers who eventually finished the mission and hoisted the Indian flag on the peak. His motivating command and going beyond the call of duty saw the 23-year-old, who had been commissioned into the Indian Army just two years earlier, being awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), the second highest award for gallantry.

For 18 years, his mother, Meena Nayyar, kept his memories locked inside to keep her emotions for overwhelming her because "sharing paid is the most difficult thing" till an opportunity presented itself to record her son's valour in a book, resulting, after a five year effort, in "Tiger Of Drass - Capt. Anuj Nayyar - 23 - Kargil Hero" (HarperCollins).

Image Source: IANS News

"Writing about the smallest things about your child who is not with you really used to shake me but gradually I came to terms with it by telling myself that if I didn't write about him no one in the world would or could, and no one will know about Anuj's sacrifice," Nayyar told IANS in an interview.

"Only I knew Anuj from day one when he came in this world at 10.14 a.m., on August 28, 1975. For the last 22 yrs. I have never looked at a clock at 10.14 a.m. on August 28, nor 5.20 a.m. on July 7, the time of his death. To keep Anuj alive and inspire future generations, I gathered the remaining strength in me and penned down this book," Nayyar added.

"It is very difficult to express what I have gone through for 22 years, and especially the last five years of the book writing process. For 18 years I had Anuj's memories locked inside me to keep my emotions from overwhelming me...Sharing pain is the most difficult thing. Pain and pride always go side by side when a soldier dies. For parents, pain wins over pride most of the time," Nayyar said.

Image Source: IANS News

"To overcome my grief, I had fixed a star in the sky and in the evening, I used to spend time looking at it. It was my Anuj shining in the sky. The Indian government gave us a petrol pump and we named it Kargil Heights Filling Station. We shifted our house from Janakpuri to Vasundhara Enclave to be near the gas station and I lost my star somewhere in the sky," added Nayyar, who now runs the petrol pump after the death of her husband, Professor S.K. Nayyar of the Delhi School of Economics.

The book came about after its co-author, Himmat Singh Shekhawat, a member of the Rashtriya Riders team of motor-cyclists who were on a 'yatra' (pilgrimage) visiting the families of the Kargil martyrs, called on Nayyar and her younger son Karan (her husband had passed away in 2014) on October 2, 2017.

After a month, Shekhawat and Shivaditay Mody, another member of the Rashtriya Riders, "desired to write a book with me about the life and times of Anuj. I agreed and found great support from Himmat. He gave me strength when I would break down, but he would not let me stop writing book", Nayyar said.

Image Source: IANS News

Thereafter, Shekhawat and Mody opened each and every folder in which Anuj's father stored his letters, newspaper clippings and other documents. They organised Anuj's belongings, the Maha Vir Chakra and other medals.

"The most difficult day while writing the book was when in a separate room Himmat and Shiva opened Anuj's bag which had been untouched for 18 years. I was crying uncontrollably, and they say their hands were shaking while touching the bag which held Anuj's belongings from the war zone. We had stored his groom's clothing (he was to have got married on September 10, 1999 to his childhood sweetheart Timme) and other accessories also in that bag," Nayyar said.

There was another important moment when she invited home all the soldiers of the 17 Jat Regiment who were with Anuj on the day he was martyred.

"Around 15 of them were still serving in the army and two had retired. Jat. Everyone requested me to stay away from the meeting as it was bound to be painful. I went in, came back out again after reinforcing my courage. I thought to myself that if I didn't sit in the meeting that day, I would never know what my son did in Kargil and what he had gone through in that war.

"I wanted to know if he was injured, if he suffered greatly or was death instant? I came to know that he was not injured. An RPG hit him on his neck and he fell down instantly. This information gave me peace as he did not feel his death," Nayyar said.

A sequel is already in the works.

"Anuj was my son so I have countless memories in my mind which I couldn't add in this edition. I need to bring out another edition of this book which can include the other, softer side to Anuj in his personal life. He was naughty, he was quite popular in his school. His friends wanted to add more anecdotes starring my boy; some heart-touching incidents with his brother Karan and cousins Ashish and Tina, who were very close to him.

"Most importantly, Anuj's father Prof. SK Nayyar, who played a huge part in shaping him into a bright student, a volley-ball player and a fearless soldier. He sharpened him to be an all-rounder who could walk independently in all paths of life and make tough decisions if the situation demanded.

"Harper is publishing a Hindi edition of this book so that our Hindi-speaking soldiers, students and adults can read and get inspired," explained Nayyar.

She started operating the Kargil Heights Filling Station "after my husband left us in 2014. I want to thank all field officers during the eight years that I have run the filling station, as they supported me in all possible ways. My husband in his lifetime struggled a lot but sorted out the most important issues of power, water, different licenses etc.

"Our (countless bureaucratic) struggles in the initial years of running the petrol pump were captured in Ashwini Choudhry's film 'Dhoop'. Anuj's father looked after the filling station as he would a baby for 14 to 15 years. He worked day and night to build the station's reputation and won customers' hearts. Kargil Heights is famous for maintaining its quality and quantity with honesty and staff's behaviour towards customers. I was a university librarian but used to help my husband on serious issues relating to the station," Nayyar said.

She was initially not sure whether she was up to the task of independently running the petrol pump.

"I still feel as I used to when I worked with Anuj's father. He used to get off from working at the petrol pump at 12 in the night, after checking the gas nozzles all by himself. For one year after his demise, I used to return from work at midnight after testing the nozzles. Gradually I started moving the night testing to morning.

"I still feel like I am learning every day on the job even after running the business for more than eight years. I think one should keep oneself open to learn... My life takes me in different directions. The filling station is Anuj's legacy. I try my best to keep customers satisfied with our service.

"Every morning and evening, I visit the petrol pump and manage the back office from home. Every morning I wake up wishing to see Anuj flexing at the pump with a smile - that thought alone is satisfying," Nayyar concluded.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)

-- Syndicated from IANS
Washington, April 13 : The US has accused Russia of interfering with the global positioning system (GPS) satellites, used for navigation, mapping and other purposes, in Ukraine amid the ongoing war between the two countries.

According to General David Thompson at the Pentagon, Russia has also reportedly jammed the GPS system used by civilian aircraft along its borders with Finland, NBC news reported.

Thompson noted that while Russia has not yet attacked US GPS satellites in orbit, the US Space Force will be keeping a close watch.

"Ukraine may not be able to use GPS because there are jammers around that prevent them from receiving any usable signal," Thompson, the Space Force's vice chief of space operations, told NBC Nightly News.

"Certainly the Russians understand the value and importance of GPS and try to prevent others from using it," Thompson added.

Specifically, Russia is targeting the Navstar system of satellites used by the US and made available openly to many countries around the world, Thompson said.

The system, which uses 24 main satellites that orbit the Earth every 12 hours, works by sending synchronised signals to users on Earth, Space.com reported.

Ukraine's fibre optic or cellular communication infrastructure connections were severed following the Russian invasion on February 24.

On February 26, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister, also Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, called SpaceX chief Elon Musk for help. Following the request, SpaceX, along with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has so far delivered 5,000 starlink terminals to the war-torn country.

In early March, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk noted that Starlink signals have also been jammed, although his company is adapting.

"Some Starlink terminals near conflict areas were being jammed for several hours at a time," Musk wrote on Twitter.

"Our latest software update bypasses the jamming."

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Patna, April 13 : A day after the firecracker explosion in the 'Jan Samvad' programme of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Nalanda, the Bihar Police constituted a team headed by Additional Director General, security, Bacchu Singh Meena to investigate the incident and submit the report with the home department.

Following frequent attacks on the chief minister, the home department which comes under Nitish kumar himself, is extremely concerned about the security breach.

The Tuesday attack was the second security breach in the last 17 days. Earlier on March 27, a mentally challenged person punched Nitish Kumar in Bakhtiyarpur in Patna district.

"We are investigating the Tuesday incident in Silao in Nalanda. During the interrogation of accused Subham Aditya, it appeared that he fled from the house a few days ago. His family members had lodged a missing complaint in the Islampur police station. Later he returned home on his own," said Jitendra Singh Gangwar, Additional DGP headquarter and chief spokesperson of Bihar Police.

"The FSL team was also sent to Silao for the investigation. It has collected samples and sent them to the lab for the detailed report. Preliminary probe reveals that it was a cracker blast. The district police has recovered a cracker, matchbox and key ring from his possession," Gangwar said.
Hyderabad, April 13 : Opposition Congress party in Telangana on Wednesday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged malpractices and corruption in rice supply to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The Congress party submitted a memorandum to Governor Tamilisai Soundararjan, seeking a CBI probe in the light of a statement by central minister G. Kishan Reddy that the Telangana government did not handover the paddy/rice of more than 8 lakh tonnes to FCI that was procured in the last two Kharif seasons.

Kishan Reddy raised doubts about where that rice was lying and wondered if it was siphoned off in the black-market.

Congress leaders said if the allegations made by the responsible union minister are correct, they are serious charges of corruption worth thousands of crores. "Hence, we request an inquiry by the CBI and punish the culprits, however big positions they are holding in the state government," the opposition party demanded.

A delegation of Congress leaders led by state party chief A. Revanth Reddy called on the governor at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum on various issues.

Alleging that the state Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday took irrational decisions, they sought the governor's intervention as a custodian of the Indian Constitution to protect the interests of the people of Telangana.

The Congress alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao purposefully created uncertainty, confusion, and delayed paddy procurement during Rabi, and as a result, nearly 35-40 per cent farmers were already exploited and forced to sell their paddy to middlemen and millers at extremely distressed prices. It claimed that farmers were subjected to massive losses worth Rs 3,000-4,000 crores. "It is so irresponsible on the part of Chief Minister that what could have been managed with an approximate loss of Rs 1000 crore, has now gone up to a loss of Rs 3000-4000 crore and also caused serious mental agony," the Congress leaders said and urged the governor to direct the government to repay at least all those losses to farmers.

They also alleged that due to threats made at the behest of the chief minister, farmers have forcibly abandoned paddy and adopted alternate crops such as Black Gram, Green Gram, Red Gram, Bengal Gram, Jowar, Corn, Ragi, Foxtail, peas etc, on approximately 15-16 lakh acres of land.

Stating that middlemen are also exploiting these farmers as the state government is only engrossed in paddy politics, they demanded the governor's intervention to ensure the MSP for these alternate crops.

The Congress also requested the governor to intervene to reverse the 'unprecedented' hike in electricity tariffs. It also voiced concern that the accumulated losses of power distribution companies have mounted to Rs 60,000 due to lopsided policies of the TRS government.
Toronto, April 13 : The Toronto Police have arrested the killer of Indian student Kartik Vasudev, who was shot dead in the heart of Toronto on April 7.

Richard Jonathan Edwin, 39, was taken into custody after police traced him from video footage.

Police said the accused fired multiple shots at the 21-year-Indian student outside the Sherbourne subway station at about 5 p.m. last Thursday and then fled the scene after the shooting.

Two days after killing the Indian student, the accused gunned down another person -- identified as 35-year-old Elijah Eleazar Mahepath -- as he was walking on a city street, hitting the victim with multiple shots and then fleeing from the scene.

According to Toronto Police chief James Ramer, the suspect was traced on the basis of video surveillance footage and arrested from his residence in Toronto on Sunday night.

Police also seized many loaded weapons, including a rifle, from the accused.

The police chief said, "My personal opinion is there were going to be more victims. When, I don't know but he had an arsenal at home and quite frankly I believe this may have just been the first step." Police said the victims were not known to the accused.

The accused, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, appeared at a Toronto court.

Since he has no criminal record, police said they were piecing together information to know the motive behind the killings of Kartik Vasudev and the 35-year-old Toronto man.
New Delhi, April 13 : India's total edible oil imports during November to March were at 5.64 million tonne, up nearly 8 per cent from the same period of 2020-21, according to the data compiled by the vegetable oil industry body The Solvent Extractors' Association of India.

Notably, the marketing year for edible oil starts in November.

In the month of March, the edible oil imports rose nearly 10 per cent year-on-year to 1.05 million tonnes, the SEA data showed. In March 2021, it was at 9,57,633 tonne.

In March, 212,000 tonnes of sunflower oil arrived in India as those vessels had left before conflict between Russia and Ukraine started. Ukraine and Russia are two major suppliers of sunflower oil to India.

Of the 212,000 tonnes sunflower imports, 11,900 tonnes were sourced from another supplier Argentina.

However, in April, no shipments from Ukraine took place so far and because of which sunflower oil import may fall to nearly 80,000 tons, SEA said in a statement.

The statement added that high prices of sunflower oil in the international market and lesser availability weighed on the demand and consumption of sunflower oil.

"This shortfall is partially being replaced by other edible oils like palmolein, soybean oil, groundnut oil in South India and by refined mustard oil and rice bran oil in North India." Also, a slight decline in prices of soya oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and other edible oils during the past one month provided some relief to the consumers, it said.
Los Angeles, April 13 : Renowned comic artiste and 'Aladdin' star, Gilbert Gottfried passed away at the age of 67 after battling prolonged illness, reports 'Variety'.

His publicist told 'The Washington Post' that he died of myotonic dystrophy type 2, a form of muscular dystrophy. Gilbert's family wrote on Twitter, "We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.

In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honour." As per 'Variety', several notable names in Hollywood, including comedians Jason Alexander, Dane Cook and more, paid tribute to Gottfried after the shocking news of his death. Cook wrote, "Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny. He was a lovely guy, always friendly and made many people happy." Gottfried was known for his crude humour, political incorrectness and shrill voice, which helped give life to a number of animated characters, such as Iago the parrot in Disney's 'Aladdin', the robotic bird Digit in PBS Kids' 'Cyberchase' and the Aflac duck in commercials for the insurance company.
Chennai, April 13 : Well-known Tamil actor Vishal's sister Aishwarya Krishna and her husband Kritish have been blessed with a baby girl on Wednesday.

Needless to say, the news has thrilled actor Vishal who shared his happiness on social media.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Well, what more can I ask? Super happy to become an uncle again. The princess is born today to my princess darling sister Aishu. May God bless the new born girl and the couple. Inshaallah. God bless. " Sources close to the actor said that the child was born at 5.25 on Wednesday morning and that both mother and child are fine.

Aishwarya and Kritish got married on August 27 in the year 2019.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Special Cell of Delhi Police have arrested an absconding member of an interstate gang of Mewat-based robbers that were involved in uprooting ATMs and siphoning of cash in Delhi-NCR and adjoining states.

The accused, identified as Tayyab (32), a resident of Haryana, was arrested near Tara Apartment, Alaknanda, Delhi.

Furnishing details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Jasmeet Singh said an ATM of SBI bank having cash of Rs 34 lakh was found uprooted in the area of Badarpur police station on the intervening night of March 31-April 1.

After this the police began probing the incident and examined CCTV footage in the surrounding areas. "Modus operandi of the gang behind the breaking of this ATM was analyzed and the crime appeared to be handiwork of the Mewat-based criminals," the DCP said.

On April 11, a tip-off regarding the presence of an active member of the gang behind this crime was received after which the police constituted a team and laid a trap near Tara Apartment, Alaknanda, Delhi. The accused gang member, Tayyab, was cornered, overpowered and disarmed and later arrested by the sleuths of Special Cell.

During interrogation of accused Tayyyab, it was revealed that the members of this gang have been involved in committing more than 20 crimes, including uprooting of ATMs, attempt to murder, assault on police, hurt, intimidation, theft, vehicle lifting, Arms Act violation, etc., in Delhi-NCR.
Dakshina Kannada, April 13 : Investigation into contractor and BJP leader Santosh Patil suicide case would be conducted in accordance with the law and there would be absolutely no interference, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday.

Speaking to media in Mangaluru, Bommai said the opposition leaders are trying to find faults in the case. The investigation will bring out the truth as to who has played what role and what is the background. The truth will come out. The party top brass is aware of the issue.

The FIR has been registered in the Santosh Patil suicide case. Details have been obtained. "I will speak to minister K.S. Eshwarappa over the phone and also talk to him personally," Bommai said.

When the Chief Minister's attention was drawn to Eshwarappa's statement that he is ready to resign if the CM instructs, Bommai said: "I do not know what he has said. Things will be clear if I speak to him directly. We will decide after discussing a few issues." Meanwhile, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has refused to comment on the issue of resignation of Minister Eshwarappa. "I have spoken about it with CM Bommai. He has assured that he will get the investigation done and action initiated based on the report by the police."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 13 : India's civil aviation regulator has barred 90 pilots belonging to budget carrier SpiceJet from operating Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Accordingly, these pilots would need to undergo retraining on 737 Max simulators.

In a statement, DGCA Director General Arun Kumar said: "For the moment, we have barred these pilots from flying Max and they have to retrain successfully for flying Max." "Also, we will take strict action against those found responsible for the lapse." At present, the airline has 650 pilots trained to operate 737 Max aircraft.

The move is not expected to affect the airline's operations as the 90 pilots in question can operate other types of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Notably, the airline is the only one in India to have 737 Max aircraft in operation.

"SpiceJet has 650 pilots trained on Boeing 737 Max. DGCA had an observation on the training profile followed for 90 Pilots, and therefore as per the advise of DGCA, SpiceJet has restricted 90 pilots from operating Max aircraft, until these pilots undergo re-training to the satisfaction of DGCA," a SpiceJet Spokesperson said.

"This restriction does not impact the operations of Max aircraft whatsoever. SpiceJet currently operates 11 Max aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these 11 aircraft. Of the 650 trained pilots on the MAX, 560 continue to remain available, which is much more than the current requirement." The budget airline had recommenced flight services on Boeing 737 Max aircraft last year, after a gap of around two-and-a-half years.

It has been re-certified by the aviation regulator DGCA.

The aircraft is expected to play a key role in the airline's strategy to expand its international and domestic operations.

The 737 Max can fly non-stop to Singapore, Doha, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur, Tehran, Salalah, Kunming (China), Krabi, Moscow, Istanbul among other international destinations from various international airports in India.

Additionally, with one-stop, the aircraft can easily fly up to Finland, Norway, Morocco, London and Amsterdam.

The Max 8 can fly up to 3,500 nautical miles which is approximately 19 per cent more than 737-800 enabling the airline to fly to newer destinations.

In addition, it uses up to 20 per cent less fuel than older 737s.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, April 13 : As B-Town braces for the big fat wedding of Bollywood power couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the festivities have already kicked off with guests swarming to the marriage venues.

Ranbir's mother Neetu Kapoor was seen arriving at Ranbir's Vastu residence in Bandra area of Mumbai along with her daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, granddaughter Samara and son-in-law Bharat Sahni for the pre-wedding festivities.

In addition, Natasha Nanda too arrived at the actor's residence sporting a blue traditional ensemble and matching facemask. She was followed by her aunt Reema Jain who smiled for the paparazzi lined up at the venue. A white coloured air-conditioned van with its blinds drawn was also seen arriving at the premises, perhaps for the purpose of bringing in a couple of wedding attendees.

Earlier, the three Kapoor properties - Ranbir's Vastu residence, RK Studio and Krishna Raj Bungalow were decorated with lights to set the ball rolling in motion for the festivities. The couple will reportedly tie the knot on Thursday, April 14.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Bengaluru, April 13 : A Karnataka Congress delegation on Wednesday met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot here and submitted a memorandum to sack Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa from the cabinet and ensure his immediate arrest over contractor Santhosh K. Patil's suicide.

The delegation comprising Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and the state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar demanded that minister Eshwarappa be arrested immediately. They also pressed for his sacking from the cabinet.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah alleged that Minister Eshwarappa had asked for 40 per cent commission from the diseased contractor. That means he had to pay Rs 1.40 crore from the total amount of Rs 4 crore. How could a small contractor pay a huge amount? Never in the history Karnataka has seen such a corrupt government, he added.

Shivakumar stated that the incident is a blot in the history of the state and Eshwarappa should be arrested. "We will not stop here. If at all there is an order prohibiting agitations in Bengaluru, we will continue to protest on the issue even if we are punished for it," he said.

Siddaramaiah further stated that the deceased Santosh Patil had gone to Udupi and tried to meet Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. When he was not able to meet him, he had sent a WhatsApp message to friends alleging directly that Minister Eshwarappa is responsible for his death and committed suicide.

This should be considered as a deathnote and Minister Eshwarappa should be immediately arrested. The complainant in the case the brother of the deceased has also stated that Minister Eshwarappa is directly responsible for the death, he explained.

This is a case which comes under The Prevention of Corruption Act. The case has to be lodged under Section 13 of this act against the minister. There is a provision in the law to imprison the accused Eshwarappa for 10 years for abetting the suicide and it is a non-bailable offence. The law is equal for all, Siddaramaiah maintained.

"The Governor has assured us that he would speak to Chief Minister Bommai in this regard. Eshwarappa is not beyond the law. Action should be initiated against him if the government has any respect. It should arrest Eshwarappa and sack him from the cabinet immediately," Siddaramaiah reiterated.

Santhosh K. Patil, a contractor committed suicide after consuming poison in Udupi. He had sent messages on Whatsapp holding Minister Eshwarappa directly responsible for his death. Police have lodged a FIR against Eshwarappa and booked him under abetment to suicide charge.
Tehran, April 13 : Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has praised the country's negotiating team for resisting the "excessive demands" during the talks on salvaging the 2015 nuclear deal.

"Negotiations are going well," Khamenei was quoted as saying on Tuesday by his official website, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Iranian leader added that the Iranian negotiators will continue to resist such demands.

Khamenei advised the government of President Ebrahim Raisi to deal with the country's issues regardless of the results of the Vienna talks, which have been held since last year between Iran and other major signatory parties to the 2015 pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital of Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, including Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, to revive the deal. The US has been indirectly involved in the talks.
New Delhi, April 13 : On the 103rd anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh, the Congress paid tributes to the martyrs and attacked the current government over alleged "authoritarian mentality" and said in new India it's same "tyranny".

Congress said, "On 13th April 1919, hundreds of innocent people were attacked by an authoritarian mentality. In New India, hundreds of innocent people are attacked by an authoritarian mentality everyday." "They were fighting for their deserved rights. Peacefully. Protecting national interest. Hundreds of them lost their lives doing so at the cruel hands of tyranny. Be it the Jallianwala Bagh protest or the year-long farmers protest; both met the same fate," the Congress added.

The party said, "To crush the voice of truth and justice under the wheels of mighty power has been the first trick in tyranny's "rule" book. Dear Indian, when you see this trick being put into action, amplify that voice of truth & justice, or stand to fail our nation." The Congress ran #NewIndiaSameTyranny hashtag on its Twitter page.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "103 years ago, the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh showed the world the cruelty of an autocratic regime. Humble tribute to the courageous martyrs. Their supreme sacrifice has continued to inspire generations to fight against injustice." Earlier in the day, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919.

Vice President Naidu tweeted, "My humble tributes to the martyrs who were massacred in #JallianwalaBagh on April 13,1919.We are eternally indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice for the freedom of our motherland.The best tribute we can pay to our freedom fighters is building an India that they envisioned." In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919. Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations. Sharing my speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak last year."
Ghaziabad, April 13 : A man and his two sons were allegedly shot by their neighbours after the victim's pet dog barked at one of the perpetrators, an official said on Wednesday.

The injured were identified as Sushil Kumar (40) and his two sons Aman (17) and Tarun (15).

According to the official, the incident took place near the railway crossing at Manan Dham under the jurisdiction of Madhuvan Bapudham police station in Ghaziabad on Monday night.

The police official said the victim's family was sleeping near the railway crossing on the day of the incident. "They already had an altercation on some issue with the accused persons and on Monday their dog barked at them which angered the assailants and they fired shots at the victim's family," the official said.

The injured were rushed to the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital where they are still undergoing treatment.

The official said of the three accused people, two were identified after the incident and an FIR was registered in the case. "The prime accused has been arrested while the other two are absconding," he said.

Further probe is underway, the official added.
Kolkata, April 13 : In a show of jointmanship, the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the civil administration participated in Ex Kripan Shakti, conducted by the Army's Trishakti Corps at the Teesta Field Firing Firing Ranges (TFFR) near Siliguri in West Bengal.

This was an Integrated Fire Power Exercise carried out on Tuesday aimed at synergising the capabilities of the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to fight an integrated battle.

While the Army's XXXIII or Trishakti Corps is headquartered at Sukna near Siliguri, the BSF manages the border with Bangladesh while the SSB is in charge of affairs along the country's boundaries with Nepal and Bhutan.

All three forces are active in that strategic region also known as the Chicken Neck. This narrow corridor that connects north Bengal and the northeastern states of India with the rest of the country is always at a risk of getting cut-off in case of any aggressive stance by China across Chumbi Valley, a tri-junction between India, Bhutan and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"In case of a conflict, all three forces would have to combat the enemy. There will obviously be specific tasks but synergy and coordination would be crucial. The civil administration would also play a key role in shifting civilians from the border areas, providing shelter and essentials, maintaining law and order and medical evacuation. During the exercise, troops of the Kripan Division under the Trishakti Corps displayed their ability to hit hard and swiftly with precision," a senior officer observed.

Surveillance and reconnaissance platforms picked up activities of a simulated enemy and all equipment got into action in a coordinated manner. While artillery guns and mortars 'softened' enemy positions, Special Forces units carried out heli-borne assaults. On the ground, infantry combat vehicles moved forward. There was perfect execution of the 'Sensor to Shooter' concept of modern warfare.

"The response against the 'threat' was carried out in an utmost professional manner. Artillery pieces were deployed by helicopters and the assault was carried out with clockwork precision, using all resources at hand. The exercise was reviewed by Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich, GOC, Trishakti Corps. Senior officials of the BSF, SSB and civil administration also witnessed the exercise. So did NCC cadets and schoolchildren. The exercise is expected to further cement ties between the Army, civil administration and the CAPF. This will also reinforce confidence of the people on the Army's capabilities and commitment to deal with any threat," the officer added.
New Delhi, April 13 : Environmental activists on Wednesday strongly criticised the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Environment & Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to the EIA notification.

The MoEF&CC had, on Tuesday, published a set of amendments to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), 2006 notification that provides for exemption of environmental clearance (EC) to several projects, including defence related/border areas projects, those up to 25 MW thermal plants based on biomass or expansion of terminal building of airport.

Already, the Environment Ministry has proposed a volley of amendments that have been deemed as 'dilution' of the EIA process and criticised heavily by environmental activists. Those amendments, introduced in 2020, are yet to be finalised.

Kanchi Kohli, a researcher with Delhi's Centre for Policy Research (CPR), said such changes can be understood as a pick and choose approach to environment regulation. "The two assumptions based on which these changes are brought require in-depth examination. First, public utility projects are largely driven by the private sector, and their economic interests influence the environment ministry's decisions. Second, an environment management based approach assumes that detailed assessments, public participation and expert-based review can be selectively waived off, based on sector specific requests," Kohli said.

Asserting that existing EC requirements should not be diluted because it is like opening the Pandora's box & once started, there shall be no end to such demands from the industries, former forest service officer from Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Mishra pointed out that "the very need is an admission & sad reflection on poor environmental governance in the country, including awful track record of implementation of EC conditions." When IANS broke the news about these proposed amendments on Tuesday, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had said: "The Ministry is alive to the concerns about proper EMP implementation. We are working out the modalities to address all such issues and will soon come out with a policy regarding the same." Wary about the Ministry's plans, Mishra suggested: "The requirement is not dilution but creation of standalone autonomous environmental institution, for instance, a National Environment Protection Agency or Environmental Commissioner of India, who should be responsible for environmental governance in the country outside of the MoEF&CC with transparency & inclusiveness in its working." Criticising that most such projects are now being done by private sector Biswajit Mohanty, an environmentalist from Odisha said: "Except for the defence sector, there is no reason why any project of public utility be exempted from EIA." The private sector just does not want to spend money and has a poor track record of environmental management plans, Mohanty said.

The experts also pointed out how the proposed changes neglect to mention the project landscape. "There is little or no space for site specificity i.e. grasslands or agricultural land; urban or rural, when procedures are standardised," Kohli added.
Puducherry, April 13 : The Union Territory of Puducherry will implement a Rs 538 crore comprehensive drinking water project with the support of the French development agency, AFD.

Puducherry Chief Minister's office in a statement on Wednesday said that a meeting to this effect was held between Puducherry Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, Water resources minister, and French officials at the Government secretariat on Tuesday.

French Consul General of Puducherry, Lise Talbot-Barre, Puducherry Agriculture Minister, Jayakumar, AFD Director, Bruno Bosle, and other senior officials participated in the meeting.

Union Territory of Puducherry had signed an agreement with the AFD in 2017 for a comprehensive drinking water project and the French agency had sanctioned a soft loan for Rs 49 crore a couple of years ago. However, local people opposed laying of borewells for fetching water, fearing groundwater depletion and other side effects.

The contract term of the project with the AFD is to conclude in June 2022 and the Puducherry government had initiated a discussion with the agency for an extension of two more years. However, according to sources in the government, the AFD insisted that the government at least commence a pilot project.

According to sources in the Government of Puducherry, the territory requires 65,000 litres of water per day and the only solution to the problem is the comprehensive drinking water project. The water department has also decided to sink 40 borewells on the beds of Penniyar and Malatar rivers as also in the Guduviyar tank but objections were raised to this as well.

Sources in the department told IANS that the government will conduct a detailed door-to-door campaign on the necessity of the borewells and convince people there were no environmental hazards associated with the digging of borewells in river beds.

The Chief Minister himself, according to sources, will campaign on behalf of the project as it has become indispensable for the government to provide drinking water to a majority of urban residents of the territory.

Sources in the department said that three pilot projects would be implemented before June 2022 to convince the AFD that the government is on the job. After the commencement of the pilot project, only the French agency would consider any extension for the project as well as extra funding.

The Puducherry water resources department will be conducting a detailed study on the depth of the groundwater, and the quantum of water available before the pilot project is implemented.
Prague, April 13 : Foreign Ministers of five Central European countries, dubbed as the Central 5 (C5), met in Stirin near Prague to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, support for Ukraine, and the forthcoming Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

The Czech Republic plans to organise an international donors' conference and focuses the priorities of its EU Presidency, among other things, on assistance to Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a statement following the meeting on Tuesday.

"We must support Ukraine on the path to EU membership," Xinhua news agency reported citing Lipavsky.

The C5 was established in 2020 with the main goal of close cooperation between the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia in the fight against the pandemic.

According to Lipavsky, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its humanitarian and geopolitical consequences will be reflected in the priorities of the Czech EU presidency due in the second half of 2022. These will include energy security, aid to refugees, and the fight against hybrid threats.

The Czech News Agency (CTK) reported that Lipavsky hopes his country to advance the discussion of having the import of oil from Russia to the EU discontinued during its EU presidency.

However, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated that his country cannot approve sanctions concerning oil and gas supplies as Budapest considers its own energy security an unchallengeable red line, according to the CTK.

Slovakia's Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok was quoted as saying by the CTK that it is necessary to cut oneself off from Russian oil and gas supplies, but this cannot be done overnight.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, April 13 : Hindu Sindh Foundation Inc. (HSF) is presenting a comprehensive programme for saving the Hindu girls in Pakistan, to potential patrons, guardians and supporters in the diaspora. The programme envisages relief and assistance both short and long term.

Women and minor girls belonging to Hindu, Sikh and Christian faiths in Pakistan are routinely abducted and forcibly converted to Islam, as per various human rights groups. It is estimated that at least a thousand such girls were forcibly converted to Islam and this number is the highest from Sindh.

The latest case is that of Pooja Kumari, age 18, who was killed recently after she resisted abduction for forced marriage and conversion.

HSF said Hindus of Sindh are living in mortal fear, especially those who are rearing young daughters. Immediate relief and assistance is required to alleviate the suffering of Hindus of Sindh.

Hindu Sindh Foundation Inc. (HSF) comprehensive programme envisages relief and assistance, including legal and other assistance to affected families where daughters have been abducted, forcibly converted and forcibly married to Muslims.

It also includes assistance for rehabilitation of survivors who had been abducted, forcibly converted and forcibly married to Muslims, but now have escaped and are trying to settle down back to normal life.

It includes rescue of girls who have been threatened by the Muslim men and in all probability it would be a matter of time before they are abducted, forcibly converted and married off, HSF said.

The rescue programme includes but is not limited to by facilitating guardianship and patronship in the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia, as well as in India and Nepal, where the girls would emigrate for further studies.

The rescue programme also includes possible adoption of young girls after consent of birth parents and proper scrutiny of adopters and their meeting the eligibility criteria as provisioned by law in their home countries, option for "limited adoption" (supervised guardianship without full adoption) would also be available.
San Francisco, April 13 : Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday announced to invest approximately $9.5 billion for new offices and data centres in the US this year, creating 12,000 new full-time jobs and thousands more among local suppliers, partners and communities.

Pichai said that Google helped provide $617 billion in economic activity for millions of American businesses, nonprofits, creators, developers and publishers last year.

"In addition, the Android app economy helped create nearly two million jobs last year, and YouTube's creative ecosystem supported 394,000 jobs in 2020," he informed.

In the past five years, Google has invested more than $37 billion in its offices and data centres in 26 US states, creating over 40,000 full-time jobs.

"That's in addition to the more than $40 billion in research and development the company invested in 2020 and 2021," said the company.

Pichai said that while it might seem counterintuitive to step up investment in physical offices even as the world embraces more flexibility in how we work.

"Yet we believe it's more important than ever to invest in our campuses and that doing so will make for better products, a greater quality of life for our employees, and stronger communities," the Google CEO noted.

At the same time, the investments in data centres "will continue to power the digital tools and services that help people and businesses thrive".

"As we work towards running our offices and data centres on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030, we're aiming to set new standards for green building design".

In California, Google will continue to invest in offices and support affordable housing initiatives in the Bay Area as part of its $1 billion housing commitment.
April 13 : Actress Isha Koppikar, who is collaborating with RGV after decades for series Dhahanam, says the filmmaker changed his life and she trust his instincts.

Ram Gopal Varma and Isha Koppikar along with entire ensemble were interacting with NewsHelpline during a press-meet for Dhahanam in Mumbai.

When asked about her working experience with RGV and their reunion, Isha Koppikar said, Always a pleasure to work with RGV, he is one its kind, and he launched me with the song Khallas, I was apprehensive when he offered me the song, because before that I have only played girl-next-door kind of roles in the south, and to make something hot, I thought it was the most inappropriate thing, but it was a revelation to see myself like that

RGV is always known to do something out of the ordinary, so when he called me for Dhahanam, I knew it would be worth my while, I dont question him much, I only questioned him once for Khallas, and that song created history and after that I thought it would be better to keep my mouth shut. He told me it is a great on-going series and I have a role for you, and I think you should do it. And I said, okay fine

Directed by Agasthya Manju, the revenge drama also stars Abhishek Duhan, Ashwatkanth Sharma, Naina Ganguly, Parvathy Arun, Kancharapalem Kishore, Ravi Kale, Abhilash Chaudhary, Pradeep Rawat, Sayaji Shinde, Vinod Anand, Zakir Hussain, Kailash Pal and Sunil Sharma.

The series revolves around tussle between Land-Mafia and Naxalite rebel. The series stars streaming from 14th April 2022 on MX Player.
Hyderabad, April 13 : The 125-feet tall statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar will be unveiled in Hyderabad by the end of the current year.

This will be the tallest statue of the Father of Indian Constitution anywhere in the world and it is coming up near Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city.

Minister for municipal administration and urban development K. T. Rama Rao along with social welfare minister Koppula Eshwar on Wednesday reviewed the work of the bronze statue being built at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

The statue will be installed on a 50-feet pedestal. Rama Rao said 90-95 per cent work of the base has been completed.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, said an 11-acre area around the statue will be developed as a centre of tourist attraction. This would be a place of inspiration for not just people of Telangana but for the entire country, he said.

Life and works of Dr Ambedkar will be showcased through a museum, a photo gallery and an exhibition library. A meditation centre and meeting hall will also come up at the statue.

The minister said the work on the statue was in full swing. Social welfare minister is regularly monitoring the progress.

According to officials, the place will have all the amenities like toilets, canteen and parking.

The ministers reviewed the work a day before the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. KTR said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is following in the footsteps of Dr Ambedkar by working for the welfare of all sections of people.

He said building the tallest statue of Dr Ambedkar was a long-cherished dream of the chief minister.

The chief minister had laid the foundation for this project on April 14, 2016 on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar.

He had fixed a deadline of one year for completion of the project, so that it could be unveiled on April 14, 2017. However, the work could commence after a delay of more than five years.

Officials visited various countries like China and Singapore to examine the tallest statues, held meetings with experts who have handled installations of such huge statues before finalising the design in September 2020.

The statue will be 45-ft wide. It will have nine tonnes of bronze skin coating. In all, 155 tonnes of stainless steel will be used in making the frame of the statue.
Kolkata, April 13 : A division bench of the Calcutta High Court granted a four-week breather to state Minister Partha Chatterjee from appearing before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is probing the recruitment irregularities scam in West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

Chatterjee was the education minister when the irregularities took place and currently is the state commerce and industries minister.

On Tuesday around 3.50 p.m., Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay ordered Chatterjee, also the Trinamool Congress secretary general, to be present at the CBI office in Kolkata by 5.30 p.m. However, around half-an- hour later, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court put an interim stay on that order till 10.30 a.m. next day.

On Wednesday morning, the division bench of Justice Subrata Talukdar and Justice Ananda Mukhopadhyay granted the four-week breather to Chatterjee.

The single-judge bench's order on Tuesday had two points -- the first was that he would not be able to get himself admitted to the state-run SSKM Medical College & its Woodburn Ward, which is meant for the VVIPs before facing the CBI interrogation, and the second point was that the CBI could arrest Chatterjee if necessary for the sake of investigation.

On Wednesday, the division bench of Justice Subrata Talukdar and Justice Ananda Mukhopadhyay also refused to accept the resignation of retired Justice Ranjit Kumar Bag as the head of the court-appointed probe panel investigating the different WBSSC recruitment scams. The division bench ordered Justice Bag headed probe panel to submit a report on the irregularities relating to recruitment in the Group-D non-teaching staff.

Earlier in the day, there were clashes between two groups of lawyers -- one group aligned to the ruling Trinamool Congress and the other with the Left Front -- regarding the entry to the court of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who had ordered the CBI grilling for Partha Chatterjee. The Trinamool Congress-aligned lawyers wanted a total boycott of Justice Gangopadhyay's court, which was opposed by the other group. Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Justice Prakash Srivastava advised both groups to mutually settle the issue.
Mumbai, April 13 : If there's one actor who has constantly stepped into different territories and has broken the shackles of typecasting, it is Satish Kaushik.

Throw any role at him and he will adapt to the character's sensibilities to the molecular level.

As the Bollywood veteran celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, he spoke with IANS about reinventing himself, the risk of playing safe and the experience of working with the late Rishi Kapoor in 'Sharmaji Namkeen'.

Having done a plethora of work in the capacity of an actor, writer and a director, the key to excellence for him lies in keeping up with changing times. He considers his ability to reinvent and adapt to his surroundings as his biggest strength.

He says, "I do have the ability to adapt myself to the changing times. I am always receptive towards getting things which can help me as an actor whether it is reading, watching or getting inspired by an actor. I think that is why I have reinvented myself as an actor and even as a director." Revealing how even at this stage in his career, he is always nervous before stepping into a project, he adds, "I am a person who is always nervous before starting anything. But I think this nervousness is something which helps me grow. I'm still hungry for roles and great work." He is one of the very few actors, who have a keen eye for the writing process, (he has written dialogues for many projects including Kundan Shah's cult classic 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro').

Recollecting how writing happened, he travels down the memory lane, "The credit actually goes to Mr Ranjit Kapoor who requested me to be a partner in 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' for writing dialogues. But at that time I told him that forget dialogues I can't even write a letter. However, Ranjit sir convinced me that I am talented enough for the job." Talking about how writing helps the actor in him, he says, "Moving forward, I did write dialogues for more films and that is something which helps me become a better actor because I could adapt and improvise my lines." "While I was writing for Pappu Pager (his character in 'Deewana Mastana'), the Bombay Hindi which you see in that movie, was improvised by me while I was sitting with Rumi Jaffery who was writing the film. So, writing definitely helps me in setting my dialogues", he adds.

Once a Rishi Kapoor fan as a college kid, who used to travel from Delhi to Faridabad to watch the former's films, he soon became the 'Bobby' star's colleague and a friend who worked with him on 'Sharmaji Namkeen'.

Talking about his association and relations with Rishi Kapoor, he mentions, "I do feel very proud that I was associated with such a great talent and a great human being whom I had seen in the college days. I eventually became his colleague and worked as an actor with him." "'Sharmaji Namkeen' was his last film, it makes the moments all the more heartwarming. The overall journey from being a fan to a co-actor has been very fascinating for me and I will always be associated with Rishi Kapoor", he further says.

He opines that playing safe is a dangerous sport that artistes should stay away from for the sake of excellence, "I personally think that the biggest risk for any creative person is playing safe. It's not like a business or other profession where you get a degree and you know that you will get a job or at least something sustainable. In cinema, life depends on Friday. Creative field is dynamic as it keeps on changing." Affirming his argument with his personal experiences, he says, "If I would have played safe I wouldn't have been here. Instead, I would have lived in Delhi right now doing some job which I was supposed to do in some sanitary company." "I also took a risk in 'Kaagaz' (his 2021 directorial) for which the story was lying around for the last 18 years. I also decided to launch Pankaj Tripathi as a leading hero for the first time. And I had to take the risk to re-define myself as a director and as a writer. I am glad to say that the risk paid off", he concludes.
London, April 13 : The man who 'invented Putinism' has been detained in Russia and is under house arrest, say reports in Moscow, Daily Mail reported.

If confirmed, the move against Vladislav Surkov appears to show Vladimir Putin is turning on his inner circle, and also deep splits among his closest henchmen.

Unconfirmed accounts say Putin's 'ideologist' is being held in a wide-ranging criminal probe that has also seen the arrest of 150 FSB agents.

The case evidently involves the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion by the secret services to create an undercover and intelligence network in Ukraine, Daily Mail reported.

The shadowy Surkov, seen as crucial to Putin's long-running electoral success, was the man who encouraged him to believe Ukraine is not a real country.

The 57-year-old is a former Kremlin insider, more recently a Putin point man in Ukraine.

Before Putin sent troops into Ukraine, Surkov called for Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic states to be annexed.

The detention of senior FSB figure Col-General Sergei Beseda, 68, now held in grim Lefortovo jail, is seen as a linked case.

Putin is said to be furious at intelligence failings in Ukraine after huge investment over many years to ensure Russian support in key places.

Russian outlet Buninskaya Alleya reported: 'More and more sources report that Vladislav Surkov is under house arrest.

'Investigative measures have been carried out allegedly in the case of embezzlement in the Donbas since 2014...

'It was Surkov who was the representative of the Russian President in Ukraine.' Telegram channel Druid reported: 'According to our sources, Vladislav Surkov is under house arrest', Daily Mail reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Chennai, April 13 : Tamil Nadu BJP legislative party leader Nainar Nagendran has said that the party would not allow imposition of Hindi in the state. In a statement, he said that there was no need to learn a language under any compulsion to prove that he was an Indian.

The BJP leader said that the party would oppose any forceful imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu.

BJP state president K. Annamalai had also on Tuesday said that the state BJP would not allow the imposition of Hindi language on the people of the state.

Both the leaders were responding after severe criticism had erupted in Tamil Nadu over the statement of Union Minister Amit Shah that Hindi should replace English as the link language among the states.

Nainar Nagendran said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not approved the draft of the National Educational Policy that had Hindi as the main language. The BJP legislative party leader said that the Prime Minister had given the go-ahead to the National Educational Policy only after Hindi was made an optional language.

The BJP Tamil Nadu unit president has lashed out against the Congress and said that the party had politicised the issue for the past 40 to 45 years and added that P. Chidambaram as Union Minister had stressed the need to give importance to Hindi language during a function at Hindi diwas during the UPA- II regime.

He said that the DMK was part and parcel of the UPA government and had the ministers representing the party when Chidambaram as Union minister had mooted the idea to give importance to the Hindi language.

Annamalai had also welcomed the suggestion of musician A.R. Rahman that Tamil could be the link language of the nation and added that stress must be given to develop the language.

The BJP state president had said that no efforts have been made in Tamil Nadu to develop that language and added that the number of students taking the Class 12 board exam in Tamil medium was coming down drastically and said that soon it will fall below 50 per cent.

K. Annamalai had on Tuesday called upon Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to write letters to all the Chief Ministers asking them to teach in Tamil in at least ten schools in that state and provide the necessary funds for the project.
Cairo, April 13 : Ten people, including five foreign tourists, were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson from the governor's office of Aswan Province said.

Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, Xinhua news agency reported citing the spokesperson.

More than a dozen injured French and Belgian tourists, who were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, are now in stable condition, the spokesperson said.
New Delhi, April 13 : Delhi Police have arrested a couple -- a nurse and her husband -- for Rs 2.4 crore burglary at the residence of Hindi cinema actor Sonam Kapoor's in-laws in the national capital, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the official, the accused nurse, identified as Aparna Ruth Wilson (30), was working as a home medical care assistant at Kapoor's residence at Amrita Shergil Marg and looking after the actor's mother-in-law. The husband of the accused woman was identified as Naresh Kumar Sagar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi district) Amrutha Guguloth said the accused woman had several times done home care duties at the house of the complainant upon the patient's request. "This made her close to the patient, whose jewellery she had ultimately stolen," the DCP said.

A complaint was lodged two months ago, on February 23, regarding a theft at the residence of Harish Ahuja at Amrita Shergil Marg in Delhi. Notably, Harish Ahuja is the father-in-law of Sonam Kapoor.

The complainant had noticed about the robbery on February 11, however, reported the incident 12 days later after which Delhi Police registered an FIR under section 381 (Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the Indian Penal Code at the Tughlak Road police station and initiated an investigation into the case.

It was officially learnt that after stealing the cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.4 crore, the accused nurse then gave it to her husband, presently residing at Sarita Vihar, Delhi.

The New Delhi district police along with the Crime branch of Delhi Police jointly conducted a raid on Tuesday night and arrested the accused duo. "A police remand has been sought for further interrogation," the official added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 13 : A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court by a Chennai resident seeking quashing of case against him in Karnataka for allegedly threatening the Karnataka High Court judges, who delivered the hijab verdict.

The petitioner, Rahamathulla, urged the top court to either quash or transfer the FIR registered against him in Karnataka to Madurai police station in Tamil Nadu, since another FIR in connection with the same issue has already been registered there.

"The petitioner would be put to tremendous hardship and it would be impossible for the petitioner to approach various courts/police stations in two different states in respect of such FIRs".

The plea added that the continuation of investigation in both the FIRs, parallel by two different investigating agencies, would tantamount to abuse of due process.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi sought response from the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments on the plea.

"This hon'ble court has in similar circumstances, inasmuch as where multiple FIRs with near identical allegations were lodged against an accused, pleased to quash the subsequent FIRs in Arnab Ranjan Goswami v UOI," said the plea.

The petitioner has been accused of making an inflammatory speech and consequently, an FIR was registered against him in Madurai on March 18, 2022. He was arrested on March 19 and is in custody till date. The second FIR was filed against him at Vidhan Saudha Police Station in Karnataka for offences under various sections.

The petitioner sought a direction from the top court to quash the second FIR in the case. "It is submitted that this Hon'ble Court has taken the view in Satinder Singh Bhasin v. Government (NCT of Delhi) & Othersa..that in cases where there are a group of cases in different States, this Hon'ble Court can exercise jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution and grant necessary relief," added the plea.

The Karnataka High Court held that hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and, upheld the power given by the state government to colleges to ban wearing of hijab on the campus.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kolkata, April 13 : Fresh rounds of political mud-slinging has erupted after the BJP's central leadership in New Delhi decided to send its five-member fact finding team to West Bengal to conduct an independent probe into the rape of a minor girl, who died later, at Hanskhali in Nadia district.

The five-member probe team will visit the crime spot, prepare a detailed report and submit the same to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and part's national president J.P. Nadda.

Soon after the BJP's decision, Trinamool Congress national general secretary and the party spokesman Kunal Ghosh gave a strongly- worded statement where he questioned the motive behind sending the fact-finding team when Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to take up the probe in the case following an order of the division bench of the Calcutta High Court.

"There can be multiple reasons behind the decision to send the party's own fact-finding team to the state at this juncture. There is a high possibility that the head of team is coming to influence the CBI probe in the matter so that the central probe agency frames charges as per convenience of the BJP leadership and not as per findings based on evidence. The intention of sending the fact-finding team is sheer politics over the tragic end of a girl, which has already been condemned by all of us," Ghosh told mediapersons.

He also asked as to why the saffron leadership did not form and send similar- finding team when similar minor rapes happened in BJP-ruled states like that in Unnao and Hathras.

However, his allegations were rubbished by BJP legislator from West Bengal, Srirupa Mitra Chowdhury, who is one of the five members of the fact-finding team. According to her, when a lady chief minister of a state terms the minor rape as a minor incident and tries to give a love-angle twist to the issue, it is clear that no woman in the state is safe. "We want the Union government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the women in the state," she said.

The other four members of the team are-- vice president and party MP Rekha Verma, actress Kushboo Sundar, Uttar Pradesh's woman and child development minister Baby Rani Maurya and BJP legislator from Tamil Nadu Vanathi Srinivasan.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a Popular Front of India (PFI) leader from Kerala in connection with a money laundering case.

PFI's Kerala unit leader MK Ashraf was arrested by the Central agency on Tuesday.

PFI chairman O M A Salam condemned the arrest and called it a witch-hunt.

Talking to IANS, Saleem, the spokesperson for PFI, alleged that the arrest was nothing but a part of "ongoing harassment" by the central agency.

The ED has not given any statement in this respect.

On March 12, one Abdul Razzak was also placed under arrest by the ED. Razzak was accused of raising fund for PFI through illegal means.
Hyderabad, April 13 : In a huge relief to AIMIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, a special court in Hyderabad on Wednesday acquitted him in alleged hate speech cases.

The Special Sessions Judge for Trial of Criminal Cases relating to MPs and MLAs acquitted him of all charges in both the cases registered against him in Nirmal and Nizamabad in 2013.

The case could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt, hence the court acquitted Akbaruddin Owaisi of all charges, his counsel Abdul Azeem told reporters outside the Nampally Court Complex.

He said the court found that the videos and cassettes of the speeches presented before it were not genuine. Counsel said the evidence was presented in the form of pieces of speech and not as continuous speech and hence, the court gave benefit of doubt to the accused.

Akbaruddin Owaisi, a leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Telangana Legislative Assembly, is the younger brother of AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

The MLA from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, he was present in the court when the judge pronounced the verdict but quietly left the premises.

While Akbaruddin Owaisi has not reacted to the court verdict, his elder brother took to Twitter to thank Allah. "Alhamdulilah Akbaruddin Owaisi has been acquitted by MP/MLA Special Court in two criminal cases against him for alleged hate speeches. Grateful to all for their prayers & support. Special thanks to Advocate Abdul Azeem sb & senior lawyers who provided their valuable assistance," he posted.

Two cases were registered against Akbaruddin Owaisi at two police stations in Adilabad and Nizamabad districts in relation to his alleged hate speeches at Nirmal and Nizamabad on December 8 and 22, 2012.

The MIM leader was arrested on January 7, 2013 after his speeches went viral on social networking sites. After spending 40 days in jail, he walked free after a court granted him bail.

In Nirmal case, he was booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 120-B (Criminal conspiracy),153-A (Promoting enmity between two groups on the basis of religion), 295 A ( Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering word, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 109 (Punishment of abetment) The court examined 33 witnesses in the case. The audio/video recording of the speech was also sent to the forensic laboratory.

In Nizamabad case, the CID had booked him under IPC sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 (A), 188, 295A, 298, 505(1) (B) and (C), 505 (2). The CID had examined 41 witnesses in this case.

In 2016, police had filed a charge sheet against Akbaruddin Owaisi in a court in Adilabad district after the state government gave permission for his prosecution.

The case was later transferred to the special court, set up on the orders of the Supreme Court, to deal with the cases relating to MPs and MLAs.

Since FIRs were lodged against the AIMIM leader in various police stations in the state, the Telangana High Court had last month ordered clubbing of multiple FIRs into one single case.

During the hearing in special court, Akbaruddin Owaisi's counsel had argued that there was no ample evidence available to prove the charges against him. Last week, the court had reserved the order.

Police had made adequate security arrangements in the old city of Hyderabad in view of the court verdict.

Last year, Akbaruddin Owaisi was acquitted by a special court in connection with an alleged hate speech case registered against him in 2004.

The MLA had allegedly made a communally inciting speech at a public meeting in 2004 during election campaigning. A case was registered against him on a complaint from a police official.
New Delhi, April 13 : Curated to celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of Indian Art, 'The Art of India 2022' festival by The Times of India was inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel.

Posited as the country's largest art showcase, it will be open for the public at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad till April 15.

Taking forward the benchmark set in its inaugural edition, the festival will showcase the country, in its 75th year, in unequalled cultural finery. Furthermore, the festival will present India's art story in a panorama encompassing generations by recognizing grandees of the field, as well as upcoming artists.

It will be a congregation of creations of more than 220 artists, muralists, visual communication artists, and sculptors.

Spread over 75000 sq feet, the exhibition will showcase the first generation of progressives, the second generation of modernists, and today's shapers of movements. These include stalwarts like Rabindranath Tagore, MF Husain, Nandalal Bose, MV Dhurandar, F N Souza, Krishen Khanna, Sakti Burman, Jyoti Bhatt, Himmat Shah, Sujata Bajaj, Paresh Maity, Jayasri Burman and many more.

The event began on April 11 with Meera Warrier welcoming the gathering with a brief introduction to the festival and also shed light on the efforts and commitment of every entity involved in making the festival a possibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhupendrabhai Patel said: "Bringing India's esteemed artists and their works together under one unique platform at this beautiful initiative by the Times of India group is immensely credible. The festival presents our country's art notables whose works are inspired by India itself. It is one of the largest platforms of its kind. The show has works by more than 250 artists including the top names of the country. Some of them came together to work specifically for today's event.

"Noted Art Collectors, sculptors, and galleries from across the country are participating and presenting the masterworks today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly working to bring together all the Indian Artworks from across the world back to India and these artworks depict our rich culture and heritage. It is the state government's duty along with various organisations to preserve our rich heritage and culture." Talking about the curatorial vision for the art festival, Priya Adhyaru-Majithia, the curator said that in India, art is more than luxury and is a celebration that empowers our country and its people.

"It is evolving, spreading its wings, and well on its way to achieving new heights. Making Indian art flourish and all the more popular, we look to celebrate the many diverse influences, styles, forms, practices, and traditions seen in the remarkable artwork made by legends. Now is the time where we must encourage art connoisseurs as well as today's generation to come and interact with the arts and expose themselves to this cultural and artistic diversity as much as possible."
Amritsar, April 13 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday welcomed Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on his arrival to Sikh holy city Amritsar.

Welcoming the CJI with a bouquet, Mann said the people of Punjab in general and the entire state government are elated to welcome Chief Justice Ramana and his family during their visit to Punjab.

He also gave a replica of Sri Harmandir Sahib as a token of love from the state to the Chief Justice of India.
New Delhi, April 13 : As more and more electric two-wheelers catch fires in the country, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Wednesday asked EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to voluntarily recall batches involved in the EV fire incidents.

Speaking to CNBC, he said that the time is ripe for the EV industry to instill a sense of confidence in consumers the way global automakers do by voluntarily recalling their vehicles over fire risks.

"Manufacturing of (battery) cells isn't regulated. Battery management system needs to be strengthened. There has been a clear partnership between battery manufacturing and battery management," he was quoted as saying in the CNBC report.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that the EV fire incidents may have taken place due to higher temperature.

"This is a very serious issue and we have ordered a forensic investigation into each individual event," said Gadkari in Lok Sabha on March 31, stressing that the government will take appropriate action after a detailed technical report is submitted after the 30-day probe.

The government is also reportedly preparing comprehensive guidelines for the electric vehicle (EV) industry after several fire incidents were reported across the country.

Last week, several electric two-wheelers belonging to Jitendra Electric Vehicles caught fire in Nashik.

"We are investigating the root cause and will come up with the findings in the coming days," the company was quoted as saying. No one was injured in the incident.

The latest EV fire, also under the government scanner, joined the growing list of such incidents - five so far -- in just two weeks.

The government has also decided to call technical teams of Ola Electric and Okinawa Scooter for an explanation on recent fires in their EVs. The battery manufacturers are cautious and are assuring exhaustive tests and technology to deal with the overheating issue.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, April 13 : The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday provisionally attached five properties belonging to Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik, his family members, and his firms Solidus Investments Pvt. Ltd.

These include the sprawling Goawala Compound, a commercial unit and three flats - all in Kurla suburb, two residential flats in Bandra west, and 148 acres of agricultural land parcels in Osmanabad district.

A senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, Malik is currently in judicial custody following a sensational pre-dawn swoop at his home by the ED in February and subsequent arrest in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of a 20-year-old land deal having mafia connections.

Dawood Ibrahim, Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna, Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzaq Memon alias Tiger Memon were named as accused in the FIR.

The FIR also stated that Dawood Ibrahim, after leaving India, started controlling his criminal activities in India through his close associates such as Haseena Parkar alias Haseena Aapa and others.

During investigation, the ED learnt that in one such case, prime property of one Munira Plumber was usurped by Malik through Solidus Investments Pvt. Ltd, a company owned by his family members and controlled by him with active connivance of the members of D-Gang, including Parkar.

For usurping this property, Parkar and Malik connived together and executed several legal documents to put a facade of genuinity for this criminal act.

Money Laundering investigation revealed that the property belonging to Plumber and her mother Mariyambai had been illegally taken over by Solidus Investments Private Limited and Parkar, Sardar Shahvali Khan, Salim Patel.

"Malik illegally usurped property, proceeds of crime that is a three acre prime land with building, structure etc at Goawala Compound, Kurla (West), Mumbai. The accused illegally transferred the land belonging to Plumber and her mother Goawala by getting it registered on the strength of fake documents in the name of Solidus Investments Private Limited. The said property was thus fraudulently usurped and was Proceeds of Crime," said the ED official.

The official said that rent of Rs 11.70 crore had also been received from this property in two entities controlled by Malik namely Solidus Investments Pvt. Ltd. and Malik Infrastructure. The official said thus this Rs 11.70 crore is also proceeds of the crime.

Accordingly, EDA provisionally attached the properties.

Further investigation in the matter is on.
Hyderabad, April 13 : Threats of bombs being planted on trains heading to Mumbai from Visakhapatnam sent the security agencies into a tizzy on Wednesday.

However, no explosives were found on two trains after they were thoroughly checked by police forces at two places in Telangana.

The railway police went on alert after an anonymous phone call was received on Dial 100 that bombs have been planted on trains heading towards Mumbai from Visakhapatnam.

Visakhapatnam - Lokmanya Tilak Terminus train was stopped at Kazipet in Warangal. Railway police along with local police checked the train with the help of bomb disposal squads but found no explosives.

Bhubaneswar-Mumbai Konark Express was also stopped at Cherlapally on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Police forces carried out thorough checks in the compartments but found no bomb.

Officials said the phone call proved a hoax and they were trying to identify and trace the caller.

The bomb threat triggered panic among passengers of both the trains and caused them severe inconvenience. The trains had to be stopped for more than two hours for checking.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday restrained the Andhra Pradesh government from transferring funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to a personal deposit account, saying "it is a very serious issue".

A plea filed by state resident Palla Srinivasa Rao said when the top court is actively and continuously monitoring the implementation of its October 2021 order, dealing with the issue of disbursing ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to next of kin of Covid-19 victims, the diversion of funds by the AP government from the SDRF to personal deposit account is not only against the law of the land but is also contemptuous in nature.

Advocate Gaurav Bansal, representing Rao, submitted that AP government diverting funds from SDRF to a personal deposit account, is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, also said that the Finance Ministry has asked questions from the state on the issue.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna said this is a very serious issue and asked the state government not to divert funds under the Disaster Management Act. After hearing the arguments, the bench issued notice to the state government in the matter.

The bench also directed the state government to not to utilise the funds which they have transferred to other accounts under DM Act.

The plea said: "That the applicant... has knocked the door of temple of justice for the reason that State of Andhra Pradesh is illegally utilising the funds of State Disaster Response Fund for the purposes other than specified under Section 46 (2) of the Disaster Management Act - 2005." The plea cited a letter issued on March 12, 2022, by Union Minister of State for Finance, which crystal clearly says that Andhra Pradesh government received an amount of Rs 324.15 crore as the central share of State Disaster Response Fund and an amount of Rs 570.91 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund.

"The said letter dated March 12 also mentioned that state of Andhra Pradesh has transferred the funds from State Disaster Response Fund to Personal Deposit Account without spending on immediate relief," added the plea.

The plea contended that once the statute prohibits utilisation of funds deposited under the National Disaster Response Fund and the State Disaster Response Fund, Andhra Pradesh government has no authority to divert the said fund to any other use.

The plea also sought a direction to the Andhra Pradesh government to submit the details of funds which they have utilised under State Disaster Response Fund during the Covid pandemic.
Mumbai, April 13 : As Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's wedding festivities began on Wednesday, a number of B-town celebs swarmed to Ranbir's Bandra residence to attend Alia's Mehendi ceremony.

Among them were Ranbir's cousins Karisma and Kareena Kapoor.

While the 'Jab We Met' star sported a silver-white lehenga in the backseat of her car, next to her was Karisma, who was seen wearing a gold outfit. Alia's mentor and friend Karan Johar was also seen at the venue donning a yellow coloured kurta.

As per media reports, the Dharma Productions head-honcho got emotional ahead of Alia's mehendi ceremony. He was the first to apply the henna on the actress' hands.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sabyasachi wedding outfits also arrived at Vastu denoting that Alia would don a Sabyasachi creation of pink lehenga on her special day. Reportedly, she will also have a customised veil from the house of Manish Malhotra.

Ranbir and Alia began dating on the sets of 'Brahmastra' in 2018 and made their first appearance as a couple at Sonam Kapoor's reception in the same year.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, April 13 : The Vadehra Art Gallery in the national capital will host late artist Manjit Bawas exhibition from April 26 to June 18.

Titled 'Kala Bagh', the exhibition will comprise a series of drawings from across his artistic practice.

Bawa enjoyed spontaneously drawing his compositions without any definition of their utility within the scheme of painting and considered drawing an integral process in his practice. These drawings would naturally evolve into oil paintings.

The artist described his drawings to be "a more effective medium, capturing easily the movement and expression of the subject... While the rough sketches, often just strong lines in charcoal, have a flow about them, the finished work, despite its flowing movements, become formalised and expressive of my style, of what has become synonymous with my art".

Bawa's repertoire is replete with imagery of folk theatre, mythic beings cut off from the circulation of existential modernistic concerns and encircled within the enigma of their own being, of experiences and memories of canonical stories and myths.

His figurations thus challenge the well-worn trope of voyeuristic or cultural reportage; instead, Bawa set out to unite disparate limbs or parts by an enchanting centripetal force that imbues symbolism into his curvature.

His playing with form and colour was a hallmark of his painterly practice, yet it is his drawings and preparatory works that reveal the momentum of his thinking. He identified with the Zen genre of creating, devoting oneself to perfecting the representation of a figure, not only in form but also in essence.
Mumbai, April 13 : Organisers of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's wedding are leaving no stone unturned to ensure privacy at the festivities.

While everyone from the industry remained tight-lipped about the intimate wedding, now that guests have started showing up for the functions, they are being closely monitored.

The attendees at Alia's mehendi function had to cover their phone cameras with stickers provided by the security personnel at Ranbir's Vastu residence in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The security sealed the cameras of anyone attending the function with a removable red coloured sticker that would help avoid live streams, photos or videos from the venue.

The security personnel also requested the cops to intervene when things didn't seem to be under control in terms of crowd. The officers of the Mumbai Police spoke with the paparazzi stationed at the venue and issued strict instructions to them to not block the cars of the attendees for photos or bytes.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Uttarakhand government to file status on FIRs registered in connection with alleged hate speeches made in December last year during an event in Haridwar.

Counsel, representing the Uttarakhand government, urged a bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and A.S. Oka to give time to file a counter-affidavit in the matter. "We have registered four FIRs and in three of them, charge sheets have already been filed," he said, adding that a status report can be filed in the matter.

Citing the next event is scheduled on April 17 in Himachal Pradesh, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, submitted: "The problem is, the event (in Himachal Pradesh) is on Sunday. That's the real problem. And see what is happening." He urged the top court to issue notice to the state government.

Citing the first order passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, Sibal submitted the order had said that petitioners can intimate the authority about such events. The bench replied that the applicant is free to give intimation to authorities concerned in the Himachal Pradesh in view of the order.

The bench said: "Liberty to serve an advance copy of the application on the standing counsel for the state of Himachal Pradesh." The top court added that the Uttarakhand government will file a status report before the next date of hearing, and scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 22.

On January 12, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Uttarakhand government on a petition by journalist Qurban Ali and former Patna High Court judge Anjana Prakash, seeking action against those who made hate speeches against the Muslim community at Dharam Sansad in Haridwar and in the national capital.

The plea, filed through advocate Sumita Hazarika, said: "Hate speeches consisted of open calls for genocide of Muslims in order to achieve ethnic cleansing. It is pertinent to note that the said speeches are not mere hate speeches but amount to an open call for murder of an entire community. The said speeches thus, pose a grave threat not just to the unity and integrity of our country but also endanger the lives of millions of Muslim citizens." According to the plea, the hate speeches were made between December 17-19, last year, in two events organised in Haridwar, by the controversial Yati Narsinghanand, and in Delhi, by an organisation self-styled as Hindu Yuva Vahini with the apparent objective of declaring war against a significant section of the Indian citizenry.

The plea submitted that no effective steps have been taken by the police authorities including non-application of Sections 120B, 121A and 153B of the IPC, to the said hate speeches.

--IANS ss/vd

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New Delhi, April 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually interact with the personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who were involved in the over 40-hour long rescue operation following a ropeway mishap in Jharkhand that concluded on Tuesday.

During the interaction scheduled for Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister will take their feedback on the rescue operation under which 46 persons were rescued.

Three persons died while several others were injured after stranded cable cars hung midair near the Trikut Hills in Deoghar. The accident took place after the cable cars collided on Sunday, leading a massive rescue operation that laster for nearly two days.

Following the incident, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has asked all the chief secretaries of states to cinduct safety audits of all ropeway projects to ensure safety and maintenance as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). For this, necessary guidance may be taken from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL).
Hyderabad, April 13 : Politics in Telangana these days revolve around paddy with both the ruling and opposition parties trying their best to politically cash in on the situation.

The decision of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government to procure paddy from farmers during ongoing Rabi season has not put an end to the row.

While the ruling party is projecting itself as the savior of farmers by coming forward to buy the produce from them despite the Centre refusing to procure paddy from the state, both major opposition parties, the Congress and the BJP, are claiming credit for this decision of the state government.

After the standoff with the Centre over the issue, the state cabinet on Tuesday decided to procure entire paddy from farmers. The decision came a day after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao led a protest in Delhi against the Centre's "discriminatory approach towards Telangana".

Since he had set a 24-hour deadline before the BJP government to take a decision, the buzz in the political circle was that KCR may intensify the protest over the issue. However, in a total anti-climax, the state government announced that it will procure paddy from farmers though this may lead to a loss of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore.

KCR claimed that by staging protests in Delhi, he has exposed the Narendra Modi government. "We have taken the decision to procure paddy so that farmers don't suffer," he said after the Cabinet meeting.

The TRS chief launched a bitter attack on the Central government and branded it anti-farmer. He maintained that the Centre will have to compensate for the loss the state will suffer due to procurement during Rabi season. He argued that since food security is the Constitutional duty of the Centre, it has to bear the losses.

As the farmers were getting restive due to the standoff between the state and the Centre, KCR assured them that his government will buy every single grain from them. He also asked farmers not to resort to distress sales.

"We will open procurement centres and the money will be credited into your bank accounts," he told the farmers.

With this move, the TRS leaders also claimed to have exposed the state leaders of the BJP. The ruling party recalled that when the government was advising farmers not to go for paddy cultivation during Rabi as the Centre was refusing to procure parboiled rice, state BJP leaders, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, had instigated farmers to cultivate only paddy and assured them that they will make the Centre procure paddy.

Some farmers, alleged to be supporters of the TRS, dumped a tractor load of paddy in front of the residence of BJP MP Dharampauri Arvind in Nizamabad district to dare him to make the Centre procure paddy.

Interestingly, the BJP claimed the decision of TRS government as its victory. On the day when KCR led a protest in Delhi, state BJP leadership staged a 'dharna' in Hyderabad demanding KCR to either procure paddy from farmers or quit.

BJP state President Bandi Sanjay claimed victory over the TRS government. "This is what we have been demanding the TRS government from the beginning but they were busy playing politics," he said.

The Congress, which was targeting both the TRS and the BJP governments over the issue, claimed that it was due to the pressure mounted by them through protests that the TRS government has relented.

"Both the TRS and the BJP were playing politics and cheating farmers and it was due to the protest by Congress that the TRS government has come forward to procure paddy," said state Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy.

Going a step further, the Congress demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged malpractices and corruption in rice supply to the Food Corporation of India.

The Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to Governor Tamilisai Soundararjan, seeking the CBI probe in the light of a statement by Kishan Reddy that the Telangana government did not hand over, to the FCI, the paddy/rice of more than 8 lakh tonnes that was procured in the last two Kharif seasons.

Kishan Reddy raised doubts about where that rice was lying and wondered if it was siphoned off in the black market.

Congress leaders said if the allegations made by the Union Minister are correct, they are serious charges of corruption worth thousands of crores. "Hence, we request an inquiry by the CBI and punish the culprits, however big they are holding positions in the state government," the Congress demanded.

Meanwhile, with the government deciding to procure the entire paddy, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Wednesday held a teleconference with District Collectors, Additional Collectors, Agriculture, Marketing, and Civil Supplies department officials and took stock of the situation in the respective districts.

He instructed the Collectors to set up a special control room to daily monitor the progress of paddy procurement in the district. A special control room is also being set up at the state level.

Somesh Kumar said a meeting should be held immediately involving the ministers and senior officials to formulate an action plan for paddy procurement in the district. Elaborate measures should be made at the paddy procurement centres and should be inaugurated immediately. Collectors, Additional Collectors, and other senior officials should daily visit at least four paddy procurement centres.

The Chief Secretary directed that the number of centres should be more than those set up last year. A special officer should be appointed for every procurement centre to monitor the operations. Emphasis should be laid on procuring gunny bags under the supervision of a special officer exclusively for procuring these. The services of the agricultural extension officers should be totally utilised for paddy procurement to ensure that the farmers get the minimum support price. which has been fixed at Rs 1,960 per quintal.
Gurugram, April 13 : An 80-year-old retired pilot died after he lost his balance and fell from the fourth floor of a residential apartment while reportedly trying to fix a wind chime, the police said on Wednesday.

The deceased, Sarabjit Singh Brar, was a resident of Laburnum Apartments at DLF Phase 1 in Gurugram.

At the time of the incident that occured on Wednesday morning, Brar was at his flat along with his wife.

The police said that the victim was trying to fix a wind chime in the balcony when he lost balance and fell, leading to his death.

Soon after the incident, his wife raised an alarm after which the security guards and other residents of the apartment complex rushed him to a hospital, where Brar succumbed to his injuries.

"The deceased's body has been handed over to his family after autopsy," said a police officer.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a petition seeking a direction for a uniform law for trust and trustees, charities and charitable institutions, and religious endowments and institutions.

A bench, headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, told petitioner advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, that "it is a well settled principle that no court issues a mandamus to the Parliament, to pass a law".

The bench, also comprising Justice Surya Kant, told Upadhyay that he is saying there should be a common law for all trusts, but this matter is within the domain of the Parliament, and the court cannot pass any direction. As Upadhyay submitted there is an alternate prayer, Justice Surya Kant said: "The prayer itself is an interference with the power of the legislature." Justice Chandrachud said: "We do not want it to be a publicity stunt by making you read the petition here in court. We cannot direct Parliament in any case. We cannot issue a mandamus." Upadhyay replied that he is challenging vires of the law, but Justice Chandrachud said: "How can you challenge this in abstract?" The bench told Upadhyay if he is aggrieved by provisions of law, then he can challenge it, and asked him to show the facts.

Justice Surya Kant said: "If you have been evicted under the Act then we understand but in abstract as an academic exercise, how can we..." Upadhyay said he has filed a PIL in public interest. The bench replied, "Has your property been appropriated? we have to be very careful when we entertain a PIL to challenge the validity of a law passed by parliament, challenging malnutrition etc., is different." The top court, in its order, said: "Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who appears in person, seeks the permission of the court to withdraw the petition so as to enable him to pursue such remedies as are available in law. The petition is accordingly dismissed as withdrawn. No opinion has been expressed by this court on any aspect of the petition." The plea said: "Petitioner is filing this writ petition as a PIL under Article 32 seeking appropriate writ/order/direction/declaration that the state can enact only Uniform Law for Trust-Trustees, Charities-Charitable Institutions and Religious Endowments-Institutions as enumerated in Item 10 and 28 of List-III, Seventh Schedule in consonance with Articles 14-15, and can't make separate law for Waqf and Waqf properties."
Chennai, April 13 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday declared April 14, the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, would be celebrated as "Equality Day" from this year onwards.

The Tamil Nadu government has already declared September 17, the birth anniversary of social reformer E.V.S. Periyar, as "Social Justice Day".

Making the announcement in the Assembly, Stalin said that a pledge would be taken across the state on this day for upholding and following equality, and eschewingcaste discrimination.

The Chief Minister said that a live bronze statue of Dr Ambedkar would be installed at the Ambekar Manimandapam in Chennai following the request by VCK leader and MP, Thol Thirumavalavan.

He also said that selected works of Dr. Ambedkar would be published in Tamil, adding that the opinions of the great social reformer have relevance and substance and that it was a beacon for the future. He said that the decision came on a representation he received from the DMK MP, A. Raja.

The Chief Minister also said that the goal of social justice is achieving equality and added that the government would intervene in any issue which concern the Tamils. He also warned that any discrimination based on caste would not be tolerated and would be dealt with an iron hand.
Chennai, April 13 : In a tragic incident, 4 construction workers were killed at Rosalapatti near Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar after lightning struck them on Wednesday evening, police said.

Police said that the dead are Jayasurya, 22, A. Karthik Raja, 28, M. Murugan, 24), and S. Jakkammal, 25.

Virudhunagar and surrounding areas have been witnessing heavy rains and lighting on Wednesday evening.
Guwahati, April 13 : State-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) has suffered a major cyber-attack in its field headquarters in eastern Assam's Duliajan, with the hacker demanding $75,00,000, officials said on Wednesday.

OIL's Manager, Security, Sachin Kumar, who filed an FIR with the police on Tuesday night, said that their server, network, and other related services were affected due to the cyber attack of ransomware on Sunday.

The OIL, however, said that exploration and production work of the company have not been affected due to the suspected cyber-attack.

OIL spokesperson Tridiv Hazarika said that there has been no impact on the production and drilling activities due to the cyber-attack.

"The production and drilling activities are not fully reliant on IT resources. The software which deals the business functions including payments to vendors and contractors also has not been affected and is functioning as usual," Hazarika told IANS.

Sachin Kumar, in his FIR, said that presently, OIL server, network and other related services are affected.

OIL is a public sector undertaking, and due to this ransomware cyber attack, OIL and the government exchequer has incurred huge financial loss as business through IT has been seriously affected," he mentioned in his complaint to the Police.

Quoting a communication from Deputy General Manager, IT, Keshab Bora, Kumar said that on Sunday a cyber attack of ransomware occurred on one of the work stations of the G & R (Geological and Reservoir) Department.

"After their preliminary investigation, it came to their notice that OlL's network, server and clients PCs are facing network outage. Further, it also came to their notice that, thee cyber attacker has demanded 75,00,000 USD as a ransom through a note from the infected PC," the FIR said.

OIL is India's second largest national 'Navratna' company after ONGC in terms of total proved plus probable oil and natural gas reserves.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a plea seeking directions to Alt Balaji and its agents to restrain from exhibiting and publishing reality show "Lock Upp" on OTT and social media platforms.

The plea challenged a Telangana High Court order, which set aside the ad interim injunction granted by the trial court against release and publishing of the reality show, hosted by Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna noted that the show has already been telecast, and granted liberty to the petitioner to move the trial court for expeditious hearing of its interim injunction application.

As the petitioner claimed that they came up with the story of "The Jail" and later, prepared a script with 22 celebrities, the top court said the high court has considered everything in detail and it cannot restrict the show at this stage.

Telling the petitioner's counsel that the first episode has already come, the bench said: "This petition is virtually infructuous." Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, representing the petitioner, Prime Media, sought permission from the bench to withdraw the petition and submit an application for early hearing of injunction application before the trial court.

"It will be open to the petitioner to move the trial court for expeditious disposal of the plea," said the bench. The petition was dismissed as withdrawn.

The trial court on February 23, had granted the ad interim injunction granted regarding releasing, exhibiting and publishing the series. However, the high court set aside this order. Pride Media moved the top court challenging the February 26 high court order.

The high court had noted Alt Balaji had already produced the show and also spent on the marketing of the show, notingb the balance of convenience is in their favour.

The petitioner said they registered the story with Screen Writers Association, but due to the Covid restrictions and the lockdown, they could not produce the show. And, "Lock Upp" began streaming, as the petitioner was in the process of mobilising the production of the show.
Hyderabad, April 13 : Hyderabad police will make tight security arrangements for the procession to be taken out in the city to mark Hanuman Jayanthi on Saturday.

Police have chalked out an elaborate security plan for the ensuing procession that draws hordes of devotees. Guidelines were given to all SHOs to be vigilant in law and order, security arrangements, and to coordinate with field level officers of other government departments.

City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand on Wednesday chaired the inter-department coordination meeting for the smooth conclusion of the procession.

Senior officials from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), R&B, Electricity, Fire Department, EMRI and police officials from Cyberabad and Rachakonda commissionerates attended the meeting.

Anand apprised other government departments on the need for putting up strong barricading, uninterrupted power supply, debris clearing and pruning tree branches along the procesion route.

The Road Transport Corporation (RTC) department is tasked to depute mechanics and drivers. EMRI officials will station ambulances in the main procession route.

Anand emphasised upon the attendees to depute senior officers to the joint command control centre on the day of the event.

This will be the second major religious procession to be taken out in the city in less than a week.

Ram Navami Shobha Yatra passed off peacefully on Sunday. Thousands of devotees participated in the procession, held after a gap of two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 7,000 policemen were deployed as part of the massive security arrangements.

Hanuman Jayanti procession is taken out from Gowliguda Ram Mandir and concludes at Tadbund Hanuman Temple. The procession covers a distance of 12 km.
Tokyp, April 13 : Japan has received an unofficial offer to become part of the AUKUS military bloc, which was formed last year by Australia, the UK and the US, media reports said.

Several unnamed Japanese government officials told the paper that Tokyo has been informally approached on such a possibility by each of the three members of the alliance, RT reported, citing the Sankei Shimbun newspaper.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, however, denied the report on Wednesday, saying that "there is no fact" in the Sankei Shimbun article. Tokyo was "not asked to participate in AUKUS", he said.

The AUKUS pact, which is largely seen as a strategy to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific, was announced by the leaders of Australia, the UK and the US in September 2021.

Its initial aim was to provide Canberra with a fleet of nuclear-powered, yet conventionally armed, submarines. But last week the trio announced that they were also going to cooperate on developing hypersonic tech, with Japan expressing support for the decision According to Sankei Shimbun, involving Tokyo in developing hypersonic missiles is one of the main motivations behind the AUKUS offer.

Two years ago, Japan announced plans to create two types of hypersonic weapons - hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) and hyper-velocity gliding projectiles (HVGPs) - saying that they could be fielded sometime between 2024 and 2028.

The country is also working on a special railgun that it believes could be able to shoot down incoming hypersonic missiles by firing shells at extremely high speeds using electromagnetic force.

Canberra, London and Washington are also interested in the country's capabilities in cyberwarfare, AI and quantum technologies, the paper said.

Sankei Shimbun insisted that the Japanese government generally has a "positive opinion" about joining AUKUS, suggesting that it would increase the potential to deter China, RT reported.
New York, April 13 : US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday sent a warning to countries that are not moving to snap financial ties with Russia or seeking to undermine sanctions imposed due to the war in Ukraine, media reports said.

"While many countries have taken a unified stand against Russia's actions and many companies have quickly and voluntarily severed business relationships with Russia, some countries and companies have not," Yellen said in prepared remarks to be delivered at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan think-tank on international affairs, CNN reported.

"Let me now say a few words to those countries which are currently sitting on the fence, perhaps seeing an opportunity to gain by preserving their relationship with Russia and backfilling the void left by others. Such motivations are short-sighted," Yellen said, as per the report.

While Yellen did not call out any specific country, some nations -- including China and India -- have not been in a rush to back away from Russia, given their need to import vast amounts of energy, the report said.

"Let's be clear. The unified coalition of sanctioning countries will not be indifferent to actions that undermine the sanctions we've put in place," Yellen said.
New Delhi, April 13 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday greeted the fellow citizens on Mahavir Jayanti and also extended warm greetings for Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, and Puthandu-Pirappu.

Extending greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially the Jain community, he said: "Lord Mahavira showed the path of spiritual liberation by observing the vows of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (Chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possession). He taught renunciation and restraint, love and compassion and modesty and righteousness as the basis to lead a balanced human life." "On this occasion, let us all take a pledge to work towards promoting non-violence and eradicating all kinds of social evils in the society," he said, as per a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique.

Similarly, the President also greeted fellow citizens for Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, and Puthandu-Pirappu.

Extending his best wishes to all Indians living in the country as well as abroad, he said: "These festivals celebrated all across the country reflect our diversity and also emphasise our unity. The festivals are occasions of enjoyment for the farmer community who work tirelessly for the betterment and progress of the nation." He also appealed to the people to resolve to work together for peace, prosperity and happiness, and spread the message of unity and fraternity for the progress of the nation, the Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said.
New Delhi, April 13 : A total of 49 terrorists have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir by the security forces since January 1 this year till date, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials said here on Wednesday.

They also said that during this period, 71 terrorists have been apprehended while three ultras surrendered.

In the month of April, eight terrorists were killed in the operation while 10 were apprehended by the security forces including the CRPF.

The officials also said that during the recent operations, one Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in Anantnag district on April 9, two foreign terrorists were killed in Srinagar on April 10 while two including one foreign terrorist were killed on April 11 in Jammu and Kashmir.

They further informed that as many as 311 insurgents were apprehended in the northeast while 55 have surrendered during this period.

Referring to the Left Wing Extremism areas, the officials said that six Maoists have been killed in anti-Maoist operations while 183 were nabbed and 204 have surrendered since January 1 till date.

The CRPF officials also said that the force will provide full security cover to the impending Amarnath Yatra which will begin from June 30 this year after a gap of two years.

The Force will provide adequate security to the pilgrims and chalking out strategies for the deployment of the security personnel, they said.

The CRPF is the nodal agency for providing security at the bases of this Yatra and throughout the holy cave. The Amaranth Yatra will commence from June 30 and will end on August 11.

A huge number of pilgrims are expected to visit the holy cave this year in 2020 and 2021, the pilgrimage was not conducted because of the Covid pandemic.
New Delhi, April 13 : After the recent communal violence witnessed in some parts of the country over Ram Navami processions, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday demanded the Centre and the state governments to curb such acts immediately.

Calling the incidents 'anti-Muslim mischiefs', JIH Vice President Salim Engineer said, "The same pattern was seen in all these places where processions were first taken out on the occasion of a festival, special flags were waved, weapons, especially swords and knives, were openly brandished and provocative and disparaging slogans were raised against Muslims and Islam.

"Attempts were also made to damage some mosques. In some places, property and shops owned by Muslims were also damaged. Incidents of arson and looting were also noted. All these incidents reflect the growing atmosphere of unrest and hatred in the country." Engineer said that it is a matter of great concern that some state governments through their actions are now inculcating a feeling in the people that they are the governments of a particular people of the country, while governments should treat all citizens fairly.

"This attitude of some state governments has emboldened the miscreants. Reports are being received from many places that the police are targeting the victims instead of taking action against the culprits. Large number of innocent Muslim youth are being arrested and false charges are being framed against them. In Madhya Pradesh, there are cases of extreme cruelty where people's houses are being demolished by bulldozers," he said.

Condemning these incidents, Engineer said, "JIH believes that these incidents are the product of the hatred that is being spread across the country. Some political leaders known for their vitriolic speeches are also responsible for the violence. They should be arrested immediately. These ongoing incidents are undermining public confidence in the government and the administration.

"It is also the responsibility of the Central government to take notice of the situation and call upon the state governments to take timely and stern action against the elements responsible for the violence as well as the forces inciting sectarian hatred. Action should also be taken against the police officers who are biased and guilty of dereliction of duty." Engineer went on to say: "JIH has been working for the establishment of law and order in all these areas since day one. JIH leaders are trying to liaise with state officials and the police and press for effective action. A central delegation is also reaching Madhya Pradesh where the situation is quite grave.

"Efforts are being made to establish law and order in these areas in collaboration with civil society groups and leaders of different religions. Efforts are also being made to take legal action against the oppressors and provide legal assistance to the oppressed." On Tuesday, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind held a meeting with the JIH state leadership of all the affected areas, reviewed the situation and gave necessary instructions to the state leadership and to the departments concerned.

According to its state leadership, various efforts are being made to provide immediate assistance to the distressed victims, including legal action against the oppressors and rioters.

The JIH appealed to the Muslim community to continue building the country and society while adhering to the highest values of prudence, patience and justice in the current situation.

Engineer said, "Don't be instigated by any kind of provocation or fear. Fight the situation within the law without any psychological pressure and keep trying to improve the situation in coordination with just people. Fight hatred by sharing love.

"These are the Islamic teachings and this is also the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was a mercy to the worlds. In this blessed month of Ramadan, let us also take special care to offer prayers for the betterment of the situation and peace and order in the country." The JIH has also appealed to the leaders of all political parties and all conscientious citizens to feel their responsibility in this situation and play an active role in maintaining law and order and preventing this 'cycle of hatred, poisonous speech, and violence'.
Nagpur, April 13 : The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) at the Pench Tiger Reserve near here has arrested one person, and seized two boats from neighbouring Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, for illegal fishing in Totladoh dam which comes under the tiger project area in Nagpur district.

The Deputy Director of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Prabhunath Shukla, informed that the STPF busted an eight-member gang which had sneaked into the Totladoh reservoir inside the PTR.

According to the forest officer, the STPF jawans noticed eight boats on the east side of Totladoh reservoir on Tuesday evening. The jawans chased the fishermen and nabbed one of them apart from seizing two boats.

The accused has been identified as Ramdas Sarate, a resident of Dudhgaon, Chhindwara. He was produced before the court at Ramtek on Wednesday, which remanded him to two-day police custody.

"The boats were hidden under water, which is a common practice by fishermen to cover-up their crime," Shukla said.
Srinagar, April 13 : A villager in J&K's Kulgam district was shot and injured by militants on Wednesday, police said.

The man was identified as Satish Singh, resident of Pombay village of Kulgam.

"He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The area has been surrounded for searches," a source said.
Washington, April 13 : Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the level of understanding he encountered in his meetings with American interlocutors on India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war, but expressed frustration with the persisting lack of it in the public domain, chiefly, though he did not name anyone, the media and even some lawmakers.

"People in the administration, people dealing with policy, they are well-informed, (and) in many ways they understand where India is coming from," Jaishankar said, adding, "At the same time, I would quite honestly say the narrative, the public narrative, sometimes is very, very different." Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh faced repeated questions at a presser with their American counterparts on Tuesday about India's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its continued purchase of energy from Russia.

There has also been a barrage of criticism of India among American lawmakers and experts.

"I think today, there is a gap between the policy and the narrative. And, you know, how do we narrow that and how do we bridge it," Jaishankar said.

While the Joe Biden administration has expressed understanding of India's historical ties with Russia and its longstanding dependence on Russian military hardware, there has been an outpouring of outrage in US media and among lawmakers over India's steadfast refusal to condemn the invasion, and for continuing to buy Russian gas.

India has made it clear, however, that it is against the war and backs the use of diplomatic channels to resolve any and all issues.

India has also extended humanitarian aid to Ukraine and recently condemned the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha and called for an independent investigation.

Among US lawmakers who have been critical of India's refusal to condemn the invasions is Ro Khanna, an Indian-American member of the House of Representatives.

"First, India should condemn (Vladimir) Putin in the UN for the blatant human rights violations. Second, they need to realise, they have to pick sides," he had said at a congressional hearing in March.

Jaishankar spoke to Indian mediapersons at the end of his three-day visit to Washington DC for the fourth edition of the 2+2 ministerial meeting with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

The meetings were flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on Monday with a video call, which was the first such high-level participation by the leaders of the two countries in these meetings.

The war in Ukraine dominated the meetings from the word go, including the Modi-Biden video call.

"A lot of our time went to the situation in Ukraine," Jaishankar conceded, adding that the US side presented their analysis of the situation.

The war and related issues of food and energy security came up in his meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Asked if the US team - the President or his secretaries - asked India to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict or pass on a message to the Russians or the Ukrainians, both of whom have been in touch with India at the highest levels, the minister said no such offer was made or a message was asked to be passed on.

While the Indo-Pacific - another way to refer to the global threat posed by China - figured in the discussions as did the Quad (the security group India and the US form with Japan and Australia), the minister said in response to a question, there was no specific mention of the India-China border conflict in the discussions.

He, though, did not rule out the possibility of it figuring in Rajnath Singh's discussions with Austin.

In fact, the India-China border conflict had indeed come up in Singh's meeting with Austin.

"We're facing urgent and mounting challenges to this shared vision," Austin had said, adding, "Across the region, the People's Republic of China is attempting to challenge and undermine the sovereignty of its neighbours." Jaishankar said an entire range of issues were discussed by the two sides at the 2+2 meetings and bilateral interactions between Indian ministers and their American counterparts -- from the situation in the neighbourhood to Afghanistan, West Asia and the continued global threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the state of the global economy.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, April 13 : German govermnent circles have termed as "wrong" a report stating that it was considering not inviting India for the G7 meeting it would host because of its position concerning Russia's war in Ukraine.

German govermnemt spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said Berlin would present its list of guest attendees as soon as it is finalised, while German Embassy sources told IANS that the report is "wrong".

The report stated that Germany is weighing "whether to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit it's hosting in June given India's reluctance to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine".

India and 49 countries abstained from a United Nations vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council and has not imposed sanctions on Moscow.

The G7 is an informal grouping of seven of the world's advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the European Union.

The forum provides global leadership and plays a powerful catalyst role on issues that are later taken up by other fora with broader global and regional membership.
New Delhi, April 13 : Youth Congress workers on Wednesday tried to gherao the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah here, but were stopped by the police.

They were protesting the alleged corruption in the Karnataka government following the death of a contractor, who recently committed suicide holding state minister K.S. Eshwarappa squarely responsible for the act.

The national President of the Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas B.V., questioned the 'silence' of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the matter, asking 'whom is he trying to save?' The Youth Congress workers alleged that every voice exposing the failure within the BJP will be silenced, which has been confirmed by the death of contractor Santhosh Patil.

"BJP's ploy is that first it will exploit you, and if you complain, it will finish you," Srinivas alleged.

He pointed that Patil, who was a BJP supporter, had urged the Prime Minister of India, the Chief Minister of Karnataka and senior leader Yeddyurappa to take care of his family.

Patil, a contractor from Belagavi, had stated in his message to mediapersons that he was committing suicide as Eshwarappa was not releasing funds for Rs 4 core worth projects he had executed.

He also charged that he was being forced to pay 40 per cent cut to him. His body was recovered from an Udupi lodge on Tuesday.
Panaji, April 13 : The Bombay High Court in Goa has directed the state police to crackdown on illegal bullfights in Goa, while also suggesting the use of RFID tags or microchips on bulls specially reared by bullfight enthusiasts for the illegal sport.

The order was passed last week but was placed in the public domain on Wednesday, after the court disposed of a petition filed by a local NGO People for Animals, which had sought a ban on the regularly organised bullfights in the state, although the sport was deemed illegal by the High Court in the 1990s.

"Many of these fights are reportedly conducted in fields within the jurisdiction of the concerned police station and it is difficult to believe the police authorities have no means of identifying those responsible.... The photographs annexed show the pictorial representation of the bulls that are likely to be involved in the fight on Easter... the bullfights are scheduled to take place at Benaulim..." Justices AK Menon and RN Laddha said in their order.

While bullfights are illegally held throughout the year, the frequency of such fights increase ahead of festive occasions like Easter.

"It was found that the police need support by way of a team of bull catchers, consensus on the application of relevant provisions of IPC, mapping of all bulls for their identification on their rescue including by use of RFID tags/microchips," the order also said.

The Justices have also directed the petitioner to make a formal presentation of the bull-fight issue to the state Director General of Police, while stating that the latter should then put a plan in place to put severe restrictions on the illegal sport.

"The Director General of Police shall take this complaint into account and investigate the complaint and take it to its logical conclusion," the High Court order also said.

"At that meeting, the Director General of Police shall briefly assess the plan, and thereafter, devise steps for the purpose of enforcing the bana including by identifying the organisers and suggesting a mechanism whereby his officers suitably identified for that purposes are granted necessary authority and powers and directed to prevent and in cases of undetected fights take appropriate action in accordance with the law," the Court also said.

Once a popular post harvest sport, bullfights or dhirio was banned in Goa two decades ago following directions of the Bombay High Court bench in Panaji in the 1990s.

But bullfights are organised clandestinely in several villages across the coastline.

The Goa legislative assembly in 2015 had formed a House Committee to explore ways and means to legalise bullfighting in the ambit of the exiting laws related to animal cruelty law.
New Delhi, April 13 : A 10-year-old girl who was abducted by her uncle from Bihar's Araria district in 2018 was finally found in the national capital, and later reunited with her family, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the official, in a matter of family dispute, the family of complainant Aisa Khatoon, a resident of Dhoa Badi village in Araria, was assaulted by the family of her brother-in-law (the uncle of the girl) and his associates, and they took away cash, jewellery and the 7-year-old girl child was also kidnapped by them.

Subsequently, based on a complaint, the Bihar Police had registered an FIR under sections 341, 323, 324, 365, 379, 504 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, and began investigating the case.

However, despite efforts by Bihar Police, the girl could not be traced.

On February 18, someone spotted the girl roaming in Delhi, and took her to Lahori gate police station that lodged her at Nirmal Chhaya in Hari Nagar.

"In routine practice, a team of anti-human trafficking unit of west district, on a mandate to reunite the children lodged in various children's homes, visited Nirmal Chhaya, Hari Nagar and collected the details of the children," Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Ghanshaym Bansal said.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) team consisted of a lady constable Sunita, who has already traced more than 80 children in the last 9 months.

Initially, the girl hesitated to share her identity. However, after constant persuasion by the lady constable, the girl child narrated the whole story as to how she was kidnapped by her uncle from her village in absence of her parents and he brought her to Delhi and abandoned her at New Delhi Railway Station.

Since then, she was roaming here and there and was taken to Lahori gate police station by a passer-by.

After this the Delhi Police contacted the concerned the investigating officer (IO) of the case in Bihar and later a video call was arranged between the girl and the family.

The family and the concerned IO were then called to Delhi and with help of AHTU team, the girl was handed over on April 11.
Hassan : , April 13 (IANS) Amid the ongoing unrest over incidents of communal polarisation in the state, the BJP government in Karnataka on Wednesday permitted continuation of an age-old ritual of reciting verses from the Quran during a historical Hindu religious fair despite objections from Hindu groups in Hassan district.

The move has been appreciated by thousands of devotees who took part in the 'Rathotsav' of Channakeshava temple at Belur in Hassan district.

Kazi Syed Sajeed Pasha recited verses from the Quran in front of the chariot of Lord Channakeshava in the presence of thousands of Hindu devotees. The ritual symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity and harmony.

"The recital of verses from the Quran has been a tradition for generations and it has came from my ancestors. Whatever may be the differences, Hindus and Muslims should live in a united manner and let the God bless all," Pasha said.

The 'Rathotsav' ceremony at the Belur temple is performed for two days, which is a rare phenomenon in the state. The idol of Channakeshava will be embellished with gold and diamond jewelleries gifted by the erstwhile kings of the Mysuru kingdom. Lakhs of devotees throng Belur during this temple fair.

Meanwhile, Hindu organisations have objected to the age-old tradition of recital of Quran before moving the chariot this year following a series of developments in the state.

The administrator of the temple had written to the Muzrai department seeking clarification over the continuation of the ritual, which has been going on for years and symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity.

The Commissioner of the Muzrai department, Rohini Sindhoori, gave green signal to the continuation of the ritual.

She said that according to Section 58 of the Hindu Religious Act, 2002, there should not be any interference in the rituals and traditions of the temple.

After her direction, the temple committee decided to go ahead with the ritual of recital of verses from the Quran.
New Delhi, April 13 : Top Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials along with the Intelligence Bureau Director are likely to visit Srinagar soon to review the preparedness of Amarnath Yatra which will commence from June 30 after a gap of two years, the sources in the government set up said here on Wednesday.

During the visit to Srinagar, the Union Home Secretary will discuss all aspects of the annual pilgrimage including the security with the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

The sources also said that the Director Generals of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) and J&K DGP will also join the review meeting in Srinagar.

The J&K DGP will make a presentation on the security aspect during the meeting. The Intelligence Bureau Director is likely to Adiscuss the intelligence input gathered so far, sources said.

The government is concerned about the security of the Amarnath cave shrine pilgrimage. The MHA has asked security forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley to step up counter terror operations against the ultras.

So far, eight terrorists have been gunned down in Srinagar in various counter operations in this month only.

The sources in the security grid said that security forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley have been asked to scale up operations against ultras and a full proof security shield has to be installed in the union territory of J&K so that the 'Yatra' is conducted peacefully.

The sources also said that once the security arrangements are put in place, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah will review the all arrangements before the Yatra commences.

Meanwhile, the registration for Amarnath Yatra has begun on April 11 and it is expected that a huge number of pilgrims will come to visit the cave shrine.

It is expected that around three to five lakh pilgrims are likely to visit the Amarnath cave shrine this year, the officials in the Jammu and Kashmir administration said.

This Yatra is commencing after a gap of two years in 2022. The pilgrimage was not conducted because of the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
New Delhi, April 13 : India's March 2022 merchandise exports rose to $42.22 billion, higher by 19.76 per cent on a year-on-year basis, official data showed on Tuesday.

Exports during March 2021 stood at $35.26 billion.

"Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in March 2022 were $30.67 billion, registering a positive growth of 9.4 per cent over non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports of $28.03 billion in March 2021 and a positive growth of 80.90 per cent over non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports of $16.95 billion in March 2020," the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

Similarly, India's merchandise imports in March 2022 increased by 24.21 per cent over last year to $60.74 billion from $48.90 billion.

"Non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery (gold, silver & precious metals) imports were $37.35 billion in March 2022 with a positive growth of 35.44 per cent over non-petroleum, non-gems & jewellery imports of $27.58 billion in March 2021 and a positive growth of 99.77 per cent over non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery imports of $18.70 billion in March 2020." The trade deficit widened by 35.72 per cent on a year-on-year basis to $18.51 billion in March 2022 from $13.64 billion in the like period of 2021.

"Both non-oil exports and non-oil non-gold imports recorded their FY2022 high in March 2022. However, the pace of growth of non-oil exports marked an FY2022 low of 8.9 per cent in March 2022, whereas non-oil non-gold imports expanded by a massive 76.1 per cent in YoY terms on a subdued base," ICRA's Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said.

"The non-gold trade deficit widened multifold to $17.5 billion in March 2022 from $5.1 billion in March 2021, driven by petroleum products, coal and electronic goods, partly driven by the spike in commodity prices following the Russia-Ukraine conflict." In terms of full fiscal year, the data showed that India's FY22 merchandise exports rose to $419.65 billion, higher by 43.81 per cent on a year-on-year basis from $291.81 billion reported for the previous fiscal.

Besides, the data showed that FY22 merchandise imports increased by 55.13 per cent over last year to $611.89 billion from $394.44 billion in FY21.

The trade deficit for FY22 widened by 87.32 per cent on a year-on-year basis to $192.24 billion from $102.63 billion in the previous fiscal.

FIEO President A. Sakthivel said that engineering goods, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, organic and inorganic chemicals, electronic goods, and agricultural products were amongst the top performing export sectors during FY22.

In addition, he said that India's exports to developed economies including US, Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, Belgium and Germany saw a quantum jump during the previous fiscal which showcases the increasing strength of manufacturing in exports.
New Delhi, April 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the country applauds the heroic efforts of all those involved in the over 40-hour-long rescue operation following the ropeway mishap in Jharkhand that concluded on Tuesday.

Three persons died while several others were injured after stranded cable cars hung midair near the Trikut Hills in Deoghar. The accident took place after the cable cars collided on Sunday, leading to a massive rescue operation that lasted till Tuesday.

Virtually interacting with the personnel involved in the rescue mission from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Prime Minister said, "For three days, round the clock, you completed a difficult rescue operation and saved the lives of many people of the country." Modi also said that the country is proud that it has such a skilled force of the Army, Air Force, NDRF, ITBP and Jharkhand Police who always bring people out of every crisis situation.

While expressing sadness over the death of three persons, Modi said that they could not be saved despite the best efforts of the security personnel.

"Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims," Modi said, as he wished speedy recovery to those injured.

At the virtual interaction, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that all agencies involved in the rescue operation worked in coordination to complete the mission with minimum harm.
Hyderabad, April 13 : The Railway police on Wednesday arrested a person who made hoax calls about bombs planted on trains.

A joint team of Crime Investigation Branch (CIB), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Special Investigation Branch (SIB) and Government Railway Police (GRP) located the bomb caller in Bahadurpally, Hyderabad and apprehended him subsequently.

He was identified as Thorri Karthik, 19, a resident of Gandhi Maisamma Colony, Bahadurpally, Hyderabad.

According to the railway police, he confessed to the offence, stating that he made a hoax call to see the response of police department.

The hoax caller was handed over to GRP for further legal action.

Earlier, the railway police went on alert after an anonymous phone call was received on Dial 100 that bombs have been planted on trains heading towards Mumbai from Visakhapatnam.

Visakhapatnam - Lokmanya Tilak Terminus train was stopped at Kazipet in Warangal. Railway police along with local police checked the train with the help of bomb disposal squads but found no explosives Bhubaneswar-Mumbai Konark Express was also stopped at Cherlapally on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Police forces carried out thorough checks in the compartments but found no bomb.

The bomb threat sent panic among passengers of both the trains and caused them severe inconvenience. The trains had to be stopped for more than two hours for checking.
New Delhi, April 13 : NITI Aayog Member, VK Saraswat on Wednesday said the government purchase only indigenous products to create a market for the domestic manufacturers.

He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for indigenous products is going to change the electronics manufacturing scenario in the country.

During an interaction with IANS, Saraswat said that the government should create a market for Indian manufacturers by making a policy that it will only purchase indigenous products.

"We should work for the domestic market as well as the export market instead of working for only one domestic market. But at one point, I want to say at least the Indian domestic market which is controlled by the government is where indigenous products should go.

"For example, tomorrow 4G, 5G or 6G will be used and for that the government should not take equipment coming from foreign companies. We should take equipment from only Indian companies to create a market for domestic manufacturers. I am only talking about the electronic products whether it is laptops, desktops or communication products," he added.

He noted that by adopting only indigenous products policy, the government will create a market for domestic manufacturers and will give a boost to industry.

He mentioned that significant changes are taking place now after these PLI schemes have come out in the electronic manufacturing sector.

"More and more industries are coming up to augment the production today and more industries are increasing value addition, which used to be 10 -20 per cent are now increasing to 25 to 40 per cent. It is a slow process but will take place," he said.

Crediting Prime Minister Modi for the hardware, space and drones sector, Saraswat said: "Now, faster indigenous push which our Prime Minister has given is also bringing a large number of start-ups companies. These start-ups are actually going to make a lot of difference in hardware manufacturing. In major shifts in hardware, space, drones, laptops and electronics, a lot of start-ups are coming up that are going to change the scenario as far electronic manufacturing is concerned." Referring to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Niti Aayog member said that it will have an impact on the global economy and certainly an impact on the electronic industry as lots of materials are supplied by Ukraine.

"No doubt, the war has an impact on the global economy and on the electronic industry. Ukraine supports the electronic industry in a big way as materials, chemicals and other items come from there, while Russia is a big market and by putting sanctions we are losing a big market," he said.
New Delhi, April 13 : MK Ashraf, the Kerala unit leader of the Popular Front of India (PFI), arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case, was on Wednesday remanded to ED custody till April 19 by a Special Court in Lucknow.

The ED said it wanted Ashraf's custodial remand so that he could be confronted with a number of documents.

He was arrested from Kerala by the central agency on Tuesday, and then was taken to Lucknow.

PFI chairman O.M.A. Salam condemned the arrest and called it a witch-hunt.

Talking to IANS, Saleem, the spokesperson of PFI, alleged that the arrest was nothing but a part of "ongoing harassment" by the central agency.

The ED has not come up with any statement in this regard.

On March 12, one Abdul Razzak was also placed under arrest by the ED. Razzak was accused of raising fund for PFI through illegal means.
New Delhi, April 13 : Walmart and Flipkart-owned PhonePe, homegrown Indus OS, Affle Global Pte Ltd (AGPL) and Ventureast Proactive Fund II (VPF) on Wednesday announced they have settled the dispute involving VPF shares in Bengaluru-based startup Indus OS, clearing the way for its acquisition by PhonePe.

"The joining of many important forces (Indus OS Founders, PhonePe, Samsung and AGPL) would anchor Indus OS in the next part of its value creation journey," the companies said in a statement.

Indus OS was founded by IITians Rakesh Deshmukh, Akash Dongre, and Sudhir Bangarambandi in 2015.

The company is known to make innovative products like Indus App Bazaar.

PhonePe acquired homegrown Indus OS for $60 million (roughly Rs 438 crore) in May last year.

According to the companies, Ventureast played a key role in the initial stages of bringing in angel investors and VC investors even before they were an investor, and subsequently was the investor who backed Indus OS in maximum number of rounds.

"AGPL has delivered strategic value creation and sustainable growth. Now with PhonePe's involvement last year, and the long-term alignment of the founders, PhonePe, AGPL and Samsung that is coming about now, the value accretion may be huge for all stakeholders including the entrepreneurs and consumers in India," the companies said.

The news came as Singapore High Court had also dismissed appeals filed by Affle, a shareholder of Indus OS.

With over 360 million registered users, one in four Indians are now on PhonePe.

The company said it has digitised over 27 million offline merchants spread across Tier 2,3,4 and beyond.

PhonePe forayed into financial services in 2017, providing users with a safe and convenient option to buy 24-karat gold, and has recently also launched silver on its platform.
Gandhinagar, April 13 : Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday said that expenditure made on armed forces should not be viewed as a burden on the country's economy.

Speaking at the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, the Army chief said: "For a country to prosper, you need a stable and peaceful environment. That will happen only if you have strong armed forces that will secure your borders. Therefore, whenever we talk of our armed forces and the expenditure made on our armed forces, we should not see it as an investment. " He said that expenditure on armed forces is an investment from which "you can get good returns and it should not be seen as a burden on the economy".

He also said that one should see how the economy suffers the moment there is a crisis.

"The moment there is a war anywhere or instability in the region, the impact can be seen on the stock markets. You can survive that kind of shock only if the armed forces of the country are strong," Gen Naravane said.

He said that the security of the nation, however, does not only depend on the armed forces but also on its people.

"The citizens of the country also have a major role to play. Each one of us is responsible for the security and well-being of our country. We can do that by being outstanding citizens and not spreading fake rumours on WhatsApp. Little bit of rumour mongering leads to riots. Buses get burnt. Whose loss is it? It is a loss to the country," he said.
New Delhi, April 13 : BJP chief J.P. Nadda said on Wednesday that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the saffron party is running a pro-active, pro-responsive and pro-people government at the Centre.

"The BJP government is committed and dedicated towards the welfare, upliftment and empowerment of every citizen," he said.

Nadda visited a public distribution system (PDS) outlet at Kailash Nagar in Delhi and interacted with the PMGKAY beneficiaries there.

The BJP is observing the fortnight from April 7 to April 20 as 'Social Justice Fortnight', and Wednesday was dedicated to the PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY).

"Immediately after the announcement of lockdown following the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, Prime Minister Modi started the PMGKAY to ensure that not a single person or family sleeps empty stomach. This important scheme shows the foresightedness and compassion of our Prime Minister," he said.

Nadda noted that under the PMGKAY from April 2020 to till today, the government has provided free ration to 80 crore people across the country.

"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also said that during the pandemic, the government did excellent work and took good care of the poor and needy citizens, which is highly appreciable. The IMF has also said that the PMGKAY has helped check poverty in the country," he said.

Nadda added that the World Health Organization (WHO) has also applauded the efforts of the Prime Minister on international platforms.

"India is among the very few nations which developed its own vaccine to save its citizens during the Corona pandemic. So far, over 186 crore vaccine doses have been adninistered across the country. Now kids above 12 years of age are also getting vaccine doses, while all adults are getting a third dose," he said.

Taking a dig at the Opposition, Nadda said, "When the vaccination drive was started during the peak of the pandemic, it was the Congress and the Delhi Chief Minister who had raised doubts over the efficacy and trial results of the indegenous vaccines. And after spreading this canard, they themselves took the shots developed by our scientists.

"Today they are mum as the world has recognised the efforts of India in developing vaccines and saving precious lives during the Corona pandemic," he said.
Patna, April 13 : Hints of changing caste equations are emerging in Bihar as seen during the recently-concluded MLC elections for 24 seats where three of the upper caste candidates of the RJD won and the trend is said to be continued during the polls in Bochahan by-elections as well in Muzaffarpur.

Bhumihars were considered the main pillars of the BJP in Bihar but now their focus is shifting towards the RJD. Now, the Bhumihar-Brahmin Social Front has decided to organise an event in Sri Krishna Memorial Hall in Patna on May 8 to take deliberate on their course of action.

A meeting in this regard was held in the residence of former cabinet minister Veena Shahi in Patliputra colony on Wednesday. The meeting, chaired by former minister Suresh Sharma, saw leaders of the front unanimously decide to start a membership campaign from April 23 to May 7 across 38 districts of Bihar.

"We have decided to go with the party which gives respect to our community," Sharma said.

Though, the leaders of the front did not disclose about their stand on going either for the RJD or the BJP but sources have said that people of the Bhumihar caste were backing the BJP in the past but the saffron party has not given due respect to it, and hence, they will go towards Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD.

A top leader of the front said that the saffron party is dominated by the people of the business community and they have sidelined Bhumihars.

Tejashwi Yadav, after the win of three candidates of Bhumihar caste in the MLC election, said that the participation of every caste and communities is increasing in RJD. The RJD, after MY (Muslim-Yadav) equation, it is heading towards achieving BY (Bhumihar-Yadav) equation in Bihar.

"We welcome people of every caste and community in RJD," he said a few days ago.

The BJP is also feeling the heat pertaining to the Bhumihar factor. Hence, it has decided to pay tribute to Veer Kunwar Singh, a freedom fighter of 1857 War of independenced. He was a native of Jagdishpur in Bhojpur district and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coming to Jagdishpur on April 23 for the event, as per state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal.

Jaiswal appealed to supporters of BJP to go with 75,000 national flags to pay tribute to Veer Kunwar Singh in Jagdishpur in the celebration, organised under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav of the Centre.

Sources said that the BJP tactically chose to pay tribute to Veer Kunwar Singh and give a message to the Bhumihars that Rajputs are with it.

In Bihar, both Bhumihars and Rajputs are considered upper castes, but the population of the former is higher.
New Delhi, April 13 : The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Goa, has devised an irrigation system that is sensor-based and uses river bank filtration (RBF) technology for not just saving water but also providing contamination-free water to farmers in the coastal state.

"We installed affordable RBF wells for the treatment of polluted water from the Sal River near Navelim and Nauta lake, powered by renewable energy resources (solar-powered pumps) to provide clean water to farmers in off-the-grid areas. Water, with improved quality parameters such as reduced turbidity and bacterial load supplied through systematic pipeline systems, helped farmers to obtain better crop production," researchers said on Wednesday.

The irrigation system implemented by TERI in collaboration with NIT, Goa, is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the umbrella of Demand Driven Mission - Water Technology Initiative.

It includes a web/mobile app installed at Sal river near Navelim and Nauta lake at Cortalim that has prevented wastage of water in the area and also made it easy for farmers to monitor the irrigation remotely, claimed to be the first of its kind in the region. The irrigation system is controlled by the app in a manner that moisture values provided by the sensors starts the water motor only when there is an actual need and similarly turns it off when moisture level reaches the maximum value.

This process prevents water erosion and maintains the soil quality throughout the field. The system has saved time, especially for the daily wage farmers giving them freedom and flexibility to sell their harvest in the market. It has reduced their labour work and helped the farmers financially as well.

"It provides clean water to farmers for irrigation through River Bank Filtration (RBF) technology, which operates by extracting water from wells located near rivers or lakes. As the river water infiltrates into and passes through the riverbed sediments, contaminants like bacteria and toxic metals are removed by overlapping biological, physical, and chemical processes," the researchers said in a statement.
New Delhi, April 13 : In a unique initiative, Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi on Wednesday led the first introductory meeting of All Women Ambassadors' Group here.

All women Ambassadors to India, spouses of male ambassadors and female Charge d'Affaires of all embassies attended the meeting.

The other attendees of the event included women officers from both the Ministries of External Affairs and Culture.

The event was organised as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The intent to form this group lies in the keen desire to realise the universal theme of sisterhood and stand in solidarity with each other and for each other, a statement said.

The request to form an All-Women Ambassadors' Group was floated to the Minister by Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador of Finland to India.

The formation of the grouping is of immense significance in the light of limited representation of women in the international diplomatic arena, an official said.

Through periodic meetings and discussions, the group aims to gain an insight into female leadership and gender equality in political and private sector.

Lekhi underscored the importance of this network as a means to facilitate communication and create a support web for all Women Ambassadors to India.

She spoke on Gender equality which according to her is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

She also highlighted the need to realise the Sustainable Development Goal 5 -- that is Gender Equality through Women Empowerment to create an inclusive and just society.

The event also provided a cultural touch of India to all the Ambassadors as there were cultural performances organised by the Ministry of Culture Kathak virtuosoShovana Narayan presented a beautiful dance presentation which was followed by a presentation from Papiha Desai and dance troupe on "Dances of India" highlighting the kaleidoscopic diversity of dance forms of India -- Garba, Dandiya, Giddah among many others.

Lekhi highlighted the importance of the timing of the formation of the All-Women Ambassadors' Group in the background of the just concluded Navaratri celebrations. She also informed the Ambassadors of the rituals and practices associated with the festival. Special Navaratri cuisine was served for all Ambassadors.
New Delhi, April 14 : The Centre said on Wednesday that in FY 2021-22, it released Rs 2,94,718 crore for the procurement operations under minimum support price (MSP) and seamless distribution of food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) and the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).

This release of food subsidy is about 140 per cent of the food subsidy released during FY 2020-21 and about 267 per cent of the food subsidy released during FY 2019-20, the Department of Food & Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer, Food and Public Distribution said.

During the FY 2021-22, the Department of Food & Public Distribution released about Rs 24,000 crore for the benefit of Scheduled Castes, Rs 12,000 crore for Scheduled Tribes and more than Rs 400 crore for the Northeastern Region.

In order to address the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had released additional foodgrain free of cost @ 5 kg per person per month to more than 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries under the PMGKAY, over and above their entitlement of foodgrains under NFSA.

This additional allocation has been made in five phases so far from April 2020 to March 2022. Since inception, a total of 758 LMT of foodgrain has been allocated under the scheme with financial implication of Rs 2.60 lakh crore.

The PMGKAY, which has now been extended till September 2022, will involve an additional allocation of 244 LMT foodgrain with additional financial implication of about Rs 80,851 crore.

A total of 1,175 LMT of foodgrain, including procurement of wheat during the Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22 and paddy in Kharif Marketing Season 2021-22, has been achieved with a direct payment of Rs 2.31 lakh crore of MSP, benefitting more than 154 lakh farmers, the ministry claimed.

Further, procurement of wheat has recently commenced in RMS 2022-23 in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and the department is taking all required steps in this regard, it said.
Kolkata, April 14 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the murder of Tapan Kandu, a Congress Councillor from Jhalda municipality in Purulia district of West Bengal, on Wednesday identified some crucial clues in course of the probe and made its first-ever arrest in this case.

The person taken into custody by CBI sleuths on Wednesday was Satyaban Pramanik, the owner of a popular dhaba in Jhalda.

The central agency sources said the detailed plan to assassinate Tapan Kandu was plotted at this dhaba, adding that on the basis of specific clues, they detained the dhaba owner late Tuesday evening to question him.

On Wednesday afternoon, after the agency sleuths became sure of Pramanik's active involvement in planning the murder after which he was taken into custody.

Later, he was produced before a lower court in Purulia district, which remanded him to a four-day police custody.

This is the fifth arrest so far in connection with the probe of the Congress Councillor's murder.

The first four arrests were made by the special investigation team of the West Bengal police which included Tapan Kandu's elder brother Naren Kandu, the latter's son Deepak Kandu and two contract killers -- Kalebar Singh and Ashique Khan.

Naren Kandu was a regular visitor to the dhaba.

A CBI source said there are enough reasons to believe that a section of the police personnel of Jhalda police station were involved directly or indirectly with the assassination of Kandu.

The agency's sources added that the main question is that although police personnel were present at a police post from the assassination site, they reached there much later after the murder.

Tapan Kandu was murdered on March 13 evening while he went for an evening walk with his wife Purnima Kandu.

His close associate, Nirnajan Baishnab, who was a key witness to the murder, committed suicide on April 6.

Following orders of the Calcutta High Court, CBI conducted parallel probe in both these cases.
New Delhi, April 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country applauds the heroic efforts of all those involved in the over 40-hour-long rescue operation following the ropeway mishap in Jharkhand.

Three persons died while several others were injured after stranded cable cars hung midair near the Trikut Hills in Deoghar.

The accident took place after the cable cars collided on Sunday, leading to a massive rescue operation that lasted till Tuesday.

Virtually interacting with the personnel involved in the rescue mission from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Modi added, "For three days, round the clock, you completed a difficult rescue operation and saved the lives of many people of the country." The Prime Minister on Wednesday said Deoghar rescue operation was a reflection of sensitivity, resourcefulness and courage, and 'Sabka Prayas' played a major role in this operation.

Interacting with personnel of India Army, Air Force, ITBP, NDRF, Jharkhand police and Deoghar district administration, Modi added, "Country is proud that we have a skilled force in the form of our armed forces, Air Force, ITBP, NDRF and police personnel, that has capability to protect citizen in the time of distress." "For three days, round the clock, you completed a difficult rescue operation and saved the lives of many countrymen. I also consider it to be the grace of Baba Vaidyanath ji," he said.

Noting the recognition and image that NDRF has carved for itself through their courage and hard work, Modi added that the courage of NDRF is recognised by the entire country.

The NDRF Inspector Om Prakash Goswami narrated the details of operations to the Prime Minister while IAF Group Captain Y.K. Kandalkar informed about the Air Force operation during the crisis.

The Prime Minister noted the skills of the pilots navigating the helicopter so near the wires whereas Sergeant Pankaj Kumar Rana of the IAF explained the role of Garud commandos in rescuing the passengers in the adverse conditions of the cable car and amid the distress of the passengers, including children and women.

Modi praised the extraordinary courage of the Air Force personnel.

ITBP Sub-Inspector Anant Pandey explained the role of his forces in the operation and how they raised the morale of the stranded passengers.

The Prime Minister appreciated the patience of the entire team and said success is assured when challenges are faced with determination and patience.

The Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantari explained to Modi about the details of local coordination of the operation and how morale of the passengers was maintained till the arrival of the Air Force.

He also provided the details of multi-agency coordination and channels of communication and also thanked Modi for the timely help.

The Prime Minister asked him how he used his science and technology background during the operation and asked for proper documentation of the incident so that repeat of such accidents could be avoided.

Brigadier Ashwini Nayyar narrated the role of Army in the operation and briefed about the rescue from cable cars at lower level upon which Modi praised the coordination, speed and planning of the team work.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the needs of children and elderly were always kept in mind during the operation.

He appreciated the constant improvement in the forces with every such experience and reiterated the government's commitment to keep the rescue forces updated in terms of resources and equipment.

He expressed condolences for the affected families and prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Modi concluded by requesting all those involved in the operation to document the details and learning meticulously for future use.

During the virtual interaction, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, Secretary MHA, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, DG NDRF, DG ITBP were among those present on the occasion.

Shah also complimented those involved in the rescue operation and said this was an example of a well-coordinated operation.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Geneva, April 14 : As the number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths continues to decline, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the pandemic remains a public health emergency, advising countries to be prepared to scale up Covid-19 response rapidly.

"On Covid-19, there's good news. Last week, the lowest number of Covid-19 deaths was recorded since the early days of the pandemic," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday.

According to the WHO, the global number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths continued to decline during the week of April 4-10 for a third consecutive week, with more than 7 million cases and over 22,000 deaths reported, a decrease of 24 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, as compared to the previous week, Xinhua news agency reported.

"However, some countries are still witnessing serious spike in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced," Tedros said.

The WHO's Covid-19 International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee released on Wednesday its recommendations from its latest meeting, which upheld that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

The committee said countries should continue to use evidence-informed and risk-based public health and social measures (PHSM) and be prepared to scale up PHSM rapidly in response to changes in the virus and the population immunity if Covid-19 hospitalisations, intensive care admissions and fatalities increase and compromise the health systems' capacity.

As the number of severe cases has dramatically declined in many countries -- in Britain, Sweden and the United States, among others -- widespread Covid-19 testing and surveillance programs have been widely scrapped there. This has led the WHO to call on all countries to sequence at least 5 per cent of their Covid-19 samples in order to keep track of the coronavirus mutations.

According to WHO Director General, the UN health agency is currently following closely a number of Omicron sub-lineages, including BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5, and another recombinant detected, made up of BA.1 and BA.2.

In an earlier statement, the WHO said scientists in Botswana and South Africa had detected new forms of the Omicron variant, labeled as BA.4 and BA.5. But due to the limited number of samples and sequencing, it is still not fully clear whether these might be more transmissible or dangerous.

"The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted when recommended. Continue wearing masks, especially in crowded indoor spaces. And for the indoors, keep the air fresh by opening windows and doors, and invest in good ventilation," the WHO chief advised.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
UBiqube, a global leader in infrastructure automation, today announced the launch of Cloudclapp, a continuous delivery tool for DevOps teams targeting application deployments over hybrid clouds.

UBiqube, a global leader in infrastructure automation, today announced the launch of Cloudclapp, a continuous delivery tool for DevOps teams targeting application deployments over hybrid clouds.

Cloudclapp addresses the growing DevOps toolset gap relative to multicloud and hybrid cloud deployments. Leveraging the years of innovation in orchestrating complex architectures with their Integration Automation Platform, MSActivator, UBiqubes engineers have designed Cloudclapp to serve the needs of the broader DevOps community.

Cloudclapp abstracts any cloud infrastructure, including public, private and hybrid, into environment blueprints, which are easy to design, modify and reuse by DevOps teamsregardless of which underlying clouds, technologies or vendors are used.

The shift to hybrid and multi-cloud combined with the emergence of private 5G and edge computing is laden with complexity and challenges for DevOps practitioners, says Nabil L. Souli, CEO of UBiqube. Cloudclapp brings a much-needed technology upgrade that streamlines the continuous delivery of applications over any infrastructure using any vendor, with no lock-in possible.

Furthermore, Cloudclapp provides application-centric lifecycle management of hybrid cloud. Usage, cost, security and governance are monitored from a single dashboard, leading to dramatic savings in operating expenses, greater security compliance and increased scalability.

Cloudclapp is intuitive and simple to use, yet offers the agility to address any cloud scenario, from edge to core, including private and public clouds. Cloudclapp integrates and extends the existing DevOps CI/CD toolset and its SaaS community version is made available to all at no charge.

To start a free trial of Cloudclapp, visit https://cloudclapp.com.

About Cloudclapp

Cloudclapp simplifies complex multi-cloud infrastructure once and for all, with agile environment blueprints for quick and painless app deployment and continuous delivery. IT teams are empowered to deploy apps to any cloud scenario in just a few clicks, then monitor usage, security and cost over its lifetime--all from one dashboard. Cloudclapp is engineered by UBiqube, a global leader in infrastructure automation. To join our community and start your free trial, visit https://cloudclapp.com/.

About UBiqube

Based in Dublin, Ireland, UBiqube is a global leader in infrastructure automation software with its industry leading Integrated Automation Platform (IAP), MSActivator. Learn more at http://www.ubiqube.com.
Frontieras is the latest of several major companies to move into West Virginia because the outside world is finally waking up to the fact that we are the diamond in the rough that everyone missed.

Frontieras North America, a subsidiary of Frontier Applied Sciences, today announced that it will construct its first FASForm plant in Mason County, West Virginia. Located in the heart of coal country, Frontieras contracted site enjoys easy access to raw materials, a skilled workforce, as well as roads, Class 1 freight rail, and the Ohio River for import and export of feedstock and FASForm products. The Frontieras plant, which plans to complete construction and be commissioned in Q4, 2023, is expected to employ up to 500 employees and process more than 2.7 million tons of coal annually.

I could not be more excited to welcome Frontieras North America to West Virginia. I thank them for selecting Mason County as the home of their new plant, said West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. Our goal is for West Virginia to be the energy powerhouse of the world and we just keep growing in this vital industry that is both important to our economy, and critical to ensuring the security of America. Im also proud that our efforts to make West Virginia the most business-friendly state in the nation continue to pay dividends. Frontieras is the latest of several major companies to move into West Virginia because the outside world is finally waking up to the fact that we are the diamond in the rough that everyone missed. Not only are we blessed with an abundance of natural resources, but we also have the hardest working people youll find anywhere; people who are true craftsmen and experts in what they do. I have all the confidence in the world that Frontieras will be another great success story as West Virginias rocket ship ride to prosperity continues.

Frontieras patented technology, Solid Carbon Fractionation (SCF), reforms coal, waste plastics and Hydrogen production by extracting volatiles, moisture, and contaminants. This new validated process, applied to the energy market, results in the delivery of FASForm liquid and gas offerings, as well as a cleaner version of coal known as FASCarbon that will be leveraged by the steel industry. In preparation for breaking ground on its first commercial site, Frontieras constructed a test plant that validated the results using the West Virginia coal as its feedstock. Frontieras new SCF process extracts the highest gas and liquid yields to produce material and monetary difference in processing coal for both public and private enterprises.

We are excited to bring Frontieras to the forefront of the energy market and engage with the great people of Mason County, said Matthew McKean, CEO and Co-Founder of Frontieras. Frontieras selection of its West Virginia site allows us to receive and ship products across the globe. Our interactions with State officials to the local business community have provided insight into the positive working relationship that we expect as we break ground, bring the FASForm Plant online and employ citizens of West Virginia. The entire Frontieras team is looking forward to engaging with and becoming an active participant within the community.

Frontieras conducted an exhaustive search through Texas, Wyoming and West Virginia before identifying the contracted site. Mason County has quickly become the epicenter for the nations answer to the energy crisis. National steel manufacturer Nucor recently announced its selection of Mason County as well for the production of its new steel mill, complimenting Frontieras offerings and further validating its choice. Specific highlights of West Virginia for Frontieras plant include:



West Virginia ranked fifth among the United States in total energy production in 2019, accounting for 5% of the nation's total.

In 2020, West Virginia was the second-largest coal producer in the nation, after Wyoming, and accounted for 13% of U.S. total coal production.

West Virginia also had 12% of recoverable coal reserves at producing mines, the third-largest reserve base in the nation, after Wyoming and Illinois.

In 2020, coal-fired electric power plants accounted for 88% of West Virginia's electricity net generation.

West Virginias total crude oil production reached an all-time high of 20 million barrels in 2020, more than 10 times greater than a decade earlier. Much of that production comes from recent drilling in the states northern panhandle.

Mason County is proud to welcome Frontieras North America into the fold of national companies that have selected West Virginia as the site for a new business opportunity, said John Musgrave Executive Director of the Mason County Development Authority. This excellent company has a new approach to expanding the energy sector not only in West Virginia but also the nation. Frontieras unique approach to processing coal by breaking it down into its component parts will create many downstream jobs and opportunities. We are looking forward to assisting this outstanding company as it expands its business into international markets as well.

About Frontieras

Frontieras North America, a subsidiary of Frontier Applied Sciences (FAS), is a privately held entity formed in 2010 as a private company. FAS holds patents on five continents that cover more than 3.7 billion people including the United States and Canada. Frontieras FASForm streamlines the processing of solid hydrocarbonaceous materials and maximizes the energy output in each of its three forms: solids, liquids, and gas. FASForm is extremely efficient, and products can be delivered to market at or below market comparable prices without relying upon any government subsidies or carbon credits.
This book is packed with valuable strategies on how to protect your business from cyber criminals, ransomware, downtime, disgruntled employees, and a number of other cyber threats that can shut your business down, cause major interruptions and cost you big bucks, Kreisberg said.

Scott Kreisberg, CEO of One Step Secure IT, has collaborated with other cybersecurity experts to write Cyber Storm, a cybersecurity book, released on April 14, 2022, through Amazon. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital.

Cyber Storm gives readers insight into how they can protect themselves from data breaches and the resulting cyber storm of fines, lawsuits, and customer loss.

This book is packed with valuable information, tips, and strategies on how to protect your business from cyber criminals, ransomware, downtime, disgruntled employees, and a number of other cyber threats that can shut your business down, cause major interruptions and cost you big

bucks, Kreisberg said. This is an important topic today. Cybercriminals are working 24/7 to infiltrate as many businesses as they can.

Cybersecurity experts from around the world had a hand in writing Cyber Storm, providing a valuable resource in keeping data secure and adhering to security regulations. Kreisbergs primary contribution to the book is the chapter titled, Insure Your Companys Safety And Well-Being.

Kreisbergs chapter begins by pointing out that it is no longer a question of when your business will suffer a cyber attack but a question of when. Kreisberg states that 60% of businesses close six months after a security breach. After discussing the most common types of security breaches, he provides expert prevention measures and solutions.

Greg Stott, President at Approach Capital Partners, said Cyber Storm and Kreisbergs chapter are a must-read for every business owner.

In one short chapter, Scott Kreisberg wraps his arms around the daunting subject of cybersecurity and provides an excellent framework for a business owner to understand the world of cybersecurity. Scott shares his trade secrets from years of front-line experience and quickly

gets the reader up to speed.

Larry Saltzman, President at Affordable IT Solutions, Inc. has worked with Kreisberg for over 26 years. If you are looking for a way to protect your business and your data from todays growing cyber threats, then you must read this book, Saltzman said.

Learn how to protect your business from cyber attacks. More information at onestepsecureit.com/cyber-storm.

About One Step:

One Step Secure IT was founded in 1985 and offers Managed IT Services, Cybersecurity Solutions, and IT Compliance Services. Knowing that a proactive and multilayered approach to cybersecurity was the only way businesses could truly lower their risk of a cyber incident, Scott ensured that One Steps expertise encompassed knowledge of numerous state and industry compliance regulations. Businesses continue to be a prime target for cyber criminals, particularly as these businesses store increasingly massive amounts of customer data and are continually processing transactions through online networks. Today, One Step Secure IT  headquartered in Phoenix with offices in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles  is a recognized expert for many regional insurance companies to help guide businesses through policy application and recommending the correct security measures to qualify and maintain compliance for cyber liability insurance coverage. For more information about One Step Secure IT and offered services, visit onestepsecureit.com.
With a newly secured grant from the Virginia-based Council on Library and Information Resources, Piedmont Universitys Lillian E. Smith Center will digitize more than 100 recordings, most of which havent been heard in more than 70 years.

We dont know what were going to find, but we expect that whatever these recordings contain, they will provide a clearer picture of Lillian E. Smith, her work as director of Laurel Falls Camp for Girls, and the issues she was grappling with during a very formative time of her life, said LES Center Director Dr. Matthew Teutsch.

Smith was a social activist, close friend of Martin Luther King Jr., and author of Strange Fruit, the best-selling novel about an interracial relationship that takes place in Georgia in the 1920s. She died in 1966.

Located in Clayton, Georgia, on more than 150 acres where Smith lived and worked, the LES Center is both an educational facility and a retreat for artists, writers, scientists, and others committed to continuing her work.

The LES Center is comprised of four structures once used by the Laurel Falls Camp, which Smith and her lifelong partner, Paula Snelling, operated from 1925 to 1948. Today, these buildings and the surrounding grounds are used for field trips, independent studies, and workshops, among other activities.

Several years ago, boxes of long-unheard recordings were found in a closet at the LES Center. With the CLIR grant  worth $26,278  Piedmont will work with Preserve South (Buford, Georgia), the Northeast Document Conservation Center (Andover, Massachusetts), and Audio Transcription Center (Boston, Massachusetts) to digitize the recordings.

While the contents of the recordings are unknown, Teutsch has reason to believe theyll be valuable for better understanding Smith, the inspiration and impact of her books, and more. Piedmont University recently digitized two records that were labeled as Drums and 1940, plays that Smith wrote in collaboration with campers and counselors Laurel Falls Camp.

'Drums' was a play that girls at the camp wrote and performed in the late 1930s, early 1940s. Its about the first 300 years or so of African American life in America. The other is a pilot script of a play about World War II before America got involved. Many of the counselors thought is was very unpatriotic, but after hearing it, they saw why it was important, Teutsch said.

We heard not just the plays, but personal conversations between Lillian, Paula, and campers. These were very formative years for Lillian, and any glimpse into this time helps fill in our understanding of her and her work.

The records will take about a year to digitize. They will be made available to anyone interested in learning more about Smith.

For more information about the grant, read the CLIR press release here:

CLIR Awards $570,595 for Recordings at Risk  CLIR

For more information about Piedmonts LES Center, visit piedmont.edu/les.
In many ways, it was still the Wild West out here. Amazing small-town opportunities with reward and risk at every turn."

The Las Vegas memoir, Tenacity: A Vegas Businessman Survives Brooklyn, the Marines, Corruption and Cancer to Achieve the American Dream, has achieved Amazon No.1 bestseller status in the business ethics category.

The true-life story by longtime businessman and serial entrepreneur Ron Coury chronicles his climb up the ladder as founder and partner of businesses including running a tavern, gaming, graphics/printing, limousines and automobile sales, all while facing political and police corruption, bribery, coercion and even death threats. The book addresses the question, How does one retain a sense of ethics amidst an atmosphere so rife with corruption? Coury details the struggles he faced and the losses he endured in this eye-opening, insiders look behind the curtain of business during the good-ol-boy days of Southern Nevada.

In many ways, it was still the Wild West out here. Amazing small-town opportunities with reward and risk at every turn, Coury said. Ive been lucky to use my instinct and common sense to sniff out wrongdoers lurking in the shadows while also seeing loyal and solid friends supporting me at the most challenging times. Tenacity describes much of all scenarios; the good, bad and hazardous obstacles that confronted me. It seems as though readers are responding to my story in a positive way.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Coury arrived in Las Vegas in 1973 following two years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He currently serves as a board member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, in addition to his work on the boards of several companies and charitable organizations. He has three children and five grandchildren and remains active in business and community service endeavors throughout Southern Nevada.

For more information on Tenacity and Ron Coury, visit the website at https://roncouryauthor.com/.
New Earth's Reign Supreme Gala Dr. Grammer adds, Reign Supreme is also about honoring the power of what we witness every day at our Center. So many of our young people have lost or forgotten who they truly are. At New Earth, thats what we work towards each day. A re-education and reclamation for our young people.

New Earth will host its inaugural fundraising gala on May 1st, 2022, sponsored in part by Boeing. Reign Supreme is designed to raise much-needed funds for the organizations programs while celebrating the power and limitless potential of New Earths youth. The celebrity-graced event will recognize the youth's identities and their stories, filled with strength, individuality, and influence.

The night will feature a performance by hip hop icon Doug E. Fresh, the producing talents of the Godmother of Hip Hop Medusa, and two distinguished honorees, California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and California State Senator Sydney Kamlager.

Reign Supreme is a culmination of months of planning to realize a shared vision, says Dr. Harry Grammer, Founder/President of New Earth. A vision where our stakeholders and supporters are able to come together once again in a beautiful space and acknowledge all that weve been through and accomplished, especially over the last couple of years.

Dr. Grammer adds, Reign Supreme is also about honoring the power of what we witness every day at our Center. So many of our young people have lost or forgotten who they truly are. Theyre stigmatized and criminalized - and from a heartbreakingly young age told they are not worthy. What they havent been told is that theyre descendants of royalty, the founders of civilization. That theyre kings and queens. That theyre strong, smart, and beautiful. At New Earth, thats what we work towards each day. A re-education and reclamation for our young people.

The inaugural gala will raise the necessary funding for New Earth to continue providing its signature mentor-based arts, educational, and vocational programs at the New Earth Arts & Leadership Center in Culver City, as well as in the youth detention facilities still operating in Los Angeles County.

Reign Supreme will be held at premiere event space NOOR, located in Old Pasadena, with delicious food and beverage, and a high-end auction. To become a sponsor of Reign Supreme or to purchase general admission tickets, visit: https://give.newearthlife.org/ge/reignsupremegala2022

As a 501(c)(3), all tickets are fully tax-deductible.

About New Earth

New Earth provides mentor-based arts, educational, and vocational programs that empower juvenile justice and system-involved youth ages 13-25 to transform their lives, move toward positive, healthier life choices, and realize their full potential as contributing members of our community.

Media Contacts:

Tiffany Fordham

Chief Aide to Founder / Communications

tfordham@newearthlife.org

323.382.4483

OR

Classic Cauley

Business Developer

ccauley@newearthlife.org

323.927.2441
ESOF - Product Cyber Score ESOF is the first Vulnerability Management Detection and Response Solution which has the cyber score of each product

Remote working and global expansion have led organizations to depend on various tools and products to ensure complete optimization and efficiency of work hours invested. But, this has also made the cybersecurity process more elaborate and uncertain. While organizations are able to secure their applications, infrastructure, people, etc. The question still remains for the products used by the organization, how secure and confident can one be? How do you know what is making an asset vulnerable and high at risk?

In the recent decade, a lot of breaches have been a result of another product not being secure enough to continue maintaining the highest cybersecurity levels for an organization. Enter: ESOF - Software Cyber Score. A measures a products risk on a scale of one to ten, with one being the censorious and ten being the finest. The purpose of this feature is to get the risk score of each product installed in the assets and the risk measured will be based upon the number of and the severity level of the vulnerabilities present in the asset.

In March, The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new regulations that would require public companies to disclose 'material cybersecurity incidents' within four business days. The goal of these amendments, the Commission stated, is to 'enhance and standardize' cybersecurity incident reporting, risk management, and governance. ESOFs Cyber Score would help the company to build the confidence on their IT Stack and this aligned with the vision of SEC proposed new regulation, said, Trishneet Arora, Founder, and CEO - TAC Security

Enterprise Security In One Framework (ESOF) is a state of the art, Risk and Vulnerability Management suite that is evolving every day to adapt and improve to meet the market demand and needs. It was time to address one of the biggest threats and gaps in the market, ESOF - Product Cyber Score is the only product in the market with this ability, said Akash Joshi, Director- ESOF at TAC Security. "With the launch of this feature, the industry has a renewed ability to ensure their cybersecurity process is at the forefront.

ESOF - Product Cyber Score will now have the risk score for each product installed in the system. Not only there would be an individual product risk score which will be for the product of the single asset but also a group score that will be based upon all the assets that have the product installed. With the overall product score, we can easily identify the most vulnerable product present in all the assets and also prioritize the top 10 most vulnerable products present in the organization.

For a CISO or a cybersecurity professional, ESOF can help demonstrate the ROI that Cyber Score can provide for your business. It leverages Cyber Score by teasing out the most impactful risk scenarios specific to your company and drives cybersecurity spending to areas of highest importance while validating risk acceptance in less vital areas. With this information, it generates a report designed specifically for Board members to make strategic decisions.

ESOF gives every organization the ability to have a strong Full-Cycle Vulnerability Management process in place at a pocket-friendly cost. Launch of our much-awaited and requested ESOF - Product Cyber Score has taken us one step further and closer to empowering every organization to do so, said Chris Fisher, CMO - TAC Security.

TAC Securitys last launch, ESOF VMDR, allows organizations to have Vulnerability Management, Detection, and Response all on one single platform at an affordable cost.

About TAC Security

TAC Security headquartered in San Francisco is a global leader in Vulnerability Management that protects Fortune 500 companies, leading enterprises, and governments around the world. TAC Security manages 5+ Million vulnerabilities through its Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Vulnerability Management Platform ESOF (Enterprise Security in One Framework).

TAC Security has established strategic partnerships with leading cloud providers and managed service providers and consulting organizations including Tech Mahindra, IBM, KDDI Japan, and distributors including Dataguard Technologies LLC and Ingram Micro. For more information, visit here.
MAK ONE  The simulation platform and network infrastructure to create realistic multi-domain synthetic environments Weve made a commitment to the Australian Defence Force to help grow the modeling and simulation industry in Australia.

MAK Technologies (MAK), a company of ST Engineering North America, today announced that the MAK ONE suite of products has been selected to provide the common simulation software system for the Australian Armys Land Systems (LS) Core 2.0 Program.

MAK teamed with Australian company Applied Virtual Simulation (AVS) to offer a solution for LS Core 2.0 that maximizes Australian content while delivering a suite of mature COTS products.

LS Core 2.0 will deploy a scalable and persistent Land Simulation System that can be accessed on demand and at the point of need to meet the Australian Armys future training requirements. By delivering a suite of Common Simulation Software (CSS), users can achieve improved data warehouse functions; interoperability with Land Command and C3ISREW (Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Communications & Electronic Warfare) systems; and an expanded Land Simulation Network (LSN) for domestic and coalition training.

The CSS comprises three packages: Common Virtual Simulation, Common Constructive Tool Set, and Common Image Generator. The MAK ONE suite of products meets the requirements of these three packages; utilizing VR-Forces for the computer generated forces application and constructive simulation; VR-Engage for the virtual simulation; and VR-Vantage for the Image Generator. MAK ONE will also support all simulation fidelity levels including high and medium fidelity simulators, desktop trainers, and part task trainers.

With a common set of simulation modules used across all future Australian Army training systems, interoperability can be facilitated from training commanders and their staff at the brigade down to company level, training crew members of armored vehicles, to training individual war fighters to perform their specific roles. The MAK ONE modules include open, standards-based terrain, simulation, behavior and rendering engines.

This software, managed and deployed by AVS, will be a core component of the Persistent Land Simulation System (PLSS), and all simulators and trainers that will be part of PLSS. It will be fully compliant with the Australian Generic Simulation Architecture (GSimA).

Weve made a commitment to the Australian Defence Force to help grow the modeling and simulation industry in Australia, said Bill Cole, CEO & President of MAK Technologies. We are honored to partner with AVS to meet the Australian Armys constructive and virtual training needs and enhance its current Land Simulation capabilities with our modular suite of simulation and training software.

AVS selected MAK ONE as the cornerstone of our solution for Land Simulation Core 2.0. The MAK ONE software suite provides the most comprehensive suite of simulation software and interoperability tools, which will enable the Australian Army to achieve networked and distributed training effects to an extent not previously possible, said Martin Carr, Director and founder of AVS. The AVS' Newcastle-based engineering team will be working with MAK Technologies to develop the software suite to meet the needs of the Army, including the development of high-fidelity, geo-specific terrain databases of Army training areas, 3D content, and doctrinal behaviors.

*****

ST Engineering North America is the U.S. headquarters of ST Engineering, a global technology, defense and engineering group with a diverse portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defense and public security segments. Based in Alexandria, VA, it has major operations across 16 cities in 12 states and employs about 5,000 people providing innovative products and solutions to commercial and government customers across diverse market segments.

MAK Technologies develops software for live, virtual, and constructive simulation. Built upon a strong foundation of COTS products, MAK delivers simulation, gaming, and networking technology in a flexible platform to meet the requirements of training system integrators, experimentation labs, and end users. Our primary users are in the aerospace and defense industries, yet our products and services can help customers anywhere modeling and simulation is needed to train, plan, analyze, experiment, prototype, and demonstrate. MAK is dedicated to serving our customers by building capable products, offering superior technical support, and innovating new ways to build, populate and view interoperable 3D simulated worlds. MAK continues to take advantage of new technologies that further the state of simulation. Our products help users link, simulate and visualize their world. MAK Technologies is a company of ST Engineering North America. Please visit http://www.mak.com for more information.

Media contacts:

Dan Brockway

VP, Marketing

MAK Technologies

Phone: (1) 972-741-8268

Email: dBrockway@mak.com

Stephen Lim

ST Engineering North America

Phone: (1) 703-399-2769

Email: Stephen.LIM@stengg.us
Treat the patient, see the whole person, not just the wound.

When Linda Moss father was transferred to a second hospital for rehabilitation following a brain injury neurosurgery, her family only received information about the primary reason for his hospitalization: his neurological progress. Linda Moss and her family didnt know that their father was suffering from a pressure injury that would eventually cause osteomyelitis. It was only when their father was denied a second surgery due to complications from the pressure injury that the severity of the wound was discovered.

Unfortunately, this gap in communication between health-care providers, specialists and patients is far too common in the Canadian health-care system. The complete picture of patients is seldom shared, especially when they are complex or receive care from multiple partners. This leads to a lack of timely wound care and ultimately irreversible complications that can result in amputations or even death in the case of Linda Moss father.

Care teams and caregivers are essential together, and the first step in any prevention or further complications with wounds is a communicated Care Plan, says Linda Moss.

A new partnership between national organization Wounds Canada and Medtech company Health Espresso is changing this. This partnership enables front-line clinicians, patients, policymakers, and researchers to digitize a patients journey and connect members of allied health teams at the right time to decrease acute and hard-to-heal wounds, reduce hospitalizations and improve patient outcomes. Leveraging this technology will also enable Wounds Canada to establish a Canadian national registry that can inform further research in wound care and provide quick and easy access to Wounds Canadas validated tools and resources for immediate bedside action by clinicians and help support wound management by patients, especially those living in outlying communities.

Wounds are a serious health complication that impacts the quality of life for patients while having significant economic implications on our health-care system, and the situation has only worsened under the strain of COVID-19. In many cases, hard-to-heal chronic wounds can be avoided or, if detected in the early stages, managed effectively  but we need evidence-based solutions to help us provide the safe, equitable and timely care that patients deserve in home care and across all health-care settings, says Mariam Botros, CEO of Wounds Canada. Thats why Wounds Canada is excited to partner with Health Espresso to offer a skin and wound care mobile app that benefits not only patients but also clinicians, researchers and policymakers. With the launch of this digital solution, well be able to improve patient care, reduce hospitalizations and lower spending on wound care while also increasing the skills and knowledge of front-line clinicians and establishing a Canadian national registry to inform further research.

As a registered nurse and private wound care consultant in rural southwestern Ontario, providing safe, timely, equitable access to interprofessional, evidence-informed care to people living with wounds can be challenging, adds Crystal McCallum, Director of Education with Wounds Canada. The skin and wound care mobile app that Health Espresso is developing in collaboration with Wounds Canada will address these challenges and will prove to reduce the burden of wounds and enhance the experience and outcomes of people living with wounds while enabling better use of health-care resources.

Certified by the Ontario Telehealth Network (OTN) and powered by artificial intelligence, Health Espressos easy-to-use mobile and web-based integrative digital solution offers a connected, collaborative approach to wound care. It provides a complete digital blueprint of a patients overall health and history, real-time vitals data, recorded notes from hospital visits, administered medication and more for timely, well-informed decision making. Unlike many standalone solutions, Health Espressos unique collaborative approach allows for a broader view of the patients journey with access to patient records, high-quality wound imaging and analysis tools to track healing progression and understand why a wound may not be healing correctly. It also includes built-in messaging and video tools that enable physicians, wound specialists and patients  especially those in remote or Indigenous communities  to engage in live communication within a secure environment.

Health Espressos digital solution is aligned with the governments target of delivering better, more connected care and improving health equity for patients, especially those in remote communities, says Founder of Health Espresso Rick Menassa. To optimize the healing of wounds, care needs to be timely, and a structured, collaborative approach to assessment, treatment, documentation and communication based on best practices is critical for providing patients with the best possible outcomes. We are pleased to partner with Wounds Canada to offer our technology and bring their best practices, resources and training to front-line practitioners at the point of care.

ABOUT HEALTH ESPRESSO

Inspired by front-line experience in home and community care, Health Espresso was created to chronicle the entire patient journey. Starting with a digital patient profile and digital care plan, Health Espresso empowers health organizations to automate intake, triage and update patient records and follow through with post-discharge remote patient monitoring for better health outcomes. Health Espresso provides a collaborative, patient-centred platform for Allied Health professionals, Primary Physicians and Hospitals for a one patient, one care plan approach to care, reducing service overlaps and gaps. Its secure, connected platform integrates with EMRs and government data assets for an all-encompassing view of patient records. Health Espressos mobile app complements its in-cloud web portal to empower physicians with real-time patient information and virtual care capability for time-sensitive decisions at the point of care, anywhere in the world. For more information, visit https://www.healthespresso.com

ABOUT WOUNDS CANADA

Established in 1995, Wounds Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing wound prevention and management for all people in Canada. They advocate for a population health approach that promotes best practices to support persons at risk of or living with wounds, health decision-makers and front-line clinicians. They develop and provide educational programs and resources and support research to advance this holistic, risk-based approach further. Wounds Canada fosters relationships with interested individuals and organizations to expand and sustain a robust wound community in Canada with mutually beneficial global connections. Their goal is to reduce the prevalence and incidence of wounds of all types and the negative consequences they bringincluding patient suffering and wasted health-care dollars. To learn more, visit http://www.woundscanada.ca.
2022 PDA Annual Meeting Both credited the Annual Meeting program planning committee for their dedicated work to develop an agenda to help professionals in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry Level Up: Agility in the New Normal.

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) is pleased to announce that its first in-person conference since 2019, the 2022 Annual Meeting, drew almost 700 participants and much relief from members and industry professionals as a step in the direction towards a new normal. The 2023 PDA Annual Meeting will be in New Orleans.

The open plenary session was standing room only as Richard Johnson, President & CEO, and Susan Schneipp PDA volunteer Chair, greeted the audience to rousing cheers as they acknowledged the difficulties everyone had faced over the previous two years.

Both credited the Annual Meeting program planning committee for their dedicated work to develop an agenda to help professionals in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry Level Up: Agility in the New Normal. They also thanked the meetings Gold Sponsors, Samsung Biologics and Smartskin Technologies, and its Silver Sponsor, Alcami.

The co-chairs of the committee, Shelly Preslar, President and COO of Azzur Training Center Raleigh, and Jason Kerr, Sr. GXP Specialist, Redica Systems, took over following the introductions and acknowledgements to introduce the opening speakers.

Jeffrey Baker, Sr. Fellow National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIMBL) challenged the audience to think about future emergency responses in his talk, Pandemic Response, Regulatory Rubric, and the Nature of Rubber Bands. Donna Boyce, SVP Global Regulatory Affairs, Pfizer Inc., provided the perfect follow up discussion in her talk, Moving Forward from Abrupt Regulatory Challenges to the New Normal.

The plenary session remained at full capacity and the audience engaged for the late afternoon session. Benjamin Borgo, Head of Portfolio Management and Product Development, MilliporeSigma, presented Challenges in CRISPR-based Gene Editing: Is it worth the risk? Michael Brothers, Technical Program Manager/Principal Scientist, UES, Inc., ended the first day with, Emerging Pathogens and the Emerging Platforms and Modalities for Bio-Surveillance to Identify Them.

Following the session, attendees packed the opening of the exhibit hall, to the satisfaction of the more than 70 exhibitors who awaited two-years to greet the PDA community in person once again. Subsequent sessions and exhibit hall activities drew eager audiences.

The post-conference Annex 1 Workshop drew over 120 attendees.

About PDA  Connecting People, Science and Regulation
Tatango, the leading SMS fundraising platform for nonprofits and political campaigns, announced today that its board has chosen Kevin Fitzgerald as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer. Fitzgerald brings more than 25 years as a technology executive to the company. He succeeds Derek Johnson, the company's co-founder, who is stepping into the new role of Chief Innovation Officer.

Fitzgerald, based in Raleigh, N.C., joined Tatango in 2020 as Chief Revenue Officer and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2021. In his short tenure, Tatango has more than tripled the number of organizations using its platform. These meaningful text message conversations with donors have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars being fundraised.

Our company has seen tremendous growth since Kevin joined us, and it has become increasingly evident that hes the right leader to take Tatango to the next growth stage. Our mission is to help fundraise billions of dollars for the nations most important causes using text messaging. Kevin shares the companys mission and I have no doubt that, working together, our company will continue to pioneer this new frontier of fundraising, Johnson said.

Fitzgerald began his career at IBM where he held several leadership positions across finance, sales and global market planning for a multi-billion dollar business unit. After 12 years with IBM, Kevin focused on high-growth startups and has worked closely with numerous technology founders, boards and investors building growth-centric strategies and teams to consistently deliver strong financial results. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pace University in New York and an MBA degree from Duke University in Durham, N.C..

Fitzgerald said, I am honored to have been appointed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Tatango. I am committed to extending our industry-leading position by focusing on markets that leverage our value proposition and deliver maximum ROI to our customers by helping them optimize donations. And, I am energized to continue building our world-class team, whether in our emerging innovation center of North Carolina or across the world, with people united in helping Tatango make a difference.

The transition will take place April 13, 2022. Fitzgerald and Johnson will continue working in lockstep to support nonprofits and political campaigns with the technology, security and expertise needed to help these organizations fundraise billions via text messaging conversations.

About Tatango

Since 2007, nonprofits and political campaigns have used Tatango's best-in-class software to create meaningful text message conversations with donors, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars being fundraised. Made to serve the needs of high-volume senders, Tatango's easy-to-use technology ensures that every client has the features and functionality to fully realize the power of text messaging within their organization. Tatango is a privately-held corporation originally based in Seattle, Wash., with remote talent globally, and investments from the Seattle Alliance of Angels

For more information, visit tatango.com
Local Search Rankings In a local search, a facility can drop down to the second or third page of search results just five miles away from its location.

SEO North recently announced the addition of its new service for local SEO. The agency specializes in SEO for drug rehab and addiction treatment facilities throughout North America. "Few treatment centers realize how poorly they rank in local searches," said Isaac Adams-Hands, founder and CEO of SEO North. "In a local search, a facility can drop down to the second or third page of search results just five miles away from its location. Most people who search look at the top three results on the first page instead of all the results on the first few pages. About 96% of people who search for a local query will pick a result on the first page." Isaac provided a visual aid of a map with red and green dots showing ranking numbers in a radius around a location. Red dots were associated with lower rankings, and green dots were associated with high rankings on the first page. Isaac said that SEO North works hard to turn the entire radius map green for the treatment facilities it serves.

Businesses today face more competition, and having a strong online presence is an integral part of being a successful leader. Local SEO is designed to help boost business for entities that serve a local population. With a local SEO strategy, an addiction treatment facility has a tailored approach to attract a target demographic, increase website traffic and generate more leads. Although offline marketing is still important, online marketing with local SEO is a focus that treatment facilities need to consider. "We noticed that addiction treatment and drug rehab facilities receive the most website traffic and phone calls from Google Business Profile," said Isaac Adams-Hands. "According to our estimates, over 95% of their calls come from GBP instead of organic web calls. That is a powerful message of how important local SEO is for treatment facilities."

Research supports SEO North's emphasis on the importance of local SEO. According to statistics, up to 46% of all searches on Google are local. This means that they have a specific geographic location added with the search query. About 97% of people who search online look for a local business, and nearly 86% of people use Google Maps to find local businesses. Also, about 78% of mobile local searches lead to a purchase offline. Those statistics show how important it is for facilities to reach their target market, and local SEO can help connect them. "With the growing rates of addiction since the start of the pandemic, treatment facilities everywhere in North America are looking for more ways to reach the people who need their services," added Isaac. "A strong SEO strategy that focuses on local SEO is a good place to start, and we are here to help drug rehab or addiction treatment facilities work toward their goals."

About SEO North

SEO North is located in Ottawa, Ontario. It is owned by Isaac Adams-Hands. He is a digital marketer and full-stack developer who graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a bachelor's degree. Addiction recovery is one of his areas of expertise. The SEO North team works together with a goal of focusing on customers and their unique needs, and they work hard to double every dollar clients invest in their services in generated sales. They welcome organizations that have not experienced the growth other agencies promised them.

SEO North is committed to education, transparency, accountability, and quality customer service. Auditing, researching, and planning are all performed by the SEO North team. They develop strategies that focus on minimizing technical SEO errors, boosting qualified leads, and increasing organic traffic growth. To achieve this, they develop optimized content, optimize websites for searches, build authority with the use of backlinks and provide advanced analytics for continual improvements that keep their clients competitive. SEO North also offers live chat support on its website. For more information, see http://www.SEONorth.ca.
PeerTracks logo

We are proud to announce the addition of PeerTracks to the ecosystem of Sonys 360 Reality Audio as a verified streaming player partner. PeerTracks system is capable of decoding audio and video content in 360 Reality Audio. With 360 Reality Audio, audio and video content has never felt so immersive and so real.

A pioneer in the Blockchain music space, PeerTracks has been operating since 2015. Their PeerTracks music streaming service created an environment where an artists work would generate the funds to pay that artist a considerable amount more than traditional streaming services. PeerTracks CEO and Music Producer Eddie Corral pivoted to immersive audio in 2020 and worked with Sony. Corral explains Today we are expanding into the immersive sound format, we are working with music streamers, distribution services, labels and other music organizations to help expand available content. Weve built a gateway to help grow the ecosystem, providing an opportunity for creators to remix old catalogs and create new music in 360 Reality Audio. The way the remix format came into the marketplace decades ago, but this time in an immersive sound format.

MusicXR, the processing arm of PeerTracks, will be the creation/conversion service to help build the of 360 Reality Audio. MusicXR has its own in-house team of producers who are consistently creating and converting new and old stereo mixes and remixes to the new format. MusicXR will vet and verify creator content, consult and set up distribution for the artist/label. MusicXR will bring a new revenue stream to artists, creators and labels. MusicXR are able to wrap content in NFT drops i.e. one of kind music and/or recorded live concerts in 360 Reality Audio  ready for any headphones.

MusicXR has built an instant royalty system on blockchain for accurate, transparent accounting. Blockchain allows for the addition of a secure accounting layer that keeps track of everything  the chain allows the writing of smart contracts for exclusive music mixes, instant royalty payments and NFTs in 360 Reality Audio. PeerTracks is ramping up, producing exclusive content in 360 Reality Audio and working with independent and major label artists. PeerTracks and Music XR will work with independent creators to populate a distribution pipeline for their content in 360 Reality Audio, as they build a repository of properly formatted music for gaming companies, radio stations and more.

Features will roll out in phases

Phase One  App launches with Music and Video in 360 Reality Audio with a radio function

Phase Two  NFTs and an NFT marketplace added to the app

Phase Three  VR/AR Virtual Reality capabilities added to the app

Phase Four  VR/NFT Merchandise Portal added to the app

Phase Five  Sponsored Giveaways added to the app. All this functionality in the palm of your hand!

PeerTracks: http://www.PeerTracks.com MusicXR: http://www.MusicXR.com

For more information: PR - Jamie Roberts - jamie@forthewin.media / 917-334-4130

What is 360 Reality Audio?

360 Reality Audio is a new immersive music experience that uses Sonys object-based 360 Spatial Sound technology. Individual sounds such as vocals, chorus, piano, guitar, bass and even sounds of the live audience can be placed in a 360 spherical sound field, giving artists and creators a new way to express their creativity.

https://electronics.sony.com/360-reality-audio

Compatible Devices

360 Reality Audio can be experienced with any headphones with compatible online music services. Additionally, 360 Reality Audio certified headphones and companion application can optimize users experience by analyzing users individual ear shape, and users can enjoy the ultimate immersive music experience.
This study highlights the gap technology can fill by automating, scaling, and accelerating innovation with a proven process, workflows, and dashboarding reporting.

InnovationForce, the company developing the worlds first purpose-built SaaS-based platform to automate and democratize the innovation process today released the results of its 2022 Innovation Trends Report Card. While 77% of the respondents said they have an environment where it is safe to fail in the name of innovation, 38% said their companies are not investing enough in innovation, 35% cited the lack of clear ownership, and 33% said the absence of a clear process were barriers. Respondents said the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact their companys ability to innovate.

According to UNESCO, 2021 was a record-breaking year for the amount the world spent on R&D and innovation, for the first time reaching $1.7 trillion, said Kim Getgen, InnovationForce founder and CEO. Yet 53% of our respondents said they did not have metrics to measure their innovation efforts. Only 23% said their organization had resources dedicated to innovation. This study highlights the gap technology can fill by automating, scaling, and accelerating innovation with a proven process, workflows, and dashboarding reporting.

The 2022 Innovation Trends Report Card represents the views of a global community of innovators with workers on the frontlines of various company sizes and types. Over a year in the making, the study included a global survey and one-on-one interviews. Most of the 113 respondents work at privately held corporations in North America with 1,000 employees or more. Respondents roles were predominantly senior management, R&D, sales, marketing, engineering, and project management.

Below are highlights from the 2022 Innovation Trends Report Card study:



The survey revealed that most companies (83%) launch up to 10 products a year without a formalized product development process (62%).

Innovation is moving toward inclusive, all-in cultures where there was overwhelming agreement that innovation belonged to everyone (33%). While most organizations want diversity and inclusion, without a clear owner, the innovation process cannot be efficiently managed and driven to completion.

Culture was not identified as a key barrier. An overwhelming 78% said they worked in an environment where it was safe to fail in the name of innovation, and 51% said their organization valued experimentation. At the same time, half of the respondents agreed with the statement that their company had a lot of great ideas but could not execute them, indicating that execution, rather than culture, is the primary barrier to innovation.

A key finding in the survey was that an overwhelming majority (53%) were unaware of any metrics their corporations used to measure innovation. The most common metric used was the percentage of revenue generated by the innovation (35%).

69% said COVID did not impact or saw no change in their companies ability to innovate during the global pandemic in 2021.

Spotlight on the Energy Industry

Twenty percent (20%) of the respondents were from energy, representing the largest industry segment. It is estimated utilities in the U.S. alone will spend $1 trillion by 2030 to modernize the grid to meet decarbonization mandates.

When innovating, it is important to tap into the creativity of an organization, said Larry Bekkedahl, senior vice president for advanced energy delivery with PGE. Employees are focused on achieving the strategic direction and purpose of the company. The challenge is to connect innovation to the work employees are doing daily. I believe that by tapping into what motivates people, they can feel a sense of ownership in innovation. The key step is developing a process that executes on the promise of innovation. With help from InnovationForce, weve simplified and accelerated our innovation process into use cases that run in 90-day sprints. It is a repeatable process that delivers quick wins. By reducing complexity and showing employees and external industry partners how they can participate in our innovation process, we deliver more transformational business outcomes.

InnovationForce was launched within the energy industry, working with utilities that have the most urgent need to innovate faster now. Working together, InnovationForce and its customers and partners have established an impressive use case library to help utilities accelerate the adoption of decarbonization technologies, enable transportation electrification, improve grid resiliency, and prevent wildfires.

Get the full report, 2022 Innovation Trends Report Card: The Execution Dilemma.

InnovationForce is launching the 2022 Innovation Trends Report Card at the ETS22 conference, where it is a finalist in the START@ETS competition. It presents during the keynote pitches on Wednesday, April 13, at 8:30 a.m. CST.

You can download the complete report card HERE.

About InnovationForce

InnovationForce is simplifying the often-complicated innovation process with a revolutionary technology platform that helps enterprises innovate faster while reducing the number of manhours per person. Through the use of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), InnovationForce brings in the right people at the right time while collecting KPIs that drive adoption and optimizes team performance. Our mission is to automate the innovation process for industries solving the worlds most complex energy, defense, and logistics problems. Learn more at InnovationForce.io or our Connected Utility programs at theconnectedutility.com.
Those looking to break into new fields should jump at the chance to add real-world experience to their resumes and an advantage over their competition." - Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller

Facing a critical lack of skilled workers, some U.S. hiring decision-makers are looking to create their own trained workforce as more than 2 in 5 companies (44%) say they plan to offer internships in 2022 with 94% likely to hire interns as part- or full-time employees afterward.

This is according to a new survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.

Of those companies offering internship opportunities, an average of 58 positions will be available, and the majority (84%) of hiring decision-makers say interns will be paid for their time.

There was a shortage in skilled trades talent before the market worsened, so any opportunities companies can create to bring in entry-level employees and match them into apprenticeships or internships for skilled work is a leg-up on every other company out there not offering them, said Kaylee Cooper, managing director of skilled trades recruiting and apprenticeships at the Express franchise in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you cannot find more talent, but you can grow your own, youre truly ahead of your competitors.

Coopers colleague, Heather Merrick, says that internships in human resources, marketing and IT have been common for years, and many universities require these for engineering programs, as well. Merrick is the managing director for the local Specialized Recruiting Group, an Express Employment Professionals company.

In the last two years, weve seen a dramatic increase in the number of companies related to the supply-chain willing to hire an intern or to train someone from the ground up in purchasing, materials planning or other related roles, she said. Much of this is attributable to the supply chain difficulties and a mass exodus from the market at the mid-level of the supply chain. People are leaving the field and changing careers due to the challenges, and more entry-level candidates are having to step up into bigger positions to fill that gap.

In Texas, Express franchise owner Nancy Reed says welders are in short supply in her region because of the competition for talent with the oil industry in the central part of the state. To combat this, local employers created a welding internship to provide on-the-job training to recent graduates.

Hopefully, this will encourage them to stay local instead of leaving for higher-paying jobs, she said.

For those considering internships, Reed encourages them to take every opportunity seriously, as it could be the first step in their career and a great chance to network.

Merrick adds that internships are a great chance to stretch outside your comfort zone and grow.

Its an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and add value, not just observe and study, she said. Even if the company decides to not turn the internship into a permanent opportunity, the experience gained is incredibly valuable and will assist in finding a role post-graduation.

Early, on-the-job experience is invaluable and that knowledge transfer between experts and younger generations is even more important with baby boomers retiring in droves, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller.

With a large number of internships and apprenticeships expected to be offered by companies this year, those looking to break into new fields should jump at the chance to add real-world experience to their resumes and an advantage over their competition, he added.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Nov. 10 and Dec. 2, 2021, among 1,009 U.S. hiring decision-makers (defined as adults ages 18+ in the U.S. who are employed full-time or self-employed, work at companies with more than one employee, and have full/significant involvement in hiring decisions at their company). Data were weighted where necessary by company size to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 586,000 people globally in 2021 and 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
Alcatraz AI at IFSEC 2022 At Alcatraz AI, we are passionate about creating autonomous access control with our facial authentication technology which incorporates artificial intelligence and data analytics that provides precise identity verification at every door, stated Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz AI.

Alcatraz AI, a leader in physical security AI technologies, announced today they will be showcasing autonomous access control technology at IFSEC International 2022 (Booth IF2605). Alcatraz AI has redefined secure access control delivering intelligence at the door to make your face your credential. The Alcatraz AI Rock, a touchless biometric device, utilizes facial authentication to grant highly secure and frictionless entry to modernize and improve access control systems. The security conference will be taking place at the ExCeL London venue in London, the United Kingdom from May 17 to 19, 2022. This is Alcatraz AIs first time attending the conference.

Thousands of global security experts attend IFSEC International, Europes largest and longest running security event, to discover innovative technologies and solutions and connect with the entire security community. Alcatraz AI will be demonstrating their identification technology that incorporates artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the uniqueness of the human face to gain access to secured spaces. The Rock makes it simple for businesses to protect spaces with features like tailgating detection, multi-factor authentication, and video at the door. The Rock can authenticate users in real time using 3D face mapping and deep neural networks, ensuring the protection of personnel, intellectual property, and precious assets.

Alcatraz AI solutions are developed and designed with privacy at its core. Our technology focuses on privacy, compliance and data security with end-to-end encryption and on-prem option and is in accordance with the Privacy by Design. We have been certified by national and international testing standards. We are committed to protecting privacy with the highest possible level of data protection for identity verification.

At Alcatraz AI, we are passionate about creating autonomous access control with our facial authentication technology which incorporates artificial intelligence and data analytics that provides precise identity verification at every door, stated Tina D'Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz AI. "With our rapid international growth, we are thrilled to showcase our enterprise-grade access control solutions at IFSEC International."

To learn more about Alcatraz AI (Booth IF2605), please visit: https://www.alcatraz.ai/events/alcatraz-ai-at-ifsec

About Alcatraz AI:

Alcatraz AI transforms access control by leveraging artificial intelligence and analytics to make powerful decisions at the edge, where your face becomes your credential. Alcatrazs facial authentication technology and intelligent tailgating detection enable enterprises to innovate and future-proof their security strategy. Our state-of-the-art product, the Rock, is designed to be easy to deploy on any access control system, providing an enterprise-grade security solution to protect businesses, people, and assets. Visit http://www.alcatraz.ai for more information and follow the companys updates on LinkedIn.

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BlackArch Partners (BlackArch) is pleased to announce that SBP Holdings (SBP), a portfolio company of AEA Investors (AEA), has completed the sale of its Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. division (BLP or the Company), to Altamont Capital Partners (Altamont).

BLP, headquartered in Houston, TX, is a leading value-added distributor and fabricator of lifting products and solutions, including equipment, wire rope, slings and rigging. Over the course of the companys nearly 40-year history, BLP has systematically built a market-leading lifting solutions platform that serves a highly fragmented and growing customer base through value-added capabilities and technical service expertise. As the industrys premier lifting solutions provider, BLP is well positioned to benefit from continued sector-wide consolidation and favorable economic tailwinds driving growth in the industry.

Harold King, Chief Executive Officer of BLP, commented, BlackArch did an awesome job representing our business at every step of the sale process. They worked closely with our team to develop a deep understanding of Bishops unique business model and also brought strong industry knowledge and experience to the table. Their thoughtful positioning, impressive process management and the around-the-clock support from each member of the BlackArch team yielded a great outcome for Bishop, and we are excited to partner with Altamont to continue growing our business.

SBP made the decision to separate the BLP division so it could focus on growing its two core business lines, Hose & Rubber and Fluid Power & Automation. These two divisions have natural customer and vendor overlap, and SBP is well positioned to achieve significant organic and acquisition growth opportunities across both divisions.

BlackArch was retained by SBP and AEA to serve as the Companys exclusive financial advisor. The transaction builds upon BlackArchs significant momentum in the specialty distribution and industrial services sectors and is a further example of the firms focus on providing unique, tailored M&A advisory services to market-leading businesses.

About Bishop Lifting Products

Founded in 1984, BLP is one of the largest providers of wire rope, slings, rigging and related products in the United States. Bishop's dedicated employees help leading companies across all industries solve their lifting and industrial needs. Presently, there are 26 strategic branches located across the country that allow customers to have the advantage of accessing Bishop's large breadth of products from any location. In addition to Bishop, the BLP family of brands includes Delta Rigging and Tools, Morgan City Rentals, Matex, Woods Logging, American Wire Rope and Sling, Western Sling and Louisiana Crane. To learn more, visit http://www.lifting.com.

About SBP Holdings

SBP Holdings is a group of value-added distributorships in the industrial rubber, hose, fluid power and automation industries. The company's primary objective is providing mission-critical components to a broad range of industrial markets throughout North America. SBP is focused on organic expansion and the acquisition of well-managed businesses where significant operating changes are not necessary. The company's philosophy is to allow business leaders to remain and operate the businesses, affording them a tremendous level of responsibility, authority and autonomy. To learn more, visit http://www.sbpholdings.com.

About AEA Investors

AEA Investors LP was founded in 1968 by the Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. as a private investment vehicle for a select group of industrial family offices with substantial assets. AEA has an extraordinary global network built over many years which includes leading industrial families, business executives and leaders; many of whom invest with AEA as active individual investors and/or join its portfolio company boards or act in other advisory roles. Today, AEAs approximately 100 investment professionals operate globally with offices in New York, Stamford, San Francisco, London, Munich and Shanghai. The firm manages funds that have over $14 billion of invested and committed capital including the leveraged buyouts of middle market companies and small business companies, growth capital and mezzanine and senior debt investments. AEA Small Business is a strategy within AEA that currently manages ~$2 billion of invested and committed capital. The team seeks to help grow and transform companies at the lower end of the middle market by sponsoring growing companies with proven management teams and superior business models. To learn more, visit http://www.aeainvestors.com.

About Altamont Capital Partners

Altamont Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area with more than $4.0 billion of assets under management. Altamont is focused on investing in middle market businesses where it can partner with leading management teams to help its portfolio companies reach their full potential. The firm's principals have significant experience building business success stories across a range of industries, including consumer, restaurants & multi-unit, financial services, healthcare, industrials and business services. To learn more, visit http://www.altamontcapital.com.

About BlackArch Partners

BlackArch Partners is a leading middle market investment bank offering a full spectrum of advisory services to financial sponsors, private companies and diversified corporations. BlackArch addresses the needs of owner-operators, founders and shareholders of private companies with specialized services that include M&A advisory, strategic advisory and private capital solutions. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, BlackArch features a total of 12 industry-focused practices that cover all sectors of interest to middle market investors. BlackArch professionals have closed more than 400 transactions in 16 countries on four continents. To learn more, visit http://www.blackarchpartners.com.

Securities offered through BlackArch Securities LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. Testimonials may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success.
Cameyo Rapid Recovery combines Cameyos deep expertise in delivering zero trust cloud desktops with the enhanced security of Chrome OS devices and Google Cloud to provide restoration of access for an organizations people within hours of an attack.

Cameyo today announced a new business continuity service designed to help organizations keep their networks & data safe and their people productive in case of an emergency and/or ransomware attack. The new Cameyo Rapid Recovery service runs in Google Cloud and provides organizations with a separate, secure cloud desktop environment from Cameyo that they can instantly switch to if their on-premises environment is attacked or disrupted, enabling their employees to maintain access to all their business-critical apps in case of emergency. Paired with Chrome OS Flex - the cloud-first, easy-to-manage, fast, and secure operating system - organizations can install Chrome OS Flex on compromised Windows & Mac devices to quickly recover the devices and experience the benefits of Chrome OS, all while continuing to access their business-critical applications through Cameyo.

Ensuring Business Continuity in Times of Uncertainty

The new Cameyo service, running in Google Cloud, provides organizations with an ultra-secure business continuity plan in response to the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) recent Shields Up advisory, which recommends that all organizationsregardless of sizeadopt a heightened posture when it comes to cybersecurity and protecting their most critical assets.

In this time of heightened cyber-attack risks, every organization needs both proactive protection as well as an insurance policy in case something does go wrong, said Andrew Miller, Co-Founder & CEO at Cameyo. Cameyo Rapid Recovery combines Cameyos deep expertise in delivering zero trust cloud desktops with the enhanced security of Chrome OS devices and Google Cloud to provide restoration of access for an organization within hours of an attack.

The increase in cyberattacks targeting remote and hybrid workers has caused many organizations to rethink their approach to cybersecurity, said Amit Patil, Director of Cloud Security Platform and Products, Google Cloud. Were pleased to partner with Cameyo to enable organizations to remain productive  both during and in the aftermath of a cyberattack.

Often times insurance policies come with a significant price tag and are infrequently utilized, so its refreshing to see two market leaders provide an affordable service designed to give organizations of all sizes peace of mind in these tumultuous times, said Mark Bowker, Senior Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). Cameyo and Google are both known for their commitment to zero trust security technologies and principles, so the combination of these offerings is very compelling for any organization looking to protect their operations.

Bringing Together Best-In-Class Zero Trust Security

The Cameyo Rapid Recovery business continuity service leverages the following technologies and services from Cameyo and Google, each of which is committed to delivering best-in-class zero trust security:



Cameyo Virtual App Delivery (VAD) - Built with zero trust capabilities at its core, Cameyos VAD platform is the most secure way to deliver cloud desktops. With Cameyo Rapid Recovery, Cameyo pre-configures an environment in Google Cloud so secure cloud desktops can be provided for an organizations employees within hours. If an organizations network or data is compromised, they can continue to give their employees access to all the business-critical apps they need to do their jobs, while maintaining separation from the compromised network.

Chrome OS Flex - Chrome OS Flex is the secure, cloud-first, easy-to-manage, and fast operating system for PCs and Macs. It enables organizations to experience the benefits of Chrome OS on their PCs and Macs, ensuring they boot fast and can be managed from the cloud. After a cyber-attack, this enables organizations to quickly recover potentially compromised Windows and Mac devices by installing Chrome OS Flex, maximizing the life of the existing hardware they already own and refreshing them with a modern, fast, operating system. This reduces e-waste while optimizing older computers value alongside Chromebooks when new device purchases arent possible. Chrome OS Flex is in early access, and organizations can try it out here.

Google Cloud - Google Cloud protects organizations data, applications, infrastructure, and customers from fraudulent activity, spam, and abuse with the same infrastructure and security services Google uses. Google Clouds networking, data storage, and compute services provide data encryption at rest, in transit, and in use, and its advanced zero trust security tools enable secure access to applications and cloud resources with integrated threat and data protection.

When we faced a ransomware attack, our cloud provider recommended Cameyo as both an immediate incident response solution and a simpler, more secure long-term solution for giving all our people access to their business-critical apps from anywhere, said the VP of Technology & Operations at a large New York-based fashion retailer. We were able to deploy Cameyo and give all our people access to our ERP system within one day. Its unfortunate it took an incident like this to get us there, but now that we have Cameyo in place, I can say that this is exactly the cloud-native solution we should have had in place the whole time. 

Cameyo is Chrome Enterprise Recommended

Google has certified Cameyo as just the third Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution for virtualization globally. Chrome Enterprise Recommended is Googles partner program for third-party solutions that are validated to meet technical and support standards for Chrome OS. To become a Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution, Cameyo worked extensively with Google to extend its solutions functionality, quality, security, and end-user experience. This helps organizations simplify the change management process and shorten the testing cycle for cloud technologies by selecting a solution thats already been verified by Google.

Pricing & Availability

The Cameyo Rapid Recovery service is available today to all organizations except for those based in Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea, and Syria. The service costs $300 per organization, per month with an annual commitment. And due to the increased need for Business Continuity as a Service (BCaaS) solutions in all businesses around the world due to the heightened risk of cyberattacks, Cameyo is providing all organizations with the first four months of the Cameyo Rapid Recovery service for free. In the case of an attack, organizations can quickly activate their environment in Cameyo and decide the number of monthly users needed at that time. To get started, organizations can request access here.

About Cameyo

Cameyo is the secure Virtual Application Delivery (VAD) platform for any Digital Workspace. Cameyo provides a secure, simple, flexible, and cost-effective cloud desktop solution for delivering all your apps  legacy Windows, internal web, and SaaS  to any device from the browser without the need for legacy Virtual Desktops or VPNs. By enabling organizations to provide their people with secure access to the business-critical apps they need to stay productive from anywhere, Cameyo helps make remote & hybrid work, work. Cameyo is a Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution, and hundreds of enterprises and organizations across all industries utilize Cameyo to deliver business-critical applications to hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. As of February 2021, Cameyo has a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +83 with zero detractors  100% of responding customers would recommend Cameyo to their peers. To learn more, visit cameyo.com.
Without the right support, running an independent coffee shop can be a risky business. Our 7 Steps program helps new coffee shops get off to a terrific start, then offers everything they need to grow their businesses. - Greg Ubert, Founder and President, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

In April, four independent coffee shops supported by award-winning coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea are celebrating anniversaries of one to 18 successful years.

Congratulations to The Coffee Shelf in Chapin, South Carolina; Coffee Chaos in Midland, Michigan; The Broken Mug in Columbus, Nebraska; and Lock No. 4 Coffee in Beverly, Ohio, said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. Its been our pleasure to help each of these unique coffee shops grow and prosper over the years!

The shop owners and their teams learned how to open a coffee shop through Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program. Based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: a Common-Sense Guide to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry, the program provides everything new business owners need to open and operate a successful coffee house.

Without the right support, running an independent coffee shop can be a risky business, Ubert said. Our 7 Steps program helps new coffee shops get off to a terrific start, then offers everything they need to grow their businesses.

As a coffee roaster and one-stop-shop for coffeehouse support, Crimson Cup believes our success is based on our customers success, he added. We guide coffee shop owners at every step  from scouting a great location and writing a coffee shop business plan to choosing equipment, hiring staff and providing comprehensive training and marketing support.

Once a shop opens, Crimson Cups customer growth specialists help it stay open and profitable for years to come.

Just look at Kim Krantz at Coffee Chaos, whos celebrating his 18th anniversary as a shop owner this month! Ubert noted.

Krantz opened Coffee Chaos at 6201 Jefferson Ave in Midland, Michigan on April 15, 2004, just in time to serve locals on tax day. He was impressed by Crimson Cups business model.

They want to make me successful. Because if Im successful, Crimson Cups successful, he said. That business model is so unique. Thats what sets them apart.

The Broken Mug opened April 21, 2017, inside The Sanctuary church at 2800 22nd Avenue in Columbus, Nebraska.

Crimson Cup is always there to help with all aspects of my business from start-up, hiring, adjusting my prices through the years, equipment and other questions I have, said Owner Mandy Tuls. They start you on a path that will deliver success as long as you really follow what they say.

I did and look at me now! Im opening my third location in March 2023, and I wont need a business loan to complete it.

The Coffee Shelf opened April 4, 2016, at 130 Amicks Ferry Rd. in the lakefront community of Chapin, South Carolina.

Owner Jerry Caldwell said he chose Crimson Cup because of the roasters outstanding coffee and its Friend2Farmer initiatives, which support small coffee farmers and their communities by paying a higher-than-market price for their coffee and making an impact by funding community projects.

Lock No. 4 Coffee opened April 30, 2021, at 123 3rd Street along the Muskingum River near historic Lock No. 4 in Beverly, Ohio. Owners Destiny and Matthew Schaad created the shop to help fuel local coffee lovers and small businesses.

I stumbled on Crimson Cup when I was searching for the foundation and knowledge that I needed to open a successful coffeehouse, Destiny recalled.

I wanted more than just coffee, something that our community could benefit from while offering the incredible taste of coffee drinks in so many varieties. Crimson Cup delivered!

Every single step has been an amazing experience, she added. Crimson Cup has made my business what it is today!

Ubert encouraged anyone who is thinking of opening an independent coffee shop to contact his team.

Were happy to walk you through your vision, offer suggestions and explore whether we can help you! he said.

7 Steps Sales Leader Scott Fullerton is the first contact for all new coffee shop owners. Reach him by emailing sfullerton@crimsoncup.com or by calling 1.888.800.9224.

If youve ever dreamed about opening a coffee house, Id love to help you get started, Fullerton said. Weve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs take the leap from dreaming about a coffee shop to opening their doors and running a profitable business. Chances are, we can help you!

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup  driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
Not Done in a Corner: a potent discussion of scripture. Not Done in a Corner is the creation of published author Dale Ferguson, an electronics production test engineer who enjoys history.

Ferguson shares, Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body (NIV). Is this just one more book? Maybe not. It could be like no other study and commentary. It is also a story.

Like many writers, I used my imagination to fill in what Scripture omits but have included many historical facts and discoveries to fill in those blanks. For example, who were the Wise Men? What kind of star did they follow? Its purpose was to communicate. The Wise Men never went to Bethlehem. Buy the book to find out where they went. You will be treated to a comparison between John the Baptist and Elijah. You will find out what Zechariahs writing tablet looked like. You will learn why Jesus got so angry at the money changers in the temple.

Sometime around 2007, I was attempting to prove that the Jews have no excuse for not knowing their Messiah had arrived, concentrating on events surrounding Jesuss advent, and emphasizing that they all happened in or were connected to the temple in Jerusalem. Soon, I realized that no one else has an excuse either. I call these events public agitations.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dale Fergusons new book will encourage and challenge students of the Bible.

Ferguson shares in hopes of furthering ones understanding of Gods word and the life of Jesus.

Consumers can purchase Not Done in a Corner at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Not Done in a Corner, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
We are pleased to contribute to the advancement of safety in higher education.

SafetyStratus, a leading provider of user-friendly, cloud-based software solutions for Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) management has partnered with the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety (CHAS) for over 10 years to recognize undergraduate programs that excel in the area of comprehensive chemical safety.

Following a joint nomination by the EH&S and Chemistry departments at the school, the University of Nevada, Reno was awarded the annual SafetyStratus College and University Health and Safety Award. The award comes with a prize of $1,000 Honorarium and will be presented at the CHAS Awards Symposium during the national ACS Fall 2022 meeting. ACS Fall 2022 will take place August 21st through 25th in Chicago, Illinois. On behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno, chemical management services manager Luis Barthel-Rosa will accept the engraved plaque given to recipients and then deliver a brief presentation at the Awards Symposium on a topic related to chemical safety.

This marks the University of Nevada, Renos second win of this award, with the first in 2005. In agreement with eligibility requirements, the current lab safety program has changed in several significant ways since the award was previously received. Green chemistry experiments were added to the organic chemistry teaching laboratory curriculum. This change has allowed for safer conditions and a reduction of risk to students and teachers by decreasing the number of hazardous chemicals within laboratories. The introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has increased the accuracy of chemical inventory by enabling more thorough tracking of chemical waste removal, strengthening the chemical safety program across the university. The Safety Training for Academic Research (STAR) Laboratory, with a curriculum developed by EH&S staff, also helps ensure safety excellence in laboratories. Additionally, keeping up with a growing demand for safety initiatives, this years nomination stated that students are trained to incorporate environmental sustainability into their future professional activities and personal lives. These improvements showcase the growth of importance placed on safety programs across the globe. SafetyStratus Customer Success Manager, Stephenie Langston, who began her career in infectious disease laboratories, summed up the need for recognition to continue encouraging this mentality, When someone points out the improvements that a change brings, it motivates you to keep striving. Safer labs, safer practices. It may take more effort but getting home at the end of the day is what really counts. Taking in this mindset when you are already in a setting for learning is so essential. We are pleased to contribute to the advancement of safety in higher education.

The Department of Chemistry at West Virginia University was awarded this honor in 2021 for its commitment to student laboratory health and safety practice and education.

For more information about the award, including the full list of previous winners, visit: http://www.dchas.org

About SafetyStratus

SafetyStratus is designed by EH&S professionals for EH&S professionals. Our multi-level technology platform brings user-friendly, practical innovation to Environmental, Health, and Safety management in Academia, Healthcare, Construction, and Manufacturing. Our aim is to always be learning. We save lives and the environment by successfully integrating knowledgeable people, sustainable processes, and transformative technology. SafetyStratus has headquarters located in Plano, TX with an employee base of industry experts and leaders, spanning the globe. We offer 24/7 coverage from our ROI-focused services team equipped with digitally transformative technology applications for clientele support.

For more information visit http://www.safetystratus.com or Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.
DMCC is perfectly positioned to support a wide range of Brazilian businesses in expanding their international footprint, utilising Dubais status as a gateway for trade to tap into the worlds fastest-growing markets

DMCC the worlds flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise  has successfully concluded a series of Made For Trade Live international roadshows and trade discussions in key Brazilian cities highlighting the significant opportunities in Dubai for Brazilian companies looking to expand their operations internationally.

Brazilian business leaders from a range of sectors were addressed by senior DMCC executives, who emphasised the ease of doing business in DMCC. The discussions also focused on how Brazil and the UAE more broadly can enhance bilateral trade and relations.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: As being part of BRICS for the past two decades, Brazil is an increasingly important player in the global market, particularly when it comes to commodities such as coffee and metals, as well as important sectors including the manufacture of aircraft and eco-friendly automobiles. As such, DMCC is perfectly positioned to support a wide range of Brazilian businesses in expanding their international footprint, utilising Dubais status as a gateway for trade to tap into the worlds fastest-growing markets. I am thrilled to be back in Brazil  a country I have grown fond of thanks to its incredible people and their global business outlook.

Held in partnership with the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, this latest series of Made For Trade Live roadshow events marked DMCCs sixth tour of the region, demonstrating DMCCs deep commitment to Brazil and its focus on strengthening trade relations across a wide range of commodity sectors.

Osmar Chohfi, President of Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said: The firm bond we maintain with DMCC has naturally guided us towards signing the Cooperation Agreement between our entities. Established in September 2021, the MoU commits us to holding seminars, roadshows, trade missions and other activities aimed at fostering the relationship between Brazilian companies interested in growing internationally and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

DMCC has played a significant role in enhancing UAE-Brazil relations through a series of events and partnerships, and is home to some of the worlds leading Brazilian businesses. DMCCs business district acts as a global hub for trade and a prime location for Brazilian companies to set up a business in Dubai and tap into a broad range of markets.

DMCCs Made for Trade Live roadshows play a key role in promoting Dubai as a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).

DMCC recently reported a record breaking first quarter of 2022 of company registrations  the highest since inception, following DMCCs best-ever year in 2021, when the award-winning Free Zone surpassed 20,000 member companies.

For the full DMCC events calendar, please visit: https://www.dmcc.ae/events.


We have had enormous success providing crypto-exchange software, and payment processing solutions, and we realize it's time we took on new challenges.

International blockchain development company HashCash Consultants announces its intent of hiring personnel in a huge number for its Indian development center. A company spokesperson broke down the specific domains that hiring will be on.

As per HashCash management, the company is on an expansion spell that would require strengths in various domains of operation in a much higher number. The domains include Blockchain development, Software Development, Business Analysis, Database & Infrastructure, QA & Testing, Marketing, Business Development, support, and others.

Primarily a blockchain development company, HashCash seeks to grow in the areas of web 3.0 integration in blockchain applications. It also targets Defi application and building and supporting DAOs. The expansion plan demands talent acquisition and skill-building before making any significant move into unexplored spaces.

When it comes to hiring HashCash Consultants has always favored the young, often employing fresh graduates.

Were a young team and more often tilt towards hiring fresh graduates offering them the exposure into the very exciting blockchain domain, revealed the HR manager. However, this time the company plans to find the right talent for the newer and more challenging projects that are expected.

We are currently flooded with projects that hover around DAOs, DeFi platform building, NFTs, and Web 3.0 integration, said Raj Chowdhury, HashCash chief, and blockchain pioneer.

Weve had an enormous success providing crypto exchange solutions and we realize it's time we took on new challenges, he added, going on to elaborate on how the new teams are going to have a mix of fresh and experienced talents. The advanced crypto avenues that HashCash is eyeing are nascent concepts by themselves. Therefore, aiming to accomplish those involves substantial risk.

Chowdhury appears confident in his growth plans and is looking forward to welcoming a large team mingling with his existing team that has met success in several overseas projects.

On the development front, HashCash has signed up on a project building a micro-loan platform that provides funds to women entrepreneurs of Morocco. The company also has plans to collaborate with a Metaverse company. HC Remit, a HashCash product is deployed in a Vietnamese payment service providing company to route-in overseas payments.

HashCash Consultants had entered the crypto market space as an equipped and ambitious enterprise. After studying its eventful and interesting journey, it can be concluded that this company is worth watching.



About HashCash Consultants

HashCash is a global software company. HashCash Blockchain products enable enterprises to move assets and settle payments across borders in real-time for Remittances, Trade Finance, Payment Processing, and more. HashCash runs US-based digital asset exchange, PayBito & digital asset payment processor, BillBitcoins. HashCash offers exchange and payment processor software solutions, ICO services, and customized use cases. HashCash propels advancement in technology through Blockchain1o1 programs and its investment arm, Satoshi Angels. HashCash offers solutions in AI, Big Data, and IoT through its platforms, products & services. HashCash solves the toughest challenges by executing innovative digital transformation strategies for clients around the world.
2022 is the third consecutive year Q1 has seen a breach increase compared to Q1 of the previous year. The fact the number of breach events in Q1 represents a double-digit increase over the same time last year is another indicator that data compromises will continue to rise in 2022 after setting a new all-time high in 2021," said Eva Velasquez, President & CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Today, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, released its U.S. data breach findings for the first quarter (Q1) of 2022. According to the Q1 data breach analysis, the 404 publicly-reported data compromises in the U.S. represent a 14 percent increase compared to Q1 2021. Q1 2022 is the third consecutive year when breaches have increased compared to Q1 of the previous year. However, despite the breach increase, the number of victims (20.7 million) decreased 50 percent compared to Q1 2021 and dropped 41 percent compared to Q4 2021.

Download the ITRCs Q1 2022 Data Breach Analysis and Key Takeaways

Traditionally, Q1 is the lowest number of data compromises reported each year, said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. The fact the number of breach events in Q1 represents a double-digit increase over the same time last year is another indicator that data compromises will continue to rise in 2022 after setting a new all-time high in 2021. As we mentioned in our 2021 Annual Data Breach Report, we saw an alarming number of data breaches last year due to highly complex and sophisticated cyberattacks that are fueling the dramatic rise in identity fraud. It is vital everyone continues to practice good cyber-hygiene, businesses and consumers, to help reduce the amount of personal information flowing into the hands of cyberthieves.

Other findings in the analysis include:

Approximately 92 percent of the data breaches in the first three months of 2022 resulted from cyberattacks. Phishing and ransomware remain the top two root causes for data compromises.



Continuing a trend from 2021, 154 out of 367 data breach notices did not include the cause of the breach, making unknown the largest attack vector in Q1 2022. It also represents a 40 percent increase in the total number of unknown breach causes compared to full-year 2021. While data breach notice updates may include more attack information, the increasing lack of transparency in the notices is a risk to organizations and consumers.

System & Human Errors represent eight (8) percent of the Q1 2022 data compromises.

Data breaches resulting from physical attacks such as document or device theft and skimming devices dropped to single digits (three) in Q1 2022.

The only non-cyberattack-related attack vector in double digits during Q1 2022 was related to email or letter correspondence with 12 instances.

Healthcare, Financial Services, Manufacturing & Utilities, and Professional Services sectors had the most compromises in Q1 2022.

Later in Q2 2022, the ITRC will launch a free alert service for consumers where individuals can create a list of companies with which they do business. A subscriber will receive an email alert if an organization on the list is added to our notified data compromise database. For more information about the recent breach increase, consumers and businesses should visit the ITRCs data breach tracking tool, notified.

Anyone can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable live-advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting idtheftcenter.org to live-chat.

About the Identity Theft Resource Center

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.

Media Contact

Identity Theft Resource Center

Alex Achten

Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations

888.400.5530 Ext. 3611

media@idtheftcenter.org
Matt Dufek, Kikoda President & CEO (left), and Chris Korta, Executive Vice President (right) We build trust along with reliable software, a lost art in the industry today.

Inc. Magazine revealed its annual Inc. Regionals Southeast list, ranking Kikoda at No. 78, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing companies based in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This is the second consecutive year Kikoda received the recognition.

Kikodas high ranking on the 2022 Inc. Regionals Southeast was determined by the companys continued growth rates, highlighting the company's three-year growth of 175 percent. This regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Southeast region economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses.

We are very proud to be recognized for the second year in a row on the Inc. Regionals Southeast list, said Matt Dufek, Kikoda President and CEO. We join so many other exceptional job creators, innovators, and disrupters in a dynamic business landscape never seen before."

As Kikoda continues its rapid expansion to meet growing demand, the growth of Kikodas employee base, which saw an increase of 63 percent over the last three years, allows the company to continue bringing new products and services to clients nationwide with exceptional consistency.

We set our clients up for success in the long term by empowering them from the very start, its time to end gatekeeping in IT, Dufek added. The Kikoda Way is what truly makes us unique from other shops  we approach each client with the Empower IT mindset by up-skilling their internal teams and educating them throughout the entire lifespan of the project. We build trust along with reliable software, a lost art in the industry today.

Dufek notes that Kikodas proven expertise in custom software development, data analytics, cloud services, and team scaling allows his team to bring successful and innovative project deliveries to partners across the country in a range of industries including: insurance, healthcare, finance, agriculture, genetics. As a GSA Schedule 70 vendor, Kikoda also provides technical services to governmental agencies.

About Kikoda

Kikoda is a client-focused software company providing comprehensive IT services including: on-demand custom software development, dynamic team scaling, accredited cloud services], and expert data analytics. Kikoda is headquartered in Tallahassee, FL  for more company information, call 850.807.9722 or visit Kikoda.com.
Information Technology World Awards by GLOBEE The Information Technology World Awards are open to all Information Technology and Cyber Security organizations from all over the world and end-users of their products and services.

The Globee Awards organizer of the worlds premier business awards programs and business ranking lists is now accepting nominations and entries for the 2022 IT World Awards honoring achievements and recognitions in the information technology and cyber security industries worldwide.

Subscribe to the Globee Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to Globee Awards YouTube channel

Follow Globee Awards on twitter

Follow Globee Awards on LinkedIn

IT industrys premier excellence awards program, the IT World Awards honors achievements in every facet of the information technology and cyber security industries. This annual industry and peers program now has several major sections making this one of the most and only complete IT recognitions and achievements award programs in the world. There are many categories for which your organization and the people behind its success can be nominated. Categories are classified under the following groups:

Learn more about the 2022 IT World Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/it-world-awards/



Company-Organization Awards categories

Corporate Communications and Public Relations Awards categories

Creative, Social and Traditional Media Awards categories

Customer Service & Support Awards categories

Best Deployments and Customer Success of the Year Awards categories

Executive & Professional Awards categories

Chief Technology Officers Awards categories

Human Resources Awards categories

Information Technology Users Awards categories

Marketing Information Technology Awards categories

New Product & Service Awards categories

Product Development and Engineering Awards categories

Sales and Business Development Awards categories

COVID-19 Business Response Awards categories

A special category group for startups of the year will include the achievements of new startups formed since 2018 in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Watch the Globee Awards video

A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges, and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users of information technology products and services can participate in the judging process.

IT World Awards will also recognize Chief Technology Officers from all over the world for their achievements in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Product Development Executives, Leadership, Professionals, and Engineers from all over the world can be nominated in categories such as Artificial Intelligence, IT Cloud/SaaS, IT Hardware, IT Hybrid, IT Services, IT Software, Security Cloud/SaaS, Security Hardware, Security Hybrid, Security Services, Security Software, and Telecommunications.

Winners of previous years are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/it-world-awards/winners/

Apply here to participate as a judge and an industry expert to help decide the winners: https://globeeawards.com/it-world-awards/judges/

Stay posted and read success stories of organizations by subscribing to the Globee Newsletter: https://globeeawards.com/subscribe/

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in eleven programs and competition: the American Best in Business Awards, Business Excellence Awards (Best Employers), CEO World Awards, Communications Excellence Awards, Customer Sales & Service World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, International Best in Business Awards, IT World Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Golden Bridge Awards by GLOBEE GLOBEE Awards is accepting entries from all over the world from large, medium, small, and startup companies for the 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards

The Globee Awards organizer of the worlds premier business awards programs and business ranking lists is now accepting nominations and entries for the 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards. To celebrate achievements Globee Awards has introduced new commemorative items.

Subscribe to the Globee Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to Globee Awards YouTube channel

Follow Globee Awards on twitter

Follow Globee Awards on LinkedIn

The coveted annual Golden Bridge Awards program recognizes and honors the worlds best in organizational performance, products and services, innovations, executives and management teams, women in business and the professions, case studies and successful deployments, public relations and marketing campaigns, product management, websites, blogs, white-papers, videos, advertisements, creativity, partner programs, and customer satisfaction programs from every major industry in the world.

Watch the Globee Awards video

Learn more about the 2022 Golden Bridge Awards and how to nominate here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/



People | Innovator, Lifetime Achievement, Maverick, and Women Awards Categories Group

People | Entrepreneur Awards Categories Group

People | Executive, Management, and Professionals Awards Categories Group

People | Professional and Staffer (non-executive) of the Year

New Product & Service Innovation | AI, Information Technology & Cyber Security Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Content Technologies and Information Management Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Education Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Energy/CleanTech Industry Awards categories

New Product & Service Innovation | Health Care Awards Categories Group

New Product & Service Innovation | Industry and Vertical Markets Awards Categories Group

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Winners of previous years are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/winners/

Stay posted and read success stories of organizations by subscribing to the Globee Newsletter: https://globeeawards.com/subscribe/

A worldwide judging panel of executives and professionals representing a wide spectrum of industries will determine the winners. Winners will be presented and honored in a virtual ceremony attended by the finalists, winners, judges, and industry peers from all over the world. Industry experts and end-users or consumers of products and services can participate in the judging process. More details to register as an industry expert and help as a judge are available at https://globeeawards.com/golden-bridge-awards/judges/

The Golden Bridge Awards is the worlds premier business awards program honoring achievements in every industry around the world. Everyone deserves commendation for job well done. Identify, recognize, and nominate executives, professionals, and employees for their achievements no matter how small or large. There are many categories in which your organization, products and services, and the people behind their success can be nominated. Categories are classified under the following groups:

About the Globee Awards

Globee Awards are conferred in ten programs and competition: the American Best in Business Awards, Business and Communications Excellence Awards, CEO World Awards, Cyber Security Global Excellence Awards, Disruptor Company Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Information Technology World Awards, International Best in Business Awards, Sales, Marketing, & Service Excellence Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the Globee Awards at https://globeeawards.com

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Were looking forward to demonstrating firsthand how we solve the WAN and card payment security pain for distributed enterprise retail and franchise brands.

Leading technology vendor in PCI-compliant network security for distributed enterprises, Mako Networks, is exhibiting at the upcoming Retail Technology Show (RTS) in Olympia, London from April 26-27. The flagship event for retail technology features speakers, in-store and online retailers and European techs top innovators. Retail and hospitality organizations seeking the right tools, solutions and advice on how to run their business more effectively, efficiently and profitably will gather together to learn and network.

Mako Networks cloud management platforms design concept uniquely address the requirements of multisite environments and is specifically engineered to address the needs of distributed enterprise retail brands at scale. Makos layered security model allows discrete segmenting of access rights by role, creating a unique value proposition for locations where multiple vendors and users require access, but tightly defined and enforced controls need to be in place. Integrated Mako System features include centralized cloud management and reporting, VPN Cloud SD-WAN, secure Wi-Fi, built-in cellular, HA Fast Failover, Mako VPN cloud, next-generation firewalls and end-to-end PCI DSS certification in one, easy-to-manage platform.

Were looking forward to demonstrating firsthand how we solve the WAN and card payment security pain for distributed enterprise retail and franchise brands, said Chris Nation, Mako General Manager UK/EU. RTS is a great opportunity to talk with MNSPs who want to differentiate themselves with our industry-proven SD-WAN and SASE solution.

Concurrently with the Retail Technology Show, the Forecourt Show will be held in Birmingham from April 25-27. Forecourt is the UKs biggest trade-only event dedicated to the forecourt and fuel market and is part of the UK Food & Drink Shows. Mako President Simon Gamble and Alan Stephenson Brown will be supporting Mako Platinum Partner EvolveODM in Birmingham.

Mako Networks provides EvolveODMs entire LAN/WAN infrastructure  including a range of Mako router/firewall devices, VPN concentrators, managed switches and wireless access points  which are solely managed via the Mako Central Management System (CMS). With zero-touch deployment, all networking features are managed remotely at any time for varying numbers of sites, allowing EvolveODM to deploy an identical infrastructure bundle to remote sites globally while configuring each customers particular solution.

No other secure networking platform ticks all the boxes EvolveODM needs to deliver simplicity to our customers and fine control to our support team, simultaneously, said EvolveODM Director Adam Cole. Mako Networks has responded to EvolveODMs specific requirements, developing custom features that address our specific needs, such as integration with our support ticket system.

To visit Mako Networks, RTS attendees are encouraged to stop by stand 6B38. EvolveODM will be in the Forecourt Show exhibitor zone at stand J21. To inquire about Mako products and services for your distributed enterprise, please contact Mako Networks at sales@makonetworks.com or 800-851-4691.

About EvolveODM

Founded in 2005, EvolveODM is a managed network solutions provider specializing in secure, reliable and easy-to-use solutions for global customers spanning a broad range of industries. As an independently-owned company, EvolveODM helps reduce costs, simplify management of services and allows customers to focus on their revenue-generating activities.

About Mako Networks

Mako Networks provides simple, secure, PCI-certified networks for distributed enterprises. Operating internationally from offices in the United Kingdom, US, Australia and New Zealand, Mako integrates centralized cloud management and reporting, true SD-WAN, secure Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, HA Fast Failover, Mako VPN Cloud, next-generation firewalls and end-to-end PCI DSS certification in one, easy-to-manage system. For more information, visit makonetworks.com.


Reuben Pressman, chief product officer for Modern Campus With this integration, schools can deliver incredible online experiences throughout the student lifecycle, regardless of whether theyre attending a traditional two- or four-year program, or a non-credit program.

Modern Campus, higher educations industry leading modern learner engagement platform, today announced it has joined the Ellucian community of Ethos connected partners. The Ethos platform connects people, processes, and applications across higher education institutions, powering the essential work of colleges and universities.

Modern Campus worked in tandem with Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, and several mutual customers to build, test, and validate the integration between Modern Campus Destiny One, the leading solution to manage the business of continuing and professional education, and Ellucian Colleague, a comprehensive cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution. Integrating Destiny One with Colleague enables institutions to maintain a common student profile with bi-directional synchronization, report non-credit curriculum, student, registration, and grade information out of Colleague, and consolidate credit and non-credit records of coursework.

Access to student data is key to engaging modern learners for life  our customers tell us that every day. With this integration, schools can deliver incredible online experiences throughout the student lifecycle, regardless of whether theyre attending a traditional two- or four-year program, or a non-credit program, said Reuben Pressman, chief product officer for Modern Campus. Attaining Ellucian Ethos partner status is a sign of the deep commitment of Modern Campus to create a rich ecosystem that removes friction for our campus partners. Were proud that our partnership with Ellucian continues with this latest integration.

The integration of Destiny One with Colleague is the cornerstone of a commitment by Modern Campus to create integrations across all products with Ellucian ERP solutions. In addition to its integration with Destiny One, Modern Campus integrations with Ellucian Colleague and Ellucian Banner include:



Were pleased to partner with Modern Campus to deliver solutions that support a better student experience with integrated data  for all institution and program types, including for non-credit programs, said John Mullen, senior vice president of business development, Ellucian. Our Ethos integration platform enables our business and data layer APIs to create seamless connections between both Ellucian and non-Ellucian solutions. The Modern Campus integration streamlines and simplifies key day-to-day student processes related to course catalogs and curriculum management through to campus communication.

To learn more about Modern Campus extended partnership with Ellucian and its mission to propel learners throughout the entire student lifecycle, visit booth #102 at Ellucian Live 2022, April 10-13 in Denver, Colorado, or visit https://moderncampus.com/about/partners.html.

About Modern Campus

Modern Campus is obsessed with empowering its 1,800+ higher education customers to thrive when radical transformation is required to respond to lower student enrollments and revenue, rising costs, crushing student debt, and administrative complexity.

The Modern Campus engagement platform powers solutions for non-traditional student management, web content management, catalog and curriculum management, student engagement and development, conversational text messaging, career pathways, and campus maps and virtual tours. The result: innovative institutions can create a learner-to-earner lifecycle that engages modern learners for life, while providing modern administrators with the tools needed to streamline workflows and drive high efficiency.

Learn how Modern Campus is leading the modern learner engagement movement at moderncampus.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
Pete Langlois, President and COO of Ascendo Resources I am so excited to be surrounded by such great people here at Ascendo. We all work hard, have fun, and give back to the communities in which we operate, said Pete Langlois, President and COO of Ascendo Resources.

Ascendo Resources, an industry leader in recruitment, staffing and consulting services, recently announced the appointment of Pete Langlois to the role of President and COO.

Langlois, a native of Massachusetts and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has been involved in staffing operations, recruiting and business development for more than two decades.

Langlois became a partner with Ascendo Resources in December 2019, when Angies Staffing, owned by Pete and his wife, Angie Langlois, was acquired by Ascendo. The acquisition expanded the market for recruiting and consulting services in North Florida, a strategy that has quickly showed positive growth for Ascendo.

Pete Langlois was a key driving force in Ascendos expansion from 2020 to 2022 when the company increased its annual revenue from $39 million to $73 million. Prior to working at Ascendo, Langlois held various leadership positions with national staffing firms, handling each experience with unprecedented success.

Langlois brings incredible vigor and enthusiasm to the new role, while also cultivating a following as a radio personality. Since 2018, he has hosted a weekly program, called Hard Work-ah with Pete the Job Guy. The show provides career advice to the workforce of today and tomorrow. Pete is also a Board Member for JDRF Northern Florida; a Steering Committee Member for the CFO Leadership Council; and a Watch Stander for the Fire Watch (an organization committed to ending veteran suicide).

Langlois assumes the role of President and COO of Ascendo Resources with a promise to continue to work toward the companys betterment and growth.

I am so excited to be surrounded by such great people here at Ascendo. We all work hard, have fun, and give back to the communities in which we operate, said Pete Langlois, President and COO of Ascendo Resources. We are thankful to our wonderful clients and candidates that have enabled Ascendo to ascend to new heights.

Ascendo: A Top Minority-Owned Business in Jacksonville

Ascendo Resources Jacksonville office was recently named #4 on the list of 38 firms in the Jacksonville Business Journals The List: Minority-Owned Businesses 2022.

Ascendos business professionals have held positions with the Big 4, regulatory agencies, global banks, leading medical groups and hospitals, as well as Fortune 500 companies, as tax attorneys, auditors, traders, underwriters, HR executives and more.

Ascendos focus allows them to take talent to the next level, creating greater opportunities and better outcomes for each individual and company they engage.

The company conducts business in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and its diverse team of entrepreneurial-minded recruiters is empowered to act for candidates and employers with temporary, project and direct-hire positions.

For more than 10 consecutive years, the South Florida Business Journal has named Ascendo Resources one of the Top Executive Search Firms. The firm was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla. Additionally, Ascendo has 13 offices around the United States.

To join the Ascendo Talent Network, visit https://ascendo-resources.jobs.net. Employers who would like to find out more about partnering with Ascendo Resources can visit https://www.ascendo.com/For-Employers/.

About Ascendo Resources:

Ascendo Resources is a certified minority-owned company and a leading staffing agency for temporary, project or direct-hire positions across the nation. In addition to the firms healthcare staffing services, Ascendo places accounting, finance, banking, compliance, legal, information technology (IT), human resources, and administrative professionals.

Ascendo Resources has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Minneapolis, New Jersey, New York, Orlando, Schaumburg and Tampa.

For more information about Ascendo Resources, visit https://ascendo.com/.
RentRedi, the leading property management software for landlords, today announced a $12 million Series A, led by K1 Investment Management, a leading investment firm focused on high-growth enterprise software companies globally, with participation from TIA Ventures, Tribeca Early Stage Partners and RiverPark Ventures. To date, RentRedi has raised $17 million.

Co-founded by a father and son team, Ryan Barone (CEO and CTO) and Ed Barone (CMO), RentRedi has seen accelerated growth in the last two years, despite external challenges in the real estate industry. Since 2020, the platform has added more than 10,000 actively subscribed landlords who manage 85,000+ properties. With this funding round, the company will scale its mobile-first technology and ultimately streamline the renting process for both landlords and their tenants.

RentRedi is excited to partner with K1 on our mission to help alleviate the stress often felt by landlords and their tenants while also strengthening their relationship, said Ryan Barone, CEO and co-founder of RentRedi. By bringing our technology to landlords and tenants across the country, RentRedi is not only modernizing and revolutionizing traditional practices, but we are opening doors to a better renting experience."

Continued Ryan Barone, Landlords and tenants deserve forward-thinking, efficient resources. Whether you manage one property or 100, RentRedi is designed to automate tedious manual property management tasks and is proud to lead the charge in tackling the common obstacles within our evolving industry. The platform was born from our own renting experiences which is one of the reasons why RentRedi is the best platform to help landlords streamline their business processes."

With features like mobile and web apps, automated rent collection, free listing syndications, tenant screening, maintenance, credit boosting for on-time payments, lease signing, and accounting, RentRedi has created and scaled its platform to support its 10K+ landlords and has partnered with ProPay, Realtor.com, TransUnion, REI Hub, and Latchel to create a better user experience.

RentRedi is investor-friendly property management software for any size real estate investor. Their customer service and pricing is a big win for independent landlords, says Dawid Yhisreal-Rivas, an independent landlord who has used RentRedi for over three years. The creativity and velocity at which the platform continues to grow means they can offer progressive tech that puts them far above the industry standard.

RentRedi offers landlords and tenants an easily accessible all-in-one software platform - an essential solution in todays fast-paced, ever-changing real estate industry," said Taylor Beaupain, Managing Partner at K1. K1 is excited to support Ryan, Ed and the RentRedi team on their journey to revolutionize renting on both sides of the lease."

To learn more, visit rentredi.com

About RentRedi

RentRedi is an all-inclusive landlord-tenant app that helps landlords go mobile and manage rentals from wherever, whenever. Through the platform and app, landlords can automate manual tasks such as rent collection, market new rentals, receive and manage maintenance requests, and more. For tenants, RentRedi makes it easy to apply for a property, pay rent and report property issues. Led by a father and son team, RentRedi is transforming the way people experience and view the real estate and property industry. To learn more, visit rentredi.com.

About K1 Investment Management

K1 is a global investment firm that builds category-leading enterprise software companies. K1 partners with strong management teams of high-growth technology businesses to help them achieve successful outcomes. With over 130 professionals, K1 and its operating affiliate, K1 Operations LLC, change industry landscapes with operationally focused growth strategies designed to rapidly scale portfolio companies. Since inception of the firm, K1 has partnered with over 190 enterprise software companies including industry leaders such as Apttus, Buildium, Checkmarx, Clarizen, ControlUp, Emburse, FMG Suite, Granicus, IronScales, Litera Microsystems, Onit, Rave Mobile Safety, RFPIO, Smarsh, WorkForce Software and Zapproved. For more information, visit k1capital.com and follow on LinkedIn.
"After the busiest period of dealmaking we have ever seen in December 2021, the market cooled throughout the first quarter...Unfortunately, the omicron variant, which worsened labor issues across the senior care industry, was largely to blame for many transaction delays."

The number of publicly announced seniors housing and care acquisitions in the first quarter of 2022 fell to 127 deals, based on new acquisition data from LevinPro LTC. This represents a 9% decrease from the 140 transactions in the previous quarter, but is 51% higher than the 84 deals made public in the first quarter of 2021. Also, the $3.87 billion spent on first quarter transactions fell by 2% from the previous quarters total of $3.94 billion.

After the busiest period of dealmaking we have ever seen in December 2021, the market cooled throughout the first quarter, stated Ben Swett, Editor of The SeniorCare Investor. Unfortunately, the omicron variant, which worsened labor issues across the senior care industry, was largely to blame for many transaction delays.

There were 35 total portfolio deals with at least three properties per deal announced in the first quarter of 2022, more than any quarter since before the pandemic, including Q4:21, which had 30 portfolio deals. Welltowers acquisition of 33 seniors housing communities in Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee for $548 million, or $196,600 per unit, represented the largest portfolio of properties sold in the quarter. There were also a couple of sales of operating companies, including Avery Healthcare in the United Kingdom and Allity in Australia. On the skilled nursing side, an undisclosed East Coast owner/operator acquired 17 facilities in Ohio for $145 million, or $72,500 per bed. The quarter saw 12 deals with 10 or more properties each, leaving 23 separate transactions with between three and nine properties.

Looking at the mix of buyers, financial buyers including private equity, private real estate investment firms and REITs accounted for 34% of the transactions announced during the first quarter. Private equity firms themselves made up 13% of the quarters buyers, but interestingly they were not concentrated in the SNF sector. Rather, 30% of PE deals were for majority-SNF assets, and the remainder was for seniors housing deals.

Much has been made by the media and the current administration about private equitys growth in the skilled nursing space, but PE buyers of skilled nursing assets accounted for just 4% of the quarters deal activity, added Swett. That does not seem like a stampede.

All long-term care M&A deals dating back to 1993 can be accessed on the LevinPro database and can be purchased via a site license. All quarterly results are published in The Health Care M&A Report for all 13 sectors of health care, which is part of LevinPro HC. In addition, annual results of the seniors housing and care acquisition markets were published this year in the 27th Edition of The Senior Care Acquisition Report. For information, or to subscribe, call 800-248-1668. Irving Levin Associates was established in 1948 and has offices in New Canaan, Connecticut, and North Bethesda, Maryland. The company publishes research reports and newsletters, and maintains databases on the healthcare and seniors housing M&A markets.
2022 Hyundai Elantra

The newly redesigned Hyundai Elantra arrives at the Hyundai of Moreno Valley dealership and is ready for purchase at an affordable price. This compact car is designed for people who want a smaller, mid-sized sedan with plenty of features and power. With an eye-catching design and the latest safety features, the Hyundai Elantra has an amazing price-to-value ratio that makes it the perfect car for individuals. Interested customers are encouraged to browse the dealerships website: https://www.hyundaiofmorenovalley.com/ to learn more about its key features.

The Elantra boasts a sense of style and elegance along with its modern design. It has a 2-liter Inline 4- Cylinder that produces 147 hp of engine power and 132 lb.-ft. of torque. It means the car can power through the road at high speeds while maintaining stability. The i-ASSIST provides information through voice command, making it easy to use when driving or even at home. It has a 360-degree camera that can detect objects and track people in the car while they are driving. The safety features such as airbags, side-impact beams and anti-lock brakes ensure that the driver can easily control the car while driving on any road.

To learn more about the 2022 Hyundai Elantra, potential customers can directly contact the dealership at 951-900-4248. Those who want to get behind the wheel can visit the dealership located at 27500 Eucalyptus Ave., Moreno Valley, CA.
Seeing our students match into their dream residencies in highly competitive programs is especially rewarding because their success is truly how we measure our success. We wish them all the best as they continue their journey to become highly skilled and compassionate physicians.

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences, (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada, celebrated the culmination of four years of medical school with one of the most successful Match Days in the schools history. Graduating students secured residencies in 27 states and territories, including the schools second residency match in California and its first match in orthopedic surgery in North Carolina.

Match Day is an exciting time around the UMHS community as our graduating students celebrate the successful completion of medical school and look ahead to a brand-new adventure, said Warren Ross, UMHS president. Seeing our students match into their dream residencies in highly competitive programs is especially rewarding because their success is truly how we measure our success. We wish them all the best as they continue their journey to become highly skilled and compassionate physicians.

Many of the students from UMHS have followed a non-traditional path on their journey to becoming a doctor and have overcome significant obstacles on their way to becoming practicing physicians. This years students faced additional hurdles in getting through clinical rotations as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge.

UMHS students entering this years Match earned coveted residency positions in primary care specialties spanning internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology, as well as specialized programs including emergency medicine, anesthesiology, neurology, and diagnostic radiology.

The wide breadth of UMHS students achievements in acquiring residency in unusually challenging times once again shows the extent of their medical aptitude and merit as professionals throughout the residency landscape, added Ross.

UMHS explored the history and significance of Match Day for future physicians in its blog, The UMHS Endeavour. While the process has evolved since the first Match Day in 1952, the importance of the occasion endures as an iconic event for all past, current and future physicians.

To learn more about UMHS and to access videos featuring UMHS faculty and alumni sharing their expertise on a range of topics targeted towards current and prospective medical students, please visit our YouTube channel.

About UMHS

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information about UMHS please check out our Medical school overview page.
2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid New car shoppers looking for a fuel-efficient hybrid sedan can now learn more about the new 2022 Toyota Carmy Hybrid, 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid and 2022 Toyota Avalon Hybrid by visiting the dealerships website to read these model research pages.

Learning more about the top hybrid vehicles in the auto industry is now easier than ever before thanks to a local Toyota dealership in Washington. Toyota of Puyallup has recently added three informative and detailed model research pages of three of its top-selling hybrid sedan models. New car shoppers looking for a fuel-efficient hybrid sedan can now learn more about the new 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid and 2022 Toyota Avalon Hybrid by visiting the dealerships website to read these model research pages.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid model research page offers a closer and more detailed look at the offerings of this new fuel-efficient model. From its available technology and comfort features to its performance specifications and safety features, shoppers will get the information they need to learn more about this new Toyota Hybrid.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid model research page offers plenty of details for drivers that will help them get to know the offerings of this new mid-size Toyota Hybrid sedan. Information available when visiting the informative page includes the models hybrid engine specifications, technology features, comfort options and some of its available safety features.

The 2022 Toyota Avalon Hybrid model research page gives shoppers all the information they need to make an informed buying decision when choosing their next new car. From horsepower and torque ratings to available features and options, interested buyers will find all the information they are looking for when visiting the new model research page.

To learn more about any of these new 2022 Toyota Hybrid models, drivers can visit the Washington Toyota dealerships website by going to http://www.toyotaofpuyallup.com. Shoppers may also contact the local Toyota dealership by calling 253-286-6000 or by driving to 1400 River Road.
Waterstone of Westchester Dining Room "We are pleased to be opening one of the premier independent living facilities in Westchester County, Waterstone of Westchester,'' said Joanna Cormac Burt, COO of Epoch Senior Living.

After nearly two years under construction, upscale senior living community Waterstone of Westchester is open. A premier independent living community for those 62+ that features first-class amenities, Waterstone of Westchester has 132 beautifully appointed residences and supportive services designed to provide seniors with independence, connection and socialization.

Located on Bloomingdale Road in a vibrant and walkable neighborhood of downtown White Plains, Waterstone of Westchester will be the residence of choice for seniors seeking life-enriching opportunities in a luxury boutique hotel-style community. Residents will enjoy a full array of exceptional amenities including a movie theater, fitness center, indoor pool, lobby bar, art studio and salon. Services include chauffeured car service, garage parking and on-site concierge. Gourmet cuisine, which is served in a variety of on-site dining venues, is prepared by professional chefs who use locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.

Residents will also benefit with access to home care services through an on-site partnership with VNS Westchester that allows residents to receive the assistance they need to stay healthy and engaged.

"We are pleased to be opening one of the premier independent living facilities in Westchester County, Waterstone of Westchester,'' said Joanna Cormac Burt, COO of Epoch Senior Living. "This extraordinary community goes way beyond expectations by offering a luxurious setting with supportive services and a multitude of social opportunities. We are particularly excited about our location in downtown White Plains, a vibrant city with restaurants, shops and cultural activities all within walking distance, perfect for our new community."

Conveniently located across the street from Bloomingdales, Waterstone of Westchester is a short walk from fine stores and restaurants such as Whole Foods and The Cheesecake Factory. It is only two blocks away from The Westchester mall. It is also less than a mile from I-287 and less than two miles from the White Plains Metro-North Station.

Waterstone of Westchester features a choice of spacious one-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom plus den apartments, complete with elegant high-end finishes and upgrades.

Waterstone of Westchester is accepting deposits now. Those who join Waterstones Club W membership will receive exclusive perks including, 2-year rate lock, select waived fees, and more.

Waterstone of Westchester is the latest best-in-class independent senior living community created by leaders in the field EPOCH Senior Living and National Development. EPOCH Senior Living operates 13 senior living communities in the Northeast including three under development. Waterstone of Westchester is the companys first independent senior living community in New York State.

For more information about Waterstone of Westchester, visit http://www.waterstoneofwestchester.com or call 914-821-6369.
Young adult author Huntley Fitzpatrick, known for her realistic contemporary teen romances, died on April 8 following a long illness. She was 58.

Fitzpatrick was born October 27, 1963 in New York City and grew up in the small coastal town of Essex, Conn., in a house full of bookworms, she told Something About the Author, with parents who encouraged her early passion for stories and writing. As a teenager, much of her writing was keeping a detailed journal, something she would refer to when working on her books.

Following her graduation from Concord Academy in 1981, Fitzpatrick earned a B.A. in English from Yale University. Taking a course taught by the late author Madeleine LEngle inspired Fitzpatrick to dive even more fully into her own fiction writing. Fitzpatrick was drawn to a career involving books and worked in academic publishing before landing a job as an editor at Harlequin. Reading the slush pile and eventually editing manuscripts was her writing career jump-start  Fitzpatrick told goodreads.com in 2015. In order to tell [authors] the strengths and weaknesses of their work, I had to figure those out on my own, she said.

In 2012, Fitzpatrick made her YA debut with the publication of My Life Next Door (Dial), a warmly received summer romance about first love. She followed up that work with What I Thought Was True (Dial, 2014) featuring the romance between two teens from different socio-economic backgrounds. Her third novel, The Boy Most Likely To (Dial, 2015), returns to a favorite character and the world of My Life Next Door. All three books are set in the fictional Stony Bay, Conn., the type of place Fitzpatrick knew very well. Stony Bay is an amalgam of several towns Ive known and loved, she said in an interview with SouthCoast Today. The beaches and the woods where the characters walk are more or less directly derived from the places I see around me every day, she added.

Fitzpatrick, along with her husband John, and their six children, was a longtime resident of Dartmouth, Mass. She noted how fond she was of her time there. Ive been really lucky to live in a relatively small town full of people who have welcomed first my growing family, and then my books, she said. People have been really kind  buying the books, using them in book clubs, asking if I can speak to classes in local schools. That kind of support has meant the world to me.

Dial executive editor Jess Garrison, who was Fitzpatricks editor, shared this remembrance: Knowing Huntley and working with her on her three fantastic young adult novels were among the happiest experiences of my editors life. I am so lucky to have seen her work, to have fallen in love with her writing and the characters into whom she breathed such extraordinary life and complexity, to have known her and laughed with her and worked hard with her to create stories that light readers up and will last and last. I am crushed at her loss, and my heart goes out to her loving family and friends.

Fellow author and close friend Kristan Higgins announced Fitzpatricks death on Facebook at the request of Fitzpatricks family. I shared many wonderful weekends with Huntley, just the two of us or with our other writing friends, the Plotmonkeys, Higgins wrote. Those times were filled with late night talks, great food, and long bouts of uncontrollable laughter. She was brilliant, kind, warm, funny, and compassionate, loved red lipstick, fabulous skirts and had an old-fashioned sensibility that made her seem from another era. Fair winds and following seas, dear Huntley. How loved you are.
Documentary Stars Land at Baker

Senior editor Stephanie Smith of Baker Books took world rights from Caitlyn Hoyt of Creative Artist Agency to a book by Sibil Fox and Robert Richardson. The New Orleans-based couple, known as "Fox and Rob," starred in 2020s Oscar-nominated Amazon Original documentary Time, which depicted Robs 21-year incarceration and its impact on Fox as well as their six sons. The book, which will feature details about Fox and Robs lives told in alternating voices, is tentatively titled TIME: The Untold Story of the Love That Held Us Together When Incarceration Kept Us Apart. Its scheduled for publication in February 2023.

Harling Moves to Moody

Judy Dunagan, editor at Moody Publishers, took world rights from Blythe Daniel at The Blythe Daniel Agency to Becky Harlings tentatively titled Letting Go of Loneliness. Slated for publication in spring 2024, the book examines the biblical purpose of relationships from the angle of the one another statements (i.e. love one another, forgive one another, encourage one another), in an effort to help readers live life with a deep sense of belonging, according to the publisher.

ODB Starts Asking

Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink sold world rights to Katara Patton of Our Daily Bread Publishing to Deb Hoppers tentatively titled Just ASK. In it, Hopper draws on her years of experience in womens ministry to outline the ASK Method (Ask, Seek, Knock) for learning how to pray for others, according to the publisher. The book is slated for publication in fall 2023.

Kregel Gets Hopeful

Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency sold world rights to Kregel publisher Catherine DeVries to the tentatively titled book Hope Fully: How to Turn Uncertain Times into a Surprisingly Hopeful New Normal by Amy Lively. Slated for publication in 2023, the book explores the Bibles Peter 1 and themes of transformation amid pain and suffering, according to the publisher.

Barr Doubles Up at Brazos

Giles Anderson of the Anderson Literary Agency sold world rights to two books by Beth Allison Barr (The Making of Biblical Womanhood) to Brazos Press editorial director Katelyn Beaty. The first book, Becoming the Pastors Wife, will release in fall 2024, provides a history of how the role of pastors wife rose to prominence at the same time that womens ordination became forbidden in many Protestant circles. Next, Losing Our Medieval Religion is slated for fall 2026 and "traces church history to show the depth of amnesia within the American church about the Bible, ordination, the Trinity, Jesus, and other core elements of Christian faith, and the impact it has had on contemporary theology and practice," according to the publisher.

Kar-Ben Adds Moses Childrens Tale

Publisher Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben Publishing bought world rights to Moses and the Runaway Lamb, written by Jacqueline Jules and illustrated by Eleanor Rees Howell. The book is an interpretation of a Midrash about Moses refusing to give up on a lost lamb and God finding him as a great leader of the Jewish people. The book will publish in spring 2023. Maura Kye-Casella at Don Congdon Associates, Inc. represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds represented the illustrator.
Purdue's Golden Taps ceremony will be held Monday (April 18) to honor five students who died over the past year.

Golden Taps, a collaboration of the Office of the Dean of Students and the Purdue Student Union Board, has been a tradition on campus since 1994. Additional groups with involvement in the ceremony are the Purdue Memorial Union, Purdue Musical Organizations, Black Cultural Center, Purdue Bands & Orchestras, Gimlet Leadership Honorary, Purdue Student Government, Purdue Graduate Student Government and Reamer Club.

Family, friends and community members are invited to gather at 5:45 p.m. at the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom, and remarks will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees will then proceed to the Unfinished Block P north of Stewart Center for a brief ceremony.

Students who will be honored this year are:

* Sam Arnone, a sophomore in the College of Science from Danville, Indiana.

* Tate Eugenio, a junior in the College of Engineering from Zionsville, Indiana.

* Will Robinson, a graduate student in the College of Science from Taft, Tennessee.

* Danny Sullivan, a graduate student in the College of Engineering from Columbus, Ohio.

* Eagle Zhu, a sophomore in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute from Okemos, Michigan.

After the ceremony, a reception will take place in the North Ballroom. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 765-494-1747.
The proposed climate action plan suggests installing solar canopies over parking lots on campus. This would allow Purdue to build out renewable energy capacity without taking up valuable campus real estate, the students said.
New York City, NY (11385)

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On Thomas Jeffersons birthday, we should take our cue from the Tulsa Star, a now-defunct black newspaper. Its masthead from 1920 included statements of religious and political faith, including a paraphrase from the Declaration of Independence: All men are born equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It went on to state: We believe in the principles of true Democracy as promulgated by the patriot, Thomas Jefferson, and without fear or favor we will be found at all times fighting for an honest, impartial application of these principles to all men regardless of race or color.

It's notable that such a statement of allegiance to Jeffersonian principles appeared at a point in our nations history when segregation and discrimination remained entrenched  and enforced, in some places, by roving gangs wearing white sheets. But it was also the time of the New Negro, a time of assertiveness after black men had proven (once again) their fighting abilities on the field of battle, this time in World War I. A new class of businessmen and writers was making its mark on Harlem. And the NAACP was working with the nations best legal minds in an attempt to put the words of Jeffersons Declaration into action and move the country toward observing the post-Civil War amendments to the Constitution.

The Tulsa Stars statement expressed the ideals of the eras black leaders. They knew that Jefferson had been a slaveowner. Yet Jefferson was for them the Apostle of Liberty. Nonetheless, they understood that apostles are not perfect.

In the secular sense, per Merriam-Webster, an apostle is a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system. Jeffersons words in the Declaration inspired a worldwide movement for freedom and equality, including 19th-century abolitionist movements. When blacks filed suits for freedom in the post-Revolutionary War period, they drew upon the Declarations stirring words.

It wasnt until decades after Jeffersons words were written on the Tulsa Stars masthead that federal laws ensuring racial equality were enacted. As Shelby Steele has related from his own boyhood, in some regions blacks had to rely on personal networks just to find a restaurant, hotel, or bathroom. I did not understand the reality of such disparate treatment until the late 1980s, when, on a trip to the Atlanta Zoo with my sons preschool class, I was told by one of the caregivers, a middle-aged black woman, that at one time she was not allowed to enter that zoo. Though I had known long before then that segregation was the law in the 1950s and early 1960s, her remark brought this history home to me.

The ideals associated with 1776 came under fierce attack in 2019. A special issue of the New York Times, announcing the 1619 Project, set the nation astir, getting not just academics but ordinary citizens questioning the American Founding. Nikole Hannah-Jones, the projects creator, presented a twisted biography of Jefferson in an attempt to undermine the nations aspirational principles. Unlike the editors of the Tulsa Star, Hannah-Jones viewed Jefferson as the hypocritical head of forced-labor camps who fathered the children of his slave, Sally Hemings. She maintained that the United States was a slavocracy built on the backs of slaves.

Attacks against Jefferson are nothing new. In the late 1990s, historian Annette Gordon-Reed continued a project begun by Fawn Brodie of smearing Jefferson in works that abandoned standards of historical scholarship, including altering evidence. Gordon-Reed deleted critically important words from one of Jeffersons letters, ignored other evidence, and berated readers as racists if they questioned her claims. Even after DNA testing showed only a slight possibility that Jefferson had fathered one of Hemingss children, and several prominent historians determined that the circumstances made that likelihood minuscule, Gordon-Reed, who will be honored with the opening of Annette Gordon-Reed Elementary in her hometown in east Texas, continues to perpetuate the allegation.

Even the nonprofit that maintains Jeffersons estate, Monticello, follows along. As I discovered during a recent visit, the Monticello websites claim that Jefferson fathered at least six of Sally Hemingss children is repeated in displays and by tour guides. Though the tours themes, displays, and educational materials already heavily emphasize slavery, our tour guide added verbal harangues. She lectured us about the hypocrisy of Jeffersons words about all men being created equal at a time when women, black men, Native Americans, and the poor could not vote.

The drumbeat of such vilification is bound to have an effect. In 2020, after the death of George Floyd, Jefferson became a prominent target in what some have called the 1619 Riots.

Outside a Portland, Oregon high school, a statue of Jefferson was pulled down with bungee cords, its empty base spray-painted with the words slave owner. Hofstra University moved its Jefferson statue to an out-of-the-way place on campus. In Decatur, Georgia, after a protestor held up a sign calling Jefferson a rapist, a statue of Jefferson holding a pen above a writing table near the courthouse had to be removed. Proposals to rename schools bearing Jeffersons name proliferated around the country. In November, Jeffersons statue was removed from City Hall in New York and exiled to the New York Historical Society.

The attacks on Jefferson monuments are more than attacks on Jefferson the man. They are attacks on our American principles. It is no coincidence that those calling for the removal of Jeffersons likeness are often the same people who reject longstanding American principles and embrace critical race theory, which teaches that rights emanate from the government and are determined by group membership. The principle of equal rights  which animates laws that make it illegal to deny public accommodation based on race  are now under threat.

In the past two years, the outlook that underpins critical race theory has spread broadly in American life. Some medical professionals and political leaders have put nonwhite groups at the head of the line to receive Covid-19 vaccines. Such irrational and harmful practices  determining access to medical treatment by group characteristics  arise from the Marxist ideology propelling critical race theory.

Those who favor such policies believe that they will always be the beneficiaries of them  but they should think again. When rights are endowed by the state, and not  as in Jeffersons Declaration  by the creator, they can be removed on a whim. We have seen this happen in history. Those who have lived in Communist regimes have experienced it personally.

The images of toppled Thomas Jefferson statues may prefigure a nation succumbing to what my parents and relatives fled from and what American civil rights leaders fought to eradicate. We should heed the words of the Tulsa Star  not those of the 1619 Project. And we should return the statues of Jefferson to their pedestals, so that his image can remind us of his words and the principles for which they stand.

Mary Grabar holds a Ph.D. in English and taught in a number of colleges in Georgia, most recently Emory University. In 2014, she became a resident fellow at The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization and wrote two books, Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned a Generation against America (2019) and Debunking The 1619 Project: Exposing the Plan to Divide America (2021). More information and articles can be found at marygrabar.com and dissidentprof.com.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/12/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Jen Saviano has welcomed her first child into the world.Jen, who is dating boyfriend Landon Ricker, gave birth to a baby boy on April 6."He's here. Wilder Reed," Jen, 32, announced Friday, April 8 on Instagram.In addition to posting a photo of her sweet newborn son, Jennifer continued in her post, "[He was born] 8lb 10oz of pure heaven. We couldn't be more in love with him."Jen subsequently uploaded a selfie with her baby and wrote on Instagram, "I think I may have birthed an actual angel."Jen announced in late January that she was expecting her first child with Landon by posting a video montage showing off her baby bump.Jen also shared a sonogram photo and a clip from her ultrasound appointment before debuting Landon as the baby's father in the footage."Surpriseee!" Jen captioned the video. "We can't wait to meet you, little B."Meanwhile, Landon posted a photo of Polaroids as well as one picture of Jen smiling big on his own Instagram account."This morning, with her, having coffee," Landon wrote alongside the images on Tuesday.Those pictures debuted Jen on Landon's Instagram account, but it's unclear when the couple began dating.According to his LinkedIn, Landon is based in Nashville, TN, and works as a medical sales representative.Landon graduated from The University of Memphis in 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and he appears to be in his mid-twenties.Jen initially found fame when she competed on Season 20 of starring Ben Higgins in 2016.Jen got eliminated in Week 5 but looked for love again on Bachelor in Paradise's third and sixth seasons.On Bachelor in Paradise's third edition, Jen made a romantic connection with Nick Viall , but he was coming off two heartbreaks following his back-to-back appearances on ette's tenth and eleventh seasons, starring Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe , respectively.Jen and Nick made it to the Final Rose Ceremony on Bachelor in Paradise's third season, but he decided not to propose marriage.Nick actually dumped Jen in a tear-filled moment during the show's finale in 2016. He said he never fell in love with the brunette beauty, and although he tried to force it, his heart was closed off -- maybe not just to her, but rather to women in general."I wanted to say I was in love with you, but something in my heart just said I can't. Sometimes you wish you could tell your heart what to do, and if I could, I would tell it to choose you," Nick told Jen."I just feel like something's telling me to say goodbye. I'm sorry. My biggest fear is that I'm going to regret it ."According to Jen's good friend Lauren Himle , Nick reunited with Jen after Paradise wrapped filming in June 2016 and they dated again.The couple allegedly split for good once Nick was offered the position to star on 's 21st season.However, in a December 2016 interview before Nick's season premiered, he denied ever reconciling with Jen and ending their relationship to be star. None of that was remotely true ," Nick insisted at the time.Jen had "mixed emotions" about Nick taking on role in 2017, according to Us Weekly, but she said she was doing well and had "moved on" during an After Paradise episode.Nick is currently dating model and surgical technician Natalie Joy, and an engagement could be on the horizon soon for this couple.Nick's season ended with Nick getting engaged to winner and Canadian teacher Vanessa Grimaldi ; however, the pair split in August 2017.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
CBS will revive its classic Saturday Night Movie franchise to broadcast Top Gun, 1986's highest-grossing movie, next month.

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On May 14, viewers can stream the Paramount Pictures action drama film, starring Tom Cruise , at 8 p.m. EDT and on-demand via Paramount+.

The original Top Gun explores the danger and excitement awaiting Navy pilots attending its prestigious fighter weapons school.

Cruise stars in the Tony Scott-directed film as the daring young flyer, Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, and Kelly McGillis portrays Charlie, a civilian instructor.

Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Meg Ryan also star in the film.

Next month's special broadcast serves as promo for the upcoming sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, to be released on May 27.

The sequel will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18.

Cruise and Kilmer reprise their roles as Maverick and Iceman 36 years later, with Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Glen Powell also joining the cast.

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The new film reintroduces Cruise's Mitchell to new generations as a Navy test pilot who, after decades of service, has dodged advancing in rank to avoid being grounded.

The character is forced to face an uncertain future and confront the ghosts of his past.

CBS dusted off its Saturday Night Movies franchise last spring amid pandemic-related production shutdowns.
GRAND RAPIDS  A three-judge state Court of Appeals panel will decide whether to reverse a 13th Circuit Court judges decision last May to dismiss an Antrim County election-related lawsuit filed by a Central Lake Township man.

On Tuesday, the appeals judges heard oral arguments in the case that focused on whether an Amendment to Michigans Constitution grants an individual right to voters to audit statewide elections, or whether the power to audit is wielded only by the Secretary of State.

Antrim County election lawsuit Record-Eagle coverage of the lawsuit related to the 2020 general election in Antrim County:

William Bailey filed suit Nov. 23, 2020, accusing the county of voter fraud and of violating his constitutional rights, after initial results of the 2020 Presidential election showed about 2,000 votes cast for then-President Donald Trump had mistakenly been assigned to then-challenger Joe Biden.

Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy acknowledged her offices human error, an assertion backed by election experts, academics and the states Senate Oversight Committee, members of whom in 2021 studied  and rejected  claims of widespread election fraud in Antrim County and in Michigan.

Bailey accused the county of using Dominion Voting Systems equipment pre-programmed for fraud, a subsequent court-ordered forensic exam by Dallas-based-Allied Security Operations Group was debunked by experts and Judge Kevin Elsenheimer dismissed the lawsuit May 18, 2021.

Baileys attorney, Matthew DePerno, filed a claim of appeal July 15, 2021, and shortly thereafter announced his candidacy for Michigan Attorney General.

DePerno argued the case Tuesday; rebuttal arguments were provided by Erik Grill, an assistant state attorney general.

DePerno is seeking to have the case remanded back to the trial court, stating Bailey did not receive all the relief he was entitled to, most notably a state-wide audit of ballots cast in the 2020 Presidential election which, he said, by statute must include a review of ballots, documents and procedures.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons office directed the Bureau of Elections to conduct a hand recount of ballots cast in Antrim County, which occurred Dec. 17, 2020, though DePerno said Tuesday that was not an audit.

What did we actually get to do in this case? DePerno said. We did get to take a forensic image of the Antrim County system. We did some testing of the computer systems, but the trial court never even examined any of that evidence in its determination.

COA judges Thomas C. Cameron, Mark J. Cavanaugh and Michael F. Gadola made up the panel, with Cameron and Gadola asking whether DePerno was arguing individual voters had an individual right to conduct an audit.

The Secretary of State indicated in her brief that we have eight million registered voters in this state, said Gadola. I have the same question I know Judge Elsenheimer put to you. Does that mean we might have eight million audits of every election potentially?

DePerno said that was theoretically possible, arguing the right for a statewide election audit in Michigan was an individual right.

Grill argued voters have the right to have the statewide elections audited, but cant conduct the audit themselves, as he said DePerno was asserting.

Michigans Constitution provides for the Secretary of State to conduct election audits  the task is not one for individual voters.

The language of the Constitution does not support the appellants claim, Grill said, adding the language should be interpreted by the court as commonly understood by the people, who would not have supported an individual right to conduct an audit themselves.

No one voted for this amendment with the thought the proposal would result in 8 million individual audits throughout the State of Michigan, Grill said.

That would not ensure the accuracy and integrity of elections, it would undermine them, Grill said. Perpetual audits would mean that no election results would ever be final. No election would ever be certain.

Grill represents Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who in December 2020 successfully filed a motion to intervene, and was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Grill works in Attorney General Dana Nessels office; Nessel is seeking re-election and was endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party at its convention April 9, where Benson also received an endorsement.

DePerno is running as a Republican, as are state Rep. Ryan Berman and former House speaker Tom Leonard, and the Republican Party holds its convention April 23. The party wont formally endorse candidates until August.

When Elsenheimer dismissed Baileys lawsuit, he also stayed  or paused  other matters in the case, which could be litigated if the COA judges rule to send the case back to the trial court.

They could also rule against Baileys appeal, effectively ending the lawsuit and potentially making some or all of the stayed matters moot.

Those stayed matters include whether DePerno can add Guy as a named defendant in Baileys lawsuit, and whether court-protected images from Antrim Countys voting equipment were shared during an August cyber symposium hosted by Donald Trump supporter and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, as suggested in court filings by Benson.

Dominion previously issued a lengthy statement in response to the reported public release of court-protected images, stating the company reported the incident to the proper authorities, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In his dismissal order, Elsenheimer said Bailey received all the relief he was entitled to, including an order allowing a forensic exam of Antrim Countys voting equipment, an order placing a protective seal order over that equipment and a hand recount of the countys presidential election.

The oral arguments are available to view on the COAs Youtube channel.
To help promote the importance of libraries within the community, the Athens Regional Library System celebrated National Library Week April 3-9. Libraries across the country celebrate this week each April to highlight the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play.
The noise of lively chatter could be heard immediately upon entering the Georgia Museum of Art on April 10. Across from the gift shop, a small crowd of people gathered in a spacious, airy room that wouldve felt empty if not for the large table in the center of it. On the table laid the Linnentown Quilt Project's completed quilt  on display for the first time.
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Vermont is in the process of rolling out the retail cannabis market, but no nonmedical licenses have yet been issued, the state cannabis board chairman said Monday.
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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP)  A trial over libel allegations by Johnny Depp against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, will likely turn into a six-week, mudslinging soap opera, Heard's lawyers warned a Virginia jury Tuesday.

You're going to see who the real Johnny Depp is  behind the fame, behind the pirate costumes, Heard lawyer J. Benjamin Rottenborn told the jury during opening statements in the civil trial. Because Johnny Depp brought this case, all of this is going to come out.

Depp sued Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

Depp says the article indirectly defames him by referring to abuse allegations Heard made back in 2016. Depp denies abusing her.

In Tuesday's opening statements, Rottenborn said the evidence will show that Depp physically and sexually assaulted Heard on multiple occasions. But he told jurors that they don't need to make themselves referees of the couple's turbulent marriage if they focus on the basics of libel law.

He argued that Heard was exercising her First Amendment rights as an advocate when she wrote the article, which focused largely on the broad topic of domestic violence.

He also said the 2018 article did nothing to damage Depp's reputation. He noted that the abuse accusations had been public for two years already, and he said Depp's spiraling career was the result of his drinking and drug-using, which made him an unreliable commodity to Hollywood studios.

This man's poor choices have brought him to this point, he said. Stop blaming other people for your own self-created problems.

More than anything, though, he pointed out that the article in question never even mentions Depp's name.

Depp's lawyer, Benjamin Chew, acknowledged that Depp's name never appears in the piece.

It didn't have to, Chew told the jury. Everyone in Hollywood knew exactly what she was talking about.

Depp's team argues that the article is an example of defamation by implication. In the December 2018 piece, Heard wrote that "two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out."

Chew said that's a clear reference to a restraining order Heard sought in May 2016  right after Depp told her he wanted a divorce  in which she claimed she'd been physically abused.

Chew said she showed up at the courthouse on May 27 of that year with a bruise on her face that was photographed by the paparazzi. But he said the evidence will show that Heard gave herself the injury to ruin Depp's reputation. He said that Depp and Heard hadn't seen each other since May 21: He'd gone on a European tour with his band, the Hollywood Vampires.

Police and others saw Heard immediately after May 21 and her face wasn't bruised, Chew said. He said a witness will testify that he saw security footage in which Heard's sister throws fake punches at her, and the two laugh.

Another of Depp's lawyers, Camille Vasquez, told the jury that Heard refuses to admit she lied and has now dug in even deeper.

She can't back down. She has been living and breathing this lie for years, Vasquez said. She's going to give the performance of a lifetime in this courtroom.

Both Depp and Heard are expected to testify at the trial, scheduled for six weeks, along with actors Paul Bettany and James Franco and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

About 80 people, mostly Depp supporters, sat in the courtroom Tuesday. Some people lined up hours early for seats, but several rows were largely vacant.

The courtroom went silent a few minutes before the 10 a.m. start time when Heard entered the room, through a special entrance usually reserved for the judge. But there was an audible intake of breath when Depp came in a minute later, again through a special entrance. At the end of the day, after the jury had left the courtroom, Depp turned and saluted the gallery as he exited, receiving dozens of excited waves in return.

The first witness Tuesday afternoon was Depp's older sister, Christi Dembrowski. She said the pair endured a difficult childhood in which Depp learned to hide from an abusive mother.

She said she saw the same pattern in Depp's relationship with Heard. She said that when she booked travel for the couple in her role as Depp's personal manager, she booked an extra hotel room so Depp would have somewhere to hide if Heard started a fight.

Dembrowski struggled on cross-examination, though, when she was asked why she sent texts to Depp in February 2014 that said, Stop drinking. Stop coke. Stop pills. She was unwilling to acknowledge she had a concern about Depp's drinking and drug use.

I don't know what they were in reference to, she said.

Heard's lawyers have argued that Depp has no credibility when he denies abusing Heard because he frequently drank and used drugs to the point of blacking out and failing to remember anything he did.

Depp, who almost always faced forward during the trial, glared at Rottenborn for an extended period after the questioning of Depp's sister ended for the day.

A civil jury of seven members, plus four alternates, was selected Monday to hear the case.

Heard's lawyers had sought to have the case tried in California, where the actors reside. But a judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case in Virginia because The Washington Post's computer servers for its online edition are located in the county. Depps lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
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TOKYO (AP)  U.S. and Japanese warships, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, are conducting their joint naval exercise in waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula for the first time in five years, in a show of their close military alliance amid growing speculation of North Korea's missile or nuclear testing later this week.

The U.S. 7th Fleet and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force said Wednesday they conducted a joint naval exercise at the Sea of Japan on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was the first time the U.S. aircraft carrier held the exercise in the area since 2017 and is seen as an apparent attempt to deter North Korea's provocation.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Western weaponry pouring into Ukraine helped blunt Russia's initial offensive and seems certain to play a central role in the approaching, potentially decisive, battle for Ukraine's contested Donbas region. Yet the Russian military is making little headway halting what has become a historic arms express.

The U.S. numbers alone are mounting: more than 12,000 weapons designed to defeat armored vehicles, some 1,400 shoulder-fired Stinger missiles to shoot down aircraft and more than 50 million rounds of ammunition, among many other things. Dozens of other nations are adding to the totals.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved another $800 million worth of military assistance, including additional helicopters and the first provision of American artillery.

These armaments have helped an under-gunned Ukrainian military defy predictions that it would be quickly overrun by Russia. They explain in part why Russian President Vladimir Putins army gave up, at least for now, its attempt to capture Kyiv, the capital, and has narrowed its focus to battling for eastern and southern Ukraine.

U.S. officials and analysts offer numerous explanations for why the Russians have had so little success interdicting Western arms moving overland from neighboring countries, including Poland. Among the likely reasons: Russia's failure to win full control of Ukraine's skies has limited its use of air power. Also, the Russians have struggled to deliver weapons and supplies to their own troops in Ukraine.

Some say Moscow's problem begins at home.

The short answer to the question is that they are an epically incompetent army badly led from the very top, said James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral who was the top NATO commander in Europe from 2009 to 2013.

The Russians also face practical obstacles. Robert G. Bell, a longtime NATO official and now a professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech University, said the shipments lend themselves to being hidden or disguised in ways that can make them elusive to the Russians  short of having a network of espionage on the scene to pinpoint the convoys' movements.

Its not as easy to stop this assistance flow as it might seem, said Stephen Biddle, a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University. Things like ammunition and shoulder-fired missiles can be transported in trucks that look just like any other commercial truck. And the trucks carrying the munitions the Russians want to interdict are just a small part of a much larger flow of goods and commerce moving around in Poland and Ukraine and across the border.

So the Russians have to find the needle in this very big haystack to destroy the weapons and ammo theyre after and not waste scarce munitions on trucks full of printer paper or baby diapers or who knows what.

Even with this Western assistance it's uncertain whether Ukraine will ultimately prevail against a bigger Russian force. The Biden administration has drawn the line at committing U.S. troops to the fight. It has opted instead to orchestrate international condemnation and economic sanctions, provide intelligence information, bolster NATO's eastern flank to deter a wider war with Russia and donate weapons.

In mid-March, a Russian deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said arms shipments would be targeted.

We warned the United States that pumping weapons into Ukraine from a number of countries as it has orchestrated isnt just a dangerous move but an action that turns the respective convoys into legitimate targets, he said in televised remarks.

But thus far the Russians appear not to have put a high priority on arms interdiction, perhaps because their air force is leery of flying into Ukraine's air defenses to search out and attack supply convoys on the move. They have struck fixed sites like arms depots and fuel storage locations, but to limited effect.

On Monday, the Russians said they destroyed four S-300 surface-to-air missile launchers that had been given to Ukraine by an unspecified European country. Slovakia, a NATO member that shares a border with Ukraine, donated just such a system last week but denied it had been destroyed. On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said long-range missiles were used to hit two Ukrainian ammo depots.

As the fighting intensifies in the Donbas and perhaps along the coastal corridor to the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula, Putin may feel compelled to strike harder at the arms pipeline, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called vital to his nation's survival.

In the meantime, a staggering volume and range of war materiel is arriving almost daily.

The scope and speed of our support to meeting Ukraines defense needs are unprecedented in modern times," said John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary. He said the approximately $2.6 billion in weapons and other material that has been offered to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration is equivalent to more than half of Ukraine's normal defense budget.

One example: The Pentagon says it has provided more than 5,000 Javelin missiles, which are among the world's most effective weapons against tanks and other armored vehicles  and can even take down a low-flying helicopter. The missile, shaped like a clunky dumb bell and weighing 50 pounds (23 kilograms), is fired by an individual soldier; from its launch tube it flies up at a steep angle and descends directly onto its target in what its known as a curveball shot  hitting the top of a tank where its armor is weakest.

The Pentagon said Wednesday that an unspecified number of additional Javelins are to be delivered by Thursday, and the U.S. will complete the delivery of 100 armed Switchblade kamikaze drones this week.

The specific routes used to move the U.S. and other Western materials into Ukraine are secret for security reasons, but the basic process is not. Just this week, two U.S. military cargo planes arrived in Eastern Europe with items ranging from machine guns and small arms ammunition to body armor and grenades, the Pentagon said.

A similar load is due later this week to complete delivery of $800 million in assistance approved by Biden just one month ago. The weapons and equipment are offloaded, moved onto trucks and driven into Ukraine by Ukrainian soldiers for delivery.

Kirby said the material sometimes reaches troops in the field within 48 hours of entering Ukraine.
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Simranjit Khalsa, University of Memphis

(THE CONVERSATION) Sikhs all over the world celebrate the festival of Baisakhi, a holiday with a special religious significance, observed each year on April 13 or 14. In 2022, Baisakhi falls on April 14.

As a sociologist of religion studying Sikhs in the West and as someone who was raised Sikh, I know that Baisakhi is one of Sikhisms most widely celebrated holidays. I remember attending celebratory Baisakhi processions in Amritsar in northern India where large crowds gathered, many wearing traditional Sikh clothing, and danced and practiced Sikh martial arts.

Originally a spring harvest festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Punjab, the festival gained religious significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh  the 10th and final living guru for Sikhs  created the Khalsa in 1699.

What is the Khalsa?

Sikhs see the creation of the Khalsa, which is commonly translated as pure, as creating a distinctive Sikh identity.

Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa with the intention that Sikhs who joined the order be set apart from those around them. Sikhs initiated as members of the Khalsa are known as amritdhari Sikhs. Sikhs who have not been initiated are known as sahejdhari Sikhs. The precise size of each group is not known, but amritdhari Sikhs are a significant minority.

Sikhs are initiated into this order through the amrit pahul. It is a rite that involves drinking a nectar called amrit, prepared using a mixture of sugar and water that has been stirred with a double-edged sword. The initiates read from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture that is seen as the embodiment of the guru, recite a formal prayer, and agree to adhere to guidelines for behavior and practice.

All those initiated wear symbols with religious significance, known as the five Ks: kesh (uncut hair), kanga (wooden comb), kachera (cotton undershorts), kirpan (a steel blade), and kara (a steel bracelet). Each has its own symbolic meaning. The kirpan, for example, symbolizes ones commitment to protect the defenseless and defend their faith. The five Ks also set the Khalsa apart from all others, serving as an outward expression of commitment to the Sikh faith.

Amritdhari Sikhs are all expected to wear the five Ks. Although sahejdhari Sikhs may wear some or all of the five Ks, most Sikhs today do not expect them to do so.

Baisakhi celebrations

Although scholars debate when exactly a separate Sikh identity was formed, for many Sikhs today Baisakhi is seen as formative turning point in the Sikh faith.

Sikhs mark the occasion by going to Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, for a service, followed by a procession. There is singing, bhangra dancing and Sikh martial arts called gatka. In addition, for Sikhs in the diaspora, such public celebrations are also an opportunity to help the non-Sikh public better understand Sikh beliefs and practice.

Sikhs see Sikhism as a tradition that has been fundamentally concerned with equality from its outset. They believe in equality among men and women and reject caste distinctions.

With the creation of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh called for men initiated into the Khalsa to discard their last names and take the last name Singh and women to take the last name Kaur as a rejection of caste. This is because in India, last names are indicators of caste. When Sikhs communicate to non-Sikhs about their faith, they often emphasize this egalitarian vision of Sikhism.

Sikhs have been living in the U.S. since the late 1800s. Today, the Sikh population in the U.S. is estimated at around 500,000. However, they are a group that most Americans know little about. Sikhs in the U.S. are often subject to Islamophobia and have been targets of violent attacks, in large part because they are commonly mistaken for Muslims.

A resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 28, 2022, that, if passed, would make April 14 National Sikh Day.

Establishing a National Sikh Day would have a symbolic meaning for Sikhs who have faced discrimination in the U.S, and it would acknowledge their contributions to American society.

[3 media outlets, 1 religion newsletter. Get stories from The Conversation, AP and RNS.]

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Boone County Council President Elise Nieshalla and Councilman Kevin Van Horn are shown during a discussion about the countys proposed $58 million justice center at the councils March 8 meeting. Van Horn on Tuesday asked to have a hearing on the justice center scheduled for the councils May 10 meeting. Nieshalla said last week the hearing will come sometime after the councils May meeting.
Weather Alert

...ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY... A dry airmass overhead and increasing wind speeds today will lead to elevated fire weather conditions. The lowest humidity levels will occur across western Wisconsin where values could average around 20 percent this afternoon. Humidity levels are expected to average between 25 to 35 percent across central and southern Minnesota. Wind speeds will increase significantly by the late morning, and into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph will occur across western Minnesota, with winds of 15 to 20 mph across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. However, occasional gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range is likely over western Minnesota, and around 20 to 30 mph over eastern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.
Rampant poaching and unchecked habitat destruction have shrunk the tigers range by more than 95 percent.

Rangers carry a captured Sumatran tiger in Lurah Ingu Village, West Sumatra, Dec 7, 2020. The Indonesian government estimates that around 600 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild.

With the lunar Year of the Tiger well under way, various assessments show that only a few thousand tigers at the most are surviving in South and East Asia.

Tigers once ranged from Eastern Turkey and the Caspian Sea to the south of the Tibetan plateau eastward to Manchuria and the Sea of Okhotsk.

According to The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), tigers were also found in northern Iran, Afghanistan, the Indus Valley of Pakistan, and the islands of Java and Bali.

Today, the Swiss-based WWF says that rampant poaching and unchecked habitat destruction have shrunk the tigers range by more than 95 percent.

At the beginning of the 20th century, wild tigers are said to have numbered some 100,000.

The total number of wild tigers has declined to as few as 3,200, with more than half of them to be found in India.

In India, its against the law to attempt to kill an endangered tiger except in self-defense or by the special permission granted by a wildlife protection act.

Offenders face a minimum of three years in prison unless the tiger was deemed a man-eater by a court.

Of the 13 tiger-range nations of the world, sevenCambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnamare located in Southeast Asia.

In 2010, the governments of 13 countries where tigers still roam met for the first time in St. Petersburg. There they committed themselves to a doubling of the population of wild tigers by 2022, the Lunar New Year of the Tiger.

Debbie Banks with the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), which also has offices in Washington, D.C., says criminal gangs capture wild tigers and sell their bones and pelts, which can be processed into luxury home decor items.

The bones are also sometimes used for medicinal purposes despite a lack of scientific evidence that this remedy works as claimed.

The largest markets for these items appear to be found in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Although the health claims associated with tiger body parts are dubious, the benefits of wild tigers to their surrounding environment are widely accepted by scientists.

According to the WWF, wild tigers play an important role in maintaining the harmony of the planets ecosystems.

Tigers prey on herbivores, such as cows, deer and sheep, which feed on forest vegetation. They thus help to preserve vegetation that can be consumed by humans.

The WWF also notes that tigers are incredibly adaptable and can survive in vastly diverse habitats  under extreme temperatures.

That characteristic gives some cause for optimism. The tenacity of tigers may be enough for the species to avoid extinction, if only humans stop killing them.

Dan Southerland is RFA's founding executive editor.
The war in Ukraine has heightened concerns that Beijing may strike when the worlds focus is on Europe.

Taiwan has issued for the first time a survival handbook to guide its citizens in the preparation for a possible Chinese invasion in the future.

The 28-page National Defense Handbook is where the general public can find an emergency response guideline in a military crisis or natural disaster, said the defense ministry, which is responsible for compiling and releasing the material.

The raging war in Ukraine has heightened concerns that China would seize the opportunity when the worlds focus is on Europe to wage an attack against the island.

Survival guidelines

I was surprised to hear about the survival handbook, said 35-year-old Cathy Hsieh, a bank clerk.

Ive never thought wed need something like that but its good that they [the government] have made such precaution, she said.

The handbook is drawn from similar publications issued in Japan and Sweden, and contains illustrated guidelines on how to find shelters in the case of bombing and what to do in emergencies such as fires, air raids or natural disasters.

It even teaches people how to differentiate warning sirens.

One guideline tells citizens to not open the fridge door too often during a power outage to keep the contents cold.

The handbook provides a set of QR codes for citizens to scan using their mobile phones to access needed information as well as a list of emergency numbers.

Yet some Taiwanese say the handbook, albeit a nice initiative, is impractical.

When all the hell breaks loose, I dont think people would want to rely on QR codes and mobile networks which for sure wont be working, said George Cai, a 28-year-old resident of Taipei.

He said there should be rehearsals on how to use the handbook.

Lien Hsiang joint exercise

On Tuesday, the Taiwanese military also held a large-scale exercise to rehearse the rapid response to a simulated attack by Chinese warplanes.

F-16 fighters, Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDFs), Apache helicopters, and other aircraft were dispatched as part of an effort to strengthen the protection of important assets and counter airstrikes.

The exercise is an important part of training to counter an attack by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), said Col. Sun Li-fang, Taiwans Ministry of Defense spokesman, at a press conference.

A Chinese military expert was quoted by Chinese media as saying that both the drills and the handbook are futile in resisting reunification.

Taiwanese people consider themselves citizens of an independent, democratic country but China claims the island is a breakaway province of China and vows to reunite it with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The Lien Hsiang joint exercise has been held annually since 2016 and involves the air force, army and the navy.

The air force however took the center stage as Taiwan is seeing almost daily incursions by Chinese aircraft into its air identification zone (ADIZ).

Since the beginning of April, 25 Chinese military aircraft including 16 fighter jets, six spotter planes, and three helicopters have been tracked in Taiwans ADIZ, according to the Ministry of Defense.

An ADIZ is not a countrys sovereign airspace, but the extended area around it, and is closely monitored in case of illegal encroachment.
Authorities in the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi have detained a resident of Hong Kong for taking part in the city's pro-democracy protests, RFA has learned.



The woman, whose birth name is Tan Qiyuan, but who is widely known by her nickname Nicole, was detained by police in Guangxi's Liuzhou city in April 2021 when she took a trip to her hometown after many years of living in Hong Kong.



Nicole has been incommunicado since April 2, 2021, when she messaged a cousin saying she was flying back to Liuzhou that afternoon.



Nicole's friend, who wanted to be identified only his nickname A Feng, said she was on the way to celebrate her mother's birthday. He messaged her on April 2, 2021, but never got a reply.



"I thought she might reply later. I waited and waited but she didn't reply," he said. "I started to think something wasn't right, and she still hasn't replied to this day and ... her phone is switched off."



"She told me she'd be back in Hong Kong by the end of April at the earliest, or maybe in May ... she wasn't going to stay very long in mainland China," he said. "She knew, and everybody else knew, that it was dangerous."



Activists said little is known of Nicole's fate, as her family are likely being targeted by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s "stability maintenance" teams, which place people under surveillance and prevent them from contacting the outside world in politically sensitive cases.



A fellow activist surnamed Duan in the southern city of Shenzhen, who has some knowledge of Nicole's fate, said the authorities in China have ways to track people arriving across the border.



"If you enter the CCP's jurisdiction with your mobile phone, even if you switch it off, they can track you if you are deemed sensitive," Duan said.



"The CCP also intimidates the relatives and friends of the parties involved, meaning that many of them daren't speak out," he said.



Hong Kong rights activist Liao Jianhao believes Nicole was detained for her role in recent mass protest movements in Hong Kong.



"The whole case is likely about prosecuting her for taking part in the Occupy Central movement of 2014 and the anti-extradition movement of 2019," he told RFA.



Prior to her detention, Nicole was an active citizen journalist, using Twitter to post real-time news about the protests, and resident of Hong Kong, although she was born in Guangxi.



Liao said she is currently being held in the Liuzhou Detention Center on charges of "incitement to subvert state power."



"One of her [alleged] crimes was hosting mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong," he said. "She was also part of the press team and was involved in helping those injured [in clashes with police]."



Liao said the authorities may have targeted Nicole in the hope of obtaining the names of mainland Chinese residents who supported the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong.



She had earlier taken part in demonstrations in support of the 47 former opposition lawmakers and pro-democracy activists arrested for "subversion" under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing from July 1, 2020.



"I took part in a demonstration in Causeway Bay on Sept. 27, 2019, and Nicole gave me first aid when I was hit by a tear gas grenade," Liao said. "I am very grateful to her."



He said it was illegal under Chinese law to detain someone for a crime committed outside mainland Chinese jurisdiction.



"The location was Hong Kong, which has nothing to do with [the authorities] in Liuzhou," Liao said. "Liuzhou shouldn't be able to bring a case against Nicole under Chinese law, but everyone knows what kind of country China is."



He said the CCP regards the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement as an attempt by foreign powers to instigate a "color revolution" in the city.



"They think it's a political activity created by hostile factions aimed at overthrowing CCP rule, which is actually pretty absurd," Liao said.



Former Hong Kong University of Science and Technology student Zhu Rui, who was also born in mainland China, said the CCP won't stop pursuing mainlanders who took part in the Hong Kong protests.



"We are facing an unscrupulous and evil regime," Zhu told RFA. "We have to keep telling ourselves to keep trying to damage the CCP regime for as long as we're free, because once they catch us, we'll just be prisoners or hostages."



"Nicole was merely expressing her demands for freedom, democracy and the rule of law peacefully like any other Hongkonger," Zhu said. "These were freedoms we should have had, but which were taken from us by the CCP."



He said CCP leader Xi Jinping is imposing oppressive controls on Hong Kong along the lines of the oppression of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang.



"They're putting everyone they lay eyes on in jail," Zhu said.



Lydia Wong, a researcher at the Georgetown University Asian Law Center who specializes in Hong Kong, said the Chinese authorities are increasingly keen to pursue dissidents far beyond mainland China, citing the fact that Beijing made Hong Kong National Security Law applicable to anyone of any nationality, anywhere in the world.



"You can commit these actions anywhere in the universe, but you can still be arrested wherever police in Hong Kong or mainland China are able to arrest people," Wong told RFA.



"It is entirely plausible that they will use their domestic judicial system to target certain people they think are participating in the anti-China movement in Hong Kong," she said.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
A bronze statue of late Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo that was removed from public display in Hong Kong amid a citywide crackdown on dissent could find a new home on the democratic island of Taiwan.



The statue of a smoking, bespectacled, seated Liu, who died of late-stage liver cancer in 2017 while serving an 11-year jail term for "subversion," was once on display in Hong Kong's Times Square shopping plaza in Causeway Bay.



It later reappeared in the Tin Hau branch of the children's clothing chain Chickeeduck, which has been a vocal supporter of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, particularly during the 2019 protests.



The statue was in the keeping of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democratic Patriotic Movements of China, a civil society organization that was forced to disband after being investigated under a draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020.



Now, it appears Liu's effigy may have found a new home in Taiwan, a democratic country that has never been ruled by Beijing, and whose 23 million people have no wish to lose their democratic rights and freedoms, or the rule of law.



"He has no other place to go, so we will keep him permanently in Taiwan," Tzeng Chien-yuan, who chairs Taiwan's New School for Democracy, told RFA. "We plan to set up a museum to tell the world about human rights issues in China under CCP rule."



Tzeng said the statue will be put on public display in Taiwan in the run-up to the 33rd anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre on June 4.



"We are coming at this from the perspective of universal values," Tzeng told RFA. "Even if the vast majority of Taiwanese want independence, they still affirm Liu Xiaobo's value, because they espouse universal values."



He said the Charter 08 document calling for sweeping political change in China that landed Liu in jail didn't specifically mention Taiwan.



But he said Liu had never subscribed to Beijing's insistence on claiming the island as its territory, nor its threat to annex Taiwan by military force if necessary.



"He said Taiwan's future should be decided by its people," Tzeng said.



Pillar of shame statue



The New School for Democracy will also play host to another banned Hong Kong monument -- the "Pillar of Shame" marking the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.



The statue was first unveiled at a now-banned candlelight vigil commemorating the victims at Victoria Park on June 4, 1997, weeks before the city was handed back to China, and was on display at the University of Hong Kong until last year, when it was dismantled and removed despite protests from its creator, Danish sculptor Jens Galschit.



Tzeng says he has no fears for his personal safety.



"We have our national sovereignty and our national armed forces to protect us," he said. "We're not worried."



"The only concern is the shipment of the exhibits out of Hong Kong, and the safety of people there who are doing that."



Taiwanese rights activist Yang Sen-hong said the image of Liu Xiaobo is anathema to the CCP, but that at least he could become a "refugee" in Taiwan.



"Liu Xiaobo has to be a refugee, even in statue form," Yang said. "Naturally, Taiwan is willing to offer his statue a place of refuge."



"Taiwan is not China, nor Hong Kong: we are a single country on our own side," he said.



Shih Yi-hsiang of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights said Taiwanese rights activists are keen to support movements against oppression around the world, including Hong Kong and China.



"Taiwan is involved in other action against oppression, not just in being concerned about the situation in Hong Kong," Shih said.



"I think we have an obligation to ... show solidarity, whether it's with Ukraine, Xinjiang or Tibet."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Lao officials hope the projects being built by Chinese developers will improve the countrys overall economy.

Slow boats line up to wait for passengers at the Pak Beng pier on the Mekong River in northern Laos' Oudomxay province, site of a proposed hydroelectric dam, in a file photo.

Chinese developers are preparing to begin work on two major hydropower dams to be built on the Mekong River in Laos, projects government officials hope will bring the impoverished country closer to its goal of become the battery of Southeast Asia.

But compensation and relocation packages for villagers affected by the massive infrastructure projects are still up in the air.

The China-backed Pak Beng Dam will be built in the Pak Beng district of Oudomxay province in northern Laos, while the Pak Lay Dam will be built in the Pak Lay district of northern Laos Xayaburi province.

They will be the newest hydropower projects among dozens of dams that Lao has constructed on the Mekong and its tributaries under its plan to sell around 20,000 megawatts of electricity to neighboring countries by 2030.

In November 2021, Thai power authorities agreed to purchase power generated by the two dams, both located 60-80 km (35-50 miles) from the Thai border, and by the Nam Gneum 3 Dam on Nam River.

NGOs and local communities have warned that the Pak Beng and Pak Lay dams will harm the Mekongs ecosystem and the livelihoods of people living along the river. The Pak Beng is expected to displace around 6,700 people living in 25 villages, and the Pak Lay Dam is expected to force the relocation of more than 1,000 residents from 20 villages, sources told RFA in earlier reports.

Though the Lao government sees power generation as a way to boost the countrys economy, the projects are controversial because of their environmental impact, displacement of villagers and questionable financial arrangements.

A map shows the location of the impending Pak Beng Dam on the Mekong River in northern Laos' Oudomxay province. Credit: Mekong River Commission

Draft MOU on tariffs

China Datang Overseas Investment, the developer of the Pak Beng Dam, has begun moving machinery to prepare the site and to set up workers camps in anticipation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) to be signed in May with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), an official at the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines told RFA on April 8.

They have begun transporting machinery equipment in order to build [workers] camps as they are looking for a buyer, he said. The main buyer is Thai, but the agreement has not yet been signed.

Thailand is preparing a draft a memorandum of understanding on tariffs for power generated by the Pak Beng Dam and the impending Luang Prabang Dam before construction officially gets underway, said the official who declined to give his name because he is not authorized to speak with the media.

The U.S. $3 billion, 1,460-megawatt Luang Prabang Dam will be built by Thailands Xayaburi Power Company Ltd. and Vietnams PetroVietnam Power Corp. The project is being financed by the Luang Prabang Power Company Ltd., a consortium of the Thai and Vietnamese power companies and the Lao government.

Most villagers fish the Mekong and grow rice and raise livestock along it. People who live near the Pak Beng project will lose their farmland and have to relocate to another area.

Regarding the relocation of and compensation for affected villagers, the dam developer has not given details yet about how they will proceed, a Pak Beng district official told RFA on April 8.

Villagers fear being shortchanged in the compensation they receive for their losses, as have other Laotians affected by hydropower dam projects.

Theyve marked where the houses will be relocated, and now it is quiet, said one affected villager who requested anonymity. We are worried. The impact is huge.

A resident of the districts Homxay village said there is not much land available for farming in other parts of the district because most of it is in a mountainous area.

Nobody wants to relocate

Meanwhile, Chinas Sinohydro Corp. has begun to prepare for construction on the U.S. $2 billion Pak Lay Dam, an official at the Energy and Mines Department of Xayaburi province told RFA on April 1.

Theyve started, but the relocation of the families has not, he said. As soon as the power purchase agreement is signed, they [Sinohydro] will bring all the equipment and materials to the dam site.

The developer has been preparing to build an access road, a workers camp and a power source at the site since late 2021, said the official who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The preconstruction phase is moving ahead, but Lao and Sinohydro officials have not yet met with the residents, he said.

A resident of Phaliap village in Pak Lay district confirmed that neither Lao government officials nor company representatives have formally spoken with villagers.

They havent talked to us yet, he said. Nobody wants to relocate, and nobody wants to lose their farms, rice fields and cassava plantations.

A resident of the districts Nongkhai village, who expects to be displaced by the dam, expressed similar concern over the unsettled issues.

Were worried about the relocation, resettlement and compensation, he said, adding that he has heard that villagers will receive 30 million kip (U.S. $2,500) per hectare of land, which they believe is a low-ball figure.

Were hoping that what they pay us is closer to what our land is worth or comparable to the market value, he said. As for the relocation, we dont know yet where were going to move to.

A map shows the location of the impending Pak Lay Dam on the Mekong River in northern Laos' Xayaburi province. Credit: Google Earth

Dam will worsen the impact

The Love Chiang Khong Group, a Thai NGO, has said the dam will reduce the fish population and destroy the ecosystem of the Mekong in the area.

The rivers water level is fluctuating right now because of Chinese dams and the Xayaburi Dam, said a representative of the organization, who did not want to be named so he could speak freely.

The Thai-owned U.S. $4.5 billion Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River mainstem in northern Laos began commercial operations in October 2019, despite warnings by environmentalist and human rights activists about serious ecological and human impacts.

Certainly, the new dam will worsen the impact, he said. Wed like all parties to reconsider the Pak Lay Dam project to avoid the worst environment impact.

The Pak Lay Dam will displace 993 families, or 4,800 individuals, who will lose 3,500 hectares of farmland, according to the projects environmental and social impact assessment.

Construction on the dam is scheduled to begin this year and run until 2029. The electricity the hydropower project generates will be sold to Thailand.

Reported and translated by RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Meanwhile, older Tibetans must pass on their cultural knowledge to younger generations, he says.

A Middle Way approach to the question of Tibets status under Beijings rule does not concern politics alone and will benefit both the Tibetan and the Chinese people, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said in a rare political statement in India this month.

The Middle Way approach is not just a political and administrative approach, the Dalai Lama said, speaking on April 7 at a traditional Shoton, or Yogurt, Festival held in Dharamsala, India, seat of Tibets exile government, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Instead, it is a practical approach and mutually beneficial to both Tibetans and Chinese, in which Tibetans can preserve their culture and religion and uphold their identity. We cannot resort to violence and banish the Chinese from our lands, the Dalai Lama said.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force more than 70 years ago. And in the debate over how best to advance the rights of Tibetans living under Beijings rule, some Tibetans have called for a restoration of the countrys former independence.

The CTA and the Dalai Lama, however, have adopted a policy approach called the Middle Way, which accepts Tibets status as a part of China but urges greater cultural and religious freedoms, including strengthened language rights, guaranteed for ethnic minorities under the provisions of Chinas own constitution.

Despite the Chinese governments continuous oppression of Tibetans inside Tibet, Tibetans have endured it all, the exiled spiritual leader said. So Tibetans in exile must work hard. Chinas brutal policies will not last long, and will someday change.

The Tibetan struggle for greater freedoms has been a struggle lasting over generations, the Dalai Lama said. So older Tibetans must nurture the younger generations of Tibetans, to whom we can pass on our Tibetan language, culture, and religious and traditional beliefs.

Nine rounds of talks on greater autonomy in Tibetan areas of China were held between envoys of the Dalai Lama and high-level Chinese officials beginning in 2002, but stalled in 2010 and were never resumed.

Formerly Tibets traditional ruler, the Dalai Lama has made few political statements in public since handing his political responsibilities over to an elected exile leader, or Sikyong, in 2011 and now considers himself only Tibets spiritual leader.

'Something achievable'

The Dalai Lama continues to work hard for the good of his people, though, said Marco Respinti, director-in-charge at Bitter Winter, an online magazine monitoring religious freedom in China. And the good of the Tibetan people should be something achievable, not just some utopia, Respinti said.

While the Chinese Communist government is literally waging a cultural genocide against the Tibetans, and the Uyghurs and the Mongols, the Dalai Lama has taken on himself the moral responsibility both to stop the horror and to get something concrete done.

The Middle Way approach tries to keep these two things together, envisioning a future of interactions and exchanges, Respinti said.

Chinas Communist Party remains determined to destroy Tibets national and cultural identity though, and seeks only total surrender to its totalitarian power, Respinti said. The Middle Way approach is the last noble chance that Tibetans can offer to the CCP, but the CCP has no intention of taking it.

Translated with additional reporting by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Abuses range from arbitrary detention and torture to restrictions on freedoms and the prosecution of critics.

Chinas abuses targeting Uyghurs, Hongkongers and Tibetans are among some of the worst human rights violations around the world, the U.S. Department of State said Tuesday.

The Chinese government continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs among other minority groups, to erode fundamental freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong, and to carry out systematic repression in Tibet, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press briefing before the release of the departments 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

The report, which the State Department is required to release each year by law, details the state of human rights and worker rights in 198 countries and territories.

The administration of former President Donald Trump officially determined in January 2021 that abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regions (XUAR) amounted to state-sponsored genocide and crimes against humanity. President Bidens administration has agreed with the designation and has worked with its international allies on measures to hold the Chinese government to account.

The 90 pages in the report that are dedicated to China focus on the XUAR and the arbitrary imprisonment of more than 1 million civilians in extrajudicial internment camps and the additional 2 million who are subjected to daytime-only re-education training. The report also cited evidence of forced labor, forced sterilizations of women, coerced abortions, more restrictive birth control policies, rape and torture, and draconian restrictions on freedoms of religion and expression.

The report cited an Oct. 21, 2021, report by RFA that said more than 170 Uyghurs, including woman and minors, in Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) were detained by national security authorities on Chinas National Day holiday because they allegedly displaying resistance to the country during flag-raising activities.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said the State Departments report is important because it highlights the most urgent crises around the world.

The Uyghur genocide is one of them, he told RFA. This reports is important in the sense that it must be used as a reminder that international inaction in the face of Uyghur genocide will lead to the deterioration of human rights around the world.

The international community must act, he said. The Uyghur people have suffered enough in the past five years.

Campaign for Uyghurs also welcomed the human rights report.

Uyghurs are really delighted to see this strong stance to call China out for its crimes of genocide, and standing firmly on the values that ought to be advocated by the United States precisely concerning liberty, respect and freedom for the principles of humanity, said the organizations executive director Rushan Abbas in a statement.

The report also notes rights violations in Hong Kong, Tibet and other parts of China, including

serious limits on free expression and the media. Journalists, lawyers, writers and bloggers have suffered from physical attacks and criminal prosecution.

The U.S. supports human rights by meeting with advocates, journalists and others to document abuses and works with the Treasury Department to apply sanctions and visa restrictions on human rights abusers, Blinken said. It also collects, preserves and analyzes evidence of atrocities.

In March, the U.S. government imposed new sanctions against Chinese officials over the repression of Uyghurs in China and elsewhere, prompting an angry response from Beijing and a pledge to respond with sanctions of its own.

At the time, Blinken said the U.S. would restrict visas on unnamed individuals he said were involved in repressive acts by China against members of ethnic and religious minority groups inside and outside the countrys borders, including within the U.S.

Blinken noted that even though the U.S. has its own human rights shortcomings, the country openly acknowledges them and tries to address them.

Respecting human rights is a fundamental part of upholding the international rules-based order which is crucial to Americas enduring security and prosperity, he said. Governments that violate human rights are almost always the same ones that flout other key parts of that order.
Chu Manh Son was being held in an immigration detention facility for not having a passport.

From left to right, Vietnamese political dissidents Chu Manh Son, Nguyen Thi Luyen and Nguyen Van Them at the time of arrest by Thai authorities in Bangkok, April 8, 2022.

A Vietnamese political dissident granted refugee status by the United Nations but held by immigration authorities in Thailand for possible deportation was released on bail, he told RFA on Wednesday.

Authorities detained Chu Manh Son with four other Vietnamese refugees on April 8 when he went to the headquarters of the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok to request a police report for an immigration application to relocate to Canada with his family members, who also have U.N. refugee status.

Son said lawyers helped to get him and another political refugee, Nguyen Van Them, released on bail on Tuesday, though Thems wife, Nguyen Thi Luyen, and two children are still being held because they have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Thanks to the endless efforts of our lawyers and U.N. representatives, late yesterday the Immigration Detention Center agreed to let our lawyers bail us out providing that we will have to show up at their office on a monthly basis, Son told RFA.

Thai police arrested Son after he failed to present a passport, which he did not have since he was forced to flee Vietnam in 2017 after being sentenced by a court in Nghe An province to 30 months in prison for conducting propaganda against the state.

They transferred Son and the other refugees  a family of four, who also did not have passports  to the Immigration Detention Center (IDC) where they were held for possible deportation, RFA reported on Monday.

After a hearing during which they all were charged with illegally residing in Thailand, they had to pay fines and remained in custody at the IDC to await deportation orders.

We were very worried because the judge ruled that we had to pay a fine and said that we could be deported, Son said.

In order to be freed on bail, Son said he and Them had to be verified as refugees by U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and directly managed by the organization, post the bail, and pay a COVID-19 test fee.

Son said he alone paid nearly U.S. $2,000 in total for the fine, bail and coronavirus test.

The lawyers are still working to get Luyen and her children released on bail to avoid possible deportation, he said.

Vietnamese dissidents often flee to Thailand to avoid persecution by the government for political and religious reasons, though the country is not a signatory of the U.N.s 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits sending refugees back to their home countries if they face threats to their life or freedom.

People running to Thailand to escape persecution therefore face the risk of being arrested by immigration authorities and treated as illegal immigrants, though they seek help from the UNHCRs office in Bangkok in hopes of being resettled in a third country.

Translated by Anna Vu for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Capt. Le Chi Thanh was fired in 2020 for accusing his supervisor of corruption.

An appellate court in Vietnam upheld the two-year sentence of a former policeman arrested last year for resisting officers on official duty during a traffic spat.

Le Chi Thanh was once an officer at Han Tan Prison in the southern coastal province of Binh Thuan. He was fired in July 2020 after he accused his supervisor of corruption. Afterwards he became an active social media user, often livestreaming videos that monitored traffic police.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City impounded his car on March 2, 2021, for occupying a lane reserved for two-wheeled vehicles. He argued with the police and recorded and live streamed the exchange.

He was arrested on April 14, 2021, for his actions on March 2.

The Ho Chi Minh City High-level Peoples Court upheld the two-year sentence Thanh received in January.

Thanhs lawyer, Dang Dinh Manh, told RFAs Vietnamese Service that he presented new evidence  medals and certificates Thanh received while he was a police officer  during the appellate trial.

The prosecution side accepted the medals as mitigating circumstances and proposed reducing his jail term by six months, he said.

However, in the end, the judging panel said that they decided to uphold the first verdict as it was suitable and accurate. Therefore, there were no grounds to reduce it, Manh said.

The lawyer also said that his client was in better shape at the appellate trial than during the first trial. Thanh was unable to walk on his own in January. His lawyer and family at that time claimed he had been tortured during pretrial detention.

In its newly-realsed Vietnam 2021 Human Rights Report, the U.S. State Department said Thanh was arrested on charges of resisting a law enforcement officer in what international human rights observers asserted was retribution for exposing systemic corruption on his YouTube channel and that Thanh, who was fired in July 2020, criticized what he called a culture of corruption within the prison system.

One day before the appellate trial, Vietnams state media also reported that Thanh had also been prosecuted for abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to violate the states interest and the legitimate interests of organizations and individuals during his livestreamed videos on social media.

Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
At least 50 Ukrainian civilians were evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steel plant amid the ruins of Mariupol, even as Russia continued to batter the strategic port city, Ukrainian officials said.

"Today we were able to evacuate from Azovstal 50 women, children, and elderly people," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on May 6 on her Telegram channel.



Vereshchuk added that, in the face of Russian attacks, the evacuation was extremely slowtomorrow morning we will continue the evacuation operation."

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the major developments on Russia's invasion, how Kyiv is fighting back, the plight of civilians, and Western reaction. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

The United Nations has scrambled to broker a deal to help evacuate some of the 200 civilians who are holed up along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters in the massive Azovstal steel plant, one of the largest in Europe.



Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of disrupting an agreed evacuation process by firing on vehicles attempting to transport people out of the plant.



Russia confirmed that some 50 people had been evacuated but did not comment on Ukrainian allegations of attacks on those leaving.



Throughout the day, Russian forces continued their assault on the sprawling steel factory against the Ukrainian fighters holding out there.

Ukraine's General Staff said in its daily assessment on May 6 that Russians were using aircraft as part of the renewed assault on the plant.

"There are many wounded, but they are not surrendering," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on May 5 in his nightly video address. "They are holding their positions."

Mariupol itself has been largely razed to the ground by weeks of street-to-street fighting and heavy bombardment. Azovstal has turned into a last stand for the Ukrainians troops struggling to prevent a complete Russian defeat of the city.

Zelenskiy said that, if Russian forces killed civilians or troops who could otherwise be released, his government would no longer hold peace talks with Moscow.



He said there was basically nothing left of the once-flourishing port city, only "this little turf, this little structure, the Azovstal steel mill, or what remains of it."

The fight for Azovstal also comes amid speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a battlefield triumph that he can showcase on May 9 when Russia marks Victory Day -- the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.

"The renewed effort by Russia to secure Azovstal and complete the capture of Mariupol is likely linked to the upcoming 9 May Victory Day commemorations and Putin's desire to have a symbolic success in Ukraine," the British Defense Ministry said in its May 6 daily assessment.

"This effort has come at personnel, equipment, and munitions cost to Russia. Whilst Ukrainian resistance continues in Azovstal, Russian losses will continue to build and frustrate their operational plans in southern Donbas," the ministry said.

Losing Mariupol would deprive Ukraine of a vital port on the Sea of Azov. It would also give Russia the ability to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula and free up troops to fight elsewhere in the Donbas.

The Ukrainians holed up in Azovstal's labyrinthine tunnels and industrial infrastructure have been posting videos and photographs to social media, appealing to the international community.

Soldiers are "dying in agony" due to the lack of proper treatment, Captain Svyatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Battalion, said in a video address on May 5. He pleaded for international help to evacuate the civilians and wounded fighters there.

Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Zelenskiy, said on May 6 that nearly 500 civilians had been evacuated from the city and the Azovstal plant as part of a United Nations-led effort.



"The next stage of rescuing our people from Azovstal is under way at the moment. Information about the results will be provided later," Yermak said in a post on Telegram on May 6. Kyiv will "do everything to save all its civilians and military."

The fighting comes as Russia continues its offensive in the eastern Donbas, an offensive that has proceeded slowly and without major advances, as Ukrainian forces have blocked Russian movements and even regained territory.



Ukrainian forces have been increasingly equipped with heavy artillery and powerful anti-tank and antiaircraft weaponry supplied from NATO members.

Germany, which has come under pressure at home and abroad to step up its equipment supplies, said on May 6 that it would supply seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine after reversing its policy not to send heavy armaments to war zones.



Earlier, Berlin announced it would also be sending "Gepard" antiaircraft systems.



The Donbas offensive came after a thwarted campaign by Russian forces north of Kyiv in the early weeks of the war. The withdrawal of Russian troops from places like Bucha, near Kyiv, has led to a cascade of reports from witnesses who say Russian units committed atrocities that could amount to war crimes.



Rights watchdog Amnesty International said on May 6 there was compelling evidence that Russian troops had committed war crimes, including extrajudicial executions of civilians, when they occupied an area outside Ukraine's capital in February and March. Civilians also suffered abuses such as "reckless shootings and torture, the group said.



Russian troops had committed a "host of apparent war crimes" in Bucha, including "numerous unlawful killings," most of them near the intersection of Yablunska and Vodoprovidna streets, the report found.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and AP
A popular Russian political cartoonist and satirist has left Russia amid the ongoing crackdown on media and civil society over coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine.



Sergei Yolkin wrote on Facebook on April 13 that he is currently in Bulgaria.



"The future is foggy," he wrote.



Yolkin has been well known since 1999 for sharp and popular cartoons mocking political decisions and moves by the Russian government, as well as targeting social problems in Russia and other former Soviet republics. His drawings are published regularly by RFE/RL and Deutsche Welle.



Many journalists and activists have left Russia since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.



Authorities have ordered local media and bloggers to only publish information about the war that is provided by official sources.



As part of the guidelines, the conflict cannot be referred to as a war or an invasion, and instead must be called a "special military operation."
The release of Sinostan, a new book about China's growing influence in Central Asia, will mark the end of a sprawling journey that has taken its authors more than a decade to complete.

When Raffaello Pantucci and Alexandros Petersen first set out in 2008 to research Beijing's rising and outsized impact on the region it was only slightly visible, but it has since become one of the most noteworthy examples of China's global sway.

Amid little fanfare in 2001, Beijing made its first major foray into the region when it launched the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional bloc that included Russia and every former Soviet Central Asian country except for Turkmenistan.

That pivot to Eurasia expanded in the coming years as China's growing economic gravitas turned it into Central Asia's largest trading partner and Beijing built a sprawling network of oil and gas pipelines across the region.

Things accelerated in 2013, when Chinese President Xi Jinping chose the Kazakh capital, Astana (since renamed Nur-Sultan), to unveil the Silk Road Economic Belt, the overland component of the multibillion-dollar infrastructure project that would become the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- a hallmark of Xi's foreign policy.

For the British and American analysts, it was further proof that years of on-the-ground research in Central Asia and China was set to pay off. While juggling PhD programs and various roles at think tanks around the world, the duo had been working on a project that they would turn into a book meant to understand and explain how Beijing had created an "inadvertent empire" in Central Asia.

It was clear to them that the region was becoming increasingly attached economically and politically to China, but also that it was happening in an organic way, with little central direction or a clear plan from Beijing for how to wield this newfound influence.

"The 'inadvertent empire' idea was born out of the fact that when we looked on the ground, we could see that China was the most consequential player," Pantucci told RFE/RL, "but it was equally clear that there wasn't anyone in Beijing that had a strategic vision."

But just as their project gained new momentum and a finish line for the book appeared on the horizon, tragedy struck in 2014.

Petersen, who had taken a new position at the American University of Afghanistan, was killed in a Kabul restaurant bombing by the Taliban that left 20 others dead.

In the aftermath of the attack, the book was put on hold and, over the years, life caught up with Pantucci: marriage, children, and new jobs took him down other research paths, until he finished the book amid the pandemic -- giving a long overdue tribute to his slain friend.

"For me, it's great to finally have it out there because it's a testament to him as much as it is a subject that I devoted a period of my life to," Pantucci said. "It feels like I'm finally closing out a chapter in my life."

Influence And Indifference

A lot has happened in Central Asia since 2014.

The SCO has since expanded, Chinese businesses have flocked into the region, Beijing has cautiously established a security footprint in Tajikistan, and the expansion of the BRI has seen China become more embedded in the everyday fabric of the region.

Chinese policies have also continued to shape the region.

A brutal crackdown launched in 2017 in Xinjiang, the western Chinese province that borders the region, swept more than 1 million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities into detention camps and prisons. The United States' chaotic withdrawal and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has also opened up new opportunities for Chinese influence across the region.

Likewise, Beijing's relationship with Moscow has transformed -- a process that culminated in February when Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a massive strategic document that they said heralded a new era for a "no limits" partnership.

But throughout all the changes, Pantucci and Petersen's original thesis that Chinese influence in Central Asia was marked by an awkward indifference continued to hold. "The massive economic connections, its geographic proximity, and the overlapping domestic concerns all mean that China is a major player, but it's one that is disinterested in the wider problems for the region and instead decides to narrowly focus on its own," Pantucci said.

Xinjiang, which is historically part of Central Asia and was only officially incorporated into China in 1949, has long been integral to Beijing's designs on the region and has been the focus of Chinese concerns over Islamic extremism, which the government used to justify its camp system and crackdown that has drawn worldwide condemnation.

Chinese policymakers see Central Asia as strategic to its own security. Beijing's Develop the West strategy, which was designed to improve economic conditions and development in Xinjiang, also included bringing stability to the province's neighbors.

This has been a welcome financial boon for Central Asian leaders, whose national budgets pale in comparison to individual Chinese provinces and understanding this imbalance is at the heart of the "inadvertent empire" that Sinostan explores.

On the one hand, Pantucci and Petersen argue that Central Asia has functioned as a type of laboratory for China, where "you can see an outline of what China's future foreign policy is going to look like and get a feel for how China is going to manage some of the problems with which it is confronted."

But at the same time, Pantucci said, China has little interest in the bigger picture in Central Asia and perhaps even less in inserting itself into solving the region's economic or political problems.

"China is one of the world's largest economies and it is next-door, which just naturally means it will have huge influence over Central Asia," he said. "But it is also not a priority for the Chinese leadership in a big way at all."

New Power, Similar Interests

This dynamic raises many questions for the future of the region, especially in the aftermath of Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

As Russia's January military intervention in Kazakhstan highlighted, Moscow is still the main external security guarantor for Central Asia and China has shown little ambition to supplant it. The war in Ukraine, however, could further accelerate China's influence and limit Russia's.

Central Asian governments, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have expressed concern and dismay over Moscow's invasion and violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, while the economic hit of Western sanctions on Russia, coupled with the losses and strategic missteps that its military has encountered, could also further curb its appeal as a partner.

In one respect, this sets the stage for Chinese economic and political influence to grow, but with instability still bubbling under the surface across Central Asia, one concern is how much Ukraine will distract Russia from other areas and if it will be able to insert itself as vigorously as it traditionally has done.

"The story of China's increased influence will only [grow] now," Pantucci said. "But one main question is what happens when problems erupt. I don't know if China would be willing to step up to fix things."
Welcome to The Farda Briefing, a new RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what Ive been following during the past week and what Im watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Washington and Tehran remain at loggerheads over the U.S. designation of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), a branch of the Iranian armed forces that plays a significant role in the economy, as a foreign terrorist organization.

Why It Matters: The IRGC blacklisting is the last major snag in yearlong negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear accord. Observers say the sides are determined to find a solution, considering the high stakes. If a compromise is not found, Iran could soon face alternative approaches that range from more pressure to an interim deal or even military action.

What's Being Said: U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he does not support removing the terrorist designation of the IRGC's Quds Force, which is responsible for Iran's military operations abroad. That has led to speculation that Washington could delist the IRGC while keeping the Quds Force under sanctions.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not commented directly on the IRGC designation. But he said nuclear talks are going well and added that Iranian negotiators are resisting Washingtons excessive demands.

It's more likely than not that Washington and Tehran will find a way around this impasse. This will require some creativity and political cost, said Henry Rome, senior analyst at the Eurasia Group in Washington.

What's Next: The two sides are likely to exchange more proposals aimed at breaking the deadlock. A Western diplomat said the United States was expected to send a response to a proposal sent by Iran via the European Union's coordinator, Enrique Mora, who traveled to Tehran and Washington. No details were disclosed.

The Stories You Might Have Missed

Iranians have been angered by the tenfold increase in the price of tomatoes in recent months. The price hike prompted the Aftab-e Yazd daily to note that omelets are no longer the food of the poor. Tomatoes are a key ingredient in omelets in Iran. Many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet in a decimated economy that has been crushed by crippling U.S. sanctions and years of mismanagement. Ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi is under mounting pressure to ease the countrys economic woes.

Prominent Iranian human rights advocate Narges Mohammadi, who had been recovering from surgery for a blocked artery, has been sent back to prison to serve out her eight-year sentence on charges stemming from her advocacy. The outspoken Mohammadi initially refused to go back to prison, but told Radio Farda that she did so to prevent authorities from confiscating a property that her friends submitted as bail.

What We're Watching

Iran has summoned Afghanistans envoy in Tehran after angry protesters damaged the Iranian consulates in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and the western city of Herat. The rallies began after videos posted on social media in recent days showed Afghan refugees in Iran being beaten and humiliated by ordinary Iranians.

In a separate incident, some Iranian media outlets reported that the man accused of killing two clergymen in a knife attack in the northeastern city of Mashhad last week is an Afghan national. Iranian officials have gone to great lengths not to mention the suspects nationality, in an apparent attempt to prevent anti-Afghan sentiments.

Why It Matters. The incidents could increase hostility toward the estimated 3 million Afghan refugees and migrants in Iran. Thousands of Afghans have been pouring into Iran since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Members of the Afghan community have long alleged widespread violence and mistreatment.

The incidents could also result in tensions between Tehran and the Taliban, former foes who have forged ties in recent years. Yet, differences remain between Afghanistans Sunni Taliban rulers and Iran's Shi'ite clerical regime. Tehran has yet to recognize the Taliban regime. Clashes have also erupted between Taliban fighters and Iranian border forces.

Thats all from me for now. Don't hesitate to send us any questions, comments, or tips that you have to newsletters@rferl.org



And we invite you to check out the improved Farda website in English and its dedicated Twitter account, which showcase all of our compelling journalism from Iran.



Until next time,



Golnaz Esfandiari



If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box every Wednesday.
"The city is smashed to pieces," said Mariupol journalist Yulia Harkusha, a contributor to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service who just completed the hazardous journey from the besieged Azov Sea port city to territory held by the Ukrainian military.

"There is nothing left [for the Russians] to control. I have only seen sights like this in photographs from World War II, when Dresden was bombed," she said.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Mariupol was the 10th-largest city in the country, with a prewar population of about 430,000 people. It was also the second-largest city in the Donetsk region, which -- like the neighboring Luhansk region -- has been recognized as independent by Moscow and is partially controlled by Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatist formations.

Capturing the strategic port has been an important goal for Russia, as the Kremlin apparently seeks to establish a land connection between the occupied parts of eastern Ukraine and Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014. The separatists failed to take Mariupol in 2014; it has been targeted since the start of the new invasion and has been completely cut-off from Kyiv-controlled Ukraine since March 1.

In recent days, analysts believe, Moscow has stepped up its bid to control the port in order to use it as a supply hub for Russia's newly focused effort to control the two separatist-claimed regions, which are collectively known as the Donbas.

The Russian military said on April 13 that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines in the city had surrendered. The unconfirmed report came the day after the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade posted on Facebook that it had no ammunition and was resorting to hand-to-hand combat.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko told AP on April 13 that at least 10,000 civilians -- and perhaps as many as 20,000-- had been killed in the weeks since the war began. Boychenko alleged that Russian forces had been using "mobile crematoriums" to destroy evidence of civilian deaths.

Russia has denied targeting civilians despite the fact that a drama theater in the city that was being used by hundreds of residents as a shelter was bombed on March 16, a week after the Russian Air Force bombed a maternity hospital there. A large number of apartment buildings have also been damaged or destroyed by Russian fire.

The Red Cross has been organizing bus evacuations through Russian-controlled territory, but they have often been cancelled because of the fighting. Some civilians, like Harkusha, choose to walk along the Azov Sea coast through Russian-controlled territory to the west. From the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol, it is possible to cross into Ukrainian-held territory.

Others, Harkusha says, make their way to Russian-occupied Crimea. "I can understand," she said, "that if you have to choose between living under occupation and dying, of course, you will choose living under occupation."

It is unknown how many civilians remain in Mariupol. But Harkusha believes there are "a lot."

"Getting out on foot now is very dangerous and difficult," she said. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of civilians there. It is a shame that the authorities did not encourage evacuation in advance. It was known that the city would be besieged and attacked. But the city authorities did not do it because they were afraid of panic."

Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser the Mariupol mayor, disputes such contentions. "If the Russians had given us the opportunity to evacuate everyone...we would have organized it very quickly," he told RFE/RL. "The issue is not with us, not with the Ukrainian side. It is very difficult to comment on what is in the minds of our occupiers."

Andryushchenko also repeated Kyiv's assertions that residents of Mariupol and the surrounding area were being "forcibly deported" to Russia, including to Siberia.

"People are registered as 'refugees' and deported to economically depressed areas of Russia," Andryushchenko said. "We now know about Tomsk, Vladimir, and Yaroslavl. We have information about a planned deportation to the Samara region. It reminds me of the situation during World War II, when 'guest workers' were deported by the Germans."

Denys Minin is a native of Mariupol who has been helping evacuate civilians. Asked how many people have managed to get out, he shrugged. "When we save everyone that we can, then we will sit down and count them," he said. "For me, each person is already a lot."

Minin has been organizing civilian drivers, many of them seeking to bring relatives out of Mariupol, to make the perilous journey from Zaporizhzhya by private car.

"Two of my drivers are now in captivity," he told RFE/RL on April 10. "There were taken to the territory of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, along with their vehicles," he said, referring to the part of the region held by Russia and the separatists it backs. "They have been there for two weeks. The story of every one of our drivers could be a movie script or a series on Netflix."

Once the volunteers make it to Mariupol, they must find people to evacuate in a city that is largely without electricity, phone service, and Internet access.

"We have our own map of major bomb shelters where we know that 50 to 200 people are likely hiding," Minin said. "Thousands of people are waiting to be rescued there, so when a driver arrives in Mariupol, he does not go to a particular address or look for a particular individual. Everyone there is one of our people. They need to be rescued and returned to [safety] as soon as possible."

Some people, however, are afraid to leave, Minin adds. "Imagine yourself in Mariupol. An unknown person in an unknown vehicle says they will take you to Ukraine for free," he said, meaning Ukrainian-controlled territory. "Would you agree right away?"

Harkusha says it is virtually impossible now to leave the city by car because the roads are clogged with debris, shrapnel, and unexploded ordnance. "You can only get there by tank," she said.

Serhiy Malyshev works for the Zaporizhzhya Volunteers Association trying to organize humanitarian aid for Mariupol and the occupied areas of the south. He says the Russian military and the separatist militias often seize their cargo.

"Over the last three weeks, we have had problems delivering goods," Malyshev said. "Before, volunteers...were let through. But recently...there have often been situations when people were deprived of their cargo and their telephones.... Several times there have been situations where cars came under fire."

Now, Malyshev says, his group is only working to help displaced people who have already escaped the combat areas.

Since she left Mariupol, journalist Harkusha has also devoted most of her time to helping displaced people from her city.

"After all," she said, "all we have left is to help each other."

Robert Coalson contributed to this report
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Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Russia's war in Ukraine amounted to "genocide, accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

At an earlier event in Menlo, Iowa, addressing spiking energy prices resulting from the war, Biden had implied that he thought Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine, but offered no details. Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following Biden's public assessment.

Biden's comments drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country.

True words of a true leader @POTUS," he tweeted. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

A United Nations treaty, to which the U.S. is a party, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russias in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that under international convention requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified. That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

Biden said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but said it sure seems that way to me.

More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, he said.

Just last week Biden had he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted war crimes.

During a trip to Europe last month, Biden faced controversy for a nine-word statement seemingly supporting regime change in Moscow, which would have represented a dramatic shift toward direct confrontation with another nuclear-armed country. For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said.

He clarified the comments days later, saying: I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasnt articulating a policy change.



Miller reported from Washington. AP writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed.
An Ohio man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol and stealing a coat rack testified Wednesday that he joined thousands of protesters in ransacking the building last year on what he thought were orders from the president, Donald Trump.

Dustin Byron Thompson, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, said he took to websites after being laid off from his exterminator job in March 2020 and in his pandemic doldrums fell under Trumps sway as he bought into conspiracy theories and went down the rabbit hole on the internet.

On trial in U.S. District Court in Washington, Thompson testified that the claim that the election was stolen seemed credible to him because it was coming from the president. His defense team is the first to argue that Trump and those connected to him were responsible for the actions of the mob that day.

It seems like everyone was attacking him (Trump). He needed someone to stand up for him, and I was trying to do that, Thompson said.

Under questioning by the prosecution, Thompson acknowledged that he ignored signs he shouldnt be at the Capitol  broken glass, alarms, chemical irritants in the air  and said he stole the coat rack to keep others from using it as a weapon. He also said he witnessed fierce fighting between police and rioters outside the building, and later ran away from officers. He said he realized weeks later that what he had done was wrong and now feels shame for his actions.

Thompsons jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions. The first two ended with jurors convicting both defendants on all counts. Thompson's defense team is the first to argue that Trump and those connected to him were responsible for the actions of the mob that day.

"If the president is giving you almost an order to do something, I felt obligated to do that, Thompson testified.

Thompsons lawyer sought subpoenas to call Trump and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as witnesses, but U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton rejected that request. Jurors on Wednesday began listening to recordings of speeches that Trump and Giuliani delivered at a rally before the riot. They were expected to finish listening to recordings Thursday morning and begin deliberations later in the day.

Thompsons wife, Sarah Thompson, testified that she voted for Democrat Joe Biden, as well as Democratic presidential nominees Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. She said her husbands views were more moderate then but shifted during the Trump years as he started encountering conspiracy theories. She said she did not share his views but helped arrange his travel to Washington for the Stop the Steal rally near the White House because he had a right to protest and she enjoyed having a quiet house.

Much of the prosecution's case was built around testimony from several Capitol Police officers placing Thompson at the scene, wearing a bulletproof vest that he said he found, and carrying a coat rack he took from the Senate Parliamentarians Office.

More than 770 people have been charged with federal crimes arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Over 250 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Thompson is the fifth person to be tried on riot-related charges.

On Monday, a jury convicted a former Virginia police officer, Thomas Robertson, of storming the Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Last month, a jury convicted a Texas man, Guy Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

A judge hearing testimony without a jury decided cases against two other Capitol riot defendants at separate bench trials. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted one of them of all charges and partially acquitted the other.

Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress' joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

A co-defendant, Robert Lyon, 27, pleaded guilty in March to theft of government property and disorderly conduct. Both counts are misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment. Walton is scheduled to sentence Lyon on June 3.
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Iowa Democrat Abby Finkenauers hopes of running against Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley this fall may hinge on a state Supreme Court ruling on three petition signatures.

Finkenauer's campaign was thrown into turmoil this week after a judge overturned a panel's decision that she had qualified for the ballot. Finkenauer, a former one-term congresswoman, called the ruling deeply partisan" and appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

The court, under pressure to rule quickly to meet deadlines to mail ballots to Iowa residents who live out of the country, will hear arguments Wednesday and likely will issue a decision within days. The state's primary is June 7.

Here's what you should know about the challenge to Finkenauer:

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL ARGUMENTS?

Two Republicans who have served as county election officials in Iowa challenged several signatures on Finkenauers nomination petitions. They claimed that three signatures out of the 5,000 obtained by Finkenauer's campaign were not properly dated, as required by state law. Without the signatures from rural Allamakee and Cedar counties, Finkenauer didn't meet a requirement that at least 100 signatures come from at least 19 counties.

A three-member State Objections Panel voted 2-1 last week to reject the arguments, saying the panel has historically favored ballot access and given campaigns deference if they substantially complied with the nomination petitions law. Secretary of State Paul Pate, a Republican, voted against Finkenauer, but Attorney General Tom Miller and state Auditor Rob Sand, both Democrats, voted in favor of placing her on the ballot.

In 2020, the same three officials rejected challenges to the nomination petitions of four Republicans running for Congress that also included at least one case of a missing date. The panel's decision was not challenged further, and all four candidates, including then-state Sen. Randy Feenstra and then-U.S. Rep. Steve King, stayed on the ballot. Feenstra ultimately won the election.

This year, the panel's 2-1 decision was challenged, and the case ended up before District Judge Scott Beattie, a 2018 appointee of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. He disagreed with the panel, abiding by a strict reading of the law that requires each signature line to also have the date the petition was signed. His ruling eliminated the three signatures, leaving Finkenauer two counties short of the 19-county requirement.

ARE PARTISAN POLITICS TO BLAME FOR THE JUDGE'S RULING?

Finkenauer and other Democrats think so. Finkenauer, who in 2018 at age 29 became the second-youngest woman ever elected to Congress, said Judge Beattie did the bidding of Chuck Grassley and his allies in Washington. Iowa Democratic Senate leader Zach Wahls called the ruling a dangerous injection of partisan politics into the ballot qualification process.

But others said Finkenauer should acknowledge her own mistake in not gathering more signatures in case any ended up being thrown out.

Regardless of which party youre from, candidates seem to get fixated on hiring staff, raising money and building websites, and forget that small detail called getting on the ballot, said Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which represents media organizations and advocates for government transparency.

He also faulted her for being too quick to assume the judge had partisan motives, noting that it was a Republican-appointed Iowa Supreme Court justice who wrote the 2009 unanimous opinion that legalized gay marriage in the state. The same chief justice, the late Mark Cady, wrote the 2018 majority opinion that Iowas constitution allows the right to an abortion.

But the challenge itself was undoubtedly political. It was brought by two Republican county election officials represented by lawyer Alan Ostergren, who has supported conservative causes and represented former President Donald Trump's campaign to nullify absentee ballots in Iowa. It's not uncommon in Iowa for political activists to challenge the nomination papers of opposite party candidates to knock them off a ballot, so the process is part of Iowa politics.

The Iowa Supreme Court decision, however, could change the landscape for such objections if it upholds the judge's decision and requires strict adherence to the letter of the law rather than allowing the substantial compliance standard to stand.

Although Republicans have previously benefited from the substantial compliance standard, Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kauffman put all the blame on Finkenauer.

Abby Finkenauer made the fundamental, ridiculous, illogical decision to not get more signatures that every city council member, every single supervisor, every legislator does in case this comes up, Kauffman said. This didnt need to happen."

WHAT WOULD A RACE WITHOUT FINKENAUER LOOK LIKE?

Although Finkenauer is the best-known Democrat in the race, her opponents question whether she is the strongest candidate to take on Grassley, who has held elected office since 1959 and will be heavily favored to win another Senate term.

Finkenauer, now 33, lost her reelection bid in 2020 after serving just one term in Congress representing a district anchored by the Cedar Rapids and Waterloo metro areas.

She won the seat by 5 percentage points in 2018 by knocking off a Republican incumbent but lost by 2.6 points to Republican Ashley Hinson, a former TV news anchor, in 2020.

Finkenauer's top Democratic competitor is Mike Franken, a retired vice admiral and 36-year naval veteran. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination to face Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in 2020.

Since then, Franken has kept pace with Finkenauers fundraising, taking in $1.8 million, just behind Finkenauers $1.9 million. Franken also reported having $1 million in his campaign account as of March, compared to Finkenauers roughly $724,000.

I do think Franken has broader appeal and would be a stronger candidate in Iowa against Grassley, said Nancy Bobo, a longtime Des Moines area Democratic activist and Franken's Polk County campaign chair. Hes just as strong as he can be.

Grassley, who will turn 89 in September, is seeking his eighth term in office. He had $3.7 million in the bank as of March and is viewed favorably by 47% of Iowans and unfavorably by 41%, according to The Des Moines Registers Iowa Poll, conducted in late February and early March.

___

Associated Press writer Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.
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LONDON (AP)  An Islamic State supporter was given a whole-life sentence Wednesday for stabbing a British lawmaker to death in revenge for his voting in support for airstrikes on Syria.

Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was convicted Monday of murdering Conservative lawmaker David Amess and preparing terrorist acts. A jury deliberated for just 18 minutes before finding him guilty.

The defendant has no remorse or shame for what he has done  quite the reverse," Justice Nigel Sweeney told the court. This is a murder that struck at the heart of democracy.

Ali stabbed Amess with a carving knife multiple times on Oct.15 while he was meeting with voters at a church hall in the town of Leigh-on-Sea in eastern England. Ali, a London man with Somali heritage, said he targeted Amess because he backed voting for airstrikes on Syria in 2014 and 2015.

The whole-life sentence means Ali will never be eligible for parole, and will likely spend the rest of his days in prison.

Amess's family said there is no elation following the sentencing and described the crime as beyond evil.

We will wake each day and immediately feel our loss. We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives, the family said in a statement. It breaks our heart to know that our husband and father would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help.

Prosecutors described Ali as a committed, fanatical terrorist and said he spent years plotting an attack on British politicians. Counter-terrorism officers at the Metropolitan Police said they had evidence that he carried out reconnaissance around the Parliament building in London weeks before the murder.

During the trial, Ali told the court he took action in the U.K. to help Muslims in Syria because he couldnt travel to join the Islamic State group. He also said he did not think he did anything wrong.

He added he had expected to be shot and die at the scene, but decided to drop his knife after seeing that the first police to arrive were not armed with guns.

Amess, 69, had been a member of Parliament since 1983. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the stabbing.

The slaying of Amess shook the nation and prompted questions about security protection for lawmakers because they often meet directly with the public. It came five years after Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death by a far-right extremist.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russia's actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine's fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means," Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war," he said. "This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraine's state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

___

Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine


 

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Domestic Pekin and Campbells ducks near a natural waterway at their home in the Potomac Valley.

MONTANA  On Friday, April 8, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two Montana flocks. These are the first cases of HPAI reported in domestic poultry in Montana since 2015. Montana is the 25th state to report cases of HPAI in domestic poultry in 2022.

Montana poultry producers and hobby farmers are encouraged to be extra cautious to keep their flocks healthy. Potomac Valley 4H Club announced Monday that all poultry shows are canceled through June 7. Should more cases appear, that date could be extended and exclude birds from the Western Montana Country Fair this August.

Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds that can cause high mortality rates in domestic flocks. Migratory waterfowl are the primary source for AI. Wild birds can be infected and appear healthy but shed virus in the feces, saliva and respiratory secretions. Domestic poultry become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, or through contact with contaminated objects, equipment or the environment.

"Because of the high mortality rate and highly contagious nature of the virus, we are asking Montana's poultry producers to take action to keep their flocks healthy," said Dr. Tahnee Szymanski, Assistant State Veterinarian, in a press release.

One of the infected flocks in Montana is a backyard flock in Judith Basin County. The other is a small layer and meat-bird operation in Cascade County. The flocks were reported to MDOL following increased rates of mortality and were confirmed to have the HPAI H5 strain associated with the outbreak occurring in other parts of the country.

The presence of avian influenza in a country or region can have significant impacts on the trade of poultry products. The affected flocks were placed under quarantine and are required to be depopulated to prevent further spread of the disease. Flock owners are eligible to receive indemnity on their birds from the United States Department of Agriculture.

MDOL is conducting an epidemiological investigation and will be identifying other poultry producers in the area to conduct disease surveillance and to provide educational resources.

As a result of this detection and the scope of the national outbreak, MDOL issued an Official Order that prohibits all poultry shows, exhibitions, swaps and public sales for the next 60 days to reduce the risk of exposure to HPAI. Exhibitions are an increased risk of HPAI because animals from multiple sources are concentrated in one area during the event. Depending on disease status in 60 days, this order may be modified or extended. The order does not apply to private, catalog or retail sale of poultry.

Poultry producers should implement biosecurity measures including:

 Prevent contact between wild or migratory birds and domestic poultry, including access by wild birds to feed and water sources.

 House birds indoors to the extent possible to limit exposure to wild or migratory birds.

 Limit visitor access to areas where birds are housed.

 Use dedicated clothing and protective footwear when caring for domestic poultry.

 Immediately isolate sick animals and contact your veterinarian or MDOL.

"Exposure to wild birds presents the greatest risk to domestic poultry," says Dr. Marty Zaluski, State Veterinarian. "Fortunately, reducing this risk can be accomplished with simple changes to biosecurity with minimal financial investment."

Sick birds can exhibit numerous signs such as swollen eyes, discolored comb and legs, significant drop in egg production or water and feed consumption, or sudden death. MDOL encourages all poultry producers to immediately report sudden onset of illness or high death loss in domestic poultry to their veterinarian or the department at 406-444-2976. For sick or dead wild birds that have died from unknown causes, please contact the local FWP warden, biologist or regional office or call the FWP wildlife veterinarian 406-577-7880.

MDOL emphasizes that existing safeguards to keep food safe and wholesome are sufficient to protect people.

"There is no increased risk to consumption of poultry or poultry products," Zaluski added in the press release. "Normal food handling and preparation practices that keep food safe are important every day."

Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder A backyard flock of chickens used for meat and eggs at their home in Potomac Valley.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers the risk to people from these HPAI infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

However, it is recommended that people follow proper sanitary precautions when handling birds. Wear latex or rubber gloves when cleaning birds, washing hands with soapy water after cleaning, clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces that came in contact with the bird and cook thoroughly before eating the meat. As a reminder, the US Department of Agriculture recommends cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information on the Montana Department of Livestock, visit liv.mt.gov.

For more information on national cases of HPAI, please visit the USDA website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai
London, KY (40741)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. High 56F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 45F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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One thousand backpacks were placed across Tower Lawn at San Jose State University on Tuesday, each bag representing a person who survived a suicide attempt or lost a loved one to suicide, a leading cause of death for college-aged adults, officials said.

In the shadow of the iconic Tower Hall, third-year student Madison Manez, 20, took to the lawn at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with nearly one dozen other students and laid the backpacks, one by one, on the grass and neighboring benches. Manez and other executive board members of SJSUs chapter of Active Minds  a national nonprofit that aims to challenge the stigma associated with mental illness  had planned the on-campus installation for months, but the reality of what each backpack represented suddenly struck her.

Just reading little snippets, it made my heart a bit heavy because I realized that the backpacks represent people and the people that loved them, Manez said, referring to the printed personal stories from individuals that were clipped to the bags. It was pretty heavy.

The one-day exhibit titled Send Silence Packing, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., was hosted by Active Minds as part of the nonprofits national tour of college campuses. The goal, Manez said, was to tackle the sensitive topic of mental health and suicide, issues that feel all-too-common for young adults navigating college, and also to fight the long-lasting stigma and taboo nature that comes with discussing those topics.

It was also a crucial reminder for students about the kind of services available to them at SJSU, and a way to encourage young adults to feel comfortable discussing their mental health, said SJSU clinical counselor Sarah Strader-Garcia.

Suicide has been among the leading causes of death in the United States, particularly among young people and college-aged young adults, Strader-Garcia said citing Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data from recent years.

Manez, who is studying communicative disorders and sciences, said mental health is her personal passion and said she was heartened by the student populations response to the exhibit, pointing to touching encounters and interactions between students and club volunteers and counselors. Photographs captured by a university photographer showed students craning their necks and pausing to read the stories of those impacted by suicide.

Visitors also navigated iPads with additional stories of those who died by suicide and survivors of attempted suicide, Manez said. University officials said the iPads had videos about suicide survivors who shared their stories about how they found support and what helped them.

(The exhibit) proved to me that this is something powerful, and necessary, Manez said. Seeing other people interact, and who were touched by this display  that was encouraging.

If you need help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to reach a counselor at a locally operated crisis center 24 hours a day for free. You can also text Connect to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor any time for free. See More Collapse

For Strader-Garcia, who is also the adviser for SJSUs Active Minds chapter, the installation was emotional.

I was able to slow down and start reading the stories, and its just so, so sad. I was tearing up, Strader-Garcia said. Its important for people to see this and see the impact that it has on family members, right? Im reading stories about, My best friend, and My husband, and its just so tragic. We want to prevent this as much as possible, you know?

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University mental health counselors were on-site all day Tuesday to answer questions about counseling and psychology services the university provides to students, and also to provide support to people triggered by the subject matter, Strader-Garcia said. Counselors also informed students of off-campus resources, university officials said.

Kell Fujimoto, the senior director of SJSUs Counseling and Psychological Services said in a statement that university officials hoped the exhibit would reduce the stigma associated with mental health treatment and create a community of care for our students.

We want students to reach out, support one another and help each other connect to resources, Fujimoto said.

SJSUs counseling and psychology department is very busy, Strader-Garcia said.

We see a lot of students, so its wonderful that theyre coming in, but a stigma still exists, Strader-Garcia said, adding that events like the installation are preventative. We do see the beginnings of some mental health concerns in young adults, so its important that we have mental health services available on campus.

The university provides confidential individual counseling sessions, couples therapy, group therapy, a number of workshops as well as a campus-wide suicide prevention program led by Dr. Wei-Chien Lee, a psychologist with the counseling and psychological services department, Strader-Garcia said.

Lauren Hernandez (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
Salvador Mendoza Jr., a federal judge in Washington state, was nominated by President Biden on Wednesday to the Ninth U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco, continuing Bidens record of rapid and diverse judicial selections.

Mendoza, 51, was appointed to the U.S. District Court by President Barack Obama in 2014 after a year as a state court judge. A UCLA Law School graduate, he spent a year with the Washington state attorney generals office and a year as a county prosecutor, then practiced law privately for 14 years before becoming a judge.

Biden said Mendoza, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first Hispanic judge from Washington on the Ninth Circuit, the nations largest federal appeals court. The courts chief judge, Mary Murguia, is Latina, and her 28 colleagues include Judges Consuelo Callahan and Gabriel Sanchez, a Biden appointee.

Provided by U.S. District Court

Since taking office in January 2021, Biden has nominated 90 federal judges and 59 have been confirmed  the most confirmations in a presidents first year since John F. Kennedy, the White House said.

Half the nominees have been racial or ethnic minorities and 72% have been women. Bidens four previous Ninth Circuit choices, Judges Lucy Koh, Jennifer Sung, Holly Thomas and Sanchez, have all been in one or both of those categories.

Mendozas parents were farmworkers who emigrated from Mexico, and Mendoza also worked in the fields as a youth, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who recommended his nomination to Biden.

As the son of farm workers, Judge Mendoza will bring an important perspective to one of the most powerful and consequential federal courts in the country, Murray said in a statement.

Mendoza would fill the seat of Judge M. Margaret McKeown, a Bill Clinton appointee who has announced she will move to senior status, with a reduced caseload, once her successor is confirmed. Two more Ninth Circuit judges, Sidney Thomas, a Clinton appointee, and Andrew Hurwitz, appointed by Obama, have also announced plans to transfer to senior status, creating two more vacancies for Biden.

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Sixteen of the courts judges were appointed by Democratic presidents and the 13 others by Republicans, including 10 by Donald Trump.

I think that Biden has shattered all records for diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender and experience, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who tracks judicial nominations. Trump nominated and confirmed no Blacks to appeals courts in four years. Biden has doubled the number of Black women appellate judges in U.S. history in 15 months.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
A Gilroy City Council member violated several city laws in connection to a large party last year at her home where a shooting left an 18-year-old dead and three others injured, according to a report released Monday by city officials.

The city of Gilroy issued Council Member Rebeca Armendariz 10 administrative citations on Friday after an investigation by an independent firm hired by the city found that she helped organize the Halloween party outside her home in October 2021 that led to the fatal shooting, city officials announced Monday in a news release.

The Oct. 30 shooting left 18-year-old Michael Daniel Zuniga-Macias dead and three other youths injured, one of whom is now paralyzed, according to a statement from Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley. The three injured range in age from 17 to 19, the Gilroy Police Department said.

Blankley said the administrative citations issued to the council member were part of the citys social accountability host ordinance, which aims to make adults, social hosts or landowners accountable for allowing unruly gatherings and underage drinking at their residences.

We as a community are mourning the death of someone so young and these life-altering injuries to the others, and I dont want to lose sight of that, Blankley told The Chronicle.

Armendariz did not respond to requests by The Chronicle for comment on the citations.

City officials also issued four citations each to Armendarizs son, Domingo Armendariz; her mother, Augustina Armendariz, who owns the property where the party occurred; and her nephew, Benjamin Calderon. Calderon was arrested briefly after the shooting on suspicion of homicide but is not facing charges, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office.

Gunfire erupted outside the council members home shortly before 1 a.m. on Oct. 30 on the 400 block of Las Animas Avenue. Police at the time said they believed Calderon was one of at least two shooting suspects.

Sgt. Lamonte Toney of the Gilroy Police Department on Monday declined to provide further details about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.

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Shortly after the shooting, city officials launched a third-party administrative investigation into whether Council Member Armendariz violated any city laws for two events that took place at her home, including the Halloween party.

Investigators with the outside law firm, Hanson Bridgett LLP, found that Armendariz helped her son and nephew organize the Halloween party and did not obtain a special event permit for it. The council member also violated a city law aimed at reducing underage drinking and loud or unruly gatherings, city officials said.

Investigators also determined that Armendariz misused traffic barricades provided by the city for the Halloween party, which she did not have the authority to do, the report said.

Armendariz, a former political and community organizer who was elected to the council in 2020, must pay $1,200 in penalty fees. An additional $1,250 penalty was waived due to the timing of the citation. She has 30 days from the day she was cited to pay the fines.

Jessica Flores (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
Scott Pluta, a San Francisco homeowner who was thwarted in his two-year battle to privately finance and build affordable housing on the lot where he lives in Corona Heights, has sued the City and County of San Francisco after his plan was rejected.

Plutas development plan would add four homes, two of them affordable, to a corner lot at 4300 17th Street at the corner of Ord Street. The parcel already contains a three-story building which Pluta planned to add to, with three additional units in a second structure to be built in the side yard. It would require a variance to split the lot to meet the zoning code. It is also in a special use district, which requires an additional level of approval.

Does the need for affordable housing outweigh the strict limitations of the planning code? Pluta said. To me that is a no brainer. The lack of housing is at the root of a range of civic disasters that this city is facing.

Pluta, an attorney for Google, lives on the top floor of the existing structure with his wife, Rosalind Pluta, who also works at Google. The second floor is a rent-control unit and the ground floor is a garage and laundry room. Plutas plan calls for converting the ground floor into a second rental unit. To appease opposition, he has downsized his original plan and sought approval to add two additional units in a second structure. Both the converted garage and one of the new units would be affordable, permanently deeded to the Mayors Office of Housing with tenants selected by lottery. The other unit in the new structure would be market rate rentals.

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

To do so, Pluta needed a variance to subdivide his lot into two, a conditional use authorization to build in his rear yard, and a second conditional use authorization to build in the vacant lot, which he would be creating. He needed all three approvals for the project to move forward.

Even after he downsized his original plan by 40%, his request for both conditional use authorizations was denied on Nov. 18, and the variance request was denied Dec. 9.

The Corona Height Special Use District, which is a very recent addition to the Planning Code, provides strict criteria for new development, including square footage maximums and rear yard minimums, said Dan Sider, chief of staff for the Planning Department. After multiple public hearings, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Administrator, and the Board of Appeals were all unable to establish that the project met those criteria.

Pluta appealed the variance decision which the Board of Appeals denied by a 5-0 vote on Jan. 12. He had 90 days to sue the city in Superior Court. Pluta, 44, is representing himself.

Listed as co-defendants are the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Department, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Administrator, and the Board of Appeals. The complaint, dated April 8, asks for a court order vacating all actions that denied Pluta his entitlements to proceed with his project. He is also asking the court to restore his original plan, which is for a total of six units, two of them market and two of them affordable, plus his own residence and his rent-control unit, which has a longtime tenant.

On Tuesday, told The Chronicle that the city had not been served with the complaint and he could not comment further.

The City of San Francisco has a monopoly on the creation of new housing in San Francisco and is world famous for using that power to strangle new housing, reads the complaint. Due to the Defendants unwillingness to provide adequate housing for its own citizens, San Francisco is one of the worlds most expensive places to rent or buy housing.

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In the complaint, Pluta describes the decision to deny his project as arbitrary, capricious, conclusory, and unsupported by the evidence. It also describes it as a violation of the U.S. Constitutions 5th Amendment, which prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation. It goes on to describe the Corona Heights Large Residence Special Use District, which includes his property, to be exclusionary and perpetuating of segregation.

Covenants of the district effectively price out those in working class professions like teachers, firefighters, artists, and restaurant staff, and disproportionately people of color, the complaint states.

Pluta said once he is assigned a case number by the court he will serve all the defending parties. He is demanding a jury trial, which he expects to be more than a year away.

This is a unique case which would unlock small-scale infill mixed affordable housing throughout this city, Pluta said. The city has no plan for building affordable housing in 86% of San Franciscos neighborhoods and this would make that possible.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com. Twitter:@samwhitingsf
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Sacramento police are asking for the publics help in finding a man they said is among five shooters involved in the mass shooting that killed six people and wounded 12 last week.

Mtula Payton, 27, is one of three men  two of whom have already been arrested  who have been identified as gunmen in the shooting, Sacramento police said Tuesday.

Police said that evidence indicates that Payton, Smiley Martin and Dandrae Martin were among the shooters who opened fire at around 2 a.m. Sunday near K and 10th streets in the crowded area of Downtown Sacramento on April 3. Police had already announced the arrests of the Martin brothers, but on Tuesday confirmed that the men fired weapons.

Dandrae Martin was booked on suspicion of assault with a firearm and on suspicion of possessing a gun despite a prohibition and his brother, Smiley Martin, was booked on suspicion of possessing a machine gun and on being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Charges against suspects may be amended as the investigation continues, police said.

Paytons whereabouts were unknown on Tuesday, and police said that they have exhausted all leads in trying to find him and arrest him. Authorities said they are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts or about others involved in the shooting to call police or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers.

The shooting, which occurred roughly two blocks from the state Capitol, marked one of the deadliest mass shootings in Sacramento history. Police have described the shooting as being gang-related, adding on Tuesday that the shooting was triggered by an altercation between at least two groups of men affiliated with local street gangs.

Police identified the people killed in the shooting as Sergio Harris, 38, Johntaya Alexander, 21, Melinda Davis, 57, Yamile Martinez-Andrade, 21, Devazia Turner, 29, and Joshua Hoye-Lucchesi, 32.

Sacramento police Chief Kathy Lester said in a statement Tuesday that the Police Departments goal is to conduct as thorough an investigation as possible, so that the District Attorney has all the information she needs to present cases that will bring justice to the families of the victims and our entire community.

The investigation has moved very quickly in this first week, and it will continue until we can present prosecutors and the public with a complete picture of this terrible crime, Lester said.

Police said that detectives are continuing to examine evidence and interview witnesses and involved parties to understand what unfolded that morning.

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Payton has been wanted on multiple felony warrants in connection with a domestic violence incident that police responded to on the afternoon of April 2, a day before the mass shooting on K Street in Downtown Sacramento, police said. Officers responded to the home of one of Paytons relatives, where an injured woman said Payton inflicted her injuries, police said. Payton was not at the home at the time and police submitted a report of the incident, which subsequently resulted in an arrest warrant for domestic violence and gun charges, police said.

We are examining all aspects of this incident to understand it as thoroughly as possible, Sacramento police said.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call the Sacrameto police dispatch center at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.

Callers can remain anonymous. Police said that callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Lauren Hernandez (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
Deaths among unhoused people in Alameda County nearly doubled between 2018 and 2020, according to a report published Tuesday by county officials.

A total of 809 people died while experiencing homelessness during that three-year interval, with the death toll rising steadily from 195 in 2018 to 395 in 2020, according to the report, prepared by the Alameda County Health Care Services Agencys Health Care for the Homeless program and Community Assessment, Planning and Evaluation unit.

A responsible and just community must work to be closely aware of the deaths of all its members, strive to learn from those deaths, implement policies and practices to reduce preventable deaths, and work to reduce the harm that preventable deaths create for families, friends, caregivers and the community, the reports authors wrote.

More than half of the deaths among unhoused people took place outside of a medical setting, meaning the people were found dead on the street or the sidewalk, in encampments or in vehicles, according to the report.

Men represented 77% of those deaths, and African Americans 41%.

African Americans are over-represented in the homeless population and also over-represented in the homeless mortality records said Kerry Abbott, director of the Office of Homeless Care and Coordination for the county. This racial equity gap is caused by higher rates of eviction and economic disparity impacting the African American population.

A quarter of the deaths were due to a drug overdose, the largest direct cause of death, the report said. Half of the victims had a chronic medical condition, most commonly heart and cardiovascular disease. Homicide accounted for 59 deaths, primarily shootings and stabbings in camps, the report said. COVID-19 was the cause of six deaths among the homeless in 2020.

Among Alameda County cities, Oakland accounted for 55.9% of the total deaths with Hayward second at 10.3% and Berkeley at 7.4%. In addition to the 809 deaths recorded in Alameda County, 42 people known to be homeless in the county died in other locations, most commonly San Francisco.

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The report represented the first such analysis of mortality among Alameda Countys unhoused population, county officials said. It started with a master list of all people known to have experienced homelessness within the past five years, compiled through local homeless services agencies. That list contains more than 30,000 names.

The list was checked against death certificates compiled by the county coroners office along with death filed kept by the state.

A Community Homeless Mortality Task Force will be convened in coming months to further analyze the data and form a plan of action to combat the cases of death among the homeless population.

We need to look at what we can do to increase medical support, other social services and most importantly housing options, Abbott said. The number of people who are unsheltered in the county every night is reaching over 6,000, and the level of acute and chronic disease is extremely high.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @samwhitingsf
An Alameda County Superior Court judge issued an order mandating that the city of Oakland adhere to the findings of an internal review last year, which concluded that five police officers appeared to be justified when they shot and killed an unhoused man in 2018, and recommended that the city hire them back.

The order, issued this month by Judge Frank Roesch, said the city improperly manipulated reports submitted by its hired attorney, Jeffrey Sloan, who concluded that Oakland lacked just cause to fire Officers William Berger, Craig Tanaka, Brandon Hraiz and Josef Phillips, and their supervisor, Sgt. Francisco Negrete.

In a report submitted Feb. 9, 2021  the third step in a grievance process for police officers  Sloan exonerated Berger, Tanaka, Hraiz and Phillips in alleged violations of the Police Departments use-of-force policies on the evening of March 11, 2018, when they found Joshua Pawlik, 31, lying between two houses in Oaklands Longfellow neighborhood with a semiautomatic handgun in his right hand.

Police blocked traffic around Pawlik, who was armed but apparently unconscious on the 900 block of 40th Street. Negrete requested an armored vehicle from which he, Hraiz, Berger and Tanaka took position with AR-15-style rifles. Several officers shouted commands at Pawlik, and when he began to move, the sergeant and the three officers fired 22 shots from the armored truck.

The other officer, Phillips, fired a beanbag round at Pawlik.

After four separate internal investigations, the Police Department ruled that the five officers had not violated any policies related to excessive force. They were also cleared in criminal probes by the Alameda County District Attorneys Office and by the investigative arm of the Oakland Police Commission.

However, two critical oversight bodies  a federal court-appointed compliance monitor and the Police Commission  rejected those decisions, concluding instead that the officers use of force was unreasonable. The reversal intensified a power struggle between the Police Department and the court officials who have held it under a microscope since 2003, the year the city settled a landmark civil rights case over four West Oakland officers known as the Riders, who were accused of beating residents and planting evidence on them.

Sloans report became a new flashpoint in that tense relationship, determining that the four officers were entitled to return to work with back pay, excluding any earnings they had made in the interim, and provided they follow the departments procedures.

Nobody will ever know why Pawlik did not drop the firearm, Sloan wrote in his review. Absent a known intent, it is inconceivable to replace it with a finding that he did not intend harm unless he pointed the weapon squarely at the officers and discharged it. A requirement that the officers wait until the gun was squarely pointed at them would wrongly place them in harms way.

Rather than provide those findings to the officers, city employees directed Sloan to recast his determinations as recommendations, add a draft watermark to his reports, and leave them unsigned, the judges order said. Sloan complied and delivered amended reports to the city, with a separate one for Negrete that exonerated the sergeant of improper force but concluded Negrete had violated his supervisory duties, necessitating a 30-day suspension rather than termination.

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The city then sent notices to the officers and their lawyers, saying it was unable to resolve their grievances. Roesch ordered the city to rescind that language and follow the process laid out in Oaklands contract with its police union.

Mike Rains, lead attorney for the fired officers, criticized Oakland officials in a statement for repudiating the well-reasoned and amply supported decision made by the person it paid $160,000 to handle the duty, and for their deceitful attempt to avoid the consequences of the decision. He said the citys conduct demonstrates the hypocrisy of a municipal government which expects its employees to follow the law, but manages its own affairs with a total disregard of the law.

Karen Boyd, a spokesperson for the city administration, said officials are disappointed by the courts order, and contend they did nothing wrong.

We believe we adhered to the letter and spirit of the labor agreement, and believe the Court erred in finding otherwise, Boyd said in a statement. We remain committed to ensuring our employees are afforded due process in all disciplinary processes.

.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
Marin County is getting a new Vietnamese noodle restaurant from Charles Phan, the famed San Francisco chef best known for the Slanted Door.

Moonset Noodle Shop will land at 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, the former Belcampo space in Larkspurs Marin Country Mart. Hes shooting for a late summer or early fall debut.

The menu is still in the works, but expect a few street food-inspired small plates, several noodle options and cocktails. Hes planning to offer beef, chicken, pork and vegetarian broth options, plus different types of noodles.

While Moonset aims to be casual and family-friendly, this is not a customizable noodle shop. (God would strike me, Phan said.) Instead, hes contemplating classics like mi hoanh thanh, a wonton noodle soup; bun bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup; and bun rieu, a noodle soup with a tomato-tinged broth flavored with shrimp paste. Bowls will arrive with piles of herbs, shaved green cabbage and house-made condiments, such as hoisin and sriracha.

Hot broth with lots of herbs, lots of textures, lots of fragrance, Phan said. Is there anything better?

The 2,800-square-foot space will seat about 100 people, including on the patio. As Belcampo, the restaurant space looked relatively snug given the butcher shop component, but Phans team ripped out the cases, created a longer bar and added more tables.

Phan has long wanted to open a restaurant like Moonset. Back when he started the original Slanted Door in the Mission District, he offered Vietnamese street food for lunch. With his fine-dining background, dinner evolved into an upscale affair and eventually became synonymous with the restaurants identity.

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I always wanted to do this more simple way of eating where its almost the opposite of Slanted Door, he said. Street food has always been in my mind: its one of the great treasures of Vietnam.

Phan also recently debuted a sandwich shop, Chucks Takeaway, in the Mission District.

Moonset Noodle Shop. Opening summer or fall. 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur. www.moonset-ca.com

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
COVID cases are ticking up across California after a month of relative stability, but Bay Area health officials say theyre encouraged by low rates of COVID hospitalizations  particularly for patients needing intensive care, which are at their lowest levels since the pandemic began  and theyre not bracing for another surge or expecting an imminent need to restore preventive measures like mask mandates.

California is not yet experiencing a swell of cases similar to what has been reported across parts of the Northeastern U.S., where large outbreaks have infected high-profile policymakers and Broadway stars. With the highly infectious BA.2 variant of the coronavirus taking hold across the country and case reports creeping up in many regions, federal health officials on Wednesday extended the mask mandate for all public transportation that was set to expire next week. And earlier this week, Philadelphia became the first city in the country to reinstate a local indoor mask mandate in response to rising cases.

But Bay Area officials say they are shifting away from relying primarily on case reports in shaping their local COVID response, and expect to be less reactive to day-to-day ups and downs in the numbers. Instead, theyre keeping an eye on trends over weeks, and using an array of surveillance systems to help them understand when a surge may be starting  and whether its likely to cause a large number of people to become severely ill or need hospital care.

At the moment, though theyre keeping a watchful eye on the COVID situation in the Northeast and locally, theyre feeling confident that the Bay Area is well situated to weather BA.2.

Overall things are still very favorable, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the Alameda County health officer. We remain at relatively low case rates and relatively low hospitalizations. But we are off our low point for cases, just a little bit. Its just a reminder that things will probably continue to be dynamic.

Tracking the coronavirus  a critical tool for controlling spread of disease since the pandemic began in early 2020  has undergone a subtle but important shift over the past couple of months, as California and the rest of the U.S. develop strategies for coexisting with a virus that is unlikely to ever go away completely. Daily case reports had been a driving metric for everything from requiring masks to shutting down certain activities.

But its been a long time since we adjusted COVID strategy on a day-to-day basis, Moss said.

Case reports, which were never able to capture a complete picture of the full spread of disease in a community, have become even more imprecise with increasing reliance on home testing that is not reported to public health departments. Meanwhile, high rates of immunity  due to vaccination and previous infection or both  mean that far fewer people are becoming seriously ill, and case counts dont translate as directly to hospitalizations as they once did.

In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new metrics for determining the threat posed by COVID in communities, relying far less on local cases and more on hospitalizations; as of this week, every state was in the low threat category, even in regions that are reporting upticks. In California, the state public health department shifted this month to publicly reporting case numbers twice a week instead of five times.

Bay Area health officials said that as long as hospitalizations remain low, they dont expect to put in place more public health restrictions unless they see some sign that more people are becoming very sick.

Our cases have been going up steadily over the last 10 days or two weeks, but they havent sharply increased, said Dr. Grant Colfax, head of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, which has reported a more-than-50% increase in daily cases over the past month  albeit from a low base  along with a rise in the percentage of tests coming up positive, from 2.4% a month ago to 4.4%. Were not seeing what we saw with the omicron surge.

Colfax said that bringing back a local mask mandate is not on the table at the moment, though it will remain an option for the foreseeable future if theres another large surge. In fact, San Francisco health officials no longer recommend masking for most situations, though people should continue to wear them if they prefer, Colfax said.

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Marin County may move toward reporting case data less frequently, said Dr. Matt Willis, the health officer. Thats in part because cases are so low that a single outbreak can throw off the daily counts, making it appear as though cases are spiking across the community. He experienced that issue this week when dozens of eighth-grade students returned from class trips to Washington, D.C., with coronavirus infections. Marin has been reporting 20 to 30 cases a day for about the past month, so adding 50 cases overnight might make the situation look dire.

I get concerned sometimes that if people see a spike like that on a given day that they might incorrectly assume that were seeing a surge in cases, Willis said. We need to realize, that were going to see sawtoothing, ebbs and flow of the virus, and we dont want to overreact.

Still, some health experts have expressed concern that relying too heavily on longer-term trends or on hospitalizations could delay efforts to control the virus before another surge takes hold.

Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford, said hes still wearing a mask in many public spaces. He had COVID earlier this year, in the thick of the omicron surge, and hes eager to do all that he can to prevent reinfection. He worries that others will get sick in the coming weeks if they assume that the risk is low in their community and dont take precautions.

When you have rapid spread, its exponential. If you say lets just see what happens every few weeks, then eventually when you have a problem its too late to prevent it, Karan said. It could be next week or two weeks from now they start telling everyone to wear masks. Why would I wait for that? By the time they say that I may already be infected.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
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Marin County eighth-graders got to visit Washington, D.C., last week, renewing a favorite spring break tradition that had been on a two-year pandemic hiatus.

But dozens of them returned with more than souvenirs: Over the past two days, about 50 students have tested positive for the coronavirus, swept up in an East Coast swell in COVID cases that has hit high-ranking policymakers and the D.C. elite.

By and large theyre having mild symptoms, Dr. Matt Willis, the Marin County health officer, said of the infected students. He said about 90% of eighth-graders in the county are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and half have received booster shots as well.

Marin County, along with the rest of the Bay Area, has seen a small uptick in coronavirus cases over the past two weeks, but health officials are not yet concerned that another local surge is imminent.

Were seeing a very slight but steady increase in cases, Willis said on Tuesday. We went from about 25 cases on average a day to now were closer to about 30 cases per day.

Still, Willis and other Bay Area health officials said theyre keeping a wary eye on the Northeast  in particular New York City and Washington, D.C.  where officials have reported more notable increases recently, including a large outbreak tied to the high-profile Gridiron dinner in D.C. which drew several hundred attendees to a hotel ballroom on April 2.

Multiple classrooms of Marin County eighth-graders visited the capital, which is a popular annual excursion for students as part of their civics studies, Willis said. They returned Sunday night, and very quickly several students, using home tests before returning to the classroom, turned up positive for the coronavirus. Home test results are not automatically reported to the county, but the student cases were disclosed to schools, which relayed them to the public health department.

Willis said health officials heard from one school that 1 in 3 returning students had been infected. The county health department then sent an advisory to all schools about possible cases among eighth-graders.

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If you participated in this trip, were seeing evidence that there was risk for infection. That sort of follows knowing that Washington, D.C., has high case rates, and just the risk associated with travel, Willis said.

As of Tuesday more than 70 cases had been linked to the Gridiron dinner, which, like the Marin County students trip to Washington, had been canceled for the past two years. Among partygoers who became infected were the U.S. attorney general, Merrick Garland, and President Bidens commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who did not attend that event, also tested positive last week in D.C. but announced Monday she now had tested negative.

Health officials in other California counties have said they expect a bump in local coronavirus cases tied to spring break travel, along with gatherings for Easter and Ramadan.

Los Angeles County officials put out an advisory this week reminding residents to use testing, masking and other precautions to protect themselves and others during and after travel or social gatherings.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
The principal of San Franciscos academically elite Lowell High School announced his resignation Wednesday, slamming district leadership in a letter to the community.

Principal Joe Ryan Dominguez, who took the helm of the school in the fall, announced his intent to leave at the end of the school year.

The decision to leave SFUSD is solely based on my desire to apply my passion for education in a district that values its students and staff through well organized systems, fiscal responsibility and sound instructional practices as the path towards equity, he said in the letter to the school community. Change is difficult and our campus has seen more than its fair share of it in the last several years.

Dominguez, who once worked as an assistant principal at Mountain Pointe High School in Tempe, took a job at a school district in Arizona.

He couldnt immediately be reached for further comment.

The surprising announcement leaves the high-profile high school with more uncertainty and controversy as it navigates significant budget cuts as well as an ongoing debate over the potential restoration of a merit-based admission policy.

The previous school board voted to eliminate the schools decades-long admission system based on test scores and grades, replacing it with a lottery-based system. The decision followed racially tinged incidents and complaints by students of color that they faced frequent harassment and racism. Board members said the change in admissions would help diversify the school and the freshman class was the most diverse in decades.

While the vote was overturned following a lawsuit on procedures, the board has kept the lottery system temporarily.

Dominguez stepped in to lead the school as the first lottery class was entering its freshman year.

We are at a reckoning between honoring the history that is Lowell and the high bar that we set, and also recognizing that we have systems that need to be challenged, and need to be reworked so that they are meeting the needs of all of our students, he said in an interview for the school newspaper in August. I think that if we do a better job at communicating what our stance is when it comes to racial equity, gender equity, and making sure that people know exactly what we stand for, then there is going to be a lot less guessing, and hoping, and distrust in the administration.

School board President Jenny Lam said she was sorry to see Dominguez go and acknowledged his frustration.

Support for our high schools is deeply important to me, and with this resignation I see that we have much work to do, she said. I will be speaking with members of the Lowell community soon about their steps forward.

In recent weeks, Lowell has grappled with its budget for next year, which currently includes the loss of more than $2 million in funding associated with extra preparation time for Advanced Placement teachers.

Dominguez reportedly urged the district to restore some of the funding to minimize cuts to courses and other programs.

The news reverberated across the district.

Ashish Sahni, whose son is a sophomore, said, Attending Lowell was the only reason why we stayed in San Francisco and did not move to the suburbs after middle school.

He added that after the board changed the admissions process and now with the principal leaving, the students are once again left wondering if anyone actually cares about them.

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But Charles Higgins, who has a son currently attending Lowell and one who recently graduated from the high school, took the news in stride.

Youre trying to serve a populace that includes kids living in foster care, kids who dont speak English, kids whose parents didnt graduate high school, immigrant kids, very poor kids, said Higgins. The parents have gotten this idea that its going to be something close to perfect and thats not just how any school works.

He also believed it was a teachable moment.

Its a valuable lesson for young people to learn. When theres dysfunction at all levels, its reflective of what theyre going to experience in the real world, in life.

District officials Wednesday expressed sadness over Dominguezs departure and wished him well, adding they would be working with the school community in selecting his replacement.

Over the coming weeks, we will engage in a process to select a new principal, said Assistant Superintendent Bill Sanderson in a letter to the school community. I look forward to working with the community to select two candidates to recommend to the superintendent for final consideration and selection.

Terence Abad, executive director of the Lowell Alumni Association, said in a statement that he was surprised by the news and that the association had a great working relationship with Dominguez.

Mr. Dominguez has been incredibly open and transparent with the Lowell community as he has made many difficult decisions regarding program cuts as well as faculty and staff layoffs, he said. We also truly appreciate his strong advocacy on behalf of Lowell students, faculty and staff with Superintendent (Vincent) Matthews and various school board members with regard to these devastating budget cuts.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
Jenna Wills, the only Black employee in a leadership post at San Francisco startup Afresh, was subjected to discrimination and retaliation during her time there, according to a complaint submitted to the U.S Equal Opportunity Employment Commission Wednesday by her attorneys.

I hope by coming forward that I can drive meaningful change in an industry where it is long overdue, Wills said in a statement. Companies that falsely market to the public that they value diversity must be called out.

The papers filed with the commission are a required first step before filing a lawsuit or going into arbitration. The agency can choose to pursue its own investigation as well. EEOC spokesman Victor Chen declined to comment on the filing, or confirm its existence, citing federal law requiring confidentiality unless the agency files suit.

A company spokesperson said in an email they were aware of and surprised by the development. From day one, Afresh has made it a priority to create a vibrant, positive and inclusive culture  one that values diversity and treats all employees fairly without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender or any other protected status, the company said in its statement. We have worked hard to create an environment where anyone and everyone can thrive, be effective and feel like they belong, which makes these allegations inconsistent with everything we stand for. We take these matters very seriously and will be taking appropriate actions to respond to the allegations.

Afresh did not address questions about the ethnic breakdown of the company and leadership team. It also did not respond to questions about the factual allegations in the complaint outlined below. Questions about whether and how Wills was fired and if she is potentially subject to binding arbitration were also not addressed.

The company builds software sold to grocery stores that uses algorithms to keep track of inventory, freshness, and demand with an eye to reducing food waste. It has raised more than $30 million to date, according to Crunchbase.

Wills was recruited from a previous human resources job last year by promises from company leadership, including CEO Matthew Schwartz, that, Afresh prioritized voices from different backgrounds and cultures, according to the filing.

Once hired she was put in charge of recruiting for Afresh and began hiring people from diverse backgrounds, working on creating an inclusive culture at the company.

Wills found the companys leadership included few people of color, one of whom was eventually sidelined. The only Black engineer hired by the company left before Wills was hired because one of the companys founders, Volodymyr Kuleshov, was dismissive and demanding towards him, according to the documents.

White people in management also rejected Wills proposals for boosting employee morale, while accepting the same ideas when posed by a white colleague, the filing alleges.

One example was Wills suggestion to leadership, after hearing about burnout among employees, that they take Friday afternoons off during the summer if they had no pending work. The idea was was met with hostility, according to the filing.

Afterward, Wills approached the companys Director of Implementation, Johannes Olejnik, a white man, and urged him to suggest employees be given time off around the holidays, which was met with unanimous support, the filing said.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

The companys president and co-founder Nathan Fenner demeaned the idea when she announced it during a leadership meeting, publicly humiliating her before she told him it had been proposed by Olejnik.

After a period where Wills proposed bringing in an expert to conduct unconscious bias training and was repeatedly shot down, and pointed out the all-white executive ranks at the company and other diversity issues, she was fired last month because of supposed friction with company leadership, the filing said.

That came as a surprise to Wills, since the proposal she asked Olejnik to convey had been received mostly positively.

Whether the charges continue in a civil lawsuit or arbitration will in part be decided by an arbitration agreement that Wills is party to, according to her lawyer, Renan Varghese.

I think theyre going to take the position that its binding, meaning the case would have to be brought in arbitration instead of as a lawsuit if Afresh wins that argument.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
A firefighter returning from a call in a wet and windy Mariposa County on Sunday noticed a road marker downed by the side of Highway 49. After inspecting the site, the firefighter discovered a car had crashed through the railing and hurtled 500 feet down an "extremely steep canyon."

A daring four-hour operation resulted in the rescue of a father and son from from Rancho Cordova, reports CBS News.

California Highway Patrol reported that 51-year-old Scott Anderson attempted to make a turn in the rain on the mountain road when he lost control. The car flipped multiple times down the mountain before landing in a ditch 500 feet below the road. After four hours in the rain, the "small army" of rescue teams was able to eventually pull Anderson and his 11-year-old son to safety with 600-foot ropes.

"A miracle. A keen-eyed firefighter. The Mariposa County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue team. All those combined saved the life of a father and son traveling through Mariposa County today," the sheriff's office wrote in a statement. "Search and Rescue responded and began the rescue operation with CAL-FIRE and Mercy Ambulance. Throughout the rescue the wind and rain pelleted rescuers and made the rescue even more difficult."

The father and son were both reportedly talking when they reached the top of the embankment. "We dont know how long the two were down there before being located," the sheriff's office said.

"The miracles were on top of many miracles," Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese told CBS News, "from being spotted to the quick response."

The eagle-eyed firefighter has been celebrated for the rescue. "Their brave actions and investigative skills were able to find this vehicle," Briese added.

Anderson and his son reportedly suffered moderate injuries and are recovering in nearby hospitals. Footage of the rescue was shared by the sheriff's office.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

DETROIT (AP)  Toyota is recalling about 460,000 vehicles in the U.S. to fix a software problem that can inadvertently disable the electronic stability control system.

The automaker says that when the vehicles are restarted, in rare cases the software may not automatically switch the system into the on mode. That can disable the system, which uses a computer to individually brake wheels to help drivers keep control.
Mike Kline (notkalvin)/Getty Images

A San Francisco woman was arrested in Michigan after allegedly flying there to meet up with a teen boy.

Police in Novi, a suburb of Detroit, said Stephanie Sudarin Sin, 33, met the then-14-year-old boy online. They soon began texting, and Sin sent texts of an explicit sexual nature, police said. As she escalated their relationship, she allegedly booked a Michigan Airbnb for a month and flew out to meet the boy.
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A temporary restraining order against The Flash star Ezra Miller has been dropped, less than three weeks after it was filed and Miller was arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment in Hawaii.

According to the Associated Press, a judge dismissed the restraining order on Tuesday after a request by the Hawaiian couple who had filed it on March 29. The restraining order claimed Miller burst into the couples bedroom and threatened them, and Miller allegedly stole some of the couples belongings, including a passport and wallet.

The actor was arrested in Hilo, Hawaii, on March 28, the day before the restraining order was filed. According to a post by the Hawaii County Police Department, South Hilo officers had responded to a report of a disorderly bar patron. Police determined that Miller had become unruly while other patrons sang karaoke and had begun yelling obscenities. Miller grabbed the microphone from a woman singing karaoke and lunged at a man playing darts.

After being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment, Miller paid the $500 bail and was released from custody. According to Hawaii Police Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho, Miller has been the source of 10 police calls in Hilo since March 7.

The arrest came right before the release of Warner Bros. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, in which Miller has a supporting role. The movie debuts in the U.S. on April 15. Miller is also known for playing the superhero Flash in the Justice League movies. After several delays, a standalone Flash movie is set to release June 23, 2023.

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NEW YORK (AP)  The Yankees are getting a new star  chef.

Marcus Samuelsson is expanding to Yankee Stadium this season, opening a Streetbird food stand behind section 112 in the right-field area of the lower deck, partnering with the team and Legends Hospitality.

Offerings include a hot bird sandwich, chicken and waffles and cornbread.

I feel like its such a privilege to be part of the most famous team and the most famous stadium in the world, he said Tuesday.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, Samuelsson was hired at 23 as executive chef of New York's Aquavit and gained fame from a three-star review by The New York Times' Ruth Reichl in September 1995. He left in 2010 after reducing his role for several years, and opened Red Rooster in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood later that year.

Samuelsson has expanded to more than a dozen restaurants in New York, New Jersey, Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Canada and Scandinavia.

New York City restaurants were closed to indoor dining on March 16, 2020, and weren't allowed to reopen until the following Feb. 12, and then at only 25% capacity. Capacity was raised to 35% on Feb. 26, 50% on March 19, 75% on May 7 and did not reach 100% until May 19.

I feel like Im really proud about what we as an industry as a whole accomplished in the very toughest time weve ever had," he said. I feel very positive about present and future because people want to come back into the restaurant, people want to be around people."

Samuelsson said New York City's outdoor dining has been key to financial survival at Red Rooster, which seats 90 in the dining room, 20 at the bar plus 50 on the heated patio.

Outdoors saved restaurants. Its that simple," he said. It really saved jobs during the toughest times we all went through in New York and customers in New York stayed with us: They bought home delivery, they bought T-shirts, they supported restaurants and we created a very thick bond between the restaurants, the neighborhood restaurants, and our audience."

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Robert Ontiveros could hardly contain his excitement when he glanced up at the sparkling blue and white neon sign that hovered over the restaurant. It was 1949 and the bright-eyed 7-year-old kid found himself standing in front of Caspers Hot Dogs on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, alongside relatives who were entering the shop. Ontiveros had never been to Caspers before then, but he beamed as a series of hot frankfurters in pillowy, steamed buns made their way to each family member. When he was finally handed a hot dog, Ontiveros keenly took his first bite.

I thought, Wow, theyre big, because theyre long and as a kid you love that, Ontiveros, now 80 years old, recalls. I became addicted. Ive been to all [the locations] I think, he shared with a boisterous laugh.

Since his first bite 73 years ago, Ontiveros became a loyal customer of this Bay Area institution. In a recent conversation, he shared that little has changed at Caspers, which is what has kept him returning years later.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Since the late 1930s, Caspers has maintained a modest, no-frills look with lightning-fast service. The mini chains signature item, the Casper dog, starts with steamed buns from the Athens Baking Company, an 80% beef to 20% pork frankfurter (thats made from a guarded family recipe) and topped with yellow mustard, relish and freshly sliced tomatoes and onions. Moreover, the business has remained a bargain destination for its devoted customers who can count on paying less than $5 for the coveted treat.

When you go to a Caspers, you know youre at Caspers because they keep the format the same, Ontiveros said. Its the same helpful, smiley faces and the food is always the same. Why change something thats working?

Consistency has largely been the point for cousins Ron Dorian and Paul Rustigian, the companys third-generation family owners. Dorian and Rustigian, who co-own the business with other family members, handle the day-to-day operations at the seven existing Caspers locations in Oakland, Hayward, Richmond, Dublin, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. It brings them pride when they learn about customers, like Ontiveros, who have remained loyal patrons over the years and continue to introduce the chain to younger generations.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE Caspers Hot Dogs

If you grew up in the Bay Area, you definitely know about Caspers Hot Dogs, Rustigian said. Every day someone comes to a store from the airport or theyre coming back to visit. People have their favorite ones to go to.

Since childhood, Caspers has been a pillar of Dorian and Rustigians upbringing, and later became their first occupation. Rustigians earliest memory of working the family business was as a young child in the early 1970s when he helped prepare milkshakes while standing on a crate so he could reach the machine.

When Dorian began working at the Telegraph outpost one summer during high school, he remembers wiping tables, preparing drinks and working the cash register, while also keeping away from the steamer where the hot dogs were cooked.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

It takes more talent than one might think to do it right, Dorian said. I couldn't put my hand in that steam  I left that to the experts.

Whether they knew it at the time or not, Dorian and Rustigian were cultivating a valuable skill set passed down from their grandparents, the original Caspers Hot Dogs founders, who officially began a partnership in 1943 with nothing more than grit and a strong will for the American dream.

Caspers, Kasper's and an amicable separation

Years before Caspers Hot Dogs opened in Oakland, Stephen Beklian, its co-founder and grandfather to Dorian, had recently settled in Chicago after a grueling voyage from Turkey. Beklian, who was accompanied by his Armenian cousins, Kasper Koojoolian, and two others, found themselves in the windy city in the early 1920s after escaping the Armenian genocide just a few years earlier.

Once settled, the band of young men formed a tight bond in Chicago, where they eventually picked up their own trades. To help make ends meet, they began to sell hot dogs around the city.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

My grandfather was an upholsterer, and at night, they would sell hot dogs in Chicago, Dorian said. My grandfathers territory was Garfield Park.

As their side hustle began to pick up, Koojoolian, who was fed up with Chicagos frigid winter months, decided to head further west to California, where the weather was more agreeable. Before the trip, Koojoolian had made up his mind. He would bring Chicagos culinary export and continue to sell hot dogs in an official capacity. Not long after he arrived in Oakland, Koojoolian promptly slapped his name on a sign and opened the first Kaspers Hot Dogs in 1930 at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. It wouldnt be long before the Chicago cousins followed, one by one, with Beklian arriving last in 1934.

Kaspers Hot Dogs eventually swelled from one outpost in Oakland to five stores to date. Despite the remarkable similarities between Kaspers and Caspers Hot Dogs, the two businesses have run independently from one another for nearly a century.

MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune /MediaNews Group via Getty Images

So, why the matching name? After the cousins and their spouses moved to California, they began to plant roots in the Bay Area with their hot dog trade at the forefront, until the prospect of separate expansion was deliberated and then taken. It was an amicable split despite rumors of a family feud, according to Dorian, who said that Koojoolian kept his namesake business while Beklian adopted Caspers in the late 1930s.

They were trying to decide what to do in regard with the name because Kasper was Kasper, so he should have that, Dorian shared. I think it was my aunt who mentioned that there was a comic strip called Toots and Casper, and she said, Well, maybe you can spell it like they do on the funny pages. And as the legend goes, the four of them just kind of laughed and thought it was a great idea. That way, they can honor their shared legacy and have two separate companies going forward and that's how the name change occurred.

The more (franks) the merrier

It had been more than a decade after Kaspers Hot Dogs hit the scene when Koojoolian decided to close his store near Lake Merritt. Tragically, Koojoolian died from a heart attack en route to Fresno in 1943, around the same time he closed the shop. But the store didnt stay dim for long. It eventually transformed into a Caspers Hot Dogs (also in 1943) under the ownership of Beklian, his wife Ardam Beklian and their business partners Paul and Rose Agajan.

One of the founders was my mothers dad, Paul ... who immigrated from Turkey, Rustigian said. He was a serious man who ran two cafeterias in Chicago before he came out and helped with the hot dog business. Later when my father joined, they doubled the size of the chain when that next generation came on board.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

With more stores under their belt, Caspers Hot Dogs continued to run under the leadership of the principal owners, the Agajans and Beklians, and their respective children when they became of age. Dorian points out that when the patriarchal figures eventually passed away, Caspers was solely run by the women on both sides of the family. Then by 1975, Dorian became a minor owner at a young age with the passing of his grandmother, Ardam Beklian, who left shares in the company to her daughters and grandchildren.

As the company continued to flourish well into nearly five decades, Caspers Hot Dogs added another major limb to the family business by adding its own sausage manufactory around 1985 under the stewardship of Dorians brother, Jack Dorian. SPAR Sausage Company, which was named after the first initials of the Caspers Hot Dog founders, has operated in San Leandro ever since, where it produces frankfurters for both Caspers and Kaspers Hot Dogs  albeit with dissimilar recipes.

Preserving the Caspers legacy

Caspers Hot Dogs managed to keep its head above water throughout the two-year pandemic, a challenging feat especially as many longstanding Bay Area businesses werent as fortunate. Dorian believes that one main reason Caspers wasnt a COVID-19 casualty was that many of the existing restaurant properties are owned by the family  a true testament of foresight from its founders.

They were bought many years ago when property was not the big deal that it is today, and it was a great thing to have done because we've been able to control our rent, Dorian said. When business fluctuated, like when COVID first hit, that gave us a leg up. We were able to keep going.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, a steady stream of customers of all age groups meandered through the jagged, glass-shaped structure of Caspers Hayward location. The 951 C St. outpost is the only remaining Caspers establishment with a dazzling neon sign, much like that of Ontiveros childhood, which became a designated historic marker in 1988. (Most Caspers locations have an orange logo with an image of its signature dog.)

When asked why Caspers founders decided on hot dogs, both Dorian and Rustigian couldnt answer the million-dollar question in basic terms. After a moment of pause, Rustigian offered his thoughts.

It would only be conjecture but my guess is that back then, having a hot dog cart was something that an immigrant could do relatively easy, and it was a profitable venture, Rustigian said. In some ways, its a classic tale: driven from their homeland by genocide with the clothes on their back. They were able to pick themselves up and be successful. Its a great American story.
For months, Keith Truong had become increasingly frustrated by speedy drivers who kept whizzing by his San Francisco business, Ambrosia Bakery, with no regard for the stop sign near his storefront. After realizing the traffic sign, at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Woodacre Drive, was camouflaged by excessive foliage from two trees in front of his shop, he started viewing them as a liability and decided to take measures into his own hands.

I had a lot of complaints from the customers who said it was a hazard to cross the street, Truong told SFGATE. I told the gardener to trim the trees to make sure the stop sign was visible.

Truong paid $550 out of pocket for the service, but the move would end up costing him more: He was fined $4,500 by San Francisco Public Works. Truong said that the unsupervised tree trimming occurred three months ago, but he didnt realize it was unlawful at the time. He was shocked when he received a notice in the mail with no warning beforehand. The foliage had likewise obstructed his own business sign, but Troung said that his greatest motivation in cutting the trees was to protect neighborhood residents. Now, hes concerned about the steep fee. ABC7 first reported the story.

The pandemic was difficult already, Troung said. Thats a lot for a business that was struggling. They must consider that.

San Francisco Public Works

Rachel Gordon, the spokesperson for San Francisco Public Works, told SFGATE that the agency evaluated the trees last year but determined that urgent pruning was not warranted. San Francisco Public Works is responsible for caring for more than 125,000 street trees throughout the city. Pruning one illegally results in a fine of $2,230 per tree, and the cash from those fees is used for future tree plantings. Gordon said the karo trees outside Troungs shop were in such poor shape that all its major branches and leaves were destroyed.

Removing more than 25% of the canopy from a tree is extremely damaging, Gordon said. If trees are excessively pruned, the tree can run out of stored energy and die. If the trees do survive, they will require much more intensive pruning care going forward to ensure proper growth.

Truong said he didnt personally file a complaint with San Franciscos service agency, 311, regarding the hazards he claims the trees presented, but said he was aware of a Lakeside Village Business Council complaint to the city. He says that San Francisco Public Works told Lakeside Village that it would trim the foliage in 2022 without offering a definitive date.

"People were getting hit in the crosswalk and many, many near misses," Kath Tsakalakis, president of the Lakeside Village, told ABC7. Gordon disputed the claim to SFGATE, saying that SFMTA did not report any pedestrian-vehicle incidents in the last three years at that intersection. When Tsakalakis later learned about Truong's fine, she decided to create a petition on change.org where she hopes to get his fees revoked. The petition, which initially had a goal of 2,500 signatures and is now requesting 5,000, had more than 2,700 signatures by early Wednesday.

Gordon is aware of the petition and said the agency will take community concerns into consideration. For now, Truong will join an administrative hearing next month where he will be presented with the opportunity to participate in a tree care class to reduce his fine. While Truong said he is willing to take the course, he maintains that his actions were solely for the purpose of protecting the neighborhood.

From my intention, I wanted to take care of the problem myself and it didnt turn out that way," he said. "I pay attention to the hazards, and I knew that someone had to do something about that...[before] someone got hit.

Editors note: This story was amended on April 13 at 4:08 p.m. to include a statement from San Francisco Department of Public Works on pedestrian-vehicle incidents at the intersection.
WEXFORD, Pa. (AP)  Two electric utility employees were rushed to hospitals after being injured while working in western Pennsylvania, authorities said.

Duquesne Light Company said the line workers were doing work on a utility pole in McCandless Township near Pittsburgh when they were injured. The company didn't specify the cause of the injury but township officials told WPXI-TV that the two were shocked by a power line.
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP)  Activists in Minnesota are demanding an apology and calling for changes in the way officers deal with children after police in the St. Paul suburb of Maplewood handcuffed four juveniles, including a 10-year-old, as they investigated an incident for which the kids were later cleared.

Maplewood Police Lt. Joe Steiner said Tuesday that two 12-year-olds, a 16-year-old and the 10-year-old were handcuffed for about 20 minutes and released.

Toshira Garraway, founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, said the 16-year-old is her son, and she went to the scene after he called for help. A video posted to Facebook shows Garraway demanding that officers let the children go.

I got the scariest call any mother can receive  my baby begging for my help, said Garraway, They dont understand the damage they cause. I think this is a learning experience. This isnt how you treat peoples children.

Garraway said she wants the Maplewood Police Department to change its policy on detaining and handcuffing children. She said the kids will never forget what happened.

They were innocent babies," she said.

Garraway's group was among activists planning a march and rally for Wednesday evening, saying they are demanding that the officers be disciplined and that the department apologize.

Steiner said the officers were responding to a report of shots fired at about 9:30 p.m. Monday. The caller reported hearing gunshots and seeing four children on a surveillance camera outside a business, the Star Tribune reported.

Maplewood communications manager Joe Sheeran said police found four children walking in the area. Two ran away as officers approached, but returned about five minutes later. Sheeran said that about 20 minutes into the incident, officers handcuffed the children when police received information about safety issues." The officers later determined the four were not involved.

Activists dispute the police timeline, saying the encounter lasted about two hours, not 40 minutes. They say the children were searched, questioned, handcuffed and put in the back of separate squad cars.

Attorney Jeff Storms said the case is an example of implicit bias and breeds distrust of law enforcement. Garraway and Tanya Gile, the mother of one of the 12-year olds, said three of the children are Black and one is Hispanic, the Pioneer Press reported.

Despite the fact they did nothing wrong they were still handcuffed and put in squad cars," Storms said, adding: Its hard to envision that this would have happened to white children in other communities in Minnesota.

Steiner said police are still seeking suspects.

Gile said the incident was particularly traumatizing because her 14-year-old son was killed in a car crash last year following a pursuit by sheriff's officials. Garraway said her son and Gile's deceased son were best friends. Garraways son also lost his father in 2009; the Black man was found dead in a recycling bin after fleeing St. Paul police.
NEW YORK (AP)  Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018 in a deal that is likely to keep him out of jail.

Gooding also publicly apologized for the first time to two other women who accused him of similar behavior in separate encounters, calling himself a celebrity figure who meant no harm.

His admissions were part of a plea deal that came nearly three years after the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star was arrested in the case that saw several delays as his lawyers sought to get charges reduced or dismissed.

I apologize for making anybody ever feel inappropriately touched, he said. I am a celebrity figure. I come into contact with people. I never want them to feel slighted or uncomfortable in any way.

Gooding, 54, accused of violating three different women at various Manhattan night spots in 2018 and 2019, pleaded guilty to just one of the allegations. He told the judge he kissed the waitress on her lips without consent at the LAVO New York club.

The deal lets Gooding avoid any possibility of jail time if he continues alcohol and behavior modification counseling for six months. After that, he can withdraw the misdemeanor plea and instead plead guilty to a lesser violation of harassment.

Gooding was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police he fondled her without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square.

The accuser in that encounter, Kelsey Harbert, was allowed to speak in court on Wednesday, recounting how, out of nowhere, Gooding grabbed her breast as if I was a piece of meat for dinner that night.

Harbert, now 31, told the court she thought Gooding was getting off easy, while his accusers continue to suffer.

I feel very sad and feel very lost for what I can do, she said.

A few months after his arrest, Gooding was charged in two additional cases as more women came forward to accuse him of abuse. The new charges alleged he pinched a servers buttocks after making a sexually suggestive remark to her at TAO Downtown and forcibly touched the woman at LAVO, both in 2018.

Gooding had previously pleaded not guilty to six misdemeanor counts and denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyers have argued that overzealous prosecutors, caught up in the fervor of the #MeToo movement, are trying to turn commonplace gestures or misunderstandings into crimes.

Judge Curtis Farber earlier had ruled if the Gooding case went to trial, prosecutors could have called two additional women to testify about their allegations that Gooding also violated them. Prosecutors say the judge had since reversed that decision  a ruling that factored into their decision to not go to trial.

"We credit and believe all the survivors in this case," said prosecutor Coleen Balbert. But under the circumstances, Wednesday's outcome "is a fair and equitable disposition, she added.

Along with the criminal case, Gooding is accused in a lawsuit of raping a woman in New York City in 2013. After a judge issued a default judgment in July because Gooding hadnt responded to the lawsuit, the actor retained a lawyer and is fighting the allegations.

Gloria Allred, an attorney representing three of Gooding's accusers, said in a statement that they would press ahead with civil litigation to hold him accountable.

Justice was significantly delayed in this case for many reasons, and I do not feel that justice was achieved today with the entry of this plea, although I do understand why under the circumstances that the prosecution offered a plea, she said.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama's top health official said Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is showing only mild symptoms.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, in a statement, said he tested positive on Tuesday.
NEW YORK (AP)  Police say gunman fired 33 times in Brooklyn subway, authorities searching for man who rented van linked to scene.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP)  Attorneys for an Arkansas jail and doctor being sued by inmates who say they were unknowingly given ivermectin to treat their COVID-19 say the lawsuit should be dismissed because the men are no longer being held in the county facility.

In a motion filed Tuesday, attorneys for the Washington County jail and Dr. Robert Karas noted that the four inmates who filed the lawsuit are now being held in state prisons.
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CANBERRA, Australia: (AP)  Australia and the United States are stepping up diplomatic outreach to the Solomon Islands after China signed a security deal with the South Pacific island nation that could lead to Beijing establishing a military presence there.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday that his minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, had flown to the Solomon Islands the day before for talks with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the April 1 security pact the country agreed to with China.

Seselja said he had asked Sogavare to abandon the Chinese agreement.

We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our regions security frameworks, Seselja said in a statement.

The trip came the same day that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele about Washington's plan to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara.

The announcement of reopening the embassy, which has been closed since 1993, came in February before the security pact came to light, but amid already growing concerns about Chinese influence in the strategically important country.

A Chinese military presence in the Solomon Islands would put it not only on the doorstep of Australia and New Zealand but also in close proximity to Guam, with its massive U.S. military bases.

At the time he announced the embassy's reopening, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was seeking to increase its influence in the Solomon Islands before China becomes strongly embedded.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the call between Sherman and Manele touched on our joint efforts to broaden and deepen engagement between our countries, in addition to the embassy plans, but gave no further details.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian defended Beijings cooperation with the Solomons as being based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit and in line with international law and international practice.

It is conducive to the social stability and lasting peace and safety of Solomon Islands and will help promote peace, stability and development of Solomon Islands and the rest of South Pacific region, Zhao told reporters Wednesday at a daily briefing.

The security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands does not target any third party or work in opposition to the Solomon Islands cooperation with other countries, but will complement the exiting regional cooperation mechanism in a positive way, he said.

He added that other countries "should view this in an objective and reasonable manner, respect the sovereignty and independent decision of China and the Solomon Islands, avoid provoking confrontation and creating division in the region, and do something conducive to regional stability and development.

According to a draft of the agreement, which was leaked online, Chinese warships could stop in the Solomons for logistical replenishment and China could send police, military personnel and other armed forces to the Solomons to assist in maintaining social order.

The draft agreement specifies China must approve what information is disclosed about joint security arrangements, including at media briefings.

The Solomon Islands government have said a draft was initialed two weeks ago and that it would be cleaned up and finalized soon.

The Solomon Islands government has said it wont allow China to build a military base there and China has denied seeking a military foothold in the South Pacific, but the pact set off alarm bells among many Western nations.

Since it was signed, two top Australian intelligence officials  Australian Secret Intelligence Service boss Paul Symon and Office of National Intelligence Director-General Andrew Shearer  have met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Australia already has a bilateral security pact with the Solomon Islands and Australian police peacekeepers have been in the capital, Honiara, since riots in November.

Morrison said Australia was respectfully and directly communicating with the Solomon Islands on the Chinese security deal.

The suggestion that somehow, some seem to be making, that the Solomon Islands is somehow under the control of Australia I think is offensive to the Solomon Islands, Morrison said.

They are a sovereign nation. I respect their independence and they will make their own decisions about their own sovereignty, he said.

What we have been doing is ensuring that they are fully aware of the risks and the security matters that are not only of concern to Australia but islands, Pacific nations across the Pacific, he added.

Seselja said Australia also welcomed statements from Sogavare that it remains the Solomon Islands' security partner of choice, and his commitment that Solomon Islands will never be used for military bases or other military institutions of foreign powers."

Morrison announced on Sunday that an election will be held in Australia on May 21. He now leads a caretaker government and must consult the opposition on any policy decisions.

Opposition spokeswoman on foreign affairs Penny Wong said the Australian government had failed on the Solomon Islands.

This is happening on Mr. Morrisons watch  the warnings have been there for months, the draft agreement public for weeks  but he has failed to front up and explain how Australia is responding, Wong said in a statement.

We need to work with the Pacific family and allies to build a region where sovereignty is respected  and where Australia is the partner of choice, she added.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The state Legislature could end public health emergency declarations by future governors under legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee in Baton Rouge.

A 6-5 vote by the House and Governmental Affairs Committee sent the bill by Republican state Rep. Lawrence Frieman of Abita Springs to the full House.

The bill comes after two years of periodic conflicts between some lawmakers and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards over now-expired emergencies declared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Friemans bill, as amended by the committee, would enable the Legislature to end an emergency declaration  or remove some provisions of one  by a petition signed by a majority of the House and of the Senate. It tweaks state law allowing either chamber by itself to end an emergency declaration, which was challenged and blocked in state court.

The bill applies to declared states of disaster or emergency. In the case of public health emergencies, it requires lawmakers to consult with a public health specialist before petitioning to end or alter the emergency declaration.

Debate centered on the advisability of putting the 105-member House and 39-member Senate in the position of making decisions now in the hands of the executive branch.

We expect them to be able to make executive decisions, said Rep. Royce Duplessis, a New Orleans Democrat. Our job is to legislate and I think that this bill puts us in the posture of being an executive agency. I just don't think that we're equipped to do that in an emergency. Because in emergencies you need to the ability to act swiftly.

Frieman said his bill is a needed check on executive power and stressed that it gives lawmakers the option of eliminating parts of an executive emergency declaration without ending it.

Another measure approved by the committee during Wednesday's livestreamed meeting would exempt state-owned buildings  such as the Superdome in New Orleans  from local government emergency provisions. Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Metairie Republican, is the bill's sponsor.

Duplessis was among the opponents, questioning whether the state should allow public gatherings in buildings in a locality where officials have decided strict public gathering limits are needed.

Are you of the belief ... that local knows best? Duplessis asked Hilferty.

I think in many instances local knows best," Hilferty said. I think in some instances theres been overreach.
SEATTLE (AP)  The Washington state Board of Health has decided that COVID-19 vaccines will not be required for students to attend K-12 schools this fall.

The Board of Health made the decision in a unanimous vote Wednesday, The Seattle Times reported.

Last fall, the board created a separate technical advisory group tasked with researching whether a COVID vaccine would meet all the scientific criteria needed to be added to the list of required K-12 immunizations.

The advisory group in late February voted to recommend against adding a COVID-19 vaccine to the list of school-required immunizations, citing a lack of vaccine data for school-aged kids and potentially unpredictable social impacts from imposing a mandate.

The Department of Health very much supports the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations, state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair A. Shah, a board member, said before the vote Wednesday.   I also want to affirm the overall recommendation of the (advisory group), but that does not take away from the fact that our department continues to remain committed to its work to encourage the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Tao Kwan-Gett, the states science officer and co-chair of the advisory group, noted that it may become necessary to assess whether the recommendation must change.

If new data on how the vaccine affects school-aged children surfaces, or if a new variant emerges that appears to show more severe disease in children, for example, the board could revisit the issue in the future, he said.

Board member Bob Lutz, former health officer of Spokane Countys public health department, said they also "have to be sensitive to the fact that this is a very contentious issue."

He cited superintendents concerns about chronic absenteeism and parents/caregivers pulling their children from school during the pandemic, wondering if a COVID-19 vaccine requirement might worsen the problem.

Board and advisory group members agreed more data is needed about vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11. The Pfizer-BioNtech COVID vaccine has been granted emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for ages 5 to 15, but it has not yet been fully approved for that age range.

In the United States, only two states  California and Louisiana  have added COVID vaccines to the list of required immunizations for school-aged kids, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. The requirements would be enforced only if the FDA grants full authorization to the kid-sized vaccine dose.
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SAO PAULO (AP)  Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the front-runner so far heading to Octobers presidential election, said Tuesday that he would revoke decisions by incumbent Jair Bolsonaro affecting Indigenous peoples, including those that promote mining on their lands.

The leftist leader also pledged to name an Indigenous person as minister for Indigenous affairs should he succeed in winning back the office he held in 2003-2010.

Da Silva told about 7,000 members of Indigenous groups gathered in the capital city of Brasilia that every Bolsonaro "decree that creates problems will have to be revoked immediately.

We cannot allow that the achievements coming from your struggle are removed by decrees to give rights to those that think our forests and fauna should end, da Silva said. I want to tell you, if we return to the government, nobody in this country will do anything on Indigenous land without your consent, decision or agreement.

Bolsonaro argues that economic activity should not be hindered by environmental or human rights issues, and he insists the Indigenous themselves would benefit from opening up their areas to mining. Indigenous reserves are often the most protected land in the Amazon, but miners increasingly target them.

The gathering outside Brazil's congress building drew thousands of people from 200 Indigenous groups in Brazil. They have camped in the region for the past week to put political pressure on lawmakers at a time illegal mining and deforestation are soaring in the South American nation.

Joenia Wapichana, the only Indigenous member of Congress, said Indigenous people need to be protected after Bolsonaros measures in recent years, including shifts at FUNAI, the government agency for Indigenous affairs.

Our rights are being stepped upon, Wapichana said.

Da Silvas presidential bid is expected to officially begin May 7, when leaders of his Workers Party are scheduled to approve his candidacy.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The criminal prosecution of a Hillary Clinton campaign lawyer charged with lying to the FBI during the Trump-Russia investigation can move forward, a judge ruled Wednesday in denying a defense bid to dismiss the case.

The ruling means Michael Sussmann, charged last year by special counsel John Durham, remains set for trial on May 16 in Washington's federal court.

Sussmann is charged with lying to the FBI during a September 2016 meeting in which he relayed concerns from cybersecurity researchers about a potential secret back channel of communications between servers of the Trump Organization and Russia-based Alfa Bank. The FBI investigated the matter but ultimately found no such suspicious links.

Prosecutors allege that Sussmann misled the FBI's then-general counsel by saying that he was not attending the meeting on behalf of a particular client when he was actually presenting the information on behalf of the Clinton campaign and a technology executive with whom he had worked.

In order to prosecute someone for a false statement, the Justice Department must prove that the statement was not only fictitious but also material  that is, capable of influencing a government agency's decision-making or functions.

In this case, Durham's team says that had the FBI known Sussmann was representing the interests of the Clinton campaign at the meeting, it would have done more to examine his motives and the reliability of his information as it considered whether to open an investigation based on the tip he provided.

Sussmann's lawyers have argued that his ties to the Clinton campaign were already well-known to the FBI, and have rejected the idea that the full disclosure of that relationship could have meaningfully influenced the FBI's decision to investigate or act on his tip.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Casey Cooper said in a six-page ruling Wednesday that the dispute was ultimately up to a jury to decide.

The battle lines thus are drawn, but the Court cannot resolve this standoff prior to trial, Cooper wrote.

Durham, a former U.S. attorney in Connecticut, was appointed in 2019 by then-Attorney General William Barr to look for government misconduct during the investigation into Russian election interference in 2016 and possible ties to Donald Trumps presidential campaign.

Sussmann is one of three people charged so far. The other two are Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to altering an email and received probation, and Igor Danchenko, a Russian analyst and source of information for Christopher Steele, the former British intelligence operative who assembled a dossier of anti-Trump research. Danchenko was charged in November with lying to the FBI during a 2017 interview.

____

Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
SALADO, Texas (AP)  Several tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service caused widespread damage Tuesday afternoon in Central Texas north of Austin, officials said.

One of those tornadoes swept near the historic village of Salado about 6 p.m. Tuesday, damaging homes in rural areas of Bell County between Waco and Austin, said County Judge David Blackburn. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries, said Blackburn, the countys top executive.
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BEIRUT (AP)  The chilling scenes from Syria of victims twitching and gasping for air after chlorine cylinders were dropped from helicopters in towns and villages were broadcast over and over in the course of country's civil war.

Legal and moral taboos were shattered. Hundreds were killed, including many children, in dozens of poison gas attacks widely blamed on President Bashar Assads forces under the protection of his chief ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Several years later, concerns are growing that such weapons could be used in Ukraine, where Russian forces have been waging a devastating war for weeks.

As the conflict drags on, Western officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have warned that Putin could deploy chemical agents.

The world must react now, Zelenskyy said.

Officials say they are investigating an unconfirmed claim by a far-right Ukrainian regiment that a poisonous substance was dropped in the besieged city of Mariupol this week. The claim could not be confirmed by independent sources, and Ukrainian officials say it could have been phosphorus munitions - which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons.

LOWERING THE THRESHOLD

Putin has threatened to broaden the Ukraine war into a nuclear conflict, but it is unclear if chemical agents will be used to support his military operations. Analysts say the Syria war set a horrific precedent in terms of deploying chlorine, sulfur and the nerve agent sarin, completely disregarding international norms and with no accountability.

From what were seeing now, it seems that Russia has drawn the conclusion that its safe to continue this modus operandi from Syria in the Ukrainian context as well, said Aida Samani, legal adviser with Civil Rights Defenders, a Sweden-based group.

Of course, that undermines the international regulations that we have in place and lowers the threshold for the use of such weapons, Samani added.

She has joined with other nongovernmental organizations to file a criminal complaint on behalf of a group of Syrians living in Sweden against the Syrian government for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to its use of chemical weapons.

Western officials say Russia may be looking to borrow from the Syria playbook, where Assads forces tested the international communitys resolve by gradually ramping up the brutality of attacks and methods.

Part of the equation in Syria was the difficulty of proving anything in the aftermath of such attacks, largely due to the lack of immediate access. Assad, with Russias backing, consistently cast a cloud of confusion, accusing the opposition of fabricating evidence or deploying poison gas themselves to try to frame him.

An investigative mechanism set up by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons blamed Syrian government forces for multiple chemical attacks in Syria, including the use of chlorine and sarin in an attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017 that killed about 100 people. At least one mustard gas attack was blamed on the Islamic State group, which held territory in Syria and Iraq for several years during the war that killed half a million people.

In comments reminiscent of Syria, Russia accused Ukraine of running chemical and biological labs with U.S. support, leading to accusations Moscow was seeking to stage a false-flag incident. Ukraine does have a network of biological labs that have gotten funding and research support from the U.S.  but they are part of a program seeking to reduce the likelihood of deadly outbreaks by pathogens, whether natural or manmade. The U.S. efforts date to the 1990s to dismantle the former Soviet Unions program for weapons of mass destruction.

RED LINES

The assault early on the morning of Aug. 21, 2013, on the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus known as Ghouta shocked a world that had grown largely numb to the carnage of Syrias civil war.

Fueling the international outrage were dozens of online videos showing victims in spasms, gasping for breath and foaming at the mouth. The attack crossed what then-U.S. President Barack Obama had called a red line for possible military intervention in the Arab country.

Obama came close to ordering U.S.-led military strikes but abruptly backed down after failing to secure the necessary support from the U.S. Congress and instead struck a deal with Moscow to eliminate Syrias chemical arsenal.

By August 2014, Assads government declared that the destruction of its chemical weapons was completed. But Syrias initial declaration to the OPCW has remained in dispute, and the attacks continued.

In 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump launched several dozen cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in retaliation for a suspected nerve gas attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib province that killed about 100 people. Experts from the U.N. and the chemical weapons watchdog blamed the Syrian government for the attack.

As Moscow pushes its offensive in Ukraine, world leaders and policymakers are grappling with how the West should respond to a Russian battlefield use of chemical or biological weapons. Members of Congress said the Biden administration and its allies will not stand by if that happens.

Unlike Syria, however, Russia is a nuclear power. Any reaction risks triggering a nuclear confrontation, which Putin has already alluded to.

ACHIEVING JUSTICE

Samani, of Civil Rights Defenders, faults the international community for not making a real effort to seek accountability for the chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

There hasnt really been any political appetite to explore how, for example, a special tribunal could be set up for Syria, she said.

Last week, she and a group of NGOs presented new information relevant to the sarin gas attacks on Khan Sheikhun in 2017 and Ghouta in 2013 to investigative authorities in Germany, France and Sweden.

But justice appears to be a long way off.

Holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable for the use of illegal weapons is the first deterrent to ensure that they do not recur, said Haneen Haddad, project leader for the Syrian Archive, a Syrian-led project that documents human rights violations and other crimes committed in Syria.

Without meaningful accountability, cruel actors and their enablers think that they can do terrible things without real consequence from the international community.

-

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Should Netflix and other streaming services have to pay local governments the same fees levied on cable operators?

That was the question before the Ohio Supreme Court during a Wednesday hearing, as the court debates whether streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are covered by a state law that would require them to pay to play.

The argument is similar to one in several other states, where cities are trying to force streaming service companies to pay cable operator fees.

At issue in Ohio is the states 2007 Video Service Authorization law, which directed the state Commerce Department to determine what entities must obtain permission to physically install cables and wires in a public right-of-way. Companies deemed video service providers must pay a fee to local governments under that law.

Officials with Maple Heights in suburban Cleveland contend that streaming services are subject to the fee because their content is delivered via the internet over cables and wires.

In Tennessee, the state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments next month brought by Knoxville against Netflix and Hulu. A similar case brought by the city of Creve Coeur is pending in Missouri. In 2020, four Indiana cities sued Netflix, Disney, Hulu, DirectTV and Dish Network to require them to pay the same franchise fees to local governments that cable companies must pay.

In related lawsuits brought in Arkansas, California, Nevada and Texas, Netflix and Hulu won their arguments last year that they can't be treated the same as video providers.

Streaming companies argue their distribution method is different from traditional video providers. They also say in the Ohio case, it's up to the Commerce Department to label them a video service provider, a process they say can't be done through a lawsuit.

The state is siding with the streaming companies, contending that Ohio's law only covers companies building infrastructure to carry cables.

This is about those who dig, they must pay, Mathura Sridharan, the Ohio deputy solicitor general, told justices on the state Supreme Court during oral arguments Wednesday. If they dont dig, then they dont pay.

A court decision isn't expected for months.

Attorneys for Maple Heights argue that nothing in the 2007 law requires a video service provider to own or physically access wireline facilities in public rights-of-way to be subject to video service provider fees.

Without that equipment, streaming services could not deliver their video programming to their subscribers, Justin Hawal, an attorney representing Maple Heights, said in a December court filing.

The modest 5% video service fee is not burdensome but instead represents a small return on billions of dollars in benefits that the streaming services receive nationwide from network infrastructure, Hawal said.

Justices seemed skeptical of Maple Heights' arguments, in particular questioning whether the argument was even one for the court to decide.

Shouldnt you be up at the Statehouse a block and a half away instead of at a courthouse trying to get the law changed? Justice Pat Fisher asked Hawal Wednesday.

Hawal said Maple Heights is trying to apply existing law to a new technology.

Attorneys for Netflix say the company doesn't have physical wires and cables and doesn't need them under its internet streaming business model.

Unlike broadcast TV stations, users can watch content anywhere, anytime, and in any amount, so long as they have an internet connection, Amanda Martinsek, an attorney representing Netflix, said in a November filing.

Netflix argues a growing number of courts nationally have reached the conclusion that companies like Netflix and Hulu don't owe provider fees because they're not video service providers.
Julio Cortez/AP

The deaths of three Baltimore firefighters who got trapped in a burning vacant home when it partially collapsed were determined to be homicides, city police said Wednesday.

Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also classified the January fire as incendiary, according to a Wednesday news release. That means it was set or spread into an area where flames should not be and involves a violation of law, whether intentional or not.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The Mississippi Department of Archives and History is allowing the public to have access to additional papers from the late author Eudora Welty, including letters written by members of her family.

The release came Wednesday on the 113th anniversary of Welty's birth. She died July 23, 2001. According to her will, the family correspondence was to remain private for 20 years after her death.

Welty, who lived most of her life in Jackson, was known for the lyrical quality of her short stories and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her short novel, The Optimist's Daughter," published in 1972. While establishing herself as a writer, Welty photographed scenes of everyday life in Mississippi during the Great Depression for the Works Progress Administration.

Welty's niece, Mary Alice White, said in a news release from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History that the newly released letters begin with the courtship of Welty's parents. White said they also include Welty's correspondence with relatives and papers and letters from others in the family.

Because these letters were not technically the property of Eudora  they belong to the letter writer  I think Eudora wanted them sealed to respect the privacy of those still living, White said.

The Eudora Welty Collection was established in 1957, when she donated manuscripts, photographs and correspondence to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The department said the Welty Collection has drafts, revised copies and printers versions of her works, including stories, books, essays, reviews, lectures, speeches and drama. The collection also contains incoming and outgoing correspondence of Welty, memorabilia, and negatives and photographs taken by Welty and her father.

Harriet Pollack, Welty scholar and affiliate professor at the College of Charleston, said in the news release that the newly released correspondence provides insight about Weltys parents; her siblings and their families; her grandmother and great grandmother and their children.

Through their intimate and everyday interactions with one another, we also come to know so much more about the woman and the writer, Eudora Welty, Pollack said. "Astonishingly, a very private woman has unpredictably made generations of personal history available to those touched by her art, inviting us to better understand and to more fully engage the elusive woman behind it.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A shooting at a house party early Wednesday in Kansas City left one person dead and two others injured, police said, capping a violent 24 hours in the city that saw four people killed in separate incidents.

Officers who were in the Ivanhoe Northeast neighborhood around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday to investigate a car crash heard several gunshots coming from a home nearby, police said in a news release.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A Florida woman described as a bookkeeper for international child modeling websites that sexually exploited young Eastern European children has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

Tatiana Power, 41, of Weston, Florida, handled many financial aspects of a business called Newstar Websites, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release Wednesday.

The sentence was imposed by Tampa U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven after Power pleaded guilty earlier this year to a money laundering conspiracy charge.

Prosecutors say the company recruited people under age 18 from Ukraine, Moldova, and other Eastern European countries under the guise they would become child models on the websites. In fact, prosecutors say, they were used to make about 4.6 million exploitative videos and images that were sold on the websites to customers in 101 different countries.

The children, some as young as 6, were engaged in sexual conduct wearing outfits like police and cheerleader costumes, transparent underwear, pantyhose and miniskirts, officials said.

The business used fraudulent bank accounts to launder some of the $9.4 million it made. Officials have disabled Newstar's servers and are seeking forfeiture of that money.

Power was one of six people charged in connection to the case. Two have died, two others were sentenced to prison and the last defendant is not in U.S. custody.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  Protecting local Boy Scouts of America councils and troop sponsoring organizations from future liability for child sex abuse claims is critical to the national groups reorganization plan, BSA attorneys told a Delaware bankruptcy judge Tuesday.

Attorneys opposing the plan countered that liability releases for non-debtor third parties are neither fair nor necessary, and that they infringe on the rights of abuse survivors to seek compensation for their abuse.

The Boy Scouts, based in Irving, Texas, petitioned for bankruptcy protection in February 2020, seeking to halt hundreds of individual lawsuits and create a settlement trust for abuse victims. Although the organization faced about 275 lawsuits at the time, more than 82,000 sexual abuse claims have been filed in the bankruptcy case.

The reorganization plan calls for the Boys Scouts and its 250 local councils, along with settling insurance companies and troop sponsoring organizations, to contribute some $2.6 billion in cash and property and assign their insurance rights to a settlement trust fund for abuse victims. More than half that money would come from the BSAs two largest insurers, Century Indemnity Co. and The Hartford. Those companies would contribute $800 million and $787 million, respectively.

In exchange, the parties contributing to the settlement trust would be released from further liability for sexual abuse claims dating back decades.

The local BSA councils are not debtors in the bankruptcy, but Boy Scouts attorney Jessica Lauria argued that they are inextricably intertwined with the national organization and deserve to be protected from future lawsuits in exchange for contributing to the compensation fund.

There can be no doubt that there is an identity of interests, and frankly an extreme interconnectedness, between the local councils and the national organization, Lauria said. Sponsoring organizations similarly are closely tied to BSA and local councils and critical to their operations, she added.

Richard Mason, an attorney for the local councils, told Judge Laura Selber Silverstein that without the liability releases, the compensation fund basically evaporates.

Absent approval of the BSAs plan, the local councils would face massive litigation and would be forced to seek bankruptcy protection themselves, endangering the future of Scouting and the ability of abuse survivors to obtain compensation, Mason added.

But opponents questioned why the liability releases for local councils and sponsoring organization are needed in order for the BSA to emerge from bankruptcy. They noted that the Boy Scouts proposed a plan last year under which the settlement trust would be funded only by the national organization, and only for claims made against it. Under that plan, the councils and local sponsoring organizations would make no contribution and would have no protection from liability for abuse claims.

Debtors said that was workable, feasible, Silverstein noted. So why is it necessary to have this elaborate, interconnected, intertwined plan for the Boy Scouts?

Lauria replied that BSA-only plan may have been feasible when first proposed, but that it was never optimal. She also noted that the BSA has spent some $100 million more on professional fees in the bankruptcy since then and cant afford to fund a settlement trust on its own at this point.

Edwin Caldie, an attorney representing scores of alleged abuse victims in Guam, argued that the BSAs current plan unfairly strips them of their rights to pursue abuse claims against Catholic church officials.

The Guam group includes creditors with claims against the Archdiocese of Agana, which sought bankruptcy protection in 2019 amid a flood of child sex abuse claims. Many of those claims involve the late priest Louis Brouillard, who was also a BSA Scoutmaster and who was accused of molesting more than 100 children.

The BSA plan would channel claims against the Guam diocese into the proposed BSA settlement trust without the consent of survivors and unfairly deprive them of the ability to pursue BSA insurance policies, Caldie said.

Caldie accused the settling insurers of using extortionist tactics in negotiations with the Boy Scouts to obtain liability releases to which they would not be entitled under the policies they issued.

He also rejected the notion that a relatively small number of survivors should not be allowed to interfere with approval of a reorganization plan supported by tens of thousands of other claimants.

From a common sense perspective, the BSA made a decision to shun and silence survivors of child sexual assault for decades and did not report their perpetrators for decades, Caldie said. .... The Guam survivors are not terribly comfortable with greater good arguments now, especially made buy the BSA.

Closing arguments on whether the judge should approve the BSA plan are expected to conclude Wednesday.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice leading a taxpayer-funded investigation into the 2020 election criticized how the leader of the bipartisan state elections commission dresses during a radio interview.

Michael Gableman was hired by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to look into the 2020 election. He has released two widely panned preliminary reports and his contract runs through the end of April, but there are multiple ongoing lawsuits related to the probe.

Gableman appeared on WTAQ-AM on Tuesday and criticized a wide array of officials, including Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, two judges and five members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.

But the Meagan Wolfe, the leader of the commission, was the only one he singled out for how she dresses.

Black dress, white pearls  Ive seen the act, Ive seen the show, Gableman said.

When host Joe Giganti said he recently saw Wolfe wearing a gold locket rather than pearls, Gableman responded, Oh, Hillary Clinton.

Wolfe, who was confirmed to her job by the Republican-controlled Senate, issued a written statement in response.

Im a professional who takes my job seriously, Wolfe said. Comments directed at my appearance are a far cry from being serious, and are beneath anybody who purports to be undertaking a review of subject matter as important as election integrity.

Ann Jacobs, the Democratic chairwoman of the elections commission, said Gableman should apologize and questioned why he was commenting on how women look but not men.

I think it is disgusting that Mr. Gableman has decided to reduce himself to critiquing somebodys clothing instead of appreciating the hard work and effort that Meagan Wolfe does as the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Jacobs said. It clearly shows that his mind is not on impartially adjudicating election questions but rather on attempting to disparage true professionals.
BERLIN (AP)  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday criticized a diplomatic snub by Ukraine for his country's president and defended Berlin's record on delivering weapons to Kyiv amid tensions that have flared at a delicate moment in German policymaking on the war.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany's largely ceremonial head of state, had hoped to travel to Ukraine on Wednesday with his Polish and Baltic counterparts. But he said Tuesday that his presence apparently ... wasn't wanted in Kyiv. The German newspaper Bild quoted an unidentified Ukrainian diplomat as saying that Steinmeier was not welcome at the moment, pointing to his close relations with Russia in the past.

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany later said the government would be glad to welcome Scholz  who, unlike Steinmeier, sets government policy. But the snub to Steinmeier may make that more difficult.

The president would have liked to go to Ukraine, Scholz told rbb24 Inforadio, noting that Steinmeier is Germany's head of state and was recently reelected with broad support. So it would have been good to receive him.

It is, in any case, somewhat irritating, to put it politely, Scholz added, noting that Steinmeier has strongly criticized Russia's war and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine.

The flap comes amid a discussion within Scholz's governing coalition about whether Germany should authorize sending heavy weapons such as tanks to Ukraine as that nation prepares to face a stepped-up Russian offensive in the east. Germany broke with tradition after Russias invasion to supply arms to Ukraine but has faced criticism from Kyiv for perceived hesitancy and slowness in providing material.

A Ukrainian presidential advisor, Oleksiy Arestovych, told Germany's ARD television that he didn't know the reasons for the decision to reject a Steinmeier visit but also signaled that Kyiv would like to see Scholz so that practical decisions" could be made on matters such as weapons.

A senior lawmaker with one of Germany's three governing parties, Wolfgang Kubicki, said he didn't think Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was well advised to reject a visit by Steinmeier.

I cannot imagine that the chancellor ... will travel to a country that designates our country's head of state as an unwanted person, he told the German news agency dpa. Another governing party lawmaker, Juergen Trittin, told the RND newspaper group that the move was a big propaganda success for Vladimir Putin.

Steinmeier, who became president in 2017, served twice as ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign minister and before that as ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's chief of staff. During that time, Germany pursued a dialogue with Putin and cultivated close energy ties.

Last week, Steinmeier admitted mistakes in Germany's policies toward Russia, saying that we failed on many points.

Asked when would go to Ukraine, Scholz said only that he had visited Kyiv shortly before the war and regularly speaks to Zelenskyy.

Scholz said the weapons we are delivering have made a very substantial contribution to Ukraine foiling Russia's plans for a quick conquest. He was tight-lipped on the possibilities of a bigger German contribution, but insisted that we are delivering, we have delivered and we will deliver.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Green party said Ukraine needs further military material, above all heavy weapons, and now is not the time for excuses -- now is the time for creativity and pragmatism.

The message appeared directed at more hesitant German politicians, particularly among Scholz's Social Democrats.

Scholz said we are delivering the weapons that all the others are also delivering. He also said Germany won't make unilateral decisions and stressed the need to prevent NATO countries from becoming a party to the war.

Germany, which has Europe's biggest economy, also has faced criticism for opposing a quick halt to deliveries of natural gas from Russia, which accounts for about 40% of its gas supplies.

___

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
HONOLULU (AP)  Officials in Hawaii are expected to vote Wednesday on a new law that would require short-term rental owners on Oahu to limit tenant stays to a minimum of three months.

The Honolulu City Council is weighing the measure which was introduced at the request of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

The current minimum stay for short-term rentals is 30 days.

With a few exceptions, the measure would also limit short-term rentals to resort-zoned areas, including parts of Waikiki.

The bill was amended in March to prohibit on-street parking for guests in vacation rentals in communities zoned as rural, residential or apartment use.

Rental companies like AirBnB have urged officials to honor a current agreement that allows for a lottery to win vacation rental permits in some residential areas.

The debate over short-terms rentals is divided.

Short-term rentals are disruptive to the character and fabric of our residential neighborhoods," said Thomas Cestare of the Lanikai Association in written testimony.

April Perreira Pluss, who owns a Kailua home with a portion dedicated as a vacation rental, said she would not have bought the property if she knew the changes were a possibility.

I just think that the vacationer that comes here that rents for 30 days is contributing to our community," Pluss said.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Republican lawmakers in Kentucky swept aside a series of vetoes by the Democratic governor on Wednesday as they worked through a packed agenda with the end of this year's session in sight.

The GOP-dominated legislature overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a charter schools bill  one of the most contentious issues of the 2022 session. The measure aims to launch charter schools in the Bluegrass State and supply them with funding. In a pivotal showdown, the House narrowly overrode the veto on a 52-46 vote. The Senate later finished the override on a 22-15 vote.

Working into the evening, lawmakers successfully overrode the governor's rejection of other Republican-priority bills that would tighten rules for public assistance and revamp the states tax code. Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers.

The Senate kept overriding the governor's vetoes Wednesday night until taking a break as an intense storm approached the capital city. Once the storm had passed, senators resumed work.

Opponents of the bill tightening rules for public assistance benefits claimed it would threaten access to food and health care benefits. Supporters said it wouldnt hurt people in need of help.

The only way that you get these benefits taken from you is if you are doing something illegal or if you refuse to be a part of the community engagement program, said Republican House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, a leading sponsor of the measure.

The bill would add new rules for such benefits as food stamps and Medicaid. In some cases, it will require able-bodied Medicaid recipients without dependents to participate in community engagement activities, such as jobs or volunteering.

The tax measure is aimed at gradually phasing out individual income taxes while extending the state sales tax to more services.

It features conditions that have to be met to trigger incremental drops in the states personal income tax rate, which is now at 5%. The tax rate could drop by a half percentage point at a time if the formulas targets are achieved. The first rate cut could come as soon as Jan. 1, 2023, according to Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chairman Chris McDaniel.

In rejecting the bill, Beshear said it would create new taxes on a number of services and industries.

The legislature also swept aside the governor's veto of another GOP priority  a bill shifting key school governance decisions to superintendents and away from school-based decision-making councils. The override votes won by wide margins in both chambers.

The sweeping education bill also would designate a set of historical documents and speeches to incorporate into classroom work  a response to the national debate over critical race theory.

The override votes  reflecting the deep policy differences between Beshear and GOP lawmakers  came as legislators worked into the evening on Day 59 of the 60-day legislative session.

One of the sharpest disagreements has been over the charter schools bill. It drew strong pushback from many in public education, and opponents continued to warn that it would siphon money from traditional public schools if it becomes law.

The bill would set up a long-term funding method for charter schools. Public charters, like traditional public schools, would receive a mix of local and state tax support.

The proposal also would require that at least two charter schools be created under pilot projects  one in Louisville and one in northern Kentucky. Opponents said that would only be the start, warning that charters would spread.

Colleagues, dont think that this will stop at Louisville and northern Kentucky. Dont think this wont affect your area, Democratic Rep. Rachel Roberts said.

Instead of joining in the debate, House supporters let their votes do the talking. Supporters have portrayed charter schools as a way to give parents more choices for their childrens schooling.

___

Associated Press writer Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A contracted Los Angeles County counselor who failed to report suspected abuse of two young boys who later died has received four years of probation from a state licensing board.

The Board of Behavioral Sciences also required Barbara Dixon, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to participate in psychotherapy, law and ethics training, and coursework in child abuse assessment, the Los Angeles Times reported.
DALLAS (AP)  U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar's lawyer said federal authorities have informed him that the Democrat is not the target of an investigation that led FBI agents to search the congressman's South Texas home.

Cuellar, who's in the midst of a reelection campaign, denied any wrongdoing in January after agents searched his house in the border city of Laredo as part of an investigation related to the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.

The congressman's Washington, D.C.-based attorney, Joshua Berman, said Wednesday that his client is cooperating and that the Justice Department has informed me that Congressman Cuellar is not a target of the investigation. The statement was first reported by Fox News.

Berman's comment comes as Cuellar, who is among the most conservative Democrats in Congress, is locked in a primary runoff with a progressive challenge: Jessica Cisneros, a 28-year-old immigration attorney. Neither got the more than 50% of the vote needed to win outright in a March primary and they will appear on the ballot again in May.

The search of Cuellars home was part of a broader investigation related to Azerbaijan that saw FBI agents serve a raft of subpoenas and conduct interviews in Washington, D.C., and Texas, a person with direct knowledge of the probe previously told The Associated Press. The person was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately clear what connection the search of Cuellars home had to the ongoing investigation.

Federal disclosures show that the nine-term congressman traveled to Azerbaijan in 2013. Two years later, Cuellars office announced an agreement between a Texas university and an organization called the Assembly of Friends of Azerbaijan for the purposes of collaborating on oil and gas research and education.

The FBI and a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington declined to comment.

___

Tucker reported from Washington.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  Maryland's highest court on Wednesday affirmed a special magistrate's recommendations not to change the state's legislative map, which was challenged on constitutional grounds.

The Maryland Court of Appeals issued an order confirming that the state's primary will take place on July 19. The order also notes that Friday at 9 p.m. is the deadline for candidates to file to run. The order came just hours after lawyers gave oral arguments over the constitutionality of the state's legislative map.

The map designates boundaries for 188 seats in the state legislature and was approved in January by the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, despite claims of gerrymandering. Attorneys for Republican lawmakers focused on the lack of compactness of certain districts in the middle of the state.

In the order, the court determined the plan enacted into law in January is consistent with the requirements of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland.

Strider Dickson, an attorney for the plaintiffs who include several Republican lawmakers, had asked the court to direct the General Assembly to redraw the map to correct any deficiencies the court found, or appoint a special master to draw districts or adopt a separate map supported by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Ann Sheridan, an assistant attorney general who defended the map, said the case is based on the shape of the districts  and that alone doesnt provide compelling evidence that the constitution has been violated. She also noted that the map is based on prior districts, drawn in accordance to the law.

If the court were to accept petitioners argument, you essentially would be throwing out the rule book, Sheridan said.

Sheridan also argued that if the court forced lawmakers to redraw the map, what the court is doing is taking away from the legislature that which rests with them under the constitution.

These are political decisions," Sheridan said. "These are decisions that should be made by the political branches, not by the court.

Alan Wilner, a retired Court of Appeals judge who reviewed the map as a special magistrate in the case, concluded in a report filed last week that while compactness of districts is important, it's not the only factor. He also noted that the state's primary, already once delayed due to court challenges, is scheduled for July 19.

The problem is one of time, Wilner wrote, adding that changing the map so close to the primary can create as much mischief as it resolves.

Democrats had previously also approved the states congressional map, but a judge struck down the states congressional map in March, concluding it was a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering. The legislature redrew the map to make the eight U.S. House districts more compact, and Hogan signed the legislation last week.

This is a big election year in Maryland. Voters will decide all 188 seats in the state legislature; statewide offices such as governor, attorney general and comptroller; a U.S. Senate seat and all eight congressional seats.
BOSTON (AP)  Democratic leaders in the Massachusetts House released a nearly $50 billion state budget proposal Wednesday that would increase spending on areas like schools and local aid while sidestepping a series of tax breaks pushed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

The budget would expand state support for early education and child care programs, provide free school lunches for another year and strengthen workforce training and youth engagement programs. The plan is for the 2023 fiscal year that begins July 1.

It would also require that jails and prisons make phone calls free for prisoners and their families.

The proposal does not include any broad-based tax increases or fee hikes.

The $49.6 billion budget plan would boost spending by more than $2 billion  or 4.2%  over the current years budget. Thats 2.9%  or nearly $1.4 billion  more than Bakers budget proposal unveiled in January.

Not included in the House plan is a package of more than $690 million in proposed tax cuts suggested by Baker.

One would eliminate income taxes for the states lowest-paid 230,000 taxpayers by raising the states adjusted gross income thresholds for no tax status to $12,400 for single filers, $24,800 for joint filers, and $18,650 for heads of households.

Another would give renters a bigger tax break on their monthly payments.

The state rent deduction is currently 50% of rent but capped at $3,000 a year. Bakers plan would increase that cap to $5,000, letting more than 880,000 Massachusetts renters keep approximately $77 million more annually.

Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano didnt rule out revisiting Baker's proposed tax breaks before the end of the Legislature's formal session on July 31, but said House lawmakers didnt feel they were necessary now.

Baker said the state can afford the tax cuts given its strong fiscal position.

The House is expected to debate and vote on their budget proposal later in the month.

Last up in the annual budget-writing process is the Senate, also controlled by Democrats.

Once the House and Senate approve their separate versions of the spending plan, a special committee of House and Senate members will come up with a compromise version that will head back to both chambers for a final vote.

That final version then heads to Baker's desk for his signature. Baker can issue vetoes, but Democrats have large enough majorities in both chambers to override any vetoes if they want.

The goal is to have the new budget wrapped up before by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The stepmother of a missing New Hampshire girl accused of lying that the child was living with her to collect welfare benefits pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new, unrelated charges that she received stolen firearms, days after the girls father was arrested on similar charges.

Kayla Montgomery, 31, is accused of receiving a rifle and a shotgun between Sept. 29 and Oct. 22 of 2019, knowing that they had been stolen or believing they had probably been stolen.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  New Zealand's top court on Wednesday ruled a man can be extradited to China to face a murder charge  a landmark judgment that goes against the trend set by most democratic nations.

In a 3-2 decision, the Supreme Court found that China was able to give New Zealand officials sufficient assurance that the accused, Kyung Yup Kim, could get a fair trial and wouldn't be tortured.

Concerns over those issues have been enough to stop most democratic countries from extraditing suspects to China in recent times. Like many other nations, New Zealand doesn't have a formal extradition treaty with China.

The decision is sure to be celebrated by China's ruling Communist Party as not only a legal victory but also a diplomatic and public relations success.

But Kim's lawyers said they would try to stop the extradition, first by filing a complaint with the U.N. Human Rights Committee and then, if needed, by filing a fresh judicial review based on Kim's poor health.

Lawyer Tony Ellis said Kim was very disappointed by the judgment. He said his client is in a suicidal state due to his health issues, which include severe depression, a small brain tumor, and liver and kidney disease.

Ellis said he had trouble understanding the decision given that for the past 10 years, most countries had stopped extraditing people to China. He said almost every suspect in China pleads guilty before going to trial, because they know that if they don't they'll be tortured.

He said China might see the ruling as encouragement to start extradition cases against people who have fled the country and been accused of economic crimes.

New Zealand's Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi declined to comment on the case, which has dragged on for 11 years.

In making its decision, the Supreme Court overturned an earlier appeals court ruling.

In an odd twist, two judges on the Supreme Court had recused themselves because before being promoted to the top court they had sat on the appeals court  where both had ruled against the extradition.

The Supreme Court found that China was able to give sufficient assurance that Kim would be jailed in Shanghai, where New Zealand consulate staff could monitor him before and during his trial. That would include visits at least every second day before his trial and at other times he requested.

China also told officials that Kim would serve his prison sentence in Shanghai if convicted.

The court found that if no substantial grounds exist for believing an individual accused is at risk of torture because of the assurances provided, the individual should not avoid prosecution for a serious crime."

Kim's lawyers unsuccessfully argued that consular staff couldn't adequately monitor Kim while he was in jail, particularly if he was subject to torture that was hard to detect, like forced drugging.

Kim was arrested in 2011 after China asked to extradite him on one count of intentional homicide.

He was incarcerated in New Zealand jails for more than five years, and spent another three years on electronic monitoring, making him the longest-serving prisoner not to face a trial in modern New Zealand.

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 Years Eve 2009. An autopsy concluded she had been strangled to death, and that shed 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.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  In Ukraine, allegations mount of sexual violence against women by Russian soldiers. In northern Ethiopia, a woman taken to an Eritrean Defense Forces camp was raped by 27 soldiers and contracted AIDS. In Central African Republic the bodies of a woman and two girls were found days after their kidnapping and rape by armed fighters. And in Iraq, 2,800 Yazidi woman and children have been captives of the Islamic State extremist group for eight years, many subjected to sexual violence.

These are some of the examples raised at a U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday on accountability for such acts in conflicts by Pramila Patten, the U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, a member of Iraqs Yazidi religious minority forced into sexual slavery in 2014 who escaped her Islamic State captors.

Pattens opening words were aimed squarely at the U.N.s most powerful body, which has approved five resolutions that focus on preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence. What do those resolutions mean right now, she asked, for a woman in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar or Ethiopias northern Tigray region?

At this time of great global turbulence marked by multiple crises, she said, the world has seen increased militarization, including an epidemic of coups, which have turned back the clock on womens rights. And every new war has seen human tragedies including new waves of wars oldest, most silences, and least-condemned crime -- sexual violence and rape in those countries and others whose victims cry out for justice and redress.

Patten said the gap between commitments by the Security Council, and compliance and reality is evident: The latest U.N. report covering conflicts in 18 countries documents 3,293 U.N.-verified cases of sexual violence committed in 2021, a significant increase of 800 cases compared to 2020. Again, she said, the highest number  1,016  were recorded in Congo.

Patten also cited examples in other conflict areas: two women from the Rohingya minority in Myanmars Chin state gang-raped by government soldiers resulting in unwanted pregnancies; a woman allegedly raped at gunpoint by Puntland police officer in Somalia where she said abduction, rape and forced marriage are rampant; documented cases in Colombia of sexual violence against women ex-combatants and their families; and the torture and killing of a female police officer who was eight months pregnant in Afghanistans Ghor province.

The U.N. special representative said the few cases of courts convicting perpetrators are still the exception that prove the rule of justice denied. Justice must be delivered in communities as well as courtrooms, and victims must receive reparations to rebuild their shattered lives, she said, stressing that justice, peace and security are inextricably linked.

Murad said at moments of global instability  like today's world shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, a climate crisis and war  issues like conflict-related sexual violence tend to be pushed aside as though they are somehow secondary to the real issues. But she said the truth is these are precisely the moment when protecting, supporting and investing in women and girls should be urgent priorities.

History shows that when conflict erupts brutality comes to the fore, and we are seeing this in Ukraine as we speak, with reports of sexual violence that should alarm us. Later, she told reporters, my heart is with the people of Ukraine, especially the women and girls out there that are facing this brutality.

Sexual violence is not a side effect of conflict, Murad said. It is a tactic of war as old as time.

Last year, a German court convicted an Islamic State member of genocide in a Yazidi girl's death in a historic verdict, she said. But despite reams of evidence documenting atrocities IS committed against women and girls, she said the extremist perpetrators have faced few, if any, consequences.

Murad said survivors need more than moral outrage and urged the Security Council to vote to refer the Islamic State extremist group to the International Criminal Court to be tried for genocide and sexual violence. against Yazidis. In the meantime, she urged other countries to follow Germanys example and use the principle of universal jurisdiction to try alleged perpetrators for war crimes.

If you want to establish deterrence, if you want to assure Yazidi women and survivors everywhere that you stand with us, do not delay justice anymore, she said.

Britains Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad, who chaired the meeting, joined her in launching The Murad Code which aims to tell investigators, journalists and others in the international community how to support survivors of sexual violence by reducing the burden on them and ensuring that their experiences are recorded safely and strengthen the pursuit of justice.

The pathway to justice must have obstacles removed, he said. So ultimately, its all about survivors, that they know what their options are. ... They have to be the center of our response.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles street gangs are behind brazen robberies in which people are followed home from fancy locations, stripped of a fortune in jewelry or other goods and sometimes shot, police said Tuesday.

At least 17 gangs, most of them based in South Los Angeles, had independently staged robberies, sometimes using spotters to target people wearing high-end watches or driving expensive cars, Capt. Jonathan Tippet, who spearheads an LAPD follow-home robbery task force, told the city Police Commission.

As many as five carloads of people have followed home some targets, swarming them to steal watches, handbags or cars before they have much of a chance to resist, Tippet said.

In one case, a man was arrested this month on suspicion of robbing a victim of two watches worth an estimated $600,000.

We have seen countless individuals traumatized by having a gun pointed at them," Tippet said. "Many others are dealing with the trauma and injuries from being tackled, kicked, beaten, punched and are pistol-whipped to the head."

Tippet said there were 165 such holdups last year and 56 so far this year, including five in the past two days. Thirteen victims were shot, including two people who died. Fifty robberies took place in the LAPD's Hollywood Division and nearly as many in the Wilshire Division, along with many in an area that includes the downtown Jewelry District.

Such attacks were almost unheard of before last year, Tippet said.

In my 34 years in the LAPD, I have never seen this type of criminal behavior in such large, coordinated groups, Tippet said.

In one holdup Monday, a woman stopped at a light had her car window smashed and when she tried to run off, the robbers struck her with their car, according to video released by police. The thieves then got out and snatched the woman's watch, which she had thrown into the street.

Video of two recent holdups supplied by the LAPD show an outrageous display of arrogance on the part of these criminals, to think that they can just run amok in our city and terrorize our citizens, Police Commission President William Briggs said.

The task force has made several dozen arrests for robbery, weapons crimes and attempted murder along with four arrests on suspicion of murder, Tippet said.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  It matters not whether El Shafee Elsheikh was the Beatle dubbed George or the Beatle nicknamed Ringo, prosecutors told a jury Wednesday. What matters is that he was one of three British men in the Islamic State group who orchestrated a hostage-taking scheme that left four Americans dead.

The Beatles were the lifeblood of the hostage conspiracy, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh told jurors Wednesday during closing arguments at Elsheikh's terrorism trial in Alexandria.

Elsheikh is charged with hostage-taking resulting in death and other crimes, in what prosecutors say was a conspiracy that resulted in the capture of roughly two dozen Westerners between 2012 and 2015. It was during that time period that the terrorist group controlled large swaths of Iraq and Syria and was at the height of its power.

Four Americans  journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller  were among the hostages. Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were killed by decapitation; gruesome videos broadcast their executions to the world. Mueller was forced into slavery and raped repeatedly by the Islamic States leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, before she was killed.

Prosecutors say Elsheikh was one of three captors dubbed the Beatles by the hostages because of their distinct British accents.

Parekh said the most obvious evidence of Elsheikh's guilt is his own confessions, given to government interrogators and journalists. While Elsheikh never admitted to being Ringo"  the identity prosecutors suggested belongs to Elsheikh in the trial's opening statements  he admitted to conducting tasks in the hostage scheme such as securing emails of hostages' family members for ransom negotiations.

Those admissions are enough to establish Elsheikh's guilt, according to prosecutors. But Parekh said Elsheikh and the other Beatles were far more than paper-pushing functionaries. Surviving hostages testified that all three Beatles stood out for their brutality: They said the captors forced hostages to fight each other and routinely beat them for failing to follow arbitrary rules of their captivity. Hostages reacted with dread when the Beatles returned to their prison site after an extended absence.

Survivors identified their captors as John, George and Ringo. But because the three always wore masks and took pains to keep their identities hidden, none of the hostages who took the witness stand during the trial could identify him as a Beatle.

Parekh told jurors the only thing they need to know is that Elsheikh was one of the Beatles, because, he said, all three were guilty in the conspiracy.

The only witness who did identify Elsheikh was Omer Kuzu, a former Islamic State member who pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in Texas and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

He testified that Elsheikh carried a Glock handgun, a symbol of his status in the IS "aristocracy.

Defense attorney Nina Ginsberg said Kuzu's credibility is weak, because he stands to receive time off his sentence for testifying. She said the failure of hostages to identify Elsheikh is significant.

Ginsberg also argued that Elsheikh only confessed to avoid a transfer to Iraq, where he possibly faced execution. She said the confessions came after he had spent nearly a year in the custody of the Syrian Defense Forces.

Ginsberg admitted that Elsheikh joined the Islamic State as a fighter, and that he could be found guilty on one of eight counts: providing material support to a terrorist group. But she said his role in the hostage scheme was unproven.

As hard as the government tried, It did not prove that Mr. Elsheikh was one of the Beatles, Ginsberg said.

Prior to Elsheikh's trial, public discussion centered on four Beatles:" Elsheikh, his friends Alexenda Kotey, and Mohammed Emwazi, who frequently carried out the role of executioner and was known as Jihadi John.

The fourth, Aine Davis, who is serving a prison sentence in Turkey, came up only in passing during the trial.

Emwazi was killed in a drone strike, and Kotey was captured alongside Elsheikh and also brought to Virginia to face trial. Kotey pleaded guilty last year in a plea bargain that calls for a life sentence.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A co-defendant of New Orleans' district attorney in an upcoming federal tax fraud trial has been arrested in connection with a state investigation.

Nicole Burdett is a former law partner of District Attorney Jason Williams. Both face trial later this year on allegations that they conspired to inflate Williams business deductions on federal income tax returns. Both have pleaded not guilty and Williams has said the charges are politically motivated.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  More than 100 people marched to a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting Tuesday evening demanding justice for a 26-year-old Black man shot and killed by a city police officer.

The Royal Black Panther Party Grand Rapids organized the march to the commissions meeting at City Hall. Protesters chanted Black lives matter, No justice, no peace" and Say his name: Patrick as they streamed into City Hall, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
If one accepts the rationale that Russia invaded Ukraine to thwart Kyiv's entry into NATO and check the Western military alliance's eastward march - and there are plenty of reasons, of course, not to accept that rationale - then on those grounds alone, President Vladimir Putin's gambit has been a disaster. The Russian assault on Ukraine has led to an almost unprecedented moment of solidarity in Europe, waves of Western military equipment pouring into Ukraine and the mass expulsion of suspected Russian spies in European capitals. Ukraine might not be in the queue to join NATO right now, but its dogged resistance has accelerated its prospect of joining the European Union and further unmooring itself from the Russian orbit.

On Sunday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance was now planning a much larger, permanent military presence on its borders with Russia. "Regardless of when, how, the war in Ukraine ends, the war has already had long-term consequences for our security," he told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper. "NATO needs to adapt to that new reality. And that's exactly what we are doing."

Indeed, one of the lasting legacies of the Russian invasion may be how the war spurred NATO's strengthening and expansion. Finland and Sweden, two Nordic countries with deep histories of nonalignment, now appear on the precipice of joining the bloc. A report Monday in the Times of London suggested that both nations could clinch NATO membership in a matter of months.

"I think we will end the discussion before midsummer," Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told reporters on Friday, referring to imminent deliberations on NATO membership that would conclude by the June 25 holiday. "We will have very careful discussions, but we will also not take any more time than we have to in this process, because the situation is of course very severe."

A statement Monday from Sweden's Social Democrats, who lead a minority government in Stockholm, made clear that the center-left party was reevaluating its traditional opposition to NATO membership. "When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden's security position changed fundamentally," the party said.

Public opinion in both countries lurched dramatically in favor of joining NATO after the invasion began. For the first time, a majority of Swedes support entry to the bloc, while a poll this weekend found that 68% of Finns would back gaining membership and that an even greater number would support the endeavor if it had the public endorsement of the country's President Sauli Niinisto and Marin's government. (Consider that, just in 2019, more than half of Finns were opposed to joining NATO.)

The swing in sentiment has prompted parties in and out of power in both countries to announce ongoing reassessments of their policy positions on NATO. Parliamentary processes will play out over the coming months but the conclusion seems clear: No NATO member state - not even Putin-friendly Hungary - is expected to veto the Finnish and Swedish membership bids, whenever they formally materialize.

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned the two Nordic countries against joining NATO, an alliance which he said "remains a tool geared towards confrontation." Given the ongoing Russian campaign in Ukraine, Peskov's admonishment - as well as a Russian foreign ministry threat in February of "serious military and political consequences" for Finland and Sweden - probably only strengthens the case to enter the alliance.

In one stroke, Finland joining NATO would more than double Russia's existing land border with the member states of the Western military alliance, fencing in the Kremlin further. "How can this be anything but a massive strategic blunder for Putin?" a senior U.S. official scoffed to the Times.

Entry into NATO would be a historic move for both countries. Since the early 19th century, for reasons initially tied up in the geopolitics of the Napoleonic wars, Swedish governments maintained a studied neutrality that lasted through the end of the Cold War. After heroically resisting a Soviet invasion more than eight decades ago, tiny Finland settled for an uneasy status quo next to the Soviet juggernaut: It adopted a careful neutrality, accepted a degree of Soviet influence in its affairs, but avoided the same fate of Soviet domination experienced by countries in Eastern and Central Europe.

This arrangement became known as "Finlandization" - a nation converted into a process of geopolitical submission - and has been repeatedly mooted as a path through which Moscow and Kyiv can find some form of peaceful understanding. More than six weeks into the war, though, it's hard to imagine Ukrainians accepting any kind of tacit subordination to Russia. Finlandization, meanwhile, has long been viewed as a pejorative term in Finland itself.

In practice, both Finland and Sweden already have close military ties with NATO partners and E.U. neighbors. According to the Economist, some experts even suggest that Finland's military capabilities are "more 'NATO interoperable' - capable of conducting joint operations alongside other allies - than some actual members."

The political journey toward NATO has taken longer. "It was only when Russia under Putin started to demonstrate that its threshold for using military force was lower than many had hoped - first with the war with Georgia in 2008 and then the invasions of Ukraine beginning in 2014 - that a debate on possible NATO membership started," wrote former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt in a Washington Post op-ed last month.

After Putin's war on Ukraine, Bildt added, "there is no way back to a past of illusionary neutrality."
BERLIN (AP)  A German court convicted a Russian man of espionage and gave him a one-year suspended sentence on Wednesday for passing research including information about European rockets to Russian intelligence.

The defendant, identified only as Ilnur N. in line with German privacy rules, worked as a research assistant for a science and technology professor at the University of Augsburg until his arrest in June.

The Munich state court said a man accredited as a vice consul in the Bavarian city contacted the defendant in 2019, initially telling him that he worked for a Russian bank and needed information on aerospace technology research projects for private investments.

At meetings with the consulate employee, the defendant handed over information that he had compiled from publicly accessible sources, including on the Ariane space launcher, a court statement said.

The court concluded that the defendant only started to suspect in February 2021 that the material was destined for foreign intelligence, but still delivered further material in April last year. It said the handler worked for Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service.

When his trial opened in February, the 30-year-old told the court that he wasn't an agent. He said that he had given publicly accessible information to an employee of the Russian consulate in Munich, but knew nothing of the man's intelligence activities.

He also said he hadn't been able to imagine that Russian intelligence was interested in material that was in any case publicly available.

The court said it imposed a suspended sentence because the defendant wasn't likely to reoffend. It said it also took into account his cooperation with investigators, concluded that he didn't know for sure that the vice consul worked for Russian intelligence and that his activities didn't do any discernible damage to Germany.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Drop boxes for depositing mail-in and absentee ballots would be banned and donations to run elections would no longer be permitted from groups outside government under bills approved Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Senators voted 37-12, a potentially veto-proof margin, to prohibit the types of grants issued during the 2020 election. The vote against drop boxes was on party lines, 29-20. The bills were sent to the House, and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's spokeswoman said he opposes both measures.

Republican opponents of drop boxes said they were not expressly authorized under the 2019 law that expanded mail-in voting for use by anyone, replacing a law that had limited them to people who could claim one of a limited number of excuses.

Drop boxes are breeding grounds for suspicious activity," said Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster. They were never authorized by this legislative body but were instead created by the courts.

But Democrats argued the state Supreme Court was properly interpreting the law when justices gave their blessing to drop boxes in September 2020, two months before the presidential election in which Pennsylvania voters narrowly tipped the result in favor of Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

The Legislature's own review found that drop boxes functioned properly and were secure, said Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks.

It worked in 2020 in one of the most heavy turnout elections in the history of the United States and in the history of Pennsylvania, Santarsiero said. So this is a bill, as weve seen from time to time in this General Assembly, that seeks to solve a problem that doesnt exist.

Republican opposition to drop boxes has been fueled by Trump's continued claims he lost unfairly, and by evidence that the unmonitored receptacles were sometimes used to deposit more ballots that just the voter's own.

It is not legal for any voter to drop off more than one ballot, said Sen. Dave Argall, R-Schuylkill. "It might be convenient, it might be, Oh, I was on the way to the supermarket. But it is not legal.

Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton, said it was nonsensical to think family members should not carry each other's ballots to a drop box.

Has common sense really gone out the window in this building?" Boscola asked her colleagues.

Wolf press secretary Beth Rementer said the governor would welcome a conversation with Republican leaders about funding an educational campaign about these requirements" that voters not drop off others' ballots.

The bill would require mail-in ballots that do not go through the mail be dropped off in person at a single central county elections office. It also would stop the counties from having more than one election office. Philadelphia has multiple elections offices.

Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, called it an attempt to eliminate access to voting by creating lines, by creating barriers to entry, barriers to access, and it would have a disproportionate impact on counties with larger population.

Republican leaders said the state constitution places decisions about the time, place and manner of elections in the hands of the Legislature.

The people's house had no say  that's wrong, said President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre. And I know most people back home don't care if the Senate had its say. I do.

Eight Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the bill to prevent outside groups from helping counties pay the cost to administer elections.

The proposal would make it a felony to pay election costs outside federal, state and local revenues from public money, or to seek grants or donations from outside groups.

Rementer said counties need more money to run elections, calling it hypocritical to ignore those demands while cutting off access to alternative funding. She said the money was used to purchase equipment to process mail-in ballots and protective equipment for elections workers.
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BEIJING (AP)  Shanghai released 6,000 more people from the central facilities where they were under medical observation to guard against the coronavirus, the government said Wednesday, though the lockdown of most of China's largest city was continuing in its third week.

About 6.6 million people in the city of 25 million were allowed to leave their homes Tuesday, but some were restricted to their own neighborhoods. Some housing compounds also appeared to still be keeping residents locked inside, and no further lifting of restrictions was apparent Wednesday.

Officials warn that Shanghai still doesnt have its latest surge in cases of the omicron variant under control, despite its zero-tolerance approach that has seen some residents confined to their homes for three weeks or longer.

China also requires anyone who tests positive or is a close contact of such a person to spend at least a week in centralized observation centers in pre-fabricated buildings or gymnasiums and exhibition halls to limit the spread of the virus.

The city's health bureau said Wednesday that 6,044 people had been allowed the day before to leave observation centers and return home, although health monitoring will continue.

The number of newly detected daily cases in the city edged upward to 26,338, all but 1,189 of them in people showing no symptoms. With more than 200,000 total cases, the ongoing outbreak is China's biggest of the pandemic. But the mass testing has caught many asymptomatic cases, and no deaths have been reported in Shanghai.

The lockdown has led to frustration among residents in Shanghai about running out of food and being unable to get deliveries. Censors have diligently scrubbed such material from social media, while state-controlled outlets describe a successful campaign to provide food and other supplies and counseled residents that persistence is victory."

Shanghai is also home to China's busiest port and main stock market, and concerns have been rising about the lockdown's economic impact.

Figures released Wednesday showed Chinas exports rose 15.7% in March over a year earlier while imports were flat due to disruptions from coronavirus outbreaks.

Customs data show exports rose to $276.1 billion despite anti-virus controls in Shanghai and other industrial centers that caused factories to reduce output.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP)  A Florida sheriff said Wednesday that 41 people have been charged with dozens of crimes in an effort to take down the leadership of a notoriously violent group called the Sex Money Murder gang.

The yearlong investigation involved law enforcement agencies across Florida, the Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference. It involved wiretaps and social media monitoring as well as keeping tabs on gang members directing operations from prison.
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP)  The deployment of South Africa's military in northern Mozambique has been extended while its role has shifted from aggressively fighting Islamic extremist rebels to a peacekeeping effort, a top general said Wednesday.

About 600 members of the South African National Defence Force have been in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province since October last year and have captured and destroyed several of the extremists' bases, the chief of the South African mission to Mozambique, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya said Wednesday.

The South African troops are part of a joint regional force of about 1,000 troops sent by the 16-nation Southern African Development Community to support Mozambique in its battle against the rebels. Other countries contributing troops include Angola, Botswana, Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.

Rwanda has also deployed about 2,000 troops as part of a bilateral agreement with Mozambique.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, Gen. Maphwanya said the offensive by the regional force inflicted massive losses against the insurgents. The operation destroyed several bases and recovered weapons including grenade launchers, machine guns, AK-47 rifles, vehicles and technological devices, he said.

During this operation, the SAMIM (SADC Mission in Mozambique) forces faced a strong resistance from the terrorists but were able to inflict fatal casualties and disrupt as well as continue to dominate and pursue the terrorists in the operational area, said Maphwanya.

Many of the rebels have been forced out of their bases, according to South African National Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Lindile Yam.

A lot has been done to dislodge them," said Yam, adding that the insurgents are trying to get local residents to join their effort to establish Islamic Shariah law in northern Mozambique. "They are even recruiting children as young as five years old, he said.

Since 2017, the insurgency in Mozambique has been blamed for more than 3,000 deaths, with more than 800,000 people displaced and more than 1 million in need of food aid, according to the U.N. World Food Program.

A summit of leaders of southern African countries on Tuesday approved the transition of the regional force to a more stabilization role, after its more combative offensive against the rebels.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  South Carolina on Wednesday joined a growing number of states calling for a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law the bill seeking changes to the Constitution after state lawmakers tailored the call for a convention to putting spending checks on the federal government, curbing the federal governments jurisdiction and power, and setting term limits for Congress.

About 18 other states, mostly Republican-led and concentrated in the South, have passed similar proposals. Congress needs requests from 34 states to convene a convention of the states.

Some leaders foresee a runaway convention which could propose amendments beyond the scope of the call, McMaster wrote in his signing statement. Others prefer that we depend on enlightened future electorates. I see it a little differently. I see the ever-increasing size and scope of the federal government as the larger threat.

In South Carolina, opponents of the legislation, including Democrats and some Republicans, have argued a convention would mean existing amendments, from those protecting free speech and gun rights to those that prohibited slavery, could be at risk.

Supporters have pointed out whatever amendments are suggested by the convention would then have to be passed by three-fourths of the states  38 legislatures or special conventions.

The only convention called in nearly 250 years of the nation so far, the one that wrote the current Constitution from scratch, was initially proposed just to make changes to the original government charter of the U.S., the Articles of Confederation.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Backers of a petition drive to term-limit North Dakota legislators are pushing back against its rejection by the secretary of states office, saying more than 29,000 signatures were unlawfully and unconstitutionally disqualified.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger last month said a review by his office and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation found the petitions were riddled with violations, including signatures that were likely forged in the presence of a notary public. The review also found petition workers who were paid bonuses based on their production, and a significant number of signatures from residents of other states. Some people who circulated petitions were not citizens of the United States, Jaeger noted.

As a result, I cannot certify it for placement as a measure on the November ballot, Jaeger said in a letter to Jared Hendrix, chairman of the sponsoring committee.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Wednesday that his office is still deciding whether to pursue legal action against the group.

A letter submitted by attorneys hired by the term limits committee argues that there is no factual or legal basis to disqualify nearly 63% of the signatures submitted.

The secretary of state is charged with protecting the rights of North Dakota voters yet has purposefully and unlawfully denied residents the ability to place term limits on the November 2022 ballot, Hendrix wrote in a statement.

Hendrix would not say if the group would sue the state.

We're going to keep all options on the table, Hendrix told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Theyve got a real problem on their hands trying to revalidate what they've done."

The measures 42-member sponsoring committee includes several state lawmakers linked to the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus, as well as multiple new GOP district chairmen.

The initiative sought to add a new article to the state constitution imposing term limits of eight cumulative years each in the House and Senate. The governor could not be elected more than twice. Term limits would not be retroactive, which means the service of current officeholders would not count against them.

Citizen initiatives allow residents to bypass lawmakers and get proposed state laws and constitutional amendments on ballots if they gather enough signatures from voters.

Jaeger has said backers submitted about 46,000 signatures, or more than the 31,164 signatures needed to put the measure to voters in November. The petitions contained 46,315 signatures, which Jaeger whittled down to 17,265 after throwing out the invalid names. The errors with the notary negated 15,777 signatures. Mistakes like leaving out a first or last name, obtaining signatures before the petition was approved, failing to print their names, and the bonus payment offerings eliminated 10,614 signatures.
BOSTON (AP)  A Colombian man who has been on the lam for nearly three decades since he was convicted in absentia of killing his wife has been located in a Boston suburb, the FBI said Wednesday.

William Hernando Usma Acosta, 61, was arrested by federal authorities on Wednesday in Belmont where he was living under an alias, the FBI said in a statement.
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HOUSTON (AP)  Members of a Texas House committee on Tuesday repeatedly pressed a prosecutor to use his authority to stop the April 27 execution of a woman whose conviction is being questioned amid growing doubts about whether she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter.

But during a sometimes contentious hearing, Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz initially resisted calls from lawmakers that he ask a judge to recall the death warrant for Melissa Lucio, suggesting at first he didnt have the power to do so, then later saying there was no legal reason for him to act as various appeals court are still considering requests in her case. He later declared his belief the execution would be stopped.

I believe the (Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) will issue a stay and that is the way the system works, Saenz said.

But lawmakers on the Interim Study Committee on Criminal Justice Reform expressed frustration during the meeting in Austin that Saenz would not push the pause button himself.

Washing your hands to make this decision yourself to me is very shocking, said state Rep. Jeff Leach, the committees chair.

Saenz pushed back, saying he disagreed with claims by Lucios attorneys that there was new evidence that would exonerate her.

I am not washing my hands of this. I am dealing with it and there are hard decisions to make. You disagree with me but that doesnt mean I am washing my hands of it, Saenz said.

Saenz later said that if an appeals courts didnt take action to stop Lucios execution, he would work to delay it so the various legal claims pending in the case could be reviewed.

State Rep. Joe Moody said he believed if there are mistakes in a case, it is the duty and the moral responsibility of a prosecutor to right those wrongs.

But Saenz disagreed, saying courts call the errors, not me.

Tuesdays hearing was led by Leach and Moody, who are part of a bipartisan group of more than 80 Texas House members who are troubled by Lucios case and believe new evidence shows she did not fatally beat her daughter Mariah in 2007 in the South Texas city of Harlingen.

The lawmakers last month sent a letter to the states Board of Pardons and Paroles and Gov. Greg Abbott asking them to grant an execution reprieve or commute her sentence.

Leach and Moody were among a group of seven lawmakers who last week visited Lucio on womens death row in Gatesville, Texas.

Prosecutors have maintained Mariah was the victim of child abuse as her body was covered in bruises. A medical examiner testified Mariah died from a blow to her head. Authorities say Lucio had a history of drug abuse and at times had lost custody of some of her 14 children.

But Lucios lawyers say jurors never heard forensic evidence that would have explained Mariahs various injuries were actually caused by a fall down a steep staircase. They also say Lucio wasnt allowed to present evidence questioning the validity of her confession, which they allege was given under duress after hours of relentless questioning.

Several jurors from her trial have also expressed doubts about her conviction.

One of those jurors, Johnny Galvan Jr., appeared before the committee. In a statement that was read by his daughter, Galvan said he believed Lucios lawyers failed to present pertinent evidence in her case and he felt pressured by other jurors to sentence her to death.

I will be haunted by Ms. Lucios execution if it goes forward, Galvan said.

Earlier Tuesday, Lucios attorneys announced a fifth juror has questioned the conviction. An alternate juror has also expressed doubts.

I believe Ms. Lucio deserves a new trial and for a new jury to hear this evidence. Knowing what I know now, I dont think she should be executed, Melissa Quintanilla, the jury forewoman, said in an affidavit.

Saenz said his office had contacted the seven other jurors who sentenced Lucio and six of them had not changed their minds while the seventh had died.

After the committee meeting, Sonya Alvarez, one of Lucios sisters, said her family was encouraged after hearing Saenz say he would stop the execution if the courts didnt act.

Were just hopeful ... that hes going to do the right thing and allow this new evidence to be presented, Alvarez said.

Lucio, 52, would be the first Latina executed by Texas since 1863 and the first woman since 2014. Only 17 women have been executed in the U.S. since the Supreme Court lifted its ban on the death penalty in 1976, most recently in January 2021.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70

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This story has been corrected to show that Lucio would have been the first Latina to be executed by Texas since 1863, not ever.
Last month, as many tech companies sided with Ukraine over Russia's invasion, TikTok appeared to follow suit by suspending new video uploads and live streams from Russia. The company said it made the move to protect Russian users from the country's new laws criminalizing criticism of its military.

But the wildly popular, Chinese-owned social media app also walled off Russian users from seeing any posts at all from outside the country, including from Ukraine - effectively creating a second, censored version of its platform. For the tens of millions of Russians on TikTok, the outside world has fallen silent.

TikTok's block on outside content appears to have effectively purged the app of non-Russian content. But its block on Russian content has proved porous, letting pro-government propaganda slip through. New research from the European nonprofit Tracking Exposed, shared with The Washington Post, shows that videos bearing pro-war hashtags such as "for us" and "Putin top" continued to proliferate on TikTok in Russia for weeks after the block, while previously popular antiwar hashtags all but vanished from the platform.

"In just one month, TikTok went from being considered a serious threat to Putin's national support for the war to becoming another possible conduit for state propaganda," said Giulia Giorgi, a researcher at Tracking Exposed, which has been studying the platform's policies and actions in Russia since the invasion began in February. "Our findings show clearly how TikTok's actions influenced that trajectory."

The nonprofit's report, published Wednesday, underscores how TikTok has taken a different and less transparent approach in Russia than other global tech giants. By muzzling its users, the company has been able to keep operating in Russia, while Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have been banned or blocked. But it has left Russians with a version of its service that one user in the country described as "a ghost town."

Among the new findings is that TikTok appears to have belatedly closed a loophole in late March that Russian propagandists and creators alike had been exploiting to evade its ban on new video uploads from inside the country. Since March 26, according to Tracking Exposed and others, TikTok users who access the app from Russia cannot see any new content at all, with the app's For You page limited to posts from inside Russia before that date. Yet thousands of pro-Putin posts that went up between March 6 and March 26, circumventing TikTok's stated policies, remain available on the platform, uncontested by any outside or antiwar narratives.

TikTok acknowledged that it has blocked Russian users since March 6 from seeing any content from elsewhere in the world, even old content - a measure the company says it took to protect its users and employees from Russia's draconian "fake news" law, passed March 4. Spokesperson Jamie Favazza also said the company has not "made any changes to our service in Russia since March 6," though when pressed on the apparent March 26 stoppage of content, she added that "with respect to implementation, we continue working to enforce those changes."

"Our findings unequivocally show that TikTok is not being transparent about its actions in Russia," said Marc Faddoul, Tracking Exposed's co-director.

Alex Stamos, director of the Stanford Internet Observatory, said global social media platforms have long faced dilemmas between following repressive local laws and upholding principles of free speech and human rights in countries with authoritarian leanings, and there are no easy answers. In Russia, TikTok appears to have chosen the former. The question, he said, is whether it did so for business or political reasons - and if it's the latter, what that tells us about its decision-making.

The concern, Stamos went on, is that "the people who ultimately make the product and policy decisions are in Beijing," where the Chinese government has an increasingly close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

TikTok's Favazza emphatically denied the notion that TikTok's content policies are set or even influenced by its China-based parent company, ByteDance. Favazza said that TikTok's Singapore-based CEO has "full autonomy for all decisions about TikTok's operations," and that TikTok's head of trust and safety is based in Dublin.

Unproven suspicions that the Chinese Communist Party could influence TikTok products and policy overseas, including in the United States, have haunted the company in recent years. President Donald Trump sought to ban the app in 2020, citing fears that China could gain access to users' private data or use TikTok's algorithms to shape the content that users see. India permanently banned TikTok last year.

Natalia Krapiva, tech-legal counsel for the nonprofit Access Now, whose mission is to defend "digital civil rights" around the world, said it was concerning that TikTok hasn't clearly communicated how it is implementing its policies in Russia. Krapiva, who was born in Russia and said she has friends in the country, said blocking posts without carefully closing loopholes enables motivated, savvy actors to continue posting while ordinary users can't.

"It's an unusual approach," Krapiva said of TikTok's ban on outside content. "It's unclear, and it's not justifiable. People have a right to access to information, and not just information that the government wants them to hear."

TikTok does not operate in ByteDance's home country of China. Instead, ByteDance offers a similar but censored app there, called Douyin. Now critics say it may be laying the groundwork for a second splinter app in Russia, though the company said that is not the case. Favazza said it has restricted its app in Russia solely to protect the safety of its users and employees. "We continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with the safety of our community and employees as our top priority," she added.

TikTok rose to prominence among teens around the world as a dancing and music video app, but in recent years, it has evolved into a major source of information, news and political discourse. Its impacts have proved harder for academics to study than those of its more established rivals, in part because it doesn't provide the same tools to researchers on topics such as disinformation.

In February, as Russia amassed tanks along the Ukrainian border, young people around the world learned about it on TikTok. When missiles lit up the night sky over Kyiv and reduced a food market to rubble, it was documented on TikTok. In Russia, antiwar activists decried the invasion and posted footage of street protests in St. Petersburg. Commentators dubbed it "the first TikTok war."

But by the first week of March, only two weeks into the war, voices of Russian dissent were nowhere to be found.

As TikTok implemented its ban on new uploads and live streams from Russia, Salvatore Romano, head of research for Tracking Exposed, noticed that the number of videos protesting the invasion had dropped to zero from hundreds the day before. The nonprofit, founded in 2016, focuses on how tech giants like YouTube and Amazon track people's online behavior to power opaque recommendation algorithms.

From his home laptop in Padua, Italy, Romano conducted daily monitoring of TikTok's For You algorithm, which creates a personalized feed of videos for each user based on their interests. He was studying the prevalence of popular pro-war and antiwar hashtags across multiple countries as part of a project called TikTok Observatory, funded through grants from the San Francisco-based nonprofit Mozilla Foundation.

What Romano and his team soon realized was that TikTok had begun blocking not only new videos from within Russia, as the company announced in an update to a policy blog post on March 6, but all content from outside Russia. It wasn't targeting antiwar or anti-Putin content specifically. It had simply cut off Russian users from the rest of TikTok's 1 billion users.

Yet in the days that followed, it became clear that the block on new Russian content was not total. The researchers found what appeared to be a network of accounts working together to publish pro-war propaganda that was visible to Russian users, suggesting that these accounts had found a loophole in TikTok's geographic blocking.

Geographic blocking can be tricky and difficult to pull off, especially when implemented quickly, as TikTok's policy in Russia had to be, Stamos noted. Common methods include blocking IP, or Internet protocol, addresses from a given country, which can be circumvented by virtual private networks, or using a phone's location or country codes on its SIM card, which may not work if the user is on a desktop device.

The findings by Tracking Exposed dovetailed with reporting by a journalist at Vice, David Gilbert, who reported on March 11 that Russian TikTok influencers were part of a secret channel on the messaging app Telegram in which they were being paid to post pro-Kremlin propaganda to the app. For instance, one coordinated campaign asked users to post videos "calling for national unity, using an audio track featuring Putin calling for all ethnic groups in Russia to unite at this time of conflict." Gilbert reported that the channel's administrators gave the influencers "a step-by-step guide on how to circumvent TikTok's ban on uploads from Russian accounts."

As the researchers kept up their daily monitoring, they noticed that the volume of pro-war and pro-Putin content seemed to be steadily growing. By March 23, they said, common pro-war hashtags had returned to nearly the popularity that they had enjoyed before the block was put in place. Yet antiwar hashtags, which had flourished until March 6, stayed relatively quiet.

That doesn't necessarily imply TikTok was targeting antiwar hashtags for censorship. As the researchers acknowledged, it would make sense for TikTok users in Russia to avoid using such easily searchable hashtags, given the country's laws criminalizing dissent.

Tracking Exposed also noted that its findings on the relative popularity of pro-war and antiwar hashtags are not comprehensive. It limited its analysis to six of the most popular hashtags from each category and did not analyze the prevalence of pro-war or antiwar content on the platform more broadly. Anecdotally, Romano said the researchers noticed that several prominent accounts that had taken antiwar stands before March 6 simply stopped posting altogether afterward.

It wasn't just private accounts taking advantage of the loopholes after March 6. Among the accounts posting in that period was that of the state-owned news service Sputnik News. On March 17, it posted a video mocking President Biden for misspeaking. On March 22, it posted a video of what it said was a Canadian activist interrupting a formal event by shouting pro-Russian talking points before evidently being escorted out. The Russian-language caption translates roughly to, "A Canadian expressed an unpopular opinion and paid for it." The posts remained visible on TikTok as of April 12, at least outside Russia.

Asked whether it has taken down any content that Russians managed to post in circumvention of its block in the country, TikTok said its takedowns are governed by its community standards.

Then, on March 26, all the numbers went to zero. No new videos were being posted on TikTok for Russian users at all. It seems that TikTok had fully implemented its block at last. Yet all the pro-war propaganda from the preceding weeks remained available on the platform for Russian users, with their For You pages slowly growing stale with recycled content.

For all the concerns about the opacity of TikTok's policies, Stamos and Krapyva both acknowledged that Russia's actions had left social media platforms with few good options. Facebook and Twitter may have stood firm on censorship, but that didn't do their users in Russia much good because the platforms are now blocked. While Google's YouTube remains operational in Russia, there is a sense among observers that it could be banned any day.

And other tech companies in the past have bent to the demands of Putin on certain occasions, such as when they removed an app backed by opposition leader Alexei Navalny from their app stores in September. (Google and Apple have since restored it.) Russia had ratcheted up the pressure with "hostage-taking" laws that put tech companies' employees in the country at risk if they didn't comply.

The experience of some ordinary TikTok users inside Russia accords with the researchers' timeline.

One told The Post that their For You page had remained lively through most of March, with new posts from popular Russian creators and influencers, as well as some content about Ukraine, all of it from pro-Russian sources. Blog posts explaining how to get around TikTok's restrictions were easy to access on the Russian Internet. It was only content from outside Russia that had disappeared.

But after about March 23, there seemed to be no new content at all on Russian TikTok, according to the user, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid attention from government authorities. Pages of people posting from Ukraine, the person added, were empty.

- - -

The Washington Post's Chris Alcantara contributed to this report.
LONDON (AP)  Scientists are investigating a puzzling spike in liver disease in children across the United Kingdom, including the cause and whether there are any links between the affected youngsters.

The U.K. Health Security Agency said this week that public health personnel are looking into 74 cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, detected in children since January.

The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis were not found in the cases, and scientists and doctors are considering other possible causes, including COVID-19, other viruses and environmental factors.

While some types of hepatitis are mild and don't require treatment, other forms of the disease can become chronic and be fatal.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said doctors in other countries should also report potential infections in case the outbreak is not limited to Britain. It said doctors should be on the lookout for children with jaundice and symptoms including vomiting and stomach problems.

The European agency said most cases involved children ages 2 to 5. It said some children had suffered acute liver failure and a small number have required liver transplantation. It said there were no travel links between the affected children.

British officials said none of the affected children were vaccinated against the coronavirus, and they ruled out any links to COVID-19 vaccines.

One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection, said Dr. Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging Infections at the U.K. Health Security Agency.

Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause problems like pink eye, a sore throat or diarrhea. They are often spread between people and by touching contaminated surfaces.

The current crop of cases of hepatitis in children under the age of 10 years is very unusual," Will Irving, a professor of virology at the University of Nottingham, said in a statement.

Adults are much more prone to suffer severe disease from hepatitis, and children are not usually affected, he said.

The public health investigation will likely focus on studying patient samples and trying to find potential toxins or viruses that might be responsible, Irving said.
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LVIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraine's detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow.

Analysts saying Medvedchuk will become a valuable pawn in the Russia-Ukraine talks to end the devastating war that the Kremlin has unleashed on its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Medvedchuk was detained on Tuesday in a special operation carried out by Ukraine's state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading Ukrainians now held captive by the Russians.

The 67-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest several days before the hostilities broke out Feb. 24 in Ukraine. He is facing between 15 years and a life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organization for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.

Medvedchuk has close ties with Putin, who is believed to be the godfather of his youngest daughter. His detention has sparked a heated exchange between officials in Moscow and Kyiv.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chair of Russia's Security Council and the country's former president, posted threats to Ukrainian authorities on the messaging app Telegram, referring to them as freaks and warning them to carefully look around and firmly lock the doors at night.

Zelenskyy's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, in response, called Medvedev a nobody, and said his words were nasty and, as usual, stupid.

The friendly relations between Putin and Medvedchuk turn him into a valuable trophy for Kyiv, and in the Kremlin they spark fury and a dangerous desire for revenge, Volodymyr Fesenko, an analyst at the Penta Center, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The fate of Medvedchuk will undoubtedly become a subject of bargaining and one of the points of undercover agreements between Kyiv and Moscow.

Zelenskyy has released a photo of Medvedchuk sitting in handcuffs and wearing a camouflage uniform with a Ukrainian flag patch, in which he looks tired but visibly unharmed.

Medvedchuks wife Oksana Marchenko has appealed to Zelenskyy, calling for her husband to be released and given guarantees that his life would not be in danger.

My husband is being persecuted for political reasons against the laws of Ukraine, Marchenko said.

Medvedchuk is the head of the political council of Ukraine's pro-Russian Opposition Platform  For Life party, the largest opposition group in the Ukrainian parliament. He is one of its 44 lawmakers in the 450-seat Rada. The activity of his party has been was suspended for the duration of the war at Zelenskyy's initiative.

The war automatically turned Medvedchuk into (Russia's) accomplice, since he personally advised Putin on Ukrainian affairs and directly or indirectly influenced many of the Kremlins decisions, Fesenko said. Zelenskyy no longer needs to be careful, and by arresting Medvedchuk, he wants to show that he is not afraid of the Kremlin and is ready to bargain, having different cards on the negotiating table.

Ivan Bakanov, the head of Ukraines national security agency, said Wednesday that the Russian security service, the FSB, had planned to evacuate Medvedchuk, disguised as a Ukrainian serviceman, to Moscow through the disputed territory of Transnistria in Moldova, where Russia has troops stationed.

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Follow all AP stories on the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky woman has pleaded guilty in a wrong-way crash that killed three people during a high-speed police chase on Interstate 75.

Tammy Marie Bevins Rodriguez, 45, was originally charged with three counts of murder, assault, wanton endangerment and driving without a license in connection to the 2019 crash that killed her sister and two others. Rodriguez accepted a plea deal on Tuesday that amended one murder charge to second-degree manslaughter and the first-degree assault charge to second-degree assault, news outlets reported. The other charges remained the same.
By Bay City News

Two executives in a Santa Clara County tech company were charged with visa fraud Tuesday in federal court in San Jose.

Elangovan Punniakoti and Mary Christeena, CEO and president, respectively, of Innovate Solutions, Inc., were charged with visa fraud and conspiracy to commit visa fraud for a decade, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and other federal officials.

The indictment charges that from 2010 to 2020, the 52-year-old Punniakoti and 47-year-old Christeena, both of Cupertino, submitted 54 fraudulent H-1B visa applications for foreign workers sponsored by Innovate Solutions, incorporated in 2008 as an information technology services company.

With an H-1B visa, a sponsoring employer can employ a foreign worker in the United States on a temporary, nonimmigrant basis in a "specialty occupation," which requires the worker to have specialized knowledge and a college degree or its equivalent in the specialty.

Punniakoti and Christeena are alleged to have submitted, or caused to be submitted, statements in the application process that the foreign workers would be working offsite at specific end-client companies, according to the indictment.

However, the indictment charges that the identified end-client companies either never received the proposed foreign workers or never intended to receive those workers.

Punniakoti and Christeena are accused of creating a pool of H-1B workers that were placed at employment positions with other employers that had actual work, not with the identified end-clients. The practice provided Innovate Solutions with an unfair and illegal advantage over employment-staffing firms.

The indictment alleges the other employers paid fees of more than $2.5 million to Innovate Solutions to cover the cost of the H-1B workers' wages and salaries as well as a profit markup for Innovate Solutions.

The indictment charges both Punniakoti and Christeena with six counts of visa fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and each of the visa fraud counts has a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
By Randy Myers

Bay City News Foundation

An eclectic blend of shorts, features and documentaries, all focused on environmental matters, spring up at the 2022 Green Film Festival of San Francisco, set to hit Roxie Theater's screens in San Francisco Thursday through Sunday. It also will be available to stream Thursday through April 24.

The fest -- along with the Smith Rafael Film Center's topical four-film program set around an embattled region in Ukraine -- takes center stage in this week's Pass the Remote.

In its second year, the Green Film Festival of San Francisco further cements its tradition of whipping up a novel slate of films and shorts. The robust spirit of its programming can be attributed to it being the brainchild of SF IndieFest crew, responsible for numerous Bay Area fan faves such as Another Hole in the Head, SF IndieFest, DocFest and more. When the San Francisco Green Film Festival shuttered its well-regarded doors in 2020 after 10 years, the Green Film Festival of San Francisco sprouted up thereafter.

As with many SF Indie productions, the Green Film Festival of San Francisco makes it a goal of not only uplifting works from around the globe but also emphasizing the Bay Area filmmaking community, a trend reflected in its immensely relatable opening night feature, "Do I Need This?"

Novato's Kate Schermerhorn covers a lot of territory in a 60-minute-plus documentary that probes the question posited in its title, then encourages us to not only survey all the stuff we accumulate, but also adds context to our consumption from the views offered by authors, experts and, of course, consumers. But what gives this world premiere its power and emotional resonance comes when Schermerhorn chronicles the painful transition in helping her aging parents move from their well-stocked home and into an assisted care facility. Never do we feel that Schermerhorn is shaming us about our need to collect curious items that we then allow to collect dust unused in our garages. That avoidance of tsk-tsking contributes to making "Do I Need This?" far more effective as it follows a compassionate path and refuses to be pedantic nor make us feel bad. (To stream, visit https://watch.eventive.org/sfgreen2022/play/621961d7e4cda100b013248b; screens at 8 p.m. Thursday with "The New Environmentalists," which screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival, https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/schedule/62196191ad8b6a006208120e)

The fest's feisty, atypical programming can be seen in two of its showcase screenings.

First up is the 50th anniversary presentation of Douglas Trumbull's ahead-of-its-time sci-fi classic "Silent Running." Bruce Dern plays a botanist who goes rogue over a plan to eradicate the thriving ecosystems that have been transplanted to a spaceship that is set to be decommissioned and sold off. (Screens at 8:45 p.m. Saturday at the Roxie, https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/schedule/62196b3e79f00b00531c98da, and is available to view on YouTube)

Should your cinematic appetites lean toward the stomach-churning horror sort that also bears an outraged message about not messing with the land, turn into a night owl and flap over to the Friday Midnight (OK, 8:45 p.m.) screening of "The Feast." Lee Haven Jones' freak-out doesn't stint on the gore as a well-to-do family preps for a dinner party at their swanky home nestled in the Welsh mountainside. The appearance of a hired helping hand (Annes Elwy) sets the courses of a bloody meal. "The Feast" stews in its own sauces for quite a spell, but when tensions boil over, prepare to be squirming like a goldfish in the desert. (Screens 8:45 p.m. Friday at the Roxie, https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/films/62192e0339bbc80036e2be00)

If you want to dive head first into Bay Area talent and stories, check out the shorts programs.

Here are a few worth noting:

"Yellowstone 88: Song of Fire" is a beautifully animated, award-winning short that's directed by Mill Valley's Jerry van de Beek and Betsy De Fries, and gives us a poetic overview of the devastating 1988 lighting fire in America's oldest national park, Yellowstone. Peter Coyote narrates with eloquent refinement, reciting the lovely poem "Song of Fire" by De Fries with such grace. It's short (under 6 minutes) but ever-so-significant. (To stream, visit https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/films/6224ca3bbc403400d9d436a8; screens 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the Roxie with "Holgut," https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/schedule/6222be32d711b1005bffe0ff)

A 39-minute documentary I found particularly enlightening is CSU Monterey Bay professor Enid Baxter Ryce's "War and the Weather," a fascinating look at that rather foolish human tendency to want to control the weather. Silly mankind. Created at Philip Glass' Days and Nights Festival, it uses the composer's music in the background and then ushers us from the past to the present, all the while touching on men dreaming up head-scratching notions, like suggesting that firing cannonballs could stimulate precipitation and that inclement weather is a barometer for warfare. Hmmm. The experimental documentary also looks at how scientists have made gains to better understand atmospheric rivers, while the conspiracy theorists chime in and seed and season more misinformation. (To stream, visit https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/films/622391aad711b1005b004066; screens at noon Saturday along with the Bay Area's Gunther Kirsch's short "Taking the Reins," about a ranching family's ordeal in the Silicon Valley, https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/schedule/62239290f585f400aad8c27c)

A few other Bay Area notables include: Oakland's Nick Stone Schearer's stunningly photographed look at urban coyotes and ways Bay Area resident can respect their existence, "Don't Feed the Coyotes"; Oakland's Nathan Weyland's informative overview on the steps being taken to deal with dismal rainfall while still accommodating a thirsty Central Valley farm system that feeds the nation, "Finding Balance Below"; and Zack McCune's "The Last Lion," an interesting plunge into the background of a photographer who is said to have snapped a shot of a Barbary lion in 1925, the final sighting.

For tickets or to stream any and all, visit https://sfgreen2022.eventive.org/welcome.

Should you want to gain better insight into Ukraine and how filmmakers from there perceive and process what's occurring in the tumultuous region of the Donbass, the Smith Rafael Film Center helps to enlighten with its impressive Ukrainian Film Series, launching this weekend.

The first film in the series is "Bad Roads," writer/director Natalya Vorozhbit's debut feature and Ukraine's official selection for the 2022 Oscars. It's set on the volatile roads of the Donbass and strings together four vignettes. (7 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. Monday)

The ambitious, mad-as-hell black comedy "Donbass" is a boisterous anti-war feature/satire that interlaces the lives of numerous characters who find themselves triggered by propaganda, fear and anger. Set in the mid-2010s, director Sergei Loznitsa's epic reflects the lunacy of war and how misinformation fuels hatred, which then gets echoed across the country, and the world. (7 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Tuesday).

In gifted filmmaker Valentyn Vasyanovych's "Reflection," a Ukrainian surgeon/prisoner of war in 2014 gets assigned an unthinkable task when he's being held -- to partake in mercy killings. The "Atlantis" filmmaker's harrowing drama finds Serhiy trying to get his life back to some semblance of normal once he's released. (4:15 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. April 21).

Finally, Iryna Tsilyk's Sundance winner "The Earth Is Blue as an Orange" captures the resilience of one family's spirit amid the destruction of wartime. While chaos thunders on outside, single mom Anna in the small town of Krasnohorivka creates a cinematic wonderland within her household as she and her family shoot a film that uses their wartime experiences as its creative springboard. (7 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. April 20)

For tickets, a portion of which will be donated to Americares' Ukraine Crisis Fund, visit https://rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/ukrainian-film-series/.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
By Eli Wolfe

San Jose Spotlight

Scooters. Drones. Shuttles. A fleet of transportation ideas is spreading in San Jose, and the city wants to make sure everyone benefits.

The City Council approved an action plan last week for emerging mobility services--shorthand for new transportation technologies and programs proliferating in San Jose. The services range from bike share programs to autonomous delivery vehicles.

At the heart of the plan are recommendations for how San Jose can integrate novel transportation services in communities historically neglected by the city. Some of these include specific pilots, such as creating a community ride share program. Some programs are already in progress, one being a $2.25 million grant from the California Air Resources Board for San Jose, Oakland and Richmond to design mobility hubs that include electric car sharing and EV chargers that serve low-income families.

Planners recommend the city continue to ask residents about what they want.

"Equity isn't only an outcome, it's also a process," Ramses Madou, division manager of planning, policy and sustainability in San Jose's Department of Transportation, told San Jose Spotlight. "People want to be part of the decision-making about what happens in the neighborhood."

This is especially important because one overwhelming piece of feedback the city received is that residents want to be consulted on projects, according to Laura Stuchinsky, the city's emerging mobility program lead.

"With any of these (transportation) services, we need to be looking at the totality of experiences that people are having," she told San Jose Spotlight, referring to inclusivity of social issues, such as housing and safety.

San Jose is actively working on several transportation plans to improve mobility around the city and meet its climate goals. The downtown transportation plan is considering how to reduce driving and revive foot traffic in the urban core. City leaders also have explored eliminating parking space requirements for new downtown developments to reduce the carbon footprint.

Impractical transit

Through the equity task force, the city has already learned some forms of transportation aren't practical for residents. Peter Ortiz, president of the Santa Clara County Office of Education who served on the equity task force, said residents in East San Jose are skeptical of scooters. Ortiz is running for the District 5 San Jose City Council seat.

"It doesn't necessarily work for the single mother who needs to drop her kids off at school--she can't have her kids jump on a scooter and drop them off," he told San Jose Spotlight. "Or for the family that wants to go grocery shopping--they can't necessarily jump on an e-bike and go to the local grocery store and pile on their goods."

Another task force member, MyLinh Pham, CEO and founder of the Asian American Center of Santa Clara County, said some residents don't see bike sharing as viable because it takes too long to travel between different parts of the city--and non-English speakers struggle with ride share programs that aren't multilingual. She said it may make more sense for the city to focus on improving its existing public transit system, such as adding more benches and covered shelters at bus stops.

"Before we even talk about emerging mobility in terms of thinking of the new ways of transportation, we should at least improve what we have," she told San Jose Spotlight.

Rosalinda Aguilar, acting president of the Guadalupe Washington Neighborhood Association, told San Jose Spotlight the streets aren't designed for bikes and scooters. Aguilar's overriding concern is traffic safety, which she says the city has neglected in her neighborhood.

"In supporting even more bikes or scooters, I'm concerned we're adding more traffic without first addressing the traffic issues we have without them," she said, adding she's been pushing the city to give her neighborhood simple fixes, such as speed bumps and speed monitor displays to reduce vehicle collisions.

Advocates are eager to see if the city can deliver solutions for the broad range of needs of people with disabilities. Aaron Morrow, chair of VTA's Committee for Transportation Mobility and Accessibility, told San Jose Spotlight he's asked VTA about expanding alternatives to its paratransit service--a shuttle program some residents complain is too slow. He said the city could partner with private companies to come up with new services, but thinks this will be challenging.

"How do you open it up to a broader market?" he said. "No one disability fits nicely in a pretty package... how do you make it equitable across the board?"

Stuchinsky emphasized the emerging mobility plan is supposed to work with and complement the city's other transit goals--such as the downtown transportation plan. She also noted transportation solutions can address other social problems, such as housing developed next to transit corridors.

"You can see how when you put all of these things together you can make huge changes that make it possible for people to take advantage of more services," she said.

Copyright  2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2022 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
LATEST, April 13, 11:25 a.m. After the publication of this article, Newsom communications director Erin Mellon told SFGATE in a statement that, "claims of interference by our office are categorically false."

April 13, 10:15 a.m. A stunning Bloomberg report published Wednesday alleges that California Gov. Gavin Newsom may have improperly thrown his weight against a discrimination lawsuit targeting gaming giant Activision Blizzard, the maker of major games such Call of Duty and Overwatch.

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housings chief counsel, Janette Wipper, an appointee of former Gov. Jerry Brown, had been fired by Newsom just days after she had stepped down from the lawsuit against the Santa Monica-based gaming publisher.

Melanie Proctor, Wippers assistant chief counsel, resigned in solidarity, citing Wippers abrupt firing and as, Bloomberg reported, alleged that Newsom and his office began to interfere illicitly with the lawsuit.

The agencys lawsuit, filed in July 2021, alleged a pervasive frat boy workplace culture that normalized inappropriate behavior toward female employees, such as sexual harassment and groping without any repercussions. In one particularly devastating incident, a female employee died by suicide shortly after a trip with a male supervisor after nude photos of her were circulated at a holiday party. Later reports found that Activision CEO Bobby Kotick was reportedly aware of the workplace misconduct and helped keep an employee who was the subject of accusations at the company. The lawsuit also alleges a lack of diversity in the company  with only 20 percent women overall.

The Office of the Governor repeatedly demanded advance notice of litigation strategy and of next steps in the litigation, Proctor alleged, per Bloomberg. She added that the offices actions escalated as the case went on and mimicked the interests of Activisions counsel. Proctor wrote in an email that justice should be administered equally, not favoring those with political influence."

According to campaign finance records reviewed by SFGATE, Kotick did not donate to Newsom in the 2018 election, instead donating to former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas campaign. He also did not donate to Newsom in last years recall election. Eric Hirshberg, a former Activision CEO who helmed the Call of Duty franchise among other heavyweights, did, however, donate $25,000 to Newsoms re-election campaign last year.

Newsom's office referred Bloomberg over to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which said it does not comment on personnel matters.

SFGATE politics editor Eric Ting contributed to this report.
WFO BUFFALO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Buffalo NY

134 PM EDT Wed Apr 13 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern

Wyoming, northern Livingston, southeastern Genesee, southeastern

Monroe and northwestern Ontario Counties through 215 PM EDT...

At 133 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Pavilion, or 11 miles west of Geneseo, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Canandaigua, Geneseo, Le Roy, Avon, Victor, Honeoye Falls, Pavilion,

Bristol, Caledonia, Lima, Bloomfield, Hemlock, Honeoye, Farmington,

Mendon, East Bloomfield, Rush, York, West Bloomfield and Livonia.

This includes the following highways...

Interstate 390 between exits 8 and 11.

Interstate 90 between exits 45 and 44.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4276 7811 4296 7815 4305 7737 4304 7737

4303 7733 4279 7728

TIME...MOT...LOC 1733Z 262DEG 35KT 4286 7802

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Coryell County in central Texas...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 639 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Copperas

Cove, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Copperas Cove, Gatesville, McGregor, Fort Hood, Fort Gates, Mother

Neff State Park, Oglesby and South Mountain.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central

Texas.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT

FOR BELL COUNTY...

At 640 PM CDT, a cluster of severe thunderstorms was located across

Central Bell County from Killeen to Temple , moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Killeen, Temple, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Fort Hood,

Nolanville, Morgan's Point Resort, Salado, Little River-Academy,

Troy, Rogers and Holland.

A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can

develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not

immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place

of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a small interior room.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Fort Worth TX

813 PM CDT Tue Apr 12 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN HENDERSON COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central

Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT

FOR NORTH CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTY...

At 813 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northeast of

Palestine, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of north

central Anderson County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ANDERSON BELL FALLS

FREESTONE HENDERSON HOPKINS

HUNT KAUFMAN LEON

LIMESTONE MILAM NAVARRO

RAINS ROBERTSON ROCKWALL

VAN ZANDT

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Anderson County in central Texas...

* Until 900 PM CDT.

* At 814 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Palestine, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Palestine and Elkhart.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT FOR

NORTHEASTERN SMITH...SOUTHEASTERN WOOD AND SOUTHWESTERN UPSHUR

COUNTIES...

At 815 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located near Hawkins, or 12 miles north of Tyler, moving

northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage

to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is

likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...

Hawkins around 820 PM CDT.

Big Sandy around 825 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Red

Springs, Union Grove, Pritchett and Winona.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Hopkins County in north central Texas...

Southern Lamar County in north central Texas...

Delta County in north central Texas...

* Until 115 PM CDT.

* At 1220 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Commerce,

moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Paris, Sulphur Springs, Cooper, Blossom, Cumby, Como, Deport,

Cooper Lake Park South Sulphur, Cooper Lake Park Doctors Creek,

Roxton, Tira, Pecan Gap and Sun Valley.

This includes Interstate 30 between mile markers 110 and 142.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Henderson,

southeastern Ellis and Navarro Counties through 130 PM CDT...

At 1223 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Barry, or 9 miles northwest of Corsicana, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Corsicana, Ennis, Athens, Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Malakoff, Tool,

Kerens, Seven Points, Eustace, Trinidad, Blooming Grove, Bardwell,

Angus, Alma, Enchanted Oaks, Barry, Caney City, Navarro and Rice.

This includes Interstate 45 between mile markers 217 and 252.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 3201 9606 3190 9629 3195 9681 3206 9689

3236 9661 3236 9591 3203 9585

TIME...MOT...LOC 1723Z 268DEG 30KT 3218 9660

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO EL PASO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

RED FLAG WARNING

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service El Paso TX/Santa Teresa NM

657 PM MDT Tue Apr 12 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR

STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES

055, 056, 111, AND 112...

Relative humidities have risen above 15 percent, however, gusty

west to southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph

will continue through the evening hours for many areas before

decreasing to 10 to 20 mph by morning.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Central Smith County in northeastern Texas...

Southeastern Wood County in northeastern Texas...

Southwestern Upshur County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 758 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located near Chandler, or near Tyler, moving northeast at 55

mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...

Tyler around 810 PM CDT.

Big Sandy and Hawkins around 825 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Red

Springs, Union Grove, Noonday, Pritchett and Winona.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL LIMESTONE COUNTY

IS CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central

Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN FREESTONE AND NORTHERN LEON COUNTIES...

At 758 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Buffalo,

moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Buffalo, Jewett and Oakwood.

Tornado Watch 116 remains valid until 2 AM CDT Wednesday for the

following areas

In southeast Texas this watch includes 2 counties

Houston Trinity

This includes the cities of Crockett, Groveton, and Trinity.

The National Weather Service has extended Tornado Watch 116 to

include the following areas until 2 AM CDT Wednesday

In southeast Texas this watch includes 1 county

Madison

This includes the cities of Madisonville.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northern Houston County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 900 PM CDT.

* At 819 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 14 miles

northeast of Centerville, or 16 miles northwest of Austonio,

moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Crockett, Grapeland, Latexo and Weches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for southeastern

Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

_____

TORNADO WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Northwestern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana...

Southwestern Caddo Parish in northwestern Louisiana...

Southeastern Harrison County in northeastern Texas...

Panola County in northeastern Texas...

East central Rusk County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 945 PM CDT.

* At 902 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located near Beckville, or 10 miles west of Carthage, moving

east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...

Beckville around 905 PM CDT.

Carthage around 915 PM CDT.

Deberry around 925 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include

Midyett, Deadwood, Fairplay, Front, Spring Ridge and Keachi.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ANGELINA BOWIE CAMP

CASS CHEROKEE FRANKLIN

GREGG HARRISON HOUSTON

MADISON MARION MORRIS

NACOGDOCHES PANOLA RED RIVER

RUSK SABINE SAN AUGUSTINE

SHELBY SMITH TITUS

TRINITY UPSHUR WOOD

...HIGH WIND WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

Winds have diminished across the warning area. A few wind gusts to

near 38 mph will be possible for the next hour.

...WIND ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

Winds have diminished across the advisory area. A few wind gusts

to near 30 mph will be possible for the next hour.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southwestern Cass County in northeastern Texas...

Northeastern Upshur County in northeastern Texas...

Southern Morris County in northeastern Texas...

Southeastern Camp County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 430 AM CDT.

* At 345 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Lone Star, or

10 miles southeast of Pittsburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Daingerfield, Hughes Springs, Lone Star, Jenkins, Center Point and

Holly Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Shreveport LA

945 AM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Little

River, southeastern McCurtain, northern Franklin, western Bowie,

northern Morris, northern Titus and Red River Counties through 1030

AM CDT...

At 944 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along

a line extending from 7 miles west of Idabel to 6 miles southwest of

Hagansport. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Clarksville, Hagansport, Boxelder, Idabel, De Kalb, Bogata, Us 259

And I 30 Intersection, Wilkerson, Dalby Springs, Arkinda, Talco,

Avery, Annona, Haworth, Garvin, Moon, Cerrogordo, Spring Hill,

Beaverdams and Lydia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3333 9531 3395 9494 3400 9448 3394 9447

3394 9446 3331 9450 3321 9531

TIME...MOT...LOC 1444Z 232DEG 67KT 3392 9495 3329 9532

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Franklin County in northeastern Texas...

Northern Wood County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Upshur County in northeastern Texas...

Titus County in northeastern Texas...

Camp County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 1030 AM CDT.

* At 945 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles

southwest of Como, or 13 miles south of Sulphur Springs, moving

east northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Winnsboro, Leesburg, Mount Vernon,

Quitman, Cason, Cookville, Scroggins, Pleasant Grove, Newsome,

Purley, Forest Hill, Winfield, Alba, Yantis, Midway, Miller's Cove,

Rocky Mound and Roeder.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Franklin County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Wood County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Bowie County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Titus County in northeastern Texas...

Southern Red River County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 145 PM CDT.

* At 1247 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Deport to East Tawakoni, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Winnsboro, Clarksville, Hagansport, Boxelder, Mount Vernon,

Quitman, Bogata, Pleasant Grove, Wilkerson, Bagwell, Purley, Forest

Hill, Detroit, Winfield, Talco, Alba, Avery, Yantis, Annona and

Miller's Cove.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for northeastern

Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

Southeastern Kaufman County in north central Texas...

Van Zandt County in north central Texas...

Henderson County in central Texas...

Northeastern Navarro County in north central Texas...

* Until 200 PM CDT.

* At 1246 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from near Wills Point to near Corsicana, moving east at

35 mph.

Athens, Gun Barrel City, Canton, Wills Point, Grand Saline, Mabank,

Chandler, Van, Malakoff, Tool, Kerens, Seven Points, Edgewood,

Kemp, Brownsboro, Eustace, Trinidad, Fruitvale, Edom and Enchanted

Oaks.

This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 513 and 542.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN KAUFMAN AND WESTERN VAN ZANDT COUNTIES...

At 1249 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Mabank, or 8

miles northeast of Gun Barrel City, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Wills Point, Mabank, Kemp and Purtis Creek State Park.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southwestern Little River County in southwestern Arkansas...

Southeastern McCurtain County in southeastern Oklahoma...

Western Bowie County in northeastern Texas...

Northern Titus County in northeastern Texas...

Southeastern Red River County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 200 PM CDT.

* At 117 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 9 miles south of Idabel to Wilkerson, moving

northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

New Boston, Foreman, Boxelder, De Kalb, Winthrop, Arkinda, Dalby

Springs, Avery, Annona, Haworth, Bokhoma, Almont, Moon, Spring

Hill, Beaverdams, Harts Bluff, Lydia, Goodlake, Harris and

Shinewell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for southwestern

Arkansas...and northeastern Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SHREVEPORT Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Wednesday, April 13, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Smith County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Rusk County in northeastern Texas...

Southwestern Gregg County in northeastern Texas...

Northwestern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas...

* Until 245 PM CDT.

* At 146 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Brownsboro,

or 15 miles east of Athens, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Tyler, Jacksonville, Whitehouse, Gladewater, Lindale, Overton,

Bullard, Troup, New London, Arp, Mount Selman, Liberty City,

Joinerville, Mixon, Turnertown, Reese, Noonday, New Chapel Hill,

Winona and Cuney.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM CDT for northeastern

Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Local

Scottville seeks WRI grant, contracts with firm for application

Scottville is eyeing a major grant for water and sewer work, and the city is contracting with Prein & Newhof engineering to help boost its chances of having a stand-out application.

The grant is available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of the states Community Development Block Grant Water-Related Infrastructure program.

City Manager Jimmy Newkirk told the commission that in March, he met with engineers from the firm who expressed an interest in helping the city get its application together. Newkirk said there is a very short window to apply for the grant, adding that the city is in a position where it could use some assistance with getting together an application that would get some attention.

Its highly competitive, and we dont score well. We dont score poorly  but we also dont have so much money (that we can) fund it ourselves, Newkirk said. So weve done just enough good things not to get assistance, not to be in that target group of low-scoring communities that have a very good shot to get this grant.

That being said, Im applying for anything and everything we can possibly get.

Prein & Newhof will conduct a study focusing on water and sewer lines on Reinberg Avenue between Maple and Johnson streets, Berle Street and Gay Street in the northwest corner of the city.

Newkirk said the water and sewer lines in question are from the 1940s or 1950s. Some of them flow directly to Mason County Central schools, too, and Newkirk said both facts should look good on the application.

Newkirk told the Daily News on Tuesday that once the firm goes through records and looks at what work needs to be done, the city will have a better idea of how much it could stand to gain from securing the grant, but the work itself is expected to cost a couple million dollars.

The grant is a 90-10 match, with MEDC putting up 90% for the citys 10%.

We planned big because the grant is so beneficial  and it checks a lot of boxes, Newkirk said.

The agreement includes preparing an application and gauging the scope of services, as well as construction and engineering costs for a price not to exceed $5,500.

Newkirk said if the city does not receive the grant, it wont move forward with the project. Even if it does obtain the funding, the start date for actual work would be a year or so out, he said. However, the grant application is due by late May, so time is of the essence.

NO AMENDMENT TO REPUBLIC CONTRACT

The city opted not to amend its contract with waste-management company Republic Services to allow for rate hikes to offset higher fuel costs.

The proposed contract change was requested by Republic due to the recent uptick in gas prices, and the prediction that fuel could surpass $5 per gallon within the year.

Scottville is currently one of the few municipalities in the area that doesnt have a  fuel-adjustment clause in its waste-management contract, according to Newkirk, and the city was under no obligation to approve the proposal.

Were set at a specific rate based on specific fuel costs. Since were locked in, they cant adjust for fuel costs for driving around and picking up garbage in the City of Scottville. But theyve requested having a clause added to the contract that allows for an extra fee to kick in, Newkirk said.

Based on a memo from Matt Biolette of Republic, the contract would have increased Scottvilles costs by $14.12 for the month of March, and the rate would incrementally go up as fuel rates go up, Newkirk said.

Theres about a year left on Scottvilles contract with Republic, and both Newkirk and Mayor Marcy Spencer stated that they expect a fuel-adjustment to be added when it comes time to renew.

Essentially theyre asking us for whats already in other municipalities contracts, and itll probably be in our next one, Newkirk said.

Mayor Pro Tem Rob Alway noted that Republic is a multi-million or billion-dollar corporation, while Commissioner Ryan Graham stated hed consider voting in favor of the contract addition if Republic discounted spring clean-up. Newkirk said a spring clean-up discount didnt appear to be on the table.

Commissioner Aaron Seiter asked if Republic would provide a credit if fuel costs went down  a question that went unanswered but drew remarks of agreement from other commissioners.

The commission took no action on the issue.

If we dont entertain a motion to accept it, then I guess were turning it down, Spencer said.

OTHER BUSINESS

The city approved its 2022-23 budget, which projects $859,700 in revenue and $941,355 in expenditures.

Newkirk said he believes revenues will go up as the year progresses, because water rates have risen and theres expected to be more funds from Riverside Park, including money from the parking fee the commission recently approved for the Pere Marquette River Boat Launch.

However, he said he didnt want to count that before we had dollars coming in.

By the end of the year, Newkirk anticipates the city will have a surplus of about $100,000. For now, however, hes budgeting to make improvements where he can, including pothole fixes and parking lot repairs.

My whole goal is to get some things done that are visible, Newkirk said. People want to see the improvements.

The city approved a nuisance abatement for 108 S. Reinberg Ave., a property thats been on the citys blight radar for years.

Were restarting the process to where they need to repair the home or make other arrangements, and the city will eventually  get it to a point where its safe and habitable, Newkirk said Tuesday.

Mondays action effectively reaffirms a decision made in June 2020, when it initially ordered an abatement on the property. That fall, District Health Department No. 10 declared the home unsafe for human habitation, noting a lack of running water. In January 2021, the health department granted an extension to the homeowner to make repairs, but Newkirk said progress stalled there.

The resident is still able to live in the home.

Newkirk said the next step is for the city  or the health department, or possibly the county  to enter the home, clear debris, make whatever repairs are possible, and place the cost on the tax rolls for the property. Newkirk said hes not sure when that will happen, but City Attorney Carlos Avarados office is working to make sure we go through the process correctly.

Also on Monday, the city accepted the resignation of Katrina Skinner from the parks and recreation board.
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Page Content

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Washington state employers must include a "wage scale or salary range" along with information about benefits and other compensation in each posted job listing.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the law increasing pay transparency on Mar. 30.

The state joins Colorado and New York City in requiring employers to disclose pay ranges in job posts. A few other states require disclosure of salary information to job applicants at various points during the hiring process, but not public disclosure in job listings. About 20 states prohibit employers from requiring job applicants to disclose their salary history during the recruiting process.

"The [new Washington law] revises the existing law that requires that employers provide the minimum wage or salary for a position to an applicant only after an offer of employment has been made," said Evandro Gigante, a partner in the New York City office of Proskauer. "Specifically, the new law will require Washington employers with 15 or more employees to affirmatively disclose in all job postings a wage scale or wage range, as well as all of the benefits and other compensation to be offered, in connection with the position, regardless of applicant request."

The Washington law applies to any job posting, regardless of where it appears, whether the recruitment is being conducted directly by the employer or indirectly through a third party.

Gigante explained that the new law retains the existing requirement that employers provide a wage scale or salary range to current employees who are offered an internal move to a new position or promotion. "Employers will need to ensure that a wage scale or salary range is available for all roles subject to internal transfer," he said.

"Several questions remain with regard to the Washington law in advance of next year's effective date, including how broadly or narrowly many of the key provisions will be interpreted by the state," he added.

The Association of Washington Business, the state's chamber of commerce, based in Olympia, said it is expecting to see more guidance coming from the state Department of Labor and Industries before the law goes into effect.

Aiming for Pay Equity

The law's proponents contend that it will level the playing field for candidates and diminish inequitable pay gaps over time. It also has the potential of raising salaries, as employers will want to keep up with competitors.

When a similar law went into effect in Colorado in 2021, it had the unintended consequence of some out-of-state employers avoiding advertising jobs to job seekers from the state.

New York City's salary transparency law is set to go into effect May 15, but lawmakers may postpone the measure and amend it, after some pushback, to exempt some businesses and positions.

Lawmakers in California are currently considering similar legislation to require employers to provide a pay scale in job postings.

"Multistate employers should consider a national policy for salary transparency given the growing number of jurisdictions requiring salary transparency," said Caroline Burnett, an attorney in the San Francisco office of Baker McKenzie.

She added that employers should set standard salary ranges for all existing positions. "Along those lines, consider an internal audit with counsel of current employee salaries to make sure there are no significant discrepancies or inequities. Equal pay claims are on the rise, and this is a good time to review how you determine salary and the relevant factors you rely on for determining compensation."


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San Mateo, CA (94402)

Today

Mostly cloudy early then partly cloudy and windy this afternoon. High around 60F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low 47F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph.
A top lawyer at The Star Entertainment Group has rejected a suggestion that the casino giant left the door wide open to organised crime as she was asked repeatedly if she was giving truthful evidence to an inquiry.

The Stars chief legal and risk officer, Paula Martin, was grilled on Wednesday at the inquiry into its Sydney casino licence about $900 million of Chinese debit card transactions made at the groups Australian casinos.

Paula Martin, chief legal and risk officer at The Star Entertainment Group, giving evidence at the ILGA inquiry on Wednesday.

The inquiry by the NSW gaming regulator has heard The Star allowed patrons to use China UnionPay debit cards indirectly to buy gaming chips, despite the company behind the cards banning gambling transactions.

Under a two-step scheme, patrons swiped the cards at hotels attached to the casinos, rather than on the gaming floor, and the transaction was recorded as a hotel expense even when patrons did not stay at the hotels.
More than anything, though, he pointed out that the article in question never even mentions Depps name. Depps lawyer, Benjamin Chew, acknowledged that Depps name never appears in the piece. It didnt have to, Chew told the jury. Everyone in Hollywood knew exactly what she was talking about. Depps team argues that the article is an example of defamation by implication. In the December 2018 piece, Heard wrote that two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our cultures wrath for women who speak out. Chew said thats a clear reference to a restraining order Heard sought in May 2016  right after Depp told her he wanted a divorce  in which she claimed shed been physically abused.

Chew said she showed up at the courthouse on May 27 of that year with a bruise on her face that was photographed by the paparazzi. But he said the evidence will show that Heard gave herself the injury to ruin Depps reputation. He said that Depp and Heard hadnt seen each other since May 21: Hed gone on a European tour with his band, the Hollywood Vampires. Heard and Depp met on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary. Credit:AP Police and others saw Heard immediately after May 21 and her face wasnt bruised, Chew said. He said a witness will testify that he saw security footage in which Heards sister throws fake punches at her, and the two laugh. Another of Depps lawyers, Camille Vasquez, told the jury that Heard refuses to admit she lied and has now dug in even deeper. She cant back down. She has been living and breathing this lie for years, Vasquez said. Shes going to give the performance of a lifetime in this courtroom.

Both Depp and Heard are expected to testify at the trial, scheduled for six weeks, along with actors Paul Bettany and James Franco and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Loading About 80 people, mostly Depp supporters, sat in the courtroom on Tuesday. Some people lined up hours early for seats, but several rows were largely vacant. The courtroom went silent a few minutes before the 10am start time when Heard entered the room, through a special entrance usually reserved for the judge. But there was an audible intake of breath when Depp came in a minute later, again through a special entrance. At the end of the day, after the jury had left the courtroom, Depp turned and saluted the gallery as he exited, receiving dozens of excited waves in return. The first witness was Depps older sister, Christi Dembrowski. She said the pair endured a difficult childhood in which Depp learned to hide from an abusive mother.

She said she saw the same pattern in Depps relationship with Heard. She said that when she booked travel for the couple in her role as Depps personal manager, she booked an extra hotel room so Depp would have somewhere to hide if Heard started a fight. Dembrowski struggled on cross-examination, though, when she was asked why she sent texts to Depp in February 2014 that said, Stop drinking. Stop coke. Stop pills. She was unwilling to acknowledge she had a concern about Depps drinking and drug use. I dont know what they were in reference to, she said. Heards lawyers have argued that Depp has no credibility when he denies abusing Heard because he frequently drank and used drugs to the point of blacking out and failing to remember anything he did. Depp, who almost always faced forward during the trial, glared at Rottenborn for an extended period after the questioning of Depps sister ended for the day.
His discomfort is the springboard for the second elegantly crafted season of the series created by novelist and screenwriter Nick Hornby (An Education, Brooklyn) and directed by Stephen Frears (A Very English Scandal, Quiz). The pair previously worked together on the 2000 film adaptation of High Fidelity.

Scott is due to meet Ellen (Patricia Clarkson), his wife of 30 years, before their first marriage-counselling session and hes perplexed by the whole thing: where he is; why hes there; and also by Jay whom, it emerges, prefers the pronoun they.

In his suit and tie, middle-aged businessman Scott (Brendan Gleeson) looks uncomfortable and out-of-place from the moment he arrives at the speciality coffee shop, Mouthfeel. It sounds like a sex club, he crankily remarks as barista Jay (Esco Jouley) attempts to explain the meaning of the cafes name.

The premise and the structure of the new season remain the same second time round, although the characters and setting are different. The 2019 first season (iview), set in Britain, saw another long-time couple meeting in a bar before their weekly marriage-counselling sessions. Over his pint of beer and her glass of white wine, unemployed music critic Tom (Chris ODowd) and gerontologist Louise (Rosamund Pike) revealed the issues that brought them to therapy. Each episode in the 10-part season played out in real time 10 minutes before the scheduled session.

Loading

Its a simple and economical concept: largely a single setting; episodes that are 10 short-and-sweet minutes. And, here, it showcases pairs of accomplished actors delivering skilfully nuanced performances, smart writing and smoothly unobtrusive direction.

The recently arrived second season is set in America and the couple is affluent upper-middle-class. Although essentially it remains a two-hander, Jay takes a more prominent role than the anonymous bartenders of the first season, initially as an antagonist for Scott and an ally for Ellen. However, in a sign of one of the series strengths, that changes as it progresses.

Described as a short-form romantic dramedy, State of the Union is adept at shifting sympathies: there are no villains, although infidelity is an issue in the two seasons. However, there is a tangible sense of sadness about the possible dissolution of a long-term relationship that has its problems but also remains loving and devoted. And, in both seasons, its easy to believe in the couples history: the relationships have an authentic lived-in quality. The vignettes grow into a satisfying whole that illustrates the tensions and the tenderness that still exist, as well as the reasons for the rifts.
Any young actors out there concerned that their career trajectories arent swooping up fast enough should take heart from Youn Yuh-jung, now 74 and undeniably on a career high. YJ, as she invites me to call her, dropped out of college to act in television when she was 19 but gave it all up when she married and had children. When she came back to acting, she was over 40 and had to start again. Last year, she won an Oscar  and, just incidentally, gave one of the funniest acceptance speeches in the history of gold statuettes.

Yuh-Jung Youn with the Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for Minari. Credit:AP

This year, she appears in Pachinko, an epic series about immigration adapted from an American best-seller. Youn Yuh-jung could be the patron saint of late starters.

Youn won her Oscar as best supporting actress for playing the mischievous granny in Lee Isaac Chungs Minari, a warm-hearted account of a Korean familys efforts to make good as farmers in the American mid-West. At that point, she had already been cast in Pachinko, based on Min Jin Lees popular novel. Mins heroine Sunja is an illiterate village girl who emigrates to Japan in the early 20th century, when Korea was occupied as part of the expanding Japanese empire, as the wife of a pastor. Intercut with this founding story is the reverse journey of her grandson, a Korean-American working for a property developer who travels to Japan to clinch a deal. Youn plays the older Sunja, now become a steady rock for her family in the tumult of 80s turbo-capitalism.

Youn was born in 1947, two years after the Japanese defeat in the Second World War. Growing up in independent South Korea, she heard her mothers stories of suffering and humiliation under a foreign ruler. When one country occupies another country, you could imagine: anything could happen. My mother said she couldnt speak Korean, in public. She didnt learn Korean letters  instead they learnt Japanese characters. They felt like they lost everything.
A couple of years ago they had a series where contestants who hadnt won could have another crack at it. Its easy to see why those guys wanted to come back on: unfinished business and all that. But youd already won  why would you feel the need to return? COVID was the reason I came back. Because in the last two years, as a business owner, I was focused on staying afloat. So the focus went from creating new cuisines to running a business. It stopped me being creative and was taking away my passion about food. So when they approached me about doing MasterChef again, I thought OK, this is going to be the perfect chance for me to go back again, rekindle my memories. I know there is a reason why Im in this industry, so this will give me the opportunity to start my creativity again.

The MasterChef kitchen is the scene of your great triumph, being crowned the champion. How did it feel to return, walking back in for the first time? I was pinching myself, [asking] what am I doing back again? The first one was a long time ago, nearly four years ago. I managed to win, then went on to do many things in the food industry. Now going back into the MasterChef kitchen, with new judges, new format, fans versus favourites  its unreal.

In the fans and favourites format, did you find the fans were awestruck by you and the other champions?

They were surprised to see us  they never expected past winners to be back again.

So when they auditioned they didnt know the format?

They knew about the format, but they didnt know it would actually be winners coming back [three past MasterChef champions return: Cheliah, Billie McKay and Julie Goodwin]. So when they saw the three of us walking through the doors, their jaws were down.

Being a fan competing on MasterChef against previous contestants could go two ways: the fans could be overcome by the star power and be unable to compete, or they could be super-motivated, driven to excellence by their desire to knock the celebrities down a peg  or at least to prove theyre worthy of being stars themselves. Did you find the fans to be tough competitors in the kitchen?

I think theyre very tough, because theyve been watching this show for many, many years. They know all the rules and the format better than us  they know more about us than we know about ourselves. Theyve been following us on social media, theyve been watching our series  so they know us in and out. Theyre pretty good and theyre very, very hungry for a win.

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You are in the food industry now and have been for a few years. How does the pressure of the MasterChef kitchen compare to the pressure of a commercial kitchen?

Its totally different because in a commercial kitchen we plan everything ahead. If you dont plan, you dont prep and buy the ingredients and work it out, that dish will not be coming out perfectly for the customer. So youve got to take a lot of time and effort to plan and prepare. In the MasterChef kitchen its very spontaneous. Time is always an issue. For me personally, I always depend on what comes into my mind first. Ill cook and Ill make sure that its to the best of my ability. Its two totally different environments, and having done this for the last three years, Im going to have a bit of an issue adapting to the old MasterChef environment. Its two different sets of skills.
My mother was a Doris Day fan but had little que sera, sera about her. A university education for her children was urgent, an elevation beyond refugee status. Im reminded of her now that applications for 2023 university places are open.

But for those who want to study past year 12, its a bleak field. Is either party considering the future of this new generation? University funding has copped a hiding from the Coalition and led to widespread teaching and research cuts. While the prime minister and his posse of former education ministers tout the benefits of a trade education, TAFE defunding has seen more than 8800 full-time equivalent staff positions cut since 2012. Education is being privatised, one way or another, from nearly every single option post school down to childcare.

Cash-strapped universities are trying new models that involve designing bespoke credentials for the corporate world, such as those offered by McDonalds for its staff. Credit:Bloomberg

What awaits anyone planning on university? Large classes, shorter classes, fewer choices. Thats for those enrolled in actual degrees. Universities are doing their level best to earn money in other ways, which may not measure up to rigorous academic work, a McDonalds Hamburger University mentality. Companies pay universities to co-design credentials which fit with company culture (Im reluctant to use the word ideology here, but you get me) and their employees become the students, who emerge with some kind of qualification. The modern jargon is enterprise learning. I remember getting into a hot argument at a university presentation about who would be in charge of ethics in such a situation. All concerns brushed away.

Then there are also microcredentials, tiny courses meant to chunk together like Lego to a bigger build. At universities, they are usually blocks for a bigger degree, but there isnt consensus even across that sector. In vocational education, its become a smorgasbord of tiny courses without purpose., both big (heading to a real qualification) or small (useless online learning without appropriate academic guidance).
Disastrous global warming of more than 2 degrees could still be avoided if all nations honour their Paris Agreement pledges to reduce carbon emissions, but research has found new commitments to deep cuts will be needed to limit increases to a still-dangerous 1.5 degrees.

The first study to rigorously quantify the climate impact of emissions reduction pledges made before and during the global COP26 conference in November has concluded there was a 50 per cent chance of keeping warming below 1.9 or 2 degrees by the end of the century. The research is published today in the journal Nature.

The world could limit global warming to just under 2 degrees if all nations honour climate pledges they made for COP26. Credit:Glenn Campbell

When scientists added up nations climate pledges a year ago, before COP26 in Glasgow, they did not believe 2 degrees of warming was still in reach, said lead author Associate Professor Malte Meinshausen, from the University of Melbourne. But with the additional pledges, this has changed.

Is our study a good news story? Yes and no, Meinshausen said.
Unlike postnatal depression, which occurs after childbirth, perinatal depression begins during pregnancy and can last for an almost two-year window  from the start of a pregnancy to the end of the first year after birth, according to Tabb Dina. Research suggests that perinatal depression is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including life stress, the demands of childbearing and changes in hormones during and after pregnancy, according to the US National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms can include feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that may make it difficult for them to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves or others. Other symptoms, according to Tabb Dina, can include any sharp change in your normal mood, which may manifest as feeling rage, the inability to experience joy about the pregnancy, difficulty sleeping and the loss of appetite, she said. Identifying these symptoms early on is super important, Tabb Dina added: For most people, the signs and symptoms of what will later become postpartum depression start during pregnancy. In Australia, postnatal depression occurs after approximately 14 per cent of births, according to the Black Dog Institute. Studies also suggest perinatal depression might have become even more common during the pandemic, with up to 1 in 4 pregnant people experiencing depression.

But doctors dont always discuss or screen for symptoms of perinatal depression in pregnant people, Tabb Dina said. And one 2010 study published in the Journal of Womens Health found that the majority of people who screen positive for depression after childbirth did not receive mental health treatment from their providers during pregnancy or postpartum. Loading Robertello said she has been suffering from depression for years, but her symptoms during pregnancy, which include fatigue and a lack of excitement about her pregnancy, have been extra debilitating. Thats been really hard, because . . . [my husband and I] want kids, its not, like, an unexpected outcome, she said. To cope, shes tried to do every single fun thing thats on the list of things to do during pregnancy  including having a baby shower and taking maternity photos, she said  but its like Im just going through the motions and not actually excited.

Robertello brought up her concerns with her doctors in her first trimester, and they increased her dosage of the antidepressant Zoloft, she said, which helped a little. But it wasnt until last month, when she was in her third trimester, that Robertello learned about perinatal depression, which she discovered by Googling her symptoms, she said. Tamar Canady, a 42-year-old photographer and substitute teacher based in Phoenix, US also used Google to diagnose herself with perinatal depression a few years after her pregnancy nearly two decades ago, she said. Weve all heard of depression after the baby . . . but I had never heard of during-pregnancy depression, said Canady, who added that her main symptom was paranoia that her baby would be taken from her. Tabb Dina said that Googles self-assessment tool for postnatal depression can, indeed, be a useful informational resource to help people understand possible perinatal or postnatal depression symptoms. (The tool notes that it is not an official medical diagnosis and that people should talk to their doctors for further advice.)

When Canady saw Spears post about her new pregnancy and her past experience with perinatal depression, she loved how she didnt make a big deal about it . . . like, Yes, this is a thing that happens to women, and a thing that Im concerned about and Im prepared to deal with.  Loading Robertello, for her part, was struck by the fact that Spears actually used the term perinatal depression, she said, adding that it was just nice to see recognition [of] that. Spears, who was released from her conservatorship in November, said last June in testimony that the people who managed her conservatorship had refused to let her get her IUD removed so she could try to have another child. In her Instagram post on Monday, she said that she will be doing yoga every day during her pregnancy this time around. For people suffering from or at risk of developing perinatal depression, treatment options include medication prescribed by a doctor, which Tabb Dina calls the gold standard for people suffering from perinatal depression, though she acknowledged that some pregnant people prefer to avoid taking medication during pregnancy.

Experts recommend that pregnant people should work with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment and note that antidepressants can take six to eight weeks to begin working. It also notes that people may need to try several different medications before finding the one that improves their symptoms and has manageable side effects. Non-medication options include home visiting programs with professionals who practice cognitive behavioural therapy  which Tabb Dina notes can be especially impactful for people who already have other children who they may not be able to leave alone  and group prenatal care sessions, which allow people to share their experiences and symptoms with other pregnant people. You might listen to someone else and say, I didnt know that was normal, she said. Robertello has turned to a pregnancy app, Peanut, for those types of discussions, she said: Thats been a comfort, just reading other peoples posts, having someone comment back to you, sort of saying, What youre going through is valid. Canadys pregnancy is long behind her, but she works with pregnant people all the time through her photography business, photographing newborns and coordinating maternity shoots.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has suggested he is in negotiations with fellow cabinet members about the future of a Tamil asylum seeker family he has previously said should be allowed to return to their home in Biloela.

Mr Joyce is among several Coalition MPs who have spoken out against their governments treatment of the Murugappan family and is in favour of wide support to allow them to return to the central Queensland town.

Tharnicaa Marugappan celebrated her fourth birthday at Christmas Island in June last year.

Asked on the campaign trail in Rockhampton whether his previous views had changed, Joyce said they had not.

Well, you know, my views on things remain the same, and Ill keep my negotiations with the respective ministers private, Mr Joyce told reporters on Thursday afternoon. Ive been consistent on that, and Im not going to start saying that I was one person in Biloela and a different person in Canberra.

Pressed on what those negotiations may involve, Mr Joyce said: Im not going to start jeopardising  what we are doing, Im just going to tell you my position is the same.

Priya and Nades Murugappan, and their two Australian-born children Kopika and Tharnicaa, have sought refuge in Australia since 2012.

The family remain in Perth after being removed from their community and detained in Melbourne and on Christmas Island.

The power to allow Tharnicaa to apply for a bridging visa, essentially the sole hurdle for the family to clear to return to Biloela after a recent court win, rests with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

The Coalition has sought to elevate border protection as an election issue, after Home Affairs this month released an estimated 20 refugees and asylum seekers from detention centres nationwide.
It has been a while since Column 8 received one of Velvet Perstons dazzling decorated letters and so it was quite a surprise, and a little sad, to discover one of our stalwart snail-mail contributors has almost entered the digital age. Almost, inasmuch as she instructed her daughter Megan to email Column 8 on her behalf, and so we will give her the final word on Vegemite (C8). Velvet has in her possession a very faded but still legible customs form from a parcel sent from Australia to a family in Scotland during WWII. The form lists the contents as: 1 tin cocoa, 1 tin pilchards, 1 jelly, 1 pudding, a packet of sultanas and 1 jar Vegemite. Apparently, the recipients were very appreciative of the care package, except for the Vegemite. The Scots disliked it so much, they threw it away.

Some years ago, a team of language specialists conducted a study to find the least-used sentence in the English language, writes Rowan McGillicuddy of Stanmore, with the result of this study being, Is that the banjo players (C8) Ferrari in the car park?

Both Jack Dikian of Mosman and Paul Keir of Strathfield endorsed Mark Twains famous quote about voting (C8): If voting made any difference, they wouldnt let us do it. However, Granny suggests that the following from George Orwell may be more pertinent advice for our times. In our age, there is no such thing as keeping out of politics. All issues are political issues and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia. No offence intended to anyone actually suffering from schizophrenia, of course.

Dudley Wrigleys apprenticeship requirements (C8) reminded Brian Hayes of Epping of an oath he had to take as a humble Boy Scout, promising to abstain from strong drink, tobacco and all other injurious habits. On pocket money of two bob a week? Girls werent listed, but still not very affordable.

Now that the hoopla about the 90th birthday of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has passed, spare a moment to celebrate another NSW bridge also celebrating its 90th birthday. David Howell of Stonehenge writes that Grafton is delighted to be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the citys heritage-listed bridge linking north and south Grafton. Its rail crossing helped connect Sydney with Brisbane by standard gauge railway, this eliminated the inland rail link through Tenterfield and the change of gauge at the Queensland border.
Long queues stretched into the car parks at Sydney Airport on Thursday morning on what is predicted to be the busiest day for domestic travel in two years.

More than 82,000 passengers are expected to move through the domestic terminals on Thursday ahead of the Easter long weekend as queues stretched out of the doors by 7am.

There were long queues at Sydney Airport, which was expected to experience its busiest day in two years on Thursday. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Sydney Airport staff are handing out water bottles, free coffee vouchers and Easter eggs to waiting travellers.

The airport provided an update on social media just before 8am asking domestic travellers to arrive at least two hours before their flights.
Devoted CBD readers know we have been closely monitoring a juicy court battle pitting former Chaser comedian Julian Morrow against his one-time friend and collaborator Nick Murray, the producer behind The Gruen Transfer and other TV hits. After years of plot twists, we can finally bring you a resolution to the fracas now that NSW Supreme Court justice James Stevenson has handed down his judgment in the bitter two-pronged contract dispute and defamation case.

Nick Murray and Julian Morrow. Credit:John Shakespeare

The brouhaha kicked off after The Checkout went into hiatus after six seasons, and Murrays company Cordell Jigsaw sold its share of the joint venture to Morrows company Giant Dwarf for the princely sum of $50. Unbeknownst to Murray, Morrow was simultaneously negotiating with the ABC to make a new consumer affairs show called Are You Being Served? When he heard about the proposed show, Murray was incensed about what he saw as a dastardly deception and refused to sign an effective deed of release for the new show to proceed. The ABC then decided not to go ahead with the show, which Morrow blamed on Murray.

Giant Dwarf claimed Cordell Jigsaw had breached the share sales agreement by refusing to sign the release. Morrow also alleged Murray had defamed him in emails to ABC executives - including one that referred to him as Harry Potter villain Lord Voldemort.

Stevenson found that some of Murrays emails about Morrow were defamatory but added he believed Morrow did not suffer any economic loss as a result. Hence, Murray will have to pay Morrow $35,000 in damages - pretty small beer in the world of defamation payouts.
Independent Chisholm candidate Wayne Tseng will attend them all, and was even the sole attendee on the ballot at a Scouts event on Thursday.

MPs and candidates in neighbouring electorates say they will have one, or perhaps no forum to attend.

Four forums have been held so far, and another three have been planned before election day.

Gladys Liu (in blue) at an event in Chisholm with Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. Credit:James Brickwood

One of the ways in the ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm might be by attending candidate forums of one type or another  and there has been a proliferation of them in this seat, held by Liberal MP Gladys Liu by a margin of just 0.57 per cent.

If youre a candidate running for a seat in Parliament, how do you convince Australians, in the privacy of the voting booth with their stubby pencil, to write the number 1 next to your name on the ballot paper?

Chief executive Michael Smith said Lius office said in April the MP was unlikely to be able to make it. Two subsequent emails to Liu went unanswered, he said.

ABC Radio Melbourne held a forum last Friday, at which Liu agreed to attend, then declined, then agreed after host Raf Epstein said shed pulled out.

But among the forums held so far, a theme is emerging: the absence of Liu.

The Age is partnering with the Chinese community on the evening of Tuesday, May 10, to host The Chisholm Candidates Forum for the Chinese Community .

It wasnt political, it was more like a, yknow, show-and-tell thing. Like, What we do in an election? Because it was only kids, he said.

But the church has abandoned the event this election because neither Liu nor the Greens candidate can attend.

Its less like a debate than just giving people a chance to ask some questions, the churchs reverend, James Douglas, said.

Perhaps the most important forum Liu will miss is St Lukes Uniting Church candidates forum in Mount Waverley, held every election since 1990 and planned for next Thursday night.

The Chinese Interpreters and Translators Association of Australia last Sunday also hosted a candidates forum that Liu did not attend, angering organisers as they had ensured specialist translators were there for the 80 or so crowd members. Garland was quizzed for an hour on a variety of issues.

Last Saturday, the Chisholm chapter of School Strike for Climate put on a candidate forum . Tseng, Labors candidate Carina Garland, the Greens Sarah Newman and another independent went. Liu was an apology.

If youre too busy thats fine, but where else are you [during an election campaign]? Smith asked.

She will attend the Chinese community event on Tuesday, although she initially told organisers she would be unable to attend.

Liu was contacted on Friday about her attendance at forums but did not respond by deadline.

I prioritise these events because I think its really important to speak to the community, particularly after the pandemic where weve been really limited in the way weve been able to reach people. The people that run these events put in so much effort so its just a matter of respect.

Garland will go to almost all the forums (though she too was an apology to the Scouts). Asked what the events were like, Garland said they were a real pleasure.

In 2019 I got accused of spruiking for the Liberal Party because they got one or two more questions in than Labor, Douglas recalled ruefully. So if I ran an event only including Labor, it wouldnt look good.

At the churchs 2019 event, Liu and the Labor and Greens candidates all came. This time, we would only have had Carina Garland, Douglas said.

By Thursday, the Liberal and Labor parties had promised to spend $35.5 million in the ultra-marginal electorate, with $33.4 million of it going towards sporting reserve upgrades.

With just over a fortnight before polling day, its time to look back at whats been promised so far by both major parties in Chisholm during the election campaign. And the answer is: sports facilities.

Tseng, a former Liberal Party member who has given his preferences to Liu ahead of Garland, said it would have been a bad look for Liu not to be there, before adding that hes looking forward to all the forums. Ill be there.

Liu changed her mind when approached by The Age on Thursday, with her campaign confirming she will be there.

Unfortunately, Ms Liu is unable to attend due to clashing commitments she has already made a while ago, her office told organisers of The Chisholm Candidates Forum for the Chinese Community.

The seat, where the result at the last election was decided by just over 500 votes out of 99,000, has seen both sides promise generous renovations at two local reserves.

First cab off the rank was Mount Waverley Reserve, followed by Mirrabooka Reserve, a popular park in Blackburn South. Both parties then pledged to upgrade Box Hill City Oval.

Liberal MP for Chisholm Gladys Liu promised $7.5 million to make the ground wheelchair accessible, create community rooms and build womens change rooms for Hawthorns AFLW team. But the money was dependent on state Liberal leader Matthew Guy winning Novembers state election, at which point the Victorian government would chip in another $5 million.

Labors candidate for the seat, Carina Garland, promised a bigger upgrade, coming in at $13.6 million and not dependent on state funding.

The strangest funding announcement in the seat thus far was $1.25 million for Blackburn Cycling Club, quietly announced by Liu on a Sunday morning with no media present, but with Angus Taylor there, for no apparent reason other than that the Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister was in town and a cyclist himself.

Political parties focus on local sporting organisations because their reach across the community through hundreds of members, and across various age and multicultural groups, is second to none.

But that doesnt mean its money well-spent amid the many competing pressures on public funds. The Age asked Liu and Garlands campaign teams if each project had any sort of business case or quantifiable means of justifying its need in the community.

Garland said Labor had done extensive consultation with tenants of the grounds and councils.

Our investment is based on master plans for each facility that have been endorsed by [Whitehorse and Monash] councils. Importantly, these projects focus on increased participation, particularly of women, in sport and are focussed on areas of clear community need, she said.

She said the Mount Waverley Reserve funding was part of a Monash council master plan, while the Mirabooka Reserve and Box Hill upgrades were part of a Whitehorse Council plan.

Liu said that all the projects that had won Coalition support during the campaign were responding to specific needs in the community.

Project proponents provide a range of details to support their requests for support, including plans, costings and letters of support from other project partners, she said.

Kate Griffiths from the Grattan Institute will release research from the think-tank this year on the use of grants programs for political ends.

She said it was far-fetched that upgrades such as the ones promised to Chisholm were a federal government responsibility.

Election promises too often pre-empted legitimate grants programs, or they are directly providing funding for something that is, in this case, clearly not a Commonwealth responsibility at all, she said.

Griffiths, Grattans deputy program director of budgets and government, said Canberra should provide funds to state or local governments through a considered and open process.

Why is the Commonwealth getting involved at local or state-level activities? Thats never very clear in these announcements. Sometimes after the fact, they force-fit them into a grants program, because thats a means to allocate public money.

She said promises made during election campaigns were at least transparent, unlike many confidentially decided grants programs.

Its overt, out-in-the-open vote-buying, she said. But its still got the question of whether the Commonwealth should be doing it at all.

May 3

Billionaires and babies do mix, it turns out  even in an ultra-marginal seat in the heat of a close election campaign. Billionaire philanthropist Nicola Forrest was a special guest at Goodstart Early Learning in Box Hill on Tuesday to help boost the profile of childcare and kindergarten in an election campaign that has not had much to say about education.

Forrest, the co-chair of philanthropic organisation the Minderoo Foundation, had invited Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to attend. In their honour came Liberal senator Sarah Henderson, Labor MP Ged Kearney and the woman who hopes to make the seat of Chisholm her own, Labors Carina Garland. No sign of sitting member Gladys Liu.

Philanthropist Nicola Forrest and Thrive by Five CEO Jay Weatherill in Box Hill on Tuesday. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Forrests Thrive by Five campaign seeks a revamp of Australias early education system, including better pay for educators, higher childcare subsidies for families and 15 hours a week of funded kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds.

So, what does she think of the Coalition and Labor policies?

Look, I think there have been some good moves by the government and some announcements by the opposition, but you know, were not going to go away until we see this actually becoming a major part of the social infrastructure of this country, Forrest said. I think the disappointing thing is that were not seeing long-term vision and leadership for this country.

And one of the biggest investments that we need to make is in our most important asset, which is our children, and the future productivity of this nation.

Henderson said the government was proud of its early education policies and the countrys high workforce participation rate.

In the next budget, well be providing almost $11 billion for childcare for families, and our focus remains on targeting low- and middle-income families, she said. In the last two budgets, weve spent some $5.5 billion in our womens economic statements, across womens economic security, womens safety and womens health and, of course, childcare.

Labor has promised to boost the wages of poorly paid early educators and to rejig the childcare subsidy to make 96 per cent of families better off.

Kearney said early education was a major cost for families battling low wage growth and rising inflation.

One of the major costs for families is early childhood education and childcare. We know Australia has one of the most expensive childcare sectors in the OECD, the Labor MP said.

Im sure with Tanya Plibersek as education minister  which I know she will be, and its her absolute passion  there will be lots to say on education.

April 29

Is a federal anti-corruption commission important to voters in Chisholm? If so, a key moment on the campaign trail in the ultra-marginal seat, held by Liberal Party MP Gladys Liu by just 1100 votes, came on Thursday evening at The Glen shopping centre.

In a forum hosted by the ABCs Raf Epstein, Liu was asked repeatedly to explain an element of her governments proposed integrity commission. This is how it went.

EPSTEIN: The governments corruption commission wants to have ministers deciding whether or not investigations go ahead. Is there anybody outside of the Coalition who thinks its a good idea for a politician to have any say in an investigation?

LIU: What we dont want to see is having the media and the public to judge before 

EPSTEIN: Thats not an answer in any way to what I just asked you. Can you really stand before me as a sitting MP and tell me a politician should help determine if an investigation goes ahead, because thats the governments model.

LIU: This is exactly what I mean. These 350 pages detailed the content of the policy. It will go down to what is important, and we will see what will be done.

EPSTEIN: I will try that question once more. Do you, as a sitting MP in the federal parliament, think it is a good idea that a politician determines the course of an investigation? Because thats in your governments proposal.

LIU: I dont think that is in there. Let us get back to you on that one. What I am saying is that there are 350 pages that will be a lot of details that you can go to.

Liberal MP for Chisholm Gladys Liu (left), ABC journalist Raf Epstein, and Labors candidate for the seat Carina Garland at The Glen shopping centre in Glen Waverley on Thursday afternoon. Credit:Clay Lucas

The exposure draft outlining the Coalitions proposed integrity body nominates the federal attorney-general as being able to make referrals to the anti-corruption commission if they reasonably suspect an offence is being committed. Government ministers would also be able to make referrals to the agency, but it would ultimately be up to the integrity commissioner under the Coalitions plan to decide whether to pursue a corruption allegation.

Research last year for The Age by Resolve Strategic found that more than two-thirds of Australians supported the creation of a powerful federal anti-corruption watchdog, with Coalition voters slightly more in favour than those who support other parties.

And the failure of the Morrison government to establish a federal anti-corruption commission has helped fuel the campaigns of independent candidates in seats like Kooyong and Goldstein.

On Friday morning, Liu gave The Age a statement saying Epsteins line of questioning was not accurate.

Whether a matter is investigated will be a decision for the Commonwealth Integrity Commission and would depend on all of the available facts, her statement said. Under the Governments model, the Commonwealth Integrity Commission will receive referrals from all of the existing integrity agencies, such as the Australian Federal Police and the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

This will ensure that only the most serious types of criminal conduct are considered by the Commonwealth Integrity Commission  ensuring that the Commonwealth Integrity Commission resources are not wasted on referrals which are purely used for political purposes.

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The Commonwealth Integrity Commission will also be able to investigate a matter on its own motion where it discovers suspected criminal conduct in the course of an existing investigation, she said in the statement. The law enforcement division will still be able to take direct referrals from the public.

A spokesman for Labors shadow Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, however said that the ABCs line of questioning was accurate.

When politicians decide who gets investigated its not an integrity commission, its a cover-up commission, he said. The fake integrity commission Gladys Liu is backing would not be independent, would not be able to hold public hearings, and would not be retrospective.

Gladys Liu knows this and, like all Liberals, is terrified of what a genuinely independent anti-corruption commission would uncover about the scams, rorts and dirty deals for Liberal mates the Morrison government has been indulging in for years.

April 28

It was a case of on, off and then back on again for Chisholm MP Gladys Liu on Thursday afternoon at a live candidates event being hosted by ABC Radio Melbournes Raf Epstein in Glen Waverley.

Epstein said in the early afternoon that the Liberal Party MP had pulled out of the broadcast of his afternoon show, live from The Glen shopping centre. Liu then agreed to come on, although her campaign disputed the details of whether she had ever fully agreed to attend the event. Her spokesman confirmed she would debate Labors Carina Garland from 5pm.

The Age is holding its own live event in Chisholm on May 10, in partnership with a number of Chinese community organisations, at the Mount Waverley community centre, next to the railway station.

Four candidates from the field of 12  the most crowded field in an Australian lower house electorate at the 2022 federal election  have been invited to the forum: Liu, Garland, the Greens Sarah Newman and independent Wayne Tseng, the only other candidate besides Liu who was born overseas (Tseng was born to Chinese parents on a boat to Australia from Vietnam, but thats another story).

The forum will be moderated by Michael Bachelard, The Ages deputy editor, who was once a foreign correspondent in Indonesia and is also a former world editor. The event will give key candidates a chance to talk to voters from the Chinese community and answer their questions.

Among those at Thursdays event was Ranju, who declined to give her surname. She moved to Australia from India in 1990 and said while she had voted for the Liberal Party many times in the past, she was not sure who to vote for in Chisholm this time. She said she had emailed Liu about vaccination for chickenpox or something about, you know, the federal governments response to COVID.

I never got a response.

In fact, she said she had emailed her local MP several times in the years she had been in Australia. They always responded, Ranju said.

Then we met her at one of the cafes last year when all the lockdowns had lifted. My husband told her You didnt respond. So she [Liu] said What do you mean I didnt respond? Give me your name and number. And she didnt respond even then.

Also in the crowd was George Euripidou, who has lived in Wheelers Hill for more than 30 years and is a member of the Greek community.

In the latest boundaries drawn up by the Australian Electoral Commission, Euripidou will now be in the seat of Chisholm for the first time. He stopped by the event because he wanted to hear both candidates, and said after listening to them both he was still undecided.

Over my time Ive voted for both parties. But this time Im still undecided. I mean Im concerned about the cost of living, thats my top priority. He said Liu had attended a Greek Easter event last week that he was at.

Epstein asked Liu repeatedly why the Prime Minister had broken a promise to introduce a federal anti-corruption commission. Liu said she did not think one aspect of the bill that Epstein repeatedly put to her - that the Coalitions model would allow politicians to determine the course of an investigation - was not in the laws the government had proposed. I dont think that is in there, but lets get back to you on that one, she told Epstein.

Liu was also asked about signs that were put up at 29 polling booths around Chisholm on election day in 2019 that were in the same purple as official AEC signage. The signs instructed voters in Chinese that putting a 1 next to the Liberal Party candidate was the correct way to vote.

Polling day signs in Chinese instructing voters to put a 1 next to the Liberal Party in the electorate of Chisholm.

She said they had been authorised by Liberal Party headquarters, not her. And when I was asked that morning at the polling booth, I didnt know it was signed with anything that would violate [the rules], she said.

The signs were later challenged in the Federal Court. I didnt have to go to court because it wasnt authorised by me, Liu said. Asked if it was the wrong thing to do, she said: I think it has been dealt with and there will be no sign in any other colour other than blue [at Mays election]..

Labors Carina Garland struggled to answer a question put to her about how an Albanese government would have any impact on increasing peoples wages.

Anthony Albanese keeps on saying he can help peoples wages go up  Its a bit of a con isnt it? Epstein asked. Well, there are a lot of things we can do to reduce those pressures on families and on all people across our community, Garland said. I think that is a very complicated question.

April 26

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd joined the campaign trail in the ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm on Tuesday and dismissed Defence Minister Peter Duttons Anzac Day warning that Australia must prepare for war as little more than sounding off.

Rudd also said the Morrison government had badly damaged Australias relationship with Pacific Island nations.

Joining Labor candidate Carina Garland at Box Hill shopping centre in Victorias most marginal seat, Rudd was warmly greeted by store owners and shoppers, many of whom stopped him for a selfie.

Kevin Rudd with Labor candidate for Chisholm Carina Garland in Box Hill on Tuesday. Credit:Justin McManus

Rudd said the Morrison government had messed up in the Solomons by doing a whole bunch of silly things like cutting Radio Australia, cutting foreign aid, not standing up for climate change, turning your back on the Pacific Island countries for nearly 10 years.

Guess what? Doesnt turn out so well.

The Solomon Islands recently signed a security pact with China and, on Monday, Dutton warned that Australia needed to prepare for war and stare down any act of aggression from China.

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You can sound off as much as you like about China, Rudd said when asked about these comments, but unless youve got your defence lined up, which he hasnt, and unless youve got your foreign policy lined up, which the Solomon shows he hasnt, then people are just scratching their head.

Among those with an itch over Australias relationship with China was Mount Waverley resident Robert Chen, who stopped Rudd in the shopping centre and demanded of him: Why should we vote for Labor as opposed to Liberal?

Rudd said Labor, if elected, would stand up for Australias national interest and stand up for Australias national values, before moving on.

Mount Waverley resident Robert Chen questions Kevin Rudd on Labors China policies. Credit:Justin McManus

Chen later told The Age that Australias relationship with China was terrible as a result of developments in recent years.

Obviously, we have different policies, different value systems, but that doesnt stop us from being friendly to each other and having a working relationship. We should have at least a working relationship with China, but to get where we are today, the mismanagement of the government is incredible, Mr Chen said, adding that this didnt make a decision on how to vote easier. Labor and Liberal, they are amazingly similar on China.

Rudd also met with Labor campaign workers who were involved in calling voters with Chinese background to discuss Labors stance. In their conversations with a lot of the local Chinese community, one of the questions near the top is corruption, Rudd said. They want clean government.

Kevin Rudd hands out treats to shoppers and the media pack, bought by the former PM from stores in Box Hill Central shopping centre on Tuesday. Credit:Justin McManus

April 25

Victorias most marginal seat, Chisholm, is also the nations most crowded for candidates at next months election.

Twelve people have nominated for the seat, which the Australian Electoral Commission said was the biggest field running in Australias 151 electorates.

The ballot, finalised on Friday, has seen the Liberal MP Gladys Liu selected in the lucky first spot on the ballot paper while her Labor opponent Carina Garland is last.

Being at the bottom of a list of 12 makes it tough, said ABC election analyst Antony Green, who also noted that the donkey vote  simply voting for candidates in the order in which their names appear on the ballot paper  is generally estimated to be about 1 per cent of the final tally.

Liu won the seat by a margin of just 0.57 per cent at the 2019 election and later faced down a Federal Court challenge to the result over her use of signs at all 29 voting booths in the seat in the same purple colour scheme as official AEC banners. The signs told readers the correct way to vote was to put a 1 next to the Liberal box.

The signs outside a polling booth in Chisholm in 2019. Credit:Luke Hilakari

Labor has nominated Chisholm as its chief target in Victoria at the May 21 election.

Along with Labor, Liberal and the Greens, other parties to field candidates in Chisholms crowded field are Derryn Hinchs Justice Party, One Nation, the Animal Justice Party, the United Australia Party and independent and former Liberal Party member Wayne Tseng.

In all, across Australia, 1200 candidates nominated for the lower house  on average, eight people per seat. The award for the seats with the lowest number of candidates enrolled  five  was shared by eight electorates in NSW and Queensland (Barton, Blaxland, Cook, Kingsford Smith, Watson, Bonner, Griffith, and Oxley).

April 24

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has chastised Labor for an advertisement highlighting Liberal MP Gladys Lius links to donors suspected to be risks to Australias national security, claiming the opposition was engaging in racist campaigning.

They go after Gladys Liu because shes Chinese, Morrison said on Sunday. Theyre engaged in what I think is a sewer tactic here.

On Sunday, Labor released a new attack ad targeting the Hong Kong-born MPs record, including her involvement in a campaign against the LGBTI Safe Schools program and her campaigns use of controversial signage at the last election that appeared to mimic the Australian Electoral Commission.

One component of the ad stated that the Victorian division of the Liberal Party reportedly handed back $300,000 in donations because then prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls office was told the Chinese donors, invited to the 2015 event by Liu, were potential national security threats.

What do we know about Liberal Gladys Liu? a male voice says in the ad, with an ominous-sounding background track.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday that Liu was a proud Australian citizen and admonished the desperate, dishonest, racist attack ad by the Labor Party without specifically outlining why he believed it was inappropriate to reference Lius links to the donations.

Read the full story here.

April 21

Its a cliche in politics that every vote counts. But in Victorias ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm, where the result at the 2019 election was decided by just over 500 votes out of 99,000, the phrase rings true.

In these circumstances, the importance of big local sporting organisations cannot be underestimated. Their tentacles spread across the local community because of the hundreds of club members in local, senior, womens and multicultural programs. For political parties, getting these people onside can harness the cultural capital associated with the sporting club  the kind of resonance that trumps a pamphlet in the mailbox.

Gladys Liu at Box Hill City Oval Credit:Joe Armao

For this reason, both major parties are keen to promise a major upgrade for the Box Hill City Oval used by the Box Hill Hawks football club and Box Hill Cricket Club in the heart of the electorate.

But the Liberal Party beat Labor to the punch.

On Thursday morning, Liberal MP for Chisholm Gladys Liu was beaming, yellow Sherrin in hand, as she announced $7.5 million in federal funding for the site to make it wheelchair accessible, create council-run community rooms around the oval and build womens change rooms for Hawthorns AFLW team.

The Morrison governments strong economic management enables us to invest in local communities, she said on a wintry morning, standing on the wing of the pitch near female football players.

Thank you to the girls for giving me a few tips on how to do the handballs and the kicks  Go Box Hill Hawks!

Lius rival for the seat, Labor candidate Carina Garland, a former union official, would have been gutted. Two party sources have confirmed that she and her federal Labor team were due to make a funding announcement at the ground in early May.

Liu and Guy, with Menzies candidate Keith Wolahan behind. Credit:Joe Armao

At the planned announcement, Labor would have restated a funding commitment made before the 2019 election, when it was defeated in Chisholm.

People are right to be angry that it has taken three years and an election to be called before Gladys Liu bothered to finally do her job, Garland said in a written statement.

The near miss comes after, earlier this month, Liu made funding commitments to local reserves just days after Labor pledged money to the same places.

Lius millions promised to the Box Hill oval were almost matched by a $5 million pledge by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, who welcomed Liu and Menzies candidate Keith Wolahan as he made one of his first forays into the federal election campaign.

The state opposition also needs to win back the seat of Box Hill, to be contested by Liberal candidate Nicole Werner, and surrounding seats that it held before its 2018 election drubbing.

The state government is apparently only invested in big projects. They want to build big things but theyre forgetting what is so important to so many and that is our backyards, our neighbourhoods, our communities, he said.

Guy filming a video for his social media channels with Liberal candidate Nicole Werner after the funding announcement. Credit:Joe Armao

Ed Sill, president of the Box Hill Hawks, said he had been campaigning for money for the oval for five years but had not yet received money from the Andrews government.

Former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett, president of the Hawthorn Football Club whose VFL team is Box Hill Hawks, last year claimed the Andrews government was withholding funding from Hawthorn because of Kennetts frequent and dramatic criticism of Premier Daniel Andrews handling of the pandemic. The state government denied this.

Im not going to speculate, Sill said when asked if Kennetts presence at the club was a reason the state had not allocated funding.

April 20

Emily Kah doesnt pay much attention to politics, but the 18-year-old engineering student, who will vote in her first election next month, has heard enough to form the view that the Australian government just doesnt like China.

It makes me kind of uncomfortable, she told The Age outside the bustling Box Hill shopping centre.

Voters from Box Hill in the electorate of Chisholm discuss what is swaying their vote in the Federal election. Credit:Scott McNaughton

Kah, a second generation member of a migrant family is one of the thousands of residents of the ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm who lives in a Chinese-speaking household. This cohort makes up more than a quarter of the electorate in the must-win seat for Labor, and they are described by one expert as collateral damage in Australias diplomatic feud with Beijing.

Like any cohort, they will vote on different issues. Some of the dozen Chinese-Australian voters approached by The Age, are, like Kah, put off the government by suggestions from Coalition ministers that Australia could go to war with China over Taiwan. Alan Qu, who moved from the mainland 15 years ago and now sells apartments in Box Hill, said hed vote Labor because the Liberal Party is not friendly to China. Others are more interested in hip-pocket issues, although for those whose business interests are tied to Australias relationship with China, these are intertwined.

Read the full story here in English, here in simplified Chinese characters, and here in traditional Chinese characters.

April 17

Natalie Rabey lives in Chadstone  best known for its enormous shopping centre. But as all sides of politics talk about the cost of living, this 72-year-old pensioner and resident of the electorate of Chisholm, says mere survival is becoming tough.

The cost of food has skyrocketed. She had her family over for lunch on Sunday and It cost me $240, she says. I didnt buy much. Cold meats, dips, carrots, not much else. I nearly died. What the hell? Its my entire pension once my bills come in too.

Natalie Rabey at her home in Chadstone on Sunday. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Chisholm, held by the Liberals Gladys Liu on a wafer-thin margin, sits within Melbournes eastern suburbs mortgage belt, with an average weekly wage and home ownership rates that reflect the national average. But its western corner contains pockets of entrenched poverty.

The polling booths in this part of Chisholm  suburbs such as Ashwood, Burwood, Chadstone and Oakleigh  vote Labor. Last election, 11 out of 12 booths in the electorates west went to the ALP.

In this part of the electorate, inflation, housing, rental availability, petrol prices and the rising cost of food are likely to be real factors influencing peoples votes.

Rabey lives in public housing in a unit she got 20 years ago and says that having a home is the single most important cost-of-living issue. Having learned how much public housing helped her two decades ago, she is part of a housing group that tries to assist other people in the area in desperate circumstances.

She acknowledges there has been some social housing construction in the area in recent years and both state and federal governments have put money into building public and social housing. But we need more. Whoever wins the next election should use empty land in her suburb to build more cheap housing, she says.

Liu won Chisholm in 2019 by just 0.57 per cent. Rabey, a self-described one-eyed Labor voter, has encountered Liu in meetings with housing advocates and is scathing.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits Wallies Lollies in Box Hill South with MP Gladys Liu on Saturday. Credit:James Brickwood

If you need anything just let me know, she says to us. We never hear from her again, says Rabey, Its all talk and no action.

She sings the praises of both Lius predecessor until 2016, Labors Anna Burke, and former Liberal state MP for the area, Graeme Watt. He was such a good advocate.

Liu says she takes housing affordability seriously, noting she was born and raised in public housing in Hong Kong before coming to Australia as an adult. I am always available to talk to local residents about their concerns and advocate on their behalf, she says, also pointing to almost $7 billion in rent assistance the federal government provides each year.

Labor is promising to create a Housing Australia Future Fund, which over five years would build 20,000 social housing properties, 4000 of them for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence and older women at risk of homelessness.

Labors Carina Garland. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Labors Carina Garland says the rising cost of housing is a big concern to voters in the seat and that housing affordability has got worse under the Morrison government. It needs to be a focus for the federal government, she says. There is no easy fix, but it does require leadership.

Rabey regularly pops into Ashwoods Power Neighbourhood House, which The Age visited during the campaigns first week. There, manager Carol Berger has just finished giving out $1200 worth of free food to people in the suburb who cant afford to feed themselves or their families.

Carol Berger manages Power Neighbourhood House in Ashwood, which does a weekly food giveaway each Tuesday. Credit:Paul Jeffers

We didnt do it prior to COVID, says Berger as she packs up food left over from that days giveaway. During the pandemic, she says, lots of people couldnt go anywhere and a lot of people lost jobs.

We thought we have to do something. People needed us more than ever. The extremes of the pandemic are fading, but the centre has kept the food parcel service going. The need for the food assistance was growing, Berger says.

Berger has run the Power Neighbourhood House for 15 years in Ashwood and lists food prices, the lack of access to bulk-billed health care and  most of all  affordable housing as the most pressing issues in the neighbourhood.

Consultant Kos Samaras, a former Labor assistant state secretary who now runs consulting firm RedBridge, says the cost of living is raised constantly at focus groups he runs for clients.

The vote in this part of the electorate is changing. At the last election at the Ashwood voting booth, while Labors primary vote dipped by 1 per cent and the Liberal vote fell by 8 per cent, right-wing and independent candidates got a swing of 9 per cent towards them.

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Monash University politics professor Paul Strangio says while the cost of living is the economic terrain most elections are fought on, there is little governments can do about it in the Australian system.

Its not like we have price controls, he says, noting the one area its very directly controlled is JobSeeker. On that, we have a bipartisan agreement that theyre not going to increase it.

April 15

Good Friday was a holy day on the campaign trail and Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a quick visit to Melbourne to perform some religious observances  Christian in the morning and Jewish in the afternoon (Passover is coinciding with Easter this year), but the day was not entirely devoid of politics.

His first stop was in the ultra-marginal electorate of Chisholm, where he hopes to woo enough voters to keep incumbent Gladys Liu in her seat as she battles Labors Carina Garland. To that end, Morrison visited the Syndal Baptist Church, which sits within an area the 2016 census shows has 28 per cent of residents with Chinese ancestry (the Australian average was around 4 per cent).

Scott Morrison (centre) and Gladys Liu (right) talk with Syndal Baptist Church pastor Chris Danes on Friday. Credit:James Brickwood

Chris Danes, senior pastor at the church, gave some insight into the scramble to organise events on the prime ministerial campaign roster. They rang yesterday and said, Would it be OK for the prime minister to come? Danes told The Age.

Were inclusive, anyone can come. If Albo rang up, wed say come on over.

It was, Danes thought, the first time a prime minister had visited the congregation in its 65-year history. However, he insisted to the political minders that the PM and his entourage of media and minders not take away from Jesus on Good Friday.

The scrum was respectful, Danes says, though he will face the real problem on Sunday: We got some very strong Labor supporters and some strong Liberal supporters. Weve got Greens too. Thats why I am going to cop it in the neck, at Sundays service, Danes said.

During the Friday service, Danes sat next to Morrison. I leaned over and said to him, This is as quiet as its going to be all day for you, and he said Yep. 

Danes says Morrison was focused on the service. The phone was in the pocket.

As for speaking, Morrison made only one short statement after stepping outside. Easter is about faith. Its about hope, he said.

Its about being able to look forward to the future with confidence encouraged by your beliefs. Its a very personal thing for me, and I really enjoyed the service this morning.

Church manager Clara Yeung on Friday was helping organise the first of the days Good Friday services being run in both Mandarin and Cantonese. She says around 200 people regularly attend the Mandarin and Cantonese services the church holds on Sundays. Asked whether the church leaned either way politically, Yeung laughed and said: We dont tend to talk about this at church.

Morrison later joined Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the member for Kooyong, at a Passover service in Hawthorn East.

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Outside the church doors, debate was raging over Morrisons decision to abandon a pledge to set up a corruption watchdog, blaming Labor for not supporting his preferred plan.

While integrity in politics has been a major campaign point for teal candidates in other Victorian seats including Kooyong and Goldstein, the heat has been less intense on the federal Liberal MP Gladys Liu.

After the church service with Morrison, The Age asked Liu why her side of politics had not established an integrity commission during the term of government now coming to an end.

[We had] 350 pages of our policies and we really want to have bipartisan support for this very important issue, Liu replied. Unfortunately, Labor, they only came up with two pages. There is bipartisan support needed for this very important bill to pass.

Morrison did put forward a proposal for an anti-corruption commission, and Labor and others in the federal Parliament rejected it. But Morrison never introduced legislation to the parliament or attempted to negotiate a way forward with Labor, the minor parties, or the independents.

Liu is running in Chisholm against Labors Carina Garland, who says Morrison hates scrutiny, and that if she wins the seat, she hopes to be part of a Labor government that introduces a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Garland says the anti-corruption commission proposal Morrison floated was almost universally denounced as being so weak it would cover up corruption.

Labor candidate for Chisholm Carina Garland. Credit:Paul Jeffers

April 14

Talk about awkward. Its just gone 8am on Thursday morning at Mount Waverley railway station and the Liberal MP for the seat of Chisholm, Gladys Liu, and Carina Garland, the Labor candidate trying to replace her, have just met for the first time.

Both are on the hustings, handing out flyers.

We said hello, we are civilised, says Liu, handing a brochure to a voter, asking him to re-elect her in the marginal seat she has held for the last three years.

Chisholm Liberal MP Gladys Liu, in blue, and Labor candidate Carina Garland, at Mount Waverley railway station. Credit:Clay Lucas

Two or three metres away stands Garland, handing out her flyers. Im Carina, Im the Labor candidate, she tells a commuter strolling up to catch the 8.06 from platform 1.

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Most greet her, and Liu, warmly enough. People I think are really very friendly, says Garland. Theyre very happy to have someone wish them good morning.

When The Age asks Liu and Garland how often theyre campaigning at railway stations, both respond  within earshot of the other  that their opponent is seldom seen.

After the last three years, people want to see someone on the ground, says Garland. Thats why were here, so people can see an active political representative in the community.

This is the first time Ive seen my opponent, says Liu, a backbencher with a high profile because of the controversies that have surrounded her since she was elected.

Commuters appear more generous to the pair than they are to each other. Every time I come, once a week, one of them is here, says Stephen Mackay after he arrives to board his city-bound train, and is handed a flyer on the way into the station by both.

Alongside the candidates is ABC Friends volunteer John Presley, also handing out leaflets supporting the national broadcaster. Its a good cause, he says while handing a flyer to another distracted worker dashing for the train.

The candidates with John Presley from Friends of the ABC. Credit:Clay Lucas

Presley got a call the night before from the ABC Friends, asking him to hand out at Mount Waverley. He loves that both candidates are there.

One of you is going to be the local MP once this is done, he tells Liu and Garland, gathering them together for a picture. They oblige, perhaps a touch reluctantly.

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Wandering past next is Mount Waverley resident Steve Pewtress, out walking his sons red heeler Razzle. The Liberal Party member stops to say hi to both candidates. Hes president of the Waverley Blues Football Club; in the opening week of the campaign, both Labor and the Coalition have promised millions to upgrade the teams clubrooms. Were somewhat pleased we live in a bellwether seat in Chisholm, he says.

For more than an hour, this scene plays out in front of Shila Patel. She runs Cafe Away, in a tiny nook on the railway stations city-bound side, each weekday from 6am to 10am.

Shila Patel in Cafe Away, which she runs at Mount Waverley railway station. Credit:Clay Lucas

She took on the cafe two months ago, when she was selling just one or two coffees a morning. Now, as people return to the office, shes selling 15 coffees on a good morning. Before the pandemic, the previous owner would sell 50 a morning.

Patel has seen the candidates there on previous days and says people are happy to take a flyer, and sometimes stop and talk to them. If they are running late, they dont want to speak to anyone. Or buy coffee, she says ruefully.

April 13

Chisholm vital to Labors poll puzzle. By Stephen Brook and Clay Lucas

Its difficult to overstate how much Labor needs the ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm to fall its way if it is to form government. In Labor circles its known as the 76th seat  the seat that gets them over the line in federal parliaments 151-seat chamber.

Its not even a bellwether; its a necessary seat, says pollster Peter Lewis, of Essential Media Communications. If it doesnt fall, they dont win.

With a wafer-thin margin of 0.6 per cent in favour of Liberal incumbent Liu, both sides are struggling to predict what will happen in the seat and are reluctant to make a call publicly. One Liberal Party elder doesnt expect his party to hold Chisholm, pointing to a predicted statewide swing against the Coalition that would eclipse Lius advantage.

We dont know what the Chinese vote will do, he adds, And we cant find out.

A large portion of Chisholms voters have Chinese heritage  under the seats previous boundaries, 17.6 per cent of this electorate spoke either Mandarin or Cantonese at home. It was why the ferocious battle for Chisholm in 2019 included the first-ever candidate debate conducted in Mandarin, between the Liberal Liu and her Labor challenger at that time, Taiwan-born Jennifer Yang.

On election night it looked like Labor had won the seat until Liu pulled ahead on pre-poll and postal votes to emerge victorious. If 545 votes had gone the other way, Yang wouldve been elected. There was also controversy over a Liberal Party sign. Printed in Chinese and in the same purple colour as Australian Electoral Commission signage, it appeared to translate as saying the correct way to vote was Liberal.

On the trail with Gladys Liu

As the election campaign kicked off, The Age joined Liu at Box Hill Central shopping plaza, where she mingled easily with voters. Some she approached, others sidled up to her for a chat after recognising the MP, who has a particularly high profile among Chinese-born voters. Among them was a self-confessed fan, Jennifer Teng, who asked The Age for an introduction to the Hong Kong-born MP.

Teng, from the Gold Coast but in Box Hill visiting family, moved to Australia from Singapore 26 years ago. She cant vote for Liu but recognised her  one of the few MPs with Chinese heritage  from TV. Teng wanted to meet Liu because she is a fighter who helped represent one of the minorities in our community, and, of course, we have Penny Wong too.

Jennifer Teng, a Gladys Liu fan. Credit:Wayne Taylor

Gladys, shes fighting very hard for us. I wish we had a voice like her in the Gold Coast as well. She works very hard for our Asian community, especially the Chinese community, says Teng, who also, without prompting, raises the issue of what she terms scandal surrounding Liu being a pro-Chinese spy before dismissing it. It has to be supported by evidence. If theres no evidence, you have to leave people alone, she says.

Liu, 58, has weathered controversy over claims she used WeChat to air anti-LGBTQ messages and persistent allegations over her links to Chinese organisations. Her membership of a Coalition that has stridently condemned the Chinese government also adds to the unpredictability of how this electorate might vote.

She could be caught as a victim of government-friendly fire as Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison attempt to wedge Labor on China, says Essential pollster Lewis.

Even former Labor campaign workers respect Lius skill, particularly her at-times controversial use of Chinese-language social media. Despite her air of incompetence, she is a pretty brutal operator, says one former ALP operative. You have got to respect the hustle.

Gladys Liu at Box Hill Central shopping centre on Monday. Credit:Wayne Taylor

The challenger

One certainty in Chisholm is that the winner of this seat will be a woman. Liu faces a challenge from Labors Carina Garland, a former Victorian Trades Hall Council assistant secretary who holds a PhD in gender and cultural studies.

Garland, 38, lives in Clayton. Her Italian heritage mirrors another aspect of this areas ethnic diversity. Her grandfather migrated from Italy in the 1950s and trained as a teacher at Burwood Teachers College. It paved the way for her father to become a doctor. Together with Garlands mother, a nurse, the couple ran a local GP practice in the south-east.

Its a positive migrant story that mirrors others in this area, says Garland, who graduated with an honours degree in English literature at Monash, and worked as an academic at the University of Sydney.

Garland says Labor also stands shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese-Australian community against racism and racially motivated attacks. I will work to unite communities, not divide them, she says.

The Greens candidate is Sarah Newman, a full-time university student who works at JB Hi-Fi. The party has no chance of winning the seat, but last election it polled 12 per cent of the primary vote. If Newman can maintain that, the preferences of her voters will be key to deciding the result. Liu and the Liberal Party must suppress the Greens vote to avoid Labor taking the seat.

The candidates will be seeking the support of voters not particularly engaged in the electoral process, and many voters who dont care about government. Thus, the campaign will be fought at shopping centres, weekend markets and during the morning commute along the two major train arteries, the Lilydale and Belgrave train lines that pass beneath Box Hill Central, and the Glen Waverley line that terminates at the giant The Glen shopping complex to the south.

Labor candidate for seat of Chisholm Carina Garland. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Apart from transport and road arterials, the electorate is also divided geopolitically, the Liberal-majority Whitehorse City Council in the north and the Labor-dominated Monash Council in the south. Adding to the uncertainty is a redistribution that slashed Lius majority from 0.6 per cent to a nominal 0.2 per cent. Polling is even more difficult because, while there are 109,000 eligible voters at the time of writing, there are an additional 19,000 adults living in the electorate who are ineligible to vote.

A sample of modern Australia

This electorates wealth falls squarely in the middle, according to the 2016 census. The average weekly wage for the area in 2019 was $1472  marginally above the national average at $1431. A third of voters own their home outright, also in line with the national average.

Housing affordability and the cost of living, along with national security, will form the key concerns for voters, says Theo Zographos, a Liberal councillor on Monash Council.

Its a good sample of modern Australia, and its obviously a very competitive seat. Its multicultural Australia, he says. While close to one-fifth of the electorate has mainland Chinese or Hong Kong heritage, almost 8 per cent were born in India and Sri Lanka, and 4 per cent Malaysia.

Issues like fuel prices will be front of mind, he says. In a seat like Chisholm, which is more a mortgage-belt type of seat, these are the issues that voters have been expressing.

Lets not forget the impact of the pandemic. Christo Christophidis has been the force behind local cafe Mocha Jos on the Kingsway at Glen Waverley for more than 20 years.

Christo Christophidis from Mocha Jos in Glen Waverley. Credit:Simon Schluter

In the last couple of years, the business community has taken second place to peoples lives. They have not been focusing on their neighbours. It has been all about you, says the president of the Glen Waverley Traders Association.

The pandemic took its toll and there is an undercurrent of fear among local shop owners. There are 12 vacancies out of 58 shops on the local strip and in a sign of how a key local issue can impact on a federal campaign, traders worry about how the looming Suburban Rail Loop will further hurt trade when a massive construction tunnel opens at the end of the street. Labor is banking on the transformational multibillion-dollar state government project being an electoral asset as it will improve transport links in the area.

The old high street shops on the Kingsway are still well patronised. Two locals nominate Mocha Jos as the place to meet when The Age visits, and his cafe is humming. Outside, a Buddhist monk sits sipping a cup of tea. But there is no denying the impact of the massive shopping complex The Glen, and its three gleaming luxury residential towers, fresh from a $490 million redevelopment. Its like Singapore; you can go shopping there and live upstairs. Its amazing, says Christophidis.

Opposite Mocha Jos at the Piatella Cafe, real estate agent Ming Xu sits outside and orders a green smoothie. He moved from China to study IT at Monash University about 20 years ago and never moved back to China.

In those days, Ming says his Chinese language skills were a disadvantage when he was starting out in the industry. But now, as a director of the Biggins & Scott real estate agency in Glen Waverley, catering to a clientele that includes Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and European, the opposite is true.

Ming Xu in Glen Waverley this week. Credit:Simon Schluter

So, how does he describe himself? In terms of being part of the community, to that extent I am Australian, but at the same time I still have Chinese blood in my body, he says.

We are looking for a government that can keep our community safe, thats why people are coming here, he says, also nominating education and small business assistance as priorities.

First-generation immigrant families move to the area attracted to high-achieving schools such as the state Glen Waverley Secondary College. They have helped to push the premium for houses in the schools central Glen Waverley catchment area by up to anywhere between $100,000 and $1 million. Its amazing  some of these houses behind the Kingsway go for $2.3 million or $2.6 million. You can still find a house on the edge of Glen Waverley for $1.3 million, Xu says.

A bridge to the community

To the north of where Xu sits lies The Glen, and a series of modern residential towers dominate the skyline. In 2012, the Village Cinemas near The Glen provided the stage for the launch of the 267-apartment Galleria development. And when the complexs developer, John Castran, needed a bridge to the Chinese community to sell the off-the-plan scheme, Gladys Liu stepped forward.

Then a multicultural adviser to Victorian Liberal premier Ted Baillieu after working as a speech pathologist, she was certainly an incredible cohesive force in the Chinese community, Castran recalls.

While some electors will vote against the government for its rhetoric against the Chinese government, many Hong Kong-born Chinese will support Liu for her criticism of the China-sponsored crackdown in Hong Kong, accusing Beijing of undermining its autonomy.

Real estate agent Xu says, while he does not want to get too political about the Australian governments relationship with the Chinese government, many Chinese-Australians like what Liu represents. It is good we can see that the parliament accepts an Asian voice, he says.

With a Chinese background, I also wish the Australian government and Chinese government will be friends  that will be more beneficial for the economy.

The Age asked Liu how she would win the seat again, and whether she would campaign this time around using WeChat, in particular, to reach Chinese voters. Liu said she had been in or near the electorate of Chisholm for three decades and knew its issues well. She had a plan, she said, that would deliver local jobs [and] better local facilities.

She would be using every means available to communicate the benefits of my local plan, she added.

By Tuesday, both Liu and Garland had promised millions of dollars to rebuild pavilions at two reserves, one in Blackburn South, the other in Mount Waverley. In both cases, Garland made her promise to sporting clubs first, only to see Liu days later make the same offer  but with an extra million dollars in funding thrown in.

April 11

The battle for Chisholm, Victorias most marginal seat, has begun with both Labor and Liberal candidates promising millions of dollars to rebuild sporting clubrooms at a popular Blackburn South park.

Chisholm is held by the Liberal Partys Gladys Liu, on a margin of just 0.6 per cent. Labors Carina Garland is trying to take back a seat held by the ALP for the six elections until 2016.

On Saturday, Garland met cricket and soccer clubs at Mirrabooka Reserve and promised $2 million to rebuild clubrooms there. On Monday, Liu met the clubs and promised $3 million.

If its a tie, we will take $5 million, joked Drew Sinclair, the president of the Blackburn South Cobras cricket club.

Stuart Baird from Blackburn Newhope Football Club, which also plays at the reserve and uses the clubrooms, also joked that members of the two sporting clubs were all single issue voters; our fear is a hung parliament.

Whitehorse Council has been in discussion with both clubs about rebuilding the rooms for several years, and Liu met the football club last November to discuss funding for the project.

The local clubs in our communities have been so persistent in their requests for funding and so passionate about the needs of their members, she said.

Garland, however, said that despite knowing the request for new clubrooms had been around for some time, it had taken Liu three years since being elected to make the promise.

Liu was scrambling to fix three years of inaction, not because she cares about locals, but because she is desperate to hang on to her job.

Labor has also promised $3 million to upgrade the Mount Waverley Reserve, also in Chisholm and home to 38 cricket and 16 Australian rules teams. Garland said it would improve the sporting pavilion there, providing mens and womens change rooms, more storage space and better social facilities.

Email Clay Lucas (clucas@theage.com.au) and Paul Sakkal (paul.sakkal@theage.com.au) to tell them whats happening in Chisholm during this election campaign.

Jacqueline Maley cuts through the noise of the federal election campaign with news, views and expert analysis. Sign up to our Australia Votes 2022 newsletter here.
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Albanese has announced a plan to trial bulk billed Medicare urgent care clinics. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

These clinics are a key part of Labors plan to strengthen Medicare, Albanese said.

Under the plan, patients with sprains and broken bones, insect bites, minor cuts and wounds, burns, ear and eye problems would receive bulk-billed care from a doctor or nurse, 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm.
But Lawrence faces a tougher task than her colleagues in Labors other target seats of Swan and Pearce, where sitting Liberal MPs Steve Irons and Christian Porter are retiring. Wyatt is a calm and collected force and has built up a significant profile in his 12 years in the seat both as a local member and a member of cabinet. As a Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi man Wyatt created history in 2017 by becoming the first Aboriginal minister and again in 2019 when he became the first Aboriginal person to take on the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. He also has significant support within his party. Former prime minister John Howard has campaigned with Wyatt at every single election.

He was wheeled out to Hasluck once again on the first day of the campaign on Monday. But at 69, questions are being raised about how long Wyatt will continue in politics. He said he would continue as an MP even if his party was not re-elected. Because Ive always believed that if you take on a role, you meet those obligations of the role, he said. Age is not a factor. If we think about the number of Australians who are in their 80s and 90s, still contributing to our everyday life, building and continuing to build a better future for our children and grandchildren then thats what we should do collectively as a nation.

Retiree Kathleen said she would likely vote for Ken Wyatt at the election. Credit:Kate Geldart We dont give up because we have a number after our name. What the voters think Following Howards visit to Perth on Monday, WAtoday asked voters what burning issues were on their mind in the lead up to the election. Grandmother and retiree Kathleen, who did not want to give her surname, said Wyatt would be getting her vote at the election despite the fact she voted for Labor at a state level.

I voted for McGowan in the state, but I tend to vote for my member rather than a party, she said. I like Ken and I think he does a lot of other good things, so I always vote for him. Kathleen said she was annoyed at restrictions on part-time work and the pension when her age cohort was being encouraged to work if they could. They want us to go and work, but then they take the pension off us, she said. I was a teacher and I did some relief work and I was earning less by doing two days a week relief teaching than what I would have made if I had just taken my pension.

Brad said his business always performed better under a federal Liberal government. Credit:Kate Geldart Brad, owner of Robbs Craft Butchery in High Wycombe, said he was a fan of Wyatt and Howard and said his business always performed better under a federal Liberal government. He said the Coalitions pandemic relief measures such as JobKeeper kept him afloat during COVID. While Tara, 52, would not say who she was likely to vote for, climate change was top of her mind. I dont really think anyones doing enough to address that, 2050 for net zero is too far away and it just does not seem to be at the forefront of either [partys] policies, she said.

Tara believes the major parties are not doing enough to address climate change. Credit:Kate Geldart This government let the Adani mine go ahead that was just crazy. Theyre too busy trying to get seats in Queensland and please people out there theyre not really thinking about climate change. Theyre not really giving us enough incentives for more solar, theyre not really putting in any solar power stations. Theres not very much thats visible on the ground that actually happened.
The state government taskforce into dangerous flammable cladding has deemed more than 500 buildings a low priority, despite their facades potentially posing unacceptable fire risks.

NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford made the finding in a review of reforms targeting unsafe cladding since the material supercharged Londons deadly Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017.

Crawford said identification of buildings in the immediate aftermath was hampered by a lack of building records, but found the rate at which buildings are being added to the cladding register is falling.

The deadly Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017. Credit:

Of 1200 apartment blocks, guesthouses and public buildings identified by councils for possible flammable cladding four years ago, at least half are yet to be assessed. Forty per cent have either been rectified or found not to pose an unacceptable risk.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean loves a bold statement. As environment minister, he made a name for himself in his relentless pursuit of showing up the federal governments weak climate credentials.

As an orange cloud of bushfire smoke choked Sydney in late 2019, Kean publicly declared: This is not normal, and confidently linked the horror fire season to climate change.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has urged corporates to do more about female representation on their boards. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Buoyed by the attention that statement brought him, he upped the ante and warned that Scott Morrisons own cabinet ministers were unhappy with their governments environment policies.

Morrison slapped Kean down. No one in his federal cabinet would even know who Kean was, the prime minister scoffed. They did after that.
London: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has warned against sending any more weapons to Ukraine and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 run-off, she will pull her country out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Her attack on NATO comes as the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland meet in Stockholm to decide whether to join the alliance, saying they wanted protection from Russia following President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Marine Le Pen is still supportive of sanctions but thinks sending weapons is too provocative. Credit:AP

Finland and Sweden, while members of the EU, are only partners of NATO rather than members. NATO pledges to defend any member country in the event of an attack or invasion.
The mothers hands were shaking when she started writing on her two-year-olds body. They trembled so much that she couldnt write correctly on her first try, even though the information was second nature: her daughters name, Vira, along with her birthdate and their family phone numbers.

I thought that if my husband and I died, Vira could find who she is, the mother, Aleksandra Makoviy, recalled.

For Vira, standing in a nappy in their house in Kyiv, the writing on her back was a game. She didnt know that the bombing had begun.

Makoviys desperate attempt to prepare her daughter for the possibility of being orphaned as the family attempted to escape the Ukrainian capital during the Russian invasion has become a wrenching symbol of the anguish of a nation of parents.
New York: The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested and charged with a federal terrorism offence after a daylong manhunt and a tipsters call brought police to him on a Manhattan street.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody on Wednesday, New York time, about 30 hours after the carnage on a crowded rush-hour train. He was awaiting arraignment on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems, Brooklyn US Attorney Breon Peace said, and carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Frank R. James was arrested in the East Village in Manhattan. Credit:AP

There is no indication that James had ties to terror organisations  international or otherwise  and the motive remains unclear, Peace said.

It wasnt immediately clear whether James, who is from New York but has lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, has an attorney or anyone else who can speak for him. A sign taped to the door of James apartment in Milwaukee asks that all mail be delivered to a post office box.
Azab al-Aboud came in response to the recent news of mercenaries heading to fight in Ukraine on the side of one of the two sides of the conflict.

This was preceded by the participation of Syrian mercenaries in the war in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, with Turkey continuing to rely on thousands of mercenaries to occupy Syrian territory and consolidate its occupation there.

The head of the Future Syria Party Council in Manbij and its countryside, Azab Al-Aboud, commented that "the mass movement in which the Syrians revolted has become a deep crisis due to several reasons, the most important of which is the Syrian regime's continuation of the approach of exclusion and military solution, and the failure to conduct democratic reforms that meet the demands of the Syrian people."

She continued her speech by saying: "There is the opposition project, which also needed to be more organized and clear, and unfortunately, as a result of the gaps in it, it gave way to external, regional interventions that led to the dismantling of the opposition project and emptying it of its content, and the Syrian arena became an arena of deep conflicts.

Azab Al-Aboud saw that those who have severely suffered are the Syrian people, and the majority of the opposition turned into terrorists and mercenaries who are used as a lethal weapon, especially by the Turkish state to implement its projects to build the Ottoman Empire in killing Syrians or intra -fighting conflict among Syrians, as in its occupation of Afrin, Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad.

She added, "Turkey has become exploiting the factions who have turned into mercenaries, because their cause is not national, but rather a money-raising issue. They are fighting in Libya and Azerbaijan, and today the Turkish state is a member of NATO serving NATO's interests in Ukraine by using Syrians as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine in order to put pressure on the side." Russian too.

She explained that "Russia in Syria is using the Syrians to fight alongside it to implement its projects in restoring the former Soviet Union, and Russia is considered an ally of the Syrian regime and has played a major role in the Syrian crisis."

Azab Al-Aboud concluded her speech by saying that "the Syrian crisis can only be resolved through the implementation of the Syrian dialogue to guarantee the Syrians their rights to live in freedom and dignity, After the Syrian people were the ones who had the pioneering role in producing civilization and culture, they are now living in a state of great rupture and have become a mercenary working abroad.

T/S

ANHA
Somerset, KY (42501)

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Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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KAMP Automation eyes move from Waseca to Owatonna

After several months of weighing their options, a Waseca-based manufacturing company has finally made a decision of where home base will be  and that decision is to set up camp in Owatonna.

KAMP Automation, which has been leasing property on University Drive SW in Waseca since 2015, is relocating to Owatonnas industrial park to build its own facility  pending approval for state assistance. (File photo/southernminn.com)

Last week, KAMP Automation entered a purchase agreement with the city of Owatonna to procure 4.45 acres in the citys industrial park to build its own, permanent home. KAMP Automation is currently leasing property on University Drive SW in Waseca, and the land being purchased in Owatonna is on the corner directly north of Gopher Sport in Owatonna.

The agreed upon price came in at $155,073, and the purchase agreement is contingent on the manufacturing company acquiring state incentives through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The state funds, according to communications via KAMP Automation, will be necessary to complete the project.

While Waseca city and county government were hopeful KAMP Automation would elect to remain in Waseca County and build a permanent structure here, the Waseca City Council did ultimately have to play a role in the companys ability to relocate.

During the March 15 Waseca City Council meeting, the council approved a request made by KAMP Automation to notify the state of Minnesota that the city has no objection to the company receiving state assistance in the event they relocate or expand operations into Owatonna.

Without consent from the city of Waseca, it would have been more difficult for KAMP Automation to receive the state assistance for their proposed course of action.

During the meeting, City Manager Lee Mattson explained to the councilors that, if they were to refuse to issue the letter of consent, it could potentially lead to KAMP Automation moving all the way to the Twin Cities metro area, therefore making it more difficult for current Waseca residents to continue to live in Waseca and work for KAMP Automation. It could also limit the citys ability to attract future KAMP Automation employees to live in Waseca.

In a letter to the city of Waseca, Kent Patterson  president and CEO of KAMP Automation  wrote that the company has put much thought and consideration into where their permanent building would be constructed.

Choosing a potential location for expansion is not something we have taken lightly, and while no formal or final decision has been made, we do believe expanding into Owatonna would be the best long-term option for the company, Patterson wrote in the letter dated March 7. Patterson went on to explain that, while the company did consider the south metro area to attract a larger pool of the workforce, he believed the company needed to stay committed to our local roots and the people who have helped KAMP Automation grow to where it is today.

While we may expand operations into OWatonna, we have every intention to maintain our Waseca workforce long-term and create future employment opportunities for Waseca residents, Patterson wrote.

Patterson did not return requests for additional comment.

During the April 5 Owatonna City Council meeting, a public hearing was held concerning the submission of an application to DEED for a grant under the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) program to assist with the relocation and expansion of KAMP Automation. The city is requesting up to $575,000 to assist in funding the creations of jobs. KAMP Automation  which currently employs about 25 individuals  is expected to double its number of employees within two years.

DEED has preliminarily stated KAMP Automation could potentially receive an award for up to $140,000 in a forgivable MIF loan or $85,000 in a repayable loan. The Job Creation Fund program  also through DEED  could potentially provide up to $800,000 for the job creation in the project.

The building is anticipated to carry a $6 million investment and be roughly 50,000 square feet. KAMP Automation anticipates paying for part of it through tax increment financing (TIF), pending approval from the Owatonna council.

KAMP Automation was founded in 2015 by the plant manager and engineering manager of a global electronics company. At part of its former employer, the company drove the manufacturing strategy and execution of high volume industrial electronics, shipping more than $250 million of product annually. In order to make quality products at scale, Kamp started to design, build and support its own industrial automated equipment.
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Cedar Valley Services battle ongoing staff shortage, advocate for legislation change

The last two years have been difficult in many ways for businesses and individuals alike. Many local individuals with disabilities who often looked forward to seeing their friends at Cedar Valley Services are still stuck at home due to staffing shortages.

Emily Kahnke / By EMILY KAHNKE emily.kahnke@apgsomn.com Cedar Valley Services  which serves Waseca County clients through the Owatonna office  offers several programs to individuals in the community with disabilities. Currently, there are more than 50 individuals on a waitlist hoping to return to their jobs and friends, but are unable to due to staffing shortages. (Emily Kahnke/southernminn.com)

Executive Director of Cedar Valley Services Rich Pavek recognizes the seriousness of the staffing shortages in servicing those with disabilities. CVS, which serves Waseca County residents through its Owatonna location, currently has a waiting list of more than 50 individuals awaiting the ability to return to work.

The pandemic has had devastating effects on our programs here, Pavek said. The wages set by the legislature are keeping wages uncompetitive, which is why weve began the push to introduce new legislation that will allow us to be competitive and attract more staff to keep the programs running and allowing us to better serve our individuals.

Multiple legislation proposals are making their way up the government ladder to advocate for those with disabilities and benefit the staff who work with them. The proposed legislation would increase the wages and benefits needed to recruit and retain staff to make the continuation of the programs possible.

The first is the Best Life Alliance legislation, which is being introduced for long-term workforce sustainability.

The bill proposes adjustments to the Disability Waiver Rate System, Pavek said. The proposed adjustments focus on using more current economic data for updates to reimbursement rates. Currently these updates are based on data that is outdated by many years.

The second bill is focused more on short-term and instant steps the state of Minnesota can take to ensure stabilization in the workforce. It proposes time limited benefits for staff including scholarship grants, childcare relief grants and one-time retention payments for staff.

Sherie Wallace, principal at the Wallace Group, said the current staffing crisis is statewide, with more than 3,500 individuals on waitlists who are unable to participate in work and community programs.

The legislation is important to pay attention to because there are so many people languishing at home, Wallace said. All of us felt the impact of staying at home during the lockdown. Thousands of people are still stuck at home, and programs are even closing down because theres not enough staff.

She went on to say that much of the concern is how staff are given a great deal of responsibility with medical issues, various disabilities and behavior issues, which requires a great deal of communication and skill to effectively handle. Coupled with the hourly wage offered and set by current legislature, there is a clear imbalance between the compensation and the responsibilities the job entails.

Despite the setback and hardships, Pavek applauded the resiliency and dedication the staff has shown to serving those with disabilities and keeping their routines as normal as possible.

We offer several programs in this area and partner with many local businesses, Pavek said. The staff and individuals have come out well, but we really want to get everyone off the waitlist and back to their routines.

Emily Kahnke / By EMILY KAHNKE emily.kahnke@apgsomn.com Cedar Valley Services partners with many companies in Owatonna, including Wenger, Viracon, and Truth Hardware, to connect people living in the community with disabilities with stable and fulfilling employment. (Emily Kahnke/southernminn.com)

Local parents and guardians spoke to the benefits and hardships their loved ones faced with the massive disruption to their regular routines due to the pandemic. One parent noted how having the consistent job at CVS was wonderful for the behavior and socialization issues her son struggles with due to his diagnosis. Being able to have a job with an income, as well as establishing friendships with those working beside him, did wonders on his mental health and taught him valuable lessons in responsibility and social skills. She said her son was fortunate enough to have remained in his program throughout the pandemic as an essential worker, however, some of his friends and coworkers were not so lucky which caused him some stress.

Overall, both Wallace and Pavek agree the programs offered at CVS are rewarding for the individuals with disabilities, and those rewards extend to the staff as well.

Its a challenging job for sure, Pavek said. But the rewards and relationships people are able to build make the difficulties worth it.
James Strachan | Getty Images

Chile faces an increasingly critical situation: water scarcity . The drought in the region is now in its thirteenth year and the government is forced to take extreme measures. For the first time in its history, the Andean country will implement a plan to ration water in Santiago, the capital, where more than six million people live.

This Monday Claudio Orrego , governor of the Metropolitan Region, announced the plan with which Santiago intends to face the crisis: "The main environmental challenge of the Metropolitan Region, for the coming years, is to supply enough water for human consumption , which is the priority, but also for agricultural, industrial and public space activities. We can't make it rain, but we can prepare for an extreme situation."
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Easter is a hallowed holiday in the Christian religion, but some secular images have come to mark the day: pastel colored eggs and bunnies in baskets.

Some might wonder how rabbits became the image of the Christian Holiday. While little is known by the origin of the Easter Bunny, the image of bunnies in Easter was introduced to the United States by German immigrants, according to History.com. Around the 1700s, German immigrants shared their tale of an egg-laying hare and the tradition of children coloring eggs,, according to an article by Time Magazine.

Now that the Easter Bunny has become so engrained in our celebration, parents might think to gift a bunny to their children for Easter. But local shelters say pets can be problematic holiday gifts.

Most people know the commitment that comes with adopting dogs and cats, but the amount of responsibility that comes with having a rabbit as a pet is not as widely known, said Linda Thibault, director of Hopalong Hollow Rabbit Rescue in Norwalk.

"Rabbits are not an easy pet. They are not an impulse purchase, they're a long-time commitment," said Thibault, who opened Hopalong Hollow in 2004.

A report by Shelter Animals Count conducted in 2021 showed that rabbit adoptions are fairly consistent every month of the year, according to the MSPCA.

However, local shelters such as the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford do see a spike of interest during the holidays, according to Laura Selvaggio Burban, of the shelter.

"Every single year after Easter and Christmas, we get an influx of bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters and ferrets," said Selvaggio Burban. "But most people don't want a five, seven, or 15-year commitment as a gift."

When people receive rabbits as a gift, they have a higher risk of returning them or abandoning them, said Selvaggio Burban. Domestic rabbits are the third most abandoned pet in the United States and at least 80% of rabbits purchased around Easter are abandoned or die within a year, according to National Geographic.

Domesticated rabbits abandoned in the wilderness can also affect wild rabbits, according to Howard Kilpatrick from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The New England Cottontail and Eastern Cottontail are the two wild rabbit species that can be found in Connecticut. The former is the only one native to Connecticut while the latter was introduced to the Nutmeg state in the late 1800s, according to DEEP.

"If you release domestic rabbits, there's always a risk that they're carrying diseases or parasites that may not affect them, but they may affect wild rabbits," said Kilpatrick.

An additional misunderstanding is how long people think rabbits can live, according to Thibault. Most rabbits live eight to 12 years but some live up to 14 years, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

While bunnies are very cute but they can also be quite destructive, specifically when it comes to electric cords, so people need to "bunny-proof" their house, said Thibault. For many years, rabbits were considered a starter pet, but this is a misconception since they need as much care as dogs and cats, added Thibault.

Contributed by Joyce B. Comer

To discourage impulse buying of rabbits, PETCO stopped selling them in 2008. This decision was applauded by the House Rabbit Society, which said that this decision would impact the surplus of homeless rabbits in the country.

Among the care that is needed for rabbits is a great quantity of hay, a spacious playpen and a litter box. While all of these can be inexpensive, the expenses add up with veterinary care. One visit to the vet could easily be a thousand dollars, said Thibault.

One additional challenge to adopting rabbits in Connecticut is the low number of veterinary clinics that treat them, according to Susan Wollschlager of the Connecticut Humane Society.

"You don't have as many veterinary offices in Connecticut that see rabbits so you want to make sure that there is one near you so that you can keep up with regular care for your bunny when you adopt them," said Wollschlager.

When people are interested in adopting, the Connecticut Humane Society ensures that the family knows the amount of commitment they are undertaking, according to Wollschlager.

Selvaggio from Dan Cosgrove, recommends people to also volunteer in an animal shelter.

"Volunteer for six months and see how you feel about cleaning bunny cages and socializing with them. And if you think it's still a great fit, then adopt one of them that you've already gotten to know," said Selvaggio Burban.

Once people are aware of the commitment and care that rabbits need, they make great pets, said Wollschlager.

"They have personalities just like any other animal and some want attention all the time and will sit on your lap and cuddle with you and others want to hop around," said Wollschlager, who has a rabbit herself. "They can be really entertaining and make you laugh so I think they are a really fun pet."
Sunday, April 17

On this date in 1911, Sarah Bernhardt performed at the Tucson Opera House.

On this date in 1894, the business district of Jerome, then the largest mining camp in Arizona, was completely destroyed by fire.

On this date in 1913, an air blast, generated by the fall of 3 million tons of capping in the Miami mine, killed seven miners. The blast blew ore cars up to 100 feet (30.5 meters) .

On this date in 1930, 17 stills, 2000 gallons (7,571 liters) of mash and 40 gallons (151.42 liters) of whiskey were confiscated by Greenlee County officers.

On this date in 1931, a government order was issued for the extinction of the wild horse herds in the Coconino National Forest.

Monday, April 18

On this date in 1924, the Chiricahua National Monument was established.

On this date in 1924, 1,600 motorists were stranded at points of entrance to Arizona because of the embargo on all vehicular traffic due to a hoof and mouth quarantine. The occupants of 115 cars at Needles threatened to overpower Arizona border guards, and the governor ordered the National Guard readied for duty.

On this date in 1931, construction began on an Army Airways Operations Building at Fly Field in Yuma.

Tuesday, April 19

On this date in 1859, Fort Mojave was established.

On this date in 1884, Henry Chee Dodge was appointed head Chief of the Navajo Tribe by Agent Riordan.

Wednesday, April 20

On this date in 1825, Charles Poston, Father of Arizona, was born.

On this date in 1877, the town of Globe was founded.

On this date in 1920, a gasoline shortage forced many stations to close.

On this date in 1927, the town of Globe celebrated its 50th anniversary with 50,000 people, including Gov. George W.P. Hunt who had first entered Globe in 1881, riding a mule and seeking his fortune.

On this date in 1931, funeral services were held for Mrs. Helen Duett Hunt, wife of Arizona Gov. George W.P. Hunt.

Thursday, April 21

On this date in 1877, John Clum, with Clay Beauford and his Apache Police Force, arrested Geronimo and 13 other Apache renegades at Ojo Caliente, New Mexico.

On this date in 1904, Edward Tewksbury, the last survivor of the Graham-Tewksbury feud, died.

On this date in 1917, an agricultural conference meeting at the University of Arizona was startled when Dr. A.E. Vinson recommended slaughtering 25,000 wild burros and grinding the meat to make bologna.

On this date in 1928, Maricopa and Pima counties battled over their boundaries before the State Supreme Court.

Friday, April 22

On this date in 1919, the government opened its case in the Phoenix trial of two Cocopah Indians charged with the killing of their tribal medicine man who failed to halt a flu bug.

On this date in 1919, contracts were signed by Pima and Pinal County authorities and the U.S. Forest Service for the construction of a road from Oracle to Soldiers Camp in the Catalina Mountains.

On this date in 1920, prominent society and club women started a boycott on potatoes to protest the price. Housewives in Phoenix were called and asked to support the boycott and tell five friends to do the same.

On this date in 1938, the head of the Maricopa County Highway Safety squad was tried in Tempe Justice Court on charges of reckless driving.

Saturday, April 23

On this date in 1850, Yuma Indians attacked the ferry at the Yuma Crossing. Fifteen people were killed and three reached safety on the west coast.

On this date in 1886, fire destroyed a block of business buildings in Phoenix. The town had no fire department or water works.

On this date in 1919, U.S. Marshals raided two underground stills located in an abandoned mining shaft near Jerome.

On this date in 1919, The Arizona Daily Star reported that tests and experiments were to be conducted for the first time concerning the use of airplanes to spot forest fires and transport firefighters.

On this date in 1983, Buster Crabbe, a former Olympic swimming gold medalist who went to star in movies such as Tarzan the Fearless, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in the 1930s and 1940s, died of a heart attack at his Scottsdale home at age 75.

On this date in 2010, Gov. Jan Brewer signs SB1070, a bill that requires local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants, into law.
TELL CITY, Ind. (AP)  A $1.6 million federal grant will pay for the construction of a new southern Indiana pier on the Ohio River to be used for unloading of pig iron for a foundry, officials said Wednesday.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg went to Tell City to discuss the grant and tour the Ohio River port with Indiana Department of Transportation Director Michael Smith and local officials. Tell City is about midway between Evansville and Louisville, Kentucky.
Supporters of a proposal to ban the sale of flavored vaping products in Connecticut said they are preparing to fight efforts by Big Tobacco to riddle the bill with loopholes and exemptions.

For several years, lawmakers in the General Assembly have sought to prohibit the sale e-cigarettes, the most used tobacco product by youth. This years proposal would follow flavored vape bans enacted in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, which include menthol-flavored e-cigarettes.

The Public Health Committee voted last month to advance the bill, which the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, is now expected to take up given its $2 million fiscal note.

If history is any record, the industry is actively working the finance committee to try to make this policy completely ineffective in terms of keeping these products away from Connecticuts kids, said Kevin OFlaherty, director of advocacy for Connecticut Campaign Tobacco-Free Kids, a major advocate for the ban.

Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R-East Lyme, a top Republican on the committee, said she had not yet been lobbied on the vape issue. Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, co-chairman of the finance committee, said he expects there will be intense lobbying by the industry once the bill is referred to the committee and placed on its calendar.

I think a majority of my committee, including me, wants to get something done, in line with what other states around us have done, Scanlan said outside the House chamber Wednesday.

Fellow committee co-chair, Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, said he is a vehement anti-smoker, but is sympathetic to adults who use vaping to stop smoking traditional cigarettes. Fonfara said hes also concerned about reports hes read regarding a growing black market in Massachusetts following that states flavored vape ban.

I dont want to discourage it for people who legitimately are using it to get off of (cigarettes), and not go into the black market to get it, Fonfara said Wednesday at the state Capitol when asked about his support for the ban. I havent personally made a decision, but thats the information Im reading and learning about.

The president of the American Vaping Association, Gregory Conley raised similar concerns when testifying against the bill during a public hearing last month.

Removing flavored vaping products from the market will lead to increases in black market activity and decreases in adults quitting smoking, Conley testified. Black market concerns cannot be adequately addressed by simply going after bad actors using traditional e-commerce retailers, as anecdotal data suggests that following flavor bans, sales from informal dealers boom on platforms like TikTok (who use personal payment systems like CashApp or Venmo instead of merchant accounts).

Last year, the finance committee considered a ban on all flavored tobacco products. But OFlaherty said that bill failed to garner support largely due to the $130 million in sales tax revenue the state wouldve lost annually.

Instead, the committee advanced a bill to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, but carved out exemptions that wouldve benefitted the industry, OFlaherty. The changes rendered the bill worthless, he said, and led to calls from anti-vape supporters to kill it.

Were already hearing talk in terms of their lobbyists talking to legislators about trying to cut a deal, trying to add exemptions to it, OFlaherty said of the industrys efforts to kill this years bill.

The industry has lobbied to exempt menthol flavored vaping products from the ban and to exempt vape products that received a so-called Premarket Tobacco Product Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. an issue the main supporter of New Yorks vaping ban warned about in a recent op-ed in the Connecticut Post.

OFlaherty said the FDAs inaction to regulate vaping products is largely to blame for the youth e-cigarette epidemic, so to let the agency usurp Connecticuts power to say We dont want these products here for our kids, it just doesnt make any sense.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Theres no such thing as a purely personal opinion from the Oval Office on policies that matter. Armchair quarterbacking when you're the president is fraught when you're the one with the ball.

Armies can move on your words; markets can convulse; diplomacy can unravel.

That has not stopped President Joe Biden from viscerally weighing in on the Ukraine war  labeling Russia's Vladimir Putin a war criminal, appearing to advocate an overthrow in Moscow, branding Russian war actions as genocide  then saying it's all his personal, not presidential, opinion.

It's sowing confusion in dangerous times.

America is no mere bystander in this conflict. The U.S. is Ukraine's chief supplier of arms from the West, a key source of military intelligence for Kyiv and a driving force behind global sanctions against Russia. It has generations of experience in how to talk to and about its historic nuclear rival.

But on consequential superpower subjects, Biden these days is speaking from his heart, his aides have said repeatedly. Not unlike his predecessor, he is reacting at times to what he sees on TV. He's not always to be taken literally, it is argued.

A declaration of genocide is history's harshest judgment against a country, one that can bind the signers of a United Nations treaty to intervene. Concern about that obligation dissuaded the U.S. from recognizing the Rwandan Hutus killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide. It took more than a century for a U.S. president, Biden last year, to recognize the Armenian genocide.

But in remarks in Iowa on Tuesday, Biden equated Russia's mass killings of Ukrainian civilians to genocide and stuck with that position on his way back to Washington: Yes, I called it genocide, he affirmed. Lawyers will decide if Russias conduct met the international standard, the president added, but it sure seems that way to me.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Bidens remarks. "True words of a true leader, he tweeted. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil."

But as the war unfolds in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron warned, "Im not sure if the escalation of words serves our cause.

I am prudent with terms today, Macron said. Genocide has a meaning. ... Its madness whats happening today. Its unbelievable brutality and a return to war in Europe. But at the same time I look at the facts, and I want to continue to try the utmost to be able to stop the war and restore peace.

At the White House last month, Biden said of Putin, I think he is a war criminal, in response to a shouted question as he walked out of an unrelated bill-signing reception. He said the same again when visiting U.S. troops in Poland.

The White House hastened to say that did not necessarily signal U.S. policy.

He was speaking from his heart and speaking from what hes seen on television, which is barbaric actions by a brutal dictator, through his invasion of a foreign country, said press secretary Jen Psaki.

Psaki on Wednesday dismissed the notion that anyone was confused by the idea of Bidens personal comments not reflecting federal policy. She said Biden ran for office promising "he would shoot from the shoulder, is his phrase that he often uses, and tell it to them straight. And his comments yesterday, not once but twice, and on war crimes are an exact reflection of that.

As well, after meeting Ukrainian children torn from their families in the war, Biden sent his staff scrambling to explain his apparent endorsement of Moscow regime change when he said of Putin: For Gods sake, this man cannot remain in power."

Again, not U.S. policy.

I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man," Biden said days later. "I wasnt articulating a policy change.

It was Donald Trump who jettisoned the idea of a scripted presidency every way he could, with his multitude of tweets leading the way. Some reflected policy. Some just mirrored what was in his head at the moment.

We made a dramatic transition during the Trump presidency in coming to realize that a president may not be speaking for the government or the country at times, but only for himself, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She credits the Biden White House with being quick to set the record straight when that happens.

In Jamiesons academic world of political rhetoric, some public figures like Barack Obama are considered self-monitors  they hear what they are saying as they say it and catch themselves in progress when they go adrift. Biden, she says, lacks this filter.

Obama was a high self monitor, she said. Biden is not. The distance between thought and expression for Biden is not very wide.

Along with longtime foreign-policy credentials and a deep knowledge of how government works, Biden has a history of loose lips and letting his emoting get the better of him.

That caused occasional friction when he was Obamas vice president, as when Biden endorsed same-sex marriage rights in a 2012 TV interview before his boss was quite ready to do so. Biden probably got out a little bit over his skis, but out of generosity of spirit, Obama said at the time, adding that he would have preferred to have done this in my own way, on my own terms.

White House aides say Bidens pronouncements reflect that hes never been one to hold his tongue through his five decades in Washington, even when it gets him into trouble.

They see Bidens declarations, separate from his governments policies, as reactions not just to the horrifying scenes in Ukraine, but also to political pressure at home to say and do more in response to Russias invasion.

To David Axelrod, former adviser to the ever-cautious Obama, Biden's remark that Putin cannot remain in power illustrated the Washington adage that everyones strength is their weakness.

Biden's strength is his empathy and authenticity, Axelrod said on his recent podcast, and that can also be a weakness when a president says the wrong thing in a time of crisis.

The risk from off-the-cuff remarks is hardly new with Biden. In 2016, Axelrod foresaw a similar concern from Trump's capacity for highly contentious comments.

You cant, when youre president of the United States, just shoot first and think about it later in terms of what you say," he said then, "because people can actually start shooting based on what you say."
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Historic Unionville church added to National Underground Railroad Network

mdetmer / PHOTO BY MIKE DETMER St. Stephens AME Church is located in Unionville.

UNIONVILLE  A local historic church in Unionville was one of three statewide sites recently added to the National Underground Railroad Network.

St. Stephens A.M.E. Church Cemetery in Unionville near Easton along with two sites in southern Maryland were added as new listings to the National Park Services National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.-1st, announced the status change April 6.

St. Stephens pastor, the Rev. Nancy Dennis, said the designation continues to elevate the story and the historicity of the community and how it was founded.

Dennis said the designation on the Underground Railroad network was positive because it would highlight the importance of preserving the church, cemetery and other grounds.

mdetmer / PHOTO BY MIKE DETMER The headstone of Civil War soldier Edward Jones is in St. Stephens AME Church cemetery in Unionville.

Dennis, pastor for 12 years for the congregation that originated in 1871, said her flock of about 40 are easing back after the COVID pandemic.

The community of Unionville is a small neighborhood on state Route 370, just a few miles from St. Michaels Road. It was settled by former slaves and free African Americans in 1867.

Before there was Unionville, that area of Talbot County was the site of large plantations, where hundreds of slaves worked every day.

The pastor said that while many descendants of the original settlers have moved elsewhere, some remain, and the familial and community connections remain as well.

Dennis said numerous parishioners and visitors have uncovered a family relationship at church events or conversing after services. We celebrate it, she said of the serendipitous discoveries of blood and community relationships.

The church and grounds are in need of landscaping, both in installation of new features and maintenance of the current grounds, Dennis said, emphasizing that aesthetically appealing surroundings are part of the hospitality the church body readily shows to visitors.

The new listings at the church in Unionville, Mass Escape at the Mackall Plantation (located on what is today St. Marys College of Maryland Campus in St. Marys City), and The Jails at Port Tobacco Courthouse Site (located in Port Tobacco), join over 700 sites, facilities, and programs already in the National Underground Railroad Network that provide insight into the experiences of those who bravely escaped slavery and those who assisted them.

mdetmer / PHOTO BY MIKE DETMER A figure sits atop a gravestone in the St. Stephens AME Church cemetery in Unionville.

We applaud the addition of these sites to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom after recently celebrating the 200th birthday of Marylands own conductor of the Underground Railroad  Harriet Tubman, Van Hollen said. Our civil rights figures and landmarks stand as pillars of freedom and teach us lessons in moral courage, reminding us and future generations to be steadfast in the fight for equality and justice. We will continue to highlight these stories to preserve their place in history, shining light on the men and women who courageously escaped slavery and those who sought to end this evil institution.

Maryland has a rich legacy of abolitionists and suffragists including the iconic Harriet Tubman, Cardin said. I laud the addition of these sites to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This action will allow Marylanders to further visit and understand our states  and nations  complex history and honor the contributions of courageous individuals who tirelessly worked towards the goals of freedom and equality for all.

mdetmer / PHOTO BY MIKE DETMER A historical marker enumerates the Civil War soldiers buried at St. Stephens AME Church in Unionville.

As we celebrate the 200th birthday of our most famous conductor and Dorchester County native Harriet Tubman, Im excited to hear about the addition of these sites to the Underground Railroad Network, Harris said. It is inspiring to read about their historical significance and I look forward to continuing to support the activities and research that goes into documenting these historic sites.

According to the legislators statement, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom serves to honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, which continues to inspire people worldwide. The Network currently represents over 700 locations in 39 states, plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through its mission, the Network to Freedom helps to advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression.

Mike Detmer is a staff writer for the Star Democrat based in Maryland. You can reach him at mdetmer@chespub.com.

Unionville gains international attention On Wednesday, Aug. 23, Larry Denton, executive director for the Talbot County Historical Society was interviewed live on air by BBC radio host Rhod Sharp about the historic town of Unionville.
The number of Ukrainian citizens who entered the country increased by 12.9% on Tuesday, compared to the previous day, a General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) release sent on Wednesday to AGERPRES informs.

"On 12.04.2022, within 24 hours, at national level, 65,276 people entered Romania through the border checkpoints, out of whom 9,429 Ukrainian citizens (increasing by 12.9% compared to the previous day). At the border with Ukraine, 5,721 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania (up 16%), and at the border with the Republic of Moldova, 1,787 Ukrainian citizens entered (up 18.7%)," according to the IGPF.From the start of the crisis until Tuesday at 24.00, at national level, 694,783 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.According to the IGPF, measures to strengthen the border surveillance device have also been put in place at the land border, supplementing the crews carrying out missions in the areas of responsibility."We act in an integrated system with the other institutions with responsibilities in the field, in order to operatively exchange data and information, as well as to jointly adopt the necessary measures for the management of cases. We ask citizens to be informed only from official sources," the Border Police says.
France will continue to help Ukrainian refugees and will send ambulances and medicines to Ukraine, French ambassador to Romania Laurence Auer told AGERPRES on Wednesday, as she visited the border crossing point in Isaccea - Tulcea County, together with German ambassador in Bucharest Peer Gebauer.

Laurence Auer brought to mind that since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the Crisis and Support Center of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry has sent humanitarian convoys to Ukraine every day as part of the European protection mechanism.

We will continue to use all possible means to send, for example, ambulances and medicines. For instance, Marseille is twinned with Odessa and has so far sent to Odessa seven or eight convoys to help the war-wounded, said the French diplomat, Agerpres.ro informs.

This is the French ambassador's second visit to Tulcea County in the last week.

I came to Tulcea last week with the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, on a dual-purpose visit, a political one - that of meeting with the authorities, and a visit on site. We went to Constanta to see how the French battalion has settled and to the border to make sure the French aid is ready. The Senate is very important at the current moment because it is voting on the foreign affairs budget, and we need help in this crisis, said Laurence Auer.

The French diplomat visited on Wednesday the border crossing point in Isaccea together with German ambassador Peer Gebauer, who was impressed by the way the authorities and the civil society have organized to handle the Ukrainian refugees who arrive here by ferry across the Danube.

Last week, ambassador Laurence Auer and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Committee Christian Cambon met with the Tulcea authorities; according to the County Council, in the last weeks, the Civil Protection, the French Mayors' Association and the French humanitarian associations have sent to Tulcea over 15 trucks and 11 train cars with humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Supporting Ukraine and persons fleeing the war will continue being a priority for Germany's Government, ambassador Peer Gebauer declared for AGERPRES on Wednesday, during a visit he paid to southeastern border crossing point in Isaccea, alongside the French ambassador in Romania, Laurence Auer.

Peer Gebauer reminded that in the last years Germany has offered aid for Ukraine with a total value of almost 300 million Euro and mentioned that this support increased in the last period.

"For Germany, supporting Ukraine was always on the top of the agenda. In the last years, Germany was one of the main countries that supplied humanitarian aid for Ukraine and after this terrible Russian aggression began, Germany has also increased its efforts. We are talking now about a support worth almost 300 million Euro supplied through non-government organizations," the German ambassador specified.

The diplomat added that support for Ukraine was also in the form of experts in management crisis and highlighted the importance of the European effort in the current context, Agerpres.ro informs.

"There are many areas where we are active, and the French ambassador has already mentioned some of them. It is basically a European effort here and it is very important to work together, hand in hand. I believe that it is crucial to face these challenges," Peer Gebauer highlighted.

During the visit carried out at the border crossing point in the city of Isaccea, the German diplomat was impressed by the way in which the authorities and civil society are cooperating in order to support the Ukrainian refugees.
Brasov County will receive 90,000 euros for the promotion of traditional cuisine, money that will come through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Alina Szasz, the public manager of Brasov County, told AGERPRES on Wednesday.

"The promotion part of gastronomic traditions is being financed, leading to the creation, at the national level, of a route of local gastronomy, and Brasov county will join this national route. Financing will probably come for the digitization of gastronomy locations and local producers, as well as for the promotion, marketing and management either of the locations or of the products. PNRR, as specified in the methodology, will have a national contract, this money will not come to the county, will not be managed by the County Council, but will be used for what Romania aims in terms of promotion of the local gastronomy, including the "Attractive Romania" application. (...) If we manage to promote what we have developed as traditional gastronomy in the county, it is a gain," explained Alina Szasz.

The first steps in supporting and promoting the local gastronomy spots have already been taken by the county forum and the Gastro Local Association, an initiative born in Valea Buzaului commune, on Wednesday taking place, in Harman commune, an information session for those who want to set up such small businesses.

"Through ThreeT [an European project, in which Brasov County Council is part - ed.n.] we set out to have a route of the local gastronomic spots (...) a map of these local gastronomy spots at county level (... ) which will become a list of attractions and will be taken over by travel agencies, because a tourist does not come to the area just to visit a fortified church, to walk on trails, to ski, but also to eat (...) We want the travel agencies that promote Brasov County to sell not only Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress, but also to promote the poorer areas," added Alina Szasz, Agerpres.ro informs.

The president of Gastro Local, Dorian Lungu, told how these local gastronomy locations emerged, in the tourist locality Vama Buzaului, out of a need. Although it has an important tourist attraction - the Bison Reserve - until a few years ago, the commune did not have guest houses or restaurants, and tourists had to go to other places to dine.

According to him, anyone can set up a local gastronomy spot "in the front room of the house", in certain conditions, which are not very difficult to fulfill, with low registration fees and with minimal investments and two essential conditions: these local gastronomy spots should use 75-80 percent local products, and the number of people serving the meal at the same time should not exceed 12.

"The concept of these locations of local gastronomy is as little bureaucracy as possible, but also food security," stated Dorian Lungu.
Strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and Israel, especially in the field of energy, is an important desideratum to achieve, believes Energy Minister Virgil Popescu, who conducted a working visit to Israel in the April 10-13 period.

According to a release of the Energy Ministry, Virgil Popescu met, on Wednesday, with the Energy Minister of Israel, Karine Elharrar, Agerpres.ro informs.

"These days, together with Cosmin Ghita - CEO SN Nuclearelectrica, Bogdan Badea - CEO Hidroelectrica, Aristotel Jude - CEO Romgaz and Razvan Popescu - CFO Romgaz, we are conducting a working visit to Israel. We are focusing on cooperation on a wide corridor in the energy sector: gas, electrical energy, renewable energy and other technologies. This morning we had a very good dialogue with the representatives of the company NewMed Energy, company of the Delek group, which is exploiting the largest offshore gas deposit in Israel. We told them we are interested in diversifying the supply sources and we can import LNG, from Israel, via Egypt. We need to capitalize on all the opportunities to strengthen the energy security of Romania," Virgil Popescu said.

The working visit saw the Romanian officials meeting with representatives of NewMed Energy, part of the Delek Group, as well as representatives from the Israel Electric Company and representatives of Doral - Energy.

The Minister of Energy also visited the National Institute for Export of Israel where he had discussions with representatives of companies presenting innovative solutions for the energy domain.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu is on an official visit to the Republic of North Macedonia on Thursday, at the invitation of his counterpart, Bujar Osmani, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES.

According to the cited source, the schedule of the Romanian minister's visit will include, in addition to political consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, receptions by President Stevo Pendarovski and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, Agerpres.ro informs.

Discussions with officials from the Republic of North Macedonia will aim to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on increasing and diversifying political dialogue and economic cooperation, including trade, as well as expanding sectoral cooperation between the two states, including on the basis of priorities set for the visit carried out by Minister Bujar Osmani in Bucharest on December 16, 2020.

The head of Romanian diplomacy will also emphasize the importance of cooperation for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity of persons belonging to related minorities, given the bridging role they play in the relationship between Romania and the Republic of North Macedonia.

During meetings with senior officials from the Republic of North Macedonia, Bogdan Aurescu will reiterate "Romania's firm and principled support for the European path of this country and will emphasize the strategic importance of the enlargement process of the European Union, essential for the security and stability of the entire European continent, an aspect also highlighted in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine." The Romanian Minister will also express his appreciation for the prompt and complete alignment of the Republic of North Macedonia with the sanctions and measures imposed by the European Union on the Russian Federation.

At the same time, the collaboration between Romania and the Republic of North Macedonia in NATO will be discussed and the openness to the common approach, within the Alliance, of the current strategic challenges will be underlined, given the interdependence between security in the Western Balkans and security on the Eastern Flank, especially to the south, at the Black Sea.

Minister Bogdan Aurescu will also express Romania's support for the future OSCE Presidency-in-Office, which will be held in 2023 by the Republic of North Macedonia.

Last but not least, the two ministers will sign a series of bilateral documents that will contribute to the deepening of the cooperation between the two countries.
A 17-year-old teenager, German citizen, was detained for killing a local woman from central Medias, on Tuesday, at noon, in the middle of the street, invoking "reasons related to race", informed First Deputy Prosecutor with the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Sibiu Tribunal, Ruginosu Mihaela, in a press release.

The victim, a 74-year-old woman, was found with her neck slashed by other passers-by, who called for help at 112 emergency line. The ambulance crew tried to resuscitate the woman, but had to declare her dead."On 13.04.2022, at 2:45 am, the criminal prosecutor ordered the detention of a minor, a German citizen, aged 17 for committing the crime of murder, with the aggravating circumstance of committing the crime for reasons related to race, a deed stipulated by the Criminal Code. Today [Wednesday- ed.n.] the judge of rights and liberties with the Sibiu Tribunal will be notified with a proposal for preventive detention," Prosecutor's Office attached to the Sibiu Tribunal informs in a press release.According to the cited source, during the criminal investigation the prosecutor benefited from the support of police officers from the Sibiu County Police Inspectorate (IPJ Sibiu) - Criminal Investigation Department, forensic technicians from IPJ Sibiu, Medias Police and the structures attached to this institution, forensic doctors from the Sibiu County Medical Service, the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Sibiu and the authorized translator.Contacted by the AGERPRES correspondent, the spokesperson of the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) Sibiu, Beatrice Muntean, stated that the criminal minor was placed in foster care in Sibiu County in 2016 and benefited from psychological counseling at the hearing."A representative of DGASPC Sibiu-psychologist participated in the hearing of the minor. His case is monitored by DGASPC Sibiu through quarterly visit reports, in order to prevent any forms of abuse against the minor/young person. We have the obligation to take notice of the situations in which the child placed on the territory of Romania is abused, if he is moved to another family, other than the one in whose care he was placed without the consent of the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption, or if the young person leaves Romania. The young man has been in foster care since 2016. In Sibiu County there are five young people with international foster care, four young Germans and one Belgian," said Beatrice Muntean.
The Bucharest National Opera House will stage a Holocaust memorial concert on April 14 as of 6:30 p.m., featuring Anatol Vieru's 'Psalm 1993', the Chamber Symphony No. 2, Op. 147 and Concerto No. 2 for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 148 by Mieczyslaw Weinberg, as well as 'Only a Book' - a six-variation piece portraying the journey and history of the Jewish people composed by Grammy award-winner Sharon Farber, the release informs.

Polish flautist Ania Karpowicz will perform with the Bucharest National Opera Orchestra conducted by maestro Ethan Schmeisser.

A multiple award-winner in national and international music competitions in Poland and Germany, Ania Karpowicz is a leading musician involved in popularizing classical music, as well as in the fight against one of the factors that push humanity to making the same mistakes: oblivion.

Between 2006 - 2008 she was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and performed in concerts at the Royal Albert Hall (PROMS), Berliner Konzerthaus, Concertgebouw, Zurich Tonhalle, as well as in various concert halls in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Latvia, Kazakhstan.

Karpowicz has performed with great musical personalities such as flute legend Sir James Galway, violinist Janine Jansen, conductor Andrey Boreyko and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, and as of 2013 she has been actively cooperating with composers, having over 100 musical pieces dedicated to her, Agerpres.ro informs.

Together with with Maria Slawek and Aleksander Laskowski, Ania Karpowicz is the co-founder of the Mieczyslaw Weinberg Institute.

"The Holocaust is considered the greatest genocide of all time and it's the duty of us all to constantly remember what it represented, the more so as humanity is faced these days with a new danger. Through actions that put art in the foreground, artists and cultural institutions get involved in this endeavor dedicated to memory and peace the Bucharest concert is also a part of," the release reads.

The event is organized in partnership with the Polish Association of Authors ZaiKS and has AGERPRES as well as other media institutions as media partners.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca discussed with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who is currently paying a visit to Romania, the security situation in the region and the impact generated by the Russian military aggression in Ukraine.

According to a press release of the government, the two prime ministers had a working breakfast at the Victoria Palace.Prime Minister Ciuca highlighted the solidarity of EU and NATO member states, underscoring the need to strengthen the Eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance.He thanked his Belgian counterpart for his decision to contribute troops to strengthening Allied defence in Romania, a "clear" proof of NATO's solidarity.Ciuca pointed out the efforts of the Romanian authorities, together with the civil society, to manage the flow of more than 700,000 refugees from Ukraine."We have shown that we are responsible for protecting the EU's external borders and managing large flows of refugees. Romanians have shown solidarity, empathy and determination in supporting war-torn Ukrainian citizens," Nicolae Ciuca was quoted as saying.The Prime Minister also underscored the concerns of the Republic of Moldova and the need for sustained European financial support to manage the crisis of Ukrainian refugees, as well as the economic effects generated by the conflict in the region.From a European perspective, the two heads of Executive said that the need to strengthen energy independence and manage the economic impact of Russian military aggression on Ukraine will require strengthening cooperation between member states to protect citizens and business environment.They agreed to advance bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on nuclear and renewable fields. These objectives are in addition to the Romanian-Belgian cooperation in the field of microelectronics.Prime Minister Ciuca also brought to mind Romania's goal of joining the Schengen area, as a form of in-depth European cooperation.At the same time, during the dialogue, the high dignitaries also appreciated the important role of the Romanian community in Belgium, as well as that of the Belgian entrepreneurs in Romania.On Wednesday at noon, together with President Klaus Iohannis, the Romanian and Belgian prime ministers will visit 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base.
President Klaus Iohannis met on Wednesday at the Cotroceni Place with President of the World Bank Group, David R. Malpass, with the talks focusing on the situation arising from the Ukraine war, with emphasis on the assistance the World Bank could provide to the Romanian authorities and the countries in the region to support their efforts for the management of the refugees, the Presidential Administration informs.

Another topic on the agenda was the need to develop the partnership between the World Bank Group and Romania for a response as appropriate as possible to the current economic and social challenges.

The World Bank Group President highlighted Romania's important role in managing the refugee inflow, including support for the Republic of Moldova, and voiced appreciation for the way our country handles the situation generated by the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. David R. Malpass informed President Iohannis about the World Bank's intention to include Romania and the Republic of Moldova among the beneficiaries of the support mobilized globally by the international financial institution in the context of the Ukraine war, the cited source said.

President Iohannis welcomed the World Bank's initiative to support national efforts and stressed that our country's goal is to move towards a competitive, sustainable and inclusive economic model, stating that Romania's priorities in this regard are the most efficient use of European funds, investments in human capital development, supporting the economy of the future and market development, as well as energy security, which has become imperative under the current circumstances.

The President of Romania said that the digital transformation along with the green transition are an important part of Romania's post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development agenda, as are reforms and substantial investments in transport and energy infrastructure, large-scale public systems - education and health in particular. In this thread, he praised the positive impact of World Bank assistance, stressing that it is important that the results become visible as the implementation of reforms and investments in key sectors pick up speed.

The head of the state voiced special appreciation for the World Bank's support for national efforts to increase the quality of education and overcome the challenges posed by the effects of the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of achieving the goals of the Educated Romania program.

As the two top officials looked at the economic effects of the Ukraine war, President Iohannis emphasized the need for proactive approaches centered not only on the temporary settlement of the issues caused by price hikes and the energy crisis, but also on capitalizing on obvious opportunities for increased energy, food and technological security in the region, Agerpres.ro informs.

President Iohannis reiterated the importance of the World Bank's assistance in implementing the reforms undertaken in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, highlighting the opportunities offered by carrying out reforms and investment projects.

The head of the state also approached with the WB representatives the macroeconomic forecasts of the financial institution, both globally and for Romania, concluding that in a global environment marked by a general economic slowdown, economic policy decisions will play a decisive role in sustaining economic growth.

In his turn, the President of the World Bank Group expressed the institution's commitment to supporting Romania's development priorities in accordance with the current partnership framework and by virtue of the good cooperation relationship that the international financial institution has had with Romania in the last three decades.

David Malpass also said that the World Bank will continue to support the reform agenda in areas such as education, health, social protection, government and state-owned enterprise reform, but also the increase of energy and food security, with a focus on managing the challenges generated by climate change and on the need to increase the competitiveness of the Romanian economy.
The President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, is going to pay his first official visit to Romania on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to a WB statement, the visit reaffirms the World Bank Group's commitment to support Romania in its efforts for sustainable and inclusive economic growth."The World Bank Group has a strong partnership with Romania. We will continue to support Romania's growth-oriented efforts based on macroeconomic stability, social inclusion and high-performing institutions. In this turbulent period in the region, we are ready to support Romania, which will continue to host the citizens who are coming from Ukraine, and we are going to continue to work with public authorities to improve the living standards of all Romanians," Malpass said.During his visit, David Malpass will meet with representatives of the public sector and partners of the World Bank Group in Romania. He will have the opportunity to visit a project carried out with the assistance from the World Bank in the education sector, with a focus on supporting the Roma community.David Malpass will be joined by Anna Bjerde, Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, Gallina A. Vincelette, Director of the World Bank for the European Union, and Ary Naim, Regional Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Central and and South-East Europe.The active portfolio of the World Bank in Romania consists of nine investment projects worth a total of 1.78 billion US dollars and technical and analytical assistance services worth 124.62 million US dollars.As of February 15, the IFC's commitment was 1.04 billion US dollars in more than 30 projects, of which 55pct were investments in financial institutions and the remaining 45pct were investments in the real sector. The IFC's exceptional portfolio amounts to 954.48 million US dollars, and the IFC's portfolio in Romania ranks 1st in the new IFC region in Europe.
The management of the Romanian Post and the Georgian Post signed, in Tbilisi, a memorandum of cooperation in the field of postal services, the document being an important pillar of the regional development project, in which the Romanian postal service operator will make available its infrastructure capacities, in the form of setting up a regional logistics hub.

According to a press release of Posta Romana National Company (CNPR), the Romanian postal service company, sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday, the management of the Romanian Post, represented by Director General Valentin Stefan, paid a working visit between April 12-13 at the headquarters of Georgia's national postal operator, represented by Levan Chikvaidze, CEO of the postal operator, and Nugzar Bregvadze, director of the company's International Relations Department, Agerpres.ro informs.

The two delegations laid the foundations for a collaboration project in the field of postal services for the development of a regional strategy, based on the exchange of know-how in the IT sector, but also on the development of quality management regarding the expansion of the relevant market, by diversifying postal services and products.

"We continue to develop, together with the postal administrations of Central and South-Eastern Europe, projects that will lead to the consolidation of the logistics hub concept, in which the Romanian Post will be able to capitalize on its own infrastructure and develop it at the pace of the market. The working meetings I held with the management of the Georgian Post benefited from the full support of His Excellency, Mr. Razvan Rotundu, Ambassador of Romania to Georgia, and Mr. Consul Marius Pandelea, whom I wish to thank. The partnership with Georgian Post is extremely important, in the context in which the postal services market benefits from an upward trend that must be capitalized on at the regional level," said Valentin Stefan, the general director of the Romanian Post.

During the working visit, the Romanian delegation was invited by Minister Guram Guramishvili at the headquarters of the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, an opportunity to tackle topics regarding the partnership between the two countries in developing the strategic potential and achieving commercial objectives based on the expansion of the operating capacity of the two countries' postal companies.
The digital economy is an important component in Romania's economy, being estimated at over 20 pct of the Gross Domestic Product, Oleg Roibu, vice-president of the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO), said on Wednesday at a specialized conference.

"We are convinced that the digital economy and the role that the digital transition will have in the accelerated development of Romania represent extremely complex themes that require a constant dialogue and consolidation between the public environment and the representatives of the private sector. ARMO represents today the voice of an entire electronic marketing ecosystem and which, in recent years, have come to generate a business figure of 6 billion euros, at national level. We have to say that, in the last 4-5 years, the Romanian electronic trade has had the largest growth in the entire European Union. Digital technologies have the ability to use any systems implemented and that is why we are seeing that there is more and more talk about the digital economy in general. At the moment, the digital economy is an important component in the Romanian economy estimated at 16 pct of GDP at the level of 2014... Given the context that we have all gone through, somehow of forced digitization, this digital component of the economy I think exceeded 20 pct of GDP, positioning itself, in our opinion, on a strategic vertical of the Romanian economic growth, in the next years," said Roibu.He added that DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) can be seen as a road map for the future development of the country."The future prospects of the digital economy are extremely positive and it is up to us to maximize the potential the digital transition can generate in our society. This means to act intelligently and in a coordinated manner, to succeed in dialogue, to collaborate and to build a common objective - to re-establish the Romanian economy on a new, solid foundation, based on modern technologies and the accelerated growth in the use of these technologies. Digital Economy and Society Index - DESI can be seen as a road map in the future development of our country. It is gratifying that PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) has an important digital component," the ARMO representative stressed.The Romanian Association of Online Shops organized, on Wednesday, at the Palace of Parliament, the conference dubbed "The economy of the future: how can we accelerate the digital transition of Romania?".
Tinutul Buzaului / Buzau Land has obtained, on Wednesday, the official validation as UNESCO Global Geopark, thus being recognized as a territory with natural and cultural values of global importance, informs the Buzau County Council (CJ).

According to the cited source, the members of the UNESCO Executive Bureau, meeting in Paris, voted in favour of including the Tinutul Buzaului / Buzau Land in the "select club of international geoparks", and the UNESCO International Geopark title award official ceremony will take place online Thursday, April 21, Agerpres.ro informs.

"Of the 16 geoparks aspiring to the title of UNESCO International Geopark, only 8 have been validated, including Buzau Land, the total number of geoparks now reaching 177 in 46 countries. Buzau Land, with 18 common components, becomes, after 16 years of joint effort, the UNESCO International Geopark, the largest local development project for Buzau County, representative of the Muntenia area and for the whole of Romania. Mud volcanoes, salt domes, living fires, Ulmet growing stones, cave settlements and the amber from Colti are among the most famous attractions of this picturesque region of the Sub Carpathians of Curvature," Buzau County Council informs in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

The area will be promoted by UNESCO and through the European and Global Network of Geoparks, and, according to the county authorities, Buzau Land will become an important tourist destination on Romania's map, the new statute having the potential to attract tourists but also to persuade entrepreneurs to invest in alternative tourism, in agritourism, cultural or adventure tourism.

Last but not least, they anticipate that the new statute will entail financing and investment in many other areas of activity, being an opportunity for the economic and social rebirth of a territory with great potential.

The Buzau County Council initiated this development project in 2006, together with the University of Bucharest.

Buzau Land becomes the second geopark in Romania included in the International Network of Geoparks, after Tara Hategului (Hateg land).
Although the judiciary has taken steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuses, impunity for the perpetrators of certain human rights abuses remains a problem in Romania, as the authorities did not have effective mechanisms to act and delayed proceedings involving alleged police abuse and corruption, with the result that many of the cases ended in acquittals, notes the 2021 Human Rights Report unveiled on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of State.

"Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the intelligence service and the security agencies that report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There were credible reports that members of the security forces committed some abuses. Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; widespread serious official corruption; lack of investigation and accountability for gender-based violence, including but not limited to domestic and intimate partner violence and sexual violence; and abuses targeting institutionalized persons with disabilities," reads the document.

It notes that "on November 10, the High Court of Cassation and Justice dismissed the indictment against former president Ion Iliescu and former vice prime minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 1989 Romanian Revolution. The court returned the case to the Military Prosecutor's Office. According to the court, the indictment included several irregularities. The General Prosecutor's Office announced it would redraft and refile the indictment."

As of December the investigation of former president Ion Iliescu, former prime minister Petre Roman, former vice prime minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu, and former Intelligence Service director Virgil Magureanu for crimes against humanity committed during the 1990 "miners' riot" was ongoing. The defendants were accused of bringing thousands of miners to Bucharest to attack demonstrators opposed to Iliescu's rule, the document further states.

As regards torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, although the constitution and law prohibit such practices, there were reports from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and media that police and gendarmes mistreated and abused Roma, asylum seekers, minors, and other persons primarily with excessive force, including beatings. During the year authorities' investigations into two allegations of sexual

exploitation and abuse by Romanian peacekeepers originally reported in 2017 continued. The cases involved military observers deployed in UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One case involved the alleged sexual abuse (rape) of a minor. The peacekeeper in question was repatriated by the United Nations. The other case involved alleged sexual exploitation (transactional sex), the report writes.

Impunity was a significant problem in the security forces, particularly among police and gendarmerie. Police officers were frequently exonerated in cases of alleged beatings and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The steps taken by the government to increase

respect for human rights by the security forces were: members of the police and gendarmerie received training on a wide range of human rights issues, including gender equality, abuse against children, prevention of torture, gender-based violence, and preventing discrimination; police schools and academies reserved several seats for admission opened only to persons of Romani ethnicity; police schools and academies, as well as gendarmerie schools, provided training to students, noncommissioned officers, and officers on racism, discrimination, and diversity.

With regard to prison and detention center conditions, the report notes that they remained harsh, with the facilities overcrowded and falling short of meeting international standards. The abuse of prisoners by authorities and other prisoners reportedly continued to be a problem. According to official figures, overcrowding remained a problem, particularly in those prisons that did not meet the standard of 4 sqm per prisoner set by the Council of Europe.

Several prisons provided insufficient medical care, and inmates complained that food quality was poor and sometimes insufficient in quantity. Also, in some prisons heating and ventilation were inadequate.

"The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, although in practice the government did not completely respect judicial independence and impartiality," the report notes, pointing out that despite a May 18 European Court of Justice ruling that found the Section to Investigate Offenses in the Judiciary inconsistent with EU law, the government did not dismantle the entity, Agerpres.ro informs.

The Constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government partially respected this right. Independent media organizations noted excessive politicization of media, corrupt financing mechanisms, as well as editorial policies subordinated to political parties and owners' interests. Reporters and civil society representatives said their freedom of expression was also limited by restricted access to information of public interest issued by the government and public institutions, including expenses, contracts, or bids involving public funds, and officials' academic records, and pandemic records, the report of the U.S. Department of State reads.

It goes on to mention the incident of December 11, when the Bucharest police detained Italian journalist Lucia Goracci and her crew working for Italian state television broadcaster RAI at the request of Senator Diana Sosoaca, who held the reporters against their will in her office during a previously agreed interview regarding her antivaccination views.

Another case mentioned is that of former dean of the Police Academy, Adrian Iacob, and his deputy, Mihail Marcoci, who were handed down a three-year suspended prison sentence, 120 hours of community service, and 80,000 lei ($18,900) in victim's compensation for inciting a police officer to blackmail and issue death threats against reporter Emilia Sercan after she exposed several cases of plagiarism in Police Academy doctoral dissertations, including in the dean's dissertation.

Also listed is the case of mayor of Bucharest Sector 4, Daniel Baluta, who filed more than 30 civil court cases and administrative complaints against the Libertatea newspaper and demanded the paper stop mentioning his name in their reporting.

Although the law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, corrupt practices remained widespread despite several high-profile prosecutions. There were numerous reports of government corruption during the year, sometimes with impunity.

"Corruption and misuse of public funds were widespread," notes the report, citing the case of the mayor of Bucharest Sector 3, Robert Negoita, who, between 2012 and 2014, funneled 83 million euros ($95.5 million) in public funds to a network of offshore companies linked to his family.

Bribery was also common in the public sector, especially in health care, notes the document, stating that for instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Anticorruption Directorate has launched several investigations into procurement fraud related to purchasing personal protective equipment and ventilators.

Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, continued to be a serious problem that the government did not effectively address. Courts prosecuted very few cases of domestic violence. Many cases were resolved before or during trial when the alleged survivors dropped their charges or reconciled with the alleged abuser.

The government did not effectively enforce the law banning sexual harassment, defined as as repeatedly asking for sexual favors in a work or similar relationship. According to reports by NGOs, police often mocked victims of sexual harassment or tried to discourage them from pressing charges.

The government did not effectively enforce the law on gender discrimination either, as women experienced discrimination in marriage, divorce, child custody, employment, credit, pay, owning or managing businesses or property, education, the judicial process, and housing. Segregation by profession also existed, with women overrepresented in lower-paying jobs, the report states.

"Under the law discrimination and harassment based on ethnic or racial criteria is punishable by a civil fine unless criminal legal provisions are applicable," yet according to the report, prosecutions based on discrimination and violence against racial or ethnic minorities were rare.

Discrimination against Roma also continued to be a problem. A lack of identity documents excluded many Roma from participating in elections, receiving social benefits, accessing health insurance, securing property documents, and participating in the labor market.

"Ethnic Hungarians continued to report discrimination related mainly to the use of the Hungarian language, reporting that the government did not enforce the law that states that ethnic minorities are entitled to interact with local governments in their native language in localities where a minority constitutes at least 20 percent of the population."

The document also notes that acts of anti-Semitism occurred during the year in Romania - a country with a Jewish population of 3,271 - as per a 2011 census. The document mentions the incident of September 12 in the northern city of Bistrita, when unknown persons vandalized a memorial dedicated to the Jews who were deported to Auschwitz and Birkenau. Also, on March 18, the director of the Jewish State Theater, Maia Morgenstern, stated on social media that during a meeting with representatives of public theaters and cultural institutions, one of the participants used anti-Semitic slurs.

"In a declaration adopted on March 31, the Parliament stated that anti-Semitic incidents were on the rise and condemned attempts to glorify Holocaust-era war criminals and the threats received by Morgenstern," the document reads, mentioning also that according to the Elie Wiesel Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, streets, organizations, schools, or libraries continued to be named after persons convicted for war crimes or crimes against humanity.

Regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it cites the gender advocacy NGO ACCEPT stating that hate crimes were severely underreported and authorities have not initiated prosecution in any reported LGBTQI+ hate crime case since 2006.

Despite the law prohibiting all forms of forced or compulsory labor, there were reports that such practices continued to occur, often involving Romani, persons with disabilities, and children, as the government did not effectively enforce the law and only took limited measures to prevent forced or compulsory labor.

Informal employment continued to affect employees in the agriculture, retail, hospitality, and construction sectors. In 2013 undeclared work

represented 18.9 percent of total labor output in the private sector. In 2019 some 25 percent of Romanians admitted they had engaged in undeclared work and 44 percent knew someone who had engaged in undeclared labor, the report of the U.S. Department of State concludes.
The chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, specified on Wednesday that vouchers will be given to vulnerable people and for students that are receiving social scholarships, with financing from both the state budget and European funds.

Asked, in Parliament, where the money for these vouchers will come from, Ciolacu replied: "The Prime Minister explained very clearly. They are financed from both European funds and the state budget".

He mentioned that the acting Minister of European Funds, Marcel Bolos, is discussing with the representatives of the European Commission to receive the agreement for funds from the 2016-2020 budget year to be used for these vouchers, Agerpres.ro informs.

"At this time, we do not need to change any European regulation, because there is an axis which we can access for this area," the PSD leader said.

Vouchers that will be issued as of May 1 will be financed from the state budget.

"Why did it come up with a double financing? So that they can be enforced as quickly as possible, being about financing from the state budget. In two weeks we won't need to receive agreement from the Commission to pay for vouchers from European money, because it is a double financing, from both the state budget and EU funds. (...) It will first come from the state budget, then, after Mister Bolos finishes the correspondence and with the Commission's acceptance, we will finance from European funds," the PSD chairman said.

According to Ciolacu, there is no risk for the European Commission to not agree with this, because there were talks on this topic with European commissioners when they came to Romania.
MIAMI (AP)  Police in Miami have arrested a 41-year-old woman in the deaths of her two young children after officers responded to repeated hang-up 911 calls from her apartment where they found their tied-up bodies.

Come get them, I don't want them anymore," Odette Lysse Joassaint told officers who responded to the scene on Tuesday night, according to the arrest report. Police said she appeared to be irrational.

The officers entered the apartment and found a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. The children were lying in a prone position on the bed with their arms, legs and neck tied, a police report said.

They tried to resuscitate the children until a Miami Fire Rescue crew arrived and pronounced them dead. Authorities have not released information on how they were killed, but the woman has been charged with two counts of murder.

It is not yet clear how many calls were made to 911 or whether she spoke to a dispatcher.

Miami police spokesperson Michael Vega said the father was not living there at the time but said there had been at least four calls made to the address in the past year over domestic violence, trespassing and disturbance. None of the incidents involved the children and no arrests were made, Vega said.

The father, Frantzy Belval, told The Associated Press that he would pick up the children every weekend and they would go and spend the night with him. Joassaint and Belval are both originally from Haiti, but he arrived in 1995 and she came to the U.S. in 2015.

She had asked me to cancel my contract with the apartment to move in back with her, he said. But she created too many problems.

Belval said he was not aware of any diagnosis for mental illness, but he said Joassaint had lost custody to the state of an older child. That child's father remained in Haiti.

Law enforcement is also working with the Florida Department of Children and Families, but it is not yet clear whether it had been involved with the family in the past. The state agency did not respond to requests for information.

News researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
EDWARDSVILLE  An engineer with a regional search and rescue group investigating last years deadly tornado at an Amazon warehouse said he saw significant structural issues that may have contributed to the buildings collapse, according to a report released Tuesday by the law firm representing one of the victims families.

The engineer, Dan Bruno, said he saw structural columns that did not appear to be anchored to the ground prior to the tornado. He said he saw no weld or bolted connection at the base of the columns, but only a bead of what appeared to be caulk around the base at the floor line.

I had found what I believed to be one or more significant structural issues with the Amazon building that may have contributed to the failure of the structure, Bruno said in the report.

He called his findings advisory only and said they require more analysis by other professionals.

The city of Edwardsville said in response that it is premature to make any determinations about the structural safety of the building, adding that Amazon and the property owner, San Diego-based Realty Income Corp., are completing a forensic investigation.

At this time, the Occupational Safety and Health Organization is performing the investigation on the building, and no determination as to its structural integrity has been communicated to the city, Edwardsville officials said in a statement.

Brunos report was publicized Tuesday during an online press conference by Jack Casciato, an attorney with Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices representing the family of Amazon worker Austin McEwen in its wrongful death lawsuit against Amazon, the developer and others. A law firm spokesperson said the report was released to Casciato via public records request by Brunos search and rescue group, the St. Louis Regional Urban Area Security Initiative Strike Team 3.

The strike team is federally funded via the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

McEwen, 26, was one of six people killed at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville after a tornado struck the facility the night of Dec. 10.

Amazon leases the warehouse that was developed in 2018 by Creve Coeur-based TriStar Properties and built by Contegra Construction Co. of Edwardsville. It was expanded to 1.1 million square feet in July 2020. Realty Income Corp. has owned it since late 2020. TriStar declined to comment. Contegra said the company is not aware of any code violations at the facility.

We are heartbroken by the devastation of the tornado to our community and those who lost their lives or property, and we believe the allegations in this lawsuit against Contegra are without merit, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Contegra will vigorously defend our companys work and our reputation.

The warehouse, at 3077 Gateway Commerce Center Drive South, was built using a construction method known as tilt-up, which experts said is quicker and more economical than other approaches but leaves some roofs at risk of failure and the buildings vulnerable to collapse.

After the Amazon tornado: Scant rules leave other St. Louis-area buildings vulnerable There are few regulations that require tornado shelters and none that require buildings to better withstand tornadoes.

City officials said Tuesday they are working with the state of Illinois to explore ways that building codes can be fortified against future disasters.

Casciato said Bruno, the engineer, reached out to him after the lawsuit was filed to share his experience, calling what he observed a grave violation of building codes. Casciato said the building was last inspected in 2018.

But Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel has maintained that the warehouse was built in compliance with all applicable building codes and that it passed city inspections in 2020.

The city said officials conduct visual inspections for general conformance with plans and code requirements.

In the report, Bruno said he was deployed to the Amazon warehouse on Dec. 10 as a member of the strike team, comprised of hundreds of area first responders trained in special rescue operations. Bruno, who did not respond to a request for comment, is fire marshal for the West County EMS & Fire Protection District in Manchester in St. Louis County.

Bruno said that, as a professional engineer and structures specialist, he was tasked with conducting a structural assessment of the facility. Thats when he observed an unspecified number of columns that had fallen over or were partially raised out of the floor. None, he said, showed signs of being properly secured to the ground. He said that the Edwardsville building codes call for columns to be secured against uplift from wind.

Casciato likened the fallen columns to backyard patio umbrellas that are blown away from their base when unanchored. But he said Bruno told him that those fallen columns were missing when Bruno visited the warehouse the next day. The report does not mention missing columns.

Bruno later shared his findings with OSHA, with the chief of the Edwardsville Fire Department, and with West County EMS Chief Jeff Sadtler, according to the report.

The Edwardsville Fire Department did not respond to a request for comment. OSHA did not respond to a request for comment but its website showed that its investigation into Amazon is still open. Sadtler confirmed Brunos report but declined to comment further.

Casciato said the McEwen family feels a sense of confidence in light of the evidence discovered so far.

Its upsetting to learn these occurrences happen and youre the family that has to lose someone, Casciato said. But I think there is a sense of confidence when someone sees theres merit to a lawsuit.

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WASHINGTON  A U.S. consumer watchdog on Tuesday sued TransUnion and one of its former executives, accusing the credit reporting agency of tricking consumers into making recurring payments after the company was fined in 2017 for similar activity.

The lawsuit, filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in federal court in Illinois, accuses John Danaher, who headed one of TransUnions subsidiaries, of failing to ensure that the company stopped the deceptive activity.

The suit seeks monetary relief for consumers, injunctive relief and fines.

TransUnion is an out-of-control repeat offender that believes it is above the law, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement. I am concerned that TransUnions leadership is either unwilling or incapable of operating its businesses lawfully.

The company in a statement called the CFPBs claims meritless.

Danaher retired from TransUnion in 2021, according to a company filing. Attorneys for Danaher also described the claims as without merit, saying in a statement that the CFPB is focused more on politically expedient headlines than the facts or the law.

The bureau is asking a court to order the defendants to refund money to customers, pay restitution to harmed consumers and pay back ill-gotten gains for unjustified enrichment.

The lawsuit underscores the bureaus more aggressive posture under President Joe Bidens administration. Chopra said last month the CFPB was looking at structural remedies to hold big companies more accountable for repeat offenses.

Tackling corporate recidivism has emerged as a key priority under Biden, who entered the White House nearly 15 months ago, with the Justice Department last year rolling out a series of policy changes aimed at better deterring repeat misconduct.

In its complaint, the CFPB said TransUnion failed to address shortcomings identified in a 2017 enforcement action under which the company paid $16.9 million to settle charges that it deceptively marketed its products, tricking customers into recurring-payment products and making canceling them difficult.

The CFPB said Danaher, who headed a subsidiary called TransUnion Interactive, sought to delay compliance with the 2017 order to try to boost revenue. For example, Danaher told the company to stop requiring customers to check a box to confirm enrollment in a paid product, which had been required by the order, the CFPB said.

TransUnion in its statement said it remains in compliance with the order, adding that the CFPB failed to honor its own obligations to respond to a plan for compliance that the company filed shortly thereafter.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens administration on Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, expanding the scope of the systems provided ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine.

The latest package, which brings the total military aid tally since Russian forces invaded in February to more than $2.5 billion, includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense vessels, Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Biden said he had also approved the transfer of additional helicopters, saying equipment provided to Ukraine has been critical as it confronts the invasion.

We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom, Biden said.

The new security assistance package, according to the Defense Department, includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been earmarked for Afghanistan before the U.S.-backed government collapsed and 18 155mm howitzers, along with counter-artillery radars and 200 armored personnel carriers.

This was the first time howitzers have been provided to Ukraine by the United States.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said some of the systems, like the howitzers and radars, will require additional training for Ukrainian forces.

Were aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend, Kirby said when asked about the speed of the deliveries.

The new aid will be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorize the transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and expert on urban warfare at the Madison Policy Forum think tank, said he was excited to see that the United States was sending artillery and artillery rounds.

You need these bigger, more powerful weapons ... to match what Russia is bringing to try to take eastern Ukraine, Spencer told Reuters.

As news of the latest security assistance came out, executives from the top U.S. weapons makers met with Pentagon officials to discuss the industrial challenges in the event of a protracted Ukraine conflict.

These included executives from BAE Systems Plc, General Dynamics Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntington Ingalls Industries, L3Harris Technologies, Boeing Co., Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp.

Zelenskyy has been pleading with U.S. and European leaders to provide heavier arms and equipment as his country faces an invasion that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

Russia has been unable to achieve most of its military goals in the seven-week-long invasion as Ukrainians have put up a fiercer-than-expected resistance.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a special operation to destroy Ukraines military capabilities and capture what it views as dangerous nationalists, but Ukraine and the West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression.

In Ukraine on Wednesday, Russia said it had taken control of the port in Mariupol and that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered in the southeastern Ukrainian city, which has been surrounded and bombarded by Russian troops for weeks.

Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Doina Chiacu and Temis Tormo.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world's busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

The two-term Republican governor, who has ordered that commercial trucks from Mexico undergo extra inspections as part of a fight with President Joe Biden's administration over immigration, refused to fully reverse course as traffic remains snarled.

The standoff has stoked warnings by trade groups and experts that U.S. grocery shoppers could soon notice shortages on shelves and higher prices unless the normal flow of trucks resumes.

Abbott announced Wednesday that he would stop inspections at one bridge in Laredo after reaching an agreement with the governor of neighboring Nuevo Leon in Mexico. But some of the most dramatic truck backups and bridge closures have occurred elsewhere along Texas' 1,200-mile border.

I understand the concerns that businesses have trying to move product across the border, Abbott said during a visit to Laredo. But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border.

Abbott said inbound commercial trucks elsewhere will continue to undergo thorough inspections by state troopers until leaders of Mexico's three other neighboring states reach agreements with Texas over security. He did not spell out what those measures must entail.

At the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, where more produce crosses than any other land port in the U.S., truckers protesting Abbott's order had effectively shut down the bridge since Monday. But Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said the protests had concluded and commercial traffic had resumed.

Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia joined Abbott in Laredo, where backups on the Colombia Solidarity Bridge have stretched for three hours or longer. Garcia said Nuevo Leon would begin checkpoints to assure Abbott they would not have any trouble."

Abbott said he was hopeful other Mexican states would soon follow and said those states had been in contact with his office. On Tuesday, the governors of Coahuila and Tamaulipas had sent a letter to Abbott calling the inspections overzealous.

This policy will ultimately increase consumer costs in an already record 40-year inflated market  holding the border hostage is not the answer," the letter read.

The slowdowns are the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. Abbott ordered the inspections as part of unprecedented actions he promised in response to the Biden administration winding down a public health law that has limited asylum-seekers in the name of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to the inspections, Abbott also said Texas would begin offering migrants bus rides to Washington, D.C., in a demonstration of frustration with the Biden administration and Congress. Hours before the news conference in Laredo, Abbott announced the first bus carrying 24 migrants had arrived in Washington.

During the last week of March, Border Protection officials said the border averaged more than 7,100 crossings daily.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called Abbotts order unnecessary and redundant. Trucks are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents upon entering the country, and while Texas troopers have previously done additional inspections on some vehicles, local officials and business owners say troopers have never stopped every truck until now.

Cross-border traffic has plummeted to a third of normal levels since the inspections began, according to Mexico's government. Mexico is a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S., and importers say the wait times and rerouting of trucks to other bridges as far away as Arizona has spoiled some produce shipments.

The escalating pressure on Abbott, who is up for reelection in November, has come from his supporters and members of his own party.

The Texas Trucking Association, which has endorsed Abbott, said that the current situation cannot be sustained.

John Esparza, the association's president, said he agrees with attempts to find a remedy with Mexico's governors. But he said if talks take long, congestion could overwhelm bridges where inspections by Texas are no longer being done.

The longer that goes, the more the impact is felt across the country, Esparza said.  It is like when a disaster strikes.

The slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Critics question how the inspections are meeting Abbotts objective of stopping the flow of migrants and drugs. Asked what troopers had turned up in their truck inspections, Abbott directed the question to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As of Monday, the agency said it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the inspections turned up migrants or drugs.

Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

This story has been corrected to show it's Customs and Border Protection.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A defense attorney raised doubt Tuesday about the competency of a 16-year-old student to face sex assault and attempted murder charges in a violent after-school attack that left a Las Vegas high school teacher injured and unconscious in her classroom last week.

In a police report, investigators said the boy's mother said he had no known medical or mental disabilities but recently seemed depressed and disconnected.

A local judge confirmed with the teen's lawyer and a prosecutor that state law calls for him to be prosecuted as an adult if the case moves forward on those charges and others including first-degree kidnapping, which could put him in prison for the rest of his life.

Defense attorney Paul Adras told Justice of the Peace Joe M. Bonaventure hell seek a mental evaluation for his client ahead of a May 6 competency hearing in state court.

The Associated Press is not naming the teen, pending a competency determination. He is being held as an adult on $500,000 bail at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.

Additional charges including more counts of sexual assault and battery by strangulation were added Monday, bringing to 15 the number of felonies he faces. He has not been asked to enter a plea.

A Las Vegas police arrest report obtained Tuesday provided new details of the alleged attack at Eldorado High School. It said the student, a junior, went to the teacher's classroom last Thursday afternoon to talk about his grades.

The female teacher told investigators the teen is physically larger than her, approached her as she sat at her desk and choked her from behind with a rope or cord before pulling a bookcase and filing cabinet down upon her.

The teacher asked ... repeatedly why he was doing this to her, before she lost consciousness, police said. She recalled (him) telling her he had something like multiple personalities,' and ... he didnt like teachers' and was getting revenge.' "

The teacher said she tried to fight her attacker and scratched his arms. When she awoke, she had blood in her hair and her clothes were disheveled.

I don't know why I attacked her, she was good to me, the arrest report quotes the student telling detectives. It said he admitted taking the teacher's keys before he fled the campus.

He attends ROTC and was with his mother driving him back to school about two hours later for an award ceremony when they were stopped and he was arrested by school police.

His mother described her son as a good student who was "not diagnosed with any medical or mental disabilities. She told police that in recent months he seemed depressed and disconnected but would not talk about what was wrong.

Officials said the teacher was hospitalized. Neither her name or the extent of her injuries were immediately made public. The police report said the teen described removing her clothes, and said DNA evidence was collected.

Outside court, Adras called it too early in the case to comment on his client's behalf, and acknowledged intense public interest since his arrest.

I know theres a lot of information going out on social media, the attorney told The Associated Press. Were asking everyone to respect the process.

Adras added that prosecutor Lindsey Moors informed him the case may be presented to a grand jury behind closed doors.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, outside court, expressed frustration with escalating violence in Clark County schools, the nations fifth-largest district, and told reporters that he spoke Tuesday with school Superintendent Jesus Jara.

This is an example of the kind of behavior that will not be tolerated, Wolfson said of the allegations against the teen.

Wolfson, Jara and other officials convened a news conference two weeks ago to call for calm in the sprawling school district, which has more than 300,000 students and 18,000 teachers at about 336 campuses. Wolfson, the top prosecutor in Las Vegas since 2012, is running for reelection this year.

Jara blamed incidents on the "stress, anxieties and isolation of the (coronavirus) pandemic.

The same day the news conference was held, a campus police officer fired three gunshots at a moving car that had struck a girl amid a report of an after-school fight in a parking lot at a downtown Las Vegas high school. Among four teenage non-students in the car, the driver and a passenger received minor wounds, authorities said. The girl struck by the car was not seriously hurt.

Classrooms are empty this week during spring break.

Since schools opened in August, campus police have reported 3,000 assaults and fights, and confiscated more than 25 guns. Brawls at some schools have involved non-students, adults and parents. The mothers of two students have been accused in separate cases of using their vehicles as weapons to defend their children from schoolmates.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  The influx of prescription opioids into West Virginia communities was the main driver of the state's drug crisis  more than poverty, job loss and other economic stressors, an epidemiologist testified Tuesday at the ongoing trial against three major pharmaceutical companies.

The economic conditions were the kindling, but the opioid suppliers were the gasoline that was poured directly on that kindling, said Dr. Katherine Keyes, director of Columbia Universitys Psychiatric Epidemiology Training Program.

Keyes was questioned on the stand all day Tuesday in the state's bench trial against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals Inc., AbbVie Inc.s Allergan and their family of companies.

The West Virginia trial began last week and is expected to last up to two months. State and local governments, Native American tribes, unions, hospitals and other entities have filed more than 3,000 lawsuits involving the opioid epidemic in state and federal courts.

Most allege the industry created a public nuisance in a crisis that has been linked to the deaths of 500,000 Americans over the past two decades.

A trial opened Monday in Floridas opioid epidemic lawsuit against the Walgreens pharmacy chain, which state officials accuse of prioritizing profits over health by improperly dispensing millions of powerful painkillers that caused tens of thousands of deaths. Closing arguments are expected this week for an opioid-related trial in Washington.

Keyes described West Virginia, one of the poorest U.S. states, as the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the U.S. More people have died of overdoses in the state per capita than any other, all while the state has been grappling with a loss of jobs from the declining coal industry. West Virginia was one of the only U.S. states to lose population during the 2020 U.S. census.

But while she said there is a relationship between poverty and unemployment and drug deaths, the number of prescription drugs present in communities makes a much greater impact.

Economic factors certainly are important and certainly play a role and we should be paying attention to those, but the opioid supply is by far the predominant risk factor, she said.

Keyes said shed cited at least 400 scientific papers in her research preparing for trial. One 2021 study reviewing opioid shipments to retail pharmacies across the country showed that Mingo County, West Virginia, had the highest rate of per capita pill volume in the country in 2008. The county saw an influx of 372 pills per capita, compared with a population-weighted national average of around 35.

Lawyers representing the pharmaceutical companies said West Virginia has greater rates of prescription drug use across the board. They also said there are higher rates of individuals who are diagnosed with chronic pain conditions in the state compared with the national average, a statistic likely related to the higher number of people working jobs that require manual labor.

During her testimony, Keyes said that the wave of prescription opioids drove a tsunami of drug dependence and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths. As the number of people being prescribed opioids decreased, people turned to heroin and fentanyl.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The Idaho governor and attorney general said Tuesday they are seeking to add Idaho to the list of states that have filed a lawsuit to prevent federal officials from ending a public health rule that allows many asylum seekers to be turned away at the southern U.S. border.

Republican Gov. Brad Little and Republican Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said they are working together to join the lawsuit filed earlier this month by Arizona, Louisiana and Missouri.

The lawsuit challenges the Biden administration's planned May 23 end to border controls known as Title 42. The order was imposed nearly two years ago by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over coronavirus concerns.

The Trump Administration invoked the Title 42 restrictions to protect the American people, and it worked, Little said in a statement. "The policy kept tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from crossing the border. Idahos participation in this multistate lawsuit reinforces the fact that border security is interconnected to the health and safety of American citizens.

Wasden said the lawsuit is yet another example of states being forced to take action because Congress continues to refuse to address an issue that should be its priority.

Little and Wasden said Idaho and other states received an invitation to join the lawsuit Tuesday morning. The two said they began a review of the lawsuit and then took steps to make sure Idaho is represented.

Republican-led state governments have been fighting the Democratic administrations rollback of some immigration policies.

The policy at the center of the lawsuit went into effect under President Donald Trump in March 2020. Since then, migrants trying to enter the U.S. have been expelled more than 1.7 million times.

The lawsuit says the policy is the only safety valve preventing this Administrations disastrous border policies from devolving into an unmitigated chaos and catastrophe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced April 1 that it would end the policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The government said it was already making plans to erect tents and take other steps to prepare for an expected influx of migrants.

Little has long been critical of Biden's handling of security at the U.S.-Mexico border. Last summer, he sent five Idaho State Police troopers on a 21-day mission to assist Arizona State Police in drug interdiction.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Women will have to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion under a ruling by a Florida judge in a nearly seven-year battle over the waiting period.

Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey in Tallahassee tossed out a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Gainesville women's clinic, saying other medical procedures have similar waiting periods and other important decisions like getting married, getting divorced and buying a gun have longer waiting periods.

Twenty-four hours is the minimum time needed to sleep on such an important decision, Judge Dempsey wrote.

The waiting period goes into effect once Dempsey signs one additional piece of paperwork.

Dempsey also added that exceptions for the life of a mother, documented cases of rape and incest, and victims of domestic violence and human traffic support the constitutionality of the law.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops praised the decision.

The 24-hour reflection period is a reasonable measure that will empower women to make truly informed, deliberate decisions apart from the abortion industrys pressures, Christie Arnold, the organization's lobbyist, said in a news release.

The ruling comes a month after the Florida Legislature sent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks. DeSantis is expected to sign it.

Since the passage of this law, Florida politicians have continued to place hurdles in the path of people seeking abortion care as part of a larger effort to push care out of reach," said American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Julia Kaye. "The state legislature took its most extreme step yet in attacking reproductive freedom earlier last month."

The ACLU is evaluating its next steps in the legal battle.

Former governor and current U.S. Sen. Rick Scott signed the bill into law in June 2015. The ACLU of Florida and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed the suit the next day on behalf of the Bread and Roses Womens Health Center in Gainesville.

The lawsuit argued that many women will have a difficult time scheduling appointments on two consecutive days because of work or school schedules, child care availability and the need to travel, especially if they have a low income.

It also said the exceptions in the law such as rape and incest are meaningless because they require documentation and the majority of victims do not report such crimes. The creation of a two-day process also increases the chances that a womans abuser will discover the pregnancy and force her to not have the abortion, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit has been dragged out for nearly seven years. A trial court initially threw it out without a full trial, finding it unconstitutional. In a 2-1 ruling, the 1st District Court of Appeal sent the lawsuit back to the circuit court, saying the state had built evidence that supports the constitutionality of the law. The court also lifted an injunction that was temporarily blocking the law from taking effect during legal proceedings.

The state Supreme Court quickly put the injunction back in place while the case continued.

An abortion clinic in Jacksonville began implementing the 24-hour waiting period last week in anticipation of the judges ruling. Amber Gavin, head of advocacy and operations at A Womans Choice, said the clinic didn't want patients to suddenly have to change travel plans to quickly adhere to the law.

This is incredibly hard on some of them. They come to us and have already taken the day off from work, arranged child care, she said. Some of them had not realized this was going to happen, so its really painful and hard for our staff to tell the patient that the state is mandating this.

Gavin said it will also require more staffing hours, and for physicians to be at the clinic longer than before.

Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
UPDATED with name of boy who died and to correct boy's hometown

ST. LOUIS  A teenage boy was killed and another boy was critically injured in a double shooting Tuesday in the city's Marine Villa neighborhood.

Maryon Jackson, 14, died at the scene of the shooting. A 16-year-old boy arrived a hospital with a gunshot wound and survived.

They were shot about 6:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 3900 block of Missouri Avenue, near Keokuk Street.

Maryon was shot in the head and died at the scene. He lived in the 10000 block of Duke Drive, in an area of unincorporated St. Louis County known as the Castle Point neighborhood.

The older teen, who was shot in the abdomen, was driven to a hospital before police arrived. He was in critical condition.

Police did not say if they had a suspect. Police spokeswoman Evita Caldwell wouldn't provide any more information about the circumstances of the shooting. An earlier report said there were three victims.

Including Tuesday's double shooting, at least 32 children have died or been injured in shootings so far this year across the St. Louis metropolitan area. Police define a child as anyone 17 years old or younger.

Seven of the 32 died. Twenty five were injured.

Kim Bell of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.

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CLAYTON  A Florissant man was sentenced Wednesday to a life prison term plus 15 years for fatally shooting his boss upon being fired from his maintenance job at a childrens home.

Christopher Owens, 54, pleaded guilty to armed criminal action and second-degree murder, reduced from first degree, for killing his boss, Brantley Tate, in the parking lot of Marygrove Childrens Home, 2705 Mullanphy Lane in Florissant. Tate, 60, died later at a hospital.

Owens admitted fatally shooting Tate on Jan. 26, 2021. Owens had returned to Marygrove after walking off the job days earlier for refusing an order to move furniture. Police said he shot Tate when he returned to retrieve his belongings. Owens fled Missouri but later turned himself in.

Circuit Judge Dean Waldemer accepted Owens plea agreement and sentenced him to a life term, calculated at 30 years, for murder plus a consecutive 15-year term for armed criminal action.

Tate, a married father of three children, was the director of maintenance at Marygrove and had worked there for 35 years, the childrens home said last year.

In court Wednesday, several of Tates relatives spoke of their anguish over his death, according a news release from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

Brant was the kindest and most generous man I have ever known, and he loved me so much, said Tates widow, Kathie Tate. My heart mostly hurts that he died before he could teach our son everything a man is supposed to know.

Owens lawyer, David Naumann, said Owens acknowledged he was wrong.

It was just a tragedy for everybody, Naumann said. Owens expressed his regret that he destroyed (Tates) familys life and that he was deeply sorry.

Marygrove serves as a home for many children and adolescents who come from violent or abusive homes, have behavioral or psychological problems, or have frequently been placed in foster homes.

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ST. LOUIS  Three men were acquitted on Tuesday of all charges connected to the killing of two teens, while a fourth man was convicted of murder conspiracy and witness tampering.

Keith C. Graham, 24, was acquitted of two charges of first-degree murder and two charges of armed criminal action but found guilty by a St. Louis jury of the other two charges.

Jurors recommended 10 years on the conspiracy charge and five years on the tampering charge, a court spokesman said. Formal sentencing will be set later.

Terez Cook Jr., 22, and William Malik Pearson Jr., 25, and their friend Devion X. Gordon, 27, were acquitted of all charges. All are from St. Louis.

Prosecutors accused Graham of killing Dwayne Clanton, 18, of Glasgow Village, on Dec. 26, 2016, in the 4400 block of Lexington Avenue. They said Graham called Cook, Pearson and Gordon from jail and discussed killing 16-year-old James Scales, a witness to Clantons murder. Scales, a Beaumont High School junior, was fatally shot at a bus stop on Sept. 5, 2017, in the 1700 block of North Euclid Avenue.

But St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners office ran into trouble before trial. In an order last week, St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser ruled that investigators did not examine the phones of three people, including Clanton and Scales, and a potentially exculpatory Facebook message that could have helped the defense. As a sanction, Sengheiser allowed defense lawyers to make an adverse inference argument to jurors, or suggest the evidence would have weakened prosecutors claims.

The judge also barred jail calls from evidence, as well as some messages, because the information had not been turned over to defense lawyers.

That court order kind of speaks for itself, said Pearson lawyer David Bruns. Its just been four years of problems, Bruns said, adding that the problems happened before the current prosecution team had the case.

In closing arguments, Bruns said defense lawyers for those acquitted argued that there was no evidence that they were even on the phones, much less that they had done anything.

Grahams lawyer, Alexa Hillery, said the verdicts in the case were inconsistent  jurors convicted Graham of conspiracy but not his co-defendants. She said she would seek to have Sengheiser throw out the verdict. Hillery said police didnt look into a Facebook message in which Scales purportedly said Graham did not kill Clanton and that he was threatened into making the accusation. She said, The police didnt do a very good investigation, and prosecutors didnt turn over evidence or turned it over late.

A Gardner spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Earlier versions of this story contained an incorrect description of the relationship between Graham and both Cook and Pearson.

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ST. LOUIS  Teachers in five Catholic high schools on Tuesday agreed to a new three-year contract with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, averting a strike.

The president of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Teachers Association said the contract includes long overdue pay scale improvements along with protections for seniority and grievance procedures.

Another hotly debated part of the agreement allows teachers to transfer in the event of a school closure, said Kathryn Williams-Heese, a teacher at Bishop DuBourg High School.

Negotiations started in October for the new contract for the unions 120 teachers at Bishop DuBourg, Cardinal Ritter, Rosati-Kain and St. Marys high schools in St. Louis and St. Pius X High School in Festus.

The contract was approved by members at four of the schools, with teachers at Cardinal Ritter scheduled to vote next week after returning from spring break, according to an archdiocesan spokeswoman.

We thank our teachers for their dedication to the important ministry of Catholic education, said Lisa Naeger Shea.

The previous contract expired last month, after more than 90% of the 120 teachers in the union voted down the Archdioceses last offer, which allowed for some pay raises but struck grievance and seniority protections.

Teachers at Bishop DuBourg, Rosati-Kain and St. Marys staged a sickout on March 28, and 100 students from the schools protested in support at the Cathedral Basilica. Protests by the school communities have also been held regularly on the cathedral steps.

The archdiocese gave teachers individual at-will contracts to sign by April 1 before job openings were to be posted. Union leaders indicated a willingness to strike if collective bargaining did not resume. The two sides returned to the bargaining table and came to a tentative agreement on April 7.

Details of the contract approved Tuesday were not released. The previous starting teacher salary was $30,387.

The contract comes as the archdiocese is planning a major reorganization called All Things New that could lead to dozens of Catholic school closures in the next few years.

St. Louis Catholic high school students rally to support teachers Classes were canceled Monday at Bishop DuBourg, Rosati-Kain and St. Mary's after teachers staged a sickout

St. Louis Catholic high school teachers poised to strike over contract Catholic high school teachers began negotiating with Archdiocese of St. Louis in October, and they're now poised to strike after their contract expired on March 4.

Catholic schools in St. Louis area prepare for sweeping changes in parish reorganization All Things New initiative will dramatically change the 178 parishes and 100 schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Blythe Bernhard  314-340-8129 @blythebernhard on Twitter bbernhard@post-dispatch.com

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JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri Republicans gave initial approval Tuesday to legislation that says parents have a right to see the curriculum used in their childs classroom.

The so-called Parents Bill of Rights measure now awaits a final vote in the House and, if passed, an uncertain future in the Senate.

It marks the latest example of Republicans stoking culture wars in the midst of an election cycle by forcing votes on divisive issues, including abortion, transgender rights and race sensitivity training.

Democrats decried the GOP effort.

The truth is, its really a phantom problem. Its misleading, said Rep. David Smith, D-Columbia. This is really part of a national strategy by a group of people to get them riled up and get them to the polls. Its a page out of a political strategy book. Its unfortunate so many people have been misled.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, attempts to guarantee access to classroom instructional materials. Various amendments proposed by Republicans touched on limiting the teaching of critical race theory.

We are responding to the concerns of our constituents, Baker said.

The proposal comes as groups like No Left Turn in Education worked during the April 5 election to elect school board members who will look more favorably on limiting the teaching of racial equity and transgender rights.

School board campaigns across the St. Louis region were marked by a conservative push against pandemic-related mask and quarantine policies, that then broadened to oppose diversity and equity programs and books with racial and gender themes.

Baker, a pastor and former dean of students at Ozark Bible Institute, said the legislation could address concerns that students are being indoctrinated against their parents wishes.

Some of the things that are happening, we have to address that, Baker said.

Rep. Dottie Bailey, R-Eureka, said the legislation is among the more important facing lawmakers this year.

Bailey claimed school districts are grooming their children to be sex addicts by allowing them to read certain books. She said school administrators are trying to hide their activities from parents.

They think were racists, bigots, Bailey said.

Under the legislation, parents could sue a school district if they believed the district knowingly violated the statute.

Republican lawmakers, all of whom are up for reelection in the House in November, flooded the Legislature with similar proposals. Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who is running for U.S. Senate, also proposed his own version.

Many of the provisions are already in law in some form, including the right to review curricula, books and instructional materials.

The legislation also would give parents the right to visit school during school hours with restrictions.

Rep. Paula Brown, a Hazelwood Democrat and former school teacher, said most of the legislation is already found in state law.

I find that redundant, Brown said.

Other Democrats said the Legislature should allow local school districts to do their jobs without state interference.

I actually trust the teachers who serve my children. I believe parents already have a bill of rights, said Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lees Summit.

Rep. Joe Adams, D-University City, said Republicans like Rep. Nick Schroer, who is running for a seat in the Senate in St. Charles County, are attempting to limit the teaching of history.

There is no collective, agreed-upon history of anything, Adams said. You are a master of generating conflict.

Black lawmakers said the GOP efforts were needlessly divisive.

Were not doing justice for the children back home, said Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis.

The legislation is House Bill 1858.

Originally posted at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.

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CLAYTON  St. Louis County has ended a former councilwomans public health job after a recent charter amendment required political appointees be listed under the county executives budget.

Rochelle Walton Gray, who represented District 4 for four years, no longer is a COVID-19 vaccine outreach coordinator. County Executive Sam Page hired Gray to the newly created role in January 2021, shortly after she left elected office.

Gray could not be reached for comment.

Grays reclassification from the Department of Public Health to Pages office would have conflicted with an ordinance, enacted last year, that forbids elected county officials from working for the executive or County Council for at least two years after leaving office.

Page said Tuesday that Grays job with the county ended when the charter amendment was passed. He confirmed Grays termination in response to questions from Councilman Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, during the County Councils weekly meeting.

Is there anything in the ordinance ... that would prohibit her from serving in your office? Fitch asked.

Page said that Grays reclassification would have qualified as a new county job, something prohibited by the 2021 ordinance, which was adopted after she had been hired.

For the next eight months, she is not eligible to take on a new job in county government, and working in my office would be a new job, Page said Tuesday.

Proposition A, one of two county charter amendments overwhelmingly approved by voters on April 5, requires salaries of the county executives political appointees be listed within his offices budget  a recommendation made in 2020 by Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway. For years, county executives have embedded the salaries of many of their staffers in other departments budgets, concealing the true scope and cost of their staffs.

Gray, who had served one term on the council, had been unseated by Shalonda Webb in the 2020 primary in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.

But a technical change in the county charter, approved by voters that month, changed the day when county officials are sworn in to the second Tuesday in January rather than Jan. 1.

Pages administration and council allies Lisa Clancy, Kelli Dunaway and Ernie Trakas argued Grays term could be extended until Webb was sworn in. They then met on Jan. 5  a week before Webb could take office  and voted to elect Clancy as chair and Trakas as vice chair.

A county judge later ruled Grays participation illegal and sided with a new council majority of Webb, Fitch, Rita Days and Mark Harder, who had voted to make Days chair and Harder vice chair.

Pages council opponents slammed his hiring of Gray as a reward for her votes. Page denied the allegation and said he hired Gray to aid efforts to boost vaccine registration in north St. Louis County.

The council majority later targeted Grays county job in a bill that cut the Department of Public Healths budget by $122,000, an amount equal to her salary and benefits. Page vetoed the move, and the council could not muster a fifth vote to override his veto.

Grays hiring also prompted both factions of the council to rush to push different bills barring council members from getting county jobs within a number of years of leaving office. The council eventually compromised on a bill barring such hires for two years, and Page signed it into law.

Gray, of Black Jack, had served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016. She joined the council on Jan. 1, 2017, after defeating longtime incumbent Councilman Mike OMara in the 2016 Democratic primary.

Originally posted at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Many low-income and elderly Missourians may not qualify for a proposed tax rebate being considered by state lawmakers.

And with just a month left in the Legislatures annual session, the clock is ticking on officials to figure out how to get the most benefit out of a record amount of surplus funds sitting in the state treasury.

At issue is a hastily crafted plan in the House to send $500 checks to Missouri taxpayers using at least $1 billion that is not being spent in the upcoming state budget.

The rebate, sponsored by Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, would be based on a tax filers total annual income tax bill for 2021. If someone owes the state $500 or more, they would receive the full credit. If someone owes $15, they would receive a $15 check.

In general terms, anyone making under $12,900, or a couple making under $26,000, would likely not qualify for the rebate because their tax liability is likely zero.

Jay Hardenbrook, advocacy director for AARP Missouri, said many seniors have low-enough incomes that they dont owe income taxes.

But they still pay sales taxes, they still pay property taxes and they still pay gas taxes, all of which take a big bite of your budget when you have limited income, Hardenbrook told members of the House Budget Committee.

The Missouri Budget Project, which tracks the states revenue and expenses, said it estimates at least 400,000 Missouri households would not qualify because their pay is too low.

Missourians whose pay is so low that they dont owe income tax are still paying taxes, said Amy Blouin, president of the organization. In fact, the lower your earnings, the more you pay in state and local taxes as a share of what you make.

Republicans said there are other programs offered by the state that can help low-income Missourians.

I believe this is meant to help our middle class. Those people are in need of relief, said Rep. Richard West, R-Wentzville.

In addition to the concerns about who would qualify, the Missouri Department of Revenue cautioned lawmakers that it has not had enough time to analyze the proposal and would likely need additional funds to process the checks.

It would be a huge administrative hurdle, said Zach Wyatt, legislative director for the agency.

Wyatt also said the department has not had time to determine what the average check would be and was unsure when the agency would be ready to provide more details.

Its hard for me to put a time frame (on it), Wyatt said.

Smith, who chairs the House budget panel, urged lawmakers to work quickly to craft a workable solution to spend down some of the states record budget surplus.

After passing the largest budget in state history last week, we are still in a position of excess revenues for multiple different reasons, said Smith, who is chairman of the House budget panel. Somewhere we need to right-size this.

Democrats agreed that the legislation is still a work in progress.

We havent had ample time really to digest this, said Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis. We need more time to dive into this.

Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, said the proposal as written could leave low-income people out of the program.

I would like to see more data, Windham said.

Smith agreed that he wouldnt rush to bring the measure to the full House.

Im not going to move the bill out of the House until we have some of the fundamental issues addressed, Smith said.

The proposal, as well as a similar one pending in the Senate, has generated a buzz among Missouri taxpayers.

Wyatt said people are already beginning to call the department asking about the money.

The Senate version is estimated to cost up to $2.4 billion while the House version currently is capped at $1 billion.

The legislation is House Bill 3021.

Posted at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

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JEFFERSON CITY  The latest effort by Republicans to block a voter-approved expansion of Medicaid advanced to the full Senate Wednesday.

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8-5 in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would again ask voters to reverse their 2020 decision to permanently expand the government-funded health insurance program.

All Democrats, as well as Republican Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, voted against the measure.

The legislation has already won approval in the House on a 96-41 vote. Its prospects are uncertain in the Senate, where individual lawmakers opposed to the initiative could block it using their power to filibuster.

The move is a continuation of the ongoing GOP opposition to the signature achievement of former President Barack Obama.

After years of blocking expansion, health care groups went around the Legislature and asked voters directly if they wanted Missouri to join with other states in offering health insurance to as many as 275,000 low-income residents.

The 2020 initiative was approved with 53% of the vote, and after court fights and additional legislative jousting, the expansion of the states MO HealthNet program went into effect in October.

Democrats on the budget panel condemned the effort.

I think it is disrespectful to the voters. For me, this is settled. I do not want to debate this issue another minute, said Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City.

Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis, said the state has the money to afford the expansion, which is primarily funded by the federal government.

We ought to honor the recourse the voters have taken, May said.

Through March 25, more than 78,000 low-income Missourians have enrolled in the expanded program, which went into effect in October.

The expansion, however, has been riddled with roadblocks, including long waiting times for applicants and similarly lengthy delays in processing applications.

The ballot question, if it wins approval in the Republican-led Senate, would ask voters to allow the program to be subject to annual appropriations by the General Assembly.

It also would require the Missouri Department of Social Services to apply for a waiver from the federal government seeking to require adults who receive the health care benefit to have a job.

The work requirement also would have to win approval from President Joe Bidens administration, which announced in February 2021 that it would remove all work waivers the government granted during President Donald Trumps administration.

The proposal also would end a practice of paying health care costs of people from out of state who are treated in Missouri hospitals.

The proposed constitutional amendment is House Joint Resolution 117.

Originally posted at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 13.

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JEFFERSON CITY  A transgender woman was beaten and raped by two guards at a mens prison in eastern Missouri, following months of harassment. Her attempts to file a complaint were ignored.

A prisoner lost his legs after he was bitten by a poisonous spider and did not receive the medical attention he needed. He now uses an electric wheelchair.

A 27-year-old pregnant prisoner with a disease that breaks down blood cells nearly died because of a lack of care. She was given no prenatal medicine. Later, doctors at a hospital begged prison staff to remove her shackles so she could deliver her baby.

These were among the allegations leveled for hours Tuesday by tearful relatives and friends of prisoners in the Missouri Department of Corrections as they urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would create a 10-member DOC oversight committee. The group would be charged with investigating complaints and collecting data on prisoner deaths, suicides and assaults, among other things.

The legislation, House Bill 1922, is sponsored by Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, a Democrat from St. Louis. For months, she has been making unannounced, hourslong visits to DOCs 21 facilities across the state to check on conditions and hear prisoners stories.

I have learned that individuals incarcerated have cried out for help for years  before I was even thought of or born  to no avail, she told members of the Special Committee on Criminal Justice.

Collins, whose father died in prison in 2007, called conditions in the facilities deplorable, noting she has seen mice and cockroaches in the kitchen at Farmington Correctional Center in southeast Missouri.

She has heard of misdiagnoses and rejected hospital referrals. Prisoners have also told her of being brutally attacked. During one recent visit to South Central Correctional Center in Licking, an incarcerated man who had swollen eyes mumbled, COs (correctional officers) beat me.

Things like this happen all of the time and get swept under the rug, Collins said.

Proponents of Collins legislation say it would provide much-needed accountability to DOC. Members of the committee  which would include four lawmakers, a criminal justice professor, a physician and a former prisoner  would monitor DOCs compliance with federal and state laws and identify issues that include sanitation, livable temperatures, sexual abuse and denial of rights.

Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for DOC, said the department does not have a position on the bill.

But in an email, Pojmann said assertions that there is no oversight or accountability of DOC are not true. Allegations made by prisoners or other people about staff conduct and living conditions, among other issues, are investigated, she said.

DOC noted it has internal investigators and an office that probes issues relating to civil rights, unprofessional conduct and allegations of sexual misconduct. It also operates a 24-hour hotline where people can anonymously report staff concerns.

There is a system of checks and balances built into the structure of the department and built into the larger context in which the department operates, Pojmann wrote to The Star.

Additionally, Pojmann said DOC facilities have trained medical staff on site 24/7 at no cost to prisoners. She said the death rate inside the states prisons is significantly lower than the death rate for Missourians on the outside.

The legislation introduced by Collins was drafted by several incarcerated people at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, including Bobby Bostic, who was sentenced to 241 years in prison for a robbery when he was a teenager, and Lamar Johnson, who the St. Louis circuit attorney has determined was wrongly convicted in a 1994 murder.

Rep. Yolanda Young, a Kansas City Democrat, called the legislation overdue. Rep. Tony Lovasco, an OFallon Republican, said he would vote for the bill and described it as a pretty favorable measure.

No one appeared before the committee to oppose the bill. No one from DOC testified.

The legislation would also allow for the oversight committee to review decisions made by the parole board, which Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, thought might be difficult given everything else the group would be tasked with looking into.

The Rev. Darryl Gray, a former Kansas correctional officer appointed to St. Louis first Detention Facility Oversight Board, said the committee would not review all parole decisions, just ones that trigger grievances, such as if a prisoner believes they were unfairly denied release.

Gray, who testified in support of the bill Tuesday, said lawmakers should consider adding a correctional officer to the proposed committee and giving the group subpoena power. He said numerous states, including New Jersey and Washington, have similar boards, which would also benefit correctional officers.

We wish that Missouri was the first, but we hope it wont be the last, Gray said.

The cost of the committee could exceed $110,000, according to a fiscal analysis. Its members, who would not be compensated but could be reimbursed for expenses, would meet at least four times a year.

Throughout the hearing, loved ones of prisoners described what they called atrocities behind bars. One relative told of how prisoners pull out their own rotting teeth, while another said her loved one found cockroaches in his food.

The parents of one prisoner said he was thrown in solitary confinement after he filed a Prison Rape Elimination Act complaint. He was penalized, they said, for seeking help. The only way he could get out, his father told lawmakers, was to recant his allegations after he spent more than two months in the hole, during which he lost 10 pounds and his mental state deteriorated.

Women who have filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by staff at Chillicothe Correctional Center in northwest Missouri have also said they believed it was policy to send prisoners making such complaints to solitary confinement.

Pojmann, DOCs spokesperson, said some things mentioned at Tuesdays hearing were true  like staffing shortages  while others were not. She said she could not comment on specific cases that were brought up.

One Prison Rape Elimination Act, or PREA, report discussed was investigated and found to be without merit or evidence, Pojmann said. She said the Justice Department audits DOC facilities and that all are currently in compliance with PREA.

Pojmann added that DOC does not use the phrase solitary confinement and instead segregates prisoners for various reasons, such as at times for their own protection from further victimization or retaliation.

In a separate situation, Rita Barr told lawmakers that her brothers two months of complaining about numbness in his arm was mostly ignored until he had a heart attack and a stroke. He can now no longer feed himself, walk or speak. He relies on other prisoners to care for him, which Barr believes could have been prevented had he not been turned away from the infirmary.

What type of life is that? she asked about his current state.

At least one relative was troubled by the lack of air conditioning in some state prisons. DOC said thats the case because the buildings infrastructure dont support it and noted that some Missouri public schools are not air conditioned.

Legislators also heard from Lori Curry, who runs an advocacy group called Missouri Prison Reform. She noted there were several stabbings earlier this year at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.

Caring correctional officers have also expressed concerns to Curry. She said she recently heard from one who said a prisoner had laid in his urine for days.

Staff kept saying he was doing it for attention, Curry said. Eventually they found out that this man had ... leukemia.
JEFFERSON CITY  One state lawmaker is looking to ax the states few remaining red-light cameras.

The proposed ban, sponsored by Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-OFallon, was heard in the House Downsizing State Government Committee on Wednesday.

The measure prohibits the use of cameras to enforce any traffic ordinances, including red-light and speed cameras.

Though the legislation currently would also ban license plate readers, commonly used in Amber Alert scenarios and to track violent offenders, Lovasco said he intends to remove the devices from the measure.

The ability to have a real person identify the situation, make an assessment and then ultimately give the defendant the ability to face their accuser is incredibly important, Lovasco said. While this technology perhaps makes it easier to generate some revenue here and there, I dont think that we should be using them.

Red-light camera ordinances were largely wiped out after a state Supreme Court ruling in 2015. The ruling didnt specifically ban use of the cameras, but required future ordinances to capture and verify the identity of the driver, rather than charging the car owner.

Hannibal, the only municipality that elected to meet the requirements, currently has a few red-light cameras.

Some in St. Louis have previously proposed bringing back red-light cameras, citing an increase in fatal accidents since the cameras were turned off and a shortage of police officers to enforce traffic laws.

Nick Dunne, spokesman for Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, said he wasnt aware of any current plans to bring back red-light cameras to the city.

Red-light and speed cameras in the state are regulated by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Under MoDOT regulations, either may be used in specified areas with a higher-than-average rate of serious accidents.

Speed cameras, which are concentrated largely in the St. Louis area, may also be used within school zones or work zones.

Though representatives of several cities and counties law enforcement testified in opposition to the threat to license plate readers, none spoke against the red-light and speed camera bans.

Rep. Gretchen Bangert, D-Florissant, said while she doesnt necessarily support red-light cameras, the measure represents yet another attack on local control.

The legislation is House Bill 2705.

Originally posted at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com
JEFFERSON CITY  A St. Louis Democrat running for Congress saw no fast action Tuesday in the Missouri Senate on two of his proposals.

Sen. Steven Roberts Jr. offered legislation to provide grants for security upgrades to places of worship. He also proposed a tax credit for donations to refugee resettlement agencies.

The proposals, which Roberts tried to attach to an unrelated bill, touch on national topics such as foreign policy and gun control as he challenges incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary.

Republicans attached a controversial amendment to Roberts proposal on security grants. And they paused debate on the refugee tax credit before a vote.

Roberts security plan envisioned state grants to organizations to cover 75% of the cost of enhancements such as security personnel costs and physical upgrades.

It allows a religious institution to put up 25% for a security enhancement, Roberts said. So lets say they want to put in surveillance cameras, they want to put in a barrier, bulletproof glass.

Weve all heard the stories recently of our religious institutions being attacked, Roberts said.

The plan is similar to the Nonprofit Security Grant offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Leaders in the Jewish community have called for more funding in the aftermath of a hostage standoff at a synagogue in Texas in January.

Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, quickly offered an amendment to Roberts plan that said any organization receiving a grant must allow concealed carry permit holders to carry a firearm onto the groups premises.

If were going to go about the task of giving taxpayer money to religious institutions, in my opinion, at the very least, we should ... make sure that those institutions are not declaring themselves gun-free zones, said Burlison, who is running for Congress in southwest Missouri.

I feel like our faith institutions, theyre in the best position as far as if they want folks to be able to conceal carry, Roberts said.

After Republicans added Burlisons amendment to Roberts plan, Roberts withdrew it.

Roberts then offered a second proposal allowing taxpayers to claim a 50% tax credit on contributions to a refugee resource center.

I have witnessed this body on many occasions come together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine over Russias illegal and inhumane aggression, Roberts said. This legislation was originally envisioned after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August of 2021.

I like where youre going here, Burlison said. The atrocities in Ukraine are just horrific.

Burlison offered an amendment he said would make certain that these organizations (receiving donations) are not in the practice of human trafficking or helping or aiding illegal immigration in any way.

Roberts said he found the change acceptable.

After the Senate adopted Burlisons edit, the southwest Missouri Republican tabled debate on his underlying legislation, which dealt with nonprofits.

The legislation is Senate Bill 968.

Originally posted at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.

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JEFFERSON CITY  A St. Louis alderman faces a court date in June over his alleged failure to pay a fine for violating state campaign finance laws.

Alderman Brandon Bosley, who served as treasurer of the Citizens to Protect St. Louis fund, allegedly failed to file a quarterly report in April 2019 outlining contributions and expenditures of the committee.

The Missouri Ethics Commission, which is pursuing the legal action in Cole County Circuit Court, is seeking payment of $440 in connection with the violation after Bosley failed to respond to three previous requests for payment.

Bosley, reached Wednesday, said he intends to take care of the situation.

Ill pay for it, Bosley said in a brief conversation.

The campaign fund was formed in 2019 as part of a petition drive to recall former Mayor Lyda Krewson in protest of her support for the Better Together plan to merge St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Bosley, of the 3rd Ward, and Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, 21st Ward, said the merger proposal would result in a reduction in African American political influence and representation and thus jeopardize advances made for St. Louis Black residents over the years.

Krewson had argued the consolidation plan would result in a more efficiently run region. But the consolidation fizzled amid opposition from municipal leaders in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

The recall effort also did not advance. Krewson left office in 2021 after one term as mayor.

MEC records show the campaign fund for the recall raised little money. Of the $1,400 it initially raised, $1,100 came via a loan from Bosley.

Details of the expenses include a $222 bill for utilities, a $90 phone bill, as well as spending for food and Facebook ads.

The fund was terminated in February without any money in it.

The case will be heard June 27 before Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh.

Posted at 12:22 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

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CLAYTON  The St. Louis County Council on Tuesday again blocked County Executive Sam Pages administration from hiring outside lawyers to fight Councilman Tim Fitchs pension lawsuit, despite a judges warning that failure to do so would result in a default judgment in Fitchs favor.

The motion to hire outside counsel failed on a 3-3 tie vote, with Fitch abstaining.

Voting no were Council Chair Rita Heard Days, D-1st District, Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, D-4th District, and Councilman Mark Harder, R-7th District.

The decision likely leaves the county on the hook for more than $339,000, according to County Counselor Beth Orwick, who had requested the hire.

St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Medler last week gave the county until May 13 to hire a private attorney to represent the county in court, or face a default judgment.

Medler had agreed with Orwicks argument that the case posed a conflict of interest for her office because county attorneys had already advised Fitch he couldnt draw the pension while on the council.

But that didnt sway Fitchs council allies. Days, Webb, and Harder had previously voted Feb. 22 to reject the hiring of an outside attorney.

And Days last week told the Post-Dispatch that she felt Fitch was owed the money.

Voting for outside lawyers were Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, D-2nd District and Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District.

Trakas, who sponsored the request, said the council had a responsibility to put up a defense to avoid county taxpayers having to pay a potentially unnecessary cost.

Regardless of any of our personal feelings about this lawsuit, everyone of us took an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, and the charter of St. Louis County, Trakas said.

The idea of permitting a default judgment  flies in the very face of the oath that we took.

And he urged them to set aside their personal feelings about the case.

Failing to hire attorney, Trakas said, would be an absolute dereliction of fiduciary duty.

There is no question councilman Fitch is entitled to his day in court, he said. But that day must conform to the precepts of the rule of law, and the principles of due process. Absent these tenets, justice will not and cannot be served.

Days, Harder and Webb did not respond to Trakas before voting.

The May 13 deadline was intended to allow the council enough time to approve the hire through its typical three-week process for approving legislation.

The council is unlikely to make the judges deadline without an emergency bill, which would require at least two of the dissenting council members to vote in favor of the request.

The county stopped paying Fitch his roughly $85,000-a-year pension on Jan. 1, 2019, after he was seated as the 3rd District representative on the council.

Under county ordinances, retirement benefits are suspended if a pensioner returns to a salaried position with the county. Council members are paid $20,000 a year.

After failing to get council support in 2019 to revise the ordinance, Fitch sued the county in February for at least $254,000 in retirement benefits and interest.

Fitch has argued the ordinance only applies to full-time, merit positions and that council seats are elected, part-time offices exempt from the merit system.

Orwick had asked the council to hire an attorney with HeplerBroom LLC for $300 an hour, associates for $225 an hour and paralegals for $115 an hour.

Fitch retired from the police force in 2014 with 31 years of service, including the last six as chief.

He will depart the council in 2023 after deciding not to seeking reelection to a second term.

Bonds delayed again

Days on Tuesday said she could seek a final vote next week on a $105 million county bond issue for the convention center in downtown St. Louis that includes another $40 million for a recreation center in her council district.

Days has postponed council action on the convention center bonds since last fall, accusing the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission of reneging on a 2019 deal with her predecessor to back the recreation facility.

After tacking on $40 million to the convention center bonds to fund the recreation facility last month, Days has refused to publicly detail other parts of the plan, saying only that she is working with a volunteer team.

Trakas and Clancy on Tuesday reiterated a requested for a hearing on the recreation center proposal, saying they supported the idea for a recreation center in north St. Louis County but needed more details before committing the funding. Harder had also previously requested a hearing.

That frustrated Days, who accused the council members of seeking to block a project for her majority-Black district. She said the funding approval needed to happen first.

We want to make sure we have set aside money, and then say to A, B, C company What can you do with this? Days said.

Originally posted at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Wentzvilles municipal judge on Wednesday injected $500,000 into his campaign for state Senate, signaling the GOP primary for the seat will be among the states most lively contests this summer.

The candidate, Michael Carter, is one of six Republicans running in the Aug. 2 primary for the newly redrawn 10th Senate District. He said in an interview he loaned his campaign the half-million dollars.

Im in it to win it, Carter told the Post-Dispatch.

The district takes in the Wentzville area of western St. Charles County, stretching west to Callaway County, in mid-Missouri, and north to encompass Lincoln and Pike counties.

Among Carters competitors are state Reps. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit; Randy Pietzman, R-Troy; and Jeff Porter, R-Montgomery City.

Former state Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville, is also running, along with Joshua Price, of Mexico, Missouri.

A poll released Wednesday by Missouri Scout, conducted by Remington Research Group, showed Fitzwater leading with 17% support and Pietzman coming in second at 15%.

Carter came in third, winning support from 10% of respondents.

The largest cohort: 40% of respondents who said they were undecided.

The polls margin of error was more than 5%; Remington surveyed 301 likely GOP primary voters between Saturday and Monday.

The winner of the primary will face Libertarian Catherine Dreher in the Nov. 8 general election. No Democrat filed to run in the district.

Carter on Wednesday touted his experience fighting red light cameras in St. Charles County, which voters outlawed in 2014.

In addition to his duties as the elected judge in Wentzville, Carter is president of Carter Law Offices and broker of Homes USA, according to his campaign biography.

I have been an elected judge for about 10 years, and I do know what its like to answer to the people, he said, adding that he also has business experience.

Im really the only lawyer-judge, Carter said. I dont have to rely on bureaucrats down in Jeff City to help me write legislation.

Carter is also a former Democrat. In 2008, he ran as a Democrat for lieutenant governor, losing to current St. Louis County Executive Sam Page in that years primary.

Carter said he had been a Ross Perot independent, which is kind of why I fell in line with Trump as easy as I did.

In 2016, he ran in the three-way GOP primary for the 23rd Senate District of eastern St. Charles County, winning 21% of the vote and coming in third.

Current state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, won the 2016 primary over Carter and then-state Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles.

Carter isnt the only candidate to float their campaign a large check. Spencer last March contributed $100,000 to his campaign.

Originally posted at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill.  A Kentucky man awaiting trial in the fatal shooting of an Illinois deputy attempted to escape from jail over the weekend, according to authorities in Jefferson County, Illinois.

Ray Tate, 40, is charged with murder in Wayne County, Illinois, in connection to a late December fatal shooting of a deputy about two hours east of St. Louis. In St. Charles County, Tate is also facing multiple felonies, including kidnapping, robbery and armed criminal action, all stemming from a series of carjackings and shootings that took place after the deputy was shot.

Tate made it out of his cell Sunday morning while the jail was on a night shift lockdown, but he did not escape the facility, according to a Facebook post by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities believe Tate acted alone, and was able to get out of his cell "due to a flaw in the original construction" of the facility. They said the sheriff would communicate the details of the flaw to other law officials so facilities built in a similar fashion could address the issue.

Tate has been accused in a Dec. 29 crime spree that started in Illinois with the deputy's death, then continued in Missouri with several shootings, carjackings and robberies. He was arrested later that same day after a manhunt that ended in Clinton County, Illinois.

Authorities have charged Tate with shooting Wayne County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Riley, who was found dead on Interstate 64 early Dec. 29, and his squad car missing.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russia's actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine's fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means," Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war," he said. "This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraine's state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect himself called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the carnage on a rush-hour train, which left five victims in critical condition and people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was awaiting arraignment on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

In recent months, James railed in online videos about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his experiences with mental health care in New York City, and he had criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there is no indication that James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

It wasn't immediately clear whether James, who is from New York but has lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, has an attorney or anyone else who can speak for him. A sign taped to the door of James Milwaukee apartment asks that all mail be delivered to a post office box.

James, in a blue t-shirt and brown pants with his hands cuffed behind his back, didnt respond to reporters shouting questions as police escorted him to a car a few hours after his arrest.

Police had launched a massive effort to find him, releasing his name and issuing cellphone alerts.

They got a tip Wednesday that he was in a McDonald's in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

The tipster was James, and he told authorities to come and get him, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but they soon spotted him on a busy corner nearby.

Four police cars zoomed around a corner, officers leaped out and, soon, a compliant James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on, witness Aleksei Korobow said.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said authorities were able to shrink his world quickly.

There was nowhere left for him to run, she said.

The day before, James set off smoke grenades in a commuter-packed subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said.

Police Chief of Detectives James Essig said police were told that after James opened one of the smoke grenades, a rider asked, What did you do?

Oops, James said, then went on to brandish his gun and open fire, according to a witness account.

At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

As terrified riders fled the attack, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

The shooter left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van. That key led investigators to James.

Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop  a licensed firearms dealer  in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to comment on the investigation and did so on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.

Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.

In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators were reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms as they tried to discern a motive.

In one video, posted a day before the attack, James, who is Black, criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.

You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people, James says. Its not going to get better until we make it better, he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were stomped, kicked and tortured out of their comfort zone.

In another video he says, this nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and its going to die a violent death. Theres nothing going to stop that.

His posts are replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against Black people.

Sewell called the posts concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.

Several of James' videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams plan to end gun violence.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jim Mustian, Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, has been removed from North Carolina's list of registered voters after documents showed he lived in Virginia and voted in that state's 2021 election, officials said Wednesday.

Questions arose about Meadows last month, when North Carolina Attorney General Josh Steins office asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into Meadows voter registration, which listed a home he never owned  and may never have visited  as his legal residence.

A representative for Meadows, a former congressman from the area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meadows frequently raised the prospect of voter fraud before the 2020 presidential election, as polls showed Trump trailing Joe Biden, and in the months after Trumps loss, to suggest Biden was not the legitimate winner. In his 2021 memoir, he repeated the baseless claims that the election was stolen.

Judges, election officials in both parties and Trumps own attorney general has concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Experts point to isolated incidents of intentional or unintentional violations of voter laws in every election.

Under North Carolina general statutes, If a person goes into another state, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district, or into the District of Columbia, and while there exercises the right of a citizen by voting in an election, that person shall be considered to have lost residence in that State, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district from which that person removed.

Public records indicated Meadows had been registered to vote in Virginia and North Carolina, where he listed a mobile home he did not own as his legal residence weeks before casting a 2020 presidential election ballot in the state.

Meadows listed a mobile home in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, as his physical address on Sept. 19, 2020, while he was serving as Trumps chief of staff in Washington. Meadows later cast an absentee ballot for the general election by mail. Trump won the battleground state by just over 1 percentage point.

The New Yorker spoke to the former owner of the Scaly Mountain property, described as a 14-foot by 62-foot mobile home with a rusty metal roof, who indicated that Meadows does not own the home and never has. The previous owner said Meadows wife rented the property for two months at some point within the past few years but only spent one or two nights there. Neighbors said Meadows was never present, The New Yorker reported.

The New Yorker story doesnt identify the former owners name, saying she requested that her name not be used.

In announcing his removal from the voter rolls, the Macon County Board of Elections said it had received no formal challenge and was referring the matter to the SBI, the state elections board said Wednesday.

Macon County District Attorney Ashley Welch had asked the attorney generals office to handle any investigation into Meadows voter registration, recusing herself from the matter because Meadows contributed to her campaign for DA and appeared in political ads endorsing her.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Regarding Rex Sinquefield and Andrew B. Wilsons guest column Missouri has cash to spare, so why keep incoming taxes so high? (April 9): The non-profit and self-defined policy center, the Show-me Institute, is back again with its usual call to cut taxes and favoring a tax refund. How predicable and how wrong, in my opinion.

How can we be talking about a tax refund and a further cut in income tax rates when Missouri teachers remain near the national bottom in compensation. There are too many state workers who have to rely on food stamps, and child care workers are sorely underpaid and hard to find. As a result, were experiencing staff turnover and shortages across critical state agencies.

I believe its time to call out the Show-Me Institutes big lie. Its not our states so-called excessive tax burdens that stunt Missouris progress. The culprits are the limited skill level of our workforce, crime, crumbling infrastructure and the lack of child and health care services, particularly in our rural and inner-city communities.

We do need to review and update our income tax system. These reforms should have the goal to make our system fair and equitable. Lets do what the federal government and many of the states do: Develop a fair, equitable and graduated income tax rate so corporate executives are not paying lower taxes than our stressed child-care and other service workers.

Thomas Rhodenbaugh  St. Louis
ST. LOUIS  While the St. Louis region braced itself Wednesday for heavy storms and possible tornadoes, moderate morning thunderstorms wiped out the energy needed for larger storms to develop later in the day.

In light of severe weather forecasts, including possible tornadoes, schools either canceled classes for the day or released students early to get home before the worst of the weather hit.

National Weather Service forecaster Lydia Jaja told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch they expected to see severe weather like hail and tornadoes because of atmospheric instability created when storms are followed by sunny, clear skies.

"And, as you probably know, it was not sunny at all today," she said. "So that, as well as morning thunderstorms, kind of stabilized the atmosphere or at the very least didn't allow it to destabilize like we expected. So there wasn't any [instability] left for afternoon thunderstorms to turn into big, strong storms like we thought they were going to produce."

Jaja noted they received reports of hail in Audrain County, which is just northeast of Columbia.

Forecasters had expected rain and thunderstorms in the late morning and early afternoon, with the possibility of hail and winds as high as 32 mph. In a shift from previous forecasts, the hardest hit areas were expected to be southeastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

In a tweet Wednesday afternoon the office acknowledged the frustration everyone feels, including them, when a forecast isn't accurate and said they will take a "critical look at what went wrong."

"We know that a lot of people take our forecast very, very seriously and it's disappointing for them when they hear one thing and then see something else happen," Jaja said. "So we're definitely going to be taking a look at what we can do differently to forecast next time and what we can do differently to approach our messaging leading up to the [storm]."

Jaja said flash flooding was still a potential risk throughout the area and people should be weather aware by keeping an eye on their phones for severe weather alerts.

As for the rest of the week, she said Wednesday's storms bring with them cooler temperatures in the sixties on Thursday and Friday, and after that temperatures will fall into the fifties with a chance of rain on Easter Sunday.

The St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management also issued a frost advisory for counties outside of the St. Louis region on Wednesday night through 8 a.m. Thursday. Included in the advisory were Boone, Audrain, Cole, Montgomery, Gasconade, Franklin, Jefferson, Washington and St. Francois.

Cardinals-Royals game postponed, will be made up May 2 Wainwright is in line now to start first game of four-game series in Milwaukee on Thursday

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RTHK: Police arrest suspected gunman in subway attack

Authorities arrested the gunman who allegedly set off smoke bombs and shot 10 passengers in a packed New York subway car, television station NBC New York reported, citing four law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the case.

Police, federal and state law enforcement officers had launched a massive manhunt for Frank James, identified as the suspect in the Tuesday morning attack. In addition to those shot, 13 others were injured in a panicked rush to flee the smoke-filled train.

Authorities were due to hold a news conference on their investigation.

James, 62, fired a semi-automatic handgun that was later recovered at the scene, along with three extended-ammunition magazines, a hatchet, some consumer-grade fireworks and a container of gasoline, police said.

James was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, NBC New York reported. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2022-04-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Turkish occupation state is still continuing its immoral practices against political detainees in its prisons in general, and against the leader Ocalan in particular. Where he is forced into isolation so tight that he is prevented from walking, and his family is prevented from meeting him.

Political analysts believe that the isolation imposed on the leader, Ocalan, and the global crises in general, and the Middle East in particular, are closely related. Because, during his pleadings, the leader Ocalan proposed solutions to all the problems of the Middle East, and this matter did not appeal to the capitalist countries, especially Turkey, which imposed strict isolation on the leader Ocalan.

In this regard, Hamza Al-Khailat, a member of the Syrian Revolutionary Youth Movement in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, spoke to our agency, and said, "The Syrian crisis has been 11 years old, and we have not seen any suitable solution to it except with the democratic nation project proposed by the leader Ocalan. He achieved great success in the unity of the peoples of North And eastern Syria with its various components after its liberation from ISIS mercenaries and its familiarization with this ideology.

He explained that "this thought was able to stop national strife in the region, but this thought is being fought by regional and global countries that have interests in the continuation of the Middle East crises, and these countries are the same countries that participated in the international conspiracy against Leader Ocalan."

Al-Kahilat indicated, "They arrested the leader on the pretext that he is the leader of a terrorist organization, but the reality is not the case. Today we enjoy security and safety thanks to his thought, who achieved stability and civil peace."

Concluding his speech, he affirmed, "We, the people of the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, will fight for the leader's physical freedom first, and to solve the crises.

In turn, citizen Manal Al-Ali, from the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, explained that the Turkish occupation state is working to prolong the Syrian crisis and contribute to thwarting any solution to it in order to achieve its interests in the region, and eliminate the project of the democratic nation.

"The Turkish occupation state is fighting by imposing isolation on the thinker and philosopher leader Ocalan, because it fears this thought that united the peoples of the region and contributed to achieving stability in them in general," Al-Ali noted.

Pointing out that "Turkey is fighting the region because of its implementation of the democratic nation's ideology, and has begun to follow a policy of starvation by lowering the water level of the Euphrates River and imposing a siege on it, but the will of the people of north and east Syria was able to confront these practices."

She pointed out that "all the violations and crimes committed by the Turkish occupation state in northern and eastern Syria and in the occupied territories are caused by the silence of humanitarian organizations and the international community, which turned a blind eye to all these heinous acts."

At the conclusion of her speech, Manal Al-Ali appealed to human rights organizations to work in accordance with international principles, principles and laws, to lift the isolation of the leader, Ocalan, and to release him.

A

ANHA
Russia has appointed four- star general Aleksandr V. Dvornikov, a veteran of operations in Syria, as the first commander of all operations in Ukraine. Previously all Ukrainian operations were commanded by Stavka (the Russian General Staff) and civilian officials in Moscow. Dvornikov apparently is free to do whatever it takes to turn the defeats in Ukraine into a victory. To do that he is apparently using what he learned in Syria, where he commanded Russian forces from 2015, when Russia committed substantial ground and air forces to save Syrian dictator Basher Assad from a three-year old rebellion which, at that point, after three years of fighting, Basher Assad was losing but he was eager to use the Russian forces to employ tactics that his father Hafez Assad, had used after he gained power in 1971 and retained by emulating the first (in 1547) tsar of Russia, Ivan Grozny, known in the west as Ivan the Terrible. In Russian, "Grozny" means fearsome, menacing or, to many Russians, dreaded. Tsar Ivan spent most of his 37 years in power leading his armies against various enemies, as well as reforming the Russian government. He was largely successful against Turkic enemies that occupied what is now much of southern Russia and Ukraine. Ivan was ruthless and went full Grozny against his Turkic foes. Then he sought to take Livonia (Latvia and Estonia) to provide landlocked Russia with access to the Baltic Sea. At first Ivan was successful, but then Poland and Sweden intervened and turned Russia back into a landlocked empire until 1709 when tsar Peter the Great finally defeated the Swedes and made his new city on the Baltic, Saint Petersburg into the new Russian capital.

Hafez Assad was more an Ivan Grozny than a Peter the Great and maintained his rule of Syria by terrorizing and massacring his foes. That worked until Hafez died in 2000 and his son Basher took over. That was not supposed to happen because Basher was the younger son who graduated from medical school in 1988 and became an army doctor. His older brother Bassel was trained to take over from Hafez. Bassel died in an accident in 1994 leaving the 29-year-old doctor Basher the heir. Basher was quickly prepped as the heir and that appeared to work. At first Basher was successful after Hafez died in 2000.

Then came 2011 when Syria was one of several Arab countries to undergo uprisings against dictatorial rule. The uprising in Syria turned into a civil war and, because the Assads were a Shia minority in a country that was about 70-75 percent Sunni the situation looked grim. Most Syrian Sunnis were Arabs but over ten percent of the Sunnis were Kurdish, Turkomen and other minorities. The largely Sunni Kurds were about nine percent of the population. The Assad clan is Shia, a minority that comprised about 13 percent of the population. Various Christian groups totaled about ten percent of the population. Another religious minority were somewhat Islamic groups like Druze and Yazidis who are considered heretics by conservative Moslems but tolerated in many Moslem majority nations.

The Assads had long maintained power by turning the other minorities into loyal allies who could be relied on to serve in key government jobs. Some of the Sunni minorities were more reliable than others. The half million Palestinian refugees were well educated Sunni Arabs and willing to serve a Shia government. Some minorities didnt want to be Syrians and the chief among these was the Kurds, who yearned to unite with Turkish, Iraqi and Iranian Kurds to create an independent Kurdistan. The four nations these Kurds lived in cooperated in blocking and suppressing these Kurdistan ambitions.

After a decade of fighting, the civil war changed the ethnic profile of Syria in a big way. Since 2011 about two percent of the population has died from the fighting while over six million Syrians have been forced to leave Syria because of the war. Nearly all of those who fled the country, and wont be coming back, are Sunni. That means the Sunni majority of the Syrian population went from over 70 percent in 2011 to 58 percent in 2020. To make matters worse Assad ally Iran encouraged Shia from other countries (Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq) to settle in Syria and take over the homes and property of the departed Sunnis. Not many foreign Shia were willing to settle in a war zone. While the Assads deliberately attacked Sunni civilians and encouraged them to flee the country, an autonomy deal was possible with the Kurds. One reason for this is that the Kurds are almost all Sunni and, like their fellow Sunni Kurds in Iraq, not fanatic about their religion. In 2020 Syria the Kurds comprise about 17 percent of the Sunni majority. But if the Kurds are allies of the Assads the remaining Sunni Arabs are no longer a majority. The Sunni Arabs also had factions and some were more inclined to work with and for the Assads than others. This is how the Assads have ruled Syria for two generations and they will have an easier time doing so because of the war.

A major obstacle to continued Assad rule is the destruction of the Syrian economy and the lack of economic assistance for rebuilding. GDP is less than half of what it was in 2011. Over half the pre-war population of 23 million are refugees. Half are displaced inside Syria and half outside the country. While most of the country is now controlled by the Assad government, most of that territory is shared with foreign troops; Iranian, Turkish, Russian and American, in that order. Syrian forces have to be wary of these allies, as well as the Islamic terrorist groups. ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is particularly active in attacking Syrian troops.

The damage done to Syria by ten years of war is worse than realized when you take into account expected (normal) growth in the economy (GDP) and the population if the war had not happened. This data assumes a decade of some post-war reconstruction for the real Syria. In contrast, Syria without the war would have a population of 32 million by 2030. Because so many (over six million) Syrians fled the country and fewer were born and more died, the most likely population of war-ravaged by 2030 is 22 million. Most of the refugees (Sunni Arabs) do not want to return to a homeland dominated by a Shia government and occupied by Iranian (and Shia) forces. In these war/no-war comparisons the economic projections show the country even worse off. Currently GDP is less than half, perhaps just a third of what it was in 2011. No one is sure because the economic damage is so extensive. Even with a decade of post-war reconstruction 2030 GDP would only be about 74 percent of what it was in 2011 and about 35 percent of what it would have been in 2030 without a war. Without the war GDP would have doubled by 2030. It is possible that Syria will grow (in terms of GDP and population) at a faster rate but that is unlikely since not a lot of nations are lining up to donate to or invest in reconstruction. In part that is due to the expected long-term presence of Iran or, even without that, the Assads would probably remain in power and still be accused of war crimes during the war. There is no statute of limitations on that sort of thing. Meanwhile the years of war have destroyed structures, infrastructure and businesses that would cost several hundred billion dollars to replace. That will be hard to do for a nation that had a 2011 GDP of about $60 billion and not a lot of natural resources other than its people and their many skills.

The Russians were a major help in carrying out the Assad plan to drive hostile Sunnis out of Syria. General Dvornikov, the new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine was also commander of Russian forces for the first year Russian forces were in Syria and his operations there were so successful that he was promoted and marked as a commander who could get things done in desperate circumstances. Dvornikov quickly noted that the traditional Assad tactics worked in Syria only if the Syrians had enough firepower to drive Sunnis out of their homes and preferably out of Syria. In 2015 Russia quickly supplied the air strikes and artillery firepower to do that. Dvornikov also provided technical and material aid in rebuilding the Syrian artillery and air forces, which had lost most of their equipment by 2015. Later Russian commanders continued this support and helped Assad stay in power. Dvornikov appears to be adopting a similar strategy in Ukraine as Russian firepower is now directed at civilian targets while the Russians seek out and arrest or murder local Ukrainian officials and find pro-Russian Ukrainians to take their place. The Ukrainian government realizes this and is advising civilians in the way of new Russian attacks in Donbas and along the Black Sea coast to flee the area if they can because Dvornikov going full Assad will try to kill lots of civilians to intimidate the rest.

Dvornikov is not expected to conquer all of Ukraine this way, just areas where the Russians already have a toehold, like Donbas and Crimea as well as the rest of Ukraines Black Sea ports. If Dvornikov can turn Ukraine into a landlocked country Russia can declare victory and blame the Ukrainians and their Western allies (including Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden) for continuing the war. Dvornikov plans to win by combining the tactics of Tsars Ivan Grozny and Perter the Great while using what he learned from the Assads. Victory is not assured but because Dvornikov is going full Assad it will be bloody.
by Austin Bay April 13, 2022

My column last week ended with this paragraph: "A half-dozen NATO nations are sending Ukraine several hundred tanks, most Cold War Russian relics but serviceable. New air defense systems will arrive, perhaps MiG-29s? End result: Ukraine will have an offensive capacity."

Boiled down to the weakness it is, the Biden administration continues to deny Ukraine a squadron of Polish MiG-29s and makes two arguments: providing the planes would be provocative and the planes aren't of real use.

These arguments combine detached academicism and Beltway cowardice -- two arrogant and fatal characteristics the Bidenites displayed during the Afghanistan debacle.

Provocative? Putin already rattles his nuclear saber. His nuke threats prove he's shaken, and he knows global help for Ukraine will lead to a humiliating Russian defeat.

The MiGs are of use. MiG-29s are primarily counter-air aircraft designed to combat enemy planes. However, their presence in and over Ukraine definitely complicates Russian air and ground operations and demonstrates NATO resolve. The last seven weeks of combat have revealed systemic deficiencies in the Russian military's ability to coordinate land combat, air operations and -- most definitely -- air and ground joint operations. The MiGs will vex the Russian Air Force.

Ignore the media geniuses who now declare tanks are dead. They aren't. Twenty-first century main battle tanks are fast, armored, heavily armed and mobile offensive weapons -- if you've got the soldiers who know how to use them and the combined-arms offensive system to support them.

NATO has those troops. The U.S., Britain and France can pull off "the armor show" of tanks, armored infantry, attack helicopters and the air support envelope. Poland is building a comparable force. During the Cold War, West Germany excelled at the armor-air ballet. It'll take now-chastened "greennik"/peacenik Germany two years to get enough panzers and close-air support aircraft to start rebuilding.

But back to the immediate hell -- Russia's looming offensive in eastern Ukraine.

StrategyPage.com reported on April 5 that after its Kyiv defeat the Kremlin's strategy changed. Retreating troops and reserves headed for the Donbas (eastern Ukraine) to conduct a new offensive. Alas, the redeployed troops "...are not confident or eager to take on the numerous, determined and effective Ukrainian defenders." StrategyPage noted the Russians had "launched an offensive in Donbas at the same time (Russian) troops were moving towards Kyiv..." Those forces in the Donbas "hit a solid wall of defenses."

The StrategyPage report indicates Russia doesn't have a credible second echelon to conduct an effective Donbas offensive. Russia can't replace losses. "On paper Russia had thousands of fully armed and equipped tanks and other armored vehicles in reserve for quickly replacing combat losses. Not surprisingly those reserve vehicles were often in bad shape, having been poorly maintained by conscripts and larcenous civilians who made a lot of money by taking key items from these vehicles and selling them on the black market."

Ukrainian morale and fighting edge matter. These human factors, supplied with Javelin anti-tank missiles and short-range anti-aircraft missiles, smashed the Russian drive on Kyiv.

Big point: the Donbas has been a frozen war for eight years and it isn't likely to change.

This is a script for an agonizing war of attrition -- lots of dead civilians and soldiers. Destroyed cities. Devastated economies.

Ukraine needs the offensive capability to liberate the Donbas and threaten Russian control of Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy knows it. On April 11 he asked South Korea for weapons. It's a reasonable request given South Korea's technical excellence but also a narrative warfare stroke since South Korea withstood a communist dictatorship's invasion and has now blossomed as a global economic powerhouse.

A day earlier CBS News asked Zelenskyy what Ukraine needed. His reply: ""Weapons, number one... They (free nations) have to supply weapons to Ukraine as if they were defending themselves and their own people. They need to understand this: If they don't speed up, it will be very hard for us to hold on against this pressure."

There will be a Russian onslaught. But it's time to arm Ukraine with the offensive weapons to launch the war-winning counterstroke.
Trish Sparks has been appointed as the new CEO of Clever to lead the company into its next phase of growth as it deepens district partnerships and sets its sights on international expansion.

OSLO, Norway, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kahoot!, the global learning and engagement platform company, today announced the appointment of Trish Sparks as the new CEO of Clever to usher the company into its next phase of growth. Sparks, a former educator who currently leads Clever's sales and customer success, will start in her new role on May 1. Clever, a Kahoot! company, is the digital learning platform of choice for over 65% of U.S. K-12 schools.

Trish Sparks has been appointed as the new CEO of Clever to lead the company into its next phase of growth as it deepens district partnerships and sets its sights on international expansion.

Ten years after co-founding Clever, Tyler Bosmeny will step down from his current role as CEO. Under his leadership, Clever has revolutionized how schools integrate technology in the classroom. As a board member and strategic advisor, Bosmeny will continue to play a vital role in overseeing Clever's long term strategic expansion, as the company continues its solid development.

Today, more than 55% of U.S. K-12 students use Clever's secure single sign-on portal for simplified access to a world of digital learning. Over 93,000 schools, including 97 of the top 100 U.S. school districts, and a network of leading application partners rely on the Clever API for speedy implementations that grow student engagement. Clever was recently ranked as the 7th most widely accessed EdTech tool in the U.S. in Learn Platform's EdTech 40 list, with Kahoot! in the 6th spot.

"Trish not only brings her demonstrated track record at Clever to the C-suite, but she's also had an accomplished career at some of the most innovative global companies like LinkedIn and DemandBase," said Eilert Hanoa, CEO of Kahoot! "Her strong background in customer success reflects Clever's deep commitment to both its district and EdTech partners. Trish is the ideal leader to drive maximum impact and innovation; and her international experience as well as her early background as a public school teacher will be an advantage as the company expands globally this year."

"It has been such a pleasure collaborating with Tyler since Clever joined the Kahoot! Group last year and I want to thank him for his leadership and tireless dedication to the company over the past decade," continued Hanoa. "We're thrilled that he has agreed to join the Clever board where he will stay instrumental in planning for Clever's long-term expansion, built on the company's continued strong momentum."

"I am so happy to be passing the baton to one of my closest partners in building Clever," said Bosmeny. "Trish is the whole package  a former K-12 teacher with a deep connection to the exact problem Clever solves and a proven executive with experience scaling global, high-growth companies. I've seen first hand how integral she's been to Clever's growth already, and I can't wait to see Clever's next chapter unfold under her leadership."

Sparks, who joined Clever in 2019, brings a wealth of executive leadership experience at companies such as LinkedIn, where she scaled a global customer success organization, and at DemandBase, where she was Chief Customer Officer. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar, she began her career as a middle school teacher in Wake County Public Schools in the Raleigh-Durham area.

"I am thrilled to take on this new role, building on a decade of Tyler's exceptional leadership and vision. I am filled with gratitude that I have been trusted to lead Clever into its next phase of evolution," said Sparks. "Clever has an incredibly unique position in the EdTech ecosystem, bringing our schools and our EdTech partners together to improve education. In our next phase of growth, I am excited to foster a culture of innovation, growing Clever's business domestically and in international markets. I can't wait to help more teachers and students around the world achieve success with Clever and Kahoot!"

To learn more about this announcement, read the Clever blog.

Please visit Kahoot! News to stay up to date on company news and updates.

About CleverClever is on a mission to unlock new ways to learn for all students. More than 65% of U.S. K-12 schools now use Clever to simplify access and improve engagement with digital learning. With our free platform for schools and a network of leading application providers, we're committed to advancing educational equity. Clever, a Kahoot! company, has offices in San Francisco, CA and Durham, NC but you can visit us at clever.com anytime.

About Kahoot!Kahoot! is on a mission to make learning awesome! We want to empower everyone, including children, students, and employees to unlock their full learning potential. Our learning platform makes it easy for any individual or corporation to create, share, and host learning sessions that drive compelling engagement. Launched in 2013, Kahoot!'s vision is to build the leading learning platform in the world. In the last 12 months, 300 million sessions have been hosted on the Kahoot! platform by 30+ million active accounts, with 2 billion participants (non-unique) in more than 200 countries and regions. The Kahoot! Group includes Clever, the leading U.S. K-12 EdTech learning platform, together with the learning apps DragonBox, Poio, Drops, Actimo, Motimate, and Whiteboard.fi. The Kahoot! Group is headquartered in Oslo, Norway with offices in the US, the UK, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark and Spain. Kahoot! is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker KAHOT. Let's play!

Media ContactFalguni Bhuta[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clever-announces-trish-sparks-as-new-ceo-301524496.html

SOURCE Kahoot!
HELSINKI, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Agility and reliability are key properties in Ponsse's harvester heads. Harvester heads must withstand constant stress in varying conditions and operate accurately without damaging any stems. Ponsse has decades of experience and a range of productive solutions for wood processing mounted on base machines, developed together with customers.

At the online event, Ponsse's customers and specialists talk about their experiences in the PONSSE H8HD, H9 and H10 harvester heads, ideal for 2040-ton base machines.

Watch the recording

https://youtu.be/p1WYYPXtfkI

Further information:Janne Loponen, Product Manager, Harvester Heads,[email protected]Tel. +358 40 502 8018.

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

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/18192/3543269/b1d7c340c9c6aa26_org.jpg H9 cutting

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ponsses-solutions-for-wood-processing--watch-a-recording-of-the-online-event-301524571.html

SOURCE Ponsse Oyj
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Tribune News Service)  Newport News-based ITA International won a $78 million contract to provide support services at several U.S Air Force facilities in the Middle East.

ITA will provide those services to the Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron of the Ninth Air Force.

The contract covers base operations, administration, planning and training and military exercises at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq-Salti Air Base in Jordan, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as well as three bases in Kuwait: Ali Al Salem Air Base, Abdullah Al Mubarak Air Base and Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base.

The contract runs from next month to November 2027.

We are thrilled the Air Force has continued to put its trust in ITA, said Mike Melo, the companys chief executive officer. We are committed to providing the personnel who know and understand mission support services and look forward to helping Ninth Air Force enhance operations.

The Ninth Air Force is a component of United States Central Command, responsible for air operations and planning in the commands 21-nation region in Southwest Asia.

dress@dailypress.com

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VICENZA, Italy  Soldiers with the U.S. Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade are fresh off an exercise in Croatia, during which they were treated to a new thrill.

It was the first time the brigade had fired live FIM-92 Stinger missiles instead of replicas, according to the Vicenza-based unit. The drill also marked the first time the Croatian Air Defense Regiment had conducted a live-fire exercise with U.S. forces.

The two-man squads, consisting of a team chief and a gunner, fired their missiles at or over a small target with a flare, and the missiles landed in the Adriatic Sea, said Capt. Rob Haake, a brigade spokesman.

After the soldiers fired off their missiles, every single one of them walked away with a big smile, Haake said.

Everyone felt very fulfilled. They said it was an amazing experience, he added.

The two dozen paratroopers with the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment launched 12 of the shoulder-fired, infrared homing surface-to-air missiles, which cost about $38,000 each.

The exercise took place Friday and Saturday near Pula as part of Operation Shield, a long-running annual drill run by Croatia, which joined NATO in 2009.

Stingers have been provided in large numbers by the U.S and allies to Ukrainian forces defending against Russias full-scale invasion, now several weeks old.

The exercise goals were to strengthen the partnership between Croatian and U.S. forces and enhance the ability to fight together against low- and medium-altitude moving targets, the brigade said Saturday in a statement.

The U.S. and Croatian soldiers also jointly trained on air defense tactics, techniques and procedures, including airspace control, deconfliction and surveillance, the brigade said.

The training definitely benefits the brigade because it provides an organic air defense capability that doesnt require much outside support, said Chief Warrant Officer Mark Giauque, the lead coordinator of the exercise.

We get to cross-train with them, and they get the same with us. My favorite part wasnt even the live fire; it was seeing our soldiers interact with the Croatians, Giaque said. You see them working together and exchanging patches, and you just see the overall camaraderie build over the training.

Some 300 troops from the 173rd are still deployed to NATO ally Latvia in response to the Russia-Ukraine war. Haake said its unclear how long they will remain in Latvia.
(Tribune News Service)  A Marine assault demonstration, new warfighting technology and never-before-seen aerial maneuvers with some of the Marines most sophisticated fighter planes will be on display at this years Miramar Air Show  the largest of its kind in the nation, according to the Marine Corps.

The event, canceled the last two years by pandemic concerns, is roaring back. Marine officials say they are busy lining up appearances for some of the nations most significant military and civilian aviators. The air show is scheduled to take place Sept. 23-25, and officials expect nearly 500,000 visitors.

Our guys have put together a phenomenal schedule, said Capt. Matthew Gregory, a Marine Corps Air Station Miramar spokesman. Everyone will be itching to come back to the show this year.

The theme of the air show will be Marines: Fight, Evolve, Win and is a direct reflection of the Commandants Force Design 2030 program, officials said, which includes modernizing and restructuring how Marines fight in future conflicts. The program focuses on getting Marines back to their amphibious roots with an eye to future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific after two decades of desert warfighting in the Middle East.

Among those expected to be part of a 40-minute Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration are the new amphibious combat vehicles, commonly referred to as ACVs, which are replacing the amphibious assault vehicles troops have relied on since the 1970s.

The ACVs, first tested at Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and later at Camp Pendleton, are expected to be more effective during an amphibious assault, while also keeping Marines safer.

Flight demonstrations are planned by a Marine F-35B Lightning II and the Air Forces F-22 Raptor demonstration team, Gregory said. The Navys Blue Angels are also scheduled to perform and will do so in the Super Hornet, a plane they have not flown at an air show before.

Other highlights will include a U-2 spy plane and a C-17 heavy-lift jet.

Vickie Benzing, a California pilot, skydiver and air racer, will also perform. With more than 9,000 flight hours, she is one of the nations most accomplished pilots, Gregory said.

There also will be a hangar at the base filled with some of the newest technology that Marines will use for future fights, Gregory said. We will have an entire area dedicated to whats next for the Marine Corps.

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MANAMA, Bahrain  A naval task force commissioning on Sunday will patrol some of the worlds most active shipping lanes in and around the Red Sea, where militant attacks and weapons seizures have increased in recent years.

Combined Task Force 153 will focus on the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the connecting Bab al-Mandeb waterway, U.S. military officials told reporters Wednesday.

These are strategically important waters that warrant our attention, said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of a 34-nation naval alliance known as Combined Maritime Forces.

Yemens Houthi militia recently attempted to attack oil tankers in the region with explosive-laden boats, the Saudi Arabian-based Arab News reported. Meanwhile, an Iran-backed militant group seized a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel in January, The Associated Press reported.

Iran and Israel also have accused each other of attacking each others ships in the regions waterways over the last year.

The task force will begin its first mission Sunday in the Red Sea aboard the USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the Italy-headquartered U.S. 6th Fleet, which is currently operating with the 5th Fleet.

Any destabilizing activity, including threats to commercial traffic and coastal infrastructure, really can have profound global impacts, said Cooper, who also helms U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet.

About 10% of the worlds shipping passes through the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean and Red seas, a New York Times report said last year.

About 15 people will staff the task force, which will coordinate among two to eight coalition ships on any given day, Cooper said.

The ranks of CTF 153 are expected to be filled mostly by U.S. personnel at first, with staff from other partnered countries to join in the coming days, 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said.

An unnamed regional partner is expected to assume the leadership role later this year, Hawkins added.

The new task force joins three existing ones in the Combined Maritime Forces. It will take over responsibilities previously held by Task Force 150, which will refocus on the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea, Cooper said.

The other two task forces focus on countering piracy and patrolling the seas around the Persian Gulf.

Some 9,000 weapons were seized by the U.S. 5th Fleet around the Middle East last year, mostly in the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The number is three times more than the previous year, Cooper said.
A Navy petty officer and his wife face charges on Guam of family violence and child abuse after a pediatrician discovered arm, rib and skull fractures on the couples 3-month-old child, according to a magistrates complaint.

Austin Christopher Johnson, 22, and his wife, Nica Mae Johnson, 20, were arrested over the weekend and charged Monday in Guam Superior Court, the complaint states. The charges are third-degree felonies.

Carlina Charfauros, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Leevin Taitano Camacho, did not respond Wednesday to an email from Stars and Stripes seeking more information.

The Johnsons were released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, the release document said. Child Protective Services took custody of their daughter, according to the complaint.

Nica Johnson told police she noticed a bump on the childs arm and the child was crying Saturday after her husband had given the infant a bath. Together they took their daughter to the emergency room at Naval Hospital Guam, where a pediatrician examined her, according to the complaint.

X-rays showed fractures of the childs upper arm, ribs and skull, the complaint said. The injuries appeared to have taken place at different times.

The Johnsons showed no emotion when the doctor described the injuries, a response the doctor found surprising, according to the complaint. Both said they did not know how the child was injured.

Austin Johnson told police that his wife is always with the child, the complaint states.

Superior Court Judge Jonathan Quan ordered the couple to have no contact with their daughter, the Guam Daily Post reported Tuesday. The couple is scheduled to appear in court April 29, according to the release document.

Johnson, a petty officer third class, is temporarily assigned to the USS Emory S. Land, a submarine repair ship at Naval Base Guam, Joint Region Marianas spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Kelli Roesch wrote in an email Tuesday to Stars and Stripes. Johnson is normally assigned to the USS Frank Cable, another Guam-based submarine tender.

No other details of Johnsons service were immediately available, Roesch said.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (Tribune News Service)  Guided missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) sailed away from its berth at Ingalls Shipbuilding recently, headed for Charleston, S.C., where it will be commissioned next month.

Watching Frank E. Petersen Jr. sail away demonstrates what this shipyard is capable of, even in the face of a pandemic, said Donny Dorsey, Ingalls vice president of operations and previously DDG 121 ship program manager. The Ingalls Shipbuilding team, and all those that contribute to the mission, are the best.

Despite challenges, the hard work of the entire shipbuilding team enable this very proud day  watching the Navy sail this ship and join the fleet to support the defense of our nation.

DDG 121 is named in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps first African American aviator and general officer. After entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1950, Petersen went on to fly more than 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Frank E. Petersen Jr. is the 33rd destroyer built at the Pascagoula shipyard, with five more currently under construction: Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129) and George M. Neal (DDG 131).

Im very grateful for the resilient and dedicated shipbuilders on our team, each is world class, said Ingalls president Kari Wilkinson.

Once DDG 121 is commissioned in Charleston, it will sail to its homeport at at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

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YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  Two U.S. senators toured the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as part of a bipartisan visit to the 7th Fleets homeport on Tuesday.

Sens. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, and Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, met with the ships commander, Capt. Fred Goldhammer, spoke with the crew and toured the hangar bay, flight deck and bridge, according to a Navy news release.

Were always happy to show off the carrier and its value to the forward deployed forces, and were grateful to give our sailors a chance to meet with their representatives, Lt. Cmdr. Joe Keiley, spokesman for Carrier Strike Group 5, told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

The senators also met with representatives of the 7th Fleet and Naval Forces Japan, also based at Yokosuka, Keiley said.

The Navy directed further questions to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, which in turn forwarded all questions to the senators spokespeople. Neither responded as of Wednesday evening.

The previous day, Cardin and Cornyn met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida , alongside Sen. Bill Hagerty, a Tennessee Republican, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. Hagerty served in Emanuels role from 2017 to 2019, when he resigned to run for Senate.

Cardin and Cornyn both serve on congressional committees concerned with foreign affairs.

Cardin is a member of the foreign relations and finance committees and chairs a subcommittee on international development and foreign assistance. He also sits on a subcommittee that has oversight of multilateral international development policy, international economic policy and relations with international organizations such as the U.N.

Cornyn sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees U.S. intelligence activities and programs. Between 2019 and 2020, the committee frequently made headlines as it investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

In November, Cornyn and five other Republicans visited the region with stops in the Philippines, Taiwan and India, along with meeting Adm. John Aquilino, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to Cornyns website.
South Vietnam, August 1971: Phyllis George, Miss America of 1971, poses outside a bunker while touring the 1st Air Cavalry Divisions Fire Support Base Mace. The future CBS sportscaster was on a three-week tour of bases in Vietnam. Read more here.
In February, President Joe Biden rightfully seized nearly $7 billion worth of Afghanistan assets. Wrongfully, however, he has designated fully one-half of it to go to only about 150 victims of the horrific Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and their lawyers, who are in for 33% of the total.

The presidents executive order excludes all other victims of terrorism, living throughout the United States, many of whom are veterans or families of veterans who were killed by terrorist attacks, including those who guarded embassies or served on ships. This should not stand, and it is easily rectified.

I believe that elected officials have a special responsibility to support uniformed Americans and this community should be a priority during high-stakes policy making processes. That is why I am so disappointed with Bidens February executive order regarding the distribution of seized Afghan funds  a decision that shortchanges many of Americas heroic veterans, and creates a dangerous precedent.

As a veteran, a son of a veteran, and a father of a veteran, and former secretary of Veterans Affairs, I have seen firsthand how service members and their families have suffered. Tours of military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq, and my own tours of duty in Vietnam, affirm my commitment to the needs of the military and their families who have sacrificed so much.

Unfortunately, Bidens order sorely misses the mark in this regard. While the president has been a committed supporter of the armed forces and our veterans, he erred in writing the language in such a way that only a select few and their families would benefit, at the exclusion of other victims. He has also created a legal crisis in which military victims are forced to go to the courthouse against one another.

This situation is regrettable but also correctable. Biden can rectify it by simply following an existing congressionally crafted law to support military and nonmilitary members alike by directing these funds into the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund to ensure that all victims of terror, military and civilian, benefit equally.

The history of the fund is noble  and a reflection of how a bipartisan spirit can work. In response to the tragic terrorist attack on 9/11, Congress correctly provided taxpayer support to the victims to alleviate their suffering. The many thousands of American terror victims who had been victimized in other attacks, however, were once again forgotten. This includes the sailors, soldiers and Marines involved in the USS Cole and U.S. Embassy bombings in Beirut, those stationed in East Africa in 1998, and others.

Democrats and Republicans in Washington, understanding that every American victim of terrorism deserves compensation for their suffering, created the USVSST Fund to fill this gap and ensure swift delivery of entitled funds regardless of when and where an incident occurred. Using money obtained by the U.S. government as a result of terrorism, the Fund distributes non-taxpayer money to all eligible victims.

This bipartisan policy is fair, equitable and effective. The Fund supports 9/11 victims, as well as uniformed Americans and their families who have not received taxpayer-funded compensation. That money is distributed to all victims through a carefully designed mechanism without the need for additional litigation or claims to money by families who have already suffered tremendous injuries or loss.

Unfortunately, the president has elected not to use this system. As various victims groups rush to the courts to claim financial entitlements on a first-come, first-served basis, American servicemen and women who were critically injured and the families of those who were killed in the line of duty will not receive the support they deserve.

There is still time for the president to correct course, and it can be done quickly. If he does, he will be sending a loud signal to Americas veterans that he has their back  and they will really appreciate it.

R. James Nicholson was secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs from 2005 to 2007, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican from 2001 to 2005, and chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001. He is currently Senior Counsel at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he represents American victims of terrorism.
As more accounts of apparent Russian atrocities emerge from Ukraine, many American political leaders are developing a surprising new interest in the International Criminal Court, which was established in 2002 to try international crimes. A Senate resolution sponsored by members of both parties in early March - led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., - speaks of the ICC with great respect, describing it as an international tribunal that seeks to uphold the rule of law, especially in areas where no rule of law exists. The resolution encouraged member states to petition the ICC to authorize any and all investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies and President Putins military commanders, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin.

Reading this robust endorsement of the ICCs role in enforcing international norms, it would have been easy to forget that not long ago the United States levied sanctions - usually reserved for those who violate international law rather than those who enforce it - on the then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and other ICC personnel. President Donald Trump ordered the sanctions in June 2020, a few months after the pretrial chamber of the ICC authorized Bensouda to investigate possible war crimes and crimes against humanity by U.S., Afghan, and Taliban forces in Afghanistan and at various CIA black sites located within nations that were party to the ICC. The move made good on threats Trumps national security adviser John Bolton had made in 2018 in a speech before the Federalist Society, where he argued that the ICC, by investigating U.S. actions in Afghanistan, unacceptably threatens American sovereignty and U.S. national security interests. The United States lifted the sanctions in April 2021, after U.S. pressure caused the court to drop the case.

The United States in general, not just the Republican Party, has long had a fraught relationship with the ICC. Indeed, some elements of the Biden administration, notably the Pentagon, remain wary of engaging with it, even though President Joe Biden himself has labeled Putin a war criminal and called for a war-crimes trial. Nonetheless, this moment, in which many nations around the world - and millions of their citizens - want to see Russia held accountable for its deplorable attacks on civilians, could offer the United States an opportunity to build a new relationship that could benefit both it and the court.

Americas ambivalence about the ICC has been there from the start. When President Bill Clinton signed the Rome Statute (the treaty that created the ICC) in his final days in office, the administration expressed concern about politicized prosecutions, and insisted that the courts jurisdiction over U.S. personnel could come only after the U.S. Senate had given its advice and consent to it - which would happen only if those problems were remedied. President George W. Bush then promptly unsigned the treaty. Congress not long after passed the American Service-Members Protection Act - a law known to some of its critics as the Hague Invasion Act, as it authorized the president to use all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any U.S. or allied personnel being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of the International Criminal Court. And it prohibited U.S. military aid to countries that joined the ICC unless they were members of NATO, were a major non-NATO ally, or had agreed not to surrender U.S. personnel to the court. The United States then proceeded to pressure states that were parties to the Rome Statute enter into agreements promising not to hand Americans over to the court on threat of losing their military assistance.

A key argument the United States deployed against the ICCs investigation in Afghanistan - that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute - is true of Russia as well. In both cases, ICC jurisdiction came about because the alleged crimes were committed on the territory of a state that had acceded to the jurisdiction of the court - Ukraine through special declarations to the ICC issued in 2014 and 2015, shortly after Russia first invaded Crimea; and Afghanistan as a party to the Rome Statute. Ukraines second declaration was not time-bound, so it opened the door to prosecutions of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by either side in the current war.

Shortly after the war in Ukraine began, in February, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he was opening an investigation into the situation in Ukraine - given widespread complaints that the Russians were indiscriminately shelling civilian neighborhoods (in Kharkiv, for example). In the weeks since Khans announcement, 41 state parties have submitted referrals supporting the investigation, allowing him to launch the investigation immediately (that is, without first seeking the approval of the pretrial chamber of the court). Meanwhile reports of atrocities have only grown: Theres been the bombing of a theater in Mariupol, in which hundreds of civilians were sheltering; evidence of torture, sexual assault, dismemberment and beheading of civilians in Bucha; and a missile strike on a train station in Kramatorsk, killing at least 50.

Is it hypocritical, under these circumstances, for the United States to embrace a court it has so aggressively rejected in the past? Perhaps so. But that doesnt change the fact that the United States is surely right to support accountability for the horrific crimes being committed in Ukraine now. And the ICC is the institution best poised to take up that charge. Granted, it is not the only such institution: the Ukrainian prosecutor general is working to investigate thousands of war crimes, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just announced that he had approved the creation of a special mechanism in Ukraine to investigate Russian crimes. (What this means is still not clear, but the goal appears to be to enable the joint work of national and international experts to support domestic prosecutions.) Those efforts for accountability in Ukrainian should continue, but the Ukrainian courts sit in a war zone, obviously threatening their ability to function. Moreover, prosecutions in domestic courts face challenges - including head-of-state immunity - that an international court likely would not. Prosecutions in the domestic courts of other countries would face similar immunity issues. (Lithuania, Poland, and Germany have begun domestic investigations of war crimes in Ukraine under statutes that provide for universal jurisdiction over war crimes.)

The question is how the United States might productively engage with the ICC. There is certainly little prospect that the United States will formally join the body. Nor is the United States likely to reverse its opposition to ICC investigation of its alleged crimes in Afghanistan and elsewhere. There is, moreover, an appropriations law from 1999 that bars the United States from spending funds to support the court, and the codified and amended American Service-Members Protection Act prohibits other institutional support, though, according to a 2010 memo by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, it allows for number of exceptions (such as training ICC staff and providing it with certain kinds of information). While ideally those laws would be amended to allow for greater cooperation, even if they are not there is plenty of room for compromise that could benefit both sides in this complicated relationship.

The United States has demonstrated before and during this conflict that it has unparalleled intelligence regarding Russian military plans and activities. When he announced that the U.S. government had concluded that Russias forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken specifically said that the assessment was based partly on intelligence sources.

Sharing information with the ICC prosecutor as he investigates crimes committed in Ukraine could be an important step toward assuring accountability. The 2010 OLC memo concluded that the United States could provide intelligence, law enforcement information, diplomatic reporting, investigative actions, and testimony . . . to the ICC for particular investigations or prosecutions of foreign nationals accused of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. In addition to training ICC personnel, the OLC said, the United States could detail personnel for an ICC investigation or prosecution of a foreign national as long as the support is case-specific rather than institutional. The United States could also provide assistance and support to the Ukraine government in proper evidence collection and handling - crucial to allowing prosecutions to proceed in any legal forum.

Providing such support to the Ukrainian government and the ICC would advance the cause of international justice. It would strengthen the court, which, after focusing most of its efforts on African countries and caving to U.S. threats by ending its investigation in Afghanistan, sorely needs to build its legitimacy. And it would help begin to repair the reputation of the United States, once a leading champion of international justice, as an advocate for international law and accountability for the most heinous international crimes.

There is no getting around the charge of hypocrisy. To repair its image, the United States clearly should, in future conflicts, be more transparent and aggressive about its own investigations into alleged crimes by military personnel - making clear that it respects the ICCs values, if not its jurisdictional authority. But supporting the ICC now would provide some measure of justice to the people of Ukraine, who continue to suffer in Russias illegal war. That goal is more important than a foolish consistency.

- - -

Oona Hathaway is a professor of law and political science at Yale University, and co-author of The Internationalists: How a Radical Plan to Outlaw War Remade the World.
A 22-year-old man has been charged with the death of an Army sergeant on Saturday in Anchorage, Alaska, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

Brent A. Smith was charged Monday with first- and second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sgt. Julian Christopher Francis, 30, a soldier stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Francis was an Army automated logistical specialist with the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, the Army said in a news release Tuesday.

Anchorage police discovered his body at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday after responding to a call in a business park district east of the citys international airport, the police said in a news release.

Smith was arrested later that day, police said. He was being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on $750,000 bail, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday.

Francis, originally from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, joined the Army in 2013, the Army said. He trained at Fort Jackson, S.C., and Fort Lee, Va., before his first assignment at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Following completion of the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2017, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., for three years. He reported to Elmendorf-Richardson in August 2020, the Army said.

Sgt. Francis was an integral part of our Centurion family, an empathetic leader who inspired the paratroopers around him, Lt. Col. Raphael Jimenez II, his battalion commander, said in the Army news release.

He brought joy to his soldiers lives through his witty retorts and an ever-present smile, Jimenez said. The Centurion team deeply feels this loss and we offer our sincere condolences to friends and family.

Among Francis awards and decorations are the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  The worlds largest production transport airplane, painted in Ukrainian blue and yellow, touched down at the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo early Wednesday.

The chartered AN-124 Antonov, also called a Ruslan, carried oversized equipment for a new heat and power plant at Yokota from Dallas, according to an email April 7 from 374th Airlift Wing spokesman 1st Lt. Danny Rangel. The statement was embargoed until the plane touched down.

The Antonov dwarfed Air Force C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes and CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as it taxied onto a ramp beside Yokotas cargo terminal. It was the same spot where airmen on March 16 loaded a 38-ton shipment of Ukraine-bound nonlethal military supplies onto a C-17 Globemaster III.

The supplies, which included helmets and bulletproof vests donated by Japan, were sent on their way while reporters watched and listened to speeches by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Japanese Vice Minister of Defense Oniki Makoto and Ukrainian Embassy deputy chief of mission Oleksandr Semeniuk.

The Ruslan is a heavy strategic military transport that can carry 150 tons of cargo, according to the Ukraine-based Antonov companys website.

It is the worlds largest production transport airplane, the website states.

By comparison, the Air Forces largest aircraft  the C-5 Galaxy  can carry 140 tons, according to the services official website.

Antonov did not immediately respond to emailed questions about the aircraft on Wednesday.

The AN-124 was the worlds second biggest cargo plane until recently, when Russian forces destroyed a larger AN-225 Mriya aircraft, also built by Antonov, according to the Ukrainian government.

Radio Free Europe posted a video April 3 showing damage to Hostomel Airport, north of the Ukrainian capital, including the battered hulk of the Mriya inside a hangar.

The equipment delivered to Yokota by the Ruslan will be part of a natural gas-powered 10-megawatt power plant. Its part of a $166 million project to improve the bases energy efficiency, Jackens Eugene, 374th Civil Engineering Squadron installation energy manager, told Stars and Stripes on Sept. 13.

Aircraft like this are commonly contracted to deliver oversized cargo, Rangel said. Once completed, the Combined Heat and Power Plant will reduce dependence of off-base electricity, increase energy resilience and reduce overall energy costs.

Other questions about the plane and its cargo were referred to Pacific Air Forces.

PACAF spokeswoman Capt. Claire Waldo said in an email Wednesday that officials would need to coordinate with other agencies to provide more details about the visit, including the contractors name, and that the information wouldnt be available by close of business.
Russia broke international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians during its invasion of Ukraine, and those who ordered attacks on a maternity hospital and theater turned shelter in the besieged city of Mariupol committed war crimes, experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe determined in a fact-finding report published Wednesday.

The Vienna-based security body accused Russia of broadly targeting hospitals, schools, residential buildings and water facilities in its military operations, leading to civilian deaths and injuries.

Taken as a whole, the report documents the catalogue of inhumanity perpetrated by Russias forces in Ukraine, Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, said in a speech Wednesday. This includes evidence of direct targeting of civilians, attacks on medical facilities, rape, executions, looting, and forced deportation of civilians to Russia.

The report concluded that the airstrike that tore through a maternity hospital in Mariupol was a Russian attack. Based upon Russian explanations, the attack must have been deliberate, the report said of the March 9 assault on the Mariupol Maternity House and Childrens Hospital. No effective warning was given and no time-limit set. This attack therefore constitutes a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law and those responsible for it have committed a war crime.

While the Russian government alleged that the hospital was used for military purposes, Carpenter said, the mission categorically dismissed these claims. The OSCE experts did not travel to Ukraine but sorted through evidence from numerous sources, including open-source material and accounts from human rights and nonprofit groups.

The OSCE report also found that the attack on the Mariupol Drama Theater, where hundreds of civilians were sheltering as the building was reduced to rubble, was most likely an egregious violation of international humanitarian law and those who ordered or executed it committed a war crime.

Overall, the investigation found clear patterns of international humanitarian law violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities, the report said.

However, it added that while the report was able to contribute to a first collection and analysis of facts, more detailed investigations are necessary, in particular with regard to establish individual criminal responsibility for war crimes.

The report tracked alleged abuses from Feb. 24, the day Russia invaded, to April 1. It did not include a missile strike last week on a train station in the eastern city of Kramatorsk that killed more than 50 people, including children, or atrocities recently reported in Bucha, a suburb of the capital, Kyiv.

The 110-page report also found credible evidence suggesting that such violations concerning even the most fundamental human rights . . . have been committed, mostly in the areas under the effective control of Russia.

The OSCE began its investigation last month after a vote by most of its member states, including Ukraine, to pursue a fact-finding mission. The United States is part of the 57-member body - as are Russia and its ally, Belarus. Russia and Belarus were among a dozen countries that did not vote for the review and have yet to publicly comment on the report.

The OSCE investigation was triggered through a vote on the Moscow Mechanism, named for a 1991 conference held in the Russian capital, that allows member states to send independent experts on missions to another member state to resolve issues of human rights and democracy, according to the OSCE.

Carpenter said the OSCE would share its findings with the International Criminal Court, national courts and others that have jurisdiction over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ukrainian officials have said that hundreds of civilians were summarily executed in Bucha and that they had evidence of torture, dismemberment and the shooting of people at close range. The alleged events in Bucha - found as Ukraine recaptured more territory and Russias forces began pivoting from areas near Kyiv to the east and south of the country - led to Russias suspension from the U.N. Human Rights Council. Russia has claimed that such killings were staged or fake.

The OSCE report found that the events in Bucha deserve a serious international enquiry, on the spot, with forensic experts, and said evidence points to a major war crime and a crime against humanity committed by the Russian forces in the town northwest of Kyiv.

Carpenter said that since the crimes were likely carried out before the OSCE teams mandate ended on April 1 - though the evidence came to light afterward - the OSCE should still have jurisdiction and there will need to be follow-on investigations.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan called Ukraine a crime scene on Wednesday during a visit to Bucha, as his team collected evidence.

This report is just the first of likely many, said the United Kingdoms ambassador to the OSCE, Neil Bush. We must, as an international community, hold accountable those responsible for the atrocities that have been committed in Ukraine, including military commanders and other individuals in the Putin regime.

The report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights also said women and children have been hit particularly hard by Russias abuses. The body also noted Ukraines role in allegations of abuse and treatment of prisoners of war. The violations committed by the Russian Federation, however, are by far larger in nature and scale, it said.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday referred to the killings in Ukraine as a sign that Russia was committing genocide, a term previously avoided by U.S. officials. He later told reporters he intentionally used the word in his speech, although he added that he would let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies. But he said, It sure seems that way to me.

Detailing findings of the OSCEs report, Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador, told reporters Wednesday that making a determination about genocide was outside of the scope of the OSCE fact-finding teams mission.

But he said President Biden was very clear, calling the events in Ukraine genocide, due to increasing evidence that President Putin is trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian.

This desire to destroy the Ukrainian people has been seen in the horrific images of Russias barbaric treatment of civilians and in areas that were previously under Russian control, Carpenter said. Its also evidenced in the speeches of Russian leaders and press articles appearing in the Russian media that deny Ukraine the right to exist as an independent state.

Carpenter repeated Bidens assertion that international law experts would need to determine whether Russias actions meet the legal definition of genocide spelled out by the 1948 international convention on genocide.

A legal review based on meticulous collection of evidence is underway, he said. Thats going to take some time to be completed, but in the meantime, the president has made a very clear moral determination on this issue.

The war in Ukraine has gone on for more than seven weeks, with 1,892 people killed and 2,558 injured, according to an incomplete count by the United Nations. Ukrainian officials have said the real civilian death toll is many thousands higher. About 4.6 million people have fled the country as refugees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called the war a tragedy but insisted that Russia had no choice but to invade its western neighbor. He told reporters the special military operation in Ukraine was going as planned and would continue until its goals are met.

The Moscow Mechanism has been used nine times before by the OSCE, first in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992. It was invoked most recently in Belarus in 2020, when 17 member states called for an investigation into alleged human rights abuses there.

The United States, Germany, Britain and France were among the member states that invoked the mechanism last month. Earlier in April, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for Russia to be suspended from the OSCE for its unjustified aggression.

Carpenter did not rule out the possibility of the U.S. and allies re-invoking the Moscow Mechanism to continue to probe alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
RIGA, Latvia - After a month of fighting, the architects of Moscows war against Ukraine had to explain to Russians why Kyiv had not fallen. Thats when the most menacing rhetoric began.

On state television, a military analyst doubled down on Russias need to win and called for concentration camps for Ukrainians opposed to the invasion.

Two days later, the head of the defense committee in the lower house of parliament said it would take 30 to 40 years to reeducate Ukrainians.

And on a talk show, the editor in chief of the English-language television news network RT described Ukrainians determination to defend their country as collective insanity.

Its no accident we call them Nazis, said Margarita Simonyan, who also heads the Kremlin-backed news agency that operates Sputnik and RIA Novosti. What makes you a Nazi is your bestial nature, your bestial hatred and your bestial willingness to tear out the eyes of children on the basis of nationality.

Russias astonishing shift toward genocidal speech has been swift and seamless. Moscow officials stepped up warnings that Russia was fighting for its survival. Pundits condemned peace talks and scorned troops withdrawal from Kyiv and surrounding areas.

The change of gears, signaling a brutal occupation, appeared deliberate and coordinated in a nation where detailed Kremlin orders on messaging are handed down regularly to state media.

Eugene Finkel, an expert on genocide at Johns Hopkins University in Bologna, Italy, said the rhetoric isnt just a few crazy hard-liners spouting off. Its coming from prominent government officials, showing up in the press, being heard on state television - and is clearly genocidal.

Theyre talking about destroying Ukrainians as a group, Ukraine as a state and as an identity community, Finkel said. The argument is we are going to destroy this national community as it exists and create something new that we like instead, no matter how many people we kill in the process.

In late March, the head of Russias Investigative Committee launched a probe into whether Ukrainian students textbooks target children with hatred of Russia and the Russian language or distort history. There already is evidence, Finkel noted, of Russian soldiers in Ukraine going through libraries and schools and destroying books in Ukrainian or those about the countrys history and struggle for independence.

I think there is a clear indication that [the Russians] are targeting quite deliberately everything and everyone that is associated with Ukrainians as a national identity, he said.

The chances that Russian President Vladimir Putin, a man with no history of reversing course when cornered, might back down as his militarys effort faltered were never very great, and U.S. officials have questioned Russias seriousness about peace talks. Yet after Moscows failure to take Kyiv, the shift to a harder line in state media suggests that the Kremlin is girding the population for a tough and potentially long fight in Ukraines east, one that could see even greater destruction and casualties.

It also hints at a punitive path should Russia win: potentially partitioning Ukraine, crushing its military and civil society, and occupying it for years.

A former Kremlin adviser, Sergei Karaganov, has said that the country would be left as a rump state - or perhaps as nothing at all - after Moscow is done. Russia, he made clear in an interview with the New Statesman, cannot afford to lose.

The threat of Nazism is one of the Kremlins most brazen themes. Last week, RIA Novosti ran a prominent opinion piece by pundit Timofei Sergeitsev, an outspoken supporter of Putin, that urged the liquidation of the entire Ukrainian elite, the division of the country, destruction of its sovereignty and even the abolition of its name.

Denazification will inevitably be de-Ukrainization, Sergeitsev wrote, requiring years of ideological repression and severe censorship in political, cultural and educational fields. Ordinary Ukrainians were complicit and must suffer the inevitable hardships of a just war before total submission to Russian power as a historical lesson and atonement for their guilt.

Others quickly piled on. Former president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, wrote on Telegram that Ukrainianism, fueled by anti-Russian poison and all-consuming lies about its identity, is one big fake.

Ruth Deyermond, a Russia expert in the Department of War Studies at Kings College London, said such arguments are hard to read in any other way than a justification for mass killing. Its extremely disturbing language and clearly has genocidal overtones. Its not that they, Ukrainians, have a Fuhrer or a political ideology or a Nazi system. Theyre just Nazi.

In a provincial city in central Russia, a young woman named Valeriya talked recently about how isolated she felt as the calls to fight Nazis increased. Valeriya, who declined to give her full name or where she lives because of safety concerns, said co-workers viewed her with suspicion because she has a Ukrainian boyfriend and opposes the invasion. They demanded she say whose side she was on.

They tell me, You dont know the reality. There are fascists, and we need to get rid of them,  she said.

She has begun seeing social media posts in support of genocide and fears that the sentiment might intensify.

In our country, we were brought up with the idea that we should fight Nazis, Valeriya said. If state television keeps calling for the continuation of war and to kill the last Ukrainian, then maybe ordinary people will start believing it and lots and lots of people will think that thats what we should do.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Russia was carrying out mass deportations. Hundreds of thousands of people have already been deported, he told Lithuanias Parliament during a virtual address. They are placed in special filtration camps. Their documents are taken away from them. They are interrogated and humiliated. How many are killed is unknown.

The Tass news agency reported last week that Russian officials said 674,000 Ukrainians had been moved to Russia - voluntarily, they claimed. Ukrainian officials accusations about their treatment have been difficult to verify.

With the redeployment of Russian forces to eastern Ukraine, the rhetoric is likely to ratchet up further.

Less than two weeks before the invasion, Putin used a crude reference to express his determination to force Kyiv to accept Russias terms for peaceful coexistence: Like it or not, put up with it, my beauty, a term associated with rape for many Russians. Ukraines resistance has only hardened the Kremlins mood.

Yet Finkel fears that a Russian victory would not only destroy Ukraine but upend the post-World War II global order.

Thats something I have been thinking about a lot. I think it will be a pretty scary world, he said. For Russia, its a test of the idea that might makes right - and we have the power, so we can do whatever we want.
WASHINGTON  Some Capitol Hill lawmakers say they want to see the U.S. supply a steady stream of heavy weapons to Ukraine to help its forces go on the offensive against advancing Russian troops as the battlefield shifts to the countrys more rural east.

The fight over the contested Donbas region, where Russia-backed separatists have held territory since 2014, is expected to be a protracted ground war between infantry and artillery on flat, open terrain, according to Pentagon and Ukrainian officials. To fend off and push out Russian forces, Congress members said the U.S. will need to commit to sending Ukraine hard power such as tanks, artillery and aircraft.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced another $800 million in new military aid for Ukraines war effort. The additional security assistance could include sophisticated equipment such as howitzer cannons and armored Humvees, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Its very important that the American people understand that we want the Ukrainians to win, and we will support them with appropriate intelligence information and weapons so they can regain the territory that has been lost to Russia, and that includes the area in the Donbas, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said last week during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

The battle for Donbas will resemble the large-scale warfare of World War II, according to Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, with thousands of tanks, armored vehicles, planes and artillery. Russias larger military is better positioned in the east than around the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where the Ukrainian resistance was able pick off columns of Russian tanks and armored vehicles through small-unit strikes, Ukrainian officials said.

Ukraine is requesting a host of offensive weapons, including long-range artillery to keep Russians at a distance, tanks and armored vehicles to break through Russian defenses and liberate occupied territories, and anti-ship missiles to destroy Russian forces blocking ports on the Black Sea, according to Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

To win such a war, we need different help than what we have been receiving before," he said in a video released last week. "We want to liberate the enemy-occupied territories as soon as possible. To do this, we need other weapons.

On Sunday, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., called for the urgent delivery of tanks, artillery and armored vehicles to Ukraine and said the U.S. needs to expand its aid shipments beyond defensive weapons such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.

I think it's really important for us to be very clear with respect both to the kinds of advanced weaponry, the kinds of offensive weaponry we need to be providing them, she said during an interview with CNN.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said the U.S. should work with its allies to ensure Ukraine receives Soviet-model tanks, artillery and planes as well as small-arms ammunition and real-time intelligence about the Russian army.

Anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems are still critical to protecting Ukrainian troops on the offense and we should continue to supply them as needed. That said, there is more the U.S. can and should do to ensure President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy is in as strong of a position as possible, Gallagher, a former Marine, said in a statement.

The U.S. is constrained in the kind of heavy equipment it can provide Ukraine, said Mark Cancian, a former Marine and senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. Most, if not all, the weapons will need to be Soviet-made and sent through Eastern European allies who will then receive replacements from the U.S. Recent appeals by Reznikov and Zelenskyy to purchase NATO-standard heavy weapons are not practical, he said.

If we send them M1 tanks, they wouldnt know what to do with them, they dont have anybody thats trained on them and to make an M1 tank effective would take at least a year, Cancian said. And thats true of F-16 aircraft or anything else like that that they dont already operate.

Slovakia received a Patriot missile system from the U.S. after sending its S-300 air defense system to Ukraine last week. Only the Czech Republic has supplied Ukraine with tanks, sending Soviet-era T-72s.

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., said tanks should be sent to Ukraine in a swift manner but acknowledged that brokering the delivery of aircraft, which Ukraine has repeatedly asked for to close the sky to Russian bombardment, will be difficult. The White House nixed a deal to transfer MiG fighter jets from Poland to Ukraine last month, fearing it would provoke Russia.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide the types of planes that Ukrainian pilots can immediately fly, Bice said in a statement. We are relying on other nations to supply those, and so far, that hasnt been possible either.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he has strongly supported providing more lethal weapons, including fighter jets, to Ukraine since Russia first invaded in 2014 and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. He suggested during a hearing with top military officials last week that the U.S. consider sending A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, known as Warthogs, which the Air Force wants to retire.

Its going to be a long slog," Blumenthal said. "This is a protracted war going to the east, but we need to be there for the Ukrainians in the midst of this long slog."

The most critical element of supporting Ukraines offensive is maintaining a consistent influx of munitions, Cancian said. Even lighter weapons such as shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft Stingers missiles and anti-tank Javelins missiles can be effective in a drawn-out fight, he said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators last week that those weapons, as well as drones and communications equipment, have proved somewhat decisive in Ukraines stiff resistance. Ukraine continues to deny Russia air superiority through tens of thousands of anti-aircraft systems from the U.S., added Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The biggest thing is that they need this flow of supplies and equipment to continue because that is what has allowed them to maintain a continuous combat capability that's defeated the Russians so far, Cancian said.

Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma said the U.S. should equip Ukraine with the ability to trounce Russian forces, not just repel them. But they agree the speed of heavy weapons delivery will be a major deciding factor in whether Ukraine can boot Russia from its territory.

President Zelenskyy, and all of the Ukrainians Ive met with over the last month, have said weapons are not being delivered fast enough  particularly with their high burn rate, Ernst, a former Army officer, said in a statement. The U.S. can deliver more capability quicker, and Congress will continue to pressure this administration.

Russia has warned that it will treat arms convoys from NATO countries to Ukraine as legitimate targets for military action and deliveries of more sophisticated weapons will not go unnoticed, Cancian said. The risk of Russia making good on its threat, however, is not likely for now, he said.

The Russians have their hands full, Cancian said. In terms of shipping equipment, they seem to have accepted that, they really havent even struck the supply lines.

Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said they will work with their Republican colleagues in the coming weeks to shore up Ukraines military capabilities for a renewed Russian onslaught. Before leaving for spring recess last week, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to expedite U.S. arms transfers to Ukraine through a World War II-style lend-lease program. The legislation has moved to the House.

As the military situation in Ukraine evolves, so must our global response, said Shaheen, the bill's co-sponsor.
(Tribune News Service)  As they do on Earth, China and Russia pose the biggest threat to U.S. national security interests in space, according to a new report issued Tuesday by the Defense Intelligence Agency.

The report, Challenges to Security in Space, notes that China and Russia have increased their space assets by nearly 70 percent over the past two years. This follows a period between 2015 and 2018 when their inventories doubled.

The drive to modernize and increase capabilities for both countries is reflected in nearly all major space categories  satellite communications, remote sensing, navigation-related, and science and technology demonstration, the unclassified report notes.

Both countries are embracing a two-pronged approach, according to the report: bolster their own space capabilities while also improving their ability to thwart U.S. efforts.

Space race

Last July, China successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the globe in a fractional orbit.

This demonstrated the greatest distance flown (~40,000 kilometers) and longest flight time (~100+ minutes) of any Chinese land attack weapons system to date, the report observes.

In November 2021, Russia conducted an anti-satellite missile test, destroying one of its own obsolete satellites.

While both China and Russia, unlike the United States, have space programs that draw little distinction between military and civilian efforts, they have taken slightly different approaches to using space to improve their combat effectiveness, said Kevin Ryder, DIAs senior defense intelligence analyst for space and counterspace.

China, due to more economic advantages, has increased their capabilities and put more financial and military effort toward developing new and better capabilities, he said. Russia, on the other hand, is more streamlined due to other military modernization efforts.

And Chinese and Russian ambitions dont end with Earths orbit. Both have planned missions to the moon, where they might exploit its extensive natural resources, the report notes. Within 30 years, the Chinese have plans for a research base on the moon capable of supporting human visits, according to the report.

___

2022 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Visit cqrollcall.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. will send another $800 million in weapons that includes artillery, helicopters and armored vehicles to Ukraine as its forces prepare for a new Russian attack in the countrys eastern region, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday.

This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine, Biden said in a prepared statement.

Those additional weapons will include 300 Switchblade tactical drones, 11 Mi-17 helicopters, 18 155mm howitzer artillery systems, 200 M113 armored personnel carriers and 100 armored high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, according to the Pentagon.

The steady supply of weapons the United States and its allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion, Biden said. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.

Pentagon officials have said they believe Russian forces are preparing an onslaught of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

The new aid to Ukraine comes as Russia has been adding helicopters, additional artillery systems and troops to infantry units that recently left the capital of Kyiv and Chernihiv in northern Ukraine for what we continue to believe is going to be a renewed push toward the Donbas, a senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday.

We continue to see movements and activity of Russian forces in Belarus and in Russia as they continue to reassemble their forces, stage them, [and add] equipment and material support, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Biden made the announcement after telling Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of his plans by phone Wednesday afternoon, according to the statement.

The expected new Russian offensive on the Donbas region could prove to be easier for Russian forces than prior assaults in northern and southern Ukraine, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. Thats because Russia is more familiar with the terrain there after fighting in the region since it last invaded Ukraine in 2014.

"The other aspect of this is the topography [of eastern Ukraine.] It's been described to me [as] a bit like Kansas  a little bit flatter, it's a little bit more open, he said. It's the kind of place where we can anticipate [Russia] to use tanks and long-range fires, artillery and rocket fire to achieve some of their objectives before committing ground troops.

The range of weapons in the latest military aid package was chosen, in part, based on that assessment. The security package also includes 10 AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars, 2 AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air surveillance radars, 500 Javelin missiles and thousands of other anti-armor systems, 40,000 artillery rounds, 30,000 sets of body armor and helmets, and more than 2,000 optics and laser rangefinders, according to the Pentagon.

An undisclosed number of unmanned coastal-defense vessels is also being sent to Ukraine, along with C-4 explosives and demolition equipment for clearing obstacles, M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions, medical supplies and protective equipment to guard against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exposure, the Pentagon said.

U.S. troops will need to train Ukrainians on some of the systems in the new package, Kirby said, such as the howitzers, counter-artillery and air surveillance radars, rangefinders and Claymores.

Were still working on what thats going to look like, he said. Because they are in an active fight, [we may conduct] a train-the-trainers program  pull a small number of Ukrainian forces out so they can get trained on these systems and then send them back in.

The additional weapons for Ukraine come as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with defense industry leaders Wednesday regarding the kinds of systems that had been involved in the security assistance program, a senior U.S. defense official said.

[Austin] wanted to focus this particular meeting on  making sure that we have a good sense of where industry is in transactions and that they have a good sense of where we are in terms of our production needs, the official told reporters at the Pentagon.

While Austin was very adamant about discussing equipment sent to Ukraine, we're not having this meeting with them because our stocks are so low that our readiness is impaired, the official said.

We have been giving an awful lot of stuff to the Ukrainians, and so it would be the prudent thing to do before it becomes a crisis issue for our own readiness to have a discussion with them about accelerated production and advanced production, the official said.

Since taking office in January 2021, Biden has now sent Ukraine about $3.2 billion in military aid  an amount that equates to more than half of Ukraine's defense budget for last year, which was about $4.2 billion, the official said.

The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect, Biden said in his statement Wednesday. As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself.

About $2.5 billion of the U.S. aid has been sent since Russia invaded Ukraine less than seven weeks ago, according to the Pentagon. The contents of the packages have ranged from small arms and ammunitions to anti-aircraft systems and 100 Switchblade tactical drones.

By the end of Thursday, the U.S. expects to have delivered all the previously approved drones, the official said. Switchblades, dubbed kamikaze drones, are portable loitering munitions that crash into targets while detonating explosive warheads, according to AeroVironment, which makes the weapon.

Most Ukrainian troops are not trained on the system, though a small number recently completed Switchblade training with U.S. troops at the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School in Biloxi, Miss., Kirby said Sunday.

Those forces, which had been in the U.S. since before the Russian invasion, returned to Ukraine on Monday and are expected to train their fellow Ukrainian troops to operate the systems. But American troops in neighboring NATO countries also could be called upon to train Ukrainians on the systems, the official said.

"We are looking at options for additional switchblade training, the official said. Certainly, one option that would be available to us would be to utilize [U.S.] troops that are closer to Ukraine."

The U.S. has more than 100,000 troops stationed in Europe  the most its had on the Continent since 2005. More than 14,000 of them are deployed to countries on NATOs eastern flank, such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

Fact sheet on U.S. security assistance for Ukraine

At least 30 countries have provided security assistance to Ukraine since this Russian invasion began. As of April 14, United States security assistance committed to Ukraine includes:

Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems.

Over 5,500 Javelin anti-armor systems.

Over 14,000 other anti-armor systems.

Over 700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems.

18 155mm Howitzers and 40,000 155mm artillery rounds.

16 Mi-17 helicopters.

Hundreds of Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers.

Over 7,000 small arms.

Over 50,000,000 rounds of ammunition.

75,000 sets of body armor and helmets.

Laser-guided rocket systems.

Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels.

14 counter-artillery radars.

Four counter-mortar radars.

Two air surveillance radars.

M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions.

C-4 explosives and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing.

Tactical secure communications systems'

Night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders.

Commercial satellite imagery services.

Explosive ordnance disposal protective gear.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment.

Medical supplies to include first aid kits.
GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (Tribune News Service)  The human remains of a man that were discovered near the Powell Ranger Station in 1984 have been positively identified as a 26- to 27-year-old Oklahoma man who went missing shortly after his discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1982.

Lt. Jerry Johnson of the Idaho County Sheriffs Office confirmed Monday that the skeletal remains, dubbed Mr. Bones, were those of Roger Brian Bennett, who is believed to have died in 1982.

Its very satisfying (to make the positive identification) because different investigators have been working on this for 37-plus years, Johnson said. And Ive spent a lot of hours when I have free time, digging through national databases of missing people, trying to find someone that might match up.

Idaho County sheriffs deputies first investigated in 1983 an abandoned camp located about 40 yards from White Sand Road near Colt Killed Creek close to the ranger station. Deputies found a nylon two-person tent, a sleeping bag, towels, cooking items and one prescription eyeglass lens. No identification was found. The deputies believed the camp had been abandoned sometime the year before.

On Sept. 19, 1984, deputies were again summoned to the area after hunters found a human skeleton. The remains were located about 1 mile from the abandoned camp found the previous year. Along with the skeleton were a pair of silver metal-framed prescription eyeglasses with one lens missing. Clothing, shoes and other items also were discovered, but no type of identification was found.

Through the years, Johnson said, the remains were sent to a number of experts and laboratories for evaluation and pictures and composite images were constructed. The cause of death has never been positively determined, but Johnson said he believes violence was likely involved, partly because the lenses from the eye glasses were found in two different locations.

In August 2010, Mr. Bones was entered into the NamUs database funded through the National Institute of Justice. The database has a website to help the public and law enforcement in documenting and searching for missing and unidentified people. Johnson said NamUs currently lists about 21,500 missing persons and 14,000 unidentified persons.

Forensic investigations continued until January of this year, when NamUs agreed to fund a genetic genealogy test through Othram, a private lab that applies modern parallel sequencing to forensic evidence.

On March 22, an Othram representative called the Idaho County Sheriffs Office about a potential family match for Mr. Bones. Johnson said he contacted a woman named Cheri Pope in Oklahoma City who confirmed she had a brother named Roger Bennett who disappeared in early 1982. Pope and her mother, Wilma Q. Bennett, who is in her 90s, provided DNA reference samples to a private lab in Oklahoma City on April 8 confirmed that the probability of a mother-son relationship between Mr. Bones and Wilma Bennett was 99.9%.

Based on that result, Johnson said, Idaho County Coroner Cody Funke concluded Mr. Bones was Roger Brian Bennett.

Johnson said he spoke with Pope on the phone and the family has a certain amount of relief and they express their appreciation to all the investigators involved.

This was a huge collaborative thing, Johnson said, noting a long list of laboratories and individuals who have worked on the case. We, as detectives, we didnt really do that much. We just didnt forget. We just kept working as we do on a lot of our (cases). This was one of our big unsolved ones.

The family told Johnson that Bennett was born in Oklahoma City in 1955, growing up there and graduating from Blanchard High School. He enjoyed journalism and was a National Merit semi-finalist.

Bennett enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and worked in mid-air refueling. He was discharged from Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi in early 1982. In his last letter to his family, Bennett said he was planning to travel to Houma, La., to look for work on an offshore oil rig. He would have been 26 to 27 years old at the time of his disappearance.

Johnson said the family had no idea why Bennett came to Idaho, although he had once expressed interest in the Lewis and Clark expedition and wondered what it would have been like to accompany them.

His remains were found near a segment of the Lewis and Clark trail, Johnson said.

The remains are being returned to the family, the lieutenant said, and they plan to hold a memorial to lay Bennett to rest.

khedberg@lmtribune.com .

(c)2022 the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho)

Visit at www.lmtribune.com
WASHINGTON  House lawmakers are considering four bills that could help veterans suffering from the effects of sexual trauma in the military by improving the process for receiving benefits and providing greater support to victims.

"From equitable access to health care and benefits to strengthening programs that will help veterans lead a life of meaning and purpose, these bills will help strengthen the institution tasked with serving our increasingly diverse veteran population," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Military sexual trauma is a term used to describe sexual assault or sexual harassment that a veteran experienced during their service, accord to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA reported in May 2021 that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men said they experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment during their service in the military.

The VA Office of Inspector General investigated denied claims for military sexual trauma and found VA processors didnt always follow the policies and procedures for them. Leaders of the Veterans Benefits Administration didnt monitor compliance, and there were ongoing failures in governance, according to the IG report.

"As a result, veteran survivors of military sexual trauma remain at risk of not receiving the VA benefits to which they are entitled and experiencing additional distress when claims are improperly handled or denied," the report stated.

The inspector general's office investigated the claims as a follow-up to a 2018 review, during which inspectors found about 49% of rejected claims for military sexual trauma between April 1 and Sept. 30, 2017, were denied without the processors performing their due diligence.

Inspectors conducted a second review to see how the department improved since the 2018 report. They discovered the situation had gotten worse. The office found 57% of the rejected claims for military sexual trauma in the last quarter of 2019 were denied but should not have been.

The VA had not corrected the problems found in 2018, the new report found. Some of the bills being considered by the House committee are, in part, a respond to those IG findings.

The Dignity for (Military Sexual Trauma) Survivors Act focuses on the treatment of military sexual survivors and their trauma. The bill would restore dignity to the claims appeals process by requiring the VA secretary to ensure workers for the Veteran Benefits Administration complete yearly military sexual trauma training to continue hearing appeals. It would also require the VA to review the language in the claims denial letters to ensure they are carefully worded to avoid traumatizing veterans who are already suffering from the effects of sexual assault or sexual harassment.

Moreover, the bill would mandate that contract medical providers conduct military sexual trauma-related examinations in a sensitive trauma-informed manner. The bill will require the VA to confer with stakeholders to identify the appropriate language for inclusion in denial letters.

"While VA has taken steps in the right direction, more must be done to improve the claims appeal experience, show compassion, and safeguard the dignity of [military sexual trauma] survivors," Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., said last week.

An amendment to the bill would require the VA to apply the same standards to the Veterans Health Administration examiners and outside providers who carry out military sexual trauma-related exams.

"Words have meaning, and power and language we use can itself retraumatize [military sexual trauma] survivors," Takano said. "Therefore, much thought should be given to the way VA corresponds with veterans who have [military sexual trauma] claims."

If board members do not meet the yearly training requirement, they will not be assigned military sexual trauma cases. Moreover, the bill will provide medical providers to use the most up-to-date trauma-informed protocols during their work with veterans seeking military sexual trauma claims.

Another bill to assist sexual trauma victims in the claims process is the VA Peer Support Enhancement for (Military Sexual Trauma) Survivors Act.

First introduced in October, the bill will require the VA to establish a peer support program at the Veterans Benefits Administration for veterans who were sexually assaulted or sexually harassed. The bill will ensure each veteran who files a military sexual trauma claim can have a peer support specialist amid the claims process and will require the peer support specialist to be trained as a victim advocate. The peer support specialist will not be responsible for any part of the adjudication of the veteran's claim.

The Veterans Benefits Administration has military sexual trauma outreach coordinators. However, they assist military sexual trauma claimants with the compensation claims process and accessing care, according to Dr. Nilijah Carter, executive director for pension and fiduciary service at VA's Veterans Benefits Administration.

Carter said each of the administrations 56 regional offices staffs specially trained military sexual trauma coordinators.

"Veterans who are experiencing distress as a result of the claims process can access treatment through [Veterans Health Administration], whose trained clinicians can provide support, as needed," Carter said. "The VA supports Congress' overall intent to provide increased support to veterans filing claims for [military sexual trauma] and looks forward to working with the committee to address our technical concerns."

However, a VA inspector general report in August based on interviews with 136 of the VA's military sexual trauma coordinators found that more than 60% said they didn't have the administrative support needed to perform their duties, and nearly 30% said they needed more funding for outreach and education.

Takano said the VA has used peer-support specialists for recently discharged veterans to assist with mental health and substance abuse issues and caregivers. Thus, peer support for military sexual trauma victims might prove to be a beneficial tool amid the claims process.

"Now, within the military sexual trauma context, a highly trained peer-support specialist can serve as an advocate who can provide counsel, assistance, and coordination to navigate a process that may be stress-inducing and anxiety-provoking," Takano said. "If the [military sexual trauma] claimant chooses to utilize the services of a peer support specialist, the [military sexual trauma] claims may go more smoothly, potentially reducing the strain on an inherently difficult process."

An amendment to the bill would clarify that the peer-support specialist can provide counseling services to the veteran who might have difficulty coping with recounting their sexual trauma experience during the claims process. Moreover, the amendment clarifies the peer-support specialist cannot provide claims advocacy services such as sharing a veteran's personal story amid a hearing.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who was sexually assaulted, said the military sexual trauma claims process is complicated and traumatic enough.

"It often requires a survivor to retell their story of assault multiple times over, and in some cases actually relive it," she said. "And for some people, it is the worst day of their lives."

The third military sexual trauma-related bill to be considered by the House is the Veteran Benefits Administration/Veteran Health Administration Coordination (or Military Sexual Trauma Claims Coordination) Act.

"Due to the sensitive nature of military sexual trauma claims and the fact that they touch on the responsibilities of both of these administrations, it's imperative that they can coordinate better internally," said Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va.

The bill also would require the VA to provide more advanced services, including information on the Veterans Crisis Line, accessing counseling and care, and providing additional resources specifically for veterans who have been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed.

Wherever a veteran makes contact with VA, whether if first through filing a claim or by attempting to receive [Veterans Health Administration] care, there should be pamphlets, signage, contact sheets, and other materials to provide veterans the resources they need to fully engage with VA to have their needs met, said Kristina Keenan, associate director of the Veteran of Foreign Wars national legislative service.

The last military sexual trauma-related bill to be considered is The VA & NASEM [National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine] Agreement for Military Sexual Trauma. The bill would direct VA Secretary Denis McDonough to enter into an agreement with the academy, an independent nonprofit institution that provides policy advice in science, technology, and health.

One element of the bill would have the academy focus on the adequacy of the disability benefits questionnaires related to military sexual trauma. The VA's raters use the questionnaires to determine whether a veteran's condition is service-connected and to provide a rating.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said he had heard concerns from veterans service organizations that the forms are outdated for physical health conditions related to military sexual trauma.

"If the [disability benefits questionnaire] is not sufficient to describe the veterans' disabilities, the veteran may receive an improper denial or incorrect rating, and that is unacceptable and it must be addressed today," he said.

The bill would require the academy provide recommendations for how the VA can improve the disability claims and exam process for military sexual trauma.

Brianne Ogilvie, the assistant undersecretary for policy and oversight at the VA's Veterans Benefits Administration, said the administration has made several efforts to the military sexual trauma claims process. She said the VA has concerns with the bill.

"There's a difference between medical treatment and examinations for disability purposes," Ogilvie said. "While I'm sure [the academy is] very capable of making medical determinations, we are concerned about how they would make a determination of the adequacy of the tools and protocols used when we're talking about what's needed for ratings for disability claims."
David Mitchell, 62, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away on May 3rd at Stillwater Medical Center after a brief illness with cancer. David was a 1978 graduate of Cabool High School in Missouri. He had a long career at the Mercruiser plant in Stillwater where he had many friends. David is pred
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.
The Transport Agency is taking over nearly all the country's bitumen supply vital to road building because it believes it is being ripped off by suppliers.

Documents show the agency warned that if it doesn't take over, overpayments to the $100m-a-year bitumen market will get worse.

Waka Kotahi the Transport Agency (NZTA) denied to RNZ that it even has a copy of the plan, but Z Energy has already begun telling customers it will stop importing bitumen from July 2023 because NZTA's move will leave it no room to operate.

The agency said Z has 84 percent of the market of 190,000 tonnes a year, 94 percent of which went to Waka Kotahi and council projects.

Z estimated its share as having dropped to under 70 percent in recent years as more contractors imported bitument directly.

Documents released under the Official Information Act showed NZTA's board considered the bitumen supply solution implementation plan last November.

Read the documents from NZTA:

The very first thing a paper to the board said, to describe the situation, was that the bitumen supply chain had met the agency's needs "in the past, but is believed to have now led to a high on-road cost of bitumen with large profits being made by suppliers".

Bitumen prices for road contracts are based on a list price "that Z Energy determines", which is used to adjust NZTA's bitumen index, the documents said.

"Waka Kotahi relies on the competitive tender process to secure best price for bitumen and has no visibility of the actual price paid by industry for bitumen," an April 2021 document said.

"However, it is understood there is the existence of discounts for off-list prices and volume-based rebates."

Z Energy bitumen manager Paul Prendergast said customers could import their own if the price list Z gave Waka Kotahi each month was not seen as fair.

"Z refutes any assertion that we have unreasonably profiteered from the market," he said.

Bitumen is considered a "strategic commodity" because NZTA and councils have no alternative for road building.

It has been entirely imported since early last year, after Marsden Point oil refinery stopped making 100,000-120,000t a year within a month of an NZTA committee receiving a "sudden" warning in December 2020 that it would stop, a paper to the agency's board showed.

The agency gave an oral update to the Transport Minister last December on recommendations approved by the its board, but provided no information to RNZ about this, saying: "There is no copy of the content of this oral update."

RNZ has appealed to the Ombudsman.

That manufacturing stoppage raised the risk the bitumen supply chain "will evolve against" agency strategic interests, the board paper warned in November.

The April paper said: "Waka Kotahi has a unique window of opportunity to take a strategic view of the full bitumen supply chain, and potentially secure reduced prices."

At that stage, a year ago, it was looking for one or more supply chain partners to "improve our cost position in the supply chain".

Despite the acknowledged impact of bitumen prices on "NZ Inc", NZTA refused to answer most of RNZ's dozen questions about its changes to bitumen supply, and blanked out 50 of the 55 pages of the reports it released, mostly on the grounds of commercial sensitivity.

One of the few parts not blanked out said:

"Do Nothing Risk: If Waka Kotahi does not take this opportunity to influence the market the following risks have been identified and will impact NZ Inc:

Increased price for all of government bitumen

No transparency in bitumen pricing and price movement

Two tier surfacing market - those that import and store bitumen, and a second tier that will be serviced by the top tier

Increased quality variability, and therefore risk in pavement structures

Smaller port terminals are likely to have stock outs due to inefficient shipping

Increased trucking and carbon footprint (as has already occurred in Northland)"

The country has already paid many millions of dollars to fix highway pavement problems, such as in Kapiti, though the cause of these may not be the bitumen.

When RNZ asked to see the plan for bitumen supply NZTA said no plan existed. However, elsewhere in the same OIA response, it said the board was briefed on the implementation plan, and that it had met with bitumen importers about its plan.

Asked if it had talked to the importers about accessing the 10 bitumen storage tanks they own at various ports, NZTA said this was "commercially sensitive information which was discussed under non-disclosure agreements". The tanks are very expensive.

It also refused to provide any information about:

An "engagement" letter about storage it sent to companies on 26 January

The concerns raised by importers in February

The national market for bitumen - about 190,000 tonnes a year - is worth more than $100m a year at recent global market prices of about $600 a tonne. These prices bounce around a lot, but recently exceeded pre-Covid-19 levels, after steep rises recently.

Z said it had regularly imported bitumen for many years to meet demand, bringing in 120 million litres last year. It said the price was tied to crude oil so it was volatile given the Ukraine war.

Contractors buy from Z and pay tank owners a throughput fee for access to the tanks which are owned mostly by three large roading contractors; Downer, Fulton Hogan and Higgins.

Previously, both NZTA and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment have said that the shift away from domestic manufacture to importing all the country's bitumen "has worked well to date to ensure sufficient bitumen supply is available in the country".

Yet, without the supply chain solution aimed at protecting "equitable access to bitumen, sustainable and healthy markets, and long-term value for money for end-customers", NZTA warned of the implications "as the ultimate end-customer and funder of the majority of bitumen".

It has researched alternatives to bitumen for road surfacing, but so far has come up with only concrete - an expensive, short-term alternative only - or in the long-term a material called lignin.

-RNZ/Phil Pennington.
Te Puke is growing, and like many places across New Zealand the housing available doesnt suit everyones needs.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is making changes that will make it easier for the people of Te Puke to build the kind of houses that the town needs  including houses for older people, renters and seasonal workers, and houses suited to multi-generational whanau living.

A community conversation on Councils new online hub  Your Place - has been launched to understand what the Te Puke community most wants and needs in new housing.

The opportunity to work on Te Pukes housing supply was prompted by the Governments new law (Enabling Housing Supply Amendment Act), which provides Council and the Te Puke community with an opportunity to make the legislation work for Te Puke.

Councils senior policy analyst Jodie Rickard says the new law [Enabling Housing Supply Amendment Act] requires Councils like the Western Bay to replace local housing rules  with new rules that allow people to build more homes and different kinds of homes.

This new law applies to towns that dont have enough houses to meet demand, including Te Puke [and Omokoroa addressed separately].

This means that people who want to develop their land, will be able to build homes that meet the new rules without needing a resource consent, allowing more homes to be built faster.

You can add a unit to your backyard, build up three storeys and build townhouses  all without needing a resource consent. It will also be easier to subdivide land at the same time as completing a build.

Were expecting to see an increase in properties with more than one home on them, more units in backyards and more redevelopment of properties where an existing house may be replaced with a number of new houses.

Benefits also include, increased affordability, increased access to employment, transport, community facilities, less urban sprawl and easier multi-generational family living.

However, all this will mean that some of Te Pukes neighbourhoods may look a little different in a few years time.

While the changes must happen, we need the communitys input to shape and plan the specifics, such as where housing of four storeys or more could be developed, encouraging the particular kinds of housing we need more of (e.g. many generations of whanau living together), and ensuring we grow and protect the things we love about Te Puke.

Council wants to know:

-What makes Te Puke a great town to live in?

-What types of housing does Te Puke need most?

-What challenges could more houses and more people bring for the town?

-Imagine if townhouses and units are built on your street. What needs to happen to ensure the street remains a great place for everyone to live?

We need the Te Puke community to really get involved and share their ideas and experiences. These changes will affect the next decade of planning so its really important we get this right.

All of Te Pukes current residential area will be subject to the new changes.

You can provide feedback in a number of ways

Wananga ipurangi (online)- take part in a survey or digital pin board online on www.westernbay.govt.nz/yourplace

Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) - attend a community conversation event at the Te Puke Memorial Hall on Tuesday, April 26, from 2-5pm, or Wednesday, April 27, from 4-7pm to provide your feedback in person.

Pepa maro (hard copy) - fill out a feedback form at the Te Puke library and service centre.

Council will use feedback to draft a plan change to adopt in its District Plan.

Then, itll share the draft with the community in June 2022 to check theyve got it right for Te Puke, prior to formal notification in August.

Community feedback is open until midday Friday, April 29.
A Rotorua district councillor believes the Local Government Commission decision overturning the councils governance model is plainly ridiculous, while others have welcomed it.

Rotoruas mayor says the decision makes it now even more important a bill to change electoral rules for Rotorua passes.

The commission says its reasoning is detailed in its determination, which was released on Friday.

In it, the commission rejected Rotorua Lakes Councils model, which had one Maori ward seat, one general ward seat and eight at large seats.

Instead, the commission decided the council would have three Maori ward seats, six general ward seats and one rural ward seat.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said, in her opinion, either the commission didnt understand the issues or thought Rotorua voters couldnt care less about not using their maximum number of votes.

She said, in her view, the decision was plainly ridiculous.

"What a bloody mess. The new rural ward, that will also take in some of the Lakes community, get only one vote out of 10 for councillors.

"Those on the Maori roll get three votes for the Maori ward out of 10 for councillors, and those on the general electoral roll get six votes for the [general] ward out of 10.

"The rural voters are flushing nine potential votes down the toilet, Maori voters seven, and those on the general roll four votes.

Her opinion of the decision was: "Dumber than dumb comes to mind."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick was also dissatisfied with the commissions decision.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post.

She said, at first glance, the commissions determination seemed to deliver more inequities and anomalies than actually solve anything.

She shared some of Raukawa-Tait's concerns, saying it appeared to disadvantage rural ward voters because it only allowed them two votes  one for the rural ward councillor and one for the mayor.

She also highlighted that Maori roll voters would have four votes while general roll voters would have seven.

She said the decision did not address the issues the council was seeking to resolve through its local bill.

Its now even more important that we see this bill come into force.

The local bill is the Rotorua District Council (Representation Arrangements) Bill, which passed its first reading in Parliament on Wednesday evening.

The bill, which would allow the councils preferred  but currently unlawful - model with three Maori ward seats, three general ward seats and four at large seats, is now before the Maori Affairs select committee and open to public submissions until April 20.

Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers chairman and sitting councillor Reynold Macpherson was one of the appellants of the councils decision to the Local Government Commission.

Rotorua district councillor and Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers chairman Reynold Macpherson. Photo / Andrew Warner / Rotorua Daily Post.

Macpherson said the group applauded the Commissions decision because it was based on democratic principles and the Local Electoral Act, without reference to Te Tiriti or Fenton [Agreement] obligations.

He said the commission rejected the councils interim co-governance model in favour of proportional representation.

"The danger now is that the local bill ... could take Rotorua back to [the] councils ideal co-governance model, unless it is withdrawn, defeated or fails to make the 1 June deadline.

He urged residents and ratepayers to make a submission to the select committee and ask to be heard.

Please oppose voter parity across wards because it will give citizens on the Maori roll 260 per cent more voting power than those on the general roll.

Please ask for equal suffrage for all citizens  one person, one vote, one value  and proportional representation from wards.

Neither the council nor the mayor wished to respond to Macphersons comments about the local bill.

Last week, Te Tatau O Te Arawas Jude Pani, Federated Farmers Colin Guyton and Rotorua Rural Community Board chairwoman Shirley Trumper heralded the Commissions decision as a win for Te Arawa and rural communities.

Local Government Commission chief executive Penny Langley said the Commissions reasoning for its decision was set out in its determination.

In it, the commission stated it had serious doubts whether a single member could effectively represent either the Maori or general wards, and was concerned it would dissuade potential candidates.

The commission acknowledged the "spirit" of the council's proposal in "seeking to achieve parity in voting opportunity" but said "an even spread of voter opportunity across the various wards of a representation model is not a factor to be considered under the [Local Electoral] Act."

It also found there was a clear rural community of interest.

"We are satisfied that a single-member rural ward will result in more effective representation for the rural community."

The commission rejected the concept that the models put forward by the council "could be described as gerrymandering" or that they violated equal suffrage.

"Councils around the country adopt a range of representation models, many of which result in different numbers of votes for different electors, depending on the ward in which they reside and/or the electoral roll they are enrolled on.

"Every elector still has an equal opportunity to cast their vote in the election, even if other electors for the same council have an opportunity to cast a different number of votes."

-Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The sister of a woman charged with the murder, grievous bodily harm and ill-treatment of five-year-old Malachi Subecz has entered a guilty plea to one charge of perverting the course of justice.

Sharron Patricia Barriball, 37, entered the plea at the High Court in Tauranga on Wednesday to one charge, that between November 1 and November 15, 2021, she wilfully attempted to prevent the course of justice in New Zealand.

The charge has a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

Justice Graham Lang convicted her and set a sentence date of May 27 at the High Court in Rotorua.

Malachi Subecz was found injured at a Te Puna property on November 1 last year and died at Aucklands Starship Hospital on November 12.

Michaela Barriball, 27, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, injuring with intent, grievous bodily harm and ill-treatment of a child, is set to reappear on April 27.

Stuff can also reveal additional details about Michaelas charges after obtaining the Crown Charge Notice.

It notes injuries on Malachi were seen and photographed by daycare, and that the five-year-old was allegedly burnt with a shower head.

It is also alleged that between June 22, 2021 and November 1, 2021, Michaela intentionally engaged in conduct which was likely to cause suffering.

Namely physical and verbal abuse, failing to provide medical assistance and causing him to be malnourished and conduct being a major departure from the standard of care expected of a reasonable person.

-Stuff/Benn Bathgate.
Emergency services attended to reports of people having difficulty in the water this morning near Matakana Island.

After attending the scene, services deemed the report as a false alarm, however the event has sparked a reminder to continue to report incidents where swimmers look to be in danger.

From their vantage point, it looked like some people had fallen out of a boat, says Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

We responded along with police, but it turned out that the group were quite experienced surfers.

It is really great that someone was vigilant enough to make a report about what was going on.

We would rather go out to these calls and have everything be okay, than not be called out at all.

It also sparked a reminder for people to be safe out on the water during the rough conditions caused by ex-cyclone Fili.

There is a lot of water moving around at the moment.

Theres a lot of strong rips, especially around Omanu beach down to Papamoa.

We are urging people to be very careful out there. There are no patrols around at the moment. Please assess the conditions if youre going out and take a friend with you.

If youre not comfortable or not a good swimmer, our advice is to stay out of the water at this time.

If you see someone who looks like theyre in trouble in the water, please call 111 and ask for police directly.

Make sure you know how you can describe their location to the phone operator, using an address or landmark. From that point the police can contact our surf lifeguards directly.
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Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 91F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Oklahoma... Illinois River near Tahlequah affecting Cherokee County. ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL LATE TOMORROW MORNING... * WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Illinois River near Tahlequah. * WHEN...Until late tomorrow morning. * IMPACTS...At 17.0 feet, severe flooding occurs from Hanging Rock downstream towards Tahlequah. Access roads east of Combs Bridge near Eagles Bluff are impassable. Some cabins and parks may be flooded to a depth of a couple of feet. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 1:30 AM CDT Saturday the stage was 16.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage late tonight and continue falling and remain below flood stage. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
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COMMUTER BHPian



Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: India Posts: 482 Thanked: 802 Times

View My Garage



Infractions: 0/1 (5)

re: Car Covers - Dupont, TPH, Polco etc



This performance made me a self proclaimed marketeer for the cover and I had been able to make quite a few people buy the cover by helping them to overcome their reluctance to spend that much on the car cover.



I bought three more covers from them. I was insisting on TPH Armor series which are supposed to be dog bite proof and designed to handle outdoor use.



The second cover on my Dad's Ameo gave up in an year! I was so smitten by the performance of the first cover that I thought I could convince them to give me a proper Armor cover for my Figo the third time and I received this cover by mid 2020. I had bought another cover for Dad's Ameo recently just before my third TPH cover(pictured here) crumbled. I truly wish I had faced the issue a bit earlier and I definitely wouldn't have spent 6k for the fourth TPH cover in our family!



RUDE AWAKENING:



I noticed a cut in the cover on the rear window area a few days back and I initially thought it to be a work of a vandal. There was an instance of vandalism a few months before this issue when my ORVM portion of the cover was cut along with a cut on one tire too! (crazy world!). I ordered a butyl tape to seal it off and waited for it to get delivered in the next couple of days. I noticed the cut to be extending over the next few days and was thinking of setting up a camera to catch the vandal. I was thinking of tweeting the video of the vandal getting caught red handed to the police too.



I had a doubt about the 'vandal' because the 'handiwork' appears to be too persistent and measured. When the butyl tape arrived, I dropped the idea of spy game and decided to tape up the tear and take action if the 'Vandal" strikes again.



I tried to push the material on the sides of the tear together with two fingers and, to my utter horror, FOUND it getting torn like wet tissue paper! I gawked at it for a few minutes in utter disbelief before resigning myself to the situation.



I tried to contact the TPH covers but was told that their covers are under 1-year-warranty and can be expected to fail in under two years 'depending on usuage'. I tried telling them that the original TPH Armor is still holding strong after over 5 years of hard use but it was brushed off. They offered to 'service' the cover, 'if possible', after I had sent it to them.



I had to bitterly swallow the fact that I had been so smitten by the performance of the first TPH Armor cover that I had been a stupid fanboy even after having got duped in the second trashy cover itself. I sincerely hope to avoid anyone who had bought the overpriced garbage upon my 'insistence'.



I have decided to source my next cover from a local tarpaulin guy who had stitched a well fitting cover for a friend's swift for 1.5k. I could afford to keep changing it as and when required.





I do see frequent status updates in whatsapp on their part on the covers being sold to Rolls Royces and Porches. I think it had got in to their head to embolden them to disregard the 'cheap' car owners. What makes the whole experience more galling is the attitude of these folks where they have decided to swindle me even after finding me uninterested in buying their 15k+ covers by offering me a piece of garbage instead of the original good quality cover which had performed poorer that a flex poster casually thrown on most of the vehicles parked by the road side!



It would be absurd on their part to think they could stay profitable by selling a few dozen covers a month for the cars cost upwards of a crore alone but, their money, their choice. I respect that.



I am attaching the pics and video of my stupid choice here. The small L-shaped tear was from me trying to close the boot lid on the cover! There was one more tear on the front right side when I tried to cover the car with this trash for the last time. I hope to get the replacement ready in a week to avoid the heartburn of beholding my stupidity any further.



VIDEO of the tissue paper rivaling quality It's hadn't even been two years yet. I bought my first TPH Armor cover on 2016 for my Figo 1.5D. I use my car for two to four days in a month for long drives(200+km) alone. I was smitten by cover's performance, especially after using it daily with the car parked in the sun by the road side for over four years. There were three rows of stitches, of which, just the first row alone gave away after 4 years of hard use. The material was so tough that it didn't yaw for over three years even after I put two slits on it for accommodating the clamps I added later that were jutting out tight against the cover which was already tight fitting to start with. It was simply mind blowing. The way it withstood heavy winds which ripped away other covers which were belted without even getting belted was stunning. That cover is now still going strong with a friend who has a Go+ and was using some flex to casually cover the area where the sunlight was hitting his car parked in his covered portico. Initially it was draped over that back to the extent possible but now they have made a cut near the front wheel to make draping it easier and it is still serving the purpose there!This performance made me a self proclaimed marketeer for the cover and I had been able to make quite a few people buy the cover by helping them to overcome their reluctance to spend that much on the car cover.I bought three more covers from them. I was insisting on TPH Armor series which are supposed to be dog bite proof and designed to handle outdoor use.The second cover on my Dad's Ameo gave up in an year! I was so smitten by the performance of the first cover that I thought I could convince them to give me a proper Armor cover for my Figo the third time and I received this cover by mid 2020. I had bought another cover for Dad's Ameo recently just before my third TPH cover(pictured here) crumbled. I truly wish I had faced the issue a bit earlier and I definitely wouldn't have spent 6k for the fourth TPH cover in our family!I noticed a cut in the cover on the rear window area a few days back and I initially thought it to be a work of a vandal. There was an instance of vandalism a few months before this issue when my ORVM portion of the cover was cut along with a cut on one tire too! (crazy world!). I ordered a butyl tape to seal it off and waited for it to get delivered in the next couple of days. I noticed the cut to be extending over the next few days and was thinking of setting up a camera to catch the vandal. I was thinking of tweeting the video of the vandal getting caught red handed to the police too.I had a doubt about the 'vandal' because the 'handiwork' appears to be too persistent and measured. When the butyl tape arrived, I dropped the idea of spy game and decided to tape up the tear and take action if the 'Vandal" strikes again.I tried to push the material on the sides of the tear together with two fingers and, to my utter horror, FOUND it getting torn like wet tissue paper! I gawked at it for a few minutes in utter disbelief before resigning myself to the situation.I tried to contact the TPH covers but was told that their covers are under 1-year-warranty and can be expected to fail in under two years 'depending on usuage'. I tried telling them that the original TPH Armor is still holding strong after over 5 years of hard use but it was brushed off. They offered to 'service' the cover, 'if possible', after I had sent it to them.I had to bitterly swallow the fact that I had been so smitten by the performance of the first TPH Armor cover that I had been a stupid fanboy even after having got duped in the second trashy cover itself. I sincerely hope to avoid anyone who had bought the overpriced garbage upon my 'insistence'.I have decided to source my next cover from a local tarpaulin guy who had stitched a well fitting cover for a friend's swift for 1.5k. I could afford to keep changing it as and when required.I do see frequent status updates in whatsapp on their part on the covers being sold to Rolls Royces and Porches. I think it had got in to their head to embolden them to disregard the 'cheap' car owners. What makes the whole experience more galling is the attitude of these folks where they have decided to swindle me even after finding me uninterested in buying their 15k+ covers by offering me a piece of garbage instead of the original good quality cover which had performed poorer that a flex poster casually thrown on most of the vehicles parked by the road side!It would be absurd on their part to think they could stay profitable by selling a few dozen covers a month for the cars cost upwards of a crore alone but, their money, their choice. I respect that.I am attaching the pics and video of my stupid choice here. The small L-shaped tear was from me trying to close the boot lid on the cover! There was one more tear on the front right side when I tried to cover the car with this trash for the last time. I hope to get the replacement ready in a week to avoid the heartburn of beholding my stupidity any further.It's hadn't even been two years yet. 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Last edited by libranof1987 : 11th April 2022 at 09:14 . Reason: As requested
shancz Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: IND Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 2,856 Times

Re: Hooligans on the loose at Ladakh Quote: am1m Originally Posted by The Ladakhi taxi unions can spare enough people to man unofficial checkposts and check private vehicles entering their tourist spots, so why not catch tourists who litter?



Quote: am1m Originally Posted by One generation grows up expecting to be fined for littering and I think we'll solve this problem forever in our country. Plus it'll be a great source of revenue!



Quote: AnandB Originally Posted by it's not possible to man someone to monitor or clean up.

If manning isn't feasible in all areas then the control over what is being carried in and out works okay in wildlife sanctuaries, that could work here too.

Measures will have to be adapted for the area which the folks responsible can figure out.

Even a elevated watch tower can work like it does on the beaches(as a lifeguard though) during tourist times.



But having the mesage repeated as one enters/lands in various forms with deterring fines displayed also goes a long way without needing enforcement. So does having easily accessible segregated waste-bins across the popular spots. Was about to say that. If they can create ruckus without hesitation at the inconvenience and cost of others, this seems like an apt time to take the lead again and ensure that the pristine land is actually preserved in its glory.Absolutely, its already there but in minor pockets. IIRC there was a case in Kodagu where the litterers were asked to come back and clean up. This is the way to go.Self realisation is the solution but we can't wait for everyone to realise, hence we have laws of the landIf manning isn't feasible in all areas then the control over what is being carried in and out works okay in wildlife sanctuaries, that could work here too.Measures will have to be adapted for the area which the folks responsible can figure out.Even a elevated watch tower can work like it does on the beaches(as a lifeguard though) during tourist times.But having the mesage repeated as one enters/lands in various forms with deterring fines displayed also goes a long way without needing enforcement. So does having easily accessible segregated waste-bins across the popular spots. Last edited by shancz : 12th April 2022 at 11:27 . Reason: typos
Out of the Archives exhibit is located in Innovation Studios at D.H. Hill Jr. Library on Thursday, April 7, 2022. The exhibit was part of the Out of the Archives Seminar held by NC State and Folger Shakespeare Library.
Staff Columnist

My name is Lauren Richards and I am a first-year in Exploratory Studies. I joined Technician as a correspondent for the Opinion section as I'm interested in weaving stories that resonate with the student body and spark dialogue around issues that matter.
Denmark's iodine pills are now increasing as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. As of press time, the government is concerned about possible nuclear accidents when the Ukraine-Russia issue worsens.

Because of this, DHMA (Danish Health and Medicines Authority) suggested that the Denmark officials increase the iodine medicines by up to 2 million pills.

The health department said that iodine tablets are essential to protect children, health workers, emergency personnel, and other individuals during a nuclear threat.

Denmark Iodine Pills Increase!

According to IFL Science's latest report, iodine pills are quite helpful during nuclear accidents. During these disastrous events, radioactive iodine can contaminate the air.

Related Article: How to Help Ukrainians? Here Are The Charity Apps & Websites to Send Donations

Once people inhale these particles, their bodies experience serious side effects. But, if they consume iodine medicine before or after the nuclear accident, the radioactive particles can be prevented.

This will happen since the iodine pills will fill the thyroid. Because of this, the thyroid gland can no longer absorb harmful iodine generated during the nuclear threat.

"The National Board of Health has reassessed the framework for Denmark's iodine preparedness, which must be able to be used in the event of a nuclear accident in our immediate area," said the Danish Health and Medicines Authority.

Iodine Pill Benefits

Iodine pills can prevent cancers and other side effects of radioactive particles. Aside from this, Web MD reported that these tablets can also help during pregnancy.

Health experts said that the brain development of babies will be improved once mothers intake iodine pills. On the other hand, breastmilk of the pregnant women will also have more minerals that can improve the health of their babies.

Not only that, children who intake iodine pills will also have their cognitive function enhanced. You can view this link to see more details about iodine pills' benefits.

Recently, a new study claimed that the U.S. missile defense systems are still inefficient against ICBMs.

On the other hand, Japan's Type 12 truck-reliant missile was previously enhanced.

For more news updates about iodine pills and other defense topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: US Space Command To Use Non-Traditional Sensors for Ground, Sea Missile Defense Radars

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The latest Brooklyn subway shooting is still under investigation. To make matters worst, the suspect responsible for the injuries of several individuals is still at large.

During scenarios like this, people expect to get as much help as they can from other individuals and companies serving the area.

But, it seems like Uber and Lyft have something in their minds. These two ride-hailing firms decided to conduct price hikes in the area.

Although it is given that prices will increase once many individuals are booking Lyft and Uber rides, it is still quite questionable when the surge is not removed during an accident or other dangerous situations.

Brookly Subway Shooting: Uber, Lyft Price Hike?

BBC News reported that officials are still looking for the gunman. To avoid danger, people are now booking Uber, and Lyft rides so they can flee the scene.

Also Read: Uber is Taking Over New York's Taxi Industry, Book a Ride Through it with Same Price as UberX

But, the mobility services decided to increase their prices. Of course, New Yorkers are not happy with the sudden price surge.

Since passengers were quite disappointed, Uber and Lyft decided to remove the price hike, as The New York Post reported.

Before the two mobility companies removed the price surges, a ride from the Brookly subway station to Manhattan costs more than $85.

fare surge after a mass shooting in brooklyn when subways are shut down. shame on you @Uber pic.twitter.com/1qoKlPJhl3  Captain Harvel (@harharbinks) April 12, 2022

"Fare surge after a mass shooting in Brooklyn when subways are shut down," said a complainer via her official Twitter post, which includes the screenshot of the Uber and Lyft price hikes.

Not the First Time for Uber, Lyft

The unreasonable price surge during the Brookly subway station shooting is not the first time for Uber and Lyft. Back in 2017, they also conducted a wide price hike during the previous Port Authority bombing.

But, they also solved the issue. Alix Anfang, the Uber spokeswoman, said that they even refunded riders for dynamic pricing on affected rides.

On the other hand, a Lyft representative said that they also reimbursed the passengers' fees during the bombing in the Port Authority area.

Recently, Lyft's fuel supercharge was unveiled since the gas hike is worsening.

Meanwhile, Washington Governor Jay Inslee decided to approve a new law that allows Uber and Lyft drivers to benefit from their salaries.

For more news updates about Uber and Lyft, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Uber is Canceling 'Split Fare' Feature in April According to Leaks, But It is Not the End for It

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/Nadia Fes) Bassel hound

Google announced that it is taking legal action against a man it claims has been using a network of illegal and fraudulent websites that claimed to sell basset hound puppies.

The man captivates his victims by posting alluring photos and fake customers testimonials. The scheme also took advantage of a lot of people during the pandemic.

Google to Take Legal Action Against Pet Scam

The search giant has filed a lawsuit against a man from Cameroon for operating a puppy fraud scheme.

According to Google, Nche Noel Ntse, who resides in Cameroon, allegedly ran several websites purporting to sell puppies but did not deliver them to his customers.

According to The Verge, Google filed the lawsuit because it was an effective tool for establishing a legal precedent, shutting down the tools used by scammers, and raising their consequences.

The chief legal complaint is that Ntse breached his contract with Google by violating the terms of service. He used Gmail and Google Voice to talk to his victims and to register fraudulent websites with US-based hosting companies. He also used Google services to request and receive payments from his victims.

Also Read: Google, Facebook Fall Victim To Long-Con Scam That Cost Them Over $100 Million

Google said that Ntse's alleged activities caused the company financial harm by interfering with the company's relationships with its users, damaging its reputation, and forcing it to spend over $75,000 on investigations.

The complaint stated that the defendant's exploitative and malicious pet adoption schemes abused the company's products to prey on vulnerable victims during the pandemic, according to ZDNET.

Google also pointed to the data from the Better Business Bureau, which said that the pet scams now make up to 35% of all online shopping scams that are reported to them.

The scam often targeted those at their most vulnerable state as the pandemic led to an increase in people wanting to own pets.

Google argues that the lawsuit, filed in the San Jose Northern District Court of California, is the right venue because the defendant agreed to the company's terms of service and used the Dynadot hosting service for the puppy scam.

A non-profit advocacy service for elderly people, AARP, tipped Google off to the scam back in September 2021.

The victims sent the $700 in electronic gift cards after discussing a puppy purchase through the Gmail account and Google Voice number but no puppies were delivered to them, according to Reuters.

After the scam website was taken down, the company also found the same person using Google Ads to run campaigns promoting the domain.

Google said that it suspended ads connected to the Ads account and said that the still operational sites pose a risk of harm to Google and its users.

The search giant is now seeking damages, legal costs, and an injunction preventing the man from using its products such as Gmail and Google Voice.

What to Look For in a Puppy Scam

To avoid being the victim of a puppy scam, Google recommends that you see the puppy in person or at least on a video call because of paying.

Use a verified payment method and make no wire money or pay with gift cards or prepaid cards. Check the image and do a reverse image search to see if the product is a stock image or a stolen image.

In 2017, Google warned its users about a sophisticated Google Doc scam.

In 2019, Google released a real-time alert for scams on Google Chrome.

Related Article: Here Are The Three Scams Spreading On the Internet That You Must Look Out For

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Charlein Gracia) children

The UK Health Security Agency or UKHSA has announced that more than 70 children under ten have been diagnosed with hepatitis.

All of the children have been admitted to the hospital, and an urgent investigation is currently underway to identify the cause of the hepatitis outbreak.

Around 70 Children Diagnosed with Hepatitis

According to Metro, the UKHSA is now examining 74 cases: 49 cases in England, 13 cases in Scotland, and 12 cases across Wales and Northern Ireland. All of the cases have occurred since January.

The agency explained that it is now investigating a number of possible causes behind the increase in cases.

One potential line of inquiry is whether or not a group of viruses named adenoviruses is causing the sickness among the children. The adenoviruses are behind several illnesses, like the common cold.

Also Read: Scallops From Philippines Contaminated By Hepatitis A, FDA Laboratory Tests Reveal

Other possible explanations are also being investigated, including whether or not COVID-19 could have played a significant role in the spike in cases.

However, officials stressed that there is no connection to coronavirus vaccinations because none of the children who are affected have been vaccinated, according to ITV.

Hepatitis Symptoms to Watch Out For

Medical experts have urged parents to keep an eye on their children and look for symptoms of hepatitis. The symptoms are dark urine, pale stool, itchy skin, yellowing of the eyes and skin, muscle pain, and joint pain.

Parents also need to check if the child has a high temperature. If kids are sick, always feeling tired, lose their appetite, and suffer from stomach pains, it is advisable to go to the doctor.

If two or three of these symptoms are present, parents need to consult a doctor immediately.

Investigating the Cause of Hepatitis Cases

Dr. Meera Chand, the director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA, urged the parents to be vigilant against symptoms of hepatitis amid the increase in cases.

In a statement, Chand said they are working with the National Health Service (NHS) and public health colleagues in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales to investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to the hospital with liver inflammation, also called hepatitis.

Dr. Chand also stated that even though adenovirus infection is one of the potential causes for the increase in cases, they are still thoroughly investigating other potential causes.

Normal hygiene measures such as washing hands and supervising children are important. She added that respiratory hygiene should also be included as it helps reduce the spread of many of the infections that the medical experts are investigating.

Dr. Chand added that they call on parents and guardians to be alert to the signs of hepatitis, including jaundice or the yellowing of the eyes and skin, and contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.

Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that cause a range of mild illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, and colds, and most people recover without any complications, according to BBC.

While they do not normally cause hepatitis, it is a known and rare complication of the virus. Adenoviruses are usually passed from person to person and by touching contaminated areas.

The most effective way to minimize the spread of the illnesses is to practice proper hygiene and supervise thorough handwashing in younger children.

In 2018, the Ohio authorities declared a statewide emergency because of the sudden increase in hepatitis cases.

On Apr. 7, experts recorded 60 cases of hepatitis in England and Scotland.

Related Article: Hepatitis C Medicine May Help Cure COVID-19 Patients, Possibly A New Therapeutic Option? New Study Says Yes

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung is giving the world the ability to unlock a car in the present using only their smartphones. It will help authenticate the vehicle and get inside without a key. Usually, most present-day cars use an immobilizer to unlock their car, and it is the same system used for their alarms, locks, and even starting the engine.

The South Korean smartphones can unlock cars from BMW, Genesis, and Kia.

Samsung Digital Car Key: Compatible with BMW, Genesis, and Kia

Samsung initially revealed that its smartphone devices that are using the latest operating systems are eligible to get an upgrade to work more than the capabilities of a phone. It is the ability to unlock, lock, and start a vehicle using only the digital car key available now, initially only for Genesis' GV60 car from the famous company.

The South Korean company is now expanding the lineup of vehicles it can unlock, and according to TizenHelp, more vehicles are now available for this access. It includes the cars and models from:

BMW 1~8 Series

BMW Z4

BMW X5~X7

BMW iX3

BMW iX

BMW i4

Genesis GV60

Genesis G90

Kia Niro

From its Genesis focus in the past, Samsung now expanded its capabilities to other car brands and manufacturers.

Read Also: Apple iPhone Car Key: Smartphone Unlocks Genesis, Kia Vehicle; Here's Full List

Samsung Digital Car Key: How Does it Work?

Samsung's Digital Car Key works by having the car's critical information stored on the upcoming app to record the information and use NFC and UwB (ultra-wideband) technology. Users can effectively lock and unlock the vehicle, with the feature available to start its engine. Moreover, users can also share the keys with friends and family.

Samsung and its Technology, Innovation

The recent move made by Samsung is to make their parts available for a user, and it will provide them guides and information on how to repair their smartphones and other devices. The self-repair program will border on expanding with the right to repair bill that was passed by lawmakers and imposed on the current tech industry.

The latest tech in Samsung's corner is the Galaxy S22 series, which brought the Galaxy S-series and Galaxy Note series in one release. Essentially, it is a glorified S-series smartphone that received the branding, design, and S-Pen from the Note family before it made its exit from the company's production line.

Samsung brought much technology to its releases, and it brings many features for users to utilize for their needs in a smartphone. They have the ability to use one's smartphone to unlock their car and avoid rummaging one's belongings and items for the keys to enter their vehicle.

The smartphone is enough to unlock the car and give Samsung users access to their compatible vehicles.

Related Article: Rumor Says Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Series Could Get a Third 'Pro' Model with Bigger Batteries

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Cruise and Walmart have begun delivering in Arizona using its self-driving delivery service that aims to expand on the technology in the nearby regions. Walmart is a famous investor in Cruise's company, funding its services and development of the self-driving vehicles from the renowned startup.

The self-driving capabilities of Cruise are known for its ability to be on modern-day vehicles, and it does not need a sophisticated car for this, turning most ones into a self-driving Cruise.

Cruise and Walmart Bring Self-Driving Delivery Tech to Arizona

Cruise announced on Twitter that the company and Walmart expanded on their operations for a self-driving delivery service in Arizona, focusing on logistics for the systems. The self-driving technology assures that all deliveries are coming to the public on time, giving them a chance to choose an option for a more streamlined delivery.

It is only a limited service in Arizona now, but the company plans to extend its deliveries in other Walmart locations. Chandler and Scottsdale Walmarts will soon have Cruise's autonomous delivery system available in their areas, giving them a chance to experience the service and have an option for delivery via this system.

Read Also: Walmart Xbox Series X Restock: Is Walmart+ Required?

Cruise and Walmart: Expanding to Other Regions Soon

Walmart and Cruise's investment and partnership are paying off, and it is with the start of the autonomous deliveries that will bring their packages or what they bought from the retail store straight to their homes. Cruise's new venture would give new purpose and functions to its self-driving systems initially considered for ride-hailing only.

Cruise and its Autonomous Features

Waymo and Cruise are some of the self-driving vehicle technology ventures from Big Tech companies, including Google and General Motors. These companies had their robotaxis or self-driving taxi cabs available for hire in San Fransisco, having a limited availability in the county, being the place for its beta testing.

General Motors plays a massive role in Cruise's operations as its parent and principal benefactor. The self-driving technology and systems that the subsidiary brings to the table aim to hook itself on modern vehicles, also focusing primarily on electric cars.

GM recently gave Cruise a $5 billion credit line for its vehicle acquisitions.

Cruise aims to bring a service that will give the public more than a self-driving service and a ride-hailing app that will get a person from point A to point B. Now, it is a delivery service that will help alleviate the need to wait for shipping in a delivery van that will take several days to weeks before it reaches a person.

Unlike the new self-driving delivery service, it will guarantee a faster and more efficient logistics focus.

Related Article: San Francisco Cops Pulled Over a GM Cruise, Left Confused After Realizing There is No Driver

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
They analyze the possible link between dogs and the increase in cases of hepatitis among children
The Revolutionary Youth Movement in Al-Hasakah organized to denounce the policy of the Damascus government and its suffocating siege on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Al-Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, and the Iraqi government's construction of the concrete wall separating Shingal district and Rojava, and to demand the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan physically.

The demonstration started from the church roundabout, raising pictures of the leader Abdullah Ocalan, the revolutionary youth flags, and the torches, chanting slogans denouncing the "betrayal of the Kurdistan Democratic Party with the Turkish occupation," and chants calling for freedom for Abdullah Ocalan.

When the demonstrators arrived at Judi roundabout, they observed a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs' souls. Then a statement was made on behalf of the Revolutionary Youth Movement in the city of Hasaka for public opinion, in both languages, Kurdish by the revolutionary youth member Jenda Ali, and in Arabic by the administrator of the revolutionary youth movement Qahraman Hasaka. The statement stated:

"These policies that the Damascus government is tired of imposing a suffocating siege on the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, and the continuous attacks of the Turkish occupation on the regions of northern and eastern Syria and the mountains of Kurdistan, and the Al-Kazemi government's construction of the concrete wall separating Shingal district and Rojava, aim to break the will of the peoples of Kurdistan."

The statement explained, "However, no matter how authoritarian regimes follow these policies, they will not be able to undermine the will of the peoples of Kurdistan and erase the Kurdish identity, as long as the peoples of Kurdistan are united."

In the end, the statement emphasized, "Our goal and thought are one because we follow the philosophy and ideology of leader Ocalan, and we will rise up in the face of all policies and schemes of the regimes that want to undermine the will of the peoples of Kurdistan, and we will continue our activities within the freedom fields until the physical freedom of leader Ocalan is achieved, because our freedom is the freedom of the leader."

A

ANHA
Purple balloons signifying domestic violence awareness, and some of the 19 white ballons signifying each year of the life of slain Southern University student Shayla James rise skyward next to the SU Student Union, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, during a balloon release in memory of James and other victims of domestic violence. James was shot and killed by her boyfriend last week, in one of an increasing number of recent domestic violence-related deaths.
FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2020, file photo a Chester County, Pa., Health Department worker fills a syringe with Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before administering it at the Chester County Government Services Center in West Chester, Pa. Moderna said Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 that a low dose of its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and appears to work in 6- to 11-year-olds. It is the second U.S. vaccine aimed at eventually being offered to children. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) ORG XMIT: NYPS205
Voters would decide whether to abolish the three appointed positions on Louisiana's top school board under a bill that breezed through the House Education Committee on Tuesday.

The proposal, House Bill 4, was endorsed 7-3 and next faces action in the full House.

It is a constitutional amendment and needs the support of two thirds of both the House and Senate, always a high hurdle.

Rep. Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles, sponsor of the legislation, said it makes no sense to have a board where eight members are elected by voters and three are named by the governor.

"Let's have one or the other," Tarver told the committee.

"There are a lot of special interests that get involved in the appointments," Tarver added.

"Our (local) school board is elected by the people and accountable to the people right there," he said. "I think the state school board should be the same way."

The measure would dramatically change the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which sets policies for about 700,000 public school students.

One of the three appointed posts typically is reserved for a representative of Catholic schools, which make up around 20% of the state's school population.

Tom Constanza, executive director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, said his group opposes the measure.

"We just don't think there is any reason to change it," Constanza said.

But Rep. Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine, a member of the committee, said allowing the governor three appointments on an 11-member board is part of the state's longtime tradition of giving the chief executive extraordinary powers.

"I think this is a vestige of an imperial governorship that we are always used to in Louisiana," Owen said.

"I am of the opinion that the people should decide whether we should keep going down that path," he said.

The appointees are subject to Senate confirmation, which is usually routine.

They serve four-year terms, like elected members.

Tarver said a shakeup is also needed because the state has long trailed most other states in classroom achievement.

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"The fact is the progress is questionable," he said.

"The citizens would agree; they would tell you that 49th or 50th over and over again is unacceptable," Tarver said, a reference to education rankings.

Belinda Davis, of Baton Rouge, one of Gov. John Bel Edwards three appointees on BESE, opposed the measure.

Baton Rouge public schools advocate named to BESE Gov. John Bel Edwards on Thursday named veteran public schools advocate Belinda Davis to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Davis said 24 boards nationwide consist entirely of gubernatorial appointees and 16 are a mixture of elected and appointed members.

She said adopting Tarver's plan "would place our board outside the norm when it comes to governance."

Davis said one of the other appointees, Thomas Roque, is superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Alexandria and the third, St. Bernard Parish schools superintendent Doris Voitier, has more than half a century of education experience.

"It is hard for me to imagine that anyone would say we are not better for their service," she said.

Davis is a professor of public policy at LSU.

Tarver said appointees who want to serve on BESE should run for the office.

"That is what I have to do, that is what you have to do," he told colleagues.

The issue, if approved by the Legislature, would be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The committee also approved a companion bill  House Bill 84  that would spell out details of the new rules if lawmakers and voters approve the amendment.

Voting "yes" on the bill were Reps. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria; Beryl Amedee, R-Houma; Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge; Chuck Owen, R-Rosepine; Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie; Vinny St. Blanc III, R-Franklin and Phillip Tarver, R-Lake Charles.

Voting "no" were Reps. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie; Patrick Jefferson, D-Homer and Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport.
House and Governmental Affairs Committee vice-chairman Rep. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans speaks during a sometimes acrimonius exchange with House GOP leader Blake Miguez, R-Erath, on Miguez's House Concurrent Resolution 58, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, in at the State Capitol. The resolution with its amendments focuses on stripping the enforcement power of the Gov. John Bel Edwards executive orders like the stay-at-home order affecting businesses, to stanch the community spread of the often-deadly novel coronavirus and reopen businesses before the Governor advises.The measure appeared aimed to force Edwards' hand to begin reopening businesses in mid-May, when the governor has indicated the first phase of reopening could begin.
Four nursing home residents died in Tangipahoa Parish at a mass shelter where about 800 residents were reportedly packed into a warehouse for Hurricane Ida. Efforts to evacuate them by ambulance and other vehicles are underway in Independence, Louisiana on Thursday, September 2, 2021. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Sydney and Melbournes hard-hit construction sectors are bouncing back from COVID-19 with a record number of 813 cranes dotted across their skylines on projects from apartment towers to hospitals.

Data from the latest RLB Crane Index, which measures construction activity in cities around Australia, and covers the first three months to March 31, reveals a 13 per cent increase in the number of the steel frames added to the sky.

There are a record number of cranes operating in Sydney. Credit:Louie Douvis

It is the highest tally of cranes recorded since the inception of the index in the Spring of 2012 when the construction sector was in full swing. The construction industry generates more than $360 billion in revenue annually, equating to 9 per cent of Australias economy.

The record number is in stark contrast to April 2020 when COVID-19 was starting to raise concerns and the number of cranes fell by 5 per cent.
Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange, spoke several languages, from Spanish to Malay, Italian to Maltese, with Urdu puns and Hindi idiom also peppering his books. Even Nadsat, the language he coined for his citric classic, was a hybrid of Russian, Arabic and Cockney slang.

Yet English was his beloved monster, his cradle tongue limber in 33 novels, ten non-fiction works and countless articles. I remember reading Earthly Powers (Hutchison, 1980), all 678 pages when Eurailing, reeling at the surplus of alien words  from odalisque to baldachin. Anthony Burgess spoke English like Beethoven played piano.

Never-ending raggedness  how I love that phrase. Its why I cherish English and all her nuances.

Which is why Robert Burchfield, the Oxford Dictionarys chief editor during the 1970s, was sweating bullets. An expat Kiwi, Burchfield had devoted 15 years to updating the original Oxford, issuing some 3000 pages via four supplement volumes, from 1972 to 1986, fretting over how Burgess  the eras darling linguist  would respond as critic.

He didnt need to worry. Burgess gushed in his review, applauding the Oxford gnomes for mining the zeitgeist. New words teemed the glossary, across electronics (bar code, dot matrix) and society (herstory, yuppie), food (chocoholic, vegeburger) and politics (mission statement, charm offensive). Burchfield was so relieved he wrote to Burgess in 1986:
Six seconds of dialogue have been cut from the Chinese release of the latest Fantastic Beasts film, in order to comply with the countrys strict on-screen censorship laws and appease the government, Warner Bros. has confirmed.

The cut lines remove direct references to character Albus Dumbledores (Jude Law) romantic relationship with Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen).

Warner Bros. has confirmed the romantic relationship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore has been cut from the films Chinese release. Credit:Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The lines because I was in love with you and the summer Gellert and I fell in love were deleted by Warner Bros., meaning they wont be seen or heard by Chinese audiences.

Those moments, although brief, were the first time the Harry Potter franchise explicitly referenced Dumbledores sexuality  which has been a long time coming for many fans after author J.K. Rowling declared that the beloved elderly headmaster of Hogwarts was gay in 2007.
Four people have been charged after climate change protesters parked a truck on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and climbed on top of it, with others gluing themselves to the road, causing commuter chaos.

On Wednesday morning, activists parked the white truck on the left-hand southbound lane of the bridge that veers off to the city and eastern suburbs, then began livestreaming on social media.

Police, who were anticipating protest activity, were alerted to the vehicle at about 8.25am.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found two people had glued themselves to the road and two others had climbed onto the roof of the Pantech truck, displaying banners and lighting two flares.
Boronia teacher Sharyn Williamson never imagined shed see son Connor don university robes at the age of eight.

The Boronia K-12 College grade 3 pupil was one of 28 students at the school in a Victoria-first pilot program called Childrens University, delivered by Swinburne University with a focus on science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Boronia K-12 STEM coordinator Sharyn Williamson said she was proud to see her son Connor, 8, graduate from the program.

The program aims to help students aspire to further education, make that goal more accessible and improve educational outcomes.

Childrens University, already in 318 schools worldwide, encourages students aged 8 to 14 to complete 30 hours of extracurricular study and record that work in a passport. At the end of the program, students attend a formal graduation ceremony.
Police forensic investigators are working to identify human remains found in secluded parkland in Melbournes north.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the Greenvale Reservoir Park after a member of the public discovered the remains about 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Detectives are investigating the circumstances and the death is not being treated as suspicious, the spokeswoman said.

Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem.
For the first time since the pandemic took hold in March 2020, Australians were ready to enjoy a holiday free of international and domestic border closures, and without any threat of COVID-19 lockdowns.

But when passengers arrived at Melbourne Airport this week, they were forced into long queues and faced lengthy delays, predominantly as a result of coronavirus-related staff shortages.

Travellers at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday. Tullamarine had its busiest day in two years last Friday, and Thursday is expected to be the second busiest. Credit:Luis Ascui

COVID-19 decimated airlines and airports and resulted in thousands of highly skilled workers being stood down or made redundant, Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said.

The airlines and their suppliers are now scaling up their workforce but given the safety-critical nature of the jobs they do, recruitment and retraining can take time.
Can anyone wait for that special moment when an excited newshound asks the next political candidate who wanders into the television spotlight to name the current trade-weighted index? Or the spot price for West Texas crude?

Headline writers everywhere would surely be standing ready to break out their thesauruses to find a more scathing word than the over-used gaffe.

Google it, mate. Adam Bandt stands his ground. Credit:AAP

Is it a mere blunder to fail such a test? A howler? A botch, a faux pas or a cock-up?

Greens leader Adam Bandt was the latest to be lined up for a cheap fall when he appeared at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Lviv: Ukraines detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow.

Underscoring the almost personal nature of the conflict, analysts say Medvedchuk will become a valuable pawn in the Russia-Ukraine talks to end the devastating war that the Kremlin has unleashed on its neighbour.

One of Russian President Vladimir Putins closest associates, tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk. Credit:AP

Medvedchuk was detained on Tuesday, Kyiv time, in a special operation carried out by Ukraines state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed that Russia could win Medvedchuks freedom by trading Ukrainians now held captive by the Russians.

The 67-year-old oligarch escaped from house arrest several days before the hostilities broke out February 24 in Ukraine. He is facing between 15 years and a life in prison on charges of treason and aiding and abetting a terrorist organisation for mediating coal purchases for the separatist, Russia-backed Donetsk republic in eastern Ukraine.
One of Chicago's major commercial musical houses, the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, has mounted a fresh production of The King and I that's good but not great. The point is not to damn with faint praise, but to emphasize how very difficult it is for anyone to offer a truly great production of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. It's a complex story with big vocal and orchestral demands, and elaborate costume and scenic elements. Its large cast requires many children, and most of the cast must be of Asian heritage. To mount this show, the Drury Lane producers (five grandchildren of founder Anthony DeSantis) have gone far beyond Chicago to assemble a cast, director (Alan Paul), choreographer (Darren Lee), and design team mostly of Asian heritage, most of whom are working at Drury Lane for the first time.

They have poured their talents into a production that's musically first-rate both onstage and in the pit. The score is as lush, beautiful, and moving as ever. Musical director Tim Laciano gets a big sound from his seven players, with particularly good work from trumpeter Carey Deadman (also the arranger) and woodwinds Steve Leinhesier and Jim Gailloreto. Still, synthesizer strings never can adequately replace real strings, and one real violin and one cello would add considerable warmth, richness, and tenderness to the sound.

Broadway's original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs, plays the King of Siam and the intelligent but quirky monarch is a role that suits him well. He's completely on top of the role's musical and dramatic demands, even if he's 20 years too young. Hard to believe that the youthful-looking king has 67 children, even as he declares that he "started late," but with a bit of a beard and spectacles, Jacobs  who is only in his late 30s  adds some age to his portrayal.

Betsy Morgan plays Anna in The King and I at Drury Lane Theatre.

( Brett Beiner Photo)

Returning to Drury Lane, Betsy Morgan plays Anna Leonowens with grace, allure, and a sparkling voice. As with Jacobs, the role of Anna is a good fit for her, and she sails through it smoothly, seeming to float along in the large hooped dresses she wears. This doesn't mean she lacks seriousness when demanded. Hammerstein's book gives her the lion's share of the show's messages about slavery, racism, cultural misperceptions, and the position of women in a male-dominant world, and Morgan delivers them with appropriate gravitas.

The supporting players, who also carry much of the drama, are musically impressive as well, among them alto Christine Bunuan as Lady Thiang, mezzo Paulina Yeung as Tuptim, Broadway veteran Ethan Le Phong as Lun Tha, and Karmann Bajuyo in the non-singing role of the Kralahome. Young actors Braden Crothers and Matthew Uzarraga as Louis Leonowens and Prince Chulalongkorn, capably round out the key players.

The major weakness in this production is the scenic design by Wilson Chin and Bangkok native Riw Rakkulchon. A half-dozen majestic columns slide on-and-off in various configurations to define different palace spaces, as do some louvered wood windows that define intimate areas, but the entire show is played in front of an off-white back curtain that spans the width and height of the stage. Although occasionally bathed in primary colors (lighting design by Eric Southern), the overall effect is bland, with very few hints of the show's exotic locale. A program note from director Alan Paul says the production tried to achieve a spare and open Thai Buddhist style, but to an uninformed audience the scenic design looks unfinished, especially alongside the rich-looking, lovely costumes (designed by Izumi Inaba). A few flashes of visual elaboration  including life-size elephant shadow puppets, multi-tiered Thai royal umbrellas, and a large painted banner that drops down during the Act 2 ballet scene  are quite effective and make you wish for more.

The cast of The King and I at Drury Lane Theatre performs "The Small House of Uncle Thomas."

( Brett Beiner Photo)

For the ballet, "The Small House of Uncle Thomas," choreographer Darren Lee uses several key elements of Jerome Robbins's original dance  such as Eliza (Kristine Bendul) hopping on one foot  but also delivers fresh movements that incorporate a few marionettes. Not counting the famous polka between the King and Anna, this ballet is the signature dance scene in The King and I, and Lee pulls it off with aplomb. He and costumer Inaba retain the traditional, elaborate, close-fitting Thai classical dance costumes and masks, which help make this sequence, and this production, a solid success.
"You know what they say about Palm Springs: It's where the gays go to die," observed Tammie Brown on RuPaul's Drag Race. Indeed, something (if not someone) dies by the end of JC Lee's To My Girls, now making its world premiere at Second Stage. This shadiest of black comedies features some of the funniest one-liners onstage, with dialogue as sparklingly bitter as a Campari spritz laced with arsenic.

It's set in the Palm Springs home owned by Bernie (Bryan Batt), an older gay man who is renting the place out for the weekend to Curtis (Jay Armstrong Johnson) and his friends. Castor (Maulik Pancholy) is Curtis's bestie and the first to arrive. This group of gay millennials met at the now-defunct Brooklyn nightclub Sugarland over a decade ago and have since fled New York  all except Leo (Britton Smith), who has flown in for the weekend. They hang by the pool and check out the local watering holes as they wait for the arrival of Jeff (Carman Lacivita making the most of an underdeveloped role) and his boyfriend. But when Castor brings home a chiseled-from-marble and extraordinarily bright twentysomething named Omar (Noah J. Ricketts fitting the role like bespoke briefs), old wounds crack open, irritated by a toxic mixture of insecurity and citrus-infused Vodka.

To My Girls joins a tradition of gay plays stretching back to Mart Crowley's The Boys in the Band, about a birthday party upended by unresolved grudges and velvet rage. Of course, that was 1968: a year before Stonewall, when anti-sodomy laws were still on the books in most places, and gay people were routinely ostracized by their families and subjected to threats of professional ruin. Surely men whose early adulthood coincided with a string of victories for gay rights (Lawrence, Windsor, Obergefell) have been able to put our shame behind us, right? RIGHT?!?!?

Maulik Pancholy plays Castor, and Noah J. Ricketts plays Omar in the world premiere of JC Lee's To My Girls.

( Joan Marcus)

Lee portrays a continuity of gay life that is simultaneously heartwarming and depressing: The characters' pilgrimage to a gay Mecca, their embrace of drag, and their insistence on reuniting with chosen family beautifully make the case for a gay culture that is distinct and has value in the 21st century. The impulse to broadcast that culture on social media (both Curtis and Leo have big Instagram followings) is merely a high-tech update to the status games gay men have been playing forever. And Lee shows that shade is always in fashion through his mastery of the artfully deployed barb.

"Not bottoming for white guys doesn't make you the gay Frederick Douglass," Castor hisses as Leo. The writer/barista gets the best lines in Lee's script, and Pancholy consistently knocks them into the stratosphere with his perfect comic timing and effortless sass.

Not to be outdone, Leo retorts, "I don't perform for Caucasians because they glance in my direction and I didn't follow one across the country" He's referring to Castor's unrequited crush on Curtis, who did indeed depart NYC for LA, soon followed by Castor. Before he is cut off, Smith makes this line hurt (Smith is the winner of a special Tony Award for his work with the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and gamely takes on the role of a social justice warrior with a social media addiction).

Bryan Batt plays Bernie, Noah J. Ricketts plays Omar, and Maulik Pancholy plays Castor in JC Lee's To My Girls at Second Stage Theater.

( Joan Marcus)

As the Caucasian in question, Johnson gives a hair-raising performance as an aging manboy who acts dumber than he is, and whose insatiable thirst for validation is the driving force behind the drama. Especially through Curtis's relationship with Castor, we begin to wonder when "chosen family" curdles into codependence. Like Lena Dunham's more succinctly titled HBO series Girls, To My Girls suggests that the intense friendships millennials often build in their 20s must be demolished if any adult relationships are to follow.

For the over-40s rolling their eyes, some generational perspective is offered in the form of Bernie, who bluntly tells Curtis, "When I was your age I fucked my way through all my friendships and called it a personality too." With just the slightest flick of his limp wrist, Batt delivers maximal sting, forcing even the unreceptive to pay attention. It is a testament to Lee's courage as an artist that he has written in Bernie, a gay Trump voter (though not a conservative) who exists not just as a strawman to be bayoneted by our liberal pieties.

Jay Armstrong Johnson, Maulik Pancholy, and Britton Smith star in LC Lee's To My Girls, directed by Stephen Brackett, at Second Stage Theater.

( Joan Marcus)

Stephen Brackett harnesses the natural comic talents of his performers for a staging that bubbles with magnificent color and outrageous wit. Arnulfo Maldonado's set is just the right mixture of tackiness and opulence, and Sarafina Bush costumes the cast in an attractive array of fitted shorts and ridiculous kaftans. Most importantly, Sinan Refik Zafar's sound design gave me flashbacks to my own Sugarland years, when Britney reigned supreme and everything seemed possible. That makes To My Girls a must-see for gay men pushing into middle age.

Unfortunately, anxiety about the passage of time seems to have influenced Lee's writing process, as if he saw the 90-minute mark approaching and decided he needed to wrap things up with an abrupt ending (Lee did something similar in Luce). A final moment that nods at Crowley attempts to send us out on a high note, but that too seems forced, like a drag queen lip-synching for her life who leaps into the splits and hopes for the best. It doesn't need to be like this: To My Girls is that rarest of plays that I wish had been longer. This story has more life in it yet.
Van Buren, AR (72956)

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the Manatee County Emergency Management office in Palmetto, Fla. DeSantis declared a state of emergency Saturday after a leak at a large pond of wastewater threatened to flood roads and burst a system that stores polluted water.
Associate Editor

Brent Addleman is an Associate Editor and a veteran journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He has served as editor of newspapers in Pennsylvania and Texas, and has also worked at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Kentucky.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, front, speaks in front of Texas National Guard Director Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, back right, and Director and Colonel of the Texas Department of Public Safety Steven McCraw after Abbott signed a bill providing additional funding for security at the U.S.-Mexico border, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth.
Texas Department of Safety vehicles are seen along the Rio Grande, on Sept. 21, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas.
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Meet Trooper! Trooper is 5-years-old. His favorite activities include sleeping, going on walks and sticking his head out of the car sunroof. T
(L-R) Former Minneapolis police officers J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao. The photos are provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota, on June 3, 2020. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

3 Ex-Cops Charged in George Floyds Death Reject Plea Deal

Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyds civil rights by not aiding him the day he was murdered by fellow officer Derek Chauvin, rejected plea deals last month, prosecutors revealed on Monday.

Former Officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both manslaughter and murder when Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyds neck to pin him to the pavement for nine-and-a-half minutes on May 25, 2020.

The trio were accused of having deprived Floyd of medical care. Thao and Lane were also charged with failing to intervene with Chauvin, who was found guilty on three counts of murder and manslaughter on April 20, 2021.

Kueng knelt on Floyds back, Lane held his legs, and Thao kept bystanders back.

The officers are expected to face state trial in mid-June.

Lead prosecutor in the case Matthew Frank said all three former officers were offered identical plea deals on March 22 after a jury convicted them in a separate trial in February on federal civil rights charges stemming from Floyds death, according to pool reports from inside the courtroom.

Frank did not elaborate on the details of the plea offers in open court.

Lanes attorney, Earl Gray, said it was hard for the defense to negotiate when the three still dont know what their federal sentences will be.

All three former officers remain free on bail, and they have yet to be sentenced for their conviction in February. Conviction of a federal civil rights violation that results in death is punishable by life in prison or even death, but such sentences are extremely rare. Federal sentencing guidelines rely on complicated formulas that indicate the officers would get much lower sentences.

Floyd in May 2020 allegedly tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill and the situation escalated when officers attempted to arrest him and put him in a police SUV.

Last year, Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter for Floyds death which sparked widespread riots and protests, as well as calls to defund the police. Minneapolis was particularly hit hard by weeks of riots, arson attacks, looting, and violence in the wake of Floyds death, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage.

He was handed a 22-and-a-half-year sentence for second-degree murder by Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill.

Chauvins sentence was higher than the presumptive 12-and-a-half years after the judge agreed with prosecutors that there were aggravating factors in Floyds death. In handing down his sentence, Cahill said Chauvin exhibited particular cruelty during Floyds death, abused his position of authority as a police officer, and did so in front of children.

Dave Paone and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Forty percent of British Columbians who have a family doctor say they are worried about losing that health provider due to practice closure or retirement. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

40% of British Columbians Fear Losing Their Family Doctor to Practice Closure or Retirement: Study

In the midst of a province-wide doctor shortage, forty percent of British Columbians who have a family doctor say they are worried about losing that health provider due to practice closure or retirement, new research shows.

One million British Columbians currently dont have, or cant get, a family doctor, according to a position paper published on April 12 by the BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP).

Family medicine is in a state of crisis, BCCFP President David May said in a news release regarding the new research.

Family doctors are leaving their practices and new doctors arent entering comprehensive family medicine. Without more support from the health care system, things will only get worse.

In February 2022, BCCFP commissioned a survey with interviews conducted online and via telephone by Mustel Group. The sample of B.C. residents aged 18 years and older was distributed across the provinces five geographic health authority areas and weighted to match Statistics Canada census data based on gender, age, and region.

The poll shows 73 percent of B.C. residents aged 18 to 34 have a family physician, while 84 percent say they have an ongoing relationship with a family physician. Almost all (93 percent) of the survey respondents say it is important to have one health professional responsible for their care. Eighty percent of the respondents say they see a family physician regularly.

Among the 16 percent who dont have a family doctor, two-thirds said they cant find one, while 19 percent said their former doctor closed their practicea 100 percent increase compared to the previous research polling conducted in 2019.

The research also surveyed more than 800 family physicians on a series of open-ended questions, revealing the challenges facing health practitioners in the province.

In particular, 36 percent of B.C.s family physicians say they feel undervalued and inadequately supported by the government, and that they dont believe officials understand their current work experiencesloaded with mounting stress, increasing complexity, demands on time, and burden of non-clinical work.

May also noted that family physicians have wasted up to a quarter of their time on charting, completing forms, and managing referralstime family doctors believe could be better spent in providing direct patient care.

This report comes as the B.C. Health Department last week announced plans to invest $3.46 million in short-term measures to support primary care on south Vancouver Island. The measures include supports for physicians, new nursing and allied health resources, and stabilization for five walk-in clinics.

In an April 8 news release, the government said it recognizes the need to support family practices, which will remain a part of the primary care system in the transition toward a team-based approach to primary care.

The ministry and Doctors of BC are in discussions about a timeline and process for addressing issues facing family practices over the next several months, it stated. The Province will continue working with the Doctors of BC, family physicians and other partners to keep improving primary care services for patients throughout British Columbia.

Preliminary data from the latest National Physician Health Survey, conducted by the Canadian Medical Association last November, found that 46 percent of respondents across the country are considering reducing their clinical hours due to burnout. More than half of physicians and medical learners reported high levels of burnout, up from 30 percent in 2017.

COVID-19 has impacted the health workforce in ways we still cant really quantify. But people at all career stages are now implicated as are all the major sectors of health care, and it is clear that health workers are on the brink of collapse with little left to give, said Michael Villeneuve, chief executive officer of the CNA, in a March 10 statement calling on governments to address health worker burnout.

The pandemic may be waning, but we are still in the middle of a health-care crisis.
An exploding storage tank filled with the sweet and gooey stuff propelled a wave of death and destruction in Bostons North End in early 1919

Send all available rescue vehicles and personnel immediately, Boston Police Patrolman Frank McManus managed to relay to dispatch through the call box located on the North End near the harbor. A bizarre tragedy was unfolding before his eyes and momentarily left him speechless. Theres a wave of molasses coming down Commercial Street.

As the policeman began his routine midday report, he heard a sound resembling the rat-tat-tat of a machine gun. He had no way of knowing it was rivets popping from the seams of the giant, 50-foot-high and 90-foot-wide molasses tank holding more than 2 million gallons of the dark, sweet, syrupy liquid. When the tank burst, it set in motion a black tidal wave that was 160 feet wide and reported to be anywhere from 15 to 40 feet tall.

Prior to that January 15, 1919, day in Boston, the weather had been bitterly cold but warmed considerably to around 40 degrees. The North End, where the United States Industrial Alcohol Company (USIA) had built the holding tank, was a densely populated mix of homes and businesses. Just 150 feet away stood the Fireboat Engine 31 Firehouse, where several of the crew were enjoying their usual lunchtime card game of whist.

Cards had just hit the table for another hand when the six men in the room reported hearing a tremendous crashing noise. One man described the sound to a Boston Globe news reporter as that of a roaring surf and another said it sounded like a runaway horse team smashing through a fence. Oh my God! shouted one of the men who had just looked out the window. Run!

Molasses, waist deep, covered the street and swirled and bubbled about the wreckage, reported the local newspaper the next day. Here and there struggled a formwhether it was animal or human being was impossible to tell. Only an upheaval, a thrashing about in the sticky mass, showed where any life was.  Horses died like so many flies on sticky fly paper. The more they struggled, the deeper in the mess they were ensnared. Human beingsmen and womensuffered likewise.

The Boston Elevated Railway was damaged by the burst tank and resulting flood. (Wikipedia / Public Domain)

Death and a Multitude of Injuries

Twenty-one people died and at least 150 more were injured. The men at Engine 31 Firehouse didnt have enough time to run for the fireboat and escape the sticky 26-million-pound tidal wave by water; however, only one casualty at the station was reported after their brick building was knocked from its foundation and the interior structural supports were damaged. A firefighter was pinned by the debris and drowned in the pool of molasses.

Patrolman McManus fortuitously escaped any injuries, although he was about 100 feet from the molasses tank. I felt some wet, sticky substance strike me about the shoulders, he told a local news reporter gathering first-person accounts of the tragedy. He first thought it was mud and then saw the steel tank fall.

Rescue workers arrived quickly from the Haymarket Relief Station, which was an extension of the Boston City Hospital located about a half mile from the waterfront. Removal of the hardening molasses from victims mouths and noses so they could breathe was top priority. In addition to the nurses, police, and firefighters from the relief station, over 100 cadets from the USS Nantucket training ship docked in the harbor were among the first on the scene. Army personnel and volunteers from the Red Cross soon joined in the rescue. It was a superhuman effort of ordinary people in their daily walk of life trying to save lives of ordinary people trapped in a horrific tragedy during their daily walk of life.

No prominent people were killed in the molasses flood, author Stephen Puleo wrote in his 2003 book Dark Tide, a comprehensive history of the molasses disaster. The survivors did not go on to become famous; they were mostly immigrants and city workers who returned to their workday lives, recovered from injuries, and provided for their families.

Among those who couldnt be saved were two unrelated schoolchildrena boy, Pasquale Iantosca, and a girl, Maria Distasioboth 10 years old, who were walking home from school at noon for lunch and gathering wood near the tank when it exploded. A North End businessman, Martin Clougherty, lost his 65-year-old mother, Bridget, when the home she shared with her three adult children was swept into a downed railroad trestle, which had been elevated over the district. Sadly, the tragedy happened on the very day Martin was meeting with his accountant to confirm he had saved enough money to move his mother and siblings from the dense area of homes and businesses to someplace quieter and nicer. In addition to Pasquale, Maria, and Bridget, 18 other people also died in the tragedy.

The Clougherty family had all been together in different parts of the house when it splintered after hitting the downed trestle. The three adult children survived, although Martins brother was injured and died at a later date; he wasnt counted among the initial fatalities. Martin was immersed in the molasses after being dumped from his home but managed to break the surface and ride the wave until he found his footing. Standing chest-deep in the sticky syrup, he waded through the molasses to a bed frame and heaved himself up on the makeshift raft. A hand caught his eye, and he pulled the body aboard and helped clear the substance from his sisters face, saving her life. The multitude of injuries included many workers from the City of Boston North Paving Wharf. They had been sitting outside on the mild day eating lunch when the brown tide suddenly and unexpectedly arrived. The search for bodies and recovery effort went on for months as the sweet smell of molasses remained in the North End.

A panorama of the Great Molasses Flood site. Wreckage of the collapsed tank is visible in the background and center, next to a light-colored warehouse. An elevated railway structure is visible at far left. (Commons.Wikimedia / Public Domain)

Who Was Responsible?

Lives were saved first, and questions surrounding blame and liability were asked later. Concern surrounding the durability and safety of the giant steel molasses tank towering high above the lives of the North End had been voiced since the structure was built in 1915 by the Purity Distilling Company, a subsidiary of USIA.

Molasses could be distilled for a variety of uses, and demand was high during World War I (191418) for America and its allies; the sweet substance was a major ingredient in military ammunition such as dynamite and other munitions. Industrial alcohol was needed to produce cordite, which is a smokeless powder used in artillery shells.

Reports indicated that the tank had been built hastily under pressure to meet a deadline that would otherwise cost the company a fortune in lost sales. The employee overseeing the project was in such a rush for completion that he didnt have the final product tested with water for leaks. Syrup dripped from at least a dozen spots, allowing children in the area to use sticks and buckets to collect sweet treats. Finally, the company painted the tank brown so the leaks werent easily seen.

Another byproduct of distilled molasses that piqued USIAs interest was industrial alcohol. With armistice bringing a close to the Great War in November of 1918 and passage of Prohibition looming in early 1919, USIA wanted to store enough molasses to profit in the alcohol industry before the anti-alcohol act dried up the country. The North End tank was filled to capacityabout 2.3 million gallonsin order to make a profitable transition from munition sales to alcohol sales. Topping the tank off with warm molasses fresh from the Caribbean, with the cold molasses that had sat in the tank during bitterly cold temperatures, was a recipe contributing to the disaster.

A chemist for the Massachusetts police at the time, W.L. Wedger, blamed the tanks destruction on an internal explosion, reported the Boston Post in the next days edition. He believed that the tank of molasses had become heated, which had had the same effect as a gasoline explosion. That horses were blown about like chips, houses torn asunder, and the heavy section of the Elevated railroad structure smashed like an eggshell are other considerations linked with the conclusions of Mr. Wedger, reported the local newspaper.

Over 125 lawsuits were filed, which took the courts about six years to sort through and settle. USIA company attorneys cried sabotage and tried to point the blame toward groups of anarchists that had sprung up during the war and supposedly targeted the North End tank to stop the manufacture of munitions. Bostons Salutation Street police station had been a target of the anarchists, who firebombed the building in December 1916.

Ultimately, the judgment of the court determined that the tank was improperly designed. The failure was due to structural weakness and not a terrorist attack. A settlement of near $1 million (about $14 million or more in todays dollars) was ordered, and the lawsuits brought attention to the lack of industrial safety standards.

In the end, greed seemed to be the fuse to ignite the trigger behind the deadly explosion of the hastily built and recklessly filled tank.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
The logo of Airbus is picuted at the Airbus facility in Montoir-de-Bretagne near Saint-Nazaire, France, on March 4, 2022. (Stephane Mahe/Reuters)

Airbus Urges European Leaders to Refrain From Russian Titanium Sanctions

Airbus urged Europe on Tuesday not to block imports of titanium from Russia, saying sanctions on the strategic metal would damage aerospace while barely hurting Russias economy.

Widening the action taken after Russias invasion of Ukraine to titanium, used in airplanes and jet engines, would not be appropriate, Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said at an annual shareholder meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on Western governments to impose stronger economic sanctions on Russia.

The European Union said on Monday more sanctions were an option and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday Kyivs allies would continue to tighten pressure on Moscow.

Russia is the largest producer of titanium, a strategic metal prized for its strength relative to its weight.

The EU has so far avoided banning Russian commodities other than steel and coal, and titanium remains exempt from restrictions on trade with Russia.

Airbus is applying and will continue to apply the sanctions fully, a company spokesperson said.

Sanctions on Russian titanium would hardly harm Russia, because they only account for a small part of export revenues there. But they would massively damage the entire aerospace industry across Europe, the spokesperson added.

Airbus is accelerating a search for non-Russian supplies in the long term, while its needs are covered in the short and medium term, Faury said.

In March, Airbus said it is directly sourcing titanium from Russia as well as from other countries and indirectly acquiring Russian titanium via suppliers.

On Tuesday, it reaffirmed this in answer to a Reuters query but declined to say when it had last received Russian titanium.

Outlook Confirmed

Airbus has said it relies on Russia for half its titanium needs, while state-backed VSMPO-AVISMA provided a third of Boeings needs under a deal renewed last November. Last month, Boeing said it had suspended buying Russian titanium.

VSMPO-AVISMA is 25-percent-owned by state defense conglomerate Rostec. It relies on aerospace for three quarters of its sales.

Aerospace officials say Airbus is partly concerned about the reliance on Russia at suppliers like Frances Safran, which uses titanium to make jet engine parts and landing gear.

Safran said in February it had reserves for several months and depended on Russia for less than half its needs. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it shared Airbuss worries about possible sanctions.

Aerospace is not the only industry wrestling with Russias commodity clout. U.S. utilities have lobbied the White House not to ban Russian uranium, Reuters reported last month.

More than 400 companies have withdrawn from Russia since war started on Feb. 24, according to researchers. About 80 have kept a presence, while suspending new investments.

Faury reaffirmed Airbuss 2022 profit guidance but said it was clear the war in Ukraine was making it harder as we now have a more challenging risk profile due to economic risks.

That being said, we still have three quarters ahead of us and we continue to believe we can achieve it, he said.

By Tim Hepher
In 1866, Nelson Story pushed a herd of Texas longhorns up the Bozeman Trail, narrowly missing an attack by American Indian tribes

If you were to visit Virginia City, Montana, today, youd find a town that looks much like it did in May 1863. Thats when a rich placer deposit of gold was discovered in Alder Gulch, the streambed behind the town. Miners returning from gold fields in Bannack, Montana, stumbled across the gold, and despite a pledge to keep this find to themselves, word leaked out. Within three months, some 10,000 people inhabited the 14-mile streambed.

One of those people was Nelson Story. Born in Ohio in 1838, he was the youngest son of Ira Story, a Scotsman, and his wife Hanna, an Englishwoman. Growing up, Nelson farmed with his father. He later attended Ohio University, but he never graduated because his parents died.

In 1857, 20-year-old Nelson lit out on his own, according to his grandson, Malcolm Story, whose interviews, recorded by a Montana State University student in 1967, were featured in a 2011 Bozeman Chronicle article. Nelson taught school in Ohio briefly, then sought opportunity in the West: first in Illinois, then Nebraska, then Kansas. In 1859, he found work hauling freight. He also dabbled in gold mining near Helena, Montana, that year, but luck was not with him. So he returned to Kansas to resume driving wagons and selling goods in towns.

An 1862 timber hauling job took him to Missouri, where he met 18-year-old Ellen Trent. They married in Kansas and in the spring of 1863 set out for Bannack with 14 pack mules and ox teams loaded with goods for a store to mine the miners. When they arrived in June, they discovered the miners had moved to Alder Gulch. So the couple headed for Virginia City, where they set up shop: Ellen baked bread and pies to sell to the miners for $5 in gold dust each; Nelson operated the store, arranged hauling with his pack mules, and mined some Alder Gulch claims he felt had not been fully worked.

During 1864 and 1865, the store, Ellens pies, and Storys gold claims all paid off. Story opened new mines in 1865, employing 50 men day and night. Sources vary, but those mines netted somewhere between $30,000 and $50,000 in gold for the couple by 1866.

According to the family, Story swapped his gold for $40,000 in paper money. He put $30,000 in a bank, sewed $10,000 in his overcoat, and took off for his next venture. Another source says Story hid his treasure in a tin box and headed back east, leaving Ellen with a preacher and his wife. Either way, Storys objective was to make more money: He intended to cash in on the miners hunger for beefsteaksslim pickings thenby bringing a herd of Texas longhorns up to Montana.

Nelson Story as an older man. (Public Domain)

Cattle Drive

With his overcoat money, Story and two Leavenworth, Kansas, friends hired 21 drovers near Fort Worth, Texas, who rounded up some 3,000 longhorns, according to Major John Catlin, who joined the drive in Wyoming and talked about it in a 1912 interview. Cattle drives were nothing new: During the 1850s, Texans drove small herds to gold fields in California and to forts and Indian reservations in the Southwest.

Storys drive began in the spring of 1866. He crossed Texas Red River into Oklahoma and followed the Neosho River to the Kansas border. Eastern Kansas farmers didnt want Texas cattle trampling crops or spreading cattle disease. The Greenwood County sheriff arrested Story, fined him $75, and told him to get his cattle out of the county, according to The Burlington Patriot.

Story turned the herd west, but he eventually drifted back toward Leavenworth. There, on July 4, he bought 15 more freight wagons, 150 oxen, goods for his Virginia City store, and 30 breech-loading Remington rifles for his crew. Leavenworth newspapers were full of Indian uprisings to the north. These rifles would prove important: Unlike the typical one-shot muzzleloader of the time, breechloaders were cartridge-fed, capable of firing five to seven times a minute before reloading, thus offering superior firepower.

On July 10, Storys drive crossed into Nebraska and followed the South Platte River to Julesburg, Colorado, where a new trail north would lead them to Montana. At Fort Laramie, Army officers tried to talk Story out of continuing. American Indians were seeking revenge.

Broken Treaty

In 1851, the United States engaged eight northern plains peoplesthe Lakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikarain the Fort Laramie Treaty. The treaty acknowledged that treaty land was Indian land and defined boundaries for each tribe. Lakota territory, for example, extended from the North Platte to the Cannonball River (North Dakota) and west to the Powder River. Cheyenne and Arapaho lands lay south of the North Platte in Wyoming and Colorado. The treaty also provided that, in exchange for $50,000 annually for 50 years, the tribes make peace with one another; permit safe passage for settlers on the Oregon Trail, which ran east to west through Nebraska and Wyoming; and allow forts and roads to be built in their territories.

Naturally, the treaty was broken. A Pikes Peak gold rush sent hordes into Cheyenne country in 1858. Between 1864 and 1866, 3,500 miners and settlers followed the Bozeman Trail, a shortcut blazed off the Oregon Trail in 1863, into Montanas gold fields. This disturbance altered Powder River buffalo movement in the Indians last best hunting grounds. In 1864, Colonel John Chivingtons Denver volunteers massacred Black Kettles peaceful Cheyenne village on Sand Creek. And in June 1866, following an 1865 expedition to punish the Indians for vengeance raids, Colonel Henry Carrington led the 18th Infantry into Fort Laramie with orders to build three more fortsReno, Phil Kearny, and C.F. Smithalong the Bozeman Trail to protect Montana-bound settlers.

These forts infuriated the Indians. Bands of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho congregated on the Tongue River, intent on driving the whites from their country. They focused on attacking soldiers and trail travelers and raiding the forts livestock herds, hoping to lure a larger force into a well-laid ambush.

Storys drovers first encountered Indians in early October, about 10 miles south of Fort Reno. During a hit-and-run raid, a few cattle were stampeded but later recovered. The attack, according to Catlin, was stymied by the cowboys breechloaders. A second raid took place the following day. One cowboy was killed, and Story allegedly strapped on his twin .36 caliber Navy revolvers, mounted bareback, and rode out to protect his herd. Two cowboys joined him to pursue the Indians, but the trio recognized they were being led into a trap, and they turned back toward their camp. Near camp, Story saw one of his men nearly surrounded by Indians and summoned his other drovers to help. The cowboys mounted, chased the Indians about 15 miles in a running fight, and returned late with most of their cattle.

On October 7, Carrington ordered Storys drive stopped three miles south of partially completed Fort Phil Kearny. Carrington also informed Story he could not continue north because the Army required a party of at least 50 for safety, and he had no soldiers to escort them. For the next two weeks, Story and his crew just had to sit there and twiddle our thumbs, Catlin said. One night, a herder was killed, with so many arrows in him he looked like a rotary hairbrush.

Story, believing the Army would take his herd on the cheapmost of their livestock had been run off by Indian raidshad to act. He wanted to continue. So he put the decision to a vote: All but one cowboy (George Dow) voted to go on. They slipped the herd out after dark on October 21. Carrington was furious. He had Dow arrested, but he dispatched 15 soldiers to bring the party up to proper strength. Two days later, he released Dow, who rejoined the drive.

The Bozeman Trail and surrounding areas where most of the action in Nelson Storys cattle drive took place. (Junhao Su for American Essence)

Making it Through

Story moved his cattle at night and rested during the day. He was attacked twice more but drove the Indians away. Story entered Montana in December and crossed the Yellowstone River into the Gallatin Valley, completing what is believed to be one of the longest cattle drives in history.

On December 9, some of Storys herd and freight wagons arrived in Virginia City, where beef was going for 10 times Storys costs.

Back at Fort Phil Kearny, on December 21, the Indians sprang their big trap. They attacked a woodcutting wagon train of 90 soldiers five miles from the fort. Carrington ordered a relief column, led by Captain William J. Fetterman, to go to their aid. Fearing a trap, Carringtons clear orders forbade Fetterman from pursuing the Indians beyond Lodge Trail Ridge. But Fetterman ignored this, chased 10 decoys, led by Oglala Lakota Crazy Horse, away from the wagon train. Beyond the ridge, all of Fettermans 81 men were killed.

This disaster ended the governments effort to defend the Bozeman Trail. In 1868, Oglala Lakota headman Red Cloud signed a peace treaty that returned Indian sovereignty to the Powder River countrythe only time the United States conceded to Indian wishes. The Bozeman Trail forts were abandoned, burned by Indians.

After selling his cattle, Story became Virginia Citys wealthiest citizen. During the next 20 years, he built a 15,000-head ranch in Paradise Valley, near Bozeman, the root of Montanas cattle industry.

Nelsons Story Legacy

Story soon moved to Bozeman and invested in other businessesflour mills, banks, real estatebecoming the towns largest employer. His three-story mansion was often mistaken as the courthouse. He donated land that became Montana State University, and he helped Bozeman grow before getting into politics, becoming the citys mayor and later lieutenant governor of Montana.

Yet Story was no saint. He was accused of defrauding the Crow reservation with less than honest annuity dealings. He had a temper, and he was said to have pistol- or cane-whipped those who angered him.

Perhaps Catlin best summed up the man, He was always splendidly mounted and would ride like the wind. He would say, Come on boys, and ride away. Of course, wed follow him, wed have followed him to hell.  There were a good many times when Nelson Story had me guessing. The Indians soon got to know him. Also they feared him. They knew he would go through with whatever he undertook.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
The streets of downtown Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Mavis Podokolo/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Minister Makes Urgent Dash to Solomons Over Chinese Security Deal

Australias pacific minister has briefly dropped election campaigning to fly to the Solomon Islands amid anxiety over an impending security deal with the Beijing regime and the recent leak of a Chinese request to import arms into the region.

Minister Zed Seselja is due for talks with Solomon Islands officials on April 13 in the capital Honiara and is due to return the same day.

My discussions will include the proposed Solomon Islands-China security agreement, Seselja said in a statement obtained by AAP.

We respect the right of Solomon Islands to make sovereign decisions about its national security, he added. Our view remains that the Pacific family will continue to meet the security needs of our region.

Director Maori Policy Unit of New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Martin Wikaira (R), accompanies Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne during a Mihi Whakatau at New Zealands Parliament in Wellington on April 22, 2021. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Just a few days earlier, details of a request from the Solomon Islands Chinese Embassy to Beijing emerged including a request to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) for light weapons and equipment including two machine guns, one sniper rifle, 10 pistols, 10 rifles, and police equipment including 10 electric batons.

The PRC was also set to send 10 plainclothes security officers for a period of six to 12 months, according to the documents dated Dec. 3, 2021, in response to riots that saw the Chinatown district in Honiara burned down and resulted in three deaths.

The riots have been blamed on ongoing dissatisfaction with the performance of incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, as well as his links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)which have seen allegations of blatant bribery of pro-CCP politicians emerge.

Also in the mix is a contentious security agreement that would allow the CCP to dispatch forces to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands.

Chinese and Solomon Island leaders have denied that the agreement could open the door toward eventual militarisation in the region, with Prime Minister Sogavare saying it would not be in the interest of Solomon Islands to host any naval or military base of any country.

Police stand guard outside parliament in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Dec. 6, 2021 (Mavis Podokolo/AFP via Getty Images)

Yet documents on April 7 appear to show that Beijing has been scouting the region for military projects for years.

News of the security pact has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity, with top U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell set to visit the Solomon Islands along with Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, according to the Financial Times.

Australia has already sent heads of two major intelligence agencies to meet with the Solomon Islands prime ministerAndrew Shearer, director-general of the Office of National Intelligence, and Paul Symon, director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

On April 12, federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese blamed the governing centre-right Coalition for dropping the ball in the South Pacific and questioned why a minister had not already been sent.

Australia needs to step up. Not just in a title, we need to step up in reality and develop those relationships with the Solomons and other nations in the Indo-Pacific, he told reporters in Tasmania.

Albanese has also blamed the federal government for not doing more on climate change.

If you go to the Pacific if you meet with leaders in the Pacific, the first thing they raise with you is not aid, it is climate change, he said in late March.

However, Cleo Paskal, an associate fellow of the Asia-Pacific Programme at the London-based Chatham House, said the Australian government should instead focus on reinvigorating the democratic process in the country and pressure Sogavare to abide by the 2000 Townsville Peace Agreementwhich ended violence in the country and laid the groundwork for democratic government.

Put out the steps that the various provinces, including Malaita [Province], agreed to. Theres a whole series of things that have already been negotiatedeverybody signed on, including the government under Sogavare, she previously told The Epoch Times.

Sogavare and his members of Parliament are given a choice, You can deal with China, or you can deal with the rest of the world, Paskal said, noting that Sogavare and his Cabinet could lose privileges afforded to them in their relationship with Australia.

Paskal said the pressure could compel Sogavares ministers to intervene and stop things from going too far.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during question time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 30, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Australian PM Introduces $250 Million Fuel Security Package

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced measures to improve the countrys fuel security, including a $250 million (US$187 million) grant to two oil refineries on the third day of the election campaign.

An Ampol facility in Brisbane and the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong will share the package, with each receiving $125 million to perform major upgrades.

The prime minister said the upgrade package would safeguard Australias fuel production and supply from global uncertainty caused by events such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

COVID-19, the Russian war in Ukraine and trade restrictions have disrupted global supply chains, and Australia is not immune, he said.

Oil refineries literally fuel a stronger economy, and these investments will help keep our truckies, miners, defence force and farmers moving across Australia.

Adding to the prime ministers remarks, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said the $250 million investment would enable Australias refineries to produce better quality fuels and ensure sufficient local supplies.

He also said that the federal governments grant would support new construction jobs and ongoing refinery workforce and benefit peoples health as the fuels produced by local refineries would have lower sulphur content.

Our refineries enable us to be in a position where we can take the crude oil that we produce here in Australia  refined that fuel ourselves, and that puts us in a strong strategic circumstance for the worst possible outcomes, he told 4BC radio.

And so having that fuel security is crucial, but the health benefits are an important part of this because this enables us to move right across Australia to lower sulphur fuels.

The Shell Oil refinery in Parramatta is seen on June 2, 2007, in Sydney, Australia. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Morrison began his third campaign day on April 13 by visiting a manufacturing facility in the electorate of Lindsay in western Sydney, currently held by the Coalition by a five percent margin.

He then moved to Corio in Geelong, Victoria, to campaign later in the day.

This comes after an incident occurred during the prime ministers election campaign on April 12 when an angry young man confronted him at a private event in Sydney.

The 20-year-old was escorted off the Penriths Nepean Rowing Club by Morrisons security and later posted the footage of his encounter with the prime minister on TikTok.

Scomo, across the river here, across the Nepean River, people lost their houses, and they were burned. Youre a disgraceyou are a disgrace, the man said.

It was later revealed that the heckler was a progressive activist and member of Young Labor, the youth wing of the Labor party.
Treating antibiotics too lightly has led to health problems in individuals and wider problems for infectious disease control

Before the discovery that essential symbiotic bacteria live in and on us, antibiotics were viewed largely as innocuous. As the gut microbiome (the microorganisms living in the intestines) becomes better understood, so too do the deleterious effects that antibiotics exert on our health. One immediate effect, as many people who have taken antibiotics know, is the good bacteria can be killed off in the gut.

The short-term consequence can be diarrhea. The long-term consequences are still being uncovered.

We do know there are several possible effects of antibiotics. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology in 2020 found that antibiotic use is linked to obesity, gastrointestinal infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and even colorectal cancer. Early antibiotic exposure is also linked to childhood asthma, allergies, and airway illnesses, the researchers wrote.

In 2016, Dr. Judy Stone cautioned in Forbes that she was seeing disturbing amounts of delirium, confusion, and hallucinations in patients taking antibiotics, especially elderly and hospitalized patients.

Hallucinations were most commonly associated with sulfonamides (68 percent), quinolones (67 percent), macrolides (63 percent), and penicillin procaine (68 percent). Seizures were most commonly reported in association with penicillin (38 percent) and cephalosporins (35 percent), she wrote.

These antibiotic side effects may be incorrectly attributed to the phenomenon of sundowning in which the elderly may become confused at night or ICU psychosis in which patients can become disoriented and paranoid, she said.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

A more well-known side effect of antibiotics that the Frontiers researchers cite is their contribution to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led to massive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs to keep antibiotics working. Doctors and hospitals have been admonished to only prescribe antibiotics when necessary, and stewardship programs have been established at hospitals for especially important, protected antibiotics.

Patients are increasingly told about the dangers of antibiotic over-prescription. They are warned that the drugs fail to address nonbacterial conditions such as viruses and that taking them when unnecessary increases resistant bacteria for everyone. Public health messages warn us that patients expecting and asking for a prescription every time they see a doctor is part of the problem.

Many have heard of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a deadly staph infection that some may remember brought an end to Giants tight end Daniel Fellss season in 2015 and afflicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.

MRSA is hardly the only antibiotic-resistant bacterium thats a public threat and thought to have been created by the over-prescription of antibiotics. Bacteria resistant to the antibiotic carbapenem such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are also worrisome, according to research published in Infection and Drug Resistance this year. In recent years, the carbapenem resistance rate of clinical strains (including Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) is of an increasing trend, wrote the researchers. Acinetobacter baumannii was so prevalent in troops returning from Iraq that it was actually dubbed Iraqibacter.

A carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterium broke out in 2011 in one of the nations top research hospitals, the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, killing six.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is another resistant bacteria of concern and accounts for many infections in the United States, Australia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, say the researchers in a new research review published in March in the journal Infection and Drug Resistance.

Antibiotics on the Farm

Antibiotics have become a staple in animal farming, especially in concentrated animal feeding operations, also called factory farms. According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, about 70 percent of all medically important antibiotics in the United States are sold for use in animals, not people.

To meat producers, antibiotics serve two purposesthey help keep animals crowded together in unhygienic conditions from getting sick, and they cause animals to gain weight with less feed. What is behind the weight gain phenomenon? Scientists think antibiotics improve the extraction of carbohydrates and protein from feed, improve lipid metabolism, and reduce protein loss from intestinal factors.

According to the 2017 book Big Chicken by Maryn McKenna, Thomas Juke of Lederle Laboratories discovered the growth function of antibiotics in chicken in 1948 and the 1950sthe birds were actually soaked in antibiotics to leave a film on them in a process called acronizing. Some of the workers performing the acronizing came down with staph infections.

For years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tried to regulate and limit the use of antibiotics in food animals with little success. In 2005, the agency did succeed with a five-year battle to ban Bayers poultry antibiotic, Baytril, which is similar to human drugs like fluoroquinolone Cipro and thus considered a resistance risk.

But in 2008, when the FDA called for a prohibition on cephalosporin antibiotic use in food-producing animals, lobbyists from the egg, chicken, turkey, milk, pork, and cattle industries stormed Capitol Hill. They claimed that they couldnt operate profitably without antibiotics because of the greater feed that would be necessary and the greater space animals would need to prevent disease outbreaks. The FDA caved, even changing the name of the hearing from Cephalosporin Order of Prohibition to a Hearing to Review the Advances in Animal Health Within the Livestock Industry.

The same year, the FDA caught hatcheries injecting a different antibiotic, ceftiofur, at unapproved levels into eggs, and Tyson Foods was found injecting the antibiotic gentamicin into eggs despite its no antibiotics claim.

In 2017, the FDA implemented a rule that antibiotics could only be used for illness in livestock and no longer for growth promotion, but according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, livestock antibiotic sales in the U.S. actually grew by nearly 28 percent after the ruling.

Anthrax Attacks Put Cipro on the Map

The fluoroquinolone antibiotic Cipro was introduced in 1987, but many never heard of it until the anthrax attacks that immediately followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City. One week after the attacks, letters with anthrax spores were mailed to news outlets and senators, and five people died, with 17 injured. At the time, Cipro was the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of inhalational anthrax, and the White House distributed it to staffers. Cipro became synonymous with safety during the unprecedented U.S. biological attack.

But even as Cipro became a household word, questions about its safety arose. A class-action lawsuit was filed against Bayer by those who had taken the drug during the anthrax scarepostal employees, those who worked in the Capitol, and those who worked at news outlets that had been targeted. The suit claimed that Bayer didnt warn patients about Cipros side effects, which could include tendon rupture, hallucinations, and nerve damage.

Over the years, the fluoroquinolones became the poster child for unsafe antibiotics. In 2008, the FDA added a boxed warning on the label about the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, and in 2011, a boxed warning was added about risks to those with the disease myasthenia gravis.

In 2016, FDA announced that the disabling and potentially permanent side effects from fluoroquinolones related to tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and the central nervous system were so serious that fluoroquinolones should be reserved for use in patients with these conditions who have no alternative treatment options.

Apparently, knowledge of the antibiotic classs risks didnt reach the highest levels of the U.S. government. Former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was reported to be taking the fluoroquinolone Levaquin for pneumonia when she experienced difficulty walking at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in 2016.

By 2021, so many patients reported toxic effects from fluoroquinolones that the term floxed became established. According to the Atlantic, more than 20,000 people have reported negative side effects from the drug class and 200 have taken their own lives, FDA data show.

Clearly, antibiotics, while lifesaving for some conditions, are not innocuous and are not to be prescribed or taken lightly. Patients should maintain a degree of caution before taking the drugs for their own health and to prevent the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
I remember visiting Hiroshima, in 1985. I went with a doctor buddy of mine. It was a strange and yet fascinating place. Our guide was a lovely Japanese woman who said her grandmother survived the blast and recounted the horrors that followed. Everything around the memorial was now built up, with only the ruins of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall as a remembrance.

I remember as a child during the height of the Cold War, listening to the air raid drills and being told by our teachers to duck and hide. We would all stop what we were doing and crawl under our desks until the drill was over.

The Russian war against Ukraine is on everyones mind, and I have had many patients express their concern that there will be a nuclear war. Far too many patients are asking how they should prepare for such a war.

While I feel the news media is scaring people to hook viewers, the fear is real and I suppose the threat is real too, however unlikely.

So, what does an emergency department look like in such a war? If the emergency center is too close to the blast, then there really is no ER, and this would be a very short story.

If not, then it really depends upon several factors, including the size of the bomb and the proximity to the blast. The bomb at Hiroshima was 15 kilotons. An estimated 100,000 people died from the atomic blast and both short and long term radiation exposure. The largest nuclear weapon ever detonated was that of the Tsar Bomba nuclear test on Oct. 30, 1961, on a Russian Arctic island.

The detonation was astronomically powerfulover 1,570 times more powerful, in fact, than the combined two bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the National WWII Museum recounts.

There were no deaths, but windows were reportedly shattered some 480 miles away.

There are five major initial concerns from a nuclear blast. I am sure we could all add another dozen or so to this list.

The first obvious one is the massive fireball, which will obliterate everything in its path. The second is the shock wave, which will outpace the fireball as the blast expands and levels buildings and rips out trees. The third concern is the flash of the blast and the permanent blindness that can result. Then theres radiation. Gamma rays are initially released and will penetrate most anything. They will penetrate into and destroy your cells. Finally, we have the electromagnetic pulse (EMP). This can really affect emergency rooms (as if the prior four concerns werent bad enough), since an EMP can lead to widespread power outages, including malfunction of many medical life-saving devices.

While the initial gamma rays are a concern, radioactive debris will continue to spread with the fallout. The radioactive particles from the initial blast coalesce and then fall back down to earth as black rain. This is why its important to seek shelter quickly and remove or wash off all exposed clothing. Its best to remain in shelter for as long as possible, at least 48 hours, but the longer the better.

This becomes critical in an emergency department, if its still intact. Do we remain in place? Do we try to move patients and equipment underground? What about unstable patients? The safest places will be underground with as much concrete protection as possible.

The initial patients seen in the emergency department will be those suffering immediate trauma from debris. Radiation poisoning will come along soon enough and is obviously exposure-related. A critical component of keeping people safe is to decontaminate patients, doctors, and nurses as quickly as possible. This would be head to toe, and done outside the designated safe area. Wash or hose down everyone from head to toe, but remember, the water used is now contaminated with radiation. Remove and destroy all exposed clothing. Removing the outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90 percent of the radioactive dust, according to the second edition of Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation interagency guidebook.

Its very sad that this quote from more than half a century ago is still so pertinent.

Albert Einstein once said: Our world faces a crisis as yet unperceived by those possessing power to make great decisions for good or evil. The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.

Dr. Peter Weiss has been a frequent guest on local and national TV, newspapers, and radio. He was an assistant clinical professor of OB/GYN at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA for 30 years, stepping down so he could provide his clinical services to those in need when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He was also a national health care adviser for Sen. John McCains 2008 presidential campaign.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The cause of a number of hepatitis cases is under investigation (David Davies/PA)

British Authorities Investigating Mysterious Rise Of Hepatitis In Children

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children.

Public health doctors and scientists at the UKs public health agencies said they are continuing to investigate 74 cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children since January 2022, where the usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected. Similar cases are being assessed in Scotland.

But a member of the organisation HART, which was set up to share concerns about policy and guidance recommendations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, said that the cases could be down to lockdown measures, which have deeply modified the natural course of viral infections.

Of the confirmed cases, 49 are in England, 13 are in Scotland and the remainder are in Wales and Northern Ireland. One of a number of potential causes under investigation is that a group of viruses called adenoviruses may be causing the illnesses.

However, other possible causes are also being actively investigated, including coronavirus (COVID-19), other infections or environmental causes, wrote the UKHSA in a statement.

Some have questioned if any of the safety issues associated with COVID 19 vaccines could be a cause. However, the UKHSA said that there is no link, as none of the currently confirmed cases in the UK has been vaccinated.

Diagnostic pathologist Dr. Clare Craig told The Epoch Times that she also does not believe that COVID vaccines are to blame. Only two-per-cent of under twelves have been vaccinated, and these hepatitis cases were all in 10-year-olds and under, said Craig.

But initially, she had concerns, something that she says isnt borne out on closer examination.

Because wed seen adverse vaccine reactions including hepatitis before, and if there is something unusual happening when youve just given everyone a new drug then you have to question that, she said.

She added that she understood that some may jump to the conclusion that this may be the case here.

There has been so little acknowledgment of any harm from the vaccine and thats the immediate reaction everyone has. When there are harms that we know about and which are never discussed by the media or public health officials then you lose trust.

She added the unexpected is bound to happen when you mess with complex systems. She noted that gastroenteritis levels are way above baseline levels and that RSV infection in children (a dangerous winter bug that can be deadly) peaked in the summer.

Last year, the government issued an alert over a surge in respiratory virus affecting babies and toddlers. This was due to the resurgence of a respiratory virus which has been suppressed by lockdown and school closures, reported Health Service Journal, a trade publication that covers policy and management in the National Health Service in England.

The point is what weve done with lockdowns is that weve massively disrupted the way that we interact with each other and consequently weve interrupted microorganisms and the way we spread them to one another, she added.

Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver and may occur for a number of reasons, including several viral infections common in children. However, in the cases under investigation, the common viruses that cause hepatitis have not been detected.

There are a lot of other viruses that could cause hepatitis like EBV, there are lots of potential causes, said Craig.

UKHSA said it was working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues across the UK to investigate the potential cause.

Dr. Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, said that investigations for a wide range of potential causes are underway, including any possible links to infectious diseases.

We are working with partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals so that any further children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. This will also help us to build a better picture of what may be causing the cases, she added.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announces that the Emergencies Act will be invoked to deal with the convoy protests, in Ottawa on Feb. 14, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

Budgets Plans for Financial Crimes Agency Prompts Concerns Over Impact on Crowdfunding

More funds for FINTRAC to add requirements for crowdfunding platforms, as imposed via Emergencies Act to shut down convoy protests against pandemic mandates

Some are welcoming the new law enforcement agency announced in Budget 2022 to help tackle Canadas significant money laundering problem, while also expressing concern over its potential use to block crowdfunding for certain efforts if adequate safeguards arent in placeas they say occurred for the convoy protests against COVID-19 mandates.

The federal budget proposed providing $2 million in the current fiscal year to the new Canada Financial Crimes Agencyunder Public Safety Canada, the department responsible for the RCMPto begin work to develop and design the new agency.

This is a starting point for fulfilling a Liberal election pledge. The partys 2021 platform promised $200 million over four years to the agency, which would bring together, under one roof, existing law enforcement resources of the RCMP, the intelligence capabilities of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC), and expertise of the Canada Revenue Agency.

The budget specifically promised FINTRAC $89.9 million over five years, followed by a permanent annual budget increase of $8.8 million, stating that this is a 24 percent funding hike and would add 13 percent more staff.

The RCMP logo is seen outside its headquarters in Surrey, B.C., in a file photo. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Budget 2022 went on to say, as the first of a list of highlights, This increased capacity will enable FINTRAC to implement new anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing requirements for crowdfunding platforms and payment service providers.

Matthew McGuire, an internationally recognized expert in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and sanctions, says the governments use of the Emergencies Act to freeze bank accounts in response to the trucker convoy was unheard of.

It was an extraordinary mess with too few safeguards, and the fallout continues to this day, he told The Epoch Times. The way that was applied was just so damaging to the trust in the financial sector.

On Feb. 14, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said the Emergencies Act gave FINTRAC and the government expanded tools to cover crowdsourcing platforms and their payment providers and that this would be made permanent.

Vanessa Iafolla, an assistant professor at St. Marys University and principal at Antifraud Intelligence Consulting, echoed McGuires sentiment.

Iafolla says the use of the financial sanctions with the Emergencies Act had major consequences for some people, which she said she finds reprehensible.

We have tools available at our disposal to use, but whats the guidance going to be? And whats the limit on the use of those tools going to be? And how do we ensure that Canadians who are exercising at the time very legitimate rights that they have are protected in future? These are really important questions that the Canada Financial Crimes Agency is going to have to wrestle with before this gets implemented, she says.

Anything that happens thats not properly implemented, that isnt clear from the outset,  is going to undermine the legitimacy of that initiative. And I think the trucker protests showed that it did undermine the use of the Emergencies Act, and the use of the FINTRAC reporting mechanism did undermine the legitimacy of that system in the minds of a lot of Canadians who otherwise are perfectly law abiding.

Redundant Regulations

McGuire noted that crowdfunding platforms deserve no special attention and that the new focus on them represent regulatory redundancy.

In none of the money laundering threat assessments Ive ever read  have crowdfunding platforms even made it to the top 10 of money laundering risks in a country. It just isnt. And second of all, a crowdfunding platform, by its nature, has to have the on-and-off ramps of financial institutions, and theyre regulatedeven dealers in virtual currency, he said.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) headquarters Connaught Building is pictured in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Its a double set of regulations thats unnecessary. Its not proportionate to the threat. And [if it were to go ahead, it should] properly be put under the charities directives of the Canada Revenue Agency, an agency thats used to looking at the money laundering threats and risks of charities and the not-for-profits.

Although the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is expected to help the new Canada Financial Crimes Agency, Iafolla is unsure how that would practically work.

Im more curious as to how they plan to integrate CRA, FINTRAC, and the RCMP under one agency, given that those different institutions themselves have different kinds of mandates, operate according to different policies and procedures, have different kinds of legal thresholds, Iafolla said in an interview.

If a CRA employee who is looking into someones tax file suspects that theres something criminal going on, the directive has been in the past to put your pen down, stop writing, get up, go over to the criminal investigation side of things and say, hey, Ive got this case,  and then hand it off. So thats a very different operating framework from the RCMP.

Failure to Prosecute Financial Crimes

McGuire says that when it comes to combating money laundering, establishing the new agency to centralize efforts against financial crimes is a step in the right direction although problems remain.

The countries that perform best around the world in defeating money laundering are those that do spend the money on a central coordination entity that is multidisciplinary and does look at the big picture problems like transnational organized crime, he said.

The problem that remains unaddressed by all of these budget measures is the perennial problem of our failure to prosecute financial crimes.

In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in R. v. Jordan that criminal cases had to be heard within 30 months of charges being laid. McGuire said inadequate numbers of judges and prosecutors, especially in Ontario, have resulted in almost-certain convictions being dropped as the deadline passes.

There was a $14 million fraud that still irks me, where it was an open-and-shut case  and we didnt have the resources to hear it [in time], he said.

We have just an extraordinary amount of fraud going on in this countrylike the romance games, the other crimes of persuasion, the grandparents scams, the Ponzi schemes. Financial criminals [are] in this too. [They] get off the hook and actively look to commit frauds here, in part because theyre not prosecuted.

McGuire says the added FINTRAC staff will help but will still leave much work undone.

Its well-needed because theres roughly 60,000 entities that they have to regulate, and they have 130 employees. So its impossible to have great enforcement on the vast numbers of entities that you need to look after with so few people, he said.

In developed countries, its estimated that we catch about 1 percent of the financial crime thats going on. I dont think Canada is that good based on the seizure numbers that Im seeing. Academics suggest that its somewhere between $40 billion and $130 billion thats laundered through Canada every year. So if even $1 billion is seized in Canada every year, I would be shocked.

McGuire says he believes more trained prosecutors, more judges, and minimum sentences must be put in place for FINTRACs new resources to have any impact.

Canadas reputation for prosecuting financial crimes and recovering proceeds is so bad, he noted, that the risk premium levied by hire-a-money-launderer services has dropped. It was as high as 20 percent 15 years ago, but its just 3 percent today because chances are low that legal sanctions will happen, he said.

Our system is so weak.  Professional money launderers are one of our biggest problems because our Criminal Code offence often requires knowledge and/or belief about the proceeds of crime [which is hard to prove]. So, its created this whole industry of intermediaries who launder money for others.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom attends the opening of the country's first federal and state operated community vaccination site during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Los Angeles on Feb. 16, 2021. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

California Earns F for COVID Response Focused on Lockdowns, School Closures: Study

California has earned an F for its response to COVID-19 in a comprehensive study released regarding state responses to the pandemic between 2020 and 2021.

The study also ranked California 47th for its handling of the economy, education, and mortality during the pandemic.

The report (pdf) was issued by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, a group founded by Steve Forbes and other economists to end the U.S. growth slump.

Utah ranked first in the nation for its overall response with a perfect score. Other top-ranking states were Nebraska, Vermont, Montana, South Dakota, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, and Arkansas.

California was among five bottom-ranking states for overall response outcomes. Other low-scoring states were Illinois, New Mexico, New York, and New Jersey.

Washington received an F-minus grade and was ranked 50th.

The correlation between health and economy scores is essentially zero, which suggests that states that withdrew the most from economic activity did not significantly improve health by doing so, the study reads.

Only seven states exceeded 85 percent open schools, according to the study.

Californias schools only allowed about 19 percent of students to attend class in person, ranking the state last in this category.

School closures may ultimately prove to be the most costly policy decision of the pandemic era in both economic and mortality terms, the study reads.

Los Alamitos Elementary School, within the Los Alamitos Unified School District, received approval from the Orange County Health Care Agency on Aug. 20 to reopen schools for onsite learning during the 2020 fall semester. They were the first public school district in Orange County to be granted access. This photo was taken in Los Alamitos, Calif. on Aug. 21, 2020.. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Unlike economic impacts or deaths associated with the pandemic, closing public schools was entirely under the control of policymakers. Nearly all private schools in the nation remained open, the study found.

Wyoming kept all schools open, ranking first in in-person education, followed by Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, and Utah. California ranked second to last in this category, followed only by Washington. Other states ranking at the bottom for in-person learning were New Mexico, Hawaii, Washington state, Maryland, and Oregon.

The study found a strong relationship between the states that had poor economic performance and closed schools.

Another report released during the pandemic found that school closures during 2020 were associated with 13.8 million years of life lost.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an international economic policy group, has estimated that learning losses from pandemic-era school closures could cause a 3 percent decline in lifetime earnings.

Disadvantaged students will almost certainly see larger impacts, the organization reported (pdf) in September 2020.

The overall loss of just one-third of a year of learning has a long-term economic impact of $14 trillion, according to the group.

The hardest-hit states were those with economies that relied heavily on energy production and tourism, according to the report.

Hawaii and Nevada came in last by far because of the overwhelming impact the global shutdown of tourism had on them, and energy-heavy states similarly had disproportionate unemployment rises with the collapse of global demand, the report reads.

During the pandemic, more people moved away from four of the bottom-ranked states California, Washington, New York, and Illinoisaccording to a U.S. Census report.

In 2021, California lost 367,299 in population, one of the largest domestic migration losses nationally, followed by New York and Illinois.

Real estate signage in Malibu, Calif., on Sept. 24, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

However, other western states gained slightly more residents during this time, as 38,347 more immigrants arrived to replace some of the losses.

California state Sen. Melissa Melendez said she wasnt surprised by the reports findings.

Governor [Gavin] Newsoms poor grade on handling COVID is no surprise when you consider all of the failures by this administration, Melendez told The Epoch Times in an email. Its also not surprising when you see the thousands of Californians who have moved to other states like Florida and Texas, which did much better in [their] handling of COVID. Californias track record dealing with COVID only illustrates that it tried to lead from behind and still failed.
Oath Keepers member Jeremy Brown explains the group's constitution-focused mission to rallygoers in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. The FBI unsuccessfully tried to recruit Brown to spy on the Oath Keepers. (Special to The Epoch Times)

20 Federal Assets Embedded at Capitol on Jan. 6, Defense Attorney Claims

Oath Keepers motion seeks to dismiss seditious conspiracy, obstruction charges

At least 20 FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assets were embedded around the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, a defense attorney claimed in a court filing on April 12.

The allegation was made in a motion seeking to dismiss seditious conspiracy and obstruction charges against 10 Oath Keepers defendants in one of the most prominent Jan. 6 criminal cases.

David W. Fischer, attorney for Thomas E. Caldwell of Berryville, Virginia, filed a 41-page motion to dismiss four counts on behalf of all Oath Keepers case defendants before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta in Washington.

Caldwell is charged in the indictment, but isnt a member of the Oath Keepers, he told The Epoch Times in March.

Capitol Police are escorted down the Capitol steps through the crowd to safety on Jan. 6 by members of the Oath Keepers. (Courtesy of Roberto Minuta)

At least 20 FBI and ATF assets were embedded around the Capitol on J6, reads a footnote on page 6 of the motion. No other details were provided in the document.

The footnote said defense attorneys combed through a mountain of discovery, including FBI form 302 summaries of interviews conducted by FBI agents.

In addition to the information about law-enforcement assets on the ground at the Capitol, the footnote says, the Oath Keepers were being monitored and recorded prior to J6.

An examination of evidence turned over in discovery by prosecutors in two major Oath Keepers cases has not found one iota of proof that defendants had any plan, intention, design, or scheme to specifically enter the Capitol Building on J6, the motion says.

Fischer told The Epoch Times he couldnt comment on the motion or provide more details on the footnote.

Since the first arrests of Jan. 6 defendants in early 2021, there has been extensive speculation and questions from attorneys, defendants, case observers, and members of Congress about the role that law enforcement played that day.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 11, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) grilled top FBI officials on the subject.

How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of Jan. 6? Cruz asked Jill Sanborn, executive assistant director of the FBIs National Security Branch.

Sir, Im sure you can appreciate that I cant go into the specifics of sources and methods, Sanborn said.

Cruz replied, Did any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participate in the events of Jan. 6, yes or no?

Sir, I cant answer that, Sanborn said.

Did any FBI agents or confidential informants commit crimes of violence on Jan. 6? Cruz asked.

I cant answer that, sir, Sanborn replied.

Jeremy M. Brown, an Oath Keepers member from Florida who was charged with two Jan. 6-related counts but isnt part of either major Oath Keepers conspiracy case, told The Epoch Times earlier this year that the FBI tried unsuccessfully to recruit him in 2020 to spy on the group.

Brown said the same agents who later arrested him for alleged Jan. 6 crimes tried to recruit him on Dec. 11, 2020, to become a confidential informant. He refused. He was arrested on Sept. 30, 2021, when dozens of federal agents swarmed his Florida property.

When asked by me and my girlfriend to produce the warrants at the time of arrest, they refused to produce them, Brown said. One agent was even recorded stating, We dont know what we are looking for yet.

They should look for a copy of the Constitution and read it.

No Crime Stated?

The Oath Keepers, including founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, are charged with conspiring to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6 to prevent the certification of the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election. Protests and rioting on Jan. 6 interrupted a joint session of Congress for about six hours.

The Rhodes defendants seek dismissal of Counts 1-4 on the grounds that the indictment fails to state an offense as to each count, Fischer wrote in his motion.

The four counts covered in the motion to dismiss all refer to obstructing a proceeding or preventing an officer from discharging their duties.

Under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, the seditious conspiracy charge requires proof that the purpose of the defendants seditious conspiracy was to forcibly obstruct a person authorized to execute a law, while that person was attempting to execute the particular law opposed by the defendants, Fischer wrote.

Per binding precedent, however, Members of Congress are constitutionally prohibited from executing any law of the United States, the motion says. Additionally, per binding precedent, the Electoral College certification process did not constitute the execution of any law of the United States. 

Members of the Oath Keepers are seen during a protest against the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Reuters)

Counts two and three of the indictment are brought under 18 U.S.C.  1512(c), but that law only applies to obstructive acts related to the destruction of evidence, the motion says.

This argument was cited in March by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, who dismissed the same obstruction charge in two other Jan. 6 cases.

Count four accuses the defendants of conspiring to prevent an officer from discharging any duties.

Under binding legal precedent, the motion argues, the terms office, officer, and officer of the United States take their meaning from the appointments clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Members of Congress are not officers under the appointments clause, Fischer wrote.

The motion describes the indictment as an obscenely one-sided, selectively edited, and inaccurate representation of [Oath Keepers] actions and statements.

The Oath Keepers Quick Reaction Forces (QRF), described in the criminal complaint as being ready to assist in the attack on the Capitol with men and armaments, were actually standing by in Virginia in the event that Oath Keepers in the city were attacked or threatened by Antifa, the motion said.

Every scrap of evidence reviewed confirms that the QRFs, which were utilized on numerous prior dates, were intended as rescue forces in the event that the Oath Keepers were attacked by Antifa or a similar contingency, and not to attack the Capitol Building, the filing said.

In a companion motion filed on behalf of defendant Kelly Meggs, attorney Jonathon Moseley described the notion of opposing the lawful transfer of presidential power as a thought crime and the charge in the indictment as devoid of supporting factual allegations.

The Constitution makes clear that it is a Constitutional impossibility to oppose the transfer of presidential power. Not only could such a goal not be accomplished, but beyond that, it is an irrational concept lacking in any basis, in fact, law, or common sense, Moseley wrote.

This is not a case in which conspirators might attempt to do something they are unable to successfully achieve. It is an irrational concept, like dividing by zero. There can be no such thing in law or fact.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
(LR) U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar listen as Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (on-screen) speaks during a virtual meeting in the South Court Auditorium of the White House complex in Washington on April 11, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

China Looms Over Biden-Modi Meeting

News Analysis

President Joe Bidens virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 11 has significant geopolitical ramifications for the entire Southeast Asian region.

It is evident that, like next-door neighbor China, India has chosen not to fall in line with the U.S.-led punitive regime against Russia over its military actions in Ukraine. New Delhi notably joined more than 50 other countries in abstaining from the April 7 vote to suspend Moscow from the United Nations Human Rights Council. It has also refused to impose any sanctions.

During the call, Biden brought up the issue of Indias oil imports. New Delhi has continued to benefit from purchasing discounted Russian Brent crude due to Western energy sanctions.

I would not see it as an adversarial call, reported White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

Adversarial or not, the dialogue between Biden and Modi didnt result in any tangible benefits for the U.S. position in the region. If anything, it further exemplified how the United States has developed its geopolitical strategy on the foundation of form over substance, righteous-sounding rhetoric over beneficial action.

Consider that Russia comes in behind countries such as Oman and Nigeria as the ninth top source of imported oil for India. While New Delhi has increased supplies from Moscow due to the discounted prices mentioned above, the amount is still bound to be minuscule compared with the top destinations for Russian energy exports.

As stated by Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, [Indias] total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon.

Given a basic geopolitical cost-benefit calculation, does Biden scolding an important ally in New Delhi over an insignificant amount of oil serve as a net benefit for the U.S. position?

The results of the votes to expel Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council are seen on a screen during a continuation of the 11th Emergency Special Session on the invasion of Ukraine on April 7, 2022. Belarus, China, Iran, Russia, and Syria were among the U.N. members that voted against the resolution, while India abstained from voting. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Additionally, the implicit push to get India to condemn Russia also reflects poorly on Washingtons international standing in general. Even though U.S. sources report no official prompts from Biden to get Modi to explicitly denounce Moscow during the call, foreign media outlets have been quick to pounce on the implications of a faltering U.S. administration unable to rally support.

The U.S. has been escalating methods to court and pressure India to take a stronger position against Russia, according to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpiece Peoples Daily. However, these attempts are expected to fall flat as India has its own strategic orientation which was obvious in the Ukraine crisisIndia will not act like Japan or Australia.

Readers will likely ask: why does it matter what the corrupt state propaganda slave of the CCP says? Because the tactless Biden administration has enabled this argument to be made in the first place.

Instead of haranguing countries to follow its (as of yet) unsuccessful bid to halt and punish Russia by hamstringing their own economies, Washington should have been conducting a realistic evaluation of the broader geopolitical implications of its international anti-Kremlin crusade.

The current situation with Indiathe second most populous country in the world and a heavyweight actor in the global communityperfectly exemplifies how the latter approach alienates essential allies. This weakens the U.S. position relative to China, especially in the broader Asian region.

Strengthening the relationship with New Delhi should thus be a primary consideration. An easy place to start would be an official announcement that Washington will waive sanctions over Indias $5.5 billion purchase of Russian S-400 missile-defense systems. These are deemed essential to deterring any potential hostile action from Beijing and, thus, securing Indias territorial integrity.

Allowing the payment to proceed unimpeded will not undermine the U.S. relationship with Indiaquite the opposite. New Delhi has proven itself to be an astute geopolitical actor that values its own national security interests above moralizing over abstract principles.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Press Bureau of India)

This was demonstrated a day after the Biden-Modi meeting when Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed his governments commitment to maintaining a geostrategic balance between Washington and Moscow.

I dont think Russia will affect India-U.S. ties. The U.S. knows that India and Russia are natural allies and that our relationship is very stable, stated Singh in an exclusive interview with the Hindustan Times.

When asked whether India would seek to diversify its defense acquisitions following Russias Ukraine operation, Singh responded with an ambiguous wait and watch. Clearly, New Delhi is prioritizing its own interests above unqualified loyalty to one foreign power instead of another.

Some may argue that allowing India to benefit from cheap Russian energy and to increase defense ties with Moscow is cynical. Still, the fact remains: China is a peer competitor with the economic and military resources to erode the U.S. international position.

Despite Russia being the most nuclear-armed nation on the planeta fact that should urge restraint by foreign powers acting in Moscows immediate geographic proximitythe Kremlin simply does not possess the same strategic capabilities.

The United States does not have to condone Russian President Vladimir Putins military operation; however, scolding other countries for their inability to follow Washingtons punitive regime serves no geopolitical purpose.

The previously mentioned article from Peoples Daily is a microcosm of how China seeks to exploit this type of flaw in the U.S. approach: the only countries that will abide by Washingtons strictures are traditional allies (Australia and Japan), but powerful developing countries (China and India) no longer have to fall in line with a hegemonic United States.

In tandem with the continued resistance of Ukrainian citizens, the U.S. economic sanction regime has, thus far, stopped Putin from swiftly achieving all of his objectives in Ukraine. Focusing on relatively minor third-party energy deals or demanding that every country repeat the U.S. talking points will do nothing to end the bloodshed sooner. Instead, the primary goal now is to support productive peace negotiations that conclude in a sustainable political agreement.

It remains to be seen whether the Biden administration can accomplish this without actively souring relations with essential allies and strengthening Chinas relative position while theyre at it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Long March-2F rocket carrying China's manned Shenzhou-10 spacecraft blasts off from its launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 11, 2013, in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China. (ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)

China, Russia Seek Space Weapons to Target Critical US Capabilities: Pentagon Report

China and Russia are developing weapons capable of attacking U.S. satellites, according to a new report by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The report also found a massive increase in Chinese and Russian space assets over the past several years.

Space is being increasingly militarized, the report (pdf) states. Some nations have developed, tested, and deployed various satellites and some counterspace weapons.

The report, titled 2022 Challenges to Security in Space, found that the combined in-orbit space fleets of China and Russia grew by more than 70 percent in the period from 2019 to 2021. That growth, it said, was driven largely by a desire by the two regimes to exploit U.S. technological reliance on space-based infrastructure.

As more nations and more services depend on space-based capabilities, especially in critical social and economic sectors, such as medical, disaster response, weather forecasting, and financial transactions, the loss or degradation of those capabilities will increasingly disrupt daily life, the report says.

Space asset disruption will probably lead to degradation of critical military and intelligence capabilities.

Command of space is considered vital to winning a modern war between major powers, the report says, because innumerable systems, from GPS to missile warning technologies, rely upon satellites to effectively operate.

For that reason, U.S. space infrastructure is already the target of Chinese and Russian military and intelligence operations.

Space Force Gen. David Thompson said in November that China and Russia have been conducting reversible cyber and electronic attacks on U.S. space infrastructure every single day.

Likewise, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testified in March that the cooperation between China and Russia against the United States would only grow in the coming years.

The loss of space-based communication and navigation services could have a devastating impact on warfighters during a conflict, DIA Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier said in a statement marking the release of the report.

Thats one of the most serious scenarios anticipated. A secure, stable and accessible space domain is crucial as China and Russias space-based capabilities and electronic-warfare activities continue to grow.

The report comes amid a concerted effort by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to develop a comprehensive arsenal of space and counterspace capabilities. The regime is currently seeking to maintain its status as the worlds leader in the number of annual space launches, and CCP white papers have outlined the regimes ambition to become the worlds preeminent space power.

To that end, the report noted that the CCP has worked to develop anti-satellite and hypersonic weapons to overwhelm U.S. space assets since at least 2006, and that a Chinese military unit has supported cyberespionage campaigns against U.S. and European satellite and aerospace industries since at least 2007.

Defense and security experts have long warned that the CCPs space program is a direct military threat to the United States, and that efforts like its plans for a joint moon base with Russia could be used for military operations.

The report highlighted that the entirety of Chinas space program is overseen by its military, and that strategic documents within the Chinese military explicitly state that military struggle in space will be of paramount importance in any future conflict.

The report cited the CCPs 2020 Science of Military Strategy textbook as saying, Space has already become a new domain of modern military struggle; it is a critical factor for deciding military transformation; and it has an extremely important influence on the evolution of future form-states, modes, and rules of war.

As such, the report said, efforts by the regimes to undermine or attack U.S. space-based infrastructure were an immediate and long-term threat that would need to be contended with.

Beijings goal is to become a broad-based, fully capable space power, the report states.

American efforts to ensure that the space domain remains secure, stable and accessible are under threat.
Cargo containers are stacked at Yantian port in Shenzhen in China's southern Guangdong Province on June 21, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Exports to Russia Decline After Invasion of Ukraine

Chinas exports to Russia declined in March, official data showed on April 13, in a sign that Chinese companies may be displaying more caution when it comes to trading with Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in February.

Data show that Chinese firms sold $3.8 billion worth of goods to Russia in March, representing a 7.7 percent decline from a year earlier and the lowest amount since May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically affected global trade.

Meanwhile, imports from Russia rose 26.4 percent from a year ago.

While data regarding which goods were imported will be available later in the month, China typically purchases oil, natural gas, coal, and agricultural products from Russia.

In return, China sells Russia electronic equipment, transportation equipment, machinery, mobile phones, cars, and other consumer products.

Typically, the country buys more from Russia than it sells to Russia.

In March, China received 188,000 tons of liquefied natural gasused to generate electricity and heatfrom Russia, down from 273,000 tons a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

While China has been steadily increasing its gas imports from Russia since 2019, when Moscow began sending gas to the country via its Gazprom-operated Power of Siberia pipeline, that amount is still less than 11 percent of what China imported from its top supplier, Australia, in March, Bloomberg reported.

However, those gas imports may have slowed because of various issues in March, such as pipeline maintenance and the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, which has resulted in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) utilizing a draconian zero-COVID strategy and enforcing lockdowns and tighter controls at ports of entry.

Shanghai reported 26,330 confirmed COVID-19 infections on April 13, a new daily record.

However, analysts at Bloomberg think imports of gas from Russia could rise by 3 billion cubic meters this summer, from 10 billion cubic meters in 2021, in an effort to keep up with the existing supply contract between the two nations. Gazprom is contracted to deliver up to 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually by 2025.

Overall in 2021, Chinas trade with Russia grew 36 percent to $147 billion, according to data released in January from the CCPs General Administration of Customs.

The regime in Beijing has criticized trade and financial sanctions imposed on Moscow by the United States, Europe, and Japan over its invasion of Ukraine, and earlier this month, the CCP joined India, which also maintains close relations with Moscow, in abstaining from a vote on a United Nations resolution condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and demanding that it immediately end its military operations in the country.

In February, Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and they laid out a plan to increase their bilateral trade to the equivalent of $250 billion by 2024.

However, the latest data appear to indicate that Chinese companies may be showing skepticism regarding trade with Moscow and are choosing to abide by Western sanctions levied against the country in an effort to safeguard against possible losses in dealings with Russia.

The latest trading figures come as Russias economy is on track to contract by more than 10 percent in 2022, marking the biggest fall in gross domestic product since the years following the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, former finance minister Alexei Kudrin said on April 12.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Queensland LNP MP George Christensen released video announcing he won't renominate as LNP candidate at the next Australian national election. (Screenshot by The Epoch Times)

Conservative MP George Christensen to Run for One Nation After Resigning from Coalition

Conservative Australian MP George Christensen, in a surprise move, has changed plans to retire from politics and will instead run for Pauline Hansons One Nation party at the federal election on May 21.

The announcement comes less than a week after Christensen resigned from the Nationals, which traditionally represents regional voters and which, together with the centre-right Liberals, form the LNP coalitionthe incumbent government. It also comes almost a year since he announced that he would opt out of politics to spend more time with his family.

Senator Pauline Hanson and Christensen will hold a press conference on April 13 to formally announce the move.

Christensen told The Courier Mail that Hansons One Nation party were more aligned to his values as a conservative than the LNP.

The more I queried into One Nations policies and looked at their constitution, their core beliefs, the things that Pauline has been campaigning on recently, just about everything aligned with my views, he said.

Bizarrely, the question really didnt float into my mind as to why am I doing this; the question that floated into my mind was, why hadnt I done this a long time ago?

Protesters against vaccine mandates gather on the lawn of Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 12, 2022. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Christensen revealed that his change of heart came after intense lobbying over the last few months from people who felt let down by the LNP and could not support centre-left Labor, the only other major party.

The member for the North Queensland electorate of Dawson became disenchanted with the LNP over the course of the pandemic, objecting to state pandemic measures such as lockdowns, protective mask mandates, and vaccine mandates; and speaking out against the at-times authoritarian nature of their enforcement by police.

In fact, Christensen declared in November 2021 that he would withhold votes on government bills in the federal lower house in protest of restrictions that locked unvaccinated people out of society, banning them from a swath of venues and services.

Similarly, One Nation senators Hanson and Malcolm Roberts, each from the state of Queensland, vowed in February to vote against government bills in the federal upper house for the same reason.

Roberts welcomed Christensen to One Nation, writing on Twitter, Glad to have you onboard and staying on in the fight for freedom.

Senator Pauline Hanson in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 4, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Hanson has confirmed Christensens candidacy. However, it is not yet clear if he will run again for his seat of Dawson, for which One Nation already has candidate Julie Hall, or if he will contest another lower house seat or run for a Senate seat.

I know its a sacrifice to him and his family. I know that, but Im not going to apologise because I want good people standing beside me that are going to deliver for the Australian people, Hanson said.

Christensen has been the MP for Dawson since 2010 and won his seat with a margin of 14.6 percent in 2019, with an 11.2 percent swing thanks to preferences from One Nation, Katters Australian Party, and Fraser Annings Conservative National Party.

One Nation has a strong support base in Queensland, sitting between 11 percent and 17 percent at the 2019 election.
One Nation leader, Senator Pauline Hanson (L) is seen with her Senate candidates George Christensen (R) during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on April 13, 2022. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Conservative One Nation Party to Champion Voices of Australians Fed up With Major Parties

Going into Australias 2022 federal election, conservative One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has said her party will champion the voices of everyday Australians fed up with the rising cost of living, oppressive COVID-19 measures, immigration issues, national security issues, net zero commitments, and climate policies.

Hanson outlined these as major issues for One Nation at a press conference where she announced two candidates joining her on the Senate ticket for Queenslandformer Liberal-National Party (LNP) MP George Christensen and former Adani executive Raj Guruswamy.

[Christensen] is a fighter for Queensland and has done so on the floor of Parliament for many years, Hanson told reporters in Brisbane on April 13.

I am proud to see that George has now joined the One Nation team. I think that as a team we can actually have a big impact on policy in Queensland.

Christensen, who left his safe LNP seat, expressed his disenchantment with the LNPs direction, including net zero climate policies and destructive pandemic policies.

He said One Nations values were much more aligned with his conservative nature.

The push for net-zero, I think is going to mean Net Zero jobs in regions like Central Queensland in North Queensland, Christensen said.

Im passionate about vaccine mandates, the response to governments around COVID which was a complete and utter overreach, blowing up freedoms and rights and all the rest of it, jobs in the economyfor a virus with a 0.27 percent infection fatality rate.

Along with Christensen, One Nation will stand 151 candidates in the election, covering every seat across the country for the first time in its 25-year history.

The people have indicated they have had enough of the major political partiesthe Liberals, the Labor, the Greens, and the Nationals, Hanson said.

Theyre looking for change. Theyre looking for representation. Theyre looking for people who will represent them on the floor of Parliament with integrity and honesty. And I believe we have brought that to the floor of Parliament.

Hanson noted that national security was another important issue for One Nation, expressing concern about Labors standing on China should national Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese become prime minister.

Labor came under scrutiny after the countrys spy agency revealed it had disrupted a plot by the Chinese Communist Party to install Labor candidates in the federal election.

We need to ensure that we have national security. Because if Labor gets in, in the lower house government, I dont believe they will address the concerns that I have with regards to China, Hanson said.

A group of teachers, firefighters, nurses, police, ambulance officers, and resource sector workers held a rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Brisbane, Australia, on Feb. 2, 2022. (Screenshot by The Epoch Times)

The One Nation leader also wants Australia to look after its own backyard by taking care of teachers and health workers before it looks to import skill migrants from overseas.

Hanson said Queensland was struggling to find teachers, nurses, and doctors, amid vaccine mandates, but decried the governments plan to fill those workforce gaps by importing skilled migrants. She said this was not the right answer  and characterised it as throwing good Australians on the scrap heap because they refuse to have the jab.

With his sights set on cutting through red tape for business, Raj Guruswamy, who played a key role in establishing Adanis operations in Queensland, will join the One Nation Senate ticket.

Raj is an expert with a great deal of experience in the transport and resource industries in Australia and overseas, and in dealing with government bureaucracies and red tape, Hanson said in a release.

We will continue to put Australia and Australians first by advocating for immigration to be reduced to sustainable levels, ensuring foreign-owned multinationals operating in Australia pay their fair share of tax, and reforming Australias family law and child support systems, she added.

And we will demand a Royal Commission into the management of the pandemic by all Australian governments.

Hanson also discussed the importance of coal and gas for Queenslands economy, saying her partys goal is to build more coal-fired power stations.

Meanwhile, national Greens leader Adam Bandt, who will challenge One Nation in Queensland for the balance of power in the Senate, said his goal is to end the coal and gas industry in order to achieve net zero goals.

No more coal, no more gas. When we are in the balance of power after the election in the Senate and the House and have kicked the Liberals out, this will be our key demand, Bandt told the National Press Club on April 13.

[Predictions] put us on track to be the biggest third party in the Senate ever, to be the biggest ever Greens party room and to be the most powerful third party in the Parliament.

The Greens plan to tax billionaires to fund their election promises to pay for the dental plan costing $8 billion a year for 10 years.

The left-wing party also wants a six percent tax on the wealth of Australias more than 130 billionaires and a corporate super profits tax, which would force businesses to hand over profits after they make $100 million.
Debate Intensifies Over Use Of Facial Recognition Technology In British Schools

For years, the UK has been using biometrics to identify school children, but now that facial recognition (FRT) software is becoming widely adopted, questions are being raised about ethical issues surrounding data and surveillance.

Companies say that the futuristic technology will radically improve productivity and efficiency during dinner times, but critics, including the UKs snooping tsar, have come out strong against the use of facial recognition cameras in schools.

Professor Fraser Sampson, the independent Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner told the Mail on Sunday last weekend he recently found out completely by accident about the Department Of Educations drafted plans on guidance on facial recognition cameras in schools across the country. Almost 70 schools have signed up for the system.

Intrusive Surveillance

Experienced police head Sampsons role is to encourage compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice. There is not really a recognition that this is intrusive surveillance, and its increasingly intrusive surveillance, he said. If people think the use of facial recognition by the police is sensitive and controversial wait until schools start putting it in.

Your starting point should be, Where is the lawful purpose of introducing this clearly intrusive type of technology into a school? he said. How does any of this fit with much wider government obligations on the U.N. convention on the rights of the child not to be subject to close scrutiny and have the freedom to sit in a classroom without being watched, let alone recorded? said Sampson.

Pippa King, co-director of the childrens privacy rights organisation Defend Digital Me told The Epoch Times that her concern is that its completely intrusive and that we dont know what the exact take-up of FRT is in schools right now.

CRB Cunninghams is a major provider of FRT software, hardware, and services to education establishments throughout the UK, specialising in cashless, online payment, and identity management systems. It supplies also cashless catering, identity management, and online payment systems to over 3,300 UK education establishments.

In a webinar called Facial Recognition: An introduction to UK schools, CRB Cunninghams detailed how its system uses an algorithm that will constantly evolve to match the childs growth and change in appearance.

Faster Than Fingerprint

Its the fastest way of recognising someone at the tillits faster than a card, its faster than fingerprint, said David Swanston, the managing director of CRB Cunninghams, to The Financial Times. This was in response to the nine schools in North Ayrshire, Scotland, which had started taking payments for school lunches by scanning the faces of pupils.

However, North Ayrshire Council soon suspended the FRT system in response to pressure from the ICO, a non-departmental public body that upholds information rights in the public interests, and privacy advocates.

CRB Cunninghams did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

What are we teaching kids? You have to use your face to buy a portion of chips for using your face, said King, adding that it also desensitizes children to using biometrics.

Its completely unnecessary when you can use a swipe card or a pin number, she added.

King said that the technology that is going into schools is so advanced that the legislation trying to keep up with it is like trying to shut the stable door after the like horse has bolted.

In terms of biometrics ie fingerprinting, facial recognition, iris scanning, and infrared palm scanning, the technology is not new. In 2006, a school in Paisley, Scotland was the first to use a cashless system with palm-vein recognition units, used by Japans Fujitsu and produced by Glasgow-based Yarg Biometrics. The system identified a pattern of veins present under a childs skin, which would then identify confirm his or her identity.

Much like CRB Cunninghams did in 2021, Yarg Biometrics claimed that it made the school canteen process easier. The latters reason was to eliminate the stigma on children of low-income families having to queue in a different line from others.

In terms of FRT, King said that she would like to cost-benefit analysis on this speed claim in comparison to the older system. How many seconds are the schools going to save and what will they do with the newfound time in the school day? she said.

Though she said she believes that FRT does have a place. If my child went missing a crowd, of course, Id want facial recognition. Im not against the technology, but not for everyday mundane school activities like eating, she added.

Data Protection Law

At a House of Lords debate in November, the ICO said that using FRT for such purposes is likely unlawful under UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with Defend Digital Me highlighting court cases in France and Sweden where schools were told to stop using FRT.

An ICO spokesperson told The Epoch Times that organisations using facial recognition technology (FRT) must comply with data protection law before, during, and after its use.

In addition, data protection law provides extra protections for children, and organisations need to carefully consider the necessity and proportionality of collecting biometric data before they do so.

It added that organisations should consider using a different approach if the same goal can be achieved in a less intrusive manner. We understand that North Ayrshire Council decided to pause using FRT in schools following our initial enquiries. Our aim is to ensure that childrens data is protected in line with the law and we will continue engaging with the Council on this issue.

Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told The Epoch Times that the Department for Education published guidance in 2018 about the protection of biometric information of children in schools and colleges which says that the written consent of parents must be obtained and the data collected must be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

We have not seen any further guidance specifically about facial recognition technology but such guidance would seem helpful given the sensitivity and complexity of this issue, added Barton.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk (C) attends the official opening of the new Tesla electric car manufacturing plant near Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Christian Marquardt/Pool/Getty Images)

Elon Musks Social Media Dilemma Is Ours

Commentary

I have no idea what Elon Musk plans for Twitter now that he has turned down a seat on the board of the social media company.

(Social media? How did these companies get that name? They are anything but social. They should be called anomie media, as in lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group.)

Maybe Musk himself doesnt know what he plans. He could sell his stock, or he could make an attempt to buy the company to run it. Who knows?

That latter may be a case of what we used to call in the schoolyard no backsies.

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal seems to have as much respect for the Bill of Rights as Pol Pot. Sound like an exaggeration? Maybe a little, but in 2018, Agrawal said Twitter should focus less on thinking about free speech, but thinking about how times have changed, according to a New York Post article from December 2021.

This from the company that notoriously censored the Hunter Biden laptop, arguably then changing a presidential election (by significant margins, according to polling) and therefore equally arguably being responsible for the invasion of Ukraine and who knows how many deaths.

Agrawal went on: Where our role is particularly emphasized is who can be heard. And so increasingly our role is moving towards how we recommend content  how we direct peoples attention.

Who can be heard? Evidently not Juanita Broaddrickthe woman who has, for decades, alleged that Bill Clinton raped herwho was removed from Twitter the other day for questioning the COVID vaccines.

Whether this has anything to do with the apparent rising interest in another Hillary Clinton presidential campaign is anybodys guess. Twitters decision-making process is nothing if not opaque.

More likely its related to the scientific know-nothingism that instigated their censoring of Dr. Robert Malone.

Meanwhile, suppression of free speech is becoming more trendy by the moment. This is especially true on the American left that once advertised itself as a bastion of such things. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Anti-Defamation League have turned into self-parody. Twitter is only the tip of a Goebbels-like spear.

I write as one who left Twitter on his own, after being deducted thousands of followers on multiple occasions, roughly two years ago.

I am ashamed to say, however, that I remained on Facebook. All I used FB for was occasionally to upload links to articles I wrote in the hopes of generating traffic, never for discussion, but I was there nonetheless, following the arbitrary diktats of Mark Zuckerberg.

You reap what you sow. Four days ago or so, I was canceled by Facebook for not observing their community standards. When I clicked on the assigned button to find out what those standards might be, I was immediately blocked. So it goes in progressive land, although I doubt its entirely coincidental I was locked out shortly after uploading a link to my The Epoch Times piece criticizing Disneys new woke policies as child abuse.

Of course, we now have a raft of conservative social media sitesGETTR, Parler, Gab, Trumps Truth Social, and some Im forgettingbut in all honesty, although I have intermittently participated in them and respect their founders, I dont think they are the solution to the monumental dilemma that is social media.

Preaching to the choir may have its uses, but this is a problem that is affecting our lives and, more importantly, our childrens lives as nothing ever conceived. Its a veritable crack cocaine for the mind, addicting us no matter the ideological bias, while manipulating us consciously and, more importantly, subconsciously.

Its power over our politicsas we have seen by Zuckerbergs behavior during the past presidential election, spending hundreds of millions supposedly as a public service but in reality to push the vote for Bidenis extraordinary. The result is to render democracy moot.

No one ever conceived these companies would be as big as they are, easily superseding most, if not all, nations on Earth. Merely setting up competition isnt nearly enough to undercut their first-mover advantage. Twitter, Facebook, and most of all, Google are everywhere from Himalayan villages to some atoll in the Pacific. Nothing and no one has anything approaching their reach.

I, and others, of course, have importuned conservatives to get off these outlets in order to destroy the platforms, but few have done it. Most conservative pundits and politicians are as addicted as I was to the click, fearful too of being left out of the fray.

Can Musk solve this by himself? Maybe temporarily but not much more than that.

Luddite as it sounds, ideally, I would like to see all social media shut off altogetherand that means the fledgling companies on the conservative side as well. We should go back to the days of the newspaper, when people had a moment to reflect and think things through, not shoot from the digital hip, hands never abandoning the mouse for a second as if politics were a computer game.

When I was a kid in New York, there might have been a dozen or more newspapers, reflecting many ideologies and views. I remember enjoying just about all of them. And learning from them.

Obviously, at this point, they would be online, allowing for comments and serious discussion. One reason I am proud to work for The Epoch Times is that its a paradigm of such an approach. I would like to see them on the left as well. I imagine so would have our Founders.

At the moment, however, this all seems like the most faraway idealism, way too optimistic. Another solution must be sought.

Even though I am loath to turn anything over to any kind of government, I now see no alternative but to change all these companies into some kind of public utility devoid as possible of any kind of censorship from any side (except regarding children, of course, and calls for violence).

We cannot rely on Elon Musk, clever and good-hearted about it as he may be, or any other single person for that matter, to manage anything this fraught and powerful.

Amending Section 230, as many discuss, also will do little good and will only end up placating one of the two most powerful lobbies in the history of lobbies (Big Tech and Big Pharma).

Radical surgery is necessary. But who will do it? Who will stop our brains from being drilled?

Good on Elon for bringing this to the fore.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
EXCLUSIVE: Letter from Jan. 6 Prisoner to Americans Dont Do Nothing!

'I will fight until my dying breath before I surrender one letter of my Liberty.'

In a letter obtained exclusively by The Epoch Times, a Jan. 6 prisoner asks, are you ready to light brushfires of Liberty in the souls of men? Then dont do nothing! The letter, dated December 30, 2021, is revealed here in its entirety for the first time.

Jeremy Brown (Obtained by The Epoch Times)

My name is Jeremy Brown, the letter begins. I am a 20-year retired U.S. Army Special Forces Combat Veteran. On January 5th and 6th, 2021 I was in our Nations capital as part of an all-volunteer protective detail tasked with providing security for organizers and speakers at a legally permitted political rally. On September 30th, 2021 I was arrested at home in Tampa, Florida by approximately 30 to 40 heavily armed Federal Agents and local law enforcement. They came in full force to serve a misdemeanor arrest warrant for being in an unauthorized area. These were no ordinary agents. They were agents working as part of the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Oddly, in the nine months prior to that day, I had never been contacted or questioned by any investigators about this case. Stranger still, the arrest warrant and search warrant had only been granted one day prior. This, despite numerous members of my Protective Detail having been arrested many months prior. While this may sound unusual to you, I know exactly why it happened.

According to Brown, the same JTTF agents who arrested him on Sept. 30, 2021, had tried to recruit him as a Confidential Informant (CI) on Dec. 9, 2020. Their pitch, he said, was intended to gauge his willingness to infiltrate law-abiding citizen groups that had no criminal history and certainly were not designated terrorist groups.

Brown declined their offer. But, having what he calls a healthy mistrust of Federal law enforcement, Brown made an audio recording of the exchange, whichafter many efforts to delete it from the internethas been shared and reposted by numerous others, keeping it alive. The most current iteration was shared by The Gateway Pundit.

On Jan. 6, as Brown stood next to the stage waiting for President Donald Trump to address the crowd, he described how he was again contacted by phone by one of the same JTTF agents. Brown explained to the agent where he was and what he was doing. So, on January 6th, 2021, he wrote in his letter, they were well aware of my location and reason for being there.

On Jan. 7, Brown said he sent a video of unarmed female Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbitt, being shot by a Capitol Police Officer Lt. Michael Byrd in a text message, saying, here is a contact report for you! The agent acknowledged watching the video with a Wow That was the last direct communication Brown had with that agent or the JTTF until he was arrested on Sept. 30, 2021.

In the days and weeks that followed the events of January 6th, I was disgusted and appalled at the blatant lies that were coming from the media, politicians, and the Department of Justice, Brown wrote further in his letter. In particular, it was FBI Director Christopher Wrays testimony (pdf) on the House floor that made me realize I had to go public with what I knew.

That was when Brown contacted podcast host Brandon Gray who conducted the two-hour interview where he exposed the recording of the JTTFs recruitment effort and provided his professional assessment. I knew I was making myself an FBI target, but I had sworn an oath to the U.S. Constitution so the choice to speak out was an easy one, Brown wrote.

Brown cites the June 8, 2021, investigative article by Darren Beattie of Revolver.news that exposed evidence of the FBIs potential involvement in staging the events of Jan. 6. The article also uncovered how the Michigan governor kidnapping plot seemed to be a dress rehearsal for the FBI for Jan. 6. While trying to blame a pro-constitutional group the FBI labeled as Far-Right Militia, Brown noted how most of the players in the plot turned out to be FBI informants or actual agents. Ooopsie!

Knowing how correspondence is monitored and often censored by authorities, Browns girlfriend, who spoke to The Epoch Times under the condition of anonymity for fear of being harassed, said she is surprised his letter managed to slip through their scrutiny unscathed.

That came through the mail, she explained, noting how the focus of prison officials monitoring emails and phone calls may have enabled his letter to slip through. He wrote that in jail and was allowed to mail it out. Everything they bring up in court is about phone calls.

For her, the repeated visits by the FBI, Joint Terrorist Task Force, the ATF, and Homeland Security have been done for no other reason than to intimidate her and cause fear. It is the biggest violation of every single privacy I have ever had, she said. They have been to my house. They searched our house for five and a half hours initially. Then they came back and did another search. They took samples of carpet. They took dog hair. They subpoenaed all of my bank accounts and accessed the trust I have set up for Jeremy. I have absolutely no privacy. They know everything about me and Im not the one being charged. Ive done nothing but they have infiltrated every aspect of my life. In the last two weeks, I have had two black SUVs with heavily tinted windows just sitting at the end of my street. My neighbor knocked on the window and asked them to roll it down. They wouldnt.

Screenshot of SUV parked near the house of Jeremy Browns girlfriend, suspected belong to the FBI. (Obtained by The Epoch Times)

She noted how Brown had previously written another letter and sent it to The Epoch Times. According to the Jan. 14 report, Brown wrote: On Dec. 11, 2020, the exact same Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) agents that (later) arrested me attempted to recruit me as a confidential informant, and told The Epoch Times he believes his arrest and prosecution are payback for his refusal to become a confidential informant.

She added that, while Brown has been arraigned, he has not been to trial or formally charged with anything. Hes in limbo, she said. No hearing dates have been set. We are still in appeal for the bail and theres motion to suppress the original search warrant.

In the meantime, Brown remains a prisoner of his own country:

As I write this account on December 30, 2021, I mark my 92nd day of being held in the maximum security section of the Pinellas County Jail as an FBI whistleblower and Political Prisoner. To date, these are the crimes the FBI and Department of Justice are guilty of committing under Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 242, Deprivation of Rights under Color of Law: Violations of Article 1 of the Bill of Rights by criminalizing Free Speech and peaceful assembly for attending a permitted rally on public grounds. Violations of Article 2 of the Bill of Rights by passing and enforcing unconstitutional gun laws that violate the letter and intent of the shall not be infringed clause. Violations of Article 4 of the Bill of Rights by deceptively obtaining an unreasonable and illegal search warrant by lying to the issuing judge. When asked by me and my girlfriend to produce the warrant at the time of arrest, they refused. One agent was even recorded stating, We dont know what we are looking foryet. They should look for a copy of the Constitution and read it. Violations of Article 5 of the Bill of Rights by not reading me my rights prior to arrest and questioning. They are currently still depriving me of my life, liberty and property without due process of law. Violations of Article 6 of the Bill of Rights by making sure nothing is speedy, attempting to deny me access to any of the evidence against me, by denying my right to a public trial by claiming everything is sensitive or highly sensitive, yet leaking information to media outlets such as the Daily Beast who had my search warrant before I did. They are denying me the right to face my accusers by citing numerous unnamed witnesses, many likely to be FBI informants. Because I am locked away in jail, I do not have complete access to witnesses in my favor and all my contacts with legal counsel are on monitored systems. So far I have been denied access to my attorney six times due to COVID. Most egregious are the violations of Article 8 of the Bill of Rights by denying me bond and keeping me locked in maximum security. All illegal acts by the FBI and DOJ are meant to silence me and keep me from exposing their lies and corruption. Their fake charges and overzealous arrest were meant to intimidate not only me but also the American people. They think that this illegal imprisonment will break my will and allow them to coerce me into pleading to a crime I did not commit or that will bolster their false narrative of Jan. 6. But, how did we get here?

In a 29-page opinion issued March 7, U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols dismissed charges against Jan. 6 prisoner Garret Miller, saying defendants can only be charged with obstruction if they directly attempted to affect a document, record, or other object in order to obstruct the ability of Congress to certify the election. Prosecutors had not even alleged that he had done so.

On April 6, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden acquitted Jan. 6 prisoner Matthew Martin of all four counts for which he was charged, saying it was reasonable for Martin to believe that police officers invited him and others to enter the Capitol through the Rotunda doors on Jan. 6, 2021. The judge also said Martins actions were about as minimal and non-serious as anyone who was at the Capitol that day.

As I sit here in my jail cell being denied justice and my Constitutionally-protected, God-given rights, I wonder, Is anyone irate or tireless enough to save our Republic?  Will our children and our childrens children wonder what it was like to be free? If youre reading this, are you irate? Tireless? Are you willing to risk it all to set brushfires of Liberty in the souls of men? Are you willing to risk everything? Or, will we just wait for some other good men to come along and do that something? The time to look in the mirror and answer that question is NOW! Trust me, the time to fight is NOT after the tyrant locks you in a jail cell. My name is Jeremy Brown and I am a January 6th Political Prisoner being held in the very country I spent my entire adult life defending at the highest level I could achieve. As a Green Beret I am trained and prepared for this and as an American I was born for this. I will fight until my dying breath before I surrender one letter of my Liberty. I am only one man, but if Im the only man, so be it! I know there are millions like me and so I ask you, are you ready to light brushfires of Liberty in the souls of men? Then dont do nothing! De Oppresso Liber! Jeremy Brown U.S. Army Special Forces Master Sergeant (Ret.) JeremyBrownDefense.com

The Epoch Times has reached out to the FBI for comment.

Joseph M. Hanneman contributed to this report.
In Georgia, the secretary of state has just opened an investigation into over 1,600 non-citizens who attempted to register to vote in Georgia. This criminal referral came after a statewide investigation was conducted and found that over half of Georgias counties saw non-citizens who attempted to get access to the ballot box.

Meanwhile, Moderna has issued an official recall for over 764,000 doses of their COVID-19 vaccine within Europeafter they discovered contaminants within the vials.

Lastly, while I was covering the truckers convoy a few weeks back, I ran into a truck driver by the name of Rick Daniels.

Right away, as soon as we met we had a great conversation, and so later in the convoy, we met up. My cameraman and I jumped into Danielss cabin and we had a phenomenal interview where we discussed the goal of the convoy, his own family experience with escaping communism in Indonesia, his thoughts about where this country is going, and why theres so much groundswell support for the truckers, as well as what will happen to America if people dont wake up.

Resources:

 AMAC:

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 Moderna Recall Europe:

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https://ept.ms/3jw9HFx

 Moderna Recall Japan:

https://ept.ms/3uyahJl

 Georgia

https://ept.ms/3uD0thm

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Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin attends a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson ahead of a meeting on whether to seek NATO membership, in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 13, 2022. (Paul Wennerholm/TT via AP)

Finland Moves Toward NATO Membership Decision Within Weeks Rather Than Months

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin says Helsinki is moving toward a decision on applying to join the NATO military alliance within weeks.

I wont give any kind of timetable when we will make our decisions, but I think it will happen quite fast, within weeks, not within months, Marin said during an April 13 joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart in Stockholm.

Marin made the announcement while meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in the countrys capital. The two leaders discussed how to strengthen the security of both Nordic countries in the changing security environment.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has triggered a surge in support for joining NATO in the two traditionally militarily nonaligned Nordic countries. Finland, which has a population of 5.5 million, shares the EUs longest border with Russia, an 833-mile frontier.

The European security architecture has changed fundamentally after Russias invasion of Ukraine. The change in the security landscape makes it necessary to analyze how we best secure peace for Finland and in our region in the future, Marin said.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (L), and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin ahead of a meeting on whether to seek NATO membership, in Stockholm, on April 13, 2022. (Paul Wennerholm/TT via AP)

While Finland hasnt expressed a strong interest in joining NATO for decades, a sudden U-turn in public opinion to apply for membership shifted after an opinion poll last month showed that, for the first time, more than 50 percent of Finns support joining the alliance. In neighboring Sweden, a similar poll showed that those in favor of NATO membership outnumber those against it.

We are giving today to the Parliament the paper which will analyze different options for Finland in the future for our security, said Marin, adding that the 200-seat Eduskunta legislature needs to reach a consensus.

This is very important for Finland when it comes to security and also foreign policies to have as wide a consensus as possible because we do have a right-next-door neighbor, Russia, she said.

Once members, Finland and Sweden would benefit from NATOs collective defense clause, which obliges all 30 member countries to come to the aid of any ally that comes under attack.

Russia, for its part, has previously warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, with officials saying it wouldnt contribute to stability in Europe. Moscow said it would respond to such a move with retaliatory measures that would cause military and political consequences for Helsinki and Stockholm.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATOs top civilian official, said earlier this month that if Finland and Sweden decide to apply for NATO membership, all allies of the defensive alliance would quickly welcome both Nordic countries.

Marin stressed on April 13 that the neighboring countries, which have close economic, political, and military ties, will make independent decisions regarding their security policy arrangements, including whether to join NATO.

Andersson said Sweden and Finland would maintain a very close dialogue and have a very straightforward and honest discussion in the coming weeks over their countries respective choices on becoming NATO members.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
1st Texas Bus Drops Off Illegal Immigrants Near US Capitol

The first bus carrying illegal immigrants from Texas arrived in Washington on April 13.

The illegal aliens were dropped off between Union Station and the U.S. Capitol, according to the office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

As the federal government continues to turn a blind eye to the border crisis, the State of Texas will remain steadfast in our efforts to fill in the gaps and keep Texans safe, Abbott said in a statement. By busing migrants to Washington, D.C., the Biden administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden administrations failure to secure our border.

Abbott, a Republican, directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management earlier this month to begin coordinating voluntary transportation to Washington and other locations outside Texas of immigrants released from federal custody.

The bus that arrived on Wednesday was filled with immigrants who came from Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, Abbotts office said.

Footage captured by Fox News showed the immigrants getting off the bus several blocks from the Capitol at approximately 8:13 a.m.

It wasnt clear which officials were processing the immigrants.

The Texas division declined to comment, as did U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Two men in khakis and black, collared shirts greeted the immigrants and gave them cell phones as they got off. They also looked up information from a wristband that each person wore. They exchanged hugs and handshakes with the aliens after processing them.

Everybody getting off the bus had a manila folder.

Many were men.

Luis Alberto, a Venezuelan national who was on the bus, told NTD that the group crossed the border into Texas on April 12 after being robbed by cartels and Mexican police officers.

When we got to Texas we had nothing because they had taken everything. We heard there was help, and a bus to Washington, and there would be someone to facilitate travel, because in Texas there is no help, he said as to why the immigrants agreed to get on the bus.

Catholic Charities assisted the immigrants after they got off the bus.

Catholic Charities workers assist the illegal immigrants who were bussed from Texas to Washington on April 13, 2022. (NTD Television)

Most of the immigrants are going to other areas, Sister Sharlet Wagner, executive director of the Newcomer Network which the charity runs, told NTD.

Most of them do have family or friends in the place where they really want to go. Were happy to help them if they want to stay here. Most are choosing to move on, she said.

Organizers bought food for the immigrants and bus tickets for those who want to go elsewhere.

Abbott announced the plan during a press conference on April 6. He said it was necessary because Texas has been overwhelmed by hordes of illegal immigrants who are being dropped off by the Biden administration and transporting them to the capitol of the United States would allow the federal government to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border.

Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the United States has recorded an unprecedented number of illegal immigrant encounters at the U.S.Mexico border.

There are few signs the flood is waning. Both critics and supporters of Bidens treatment of the border say a spike is expected when Title 42, a pandemic-era authority, expires in May.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki previously called Abbotts bussing plan a publicity stunt.

Asked about Wednesdays arrival, she told reporters in Washington that these are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel so its nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination as they await the outcome of their immigration proceedings. CBP stands for Customs and Border Protection.

Abbotts office says a second bus is en route to Washington.

Nick Ciolino contributed to this report.
Former Clinton Campaign Lawyer to Go on Trial After Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss Case

The attorney who represented Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign when he provided a tip to the FBI regarding Clintons rival, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, is headed to trial after an attempt to get his case dismissed was rejected by a federal judge.

Attorney Michael Sussmann is set to go on trial on May 16 on one count of lying to the FBI. He has pleaded not guilty.

Sussmann lied when he said he wasnt providing the tip on behalf of a client, according to special counsel John Durhams team.

Sussmann, through his attorneys, attempted to convince U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama nominee, that he should dismiss the case, arguing that Sussmanns lie was an ancillary matter.

The effect of the lie was trivial, Sean Berkowitz, one of Sussmanns attorneys, said during a recent hearing on the motion to dismiss, charging that we havent ever seen a case where someone who provided a tip to the government was charged for making a false statement about something other than the tip.

Cooper said its too early to tell if Berkowitzs argument is correct, noting that the cases Sussmann cited to support the motion all went to trial.

So, while Sussmann is correct that certain statements might be so peripheral or unimportant to a relevant agency decision or function to be immaterial under [federal law] as matter of law, the court is unable to make that determination as to this alleged statement before hearing the governments evidence. Any such decision must therefore wait until trial, the judge wrote in a six-page opinion.

The information that Sussmann provided to then-FBI General Counsel James Baker included three white papers and associated data files that Sussmann claimed would support media reports of a secret communications channel between Trumps campaign and Alfa Bank, a Russian bank.

The supposed connections have never been proven and several investigators, including special counsel Robert Mueller, have said no evidence has been found to substantiate the claim.

Sussmann at the time was representing the campaign of Clintonwho was running for presidentas well as the Democratic National Committee.

The FBI opened an investigation into Sussmanns tip, but ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations, according to Sussmanns indictment.

The probe revealed that the email server that allegedly communicated with Alfa Bank wasnt owned or operated by the Trump Organization, but had been administered by a mass marketing company that distributed advertisements for hundreds of clients in addition to Trump hotels.

If the FBI had been aware of the parties Sussmann represented, the bureau might have been more cautious about opening an investigation, according to Durham.

Sussmann faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
The USNS Mercy enters the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles on March 27, 2020. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

Former LA Port Engineer Gets 3 Years for Intentional Train Wreck

LOS ANGELESA former locomotive engineer at the Port of Los Angeles was sentenced to three years behind bars on April 13 for intentionally running a train at full speed off the tracks near the Navy hospital ship Mercy, claiming the vessel was docked at the port as part of a possible government takeover.

Eduardo Moreno, 46, of San Pedro, was also ordered to pay $755,880 in restitution to Pacific Harbor Line, the railroad company at the port.

Moreno pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of committing a terrorist attack against railroad carriers and mass transportation systems.

No one was injured in the March 31, 2020, incident, and the USNS (United States Naval Ship) Mercy was not damaged. The train leaked fuel that required a hazardous-materials cleanup.

In an interview with Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Moreno stated that he ran the train off the track out of a desire to wake people up because the Mercy was suspicious and not what they say its for, according to documents filed in Los Angeles federal court.

The crash was witnessed by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer, who took Moreno into custody as he fled the scene, federal prosecutors said.

The officer reported seeing the train smash into a concrete barrier at the end of the track, smash into a steel barrier, smash into a chain-link fence, slide through a parking lot, slide across another lot filled with gravel and smash into a second chain-link fence, according to court papers.

When the CHP officer contacted Moreno, he made a series of spontaneous statements, including, You only get this chance once. The whole world is watching. I had to. People dont know whats going on here. Now they will, according to court filings.

In his first interview with port police, Moreno admitted crashing the train, saying he was suspicious of the Mercy and believed it had an alternate purpose related to COVID-19, such as a government takeover, prosecutors said.

Moreno said he acted alone and had not pre-planned the attack. While admitting to intentionally derailing and crashing the train, he said he knew it would bring media attention and people could see for themselves, referring to the Mercy, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The Los Angeles Port Police reviewed video recorded from the locomotives cab, officials said. One video shows the train clearly moving at a high rate of speed before crashing through various barriers and coming into close proximity to three occupied vehicles. A second video shows Moreno in the cab holding a lighted flare, according to prosecutors.

The Mercy docked at the port on March 27, 2020. Its 1,000 hospital beds were used as a relief valve for Southland hospitals overrun with coronavirus patients. The hospital ship did not treat any COVID-19 patients.

Military personnel walk wearing face masks aboard the USNS Mercy Navy hospital ship docked in the Port of Los Angeles amid the COVID-19 pandemic in San Pedro, Calif., on April 15, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Frank James, Suspect in New York Subway Shooting, Taken Into Custody

Suspect described a 'mental health crisis' and railed against mayor in videos

The suspect in the New York subway shooting was arrested on April 13 and charged with terrorism.

Frank James, 62, was stopped at 1:42 p.m. at the corner of St. Marks Place and First Avenue in Manhattan by New York police officers.

A tipster alerted police to Jamess location, New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told a briefing.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him, New York Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was taken into custody without incident.

He has already been charged with violating a federal law that prohibits terrorist attacks and other violence against mass transportation systems, and hell face additional counts, according to Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

A man authorities say is James donned a gas mask on the morning of April 12 and opened two canisters that filled a Manhattan-bound N train with smoke before opening fire as a train pulled into the 36th Street Station in Brooklyn.

Shots can be heard in video footage taken by witnesses that also shows people fleeing the train.

Officers investigate a shooting at the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn on April 12, 2022. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

James exited the subway from a station thats one station away from the scene of the shooting, according to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant. He was on the loose for approximately 29 hours.

James traveled from Wisconsin to Philadelphia, where he rented an apartment and had a storage unit, according to videos on his YouTube page and law enforcement officials.

James has a lengthy criminal record, including nine arrests in New York and three in New Jersey. But he was never convicted of a felony, which enabled him to legally obtain a gun, James Essig, a New York Police Department (NYPD) official, told reporters.

Records from U-Haul show that James rented a vehicle in Philadelphia. Surveillance cameras captured the vehicle being driven into New York just hours before the attack. One camera showed him walking on foot away from the van near a subway station, while footage released by the NYPD showed him entering the station through a turnstile.

The van was recovered in Brooklyn, as was the key to the vehicle.

Detectives at the crime scene also recovered a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun, magazines, a hatchet, a liquid believed to be gasoline, a bag with consumer-grade fireworks, and a hobby fuse.

James listed Lucent Technologies, an information technology consulting firm, as his place of employment. The company didnt respond to a request for comment.

Authorities confirmed that James was the owner of a YouTube account, where he posted dozens of videos that have been removed by the technology company.

In the videos, James, a black male, ranted about police shootings of black people and repeatedly used racial epithets against white and Hispanic people, according to an Epoch Times review.

In a linked Facebook account, James called former President Donald Trump and his supporters racist and repeatedly posted violent images and memes, including one that said, You may not be able to beat em but you can sure as hell shoot em.

James also criticized Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, taking particular aim at their recent announcement on trying to help the mentally ill in the city and state of New York.

In one of his videos, James described having a crisis of mental health in the past and launched into an expletive-riddled screed against people he said he dealt with who work in the mental health system.

Mr. Mayor, let me say to you, Im a victim of your mental health program, he said at one point.

Adams told MSNBC on April 13 that he wasnt sure what James was talking about.

But its clear that this individual wanted to create terror and violence, he said.

Police officials have briefed the mayor on the social media posts, which saw James express support for the Black Lives Matter movement and black nationalists such as Assata Shakur, who killed a New Jersey state trooper in 1973 and later fled to Cuba.

James also launched a rant in a video, [expletive] BLM, where he criticized the movement and offered his views on topical subjects such as nuclear war, the RussiaUkraine conflict, and traffic in Chicago.

In recent videos, James discussed his trip.

As I leave the state of Wisconsin, about to be back in the state of Illinois, all I can say is good riddance, and I will never be back again alive, he said.
Greens candidate for Richmond, Mandy Nolan and Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt speak to media during a doorstop at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 29, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Free Dental for All: Australian Greens Latest Election Pitch

Confident Greens leader vows no more coal or gas

If the Australian Greens hold the balance of power after the next federal election, the left-wing party will push to expand the governments Medicare program to cover all dental care.

In an address to the National Press Club, leader Adam Bandt revealed that the latest initiative would be funded through stricterand highertaxation on the countrys corporations and billionaires.

Several earlier announcements from the party including higher welfare payments, free childcare, and subsidies for energy workers pushed out by renewable energy development, would all be funded by the Greens tax plan.

The Greens will introduce a billionaires tax, which will tax the growing list of 131 billionaires in Australia six percent of their wealth every year, Bandt said.

We will introduce a corporate super profits tax or tycoon tax, which will get the one in three corporations that currently dont pay any tax and force them to hand over their excessive profits on anything they make over AU$100 million, and we will crack down on multinational tax avoidance.

The latest dental announcement is set to cost AU$77.6 billion over a decade, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, and will cover dental care, orthodontic treatments, oral surgery, periodontics, and prosthodontics.

Last time the Greens were in the balance of power we got dental into Medicare for kids, and now well finish the job by getting dental into Medicare for everyone, Bandt said on April 13.

The Greens will make [billionaire] Clive Palmer pay more tax so you can fix your teeth, he said. In balance of power, the Greens will kick the [Liberals] out and take climate action by stopping new coal and gas mines, and well tackle the cost of living by getting dental and mental health into Medicare, fixing the housing affordability crisis and wiping student debt.

Bandt is confident his party can secure enough seats to become the biggest third party in the Senate, a powerful position that will have a heavy influence over public policy.

(Predictions) put us on track to be the biggest third party in the Senate ever, to be the biggest ever Greens party room and to be the most powerful third party in the parliament, he said, vowing to push for an end to coal and gas production.

The party is targeting three Senate seats in Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. They will also target the lower house seats of Richmond (held by the Labor Party) in New South Wales, Higgins (Liberal) and Macnamara (Labor) in Victoria, as well as Ryan (Liberal), and Griffith (Labor) in Queensland.

The Greens march comes as Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese has continued to distance himself from radical elements of the political scene to appeal to the mainstream voter, even ruling out any power-sharing arrangement with the Greens if Labor needed the numbers to form a government.

I wont be negotiating or doing deals with the Greens after the election, Albanese told 2GB radio.

Bandt said that if a hung Parliament were to result, he would not call for another election if a deal could not be struck with Labor.

If the Australian people deliver a Parliament where multiple voices are representedand I think that that is the casewe have got no interest in sending people back to a second election, he said.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during the celebration honoring the Georgia Bulldogs national championship victory in Athens, Ga., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Georgia Gov. Kemp Signs Constitutional Carry Bill Into Law

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed a bill into law that immediately allows permitless handgun carry for most residents in the state.

The measure, Senate Bill 319, dubbed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act, passed the legislature April 1 mainly along party lines.

It allows residents to carry a concealed a firearm without a license, with the exception of people convicted of a felony, or those have been treated for certain mental health issues within the past five years.

The Republican governor said at a signing ceremony that the new law allows Georgians to protect themselves without having to have permission from your state government.

The Constitution of the United States gives us that right, not the government, Kemp said.

Republicans argue that requiring a carry permit, which costs about $75, infringes on Second Amendment gun rights. They also cite permitting delays in some Georgia counties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Georgia state Republican Sen. Jason Anavitarte, a sponsor of the bill, said during the signing ceremony, Today was a victory for the safety, security and constitutional rights of hardworking Georgians.

This bill is about self-protection and self-empowerment, said Anavitarte. Its about disincentivizing criminals and empowering law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families.

A National Rifle Association member look over pistols in the Remington display at the 146th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Georgia on April 29, 2017. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Georgia Democrats held a rally on Tuesday in protest of the legislation, which removes the background check for a permit to carry a loaded or concealed handgun in public. Democrats note that more than 5,000 people applied for permits last year and were blocked, and say police and the public will now face the danger of some of those people carrying guns.

Background checks would still be required when purchasing a handgun from a store or a dealer, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Yes, I believe in the Second Amendment, said Sen. Donzella James, an Atlanta Democrat. But why are we spreading the access to guns to everyone?

We refuse to accept a Georgia where its easier for criminals to carry guns but hard for many Georgians to get health care, Georgia Democrats wrote on Twitter. We must change our leadership in November and defeat Brian Kemp.

Georgia is the 25th state with such a law, and the 10th added in the past two years.

People dont have to carry if they dont want to, Kemp told reporters on Tuesday. But this is a constitutional authority that people have, and they certainly shouldnt have a piece of paper from the government to be able to legally carry a weapon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Get Original Glazed Doughnuts for the Price of a Gallon of Gas at Krispy Kreme

Multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain Krispy Kreme has announced a new offer where a dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts in the United States will be priced equivalent to the price of a gallon of gasoline.

The offer, which begins on April 13 and ends May 4, will be available on Wednesdays at participating stores. The price of the doughnuts will be decided based on the national average price of regular gasoline per gallon in the country on each Monday. The company will alert fans about the offer via its social media accounts. Customers can buy up to two dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts for a price of a gallon of gas under the offer.

We know that despite the high gas prices people have to be out and about anyway. So, for the next several Wednesdays, we hope providing a little doughnut deflation will allow them to share some smiles during a difficult time, Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena said in an April 11 press release.

A dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts for the price of a gallon of gas will help our fans make midweek a little sweeter for their friends and family.

A gallon of regular gas cost $4.083 as of April 13, up by over 42 percent when compared to $2.861 a year ago, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA). The highest recorded average price for regular gas was $4.331 per gallon hit on March 11.

While Russias attack on Ukraine did contribute to a spike in oil prices, many criticize the Biden administrations fossil-adverse policies for rising gas prices in America.

President Joe Bidens pledge to get the United States off fossil fuels and the several years of anti-fracking policies supported by Democrats are major factors that have contributed to gasoline prices, Jerry Simmons, president and CEO of Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, said to NTD.

Simmons criticized Bidens shutting down of the Keystone XL pipeline which the previous Trump administration had touted as Americas way to energy independence. Such policies have had huge impacts on the countrys energy situation at present. Simmons also criticized Washingtons decision to approach foreign countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela for oil before asking American producers to ramp up production.

But again, if youre concerned about climate change and global CO2 emissions, just because its produced in another country doesnt mean that its not going to have the same impact. So it doesnt make any sense, he said.

Like Krispy Kreme, other brands have also announced offers involving gasoline. Shell Fuel Rewards members can avail 30 cents discount per gallon at Shell outlets after their fifth beverage purchase at Dunkin. Wawa, which owns convenience stores and gas stations, is offering a discount of 15 cents per gallon to customers who pay with the companys app.

Fast food chain Bojangles is giving away gas gift cards worth millions of dollars for customers who buy the brands Family Meal which contains 12 or 20 pieces of chicken, tea, sides, and biscuit.
A police officer runs near a van that police say is connected with the shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on April 12, 2022. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Gun Used in Brooklyn Subway Attack Was Purchased Legally

The gun used to shoot 10 people in New York City on April 12 was purchased legally, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

ATF investigators were able to find records that showed Frank James purchased the firearm from a federal firearms licensee in Ohio in 2011, John DeVito, an ATF official, told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday.

Essentially, we tied that gun utilized the shooting to our target, and now we have our target in custody, DeVito said after James was arrested.

In a court filing, FBI special agent Jorge Alvarez said the Glock 17 pistol was was lawfully purchased in Ohio by James, citing ATF records.

The semi-automatic gun was manufactured in Austria and marks on the serial number appear to reflect that an attempt was made to deface the serial number, Alvarez wrote.

The timeline on the gun spans 16 years and five states, according to DeVito.

James Essig, an NYPD official, told reporters during a briefing that James has ties to Ohio, New Jersey, and New York in addition to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

He was arrested in New York nine times between 1992 and 1998, including for possession of burglary tools, a criminal sex act, criminal tampering, and theft.

Another three arrests took place in New Jersey, once in 1991, once in 1992, and once in 2007.

The arrests were for trespass, larceny, and disorderly conduct.

The lack of a felony conviction enabled James to buy a gun legally, Essig said.

The firearm authorities say Frank James used in the shooting in New York City on April 12, 2022. (FBI via The Epoch Times)

The gun, a container carrying gasoline, and a U-Haul key were recovered in a bag left at the scene of the crime. Bank cards, including a debit card issued by a bank in the name of Frank James, were also found.

Another bag contained fireworks.

A storage unit in Philadelphia registered to James was raided. Law enforcement agents recovered 9 mm ammunition and a 9 mm pistol barrel. An apartment rented by James was also raided, with a taser, a smoke canister, and an empty magazine for a Glock handgun located inside.

U-Haul records showed James rented a U-Haul in Philadelphia on April 11 at approximately 2:03 p.m. and surveillance cameras showed the U-Haul enter Brooklyn at approximately 4:11 a.m. the following day, several hours before the attack.

A camera in Brooklyn recorded a person wearing a hard hat and a construction-style vest leaving the U-Haul on foot. Footage from the transit system showed James in the gear entering the subway.

At about 8:40 a.m., a camera recorded a person who appeared to be James exiting the subway one stop away from the location of the attack.

James was taken into custody on Wednesday, over 24 hours after the shooting.

Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said James would be charged with multiple counts. He has already been charged with one count of violating a federal law that prohibits terrorist attacks and other violence against mass transportation systems.
An image of murdered UK Conservative lawmaker David Amess is displayed near the altar in St Peters Catholic Church before a vigil in Leigh-on-Sea, England, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo)

Islamic Terrorist Handed Whole-Life Sentence for Murder of UK Lawmaker David Amess

A British terrorist of Somali descent has been handed a whole-life prison term for the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.

Ali Harbi Ali, 26, who pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group, brutally stabbed Amess to death in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, on Oct. 15, 2021.

Amess, a 69-year-old father of five who had served as MP for the Southend West constituency since 1997, was meeting with constituents when he was attacked.

During his trial, Ali said he had no regrets about the murder, justifying his actions by saying the veteran MP deserved to die as a result of voting for airstrikes on ISIS terrorists in Syria in 2014 and 2015.

Announcing the sentence at the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey on April 13, Justice Sweeney said, The defendant has no remorse or shame for what he has donequite the reverse.

He described Amesss death as a loss of national significance and said his murder struck at the heart of democracy.

Undated handout file photo of Ali Harbi Ali who has been given a whole life sentence for the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, issued by the Metropolitan Police on April 13, 2022. (PA)

The whole-life sentence means Ali will never be eligible for parole and will likely spend the rest of his days in prison.

Amesss family, in a statement issued through the Metropolitan Police, said his murder was beyond evil, and they felt no elation at Alis imprisonment.

Ali, who was born into an influential Somali family in London, became self-radicalised in 2014 and dropped out of university, abandoning ambitions for a career in medicine.

The prosecutor said the attack on Amess was no spur-of-the-moment decision, as Ali had for a number of years been determined to carry out an act of domestic terrorism.

He considered travelling to Syria to fight for the ISIS terrorist group, but by 2019 opted for an attack in the UK.

The terrorist bought a knife six years ago and carried out reconnaissance on targets, including Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove.

By September 2021, Ali had settled on Amess as an easy target after seeing his upcoming meeting with constituents in Leigh-on-Sea on Twitter. He made an appointment through the MPs office, falsely claiming that he was moving to the area and was interested in churches.

On Oct. 15, 2021, within minutes of meeting Amess, Ali pulled out a 12-inch carving knife and stabbed him more than 20 times.

In a police interview, he spoke calmly about his plot and admitted allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group.

PA Media contributed to this report.
The giant fruit, mild and firm while young, is a perfect canvas for creative cookingand not just as pretend-meat

Jackfruit has become a popular meat alternative in the past few years. Its popping up on menus and in grocery stores, prepared in many different ways. You can find it on tacos or on a vegetarian pulled pork sandwich at the BBQ joint, and anywhere else meat or proteins are found.

The trees are native to a South Asian region thats home to the modern countries of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Burma, and Thailand, where its used widely in sweet and savory dishes. The watermelon-shaped fruit can be three feet long and weigh 100 pounds, and its covered with spikes like an oversized medieval weapon. A single tree can produce as many as 500 fruits in a single year. Thats 50,000 pounds of jackfruit for all of you non-math majors, an astounding amount of food.

When mature, the bright-yellow flesh is sweet. Younger jackfruit flesh is firmer, closer to white in color, and not sweet at all, tasting somewhere between artichoke heart and mushroom.

In Brazil, where I first encountered jackfruit, I found them to be a bother. The trees are beautiful but menacing, and you had to keep track of them like you did your wallet. You shouldnt stand beneath that shady canopy, lest you get jacked when a dangling bomb lets go, and locals know not to park under them either, as car-jackings are common.

Ripe jackfruit flesh is bright yellow, with a sticky-sweet aroma and a flavor like extra-fruity bubblegum. (pukao/Shutterstock)

During my time there, I never tried eating the young jackfruit, because in Brazil its more commonly eaten sweet and ripe. It tastes like extra-fruity bubblegum, with a sticky aroma you can smell a mile away. Altogether I was not impressed.

Jackfruit Cookery

At an Asian grocery store in Salt Lake City the other day, my son snagged a can of young jackfruit from the shelf and stuck it into the shopping cart, hoping for a sugary snack. I didnt notice until I got home, so I did what I had heard a lot of jackfruit chefs do and prepared it with habanero huckleberry BBQ sauce. First I simmered it in a cup of sauce and water until the liquid reduced by half. Then I marinated it for three days in the fridge.

I felt sheepish following this path, because I think dressing up meaty vegetables to pass as flesh is a set-up for failure. A serving of jackfruit contains less than three grams of protein6 percent of an average daily allowance. Our bodies can taste protein, and lack thereof. When we expect a meaty experience, a meaty texture alone wont cut it.

Younger jackfruit, with its mild flavor and firm, stringy texture, has become a popular meat substitute. (P Kyriakos/Shutterstock)

And by the same token, if somebody truly loves eating plants, I dont understand why they would work so hard to pretend its meat. Enjoy and celebrate the young jackfruit like the wonderful plant that it is.

Rather than serve my BBQ marinated jackfruit as a pulled pork sandwich, I spooned the stringy chunks onto some rice and ate it like some exotic curry. The mild jackfruit flavor mixed exquisitely with the flavors of the sauce. And the texture of young jackfruit, as others have noted, is fun.

I had a little jackfruit left, so I fried it with some bacon bits, like the omnivore I am. It was glorious. The loose flesh of the fruit soaked up the grease, and the firm, chewy texture created a lovely contrast against the crispy pieces of bacon. I wanted more.

In the jackfruits ancestral homelands, the unripe fruit has long been used in savory dishes such as curries.(galuhtati/Shutterstock)

In small-town Montana, I didnt think Id find jackfruit on the shelves, but I hit the supermarket just in case, and was pleasantly surprised. There was a bag of frozen ripe jackfruit pieces, but that wasnt the pleasant part. I also found a package of Uptons Naturals brand Bar-B-Que Jackfruit, replete with an image of a bearded hipster on the box. I brought it home to the lab.

The Uptons Bar-B-Que jackfruit was fine, if inferior to my own creation. But I was ready for something different from pretend-meat.

In the jackfruits ancestral homelands, the unripe fruit has long been used in savory dishes such as curries. I was hoping to make an authentic jackfruit recipe, with spices tailored over many generations specifically for it, and for that, I needed unflavored jackfruit. Happily, I found cans of young jackfruit at a small international foods market and brought some home. To celebrate, I invented a recipe for Indian-style jackfruit masala, a rich gravy with lots of aromatic spices. It doesnt taste like fruit, and it doesnt taste like meat. Nonetheless, I cant stop eating it.

Green Jackfruit Masala

Its not meat. Its fried jackfruit in a fragrant tomato gravy. Serve it with rice, a green garnish, and spicy condiments.

Serves 2

1/4 cup cooking oil or ghee

1 20-ounce can young jackfruit in brine, drained and cut into pieces about an inch on a side

1 teaspoon garam masala spice powder (or Indian spices of your choice)

1/2 teaspoon whole cumin

1/2 teaspoon whole coriander

1 pinch each fenugreek and asafoetida (if you have them, otherwise dont stress)

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cubic inch peeled ginger, sliced

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, including liquid (dont drain the water)

Zest and juice of 1/4 lemon

Salt to taste

Rice, cilantro, yogurt, and condiments for serving

Add the oil to a pan and heat it on medium-high heat until a flick of water sputters in the oil. Add the jackfruit pieces to the pan, evenly spaced so they arent touching each other, and fry until browned, flipping as necessary. Remove the browned jackfruit and set aside.

Look for canned young or green jackfruit in brine.(Ascannio/Shutterstock)

Lower the heat to medium. Add the garam masala and leave it long enough to almost brown, and then add the onions and stir into the spices. When the onions become translucent, add the garlic and ginger. A minute later, add the tomatoes and the water from the can, and then fill the can with water and add it, too. Add the lemon zest and juice. Stir it all together and add salt to taste.

Add the browned jackfruit to the sauce, and simmer for 30 minutes to thicken. Serve with a fragrant rice, such as basmati or jasmine, chopped cilantro as garnish, and yogurt and other condiments within reach.
Japan Approves New Sanctions Against Russia, Freezes Assets of Putins Daughters

Japans cabinet agreed on April 12 to freeze the assets of 398 Russian individuals, including two daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of its new sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

This round of sanctions includes freezing the assets of Putins daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, as well as those of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovs wife, bringing the total number of Russian individuals sanctioned by Japan to 499.

In addition, Japan will impose sanctions on 28 additional Russian organizations and two Russian banksSberbank and the Alfa-Bankwhich will take effect on May 12, Kyodo News reported.

To prevent a further escalation of the crisis, realize a cease-fire as soon as possible and stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our country must impose tough sanctions against Moscow while working with the international community, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Japan has also decided to ban imports of Russian alcoholic beverages, including vodka, as well as machinery and lumber products, beginning on April 19, with a total of 38 goods being subjected to the ban.

Commenting on Russian coal imports, Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda said Japan will carefully assess electricity demand for the summer and winter, as well as the influence on industries.

Hagiuda has previously said that Japan will seek alternatives to reduce its reliance on Russian coal imports as part of its sanctions against Moscow. Russia accounted for 11 percent of Japans total coal imports in 2021.

On March 23, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan wont pull out from the Sakhalin-2 LNG project in the Russian Far East, saying that the project is extremely important to Japans energy security.

Japans Mitsui and Mitsubishi hold 12.5 and 10.5 percent stakes in the Sakhalin-2 project, respectively, while Russias state-run Gazprom PJSC owns 50 percent. Shell, which holds a 27.5 percent stake, exited the project in response to the war in Ukraine.

The country has imposed a slew of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, including sanctions targeting Putin and several other Russian leaders. It also restricted exports of certain goods to the country and banned Russian banks from the SWIFT global interbank network.

To support Ukraine, Kishida said on March 4 that Japan will supply Ukraine with defense equipment, such as bulletproof vests and helmets, and pledged to accept Ukrainian refugees even if they have no relatives in Japan.

Russia placed Japan on its unfriendly nations list and suspended peace treaty talks with Japan in retaliation for Tokyos sanctions against its invasion of Ukraine, a decision Japan has strongly condemned.
Large banners hang in an atrium at the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., on July 30, 2013. (Mel Evans/AP Photo)

Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $302 Million in Pelvic Mesh Case

SAN DIEGOA California appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that Johnson & Johnson must pay penalties to the state for deceptively marketing pelvic mesh implants for women, but reduced the amount by $42 million to $302 million.

Johnson & Johnson had appealed in 2020 after Superior Court Judge Eddie Sturgeon assessed the $344 million in penalties against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon.

Sturgeon found after a non-jury trial that the company made misleading and potentially harmful statements in hundreds of thousands of advertisements and instructional brochures for nearly two decades.

Californias Fourth District Court of Appeal issued a ruling Monday that $42 million in penalties assessed for the companys sales pitches to doctors were unjustified because there was no evidence of what the sales representatives actually said.

But the appeals court said Sturgeon received ample evidence that Ethicon knowingly deceived both physicians and patients about the risks posed by its products, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Ryan Carbain, a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson, told the Chronicle that the company would appeal the appeals court ruling to the state Supreme Court.

The instructions for use in all of the companys pelvic mesh implant packages falsified or omitted the full range, severity, duration, and cause of complications associated with Ethicons pelvic mesh products, as well as the potential irreversibility and catastrophic consequences, Presiding Justice Judith McConnell of the appeals court said in a 3-0 ruling upholding the $302 million in penalties.

She rejected the companys claim that the fine was excessive, saying it amounted to less than 1 percent of Johnson & Johnsons net worth of $70.4 billion.

The products, also called transvaginal mesh, are synthetic and surgically implanted through the vagina of women whose pelvic organs have sagged or who suffered from stress urinary incontinence when they cough, sneeze or lift heavy objects.

Many women have sued the New Jersey-based company alleging that the mesh caused severe pain, bleeding, infections, discomfort during intercourse and the need for removal surgery.

The condition is estimated to affect 3 percent to 17 percent of women and it sometimes becomes severe after age 70.

Johnson & Johnson, the worlds biggest maker of health care products, is contesting other lawsuits over drug side effects, its role in the U.S. opioid epidemic and allegations its baby powder caused cancer in some users.
Labor and opposition leader Anthony Albanese delivering his budget reply speech in Canberra, Australia, on March 31, 2022. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

Labor Vows to Fund 50 Urgent Medical Centres to Alleviate Strain on Public Hospital System

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has vowed to fund 50 urgent medical care centres across the country if he wins government at the next election.

The centre-left Labor Party leader said the AU$135 million plan was not a copy of a previous policy, saying it wasnt delivering the same service.

Albanese announced the four-year trial of the clinics on day three of Australias official election campaign period and is designed to alleviate pressure on the public hospital system, which is currently suffering from ambulance ramping and delays.

The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be based at GP surgeries and community health centres across Australia and will treat minor injuries that require immediate care including sprains, broken bones, stitches, wounds, insect bites, minor burns, and minor ear and eye problems.

All treatments will be bulk billed meaning it can be charged to the public health service Medicare. Clinics will open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Labors Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will mean more families will get top-quality care from a nurse or a doctor without having to wait in a hospital emergency department, Albanese said in a statement. These clinics are a key part of Labors plan to strengthen Medicare by making it easier to see a doctor.

Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said the care centre initiative was a practical, tangible example of Labors commitment to strengthen Medicare.

Medicare is the bedrock of our health system and by using it to help take the pressure off hospital emergency departments we make can the whole system stronger, he said.

The Labor Party had vowed to improve Medicare as part of its election commitment.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has criticised the proposal, however, saying it was identical to an earlier proposal under former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Additionally, Health Minister Greg Hunt said the previous super clinic plan only delivered 33 out of a promised 65 clinics at a cost of AU$650 million.

Butler has responded to the criticism by saying that under the Coalition government healthcare has never been harder or more expensive.

GPs around the country have been trying to make this sort of model work, but it simply cant stack up financially under the existing Medicare system, he wrote on Twitter.

Delays and ambulance rampingthe time patients spend waiting outside a hospital in an ambulanceare endemic across Australias major public hospitals.

The causes, however, run deeper than funding, with an ageing population resulting in more complex medical conditions possibly contributing to longer treatment times.

While proper management of health facilities and how patients are allocated services have also been highlighted as key issues.

I hear in some jurisdictions now people from nursing homes are going into hospital when they should be treated in the nursing home. So, theyre filling up hospital beds when they should be treated by GPs at home, former Queensland premier and now-Senate candidate Campbell Newman previously told The Epoch Times.
New York officials give update after multiple people were shot in a Brooklyn subway station.
The Russian missile cruiser Moskva patrols in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Syria, on Dec. 17, 2015. (Max Delany/AFP via Getty Images)

RussiaUkraine War (April 13): Russia Says Warship Seriously Damaged by Explosion, Ukraine Claims Missile Strike

The latest on the RussiaUkraine crisis, April 13. Click here for updates from April 12.

Russia Says Warship Seriously Damaged by Explosion, Ukraine Claims Missile Strike

Russia said on Thursday the flagship of its Black Sea fleet was seriously damaged and its crew evacuated following an explosion that a Ukrainian official said was the result of a missile strike.

Russias defense ministry said a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser caused ammunition to blow up, Interfax news agency reported.

It did not say what caused the fire but Maksym Marchenko, the Ukrainian governor of the region around the Black Sea port of Odesa, said the Moskva had been hit by two Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles.

Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage, he said in an online post.

Ukraines defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment and The Epoch Times was unable to verify either sides claims.

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US Gives Ukraine $800 Million More in Military Aid, Adds Heavy Weapons

President Joe Bidens administration on Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, expanding the scope of the systems provided ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine.

The latest package, which brings the total military aid tally since Russian forces invaded in February to more than $2.5 billion, includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers, and unmanned coastal defense vessels, Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Biden said he had also approved the transfer of additional helicopters, saying equipment provided to Ukraine has been critical as it confronts the invasion.

The new security assistance package, according to the Defense Department, includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been earmarked for Afghanistan before the U.S.-backed government collapsed and 18 155mm howitzers, along with counter-artillery radars and 200 armored personnel carriers.

This was the first time howitzers have been provided to Ukraine by the United States.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said some of the systems, like the howitzers and radars, will require additional training for Ukrainian forces.

The new aid will be funded using the Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorize the transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

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Russia Says US-NATO Arms Convoys in Ukraine Legitimate Targets

Russia will perceive convoys delivering arms from NATO states to Ukraine as legitimate targets for its military once they reach Ukrainian territory, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned in an interview published on Wednesday.

Regular contact with the United States is impossible for Russia, considering Washingtons unabashed support for militaristic intentions of the Kyiv regime, the pouring of modern weapons into the country by NATO members, the diplomat said. Moscows goal now is to make it abundantly clear for the United States and its allies that Russia will use harsh methods in response to attempts to hurt its military in Ukraine.

We are warning that AmericanNATO transports carrying weapons across the Ukrainian territory are considered legitimate military targets, he stressed.

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Finland Moves Toward NATO Membership Decision Within Weeks

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Wednesday said Helsinki is moving toward a decision on applying to join the NATO military alliance within weeks and not within months.

I wont give any kind of timetable when we will make our decisions, but I think it will happen quite fast, within weeks, not within months, Marin said during an April 13 joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart in Stockholm.

Marin made the announcement while meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in the countrys capital. The two leaders discussed how to strengthen the security of both Nordic countries in the changing security environment.

Read the full article here

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Ukraine Explains Decision to Turn Down German President

Ukraine would welcome any foreign high-ranking official as long as they come with specific offers related to either economic or military support, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Die Welt newspaper, explaining Kyivs decision to turn down a visit by the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Any visits that take place nowadays end up with a [specific] result, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents administration, Igor Zhovkva, told the German outlet, adding that Kyiv would very much like to see any high-ranking politicians coming to Ukraine bringing such results with them. He then went on to say that, in Germanys case, it could put an embargo on [Russian] oil or provide guarantees for Ukraines accession to the EU or heavy equipment supplies.

The presidential aide also hinted that Berlin may not be as steadfast in its support for Ukraine as Kyiv would like. All nations that are friendly to Ukraine demonstrate a similar attitude to Russia and the Russian leadership, Zhovkva said, adding that they do not make any exceptions for the energy sector, banking sector or certain members of [the Russian] political establishment.

However, The German government is defending the countrys president after the diplomatic snub by Ukraine.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the largely ceremonial head of state, said Tuesday that his presence apparently wasnt wanted in Kyiv. He said his Polish counterpart had suggested that they both travel to Ukraine along with the presidents of the three Baltic countries.

Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner defended Steinmeier, saying that he has clearly taken a stand on Ukraines side.

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Putin Says Russia Can Redirect Energy Exports Away From West

Russia can easily redirect exports of its vast energy resources away from the West to countries that really need them, while increasing domestic energy consumption, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

When it comes to Russian oil, gas, and coal, we will be able to increase their consumption on the domestic market and stimulate the deep processing of raw materials, Putin said speaking at a meeting on the development of the Russian Arctic.

We will also increase the supply of energy resources to other regions of the world where they are really needed, he added.

The statement comes amid the latest ban on Russian oil imports imposed by the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia in response to Moscows military operation in Ukraine. The ban on energy imports was part of broader anti-Russian sanctions that are aimed at cutting the countrys economy off from the global trade and financial system.

Putin attributed the current energy crunch in Europe to the refusal by countries to cooperate with Russia normally, thus, hitting millions of Europeans.

Of course, we are also facing problems but this opens up new opportunities, he said.

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Kyiv Says Moscow Puts Pressure on Peace Talks With Public Statements

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podolyak on Tuesday accused Russia of putting pressure on the peace talks process through making certain public statements. The remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted the talks had run into a deadlock.

Negotiations are extremely difficult. Online in working subgroups. But they go on. It is clear that the emotional background in the negotiation process today is grim. It is clear that the Ukrainian delegation works exclusively within a framework that is pro-Ukrainian and transparent, Podolyak told the local media, accusing Moscow of deliberately complicating the process.

The remarks came after Russias president admitted that the negotiations had effectively run into a deadlock. Putin blamed the Ukrainian side for the stalemate, stating that Kyiv had reneged on what had been agreed on during talks in Istanbul, Turkey late in March.

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Russia Says Over 1,000 Ukrainian Marines Surrender in Mariupol

Russias defense ministry said on Wednesday that 1,026 soldiers of Ukraines 36th marine brigade, including 162 officers, had surrendered in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian troops for weeks, has seen the fiercest fighting and the most comprehensive destruction since Russia invaded on Feb. 24.

The main Sea of Azov port is the biggest target in the eastern Donbass region that Moscow now calls the focus of its campaign, and if captured would be the first major city to fall since the war began. Its capture would help secure a land passage between separatist-held eastern areas and Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed in 2014.

In the town of Mariupol, near the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, as a result of successful offensives by Russian armed forces and Donetsk Peoples Republic militia units, 1,026 Ukrainian soldiers of the 36th Marine Brigade voluntarily laid down arms and surrendered, the ministry said in a statement.

Reuters could not independently confirm the surrender. Ukrainian defense ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said he had no information about it, and there was no immediate comment from the Ukrainian presidents office or the Ukrainian general staff.

On Monday, a post on the Ukrainian marine brigades Facebook page had said the unit was preparing for a final battle in Mariupol that would end in death or capture as its troops had run out of ammunition.

Today will probably be the ultimate battle, as there is no ammo left, said the post. Beyond that: hand to hand fighting. Beyond that, for some death, for others capture.

Some Ukrainian officials said at the time that the post may have been fake, and that troops were still holding out.

The Russian defense ministry said 151 wounded Ukrainian soldiers were treated on the spot and taken to Mariupols city hospital.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who says his forces are playing a major role in Russias battle for Mariupol, said more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered. He urged remaining forces holed up in the Azovstal steel mill to surrender.

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Nordic Leaders Betraying Their National Interests: Russia

Russia has criticized accusations that it poses a threat to Sweden and Finland amid their sudden drive to join NATO. Leaders in the Nordic states have recently expressed a desire to enter the U.S.led military bloc following Moscows military attack on Ukraine.

These claims [over an alleged Russian threat] are unintelligent. They are not based on facts. They are in the realm of propaganda and provocations. They go against the national interests of those countries, the Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Radio Sputnik on Wednesday. I believe it would be wrong to consider these statements as an independent opinion, she added.

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Russia Will Not Nationalize Foreign Firms Assets: Top Senator

The nationalization of assets belonging to foreign companies that quit Russia is not on the table, the countrys top senator said on Wednesday. Speaking before Parliament, Valentina Matvienko commented on reported plans in Germany to nationalize energy companies.

We dont want to turn into raiders, like our opponents do. Nationalizing someone elses property is unacceptable, she said, adding that Russia has adopted a subtle approach but tougher action on a case-by-case basis might be necessary. Industries need to keep going so that people and jobs are protected, she added.

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Macron Refuses to Call Russias Actions in Ukraine Genocide

French President Emmanuel Macron has steered clear of calling Russias actions in Ukraine genocide.

Asked on France-2 television Wednesday about President Joe Bidens use of the term, Macron said: I would say that Russia has unleashed an excessively brutal war in a unilateral way. It has been established that war crimes have been committed by the Russian army.

We must find those responsible and bring them to justice,  he said.

I am prudent with terms today Genocide has a meaning. The Ukrainian people and Russian people are brotherly people. Its madness whats happening today. Its unbelievable brutality and a return to war in Europe, the French president said.

But at the same time I look at the facts, and I want to continue to try the utmost to be able to stop the war and restore peace. Im not sure if the escalation of words serves our cause.

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UK Sanctions 178 Russian Separatists in Breakaway Regions

Britain has announced a new round of sanctions related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, targeting 178 individuals who have helped prop up Kremlin-backed breakaway regions in the eastern part of the country.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that the sanctions were coordinated with the European Union. The move comes after rocket attacks that targeted civilians in eastern Ukraine.

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Chinese Exports to Russia Decline After Invasion of Ukraine

Chinas exports to Russia declined in March, official data showed on April 13, in a sign that Chinese companies may be displaying more caution when it comes to trading with Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in February.

Data shows that Chinese firms sold $3.8 billion worth of goods to Russia in March 2022, representing a 7.7 percent decline from a year earlier and the lowest amount since May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically impacted global trade.

Meanwhile, imports from Russia increased 26.4 percent from a year ago.

Read the full article here

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Threat Made to Ukrainian Opposition Leader

Opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk should be swiftly tried, sentenced, and physically assaulted before an attempt is made to swap him for Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russia, an adviser to Ukraines interior minister told Ukrainian television on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested an exchange after announcing the politicians arrest on Tuesday.

At the very minimum, he has to make some confessions because he knows a lot about who in Russia gave how much and to whom to create a fifth column in Ukraine, Vadim Denisenko said of the arrested politician.

At the maximum  he needs to be tried swiftly, given a prison term, beaten into providing certain testimony and then exchanged, he added.

Denisenkos remarks, particularly the implication that Medvedchuk could be coerced into cooperating by violence, were criticized by some Russian officials.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chair of the Russian national security council, made a not-so-veiled threat by saying that people supporting such ideas should pay attention to their surroundings and keep the door locked for the night not to get added to the list of individuals eligible for a prisoner swap themselves.

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JPMorgan Profits Drop 42 Percent, Bank Writes Off Russian Assets

JPMorgan Chase has written down $1.5 billion of assets when the bank reported its quarterly results, most of it tied to the banks exposure to Russian and Ukrainian assets.

The write-offs on Wednesday partially drove JPMorgan to report a noticeable decline in profits in the first quarter, and to miss Wall Street estimates.

JPMorgan is the first of Wall Streets big giant banks to report its results. Analysts expect the big banks to have to write off billions of assets that are tied to Russia.

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Latvia to Give Drone Training to Ukrainians

Latvia says it will train Ukrainian troops to handle drones.

At the moment, we must do everything we can to promote Ukraines victory and to defend its principles of self-determination and sovereignty, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said.

He added that two Latvian companies had delivered unmanned aerial vehicles.

Latvia already has provided, among other supplies, Stinger anti-air systems to Ukraine but also weapons, personal equipment, dry food supplies, ammunition, and anti-tank weapons, worth more than  200 million, the defense minister said.

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Leaders of Poland and Baltic States Head to Kyiv, Will Discuss Military Assistance

The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are on their way to Kyiv to meet Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an adviser to the Polish leader said on Wednesday.

The four join a growing number of European politicians to visit the Ukrainian capital since Russian forces were driven away from the countrys north earlier this month.

Heading to Kyiv with a strong message of political support and military assistance, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, along with a picture of the presidents next to a train.

The meeting will focus on ways to assist civilians and the military in Ukraine, as well as with investigations of war crimes, said a spokesperson for Estonian President Alar Karis.

It comes the day after President Joe Biden said Moscows invasion of Ukraine amounted to genocide, while President Vladimir Putin promised Russia would rhythmically and calmly continue its operation and achieve its goals.

The four presidents offices declined to provide details of the visit for security reasons.

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Ukraine Tells Russia to Return Prisoners If It Wants Top Ally Back

Ukraine told Russia to release prisoners of war if it wants the Kremlins most high-profile ally in the country freed as the United States is expected to send more weapons after Russias strongest signal yet the war will grind on.

Ukraine announced on Tuesday that Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of the Opposition PlatformFor Life party, had been apprehended. In February, the authorities said he had escaped house arrest after a treason case was opened.

The pro-Russian figure, who says President Vladimir Putin is godfather to his daughter, has denied wrongdoing. A spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.

I propose to the Russian Federation: exchange this guy of yours for our guys and girls now held in Russian captivity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an early morning address on Wednesday.

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Ukraine Secret Service Says It Has Arrested Top Putin Ally

Ukraine on Tuesday said it arrested Kremlins most prominent ally in the country.

Pro-Russian traitors and agents of the Russian intelligence services, rememberyour crimes have no statute of limitations, Ukraines security service posted on Facebook alongside a photo of Medvedchuk in handcuffs.

Operatives conducted this lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation, the head of the organization Ivan Bakanov said.

A Kremlin spokesman was cited by the Tass news agency as saying he had seen the photo and could not say whether it was genuine.

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Ukrainian Troops to Train in UK

James Heappey, the U.K. armed forces minister, confirmed on Tuesday that the countrys military will train Ukrainian soldiers on British soil. An unspecified number of troops are expected to arrive within the next few days to learn how to operate armored vehicles that Britain has pledged to supply to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Theres 120 armored vehicles that are in the process of being made ready, Heappey told LBC Radio.

And the Ukrainian troops that will operate them will arrive in the UK in the next few days to learn how to drive and command those vehicles.

Katabella Roberts, Lorenz Duchamps, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report.
Weather map of a major winter storm bringing heavy snow and blizzard conditions to parts of the U.S. Northern Plains through April 12, 2022. (NOAA/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Major Storm, Severe Weather, and Blizzard Conditions Pummel Western and Central US

A major storm slammed Western and Central regions of the United States this week, bringing severe weather conditions, powerful winds, and snow.

By Monday, nearly 9 million people were under red flag warnings for dangerous fire weather conditions owing to powerful winds and dry conditions.

Tornado watches covered states from Texas and Iowa to Minnesota on Tuesday evening.

In Central Texas, Temple Fire Rescue Chief Mitch Randles told CNN a tornado struck south Bell County, close to the city of Salado, destroying trees and homes in its path.

There were reports of hailstones nearly 6 inches in length in Salado.

The weather service is expected to make assessments of damage in the coming days.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center on Wednesday issued level 4 out of 5 moderate risk of severe weather across the Mississippi Valley, noting the potential for strong tornadoes and very large hail.

In Bismarck, the capital city of North Dakota, the National Weather Service issued blizzard, critical fire weather, and severe weather conditions.

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions will continue in parts of the Northern Plains. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding are possible from the Mississippi River Valley into the Midwest, the National Weather Service said.

The warning added, Critical fire weather conditions will continue in portions of the Southern and Central High Plains into the Southwest.

The North Dakota Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area have been shuttered, as well as scores of schools, colleges, government offices, and highways.

Gov. Doug Burgum directed the state closures, noting that the Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is coordinating with partners and local emergency managers statewide to ensure that resources, including search and rescue, are available.

Up to two feet of snow is forecast through Thursday in the area. Locally, higher amounts up to 30 inches are possible.

This is going to be historic for some areas, said Jason Anglin, lead meteorologist for the weather services Bismarck office. Its going to be tough to travel, the impact to the ranching community is going to be big, even the impact to the power communitytheres going to be a lot of water in this snow; it could bring down trees and bring down power lines.

The blizzard warning extended into eastern Montana and the northwestern corner of South Dakota. Several schools were closed in both states.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A man looks outside from his window during a COVID-19 lockdown in the Jing'an district in Shanghai on April 12, 2022. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Majority of Shanghai Residents Still Locked in Despite Shutdown Easing

BEIJINGShanghai has eased a two-week-old shutdown on April 12, but at least 15 million residents are still being locked in their homes.

About 6.6 million people can exit their homes, but some must stay in their own neighborhoods, the state-backed news outlet The Paper reported, citing city officials. The city authorities only allowed some markets and pharmacies to reopen.

The abrupt closure of most businesses starting March 28 and orders to stay home left the public fuming about lack of access to food and medicine. People who test positive for the coronavirus are forced into sprawling temporary quarantine facilities criticized by some as crowded and unsanitary.

As the restrictions dragged on, the American government announced all non-emergency U.S. government employees would be withdrawn from its Shanghai Consulate.

Also Tuesday, the authorities of Guangzhou, a manufacturing and trading center northwest of Hong Kong, announced a new round of virus testing for its 19 million people. Most access to the city was stopped after 27 infections were found Monday.

The unusual severity of Shanghais shutdown appeared to be driven as much by politics as by public health concerns.

The struggle in the countrys richest city is an embarrassment during a politically sensitive year when Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The CCP is enforcing a zero-tolerance strategy aimed at isolating every case. Some officials have been fired for failing to act aggressively enough, which puts pressure on others to impose extreme measures.

The Chinese regime reported 24,659 new COVID-19 cases through midnight Monday, including 23,387 with no symptoms. That included 23,346 in Shanghai, only 998 of whom had symptoms.

In Shanghai, more than 200,000 cases but no deaths have been reported in the latest wave of infections.

The actual number of COVID-19 cases may be much higher. The number of infections is difficult to verify, as the Chinese regime routinely suppresses or alters information.

A woman looks out of an apartment during a COVID-19 lockdown in the Jingan district in Shanghai on April 9, 2022. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

The city authorities eased restrictions by announcing residents of areas with no cases for at least two weeks can leave their homes starting Tuesday. It said they could go to other areas that also had no new cases during that time but were urged to stay home when possible.

Such prevention areas have about 4.8 million people, The Paper reported, citing city officials. It said all but 500,000 of those were in less crowded suburbs.

An additional 1.8 million people in control areas with no new cases in the past week are allowed out but cant leave their neighborhoods, the report said.

Another 15 million people in quarantine areas that have had infections in the past week are still barred from leaving their homes. The report gave no indication of the status of the remaining 3.4 million people in the official 25 million population.

The shutdown of Shanghai, home of the worlds busiest port and Chinas main stock exchange, has prompted fears manufacturing and global trade might be disrupted.

Automakers in Shanghai, a manufacturing center, have suspended or reduced production due to interruptions in supplies of components. The ports management says operations are normal, but European Union Chamber of Commerce in China has estimated the volume of cargo it handles every day has fallen 40 percent.

Residents complained the shutdown left them without access to food or medicine and unable to look after elderly relatives who lived alone.

People stand on a rooftop at a residential community in Shanghai on April 11, 2022. (AP Photo)

A video that circulated online Saturday showed what a caption said were people in the Songjiang district breaking into a supermarket and carrying away cartons of food.

Police denied the event occurred in Shanghai. A police statement Tuesday said the video was posted by a man in Kunshan, west of Shanghai, but not when or where it was shot. It said the man received unspecified administrative penalties for disrupting public order by fabricated facts.

The Associated Press was unable to find the source of the video or when and where it was shot.

Official plans in late March called for suspending access to districts of Shanghai for four days at a time while residents were tested. After case numbers soared, that changed to an indefinite citywide shutdown with only a few hours notice.

Despite a promise by city officials to improve food supplies, residents said online grocers often sold out early in the day or were unable to deliver. Vendors said they added hundreds of employees to speed deliveries.

The State Department last week advised Americans against travel to China due to arbitrary enforcement of laws and anti-virus restrictions. It cited a risk of parents and children being separated.

On Tuesday, a State Department statement said the U.S. government decided it is best for our employees and their families to be reduced in number due to changing circumstances on the ground.
After moving his corporate office from Paramus to Hackensack, New Jersey, a business owner was befuddled when two letters landed in his mailbox, dated 1946. With no clue where the 75-year-old missives had come from, he went the extra mile to track down the relatives of the original letter writers and gave them a missing piece of family history.

Gary Katen moved his office on June 18, 2021, and grew frustrated when his mail was not forwarded.

Normally we get volumes of mail, he told The Epoch Times. Ive had my assistant going back and forth to the post office, and then all of a sudden one day  I open up my mailbox, and theres some personal mail.

Letter received on July 29, 2021, postmarked May 4, 1946. (Courtesy of Gary Katen)

Gary had initially been convinced that the old letterssent a week apart, dated May, then April 1946were a prank by a friend from out of town to whom he had bemoaned his troubles with the post. However, they were legitimate.

Both sent from California, each letter bore a 6-cent airmail stamp and two 1-cent stamps, and were almost in perfect condition, even the envelopes, said Gary. Fearing it was illegal to open someone elses mail, he didnt dare to touch the letters until the second arrived, at which point his wife, Ronnie, insisted to open them.

As they opened up the letter in the dark to read it, they were tearful, Gary said, as the contents of it were very sweet.

Flabbergasted, Gary called his friend Mike Woods, a morning weather reporter for Fox 5 News, as he wanted to find the family.

Letter received in mid-August 2021, postmarked April 28, 1946. (Courtesy of Gary Katen)

I said Id like to find the family because, obviously, theyve lived in my house, Gary told The Epoch Times. Id like to find them and give them the letters; this is World War II era, they never got there!

The TV station then ran a segment by interviewing Gary via zoom.

Meanwhile, Gary and his wife began digging the Hackensack public records building in July 2021. However, they were unable to dig too far back, as the building had caught fire. They also traced back to the two previous owners of the house before them, but they really couldnt get anywhere.

They made a breakthrough, however, when they realized that the handwritten recipients name on both letters was not Frank, as they first believed, but Franck.

This detail changed everything.

Gary explained: Ronnie went online and looked at obituaries. The next day, she text me and said, I spoke to her  the daughter of the woman who wrote the letters. Her name is Patricia.

Gary Katen from New Jersey. (Courtesy of Gary Katen)

It was like an out-of-body experience. Initially, we asked for the mother, and she said, Well, who is this? Ronnie was trying to explain, and [Patricia] said, Well, she passed away 10 years ago  how do you know her? Im her daughter. That was the instant connection.

Gary claimed that Patricia went through shock and disbelief before claiming she felt like she hit the lottery as she and her brother, Bruce, had saved all correspondence from their late parents, Jean and Richard Barthold, until they died. Patricia kept everything in a binder.

After communicating with the family, Gary felt like he, too, had hit the lottery. He explained: You could tell this was a really tight-knit family. I think it was a great feeling for them that they got the letters, but I think it was equally a good feeling for us that we made the connection.

(Courtesy of Gary Katen)

Gary sent both letters to Bruce in San Antonio, Texas. He was even recognized at the FedEx depot from his TV news segment and spent 40 minutes showing the 75-year-old correspondence to fascinated FedEx staffers.

In exchange for the letters, Bruce was able to show the Katens photos of the housethat they had stayed in for the last 2022 yearsduring his parents residence, via FaceTime.

Gary also learned that young Jean and Richard, then engaged, were driving cross-country to California on a three-week trip in 1946 when they wrote their letters home to Richards parents, Eugene and Nellie Franck, who lived in the same house.

Richard had served in World War II before he married his sweetheart and started their family.

(Courtesy of Gary Katen)

Looking back, Gary suspects that the 75-year-old letters were either stuck in a machine or lost behind a desk at the post offices during the elections when sorting machines were moved through the post offices.

However, he believes that the postmarks indicate the letters left California in 1946.

I just think it didnt get to Jersey, either, he said. It fell behind something and somebody finally put it in the mail.

(Courtesy of Gary Katen)

Having had the opportunity to connect the letters to the family, Gary said it was a great feeling.

The one thing that both Patty and Bruce said to us was, We thank you so much for not just tossing the letters, for going the extra mile to try and find us,' he shared. Now were good friends with them, after all this! It was a feel-good story in the midst of COVID, and all the bad things going on in the world.

Gary and Ronnie were even slated to have coffee with Patricias relatives in New Jersey. With a pool of new friends and a very unique story to tell, Garys advice to others is to give all new connections the benefit of the doubt.

If you have an opportunity to reach out and meet somebody that you dont already know, odds are, theyre probably going to be a pretty good person, he mused, and that may change your life.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Bright newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Man Who Shot Chicago Police Officers Sentenced to 31 Years

CHICAGOA convicted felon who pleaded guilty to charges that he opened fire on police in 2020, wounding three officers, was sentenced Monday to 31 years in prison.

The sentence comes two months after Lovelle Jordan, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and five counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The charges stem from a July 2020 shooting that came shortly after Jordan was arrested in connection with a carjacking in downtown Chicago. Police had driven him to a station on the citys northwest side.

Officers patted him down but while they found he was carrying drugs in his pockets, according to authorities, they did not see that he was carrying a small loaded pistol. Jordan was handcuffed behind his back.

At the time of the shooting, Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said that officers had searched Jordan before he was transported but he apparently had the gun extremely secreted, probably very close to his private area and was able to retrieve the weapon during the ride to the station.

Jordan was somehow able to move his cuffed hands from behind his back, grabbed the gun, and opened fire when an officer opened the door for him at the station.

Dozens of shots were fired in a shootout between Jordan and three officers were shot. Jordan was also shot and was left paralyzed.
Nepal Can Defend Against China Through Stronger Alliance With America

Kathmandus courageous stand against Russia is key

Commentary

On March 2, Nepal took a courageous step in denouncing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

It did so by breaking with China, India, and most other Asian nations to vote for a U.N. General Assembly resolution that deplored in the strongest terms the Russian Federations aggression against Ukraine in violation of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter.

The vote moved Kathmandu, Nepals capital, away from its vulnerable position of nonalignment on global affairs to taking a stand with other democracies against the growing liberality and terror imposed by the worlds worst dictators, starting with Vladimir Putin. When he took the low road, Nepal stood proudly and courageously with Ukraine and, thus, with all truly free nations.

Nepals Strength Is Needed by the Worlds Democracies and Vice Versa

Nepal is home to the worlds highest mountain range, the Himalayas. It is a land where the world-famous Gurkha soldiers defend the distinctive two-pointed Nepalese flag of sun and moon, which symbolizes longevity and the countrys ancient lineages.

Nepal is a land of historical kingdoms, rich in cultural diversity. It is simultaneously the birthplace of Buddha and famous Hindu personages. Modern Nepal is the admixture of these two traditions, and much more, into a relatively peaceful nation.

Nepal is also landlocked between India and Tibet, the latter controlled since a bloody war of conquest in the 1950s by China. Chinas modern border, what could be called its bleeding edge, is constantly pushed by Beijing ever outward due to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) historically unremitting territorial expansionism.

That expansion now puts Nepal, which used to be protected from Chinese emperors by the Himalayas, under increasing threat from Chinas latest emperor of the CCP variety: Xi Jinping.

Nepals Vulnerabilities to China

The Himalayan mountain range in Nepals north no longer offers protection against Chinas armies, now supported by nuclear-capable long-distance bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

These put Nepal under threat. Unlike countries like France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, Nepal lacks strong allies. Nepal is thus vulnerable as Beijing seeks the strategic high ground against New Delhi. Nepal is that high ground.

Security arrangements with India are good but insufficient, as India has trouble defending its own territory from Beijing in the Himalayas. In the 1950s and 1960s, India lost control of Aksai Chin to China, and Beijing claimed Arunachal Pradesh. Together, these two massive territories are approximately the size of Nepal itself.

With the astronomical economic and military growth of Chinas power since then, Beijing could at some point decide to claim what it considers to be two more Himalayan puzzle pieces: Nepal and all of Bhutan.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari review honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 29, 2019. (Madoka Ikegami/Pool/Getty Images)

Stronger Nepalese and Bhutanese security cooperation with the worlds most powerful democracies that also took a principled stand against Moscow would therefore be prudent, helping prepare Nepal and Bhutan for their own defense.

Conversely, Ukraines lack of allies made the country vulnerable to military takeover. The world is attempting to help Kyiv through arms shipments, but these are mostly limited in firepower, for example, shoulder-fired anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. These are useful, but jet fighters, tanks, and allied boots on the ground are also needed to defend Ukraines cities and population, now being destroyed.

Given Beijing and Moscows Political Influence, Nepal Must Look Beyond India for Its Defense

Neither do the Himalayas defend against an even more present threat to Nepali democracy: the CCPs propensity to use its economic power to attempt to compromise politicians around the world, from Washington to New Delhi and Kathmandu. Moscow also uses its military exports to influence India. Should Nepals capital and most powerful friends be compromised, they would do little good in the event of a Chinese invasion.

New Delhis economic and military ties to Moscow kept it from denouncing the invasion of Ukraine. Its even greater economic ties to China could make it an unreliable ally against Beijing. Many other democracies, including the United States, are in the same Chinese boat of lucrative trade relations. But they have shown a greater willingness to oppose China and Russias territorial aggression far from their shores. The more active democratic allies that Nepal has, the more likely Kathmandu can assemble a coalition when needed in its own defense.

Chinas territorial incursions against almost all its neighbors, including around the South China Sea, East China Sea, and against India, Burma (Myanmar), and Bhutan, as well as a recent report of China building within Nepalese territory, point to the need for strong Nepalese alliances based on shared democratic values.

Nepal is a democracy and, thus, privileged in being able to expect other democracies to lend support and provide at least some protection in case of invasion. Such support to Nepal would not be domination of the cultural or political kind, though the CCP and perhaps some in India will attempt to put it in this light. Neither would it be domination to formalize expectations of democratic mutual security assistance in case of an attack.

A democratic promise of assistance would not be control of Nepal but a counter to the authoritarian threat against Kathmandu. Allied democratic counter-pressure would simultaneously decrease the threat of dictators to all other democracies. Democracies, including Nepal, are stronger when allied together.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
New York State Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who has been arrested and charged with bribery and fraud for allegedly directing state funds to a group controlled by a real estate developer who was a campaign donor, leaves a courthouse in New York on April 12, 2022. (Dieu-Nalio Chery/Reuters)

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin Resigns After Bribery Charges

New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned on April 12 after being hit with bribery and fraud charges for allegedly directing state funds toward a real estate developer in exchange for campaign contributions.

Benjamin, 45, second in command to Gov. Kathy Hochul, resigned hours after federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment and arrested him on federal bribery charges.

Hochul said on April 12 that she had accepted his resignation and that he was stepping down immediately while the legal process plays out. She handpicked Benjamin for the lieutenant governors job in August 2021.

It is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor, she said in a statement. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them.

Prosecutors said Benjamin in 2019 directed a $50,000 state grant to a nonprofit controlled by a developer from the Harlem section of Manhattan, which Benjamin represented at the time as a state senator. The developer then sent Benjamins reelection campaign thousands of dollars through several checks in the names of relatives and a limited liability company, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors said the developer also raised money for Benjamins unsuccessful 2021 run to become New York Citys comptroller.

Taxpayer money for campaign contributions. Quid pro quo. This for that. Thats corruption, said Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Public corruption remains a problem in New York. It is a bipartisan problem. It is an ongoing problem.

The Harlem real estate developer wasnt identified by name in the indictment.

Just more than two months after Benjamin became lieutenant governor, real estate developer Gerald Migdol was criminally charged with steering illegal campaign contributions to an unnamed candidate for city comptroller. Migdol pleaded not guilty.

Benjamin faces charges that include bribery, wire fraud, and falsification of records. His case and Migdols are in the same case file.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona Wang released Benjamin on a $250,000 bond and imposed travel restrictions that leave him unable to travel to Albany, New Yorks state capital, without permission from authorities.

As alleged, Brian Benjamin used his power as a New York state senator to secure a state-funded grant in exchange for contributions to his own political campaigns, Williams said in a statement. By doing so, Benjamin abused his power and effectively used state funds to support his political campaigns.

FBI New York Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said, Exploiting ones official authority by allocating state funds as part of a bribe to procure donations to a political campaign and engaging in activity to cover up the bribe is illegal.

Benjamin has a court appearance scheduled for April 19.

Reuters contributed to this report.
People walk up to a vaccination centre on Dominion Rd, Balmoral in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sept. 16, 2021. (Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

New Zealand Father Banned From Contacting His Children Until He Gets Vaccinated

A New Zealand father has been banned from having contact with his three children until the whole family is vaccinated, a family court judge has ruled.

The judgement, made on February 10 by Justice Anthony Grieg, noted that the middle child, aged 11, was at risk of serious illness/hospitalisation/death in the event that he catches COVID-19.

Grieg ordered that the two younger children are to receive COVID-19 vaccinations to protect the 11-year-old, a decision that was accords with their welfare and best interests.

It is in the childrens best interests to have the closest possible relationship that it is safe for them to have with their father, he said.

The eldest child, 12, is deemed old enough to make her own decisions on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Ministry of Health.

The Epoch Times is keeping the family members identities anonymous for privacy reasons.

Indeed, if [the middle child] was in the care of two parents who were refusing to vaccinate him, I would consider having him removed from their care until such time as he could be properly vaccinated, Grieg said in the judgement.

The father, who was on supervised contact with his children until it was suspended on Nov. 25, 2021, argued that he could see his children while taking other precautions, such as wearing a mask, hand washing and sanitising before contact, and having all contact outdoors.

However, Grieg said he would need advice from both the contact supervisor and one of his childs medical professionals to be sure of these measures, and that he was currently not prepared to take the risk.

[The fathers] contact with all three children is suspended until all three children have been vaccinated to their General Practitioners satisfaction, Grieg said.

Two brothers at the drive-through vaccination centre at North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 17, 2022. (Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

The father has not consented to his children receiving a COVID-19 vaccination because he does not believe it is safe nor able to properly protect people from COVID-19.

He does not trust the science that has been accepted by governments around the world that say this vaccination is not only safe but will protect against severe COVID, Grieg said.

However, virologist and immunologist, Dr. Robert Malone, has warned parents to think twice about vaccinating their children.

If you draw the short straw and your child is damaged, most of these things, if not all of them, are irreversible. There is no way to fix it, he told EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program in an interview.

He also noted that all the data for COVID-19 vaccinations are mismatched for the Omicron strain, with some data even showing that people with three vaccination doses are at higher risk of infection from the current dominant strain.

This is worrisome because it suggests that there are aspects of Omicron that may be enhanced by something that is associated with vaccination, he said.

An additional study by the New York State Department of Health and the University at Albany School of Public Health also found that Pfizers childrens vaccine effectiveness dropped from 68 percent in mid-December 2021 to just 12 percent in the last full week in January.

The data also suggested the protection against severe disease plummeted, from 100 percent in mid-December to 48 percent in late January.

In the Omicron era, the effectiveness against cases of BNT162b2 declined rapidly for children, particularly those 5-11 years, researchers wrote, referring to the Omicron variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus which causes COVID-19.

Should such findings be replicated in other settings, review of the dosing schedule for children 5-11 years appears prudent, researchers wrote. Given rapid loss of protection against infections, these results highlight the continued importance of layered protections, including mask-wearing, for children to prevent infection and transmission.

Studies have also shown that COVID-19 shots lose effectiveness rapidly, plummeting after just five months of the second jab.

Further, booster shots lose effectiveness even faster, at just four months. Repeated booster shots also prove detrimental to a persons health and could accelerate the development of autoimmune diseases, according to COVID analyst Marc Girardot.
The Nokia logo is displayed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2019. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images)

Nokia Exits Russia Amid Ukraine Invasion: What You Need to Know

The telecom equipment giant Nokia Corporation is the latest one to join the slew of companies pulling out of the Russian market amid the countrys invasion of Ukraine.

The company in a press statement said it is expecting no financial impact from the decision as Russia accounted for less than 2 percent of its net sales in 2021.

It has been clear for Nokia since the early days of the invasion of Ukraine that continuing our presence in Russia would not be possible. Over the last weeks we have suspended deliveries, stopped new business and are moving our limited R&D activities out of Russia, it said.

The company further added that considering the strong demand that it has seen in other regions, it does not expect this decision to impact Nokias ability to achieve the 2022 outlook.

Intel Corp. announced last week it was suspending operations in Russia. Apple Inc. and Ford Motor Co. are also among a host of companies taking varying actions in response to the Ukraine invasion.

By Navdeep Yadav

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Students wear face masks as they attend class on the first day of school in Montreal on Aug. 31, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

Nova Scotia Extends School Mask Mandate Until Mid-May

Nova Scotia is keeping its mask mandate in public schools in place until at least the May long weekend. The province announced on April 13 that masking requirements in public schools will stay, which means staff, volunteers, and visitors must continue to wear a mask during school hours and on school buses.

Provincial Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Becky Druhan said in a statement that the government has worked with public health throughout the pandemic to implement measures that help keep students in school.

Druhan also said the decision to require masks in schools supports operational considerations and will be reassessed closer to May 20.

Students, staff and visitors are also asked to continue to follow core public health measures, said the government release.

This includes getting vaccinated if eligible, staying home if feeling unwell, following the COVID-19 daily checklist, and washing and sanitizing hands frequently.

On March 21, Nova Scotia lifted all its pandemic restrictions except for the wearing of masks and limitations on gathering in public schools, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.

Meanwhile, Quebec has extended its provincial mask mandates from the original April 15 expiration date to at least April 30, as a result of the rapid spread of Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Prince Edward Island, which was set to lift mandatory masking on April 7, has also extended the policy until April 28.
The large Ukrainian community in Ohio is protesting against Nestle continuing to do business in Russia. It is urging a boycott of the global food and candy manufacturer. About 30 people including Zenon Chaikovsky (L) protested in front of the Nestle plant in west Cleveland on April 7. (Michael Sakal/The Epoch Times)

Ohios Ukrainian Community Calling for Boycott of Nestle Products

Company says it is only selling essential goodssuch as baby foodto Russia and is not making a profit

The resolve of the Ukrainian community in northeast Ohio is growing and is now calling for a boycott against Nestle, which continues to do business in Russia selling essential foods there. On its website, Nestle says it is not making a profit from the foodstuffs that include baby food and medical-related nutritional food. About 30 members of the Ukrainian community, including several from the Cleveland Maidan Association, picketed in front of the Nestles Plant and offices on the west side of Cleveland on April 7. Ukrainians are calling on European nations to unite and push for Russias President Vladimir Putins demise because they see him as the modern-day Adolf Hitler and believe he wont stop his military aggression at just Ukraine, which he invaded on Feb. 24. The protest comes amid numerous prayer services, Stand With Ukraine rallies, fundraisers, and benefits, as well as musical concerts with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward supporting Ukraine. Holding signs that said, Nestle Stop helping Putin, We Stand With Ukraine, and Stop Bloody Business, the protesters urged people to stop buying Nestles products. They contend the taxes Nestle paid have been helping fund Russias war machine and paying for the killing of innocent people.

A group of about 30 people from northeast Ohios Ukrainian community protested in front of a Nestle plant in Cleveland on April 7. (Michael Sakal/The Epoch Times)

Many of the people participating in the protest were from Lviv, a city in western Ukraine about 43 miles from the Poland border. Lviv has a population of more than 721,000 and is one of the many cities that have been hit by Russian rockets. In fact, Lviv sounded a two-hour alarm on April 7 because of the threat of Russian attacks on the city that day, according to a protester who is from there. On one of the signs were photographs of areas of bombed buildings, including the maternity ward of a hospital in Mariupol. In the picture outside the ruined hospital was a pregnant woman lying on a stretcher. She later died. We are asking the community to boycott Nestle, Helen Galyna of Cleveland told The Epoch Times. For the past two years, she has been the president of the Cleveland Maidan Association which has supported Ukraine since 2014. The nonprofit organization currently is accepting donations for medical supplies to be sent to Ukraines emergency first responders. Galyna is from Kyiv, Ukraine. Her sister and mother still live in the area and her husbands family lives in Ukraine. Places in the United States that continue to do business with Russia are helping them fund their war against Ukraine, Galyna added. They are killing innocent children and people. I am worried for my family. I have friends leaving there every day. I worry what will happen.

Helen Galyna of Cleveland was among about 30 people who protested at the Cleveland Nestle plant on April 7. Galyna is the president of the Cleveland Maidan Association, a nonprofit organization that has supported Ukraine since 2014. (Michael Sakal/The Epoch Times)

The company reportedly continues to employ workers in Russia and had reportedly paid the communist country $500 million a year in taxes, according to information obtained by Ukraines government. In addition to its chocolate, candy, and cookie products, Nestle is also part of Stouffers Foods and Minors brand that makes flavor bases or broths. A household-name company, Nestle is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. In addition to its facility in west Clevelands Tremont neighborhood, Nestle also has a research facility in Solon, an east Cleveland suburb. Knowing the situation is dire in his homeland, Volodymyr Tchepak of Lviv came to the United States for one thingto dedicate his time to fundraising and seeking donations for Ukraine. At age 62, he was too old to stay and fight with the military as they dont want anyone over the age of 60, Tchepak told The Epoch Times. The translation of his name Volofymyr means peace and love, he said. To get out of the country, Tchepak rode a bus into Poland. He said it took the bus driver five hours to go 100 miles. Tchepak arrived in Cleveland on April 2. He chose the city because of the large Ukrainian community there. He plans to return to Ukraine in July.

Volodymyr Tchepak of Lviv arrived in Cleveland on April 2. He said he came to Cleveland because of the large Ukrainian community there and to dedicate his time collecting donations for his homeland. (Michael Sakal/The Epoch Times)

The West and European countries are not doing enough to stop Putin, Tchepak told The Epoch Times. Theyre all afraid of himtheyre chickens. Businesses in the United States need to stop doing work in Russia. Everyone was afraid of Hitler, but let him do what he wanted because they didnt think hed take much, Tchepak added. Look at what he did. Putin has to be stopped. In its most current statement issued on March 23, Nestle said this on its website: As the war rages in Ukraine, our activities in Russia will focus on providing essential food, such as infant food and medical and hospital nutritionnot on making a profit. This approach is in line with our purpose and values. It upholds the principle of ensuring the basic right to food. Going forward, we are suspending renowned Nestle brands such as KitKat and Nesquik, among others. We have already halted non-essential imports and exports into and out of Russia, stopped all advertising, and suspended all capital investment in the country. Of course, we are fully complying with all international sanctions on Russia. While we do not expect to make a profit in the country or pay any related taxes for the foreseeable future in Russia, any profit will be donated to humanitarian relief organizations. Nestle also said the company has donated hundreds of tons of food and supplies, as well as significant financial assistance, to the people of Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries. These efforts will continue, the statement read. We stand with the people of Ukraine and our 5,800 employees there. Members of Nestles USA communications teamDana Stambaugh, Lauren Rubbo, and Wendy Vlieksdid not return phone calls to The Epoch Times as recently as April 13 to provide comment. Zenon Chaikovsky of Lakewood, a west Cleveland suburb, said he was in Ukraine for a few months last year and was there for the 30th anniversary of its independence on Aug. 24. He is from Lviv and is appalled at the thought that 86 percent of Russians support aggression in Europe, according to online foreign surveys. Because of Putins propaganda, Chaikovsky said the Russian people dont have any idea whats really going on. This is a real threat, said Chaikovsky, who is a property manager. These sanctions against Russia arent working. They shouldve been sanctioned a year ago when they started their military buildup along Ukraines border. He is also a musician (a percussionist) and sang at a Ukrainian benefit concert on April 8 at the Cleveland Museum of Arts Gartner Auditorium. Most of Chaikovskys family has moved to Poland, and he said he has friends leaving Ukraine every day. The message to Nestle here is to stop doing business in Russia, Chaikovsky added. That money is buying weapons that are killing Ukrainians. Its helping fund Russias aggression. We need to help stifle Russias tax revenue that is paying for tanks and missiles. We need to push for state legislation that would provide laws to sanction businesses that continue to do business with Russia, Chaikovsky added. Philosophizing, Chaikovsky said, Do you know what would end this once and for all? Vladimir Putin needs to be destroyed, and a team of countries need to demilitarize Russia like Germany was after World War II. If Russia wants to build its economy fine, but not its military. History has a way of repeating itself. The Russians will leave Ukraine, but theyll come back. If anyone is interested in making donations to help purchase medical supplies for Ukraines first responders, the nonprofit organization can be reached at (216) 600-1045 or by email: info@clevelandmaidan.org. Maidans website is www.clevelandmaidan.info. At noon on April 16, in Port Clinton, Ohio, along Lake Erie in Ottawa County, there will be a Stand With Ukraine Event. It will be held at the Grist Mill, 4 Monroe St., Port Clinton. There will be T-shirts available, raffles, a 50/50 raffle, live music, and food for purchase. Proceeds will benefit Blue/Yellow For Ukraine.
Oil Climbs on Failed Peace Talks, Steadies on Reduced Demand from China

Oil prices climbed early Tuesday after RussiaUkraine peace talks reached a stalemate, but eased toward the end of the days trading session as China and Japanthe worlds top oil consumersreported weak economic data.

Brent oil started April 12 at $100.14 and climbed over 4.7 percent to a high of $104.88 before hitting resistance and closing the session at $104.19. Brent is currently trading at $104.23 as of 2:48 a.m. New York time. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures started April 12 at $96.17 and are presently trading at $100.15.

President Vladimir Putin said peace talks with Ukraine were at a dead end and vowed to push forward the invasion, while Kyiv blamed Moscow for derailing the talks.

The alleged killings of civilians in Bucha had resulted in a fifth round of sanctions, which included coal, the first time Russian energy imports were being restricted. Western leaders have called for war crime investigations of the deaths.

Putin retorted that the Bucha killings were fake and compared them to U.S. attacks on Syrian cities. Russia has been active in the Syrian war, backing President Bashar al-Assad. There have been anonymous reports of Moscow recruiting urban warfare-trained Syrian soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

The conflict raises the specter of continued risk of supply disruptions in the oil market, ANZ oil analysts said in a note.

International sanctions have impeded trade with many countries and Russian oil and gas condensate production dropped below 10 million barrels per day based on the latest data, according to Reuters. The country was ready to sell oil in any price range to friendly countries, said Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov on Tuesday.

Strict COVID-19 measures in cities like Shanghai have resulted in entire sections of the city being under absolute lockdown. Chinas economic output has been affected by such zero-COVID tactics.

Crude oil imports falling by 14 percent, compared to 2021, has helped ease some of the pressure on global oil prices. China imported around 10.06 million barrels per day in March based on Reuters data from the General Administration of Customs. It was 11.69 million bpd in March 2021.

A total of 127.85 million tons or 10.4 million bpd was imported during the first quarter of 2022, which is 8 percent lower than Q1 2021.

Meanwhile, Japans February core machinery orders reported their biggest monthly fall in two years owing to decline in demand from IT and other service-related companies.

Core machinery orders measure capital spending in the coming six to nine months and the recent numbers indicate Japanese firms reluctance to invest given the current climate of rising energy prices and depressing pace of global growth.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks during a roundtable discussion at the White House on June 18, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Oklahoma Governor Signs Near-Total Abortion Ban Into Law

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a bill to ban abortions in the state, except in medical emergencies.

As Governor, I promised to sign every piece of pro-life legislation that hit my desk, Stitt wrote on Twitter after signing the bill on April 12. Today I kept that promise by signing SB 612 into law, once again showing the world that Oklahoma is the most pro-life state in the country.

He wrote in a separate post: The most important thing is to take a stand for the unborn and protect life. Every life is precious. As a father of six, thats what I believe and I know thats what Oklahomans believe.

Under the legislation, those who are found to have carried out abortions can be penalized up to $100,000 and face up to 10 years in prison. Theres no exception in the law for rape or incest.

Attorney General John OConnor and I know this bill will be challenged immediately by liberal activists from the coast, Stitt said at the legislations signing.

SB 612 will take effect this summer unless its blocked in court.

Oklahoma had become a frequent destination for those who were seeking to have an abortion from Texas after the Lone Star state in September banned abortions for pregnancies from about six weeks.

Planned Parenthood abortion providers in Oklahoma saw a nearly 2,500 percent increase in Texas patients in the months after the Texas law took effect compared to the same period in 2020, the organization said.

Melissa Fowler, the National Abortion Federations chief program officer, said in a statement that the Oklahoma abortion ban will have a devastating impact on people seeking abortions from Oklahoma and Texas.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki in a White House statement called the ban the countrys most restrictive legislation regulating access to reproductive health care. She called on Congress to pass legislation, the Womens Health Protection Act, that would codify what she calls a long-recognized constitutional right nationally.

The actions today in Oklahoma are a part of disturbing national trend attacking womens rights and the Biden Administration will continue to stand with women in Oklahoma and across the country in the fight to defend their freedom to make their own choices about their futures, Psaki said.

Pro-life group Live Action praised the legislation.

Oklahomas governor just signed a bill into law that protects preborn children from the moment of conception, outlawing abortion in effectively every circumstance, the group wrote on Twitter. A great step forward for human rights!

In the past few months, Republican-led states, including Oklahoma, have been passing abortion bans in hopes that an impending U.S. Supreme Court decision could help the bans withstand legal challenges.

A Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of gestation is currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is due to rule by the end of June on the laws constitutionality.

If the court rules in Mississippis favor, it could give pro-life groups a chance to repeal the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that has prohibited states from banning abortions prior to when the fetus is considered viable, deemed to be about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A young woman smokes in Midtown New York City on March 31, 2021, when legislation legalized recreational marijuana in New York state. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)

Pennsylvania Senate Testimony: Legalizing Marijuana a Danger to Youth

After several Pennsylvania Senate hearings that promoted the legalization of adult recreational marijuana use, the tone was different during a Tuesday hearing in Harrisburg that focused on the impact it would have on children.

Addiction specialists, law enforcement, public health experts, and psychologists urged lawmakers to use caution. They warned of increased use in youth that could harm developing brains and lead to mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia; lower IQ; and ultimately fewer career opportunities.

Todays marijuana is more potent than it was 20 years ago, according to testimony. But as it is legalized around the country, the perception is, that if it is legal, marijuana must be safe.

While the product has been literally increasing in danger, the perception of harm has been steadily going down. What we know about perceived risk is, if you think theres a great risk to doing something youre less likely to do it, Dr. Arron Weiner, psychologist and addiction therapist testified.

If youre a kid and you do not think its a great risk, it is more likely that youre going to use. So what we message out with our policies, matters.

This hearing was hosted by Republican Sen. Judy Ward, chair of the Aging and Youth Committee, who promised to hold a hearing, offering balance in the states lopsided legalization conversation.

The evolution of the cannabis industry over the past decade has been profound, Ward said at the start of the hearing. Currently 37 states including [Pennsylvania] allow for medical marijuana use, and 18 states allow for adult recreational use. As we move the conversation forward, we must address potential detrimental effects legalization could pose to children, just as we do with alcohol.

She mentioned the risk of secondhand smoke for children, and the many marijuana edibles that look like candy.

Edible cannabis products are displayed at Essence Vegas Cannabis Dispensary before the midnight start of recreational marijuana sales in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 30, 2017. The next day, Nevada joined seven other states allowing recreational marijuana. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Republican state Sen. Mike Regan, who supports legalization, held three hearings through his Senate Law and Justice Committee, studying the impact of implementing an adult-use marijuana law. During his hearings, numerous representatives of the marijuana industry testified and suggested legislation, but there was no opposing view.

Although Ward attended all of Regans hearings, Regan did not attend Wards hearing.

The pressure to legalize adult-use marijuana in Pennsylvania is strong and until now, the conversations have been mostly one-sided, in support of the move. Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman have pressed for legalization and there may be an urgency to make it happen before the end of Wolfs final term. Fetterman traveled all 67 Pennsylvania countries in 2019, listening to marijuana proponents make the case for legalization. Wolf has touted the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue the state would gain through legalization.

The purposes of government include to establish and maintain order, provide security, and protect citizens from external threats as well as promote the general welfare, retired Superior Court Judge Cheryl Allen, who spent 25 years in Pennsylvanias juvenile court system, testified.

Legalizing marijuana for recreational use does not serve any of these purposes, she said.

Allen added that the main benefactors of legalizing recreational use would be the marijuana industry and predicted it would not stop black-market sales or end violence in communities.

Legalization will not prevent broken homes and traumatized children in the foster care system, Allen said.

The research is clear, marijuana use poses an extreme danger to our young people and consequently, our future. They are our most valuable and precious natural resource, and the real purpose of government is to protect those young people so that they can grow into citizens, she said.

No amount of tax revenue, no amount of contributions to the budget of the state of Pennsylvania, is worth sacrificing the safety and well-being of our citizens, especially our youth.

An activist smokes marijuana during the annual NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally in support of the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use in New York City on May 1, 2021. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Dr. Sheryl Ryan is chief in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and represents the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has authored numerous clinical and technical reports focusing on marijuana and alcohol.

Ryan expressed support for decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana but not legalization of adult use.

The brain still continues to develop well into the mid-20s, Ryan testified. Speaking last, she confirmed what others said, mentioning the negative effect marijuana use can have on psychiatric disorders, and on respiratory illnesses in infants who are exposed during pregnancy to secondhand smoke or on breast milk.

In motor vehicle crashes where marijuana is involved, there is no commercially available test to detect the degree of marijuana in a person. These are all problems that cant be ignored, she indicated.

We can reasonably expect that with legalization, the prevalence of marijuana use among both adults and adolescents will increase in our state and will be present in households in greater amounts, or for the first time, Ryan said.

We also know that legalization has decreased the perception of marijuana in our youth as being harmful, and this has resulted in an increase in youth using marijuana. We have no reason to suspect that youth in Pennsylvania will react any differently than other states. Thus, greater use assures greater exposure of children and teens to marijuana.
Frank R. James, 62, person of interest in the subway shooting in Brooklyn that took place on a Manhattan-bound train, New York, on April 12, 2022. (NYPD)

Person of Interest Identified in Brooklyn Subway Shooting

Police said they have identified a person of interest in connection to the Brooklyn shooting that injured at least 23 people at the NYC 36th Street subway station in Sunset Park during rush hour on Tuesday morning.

New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told an evening news briefing that Frank James, 62, is a person of interest in the attack. Authorities said he has ties to both Wisconsin and Philadelphia.

No motive has been established for the shooting incident, Sewell said, adding that it isnt being investigated as an act of terrorism. A shooting suspect has yet to be identified, and James wasnt named a suspect.

This is Frank James who is a person of interest in this investigation. Any information can be directed to @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/yBpenmsX67  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022

Police said Tuesday evening that an abandoned van was found on a highway in Brooklyn that they believe may have been used in connection with the shooting.

Officials said James had rented the van, and that they are now searching for him.

James Essig, the New York Police Departments chief of detectives, said at the press conference on Tuesday evening that the shooting suspect fired 33 rounds from a subway car hitting people in the carriage and on the platform. The suspect had also donned a gas mask shortly before opening fire, and released a canister to fill his subway car with smoke.

After the shooting, he fled the Brooklyn platform. The suspect is still at large and considered dangerous.

The incident took place just before 8:30 a.m. on a Manhattan-bound N train, Sewell said. She described the shooter as a black male with a heavy build, who wore a green construction vest and a gray sweatshirt.

Essig added, We dont know if Mr. James has any connection to the subway, thats still under investigation.

A 9mm handgun, a liquid thought to be gasoline, extended magazines, consumer grade fireworks, a hatchet, and the van keys were discovered at the scene, Sewell said.

The keys led police to the van. The vehicle was rented Monday from a U-Haul store in Philadelphia, according to company records obtained by CNN.

Sewell also said that there may be some social media posts connected to James in which he mentioned homelessness, New York, and Mayor Eric Adams. He said Adams security detail had been heightened out of an abundance of caution.

At least 23 people were treated at local hospitals. Ten of those injured were shot, FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, while the others received treatment for smoke inhalation, shrapnel, and panic.

Kavanagh said none of the injuries were life-threatening.

We are truly fortunate that this was not significantly worse than it is, Sewell said.

Investigators believe the shooters weapon jammed, preventing further fire, officials said Tuesday evening. The guns manufacturer, seller, and initial owner are being traced by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Police: Man Fatally Shot by Officers After Killing Woman

TULSA, Okla.Police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fatally shot a naked man after he shot and killed a woman outside an apartment complex, authorities said Tuesday.

Officers investigating reports Monday night of a naked man firing a rifle in the area found Dwayne Jackson with a rifle outside the complex, according to Capt. Richard Meulenberg.

Meulenberg said Rickia Crawford and another woman were trying to calm Jackson, with Crawford standing between him and the police.

She was saying dont shoot him, dont shoot him, youll have to shoot me first, as officers approached them, Meulenberg said.

Literally in the blink of an eye he pointed the rifle at Mrs. Crawford and shot her point blank in the chest, Meulenberg said.

The two officers then opened fire, striking Jackson, and both he and Crawford were taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead, according to Meulenberg.

Police believe Jackson had been dating Crawford, Meulenberg said. The other woman at the scene was his mother.

Meulenberg said there were no other injuries and that it is not known yet how many rounds Jackson fired before officers arrived, but that numerous shell casings were found at the scene.

Both officers are on paid leave pending an investigation into the shooting. Their names have not been released.
Yarimar Mercado Martinez, of Puerto Rico, competes during the women's 50-meter Rifle 3 Positions qualification, at the Olympic Shooting Center in Rio de Janeiro, on Aug. 11, 2016. (Hassan Ammar/AP Photo)

Police: Olympians Mother Unintended Victim of Drug Dispute

The mother of a Puerto Rican Olympian killed by a stray bullet in her Connecticut home was an unintended victim of a drug dispute that erupted into the firing of more than 20 gunshots, a police official said Tuesday.

Mabel Martinez, 56, was shot in the head inside her Waterbury home on Saturday afternoon when at least two people opened fire outside on the street, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said at a news conference. No arrests were announced.

Martinez was the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez, a rifle shooter on the Puerto Rico Olympic team who competed in the summer Olympics last year and in 2016. She and other family members were in Waterbury on Tuesday, but did not speak at the news conference.

Spagnolo said people in two cars, including convicted felons known for drug dealing, got into a shootout outside Mabel Martinezs home. The reason for the dispute was not clear. A man involved in the confrontation, who was on the street, was shot in the hip but survived. No other injuries were reported.

Officers found 15 9mm casings and seven 45-caliber cases at the scene. Police said they were trying to determine if one or two 9 mm guns were fired.

Police have found both cars involved in the shooting and one of their owners. The other owner was being sought for questioning. Both men are convicted felons known to have sold drugs, police said, but they have not been charged in the shooting.

Spagnolo said the shooting raises questions about how illegal guns get into communities and how people on parole and probation are monitored.

Yarimar Mercado Martinez, 27, traveled to Waterbury late Sunday from Brazil, where she was to compete in an international shooting competition. She expressed her anguish in social media posts.

Why you? Why this way? You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did, she wrote in Spanish on Facebook.

By Dave Collins
Traffic lights are out of service on a street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 7, 2022. (Carlos Giusti/AP Photo)

Power Restored in Puerto Rico Nearly 5 Days After Blackout

SAN JUAN, Puerto RicoA private company announced Monday that power had been fully restored to Puerto Ricos almost 1.5 million customers nearly five days after a fire at a main power plant sparked an island-wide blackout and prompted public schools and government agencies to close.

Officials are now focused on investigating what exactly caused the failure of a circuit breaker at a substation within the Costa Sur power plant in southern Puerto Rico, one of four main plants in the U.S. territory.

I know many in Puerto Rico are asking, How is it that this happened? said Wayne Stensby, CEO of Luma, a company that took over transmission and distribution for the Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority last year. Theres no question the electricity grid in Puerto Rico is incredibly fragile.

The blackout outraged and worried many on the island of 3.2 million people, including those who cannot afford generators and have medical conditions including diabetes and respiratory issues that depend on electricity for their treatments.

The outage snarled traffic, shuttered businesses, and forced some people to sleep outdoors given the heat.

Customers angry over the extended outage noted they have been hit with recent increases in their power bills, and people complained the blackout damaged electrical appliances and forced them to throw out groceries as the island struggles to emerge from a more than decade-long economic crisis.

Gary Soto, director of Luma project system operations, said another outage occurred just days after the blackout that affected 25 percent of customers due to a new failure at another power plant involving a boiler that crews had recently repaired.

Shay Bahramirad, an engineering vice president, said a third party will look into the failure of the circuit breaker, noting that the blackout occurred 19 seconds after the initial fault was recorded. She said equipment at the power plant where the fire occurred dates from 1969 to the mid-1970s, although she declined to provide details including maintenance records on the failed circuit breaker, saying it would be taken out of context.

It was not immediately known what maintenance, if any, Luma had performed on the circuit breaker once it took over operations of Puerto Ricos transmission and distribution last June.

When asked several times whether maintenance on the circuit breaker was delayed, the companys CEO said, We are not going to speculate. Stensby said independent third parties would be responsible for the investigation and the structural testing and engineering design to rebuild the damaged area.

The outage comes as Puerto Ricos Electric Power Company tries to emerge from a bankruptcy-like process and restructure some $9 billion in debt. The utility has long struggled with corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of investment in the electric grid, which Hurricane Maria razed in 2017. Emergency repairs were made at the time, but reconstruction projects have yet to start.

In addition, a series of strong earthquakes that hit southern Puerto Rico in late 2019 and early 2020 damaged the Costa Sur plant and other infrastructure.

Prior to Hurricane Maria, a fire at another power plant sparked an island-wide blackout in September 2016. A large fire in June last year at a substation in the capital of San Juan left hundreds of thousands of clients without power.

By Danica Coto
Falun Gong practitioners take part in a parade in Flushing, New York, on April 18, 2021, to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the April 25th peaceful appeal of 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Prisoner of Conscience Recounts Being Subjected to Sexual Torture in China

Editors note: This article contains graphic details of torture and sexual assault.

A prisoner of conscience, recently released from a 7-year term at a notorious prison in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, has described being subjected to a range of brutal torture methods, including sexual assault.

Zhou Xiangyang, a 49-year-old Falun Gong practitioner and former engineer, was released on March 1 from Tianjin Binhai Prison, according to Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that documents the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) campaign of persecution against the spiritual practice.

While incarcerated, Zhou said he suffered from torture at the hands of inmates and guards, including electrocution, force-feeding, being pepper-sprayed, and assault on his private parts.

Weeks after his release, Zhou appealed his grievances to Chinas judicial authorities, including the Tianjin Bureau of Justice, the Tianjin Bureau of Prisons, and the Ministry of Justice.

Such accounts of torture and inhumane treatment are common among Falun Gong practitioners detained by the CCP for merely refusing to give up their faith.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that features three core tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, along with five slow-moving exercises. After it was made public in 1992, the disciplines following in China grew to up to 100 million people by 1999. Deeming the practices popularity a threat to its authoritarian rule, the communist regime launched a nationwide persecution campaign to eradicate it.

Since then, millions of practitioners have been detained in prisons, labor camps, and detention centers across the country.

Torture and Abuse

Zhou and his wife Li Shanshan, also a fellow practitioner, were arrested for their persistence in practicing Falun Gong in March 2015, according to Minghui. Chinese authorities sentenced them to 7- and 6-year prison terms respectively.

He served his term at Tianjin Binhai Prison.

To protest his incarceration, Zhou staged a hunger strike for the entirety of his prison term, which resulted in him being subjected to regular forced feeding. As his health worsened, Zhou became wheelchair-bound.

In November 2020, the prisoner of conscience was transferred to another section of the prison, block 10. There, he started to experience a variety of torture methods inflicted by inmates as well as guards.

On the evening of day one in the 10th block, a guard named Zang Haixu led me to the prisons hospital for forced feeding, with two inmates, Zhao Shuopeng and Bai Zongming, pushing my wheelchair, Zhou wrote in his official complaint. On our way back, the guard made an excuse, shocked me with his electric baton, and pepper-sprayed me in the eye when we were at a location not visible to surveillance cameras.

In the following months, the guard Zang regularly threatened Zhou with more electric shocks, pepper spray, and beatings, according to the complaint.

A few days after Zhous transfer to the new block, another guard Liang Hanwen organized a team of three inmates and tasked them with routinely abusing Zhou, Minghui reported.

One of the inmates, Pan Xin, exacted a series of perverse torture methods.

While the other two inmates held Zhou down, Pan pinched Zhous nipples repeatedly until they oozed fluid. He used extreme force to squeeze Zhous genitals for long periods until the affected areas festered and became swollen and deformed, according to Minghui.

Additional types of torture and degrading treatment inflicted by Pan included spitting on Zhous face, pressing on his chest area with great force, and mixing his liquid food with bottled urine before forcing it down Zhous throat.

On four occasions, Pan, in the presence of prison guards Liang or Zang, used his gloved fingers to penetrate the adherents anus to torment him, according to Minghui. Further, Zang applied pepper spray on Pans glove to amplify the irritation.

The victim said he yelled out for help in such harrowing moments but received no help, although his cries could be heard across the corridor, according to the complaint. On one occasion, he developed severe breathing difficulties that the perpetrators had to interrupt their abuse and carry him to the prisons internal hospital for oxygen.

According to Minghui, Zhou reported his torture experiences to the chief guard Gao Peizhi seeking help, but was normally met with only more severe abuse inflicted as punishmentsometimes inflicted on the same day of his reporting.

In one incident, the guard Zang shocked him with an electric baton in retaliation. I heard you tipped our chief guard off, Zang warned Zhou after the torture session, the complaint read. Ive done that [electic shock] to deepen your memory. Dont speak recklessly later.

Shouting [for help] is useless, the inmates also told the victim, indicating that their acts were sanctioned by the chief guard.

This prison term was not Zhous first time being detained. Before this, he had served another 9-year term in the same prison and was detained for one year in labor camps.

Zhou used to be a top railway engineer, working at a state-run railway design firm in Tianjin.

After his release, Zhou moved to live with his parents in northern Chinas Hebei Province, though he is still under the CCPs surveillance, Minghui said.

A policewoman attempts to stop the taking of photos at the entrance to Qincheng prison on the outskirts of Beijing on Sept. 12, 2013. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Notorious Jail

Over the years, Tianjin Binhai Prison has emerged as a hotspot in the CCPs ongoing persecution of Falun Gong adherents, based on accounts compiled by Minghui.

In March 2020, Falun Gong adherent Li Shaochen died at 77 during his four-and-half-year term at the prison, Minghui reported. The cause of his death was not identified due to a lack of transparency and deliberate suppression of abuses by Chinese authorities.

Illustration of a form of torture against Falun Gong practitioners in Chinas prisons: being shackled to the ground.

In July 2011, new arrival Li Xiwang died at 49 from torture, 10 days after he was admitted. The direct cause of his death was Li being subjected to an extreme form of torture wherein victims are forced to remain in a back-arching posture for a prolonged period. Under this method, victims are forced to sit with their legs perpendicular to each other, with their ankles shackled to the ground. Then both hands are shackled to one of the ankles, meaning the torso is arched over the leg, according to Minghui.org.

A persons tolerance limit to this type of torture is reportedly two hours. Li was found dead after being forced to remain in that posture for more than 10 hours, Minghui reported. According to witnesses, his facial expression suggested that he died in absolute agony, with his forehead and head covered with pustules and his two eyes bulging.

Another practitioner detained at the prison at the same time as Li, Sander Lau, verified this account of Lis death in a recent interview with The Epoch Times. Lau said he personally knew of the new arrival.

Many inside stories came to light because some inmates who were on duty and responsible for surveillance in different teams or in the hospital got well along with us [Falun Gong practitioners], the survivor said, adding that these informants were sympathizers of detained adherents.

The prison segregated prisoners of conscience who refused to renounce their beliefs, regardless of their age, and subjected them to cruel treatment, according to Lau. They are not allowed to join the general population unless they agree to give up their faith.

Lau himself experienced sleep deprivation, was forced to spend hours sitting or standing in the same position and was subjected to forced feeding during his term there.

Another adherent Ren Dongsheng was also forced to submit to the back-arching torture method six times during his term from 2006 to 2011, according to Minghui.

On the day of his release, prison authorities did not deliver Ren to his family but to local authorities, who transferred him to a seven-day brainwashing session for further persecution. His family found him insane upon his final release. Ren remained mentally ill for years prior to his death at the age of 53 in September 2018.

The Epoch Times reached out to Tianjin Binhai Prison by phone for comment on April 8, but the person who answered refused to respond to the queries, which he claimed went beyond the scope of their business.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has published a report classifying processed meat like bacon, hot dogs, lunch meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. How has that revelation been received by governments and industry? And just how much cancer does processed meat cause? Ill answer those questions in this two-part series.

It is [perhaps] rare, in the history of nations, that one finds good reasons to render homage to the generosity and altruism of governments and those in power, but the birth of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) presents one of those rare occasions. It all started with a single letter from a bereaved husband, relating the suffering of his wife after a cancer diagnosis, cascading into this open letter calling for governments to devote half of 1 percent of their military budgets to fight for life by attacking one of the greatest plagues that weigh on humanity. And 18 months later, the IARC was born in the World Health Organization. With what overarching motive? Cancer prevention.

The IARC is best known for its monographsbook-sized reports evaluating whether or not some suspected carcinogen does in fact cause cancer. They are generally accepted as close to as final word as there is on whether or not something is carcinogenic. And their 114th monograph, published in 2018, was on meat. After thoroughly reviewing the accumulated scientific literature, a Working Group of 22 experts from 10 countries, after considering more than 800 different studies, concluded their 500-page report by establishing that something like a burger or pork chop is probably carcinogenic; probably causes cancer. But processed meat was placed as a Group 1 carcinogenthe highest level of certaintymeaning that according to the best available evidence, the consumption of processed meat causes cancer.

So, that means foods like bacon cause cancer; ham, hot dogs, breakfast links, lunch meat causes cancer. But their definition also includes, for example, turkey deli slices. Specifically, eating processed meat causes colorectal cancercancers of the colon or rectum, the second most deadly cancer worldwide after lung cancer, which is caused largely from smoking. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death here in the United States as well, and it doesnt just strike older people. Its also a leading cause of cancer and death from cancer earlier in life as well.

The meat industry wasnt happy, calling it a dramatic and alarmist overreach. Speaking of dramatic and alarmist overreach, one ag group in Italy sent out a press release: Just say no to terrorism on meat.

The gloves were off. The meat industry in Canada tried to pressure the government to cut off funds to the IARC, asking the Health Minister to pull all funding from the agency after they dared to question meat. And the U.S. meat industry did the same thing. Its no surprise the IARC is under siege by corporate interests, trying to challenge their cancer evaluations on Monsantos Roundup pesticide and meat; trying to discredit the agency and undermine financial support. Internal documents have revealed that Monsanto scientists, for example, casually discussing ghost-writing scientific papers and suppressing any science that conflicts with the companys assertions of safety.

The chemical industry has joined the corporate cacophony, calling the IARC monographs dubious and misleading. These are classic strategies straight out of the tobacco industry playbook. But there is little to suggest that, as a corporate actor, Big Tobacco differs fundamentally from, for example, Big Booze or Big Food.

One recurring corporate talking point is that basically, the IARC never met a carcinogen it didnt like. But the vast majority end up being categorized as just possibly carcinogenic, or there really arent sufficient data to make a determination either way. And look, they only spend time looking at substances for which there is already an existing body of scientific literature indicating a degree of carcinogenic hazard to humans. So, no wonder many of them end up, indeed, carcinogenic.

How did the IARC respond to all the criticism? The World Health Organization received a number of queries, expressions of concern, and requests for clarification following the publication of their meat and cancer report. They replied, hey, we never told anyone to stop eating processed meatsyour body, your choice. They just indicated that reducing consumption of these products can reduce the risk of a leading cancer killer. So hey, you like cancer? You do you.

The IARC is just a research organization that evaluates the evidence on the causes of cancer; after that, what you do with that information is up to you. The American Cancer Society was nice and clear when it came to alcohol. When it comes to cancer, it is best not to drink alcohol. But they got a little more wishy-washy with processed meat, suggesting people can get away with just limiting their intake.

The European Commission was a little clearer. To reduce our risk of cancer, we should eat plenty of whole grains, pulses (which are beans, split peas, chickpeas and lentils), vegetables and fruits, limit sugary, fatty, salty foods, and straight up avoid soda, sausage, and other processed meats. After all, in answering the question how much meat is safe to eat, the IARC replied that we dont yet know whether a safe level exists, period.

This story was originally published on the NutritionFact.org site.
A caribou moves through the Algar region of northeastern Alberta in September 2017 in a handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO-University of British Columbia-Cole Burton)

Quebec Premier Warns Ottawa Against Unilateral Action to Protect Provinces Caribou

Ottawa is threatening to act unilaterally to protect caribou in Quebec, a move that Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday would be interference in an area of provincial jurisdiction.

In an April 8 letter, federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault gave the Quebec government until April 20 to provide him with information about its plan to protect the at-risk woodland caribou and the animals habitat.

If the province doesnt agree to rapidly impose measures to prevent the decline of the species, Guilbeault said he would recommend the federal government adopt an order-in-council that would unilaterally create protected habitat for the caribou in Quebec.

Quebec still has the opportunity to act and to come to the table and negotiate in good faith, but that must be done quickly, Guilbeault told a news conference Tuesday.

In response, Legault said Guilbeaults ultimatum is another example of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government meddling in areas of provincial jurisdiction.

This is Quebecs jurisdiction, so we have an independent commission that is looking into this, Legault told reporters in Quebec City. We have to have a balance between saving the caribou but also protecting jobs that are important in certain regions of Quebec.

The former president of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Marco Festa Bianchet, said hes pleased with the federal governments ultimatum.

This is really the first time that the federal government has invoked the safety nets of the Species at Risk Act, said Festa Bianchet, a biology professor at Universite de Sherbrooke. He said the threat is necessary because the provincial government has chosen to let the forest industry destroy caribou habitat for many years.

The provincial government, Festa Bianchet said in an interview Tuesday, has chosen not to act in order to protect jobs in the forestry industry.

Caribou depend on thick, old-growth forests for protection from predators and to provide lichen for food, Festa Bianchet said. Over time, logging has removed much of the old-growth forest and replaced it with younger trees, depriving the caribou of their habitat and food. Logging roads also allow for the caribous natural predators, such as bears and wolves, to hunt more easily, he added.

The woodland caribou is considered vulnerable by the Quebec government. According to provincial data, from 2005 to 2016, the estimated population of the woodland caribou in the province varied between 5,635 and 9,981 animals. The mountain caribou subspecies of the woodland caribou is considered threatened by Quebec. Its population is estimated at around 40.

The Quebec committee currently studying caribou protection has faced criticism from environmental groups because it doesnt include any caribou experts. It is headed by Nancy Gelinas, a Universite Laval professor who studies forest economics.

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador has said the committee is not taking the rights and interests of First Nations into account during consultations.

By Stephane Blais
Restaurant Owners Unhappy With Potential Single-Use Plastics Ban in LA County

Restaurant owners are dissatisfied with a potential ban on single-use plastics in Los Angeles Countys unincorporated areas.

On April 5, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted 41 in favor of an ordinance requiring all food-service businesses in unincorporated areas to switch to recyclable or compostable containers, cups, and dishes. Additionally, full-service restaurants are also required to use reusable utensils, like silverware.

This ordinance also prohibits retailers in these communities from using styrofoam, including coolers, packaging materials, and single-use articles such as cups, plates, and pool toys.

According to the LA County Department of Regional Planning, over 65 percent of LA County is unincorporated, and if the ordinance is passed, it will impact approximately 1 million residents living in these areas.

All the containers and cups should be used for the second time but it just not the right time to enforce this ordinance, Estela Moran, the owner of a Mexican restaurant in El Monte, told The Epoch Times.

Moran runs the restaurant with her husband and said though she supported the idea of cutting down on single-use plastics, it is a difficult time for many restaurants to make the transition as they are still recovering from the pandemic.

Graciela Calderon, the owner of another Mexican restaurant in El Monte, told The Epoch Times that the ban would require restaurants to purchase more expensive supplies, and such costs would be passed on to customers.

We cant even find Styrofoam cups, we started using the plastic cups that are much more expensive. We had to raise the price for all the drinks. We dont want to raise the price by too much because we dont want to turn our customers away, Calderon said.

Unlike the businesses in El Monte, Calabasas is one of the wealthiest cities in the LA area and has taken on a leadership role in addressing environmental issues.

The City of Calabasas has traditionally been very proactive when it comes to environmental sustainability issues.  If Im not mistaken, they were one of the first cities to adopt compostable straws, Mike McNutt, the chairman of Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, told The Epoch Times.

McNutt supported the ban on single-use plastics, saying they harm the environment and human health.

I dont think financially it will affect the business as much, but I do think that its going to provide them an opportunity to really showcase that they are part of the solution, he said.

The ban on single-use plastics must return to the board for the final vote. If approved, the ordinance will take effect on May 1, 2023, for restaurants, and Nov. 1, 2023, for food trucks. Additionally, the farmers market, catering companies, and temporary food facilities would also need to comply by May 1, 2024.
R | 2h 5min | Comedy, Drama | 2002

Narrative films about finding oneself through miserable circumstances can sometime come off as contrived. If they dont seem contrived, they can sometimes fall into another undesirable, yet all-too-common category: the overly saccharine and schmaltzy.

Just last week I watched and reviewed the phenomenal 2013 film Nebraska (starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and June Squibb), directed by one of my new favorite directors (who coincidentally is from Nebraska), Alexander Payne. It simultaneously managed to be earthy, raw, and hilarious. So, when Id discovered that he directed another movie about a man going through some serious trials and tribulations, but still tries to make amends for past wrongs, I knew it wouldnt fit into either of the aforementioned categories.

This older, 2002 film, About Schmidt, stars none other than the great Jack Nicholson. Payne also uses the criminally underappreciated June Squibba consummate character actress with some serious gravitas. Its safe to say that schmaltzy wouldnt be allowed anywhere around either of these performers.

Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson crewing up yet another scene), in About Schmidt. (New Line Cinema)

Payne again uses his penchant for turning rather humdrum environments into moody sets that prepare you for what is to follow. In About Schmidt, he trades in the desolate and haunting rural beauty featured in Nebraska for drab urban environs, with the opening shots of gray streets, gray buildings, and you guessed itgray skies of Omaha, Nebraska. It settles you into an undeniably gray mood, but that will soon change.

Making Up for the Past

Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, who has worked at Woodmen of the World, a life insurance company, for his entire life. As the first act unfolds, Schmidt is attending his retirement celebration with his wife Helen (Squibb).

Helen (June Squibb) and Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) attend the latters retirement dinner, in About Schmidt. (New Line Cinema)

As his retirement days roll by, we sense Schmidts restlessness. This manifests itself in things like aimlessly flipping through TV channels, or sitting at his desk in his study and filling out boxes in magazine word games, which to him at least emulates the structure of his old work office. He feels as though he should be doing something worthwhile and productive.

He even pays his young replacement a visit and asks the man if he needs help with anything. Unfortunately, the man declines, and Schmidt dourly departs (although he tells his wife that his offer of help was accepted).

While flipping through TV channels one day, Schmidt watches an ad for Plan USA, an international humanitarian organization that allows adults to foster-adopt destitute children from third world countries, for the sum of $22 a month. He orders an information package and comes across the photograph of a 6-year-old African boy named Ndugu Umbo.

The foster program encourages adoptive parents to write to their new children and in some hilarious scenes, Schmidt unleashes a flurry of letters to Ndugu that have to do with his lifes triumphs and tragedies, as well as a lengthy list of little things that bother himchief among them some of his wifes undesirable habits and annoying idiosyncrasies. I havent had such a good laugh in quite a while (well, besides with Nebraska).

Regardless, he has been planning a road trip with Helen for a long time. Their vehicle of choice is a humongous Winnebago that barely fits in their driveway.

But a family tragedy causes Schmidt to reflect on his life and re-examine himself.

Part of his lifes journey entails taking a whack at reconciling with his estranged daughter, who is scheduled to marry an unsavory character whom he dislikes. Watch for the scene of the betrothed mans family wolfing down food like a pack of feral hyenas while Schmidt recoils in disgustits hilarious.

Randall Hertzel (Dermot Mulroney, center L) is getting married to Schmidts daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis), in About Schmidt. (New Line Cinema)

At a certain point, Schmidt attempts to make amends for the wrongs he committed in his past. Again, theres nothing that feels phony about this important period of his life. Rather, its heartfelt and inspirational, bolstered by Nicholsons immense radiance and ample acting chops.

About Schmidt not only lived up to my expectations (after seeing Nebraska), it surpassed them. This is another character-driven tale about normal people living through fascinating circumstances. It also showcases Paynes gift for transmuting the ordinary into the extraordinary. Although we see funky bars and dilapidated motels, non-descript chain restaurants and dingy liquor stores, this becomes cinematic poetry taken to another level entirely.

About Schmidt

Director: Alexander Payne

Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Release Date: Jan. 3, 2003

Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5
SYDNEY, Australia When Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Sydney Lyric Theatre, Tim Pereras immediate reaction was one of incredulity.

Its beautiful. Unbelievable. I was really moved, said Mr. Perera, an online blogger and computer programmer.

The repertoire of story-based classical and folk dances and music illustrates the true beauty of Chinas five millennia traditional culture.

Storytelling is an integral part of this ancient civilization, and many of the dances portray an important message passed down by heavenly beings to earthly mortals.

Mr. Perera felt they were powerful messages about the importance of living a life based on moral values.

And I think [that is] missing in the world today. So, I think it was very important that they can bring that forward, he said.

I think [the performance] really brings people out of the mundane life and the chaos of what we hear and see around us. And this really brought me back to what its all aboutthe beauty, the compassion, the images of the Buddha and the divine beings and dancing itself, he said.

The performance showed something that cannot be experienced in everyday life because man lives in chaos, said Mr. Perera.

He felt a connection with Shen Yun and said that, as the dancers moved, something beautiful was emanating from the stage.

Its a really blessed experience, and I think people who see [Shen Yun] are quite fortunate.

He was also impressed by the dance that portrayed the persecution of a Falun Dafa disciple. It carried a message about virtue and goodness, he said.

Falun Dafa is a practice whose spiritual teachings are based on truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. Unfortunately, practitioners have been persecuted by the communist regime for over 20 years.

I think the main message here [is] that we return to the divine, said Perera.

He was also touched by the dance, The Display of Great Compassion, a mini-drama where society has rejected traditional values and become obsessed with modern technology.

When I see people, theyre stuck on their phones, and theyre not relating, and [the dancers] really captured that. Thats so beautiful. Every movement  was so precise. When you [look] closely  you see how skilled they are in capturing the whole environment, said Mr. Perera.

Societys obsession with mobile phones contrasted with the beauty of ancient Chinese culture, he said.

So, you could really see  how important it is to go back to that beauty and goodness  instead of being trapped on your mobile phone and the darkness, said Mr. Perera.

Shen Yuns mission is to bring back Chinas traditional culture as it was prior to the communist era.

Mr. Perera said that in his native country, Sri Lanka, traditions had also been lost.

Through dance, Shen Yun shows the profoundness of Chinese culture.

Everything was based on something so beautiful, so virtuous.  Tim Perera

Everything was based on something so beautiful, so virtuous. And where is it now? You look around, and you feel so lost, said Mr. Perera.

Perera noticed that theatregoers were smiling at him as they left the theatre at the end of the performance.

And I was like, Oh, thats nice. So, lots of hope in their hearts.

I just love the dancers; theyre so amazing  their spark of light [was] kind of delivered to me and the people around me, said Mr. Perera.

Reporting by Mary Zhang and Diane Cordemans.



The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
The logo of SK Innovation in front of its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb. 3, 2017. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)

South Koreas SK Weighs Investing in Small Nuclear Reactors, Eyes Bill Gates TerraPower

South Koreas SK Group said on Tuesday it was mulling investments in small-sized nuclear reactors and that one of the candidates was TerraPower, a U.S. venture founded by Bill Gates.

A spokesperson for SK Inc, the holding company of the No. 3 conglomerate in South Korea, confirmed that TerraPower is a potential investment target among many but nothing had been decided, including details such as the possible investment amount, stake size or partners.

Founded by Bill Gates in 2006, TerraPower designs small modular reactors (SMR) and plans to build its first reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming by 2028. The $4 billion project is scheduled to begin in 2024, according to the company.

The interest in SMR and TerraPower comes after SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won last year pledged to cut 200 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions in 2030, which is roughly 1 percent of the global carbon elimination goal of 21 billion tons by 2030, according to SK Group.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged his support for nuclear power, which generated 27 percent of the nations electricity as of 2021, signaling a grand U-turn from incumbent President Moon Jae-ins nuclear phase-out policy.

By Joyce Lee and Byungwook Kim
Shanghais lockdown hits Apple. The companys major suppliers in the region have suspended operations, bringing production to a halt.

Three Chinese cities house more billionaires than New York. But Chinas GDP per capita remains a small fraction of Americas. Whats behind it?

Is Taiwan preparing for war? The islands military released a handbook for its citizens, telling them what to do in case of a wartime emergency.

Similar questions arise over military developments in China. Beijings latest economic policy may offer clues. An expert breaks it down.

A trade standoff with China ends in success for Taiwan. The island is exporting more pineapples than ever, despite a Chinese import ban from last year that could have crippled the market.

Topics in this episode:

Shanghai Locals Cant Get Medical Care

Buying Russian Oil Not In Indias Interest: Biden

3 Chinese Cities Have More Billionaires Than NY

Taiwan Releases 1st-Ever Civil Defense Handbook

Taiwan Pineapples No Longer Rely On Chinese Market

Beijings New Plan To Pivot Economy Inward

PLA Takes Over Shanghais Biggest Makeshift Hospital

Video: Shanghai Citizens Refuse To Cooperate w/ Health Workers Request, Conflict Sparks

Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntdtv.org

And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus

Subscribe to our newsletter for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit us on Gettr and Twitter.
Texas Cant Force Out-of-State Citizens to Pay Higher College Tuition Than Illegal Immigrants: Judge

A Texas law that in effect compels citizens of the United States to pay a higher college tuition rate than illegal immigrants is unlawful, a district judge ruled last week.

Under current Texas law established in 2001, a student who lives in Texas for three years and graduates from a Texas high school is entitled to in-state tuition rates. Anyone who fails to meet those residency criteria must pay higher out-of-state tuition rates, regardless of whether that person is a U.S. citizen.

In some situations, this tuition scheme makes U.S. citizens from states other than Texas pay higher tuition than students who continue to live in the state illegally, according to Young Conservatives of Texas, a student group advocating against in-state tuition rates and financial aid for illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, a federal law from 1996, known as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), specifically bans residency-based college tuition benefits that dont take a students citizenship into account. One section of the statute reads:

[A]n alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State (or a political subdivision) for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.

Arguing that these state and federal statutes conflict with one another, the Young Conservatives in 2020 sued the University of North Texas (UNT) on behalf of a group of its members, each of whom is a U.S. citizen from a state other than Texas and is, or was, a student at the university.

In the complaint, the Young Conservatives asked the court to preempt the Texas law under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. For a remedy, the youth group sought a permanent injunction that would prohibit the UNT from applying the tuition rates set forth in the challenged tuition scheme.

In response, the UNT argued that the Young Conservatives do not have standing to sue and that the university is not a proper defendant in this suit. It also contended that the court should not read IIRIRA to preempt the Texas education law.

U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan found none of these arguments persuasive. In his 40-page opinion (pdf) issued April 8, the Trump appointee ruled that the Young Conservatives had a sound standing to assert its claims, since its members did pay non-resident tuition for their most recent semester at UNT and anticipated paying non-resident tuition for future semesters.

This economic harm is a sufficiently concrete and particularized injury for purposes of establishing standing, Jordan wrote.

The judge also found that UNT administrators named in the lawsuit not only had a particular duty to enforce the challenged law, but also demonstrated willingness to do so at their university, noting that one of the Young Conservatives members was dropped from her classes in 2022 because she could not afford out-of-state tuition.

In other words, the administrators acted as the boots on the ground at UNT ensuring compliance with [Texas law]s mandate by applying its prohibitions, according to Jordan.

When it comes to the heart of the dispute, Jordan said the intent expressed in IIRIRA is so unambiguous that it undoubtedly invalidates the current Texas law, even though Congress didnt explicitly label that particular section as a preemption provision.

Giving this language a plain and commonsense meaning, the statute sets forth a simple rule: If a State makes an unlawfully present alien eligible for a postsecondary education benefit on the basis of state residency, it must make a United States citizen eligible for the same benefit regardless of whether the citizen is such a resident, he explained.

Congress is not required to employ a particular linguistic formulation when preempting state law. Nor has the Supreme Court ever required any particular magic words in express preemption cases, Jordan added. The Court concludes that the [Texas education law] is expressly preempted by [IIRIRA].

The UNT previously claimed in court filings that an unfavorable ruling could cost the university millions of dollars in lost revenue each semester. For now, the decision declaring higher out-of-state tuition rates unlawful only pertains to the UNT.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a legal group representing the Young Conservatives in the case, applauded the decision, saying that colleges and universities across Texas should begin to plan for the ruling to apply to them soon.

Universities in Texas simply cannot willingly violate federal law to benefit noncitizens in Texas at the expense of U.S. citizens, said Robert Henneke, general counsel and executive director at the Foundation. Now that a federal judge has rightly declared the out-of-state tuition statute unconstitutional, no Texas state university should continue to charge out-of-state students a higher tuition rate, starting with the upcoming summer semester.
Trucks wait to cross into the United States during a protest blockade against the new inspections carried out by Texas, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on April 12, 2022. (Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images)

Texas Reopens Truck Flow in Laredo After Border Deal With Mexican State

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has halted commercial truck safety inspections in Laredo after signing an agreement with his counterpart from the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon on April 13.

Abbott and Gov. Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda signed a memorandum of understanding in which Nuevo Leon state agreed to patrol the 8.7 miles of the international border it shares with Texas as well as to conduct its own safety inspections on trucks entering Texas.

The move will unclog the hours-long delays that commercial trucks have faced in Laredo after Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct enhanced safety inspections on commercial vehicles entering from Mexico.

These inspections revealed that about 25 percent of the vehicles crossing into Texas were unsafe for Texas roads and were removed from service, Abbott said during a joint press conference with Garcia in Laredo.

At the same time, Texas has been overrun with a record number of illegal immigrants crossing from Mexico into Texas, with the assistance of cartels.

Border Patrol agents in Texas deal with the vast majority of illegal border crossers, apprehending more than 1.3 million in 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

In the first three months of 2022, agents apprehended more than 318,000 illegal immigrants entering the state of Texas from Mexico.

Garcia said his state started its own truck inspections yesterday.

We show Governor Abbott we have federal police, migration police, local and state police making those checkpoints to ensure that they will arrive safe and not representing any threat to Texas, Garcia said.

I want to ensure that Texas feels comfortable making business and having an effective and quicker border.

Abbott said hes been contacted by the governors from the other Mexican states that have bridges crossing into Texas and expects other meetings to begin on April 14. The other states include Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua.

Until, however, those agreements are reached with those states, the Texas Department of Public Safety will continue to thoroughly inspect vehicles entering into the United States from every Mexican state except Nueva Leon, Abbott said.

Texas and Mexico share 1,254 miles of border and 28 ports of entry.

Texas DPS officers have conducted inspections at seven ports of entryBrownsville, Los Indios, Pharr, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and El Paso.

One Laredo port of entry has seen a 60 percent drop in commerce since the inspections stated, while the Pharr port of entry was blocked by protesters on the Mexican side, according to CBP, which is responsible for border clearance into the United States. CBP issued its own statement on April 12 calling the inspections unnecessary.

Garcia encouraged other Mexican governors to sign agreements with Texas, saying, Dont wait for other governments to enter to solve them.

Abbott, who has received pressure from the White House to end the inspections, criticized the administration for its open border policies.

The ultimate way to end the clog at the border is for President Biden to do his job and to secure the border, Abbott said.

There are very real and very deadly consequences for Bidens refusal to secure the border. Texas law enforcement is apprehending illegal immigrants that got away from the Border Patrol, including previously convicted murderers, previously convicted child rapists, kidnappers, drug traffickers, MS-13 gang members, and cartel gang members.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Abbotts inspection efforts a political stunt in a press conference on April 13.

These actions are impacting peoples jobs and the livelihoods of hardworking families in Texas and across the country, Psaki said.

Id also note that what were seeing with these unnecessary inspections of trucks  [at] ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are significant delays, which are resulting in a drop in commercial traffic of up to 60 to 70 percent in some ports, and that is significantly impacting the local and regional supply chains.

Abbott announced the enhanced inspections several days after the Biden administration stated that it intends to end the Title 42 pandemic-related expulsions at the border on May 23. The Republican governor also started busing illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C., with the first bus arriving at the capital on April 13.

The Biden Administrations open-border policies have paved the way for dangerous cartels and deadly drugs to pour into the United States, and this crisis will only be made worse by ending Title 42 expulsions, Abbott said in an April 6 statement.

Abbott acknowledged that the border slowdowns are a very high price to pay, but sometimes it just takes action like that to spur people sitting down and working things out.

The governor is up for reelection this year, seeking a third term. He won his primary in March and will face challenger Beto ORourke, a Democrat, in November.
Thailands Acquisition of Chinese Submarine Stalls as Germany Refuses to Supply Engine

Thailands government will look at other options if its plan to acquire a submarine from China fails because of Germanys refusal to supply an engine for it, according to Thailands navy chief of staff.

The construction of the submarine stalled after China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Co. (CSOC), a Chinese state-owned submarine developer, was unable to obtain a German-made diesel engine.

Thai Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Tharoengsak Sirisawat said on April 8 that CSOC has until the end of this month to resolve the issue and that Thailand will make a decision once the negotiations are completed.

The navy will consider any proposals first, but we also already have in mind some other options, Tharoengsak said, according to Bangkok Post.

While CSOC had proposed changing the contract to use Chinese-made engines, Thailand insisted on receiving a submarine with a German-made engine as specified in the original contract. Tharoengsak declined to comment on the proposal.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, whos also the countrys minister of defense, said on April 4 that the deal could be terminated if the Chinese company fails to fulfill the agreement.

What do we do with a submarine with no engine? Why should we purchase it? If the agreement cant be fulfilled, we have to figure out what to do, Prayut said, noting that canceling the deal will have no impact on ThaiChinese relations.

Germanys Motor and Turbine Union (MTU) company has refused to supply the engine because of the European Union arms embargo against the regime in Beijing, which was imposed after the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.

The German Embassy in Thailand stated in February that China didnt consult with Germany before signing the contract with Thailand, which includes German MTU engines as part of its product.

Germany did not refuse the export of the engine because of the product being for Thailand as a third country. The export was refused because of its use for a Chinese military [or] defense industry item, the embassy said in a statement carried by Bangkok Post.

Thailand signed a deal to buy the Chinese S26T Yuan-class submarine for 13.5 billion baht ($402 million) in April 2017, with payments to be made in seven-year installments. The first payment of 700 million baht ($209,000) was made in that same year.

Thailand later agreed to accept Chinas offer to buy three submarines worth 36 billion baht ($1.07 billion), with payments to be made in 11 annual installments. But the two additional subs were shelved for four years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Etsy Sellers Market in Times Square celebrating Etsy's NASDAQ IPO in New York on April 16, 2015. (Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for NASDAQ)

Thousands of Etsy Sellers Go on Strike Over Increased Fees

Thousands of Etsy sellers are going on strike in protest against the increase in fees that the American e-commerce company is charging for those who use its platform.

Earlier this year, Etsys CEO Josh Silverman announced that starting April 11 the company would increase the 5 percent transaction fee for sellers that has been in place since 2018 to 6.5 percent.

At the time, Silverman said this was being done to help fund significant investments in marketing, seller tools and to create a world-class customer experience among other things.

According to Etsy, which focuses on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies, its site has 5.3 million active sellers and more than 90 million active buyers.

However, some sellers on the site claim that the company made bank during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than doubling its gross marketplace sales in 2020 and breaking that record by $3.2 billion dollars in 2021, yet has more than doubled the basic fees for sellers to use the platform in less than four years.

According to protest organizers, the strike is in protest against Etsys treatment of sellers and will see participants put their shops on vacation mode from April 1118.

Those of us who can will strike for the whole week, and some of us are striking only for April 11, organizers said.

Protesters are demanding that New York-based Etsy cancel the increased transaction fee, and crack down on resellers with a comprehensive plan that is transparent so that sellers can hold Etsy accountable.

They also want the company to provide golden support tickets which enable access to live human support to sellers who are impacted by extreme AI actions, which include having their accounts terminated, and put an end to the Star Seller Program, which rewards Etsy sellers who consistently provide an excellent customer experience, and which protesters say benefits high volume sellers more.

Sellers also want Etsy to allow them to opt out of off-site advertisements.

In a letter sent on Monday to Silverman, strike organizer Kristi Cassidy said the companys decision to increase seller fees by 30 percent after two years of record sales is nothing short of pandemic profiteering.

After the planned increase, our fees as sellers will have more than doubled in less than four years, Cassidy said.

Pointing to Etsys founding vision of keeping commerce human by democratizing access to entrepreneurship Cassidy went on to state that the e-commerce site makes up the main source of income for many sellers.

But as Etsy has strayed further and further from its founding vision over the years, what began as an experiment in marketplace democracy has come to resemble a dictatorial relationship between a faceless tech empire and millions of exploited, majority-women craftspeople, Cassidy wrote.

Etsy has yet to respond to the letter.

Protesters are also calling on customers to go on strike and abstain from purchasing items off the website until at least April 18 and have launched a petition that has garnered over 70,000 signatures so far.

Cassidy told The Guardian that more than 22,500 Etsy sellers had joined the protest.

The company has defended the fee structure, stating that sellers success is a top priority for Etsy.

We are always receptive to seller feedback and, in fact, the new fee structure will enable us to increase our investments in areas outlined in the petition, including marketing, customer support, and removing listings that dont meet our policies, an Etsy spokesman said in a statement to NPR.

The Epoch Times has contacted an Etsy spokesperson for comment.
Trucks wait in a long queue to cross into the United States after the Texas Department of Public Safety announced increased security checks at the international ports of entry into Texas, at the Zaragoza-Ysleta border crossing bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on April 9, 2022. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)

Truckers Protest Lengthy Wait Time at US-Mexico Border, Texas Governors Stringent Inspection

Truck drivers from Mexico continued with their protests at the U.S. border, blockading bridges for a second day on April 12 after Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts order to increase vehicle inspections caused long traffic snarls.

The government of Mexico announced its displeasure at the new rules, warning that around two-thirds of normal trade between the two sides was being held up, resulting in the loss of significant revenue for Mexican and American businesses. At one bridge connecting Reynosa, Mexico, with Pharr, Texas, truckers parked their vehicles on the Mexican side and held barbecues at the spot.

Yesterday it took me 17 hours to cross into the United States and return, Raymundo Galicia, a Mexican driver protesting at the Santa Teresa bridge connecting San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, to Santa Teresa, New Mexico, said in a Reuters report published on April 12. I get paid the same whether it takes me an hour or ten hours to cross, so this is affecting us a lot.

The Pharr bridge typically sees around 3,000 trucks pass through daily and is the largest land port for food produce entering the United States. Roughly two-thirds of produce sold in Texas comes from Mexico.

Although Texas state troopers have always inspected trucks crossing into the United States, they have never, ever, ever acted in a manner that ended up holding up a complete system or a complete supply chain, said Joe Arevalo, owner of Keystone Cold, cited CNBC.

Were living through a nightmare, and were already suffering through a very delicate supply chain from the pandemic and to try to regrow the business, Arevalo said.

Abbott had ordered vehicle inspections to uncover the smuggling of people and contraband by criminal cartels. However, traffic delays have attracted criticism from several quarters, including from his own Republican Party members.

Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, called the new rules, political theater, and asked Abbott to halt the policy. Inspections are killing the economy, exacerbating strained supply chains, and creating untold losses for Texas businesses, he said in a letter to the governor. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) called Abbotts decision unnecessary.

According to John Esparza, president and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association which represents 1,000 members, his phone has been ringing off the hook since April 7 following Abbotts orders.

Without a doubt, it is a major concern for all of us currently, Esparza said to The Epoch Times. Regardless of what causes the slowdowns, when we see slowdowns at the border, it has a down-the-food-chain effect  all the way to the grocery store.

Dante Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas International Produce Association, also sent a letter to the governor, requesting Abbott to modify the enforcement action. He foresees companies shifting business to Arizona or New Mexico due to the new rule.

However, some Texan business owners support Abbotts orders despite the inconvenience. The rule will be for the good of the community, Barbara Carrasco, co-owner of Trans-Logistics international, said in an interview with media outlet News4SA.

We are willing to make a sacrifice because we understand the predicament our country is in, our sovereignty is at stake and we see that they are finding illegal immigrants on 53-foot vans and these people need to know that this is not acceptable behavior.
Former president Donald Trump points at individuals and throws hats into the crowd as he arrives for his campaign-style rally in Wellington, Ohio, on June 26, 2021. (Stephen Zenner/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump to Appear at Ohio Rally on April 23, Senate Candidates Hopeful for Endorsement

Former president Donald Trump looms large in the Ohio GOP Senate primary with every candidate but moderate Republican state Sen. Matt Dolan coveting his endorsement.

Less than two weeks ahead of the May 3 primary, Trump will headline a rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on April 23, the county Republican Party announced.

Trump has already endorsed Max Miller for Congress but has yet to back a candidate in the U.S. Senate race.

In March, the former president said he would make an endorsement before the primary.

Trump stumped for his former aide Miller during his last visit to Ohio in June 2021. Initially, Miller was challenging U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump because of the Jan. 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol.

Ohio is mired in redistricting issues and now Miller is running in the 7th Congressional District, in northeast Ohio.

Current Rep. Bob Gibbs recently announced he would not seek re-election.

When he was president, Trump endorsed former Congressman Jim Renacci in the 2018 GOP Senate race. Renacci was running against Mike DeWine for the governors seat, but he moved to the Senate field at Trumps urging. Renacci defeated Mike Gibbons in the primary before falling to Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general election.

Now, Renacci is running against DeWine, the incumbent governor, and Gibbons is one of the frontrunners in the crowded and contentious GOP Senate race. Renacci and Gibbons are vocal proponents of Trump and his America First platform.

The landscape of the GOP Senate race appears to be changing.

In a Fox News poll released on March 7, conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research from March 2 to 6, Gibbons led public opinion with 22 percent support, followed by Mandel (20 percent), Vance (11 percent), former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken (9 percent), State Sen. Matt Dolan (7 percent), businessman Neil Patel (2 percent), and businessman Mark Pukita (1 percent).

Republican pollster David Lee conducted a survey for Protect Ohio Values, a pro-Vance super PAC, that was released on April 6 and showed Vance, Gibbons, and Mandel in a tie for the lead at 18 percent each.

On the same day as the Protect Ohio Values poll was revealed, Timkens campaign announced an internal poll indicating that Gibbons was in first place with 20 percent followed by Mandel (16 percent), Timken (15 percent), Dolan (13 percent), and Vance (10 percent).

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican who is opposed by former state representative John Adams in the May 3 primary, said on April 12 that 71,296 absentee ballots have been requested by mail or in person. That is down more than 40 percent from the 171,954 from this point four years ago.

LaRose added that 11,935 votes have been submitted, which is around 20 percent of the 63,253 figure at the same time in 2018.

In a primary that is expected to have a low voter turnout, Trumps endorsement could make a significant impact.

You know, in this campaign, everybodys saying theyre all the Trumpiest candidates, said Gibbons, who served as Trumps state finance co-chair in 2016 and launched a Trump-aligned super PAC called Ohio Strong Action.

I dont have to prove my Trump credentials. And its not about Trump. Its about America First and the ideas and the things that he accomplished.

He [Trump] knows who I am, Gibbons added. He knows I never criticized him or was an anti-Trumper.

Mandel is centering his campaign on rallies at churches and frequently says that he will go to Washington with a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other to serve as a reinforcement for Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan, and Donald Trump.

I completely respect the [former] presidents decision-making process on the endorsement, Mandel said. Im doing everything I can to earn his support, and Im confident Im going to earn it, Mandel said. Theres no candidate in this race that embodies the Trump America First spirit and agenda like I do.

I havent commented previously, but I'm getting tired of watching the neocons in #OHSen running dishonest ads calling @JDVance1 a never-Trumper. It's BS. A lot of conservatives were skeptical of DJT in 2016 & got won over when they saw him in action. JD is 100% America First. https://t.co/AcYTtNwlkW  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 22, 2022

Vance has taken heat from opponents about his critical social media comments about Trump in 2016, but Donald Trump Jr. has praised Vance and recently appeared at a fundraiser for the Hillbilly Elegy author and venture capitalist.

Vance apologized for denouncing Trump in now-deleted tweets. He wrote that he would not vote for Trump and would instead support Evan McMullin, who ran as an independent.

In 2016, Vance said the future president was reprehensible and that he makes people I care about afraid.

At campaign stops, Vance often explains how his viewpoint of Trump evolved over time.

Its one of the most poorly kept secrets in this race that I was a critic of Trump in 2016, thanks to my opposition, Vance said.

But I also think that people care about what you actually think about the issues, what you think about the substance, and whether youve got a credible argument for why you changed your mind and why Trump proved you wrong.

I think I do. Trump seems to think that, and I think a lot of voters do as well.

Timken touts that she helped deliver Ohio for Trump when she was state Republican Party chair in 2016 and 2020.

Voters know me. They know how hard Ive worked for [former] president Trump and how much Ive advanced the America First agenda, Timken said.

I would welcome [former] president Trumps endorsement, but I will be out there every day talking to voters with my message that I will be the one standing up for Ohio families, Ohio jobs, Ohio workers, and our business community.

Of the top five candidates in the polls, Dolan is the only one who is not openly seeking Trumps endorsement.

There are people up on the stage who are literally fighting for one vote, and that person doesnt even vote in Ohio, Dolan said at a debate on March 28.

[Former] president Trump remains a big influence in the Republican Party, but its the Republican ideals that he puts forth thats resonating with people, and thats what Im focused on.
The P&O Ferries vessel Spirit of Britain (R) moored at the Port of Dover in Kent, England, on April 13, 2022. (Gareth Fuller/PA)

UK Maritime Authorities Detain Another P&O Ferry Over Deficiencies

British maritime authorities detained another vessel operated by P&O Ferries on Tuesday owing to a number of deficiencies.

The vessel, Spirit of Britain, which normally operates across the English Channel between Dover, England, and Calais, France, is the third vessel detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Authority (MCA) since the UKs Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ordered the agency to carry out detailed inspections of all P&O vessels following the companys abrupt dismissal and replacement of almost 800 seafarers on March 17.

The company last week said it was expecting the Spirit of Britain to be ready to sail this week along with detained vessel Pride of Kent, which also serves the DoverCalais route, but both vessels are now under detention.

An MCA spokesperson said on Tuesday evening that the Spirit of Britain was detained due to surveyors identifying a number of deficiencies.

We have advised P&O to invite us back once they have addressed the issues. We do not know yet when this will be, the spokesperson said.

Under Port State Control (PSC) regulations, the report on the detention will be published when the inspection is complete, which is when the vessel is released.

In a separate statement on Wednesday evening, the MCA said it had found a number of additional deficiencies including in safety systems and crew documentation following the reinspection of the Pride of Kent earlier on the day, and had advised P&O to address the issues and invite the agency back for further inspection.

The European Causeway, which was detained on March 25 after the MCA deemed it unfit to sail because of failures on crew familiarisation, vessel documentation, and crew training, has been released on Friday, and resumed service on the LarneCairnryan route between Northern Ireland and Scotland on Sunday.

The Pride of Hull, which sails between Kingston upon Hull, England, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, passed the PSC inspections carried out by the MCA and the Dutch authorities.

The Bahamas-flagged ship had been berthed at Rotterdams Europoort since the crew replacement before resuming service on Monday.

Three other P&O ferries are yet to be inspected. The European Highlander was cleared for a relocation voyage to Larne but is still to have its full PSC inspection.

Eight P&O Ferries in all will be inspected through the Port State Control regime by the MCA.

In an email to The Epoch Times, a P&O Ferries spokesperson said: The Spirit of Britain will remain berthed in its current port, following inspections by the Maritime and Coastguard Authority.

In the past few days, both the European Causeway and the Pride of Hull have been deemed safe to sail by the MCA, and we continue to work with all relevant authorities to return all our ships to service.

We take the safety of our passengers and crew very seriously and look forward to all of our ships welcoming tourist passengers and freight customers again as soon as all mandatory safety tests have been passed.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meeting with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic for talks in London on Feb. 11, 2022. (Rob Pinney/PA)

UK Sanctions Pro-Russian Separatist Leaders in Eastern Ukraine

The UK government, in coordination with the European Union, has sanctioned 178 individuals linked to pro-Russian separatist regions of Eastern Ukraine.

The UK Foreign Office said the new sanctions are intended to target those who prop up Russian-backed illegal breakaway regions of Ukraine.

This comes after a missile attack on a packed railway station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on April 8, which killed 50 people and wounded many more.

The Russian government has rejected Ukrainian accusations that its forces had been deliberately targeting civilians.

But the UK Foreign Office said on April 13 that there is mounting evidence of atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including accounts of sexual violence.

Commenting on the new sanctions, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: In the wake of horrific rocket attacks on civilians in Eastern Ukraine, we are today sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putins war.

The UK will ban the import of Russian iron and steel and the export of quantum technologies and advanced materials to Russia on April 14, she added.

We will not rest in our mission to stop Putins war machine in its tracks, she said.

Those sanctioned include Sergei Kozlov, the self-styled chairman of the government of the breakaway Luhansk Peoples Republic.

Also added to the sanctions list was Alexander Ananchenko, who the Foreign Office named as the self-professed prime minister of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic.

Russia has refocused its military efforts in recent weeks as Russian President Vladimir Putin looks, according to Western intelligence, to mount an offensive on the Donbass region following a failed attack on Kyiv.

Putin reiterated on April 12 that Russia is demanding Ukraine recognise Crimea as Russian and the so-called republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent.

Fighting in Eastern Ukraine will intensify in the next two to three weeks as Russia continues to refocus its efforts there, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in its intelligence update on April 12.

Those targeted by the new sanctions also include six family members and close associates of Russian oligarchs, including Pavel Ezubov, cousin of Oleg Deripaska, and Nigina Zairova, the executive assistant to Mikhail Fridman.

Maria Lavrova, the wife of Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, is among those subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Protesters throwing the statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbor during a Black Lives Matter protest rally in Bristol, England, on June 7, 2020. (Ben Birchall/PA Media)

UKs Bristol Statue-Toppling Case to Be Referred to Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in the UK has been asked to clarify the law over uncertainty caused by the Edward Colston statue case, Attorney General Suella Braverman said on April 13.

On Jan. 5, four people involved in toppling the statue during a Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 36, Sage Willoughby, 21, and Rhian Graham, 29were acquitted of causing criminal damage by a jury, despite having acknowledged their involvement.

(LR) Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse, Milo Ponsford, and Rhian Graham outside Bristol Crown Court after they were acquitted of criminal damage on Jan. 5, 2022. (Ben Birchall/PA Media)

The trial heard that Ponsford and Graham brought ropes, which Willoughby passed around the statues neck, and Skuse goaded the crowd into rolling the statue 500 meters (1,640 feet) and throwing it into the water.

But the four individuals claimed that the presence of the 17th-century British merchants statue was a hate crime or an indecent display and that the tearing-down of the statue was to prevent a crime.

Willoughby compared the statue with Nazism, saying: Imagine having a Hitler statue in front of a Holocaust survivorI believe they are similar.

Following the verdict, which Braverman said was causing confusion, the attorney general said she was carefully considering whether to seek clarification on the law for future cases.

In a statement on April 13, she said she had decided to refer the case to the Court of Appeal to clarify the law around protests following careful consideration.

Her office said the attorney general had concluded that the case had led to uncertainty regarding the interaction between the offence of criminal damage and the rights relevant to protest peacefully. 

The review wont affect the acquittals in the case.

Attorney General Suella Braverman arrives in Downing Street, London, on Dec. 7, 2021. (Aaron Chown/PA Media)

The Attorney Generals Office said it will seek clarification on whether someone can use a defence related to their human rights when theyre accused of criminal damage and whether juries should be asked to decide if a conviction for criminal damage is a proportionate interference with the human rights of the accused, particularly the right to protest and freedom of expression, as the judge did in the Colston statue case.

In his directions to jurors in the Colston case, Judge Peter Blair QC said they had to balance the defendants human rights against the legislation contained within the Criminal Damage Act.

He said individuals have the right to freedom of thought and conscience and to manifest ones beliefs, and the right to freedom of expression.

These rights protect not only beliefs, such as anti-racism, and speech itself, but also actions associated with protest, Judge Blair said.

Even where those actions have more than a minimal impact on the rights of other people, they need not result in a conviction. It is all a matter of fact and degree.

He said limitations on human rights are permitted under laws including the Criminal Damage Act if it is in the interests of public safety or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The issue of human rights was the last question in the route to verdict.

The jury was asked if it was sure a conviction for criminal damage would be a proportionate interference with the defendants rights to freedom of thought and conscience, and to freedom of expression.

Jurors were told that if they were sure the answer was yes, the verdict should be guilty, and if no, it should be not guilty.

Commenting on her decision to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, Braverman said, Trial by jury is an important guardian of liberty, and critical to that are the legal directions given to the jury. It is in the public interest to clarify the points of law raised in these cases for the future. This is a legal matter which is separate from the politics of the case involved.

The toppled statue of Edward Colston lies on display in the M Shed museum in Bristol, England, on June 7, 2021. (Polly Thomas/Getty Images)

According to the Bristol governments museums website, Colston, a 17th-century merchant and philanthropist, profited from his shares in the Royal African Company (RAC), in which members traded gold, ivory, and enslaved Africans. He had also been an active member of RACs governing body for 11 years.

PA Media contributed to this report.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a statement following the announcement that he and Chancellor Rishi Sunak would be fined as part of a police probe into allegations of lockdown parties, at his country residence Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, England, on April 12, 2022. (Marc Ward/PA)

UKs Johnson Apologises for Partygate Scandal but Refuses to Resign

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules but has refused to resign.

Johnson, his wife Carrie, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were all fined by the Metropolitan Police for attending a birthday gathering for the prime minister in Number 10 Downing Street in June 2020.

The prime minister said on April 12 that he had already paid the fine and once again offered a full apology for the breach which took place on his 56th birthday.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds take part in a doorstep clap in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore outside 10 Downing Street in London on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

He said: There was a brief gathering in the Cabinet Room shortly after 2 p.m. lasting for less than 10 minutes, during which people I work with kindly passed on their good wishes.

And I have to say in all frankness at that time it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules.

But he said he fully respects the outcome of the police investigation and he accepts in all sincerity that people had the right to expect better.

Johnson again denied he misled Parliament when he told MPs that all guidelines were followed in Downing Street, saying he spoke in completely good faith as it did not occur to him that he was in breach of the rules.

In response to renewed calls from opposition parties for him to resign, Johnson said: I think the best thing I can do now is, having settled the fine, is focus on the job in hand. Thats what Im going to do.

Johnson has been plagued by a series of damaging allegations of parties and other gatherings held in his official residence at No. 10 Downing Street and other government departments in Whitehall at the height of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, in violation of lockdown rules written by the government.

Johnson has faced repeated calls from opposition parties for him to resign over the so-called partygate scandal.

Calls for his resignation also came from his own backbench Conservative MPs, but in recent weeks, the war in Ukraine has seen Tory MPs rally around their leader.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak leaves 11 Downing Street as he heads to the House of Commons to deliver his Spring Statement in London on March 23, 2022. (Aaron Chown/PA)

Chancellor Sunak, who was also fined for attending Johnsons birthday party, issued a statement offering an unreserved apology.

He said he respects the Mets decision and has paid the fine.

But he fended off calls for him to resign, saying, Like the prime minister, I am focused on delivering for the British people at this challenging time.

Johnsons position appears to be secure for now, as Cabinet ministers have voiced support for his leadership, pointing to his role in tackling the pandemic and leading the UKs response to the war in Ukraine.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended the prime minister, saying he is human and did not knowingly break the law.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Representations of the virtual currencies Bitcoin and Ethereum stand on a motherboard in this picture illustration taken May 20, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/Reuters)

US Cryptocurrency Expert Jailed for Teaching North Korea to Evade Sanctions

An American cryptocurrency expert was sentenced on April 12 to 63 months in federal prison for teaching individuals in North Korea how to use blockchain technology to evade U.S. sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, 39, a U.S. citizen living in Singapore, was arrested in November 2019 after he delivered a presentation at a cryptocurrency conference in Pyongyang, even after U.S. authorities had denied his travel request.

He pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to violate international sanctions. Griffith also was fined $100,000.

According to the indictment, Griffiths presentation at the conference focused on how blockchain technology such as smart contracts could be used to benefit North Korea, including in nuclear weapons negotiations with the United States.

Griffith and his co-conspirators provided instructions to individuals in North Korea on how to use blockchain and cryptocurrency technology to launder money, according to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) statement.

The DOJ claimed that Griffith began formulating plans in 2018 to provide services to individuals in North Korea by developing and funding cryptocurrency infrastructure there.

Griffith knew that the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] could use these services to evade and avoid U.S. sanctions, and to fund its nuclear weapons program and other illicit activities, it stated.

Griffith allegedly helped to facilitate the exchange of cryptocurrency between North Korea and South Korea, despite knowing that assisting such an exchange would be violating the international sanctions against North Korea, according to the DOJ.

He also attempted to recruit other U.S. citizens to travel to North Korea and provide similar services, as well as broker introductions for North Korea to other cryptocurrency and blockchain service providers.

Defense attorney Brian Klein described Griffith as a brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession with North Korea.

We cannot allow anyone to evade sanctions, because the consequences of North Korea obtaining funding, technology, and information to further its desire to build nuclear weapons puts the world at risk, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said at the time of his arrest.

Its even more egregious that a U.S. citizen allegedly chose to aid our adversary.

The United States and the U.N. Security Council have imposed increasingly tight sanctions on North Korea in recent years to try to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The U.S. government amended sanctions against North Korea in 2018 to prohibit a U.S. person, wherever located from exporting technology to North Korea.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sacks of wheat grain are seen in a sheep farm in Montejaque, Spain, on March 11, 2022. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

Wheat Closes at the Highest Since Late March on Supply Worries

By Tarso Veloso and Megan Durisin

From Bloomberg News

Wheat futures rose for the second consecutive day with worries about short-term supply and adverse weather for crops.

Adverse weather across the U.S. plains states is giving support to futures, while the Ukrainian grain association expects that its harvest could shrink to 18.2 million tons, almost halving last years output. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and United Nations cut their outlooks for Ukrainian corn shipments on Friday.

The condition of the U.S. crop matters a lot more with Ukraine absent, said Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at StoneX.

Futures gained as much as 3.4 percent with strong volume, before closing 2.9 percent higher at $10.89 per bushel.

Corn reversed an early rally in Chicago, closing slightly lower after gaining as much as 1.3 percent. Futures slipped despite signs that China is booking more corn from the U.S. old crop to replace Ukrainian grains, as there are worries about slow demand and a big crop in Brazil. Soybeans sank 2 percent to $16.5525 a bushel.

The supply constraints are expected to persist into the 202223 season, with Ukraines grain association projecting the corn crop to sink 39 percent from last year. Focus is turning to the weather across the rest of the Northern Hemisphere as plantings kick off, at a time when pricey fertilizer could limit sowing.

The market is certainly more worried about global corn stocks with Ukraine out of the picture, Mato Grosso leaning drier through pollination and U.S. Midwest forecasts showing risks for this summer. said Suderman.

In the U.S., a significant winter storm may bring heavy snow to the northern Plains states beginning Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. Cooler-than-usual weather is also expected in the central U.S. next week, at a time when spring planting typically begins to accelerate.

After the close, the USDA released the U.S. crop progress and conditions for the week ended April 10, showing corn planting progress below analyst estimates, but better-than-expected winter wheat conditions. Winter wheat was pegged at 32 percent good-to-excellent, against 30 percent last week and 53 percent a year ago.

In South America, rains will benefit crops this week, especially in Paraguay and Southern Brazil. Starting on April 20th, a drier pattern should form in the middle-west, keeping most of precipitation to the southern and northern parts of the country, according to Somar Meteorologia. The middle-west region is responsible for almost 70 percent of the second corn crop that should be harvested in June.

2022 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki answers questions during the daily briefing in Washington, on March 17, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

White House Blasts Texas for New Border Checks, Blames Abbott for Significant Disruptions

DEL RIO, TexasTexas Gov. Greg Abbott is receiving pressure from the White House and Mexico to end his safety inspections on commercial vehicles entering the United States from Mexico.

Governor Abbotts unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on April 13.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) started conducting enhanced commercial vehicle safety inspections on vehicles traveling from Mexico on April 6, at Abbotts behest.

The inspections are being conducted on state roads just beyond several ports of entry, which has caused long delays to commercial traffic and caused miles-long lines of trucks into Mexico.

Truck drivers in Mexico started protesting on the Reynosa side of the Pharr international bridge on April 11, blocking the port of entry entirely. The drivers say theyll keep protesting and block other bridges if theyre not heard, according to a Twitter report by Mexicos Imagen TV.

The Pharr port of entry has seen a 35 percent drop in commercial traffic, while a bridge in Laredo has seen a 60 percent drop, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is responsible for border clearance into the United States. CBP issued its own statement on April 12 calling the inspections unnecessary.

Texas DPS officers have conducted inspections at seven ports of entryBrownsville, Los Indios, Pharr, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and El Paso.

Abbotts office didnt provide a response to the White House statement by press time.

Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on April 12, saying it rejects the state measure, which significantly impairs the flow of trade between our two countries.

Government officials in Mexico are talking with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Abbotts office, the statement said.

As an inevitable consequence of this provision, Mexican and U.S. traders are losing competitiveness and considerable income.

Abbott directed DPS to start conducting the inspections on April 6 in a letter to the agencys Director Col. Steven McCraw.

As you have explained, the cartels that smuggle illicit contraband and people across our southern border do not care about the condition of the vehicles they send into Texas any more than they care who overdoses from the deadly fentanyl on board, Abbott wrote.

As of April 12, DPS had inspected 4,133 commercial vehicles, of which 973 were placed out of service for serious safety violations to include defective brakes, defective tires, and defective lighting, according to Lt. Christopher Olivarez, DPS spokesman for south Texas.

Additionally, 84 commercial vehicle drivers were placed out of service. The total number of violations detected thus far is 13,651.

The president and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association John Esparza said his phone has been ringing off the hook since April 7.

We dont disagree with what the governor is doing. What were trying to do is help him reach the goals with our partners over at the Department of Public Safety without impeding commerce. And that can be a challenge, Esparza said.

Esparza said hes been in touch with the governors office since the inspections started and is seeking further clarification on the ultimate goal.
World May Turn From China Economically If Beijing Doesnt Take Firm Stand Against Russia Amid War: Yellen

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) shouldnt expect future claims to sovereignty to carry any weight with the international community if Beijing continues to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Whatever Chinas geopolitical aims and strategies, we see no benign interpretation of Russias invasion nor of its consequences for the international order, Yellen said during an address to the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank.

China cannot expect the global community to respect its appeals to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future if it does not respect these principles now, when it counts.

Yellens comments were in reference to the CCPs continued refusal to join multilateral sanctions against the regime of Vladimir Putin for its invasion of Ukraine and Beijings refusal to denounce Russias aggression.

The CCP has instead opted to deepen ties with Russia, actively censor media and online discussion in the Chinese mainland that is critical of Moscow, and has repeated Russian propaganda that the war is the fault of the United States and NATO.

Yellen also noted that its becoming increasingly difficult to separate economic and security interests in the global economy, and that if the CCP doesnt work to correct course on the Russia issue, the international community could move away from commercial ties with China.

To that end, Yellen warned that Chinas communist leadership should be aware that the international willingness to integrate China economically would be dependent on compliance with the multilateral demand for Russia to end its war.

We cannot allow countries to use their market position in key raw materials, technologies, or products, to have the power to disrupt our economy or exercise unwanted geopolitical leverage, she said.

She then called for the United States and its allies to engage in friend-shoring, or moving services and trade relationships to other open democratic societies and away from authoritarian regimes such as China under the CCP.

Under such a strategy, the United States would diversify its suppliers among nations that are well-integrated in the international community and act in accordance with international rules and norms.

Lets be clear, Yellen said, the unified coalition of sanctioning countries will not be indifferent to actions that undermine the sanctions we have put in place.

Yellen also described the apparent efforts by Beijing to profit off the crisis by continuing to trade with Russia as short-sighted, and said that China has benefited enormously from being part of a global system, a rules-based multilateral system.

To that end, Yellen said China should use its pivotal role to persuade Russia to end the war in Ukraine and to prevent the further decoupling of Western economies from China.

China has long claimed to hold sacrosanct key international principles including those enshrined in the U.N. charter with respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity, Yellen said.

China has recently reaffirmed a special relationship with Russia. I fervently hope that China will make something positive of this relationship and help to end this war.
A volunteer helps immigrants with their U.S. citizenship applications in New York City in a file photograph. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Would-Be Immigrants Can Get Waivers for COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement: Lawyer

The U.S. government since October 2021 has been requiring people seeking to immigrate to the United States to get a COVID-19 vaccine but officials are granting waivers when asked, at least in some cases.

A 40-year-old Japanese woman and her two children, aged 8 and 6, were successful in applying for a waiver, Christina Xenides, their lawyer, told The Epoch Times.

The application was filed on Nov. 15, 2021, and approved on March 15.

The woman had no immigration status; she was applying for residency based on marriage to a spouse who is a U.S. citizen.

A lot of people think its impossible to get these waivers granted, but thus farand when weve done them before the COVID-19 vaccine as wellweve had success in getting them approved. I definitely think its worth applying, Xenides said.

The vaccination requirement was announced well into the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which oversees legal immigration. The updated guidance requires applicants subject to medical examinations to submit proof of vaccination before completing the examinations.

USCIS based the guidance on the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions determination that COVID-19 meets the definition of a quarantinable communicable disease and that a negative test does not guarantee the applicant will not have COVID-19 at the time the applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident.

An applicant can receive a waiver if a surgeon or physician in charge of evaluating him or her decides a vaccination would not be medically appropriate, according to the USCIS. The vaccination requirement can also be waived if the applicant says getting a shot would be contrary to their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Blanket waivers can be issued for vaccines. The USCIS said in 2021 it may issue blanket waivers, or grant waivers without applications, for certain ages or other statuses, such as for age groups that cannot get a vaccine.

Xenides, who has helped other applicants file requests for waivers, says the main documentation needed is a statement from the applicant. Letters from pastors or similar figures can help.

The lawyer, with Siri & Glimstad LLP, has only seen one request approved so far, but she expects more to be cleared.

If its sincere, and if they can explain what their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral objections are, then USCIS is supposed to be mindful that vaccinations do in fact offend certain persons religious beliefs, Xenides told The Epoch Times. I think its really hard to question the sincerity of ones religious belief if theyre explaining it to you and telling you this is what I truly believe and these are the reasons.'

USCIS did not respond to requests for comment, including questions regarding how many waivers it has granted for COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccines are generally unavailable for children under 5 years old in the United States and many other countries. Additionally, people with certain conditions, called contraindications by health authorities, are told not to get a vaccine because of concern of side effects like severe allergic shock.

A key aspect for people who object to vaccines based on religious or moral convictions and request a waiver is that they must demonstrate opposition to vaccinations in all forms, not just certain vaccinations, according to USCIS.

For many vaccines, U.S. immigration authorities accept proof of prior infection. They do not for the COVID-19 vaccines.

Despite a push from some experts to recognize prior infection, or natural immunity, for COVID-19, U.S. health officials continue to say no tests can reliably determine whether somebody has such immunity and say prior infection cannot replace vaccination.

I thought that was very curious because if youre going to allow antibody or titer testing to exempt someone from other vaccines then why wouldnt you also for this one? Xenides said. But thats the current policy, that they will allow it for other required vaccinations, but not for the COVID-19 vaccinations.
Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the House Financial Services Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Oct. 23, 2019. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Zuckerberg Ends Controversial Grants to Election Offices

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who in the 2020 election cycle flooded election offices across the United States with hundreds of millions of dollars in grants, wont be participating in such grantmaking this year, according to a spokesman.

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, made $419.5 million in donations to nonprofitsZuckerbucks or Zuckbucks, as some have called the money$350 million of which went to the Safe Elections Project of the left-wing Center for Technology and Civic Life (CTCL). The other $69.5 million went to the Center for Election Innovation and Research. The CTCL reportedly distributed grants to upward of 2,500 election offices.

Zuckerberg spokesman Ben LaBolt, who was previously spokesman for Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign, said the donations were a one-time deal.

As Mark and Priscilla made clear previously, their election infrastructure donation to help ensure that Americans could vote during the height of the pandemic was a one-time donation given the unprecedented nature of the crisis, LaBolt told The New York Times on April 12. They have no plans to repeat that donation.

The money was supposed to be used to buy personal protective equipment and new ballot-counting equipment, train poll workers, and expand mail-in voting.

But critics have a less charitable take on what happened. They say the Zuckerbergs helped buy the presidency for presidential candidate Joe Biden by improperly influencing election officials and artificially driving up turnout in Democrat, but not Republican, strongholds across the nation.

Author J.D. Vance, whos seeking the Republican nod for the Ohio U.S. Senate seat, said on April 12 on the campaign trail that he believed the 2020 presidential election was stolen through fraud. Illegal ballot harvesting and Zuckerberg putting money into Democratic turnout in battleground states were also key in the election, he said.

The donations spawned a series of lawsuits across the country. For example, last month, the Thomas More Society filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission claiming that Milwaukee officials were involved in an election bribery scheme for accepting election-assistance money from CTCL, as The Epoch Times reported.

Grants to election administrators created a two-tiered election system that treated voters differently depending on whether they lived in Democrat or Republican strongholds, Phill Kline, director of the Amistad Project of the Thomas More Society, wrote in a report in late 2020.

This privatization of elections undermines the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which requires state election plans to be submitted to federal officials and approved, and requires respect for equal protection by making all resources available equally to all voters, Kline wrote.

Several states, including Florida, subsequently banned private donations to election offices.

In May 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed the states new election integrity law, which, in addition to prohibiting the use of private funds to administer elections, also banned ballot harvesting and mass mailing of ballots, and strengthened voter identification requirements.

Florida took action this legislative session to increase transparency and strengthen the security of our elections, DeSantis said at the time, as The Epoch Times reported. Floridians can rest assured that our state will remain a leader in ballot integrity. Elections should be free and fair, and these changes will ensure this continues to be the case in the Sunshine State.

Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) President J. Christian Adams, a former U.S. Justice Department civil rights attorney whose group frequently files election integrity lawsuits, said at the time that the Zuckerbergs money had a huge influence on the 2020 elections.

Zuckbucks were the biggest factor, juicing blue areas in 2020, Adams said around the time Florida cracked down on private money being used in election administration.

A private citizen should not be allowed to influence how our elections are run. At the Public Interest Legal Foundation, we are proud to have played a role in ensuring that this money will not be spent to influence the Florida elections in 2022.

CTCL Executive Director Tiana Epps-Johnson said earlier this week that her group is launching a new five-year, $80 million program called the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence to assist election offices across the United States.

Bolt said the Zuckerbergs wont be involved in the new project.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  When President Joe Biden declares Russia's Ukraine war genocide, it isn't just another strong word.

Calling a campaign that's aimed at wiping out a targeted group genocide not only increases pressure on a country to act, it can oblige it to. Thats partly because of a genocide treaty approved by the U.N. General Assembly after World War II, signed by the United States and more than 150 other nations.

The convention was the work of, among others, a Polish Jew whose family was murdered by Nazi Germany and its accomplices. The advocates pushed for something that would make the world not just condemn but actually prevent and ensure prosecution for future genocides.

In comments Tuesday, Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian. Other world leaders have not gone as far. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russias behavior in Ukraine doesnt look far short of genocide, but the U.K. has not officially used the term, saying only a court can make such a designation.

A look at whats involved in that decision, and what it means when a world leader declares a genocide:

WHAT DOES GENOCIDE MEAN?

Its a surprisingly modern word for an ancient crime. A Jewish lawyer from Poland, Raphael Lemkin, coined it at the height of World War II and the Holocaust. Lemkin wanted a word to describe what Nazi Germany was then doing to Europe's Jews, and what Turkey had done to Armenians in the 1910s: killing members of a targeted group of people, and ruthlessly working to eradicate their cultures.

Lemkin paired geno, a Greek word meaning race, and cide, a Latin word meaning kill. Lemkin dedicated his life to having genocide recognized and criminalized.

In 1948, after Adolf Hitler and his accomplices systematically murdered 6 million Jews in Europe, the U.N. General Assembly approved the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

WHAT'S THE LEGAL DEFINITION?

Under the genocide convention, the crime is trying to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in part or in whole.

That includes mass killings, but also actions including forced sterilization, abuse that inflicts serious harm or mental suffering, or wrenching children of a targeted group away to be raised by others.

IS RUSSIA COMMITTING GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE?

The case may hang in part on Putins own words.

Russian forces are widely accused of carrying out wholesale abuses of Ukraines civilians, including mass killings.

Those would be war crimes. But do they amount to genocide?

It's all about intent, argues Bohdan Vitvitsky, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and former special adviser to Ukraines prosecutor general.

Any attempt to determine whether the crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are driven by genocidal intent must necessarily focus on the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vitvisky wrote for the Atlantic Council think tank this week.

Putin long has denied any standing for Ukraine to exist as a separate nation, or Ukrainians as a separate people. He cites history, when Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, and later of the Soviet Union.

In a long essay last year, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Putin made clear the depth of his determination on the matter. He called the modern border dividing Russia and Ukraine our great common misfortune and tragedy.

Putin and Russian state media falsely call Ukrainian leaders Nazis and drug addicts." Putin has called his military campaign in Ukraine one of de-Nazification.

Gissou Nia, a human-rights lawyer who worked on war crime trials at the Hague, points to two alleged acts by Russia in Ukraine as also possibly showing intent of genocide: Reports of deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and an account, from Ukraine's government, of Russian soldiers telling 25 detained women and girls in Bucha that the Russians aimed to rape them to the point that they never bear any Ukrainian children.

WHY DOES IT MATTER IF WORLD LEADERS USE GENOCIDE TO DESCRIBE RUSSIA'S ACTIONS?

Embedded in the genocide convention is an obligation that the U.S. and other signers of the treaty have treated warily  if they acknowledge a genocide is occurring, they're committed to ensuring investigation and prosecution, at the least.

People and countries committing genocide shall be punished, the treaty declares, seeking to crush any wiggle room.

U.S. leaders for decades dodged using the word genocide to avoid increasing the pressure on them to act as mass killings targeted classes of people or ethnic groups in Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq, Rwanda and elsewhere.

Regretting his failure to do more to stop the killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis by Hutus in Rwanda in 1994, Bill Clinton in June 1999 became the first U.S. president to recognize an act of genocide as it was playing out, saying Serb forces carrying out a deadly campaign against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo were attempting genocide.

NATO intervened, lobbing 78 days of airstrikes that forced Serbian fighters' withdrawal from Kosovo. An international tribunal charged Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic with war crimes, although Milosevic died before his trial concluded.

Starting in 2005, world also leaders embraced  in principle  responsibility for collective action to stop genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Atrocities and targeted campaigns against groups continue around the world, however, and the so-called responsibility to protect is seldom invoked.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE U.S. DOES DECLARE RUSSIAN ACTIONS TO BE GENOCIDE?

U.S. leaders long have feared that acknowledging genocide would require them to intervene, even to send in troops, with all the risks, costs and political backlash that would entail. It's been a main reason leaders limit themselves to angry statements and humanitarian aid.

Biden is adamant the U.S. will not use its own military to confront Russian forces on behalf of Ukraine. Doing so would risk World War III, he says.

He and allies in Europe and elsewhere already are intervening by sanctioning Russia and by sending weapons and other support to Ukraine for its defense.

Biden and other Western leaders also have called for war crimes trials. The International Criminal Court already has started an investigation. But longstanding U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, over worries that U.S. troops could face prosecution there one day, complicates such prosecutions. So can Russia's veto power on the U.N. Security Council. And practically speaking, bringing Putin before a court is a long shot.

In the past, Americans' opposition to entanglement in foreign wars also has helped discourage U.S. leaders from doing more to stop possible acts of genocide.

But Russia's invasion of a neighboring country and brutality against Ukraine's people have angered Americans in a way that genocidal campaigns in Cambodia, Kurdish areas of Iraq and elsewhere did not.

A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 40% of people in America believe the U.S. should have a major role in ending Russia's invasion. Just 13% think the U.S. shouldn't be involved at all.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Migrants in South Africa are living in fear of attacks and even death, Amnesty International said Wednesday, days after a Zimbabwean man was burned to death amid renewed violence against foreigners in some poor neighborhoods of Johannesburg.

Zimbabweans, who make up the largest number of migrants in Africas most advanced economy, are mostly targeted, according to the human rights group.

Amnesty International accused South African authorities of inaction and a lack of political will to stem the wave of anti-migrant violence witnessed in recent weeks.

The violence is driven by vigilante groups who blame foreigners from poorer African countries for South Africa's rampant unemployment, said the report.

South Africa's unemployment rate has reached 35%, according to figures released this month by StatsSA. The jobless rate for youths is more than 60%, according to the statistics.

A gang in Johannesburgs poor Diepsloot township stoned and then burned to death Elvis Nyathi, a Zimbabwean, last week when he failed to produce identity documents showing that he was in the country legally, causing outrage in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Nyathi was one of seven people  two foreigners and five South Africans  who lost their lives after attacks and counter-attacks by non-state actors in the past week, said Amnesty International's report, describing the deaths as easily preventable.

Migrants interviewed in the township by Amnesty said they are living in constant fear and feel unsafe due to constant harassment from both the police and anti-migrant gangs that move around demanding identity documents from migrants, said the group.

These attacks represent just the latest wave in a rising tide of violence against migrants in South Africa, said Amnesty, adding that the assaults are not isolated as they mirror the heavily-orchestrated, anti-migrant attacks witnessed in other poor townships in Johannesburg in recent months.

A group calling itself Operation Dudula has held anti-foreigner demonstrations in several South African cities in recent weeks.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this week criticized the violence.

We have seen people being attacked, hurt and even killed because of how they looked or because they have a particular accent, he said in his weekly letter to the nation, appealing for restraint.

In Zimbabwe, authorities say they are engaging the South African government at all levels, while the countrys Parliamentarians called for an end to the attacks.

Once one of Africas most prosperous economies, Zimbabwe has battled a debilitating economic downturn over the past two decades that critics attribute to economic mismanagement, corruption and poor governance. President Emmerson Mnangagwas government blames Western-imposed sanctions.

South Africa has said it will no longer renew special permits that allow Zimbabwean migrants to live and work in that country and gave about 250,000 holders of those permits until December this year to apply for regular permits.

It is estimated that as many as 3 million Zimbabweans live in South Africa without proper legal documentation.

Zimbabweans say it is difficult to return home because unemployment is even higher than in South Africa at more than 80%, according to some economists.

The attacks are deplorable, but they can easily be solved if Zimbabwe fixes its economy, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa told The Associated Press Wednesday.

"Zimbabweans are forced to run away from their country and live wretched lives elsewhere because they have no future in their own country, Chamisa said.

Despite the threat of violence in South Africa, many Zimbabweans are still willing to risk sneaking across the border without documentation to try their luck in South Africa to escape the biting conditions at home.

There is nothing for me here," said Jonathan Sibanda 21, an unemployed resident of the capital, Harare. "I am willing to take that chance rather than die a slow death here in Zimbabwe.
After two years of cancellations, deferments and marathon sessions with airline customer service, many travelers are hoping to book summer trips that actually pan out this year.

I had the month of May 2020 completely off work, says Katharine Ng, an engineering program manager in Los Angeles . Ng planned to visit Europe and Morocco but had to cancel and rebook for the following year, 2021. Those new plans were eventually scuttled because she wasnt yet fully vaccinated by May, and travel restrictions got in the way.

Thankfully, canceling the trips was easy because of the COVID cancellation policies, Ng says. Yet while getting a refund was nice, it didnt scratch the itch for taking an actual vacation.

Many travelers, twice bitten by summer plans gone awry, remain shy of making them again this year. Even the experts have given up trying to predict what twists the pandemic will take next. But regardless of what happens, travelers can maximize their chances of summer travel success with a few simple steps.

BOOK FLIGHTS SOON

Travel isnt just coming back. Its roaring back.

Were already at 2019 prices for airfare, says Adit Damodaran, economist at Hopper, a travel booking app that tracks airfare trends. Weve already exceeded our initial forecast for prices.

Prices are rising in part because of increased consumer demand, but volatile oil prices may be playing an even bigger role. When the Ukraine conflict caused some travelers to pull back on Europe travel, prices didnt follow suit.

In Europe, demand is decreasing, but prices havent dropped with it, Damodaran says. In fact, they have increased. Airlines could be preemptively adjusting fares for fuel price changes.

Regardless of the cause, airfare costs are unlikely to drop significantly before peak summer travel. So booking sooner rather than later might help you avoid getting priced out of this travel season.

KEEP IT FLEXIBLE

The pandemic has ushered in one consumer-friendly change: Most airlines and hotels now offer more flexible booking options. And if the last two years have taught us anything, its that no trip, however well planned, is safe from disruption.

The best way to find flexible booking options depends on a host of factors, but a few simple rules apply.

 Avoid basic economy airfare as it doesnt allow changes or cancellations.

 Choose hotel rooms with free cancellation. Sometimes these rates are slightly higher than their nonrefundable counterparts.

 Read vacation rental policies carefully. Services like Airbnb and Vrbo generally let hosts choose the cancellation policy.

Data from Hopper shows that the number of basic economy bookings made on its platforms dropped significantly in 2021 after airlines introduced more flexible options for other fares. Now, these bottom-of-the-barrel fares make up only 20% of total bookings compared with nearly 40% before the industry change.

CHOOSE DESTINATIONS WISELY

Even if COVID-19 cases drop throughout the spring and summer, it could be some time before all international travel restrictions follow suit.

I was planning a trip to South Korea but I couldnt deal with a seven-day hotel quarantine, says Ng, citing the countrys strictly enforced rules . Ng opted to visit Europe this summer, where such restrictions arent currently in place. She feels more confident that COVID-related rules wont suddenly change right before or, worse, during her trip.

When choosing a destination, start with the countries that have restrictions that match your risk tolerance and work backward.

Of course, these restrictions can be avoided by sticking to domestic travel, but many travelers are eager to head abroad.

MAKE A BACKUP PLAN  OR SEVERAL

Even with all these precautions in place, anything can happen. Another surge, variant or military conflict could upend even the best-laid plans, which is why its important to make a backup.

First, after planning your main trip, consider making a few fully refundable bookings for a second, separate trip. These can be a hedge to ensure you dont have to book everything last minute during peak season. Just dont book airfare unless it is truly refundable  most main cabin fares are refunded as vouchers with the same airline, which arent as good as cash.

Second, sketch out an idea for a third trip, with the intention to book it at the last minute if original plans fall through. This step can help psychologically to avoid losing steam when plans change.

Finally, consider taking multiple shorter trips during the summer rather than one long trip to a single destination. This approach not only protects against potential destination-specific lockdowns, but could also help make up for lost visits during the pandemic.

___________________________

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sam Kemmis is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com.

RELATED LINK:

NerdWallet: Travel is back, in case you missed it
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced it is adopting new federal guidelines for tracking COVID-19 at the community level, no longer reporting test and case positivity.

This is due to testing providers no longer being required to report some negative tests as a result of the new guidelines. The new guidelines, which come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasize the case rate and hospitalizations in order to better track the prevalence of COVID-19 in communities.

IDPH will additionally provide new data on its COVID-19 dashboard, including updated data on vaccination rates to reflect the full population eligible as eligibility continues to evolve, the number of people admitted to the hospital with a COVID-19 diagnosis and more detailed data on hospitalizations, including information about vaccination status in those who are hospitalized.

"Test and case positivity rates were seen as a good way to monitor the level of community spread early in the pandemic," IDPH Acting Director Amaal Tokars said in a statement. "At this stage, now that we have vaccines and effective therapies available, it is more useful to rely on data that indicates the case rate, disease severity and the level of strain on the healthcare system to guide our public health recommendations."

The changes adopted by the CDC mean states will no longer be required to report negative antigen test (rapid test) results and are only required to report negative PCR and Nucleic Acid Amplification Test results that were performed in certain labs. The additional widespread use of at-home tests means that national testing data is not as comprehensive or representative of population-based testing as it was before the introduction of at-home tests, IDPH wrote.

The CDC said in March it was relying on three metrics to determine the community level of COVID-19 and to classify it as low, medium or high:

Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days

New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days

The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients

Most of Illinois is currently at low transmission, although the southeastern corner of the state is currently at high transmission, including the Pope, Saline, Hardin and Gallatin counties.

IDPH officials noted that case rates for COVID-19 are now slowly rising in many areas of the state, however. Hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low at this time, officials stated. Given that the spread of COVID-19 is increasing, it is critically important that those who are at high risk for serious illness take the following precautions, per the IDPH:

Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on recommended booster shots to protect yourself, your loved ones and friends.

If you are in an area with rising COVID-19 infections, wear a mask if entering indoor spaces with other people present and consider avoiding large gatherings.

Stick to well-ventilated areas if you are not wearing a mask indoors around other people.

If you feel flu-like symptoms, self-isolate and stay home from work as well as social gatherings; and obtain a test as quickly as possible.

If you test positive, talk to your provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatment within five days of starting to feel sick. Also, communicate about the positive result with any persons you have been in close contact within two days of falling sick or testing positive.

Continue to frequently wash your hands and cover coughs and sneezes.

On March 29, the CDC issued updated guidance that authorized a second booster dose for certain segments of the population at least four months after the first booster dose. This applies to adults over 50 years of age, and to immunocompromised individuals (those with a poor ability to fight infections) over 12 years old.

The CDC also recommended a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine for all those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both their primary dose and their first booster, four months after their first booster dose. Those who already received an mRNA booster dose after their initial Johnson and Johnson primary vaccine do not need an additional booster unless they are either over the age of 50 years or immunocompromised.

The State of Illinois remains strongly positioned to respond in the event of a new COVID-19 surge, IDPH stated. The State stockpile of tests is nearly fully replenished, with more than 1.5 million rapid tests on hand, and a half a million more on the way in the coming weeks.

The State has also instructed hospitals, schools, and long-term care facilities to consider their current testing capacity and take all preparations necessary. The State is also supporting pharmacies and healthcare providers in efforts to increase their inventories of the various FDA-authorized treatments in case of another surge. In Illinois, 99.4% of state residents have a pharmacy or clinic providing or dispensing treatment within 20 miles of where they live.
An attorney representing the family of an Amazon delivery driver who died in a fulfillment warehouse collapse in Edwardsville in December discovered some columns were "improperly and inadequately" supporting the structure after government-mandated engineers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Jack Casciato, a partner at Clifford Law Offices, said during a virtual press conference Tuesday that he believes Amazon was reactive versus proactive about the weather that day and prioritized corporate profits and delivery quotas over employee safety. He cited an engineer's four-page report as his basis for the claims.

Austin McEwan was one of five employees who died when a tornado hit the Amazon facility on Dec. 10, causing some of its walls to collapse. Casciato has filed a lawsuit against Amazon in January in Illinois on behalf of the McEwen Family, which has been amended twice since.

RELATED: Cleanup begins in residential areas near Amazon site.

RELATED: NWS Update: Twister came through Amazon site at 155 mph

There was an apparent lack of emergency training, evacuation drills, or access to appropriate storm shelters because they were non-existent, Casciato said. The McEwen Family is very concerned that this type of tragedy doesnt happen again to others in Tornado Alley in Illinois or in any other ill-equipped Amazon facilities around the world and [the family] feels that Amazon could have done more to save their son.

Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, refuted the notion that there were any structural issues at the fulfillment center.

Our focus continues to be on supporting our team and all those affected by this tragic natural disaster," she said in an email statement Tuesday. "Investigators continue to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of the building and debris  so its premature and misleading to suggest there were any structural issues. The original developer completed construction on this building in 2018 in compliance with all applicable building codes as documented by the city and the original owner. The building was re-inspected and passed city inspections in 2020, when Amazon leased the building.

RELATED: Edwardsville report sheds light on aftermath of Amazon facility collapse

The report findings come from Dan Bruno, a structural specialist and engineer with the St. Louis County Task Force. The report, which includes at least 50 photographs, states supporting columns had collapsed inward from the winds. Bruno was on scene as part of a technical rescue team to evaluate the stability of the structure prior to entry of rescues team.

I noted that a considerable number of the columns were not standing [and] appeared to have been lifted out of the floor," Bruno wrote in one excerpt.

Casciato said Bruno had been waiting for someone to file a lawsuit so he could attach his report and images as evidence of safety and International Building Code (IBC) violations plus negligence.

Edwardsville uses the 2006 iteration of the IBC, per City Engineer Ryan Zwijack.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is handling the investigation, which is still ongoing. The city says no determination as to the structural integrity has been communicated to city officials.

Following the press conference Tuesday, Edwardsville issued a statement:

"During construction, the city conducts visual inspections for general conformance with plans and code requirements. Third party inspections are conducted by either the building owner or the owner's agent per code requirements.

"Current building codes require that a building must be able to sustain 90-miles-per-hour winds that are 'straight line' winds. the EF3 tornado that hit the Amazon Distribution Center was determined to have 150-miles-per-hour winds that were tornadic winds. Due to this incident, the city will be working with state representatives to explore ways that building codes be fortified to safeguard against any future events that could threaten the health, safety or welfare of its residents, employees that work in Edwardsville businesses, as well as business and property owners."

As the building owner, Realty Income Properties 4, LLC, is completing the forensic investigation with Amazon. The status is still ongoing, the statement says.

In February, state Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) and Chairman and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago), met with various experts during a virtual hearing to discuss warehouse safety standards. Other speakers present included Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford; Jim Bell, director of operations for the National Storm Shelter Association; and Marc Levitan, a research wind engineer for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In addition, other groups involved included Midwest Region for Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET); Illinois AFLCIO; International Warehouse Logistics Association; and Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

RELATED: Stabilization work underway at Amazon site

Casciato said the support columns are anchored to the ground to hold trusses that are used to secure the roof. Casciato claims the building's tilt-up construction was a contributing factor in the collapse. The fulfillment center opened in August 2017.

Bruno went on to write, I became concerned when I noticed that none of the columns appeared to be ripped or torn from the base. This was especially concerning to me knowing that the IBC requires structural members to be secured against uplift from wind loads, among other things (2021 IBC Section 1604.8.1). Looking at the base of the columns more closely, I could find no weld or bolted connection at the base of any column, only a bead of what appeared to be some sort of caulk around the column at the finished floor line.  We were very concerned about the stability of the remaining walls and suspended steelwork.

Casciato said a copy of Bruno's report has been forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as they are handling the investigation.

Casciato said he hopes the lawsuit serves to put not only Amazon on notice but other companies that have tilt-up warehouses in the Gateway and Lakeview Commerce Centers.

In addition to Amazon, the McEwen family is suing the construction, design and engineering companies tied to the architecture and development of the warehouse. The family expressed its hopes that this lawsuit brings justice to all the families who have been affected by the incident and its intent to hold Amazon accountable. Amazon reportedly has 110 similar distribution centers around the country.

Other companies named in the lawsuit either declined comment or were unable to immediately respond to requests for comment.

Casciato said other Amazon employees have contacted him about legal representation. Families of the other five victims are represented but not by Casciato, he said. No additional lawsuits are pending through his office for this particular occurrence.
EDITORS NOTE: The Intelligencer requests briefs be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired publication date. Due to the volume of community-submitted briefs, the content may be published within 10 days of submission. Holidays and weather forecasts may impact some events. The Intelligencer cannot guarantee that submission will be published.

Trees Forever

6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Old Bakery Beer Company at 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. Dinner and speaker meet and greet at 5 p.m. Learn about the benefits of urban trees in small municipalities from Emily Ehley, Southern Illinois Field Coordinator for the "Trees Forever" program, supported by the National Forest Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. To register to attend, either in-person or via Zoom, RSVP via https://bit.ly/PPGApril. If you have questions, please contact Chris Krusa at 410-490-5024.

Teen Art Unlimited

6-7:30 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Open to youth in grades 6-12. Join Miss Sam to craft and create. Each month will feature a different art medium and project, lasting two weeks. Get your creativity flowing with your friends in this program. Contact the library at least 48 hours before the program if you need accommodations.

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618) 978-1664 for more information.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

3-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Toddler Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration required.

Teen Game Night

6-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Game Night is back every week. Go on a quest with fellow players in Dungeons & Dragons or choose from a variety of board games to play with friends.

Southern Illinois PAL

7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Southern Illinois Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group meets each week to provide hope through education and support. For parents and loved ones over the age of 18 who have someone in their life who is struggling with or recovering from substance use. PAL respects anonymity and is free of charge. Contact Craig at 618-567-6095 to receive the link for the Zoom meeting or for questions. More information can be found at www.palgroup.org.

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

American Legion Post 199 Meeting

6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 199 at 58 S. State Rt. 157. All legion members are encouraged to attend the meetings. Non-member visitors are welcome.

Book Club & Chat

6:30 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Reading Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; its an image of a book she hasnt seen in sixty-five years; a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

Wednesday, April 13

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. The NAACP Madison Branch in Venice is offering free saliva-based COVID-19 testing to the general public through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and SHIELD Illinois. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

Teen Hangout at the Library

4-6 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Join in every Wednesday for a relaxing couple of hours of free time with your friends. Please give the library at least 48-hours notice if you need accommodations.

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30-6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening and stretching. Requires Registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Board Game Night: Ticket to Ride

6-7:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Come enjoy an evening of competitive cross-country train adventuring as you claim railway routes and earn points along the way. Registration required.

Thursday, April 14

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Medication Assisted Treatment: Who is it For?

12-1 p.m. virtual webinar hosted by Centerstone. Free. CEUs available. Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT is a whole-person treatment option designed to help people aged 18 and up who have a severe addiction to alcohol or opioids. This webinar will help explain MAT and who it best serves. Presented by Jennifer Miller, LCPC, CRC. To register, visit bit.ly/041422. For more information, contact Taylor Marksat taylor.marks@centerstone.org or call 1-877-HOPE123 (877-467-3123), ext. 1813

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6-7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Join in for an evening workout with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle. Space is limited. Requires registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Friday, April 15

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Knights of Columbus Fish

4:30-7 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus at Rt. 143, 7132 Marine Road, Edwardsville. For call in orders the phone number is 656-4985. Carryout or inside seating is available. Menu consists of cod, catfish, shrimp and a variety of sides. There is also a children's menu.

Saturday, April 16

Goshen Winter Market

10-noon in the expansion parking lot on St. Louis Street. Outdoors.

Coloring for Grownups

1-3 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Join the library for an afternoon session of coloring. The library will provide all supplies and refreshments.

Bremer Community Workday

9-11 a.m. at Bremer Sanctuary, 194 Bremer Lane Hillsboro. The focus will be weed pulling, spreading mulch around the viewing platforms, amphitheater area, memorial area, and approaches to the covered bridge. Participants will need to bring their own rakes, shovels and gloves. Stick removal from Timber Trail for the upcoming mowing season and Housecleaning in our Education Barn are also needed duties. Public attendees will not be allowed to use power tools or our UTV'S, so Bremer stewards will be present if this is needed.

Bremer Sanctuary Woodland Wildflower Walk

1-3 p.m. at Bremer Sanctuary, 194 Bremer Lane Hillsboro. For more information visit their Facebook at Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society or their website bremersanctuary.org.

Sunday, April 17

Chicken Dinner

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Edwardsville Moose Lodge at 7371 Marine Road, Rt. 143. Dinners are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Dine-in dinner includes all you can eat chicken as well as mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, salad, tea and coffee. Carry-out also available for  chicken and sides. 656-5056.

Virtual Evening Flow Yoga with Anne

5:30-6:15 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening and stretching. Requires Registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Monday, April 18

Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann

6-7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Bring your questions on how to register and what is covered when you sign up for Medicare. Requires Registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Woodlawn Cemetery Board

7 p.m. in the Woodlawn Chapel. All are invited to attend, whether you are a lot owner or have considered purchasing a lot.

Daughters of Isabella OReilly Circle 218 Meeting

6:30 p.m. at The Hall, 7132 Marine Road. Those that are interested in more information to join may contact daughtersofisabella218@gmail.com.

Tech Club

6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Grades 3-7. Explore technology and coding in this new club for kids looking to get hands-on experience using different tech. Registrants must attend both sessions in order to get the best experience. By signing your child up for this class you are agreeing for them to use the website Tinkercad to practice making 3D prints. Facemasks required. Registration required. Please give us at least 48-hours notice if you need accommodations.

Bingo Every Monday

7 p.m. at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Features 21 games including Racehorse, Bonanza, Eds Lucky Number, Lightning Round and $500 Cover All. Food and drinks are available.

Pom Pom Cactus Teen Take-Home Kit

All day April 18-23 at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Make your own cactus out of yarn to give as a gift or decorate your space. Teens who register can pick up their kits at the Youth Desk. Registration required.

Storytime at Glen Carbon Library

10 a.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Sing songs, take-home crafts and interact with the library during storytimes. Space is limited so tokens will be handed out 30 minutes before each session.

Tuesday, April 19

Storytime at Glen Carbon Library

10 a.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Sing songs, take-home crafts and interact with the library during storytimes. Space is limited so tokens will be handed out 30 minutes before each session.

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618) 978-1664 for more information.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

3-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Toddler Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration required.

Teen Game Night

6-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Game Night is back every week. Go on a quest with fellow players in Dungeons & Dragons or choose from a variety of board games to play with friends.

Southern Illinois PAL

7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Southern Illinois Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group meets each week to provide hope through education and support. For parents and loved ones over the age of 18 who have someone in their life who is struggling with or recovering from substance use. PAL respects anonymity and is free of charge. Contact Craig at 618-567-6095 to receive the link for the Zoom meeting or for questions. More information can be found at www.palgroup.org.

Wednesday, April 20

The War in Ukraine: Causes and Consequences

6:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Presented by Mykhaylo Blekhman, a writer, translator and recipient of several Ukrainian literary awards including the Ivan Mazepa Medal from the Ukrainian Academy of Literature and Arts for his contribution to Ukrainian culture.

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

Lego Club

4 p.m.  5 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 5-11. Theyll supply the Legos  just bring your imagination. Located in the Librarys Meeting Room.

Teen Hangout at the Library

4-6 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Join in every Wednesday for a relaxing couple of hours of free time with your friends. Please give the library at least 48-hours notice if you need accommodations.

Thursday, April 21

Movie Matinee

12 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. 18+. Bring a brown bag lunch and the library will provide drinks and popcorn. For movie titles please call the library at 618-692-7556 x 4, or visit their website www.edwardsvillelibrary.org.

EPL Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. 18+. Newcomers always welcome. Tjey will be reading Where the Deer and the Antelope Play by Nick Offerman. Books are available for checkout at the library.

Blood Drive

1-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge, 7371 Marine Road (Rt. 143). For more information visit www.redcross.org.

Twitch for Teens

5-6 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. The Youth Department is excited to be on Twitch. They will be streaming video games, book talks and more at least once a week. Join them to help them through new video games, or laugh at their lack of skills. Twitch is a platform that requires users to be 13 years old and older. The library will not be able to monitor ages but expect participants to follow Twitch's Terms of Service.

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

NAMI Meeting

7-8:30 p.m via Zoom. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois (NAMI SWI) family support meetings may also be in person. To receive the link for a Zoom meeting or address for an in-person meeting contact Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net.

Preschooler Story Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S Kansas St. If youre ready for a story, clap your hands. Ms. Megan will be sharing fun tales & tunes, and dont forget, bubbles. Ages three - five. Registration required.

Chicken Dinner Every Thursday

4-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two or four pieces of chicken and vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy and a biscuit. 618-656-9774

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6-7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Join in for an evening workout with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Come in comfortable exercise clothing and bring a water bottle. Space is limited. Requires registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Friday, April 22

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

Fish Fry Every Friday

11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Two pieces of cod or one catfish filet and sides. 618-656-9774

Fish Fry

4:30-8 p.m. at the Edwardsville Moose, 7371 Marine Road, Edwardsville. Dine-in and carryout options. 618-656-5051

Saturday, April 23

Chair Yoga

10-11 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. 18+. Registered yoga teacher Julie Hamilton will lead these classes using modifications of many common yoga poses that can be done from a seated position. These exercises are perfect for seniors and for others with disabilities or challenges such as chronic illness, pain or stiffness.

Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga

9:30 a.m. at Glen Carbon Library via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join in for an energizing session of yoga. Space is limited. Requires registration. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Storytime at Glen Carbon Library

10 a.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Sing songs, take-home crafts and interact with the library during storytimes. Space is limited so tokens will be handed out 30 minutes before each session.

Beginner Knitting Group with Greta

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through a structured, interactive and social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project by project basis. Set up as a 2- day class, with homework in between. Registration required. To register call 288-1212, register at the Help Desk or go online to www.glencarbonlibrary.org.

Edwardsville #99 Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast

8-11 a.m. at the Edwardsville Masonic Lodge #99, 90 Kriege Farm Road, Glen Carbon. The meal will be provided free of charge but they will be accepting donations. All donations accepted during this breakfast will go directly to the Glen-Ed Pantry and the important services they provide for the community.

Maryvilles 21st Fishing Derby

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Drost Park, Pavilion #1, Maryville. Hosted by Maryville Parks & Rec and Steel City Bassmasters. Free Fishing Derby for ages 15 and younger. Registration is from 10-11 a.m. and Maryville Fire & Rescue teams & IDNR will be there. Derby runs from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Refreshments will then be served as results are tallied. Five bicycles, ribbons and attendance prizes will be awarded. Bring a fishing pole, bait and an adult.

Sunday, April 24

Earth Day Observance



12-2 p.m. at the Fuller Dome on the SIUE campus, next to Parking Lot B. The Confluence Climate Collaborative group will hold an Earth Day event, Spring Into Healing. A program of poetry and music will celebrate the planet and its provisions. Bring a cherished item found in nature to share as part of the celebration. The event is free; donations will support the Center for Spirituality & Sustainability. RSVP by going to studiogaiaedwardsville.com. Click on Events at the top and scroll down to the RSVP button.

Monday, April 25

Bingo Every Monday

7 p.m. at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. 157, Edwardsville. Features 21 games including Racehorse, Bonanza, Eds Lucky Number, Lightning Round and $500 Cover All. Food and drinks are available.

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

Tuesday, April 26

True Crime Book Club

6:30 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. 18+. Join other armchair detectives to discuss Bone Deep: Untangling the Twisted True Story of the Tragic Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Bosworth Jr. and Joel J. Schwartz.

Free COVID-19 Testing

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Echols Senior Center, 1302 Klein Avenue, Venice, in Madison County. Members of the community can go to Portal.shieldillinois.com to register and make an appointment.

Teen Art Unlimited

6-7:30 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Open to youth in grades 6-12. Join Miss Sam to craft and create. Each month will feature a different art medium and project, lasting two weeks. Get your creativity flowing with your friends in this program. Contact the library at least 48 hours before the program if you need accommodations.

Cribbage Club

6 p.m. at Camelot Bowling Alley, 801 Beltline Road, Collinsville. Beginners welcome, free to attend. Contact Phil (618) 288-7910 or Susan at (618) 978-1664 for more information.

Pasta Dinner Every Tuesday

3-8 p.m. Dine-in or Carryout at the Edwardsville American Legion Post 199, 58 South State Rt. Edwardsville. Pasta of the week served with salad. 618-656-9774

Toddler Time

10 a.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Ages 0-2. Theyve got the books, bops and bubbles. Bring your babies and toddlers to share stories and songs with Miss Kristen and all the Story Time friends. Registration required.

Teen Game Night

6-7 p.m. at the Edwardsville Public Library. Grades 6-12. Game Night is back every week. Go on a quest with fellow players in Dungeons & Dragons or choose from a variety of board games to play with friends.

Southern Illinois PAL

7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Southern Illinois Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group meets each week to provide hope through education and support. For parents and loved ones over the age of 18 who have someone in their life who is struggling with or recovering from substance use. PAL respects anonymity and is free of charge. Contact Craig at 618-567-6095 to receive the link for the Zoom meeting or for questions. More information can be found at www.palgroup.org.

Ongoing Events

Al-Anon

For information call 618-463-2429. For more information, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org.

Youth Take Home Crafts

Pick up a take-home craft bag at the Edwardsville Public Library with all the materials to make the project. A new craft will be available each month at the Youth Desk.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut lawmakers have decided to extend four of Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont's remaining pandemic-related executive orders, despite concerns raised by Republicans that it's time to end the practice and get back to normal governing.

The Senate voted 19-13 on Tuesday to prolong orders until June 30 that deal with physical distancing in certain congregate settings; making the patient vaccination database available to medical providers; using temporary nurses aides to help alleviate staffing shortages; and providing more time to send out rental assistance payments to people facing eviction who've already applied to the state's UniteCT program.
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DALLAS (AP)  A 3-year-old Texas girl whose mother has waged a court battle to keep doctors from removing her from life-sustaining treatment has improved enough that she was released from the hospital last week and will now be cared for at home, a group that's been advocating for her said.

Texas Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group, said this week that Tinslee Lewis' health had so steadily improved that she was released from Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth on April 7.

Its encouraging to see that the family and the hospital did get to work together so much that Tinslee was benefitted and actually gets to go home, Texas Right to Life spokeswoman Kimberlyn Schwartz said Wednesday.

The case has been making its way through the courts since November 2019, when the hospital had planned to remove Tinslee from life support after invoking Texas so-called 10-day rule. The law can be employed when a family disagrees with doctors on withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

The law stipulates that if a hospitals ethics committee agrees with doctors, treatment can be withdrawn after 10 days, as long as a new provider cant be found to take the patient.

Texas Right to Life spokeswoman Kimberlyn Schwartz said that within the last year or so the hospital and the family have worked well together.

Tinslee had been hospitalized since her premature birth in February 2019. The hospital has said she was born with a rare heart defect and suffered from chronic lung disease and severe chronic high blood pressure. She was put on a ventilator several months after her birth after going into respiratory arrest, the hospital has said.

Schwartz said that doctors eventually switched Tinslee from being ventilated through her mouth to having a tracheotomy. It helped improve her health to the point that she can go home, Schwartz said.

She said that Tinslee, who is currently on a portable ventilator, has 24-hour nursing care at home.

A statement issued by Cook Childrens Health Care System this week said: The medical teams at Cook Childrens have dedicated their lives to healing children, and go to tireless lengths to do what they believe in their hearts and minds to be the very best decision for each and every patient.

About two months into the court proceedings, Lewis had revoked the hospital's permission to speak about Tinslee.

In Texas Right to Life's statement, Lewis thanked everyone who pulled together to help my daughter including her attorneys, doctors at Cook Children's, Texas Right to Life and Protect TX Fragile Kids.

We have been cherishing and enjoying Tinslee being home, Lewis said.
HOUSTON (AP)  A Texas death row inmate who won a reprieve when his request for his pastor to pray out loud and touch him as he received his lethal injection sparked legal debate has a new execution date.

A South Texas judge on Tuesday signed an order setting John Henry Ramirezs execution for Oct. 5.

Ramirez, 37, had been set for execution on Sept. 8, 2021, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked his execution and agreed to take up his case to address the role of spiritual advisers in the death chamber.

Last month, the court said states must accommodate the wishes of death row inmates who want to have their faith leaders pray and touch them during their executions.

Seth Kretzer, Ramirezs lawyer, said Wednesday that a Houston federal court is still considering a civil rights petition he filed on behalf of Ramirez and that he doesnt believe an execution can proceed until its resolved.

Until it is assured that (Ramirezs pastor) will be allowed to touch and pray as per Chief Justice Roberts mandate, my law firm will litigate Mr. Ramirezs case down to the Gates of Hell, or back up to the Supreme Court of the United States, whichever we get to first, Kretzer said.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it wouldnt formally update agency rules regarding spiritual advisers in the death chamber following the Supreme Court ruling. The agency said such inmate requests would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and that it would work to grant them unless they present a substantial security risk or are outrageous.

Lawyers for the two Texas death row inmates next scheduled for execution  Carl Buntion on April 21 and Melissa Lucio on April 27  have expressed concerns that their clients requests to allow spiritual advisers to pray aloud and touch them wont be fully approved.

Other states and the federal government have recently carried out executions where audible prayer and some physical contact was permitted in the execution chamber.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections last year agreed to develop a policy for ministers to be inside the death chamber during executions, beginning with the December execution of Bigler Stouffer. The Rev. Howard Potts read scripture and laid hands on Stouffer during his lethal injection and said the inmate was totally at peace. A minister also was allowed inside Oklahomas death chamber during the January execution of Donald Grant.

The Supreme Courts ruling in March came after the Texas prison system reversed a two-year ban on spiritual advisers in the death chamber in April 2021 but said they could not speak or touch the inmate.

Ramirez is on death row for killing a Corpus Christi convenience store worker during a 2004 robbery. Ramirez stabbed the man, Pablo Castro, 29 times and robbed him of $1.25.

___

Associated Press writer Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Sunny early then partly cloudy and windy this afternoon. High 82F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 50F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Sevierville, TN (37876)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High around 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
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South Hill, VA (23970)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. High 63F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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Cloudy with occasional showers. Low 43F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
That release could not be found.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) along with pro-Oduduwa and Ambazonia agitators have scheduled to do a one-million-man march at the European Union headquarters in Belgium to reiterate their commitment for freedom.

IPOB, made this disclosure, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, that the development followed the consistent moves by the three nations for their freedom.

According to IPOB, the rally which will be embarked upon by the emerging nations in West Africa is to tell the world of their predicaments in their current states.

The group also said the killings and burning of houses in these three emerging nations have gone beyond human comprehension. Many people are dying every day at the hands of the Nigerian and Cameroon governments.

The statement reads partly: The emerging nations of Biafra, Ambazonia, and Oduduwa are expected to be at the EU Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 14, 15, 2022, to inform the world that they are prepared to be on their own.

This is to show Europe and the entire world why we need these new nations in Africa to emerge. Our people must make sure they let the world understand our predicaments and what we are facing in the hands of Nigeria and Cameroon.

The governments of Nigeria and Cameroon are terrorist nations, and we will not allow them to trample on our people and kill them at random. The killings and burning of houses in these three emerging nations have gone beyond human comprehension. Our people are dying every day in the hands of the Nigeria and Cameroon governments.
This article will be in three parts.

Part 1

Can an Igbo man be allowed or supported by other ethnic groups and tribes to be the president of Nigeria? This question is currently a domineering topic in the political discourse. It is a big question that has prickled the conscience of so many Nigerians for too long and grilled their integrity because of the way the Igbos have been so highly discriminated and very unjustly treated in the Nigerian union. As events in contemporary Nigeria seem, and 2023 presidential elections draw nearer, this very question of equity and fairness has triggered the affection of many from other ethnic groups with conscience to crusade for justice on behalf of the Igbos in the political arena. Currently, notable voices particularly from the north and southwest have joined the frontal forces of those genuinely clamoring for an Igbo president. This new development has made it imperatively vital to this article to retrospectively, contemporaneously and concisely too view the way the Igbos have been treated before, during and after the Nigeria-Biafra war. It will be an insightful review that will solely capture in summary the pains, the agonies and the regrets/disappointments of the Igbos in Nigeria as a prelude to why they would not want to produce a president through All Progressive Congress (APC) as a party.

Before the war

It was as a result of the unprovoked attacks, destruction of properties and the killing of Igbos in the north that led to the war. After all peaceful resolutions failed, the Igbos, led by now late and respected Col. Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu went into self-defense and declared Biafra.

During the war



It was the cruelty of the government policies to block the supply of food to civilians from those that wanted to help that led to the very painful and horrible death of millions of Igbo from kwashiorkor due to hunger and starvation. It was evil to have deliberately allowed blameless children and pregnant women starve to death.

After the war



The Nigerian government was even more ruthless to the Igbos as the government led by Gen. Gowon deceptively declared immediately after the war, No victor, no vanquished but affirmed the policy that usurped every Igbo mans landed property outside Igbo land as an abandoned property. As if such evil was not enough, and without any justification except hatred and malice for declaring Biafra, his government again enacted a policy that callously seized all the money Igbos had in banks and gave each person only 20 pounds  just 20 pounds  heedlessly of how many millions the person had in the bank.

Irrespective of all odds, the Igbos survived every penance meant to destroy them. With their consistent hard work, shared love, team work, cooperation and enthusiasm for survival, these resilient and industrious people were able to overcome all plots to the shameful astonishment of those who carefully designed devilish policies to permanently keep them down and make them perpetual paupers and beggars. Every successful Igbo person one sees in Nigeria today has a 20 pounds background. But in the nature of the Igbos they still forgave the horrible things done to them, spread their wings of love to every nook and cranny in Nigeria and embraced all. Wherever Igbo people find themselves, they make their homes, as they buy lands, erect houses and even sometimes companies, thus contributing qualitatively to the development of that area. As people who foster relationships everywhere they find themselves, the actions of the Igbos in Nigeria testify that they extended hands of friendship to other tribes, built bridges for togetherness, trust and love immediately after the war. But what did they get in return? Contrarily, the properties of these Igbos and their lives are continuously still under heavy threat of attacks and destructions at every little or no provocation at all by the same people they have embraced. Surprisingly too, some of these aggressions could sometimes be because of a cartoon in a foreign newspaper somewhere outside the continent of Africa. With visible and quantum evidences of Igbos presence everywhere, they have demonstrated enough love, peace and unity, yet the Nigerian environment still has continued to be very hostile and aggressive to them and their possessions 52 years after the civil war. The worst show of threat, hatred and incitement against Igbos of recent time was even from the number one citizen of the country  supposedly father of all  President Muhamadu Buhari. In his exact words of the threat, he said, and I quote, That IPOB is just like a dot in a circle. Even if they want to exit, they will have no access to anywhere. In any case, we say well talk to them in the language that they understand. Well organise the police and the military to pursue them. That is what we can do, and we will do it. Why this high level of bitterness against a people? Why this distrust? Why this hatred against the Igbos? Why? If other Nigerians do not want the Igbos and accept them to coexist in justice, fairness and mutual respects etc. they should let them go and have their Biafra.

Having succinctly narrated the agonies of the Igbos before, during and after the civil war, and the danger they face in Nigeria, let me also state sincerely and unequivocally too that every ordinary Nigerian is a victim of injustice, brutality and suppression under the cruel leadership of a very few cabals that controlled and are still controlling this country analytically speaking. To expatiate, let me shortly focus on the northern region and use it as a case study to portray that the major problems of Nigeria are fundamental issues that the political leaders do not have the political will to address and not where a president comes from.

Before I conclude part one of this article, I want to equally lend my voice to all those that have called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and appeal to the federal government and also to all Igbo leaders to please find a neutral ground and set Kanu free as quickly as possible for peace to reign.

2023: Support Igbos to produce the next president that will be fair and just.

To be continued.

Uzoma Ahamefule, a refined African traditionalist and a patriotic citizen, writes from Vienna, Austria.

Mail: [email protected] Mobile +436607369050 (Please, SMS  WhatsApp  messages only)
Biden accuses Putins forces of genocide in Ukraine

WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden for the first time yesterday (Apr 12) accused Vladimir Putins forces of committing genocide in Ukraine, where Russia was intensifying its campaign to subdue the devastated port city of Mariupol.

RussianUkraineviolencedeathmilitarypolitics

By AFP

Wednesday 13 April 2022, 10:05AM

A woman waves to say good bye to her husband as she leaves on a bus, a day after a rocket attack at a train station in Kramatorsk, on Saturday (Apr 9). At least 52 people were killed, including five children, following a rocket attack on Apr 8 on a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk that is being used for civilian evacuations, according to Donetsk region governor. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Bidens accusation came as Moscow - already accused by the West of widespread atrocities against civilians - was feared to be readying a massive onslaught across Ukraines east that Washington warned might involve chemical weapons.

Yes, I called it genocide, Biden told reporters, hours after employing the term during a speech in Iowa - its first use by a member of his administration.

Well let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me, Biden said. Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - who has repeatedly accused Moscow of attempted genocide -- swiftly responded by tweeting at Biden: True words of a true leader.

Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil, Zelensky wrote - renewing his appeal for more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities.

Biden had previously described Putin as a war criminal as the discovery of hundreds of civilians reportedly killed in Bucha, outside Kyiv, sparked global revulsion.

But he had stopped short of using the term genocide, in line with longstanding US protocol, because of its strict legal definition and the heavy implication the accusation carries.

Adding to the catalogue of horrors emerging from Ukraine, Zelensky sounded the alarm yesterday about snowballing allegations of rape and sexual assault by Russian forces.

Hundreds of cases of rape have been recorded, including those of young girls and very young children. Even of a baby! the Ukrainian leader told Lithuanian lawmakers via video link.

Chemical weapon fears

In the latest discovery fuelling allegations of Russian atrocities, Ukrainian prosecutors said six people had been found shot dead in the basement of a building outside the capital.

While the toll on towns occupied during the month-long offensive to take Kyiv is still coming to light, the heaviest civilian toll is feared to be in Mariupol, where Zelensky said he believed Russia had killed tens of thousands.

AFP journalists in Mariupol, as part of a Russian military embed, witnessed the charred remains of the city, including the theatre where 300 people were feared killed in Russian bombardment last month.

As fighting dragged toward its seventh week, the Ukrainian army was fighting desperately to defend strategically located Mariupol.

Moscow is believed to be trying to connect occupied Crimea with Russian-backed separatist territories Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas, and has laid siege to the city, once home to more than 400,000 people.

Reports emerged on Monday from Ukraines Azov battalion that a Russian drone had dropped a poisonous substance in the area, with people experiencing respiratory failure and neurological problems.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was unable to confirm the allegations, but that Washington had credible information Russia might use tear gas mixed with chemical agents in the besieged port.

The worlds chemical weapons watchdog said it was concerned by the unconfirmed reports coming from Mariupol, and was monitoring closely.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warned the use of such weapons by Moscow would elicit a response not just from the United States, but from the international community, without elaborating.

They will remember

With little hope of a quick end to fighting, President Vladimir Putin pledged Moscow would proceed on its own timetable, rebuffing repeated international calls for a ceasefire.

Our task is to fulfil and achieve all the goals set, minimising losses. And we will act rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan originally proposed by the General Staff, Putin told a news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

He also dismissed as fake claims that hundreds of civilians were killed in Bucha under Russian occupation.

Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said more than 400 people had been found dead after Moscows forces withdrew, and 25 women reported being raped, as the town prepares for the return of residents who fled the fighting.

What people will find in their homes is shocking, and they will remember the Russian occupiers for a very long time, he said.

Devil incarnate

Heavy bombardment continued in Ukraines east as civilians were urged to flee ahead of an expected Russian troop surge around the Donbas region, notably near the town of Izyum - adding to the 10 million people already displaced by fighting.

A steady stream of residents fled by bus and train from Kramatorsk - the Ukrainian militarys main hub for its operations in the east - and neighbouring Sloviansk as fears grew that the cities would be key targets.

What is happening is inhuman, (Putin) is a fascist. I dont know what to call him - a devil incarnate, said 82-year-old Valentina Oleynikova, who was fleeing Kramatorsk with her husband.

In the war-torn eastern town of Volnovakha, now under Moscows control, a school reopened with children listening to a recording of the Russian anthem, watched by armed soldiers.

After two weeks of bombardment, many houses, shops and public buildings are now semi-ruined, windowless or burnt out.

Tycoon swap

In a separate development, Zelensky offered to swap a pro-Kremlin tycoon - arrested after escaping from house arrest - for Ukrainians captured by Russia.

Zelensky posted a picture of a dishevelled-looking Viktor Medvedchuk - one of the richest people in Ukraine, who counts Putin among his personal friends - with his hands in cuffs and dressed in a Ukrainian army uniform.

I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange this guy of yours for our boys and our girls who are now in Russian captivity, Zelensky said in a video address on Telegram.

Medvedchuk, a hugely controversial figure in Ukraine, was under house arrest over accusations of attempting to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.
Phuket poll hacked as Russian Consulate decries Russophobia

PHUKET: The online poll by The Phuket News has been intentionally interfered with to render the results void, on the same day that the Russian Consulate in Phuket publicly denounced The Phuket News for inciting Russophobia.

Russianpoliticsculturetourism

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 13 April 2022, 10:49AM

The statement posted on the official Telegram channel of the Russian Consulate for Phuket.

The interference began yesterday (Apr 12) with the number of votes cast jumping to more than 80,000, and continually climbing.

The poll has been closed.

The Phuket News has confirmed that no internal data sources were directly accessed. The hack was carried out by a script designed to subvert the poll results form on the website.

At the last reliable report, when the poll had only 722 responses, the most telling result was that just over 60% of Thai nationals who voted in the poll had voted in support of the fourth option on the poll: Yes, let Russian tourists come without restrictions as they are not the ones committing the invasion, and Thailand should think first about their own peoples struggle and help Ukraine in other ways.

The attack came on the same day that the Russian Consulate in Phuket publicly posted a declaration denouncing The Phuket News for promoting anti-Russian sentiment.

The statement was posted in the Russian Consulates official Telegram channel (click here).

The statement was not shared on the consulates official Facebook page, which it uses to inform Russian nationals of essential advice, such as urgent travel arrangements and how to extend their visa to continue their stay in Phuket.

The statement was posted in Russian language only.

We note the growth in recent months of publications of a Russophobic nature on these information resources, the statement began.

At the beginning of this year, biased information was posted regarding non-compliance with anti-covid rules of conduct on the island exclusively by Russian tourists. Refusing to wear face masks and endlessly escaping from quarantine Russians have been unjustifiably positioned as the only nation to blame for the post-New Year coronavirus outbreak in Phuket. However, the information received by the Consulate General from official sources, according to which not only our compatriots sinned in this way, refuted these accusations, the statement continued.

The newspaper also allowed itself to point out to the Consulate General in a moralizing tone the order of its work, the statement said, despite The Phuket News not being in communication with the Russian Consulate since the invasion began on Feb 24.

The statement continued with its pro-Kremlin rhetoric, devolving into more a direct personal approach: Perhaps this kind of mentoring and biased reporting is commonplace in the work of a foreign executive and editors of The Phuket News, carried out in a brazen manner characteristic of Western media.

With the start of a special military operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the Russophobic rhetoric in The Phuket News publications has intensified many times over. Obviously, such attacks against our country, accompanied by various falsifications and distortion of facts, are carried out in line with the anti-Russian campaign launched in the countries of the collective West, the statement said.

The statement was not attributed to any person at the consulate.

The Consul General of the Russian Federation for Phuket Province is Vladimir V. Sosnov, who took up the post in May 2020.

As Russian consul for Phuket and other province in Southern Thailand, Mr Sosnov is the representative of the Russian Government on the island.
Pressure builds to reopen after Songkran

BANGKOK: The desperate need to get the economy back on track is leaving the government no choice but to work toward a full-scale reopening of the country amid lingering fear of a post-Songkran festival spike in COVID-19 cases, according to experts.

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthSafetytourism

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 13 April 2022, 09:40AM

Locals and tourists watch a sunset from Phuket islands Phromthep Cape on Saturday (Apr 9). Photo: Bangkok Post

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government is under immense pressure to restore the pandemic-battered economy, reports the Bangkok Post.

The government has no choice but to reopen the country or try to return it to normalcy sooner rather than later as most other nations are doing, he said.

Meanwhile, the government has been saying the pandemic will soon be relegated to an endemic as caseloads and fatalities drop. But Im worried the post-Songkran festival numbers will probably not go down, Mr Abhisit said.

The authorities should be on the offensive in getting people to vaccinate in a more systematic manner, he said.

Numbers show that only about 30% of people aged 60 years and over have received booster shots. Mr Abhisits advice is for the government to use the vaccination data available via the Mor Prom app to design vaccination campaigns and provide jabs to high-risk groups in their communities.

The government also should examine the COVID-19 hospitalisation figures by explaining how many patients suffered lung infections and required life support as well as their vaccination status and age, he said.

The information would underscore the need to acquire first and second booster shots.

Mr Abhisit said people also need to be warned not to let down their guard even as the country eases COVID restrictions.

The term new normal must be more clearly defined to create a healthy and safe environment via measures such as barring unvaccinated people from certain public spaces including restaurants.

The cycle of infections must be short-circuited if the pandemic is to end, he said.

Compared to Songkran last year, anti-COVID restrictions are more relaxed and people are taking fewer precautions, he said.

The former premier said the government must mitigate the economic damage caused by two years of the pandemic which has resulted in a rise in household debt and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

The issue was no longer confined to creditors and debtors as many medium and small-scale businesses now run the risk of going under or being taken over by larger companies.

A state fund should be created to restructure the debts of affected businesses and recapitalise them, according to Mr Abhisit.

Thiravat Hemachudha, director of the Centre for Emerging Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University, agreed that economic pressures are driving the government to reopen the countrys borders.

However, rampant infections are making it easier for new strains of the virus to develop, Dr Thiravat said.

It shows that immunity acquired from natural infections, whether from the Delta or Omicron variant, is not a protection against new strains, he said, explaining that the body needs some time to develop immunity and resistance to the strains.

Dr Thiravat said while vaccines can prevent death and hospitalisation, it does little to keep people from transmitting the virus to others.

People aged 60 and over and those with underlying illnesses are most vulnerable, Dr Thiravat said.

Older people, even after they have been given a booster shot, may not develop as much immunity as those who are younger. He said many were reluctant to be administered the vaccine or booster jabs out of concern for the side effects.

Dr Thiravat earlier suggested the vaccine be administered intradermally rather than the common intramuscular method. Studies confirmed that intradermal jabs caused fewer side effects and they are now being offered at the vaccination centre in Bang Sue Grand Station and several hospitals.

Intradermal vaccinations, which also use less vaccine per injection, will help ease concerns among the elderly and convince them to get the jabs, he said.

The government should prepare measures to ensure people who return from the Songkran festival sick with COVID-19 have equal and unrestricted access to medicine, Dr Thiravat said.

COVID-19 sufferers, he said, should take the fah talai jon (kariyat) medicine immediately upon discovering they have contracted the virus and keep taking it for five days before switching to the anti-viral favipiravir. He said fah talai jon was effective in easing the symptoms.

Chaiwat Chuenkosum, deputy interior permanent secretary, said it was highly likely that the full-scale reopening of the country would go ahead after Songkran as measures have been devised and people have cooperated well in attempting to keep the virus under control.

After the festival ends, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) must assess caseloads, the rate of hospitalisation and the number of COVID-19 fatalities, he said.

The Interior Ministry has told provincial governors to launch measures such as requiring people returning home for Songkran to be vaccinated and undergo an ATK test before reuniting with their families.

Members of families waiting for them in the provinces should also be inoculated and have the ATK test after their relatives return from the holidays.

Mr Chaiwat said guidelines for organising Songkran activities nationwide in the COVID-safe setting include basic health screening at public events, social distancing practices that permit no more than four people within a square metre, and the wearing of face masks at all times.

Activities where people cant wear masks, such as water throwing and foam parties, are banned.

Large events are subject to tight supervision from the communicable disease control office in the provinces. About 5,000 large Songkran celebratory events have been granted permission to organise nationwide. The sale and consumption of alcohol is also banned during public celebrations.


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In a tactic similar to four years ago, when he front-loaded his campaign for governor with millions of dollars, then won the Republican nomination, Bob Stefanowski is going big early.

The former business executive has loaned $10 million to the 2022 rematch with Gov. Ned Lamont, according to state campaign-finance records filed late Monday, minutes before a midnight deadline. The Madison residents campaign has spent about $2.6 million and has more than $8 million available.

First-quarter campaign filings show that Lamont wrote two personal checks totaling $1.15 million as a down payment for the reelection race that he said on Tuesday has barely begun.

Both candidates are expected to easily win endorsements next month in state party conventions that will lack in top-of-the-ticket competition, but may feature degrees of intrigue in under-ticket nominations for positions such as state treasurer, comptroller and secretary of the state.

Stefanowskis 478-page quarterly report includes about $608,000 in individual contributions. In a statement on Monday, Stefanowski said 1,539 people contributed a median amount of about $50 each.

His largest expense was $946,346 to the Republican-linked, Virginia-based National Media for purchasing TV, radio and digital advertising.

Stefanowski also spent tens of thousands of dollars among several consulting firms, including about $60,000 for WPA Intelligence, a political researcher; $45,000 for the Republican-linked Checkmate Strategies of New Jersey; $42,000 to Chris Motolla Consulting Inc. of North Hollywood, Calif., which performed national advertising campaigns for the late U.S. Sen. John McCain.; $24,000 for Spark Op Solutions, LLC of Fairfield, whose principal David Beck of Fairfield, is Stefanowskis treasurer; and about $20,000 to Go Big Media of Alexandria, Va., another company with strong ties with the national GOP.

Lamont, the Democratic incumbent who has been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic for most of his term, along with a series of state budget surpluses, reported a total of $1.27 million raised for his reelection, with $639,091 spent and $631,400 on hand at the end of March. Judging by the $15 million that Lamont paid for his victory in 2018, its just the beginning.

Stefanowski loaning his campaign the $10 million leaves a possible avenue to recoup his investment as more contributions flow into his campaign. Lamonts checks for the first months of the campaign are not recoverable.

Stefanowski, who now runs a consultant firm from his home, started his 2018 campaign with $2 million of his own money, but fell short of cash in the fall before his loss to Lamont. In all, Stefanowski spent about $3 million of his personal wealth in his first run for elective office four years ago.

Lamont, a multi-millionaire former cable TV entrepreneur from Greenwich whose great grandfather was a top executive with 19th century New York banking legend J.P. Morgan, raised about $14,000 in individual contributions in the first quarter. He announced his intention to run for a second term in November.

Stefanowski declared his candidacy in January, but has stayed active in the public realm since losing in 2018 to Lamont by 44,372 votes, or about 3 percentage points.

To have over 1,500 people invest in our campaign in less than three months shows that our goal of making Connecticut more affordable, safer and making our state government more accountable to the people is gaining momentum and people want to help make a difference, Stefanowski said in a statement more than 14 hours before he filed the financial documents.

Stefanowski previously declared he would spend $10 million of his own money in the 2022 rematch for governor.

Lamont, during a remote news conference from the Governors Residence in Hartford on Tuesday, noted that by loaning himself the money, Stefanowski can possibly be repaid, and influenced.

Look, I dont expect to get paid back, Lamont said. I believe in this campaign. I invest in this campaign and Im not loaning the money. When you loan the money, you get elected governor and then you say, hey buddy, help me pay back my $10 million bucks, you know, give me some money. I just think that opens up a can of worms. Thats not the way I do it.

In his 78-page filing, Lamonts major expenses included about $159,000 to the New York-based Global Strategy Group LLC for polling; $132,000 for digital consulting; about $125,000 in TV ad buys; $20,000 to the Democratic Governors Association for research; and $22,500 to Jones Mandel, a Seattle-based strategic consultant firm with close ties to Democrats.

Lamont on Tuesday launched his second TV commercial, recalling the first cases of COVID that reached the state in March of 2020 that unexpectedly defined part of his tenure in office.

The governor admitted that he hasnt done much in his reelection bid. I want to get through this legislative session, he said of the budget-adjustment session that ends at midnight May 4. I want to keep the politics over there as long as I can, which is not much longer. I figured I should at least send our message, he said of the new advertisement.

While Lamont has the power of incumbency, Stefanowski has used local conservative talk radio, social media and newspaper op-eds to criticize Democrats and Lamont, whose administrations school-construction program is under federal investigation. Stefanowski has also attached himself to efforts by minority Republicans and the trucking industry to rail against highway tolls, which the Democrat-dominated legislature rejected in 2020, and a highway user fee for heavy trucks that will take effect in 2023.

Nationally known political forecasters currently predict Lamont is likely to win in November, but at least one prominent researcher, the Cook Political Report, has downgraded the Democratic incumbents chances from solid to likely.

Stefanowski also has the backing of a political action committee run by David Kelsey, a real estate investor and the former GOP town committee chairman of Old Lyme, whose half-million-dollar contribution to CT Truth PAC has been supplemented by another $500,000 from Thomas McInerney of Westport, the CEO of Bluff Point Associates, a private equity investment firm.

McInerney is also on the board of a conservative think tank called the Manhattan Institute, which has major support from the oil wealth of the Koch family, and opposes the science of climate change.

Lamont admitted that he is worried about outside funding going into the upcoming campaign for governor through independent political action committees like CT Truth PAC.

According to the Federal Election Commission, McInerney this year has already contributed $5.4 million to Republicans, including $252,000 to the Republican National Committee. In 2018 McInerney contributed $100,000 to an independent expenditure PAC, FixCT, which supported the unsucessful GOP candidacy of Steve Obsitnik of Westport.

Obsitnik later paid a $90,000 fine to state election regulators over allegations of illegal coordination with a PAC making independent expenditures on his behalf. State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Westport, was also fined $10,000 in that case.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
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News

Federation CJA Russian speakers help Ukrainian Jewish refugees in Poland

Mike Cohen / Oxana Pasternak, Alex Polonsky and Anna Digerman.

In an emotionally charged interview with The Suburban via Zoom, live from their hotel in Warsaw, Poland, three Russian-speaking ambassadors from Federation CJA gave first hand accounts of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

Federation CJA dispatched a team of Russian-speaking representatives to assist the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) with processing refugees. The Russian-speaking Jewish Philanthropy (RSJ) group is headed by its outgoing president, Anna Digerman, and professional director, Oxana Pasternak. She was born in Kyiv and after 10 years in Israel relocated here. Digerman came to Montreal five years ago from Israel. She is from Belarus. Alex Polonsky is from Siberia, Russia. He too moved to Israel and came to Montreal in 2008.

Following our interview, Pasternak wanted to add how overwhelmed she and her colleagues were with the kindness of the Polish people. It is unbelievable, she said. From Uber drivers , to museums, restaurants and the average person it is remarkable.

Montreals Jewish community is proud to answer the call to support the worldwide campaign to provide humanitarian assistance for Ukrainians, said Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA. Having witnessed the heart-breaking situation in Europe with my own eyes just two weeks ago it is without a doubt that we all must do more to help in any way we can. As a community, we are raising significant dollars to support our overseas partners. We can also reinforce the professional and volunteer corps on the ground, and thats just what our Russian-speaking volunteers will be doing.

Pasternak had not been to Eastern Europe since her departure from Kyiv some 25 years ago. So, it came as somewhat of a surprise that she would find herself leading a group of six volunteers to Warsaw, Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.

Acting in concert with overseas partners at JAFI and JDC, Pasternak and her team of six volunteer fellow Russian speakers from Montreal began their 10-day deployment last week. They brought toys, toiletries, and clothing to distribute to anyone in need.

How lucky we are to have such dedicated, passionate volunteers from RSJ participating in this relief mission, Pasternak said. They are active in community life and come from healthcare and the business community.

Pasternak said that all six volunteers are from the former USSR, and subsequently Israel. They possess Exceptional leadership skills and willingness to give back to community, driven by a sense of social justice.

The RSJ Philanthropy division of Federation CJA strives to preserve and develop the culture, traditions, and history of Russian-speaking Jews, working together for the prosperity of our community.

For our video interview please see the SJN blog on our website.
CARLINVILLE  Blackburn College has been awarded a $250,000 two-year Teacher Residency Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education (IBSE) to help address the states teacher shortage.

The money will accelerate Blackburns Teacher Licensure Program (TLP) launched in 2020 by the college. The fully-online licensure program provides the opportunity for individuals with bachelors degrees in other fields of study to pursue new careers in teaching.

Through the IBSE grant, Blackburn will partner with five school districts  Carlinville, Greenfield, North Mac, Northwestern, Panhandle and Southwestern  to develop residency programs to prepare teacher candidates.

The teacher residents will complete licensure coursework at Blackburn while working in participating school districts. Students in the program will be matched with mentor teachers within each participating district. Grant funding also will be used to provide support and training for mentor teachers in each school district.

Dr. Michelle Stacy, Professor of Education and TLP Coordinator, said the funds will allow Blackburn to provide additional resources to continue to address the teacher shortage in Illinois.

Our Teacher Licensure Program was originally designed to train high-quality teachers for areas most in need," she said. "Its very popular because it is a fast-track licensure program that can build a ton of essential training and first-hand classroom experience in just three semesters. We are thrilled to work through our established program and build on our partnerships with the area school districts."

Dr. Karla McCain, Blackburn College Provost, said the TLP honors Blackburn's mission as a work college by making the work experience of students in the program central to their education.

An informational session on the TLP is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, in the Demuzio Campus Center at Blackburn. For details email michelle.stacy@blackburn.edu or call 217-854-5505.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  It's a simple recipe that requires only a couple ingredients, and New Mexico has them all.

Strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions that stem from two decades of persistent drought combined Tuesday for another day of critical fire weather across New Mexico. Forecasters warned of similar conditions elsewhere in the West as land managers and firefighters braced for what was expected to be another busy season.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a plea on social media: Do not burn!

She joined the chorus of forecasters and authorities who were urging people to take precautions as red flag and high wind warnings were issued for a large swath spanning the Central Plains, West Texas, all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona.

Two new wind-whipped fires reported Tuesday afternoon in the mountains of southeastern New Mexico prompted authorities to call for immediate evacuations.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque shared satellite imagery of a fire signature near the community of Ruidoso and tweeted: Take this fire seriously. This is a very dangerous situation."

In central New Mexico, authorities confirmed that at least one home and numerous barns, sheds and other outbuildings were damaged or destroyed by a fire burning along the Rio Grande in a rural area south of Albuquerque. About 200 structures were threatened, and the air was thick with smoke and dust.

Bulldozers were used to build a barrier between the fire and homes in the area. Managers were hoping for a break in the wind so a helicopter could drop water on the flames.

The fire had burned more than one square mile since being sparked Monday afternoon. That included a large portion of a wildlife conservation area along the river.

The cause remains under investigation.

In northern New Mexico, steep terrain and gusts up to 60 mph were keeping crews from directly attacking a fire near the community of Las Vegas. That blaze  which started last week when a prescribed fire jumped its containment lines  also forced evacuations.

About 100 people found shelter earlier this week at a school gym in Las Vegas, and San Miguel County authorities began evacuating several more small communities Tuesday afternoon as the fire made a big push to the northeast.

Some people have criticized the U.S. Forest Services decision to conduct a prescribed fire amid erratic spring weather conditions. Federal officials have said conditions were calm most of the day before unforeseen winds ignited spot fires beyond the project's boundaries.

An internal review is expected to be done once the fire is suppressed, officials said.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)  The Russian embassy in Bosnia on Wednesday criticized the suspension of a Bosnian Serb property law and warned of potential destabilization in the tense Balkan country unless the decision by the top international official is revoked.

The embassy in a statement carried by local media reiterated that Moscow does not recognize German diplomat Christian Schmidt as the head of the U.N. Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and considers his moves illegitimate.

The Russian comments highlight a dispute with the West over policies in the volatile Balkans where Moscow has sought to increase its historic sway. With war raging in Ukraine, there have been fears of tensions soaring in the Balkans as well.

Schmidt on Tuesday suspended the law that the semi-autonomous Bosnian Serb region passed in February, and which declares that the property used by local public authorities belongs to the Republika Srpska entity.

The law is seen as part of the Serb drive in Bosnia to gain as much independence as possible. Bosnia also has a Bosniak-Croat entity, along with joint, central institutions designed to keep the country together after its 1992-95 war.

Schmidt said in announcing his decision that only the Bosnian state can regulate property issues and urged dialogue within Bosnia to resolve the dispute. Bosnian Serb leaders have rejected the decision.

The U.S. embassy has said that the international community was left with no choice but to act after Bosnian Serb leaders refused to engage constructively in solving the problem and took unconstitutional, unilateral action instead.

Russia has supported the Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who has faced U.S. and British sanctions for undermining the 1995 U.S. peace agreement that ended the war after more than 100,000 people died and millions were left homeless.

In its statement, the Russian embassy in Bosnia warned against Schmidts actions and the sanctions, saying that all responsibility for possible destabilization in Bosnia-Herzegovina will lie on the representatives of the international community.

The war erupted because Serbs in Bosnia wanted to create their own state and join neighboring Serbia. Dodik, who is a member of the multi-ethnic Bosnian presidency, has repeatedly called for the Serb separation from the rest of Bosnia.

The High Representative in Bosnia has the authority to suspend laws and replace officials who are viewed as violating the U.S.-brokered peace deal. The agreement also established a multi-national council overseeing the peace implementation where Russia routinely opposes Western moves.
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TOKYO (AP)  As millions of Ukrainians fled their country, a longtime Tokyo resident did the opposite. Sasha Kaverina left her life in Japan and rushed to Ukraine to rescue her parents after a Russian missile hit their apartment building.

Kaverina's main goal in returning was to get her parents out of their hometown of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in battered eastern Ukraine, to a safer place in western Ukraine. But Kaverina, who had organized fund-raising and antiwar rallies in Japan for her homeland, also delivered medicine, first-aid kits and other relief goods.

Like many Ukrainian expats around the world, the war in her homeland has upended her life. Despite reports of horrendous Russian attacks, she said she is not afraid for herself, but for her parents and relatives.

Because of her antiwar and pro-Ukraine activities in Japan, she fears that the Russians could persecute or kill those close to her if they return to Kharkiv, which is now under fierce attack and may fall under Russian control.

A lot of Ukrainians are worried (that) if Russians occupy us, pro-Ukrainian people would be killed, as they were in Bucha and other cities, she said in an online interview from Chernivtsi, a city in southwestern Ukraine near the border with Romania where she took her parents.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Since then, more than 4 million Ukrainians have fled the country and millions more have been displaced internally.

Kaverina's parents narrowly survived in early March when a Russian missile badly damaged their eighth-floor apartment in a 16-story building and forced them to evacuate to their relatives' home in the suburbs.

After nearly two days on planes and buses, Kaverina made it to Chernivtsi, where she reunited with her parents, who had driven across the country from Kharkiv to meet her.

She is renting an apartment in Chernivtsi for her parents while she does remote work for her job at an IT company in Japan, where she intends to return, and volunteers as an aid worker with the help of her parents.

Ukrainian officials have urged residents in eastern Ukraine to evacuate to the west. But even in Chernivtsi the family can hear air-raid warning sirens at night, though they haven't experienced actual bombings, she said.

Some people go to shelters every night, and the place may not be safe any more, Kaverina said.

Whenever a door bangs or they hear footsteps, her parents immediately jump, apparently because of trauma from the missile attack on their apartment.

Kaverina worries about more Russian atrocities.

If Kharkiv is occupied, people who have been mentioned in the media or known for their pro-Ukrainian positions, they may be targeted. I have no problem  but Im worried about my parents, she said, requesting anonymity for her parents. "My parents will be targeted for being with me and for their pro-Ukrainian activities.

Several times a day, her parents call their relatives, friends and colleagues in Kharkiv to make sure everyone is safe and alive. They worry whenever anyone is unreachable.

One of her fathers acquaintances was taken to a filtering camp where Russians forced residents to remove their shirts to look for any tattoos indicating a pro-Ukrainian stance, Kaverina said.

Her father can't leave the country because of local laws, she said, and she hasn't been able to persuade her mother to fly back to Tokyo with her. Her parents want to return as soon as possible to their hometown, where her father's 89-year-old mother has stayed behind because of old age.

My parents ask me every day when they can go back to Kharkiv, and I say, No, you cannot," she said. They want to go back to get their photos, not TV, money or documents. ... It's so sad and maybe stupid, but for them it's their whole life."

Kaverina said their apartment in Kharkiv is uninhabitable, but her parents, like many others, still hope to rebuild. To her, their determination seems linked to Ukraine's strong resistance to the Russians.

Kaverina, who has been in Japan for five years, said she has seen a lack of tolerance for foreign residents and diversity in Japan. So she was surprised by Tokyo's quick pledge to accept displaced Ukrainians, even though Japan does not expect many will come. Rather than going to a faraway, unfamiliar Asian country, most Ukrainians are turning to Europe, hoping to return home at some point.

About 400 war-displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Japan, where a number of municipalities and companies are offering to provide housing, language lessons and jobs.

The biggest hurdle for many Ukrainians is to get plane tickets to Japan, she said, because they have lost their jobs, homes and money since the invasion.

Japan was quick to join the United States and other leading economies in imposing sanctions against Russia and providing support for Ukraine. Tokyo has also sent nonlethal defense equipment such as helmets and bulletproof vests to Ukraine as an exception to its arms equipment transfer ban to countries in conflict.

Japan can also contribute to disaster relief, including sending construction equipment, Kaverina said. Because many people died under rubble while awaiting rescue, Kaverina said that she plans to reach out to Komatsu or other Japanese construction machine makers for help.

I had been just an ordinary long-time resident in Japan until a month ago, but what happened changed not only the lives of Ukrainians (in the country) but also the lives of Ukrainians abroad, she said.
EDWARDSVILLE  Weapons and battery charges were filed Tuesday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Robert L. Coleman, 30, of Granite City, was charged April 12 with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony.

The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department.

According to court documents, on June 27, 2021, Coleman allegedly fired a gun in the direction of a vehicle occupied by two women.

Bail was set at $150,000.

Other felony charges filed April 12 include:

 Jason B. Carlie, 31, of Alton, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; and unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On April 9 Carlie allegedly strangled a household or family member and restrained the victim on a bed, not allowing them to leave. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Christina P. Hardin, 31, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On April 12 Hardin allegedly strangled a household or family member. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Eagle A. Mayes, also known as Desean L. Mayes, 34, of Granite City, was charged with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Feb. 14 Mayes allegedly struck a household or family member on the shoulder with his hand and kicked the victim in the head. He has a 2017 conviction for domestic battery out of St. Clair County. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Joseph S. Velasco, 39, of Florissant, Missouri, was charged with unlawful violation of an order of protection (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On March 5 Velasco allegedly violated a lawful order of protection by making telephone contact with a protected party. He has a 2019 conviction for violation of an order of protection out of St. Louis County. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Caravin A. Reed, 22, of Clayton, Missouri, and Kamya S. Henry, 22, of East St. Louis, were each charged with two counts of aggravated battery, both Class 3 felonies, and two counts of mob action, both Class 4 felonies. The cases were presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 5 the two allegedly struck two people at Don Chenchos Restaurant. Bail was set at $40,000 each.

 Tamadja R. Gardner, 29, of Collinsville, was charged with aggravate battery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. On Sept. 19 Gardner allegedly attempted to strike another person in the arm with a tire iron. Bail was set at $25,000.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Amazon warehouse destroyed by a Dec. 10 tornado had columns that were improperly and inadequately supporting the structure, according to an attorney representing the family of a person killed in the collapse.

Jack Casciato of Clifford Law Offices is representing the family of Austin J. McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville, an Amazon delivery driver who died during a tornado. On Tuesday, Casciato said that, through a Freedom of Information request, his office learned government-mandated engineers immediately dispatched to the scene discovered some columns were improperly and inadequately supporting the 1.1 million-square-foot structure which had been inspected in 2018.

Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, refuted the notion that there were any structural issues at the fulfillment center.

Jeanne Wojcieszak, Edwardsville director of finance, released a statement Tuesday saying the investigation into the collapse is ongoing.

"First and foremost, determinations regarding the structural integrity of the building currently being made by any individual or group are premature, as the official investigation has not been completed," the statement read.

"At this time, the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) is performing the investigation on the building, and no determination as to its structural integrity has been communicated to the city," according to the statement. "Realty Income Illinois Properties 4, LLC, the building owner, and the building tenant (Amazon) are completing the forensic investigation. The status of that investigation is also currently ongoing."

Five other people also died while huddled in a bathroom during the tornado. They included Clayton Lynn Cope, 29, of Alton; Larry E. Virden, 46, of Collinsville; Kevin D. Dickey, 62, of Carlyle; and Etheria S. Hebb, 34, and Deandre S. Morrow, 28, both of St. Louis.

At a virtual press conference Tuesday, Casciato said he believes Amazon was reactive versus proactive about the weather on Dec. 10 and prioritized corporate profits and delivery quotas over employee safety.

According to Casciato, McEwen in text messages to his family said he was told to return to the warehouse and continue working, despite warnings for up to as much as a day in advance that tornados were forecast for the area.

There was an apparent lack of emergency training, evacuation drills, or access to appropriate storm shelters because they were non-existent, Casciato said. The McEwen family is very concerned that this type of tragedy doesnt happen again to others in Tornado Alley in Illinois or in any other ill-equipped Amazon facilities around the world and [the family] feels that Amazon could have done more to save their son.

Nantel, in an email statement Tuesday, said Amazon's focus continues to be "on supporting our team and all those affected by this tragic natural disaster.

"Investigators continue to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of the building and debris  so its premature and misleading to suggest there were any structural issues," Nantel said. "The original developer completed construction on this building in 2018 in compliance with all applicable building codes as documented by the city and the original owner. The building was re-inspected and passed city inspections in 2020, when Amazon leased the building.

Casciato said the report findings came from Dan Bruno, a structural specialist and engineer with the St. Louis County Task Force. The report, which includes at least 50 photographs, states supporting columns had collapsed inward from the winds.

I noted that a considerable number of the columns were not standing [and] appeared to have been lifted out of the floor," Bruno wrote in one excerpt.

Casciato said Bruno had been waiting for someone to file a lawsuit so he could attach his report and images as evidence of safety and International Building Code (IBC) violations plus negligence. The city uses the 2006 iteration of the IBC, per City Engineer Ryan Zwijack.

Allen Smith, a fellow professional engineer/structures specialist from St. Louis Urban Area Security Initiative - Strike Team 4, noticed the same issue that December evening and described it as a peg coming out of a hole, Casciato said. The support columns are anchored to the ground to hold trusses that are used to secure the roof. Casciato claims the building's tilt-up construction was a contributing factor in the collapse. The fulfillment center opened in August 2017.

Bruno went on to write, I became concerned when I noticed that none of the columns appeared to be ripped or torn from the base. This was especially concerning to me knowing that the IBC requires structural members to be secured against uplift from wind loads, among other things (2021 IBC Section 1604.8.1). Looking at the base of the columns more closely, I could find no weld or bolted connection at the base of any column, only a bead of what appeared to be some sort of caulk around the column at the finished floor line.  We were very concerned about the stability of the remaining walls and suspended steelwork.

Casciato said a copy of Bruno's report has been forwarded to the OSHA. He said he hopes the lawsuit serves to put not only Amazon on notice but other companies that have tilt-up warehouses in the Gateway and Lakeview Commerce Centers.

In addition to Amazon, the McEwen family is suing the construction, design and engineering companies tied to the architecture and development of the warehouse. The family expressed hopes that this lawsuit brings justice to all the families who have been affected by the incident and its intent to hold Amazon accountable.

Casciato said other Amazon employees have contacted him about legal representation.

In its statement, the city said the EF3 tornado that hit building Dec. 10 was determined to have 150 mile-per-hour winds.

"Due to this incident, the city will be working with state representatives to explore ways that building codes be fortified to safeguard against any future events that could threaten the health, safety or welfare of its residents, employees that work in Edwardsville businesses, as well as business and property owners," the city statement read.

Other companies named in the lawsuit either declined comment or were unable to immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Rain likely. High 51F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 38F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
IVY GOODMAN, Stonington, Girls, Lacrosse, Senior; Goodman scored 12 goals and had 13 assists in three games. Her seven assists in the Bears win over Waterford established a school record. She surpassed the 50-goal mark for the season in Stoningtons victory over Ledyard.

DEAN PONS JR., Westerly, Baseball, Senior; Pons, a senior, struck out 14 batters in the Bulldogs five-inning win against Wheeler School/Rocky Hill. Pons had an assist on the remaining out, throwing out a runner on a groundout. Pons allowed just one hit and walked only two.

KATIE PIERCE, Wheeler, Girls, Lacrosse, Sophomore; Pierce scored five goals and the Lions beat Griswold to earn their first victory of the season. Wheeler avenged an earlier loss to the Wolverines this season with the 15-4 victory.

WEEKO THOMPSON, Chariho, Girls, Track Sophomore; Thompson, a sophomore, bettered her school record in the discus at the Classical Classic meet. She finished first in the event and also won the shot put.

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Workers at the City regulator will go on strike for the first time ever despite just one in 14 voting in favour of the move.

Staff at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have been complaining about a shake-up to pay, after new boss Nikhil Rathi tried to align bonuses more closely with performance.

Now, some workers will formally protest, after backing industrial action yesterday.

Pay row: FCA staff have been complaining about a shake-up to their pay, after new boss Nikhil Rathi (pictured) tried to align bonuses more closely with their performance

It has emerged that fewer than 8 per cent have given the thumbs-up to the strike. Only 640 workers of the FCA's 4,000 staff are members of the union Unite, and 62 per cent of them voted.

Of those who did, 294 said they would refuse to come into work. A few more said they would support lesser industrial action, such as only working the hours they were strictly obliged to.

The strike is not the first time that the FCA has had to deal with disquiet. In 2019, it chastised staff on one floor of its London office for defecating on a bathroom floor and leaving alcohol bottles in sanitary bins.

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'For the first time ever, the employees at the FCA have voted for industrial action.

'They have made it very clear that the proposed changes to staff pay and conditions are completely unacceptable.

'The FCA management must now address the serious concerns of their employees.'

But the FCA has resisted calls to U-turn on its pay reform, which the Daily Mail understands will see around 15 per cent of workers denied a pay rise.

A spokesman said it recognised 'the strength of feeling about some of the changes', adding: 'Our new employment package is highly competitive, providing fair, competitive pay at all levels and rewards strong, consistent performance.'

Up until now, the FCA had handed out 'bonuses' to staff every year, worth around 10 to 12 per cent of their salary.

Around 70 to 90 per cent of staff were getting them every year at a time when many considered the regulator to be failing at its job.
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Cumberland, MD (21502)

Today

Occasional rain. High 53F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

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Light rain early. Then remaining cloudy. Low 43F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.


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Caroline Eloise Hutchens, 83, resident of Thomasville, GA was born in Denver, Colorado on May 18, 1938 to Jack and Crispina Marie Sanders. She is survived by her brother Salvador Sanders of Long Beach, CA, her aunt Mary of Canyon City, CO and two children Cherrie Leidigh of Thomasville, GA a
Princeton, KY (42445)

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Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

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Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
The Ukrainian Cossack Dancers will give two free performances Wednesday, April 13, at the Blountville campus of Northeast State Community College next to Tri-Cities Airport. The performances are scheduled for noon and 7 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Student Services Building. Both are free and open to the public.
The Times News has teamed up with area clergy to share Words of Comfort daily in our print edition and online at TimesNews.Net. Any member of the clergy whod like to get involved can contact Carmen Musick at cmusick@timesnews.net.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. High near 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
In conjunction with the publication of the Two Sides of Pearl Street series, the Times Union partnered with Albany Public Library and asked readers to send in questions they may have about the thoroughfare.

Questions have been rolling in and we have answers for those who inquired.

Do you have a question about Pearl Streets past, present or future? Ask it now: Reporters, editors and librarians will then sift through the questions and decide which we can answer. Once the reporting is done, the Times Union and Albany Public Library will publish the results.

The collaboration with Albany Public Library is supported by the nonprofit Library Futures with assistance from Hearken and made possible by support from the Google News Initiative.

Whats in a name?

An anonymous reader asked about the origin of Pearl Streets name. Were oyster shells used for paving? Was it a family name? Copied from New York City? Did Albany consider gem-themed street names?

As much as we all would hope Pearl Street was named after the semi-precious stone, librarians found historical theories presented by Erik Schlimmer in his 2019 book Cradle of the Union suggest otherwise. Before there were north and south ends to the corridor, it was just Pearl Street until 1814 when it was extended north. One theory indicates the street was named after the Pearl Potash Factory that was located there in the 1700s. The factory produced potassium carbonate, which was used to make gunpowder, soap and fertilizer, in addition to baking potash into pearl ash, which was later renamed baking soda, according to Schlimmer.

The author believed the potash theory had merit, although the theory that the name is derived from paarl, the Dutch spelling of pearl, makes more sense if the street was named as a tribute to Albanys first patroon, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (1586-1643). He also was a diamond and pearl merchant, as well as a founder and director of the Dutch West India Co.

Moving from Pearl Street

Two readers, John Vadnais and Benjamin Mackrell, wondered about the Times Unions former headquarters downtown. Was the Times Unions move to Colonie a cause or an effect of the decline?

The Times Unions former plant  including the newsroom, press and circulation facility  was located at the foot of Sheridan Hollow just off Pearl Street. In the 1960s, the Hearst Corp., which then and now owns the Times Union, went to Albany County officials to inquire about buying an unused plot of county-owned land that would have enabled the paper to expand the loading dock  a necessity as the companys operations expanded.

The paper, which had in previous decades been rather cozy with the Democratic political machine, had begun to publish deep investigations about official corruption. In what was clearly intended as a form of payback or intimidation, Hearst was told by those officials that they would never sell that piece of land to the corporation  at any price.

Rather than knuckle under, the company decided to rather stealthily purchase the pumpkin farm that provided the land for its current headquarters at the top of Wolf Road. While the papers exit wasnt a result of the neighborhoods decline, its entirely plausible to see it as a contributing factor. But at least in this case (and elsewhere), the primary blame should go to a corrupt political structure.

Pearl Streets past

Chris Jordan asked what impact the construction of Empire State Plaza and 787 had on South Pearl Street. When did South Pearl Street begin its decline?

The plazas construction tore through the streets fabric, displacing thousands of people and forever altering the citys grid. We demonstrate the constructions effects and contribution to Pearl Streets declines in the series first installment, Albanys Pearl Street, a once-humming cityscape, struggles to thrive.

Lily Mercagliano wanted to know more about the cultural history of Pearl Street  particularly Black history (both during slavery and Reconstruction and after the Great Migration), Jewish history and Italian history.

Pearl Street was heavily inhabited by Italian, Irish, Polish, Jewish and German immigrants following the world wars, but shifted in the 60s to become a diverse community, mostly composed of people of color. The Times Union tracked demographic data from the 1970s onward in three census tracts that include Pearl Street  tracts 11, 25 and 26  and created graphics demonstrating the transition over time.

We explored the demographic shifts impact on investment and stigmas plaguing Pearl Street in the second story of the project, Stereotypes and decades of disinvestment bruised Pearl Street.

Theres also a documentary, The Neighborhood that Disappeared, that addresses the changes, and can be checked out from an Albany Public Library branch.

Pearl Streets theaters

And lastly, at least for this round of questions, a reader inquired about a movie theater on Pearl Street that showed silent movies. My grandmother always said she played the piano for them, and Id like to know where it was. Probably in the 1920s or so.

The Mark Strand Theatre, located at 110 N. Pearl St., showed silent films, according to the Friends of Albany historical group. It was billed as the most beautiful theater outside of New York City, and its first film was the silent feature, The Price of Redemption. The theater was demolished in the 1970s and is now a parking lot. See photos of the Strand above.

Albany. a book by Don Rittner, suggests the Clinton Square Theater on North Pearl Street also showed silent movies.

What do you wonder? Two Sides of Pearl Street Two Sides of Pearl Street benefits from a unique collaboration between the Times Union and Albany Public Library. This partnership, supported by the nonprofit Library Futures with assistance from Hearken and made possible by support from the Google News Initiative, aims to amplify the voices of community members in shaping and telling these stories. What do you want to know about Pearl Streets past, present and future? Submit your questions through this form or at an Albany Public Library branch. Learn more

Deanna DiCarlo and Rebecca Lubin of Albany Public Library and Casey Seiler of the Times Union contributed to this report.
ALBANY  The Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul have signed off on a change to New York's tax law that will enable cannabis entrepreneurs to deduct business expenses related to marijuana sales from their state taxes despite the drug remaining illegal under federal statutes.

The exception was built into the state spending plan finalized last week, after Sen. Jeremy Cooney, D-Rochester, and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, sponsored bills pushing for its adoption. The legislators estimate it will save businesses in the emerging cannabis market over $25 million annually by 2024.

"The tax rates and operational costs that cannabis businesses would (otherwise have faced) is a significant barrier," said Allan Gandelman, president of the New York Cannabis Growers & Processors Association.

Gandelman, an upstate hemp farmer and cannabis advocate, said that the tax deductions are crucial for businesses looking for a "path to profitability" within New York's adult-use industry.

"We are pleased to see the Legislature has agreed to treat the cannabis industry as any other legitimate operating business in New York state," said Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the state Business Council.

Prior to the change, cannabis entrepreneurs faced a more costly set of rules: state tax law was tied to a prohibition in the federal code against deductions for "expenditures in connection with the illegal sale of drugs."

Cooney, who introduced a bill on the topic in November, said the change will "allow more small business owners and entrepreneurs to participate in the new cannabis market, especially social equity owned businesses."

The change mirrors similar measures in states such as California, which amended its tax law to include the same carve-out in 2019.

"This is fundamentally about fairness, equity and a recognition that our tax system should not treat these businesses any differently, in spite of the federal prohibition," Lupardo said.

The state's decision will have no impact on the businesses' interactions with the Internal Revenue Service, since the use, sale or distribution of marijuana remains illegal under federal laws enacted in the 1930s that categorize it with highly addictive drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
Herve Breuil, the director of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, watched the news of Russias invasion of Ukraine in horror, eager to do something.

Like everyone else, I was shocked by it all, says Breuil, who is from eastern France, about a 20-hour drive from the Ukraine border. It felt so close to home. I needed to help my European brothers and sisters.

But first he had to figure out how. He decided to offer his unique skillset to travel to Ukraine to help with animals. Breuil runs the Woodstock-based nonprofit, which rescues farm animals and provides ongoing care while advocating for animal rights.

He set up a GoFundMe to pay for the trip, seeking $2,000 in donations and ending up with more than $11,000. People want to make a difference, he says.

Breuil contacted L214, a French animal rights organization where he used to work  hes currently a board member  asking them to put him in touch with people assisting animals in Ukraine. They suggested PETA Germany, which has rescued more than 1,000 animals from Ukraine.

On March 24, Breuil flew to Frankfurt, Germany and took a connecting flight to Krakow, Poland. From there, he rented a car and wound up in Przemysl, a city about 20 minutes from the Ukrainian border.

Forty thousand pets have crossed into the EU. Most came with their owners, he says. Working with PETA Germany, Breuil helped retrieve animals that had been left behind in shelters in Ukraine, some of them hurt during bombings.

I just cant imagine having to leave your pet behind, he says. You have to flee, and you have to walk, and you have to carry your kids. You have so many bags and so many hands. I cant imagine the pain and suffering those people must feel.

Herve Breuil Herve Breuil Transporting dozens of pets from Ukraine into Poland. Some dogs with broken legs and burns were then taken to Germany to get medical care. (Photos by Herve Breuil) Transporting dozens of pets from Ukraine into Poland. Some dogs with broken legs and burns were then taken to Germany to get medical care. (Photos by Herve Breuil)

With PETA on the ground for several weeks, Breuil was able to cross the border, pick up as many dogs and cats from shelters as he could, and try to transport them back to safety in Poland. He sometimes encountered issues at the border. At one point you could have five (animals) per person and then we were told per car, he says.

The first day he was there, the PETA team had 20 dogs and 15 cats and werent allowed to cross the Polish border, so a Plan B was hatched. We had to drive for seven hours all the way down to Romania and back up.

They managed to find enough gas along the way and made it back to Poland with all of the animals. Communication all over was spotty; bombs destroyed antennas.

In Poland, healthy animals went to one shelter and sick ones to another. Some vans transported dogs with broken legs and burns to Germany  an additional 12-hour trip  to get medical care. Based on my knowledge of animals, two dogs would not make it, he says, of the day they transported 20 dogs.

Trying to reunite pets with their displaced families would be ideal, but in reality was nearly impossible  though some had names on their crates, only a few were microchipped with contact information. A lot of the animals in the Ukraine are not chipped ... A lot of owners whose pets escaped are never going to find them again, he says.

During his trip, Breuil and the group he worked with transported 96 animals from Ukraine (28 dogs and 68 cats), but he was not able to help with the farm animals he knows best at Woodstock due to EU laws. They dont want to bring diseases, so the farm animals were not allowed to cross the border.

Pet food, phone charges in great demand

Molly Condit, Great Bear Media

When not taking care of animals, Breuil distributed necessities to refugees. He was struck by seeing so many women and children alone; the majority of men are required to stay and fight. He brought people blankets and items he thought would be needed like underwear, toys, and diapers. As it turns out these were all available at a free store at the train station where refuges crossed the border.

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When they arrive, they are given food and products. The store was really full, the donations kept coming. One Polish organization offered free leashes, collars, food, and water to refugees with pets.

He quickly learned from the refugees what supplies they were lacking. They needed sturdier bags to carry donated items, so he bought some and gave them out. Cellphone chargers and neck pillows were also in hot demand. Breuil handed out cash, too. The average salary is 500 euros a month. Some people make 200 a month, he says, recalling faces lighting up when he handed them 100 euro bills.

Extra money raised for Breuils trip is being donated to Ukrainian organizations including Shelter Ugolyok. For anyone interested in donating further, Breuil also suggests Red Cross Ukraine and UAnimals.

They bring food every week to Kyev. You cant find pet food anymore. The people who cant leave cant find food for their pets, he says. PETA Germany also brings pet food to Ukrainian locals on their runs to pick up animals in shelters.

Back home in the Hudson Valley, Breuil is thinking about the time he offered warm raincoats to a mother and child sleeping in the cold at the train station. She was really grateful. People have lost everything. They arrive in a foreign country. They dont speak the language. They have to start with nothing knowing that most likely they will never be able to go back. This is really crazy to witness.

He feels grateful as a westerner for what we have. These people have nothing.

Also on his mind are the days he drove journalists with him to help spread the word; other PETA members had COVID, which he also got once home. Nobody is wearing a mask in Poland including on the plane. The refugees are not wearing masks. They were all gathered together in bomb shelters. It is the least of their concerns.

On his final day on the ground, Breuil transported refugees by car from Ukraine to Poland.

What I did there is really nothing. I met so many good people doing what I was doing as well. I think all of us together, we are making a difference.
A local environmental group estimated General Electric damaged the Hudson to the tune of $11.4 billion by dumping carcinogenic PCBs in the river from the 1940s to the 1970s.

The report, commissioned by Scenic Hudson, attempts to account how the PCBs damaged wildlife, recreational fishing and drinking water along the river and comes as trustees from the state and federal government negotiate a settlement with GE over damages to the Hudson.

Called the Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA), this figure is part of the federal government's attempt to collect from GE for damages to the Hudson, a public resource.

The report put damages to drinking water at $1.4 billion; the damages to recreational fishing at $2.4 billion; and the damages to wildlife at nearly $6.4 billion, among other costs, as part of the $11.4 billion figure.

The figure is greater than the NRDA for the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which Scenic Hudson Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs Hayley Carlock compared the GE pollution to on Tuesday. While the oil from the 2010 Deepwater spill had either been cleaned up or dissipated, PCBs were still damaging the Hudson's ecosystem decades after it had ceased, Carlock said.

The NRDA for the Hudson River is distinct from the EPA-mandated dredging of the upper Hudson by GE. The EPA issued a certificate of completion for the project in April 2019, but this was contested by New York state, which sued, claiming the dredging did not sufficiently remediate the river. New York lost the suit in 2021.

The report calculates additional dredging would cost GE another $10.7 billion.

The Scenic Hudson report uses publicly available studies and does not encompass all the ways the pollution damaged the river and its environs, according Carlock, who called the report "not entirely exhaustive." For instance, the report was unable to account for damages to commercial fisheries on the Hudson, which were closed in 1976 and remain shuttered to this day.

GEs dredging of the Upper Hudson River has been hailed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 'historic achievement,' and EPA, supported by the federal courts, has concluded no additional dredging is needed," a statement provided by General Electric spokesperson said.

"This report by a private advocacy group is inconsistent with the wealth of scientific literature showing that Hudson River wildlife populations are healthy and thriving. The governments natural resource assessment has not yet been completed. We are proud of our contributions and will continue to work closely with local, state and federal agencies, according to the spokesperson.

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Authors of the report say it is an attempt to calculate damages while trustees from the state and federal government negotiate the NRDA with GE.

"Were calling on NRD Trustees to negotiate a settlement with GE that will provide for the restoration of the river," Carlock said. "The company should step up to compensate for its decades of pollution and lay the groundwork for clean drinking water supplies, healthy habitats, safe public access to the river for all and revitalized ecotourism.

Polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, was a manmade compound used as an electronic insulator as well as other applications due to its heat resistance. Concerns over the toxicity of PCBs led to a ban in 1979. GE dumped an estimated 1.3 million pounds of PCBs in the Hudson from 1947 to 1977.
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ALBANY  The Albany County Land Bank is looking for a development team willing to take on 1.8 acres along Ontario Street in the citys Beverwyck neighborhood.

The proposed development is the third so-called cluster development the land bank has launched in the last two years as it tries to package underused individual lots into larger developments that can attract developers.

Adam Zaranko, the land bank's executive director, said the vision for the Ontario Street project is the creation of mixed-income affordable housing along with a multi-purpose community space. Zaranko said that space could accommodate nonprofits or small businesses with related uses, such as a medical or dental office.

Zaranko pointed to the Blake Annex in downtown and the Albany Center for Economic Success small business incubator on Orange Street as similar projects for that multi-purpose space.

We feel like were in a unique position as a land bank and were going to try and do something different, he said.

The vision was the result of community outreach and discussion with groups in the neighborhood, he said.

The four properties are 130 and 135 Ontario St., which contain two vacant buildings, and two vacant lots at 134 and 154 West St., totaling just over 1.8 acres. They were acquired through tax foreclosure.

The land bank received interest from a number of community groups for the properties. But the vacant buildings need significant redevelopment that is likely beyond those groups financial reach and expertise, Zaranko said.

Thats where a developer comes in. The land bank would connect its developer with groups already interested in using the space, providing them ready tenants for that community space.

The organizations other two cluster developments are also moving forward.

Zaranko said he expects to soon recommend a developer to the land banks board for a cluster of 22 properties near the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Henry Johnson Boulevard.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

The land bank is also moving forward with projects for more than 60 properties it packaged in the citys South End neighborhood.

In the first phase, the development team would build 11 single-family, townhouse-style buildings at two locations. Those would be sold at an affordable rate to first-time homebuyers, Zaranko said.

The second phase is much more expansive. The project calls for 3 buildings with 50 units each of mixed-income, affordable housing.

We want it to look like market-rate housing but be affordable to people, Zaranko said.

Both projects are still pursuing financing from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal agency. The land bank also applied for some of the citys federal rescue plan funding to help close the funding gap.
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SCHENECTADY  A Colonie-based real estate company is poised to take on one of the citys most daunting commercial turnarounds: Redevelopment of the problem-plagued Wedgeway building.

Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority is working with Cass Hill Development to restore and enlarge the two-building complex located at 271 and 277 State St. in downtown Schenectady. Architectural drawings for the site include a large addition that would expand the building from its currently location at the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard to the corner of Erie and Liberty Street.

Renderings show a six-story brick building that would fill a area now used for parking.

Metroplex announced its involvement on Wednesday, capping off two years of speculation over the future of one of downtown's most troubled properties.

Over the past few years, the owner of 271-277 State LLC, the limited liability corporation that runs the two properties, has been locked in a legal and court battle with the city over city code violations around issues on its outside, prompting the city to erect a chain-link fence on the Erie Boulevard side of the street due to falling bricks.

Through it all, residential tenants defied orders to vacate, exposing the city's limited ability to keep people out of condemned and potentially dangerous buildings.

The stirring of potential redevelopment intensified after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the vacant office and residential building was among the five properties in the region recommended for inclusion on state and national registers of historic places.

Inclusion paves the way for developers to be eligible for public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits, a technique other developers, including Redburn Development Partners, have leaned on to revitalize relics of the city's faded boomtown past.

The renovated building will include up to 80 apartments and 14,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space, according to Metroplex, who will chip in an incentive package worth more than $500,000.

The Wedgeway building has great historical significance to the city of Schenectady and I take very seriously the responsibility of honoring that legacy, said Marc Paquin, CEO of Cass Hill Development, in a statement. I look forward to furthering the downtown resurgence by breathing new life into this important landmark.

Paquin nodded to numerous agencies that helped facilitate the effort, including Metroplex, Schenectady County and the city.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Metroplex will hold a public hearing on Wednesday and the project will appear before the city Planning Commission on April 20. The Metroplex board will then review the project the following week.

The building has seen an exodus of commercial and residential tenants over the years and is now vacant following The Photo-Labs departure in November.

Cass Hill Development owns and manages more than 1.25 million square feet of residential, office and industrial space in the Capital Region, including The Argus and the Monroe Apartments in downtown Albany, as well as two developments in Glens Falls.

Metroplex Chairman Ray Gillen called Paquin the type of developer with a proven track record that can take on a challenging project and succeed. We will work closely with him as we move forward to renovate this critical building at the most visible corner in downtown Schenectady."

Wedgeway opened in 1885 at a time when it reflected Schenectady's economic boom. The building was expanded in 1912 and 1922 and was the city's largest office building, housing the State Theater and other attractions.

While the city lost its bid to prosecute the owner on the code violations in a trial last year, the city filed 10 new violations against the LLC operated by William Eichengrun in September.

A listing from a New Jersey-based broker on LoopNet lists the 34-unit building at $2.63 million.
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Tomorrow's K-12 students will be boarding electric buses to get to school, according to new state law.

A provision in the New York state budget enacted on Friday seeks to transform the school transportation sector on an ambitious timeline, requiring all school buses purchased after 2027 to run on electricity and replacing all 50,000 diesel-fueled buses in the state with electric vehicles by 2035.

Environmental advocates applauded the state's investment in clean transportation, but educational leaders and school officials warn that implementation will be financially and logistically challenging.

In the coming years, districts will have to install charging stations and potentially overhaul their electrical infrastructure and bus routes to support the new fleets.

And it's just the first in a series of state and federal mandates targeting school districts to help governments reach their environmental goals, according to Brian Cechnicki, executive director at the Association of School Business Officials, which has lobbied for more government funding and flexibility in the statute.

"There are going to be a lot of challenges for schools to make the switch in the environment of tax caps and reliance on state aid," Cechnicki said. "These are all things that we, as advocates and schools, will need to be mindful of ... remember, the more you have to spend in these areas, the less you have to spend on teachers and academic programming."

While there are numerous state and federal funding streams available to support green initiatives, each comes with its own set of limitations, Cechnicki said.

New York's 2022-23 spending plan injects $500 million in the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act to support electric school buses and charging infrastructure. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide technical assistance to school districts during the transition.

Studies show numerous benefits to going electric. Diesel fuel has been shown to exacerbate respiratory illnesses and cause cancer. Electric buses have 70 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel buses, which benefits the environment and results in cleaner air for students, drivers and the community, according to advocates.

"Our students go to school to learn but we put them at risk when we send them to school in diesel buses," Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement. "We have to consider that asthma is the leading cause of school absences, currently impacting 1 in 10 school-aged children in New York State."

The law does include some flexibility. For example, it enables the state Education Department to delay implementation if the 2027 deadline cannot be met without unreasonable cost or parts from overseas, education officials said Monday. School districts can also apply for a one-time, two-year implementation waiver from the department.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Bethlehem Central School District last year became one of the first in the state to start the process of swapping out its diesel buses with battery-run vehicles. The district secured $1 million through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) to supplement the purchase of five electric buses.

Residents approved the purchase of five buses for the 2021-22 school year in May 2021, but supply chain issues caused manufacturing delays. Anticipated completion at the factory is slated for May 2022 with the buses delivered to Bethlehem in June 2022.

Also approved as part of the bus proposition was $200,000 for necessary infrastructure, including charging stations for the buses.

The district will have another bus purchase proposition on the ballot this May. Assuming the measure passes, the district will order one more electric bus for the 2022-23 school year.

"It was a learning opportunity since it was the district's first exploration into using electric buses," district spokeswoman Jo Ellen Gardner said.

Between NYSERDA's $1 million grant and transportation aid from the state Education Department, in addition to other federal and state funding streams that are likely to materialize, "the economic feasibility of fleet conversions should be attainable over the coming years," Gardner said.
A compound formerly owned by celebrated illustrator and children's book author Maurice Sendak, author of "Where the Wild Things Are," is on the market in Washington County.

Sendak and a business partner, Arthur Yorinks, bought the 148-acre property in the late 1990s with the intention of holding children's theater there, said Lynn Caponera, Sendak's longtime friend and assistant who inherited the property when he died in 2012.

Sendak, who was born in Brooklyn and lived in Ridgefield, Conn., discovered Washington County through the monk of New Skete Monastery, Caponera said, he admired their work and owned dogs the monks raised and trained. The monks built a dog training facility with financial help from the author. Fond of the landscape, Sendak asked Yorinks to find property near the monks' property. The search led Yorinks to Scotch Hill Farm in Cambridge, rolling property with views of Vermont's Green Mountains, a circa 1880 white clapboard farmhouse and a red barn.

Sendak held children's theater at the property and allowed non-profit groups to use the buildings for gatherings. Authors who were invited to be part of the Sendak Fellowship for illustrators in Connecticut also visited Scotch Hill Farm, where there are a number of studios Caponera had built inside one of the barns.

Sendak used a small, yellow cottage on the property for his home during the summer, although Caponera said he rarely worked at the farm. The beauty of his surroundings was too distracting, she said, so instead it was a place Sendak relaxed.

Caponera has added outbuildings and a pavilion in the years since the artist's death, but she is also the executive director and president of the board of the Maurice Sendak Foundation in Ridgefield. She said it was time to focus her energy exclusively on her work there.

Your guide to living in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and beyond New in town? Looking for a change of scenery? Find your new home or apartment. Your guide to living in the Capital Region, Catskills and Hudson Valley

There are three residences on the property, including the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom farmhouse, Sendak's cottage and a guest house. There is also a greenhouse, barns, pasture and a pond. The estate is on the market for $1.4 million.

Realtor Dona Federico, who is co-listing the property with Deborah Andersson, said she is honored to represent the property.

Ive had the opportunity to represent many special properties, many with rich history and or a brilliant story," Federico said. "Properties like this one are much more than bricks and mortar. They are magical!
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QUEENS  Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged the state's vetting process for public officials is flawed and may need to be fixed after former state Sen. Brian A. Benjamin, her former lieutenant governor, was indicted in a campaign finance scheme that includes allegations he lied on forms used by the State Police to check his background.

Hochul, who is running for a full term this year and is without a running mate for lieutenant governor, said state laws governing the removal of a candidate from the ballot are "antiquated" and should be changed.

"We did not have the truth at the time the decisions were made," Hochul told reporters Tuesday afternoon when asked if the State Police vetting process worked after Benjamin allegedy had lied in his background check.

Benjamin, whose name may remain on the ballot for the Democratic primary in June, was aware of the federal criminal investigation and had received a subpoena from the U.S. Justice Department at the time the governor was considering him for second-in-command last year.

"Clearly, if I had that information today  that we did not know about subpoenas that were in place back then and questioning  it would have been a different outcome," Hochul said of her selection last year of Benjamin to serve as lieutenant governor.

Hochul explained that despite news reports that Benjamin had been involved in questionable campaign finance issues prior to her selection, including allegations detailed in The City, she was told that the issues had been addressed.

"We had been told that every one of them had been resolved," Hochul said, adding that she understood restitution had been paid on the campaign issues noted in media reports. "That they were in the past."

She added that Benjamin personally told her that the issues had been corrected with the Board of Elections.

Hochul said that she recently became aware he was being questioned as part of a federal criminal investigation, but remained confident in him, based on the information she had.

Benjamin, who resigned from office hours after his indictment was unsealed, told reporters on Thursday that he complied with the background checks of State Police, although the prosecutor on the case, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, alleged that Benjamin had "repeatedly told lies" as part of a cover-up involving a bribery scheme intended to get him significant campaign donations in exchange for official acts.

The allegations in the indictment are not tied to Benjamin's role as lieutenant governor and are from a period when Benjamin was a state senator campaigning for the New York City comptroller's post.

"We are going to do a much better vetting process," Hochul said.

She wants to see if that procedure can be "enhanced on the theory that everything can always be made better."

At the crux of the question of reforming the process is whether changes can account for potential misleading or false information provided to investigators by a candidate for public office.

"We're going to see if we can do a different approach in terms of getting a clearer picture of exactly what's out there and if there's any questions, have they really been resolved or have they not been resolved?" Hochul said.

Benjamin was on a short list of candidates for Hochul's selection of lieutenant governor. The dynamic arose after Hochul ascended to governor following the resignation of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in August. Hochul, who is from Buffalo, had said she was looking for a person of color and someone from downstate to diversify the leadership in the executive chamber.

Hochul indicated Tuesday she is interested in selecting another lieutenant governor to fill out the remainder of Benjamin's term through the end of the year. There is precedent to leave the leader of the state Senate as acting second-in-command for extended periods of time, including as recently as 2009.

"It was clear to both of us that he could no longer serve his duties as lieutenant and governor and within hours of arrest, he was gone," Hochul said. "And now we're in search of a new individual."

Hochul pledged to continue seeking to rectify the situation given that "people's confidence has been battered for decades in Albany."

In an earlier interview on Tuesday with WNYC, she deflected a question on whether her campaign is interested in recruiting former New York City Councilwoman Diana Reyna, the running mate of gubernatorial challenger U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-Long Island.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams's running mate, Ana Maria Archila, the former director of Make the Road New York, a grassroots advocacy group, began picking up endorsements from progressive lawmakers on Wednesday in the wake of Benjamin's indictment on federal corruption charges.

It appears Benjamin will remain on the primary ballot, despite statements by his attorneys that he is suspending his campaign. (The governor and lieutenant governor run on separate lines in the primary, unlike a joint ticket in presidential races.)

Death, declining a party's nomination or moving out of the state are the only reasons to remove a candidate from the ballot in New York, according to the state Board of Elections. If Benjamin ran for another public office, that would also be considered a declination of the initial nomination.

"It's interesting how limited the options are," Hochul told WNYC, calling the rules "antiquated." She committed to changing state election law while in office.

Complicating the process is that the petitioning period for getting on the ballot has passed  unless the state's election calendar gets delayed by the Court of Appeals because of potentially faulty redistricting maps.

The travel and residency of Benjamin, as a condition of his release on bond, is limited to the New York City metropolitan area and parts of Georgia and Virginia. If he moves to Georgia or Virginia, it could remove him from the ballot.

Even if Benjamin is removed from the ballot, Hochul remains without a likely running mate. The nominating and petitioning period has passed; if she was to select someone to fill out the remainder of the term, their name would still not appear on the ballot.

Hochul could implement a similar strategy to how Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown won an election this past fall after losing the party nomination in the primary to socialist India Walton. Brown ran an aggressive write-in campaign, which included sending voters stamps with his name on them that could be easily placed on the ballot to represent a vote for him. He won decisively after the state Democratic Party and Hochul, an Erie County Democrat, refused to endorse Walton despite her party nomination.

Hochul, regardless of her running mate, believes the latest Albany scandal won't negatively influence her election bid. She had an icy relationship with former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, whose resignation in August paved the path for Hochul's ascension to governor.

"I think people understand there's a distinction between the governor and the lieutenant governor," said Hochul, who recently served the longest term as lieutenant governor since Mary Donohue from 1999 to 2006. "I know people will give me a fair shake. I'm not going to go be blamed for this by the public."
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High around 55F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.
Today

Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly in the morning. High 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 33F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

A mainly sunny sky. High 62F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tipperary Civil Defence volunteers have been commended for their time and commitment in setting up and running a rest centre for arriving displaced persons from Ukraine.

The centre, located in Littleton, was set up to accommodate Ukrainians arriving in the country as part of the countrys commitment to provide emergency accommodation to those fleeing war.

Volunteer members of the Tipperary Civil Defence unit were tasked with preparing the centre ahead of their arrival.



Beds were prepared and laid out accordingly in the community centre and food was stocked in preparation for the first group of 59, including very young children.



Upon their arrival on Saturday, April 2nd, Civil Defence volunteers stepped up in running the centre each day, ensuring the needs of the new arrivals were met, including the daily supply of essentials and additional clothing items, the preparation and serving of food, ensuring people were given any information they required, offering them support and meeting their medical needs.



Assistant Civil Defence Officer (ACDO) Anthony Graham thanked the dedicated volunteers who he said stepped up to the cause and made arriving Ukrainians feel welcomed into the community through their generosity and commitment.



"When I see our volunteers and the way they just get the job done without any fuss, they are brilliant people with endless talents and willingness to help. You could only be proud of them, he said.



Mr Graham also acknowledged the volunteers kindness toward the new arrivals, with a small birthday celebration organised for one of the children who turned 12 during her time at the centre.



Civil Defence Officer (CDO), Dolores Fahey, said: Civil Defence has again stepped up to the plate when needed in what is a particularly difficult time for the displaced persons from Ukraine.



On Tuesday, April 5 the group were moved from the centre to a more permanent accommodation setting elsewhere in the country under the instruction of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).



The centre was prepared for the next group of 60 people in total who arrived at the centre on Saturday last.



Tipperary Civil Defence, along with many other community groups who have since come on board, is set to continue to assist in running the centre and giving people escaping war safe refuge.



It comes as Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that over 20,000 Ukrainians have fled their country due to the Russian invasion and have now sought sanctuary in Ireland.



Mr Martin said Ireland will keep a united front and continue its support for Ukraine, including providing additional accommodation and supports.



He also said that the country will continue to push for the strongest sanctions on Russia at an EU level.
Gardai are investigating a potential hate-related motive in the murders of two men who potentially met their killer online.

Two separate murder investigations have been launched following the violent deaths of Aidan Moffitt, 42, and Michael Snee, 58, in the town of Sligo on the west coast.

Both men were found dead in their own homes this week having suffered extensive injuries.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder after the discovery of Mr Snees body in his apartment on Connaughton Road at around 10.30pm on Tuesday evening.

The suspect, who was detained in Sligo town at around 1.45am this morning (Wednesday April 13), remained in custody this afternoon.

Mr Moffitts body was discovered in his house in Cartron Heights at around 8.30pm on Monday.

Garda chief superintendent Aidan Glacken said gardai were keeping an open mind in regard to motivation.

Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community, he told reporters in Sligo.

They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time and indeed their friends and the wider community in Sligo.

Mr Glacken said gardai were investigating whether the two victims met their attacker online.

We are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate-related motive to these murders, he said.

An Garda Siochana will endeavour to seek out all the available evidence and ultimately it will be for a court to decide on the motivation behind these appalling crimes.

The chief superintendent said officers were examining another recent incident in the Sligo area as part of the murder probes.

I am appealing to any person who may have been subject to any unwanted approaches or who was assaulted or otherwise attacked to contact the incident room at Sligo Garda station, he added.

I have a dedicated diversity team here, we need to hear from you, we are here to listen to you and we are here to support you.

Mr Glacken said substantial Garda resources were being deployed to the investigations, with regional and national units involved.

He said a post-mortem examination had been carried out on Mr Moffitts body yesterday (April 12) and one would be conducted for Mr Snee later today.

The chief superintendent said he could not comment further on the arrest of the suspect.

Irelands Justice minister Helen McEntee branded the murders as atrocious crimes.

Speaking to media after a cabinet meeting in Dublin, Ms McEntee said: I know theres a lot of people coming to terms with whats happened in Sligo in recent days and I just firstly want to offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Aidan Moffitt and indeed to the man who was killed last night.

These really were atrocious crimes and I just want people to know that we there for them, we are there for the community but also An Garda Siochana is there for the community.

Ive spoken to the Garda commissioner (Drew Harris) this morning and he has assured me that every effort is being made to make sure that whoever or whomever was responsible for these crimes that they are brought to justice.

I also just want to say that I know its been a difficult week for the LGBT community.

I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner about the shocking events in Sligo. An Garda Siochana will investigate these appalling crimes and ensure justice is done. They will support the people of Sligo and I urge anyone with information to report it to Gardai.  Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) April 13, 2022

There have been a number of incidents which I think have upset and have been distressing for people, speaking to my own friends indeed I would include in that.

These are incidents that we thought were behind us and again I just want to reassure people that any crimes that are motivated by hate or by prejudice or by discrimination will not be tolerated, will carry higher sentences, and I hope to introduce the hate crime bill (in the Dail) in a number of weeks to respond to that.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin expressed his concern at the killings.

I urge anyone with any information to contact gardai, he tweeted.

Deputy premier Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said: What happened is unspeakable and hard to fathom.
Completion of the first purpose-built Cost Rental homes in Ireland show affordable housing is becoming a reality.

That's according to the Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, who made the comment while opening a development in Co Dublin today (Wednesday April 13), where 50 Cost Rental homes have been completed.

Under the government's plan for housing across Ireland, 18,000 Cost Rental homes - long-term rents for middle-income earners at below open-market rates - will be provided between now and 2030.

Speaking at the opening today, Minister O'Brien said, "The delivery of affordable housing is happening and its making a positive difference. Ensuring there is affordable housing to rent is a Government priority. Cost Rental housing addresses the affordability challenges faced by those on moderate incomes who wish to rent a home.

"This model of housing provides renters with a long-term security of tenure with a rent level significantly below open-market rates. I am delighted that in the case of the Woodside development at Enniskerry Road, the tenants will pay rents set at 40% below market rents."

Great day to join @tuathhousing @RespondHousing @dlrcc at Enniskerry Road where 50 cost rental&105 social homes are being delivered.



A huge thank you to everyone who brought this project to fruition & best wishes to all of the people who will make their home here#HousingforAll pic.twitter.com/Ic6o6wqWLr  Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) April 13, 2022

According to the Department of Housing, approximately 900 Cost Rental homes are projected to be delivered in 2022 and 2023.

The minister added: "A healthy pipeline of Cost Rental housing is building up and more developments are due to come on stream shortly. These developments will provide people with secure, affordable rental accommodation, and, as we deliver at scale, will help make Irelands housing market more affordable overall."
The Maine Senate has joined the House in voting to give the Passamaquoddy tribe the right to regulate its own drinking water following years of complaints about water quality
The start of warm weather for Springtime brings a bloodbath.

THIS IS THE 3RD KCMO HOMICIDE IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!

Even worse . . .

This keeps us on pace with the two deadliest years in Kansas City history which both recorded 42 killings near this date on the calendar.



Here's the report . . .



Homicide 39th and Indiana

Just before 8:30pm, officers were called to the parking lot of the Family Dollar at 39th and Indiana on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, an adult male, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The victim was transported to the hospital and was pronounced deceased.

Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene for evidence and speaking to witnesses.

Detectives are asking if you have any information, please give them a call at 816-234-5043. Or if you would like to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

###############





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City police investigate fatal shooting near 39th, Indiana homicide 39th and indiana SOURCE: KMBC Kansas City police said they're investigating a homicide near 39th Street and Indiana Avenue.Police said they were called to the area about 8:30 p.m. on a reported shooting.Authorities have not released any other details. Refresh this page for updates.

KCPD investigating homicide at 39th & Indiana KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Police Department is investigating yet another homicide. According to the police, it happened in the area of E. 39th Street and Indiana Avenue. It appears that police were called to the area for a shooting just before 8:30 p.m.

Man killed following shooting in Kansas City Family Dollar parking lot KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating after one person was killed following a shooting Tuesday night in the parking lot of a Family Dollar. Officers responded to the shooting just before 8:30 a.m. at E. 39th Street and Indiana Avenue.

Developing . . .
Here's the context that local news probably won't acknowledge . . .

When the mayor openly criticizes the chief of police in public it's pretty much a political slap in the face, a way to undermine his authority and a rebuke of his administration.

In other words . . . Mayor Q is kicking the top cop as he walks out of the door.



Here's the word . . .



Like all things with Mayor Q, it's starts nicely and then gets increasingly more insulting . . .

His side of the story . . .

"With a $12m budget increase for next year, I cannot fathom why command staff at the eleventh hour would eliminate this vital area of crime fighting and send a signal to hundreds of Kansas Citians that we are giving up on justice for their loved ones.



"This decision, which I will seek to reverse at the Police Board level and should have been done with their prior knowledge, is a disservice to victims' families, to a Council that voted to fund KCPD better than any city department, and to our community.



"This decision also gives foundation to all those weeks ago who challenged our budget increase based on the fact that the department could take our funding and do whatever they want. I hope the Board hides its usual rubber stamp and regains some modicum of institutional control."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Outgoing KCPD chief disbands Missing Persons Cold Case Squad KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith announced Monday night he has disbanded the Missing Persons Cold Case Squad because of an ongoing shortage of police officers. Smith explained at a South Kansas City Alliance meeting the move came on the heels of the latest budget negotiations.

Kansas City Police Chief Smith disbands missing persons unit after city increases police funding Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith has disbanded the Missing Persons Cold Case Squad days before he officially retires from the department and weeks after the Kansas City Council approved a $269 million budget for the KCPD. Smith made the announcement Monday night at a South Kansas City Alliance meeting.

Developing . . .
Right now we share a peek and many reasons why pr0n hottie Angela is one of our faves as she inspires this peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Labor Disputes Intensify

Kansas City-area painters, allied trades union members strike Tuesday KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 2012 will strike on Tuesday. The union encompasses trades from painting and glazing to drywall and flooring. Members voted to strike because they "answered the call to work during the height of the pandemic" and continued to work, but have not had successful negotiations to increase payment.

Golden Ghetto Goes Au Naturel

In Johnson County, biologists are poisoning trees to save birds and butterflies Let's talk about very hungry caterpillars. In Kansas and Missouri, they face an increasingly difficult time finding things to eat. That's making it ever harder for butterflies and moths to survive. Their populations are shrinking, especially in the Midwest , and the birds that eat them are disappearing, too .

Local Good Times Planned

Innovation Festival bringing 'beats, beer, biologics' to KC: Check out the bands before tickets go on sale Friday It might look like an indie rock music festival on the outside, but a just-announced, three-day event coming to Kansas City this summer is as much about the heartbeat of innovation in the region as the beats dropped by Grammy-nominated headliner Black Pumas, said Sonia Hall.

Tech Comeback For Retailer

BLK + BRWN bookstore turns pages after being hacked KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Cori Smith, owner of BLK + BRWN bookstore in Kansas City, Missouri, focused on amplifying the voices of "Black and Brown storytelling," is now rewriting her story after her business was hacked nearly a month ago. "Books, book nooks, contact information, all of my email subscriptions and lists to customers ...

Artsy Agenda Right Now

'Immersive Van Gogh' exhibit opening this month in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After two delays, the "Immersive Van Gogh" exhibit is less than two weeks away from opening in Kansas City. The digital art exhibition allows guests to "step inside" famed artist Vincent van Gogh's works. The experience uses 60,600 frames of video, 90,000,000 pixels, and 500,000 cubic feet of projections.

Backstory Double Take On Pr0n Starlet

Porn star who is paid up to 1,400 per shoot was 'labelled a slut' at 14 WHILE Australia was watching in awe as Margot Robbie got her Oscar nomination last month, another Aussie movie star was also taking the US by storm. But there's a good reason you might not have heard about it, because Angela White is a porn star.

BOLD STATEMENT FROM PREZ BIDEN!!!

Biden suggests Putin is a 'dictator' who has committed 'genocide half a world away' WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden bemoaned the spike in gas prices as being driven by a "dictator" who committed "genocide half a world away" in a speech Tuesday that was an apparent reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine.

Republicans Now Mocking MAGA?!?

GOP pollster says Republicans are mocking 'child' Trump Prominent GOP pollster Frank Luntz said in a recent interview that Republicans in private are mocking former President Trump and they are "tired of going back and rehashing the 2020 election." Luntz said he was not surprised by comments made by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) that gained attention from the Gridiron Club's annual...

COVID Cont'd In China

Shanghai COVID lockdown lifted for some, but millions remain trapped as China sticks to strict "zero-COVID" policy CBS News Tokyo - The U.S. State Department has ordered all non-emergency consular staff to leave China's largest city, Shanghai, as the global business hub enters its third week of lockdown in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. The U.S.

Pandemic Parties Earn Wrist Slap

Boris Johnson fined by police over lockdown-breaking parties at UK government premises | CNN Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his finance minister Rishi Sunak were fined by police over lockdown-breaking parties held on UK government premises, a Downing Street spokesperson told CNN on Tuesday.

Two Scoops Of Change

This 77-year old ice cream chain is getting a makeover | CNN Business Baskin-Robbins is making some changes.

Excellence Reviewed Across The Bridge

A new barbecue window in downtown Parkville serves "old-style" live-fire brisket and pork Barbecue is a tough business, especially if you're using live-fire pits that need to be tended round the clock. This new place in downtown Parkville serves "old-style" live-fire meats.

Cowtown Coffee Talk

'I'm really angry': 2 Kansas City area coffee shops close, giving workers scant notice The Northland's two Headrush Roasters Coffee & Tea shops are currently closed. "We never used the words permanently closed," said Eric Schneider, who, with his wife, Nancy Schneider, owns the two locations - at 7108 N. Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, and in The Village at Briarcliff, 4115 N. Mulberry Drive.

Storm On The Way . . .

Front could trigger isolated storms tonight; widespread storms early Wednesday Hide Transcript Show Transcript MINNESOTA AMONG OTHERS FOR US THOUGH. WE'RE STILL IN THE ACTIVE SIDE OF THIS BOUNDARY. EVENTUALLY, IT'LL MOVE THROUGH AND EVENTUALLY IT'LL SPAWN A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT COULD BE STRONG DAMAGING WINDS DAMAGING HAIL AND ALONG THE LINE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TORNADOES, TBU JUST TO SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW STRONG THE SYEMST IS.

alt-J - Hard Drive Gold is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Thanks to some of the most KICK-ASS TKC READERS we talked about an SMSD transgender controversy last week.



PAC sponsored bloggers follow-up on our conversation. They even did a bit more research and share a journalistic conversation that's worth reading.

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"The Sentinel asked Dr. Bates to explain the process for parental discussions to decide how to handle questions. We specifically asked if those conversations occur before school officials speak with children."

Read the answer via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

SMSD justifies transgender discussions with kindergarteners - The Sentinel A PTA meeting for Trailwood Elementary in the Shawnee Mision school district disclosed the district's rationale for discussing transgender and sex issues with kindergartners and other young students. In March, Dr. Tyrone Bates, who runs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Shawnee Mission, participated in an online Q&A with PTA members.

You decide . . .


Press Release

April 13, 2022 Gordon thanks Bulacan for continued support in reelection bid Senator Richard J. Gordon thanked the province of Bulacan for showering their support in his reelection bid for the upcoming May 9 general elections. Gordon, who is running for his second and final consecutive term in the Upper House, vowed to uphold the interests of Central Luzon, as he hails from nearby Zambales. "We thank many of the leaders from Bulacan for anointing me as one of their top candidates in the upcoming elections. They have recognized the top-flight brand of public service we have been dishing out for over 50 years," said Gordon. "Sinisigurado ko sa mga Bulacan, Central Luzon, at sa buong bansa, hindi ko kayo pababayaan at ipagpapatuloy ko ang walang maliw na paglilingkod upang maiahon ang ating mga sarili mula sa matinding pagkakabaon sa kahirapan," he added. Gordon was welcomed recently by incumbent governor Daniel Fernando and accompanied him to an inspirational talk with people looking for a new lease in life. The senator was also endorsed by gubernatorial candidate Willy Sy-Alvarado, who sung high praises for Gordon. Sy-Alvarado called Gordon as the "Lee Kwan Yew" of the Philippines, admiring the latter as a transformative leader during his local government days in Olongapo City and in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The veteran lawmaker also guaranteed that he would be pushing through proper legislation, the upgrading of the Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Santa Maria town. "We would want Bulakenyos to be able to enjoy their right to health care, courtesy of adequate equipment able to respond to their various medical needs," remarked Gordon. "Kapag ang tao maganda ang kalusugan, lalakas ang bayan, dahil lahat tayo makikipaglaban sa kahirapan," he continued. Also giving their blessings are longtime supporters Henry Villarica and Linabelle Ruth Villarica, who are running for Meycauayan City Mayor and Bulacan 4th District Representative, respectively. Congresswoman Lorna Silverio also commended Gordon for his unselfish brand of leadership, committed to uplifting human lives as chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Through Gordon's leadership, the PRC was able to build 107 households in the province, granted cash grants to 864 families, and vaccinated almost 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through its Bakuna Bus initiative. Responding to the frequent storms that plow Bulacan yearly, the PRC has provided a total of Php 6.8 million worth of assistance to typhoon victims. He had also saved many lives in responding to the infamous Pagoda disaster in 1993, where many casualties were reported. Bulacan is also a major recipient of the proposed Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) law, as it aims to optimize idle land in Central Luzon and existing airports and seaports for economic, agricultural, and educational development. Gordon garnered 658,179 votes in the province during the 2016 elections, fifth-most among the 12 candidates.
Brampton Mayor and Conservative Party leadership candidate Patrick Brown feels pretty good about his decision not to take part in Thursdays leadership candidate debate.
Bruce Arthur: Blasting Kieran Moore for his vacation? Well need him on our side, for bigger battles

What matters is Ontarios chief medical officer needs to be stronger on the big stuff in the pandemic, especially when resistance mounts.
Yvonne Rhicard, 40, was last seen at the end of February near Front Street and University Avenue. - Toronto Police Service photo
Premier Doug Ford is under fire for claiming Dr. Kieran Moore had a COVID-19 conference call with local health officials and was "on the job 24/7" when the chief medical officer was on a Caribbean holiday.
Students, teachers at Toronto Day of Pink event urged to 'stand up, speak out' against homophobia, bullying

Toronto admired for its diversity, but everyone must work together to ensure it stays that way, says Mayor John Tory
Charlotte Naranjit, left, and Hafsa Akhter are shown outside 40 Gordonridge Place in Scarborough. As community outreach ambassadors, they have worked to raise awareness about COVID vaccines and say the same must be done to expand awareness of the antiviral Paxlovid. - R.J. Johnston / Toronto Star
Brevard, NC (28712)

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Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 67F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 38F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
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BEIJING (AP)  Chinas exports rose 15.7% over a year ago in March while imports were flat amid disruptions due to coronavirus outbreaks as the ruling Communist Party enforces a zero-COVID strategy to isolate every case.

Exports rose to $276.1 billion despite anti-virus controls in Shanghai and other industrial hubs that are causing factories to reduce production, customs data showed Wednesday. Imports rose less than 1% to $228.7 billion.

Chinas infection numbers are relatively low, but the zero-COVID strategy has confined most of Shanghais 25 million people to their homes since late March and suspended access to other manufacturing regions.

The anti-virus curbs are adding to concerns over global trade disruptions that persist from the pandemic. Chinese officials say they are taking steps to keep ports functioning, but automakers and other factories have cut production due to problems with supplies.

Local outbreaks have caused great pressure on production and operation of some enterprises and the stability of the supply chain, said a customs official, Li Kuiwen, at a news conference. Li said the customs agency makes every effort to coordinate ports well.

An economic slowdown triggered by an official campaign to cut debt in China's vast real estate industry, meanwhile, has sapped consumer demand. Economic growth slid to 4% over a year earlier in the final quarter of 2021, down from the full year's 8.1%.

Exports to the United States rose 22.4% over a year earlier to $47.3 billion in March despite lingering tariff hikes in a feud over Beijings technology ambitions. Imports of American goods rose 11.5% to $15.2 billion.

That meant the politically volatile trade surplus with the United States widened by half over a year earlier to $32.1 billion. That imbalance was one of the factors that prompted then-President Donald Trump to hike tariffs on Chinese goods in 2019.

With almost no growth in imports, China's global trade surplus more than doubled to $47.4 billion.

Imports from Russia, a major gas supplier, fell 26.4% from a year earlier to $7.8 billion. Exports to Russia edged down 7.7% to $3.8 billion.

Beijing has criticized trade and financial sanctions imposed on Moscow by the United States, Europe and Japan over its invasion of Ukraine. But Chinese companies appear to be abiding by them while trying to guard against possible losses in dealings with Russia.

Trade and manufacturing appear likely to suffer a bigger impact this month due to the shutdown of most businesses in Shanghai and suspension of access to Guangzhou, a manufacturing and trade center in the south, and to industrial centers of Changchun and Jilin in the northeast.

Managers of the port of Shanghai, the worlds busiest, say its operations are normal. But the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China has said its member companies estimate the volume of cargo handled by the port every day is down 40%.

Exports to the 27-nation European Union fell 9.1% from a year ago to $44.4 billion while imports tumbled 41.6% to $24.3 billion. China's surplus with Europe jumped 179.3% to $20.1 billion.
NEW YORK (AP)  A cryptocurrency expert was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in federal prison for helping North Korea evade U.S. sanctions.

Virgil Griffith, 39, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, admitting he presented at a cryptocurrency conference in Pyongyang in 2019 even after the U.S. government denied his request to travel there.

A well-known hacker, Griffith also developed cryptocurrency infrastructure and equipment inside North Korea," prosecutors wrote in court papers. At the 2019 conference, he advised more than 100 people  including several who appeared to work for the North Korean government  on how to use cryptocurrency to evade sanctions and achieve independence from the global banking system.

The U.S. and the U.N. Security Council have imposed increasingly tight sanctions on North Korea in recent years to try to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The U.S. government amended sanctions against North Korea in 2018 to prohibit a U.S. person, wherever located from exporting technology to North Korea.

Prosecutors said Griffith acknowledged his presentation amounted to a transfer of technical knowledge to conference attendees.

Griffith is an American citizen who chose to evade the sanctions of his own country to provide services to a hostile foreign power, prosecutors wrote. He did so knowing that power  North Korea  was guilty of atrocities against its own people and has made threats against the United States citing its nuclear capabilities.

Defense attorney Brian Klein described Griffith as a brilliant Caltech-trained scientist who developed a curiosity bordering on obsession with North Korea. He viewed himself  albeit arrogantly and naively  as acting in the interest of peace, Klein said. He loves his country and never set out to do any harm.

Klein added that he was disappointed with the 63-month prison sentence but pleased the judge acknowledged Virgils commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute.

A self-described disruptive technologist, Griffith became something of a tech-world enfant terrible in the early 2000s. In 2007, he created WikiScanner, a tool that aimed to unmask people who anonymously edited entries in Wikipedia, the crowdsourced online encyclopedia.

WikiScanner essentially could determine the business, institutions or government agencies that owned the computers from which some edits were made. It quickly identified businesses that had sabotaged competitors entries and government agencies that had rewritten history, among other findings.

I am quite pleased to see the mainstream media enjoying the public-relations disaster fireworks as I am, Griffith told The Associated Press in 2007.

Klein previously said Griffith cooperated with the FBI and helped educate law enforcement about the so-called dark web, a network of encrypted internet sites that allow users to remain anonymous.
Three challengers emerge to take on four incumbents in Marana Council races
If the roads where residents to be affected by the Tobago Airport Expansion Project are bloc
Newly selected student ambassadors in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Student Ambassador Program bond at the Pre-Finals Snack-Potluck-Palooza in December. The members of the new program organize mixers and other on-campus events aimed at making all students in the college feel welcome and included.
By Jeff Murphy, April 12, 2022



Guest artist Dr. Mevin Butler, jazz saxaphonist and scholar, visits UCM in April.



WARRENSBURG, MO  University of Central Missouri (UCM) Music welcomes jazz saxophonist, scholar, and Kansas City native Dr. Melvin Butler, associate professor of music at the University of Miami, for a two two-day residency on campus, April 19-20. His visit includes a performance and a lecture that are free and open to the public.



On April 19, Butler will be the featured guest artist at the Spring Jazz Ensembles Concert in Hendricks Hall. The concert begins at 7 p.m.



An internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist, Butler has performed with Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band for more than two decades. He is featured with this ensemble on several albums, including the Grammy-nominated Landmarks (Verve 2014). The UCM Jazz Ensembles, under the direction of Dr. David

Aaberg, will feature Butler on charts by Bob Mintzer, Bill Holman, David Caffey, and others.



The second day of his visit, April 20, Butler will present a lecture at 10 a.m. titled Performing Transcendence: Improvisation, Instrumentality, and the Cultural Politics of Flow in Black Sacred Music. The lecture will take place in Utt Music Building, Room 008. During this presentation, Butler will examine how African American musical genres such as jazz and gospel are tied to longstanding discourses of cultural belonging, racial authenticity, and spiritual value. Music, Butler posits, is a creative yet controversial resource for performers and practitioners who strive either to maintain the sanctity or celebrate the fluidity of their traditions. His talk highlights the cultural politics of musical flow at the crossroads of local and global practice.



Butlers visit to campus is supported by the Florence Hull Greer-Oppenheimer General Studies Program, UCM Music Jazz Area, and UCM Music Academic Area.
A 37-year-old man was killed and two people were wounded in a Russian troops strike on the village of Babayi, Kharkiv region.

"According to the investigation data, Russian servicemen fired on the village of Babayi in Kharkiv region at about 14:00 on April 12, 2022. As a result, a 37-year-old man was killed. Two more people were wounded," the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

Several residential buildings in the village were damaged and destroyed.

A pre-trial investigation into violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder has been launched under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

On February 24, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops shell and destroy key infrastructure, massively fire on residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages using artillery, MLRS, ballistic missiles, aviation bombs.

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The Ukrainian cities and villages, which have been temporarily occupied, will be liberated, and not only by force of arms but also by force of morale.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The President of Ukraine once again expressed gratitude to those, who are defending Ukraine and the Ukrainian statehood against the enemy, including civilians.

We are also proud of all our people who take to the streets despite the occupation. Who are protesting. Who are expelling the occupiers as best they can. We are proud of all our people! That is why it should always be emphasized that if our cities and villages are occupied, it is only temporary. And they will definitely be liberated. They will be liberated by our heroes. And not only by force of arms, but also by force of morale, Zelensky told.

In his words, Ukrainian men and women demonstrate morale almost daily in the cities and villages, which have been occupied by Russian troops and have not yet been liberated by the Ukrainian Army. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue to fight, protest and defend the Ukrainian statehood, Zelensky stressed.

And it is necessary to punish collaborators. Let them make KhNR somewhere in Khakassia, not in our native Ukrainian Kherson, the President of Ukraine added.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on residential areas in Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

Some settlements in southern and eastern Ukraine are now controlled by Russian forces. Local residents hold peaceful rallies against the Russian aggressor there. Russian troops use force against civilians and abduct people within the occupied territories.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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The satellite images show that Russia is building up military air forces within the Lipetsk-2 airfield in Lipetsk Region.

The relevant statement was made by Radio Svoboda [Radio Liberty], an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Russia is building up military air forces within the Lipetsk-2 airfield in Lipetsk Region. The number of fighter and bomber aircrafts within the airfield increased twofold compared to late March, as evidenced by the satellite images available to Skhemy (Radio Svoboda), the report states.

Currently, more than 30 military aircrafts are stationed there. The Lipetsk-2 airfield is controlled by Russias Defense Ministry and is actively used by the Russian army for military purposes.

According to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian military are using the Lipetsk-2 airfield to attack settlements in eastern Ukraine.

On the satellite image of April 11, 2022, Russian military aircrafts were stationed within two parking areas. The military experts identified six Su-27 multirole supermaneuverable fighter aircrafts, fourteen Su-30 or Su-34 fighter-bomber aircrafts, ten Su-24 bomber aircrafts and four undefined aircrafts. The experts assume these aircrafts could have been deployed from Belarusian airfields.

The activity of the Russian military affects the operation of civil aircrafts within the region. Lipetsk Region has been included on the list of regions, where civil airports suspended operations, according to the website of Lipetsk Airport. The list mostly consists of the regions bordering or situated not far from the border with Ukraine. Such restrictions will be in effect at least until April 19, 2022.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on residential areas in Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

Photo: BlueSky Inc. / RFE/RL

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The Russian army command is deploying more volunteers to take part in the invasion of Ukraine.

Thats according to the Ukrainian Armys General Staff, Ukrinform reports.

Nearly a 400-strong battalion was formed in Leningrad region. It consists exclusively of servicemen with combat experience. They were sent to Ukraine to reinforce one of the units of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th All-Military Army, the report reads.

The operational update adds that the Russians are launching more missile and bomb strikes on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions, as well as actively conducting air reconnaissance.

Russia also raised the so-called terrorist threat level to yellow in the areas bordering Ukraine  until April 26. The move is likely aimed at organizing relocation of military equipment, weaponry, and personnel from those areas and into Ukraine.

In the Siversky direction, separate Russian military units may remain in place in the border areas of Kursk region to restrain Ukraines defense forces.

Partial siege and artillery shelling of Kharkiv continues. In some temporarily occupied territories, the enemy is trying to form units of the so-called "people's militia."

In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the Russians conducted more air strikes on Mariupol. The enemy is launching an assault mission near the Azovstal metallurgical complex and the local seaport.

In the South Buh direction, the enemy is trying to seize individual settlements, seeing no success.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukraines defenders repulsed six enemy attacks, destroyed two enemy vehicles and three artillery systems in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Ukrainian Air Force shot down Russias Su-25 (NATO: Frogfoot) fighter jet.

The enemy has significantly reduced the use of aircraft due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Russian invaders have launched a missile strike on the village of Cherkaske, Donetsk Region, leaving at least seven people wounded.

The relevant statement was made by Donetsk Regional Military Administration Head Pavlo Kyrylenko on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

At least seven people have been wounded in a missile strike launched by Russian occupiers on Cherkaske, Donetsk Region. The missile strike has hit apartment blocks this morning, Kyrylenko wrote.

In his words, Russian troops continue to shell cities and villages all over the front line.

Avdiivka and Velyka Novosilka have already come under fire today. In Avdiivka, a residential house and urban infrastructure facilities were damaged. In Velyka Novosilka, the enemy shell hit a detached house, and its owner suffered a mild concussion, Kyrylenko noted.

According to Kyrylenko, the crimes committed by Russian troops are being thoroughly recorded.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on residential areas in Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

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President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, and President of Latvia Egils Levits have visited the towns destroyed by Russian troops in Kyiv region.

This is stated on Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Office of the President of Poland, Ukrinform reports.

As noted, after visiting the destroyed towns near Kyiv, in particular Borodianka, the delegation of four presidents will meet in Kyiv with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian officials.

As reported, in his address to the Parliament of Estonia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that such visits to the Ukrainian capital are especially important today as they show that all European defenders of freedom will continue to stand united in the struggle without any political or economic bows to the Russian Federation.

On February 24, Russia started a new phase of the war against Ukraine. The enemy massively fires on and bombs peaceful Ukrainian cities and towns. The whole people of Ukraine rose up to fight the invaders. The Armed Forces and the Territorial Defense Forces stopped the enemy's offensive and inflict heavy losses on Russian troops.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he wants Ukraine to maintain good and strategic relations with all its neighbors as it does with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

He said this at a joint press conference with the presidents of these countries in Kyiv on Wednesday, Ukrinform reports.

"Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have always stood with our state. I would like Ukraine to have relations with all its neighbors  family-like, friendly, partnership, strategic, honest and open [relations] with these leaders. [..] I am sure that the four states will be the first on all pages of the future history of the country. And our future is great because with such partners and friends, we will definitely win," Zelensky said.

He thanked the leaders of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia for their support of Ukraine, adding that they have always stood with Ukraine and have supported Ukrainians.

Presidents Andrzej Duda of Poland, Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania, Egils Levits of Latvia and Alar Karis of Estonia arrived in Kyiv on April 13. They visited towns near the Ukrainian capital where they saw firsthand the consequences of Russian war crimes.
Four people were killed and ten more were wounded in Russian aggressors attacks on Kharkiv on April 13.

"Unfortunately, four civilians were killed and ten more were wounded in the shelling over the day," Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

At the same time, Synehubov stressed that the residential areas of Kharkiv with no military infrastructure had come under fire. Intense artillery strikes on Pivnichna Saltivka, 602nd microdistrict, KhTZ, Zhukovsky village were recorded.

On February 24, Russian president Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops shell and destroy key infrastructure facilities, massively fire on residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages using artillery, MLRS, ballistic missiles, and aviation bombs.

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President of Poland Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, President of Latvia Eigles Levits, Estonian President Alar Karis will be visiting Kyiv today.

This was announced by Nauseda on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Heading to Kyiv with a strong message of political support and military assistance. Lithuania will continue backing Ukraine's fight for its sovereignty and freedom. Together to victory! the statement reads.

According to ERR, the leaders will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The parties will discuss the provision of assistance to the Ukrainian Army and civilians, as well as the investigation of war crimes in order to hold the perpetrators accountable.

As reported, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns, using artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles.

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has provoked a united response from the European Union, which has imposed tough sanctions on Russia, provided substantial political, economic, financial, and military support to Ukraine, and hosted millions of Ukrainians fleeing the war.

According to the UN, the number of Ukrainian refugees has exceeded 4.5 million.

Photo: lrp.tl
Greece will start exploring hydrocarbons for the first time in 22 years.

This was stated by Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Ukrinform reports with reference to Protagon.

"Greece is accelerating hydrocarbon exploration, our country may have significant gas reserves," Mitsotakis said.

He added that the exploration of gas deposits will be completed by the end of next year, while the first exploratory drilling will be launched by the end of 2023.

"If we have usable volumes (of gas - ed.), we will replace imports with national wealth But we need to know exactly whether we have gas reserves that are economically feasible," the head of government said.

According to the prime minister, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has revealed "Europe's structural energy weakness", which has consequences for all EU citizens.

As reported, Russian gas covers about 40% of Greeces annual energy needs, while the country is expanding the use of renewables.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Estonia to promote increased sanctions against the Russian Federation at the EU level, including the complete blockade of Russian banks and the embargo on energy imports from Russia.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech in the Parliament of Estonia, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

I am calling on you, when endorsing a new, very important sanctions package against Russia at the EU level, to defend the need to fully blockade all Russian banks, not only some of them. I am calling on you to finally include oil in the sanctions package. The embargo is needed across the EU, Zelensky told.

In his words, it is necessary to introduce sanctions, as they are the only instrument that could force Russia to peace.

I urge you at the EU level to find such instruments of influence and pressure on Russia that could stop deportations and bring all the deported people back home. The EU has power to ensure this. The EU must use this power. Until Russia brings all the forcibly taken Ukrainians back, until it brings thousands of the stolen children back, it should not receive any money from EU countries or companies. The EU has no right to sponsor deportations. The EU has no right to sponsor war, Zelensky stressed.

The President of Ukraine also expressed gratitude to Estonia for providing support to Ukraine.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on residential areas in Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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The Council of the EU adopted the decision to increase military aid to Ukraine by EUR 500 million, thus bringing the total amount allocated for Ukraine's defense needs under the European Peace Facility to EUR 1.5 billion.

With this new additional 500 million, the EU has allocated a total of 1.5 billion to support EU Member States supplies of military equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The next weeks will be decisive. As Russia prepares for an offensive on the East of Ukraine, it is crucial that we continue and step up our military support to Ukraine to defend its territory and population and prevent further suffering, said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

As noted, the agreed measures will finance both the provision of equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by EU Member States, including personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel, as well as military equipment designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes.

The duration of the assistance measures is also extended by 24 months.

Previous assistance measures were agreed on 28 February and 23 March 2022.

On February 24, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops shell and destroy key infrastructure facilities, massively fire on residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages using artillery, MLRS, ballistic missiles, and aviation bombs.

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That the presidents of the four EU nations visited the liberated parts of Kyiv region testifies to support for Ukraine in the international arena.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal wrote about this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"The visit of the presidents of the four EU nations to Kyiv region shows a strong international coalition in support of Ukraine. And I hope it will convince those who doubt that dealing with Russia is to finance terrorism and genocide of Ukrainians," the prime minister wrote.

Shmyhal noted that the four presidents saw in Borodianka multiple residential buildings and infrastructure destroyed by the invaders, civilian cars shot at and burned, including those that had the inscription "Children" on them.

"They talked about the need to introduce large-scale sanctions that will help stop the war. I raised the issue of the inevitable accountability the aggressor will face," the head of government said.

He also stressed the need to restore Ukraine as soon as possible, adding that the Russian funds and property seized abroad must be used to rebuild damaged and destroyed infrastructure.

As reported earlier, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, together with President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Latvia Egils Levits, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, and President of Poland Andrzej Duda visited the towns in Kyiv region, destroyed by Russian invaders.
Russia's actions in Ukraine are not a war, but real terrorism and banditry, so sanctions must be imposed on the aggressor state to exclude it from the international community which respects civilized norms.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda made a relevant statement at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, and President of Latvia Egils Levits in Kyiv on April 13, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Duda said he saw two faces of war in Ukraine: military clashes between the two armies and the bombardment of civilian objects by Russian troops.

"I told President Zelensky and other presidents: this is not war, but terrorism. If someone sends planes and soldiers to bomb houses, kill civilians, it is not a war. It is cruelty, banditry, and terrorism," Duda said.

The President of the Republic of Poland stressed that Russia had violated all the norms of warfare and the international law in Ukraine.

"There is no place in the international community for those who violate these norms," he said, adding that the sanctions against Russia must be imposed to exclude it from the civilized international community.

He believes that tough sanctions must end the war and be an example of what is unacceptable in the future. Therefore, resistance to Russian aggression must be "absolute, firm, and decisive."

According to Duda, it is impossible to have a normal dialogue with Russia until it admits that it has violated international norms.

"In short, they must be defeated in order to start a normal conversation with them," the President of Poland said.

Duda stressed that international tribunals must punish all those guilty of harassing, killing, and bombing civilians in Ukraine.

He also expressed hope that Ukraine would soon become a part of the EU as a sovereign, independent, and self-sufficient country.

As reported, on April 13, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, and President of Latvia Egils Levits arrived in Kyiv. They visited the localities in Kyiv region to see the consequences of Russian war crimes with their own eyes.

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President of Latvia Egils Levits advocates establishing a special tribunal to punish the crime of aggression against Ukraine and providing Ukraine with the effective weapons it needs today and tomorrow.

Levits made a relevant statement at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda in Kyiv on April 13, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The President of Latvia noted that together with his colleagues he saw with his own eyes the horrors committed by the Russian military in Kyiv region.

There is no doubt that war crimes were committed. There must be a responsibility for that I would like to support the idea of setting up a special tribunal for the crime of aggression similar to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia  I think we need to set up a special tribunal for Russia's war against Ukraine, Levits said.

He stressed that the entire chain of Russian command must face this tribunal, from the first person that gave the general order to the last perpetrator who committed these crimes on the ground.

"No one can say that he did it on the orders of his superiors because these war crimes are crimes against humanity and such excuses are simply unacceptable," he said.

Levits also noted that Ukraine, which "is fighting for all of us", needs military assistance. In this context, he said that Latvia had spent a third of its annual military budget in two months to help Ukraine strengthen its defense capabilities.

"It is important that all NATO members help Ukraine with the effective weapons it needs today and tomorrow to defend itself. We represent four countries that are doing everything they can, and we call on other countries to help Ukraine," the President of Latvia said.

As reported, on April 13, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, President of Estonia Alar Karis, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, and President of Latvia Egils Levits arrived in Kyiv. They visited the localities in Kyiv region to see the consequences of Russian war crimes with their own eyes.

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An enemy agent collecting data on the Ukrainian military units has been detained in Cherkasy region.

Thats according to the SBU Office in Cherkasy region, Ukrinform reports.

Counterintelligence operatives have learned that a local resident had been collecting and transferring to enemy forces sensitive information on the location of military and strategic infrastructure facilities across the region, including with their geolocation, and informed the invaders about the movement of military equipment.

The culprit was careful in his clandestine work for Russia, swapping phones and sim cards to send intelligence to his handlers with the illegal armed groups of the so-called "LPR/DPR" and the Russian government.

SBU officers detained the enemy asset in a household where he had been hiding. Mobile devices the perpetrator had been using for communication with his handlers were seized during the raid.

The man was charged with unauthorized circulation of data on Ukraines Army, committed under martial law.
Letter: Taking Precautions Amid Increased COVID-19 Cases

Dear UMB Community:

COVID-19 infections and exposure reports have risen at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) over the last month. We expected some increase when we loosened our protective measures, but the BA.2 variant is contributing to a more rapid spread.

I am writing to arm you with information you need to make the best choices for yourself, and I am sharing what extra precautions you can take to help stop the spread.

From the data the UMB Public Health team is receiving from students, faculty, and staff, the University has seen more positive cases in the first half of April than were reported in all of March.

While that is a sharp uptick, national modeling has shown that this is expected to be a small bump in the road if we continue to take precautions.

Heres what each of us can do to help stop the spread now:

For the time being, please use good judgment and consider wearing a mask indoors while at UMB, and please consider doing the same while in indoor areas in the community. Here's why:

If you are inside and unmasked near another unmasked person who is then found to be positive, you will be considered a close contact, and follow-up testing will be required. And, if you are not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, you will be advised to quarantine.



If you were wearing a tight-fitting KN95 or equivalent mask when this exposure happened, you would not need to report this contact or get follow-up testing. Or, if the positive person had been wearing a mask, they would have prevented close-contact exposures to others. You can see how more use of masks indoors will prevent not only infection, but also significant hassle!



It can be difficult to judge what type of COVID-19 risk you might have while attending events, parties, and concerts given the new environment we are in. Use this COVID-19 Event Risk Tool from Georgia Tech to give you a perspective on your risk of being in the same space as someone with COVID-19, based on the county and number of people present.

Get your COVID-19 vaccination booster if you are eligible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that people over the age of 50 receive an additional booster four months after receiving their first booster dose. People age 12 and older who are immunocompromised can receive a second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and people age 18 and older who are immunocompromised can receive a second booster dose of the Moderna vaccine. More information can be found here. Note that University of Maryland Immediate Care has vaccines for students and will welcome employees for booster shots after April 18. Call 667-214-1800 to schedule.

Do not come to campus if you are feeling sick, if you are showing symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and especially if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

If you have had a known exposure, please wear a tight-fitting KN95 or equivalent mask when around other people for the time period after exposure when you are monitoring symptoms and getting tested.

Please use the COVID-19 Report Form when youve tested positive for COVID-19, have symptoms that may be due to COVID-19, or had a close contact exposure.



Note that if you test positive for COVID-19, the EARLIEST you may be able to return to campus is six days later, and that is only if you are feeling better AND have a negative rapid antigen test on Day 5 and Day 6. Please do not return earlier just because you are feeling well  you can be without symptoms and still spread the virus. When using the form, please remember to check your email after submitting. The email will provide specific instructions, including possible recommendations for you to not come to campus, get tested, and isolate. (Additionally, if you receive an error message when opening the form, please use an alternate Web browser.)



The UMB COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Protocols will provide a quick-glance reference for your situation, but to receive specific direction for your case, you are encouraged to use the COVID-19 Report Form.

If you need more guidance, visit the federal governments new one-stop website, COVID.gov

Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and the UMB community safe.

Stay healthy,

Marianne Cloeren, MD, MPH

Associate Professor

University of Maryland School of Medicine

UMB Public Health Officer
A young girl at a temporary site for refugees from Sudan and South Sudan in Tsore, Ethiopia, which is among several East African countries suffering from a shortage in humanitarian food rations.  UNHCR/Adelina Gomez Monteagudo

NAIROBI  Millions of displaced families across eastern Africa will fall deeper into hunger as food rations dwindle due to humanitarian resources being stretched to the limit as the world grapples with a toxic cocktail of conflict, climate shocks, and COVID-19, combined with spiraling costs of food and fuel, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned today.

Despite efforts to make resources stretch through prioritisation schemes, meaning food assistance is prioritised for the most vulnerable families, the sheer number of refugees in need of support has grown, along with the gap between resourcing and needs. In the past decade the number of refugees in eastern Africa has nearly tripled, going from 1.82 million in 2012 to almost 5 million today including 300,000 new refugees last year alone.

The growth in refugee numbers has not been matched by a growth in resources, forcing WFP to make difficult decisions about who receives food assistance and who goes without. Today, over 70 percent of refugees in need of assistance do not receive a full ration due to funding shortfalls.

Refugees and internally displaced people are at the centre of the food ration cuts, compounding a desperate situation for millions of people uprooted from their homes and often relying on aid to survive, said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCRs Regional Bureau Director for the East, Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes. More and more children below the age of five years are experiencing high levels of stunting and wasting, as they lack the nutrients to grow and develop.

Families do not know where their next meal will come from and are taking on huge debt, selling off what they can, or sending their children to work, added Nkweta-Salami. The risk of domestic violence is rising. Getting people out of harms way and shielding them from serious protection risks also requires that their food needs are adequately addressed.

A sharp increase in food and fuel costs and conflict-caused displacement are being compounded by a worsening climate crisis. Globally, floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, severely impacting countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, and worsening food insecurity.

The unfortunate reality is that eastern Africa is confronted with a year of unprecedented humanitarian needs, driven by severe climate shocks, ongoing conflict and instability, and surging food and fuel prices, said Michael Dunford, WFPs Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

The growth in needs here mirrors what we see happening around the globe and we implore the world not to turn its back on this region and, in particular, the extremely vulnerable communities of refugees who have limited access to livelihoods and rely on WFP to survive.

There is likely to be little relief through 2022 as the conflict in Ukraine will cause a wave of collateral hunger by further exacerbating existing problems such as record high food prices. Refugees are one of the most vulnerable populations and will be among the first to feel the effects of rising costs, which come as communities are still reeling from two years of socioeconomic fallouts due to COVID-19.

WFP requires US$226.5 million to provide full rations for refugees across Eastern Africa for the period April to September 2022.

Note to editors:

Burundi: There are more than 86,000 refugees hosted in Burundi, the majority of whom are from the DRC. In April, WFP provided full rations to 54,000 refugees. However, the activity has a shortfall of 64 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$6 million.

Djibouti: Almost 35,000 refugees are hosted in Djibouti. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at 92 percent for those receiving in-kind rations and no reductions for those receiving cash. The activity has a shortfall of 45 percent for the period April to September 2022 with a net funding requirement of US$2.9 million.

Ethiopia: There are more than 837,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in Ethiopia, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at 60 percent rations due to funding constraints. The activity has a shortfall of 82 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$87.7 million.

Kenya: There are nearly 547,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at 50 percent rations for those living in Dadaab and Kakuma camps and 60 percent for those living in Kalobeyei. The activity has a shortfall of 53 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$73.1 million.

Rwanda: There are some 122,000 refugees who receive humanitarian assistance in Rwanda. Funding shortfalls meant a needs-based prioritisation scheme was introduced in May 2021 where highly vulnerable refugees currently receive 92 percent rations and moderately vulnerable refugees receive 46 percent rations. The activity has a shortfall of 55 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$13.9 million.

South Sudan: One of the poorest and most conflict impacted countries in the region is also host to almost 340,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Most face high levels of poverty and have limited access to livelihood opportunities. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at 50 percent rations due to funding constraints. The activity has an overall shortfall of 36 percent for April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$62.9 million.

Sudan: There are more than 1.1 million refugees in Sudan, mostly from South Sudan. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at full rations. The activity has a shortfall of 64 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$47.8 million.

Tanzania: There are over 248,000 refugees in Tanzania. WFPs support to refugees is being implemented at 68 percent rations due to funding constraints. The activity has a shortfall of 43 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$21 million.



Uganda: With almost 1.6 million refugees and asylum-seekers, Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa and the third largest in the world. Funding shortfalls meant that a geographical prioritisation scheme was introduced in October 2021 where some refugees living in camps in north-west Uganda receive 70 percent rations and others receive 60 percent or 40 percent, depending on geographical location. The activity has a shortfall of 51 percent for the period April to September 2022, with a net funding requirement of US$74.9 million.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media @WFP_Africa

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.

Follow us on Twitter @Refugees @RefugeesAfrica

For more information please contact (email address: [email protected]):
Edesi Waiti, 70, cooks cassava outside Marka Primary School in Malawi's Nsanje district, where she and her grandchildren sought shelter after Tropical Storm Ana destroyed her house.  UNHCR/Rumbani Msiska

It had been a typical day for 70-year-old Edesi Waiti and her four grandchildren. Sixteen-year-old Rafayelo, the eldest, had bought a packet of beans with the money he earned selling mangos that morning. Waiti set about preparing supper for the household. It was 25 January 2022, and a powerful storm was heading their way.

As well as having poor eyesight and difficulty walking, Waiti is hard of hearing and paid little attention to the radio playing in the background of their home in Madani village, in Malawis southern district of Nsanje.

Three days earlier, Malawis Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services had begun issuing daily weather warnings on national radio of the fast-approaching Tropical Storm Ana. Waiti and her family were unaware that the storm had made landfall, and that their village on the muddy banks of the Shire River lay directly in its path.

After supper, we went to bed as usual, Waiti says.

When the storm hit, the heavy downpour and fierce winds sent torrents of water rushing between the thatched huts of the village before, suddenly, the river burst its banks. Waitis neighbours ran to warn her.

"... the house was washed away."

I do not know who pushed the door in, she says, but we were woken up and told to get out. We were not even able to take any of our belongings before the house was washed away.

In the space of a few minutes, Waiti and her grandchildren lost everything. Edesi was carried to higher ground as her grandchildren headed for cover. The family and the other villagers then began the 5-kilometer-walk to Marka primary school where they found shelter.

I lost all the few belongings I had put together during the years, including my chickens and goats, Waiti says.

Tropical Storm Ana devastated swathes of Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi between 20 and 25 January, causing large scale displacement, flooding, and damage to public and private infrastructure. In Malawi, at least 46 people were killed, with 18 still missing and more than 200 injured.

While seasonal rains are an annual occurrence, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of cyclones and tropical storms in the region, wreaking havoc on the lives of people most vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather.

See also: Displaced on the frontlines of the climate emergency

In Malawi, more than 190,000 people lost or fled their homes while close to a million were affected by the destruction of property and crops caused during the storm. Mor More than three months after the storm, displaced people are still living in 141 evacuation camps in Malawi, 21 of which are in Nsanje district, one of the worst-affected areas.

Nsanje is also host to families who fled across Malawis southern border in the wake of the storm from neighbouring Mozambique.

Sixty-five-year-old Chakuamba Muliri, his wife Christina, 58, and their nine children fled their village in Mozambiques central Zambezia Province after Tropical Storm Ana destroyed their home and livelihood.

All our domestic livestock and crops were destroyed and washed away, Muliri says. With Malawi offering the nearest route to safety, the family crossed the border seeking shelter and help.

Since late January, they have found temporary shelter in Nsanje district, along with more than 9,000 displaced Mozambicans and 14,000 displaced Malawians.

We came here with nothing and are relying on relief items donated by well-wishers, explains Muliri, whose family is accommodated at Bangula Admarc camp, the districts main evacuation centre.

Both Waiti and Chakuamba's families are desperate for help. The evacuation centres where they live lack basic necessities such as decent shelter, clean water and proper sanitation.

Chakuamba Muliri, 65 (far right), his wife Christina, 58 (far left), and their family fled Mozambique's Zambezia Province after Tropical Storm Ana destroyed their home.  UNHCR/Rumbani Msiska

Residents of Nkando village try to remove a vehicle that was washed away when Chikuli river burst its banks during Tropical Storm Ana.  UNHCR/Rumbani Msiska

It is unbearable, Waiti admits. We are living under these trees braving endless heavy rains while waiting for pupils at Marka Primary school to leave for the day so that we can occupy the classrooms overnight.

While the Governments of Malawi and Mozambique along with other public and private sources have provided a level of assistance, much more is required.

Of a total funding appeal of US$29.4 million issued by UN agencies, international and national NGOs, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency requires around US$1 million to provide much-needed services to internally displaced people (IDPs) in Malawi.

A separate funding proposal through Malawis Department of Disaster Management Affairs has also been submitted to the African Development Bank (AfDB), to provide emergency response and recovery services for IDPs and displaced Mozambican nationals.

We aim to help 10,000 people by providing core-relief items including buckets, blanket, sleeping mats, dignity kits, and shelter kits, says Henok Ochalla, UNHCRs Senior Durable Solutions Officer in Malawi.

"All I want is to end my days at home."

Among those UNHCR is prioritizing for assistance are women and girls at risk. Those with other specific needs  including vulnerable children, people with disabilities, expectant mothers and older people  will be identified and given support.

In addition, says Ochalla the UN Refugee Agency is identifying, monitoring and providing access to legal assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, as well as ensuring the protection of children and prevention against sexual exploitation and abuse of the people it is assisting.

Both Malawi and Mozambique are at the peak of their rainy seasons, making it unlikely that people displaced by Tropical Storm Ana will be able to return home soon.

Muliri and his family have no idea when they might return to their village or how they will find the means to rebuild their lives.

For Waiti, her first thought every morning when she wakes up is of her house that was destroyed and the uncertain future now awaits.

All I want is to end my days at home, she says as she waits patiently for assistance. I pray that I have the strength and survive this situation long enough to do so.
At the border post in Medyka, Poland, a steady stream of exhausted refugees from Ukraine  most of them women with children  appear at the gate leading from passport control, dragging their luggage behind them.

The path ahead is lined with aid tents staffed by volunteers offering the new arrivals food, water, clothing, and toys and sweets for their children. More volunteers trundle past pushing shopping trolleys full of donated goods while a man plays Imagine on a baby grand piano he towed here from Germany.

Most of the refugees hurry past, intent on joining the queue for free buses that will transport them on the next stage of their journeys. At train stations and shelters in Przemysl, Rzeszow and Warsaw they will encounter a similar patchwork array of volunteers  some of them working for established aid agencies or private companies, but many of them independent individuals, motivated by the urge to provide some measure of comfort and assistance to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

"I decided to help. It's about humanity"

Magdalena Rokita, a primary school teacher wearing a high-vis vest, has been volunteering at the train station in Rzeszow, about 65 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, since the crisis started. Im not with an organization, she says. I have some free time in the mornings, so I decided to help. Its about humanity.

During the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, when refugees were arriving to Poland and other countries in the region in their hundreds of thousands, volunteers like Magdalena mobilized overnight to help the new arrivals. This massive upswelling of volunteerism has received international acclaim, but seven weeks into the war, there are increasing fears that traffickers and criminal networks are taking advantage.

In a statement on 12 April, Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, noted that while the generosity and solidarity towards Ukrainian refugees has been inspiring, states must prevent predatory individuals and criminal networks from exploiting the situation.

We are on high alert and warning refugees on the risks of predators and criminal networks who may attempt to exploit their vulnerability or lure them with promises of free transport, accommodation, employment or other forms of assistance, she added.

It is impossible to know how many refugees from Ukraine have already fallen prey to traffickers and abusers, but Nadia Abu-Amr, who is coordinating UNHCRs efforts to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in Poland, says the risks are clear.

The most obvious one is the high proportion of women and children, who make up 90 per cent of all those fleeing Ukraine.

Another red flag is the lack of controls at border points like Medyka where, as of late March, there was no system for registering volunteers or monitoring the different groups and people accessing the border area.

You have this massive volunteer force here, which has done a tremendous job jumping in and responding to something that happened very suddenly, but it is also a double-edged sword, says Abu-Amr, noting that it was impossible to know where all the volunteers have come from or what level of training they have had.

Angelina, 18 (centre), with her sister Albina, 14 (left), and cousin Victoria, 18, in a waiting room at Rzeszow train station. Angelina accepted a lift from a stranger when she arrived in Poland from Ukraine.  UNHCR/Maciej Moskwa

The vast majority of those crossing into Poland from Ukraine are women and children.  UNHCR/Maciej Moskwa

Volunteers with donated items for refugees at a building in Rzeszow that has been turned into a shelter with 500 beds.  UNHCR/Maciej Moskwa

Another major risk factor, she says, is the desire of many of the refugees to continue onwards from the border as quickly as possible. The Government of Poland has made free public transport available to the refugees, but there are many accounts of people who are trying to get through in the fastest way possible, getting in cars with someone who offers them a lift.

Angelina, 18, has lived in Poland for the past three years while studying tourism management, but she was in Ukraine visiting her family in Odesa when the war broke out. As she already had a return train ticket for 26 February, she decided to use it. The train was packed with 11 people in her carriage designed for four. When she finally made it to the train station in Przemysl, a Polish town near the border, she was overwhelmed by offers of help.

"I was so tired, I didn't think to ask him for an ID."

In the first minute, volunteers were helping with my luggage, offering me food and one man offered to take me from the station to where I was staying. I was so tired, I didnt think to ask him for an ID or anything, she says, adding she did turn on her phones tracker and share her location with a friend.

The man delivered her safely to where she wanted to go, but the risks in such scenarios are clear.

Magdalena Rokita, the volunteer at Rzeszow train station, says she and her fellow volunteers have their own system for checking those offering lifts. We take a picture of their license, and we try to make sure refugees dont travel alone, she says. If I see a driver I dont know, I wont accept them until I have their documents.

Abu-Amr says such ad hoc approaches are great to see, but they urgently need to be replaced by a structured system. UNHCR has called for strengthened vetting systems for registering and screening organizations and individual volunteers offering support or transportation to refugees.

UNHCR is also working with national authorities in charge of registering refugees to help identify those most at risk who need additional support from specialist staff and trained volunteers. Early in the crisis the agency also launched an awareness-raising campaign, distributing printed materials to refugees on both sides of the border, with information on how they can protect themselves and report incidents of sexual misconduct or criminal activity.

See also: Cash offers a lifelife to refugees from Ukraine arriving in Poland

More information and services for particularly vulnerable women and children, survivors of gender-based violence and other vulnerable refugees, are also available at Blue Dot help desks and via UNHCRs web-based help page. Three Blue Dot desks have so far been set up by UNHCR and UNICEF near the border and in dedicated spaces in Warsaw and Krakow where refugees enrol for UNHCRs cash assistance programme.

UNHCR has also been working with the International Organization for Migration to offer training to volunteers working at the border to make them more aware of trafficking risks, including what to do if they see something suspicious. Another component of the training covers some of the core principles of protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian work, including the prohibition on asking for anything in exchange for aid.

Part of it is an awareness of the power dynamics at play, the immense power volunteers hold when they step out here and theyre dealing with people who are incredibly vulnerable, says Abu-Amr.

The volunteer efforts are really commendable, and we want to make good use of their presence here, she adds. We cannot see everything, but with proper awareness and training, they can be our eyes and ears.
They fled to Nigeria from different countries and left behind different professions: Three women now have one objective - to run a proper business as painters in a male-dominated sector. UNHCR/Emmanuel Campos

Along Lekki highway, just outside of Nigerias bustling megacity Lagos, the economy seems to be humming: Traffic is dense, and businesses are flourishing. New constructions spring up like mushrooms, and in a freshly erected apartment complex, three painters are hard at work. Brush in hand, helmet and yellow vest on, these are no ordinary daily labourers.

Mpela Leontin Ndonda, Landu Mamy Leko and Luti Pebe, three refugee women, who met during a professional training in painting, now work together as professional painters. An unusual sight in the construction industry, confirms Mpela who arrived from her native Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) many years ago. Everywhere, when they see us painting, they say ah women!

The three women break gender barriers with success: Now, when people see that a woman can do a mans job, they prefer to give the contract to the woman, Mpela says. The three friends are members of the Association of Women in Construction, which provides networking and other opportunities to women through its chapters across Nigeria.

The job near Lekki Highway is routine for them. They only came for retouches. We have been taking on way bigger jobs, painted entire buildings, Landu, also from DRC, says with pride. We are not afraid to climb on scaffoldings.

Nothing destined the three women to work together. If Mpela and Landu came to Nigeria a long time ago, Luti  from Central African Republic (CAR)  only arrived in 2014, and was granted refugee status in 2018. Mpela was a civil servant, but found herself a political prisoner. When she finally managed to flee to Nigeria, she could not bring her children because of the rush.

I have no information about my husband, my children. I dont know if they are alive.

Lutis story is not less heart-breaking. In 2014, she was suddenly uprooted as violence reached her area. They threw grenades in our village; I couldnt help but to run, straight to Nigeria, through Cameroon, she recalls. I didnt look back, but now I have no information about my husband, my children. I dont know if they are alive.

Landu followed her husband to Nigeria, but is reluctant to share details. Even after 16 years, she still fears retaliation for having left.

Once in Nigeria, it was a story of survival for each woman. Seeking refuge in churches, relying on the generosity of the community, all three took on informal jobs. Mpela found solace in catering: she took the initiative and paid for a one-year catering course, then Landu and her baked cakes for events. Eventually, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, granted her money to buy a cooking kit, pans and stoves, so they could turn their informal business into a more stable occupation.

Luti, on her part, rekindled her passion for hairdressing, a vocation she embraced in CAR. Thus, she started making wigs, weaving hair, and could soon afford a hair dryer and a hair straightener, the first steps toward building her own beauty salon.

Lagos remained a harsh place for them, just like for Nigerians. Political winds, unpredictable energy supply or just the tides of supply and demand affect every business. So when the occasional event caterers Mpela and Landu learned of a paid training in construction skills, they signed up immediately. An opportunity to learn something different, and to tackle what is seen as a male-dominated trade, would make them less dependent on the demand for cakes, they thought.

There, they met Luti, trying to switch career after four years in hairdressing which bore heavily on her health, as weaving hair all day long took a toll on her back. It is truly a miracle of God, Mpela says, such a course is only for young adults, and I was already over 35!

Run by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), this programme trains them in several trade skills. UNHCR regularly informs refugees about the opportunities with LSETF and refers them to the Fund. UNHCRs protection and livelihoods partner Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) selects potential candidates among the refugee community and promotes the programme, explains Felicia Aladesua, JDPCs Livelihoods Officer. LSETF organises the training and pays for transportation fees. This year, Felicia adds, eight refugees graduated from the training center, and they are all working now. JDPC accompanies each participant with counselling and placement advice. UNHCR, together with JDPC, has advocated for the inclusion of refugees in the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees. One of its key objectives is that refugees self-reliance is enhanced.

We have now countless job offers, Mpela announces with a smile. We work full time, Monday to Friday, and I cant recall how many painting jobs weve had.

I live in Nigeria, Im eating your food You need to pay me like Nigerians!

The start was not easy: Before, people tried to pay us less because we are refugees. Mpela recalls: But I used to say: I live in Nigeria, Im eating your food, Im drinking your water you need to pay me like Nigerians! And the contractors complied. Different from hairdressing and catering, the three refugee women now have a regular income. Whether a days task or a month-long project, each job brings between 2,500 and 6,000 Naira (about 5 to 12 US$) a day for each worker.

The Association of Women in Construction helped with contacts, and LSETF supplied them safety gear and equipment. Only the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the construction sites closed, put them off for six months. They never gave up. We resorted to our previous skills, says Luti, and went back into catering and hair dressing.

Now that the painting market is back, the refugee ladies aim for more  to properly register a company, be truly on their own, win more contracts and maybe, take in employees and apprentices. We are allowed to create a company, but the bureaucracy is hard, especially if you are not Nigerian, knows Landu. UNHCRs partner JDPC is trying to help. And their own resilience will help the painting women succeed in a mens world.

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Screen-based media have proliferated over the past 20 years or so, and their ubiquity in the lives of children is looking more and more problematic, says family psychologist John Rosemond. (Dreamstime/TNS)
When Daisha Williams spoke to a white counselor off campus about feeling alienated from her motheras side of the family for being biracial, her pain was trivialized, she said. College campuses are having trouble recruiting enough therapists to meet the mental health needs of students overall a and few predominantly white colleges employ mental health professionals who represent the diversity of their student bodies. (Logan Cyrus/Kaiser Health News/TNS)
We want robust discussions happening at the conference. We want labor unions to speak with and hear from businesses, and vice versa. We want to have them talking with each other as equal partners." - Jim Begley, director, William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies

Jim Begley's plans are large. They are tailored to fit in with meeting UNOs workforce development mission, as well as offering top education opportunities to the states labor unions.He is taking a big step forward on these plans, starting with the re-vamped Nebraska Works! Conference in early April.We want robust discussions happening at the conference. We want labor unions to speak with and hear from businesses, and vice versa. We want to have them talking with each other as equal partners, he said.In addition to this open discussion at the conference, Begley has other goals including developing e-learning methods for the states labor unions and potentially offering UNO credit courses in labor studies. The Institute currently offers non-credit classes for labor union members. Begley hopes to expand these offerings as well. These courses cover topics such as collective bargaining, grievance handling, labor history, and leadership training and skills.

Housed within the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies has been part of the University for more than 40 years. The Institute was originally developed by the state legislature, which found UNO to be the best home for it. Begley is the second director of the institute.

Tell us about labor unions in our state. About 8.8% of our workforce in the State of Nebraska works in unions. The number has been declining, but the popularity and support is growing according to Gallup polls. For example, in 2021, the approval rating for unions was 68%, and amongst millennials it was 77%. There is a dichotomy of high approval ratings, but a decline in numbers; and yet labor unions do bring democracy and higher paying jobs into the workplace.



How does this labor studies institute fit in with UNO, an institution of higher education? We will continue to inform others about the institute and to facilitate solid discussions and education about important labor issues. For any wage earner  union or not  we are facing critical issues that need to be discussed and understood. The Institute provides a community service for Nebraskans.



We are also contemplating some credit courses that focus on labor studies. We will be looking at developing e-learning modules on the history of labor unions and organized labor. We would like to have those modules as a foundation of learning; an efficient way of teaching the value of organized labor.



Any conclusions on Nebraska and our workforce? The jobs are here. In fact, our state needs to hire 50,000 workers every year to keep up with those going into retirement. We need both skilled tradespeople and educated professionals to fill those jobs to make our city and state even more inviting and prosperous. When we educate about the values that unions bring to our society, we are providing Nebraskans with information about their right to bring meaningful democracy into our workplaces, which helps wage earners attain the American Dream.



Begley started in July 2021 and comes to WBILS with experience in human resources with the City of Omaha. He holds an MPA from UNO. Welcome to the CPACS team, Jim!
On Tuesday, April 12, Governor Pete Ricketts ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the passing of Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull.

Susanne and I were heartbroken to receive news of the passing of Fire Chief Krull, said Gov. Ricketts. Our prayers go out to his family and community as they mourn his loss. The bravery shown by Fire Chief Krull exemplifies the selfless service that makes our state great. As we reflect on his heroic sacrifice, were reminded of the courageous firefighters working in harms way across Nebraska to protect lives and property. We salute their dedication and pray for their safety.

Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
Durban, South Africa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2022 ) :The death toll from floods and mudslides after rainstorms struck the South African port city of Durban and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal province has climbed to 59, authorities said on Tuesday.

The country's meteorologists forecasted more "disruptive" rains on the way Tuesday night but expected the "rainfall system" to weaken "considerably" on Wednesday.

"Many people lost their lives with Ethekwini (Durban metro) alone reporting 45," while in iLembe district "more than 14 ...have tragically lost their lives," the provincial government said in a statement.

It said the disaster "wreaked untold havoc and unleashed massive damage to lives and infrastructure" affecting all races and classes from rural areas, townships to luxury estates.

"This is a tragic toll of the force of nature and this situation calls for an effective response by government," said President Cyril Ramaphosa who is to visit Durban on Wednesday.

African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones following heavy flooding" via Twitter.

Days of driving rain flooded several areas, tore houses apart and ravaged infrastructure across the southeastern city, while landslides forced train services to be suspended.

The rains have flooded city highways to such depths that only the tops of traffic lights poked out, resembling submarine periscopes.

Torrents tore several bridges apart, submerged cars and collapsed houses. A fuel tank was floating in at sea after being tossed off the road.

The rains have flooded city highways, torn apart bridges, submerged cars and collapsed houses.

Several stacked shipping containers fell like dominoes and lay strewn on a yard, while some spilled over into a main road in the city, one of southern Africa's largest regional gateways to the sea.

South Africa's public logistics firm Transnet suspended shipping at Durban terminals as did global shipping firm Maersk due to the floods.

"At around 3:00 am (0100 GMT), I felt the truck shaking and I thought maybe someone bumped it and when I tried to open the curtain I saw the water level.

.. was very high," said truck driver Mthunzi Ngcobo.

The disaster management department in KwaZulu-Natal province, of which Durban is the largest city, urged people to stay at home and ordered those residing in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

More than 2,000 houses and 4,000 "informal" homes, or shacks, were damaged, said provincial premier Sihle Zikalala.

Rescue operations, aided by the military, evacuated people trapped in affected areas.

Fifty-two secondary students and teachers who were marooned at a Durban secondary school, were successfully airlifted to safety following "a long traumatic night, trapped", education authorities said.

More than 140 schools have been affected by the flooding.

Power stations had been flooded and water supplies disrupted -- and that even graveyards had not been spared the devastation.

The city had only just recovered from deadly riots last July in which shopping malls were looted and warehouses set on fire, in South Africa's worst unrest since the end of apartheid.

There have been reports of looting, with tv footage showing people stealing from cargo containers.

The provincial government condemned "reports of the looting of containers" during the flooding.

Southern parts of the continent's most industrialised country are bearing the brunt of climate change -- suffering recurrent and worsening torrential rains and flooding.

Floods killed around 70 people in April 2019.

"We know it's climate change getting worse, it's moved from 2017 with extreme storms to supposedly having record floods in 2019, and now 2022 clearly exceeding that," University of Johannesburg development studies professor Mary Galvin said.

"Droughts and floods will become more frequent and more intense and that's what we are seeing" she said, frustrated at government's lack of preparedness.

"It's absolutely devastating but equally devastating is the fact that we haven't done anything to get ready for it," she lamented.

The South African Weather Service admitted that "the exceptionally heavy rainfall overnight (Monday) and (Tuesday) morning exceeded even the expectations of the southern African meteorological community at large".
(@FahadShabbir)

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the United States' reaffirmation of the longstanding ties with Pakistan, as Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister of the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Apr, 2022 ) :Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the United States' reaffirmation of the longstanding ties with Pakistan, as Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister of the country.

"We have noted the comments made by the White House on the assumption of office by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. We welcome U.S. reaffirmation of long-standing ties with Pakistan," a government spokesperson said in a statement.

He said the new government wished to constructively and positively engage with the US to promote shared goals of peace, security and development in the region.

"We look forward to deepening this important relationship on the principles of equality, mutual interest and mutual benefit," the spokesperson added.

The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, in her briefing, said "We value our long standing cooperation with Pakistan and have always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan critical to US interests. That remains unchanged regardless of who the leadership is."
The international diamond mining corporation De Beers on Wednesday announced provisional rough diamond sales of $565 million for the third sales cycle of 2022, from March 28 to April 12, which is a 13% drop compared to the previous cycle

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) The international diamond mining corporation De Beers on Wednesday announced provisional rough diamond sales of $565 million for the third sales cycle of 2022, from March 28 to April 12, which is a 13% drop compared to the previous cycle.

The previous second business cycle lasted from February 21 to March 8 with total sales of $652 million, a statement read.

"Owing to the restrictions on the movement of people and products in various jurisdictions around the globe, De Beers Group has continued to implement a more flexible approach to rough diamond sales during the third sales cycle of 2022, with the Sight event extended beyond its normal week-long duration. As a result, the provisional rough diamond sales figure quoted for Cycle 3 represents the expected sales value for the period 28 March to 12 April and remains subject to adjustment based on final completed sales," the company said.

The head of the company, Bruce Cleaver, added that De Beers was taking a more cautious approach in the second quarter, in which demand for diamonds is traditionally weak. He noted that the company was also monitoring the situation in Ukraine and outbreak of COVID-19 in China.

In annual terms, sales of De Beers diamonds in the third business cycle increased by 25%.

De Beers is engaged in the extraction and sale of natural diamonds, as well as the production of synthetic diamonds for industrial purposes. It was founded in 1888 in South Africa.
(@iemziishan)

The death toll from landslides and floods in the Philippines rose to 80 on Wednesday with scores missing and feared dead, officials said, as rescuers dug up more bodies with bare hands and backhoes in crushed villages

Abuyog, Philippines, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2022 ) :The death toll from landslides and floods in the Philippines rose to 80 on Wednesday with scores missing and feared dead, officials said, as rescuers dug up more bodies with bare hands and backhoes in crushed villages.

Most of the deaths from tropical storm Megi -- the strongest to hit the archipelago this year -- were in the central province of Leyte, where a series of landslides devastated communities.

Twenty-six people died and around 150 were missing in the coastal village of Pilar, which is part of Abuyog municipality, after a torrent of mud and earth on Tuesday pushed houses into the sea and buried most of the settlement, authorities said.

"I have to be honest, we are no longer expecting survivors," Abuyog Mayor Lemuel Traya told AFP, adding that emergency personnel were now focused on the difficult task of retrieving bodies.

About 250 people were in evacuation centres after being rescued by boat after roads were cut by landslides, he said.

A number of villagers were also in hospital.

A rumbling sound like "a helicopter" alerted Ara Mae Canuto, 22, to the landslide hurtling towards her family's home in Pilar.

She said she tried to outrun it, but was swept into the water and nearly drowned.

"I swallowed dirt, and my ears and nose are full of mud," Canuto told AFP by telephone from her hospital bed. Her father died and her mother has not been found.

The disaster-prone region is regularly ravaged by storms -- including a direct hit from Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 -- with scientists warning they are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of human-driven climate change.

Baybay City is also reeling after waves of sodden soil smashed into farming settlements over the weekend, killing at least 48 people and injuring over 100, local authorities said. Twenty-seven are still missing, they added.

Aerial photos showed a wide stretch of mud that had swept down a hill of coconut trees and engulfed Bunga village, where only a few rooftops poked through the now-transformed landscape.

"We were told to be on alert because a storm was coming, but they did not directly tell us we needed to evacuate," said Bunga farmworker Loderica Portarcos, 47, who lost 17 relatives and a friend in the landslide.

Portarcos braved heat and humidity as she advised a backhoe operator where to dig for three bodies still embedded in the soft soil which had started to smell of rotting flesh.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Four French tourists and one Belgian were among 10 people killed in a bus crash Wednesday in Egypt, whose travel industry is only just emerging from years of political upheaval and the Covid-19 pandemic

Cairo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2022 ) :Four French tourists and one Belgian were among 10 people killed in a bus crash Wednesday in Egypt, whose travel industry is only just emerging from years of political upheaval and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fourteen others -- eight French and six Belgians -- were taken to hospital with "broken bones, bruises and superficial injuries" but all were in a stable condition, the governor of the southern province of Aswan said.

The other five people killed were all Egyptian -- the bus driver, his assistant and the tour guide, as well as two people in the other vehicle, a statement from the public prosecution said.

The Belgian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP that one of its citizens died and others were injured.

The accident occurred early Wednesday morning when the bus collided with a pick-up as it was transporting the tourists on the 300 kilometre (186 mile) road journey between Aswan and the famed Abu Simbel temple further south.

An AFP photographer saw what remained of the burnt-out vehicles lying by the roadside.

The prosecution ordered an "urgent investigation" to determine "the cause and circumstances of the accident and those responsible".

Crashes are relatively common in Egypt, where many roads are in disrepair and traffic regulations frequently ignored.

Some 7,000 people died in road accidents in the country in 2020, according to official figures.

- Vital tourism industry - The Abu Simbel temple was moved from its original location in the 1960s under the rule of president Gamal Abdel Nasser to make way for the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Egypt had begun reviving its vital tourism industry by promoting its ancient heritage, after the country's 2011 revolution and ensuing unrest struck the sector.

But the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent global travel bans resulted in a plunge in tourism revenues to $4 billion, from $13 billion the previous year.

The sector employs some two million people in a country of 103 million and generates more than 10 percent of GDP.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) After seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban (under UN sanctions for terrorism) have murdered or kidnapped about 500 former Afghan officials, military personnel and those believed to have collaborated with the United States, according to the New York Times investigation.

The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan took place last August amid a complete withdrawal of US troops, spurring fears of the Taliban revenge among the former military and state officials, as well as those who assisted the US and allied forces. Refugees were fleeing en masse to avoid reprisals. In turn, the Taliban government announced a general amnesty, assuring safety of former government workers and personnel of the Afghan security forces.

Yet an investigation conducted by New York Times revealed that about 500 former state officials and military personnel were either murdered or forcibly disappeared within six months of the Taliban resurgence. The paper confirmed 86 killings in Baghlan Province alone, with 114 people missing in Kandahar Province. The paper said the Taliban are exploiting the amnesty as a trap to lure soldiers out of hiding.

"They summoned me to the police headquarters. I figured because if the amnesty they might just ask a few questions...They started beating me and threw me in a water well, while telling me, 'You've fought against us for many years and killed so many of our best people.

' I really believed that they were going to kill me. So many of my fellow soldiers were also thrown into the water well. These brutalities still continue to this day," a former Afghan military commander, who claimed anonymity told the NYT.

The Taliban officials have denied killings, saying the allegations are baseless and used as propaganda tool by their opponents "in order to mislead the opinion of the world" about the Taliban.

The paper said that its staff conducted an investigation for seven months, using various methods to verify the data, including forensic video examinations, local media reports, and interviews with survivors, witnesses and family members of the victims.

The Taliban's swift ascension to power in Afghanistan occurred in mid-August, triggering an economic distress that pushed the country to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of Afghans fled the country fearful of the Taliban revenge and widespread violations of human rights. Dire economic and humanitarian situation compelled the Taliban to announce amnesty, which helps prevent people from fleeing the country and enables Afghanistan to avoid isolation from the outside world.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) The New York Police Department has a description of the suspect who opened fire in a subway car in Brooklyn and a person of interest is being sought by police, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

"The suspect is a dark-skinned male and was wearing a neon-orange vest and a grey-colored sweatshirt," Sewell said during a press conference on Tuesday. "We have a person of interest in this investigation."

Sewell added that law enforcement officers recovered a semi-automatic handgun after the subway shooting, extended ammunition clips, fireworks, gasoline, and a U-Haul van believed to belong to the suspect. Moreover, no one is in custody in connection to the shooting and authorities are still searching for the suspect, Sewell said.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) The Russian Embassy in the United States, in response to claims by State Department spokesperson Ned price about the possibility of Moscow using chemical weapons in Ukraine, called on the US not to spread disinformation and urged Washington to intensify the process of destroying its chemical weapons.

"We call on Washington to stop spreading disinformation. Instead, colleagues should intensify the process of chemical demilitarization of their country. The United States remains the only state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention that has not fulfilled the international commitments it made.

The American arsenal of weapons of this type poses a real threat to humanity," the embassy said on Telegram.

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24 in response to calls from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics for protection against intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. Moscow has said it has no plans to occupy Ukraine. Western nations have imposed numerous sanctions on Russia.
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) Moscow considers the threat of chemical terrorism by Ukrainian nationalists and military to be very real, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov told Sputnik.

"We consider very real the threat of chemical terrorism by fascist nationalists, operating under the patronage of the current Kiev regime, and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under their control," Syromolotov said.

"The high probability of such a scenario implementation is conditioned by multiple chemical provocations organized by armed extremist groups controlled by the United States and its NATO allies during the Syrian conflict," he said.

Syromolotov said an example of this was the staged provocation in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and the plans for chemical provocations in Donbas hatched by the team of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, about which Russia has repeatedly informed the UN Security Council and the OPCW.

"We will not be surprised if similar accusations are made against us in relation to the recent events at the Zarya plant (the town of Rubezhnoye), where militants undertook to blow up tanks with nitric acid so that the resulting cloud of toxic substances was carried by the wind to the settlement of Kudryashovka, liberated from them," he said.

"We do not rule out that such terrorist attacks will be repeated, since, according to some estimates, about 40,000 tonnes of highly toxic substances remain at this enterprise, including nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, as well as ammonia," Syromolotov said.
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The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will unlikely find a procedure to expel Russia from the organization, US Permanent Representative to the OSCE Michael Carpenter told reporters on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will unlikely find a procedure to expel Russia from the organization, US Permanent Representative to the OSCE Michael Carpenter told reporters on Wednesday.

"On OSCE, there is no clear procedure by which we could expel Russia," Carpenter said. "It is unlikely that we would find a procedure that would enable us to expel Russia."

However, Carpenter noted that Russia as well as Belarus are nearly isolated in the OSCE.

"We frankly see the OSCE as a tool to hold Russia accountable by documenting these human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law," he said.

"We also think that the OSCE can play a useful role on the ground. In fact, the OSCE has the presence in Ukraine right now."

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk requested help to defend them from intensifying attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the operation is solely targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure.
The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is conducting joint exercises with the Japan self-defense forces in the Sea of Japan with a view to contain North Korea, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Wednesday

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is conducting joint exercises with the Japan self-defense forces in the Sea of Japan with a view to contain North Korea, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Wednesday.

According to the news agency, the US aircraft carrier proceeded along the Tsushima Strait to the east the day before yesterday. The US destroyer Spruance and the Japanese destroyer Inazuma were also seen in the region, Kyodo reported.

The decision to conduct the exercises was made amid fears of new missile launches by North Korea in anticipation of the 110th birth anniversary of the country's late founding leader Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong Un, on Friday.

A US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has been observed in the Sea of Japan for the first time since 2017, when Pyongyang conducted atomic tests and launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.

In March, Washington also conducted training exercises involving the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier west of the Korean Peninsula in the Yellow Sea.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th April, 2022) A US judge granted pretrial release to two men accused of impersonating Homeland Security Department (DHS) agents as part of an alleged scheme to influence members of Federal law enforcement, and keep the defendants out of jail prior to further legal proceedings.

Judge G. Michael Harvey on Tuesday allowed pretrial release for Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali, who are each being charged with one count of falsely impersonating a US federal officer. Government prosecutors unsuccessfully requested the duo's detention due to a perceived flight risk.

Taherzadeh and Ali from as early as February 2020 allegedly pretended to be DHS officers in order to ingratiate themselves with members of federal law enforcement and the defense community, court documents said.

Taherzadeh and Ali were arrested by law enforcement last week in Washington, DC, where a number of apartments belonging to the men were also searched for evidence. Law enforcement found several firearms and related equipment during their searches.

The defendants allegedly gifted federal agents items including a phone, surveillance systems, and apartments, according to court documents. The defendants also allegedly convinced an individual to research an Intelligence Community contractor and undergo a pain tolerance evaluation as part of a purported Homeland Security recruitment process.

Four Secret Service agents working on protective detail were allegedly compromised by the defendants and placed on administrative leave while the matter is investigated.

Both men are US citizens, but have travel histories and documents to Pakistan and other countries in the middle East, prosecutors said. One witness told law enforcement that Ali claimed to have connections to Pakistan's foreign intelligence services, according to court documents.

Defense attorneys during the detention hearing denied the alleged connections to Pakistani intelligence.

Taherzadeh and Ali were granted release to stay with family members on conditions including GPS monitoring, surrendering travel documents, and avoiding airports or embassies. The men are not scheduled to be released until Wednesday morning, in order to give the prosecution time to decide whether to appeal the judge's detention ruling.

The judge and legal teams scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case on April 27 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
CFS Associate Professor Trina Spencer Shares Fulbright Experience in South Africa

Are We Together?

After several starts and stops and a year and a half delay, CFS Associate Professor Dr. Trina Spencer finally made it to South Africa. She won a Fulbright award in 2020, but due to COVID-19, she was unable to begin her experience until 2022. Now in Pretoria, South Africa, she works alongside colleagues at the Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) at the University of Pretoria (UP).

To support a UP masters students (Bathobile Ngcobo) first presentation on AAC, Dr. Spencer traveled with her colleague Dr. Juan Bornman to a rural town, Umzinto near Durban, South Africa. They were warmly welcomed despite Bathobile not being able to share with friends and family about the big event beforehand  as she explained This is a big event for me, like a wedding. In our culture, you cannot share big news like this before it happens only afterwards. The administration and teachers at Schola Amoris, a school for learners with special education needs, nonetheless, rolled out the red carpet to welcome the scholars. All 36 teachers were able to attend the training because the support staff and bus drivers filled in for them in the classrooms. The school principal, Mrs. SN Gumede is an exemplary leader, empowering her staff with knowledge and advocating for the reduction of barriers for learners with disabilities.

Bathobile gave a cogent and inspirational introduction on the importance of communication, including non-speech forms of communication. Dr. Bornman followed with an energetic presentation on the use of symbols, which included teaching everyone to sing Old MacDonald using keyword signing with signs from in South African Sign Language. Using the sign language augments, we sang the song effortlessly with a moo-moo here, and a moo-moo there  highlighting the importance of having fun while learning. Drawing from her research on storytelling as an effective academic and social promotion strategy, Dr. Spencer taught the power of culturally derived storytelling for all  including learners with disabilities.

Dr. Spencer described the experience as culturally enlightening and incredibly humbling. The teachers were so eager and grateful for the bits of knowledge we shared, she said. Working with children with significant disabilities is a very challenging job and sometimes teachers get stuck. In just a few hours, they gained some new ideas about how they can better support their students communication. Fortunately, Bathobile, who is the schools speech-language pathologist, was able to collect pre- and post-test data on the teachers perceptions of communication and how to promote it in their classrooms. This professional development study will be her masters thesis.

My absolutely favorite part of this experience is when Bathobile would interject, Are we together? during her presentation to check the teachers understanding of the content. And every time she askd, we heard a clear and resounding, Yes! said Dr. Spencer. The phrase, Are we together? did more than check for understanding; it ensured their professional journey was one of collective interest and engagement.
Renowned Musician Xavier Foley University Forum Presenter for April 19

Wed, 04/13/2022 - 11:48am | By: David Tisdale

A nationally recognized musical artist who blends social justice into his work will be the guest presenter for the final spring 2022 University Forum program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

Celebrated musician and composer Xavier Foley uses his art as a tool to help promote social justice. His presentation Social Justice and Music Composition, will be held at Bennett Auditorium on the USM Hattiesburg campus Tuesday April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. He will join the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra along with John Uzodinma on violin Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium for a performance of his composition For Justice and Peace, which has been performed at Carnegie Hall.

Foleys instrument of choice, the double bass, is rarely presented as a solo instrument; however, he was named to New York WQXRs list of 19 for 19 Artists to Watch and featured on PBS Thirteens NYC-ARTs. He has performed as a concerto soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Atlanta Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Nashville Symphony.

University Forum, presented by the USM Honors College, is partnering with the USM School of Music in bringing Foley to campus for these events. Learn more about University Forum at usm.edu/forum.
Lincoln, RI (02865)

Today

Cloudy. Gusty winds this morning. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 50F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 43F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.
In an interview with Vatican News, the Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences speaks about the dramatic situation in country in the wake of the recent raid at Mandalay Cathedral. He also elaborates on the humanitarian emergency, Christian persecution in the nation, and how the Church in Myanmar is preparing for Easter.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov



Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, says the Way of the Cross is still being lived today in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), as violence rages on and the nation faces a massive refugee crisis.

Read also 11/04/2022 Myanmar soldiers raid Mandalay Cathedral Soldiers claimed the cathedral was supplying weapons for rebels and coup opponents but left without finding anything during the search.

As the persecution of Christians worsens in the country, Cardinal Bo makes an appeal as the humanitarian emergency worsens dramatically.

Moreover, this Holy Week the Cardinal discusses how the Church in Myanmar is preparing for Easter, the legacy of Pope Francis 2017 visit to Myanmar, and his continued appeals for peace in the nation, as well as what gives Cardinal Bo hope amid a very despondent situation.

Q: Your Eminence, you called the situation in Myanmar "a prolonged Way of the Cross," a year after the military coup (1 February 2021) that abruptly halted the path to democracy. In such a climate, how is the Church in Myanmar preparing for Easter?

The Way of the Cross is still lived today by the people of Myanmar. We are still at Golgotha on Calvary. Even last Friday evening as faithful were praying the Way of the Cross in the Cathedral of Mandalay, soldiers entered that sacred place with their guns and terrified the people. Christs sufferings are lived out again now by the victims of war, the refugees, the widows who mourn and the children left without fathers, the young men and women who die in the jungles in Myanmar. We lament that we could not resolve these conflicts by our own power  that our efforts for peace are until now in vain. God suffers in His people. The pain of Jesus last hours is reflected in the eyes and hearts of mothers whose sons and husbands die in Myanmar as in Ukraine. They live now the Way of the Cross.

Even Jesus cried out in prayer to the Father at that time that this hour might pass Him: My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me. But He submitted and continued to the end. We may not be so strong. We cry to the Father to ask why He permits the evil that is destroying our nation, allowing Myanmar people to suffer without end. In faith, we are assured that the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, is the way in which God overcomes evil and brings peace. The prayers of the people during this Holy Week are heartfelt. I cannot believe that God is turning a deaf ear to His suffering people.

Greatest violence perpetrated where Christians are

Q: How would you describe the situation of the Burmese Catholic Church in this period?

Everyone in Myanmar is living a time of great stress, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. Armed conflicts are raging on at least four fronts, in the East, the North, the Northwest and the Centre of Myanmar. But even for those who do not witness extrajudicial killings or have their houses and communities destroyed, all are affected by the collapse of the economy and basic services. More than half the population is reduced to poverty and food prices are escalating. But what people feel and resent most, especially the young, is that their future is taken from them. All this is so wasteful. Myanmar Catholics suffer all this along with everyone else and possibly more because the greatest violence is perpetrated in communities where the Christian populations are greatest, both Catholic and Protestant. Already over 15 churches and convents have been desecrated or ransacked or bombed. The counterinsurgency strategy of the military is to destroy the community base for any resistance. In this engulfing darkness of violence and plain evil, the Church cannot support talk of vengeance and more violence. We have consistently pleaded for reconciliation. While we understand the deep disappointment of the youth, we are deeply worried about the multiple armed groups, without leadership, or a common strategy. In areas where unorganised Peoples Defence Forces (PDF) operate without any clear aims, brutal retributive violence by the army is occurring sadly displacing thousands.

Q: Given the situation in Myanmar, is there an Easter appeal you believe needs to be made?

As Jesus said to the Pharisees about His disciples, "If they keep silent, the very stones will cry out." Yes, there is an appeal, but we wonder if anyone is listening. Given the war in Ukraine, we understand that the attention of the world is elsewhere, even if crimes committed here are the same, even with the same Russian weapons of destruction. Our first appeal is for peace. Our appeal is to say enough! Stop the killing and the obscene brutality! Beyond that our appeal is for those who are in desperate need of food, shelter and medical care. The major humanitarian agencies are here in the country but they are not given access to the people who need their support. WFP, ICRC, and UNHCR are prevented from reaching to places of need. At the very least, give access for humanitarian assistance. We, the Catholic Church, try to help, with our own resources. We fear that Caritas Internationalis now turns its attention to Ukraine and cannot help other victims of war.

Q: The political crisis in Burma has resulted in a large wave of refugees. What message do you wish to give to them?

They are the ones to give a message. The dispossessed are the ones to whom we must listen. Even on His way of the Cross, Jesus stopped to give His attention to the women of Jerusalem. We must do the same, listening the message that all the world should hear. The most recent United Nations report indicates that there are 520,000 people newly displaced on top of the 370,000 already driven from their homes. They have a message for the leaders of the world. Recently, I travelled to Kayah State to listen to the displaced people, but the controls and the time were such that I could meet only a few of them. My message to them is that I want to hear from them, to understand their suffering, to know their account of what has happened to them.

Church in Myanmar, Not Alone

Q: In spite of all the difficulties, have you seen something that gives you hope?

If we are realistic, it is not easy to see any cause for hope. Given the power and determination of the military, there is no quick and easy solution or salvation. But Myanmar people have lived through seven decades of military rule already and they survived. The older ones recognize what is happening, even though this is more ferocious than anything we experienced in the past. People are not fooled by lies. One source of hope is the sheer resilience and common sense of people. For survival, people turn to small business, some collect plastics and metal to sell, others set up small food stalls, all to earn a little for survival.

As Christians, we find hope in the deep mystery of the folly of the Cross. All the people taunted Jesus to save Himself, meaning to get Himself down from the Cross. Only the good thief could see that Jesus brings a different kind of salvation. We are invited to share the faith of this good thief. Being a disciple of Jesus does not exempt us from death  rather it asks of us a daily dying. In our case persecution and injustice become all too real.

Q: As President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), despite challenges for Christians throughout the continent, what are positive signals?

The Myanmar Church is not alone in Asia in living under an autocratic regime, or where freedom is restricted. Jesus asked His followers to be a leaven in society, to be present, and to have an impact by our lives and by our teaching. The followers of Jesus continue to do this even in situations around Asia where freedoms are limited. In most of the countries of FABC, except for the Philippines and Timor Leste, the Church is a minority. Yet the Church has an importance beyond its numbers, especially where Church personnel are able to engage in education, health care and social services.

Listen to our report:

Pope Francis 'keeps Myanmar close to his heart'

Q: What do you see as being responsible for or to what do you credit the flourishing vocations in the Asian continent?

Vocations are flourishing in the sub-continent, especially in India, I understand, and in some pockets of Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam. But we cannot say they are growing everywhere. Here in Myanmar, our seminaries have been disrupted by COVID and by the conflict. But the example of the sisters in caring for people at this time is a great inspiration for the young. The deep faith of people in this time of trial is impressive.

Q: The Holy Father visited Myanmar in 2017. How could the legacy of that papal visit help your country regain unity and resume the path toward freedom?

Pope Francis remembers the people of Myanmar. Already he has mentioned us ten times in warm messages of consolation and challenge. He keeps Myanmar close to his heart. Many sacrificed a lot to come to Yangon to see him in 2017. It was a moment of solidarity for the Church of Myanmar. He felt great compassion also for the refugees from Myanmar whom he met in Bangladesh. His attention to the refugees is a lesson for us, that we will resume our path to freedom if we pay attention to our suffering brothers and sisters.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Sudan and South Sudan highlights that Pope Francis scheduled July visit to South Sudan will bring a message of peace to the country, and encourage prayers for renewal during the Easter period.

By Vatican News staff writer

As the Church draws closer to the celebration of the resurrection of Our Lord at Easter, the bishops of Sudan and South Sudan have urged the faithful to take advantage of this time to pray and meditate on the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis in July.

In a joint pastoral letter for all the dioceses in both countries, the bishops highlighted the solemn nature of Easter, as a celebration of faith and renewal in preparation for the Holy Fathers Apostolic Journey.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Juba, the South Sudanese capital, from 5  7 July. Before that, he will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2  5 July.

Easter: a time of resurrection amid challenges

Easter celebration is our resurrection from senselessness, from hopelessness to a new hope in Christ, to a new beginning marked by the joy of the risen Christ who transmits newness of life, said the bishops in their later dated 11 April.

However, the celebrations are mixed with feelings of blessings amid a difficult year, with both countries still challenged by civil conflicts, droughts, floods and displacement of people.

Many, the bishops noted, still die due to armed conflict, women, children and elderly killed, and even the sick killed in their sickbed. Also, many of our brothers and sisters are still in IDPs and refugee camps and others are still in exile. They live with uncertainty about whether they will ever reunite with their families.

Furthermore, large areas of our country suffer from floods and as the rainy season begins, fear looms in their hearts as to whether the floods will at all subside, the prelates said with concern.

As the country continues to confront these challenges, the bishops express hope that the political leaders, will not take us back to war so as to eliminate the humanitarian crisis and pave the way for justice, peace and reconciliation.

Popes July Visit

The April 11 pastoral letter comes after an Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference in Juba that took place from March 21 to 23, to prepare for the papal visit to South Sudan.

The Bishops note that Pope Francis is coming to the country to confirm the faith of the faithful and bring a message of peace and reconciliation.

The Pope is visiting South Sudan, to confirm us in faith, as St. Peter did to his colleagues the Apostles, they said. His visit will communicate peace which is the first gift of the risen Christ to his disciples: peace be with you

The bishops further recall the Popes touching gesture of kissing the feet of the political leaders when he hosted them for a two-day spiritual retreat in the Vatican in April 2019, and his compassionate appeal for peace in the country.

We hope [the Popes] visit will renew us, as we are still shaken by forces of violence, death and by the evil of ethnic divisions within our Church and society, the Bishops said.
The Bangladesh Christian Association, an association serving the Christian minority in the Asian country, calls on the government to prohibit educational institutions from holding exams on Easter Sunday.

By Francesca Merlo

The President of the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), Nirmol Rozario, and his undersecretary, Hemanta Corraya, are urging the country's educational institutions not to schedule public exams on Sunday, 17 April, the day many Christians celebrate Easter.

A statement released by the BCA, and reported on by UCA News reads, "Easter Sunday is one of the major religious festivals of the Christian community all over the world. The day is an optional holiday in the official calendar but we have heard that some educational institutions will conduct exams on that day. Our demand is for students to be given leave to observe the holiday."



Christian community's request

For more than 20 years, Bangladesh's Christian community has been asking the country's authorities to declare Easter Sunday a public holiday, but the government has so far not agreed.

Christians constitute a small minority in the country: less than 1% of over 160 million inhabitants, most of whom are Muslims. Of about 600,000 Christians, almost 400,000 are Catholics (about 0.3% of the country's total population).

"We have been campaigning for a public holiday on Easter Sunday for almost two decades, but there has been no response from the government. In the future, we will take more people to the streets to ask for this holiday," said Hemanta Corraya.

He added the Bangladeshi Christians want "to demonstrate in the streets for our rights like a holiday at Easter, but we need assistance from the Church. If clergymen join with us, it would be easy to fulfill our demand.

Church's support for the request

For his part, Bishop Sebastian Tudu, of Dinajpur in northwest Bangladesh, assured that he supports the BCA's demands.

"Since Easter Sunday is our second largest religious event, examinations at educational institutions are not acceptable on the day. At the same time, from the responsible position of the Church, I also call upon the concerned authorities to declare this day a public holiday," he told UCA News.
ERIN GESSERT is a News and Features Reporter for The Vidette. Gessert can be contacted at eggesse@ilstu.edu Follow Gessert on Twitter at @erin_gessert

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BANGKOK, Thailand  A cross-border police operation this week rescued 66 Thai nationals from captivity in Cambodia where they were forced or tricked into working as scam callers, authorities said on Tuesday.

Thai and Cambodian police uncovered and broke up what they said was part of a wider Chinese-run transnational crime racket that has ensnared thousands of people from around Asia in recent years. The full scale of the racket remains unclear.

Since last October, more than 800 Thai men and women, including 300 who were considered victims of human trafficking, have been rescued from working at scam call centers, the Thai police said in a statement.

The workers are lured to Cambodia through social media advertisements promising high-paying jobs but then forced by racketeers to make scam calls in their own languages.

Those who refuse get assaulted, some get whipped, others get electrocuted...Some get beaten up and others get locked in dark rooms and are not given food, Thai assistant national police commissioner Surachate Hakparn told Reuters.

He added more than 1,000 Thais are still working in scam call centers in cities like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Poipet.

Cambodian NGOs said in March that scam call centers are like slave compounds where thousands of foreign nationals remain trapped. Meanwhile, foreign embassies including those of China, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia have issued warnings against answering suspicious job ads.

Last week Malaysian police said 16 of its nationals were rescued by Cambodian authorities from similar scam call centers.

Chhay Kim Khoeun, Cambodia's deputy national police chief, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters, saying the police operation is still going on.

Jeremy Douglas, regional representative of the United Nations narcotics and crime agency, said the bust was a major wake-up call for the region.

The location and the crime are not a surprise as we've seen several cases in Cambodia, but to run an operation with a thousand plus working phones takes sophistication, requires investment and would be hard to hide, he said.
BANGKOK, Thailand  A popular leader of Thailands progressive political movement has vowed to continue his activities despite being indicted on charges of defaming the king and violating a law on online activity which carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a co-founder of the court-disbanded Future Forward Party, was indicted Monday for comments he made in January last year about the awarding of a government COVID-19 vaccine production contract to a company owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. His comments were part of a general criticism that the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha bungled its vaccination campaign by failing to ensure timely, adequate and effective supplies.

Thanathorn was granted release on bail of 90,000 baht ($2,670).

Thalands lese majeste law, Article 112 of the Criminal Code, carries a prison term of up to 15 years for insulting the monarchy, but critics say it is often wielded as a tool to quash political dissent. The charge of breaching the computer crime act is punishable by five years. His comments last year were made during a Facebook Live session.

I am not the first and will not be the last silenced by Article 112 despite the fact that my criticisms are for the benefit of the public, stemming from concerns that Thai people will not receive vaccines fast enough or will receive inefficient vaccines," Thanathorn said on his Facebook page after his indictment.

By using the 112 charge against me and other political activists, those in power hope that it will be the ultimate weapon to silence us, to stop us from questioning, demanding justice and a better society. I would like to confirm here that I will continue my work for the public interest. I will not be afraid to speak out or do anything that is necessary and beneficial to the country," he said.

The Future Forward Party made a strong third-place showing in the 2019 general election just a year after it was established. The party was especially critical of the military, a pillar of the countrys establishment with major influence over the government.

Thanathorn was forced out of Parliament in 2020 when a court ruled that he had broken an election law by previously owning shares in a media company, and his party was later dissolved on a similar technicality. He has faced a number of legal cases that supporters charge are without merit and are meant to stop his criticism of the government. Since leaving electoral politics he has been a leader of an organization pushing a progressive agenda, including curbing the militarys role in politics and promoting democracy at the grassroots level.

The army staged coups in 2006 and 2014. Prime Minister Prayuth, then army commander, led the latter takeover and continued in office after the 2019 polls, which critics say were arranged to give the military-backed party an advantage.

Thanathorns criticism is toward the government's policy, and there is no content that defames the (royal) institution. But like other cases, its a tool to silence critics, his lawyer, Krisadang Nutcharas, said Tuesday. This actually tarnishes the reputation of the monarchy rather than protects it.
Russia says more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines surrendered in the port city of Mariupol. Officials in Bucha say they hold everyone accountable for committing crimes against civilians, a day after U.S. President Joe Biden calls the atrocities genocide. And how Turkey is positioning itself to aid in Europe's goal to end its reliance on Russian oil and gas.
Join veteran journalist Hayde Adams on Straight Talk Africa every Wednesday as he and his guests discuss topics of special interest to Africans, including politics, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues and conflict resolution.
The White House on Wednesday reinforced President Joe Biden's surprise statement Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be committing genocide in Ukraine.

Biden also announced that Washington is sending another $800 million in weapons, ammunition and other assistance to Ukraine.

"The president was speaking to what we all see, what he feels is clear as day in terms of the atrocities happening on the ground," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said of the genocide remark.

"As he also noted yesterday, of course there will be a legal process that plays out in the courtroom, but he was speaking to what he sees, has seen on the ground, what we've all seen in terms of the atrocities on the ground."

She added, "Regardless of what you call it, what our objective now is  as evidenced by the enormous package of military assistance we put out today  is to continue to help and assist the Ukrainians in this war, one where we see atrocities happening every single day."

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Biden's description, saying, "We consider this kind of effort to distort the situation unacceptable. This is hardly acceptable from a president of the United States, a country that has committed well-known crimes in recent times."

Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the new shipment in an hourlong phone conversation on Wednesday. He later said in a statement, "The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. The United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself."

New weapons, renewed Russian push

The Pentagon said the new tranche of weaponry includes 500 Javelin missiles, 300 Switchblade drones, 300 armored vehicles, 11 helicopters, chemical, biological and nuclear protective gear, and 30,000 sets of body armor and helmets.

The U.S. is also providing an unknown quantity of anti-personnel mines, which are configured to be only manually detonated.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said U.S. defense officials want to deliver this equipment while Russia is regrouping its forces, including helicopters and artillery systems, in Belarus.

"They're not fully up to readiness for this renewed push for they want to put in the Donbas," he said. "We recognize that, and we're taking advantage of every day, every hour to get this stuff there as fast as we can. ... We have a good sense of Russian efforts to resupply and reinforce."

Biden's agreement to send more weapons to Ukraine, along with additional helicopters, came after a video appeal from Zelenskyy.

"Freedom must be armed better than tyranny," the Ukrainian leader said. "Without additional weapons, this will turn into an endless bloodbath that will spread misery, suffering and destruction."

Biden said the Western supply of arms to Ukraine "has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion. It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now."

Also Wednesday, the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia  all NATO countries bordering Russia  visited Kyiv to show support for Ukraine a day after Putin vowed to continue Moscow's offensive against Ukraine until its "full completion."

The leaders of the four countries, all worried that Russia could attack them if Ukraine were to fall, traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Zelenskyy.

While failing to capture Kyiv and much of Ukraine, Russian forces have bombarded numerous cities, killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and destroyed housing and hospitals.

United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths recently went to Moscow and Kyiv to seek a cease-fire. But U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Wednesday it does not look like that is possible right now.

However, Guterres said there are "a number of proposals that were made, and we are waiting for an answer from the Russian Federation in relation to those proposals  including different mechanisms for local cease-fires, for corridors, for humanitarian assistance, evacuations and different other aspects that can minimize the dramatic impact on civilians that we are witnessing."

Guterres said the U.N. also proposed the creation of a mechanism involving Russia, Ukraine, the U.N. and potentially other humanitarian entities, to help guarantee the evacuation of civilians from areas where fighting is going on and to guarantee humanitarian access.

Presidents visit Kyiv

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the European leaders visiting Ukraine planned to deliver "a strong message of political support and military assistance."

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also planned to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Putin has denied Russia has committed atrocities against Ukraine and said it "had no other choice" but to invade Ukraine to protect Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine and to "ensure Russia's own security."

He vowed Russia would "continue (its offensive) until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set," although he did not elaborate on his end goals.

One key goal for Russia in eastern Ukraine is to take over Mariupol, a Sea of Azov port where Ukraine says thousands of residents have been killed during weeks of Russian attacks.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade had surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But it was unclear when it purportedly occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

Ukraine said it is investigating a claim that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city, although there were no serious injuries reported. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said it was possible that phosphorus munitions had been used in Mariupol.

VOA's Carla Babb and Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Former President Barack Obama pivoted towards Africa, his predecessor Donald Trump away from it, and current U.S. leader Joe Biden has had his hands full with the pandemic at home and now the war in Ukraine.

But in an address to lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week, the commander for U.S. forces in Africa pointed to Chinas dominance in a region vital to Americas security and economic growth, and warned that Washington ignores Africa at its peril.

Chinas heavy investment in Africa as its second continent, and heavy-handed pursuit of its One Belt, One Road initiative, is fueling Chinese economic growth, outpacing the U.S., and allowing it to exploit opportunities to their benefit, AFRICOM Commander General Stephen Townsend told the House Committee on Appropriations, echoing comments he made last month to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Townsends remarks come amid a burst of Chinese diplomacy with the continent. Foreign Minister Wang Yi  who has visited three countries in Africa this year  met with seven African counterparts in March alone. Last month, President Xi Jinping had what was billed as a productive telephone call with Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the regions most developed economy, South Africa.

Theres been speculation that China may simply be trying to shore up support for its position on the Ukraine crisis, with Townsend noting: Our African partners face choices to strengthen the U.S. and allied-led open, rules-based international order or succumb to the raw power transactional pressure campaigns of global competitors.

Deborah Brautigam, director of the China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University, told VOA that China is trying to create a non-aligned axis as Beijing does not want the Ukraine war to become a new Cold War with countries forced to choose between the U.S. and Russia.

But Chinas interest in Africa long predates the war in Ukraine.

Townsend noted the region is home to rare earth metals used for mobile phones, hybrid vehicles, and missile guidance systems, and stressed that the winners and losers of the 21st century global economy may be determined by whether these resources are available in an open and transparent marketplace or are inaccessible due to predatory practices of competitors.

West Africa base worries?

The continent also occupies a key geostrategic location. Townsend expressed concern that China  which already has a naval base at the mouth of the Red Sea in Djibouti  is looking at setting up another on the Atlantic coast. That, he said, would almost certainly require the [Defense] department to consider shifts to U.S. naval force posture and pose increased risk to freedom of navigation and U.S. ability to act.

Brautigam says she doubts it is in Chinas interest to carve out a threat posture in the Atlantic.

She told VOA that with continued terrorism and instability in Nigeria, Cameroon and other parts of the Gulf of Guinea, that area has become the worlds hotspot for piracy. For China, as the worlds largest trading nation, thats reason enough to want an outpost to protect Chinese citizens and economic interests in the Gulf of Guinea.

An op-ed in Chinas state-affiliated Global Times in January appeared to echo this line of reasoning, noting that compared to hundreds of U.S. bases around the world, China only has one and its need for any more would purely be to ensure local security and interests.

Another piece in the paper insisted: China is the most cautious and restrained in terms of overseas military base deployment, as China does not have a desire to project military power globally to support the strategic competition of major powers.

Nevertheless, as China's overseas interests continue to expand, there will be an increasing need for the Chinese PLA Navy to defend the national interests in more distant regions, inevitably demanding footholds in some distant waters, it read.

While China plays down any ambitions to build a West Africa base, a State Department spokesperson told VOA: It is widely understood that they are working to establish a network of military installations.  Certain potential steps involving PRC-basing activity would raise security concerns for the United States.

Debt trap accusations

As the two superpowers vie for influence in Africa, Beijing is regularly accused by the West of providing debt trap loans to countries on the continent and of working with some of the regions less savory leaders.

Government mouthpieces like the Global Times and Xinhua reject those allegations, with one op-ed in March countering: While China offers financial supports and affordable proposals to local economies to build up economic strength to weather challenges, some developed countries have only offered aid with political strings attached.

And, in a recent interview with a Kenyan newspaper, The East African, Chinas special envoy for the Horn of Africa Xue Bing blamed instability in that region on Western foreign intervention. China will send out engineers and students. We dont send out weapons. We dont impose our views on others in the name of democracy or human rights, he told the newspaper.

Asked if China has already outplayed America on the continent, the State Department spokesperson said: The United States does not want to limit African partnerships with other countries. The United States wants to make African partnerships with the United States even stronger.

But Brautigam said that aside from foreign aid, China is a bigger economic player on the continent than the U.S. in every area, adding: It's not clear that Washington has pivoted to Africa beyond rhetoric.
Authorities in Cameroon moved 150 children from the streets of the capital to centers for abandoned kids on Tuesday as part of its observance of International Day for Street Children. The government says the number of street children in Cameroon has risen sharply due to poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts at the nations borders.

Rights and humanitarian groups moved from street to street, visiting markets, riversides and abandoned buildings in Cameroons capital city, Yaounde, in search of homeless children.

When they were found, some children agreed to go to shelters. Others refused and were given clothes and food.

Rachel Balafai, of head the Street Child Center, a Yaounde charity, said the search was conducted at night because that is when searchers believe they will find the children and can see the conditions under which they live.

Balafai said her association this week gave food and clothing to 230 street children who are from Cameroons northern border with Nigeria. She said uninformed people in northern Cameroon make children believe there are opportunities to improve their living conditions in Douala and Yaounde, Cameroon's largest cities. Balafai said some of the children are orphans.

On International Day for Street Children, nongovernmental organizations and the government invited traditional leaders and the clergy to give support to the children.

The Council of Imams and Muslim Dignitaries of Cameroon took part at the event. Moussa Oumarou, the councils coordinator, said family members show know it is their collective responsibility to take care of their children. He said street children need love and care and should not be battered nor rejected nor ostracized by society religious groups. Oumarou said the government should remove all children from the streets and make sure they are given the fundamental human right of an education.

Cameroon reports that the number of street children in major cities increased from 10,000 to about 27,000 within the past three years. Some of the children are refugees fleeing instability in the Central African Republic. Others fled insecurity caused by Boko Haram attacks in northern Cameroon and the conflict between the government and separatist groups in Cameroons western regions.

Pauline Irene Nguene, Cameroons minister of social affairs, said several conflicts Cameroon and its neighbors are experiencing contribute to the increase in the number of street children. She said the government struggles to contain the crises and is working to return children and displaced persons to their communities. Cameroon is encouraging families and communities to assist the government by providing shelter, accommodation and access to education for the street children.

Speaking on Cameroon state radio CRTV, Nguene said the government will house, feed and educate street children and urged them to leave the streets. She said at least 250 children have either been reunited with their families or enrolled in schools within the past year.

The government says the number of street children may continue to grow in the urban centers where about 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Tech platforms such as Etsy are quickly emerging as ways to send help directly to Ukrainians. The crafts-focused marketplace has become part of the hidden infrastructure for global humanitarian aid. Since the start of Russias invasion, thousands of crafters worldwide have been selling Ukrainian-themed products on the website and sending the proceeds to charity. Maxim Moskalkov has the story.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

Recap of April 13

FIGHTING

* U.S. President Joe Bidens administration announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total aid tally since Russian forces invaded to more than $2.4 billion.

* The U.K. defense ministry said Russias appointment of army general Alexander Dvornikov as commander of the war in Ukraine represents attempt to centralize command and control.

* Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in Mariupol. Ukrainian presidential adviser did not comment on the alleged mass surrender, but said that elements of the 36th Marine Brigade had managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city due to a risky maneuver.

HUMANITARIAN

* U.N. Humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths recently went to Moscow and Kyiv to seek a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters that it does not look like that is possible right now.

*Human rights activist Nadia Murad launched global guidelines at the United Nations on how to safely and effectively collect evidence from survivors and witnesses of sexual violence in conflict.

* Ukraines deputy defense minister said it is still too early for civilians to return to places including capital Kyiv.

* Ukraines Interior Ministry said more than 720 people have been killed in Bucha and other Kyiv suburbs that were occupied by Russian troops and more than 200 are considered missing.

DIPLOMACY

* The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court visited Bucha, Ukraine, saying, Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed.

* Finland will take a decision about whether to apply to join the U.S.-led NATO alliance in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said

* The Pentagon is holding a classified meeting Wednesday with the heads of the largest U.S. defense contractors to discuss meeting Ukraines needs for weapons.

SANCTIONS

* U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appealed to China and other countries to help end Russia's "heinous war" in Ukraine, warning in a landmark speech that those who seek to undermine Western sanctions face consequences.

* The U.S. and its allies are pushing ahead with sanctions aimed at forcing Vladimir Putin to spend Russias money propping up its economy rather than sustaining its war machine for the fight in Ukraine.

* Britain said it had added a further 206 listings under its Russia sanctions regime.

ECONOMY

* The U.N. secretary-general warned that as a result of Russias war in Ukraine, the developing world is facing a perfect storm threatening to devastate many economies.

* For President Joe Biden, the pain Americans are feeling in their pocketbooks comes down to an increasingly repeated slogan: Putins price hike."

MEDIA

* Four journalists who worked for a Moscow student magazine were sentenced to two years of corrective labor by a Russian court for encouraging minors to take part in anti-Kremlin protests.

* The Alliance for Securing Democracy said that Russias disinformation campaign about atrocities committed in Bucha, Ukraine, marked the Kremlins most aggressive disinformation campaign of the war.

For the latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, all times EDT:

8:52 p.m.: U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland defended President Joe Biden's charge that Russia is carrying out a genocide in Ukraine, saying its forces are trying to destroy the country and its civilian population, Agence France-Presse reported. Biden made the accusation against Russian forces on Tuesday, while adding, however, that it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's behavior actually qualifies as genocide.

"I am going to predict that what President Biden called it is what we will ultimately likely find when we are able to gather all of this evidence," Nuland, the State Department's number three official, said on CNN. "Because what is happening on the ground is not an accident.  It is an intentional decision by Russia, by its forces to destroy Ukraine and its civilian population.

The U.N. convention on preventing genocide, dating from 1948, defines it as a crime "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group."

8:41 p.m.: In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hes sincerely thankful to the U.S. an additional $800 million in military assistance. Zelenskyy also said he was thankful for Wednesdays visit by the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. He said those leaders have helped us from the first day, those who did not hesitate to give us weapons, those who did not doubt whether to impose sanctions.

7:06 p.m.: Russia said the flagship of its Black Sea fleet was seriously damaged and its crew evacuated following a fire that caused an explosion, as a Ukrainian official said the vessel had been hit by missiles, Reuters reported. The incident on the Moskva missile cruiser occurred after ammunition on board blew up, Interfax news agency quoted the Russian defense ministry as saying.

Maksym Marchenko, governor of the region around the Black Sea port of Odesa, said in an online post that the 12,500 tonne ship was hit by two missiles, without providing evidence, Reuters reported.

Reuters was not able to independently verify either account.

6:13 p.m.: Moldovas population is strongly divided over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The tiny former Soviet republic, which has a majority Russian-speaking population in some regions, is highly receptive to Russian influence, from Kremlin television propaganda to church altars. VOAs Ricardo Marquina has this story.

5:18 p.m.: At least 98 Ukrainian cultural and religious sites have been damaged or destroyed during Russias invasion of its neighboring country, the United Nation's cultural agency UNESCO said Wednesday. The shelling in Ukraine has so far hit heritage sites in eight regions of the country, including some from the early mediaeval era to others seen as landmarks of early Soviet architecture, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, UNESCOs director of world heritage, said. VOA News has the story. 

4:34 p.m.: Tearful residents looked on as firemen and other emergency workers went through the rubble of apartment blocks in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, looking for bodies. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

4:00 p.m.: Civilians wounded by Russian shelling in Ukraines eastern Donbas region are being transported to the western city of Lviv for medical treatment. Doctors there are able to perform more complex surgeries. Current Time, a co-production of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, has this story.

3:31 p.m.: Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said military aid contained in the newest $800 million package which U.S. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday could begin arriving in Ukraine in as little as 4 days. He said the package provided was based on conversations with Ukrainian officials about what is needed in eastern Ukraine. This includes a variety of weapons, some which require additional training. It also includes chemical/biological/nuclear protective gear, Kirby said. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin monitored the press conference and shared details on Twitter.

3:16 p.m.: Four journalists who worked for a Moscow student magazine were sentenced to two years of corrective labor by a Russian court for encouraging minors to take part in anti-Kremlin protests, Interfax news agency reported. Police detained the four journalists in April 2021 after raiding the magazine's editorial office, Reuters reported.

2:57 p.m.: U.N. Humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths recently went to Moscow and Kyiv to seek a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Wednesday that it does not look like that is possible right now. He said the U.N. also proposed the creation of a mechanism involving Russia, Ukraine, the U.N., and potentially other humanitarian entities, to help guarantee the evacuation of civilians from areas of fighting and to guarantee humanitarian access, VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer reported.

2:30 p.m.: The mayor of Kharkiv on Wednesday said Russian bombing of the Ukrainian city had increased significantly in the past day and reported there were casualties, including dead children. The enemy is bombing residential homes, residential areas. Unfortunately, there are civilian casualties  the worst thing is that children are dying, Ihor Terekhov told Ukrainian national television. Kharkiv has already come under significant Russian strikes since the late February invasion, Reuters reported.

2:14 p.m.: U.S. President Joe Bidens administration on Wednesday announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total aid tally since Russian forces invaded to more than $2.4 billion. The package will include artillery systems, artillery rounds and armored personnel carriers, Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

2:03 p.m.: The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court visited Bucha, Ukraine, on Wednesday, saying Were here because we have reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed. He called the area a crime scene, reports VOAs Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine.

1:54 p.m.: Western weaponry pouring into Ukraine helped blunt Russias initial offensive and seems certain to play a central role in the approaching, potentially decisive, battle for Ukraines contested Donbas region. The U.S. numbers alone are mounting: more than 12,000 weapons designed to defeat armored vehicles, some 1,400 shoulder-fired Stinger missiles to shoot down aircraft and more than 50 million rounds of ammunition, among many other things. Dozens of other nations are adding to the totals. Yet the Russian military is making little headway halting what has become a historic arms express, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

1:41 p.m.: The mayor of Ukraines capital city Kyiv, Vitaliy Klitschko, said Wednesday that approximately two-thirds of the citys residents have returned home, despite his statements cautioning against coming back too soon. He said some utilities are returning to normal operations in Kyiv, but that the military still advises that residents should wait longer before heading home since there is still the threat from rocket fire. Klitschko said that in communities surrounding Kyiv, demining activities are not completed and several people have died as a result of explosions, the Kyiv Independent reported.

1:34 p.m.: The Kremlin has rejected Kyiv's offer to swap arrested pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk for Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian troops during Moscow's ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that "Medvedchuk is not a Russian citizen and has nothing to do with the special military operation [in Ukraine]." Medvedchuk, who led the Opposition Platform  For Life party, which advocated close ties with Russia, was arrested last year on charges of treason and terrorism financing. The 67-year-old Medvedchuk denies the charges and calls them politically motivated, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

1:26 p.m.: Volunteers are working alongside humanitarian organizations to help refugees inside and outside of Ukraine. VOAs Celia Mendoza has more from Przemysl, Poland.

1:15 p.m.: The U.N. Secretary-General warned Wednesday that as a result of Russias war in Ukraine, the developing world is facing a perfect storm threatening to devastate many economies. As many as 1.7 billion people  one third of whom are already living in poverty  are now highly exposed to disruptions in food, energy and finance systems that are triggering increases in poverty and hunger, Antonio Guterres told reporters. He said 36 countries, including some of the worlds poorest, depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports. VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer has this story.

12:58 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed additional defensive and financial aid for Kyiv as well as sanctions and alleged Russian war crimes, the Ukrainian president said Wednesday. "Continued constant dialogue with @POTUS. Assessed Russian war crimes. Discussed additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid. Agreed to enhance sanctions," Zelenskyy tweeted.

12:55 p.m.: Ukraines besieged southern city Mariupol is teetering on the brink, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Wednesday. "The city is smashed to pieces," said Mariupol journalist Yulia Harkusha, a contributor to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service who just completed the hazardous journey from the Azov Sea port city to territory held by the Ukrainian military. "There is nothing left [for the Russians] to control. I have only seen sights like this in photographs from World War II, when Dresden was bombed," she said.

12:46 p.m.: Polish officials shared a photo of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy standing between the presidents of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia, who visited Ukraine on Wednesday in a show of solidarity and to hold talks on ways to assist civilians and the military in Ukraine, as well as how to help with investigations into allegations of Russian war crimes.

12:41 p.m.: Tech platforms such as Etsy are quickly emerging as ways to send help directly to Ukrainians. The crafts-focused marketplace has become part of the hidden infrastructure for global humanitarian aid. Since the start of Russias invasion, thousands of crafters worldwide have been selling Ukrainian-themed products on the website and sending the proceeds to charity. VOAs Maxim Moskalkov has the story.

12:26 p.m.: The Security Service of Ukraine captured the countrys most high-profile pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk this week. He had fled from house arrest in February after Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Medvedchuk is a member of the Ukrainian parliament and a co-leader of the pro-Kremlin Opposition Platform  For Life party, whose activities were banned in March as a result of the Russian invasion. Medvedchuk is reported to be Russian dictator Vladimir Putins right-hand man in Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent published an article Wednesday explaining the significance of his capture.

12:13 p.m.: Human rights activist Nadia Murad launched global guidelines at the United Nations on Wednesday on how to safely and effectively collect evidence from survivors and witnesses of sexual violence in conflict. Murad, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for her efforts to end rape as a weapon of war, first addressed the U.N. Security Council in 2015 at the age of 22 - describing the torture and rape she suffered while enslaved by Islamic State a year earlier. Dubbed the Murad Code, the new guidance was developed with British funding by campaign group Nadia's Initiative and the Institute for International Criminal Investigations, aiming to reduce the risk of further trauma for survivors when providing evidence, Reuters reported.

11:58 a.m.: A senior U.S. defense official said in his regular briefing Wednesday that Russia is staging troops and equipment, including helicopters and artillery systems, in Belgorod, Valuyki, and Rovenki ahead of a renewed push expected to target eastern Ukraines Donbas region. He said U.S. Javelin anti-tank missiles continue to flow in to Ukraine, with more expected to arrive in the next 24 hours, while the remaining switchblade anti-tank drones (of 100 authorized) are being delivered in the next 24 hours. More training is under discussion as well, he added. The senior defense official said Russian troop morale problems persist. He said there is no update on alleged Russian use of chemical weapons in Mariupol, and that we still do not believe the Russians have taken Mariupol but clearly they remain focused on that. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin shared more details on Twitter.

11:50 a.m.: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the head of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan will speak at 12:00 p.m. at U.N. Headquarters in New York about the global impact of the war in Ukraine on food, energy and financial systems.

11:28 a.m.: Experts commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say they found clear patterns of violations of international humanitarian law by Russian forces in Ukraine in a report issued Wednesday. The report also found some violations and problems in Ukrainian practices, voicing concern about the treatment of prisoners of war, according to The Associated Press.

11:10 a.m.: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday appealed to China and other countries to help end Russia's "heinous war" in Ukraine, warning in a landmark speech that those who seek to undermine Western sanctions face consequences, Reuters reported. Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Yellen said she "fervently" hoped that China would make something positive out of its "special relationship" with Russia and said Beijing's standing in the world would suffer if it fails to do so. China cannot expect the global community to respect any future appeals on sovereignty and territorial integrity if it fails to respect these principles in Ukraine "now when it counts," she said. "The worlds attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by Chinas reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia," Yellen said.

11:06 a.m.: With the European Union pledging to end its dependence on Russian gas, Turkey is positioning itself as a key bridge to alternative energy supplies from other nations. VOAs Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.

10:47 a.m.: Finland will take a decision about whether to apply to join the U.S.-led NATO alliance in the next few weeks, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday. Finland and fellow Nordic state and neighbor Sweden are close partners with NATO but have shied away from joining the 30-member alliance. "We have to be prepared for all kinds of actions from Russia," Marin told reporters at a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said the main advantage was the security of Article 5, under which the alliance regards an attack on one member as an attack on all. Russia has repeatedly warned both countries against joining NATO. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that if they did, Russia would have to "rebalance the situation" with its own measures, Reuters reported.

10:24 a.m.: A video released Wednesday by Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presents a wish list for military arms and equipment. He said, Freedom must be armed better than tyranny. Western countries have everything to make it happen.

10:22 a.m.: Germany's president would have liked to visit Ukraine and the fact that he was not received there was "irritating", Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, long a proponent of reconciliation with Russia, said on Tuesday Kyiv did not want him to visit. A Ukrainian official subsequently denied that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had rejected a visit offer from Steinmeier. Asked if he himself planned a visit to Kyiv, Scholz said he was in more regular contact with Zelenskyy than almost any other Western politician, Reuters reported.

10:20 a.m.: The Alliance for Securing Democracy provided analysis on Russian disinformation efforts. It said that Russias disinformation campaign about atrocities committed in Bucha, Ukraine, marked the Kremlins most aggressive disinformation campaign of the war. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin shared some highlights on Twitter Wednesday.

10:16 a.m.: The World Health Organization says attacks on health care personnel and facilities by Russian forces in Ukraine are impeding efforts to provide life-saving medical care to the beleaguered population. WHO emergency medical teams are setting up field hospitals where facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and they are working with national and international partners to set up mobile primary health care clinics. VOAs Lisa Schlein has the story.

10:02 a.m.: Five pregnant Ukrainian surrogates bearing American children were among 60 people who were successfully rescued from the Ukrainian war zone in the past few days, according to Project DYNAMO, a Florida-based non-profit rescue organization. The 60 evacuees included surrogate mothers, their children and family members, and others desperate to escape attacks by Russian forces and occupied areas of Ukraine, the organization said in a press release. The surrogates were evacuated from areas near Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Nickolaev, and Kakhovka before being transported to a Project DYNAMO safe location within Ukraine, it said. It is also being used as a safe site where surrogates can remain until they are either able to deliver their babies or be transported to other safe locations far from the Russian offensive. Surrogate mothers are legally unable to leave Ukraine prior to giving birth, the organization noted.

9:51 a.m.: The Royal Court of Jersey has imposed a formal freezing order on $7 billion worth of assets linked to Roman Abramovich while police have searched properties linked to the billionaire, the British Channel Island's Law Officers' Department said. Abramovich was among several wealthy Russians added last month to British and European Union sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and governments have since been taking action to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them. Earlier this month, the Caribbean nation Antigua and Barbuda said it was willing to help Britain seize yachts owned by Abramovich. Superyachts linked to the businessman, together worth an estimated $1.2 billion, have also been docked in southwest Turkey. Abramovich had sought to sell Premier League soccer club Chelsea before he was sanctioned, but that process was taken out of his hands by the British government after his finances were blacklisted, Reuters reported.

9:45 a.m.: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addresses an Atlantic Council forum at 10 a.m. to discuss "the future of the global economy and U.S. economic leadership"; "the way forward for the global economy in the wake of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine" and "unmet global challenges that would benefit from greater cooperation in the years ahead." Following her speech, Yellen will participate in a discussion with Financial Times columnist and associate editor Rana Foroohar.

8:56 a.m.: Russia will view U.S. and NATO vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as legitimate military targets, Reuters reported. Any attempts by the West to inflict significant damage on Russia's military or its separatist allies in Ukraine will be "harshly suppressed," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the TASS news agency in an interview on Wednesday. "We are warning that U.S.-NATO weapons transports across Ukrainian territory will be considered by us as legal military targets," TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying. "We are making the Americans and other Westerners understand that attempts to slow down our special operation, to inflict maximum damage on Russian contingents and formations of the DPR and LPR (Donetsk and Luhansk People's republics) will be harshly suppressed," he said.

8:39 a.m.: More than a dozen yachts owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs have been seized  or identified for seizure  since the invasion of Ukraine began, according to Axios. The fleet of yachts impounded around the world so far is worth more than $2.5 billion. That's, ultimately, a drop in the bucket of sanctioned Russian assets, yet one that's garnered outsized publicity as a symbol of the plundered wealth enjoyed for so long by Vladimir Putin's cronies, Axios reported. A Twitter account tracking Russian-owned yachts and their seizures has attracted 30,000 followers so far. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said on April 6, It does not matter how far you sail your yacht, it does not matter how well you conceal your assets, it does not matter how cleverly you write your malware, or hide your online activity. The Justice Department will use every available tool to find you, disrupt your plots, and hold you accountable.

8:23 a.m.: Nearly 40 countries plan to bring a draft resolution to the U.N. General Assembly that seeks to hold the five veto-wielding countries in the Security Council accountable when they exercise that right. If adopted, the resolution would require the General Assembly to meet when one of the five permanent Security Council members  Britain, China, France, Russia or the United States  uses its veto to block adoption of a council resolution. VOAs U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer has the story.

8:14 a.m. : Pope Francis wrote in an essay published Wednesday in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that he would never have thought a year ago that war would be raging in Europe, The Associated Press reported. The pope lamented that peoples memories are short. Yes, because if we had a memory, we would recall what our grandparents and our parents recounted to us, and we would feel the need for peace like our lungs need oxygen. Francis said that the way to rip out hate from the heart is through dialogue, negotiations, listening, diplomatic ability and creativity, long-ranged policies capable of constructing a new system of co-existence that isnt any longer based on weapons, on deterrence.

8:06 a.m.: The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia arrived in Ukraines capital Kyiv on Wednesday for official talks with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Kyiv Independent reported. The four join a growing number of European politicians to visit the Ukrainian capital since Russian forces were driven away from the countrys north earlier this month. The meeting will focus on ways to assist civilians and the military in Ukraine, as well as with investigations of war crimes, said a spokesperson for Estonian President Alar Karis.

7:32 a.m.: The scale of Russias looting of Ukraine has become clearer with new photos indicating Russian theft of hazardous materials from a site near Chernobyls nuclear power plant, and another image from Belarus adding to evidence that Russian soldiers mailed looted goods home. VOA has obtained exclusive photos of a nuclear laboratory from which a Ukrainian official says Russian troops stole radioactive material that could be harmful if mishandled. Michael Lipin and Igor Tsikhanenka have this story.

7:21 a.m.: The National Guard of Ukraine on Wednesday said it found weapons left behind by Russians after their withdrawal from the Kyiv region. Boxes of shells were found in the village of Korolivtski, the Kyiv Independent reported.

7:16 a.m.: Russian users of Netflix have launched a class action lawsuit against the streaming giant for leaving the Russian market, demanding 60 million roubles ($726,000) in compensation, the RIA news agency reported on Wednesday. Netflix Inc said in March that it suspended its service in Russia and had temporarily stopped all future projects and acquisitions in the country as it assessed the impact of Moscows invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters.

7:05 a.m.: Countries that are seeking advantage by failing to condemn Russia's "heinous war" against Ukraine are being short-sighted and will face consequences if they undermine Western sanctions, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Wednesday in wide-ranging remarks prepared for an event hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank. Washington and its allies have sought to pressure India, China and other "fence-sitters" to take a clear stance opposing Russias invasion of Ukraine. Yellen said the war between Russia and Ukraine had redrawn the world economic outlook. "Rest assured, until Putin ends his heinous war of choice, the Biden Administration will work with our partners to push Russia further towards economic, financial, and strategic isolation," she said.

6:51 a.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has decried an alarming recession of democracy and respect for human rights in many parts of the world over the past year, with governments growing more brazen in reaching across borders to threaten and attack critics. In few places have the human consequences of this decline been as stark as they are in the Russian governments brutal war on Ukraine, Blinken said in remarks on the release of the U.S. State Departments 2021 global human rights report. VOA's State Department Correspondent Nike Ching has this report.

6:42 a.m.: The Vaticans decision to have both Ukrainians and Russians take part in Pope Francis Way of the Cross procession on Friday has caused friction with Ukrainian Catholic leaders, who want it to be reconsidered, Reuters reported.

6:34 a.m.: The bodies of more than 1,500 dead Russian soldiers are lying in morgues in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, deputy mayor Mykhailo Lysenko said Wednesday. The bodies remain in mortuary refrigerators since no one wants to take them away, he said, according to the Kyiv Independent. Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Lysenko as saying, "We hope that some of the Russian mothers will be able to come and pick up their sons, whom they raised all their lives. We already have four refrigerators full of bodies of Russian soldiers. No matter what, these are someone's children, adding We will organize all this, if only they take away the bodies of their sons."

6:29 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday mocked Moscow's insistence that the war against his nation was going well, Reuters reported. Putin, speaking on Tuesday, said Russia would achieve all of its "noble" aims and "rhythmically and calmly" continue what it calls a special operation. "How could a plan that provides for the death of tens of thousands of their own soldiers in a little more than a month of war come about? Who could approve such a plan?" Zelenskyy said in a video address, and asked how many dead Russian soldiers would be acceptable to Putin. Moscow had lost more men in 48 days since the war started than in the 10-year Afghan war from 1979 to 1989, he said.

6:25 a.m.: In response to Moscows invasion of Ukraine, Britain said Wednesday it had added a further 206 listings under its Russia sanctions regime, Reuters reported.

6:15: a.m.: The Associated Press reported that more than 720 people have been killed in Bucha and other Kyiv suburbs that were occupied by Russian troops and more than 200 are considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday. In Bucha alone, Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said 403 bodies had been found and the toll could rise as minesweepers comb the area.

5:15 a.m.: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Estonian parliament Wednesday urging leaders to stop Russian aggression by acting together and called for continued sanctions on Russia. Zelenskyy said imposing sanctions is the only instrument that could force Russia to consider peace, Reuters reported.

5:00 a.m.: Russia says more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in the besieged southeastern port of Mariupol, The Associated Press reported.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals plant in the city. Russian forces moved on Mariupol in late February and units in the city have been running low on supplies. Konashenkov said that the 1,026 Ukrainian marines included 162 officers and 47 female personnel, and that 151 wounded received medical treatment.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the alleged mass surrender, but said in a post on Twitter that elements of the 36th Marine Brigade had managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

4:45 a.m.: Reuters reported that at least seven people were killed and 22 wounded by shelling in Ukraines northeastern region of Kharkiv over the past 24 hours, Governor Oleh Synegubov said on Wednesday.

In an online post, he said a 2-year-old boy was among those killed in the 53 artillery or rocket strikes he said Russian forces had carried out in the past day in the region. Reuters added that it could not independently verify the information. Russia denies targeting civilians.

4:00 a.m.: Chinas overall trade with Russia rose over 12% in March from a year earlier, slowing from February but still outpacing the growth in Chinas total imports and exports, as Beijing slammed Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Reuters has the story.

3:30 a.m.: In Kyiv, Zelenskyy was due to host Polish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Egils Levits and Estonian President Alar Karis.

Our countries are showing support to Ukraine and President Zelenskiy in this way, Jakub Kumoch, a Duda adviser, tweeted Wednesday.

3:00 a.m.: Ukraines Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Wednesday there was a high risk of Russia using chemical weapons against her country, echoing warnings by President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy earlier in the week, according to Reuters.

On Tuesday Malyar said authorities were checking unverified reports that Russia may have already used chemical weapons while besieging the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol and that there was a theory that phosphorous munitions had been used.

Russia has previously called U.S. talk of Russia using chemical weapons a tactic to divert attention away from awkward questions for Washington and accused Ukraine of preparing to use them, Reuters reported.

2:30 a.m.: Ukraines deputy defense minister said it is still too early for civilians to return to places including capital Kyiv, Reuters reported.

2:00 a.m.: The United States is expected to soon announce up to $750 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals for more help to beat back Russian forces.

A senior congressional aide told Reuters that while the final package is still under discussion, it is likely to include heavy ground artillery systems, including howitzers. A senior U.S. defense official said Ukrainian forces have received a significant amount of the 100 so-called switchblade drones, equipped with tank-busting warheads, promised as part of an earlier $300 million security assistance package.

The remaining drones are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the next week or so, as are additional Javelin anti-tank missiles.

U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday affirmed their commitment to continue providing security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face of ongoing atrocities by Russia, the White House said in a statement.

1:40 a.m.: The Pentagon is holding a classified meeting Wednesday with the heads of the largest U.S. defense contractors to discuss meeting Ukraines needs for weapons. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks told reporters she will attend the talks.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that that the U.S. will continue to deliver security assistance and coordinate with Allies and partners to support Ukraines capacity to defend itself.

1:30 a.m.: In its battleground intelligence update Wednesday, the U.K. defense ministry said Russias appointment of army general Alexander Dvornikov as commander of the war in Ukraine represents attempt to centralize command and control.

Russias inability to cohere and coordinate military activity has hampered its invasion of Ukraine to date, the ministry tweeted. General Dvornikovs appointment shows how Ukrainian resistance and Russias ineffective pre-war planning is forcing it to reassess its operations, according to the statement. The U.K. also said Russian messaging has recently emphasized progressing offensives in the Donbas as Russias forces refocus eastwards. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

U.S. officials allege that Dvornikov was responsible for brutal attacks on civilians in the Syrian war zone. VOAs Ken Bredemeier has the story.

12:30 a.m.: The United States and its allies are pushing ahead with sanctions aimed at forcing Vladimir Putin to spend Russias money propping up its economy rather than sustaining its war machine for the fight in Ukraine, a top Treasury Department official said Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, one of the main U.S. coordinators on the Russian sanctions strategy, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the goal is to make Russia less able to project power in the future.

On the same day that inflation notched its steepest increase in decades, Adeyemo said reducing supply chain backlogs and managing the pandemic are key to bringing down soaring prices that he related to the ongoing land war in Ukraine, which has contributed to rising energy costs.

Adeyemo discussed the next steps the U.S. and its allies will take to inflict financial pain on Russia  and the complications the war has on rising costs to Americans back home.

Adeyemo said the U.S. and its allies will next target the supply chains that contribute to the construction of Russias war machine, which includes everything from looking at ways to go after the military devices that have been built to use not only in Ukraine, but to project power elsewhere.

12:00 a.m.: For President Joe Biden, the pain Americans are feeling in their pocketbooks comes down to an increasingly repeated slogan: Putins price hike.

For more than a month now, his administration has tried to blame rising prices on the Russian presidents invasion of Ukraine. But the truth is a little more complicated, analysts say. VOA White House correspondent Anita Powell reports from Washington.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Local media watchdogs in Afghanistan and the United Nations have called on the Taliban to stop the arbitrary detention of local journalists in Afghanistan.

Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, in a statement on Thursday, said that the Taliban arrested its provincial representative in central Ghor province along with another local journalist on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the local journalist was released two hours later but AJSCs provincial representative, Ghulam Rabani Hadafmand, was still in the Talibans detention.

"Although it has been more than 24 hours from the incident, the provincial representative of AJSC in Ghor is still under arrest," said the statement, which called on the Taliban to release Hadafmand and "provide the necessary explanations based on the provisions of law."

In a tweet on Thursday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said that the "arbitrary & incommunicado detentions of journalists & media workers by the Taliban show no sign of abating."

UNAMA has called on the Taliban to stop the "intimidation of media."

UNAMA has said that Afghan journalist Bismillah Watandost was released after being held in detention by the Taliban for 10 days.

Watandost was arrested along with five other journalists in the southern city of Kandahar after four radio stations were raided on March 28.

Zahir Shah Angar, an Afghan journalist and managing editor of Da Sule Paigham radio in the southern Khost province, said that the detentions and continuing violence against journalists are making a challenging environment for journalists even more difficult.

"For sure, it has an impact on journalists' work. Because it created fear among journalists," he said.

Angar added that in the meetings with media support organizations, the Talibans spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, "repeatedly" said that they are "committed to the freedom of expression and in future journalists would not be arrested."



He added, "We hope that the interim government [of the Taliban] will stand by their word. Otherwise, independent media would not be able to operate in the country."

The International Federation of Journalists, in a statement on March 31, said the media crackdown has increased in Afghanistan.

IFJ said that from March 26 to 28, at least eight media workers in Afghanistan were arrested and two radio stations were closed.

In its statement, IFJ called on the Taliban for the "immediate release of all detained media personnel and the reinstatement of all broadcasters and media organizations affected by the Talibans new media restrictions."

According to the Afghanistan Federation of Journalists and Media, 21 journalists were detained across Afghanistan in March.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in a statement on Feb. 4, reported an increase in "threats, summonses for interrogation and arbitrary arrests" of journalists in Afghanistan.

RSF said that the Talibans intelligence and Ministry of Promoting Virtue and Suppressing Vice are "directly implicated in this harassment, which violates Afghanistans press law."

The Taliban did not respond to VOAs inquiries about the recent detention of journalists.

Abdul Subhan Misbah, former deputy head of Afghanistans Lawyers Union, told VOA that the detention of journalists is "unlawful."

"There is a media commission to deal with the media offenses in case of violations by journalists. If a case is not addressed by the commission, then it is referred to the court. These detentions are a violation of the laws," Misbah said.

Misbah added "without doubt, it will put an end to the freedom of expression in the country, one of the main gains of the past two decades."

In a conference in January, local radio owners in Afghanistan called on the Taliban to guarantee freedom and clarify their stance on the media law of Afghanistan.

After seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021 the Taliban promised that media would be free and independent, but they have increased their crackdown on independent media in Afghanistan.

In a press release issued in November, IFJ said that at least seven journalists were killed in Afghanistan in the first three months of the Talibans takeover. It said there were "many more suffering intensifying threats, harassment, intimidation and violence."

According to a survey by RSF in December 2021, about 40% of Afghan media have closed since Aug. 15 and 60% of Afghan journalists and media employees are no longer able to work, including more than 80 percent of female journalists.

The Taliban have also banned international broadcasters, including Voice of America, BBC and Deutsche Welle.



IFJ has called the Talibans ban on the international outlets "a major blow for press freedom and public access to information in Afghanistan."
The man who stabbed and killed a British member of parliament last fall has been sentenced to life in prison.

Ali Harbi Ali, 26, who was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group, attacked Conservative Party member David Amess, 69, at a church event last October, killing him. Ali said the attack was revenge for Amess support of airstrikes in Syria.

During the trial, prosecutors called Ali a "committed, fanatical, radicalized Islamist terrorist." Ali reportedly told detectives hed been planning to kill a parliamentarian for years.

The jury took just 18 minutes to reach the conviction.

"It's clear that the man who begins a life sentence today is a cold, calculated and dangerous individual," Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said in a statement outside court following the sentencing.

Amess family gave a brief statement after the sentencing.

"Our amazing husband and father has been taken from us in an appalling and violent manner. Nothing will ever compensate for that," they said. "We will struggle through each day for the rest of our lives. Our last thought before sleep will be of David. We will forever shed tears for the man we have lost. We shall never get over this tragedy."

Some information in this report comes from Reuters.
The Taliban have portrayed their leader's ban on secondary education for Afghan women and girls as based in religious principles, but Muslim scholars and activists say gender-based denial of education has no religious justification.

The unseen leader of the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has kept mum despite growing demands from across the Muslim world to lift his ban on secondary education for Afghan girls.

Officials in the Taliban government's Ministry of Education say they stand ready to reopen schools for all girls anytime Akhundzada orders. But the reclusive Taliban leader, who carries the religious title of "Commander of the Faithful," has ignored repeated calls  even from many Afghan Islamic clerics  to reconsider his decision.

"Islam is the bearer of rights for women, including the rights to education and work," a group of clerics in Kabul said on Tuesday while calling for the reopening of secondary schools for girls. It was the clerics' second such demand in less than a month.

Prominent individual scholars have made similar calls while citing Islamic legal jurisprudence in support of education and work for women.

"There is not a single problem with females' education," said Sheikh Faqirullah Faiq, a leading Islamic scholar in Afghanistan, in an audio message last month. He said he was speaking on behalf of many other Muslim scholars.

Akhundzada, who has ultimate and undisputed power in the Taliban regime, has not given a reason or justification for his opposition to girls' education, but in his terse written decrees, which are widely circulated by Taliban officials, he has always insisted that his decisions are strictly in accordance with Islamic verses.

Global calls

From the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the councils of religious scholars in several Muslim countries, a chorus of Muslim voices has opposed the ban on girls' education.

"Following the decision by the de facto government of Afghanistan to maintain an earlier ban on girls' schools, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation expresses its deep disappointment over this unexpected decision," the organization tweeted on March 24.

The ban on girls' education has no Islamic justification, according to Daisy Khan, founder and executive director of Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality. "Islam places great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge," she told VOA.

"The Taliban's recent ban on secondary education for girls is unacceptable and is clearly contrary to Islamic teachings. There is no mention in the Quran or prophetic sayings that justifies such action by the Taliban," Haroon Imtiaz, a spokesman for the Islamic Society of North America, told VOA.

The lack of response from the Taliban's top leader to such explicit repudiation of his ban stands in breach of his Islamic duties and obligations, experts say.

They say that as the head of an Islamic state, the Taliban leader must consult with and listen to his people and the wider Muslim community.

The Taliban government "must seek the counsel of those who serve the public daily  the ulema who understand the plight of their people, and civil society organizations who understand social dilemmas facing people," Khan said.

Tribal culture?

While describing it un-Islamic, some experts say the Taliban leader's opposition to girls' education might be shaped by Afghanistan's patriarchal tribal traditions.

"Unfortunately, misogynistic customs and practices  including in Muslim-majority countries like Afghanistan  have continued to propel the domination of men over girls and women, with the Taliban's un-Islamic prohibition on girls' education being one manifestation," said Zainab Chaudry, a spokesperson and director of the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nongovernmental civil rights and advocacy group in the United States.

Having some of the worst health, economic and social indicators for women in the world, Afghanistan was reported to be the worst country for women even before the Taliban's return to power.

"Cultural edicts and practices that conflict with religious obligations are not permissible in Islam," Chaudry told VOA.

Imtiaz, the spokesman for the Islamic Society of North America, said cultural restrictions that make it difficult for Muslim women to pursue work and education are unacceptable. In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad is known to have said, 'The best of you are those who are best to your women.' In no way are we honoring and benefiting women if we place unfair restrictions on their ability to flourish."

History of defiance

Taliban leaders have a history of defying global calls to change their controversial decisions.

Despite widespread international outcry for the protection of sixth-century Buddha statues carved into a cliff in central Afghanistan, former Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar had the giant historic monuments destroyed in 2001, alleging it was his Islamic duty.

Like his predecessor, the current Taliban leader has virtually unlimited power within the country and is accountable to no one. As such, he alone decides the fate of the Afghan girls' secondary education and the rights of Afghan women to work.
New York City police named a person of interest in Tuesday's rush hour shooting on a subway train in the city's Brooklyn borough that left nearly two dozen people injured, but no one has been taken into custody yet.

Police said they want to speak to Frank R. James, 62, who has addresses in the state of Wisconsin and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They believe he rented a van found 8 kilometers from the train station that is being investigated for links to the shooting.

New York Police Chief of Detectives Jim Essig told reporters late Tuesday that the key for the van was found at the Brooklyn subway station where the shooting occurred.

"We are endeavoring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any," Essig said of James. "The two crime scenes  the subway and the van  are very active and are still being processed."

Essig said James rented the van in Philadelphia.

A reward of $50,000 is being offered for information.

The attack in the 36th Street Station in the ethnically diverse working-class Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn left 23 people injured, 10 of them from gunshot wounds. Police said five are in critical but stable condition. The others suffered smoke inhalation and falls in the commotion.

Police said the suspect, a heavy-set, dark-skinned male wearing a green nylon vest like construction workers wear, was in the second car of the train.

"As the train approached 36th Street (station), witnesses state the male opened up two smoke grenades, tossed them on the subway floor, brandishes a Glock 9 mm handgun. He then fired that weapon at least 33 times, striking 10 people," Chief Essig said. "The male then fled the scene, and detectives are actively trying to determine his whereabouts."

Photos and videos posted to social media show bloodied victims spilling onto the platform and smoke lingering in the air.

"My subway door opened into calamity. It was smoke and blood and people screaming," eyewitness Sam Carcamo told local radio station 1010 WINS.

Police also recovered other items at the scene linked to the shooter, including the Glock 17 9 mm handgun, ammunition for it, discharged shell casings, bullets, two detonated smoke grenades and two that were not detonated, as well as a hatchet, a trash can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key for the van.

While the gunman's motive is not yet known, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the incident is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time. She also said the mayor's security detail would be tightened out of an abundance of caution because of some social media posts by James.

Police have been hampered in their investigation because security cameras were not working in the station where the shooting took place nor at two other stations along the route.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is in isolation with COVID-19, told reporters by video link that gun violence must end.

"I will continue to do everything in my power to dam the rivers that feed the sea of violence," Adams said. "But this is not only a New York City problem. This rage, this violence, these guns, these relentless shooters are an American problem. It's going to take all levels of government to solve it."

The attack comes against a backdrop of rising violent crime in New York City, including the recent killings of a 16-year-old girl and a grandmother, as well as crime on the subway.

The mayor, a former police officer who took office in January, has said reducing crime is a top priority of his administration.


Four journalists who worked for a Moscow student magazine were sentenced to two years of corrective labor by a Russian court on Tuesday for encouraging minors to take part in anti-Kremlin protests, Interfax news agency reported.

The independent DOXA outlet was set up by students and university graduates at Moscow's Higher School of Economics in 2017, covering student life, higher education, politics and science.

Police detained the four journalists in April 2021 after raiding the magazine's editorial office.

The raid coincided with a crackdown on allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, whose arrest and jailing in early 2021 sparked several nationwide protests that police said were illegal and broke up using force.

DOXA said at the time its journalists had been detained over a video clip in which the outlet said it was illegal for universities to expel students for taking part in pro-Navalny protests.

It said it had taken down the video at the request of the state media regulator.

The punishment handed down by the court in Moscow's Dorogomilovsky district does not involve prison time.

The court also forbade the four from administering internet resources for three years, Interfax reported, adding that they will appeal the verdict.
The suspect in a mass shooting Tuesday on a New York City subway was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with a federal terrorism offense, Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, told reporters.

Frank R. James, 62, was arrested in Manhattans East Village neighborhood after police received a tip. According to The New York Times, he was taken into custody without incident.

"My fellow New Yorkers, we got him, Mayor Eric Adams said from Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor, where he is recovering from COVID-19.

James allegedly set off a smoke grenade on a subway train and then opened fire on other riders as the train approached the 36th Street station in Brooklyn, one of the citys boroughs. Ten people were shot, with five reportedly in serious but stable condition. All were expected to survive.

We were able to shrink his world quickly, New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during the press conference Wednesday after James' capture. There was nowhere left for him to run.

One key to locating James was a U-Haul van that he had rented and was discovered eight kilometers from the scene.

New York Police Chief of Detectives Jim Essig told reporters late Tuesday that the key for the van was found at the Brooklyn subway station where the shooting occurred. Essig said James rented the van in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Photos and videos posted to social media on Tuesday showed bloodied victims spilling onto the platform and smoke lingering in the air.

"My subway door opened into calamity. It was smoke and blood and people screaming," eyewitness Sam Carcamo told local radio station WINS.

Police also recovered other items linked to the shooter, including a handgun, ammunition for it, discharged shell casings, bullets, two detonated smoke grenades and two that were not detonated, as well as a hatchet, a trash can, a rolling cart and gasoline.

Police were hampered in their investigation because security cameras were not working in the station where the shooting took place or at two other stations along the route.

A motive for the shootings was still unknown, but online videos posted on James social media account portray a man angry about many things.

In the videos, he rages about a number of subjects, including racism, violence in the Black community, homelessness and the policies of Adams.

The attack came against a backdrop of rising violent crime in the city, including the recent killings of a 16-year-old girl and a grandmother, as well as crime on the subway.

Adams, a former police officer who took office in January, has said reducing crime is a top priority of his administration.

VOAs Margaret Besheer and Richard Green contributed to this report.
More than 7 million South Sudanese will be facing a food crisis by July because of floods, drought and armed clashes.

Food insecurity has worsened since last year. Increased armed violence, population displacement, and climatic shocks such as floods and droughts have played a role, the United Nations and South Sudan government said Saturday in a joint report.

Some 87,000 people in the Pibor Administrative area and parts of Jonglei, Lakes and Unity states are likely to be at catastrophic levels of famine by July. About 2.9 million people will be just one step lower, at emergency levels, according to an analysis of Integrated Food Security Phase Classification data.

More than two-thirds of the population  almost 9 million people  need humanitarian assistance, the U.N. said.

Last year, 5.3 million South Sudanese received food, health, and water and sanitation services as well as education, livelihoods and nutrition assistance.

"We will continue to have the situation we have in South Sudan if we don't start to make that transition to ensuring peace at the community levels," U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Sara Beysolow Nyanti said.

According to Saturday's report, Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Warrap and Eastern Equatoria states will suffer the most from the food shortages.

"Until conflict is addressed, we will continue to see these numbers increase because what it means is that people do not have safe access to their lands to cultivate," said Adeyinka Badejo, World Food Program acting country director in South Sudan.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and has struggled with political and economic crises since then. A five-year civil war killed almost 400,000 people.

Although a 2018 cease-fire and power-sharing deal between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar is still in place, the conflict continues. The U.N. has criticized both leaders for incentivizing violence and corruption.

The U.N. Mission in South Sudan has increased the number of peacekeepers it has deployed and is working with communities in Leer in Unity State to ease ongoing tensions. They are working with local authorities to protect displaced families and provide them with access to clean water and health care.

The South Sudan People's Defense Forces are also reportedly working in Leer to restore order amid the growing humanitarian crisis stemming from the worst flooding in decades.

VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this story. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse.
The United Nations warns a record 7.74 million people, or two-thirds of South Sudans population, are likely to face hunger during this years lean season between May and July. This is the dangerous period between planting and harvesting when food stocks are at their lowest.

Among the millions at risk of hunger are an estimated 87,000 people who will face catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity during the lean period.

A U.N. analysis of the food situation in South Sudan released last week warns many of these people will likely die of starvation.

This, said the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization representative in South Sudan, Meshack Malo, is because they will have run out of coping options to feed themselves and their families.

That can only be remedied by urgent and sustained humanitarian assistance in order to save lives and to re-establish livelihoods so that it can see them through to the next harvest season, he said.

Speaking from the capital Juba, Malo said among those most at risk are some 1.34 million severely malnourished children. He said 676,000 pregnant and lactating women also are expected to be malnourished this year and are in need of special nutritional treatment.

The key drivers of food insecurity and extreme hunger in South Sudan include climate shocks. The country has experienced three consecutive years of heavy flooding, interspersed with periods of drought. This has badly impacted peoples ability to cultivate their land and prevent loss of livestock.

Malo said ongoing conflict, high food prices, and poor access to basic services also have contributed to the dire situation in the country.

These have been compounded by the low crop production and livestock diseases that have continued to deplete the household coping strategies because of the protracted crisis that has shrunk the income opportunities available in the country, he said.

At the heart of this crisis, Malo said, is the lack of peace. South Sudan endured a civil war that officially ended a few years ago but parts of the country remained wracked with violence.

The FAO representative said investing in peace will pay huge dividends. It would, he noted, provide people with the space and time to build the resilience needed to prevent households from falling back into a state of severe hunger.
The special U.S. envoy to the Horn of Africa is reportedly stepping away from the post with the region engulfed in political and humanitarian crises.

David Satterfield is resigning just three months after his appointment, according to unnamed current and former officials who spoke to Foreign Policy magazine. Satterfield replaced veteran U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Feltman, who served as special envoy to the Horn of Africa for less than a year on the job. The magazine said Deputy Special Envoy Payton Knopf will take over the role on an interim basis.

The special U.S. envoy to the crisis-engulfed Horn of Africa is reportedly stepping away from his post just three months after his appointment.

David Satterfield is set to resign, according to unnamed current and former officials who spoke to Foreign Policy magazine. Satterfield replaced veteran U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Feltman, who served as special envoy to the Horn of Africa for less than a year.

The magazine said Deputy Special Envoy Payton Knopf will take over the role on an interim basis.

The magazine said a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department refused to confirm Satterfields departure or say why he would step down.

Satterfield and Knopf are scheduled to arrive in Ethiopia April 13 for meetings with Ethiopian government officials and representatives of humanitarian organizations, according to the State Department.

Their visit continues U.S. efforts towards ceasing hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access, transparent investigations into human rights abuses and violations by all actors, and a negotiated resolution to the conflict in Ethiopia, said a spokesperson.

Satterfield has been trying to negotiate an agreement between the Ethiopian government and forces with the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front to end a conflict that began in late 2020 and has since exploded into a civil war that has forced 2 million people from their homes.

Earlier this week, a joint report from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said newly appointed officials in Tigray and the neighboring Amhara region, acting with the acquiescence and possible participation of Ethiopian federal forces, systematically expelled several hundred thousand Tigrayan civilians from their homes using threats, unlawful killings, sexual violence, mass detention, pillage, forcible transfer, and the denial of humanitarian assistance.

In Ethiopia, all parties to the countrys conflict, as well as Eritrean forces, have committed atrocities, and thousands of Ethiopians are being unjustly detained in life-threatening conditions, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Tuesday during the release of the State Departments 2021 annual human rights report.

Meanwhile, Ethiopias neighbor in the Horn, Somalia, is dealing with severe drought that has left millions hungry, with parts of the country on the verge of famine.

Some information for this report came from Reuters.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says he is willing to meet with protesters camped outside the presidential offices in the capital, Colombo, that are demanding his resignation and that of his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, over the countrys economic crisis.

The prime ministers office issued a statement Wednesday saying he is prepared to meet with representatives of the protesters to discuss any proposals they have to resolve the crisis.

The South Asian island nation is struggling under the weight of heavy debt and declining foreign reserves that have created critical shortages of medicine, food and fuel that have led to several hours of power blackouts a day. The COVID-19 pandemic has also ground Sri Lankas vital tourism industry to a halt, dealing an additional blow to its economy.

Sri Lankas central bank announced Tuesday that it is suspending all foreign debt repayments as it prepares to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund on a loan restructuring program.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had issued a state of emergency late last month to end demonstrations outside his home demanding his resignation. The decree had given police the power to make arrests without warrants and made it illegal for people to leave their homes.

But the decree was lifted a few days later after 41 lawmakers abandoned the ruling coalition and became independent, weakening the governments control of Sri Lankas single-chamber parliament.

The mass resignations occurred two days after Rajapaksas entire 26-member Cabinet quit, including his brother, Basil, who served as finance minister.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Swiss prosecutors will not file any charges after concluding a decade-long investigation into alleged money laundering and organized crime linked to late former President Hosni Mubaraks circles in Egypt, and will release some 400 million Swiss francs ($430 million) frozen in Swiss banks.



The office of the Swiss attorney general said Wednesday that information received as part of cooperation with Egyptian authorities wasnt sufficient to back up the claims that emerged in the wake of Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 that felled Mubaraks three-decade rule.



A Swiss investigation into claims that banks in Switzerland were used to squirrel away ill-gotten funds had originally targeted 14 people, including Mubarak's two sons, as well as dozens of other individuals and entities that had assets totaling some 600 million francs frozen.



More than 210 million francs were already released in an earlier phase of the case, which also could not substantiate the allegations, and Wednesdays announcement means about 400 million more will be released and returned to their beneficial owners, the attorney-generals office said.



The final part of the Swiss investigation centered on five people, it said, without identifying them.

Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal, hailed the decision as a full exoneration.



According to a statement sent to The Associated Press by the family's representatives at Portland, a London-based communications firm, Gamal Mubarak said the decision validates the position we have held all along following more than a decade of intrusive investigations, sanctions and mutual legal assistance proceedings.



"The decision marks an important step in our efforts to assert our rights and prove our innocence from the flagrantly false allegations leveled against us over the past 11 years, he said.



Swiss prosecutors say they didnt receive a response to a request for information from commissions created in Egypt to analyze financial transfers connected to people under investigation in Egypt  notably the Mubarak family, the office said. Mubarak died in 2020, aged 91.



As a result, in the absence of evidence relating to potential offenses committed in particular in Egypt, it is not possible to show that the funds located in Switzerland could be of illegal origin, it said. The suspicion of money laundering cannot therefore be substantiated based on the information available.



Swiss banks, reputed for their discretion, have been a favored repository over the years for many wealthy foreigners  including Western industrial tycoons, Russian oligarchs, and autocrats and other leaders and their families and cronies in places as diverse as Africa, the Middle East and Asia.



Swiss authorities have touted a recent crackdown against money laundering through Swiss banks, but advocacy groups and watchdogs say the effort has not succeeded in completely ending such activities.
Mass testing. Snap lockdowns. Extensive quarantines. That's life for residents of Shanghai, and there's no end in sight.

In the third week of draconian COVID-19-containment restrictions, almost 26 million residents of China's most populous city and financial powerhouse are far beyond fed up and bordering on furious. As the highly contagious omicron variant circulates, they're wondering what comes next.

By Tuesday, Shanghai authorities were backtracking on a statement made a day earlier promising to loosen some restrictions. While pivoting, they maintained that the country's zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 was working, despite the increase in cases in Shanghai and throughout China.

Yet recent deaths at nursing homes, a ban keeping people with non-COVID-related illnesses from hospitals, widespread food shortages and a negative impact on businesses are testing the limits of China's zero-COVID approach in Shanghai.

Mo Du, or Magic City, as Shanghai is called, may not necessarily break Beijing's zero-tolerance policy, but what is happening in the city has come under increased scrutiny and criticism from the general public, according to analysts.

Multiple patients have died at the Shanghai Donghai Elderly Care Hospital, according to relatives of patients, with estimates from a variety of sources ranging from 20 to 500. The government-owned care center is the largest nursing home in the city, with 1,800 beds.

The Associated Press interviewed patients' relatives who said care for their family members with COVID-19 deteriorated as authorities quarantined staffers who came in contact with infected residents.

Yue Ge, an independent journalist with a YouTube channel on current affairs, has been in contact with the patients' relatives. He told VOA Mandarin that the first COVID-19 cases at the nursing home appeared early in March.

"As of March 26, 80% of medical staff and care workers had been transferred," he said. "This means that many patients do not have access to basic care and treatment. Some relatives of patients have clearly raised the possibility that their loved ones died of starvation."

He added that patients who tested positive were transferred to hospitals or quarantine centers ill-suited for providing eldercare.

Larry Lang, a well-known Taiwan-born economist who lives in Shanghai, posted on China's Twitter-like platform Weibo that his 98-year-old mother who suffered from kidney problems died because of a care delay. Required to show a negative COVID-19 test to receive needed treatment, she died waiting for results.

"After four hours of waiting at the door of the hospital emergency room, my mom left me forever," he wrote.

"I wanted to see my mother for the last time, but because of quarantine policy, it took me a long time to communicate with the relevant departments to be allowed to travel to the hospital.

"Then, I was standing in the middle of the road and couldn't get a taxi. Because of the lockdown, I didn't get to see my mom one last time. I hope this tragedy doesn't repeat itself," he added.

According to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, the city has reported more than 250,000 cases as of April 13 since the outbreak began on March 1. No deaths have been recorded, and the commission claims that only one case has been found to be severe enough for treatment. It says most of the cases are mild or asymptomatic.

Online, netizens are questioning the death toll.

"The death number should include those who lost their lives because they have no access to emergency care," one said.

"I just don't understand one thing: A patient needs to obtain a negative COVID test to be able to go to the emergency room. So if one tests positive, what happens?" another read.

"Inhumane policies, inhumane policy makers," said a third.

The Associated Press quoted a city health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, that "the criteria for confirming cases and deaths are very strict and susceptible to political meddling."

Scott Gottlieb, who served as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2017 to 2019 and is now on the board of vaccine maker Pfizer Inc., told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday that he's skeptical of Shanghai's reported numbers.

"The data coming out of there is implausible," he said. "They claim  only one severe case and no deaths. We know that's not true."

Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai government Gu Honghui said on Monday that officials had relaxed quarantine rules in more than 7,000 lowest-risk areas because those neighborhoods recorded zero cases of omicron over the past 14 days. The decision meant residents were allowed to move around in their neighborhoods and go shopping.

Yet on Tuesday, residents of the neighborhoods reported that authorities told them that even in these low-risk areas, "no one should go out unless absolutely necessary."

The city added 22,342 new cases on Tuesday, 994 of them symptomatic cases, according to the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. The daily infection rate remained above 20,000 for the sixth straight day.

Experts say Shanghai's combination of changing regulations and the infection rate suggest China is unlikely to relax its strict COVID-19 policies anytime soon.

Yu Ping, an independent scholar and a former senior fellow at New York University's U.S.-Asia Law Institute in New York City, told VOA Mandarin that while a number of medical professionals have been advocating for more relaxed quarantine measures  such as allowing home quarantine for the asymptomatic  Beijing remains wedded to its zero-tolerance policy.

"The thing is that the zero-tolerance policy has shifted from a pandemic control policy to a political goal. This has become Xi Jinping's political capital," he said, referring to China's president.

Dr. Ho Mei-Shang, an adjunct research fellow at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Taiwan's research institute Academia Sinica, told VOA Mandarin that the government should quickly provide effective vaccines for older people and those with chronic diseases. According to the latest statistics, only 62% of those aged 60 and older in Shanghai have been vaccinated.

"A quarantine should be a temporary measure to provide better pandemic control measures. If Beijing doesn't change its strategy, even if they manage to control this wave of the infection, there will be the next wave," she said.

"It's not that we want to coexist with the virus, but the virus has decided to coexist with us," Ho added. "It's impossible to live in a cocoon."

VOA's Gao Feng and Jin Gu contributed to this report.
"There were dead bodies everywhere on the street, destroyed cars with dead people inside, burned cars, some with bullet holes, said Denis Kazansky.

The Ukrainian journalist is still reeling from what he found last week in Bucha.

The affluent suburb of Kyiv was under Russian occupation for more than a month. When Russian troops withdrew on March 31, Kazansky and other journalists embedded with the Ukrainian military were among the first to arrive.

I tried to film everything I saw that day, because these were war crimes and the world needed to see them, said Kazansky, an investigative reporter with TV channel Ukraine 24.

Originally from Donetsk  an eastern region partially controlled by Russian-backed separatists  Kazansky is more used to reporting on criminal activity, including illegal coal mining and corruption in his home region.

Horrific stories

In Bucha, residents told him how Russian soldiers killed and tortured civilians. Inside several looted houses, he saw dead people and dogs.

The 38-year-old journalist documented everything.

These were bodies of civilians, for sure, he told VOA in a recent phone call. But we need to investigate. We need to find the names and identities of these people to prove that what Russian soldiers did in Bucha were undeniably war crimes.

At least 400 bodies were found in Bucha, according to the towns mayor, Anatoliy Fedoruk.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said Russian President Vladimir Putin should be tried for war crimes.

Efforts under way

The International Criminal Court in The Hague has already opened an investigation into alleged war crimes committed on Ukrainian territory. The European Union has said it will provide funding and support to the ICC.

And rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are on the ground, working to collect evidence of alleged crimes.

Journalist organizations, like the investigative news website Bihus.info, are joining those efforts.

We try to gather everything related to Russian military actions in Ukraine that could be used as a piece of evidence at some point, said Maks Opanasenko, chief editor with Bihus.info.

With about two dozen reporters and researchers and a network of Ukrainian journalists from other news organizations, Bihus.info has a two-pronged approach: collecting witness testimony and identifying Russian troops in Ukraine.

Our field reporters go to the scene of any particular attack and begin carrying out detailed interviews, Opanasenko said.

The goal is to record everything while peoples memories are still fresh, Opanasenko said, adding that the team does follow-up interviews to make sure we have as accurate accounts as possible.

When it comes to identifying Russian troops in Ukraine, the team uses open-source information.

Social media has a lot more information than we think, Opanasenko said. We collect information via social media platforms about Russian soldiers and compare them against data that the Ukrainian government publishes about Russian soldiers who are already in Ukraine.

Its a challenging task, given that Western officials estimate more than 150,000 Russian troops are involved in the war in Ukraine. But Bihus.info researchers have already created a growing database.

Our objective is to one day rely on information from this database to identify potential Russian perpetrators against civilians and use them in war crime trials, Opanasenko said.

Syrian experience

Journalists who have lived through Russian-involved conflict have ready advice for their Ukrainian colleagues.

Since 2015, Russian forces have carried out airstrikes on rebel-held areas in Syria on behalf of President Bashar al-Assads regime. Some targeted medical facilities and civilian areas.

Local journalists were the first to document those attacks, experts said.

Journalists had a major role in documenting the remnants of those Russian airstrikes, which eventually prompted the U.N. to release an official report directly indicating that Russia was behind targeting those hospitals, said Ali Al Ibrahim.

The investigative journalist is a founding member of the Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ).

Founded in 2016, SIRAJ has been gathering evidence about attacks on civilians by Russia and other parties involved in Syrias decadelong conflict.

With similar tactics in Ukraine, the Syrian investigative reporting unit said Ukrainian journalists need to be precise in collecting evidence.

They need to collect and document anything they find, from remnants of missiles and cluster munitions to testimonies of local residents and open-source information, Al Ibrahim told VOA.

Cross-examination of [this] information is key to determine whether Russia has deliberately targeted civilian-populated areas in Ukraine, he added.

Al Ibrahim acknowledged that carrying out such diligent work while the war is still unfolding is difficult, but he said its impact would be crucial.

Just like how Syria has been, Ukraine is a full crime scene now, he said. And Ukrainian journalists may not see direct results with their documentation work today.

But, he said, Drawing on our experience in Syria, it is important to keep persistent until tangible results emerge.

Long process

It took nearly six years of documenting Russian military actions in Syria for the U.N. to say Russia was involved in war crimes, Al Ibrahim said.

"So Im confident that one day, thanks to the work of hardworking journalists in Syria and Ukraine, Russian officials responsible for war crimes will be brought to justice, the Syrian journalist said.

Journalist Kazansky recognizes too that his documentation of possible war crimes in Bucha is just the beginning of a lengthy mission.

Ive been doing this just for a few days now, but I will go back to Bucha and try to collect more evidence and talk to more people, he said. More information and investigation into what happened there is needed.

Kazansky said that he was still processing the horrors he witnessed in Bucha, but that he believed Russia had perpetrated many other war crimes across the country.

It is a big country and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
Nearly 40 countries plan to bring a draft resolution to the U.N. General Assembly that seeks to hold the five veto-wielding countries in the Security Council accountable when they exercise that right.

If adopted, the resolution would require the General Assembly to meet when one of the five permanent Security Council members  Britain, China, France, Russia or the United States  uses its veto to block adoption of a council resolution.

Liechtenstein, which is leading the move, said on its Twitter account Tuesday that the co-sponsors will formally present the text next week with hopes for an early adoption in the General Assembly.

The resolution is a meaningful step to empower the GA and strengthen multilateralism, Liechtenstein said.

The General Assembly has recently played a high-profile role convening an emergency special session and highlighting Russias international isolation for its war in Ukraine.

In two votes in the General Assembly, Moscow found itself condemned for its invasion and also called upon to allow humanitarian aid into Ukraine. Both votes happened after Russia blocked action in the Security Council  once with its veto, and the second time with the threat of using it.

In a third vote last week, the assembly took the extremely rare move of suspending Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.

In an address to the Security Council one week ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scolded the 15 members for not carrying out their mandate of maintaining international peace and security, and he called on the U.N. to reform or dissolve.

The United States supports the Liechtenstein-led measure and is one of the group of co-sponsors.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement that there are times when one of the five decide a particular resolution will not advance international peace and security and will cast their veto, but they should be ready to explain their decision.

Unfortunately, not all members of the Security Council share this sentiment, Thomas-Greenfield said. We are particularly concerned by Russias shameful pattern of abusing its veto privilege over the past two decades, including its vetoes to kill a U.N. observer mission in Georgia, block accountability measures and chemical weapons investigations in Syria, prevent the establishment of a criminal tribunal on the downing of flight MH-17 over Ukraine, and protect President Putin from condemnation over his unprovoked and unjust war of choice against Ukraine.

The United States has used its veto on at least a dozen occasions since 2000, on resolutions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On another occasion in 2002, Washington vetoed a resolution related to the renewal of a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Bosnia that included language on the immunity of U.S. peacekeepers from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

Russia (and before that, the Soviet Union) has made frequent use of its veto. In recent years, China has joined Russia on multiple occasions to block measures related to Syrias war. Britain and France have not cast a veto since 1989.
At least 98 Ukrainian cultural and religious sites have been damaged or destroyed during Russias invasion of its neighboring country, the United Nation's cultural agency UNESCO said Wednesday.

The shelling in Ukraine has so far hit heritage sites in eight regions of the country, including some from the early mediaeval era to others seen as landmarks of early Soviet architecture, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, UNESCOs director of world heritage, told Agence France-Presse.

He said the number of affected sites could increase as fighting intensifies in eastern Ukraine while some sites elsewhere in Ukraine are only now becoming accessible after earlier shelling.

"Some of these sites and monuments will take time to rebuild and others probably cannot be rebuilt at all, he said.

UNESCO has used satellite images and witness reports to verify information provided by the Ukrainian authorities about the damaged sites.

None of the Ukrainian sites confirmed as damaged are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage list, such as the Saint-Sophia Cathedral and monastic buildings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the capital.

But Eloundou Assomo warned that any targeting of buildings bearing the UNESCO-backed Blue Shield that signals cultural heritage "is a violation of international law and could also be considered a war crime."

UNESCO's Director General Audrey Azoulay reminded Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a mid-March letter of Russia's obligations under an international convention to protect cultural heritage during conflict.

Some material in this report came from Agence France-Presse.
A former researcher at a high-profile cryptocurrency group was sentenced to five years and three months in prison on Tuesday for conspiring to help North Korea evade U.S. sanctions using cryptocurrency, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said.

Virgil Griffith was arrested in 2019 and pleaded guilty last September to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by traveling to North Korea to present on blockchain technology.

Griffith formerly worked for the Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit that works to support the technology behind the cryptocurrency ether.

The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel, was the minimum amount of prison time prosecutors had sought. Griffith had asked for a sentence of two years. Castel also fined Griffith $100,000, less than the $1 million prosecutors suggested.

Griffith's attorney, Brian Klein, said in a statement that while the sentence was disappointing, the judge "acknowledged Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute."

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement on Tuesday that "justice has been served."

Griffith, who has a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology, traveled to North Korea via China in April 2019 to deliver a presentation at the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference, despite being denied permission by the U.S. Department of State to go, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Griffith understood the information could be used to evade sanctions the U.S. had imposed on North Korea over its development of nuclear weapons technology.

"The most important feature of blockchains is that they are open. And the DPRK can't be kept out no matter what the USA or the U.N. says," Griffith said during the presentation, according to prosecutors, using the initials of North Korea's official name.

The Ethereum Foundation said at the time of Griffith's arrest that it had not approved or supported his travel to North Korea.
PENTAGON  Defense Intelligence Agency officials are warning of "dramatic" increases in the pace and scope of space operations by competitors, with China and Russia growing their in-orbit space assets by 70% since 2019.

"Russia and China, our primary strategic competitors, are taking steps to undercut the United States and our allies in the space domain," DIA Defense Intelligence Officer for Space and Counterspace John Huth told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday during the release of the agency's unclassified "Challenges in Security in Space Report  2022."

Since the first "Challenges in Security in Space Report" was released in early 2019, competitor space operations have increased across nearly all major categories, including communications, remote sensing, navigation, and science and technology demonstration, according to Huth.

"Space is being increasingly militarized," the latest report says, as "China's and Russia's counterspace developments continue to mature  and orbital congestion has increased."

China and Russia view space as a "requirement for winning modern wars," Huth added, with both nations trying to develop a means to exploit the perceived U.S. reliance on space-based systems.

When asked by VOA whether China or Russia was the more dominant competitor, Huth cautioned he would not "take his eye off either one."

In a white paper published by Beijings State Council Information Office in January, China called the space industry "a critical element of the overall national strategy, and China upholds the principle of exploration and utilization of outer space for peaceful purposes."

The mission of China's space program, the white paper said is to explore outer space to expand humanity's understanding of the earth and the cosmos; to facilitate global consensus on our shared responsibility in utilizing outer space for peaceful purposes and safeguarding its security for the benefit of all humanity.

The paper went on to say its program is intended to meet the demands of economic, scientific and technological development, national security and social progress; and to raise the scientific and cultural levels of the Chinese people, protect China's national rights and interests, and build up its overall strength.

DIA Senior Defense Intelligence Analyst for Space and Counterspace Kevin Ryder added that due to greater economic advantages, China has increased its space capabilities while putting more financial and military effort toward their development.

"Russia, on the other hand, is more streamlined due to other modern military modernization efforts for the country," according to Ryder.

This newly released edition of the DIA space security report includes a spotlight on Chinese and Russian moon and Mars exploration.

China has launched a robotic lander and a rover to the far side of the moon, along with an orbiter lander and a rover on a mission to Mars.

Russia has discussed partnering with China, the EU and the U.S. to achieve its lunar aspirations, and Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding in March of last year to work together on the International Lunar Research Station, according to the report.

Ryder said China's and Russia's interest in exploring the moon and Mars should be viewed as national security concerns.

"Both nations seek to broaden their space exploration initiatives together and individually, with plans to explore the moon and Mars during the next 30 years. And if successful, these efforts will likely lead to attempts by Beijing and Moscow to exploit the moon's natural resources," Ryder said Tuesday.

In addition to China and Russia, the report warns that lesser threats Iran and North Korea will focus on ramping up capabilities to counter space-based communications and navigation such as GPS.
A jury began deliberations Wednesday in the trial of El Shafee Elsheikh, a former British national who went to Syria to join the Islamic State group and allegedly became a member of the notorious kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles."

Wrapping up the government's case, prosecutor Raj Parekh said it had been proved "beyond any shadow of a doubt" that Elsheikh was one of the hostage-takers dubbed the "Beatles" by their captives because of their British accents.

Defense attorney Nina Ginsberg countered that while Elsheikh, 33, may indeed have been an IS fighter, prosecutors had not proved he actually was a "Beatle."

Elsheikh, who was stripped of his citizenship by Britain, is charged with the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig.

He and the other "Beatles" are suspected of involvement in the kidnapping in Syria of about 20 other journalists and relief workers from Europe, Russia and Japan.

Identification issue

The question of identification hung heavy over Elsheikh's two-week trial in a U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia.

"There is no forensic evidence linking Mr. Elsheikh to any of the locations where the hostages were held," Ginsberg said.

She noted that none of the 10 former European and Syrian hostages who testified about their harrowing treatment was asked to identify the defendant in court.

"Mr. Elsheikh was not identified in this courtroom by any of the former hostages," Ginsberg said. "What people would probably call the white elephant in this room."

She said the "Beatles" were responsible for "brutal" and "loathsome" acts but insisted Elsheikh was not one of them.

"You may find him guilty of providing material support to a terrorist organization," Ginsberg said, one of the charges Elsheikh is facing.

"But for the other counts you must find that he was a member of the 'Beatles,' " she said. "We submit you can't."

Defendant 'told you so himself'

Parekh, the assistant U.S. attorney, said that on the contrary, the government had "proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that Elsheikh is one of the IS 'Beatles.' "

"He brazenly told you so himself," Parekh said in a reference to media interviews played for the 12-person jury during which Elsheikh described his interactions with the hostages.

The interviews with Western media outlets were conducted after Elsheikh and another former British national, Alexanda Amon Kotey, were captured by a Kurdish militia in Syria in January 2018.

They were handed over to U.S. forces in Iraq and flown to the United States in 2020 to face charges of hostage-taking, conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens and supporting a terrorist organization.

Kotey pleaded guilty in September 2021 and is facing life in prison.

In the interviews, Elsheikh made admissions about taking email addresses and proof of life questions from the hostages and to even physically beating them.

Ginsberg said Elsheikh was a "broken man" at that time and only did so to avoid being sent to Iraq, where he would have faced a summary trial and execution.

He wanted to be sent to Britain or the United States "where he could get a fair trial," she said.

'Brutal legacy'

Foley, Sotloff and Kassig were beheaded by Mohammed Emwazi, known as "Jihadi John," and videos of their deaths were released by IS for propaganda purposes.

Mueller was initially held by the "Beatles" but then was turned over to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who reportedly raped her repeatedly.

IS announced Mueller's death in February 2015 and said she was killed in a Jordanian airstrike, a claim that was disputed by U.S. authorities.

Baghdadi died during a U.S. special forces raid in 2019. Emwazi was killed by a U.S. drone in Syria in 2015.

In his closing argument, Parekh told the jury the government had proved that Elsheikh, Kotey and Emwazi "grew up together, radicalized together, fought as high-ranking IS fighters together, and tortured and terrorized hostages together."

"What these horrific crimes left behind is a legacy of brutal killings and shattered families," he said, asking the jury to deliver a verdict of guilty on all counts.
The United States is expected to soon announce up to $750 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals for more help to beat back Russian forces.

A senior congressional aide told Reuters that while the final package is still under discussion, it is likely to include heavy ground artillery systems, including howitzers.

A senior U.S. defense official said Ukrainian forces have received "a significant amount" of the 100 so-called switchblade drones, equipped with tank-busting warheads, promised as part of an earlier $300 million security assistance package.

The remaining drones are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the next week or so, as are additional Javelin anti-tank missiles.

U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday "affirmed their commitment to continue providing security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face of ongoing atrocities by Russia," the White House said in a statement.

Biden also escalated his rhetoric against Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin of engineering a "genocide" in Ukraine.

"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away," Biden said during a visit to the U.S. state of Iowa to promote a program to help lower gasoline prices.

The U.S. president later defended his decision to label Russias actions as a genocide while talking to reporters before boarding Air Force One.

"I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian, and the evidence is mounting," Biden said.

"Well let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me," he added.

Biden has repeatedly criticized Putin, publicly calling him a "war criminal" and demanding that Putin stand trial after evidence of atrocities was discovered in Bucha, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

"Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted late Tuesday. We are grateful for U.S. assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities."

The Pentagon is holding a classified meeting Wednesday with the heads of the largest U.S. defense contractors to discuss meeting Ukraines needs for weapons. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks told reporters she will attend the talks.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy was due to host Polish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Egils Levits and Estonian President Alar Karis.

"Our countries are showing support to Ukraine and President Zelenskiy in this way," Jakub Kumoch, a Duda adviser, tweeted Wednesday.

For weeks, Western and Ukrainian officials have complained of mounting evidence of what they say are systematic atrocities and war crimes being committed by Russian forces retreating from parts of northern Ukraine.

But if there was any hope Russia might bring its nearly month-and-a-half-long invasion of Ukraine to an end anytime soon, Putin brushed them aside Tuesday while speaking to workers at the Vostochny space launch facility in Russias Far East.

The Russian leader said the fight would go on until the military achieved what he described as his countrys "noble" goals.

Putin also vowed Russias military would proceed "rhythmically and calmly," blaming Ukraine for derailing peace talks.

"We have again returned to a dead-end situation for us," Putin said of the negotiations, adding that Russia has no choice but to proceed.

"I often hear questions about, is it possible to be quicker?" Putin told workers at the base, according to a Russian Ministry of Defense Telegram feed.

"It is possible," he added. "It depends on the intensity of the hostilities."

Chemical weapons allegations

Putins comments on the war, his first in almost a week, follow allegations of new war crimes, including charges that Russian forces attempting to capture the besieged southern port city of Mariupol unleashed a chemical weapons attack.

Russian officials have consistently denied the accusations, instead accusing the United States and Ukraine of preparing to unleash chemical and biological weapons.

U.S. officials Tuesday said they are taking the latest allegations against Russia seriously but cautioned that confirming a chemical weapons attack could take time.

"We cannot confirm the use of chemical agents at this time," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence. "Were still evaluating."

"These are difficult things to prove, even when you are more proximate, and we are not," the official added. "We want to be very careful here before making a proclamation."

Further complicating the situation, U.S. officials warned that several intelligence streams suggested Russia might try to mask a chemical weapons attack by mixing banned chemical agents with other substances.

"We had credible information that Russian forces may use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas, mixed with chemical agents," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

Battle for Mariupol

Russian and Ukrainian troops are engaged in a pitched battle for control of the city.

Ukrainian officials estimate as many as 22,000 people have died in Mariupol as a result of Russian airstrikes and shelling that have flattened much of the city.

Despite social media posts from some Ukrainian and Ukrainian-backed forces that the country is running out of weapons, U.S. officials said Tuesday that Russia has not yet managed to take control.

"Mariupol is still contested, and the Ukrainians are still fighting to defend (it)," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters Tuesday. "They havent given up on it, and we arent giving up on them, either."

Western military officials have warned that Russian forces have increasingly targeted Mariupol with air and missile strikes as part of their concentrated effort to expand control in eastern Ukraine.

"It is obvious that the Russians want Mariupol because of its strategic location," Kirby said. "It would provide them an unfettered and unhindered land access between the Donbas and Crimea."

U.S. and British military have warned they expect fighting in the Donbas to intensify in the coming days and weeks as Russian forces pulled from around the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other northern areas resupply in Belarus and Russia and head east.

Despite the onslaught, Ukrainian forces appear to have inflicted serious losses on the Russian military. U.S. estimates indicate Russia has lost about 20% of the combat power it arrayed against Ukraine since the invasion began February 24.

Separately Tuesday, Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces had recaptured Russian-backed opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk.

Medvedchuk has been under house arrest on charges of treason, but according to Ukrainian officials, he escaped shortly after the start of the Russian invasion.

"Pro-Russian traitors and agents of the Russian secret services, remember  your crimes have no statute of limitations," Ukraines security service warned on Twitter, posting a picture of Medvedchuk in handcuffs. "Shackles are waiting for you."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The VOA News Center's Tina Trinh is on the scene near the site of this morning's subway shooting in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. After the 20-block-wide barrier was lifted, she and a team from VOA's Russian service got into the area immediately surrounding the subway station. There they found a heavy police presence and tension in the air as word surfaced that 16 people were injured, several seriously, with the gunman still on the loose. Camera: Tina Trinh, Michael Eckels
The United States is expected to soon announce up to $750 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals for more help to beat back Russian forces.

A senior congressional aide told Reuters that while the final package is still under discussion, it is likely to include heavy ground artillery systems, including howitzers.

A senior U.S. defense official said Ukrainian forces have received "a significant amount" of the 100 so-called switchblade drones, equipped with tank-busting warheads, promised as part of an earlier $300 million security assistance package.

The remaining drones are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the next week or so, as are additional Javelin anti-tank missiles.

U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday "affirmed their commitment to continue providing security and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face of ongoing atrocities by Russia," the White House said in a statement.

Biden also escalated his rhetoric against Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin of engineering a "genocide" in Ukraine.

"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away," Biden said during a visit to the U.S. state of Iowa to promote a program to help lower gasoline prices.

The U.S. president later defended his decision to label Russias actions as a genocide while talking to reporters before boarding Air Force One.

"I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian, and the evidence is mounting," Biden said.

"Well let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me," he added.

Biden has repeatedly criticized Putin, publicly calling him a "war criminal" and demanding that Putin stand trial after evidence of atrocities was discovered in Bucha, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

"Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted late Tuesday. We are grateful for U.S. assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities."

The Pentagon is holding a classified meeting Wednesday with the heads of the largest U.S. defense contractors to discuss meeting Ukraines needs for weapons. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks told reporters she will attend the talks.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy was due to host Polish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Egils Levits and Estonian President Alar Karis.

"Our countries are showing support to Ukraine and President Zelenskiy in this way," Jakub Kumoch, a Duda adviser, tweeted Wednesday.

For weeks, Western and Ukrainian officials have complained of mounting evidence of what they say are systematic atrocities and war crimes being committed by Russian forces retreating from parts of northern Ukraine.

But if there was any hope Russia might bring its nearly month-and-a-half-long invasion of Ukraine to an end anytime soon, Putin brushed them aside Tuesday while speaking to workers at the Vostochny space launch facility in Russias Far East.

The Russian leader said the fight would go on until the military achieved what he described as his countrys "noble" goals.

Putin also vowed Russias military would proceed "rhythmically and calmly," blaming Ukraine for derailing peace talks.

"We have again returned to a dead-end situation for us," Putin said of the negotiations, adding that Russia has no choice but to proceed.

"I often hear questions about, is it possible to be quicker?" Putin told workers at the base, according to a Russian Ministry of Defense Telegram feed.

"It is possible," he added. "It depends on the intensity of the hostilities."

Chemical weapons allegations

Putins comments on the war, his first in almost a week, follow allegations of new war crimes, including charges that Russian forces attempting to capture the besieged southern port city of Mariupol unleashed a chemical weapons attack.

Russian officials have consistently denied the accusations, instead accusing the United States and Ukraine of preparing to unleash chemical and biological weapons.

U.S. officials Tuesday said they are taking the latest allegations against Russia seriously but cautioned that confirming a chemical weapons attack could take time.

"We cannot confirm the use of chemical agents at this time," a senior U.S. defense official told reporters, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence. "Were still evaluating."

"These are difficult things to prove, even when you are more proximate, and we are not," the official added. "We want to be very careful here before making a proclamation."

Further complicating the situation, U.S. officials warned that several intelligence streams suggested Russia might try to mask a chemical weapons attack by mixing banned chemical agents with other substances.

"We had credible information that Russian forces may use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas, mixed with chemical agents," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday.

Battle for Mariupol

Russian and Ukrainian troops are engaged in a pitched battle for control of the city.

Ukrainian officials estimate as many as 22,000 people have died in Mariupol as a result of Russian airstrikes and shelling that have flattened much of the city.

Despite social media posts from some Ukrainian and Ukrainian-backed forces that the country is running out of weapons, U.S. officials said Tuesday that Russia has not yet managed to take control.

"Mariupol is still contested, and the Ukrainians are still fighting to defend (it)," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters Tuesday. "They havent given up on it, and we arent giving up on them, either."

Western military officials have warned that Russian forces have increasingly targeted Mariupol with air and missile strikes as part of their concentrated effort to expand control in eastern Ukraine.

"It is obvious that the Russians want Mariupol because of its strategic location," Kirby said. "It would provide them an unfettered and unhindered land access between the Donbas and Crimea."

U.S. and British military have warned they expect fighting in the Donbas to intensify in the coming days and weeks as Russian forces pulled from around the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other northern areas resupply in Belarus and Russia and head east.

Despite the onslaught, Ukrainian forces appear to have inflicted serious losses on the Russian military. U.S. estimates indicate Russia has lost about 20% of the combat power it arrayed against Ukraine since the invasion began February 24.
The United Nations says it is deeply concerned about ongoing incidents of violence, intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals in South Africa, including the brutal killing last Wednesday of Zimbabwean immigrant, Elvis Nyathi, in Johannesburgs Diepsloot township.

In a statement, the acting resident coordinator of the U.N. in South Africa, Dr. Ayodele Odusola, said, It is deeply worrisome and unfortunate that this is happening in a country with one of the most inclusive Constitutions globally.

Over the recent past we have noted with deep concern as movements such as Operation Dudula are illegally forcing people suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals to show their papers. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Nyathi and with all of those families affected by similar violence in the recent months.

The United Nations said it is important to note that the government of South Africa has ratified several international human rights and refugee instruments that are also an integral part of national law.

Odusola said, this requires that the human rights of all persons residing in South Africa, regardless of their nationality or immigration status, must be respected.

He said this includes individuals who may be refugees, asylum seekers or stateless persons.

He expressed deep concerns about violence in all its forms, noting that the U.N. stands by the recent statements by government representatives opposing actions by the violent protesters and urging people not to take the law into their hands.

One example of this, said Odusola, includes President Cyril Ramaphosa, stating that As a country founded on tolerance, respect for diversity and non-discrimination, we must never allow ourselves to turn against people who come from beyond our borders  Acts of lawlessness directed at foreign nationals, whether documented or undocumented, could not be tolerated.

Nyathi was set on fire in Diepsloot by a vigilante group in Diesploot, which claimed that it was looking for criminals.
Amnesty International (AI) says President Cyril Ramaphosas government must do more to protect migrants in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, who have repeatedly suffered from violent attacks by anti-migrant vigilante groups, which led to the deadly unrest over the past week that resulted in the killing of Zimbabwean national, Elvis Nyathi.

In a statement, Executive Director of Amnesty International South Africa, Shenilla Mohamed, said, The killings that have occurred in Diepsloot over recent days are not isolated incidents These attacks represent just the latest wave in a rising tide of violence against migrants in South Africa.

These assaults mirror the heavily-orchestrated, anti-migrant attacks we have seen recently in Soweto and Hillbrow over recent months. This ongoing violence also highlights the inaction of police and a lack of political will within government to address the problem. In each case, the deaths of locals and migrants were entirely preventable.

The protest was ignited by the alleged murders of seven people in the area. During the unrest, Zimbabwean national, Elvis Nyathi, was burnt to death after he failed to present proof of his identity to vigilante groups who demanded to see it. It remains unclear whether anyone has been arrested over his murder.

President Ramaphosa has pledged to boost police capacity to respond to crime around the country, and urged South Africans not to resort to violence, intimidation and extra-judicial attacks against foreign nationals.

Migrants from Zimbabwe and Mozambique living in Diepsloot, located in the north of Johannesburg, told Amnesty International that they are living in constant fear and that they are being made scapegoats for rising levels of crime and unemployment in the area.

The migrants say they feel unsafe in South Africa and face constant harassment from both the police and anti-migrant vigilante groups, who unlawfully demand to see their identity documents.

Joyce Mpofu, a Zimbabwean mother of two, arrived in South Africa in 2010 and lives in Diepsloot, where she sells vegetables on the street.

Mpofu, who requested anonymity in fear of being attacked by locals, told Amnesty International that the past week has been traumatizing.

She could only survive by locking herself and her two children in her shack to avoid the violence inflicted against migrants.

She said: We are terrified, and we live in constant fear and we dont know what to do. We are afraid to live here and we dont feel safe anymore.

Mpofu and other migrants have appealed to President Ramaphosa, asking him to guarantee their safety and offer proper documentation after their special residence permits expired at the end of 2021.

She said: President Ramaphosa must organize permits [identity documents] for us, so that we can live [freely], because we are working for ourselves and our children who are at school. We cannot go back to Zimbabwe because we cannot survive hunger.

Another Zimbabwean woman, whose special dispensation residence permit has also expired, who is also a street vendor and has lived in South Africa since 2004, said: I am no longer free to live here. We no longer work well because we live in fear of what will happen to us next.

Another Zimbabweans also said: I feel pained by what is happening [to us] here, because when I crossed the border to come here, I was coming to work for myself. As you can see, I am selling [vegetables]. I dont know how to steal. They cannot paint us all with the same brush, of being criminals.

Salvador Valoyi, a Mozambican national, said: Its painful because they [anti-migrant vigilante groups] see us [as] criminals in this country, when we are trying to make an honest living. We are working for our families here. I did not just wake up one day and decide to leave Mozambique. I left because the situation is tough there and I wanted to work for my family and provide for them. I am not a criminal.

Violence against migrants in South Africa first erupted in May 2008, when more than 60 people were killed. Since then, attacks against migrants have occurred every year. Amnesty International has repeatedly called for a national strategy to prevent violence against migrants, and an end to the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of these fatal assaults.

Shenilla Mohamed said, The fact that President Ramaphosa has condemned the recent killings is a welcome development. He must now take concrete steps to protect migrants, refugees and locals from vigilante groups and ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes face justice, said Shenilla Mohamed.

Background

Amnesty International says migrants from Zimbabwe, many who have been living and working in South Africa for years under previously granted special dispensation residence permits, have fallen into an irregular migration status due to governmental capitulation to anti-migrant sentiment in late 2021 through a decision to suddenly refuse renewal of these permits.

Now living in precarious and uncertain conditions, these people have been repeatedly targeted by violent non-state actors, known as vigilante groups, due to deteriorating economic conditions in the country.

The vigilante groups who are orchestrating the violence against migrants have used hashtags such as #OperationDudula and #PutSouthAfricaFirst and have been targeting Zimbabweans and others whose special dispensation residence permits have lapsed.

South Africa has given Zimbabweans until the end of 2022 to stay in the country while they regularise their status through visa applications. The lack of regular status has made people even more vulnerable to attacks. In Diepsloot, violent attacks against migrants erupted on 3 April 2022.

In February 2022, similar attacks took place in Soweto, a township in the south of Johannesburg, and Hillbrow, a central business district in the city. Although police were present during these assaults, they failed to respond appropriately, according to AI.

Operation Dudula, led by Soweto resident Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini, began its anti-foreigner campaign in June 2021. Members of the group say they want foreign nationals to leave the country.
I would like to urgently draw your attention to another blatant violation by the Kiev regime of its obligations under the Third Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war.

We were informed by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation that the exchange of prisoners of war planned for today (6 April 2022) was unilaterally disrupted by the Ukrainian side. The list of 251 military personnel declared for exchange was repeatedly reviewed and reduced by Kiev, and came down to 38. This morning, the Ukrainian side rejected the exchange without explanation. At the same time, on our part, the preparation of Ukrainian prisoners of war according to a large list of 251 Ukrainian servicemen was carried out in full, including their transportation to the initial area for exchange.

The Ukrainian side, even in this purely humanitarian issue, shows inconsistency and complete indifference to the fate of its own citizens. The Kiev authorities have been disrupting the exchange of prisoners of war on previously agreed terms for a long time.

We also have concrete evidence proving that the detained military personnel of the Armed Forces of Russia are kept in inhumane conditions. We have many times drawn attention to the fact that the detainees of the Russian military personnel are being wilfully killed, tortured and treated inhumanely, and all these brutal acts are widely shared on the Internet and on social media, on some occasions  on purpose  as proud acts of nationalists.

In this regard, it is clear that Ukraine is violating even the most fundamental guarantees related to the prohibition of murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture (article 3 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949). It should be stressed that, under article 130 of the Convention, such acts constitute grave breaches  in other words, war crimes. Finally, the systemic and widespread character of such violations clearly points to the fact that Kiev is hardly doing anything to prevent such horrendous acts from reoccurring.

In this regard, we are expecting the United Nations leadership to act without delay. Namely, to demand that the Ukrainian authorities immediately provide access for representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Russian prisoners of war, in order to assess the conditions of detention and conduct an in-depth medical examination, with the subsequent transfer of relevant documents to the Russian side and international organizations.

In the meantime, the Joint Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation for the Humanitarian Response in Ukraine states that the Russian side reassures that all Ukrainian prisoners of war are treated in compliance with all the obligations of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949.

I would be grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.
The serial number of the Tochka-U missile that hit the Kramatorsk railway station on April 8, 2022 is (in Russian) 91579 or (in English) Sh91579. This serial number marks the stock of Tochka-U missiles in the possession of the Ukrainian military. Only the Ukrainian Armed Forces have Tochka-U missiles. Russia does not have any since 2019: they have all been deactivated. The Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics do not have and have never had Tochka-Us. The direction of the cone and tail section of the missile that landed on the field near the Kramatorsk railway station clearly shows that it was launched by the 19th Ukrainian Missile Brigade, based near Dobropolia, 45 km from Kramatorsk.

Previously the Ukrainian Armed Forces used Tochka-U missiles of the same series as 915611, launched at Berdyansk and a 915516, launched at Melitopol. The same missiles were used against Donetsk and Lugansk.
Photo: Netflix

This article was originally published in January and has been updated with new releases.

With the thawing of winter comes a new opportunity for a spring cleaning, and the bookcase is a great place to begin. While 2022 kicked off with a whole host of screen adaptations to start the year, the next handful of months holds many more page-to-screen interpretations of the books probably filling up your to-be-read pile. The long-awaited Sally Rooney adaptation (Conversations With Friends) is on the horizon, as is Under the Banner of Heaven, starring heartthrobs Daisy Edgar-Jones and Andrew Garfield. From graphic novels to memoirs to short horror stories, here are the most anticipated adaptations coming soon to a screen near you.

Anatomy of a Scandal, by Sarah Vaughan $13 $18 now 28% off $13 Photo: Publisher The rich are put under a microscope in Anatomy of a Scandal, a scandalous (naturally) political drama about Britains elite. James and Sophie Whitehouse look like they have it all, but their whole world is about to be snatched away. James is a Westminster government minister who finds himself at the center of a political scandal, and his wife is dragged into the web of manipulation to help clean it up. The high-profile marriage begins to unfurl under the pressure of a determined prosecutor who is set on proving James guilty. The six-episode courtroom dramacumpsychological thriller becomes a gripping exploration of deeply held secrets and haunting memories. Anatomy of a Scandal, starring Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery, and Rupert Friend, premieres April 15 on Netflix. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

Killing and Dying, by Adrian Tomine $13 $23 now 43% off $13 Photo: Publisher Loosely based on American graphic novelist Adrian Tomines short comics  Amber Sweet and Killing and Dying from the book of the latters name, and Hawaiian Getaway from the book Summer Blonde  Jacques Audiard, Celine Sciamma, and Lea Mysiuss adapted screenplay captures the same melancholic tone of its source material. The film, in its interweaving of Tomines comic stories, focuses on the lives of four adults (Emilie, Camille, Nora, and Amber) who flit between friends and lovers in their navigation of adulthood. Paris, 13th District, starring Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, and Noemie Merlant, is playing in select theaters and available on demand April 15. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

Under the Banner of Heaven, by John Krakauer $10 $19 now 47% off $10 Photo: Publisher The combination of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Andrew Garfield is bound to be lethal in Under the Banner of Heaven, as they play Brenda Lafferty and Detective Jeb. It has been a long time coming: Krakauers book was originally adapted for a Ron Howard film back in 2011, but more than a decade later it is materializing as a Hulu show, adapted by Dustin Lance Black. Centered on the horrors of Ron and Dan Laffertys heinous crimes, Under the Banner of Heaven is an investigation of what led the two fundamentalist Mormon brothers to murder. While examining their unyielding faith and polygamist lifestyle, Krakauers investigation raises provocative questions about devout belief. Under the Banner of Heaven, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Andrew Garfield, and Sam Worthington, premieres April 25 on Hulu. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy

The Shining Girls, by Lauren Beukes $33 $33 Photo: Publisher After The Handmaids Tale and Shirley, Elisabeth Moss seems to have developed quite the penchant for gripping dramas. Her next venture is The Shining Girls, in which she stars as a Chicago newspaper archivist whose memory of a traumatic assault arises when a recent murder mirrors her own case. She grows utterly determined to uncover her attackers identity, a man who seems to have a pattern of murdering bright young women who fall into his orbit. The metaphysical thriller sees Mosss Kirby turn the tables as she sets out to hunt the hunter. Shining Girls, starring Elisabeth Moss, Jamie Bell, and Phillipa Soo, premieres April 29 on Apple TV+. $33 at Amazon Buy $33 at Amazon Buy

Happening, by Annie Ernaux $13 $13 Photo: Publisher Annie Ernauxs novel focuses on the plight of a 23-year-old student who falls unexpectedly pregnant in 1960s France, a time when abortion in a medical setting is illegal and self-induced termination is a criminal offense. The book follows Annie looking back on her experience, while Audrey Diwans upcoming drama is situated in this young womans present day as she desperately seeks a solution. A harrowingly raw and timely account of unwanted pregnancy, Happening tells this story through a deeply empathetic and personal lens. Happening, starring Anamaria Vartolomei, Kacey Mottet Klein, and Luana Bajrami, is in theaters May 6. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

Firestarter, by Stephen King $17 $19 now 11% off $17 Photo: Publisher Keith Thomass cinematic adaptation of Stephen Kings Firestarter will be the second time this book has been interpreted for the screen. The first, Mark Lesters 1984 film, received divisive reviews: a 37 percent on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Thomas, no doubt, will be hoping for a better reception for his version, which sees a couple desperately sheltering their daughter who has an unprecedented gift: pyrokinesis, the ability to create and control fire. Whether its a blessing or a curse, federal agencies are very keen to seize the young girl and harness her power but come up against the barrier of a protective father. Firestarter, starring Zac Efron, Gloria Reuben, and Kurtwood Smith, is in theaters and streaming on Peacock May 13. $17 at Amazon Buy $17 at Amazon Buy

Conversations with Friends, by Sally Rooney $13 $17 now 24% off $13 Photo: Publisher After the success of Normal People, it was only a matter of time before the Sally Rooney Extended Universe became a reality. The second of Rooneys book-to-screen adaptations is Conversations With Friends, a story that follows tight-knit university friends and former lovers Frances and Bobbi as they meet an older married couple, journalist Melissa and actor Nick. When Frances and Nicks flirtation gives way to an intense affair, the bond between all four is put to the test. Conversations With Friends exploration of relationships between a tangled foursome has big shoes to fill, but with Normal Peoples crew also embarking on this adaptation, the show could very well live up to the hype. Conversations With Friends, starring Alison Oliver, Joe Alwyn, and Sasha Lane, premieres on Hulu May 15. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

The Lost Girls, by Laurie Fox $17 $17 Photo: Publisher A reimagining of the classic tale of J.M. Barries Peter Pan, Laurie Foxs novel chronicles four generations of women in the Darling family. The Lost Girls follows Wendy as she is trying to outrun the perpetuating pattern of young love and loss that the women before her encountered. The Darling women repeatedly fall for Pan and are whisked away to Neverland, but how will this fantastical trip change the course of Wendys life? And when her own daughter comes of age, how will she cope with seeing her child fall into Peters orbit? In examining Wendys inclination for fantasy, Fox is not interested in the men with Peter Pan syndrome but rather the women who fall in love with them. The Lost Girls, starring Joely Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Julian Ovenden, is in theaters June 17. $17 at Amazon Buy $17 at Amazon Buy

The Black Phone, by Joe Hill $13 $17 now 24% off $13 Photo: Publisher Joe Hills 2004 short horror story, The Black Phone, set in a suburban Colorado town in 1978, is a supernatural stranger-danger written warning: Thirteen-year-old Jack Finney is kidnapped by a serial killer and locked inside a windowless, soundproof basement. Five children have gone missing before him, and from the bloodstains on the floor, its not looking good for him. Isolated in the cellar, an old disconnected landline phone is Jacks only connection to the world beyond his four walls, and in the dead of night, the phone rings. The voices on the line are the victims of the killer who has him trapped, and they may just be the key to his escape. The Black Phone, starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, and Madeleine McGraw, is in theaters June 24. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

The Terminal List, by Jack Carr $12 $17 now 29% off $12 Photo: Publisher Lieutenant Commander James Reece returns home devastated after his entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed and killed. Home should be a safety net for this veteran, but when he lands on American soil, he finds his government may be against him. He becomes wrapped up in a conspiracy, with no one close to support his homecoming, and his desire to avenge his fallen team leads him to the upper echelons of power in an attempt to hold those in charge accountable. Chris Pratt is Reece, because hes playing every action hero, including Mario, right now. The Terminal List, starring Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, and Constance Wu, premieres July 1 on Amazon Prime Video. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy

Mr. Malcolms List, by Suzanne Allain $12 $16 now 25% off $12 Photo: Publisher If your period-drama appetite isnt satiated by the latest Bridgerton season, Mr. Malcolms List should be at the top of your must-sees. Adapting her own novel for the screen, Suzanne Allains book and screenplay follow two young women in 1800s England who come up against a conceited and arrogant bachelor irritatingly insistent on selecting the perfect wife. Julia has warned her best friend, Selina, about the mans hunt for a spouse and gets her on board with a revenge plot to give Mr. Malcom a taste of his own medicine. Mr. Malcolms List is a tale of women navigating high-class London society that becomes both a Regency romance and comedy of manners. Mr. Malcolms List, starring Freida Pinto, Sope Dirisu, and Zawe Ashton, is in theaters July 1. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy

Bullet Train, by Kotaro Isaka $15 $17 now 12% off $15 Photo: Publisher Murder on the Orient Express, step aside: The propulsive thriller Bullet Train is looking to take the lead in the genre of mystery films set on a moving train. It follows five individuals riding on Japans lightning-fast Shinkansen. They board the train, but will they all get off alive when they arrive at their destination? On board are psychopaths, revenge seekers, assassins, and a suitcase of money that everyone wants. The train trip becomes a journey of double-crossing and murderous motivations moving at 320kms per hour. Bullet Train, starring Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is out July 15. $15 at Amazon Buy $15 at Amazon Buy

DC League of Super-Pets $10 $10 Photo: Publisher DC Comics has provided a boatload of cinematic fables, but its next story pivots from superhumans to superpets. DC League of Super-Pets is a computer-animated superhero comedy movie, and the gang is a ragtag team including Krypto the Superdog (Supermans pet dog that shares his Kryptonian powers), Ace the Bat-Hound (Batmans dog that has superstrength and invulnerability), PB the potbellied pig (Wonder Womans pet that can grow in size), Merton the turtle (Flashs pet that acquires super-speed), and Chip the squirrel (Green Lanterns pet that gains electrical powers). DC League of Super-Pets, starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Vanessa Bayer, is in theaters July 29. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy

Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, by Jeff Pearlman $88 $88 Photo: Publisher This ten-part HBO series based on Jeff Pearlmans book is a detailed account and an all-access courtside seat to the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers during an era that forever changed the NBA and Americas sports entertainment. A sporting dynasty, in the height of their success known by the moniker Showtime Lakers, the team was revered and unstoppable, with unprecedented success: winning five NBA championships within a decade. Pearlman pulls back the curtain on the success of key players and coaches  Earvin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pat Riley  to reveal personal stories, intense rivalries, and an era-defining decade on the court. Winning Time, starring John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, and Solomon Hughes, is streaming on HBO Max. $88 at Amazon Buy $88 at Amazon Buy

Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers $11 $16 now 31% off $11 Photo: Publisher This historical romance novel takes place in 1850s Gold Country California and follows Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child and knows nothing but this torturous existence. Angel meets Michael, a man who seeks out her heart and obeys Gods wish to marry her. She warms to Michael but remains skeptical about his pursuit of affection. Riverss book is a retelling of the Bibles Gomer and Hosea story, dealing with the central notion that Gods love can redeem wrongdoings. (Hence the title.) Redeeming Love, starring Abigail Cowen, Nina Dobrev, and Tom Lewis, is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video. $11 at Amazon Buy $11 at Amazon Buy

Munich, by Robert Harris $14 $28 now 50% off $14 Photo: Publisher Harriss Munich sees Neville Chamberlain desperate to preserve peace as he negotiates the ill-fated 1938 Munich agreement with Adolf Hitler, who is ready for war. This WW2-era spy thriller is fact-based historical fiction told through the eyes of two civil servants: one German and one English. These two young men were friends at Oxford University but now find themselves on opposite sides. Witnessing the dawning of Europes darkest hour as it unfolds, the novels tense dramatization is carefully balanced on the precipice of war. Munich  The Edge of War, starring George MacKay, Jeremy Irons, and Jannis Niewohner, is streaming on Netflix. $14 at Amazon Buy $14 at Amazon Buy

The Moon and the Sun, by Vonda N. McIntyre $21 $21 Photo: Publisher Interweaving science fiction and historical romance, The Moon and the Sun is set in 17th-century France under Louis XIVs rule of glory, wealth, and fortune that knows no bounds. He tasks a philosopher with seeking immortality in the form of endangered, mythical sea monsters, the flesh of which will supposedly imbue the consumer with eternal life. Marie-Josephe, a low-ranking member of Louiss court, is happy to assist her philosopher brother; she sketches the creatures and discovers they are not monsters but mermaids. She must now convince the court of her discovery, that is if anyone will listen. The Kings Daughter, starring Pierce Brosnan, Kaya Scodelario, and Benjamin Walker, is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video. $21 at Amazon Buy $21 at Amazon Buy

Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand $13 $13 Photo: Publisher Cyrano is an adaptation of the 2018 theater show, itself based on Edmond Rostands 1897 play, Cyrano de Bergerac. The eponymous protagonist is infatuated with Roxane, the most beautiful woman in Paris, who is in love with another man, Christian de Neuvillette. Love feels out of reach for Cyrano, who believes his appearance and class ranking will make his destiny a lonely one. However, he realizes he can use his poetic penmanship on Christians behalf to write declarations of love to Roxane, allowing her to fall in love with his words with no preconceptions. Cyrano, starring Peter Dinklage, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ben Mendelsohn, is in theaters now. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy

Killing Floor, by Lee Child $7 $10 now 30% off $7 Photo: Publisher Childs Jack Reacher series, comprising 27 novels, has already been the basis of two film adaptations: Jack Reacher and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, both starring Tom Cruise. Now the first of Childs Reacher novels, his 1997 award-winning debut, Killing Floor, will be the basis of a Prime Video original show. Reacher, an ex-military policeman, is an enigma drifting through life, cities, and worlds. It is when he passes through Margrave in Georgia that the jaws of fate catch up with him; hes arrested for a murder he didnt commit and thrown into a criminal underworld. Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson, Willa Fitzgerald, and Kristin Kreuk, is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. $7 at Amazon Buy $7 at Amazon Buy

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett $11 $12 now 8% off $11 Photo: Publisher This adaptation marks the 20th-anniversary release of Pratchetts childrens fantasy novel, in which the titular and sentient ginger cat is a scam artist. Maurice gathers a gang of talking rats and, inspired by the legend of the Pied Piper, hatches a streetwise con to make money. Arriving at the town of Bad Blintz, they meet the mayors daughter, Malicia, and a bunch of ratcatchers who threaten to destroy their entire plan. With a whole host of riveting characters, a moral conundrum of ethics is at the heart of Pratchetts playful story. The Amazing Maurice, starring Emilia Clarke, Himesh Patel, and Gemma Arterton, is in theaters soon. $11 at Amazon Buy $11 at Amazon Buy

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, by Paul Gallico $8 $8 Photo: Publisher Mrs. Harris is a salt-of-the-earth Londoner, a working-class widow who is a house cleaner for the homes of the upper-class. While tidying Lady Dants wardrobe, she comes across a stunning Dior gown and is awestruck by its beauty. She sweeps her modest ambition to the side and begins saving to travel to the House of Dior in Paris in search of another haute couture dress. Lesley Manville is at the helm as the indomitable Mrs. Harris, and if her exemplary performance and knowledge of textiles in Phantom Thread is anything to go by, shes perfect for this role. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, starring Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, and Jason Isaacs, has been delayed to July 15. $8 at Amazon Buy $8 at Amazon Buy

The Unbreakable Boy, by Scott Lerette with Susy Flory $16 $17 now 6% off $16 Photo: Publisher This tender story of Scott and Austin, father and son, is as inspiring as it is tearjerking. The Unbreakable Boy is Scotts written ode to his son, an 18-year-old who is living with the challenges of osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease, and autism. Embracing both the tragedies and triumphs of life, this saga of family, faith, and fortitude unfolds with searing sincerity. However, Austins resilient spirit underscores any and all of the overwhelming ordeals this family endures, especially for his father, whose struggle with addiction is debilitating. The Unbreakable Boy, starring Jacob Laval, Zachary Levi, and Meghann Fahy, is in theaters now. $16 at Amazon Buy $16 at Amazon Buy

Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee $12 $12 Photo: Publisher Directed and produced by Kogonada and Justin Chon, based on the novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko is an upcoming series that follows a Korean immigrant family over four generations throughout 20th- century Japan. This expansive but intimate saga journeys between Korea, Japan, and America (also told across three languages) against the backdrop of Japans annexation of Korea, as a Korean family is exiled from their home amid political warfare. The eight-episode show, if true to the novel, will chart from 1910 to 1989 and revolve around Sunja, whose unplanned pregnancy threatens to spoil her proud familys reputation. Pachinko, starring Youn Yuh Jung, Lee Minho, and Jin Ha, is streaming on Apple TV+. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy

The Bad Guys, by Aaron Blabey $5 $6 now 17% off $5 Photo: Publisher This crime-comedy Scholastic book series centers on a gang of notorious criminals who are renowned for their legendary heists in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist. Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula have the desire to be reformed villains and put their lives of crime behind them to avoid jail time. However, they may have bitten off more than they can chew when it comes to being agents of good who restore peace; a new villain has arrived, and the gangs commitment to behaving like model civilians is waning. The Bad Guys, starring Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, and Anthony Ramos, is in theaters April 22. $5 at Amazon Buy $5 at Amazon Buy

Heartstopper, by Alice Oseman $27 $27 Photo: Publisher The internets beloved queer Tumblr-originated webcomic Heartstopper charts the friendship (and maybe more?) of two British teens, Nick (an openly gay chronic overthinker) and Charlie (a soft-hearted rugby player). Oseman writes and illustrates the ongoing graphic novel on which the new Netflix series will be based. Heartwarmingly sweet, this story of friendship, trust, and coming out is delightfully penned. The show has been brilliantly cast with a whole host of young and exciting actors who resemble Osemans illustrations perfectly. Heartstopper, starring Kit Connor, Joe Locke, and Yasmin Finney, premieres on Netflix this spring. $27 at Amazon Buy $27 at Amazon Buy

Bonus

Photo: DAVID GIESBRECHT/NETFLIX

New York Magazines How an Aspiring It Girl Tricked New Yorks Party People, by Jessica Pressler

From the very beginning, the jaw-dropping true story of Anna Delvey was destined for cinematic adaptation. The Netflix series Inventing Anna is based upon the New York Magazine article How an Aspiring It Girl Tricked New Yorks Party People by Jessica Pressler, who is a producer on the new Netflix show. Told through the perspective of an investigative journalist (a character based on Pressler), the show unpacks how Delvey tricked every New York socialite she came into contact with for money, power, and Instagram followers. Inventing Anna is a highly addictive retelling of Delveys daring antics and the fallout of her stolen life.

Inventing Anna, starring Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, and Alexis Floyd, is streaming on Netflix.
Photo: SBS

Great contemporary romantic comedies are few and far between on American television these days. While every so often a sleeper hit like Love Life or Starstruck will steal our hearts, many romance fans find themselves turning to novels and other media to get a hilarious-yet-heartwarming tale of opposites attracting against the odds. Luckily for them, South Korean television has the rom-com down to a science, with several series centered on classic tropes like Rich Guy/Poor Girl, Fake Dating, and Enemies to Lovers.

Business Proposal, the latest K-drama to make its mark on stateside Netflix, takes the classic rom-com and supercharges it, packing its depiction of two couples love stories with nearly every trope in the book. Based on the webtoon of the same name, the show follows food researcher Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong of The Uncanny Counter and I.O.I) as she gets wrapped up in a fake dating scheme with the president of her company, Kang Tae-moo (Ahn Hyo-Seop). Both they and the shows secondary couple, Ha-ris BFF Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah) and Tae-moos secretary, Cha Sung-hoon (Kim Min-kyu), have great chemistry, swoon-worthy scenes, and steamy kisses (one of which youll rewatch again and again). Business Proposals commitment to including so many romance tropes in one drama, combined with its smart decisions about which to embrace and which subvert, is so impressive that it demands closer examination. Lets dive in.

Spoilers follow for Business Proposal, season one.

1.

Bad blind dates tend to be awkward and demoralizing in both rom-coms and real life, but Business Proposal takes the cringe to a new level. The show starts off with Ha-ri agreeing to sabotage a blind date for the wealthy Young-seo, who doesnt believe in the chaebol tradition of arranged marriage to secure business leverage. Ha-ri has no idea that the man is the new president of her company until he gets there, but instead of running, she follows through, playing a rude, sex-crazed snob who has named her boobs (shout-out to Samantha and Rachel).

The trouble starts when Tae-moo goes along with her crazy character, acting nonchalant in the face of her outrageous lines. It turns out the chaebol heirs grandfather has demanded he get married and plans to send him on dozens of blind dates until he chooses a wealthy bride. Tae-moo, who doesnt care about love, plans to marry the first woman he sees no matter what, so he calls Ha-ri the next morning to propose.

2.

Young-seo and Sung-hoon may be the second leads of the show, but their story is just as entertaining, although a bit less dramatic. The two BFFs of our main duo meet by chance, bumping into each other after getting drinks at the same convenience store. When Young-seo sees Sung-hoon for the first time, we see her perspective, as flower petals burst out from behind his frame and the concrete theyre standing on turns into a field of tulips while she thinks, Ive found my love. She keeps herself from asking for his number because decorum or whatever, but this is a romance, so of course theyll meet again.

3.

Eventually, after Ha-ri rejects his proposal several times, Tae-moo discovers that she and Young-seo tricked him. Luckily, the women quickly come up with a secret identity for Ha-ri, with the researcher calling herself Geum-hui so Tae-moo doesnt find out hes her boss. Insulted and finally put off of marriage, the CEO switches gears, offering to pay Geum-hui enough money to clear all her debts in exchange for pretending to date him in front of his grandfather. The moneys too good to refuse, plus he throws in some light blackmail, so they enter a fake relationship, with Ha-ri claiming to be Tae-moos girlfriend from his time working in the U.S. In K-drama land, the arrangement is called a contract relationship  hence the literal contract they sign  and its a super-common trope, sometimes even encompassing short-term contract marriages (during which the couple usually ends up falling in love anyway).

4.

After leaving their meet-cute without phone numbers, Sung-hoon and Young-seo were fated to run into each other again. Their first reunion happens when they nearly have a fender-bender in a parking lot; unfortunately, Tae-moos there too, and thats how he finds out about the whole blind-date-sabotage plot. Following that incident, theres a bunch of upheaval in Young-seos life; after she finally stands up to him on the arranged-marriage issue, her father cuts her off and she moves out. She uses her work salary to move into a new apartment, which just happens to be next door to Sung-hoons! They meet again on her move-in day, when she literally jumps into his arms while fleeing a cockroach.

Photo: SBS

The neighbors-falling-in-love trope is one of my personal favorites, since I think quality time and shared domestic habits are the heart of romance. Of course, Sung-hoon doesnt make it easy. Hes still disappointed about the whole tricking-his-friend thing and draws a line between himself and Young-seo. But proximity breeds affection, and their lives soon intertwine in a big way.

5.

Meanwhile, Ha-ri and Tae-moos fake relationship is going pretty well, with them tricking both his grandfather and themselves as they begin falling for each other. Ha-ri also keeps up her fake identity, hiding from Tae-moo as much as she can at work and covering her face when they do run into each other. But the ruse cant last forever, and one night Ha-ri leaves her wallet in his car. When he finally learns the truth (after ignoring so many other hints) hes pissed and comes up with ways to tortue her at work, forcing her to remake a white kimchi-ravioli dish over and over and even giving her an award so shell be forced to be both Ha-ri and Geum-hui at a companywide ceremony.

But something changes amid all Tae-moos scheming. He shows up to the test kitchen to try the latest version of Ha-ris dish and finds her nodding off from exhaustion as the ravioli heats in a pot. Freshly awoken and distracted, Ha-ri burns her hand on the pot and Tae-moo automatically goes to help her but then stops himself. Later at home, Tae-moo cant stop wondering why he cares so much about her. On the same night, Ha-ri gets so drunk she needs help getting home, and when she drunk-dials Tae-moo, he immediately runs out to find her. All that uncharacteristic caring for a woman hes supposed to be fake-dating makes the cold, stubborn man realize hes in love with her. Its a lovely realization that stems from everyday gestures and also keeps Tae-moo from exposing Ha-ri in public like a total asshole. And thanks to some well-placed fantasy scenes, we get to see how the whole scheme wouldve gone anyway.

6.

Amid all the shenanigans, Business Proposal touches on a pertinent social issue affecting South Korean women. Young-seo has a male neighbor who is very friendly to her. He even gives her a lamp when she moves in. A couple of weeks later, Young-seo accidentally breaks the lamp and discovers that a camera hidden inside has been recording her in her home. She immediately heads to the police station with the lamp and camera as evidence, but the neighbor catches her and runs away with it. Sung-hoon, whos just arriving home, chases the neighbor and subdues him with a flying kick to the face, but the creep has already thrown the camera into some bushes.

Thats where Tae-moo comes in. When he finds out about the incident right before a dinner with Ha-ri and his grandfather, he drops everything and takes Ha-ri to the police station  revealing in the process that he knows who she really is! Ha-ri was filmed in Young-seos apartment too, and Tae-moos pissed. He uses his influence to buy the company the creep works at and fire him, while also suing the creep with evidence (including the found camera) that he illegally recorded even more women. Both of the men get a hero moment that allows them to display the feelings they have for their matches before theyre actually dating. Plus the bad guy gets flying-kicked in the head. An overall win.

7.

Though Young-seos shaken after the hidden-cam incident, shes able to go on with her life, and she and Sung-hoon keep running into each other. They share a favorite neighborhood restaurant, and one night theyre seated next to each other. Young-seo, reeling from embarrassing herself in front of Sung-hoon, gets drunk off soju and loses her filter. He doesnt mind at all, telling her theres no reason to be embarrassed and to stop avoiding him. Young-seo, off her face and fearless, confesses that she fell for him at first sight, and they finally kiss. The next morning, after hooking up, Young-seo doesnt remember anything, but after some brief confusion, Sung-hoon finally confesses his love and they start dating. We even get to see that he fell for her at first sight too  with a matching flower-explosion shot!

8.

Since he realized he was in love with Ha-ri, Tae-moo has revealed his sweet and caring nature around her without actually asking her out. At first Ha-ris terrified that hes going to fire her for the deception, but, of course, hes over that. Then he invites her on a business trip date, where he tries sweet gestures to make her fall for him (like buying out a famous food truck for a day). He even helps her save face by pretending again to be her devoted boyfriend when they run into her unrequited crush and the crushs horrible girlfriend. Thats when he finally confesses, but she turns him down, fearing the rich guypoor girl relationship would never work out.

Of course, Ha-ri does actually like him, though she wont admit it. When Tae-moo says hell never give up on her, she loses her resolve for a minute and kisses him. Tae-moos confused, but he uses some weird eye-for-an-eye reasoning to assert that she owes him a couple of dates for the kiss. He charms her, they discuss their childhoods, and Ha-ri falls even more for him. Then the grandfather sets up another blind date for Tae-moo. When Ha-ri learns about the date from office gossip, she hails a cab to race to the date, and also calls Tae-moo to urge him not to go. But he wasnt going already. Hes sitting in his car by her house to ask her out again. Fighting through traffic to get to each other, they meet in the middle, and have their first kiss as a couple on a gorgeously lit bridge in the middle of Seoul.

9.

The classic rom-com structure typically includes a dilemma to challenge the couple between their getting together and their happily-ever-after. Both of our Business Proposal couples meet the same challenge, with the rich partners parent/grandparent refusing to accept the match and demanding that they break up. Its the reaction Ha-ri was afraid of, and it is informed more by societal pressure than any concern for the couples actual happiness. Each pair handles it in a way that reflects the nature of the relationship.

In Young-seos case, her father pretends to be okay with the relationship to her face, then calls Sung-hoon later to tell him to leave her. Shes there to hear the call, and her response is to assert the independence she has been building since she first moved out. She resigns from her fathers company, cutting off her last tie to him, and starts her own company with Sung-hoon as an investor.

The demand is way more dramatic for Ha-ri (as per usual). As he rushes to stop his grandfather from messing with Ha-ri, Tae-moo gets into a car crash. Brave Ha-ri refuses to leave Tae-moo, staying at the hospital in the face of his grandfathers anger. Even though the old man steps it up a notch, threatening to fire Ha-ri or send her to work at a faraway branch, the couple refuse to be swayed. Chief Kang, just as stubborn as his grandson, fakes a collapse and admits himself to the hospital, but his ruse is immediately found out when his secretary forgets to end the call, stopping an annoying plot in its tracks (and saving us from the melodrama).

10.

The ending flash-forward is a common K-drama trope, giving viewers a chance to see how their faves lives have moved forward. Business Proposal uses the time jump to give a post-happily-ever after update for one couple and to test the others resolve. For Sung-hoon and Young-seo, things look great a year after her fathers ultimatum, with Young-seo working on her new company and Sung-hoon helping her out as she takes a year off work. Its a short scene, but its nice to know that theyve settled into domestic life.

Life isnt as easy for Ha-ri and Tae-moo (because nothings ever easy for them). Turns out Grandpa Kangs trip to the hospital wasnt for nothing. The mans actually sick with a heart issue that isnt treatable in Korea. Tae-moo, dedicated to the man who raised him after his parents died, decides to take his grandfather to the U.S. for treatment. He offers to bring Ha-ri along, but shes not going to leave her own family. Instead, the couple stay together long-distance.

A year later, Ha-ri hasnt seen Tae-moo since he left, and she hasnt been able to talk to him as much since hes so busy. The morning after the couple end a video call early since Tae-moos busy, Ha-ri reads an article claiming that hes secretly dating a rich cellist. Ha-ri freaks out, books a plane ticket to the U.S., and hails a taxi  only for Tae-moo to emerge from said taxi. The crisis is averted, with Tae-moo saying the storys fake and that he and his grandfather are ready to move back to Korea. That day, in the last scene of the show, Tae-moo proposes, Ha-ri says yes, and they kiss as cherry blossoms fall around them. Hows that for a happily ever after?
Suspect in Brooklyn subway shooting with ties to Chicago, Midwest now in custody
Guide to Holy Week and Easter in Rome and the Vatican in 2022.

The week of religious events leading to Easter began this year on 10 April with Palm Sunday, the final Sunday of Lent, and continues on 14 April with Holy Thursday, commemorating Christ's Last Supper.

On 15 April, Good Friday, Pope Francis celebrates the Lord's Passion in St Peter's Basilica at 17.00. This is followed at 21.15 by the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross, a solemn candle-lit procession at the Colosseum.

The annual ceremony - which dates to the 18th century and was revived in 1964 - usually attracts up to 20,000 faithful who listen to meditations re-enacting Christ's crucifixion.

Via Crucis at the Colosseum

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil at St Peter's Basilica at 19.30 on Saturday 16 April.

The next morning the pontiff celebrates Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square at 10.00, concluding at midday with the traditional Urbi et Orbi papal blessing from the balcony of St Peter's.

For full details of the pope's programe see Vatican website. There are also numerous English-language religious services for Easter in the Italian capital.

Roman restaurants typically offer menus featuring abbacchio (lamb) on Easter Sunday however you will need to reserve your table in advance due to high demand.

Easter Sunday brunch in Rome is a savoury occasion with Romans laying out a delectable spread of hard-boiled eggs (often painted brightly), salami and cheese, accompanied with the classic pizza al formaggio.

In the lead-up to Easter, Rome's bakeries sell a sweet cake, made in the shape of a dove, known as a colomba.



Colomba Easter cake

Easter Monday, or Pasquetta, is a national holiday in Italy, and all public offices and schools will be closed.

Many Romans mark this day by having a picnic with family or friends in the city's parks.

Tourists should note that Rome's state and city museums will be open on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday but the Vatican Museums will be closed on both days.

For a splash of colour visit the Spanish Steps which have been filled with hundreds of azaleas this spring.
Italy welcomes refugees from Ukraine in four regions

More than 91,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Italy since the beginning of the war. Half are women, 48,817 according to official data, and there are almost 34,000 children. Most of them have arrived in four main regions of Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Lazio and Campania. The Head of the Civil Protection, Fabrizio Curcio, has hypothesized the need for redistribution from these four regions should the numbers increase.

The destinations declared upon entry into Italy are mostly Milan, Rome, Naples and Bologna. The Italian government has provided for an increase in the number of places in the reception system, ensured by city districts and third sector entities, and forms of support for those who have found independent accommodation. For each Ukrainian citizen in possession of temporary protection there is also a contribution of 300 euros, and 150 euros for each minor.

Get practical information to help and welcome people in Rome fleeing the war in Ukraine

According to Unicef, nearly two out of three Ukrainian children have had to leave their homes. About 4.8 million of Ukraine's 7.5 million children have fled their country or moved within it. Worldwide there are an estimated 90 million refugees. The report comes from Ansa, citing Father Camillo Ripamonti, president of Centro Astalli, who presented the 2022 Annual Report of the Jesuit Refugee Service.

186 children have died since the beginning of the war and 344 have been injured. This was updated Tuesday morning by the Ukrainian Prosecutors Office.

"We are extremely concerned about the increasing reports of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence. In Ukraine, we continue to face extremely difficult operating conditions. Ongoing hostilities prevent us from reaching those most in need in many areas of the country. We are also helping local authorities identify and register unaccompanied and separated children. We are providing families with humanitarian cash assistance and raising awareness to minimize the risks of IEDs," wrote Unicef's Manuel Fontaine.

Photo credit: M. Cantile / Shutterstock.com
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The lockdown in Shanghai, accompanied by media accounts of food shortages and unreported deaths, are evoking painful recollections of January 2020 and the central city of Wuhan, where Covid-19 first broke out. For investors, the memory will also include the economic stimulus that China unleashed then to fight off a recession  as well as the bull market that ensued.

That may explain why Chinas main stock indexes have not sunk below their mid-March low, even as the number of Covid cases soared. Counterintuitively, since the initial outbreak in 2020, index returns were positively  not negatively  correlated with the number of cases, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

By now, China has built a track record of containing Covid outbreaks. As such, investors are looking through the short-term economic losses, and focusing instead on the policy goodies that Beijing is willing to hand out.

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This time, the government may not be willing to shower the country with helicopter money. In 2020, a rapid expansion in credit caused the real estate market to overheat, driving home sales and prices to records. Then China spent much of 2021 trying to cool it down, argued Gavekal Researchs Wei He.

These days, regulations and the political backdrop  not Covid outbreaks  have become influential trading themes. China can act on both those fronts to help its financial markets.

Chinese stocks had a major slump last July when the government moved to investigate Didi Global Inc. over possible cyber-security issues just days after the ride-hailing giants $4.4 billion mega initial public offering in New York; the crackdown on big tech then stretched to more companies on issues such as data security and antitrust. In March, after Russia invaded Ukraine, stocks extended their losses, reflecting worries over secondary sanctions.

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In recent days, weve started to see the first signs of the government unclenching its fists. On March 16, Chinas top economic policy maker issued an unusual public statement seeking to actively introduce policies that benefit markets. This week, came the first batch of new video game licenses since July, ending a months-long hiatus that threatened the business models of Tencent Holdings Ltd., Netease Inc. and Bilibili Inc. Earlier this month, the government made a significant concession to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by revising rules that prevented U.S. regulators from inspecting audit papers of New York-listed Chinese companies.

With an estimated 373 million people ensnared in some form of movement restrictions, economists are now talking about the risk of a recession. Goldman, for instance, sees China growing at only 4.5% this year, short of the governments 5.5% target. Even Premier Li Keqiang has issued growth warnings to local government officials. When things are not going so great domestically, the hawkish branch of the political elite may just lose a little bit of their sway, be it in geopolitics or via tough regulations.

Thats because financial markets do matter. Ultimately, they determine the financing conditions for companies. The central bank could be cutting benchmark rates, but if stocks and corporate bonds are in a slump, how can businesses raise money to invest for the future?

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For over a year now, investors were having a tough time, prompting some to question whether China has become uninvestable due to the unpredictable policy making. The nations recent Covid outbreaks change that view. After all, somethings got to give: China wants to save face and not be seen as lying flat on Covid. A potential recession that triggers an urgent government response is not necessarily a bad thing for markets.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:



Chinas Leaders Refuse to Take Covid  Lying Flat: Shuli Ren



If Stocks Dont Fall, the Fed Needs to Force Them: Bill Dudley



Lockdown Anger in Shanghai Wont Fade Anytime Soon: Adam Minter

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. She previously wrote on markets for Barrons, following a career as an investment banker, and is a CFA charterholder.

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Thousands of ships pass through Singapore waters each year, with the island state selling the most bunker fuel in the world. This year, an alarming surge in batches of tainted oil has been linked to vessels suffering power outages or losing propulsion. Fuel tester Veritas Petroleum Services reported at least 34 ships affected as of early April. While its uncertain what the cause of the contamination was, surging oil prices may offer squeezed sellers more incentive to cut corners. Unlike cars or planes, cargo ships traditionally run on the cheapest and most polluting oil, and even non-oil products have made their way into the fuel.

1. How common is this?

While the blended fuels may not always meet ideal specifications, its rare for ships to suffer major technical failures from using them, according to William Tan, senior vice president at Miyabi Industries, a Singapore-based consultancy. The last time such a problem arose, he said, was in 2018, when oil prices were also high. On that occasion, contaminated fuel was sold from the port of Houston, which compromised a large number of ships and led to container giant A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S suing supplier Glencore in New York last year, claiming more than $6 million in damages.

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2. How is it fixed?

If the damage isnt serious, shipowners can try to pump the fuel out of the engines in a process called de-bunkering. For larger vessels, this can be costly. Just removing the fuel and cleaning and refilling a tank for a Capesize vessel, the largest category of dry cargo ships, could cost around $500,000, according to Tan. Power outages can leave a ship stranded in the ocean or cause it to run aground or hit an iceberg -- potentially treacherous situations for the crew. Should repairs or a tow back to port be required, costs would rise.

3. How is marine fuel made?

The fuel sold to ships is usually blended with other cheaper products so as to maximize profit while still meeting the required specifications. While theres a whole industry for regulating, testing and inspecting these fuels before and after theyre pumped into ships, what specifically goes into blending a particular batch of fuel tends to be known only to the blenders themselves. If the buyer and seller agree the fuel meets industry standards, typically set by the International Maritime Organization, its generally eligible for sale.

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4. What usually goes into it?

These can include residues or byproducts from the extraction or refining processes such as light cycle oil or vacuum gas oil, or even unprocessed crude -- whatever can pass muster at the lowest cost. When air travel was decimated during the pandemic, unused jet fuel found its way into maritime fuel. John Driscoll, founder and director of Singapore-based energy consultancy JTD Energy, said that on rare occasions, more questionable and exotic materials such as used lubrication oil from cars and even sawdust have allegedly found their way into ship fuel. Traders typically blend down the composite quality to meet the minimum specifications required so as to stay competitive.

5. Where are they blended?

Typically in tanks at port terminals, or even in oil tankers outside port. Near Singapore, that may be in the Malaysian ports of Tanjung Pelepas or Linggi. While blending onshore may offer a more controlled environment, blending on vessels can provide more secrecy concerning the ingredients.

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6. What happened this time?

Its difficult to say what exactly went into the contaminated fuel; Singapores port authority said it was notified of the issue on March 14 and opened an investigation. According to Miyabi Industries Tan, reports of organic chlorides suggest it might have included chemicals. Higher oil prices mean costlier bunker fuel, which drives shipowners to seek out the cheapest fuel and traders to hunt for the most affordable blendstocks, he said. Crude prices have surged over $100 a barrel in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with some analysts forecasting prices could pass $200 this year.

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Despite their orientation toward the U.S. and western Europe, Finland and Sweden since the Cold War have bet that their national security was best protected by staying out of NATO. They aimed to avoid disturbing the military balance in the Baltic Sea region and provoking Russia. Now, Russias invasion of Ukraine has sparked a rethinking in both countries. For the first time, about half the populations in both states supports joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Finlands government unveiled a security-policy report April 13 that paves the way for a decision on joining NATO, citing the threat from Russia. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Sweden is still analyzing its security situation, declining to comment on media reports that her party has reversed its opposition to NATO membership.

1. Why arent Finland and Sweden NATO members?

Both countries conduct military exercises with NATO and increasingly share intelligence with it. They are part of the alliances Partnership for Peace program, which fosters cooperation with non-members, and, along with Ukraine, are among six so-called Enhanced Opportunity Partners that make particularly significant contributions to NATO operations. But theyve never joined the group for historic reasons.

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 Finland has spent the 104 years since its independence tiptoeing around Russia, the giant to its east, with which it has a 1,300 kilometer (800-mile) border. Two wars against the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1944 were followed by a policy of deference and self-censorship toward the Soviets that came to be known as Finlandization. After the Cold War ended, Finland began turning more toward the democracies of western Europe, joining the European Union and adopting the euro. But the ghost of Finlandization lingered and Finns held onto the cornerstone of their foreign policy: maintaining good relations with Russia. The countrys leaders didnt consider NATO a viable option, and popular opinion, until now, was firmly against joining.

 Sweden stayed out of both world wars, and as the two superpowers vied for influence during the Cold War, neutrality was seen as the best way of ensuring the countrys independence. Still, Swedens defense during the Cold War was designed to deter a Soviet invasion, and the country covertly cooperated with NATO. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Swedens policy was officially rebranded as military non-alignment, and its defense was significantly scaled down. But since Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea peninsula, Sweden has gradually ramped up military spending and sought ever closer cooperation with NATO.

2. What would their joining do for NATO?

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Having Finland and Sweden in the alliance would arguably make it easier to stabilize the security of the area around the Baltic Sea and to defend NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Those countries are often seen as a potential target for Russian aggression because they have substantial ethnic Russian minorities, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has used protecting such people as a pretext for interventions in Ukraine. Including Finland and Sweden would add to NATO two sophisticated, well-equipped militaries whose gear is already compatible with that used by the alliance. It would lengthen NATOs border with Russia, which now comprises just 6% of Russias land perimeter, and enable the alliance to improve its surveillance of the countrys western flank.

3. Whats required to join NATO?

NATOs 30 participating countries have to be unanimous in welcoming a new member. In ordinary times, Sweden and Finland, which are among the worlds most developed nations with stable democracies and highly trusted political institutions, wouldnt expect resistance. The criteria for aspirant nations include a functioning democracy based on a market economy, fair treatment of minority populations, a commitment to resolve conflicts peacefully, and a willingness and ability to make a military contribution to NATO operations. Its not a requirement that citizens bless a move to join, but favorable public opinion lends legitimacy to a countrys bid for membership.

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4. How quickly could it happen?

While the dozen countries that have joined the alliance since 2004 have followed a gradual process under NATOs Membership Action Plan, many analysts think that membership for Sweden and Finland could be fast-tracked. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in mid-January that the two nations meet NATO standards in most areas and that the process can go very quickly if they decide to apply. However, some members could balk at admitting the countries now out of fear it might escalate Russian aggression. Swedens Andersson, whose Social Democrats have been against joining NATO for decades, evoked such concerns in originally rejecting calls from her political opponents to pursue membership. Her government is due to present a report in late May on its options following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto has said that any process to join NATO needs to be conducted in such a way that the decision is accepted even by those in Finland who opposed it.

5. How has Russia responded to the idea?

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Russias Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Feb. 25 that the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO would have serious military and political consequences requiring Russia to respond. Russia warned the Baltic states of serious consequences before they joined NATO in 2004, but that turned out to be a bluff. On the other hand, Montenegro in 2016 said it had foiled a Russia-backed plan to assassinate then-premier Milo Djukanovic over the countrys plans to enter NATO, which materialized a year later. A court in 2019 sentenced 14 people, including opposition leaders and Russian and Serbian nationals, to as many as 15 years in jail for staging the failed plot, though an appeals court last year annulled the verdicts. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said Russia would probably employ cyberattacks against Finland should it pursue NATO membership. A request to join would likely need to be accompanied with some form of security guarantee during the application process. NATOs pledge of collective defense only applies to members, and an extended period on the doorstep of the alliance without a security guarantee would risk a backlash from Russia that the applicant would face on its own.

6. What are Finland and Sweden doing apart from rethinking NATO membership?

They are increasing military cooperation between themselves and with other nations, work that began to accelerate in the run-up to the war in Ukraine. In early March, Niinisto visited U.S. President Joe Biden, who promised, in a joint phone call with Swedens Andersson, to deepen cooperation between the three nations. U.K. defense minister Ben Wallace said that in the event of an attack, Sweden could count on his countrys assistance, both military and in other ways. The prime ministers of both Nordic countries have penned a joint letter stressing the importance of the European Union mutual defense clause, which obliges member states to assist any country in the bloc that comes under attack. They both intend to continue ramping up defense spending, with Swedens long-term plan increasing funding for the armed forces by almost 30% from 2021 to 2024.

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People tend to associate environmental, social and governance investing with stock-picking, a way to sort through companies based on their ESG practices. But not every investor can be choosy about the companies they own. Big pension, endowment and sovereign wealth funds oversee tens of billions and even trillions of dollars, which means they have to own practically everything. If they avoid companies that fall short of their ESG standards, they quickly run out of places to park their money.

Instead, these so-called universal owners are trying to bolster companies ESG practices by supporting ESG-related proposals and removing directors who stand in the way. The California State Teachers Retirement System, the second-largest pension fund in the U.S. with more than $300 billion in assets, announced recently that beginning with the 2022 proxy season, it will oppose directors who are moving too slowly on diversity and climate change and support shareholder proposals that seek to reduce carbon emissions.

Specifically, Calstrs wants more women on corporate boards and more information about the diversity of board members, which goes to the social pillar, or the S, in ESG, and overlaps with the G. Calstrs also wants more climate-related disclosures along the lines the Securities and Exchange Commission recently proposed, as well as targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which obviously falls under the E.

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This ESG activism isnt entirely new. Activist investors have long sought a say in how companies are run, often related to governance practices thought to affect companies performance, such as classified boards, independent directors and takeover defense tactics. What is new is that investors like Calstrs now want a say not just on G primarily but on E and S as well.

Some will accuse Calstrs of using ESG to push a political agenda better left to legislators. But Calstrs is adamant, as is every ESG investor Ive encountered, that it is merely trying to manage risk and improve the performance of its portfolio. This is about investment, not politics, Aeisha Mastagni, a Calstrs portfolio manager, told me. More diverse companies perform better. Companies that provide adequate disclosure on climate risk will be better prepared for the future. Those things mitigate risk and add value, which is better for Calstrss portfolio returns.

That distinction between ESG as an investing tool and a platform for expressing values or political views is one that ESG critics and many companies and investors either dont understand or dont want to accept. The fact that ESG might also align with investors values or have an impact beyond their portfolio doesnt change that the fundamental motivation is about making money.

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It remains to be seen whether more climate disclosure, cleaner energy or greater diversity actually puts more money in shareholders pockets. In the meantime, companies should expect ESG investors to get more active. Theyve been emboldened by the success at Exxon Mobil Corp. last year. A group led by activist investor Engine No. 1 that included Calstrs and investment giant BlackRock Inc. managed to replace three of Exxons directors on a platform to make the energy behemoth more climate friendly. Exxon shareholders also approved a nonbinding proposal calling for more disclosure about the companys climate lobbying efforts.

Last year was a watershed year, Mastagni said. Expect this to be a wave. Its not just Exxon. It was a record year for environmental proposals and support for those proposals. Investors are now holding directors accountable and making sure they have the right people in the boardroom.

The Exxon saga is also a preview of coming arguments about whether ESG initiatives benefit shareholders and if so, to what extent. Exxons stock moved modestly higher after the election of the new board members. Engine No. 1 credited its involvement for the gains while incumbent directors pointed to cost-cutting and savvy capital investments. Disentangling the impact of ESG initiatives from the myriad other variables that move stock prices wont be easy.

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Even so, big investors are not going away. The work is to keep working with companies that arent receptive to ESG to get them to improve because, as universal owners, we are not going to divest and will own these companies for a long time, longer than their management will be there, Mastagni said. Well keep coming back.

Right or wrong, as conviction grows among investors that ESG is as important to shareholders as anything else discussed in the boardroom, they will increasingly call for change. Companies should be prepared to respond with more than tired, misinformed babble about ESGs political crusade.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 What to Expect as Inflation Gets More Entrenched: John Authers

 Theres a Bull Market in Forecasting Macro Doom: Jared Dillian

 Who Will Buy Bonds the Fed No Longer Wants?: Ashworth & Gilbert

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Nir Kaissar is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the markets. He is the founder of Unison Advisors, an asset management firm. He has worked as a lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell and a consultant at Ernst & Young.

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President Emmanuel Macron was run close by his nationalist rival Marine Le Pen in the first round of the French election on Sunday. The runoff vote on April 24 will reprise their 2017 contest, with serious consequences for Europe. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The two candidates represent very different visions, but they collectively represent a challenge from Frances old establishment parties of the right and left, which took a shellacking on Sunday.

In a Twitter Spaces conversation, Bloomberg Opinions Paris-based columnist Lionel Laurent and London-based Therese Raphael unpacked the first round  and teed up the second  with Bobby Ghosh. This is an edited transcript.

Ghosh: In the first round of voting, turnout was low and the results were a little closer for comfort than many people would have expected.

Laurent: Thats right. To set the scene a bit, we have a two-round election in France: for the presidency and, straight after, for Parliament. This sets the course for the next five years. Often, whoever wins the presidency also wins a majority in Parliament. Thats what happened to Macron in 2017.

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This time around, its a lot less certain. He led in this first round with a slightly better score than in 2017. Hes going to face Marine le Pen in the runoff once again, just as in 2017. But the question is whether he can buck the trend where presidents have not won re-election. The last time a president was re-elected was in 2002.

There had been an expectation that he would walk it, but that faded in recent weeks. Now, heading toward a second round, it seems a lot tighter, with opinion polls putting his lead at around 5%, which is a much lower margin than in 2017.

The likelihood is still that he will win. But there is a non-negligible possibility that he might not, or that the margin will be very small, which raises questions down the line about political stability and political risk, if that translates into parliamentary coalitions and gridlocks.

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So the first round delivered an expected result, but with a lot of uncertainty around the runoff.

Ghosh: What is Le Pens path to victory? What does she have to do to get past Macron in the runoff?

Laurent: Le Pen might be disappointed with the score she got in the first round: Its hard to come in second with a four- or five-point lag and then regain momentum. But it is still remarkable, given her ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin. And in third place, right behind her, theres another anti-establishment candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon, who is on the far left.

She now has to look below her on the list to find the votes she needs. Of course, there are the natural votes on the far right that will go her way. But I think she will do her best to court those who voted for Melenchon, as strange as that seems. She will present her program as being anti-elite, for the blue-collar voter who is fed up with Macrons program.

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Remember that Le Pen has changed her policies a great deal. She no longer says explicitly that she wants France to leave the European Union or the euro. Shes positioned herself in this campaign as the candidate focused on purchasing power. Shes offering budget giveaways and spending proposals far more than anything Macron has promised.

A combination of protectionism and anti-elite rhetoric: Thats going to be her path. Bizarrely, for someone who has taken such extreme positions in the past, polls show she has a better image than Macron on key questions around the economy and household purchasing power.

Ghosh: And what is Macrons path to victory?

Laurent: He too will have some natural votes from the left and center coming his way. But what makes it hard for him is that the establishment parties that would normally have been the sources of those votes have been decimated.

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So already in his speeches, hes taking a more protective economic stance. Hes talking up his environmental policies to attract green voters. Hes talking up the support for people to get back into work. Hes emphasizing his own budget giveaways.

And finally  and this is going to make the campaign quite vicious over the next two weeks  he has to paint Le Pen as an extremist from the far right, as a Putin sympathizer. Obviously he has to be careful, because this is someone who attracted 23% of the vote and has other sympathizers below. He cant spend two weeks accusing her voters as being racist. But he has to remind voters who are tempted to spoil their ballots, or to vote for an anti-Macron candidate, that this is not your normal election choice, where you turn out the incumbent for somebody new.

Ghosh: What do the first-round results and the runoff lineup look like for the rest of Europe?

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Raphael: There are probably two reactions: relief and a bit of alarm. Relief, because Macron did better than some expected in the first round. Le Pen, even though shes moderated some of her views, has more in common with the autocratic leaders of Hungary and Poland than with the traditional Franco-German axis in the heart of Europe.

But there is also a sense that Macrons grand vision of Europe has taken a hit. He defined Frances mission as restoring Europe as a great, singular civilization, with a leadership role for France. He wanted a security doctrine that built Europes ability to balance other powers and gain strategic autonomy.

This is quite important in the context of the current war in Ukraine. Weve seen that vision challenged by the war, and much of it has crumbled. His courting of Putin initially may have seemed wise, but over the course of the buildup to the war, it looked increasingly dubious. Putin was never going to listen to him.

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From a European point of view, Macon is a far better option than Le Pen, but there has to be some concern about Frances place in Europe in light of a possible backlash against Macron. It may stem from domestic considerations  the cost of living, frustration with Covid  and not a rebuke of Macrons European strategy, but nonetheless the election will have an impact on Frances position in Europe and its ability to influence European policy.

Ghosh: Does foreign policy move the needle in French elections?

Laurent: Traditionally, no. Macrons going to have to make it move the needle somehow, because so much of his legacy is about Europe and French influence. During the pandemic, he was able, along with Germany, to devise a $1 trillion rebuilding plan: He needs to make the link between the spending thats happening in France with more European integration.

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Hes going to try to paint Le Pen as likely to cause five years of gridlock and chaos in Europe and a backward step for France. She may have taken Frexit off the menu, but she does promote favoritism for French goods, more protectionism, less free markets. She has an idea of putting the nation-state above Brussels, which portends five years of infighting there. She keeps threatening to bring money back from Brussels, a very Brexit-type slogan.

In terms of relations with Russia and NATO, she has said in the past that she would pursue the Gaullist line and leave NATOs integrated command. And she has criticized sanctions against Russia. She would take French policy in a very different direction from Macron.

So even if foreign policy doesnt usually move the needle, I think European officials and diplomats are watching very nervously, and Macrons going to have to make it count somehow if he wants to distance himself from Le Pen over the next two weeks.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion

 Macrons Revolution Faces a Reckoning: Lionel Laurent

 The Ukraine War Has Postponed Boris Johnsons Reckoning: Therese Raphael

 The Post-Heroic Legacy of Angela Merkel: Andreas Kluth

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. A former editor in chief of the Hindustan Times, he was managing editor of Quartz and Time magazines international editor.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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There are few more powerful words in international relations than genocide. But what exactly it means, when it should be invoked and what should happen when it is, is often unclear. Its an issue brought to the fore by recent remarks by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calling Russias invasion of his country a genocide, a statement later echoed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

1. Whats the official definition of genocide?

In the United Nations Genocide Convention, written in 1948, its defined both in terms of specific acts and on whether they are intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. The listed acts are killing or inflicting serious mental or bodily harm on members of the group, subjecting them to conditions meant to bring about the groups physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures to prevent births or forcibly removing children. Victims of genocide are targeted not for individual reasons but for their membership in one of the four specified groups. The definition excludes persecution for political beliefs. Acts committed against a portion of the group can count if it represents a substantial share.

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2. Where does the idea come from?

The term was coined by Raphael Lemkin, a Polish Jew who fled his country after Hitlers 1939 invasion. It comes from the Greek word genos, or race, plus -cide, for killing. According to the Holocaust Encyclopedia, while working for the U.S. War Department, Lemkin introduced the word in an account of Nazi atrocities in Europe. While taking part in the U.S. preparations for the Nuremberg war crimes trials, he was able to get the word genocide included in the indictment against Nazi leadership.

3. How is it different from war crimes and crimes against humanity?

Unlike genocide, charges of war crimes are always linked to armed conflict. War crimes are violations of the rules of warfare as set out in various treaties. They include willful killing, torture, rape, using starvation as a weapon, shooting combatants whove surrendered, using banned weapons such as chemical and biological arms, and deliberately attacking civilians and non-military targets. Crimes against humanity neednt occur in wartime. They are defined as acts such as murder, enslavement, deportation, imprisonment, rape, and apartheid when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population. A report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe examining the wars first five weeks concluded that Russias military committed war crimes by targeting civilians.

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4. What are examples?

Theres fairly widespread agreement among scholars that there were at least three instances of genocide in the last century:

 Armenia: During World War I, the Ottoman Turks committed a campaign of mass killing against their Armenian subjects, an accusation many modern-day Turks continue to deny.

 The Holocaust: During World War II, Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered six million Jews as well as five million others, including homosexuals and members of the Romani community.

 Rwanda: In 1994, extremists among the majority Hutu population killed more than 800,000 people, most of them members of the Tutsi community, though some were moderate Hutus.

Other atrocities that are considered genocide by some scholars and not others include:

 Holodomor: In the 1930s, a famine in Ukraine that was rooted in Soviet leader Josef Stalins decision to collectivize agriculture killed millions of people.

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 Cambodia: From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 1.7 million people died from starvation, torture, execution, forced labor and other forms of violence during the rule of the extremist Khmer Rouge.

 East Timor: During Indonesias occupation of East Timor from 1975 to 1999, its estimated that as much as a fifth of the countrys population died.

 Myanmar: The Rohingya, Muslims in Myanmar who have lived uneasily among the countrys Buddhist majority for decades, have been the subject of waves of violence led by security forces. Some 890,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for neighboring Bangladesh. So-called clearance operations by the military began in earnest in 2017, resulting in the deaths and rapes of thousands of Rohingya living in western Rakhine state.

5. What can be done about genocide?

A number of people have been convicted of the crime in special tribunals. The first conviction -- in 1998, of Jean-Paul Akayesu, whod been mayor of Taba in Rwanda in 1994 -- was at a tribunal set up by the UN Security Council to prosecute those responsible for atrocities in that country. The tribunal eventually convicted another 46 people of genocide-related charges. A tribunal established to prosecute atrocities during the Balkans conflicts of the 1990s convicted two men of the crime: Radislav Krstic, a former Bosnian Serb general, in 2001 and former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic, in 2007. A tribunal in Cambodia convicted Khmer Rouge leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan of genocide in 2018. In 2002, the International Criminal Court was established in The Hague as a permanent, independent arena for holding accountable those who commit genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It relies on member countries to make arrests. The ICC has filed one genocide charge, against Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir, the former president of Sudan, for atrocities against the civilian population of the countrys Darfur region. After al-Bashir was deposed in 2019 and jailed, transitional authorities said they favored surrendering him to the ICC, but that government was toppled in a military coup last October.

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6. Whats being said about Ukraine?

Zelenskiy labeled the Russian invasion an attempt at genocide shortly after it began, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin intended to end Ukraines existence as a nation. Ukraine filed a petition with the International Court of Justice in The Hague in mid-March, seeking action to prevent what it called Russias plans for genocide. Zelenskiy renewed his calls for international action to prevent genocide after the bombing of a theater being used as a shelter in Mariupol and the discovery of the bodies of civilians who appeared to have been executed in areas abandoned by Russian troops near Kyiv. On April 12, Biden reversed his earlier position and described Russias actions in the conflict as a genocide, though he later said lawyers would make the official determination. I called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian, Biden said. Russia has denied the charge, and Putin has justified the invasion in part on allegations -- unsupported by evidence -- that Ukraine is committing genocide against ethnic Russians in separatist parts of the country.

7. Whats the significance of Bidens use of the term?

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The presidents words matter because diplomats, policy-makers and investors are parsing the rhetoric of the leader of the worlds biggest economy. By repeatedly making statements out of step with official U.S. policy, Biden endangers his credibility when speaking on behalf of the country. Thats especially true among Americas European allies, who are still very mindful of the way President Barack Obama drew a red line against the use of chemical weapons in Syria but failed to act after they were widely thought to have been used by Russian forces there. Evoking genocide -- a word that carries with it the idea that the international community has a responsibility to protect victims -- has also prompted questions about whether the U.S. should reevaluate Bidens determination not to get involved militarily. Administration officials on Wednesday insisted that Bidens words would not result in a policy change, and said military aid offered to Ukraine already exceeded assistance offered in some other officially-declared genocides.

 The UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect has a page with definitions and background.

 A report by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on instances in which the U.S. government has and has not invoked the idea of genocide.

 A UN page on the genocide trials related to Rwanda.

 The International Court of Justices page on how the tribunal works.

 An opinion column in the Washington Post arguing that Putins invasion of Ukraine is a war crime but not genocide.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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As a jury in Brooklyn weighed the fate of a former banker accused of conspiring to loot a Malaysian state fund, villagers about an hours drive from the countrys power center, Kuala Lumpur, had a more parochial concern. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight A bridge in a coastal settlement in Kuala Selangor  a politically contested region  had collapsed in 2019. Despite politicians promises, it lays in ruin. That bridge is vital to the fishing community, according to Muhammad Zabar bin Arssad, who has lived in the area for all his 63 years. Far more important to livelihoods than anything transpiring in a New York courtroom. 1MDB is an urban conversation, something for people in KL to talk about, he said, referring to Kuala Lumpur. It doesnt really matter here. The bridge does matter.

His perspective is vital to understanding the disconnect between worldwide disgust at the scandal  in which billions of dollars were looted from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.  and recent gains by the party that governed Malaysia when the pillaging occurred. Those electoral advances reflect the current state of ambivalence in the Southeast Asian nation. What was once frustration has given way to resignation: Covid persists and the economic recovery has lagged behind neighbors. Clean government matters but jobs and health care matter more. Handouts come with the territory.

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The 1MDB scandal was about as consequential as you could get in 2018, when opposition parties joined forces and swept Najib Razaks United Malays National Organization from power for the first time in seven decades. Najib, who was subsequently convicted of corruption and is appealing, has rebuilt his base and is again a plausible candidate for high office. 1MDB is increasingly yesterdays news. The bloc elected in 2018 amid a flowering of reformist hopes splintered two years later and, in a twist of parliamentary intrigue, was returned to the opposition. UMNO is back in office as part of a new conservative coalition. Recent contests in the states of Johor and Melaka produced strong results. Najib starred in those campaigns. The trial of Roger Ng, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker who was found guilty last week, was dutifully reported by Malaysian media. (Goldman arranged some bond deals for 1MDB.) But the coverage had a perfunctory feel to it. Front pages in the domestic press last week expressed outrage not at the people behind 1MDB, but at Singaporeans driving across the border to fill up on subsidized gas. Najib has latched on to the issue. Najib has created an aura or an impression that the wind is blowing his way, said Ei Sun Oh, principal adviser at Pacific Research Center, and a former aide to Najib. After the pandemic, people are poor and his message is: I will take care of you.

Though long an UMNO backer, Muhammad in Kuala Selangor said people were prepared to give the opposition a chance in 2018 because it was led by Mahathir Mohamad, the nonagenarian ex-premier who came out of retirement to challenge Najib. People thought Mahathir did a good job the first time. I liked him myself, but I was shocked at the chaos that followed his resignation.

A few hundred meters away, Lim Chon Kiat, a fishmonger of Chinese descent, laments the fall of the Mahathir coalition two years ago. There are some villagers who dont know what 1MDB is, but most people have heard of it, said Lim, a supporter of whats now the opposition. Corruption was an issue then. It still matters now. Without Mahathir at the helm, the opposition does have a harder sell, he concedes.

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That blocs current leader, Anwar Ibrahim, is now the politician under pressure. Anwar claimed in late 2020 that he had the numbers to form a government. He never got the chance to test that assertion on the floor of the lower house, where the person who commands a majority gets to lead the country. Anwars Pakatan Harapan alliance, or PH, has struggled in recent state polls.

Barring an upset, the government assembled after the next election will be composed of UMNO and at least one other major party. The chances of an outright win by the opposition are slim unless something major happens to alter the dynamics. Thats bad news for Kuala Selangor incumbent member Dzulkefly Ahmad, who won the seat for PH in 2018, wresting it from Najibs UMNO.

Its one thing to have an issue that galvanizes voters. Its quite another to be able to peddle it. Najib, ultimately, is proving a better salesman. Even after his national defeat four years ago, he matters to conservative ethnic Malay voters in the way Donald Trump remains a force after his 2020 loss.

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Unlike Trump, though, Najib still holds electoral office. I wouldnt bet against him.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Singapore and Malaysia Reunite, If Only for Cake: Daniel Moss

 We Need Better Booster Shots Than Pfizer and Moderna: Faye Flam

 Street-Food Vendors Are Facing a Sanitized Future: Adam Minter

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Daniel Moss is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian economies. Previously he was executive editor of Bloomberg News for global economics, and has led teams in Asia, Europe and North America.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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Andrew Medichini/AP

A 40-day period before Easter is a special season in the Christian calendar. Some people fast, or stop eating certain foods, while others give up particular items or practices, such as drinking soda or eating chocolate. What is this period called?
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Amid protests, leader says he's open to talks Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Sri Lankas prime minister offered talks with protesters calling for the government to step down over its handling of an economic crisis as the opposition threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against it in Parliament. The island nation of 22 million people is in the throes of its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948, with a foreign currency shortage stalling imports of fuel and medicines and bringing hours of power cuts a day.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets, many staging a sit-in in the commercial capital, Colombo, to denounce the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his elder brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The prime minister is ready to start talks with the protesters at Galle Face Green, his office said in a statement, referring to a protest site that has become the focus of discontent.

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Sri Lanka is due to begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund next week for a loan program, after months of delay as the crisis worsened.

Adding to the uncertainty, the main opposition alliance said it would give the president and the prime minister a week to step down before moving a no-confidence motion in Parliament.

The roots of the crisis lie in the mismanagement of public finances, and critics say it has been exacerbated by tax cuts enacted by the government just before the pandemic.

 Reuters

Death toll in floods, mudslides rises to 306

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to help the victims of devastating floods along the east coast, as the death toll rose to 306 from heavy rains that washed out roads and disrupted shipping in one of Africas busiest ports.

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Ramaphosa visited families that had lost loved ones in KwaZulu-Natal province after floods and mudslides ravaged their homes on Tuesday.

Africas southeastern coast is on the front line of seaborne weather systems that scientists believe global warming is making nastier and predict will get far worse in decades to come.

South Africas northern neighbor Mozambique has suffered devastating floods over the past decade, including one last month that killed more than 50 people.

A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in February warned that humanity was far from ready even for the climate change that is already baked into the system by decades of fossil fuel-burning and deforestation. It urged the world to ramp up investments in adaptation.

 Reuters

British official quits over 'partygate' rule-breaking: David Wolfson, a junior justice minister in the British government, resigned a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak were fined for breaching laws that the government had imposed in 2020 and 2021 to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the pandemic. In his resignation letter to Johnson, David Wolfson criticized "repeated rule-breaking" and "breaches of the criminal law" at Downing Street, a reference to a dozen government parties that were held in violation of lockdown restrictions.

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Russian convicted of spying in Germany, gets suspended term: A German court convicted a Russian man of espionage and gave him a one-year suspended sentence for passing research, including information about European rockets, to Russian intelligence. The defendant worked as a research assistant for a science and technology professor at the University of Augsburg until his arrest in June. The Munich state court said a man accredited as a Russian vice consul in the city contacted the defendant in 2019, telling him he worked for a Russian bank and needed information on aerospace technology research projects for private investments. The defendant handed over information he had compiled from publicly accessible sources, a court statement said.

Swiss drop money-laundering probe of Egyptians, will unfreeze $430 million: Swiss prosecutors will not file any charges after concluding a decade-long investigation into alleged money laundering and organized crime linked to the late president Hosni Mubarak's circles in Egypt and will release about 400 million Swiss francs ($430 million) frozen in Swiss banks. The Swiss attorney general said the investigation could not back up the claims, which emerged in the wake of 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ended Mubarak's rule. More than 210 million francs were released during an earlier phase of the case, which also could not substantiate the allegations.

 From news services

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Gulls and terns on the southern end of Ocracoke Island in North Carolina. (Anna Mazurek for The Post)

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Third Watauga Housing Forum addresses affordability

Photo by Matty Staskel Community members at the Watauga Housing Forum listen to panel members discuss issues in housing affordability. Photo by Matty Staskel Kellie Reed Ashcraft welcoming participants and addressing the purpose of the forum: to increase the awareness and knowledge on these housing issues, to create a space to talk about these issues and to highlight and address these issues. to increase the awareness and knowledge on these housing issues, to create a space to talk about these issues and to highlight and address these issues. Panelists Sara Crouch, Amy Crabbe and Chris Blanton addressing questions from community members.

BOONE  In the third session of the Watauga Housing Forum, community members discussed housing affordability issues in Watauga County.

Kellie Reed Ashcraft opened the April 11 meeting and spoke on the purpose of the forum: to increase the awareness and knowledge on these housing issues, to create a space to talk about these issues and to highlight and address these issues.

Todd Carter, chief development director of Hospitality House, read an email that he received from a woman who had planned on coming to the forum, but could no longer attend because she was moving.

Carter said that as Jamie Byrch, co-facilitator of the Watauga Housing Forum has noted in past meetings the videos we see are not isolated incidents, this is a widespread issue in our community. She spoke to all of that without even knowing it.

In the email, Carter read that she described the slum house that she has lived in for the last three years, with mold, mice, no insulation, leaks and even birds.

Ive just been blessed with a way to move out, Carter read in the email. Something needs to be done soon in Boone as many of us are leaving. I hope things get better for all of us.

For this forum, a video featuring several different community members  some anonymous  spoke to housing affordability issues.

Afterwards, Ashcraft introduced the three panelists for the affordability forum: Chris Blanton, principal of Watauga High School, Amy Crabbe, Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and Sara Crouch, Director of Community Outreach and Outreach Coordinator of Oasis, Inc.

The panelists were asked to reflect and speak on what resonated the most with them from watching the video.

Blanton said that finding employees to work for the school system is becoming a challenge at this time because so many people are unable to find affordable housing in the area. He noted that the school system here is successful because theyre able to hire high quality teachers and employees.

If were not able to do that, were not able to continue to have the school system that we currently have, Blanton said. And it gets a little more difficult every single time they go through the hiring process because the cost of living here continues to go up.

Crabbe said that through the COVID-19 pandemic, she learned that the housing crisis in Watauga County is directly related to the workforce.

During that time, Crabbe said that they would go as far as housing employees in unused hospital rooms due to the lack of affordable housing so that they were able to hire enough people to care for patients.

As a large employer, we want to fix this problem as much as every single person in this room because this is our future where 50 percent of our expense in our health system is related to the workforce, Crabbe said. If we cant have a lot of the workforce living in this community, we cant serve this community.

During the panel discussion, members of the community were able to address the group, make comments and ask questions.

Community member Amber Dixon posed the question, what can we do to prevent this move towards gentrification? She said that it took awhile for her to realize that that was what was happening in Watauga County, because she thought of gentrification as something that typically happened in urban areas.

I love the fact that people want to come in and move here, she said. But Im also looking at people who, for generations, this is their home on a root level, and can they afford to remain here?

Crouch responded by saying that she appreciated what Dixon had pointed out and that the housing crisis is the product of many problems that have continued for generations.

Theres not one solution and that means its going to take years and commitment by those in power, Crouch said. The people who actually have the power and the pockets to make change.

As a previous student at Appalachian State, Crouch noted that neither the students, nor other community members, are the cause of the housing issues in Watauga County.

Anyone deserves a quality education and they deserve to live where theyre being educated. The issue again, is the power structures and those in power that allow it to continue, Crouch said.

In Boone, Blowing Rock and Watauga County, the average monthly rent is $971, $1,012 and $976, respectively, according to the Housing Needs Assessment for the High Country.

In North Carolina, the average monthly rent is $979. While these are almost the same, the mean household income in Watauga County is $49,616 and the states mean income is $57,681, making it considerably more expensive to live in the area, according to the report.

Those who attended in person and via Zoom broke up into smaller groups to discuss data that focused on affordability in housing.

The final forum meeting is on April 25, and will discuss potential solutions to the issues proposed in the first three meetings. To register or find out more information, visit hosphouse.org/whf.
Australian COVID-19 test maker Ellume says it will mount a vigorous defence in a lawsuit brought against it by consumers in the United States who claim the company failed to properly refund them after they purchased inaccurate tests.

The court action comes after Ellume, which inked a $300 million deal with the US government in 2021, was forced to recall 2.2 million test kits last year over concerns about higher than acceptable false positive rates.

Ellume resolved the manufacturing issue which led to the recall in 2021. Credit:AFR

The company has resolved the issue which led to the recall, but affected consumers have now launched proceedings in the United States District Court in the District of Maryland, arguing they have not received full refunds for tests which delivered false positives.

Indiana resident Karen Kerschen claims she spent $US65 ($87) on an Ellume test kit ahead of a trip to Ireland with her sister, so that she could show a negative result within 72 hours of returning back to the United States.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has condemned a Labor supporter who confronted Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a private event and berated him before posting the footage on social media, saying the incident highlights the security risks faced by politicians on the campaign trail.

Morrison was approached by the political activist on Tuesday night at the Rowers Club in western Sydney as he hosted a private event for the travelling press pack. The young man can be seen in the video requesting a photo with the Prime Minister before screaming you are a disgrace as he is asked to leave the venue.

Albanese said he did not know the man, but the confrontation was inappropriate and urged people to engage civilly with politicians.

I condemn any action thats inappropriate. Ive seen footage of it and I think that gentleman - I dont know who he was - his actions were entirely inappropriate. We need to have civil discourse, Albanese said.
Singapore: Pacific Minister Zed Seselja has told Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare that he should not sign a security deal with China, and warned that Beijings presence could unsettle the region.

In the most direct comments from an Australian government minister on the security deal to date, Seselja cast aside weeks of careful diplomatic language that maintained the Australian government respected Solomon Islands sovereignty.

We have asked Solomon Islands respectfully to consider not signing the agreement and to consult the Pacific family in the spirit of regional openness and transparency, consistent with our regions security frameworks, Seselja said.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in New Zealand last year. Credit:Getty

The high stakes meeting followed weeks of careful diplomacy in an effort to get Sogavare to pull out of the deal on his own terms. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said Pacific Island nations disliked being told what to do by Australia and that they were not under Australias control or direction after being criticised for being blindsided by the agreement in March.
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The 767 entered service with UPS Airlines in 1987. The freighter can carry up to 15 containers or pallets on its main deck, for a volume of up to 6,600 cubic feet . Its two lower holds can carry up to 1,830 cubic feet of bulk cargo. The maximum payload capability is 87,700 pounds. In July 2015, 79 of these were in service.
An Israeli police officer shot and killed a Palestinian man who stabbed him in southern Israel early on Tuesday, police said, the latest in a series of deadly incidents during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell commented on Russia's invasion of Ukraine when he spoke at a luncheon in his honor hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on April 12, 2022.
Behind the scenes at the WDRB News crew putting on the Louisville Mayoral Candidate Forum at the University of Louisville on Monday, April 25, 2022.
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...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Indiana...Ohio... Wabash River near Bluffton IN affecting Wells County. Saint Marys River near Decatur affecting Allen IN, Van Wert and Adams Counties. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana... Ohio... Wabash River near Linn Grove affecting Adams and Wells Counties. Tiffin River at Stryker affecting Fulton OH, Williams and Defiance Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Never drive vehicles through flooded areas. The water may be too deep to allow safe passage. Never allow children to play in or near flood waters. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or local media for further statements and updated forecasts. Detailed river forecasts and additional information can be found at www.weather.gov/iwx under Rivers and Lakes. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM EARLY THIS MORNING TO EARLY MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Saint Marys River near Decatur. * WHEN...From early this morning to early Monday morning. * IMPACTS...At 17.5 feet, County road 225 north of Pleasant Mills is flooded. Agricultural land flooding increases in northern... central and eastern Adams County. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 5:00 AM EDT Saturday the stage was 17.4 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 5:00 AM EDT Saturday was 17.4 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 17.8 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late tonight. - Flood stage is 17.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Cloudy, windy, and unseasonably cool with occasional rain; winds gusting 35-40mph. 2-3" of rain for many for a two day storm total..

Tonight

Cloudy and windy with rain tapering to showers and gradually ending.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Cloudy, windy, and unseasonably cool with occasional rain; winds gusting 35-40mph. 2-3" of rain for many for a two day storm total..

Tonight

Cloudy and windy with rain tapering to showers and gradually ending.
Today

Cloudy, windy, and unseasonably cool with occasional rain; winds gusting 35-40mph. 2-3" of rain for many for a two day storm total.

Tonight

Cloudy and windy with rain tapering to showers and gradually ending.

Tomorrow

Clouds giving way to some afternoon sunshine; a shower or drizzle possible early in the morning, especially towards the shore.
Authorities say a man has died and two other men are in critical and stable condition after a porch collapse at a home on Chicagos West Side
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Editors note: This article is part of an ongoing Session Recap series in which Capitol News Illinois is following up on many of the more-than 200 measures that passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly during the final week of spring session which adjourned at 6 a.m. April 9.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government that is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
I was scanning the obituaries recently and ran across a familiar name. His picture, taken in his later years, did not ring a bell with me, mainly because Id not seen him in more than 60 years. But there he was, dead at 87 after a long and distinguished career in civil engineering. However, 
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun. High 73F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Windy with rain developing after midnight. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
ABC

DNCE jumped on the Lizzo craze that's taking over TikTok, dancing along to her hit "About Damn Time." The trio tried busting out the moves and cheered with three solo cups at the end. Of course, the group was celebrating the arrival of their new song, "MOVE."

Kelly Clarkson channeled Christina Aguilera on her daytime talk show, belting out the 2002 hit "Beautiful." The ladies go way back, with Xtina penning Kelly's standout track "Miss Independent." Both songs went head to head at the Grammys, with "Beautiful" winning Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2004.

BTS has announced that their new single, "Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)," is on the way. The track will be the first single off their forthcoming album, Proof, both of which arrive on June 10. Their label, Big Hit, also teased the single's artwork, but have held off on giving fans a taste of the upcoming track.

Fans think Taylor Swift is dropping her version of Speak Now and 1989 at the same time, thanks to the new "Old Taylor" merchandise line she dropped Thursday. Taylor also posted on Instagram, "Im currently reliving the 1989 tour in my head and spiraling." She has yet to confirm or deny if that's the case.

Copyright  2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Read more
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A longtime friend and next-door neighbor of Johnny Depp testified Wednesday that Depps ex-wife, Amber Heard, had told him the movie star threw a phone at her and hit her inside the couples Los Angeles penthouse.

But Isaac Baruch said he never noticed any evidence of abuse on Heards face, both when he first saw her in the hallway or the next day in the sunlit lobby of their art deco-style building.

She's got her face out like this to show me, and Im looking, and I inspect her face, Baruch said of the encounter in May 2016. And I don't see anything. ... I don't see a cut, a bruise, swelling, redness.

Baruch is the second witness called in the trial over Depp's allegations that Heard falsely portrayed him as a domestic abuser. Depp says that an opinion piece Heard wrote for The Washington Post in 2018 indirectly defamed him.

Heard refers to herself in the article as a public figure representing domestic abuse. It doesn't name Depp. But his attorneys argue that it clearly referenced a restraining order that Heard sought in May 2016, right after Depp told her he wanted a divorce.

Depp denies abusing Heard.

Baruch, a painter, has been friends with Depp since 1980. He also worked at the Viper Room when the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor partly owned the famed Los Angeles club. Baruch said Depp has financially supported him, providing him with places to live and giving him about $100,000 over the years.

Baruch testified that he noticed no makeup on Heard's face when she said Depp hit her. But during cross-examination, Baruch conceded he didn't know if Heard  who worked with cosmetics giant LOreal  had applied any concealer, foundation, powder or tint.

At one point, Baruch got emotional, stating that Heard needs to take responsibility and move on.

He said he never saw violence from Depp.

His family has been completely wrecked by all of this stuff, and it's not fair, Baruch said. Its not right, what she did. ... Its insane.

Baruch also testified that he saw security video showing Heard's sister Whitney throwing a fake punch at Heards face while the two waited for an elevator in the building where he and Depp and Heard lived.

And then they start laughing, Baruch said.

Depps attorneys argue that the sisters were practicing for a real punch to to feign abuse from Depp.

But Heards lawyers have said the evidence will show that Depp physically and sexually assaulted Heard on multiple occasions. And they've argued that Depp's denials lack credibility because he frequently drank and used drugs to the point of blacking out and failing to remember anything he did.

The first witness called for the trial was Depps older sister, Christi Dembrowski, who faced a barrage of questions from Heards lawyers about Depps alcohol and drug use.

When she took the stand Tuesday, Dembrowski said she and her brother endured a difficult childhood in which Depp learned to hide from an abusive mother. Dembrowski, who also worked as Depp's personal manager, said she saw the same pattern in Depps relationship with Heard, adding that she would book an extra hotel room for Depp if Heard started a fight.

But Dembrowski struggled on cross-examination when asked why she sent texts to Depp in February 2014 that said, Stop drinking. Stop coke. Stop pills.

Heard's lawyers asked similar questions Wednesday, zeroing in on a text exchange between Heard and Dembrowski in February 2014.

Ms. Heard says, JD is on a bender, and your response is, Where are the kids?  correct? J. Benjamin Rottenborn asked.

Dembrowski said that was correct. She also confirmed a 2014 email exchange she had with a doctor who treated Depps addiction to pain medication.

You believe that your brother needed help with drugs and alcohol? Rottenborn asked.

Dembrowski responded that she was concerned about Depp's use of one medication but didn't believe that he had a problem with drugs or alcohol overall, or that he romanticized drug culture.

Both Depp and Heard are expected to testify at the trial in Fairfax County Circuit Court, scheduled for six weeks, along with actors Paul Bettany and James Franco and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Heards lawyers had sought to have the case tried in California, where the actors reside. But a judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case in Virginia because The Washington Posts computer servers for its online edition are located in the county. Depps lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
LONDON (AP)  European health officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to chocolate Easter eggs that has sickened at least 150 children across the continent said Tuesday they suspect it is due to bad buttermilk in a Belgian factory.

In an assessment of the continuing outbreak, experts at the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority said they had matched the same salmonella strain currently infecting people to samples taken from a factory in Belgium last December.

Officials said the processing step involving buttermilk was identified by the company as the point of contamination for two products, chocolate eggs that normally have a surprise toy inside and bite-sized praline chocolates. National authorities have previously named the involved company as the Italian chocolate firm Ferrero.

Before the Belgian factory was shut down, however, European officials noted it had exported the implicated chocolate products across Europe and globally.

As of this week, 150 cases of salmonella have been reported in nine European countries and the U.K. after the first case was identified in Britain last December. The majority of cases have been in children under age 10 and an exceptionally high number" have been hospitalized, European officials said. Britain has so far reported the most cases - 65 - of whom 43% are hospitalized.

Ferrero began recalling chocolate eggs and other products in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere weeks ago. Last week, the company expanded its recall to the U.S., acknowledging that some of the goods on sale were made in the tainted Belgian factory.

This outbreak is rapidly evolving, and children have so far been most at risk for severe infection among reported cases, the European CDC said in its report. It noted that further investigation was needed to determine how the problem happened and evaluating the possibility of the wider use of contaminated raw material in other processing plants.

Salmonella typically causes symptoms including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick do not need any medicine but severe cases that result in hospitalization may require antibiotics or other treatment.

European officials warned that it was likely cases were being missed in some countries due to a lack of surveillance and genetic sequencing.

Ferrero has previously said it is cooperating with national and European health authorities in the outbreak investigation.

We are taking this extremely seriously as consumer care is our top priority, the company said.
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TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said he and his Italian counterpart agreed Tuesday to step up military cooperation as Japan expands security ties with Europe amid concern about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impact on Asia.

Kishi told reporters that he and Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini discussed the possible expansion of joint military drills and development of defense technology.

Guerini, who is visiting Tokyo, especially expressed interest in possible Italian participation in Japans F-X next generation fighter jet, Kishi said, declining to elaborate. It would be Japans first domestically developed fighter jet in 40 years.

Japan and Britain have agreed to jointly develop a future demonstration fighter jet engine and to explore other combat air technologies and subsystems. The project includes Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI in Japan and Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems in the U.K.

The two ministers agreed that Russias invasion of Ukraine undermines the foundation of the international order, not only in Europe but also in Asia, and is absolutely impermissible.

We agreed on the importance for countries that share fundamental values, such as Japan and Italy, to stick together and act resolutely," Kishi said.

Kishi said Japan highly regards Italys interest and involvement in the Indo-Pacific, where China's increasingly assertive military activity has raised tensions.

Japan in recent years has significantly expanded security talks and joint drills with the U.S. and other partners in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe that share its concerns about Chinas assertion of its territorial claims in the region, which has some of the worlds busiest sea lanes.

Japan is not a NATO member but has strengthened its partnership with the group. It sent Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to join the NATO foreign ministers' meeting earlier this month to discuss Ukraine.

Japan is especially concerned about Chinese military and coast guard activity in the East China Sea near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls Diaoyu.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have been locked in a tense territorial standoff in the South China Sea for decades.

China defends its activities as its own right.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota state investigators have identified the man who died in a police shooting in Rapid City last month.

The Division of Criminal Investigation said Barney Leroy Peoples Jr. was shot by officers who responded to a report of a residential burglary.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to a bill that would let the state build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River, a project steeped in fears about the Denver area's growing water consumption.

Lawmakers passed the measure with little fanfare, 42-4, and sent it to Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, who proposed the idea and is expected to sign it.

The legislation will allow the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to start work on the estimated $500 million canal. They've only approved $53.5 million in funding, however, which will force the department to seek more money next year to continue the project.

State officials have they'll use the initial money for design work, permitting and purchase options to potentially buy land for the project in the future.

Ricketts announced the plan in January to invoke Nebraskas right to construct the canal under the South Platte River Compact, a legally binding water-sharing agreement approved by Nebraska, Colorado and Congress in 1923.

Building the canal would give Nebraska the right to claim some of the water in late fall, winter and early spring and store it for use in drier times. Colorado has always fulfilled its obligation to provide at least 120 cubic feet per second of water during the summer irrigation season, but it has no such duty during the non-irrigation season.

Some Nebraska lawmakers have questioned whether the project is necessary.

A spokesman for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has called the project a bad-faith attempt to undermine a century-long and successful compact between Colorado and Nebraska and a costly boondoggle for Nebraska taxpayers.
GENESEE, Pa. (AP)  An early morning fire in a northern Pennsylvania home that authorities said may have been sparked by a stove killed five teenagers and severely injured two adults.

Fire crews responding to the 3:30 a.m. Monday alarm on Slingerland Road in Genesee Township found the residence engulfed in flames, state police in Potter County said. Police said first responders discovered that five juvenile victims were unable to get out of the residence."
The mother of a Puerto Rican Olympian killed by a stray bullet in her Connecticut home was an unintended victim of a drug dispute that erupted into the firing of more than 20 gunshots, a police official said Tuesday.

Mabel Martinez, 56, was shot in the head inside her Waterbury home on Saturday afternoon when at least two people opened fire outside on the street, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said at a news conference. No arrests were announced.

Martinez was the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez, a rifle shooter on the Puerto Rico Olympic team who competed in the summer Olympics last year and in 2016. She and other family members were in Waterbury on Tuesday, but did not speak at the news conference.

Spagnolo said people in two cars, including convicted felons known for drug dealing, got into a shootout outside Mabel Martinez's home. The reason for the dispute was not clear. A man involved in the confrontation, who was on the street, was shot in the hip but survived. No other injuries were reported.

Officers found 15 9mm casings and seven 45-caliber cases at the scene. Police said they were trying to determine if one or two 9 mm guns were fired.

Police have found both cars involved in the shooting and one of their owners. The other owner was being sought for questioning. Both men are convicted felons known to have sold drugs, police said, but they have not been charged in the shooting.

Spagnolo said the shooting raises questions about how illegal guns get into communities and how people on parole and probation are monitored.

Yarimar Mercado Martinez, 27, traveled to Waterbury late Sunday from Brazil, where she was to compete in an international shooting competition. She expressed her anguish in social media posts.

Why you? Why this way? You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did, she wrote in Spanish on Facebook.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 41F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

PARIS (AP)  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen warned Wednesday against sending any more weapons to Ukraine, and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once Moscows war in Ukraine winds down.

Le Pen, an outspoken nationalist who has long ties to Russia, also confirmed that if she unseats President Emmanuel Macron in Frances April 24 presidential runoff, she will pull France out of NATOs military command and dial back French support for the whole European Union.

Torn presidential campaign poster of French President and centrist candidate for reelection Emmanuel Macron is displayed in Paris, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. France will vote on Sunday April 24 in the second round of the presidential election. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is facing a harder-than-expected fight to stay in power, in part because the economic impact of the war is hitting poor households the hardest. Frances European partners are worried that a possible Le Pen presidency could undermine Western unity as the U.S. and Europe seek to support Ukraine and end Russias ruinous war on its neighbor.

Asked about military aid to Ukraine, Le Pen said she would continue defense and intelligence support.

(But) Im more reserved about direct arms deliveries. Why? Because ... the line is thin between aid and becoming a co-belligerent, the far-right leader said, citing concerns about an escalation of this conflict that could bring a whole number of countries into a military commitment.

Earlier Wednesday, French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said France had sent 100 million euros ($109 million) worth of weapons to Ukraine in recent weeks as part of a flow of Western arms.

Earlier in his term, Macron had tried to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to improve Russias relations with the West, and Macron met with Putin weeks before the Russian invasion in an unsuccessful effort to prevent it. Since then, however, France has supported EU sanctions against Moscow and has offered sustained support to Ukraine.

Le Pen also said France should strike a more independent path from the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

And despite the atrocities that Russian troops have committed in Ukraine, Le Pen said that NATO should seek a strategic rapprochement with Russia once the war is over. Such a relationship would be in the interest of France and Europe and I think even of the United States, she said, to stop Russia from forging a stronger alliance with world power China.

She did not directly address the horrors unfolding in Ukraine.

Le Pen was speaking at a press conference Wednesday to lay out her foreign policy plans, which include halting aid to African countries unless they take back undesirable migrants seeking entry to France. She also wants to slash support for international efforts to improve womens reproductive health in poor countries, increase minority rights or solve environmental problems.

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At the end of the event, protesters held up a poster showing a 2017 meeting between Le Pen and Putin. One activist was pulled out of the room. Anti-racism protesters also held a small demonstration outside.

The election of Madame Le Pen would mean electing an admirer of Putins regime, an autocratic regime and an admirer of Putins imperialistic logic, said Dominique Sopo, head of the group SOS Racism. It would mean that France would become a vassal to Putins Russia.

___

Follow all AP stories related to France's 2022 presidential election at https://apnews.com/hub/ french-election-2022.

___

Follow all AP stories on Russia's war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  A Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company will build a factory in Kentucky, creating 2,000 jobs in a $2 billion investment that reinforces the state's leadership in battery production, Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday.

FILE- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Sept. 28, 2021. A Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company will build a factory in Kentucky, creating 2,000 jobs in a $2 billion investment that reinforces the state's leadership in battery production, Beshear said Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  A Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company will build a factory in Kentucky, creating 2,000 jobs in a $2 billion investment that reinforces the state's leadership in battery production, Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday.

The Envision AESC plant at Bowling Green in south-central Kentucky will produce battery cells and modules to power the next generation of electric vehicles, the Democratic governor said.

The gigafactory's products will be made for multiple auto manufacturers globally.

The announcement represents Kentucky's second-largest economic development investment, the governor said, following an even larger battery production plant announcement last year.

With todays announcement, we solidify that the commonwealth of Kentucky is the undisputed electric battery production capital of the United States of America, Beshear said as he gathered with other state leaders to celebrate the new project.

The Envision AESC announcement comes months after Bowling Green was among several Kentucky cities hard hit by tornadoes last December. Parts of Bowling Green were devastated by the storm.

Envision AESC Group CEO Shoichi Matsumoto speaks about the Japan-based company's $2 billion investment to build a 3 million square-foot electric vehicle battery technology plant on over 500 acres in the Kentucky Transpark in Warren County during the announcement with Gov. Andy Beshear and local and state officials at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The gigafactory, the second largest investment in state history and the largest ever for southcentral Kentucky, will provide 2,000 new jobs producing battery cells and modules for electric vehicles and has plans to be operational by 2025. (Grace Ramey/Daily News via AP)

Envision AESC Group CEO Shoichi Matsumoto said the Kentucky investment is part of the company's next phase of battery strategy to power electric vehicles in the U.S.

This major investment builds on our commitment to the U.S. market, supports growth of the electrification supply chain and secures high value jobs for future generations in the region, he said.

"This commitment takes us one step further toward our ambition to make high-performance, longer-range batteries for a diverse range of automotive manufacturers worldwide to support the EV transition, he added.

Plans for the Kentucky plant follow the company's announcements last year to build gigafactories in France and the United Kingdom. Envision AESC has 4,000 employees and 10 production plants in Japan, the U.S., the United Kingdom, China and France.

Automakers are trying to outdo each other with electric vehicle announcements and proclamations that they plan to sell nothing but zero emissions vehicles in the next decade or so. At present, there are 38 fully electric models now on sale in the U.S., with more than 120 expected by 2025.

Automakers sold nearly 4.6 million electric vehicles worldwide last year. LMC Automotive, an industry consulting firm, expects that to rise to nearly 7 million this year and to more than 15 million by 2025. Still, that will be only about 15% of global vehicle sales.

In the U.S., LMC says just over 400,000 EVs were sold last year. The company expects that to rise to more than 2.2 million by 2025. Still, thats only about 13% of new vehicle sales.

In Kentucky, the Envision AESC project follows last year's announcement that Ford and its battery partner will build twin battery plants outside Glendale in central Kentucky. That mega-project will create 5,000 jobs to produce batteries for the automakers next generation of electric vehicles.

So once again a company that is redefining the automobile industry is betting their future on Kentucky and our workforce, Beshear said Wednesday of the Envision AESC project.

The Democratic governor thanked the state's Republican-dominated legislature for its role in luring the new company. Republican Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne said the new plant announcement shows "great things can happen when we all pull in the same direction. Soon after the plant celebration, Republican lawmakers started overriding the governor's many vetoes.

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The state's new partnership provides the company up to $116.8 million from state incentive programs and up to $5 million in grant-in-aid for skills training, the governor's office said.

Envision AESC picked a fast-growing college town with its plans to build the approximately 3 million-square-foot factory at the Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green.

The scale of this project is like nothing our community has ever seen before, Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott said.

Bowling Green is also home to General Motors' Corvette assembly plant.

___

Associated Press auto writer Tom Krisher in Detroit and Associated Press writer Piper Hudspeth Blackburn in Louisville, Kentucky, contributed to this report.
VANCOUVER - The joint-venture building a major liquefied natural gas terminal at Kitimat, B.C. has named Jason Klein as its new chief executive officer.

VANCOUVER - The joint-venture building a major liquefied natural gas terminal at Kitimat, B.C. has named Jason Klein as its new chief executive officer.

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LNG Canada says Klein was previously a vice-president at Shell Canada, which owns a 40 per cent stake in the joint venture.

LNG Canada has named Jason Klein, shown in a company handout photo, as its new chief executive officer.Klein was previously a vice-president at Shell Canada, where he was in charge of developing Shell's Integrated Gas business, including oversight of the LNG Canada project. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-LNG Canada-Rob Trendiak **MANDATORY CREDIT**

He was in charge of developing Shell's Integrated Gas business, including oversight of the LNG Canada project.

Klein is taking over from interim CEO Steve Corbin, who will return to his previous role of vice-president and executive project director.

Corbin stepped into the role after Peter Zebedee, LNG Canada's chief executive since 2019, left the company in March.

Construction on the terminal is now more than 60 per cent complete. The project is expected to be up and running by the middle of the decade.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2022.
Some likened the frenzy in grocery stores across Winnipeg Tuesday to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic or the end of the world. Instead, shoppers were preparing for a major snowstorm.

Some likened the frenzy in grocery stores across Winnipeg Tuesday to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic or the end of the world. Instead, shoppers were preparing for a major snowstorm.

"Todays crazy," said Anna George, a customer at the Real Canadian Superstore on McPhillips Street Tuesday morning.

She was waiting for a self-checkout station. In front and behind her, a row of people were doing the same (and fencing off the produce).

GABRIELLE PICHE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Shoppers lined the checkouts at the Real Canadian Superstore on McPhillips Street this morning.

Across from George, a line for cashiers snaked past the tills and across the bakery section, took a hard right and ended near the dairy fridges by the stores back corner.

"I just needed milk and a few things for the kids," George said. "If I knew it was like (this), I wouldnt even (have come) It looks like its the end of the world."

Environment Canada said Manitoba will face a snowstorm of historic proportions beginning Tuesday night. So, many Manitobans took to grocery shopping for the upcoming snow days and Easter holidays, and, by the looks of several carts, the next few weeks.

I just needed milk and a few things for the kids... If I knew it was like (this), I wouldnt even (have come) It looks like its the end of the world.  Anna George, customer

Some McPhillips Superstore customers had two, three, five jugs of two per cent milk in their carts. At 10 a.m., the shop was down to one jug of whole milk and another of chocolate.

Stores across the city were reporting low or sold out dairy supplies.

John Allen, a Tuesday morning shopper, was not disturbed by Superstores line. Costco Wholesales was longer Monday night, he said.

"It was nuts," Allen said. "You didnt know where the end was. Somehow I kind of got in the middle of the line without even knowing it."

Allen was picking up goods for his Saturday Easter dinner, and for his mother.

"I figured why come Thursday when its even going to be crazier?" Allen said. "Theres possibly a snowstorm, and its closer to Easter and Good Friday."

The bustle of Superstore  packed parking lots, Winnipeggers helping each other navigate lines via finger points and verbal directions  did not extend to all grocers in the area.

MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Shoppers exit the Costco on St James St with carts full of groceries this afternoon in preparation for the upcoming reported winter storm.

Jaclyn Javier was finishing her Good Friday meatless meal prep at FreshCo on Jefferson Avenue Tuesday. She wasnt able to find everything at a nearby Costco or Superstore Monday. Those line-ups were extensive, she said.

"I dont have to compete for one item (here)," she said. "Superstore was pretty competitive. The grapes, theyre all picked at, so everybody was trying to go for that one that wasnt damaged."

The Superstore on McPhillips had a limit on how many bottled water packs customers could take. Loblaws brand spring water was on sale for $1.89, with a limit of two flats per buyer.

"I feel like people are panic buying all over again," Javier said.

It wasnt the case for Sandy Motheral, also at FreshCo.

GABRIELLE PICHE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS All the dinner rolls were gone at FreshCo on McPhillips Street.

"Extra milk, extra bread, just stuff to make a sandwich if theres no power," she said of her grocery list.

Motheral experienced the April blizzard of 1997, which dumped 48 cm of snow over the course of a weekend in Winnipeg. Motheral said shes ready for this round: she has books and a new board game.

"You just stay warm, eat what doesnt need to be cooked if your power goes out," she said.

Most customers are not hoarding, according to Munther Zeid, Food Fares owner.

"The majority are buying what they need for an extra day  an extra package of chicken, a little bit of extra vegetables," Zeid said. "This is a two, three day thing."

Still, Zeid didnt expect the flood of people coming to shop.

"Its insane," he said. "This is reminding me of the start of COVID."

Its insane. This is reminding me of the start of COVID  Munther Zeid, Food Fares owner

Shoppers reported bare shelves and long lines throughout Winnipeg Monday and Tuesday. Grocers have been dealing with supply chain snarls for months.

Police directed traffic outside Costco on St. James Street like they do during holiday rushes.

MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A WPS officer directs traffic along St James Street due to the high volume of shoppers at the Costco on St James, preparing for the upcoming reported winter storm.

Some out of town producers, like Grannys Poultry in Blumenort, have alerted Zeid they might bring product in early to avoid the storm. Its happened a few times throughout the blizzard-filled winter, Zeid said.

The storm is forecasted to last in Winnipeg until Friday morning. It has "the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades," according to an alert from Environment Canada.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world's busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

Truckers block the entry into the U.S. and the entry into Mexico at the Zaragoza International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez on April 12, 2022 to protest the extended hours since Friday after Gov. Abbott implemented a total revision of trucks coming in from Mexico. This has caused up to 14 ours delays for truckers going into the U.S. (Omar Ornelas /The El Paso Times via AP)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world's busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent.

The two-term Republican governor, who has ordered that commercial trucks from Mexico undergo extra inspections as part of a fight with President Joe Biden's administration over immigration, refused to fully reverse course as traffic remains snarled.

The standoff has stoked warnings by trade groups and experts that U.S. grocery shoppers could soon notice shortages on shelves and higher prices unless the normal flow of trucks resumes.

Abbott announced Wednesday that he would stop inspections at one bridge in Laredo after reaching an agreement with the governor of neighboring Nuevo Leon in Mexico. But some of the most dramatic truck backups and bridge closures have occurred elsewhere along Texas' 1,200-mile border.

I understand the concerns that businesses have trying to move product across the border, Abbott said during a visit to Laredo. But I also know well the frustration of my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans caused by the Biden administration not securing our border.

Abbott said inbound commercial trucks elsewhere will continue to undergo thorough inspections by state troopers until leaders of Mexico's three other neighboring states reach agreements with Texas over security. He did not spell out what those measures must entail.

At the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, where more produce crosses than any other land port in the U.S., truckers protesting Abbott's order had effectively shut down the bridge since Monday. But Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials said the protests had concluded and commercial traffic had resumed.

Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia joined Abbott in Laredo, where backups on the Colombia Solidarity Bridge have stretched for three hours or longer. Garcia said Nuevo Leon would begin checkpoints to assure Abbott they would not have any trouble."

Abbott said he was hopeful other Mexican states would soon follow and said those states had been in contact with his office. On Tuesday, the governors of Coahuila and Tamaulipas had sent a letter to Abbott calling the inspections overzealous.

This policy will ultimately increase consumer costs in an already record 40-year inflated market  holding the border hostage is not the answer," the letter read.

The slowdowns are the fallout of an initiative that Abbott says is needed to curb human trafficking and the flow of drugs. Abbott ordered the inspections as part of unprecedented actions he promised in response to the Biden administration winding down a public health law that has limited asylum-seekers in the name of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to the inspections, Abbott also said Texas would begin offering migrants bus rides to Washington, D.C., in a demonstration of frustration with the Biden administration and Congress. Hours before the news conference in Laredo, Abbott announced the first bus carrying 24 migrants had arrived in Washington.

During the last week of March, Border Patrol officials said the border averaged more than 7,100 crossings daily.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called Abbotts order unnecessary and redundant. Trucks are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents upon entering the country, and while Texas troopers have previously done additional inspections on some vehicles, local officials and business owners say troopers have never stopped every truck until now.

Cross-border traffic has plummeted to a third of normal levels since the inspections began, according to Mexico's government. Mexico is a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the U.S., and importers say the wait times and rerouting of trucks to other bridges as far away as Arizona has spoiled some produce shipments.

The escalating pressure on Abbott, who is up for reelection in November, has come from his supporters and members of his own party.

The Texas Trucking Association, which has endorsed Abbott, said that the current situation cannot be sustained.

John Esparza, the association's president, said he agrees with attempts to find a remedy with Mexico's governors. But he said if talks take long, congestion could overwhelm bridges where inspections by Texas are no longer being done.

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The longer that goes, the more the impact is felt across the country, Esparza said.  It is like when a disaster strikes.

The slowdowns have set off some of widest backlash to date of Abbotts multibillion-dollar border operation, which the two-term governor has made the cornerstone of his administration. Texas has thousands of state troopers and National Guard members on the border and has converted prisons into jails for migrants arrested on state trespassing charges.

Critics question how the inspections are meeting Abbotts objective of stopping the flow of migrants and drugs. Asked what troopers had turned up in their truck inspections, Abbott directed the question to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

As of Monday, the agency said it had inspected more than 3,400 commercial vehicles and placed more than 800 out of service for violations that included defective brakes, tires and lighting. It made no mention of whether the inspections turned up migrants or drugs.

____

Associated Press reporters Acacia Coronado. Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has weighed in on growing calls to declare Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide, saying it is "absolutely right" that the term is being used given rampant allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a media statement at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Justin Trudeau says it is "absolutely right" that people are describing Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide. The prime minister says there are official, legal procedures for determining whether a genocide is occurring. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool)

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has weighed in on growing calls to declare Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide, saying it is "absolutely right" that the term is being used given rampant allegations of war crimes and other human rights violations.

Trudeau made the comments during a news conference in Laval, Que., on Wednesday, after U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters the previous day that Russia's conduct in Ukraine appeared to his eyes to be a genocide.

While both North American leaders said it will be up to lawyers to determine whether Russia's actions meet the international standard for genocide, they were nonetheless united in welcoming use of the term.

"As President Biden highlighted, there are official processes around determinations of genocide," Trudeau said. "But I think it's absolutely right that more and more people be talking and using the word 'genocide' in terms of what Russia is doing."

The prime minister went on to list a series of war crimes and human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by Russian forces under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, including deliberate attacks on civilians and the use of sexual violence.

"They're attacking Ukrainian identity and culture," Trudeau said. "These are all things that are war crimes that Putin is responsible for. These are all things that are crimes against humanity."

He went on to say that Canada has dispatched RCMP investigators to help the International Criminal Court collect evidence to ultimately hold Putin and other Russian leaders to account.

Biden last week had stopped short of saying Russia's actions amounted to genocide, but reversed course in a speech on Tuesday.

"Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force 1 to return to Washington. "It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

The U.S. president said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, as Ukrainian officials have claimed, but added, "it sure seems that way to me."

"More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and were only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies," he said.

A United Nations treaty, to which Canada and the U.S. are parties, defines genocide as actions taken with the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group."

Canadian experts were united Wednesday in their belief that Russias actions do qualify as genocide given public comments from Putin and other Russian leaders denying the existence of a Ukrainian culture and identity.

Yet world leaders have often dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation that requires countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified.

In 1994, that obligation was seen as blocking former U.S. president Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus' killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis as a genocide.

Kyle Matthews, executive director of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia University, said there remains a debate around whether a formal legal finding of genocide is required for intervention or not.

"Some legal scholars will want to say: It has to go through a legal process," Matthews said. "Others will say: No, actually, if there are certain things that we're seeing  then we can consider it as possible genocide and we must take action to at least halt that."

Even then, the exact action remains undefined.

University of Ottawa professor Errol Mendes, who previously served as a lawyer at the International Criminal Court, suggested talk of genocide could be used to justify further actions to punish and isolate Russia and additional support to Ukraine.

That includes further bans on the purchase of Russian oil and gas, particularly in places like Germany, Mendes said, and the provision of additional heavy weapons to the Ukrainian military.

"There's a lot of questions that should be asked now by the leaders who are willing to use the word genocide," he said. "And you cant just say genocide without doing anything further."

The U.S. last year formally accused the Chinese government of genocide in its treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities, which has led to a series of American sanctions against Beijing.

While Trudeau and his cabinet abstained from a House of Commons motion along the same lines in February 2021, Matthews noted the abstentions coincided with efforts to free two Canadians who had been detained by China. They were later freed.

Biden's allegations that Russias actions in Ukraine appear to constitute genocide have drawn praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had encouraged Western leaders to use the term to describe Russia's invasion of his country.

"True words of a true leader," he tweeted Tuesday. "Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil. We are grateful for U.S. assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities."

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French President Emmanuel Macron declined to take his rhetoric that far in comments Wednesday.

"I am prudent with terms today," Macron said. "Genocide has a meaning.  I look at the facts, and I want to continue to try the utmost to be able to stop the war and restore peace. I'm not sure if the escalation of words serves our cause."

Macron added that it's been established the Russian army has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

Russia, meanwhile, announced new sanctions Wednesday against 87 Canadian senators, banning them from being able to enter the country, in an apparent tit-for-tat retaliation after Canada took aim at Russian senators last month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2022.

 with files from The Associated Press
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Manitoba is laying a recovery roadmap in its 2022 budget that aims to ease the burden on health care and hand out more tax breaks.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Manitoba is laying a "recovery" roadmap in its 2022 budget that aims to ease the burden on health care and hand out more tax breaks.

The Tory governments spending plan sets out to slash wait times for diagnostic and surgical procedures, boost intensive-care capacity to a new high and deal with new coronavirus variants that could ramp up pressure on exhausted health workers.

Despite increased spending in critical areas and an ongoing deficit, the Tories are offering tax incentives and other perks to Manitobans, including a new credit for renters, an increase in the education property tax rebate, cheaper vehicle registration fees and hundreds more child-care spaces with Ottawas help.

Here are 12 things to know about Budget 2022:

Education property tax rebate

The average homeowner will save a total of $581 in 2022 and $774 in 2023 thanks to an education property tax rebate increase that is part of a 10-year phase-out.

The rebate for residential and farm properties will rise from 25 per cent to 37.5 per cent in 2022 before climbing to 50 per cent next year. The rebate for commercial property owners is staying at 10 per cent.

Total savings from the rebate amount to $350 million in 2022 and $453 million in 2023.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

New tax break for renters

Residential renters will get back $43.75 per month or a maximum of $525 per year under a new tax credit that replaces the renters component of the education property tax credit.

The new credit will be extended to 45,000 households who receive non-EIA Rent Assist or who live in social housing.

About 40 per cent of Manitoba households live in rented homes.

More child-care spaces

Manitoba is creating 716 spots in child-care centres and 50 home-based spaces, while expanding eligibility of the subsidy program, which costs $10 a day per child for regulated spaces.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said the province is tripling the number of children who are eligible for the subsidy by making financial assistance available to about 28,600 kids.

A total of $267 million is available in 2022-23 under Manitoba and Ottawas Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

The provincial budget includes $20 million to increase salaries for child-care workers.

CP A to-be-determined sum will go toward helping Ukrainian refugees who come to Manitoba after fleeing Russias invasion. (Rodrigo Abd / The Associated Press)

Pandemic response and Ukraine

Manitoba is spending $630 million on contingencies and COVID-19 readiness, response and recovery to continue the fight against the virus and prepare for future variants.

In the contingencies category, a to-be-determined sum will go toward helping Ukrainian refugees who come to Manitoba after fleeing Russias invasion.

The $630 million is held centrally and will be dished out to ministries as required.

No target for ending surgical backlog

The budget includes $110 million  a year-on-year increase of $70 million  to reduce the diagnostic and surgical backlog, which swelled as the health-care system was reorganized to cope with COVID-19.

At separate news conferences inside the Manitoba Legislative Building, neither Premier Heather Stefanson nor Friesen would commit to setting a target date for when the government hopes to clear the backlog.

The Diagnostic and Surgical Backlog Task Force could seek additional capacity from private clinics or possibly send patients out of province in an effort to reduce wait times.

The budget includes $110 million to reduce the diagnostic and surgical backlog. (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Record ICU bed baseline

Hospital intensive-care units were pushed to the brink as staff cared for rising numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Manitoba had a baseline of 72 ICU beds before the pandemic, and Friesen said $9 million in funding will add 28 for a record total of 100. Dozens of existing nurses have been given ICU training.

The province also announced plans to add 400 permanent nursing seats at post-secondary institutions over two years, and to triple the size of St. Boniface Hospitals emergency room at a cost of $100 million.

Mental-health and addictions

The province is spending $390 million this year on mental-health and addiction supports, including $17 million on the first of a five-year plan to increase capacity and capability in areas such as emergency detox, treatment and housing.

In other measures, hours at two Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics will be expanded, and the government will try to reduce wait lists for the Womens Health Clinics Provincial Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery Program.

The province is spending $390 million this year on mental-health and addiction supports. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Vehicle owners save $10

The third and final reduction in non-commercial vehicle registration fees amounts to 10 per cent, for a total of $15 million in annual savings for Manitobans.

Most owners of passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles or mopeds will save $10, starting with renewals after June 30.

New schools

Manitoba is pushing ahead with its goal to build 22 new schools by 2027. Ten schools will be open or under construction by the end of 2022-23.

The province is increasing operating funding to schools by $125.4 million this year to help cover things such as wages and COVID-related costs.

A new education-sector council will influence provincial, local and school-level planning.

Extra cash for farmers

Nearly $99 million, up from $85 million last year, is going toward programs to help farmers whose incomes are hurt by factors such as weather, pests and prices.

The province is spending an additional $220,000 on animal disease diagnostics, risk assessment and response.

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Reconciliation with Indigenous communities

One of the provinces goals for 2022 is working with Indigenous communities to improve economic and other opportunities and address the harms of residential schools in a step towards "true equality."

Announcing a new fund, the government said it will put $5 million toward "reconciliation activities" based on guidance from First Nations, Metis and Inuit people.

Companies spared from payroll tax

The payroll tax is being reduced for 970 businesses, with 180 to be exempt from having to pay it at all.

Friesen said the exemption level is rising to $2 million and the payroll threshold to $4 million to avoid discouraging growth.

The province also announced a new venture capital fund with an initial $50-million investment to encourage innovation and expansion.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
Jurors were back in court Tuesday, hearing evidence in the trial of a man accused of killing Eduardo Balaquit, six days after a judge ordered a temporary suspension of proceedings due to two positive COVID-19 test results among the jury.

Jurors were back in court Tuesday, hearing evidence in the trial of a man accused of killing Eduardo Balaquit, six days after a judge ordered a temporary suspension of proceedings due to two positive COVID-19 test results among the jury.

They didnt get a chance to get too comfortable.

Eduardo Balaquit disappeared June 5th, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

With Winnipeg bracing for an epic spring blizzard, Queens Bench Justice Sadie Bond told jurors the trial would be taking another break, with testimony set to resume April 19.

Thats in the interest of everybodys safety, Bond told jurors before the lunch break. Its not reasonable for us given what were being told is coming, to expect that you will all be able to arrive here safely.

Bond said even with the delays, the six-week trial should finish within the allotted time.

Balaquit, 59, disappeared June 4, 2018, after leaving home for Westcon Equipment and Rentals on Keewatin Street, where he had a long-standing contract as a cleaner. His body has not been found.

Kyle Pietz, a former employee at Westcon, is accused of killing Balaquit during the course of a robbery. He has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

Prosecutors allege Pietz was in desperate financial straits and after finishing his shift at Westcon on April 24, 2018, returned and stole approximately $1,700 from a petty cash box.

On Tuesday, jurors heard testimony from Westcon vice-president and general manager Mike Smiegielski. Smiegielski told jurors he received a call from the businesss alarm company around 10:30 p.m., April 24.

I was advised that several alarms had been triggered, meaning someone was in the building, he said.

Smiegielski arrived about 20 minutes later, entered the business through a front door, and quickly noticed the door of a cabinet where the petty cash was kept was ajar.

Smiegielski said he found a company brochure underneath the front door and believed the intruder had placed it between the door jamb and latch bolt to prevent it from locking.

Jurors have heard police later found Pietzs fingerprints on the brochure.

Jurors were shown a list indicating Pietz was among several employees who had a key for the building. He also had an individual pass code to disarm the alarm system.

Smiegielski said had the alarm system been disarmed the night of the theft, the passcode of the person who disarmed it would have been recorded.

Smiegielski said Pietz turned in his keys May 16, and two days later sent an email to another Westcon administrator formally resigning.

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Under cross examination, defence lawyer Amanda Sansregret suggested another employee was responsible for the theft. That employee had a criminal record, something Westcon had failed to check when they hired him.

That was one of those things that fell through the cracks, Smiegielski said. That employee later got into some trouble and landed in jail, he said. When he came back, we let him go.

On June 5, one day after Balaquit was last been seen alive, Smiegielski arrived at work at 6:30 a.m. to find the alarm system had not been set  something Balaquit almost never failed to do after finishing his work.

I would say 99 per cent of the time it was armed when he left, he said.

Inside, Smiegielski noticed piles of dust and dirt. I was wondering what was going on, because it appeared Eddie had not cleaned the building.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
Premier Heather Stefansons first budget earned mixed reviews Tuesday. Some groups wanted fiscal restraint while others had hoped the Tory government would spend more money on huge budgetary items such as health care and education. Heres a roundup of reaction:

Premier Heather Stefansons first budget earned mixed reviews Tuesday. Some groups wanted fiscal restraint while others had hoped the Tory government would spend more money on huge budgetary items such as health care and education. Heres a roundup of reaction:

"I will say we were expecting more, given prior to the budget there was so much talk about Yes, we need to invest in health care but we also need to invest significantly in economic development  especially coming out of the pandemic.

"It feels as though the budget walked slowly when it needs to be running as it relates to economic development."

 Loren Remillard, president and CEO of Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour President.

"This governments not listening to Manitobans. Weve seen cuts from the Pallister government, weve been dealing with the stresses of the pandemic and theres staff shortages and burnout happening in our health-care system that this government is frankly too little, too late to invest in, just to repair the damage that theyve done."

 Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour president

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Mayor, Brian Bowman.

"I was hopeful that wed hear a much more aggressive plan and one day wed see a balanced budget at the provincial government, like we do each and every year at the City of Winnipeg For me as a taxpayer, I would really like to see a provincial government balance the budget but that being said, I know there are many competing priorities at the legislature right now."

 Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Darlene Jackson, President of the Manitoba Nurses Union.

"We have a health human resources crisis. We have a huge nursing shortage and I get that theyre going to pour money into the backlog of surgeries, but where are they going to get the staff to do this? The question for me is what are we going to do short term? How are we going to deal with these issues in the short term?"

 Darlene Jackson, Manitoba Nurses Union president

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dr. Kristjan Thompson, Doctors Manitoba President.

"When I hear this budget and I hear the language in the speech today, it tells me that there is an understanding of how massive and important dealing with this surgical and diagnostic backlog is to government. I think they get it."

 Dr. Kristjan Thompson, Doctors Manitoba president

"They cut the emergency departments, they cut the ICUs, now youre talking about putting ICU beds back in. If you didnt cut you wouldnt have to do it, youd just have to improve it."

 Debbie Boissonneault, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204 president

"There is no mention of any allied health professions, the staffing crisis were facing, or a strategy to train more allied health professionals like respiratory therapists, train more paramedics, train more laboratory technologists. There was none of that in there and that was deeply disappointing."

 Bob Moroz, Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals president

"We do have some unresolved issues that we need to sit down and still continue dialogue with the provincial government on, such as the COVID relief funding We also have asked for a PST rebate which would result in $25 million going back to our members as we firmly believe one level of government shouldnt be taxing another, and also our municipal operating basket fund has been frozen since 2016. Thats seven years that weve been doing more with less."

 Kam Blight, Association of Manitoba Municipalities president

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Todd MacKay, Prairie Director for Canadian Taxpayers Federation

"Its nice to see some tax relief for tax payers that said, we would have liked to see the government control spending a little bit more. We still have a half-a-billion-dollar deficit even though revenues are way up. The government has to do more work to save money. Everybody else in the last couple of years has found ways to save money, the government needs to do that, too.

 Todd MacKay, Canadian Taxpayers Federation prairie director

"They have not provided any kind of support for small business in the short term. Long-term workforce and skills development strategy are great, but what we were looking for is what is going to help business in the short term."

 Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce CEO

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"We heard a lot about affordability and accessibility in todays budget. This is certainly supportive for families, and will, ideally help more women re-enter the workforce. However, what we didnt hear in Budget 2022 was the early learning and workforce being prioritized. If we are truly talking about building a high quality child care system in Manitoba, then we need to plan for and invest in a comprehensive workforce strategy.

 Jodie Kehl, Manitoba Child Care Association executive director

"The announcement of increasing the education property tax rebate to 37.5 per cent for 2022 and 50 per cent for 2023 is welcome news for Manitoba farmers. (Keystone Agricultural Producers) will continue to lobby for the complete removal of the education property tax from all farm property."

 Bill Campbell, Keystone Agricultural Producers president

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Marie Paule Ehoussou of the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba.

"We were hoping that wed have something that talks about international student health care, reinstating the Manitoba health care for international students, hoping to see seeds being planted here or there, but nothing has happened and that was a sad moment for us."

 Marie Paule Ehoussou, Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba incoming chairperson

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kathleen Cook from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

"I think if you are a small business and you were looking to this budget for help with economic recovery or cost relief, I think you are going to be disappointed."

 Kathleen Cook, Manitoba vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business
THE Winnipeg police union will park its anger before an arbitrator after it says the city reneged on an agreement to provide secure downtown parking for officers personal vehicles.

THE Winnipeg police union will park its anger before an arbitrator after it says the city reneged on an agreement to provide secure downtown parking for officers personal vehicles.

Moe Sabourin, president of the Winnipeg Police Association, said the union and the Winnipeg Police Services executive had come to an agreement in February to provide "a safe and secure downtown parking facility" for officers.

Sabourin said the battle for secure parking, to prevent targeted vandalism against officers private vehicles while they are working, has gone on since the city moved the police headquarters from the city hall precinct to the former Canada Post building on Graham Avenue a few years ago.

He said the next step is to take the agreement and the city before an arbitrator.

"Its very frustrating," Sabourin said. "But its not the first time they have reneged on a deal. They tried changing our pension in 2019.

"Senior management under Mayor Brian Bowman doesnt understand what an agreement really is."

In 2019, the city unilaterally tried to change officer pensions by removing overtime as a pensionable police earning, increasing employee pension contributions, and forcing officers to reach a minimum age of 55 before theyre entitled to full pensions.

The union took the matter to an arbitrator. Not only was the city ordered to reverse the pension changes, scuttling the citys move to save $33 million by the end of 2023, but the city was also told to pay a penalty of $400 per employee, or about $600,000, as well as pay $40,000 in combined damages to the two police unions.

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In terms of parking, Sabourin said not only did police Chief Danny Smyth announce an agreement had been made, during the Winnipeg Police Board meeting on March 4, but the Winnipeg Parking Authority had already started putting secure features into the location. In addition, officers who already had parking passes there were sent a memo advising them about the incoming enhanced security measures.

"We had a deal," he said. "Our members have had broken windows and lug nuts removed. One member went home and their 16-year-old son drove it and the front wheel fell off. Thank goodness he wasnt injured.

"We are confident when we go back to the arbitrator, we will be able to show a deal was in place and the arbitrator can make an order in our favour again."

In a statement, city spokesman Kalen Qually said while the city cant comment on labour matters "we can assure you that the public service works tirelessly to support our workforce and takes all grievances and labour matters seriously.

"We will continue to work with the (police association) and the arbitrator who was appointed to resolve the issues in dispute."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Alongside the portrait of the Queen and the Canadian flag, the city council chamber walls will soon be adorned with Indigenous symbols, in an attempt at inclusivity.

Alongside the portrait of the Queen and the Canadian flag, the city council chamber walls will soon be adorned with Indigenous symbols, in an attempt at inclusivity.

A report produced in collaboration with the mayors Indigenous advisory circle and Tunngasugit, an Inuit non-profit organization, recommends the city add a Dakota land map, sealskin and qulliq oil lamp to the chamber.

"Were pretty much playing catch up," said Coun. John Orlikow. "A very important part of history is being recognized and being put on the map, but its important Winnipeggers know their Indigenous culture and this is one way to do it."

The councillor said other Indigenous groups, including the Metis, have been contacted for their input, but have yet to respond to the city.

Damon Johnston, president of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, who is a member of the advisory circle, said chosen objects must meet certain criteria.

"Is it historic? Is it something that was taken without proper permission that belongs to a particular nation?" he asked.

"Depending on where the article came from, if it was donated by a First Nation or other Indigenous group made here, then thats fine. But if it was just something that was turned over by non-Indigenous organization or museum, then the First Nation should be contacted."

Tunngasugit chose the qulliq, an oil lamp, and seal skin as their symbols.

"Historically, many places will use an inukshuk to represent the Inuit but thats really not what were all about," said Nikki Komaksiutiksak, executive director of Tunngasugit. "Especially when it comes to representing us appropriately, the city did a good job by coming to valid organizations and asking them to come aboard."

Komaksiutiksak first suggested a qulliq oil lamp, used by Inuit to warm the inside of an igloo but with "a very small flame, so its not melting," to cook, and to dry clothing.

"I felt like it was a very important piece to represent the Inuit because thats what we open up our prayers with, giving thanks and so on and so forth," said Komaksiutiksak.

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She noted that while she knows the seal can be "a contentious item" for animal rights groups, Komaksiutiksak chose seal skin as her second item because they use every part of the animal.

"The seal, for us, is one of the animals that have kept us warm. Its waterproof," said Komaksiutiksak. "So we felt that was another very important item to be used to represent our values and family."

Included with her recommendations, Komaksiutiksak stressed the importance of finding a local Inuk creator to craft the lamp and harvest the seal skin. That way, the city can support local artists and avoid taking an artifact from another province.

"When you go to Vancouver, as soon as you get off the plane, you see exhibits, totem poles, canoes, Indigenous art, you know, its right there," said Johnston. "If you come to our airport, the only thing that speaks to Indigenous people is the Metis Nation advertisement."

Johnston believes the city should look at placing Indigenous works of art and sculptures downtown. He would like visitors "to understand to some degree Indigenous history in Canada," as well as "welcome the placement of Indigenous art to brighten up the city" and "acknowledge the first peoples of the land."

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
A lawyer for a Winnipeg woman  whose years-long campaigns of harassment left her two victims living in fear she would destroy their lives  has urged a judge to sentence her to just under four years in custody.

A lawyer for a Winnipeg woman  whose years-long campaigns of harassment left her two victims living in fear she would destroy their lives  has urged a judge to sentence her to just under four years in custody.

The sentence would give credit to Agnieszka Ciochon-Newton for accepting responsibility for her crimes; and it would spare the court the expense of a lengthy and complex trial, defence lawyer Barry Walker told provincial court Judge Keith Eyrikson at a sentencing hearing Wednesday.

Substantial weight can be put on her guilty plea and the resources she saved, Walker said. The facts of this case are very aggravating  the defence will concede that   (but) she is not disentitled to leniency.

The Crown has recommended she serve eight years in prison.

Ciochon-Newton, a 53-year-old former nurse, has pleaded guilty to criminal harassment, public mischief, obstruction of justice and other offences involving four victims. She pleaded guilty to the offences last May, but since then has refused to co-operate with the preparation of a pre-sentence report or court-ordered psychiatric assessment, delaying her sentencing. A sentencing hearing in January had to be rescheduled due to a pandemic-related court closure.

Ciochon-Newton remained almost mute in court, declined to speak for herself and provided only yes or no answers to a couple of questions from the judge.

She is communicating verbally with me, but has decided not to communicate with (pre-sentence report) writers and others, Walker said.

In the absence of any reports, Walker could provide only skeletal biographical details to court. Ciochon-Newton immigrated to Canada from Poland in 1990 and trained as a nurse in Victoria before moving to Winnipeg in 2010. She told Walker she has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and experienced periods of homelessness after losing her job.

Court has heard Ciochon-Newtons first victim, a former manager at St. Boniface Hospital, endured years of harassment and stalking both at work and at home, leading to her early retirement.

The depths to which (she) pursued me I thought only existed in bad movies, the woman said in a victim impact statement provided to court last fall. The pain (she) has inflicted on my family can never be (repaired). I just want this to stop once and for all.

Ciochon-Newton was a registered nurse at the hospital in 2013 when supervisors, concerned about her performance, placed her in a practice management program, with a manager overseeing her work.

Unhappy with the managers instructions, Ciochon-Newton began bombarding senior hospital administrators, the Manitoba Nurses Union and College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba with letters and emails full of derogatory remarks and untrue allegations, Crown attorney Sheila Doe previously told court.

Ciochon-Newton was placed on administrative leave and ultimately fired.

In September 2013, Ciochon-Newton contacted the Canadian Border Services Agency and claimed the victim was going to be the next Connecticut shooter, prompting a call to the FBI, which opened an investigation into the victims activities.

In December 2016, Ciochon-Newton called the woman at work, and claimed she was sleeping with her husband. Over the next several months, Ciochon-Newton left the woman numerous voicemail messages containing female shrieks, panting and sexualized moaning, Doe said.

Ciochon-Newton called city police in March 2017, claiming a man armed with a knife had been driving by her house and following her, and gave police the licence plate number of the victims husbands car. Weeks later, she called police to say the victim was sitting in her car outside her apartment, armed with a gun. Ciochon-Newton made similar allegations in the months that followed.

By late 2017, Ciochon-Newton shifted her attention to another victim, a firefighter she had met at a yard sale. The two exchanged phone numbers after she asked the man if he would be interested in doing some renovation work at her Osborne Village condo.

The man later met her for coffee at her home, but backed out of doing any work after she made comments that made him uncomfortable.

As the man tried to distance himself from her, Ciochon-Newton continued to leave messages and letters for him, as well as gift packages outside his house.

The two hadnt seen each other for about a year when, in October 2019, Ciochon-Newton left the man a voicemail claiming she had cancer and was going blind. After he responded with a sympathetic text, she showed up days later at his house and saw him sitting at his dining room table with his girlfriend. Ciochon-Newton left and a barrage of angry text messages followed, calling the man a cheater and worthless.

A week later, the man arrived home to find a stranger peering through his deck window. Asked what he was doing, the stranger said he was there to meet a woman he had talked to online for an intimate encounter.

Later that night, the victim received a text from a second man through dating website Ashley Madison, seeking directions to get into his house.

The mans adult daughter was living with him at the time. The thought of what could have potentially happened to my 29-year-old after being confronted by a stranger in her own home who, under the direction of this woman, would have let himself in with the expectation of getting sexual pleasure, sickens me, the man told court at a sentencing hearing last fall.

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Ciochon-Newton continued to harass the man by filing bogus complaints with his union and city police, and posting derogatory messages and doctored photographs on Facebook.

When the man secured a protection order against her, Ciochon-Newton countered with one of her own and claimed he was following her. She filed a police complaint alleging he had sexually assaulted her.

Ciochon-Newton pleaded guilty to additional counts of fraud, forgery and theft, involving a now-89-year-old acquaintance from whom she stole and forged cheques for several thousand dollars last September. She also pleaded guilty to public mischief after falsely accusing a Club Regent casino security guard of sexually assaulting her in a washroom.

The judge adjourned sentencing to later this spring, saying he needed more time to consider the recommendations.

Its a broad range, he said. These are significant sentences that are being sought.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
The provincial government will spend more than $200 million this year to tackle the massive backlog of surgeries and expand emergency room capacity, while slashing its COVID-19 response budget.

The provincial government will spend more than $200 million this year to tackle the massive backlog of surgeries and expand emergency room capacity, while slashing its COVID-19 response budget.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said his government will spend a combined $7.2 billion to deliver health care, mental health and addictions services, a new seniors strategy and deliver promised improvements to long term care in 2022-23, representing a 2.5 per cent spending increase over last year.

The provincial budget, unveiled Tuesday, includes $9 million to fund 28 new critical care beds provincewide; $100 million for the redevelopment of the St. Boniface Hospital emergency department; and $110 million to expedite an estimated 167,000 surgical and diagnostic cases that were delayed due to the pandemic.

"Our government is very serious about driving down these times that were elongated as a consequence of a global pandemic," Friesen said. "Thats why were putting a very significant effort into combating that."

The money for the backlog is in addition to the $50 million the province set aside earlier, bringing the total amount budgeted to $160 million. The province said all of the $50 million set aside last year has been spent or allocated.

On Tuesday, Premier Heather Stefanson refused to give a target date to clear the backlog, saying her government will leave the details to experts on the recovery task force.

"We heard loud and clear from Manitobans that they want that to be a priority and thats why we made that a priority in this budget," the premier said.

The province has pledged $100 million for the redevelopment of the St. Boniface Hospital emergency department. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"Let me be very clear about this: we will do whatever it takes to ensure that we get the resources to those who need it to tackle the surgical and diagnostic backlogs."

Friesen said the government will triple the size of the emergency department at St. Boniface Hospital at a cost of more than $100 million. However, he could not say when work would begin.

"Ive seen plans for this. It will be stunning when completed," Friesen said, adding the emergency department was in clear need of investment. "If youve ever renovated an old house, you know its not easy when you get into the walls of a 100-hundred-year-old hospital."

Budget documents show core health spending will increase by 1.59 per cent this year to $6.687 billion, an increase of $105 million. Estimated funding for health authorities will increase by $101.7 million, or 2.6 per cent, to $3.99 billion.

Funding for mental health, addictions, and community wellness has been topped up by roughly $16 million to $399 million.

Friesen said about $1 million will go toward increasing capacity and operating hours at two Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics in Winnipeg. The province will also fund 40 new supportive recovery units and six new crisis stabilization beds in Winnipeg.

"We are investing in core services, we are increasing the capacity right across the landscape, everything from addictions to eating disorders, to psychiatric and psychological services in Manitoba, both when they are emergency needed at hospital and in community," he said.

The long-term care sector will get an estimated three per cent increase in funding, after the province committed roughly $15 million for infection prevention and control and to add 244 more full-time positions in care homes.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

The seniors and long term care department has also been given $54 million to implement the recommendations of the Stevenson report (into the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Maples Personal Care Home). Approximately $20 million has been targeted towards a new seniors strategy and another $32 million will be set aside for improvements.

The province opted to cut its contingencies and COVID-19 response budget in half, from a forecast $1.2 billion to $630 million.

The emergency fund will also support the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees who arrive in Manitoba and could be tapped if more money is needed to address the surgical and diagnostic backlog, Friesen said.

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The minister argued the budgeted contingency amount  meant to support the provincial response should COVID-19 once again push the health care system to the limit or spark a large-scale public health response  aligns with other jurisdictions.

"We look at the path out of the pandemic  and I agree were not there yet. Weve still got Omicron and subvariants that are impacting us  but we look at what weve invested before, and we look at what traditionally, or conventionally pandemics have done, essentially over time they do burn themselves out," he said.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew argued the Tory budget will lead to cuts in health care and fewer people at the bedside.

"We would welcome investments in health care, but at this point, who can believe the PCs?" Kinew said. "The PCs continuously under-spend, they make the big announcement, but when it comes time to put in the work, thats where they fall short."

 with files from Carol Sanders

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
Police are searching for a man accused of killing a Portage la Prairie woman and her two children before burning their home down  less than 48 hours after he was released from custody for an alleged assault.

Police are searching for a man accused of killing a Portage la Prairie woman and her two children before burning their home down  less than 48 hours after he was released from custody for an alleged assault.

On Tuesday, Manitoba RCMP announced charges for Trevis McLeod, 50, of arson and three counts of second-degree murder.

CP Manitoba RCMP say they are searching for Trevis Mcleod, 50, as shown in this RCMP handout image. (RCMP Handout)

McLeod was arrested Sunday for an assault that occurred following the discovery of the three bodies, RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre confirmed to the Free Press.

He was released with conditions Monday, according to court records.

"Additional information and evidence gathered since his release allowed the Manitoba RCMP to lay formal charges (Tuesday) afternoon," Manaigre said in an email.

Police were called to the blaze in a duplex on 7th Street S.E. in the city west of Winnipeg around 1 a.m. Firefighters were already extinguishing the flames when officers arrived on scene.

The bodies were found inside the home after the flames were put out.

RCMP have since identified the remains as a 32-year-old mother, her six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.

On Monday, RCMP said the Office of the Fire Commissioner was probing the cause of the blaze.

McLeod was last seen in Winnipeg on Monday and Tuesday, RCMP said.

The Mounties and Winnipeg Police Service are "actively searching" for McLeod. Law enforcement consider McLeod dangerous and have asked anyone who spots him or has information on his whereabouts to call 911.

McLeod is barred from contacting the complainants  four people with the surname McLeod, as well as another woman  according to a court order granting his release Sunday.

He was also ordered not to drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs, come within 100 metres of the complainants home, workplace, school or place of worship, or possess any weapon.

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McLeod has past convictions for assault, mischief, disobeying court orders, thefts, and operating a vehicle while impaired, according to court records.

He was first charged and convicted of assault in 2005; most recently, he was convicted of the offence in April 2016.

On Tuesday, police tape at the scene of the triple homicide had been removed, and a temporary road closure ended.

 with files from Chris Kitching

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera
After escaping war and fleeing to Canada, Ukrainian refugees in Winnipeg were surprised to be confronted by a blizzard in spring.

After escaping war and fleeing to Canada, Ukrainian refugees in Winnipeg were surprised to be confronted by a blizzard in spring.

The storm, expected to last into Friday and said to be the worst in decades, is just a bump in the road for Tetiana Mksymtsiv, who is staying in a Winnipeg Airbnb.

Mksymtsiv loved to hike in the snow in the Carpathia Mountains in Ukraine while on vacation, seen here in 2017. (Submitted photo)

"The blizzard is quite unexpected and does ruin some of my plans," said Mksymtsiv. "I read the warning (Tuesday) but didnt expect the blizzard to cause water and milk shortages in the local supermarket. It was a big surprise."

Many Canadians likened the half-empty grocery stores to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but Ukrainians new to Winnipeg are all too familiar with panicked shoppers flooding stores.

"(Tuesday) when all the people were talking about the storm, trying to buy everything in the store and prepare because of this weather, I thought Oh my gosh. I ran away from Ukraine. And now here, its kind of the Apocalypse," said Victoria Akimkina, an English language tutor, who is staying with a family in Winnipeg until she gets a permanent placement.

"People said youre probably going to lose electricity for several days and I was kind of afraid of the morning because I thought oh my gosh, what will happen tomorrow? How bad will it be?"

Environment Canada estimates Winnipeg will be blanketed in 30 to 40 centimetres of snow by the time the storm finishes.

"I planned to buy some stuff for my new apartment. Thank God yesterday I arranged a security deposit for a landlord with my bank," said Mksymtsiv. "I hope the blizzard wont last long and I will have a chance to move in before Saturday. If not, I will have to find another Airbnb."

As for Ukrainians whose flights to Manitoba were delayed by the storm, "those are things way out of our control.. but not unexpected in weather like this," said the provincial Ukrainian Refugee Task Force in a statement in an email.

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A central reception centre for Ukrainian refugees who arrive in Manitoba will open near the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport in the coming days. In a news release, Premier Heather Stefanson emphasized the provinces intention to provide displaced Ukrainians "with a full range of support."

"Usually we dont have such weather in Ukraine. Yeah, we have snow sometimes but not in the middle of April," said Akimkina. "Sometimes, there is a small amount in the spring but it melts in several hours not like here where it is like January."

In Kyiv, Ukraine, it can snow up to eight months of the year and high accumulations are not rare. April is considered a moderate spring month, with the average temperature varying between 5.5C and 15C.

But with preparations in place, many of the Ukrainian newcomers are enjoying the weather.

"Yesterday it was like in Ukraine, with the empty shelves, so I didnt understand what to expect," said Akimkina, whose host family turned on the Christmas lights so that the feeling "was like Christmas, not Easter But now, it is like a fairy tale."

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
THE number of Manitobans on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA), or social assistance, has remained high for the past quarter-century. In 1996-97, there were 39,200 cases affecting a total of 74,400 beneficiaries  meaning EIA claimants and their dependents. In 2019-20 there were 43,200 cases and 73,400 beneficiaries. The cost that year was $659 million.

Opinion

THE number of Manitobans on Employment and Income Assistance (EIA), or social assistance, has remained high for the past quarter-century. In 1996-97, there were 39,200 cases affecting a total of 74,400 beneficiaries  meaning EIA claimants and their dependents. In 2019-20 there were 43,200 cases and 73,400 beneficiaries. The cost that year was $659 million.

In response, governments have sought to cut EIA costs, in two ways. First, benefits are kept far too low. They are lower than the poverty line  much lower. Organizations call repeatedly for an increase in EIA rates, but the emphasis remains on cutting costs.

Second, governments push people off the EIA rolls and into the labour market as quickly as possible, even when those people have limited formal education and few work-related skills. This is a mistake. It is a missed opportunity to invest in long-term change.

The EIAs detailed policy manual says EIAs primary focus is employment, recipients are expected to find employment as soon as possible, and they can pursue education in exceptional circumstances only. Work first; no education.

This is short-term thinking. When EIA recipients with little education, few skills and no self-confidence are pushed into the labour market, the result is low-paid jobs with no benefits and no career prospects. This does nothing to solve poverty, which is the root cause of the large numbers on the EIA rolls.

The better alternative is to think longer term, by taking the time to build the capacities and capabilities of EIA recipients, so they can fashion a better future for themselves and their families.

Adult education does this. By adult education, I mean the mature high school program offered by Adult Learning Centres, and the Adult Literacy Programs that move adults literacy and numeracy up to the level needed to begin the mature high school program.

EIA recipients with low levels of formal education should be encouraged to pursue this kind of adult education, and supported  financially and otherwise  in doing so. Investing in EIA recipients education  letting them keep their EIA benefits while they attend adult education programs  increases the likelihood they will gain the kind of employment that will enable them to pull themselves and their families permanently out of poverty.

This is not what has been happening. On the contrary, and consistent with current EIA policy, most recipients are being actively turned away from adult education. Adult education directors I have spoken with describe what is happening: one wrote, I have spoken to a number of our current students who say they have friends and family who want to have the opportunity to return to adult education but who have been told they will lose their funding if they return to school.

Another wrote, We do get referrals from EIA, but we have noticed a huge decline in the referrals recently.  They seem bent on removing students. Another director told me of a student who was denied benefits when she was one course short of completing her high school diploma.

I have heard many such comments. The system is actively discouraging people from getting an education.

Some EIA workers, it is important to note, support people in pursuit of adult education. Most, however, do not. Most follow the policy and push people who are not ready into the labour market.

Enormous benefits could be achieved by shifting the provincial EIA program away from work first, and toward adult education first. We should be using EIA funds to support recipients in improving their education, so they can develop the skills and self-confidence needed to find the kinds of jobs that will lift them and their families out of poverty.

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This is especially so when there is such a shortage of skilled workers in Manitoba.

With respect to many issues today  climate change, as an example  governments suffer from short-term thinking when long-term thinking is needed. Denying access to education and forcing people into the labour market when they are thoroughly unprepared is not a lasting solution.

Its treating people who are poor as if they are dispensable and of no worth, instead of unlocking their potential. It perpetuates the poverty that is the source of the problem.

We invest in the education of children and youth, in the knowledge that doing so makes good economic sense. The same should be the case for adults on EIA. Using adult education to lift recipients out of poverty benefits them, their families and all of us.

To produce lasting solutions, Manitobas EIA program should abandon its short-term, work-first thinking and replace it with a commitment to adult education. As the pandemic has made especially clear, Manitoba needs more people with skills, and fewer people trapped in perpetual poverty.

Jim Silver is a research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - Manitoba and professor emeritus at the University of Winnipeg.
Opinion

"ONE of us."

In the heyday of Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatchers rule of Britain in the 1980s, this was the conservative litmus test she applied to assess her cabinet of weak "wets" or staunch "dries." A similar current is running through the leadership race now consuming the Conservative Party of Canada.

Only "true" conservatives need apply, according to front-runner Pierre Poilievres campaign. True conservatives are anti-carbon tax, anti-COVID-19 mandates, and pro-freedom in all its guises. This uncompromising stance is defining conservatism as the basis for a radically different Conservative party from anything seen before.

And it was inevitable.

The CPC leadership race is just the final act of the 2003 merger of the Reform/Canadian Alliance party and the Progressive Conservative party. Until now, the two legacy parties of the CPC maintained an uneasy but genuine relationship within the federal party. A shared history of vote-splitting that produced Liberal majority governments kept both factions in check for the greater Conservative good.

No longer.

Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau has now beaten three Conservative leaders in a row, including the partys first and only winning leader, Stephen Harper. To movement conservatives, compromise and moderation doesnt win elections. Andrew Scheers inability to justify his socially conservative views and Erin OTooles flip-flop from right-wing leadership candidate to moderate-middle election campaigner proved that. No more. Time to choose a "real" conservative leader.

Conservatives have long exhibited populist tendencies. Prairie populism helped launch the Reform Party. But the rise of more extreme international populist forces, propagated via social media, has infiltrated conservative parties everywhere this past decade, including Canada.

From Brexit to Trump to COVID-19, populist anger, alienation and fear, led by economic dissatisfaction and identity grievances, have overturned traditional conservative values and policy nostrums. Nationalism, nativism and anti-elitism are more mainstream in Canadian conservative circles than ever before.

"Take back control" and "Make America Great Again" were the national sovereignty messages of Brexit and Trump. "Freedom" is the personal sovereignty message of Pierre Poilievre.

Two years of COVID-19 disruptions have infected our politics. Public-health measures designed to keep people safe have been recast by conservatives as illegitimate tools of individual oppression and government overreach. This reached its nadir in the month-long trucker convoy occupation of Ottawa and other parts of Canada.

Poilievres embrace of their cause is turning them into retroactive folk heroes in conservative circles for "standing up for freedom"  never mind the conspiracy-driven fallacies and grievance paranoia about COVID, vaccines and masks they wheeled into the public square.

Poilievres main opponent, Jean Charest, has it all wrong  embracing the extreme doesnt "disqualify" Poilievre from becoming leader of his party; it validates him.

Federal conservatives have long seen themselves as a minority presence and party in Canadian political life. Too intermittent in government to become establishment, and too agitated by governments very existence to abide it, federal conservatives exhibit an almost-atavistic distaste for the institutions, processes and conventions of that political life. It is the classic outsider view.

A distinctive form of outsider conservatism is now emerging  one that is unapologetically individualist and populist. It seeks to marry the partys base of rural and western-Canadian values of small government, individual opportunity and community religiosity with suburban family strivers anxious about affordability and upward economic mobility.

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This holds no room for progressive political traits of community and society. Government as a "force for good" would never be uttered by its adherents.

Under Thatcher, "one of us" never became "them or us." The weak wets still held high office in the party and government she led. Will a new Conservative Party of Canada fashioned around being a "true conservative" allow the same? Will there be room for conservatives who believe in a more limited but real role for government in society? Or those conservatives who believe acting on climate change is necessary, even if Canadian energy still matters? Or conservatives who believe individual freedom still comes with collective responsibility?

Likely not. Canadian politics is more polarized than ever. That makes fighting for the political centre increasingly illusory. The real fight is to drag the centre to your side and keep it there. Compromise and moderation risk alienating your voter coalition.

Conservatives are determined this time to choose a true-believer leader who will offer "a choice, not an echo" to the Liberals. This was the title of an influential book by American conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly in 1964. Her battle cry was avidly taken up by Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. Moving hard right, he led his conservative party to an historic defeat that same year. But it created a movement that paved the way for Ronald Reagans conservative revolution that reshaped America.

Last years status-quo federal election may be the last one for quite a while.

David McLaughlin was Clerk of the Executive Council in the government of Manitoba in 2020-21. He was campaign manager for the PC Party of Manitoba in the 2016 and 2019 elections.
Theres no such thing as bad dogs, the old saying goes, only bad owners. That may be accurate, but its also incomplete. Given the current proposal to reverse Winnipegs ban on dangerous dogs, the maxim could be amended to read: theres no such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners enabled by bad municipal policies.

Theres no such thing as bad dogs, the old saying goes, only bad owners. That may be accurate, but its also incomplete. Given the current proposal to reverse Winnipegs ban on dangerous dogs, the maxim could be amended to read: theres no such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners enabled by bad municipal policies.

In other words, while onus rests on the owners of dogs, additional onus must be on the citys enforcement officials to identify bad owners at an early stage and either change their behaviour or curtail their dog ownership.

This intervention by city authorities must come as soon as dog owners present warning signs of negligence. Its not enough to wait until a dog mauls someone and then prosecute the owner after the tragedy. If council is not prepared to fund swift and rigorous investigations of objectionable dog-owner behaviour before it becomes an emergency, then councillors should refuse to remove the current prohibition on breeds considered dangerous.

The city is reconsidering its prohibited dog breeds list. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press files)

Council is currently considering advice from the Animal Services department to shift the focus away from considering dogs such as pit bulls inherently dangerous. It recommends allowing all breeds within the city and, instead, addresses "irresponsible pet owners." The proposal would have the city approach owners under such criteria as a dog running at large more than twice, or biting another animal or human more than once.

The focus on working with owners is commendable, but the proposed bar for intervention is set too high. When a dog is running loose and attacks a passerby, there shouldnt need to be a second attack for city officials to intervene and offer the dog owner frank guidance, and bylaw enforcement if the owner seems resistant to change.

Local authorities in England and Wales act earlier than their Winnipeg counterparts are proposing. They proceed promptly on reports of dogs that are off the leash, acting aggressively at passersby, or biting people or other animals.

Unlike the proposal in Winnipeg, they dont wait for a second or third instance before contacting the owners and inviting them to avoid fines by agreeing to something called a Dog Behavior Contract, which commits the owner to conditions such as attending training classes, keeping the dog on a leash and properly fencing the property.

Owners who are unco-operative face measures that can include criminal prosecution and fines as large as C$4,000.

CP The Animal Services department is recommending all breeds be allowed within the city and, instead, address irresponsible pet owners. (Paws for Life Rescue / The Associated Press files)

To match the early-intervention strategy that has been successful in some other countries, Winnipeg Animal Services could start by inviting the public to report owners whose pets are a nuisance to the quality of life of people in the vicinity. A dedicated hotline would surely garner plentiful accounts of aggressive dogs from neighbours and people who approach houses to deliver mail, newspapers or food.

The City of Winnipeg is often accused of being slow to act on citizens complaints on issues such as potholes, necessary tree pruning and poor snow clearing. Such tardy responses should be unacceptable when it comes to citizens reports of potentially dangerous dog behaviour, which could quickly escalate to someone getting hurt.

Animal Services should encourage reports from the public to compile a list of pet owners who warrant a prompt visit to avert future dog attacks. To do this thoroughly and rapidly, the department will likely require a budget boost from city council.

Thats the bottom line facing council as it prepares to vote on the issue on April 28. If it wants to welcome back the dog breeds that were banned in Winnipeg in 1990, the city must adequately fund the early intervention needed to educate and regulate irresponsible dog owners.
OTTAWA  Canadas top doctor says obliging Canadians to cover their face could hurt social cohesion, even if mask mandates remove the guess work of gauging ones risk of catching COVID-19.

OTTAWA  Canadas top doctor says obliging Canadians to cover their face could hurt social cohesion, even if mask mandates remove the "guess work" of gauging ones risk of catching COVID-19.

"Different communities  not just at the provincial level, but the local level  know their community the most, and what can bring people in a cohesive way instead of a divisive way," Dr. Theresa Tam said Tuesday.

"We cant have too many them and us. Its about working together."

The chief public health officer was holding a recurring COVID-19 update and confirmed Canada is effectively in a sixth wave, with some regions already at that point and case rates elsewhere heading toward that situation.

Epidemiologists generally qualify a COVID-19 wave as when cases grow at an exponential rate for more than a week.

Tam said a rise in cases was always expected as jurisdictions rolled back public health restrictions and the more contagious subvariant of Omicron (such as BA.2) took hold. However, she was concerned about an increase in severe cases.

Hospitalizations are starting to increase, but Tam is hopeful vaccine coverage will prevent pressure on intensive care wards, which would take a few weeks to occur.

"Were transitioning from what I would hope is the acute, crisis phase, into the sort of somewhat unknown, uncertain territory of viral evolution," said Tam.

She urged Canadians to get vaccinated, wear a mask and avoid crowded environments  regardless of what provincial rules say.

"It sometimes takes the guess work out of people, I think on a practical basis, if there is a mandate. But I think all public health authorities at the moment are trying to shift the paradigm, into making sure people learn these good habits and be able to employ them," Tam said.

"Giving people the data and the information to add the layers of protection is important."

Manitoba and most provinces have rolled back mask requirements, and asked the public to gauge their risk while reporting less data than at any point in the pandemic.

Tam said provinces are ramping up PCR test from a low last seen in summer 2020, and a more representative sample than the current criteria could show community spread.

She also said wastewater data is becoming increasingly helpful. (In Winnipeg that data is published with a two-week lag.)

Tam said doctors have discussed other innovations, such as following the Northwest Territories in requiring people to report the results of their rapid tests online or by phone.

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Meanwhile, disability advocates have argued making masks optional has put the burden on vulnerable people to avoid unsafe spaces, instead of having all of society face a minor inconvenience.

Tam responded to that viewpoint by saying governments can always reimpose mask mandates if the situation changes, such as the emergence of a new variant. "To observe the impacts of requirements versus recommendations is very important."

She also urged the public not to chide people who choose to keep wearing a mask.

"At this moment in time, it is very important for us not to divide the population, and (to) keep messaging the need to protect each other," said Tam.

"Everybody needs to be heard, but I think from a public health perspective, it is clear that the vaccines are effective. And you should get boostered; you should wear a mask."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sherri Papini, the Northern California woman charged last month with faking her kidnapping in 2016, accepted a plea bargain with prosecutors Tuesday and acknowledged she made up the story that prompted a frantic search and international headlines.

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2016, file photo, a "missing" sign for Redding, Calif., resident Sherri Papini is seen near the location where the mother of two is initially believed to have gone missing while jogging. In March 2022, Papini was arrested on charges of faking her own kidnapping in 2016. She signed a plea deal on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 , in which she will plead guilty of lying to a federal officer and mail fraud, her attorney, William Portanova, first told The Sacrament Bee. (Andrew Seng/The Sacramento Bee via AP, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sherri Papini, the Northern California woman charged last month with faking her kidnapping in 2016, accepted a plea bargain with prosecutors Tuesday and acknowledged she made up the story that prompted a frantic search and international headlines.

Defense attorney William Portanova said his client will plead guilty to charges of lying to a federal officer and mail fraud.

"I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so very sorry for the pain Ive caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story and those who worked so hard to try to help me," she said in a statement released through Portanova. "I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done."

The plea deal was first reported by The Sacramento Bee.

The search for Papini, 39, of Redding, set off a three-week search across California and several nearby states until she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.

She had bindings on her body and injuries including a blurred "brand" on her right shoulder and a swollen nose. She had other bruises and rashes on many parts of her body, ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, and burns on her left forearm.

Federal prosecutors alleged in early March that she actually was staying with a former boyfriend nearly 600 miles (966 kilometers) away in Southern California's Orange County and injured herself to back up her false statements.

It's not clear what punishment she will face but the charges carry penalties of up to five years in federal prison for lying to a federal law enforcement officer and up to 20 years for mail fraud.

Lauren Horwood, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, said she couldn't confirm the deal or any elements of it.

Papini was reported missing Nov. 2, 2016. She was found alongside Interstate 5 nearly 150 miles (240 kilometers) from her home, battered and with remnants of bindings on her wrists and ankles.

She told authorities at the time that she had been kidnapped at gunpoint by two Hispanic women, and provided descriptions to an FBI sketch artist along with extensive details of her purported abduction.

She was still making false statements as recently as August 2020, when prosecutors said a federal agent and a Shasta County sheriffs detective showed her evidence indicating she had not been abducted and warned her that it was a crime to lie to a federal agent.

The mail fraud charges involve the more than $30,000 in reimbursements she received from the California Victims Compensation Board based on the false story. They included money for visits to her therapist for "treatment for anxiety and PTSD," according to a court filing, and for the ambulance ride to the hospital after she surfaced near Sacramento.

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $49,000 to help the family, which the couple used to pay off bills and for other expenses, according to a court filing by investigators.

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She was a stay-at-home mom at the time and her husband worked at Best Buy. The family wasnt wealthy and there was never a ransom demand, officials said at the time.

She had gone jogging that day near her home about 215 miles (350 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Her husband, Keith Papini, found only her cellphone and earphones when he went searching after she failed to pick up their children at day care. She left her purse and jewelry behind.

He passed a lie detector test, investigators said.

Papini had both male and female DNA on her body and clothing when she was found, and the DNA eventually led to the former boyfriend, prosecutors say.

The former boyfriend told investigators that Papini stayed with him while she was gone, and that she had asked him to come to Redding to pick her up. Authorities verified his account by tracking two prepaid cellphones that they had been using to secretly talk to one another as early as December 2015, according to the court filing.

A cousin of the former boyfriend also told investigators that he saw Papini, unrestrained, in the mans apartment twice. Records also backed the ex-boyfriends story that he rented a car and drove Papini back to Northern California about three weeks later.
NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

A police officer stands watch at the entrance of 36th Street Station after multiple people were shot on a subway train, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

NEW YORK (AP)  The man accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after the suspect called police to come get him, law enforcement officials said.

Frank R. James, 62, was taken into custody about 30 hours after the violence on a rush-hour train, which left people around the city on edge.

My fellow New Yorkers, we got him," Mayor Eric Adams said.

James was due to appear in court Thursday on a charge that pertains to terrorist or other violent attacks against mass transit systems and carries a sentence of up to life in prison, Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

A passenger looks out onto the platform while riding a northbound train in 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday that officials were now seeking 62-year-old Frank R. James as a suspect. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

In recent months, James railed in videos on his YouTube channel about racism and violence in the U.S. and about his struggles with mental health care in New York City, and he criticized Adams' policies on mental health and subway safety. But the motive for the subway attack remains unclear, and there's no indication James had ties to terror organizations, international or otherwise, Peace said.

James didnt respond to reporters shouted questions as he was led to a police car Wednesday afternoon. He was transferred hours later to federal Bureau of Prisons custody and was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A message seeking comment was sent to a lawyer representing him.

Police had urged the public to help find him, releasing his name and photo and even sending a cellphone alert before they got a tip Wednesday.

The tipster was James, calling to say he knew he was wanted and that police could find him at a McDonalds in Manhattans East Village neighborhood, two law enforcement officials said. They werent authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

James was gone when officers arrived, but he was soon spotted on a busy corner nearby, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said.

NYPD officers patrol platforms and train cars at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday that officials were now seeking 62-year-old Frank R. James as a suspect. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Passer-by Aleksei Korobow said he saw four police cars zoom past, and when he caught up to them, James was in handcuffs as a crowd of people looked on.

There was nowhere left for him to run, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.

The arrest came as the gunshot victims, and at least a dozen others injured in the attack, tried to recover.

I dont think I could ever ride a train again," Hourari Benkada, a Manhattan hotel housekeeping manager who was shot in the leg, told CNN from a hospital bed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited victims as young as 12 in a hospital Tuesday night. One had been heading to class at Borough of Manhattan Community College when he was hit by either a bullet or shrapnel and needed surgery, the governor said.

New York City Police Department officers arrest subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, 62, in the East Village section, of New York, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The man accused of shooting multiple people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after a daylong manhunt and a tipster's call brought police to him on a Manhattan street. (AP Photo/Meredith Goldberg)

Guatemalas Foreign Ministry said an 18-year-old Guatemalan national, Rudy Alfredo Perez Vasquez, was hospitalized but out of danger Wednesday after being injured in the attack.

James detonated two smoke grenades and fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun in a subway car packed with commuters, police said.

When the first smoke bomb went off, a passenger asked what he was doing, according to a witness account to police.

Oops, James said, set off a second, then brandished the gun and opened fire, Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

When the train stopped at a station and terrified riders fled, James apparently hopped another train  the same one many were steered to for safety, police said. He got out at the next station, disappearing into the nations most populous city.

New York City Police Department officers handcuff subway shooting suspect Frank R. James, 62, in the East Village section, of New York, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. James, accused of shooting 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train was arrested Wednesday and charged with a federal terrorism offense after a daylong manhunt and a tipster's call brought police to him on a Manhattan street. (AP Photo/PC Keyes)

But James left behind numerous clues at the crime scene, including the gun  which he bought in Ohio in 2011  ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline, a bank card in his name and the key to a U-Haul van he rented Monday in Philadelphia, according to police and a court complaint.

Tucked in an orange workers' jacket, which he apparently tossed on a subway platform, was a receipt for a Philadelphia storage unit. Authorities found ammunition, targets and a pistol barrel in the storage locker and learned hed been there on Monday, the complaint said.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators believe James entered the subway system.

Surveillance cameras captured the van arriving from Philadelphia early Tuesday, and a man wearing what appeared to be the same orange jacket leaving the vehicle near the station.

James was born in New York but had lived recently in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, authorities said. Bruce Allen, a neighbor near a Philadelphia apartment where James stayed for the last couple of weeks, said the man never spoke to him, even when moving in.

James had worked at a variety of manufacturing and other jobs, according to his videos. Police said he'd been arrested 12 times in New York and New Jersey between 1990 and 2007 on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to possession of burglary tools, but he has no felony convictions.

His hours of disjointed, expletive-filled videos range from current events, to his life story, to bigoted remarks about people of various backgrounds. James is Black.

Some videos complain about Adams, mental health care James says he got in the city years ago, and conditions on the subway. In one post, he fulminates about trains filled with homeless people, the court complaint noted.

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In another, he denounces the treatment of Black people in the U.S. and says, "The message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Jude Jacques, who takes the subway to work as a fire safety director two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request Wednesday.

I said, God, everything is in your hands, Jacques said. I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened.

___

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Deepti Hajela, Jim Mustian and Nardos Haile in New York, Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia, Carrie Antlfinger in Milwaukee, Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, and Sonia Perez D. in Guatemala City, Guatemala, contributed.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack destroyed the building of a Culinary School in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

A woman carries the portrait of Dmytro Stefienko, 32, a civilian killed during the war with Russia, during his funeral in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russia's actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine's fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as territorial defense soldier, and was captured and killed by Russian army in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means," Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war," he said. "This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

Anatoliy Morykin, 45, left, mourns the death of his mother Valentyna Morykina, 82, who died in a retirement home due to poor living conditions during the Russian invasion in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

Firefighters are seen through the destroyed window of an apartment as they work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

Marta Fedorova holds her baby boy as her son Volodymir 6, and her daughter Violetta 5, right, sit inside a school that is being used as a shelter for people who fled the war, in Dnipro city, Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Marta Fedorova with her husband and five children fled from the city of Bahmud. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

3 year-old Carolina Fedorova sleeps inside a school that is being used as a shelter for people who fled the war, in Dnipro city, Ukraine on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Carolina fled with her parents and four siblings from the city of Bahmud. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

Men wearing protective gear exhume the bodies of civilians killed during the Russian occupation in Bucha, in the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Dozens of bodies of civilians executed by the Russian troops have been exhumed already from the mass grave. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In this image provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, who is both the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, sits handcuffed after being detained in a special operation carried out by the country's SBU secret service, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

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Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Marienko)

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraine's state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

___

Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The first Bacon Fest takes over Loggers Field in La Crosse on Saturday, and tickets are sold out.

The River Valley Media Group has partnered with Festival Foods, Farmland Bacon and Copeland Park & Events Center to bring Bacon Fest to La Crosse on May 7.

A highlight of the event will be the official Bacon Eating Contest, sponsored by Festival Foods and Farmland Bacon. Fifteen contestants will compete to see who can consume the most bacon in five minutes. The winner will receive a trophy, and bragging rights as the first-ever Bacon Fest Bacon Eating Champion.

VIP and general admission tickets are sold out.

General admission gates open at 1 p.m., and ticket holders receive one free sample from all food vendor booths. .

Food vendors will gather at Loggers Field, offering samples of their best bacon dish or overall bacon in this family friendly event, with trophies awarded to vendors in each category. There will be a Fans Favorite division, as voted on by all attendees as well as a Judges Choice in each category as voted upon by a panel of local judges.

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Sunny. High around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 49F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Baraboo residents can expect to provide more feedback about the future of their community in coming weeks and months.

Urban Planner Michael Smith has been involved with gathering data since December as part of work with Studio GWA of Rockford, which is focusing on city economic resiliency.

We want to make sure what our data is showing is actually on the ground accurate with what people are living and seeing, Smith said.

City Council members approved the use of a $105,000 grant in American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in September and agreed to hire Redevelopment Resources, of Madison, out of three applicants. Studio GWA works alongside Redevelopment Resources. Economic resiliency is a source of concern after the impact of a pandemic. The consultants work focuses on the western side of the city and specifically on the South Boulevard corridor.

So far, Studio GWA, along with Redevelopment Resources, has seen 595 responses to a survey which was closed at the end of March. They have conducted eight focus groups, 13 interviews with stakeholders and met with 59 total people to talk about economic resiliency in the community.

Now they plan on broadening their search for feedback. Two open house events are scheduled for the public April 21. One is set for noon to 1 p.m. at City Hall, the other from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Baraboo High School. Smith said attendees can learn a lot or a little depending on how much time they have from the station-style setup to talk about the city economy and show the geographic focus areas which may need more diverse employers.

All of this information gathering leads to the identification of trends within the city. The goal is to use the feedback to develop an Economic Resiliency Plan, which is slated to be presented to the Baraboo Economic Development Commission in October.

While one survey has already concluded, another will begin after the open house sessions.

City Administrator Casey Bradley suggested to council members in the fall that they change tactics and rather than sharing goals presented by each member, they develop a strategic plan to be used over time, which he said would likely lead to more goals for the city being met.

While the two plans are separate, much of the planning to create each document overlaps, Bradley said.

However, the strategic plan focuses on how the city should operate.

This would be City Council, for the first time, setting goals for what they want the community to be within their authority, Bradley said. Whether its economic development, parks and recreations, libraries; everything we are capable of doing, having an actual plan to achieve that instead of this year by year of Oh hey, itd be great to do that.

The survey focused on city operations is still being finalized and there will likely be more questions added after the public sessions. With that data collected, a strategic plan can be formed and the strategic plan plays heavily into the development of a city comprehensive plan.

By law, municipalities must create a comprehensive plan every decade. The last one completed by Baraboo was in 2006, making it severely out of date, Bradley said. They aim to draft and finalize the strategic plan by mid-June and then draft the comprehensive plan in the fall based on the information they gained, he said.

Now I think residents are being heard, and giving input on the questions for council will be really well received, Bradley said. They each have their own opinion, but theres only nine of them and weve got 12,455 people that youre making plans, long-range, for so getting their input. And then the community, once its done, theres a document that says, This is the direction we plan on going.

Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.

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A fire in the town of Caledonia that destroyed a wood shed and boiler system was likely caused by hot ashes leaving the boiler.

Portage Fire Chief Troy Haase said in a statement released Wednesday morning that the Portage Fire Department was dispatched to W11110 Walker Road in Caledonia on Tuesday night just before 10 p.m. There were no reported injuries from the incident, but the shed and boiler system were destroyed.

The cause of the fire was undetermined, but likely from hot ashes leaving the boiler, Haase said.

Haase said when crews arrived there was a wood shed fully engulfed by flames.

The fire crews attacked the fire, but the structure was a total loss, Haase said. The crews provided protection to the propane tank and residence.

Aspirus MedEvac was on the scene monitoring firefighter wellness during the incident. Columbia County Sheriff officers and Wisconsin State Patrol troopers were on the scene to help control traffic.

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The former state Supreme Court justice leading the GOP-ordered review into the 2020 election criticized in a radio interview the clothing choice of the Wisconsin Elections Commissions nonpartisan administrator, Meagan Wolfe.

Speaking with WTAQ-AM host Joe Giganti on Tuesday, Michael Gableman, who was hired last summer to lead the election review at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers, took aim at Wolfes attire.

Black dress, white pearls, Ive seen the act, Ive seen the show, Gableman said.

When Giganti responded that he recently saw Wolfe wearing a gold locket, rather than pearls, Gableman responded with, Oh, Hillary Clinton.

Gableman, who has not responded to multiple requests for interviews or comment, made his remarks in an interview that largely focused on the former justices ongoing and unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Gablemans comments were first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Gableman also took aim at Democratic lawmakers, including Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, two judges and five members of the states bipartisan Elections Commission. Wolfe was the only individual Gableman singled out for her choice of clothing.

Im a professional who takes my job seriously, Wolfe said in a statement. Comments directed at my appearance are a far cry from being serious, and are beneath anybody who purports to be undertaking a review of subject matter as important as election integrity.

Gableman later went on to praise Assembly elections committee chair Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, who has called for a full forensic audit of the states 2020 election.

Gableman said Brandtjen is smart, shes tough, shes persistent, shes no-nonsense and shes trustworthy.

I respect the hell out of that lady, Gableman said. We share resources all the time, we share information and compare notes all the time. We have a very positive working relationship.

Hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, last summer, Gablemans ongoing review has become the focal point of mounting criticism, including from some Republicans, who have called on the probe to reach a conclusion.

The Wisconsin State Journal has documented multiple examples of Gableman presenting false information to Brandtjens committee related to nursing home voting rates.

Vos has extended Gablemans contract through the end of April, but later said he is considering rescinding subpoenas issued by the former justice so that a Republican attorney general if elected in November could file criminal charges against the subpoenaed individuals, though he did not provide specifics on what charges could be pursued.

Speaking last week on a podcast hosted by former President Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, Gableman said he had recently been contacted by officials in Vos office notifying him of plans to dismantle his office within a matter of weeks.

Vos responded to Gablemans comments that his goal is to now focus on resolving the several pending lawsuits surrounding the former justices review and the hope is to have Gableman help us do that so we can once again focus on reforming the election process.

What I really need to do, not just want, what I need to do is pursue those subpoenas, Gableman said Tuesday. Speaker Vos knows if he ends this office, then everything has been for nothing.

A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes. Only 24 people out of nearly 3.3 million who cast ballots have been charged with election fraud in Wisconsin.
AmaBhungane and Daily Maverick win Taco Kuiper Award

Stories that unearthed corruption in the Health Ministry and exposed threats by a torched chemical company win the premier award for investigative journalists.

Stories that unearthed corruption in the Health Ministry and exposed the operations of chemical company win the premier award for investigative journos.

Pieter-Louis Myburgh of the Daily Maverick who untangled scandalous contracts in the Health Ministry and Susan Comrie and Dewald van Rensburg from the Mail and Guardians wing amaBhungane, whose investigation brought attention to a chemical disaster in Durban are joint winners of the countrys top award celebrating investigative journalism. The Taco Kuiper Awards recognises outstanding examples of investigative reporting that reveal untold stories, hold the powerful to account and question those in public life. The winning teams walked away with R150 000.

Myburg, a seasoned investigative journalist and author reacted with delight.

So thrilled, thanks #TacoKuiperAwards! And congrats to the @amaBhungane rockstars. This award for the #DigitalVibes investigations has to be dedicated to @dailymaverick, its founder, @brankobrkic, and all those Mavericks who keep the machine running. We Press on! https://t.co/IN89EOmgxz  Pieter-Louis Myburgh (@PLMyburgh) April 12, 2022

Myburgh, produced a series of stories that over several months built up a picture of corruption in the Health Ministrys Covid-19 communication operation. Through dogged persistence and digging, he pieced together the sordid mess of ministerial friends and family members who benefited from over-priced communications contracts under Digital Vibes. The detail was meticulous and good graphics added a strong visual element. The expose led to the cancellation of contracts, saving millions, and the axing of Health Minister and presidential contender Zweli Mkhize.

Speaking on behalf of the Taco Kuiper judges, Thabo Leshilo said such brazen corruption during a pandemic caused genuine shock and horror.

Comrie and Van Rensburg from AmaBhungane which get its name from the isiZulu word for dung beetles and organisations claim to digging dung, fertilizing democracy, were reporting on the 2021 July riots and looting in Durban when the pair followed on the chemical fire at the UPL plant in Durban.

They were spurred on to dig deeper when the company refused to give basic information about the chemicals in its warehouse. Their investigation revealed the scale of the disaster as enormous as the toxic mess spread around the area and washed into the sea.

Leshilo said reporting raised important questions about how this material could be stored next to a school and whether the state had been negligent in dealing with it.

Commenting on their win, Comrie said:

Thank you #TacoKuiperAwards for the incredible honour of picking our UPL Chemical Disaster investigation as a co-winner, alongside @PLMyburgh.



My excellent co-author  @DewaldvanRensb1  Susan Comrie (@sajournalist) April 12, 2022

The Taco Kuiper awards are held annually by the Wits Centre for Journalism and the Valley Trust. Now in their 16th year, the call for nominations in February 2022 resulted in approximately 250 submissions from South African media.

The judges remarks praised the quality of the submission as well as the diverse topics covered signaling an inclusive and broad news agenda in line with democracy. However, they flagged the absence of submissions from radio investigative journalists.

Leshilo whose career spans almost three decades in media praised editors who dedicate resources and time that enable journalists do the work that supports democracy.
Weather Alert

...ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD TODAY IN CENTRAL NEW YORK... The combination of relative humidity values between 25 to 35 percent this afternoon, east winds gusting up to 20 mph and very dry conditions recently will lead to an elevated risk for wildfire spread today across portions of central NY. The annual statewide burn ban is in effect until May 14th. No burn permits are issued.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Indiana... White River at Elliston. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana... Illinois... Wabash River at Lafayette down to Riverton. White River at Edwardsport. .Recent rainfall is leading to minor flooding in Indiana along most of the Wabash River and the White River at Edwardsport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL TUESDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at Lafayette. * WHEN...Until Tuesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, Flood waters approaching Warren CR 350 N in the Black Rock Preserve Area. Williamsport Road in Fountain County may begin to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:30 PM EDT Friday the stage was 13.5 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 PM EDT Friday was 13.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 14.6 feet early Sunday morning. It will then fall below flood stage early Tuesday morning. - Flood stage is 11.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
Charles Center announces first undergraduate Research Incubator program awards

Charles Center The Roy R. Charles Center's headquarters are in Blow Memorial Hall. The Charles Center announced its first group of Faculty-Mentored Research Incubator projects funded. Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption

The Roy R. Charles Center at William & Mary has announced its first slate of awards under the Faculty-Mentored Research Incubator program.

Dan Cristol, faculty director of undergraduate research at the Charles Center, said the incubator approach is a new way of encouraging and funding undergrad research at the university.

He stressed that the Incubator is an addition to  not a replacement of  the Charles Centers existing student-initiated process, in which students write a proposal and then find a faculty member willing to mentor them. Those student-written proposals vary widely in their relationship to faculty research interests, Cristol noted.

The logic behind doing things in a new way with the Incubator is that now, the faculty researcher will write that proposal and then find the students. In many cases the students will already be working with the faculty member, he said. The idea is to incentivize mentors who want to work with more students.

Cristol stressed that the traditional student-initiated process will remain intact: students can still submit an individual proposal for research funding to the Charles Center.

That hasnt changed at all, he explained. We hope this new incubator mechanism will just create more opportunities, and that these new opportunities will make the lives of both students and professors better.

The program is designed to support research activity during summer sessions. Each project will be funded for two years, and will receive a total of $20,000, Cristol noted.

And the majority of that will go to student stipends, Cristol explained. So, a professor can have three summer students receiving stipends of $3,000 each. Plus there is $1,000 for supplies and expenses. Thats $10,000 a year for each of two years.

The money comes from private endowment funds that benefit the Charles Center. Cristol said that 11 of the 27 proposals were funded. The Incubator program was established to be congruent with the goals and visions of the universitys Vision 2026 statement, and he noted that Incubator proposals were judged with Vision 2026  the universitys strategic plan in mind.

We also evaluated proposals on how likely we thought it was that they would generate impactful results, Cristol explained. And how likely it was that they would generate, external funding, and also on the potential to create even more research opportunities beyond what we were funding.

Walking Tour of W&M Campus Through the Lens of African American Experiences

Jody Lynn Allen, Robert Francis Engs Director of the Lemon Project

An interdisciplinary research lab comprising faculty from both the Lemon Project and the National Institute of American History and Democracy (NIAHD) will mentor students in the creation of a website that will commemorate the lives, labor and triumphs of African Americans at the university, the proposal notes. The students, who will include participants in NIAHDs Pre-College Program as well as W&M undergrads, will translate various primary source materials into a walking tour that illustrates African American experiences and contributions to William & Mary.

Making Movies on Location: connecting geology, hazards and history in Virginias Blue Ridge Mountains

Chuck Bailey, Professor of Geology

The William & Mary Structural Geology & Tectonic research group will return to central Virginia where the group has conducted fieldwork in past summers  but this year things will be a little different. The group will center their research on the area around William & Marys Highland, the home of fifth U.S. President (and William & Mary alumnus) James Monroe. Partnering with W&Ms Highland, the Rockfish Valley Foundation and the Nelson County Historical Society, the group will organize their findings into audience-friendly videos and apps.

Discourse Analysis on Disability

Leslie Cochrane, Senior Lecturer of English Linguistics

The faculty-student collaboration known as Discourse Analysis at William & Mary (DA@W&M) will ramp up its conversational discourse study. Discourse analysis is an area of sociolinguistics concerned with the relationship of spoken/written language to a broader social context. DA@W&M will conduct Zoom interviews with a set of participants, some of whom may be disabled individuals. The recorded interviews will be transcribed and entered into the DA@W&M database for analysis.

Community-Based Research to Advance Justice in Virginias Eviction Courts

Caroline Hanley, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology

The project will examine the role of court proceedings in the eviction crisis that unfolded in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis despite measures restricting evictions. Trained student researchers will observe court proceedings and follow and document eviction cases in Alexandria, Newport News and Richmond. They will analyze the data gleaned from their observations, building a database to document variation in courtroom procedure and case outcome.

Public Opinion & Polling (POP) Lab

Mackenzie Israel-Trummel, Assistant Professor, Department of Government

The POP Lab will begin with a summer focus on research design. Student researchers will develop a research question, delve into the relevant literature and formulate a testable hypothesis. The students will take their surveys into the field during the fall semester and conduct exit polls on Election Day. The second summer will be devoted to analyzing the data the students have gathered and writing an original research paper. The experience will be capped with a research conference.

NukeLab Emerging Technology Fellows Program

Jeff Kaplow, Assistant Professor, Department of Government; Ryan Musto, Director of Forums and Research Initiatives, Global Research Institute

NukeLab, an undergraduate research initiative within William & Marys Global Research Institute, fosters research that examines the challenges that new technologies continue to pose for questions and issues of national and international security. The incubator project would assemble student researchers from the sciences, social sciences and humanities to address the impact of burgeoning technologies that range from cyber espionage to cybersecurity and from artificial intelligence to blockchain assaults and autonomous weapons systems.

Promoting Resilience in Families of Young Children Experiencing Poverty-Related Stress

Madelyn H. Labella, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

Student researchers will work with the Williamsburg Early Head Start program to establish a community-engaged translational work program. Participants will conduct studies among families with young children that qualify for EHS services to assess stress experienced by both parents and children. The project will include data collection on stress and self-regulation among both children and parents and identify opportunities for intervention.

IDEA Hub Research-Based Collaboration

Eleanor T. Loiacono, Associate Professor of Business Analytics

An initiative building on a new William & Mary collaboration with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) , the IDEA Hub will engage student researchers in various issues surrounding employees with disabilities. One research project will study various assistive technologies used in UNHCR workplaces. A second will employ design thinking to bring new approaches to address and overcome the challenges faced by UNHCR employees with disabilities.

Republic of Georgia Veterans Project

Dan Maliniak, Associate Professor, Department of Government

Like Ukraine, the Republic of Georgia is a neighbor of Russia and was an entity of the Soviet Union. Georgia had its own war with Russia in 2008, and many Georgian soldiers fought alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The project will examine and the attitudes and experiences of Georgian veterans of the combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. William & Mary student-veterans will be especially encouraged to participate in literature reviews and interviews of veterans, some of which may be conducted on location in the Republic of Georgia.

Fusion Reactor Internship Program

Saskia Mordijck, Assistant Professor of Physics

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is a Massachusetts start-up that focuses on bringing fusion energy to reality. This incubator project will create internship opportunities for William & Mary undergrads and introduce them to scientific research opportunities outside of academia. The students will work with CFS scientists to develop models of plasma interaction inside a tokamak, a device that uses magnetic fields to contain plasma produced by fusion reactions. CFS is building SPARC, a new-generation tokamak that could demonstrate the viability of an energy-producing fusion reactor.

K-12 Asian American Studies Education Initiative

Deenesh Sohoni, Professor of Sociology /Director, Asian Pacific Islander Program & Esther Kim, Assistant Professor, School of Education

The K-12 Asian American Student Education (KAASE) is an ongoing collaboration collecting and collating the history of Asian Americans at William & Mary and across the commonwealth and nation. The incubator project has three goals: to train undergrad researchers in primary research methodologies to document the Asian American experience at W&M and throughout Virginia; to develop relevant course material for use by K-12 educators; and to obtain funding to train K-12 educators on the use of the materials.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

HAIKOU, April 12 (Xinhua)  Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called on Party cadres to make "every possible effort" to ensure that people can live happy lives.

"What the CPC cares about is how to make sure the lives of Chinese people of all ethnic groups are getting better everyday," Xi said while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan.

Noting that the CPC does not have its own interests, Xi said Party officials should not harbor any selfish interests, and they should devote themselves to the improvement of people's lives.

Xi walked into the homes of local ethnic Li people, and had cordial exchanges with village cadres and villagers.

At the village's public square, villagers extended warm welcome to Xi.

"We have attained a moderately prosperous society in all respects and are marching toward modernization and promoting common prosperity," Xi said, urging solid efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and align them with the full advancement of rural revitalization.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks with villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, speaks with villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

(Source: Xinhua)
Woodward, OK (73801)

Today

Windy. Cloudy skies will become sunny this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy and windy. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
New York police are searching for Frank James, the man who rented a U-Haul truck found near the scene of a shooting in Brooklyn. It is unclear his connection to the event.
What we know and don't know about the Brooklyn subway shooting
By The Associated Press

JUNEAU (AP)  Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, plans to visit Alaska this month, with a planned visit to the community at the center of a long-running dispute over a proposed land exchange aimed at building a road through a national wildlife refuge.

Haaland had planned to visit King Cove last year, but the trip never happened.

The Interior Department on April 4 said Haaland planned to visit several communities and sites in Alaska the week of April 17, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and King Cove.

Residents of King Cove have long so...
Weather Alert

...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...One to two feet of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...In New Jersey, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean and Southeastern Burlington. In Delaware, Inland Sussex and Delaware Beaches. * WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 7 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...At this level, widespread roadway flooding occurs in coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal waterways. Many roads become impassable. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Strong northeast winds will develop Saturday and continue through the beginning of next week. A prolonged period of elevated tides with multiple rounds of coastal flooding is likely starting Saturday evening and persisting through Monday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Coastal Flood Warning means that moderate or major tidal flooding is occurring or imminent. Be prepared for rising water levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Follow the recommendations of local emergency management officials. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged, leading to costly repairs. Visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service at water.weather.gov/ahps for additional water level and flood impact information for your local tide gauge. && Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour. Delaware Bay at Lewes MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 7.0 ft, Major 8.0 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 07/02 PM 6.2 1.5 3.0 Minor 08/02 AM 7.6 3.0 3.5 Moderate 08/03 PM 6.7 2.0 3.5 Minor 09/03 AM 7.2 2.5 3.2 Moderate 09/04 PM 6.4 1.8 3.0 Minor Atlantic Ocean at Atlantic City MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 7.0 ft, Major 8.0 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.4 ft, Moderate 2.4 ft, Major 3.4 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 07/01 PM 5.7 1.1 2.8 None 08/01 AM 7.1 2.5 3.2 Moderate 08/01 PM 6.0 1.4 3.2 Minor 09/02 AM 6.7 2.1 2.9 Minor 09/03 PM 5.9 1.3 2.8 None Great Egg Harbor Bay at Ocean City MLLW Categories - Minor 5.3 ft, Moderate 6.3 ft, Major 7.3 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 07/02 PM 5.4 1.4 2.6 Minor 08/02 AM 6.7 2.7 3.0 Moderate 08/02 PM 5.8 1.8 3.0 Minor 09/02 AM 6.4 2.4 2.8 Moderate 09/03 PM 5.5 1.5 2.6 Minor Cape May Harbor at Cape May MLLW Categories - Minor 6.2 ft, Moderate 7.2 ft, Major 8.2 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.1 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 3.1 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 07/02 PM 5.8 0.7 2.6 None 08/02 AM 7.5 2.4 3.2 Moderate 08/03 PM 6.4 1.3 3.1 Minor 09/02 AM 7.2 2.1 3.0 Moderate 09/03 PM 6.3 1.2 2.9 Minor Barnegat Bay at Barnegat Light MLLW Categories - Minor 3.5 ft, Moderate 4.5 ft, Major 5.5 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.0 ft, Moderate 2.0 ft, Major 3.0 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 07/01 PM 3.8 1.3 2.1 Minor 08/01 AM 4.9 2.4 2.7 Moderate 08/02 PM 4.3 1.8 2.6 Minor 09/02 AM 4.5 2.0 2.3 Moderate 09/03 PM 3.9 1.4 2.1 Minor &&
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FOCUS Wales to deliver best line-up yet as Wales cultural sector prepares for bumper few months

Wales arts and cultural sector is gearing up for its first full summer of live audience performances since before the pandemic.

Its been a difficult period for the industry which was one of the last to see the complete removal of capacity restrictions and the end of covid-19 passes.

However with nearly all the coronavirus restrictions now removed, many events that have either been unable to take place or have operated on a reduced scale are set to return to Wales over the coming months.

According to latest figures from 2019, events supported through Event Wales, backed by the Welsh Government, attracted 200,000 visitors to Wales which generated 33.35m in direct economic impact/net additional spend into Wales and supported more than 770 jobs in the wider tourism economy.

In Wrexham the team behind FOCUS Wales are preparing for their 11th edition of the event between the 5th and 7th of May.

Over the years the event has grown from strength to strength, and Mays event will see 250+ artists will fill out a variety of spaces and music venues around Wrexham, using 20 stages, and hosting a full schedule of interactive industry sessions, arts events, and film screenings, throughout the festival.

FOCUS Wales Co-Founder, Neal Thompson is looking forward to this years event, and sees how its been possible for an event rooted in Wrexham to achieve international recognition.

He said: This years Focus Wales will be more special than ever, given what weve all been through, and also helps build upon the excitement around Wrexhams bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025.

With Welsh Government support we have been able to not only survive but progress develop and, in May, will deliver our best line up yet.

Dubbed as the feel good event of the year, The Big Retreat, Pembrokeshire will take place in the tranquillity of the Lawrenny Estate from 3-6 June and has been voted one of the Top 5 Wellbeing & Adventure Festivals by The Guardian.

Amber Lort-Phillips, organiser of The Big Retreat Festival, said: The Big Retreat is set to offer visitors the very best in feelgood experiences in a beautiful setting in June this year.

With the help of Welsh Government funding, we will provide three unforgettable days in which to relax, reflect and re-boot  the perfect way to enjoy wonderful Welsh surroundings 

With its centenary year coinciding with the year that crowds and competitors return for the first time since the pandemic, the Urdd will be looking forward to welcoming everyone to one of Europes largest youth festivals, the National Urdd Eisteddfod, which will be held in Denbighshire during May half-term of 2022.

Events Wales funding will help support Gwyl Triban plans, a festival within a festival, scheduled for the final weekend of the Eisteddfod.

Held successfully in 2021 as part of the series of pilot events, as the sector returned to operation, Tafwyl returns to Cardiff Castle this year at full tempo, with a free weekend of festivities to celebrate the Welsh language and culture, including music, discussions, events, market and food.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: Wales home-grown events enrich the arts and cultural offer in our communities, provide a platform for emerging Welsh talent and often provide the basis for an event that goes onto gain international recognition for Wales.

Our widespread support for cultural events, alongside our support of sporting and business events, helps us sustain a balanced portfolio of events across Wales.

We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors back to indoor and outdoor events across Wales and to see them visiting other attractions and regions as part of their stay.

We recognise that it has been a hugely difficult period for the events sector and that there are still major challenges to overcome.

However, with support such as the Cultural Recovery Fund from the Welsh Government which has provided more than 108m of financial support to the cultural, creative, events and sport sectors, the sector can hopefully begin to plan ahead with more optimism.
Man sentenced after causing over 4,000 worth of delays on a train

A man who refused to get off a train, causing over 4,000 worth of delays, has been sentenced following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Kristiann Johan Jones, 50, and of Bodnant road, Llandudno, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, possession of class A drugs and obstructing an engine or carriage by not leaving a train when told to do so.

On Thursday 7 April at Mold Crown Court, he was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay 115 victim surcharge, attend rehabilitation sessions and be subjected to a three-month curfew and electronic monitoring.

The court heard how on the morning of 20 July 2021, Jones was travelling on a train from Chester to Holyhead. During the journey, the train conductor approached Jones to ask for his ticket.

Jones appeared to be asleep and didnt respond to the conductors attempts to wake him. The conductor went to check on other passengers before returning to Jones, but he remained still and silent.

Concerned for Jones welfare, the conductor reached for the phone which was next to him to check if there were any warning markers for medical conditions to explain his unresponsiveness.

Jones immediately woke up and became aggressive and abusive towards the conductor, threatening to smash his face and swearing at him.

The train conductor refused to let Jones travel any further and asked him multiple times to leave the service when it arrived at Flint railway station, but he wouldnt.

The train was held at the station due to Jones behaviour, until he finally left over 20 minutes later.

The delay cost the rail industry 4,241 in financial loss.

Officers attended and arrested Jones at the station and, upon search, found him to be in possession of two pills which he admitted to be ecstasy tablets.

BTP Sergeant Rob Thomas said: This situation could have been calmly resolved if Jones had responded and listened to the train conductor  who was simply doing their job  and indeed was concerned for his welfare. Instead he chose to abuse them and delay the train and the other passengers onboard, causing significant financial loss to the railway and inconvenience to other passengers.

Nobody should go to work fearing abuse or violence and the sentence imposed by the court shows this type of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated.

Rachel Heath, Head of Operations Delivery, Network Rail Wales and Borders said: This individuals actions were utterly unacceptable. Railway staff should not have to put up with abuse and hes disrupted passengers on a key route and cost taxpayers thousands of pounds. This sentence sends a strong message: we will not tolerate behaviour like this on the rail network.
Wrexham-based world leading aerospace company recognised with prestigious national award

A world-leading aerospace business based in Wrexham has secured prestigious national award.

Air Covers, based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, has been given the Queens Award for International Trade, by the Lord Lieutenant of Powys.

The award is the highest independent business accolade in the UK and reflects year on year growth by the specialist protective cover company.

Air Covers uses 3D Lidar scanning to create bespoke and form-fitting protection for helicopters, aircraft, boats and vehicles around the world.

Exporting more than 65% of their production, Air Covers has seen increasing demand for specialist protection from manufacturers in the UK and overseas.

The company recently won the contract to supply the fleet of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters with full protection while operating from HMS Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The company also won the contract to protect the Norwegian Search and Rescue helicopter fleet.

Managing Director John Pattinson, said: It was great to be able to thank so many of our key stakeholders, including our amazing Air Covers Team, Lesley Griffiths, Airbus, Wrexham Council and the International Trade Team for Wales.

As Ryan Reynolds says, moving to Wrexham is a choice you wont regret.

Lesley Griffiths, Member of the Senedd for Wrexham, who attended the presentation, added: Air Covers are fully deserving of this prestigious award.

I have closely followed John and the teams progress since they moved to Wrexham and I am proud a local business is continuing to manufacture state-of-the-art, bespoke products that are recognised and sought after all over the world.

Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the aerospace sector is thriving and the future is bright for Air Covers.
Walker Sands Names Dave Parro as New COO and Mark Miller as New CFO
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Producer

Jacob is the Executive Producer of News 3 This Morning. He joined the News 3 team in December of 2020 as 6 pm Producer. In October of 2021 he was promoted to Executive Producer. Jacob is a proud alum of SIU-Carbondale.
Londons Metropolitan Police have now issued fixed penalty notices to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Symonds and Chancellor Rishi Sunak for breaking pandemic lockdown restrictions.

The Met have been investigating the partygate scandal since January, assessing whether laws were broken at any of 12 gatherings held in Whitehall and Downing Street, including one in the prime ministers flat.

Chancellor of Exchequer Rishi Sunak briefing the Cabinet at the Prime Ministers weekly Cabinet meeting before delivering his Spring Statement to the House of Commons . 23/03/2022. (Picture by Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/Flickr)

Johnson repeatedly assured parliament that no parties were held, and no laws broken. Sunak is also on record stating in the House of Commons, No, I did not attend any parties. The government has insisted since the Met announced its intentions that people allow the police to do their job and wait for the results of the investigation.

The road on that strategy ran out yesterday. After an initial batch of 20 fines were issued last month, Johnson, Symonds and Sunak were among 30 additional penalty notices issued yesterday afternoon.

Downing Street released the text of the notice sent by the Met: On 19th June 2020 at the Cabinet Room 10 Downing Street between 1400 and 1500 you participated in a gathering of two or more people indoors in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street. The event in question was reportedly a surprise birthday party thrown for Johnson.

Johnson responded in a statement announcing he had paid the fine and offering a full apology. Claiming that it did not occur to me this might have been a breach of the rules, he continued, the police have found otherwise and I fully respect the outcome of their investigation.

Saying people had the right to expect better, he declared an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the British people, including ensuring Putin fails in Ukraine.

The news and Johnsons response will anger, though not shock, millions across the country who suffered extreme hardships by strictly observing public health procedures in an effort to control the COVID-19 virus.

The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group said there was no way either the prime minister or chancellor can continue, with spokesperson Lobby Akinnola calling them truly shameless and describing their actions as unbelievably painful. He continued, They broke the law. But even worse, they took us all for mugs.

A snap YouGov poll suggested three quarters of Britons believe Johnson lied about breaking lockdown rules and nearly 60 percent thought both he and Sunak should step down. A Savanta ComRes poll had the same result.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer made the inevitable call for resignations, saying, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign. The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.

The opposition parties have demanded an early recall of parliament from its Easter recess so that Johnson can face MPs.

The response of Tory MPs so far has been either a show of loyalty to Johnson or a commitment to delaying any reckoning.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader who was one of Johnsons loudest critics earlier in the year, demanding he resign, was one of the first to speak publicly. Calling Johnsons behaviour unacceptable and saying the prime minister would need to respond, he nevertheless insisted, in the middle of war in Europe, when Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes and the UK is Ukraines biggest ally, as President Zelensky said at the weekend, it wouldnt be right to remove the prime minister at this time.

Another prominent critic, Roger Gale, said there will come a time when the PM will have to face this, but now is not the moment, stressing our priorities have to be to deal with Ukraine. Andrew Bridgen said he was deeply disappointed but that he would take soundings from his local Conservative association before deciding what to do next.

MPs closer to Johnson were effusive. Amanda Milling declared, The PMs the right person to lead the country and get on with the job of delivering for the British people and protecting Ukraine from the tyranny of Russia. James Duddridge said, The PM should focus on Ukraine and delivering for the people of the UK.

Johnson tweeted pointedly that evening, Ive just spoken to [President Joe Biden] and updated him on my meeting with [President Zelensky] in Kyiv this weekend. Our joint focus remains on supporting President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.

No outcome is excluded. Johnson could be toppled by a vote of no confidence in him from Tory party MPs, though this seems unlikely; he could limp on for several more months, avoiding a leadership crisis during the May local elections, before being replaced; or he could yet ride the scandal out. What in previous times would have been a career ending eventJohnson is the first serving prime minister in history to be sanctioned for breaking the lawno longer is so, thanks to the authoritarian lurch in the Tory party and the complicity of the rightward careening Labour opposition.

The argument that Johnson cannot go because British imperialism needs stability while it helps to spearhead the NATO war drive against Russia was accepted by Starmer in early March. He said then, [W]hen it comes to standing up to Russian aggression whatever the challenges and frustrations and criticism I have of the Prime Minister, and Ive got many on this issue, there is unity, and its very important that we demonstrate that unity.

This was the outcome of Labours policy over partygate of ceding the initiative in the moves against Johnson to the frothing warmongers on the Tory backbenches. These forces threatened to pull the trigger on Johnson if he did not rapidly escalate Britains involvement in the anti-Russia campaign. Johnson obliged and has had Starmers pro-NATO support since.

The same right-wing militarism is dominating the latest round of calls for Johnsons resignation. SNP leader Ian Blackford told BBC News that the war in Ukraine was precisely why he should go We have our allies across the western world that are resolute in supporting our friends in Ukraine. But we cannot do when we have at the head of our government someone who is prepared to break the law, someone prepared to lie to parliament.

Making a comparison that has since been widely taken up in the media, he pointed out that Neville Chamberlain was replaced as prime minister by Winston Churchill during the Second World War because he was not considered to be fit for purpose. The Guardian s Polly Toynbee took things further, In both world wars, inadequate leaders were dumped unceremoniously for someone better suited for that serious and decisive role.

As for who would step into Churchills shoes, the Independent s Sean OGrady writes of a possible Johnson resignation, He could. Mariupol wont fall. Kyiv wont surrender. There will be no victory parade in Red Square just because the British prime minister is about to be replaced. After that, The easiest and best option would be to replace Johnson with the likes of [Foreign Secretary] Liz Truss or [Defence Secretary] Ben Wallace, the two biggest warmongers in the cabinet with the latter tipped until recently as a possible NATO secretary-general.

Toynbee spells out the agenda a replacement would be expected to more effectively enforce than the disgraced Johnson: God knows how long the war in Ukraine may last, but the time may come, before long, when citizens across Nato countries will be asked to make sacrifices, in energy, in supply lines, in taxes.

The discussion in political and media circles is utterly divorced from the concerns and interests of working people. Popular sentiment, overwhelmingly hostile to Johnson and contemptuous of the opposition parties, finds no expression whatsoever within the walls of parliament. Without an independent intervention by the working class, the renewed crisis in Downing Street will be used as another opportunity to shift politics in Britain further to the right.
On Friday, an arbitrator ruled that the two Buffalo police officers who violently assaulted a 75-year-old protester in June 2020, during the wave of protests sparked by the police murder of George Floyd, did not use excessive force and are to be reinstated on the force. During the attack, Martin Gugino was pushed to the ground, cracking his skull and causing brain damage.

In his decision, arbitrator Jeffrey Selchick wrote: Upon review, there is no evidence to sustain any claim that respondents (the two officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski) had any other viable options other than to move Gugino out of the way of their forward movement.

In justifying the two police officers, Selchick wrote: The use of force employed by respondents reflected no intent on their part to do more than to move Gugino away from them.

The ruling will mean McCabe and Torgalski, who were arrested and fired within days of the attack, will be fully reinstated to the Buffalo Police Department, and receive back pay and missed overtime.

Screenshot from footage of the assault on Martin Gugino by Buffalo Police taken by WBFO

Video of the assault shows Gugino along with other protesters peacefully standing on the sidewalk in front of Buffalo City Hall holding signs and chanting slogans, when a wall of police stretching across the sidewalk and street dressed in riot gear holding battens and some with their guns drawn begin marching to clear the street.

One video published by the Guardian shows Gugino trying to explain to the officers that they had a right to protest before he was shoved. So violently was Gugino pushed that he stumbled backwards for 6 or 7 feet before falling over backwards to the ground, cracking his head.

Further photos show police walking past Guginos prone body as blood pooled under his head on the sidewalk. Gugino spent about a month in a hospital with a fractured skull and brain damage. More than 300,000 people signed petitions demanding the two officers be fired.

The arbitrators ruling and the city governments decision should come as no surprise. It is the last in a series of steps taken to whitewash the police assault on Gugino. In February 2021, the District Attorney announced that no charges would be brought against the two officers, following the convening of a grand jury.

An attorney for Gugino, who is suing the city, told the Buffalo News that the ruling has no bearing on the suit, and was expected, since the police union and the city hired, selected and paid the arbitrator.

'We are not aware of any case where this arbitrator has ruled against on-duty police officers, so his ruling here on behalf of the police was not only expected by us, but was certainly expected by the union and city who selected and paid him,' Melissa Wischerath told the newspaper.

Gugino was one of millions of people of all races and nationalities who took part in a massive wave of protests following the police murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer who suffocated Floyd as by kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes.

The protests, among the largest in United States history, reflected the broad hatred within the population for the treatment meted out by the police to minorities, the working class and the poor.

The attack on Gugino was part of an assault by police and fascist forces throughout the country encouraged by then-President Donald Trump. More than 11,000 protesters were arrested throughout the country for such crimes as disorderly conduct or violating curfews. In dozens of cases, protesters such as Gugino, as well as journalists, were violently assaulted.

In response to the assault on Gugino, Trump backed the actions of police and falsely tweeted that Gugino staged the attack himself. The decision of the District Attorney to drop charges, and now the arbitrators decision to clear McCabe and Torgalski of all wrongdoing, underscores that all levels of the government back the police.

The police assault on protesters also corresponded to and was coordinated with the growth of extra-military and fascist forces that were also mobilized. In August 2020 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was permitted to walk past a police line while carrying his military-style semi-automatic rifle into a protest that erupted in Wisconsin after police shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back. Rittenhouse shot three protesters, killing two of them.

The buildup of fascist forces at the highest levels of the state led to the plot to kidnap and murder Michigan Governor Whitmer and culminated in the January 6, 2021 coup attempt directed by Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

However, in addition to police, courts and the growing fascist movement, the ruling class has also relied on a host of pseudo-left organizations to divert the mass movement of the working class behind the Democratic Party through the promotion identity politics, which presents race as the fundamental division in society and promotes illusions in reforming the police.

The massive protests that swept the nation in the summer of 2020 were largely diverted in this way by the Black Lives Matter movement and pseudo-left organizations who claimed that the election of Democrats in general and the elevation of more African Americans into public office in particular would lead to the reform of the police. In addition to the election of former Vice President Joe Biden, who as president has pushed for even more funding for police departments, a number of African Americans were elected mayors of major US cities, including Eric Adams in New York, Lori Lightfoot in Chicago and Edward Gainey in Pittsburgh.

In Buffalo, Byron Brown was re-elected for his fifth term. Brown, who is black, was defeated in the Democratic primary by India Walton, who is also African American, and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Walton herself grew up in Buffalos impoverished East Side. She later lived just south of the city of Buffalo in Lackawanna, the former site of a sprawling Bethlehem Steel factory that once employed thousands of steel workers. In her election, Walton used her background and her socialist label to claim that she represented the interests of Buffalos working class and poor.

However, Waltons political program posted on her website made no mention of capitalism or socialism. If one were to read her program, one would have no idea that the problems of Buffaloextreme poverty, low wages, a poor education system, police violence and political corruptionare endemic across America and the entire world and are the product of the capitalist system.

Responding to his defeat in the primary, Brown launched a successful independent write-in campaign, with the backing of major Democratic party officials and the unionsincluding the Buffalo Police Benevolent Associationas well as many Republican officials and backers.

Browns rehiring of the two police officers further underscores the need for the working class to organize independently of the two big business parties, into its own party which will fight for a socialist transformation.
In what amounts to a provocative maneuver by the United States to snub Chinas comprehensive response to their worst COVID-19 outbreak since the start of the pandemic, the US State Department ordered all non-emergency US consulate staff and their families to depart from Shanghai amid a massive effort to contain the community spread of infections.

On Tuesday, a reporter asked State Department spokesman Ned Price, Can you speak to the decision and particularly that it was based on the COVID restrictions, or do you view themChina says they are based on scienceso, do you view them as onerous, as severe as a violation of folks freedom of movement, or anything like that?

Workers line up to get their throat swab at a coronavirus testing site, Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Price affirmed that the order was given was due to the spread of COVID-19 and the restrictions that have been imposed. He said, This reflects at its core our assessment that it is best for our employees and their families to temporarily reduce in-country staffing as we deal with changing circumstances on the ground.

It is not the scale of infections that has troubled the State Department and White House. The recent super-spreader events involving high-ranking Senate and Congress members have demonstrated that pandemic controls have become a meaningless concept in Washington. Regarding restrictions and supply shortages, Price admitted that the Beijing Consulate is assisting with these efforts. It would be preposterous to assume that the staff in Shanghai is remotely in want of any food or medical attention.

The mandatory evacuation is, in short, a calculated political maneuver to discredit Chinese authorities at a moment when all efforts are being employed to contain the outbreak of the highly contagious Omicron BA.2 subvariant that has swept across the globe. Counterfactually, the White House could have supported Beijings efforts or remained silent altogether. This is neither a wartime scenario, nor are the consulate staff in any immediate or existential danger.

Commenting on this development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian forcefully stated during yesterdays press briefing:

First, Chinas anti-epidemic policy is based on science and works effectively. We have every confidence in bringing the new wave of COVID-19 under control in Shanghai and elsewhere. Many foreign nationals, including US citizens in Shanghai, are pulling together with the people of Shanghai in solidarity to combat the virus and overcome the current difficulties. Second, competent Chinese authorities and local governments have always provided foreign diplomatic and consular personnel in China with assistance and convenience to the maximum extent possible for their fulfillment of duties pursuant to international conventions and under relevant policies. The line of communication between China and the US also remains open. Third, we are strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to the US politicizing the issue of personnel departure and using it as a tool. We have made solemn representations with the US side. The US should immediately stop attacking Chinas anti-epidemic policies, stop politically manipulating the epidemic and stop smearing China.

These high-level maneuvers are underway as Shanghai public health officials have begun to stabilize the situation and are attempting to ease harsh restrictions where appropriate.

On Monday, authorities reported a significant decline in new COVID-19 cases across the megacity of over 25 million people. After posting a high of 26,087 COVID cases on April 11, the next day the daily case count had dropped to 23,381. Overall, across mainland China, new cases declined by almost 3,000 to 24,659, including in Jilin Province when it was the epicenter of the outbreak in early March.

While day-to-day fluctuations will occur, there appears to be a declining trajectory of the outbreak in Shanghai as a result of the strict lockdowns imposed in late March. When cases began rapidly climbing in Shanghai, Beijing demanded the financial hub embrace Zero-COVID after they had taken a somewhat looser mitigationist approach, which allowed the virus to become more entrenched throughout the city.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan was dispatched to tour Shanghai during the initial phases of its lockdown, urging unswerving adherence to Chinas anti-epidemic policies. She noted during her tour of the city, It is an arduous task and huge challenge to combat the Omicron variant while maintaining the normal operation core functions in a megacity with a population of 25 million.

Shanghai has undergone three rounds of citywide testing to locate every infection. Presently, strict lockdowns have been lifted for about 4.8 million residents, who live in the suburbs of Shanghai, and 500,000 within the citys precautionary areas where zero positive cases have been reported for over 14 days. According to a Shanghai-based newspaper, these include 10,323 local communities, villages, companies or sites [that] have been categorized as precautionary areas, where residents are allowed to walk out from their neighborhoods.

However, 15 million people remain under a strict lockdown order in neighborhoods where positive cases had recently been reported. They will remain under lockdown for another seven days, then follow another week of health observation. There are close to 2,700 controlled areas where no positive cases have been identified in the past seven days, encompassing nearly 2 million residents who have greater mobility within their communities.

Since March 1, 2022, Chinese health officials have registered more than 325,000 COVID-19 cases, with the vast majority asymptomatic. Shanghai has had more than 10,000 cases per day for more than 10 consecutive days. During a press conference on Tuesday, National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said that although it appears that cases have been effectively contained, case rates remain high, and it will still require some time to emerge from the outbreak.

The steady containment of BA.2, the most infectious and immune-resistant variant of SARS-CoV-2 to evolve so far, is compelling. Repeatedly, capitalist world governments have criminally accepted living with the virus and allowing a significant portion of their population to become infected, hospitalized and die. But in China, the virus is once again being brought to heel, underscoring the capacity for countries to halt the trajectory of infections.

The experience in China once again shows that it is entirely possible to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 in ever-widening geographic areas. The false, unscientific claim that the virus is endemic is belied by the struggle of Chinese health authorities, who continue to have huge popular support in the working class.

On Monday, Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the Health Emergencies Programme at the World Health Organization, for the first time spoke out against the use of the term endemic to describe SARS-CoV-2, saying, Endemic disease requires strong control programmes to reduce infections, suffering, and death. So, just changing from pandemic to endemic is just changing the label, which doesnt change the challenge we face.

Meanwhile, South Africa has confirmed two additional Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5. Regarding this development, Dr. Tulio De Oliveira of CERI in South Africa tweeted, New Omicron BA.4 & BA.5 detected in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and the UK. Early indications that these new sublineages are increasing as a share of genomically confirmed cases in South Africa. He added, No cause for alarm as no major spike in cases, admissions or deaths in South Africa.

These new subvariants are problematic because they contain the addition of an amino acid at the L452R receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. The mutation was present in the Delta, Kappa, and Lambda variants and is associated with increased infectivity and virulence, making the discovery of these versions extremely troubling.
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, with the first round of the French presidential elections still in the balance, Jean-Luc Melenchon of the Unsubmissive France (LFI) party rushed to concede and endorse Frances reactionary incumbent president, Emmanuel Macron. Shortly afterwards, LFI suddenly announced Melenchons political retirement.

The timing of these announcements was extraordinary. Melenchon would go on to win 22 percent of the vote, only 300,000 votes behind neofascist candidate Marine Le Pen, and hundreds of thousands of Melenchon votes in the Paris area were only beginning to be counted. Yet Melenchon immediately conceded defeat and called to support Macron against Le Pen. In front of rolling TV cameras, he repeatedly chanted, We must not give a single voice to Mrs. Le Pen.

Later in the evening, as Paris area votes were counted, Melenchons votes surged ahead: it was unclear until after 1 a.m. on Monday whether Melenchon might not defeat Le Pen and advance to the runoff against Macron. LFIs decision to concede defeat under these conditions and announce the retirement of its leader and presidential candidate was astonishingly self-defeating.

To argue that Melenchon has lost, and the issue is settled is to falsify the political situation. LFI, viewed objectively, is in a very powerful position. With 7.7 million votes, it carried the youth and the working-class districts of 10 of Frances 16 largest cities, including the Paris area, Marseille and Toulouse. These forces will undoubtedly play central roles in strikes and protests that will break out against either Frances president of the rich or its first neofascist president.

Jean-Luc Melenchon in June, 2013. (Photo by Pierre-Selim)

What is revealed in these events is the cowardly, petty-bourgeois character of LFI and Melenchon, and the class gulf separating LFI and other, similar pseudo-left parties in France from a Trotskyist party oriented to the working class. Instead of seeking to consolidate its vote and build a movement in the working class, LFI is desperate to throw away all the strength built up and to jump into bed with Macron.

The Parti de legalite socialiste (PES), the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), has called for an active boycott of the Macron-Le Pen runoff. Whichever candidate wins will form an extreme-right government that will violently attack the working class. The PES calls on workers and youth not to vote in these elections, to reject the poisoned choice between the president of the rich and Frances best-known neofascist, and to campaign to build a movement in the working class against whichever candidate wins.

Melenchon and LFI, on the other hand, clearly reacted with shock and horror at the result. In late March, when Melenchon was still stuck around 11 percent in the polls, he gave a campaign speech in Marseille in which he noted that, though he is turning 70, he still intended to continue playing an active role in French political life. Melenchon said he would no doubt go on other campaigns after the current elections were over.

Melenchons enthusiasm for his political future evaporated, however, after masses of workers and youth rallied to his campaign in the two weeks before the election. Speaking to his supporters on Sunday night, as he found himself suddenly in a very strong electoral position, possibly advancing to the second round, Melenchon took on a deeply pessimistic and discouraged tone.

After conceding, Melenchon made an obscure reference to the Greek myth of Sisyphus and stressed his fear of the anger of his supporters. He said, The only task that we have to give ourselves is the one accomplished by the myth of Sisyphus, the stone falls to the bottom of the ravine, we take it back up. I know your anger, do not let it make you commit errors that would be irreparable. As long as life continues, the fight continues.

Melenchons reference to the myth of Sisyphus perhaps said more than he intended. In this myth, Sisyphus is condemned in the underworld to roll a heavy stone up a hill, but the stone always rolls down just as it reaches the top. It is worth asking: why does Melenchon compare LFI members and supporters to a man eternally fated by the gods to fail just as he reaches his goal?

The financial aristocracy that Melenchon worships is very happy for millions of workers to vote LFI and push it up the hill, as long as LFI rolls back down as it reaches the top. LFI and Melenchon get access to the media and state posts because everyone in the ruling establishment, from Melenchons associates in the billionaire Dassault clan to the LFI leadership itself, knows the terms of the deal. Melenchon must fail to get elected, and workers supporting him are to emerge from the elections disappointed, demoralized, and passive.

Melenchons fear of his supporters anger on election night stems from the fact that the mass support he obtained threatens to disturb this bargain. There is clearly mass support for a left-wing policy, and more radical demands could win him support not only in the cities, but from angry small-town workers now voting for Le Pen. Millions of workers could emerge not disappointed and isolated, but energized and expecting a left-wing policy from Melenchon, including him becoming president. This, Melenchon cannot tolerate.

In a remarkable outburst, Melenchon tartly told his supporters he would abandon them if they expected him to do better than third place: Of course the younger ones will tell me, So we havent gotten there yet. You think its not far away, huh? Well, do better yourselves, thank you.

Asked about this embittered remark, LFI officials diplomatically told the media that Melenchon was inviting younger generations to take over the job of LFI presidential candidate, as Melenchon would not run again. Speaking to Le Parisien, they speculated that after leaving politics, he might open up a foundation with a large initial capital, the La Boetie Institute, aiming to train political cadre, high-ranking government officials and launch international debates and initiatives.

Yesterday, LFI sources walked back these remarks, saying that Melenchon is considering running in the June 12 legislative elections, where campaigning will begin just after the presidential elections, and in other elections as well. It seems that in reality, Melenchons retirement will last only until a right-wing or neofascist president is installed.

A Trotskyist party in his position could call its millions of voters to mount protests and strikes against the danger of a NATO war with Russia, rapidly rising prices for energy and food that are ruining workers, or Macrons failure to fight against COVID-19 contagion. Such strikes, mobilizing broad sections of workers in most of Frances major cities, could rapidly bring the French economy to a halt. It could become the starting point to a powerful, international struggle by the working class against war, the pandemic, and the impoverishment of the population.

Melenchon is not a Trotskyist, however, but former social-democratic minister and anti-Marxist left populist, leading a middle-class party that rejects socialist revolution, proclaiming instead an era of the people, not the working class. As such, Melenchon opposes mobilizing working-class opposition to war, austerity or the pandemic.

Melenchon is not inactive in the presidential elections, moreover, but working behind the scenes in secret talks with representatives of the super-rich. Yesterday, at a campaign stop, Macron said he is exchanging text messages with Melenchon, though Macron refused to say what they discussed, stating that it was a private discussion.

Remarkably, Melenchon is not even engaging in bankrupt horse-trading over what conditions he will demand Macron meet before agreeing to call his voters to vote for Macron. He places no limits on what measures Macron will take against the workers. Rather, he plans to deliver his voters, bound hand and foot, to Frances widely despised president of the rich.

This entire episode makes very clear the reactionary political mechanics through which the French ruling elite divides and suppresses explosive working-class opposition and manages to install right-wing candidates like Macron or Le Pen despite mounting working-class anger.

It is also a confirmation of the correctness of the PESs analysis that there is a powerful basis in the working class and youth for a left-wing, revolutionary policy that can and must be mobilized. Since pseudo-left parties like LFI cannot and will not mobilize this opposition, it is critical instead to support the campaign of the PES for an active boycott, mobilizing workers against both Macron and Le Pen, and to build the PES as the alternative to LFI.
In the wake of the recently revealed Solomon Islands security deal with China, New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has declared that Pacific leaders will want greater clarity from Honiara. She is pushing to bring forward the June meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to intensify pressure on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

The security cooperation agreement between the Solomon Islands and China, reportedly close to being signed, will potentially give the Chinese military scope to operate within the Pacific Island state.

The draft agreement leaked online on March 25 met with an uproar in Canberra, Wellington and Washington. Mahuta said the pact will destabilise the current institutions and arrangements that have long underpinned the Pacific regions security. Australias Defence Minister Peter Dutton accused China of using incredibly aggressive tactics to expand its presence in the region.

Sogavare denounced the backlash as very insulting. He accused Canberra and Wellington of treating the region as their backyard. He pointed to discussions in the Australian public media encouraging the invasion of Solomon Islands to force a regime change to stop the deal. He denied there were plans to allow China to establish a military base in the Solomons.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (Photo: solomons.gov.sb)

Dutton flatly rejected the assurance, also given by China, saying: I dont think its sincere, and I think its propaganda that should be called out. A spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry stated that countries in the region should respect Solomon Islands sovereignty and its independent decisions.

After meeting with Fijis Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama late last month, Mahuta declared the 18-member PIF would need to examine the impact of the agreement on the region. While formally noting that the Solomons can exercise their sovereignty, she suggested that could be over-ridden by concerns about the reverberative impact across the Pacific and regional security interests.

These statements, implicitly questioning the Solomons right to determine its own foreign and defence arrangements, highlight the neo-colonial character of New Zealands relations with Pacific countries.

The Labour Party-led government usually tries to mask New Zealands predatory interests with a veneer of cultural sensitivity and humanitarian concern. Last November Mahuta told an Institute of International Affairs audience that her new Pacific Resilience policy was not anti-Chinese, but to do with people-to-people relationships and reengaging with the culture of Aotearoa [New Zealand] and the Pacific.

Australia and New Zealand, along with Washington, are determined to shut China out of the South Pacific. Any local government that fails to accede is soon targeted. In 2018, the Australian media launched a hysterical campaign based on false reports that Vanuatu was about to allow China a permanent naval facility. In 2021 further unfounded allegations about a Chinese military base in Kiribati generated dire predictions about changes to the balance of power in the Pacific. China had offered to help rebuild an airstrip on isolated Kanton Island for civilian use.

The New Zealand government is in lockstep with its Australian counterpart over the Solomon Islandsas it is aligned with the US and NATO in the war with Russia over Ukraine. Amid the eruption of geo-political tensions unleashed by the Biden administrations targeting both Russia and China, every country is being forced into line.

In a sign that Washington is preparing to intervene directly and aggressively, the Financial Times reported last week that Kurt Campbell, the US National Security Council Co-ordinator for the Indo-Pacific, along with top State Department official Daniel Kritenbrink, will visit the archipelago this month.

The outcry over the Solomon Islands is being exploited to intensify the military and diplomatic offensive against Chinas presence in the Pacific. Recriminations have been mounting that the local imperialist powers have taken their eye off the ball over their influence in the region.

In New Zealand, former foreign minister Winston Peters accused Labour of neglect, telling Radio NZ on March 28, we needed to intensify our interests in the Pacific. Peters, leader of the right-wing populist NZ First Party, played a major role in the 2017-2020 Labour-led coalition government. He launched the countrys Pacific Reset policy in 2018, aimed at pushing back against Beijings influence, and repeatedly called for the US to boost its military presence in the region.

Former Australian Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has appeared in the NZ media saying the threat China poses in the Pacific is real, and NZ must act. Rudd told TVNZ on April 3 that the Solomons deal was a disturbing development. He claimed Beijing had a direct interest in establishing the ability to interdict the lines of communication between Australia and the US in the event of a crisis, while protecting its economic interests around fisheries.

Rudd emphasised that Canberra and Wellington should deal with Beijing together, rather than being picked off individually. In an interview with the Listener, he urged New Zealand and Australia to pool military resources and establish comprehensive, expansive joint maritime and aerial surveillance of the South-West Pacific.

The Australian government has just announced a major multi-billion dollar upgrade to defence spending, including advanced hypersonic missiles capable of attacking China. New Zealands opposition National and ACT Parties reciprocated, calling for military spending to be raised to 2 percent of GDP, an increase of 0.5 percentage points or about $NZ1.7 billion.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern pointed out in parliament that such an increase would lead to cuts in public services. In fact, last years budget provided a massive boost to the Defence Force. An extra $NZ676.5 million was allocated for readiness and frontline capability, alongside $898 million towards replacing the ageing Hercules planes with new aircraft designed to provide interoperability with US forces.

The rapidly escalating diplomatic and military tensions across the Pacific, highlighted by the Solomon Islands estrangement, intersects with the war drive in Europe. On Friday, in a speech following high-level meetings among NATO Foreign Ministers, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had agreed to step up cooperation with our partners in the Asia-Pacific. The statement followed intense lobbying by Canberra.

While New Zealand is not a member of NATO, it is one of a few countries referred to as partners across the globe that contribute to NATO-led defence operations. Mahuta attended the NATO meeting online. Stoltenberg hypocritically declared: We have seen that China is unwilling to condemn Russias aggression. And Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path. This is a serious challenge to us all. NATO will provide Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea with practical and political cooperation in the areas of cyber, new technology, and countering disinformation.
The European Union is massively expanding its arms supplies to Ukraine. This was decided by the EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. In concrete terms, it was agreed that the joint military aid would be increased by 500 million to 1.5 billion, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell after the meeting.

The EU powers left no doubt as to what their goal is: They want to inflict a military defeat on Russia in Ukraine. Put the emphasis on weapons deliveries, Borrell explained after he travelled to Kiev with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last weekend. Sanctions were important, but would not solve the problem of the Battle of Donbas. Let it be clearly stated, Borrell said, The war will be decided in the battle for Donbas.

Annalena Baerbock in Luxemburg on April 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke at last weeks NATO summit in Brussels of the looming massive confrontation. The Battle of Donbas will remind you of the Second World War with its large-scale operations and manoeuvres, the use of thousands of tanks, armoured vehicles, aircraft and artillery, he said.

This is exactly what the EU and NATO powers are preparing for with the delivery of arms to the Ukrainian army. It is none other than German imperialism, which waged a war of annihilation against the Soviet Union during the Second World War, that is increasingly taking the lead. After initially hesitating, the German government is now advocating the delivery of heavy weaponry to defeat Russia in Donbas.

What is clear is that Ukraine needs more military equipment, especially heavy weaponry, said Green Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Ministers Meeting. Now is not the time for excuses, but the time for creativity and pragmatism. And it is precisely with a view to issues such as replacement materials and training that it is important to support Ukraine together as quickly as possible.

Germany has already massively supplied weapons to Ukraine, including thousands of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. The weapons also go to far-right forces within the Ukrainian armed forces and the so-called territorial defence of the country. The planned delivery of tanks and other heavy weaponry will intensify the war and create a military conflict with the nuclear-armed power Russia.

According to a report by the daily Handelsblatt, the German arms giant Rheinmetall is preparing to supply tanks to Kiev. According to Group CEO Armin Papperger, this includes the Leopard 1 battle tank, the predecessor model of the Leopard 2 currently used by the German army. The first Leopard 1 could be delivered in six weeks, stated Papperger. In total, Rheinmetall could hand over up to 50 tanks of this type to Ukraine.

Also under discussion is a delivery of the Marder armoured personnel carrier. Here, too, Rheinmetall has declared its willingness to deliver 50 to 60 decommissioned Marder armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine, wrote Handelsblatt. According to Papperger, the first 10 to 20 could be ready within six weeks.

An aggressive campaign is underway in the political establishment and the media to deliver the heavy equipment as quickly as possible. Germany must now act quickly, urged Reinhard Veser in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. To force a defeat of Russia in this war requires the combination of economic pressure on Russia and military support for Ukraine.

In a detailed article, Der Spiegel praised the merits of German tanks in the war against Russia. In Ukraine, the Marder could play an important role and help the armed forces of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invaders. The Marders would roll into battle alongside main battle tanks and secure them together with other military vehicles. They would bring groups of tank grenadiers forward into battle and in the offensive they would try to take out enemy tanks with attacks.

The activities and statements of leading government politicians indicate that arms deliveries are being prepared in a timely manner. If the Ukrainians want the tank [Leopard 1], and they have signalled this to me, then we should find a way to make it happen, said Marcus Faber, defence policy spokesman for the Free Democratic Party (FDP) parliamentary group in the German parliament.

Germany made an undertaking by deciding to support Ukraine with arms. As a result of this obligation to continue to support the country, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck stated, Weapons must be delivered quickly, because the attack of the Russian troops on the east of Ukraine will soon be imminent.

Significantly, the chairpersons of the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and EuropeMichael Roth (Social Democrats, SPD), Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) and Anton Hofreiter (Greens)travelled to Ukraine yesterday for talks. The three politicians from the traffic light coalition partners are vehement advocates of heavy arms deliveries and can hardly control their demands for war against Russia.

In addition to the Marder, Hofreiter also pleaded for the supply of heavy sniper rifles such as the G-82 before his departure. This had a 12.7-millimetre projectile and could break the armoured vehicles of the Russian National Guard. Strack-Zimmermann informed the Ukrainian ambassador and notorious Russian hater Andrij Melnyk in Der Spiegel s Spitzengesprach discussion format: If you send tanks, you have to want to win. ... Their soldiers must master this, otherwise they would really be cannon fodder for the Russians.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Hofreiter, Strack-Zimmermann and Roth once again spoke out in favour of further arms deliveries and a halt to imports of Russian oil as quickly as possible and a clear EU perspective for Ukraine. There are likely to be broad majorities in the federal parliament for this. Germany must take on even more responsibility, they demand in the document, according to the German Press Agency (DPA).

At the same time, the three deputies criticised the refusal to invite Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), who had planned a visit to Kiev together with the president of Poland and the three Baltic states. Although Steinmeier played a central role as German foreign minister in the right-wing coup in Kiev in 2014, he also maintained diplomatic relations with Russia, for which he was criticized despite public apologies.

On Tuesday evening, the Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin announced that Chancellor Olaf Scholz had been invited to Kiev. We also communicated this in such a way that my president and the government would be very happy about it, said Melnyk on German television. The visit was supposed to be about how Germany can support the Ukrainian army with heavy weapons in the fight against Russia.

Scholz also called for further arms deliveries on Monday. In the past, we have armed Ukraine with weapons and equipped it with anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition, and many other things. And we will continue to support Ukraine, Scholz stressed. This is done in close cooperation and in consultation with all our friends. There will be no going it alone, but always joint and carefully considered action.

This amounts to a warning. Currently, NATO and the EU are acting together to flood Ukraine with weapons and to use Putins reactionary invasion as a pretext for widespread war against Russia itself. The danger of a third world war waged with nuclear weapons is thus increasing immensely.

The planned arms deliveries are done out of good ethical intent, but are potentially a path to the third world war, warned the military-political adviser of former chancellor Angela Merkel, former brigadier general Erich Vad, in comments to the DPA. In doing so, he indirectly admitted that the imperialist powers are the main warmongers. We had exactly the same acceptance of thousands of dead civilians in Iraq, in Libya, in Afghanistan, he said. So far, the so-called collateral damage in Ukraine has in fact been much lower than in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Directed by Joachim Trier; written by Trier and Eskil Vogt

The Worst Person in the World is a film by Norwegian director Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31st, Louder Than Bombs and Thelma). The film was nominated for the Palme dOr at the 2021 Cannes film festival and Renate Reinsve, the films lead performer, won the Best Actress award at the same event. Triers film was also named the Best Foreign Language film by the New York Film Critics Circle and one of the Top Five Foreign Language Films by the National Board of Review. It was nominated as well for an Academy Award in the Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film categories, but did not triumph.

Reinsve plays Julie, a young woman in her late 20s living in Oslo (she turns 30 in the course of the film). We first see her as a medical student. She gives that up for psychology, then for photography and, for a time, writing. She takes up with a number of men. The most important of those are Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie), a comic book artist 15 years her senior, and Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), who works in a coffee shop.

Julie has a difficult relationship with her father, Per Harald (Vidar Sandem), who divorced her mother and has a second family. He largely neglects her. In addition to uncertainty as to her career path, Julie is conflicted about whether or not to have children. After Julies break-up with Aksel, he develops cancer. Meanwhile she becomes dissatisfied with Eivind, because he is not ambitious enough.

Julie is not, of course, the worst person in the world, nor is anyone else here. But the filmmakers, who unreservedly accept the life-conditions and ideological assumptions of the Oslo petty bourgeoisie as the entire contents of their artistic and psychological universe, might have considered scrutinizing her conduct more carefully, or at least calling into question her and their assumptions.

Renate Reinsve in The Worst Person in the World

Instead, apparently, we are meant to sympathize with Julie when she feels ignored at a launch party for one of Aksels books and later during a family dinner when he complains bitterly about how his artistic efforts have been made respectable. She leaves, or yawns and looks unhappy. It would be better, she must be thinking, if it were her book being launched and if she had the floor at the family event. What if we draw the conclusion, on the other hand, that Julie is rather self-centered? Furthermore, does the possibility exist that Aksel is more interesting and talented than she, and that she might learn something from him?

And there is the moment when Julie angrily upbraids Eivind because his response to one of her writings is not informed or sophisticated enough and, on top of that, angrily asks him if he will be satisfied serving coffee until he is 50. The filmmakers may be encouraging a somewhat more unfavorable attitude here. Whether they are or not, one is certainly tempted to find her a self-pitying snob in such scenes.

Julie is not always unappealing by any means and her behavior is entirely reasonable much of the time. However, in her own quiet fashion, at critical junctures, she can be quite selfish and ruthless.

In any event, that is not the principal problem. The reader may have gathered by this time that a greater concern is the largely inconsequential character of the themes and situations taken up in The Worst Person in the World.

There are promising images of Oslo in the film. We would like to know what is going on in this or that neighborhood, behind the closed doors, or in the port area. The film actually hems us in.

Oslo in The Worst Person in the World

The problem is not even the specific milieu as such. Significant drama exists everywhere, if it is sought out. Norway is frequently perceived as a social paradise, at least by comparison with the brutality and inequality of the US, where the social safety net has all but been done away with and the desperate are left to fend for themselves. However, Norway is riven by a deep social gulf, the WSWS has pointed out. A 2018 report noted that the richest 10 percent of Norwegians own 60 percent of the countrys wealth. The top 1 percent controls 21 percent of total wealth.  Statistics Norway researcher Rolf Aaberge compared the levels of wealth inequality in the country to those found in Britain and France. Norway was also, of course, the scene of one of the most horrific far-right mass murders, the July 2011 killing of 77 people by fascist Anders Breivik.

Certain problems and situations lead on to important discoveries about life, whereas others dont. A critic asserts that the themes of The Worst Person in the World are very important: who do you fall in love with? Who is the one? When do you realise that you are just settling? Dilemmas can be of the smallest scope, but, in the final analysis, they need to speak to the immense social collisions of the time. Otherwise, why will anyone bother about them? Who will they affect deeply?

The German novelist Theodor Fontane, in the late 19th century, described the theme of one his books in these terms: A great idea, a great moment, breaks into very simple human conditions. The editor of Fontanes novel goes on to suggest that the incongruity between spectacular deeds and mediocre doers  has become one of the most terrible themes of our age. But, in Triers film, along with others today, we witness insignificant ideas breaking into very simple human conditions, we encounter mediocre deeds and mediocre doers.

Anders Danielsen Lie in The Worst Person in the World

In Henrik Ibsens The Pillars of Society (1877), a small Norwegian towns richest and most prominent citizen, Karsten Bernick, a shipbuilder, runs into difficulty when his wifes younger brother returns from America after 15 years. The central pillar of the community had escaped vexing problems by blaming various misdeeds on the departing young man. Now they come back to haunt him. At the plays conclusion, Bernick publicly accepts responsibility for his actions and is more or less forgiven by the townspeople.

The Russian Marxist Plekhanov commented sardonically about the plays message: If you play about with actresses, you must own up to it, and not wrongfully accuse your neighbours. The same with money: if no one has stolen your money, you must not pretend that you have been robbed.  Let everyone obey this noble morality, and the age of ineffable social welfare will soon dawn.

A mountain has produced a mouse! Plekhanov exclaimed. In this fine drama the spirit has revolted only in order to calm down, by uttering one of the most trite and boring commonplaces. It can hardly be necessary to add that such an obviously childish resolution of the dramatic conflict could not fail to detract from the plays aesthetic merit.

It can hardly be necessary to add that if Plekhanov was correct about such a relatively gigantic figure as Ibsen, and he was, what are we to conclude about our contemporary Norwegian mountains?
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Indiana... White River at Elliston. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Indiana... Illinois... Wabash River at Lafayette down to Riverton. White River at Edwardsport. .Recent rainfall is leading to minor flooding in Indiana along most of the Wabash River and the White River at Edwardsport. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL LATE FRIDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at Montezuma. * WHEN...Until late Friday morning. * IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Park in southern Montezuma begins to flood. Higher bottomlands begin to flood. Water backs up most local tributaries. River water is at the top of some private levees. Lowest county roads begin to flood. Parke CR 75 W begins to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:45 PM EDT Friday the stage was 15.9 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 8:45 PM EDT Friday was 15.9 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 19.9 feet early Sunday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late Thursday evening. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
13:49 | Huancayo (Junin region), Apr. 13.





The issuance of the Safe Travels Stamp will provide income and jobs to 150,000 households.





The Regional Government of Junin has granted the certificate of recognition to 16 new destinations, thus joining a list of 39 destinations that were awarded the stamp in previous months.





Junin Governor Fernando Orihuela explained that, so far, 55 tourist destinations have been awarded this tourism quality stamp, which recognizes them as safe places and provides peace of mind to visitors as they explore them.



Below is a list of the attractions that have received the prestigious Safe Travels Stamp in Junin:

In Mantaro Valley:

-Historic town of Llocllapampa -Hot Springs in Huajal, Jauja -Santa Rosa de Ocopa Convent (Concepcion) -Capilla del Copon (Chongos Bajo) -Nahuimpuquio Lake (Ahuac) -Campana de la Brena Museo Historic House Museum (Pucar) -Unish Kuto Archaeological Site (San Jeronimo de Tunan), among others

In the high-Andean region:

-Town of San Pedro de Cajas, province of Tarma

In the central rainforest region:

-Zhaveta Zoo (La Merced) -D'dago Small Farm (San Luis de Shuaro-Chanchamayo) -Tourist restaurants and hotels





About Safe Travels





The Safe Travels stamp allows travellers and other Travel & Tourism stakeholders to recognize destination authorities and companies around the world that have implemented health and hygiene protocols that are aligned with WTTC's Global Safe Travels Protocols.





In October 2020, Peru received the Safe Travels Stamp so that its tourist destinations can be recognized as safe and of quality.





(END) PTM/MAO/RMB

To date, 55 tourist attractions in the central Andean region of Junin have earned the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) , the world's first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism, designed specifically to address COVID-19.Published: 4/13/2022
Notifications

Since the last Committee meeting in October 2021, the WTO Secretariat had received a total of 71 notifications under various provisions of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures, 69 of which were listed for the consideration of the Committee.

Regarding the Annual Questionnaire for 2021, the chair of the Committee, Mr Hsin-lung Hung of Chinese Taipei, stressed that as of 8 April only 39 members had submitted their replies. The chair noted that transparency was one of the key pillars of the rulesbased multilateral trading system and encouraged all members to submit their import licensing notifications.

He also reminded members that they are required to notify their import licensing regulations and changes to these regulations within 60 days of publication. In addition, all WTO members are required to submit their replies to the Annual Questionnaire by 30 September.

The delegate of Ukraine noted that his government was doing everything possible under the present conditions to ensure that businesses could continue to operate uninterrupted, including by obtaining import licences through electronic means. Many members took the floor to express their strong opposition to the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian delegate responded by saying that the WTO was not the proper venue for a discussion of a political nature.

Transparency work

The chair shared with members a report highlighting progress made on transparency as well as the information sharing work of the WTO Secretariat. He noted that the e-agenda project, which aims at facilitating the work of delegations in preparing the Committee's agenda and making relevant documents available in electronic form, was a priority.

The objective is to launch the e-agenda by the next formal Committee meeting in October 2022. Some delegations highlighted the value of the e-agenda, which had already been implemented by other committees, and encouraged the Secretariat to ensure its launch as soon as possible.

Members supported the digitalization of notification procedures through an online form that would be entirely based on the existing notification template contained in document G/LIC/28. The form would allow members to notify import licensing legislation to the WTO on a voluntary basis. It would not eliminate the issuance of N1 and N2 notifications, which refer to members' laws and regulations on import licensing and changes in import licensing procedures, respectively.

Import licensing notification workshop

Following previous experiences in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, members expressed their support for holding a workshop on import licensing and notifications for all delegations which, for the first time, would take place in the three WTO official languages (English, French and Spanish).

The purpose of the workshop is to enhance participants' understanding of import licensing procedures and notifications and to train them in fulfilling the different types of notification requirements under the Agreement.

Specific trade concerns

Members asked questions and expressed concerns about some members import licensing regimes for specific products, including:

Angola's import licensing requirements , raised by the European Union

, raised by the European Union China's changes to import licensing for certain recoverable materials , raised by the United States

, raised by the United States Egypt's import licensing requirements for certain agricultural and processed products , raised by the European Union

, raised by the European Union India's importation of pneumatic tyres , raised by the European Union, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand

, raised by the European Union, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand Indonesia's compulsory registration by importers of steel products , raised by Japan

, raised by Japan Indonesia's import licensing regime for certain textile products , raised by the European Union and Japan

, raised by the European Union and Japan Indonesia's import restriction on air conditioners , raised by the European Union and Japan

, raised by the European Union and Japan India's quantitative restrictions on certain pulses , raised by Canada

, raised by Canada Thailand's importation of feed wheat, raised by the European Union

Next meeting

The next formal meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for 7 October.
Weather Alert

...Elevated fire weather conditions today... A dry airmass will be in place today with afternoon humidity values falling to around 20 to 25 percent in western Wisconsin and 25 to 30 percent in southeast Minnesota. Southeasterly winds will start out light this morning but rise by mid-afternoon, especially over southeast Minnesota where speeds increase to 10 to 15 mph, gusting to upwards of 25 mph. East of the Mississippi River, winds will slowly increase to 5 to 10 mph with occasional gusts to 15 mph. These conditions will increase the risk of fires being hard to control. Care should be heeded if conducting any burns or taking part in activities that may start a fire. Please check with local officials for any burn bans.
El presidente del Consejo de Ministros, Anibal Torres, acompanado de los titulares del @MEF_Peru, @MinjusDH_Peru y @MTPE_Peru, instalo la Comision Multisectorial para la evaluacion del proceso de implementacion de la reforma del servicio civil. pic.twitter.com/Qbs4btVWPu
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of the Armenian community of France are expected to meet with President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the second round of the French presidential election, Co-Chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, member of the ARF Bureau, Murad Papazian, told Armenpress.

He said it is expected that Macron will present his proposals for the next five years to the Armenian community.

The communication, work with Emmanuel Macron continues. He always attends the annual dinner of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, the April 24th events. Meetings with him, his team and ministers take place during the year. Even if we have complaints, we present them in public platform, for instance, connected with the 44-day war, the reality that France sold weapons to Azerbaijan. We condemned it and talked about it with President Macron. Its important to remind that the French presence in the OSCE Minsk Group as a Co-Chair country is important. Even if the war in Ukraine hinders a little or there are issues between the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, we must encourage that France continues its work as a Co-Chair country, Murad Papazian said.

As for the next French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, Murad Papazian said they havent had any relationship with her as they have always rejected any collaboration with the far-rights.

We cannot imagine a vote for Marine Le Pen. We always reject the far-right. They are offering a dangerous policy. It will be a problem for France to have a far-right president, it will seriously weaken its positions in the international arena. Marine Le Pen is not an alternative for us, Murad Papazian said.

No candidate secured an absolute majority of votes in the first round of the French presidential election held on April 10. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron received the 27,8% of the votes, Marine Le Pen  23,1%.

The runoff election is scheduled on April 24.

Reporting by Anna Gziryan
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan presented details about the agreements that were reached during the April 6 trilateral meeting in Brussels.

Yes, I gave consent for the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to start the preparatory works of a peace treaty, Pashinyan said in parliament. What does this mean, what timeframes, what format  this has yet to be discussed and decided. But indeed, the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible is in our plans. But I have to say that we dont have any illusions here because we dont rule out that Azerbaijan could attempt to bring the peace talks process into a deadlock as soon as possible and make it an occasion for a new aggression, aggressive actions against Armenia and Artsakh. We have the same calculation also regarding the delimitation works, because we dont rule out that Azerbaijan could use this process to formulate territorial demands against Armenia, by de-jure announcing that it doesnt have any territorial demands at all, Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister said that by understanding and calculating all risks and challenges they reached a conclusion that remaining in the same point and not ensuring some progress in the process would not only not reduce the risks but it would escalate it. This is the reason why we agreed in Brussels in the delimitation matter as well to form a bilateral Armenia-Azerbaijan commission dealing with delimitation and border security matters by the end of April and launch the work. What is our strategy in this matter? To clarify Azerbaijans official positions in the border issue, to officially record Armenias positions in the same matter, be maximally legitimate in our positions, meaning to use only the de-jure facts and arguments in clarifying the border, to obtain the acknowledgment of this legitimacy in the international community and based on this achieve an agreement regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders. What does this mean? This means that in the delimitation process we should rely on de-jure significant facts for clarification of the territory of the Republic of Armenia and not on desires or conversations, because I already mentioned the dangers of such conduct.

The PM added that after his Brussels visit he received strong criticism regarding abandoning the proposal of a reciprocal mirror-like withdrawal of troops. In this regard I have to say that in the past weve recorded for several times that the reciprocal withdrawal has never been a pre-condition from our side and we simply believe that a normal delimitation process is possible only regarding the borders where a certain level of security and stability exists, which unfortunately we cant say about todays Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Our concern that Azerbaijan wants to maintain military tension on the border parallel with delimitation to justify territorial encroachments against Armenia and formulate new encroachments is eventually perceived by the international community, but we had also reached a dangerous line where the proposal of mirror-like withdrawal of troops couldve been perceived as a policy of bringing the situation to a deadlock. Thats why, like I said at the March 31 Cabinet meeting, we had expressed readiness to be flexible and we displayed this flexibility in Brussels, hoping that the international community will be more attentive to the security environment along the border, the PM said.

The PM emphasized that in Brussels they didnt reach an agreement on delimitation from scratch, but rather completed the 2021 November 26 Sochi agreements, and this has created the basis that in the event of necessity Russia, Western countries or other partners would provide necessary support in the delimitation work with their information and experience.

He added that the bilateral commission will have two mandates: the delimitation of borders and ensuring security and stability along the border. This means that the commission will have some authority to monitor the border situation, and also the possibility to make concrete proposals for increasing the level of security and stability in the borders. In case of necessity it will be possible to involve an international expert potential in this process, he said.

The PM added that they are now working on the format and individual composition of the commission and it should be clarified until the end of April. Our relevant officials in this period must work with the Azerbaijani side and reach common grounds in this organizational matter, Pashinyan said.
Update: Matthew Baggott pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building on April 5 at a hearing by video conference before U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehtain the District of Columbia. The other charges against him were dismissed as part of the plea deal. A sentencing hearing in his case is set for Aug. 5. He faces up to one year in prison and a find of $100,000, on the charge, as well as the possibility of additional fines related to the deal. Stewart Parks' case is ongoing in the District of Columbia as of April 12.

Two more Tennesseans were arrested in recent days in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, joining at least 13 other defendants in the massive federal investigation.

Matthew Baggott was arrested by the FBI last Sunday in Murfreesboro. Stewart Parks, also of Middle Tennessee, was arrested Thursday in Columbia, the U.S. Attorney's Office reports.

The pair were charged in the same complaint after investigators say they entered the building together. Each faces charges of entering or remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct and violent entry on capitol grounds.

Parks faces an additional charge of theft of government property.

Investigators trawled through Parks' social media after at least three witnesses alerted the FBI to posts an account in his name made on Jan. 6, court documents show.

Federal investigators have charged two Middle Tennessee men in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Matthew Baggott, in red, and Stewart Parks, in gray, both face disorderly conduct charges.

Although the account had been deactivated in mid-January, investigators report recovering Instagram story posts from Jan. 6 and direct messages referencing Baggott and the riot from the following days.

The criminal complaint includes a screenshot of a story appearing to be taken inside an airplane captioned "ON THE WAY TO DC TO STOP THE STEAL," and another that was reportedly taken outside on the building's steps captioned "PARTY WAS FUN TIL THE SWAT SHOWED UP."

UPDATE: DC judge cites 'zip tie guy' case, denies release of East Tennessee U.S. Capitol riot suspect

Story continues

MORE: 15 with Tennessee connections arrested in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot investigation

Another video, depicting a group of people approaching "what appears to be an entrance to the Capitol building" shows a man later identified as Baggott throwing an unidentified object toward some Capitol police officers.

Investigators shared a selection of messages from the account in Parks' name sent to unidentified other accounts, including "We ain't giving up" and "No way in hell Biden is getting the presidency" around 8:40 p.m. on Jan. 6 and "Baggot wants to know why you weren't there," followed by six smiling emojis, on Jan. 7.

Footage taken inside the Capitol on the day shows two individuals later identified as Baggott and Parks traveling together through the building, court documents indicate. They generally remained together, with Parks often carrying both a yellow Gadsden "don't tread on me" flag, investigators said.

Parks was often pictured holding onto the strap of Baggott's backpack, court documents show.

Federal investigators have charged two Middle Tennessee men in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Matthew Baggott, in red, and Stewart Parks, in gray, both face disorderly conduct charges.

Parks allegedly picked up and walked out of the building with a hand-held metal detector wand from a table near an entrance, the complaint says.

Baggott is scheduled to appear virtually before a federal judge in Washington on Tuesday; Parks on Wednesday. Both remained in custody as of Saturday afternoon, according to online court records.

Albuquerque Cosper Head, 41, of Kingsport, was arrested April 14 in Johnson City.

Head was charged in connection with two other men, Iowan Kyle Young, 37, and Thomas Sibick, 35, of Buffalo, New York.

Prosecutors say Young was among the mob supporting Trump who dragged Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone into a crowd during the attack, shocked him with a stun gun and stole his badge, radio and ammunition. Young is accused of trying to take Fanone's service weapon.

Head faces several charges including assaulting, resisting or impeding officers and use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. A D.C. judge on May 6 granted the government's motion to detain Head while court proceedings continue.

He has entered a plea of not guilty on all counts.

The next status hearing in the case is set for Aug. 3.

A Covington, Kentucky, man, Nicholas James Brockhoff was arrested by the FBI in Tennessee on May 27.

Brockhoff stands accused of spraying officers with a fire extinguisher at about 1 p.m. from scaffolding set up for President Joe Biden's inauguration on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

A federal judge on Thursday ordered Brockhoff to remain in custody. No information on the next hearing in the case was immediately available.

Notable suspects Eric Munchel, 30, of Nashville, and his mother Lisa Marie Eisenhart, 56, of Woodstock, Georgia, were charged Wednesday with superseding indictments after a federal grand jury reviewed the case.

Previously, the pair each faced four counts related to tampering with a witness and unlawfully entering the Capitol; each defendant in February entered a plea of not guilty on the first three of four counts and waived a formal reading of the remaining count.

But on Wednesday, a federal grand jury indicted the pair each on eight superseding counts, including four new charges adding conspiracy and aiding and abetting enhancements to the charges as well as charges of violent entry related to possession of a deadly weapon.

Munchel allegedly carried a taser into the Capitol, according to prosecutors.

The defendants had not entered a plea to the new indictment as of Saturday.

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Two more from Tennessee arrested after deadly US Capitol riot
Amy Schumer is unpacking her Oscars hosting experience.

From Will Smith slapping Chris Rock to getting death threats over the Kirsten Dunst seat-filler bit and how she felt sharing the hosting job with Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall, the comedian candidly answered Howard Stern's many questions on the topic on his SiriusXM radio show Wednesday.

Amy Schumer, on Oscars night, addresses the backlash over calling the Will Smith slap "traumatizing." (Photo: REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)

The Life & Beth actress and comedian wasn't so eager to talk about the awards ceremony, which she described as a "s*** show," explaining she didn't want to be seen as "an a**hole who's trying to profit off this awful [situation]," which saw Best Actor winner Smith slap presenter Chris Rock over a G.I. Jane joke.

After all, she already faced backlash for her initial reaction, a day after the show, in which she described herself as feeling "triggered and traumatized."

"People made fun of me for saying it was traumatizing," Schumer told Stern. "I don't think it was traumatizing for me. I think it was traumatizing for all of us."

Schumer said that Rock "is my good friend  one of my best friends. To see your friend get hit?" But at the same time it also involved, "Will Smith, who I've loved. We've all loved forever. I don't remember a time I didn't think: I love that guy." So the violent display was "upsetting for so many reasons" and "upsetting to everyone," including "everyone at home who didn't see what I saw" from the vantage point of co-host. "It was shocking. It was a bummer."

Stern said, while watching, he wondered why Smith was allowed to collect his Oscars having "just assaulted" Rock.

Schumer said for her, "I just thought  maybe this is bad, I was in an abusive relationship years ago  Will Smith must be in so much pain... I felt bad for him too. That's probably not the right instinct but..."

She added that she had "no thoughts of how it affected me or my performance," as all the buzz around the show has been around Smith and not the winners or the fact that three women hosted for the first time in the shows history. "It was just upsetting as a person."

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Schumer also talked about having the hair-pulling disorder trichotillomania. She said because of that, she understands how a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's baldness, even though Rock reportedly didn't know she had alopecia, could be upsetting.

"An added layer [and] another reason I was triggered was because it was about Jada's hair," she said. "Hair loss. Growing up, not anymore, if someone talked about my hair it was like the biggest fear of my life. I'm sure that's a big deal for their family."

Schumer said Rock, who directed one of her specials, actually advised her before she hosted the Oscars, hyping her up for the big night.

"He's the best, I love him so much," she said. "He was like: You're Amy F****** Schumer. He kept ... encouraging me and firing me up," noting how it's especially challenging to be a woman in the industry because women aren't respected for past success and "people act like you've done nothing."

Chris Rock and Amy Schumer in 2018. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GOOD+ Foundation)

Schumer also revealed that the reason she used social media to clarify that the Jesse Plemons and Dunst seat filler joke was a bit was because she "got death threats" over it from people upset she "disrespected" Dunst.

"They were so bad the Secret Service reached out to me about that bit," she said. "I was like, 'I think you have the wrong number. It's Amy, not Will,'" she quipped, adding the LAPD was also in touch with her over it. "The misogyny is unbelievable."

Schumer said she actually ran her jokes by anyone she mentioned ahead of the show. That included reaching out to Leonardo DiCaprio about her dig about him dating younger women ("Go ahead," she said was the reply), and King Richard star Smith as well as Serena and Venus Williams for her joke about it being inspirational "that after years of Hollywood ignoring womens stories we finally get a movie about the incredible Williams sisters ... dad."

She added that she had no intention of telling the joke about Alec Baldwin and the Rust shooting at the Oscars  which she said during a recent stand-up show in Las Vegas. She explained that she had "evil horrible roast jokes that I can't help [are] in my mind," but she never would have said them on Oscars night  though she would, and did, during her standup in Vegas.

Stern also asked her if she was insulted that she wasn't asked to host the Oscars solo, seeing as how successful she is and how much starpower she has.

"I'm gonna be 100 percent honest: It was totally exciting to me to host with them, and I didn't want to host alone," she replied, but making it clear that producers "didn't offer it to me" as a solo gig.

"It was so fun getting to work with them and getting to do it," she continued. "I would feel comfortable doing it alone. But I just had such a good time with both of them. I just love them. Regina, I have just thought she is so funny for so long. Wanda is my good friend; she's killer... But I know what you're saying. I appreciate that."

She also talked about whether it was competitive with the three of them pitching their jokes and jockeying for time in the telecast.

"I really like collaborating  not to sound annoying," she replied. "And I didn't feel competitive at all. I work really hard and I know I'm going to be funny. I would write things and give out the best punchlines." However, she added, "I think everybody was a little nervous and wondering if we should be competitive  and everybody is bringing their baggage from their career and their life  and the two of them being women of color and me looking like someone that calls the cops," she joked, admitting she looks like "a Karen." But "in the end, it was really a joy."

With all she has going on with her new Hulu show, her upcoming Whore Tour, a guest role in Only Murders in the Building as well as a young son, she said the Oscars hosting job "was a privilege. For a comedian, I wanted to do it," especially after the COVID lockdown. "I feel like I'm 40, I had a my uterus taken out, I'm addressing my endometriosis... I feel like I'm in my prime and I wanted to do it."

However, she quipped that she's "just stopping emotional eating from the Oscars," which took place March 27, and is probably now only thinking about the Smith slap "four times."

"For a while, it was the only thing I was thinking about," she admitted.
Svend Petersen has a final resting place.

After the beloved Beverly Hills Hotel pool manager died at age 90 on Dec. 22, 2020, his remains were stuck in limbo for one year, as no survivors claimed them. Enter Jonny Fink. A realtor and former producer (Arli$$), Fink met Petersen in the summer of 1982 when Fink was hired to work at the pool.

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He was fantastic, recalls Fink, who is currently shopping a book titled Memoirs of a Beverly Hills Pool Boy. Very playful and a lot of fun. Svend took care of all the heavy hitters that came to the hotel, and he made sure that everyone felt important and had everything they needed.

Petersen started as a lifeguard at the iconic property in 1959 shortly after arriving in L.A. from his native Denmark with only a handful of dollars to his name. He worked at the hotel for a total of 54 years, during which time he grew close to such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Carson and Faye Dunaway (who he taught to swim for her role in Mommie Dearest). In 2017, he fell on hard times and wound up homeless, saved by a pair of good Samaritans and a GoFundMe campaign that helped him secure press attention and a permanent place to live.

As for Fink, after graduating from college and moving on from the Beverly Hills Hotel, he went on to model in Europe before segueing to Hollywood work (including a catering stint for a party planner to the stars) and producing. (The memoir hes working on covers 40 years in the authors life from the hotel through adventures or misadventures in Europe all the way to his time in Tinseltown.) Over the decades, he kept in touch with Petersen as he often popped by the pool to say hello and check in. More recently, however, the two lost touch, but even still, Fink said he couldnt bear the thought of Petersen not receiving a tribute or proper resting place, so he filed an ex parte petition to retrieve the ashes from the L.A. County morgue.

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After an initial plan to ship Petersens remains to Denmark didnt pan out, he settled on Solvang, a Danish village near Santa Barbara that he recalled Petersen being fond of. Im so happy I could do this and give him a proper sendoff that he would love and appreciate, concludes Fink who orchestrated an intimate service at which he read a brief eulogy in front of an engraved rock that reads The Poolside Prince, seen below. Hes truly in an idyllic and beautiful place. I take comfort in knowing that hes now at home.

Jonny Fink - Credit: Courtesy of Jonny Fink

Courtesy of Jonny Fink

Jonny Fink poses next to Sved Petersens memorial in Solvang, California. - Credit: Courtesy of Jonny Fink

Courtesy of Jonny Fink

Jonny Fink and Svend Petersen are pictured together at the Beverly Hills Hotel in this archival image. - Credit: Courtesy of Jonny Fink

Courtesy of Jonny Fink

A version of this story first appeared in the April 13 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. has pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman in an incident dating back to 2018.

The actor was previously accused of violating three different women in 2018 and 2019 but pleaded guilty to just one charge. He admitted to the judge that he "kissed the waitress on her lips" without her consent at New York's LAVO nightclub.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

John Lamparski/Getty Images Cuba Gooding Jr.

Gooding's plea deal calls for no jail time, and "if he continues counseling for six months, he can withdraw the misdemeanor plea and plead guilty to a lesser violation of harassment," according to the AP.

"I apologize for ever making anybody feel inappropriately touched," Gooding said in court.

"Today, two of the three cases were dismissed, and as for the third case, Cuba Gooding Jr. entered into a re-pleader today whereby in six months his case will be disposed of with a violation, which is not a crime, resulting in no criminal record," said Gooding's attorney Peter Toumbekis when reached for comment.

Gooding had turned himself in to police in 2019 after a woman accused him of touching her breasts at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge in Manhattan. Subsequently, several more women came forward to accuse the actor of sexual misconduct.

Gooding has also been accused of raping a woman twice in 2013, allegations he has denied. The case is ongoing.

In all, more than 20 women have accused Gooding of groping or forcibly kissing them over the course of two decades. The judge ruled that two of his accusers could testify against him, should Gooding's case go to trial, as prosecutors planned to argue that the actor had a history of sexual misconduct, according to The New York Times.

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Estrella Escareno, a senior at Early College High School in Deming, NM, has been named a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship.

DEMING  Estrella Escareno, a senior at Early College High School in Deming, has been named as a finalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Initiated in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes about 50,000 academically talented high school students annually, but only some 16,000 of them are named semifinalists.

Students who qualify as semifinalists based on their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) are the only program participants who have the opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships.

About 7,600 of the outstanding finalists will be chosen as Merit Scholarship winners in the 2022 competition. This means Escareno is guaranteed full ride scholarships at many universities.

Students who qualify as s Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) are the only program participants who have the opportunity to advance to the finalist level and compete for National Merit Scholarships.

Estrella is native to Deming, and is the oldest daughter of Francisco and Narcisa Escareno. She became interested in Early College High School while she was attending Red Mountain Middle School. Attending Early College High School has put her on track to graduate high school in the top 10 with her Associate Degree.

Escarenos studies and internship have been focused on accounting, but she is still undecided on what her major will be in college. Before the finalist announcement, Escareno was planning on going to New Mexico State University, with this new opportunity Texas Tech University and University of New Mexico are now in the running.

Estrella highlighted her experiences with dancing ballet folklorico and National Honors Society in her finalist application. She has been dancing ballet folklorico since the fourth grade and has learned that you must practice, to become better.

While practice may not make you perfect, it can make you better. Estrella said. Now, whenever I try something that I do not immediately master  whether it be a new hobby, game, or academics  I think back to ballet folklorico and remember that instead of giving up, I should keep trying and putting in effort because doing so will ultimately pay off.

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For her service project she began to crochet with the help of her grandmother Bertha Escareno. When she was first learning to crochet, she would spend hours making chains and small purses. Now she is skilled in making animal friends.

Estrella is also active member of the National Honors Society, where she has served as an officer. For her service project she began to crochet with the help of her grandmother Bertha Escareno. When she was first learning to crochet, she would spend hours making chains and small purses. Now she is skilled in making animal friends.

Estrella is incredibly hardworking and motivated. said Dr. Rachel Bailey, teacher on special assignment at Early College High School. I am continuously impressed at Estrellas desire to do everything with excellence.

I am excited that Estrella has options to choose from and proud that her hard work in high school is being recognized and rewarded. The university scholarship offers have been so amazing and they will be lucky to have such a great student on their campus. said Bryan Simpson, Principal of ECHS. On behalf of ECHS we wish Estrella the best on these new adventures.

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: ECHS student is National Merit Scholarship finalist
Legendary French stage and screen actor Michel Bouquet has died. He was 96. The Cesar Award winner passed away today at a Paris hospital, his spokesperson confirmed to AFP. A tribute on the official website of the Elysee Palace did not cite a cause of death.

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Born in 1925, Bouquet began his film career in 1947 and went on to appear in more than 100 movies. In the 1960s and 70s, he collaborated with New Wave directors Francois Truffaut and Claude Chabrol in such films as Truffauts The Bride Wore Black and Mississippi Mermaid and Chabrols The Unfaithful Wife and Just Before Nightfall, among others.

Later in his career, Bouquet won a European Film Award for Jaco Van Dormaels Toto Le Heros (1991) and took two Best Actor Cesars for Anne Fontaines How I Killed My Father (2001) and Robert Guediguians The Last Mitterand (2005). Other directors he worked with include Alain Resnais, Jacques Deray, Francis Veber, Alain Corneau, Jean Becker and Bertrand Blier.

Bouquet started out in the theater at age 17, growing to be a monument of the stage. He was known for playing the lead role in Eugene Ionescos absurdist drama Exit the King some 800 times and was awarded an honorary Moliere for the ensemble of his career in 2016. The following year, he received the Legion dHonneur.

French President Emmanuel Macron today paid tribute to Bouquet, saying: For seven decades, Michel Bouquet brought theater and cinema to the highest degree of incandescence and truth, showing man in all his contradictions, with an intensity that burned the boards and burst the screen. A sacred monster has left us.

Sept decennies durant, Michel Bouquet a porte le theatre et le cinema au plus haut degre dincandescence et de verite, montrant lhomme dans toutes ses contradictions, avec une intensite qui brulait les planches et crevait lecran. Un monstre sacre nous a quittes. pic.twitter.com/l3V5mz6EXd  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 13, 2022

The Cannes Film Festival also recalled Bouquets titular performance in 2012 Un Certain Regard entry Renoir:

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En 2012, Michel Bouquet eblouissait encore une fois le Festival avec son incarnation de "Renoir". L'humilite en sacerdoce, le jeu du comedien a ponctue la memoire de Cannes. "Jouer la vie est difficile" confiait l'acteur. Elle le sera, sans son regard et son sourire espiegles. pic.twitter.com/5ZwAuplfPw  Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) April 13, 2022

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Nursing shortages were a problem well before our hospitals were rocked by a pandemic. Two years in and overloaded systems have further contributed to burnout, stress and other factors plaguing the people we rely on for our own well-being. Weve seen robotics applied to just about every other field of late, so why not nursing -- a field that will require one million new faces to keep up with demand in the U.S. alone?

Diligent has been leading that specific charge for some time now. Late last year, we spoke with University of Texas Austin associate professor Andrea Thomaz, who co-founded the company in 2017 with Vivian Chu, to discuss precisely how profound an impact the past two years have had on the firm. She noted, in part:

It is really just a dramatic shift in labor markets across a lot of different industries. It seems to be related both to people kind of having a great resignation, where people are deciding that they want to do different things. And a lot of people shifting jobs. Were seeing that all across tech work, a lot in our industry and healthcare. A lot of people are just deciding to do something else. There were already workforce challenges pre-pandemic, and now those are reaching crisis levels.

Diligent timed its last funding round perfectly, scoring $10 million in March of 2020, right before many U.S. hospitals were inundated. This week the robotics company announced that its tripling that amount for a Series B of over $30 million. Tiger Global, which seems to have its striped paws in all things robotic funding, led the round. Existing investors True Ventures, DNX Venture, Ubiquity Ventures, E14 Fund, Next Coast Ventures, Boom Capital and Gaingels joined in, along with new participant, Cedars-Sinai Health Ventures.

"This new round of funding will help us scale the company to meet the incredible demand for our healthcare service robot, Thomaz said in a release tied to todays news. Thanks to the support of our investors and the Diligent team, we are focused on expanding automated support for clinical teams so nurses and clinicians can focus on tasks that matter most, patient care."

Diligent says it will be using the funding to help navigate some supply chain issues as it continues to deploy its nurse assisting bot, Moxi. This new round brings the startup's funding to just under $50 million.
Sarina Wiegman is unsure whether England should take too much confidence from their red-hot form in front of goal recently into this summers Womens European Championship.

The Lionesses moved to the brink of qualification for next years World Cup as they thrashed Northern Ireland 5-0 thanks to a brace apiece for Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway and a goal from Ella Toone.

England have now scored 68 times in eight Group D outings, without conceding, and sit atop the standings, five points clear of nearest challengers Austria with only two matches remaining.

England moved to the brink of qualification in the Womens World Cup (Liam McBurney/PA)

Impressive though the feat is, Wiegman is well aware England will be faced with much more resilient backlines at Euro 2022 as they bid to get their hands on the trophy for the first time.

We really have to be clear that the opponents we play in the qualification matches, we dont expect that level of opponents at the Euros, said Englands head coach. Its going to be harder to score.

Of course it gives us confidence when we score goals but were aware and grounded that the level is just a little lower against most opponents in the World Cup qualification.

Wiegman, who suspects Junes friendlies against Belgium and Holland will provide more of an acid test for England, was tight-lipped about whether she had decided on her best XI yet ahead of Euro 2022.

The Dutch coach is just seven months into the job and has been deprived of the services of injured defender Steph Houghton, who is facing a race to be fit for the Euros in July after Achilles surgery.

Lauren Hemp bagged a brace in Englands win in Northern Ireland (Liam McBurney/PA)

Its a little early to get really close to your first line-up, Wiegman said. Its whats going to be the 23 and whats next and after that.

We dont have to decide now, which is really nice. Players (also) have to show their consistency on the pitch.

As for their win in front of a bumper 15,348 attendance at Windsor Park  a record for a womens match at Northern Ireland, Wiegman added: The result is great. Im really happy with it.

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I think it was a very mature performance from us. I think we dominated the game throughout the 90 minutes.

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We hoped to score a few more goals in the first half and be a little more clinical but four goals in the second half is very nice to see.

Defeat ends Northern Irelands World Cup qualification hopes after falling six points behind Austria.

While they can still move level on points with Austria, Northern Irelands inferior head-to-head record has extinguished their already slim hopes of a play-off berth for the competition in Australia and New Zealand.

Head coach Kenny Shiels said: I can see the growth and were getting closer but theyre ranked as World Cup favourites, they havent conceded a goal in this group, this just epitomises the magnitude of the task.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. During his speech in the Parliament today, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan talked about also the failures made by the government in 2021, mentioning as such the incursion of the Azerbaijani units to Armenias sovereign territory in Sotk-Khoznavar section in May 12, 2021. Pashinyan called this incident the failure of the Armenian government and armed forces, but added that the way the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) responded to this is also the failure of that Organization.

Why did that failure happen? In order to get the answer to this question, perhaps what had happened should be viewed in the context of several important events preceding it. On May 10, 2021, the National Assembly of Armenia was dissolved by virtue of law, and our country entered into the stage of snap parliamentary elections, and its obvious that one of the motives of the incursion that happened two days after that was to paralyze Armenias state institutions and statehood, create a pre-election and post-election chaos and have a concrete impact on the election results. But the context of the May incursion will be incomplete if we do not take into account the events that happened in February when the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces openly was engaged into politics, by spreading a statement urging the government to resign. It should be noted that the opposition, whose former leader admitted that back during the war he was calling on generals to direct their rifles at the government building, not at the adversary, eventually achieved its goal and it was revealed that there are forces in the Army, who are more interested in what is happening in the Republic Square, the Baghramyan Avenue, the Melik-Adamyan street, rather than in what is happening on the border, the PM said.

According to him, the politicization of the Armed Forces, their engagement into political intrigues once again showed its catastrophe. And when we look back and analyze many events, its an impression that the military failures are simply necessary for some people to form a motive for a power change in Armenia. Of course, this may seem a conspiracy theory, which is not proved by any concrete fact, but the analysis leads to such thoughts. The apparent appearance of several high-ranking military officials in the opposition field after their dismissal come to prove the hypotheses I have talked about before the famous events. Most of them today are delivering opposition speeches, while they have been personally responsible for a number of failures blamed on the government.

In any case, the long-term politicization of the Army, its full engagement into corruption chains became one of the systematic wounds that brought us to the brink of disaster. And I mean not only the direct, but also the related effects. It is in the background of the aforementioned irresponsibility, politicization and opposition that, as it was recently revealed, spy networks formed by Azerbaijan have operated in the Armenian Armed Forces. We can say this based on the discoveries made so far by the National Security Service, which are already creating serious problems, the PM said.

He says its obvious that the paralyzed situation of the Army for nearly one and a half month as a result of politicization had a direct consequence in the form of an incursion in the Sotk-Khoznavar section, and these events made more urgent the agenda of the Army reforms, one of the main goals of which must be the professionalism of the army, the transition of the conscription system to regular trainings of reservists, similarly to what we do now, meaning the three-month military trainings.

What had happened in the Sotk-Khoznavar section, is, of course, the failure of the Armed Forces and the government. But how the Collective Security Treaty Organization reacted to what had happened, I think, was also a failure for that Organization. Despite the existing procedures, the CSTO has not made a decision to conduct the monitoring of the issue yet, justifying the long-held fears among the Armenian public that that Organization, which is of key importance for Armenias security system, will do nothing at the necessary moment, and will remain in the status of an observer. The fact is that the CSTO has not addressed this situation in any way even in the status of an observer.

The Azerbaijani armed forces continue to be located in the Sotk-Khoznavar section, creating real threats to the security of Armenia. But I also want to note that the 45 square kilometer territories, that came under occupation as a result of these incidents, unfortunately, are not the only ones in Armenia. Since the early 90s, around 70 square kilometer territories are in the same status and as I said, our policy is to view the solution of the issue in the context of the activity of the delimitation and demarcation commission, the PM said.
MIDDLETOWN  It was quiet on Lawrence Street on Monday morning, just a few days after Middletown police, with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, entered Apartment 107 C and seized 79 firearms.

A large quantity of ammunition and a bullet-proof vest also were removed from the apartment during the search on April 8, Middletown police said in a press release Monday morning.

Jeremy Speck, 43, was charged with 51 counts of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime, two counts of providing false information in purchasing a firearm and one count of possession of body armor by a person convicted of a violent crime.

107 Lawrence Street is part of the Landings apartment complex in Middletown.

Jeremy Specks son, Xavier Speck, 24, was charged with four counts of providing false information to secure a firearm.

Both Specks are listed as residents at 107 Lawrence St., Apt. C, in court records.

While searching the apartment, investigators located 47 firearms in Jeremys bedroom, "including a loaded handgun within his reach from the bed and an unsecured fully loaded AK-47," according to the press release. A large quantity of ammunition and a bullet-proof vest were also located in that room.

Firearms were also found in Xaviers bedroom and the living room area of the apartment, according to police.

Police secured the search and arrest warrants because they believed Jeremy was in possession of several firearms, and, having been previously convicted of a violent crime in Texas, he was prohibited from possessing guns, Middletown police said in the press release.

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Investigators honed in on Xavier, too, because they believed he had purchased firearms for his father, knowing that Jeremy had been denied the legal ability to make the purchases.

Both Jeremy and Xavier appeared in Newport County District Court on Friday. No pleas were entered.

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Jeremy was released after he posted bail, which had been set at $15,000 with surety, according to police. Xavier also was released after he posted bail, which had been set at $2,500 with surety. Both have court dates in Newport County Superior Court in June.

I dont have anything (to say) right now, just, I have an attorney, Jeremy Speck said in a phone call with The Daily News on Monday.

I currently have an attorney, Xavier said when contacted by a reporter.

Aquidneck Island Police Parade: After 'very trying two years' for law enforcement, Aquidneck Island Police Parade returns

Teddy King, on Monday morning, appeared shocked when a reporter told him about the recent seizure of 79 guns and the arrest of two men who lived on his street.

Its pretty quiet around here, King said. Hell yeah, it concerns him to have a person convicted of a violent crime in unlawful possession of firearms.

Im not a big gun person at all, King said. If you do have them, use them responsibly.

Middletown police said Jeremy Speck was convicted of a crime of violence in Texas, charged as Deadly Conduct. This conviction classifies Jeremy as a person prohibited from possessing firearms.

Middletown police seized 79 guns from a home at 107C Lawrence St.

A court clerk in Colorado County, Texas, told The Daily News on Monday the deadly conduct charge against Jeremy occurred in 2006 after he pointed a firearm at a deputy sheriff. He pleaded no contest, was convicted and served 60 days behind bars.

Christopher Bicho, owner of the Landings apartment community, which includes the property at 107 Lawrence St., said Monday morning when contacted by a reporter that we just found out about the firearms seizure and arrests.

Bicho said he wasnt sure of any legal recourse available to him, noting he had just, very recently, learned of the incident.

War in Ukraine: 'A career soldier': How an Army veteran from Newport ended up on Ukraine's front lines

All our residents go through, you know, we use a complete system that does background, financial, we use a software package. We use artificial intelligence, Bicho said. All that comes right through our software check when somebody applies for an apartment. Again, were only as good as the system.

Its like their house  its their residence, Bicho said. We have no control once they lease the apartment.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Middletown, RI, men charged after police, ATF seize 79 firearms
This page recaps the news from Ukraine on Wednesday, April 13. Follow here for the latest updates and news from Thursday, April 14, as Russia's invasion continues.

President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for almost an hour Wednesday, one day after Zelenskyy praised Biden for accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of "genocide."

Biden said in a statement that he has authorized an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including weapons and ammunition.

"The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect,'' Biden said. "As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself.''

Zelenskyy tweeted that he and Biden discussed the new weapons shipment, enhanced sanctions against the Russians and seeking justice for their war crimes. In his nightly address to the nation, Zelenskyy said he's sincerely thankful for the new U.S. military aid.

Also Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that China and other nations declining to sanction Russia could face future economic fallout for failing to help end Russia's "heinous war" in Ukraine. "Let's be clear, the unified coalition of sanctioning countries will not be indifferent to actions that undermine the sanctions," Yellen said.

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French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, a nationalist with long ties to Russia who will face President Emmanuel Macron in a April 24 runoff, warned against sending any more weapons to Ukraine and called for a rapprochement between NATO and Russia once the war in Ukraine winds down.

Pope Francis' decision to have a Russian woman and a Ukrainian woman carry the cross together during a Good Friday procession that will be presided over by the pontiff has drawn criticism from some Ukrainian officials, with Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv calling it "inopportune and ambiguous.''

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Cyprus said it is moving to revoke citizenship for four Russians and 17 of their family members included among those sanctioned by the European Union.

Russia has forcibly deported more than 500,000 Ukrainians to the Russian Federation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

More than 720 people have been killed in Bucha and other Kyiv suburbs that were occupied by Russian troops and more than 200 are considered missing, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

A man holds a placard "Wake up Russia, forgive us Ukraine, no war" as he protests against Russia's military action in Ukraine in central Moscow on April 13, 2022.

Germany's Scholz finds Ukraine diplomatic snub 'irritating'

The frayed relations between Ukraine and Germany may have taken a turn for the worse Wednesday when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his aggravation over a diplomatic snub and said he has no intention to travel to Kyiv anytime soon.

Scholz told German radio station RBB it was somewhat irritating, to put it politely, that Ukraine had reportedly rejected a visit by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose role is mostly ceremonial, because of his past close relations with Russia. Scholz also pointed out Steinmeier has strongly criticized Russias invasion, though Steinmeier also admitted to mistakes in Germany's policy toward Moscow.

The flap comes amid a discussion within Scholzs governing coalition about whether Germany should authorize sending heavy weapons such as tanks to Ukraine as that nation prepares to face a stepped-up Russian offensive in the east. Germany broke with tradition after Russias invasion to supply arms to Ukraine but has faced criticism from Kyiv for perceived hesitancy and slowness in providing material.

Capture of pro-Russian oligarch gives Ukraine a key pawn

Kyiv has gained a valuable pawn in its negotiations with Russia in fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Vladimir Putin's whose arrest has incited anger in Moscow.

Medvedchuk was detained Tuesday by Ukraines state security service, or the SBU. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed trading his freedom for the release of Ukrainians being held captive by the Kremlin.

Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party, escaped from house arrest days before the Russian invasion and is facing 15 years to life in prison on charges of treason and aiding the separatist movement in the Donetsk territory in eastern Ukraine.

The friendly relations between Putin and Medvedchuk turn him into a valuable trophy for Kyiv, and in the Kremlin they spark fury and a dangerous desire for revenge, Volodymyr Fesenko, an analyst at the Penta Center, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The fate of Medvedchuk will undoubtedly become a subject of bargaining and one of the points of undercover agreements between Kyiv and Moscow.

'These are someone's children': Russia asked to retrieve dead soldiers

Authorities in the east-central Ukraine city of Dnipro say they are willing to help return to Russia the bodies of more than 1,500 Russian soldiers now in city morgues.

"We already have four refrigerators full of bodies of Russian soldiers," Deputy Mayor Mykhailo Lysenko said. "No matter what, these are someone's children."

The city's airport and some infrastructure were destroyed by rocket attacks just days ago. Military analysts say Russia's new focus on eastern Ukraine could include Dnipro, a city of 1 million people in the Donbas region, where Russian separatists have battled Ukraine troops since 2014.

Russia reloading helicopters, artillery for push into eastern Ukraine

Russia continues shipping additional helicopters, artillery and troops for a renewed push into eastern Ukraine, a senior Defense official said Wednesday. A miles-long Russian convoy remains headed toward the strategic town of Izyum, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe intelligence assessments. The convoy had been about 35 miles north of Izyum on Tuesday. Its unclear how much it has progressed toward the town. South of Izyum, the Russians are seeking to improve their movement inside Ukraine, including the building of a temporary bridge.

The Russian focus in eastern Ukraine points toward a new offensive after retreating from the countrys north, the official said. Russian airstrikes have concentrated on targets in the eastern Donbas region and the besieged city of Mariupol, the official said.

 Tom Vanden Brook

WHO chief challenges world to worry about Black lives, too

The head of the World Health Organization slammed the global community Wednesday for turning a blind eye on crises outside Ukraine. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus questioned whether "the world really gives equal attention to Black and white lives, citing dire issues of war, disease and famine in countries such as Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria. He said the Horn of Africa nations are at high risk of famine and many people are "already starving or food insecure and increasingly on the move."

I need to be blunt and honest that the world is not treating the human race the same way, he said. Some are more equal than others.

Alarmed Finns warm to joining NATO

Thousands of Finns have signed up with training associations to sharpen their military skills or learn new ones, an interest fueled by anxiety over Finlands geographic proximity to Russia. For the first time in Finland's history, a majority of Finns are in favor of joining NATO. Finland, with 5.5 million people, remains one of the few European nations with mandatory military service, primarily because of its 830-mile border with Russia. Read more here.

Many people say they are alarmed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they want to keep their military capabilities up to date, they want to learn new things, they want maybe to make up for mandatory service they didnt take very seriously at the time, said Ossi Hietala, training officer for the National Defense Training Association of Finland. They want to make sure they are prepared for the worst.

Sweden, which like Finland has remained militarily non-aligned, has also shown a stronger inclination to join NATO after Russia's invasion.

 Tami Abdollah

Ukrainian tennis pros to play Team USA in North Carolina

A team of Ukrainian tennis players will face Team USA in a Billie Jean King Cup qualifying event this weekend in Asheville, North Carolina, that aims to raise money for Ukrainian relief efforts. Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, ranked number 93 in the world, had to flee her country when the war began. Yastremska, 21, and her 15-year-old sister took a small boat from Ukraine to Romania, and then continued to Lyon, France, where she rejoined the professional tennis tour, she told ESPN. Read more here.

King is personally donating $50,000 to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, the United States Tennis Association is donating 10% of ticket revenue from the event, and local sponsors have also pledged donations based on ticket sales.

 James Crabtree-Hannigan, Asheville Citizen Times

European security agency says Russia committing human rights abuses

Russia has violated international law and some Russians have committed war crimes in Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe claimed in a report released Wednesday. The report, coming one day after President Joe Biden accused Russia of "genocide," found that if Russia had "respected their (international law) obligations in terms of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack and concerning specially protected objects such as hospitals, the number of civilians killed or injured would have remained much lower. "

Fewer homes, hospitals, cultural properties, schools, residential buildings and infrastructure systems also would have been damaged or destroyed, according to the report from the Austria-based agency that includes 57 nations in Europe, North America and Asia.

Ukraine did not escape the agency's review. Some "violations and problems" were also identified regarding practices of the Ukraine military, including treating captured Russian soldiers as criminals instead of prisoners of war.

The report notes that a "detailed assessment of most allegations of International Humanitarian Law violations and the identification of war crimes concerning particular incidents has not been possible."

Polish, Baltic leaders travel to Ukraine to show support

The presidents of Poland and the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were in Ukraine on Wednesday to show their support in talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia  like Ukraine  were part of the Soviet Union for half a century.

Now the Baltic nations fear they could be the next targets of Russia's belligerence, and together they total only about 6 million people compared to Ukraine's 44 million. The Baltics have one advantage Ukraine did not  they are NATO members. NATO leaders have made it clear the alliance would defend all its members from Russian aggression.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda posted photos on social media of a burned out high-rise residential building. "The horrors of war that Ukraine has suffered could not have been committed by human beings,'' Nauseda said. "The creatures that did this don't deserve the name. This is a conscious, targeted & extremely brutal annihilation of the Ukrainian nation. Ukraine will resist. Truth will win!"

Obama: Putin has 'always been ruthless,' but invasion is reckless

Former President Barack Obama weighed in on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in an interview with NBC News "TODAY,'' answering questions about his handling of Russian relations while in office and Russian President Vladimir Putins state of mind.

Obama said the war in Ukraine and the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 are a reminder "to not take our own democracy for granted, adding that the Biden administration is doing what it needs to be doing.

Putin has always been ruthless against his own people, as well as others, Obama said. What we have seen with the invasion of Ukraine is him being reckless in a way that you might not have anticipated eight, 10 years ago, but you know, the danger was always there."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine recap: Biden calls Zelenskyy, offers $800M in aid
VANTAA, Finland  Antti Kettunen pulls out his Glock 17, aims and shoots at a target on either side of a barrier before sprinting over to a jagged wall with holes in it and firing again.

Its another Tuesday night of training for the Vantaa Reserves Association, the local chapter of the Finnish Reservists Association. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, these nights at a range have felt different.

Theres an extra energy in the air, perhaps best shown by anxious chatter over the groups social media channels or its increased numbers. More than a quarter of its 1,354 members joined in the past several weeks.

Since war broke out in Europe, thousands of Finns have signed up with training associations to sharpen their military skills or learn new ones such as first aid. The rise has been fueled by anxiety over Finlands geographic proximity to Russia. For the first time in their country's history, a majority of Finns are in favor of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a defensive alliance.

Our president says we are not scared, but we are aware, says Kettunen, dressed in combat boots, a camouflage vest and shirt and olive green pants. Thats quite nice to say, but where else do they (the Russians) go if the plan is to make the Great Russia, from Lisbon to the Japanese sea?

Finland is one of the few European nations with mandatory military service, primarily due to its 830-mile shared border and memories of battles with Russia during the past century. That history shaped its politics, which focused on neutrality during the Cold War and walking a middle ground between the West and Russia ever since as key to maintaining its independence.

In Finland, there is growing anxiety about the possibility of a Russian invasion across the 840-mile border the countries share. The Vantaa Reserves Association has seen increased membership as Finns seek to sharpen their military skills or learn first aid.

For years, joining NATO, which was created to limit Soviet expansion, seemed like a distant possibility. Now, it is an urgent option for many Finns, who note that Ukraines efforts to join the alliance were rebuffed before it was invaded.

Finnish officials have engaged in a whirlwind of meetings with European leaders, and the countrys politicians could begin the process of joining NATO by summer. Thats despite threats from Moscow about the consequences for the nation of 5.5 million should it take that route.

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We never let our guard down after the Cold War ended, as many European countries did, says Janne Kuusela, director general at the Finnish Ministry of Defense. In that sense, were well placed to defend ourselves if need be in the future.

Kuusela says there is no direct threat to Finland from Russia, but there are concerns among Finns about prolonged instability in Europe. The two countries enjoyed lots of cross-border travel and trade, but that has been cut off for weeks because of sanctions enacted against Russia, he says.

There's quite poor visibility for what lies ahead, theres lots of uncertainty, and it may be that there will be a longer period of poor relations between Russia and the West, Kuusela says.

Of the 900,000 Finns who have gone through military training, 280,000 trained to mobilize in the country's wartime reserve.

Many Finns decided they want to be ready to join the fight. The 45,000-member national reservist association gained more than 6,300 members in recent months, nearly twice the number of people who joined its ranks from 2015 through 2021. The National Defense Training Association of Finland, which is supervised by the Ministry of Defense and works closely with the military, has seen up to an eightfold increase in the number of training course enrollees, and more classes are oversubscribed than ever.

Many people say they are alarmed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They want to keep their military capabilities up to date, they want to learn new things, they want maybe to make up for mandatory service they didnt take very seriously at the time, says Ossi Hietala, training officer for the National Defense Training Association of Finland. They want to make sure they are prepared for the worst.

Thats what Kettunen and his buddy Vesa Kortelainen, 44, who led drills with a half-dozen members, have heard from people joining the group. Both served in the same platoon in Kosovo decades ago.

The consensus is its not looking good for Europe at the moment, Kortelainen says, noting that although it's unlikely the war will spread, the risk is the highest it's been in his lifetime. For Finns, its more probable to go to war.

Russias invasion unified and strengthened Finland, taking the internal focus from petty partisan arguments, Kortelainen says. Now even the dreamers see that anything is possible, he says.

Kortelainen says hes been in favor of Finland joining NATO since the 1990s after the Soviet Union collapsed, but the country has been ambivalent because of its close cultural ties to Russia. Culturally, it faces East, but economically and through its values, it faces West, he says.

He says Finns have been too gullible about neutrality, wanting to be friends with Russia. After its actions in Ukraine, he wonders if this is possible.

In my opinion, the best time to apply for membership is now, and the second-best option is today, Kortelainen says.

For many Finns, memories of the Winter War in 1939 evoke a kind of post-traumatic stress and a sense of deja vu.

Soviet leader Josef Stalin used concerns over a possible attack by Nazi Germany to demand, among other things, that Finland move a portion of its border with the Soviet Union back 16 miles. After failed negotiations, the Red Army invaded with 450,000 troops. The United Nations predecessor, the League of Nations, expelled the Soviet Union for what it deemed an illegal attack.

It was like Ukraine in February, everybody cheering for Finland, but we were left quite alone, we had to fight insane odds against Russia without military support, Kortelainen says.

Despite impressive resistance, the Finns were no match for the Red Armys sheer numbers and superior military strength. After roughly three months, Finland agreed to peace terms, ceding 11% of its territory to the Soviet Union but managing to maintain its independence.

If the Finns thought their efforts to stay neutral were any protection from Russia, its war against Ukraine showed them otherwise.

Roughly 60% of Finns support joining NATO, up from prewar numbers of 20% supporting membership and the majority undecided about the matter. Finnish parents who worried about their children being forced to fight in a war have seen that Russias actions cannot be influenced by what their country does or does not do.

Russia has shown when they went to Ukraine that they never changed, says Minna Nenonen, executive director of the Finnish Reservists Association. They are always Russia, and they are always behaving the same way. So now all Finns know its very possible that at some point they could come here also.

Timo Virtanen, 35, co-founder of a Finnish IT software company, is one of six Finns who put forward a referendum to bring the question of whether Finland should join NATO to a public vote. All six found each other on a small gaming forum before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Never hugely political, Virtanen says he felt this was a moment to act: Potassium iodide pills to counteract thyroid damage from radiation are difficult to find, and anxious Finns work to ensure bomb shelters are in good working order.

Most tangible, perhaps, was watching NATO nations move their soldiers to strategic positions to protect one another while Ukraine is on its own against Russia.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has made some moves possible that just werent a year back, or a couple of months back, Virtanen says. Now it seems that we are getting on a more honest level, that, well, you (Russia) are not to be trusted. So we better do what's best for us.

For years, Finnish officials said joining NATO would require clear support from citizens. Virtanen says they never worked to increase support, often referencing the NATO option as a way to acknowledge but never truly act on the issue.

An effort to submit a pro-NATO initiative to Parliament was put forth several years ago, but Virtanen says he didnt hear about it. It failed to get enough signatures to qualify. This time around, the referendum, which went live three days before the invasion, gained the 50,000 required signatures in a week and then some  more than 76,007 people signed in support. It was sent to Parliament on March 8.

Virtanen says some of the people who signed expressed a sense of relief that perhaps by signing this thing and giving support to this initiative, at least I've done something to make Finland more secure.

Parliament isnt obliged to act on the referendum or conduct a public vote, but its submission is history-making nonetheless.

Virtanen says Finland would be an asset to NATO, given its strategic location and overall readiness as a nation.

I cant see that much harm in joining, especially since I presume that one can always resign. So why not give it a try? Virtanen said. Id be surprised if its not something well try in the next couple of years.

Tami Abdollah is a USA TODAY correspondent. Send tips via direct message @latams or email tami(at)usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Russia invade Finland? Finns prepare for war, favor joining NATO
Two giant pandas in a tree

Buena Vista Images / Getty Images

Known for their love of bamboo and trademark black-and-white fur, pandas are adorable animals that can be found in zoos around the world, but there is one zoo in particular to thank for that. Since 1972, following President Richard Nixon's official visit to China, two pandas were delivered to The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. in an effort to save the species from extinction. Since then the zoo has continued its efforts to grow the panda population, as well as preserve and protect the species, and on April 16 it will celebrate 50 years of caring for pandas.

The first residents of the zoo that kicked off its panda conservation efforts were named Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing. According to a report by People pandas were named an endangered species shortly after the two pandas arrived at the United States capital. This classification was largely due to shrinking of the bear's natural habitat in the bamboo forests in China. At the time, a survey found only 1,000 to 1,100 bears left in the wilda population so dangerously low that scientists, ecologists, biologists, veterinarians, and more throughout the world were compelled to save the species. "It is a true collaboration between China and the U.S., and globally," Janine Brown, who leads the endocrinology lab at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, told People. "They want their flagship species to survive, and we obviously want it as well. It's really heartwarming to see how hard everybody works to get this done."

Related: A 100-Year-Old Tortoise Believed to Be a Member of an Extinct Species Was Just Discovered in the Galapagos

While the attempt to save the bears has been largely successful, it hasn't been easy. Female pandas can only get pregnant during a single 24- to 48-hour period each year, which Brown says "works against them from a survival standpoint." What's more, just because a live birth takes place, doesn't mean the cub will survive. When cubs are born, they weigh less than one pound and their health is largely touch and go because of their underdeveloped features. "We had some problems with our first pair of pandas that would get pregnant and the cubs wouldn't survivethey are a real challenge in every way you look at it," Brown said. Due to Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing's struggle to conceive, the zoo brought in two more giant pandas named Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who currently reside in D.C. and have successfully bred four offspring.

Despite its panda fertility issues, the zoo is considered a world leader at breeding giant pandas and has helped contribute to the successful efforts to improve the species' numbers in the wild. Today, because of worldwide efforts to save the bears, there are currently about 1,800 giant pandas living in the wild and another 600 in captivity in China, according to People. What's more, as of 2021, the species was reclassified from endangered to vulnerable. The efforts of the National Zoo have led to even more successful zoo and sanctuary programs for pandas globally, and because of their work, about a dozen pandas in captivity have been set free in China's bamboo forests. "I honestly didn't know that I would ever see that, so as you can imagine, it is extremely exciting," Brown said. "We're just so happy."
Cherry pie

gerenme/Getty Images

A late-night grocery store run to satisfy a dessert craving ended in a $100,000 windfall for a Tennessee woman over the weekend.

A hankering for pie led Diana Chabrier to the Food Lion on U.S. 1 in Franklinton Saturday night. But when the pie she was looking for was unavailable, she decided to purchase a different kind of sweet treat: a $30 200X The Cash ticket from the Food Lion.

"They didn't have my pie so I got a [lottery] ticket instead," Chabrier said in a new release from The North Carolina Education Lottery. "I can't say the name of the pie, or it will sell out."

The next morning, Chabrier checked the scratch-off ticket with her husband and daughter.

"I thought the ticket said 20X," Chabrier recalled. "My daughter was like, 'mom that doesn't say 20.'"

After taking a picture with her phone so she could zoom in, Chabrier realized it was 200Xand that she had won $100,000.

WATCH: Kentucky Nurse Wins $200,000 from Scratch-Off Ticket Same Day She Retires

"I'm just so grateful," she said. "This will really take the weight off my husband's shoulders."

Chabrier said she plans to use her winnings to pay billsand finally get her pie.

Enjoy!
Ontario's child-care deal is causing concern with some parents. (Image via Getty Images)

For Liz Enriquez, a new mother living in Hamilton, Ont., the federal child-care deal came at an opportune time. One week before Ontario signed on, she received an email from a daycare centre that had a spot open for her 11-month-old son. Having been on the waitlist for almost a year, she felt relieved that the timing worked out and she could go back to work.

When I can get a break from being an isolated momIm so much happier with my son around, she says, adding that she can eventually use the reduction of fees to pay for extracurricular activities, like swimming lessons for her son.

Enriquez is one of the thousands of parents who will be able to save money under Canadas first national child-care program. Ontario, the last province to sign on, will see $13.2 billion of investments over a six-year span, cutting fees in half by the end of the year. The agreement will bring fees down to an average of $10 a day by the end of 2025. Additionally, the government will see the creation of 86,000 child-care spaces, 15,000 of which have already been created since 2019.

The news of the deal comes as a relief for many parents who feel the financial burden of child-care and to those who are hoping to secure a spot for their kids. Many advocates and parents, however, have pointed out some of the gaps in the governments planlike the shortage of Early Childhood Educators and the exclusion of private daycaresputting both parents and business owners in a tough spot.

Yahoo Canada spoke to four Ontario mothers about their thoughts on the deal and how it will affect them.

Will wait lists for licensed day cares pose a problem for Ontario parents? (Image via Getty Images)

For Kingston, Ont. resident Becky Thomlinson, the announcement has only frustrated her even more. Both her toddlers currently go to an unlicensed home daycare, despite being on a waitlist for a licensed centre for a year and a half.

I think the Ontario child-care deal sounds great on paper but the amount of spaces they plan to open wont be enough for everyone who wants a space, Thomlinson says.

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Experts say the number of licensed spaces the government plans to create is far below the 200,000 to 300,000 spaces needed to address the demand that will be created from the drop in fees.

Its frustrating for me because Ill be paying for cheaper child-care with my taxes, but I still cant gain access to it, she says. She adds that it would be more realistic to provide money directly to parents if they can prove they are accessing child-care since centres might not be helpful for everyone.

During the pandemic, a home daycare did provide Thomlinson with a sense of security because her children were exposed to fewer families. Her 3-year-old son, however, was recently diagnosed with a motor speech disorder and she says he could benefit greatly from a more structured centre setting.

The system is broken and I hope that it works for other families in the future  it just wont make a difference for us, she says.

Ontario parents hope the new child-care deal will free up a portion of their income to help with other household expenses. (Image via Getty Images)

For Dominique Riley, a mother living in Peterborough, Ont., getting a spot for her youngest son in a licensed centre would mean a better quality of life. The affordability of $10-a-day would allow her to save, potentially going on more camping trips with her family, and not forfeiting a third of her wage to home daycare.

Home daycare has shocked mebecause every provider wants to be paid top dollar, but refuses to get licensed, she says.

For the thousands of unlicensed daycares which have been excluded from the deal, getting licensed would lead to a reduction in profits and increased protocols and paperwork. According to a January 2021 Statistics Canada survey, more than half of the 52,794 child care providers in Canada reported they were unlicensed.

At the home daycare Rileys son is enrolled in, she is required to pay $45 for the day, even if it is closed on a statutory holiday or Rileys family is on vacation. Still, it's better than the alternative Riley was faced with. Having gone back to work and feeling pressured by the cost of living, she would drive her son for an hour every morning so her mom could look after him.

Riley has been on a waitlist for a licensed centre since September, still hoping to secure a spot.

I used to be optimistic, she says. As time goes on I hear from people who have had their kids [on] the waiting list for four years and never got in. Im hoping the government will do something to remedy this.

Parents of young children share their concerns about Ontario's new child-care deal. (Image via Getty Images)

Jaime Oren is another mother enduring the high cost of home daycare, but she is immensely grateful for the level of care her provider brings her son. Her provider lives just down the street from her, running a daycare for over 10 years and loves and cares for [the] kids like her own.

Oren says the personalized, less structured care means the days are planned based on the childrens interests and needs. Every Friday, her son brings home crafts, has stories to share of nature walks and is given a home-cooked meal.

Im frustrated that at some point, I might have to choose between a fantastic, loving provider and saving money, Oren says, adding that the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars could help her with her mortgage and future savings for her son. I totally feel torn between my financial responsibilities and my priorities as a parent.

Still, she says she feels a sense of solidarity with her provider, adding that she wants her to be her sons daycare mom until he can go to school.

I do think the government is perhaps being narrow-sighted [because] daycare solutions can take many different forms. And as a parent, I would like to be able to choose whats best for my child, she says. She adds that including unlicensed daycares could be the solution to the current lack of spaces. I get that this is kind of the first pass in a big solution, but I feel like there's opportunities to make up for those gaps and address them.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.
As the Philadelphia 76ers get set to take on the Miami Heat on Monday night on a second night of a back-to-back, they will be looking to bounce back from a bad loss to the Toronto Raptors at home.

They will have to do so without the services of their superstar big man and the leagues top MVP candidate.

Joel Embiid will miss Mondays game with the Heat due to back soreness. The big man has been questionable in the past due to the injury, but against a physical Heat team and considering the scheduling circumstance, it makes sense to why Embiid will take a break on Monday. He looked like he needed one anyway.

On second night of back-to-back, Sixers center Joel Embiid is being downgraded to out tonight vs the Heat ( back soreness), sources told ESPN.  Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 21, 2022

Without Embiid, the Sixers will likely turn to DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup and this could open the door for more Paul Reed minutes. The second-year big man from DePaul did play a few minutes on Sunday and without Embiid, this could give him more time.
Lewis Lawrence likes to refer to the coastal middle peninsula of Virginia as suffering from a "soggy socks" problem. Flooding is so persistent that people often can't walk around without getting their feet wet.

Over two decades, Lawrence, the executive director of the Middle Peninsula Planning District, has watched the effects of that problem grow, as rising waters and intensifying rains that flood the backyard render underground septic systems ineffective. When that happens smelly, unhealthy wastewater backs up into homes.

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Local companies, he said, call the Middle Peninsula the "septic repair capital of the East Coast." "That's all you need to know," he added. "And it's only going to get worse."

As climate change intensifies, septic failures are emerging as a vexing issue for local governments. For decades, flushing a toilet and making wastewater disappear was a convenience that didn't warrant a second thought. No longer. From Miami to Minnesota, septic systems are failing, posing threats to clean water, ecosystems and public health.

About 20% of U.S. households rely on septic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Many systems are clustered in coastal areas that are experiencing relative sea-level rise, including around Boston and New York. Nearly half of New England homes depend on them. Florida hosts 2.6 million systems. Of the 120,000 in Miami-Dade County, more than half of them fail to work properly at some point during the year, helping to fuel deadly algae blooms in Biscayne Bay, home to the nation's only underwater national park. The cost to convert those systems into a central sewer plant would be more than $4 billion.

The issue is complex, merging common climate themes. Solutions are expensive, beyond the ability of localities to fund them. Permitting standards that were created when rainfall and sea-level rise were relatively constant have become inadequate. Low-income and disadvantaged people who settled in areas with poor soils likely to compromise systems are disproportionately affected. Maintenance requirements are piecemeal nationwide. And while it's clear that septic failures are increasing, the full scope of the problem remains elusive because data, particularly for the most vulnerable aging systems, are difficult to compile.

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"The challenges are going to be immense," said Scott Pippin, a lawyer and researcher at the University of Georgia's Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems who has studied the problem along the state's coast. "Conditions are changing. They're becoming more challenging for the functionality of the systems. In terms of large-scale, complex analysis of the problem, we don't really have a good picture of that now. But going forward, you can expect that it's going to become more significant."

Pippin's work in Georgia is one of several studies as states from New Hampshire to Alabama confront the effects of septic system failures. Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy estimates that 24% of the state's 1.37 million septic systems are failing and contaminating groundwater. A project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is examining the potential longer-term impacts of climate change on septic systems in the Carolinas. Virginia has created a Wastewater Infrastructure Policy Working Group to address the issue.

An EPA spokesman said the agency didn't have a report on the septic problem but noted that sea level rise, changing water tables, precipitation changes and increased temperature can cause systems to fail. The infrastructure bill passed last year provides $150 million to replace or repair systems nationwide.

For a century, conventional septic systems have been an inexpensive solution for wastewater. They work by burying a tank that collects wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers and washing machines, holding the solids while the liquid percolates through a few feet of filtering soil, where microbes and other biological processes remove harmful bacteria.

When that doesn't happen, bacteria and parasites from human waste flow into drinking water supplies or recreational waters, creating a public health problem. Nitrogen and phosphorous, also a byproduct of the waste, pollute waters, creating oxygen-depleted zones in rivers and along the coast, closing shellfish harvests and killing fish.

For decades, septic systems have been designed with the assumption that groundwater levels would remain static. That's no longer true. "Systems that were permitted 40, 50 years ago and met the criteria at that time now wouldn't," said Charles Humphrey, an East Carolina University researcher who studies groundwater dynamics. In North Carolina's Dare County, which includes Outer Banks destinations such as Nags Head and Rodanthe, groundwater levels are a foot higher than in the 1980s.

That means there's not enough separation between the septic tank and groundwater to filter pollutants. The threat isn't only along the coasts. More intense storms dumping inches of rain in a few hours soak the ground inland, compromising systems for weeks. Too little precipitation is a problem as well. The lack of early, insulating snow in the Midwest, attributed to climate change, drives down the frost line, freezing drain fields and causing failures.

Georgia spent years creating a comprehensive database of septic systems, the only state to complete one. "Everybody wants to skip to a solution - how do we build a new infrastructure for the future? But I think the story is really the value of investing in the data and in that preliminary research to make smart investments and wise decisions," Pippin said.

While Virginia's Middle Peninsula has a soggy socks problem, Miami-Dade County has a porous limestone bedrock problem. The soil under its 2.7 million South Florida residents allows septic tank effluent to reach groundwater, a problem intensified by climate change.

About half of the area's 120,000 septic tanks were compromised during storms or wet years, according to a study. Roughly 9,000 are vulnerable to compromise or failure under current conditions. That number is expected to rise to 13,500 by 2040. The solution is to connect properties to a central sewer system, beginning with the most-threatened areas. So far, the county is using $100 million from the American Rescue Plan to begin converting homes to sewer and another $126 million to convert 1,000 commercial septic tanks. The plan is to expand sewer to the 9,000 most vulnerable properties within five to 10 years, if funding can be secured.

Connecting will cost between $5,000 and $20,000. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the county is looking for funds to help low- and moderate-income property owners.

"What's at stake?" she asked. "I'm sitting on my 29th-floor office looking out the window at the beautiful bay. This is our lifeblood. Without a clean bay, we don't have tourism. We don't have health. We don't have a marine industry. It is the lifeline, the economic driver."

The cost Levine Cava outlined can be a barrier to low-income communities. In the Chuckatuck borough of Suffolk, a sprawling city in Southeast Virginia, the mostly Black, elderly residents of the Oakland neighborhood have suffered repeated septic failures in recent years. They blame the combination of new development increasing storm-water runoff and a failure by the city to maintain ditches carrying away the water.

When Roosevelt Jones, 81, moved into the neighborhood in 1961, he used an outhouse. Soon after, he installed septic. But in recent years, his system and others in the neighborhood have increasingly failed, backing up in sinks and toilets. During the 2020 winter, Jones, who has lived in his 1,300-square-foot cottage since 1961, had to pump his tank out four times at $350 each. "Normal is every five years," he said. "When we get a bad rain, it's going to flood my septic tank."

When his toilet fills with sewage, Jones, who retired from a quality control position for a warehouse but still works custodial jobs, slips into a church he cleans up the road.

After the city ran a pipeline through their neighborhood to provide sewer service to a development of more than 100 homes uphill with prices starting at $300,000, residents were given the option to tie into the system. But it came at a cost - roughly $7,000 or more per house. Many in the village are on a fixed income. The price was too high. Only 33 of 75 property owners voted, with 18 of them favoring a sewer connection. "A lot of people got them [the petitions] and ended up throwing them away," Jones said.

On Virginia's low-lying Middle Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Chesapeake Bay, the Rappahannock River and the York River, Lawrence has had a preview of the effects of climate change and the challenges to septic systems. Failing to address the problem, he said, could eliminate decades of environmental progress.

"You're sitting on all of the work for the last 30 years to clean up the Chesapeake Bay," he said. One or two good hurricanes will destroy that because every residential home will become a brownfield because their septic tank is just sitting there full of bad stuff."

Shortly after Lawrence started at the planning district in 1997, the General Assembly approved alternative septic systems in addition to the conventional gravity-fed systems. They're engineered to have a secondary treatment that purifies the wastewater before discharging it into the soil.

Now, even those alternative systems are failing. Why? They don't handle flooding well and flooding happens often on the Middle Peninsula.

Wastewater regulations for septic systems haven't been overhauled in decades in states. Virginia updated requirements 20 years ago, said Lance Gregory, director of the Department of Health's Water and Wastewater Services division. A bill passed last year directs the State Board of Health to create regulations making Virginia the first state to include the impacts of climate change on septic. The goal, Gregory said, is to not issue a permit for a system that 10 or 15 years from now will be an environmental and public health problem - and a costly repair for an owner.

Lawrence is looking for solutions, partnering with Rise, a Norfolk-based technology innovations accelerator, in a challenge to design septic systems that can be elevated much like HVAC systems. "Why are we building our communities the same way we built them 100 years ago when we know Mother Nature isn't operating the same way she did 100 years ago? It makes no sense," he said. "We've got to be reimagining and designing our communities differently. If you can elevate a heat pump, why can't you elevate a $40,000 septic system?"

The problem percolating underground so concerned William "Skip" Stiles of the nonprofit Virginia advocacy group Wetlands Watch that he created an ad hoc group of policymakers and researchers from Georgia to Maine to share knowledge and discuss solutions.

He hopes the group's "noodling" on the issues, as he calls it, will inform new regulations. In the end, the answer to the septic problem may not be to improve the regulations and the technology, but to leave threatened areas.

"The septic system is the canary in the coal mine," Stiles said. "If you've got a house and the septic is starting to flood, it won't be long before the house goes. We ought to be using septic failures as an early warning system for those areas we're going to have to take people out of."

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Reports indicate a British man fighting for Ukraine surrendered to Russians in the city of Mariupol.

Aiden Aslin, 27, joined Ukraine's marines in 2018 after fighting against the Islamic State in Syria.

His Twitter account says he and his unit ran out of food and ammunition while defending the city.

A 27-year-old man British man from the town of Newark-on-Trent is said to have surrendered to Russian forces in the city of Mariupol after running out of food and ammunition while fighting for Ukraine.

According to his Twitter account cited by The Guardian, Aiden Aslin, a former care worker, joined the Ukrainian marines in 2018 and took an oath to defend the Ukrainian people. The Evening Standard reported that he's a member of the 39th Brigade Ukrainian Marines.

The account is being run by a friend of Aslin's while he's been in Ukraine, The Guardian reported.

"It's been 48 days, we tried our best to defend Mariupol, but we have no choice but to surrender to Russian forces," Aslin's account tweeted Tuesday, apparently relaying a message from the fighter. "We have no food and no ammunition. It's been a pleasure, everyone. I hope this war ends soon."

Aslin's mother told the BBC's Emma Vardy that he and his unit had "put up one hell of a fight" and that Aslin had called her to say they "had no weapons left."

A later tweet from Aslin's account rejected the notion that Aslin was a mercenary, saying he had joined the Ukrainian military as a "totally legal combatant."

"Mercenary, a word idiots try to attach to him, has a defined legal meaning," the account wrote. It cited the Geneva Conventions' definition, which lists a criterion for identifying mercenaries as "not a member of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict."

According to the Russian state media agency TASS, Russia has declared that foreign mercenaries fighting in Ukraine won't be treated as prisoners of war under international law. "At best, they can expect to be prosecuted as criminals," a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, said, per TASS.

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Aslin previously fought alongside US-backed Kurdish YPG units in Syria against the Islamic State from 2015 to 2017, per The Guardian.

Mariupol, in Ukraine's south, has been under siege for more than 40 days, with much of the city having fallen into the hands of Russian-backed separatists or Kremlin forces. Mayor Vadym Boychenko estimated that 90% of the city's infrastructure had been destroyed and that at least 10,000 civilians had died because of the fighting.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Members of the U.S. Secret Service examine belongings removed from a vehicle that tried to drive into a restricted area near the White House, on Nov. 21, 2019 in Washington.

WASHINGTON  A federal magistrate rejected prosecutors' request to detain accused law enforcement imposters who compromised Secret Service members, saying there is no evidence that the two pose a national security risk or made a "nefarious" attempt to infiltrate the Secret Service.

"There has been no showing that national security information has been compromised," U.S. Magistrate G. Michael Harvey ruled, casting a wary assessment of the government's overall case against Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, who were arrested last week following a raid on a downtown apartment complex.

More: Defense lawyers say case against accused federal agent imposters exaggerated, argue for release

More: Secret Service investigation leads to agents put on leave over scheme providing rent-free apartments

Harvey took special aim at the government's claim that the two suspects, who allegedly posed as federal law enforcement agents, had the actual financial wherewithal to provide personal gifts, including rent-free apartments to at least two Secret Service valued at more than $40,000 each.

The magistrate noted that the owners of an upscale downtown apartment complex where the two suspects allegedly controlled five apartment units had obtained judgements against the suspects for thousands of dollars in unpaid rent.

"There does appear to be a lot of bravado here," Harvey said.

A Secret Service officer mans his post on the roof of the White House is seen on October 29, 2008, in Washington, DC.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein said the government would weigh a possible appeal of the decision; Harvey said he would delay the suspects' release until Wednesday morning to arrange their proper placement in home confinement with family members.

Some of the most tantalizing aspects of the government's case, however, were called into question by the judge.

In addition to the concerns raised about the suspects' ability to finance a law enforcement infiltration effort, Harvey said the government's references to Ali's foreign travel to Iran, Iraq and Pakistan and alleged claims of a connection to Pakistan's intelligence agency were overstated.

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Prosecutors have asserted that Ali had told at least one witness he had connections with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

The judge said there was no "reliable evidence" that a foreign government had provided financing or was supporting the suspects and their outreach to the Secret Service.

Ali's family members have said the travel was related to religious pilgrimages, which Harvey described Tuesday as "plausible" explanations.

The decision comes a day after defense lawyers offered a forceful rebuttal of the government's case.

More: 'This is quite serious': Secret Service agents 'compromised' by imposters posing as federal agents, prosecutors claim

"I've been doing this a long time," Ali attorney, Gregory Smith during Monday's detention hearing. "There have been times in my career when I've seen the government get out over their skis; this is the case here."

"The real imposter here is the impersonation of this case as a national security threat," he said, during a Monday detention hearing where both suspects sought their releases pending trial.

Four Secret Service member, two agents and two members of the Uniformed Division, remain on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Imposters in Secret Service scheme won't be detained per Judge's order
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on the Azerbaijani military invasion into the village of Parukh in Artsakh and the developments that preceded it, emphasizing that these actions are the most recent evidence of Azerbaijans racist policy.

First, Azerbaijan blew up the only pipeline supplying gas to Nagorno Karabakh, at a time when unprecedented low temperatures were recorded in Nagorno Karabakh. It took 11 days for the pipeline to be restored, but it turned out that during the repair Azerbaijan had installed a valve on the pipeline and this valve was shut the day when unprecedented snowfalls took place in Karabakh, up to 1 meters, and the temperature dropped minus 8 degrees Celsius. This anti-Armenian campaign was essentially the continuation of the Azerbaijani actions on using loudspeakers in Armenian and Russian languages to demand the residents of several villages of Karabakh to abandon the villages or else be taken out by force. These statements were coupled with nighttime illumination of the village homes and playing of azan, the Muslim call for prayer. This is none other than a manifestation of religious terror and on the other hand the defamation of Islam.

But this invasion into the village of Parukh, which is in the area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagoprno Karabakh, showed that Azerbaijan doesnt plan to limit itself with psychological terror and that the exodus of Armenians of Artsakh through armed terrorism is its main and key objective, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said that this brings many questions regarding the Russian peacekeeping contingents activities in Nagorno Karabakh. But now we find it important for the Russian peacekeeping contingent to take measures to withdraw the Azerbaijani military units from its area of responsibility. This is an absolute necessity and a very serious trial for the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno Karabakh.
(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday mocked Moscow's insistence that the war against his nation was going well, asking how President Vladimir Putin could have approved a plan that involved so many Russians dying.

Putin, speaking on Tuesday, said Russia would achieve all of its "noble" aims and "rhythmically and calmly" continue what it calls a special operation.

Moscow said on March 25, its most recent update, that 1,351 soldiers had been killed since the start of the campaign. Ukraine says the real number is closer to 20,000.

"In Russia it was once again said that their so-called 'special operation' is supposedly going according to plan. But, to be honest, no one in the world understands how such a plan could even come about," Zelenskiy said in a video address.

"How could a plan that provides for the death of tens of thousands of their own soldiers in a little more than a month of war come about? Who could approve such a plan?"

Zelenskiy asked how many dead Russian soldiers would be acceptable to Putin, giving a range of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands.

Moscow had lost more men in 48 days since the war started than in the 10-year Afghan war from 1979 to 1989, he said.

Zelenskiy said that while some had made fun of the Russians, their failures in the field and inferior technology, their opponents were not all hopeless.

"We must understand that not all Russian tanks are stuck in fields, not all enemy soldiers simply flee the battlefield and not all of them are conscripts who do not know how to hold weapons properly," he said.

"This does not mean that we should be afraid of them. This means that we must not diminish the accomplishments of our fighters, our army."

(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Ron Popeski; editing by Grant McCool)
Apr. 13Alaska's biggest Native-owned corporations have endorsed Tara Sweeney's bid for U.S. House, and have set up a super PAC to boost the former Trump administration official and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. executive.

"Alaskans for TARA"  True Alaska Representation Alliance  was registered as a super PAC Tuesday with the Federal Elections Commission.

It will campaign on behalf of Sweeney, a Republican. She is one of 48 candidates running in the June 11 special primary election to temporarily fill the U.S. House seat previously held by Don Young; she will also run in the regular election for a full two-year term.

Sweeney is Inupiaq and grew up in Utqiagvik, on Alaska's North Slope. She served as assistant secretary for Indian affairs in the Interior Department in former President Donald Trump's administration.

Before that, she worked as executive vice president of external affairs at Arctic Slope Regional Corp., and co-chaired the Alaska Federation of Natives. Her mother, Eileen Panigeo MacLean, served in the Alaska Legislature.

The new super PAC can raise and spend unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions and individuals on Sweeney's behalf, though it's barred from coordinating its efforts with Sweeney's campaign.

The ANCSA Regional Association, a group that consists of the chief executives and presidents of the state's 12 regional Native corporations, is leading the effort.

The regional Native corporations, including companies such as ASRC, Sealaska, Nana and Bristol Bay Native Corp., are major political and economic forces in Alaska. They are six of the state's eight largest companies when ranked by gross revenue, according to Alaska Business magazine.

It's unusual, though not unprecedented, for the association and its members to get involved in congressional races. In 2010, its members gave $1 million to Alaskans Standing Together, a super PAC backing GOP U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's write-in campaign in the general election against tea party Republican Joe Miller.

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"Alaska Native corporations are economic and political powerhouses. Just as important, they are able to communicate with their shareholders in a more authentic way than traditional political campaigns," said Sarah Erkmann Ward, an Anchorage communication and strategy consultant. "So, ARA's involvement is significant in that it provides not only financial backing, but also on-the-ground support that can result in votes."

Sweeney understands rural and urban Alaska and knows how to work effectively both in Washington, D.C. and Alaska, said Kim Reitmeier, ARA's president.

[Santa is running. And Santa's serious.]

The super PAC, she added, will try to boost Sweeney's name recognition and educate Alaskans about the state's new system of voting: a nonpartisan, open primary where the top four candidates advance to a ranked choice general election.

"We have a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time," Reitmeier said in a phone interview.

Reitmeier would not discuss the details of her group's pre-endorsement deliberations, nor would she say whether the decision was unanimous.

Several political insiders will be involved in the super PAC, according to Reitmeier. Those include lobbyists Mike Pawlowski and Jerry Mackie, along with attorney and political strategist Scott Kendall.

[As some question her commitment, Palin says she's never left Alaska]

The super PAC does not have a defined budget, but Reitmeier said she hopes it will reach at least six figures, if not seven. The group is also soliciting support from entities beyond Alaska Native corporations, she said.
Bilia AB





Bilia currently conducts sales and service from the German sports car manufacturer Porsche at two Porsche Centers in southern Sweden, in Malmo and in Helsingborg.

Together with Porsche Sweden, we are now preparing the next step of our collaboration by planning for a new establishment and construction of another Porsche sales and service facility in Kristianstad. At present there are a total of eleven Porsche Centers in Sweden. New Porsche Center Kristianstad will increase Bilias presence in the region and enable even better service for new and existing Porsche customers.

Per Avander, Managing Director and CEO Bilia AB, comments:

We are very happy to be able to continue our journey together with Porsche Sweden by establishing a completely new full-service facility, in accordance with Bilias One-stop-shop concept, for our operation in the Porsche business. This means that Bilia will continue to be a strong representative of Porsche in the southern part of Sweden.

Reine Wermelin, Director Porsche Sweden, comments:

We are grateful for the continued trust Bilia shows us through such an investment. Porsche in Sweden has had a strong sales trend for several years. Our rechargeable cars, where sales have now passed 60 per cent, contribute to further growth. Thus, there is a need to continue to increase the capacity of the dealer network. Bilias establishment of Porsche Center Kristianstad helps us to continue to look positively to the future.

Gothenburg, April 13, 2022

Bilia AB (publ)

For information please contact:

Per Avander, Managing Director and CEO, +46 (0)10 497 70 00, per.avander@bilia.se

Kristina Franzen, CFO, +46 (0)10 497 73 40, kristina.franzen@bilia.se

Facts about the Bilia Group

Bilia is one of Europes largest car dealers with a leading position within service and sales of cars, transport vehicles and trucks. Bilia has about 150 facilities in Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium. Bilia sells cars of the brand Volvo, BMW, Toyota,

Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Lexus, MINI, Porsche, Nissan, Dacia, Smart and Alpine and transport vehicles of the brand Renault, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Dacia and trucks of the brand Mercedes-Benz.

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Bilia has today a fully expanded business with sales of new cars, e-commerce, spare parts and store sales, service and repair workshops, tyres and car glass and financing, insurance, car washes, fuel stations and auto salvage under the same roof, which gives a unique offer.

Bilia reported a turnover of about SEK 35 bn in 2021 and had about 5,300 employees.

Attachment




George C. Walker, 66, in the most-recent photo the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has of the parole violator.

Since his imprisonment in the 1980s for his conviction for two armed robberies, George Walker had been granted parole twice  and twice had violated it.

There are those who believe the nature of Walker's crimes are so severe  and his inability to be rehabilitated so irrefutable  that they would prefer to see him remain behind bars for the rest of his life. So when Walker became eligible for parole once again in 2018, it prompted strong opposition, including objections from some powerful officials.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, now-former Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and since-retired Columbus police Cmdr. Bob Meader all filed objections some four years ago to his release. The Ohio Parole Board ultimately denied Walker's release from prison.

Past coverage: Parole Board denies release for armed robber who violated parole twice

But three years later, Walker, now 66, was again eligible for parole in 2021. And after a hearing on July 8, the parole board granted Walker his release, freeing him on Sept. 8.

Within three months, however, Walker once again violated his parole. And since Dec. 22 he has been listed as a violator "at-large," according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) website.

Bret Vinocur, a local volunteer victims' advocate who fights against the release of violent offenders through his nonprofit Block Parole Inc., couldn't contain his outrage.

Where is he? You lost him again?! Vinocur said of state DRC officials. I cant believe they released him a third time.

George Walker: Armed robber terrorized Clarmont restaurant in 1986

Before he was first granted parole in 2006, Walker spent three decades behind bars after a Franklin County jury convicted him in 1986 of multiple felonies stemming from violent armed robberies at a Northeast Side gas station and a German Village restaurant. Walker was convicted on counts of felonious assault, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

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One of three alleged gunmen involved in the Jan. 21, 1986 robberies, a 30-year-old Walker had first shot at a pregnant woman working at a Sohio station at Woodland and 17th avenues in the first holdup. He and his accomplices also put another attendant in a storage closet.

Walker and his accomplices later stormed into the Clarmont restaurant at 684 S. High St. in German Village, where more shots were fired and 40 patrons were terrorized.

Columbus Sgt. Gary Streeter responded to a silent alarm at the restaurant as the gunmen were fleeing, and Walker shot at him, too. His bullets missed Streeter, striking the officer's cruiser.

Husel trial: Why the delay in closing arguments in the William Husel trial? What we now know

Streeter called for backup, and Walker was later arrested after he was found hiding under a porch.

Only one of the other two gunmen was ever identified and convicted  Lance A. King, who was sentenced to up to 171 years in prison in 1995, according to previous coverage in The Dispatch.

Parole violations include drug use, fleeing to Texas

Walker was first released on parole in June 2006. By November 2007, his parole was revoked after his first violation for drug use and his failure to enter and complete a substance abuse program that was a condition of his release, according to Ohio DRC documents reviewed by The Dispatch.

Walker was indicted for felony drug possession in December 2007, court records show.

He was released on parole for the second time in April 2008, again on the condition that he complete a substance abuse program. As part of its rationale, the parole board cited in its written decision the non-violent nature of his first infraction while on parole and the level of familial support they believed Walker had.

But Walker failed to report to his parole officer and took off to Texas, where he was eventually apprehended while he was deemed a parole violator at-large, DRC records show. His parole was again revoked in April 2010.

That history is why Klein, a Democrat, and O'Brien, a Republican, were among those who felt compelled to vehemently oppose Walker's release four years ago.

In a rare move for O'Brien, the former prosecutor attended the 2018 hearing in person, partly on behalf of Sgt. Streeter, who had died that February. And O'Brien told The Dispatch at the time that he couldn't recall that a Columbus city attorney before Klein had ever appeared at a parole hearing.

Cmdr. Meader, who retired in February as a 31-year veteran of the Columbus Division of Police, also testified at that hearing on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, which represents Columbus police and other area law enforcement officers.

Trial for former Columbus officer: Prosecutors nearly done with case against former Columbus police officer Andrew Mitchell

A nine-member panel denied Walker's 2018 parole request.

But last July, the parole board released Walker again under five years of supervision, writing in its decision obtained by The Dispatch that he had been in prison for more than 11 years since his last violation and concluding that his re-entry plan was suitable for release.

Walker has "taken risk-relevant programming to abate his risk to re-offend," the entry read. "Since his last hearing in 2018, the inmate has maintained satisfactory institutional adjustment."

When Walker or any parolee violates conditions of his release and disappears, parole staff works with relevant law enforcement agencies to locate his whereabouts and apprehend him, said DRC spokeswoman JoEllen Smith.

Smith and another Ohio DRC spokesperson did not respond, however, when asked to comment specifically about Walker's release and his subsequent disappearance.

Ohio law requires that prosecutors, judges, victims of violent crimes and, in certain case, other parties be notified of upcoming parole hearings.

Democrat Gary Tyack defeated O'Brien in the November 2020 election and became Franklin County prosecutor in 2021. Janet Grubb, appointed by Tyack as the county's first assistant prosecutor for criminal cases, said the parole board notified Tyack's office about Walker's hearing, but the staff saw little reason to oppose the release.

"Nothing about the notice alerted those reviewing the case to believe that this matter should receive an elevated level of internal review," Grubb said in a written statement to The Dispatch. "The alleged victim was deceased, the offense was remote, and the offense did not result in a conviction for a homicide."

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein

Klein said in a written statement to The Dispatch that the City Attorney's office was not made aware of Walker's July parole hearing. Had he been, Klein said in a statement that his office would have objected to Walker's release, just as it had in 2018.

"He is a clear danger to society and should not have been granted another opportunity for release," Klein said in the statement.

Also unaware of the July hearing was Meader.

George Walker is a violent predator," Meader said. "He has a lifetime of violent predatory behavior and the community is less safe with him out.

Eric Lagatta is a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch covering public safety, breaking news and social justice issues. Reach him at elagatta@dispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus robber violated parole twice. Now he's at-large again
Ask people to name a fruit associated with Florida and most will respond oranges. Yet 125 years ago what today is called the Treasure Coast was formerly known as the Pineapple Capital of the World.

Evidence of that time remains: look around and notice how often you see the pineapple as a decorative element, logo or sign of welcome.

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It began with the passage of the Armed Occupation Act in August 1842 and the settlement of the Indian River Colony a year later. A male settler could obtain title to 160 acres of land by meeting the following: "The land must be south of a line running roughly from just south of St. Augustine to just north of Cedar Key; reside on the land for five years; build a home and clear five acres for cultivation; and must not be within two miles of a military post."

Seeing the potential of the area for a profitable citrus business, a committee formed to investigate importing new citrus stock. Since it took about a decade for citrus trees to become profitable, the settlers undertook other enterprises.

Captain Mills O. Burnham may have been the first to cultivate pineapples for the commercial market; propagated from the fruit stalk below the fruit called slips, the plant will bear fruit in two years and continue to produce for ten (Burnham also was also very successful in the wholesale turtle business).

Pineapple workers courtesy Pickslay Cheek.

Unfortunately, the settlement was abandoned a few years later.

When the area was resettled around 1880, New Jersey shipbuilder Thomas E. Richards and R.D. Hoke separately revived planting pineapples. Richards and two sons cleared three acres near their homesite on the west side of the Indian River for farming.

Richards saw some pineapples growing on Hutchinson Island and decided that it was pineapples, rather than the planned sugarcane, were his future. Sailing with his sons to Key Largo, Richards purchased 44,000 pineapple slips, which he planted on either side of the Indian River, with the majority -- 40,000 slips, on Hutchinson Island. Ultimately, those slips that were planted on the island failed, but those on the rivers west side thrived.

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According to "History of Martin County" compiled by Janet Hutchinson:

The success of Richardss crop  which grew like wildfire on the sandy ridge along the Indian River  led later settlers to plant their fields with pines. For the next 30 years, the cultivation of pineapples was the principal activity for the young settlement, attracting an increasing number of farmers who, in turn, were followed by field hands, tradesmen, craftsmen and professionals. Had it not been for Hoke and Richards and their pineapples, Stuart might have been only empty land waiting for development in the great 1925 boom period.

Once Richards established a house among the pineapples, he was joined by his wife Rebecca and their younger children. The family subsequently became strong promoters of the area, helping to organize the Indian River and Lake Worth Pineapple Growers Association, for which Thomas Richards served as its first president.

In the early 1880s, Danish born John Lawrence Jensen visited the area from Wheeling, Va. He was so impressed that upon returning to Wheeling, he applied to the federal government for Homestead Settler Rights to much of the land what was later to make up the community of Jensen.

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There were few settlers in the area at the time. He received his grant in 1888, and with the help of Indian and Bahamian workers, Jensen began clearing land and planting pineapples with slips he had purchased from Thomas Richards.

Within a few years, pineapple plantations ranging in size from five to 600 acres extended along the sand ridge from Sebastian to Hobe Sound, and Jensen became known as the Pineapple Capital. Frosts and freezes, the worst occurring in 1895, occasionally set the industry back, but it revived. During the peak years of the industry, the area was said to produce a million crates of pineapples annually.

Harvested and shipped in June and July, pineapples were moved by Indian River steamers. All the activity enticed Henry Flagler to extend his railroad down Floridas east coast. Ultimately, the railroad expansion was no favor to the local pineapple industry; Florida East Coast Railway charged more to ship local pineapples than those imported from Cuba via Key West.

Ironically, the local pineapple industry collapsed in 1913. It was the result of the high cost to transport the produce, combined with the exceptionally cold winter of 1909-10 which severely impacted pineapple production. After the collapse, many farmers turned to citrus, as oranges did very well in the sandy soil of the mainland.

Not everyone gave up on pineapples, though. Carroll Dunscombe of Stuart entered the pineapple growing arena just as the early growers were moving on. Dunscombe became the area's largest grower, and between 1915 and 1924, he was shipping from more than 400 acres.

He also grew and shipped mangoes. In 1925, Dunscombe was caught up in the Florida land boom, and plowed his pineapples under and went into real estate. Many of his mango trees still stand in St. Lucie Estates today. As the bottom fell out of real estate a few years later, Carroll Dunscombe studied law, becoming a member of the Florida Bar in 1932.

Jensen Beach has a rich history with pineapple production.

Although the large commercial plantations are now a part of history, just keep looking around, and youll see that pineapples remain as a signature hallmark of welcome in Jensen Beach.

To learn more about the fascinating history of Martin County and the Treasure Coast, visit the Elliott Museum at 825 NE Ocean Boulevard, Hutchinson Island, Stuart. Open seven days, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Before oranges, Treasure Coast was 'Pineapple Capital of the World'
April 13, 2022

LVIV  The war effort is everywhere in Lviv.

The city, the largest in western Ukraine, has swelled with about 200,000 people who were displaced from elsewhere in the country since Russia invaded in late February. Some of its schools and theaters were transformed into shelters to hold the new residents.

Street musicians on the narrow streets sing Ukrainian and foreign songs like they always have, but now with signs that read that half the money will go to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The street music and birdsong are routinely overlapped with air raids.

The city was miraculously spared during the Second World War, but it has been subject to air shelling twice so far.

The residents of Lviv, along with displaced Ukrainians, are united. Many Ukrainians feel it as a continuation of their long history of fighting for independence.

People look on after a Russian missile was shot down over apartment buildings in Bilychi, Kyiv, on Sunday, March 20. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

People look on after a Russian missile was shot down over apartment buildings in Bilychi, Kyiv, on Sunday, March 20. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A vehicle in Kyiv is damaged in a residential area after the area was targeted by Russian rockets. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A vehicle in Kyiv is damaged in a residential area after the area was targeted by Russian rockets. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A firefighter puts out a fire in a home that was hit by a Russian rocket in Kyiv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A firefighter puts out a fire in a home that was hit by a Russian rocket in Kyiv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A Russian missile is intercepted by a Ukrainian air-defense system in Kyiv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A Russian missile is intercepted by a Ukrainian air-defense system in Kyiv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have arrived from abroad to help their country and join the Armed Forces. The number of volunteers already exceeds the current capacity to train and equip them. So mostly those with previous military experience are being called into service, and others are put on a reserve list. Men and women, young and old, right and left, people of every background and profession are fighting shoulder to shoulder.

Civilians are not sitting back. Some of them have undergone training on first aid and the basic rules of handling weapons. Others make camouflage nets or unload and sort humanitarian aid. People donate to private and public initiatives buying drones, vehicles and other military equipment.

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Volunteers prepare trucks to be sent east to areas directly affected by the warfare. The volunteers come from a slew of professions  managers, IT specialists, university professors and more  all gathered to process the boxes of foreign aid sent by the Ukrainian diaspora and other supporters abroad.

A young couple talk to each other over their cell phones at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station where thousands of Ukrainian refugees pass through daily for trains bound for Poland, Romania and other neighboring countries to escape the war as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. Men age 18-60 have been banned from leaving Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A young couple talk to each other over their cell phones at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station where thousands of Ukrainian refugees pass through daily for trains bound for Poland, Romania and other neighboring countries to escape the war as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. Men age 18-60 have been banned from leaving Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A Ukrainian soldier embraces his girlfriend while waiting to board a train heading for the frontlines at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A Ukrainian soldier embraces his girlfriend while waiting to board a train heading for the frontlines at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Ukrainian refugees aboard a train bound for Poland at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Ukrainian refugees aboard a train bound for Poland at Lviv-Holovnyi railway station. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

There are many supplies, but in a country where roughly every fourth citizen has left home, the demand is still very high. The biggest needs are medicine, hygiene items, or simply food and clothes. Not to mention protective equipment for soldiers.

One displaced woman, Aide, was celebrating her birthday. Aide, 48, is of Azerbaijani heritage but has lived in Ukraine since she was 13. She has been forced from her home twice due to Russian aggression.

Aide, a refugee from the Donbass region, tears up while standing for a portrait at a shelter in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Aide, a refugee from the Donbass region, tears up while standing for a portrait at a shelter in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

In 2014, she and her family fled from Donetsk to a town near Kryvyi Rih when the war started and the Ukrainian government lost control over eastern parts of the country. She was working in a local hospital there serving the food to the patients. Aides daughter was killed in a shelling in 2014, and her son was abducted by Russian proxies to fight against Ukraine. Aide says he never talked about what he experienced there after he refused to fight against his own country.

This year, Aide, her son and her grandson were forced to flee yet again, this time to Lviv. They hope to go abroad once they obtain the necessary documents.

A coffee-shop-turned-shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, where food is made, supplies are held and first aid classes are taught to those sheltering and open to civilians who want to learn. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A coffee-shop-turned-shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, where food is made, supplies are held and first aid classes are taught to those sheltering and open to civilians who want to learn. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A volunteer sorts through various materials that will be used to make camouflage netting for the military in Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A volunteer sorts through various materials that will be used to make camouflage netting for the military in Ukraine. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Volunteers assemble camouflage netting. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Volunteers assemble camouflage netting. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A volunteer at the main aid station in Lviv takes a break on a pile of blankets donated for civilians fleeing their homes. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A volunteer at the main aid station in Lviv takes a break on a pile of blankets donated for civilians fleeing their homes. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Young men in the civilian world partake in firearms training in Lviv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Young men in the civilian world partake in firearms training in Lviv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Firearms training in Lviv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Firearms training in Lviv. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

Like every war, this one brings casualties. In Lviv, the mourners usually pay their final tribute to the fallen warriors in the splendid baroque Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church.

The number of military and civilians who died in this unprovoked war is yet unknown  the latest civilian casualty estimate from the United Nations is 4,521, though the actual number is likely higher.

Many people have lost their homes. In Chernihiv and Kharkiv, the residential neighborhoods on the outskirts were the first targets of massive shelling. Some cities, like Volnovakha and besieged Mariupol, almost ceased to exist as such. Kyiv also has a number of damaged buildings, but its suburbs have weathered the biggest assaults. Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Borodyanka have become known worldwide for the looting, destruction and atrocities authorities say Russian troops carried out.

For millions of Ukrainians, the world was shattered. Now they are making every effort to win this war and reinstate peace.

The Vyshyvanyi family mourns the loss of their second son, Kyrylo Vyshyvanyi, who died in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Their first son was killed during the initial invasion of Ukraine. A funeral was held at Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv for four soldiers killed in a Russian rocket attack on Yavoriv Military Training Base on March 13: Kyrylo Vyshyvanyi, Oleh Yaschyshyn, Serhii Melnyk and Rostyslav Romanchuk the soldiers. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

The Vyshyvanyi family mourns the loss of their second son, Kyrylo Vyshyvanyi, who died in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Their first son was killed during the initial invasion of Ukraine. A funeral was held at Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv for four soldiers killed in a Russian rocket attack on Yavoriv Military Training Base on March 13: Kyrylo Vyshyvanyi, Oleh Yaschyshyn, Serhii Melnyk and Rostyslav Romanchuk the soldiers. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A funeral held for fallen Ukrainian soldiers. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)

A funeral held for fallen Ukrainian soldiers. (Photo: Seth Herald/Redux for HuffPost)





Photo Director: Christy Havranek, Senior Photo Editor: Chris McGonigal, Deputy Politics Editor: Elise Foley, Copy Editor: Jillian Capewell

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Frank Robert James, the man suspected of shooting at least 10 people at a Brooklyn subway station, was arrested and charged on Wednesday, after evading capture for more than 24 hours in a city teeming with police.

"Literally hundreds of NYPD detectives worked doggedly during the last 30 hours to bring this together," NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "I hope this arrest brings some solace to the victims and the people of the city of New York."

James, a 62-year-old Black man, was arrested in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan after police received a Crime Stoppers tip. He faces a federal charge of terrorism on mass transit, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

"The government will prove, among other things, that James traveled across a state line in order to commit the offense, and transported materials across the state line in aid of the commission of the offense," US Attorney Breon Peace said.

The Associated Press and several other outlets reported that it was James who called the police on himself, though an NYPD spokesperson declined to comment, saying tips reported to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

Several people who were in the East Village area also said they informed police about James' whereabouts, including Zack Tahhan, a Syrian man who moved to the US five years ago and who was identified by passersby as the person who reported James. Tahhan, who works for a security system service, told reporters that he had spotted James on a security camera and alerted police.

Police did not confirm if Tahhan was the person who submitted the tip about James, but they took him away for an interview on Wednesday afternoon.

Police taking Zack for an interview. Crowd going nuts with cheers for him. People are shaking his hand. Shouts of You're a hero! and They should double the reward money! 07:19 PM - 13 Apr 2022

More than 20 people were injured when the suspect, wearing a gas mask, released gas canisters inside the subway car of a Manhattan-bound N train, then opened fire on commuters during the tail end of morning rush hour on Tuesday. Ten people sustained gunshot wounds. Video on social media showed terrified commuters fleeing the train in a panic, some falling to the ground and leaving streaks of blood on the platform of the Sunset Park subway station. Five victims who were 18 years old and younger were on the way to school when the shooting happened, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

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Officials said Wednesday that they are still working to determine a motive. NYPD's chief of detectives, James Essig, said they believe that after James fired 33 times at commuters, he boarded an R train that pulled into the Sunset Park station and exited one stop up.

The attack shook New Yorkers, and an air of tension hung over the city in the ensuing 24 hours as police launched a search for the suspect.

Police recovered a U-Haul van connected to the suspect on Tuesday night and named James a person of interest in the case. On Wednesday morning, authorities said James was a suspect and offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

It's unclear how the suspect managed to escape the scene in a transit system  and a city  with such a heavy police presence. According to videos and eyewitness accounts, commuters ran out of a smoke-filled train car in panic as it pulled into the station. Many rushed toward an R train that was across the platform  likely the same one that police said James himself boarded.

Police found the keys to the U-Haul van at the scene of the shooting, along with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, three extended Glock-type magazines, a hatchet, bullets and bullet fragments, two detonated and two undetonated smoke grenades, gasoline, and fireworks. Essig said the gun found at the crime scene was purchased by James in 2011 in Ohio.

Police also recovered footage of James entering the Kings Highway subway station, three blocks from where they found the U-Haul van.

On 4/12/22 at 8:30 AM, Frank Robert James fired numerous gun shots inside an "N" line subway car at 36th St & 4th Ave subway station causing serious injuries to 10 people. Anyone with info about the incident or his whereabouts should contact @NYPDTips or call 1-800-577-TIPS. 01:11 PM - 13 Apr 2022

Essig said that James was known to local law enforcement, and has ties to Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City. He had nine prior arrests in New York, from 1992 to 1998, and three arrests in New Jersey, in 1991, 1992, and 2007.

Among the photos of James that the NYPD shared on Tuesday was a screenshot from a YouTube video from "prophetoftruth88," an account that appeared to belong to James.

The YouTube channel had hundreds of videos, many of them extended rants in which he expressed racist and derogatory views, including against Black people and other people of color. He also complained about unhoused people on the NYC subway and criticized Adams' policies, and in one video called 9/11 "the most beautiful day in the history of this country."

The US Attorney's office also noted that James referenced conspiracy theories and threatened violence. In one video, he said, "And so the message to me is: I should have gotten a gun, and just started shooting motherfuckers," the US Attorney's office said.

Sewell said Tuesday that authorities were aware of "concerning" social media posts that may be connected to James, and as a result, the mayor's security detail would be tightened "in an abundance of caution."

When asked why police hadn't yet apprehended the suspect in an interview with WNYC on Wednesday morning before the arrest, Adams deflected the question by lauding the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and their work in identifying the U-Haul van and James' social media accounts.

"This is actually an amazing turnaround with the lack of information that we had," he said.

New York City employs about 36,000 police officers, and AM New York reported in January that approximately 3,500 of them are assigned to the NYPD's transit bureau. However, the New York Times reported that no officers were present at the Sunset Park station at the time of the shooting, although cops did patrol the station earlier that morning.

Authorities also revealed that the Sunset Park station's security camera was malfunctioning, raising questions about security in the transit system. The New York City subway system has a vast network of surveillance cameras, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority said last September that it had installed cameras at all 472 subway stations.

"If you are a criminal who preys on those who use our system, you will have your image captured and be put on the express track to justice. The image will be delivered to the police, and the police will use it to find you," MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren said at the time.

MTA CEO Janno Lieber told CBS News on Wednesday that the broken camera at the station was due to a possible server issue. Lieber added that there is "an enormous range of video" from other stations on that particular subway line "that there are images of this fellow that are going to be found."

Neither the NYPD nor the mayor's office has control over the subway security cameras, Adams said.

"It's under the control of the state. The camera system is controlled by the MTA," he told WNYC. "They are cooperating with us to assist us in finding out what happened at the train station. We don't have a full understanding of that as of this moment, but that is the control of the MTA."

More on this
Sydney, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies:

Bardoc Gold Ltd (ASX:BDC) has been acquired by St Barbara Mining Ltd in a deal that valued the gold junior at around $157 million. Click here

Emyria Ltd (ASX:EMD) has entered a master service agreement (MSA) with Clinitrials, an Australian contract research organisation, to help coordinate a pivotal phase three clinical study of the biotechnology company's proprietary cannabis medicine, EMD-RX5. Click here

Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR) shares are trading about 1.64% higher intra-day after starting a 20,000 metre drilling program for the 2022 field season at its Lamboo PGE Project within the Halls Creek Project in Kimberley, Western Australia. Click here

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) has reaffirmed its FY22 production guidance of between 18,500 and 19,500 tonnes of copper for the Tritton operations in NSW. Click here

Moho Resources Ltd (ASX:MOH) is encouraged by the final assay results received from the 2021 aircore program at the Tyrells and Hodges gold prospects within the Silver Swan North Project in Western Australia. Click here

Volt Resources Ltd (ASX:VRC) has furthered its commercialisation efforts with offtake and test work discussions with a US-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) cell developer engaged with both electric vehicle and stationary storage manufacturers. Click here

Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) and collaborator City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organisations in the United States, has dosed the first cohort two patient in the phase one clinical trial of its oncolytic virotherapy candidate, CHECKvacc. Click here

KGL Resources Ltd (ASX:KGL) will raise around $24.2 million at $0.37 cents per share via an entitlement offer that is subject to a minimum raise condition of $9.9 million. Click here

Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) has received the final regulatory approval for 1,700 metres of diamond drilling exploration at its Sunnyside prospect, part of the greater Halls Peak Project in northern New South Wales. Click here

Hillgrove Resources Ltd (ASX:HGO) has pulled the first load of copper from the Kavanagh lode system of the Kanmantoo Underground project, delivering it to the run-of-mine (RoM) stockpile. Click here

AVZ Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) has received a positive technical opinion from the Department of Mines, indicating it could be close to a favourable decision on the award of the mining licence for its flagship Manono Lithium and Tin Project. Click here

Sunstone Metals Ltd (ASX:STM) is out to raise $24 million to support drilling activity across its copper-gold discoveries in Ecuador. Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX:AVL) is working with Bryah Resources Ltd (ASX:BYH) (in which it has a 4.9% shareholding) on detailed studies examining the recovery of nickel, copper and cobalt from the tails stream of the Australian Vanadium Project. Click here

Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU, TSX:PRU, OTC:PMNXF) has intersected further high-grade gold mineralisation from its exploration drilling program at the CMA underground prospect within the Yaoure Gold Mine in Cote dIvoire. Click here

Tietto Minerals Ltd (ASX:TIE) is on track to produce its first gold bar from the Abujar Gold Project before years end. Click here

GTI Resources Ltd (ASX:GTR) is now trading on the OTCQB Market in North America. Click here

Kingston Resources Ltd (ASX:KSN) has delineated 10 or more new drill targets within and close to the Mineral Hill copper-gold mine's Mining Lease (ML) in New South Wales, providing drill-ready, walk-up greenfield targets and highlighting the growth potential of the recently acquired project. Click here

Hygrovest Ltd (ASX:HGV) has significantly outperformed a declining Canadian cannabis market, with the investment holding groups net asset value (NAV) decreasing just 14% for the financial year to 31 March 2022, compared to a 60% decline in the benchmark over the same period. Click here

Miramar Resources Ltd (ASX:M2R) is exploring the potential for multiple, large gold deposits at its 80%-owned Gidji joint venture project in WAs Eastern Goldfields. Click here

BlackEarth Minerals NL (ASX:BEM) has completed its Razafy Northwest 1670-metre diamond drilling program at its 100%-owned Maniry Graphite Project in Southern Madagascar. Click here

Castillo Copper Ltd (LSE:CCZ, ASX:CCZ) has intersected highly anomalous cobalt at the Broken Hill Alliance (BHA) Project in New South Wales, further enhancing the potential for a large cobalt system within the defined target area. Click here

Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF) has received approvals from the Vietnamese government to start drilling at the highly prospective Chim Van target. Click here

Corazon Mining Ltd (ASX:CZN) is $7.6 million richer thanks to its latest entitlement offer. Click here
A new Indianapolis City-County council map could give Republicans more seats in Democrat-heavy Marion County after passing through committee with little public comment Tuesday. The new map could make its way to the full council for a vote as soon as next month.

The 8-2 vote garnered support from most council Republicans, whose party had cried foul over the redistricting process at the local level.

The new council seats, redrawn every 10 years to reflect the latest population changes recorded in the U.S. Census, adds another seat in the most southern border of Marion County. The new map appears to have five solidly Republican districts to the area as opposed to the current four.

The new southside: This area has grown the most in people of color in the past decade

The new map appears to be fairly balanced, according to statistical analyses from the PlanScore mapping tool uploaded by Common Cause Indiana. In one statistical measure of partisan fairness, the map skews slightly Republican. In another, the map skews Democratic.

City councilors will now represent roughly 977,000 residents, up from the 2010 count of roughly 903,000. That amounts to roughly 39,000 constituents in each of the 25 districts.

The proposed Indianapolis council districts likely keep a Democratic supermajority while potentially giving Republicans more seats.

The new map also creates competition among Democrats, drawing councilors Monroe Gray and Keith Potts into one district on the north side and councilors Jason Larrison and David Ray into another on the east side.

It's unclear which of those four Democrats may choose to seek reelection in 2023.

Democrats currently hold a supermajority on the council with 20 seats compared to Republicans' five.

Gray joined Republican Michael-Paul Hart in voting against the map on Tuesday.

He told the IndyStar before the meeting that he thought that map drawing was targeted  that Gray's actions may have upset members of his party over the years, most recently when he spoke out against the power wielded by the local Democratic Party chair.

"When you dont agree with the powers that be all the time then thats the one chance they have to get you," Gray said.

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Maps displaying different district statistics for the 25-district map of Marion County are set up at a meeting about redistricting the districts, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at the Franklin Township Civic League in Indianapolis.

Hart voiced a need to allow residents to see and comment on the proposed map, a concern also pushed by Common Cause Indiana. The other three Republicans on the committee voted in support.

The map was publicly revealed after sparsely attended public forums in each of Marion County's nine townships.

Council President Vop Osili countered the redistricting process has occurred for several months with invitations for public engagement.

"We could go through this process for the next three years ... and never get it right," he said. "Never get to the satisfaction of 977,000 individuals."

Other districts to watch

Another three districts could also swing Republican. District 17, encompassing the southern part of Wayne township, leans Republican, according to an analysis from the PlanScore mapping tool completed by Common Cause Indiana. District 19, encompassing the west part of Beech Grove, leans Republican as well.

The adjacent District 2 encompassing the east part of Beech Grove may also be a toss up in future elections, but leans Democratic.

The new District 4 encompassing the Geist area also looks like it may be a toss up.

Changing Indianapolis: These areas, once predominantly Black, are becoming more white

The PlanScore analysis, however, only measures ballots as they were cast in the last 2020 election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Political leanings could vary from that divisive national election.

Councilor Ali Brown, who won her current council seat against a Republican in 2019, told the IndyStar the new District 10 she will compete in is good for the people of Lawrence.

"I'll be able to represent them strongly after my reelection," Brown said. "They'll have one councilor to look to instead of having to try to figure out who they need to talk to about what road."

Councilor Jared Evans, who has kept his seat as a Democrat in an area with a formidable Republican challenge, told the IndyStar he plans on running for reelection to his new Republican-leaning District 17.

That area is always going to be a political challenge, he said.

"But that's not something that's hindered my thought on running for reelection," Evans said. "I think that's one of the beauties of it, in the sense that you've got to work on issues that mean something to the people."

Neighborhoods united and divided

Drawing the new map requires a delicate balance of maintaining equal population and ensuring that people of color are not disproportionality packed in one district or skewed throughout multiple areas.

The new map combined a number of neighborhoods whose residents asked to be united, or areas that combined into one clear community of interest, Brandon Herget, policy director for the council, told the committee Tuesday.

That includes Irvington, which is primarily located within the new District 14 instead of being split among multiple districts.

The Fountain Square, Fletcher Place and Bates-Hendricks neighborhoods  previously divided into three council districts  are also now in one district.

Decatur Township, too, is included within one new District 21 instead of split in two.

The new map also contains a majority of Lawrence primarily within the new District 10.

But councilors heard from residents of at least one neighborhood, North Kessler Manor, who expressed opposition to being split into two council districts.

The map now awaits full council approval. Indianapolis must approve a new map by the end of 2022.

Call IndyStar reporter Amelia Pak-Harvey at 317-444-6175 or email her at apakharvey@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmeliaPakHarvey.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Proposed Indianapolis council map earns Republican support
Apr. 13NASHVILLE  Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Bell, R-Riceville, has asked attorneys for the Bradley County Board of Education and Tennessee School Board Association to come before his panel Wednesday to explain advice they gave to two school board members that they could continue serving on the panel despite their having moved out of their districts.

"In light of the recently published reports stating that Bradley County School Board members Troy Weathers and Rodney Dillard relied on your legal advice to continue to serve on the school board in violation of state law, your presence is requested," Bell wrote in separate April 8 letters to Bradley County's school board attorney Scott Bennett and Tennessee School Board Association attorney Benjamin Torres.

Efforts to reach both Bennett and Torres by phone Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Bennett told the Times Free Press last week he was going by two sections of state law he said allowed school board members no longer living in the district they were elected to represent to remain on the board if they continued to live within the county.

But Bell says a later 1992 law supersedes that and has cited a 2021 legal opinion issued by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery to support that.

Bell had previously introduced a resolution directing District Attorney General Steve Crump of Cleveland to bring a "quo warranto" action to remove Weathers and Dillard. A quo warranto is a special form of legal action used to resolve a dispute over whether a specific person has the legal right to hold the public office that he or she occupies.

Both men said that while they thought they had done nothing wrong, they would resign after attending this Thursday's school board meeting.

In a text to the Times Free Press on Tuesday, Bell said he will present the resolution in committee, ask members to approve it, then hold it in reserve to see if Weathers and Dillard step down. If not, it can proceed to the Senate floor, he said.

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"I've received a reply letter from Scott Bennett stating he will not be appearing but then goes on to defend his advice to the board members. In his explanation, he says the [attorney general's] opinion 14-21 is just wrong," Bell told the Times Free Press.

Bell added "there appears to be a sharp difference in opinions between the [attorney general] and Mr. Bennett."

The chairman said Torres plans to attend the committee hearing.

Weathers, who is now school board chairman, moved from the 4th District he represented to the 3rd District about two months ago. He is running in the state House District 24 GOP primary in August.

Dillard, meanwhile, moved from his 5th District to the 6th District about 18 months ago.

Both told the Times Free Press by phone last week they thought they had the legal authority to move within the county, having received information to that effect from Bennett, the school board's attorney.

In a subsequent Times Free Press phone interview, Weathers said he called Bell and told him he would resign his school board seat.

"I don't need the controversy," Weathers said. "I want to serve the people of Bradley County. I don't want to have to fight to serve them, OK? So I have decided I will step down from the school board next Thursday at our next meeting. There's just no reason to cause controversy."

Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. For us, its highly important to strengthen the international legitimacy of Armenian positions in the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in his remarks in the Parliament today.

In this respect, the resolution of the lawsuit that Armenia field against Azerbaijan on September 16, 2021 to the International Court of Justice is significant. The lawsuit is based on the Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, and we hope that the resolution of the lawsuit, which, unfortunately, will not happen very quickly, will become a key factor in the field of protection of rights of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and will raise the bar of the international communitys perception about the status of Nagorno Karabakh, the PM said. Today as well we should note that with its actions Azerbaijan makes our lawsuit that blames it in running a policy of national hatred more and more substantiated. Such an action was the infamous trophy park that opened in Baku, showing the mannequins of bleeding Armenian soldiers, and where Azerbaijani school-age children were taken to at a state level to be photographed. These mannequins were removed as a result of the decision of the International Court, he said.

The PM said one of the most important proofs of the Azerbaijani racial policy was the formation a working group in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture tasked to eliminate the Armenian inscriptions on Armenian churches.

We must use all these facts in detail at the International Court of Justice. We must substantiate these facts with the need to launch effective mechanisms for the protection of rights of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. And of course, we must use these facts to substantiate our positions in the peace talks and to ensure their international legitimacy, the PM said.
As the end of the school year approaches, this summer break wont be as rewarding as it should be for millions of teenagers. Most states block teens from finding their first job and best path in life.

Fortunately, some states have started to break these barriers, but more should follow suit. Every teenager deserves to discover the lifelong benefits that come with early work.

The idea of the working teenager is as old as America itself, but now they are increasingly rare. Only 36% of those ages 16 to 19 participated in the labor force at the end of 2021, down from almost 60% in the late 1970s.

While the pandemic caused a growing number of teenagers to look for jobs, they face hurdles that often delay their entry into the workforce, or worse, prevent them from trying.

According to our research, 35 states require teenagers to get a work permit from school administrators, government bureaucrats or both to get a job. These mandates go well beyond federal child labor laws, which dont require work permits yet still establish strong health, safety and education restrictions for teenage workers.

Columnist Connie Schultz: Are you watching Ukraine defend democracy? Are we doing enough to protect our own?

Where federal rules are sensible, state regulations are not, inserting officials into decisions that are better left to teenagers and their families.

Take Michigan. Teenagers in the Great Lakes State must obtain a work permit from their high school to get a job. They must get additional permits each time they change jobs. Permission is required even for summer work and volunteer opportunities.

In neighboring Ohio, teenagers must also pass a physical examination from their doctor before also getting their schools permission.

Teen workers Mikayla Crouthamel, 17, (front) and Courtney Collins, 19, (back) along with Elizabeth Bonifati, work at Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, on Friday, July 16, 2021.

And in Pennsylvania, its not just high school students: Teenage high school graduates must get a permit from the district in which they want to work, and teenage college students must ask university officials for permission. Surely if teenagers can go off to college, they can get a job on their own.

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The upper Midwest is far from alone. From California to Illinois to New York to Massachusetts, teenage work permits are the law of the land. Broadly speaking, teenagers must get the approval of a designated officer  whether at their high school or from their states department of labor  who often reviews everything from personal health records to proposed working hours to an employers record.

Loss of work has lasting costs

Yet school administrators and government bureaucrats shouldnt be involved in the first place. They draw out the process and give teenagers one more reason to avoid the work that will enrich their lives.

When states make it more difficult for teenagers to get jobs, theyre doing lasting damage. Research shows that teenagers who work for even a single year have incomes that are 14% to 16% higher in their 20s, and working for several years multiplies the benefits.

Teenage work also leads to decreased drug use and increased graduation rates. And then there are the intangible benefits that accompany work. Keeping a schedule, getting along with co-workers, learning personal strengths and weaknesses  the sooner teenagers learn these skills, the better.

Fortunately, some states have cleared the path for enterprising teenagers. The 15 states that dont require teenage work permits are largely clustered in the South and Mountain West, ranging from Florida and Texas to Wyoming and Montana.

The list includes the two states with the highest teenage labor force participation rates: Utah and Kansas, both of which still have more than half of teenagers in the workforce. Indiana dropped its work permit requirement in 2020, the latest to do so, and Missouri and Georgia are considering this reform.

Alli Fick

Haley Holik

Businesses offer incentives for teens

State policymakers should act swiftly. Businesses desperate for workers are raising wages and offering benefits tailored to job-seeking teenagers  everything from free college prep courses to paid time for homework.

A growing number of teenagers have responded to these incentives, yet the barrier of work permits is holding back many more. By ending work permits, states will encourage todays teenagers to become tomorrows workers, which they and America needed yesterday.

Alli Fick is research director and Haley Holik is senior fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability. They wrote this commentary for USA Today.

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: Teens may be shut out of summer jobs because of misguided state rules
MADISON  The state Supreme Court weighed Wednesday whether to let voters use absentee ballot drop boxes in this fall's races for governor and U.S. senator.

The arguments came a week after municipal clerks around Wisconsin ran local elections under a one-time set of absentee regulations. Clerks interpreted the rules differently from one jurisdiction to the next, leading to a patchwork of policies.

As with other recent high-profile cases, observers are closely watching Justice Brian Hagedorn, who was elected in 2019 with the backing of Republicans but sometimes sides with the court's liberals.

Justice Brian Hagedorn

Hagedorn joined the liberals in a 4-3 ruling in January that prevented a lower court ruling against drop boxes from going into effect for the February primary.

Three weeks later, Hagedorn agreed with the conservatives in a 4-3 ruling that put the ruling into effect for this month's general election.

The reason for the change of views: Hagedorn believed clerks didn't have enough time to implement the ruling for the February primary but did for the April general election.

Now, the justices must decide what the rules are for this fall's contests and future elections.

During nearly two hours of arguments Wednesday, the justices ran through a series of hypothetical questions to probe when attorneys believed ballot drop boxes could be used and whether voters could have anyone else help them get a ballot to clerks.

What if I take my envelope, and I seal it and I stick the stamp on it and I put my return address on it and I am standing at the mailbox and I hand it to my son to go the arm's length from where I am standing into the mailbox? Justice Jill Karofsky asked. Has that been mailed by the elector?

Within the meaning of the statute, no, because youve given the ballot to somebody else, replied Rick Esenberg, the president of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the conservative group that mounted the challenge to absentee rules.

Story continues

Absentee ballot drop box locations in 2020

More than 500 absentee ballot drop boxes were available to Wisconsin voters for the 2020 general election but could soon be eliminated for fall elections. These drop box locations are self-reported by municipalities to the Wisconsin Elections Commission and may not be comprehensive.

Created by: Yuriko Schumacher/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission

Hagedorn asked whether a mail slot for ballots in a clerk's office could be used. Esenberg said it would depend on where in the office the slot was located.

Hagedorn asked if a slot on the outside of a municipal building could be used after hours if the slot sent ballots directly into the clerks office. Esenberg said no because no staff would be present.

Hagedorn asked if a drop box outside city hall could be used if a staff person were present. Esenberg said it might be, depending on how close the drop box was to the clerks office.

"Line drawing is always difficult," Esenberg said.

At another point, Hagedorn asked Charles Curtis, an attorney for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, whether representatives of political parties could pick up absentee ballots from voters at their homes. Curtis said they likely could do that.

Justice Rebecca Bradley pushed back on that notion, noting state law says absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person.

"Every dictionary that I consulted for the definition of 'in person' said it means by oneself or something similar," she said. "So how can it be that somebody other than the elector can deliver the ballot in accordance with the statute?"

Curtis stuck by his claim, saying voters could designate others to deliver their ballots for them.

Case started last year

The case began last year when two suburban Milwaukee men filed a lawsuit with the assistance of Esenberg's grou.

They argued state law didn't allow most ballot drop boxes, which have long been in use in Wisconsin and expanded greatly in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. They also contended voters could not give their completed absentee ballots to someone else to turn in for them.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren ruled in their favor in January and ordered the state Elections Commission to revoke advice it issued in 2020. He determined that state law didnt allow the use of unstaffed ballot drop boxes and required voters to place their absentee ballots in the mail themselves or hand-deliver them to clerks themselves.

Soon after, the justices blocked Bohren's order for the February primary and then let it go into effect for last week's election for Milwaukee mayor, appeals court judge and other offices around the state.

The ruling sparked an outcry from advocates for the elderly and disabled, who said it would prevent some people from casting ballots.

In a virtual news conference after the arguments, Martha Chambers of Milwaukee said she was worried the court would rule in a way that would limit or eliminate her right to vote.

Chambers is paralyzed from a horse-riding accident and physically cant place a ballot in the mail. She said she sometimes cant get to the polls on Election Day because of a lack of transportation. She has been voting absentee for 25 years.

"If this were put in place, it would be horrible," she said. "I could not vote. It makes me so very angry because it would eliminate my ability to vote and for so many people out in the community."

Chambers said she had someone else put her absentee ballot in the mail in last weeks election despite the state Supreme Courts temporary rules.

Private duty nurse Julie DuBois puts Timothy Carey in bed at his home Saturday, March 19, 2022 in Grand Chute, Wis. Voting in person is extremely difficult for Carey because he has advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy and in unable to move his body. He would need to bring a portable ventilator and a "boatload of gear" with him to go to the polls, he said. Voting in person would increase the chances he would get COVID, which could easily kill him because of his disability.

Officials in Milwaukee and some other communities allowed voters to turn in ballots for others if those returning them said the voters had asked for their help. Republicans argued the approach they took was illegal.

Elsewhere, voters who returned ballots in person were asked to show ID to prove they were turning in their own ballots. Democrats contended they could not do that because state law requires most voters to show ID when they request absentee ballots, but not when they return them.

The state Supreme Court's decision set the policies for the April election was a temporary ruling.

Wednesday's arguments were meant to allow it to consider the issue in full. It is expected to rule by the end of June  just before the Aug. 9 primary.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Supreme Court considers whether to allow ballot drop boxes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Lithuanias Parliament on Tuesday that new mass graves are found almost daily in his country, a statement that adds to the grim testimonials of violence experienced during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In the liberated areas of Ukraine, work continues to record and investigate war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. Almost every day new mass graves are found. Evidence is being gathered. Thousands and thousands of victims, Zelensky said in his address to Lithuanian lawmakers.

Hundreds of cases of brutal torture. Human corpses are still found in manholes and basements. Tied up, mutilated bodies. There are villages, once quite large, which were left almost without inhabitants, he continued.

Zelensky said that hundreds of allegations of rape have been recorded, even alleging that a baby had been raped by Russian forces.

This is the Russian military. Defender of children. This is a special operation planned in Moscow. This is the story of the struggle for the Russian world, Zelensky said, mocking Moscow. This is what the Russian army and Russian paratroopers will now be associated with.

Zelensky urged that the European Union take strong action against Russia in its sixth round of sanctions against the country.

We must do everything necessary now in the sixth package of sanctions. The European Union can do that. And it must do that. It must include oil there. It must impose sanctions on Russian banks  on all of them, not part. No demonstrations needed, Zelensky said.

Specific deadlines must finally be set for each EU state in order to really abandon or at least significantly limit the consumption of Russian gas, oil, etc.

Zelenskys remarks come amid Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its second month. Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have shared reports of atrocities in areas like central Bucha and the eastern cities of Kramatorsk and Mariupol.

Story continues

Last week, Russian forces attacked a train station in Kramatorsk where civilians were being evacuated. The blast from the rocket attack killed and injured dozens of Ukrainians.

UNICEF Emergency Programmes Director Manuel Fontaine said on Monday that close to two-thirds of children in Ukraine alone have been displaced by conflict, which has created a humanitarian crisis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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Murdered, missing and mysterious deaths of Indigenous girls and women on or near the Yakama Reservation, in urban areas and in other states:
Jessica Bjur holds an unopened package of Naloxone nasal spray, which is used in am emergency to reverse life-threatening effects of an opiate overdose, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Toppenish school district office in Toppenish, Wash.
The Pasco Police Department announced Wednesday that a nationwide warrant has been issued for the father of a child whose body was found in rural Benton County in February. His girlfriend is also wanted.
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the causes of the 44-day war and his responsibility and fault in it.

Speaking in parliament, Pashinyan said the Armenian sides death toll in the war as of today is 3825. The majority of the victims were found or identified through DNA and buried in 2021.

The endless flying flags in cemeteries are the main symbol of 2021 and the one question thats still with us: why did this happen? I myself must give the answer to this question and I am planning to do so now. From the very beginning I accepted my fault and responsibility for both the war and the defeat. But I have not and do not accept the accusations that the opposition addresses to me after November 9, 2020, accusing me in surrendering territory and in treason. At first glance it could seem absurd that I accept my guilt but I dont accept the accusations, and perhaps in all dimensions, political, moral or the conversation on the future the time has come for the dualism to be resolved. In a recent interview I had hinted that if they want to attribute an objective accusation against me they should accuse me not in surrendering territory but in not surrendering them. And now I want to confess that I am guilty in that, the PM said.

He added that he is guilty in not publicly saying in 2018 and 2019 that all friends of Armenia expected that it will surrender the 7 regions to Azerbaijan in any configuration and to lower the threshold for the Artsakh status.

I am guilty that I didnt tell the people that the international community is definitively and unequivocally recognizing Azerbaijans territorial integrity and expects us to recognize it as well, and that it also expects the Azerbaijanis who left Karabakh to be fully involved in determining the future of Nagorno Karabakh and governance issues. I am guilty for not clearly and unequivocally saying that the scenarios proposed to us that were unacceptable for us were not acceptable for Azerbaijan and representatives of the international community were telling us, sometimes clearly and sometimes through diplomatic channels, that in case of the Armenian side accepting this all they still have to convince Azerbaijan to accept it as well. I had to present to our people all this in detail, Pashinyan said.

This kind of a formulation of the accusation isnt at all an attempt to mitigate the situation, but on the contrary I am aggravating it further because perhaps by surrendering [land] I wouldve saved thousands of lives, and by not surrendering I became the author of decisions that led to thousands of deaths. And perhaps the well-known saying is for such cases: this is more than a crime, this is a mistake. Or as it would be said for our case: this is more than treason, this is a mistake, the PM said.

He said the situation is so difficult that this doesnt end the story, because it is one thing to tell the people about this all in time, but it is another matter to convince the people in the need for concessions, and it is another matter to implement this all.

In order for me to have spoken to the people about this in time, I had to first of all convince myself that this was the right path. And I have to confess I couldnt convince myself. Why? For the same reason why till this day some of our opposition partners are unable to deal with reality and we can formulate the reasons this way  Sansar or Kubatli, Zangelan or Kovsakan?

For the same reason that till this day some parliamentary colleagues of Artsakh and Armenia, while speaking about Artsakhs territorial integrity, often mean not only Shushi and Hadrut, but also the 7 regions, which are considered part of the Artsakh Republic under Artsakh legislation to this day.

I couldnt convince myself also for the reason that for 25 years weve been telling the Armenian society that all our past and present sufferings have one goal  the freedom of Artsakh. All our deprivations are for the sake of having a strong army and it is difficult to belive that the army built on so much suffering would be unable to protect our dream, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said the geopolitical centers were generally thinking in the same direction in the sense that all where unequivocally recognizing Azerbaijans territorial integrity, but nevertheless were not united in the logic of developments that would follow the potential surrender, and these contradictions which became stronger in Syria, Libya, Georgia and Ukraine would eventually lead to an explosion in Nagorno Karabakh.

I couldnt convince myself because when I was familiarizing with the negotiations documents, I got convinced that Serzh Sargsyan wasnt at all exaggerating when he was saying that Armenia was ready to leave the seven regions but every time Azerbaijan was putting forward new demands and that Azerbaijans expectations are unrealistic and unacceptable for us.

I couldnt convince myself also for the reason that I understood that Robert Kocharyan wasnt at all exaggerating when he was saying that Armenia also has a problem of territorial integrity.

I couldnt convince myself because it was difficult to be convinced that as a result of 30 years of deprivations it is possible to simply surrender the fruits of victory and get nothing in exchange. Accepting this would mean confessing that by declaring a state we created a facade and completely failed in the institutional establishment of our state, failed it completely. Even by having been an oppositionist for many years I couldnt confess this to myself and moreover I couldnt make this decision and verdict my looking into the eyes of our people, PM Pashinyan said.

In this entire situation and story only few things changed politically and military-politically. Azerbaijan got seven regions and a part of Nagorno Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers were deployed into Artsakh. All other things, absolutely everything else remains the same, Pashinyan added.

Today the international community is clearly telling us: to be the only country in the world that doesnt bilaterally recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan  Turkeys ally  is a big threat not only for Artsakh but for Armenia.

Today the international community is again telling us: lower a bit your threshold in the issue of Nagorno Karabakhs status and you will ensure big international consolidation around Armenia and Artsakh.

Otherwise, the international community says, we ask you not to rely on us, not because we dont want to help you but because we cant help you, A recent conversation I had with a foreign high-level official left a deep trace in my mind. This official was saying that during the last 200 years his people faced dilemma for seven times, to fight or not to fight. There were cases when they decided to fight and had success, but they had cases when they decided to fight and failed, and there were cases when they decided not to fight but couldnt, because the fight was imposed on them. To an extent this issue always faces different nations, because there is a terrifying fact: Today in the world, or in the old world, there are no countries or are very few that are satisfied and happy in their borders and find them fair. There simply isnt, but somewhere, somehow one must stop and he is grateful to the generations that made the decision to stop and was able to realize this decision, Pashinyan said.

He said that these are the social and moral motives that force him and his administration to consistently claim that there is no alternative to the peace agenda.
Yankton, SD (57078)

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Greensboro, NC (27407)

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Mothers are special. They give us life. They nurture us. And, they shape the way we think an
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When Diana Markuson steps into the forest, she feels better.

Its just my happy place, the Conroe resident said.

The retired psychiatric nurse wanted to share that feeling with others. After reading articles about forest bathing, she was convinced shed found a means to do just that.

It was outdoors. It was health and wellness, Markuson said. And it also had that meditative type quality. It just made sense to me.

Forest bathing is a literal translation from shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of spending time among the trees and taking in all of the sights and sounds in the woods.

Its basically a mix between a walk in nature and a mindfulness practice. Think yoga without the poses or guided meditation with the addition of scenery, chirping birds and the scent of pines.

Markuson said forest bathing is synonymous with forest therapy. Both describe a means to develop emotional and mental healing through immersion in the woods.

WELLNESS TREND: Forest bathing may be the next best wellness practice you never heard of

In the Houston area, there are a number of forest therapists certified through the global training organization, the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. The organization has certified more than 2,000 guides, practicing now in 60 countries.

Markuson is one. She started Natures Embrace after receiving her certification during the pandemic. She now leads groups regularly, even a few that welcome canine companions.

Markuson also hosts a free session each month, and asks participants to donate to an environmental association in exchange.

Gabriela Guedez, a resident of The Woodlands, is also certified with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. She runs Houston Forest Therapy, with sessions in Spanish, and even offers to guide groups on kayaks.

Other forest therapists include Lisa Lyerly, owner of These Roots Run Deep, who guides near Kingwood, and Jammie Schmunk, owner of Recovery Untamed, who leads sessions in W. Goodrich Jones State Forest in Conroe, near her home in The Woodlands.

The forest is the therapist, Schmunk said.

She said the role of the forest therapists is to act as guides, and let Mother Nature take care of the rest.

A walk in the woods

Forest therapy is not at all like traditional therapy, Schmunk said.

Its a slow, sensory walk through the forest, she said. When our body slows down, our mind can too.

Before gaining her certification, Schmunk noticed that she depended on nature to deal with challenges in life. She would return to certain spots and spend time in the forest.

Now, Schmunk passes that on to others in her group sessions, which start with a walk into Jones Forest and a brief discussion about the land.

Then, Schmunk then invites the group to awaken their senses.

I help guide you into your body, she said. We get comfortable, close our eyes and go through every sense.

Then participants find a spot in nature to sit down and take it all in.

We do it solo and then we come back and gather in a circle, Schmunk said. We take turns sharing.

She ends the session with a tea service. Its just a fun way to bring it to a close, she said.

Markuson also makes tea for participants on her walks, using plants that grow on the trails. She mainly guides in Spring Creek Nature Preserve and Montgomery County Nature Preserve.

Therapists work in various areas. There are also spots in Houston that offer sessions.

For instance, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive offers a Mindful Mornings series facilitated by Heather Sullivan, a certified mindfulness instructor. The events are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings through April 28.

At the Nature Discovery Center, 7112 Newcastle Street in Bellaire, executive director DeAndra Ramsey said that while there are no forest bathing programs, guests can immerse themselves in the wilderness at the Nature Discovery Center without having to leave the city.

Our mission is to connect people to nature, Ramsey said.

Healing happens in the forest

The tangible health benefits of forest bathing can include improved cardiovascular and respiratory health, as well as better immune function and reduction in depression, according to the nature and forest therapy association.

Markuson said being in the forest can do wonders for lowering stress and blood pressure.

Its all about slowing down, she said.

Schmunk agreed. Weve forgotten how to just be. Its always do, do, do, she said. We live in a culture and a time, where were all stressed so much of the time. Its the phone, the emails and the texts.

Nature can serve as a teacher for how to reprioritize and take time for self-care, Schmunk said.

Forest bathing also fits with spiritual practice, according to Lisa Brenskelle, member of Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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She is organizing an event, open to the public, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 16 at the Spring Creek Greenway and Nature Center, 709 Riley Fuzzel Road.

Markuson will first lead the forest bathing experience, followed by Brenskelle delving into the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen, a contemplative practice of prayer.

Its prayer with your eyes open, Brenskelle said. Its really about using all of your senses to engage with the world around you. The idea is to be fully engaged.

Nature is a demonstration of the glory of God, she said.

Forest bathing leads to conservation

There are two purposes of forest bathing  to heal people and to heal the planet, Guedez, owner of Houston Forest Therapy, said.

The practice is meant to promote a love for the Earth, she said, and that leads to conservation.

We only protect what we love, she said.

Environmental Protection Agency data says U.S. residents spend an average of 93 percent of their lives indoors.

Were part of nature, but weve lost our relationship with the web of life, Markuson said.

Schmunk added that the innate connection with the Earth is a fact that is sometimes forgotten.

We are nature. We cannot disconnect from nature, she said. Its a remembering, when we walk in the forest. Its a reminder that Im where Im supposed to be.

Guedez recommends finding a guide to help reawaken that call of the wild. She remembers spending her childhood weekends on a ranch in Venezuela.

I would walk barefoot, climb the mango trees, go to the river, she recalled. You get a lot from that kind of deep connection with nature.

Getting certified in forest therapy two years ago has equipped her to help people manage trauma from the pandmeic through walks in the woods  or on guided kayaking trips.

It was perfect timing, she said. People are dealing with anxiety and stress. Just to disconnect with the day-to-day issues and connect to a higher purpose through the senses, its just awesome.

Anyone can start forest therapy on their own, Guedez added, whether that means heading to the backyard or looking out the window.

Cultivate your love for Earth, she said. Pay more attention to the leaves, the trees. Go for a walk and leave your cell phone. You can take pictures later. Connect and rebuild your relationship.

Markuson said that forest bathing is a practice, just like yoga or meditation. It takes time and commitment to make it happen.

Start with five minutes and go as often as you can, she said. Then, increase it and increase it. Youll find, sitting in that spot, just doing nothing, youll just become immersed.

Schmunk added that each therapy session in the forest is different,

The forest is a mirror, she said. It reflects back to you, whatever is going on with you.

And each time is an opportunity for more growth and to find greater peace, Schmunk said.

Do yourself a favor and sit in nature, she said.

Peyton is a freelance writer based in Houston.
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YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan assures that he has talked about everything regarding the negotiation process for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He says there is no secret and also doesnt oppose if opposition publishes some facts, documents.

During a Q&A session in the Parliament, one of the lawmakers said people deserve to know about the realities hidden for years from the first source, its also necessary to publish some letters.

In response PM Pashinyan said in fact no secret has been left as they have talked about everything. It remains to combine what has been stated, there are a couple of inaccuracies, it should be clarified by documents which fact is true, he said.

As for the MPs proposal to publish letters, conversations, the PM said there is no rich material in that regard. Not everything has been recorded. The negotiation process of that 30 years fits into one folder. But of course, there are records of very important conversations. But the problem is that we cant do it as a leadership, the PM said, considering it not right to publish the conversations held with the officials of different countries.

He said the opposition has made promises to publish facts and documents. Let them publish it. I dont mind them publishing what they are talking about. I am sure what they will publish will accurately prove what we have constantly stated at this period, Nikol Pashinyan said.

The lawmaker mentioned for instance the Exchange of Meghri version.

Pashinyan said that document could be found even on the internet. According to him, it has been published in 2007.

In fact, the problem is not in the content of the negotiation, but in combining and understanding the footnotes of the negotiation content and the internal links. In fact, there is already no secret, we have talked about everything, at least I have talked about everything. The problem is in recording the cause-and-effect links of making combinations, the PM added.
Hungarian police have arrested a German national wanted by the German authorities for sexually assaulting and coercing children in his care, police.hu said.

The man arrested under a European warrant had been handed a prison sentence in Germany for molesting children between 1992 and 1999.



The man fled the country before his sentence could be carried out, the website said. Hungarian police participating in European investigations network ENFAST were alerted when the man was thought to be hiding in Hungary.



The man was detained in Igal, in south-western Hungary. The authorities will decide on his extradition to Germany at a later date, the website said.
A Budapest court sentenced a Yemeni citizen to three years in prison for attempted rape. In its binding ruling, the Budapest Municipal Court upheld a sentence by a lower court. It also ordered the man to be expelled from the country for a period of five years.

According to the ruling, the Yemeni man dragged a woman down from a bus in March 2021, held her down and attempted to rape her before being stopped by passers-by.



The Pest Central District Court accepted the defendants guilty plea to sexual assault charges and his waiver of his right to a trial, the Municipal Court said in a statement.



The courts ruling was appealed by the defendants attorney.



The second-instance court ruled that the Pest Central District Court had made the right decision by accepting the defendants guilty plea at the preliminary trial.
YORK  Lakrecia Donnell, 30, who is an inmate at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, has pleaded guilty to yet another assault behind bars.

In this most recent case, she assaulted a fellow inmate and was charged with second degree assault, which is a Class 2A felony carrying a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The state also asked that she be declared a habitual criminal, which could have added another 10-60 years in prison if she is sentenced to more time for the latest assault charge.

She will be sentenced for this conviction on May 31 in York County District Court.

In September, 2018, Donnell was sentenced to an additional 12-23 years in prison after attacking a nurse and a guard in the prison. The nurse was very seriously injured in the attack.

At the time of those attacks, Donnell was serving time for numerous crimes in Lancaster County, with the following sentences: third degree assault of an officer, 2-3 years in prison; burglary, 4-8 years in prison; attempt of a Class 2 felony, 2-4 years in prison; and attempt of a Class 2 felony, 5-8 years in prison.
Air France-KLM Group, the Royal Dutch airline, has announced that it will resume service on the Bengaluru-Amsterdam route on May 25. After the Central Government cancelled all scheduled foreign flights from and to India in late March 2020 in the wake of the pandemic, KLM temporarily ceased operations in India. Starting from May 25, KLM will operate three flights per week from Bengaluru to Amsterdam, offering customers the option of direct connections to Amsterdam and access to destinations across the global network via Amsterdam, Schiphol, the airline said in a statement.

Also read: DGCA bans 90 SpiceJet pilots from flying Boeing 737 Max for THIS reason

The airline started services on the Bengaluru-Amsterdam route in October 2019. The announcements of the flight services to and from Bengaluru had been on the cards for a while. Earlier, Air France-KLM Group said it will increase its regular flights to India from 20 per week in April to 30 per week in May. Air France further said it will operate from four gateways -- Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai -- and KLM from Delhi and Mumbai, it said on March 28.

Regular international flights resumed on March 27 in India after a Covid-19 pandemic-induced hiatus of approximately two years. During the last two years, limited international passenger flights were operating between India and select countries -- including France and the Netherlands -- under bilateral air bubble arrangements.

With inputs from PTI

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It seems like DGCA's trouble with controversial Boeing 737 Max aircraft is not over yet. India's aviation regulator DGCA has barred 90 SpiceJet pilots from operating the Boeing 737 Max aircraft after finding them not properly trained. The Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded in India on March 13, 2019, three days after the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max aircraft near Addis Ababa, which killed 157 people, including four Indians.

The ban was later lifted in August 2021 after the DGCA was satisfied with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing's necessary software rectifications in the aircraft. Proper pilot training on the simulator was also among the conditions of the DGCA for removing the ban on the Max planes after a span of 27 months

Also read: First Made-in-India commercial plane takes flight, Alliance Air operates Dornier 228

However, DGCA has found SpiceJet for flouting training norms of the 737 Max aircraft. Currently, SpiceJet, the Indian domestic air carrier is the sole operator of Boeing 737 Max in India. Akasa Air, the new airline backed by ace investor Jhunjhunwala, had in November last year signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 72 Max planes. Akasa Air has not got any of these planes as yet.

"For the moment, we have barred these pilots from flying the Max and they have to retrain successfully for flying the aircraft," DGCA chief Arun Kumar said in a statement. He also said that the regulator will take "strict action against those found responsible for the lapse." The pilots will have to undergo training again, in a proper manner, on the Max simulator.

A SpiceJet spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed that the DGCA has restricted 90 pilots of the airline from flying the Max planes. This restriction does not impact the operations of the Max aircraft whatsoever. SpiceJet, currently, operates 11 Max aircraft and about 144 pilots are required to operate these aircraft, the spokesperson said.

"SpiceJet has 650 pilots trained on the Boeing 737 Max. The DGCA had an observation on the training profile followed for 90 pilots, and therefore, as per the advise of the DGCA, SpiceJet has restricted 90 pilots from operating the Max aircraft, until these pilots undergo re-training to the satisfaction of the DGCA. These pilots continue to remain available for other Boeing 737 aircraft," the spokesperson said.

"Of the 650 trained pilots on the Max, 560 continue to remain available, which is much more than the current requirement," the spokesperson said. SpiceJet is the only Indian airline that has the Max aircraft in its fleet.

With inputs from PTI

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MUMBAI: They never did confirm the date but celebrations for the endlessly discussed Aiia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor wedding appeared to have kicked off on Wednesday with friends and family, including father of the bride Mahesh Bhatt and mother of the groom Neetu Kapoor, seen driving into the couple's apartment complex. With no concrete information from either family, it was all about the optics.

Hordes of media personnel kept vigil outside the Bandra apartment 'Vastu', situated in a usually quiet lane that today was the cynosure of attention with telephoto lens focused closely on occupants behind rolled up car windows. That many of the guests were dressed in yellow and green finery gave credence to speculation that it was the ?haldi' and ?mehendi' ceremony.

According to Yusuf Ibrahim, Alia's security in-charge, the team has been asked to provide protection for four-five days. "The wedding is indeed happening? The families have started arriving," Ibrahim told PTI without getting into any more details.

The speculation is that the wedding might happen on Thursday.

For reporters and photographers tasked with covering the star wedding, the last several days have been akin to piecing together a jigsaw - white curtains used as screens on windows, celeb designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee branded bags going in, stray comments from family and studied silence from Alia and Ranbir.

Reporters stationed outside the building spotted Neetu Kapoor as well as her daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and granddaughter Samara who arrived together. Ranbir's cousins, actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor, and Aadar and Armaan Jain along with their mother Rima Jain reached shortly after.

Filmmakers Karan Johar and Ayan Mukerji, the couple's close friends, were also inside.

A fleet of vans covered in white curtains were seen entering the apartment complex, leading many to speculate that the bride was travelling in one of those vehicles to avoid getting 'papped'.

Around 3.30 pm, Mahesh Bhatt and Alia's half-sister, actor Pooja Bhatt were photographed reaching the building.

Apart from a battery of mediapersons outside the residence, and the couple's private security, policemen were deployed for security. ?We have put police security in an attempt to maintain law and order as well as controlling the crowd at the venue, where the wedding of the couple is scheduled," a Mumbai Police official said.

The couple's security team as well as police personnel present on ground tried to make a clear passage for the guests' cars which were being repeatedly blocked by the paparazzi.

To prevent any pictures from the wedding getting leaked, red stickers were put on mobile phones of all security staff members stationed at the building to distinguish them from the media.

An apartment in "Vastu" where the couple lives on different floors was illuminated on Tuesday evening while the Kapoor family's sprawling bungalow in Chembur has also been decked up with flowers and lights.

For many journalists, particularly women, stationed outside to capture any details they could, it was a harrowing experience - and not just because so few details were forthcoming.

As morning stretched into evening, several journalists rued the lack of essential facilities, especially washrooms. One good Samaritan living in the building adjacent to 'Vastu' opened the doors of her home so women reporters could use the toilet and offered water to media personnel.

The day began with Mukerji releasing a ?gift? on Instagram, a teaser of a romantic track from his upcoming movie "Brahmastra", which stars the couple and is produced by Johar. "For Ranbir and for Alia! And... For this sacred journey they are going to embark on soon! Ranbir and Alia... My closest and dearest people in this world... My happy place, and my safe place... Who have added everything to my life... And given themselves completely and selflessly to our movie!

"We just had to share a piece of their union, from our movie, from our song Kesariya, to celebrate them... As a gift to them, and to everyone," the filmmaker wrote.

The video ends with a message from the team of "Brahmastra" wishing the couple "all the love and light". Johar, who has produced "Brahmastra" via Dharma Productions, shared the same teaser on his Instagram page.

"Love is light and I know the amount of light you have brought into each other's and our lives with your love. To new beginnings and more #RanbirKapoor @aliaabhatt #brahmastra," he wrote.

Neetu Kapoor, on her part, went down memory lane about her own engagement to her late husband and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor. "Fond memories of baisakhi day as we got engaged 43 years back on 13th April 1979," the veteran actor wrote on Instagram.

As in previous celebrity weddings, when hashtags such as 'Virushka', 'Deepveer' and 'Vickat' became trends, the social media celeb buzz of the day was 'Ranlia' and 'Ralia', a portmanteau of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's first names. The two started dating while filming "Brahmastra", which has been in the making for eight years.

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New Delhi: The CBI has booked textiles major S Kumars Nationwide Limited (SKNL) and 14 others including its promoters and directors for an alleged bank fraud worth Rs 1,245 crore, officials said Wednesday (April 13). Following registration of the FIR, the central agency on Wednesday searched 13 locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal linked to the accused and recovered "incriminating documents", CBI Spokesperson RC Joshi said.

He said the company was engaged in the business of manufacturing high-value fine cotton fabrics and home textiles. The company had availed credit from a consortium of banks led by IDBI bank. Joshi said promoters/directors of the company were booked for allegedly "misusing/diverting the bank funds during the period 2012 to 2018" which resulted in loss of about Rs 1,245.15 crore to the banks.

"The complaint was filed by the IDBI Bank Ltd. And also on behalf of four other member banks of the consortium, namely, Central Bank of India, The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd., Punjab National Bank and Indian Bank," he said

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Honda has revealed intentions to release 30 electric vehicle (EV) models worldwide by 2030, ranging from commercial-use mini-EVs to flagship-class models, with an annual production volume of over 2 million units. Honda will invest around 5 trillion yen ($40 billion) on electrification and software technologies over the next ten years, including both R&D expenses and separate investments, to further accelerate its electrification.

Honda`s overall R&D expenses budgeted for this period will be approximately 8 trillion yen, the company said in a statement late on Monday. "Honda will build a demonstration line for the production of all-solid-state batteries with an investment of approximately 43 billion yen and further accelerate the research with a goal to start demonstration production in Spring 2024," said the company.

The key challenge in the EV era is the global procurement of batteries. Honda said it will ensure stable procurement of liquid lithium-ion batteries in each region by strengthening the external partnership. Honda will introduce products tailored to the market characteristics of each region (North America, China and Japan).

Read also: Upcoming Mahindra electric SUV teased, Anand Mahindra shares video on Twitter

In 2026, the automaker will begin adopting Honda e: Architecture, an EV platform that combines the hardware platform and software platform.

Through the alliance with GM, Honda is planning to introduce affordable EVs in 2027, with a cost and range that will be as competitive as gasoline-powered vehicles, starting from North America

With inputs from IANS

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For Diana Ghevondyan, PhD student in the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Department of Biology at Yerevan State University, a single visit to a laboratory specialized in the analysis of extremophiles (microorganisms living in extreme environments) turned out to be a life-changing. It was at this particular point that her further professional interests took shape and led her to the scientific path. Currently, Diana is also one of the participants of the ADVANCE grant program by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST).

How did you make up your mind to continue with your PhD studies? Were there any people in your family or close circle who encouraged and inspired you?

I can definitely state that my first inspiration was my lecturers who are committed to passing on knowledge to younger generations. We studied microbiology rather superficially at school, it didnt really interest me back then. Later on, microbiological analysis became a great source of revelations for us owing to lecturers. I owe my career orientation to the lecturers and their example, as well as to my family who has always encouraged me to keep growing and go for it.

The microbiological analysis contains not only a theoretical but also a practical element in it. To what extent did that impact your choice?

It was actually the most decisive factor. In the third year, when we were going around laboratories and were getting to know every branch, I instantly fell in love with our lab where Im currently carrying out my research. We deal with the analysis of microorganisms living in extreme environments. Why did it appeal to me? The reason is we as students always used to believe they could not exist at high or boiling degrees, as well as in acid and base conditions, but we came to realize theres life in those conditions as well and their analysis is far more engaging. In our laboratory, we also conduct analysis of metal-resistant bacterias found in tailing dumps in mines. I took an interest in this subject while doing my Bachelors degree, then developed it in my Masters. During my PhD studies already Im trying to research microorganisms living in extreme environments in parallel with metal-resistant ones.

Who is a scientist to your mind?

One of the most essential prerequisites of calling someone a scientist is not only their ability to discover the new, make inventions or shift the perspective, but also knowledge transfer. A scientist can conduct research enclosed in his or her laboratory, and record results nobody will be aware of unless they raise awareness and share these discoveries by means of articles and lectures.

What helps you get up in the morning?

Time flies, especially while youre engaged in scientific activity. You seem to have just started the subject while, in fact, several months have passed by and youve got no crucial results. Therefore, planning is extremely important to get closer to the goal step by step. Scientific results take plenty of time, whilst science keeps changing and new goals emerge.

Science is highly competitive as you compete with the world. Do you agree with this statement?

Definitely. Science advances rapidly, especially in developed countries, but were trying hard to catch up with them. The significance of scientific articles is that you make your knowledge and results known to the world. To a degree, youre in competition with them to have your articles published in the same journals and books. Thats how you catch up with developed countries, even excel them in certain instances when youre able to enhance the already existing knowledge with an absolutely new discovery.

Whats the discovery that impressed you the most in the realm of your scientific interests?

Our team, under the supervision of Hovik Panosyan, has discovered a novel thermophilic bacterium isolated from the Karvachar geothermal spring in the Artsakh Republic, and, as a result of long-lasting research, it turned out to be completely unknown to the world scientific community. The microorganism, living at 55-60 C degrees, was named after the location, Karvachar - Anoxybacillus karvacharensis. Its an enormous and exciting discovery for me, which the scientific team has been working on for over 10 years. The articles came out in 2021. Considering such instances I claim that scientific results are time-consuming.

This discovery greatly hit our two neighbouring countries, and the name was suggested to be altered by the scientific community, but our supervisor persistently insisted on this particular name for the microorganism. Even if it is found somewhere else in the world, it will still be called Anoxybacillus karvacharensis. Even if Azerbaijan uncovers new subspecies or variants, it will still bear the same name.

The contribution of the co-author of the article, Norwegian professor Nils-Kare Birkeland is immense in the discovery of the microorganism. The latter supported the research which would have been infeasible due to the absence of certain specialists and equipment in Armenia.

Anoxybacillus karvacharenis can later be applied in production, in particular beer production, owing to amylase ferment, which makes starch breakdown possible. The fermentation properties of the microorganism are being looked into in order to be later used in biotechnology.

Can you recall any turning point which reassured your decision of becoming a scientist?

To my mind, it was the moment I stepped into our laboratory. Up to that point, Id been in two minds about whether to continue with my PhD or to go for medicine. Due to the research in the microbiological laboratory did I realize I was right in my choice.

Do you share the view that it is tough to be engaged in science?

It is interesting to be engaged in science. It might be hard as you have to constantly learn, improve, take part in conferences, and get to know foreign scientists work and achievements. It is hard as it takes commitment and patience, as well as correctly formulated questions and accurate work in order to get well-grounded results. In case you love your job, you never give up on hardships.

What would you tell a child who wishes to be a scientist?

Id say its well worth trying. Children keep asking why, its one of the prerequisites of becoming a scientist. Id also tell them to think outside the box, differently from others so that they find answers to yet unanswered questions.

What would you consider your career peak? The Nobel Prize?

I suppose every scientist has the ambition to receive the Nobel Prize. The driving force for a scientist is a new discovery and improvements in peoples lives as a result. Im no exception, and Id love to receive the Nobel Prize. That would be a turning point indeed.

Previous interviews of the "10 questions to a scientist" series are below:

In an American lab 20 years ago I felt like in a Hollywood movie. Anna Poladyan

Science excelled all jobs because it is perspective: Sargis Aghayan

The easiest way to change the world is to do science: Sona Hunanyan
On 9 April, a container carrying electric scooters of Jitendra EV caught fire near the company's factory gate in Nashik, Maharashtra. Back then, an investigation was announced by the manufacturer to further look into the incident. As per the latest update, the company is conducting investigations to look into the cause. It is to be noted that the fire-damaged 20 electric scooters out of 40 on the container.

A spokesperson of Jitendra New EV Tech said in a statement, "We are investigating the root cause, and we will come up with the findings in the coming days,". Stating that smoke was noticed coming from the container's upper deck, the spokesperson said, "Our team immediately swung into action and brought the situation under control".

According to reports, around 20 electric scooters of the company were damaged in the fire. Jitendra New EV Tech has been selling EVs since 2016. Recently there have been incidents of electric scooters of various manufacturers, including Ola Electric and Okinawa, catching fire in different parts of the country, raising questions over the safety of such vehicles.

Also read: Tesla-rival Fisker sets up HQ in Hyderabad, likely to launch EV in India

The cause of the fire in electric scooters has not been determined yet. However, taking notice of such incidents, the government did ask the automakers to investigate the cause of such occurrences.

With inputs from PTI

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Fisker Inc has set up its India headquarters in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is an NYSE-listed electric car company located in California. KT Rama Rao (Telanganas IT & Industries Minister) recently paid a visit to Fiskers headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California, ahead of the deals completion. As per the reports, the company's India branch will be named Fisker Vigyan India Pvt Ltd'.

Fisker Vigyan will collaborate with Fiskers California engineering and product development centres. It will also focus on software development, embedded electronics, support functions for virtual vehicle development, data analytics, and machine learning.

"Our expansion into India represents both a strategic market opportunity and a significant boost to our global engineering capabilities," the company's Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said.

Also read: Yamaha introduces the NEO and E01 electric scooters in India

Fisker hopes to expand its worldwide workforce from over 450 employees now to over 800 personnel by the end of this year, thanks to the expansion into India and new hires in the United States and Europe. This expansion is expected to create around 200 potential jobs, with local staff recruitment and hiring already beginning.

On November 17, 2022, production of the all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV will begin at Fiskers manufacturing partner Magna Steyrs site in Graz, Austria.

"In the global race for leading technical talent, we see our new operation in Hyderabad as a major strategic advantage. I would also like to thank the state of Telangana for their support and for enabling us to make a fast start as we set up our initial operations. We are excited to tap into the growing talent pool in India," Fisker said.

Currently, the company has a global team of over 450 employees. New hiring in the US, Europe and India is projected to boost the headcount to over 800 by the end of 2022.

The Fisker Ocean is a competitor to the Tesla Model Y, with a stated range of up to 440 kilometres (WLTP test cycle) in Sport trim and up to 630 kilometres in Extreme trim. Fisker had previously considered introducing the Ocean SUV in India, but the company has yet to make an official announcement on the matter.

With inputs from PTI

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New Delhi: All the movie buffs, add Gerald Butler and Morena Baccarins starrer Greenland to your watchlist. After the runaway global success of Gerald Butler's Greenland, the movie is all set to release in Hindi, Tamil and English exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 15th April, 2022, we decided to give you a small synopsis of the film.

Its time to embrace an alternate reality where a comet races to Earth to destroy the race of humanity. Gerald Butler takes the centre stage as John Garrity who is separated from his wife and son. John must find a way to save them from the approaching apocalypse that will doom the entire humanity.

Here are five reasons why you must watch Greenland this weekend:

Amazingly talented Gerald Butler

Gerlad Butler steals the show with his heart-wrenching performance in Greenland. The actor successfully balanced out action sequences and also at the same time brought out the humane side of John, thus rendering the story credible enough to keep viewers hooked to their screens.

Gripping storyline

Greenland revolves around the story of a family making an arduous journey through dreadful catastrophe, as they cling to the hope for survival in the catastrophic times. The movie will keep you gripped until the last second.

Adrenaline inducing action sequences

Fiery edge-of-the-seat action elements like exploding planes, and torched cities make Greenland a visual delight. Director Ric Roman Waugh and screenwriter Chris Sparling envisioned the film's action sequences in ever-increasing waves of fury, starting relatively small and then pulling out the big guns in the final act that left viewers wanting for more.

Emotional rollercoaster narrative

Greenland promises to emotionally engage you with its story. The film includes a realistic portrayal of human nature in the face of danger that captures the core of Gerald Butlers character instead of portraying him as a regular man with superpowers.

Alas, our favourite - Hopeful Ending!

While the ending of Greenland leaves the fates of the Garritys and the rest of humanity in a very uncertain place, Director Waugh in one of his interviews said hes ultimately optimistic that humankind could prevail even in the most unimaginable circumstances and with Greenland he intends on providing viewers with that sense of hope.
Karbi Anglong: The police rescued five Chimpanzees and apprehended two persons in the Dilai area near Bokajan in Assam`s Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday evening, police said on Wednesday.

The accused were identified as Md Hobibur Rahman and Md Zanab Khan hailing from Manipur`s Thoubal. John Das, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Bokajan Sub-Division told ANI that, while performing Naka checking duty at Dilai Tiniali, the police team had intercepted a vehicle.

"The vehicle was coming from Dimapur of Nagaland towards Guwahati and during the search of the vehicle we had recovered five chimpanzees. We have apprehended two persons namely Md Hobibur Rahman and Md Zanab Khan of Manipur`s Thoubal district and also seized the vehicle along with five Chimpanzees," he said.

"After that, we handed over the apprehended persons along with all the seized items to the Assistant Conservator of Forest, I/C Manja Range, Karbi Anglong, East Division for taking necessary action," Das said.

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A court in Assam's Hailakandi district has sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy four years ago.

The court of Hailakandi District and Sessions Judge (special judge) Sanjoy Hazarika also slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 on the man, who was convicted under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for carnal inter-course against the order of nature) and POCSO Act.

The convict will have to undergo an additional imprisonment of six months if he fails to pay the fine.

As per the complaint lodged in Lala police station on June 5, 2018, the convict, who was then aged 21, had forcibly taken the child to a toilet on Lala Rural College premises, where he was playing with two other children, and sexually abused him.

The child was sent for medical examination and the convict was arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police submitted a charge-sheet last year and the sentence was pronounced last week.

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Kolkata: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court today (April 13, 2022) stayed a single bench order that directed West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee to appear before the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the appointment of assistant teachers in state government-aided schools.

The division bench, which had on Tuesday stayed the order till today morning, has now stayed the order for the next four weeks. The next hearing will take place on May 13.

Chatterjee, who was the state education minister when the alleged appointments were made, was directed by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation at its office in Nizam Palace in Kolkata.

Chatterjee is now the industry, commerce, and parliamentary affairs minister of the Mamata Banerjee cabinet.

The order came in the petition by an aspirant for the post, Abdul Gani Ansari, his lawyer Firdous Shamim said.

On earlier orders of Justice Gangopadhyay, former advisor to West Bengal School Service Commission S P Sinha is facing a CBI probe in connection with alleged irregularities in appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided schools in the state.

Justice Gangopadhyay had, in a petition over alleged illegal appointments, directed four of a five-member committee to appear before the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

The panel was constituted by the West Bengal School Education Department in November 2019 for monitoring pending recruitments of teaching and non-teaching staff in government-aided schools.

The committee was headed by Sinha and the other four members were S Acharya, PK Bandopadhyay, AK Sarkar, and T Panja.

Justice Gangopadhay had on April 5 directed the CBI to register a case in the matter so that they can take all steps required.

(With agency inputs)
Karauli (Rajasthan): BJP Yuva Morcha national president and MP Tejasvi Surya, party's Rajasthan chief Satish Poonia and others were stopped from visiting violence-hit Karauli on Wednesday (April 13). They were stopped at the Dausa-Karauli border but kept demanding that they be allowed to meet victims of the April 2 violence, which broke out after a bike rally being carried out to mark Hindu new year was pelted with stones. Over 30 people were injured in the violence.

"Karauli riots indicate clear lawlessness in Rajasthan. The deliberate attempt to disturb Ram Navami shobha yatra and the unwillingness of Congress govt to act against the aggressors is deplorable," tweeted Surya, who is also the chief of the BJYM, the BJP's youth wing.

Police officials said the protesters were stopped at the Dausa-Karauli border.

Karauli riots indicate clear lawlessness in Rajasthan The deliberate attempt to disturb Ram Navami shobha yatra & the unwillingness of congress govt. to act against the aggressors is deplorable@BJYM will continue to protest until culprits are brought to justice#ChaloKarauli  Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) April 13, 2022

As they kept demanding that they be allowed to enter Karauli, they were taken into a bus and dispersed, police said.

The BJP delegation also broke into sloganeering and staged a protest against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his government after not being allowed to visit the violence-hit Karauli district. Reacting to the step taken by police officials, the BJP MP said that the 'dictatorial government' is 'snatching their rights'. "Section 144 is not in place at where we are now...It`s our constitutional right to go to Karauli. This dictatorial government is snatching our rights, which is why we are protesting," said Surya.

The Jaipur district administration on Saturday (April 9) imposed Section 144 CrPC till May 9 and suspended the gathering of crowds, protests, assemblies and processions without prior permission in the entire rural and urban area. The imposition of Section 144 comes in the wake of the stone-pelting incident in Karauli that took place on April 2 during a religious procession. The administration has also prohibited any objectionable sloganeering and singing or demonstration of similar activities. According to the order, no person or his group or representative shall use a DJ for any kind of religious or other function without permission. The use of loudspeakers in all public and religious places remains prohibited to curb noise pollution. Prior permission will be required to carry out the same allowed from 6 am to 10 pm.

(With Agency inputs)

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West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a meeting during the day in view of the "disturbing scenario" in the precincts of the Calcutta High Court even as its Chief Justice held urgent discussions with representatives of its three bars to resolve the situation.

Some lawyers were seen protesting in front of the court of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Wednesday morning even as other advocates went in to plead their matters before him.

A general body meeting of the Bar Association of Calcutta High Court was dissolved owing to an unruly situation on Tuesday.

At the meeting, discussions were scheduled on issues raised by a member with regard to the court of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who has in the recent past ordered CBI enquiry in at least four cases over alleged irregularities in appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff in state government-aided schools.

"WB Guv has urged CM Mamata Banerjee for interaction during the day in view of disturbing and unprecedented worrisome scenario in the precincts of High Court at Calcutta as also the recent spate of heinous crime against women and continual deteriorating law & order in the State," Dhankhar tweeted.

You would agree that in a system governed by constitution and rule of law, denial of access to justice and obstruction in the functioning of the Courts sounds death knell of democracy, he said.

Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava, rising from his court in between hearing of matters, held an urgent meeting on the protests with senior lawyers, barristers, representatives of the three bars of the high court, advocate general and two assistant solicitors general on Wednesday.

"We requested the Chief Justice to take steps with regard to the prevailing situation which has lowered the prestige of the high court," Bar Association president Arunabha Ghosh, who attended the meeting, said.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Bar Association, Bar Library Club and Incorporated Law Society.

Ghosh had on Tuesday written a letter to the Chief Justice informing him that no resolution was passed in the meeting of the Bar Association.
NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the admit cards for Term 2 Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. According to the Boards official notification, the CBSE 10th and 12th Term 2 admit cards can be downloaded only by the schools through the boards official website - cbse.gov.in.

Checks steps to download CBSE 10, 12th Term 2 Admit Cards 2022

-Visit the boards official website - cbse.gov.in.

-On the homepage, click on the e-PAREEKSHA tab and then click on the link that reads: the 'Admit Card/Centre Material for Examination 2021-2022' option.

-Enter your User Id, Password and Security Pin to log in.

-The CBSE Term 2 admit card will be displayed on the screen. Download it and take a printout for future references.

CBSE Term 2 Class 10, 12 board exams will be held in offline mode from April 26, 2022. The CBSE term 2 exams will be held on 50 per cent of the reduced syllabus as prescribed earlier. The CBSE term 2 papers will have both objective and subjective questions  case-based, situation-based, open-ended short answer and long answer type questions. The term 2 exams will be held for a duration of two hours.

During the Term 1 exams, students were required to wear masks, follow social distancing, and other Covid protocols due to the pertaining pandemic situation. CBSE had also banned certain items for the students including mobile phones, electronic devices, headphones, and any other electronic gadgets.

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Mangaluru: An FIR has been registered against Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister K S Eshwarappa for abetment of suicide in connection with the death of a civil contractor Santhosh Patil.

According to the Karnataka police, Eshwarappa has been named as the first accused in the case. The FIR was registered based on a complaint from Prashanth Patil, brother of Santhosh Patil, who had levelled bribery charges against the senior minister earlier.

Patil was found dead at a lodge in Udupi in a case of suspected suicide. The complaint by Prashanth named minister Eshwarappa and his staff members Ramesh and Basavaraj as the accused.

In the complaint, Prashanth Patil contented his brother had undertaken works worth Rs 4 crore in Hindalaga village. Santhosh had invested his money in the project and the bill for the work was pending.

Santhosh had visited Minister Eshwarappa several times and had pleaded him to release the amount. But his close aides Basavaraj and Ramesh were demanding 40 percent commission, the complaint alleged.

Meanwhile, a forensic team examined the evidence at the spot where Patil was found dead. Patil's death had on Tuesday triggered a major political row with the Congress demanding the ouster of Eshwarappa even as its senior leader Rahul Gandhi had targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the issue.

A Karnataka Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday demanding the expulsion of state Minister KS Eshwarappa from the state cabinet as well as his arrest over contractor Santosh Patil`s death.

Congress delegation including DK Shivakumar and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah submits a letter to Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot demanding sacking of state minister KS Eshwarappa over contractor Santosh Patil's death pic.twitter.com/3FvmtgQnoa  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022

The Congress leaders demanded the Governor to direct the police to "take cognizance of the abetment to suicide of Santhosh Patil by KS Eshwarappa and his allies".

In a memorandum submitted to the Karnataka Governor, the Congress delegation alleged that the deceased had sent a message through the social media terming the Minister "directly responsible" for his death.

We have appealed to the Governor to dismiss KS Eshwarappa, get him arrested...Secondly, a corruption case should be regd against him given that he would seek 40% commission from his own people, including contractor Santosh Patil(who later died by suicide): DK Shivakumar, Congress pic.twitter.com/msXxYbvJpH  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022

The delegation enclosed a copy of the message in the memorandum. The memorandum further demanded the registration of a criminal case punishable under Sec-306 of IPC and Sec-13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions of law immediately.

The leaders also demanded the arrest of the Minister "in the interest of justice and equity". Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had on Tuesday said that he has directed the police to ensure a speedy and transparent investigation into the matter.

(With Agency Inputs)

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YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh was essentially left out from the dimension of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship format talks as of 2016.

Pashinyan was making the comments in parliament when asked by MP Vahagn Alexanyan on what took place in the negotiations process in 2016.

What was the leitmotif of the 1998 events, Levon-Ter Petrosyan thought that the issue must be solved in a phased option, Serzh Sargsyan, Robert Kocharyan and the then-authorities of Artsakh were saying no, they werent accepting this, and that the issue must be accepted in a package option. And this became the leitmotif, Pashinyan said.

According to the PM, the title of the negotiations document on his table was :           translating from Russian  On the First Phase and Future Steps of the Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

Meaning, the person who said that a phased solution is defeatism left in 2018 a document on the negotiations table that was titled that way. Meaning, the person who was carrying out a regime change against the phased solution again reached the phased solution. But there are so many splits in this phased solution. It is a question whether or not Azerbaijan agrees to this. They say they will solve the Karabakh issue this or that way, so why havent you. They forget that they are presenting the ideas in unsigned papers as victory, the PM said.

Speaking on the role of the Co-Chairs, the PM said: They take the ideas of the sides, try to refine them and put it on paper. We can have all kinds of ideas. But as of 2018 the entirety of the Karabakh issue was so much split up, it wasnt a phased option, it was rather a hyper-phased option. Meaning, from the 1998 phased option we reached the 2016 hyperphased option, the PM said.

Speaking about a brief description of the 2016 events, he said: In January the Co-Chairs present a negotiations package, the meaning of which is that Nagorno Karabakh will not have an interim status. The Armenian side naturally rejected it. Two months after presenting it the April War began, and then in July the second package is presented, where it is recorded that again Karabakh will not have an interim status. In August, the third package is presented where a new component is added to the negotiations papers  a UN Security Council draft resolution.

Pashinyan cited former President Levon Ter-Petrosyans narrative during a 2017 interview that the status of Karabakh will be determined by the international community.

This is what Levon Ter-Petrosyan meant most likely. Meaning, the NK status issue was essentially left out from the dimension of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format talks as of 2016. The issue was left out, that issue must be solved by the international community. But the international community must solve as part of several undeniable principles that in Karabakh as of 1988 there were also Azerbaijanis that left. In the international communitys understanding it is impossible to address this issue without the protection of the rights of the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno Karabakh. And, essentially, this is all in the negotiations package, the PM said, adding that this is included in the Madrid Principles as well.

Pashinyan said that there hasnt even been any option that would even be unacceptable for Armenia but acceptable for Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the question addressed to his administration on how they fell into a trap in 2019, Pashinyan said: Whats falling in a trap? That a negotiations package appears by which Armenia is expected to surrender seven regions to Azerbaijan. Serzh Sargsyan says how come we fell into the trap. We werent in a trap, that paper recorded what Serzh Sargsyan announced from this rostrum. That was the result of his last negotiations because as of 2019 we hadnt even started negotiating. As of 2019 when that document was put on the table we hadnt yet talked about substantive negotiations at all, he said.

Speaking on the questions whether or not the war couldve been prevented, PM Pashinyan said: We couldve prevented the war as a result of which we would have had this same situation, without the victims. The same situation, with all questions and nuances.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is virtually interacting with the security personnel involved in rescue operations at Jharkhand's Deoghar, today (April 13).

"At 8 pm today, PM Narendra Modi will interact with personnel of Indian Air Force, Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, local administration and civil society who were involved with rescue operations at Deoghar, Prime Minister`s Office had earlier said in a tweet.

At 8pm today, PM @narendramodi will interact with personnel of IAF, Indian Army, NDRF, ITBP, local administration and civil society who were involved with rescue operations at Deoghar.  PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 13, 2022

The PM is taking their feedback on the rescue operation in Jharkhand. Around 60 tourists were trapped in cable cars midway for more than 46 hours at Trikut Hills, close to Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar since Sunday after a ropeway malfunction led to trolleys colliding. While three people died in the Deoghar cable car accident. The tourists were evacuated by joint teams of the Indian Air Force, Army, ITBP, NDRF and the district administration, PTI reported.

Earlier today, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren virtually interacted with Pannalal who helped in saving the lives of people in the Deoghar ropeway mishap. On the instructions of CM a cheque of Rs 1 lakh handed over to Pannalal for his role, Deoghar DC M Bhajantri was quoted as saying by ANI.

CM Hemant Soren said that he did not interact with Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially regarding the ropeway incident. "Central agencies were involved in the rescue operation but no official conversation took place between me and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Deoghar ropeway incident," Soren said, as per ANI.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Disaster Management Minister Banna Gupta on Wednesday admitted that "there have been some lapses", adding that strict action will be taken after the probe into the Deoghar ropeway mishap. "Our Chief Minister is very serious on this matter. He himself has taken the cognizance and ordered the probe and forming of an enquiry committee. The whole government is very much concerned and serious. The accident is very unfortunate," the minister told ANI.

(With agency inputs)

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In a big decision, a special Hyderabad court today acquitted firebrand AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in 2012 hate-speech case. Owaisi, who was an MLA at that time, had issued open threats to Hindus. A video of the hate speech had gone viral on social media and he was later arrested in the matter.

In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-In-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analyses special Hyderabad court's decision to acquit Owaisi in the hate-speech case.

What was Owaisi's controversial statement?

Owaisi, addressing a rally, had said: "You are 100 crores, while we are only 25 crores, still, try to remove police only for 15 minutes, we will show you who is more powerful and audacious".

People across the nation had expressed their anger over the decision.

The biggest question that arises today - if not this, then what exactly defines hate speech?

Why was Owaisi acquitted?

The court said that the video submitted in the court had so many cuts, and hence, it can't be considered as an evidence in the matter. The court said that the evidence submitted in the court doesn't prove Owaisi's crime.

The court, however, has advised Owaisi not to make such statements in future.

The verdict today exposes the lethargic judicial system of our country. The court took a time of 9-long years just to decide if the video was a case of hate speech or not. On the other hand, anyone who watches the video, can reach on a conclusion that the leader indeed made controversial statements against Hindus in the video.

Watch DNA with Sudhir Chaudhary to understand-in-detail the Hyderabad court's decision in 2012 hate-speech case.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (April 13) provisionally attached properties belonging to Maharastra Minister Nawab Malik under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Besides Malik, the ED has provisionally attached belonging to his family members, Solidus Investments, and Malik Infrastructure under the anti-money laundering law in a case against fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his underworld gang.

As per PTI, the central agency said in a statement that it has issued a provisional order attaching properties belonging to, Mohammed Nawab Mohammed Islam Malik alias Nawab Malik, his family members, Solidus Investments Pvt. Ltd. And Malik Infrastructure under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)."

The properties attached include the Goawala compound and a commercial unit in Mumbai's suburban Kurla (West), a 147.79-acre agricultural land located in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra, three flats in Kurla (West) and two residential flats in Bandra (West).

Malik, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Minority Affairs Minister in the Maharashtra government, was arrested by the ED on February 23 in a money laundering case.

The ED has accused the NCP leader of being part of an alleged criminal conspiracy to "usurp a property in Mumbai`s Kurla area" which has a market value at Rs 300 crore currently and belongs rightfully to Munira Plumber.

Denying the federal agency's charge, Malik told the Bombay High Court that he had bought the property in a bonafide transaction three decades ago, adding that Plumber has now changed her mind about the transaction.

In another development, the Supreme Court today agreed to consider listing for hearing Malik's appeal seeking immediate release from prison in this money laundering case.

(With agency inputs)

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Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi has got recognition as the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council. The recognition is effective from 11 April 2022.

A notification has been issued by the Legislative Council Secretariat in this regard. The recognition in the council has been given for meeting the minimum number of members.

Meanwhile, states Chief Minister Nitish Kumar completed his personal visit to his area. The Chief Minister had started a private tour of the area during the budget session. During this, he visited every area of his Assembly and Parliamentary constituency.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met old timers of the area. The Chief Minister also listened to the problems of the people and assured a solution.

Notably, the security of the Chief Minister was breached twice during the visit.

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Youth Congress workers on Wednesday held protest outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence, demanding the sacking of Karnataka's Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa over the death of a contractor.

The march led by Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas BV started from the Sunehri Bagh circle here towards the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah. The protestors raised slogans against "the atmosphere of anarchy" in the state.

Indian Youth Congress National Media In-charge Rahul Rao said that many Youth Congress workers marched towards Shah's residence from the Sunehri Bagh circle.

However, the Delhi Police barricaded the road and stopped them from marching ahead. Many were detained by the police.

A senior police officer said 25 people were detained during the protest.

During the protest, Srinivas attacked the BJP over the death of Santosh Patil, a contractor who levelled corruption charges against Eshwarappa and demanded an

FIR against the Karnataka minister.He also demanded an independent probe into the incident.

Patil was found dead in a hotel room in Udupi on Tuesday morning. He had earlier accused Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent commission in a public work executed by him. The minister not only dismissed his allegations but also filed a defamation suit against him.

Srinivas also questioned the silence of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the matter.

"Every voice exposing the failure within the BJP will be silenced," he said.

"We demand that Eshwarappa should be sacked immediately. He should be arrested immediately and there should be an inquiry under the chairmanship of sitting judge of Supreme Court," he added.

Amid mounting opposition pressure for his resignation over the death of the civil contractor, Eshwarappa on Wednesday ruled out stepping down from his post and demanded a probe into the "conspiracy" behind Patil's death.
New Delhi: BJP chief JP Nadda has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate the rape and murder case of a minor girl in West Bengals Nadia.

The committee will submit its report at the earliest, the order said. BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh said in a statement as per IANS, "National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has nominated a five-member fact-finding committee to visit the place of rape and murder of minor girl at Hanskhali, Nadia, West Bengal. The committee will submit its report at the earliest."

The panel consists of Lok Sabha member and national vice president Rekha Verma, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Baby Rani Maurya, member Tamil Nadu Assembly and nation president of party women wing Vanathi Srinivasan, special invitee national executive committee Kushbu Sunder and Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury, MLA West Bengal.

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in Nadia district. The victim's family has accused the son of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) panchayat leader in the case. The accused has been sent to 14-day judicial custody, ANI reported.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee received flak after she questioned if the victim was "actually raped or had a love affair" that got her pregnant.

Addressing the inauguration of the `Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan` on Monday, Banerjee asked, "How do you know if she was raped? The police are yet to ascertain the cause of the death. I had asked them. Was she pregnant or had a love affair or was sick? Even family knew it was a love affair. If a couple is in a relationship, how can I stop them?"

BJP had condemned the TMC supremo's remarks over the alleged gang rape case.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a plea of Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik filed against an order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release in a case of money laundering being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana agreed to list the case for hearing after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Malik, mentioned the matter for urgent listing of the case. Sibal told the apex court, "This is Nawab Malik`s matter where ED is taking proceedings. The act came into place in 2005, the transaction is prior to 2000. A transaction from 22 years ago is sought to proceed."

To this, CJI said, "Yes, we will list it."Malik has challenged the March 15 order of the Bombay High Court which had rejected his application saying just because the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court`s order remanding him in custody is not in his favour, it does not make that order illegal or wrong.

After the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Malik under the provisions of the PMLA, he had filed a habeas corpus plea in the High Court claiming that his arrest by the ED and the consequent remands were illegal.

The High Court had said that Malik was arrested by the ED in accordance with the law, and subsequently been remanded to the ED`s custody and then to judicial custody following due process.

ED had arrested Minorities Development Minister Malik on February 23 over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

The federal agency has accused Malik of being part of an alleged criminal conspiracy to usurp a property in Mumbai`s Kurla area which currently has a market value of Rs 300 crore and belongs rightfully to one Munira Plumber.

However, Malik had submitted before the High Court that he had bought the property in a bonafide transaction three decades ago, and Plumber has now changed her mind about the transaction.

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PM Narendra Modi today interacted with the security personnel who carried out a tough rescue operation in Jharkhand's Deoghar. "Nation is proud that it has capable forces in the form of Army, Air Force, NDRF, ITBP and Police that has the strength to bring out the people from every crisis," PM Modi said. "We too learnt lessons from the accident (Trikut ropeway) and rescue mission. Your experience will be useful for future," PM Modi added.

Around 60 tourists were trapped in cable cars midway for more than 46 hours at Trikut Hills, close to Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar since Sunday after a ropeway malfunction led to trolleys colliding. While three people died in the Deoghar cable car accident.

The tourists were evacuated by joint teams of the Indian Air Force, Army, ITBP, NDRF and the district administration, PTI reported.

"Over the course of 3 days, you worked round the clock, completed a difficult operation and saved lives of several citizens. Entire country has appreciated your efforts. Though we're sad that the lives of some people couldn't be saved," the Prime Minister said further.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday announced in the Assembly that the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar on April 14 would be celebrated as 'Equality Day' from this year onwards.

Making a statement in the House, Stalin said a pledge would also be taken across the state on that day. Accepting a request of Lok Sabha MP and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan, a life size bronze statue of Ambedkar would be installed in the Ambedkar Manimandapam here, he said.

Selected works of Ambedkar would be published in Tamil (critical edition), the CM announced. This is following a representation of DMK MP A Raja. Stalin said Ambedkar's opinions have depth and substance, a beacon to the future. A representation was made in a Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department meeting that Ambedkar's birth anniversary be declared Equality Day.

The goal of social justice is achieving equality, the CM said adding the government is for swift action on any representation aimed at the growth of all the Tamils. The crux of the pledge, which would be taken in all government offices, is upholding and following equality and the oath is against caste discrimination, according to a Government Order. Reformist leader Periyar's birth anniversary (September 17) has already been declared as social justice day by the DMK government.

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Hyderabad: The 125-feet tall statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar will be unveiled in Hyderabad by the end of the current year.

This will be the tallest statue of the Father of Indian Constitution anywhere in the world and it is coming up near Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city.

Minister for municipal administration and urban development K. T. Rama Rao along with social welfare minister Koppula Eshwar on Wednesday reviewed the work of the bronze statue being built at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

The statue will be installed on a 50-feet pedestal. Rama Rao said 90-95 per cent work of the base has been completed.

KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, said an 11-acre area around the statue will be developed as a centre of tourist attraction. This would be a place of inspiration for not just people of Telangana but for the entire country, he said.

Life and works of Dr Ambedkar will be showcased through a museum, a photo gallery and an exhibition library. A meditation centre and meeting hall will also come up at the statue.

The minister said the work on the statue was in full swing. Social welfare minister is regularly monitoring the progress.

According to officials, the place will have all the amenities like toilets, canteen and parking.

The ministers reviewed the work a day before the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. KTR said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is following in the footsteps of Dr Ambedkar by working for the welfare of all sections of people.

He said building the tallest statue of Dr Ambedkar was a long-cherished dream of the chief minister.

The chief minister had laid the foundation for this project on April 14, 2016 on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar.

He had fixed a deadline of one year for completion of the project, so that it could be unveiled on April 14, 2017. However, the work could commence after a delay of more than five years.

Officials visited various countries like China and Singapore to examine the tallest statues, held meetings with experts who have handled installations of such huge statues before finalising the design in September 2020.

The statue will be 45-ft wide. It will have nine tonnes of bronze skin coating. In all, 155 tonnes of stainless steel will be used in making the frame of the statue.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu to celebrate BR Ambedkars birth anniversary as 'Equality Day'

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STEPANAKERT, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. The serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army who was wounded from Azerbaijani fire in Parukh is in stable condition, a source close to the authorities in Artsakh told ARMENPRESS.

The source said that the situation in Parukh is calm.

The Azeri shooting in Parukh left one Artsakh soldier wounded.

On April 12, the Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno Karabakh officially accused Azerbaijan in violating the ceasefire.

The incident was resolved by the peacekeeping contingents command in cooperation with the militaries of both sides.
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the state government would open paddy procurement centres in the interest of farmers. Flaying the NDA government at the Centre, Rao announced that he would soon convene a meeting of economists and farmers' leaders from all states to formulate an "integrated new agriculture policy" which would provide Constitutional safeguards to MSP, said a PTI report.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, KCR claimed that his party has "sufficiently" exposed the NDA government for not agreeing to the demand and over its "wicked" anti-farmer attitude. "It is the duty of the Government of India to maintain the buffer stocks in the interest of the food security of the country, which you (the Centre) are forgetting, which you are escaping, which you are running away," PTI quoted him as saying.

Demanding that the Centre procure paddy produced in Telangana during rabi season, Rao, who staged a dharna in Delhi on Monday, had set a 24-hour deadline to the Centre to respond to the demand for procuring paddy.

Rao said the TRS government also sought to remind the Centre by holding protests about its responsibility to procure the farmers' produce, adding that the Modi government has waived loans to the tune of Rs 10.50 lakh crore for big corporates and those who cheated banks.

The Centre, however, is not ready to bear funds worth Rs 3,500 crore for the sake of farmers from a state. The nearly Rs 3,500 crore loss is due to the paddy produced during rabi season in Telangana yielding less quantity of rice as crop is harvested during summer.

Earlier on Monday, Rao had indicated that his government would not leave farmers in the lurch, adding that paddy procurement centres would be opened in the state from Wednesday in all villages.

He had alleged that the intellectuals are of the view that the NDA government and BJP hurt the country in multiple ways and also foment communalism. The BJP provoked communal feelings by raking up issues like the movie 'Kashmir Files' and the terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama for political mileage in spite of price rise and other negative factors, he claimed.

Referring to the violence during Ram Navami processions, Rao reportedly said that stone-pelting incidents happened in poll-bound states and not others. In a state like Karnataka, where Bengaluru is hailed as the Silicon Valley of India, there have been bans, including on hijab, halal meat, and not buying goods from shops run by Muslims, he said, adding that such issues would have a backlash.

Talking about the meeting of economists and farmers' representatives proposed to be organised by him in Hyderabad, KCR said the event would unveil an "integrated new agriculture policy".

Notably, the state government's decision to open paddy procurement centres came against the backdrop of a row over the issue between the TRS government and the Centre. While the state demanded procurement of paddy, the Centre said it would procure raw rice.

Meanwhile, Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar described the state government's decision to open paddy procurement centres as his party's victory.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted bail to eight people who were arrested in a case related to the protest and the vandalism outside the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in March.

The court noted that the accused have been in custody for 14 days and the evidence collected, so far, is of such nature that they cannot tamper with it.

"Others who had been identified in photos have been issued notices under Section 41A (of the) CrPC and are also participating in the investigations. Thus, the continued custody of the applicants (accused) in jail is not called for only because some investigations are still going on," Justice Asha Menon said in an order passed on Tuesday.

The eight arrested people had approached the high court for relief after their bail pleas were dismissed by the trial court. They were arrested on March 31.

On March 30, protestors, led by BJP Yuva Morcha national president and MP Tejasvi Surya, were holding a demonstration against Kejriwal's remarks on the controversial movie 'The Kashmir Files', which is based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley after the outbreak of militancy.

The chief minister's residence is located at 6, Flag Staff Road. The protest started around 11.30 am on March 30. The Delhi Police had said proper arrangements were put in place but some 15-20 protestors managed to reach the Flag Staff Road. They were immediately removed, police had said.

Some of the protesters, around 1 pm, breached two barricades and reached outside CM House where they created a ruckus and shouted slogans, police had said.

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New Delhi: The future warfare is likely to be hybrid in nature wherein weapons such as economic strangulation, information blackout, computer virus and hypersonic missiles would be used, IAF Chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari has warned.

"Cyber and information" have become the modern tools for shaping the battlefield, Air Chief Marshal said in his speech at an event organised by All India Management Association (AIMA) on Tuesday.

A well-created narrative in the information domain to adversely affect the enemy can have devastating effects, the IAF chief mentioned. As humans become more and more interconnected, a cyber-attack on our networks can cripple command and control structures, Chaudhari noted.

"What I am trying to get at is that in the next war, the enemy might not be a country or an organisation," he mentioned. India may never know the perpetrators of a "Distributed Denial of Services" attack and we will not know when and from where the attack will take place, he added.

Delhi | It's imperative to reimagine, reform, re-design & rebuild our traditional war-fighting machinery amid a new emerging paradigm. As the world becomes more interconnected, a cyber attack on our networks can cripple command & control systems:IAF Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari pic.twitter.com/PPyeZF80Hj  ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2022

In the future, India could be attacked on all fronts, ranging from economic strangulation to diplomatic isolation and military standoffs to information blackouts in the form of attacks by "Distributed Denial of Services", he mentioned. All this will happen well before the first bullet is fired or the first aircraft goes across the border, he noted.

Future warfare is likely to be hybrid in nature and the spectrum of conflict will be spread across all domains spanning from conventional to sub-conventional, kinetic to non-kinetic and lethal to non-lethal, all under a nuclear overhang, he said.

"The weapons we are looking at would be ranging from a small computer virus to hypersonic missiles," he added.

"There is a need for us to develop capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict and focus on multi-domain operations. Similarly, our doctrines, equipment, training and tactics will have to be flexible and able to adapt rapidly to these new challenges," he stressed.

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Mumbai: Reacting to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerays ultimatum on shutting loudspeakers in mosques, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that he should not be given too much importance.

The NCP leader further said, When the right time comes, I'll surely answer it, I have got the answer for every question.

Raj Thackeray must not be given so much importance, when the right time comes, I'll surely answer on it, I've the answer for every question: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on MNS chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum on loudspeakers in mosques pic.twitter.com/D60x9ARgSs  ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022

Ajit Pawar made the remarks a day after the MNS chief Tuesday reiterated its warning to the state government that they should shut loudspeakers in mosques till May 3. Thackeray called the issue a social one and said that he will not back down on the subject, while also challenging the Shiv Sena government to "do whatever you want to do".

"Loudspeakers in mosques should be shut till May 3rd otherwise, we will play Hanuman Chalisa in speakers. This is a social issue, not a religious one. I want to tell the state government, we will not go back on this subject, do whatever you want to do," the MNS chief said.

Recently, reacting to the loudspeakers controversy heated up in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the state government will discuss the order of the court and will talk to the Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil about it.

To this, Thackeray called Pawar an atheist, who "does not believe in any religion". Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had also said that the Maharashtra Home Minister has also given the notice to maintain the decibel level for Azaan.

The debate sparked after Raj Thackeray asked the state government to remove the loudspeakers from mosques and warned of "putting loudspeakers in front of the mosques and play Hanuman Chalisa".

"I am not against prayers, you can pray at your home, but the government should take a decision on removing mosque loudspeakers. I am warning you now... Remove loudspeakers or else will put loudspeakers in front of the mosque and play Hanuman Chalisa."

Additionally, Thackeray also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raid the mosques in the Muslim areas in Mumbai and said that the people living there are "Pakistani supporters".

"I appeal to PM Modi to raid the Madarasas at the Muslim shanties. Pakistani supporters are residing in these shanties. Mumbai Police knows what`s happening there...Our MLAs using them for vote-bank, such people don`t even have Aadhar Card, but the MLAs get them made," he said.

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New Delhi: Superstar Ajay Devgn is gearing up for the release of his upcoming directorial venture Runway 34 starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh. The talented actor in an interview with Film Companion opened up on a lot of things.

When asked about his younger days, Ajay Devgn quipped in a candid manner, "Okay, we should not talk about this. I could say all this (in the past) but now I have a better image, so let's maintain that. We've done wild things in our youth, everybody does. At that time, things were very lenient also, including the law and the media. Very forgiving. It's not anymore. We've gotten away with a lot of things, you all can't. We've had a lot of fun, you all can't."

He also recalled how he was written off by people who tried to pull him down. "Not to my face, but people behind my back would say, 'He doesn't have the looks, ek action director ka beta, star kaise ban sakta hai...' I kept working."

On the work front, Ajay Devgn will next be seen in Runway 34 which is produced and directed by the actor. The film will release on April 29, 2022. In 2016, he directed Shivaay.

The actor also has Maidaan and Thank God to look forward to.
New Delhi: Actor Kartik Aaryan is currently busy shooting for his upcoming film, Shehzada in Mauritius. The actor seems to have a ball of time. Kartik is regularly sharing fun photos and videos from Mauritius making Farah Khan wonder if he is at all working there.

Kartik shared a photo and video album from Mauritius where he can be seen doing multiple things, alas except shooting. In one photo Kartik can be seen standing next to the sea and enjoying the stunning view and in another he shares a photo smile while standing amidst a bunch of people.

He also shared numerous videos, in one video, he can be seen giving an autograph to a young fan and in another he can be seen shaking a leg with the local dancers there and man, he really is killing it with those moves.

Reacting to Kartiks post, filmmaker Farah Khan commented., Wah! Shooting bhi ki?. Replying to Farah, Kartik wrote, @farahkhankunder Mauritius mein ek din mein adtaalis ghante hote hai.

Earlier, Kartik also shared a photo with his Shehzada director Rohit Dhawan and captioned his post, Met this guy on the beach and decided to film some stuff Great week at shoot #Shehzada.

Th actor has also shared a scenic video reel of himself enjoying a swim and wrote, Shehzadas day out.

On the work front, Kartik Aaryan has an interesting lineup of films. H will kickstart his releases for the year with the much anticipated Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. Besides this one, Kartik also has films like 'Shehzada', 'Freddy', 'Captain India' and Sajid Nadiadwala's untitled next in his kitty.
MUMBAI: Like many, actor Karisma Kapoor also loves mehendi.After attending the mehendi ceremony of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt on Wednesday, Karisma took to Instagram and flaunted her henna-covered foot. A heart and floral design mehendi design can be seen applied on her foot.

"I love mehendi," she captioned the post. She attended the function wearing an ethnic yellow coloured suit. On the other hand, her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan opted for shimmery lehenga. Karisma and Kareena are Ranbir's cousins.

Earlier in the day, the Kapoor sisters turned heads as they arrived all decked up for their cousin brother Ranbir Kapoor's pre-wedding ceremony at his residence 'Vastu' at Palli Hills on Wednesday.

While Kareena Kapoor arrived in an angelic lehenga for the event. She beamed like a ray of sunshine in Manish Malhotra's muse for her cousin brother's pre-wedding event. Bebo was no less than a vision to behold in the white coloured shimmery lehenga choli with the shades of pastel pink and blue at the bottom of the skirt.She accessorised her outfit with a stone-studded necklace, sparkling studs earrings and matching bangles. The 41-year-old kept her hair straight open with front side luscious locks neatly tied in a middle-parted hairstyle.

Kareena kept her makeup neutral matching her skin tone. On the other hand, Karisma donned an orange-gold anarkali for the occasion. She had her hair tied in a beautiful bun and completed her look with jhumkas, maangtika and bangles. An elegant bun, minimal make-up, berry-toned lip shade, smoky eye shadow, and glowing skin rounded it all off for the star.

Ranbir is Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor's son, while Karisma and Kareena are Randhir Kapoor-Babita's daughters.

Now fans are waiting to see how the Kapoor clan will make entry at Ranbir's baraat on Thursday.

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New Delhi: The Rajasthan government has announced that pensioners who were employed with state government undertakings, boards, autonomous bodies, corporations, or universities will now receive pensions in accordance with the 7th pay scale  a move that will lead to an increase in their allowances.

Pensioners of the Rajasthan government have long been demanding the authorities pay their pensions in accordance with the 7th pay scale. Several other state pensioners have also raised similar demands.

According to media reports, the move by the Rajasthan government will benefit more than 1 lakh pensioners of the state. Pensioners will be provided with a revised pension from April 1, 2022.

In an order dated April 11, 2022, the Finance Department of the Rajasthan government said that guidelines for other institutions will be issued by the concerned administrative department.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government had recently announced the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS) for government employees. Following Rajasthan, the Chhattisgarh government also took the step.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot while presenting the Budget for the year 2022-23 said that all Rajasthan Govt employees appointed on or after 1st January 2004 will be entitled to pension scheme like earlier (older version of the scheme) from next year onward.

Chhattisgarh became the second state to reintroduce the old pension scheme for government employees that provides an assured income after retirement. The announcement was made by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on March 8, 2022. Also Read: Markets bounce back after 2-days of fall; Sensex jumps nearly 350 points

Also, in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has decided to increase monthly old-age pension amount from Rs 1,001 to Rs 1,500. The government has also decreased the age limit from 70 years to 60 years for availing such pension, without any income limit. Also Read: Good news for pensioners! Single-window portal to offer multiple services in one place; check details

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New Delhi: Providing some relief to Supertech Ltd, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Tuesday stayed the formation of the committee of creditors under the insolvency proceedings till April 19 as the real estate developer sought time to negotiate with banks.

During the proceedings before the appellate tribunal, Supertech Ltd's counsel requested for adjourning the matter for a week to enable it to approach the bank for negotiations.

"At his request, let this appeal be listed next Tuesday i.E. On 19.04.2022. Till the next date, IRP shall not constitute the CoC," an NCLAT bench, headed by Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan, said.

NCLAT's direction came on a petition filed by Ram Kishor Arora, a director of the suspended board of Supertech Ltd, against the order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal on March 25.

Arora expressed satisfaction over the interim order passed by NCLAT.

According to him, NCLAT has taken into consideration the concerns of all stakeholders, including homebuyers.

On March 25, the Delhi bench of NCLT initiated insolvency proceedings against Supertech Ltd over a petition filed by the Union Bank of India for non-payment of dues worth around Rs 432 crore.

NCLT had also appointed Hitesh Goyal as the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) superseding the board of Supertech Ltd.

The default pertains to the loan given by the Union Bank of India to Eco Village II project at Greater Noida (West) in Uttar Pradesh, which was being developed at a cost of Rs 1,106.45 crore.

Supertech Ltd has 38,041 flats and out of them, it has delivered 27,111 flats.

As many as 10,930 homes are yet to be delivered and among them, over 70 per cent of construction is complete with respect to over 8,000 homes, Supertech Group Managing Director Mohit Arora said last month.

The formation of CoC is an important step for Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under IBC (Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code).

Once NCLT initiates CIRP against a debt-ridden firm, it appoints an Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) after suspending the board of the firm. Also Read: Markets bounce back after 2-days of fall; Sensex jumps nearly 350 points

Article 18 of IBC mandates that it is the duty of the IRP to constitute the committee based on all the claims received against the corporate debtor and the determination of the financial position of the corporate debtor. Also Read: 7th Pay Commission: 1 lakh pensioners to receive allowances as per 7th pay scale

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Lucknow: Reacting to reports of violence in some states during the Ram Navami processions, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has claimed that there is "no tension at all in the BJP-rules state.

The Chief Minister, while addressing an event in Lucknow on Tuesday, said that no violence in UP during Ram Navami showed that there is no place for rioters in the state, which is now progressing forward.

Calling it a symbol of UP's new development agenda CM Yogi said that people in India's most populous state celebrated both Lord Ram's birth and the holy month of Ramzan with peace and great fervour.

"Ram Navami was just celebrated. A 25-crore population lives in Uttar Pradesh. There were 800 Ram Navami processions across the state and simultaneously, this is the month of Ramzan and many roza iftar programmes must have been on. But there was not even any 'tu tu main main' (squabbling) anywhere, forget riots," Yogi Adityanath said in a speech tweeted from his Twitter handle last night.

"This is a symbol of UP's new development agenda. There is no space for riots, lawlessness or goondagardi anymore," the CM said.

The remarks from CM Yogi Adityanath came in the backdrop of violence that was reported during Ram Navami celebrations on Sunday in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, in which two were killed and many injured.

The Shivraj Singh government in Madhya Pradesh arrested at least 94 people in connection with arson and violence in Khargone during a Ram Navami procession in a Muslim-dominated part of the town.

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YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. After the incident when a group of members of the Armenian Parliament were not allowed to enter Artsakh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia contacted the authorities of Artsakh and the Russian Federation, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during the Q&A session in the Parliament, asked what measures have been taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

Since it became known that the members of the National Assembly were unable to enter Nagorno Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, of course, we have taken actions. We have been in contact with both the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh and the Russian Federation at a high level. We were assured that the entry of the MPs to Artsakh was not allowed to avoid provocations. As for our position, it is clearly reflected in the statement of the Foreign Ministry, that is that the 2020 November 9 trilateral statement doesnt envisage any restriction in the movement through the Lachin corridor, and the citizens of Armenia, including (or moreover, if you want) the members of the National Assembly must have an unimpeded access to Nagorno Karabakh, the FM said.

Vice Speaker of Parliament Ishkhan Saghatelyan announced that the opposition lawmakers of the Armenian parliament were not allowed to enter Artsakh.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement over the incident, expressing its concern. This action contradicts the Trilateral Statement of November 9, which envisages the unimpeded connection of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia through the Lachin corridor. All parties to the Statement must strictly adhere to the latters letter and spirit, as well as fulfill its obligations, the ministry said in a statement.
New Delhi: American bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has passed away at the age of 44, Generation Iron reported.

The 2017 Arnold Classic champion pro bodybuilder suffered a heart attack while on the treadmill, the report added. McMillan had earlier opened up about his past heart-related issues and near-death experience in 2021. Notably, the details of the cause of his death have not been confirmed officially.

Due to his health issues, the bodybuilder had been postponing his return to competitive bodybuilding. He was an active service member in the US Army.

In an interview with GI in November 2021, McMillan said he had tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020, which led to heart and breathing issues. Later he started having trouble breathing and was also diagnosed with Pneumonia, HITC report said citing McMillan. He was also put on life support. Recalling the incident then, he had said, I was almost dead.

Post his recovery, he returned to guest pose at the Armed Forces National 2021.

McMillan was born in Maplewood, NY on August 16, 1977 and was attracted to everything related to bodybuilding and muscles, GI reported. He leaves behind his family and three children.

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Washington: New York City police named a person of interest in the shooting on Tuesday morning aboard a subway train in Brooklyn. In a tweet, the police department said, "This is Frank James. He is a person of interest in the shooting that took place on the N train in Brooklyn Tuesday morning. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call @NYPDTips at 1-800-577-TIPS."

The police department has a description of the suspect and a person of interest is being sought by police, according to New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who is quoted as saying "The suspect is a dark-skinned male and was wearing a neon-orange vest and a grey-coloured sweatshirt."

During a press conference on Tuesday, Sewell said, "We have a person of interest in this investigation."

The suspect had opened smoke grenades on the train and fired his gun 33 times, striking at least 10 people Tuesday morning, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig. Later at the scene, investigators found a Glock handgun, three extended magazines, two detonated smoke grenades, two non-detonated smoke grenades and a hatchet, Essig added.

None of the injuries to the victims appears to be life-threatening, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said, adding "We know this incident is of grave concern to New Yorkers. We cannot lose sight of victims in this city. We will use every resource we can to bring those to justice who continue to prey on the citizens of New York."

He further said that 10 people were shot and 13 others injured after a man wearing a gas mask opened fire and threw a smoke canister aboard the moving train during the morning rush hour, adding "He then shot multiple passengers as the train pulled into 36th Street station in Sunset Park. 10 people were injured by the gunfire & an additional 13 were either injured as they rushed to get out of the train station or they suffered smoke inhalation."

President Biden in touch with New York officials amid hunt for the shooter

US President Joe Biden said that his team remains in close contact with the New York authorities after the mass shooting at a Brooklyn subway station and amid the ongoing manhunt.

Biden s quoted as saying by ANI, "My team has been in touch with Mara Adams, New York`s police commissioner, and the Department of Justice, the FBI working closely with the NYPD [New York Police Department] on the ground."

"We`re going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities and as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days," he is further quoted as saying.

New York Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the suspect has not been identified and authorities do not know the gunman`s motive at this time.

A total of 16 persons are hospitalized after sustaining injuries in the shooting. Ten of them suffered gunshot wounds and five are in critical but stable condition, according to the New York City officials.

Meanwhile, New York City agencies are offering a joint USD 50,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in Tuesday`s shooting, as per a statement from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The MTA and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 both offered USD 12,500 each in reward money and the New York City Police Foundation offered USD 25,000 in reward money to bring the total reward offering to USD 50,000.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: Five days after a 21-year-old Indian boy studying in Canada was shot dead in Toronto, the Police said on Tuesday (April 12, 2022) that they have arrested one person in the connection.

Richard Jonathan Edwin, 39, of Toronto, was arrested for First Degree Murder of Kartik Vasudev, who was a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

According to the Toronto Police Service, investigators allege that Richard Jonathan Edwin discharged a handgun striking Kartik multiple times before fleeing the scene.

It is notable that on April 7, at approximately 5 pm (local time), Toronto Police Service received multiple calls to a shooting at Sherbourne Subway Station. Kartik Vasudev was then located outside the Glen Road entrance suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.

"While we appreciate that this news does nothing to ease the suffering of the victims and their families, particularly those now grieving death, I can report that the suspects for all of these incidents are now in police custody. It is my hope that this fact provides at least a sliver of closure for the families." Chief James Ramer told the media after making three arrests in four random attack investigations, including two homicides, an attempted murder, and a stabbing case.

Kartik, who was a first-semester Marketing Management student at Seneca College in Toronto, had left India three months ago to pursue his dream of getting higher education and working in digital marketing.

ALSO READ | Kartik Vasudev dreamt of going to Canada to pursue higher education but fate had other plans, says family

His father, meanwhile, has expressed concern over the motive of the killing not being known and told PTI news agency that he would travel to Canada to follow up on the legal proceedings in Kartik's case.

"We have been informed by Canadian authorities that the body will arrive in Ghaziabad on Saturday. We will perform the last rituals. We will go to Canada to follow up on the legal proceedings and ensure that the killer does not get away with a small punishment," the father said.
New Delhi: As the manhunt continued for a gunman who opened fire in a New York subway car and injured more than 20 people, the police on Wednesday (April 13, 2022) morning identified a "person of interest" in the shooting.

Police also said that the gunman was believed to have acted alone and immediately fled the crime scene. The attack unfolded on Tuesday night when a Manhattan-bound subway train was pulling into an underground station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood.

Brooklyn subway shooting: Here are key developments

New York Police has named a "person of interest" in the investigation as Frank James, who investigators believed had rented the U-Haul vehicle. Police said they recovered the key to the van at the crime scene and it had been rented in Philadelphia. James had addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, officials said.

This is Frank James who is a person of interest in this investigation. Any information can be directed to @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/yBpenmsX67  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022

The subway assailant has been described by police as a man of heavy build, wearing an orange vest, a gray sweatshirt, a green helmet and surgical mask.



According to the New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner, the attack began in the train car as it was about to enter the station. The gunman wearing a gas mask set off a smoke bomb and opened fire. The gunman removed two canisters from his bag and opened them, sending smoke throughout the train car.



Ten people were hit directly by gunfire, including five hospitalized in critical but stable condition, authorities said. Police stated that 13 more people suffered from smoke inhalation or were otherwise injured in the chaos.



All of the victims were expected to survive their injuries, police has said.



Police said the man then fired 33 rounds from a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, which was later recovered along with three extended ammunition magazines, a hatchet, some consumer-grade fireworks and a container of gasoline.

NYPD executives join City and State Officials to discuss the earlier shooting incident in Brooklyn. https://t.co/4l10kjm5OK  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 12, 2022

The White House has said that US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the latest developments in the New York City subway shooting. It also said that the White House senior staff are in touch with New York's mayor and police commissioner to offer any assistance.

@POTUS has been briefed on the latest developments regarding the New York City subway shooting. White House senior staff are in touch with Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Sewell to offer any assistance as needed.  Jen Psaki (@PressSec) April 12, 2022

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (April 12, 2022) addressed the war in public for the first time since Russian forces retreated from northern Ukraine after they were halted at the gates of Kyiv and promised that Russia would achieve all of its "noble" aims in Ukraine.

He also signalled that the war will grind on for longer and stated that peace talks with Ukraine had hit a "dead end". Putin said that Kyiv had derailed peace talks by staging what he said were fake claims of Russian war crimes and by demanding security guarantees to cover the whole of Ukraine.

"We have again returned to a dead-end situation for us," Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, told a news briefing during a visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, around 5,550 km east of Moscow.

Asked by Russian space agency workers if the operation in Ukraine would achieve its goals, Putin said, "Absolutely. I don`t have any doubt at all."

Russia will "rhythmically and calmly" continue its operation but the most important strategic conclusion was that the unipolar international order which the United States had built after the Cold War was breaking up, Putin said.

Putin said Russia had no choice but to fight because it had to defend the Russian speakers of eastern Ukraine and prevent its former Soviet neighbour from becoming an anti-Russian springboard for Moscow`s enemies.

He also dismissed the West`s sanctions, which have tipped Russia towards its worst recession since the years following the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union, as a failure.

"That Blitzkrieg on which our foes were counting did not work," Putin said.

BUCHA IS FAKE

Putin dismissed Ukrainian and Western claims that Russia had committed war crimes as fakes. Since Russian troops withdrew from towns and villages around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukrainian troops have been showing journalists corpses of what they say are civilians killed by Russian forces, destroyed houses and burnt-out cars.

Putin said he had told Western leaders to think a little about destruction by the United States of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the former de facto capital of the Islamic State caliphate, and in Afghanistan.

"Have you seen how this Syrian city was turned to rubble by American aircraft? Corpses lay in the ruins for months decomposing," Putin said.

"Nobody cared. No one even noticed," he added.

"There was no such silence when provocations were staged in Syria, when they portrayed the use of chemical weapons by the Assad government. Then it turned out that it was fake. It`s the same kind of fake in Bucha," the Russian President said.

Sixty one years to the day since the Soviet Union`s Yuri Gagarin blasted off into the history books by becoming the first man in space, Putin drew an analogy between Soviet space successes and Russia`s defiance today.

"The sanctions were total, the isolation was complete but the Soviet Union was still first in space," he said.

"We don`t intend to be isolated," Putin added.

"It is impossible to severely isolate anyone in the modern world - especially such a vast country as Russia," he stated.

(With agency inputs)
Des Moines: President Joe Biden on Tuesday said Russia's war in Ukraine "amounted to genocide," accusing President Vladimir Putin of trying to "wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian."

Speaking in Iowa shortly before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, Biden said he meant it when he said at an earlier event that Putin was carrying out genocide against Ukraine.

"Yes, I called it genocide," he told reporters. "It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian." Biden added that it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, but said "it sure seems that way to me."

"More evidence is coming out literally of the horrible things that the Russians have done in Ukraine, and we're only going to learn more and more about the devastation and let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies," he said.

Biden had previously said he did not believe Russia's actions amounted to genocide, just that they constituted "war crimes." Past American leaders often have dodged formally declaring bloody campaigns such as Russia's in Ukraine as genocide, hesitating to trigger an obligation under an international genocide convention that requires signing countries to intervene once genocide is formally identified.

That obligation was seen as blocking President Bill Clinton from declaring Rwandan Hutus' killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis in 1994 as genocide, for example.

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YEREVAN, APRIL 13, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has a perception that Azerbaijan will release more Armenian captives and negotiations in this direction continue, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in parliament, speaking about the Pashinyan-Aliyev-Michel trilateral meeting in Brussels.

The issue of the missing persons and the release of captives and other detainees is in our primary focus. It is the subject, topic and target of our everyday work, every hour. I cant recall any serious discussion or meeting where this topic wasnt brought up. Yes, to this day Azerbaijan has not fulfilled the obligation it assumed under the November 9 trilateral statement on immediately releasing all prisoners of war, captives and other detainees. By bringing forward different pretexts, then linking the issue with the minefield maps, although the November 9 statement doesnt have any such correlation, then bringing other pretexts, and now Azerbaijan attempts to link the issue with the issue of searching for those missing in the first Karabakh war, FM Mirzoyan said.

The FM emphasized that these issues have nothing to do with one another. And the Armenian side, nevertheless, as a sign of goodwill, has done and continues doing many humanitarian steps and expects a similar conduct from Azerbaijan, both for humanitarian reasons and because it is simply Azerbaijans obligation under the agreement.

As expected this subject was discussed during the latest meeting between the Armenian Prime Minister, the Azerbaijani President and the [President of the European Council] Charles Michel. And there is a perception that a new group of Armenian captives must be released. We now continue negotiating over this, the FM said.

Mirzoyan said there are many mediations in this matter because the issue is of highly humanitarian nature. He reminded that Russia, France and the US have continuously offered mediations and each of them at a given period of time recorded success, but also other colleagues like Charles Michels office, Hungary.
YEREVAN, 13 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan on April 13 received Ambassador of India to Armenia Kishan Dan Dewal.



As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed at the meeting. In particular, the sides attached importance to the deepening of cooperation in military-technical, military-educational, combat readiness and peacekeeping fields.



The sides emphasized the importance of military-political consultations, high level mutual visits, as well as of signature of agreement of military cooperation between the Defense Ministries of Armenia and India.
The representatives of the Armenian community of France are expected to meet with President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the second round of the French presidential election, Co-Chair of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, member of the ARF Bureau, Murad Papazian.

April 13, 2022, 09:45 Armenian community representatives expected to meet with Macron

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 13, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: He said it is expected that Macron will present his proposals for the next five years to the Armenian community.

The communication, work with Emmanuel Macron continues. He always attends the annual dinner of the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France, the April 24th events. Meetings with him, his team and ministers take place during the year. Even if we have complaints, we present them in public platform, for instance, connected with the 44-day war, the reality that France sold weapons to Azerbaijan. We condemned it and talked about it with President Macron. Its important to remind that the French presence in the OSCE Minsk Group as a Co-Chair country is important. Even if the war in Ukraine hinders a little or there are issues between the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, we must encourage that France continues its work as a Co-Chair country, Murad Papazian said.

As for the next French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, Murad Papazian said they havent had any relationship with her as they have always rejected any collaboration with the far-rights.

We cannot imagine a vote for Marine Le Pen. We always reject the far-right. They are offering a dangerous policy. It will be a problem for France to have a far-right president, it will seriously weaken its positions in the international arena. Marine Le Pen is not an alternative for us, Murad Papazian said.

No candidate secured an absolute majority of votes in the first round of the French presidential election held on April 10. Incumbent President Emmanuel Macron received the 27,8% of the votes, Marine Le Pen  23,1%.

The runoff election is scheduled on April 24.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Ukraine stoops to intricate ways of creating a fake reality and that requires double checking all statements published by Kiev.

April 13, 2022, 11:51 Kremlin says all statements by Kiev need to be double checked

STEPANAKERT, APRIL 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: "The Ukrainian side stoops to the most intricate ways of producing fake news," he told reporters. "Thats why I want to urge everyone to treat all the information that way: Dont take it at face value, dont believe what you see but just try to double check everything and at least look for an alternative point of view."

Peskov also said he saw footage purporting to show that Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk has been detained but he said it was too early to say it was authentic as theres a large number of fake reports created by Kiev.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky earlier said Medvedchuk, a leader of the Opposition Platform - For Life party, has been detained. Zelensky posted on Telegram a picture of a handcuffed man resembling Medvedchuk and captioned it by saying, "A special operation has been conducted thanks to the Security Service of Ukraine.".
TAIPEI, March 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan Cement Corp. (TCC) subsidiary, NHOA.TCC, and President Chain Store's subsidiary, 7-ELEVEN, announced the "New Energy, New Lifestyle" plan to jointly build a new generation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that combines green energy, energy storage and EV charging services. NHOA.TCC's first EV charging infrastructure is located at Hualien's most popular tourist location, TCC DAKA. The EV charging infrastructure built by NHOA.TCC is the first of its kind to provide the most comprehensive charging technologies for all EVs. Combined with energy storage, the whole system can adjust electricity supply according to peaks and valleys of electricity use to achieve environmental and energy saving goals. The infrastructure also houses Taiwan's first pure green (labeled "24K Green") EV charging equipment that uses and stores 100% solar power generated from the DAKA Hoping Flower solar installations. In the future, the project plans to add wind power for the goal to transform the infrastructure into a total green energy EV charging station.

TCC and 7-ELEVEN introduce first new generation of EV charging service with energy storage in Hualien TCC DAKA

In continuance with TCC DAKA's emphasis on social responsibility, part of the proceeds from the DAKA EV charging infrastructure built by TCC and 7-ELEVEN will be put into the local Hoping Township Emergency Fund. This is also the first EV charging infrastructure that donates proceeds back to the local community. TCC stated that "EV charging is no longer just an action or habit, it is also a sharing platform to live a greener lifestyle." TCC, 7-ELEVEN, Phihong Technology, LDC Hotels & Resorts, Giant Bicycles Taiwan, Audi Taiwan and Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center (KBCC) and other sustainability partners jointly unveiled the EARTH HELPER initiative and called on EV owners and everyone to participate in sustainable activities such as lower carbon emissions, clean up beaches and reduce household wastes. By participating in these events, participants can accumulate sustainability points. The top three participants, determined by accumulated points, can enjoy a five-days-four-nights low-carbon relaxing family trip planned by LDC Hotels & Resorts that includes activities such as visiting the world-class botanic conservation base located in Gaoshu Township in Pingtung County and participating in botanic conservation activities.

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In the inauguration ceremony, TCC Chairman Nelson Chang stated "currently there is not enough clean energy to satisfy human needs, therefore, energy saving is the best and fastest way to balance the energy shortage. From now on, energy saving, storage, and creation will be key to industries. For individuals, EARTH HELPER is the basic attitude and lifestyle for each and every one of us sharing this Earth." As for the discussions over Taiwan's island-wide power outage incident, Chairman Chang believes Taiwan must develop smart grids. Chairman Chang added that decentralized smart grids have been adopted in Europe and decentralized smart grids need energy storage to achieve its purpose in balancing the power shortage.

TCC Group is the only comprehensive energy enterprise in Taiwan to simultaneously invest in energy creation (green energy), energy transmission (batteries) and energy storage and has set up bases in Europe. In 2021, TCC Group acquired the majority stakes in Italy-based NHOA as a step to enter the international energy storage and EV charging infrastructure market. In Taiwan, TCC plans to complete the construction of two large-size energy storage installations in Suao Cement Plant (Yilan County) and Hoping Cement Plant (Hualien County) in 2022-2023. Once completed, TCC's Taiwan energy storage capacity is expected to reach 528.7MWh. The establishment of TCC DAKA EV charging infrastructure, stated TCC, is a cross-generational declaration by TCC Group. Based on our corporate social responsibility, TCC combines energy creation, storage, and saving to provide a comprehensive EV charging experience as a service to the society. In addition to our open factory, TCC hopes to once again break traditional barriers and thinking to express a new lifestyle attitude and show that the future is worth it.

For more information about NHOA.TCC, please visit: https://www.nhoatcc.energy/en/

For questions and suggestions, please contact TCC IR Team.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcc-builds-new-generation-ev-charging-with-7-eleven-taiwan-301504933.html

SOURCE Taiwan Cement Corp.
The gunman who set off a smoke bomb and opened fire on a crowded Brooklyn subway train remains on the loose.

He was described as a Black male, wearing a gas mask, a green construction-style vest over a grey hoodie, and carrying a book bag. He has a heavy build at 1.65m (5ft5in) and 81 kgs (180 pounds).

Investigators do not have the identity of the suspect or know his whereabouts, with Governor Kathy Hochul warning New Yorkers the shooter was still on the loose.

This person is dangerous, she said.

A federal law enforcement source told Newsweek the attack could not be officially classified as terrorism until a motivation was determined.

Two current theories, the source told the outlet, are that he was an MTA employee or was conducting surveillance in preparation for a future attack.

They added he wore an MTA uniform and utility belt, and was seen fleeing in the direction of a Manhattan-bound R train. Subway tunnels were being searched as part of the manhunt. Police also said they are searching for a U-Haul van with Arizona plates numbered AL31408.

The incident is still unfolding, said John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism.

A gun, magazines, gas canisters and fireworks were recovered from the scene, with the investigation suggesting the gun may have jammed.

As the manhunt continues, authorities have come under scrutiny for the suspects escape as New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that surveillance cameras in the 36th Street station malfunctioned and thus did not capture the attack.

NYPD commissioner Keechant Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as an act of terrorism before later saying she was not ruling anything out when pressed by reporters.

We do not know the motive, she said.

As the train was pulling into the station, the subject put on a gas mask, then he opened a canister that was in his bag and then the car filled with smoke. After that he began shooting, she added.

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At least 28 people were injured - 10 of them shot - in the attack at the 36th Street and Fourth Avenue station in Sunset Park. Five are in a critical but stable condition.

Victims lay on the ground after a shooting at Brooklyns 36th Street subway station on 12 April (Derek French/Shutterstock)

The active police incident was declared after the shooting, with the NYPD warning people to avoid the area of 3rd Avenue to 5th Avenue from 20th to 40th Street.

The FDNY was called to reports of smoke at the station and discovered multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds at about 8.30am local time.

Authorities investigated reports of undetonated devices, but by 10am the NYPD said there were no active explosive devices on the scene.

Dramatic footage posted online showed terrified commuters running away from a subway carriage filled with smoke following the attack. Some lay on the ground suffering from gunshots, shrapnel smoke inhalation and panic as people attempted to flee.

Sources said the masked man threw a device in the air before opening fire at the 36th Street station, where the D, N and R lines run through the southwestern edge of Brooklyn overlooking the southern tip of Manhattan.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said the lines would be disrupted as authorities searched for the suspected shooter. The B, F and Q lines also suffered major delays.
Ultra-orthodox school principal and accused child abuser Malka Leifer is set to go on trial in August.

The 55-year-old was ordered to stand trial after pleading not guilty to 90 charges of child sexual abuse in October last year.

A five-week trial was expected to begin late this year but on Wednesday prosecutors and defence teams agreed to bring the hearing forward.

The trial is now expected to begin before County Court Judge Mark Gamble - the head of the court's criminal division - on August 1.

It had been thought the trial could not begin until at least late October, because of a number of Jewish holidays in September and October.

Defence lawyers previously told the court Leifer was considering a judge-alone hearing of her case.

She will instead have the case heard by a jury, barrister Ian Hill QC said on Wednesday.

Leifer is accused of abusing sisters Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper during her time at the Adass Israel School in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs between 2004 and 2008.

She has been remanded in custody until another directions hearing on May 11 ahead of pre-trial legal arguments in July.
[April 13, 2022] UJET Adds Punch with New Global Certified Delivery Partner Program UJET, Inc., the intelligent, modern contact center platform, today announced a new Certified Delivery Partner (CDP) Program to bring UJET and Google Cloud's enterprise-grade, AI-powered cloud contact center solution to more customers across the globe. Through this program, customers can easily identify qualified consulting partners with deep expertise and experience in UJET solutions. "Our recent partnership with Google Cloud on their end-to-end Contact Center AI (CCAI) solution raises the stakes around how a modern contact center should operate and perform," said Vasili Triant, COO of UJET. "As demand for our AI-powered contact center technology continues to surge, this program enables us to scale and deliver exceptional partner engagements, and ultimately better customer experiences." In this CDP program, delivery partners and system integrators can become certified in providing Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) implementation directly to end customers. This program brings together the advantages of AI, cloud scalability, multi-experience capabilities, and tight integration with customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. Quantiphi, an award-winning AI-first digital engineering company, will be the first official UJET CDP. Already a global partner for Google CCAI, they are proven pioneers in machine learning, data analytics and conversational AI. "Quantiphi's new role as a Certified Delivery Partner creates more opportunities for enterprises to digitally transform their CX," said Gaurav Johar, Head of Conversational AI practice of Quantiphi. "We are passionate about our customers and obsessed with helping them drive growth. Becoming a CDP gives us access to an award-winning platform powered by Google CCAI and UJET." CDP certification is a rigorous training program that enables consultants to successfully project manage, implement and train users on UJET's cloud contact center platform and complementary solutions. Through the pogram, certified companies will stay apprised of new product features, best-in-class implementation processes, and overall CCaaS platform capabilities.

"We are rapidly building and scaling an ecosystem of global delivery partners that share our vision for the modern contact center and delighting customers," said Tom Puorro, Chief Business Officer at UJET. "Interested companies who are looking to explore partnership opportunities with UJET can submit an online application." This program is another step in delivering upon UJET's phenomenal growth in the contact center space. In just the past few weeks, UJET has been honored at Enterprise Connect with the prestigious Best of Enterprise Connect 2022 Overall Award, ranked #1 in User Satisfaction for the 8th consecutive quarter in the G2 Spring Reports, recently announced their international expansion in the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand markets and launched CX Intercloud, the contact center industry's first cloud-to-cloud failover solution. Learn more about UJET's Certified Delivery Partner Program by visiting this link: https://ujet.cx/delivery-partners About UJET: UJET is reimagining the contact center for modern consumers and brands. Our one-of-a-kind architecture delivers an entirely new foundation for security, reliability, and scale across customer service operations. A full voice and digital engagement suite is complemented by powerful AI and advanced analytics capabilities, and easy-to-use, intuitive design to make life easier for everyone involved - from customers and agents to supervisors and executives - all while driving meaningful operational efficiencies. Smart device capabilities like channel blending, photo and video sharing, and biometric authentication are available to deploy for full CX transformation when you're ready. Innovative brands like Instacart, Turo, Wag!, and Atom Tickets trust UJET to deliver exceptional CX, no matter their size or location. So can you. Learn more at www.ujet.cx. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005719/en/

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A former mathematics tutor jailed for 24 years will stand trial again after most of his convictions for sexual crimes against children were overturned by the High Court due to a juror's misconduct.

Quy Huy Hoang, now in his 70s, was found guilty in 2015 by a NSW District Court jury of 10 charges including sexual intercourse with a child and indecent assault.

He was sentenced to a non-parole period of 18 years for the alleged sexual abuse of five children whom he gave private lessons between 2007 and 2014 in their family homes.

On Wednesday the High Court quashed Hoang's convictions where guilty verdicts were entered before a jury member was discharged for Google searching evidence in the trial.

Hoang was ordered to stand trial again on those counts.

The Court of Criminal Appeal will deal with the remaining charges that were entered following that juror's dismissal.

In the trial the Crown led evidence that the maths tutor did not hold a working with children check, while his defence relied on character evidence to argue against this point.

After the jury had retired to deliberate its verdict, the foreperson returned a note they had reached agreement on eight of the 12 charges, before submitting another note the following day.

That letter stated that one juror had disclosed they "google/looked up on the internet the requirements for a working with children check," the previous evening.

"The juror had previously been a teacher and was curious as to why they themselves did not have a check. They discovered the legislation, which was only introduced in 2013."

The trial judge received the 10 verdicts, eight of which the jury said were reached prior to the internet search, and then discharged that jury member.

Hoang later failed to overturn his convictions in the Court of Criminal Appeal who ruled that juror had not engaged in misconduct as the inquiry related to herself for personal reasons, and was not a matter relevant to the trial.

Story continues

But on Wednesday the High Court stated the Jury Act is not concerned with the juror's motive in making an inquiry for the purpose of obtaining information about a matter relevant to the trial.

The trial judge who directly ordered the jury not to conduct any internet searches relating to the trial found the juror was guilty of misconduct.

But the judge failed to discharge her before taking the 10 verdicts, and was in error for doing so, the High Court ruled.
Crews are beginning to work on two flood resiliency projects that will improve a boat launch and park in the village of Fair Haven.

The projects are backed by the state Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, a $300 million program to help communities along Lake Ontario that have been affected by flooding over the last five years.

The latest projects in northern Cayuga County include upgrades to the King Street boat ramp, one of the main boat launches on the west side of Little Sodus Bay. The state has committed $1 million for the project, which will include raising the existing retaining walls, replacing the boat ramp slabs and installing guardrails along the top of the retaining walls.

Cottage Street Public Park will also benefit from the state's investment. A $250,000 project will repair the boat ramp at the park, raise the existing retaining walls and add a guardrail on top of the walls. The wooden dock at the park will be replaced with a floating dock and the asphalt drive to the launch will be repaired.

"These new projects, Cottage Street Public Park and King Street Boat Ramp, will help ensure that the village's ramp and docking areas remain usable during high and low water levels, maintaining public access to Little Sodus Bay in support of the local tourist economy which is developing into a must-go destination point of the region," said Robert Rodriguez, New York's secretary of state.

Cayuga County leaders welcomed the new projects. Fair Haven Mayor Jim Basile, who also serves as a Cayuga County legislator representing the village and town of Sterling, said once the projects are completed, it will ensure the village is able to keep the boat launches open and accessible.

"The village of Fair Haven is a popular tourist destination, and through the REDI, we are working hand in hand with New York state to ensure that this remains true, even when dealing with the high-water fluctuations along Lake Ontario," Basile said.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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State Sen. John Mannion offered a blunt assessment in the hours after Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin was arrested on federal charges and resigned from office.

"It's not just that it's an elected official," said Mannion, a Geddes Democrat who represents most of Auburn and a portion of Cayuga County. "We're talking about elections. We're talking about public dollars. When it comes to those things, people should be able to trust the process and the individuals involved. This does not look good ... It's not a good day for New York state."

Benjamin, a Democrat, surrendered on Tuesday and has been charged with bribery, conspiracy, falsifying records and fraud for his alleged role in a campaign finance scheme. While he was a state senator, he is accused of attempting to get a state grant for a developer in exchange for campaign contributions.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appointed Benjamin as lieutenant governor when she succeeded former Gov. Andrew Cuomo following his resignation, said she accepted Benjamin's resignation.

"While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor," Hochul said. "New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them."

Before Benjamin's resignation, there were bipartisan calls for him to step down. State Sen. Pam Helming, a Canandaigua Republican who represents several Cayuga County towns and part of Auburn, said in a statement that she was disappointed to learn of Benjamin's arrest.

Helming, who spoke before Benjamin resigned, joined other senators who said the now-former lieutenant governor should not preside over the Senate. One of the lieutenant governor's duties is to, occasionally, preside over the chamber.

"As elected officials, many of us work hard to do the right things for our constituents, as we've been entrusted to do, yet there are individuals like our lieutenant governor who seem to feel they are exempt from the rules," Helming said.

State Sen. Peter Oberacker, who represents towns in southern Cayuga County, was among those who thought Benjamin should step down. He said the charges, if true, "represent a severe violation of the public's trust."

Oberacker, R-Schenevus, added, "Anyone who uses their elected office for personal gain, rather than working for the people, must be held fully accountable. I have already expressed frustration with the lack of transparency exhibited by Governor Hochul and her administration and this arrest leads to even greater concerns."

The political ramifications of Benjamin's arrest and resignation are significant. Because Benjamin was designated by New York Democrats in February, there is no declination process for him to remove his name from the June 28 primary ballot. Now, the only way for his name to be removed from the ballot is if he dies, moves out of state, or is nominated for another office.

Hochul, who is seeking a full term as governor this year, faced criticism from Republicans who used Benjamin's arrest to question her judgment.

Assemblyman John Lemondes, who represents Auburn and southern Cayuga County, noted that Hochul defended Benjamin last week. Days later, he surrendered to federal authorities.

"New York has thus far been let down by this administration and this one-party rule, and it has to come to an end," Lemondes, R-LaFayette, said.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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U.S. Rep. John Katko is one of nearly 400 members of Congress who have been sanctioned by Russia, a retaliatory move after the United States has issued economic sanctions punishing the Russian government for invading Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the sanctions on Wednesday. Twenty-five members of New York's congressional delegation, including Katko, have been added to the country's "stop list," which bans the lawmakers from entering Russia.

Katko, R-Camillus, is not bothered by Russia's sanctions.

"I have fought against bad guys my entire career  first as a federal prosecutor and now as ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee," he said. "Vladimir Putin and his regime will not deter me. I will continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Katko has spoken out against the attack. He supports providing military and other forms of assistance to Ukraine, while also punishing Russia for what he has called "an assault on democracy" and "a violation of international law."

After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Congress in March, Katko said he supports giving him "everything he asked for."

Congress has taken action to punish Russia for its invasion and to provide assistance to Ukraine. Last week, the House voted to pass measures that suspend trade relations with Russia and block Russian energy imports. Katko voted for both resolutions.

In March, the House passed legislation that included more than $13 billion in assistance for Ukraine. Katko voted for the bill, which received bipartisan support.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 12th, Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. (DFM) announced that the company has struck a deal to acquire a 75% of stake in Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Co., Ltd. (DPCAFC) from PFN and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA).

Photo credit: Dongfeng Motor



The announcement specifies that PFN and DPCA will give up eachs 25% and 50% of stake in DPCAFC for RMB3.718 billion ($584.1 million). After the transactions, DPCAFC will be 100% wholly-owned by DFM.

DPCAFC is a financial service company offering car loans to dealerships and auto consumer credit for individuals and commercial accounts. The companys existence helps promote sales of new and second-hand vehicles of Dongfeng Motor.

DFM expressed that Chinas auto consumer finance market holds great potential. Therefore, the equity transfer will induce a synergistic effect between the groups financial business and manufacturing operations, advancing the quality development of its manufacturing operations.

To be specific, Dongfeng Motors financial situation needs improvement. After the transactions, DPCAFC can help DFM integrate its financial businesses and strengthen its ability to raise capital. DFM believes that the changes will take some financial pressure off its shoulder.

By December 31, 2021, the book value of DPCAFCs net asset amounted to RMB3.947 billion ($620.07 million). Its appraisal value summed up to RMB4.957 billion ($778.741 million).
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Changan Auto unveiled its new energy vehicle brand Shenlan (meaning deep blue in English), and its goal to vigorously expand its new energy vehicle, intelligent vehicle, and overseas influences at the Changan Automobile Global Partner Conference on April 13th.

Photo credit: Changan Auto



The new brand, Shenlan, will launch its first vehicle model, currently dubbed the C385, in the second quarter of 2022. The model offers two power options, battery-electric and extended range. Meanwhile, the freshly formed brand has five other models under planning.

Photo credit: Changan Auto

In addition to the Shenlan brand, Changan Auto also introduced a compact vehicle named LUMIN, which will also be on the market this year. The LUMIN will be produced under Changan New Energy.

Furthermore, according to the president of Changan Auto, Wang Jun, the company plans on debuting 36 new models to the public this year. Its wholly-owned brands will put 9 brand new and 10 refreshed models on the market, while its new energy vehicle arm launches 8 models.

Photo credit: Changan Auto

With the LUMIN, C385, AVATR 11, and the C673 models, as of now, Changan Autos new and refined new energy product portfolio has officially set sail, the president added.

Notably, the automaker will adopt a new marketing model that sets a fixed price nationwide, to unburden distributors. The new strategy will be initially used on selling the LUMIN model, and gradually branches out to the companys entire lineup of future models.

With a slew of new products scheduled to compete in the market this year, Changan Auto is optimistic about its annual performance in 2022. The company projects a 6.5% year-on-year increase in sales to a total of 2.45 million vehicles sold. 1.857 million will be made up by its wholly-owned brands, representing an estimated 5.95% rise from a year ago. By the end of 2022, Changan Auto aims to take 11% of the entire market. At the same time, the company hopes to reduce its supply chain costs by 5% through auto parts optimization and improve its resource utilization efficiency.

The automaker's goal may not be so farfetched. In fact, despite the many external objective factors that limited the sales and production of many automakers in China this year, from January to March, the accumulated sales volume of the company amounted to 650,000 vehicles, edging up 1.63% compared to 2021.

Photo credit: Changan Auto

In the coming years, Changan Auto eyes an annual sales target of 4 million vehicles by the year 2025, accounting for 35% of the market. 3 million vehicles should be from Changan Autos wholly-owned brands, while 1.05 million of the vehicles should be new energy vehicles.

By the year 2030, Changan Auto expects to sell 5.5 million vehicles annually. 4.5 million should be its wholly-owned-branded vehicles, and 2.7 million should be new energy vehicles. At the same time, Changan Auto intends to reinforce its market share to 60% and its export volume to 30% of the companys sales.

Notably, in line with its export ambitions, Changan Auto plans to build 2 to 3 manufacturing bases overseas by 2025. When the time comes, the company will also set up headquarters in Europe and North America.

Additionally, in order to enhance its competitiveness in the automotive intelligence field, Changan Auto will establish a technology subsidiary, possibly named Changan Technology Company. The company will be dedicated to researching and developing chips and core algorithms, Changan Auto disclosed.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

China owns the most hydrogen fueling stations worldwide: NEA

China has built over 250 hydrogen fueling stations up to date, accounting for roughly 40% of the global sum, ranking No.1 worldwide, according to the deputy director of the Science and Technology Division of Chinas National Energy Administration.

SAIC MAXUS FCV80; photo credit: SAIC MAXUS



Ganfeng Lithium becomes shareholder of Fengchuen New Energy

On April 12th, Chinas new energy logistics vehicle and energy storage company, Fengchuen New Energy, added Jiangxi Ganfeng Battery Technology Co., Ltd. to its list of shareholders, according to the corporate database, Qichacha. The latter is a subsidiary of Ganfeng Lithium.

Caocao Mobility partners with Livan Auto for battery-swapping vehicles

On April 13th, Geely-backed ride-hailing platform, Caocao Mobility, announced its partnership with Geely and Lifan Autos joint venture, Livan Auto. The mobility service provider will adopt Livan Autos battery-swapping sedan, the Maple Leaf 60S, and deploy the vehicle to its nationwide operations.

Guangdong province to build 4,500 charging stations by 2025

On April 13th, the provincial government of Guangdong province proposed the acceleration of EV charging infrastructure construction within the province. The authorities aim to build 4,500 charging stations with 250,000 public charging piles by the end of 2025.



Changan Auto to build 2 to 3 manufacturing bases overseas by 2025

Changan Auto unveiled its new energy vehicle brand Shenlan (meaning deep blue in English), and its goal to vigorously expand its new energy vehicle, intelligent vehicle, and overseas influences at the Changan Automobile Global Partner Conference on April 13th.

WM Motors March deliveries surge 211.3% YoY

WM Motors March deliveries surge 211.3% YoY WM Motor's new vehicle deliveries reached 5,516 units in March 2022, surging 211.3% year on year, while also leaping 66.6% month on month, the EV startup announced on Wednesday, citing the registration data from China Automotive Technology & Research Center.

Sunwodas EV battery business scores 584.67% YoY hike in 2021 revenue

Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd. (Sunwoda) announced earlier this week it earned around 2.933 billion yuan ($461.145 million) worth of annual revenue from its electric vehicle (EV) battery business, rocketing 584.67% compared to 2020.

China's autonomous driving startup Leadgentech.ai closes Pre-A+ round

Chinas autonomous driving startup Leadgentech.ai has closed its Pre-A+ investment round raising double-digit million yuan, led by a famous logistics group.

China's autonomous driving company ZongmuTech joins hands with PhiGent Robotics

Chinas autonomous driving developer ZongmuTech has partnered with Beijing PhiGent Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. (PhiGent) on April 13th.

Xiaomis auto subsidiary unveils five car-related patents at one go

Xiaomi Automobile Technology Co., Ltd. (Xiaomi Auto Tech), the second automotive company registered by the smartphone giant Xiaomi, on April 12 unveiled five vehicle-related patents.

HELLA partners with China's radar developer Chuhang Technology

Chinas autonomous driving company Chuhang Technology announced the completion of its Series B financing round, along with a newly formed partnership with one of its investors, HELLA.

Chinese luxury EV brand HiPhi sells 1,364 vehicles in Q1 2022

Human Horizons, the Chinese startup owning the luxury EV brand HiPhi, announced Tuesday that the monthly sales of the HiPhi X, the brand's only production model for sales, reached 459 units in March 2022 with an average transaction price of nearly 700,000 yuan ($110,060) per car.

China imported PV deliveries drop 14.4% YoY in Jan.-Feb. 2022

For the first two months of 2022, there were 130,488 imported passenger vehicles (PVs) delivered across China, representing a 14.4% decrease year-over-year, according to Sinomach Automobile Co., Ltd., China's largest dealer of imported vehicles.

Dongfeng Motor Group to acquire Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Company in whole

On April 12th, Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. (DFM) announced that the company has struck a deal to acquire a 75% of stake in Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Auto Finance Co., Ltd. (DPCAFC) from PFN and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA).
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas autonomous driving company Chuhang Technology announced the completion of its Series B financing round, along with a newly formed partnership with one of its investors, HELLA.

Photo credit: Chuhang Technology



According to Chuhang Technology, it has raised over a hundred million yuan from HELLA and other enterprises in the round. Moreover, HELLA also inked an investment cooperation contract with Chuhang Technology to co-develop a next-generation autonomous driving perception system.

As the first Chinese millimeter-wave radar developer to work with HELLA, Chuhang Technology will dive deeply into the autonomous driving and intelligent cockpit system fields, advancing eachs positions in the autonomous driving perception and mobility markets.

Founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 2017, Chuhang Technology is dedicated to putting millimeter-wave radars to use in ADAS applications. Its various auto-grade radars have been large-scale adopted by 16 automakers on over 30 passenger and commercial vehicle models.

As one of the youngest startups to have acquired land in Shanghai, Chuhang Technology is expanding its intelligent factory by 8-12 radar production lines, reaching a designed annual production capacity of 5 million units. The upgraded factory will better serve the companys mass-production goal.
An Arizona man tied to two decades-old rapes in northern Arizona and southern Utah accepted a plea deal Tuesday.

David Louis Slade, 60, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and burglary in Coconino County Superior Court, according to court records.

He was originally charged with three counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, sexual abuse and burglary. Slade will serve a combined total of 15 years in prison for the burglary and sexual assault, with credit for time already served.

Slade is also facing a slew of similar charges in Cedar City, Utah -- a community of 30,000 located about an hour north of the Utah-Arizona border.

However, defense attorney Ryan Stevens said the Utah prosecutor with the Iron County Attorney's Office already agreed to the same plea deal. Stevens explained that Slade will plead guilty to similar reduced charges in Iron County in the coming weeks. He will serve both sentences concurrently in an Arizona prison.

Slade's guilty plea brings to a close a nearly 20-year-old cold case that spanned from northern Arizona to southern Utah. He was arrested in 2020 after Coconino County investigators used familial DNA to tie him to the sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman after breaking into her home outside of Flagstaff in 2003. DNA from the scene previously tied the same assailant to a 2004 sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl in Cedar City. The suspect remained unidentified until investigators found the DNA match in 2019.

It's not clear what tied Slade to the two communities. He resided in the northeastern Arizona town of Eagar and worked as a self-employed truck driver for 14 years prior to his 2020 arrest. He also has a previous 1988 conviction for sexual abuse in Apache County, as well as failing to register as a sex offender.

Slade, who is in custody at the Coconino County Detention Facility, entered his guilty plea via Zoom. He spoke briefly during Tuesday's hearing, primarily responding to Judge Fanny Steinlage's questions with "Yes, ma'am."

He did offer an apology to the victims, including one who was on the Zoom call.

"No sentence will ever take back what happened," Slade told the court. "If I could, I would."

Sentencing has been scheduled in the case for June 1.

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CCTV: On April 12, the US Department of State released the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices which attacked China on its political system and human rights conditions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the press briefing that the Chinese Government continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs, among other minority groups, to erode fundamental freedoms and autonomy in Hong Kong, and to carry out systematic repression in Tibet. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The China-related content in the so-called Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and relevant remarks by Secretary Antony Blinken misrepresent facts, confuse right with wrong, and are deluged with political lies and ideological bias. China deplores and firmly opposes it.

The Chinese people can tell better than others how the human rights situation in China is and the international community has long come to an conclusion about Chinas governance. Such facts cannot possibly be denied by a report or the remarks of certain people. The US government smears and denigrates China and attacks other places in the world by releasing the reports every year, in an attempt to style itself as a judge and role model on human rights. This only serves to reveal its hypocrisy and double standards.

Speaking of respecting and protecting human rights, the US is debt-laden both at home and abroad with its numerous wrongdoings. Domestically, human rights protection is an empty promise the US has never fulfilled. With the most advanced medical equipment and technology in the world, the US stands as the country with the largest number of infection and death of COVID-19. The US government, instead of fighting the coronavirus, seeks political manipulation, instigates the lab leak theory and allows racism to spawn alongside the coronavirus, which have resulted in the frequent occurrence of anti-Asian hate crimes. The persistent discriminatory migration policy in the US has squeezed the living space for migrants of Latin American, Asian and African descent to the extreme. The policy of separating migrant children from their families, extended custody, torture, forced labor and many other inhumane treatments gravely threatens the life, dignity and freedom of migrants. The pervasive gun violence, denial of justice in law enforcement and prisoner abuse have left the American people living in fear and worry about their security.

Externally, human rights protection is a pretense the US government uses to cover up its agenda of seeking hegemony. The subversion and wars launched by the US have forced people away from their homeland, including more than 20 million refugees and migrants in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria alone. The so-called War on Terror waged by the US has claimed over 900,000 lives over the past two decades. The US military operations in Afghanistan not only took the lives of over 100,000 people, but also looted the $7 billion live-saving money of the Afghan people. The US network of secret prisons across the globe created human rights tragedies that each set off an uproar in the international community. At a time when the world economy is suffering from the impact of COVID-19, the US is still using human rights as an excuse to wantonly pressure and threaten countries by imposing sanctions. This has not only aggravated the humanitarian crisis in relevant countries, but also endangered world economic recovery and stability of industrial and supply chains.

The US should immediately stop making irresponsible remarks, attacking and smearing other countries human rights conditions. Instead, it needs to reflect on itself, mend its ways, and earnestly do things to improve its own human rights situation and promote the international human rights cause.

Global Times: According to reports, the US Defense Intelligence Agency released a report on April 12 alleging that Chinas fleet of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) satellites keeps expanding and stands second only to the US in quantity. The Peoples Liberation Army of China owns and operates about half of the worlds ISR systems, most of which could support monitoring, tracking and targeting of US and allied forces worldwide, especially throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The reports also said that China and Russia continue to develop and deploy laser weapons capable of damaging US satellites. What is Chinas response?

Zhao Lijian: The US has been weaving a narrative about the so-called threat posed by China and Russia in outer space in an attempt to justify its own military buildup to seek space hegemony. It is just another illustration of how the US clings on to the Cold War mentality and deflects responsibility.

It is the US that represents the top threat to security in outer space. After openly defining space as a war-fighting domain, the US government has been accelerating efforts to build a space force and space command and invests heavily on developing and deploying offensive space weapons. Despite possessing more than 1,000 satellites, the US still keeps a busy launching schedule involving all types of satellites, including those for military reconnaissance. The US military also took part in many commercial space investment projects and purchased billions of dollars worth of commercial satellite services for military purposes. At the same time, the US has long been obstructing negotiation for a legal instrument on arms control in outer space and has become the greatest impediment to the arms control process in space.

China always advocates the peaceful use of outer space, opposes weaponizing space or an arms race in space, and works actively toward the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind in space. China conducts space exploration for the purpose of meeting national economic, social, scientific and security needs.

The US government should earnestly assume its responsibility as a major country and reflect on its negative moves in space. The US side should stop peddling the narrative of "China threat in space", stop hindering the negotiation process for a legal instrument on arms control in space, and make its due contribution to safeguarding enduring peace and security in space.

Xinhua News Agency: My question is about the Fukushima nuclear power plant. On April 13 last year, the Japanese government decided to release over one million tonnes of treated and diluted nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, which triggered strong concern both at home and in the international community. We noted that a few days ago, the Japanese people once again organized an assembly to voice their opposition to the ocean discharge decision. However, after a year, the Japanese government still hasnt revoked its ocean discharge decision or given the international community a satisfactory answer. What is Chinas comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: China has made clear its position on this issue repeatedly. We are gravely concerned with and firmly opposed to the Japanese governments unilateral decision to release the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima into the ocean.

We cannot afford to the potential harm on marine ecology, food safety and human health caused by the sea discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water. Ever since the Japanese government made the decision a year ago, the people in Japan and other Pacific Rim countries have been questioning and opposing the move. China, the ROK, Russia and some Pacific island countries have all voiced their concern over the plan. About 180,000 people from several non-governmental organizations in Japan have signed a petition opposing the release. Japans national federation of fisheries cooperatives has openly stated its firm objection on multiple occasions. However, the Japanese government just turned a deaf ear to international concern and public opinion at home. So far, it has been unable to offer any convincing explanation for issues ranging from the legitimacy of the ocean discharge option to the reliability of relevant data, the efficacy of the treatment system and the uncertainty of environmental impact. The IAEAs technical task force has conducted two field trips in Japan recently. The assessment and evaluation process is still ongoing, but the Japanese side has been pressing ahead with preparation for the ocean discharge, which is extremely irresponsible.

I would like to stress that Japan should stop racking its brain trying to varnish the wrong decision of discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea. Instead, it should face up to the reasonable concern from the international community, earnestly fulfill its due responsibilities and obligations, and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in an open, transparent, science-based and safe manner. We urge Japan to adopt a responsible attitude and look for proper means of disposal through full consultation with stakeholders including neighboring countries and relevant international organizations. Prior to that, it shall not start releasing the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea.

MASTV: The Seventh Our Ocean Conference will be co-hosted by the US and Palau on April 13 and 14. According to spokesperson for Taiwans foreign affairs department, Chang Tzi-chin, special envoy of Taiwans President, will attend the conference in the official capacity of Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration Minister. What is your comment?

Zhao Lijian: To start, I must stress that China does not recognize the so-called special envoy of Taiwans President. The US and Palau try to create the false impression of two Chinas by allowing officials of the Taiwan authorities to attend the meeting. China deplores and firmly opposes this.

There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. This is a historical and legal fact that cannot be changed by any individuals. The US and Palau should abide by the one-China principle and not provide any platform for Taiwan independence separatist forces. We also have this stern warning to the DPP authorities: any attempt to seek breakthroughs in the international community is doomed to fail.

Beijing Youth Daily: The Ukraine crisis has led to a price surge of food and other bulk commodities. Food security has become a key subject that attracts international attention, and is vital to national security and even world stability. What is your view on this?

Zhao Lijian: After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, the US and its allies have imposed waves of unilateral sanctions against Russia. But instead of solving any problems, sanctions have only put a dent in the languishing world economy. You just raised food security. I noted that even the US President himself had to admit that the price of the sanctions is not just imposed upon Russia. Its imposed upon an awful lot of countries as well and that a food shortage is going to be real. I also noted that an article on German-foreign-policy.com wrote that the soaring food price may trigger a hunger riot in the Arab world which could lead to political turbulence.

Countries all over the world already have enough on their plate, as they need to respond to COVID-19 and realize economic recovery. Against such a backdrop, sweeping and indiscriminate sanctions will not only create new irreversible loss, but may also bring shocks to the current world economic system, wiping out the outcome of international economic cooperation for decades and ultimately forcing the worlds people to pay a hefty price. It is neither just nor reasonable, and runs against international justice and peoples aspiration.

Dialogue and negotiation, an alternative to war and sanction, is the fundamental solution to address international and regional hotspot issues and represents the right way that best meets all parties interests. The international community should continue to work for advancing Russia-Ukraine negotiations and creating conditions for political settlement. As the culprit of the Ukraine crisis, the US should especially do some soul-searching, stop its old habit of throwing its weight around and add impetus to peace talks rather than fuel to the fire. As a major country in the world, the US should also take more responsibility to defend the stability of the world economic system along with its rules and foundation. It should not willfully ask the whole world to pay for US unilateral sanctions.

Associated Press of Pakistan: In his maiden speech after winning the election in the parliament, the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif said that his government will speed up high-quality construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, making it a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship. Do you have any response to this?

Zhao Lijian: China has noted the remarks of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expresses our high appreciation. Since its launch, CPEC has made important contribution to Pakistans economic development and improvement of peoples livelihood, and won broad appreciation and recognition. China is ready to work with Pakistan to continue to further advance the high-quality development of CPEC and build it into a demonstration program of high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Shenzhen TV: On April 12 local time, a shooting occurred at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York City, which has injured at least 29 people. What is Chinas comment? Are there any reported Chinese casualties?

Zhao Lijian: I have noted relevant reports. We always oppose and condemn acts of gun violence, and express our sympathies to the injured and their families.

The Chinese Consulate-General in New York immediately activated the contingency mechanism for consular protection. After verifying through multiple channels whether Chinese citizens were involved in the incident, so far there are no reports of Chinese casualties to the Consulate-General. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General in New York will continue to monitor the development of the situation. At the same time, we remind Chinese citizens in the US to raise security awareness and protect their safety.

Tragedies lik e the shooting at the Brooklyn subway station have been happening time and again, which has to do with the proliferation of gun and gun violence in the US. Gun violence is a grave, persistent human rights problem in US society. But on the exact same day of the shooting, the US Department of State released the 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. While making groundless accusations about other countries human rights conditions throughout, the report made no mention of the deteriorating human rights situation at home. Systemic racial discrimination, violent law enforcement and other serious issues aside, the severity of gun violence is well recorded. According to the Gun Violence Archive website, more than 10,000 people in the US died in gun violence incidents, including 131 mass shootings, since the beginning of this year. Arent the numbers staggering enough to alert the US? Isnt the life and security of its own people worth the attention of the US?

The US is undoubtedly a country of shooting. We sincerely hope such tragedy as shooting at the Brooklyn station will not happen again, and the American people can truly live without gunshots, discrimination and fear. The US government can by no means lecture others on human rights. What it should do is stop passing judgement on other countries human rights conditions and do something concrete to improve the poor human rights conditions within its borders.





Reuters: An Australian minister asked the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands on Wednesday not to sign a proposed security agreement between Solomon Islands and China. The minister also said that Australia would allocate AUD 160 million in support this year to Solomon Islands. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: I would not comment on the issue pertaining to Australia-Solomon Islands relations. I want to stress that security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands is based on equality and shared benefits. It is within the sovereignty of our two countries, consistent with international law and customary international practice. It is beneficial to social stability and lasting security of Solomon Islands and conducive to promoting peace, stability and development of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific region. The security cooperation does not target any third party, does not contradict the cooperation between Solomon Islands and other countries, and can complement the existing cooperation mechanisms in the region. Relevant countries should view this in an objective and reasonable light, and respect the sovereignty and independent choice of China and Solomon Islands. Instead of stoking confrontation and creating division among the Pacific island region, they should do more things that are good for regional peace, stability and development.

Bloomberg: President Joe Biden says the killings by Russian troops being uncovered in Ukraine qualify as a genocide. Does the Chinese foreign ministry have a comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: We have noted relevant reports. On the Ukraine issue, China always believes that the top priority is that all relevant parties remain calm, exercise restraint, cease hostilities as soon as possible and avoid humanitarian crisis on a large scale. All efforts of the international community should help to deescalate the tension instead of adding fuel to the flame, and promote diplomatic settlement instead of heightening tensions.

Bloomberg: A Japanese official has said that it isnt true that the Japanese government has been approached to join the AUKUS security pact. That denies an earlier report that said the US, the UK and Australia have floated the idea to Japan. Does the ministry have a comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: China has taken note of relevant reports. By forming the so-called AUKUS, the three countries are essentially ganging up for bloc politics and provoking military confrontation through military cooperation. It indicates the typical Cold War mentality. Under AUKUS, the three countries engage in highly sensitive military cooperation involving nuclear-powered submarines and hypersonic weapons. This not only heightens nuclear proliferation risks and undermines the international non-proliferation system, but will also aggravate arms race in the Asia-Pacific and harm regional peace and stability. China is gravely concerned with and firmly opposed to it.

The US, the UK and Australia should recognize Asia-Pacific countries aspiration for peace, development and cooperation, discard the Cold War and zero-sum game mentality, faithfully fulfill their international obligations and do more things for regional peace and development.
VICTORY, Vt. (AP)  In the remote Vermont community of Victory, Town Clerk Tracey Martel says she's regularly frustrated watching a spinning circle on her computer while she tries to complete even the most basic municipal chores online.

Fast internet would be really good, said Martel, whose community of about 70 was one of the last in Vermont to receive electricity almost 60 years ago. The DSL service she has now works for basic internet, but it can be spotty and it doesn't allow users to access all the benefits of the interconnected world.

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) away as the bird flies in the neighboring community along Miles Pond in the town of Concord, a new fiber optic line is beginning to bring truly high-speed internet to residents of the remote area known as the Northeast Kingdom.

Im looking forward to high-speed internet, streaming TV, said Concord resident John Gilchrist, as a crew ran fiber optic cable to his home earlier this year.

The fiber optic cable that is beginning to serve the remote part of Concord and will one day serve Victory is being provided through NEK Broadband, a utility of nearly 50 Vermont towns working to bring high speed internet service to the most remote parts of the state.

NEK Broadband Executive Director Christa Shute said the groups business plan calls for offering services to all potential customers within five years, but given current supply constraints and the shortage of trained technicians, shes beginning to think that goal isnt achievable.

I think our build will take seven to 10 years, she said.

Congress has appropriated tens of billions of dollars for a variety of programs to help fill the digital gap exposed by the pandemic when millions of people were locked down in their homes with no way to study, work or get online medical care.

The first of those funds are reaching municipalities, businesses and other groups involved in the effort, but some say supply chain issues, labor shortages and geographic constraints will slow the rollout.

The demand for fiber optic cable goes beyond wired broadband to homes and businesses. The cable will help provide the 5G technology now being rolled out by wireless communications providers.

But there's a bottleneck in the supply. Michael Bell, of Corning Optical Communications based in Charlotte, North Carolina, said the issue lies with supply of the protective jacket that surrounds the hair-thin strands of glass that carry information on beams of light.

Currently, some working to expand broadband say delays in getting the fiber optic cable they need can exceed a year.

Based on the capacity were adding, and the capacity we see our competitors adding, wait times will start going down dramatically as the year progresses and into next year, Bell said. And I think as we get into next year, the lead time for most customers is going to be well under a year.

Meanwhile, there's a labor shortage for installing the cable. Many in the industry are setting up educational programs to train people to work with the fiber, said Jim Hayes, of the Santa Monica, California-based Fiber Optic Association.

It needs to be done now, Hayes said. Were going to need to train probably ten techs for every tech that weve got whos competent to lead them.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill passed last fall, says areas that receive broadband speeds of less than 25 megabit downloads and 3 megabit uploads are considered unserved. To qualify for different federal grants through the infrastructure bill and other programs, most finished projects must offer speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads. Upload speeds differ, but most federal grants have a minimum of 20 megabit uploads.

For comparison, it takes 80 seconds to download a 1 gigabyte video at the speed of 100 megabits per second. It takes four times as long  320 seconds, or more than 5 minutes  at 25 megabits per second.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration  a part of the Agency of Commerce, which is funding broadband projects across the country through the infrastructure law  is neutral about about how internet service providers reach the speed requirements. Many providers say the key to bringing true high-speed internet service to the entire country is to install fiber optic cable to every nook and cranny.

Deploying high-speed internet in tribal communities and rural areas across the western United States where distances dwarf those of rural northern New England will be even more challenging.

Broadband access on the Navajo Nation  the largest reservation in the U.S. at 27,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah  is a mix of dial-up, satellite service, wireless, fiber and mobile data.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which has broad oversight of tribal affairs, said federal appraisals, rights-of-way permits, environment reviews and archaeological protection laws can delay progress.

The argument against the wireless options currently being used in some areas is they cant offer speeds needed to qualify for the federal grants.

Mike Wendy of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said wireless technology is getting faster and more reliable, and wireless connections could be the only way to reach some of the most remote locations.

The challenge of all this money is to make sure that the unserved are served, said Wendy, whose organization represents about 1,000 fixed wireless internet providers. Our guys are in those markets right now and theyre growing.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said $233 million in state dollars will be used in his state to expand broadband to over 43,000 households. Other internet service providers have agreed to expand broadband to another 51,000 households. Ohio is expected to receive an additional $268 million in federal funding to further broadband expansion in the state.

Husted said Ohio is focused on infrastructure while groups and organizations are needed to provide computers and to help people adapt to the fast-growing digital age.

Were building the road, Husted said. Access to broadband is like the highway system. Thats where were focused. It doesnt mean there are people who dont need cars or need drivers licenses.

There are still scattered locations across the country that rely on dialup and some people in remote locations use satellite internet services. Some people have no internet options whatsoever.

Martel, the Victory town clerk, said that when the people from NEK Broadband visited, they told residents it would be five to seven years before fiber optic cable would reach the community.

But Shute said her organization hopes to get a grant to connect the most rural areas, which could move the timeline for Victory up to three years.

Back in East Concord, after having the service for several weeks, Gilchrist said he and his daughter Emily, who is 19 and headed to college in a few months, no longer have to go to the local diner to use the internet. He canceled his expensive satellite TV service, his daughter and her friends have been using it to play online video games and in a few months she will be using the connection while doing college studies.

It's been working great, as far as I'm concerned, all I do is check email, Gilchrist said. I don't watch TV, but my daughter loves it.

AP Correspondent Felicia Fonseca contributed to this report from Flagstaff.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  It's a simple recipe that requires only a couple ingredients, and New Mexico has them all.

Strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions that stem from two decades of persistent drought combined Tuesday for another day of critical fire weather across New Mexico. Forecasters warned of similar conditions elsewhere in the West as land managers and firefighters braced for what was expected to be another busy season.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a plea on social media: Do not burn!

She joined the chorus of forecasters and authorities who were urging people to take precautions as red flag and high wind warnings were issued for a large swath spanning the Central Plains, West Texas, all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona.

Two new wind-whipped fires reported Tuesday afternoon in the mountains of southeastern New Mexico prompted authorities to call for immediate evacuations.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque shared satellite imagery of a fire signature near the community of Ruidoso and tweeted: Take this fire seriously. This is a very dangerous situation."

In central New Mexico, authorities confirmed that at least one home and numerous barns, sheds and other outbuildings were damaged or destroyed by a fire burning along the Rio Grande in a rural area south of Albuquerque. About 200 structures were threatened, and the air was thick with smoke and dust.

Bulldozers were used to build a barrier between the fire and homes in the area. Managers were hoping for a break in the wind so a helicopter could drop water on the flames.

The fire had burned more than one square mile since being sparked Monday afternoon. That included a large portion of a wildlife conservation area along the river.

The cause remains under investigation.

In northern New Mexico, steep terrain and gusts up to 60 mph were keeping crews from directly attacking a fire near the community of Las Vegas. That blaze  which started last week when a prescribed fire jumped its containment lines  also forced evacuations.

About 100 people found shelter earlier this week at a school gym in Las Vegas, and San Miguel County authorities began evacuating several more small communities Tuesday afternoon as the fire made a big push to the northeast.

Some people have criticized the U.S. Forest Services decision to conduct a prescribed fire amid erratic spring weather conditions. Federal officials have said conditions were calm most of the day before unforeseen winds ignited spot fires beyond the project's boundaries.

An internal review is expected to be done once the fire is suppressed, officials said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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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
Montana Womens Run has opened registration for the 41st annual run in downtown Billings. All participants will receive a specially designed t-shirt, but participants must register by April 15, 2022 to guarantee a preferred size of t-shirt. The 2-mile and 5-mile runs will be held on May 7, 2022. To best accommodate the athletes, to ensure the safest experience and to help every woman achieve her own personal goal, start times will be one hour apart. The 5 mile race will start first at 8 a.m., followed by the 2 mile race at 9 a.m.

In addition to the Womens Run, the Kids Run for kids aged 10 and under will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Daylis Stadium at 6 p.m. The goal of this free event is to encourage active lifestyles for children. Every race time is rewarded and every runner wins!

Nominations for the Pat Jaffray Inspiration Award must be submitted by April 15, 2022. Given in memory of Pat Jaffray, long time Montana Womens Run cheerleader, board member and inspiration to all. This award celebrates Jaffrays memory and women who embody the spirit of the Montana Womens Run.

Getting Started Clinics are held on Monday evenings until May 2 to help get in shape. These clinics are free and will take place at Pioneer Park, beginning at 5:30 p.m. each Monday before the run.

The Montana Womens Run began in 1982 with 200 registrants and celebrated last year with over 4,600 women participating virtually around the world. Today, the race is recognized as the largest running event for women in the state of Montana, and one of the largest all-womens races in the country. To date, the Montana Womens Run has donated more than $1,540,500 to local organizations that promote womens and childrens health and fitness. The major sponsors of the 2022 Montana Womens Run are Billings Clinic, ExxonMobil, First Interstate Bank, Graphic Imprints, The Planet 106.7 and KTVQ.

For announcements, updates and discussion about the many Womens Run events, please visit the Montana Womens Run Facebook page or the Montana Womens Run website. To register for any of the events, visit www.womensrun.org.

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A Billings man has been found dead after he went missing Monday night.

Police called off the search for Roger Kephart, 88, Wednesday morning after he was found dead in the snow not far from his neighborhood near the City College campus.

"Sadly, Mr. Kephart has been located deceased," stated a tweet from the Billings Police Department Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. "His body was located by a group of volunteers near the 500 block of Shiloh Rd. The BPD is investigating, however at this time there is nothing that appears suspicious. The family thanks everyone for their concern."

Kephart, who had dementia, went missing Monday evening a little after 8 p.m., just before a massive storm began to cover the region in record-breaking snow and frigid temperatures. It was believed Kephart had wandered from his home in nothing but long johns and a flannel shirt.

On Tuesday, police and fire were searching the area on foot and on ATVs with the aid of infrared drones to no avail.

The missing and endangered person advisory was cancelled Wednesday morning at 9:43 a.m., but did not specify Kephart's condition at the time.

"Roger has been located. Billings Police Department thanks everyone for their assistance," read an email.

Emergency vehicles were called to the City College area near Kephart's last known location Wednesday morning.

Among the small group who found Kephart was a family member, said Kurt Kephart, Roger's son. Kurt Kephart had searched throughout the storm, riding his four-wheeler through lots and fields and checking campers and trailers where his father might have sought shelter.

"I'm really kicking myself. I drove within 10 feet of where he was four or five times. I didn't see him," Kephart said. "I've kicked more humps of snow over the last day looking for him than I want to think about."

He thanked the dozens of searchers, including rescue workers, family members, volunteers, "and total strangers who just wanted to help."

"He lived a long time and did a lot of things he loved to do, like hunting and fishing. He enjoyed his life," Kephart said. "He was a good guy. He helped a lot of people, a lot of neighbors."

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Take a historical float down the Bighorn Canyon in an April 21 talk at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

At noon in the Coe Auditorium, historian Bob Richard will share photographs his father, Jack, took on a float trip in August 1962 down the Bighorn River. Construction on Yellowtail Dam began the following spring.

The free illustrated talk is part of the "Local Lore with Bob Richard" series, hosted and coordinated by the McCracken Research Library.

A lifelong Wyoming resident, Bob Richards varied experiences include working at guest ranches, guiding horse and hunting trips, ranching, and for 37 years owning and operating Grub Steak Expeditions from which he took thousands of visitors from around the world through Yellowstone and its ecosystem.

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Congresswoman Liz Cheney raised almost $3 million in campaign contributions over the first three months of the midterm election year, continuing her record-breaking fundraising streak as she attempts to defend her seat against a Trump-backed challenger.

The third-term Wyoming Republican began April with $6.8 million cash on-hand, while her opponent Harriet Hageman began the final four-month stretch leading up to Wyoming's Aug. 16 Republican primary with more than $1 million in her campaign coffers.

Though deep-red Wyoming traditionally draws significantly less in campaign contributions than more populous battleground states, Cheney's unrelenting criticism of former President Donald Trump and statements blaming him for the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 have transformed the race for the state's lone U.S. House seat into one of the most closely watched contests of the 2022 midterms.

Cheney, who chaired the Republican House Conference before being ousted from her post last year, has broken her personal fundraising records in five consecutive quarters and has raised more than $10 million throughout the election cycle, her campaign said in a statement.

Cheney's criticisms of Trump have alienated her from many of her colleagues in the U.S. House and the Wyoming Republican Party and made her among the most endangered Republican incumbents facing reelection this year. But they've also expanded her profile and allowed her to build a nationwide fundraising network.

Given her vote to impeach him and her position on the Jan. 6 House Select Committee, Cheneys seat is among Trumps top 2022 targets. Hageman has received endorsements from Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Elise Stefanik, Cheneys replacement as House Republican Conference Chair.

Hageman, a Cheyenne attorney, raised $1.3 million over the first three months of 2022, her campaign said in a news release Monday. Though her haul pales in comparison to Cheney's, it is roughly triple what she raised in the final three months of 2021 and a comparatively large sum for a Wyoming candidate.

Political parties typically do not campaign against their incumbent members. But the Republican National Committee censured Cheney in February, effectively opening the door for them to throw their support behind Hageman's challenge.

The Federal Election Commission is scheduled to publish campaign finance reports for the first quarter of 2022 on Friday, which will detail campaign spending and the sources of each candidates' contributions.

Other Republicans running include state Sen. Anthony Bouchard and retired Army Col. Denton Knapp. No Democrat has announced plans to challenge Cheney, and her candidacy could benefit from Democratic crossover voters, who in Wyoming can change their party affiliation from now until the day of the August primary.

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Editor's note: Valley Credit Union and The Billings Gazette are featuring 32 seniors throughout the 2021-2022 school year. We want to help students who are not typically eligible for scholarships and financial aid awarded to those attending a 4-year program. At the end of the year, Valley will award one $5,000 grant to a deserving student.

To be considered for the grant, students must show a clear career path for their future after high school in the form of an industry certification, technical associates degree, City College, trade school or apprenticeship. Students are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or principal from their high school.

Tyler Harakal

Billings Career Center

What are your plans after high school?

Because of my internship opportunity with Build Montana, I hope to become a heavy equipment operator and earn my CDL certification, then someday manage my own construction company.

What is your favorite class in school and why?

Both my construction classes and my Build Montana internship. I get to be outside and work with my hands in both classes. Seeing the progress of the Career Center House gives me a feeling of accomplishment, and it's cool to see my skills improve when operating the heavy equipment.

Who inspires you and why?

My mom. She never gives up on me. And she's a very strong woman because she manages to remain sane when getting picked on as the only female in our household.

What are some things you enjoy outside of school?

Mostly the outdoors. No matter the activity (fishing, ranching, etc.) I like to be able to see the sky, taking deep breaths in & out allowing me to let everything go, releasing all of my stress.

What would make you feel successful in your career/work after school?

Seeing the building projects that I work on come together, then going home at the end of the day to all of the things I dreamed about having as a kid (a nice home, big pickup truck, being financially stable).

If you win the $5,000 grant, how will you use the money to help you reach your goals?

Paying for my CDL, then investing in the tools I need for working on a construction site.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what three things would you bring and why?

A pot so I can make the water safe to drink as well as cook my food in, a flare gun to call for help, and a machete for safety, hunting, and gathering.

Do you have personal motto or inspirational saying that motivates you that you would like to share?

Keep it up! You can do it!

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Minot inmate accused of making threats

A Ward County Jail inmate is charged with felony terrorizing after he was accused of calling in a bomb and assassination threat to prosecutors and judges.

The 38-year-old man called from the jail Thursday and threatened the Ward County State's Attorney's Office and judges, according to authorities.

The courthouse and the administration building were evacuated and temporarily closed.

The Minot Area Bomb Team and Minot Air Force Base Explosives Ordnance Disposal team responded and searched the buildings, but no explosives were found.

The inmate has been held in custody at the jail since Feb. 7 and has been charged with multiple felonies in unrelated cases.

Man fatally shot by Rapid City police ID'd

South Dakota state investigators have identified the man who died in a police shooting in Rapid City last month.

The Division of Criminal Investigation said Barney Leroy Peoples Jr. was shot by officers who responded to a report of a residential burglary.

The chief of staff for the state attorney general, Tim Bormann, says two Rapid City officers discharged their weapons during an encounter with Peoples on March 26. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured, the Rapid City Journal reported.

Rapid City police and the Pennington County Sheriffs Office said earlier that officers entered a closed door inside the home and encountered the suspect, who was pointing a long gun at them.

DCI continues to investigate.

Woman gets probation for theft of COVID funds

A South Dakota woman has been sentenced to probation and ordered to pay more than $20,000 restitution after defrauding multiple government agencies of pandemic-related jobless funds.

Marietta Ravnass, 52, of Miller, was convicted of money laundering in January.

The Argus Leader reports Ravnaas used an international money transfer service to accept unlawful payments from several states.

The two-year probation sentence also included restitution of $8,200 be paid to Massachusetts and $12,100 to Washington.

--Compiled from staff reports and wire services

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A Mandan man with a history of child sex crimes dating to the early 1990s has been ordered to spend 40 years in federal prison for several new offenses.

Maurice Thill, 60, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bismarck on Tuesday for failing as a registered sex offender to report international travel, failing to update his sex offender registration, possessing child pornography, traveling with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, and committing a felony offense against a minor. He pleaded guilty last August.

Thill in December 2019 flew to Madagascar, Africa, without having notified sex offender registration authorities, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas Chase. When Thill returned in January 2020, he was arrested on a related North Dakota warrant for failing to update his sex offender registration.

Authorities who searched his cellphone found evidence that he had been communicating with minors in Madagascar about sexual activity. They also found child porn and images of Thill engaging in sex with a minor in Madagascar, according to Chase.

Thill was a registered sex offender based on North Dakota convictions for gross sexual imposition in 1990, 1991 and 2004. He also was civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person from 2011-17. He had last updated his sex offender registration on Dec. 13, 2019, three days before his flight to Madagascar, Chase said.

U.S. District Judge Dan Traynor also sentenced Thill to a lifetime term of supervised release, $500 in special assessments and $3,000 in restitution.

Chase in a statement said, This investigation is a great example of coordinated efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement officials and their determined efforts to protect the public from sexual predators, and this sentence effectively ends (the) defendants ability to victimize children."

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Mandan Police Department and the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. State Department.

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The team is buzzing at Axiom Mission Control Center (MCC-A) in Houston as they assist the crew conduct groundbreaking research and integrate commercial payloads while on the International Space Station.

Today was a busy day for science with the Ax-1 crew.

Eytan Stibbe worked on the Nano ISS Antenna experiment, a deployable reflector antenna for high bandwidth communications, which was developed by the Israeli startup company NSLComm. The antenna must be tested in microgravity, as it does not hold its shape under Earth's gravity. This test is the last qualification activity of the antenna before the 2022 launch of NSLASAT-2, an ESA (European Space Agency) satellite.

Ax-1 Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria worked on the Modeling Tumor Organoids Experiment, a cancer stem cell proof of concept project that will leverage the accelerated aging aspects of the microgravity environment to evaluate early pre-cancer and cancer changes in stem cells.

The human body undergoes complex adaptation when exposed to extreme conditions of space travel. The Cardioprotection experiment led by Larry Connor, with contributions from crewmates like Pathy, will provide human data on the impact of spaceflight on cardiac function. These tests will reveal how to fly a more diverse population of space travelers.

With a focus on Earth observations, Mark Pathy executed his scientific study of changing planetary biology and human urbanization. Using images taken by Pathy from the cupola on the ISS, researchers from Western University in Canada will analyze and present a pictorial review of the impact of human and natural pressures on our terrestrial ecosystem.

To better prepare for long-term space missions, the Neurowellness technology demonstration includes a large helmet developed by the Israeli company Brain.Space, which the crew wears on their head to test cognitive performance and brain activity. The experiment led by Stibbe is also supported by Connor and Lopez-Alegria.

Stibbe conducted an experiment on Fluidic Space Optics project that aims to better understand liquid polymer behavior and how microgravity affects liquid deployment and solidification of the polymer into optical lenses components. This demonstration aims to show in-space manufacturing can significantly improve the production of optics for deep space astronomy. The experiment is headed by the faculty of mechanical engineering at the Technion and in collaboration with NASA.

Also, two experiments which are carried out daily from the field of remote medicine - the Urinary Microbiome experiment by researchers Dr. Ben Boursi from the Oncology Center at Sheba Medical Center and Dr. Paul Chang at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the United States. As well as an experiment for remote detection of the onset and development of emotional distress and stressful situations, led by Dr. Harel Baris of Sheba MC clinicians and researchers at ARC, Sheba Centre for Medical Innovation, and the Department of Psychiatry at Sheba MC and their partners at Thomas Jefferson University in the United States.

During their time on the International Space Station, the multinational crew of Ax-1 will be doing outreach activities in five languages. Today, the Axiom astronauts spoke to diverse groups all around the world about their historic mission.

Connor spoke with students at Dayton Regional STEM School students, a public independent STEM school serving students in grades 6-12 from across the Dayton community. He also connected with students and families at The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, a children's museum, science and technology center, and zoo in Dayton, Ohio, that focuses on science and natural history. At both events, Connor answered questions on a range of issues from his research to sharing his experiences of life aboard the space station.

Stibbe spoke to reporters in Israel, discussing his mission as the first Israeli astronaut to visit the ISS.

Pathy participated in a number of events across his home country of Canada. He hosted a live talk on STEM with students at St. Patrick High School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. He answered questions from children from the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation in Montreal, Quebec. Pathy also participated in an engaging session with students from the Shawanosowe School in Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Pathy is Canada's 2nd private astronaut and the 12th Canadian to go to space.

With the end of the fifth day of the mission, the crew has officially reached the halfway mark of their time in space.

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Longtime Burleigh County Commissioner Mark Armstrong is not seeking reelection as a state investigation unfolds into alleged discrepancies with signatures on his candidate filing petitions.

Candidates had to submit paperwork by 4 p.m. Monday to ensure a spot on the June ballot. That paperwork includes petitions with the valid signatures of at least 300 people.

Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben said he was contacted by County Auditor Leo Vetter and State's Attorney Julie Lawyer after Vetter and County Elections Director Erika White uncovered irregularities with the signatures submitted by Armstrong.

Leben said that because Armstrong is a sitting commissioner, the petitions were turned over to the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation on Tuesday to avoid a conflict of interest for the sheriff's office.

Leben did not elaborate on what the alleged issues with the signatures are, citing the active investigation. Vetter, White and Lawyer also declined to comment on the nature of the discrepancies.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger referred an inquiry about the matter to Lawyer. She did not answer questions about potential penalties should the investigation find wrongdoing, or on the impact to Armstrong should the probe find nothing wrong with his petitions. She said the questions are "too speculative" pending a full investigation.

Armstrong said "I am not going to run" when asked by the Tribune about the alleged issues with the signatures. He did not elaborate.

Armstrong was elected to the board in 2018. He previously served as county commissioner from 2006 to 2014. On Saturday evening, Armstrong was in his neighborhood collecting signatures to place his name on the ballot.

Reach Sam Nelson at 701-250-8264 or sam.nelson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Nonprofit leader Kirsten Dvorak is running for Burleigh County auditor.

She said her goal as auditor would be to work with city, school, park and county leaders to ensure equitable access to services and to improve transparency around how property taxes are assessed and spent.

As a nonprofit leader, I have worked throughout my professional career alongside stakeholders and community leaders advocating for and shaping policy decisions to improve the lives of Bismarck-area residents and North Dakotans throughout the state, she said.

Dvorak is executive director of The Arc of Bismarck and The Arc of North Dakota. She was born in Bismarck and makes her home in the city. She and her husband, Dan, have one son.

Bismarck City Commissioner Mark Splonskowski also is running for auditor. He has said he intends to serve in both positions if elected. Current Auditor Leo Vetter is not seeking reelection.

The auditor serves a four-year term. The primary election is June 14. Both Dvorak and Splonskowski will advance to the November election.

Reach Sam Nelson at 701-250-8264 or sam.nelson@bismarcktribune.com.

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A blizzard that has essentially stalled out over the top of North Dakota is dropping record snowfall and moisture on a state that has been parched by drought for more than a year.

Bismarck got 10 inches of snow on Tuesday, shattering the city's April 12 record of 3 inches set in 1991. The amount of precipitation in the wet snow -- 1.17 inches -- also set a record, breaking the 1972 mark of 0.95 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Bismarck's snowfall total as of Wednesday afternoon was at 14 inches, with more expected by the end of the day. The city and neighboring Mandan announced a new strategy for snow removal.

A sampling of other snowfall totals included 16 inches in New England, 20 in Glen Ullin, 21 in Minot, 22 in Grassy Butte, 23.5 in Dickinson and 24 in Glenburn.

For the month of April its not uncommon to get the snow. Now, snow of this magnitude -- this is something thats a little bit more unique, said Rick Krolak, observation program leader at the weather services Bismarck office.

The storm system moved in from the Pacific Northwest, where it also left a trail of snowfall records, according to AccuWeather. After it rolled over the Rockies and into the Plains, it picked up warm, humid air from the south.

"When (spring storms) develop, every now and then they'll pull a good amount of moisture off the Gulf of Mexico and bring it our way," Krolak said. "This one here -- the magnitude and the size -- the amount of time it takes to track through makes a difference, too. The slower it moves, the more (snow) you're going to get."

The circumstances of how the storm developed have caused it to track slowly through the state, almost seeming to stall and put North Dakota in the bulls-eye.

"It causes them to become virtually stationary, and to spin for a while," Krolak said.

Disruptions aside, the moisture will be welcome. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows nearly all of the western half of the state as being abnormally dry or in some form of drought. Northwestern North Dakota is in extreme drought, the second-worst category. The U.S. Drought Monitor is a partnership of the National Drought Mitigation Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

All but the southeastern corner of North Dakota remained under a blizzard warning through Thursday evening, with as much as 30 inches of snow possible in some areas and winds expected to gust as strong as 50-60 mph. AccuWeather said snowdrifts could be 20 feet high.

The storm has essentially shut down local and state governments, schools, events and some businesses. It has canceled flights at the Bismarck Airport, snarled in-city traffic and closed highways. The Capitol and other state facilities in the Bismarck area remained closed Wednesday for a second day and will remain closed Thursday, as well. The online food ordering and delivery service DoorDash announced it was suspending operations in most major North Dakota cities including Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston and Minot.

Public and private schools in Bismarck-Mandan called off in-person classes through Thursday. Bismarck Public Schools planned a virtual learning day Thursday; Mandan Public Schools did not. The Catholic school systems in both cities do not have classes scheduled on Thursday due to Easter break. Public schools also won't resume in-person classes until Tuesday due to the holiday break.

Bismarck State College and United Tribes Technical College canceled classes Tuesday through Thursday, and the University of Mary isn't holding in-person classes during the three-day storm stretch. Dickinson State University moved to virtual instruction Tuesday through Thursday. Williston State College has closed for the week.

Interstate 94 remained closed Wednesday morning from the Montana border to Jamestown, and parking for semitrailers reached capacity in Bismarck and Jamestown. Authorities reopened the interstate stretch between those two cities in early afternoon but closed it again later in the day.

Most of U.S. Highways 2, 52 and 83 were closed in the western two-thirds of the state, along with a portion of U.S. 85 in the oil patch. Interstate 29 was reopened from Fargo to the Canada border. No travel was advised in much of North Dakota. Authorities warned motorists that secondary roads throughout the state could become blocked or impassable due to drifting.

The state has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is coordinating with local emergency managers across North Dakota to ensure that resources including search-and-rescue are available if needed, according to the governor's office.

Statewide road conditions are at https://travel.dot.nd.gov/. Bismarck-Mandan snow removal information is at https://bismarcknd.gov/249/Snow-Removal and https://www.cityofmandan.com/snowremoval.

Residential street plowing is taking three times longer than normal in Bismarck due to the wet, heavy nature of the snow, according to the city. To speed the process, crews will be making two plow passes down the center of roads to allow for vehicles to pass in opposing lanes. A front-end loader will follow pushing an opening in the heavy snow ridge in front of homes to help residents exit from their driveways.

This will be the fastest way to open all the city streets, Public Works Services Director Jeff Heintz said.

Once the entire city has been opened, crews will return to residential areas and push the remaining snow toward the curb to open up parking lanes.

Mandan will follow a similar strategy but will not be removing the snow from in front of driveways.

"There will be additional shoveling or snow blowing in the street to reach the driveway opening, but it should be less strenuous than shoveling the snow bank left by traditional curb-to-curb plowing," the city said.

Bismarck has declared a snow emergency, prohibiting parking on all designated snow emergency routes. The city also has asked residents to avoid parking on other streets to aid in plowing. Mandan city officials have asked the same.

There is no garbage or recycling collection planned in Bismarck-Mandan the rest of this week, and Bis-Man Transit has parked CAT and paratransit buses. Both cities have postponed their annual Spring Clean-up Week, which had been scheduled next week, until the week of May 2-5. Bismarck Parks and Recreation facilities are closed and activities canceled through Thursday.

Sanford Health announced that its North Walk-in Clinic at 3318 N. 14th St. in Bismarck will have normal hours on Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. All remaining Sanford clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Dickinson, Minot and Watford City will remain closed Thursday and are scheduled to reopen Friday.

CHI St. Alexius Health outpatient facilities in Bismarck, Mandan, Garrison, Turtle Lake, Washburn and Minot were scheduled to reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The wet, heavy snow that can coat power lines or bring down tree branches onto lines was a concern for electrical utilities. PowerOutage.us reported about 450 people without electricity in North Dakota on Wednesday morning, mostly in McLean County, but by late afternoon there were no people statewide without power.

Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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The June primary will reduce candidates in races with more contenders than there are seats. Some Republican House races have four or five candidates jostling for two slots on the November ballot. Additionally, each party in each district can put forth one Senate candidate for November.

The June election will have a major impact on determining the flavor of the Republican-controlled Legislature, which will see several new leaders next year due to high-profile retirements and departures.

GOP primary races include seven Senate seats and 20 House seats with more candidates than slots for November.

A number of GOP races pit longtime lawmakers against newcomers. Several candidates, including some incumbents, defied party endorsements of other Republicans and gathered signatures to make the primary ballot, where they will face off against the endorsed candidates.

Democrats have struggled to recruit candidates, going without ones for state tax commissioner and more than half the legislative seats on the ballot.

Republicans control the Senate 40-7 and the House of Representatives 80-14.

Absentee ballots for the June election will be available to all North Dakota voters beginning May 5. The primary ballot allows voters to select candidates from only one party.

Candidates include:

Agriculture commissioner

Fintan Dooley, Democratic-NPL

Doug Goehring, Republican

Attorney general

Timothy Lamb, D

Drew Wrigley, R

Secretary of state

Michael Howe, R

Marvin Lepp, R

Jeffrey Powell, D

Tax Commissioner

Brian Kroshus, R

Public Service Commission, 2 seats

Julie Fedorchak (6 years), R

Melanie Moniz (6 years), D

Trygve Hammer (4 years), D

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart (4 years), R

U.S. House

Kelly Armstrong, R

Mark Haugen, D

U.S. Senate

Katrina Christiansen, D

John Hoeven, R

Riley Kuntz, R

Michael Steele, D

Supreme Court

Daniel Crothers (nonpartisan)

District 7 Senate

Michelle Axtman, R

District 7 House

Jason Dockter, R

Matthew Heilman, R

Retha Mattern, R

District 8 Senate

Jeff Magrum, R

Dave Nehring, R

District 8 House

Mike Berg, R

Scott McCarthy, R

SuAnn Olson, R

Brandon Prichard, R

District 31 Senate

Donald Schaible, R

District 31 House

Mike Faith, D

Dawson Holle, R

Karen Rohr, R

Jim Schmidt, R

District 33 Senate

Keith Boehm, R

Jessica Unruh Bell, R

District 33 House

Jeff Delzer, R

Anna Novak, R

Mark Pierce, R

Bill Tveit, R

Andy Zachmeier, R

District 35 Senate

Sean Cleary, R

Ryan Eckroth, R

Tracy Potter, D

District 35 House

Karen Karls, R

Bob Martinson, R

Don Morrison, D

Kris Mount, D

District 47 Senate

Mike Dwyer, R

District 47 House
By all accounts the Western North Dakota Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., was a huge success. The trip involved 93 veterans along with Honor Flight staff, escorts and media. In all, 151 made the visit on Sunday and Monday.

The flights are special because they bring together veterans who have shared experiences. They have an understanding of what they went through no matter where they served.

The veterans came home after their service to resume or start careers, enjoy family life and become involved in their communities. They werent necessarily defined by their military service, but it had a lasting impact on them.

The aftermath of wars hasnt always been kind to veterans. World War II service members returned to a country eager to emerge from rationing and return to normal. Vietnam veterans came back to a sharply divided nation. There was anger whether you supported the conflict or opposed it.

Vietnam veteran Joe Gross, of Devils Lake, told Tribune reporter Travis Svihovec of the harsh environment he returned to at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1970. He had dirty diapers tossed at him and his girlfriend lied when asked where he was when serving in Vietnam. She said he was in prison.

Gross and the other 92 veterans on the trip had a totally different experience. When they arrived at the airport they were greeted by the North Dakota National Guard 1-188th Air Defense Artillery unit that created an aisle for them to pass through. Then the Guard members lined the sidewalk as the four buses left and saluted them.

In the two days they were in Washington they visited the Vietnam Wall, Arlington National Cemetery, the World War II Memorial and a number of other memorials. When they were leaving Arlington they were approached by a group of high school students who wanted to thank them for their service.

That was probably a moving moment, to be thanked by young people who werent alive when the veterans were in the service. It indicates our nation may not be as divided as we suspect. When the group returned home on Monday night, they were greeted by an honor guard and a high school band.

It was an appropriate end to the flight.

We forget the hardships those serving in the armed forces endure. It ranges from being away from home for long periods to being in dangerous situations. Most veterans arent looking to be pampered, just recognized for their sacrifices.

The Honor Flights provide that recognition while catering to veterans for a couple of days. Its a program that deserves our support. It costs $160,000 for each trip. Funds come from business and private donations, service organizations and fundraisers.

Continuing support of the flights will honor many veterans. Its worth it.

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In a recent issue of the British sci-fi magazine Vector, writer Marie Vibbert  author of the recent Galactic Hellcats, as well as my Clarion classmate under one Cory Doctorow  took a look at the representation of class in a variety of popular sci-fi stories. As a person from a very working class background, Vibbert has always been drawn to writing stories about waitresses and janitors struggling to pay their rent (in space, and/or with robots). After a particularly obnoxious convention conversation where someone lamented the lack of stories about kindly rich men dealing with hardship, she decided to crunch some numbers, and see if she could figure out who's actually the more under-represented group.

Vibbert's data is hardly comprehensive, but I think she did a good job taking a representative look at the issue (as someone who's not being paid full-time to research the topic). Here's a look at her methodology:

I limited myself to novels, because novels or their detailed discussions were easy to find, and that way I'd be comparing apples to apples. Reading every science fiction novel ever would not be feasible, especially with a staff of just me. I searched for recommended reading lists, but which to choose? Many were simply "The Best of 2019" or such. While it would be interesting to look at a specific period of SF, I wanted a cross-section of what an average reader might have in mind, and that meant including recent books as well as old classics. I googled "Top Science Fiction Novels" in an incognito browser tab (so as not to bias the results with my search history) and took the first 50 novels the search returned. I liked that list better: it felt eclectic, and included recent novels as well as Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. Of course, the Google search results, while incognito, still would be skewed toward my location in the Midwest United States. The British Science Fiction Association's magazine, Vector, announced a call for papers on class and science fiction. I could hardly contain my excitement (and imposter syndrome) as I typed and re-typed my email asking if this statistical analysis was the sort of thing that maybe they'd want to see? And so, my next data set was BSFA award winners. These would skew British to balance my American bias. How better to kiss up to the editors? I started my spreadsheet! BSFA award winners include fantasy novels with no science fictional elements, however, maintaining genre purity would open up a can of worms (how to draw the lines? Who gets to say what is or isn't SF?). I would keep the results of each list separate, to see if there was any bias. On accepting the paper proposal, editor Polina Levontin suggested adding the titles from the Orion SF Masterworks book series, a somewhat curated list, limited only by what titles Orion had the rights to. So now I had three piles of representative works: award winners, a hodgepodge recommended by Google, and a curated list for a total of 194 separate titles. It seemed as close as I was going to get to a reasonable sampling of notable science fiction novels.

She also goes into detail explaining how she defined protagonists, as well as character class, before providing some enlightening charts to illuminate her findings. Spoiler alert: there are definitely a lot more sci-fi stories out there where the main characters are nobles, politicians, or scientists with no clear indication of financial troubles. (Though curiously, women characters were slightly more likely to be depicted as both wealthy, and as working-class, though never poor, in her analysis.)

Again  it's not a fully comprehensive study, but it's fascinating nonetheless. I know that I tend to hyperfocus to a fault on how my protagonists pay their rent; it can admittedly bog the story down (I know, I know), but I guess it's something that's just always on my mind.

Jobs and Class of Main Characters in Science Fiction [Marie Vibbert / Vector]

Image: Public Domain via PXhere
A lot of Veterans, lawmakers, and Veterans who are lawmakers are up in arms over Empty G's latest foot in the mouth moment. We are well beyond being surprised that she says things that should limit anyone, including her faithful, from voting for her again, but the sideshow continues.

RawStory:

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene disparaged the 1.33 million active-duty U.S. Department of Defense members, including the 481,254 active-duty U.S. Army members by declaring that joining America's Armed Forces is "like throwing your life away."

Now she's facing the consequences, including blowback from her fellow members of Congress who served or have served in the U.S. Military, and other veterans.
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views.

It's safe to say that most people have the itch to use their vacation time to do exactly that, go on vacation. Unfortunately, prohibitively expensive flights can make great travel seem like nothing more than a fantasy or something that only a miracle could pay for.

And while there's no shortage of great advice on how to travel, solid advice and recommendations on how to afford to travel seem scarce. Luckily with Matt's Flights Premium Plan: 1-Yr Subscription, you can turn that dream vacation into a reality simply by checking your email.

Matt's Flights capitalizes on the fact that airlines both make mistakes and occasionally offer super discounted sales. But because you're a human being who can't spend all day looking at flights, you would never otherwise see these deals! Instead, Matt's Flights users can expect three or more discounts on cheap flights emailed to them per week based on their selected departing airport or location. They can also enjoy 24/7 flight and travel support as well as an unlimited amount of custom search requests.

The deals are great and have provided countless people the opportunity to go on vacations they could only dream of previously, so it's no surprise that the service was featured in The New York Times, Thrillist, The Hustle, and Kind Traveler.

Amongst users, there's no shortage of reviews from people who are thrilled to endorse Matt's Flights. One user couldn't believe how many miles they could travel so cheaply, "We needed to fly to Honolulu from Miami. Searching for good priced flights is overwhelming. Matt found a great deal  round trip for two was $630!" Another reviewer was thrilled by the luxury factor of being able to travel on such short notice, "The ability to get a short notice flight at big savings. This product will allow me to literally 'get up and go' what I want."

Matt's Flights Premium Plan: 1-Yr Subscription is available now, on sale for $29.99, a 69% markdown from its usual price of $97.

Prices subject to change.
Every now and then I read something that reminds me that con artistry is truly an art in its own way. Such as the case with this recent MEL Magazine article about John R. Brinkley, an early 20th century huckster who  among other wicked scams  went around performing goat testicle implants in men who were desperate to cure their impotence:

This endeavor began in 1917, when Brinkley became the town doctor in Milford, Kansas. A 46-year-old farmer came to him complaining of having "no pep," lamenting offhand that he didn't have "billy-goat nuts." This, according to a biography Brinkley himself commissioned at the height of his fame, led to a serendipitous moment, a realization he was "gifted beyond the run of doctors." Brinkley began charging $750 for a goat-gland transplant, equivalent to around $16,500 today. Patients mortgaged their homes, begged, borrowed and stole. "A man is as old as his glands," Brinkley would proclaim, while warning his patients that the procedure only had a 95-percent success rate, and worked less well on stupid people. Despite the science behind his work being entirely unsound  and frequently being drunk when he operated  he had a great flair for marketing and became wealthy and famous.

If you want to know more about the ill-fated history of goat ball transplants, well, you know where to click. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot more to the story.

The Doctor Who Convinced America That A Goat-Ball Transplant Could Cure Impotence [Mike Rampton / MEL Magazine]

Image: Public Domain via Pixabay
Good morning! Happy morning! Rabbi Avraham Wolff exclaimed, with a big smile, as he walked into the Chabad synagogue in Odesa on a recent morning.

Russian missiles had just struck an oil refinery in the Ukrainian city, turning the sky charcoal gray. Hundreds were lining up outside his synagogue hoping to receive a kilo of matzah each for their Passover dinner tables. The unleavened flatbread, imperative at the ritual meal known as a Seder, is now hard to find in war-torn Ukraine amid the war and a crippling food shortage.

But the rabbi wanted no challenge to get him down  be it the lack of matzah or that he was missing his wife and children who had fled the Black Sea port for Berlin days ago.

I need to smile for my community, Wolff said. We need humor. We need hope.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian Jews have fled while about 80% remain in Ukraine, according to estimates from Chabad, one of the largest Hasidic Jewish organizations in the world. Inside and outside Ukraine, a nation steeped in Jewish history and heritage, people are preparing to celebrate Passover, which begins sundown on April 15. Its been a challenge, to say the least.

The holiday marks the liberation of Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt, and their exodus under the leadership of Moses. The story is taking on special meaning for thousands of Jewish Ukrainian refugees who are living a dramatic story in real time.

Chabad, which has deep roots and a wide network in Ukraine, and other groups such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Jewish Federations of North America, have mobilized to help Ukrainian Jews celebrate Passover wherever they have sought refuge. In Ukraine, Chabad plans 52 public Seders welcoming about 9,000 people.

In Odesa, Wolff is preparing to host two large Seders  one in early evening at the Chabad synagogue for families with young children and a later Seder at a hotel where participants can stay the night, obeying a 9 p.m. curfew.

He's been waving in trucks loaded with Passover supplies  matzah from Israel, milk from France, meat from Britain.

We may not all be together, but it's going to be an unforgettable Passover, Wolff said. This year, we celebrate as one big Jewish family around the world.

JDC, which has evacuated more than 11,600 Jews from Ukraine, has shipped more than 2 tons of matzah, over 400 bottles of grape juice and over 700 pounds of kosher Passover food for refugees in Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania, said Chen Tzuk, the organizations director of operations in Europe, Asia and Africa. In Ukraine, their social service centers and corps of volunteers are distributing nearly 16 tons of matzah to elderly Jews and families in need, she said.

Passover is something familiar and basic for Jewish people, Tzuk said. For refugees who have left everything behind, it's important to be able celebrate this holiday with honor and dignity.

JDC is organizing in-person Seders in countries bordering Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, she said, and is facilitating online Seders where its too dangerous to gather in person.

The Jewish Federations of North America has set up a volunteer hub in support of refugees fleeing Ukraine; it's a partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, the JDC and IsraAID. Russian-speaking volunteers, such as Alina Spaulding, will help organize a Seder for 100 refugees at a hotel in Budapest.

Spaulding, a resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, fled Kharkiv, Ukraine, as a 5-year-old in the 1970s with her parents. She said the war has rekindled strong connections to Ukraine.

My mom showed me a photo of me with my grandpa on a street that was recently bombed, Spaulding said. We talked about the university in Kharkiv where my mom and dad went, which was also hit. Suddenly, it all felt so personal.

Spaulding believes spending Passover with refugees will be an experience to remember."

Part of the magic of Passover is finding your own story, she said. Were in the middle of a modern-day exodus. I cant even imagine the stories I will hear.

Celebrating a holiday can give people a rush of hope and happiness even in grim situations, said Rabbi Jacob Biderman, who leads Chabad activities throughout Austria, including a center in Vienna that is sheltering about 800 Ukrainian Jews. Days after refugees reached his center, Biderman led a joyous celebration of Purim, a festival commemorating the deliverance of Jews from a planned massacre in ancient Persia.

The look on their faces changed from sorrow to joy... Their eyes lit up, Biderman said. It gave them a sense of normalcy, dignity and the belief that their spiritual life is something no one can take away from them.

That fueled Biderman's determination to provide a memorable Passover Seder for the refugees.

Dr. Yaacov Gaissinovitch, his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children  ages 11, 8 and 4  will be part of that celebration. They fled the Ukrainian city of Dnipro by car on Friday, March 4. Gaissinovitch, a urologist and mohel who performs the Jewish rite of circumcision, said it pained him, as an observant Jew, to drive on Shabbat  a forbidden act on the day of rest and prayer except when lives are at stake.

I drove nonstop for 12 hours to Moldova to save us all, he said. We sang all the Shabbat songs in the car. It was very, very hard.

In Dnipro, Gaissinovitch had his offices in the sprawling Menorah Center, which serves as a center of Jewish life, housing a synagogue, shops, restaurants, museums and the office of the citys chief rabbi.

After a month of being severed from everything familiar, the Chabad center in Vienna has been a blessing, Gaissinovitch said.

Weve been accepted here very warmly, he said. After being disconnected for days, the children have been able to see that our life hasnt stopped.

A similar community at the Chabad center in Berlin is housing about 1,000 refugees, including Rabbi Avraham Wolffs wife and children from Odesa. The center plans to host eight Seders citywide and has distributed matzah and other food to community members. Refugees, including 120 children from an Odesa orphanage who arrived in Berlin along with Wolffs family, distributed the items to locals, said Yehuda Teichtal, the chief rabbi of Berlin.

To me, this is extremely touching, he said. That people on the receiving end are able to give and not be viewed as victims. Its empowering and energizing.

As they prepare for Passover, Teichtal, Biderman and Wolff said they have been inspired by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who was among the most influential global leaders in Judaism in modern times. April 5 marked the Rebbes 120th birth anniversary, a special number in Jewish tradition.

The Rebbe built a strong foundation (in Ukraine) so were able to do what were doing now, Wolff said.

Schneerson grew up in Ukraine during a challenging time in the former Soviet Union, Teichtal said.

In spite of all the darkness, his focus was selflessness, dedication, love for all humanity and the unwavering faith that we are going to overcome, Teichtal said.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
During Campaign 6, Mission 1, crew member Christopher Roberts takes a spin on a stationary bicycle inside the exercise area of the Human Exploration Research Analog, or HERA.

HERA is a habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston that houses four participants at a time. Roberts and his crewmates were one of several groups who lived and worked inside HERA on a 45-day simulated mission to the Martian moon Phobos. While the crew is inside, researchers outside HERA study how isolation, confinement, and remote conditions affect crew health and performance.

HERA crew members follow regularly scheduled exercise routines similar to those of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Routine exercise is essential for maintaining the physical and mental health of crew members while living in any habitat with limited contact, space, and resources.

For this campaign, each crew member averages about 30 minutes of exercise per day, six days a week. On the habitat's second floor, they can perform a mix of cardio and resistive exercises using the bicycle and free weights. Smart watches, like the one Roberts is wearing, monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, activity, and sleep. The sensor on his head measures blood flow.

With this data, NASA's Human Research Program can better design routines and schedules that support the physical and mental health of astronauts on future long-term missions.

Got a question for future HERA crew members? Ask them through our new Groundlinks program!

Image Credit: NASA

NASA's Human Research Program, or HRP, pursues the best methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel. Through science conducted in laboratories, ground-based analogs, and the International Space Station, HRP scrutinizes how spaceflight affects human bodies and behaviors. Such research drives HRP's quest to innovate ways that keep astronauts healthy and mission-ready as space travel expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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DALLAS (AP)  A 3-year-old Texas girl whose mother has waged a court battle to keep doctors from removing her from life-sustaining treatment has improved enough that she was released from the hospital last week and will now be cared for at home, a group that's been advocating for her said.

Texas Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group, said this week that Tinslee Lewis' health had so steadily improved that she was released from Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth on April 7.

Its encouraging to see that the family and the hospital did get to work together so much that Tinslee was benefitted and actually gets to go home, Texas Right to Life spokeswoman Kimberlyn Schwartz said Wednesday.

The case has been making its way through the courts since November 2019, when the hospital had planned to remove Tinslee from life support after invoking Texas so-called 10-day rule. The law can be employed when a family disagrees with doctors on withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

The law stipulates that if a hospitals ethics committee agrees with doctors, treatment can be withdrawn after 10 days, as long as a new provider cant be found to take the patient.

Texas Right to Life spokeswoman Kimberlyn Schwartz said that within the last year or so the hospital and the family have worked well together.

Tinslee had been hospitalized since her premature birth in February 2019. The hospital has said she was born with a rare heart defect and suffered from chronic lung disease and severe chronic high blood pressure. She was put on a ventilator several months after her birth after going into respiratory arrest, the hospital has said.

Schwartz said that doctors eventually switched Tinslee from being ventilated through her mouth to having a tracheotomy. It helped improve her health to the point that she can go home, Schwartz said.

She said that Tinslee, who is currently on a portable ventilator, has 24-hour nursing care at home.

A statement issued by Cook Childrens Health Care System this week said: The medical teams at Cook Childrens have dedicated their lives to healing children, and go to tireless lengths to do what they believe in their hearts and minds to be the very best decision for each and every patient.

About two months into the court proceedings, Lewis had revoked the hospital's permission to speak about Tinslee.

In Texas Right to Life's statement, Lewis thanked everyone who pulled together to help my daughter including her attorneys, doctors at Cook Children's, Texas Right to Life and Protect TX Fragile Kids.

We have been cherishing and enjoying Tinslee being home, Lewis said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Even after failing a test that set her back a semester, Maribel Rodriguez will be heading back to nursing school next spring with a generous new state scholarship that abandons eligibility criteria to help more working adults get a college degree.

New Mexico is expanding its Opportunity Scholarship, which has already paid for Rodriguezs tuition and allowed her to apply federal grants toward living expenses like gas and groceries. She's reapplying to the nursing program and hopes to finish her degree without racking up debt that could hurt her husband and three children.

I didnt think a whole lot of opportunities were really out there for me at my age, said Rodriguez, 37, of Lovington, New Mexico, who left college at 19 in part because she couldn't afford rent. Even though if we missed it whenever we were younger theres still hope for us.

Many states  including New Mexico  have for years offered free tuition programs for four-year degrees to residents, but the programs had restrictions, limiting participation to recent high school graduates and requiring that they attend school full-time.

Supporters of those restrictions say they incentivize students to finish their degree and narrow the number of students who participate, reducing costs. But critics argue they create too many hurdles for students to succeed, especially those who are low-income and struggling to work, pay rent and raise a family.

New Mexico's revamped program provides students with more flexibility, including attending college part-time and allowing them to use federal grants for personal expenses. There's no requirement to finish in a set number of years.

It opens the door for a lot of people, especially people who started a degree and had to leave for some reason, said Kathy Levine, financial aid director at Northern New Mexico College in Espanola.

Still, Levine and other college counselors hesitate to promise students future funding.

Most of the $75 million expansion of the program relied on one-time federal pandemic relief and is authorized for only one year. If funding is cut, students could find themselves without support midway into their degree or certificate program.

As recently as 2017, New Mexico cut its other college scholarship program to just 60% of tuition because of an unexpected drop in state revenue. State officials now say that program, the Lottery Scholarship, is now solvent at 100% for at least the next four years.

New Mexicos governor and Legislature hope the expanded Opportunity Scholarship program will be enough to reverse the states dismal education outcomes. Only Mississippi has a lower percentage of four-year-degree holders, at 23%, according to Census estimates.

Since 2020, the program has been used by 10,000 state residents pursuing associate's degree programs, including nursing.

It checks all those boxes, very robust, certainly stands out as a national model, Jessica Thompson, vice president of the left-leaning think tank The Institute for College Access and Success, said of the revised program.

But Thompson warns that states are often ill-equipped to promise generous programs to students long-term because their revenues are so closely tied to the whims of the economy.

Thompson says other states like Oregon have authorized generous programs for undergrads, only to cut them when budgets were lean.

In 2020, Oregon had to cut its budget and tell 1,070 low-income students they wouldnt be receiving the aid previously promised to them. This month, Oregon announced its doubling its cost-of-living grant for low-income students.

New Mexico officials had estimated that roughly 35,000 students could participate in the expanded program. But that number will likely shrink because universities across the state already have raised tuition, disappointing state higher education officials.

New Mexico Tech raised tuition by 9%, citing increased costs and the availability of the new scholarships. Others raised tuition by around 4%.

Starting in July, universities will have to negotiate with the state on tuition increase limits if they want to participate in the free tuition program. But the law didnt prevent them from increasing tuition before that date.

At least for next year, the expanded program also will make existing support for recent high school graduates even more generous by allowing them to use federal funding for personal expenses, in addition to the existing Lottery Scholarship that pays their tuition.

That's welcome news at an arts school in Santa Fe where students discussed their plans with a New Mexico State University recruiter on a lunch break.

Some of our parents are still paying back their loans from college, said junior Zoe McDonald, 17, an aspiring cinematographer.

Painter Cruz Davis-Martinez, 18, knows he wants a four-year degree and is comparing the University of New Mexico and two schools in other states.

A lot of my high school career, unfortunately, was spent taking dual credit, Davis-Martinez said, because I had that financial insecurity.

At age 15, he started traveling 40 minutes so he could take advantage of free college classes paid for by his high school. The idea was to earn college credits so he could save money in college.

Now hes realizing he can attend all the classes he needs without going into debt and without having to work so much that it cripples his academic performance.

Under New Mexicos new plan, hell get more support than expected, though the exact cost of college is unclear. State officials are still writing the final rules for the program, including what fees will be covered and how much universities can raise tuition.

Thompson said it's important for students to be able to pursue their education without the threat of debt hanging over them. Still, she thinks the state is one economic downturn away from cutting benefits and that the federal government needs to fund more of these programs.

Ill be surprised if New Mexico can sustain this without, you know, continued federal engagement and involvement in funding," she said. And I dont think other states can follow them."

This story has been corrected to show that Maribel Rodriguez will return to school next spring, not this fall.

Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
State Attorney General Letitia James lifted a cup of java Tuesday to herald employees at the first Starbucks shop in the nation to vote in favor of unionizing.

James said she traveled from Albany specifically to meet with the Starbucks employees at 933 Elmwood Ave. who, in December, voted 19-8 to unionize, kicking off a wave of union activity at Starbucks stores across the country.

"I'm so proud of them," said James, who was later joined by state Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo.

"They recognize the power in collective action ... They also understand that when they come together as one under the banner of a local union, they will have job security, they will have wage increases, they will have protections. They will have infection protocols at a time when we're dealing with this pandemic," she added.

James said all of those accomplishments are achieved through the advocacy of labor activists and collective action.

"It's important that they understand that all advances that we have in this society  and particularly here in Buffalo  were created by unions and a strong middle class, which is really critical to our prosperity," James said.

Just last week, Starbucks workers at the chain's store at Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street voted 18-1 in favor of unionizing. The April 7 vote count by the National Labor Relations Board brings to six the number of Buffalo-area Starbucks stores where workers have voted to be represented by Starbucks Workers United.

"I am inspired by the Starbucks employees in Buffalo who are leading a national movement to empower workers. They courageously stood up to a multi-billion-dollar company to demand fairer pay and better workplace conditions  and they won," James said in a statement after the meeting Tuesday.

"Worker protections are not a luxury  theyre a right  and I will continue to use the power of my office to protect those rights," she added.

The latest vote count came as the Seattle-based Starbucks has undergone a leadership change. Kevin Johnson has retired as CEO, and Howard Schultz, who successfully fought attempts to unionize Starbucks U.S. stores and roasting plants, has returned to that role on an interim basis.

Meanwhile, Starbucks Workers United said workers at a store at Williamsville Place, 5395 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville, have also filed a petition for an election.

So far, more than 100 Starbucks stores across the country  including one in Seattle  have filed election petitions to organize unions. The massive coffee chain, which has nearly 9,000 company-operated stores across the country, employs a total of 235,000 people across the nation.

James said her goal Tuesday was to encourage the young Starbucks workers at the Elmwood store, "... and let them know that this attorney general stands behind them."

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Going after drug dealers was only one way that Haso, a German shepherd in the Erie County Sheriff's K-9 unit, served the community during his four years on the job. He also saved the lives of at least eight people, like the autistic boy in Gowanda who jumped from his mother's car and disappeared, the elderly Clarence man with Alzheimer's who wandered away in his pajamas and the missing Amherst woman he found lying in Ellicott Creek.
If there was a honeymoon period for the first woman and first upstater in a century to become governor of New York, it ended in a crash of monumental proportions Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Kathy Hochul now faces the most serious political crisis of her career as she endures a torrent of criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike following the Tuesday arrest and resignation of Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, her choice for the state's second spot after she took over for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in August.

"I have accepted Brian Benjamin's resignation effective immediately," Hochul said in a statement. "While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as Lieutenant Governor. New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them."

Even before Benjamin ended one of the shortest lieutenant governor tenures in state history, Hochul's opponents pounced after authorities arrested him on charges of trading political favors for campaign contributions. A chorus of demands for Benjamin's resignation developed, along with questions about her appointment of the Harlem liberal in the first place.

Rep. Lee Zeldin, the endorsed Republican candidate for governor, emerged as one of the first to say Hochul should demand that her appointed successor resign.

"That would be leadership," he said. "By the way, that should have already happened."

Buffalo Democrats appearing at a transit event Tuesday were treading lightly. State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said they were unfamiliar with all the facts and called it "premature" to offer more comment. But Peoples-Stokes, the Assembly's second ranking member, nevertheless acknowledged the seriousness of the Benjamin situation just as Hochul was pivoting her attention from a new budget to her own re-election.

"You can't be under investigation and run for office at the same time," she said of Benjamin, adding she believed the governor should not be held responsible.

"You cannot hold this against her because she has not done anything wrong," Peoples-Stokes added.

Still, in a scenario that resembled the summer's Democratic defections against Cuomo following a series of scandal accusations, some Democrats in the Assembly were beginning to wither by late afternoon. Two members of the Assembly from Albany County, Phil Steck and Patricia Fahy, were seeking the end of Benjamin's short stint as the state's second-in-command.

"Given this criminal indictment, I urge Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin to immediately step aside while these charges are pursued so as not to distract from the urgent work ahead," Fahy said.

Steck, who last August predicted Hochul would prove "very different" from her predecessor, sounded a far different tune on Tuesday.

"The Hochul administration needs to move swiftly to counter the damage done by the Benjamin indictment," the assemblyman said. "There is a growing perception that this administration is for sale, that it blurs the line between principle and campaign contributions."

A succession of Democratic state senators, including State Sen. Rachel Ray of Onondaga County, also joined the chorus of concern over Benjamin.

"I firmly believe we need accountability at all levels of government," she said on Twitter. "These allegations, if true, are inconsistent with the spirit of public service, and I believe that LG Benjamin should resign."

And significantly, State Sen. Liz Krueger of Manhattan, chairwoman of the Finance Committee, said shortly before the resignation announcement that Benjamin no longer enjoyed public confidence and should resign.

But no other major Democratic officeholders or party officials were weighing in during the hours following the indictment. Even Attorney General Letitia James, in Buffalo on Tuesday to lend support to Starbucks workers and who helped drive Cuomo from office, offered no comment other than: I was shocked, just like everybody else.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Manhattan said Benjamin was arrested on charges of bribery, honest services wire fraud and falsification of records. The arrest follows the indictment of a real estate developer and contributor to his failed bid for New York City comptroller  Gerald Midgol  who was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for illegal donations to Benjamins campaign.

Democrats challenging Hochul for the party nomination in the June primary revved up criticism already at the center of their campaigns. Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi of Nassau County suddenly basked in new attention despite his low standing in the polls. With his running mate, Diana Reyna, Suozzi reiterated that Hochul exhibits "lack of experience and poor judgement."

"Hochul's first decision was to pick her LG, who she entrusted with leading her failed bail reform effort, negotiating the budget and last week said she had the utmost faith in him, despite many reports of investigations into his conduct in office," they said. "Hochul has fostered a culture of continued corruption, with months of fundraising from pay-to-play insiders and people doing business with the state, and secretive budget deals that resulted in the billion dollar Bills stadium and little else."

Republicans, vastly outnumbered in New York and unable to elected a governor since George E. Pataki in 2002, adopted an "I told you so" attitude that invoked the scandals engulfing Cuomo just a few months ago.

"She does not possess the judgment nor the moral code to serve as governor," said state GOP Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy. "The only way to wipe clean the Cuomo-Hochul stench is to throw the entire corrupt cabal out of office this November.

And Zeldin convened reporters on a video call to highlight his own choice for lieutenant governor, former NYPD Deputy Inspector Alison Esposito, on a day when a gunman opened fire inside a Brooklyn subway station. He has consistently lambasted Hochul for criminal justice reforms from which she partially retreated during the budget process.

He said his own lieutenant governor nominee, a 24-year police veteran, offered a "contrast that could not be more stark (and a choice between someone) who spent her life enforcing the law or a lieutenant governor who spent his life trying to run away from it."

Another Republican candidate for governor, former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, noted on Twitter: "On the day of an awful attack that injured many in a Brooklyn subway, @GovKathyHochul's 'defund the police' LG is arrested for a series of crimes."

For now, Benjamin's name is likely to remain on the ballot for the June 28 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. He is one of four candidates to file petitions to run in the race. The others are Diana Reyna, Ana Maria Archila and David Englert, according to the state Board of Elections website.

Benjamin's resignation does not mean his name will be removed. In New York, there are only three ways to get off the ballot: death, declination or disqualification, said John Conklin, a spokesman for the state Board of Elections.

Benjamin's deadline to decline the nomination passed on Feb. 25, however, Conklin said. But he would become disqualified if he moves out of state before the primary.

Benjamin could also lose the Democratic primary and get knocked off the ballot for the general election.

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Six more Niagara County businesses received Covid-19 relief grants Wednesday from the county's Industrial Development Agency, but the federal money behind the program is running out.

The NCIDA received $1 million from the federal CARES Act, one of the government's pandemic relief laws, to help prop up small businesses whose operations were curtailed by Covid.

Wednesday's awards brought the number of businesses assisted to 16, project manager Susan Barone said, while 17 more applications are under consideration, which will wipe out the available money.

But NCIDA board member Jason Krempa, who chairs the committee that reviews the grant applications, said he has learned the agency will be able to apply for more money in July.

If so, the NCIDA may have more money to assist Covid-crushed businesses this fall, Barone said.

Applicants were required to prove that their business' revenue dropped at least 20% from 2019 to 2020.

They also had to promise to create at least one job for a low- to moderate-income person by using the grant funds, which are paid as reimbursements for proven expenditures.

The money can be used for operating capital, purchase of inventory and other business-related needs.

Five small bars and restaurants were among the recipients of grants Wednesday. They included the Village Inn in North Tonawanda, Calhoon's Pub in Newfane and three Niagara Falls establishments: Craft Kitchen & Bar, Gagster's and the Why Coffee Shop.

All received $50,000, except for the Why, which was awarded $36,000.

The sixth grant, also $50,000, went to Escarpment Arms, a gun store and shooting range in Newfane, which formerly operated under the name of the Cabin Range. Their customers are primarily law enforcement officers, Barone said.

The NCIDA board also approved aid from its microenterprise assistance program to assist other small businesses. The assistance starts out as loans, but can be converted to grants if the businesses meet all requirements, including creating at least one full-time equivalent job for a low- to moderate-income person.

Awards of $25,000 went to Enchanted Florist for a new location on Center Street in Lewiston; Cornelius Construction, a residential and commercial carpentry business in Royalton; 3 Sisters Garlic, which grows garlic and produces garlic-based products in Cambria; and Spoons! 716, which will produce baby food from locally grown ingredients in the Town of Lockport.

The board gave $14,000 to Creekside Income Tax in Appleton and $13,000 to Ruff Rock Mining, a Newfane business that intends to display fossils, minerals and gemstones at fairs and shows in New York and Pennsylvania.

It plans to offer a mobile station that will give customers to chance to buy bags of sand and silt that may contain gemstones.

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A city that for the longest time has struggled to come up with a meaningful police reform board may soon find itself with not just one, but two.

Whether thats good or bad will depend on citizens who will be asked to create a new board, and on Common Council members who are reconstituting their existing panel after disbanding it last month amid controversy.

Despite the Councils action, some members of the current Police Advisory Board said they bought the name and continue to operate. In fact, they are holding a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library to discuss two ballot initiatives, one of which would create an independent police advisory board whose members would be elected by the community.

Meanwhile, the Council was accepting applications through Wednesday for its revamped and renamed Community Police Advisory Committee. It had gotten more than 50 applications through last week and expected more by the deadline, said Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera, chairman of the Councils Police Oversight Committee. The new panel will advise his committee.

At the same time, the new Police Advisory Board would seek subpoena power to investigate complaints and would make recommendations to the Council, mayor and police commissioner, according to its Facebook post.

All of which raises two compelling questions: Which panel are city officials more likely to listen to? And which one will have more credibility with the public?

That last point  credibility  is a key reason Buffalo is in the mess its in now, with potentially competing boards and a second try at a police reform ballot initiative after last year's effort by several community organizations failed to yield a public referendum.

After getting complaints of infighting and a toxic atmosphere from some of the 11 PAB members  including four who resigned  Rivera said the Council wanted confirmation of new members going forward. That would reverse a practice in which, after the board's creation in 2018, members began filling vacancies themselves.

Rivera stressed that lawmakers do not want to select the members, just ensure that the board is inclusive, diverse and has members who bring a variety of pertinent expertise.

You canvass the community  send us the names and the Council will confirm, he said, noting that the board, after all, was a creation of the Common Council to begin with.

But PAB co-chair Dominique Calhoun, who joined the board in January 2021, criticized that demand as a political move on the part of politicians who want to hand pick members who presumably would not rock the boat. She also objected to a public confirmation process that she said could professionally tarnish any applicant who was rejected.

While that desire to protect reputations has to yield to full transparency on a public board, the concern over independence is legitimate and is one that will vex any such police panel.

The credibility of the Councils new committee will automatically be under scrutiny, given how the city tried to disband the PAB. That makes it essential that the Council pick members with reputations of being, in the late Shirley Chisholms words, unbought and unbossed.

Even then, that panel may well find itself constantly compared to the new one envisioned by the PAB, should it get its measure on the ballot. As last years failed effort proved, thats easier said than done.

Advocates say they need about 8,000 signatures by June 28 to submit the measure to the Council to have lawmakers put it on the ballot. If the Council does not, they figure they would need an additional 3,000 or so signatures to force a referendum.

Like the Council panel, this new PAB would have 11 members. But instead of being picked or confirmed by lawmakers, nine would be chosen by voters in each of the nine Council districts. Those nine would then select the other two, who would need law enforcement and/or legal experience. There also would two nonvoting youth members.

That plan  plus a separate initiative to add two at-large seats to the Council, to give residents more representation instead of just a single Council member  will be discussed Thursday night. Calhoun said the PAB is inviting a wide variety of community organizations, activists and leaders.

That includes those involved in last years effort  based on earlier PAB research  to get a referendum on creating a police oversight panel that would have had real teeth in the form of actual disciplinary powers. How many of those groups participate in this new initiative effort will be worth noting, given the messy way the PAB met its demise as a Council adviser.

Some longtime reform advocates privately point to social media bickering or disputes over how to address clergy members serving on the board as indicative of the petty preoccupations that undermined the PAB and forced its dissolution. Calhoun says it was more about members resigning because the Council wasnt taking them seriously.

A lot of people (were) not happy with the way the Common Council dissolved the board, said Calhoun, a paralegal with marketing and PR experience who said shes researched and proposed other reforms over the years.

So how does she expect Council members to treat a new panel selected by voters, if such a group is created?

Given that the members will be citizens, she said, they do have to listen to our concerns. But she was quick to add, they hand-pick what they like to listen to, anyway.

When he was asked about having two potentially competing bodies, Rivera noted that there are a number of groups in the city that advocate for one thing or another, but that the new Community Police Advisory Committee is the only one formally designated to advise the Council on policing policies and best practices.

The bottom line, given what has transpired: Dont expect any kumbaya moments  and thats too bad.

At its best, this potential scenario could result in a competition of ideas for improving policing, some more aggressive than others  a sort of good cop, bad cop set of dueling boards  with policymakers picking the best ideas, no matter where they originate.

But human nature being what it is  and Buffalo being what it is  it also could devolve into finger-pointing and knee-jerk dismissals of good reforms or adoption of weak ones, depending on which group puts them forward.

That would leave Buffalo spinning its wheels when it comes to improving policing and enhancing public confidence, because what should not get lost in all the finger-pointing and recriminations is what the city really needs: an independent panel with the authority to monitor and, when necessary, discipline police misconduct.

Every reform, no matter where it comes from, should be judged by how close it gets Buffalo to that ideal.

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Even as former Lt. Gov. Brian A. Benjamin's Tuesday resignation cast uncertainty over who will fill the post, his arrest also began to shape the future course of this year's statewide elections.

Democrats and Republicans alike on Wednesday launched a new, "post-Benjamin" phase of their campaigns, casting Gov. Kathy Hochul alternately as "incompetent" for selecting the former state senator now facing bribery and other charges, or as another in a long line of politicians touched by Albany corruption.

Analysis: Hochul 'honeymoon' crashes following lieutenant governor's resignation Even before Brian Benjamin ended one of the shortest lieutenant governor tenures in state history, Gov. Kathy Hochul's opponents began pouncing after authorities arrested him on charges of trading political favors for campaign contributions

But in an interview on WNYC Radio in New York, Hochul said she will honor her promise to "change the culture in Albany," would not be deterred by the Benjamin "setback," and will seek a better vetting process in the search for a new lieutenant governor.

On Wednesday, Hochul's rivals in the June Democratic primary shifted into full attack mode, while Republicans spied a break in their uphill effort. In addition, Benjamin's exit further complicates the Democrats' ballot situation.

Developments included:

 In Buffalo, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams applied new spin to his Hochul challenge in the Democratic primary by linking her to the same Albany mindset that brought down her predecessor, Andrew M. Cuomo. He acknowledged Tuesday's events may boost his campaign.

"The question is how many people we get to hear the message," he told reporters at a Delaware Avenue event boosting Starbucks workers' unionization efforts. "I'm hopeful today that people hear my message more than they did yesterday."

 Another Democratic primary rival, Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi of Nassau County, told reporters "questions [were] swirling about his behavior" when Benjamin was selected, reiterating his contention that Hochul "is in over her head."

 New attention focused on candidates for lieutenant governor as those in the race emphasized their integrity and questions continued about the ultimate shape of the primary ballot for the post. Most election experts say only extraordinary circumstances could remove Benjamin's name from the June 28 ballot. The governor and lieutenant governor run separately in the primary.

Some speculation involved Benjamin moving out of state to leave the ballot; others mentioned nomination for another office (though the party could endure criticism for backing someone under federal indictment).

 Republicans continued jabbing at Hochul as they see new hope for their contenders, again linking her to Cuomo and his ethics problems.

"She has consistently turned a blind eye to obvious corruption, first with Cuomo and then with her choice for Lieutenant Governor," state GOP Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy said. "She has demonstrated a stunning lack of judgment that is only exacerbated by her terrible handling of this major crisis rocking her administration."

Hochul, in the WNYC Radio interview, emphasized she was unaware of any legal problems surrounding Benjamin when selected.

"We thought everything that had risen up had been addressed; everything was clear," she said.

Mainline Democrats, meanwhile, were lying low, with state Chairman Jay S. Jacobs declining any comment as his party grapples with an unexpected complication. With Hochul emerging from the just completed budget process counting fewer friends in the Legislature and absorbing criticism from the party's left wing over $600 million in state funds for a new Buffalo Bills stadium, Democrats were said to be devising new approaches.

But Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy J. Zellner said Wednesday he envisions no serious political fallout for the governor because of the strength she brings into the election.

"I spoke with her campaign and it's full steam ahead," he said, pointing to planned local efforts to "run up the numbers" in Hochul's home county of Erie.

Zellner dismissed claims that Hochul should have more closely vetted her choice to replace her as lieutenant governor by noting that FBI charges against Benjamin include lying about the allegations at the heart of his indictment.

"The fact is he was breaking the law behind closed doors with a governor who had a vetting process and was lied to," Zellner said.

Still, some Democrats were noting concern about an unexpected curve ball thrown at the campaign.

"Things have changed from a week ago," said one Democrat close to the campaign. "They've got to figure out how to proceed."

Williams may have personified one new Democratic approach as he touted the integrity of his running mate  Ana Maria Archila, who joined him on Delaware Avenue.

"I will be a light in the darkness of Albany in moments like yesterday," Archila said in an appearance hosted by Williams ally and former Buffalo mayoral candidate India B. Walton.

And Williams linked Hochul to the public corruption charges surrounding a parade of governors, speakers of the Assembly and other high-ranking officials in recent years.

"The leaders of the Democratic Party will do whatever they can to get themselves re-elected," said Williams, who is running in the Democratic primary but is also the Working Families candidate. "We have always put people first.

"They don't even know how to talk about public safety," he added in a nod to continuing concerns about rising crime rates exacerbated by Tuesday's subway shooting in Brooklyn that wounded 27 people.

"I have always said that the reason I am in this race, and the reason Ana Maria is in this race, is because there was going to be a continuation of what we had previous to this governor," he said, "... and this governor was part of that administration."

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Holy Thursday Besmirched by Catholic 'Judases' Declares American Life League

These Bishops are "Selling Out the Body of Christ" by Communing Abortion Promoting Politicos



NEWS PROVIDED BY

American Life League

April 13, 2022



WASHINGTON, April 13, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- The American Life League is naming names as the national pro-life organization calls out several Roman Catholic bishops for giving the body of Christ to politicians who publicly advocate for abortion. Labeling these clerics as the "Judases of the Last Supper," the American Life League is urging faithful Catholics to speak up about the blatant disconnect between Catholic doctrine and the blind-eye being turned to elected officials who call themselves Catholic while freely promoting abortion, which the Roman Catholic church declares to be an abhorrent mortal sin. Most notable among them being Cardinal Gregory and Cardinal Cupich.



Catholic Canon Law 915 states clearly, "Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."



Anyone who is "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin" is not to receive Holy Communion. This means that anyone who has been persistent in publicly supporting grave sin has automatically excommunicated themselves by going against Church teaching in a way that scandalizes our Lord and his Church.



The Church recognizes that abortion is a "grave sin." Politicians who publicly support abortion are "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin." Manifest is the key word here, meaning they did so in the public eye.



But Canon Law doesn't end there. Once a Catholic politician publicly supports abortion, they are to be refused communion until they, "remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible." This is according to Canon 916.



American Life League is not calling on our Bishops to deny communion to Catholic pro-abortion politicians to create political drama. The act of enforcing Canon 915 is supposed to be directly followed by Canon 916, which results in the politician making a good confession, for the point of saving their soul. This is the whole point.



American Life League President and cofounder Judie Brown, served under two popes on the Pontifical Academy for Life, which under the direction of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, is dedicated to promoting the denomination's consistent life ethic.



"This is about protecting Christ in the Eucharist," explained Brown. "The Catholic church teaches that abortion is a mortal sin, a sin that must be confessed before an individual presents himself to receive the Body of Christ. Yet these bishops are ignoring the very fact that national political figures, like President Joe Biden, claim to be Catholic while promoting the deliberate murder of preborn children. By complacently giving the body of Christ these openly unrepentant promoters of death by abortion, these bishops are betraying Christ after the manner of Judas. Judas was at the Last Supper table with Jesus and His disciples when Christ instituted the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. During this season of Lent, leading up to that supper on Holy Thursday, we are painfully aware that in today's Catholic church, Judas is still in the room, administering the Eucharist to those who freely mock the church's teaching about abortion."



Among the Roman Catholic clerics identified by American Life League as "betraying Christ's body and blood" by being complicit in this desecration of the Eucharist include:

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, says yes to administering the Eucharist to pro-abortion politicians.



* When pressed on whether or not he would follow Church teaching on Canon 915, the Archbishop saidplain and simplehe would not.



* When pressed on whether or not he would follow Church teaching on Canon 915, the Archbishop saidplain and simplehe would not. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington (DC), will not deny Joe Biden the Eucharist, despite the President's ongoing and intentional abortion advocacy.



* Despite Biden's continued and deep-rooted support of abortion, Gregory will not deny him Communion.



 Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archdiocese of Newark, is "wishy washy" on the Eucharist and refuses to take a stance against abortion-promoting communicants.



* When the USCCB began drafting a document on receiving Communion, Tobin criticized it saying it was "born in some confusion."



* Despite Biden's continued and deep-rooted support of abortion, Gregory will not deny him Communion.  Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archdiocese of Newark, is "wishy washy" on the Eucharist and refuses to take a stance against abortion-promoting communicants. * When the USCCB began drafting a document on receiving Communion, Tobin criticized it saying it was "born in some confusion." Bishop Robert McElroy, Diocese of San Diego, does not want to deny the Eucharist to pro-abortion public figures.



* Bishop McElroy bashed the idea of refusing President Biden the Eucharist, completely missing the point of Canon Law.



* Bishop McElroy bashed the idea of refusing President Biden the Eucharist, completely missing the point of Canon Law. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who is no fan of enforcing Canon 915, which forbids the administration of Holy Communion to those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin.



* In 2019, when then Catholic Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act into law, Dolan stated he would not enforce Canon 915 on the hypocritical governor.



* In 2019, when then Catholic Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act into law, Dolan stated he would not enforce Canon 915 on the hypocritical governor. Bishop David Zubik, Diocese of Pittsburgh, refuses to lend strong support to electing pro-life candidates.



*A member of his diocese even wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper expressing deep concern for Zubik's lack of faithful leadership, especially on abortion and electing pro-life politicians.

About American Life League

The American Life League has been leading the fight against abortion from its inception. Since 1979, the American Life League has committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death with a pro-life integrity that stands up for every innocent human being whose life is threatened by a "culture of death." For more information visit all.org.



SOURCE American Life League



CONTACT: Thomas Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net


By now, we all realize that something is happening in the U.S. labor movement. During the first half of fiscal year 2022, union representation petitions filed at the National Labor Relations Board increased 57%. More than 200 Starbucks stores have petitioned to hold a union election.

The election results are beginning to roll in: 19 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize, thousands of Amazon workers at the Staten Island JFK8 warehouse just voted to form their own union, and dozens more elections are teed up.

Such workers won despite the fact that their employers spent multiple millions of dollars in attempts to defeat them. How? Because norms are shifting. Workers are realizing that they can do better with a union.

Gallup polling shows that public approval of unions has reached its highest point since 1965, with 68% of Americans approving of labor unions. Support for a union in the workplace rises to 74% for workers aged 18 to 24, 75% for Hispanic workers, 80% for Black workers and 82% for Black women workers.

Turns out American workers want workplace democracy.

All eyes are now on whether the freshly unionized employees at Starbucks and Amazon will achieve victories at the bargaining table. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that they will succeed. Union households earn up to 20% more than non-union households, with an even greater union advantage for workers with less formal education and workers of color.

Besides better outcomes in the paycheck, unionized workers have better benefits, enjoy safer workplaces, have better health and have higher civic engagement. Who wouldnt vote for a raise and a better life?

Achieving increases in terms and conditions of employment will not be easy for these workers. Antiquated labor law does not require employers to reach an agreement with their employees. But Amazon and Starbucks workers are not organizing in traditional ways.

First, their successful union efforts are bottom up, grassroots worker-based movements. Second, these workers are savvier in communicating with their coworkers through social media.

Third, these workers are mobilizing community support and finding pressure points by exposing employers bad acts, thereby reducing the value of the stock.

Fourth, the national labor shortage has provided workers with leverage to vocalize opposition and risk their jobs in unionizing.

Finally, the pandemic has laid bare the vast income inequality in the U.S. Why should high-level executives earn millions, while their workforce cannot afford to pay for rent, transportation, student loans or health insurance? Common decency suggests that the economy should be fairer to all workers.

Cornell University has created a course to teach workers the nuts and bolts of how to form a union in their workplace. Unionization should be available to every worker.

Catherine Creighton, a lawyer, is director of the Cornell University School of Industrial Labor Relations Buffalo Co-lab.
As an American of Polish heritage, I have found Dyngus Day to be a distinct rite of passage. My earliest memories were of my mom taking me to Chopins Dyngus Day party as early as my 18th year (the official drinking age back in the day). After all, Mom was active in the Polish community.

A few years later, our entire family worked at a friends Polish restaurant on the East Side of Buffalo. Dyngus Day meant having a great time while working and connecting with so many friends.

Fast forward several years. One evening I was out with my husband and a couple of his friends; I was his designated driver. Talk turned to how they could expose the entire concept of Dyngus Day to a larger crowd. We determined that the way to go would be a spontaneous, quirky parade that would wind through the East Side and ultimately end with a party at the Central Terminal, where my husband and I were volunteers.

The parade would be open for free to anyone and everyone who wanted to participate. The only criteria were displays of Polish pride  wearing of red and white, Polish flags  and, of course, pussy willows and squirt guns.

That first year, no one knew what to expect, and as always, I enlisted my family as volunteers; Dyngus Day is about family. I was left at the terminal to oversee arriving guests. While the ragtag parade of about 20 entries crept up the promenade, people of all ages, colors and ethnicities wandered into the Grand Hall, wondering what was going on. Most everyone stayed and partied into the night.

The second year of the parade, I again remained at the terminal and the response was overwhelming. My mom couldnt keep up with the rush of people trying to enter the building, while my daughter feverishly worked the ticket booth and the bar with no end in sight. Dyngus Day and the parade were becoming a Buffalo success story.

By the third year, my husband was very ill. Mom sold Dyngus Day merchandise at the Broadway Market and he sat with her, watching his dream march by him.

Sadly, by the fourth year, my husband had passed, so I asked his friends if I could continue to organize the parade in his memory. Thus began a tradition that continued to grow and has become an almost yearlong project. Of course, family and friends all volunteered  some of whom were not even Polish.

But the parade, along with many other events, continued to grow and grow. Floats got bigger, participants became more diverse, organizations came from many parts of the U.S. and even other parts of the world. Their dreams were all coming true and Buffalo became the Dyngus Day capital of the world.

In January 2020, personal family situations forced me to step down as voluntary parade coordinator. I did so with a heavy heart, but felt that all of my efforts were worth it. Dyngus Day is now a staple on the Western New York calendar and a greatly anticipated event. People from around the U.S. and Canada use it as an occasion to celebrate our Polish traditions.

As for my family, Mom is now dancing her polkas in heaven with Dad and her friends. This coming Dyngus Day, my daughter will be working at her business catering a buffet consisting of Polish sausage and, of course, homemade lazy pierogi. I will be with my 6-month-old grandson, wearing red and white, and telling him all about pussy willows and squirt guns.

And somewhere is an energetic visionary man who will be enjoying a shot of Krupnik with an Okocim. Only this time he wont be needing a designated driver.
The yellow perch in Lake Erie are picking up, Lake Ontario brown trout are off to a good start and the bullhead action was decent last weekend. Finally, the ice is almost completely gone. As the water heats up, so will the fishing.

Bullhead contest winners announced

The 10th annual Niagara County Bullhead Tournament was held last weekend and Matt Wilson of Wheatfield won with two bullheads weighing a total of 4.15 pounds. The weigh-in took place at the Wilson Conservation Club on Sunday. Wilson collected $420 for his victory among 114 anglers with 41 junior fishermen. Wilson was fishing the east branch of 12 Mile Creek with green worms at night. Runner-up was John Pinkham of Newfane with 4.11 pounds for two bullheads, fishing Olcott Harbor with shrimp during the day. He won $250.

Third place was Tyler Taz Morrison of Wilson with two fish weighing 3.88 pounds. He fished the west branch of 12 Mile Creek with cured shrimp during the day. Justin Botting of Newfane placed fourth with two fish weighing 3.56 pounds. He was fishing the west branch of 12 Mile Creek with shrimp at night. Trevor Morrison of Buffalo took fifth place with 3.47 pounds for two bullheads. He fished the west branch of 12 Mile with shrimp during the day.

In the youth division, Paul Fioco of Ontario set the pace with two fish weighing 3.88 pounds. He fished in Olcott Harbor with shrimp in the morning. Second place was McKenna Deal with 2.99 pounds for two bullheads. She worked the east branch of 12 Mile Creek. Third place was Chase Kelly with 2.97 pounds; fourth place was Logan Wilson with 2.85 pounds; and Andrew Zastrow was fifth with 2.71 pounds of bullhead.

Lake Erie and tributaries

Yellow perch continue to cooperate off Cattaraugus Creek according to Steve Haak of South Wales. Best depth was 54 to 56 feet of water, seeking the fish on his graph. Live emerald shiners did the trick over the weekend. Shub Stevens with Catt. Creek Bait and Tackle in Irving agrees that the perch bite has been good out of the Catt. Most boats were headed east. He says to target 40 to 55 feet of water. Emerald shiners are the top bait. Golden shiners have been productive, too. Capt. Ned Librock of Pendleton and Roy Larson of North Tonawanda boated 90 nice perch Tuesday in 57 to 58 feet of water off Angola. We are at the tail end of the trout fishing in the tributaries according to local guide Justin Warriner of North Tonawanda. Hes been picking up fish from Cattaraugus Creek and it should continue for another week or two. Target your efforts down low. Use beads and jigs for trout. As trout are moving out of 18 Mile Creek, smallmouth bass have been moving in. In the lake, Warriner says that the smallmouth bass action is just starting to get good. Try dragging ned rigs, tubes or drop shot rigs. He says that this is a transition time and fishing should be getting better every day. It was announced this week that there will be an in-person Angler Outreach event (State of Lake Erie) presentation on April 26 at Woodlawn Beach State Park from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Niagara River

Action has not been consistent. Overall, it has been a tough bite according to Capt. Frank Campbell of Lewiston. There have been limited numbers of steelhead and brown trout available. The best bite has been with lake trout, both in the river and on the Niagara Bar. Minnows will give you the most bites for the day. A large chunk of the ice bridge broke free last weekend. Once the ice is gone, the water temperatures should start to warm up. Shore anglers have been picking up trout in the gorge. Mike Ziehm of Niagara Falls reports that a couple lake trout in Devils Hole were cooperating. as were bass. His 5/16th white jigs worked best. Water is stained after months of clear water above the power plant. Visibility is down to 3 feet and the power plant was still pumping a little dirty water as well. The steelhead bite has been slow. Seemingly the only person who did respectable on steelhead was Mike Rzucidlo of Niagara Falls on Monday and Tuesday. He used homemade jigs and spinners to take a couple steelhead each day in the gorge area. NYPA fishing platform action was okay by the corner. Rzucidlo saw 10 to 15 dark bows jump Tuesday with 4 to 5 feet of visibility.

Lake Ontario and tributaries

Lake Ontario tributaries have been giving up steelhead here and there as temperatures start to heat up and fish drop back to the lake according to guide Scott Feltrinelli with Ontario Fly Outfitters. Brown trout numbers in the tributaries still seem to be very low. Look for fish on gravel or faster water this time of year. Faster water provides oxygen these fish need to move and feed according to Feltrinelli. The gravel offers opportunities to catch fish that are trying to spawn in these ideal water temperatures, which will not last long as April fades. Smallmouth bass are entering the creeks to spawn, so be prepared to hook up with aggressively feeding bass. Large pike are entering the small creeks to spawn as well. Remember that pike season opens May 1. There are some suckers in the creeks. Feltrinelli caught most of his fish on a black woolie bugger. The shoreline waters of this Great Lake are continuing to heat up, which is good news for trollers. Paul Najuch of Pendleton was fishing out of Olcott this past week and scored on nice brown trout and lake trout. He caught browns up to 10 pounds using J9 Rapalas off planer boards, back 70 to 120 feet, along the mudline in the evening. He also caught a half-dozen lake trout off his downriggers using Dream Weaver spoons 60 feet down and 60 feet back on the bottom. So far it has been a great season for browns according to Chris Kenyon of Wolcott. The sizes are larger than last year and the catch rate is much higher along the Wayne County shoreline near Sodus. There have been a few spring kings in the mix just west of Pultneyville. Glow stickbaits like Bay Rats have been working, trolling lures back 100 feet. The Coast Guard Station launch is open at Sodus Point. The Bear Creek launch will not be open until Memorial Day. Port Bay perch have been scattered and the bite is not there. On Sodus Bay, fish around LeRoy Island for perch with glow jigs tipped with spikes. Remember to wear your personal flotation device until May 1 if you have a boat under 21 feet in length. The Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association will have a Fishing Flea Market from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. before their meeting on April 14 at the North Amherst Firehall, 2200 Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst. The meeting at 7 p.m. will feature tips on spring king salmon fishing.

Chautauqua Lake

It has been hit or miss on crappie fishing according to Capt. Mike Sperry with Chautauqua Reel Outdoors. The night bite and early morning has been the best from reports. Emerald shiners, fatheads and rosy reds are working. Tube jigs, 1/32 ounce Mini Mites and jigs tipped with a minnow will work as well. Many fish being caught are undersized in the canals right now. The minimum size for crappies is now 10 inches.

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Cambridge, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - EST Global Inc. is proud to have established powerful neobanking solutions for migrant laborers in India like BRANCHX and Africa respectively. The group has long been working for financial inclusion in several markets around the world and this represents a significant step forward in bringing FinTech solutions to people who don't have access to traditional financial solutions.

EST Global's financial solutions combine a digital wallet, access to investing channels, single API BNPL a lending management product and a global payment gateway, Ezipay. All of this can be accessed with just a phone which eliminates the barriers to entry. Early signs have shown that such a solution can be transformational for the people affected because it helps to transform a rural economy into one that can plug into the rest of the global financial infrastructure.





Dr. Sindhu Bhaskar



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8742/120179_d9c1671914e24be3_001full.jpg

The initiative is led by Dr. Sindhu Bhaskar, an experienced executive and entrepreneur who is the Co-Chairman and CEO of EST Global Inc. Dr. Sindhu sits on several boards including the Government Blockchain Association in Washington D.C. and this experience and access to expertise has no doubt been instrumental in creating the company's FinTech offering. He is well known as a thought leader in the financial services space globally, mentoring and undertaking numerous speaking engagements at technology forums and gatherings around the world.

The stated purpose of the project is well illustrated through the following maxim:

"Fundamental change and radical transformation can be achieved through the FinTech revolution and digital evolution."

This speaks to the purpose-driven perspective that is at the heart of the company's efforts. Clients will be able to take back control of their financial destiny and regain the stability that is so often needed for long-term success.

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This form of participative capitalism is intended to become a catalyst for improving economic growth in these developing regions through the power of technology. If these sorts of neobanks succeed in what they're trying to achieve, it will bode well for the future of the rural economy and the dignity of those families who, up until now, have been totally disconnected from the wider financial system as a whole. It will usher DDAO (Democratic Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) as he thinks.

EST Global Inc. has joined hands with Rhiti Group in India to launch the Agritech platform, a unique platform that looks at agriculture as a tool for development of rural economy and not just an occupation. FAB (Fintech & Blockchain) Association, and SHE FAB is the Decentralized Platform for Digital Knowledge & Intelligence Proliferation here is an implicit effort to create P2P digital empowerment thru tech education among students, women and farmers. Universities like Chandigarh University and IMS Ghaziabad have joined hands and other universities and colleges in other parts of the globe shall be soon inking out agreements.

--

About EST Global Inc.

EST Global Inc. is a FinTech company that seeks to provide financial inclusion for all. They do this through a combination of technology products and on-the-ground initiatives in India, Africa, and Latin America. Acting as a strategic partner in many of these projects, they work with local providers to leverage emerging technology and cutting-edge FinTech innovation to bring more people into the global financial system.

To find out more, you can visit their website at https://www.estglobalinc.com/

Contact Info

Dr. Sindhu Bhaskar

+1 786 554 0579

sindhu@estglobalinc.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/120179
A French court on Tuesday sentenced Nicolas Zepeda, a Chilean man, to 28 years in jail for murdering his Japanese ex-girlfriend in 2016 in eastern France, after a high-profile investigation spanning three continents.

The jury at the court in Besancon convicted Nicolas Zepeda, 31, * of murdering Narumi Kurosaki, then aged 21, in December 2016. Prosecutors had called for a life sentence.

Kurosaki, a brilliant scholarship student, arrived in the eastern city in the summer of 2016 to learn French. She disappeared on 4 December.

Zepeda, with whom she had broken up a year before, was the last person to see her alive.

As the verdict was read out after four hours of jury deliberations, Zepeda remained motionless, looking dejected.

Sitting opposite, Narumi Kurosaki's mother Taeko Kurosaki watched him, her head tilted slightly to the side, handkerchief in hand and still holding the photo of her daughter she had clutched since the start of the trial late last month.

"It's a huge relief for the family," said Sylvie Galley, the lawyer for Kurosaki's family.

"They will leave today with a lot of pain and suffering... but also with the feeling that this pain was heard," she told reporters.

Earlier, Zepeda, who proclaimed his innocence throughout the trial, again denied murdering Kurosaki.

"I am not Narumi's killer," Zepeda told the court before the six members of the jury and three judges retired to consider their verdict.

"I am not who I would like to be but I am not a killer and I am not the killer of Narumi," he added, speaking in French for the first time in the trial.

'Five years of suffering'

Prosecutors alleged that Zepeda was unable to deal with the couple's breakup, coming to Besancon to kill Kurosaki in her student dorm room before dumping the body in the forests of the rugged Jura region.

The Chilean has admitted spending the night with Kurosaki in December, claiming he ran into her by chance while travelling through France.

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But several witnesses reported hearing "screams of terror" and thuds "as if someone was striking someone else" -- though none called the police at the time.

But so far no trace has been found of Kurosaki's remains.

It was more than a week later, on 13 December, that a university administrator reported her missing, at which point Zepeda had already left for Chile after spending several days with a cousin in Spain.

Zepeda turned himself in to Chilean police and said Kurosaki had been alive when he left her after spending the night together.

No sign of blood or a struggle was found in Kurosaki's student room, and all her belongings were still there apart from a suitcase and a blanket.

Zepeda quickly became the prime suspect after he was found to have gone out of his way via a forest, and to have bought matches and a container of flammable liquid.

Some of Kurosaki's friends received strange messages in the following days from her social networking accounts, which police believe were sent by Zepeda.

He was extradited from his country to France in 2020.

In her testimony last week, Taeko Kurosaki called Zepeda a "liar" and said that "this demon cannot remain free."

"She expressed five years of suffering during her testimony in court," Galley said.

(with AFP)
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will convene a meeting of top international financial officials next week to address a global food-security crisis, with the heads of institutions including the IMF urging action to address dire consequences of record price surges caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Most Read from Bloomberg

With over 275 million people facing acute food insecurity, I am deeply concerned about the impact of Russias war on food prices and supply, particularly on poor populations, Yellen said in a speech to the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington Wednesday.

Next weeks food summit will take place in Washington alongside the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Participants will include ministers representing the G-7 and G-20, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass, according to Treasury spokesperson Alexandra LaManna.

Georgieva, Malpass, United Nations World Food Program Executive Director David Beasley and World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued a joint statement asking the international community to support vulnerable countries through grants to cover urgent financing needs.

Increasing Pressure

High food prices and supply shortages are increasing pressure on households worldwide and pushing millions more into poverty, the leaders said, adding that their institutions stand ready to address the crisis. The threat is highest for the poorest countries with a large share of consumption from food imports, but vulnerability is increasing rapidly in middle-income countries, which host the majority of the worlds poor.

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Speaking in a question-and-answer session after her Atlantic Council speech, Yellen said this will be an urgent concern for us next week to try and think about how we can stave off starvation around the world.

Soaring food prices will contribute to sending more than a quarter-billion more people around the world into poverty this year, charity group Oxfam International warned earlier this week.

Ukraine and Russia are among the top five grain exporters, and the war poses a massive blow to both production and shipments, causing food prices to rise at their fastest pace yet. Several countries, including Egypt, Turkey Bangladesh and Iran buy more than 60% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, a United Nations report shows.

The Washington confab will discuss the urgent response to the ongoing food security crisis that has been severely exacerbated by Russias invasion of Ukraine, LaManna said.

(Updates with additional Yellen comment in fourth paragraph)

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Sobia Shaikh, left, and Maria Dussan say the provincial government can do more to help immigrants who are following through the cracks. (Paula Gale & Katie Breen/CBC - image credit)

Paula Gale & Katie Breen/CBC

Newfoundland and Labrador's Anti-Racism Coalition welcomes the provincial government's decision to offer MCP and prescription drug coverage to Ukrainians seeking refuge  and says the same should be done for all immigrants entering the province.

Maria Dussan, who leads the coalition's Healthcare for All committee, says the provincial government can do more to help migrants who are falling through the cracks.

"It's disappointing that this swift policy is not also being offered to other migrant groups that are coming to this province," Dussan said Tuesday. "In a lot of cases, migrants who have been studying, working and living in this province for so long are falling through the cracks and [aren't] able to qualify for MCP."

Under current guidelines, Dussan said, migrants whose immigration permits expire in less than a year after they arrive are unable to apply for provincial medical coverage.

The rule also applies to workers who have work contracts less than a year in length, unless the worker has been approved to enter the province through the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program or the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

The coalition has written a letter to Health Minister John Haggie calling on the provincial government to make MCP access available to all immigrants entering or who are already living in the province, including temporary foreign workers, international students regardless of full-time status, asylum seekers and people stranded in the province due to COVID-19.

Dussan said a lack of coverage can put the health  and even lives  of immigrants and new Canadians in the province at risk.

"People are avoiding seeking medical attention because they are afraid that if they get a potential problem checked out, that they are going to be tangled in this huge amount of debt that is going to jeopardize their future in this province."

CBC

Sobia Shaikh, the coalition's co-chair, said she was happy to see swift and compassionate action from the provincial government for Ukrainians but the lack of guaranteed coverage for other migrants could deter others looking to enter the province.

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"For folks who've been here longer, people who are not yet here from places like Somalia or Algeria where there's war, it really is a very unwelcoming gesture," Shaikh said.

"I just heard some young people say, 'We're actually being pushed out. We don't have health care, we don't have access to basic necessities to live here readily easily. We're leaving because we have not been made to feel welcomed.'"

Dussan said having health care guarantees that people's lives are being protected.

"What better way  to retain migrants in this province than to show that they care about people by protecting their lives and protecting their health?" she said.

PC health critic Paul Dinn said Monday that anyone coming into the province should have access to the same benefits as residents.

"The figures we've looked at  a huge bunch of those are temporary immigrants. So if allowing an extension of MCP will keep them here, then that's working in the right place," he said.

Peter Cowan/CBC

The provincial government announced in December that MCP coverage for international post-secondary students is now available for up to 90 days after graduation.

Haggie said Tuesday health-care coverage is tied to federal measures and that the province "stepped up to fill the gap" due to uncertainty around visas being given to people coming to Newfoundland and Labrador from Ukraine.

Haggie said the Department of Health is unaware of systemic gaps in the province's visa coverage but he has heard from people who believe they have fallen through the cracks.

"I would suggest that 90 per cent of those are communication and paperwork issues, and we've resolved pretty well most of them."

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks ahead of the peace talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Hopes are growing that Russia-Ukraine peace talks might be close to a breakthrough, though some commentators are sceptical about promises coming from Moscow.

On Tuesday, Russia said it would scale back its operations in the cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv to increase trust in the negotiations, as delegations for both sides wrapped up for the day in Istanbul, Turkey.

Russias deputy defence minister Alexander Fomin said the announcement is intended to create conditions for further negotiations, according to The Associated Press. However, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian team of negotiators, later said the de-escalation is not a ceasefire, according to Reuters, raising questions about how genuine the apparent compromise actually is.

Heres what we know so far.

Whats happening?

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have resumed peace talks after four previous rounds failed to make much progress.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country hosted Tuesdays talks, called on both sides to end the war. Prolonging the conflict is not in anyones interest, Erdogan said.

The first three rounds of in-person talks took place in Belarus. The first talks, on February 28, four days after the Russian invasion, ended without resolution.

On March 14, Russia and Ukraine started a fourth round of talks via video link, and once again ended without a diplomatic resolution despite optimism from both sides.

The end of fighting is the ultimate goal, but even establishing humanitarian routes to provide safe passage for civilians out of the warzone have proved problematic.

What is Russia asking for?

No-one fully understands what Putins plans truly are, though his description in 2005 of the collapse of the Soviet Union as the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century points to his desire to re-establish something akin to the old USSR.

Strictly in terms of demands from the talks, Russia wants legal assurances that Ukraine will never join the military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation  or Nato  and its 30 member nations. They want Ukraine to take a so-called neutral status and change its constitution to guarantee this.

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The Kremlin has also demanded that Ukraine acknowledges Crimea, which Putin annexed in 2014, as Russian territory. It also wants recognition of the independence of pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland of Donbas. The conflict in the region, which has claimed at least 14,000 lives, was Russias fabricated pretext to invade Ukraine last month.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. (Photo: via Associated Press)

The Financial Times reported on Monday that some of the demands in the draft agreement prepared as part of the peace talks had been modified. Russia is still asking for Ukraine to stay out of the Nato alliance, but would allow Kyiv to join the EU and have other security guarantees. The draft document has also been stripped any discussion of three of Russias initial core demands  denazification, demilitarisation and legal protection for the Russian language in Ukraine.

What is Ukraine asking for?

The Ukrainian delegation is seeking a ceasefire and a troop withdrawal. Ukraine has said it is willing to negotiate, but not to surrender or accept any ultimatums. Its delegates have given no signal they are willing to compromise on its territories.

But Kyiv has shown willingness to bend on Nato. Since 2019, joining Nato has been enshrined in the Ukrainian constitution. Ukraine becoming part of the alliance would represent the latest member of the former Soviet bloc to join, after enlargement in the 1990s and 2000s brought in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The growth of Nato  where each member agrees to mutual defence in response to an enemy attack  has been Putins biggest publicly-stated grievance with the US and its allies during the build-up up to war.

(Photo: PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images)

Ahead of the last round of talks, Ukraine indicated it had cooled on the long-term objective of membership. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who publicly supported Nato membership before Russia invaded, said Ukraine was prepared to accept security guarantees that stop short of joining Nato.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy confirmed he is open to neutrality in Ukraine, which would also mean the country would have to remain impartial in any future conflicts and no foreign military bases would be allowed on its territory.

Security guarantees and neutrality, non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to go for it, Zelenskyy told Russian journalists, according to an English translation provided by Reuters.

All other countries in Europe that are considered neutral, including Austria, Finland and Ireland, continue to have their own militaries to be able to fight back in case they are attacked, according to Vox.

Still, Zelenskyy added that a ceasefire agreement would have to be reached before any deal, including a neutrality commitment, goes to a referendum. A referendum is impossible when there is the presence of troops, he said.

Ukraine has also sought security guarantees from countries including Russia, the US, Germany and China, David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskyys party in parliament and a member of Ukraines negotiating team, told the Financial Times. Those guarantees would work similarly to Natos Article 5 clause where countries are committed to support a member being attacked, Arakhamia explained.

Is a breakthrough actually possible?

Russias promise to scale back military operations around Kyiv and northern Ukraine may be born of its failing military campaign rather than a genuine appetite for peace. In any case, the West and Ukraine are not confident an imminent breakthrough is possible.

An anonymous senior US state department official told Reuters on Monday: Everything I have seen is [Putin] is not willing to compromise at this point.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Zelenskyy, told ABC News on Thursday that even though there was genuine engagement from Russia in the peace talks, it could still be months before any conclusion is reached.

Theyre absolutely real negotiations, Podolyak said. Theres no attempt to stall for time. Thats definitely not there.

Story has been updated throughout based on the latest round of peace talks

This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.

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Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) - 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/eng/tamil-nadu-common-entrance-test-tancet.htm Details of Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) - 2022 2022-3-7 2022-4-18 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) - 2022 Management

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2021 : On 20th - 21st March 2021

Category : Management Admissions 2022 Published : On March 7, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Commencement of spot registration/registration through internet January 9, 2021 Last date for Registration February 12th, 2021 Dates and Time of Entrance Test M.C.A March 20, 2021 (10.00 am to 12.00 noon) M.B.A March 20, 2021 (2.30 pm to 04.30 pm) M.E./ M.Tech./ M.Arch./ M.Plan March 21, 2021 (10.00 am to 12.00 noon)

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) is conducted for seeking admission to MBA, MCA and M.E./M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan.

The Degree programmes for the academic year 2021 - 2022 consists of the following two steps:

1. Appearing for the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2021 in March 2021.

2. Applying for admission to the admitting authorities concerned.

Students are advised to look for separate advertisements to be released by the admitting authorities for admission

1 Programs of Study

a) Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)

b) Master of Computer Applications (M.C.A)

c) Master of Engineering (M.E) / Master of Technology (M.Tech) /Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) / Master of Planning (M.Plan.)

The Government of Tamilnadu have authorised Anna University for conducting the Tamilnadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) for admission to 1) M.B.A 2) M.C.A & 3) M.E./ M.Tech./ M.Arch./ M.Plan. Degree Programmes offered in colleges in Tamilnadu. G.O. (D) No. 73,Higher Education (J2) Department, dated 03.03.2016



Applications can be registered online for Tamilnadu Common Entrance Test for admission to

a) M.B.A. Degree Programme

b) M.C.A. Degree Programme

Offered at

i. University Departments of Anna University, Chennai  25

Anna University Regional Campuses and University College of Engineering.

ii. Government & Government Aided Engineering Colleges and Arts & Science Colleges.and

iii. Self-financing Colleges (Engineering, Arts & Science Colleges / including stand-alone Institutions) under Government Quota and seats voluntarily surrendered by the Self-financing Colleges in Tamilnadu for admission through Single - Window System.

Other Universities functioning under the state Act in Tamilnadu and self-financing colleges (Engineering Colleges, Arts & Science Colleges / including stand-alone Institutions) may also opt to admit the candidates on the basis of the Tamilnadu Common Entrance Test 2021

c)M.E./M.TECH/M.ARCH./M.PLAN. Degree Programmes Offered at

i.University Departments of Anna University, Chennai  25, Anna University Regional Campuses and University Colleges of Engineering.

ii. Government & Government Aided Engineering Colleges. and

iii. Self - financing Engineering Colleges for the seats voluntarily surrendered for admission through single window counselling.

Other institutions may also opt to admit candidates on the basis of the Tamilnadu Common Entrance Test 2021.



Eligibility :

MBA

A pass in a recognised Bachelors degree of minimum 3 years duration and obtained at least 50 % (45 % in the case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the qualifying degree examination.

(a) 10+2+3/4years pattern (or)

(b) 10+3 years Diploma +3 years pattern (or)

(c) B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch./B.Pharm.(or)

(d) (i) 10+2+AMIE (or)

(ii) 10+3 years diploma (awarded by the State Board of Technical Education) + AMIE

MCA

A pass in a recognised Bachelors degree of minimum 3 years duration with mathematics at 10+2 level or at Graduate level and obtained at least 50 % (45 % in the case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the qualifying degree examination.

(a) 10+2+3/4 years Pattern (or)

(b) 10+3 years Diploma + 3 years Pattern

(c) (i) 10+2+AMIE*(or)

(ii) 10+3 years diploma (awarded by the State Board of Technical Education) + AMIE*

MCA Lateral Entry

A pass in a recognised Bachelors degree of minimum 3 years duration in BCA, B.Sc. (Computer Science / Information Technology) with mathematics at 10+2 level or at Graduate level and obtained at least 50 % (45 % in the case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the qualifying degree examination. 10+2+3 years Pattern.

a. A pass in a recognised Bachelors degree or equivalent in the relevant field and obtained atleast 50 % (45 % in the case of candidates belonging to reserved category) in the qualifying degree examination.

(i) B.E./B.Tech./B.Arch. (or)

(ii) B.Pharm. (or)

(iii) Masters Degree in the relevant branch of Science / Arts, which are prescribed.

b. (i) 10+2+AMIE *(or)

(ii) 10+3 years diploma (awarded by the State Board of Technical Education) + AMIE

Candidates with Section A & B certificates (A.M.I.E.) and other similar certificates of professional bodies viz. Aeronautical Society of India etc., recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India and enrolled before 31.5.2013 are considered to be equivalent to B.E. / B.Tech. Degree holders, only with 2 years regular full time experience in the relevant field after successful completion of the course including project work. An experience certificate has to be produced by the candidates.

TANCET Exam Guidelines

Duration : 2 Hours

MBA

Duration : 2 Hours

The question paper will have sections to

i) evaluate the candidates ability to identify critically the data and apply the data to business decisions from given typical business situations.

ii) evaluate the skill of the candidate in answering questions based on the passages in the comprehension.

iii) evaluate the skill on solving mathematical problems at graduate level including those learnt in plus two or equivalent level.

iv) test on determining data sufficiency for answering certain questions using the given data and the knowledge of mathematics and use of day - to - day facts.

v) test the knowledge on written English with questions on errors in usage, grammar, punctuation and the like

MCA

The question paper will have the following sections:

i) Quantitative ability ii) Analytical reasoning

iii)Logical reasoning

iv) Computer awareness

A few questions may also be on verbal activity, basic science, etc.

M.E./M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan.

The question paper will have three parts.

Part - I and Part - II are compulsory and under Part - III the candidates have to answer the section which has been chosen at the time of registration. If a candidate appears for different section, Part III will not be evaluated.

The syllabi for the entrance test are available in www.annauniv.edu/tancet syllabi 2021 The questions will be set at undergraduate level.

Entrance Test Centers

Chennai, Coimbatore, Chidambaram, Dindigul, Erode, Karaikudi, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Villupuram, Virudhunagar

How to Apply

Candidates can register through online only by filling - up the application and submitting the same along with a good quality recently taken photograph.

Entrance Test Fee (Only through Online)

Candidates have to pay 600/-(300/- for SC /SCA /ST candidates) towards the entrance test fee for any one of the programmes either .

1. M.B.A. (or)

2. M.C.A (or)

3. M.E/M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan.degree programme.

Candidate registering for more than one programme has to pay 600/-(300/-for SC/SCA/ST candidates belonging to Tamilnadu) for each additional programme through online only.

More Details can be available from the Official website.

Contact Details Address The Secretary

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)

Centre for Entrance Examinations

Anna University,

Chennai  600 025. Phone : 044 - 2235 8314 Fax : - Mobile : - E-mail : Contact I Website : www.annauniv.edu

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State Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie, who has represented parts of Dane County for almost 20 years, announced Wednesday that he will not seek another term in the Assembly.

With his retirement, Hebl, 70, becomes the seventh Assembly Democrat to announce they wont be running for reelection. Thirteen Assembly Republicans have also announced they wont be running for another term. In total, more than 20% of Assembly members are not running again  either because theyre retiring or opting for a different role.

Im sad to leave the State Capitol, Hebl said in a statement. I will forever cherish the memories I have made as a member of the Wisconsin State Legislature. I have formed innumerable relationships which have made me a better legislator, friend, listener and person.

Hebl is the second Dane County lawmaker to announce his Assembly retirement this session. Rep. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, is running for the 27th district Senate seat left vacant by longtime Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-West Point, who announced his retirement in December.

I will always be thankful for the opportunity I had to work with Gary on issues important to WI, especially on the environment, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, said on Twitter.

Hebl said he will focus on his personal life and spending time with his wife, family and grandchildren.

More often than not, I was in the trenches protecting things like public education, protecting the environment, protecting health care affordability and accessibility to those assets that we have, Hebl said in an interview.

I take a lot of satisfaction in knowing that I can work with the other side, he continued, lamenting that the two parties have become more polarized over time.

Hebls retirement leaves open a solidly Democratic district that spans from Sun Prairie to Stoughton.

Dane County Sup. and Cottage Grove Village Board trustee Melissa Ratcliff announced on Wednesday her intention to run for the seat held by Hebl, who beat Republican candidate Terry Lyon by a 2-to-1 margin in 2020.

As State Representative, I will continue my fight for smart business growth, strengthening our K-12 and higher education systems, and ensuring paid family leave for family caregivers, Ratcliff said in a statement.

In the Senate, six lawmakers announced they will not run again  three Democrats and three Republicans. If the state Supreme Court sticks with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers maps, Sen. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, announced he would become the seventh senator to retire.

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Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney  a Republican candidate for attorney general hoping to win over conservative voters ahead of the August primary  filed a complaint Tuesday calling on Gov. Tony Evers to remove five members of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

Toney said the election commissioners broke the law when they refused to send special voting deputies into nursing homes during the 2020 election, one of many longstanding charges of election malfeasance made by Republicans.

The commissions directive led to the Racine County Sheriffs Office recommending charges against the commissioners last year, saying that a lack of voting deputies led to residents with diminished cognitive abilities to vote in the election. Such voters are allowed to vote unless prohibited by a court order.

The Racine County District Attorneys Office declined to take up the charges, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The Milwaukee and Green Lake County district attorneys offices also declined to file charges, saying there was a lack of evidence that election commissioners committed a crime.

The Fond du Lac County District Attorneys Office also doesnt have jurisdiction, Toney noted. Case law and statutes requires election law violations to be filed in an offenders county of residence.

I think its important, as we see voters and members of our state who wonder why isnt Racine doing something, or why arent other offices doing something? Toney said at a press conference Tuesday at the State Capitol.

What we saw from the Wisconsin Elections Commission is they in fact went rogue, Toney said. What they did was illegal.

The commission has long contended that no crimes were committed in their directive to halt special voting deputies. The directive was made unanimously by the bipartisan commission in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic out of fear of spreading the virus to nursing homes.

State law

Under state law, clerks must attempt to send voting deputies into a nursing home twice before mailing a ballot. The commissions direction waived the requirement of two in-person attempts before mailing the ballot in response to feedback from clerks that nursing homes werent allowing deputies in because of COVID.

The commission reversed its guidance on special voting deputies in March 2021.

The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which conducted a review of the 2020 election, found that the election commission didnt follow the law in its directive to not send special voting deputies to nursing homes.

By not seeking a legal opinion from the attorney general on the directive, election commissioners broke the law since they didnt have the authority to take election powers away from the governor and the Legislature, Toney contended.

Toney also said he has not asked Republican leadership to remove their appointed members of the election commission.

Under the complaint process, the elections commission will determine if there is probable cause to refer the complaint to the district attorneys offices.

The election commission does not comment on confidential complaints, said spokesperson Riley Vetterkind.

Campaign battles

Locked into a mud-slinging campaign with former state lawmaker Adam Jarchow in the Republican primary for attorney general, Toney dismissed the idea that his complaint is a political move to boost his campaign.

Were not here to get into the politics, Toney said. The reason that this is important is to defend the integrity of our election and to make sure the public has trust in our election commission.

Toney said no one else with the Fond du Lac County District Attorneys Office worked on a complaint except a staffer who made edits.

In a statement, Jarchow called Toneys public foray into the 2020 election saga a political stunt, saying that Toney didnt pursue criminal probes into the election until becoming a candidate for attorney general.

My focus is on restoring order and keeping our citizens safe in Milwaukee, Green Bay and other places across the state where violence is out of control, Jarchow said.

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The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has spent more than $800,000 to defend a former utility regulator over accusations of bias since state attorneys cut ties amid revelations he traded encrypted messages with utility executives.

Records released to the Wisconsin State Journal show the PSC has authorized 10 payments totaling nearly $806,000 to an attorney representing former Commissioner Mike Huebsch, who is a defendant in legal challenges to two PSC decisions.

The invoices span an eight-month period between July and February when Huebsch fended off efforts to question him and inspect his cellphone for messages, a fight that eventually landed in the state Supreme Court.

Under state law, legal expenses are assessed to the utilities involved, in this case American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative, which dont serve retail customers but charge transmission rates that ultimately affect electricity costs.

Almost all the fees stem from challenges to the 2019 approval of a $492 million power line between Dubuque, Iowa, and Middleton known as Cardinal-Hickory Creek.

In an effort to stop the project, two conservation groups  along with Dane County and other local governments  sued the PSC in state and federal courts, claiming among other things that Huebschs vote was tainted by his service on an advisory board for the regional grid operator, which supported the line.

Opponents later discovered Huebsch had traded text messages with utility executives while the case was before the PSC and, after leaving the commission, applied to lead one of the utilities that received the construction permit, though he didnt get the job.

Huebsch, a former state legislator who served in Gov. Scott Walkers cabinet before joining the PSC in 2015, says the messages were purely personal exchanges with old friends and that he never discussed PSC business outside of official proceedings.

The Supreme Court is now considering whether such relationships create an appearance of bias that could invalidate the permit.

Through his attorney, Huebsch blamed the plaintiffs for running up the tab on utility customers who will ultimately absorb the costs of defending the PSCs decisions.

The best outcome for ratepayers in Wisconsin and across the country would be for this unfounded bias claim to be dismissed as soon as possible, Huebsch said. Every dime they have had to pay until now  including for the co-owners numerous law firms and PSC legal staff  is because of the plaintiffs and their choices.

Huebsch said if the Supreme Court doesnt throw out the bias claim, ratepayers will end up paying to litigate an untold number of copycat bias lawsuits.

An open wallet

Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, which is representing the conservation groups at no charge, said it shocks the conscience for the PSC to be paying a private attorney for a former state official.

Holy moly. That is a staggering number, Learner said when informed of the amount. That is just an open wallet.

Wisconsin law requires the government to provide legal representation or pay reasonable attorney fees and costs to defend officials for actions taken while carrying out their official duties.

According to court records, the PSC notified Huebsch on June 24 that it would no longer represent him in three state and federal cases and advised him to hire an outside attorney.

The commission did not provide any explanation other than to say his interests and those of the Commission may be adverse in light of new information it had not yet reviewed.

That was four days before the utilities notified the courts and the PSC that they had discovered Huebsch had used the encrypted messaging app Signal to communicate with utility executives while the permit application was before the PSC.

PSC spokesperson Matthew Sweeney said the commission has unique obligations and could have different interests and duties relating to transparency than former Commissioner Huebsch would have in his capacity as a private citizen, which could have created a conflict of interest for PSC attorneys.

Huebsch then hired attorney Ryan Walsh, who argued Huebschs case before the Supreme Court and is representing him in the federal lawsuit as well as a separate state court challenge to the PSCs approval of Dairyland Power Cooperatives plans to build a $700 million natural gas plant in Superior.

Challenge on hold

Huebsch voted to approve Dairylands application in January 2020, just days after announcing plans to step down. In April of that year, two months after he left the commission, Huebsch applied to be CEO of Dairyland, though there is no indication he was seriously considered for the position.

The challenge to the Dairyland permit is on hold pending the Supreme Courts ruling on the bias claims in the Cardinal-Hickory Creek case.

A federal judge last year ruled the power line cannot cross a Mississippi River wildlife refuge because of problems with the environmental review but did not address the conflict-of-interest charges.

That case is now under appeal as the utilities continue work on other parts of the line, which they say is needed to deliver wind and solar energy to Madison and other population centers to the east.

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NEW YORK  A man with Wisconsin ties who posted numerous social media videos decrying the U.S. as a racist place awash in violence and recounting his struggle with mental illness remained at large Wednesday, a day after an attack on a subway train in Brooklyn left 10 people wounded by gunfire.

Mayor Eric Adams said in a series of media interviews that investigators now consider Frank R. James a suspect in the shooting. Police had initially said the 62-year-old was being sought for questioning because he had rented a van possibly connected to the attack, but weren't sure whether he was responsible for the shooting.

Adams, speaking to NPR on Wednesday morning, did not offer details on why officials were now seeking James as a suspect beyond citing "new information that became available to the team."

"We are going to continue to close the loop around him and bring him in, and continue the investigation into this horrific act against innocent New Yorkers," the Democrat said on MSNBC.

Authorities said James was a New York City-area native who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that no one answered the door at James' last known Milwaukee address in the city's Harambee neighborhood.

A neighbor, Keilah Miller, 32, who lived in an adjacent apartment at the address, told the New York Times that James was "gruff and standoffish" and "a really weird neighbor."

The gunman sent off smoke grenades in a crowded subway car and then fired at least 33 shots with a 9 mm handgun, police said. Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but all 10 wounded in the shooting were expected to survive. At least a dozen others who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

The shooter escaped in the chaos, but left behind numerous clues, including the gun, ammunition magazines, a hatchet, smoke grenades, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van  the key led investigators to James.

Federal investigators determined the gun used in the shooting was purchased by James at a pawn shop  a licensed firearms dealer  in the Columbus, Ohio, area in 2011, said a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The van was found, unoccupied, near a station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the subway system. No explosives or firearms were found in the van, a law enforcement official said. Police did find other items, including pillows, suggesting he may have been sleeping or planned to sleep in the van, the official said.

Investigators believe James drove up from Philadelphia on Monday and have reviewed surveillance video showing a man matching his physical description coming out of the van early Tuesday morning, the official said. Other video shows James entering a subway station in Brooklyn with a large bag, the official said.

In addition to analyzing financial and telephone records connected to James, investigators have also been reviewing hours of rambling, profanity-filled videos James posted on YouTube and other social media platforms - replete with violent language and bigoted comments, some against other Black people  as they try to discern a motive.

In one video, posted a day before the attack, James criticizes crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed.

"You got kids going in here now taking machine guns and mowing down innocent people," James says. "It's not going to get better until we make it better," he said, adding that he thought things would only change if certain people were "stomped, kicked and tortured" out of their "comfort zone."

In another video he says, "this nation was born in violence, it's kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and it's going to die a violent death. There's nothing going to stop that."

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts "concerning" and officials tightened security for Adams, who was already isolating following a positive COVID-19 test Sunday.

Several videos mention New York's subways. A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governor's plan to address homelessness and safety in the subway system "is doomed for failure" and refers to himself as a "victim" of the city's mental health programs. A Jan. 25 video criticizes Adams' plan to end gun violence.

The Brooklyn subway station where passengers fled the smoke-filled train in the attack was open as usual Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after the violence.

Commuter Jude Jacques, who takes the D train to his job as a fire safety director some two blocks from the shooting scene, said he prays every morning but had a special request on Wednesday.

"I said, 'God, everything is in your hands,'" Jacques said. "I was antsy, and you can imagine why. Everybody is scared because it just happened."

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jim Mustian, Beatrice Dupuy, Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report, and Michael Kunzelman contributed from College Park, Maryland.

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Today its time for another hats off to the team in the Butler County Area Foundation Fund.

Butler County Area Foundation Funds unrestricted endowment helps the community achieve big dreams. That was the message in a recent Pure Nebraska feature on TV Channels 10/11 from Lincoln. The program, hosted by Jon Vanderford, went to David City to learn about the many ways BCAFF fuels change in the community.

BCAFF Fund Advisory Committee Chair Kent Clymer talked on the program about their big step last year, their first six-figure grant commitment! The Fund is supporting the expansion of the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art with a commitment of $20,000 a year for five years for a total of $100,000 for that project Clymer said the money will help move Bone Creek from its current location to the old Ford Building.

If you havent heard about this project, its really quite an ambitious undertaking. The former dealership will be renovated to include not only much larger gallery space, but also a dedicated classroom, library, office space, and a gift gallery. For those who arent aware, Bone Creek is the only agrarian art museum in the United States and a truly unique asset in Butler County, drawing people from around the country.

The BCAFF unrestricted endowment generates $52,000 annually for the Fund to grant to worthwhile community projects. Along with other accounts within BCAFF, the committee is nearing $75,000 per year of discretionary money to be invested in Butler Countys futureand there is more to come.

As a result of that capacity, despite that big commitment to the Bone Creek Museum, BCAFF was still able to award $32,900 in grant monies in November 2021. Those were recognized at the recent 40th Anniversary banquet in David City.

To share just a sample of those grants: $5,000 was granted to David City Public Schools for the construction of a greenhouse; $5,000 was given for expansion of the Holy Family Early Learning Center to provide for education for the Countys youngest learners; a pair of grants went to support park improvements and music in the park; and another grant will support a drone for Butler County Emergency Management that will improve public safety in the county. And this is just a sample of the variety of projects being supported by BCAFF throughout their county!

The Fund shared at that recent banquet that they have, or soon will, pass the $1-million mark in their investments in Butler County! What a record of achievement over 40 yearsand whats really exciting is that we know with those payout levels going forward, what took 40 years the first time will only take another 10 or so to replicate!

Thats the power of building an endowment: the potential to grant dollars grows at the same time as more money is being put back into these communities. We know Butler County, like other Nebraska counties, is just scratching the surface of their potential. Just this decade, some $815-million will transfer from one generation to the next in Butler County. If just 5% of that were endowed, the impact in Butler County would grow 20 times over the current BCAFF capacity. Think of what could happen there, and in every other Nebraska county, if we are intentional about telling our neighbors what they could do by leaving just a small portion of their estate to their hometowns!

Thanks to Butler County and specifically BCAFF for providing another powerful example of using charitable resources to create a more safe, prosperous, fulfilling future in their place.

K.C. Belitz is the chief operating officer of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

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Those trying to assess the weather may have encountered several red flag warnings over the past couple weeks. According to National Weather Service (NWS) Officer Brian Barjenbruch, red flag warnings mean conditions are right for wildfires.

The NWS issues a red flag warning when the relative humidity is below 20% and winds are 20 miles per hour or higher. Between the two, your chances of a fire burning out of control increase dramatically.

The low humidity dries out organic material like grass or wood, making it a prime fuel source. When wind is factored in, it not only makes flames more mobile, it dries out the fuel.

When you have really dry fuels, which we do, and you combine those with weather conditions, you can get extreme fire conditions, Barjenbruch said.

Nathan Jones, assistant fire chief for the Columbus Fire Department, said with conditions like those right now, burn pits are a serious risk, and that even materials in your yard can be a flying fuel source with the wind weve had recently.

One big thing is fire pits. If you use them, make sure that all the ashes are out before you walk away. Even a little bit of flaming ash can start a fire in these conditions. Peoples yards and mulch are drying out, Jones said.

Jones noted that while things like grass do burn faster and are more easily extinguished, they can ignite thicker materials like wood that are much harder to control due to their density and slow burn.

Tim Hofbauer, emergency manager for Platte County, said this is due to the drought the Columbus area has been in for several months. Barjenbruch corroborated this by noting the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Drought Monitor, which has Platte County under a severe drought going back to March 1, and a moderate drought going back to Feb. 8 of this year.

"We just really need some rain. Eventually it will green up, but we definitely need rain to help that along," Barjenbruch said.

Couple this factor with the high-speed winds the area has been party to in that same time frame, and conditions are ripe for a fire, hence the burn bans and repeated red flag warnings.

At present, its hard to predict when the drought will end (and subsequently the burn ban). Rainfall is down severely for the year to date. In Norfolk, the closest NWS monitoring station, rainfall totals for the year sit at 0.85 inches, just 0.05 inches above the record low for that station, according to Barjenbruch.

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The "small but mighty" St. Anthonys Elementary School banded together to honor one of its teachers, Cathy Hutchinson. Those efforts proved successful as Hutchinson is the 2022 Elementary Educator of the Year from the Archdiocese of Omaha.

She is the third Columbus Catholic Schools educator in a row to receive this honor, the other ones being Lynn Mielak of St. Bonaventure Elementary School in 2020 and Joan Lahm of Scotus Central Catholic in 2021. Hutchinson will be recognized at the 45th annual Archbishops Dinner for Education being held in September in Omaha.

Hutchinson is a Columbus native who attended St. Isidore Elementary School as a child and is a graduate of Scotus. She and her husband lived in a Lincoln for a few years before moving back to Columbus in 2007. The couple still lives in Columbus with their four children.

Hutchinson started her teaching career at St. Anthonys in 2008. She teaches language arts and technology to fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Hutchinson, who was surprised with news of the award last Friday at Mass, said becoming a teacher is something she always wanted to do.

I was saying that when I was little and it never really changed, Hutchinson said. I think probably I had really good elementary school teachers when I was at St. Isidore's. That's probably what made me want to become a teacher.

St. Anthonys Principal Amy Sokol said Hutchinson was nominated for the designation by the schools community.

I led the charge on the nomination, but (students) parents wrote letters, coworkers write letters, explaining all the amazing things that she does in the classroom, Sokol said. Cathy's faith filled, and she always tries to find the silver lining in the cloud. She makes the child feel good in the end  it's OK that we might have made this mistake or this might have happened. Cathy is really good about things like that. She does an amazing job.

Hutchinson is also involved with the St. Anthonys bazaar and the after school STEAM program and Angels Academy.

She noted her surprise in learning of the award.

It's very humbling, she said. There are a lot of good teachers at this school. They all deserve awards.

St. Anthonys is the smallest Catholic school in Columbus, Hutchinson added, and she describes the small but mighty school as a great place to teach.

The staff here is fabulous. The students are fabulous. Our school families are wonderful, she added.

The school holds family days in which kindergarten through sixth graders are formed into families and the kids take part in different activities with their family. It allows them to form connections with others they might not usually be able to.

(Were) a small, tight knit little school where everybody knows everybody's name, the big kids know the little kids, everybody helps each other out, Hutchinson said.

According to Sokol, Hutchinson is very deserving of the award.

Cathy gives 110% in everything that she does and she's not afraid to take on new challenges, Sokol said. She's not happy with just getting by, she's always challenging the students to go over and beyond. Lots of times youve got to work through a lot of things to get to the end product and she's not afraid of the challenges that the students present to her and trying to figure out what they want to do.

Whether in the classroom, after school, during recess or in her planning period, Hutchinson is always working with kids to make them successful, Sokol said.

Sokol noted the award is great for both St. Anthonys and the Columbus community at large  it showcases the educational system in Columbus.

It reflects the hard work that not only Cathy does, but all of our teachers do. I have a very dedicated staff and they work very well together and they support each other and they push each other to be the best that they can be, Sokol said.

We're very blessed and thankful to Archdiocese for this opportunity for Cathy.

As for Hutchinson, there are many reasons why she loves being a teacher but theres one that sticks out the most.

When you see growth in students or when you see them succeed, that's really probably the best part, she said.

Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net.

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" " The jobs website Glassdoor is just one of the thousands out there that allows you to sign up with them through another service like Google or Facebook. Screenshot by HowStuffWorks.com

When you're considering creating a new account for a website, chances are you'll be given an option to use your existing Facebook, Google or other account as a sign-in. This method is commonly known as single sign-on (SSO). Facebook and Google connectivity are the most common offers but some services add Apple, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts as well.

The question is, should you use one of those existing accounts to log in to this new website, or go to the trouble of creating a new account with your email address?

The single sign-on method can get you signed up for a new service really quickly. However, it does give you less control over what information is shared when the account is activated. Your social media credentials will likely share things like your email address, name, and profile photo to the app, and it may be able to access more personal details like your birthdate and phone number. What does or doesn't get shared ultimately comes down to the policies of both the preexisting account, and the one being signed up for. The app should also provide text making clear what is shared during the signup process.

To iron out all the details, we've enlisted the help of cybersecurity experts Paul Bischoff and Dan Fritcher to give insight on how this SSO technology works. We'll also outline how Google, Facebook, Apple, and Twitter handle third parties accessing your data through them.

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The Pros of Single Sign-On

The main selling point of SSO is simply saved time and convenience. It skips the lengthy registration process of filling out forms and fields, since that information can likely be pulled from your social media account. It also cuts down on the hassle that comes with keeping track of usernames and passwords, and which ones match up with which. After the umpteenth account registration, that can seem like a nearly impossible task. Your preexisting account acts as a key that can be used to access a wide variety of services. While the third party is able to collect data from this transaction, they will not be able to see your social media password.

"Overall, signing up with a social login isn't necessarily more or less secure than just signing up with an email and password," says Paul Bischoff, privacy specialist for Comparitech, via email. "Smaller apps and websites probably have less security than big social networks, so foregoing handing over a password and email address in favor of a social login could be a safer option. That being said, developers have been known to abuse social login data as well (see: Cambridge Analytica)."

Some apps can also use a linked account to import useful files. For instance, Dropbox allows photos to be directly imported from Facebook to cloud storage. Productivity suites like Zoom and Slack can also be synced with Google calendar. However, you don't necessarily have to use single sign-on to take advantage of these functions.

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The Cons of Single Sign-On

The disadvantages of SSO all come down to personal preferences and security. This method limits the choice of what gets shared during registration. As mentioned earlier, the app may be allowed to scrape names, photos and contact info, although you may have entered many of those things during signup, regardless of which method you use. In some cases, the new app gains access to more personal info like your age, location or interests. These details then may be used to serve you personalized ads, or sold to data collection companies.

"Using a social login creates a network of sites that hold a shared identifier on you. That identifier can be used to create a shared advertising profile based on your activity on each of the sites," emails Dan Fritcher, chief technology officer of Sysfi cloud services. "Over time, that profile grows larger and larger. For most people, it won't matter much, but the risk is we have no idea what it will be used for in the future."

Ultimately, you should be aware of what data each account will share and decide whether or not you're comfortable with granting access. For instance, a site that hasn't built up its own trusted reputation may be more likely to take your contact info and sell it to scammers for a quick buck. Trustworthy sites will have accessible documentation charting out what data they collect, and exactly how it's intended to be used, commonly known as a privacy policy.

SSO may also present more cybersecurity risks than regular registration. If a hacker is able to get hold of your social media login through phishing or a password leak, then they could also have free reign over other accounts you registered using that info. The account may also be locked, blocking access to sites that used single sign-on. Furthermore, If Facebook or Google experiences a service outage, that can temporarily crash that service's SSO function across the board.

" " Signing on to a website through a social media account may save time but it could also give it access to unintended data. Lilly Roadstones/Getty Images

With that said, here's a look at the data sharing policies of the companies most likely to offer SSO.

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Facebook's Data Sharing Policy

Like other services, Facebook will provide your name, email address, and profile photo when a single sign-on is initiated. However, Facebook can also give the third party access to information it labels under the "public profile" umbrella. This essentially covers anything that is made available on your profile page, including more personal details like your age, gender, birthdate, relationship status, family details, hobbies and devices used. It may even serve up things such as your hometown, work and education history, religion and political leanings.

The data that Facebook collects is extensive, and it's more than willing to share that data with third parties, as recent scandals and lawsuits have shown. However, some of this info can be flagged as non-public using Facebook's privacy options.

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Google's Policy

At a minimum, Google will share your name, email address and profile photo with the third party during single sign-on. Some apps may also attempt to retrieve files, photos, messages, or calendar events stored on your Google Drive. However, they will have to specifically request those permissions to be granted access.

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Twitter's Policy

Apps registered through Twitter will be granted read access, which includes screen name, profile photo, bio, general location, preferred language and time zone. The app can also see all your tweet analytics, as well as follower, mute and block lists. On the other hand, Twitter does not share your email address during sign-on, unless specifically requested.

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Apple's Policy

Apple's SSO process is unique compared to others. When the registry is initiated, name and email are shared with the third-party app. However, users have the option of editing their name before it's sent. They can also choose to hide their email address, at which point Apple will generate a dummy address which automatically forwards back to your account. Forwarding can also be turned off in the future to prevent spam, if needed. Two factor authentication is also a requirement to sign in with Apple. The company says it doesn't collect any data about your interaction with the app.

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What to Do About SSO

If you plan on using single sign-on, be aware what info gets carried over. If you are offered a choice of companies, go with the service that will share the least amount of data. Based on what information is shared, and what users have control over, Apple appears to be one of the best services to use when it comes to SSO. You can create an Apple account even if you don't have any Apple devices.

Or you could opt for Twitter as Bischoff prefers. "Compared to other networks where I store a lot of private information and data, almost everything related to my Twitter account is public, so there's not much more data an app can glean from you logging in with Twitter," he says. However, not every app will have every sign-on option available.

You should also beef up your social media security by enabling two factor authentication, which generates a temporary passcode to be sent to your personal email or phone number. This is one of the quickest and most effective methods to prevent unwanted online access, and it will have the added benefit of protecting your single sign-on accounts as well. The most secure practice is to create unique passwords for every service you use, and an encrypted password manager will be useful in keeping track of all of them.

Now That's Useful One secure alternative to SSO is a dedicated password manager such as 1Password. This program stores all your login data in an encrypted folder that can only be accessed with a "master password" set by the user. This master key is only ever stored locally, offline, making it practically impossible for hackers to obtain the data without physical access to your computer. Many web browsers also provide built-in password managers, using their own methods of encryption.
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Members of the European Committee of the Regions express satisfaction with the Conference on the Future of Europe as recommendations take shape.

European citizens' call for more transparency, inclusiveness, and participation" can be partially answered by involving local and regional politicians more in the work of the European Union, the president of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) said on 8 April.



President Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia, was speaking at a plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe, a citizen-focused process that, since its launch in May 2021, has seen citizens, representatives of civil society and business discuss ideas on how to develop the EU's activities in nine critical areas with European, national, regional and local politicians discuss. The two-day gathering in Strasbourg, on 8-9 April, saw members of the Conference consolidate proposals gathered through citizens' panels, national panels and a digital platform. The recommendations, ranging from a reduction to the voting age to how the EU agrees its foreign policy, will be considered for approval at the last plenary session of the Conference, on 29-30 April. A final report will then be finalised, for presentation to the presidents of the EU institutions on 9 May, Europe Day.

The CoR has been represented by 18 members, who have put forward positions articulated in a 12-point manifesto adopted on 4 March at the European Summit of Regions and Cities by the CoR and by territorial associations.

Speaking in a session devoted to European democracy, President Tzitzikostas said that locally and regionally elected politicians serve as a bridge" between citizens and national governments and  through the European Committee of the Regions  European politics. He called for a more structured implication of local and regional authorities in EU affairs, including through a stronger Committee of the Regions" as one means of answering the main request put forward by citizens: namely: better involvement and closing the gap between them and the institutions".



Francois Decoster (FR/Renew Europe) of the Regional Council of Hauts-de-France likened the process of the Conference to the daily work of local politicians. Citizens here in the hemicycle, with elected officials, were saying that this is a new democracy. No," he said: This is democracy in and of itself. It is the democracy that we in local affairs, in local authorities, in municipalities, in our regional assemblies, we do every single day. And we have to continue that, to make sure that the future of Europe exists via its local authorities." A member of the working group on education, youth and sport, Mr Decoster, who is the president of the Renew Europe group in the CoR, said that we do want the European identity to be something that is called for only when we have a crisis, when war is knocking on our door; we want a European identity to be felt every single day, every single week, month, year."

Members of the Conference are drawing up recommendations on how to protect European democracy, as well as how to deepen it. Muhterem Aras (DE/Greens), president of the State Parliament of Baden-Wurttemberg, praised the work of the working group on values, rights and security', saying: We need to defend our standards and our values, and we need to be more effective in this. It is high time for the Commission to introduce proceedings against Hungary". The European Commission announced in early April that it will launch a process that could see the EU withhold funds for Hungary for failing to meet EU rule-of-law standards.

Several themes of the Conference overlap with the CoR's political priority to help build resilient local communities. Describing the work of the group on climate change as really great", Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP), president of the region of West Pomerania, said that the green great change is possible", and noting that, in his region, more than 74% of energy comes from renewable energy". A green transition, he argued, requires taking fully on-board local and regional authorities". There is, a pressing need to speed up the green transition, including through more investment in renewable energy. For this to happen, local and regional authorities need direct access to funds, [so as] not to delay implementation of the Green Deal by lengthy and complex administrative procedures". Mr Geblewicz is president of the EPP, the largest group in the CoR.

The lessons of the major challenge to the resilience of the EU in the past two years  the COVID-19 pandemic  were addressed in recommendations from the working group on health. Speaking for the CoR, Kieran McCarthy (IE/EA), member of Cork County Council, said that many of the points with the working group's revised proposals do align with the work and priorities of local and regional authorities." Mr McCarthy, who is also the president of the European Alliance group in the CoR, said that the CoR welcomed the call to deepen EU competences in the field of health, thus building an inclusive European health union", and said there should be a clearer role for local and regional authorities" and the development of more cross-border health-care collaborations".

The pandemic had also highlighted challenges in the EU's digitalisation efforts. In comments on proposals from the working group on 'digital transformation', Jelena Drenjanin (SE/EPP), member of Huddinge Municipal Council, focused on the need to address one of the larger problems that we have on the job market  the mismatch with what unemployed people have in their competence toolbox and what skills companies need". Overall, she concluded, the digitalisation measures suggested will empower and strengthen and equip citizens with the 21st-century skills".

Yoomi Renstrom (SE/PES), member of Ovanaker Municipal Council, described discussions on a traditionally contentious topic  migration  as very fruitful and consensual" and expressed happiness at the result. Speaking for the CoR, she said we were very happy that the group has taken on board our considerations and also from civil society and social partners". She urged the recommendations to be taken up, saying that if the Commission and the Council does not see the treaty changes and regulation changes that are needed, this conference will not be a success and with all the good work that has been done, I do think that we need this and want it to be a big success for the future."

Recordings of the plenary sessions by topic are available on the following links:


Once is a love story set to music, played out between a Guy and a Girl in the streets and bars of Dublin.

And this Tony Award-winning hit  coming to Allenberry Playhouse starting April 22  presents a potent stew of lovely tunes and achingly beautiful romance over the course of two acts. The musical earned eight Tonys in 2012, including Best Musical and Best Book, plus a 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Once, which features a minimalist set, puts heavy demands on the cast, according to Dustin LeBlanc, producing artistic director at Keystone Theatrics, the production company that stages the shows at the historic playhouse on the grounds of Allenberry Resort near Boiling Springs.

It was definitely a challenge to cast, as the performers have to have a very unique skillset in having to play an instrument or multiple instruments in addition to singing, dancing and acting, LeBlanc said. We really lucked out in getting an incredible group of performers. We get goosebumps listening to them at every rehearsal, and this is going to be a really special show we hope everyone will come see.

Kayla Capone Kasper plays Girl and Brad Barkdoll is Guy in Allenberrys production. Eric S. Mansilla is directing, with musical direction by Mitchell Sensing and choreography by Dena McKell.

Once, which is based on a 2007 movie of the same title, tells the story of a heart-broken street musician in Dublin, who is thinking about giving up music and simply working in his fathers vacuum repair shop. But when he encounters a quirky Czech immigrant who plays the piano, a partnership begins to develop that is both professional and intensely personal.

The show features music and lyrics by Glen Hansard (frontman for the Irish rock band The Frames) and Marketa Irglova, who both also starred in the film version. A highlight includes Falling Slowly, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Other gems include If You Want Me, Gold and When Your Minds Made Up.

New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley said the music in Once has a rough-edged, sweet-and-sad ambivalence that is seldom visited in contemporary American musicals.

Allenberrys production, which is recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult language and mature themes, runs through May 8.

Musical satire

Reefer Madness started life in 1936 as a sort of bizarre public service announcement on the evils of marijuana. Women Cry for It  Men Die for It, the promotional posters stated.

The original propaganda film, which was made by a church group and was not meant to be funny, became a cult classic in the 1970s, when it was rediscovered by young pot smokers who found its misinformation and over-the-top histrionics to be hilarious. Now it has morphed again, becoming a musical satire currently on stage at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg.

The show was created in 1998 by Kevin Murphy (lyrics) and Dan Studney (music). The show was a hit in Los Angeles and had a brief stint Off-Broadway, and has since been produced in theaters in the United States, Canada, Australia and England. It was also adapted into a movie version in 2005, completing a circuitous trip that first began on film 86 years ago.

Songs include the title track, plus Down at the OI Five and Dime and Listen to Jesus, Jimmy. Narrated by a stern Lecturer, Reefer Madness charts a ludicrous tale of misguided youths being led down a path of sex, violence and jazz music by evil drug pushers.

Murphy and Studney said they got the idea while listening to Frank Zappas Joes Garage during a car trip to Los Angeles in 1998.

They began discussing how one might stage Zappas piece. So I started picturing it in my head, Studney recalled. Frank Zappas concept of a musical and then it just hit me. I turned to Kevin and said, What about doing Reefer Madness as a musical? By the time duo reached Los Angeles, they had already written the first song.

Reefer Madness continues through April 24 at the community theater.

Touring musical

After a long hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, touring productions continue to roll into Hershey Theatre. The latest is a reprise of the popular musical Hairspray, a comedy with some serious overtones regarding race and body image.

The show, on stage in Hershey May 3-8, tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teen who dreams of appearing on a Baltimore TV dance program called the Corny Collins Show, an all-white production that introduces the youngster to the reality of segregation. Tracys mother, Edna, generally played by a man, is a plum role that has been portrayed by John Travolta, Divine and Harvey Fierstein in various incarnations.

Hairspray has a complicated origin story, starting with a 1988 film starring Divine that was written and directed by John Waters, a Baltimore filmmaker who also created such movies as Pink Flamingos and Polyester.

The original, which did not make much of a splash in its initial release, later became a cult classic thanks to a then-new genre known as home video. In 2002, Waters film was converted into a Broadway musical featuring Fierstein and earned eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. That show was then remade in 2007 as a movie featuring Travolta.

Hersheys all-new touring production of Hairspray reunites Broadways award-winning creative team led by director Jack OBrien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Songs include Good Morning Baltimore and You Cant Stop the Beat.

NOTE: Area theaters continue to take precautions to protect actors, staff and audience members from COVID-19. Check theater websites for the latest updates on protocols and safety guidelines.

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The vehicle hit a guardrail on the south side of the roadway before it rolled over, traveled back onto the travel lanes and hit the concrete barrier, police said.
The 4 candidates for Maricopa County attorney that will be on the ballot from left to right are Gina Godbehere, Anni Foster, Rachel Mitchell and Julie Gunnigle.

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article misstated some of candidate Anni Foster's experience.

Four people have collected enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot for Maricopa County attorney.

Amidst questions about her sobriety and absences from office, former county attorney Alister Adels recent resignation triggered a special election to serve out the remainder of her term, which ends on Jan. 1, 2025. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint an interim county attorney.

Adels announcement gave potential candidates just two weeks to collect the more than 4,000 signatures needed to qualify for the ballot.

Gina Godbehere, Anni Foster and Rachel Mitchel will vie for the Republican nomination, while Julie Gunnigle will be the only Democrat on the ballot. The primary election will be held on Aug. 2, and early voting begins on July 6.

Gina Godbehere, Republican

Godbehere is a former bureau chief and trial attorney who handled juvenile, gang, homicide and repeat offender cases at the Maricopa County Attorneys Office.

She was the designated bias crimes prosecutor for over a decade and currently serves as a municipal prosecutor in Goodyear. She is the CEO and co-founder of Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life, a conference that focuses on encouraging students to speak up about depression, suicide, grief, abuse and bullying.

The public must know that the Maricopa County attorney is a fair-minded advocate for justice with a record to offer that confidence," Godbehere said in a statement on her campaign website. "My years as a prosecutor, combined with my commitment to the youth of our state, have provided a clear picture of my core values and heart to do what is right within our community."

Anni Foster, Republican

Foster currently serves as Gov. Doug Ducey's general counsel.

She previously served as assistant attorney general chief of staff and general counsel to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

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Victim's rights advocate Steve Twist is leading Fosters campaign committee.

I bring nearly two decades of experience dealing with the issues facing Arizona and Maricopa County, and experience leading large teams of attorneys," Foster said in a statement to The Arizona Republic. "For much of my career, Ive worked directly with law enforcement, and even trained them on the law. Those that must interact with the County Attorneys Office are often having some of the most difficult times of their lives. I will dedicate myself to protecting the rule of law and ensuring justice for all.

Election guide: 2022 primaries

U.S. Senate | Governor |Secretary of state|Legislature | Treasurer | County attorney |Attorney general| District 1 | District 3 | District 4|District 6|District 8| District 9 | City council

Rachel Mitchell, Republican

Mitchell has 30 years of experience as a prosecutor. She has served as a Bureau Chief at the Maricopa County Attorneys Office overseeing teams of prosecutors for 17 years, including the sex-crimes bureau, which prosecutes crimes that involve child molestation and adult sexual assault.

She was one of the five division chiefs who called for Adel to resign in February and sought investigations by the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa Board of Supervisors.

Mitchell received national attention in 2018 for her role as an interrogator in a congressional hearing leading to the appointment of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brent Kavanaugh.

What is really important to me is that the person who takes the helm of the County Attorney's Office has the experience to do it," Mitchel told The Republic. "No one has more experience than me. It is going to take someone who knows the office inside and out ... and has the ability to communicate a vision."

Julie Gunnigle, Democrat

Gunnigle has worked as a private practice attorney, as a prosecutor in Indiana between 2006 and 2007 and in Illinois from 2009 to 2011.

She narrowly lost the county attorney race to Adel in 2020. Following Adel's resignation, Gunnigle received enough signatures to qualify for the ballot less than 24 hours after announcing her candidacy.

She worked for a time as director of political and civic engagement for NORML Arizona, a marijuana reform advocacy organization and is the legal director for Arizona Campana de los Pobres, or Poor People's Campaign, where she helps connect people facing eviction with legal representation.

"For too long, this office has been the center of controversy and has failed to work in the best interests of justice," Gunnigle said in a statement to The Republic. "This office needs a full-time county attorney focused on making smart reforms in the interest of all members of our community, not holding on to the broken status quo. I am running to be a champion for public safety by protecting women, children, and our seniors; all while holding those that do harm in our community accountable."

Republic reporters Stacey Barchenger and Robert Anglen contributed to this article.

Have a news tip on the Maricopa County Attorney's Office? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or at 812-243-5582. Follow him on Twitter @JimmyJenkins.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These candidates will appear on ballot for Maricopa County attorney
Erik Varga and Michelle Willes inside the Green Arrow marijuana outlet on Main Street in Gaylord. The store is the third retail dispensary to open in the city since the council approved an ordinance legalizing the recreational use of the drug in 2021.

GAYLORD  Another retail marijuana outlet has opened in Gaylord as Green Arrow on West Main Street began operations in a former Ponderosa restaurant building.

Green Arrow is part of the Rize cannabis company, which has stores in Iron Mountain and Marquette. The company's special use permit approved by the city council last year included a provision that it adopt a different name from the Rize moniker it uses on its other outlets.

The stipulation came after a local group called Rise, which advocates a substance-free lifestyle for youth, objected to the Rize name for the dispensary.

"The green arrow has been our logo since we first started the company in the U.P.," said Michelle Willes, training manager. "(The arrow) points right to the actual facility and Green Arrow will be a lower Michigan Rize."

Gaylord is the company's first store in the Lower Peninsula. Willes said Rize also has a cultivation facility in Iron Mountain and plans to open a store in Ironwood sometime this summer.

Erik Varga is the store manager in Gaylord and he said the facility has 13 full-time employees. Wages begin at $15 an hour for cannabis consultants.

"We have close to 750 products in our store," Varga said. "We offer just about everything from edibles to oils, the actual flowers, waxes and live resins."

Consumer knowledge about marijuana and the byproducts varies. Varga said the consultants at Green Arrow possess the knowledge to guide customers through the process.

"We are not doctors. If a doctor has recommended (marijuana or a byproduct) to them we can start consulting. We see cannabis as a supplement for possible symptoms they might have. We do not provide any medical advice  that is not our job," said Varga.

"If someone has asthma we probably won't recommend something you have to inhale. (Instead) we will probably point you toward an edible," he added.

Willes said since Rize is a Michigan company it emphasizes products made in the state. Noble Road and Redemption Cannabis of Lansing along with TreeTown from Ann Arbor are some of the state brands in the store.

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There are over 20 applications to operate a retail dispensary in Gaylord. Even if only half of those open, the city could be one of the most competitive markets in the state. How will Green Arrow stand out?

"We offer a wide range of products and our selection is (above) most other dispensaries," Willes said. "Our cannabis consultants go through extensive educational (training) so they are informed and knowledgeable."

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Green Arrow becomes latest addition to Gaylord's marijuana economy
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is seen during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee nomination hearing on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.





Two top Senate Democrats said Thursday they are mulling legislation to nix the credits American companies currently get for paying taxes in Russia, after Koch Industries said it would continue its operations in the country.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said that they were "exploring legislation" to eliminate the tax credits that U.S. companies get for paying taxes in Russia, which would put Russia on a list with Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

"Senate Democrats are exploring legislation to add Russia to existing laws that already deny foreign tax credits for taxes paid to North Korea and Syria. American companies that continue to do business in Russia should not receive U.S. tax benefits that offset taxes paid to Putin's regime," the two Democrats said in a joint statement.

Dave Robertson, president and COO of Koch Industries, released a statement Wednesday explaining the company's decision and its business ties in Russia, while noting they would also comply with applicable sanctions.

Koch owns a company called Guardian Industries that will continue its operations in Russia as it employs 600 people across two glass manufacturing facilities. Outside of that company, Koch Industries employs another 15 people in Russia.

Robertson said the multinational corporation denounced the "horrific and abhorrent aggression against Ukraine," but that they would not "walk away from our employees there or hand over these manufacturing facilities to the Russian government so it can operate and benefit from them."

Robertson, in his statement, pointed to a Wall Street Journal article reporting that Russia could seize assets of companies that have pulled their business operations in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Roughly 400 companies have withdrawn or suspended their operations in Russia, according to a list spearheaded by the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute's Jeffrey Sonnenfeld.

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Schumer and Wyden knocked Koch Industries for its decision, asserting the "noxious stench of Trump still hangs over Koch industries" and it "continues to profit off of Putin's regime."

"It is time for Koch Industries to put the values of democracy ahead of its own profits. We are calling on Koch Industries to immediately suspend their operations in Russia," they added.

The statement from Koch Industries, and the pushback from the top Senate Democrats, comes after Wyden said last week that he was working on a plan to penalize Moscow and Russians who have been hit with sanctions and who have assets in the United States.

Wyden also floated at the time nixing U.S. tax credits and deductions for taxes paid to Russia, saying that "Russian oligarchs and companies supporting Putin shouldn't be getting tax breaks in the United States."
When I first came to the Senate, I vowed to learn the ways of Missouris upper legislative chamber and figure out how things worked.

Now, nearly two years later, I think I have a pretty good grasp of the situation. Every once and a while, though, things happen that just dont add up. Last week was one of those times. In fact, some actions I witnessed on the floor of the Senate reminded me of an old Seinfeld episode, Bizzaro Jerry, where every character had an opposite  a scenario that Jerry described as similar to Supermans evil counterpart, Bizzaro.

Normally, the factions of the Missouri Senate align in predictable ways. For example, members of the majority tend to take pro-business positions on issues, while members of the minority reliably argue for a different point of view. This year, the actions of a third political faction have been bizzarro, over and over. In my opinion, the small group of senators who bill themselves as the Conservative Caucus have brought a level of frustration to the Senate unlike anything I can recall. In weeks past, Ive called some of these folks out for what, in my opinion, was their obvious pursuit of self-interest (the redistricting battle being a prime example). This week, their tactics were just plain weird, or bizzarro, and made me question which side they were really on.

First, while the Senate was debating a routine measure relating to bids and contracts on public projects, a member of the Conservative Caucus proposed an amendment that would make it easier to sue small business owners who had no choice but to enforce vaccine mandates. What makes me even more frustrated, is that we have language ready to halt companies forcing employees to take the vaccine, but those same senators are not in agreement unless we open Missouris small business owners up to more lawsuits. The amendment was eventually withdrawn, but later in the week, a similar situation arose as the Senate was debating a tort reform bill. Missouri has one of the longest windows for bringing lawsuits in the nation. Plaintiffs have five years to file suit in Missouri, while most states limit their statutes of limitations to less than three years. As we worked to perfect a bill reigning in Missouris statute of limitations, a member of the Conservative Caucus spoke in support of an amendment offered by the minority party to actually give people MORE time to bring lawsuits. What in the world is happening?

In my opinion, this was just another example of actions speaking louder than words. At some point, I had enough and expressed my frustrations on the Senate floor. I went so far as to read the majority partys platform statement on frivolous lawsuits to show that the actions taken by these members did not line up with their claims of being conservative. One day, theyre waving the party platform like a battle flag to shame fellow conservatives, and the next day theyre speaking in support of proposals that directly contradict the platform. Hopefully, we can bring the statute of limitations bill back up for further debate and move this important legislation forward.

Alternative realities aside, there was good news this week. I was especially pleased my Senate Bill 692 received a hearing in the Education Committee. This legislation fixes an oversight made in legislation passed a couple of years ago. When the Legislature previously established minimum hourly attendance standards for public schools, it failed to account for half-day kindergarten programs when setting requirements for make-up days. I proposed a solution after our Cape Girardeau School District Superintendent explained this oversight could cost their school district alone more than $150,000. All because their half-day classrooms couldnt make up the hours required by law. My legislation merely makes an adjustment so school districts arent penalized inappropriately. Its a simple fix, and I hope we can get it done before session ends on May 13.

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Holly Thompson Rehder, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 433, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Holly.Rehder@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Rehder.

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The pieces are are all coming together as plans are well underway for the upcoming Country Days weekend returning to downtown Farmington June 3-5.

According to Candy Hente, Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director, there is already a contest online for the biggest event the organization puts on during the year.

To choose the 2022 Country Days parade grand marshal, we have a contest online with five different non-profits that have been nominated, she said.

The five nominated organizations are:

Life Center for Independent Living  L.I.F.E. INC. is a not-for-profit organization that serves individuals with disabilities in the Greater Parkland Area of Southeast Missouri.

Farmington Pet Adoption Center  A private, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter.

East Missouri Action Agency  A non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families in a service area via five basic program components: Family Intake, Assessment and Referral, Community Outreach, Emergency Assistance, Family Support, and Self-Help Programs. EMAA also facilitates the Head Start Program, housing assistance, Women's Wellness Clinic and weatherization assistance.

United Way of St. Francois County  A non-profit organization that raises money to provide grants for agencies that provide basic human services to the people of St. Francois County.

Help the Hungry Bake Sale  An annual bake sale that has raised more than $637,000 over the past 14 years for two Farmington food pantries  the Ministerial Alliance and St. Vincent De Paul. The event typically takes place on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving in the St. Joseph Catholic School gymnasium in Farmington.

The winning organization will receive $400 from C & C Suppliers and also lead the SERVPRO Country Days Parade as grand marshal.

The voting ends at 8 a.m. April 19 with the winner being announced April 21 at the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Luncheon. The results will also be posted April 22 on the Farmington Country Days Facebook page.

To vote for one of the five nominees, go to https://www.facebook.com/farmingtoncountrydays/

Mark Marberry is a reporter for the Farmington Press and Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3629, or at mmarberry@farmingtonpressonline.com

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A First Responders Appreciation Day barbecue was held at Mineral Area College on Tuesday to show gratitude for the area's first responders. A raffle also took place at the barbecue, benefiting BackStoppers.

Volunteers from BackStoppers and Mineral Area College set up the grill near the quad and began serving barbecued favorites at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Area police officers, firefighters, other emergency personnel, and MAC students enjoyed lunch in the Arts and Sciences building after passing through the food line set up inside.

As lunchtime wound down just before 1 p.m., organizers drew a winning raffle ticket for a gift package containing several donated items from Park Hills area businesses and the college.

Pam Junge, who helped out by bringing several food items, was Tuesday's lucky raffle winner.

The raffle raised a total of $584 for BackStoppers, an organization that provides ongoing needed financial assistance and support to the spouses and dependent children of all police officers, firefighters and volunteer firefighters, and publicly-funded paramedics and EMTs in its coverage area who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In addition, BackStoppers provides assistance to first responders who suffer a catastrophic injury performing their duty.

MAC Veterans Club and Student Involvement Committee Advisor Todd Kline said some of the inspiration for the event came from the recent tragedy experienced by the community on March 17, when Bonne Terre Patrolman Lane Burns was killed, and Bonne Terre Corporal Garrett Worley was seriously injured in the line of duty. Kline said he had also been motivated to organize the barbecue as this week is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

"I'm really happy with the turnout," said Kline. "We just wanted to show appreciation for all the law enforcement officers, firefighters, and all of the first responders."

Kline said he was also thankful for the help of volunteers who had made Tuesday's barbecue possible.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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Authorities have released the identity of a deceased man whose remains were found in St. Francois County on Tuesday.

A press release from the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department states the remains were that of 38-year-old Christopher Brian Chrisco of Bismarck.

Before officials released his identity, Chrisco's family members were reportedly notified of the man's death.

The sheriff's department said evidence located at the scene, as well as distinguishable tattoos on the remains and interviews with family members, led to the identification.

The man's remains were reportedly found near the intersection of Chalk Hill Road and Highway 221 in Doe Run Tuesday morning.

Results of an autopsy on the remains performed Wednesday morning are pending; however, officials said no foul play is currently suspected. The department noted that Chrisco had not been reported as missing at the time of the discovery.

In separate investigations, Washington County authorities released the identity of a man whose body was discovered Sunday on Brazil Road in the Hazel Creek Campgrounds.

The man was identified as John Heath, who previously resided in several parts outside Missouri.

Washington County Coroner Steve Hatfield said that to his knowledge, Heath's last known place of residence was in Kentucky. Hatfield said an autopsy on Heath is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

The coroner said the deceased man was discovered 200-300 yards off in a wooded area inside a makeshift hut made out of wood.

After Heath's body was discovered on Sunday, Hatfield explained that another body of a deceased man was found the same day on North Highway 21. The identity of that man has reportedly not yet been determined. An autopsy on the deceased was performed on Wednesday.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available from official sources.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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The soon to retire U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer reflected on his career and the complicated impact of the highest court as he accepted an award Tuesday from the University of Virginia.

Breyer, 83, is the latest recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Law, UVas highest external honor. Sponsored jointly by the university and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Monticello, UVa President Jim Ryan said the award is given annually in place of honorary degrees.

Speaking to a full room at the UVa School of Laws Caplin Theatre, Breyer reflected on his nearly three decades on the Supreme Court of the United States and the legacy he leaves behind when he retires at the end of his term. He is set to be replaced this year by Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Most of the event was facilitated by Risa Goluboff, the law schools dean, and a former clerk of Breyers. Among the questions she posed to Breyer was his own thoughts on how people perceive him as a pragmatic judge.

Breyer said he mostly agreed with this perception, sharing with the audience his perspective on the complicated workings on the Supreme Court and the great net of beliefs and systems it influences.

The sense in which I accept pragmatism is a little bit more complicated than what someone will think when they're reading a newspaper and will think pragmatism is that you do whatever works in this instance and makes things better, he said. Its not quite that.

As part of a complex network of legal systems, Breyer said he has always considered how a decision might trickle down into other systems which cascade into others. Breyer said this is what he considers to be his form of pragmatism.

Expanding on that point, Golubuff asked Breyer about his role in the deregulation of airlines, a decision which is credited with greatly decreasing the price of airfare at the cost of the declining quality of service.

Breyer said he still regularly checks the price of plane tickets and that the cost has dropped significantly relative to where it was before deregulation began. The decision involved a great deal of cooperation and compromise with the airlines, Breyer said, sharing a story about discussing the impact with a former United Airlines vice president.

I remember he said, Stephen, you will deregulate prices and the people you're trying to help  the people used to having to carry the chicken coops on the back of their cars to Texas  will fly and the planes will fill up and the prices will fall, he said. Then he said and Stephen, you will hate it, but he was right and the prices did drop.

This ability to work with others who dont share the same views is crucial, Breyer said. Later in the program when answering audience questions, Breyer urged students to talk with people who share different views. Let them talk and when they share a view that you agree with he said to latch onto that, reflecting on a lesson he learned from Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

The country is more divided now in many ways, but it's easy to go sit and say how right you are and how wrong some other person is, particularly to the people who agree with you, he said. You can work together, just don't be so cynical. Its not good to just sit there, it gives nobody anything. Go participate in public life.

When asked about the impact of the Supreme Courts decisions, Bryer said its often difficult to know how a decision will be perceived until years later. Citing the Brown v. Board of education decision, which declared separate but equal to be unconstitutional and paved the way for desegregation, Breyer said it was not the verdict alone that effected change.

Recounting a lengthy story about the verdict and the eventual efforts to desegregate Little Rock, Arkansas, Breyer shared the opinion that the Supreme Courts verdict could have been overlooked were it not for efforts from the executive and legislative branches as well as the rest of the country.

I wanted that description to go on for some length because I wanted to be clear of the need to understand that [the Brown v. Board of Education decision] took courage, he said. Who knows what could have happened? But we came through it and, although life is not perfect at the moment, I like to say it's a continuous progress, a continuous effort, which requires far more than judges and which requires far more than lawyers.

Breyer also discussed the values of ideals and experimenting, which are tenets of both UVa and Jeffersons philosophy. The words ideals and experiment apply to both Jefferson and the United States at large, he said.

I saw during COVID that there were groups in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who went out in the neighborhoods and were helping people who needed food or were old and having a hard time getting around, and that wasn't confined to just Massachusetts, it existed right here in Charlottesville and across the country, he said. I think if someone gives us these challenges, which we certainly are seeing, we are going to create a country where people are respected as individuals.

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GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed nine out of 10 bills sponsored by a Democratic state senator whose bills were threatened during the legislative session by a senior aide to the governor.

Ten bills filed by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, reached the governors desk. Youngkin amended one and vetoed the other nine.

Im stunned at the governors unexplainable decision to veto meaningful, non-controversial, legislation. It is the polar opposite of what he campaigned on, Ebbin wrote on Twitter.

Four of the nine bills passed the House and Senate without any opposition. Asked why he vetoed the bills, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter issued a statement that cited companion bills in the House for a number of Ebbins bills.

In other words, because the same bill passed the House, Ebbins bill wasnt needed.

However, governors traditionally sign a bill if they agree with the policy, even if theres a companion bill. No other lawmakers bill was vetoed for that reason even though many bills have companions in the other chamber.

Youngkin vetoed a total of 26 bills.

The General Assembly will address the governors vetoes and amendments to legislation on April 27.

Ebbin was in the thick of a partisan fight during the regular General Assembly session this year over personnel appointments. After House Republicans stripped 11 appointees of Democratic former Gov. Ralph Northam of their positions, Senate Democrats scuttled Youngkins choices for the Virginia Parole Board.

Ebbin had exchanges in the Capitol with Matt Moran, a senior Youngkin aide who was the governors liaison to lawmakers, helped craft legislation and told lawmakers which bills the governor might sign or veto. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported last month that Moran is on the payroll of private political consultants, and not the state.

In that story, Ebbin said Moran subtly threatened a Youngkin veto of Ebbins bills.

Asked Tuesday if Moran told the governor to veto Ebbins bills, Porter, the governors spokeswoman, did not respond.

The Democratic Party of Virginia called the vetoes of Ebbins bills a blatantly political and personal move.

Among other vetoes was a bill from Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, that sought to prevent harassment of crime victims from debt collection agencies. Youngkins veto explanation said the bill had unintended consequences.

Deeds said it was the first time one of his bills had been vetoed since 1999, and he was disappointed the governor or his team didnt notify him in advance, which Deeds said was the traditional protocol.

It is not surprising given the Governors absolute lack of experience with government, Deeds wrote in a statement.

Youngkin wants penalties for people with more than 2 ounces of marijuana Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday proposed that the General Assembly establish new misdemeanor penalties for people in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana, a move that was recommended last year by a state oversight agency.
By Azernews





By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijans Economy Ministry and Frances MEDEF International have discussed the development of business relations between the two countries' business communities.

Speaking at the meeting, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov provided updates on Azerbaijan-France cooperation in the economic, humanitarian and cultural spheres, and emphasized the role of MEDEF International in the development of business relations.

He noted that French companies, representing various sectors of the economy, operate in Azerbaijan and participate as contractors in a number of infrastructure projects.

Jabbarov informed the French delegation about the main priorities of Azerbaijans economic development and reforms undertaken by the Azerbaijan Investment Holding regarding state companies, and modern methods of corporate governance.

MEDEF International Director-General Philippe Gautier highly appreciated the meetings held in Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation in the post-pandemic period.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in the region, he noted that MEDEF International will continue effective cooperation with Azerbaijans Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO).

Moreover, French ambassador Zacharie Gross emphasized the importance of meetings of large delegations of business circles in terms of developing bilateral relations. He mentioned that a stable and safe environment has been created in Azerbaijan for European companies as well as for French businessmen.

The meeting focused on the development of Azerbaijani-French trade and economic relations, and cooperation in the field of transport, and energy, including hydrogen production.

It should be noted that MEDEF International, which has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since 1992, is a non-profit organization that represents the private sector of France at the international level and includes about 7,100 companies. The organization's main goal is to promote the best practices of French companies around the world.

The Azerbaijani-French trade turnover amounted to $245.4 million in 2021.
Tallman Brewing will become the third microbrewery in Lebanon, a town of fewer than 20,000, when it opens April 15.

But a state economist and brewers say the market isnt in danger of bubbling over despite the apparent glut of made-where-you-drink-it beer halls.

Josh Lehner studies brewing for the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis and the numbers show promise: Restaurants that have shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic left openings in the market while mid-valley populations continued to grow.

And customers are going to be thirsty, Lehner said, as state and local governments continue to scale back their COVID-19 protocols.

Its hard to pick a better time to start one, Lehner said.

Aaron Pack initially disagreed. Hes brewmaster and, according to his Facebook profile, he said, tapmaster and toilet cleaner at the nascent beermaker.

Landowners and partners in the venture approached him to brew at a commercial scale and he believed it was a bad match, he said, until he saw the pitch that emphasizes showcasing.

Showcasing food  Tallman will feature food trucks with eight already signed on, including Cheesy Stuffed Burgers of Corvallis  and showcasing guest taps. The brewery will open with offerings from Wolf Tree Brewery of Seal Rock, Albanys Deluxe Brewing Company and Lebanon neighbor Barsideous Brewing on pour.

Pack said hes heard horror stories of the right brewery in the wrong location or with the wrong landlord or the wrong brewer. This plan put those fears at ease.

Everything is just happening in such a perfect way, Pack said. How often is an opportunity like this going to come by?

The earliest version of Tallman Brewing found friends and engineers Jess Krieger and Pack experimenting with batches of homebrew ales on hand-me-down equipment, distributed to friends and a few fans in drops announced on Facebook.

Krieger had dubbed their outfit in reference to his home town of Lebanon, naming their beer for the road that is named for a town that had started to grow at the end of the 19th century. Follow the railroad track about 2 miles north and west from town and they cross through the present-day Tallman neighborhood where a rail platform and post office used to stand.

The Wikipedia entry calls it a ghost town.

The friends interest fomented more expensive ingredients and larger equipment, and momentum built between 2010 and the early 20-teens. They could brew up to one barrel, spreading word of mouth and submitting samples to competitions, Pack said.

Then, like the namesake town, Tallman Brewing faded from view.

Bringing the name back came at the investment of time. Business plans were filed, loans were made, and a building with a rough-hewn timber facade appeared off of Airport Road, roughly behind the towns Taco Bell and near a Safeway.

Crews laid down a length of Primrose Street where only grass stood in a field near a strip mall.

Pack said he took brewing and business advice from Barsideous brewmaster Bill Bartman and had been in touch with breweries in Albany, Eugene and Portland.

Its not something you need to learn on your own, Pack said. The craft scene is very welcoming.

Pack said operations are smoothing out as the brewery approaches its mid-month soft opening. Employees are training, food carts are arriving and beer is almost sorted.

Deluxe is brewing Tallmans first five labels on contracts while the Lebanon brewery awaits the delivery and setup of commercial-scale equipment. Pack is planning 12 labels with lager and ales ranging from hazy IPAs and reds to seasonals and a stout that promises 10.3% alcohol by volume.

Lehner said customers probably will come. Demand on brewpubs cratered during the pandemic-driven recession, he said, but so did food service as a whole.

As restaurants rebound with increased in-person service, brew pubs will be among the most profitable.

Theyre basically restaurants that make their own beer, Lehner said.

Youre selling your own beer at your own bar to customers, he said.

Food pods serve as a further refinement to the model, outsourcing kitchen duties to other businesses that draw in customers looking to have beer with their meals. Businesses like Tallman effectively have cut out distributors and the overhead of a kitchen, making each pint more profitable.

Profit in turn will help Pack try more difficult or costly formulas like fruited or fresh-hopped beers.

As a homebrewer, to be able to pick blueberries for half a day and then come home and use them, thats ideal, he said. On a commercial scale, thats going to be a bit more complicated.

Experimenting, formulating, excitedly sharing  it echoes Packs description of the Tallman Brewing from a decade ago, just bigger.

Its that love of the sport, he said. Being able to provide to more than just your friends and family.

Alex Powers (he/him) covers business, environment and healthcare for Mid-Valley Media. Call 541-812-6116 or email Alex.Powers@lee.net.

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In an African country thousands of miles from his hometown of Corvallis, Adam Burgess hopes to make a difference with the Peace Corps.

Burgess is one of the first handful of Peace Corps volunteers returning to overseas service after the agency suspended operations in March 2020, evacuating nearly 7,000 volunteers of the international service network from more than 60 countries as the coronavirus spread around the world.

A graduate of Oregon State University, Burgess earned a bachelors degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. As he was finishing college, he spoke with someone who just finished a tour with the Peace Corps. Impressed with her experience and its impact, Burgess set out to find his own adventure.

Almost a month into training, which lasts three months, Burgess is staying with around 20 others in a lodge complex in Zambias capital city, Lusaka. Hell be volunteering in the environmental sector, working on sustainable development projects.

The stakes are high, he said. This is your family for the next two years.

The volunteer trainees take day trips two or three times a week, most recently to an organic production facility where farmers can learn new techniques. The days lesson focused around agroforestry, adding nitrogen-fixing trees into a farmers silage for livestock.

Burgess said due to deforestation, a big part of the job is planting food-producing trees.

Were trying to incorporate trees and shrubs that will help the environment while also being able to feed people and their animals, the bees, etc., Burgess said.

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Another example of the good being done, Burgess mentioned the story of a Peace Corps volunteer helping a farmer convert from dairy production to a cheese and yogurt facility, which he said changed the whole economic outlook for the farmers village.

During his time in the science realm, Burgess realized that while research is a great tool for societal development and empowerment, the benefits are often inaccessible to regular people. He said if we dont work to make the world a more equitable place, these important discoveries wont have any of the intended impact.

Shoveling horse manure and talking about trees while living in (southern) Africa might not be as glamorous as being a genetic engineer, he said. But I feel as though my projects here are way more relevant to the well-being of the planet and the people on it.

The opportunity to travel without the expenses and barriers is part of what attracted Burgess to the Peace Corps. Its a different kind of travel, too, living with people and integrating into their communities rather than just being a tourist, he said.

The Peace Corps is also beneficial for those seeking careers in government service. Burgess said the payoff is a year of preferred status when applying for federal government work. Hes considering whether hell pursue graduate school or work when his corps tour ends.

I really want to do something that matters and benefits other people and the world, he said. This is an excellent opportunity to dip my toes in the water, see if I actually like doing it.

Burgess added he couldnt do this alone, thanking his many supporters back home in Oregon.

In mid-March, the Peace Corps welcomed the first volunteers to service in Zambia. The governmental agency currently has 35 volunteers between locations in Zambia and the Dominican Republic, and is recruiting for 24 of its 60 posts. A news release said the agency will deploy volunteers as COVID-19 conditions permit.

Theres no specific timeline for bringing additional posts online, but the agency is working with all interested countries to reinstate volunteers, according to Carla Koop, a Peace Corps spokesperson.

The safety and security of volunteers, staff and host country communities are the agency's highest priority, Koop said in email. Conditions in each country need to be carefully assessed and safety and security plans in place before the agency can place volunteers at a post.

Volunteer cohorts serving in the Dominican Republic and Zambia are composed of both first-time volunteers and those who were evacuated in early 2020. Burgess was in Zambia for just more than a week before the pandemic forced evacuations. He was devastated having to leave so early in his time there.

It was painful, he said. It seemed like my life was on a path, and I was really a big fan of the path, and it all got torn apart and I was sent back to Corvallis, which is a great place, but I was ready to be away for a couple years.

Recalling his last visit to Zambia, Burgess said he absolutely loved the family that hosted him, the Ngambi family. As an only child, staying with this family made him feel like he had two younger sisters: Jessica and Mapalo.

Despite a somewhat significant language barrier, we spent all day running around and catching bugs, playing with the chickens, learning how to type on my typewriter, and looking at the stars, he said. It was really special, and gut-wrenching to leave behind.

Burgess and the volunteers are headed back to their village for a technical training this week. Hes incredibly thankful for the potential opportunity to see them again.

He said while meeting with the First Lady and interviewing on NBC Nightly News, he wore a shirt, referred to as Chitenge in Zambia, which the matriarch of the Ngambi family, Ireen, made for him as a parting gift.

Peace Corps volunteers work with communities on education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development and youth development. Among their assignments, volunteers will partner with communities to provide COVID-19 education and promote access to vaccinations, according to the news release.

This is a historic moment at a pivotal time in the world, Peace Corps CEO Carol Spahn said in the release. We are witnessing the largest vaccination effort in history, ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and a war that is expected to broadly impact food security.

Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter via @News_Mann_.

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WEDNESDAY

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 1:30 p.m., online. Jacki Hedlund Tyler, assistant professor of history and director of social studies at Eastern Washington University, will present "The Origins of Settler Colonialism in the Pacific Northwest." The settlement of Oregon by white colonists was neither an organic process nor a natural extension of the United States. Hedlund Tyler will draw on research from her book, "Leveraging an Empire: Settler Colonialism and the Legalities of Citizenship," to address the formation of Oregon as a settler colony, and the forced removal of American Indians from their traditional lands. ALL invites nonmembers to attend one or two classes at no charge to see if they are interested in becoming a member; email admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org if you are interested.

THURSDAY

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 9:30 a.m., online. David Fenner, adjunct faculty, Middle East Center at the University of Washington, will present "Afghanistan: The Graveyard of Empires?" Fenner will explore the long and contentious history of Afghanistan, reaching as far back as the attempted conquest of this mountainous region by Alexander the Great, bringing the discussion right up to todays tragic headlines. ALL invites nonmembers to attend one or two classes at no charge to see if they are interested in becoming a member; email admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org if you are interested.

"A State of Immigrants: A New Look at the Immigrant Experience in Oregon," 6 p.m., online. This panel talk will feature authors of this recently released report, which documents actions of immigrants and the adoption of public policies and community level strategies in Oregon that are helping immigrants and refugees achieve social, civic, cultural and economic integration. Free. Information: Daniel.Lopez-Cevallos@oregonstate.edu.

SATURDAY

Friends of the Lebanon Public Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lebanon Senior Center, 80 Tangent St. Select inventory of books, special editions and sets of books and DVDs, Blind Date books, carved vintage book art, unique book-themed gifts and more. Proceeds support reading and arts programs at the library. Cash or checks only.

TUESDAY

Academy for Lifelong Learning, 9:30 a.m., online. Hilary Boudet, associate director of graduate programs at the School of Public Policy, Oregon State University. Extreme weather events are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, yet it is unclear what role personal experience with such events plays in shaping public policy. Based on both surveys and interviews in impacted communities, results indicate that extreme weather events can promote action, but not always. Climate policy change is often limited post-event because rescue and recovery processes can be overwhelming. Boudet teaches courses on energy, climate and society. ALL invites nonmembers to attend one or two classes at no charge to see if they are interested in becoming a member. Email admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org if you are interested.

Items for this calendar are pulled from the user-generated calendar that runs on our websites. For further information, write to jane.stoltz@lee.net.

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The company behind the TurboTax tax-filing program will pay $141 million to customers across the United States who were deceived by misleading
By Azernews





By Ayya Lmahamad

Residents of the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park, which is under the jurisdiction of the Economic Zone Development Agency, are expanding the geography of exports, the Economy Ministry has reported.

State Oil Company's carbamide plant, a resident of the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park, has exported carbamide fertilizers to India for the first time. In the first stage, the export of products by the plant exceeded 5,000 tons.

It should be noted that the SOCAR carbamide plant, commissioned in 2019, plays an important role in eliminating Azerbaijan's dependence on imports of nitrogen fertilizers, meeting the needs of local farmers.

Currently, products produced at the plant are exported to Brazil, Georgia, Turkey, Moldova, Romania, Italy, Bulgaria, etc., under the Made in Azerbaijan brand.

The foundation of the carbamide plant was laid in 2011. The plant was constructed by South Koreas Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd implementing technologies introduced by Denmarks Haldor Topsoe and Stamicarbon B.V of the Netherlands. Neste Engineering Solutions Oy of Finland has provided project management consultation and independent inspection services.

The plant has a production capacity of 650,000-660,000 tons per year.
Moscow, ID (83843)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Windy with showers continuing this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 48F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 34F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
MONTGOMERY, Ala.  Alabama lawmakers approved legislation Thursday to restrict the use of good behavior incentives to shorten prison sentences, a bill brought in reaction to the slaying of a north Alabama police officer.

State senators voted 28-0 for the bill seeking to prohibit anyone convicted of manslaughter from qualifying for good time incentives. It now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for her consideration.

Behavior incentives are commonly used to try to combat prison violence by giving inmates a reason to follow rules. Alabama currently allows some inmates sentenced to 15 or fewer years in prison to qualify for good behavior incentives. However, good time is not given for Class A felonies such as murder and rape. The bill adds manslaughter to the list of convictions that do not qualify for good time.

The bill is called the Sergeant Nick Risner Act. It is named after the 40-year-old Sheffield police officer who was killed while pursuing a suspect last year. Risners family watched from the Senate gallery as lawmakers voted on the bill.

Brian Lansing Martin is charged with killing Risner, the father of one, and William Mealback Jr. of Cypress Inn, Tennessee. Martin had been released from prison in 2016 after serving a little over three years of a 10-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his father.

Martin is now in jail awaiting trial on the capital murder charge.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
MONTGOMERY  A Taylor woman was sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison Tuesday for her role in instigating a Dothan truck bombing that targeted a former boyfriend and father to one of her children, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Ashley Nicole Haydt, 36, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison for her role in the incident, announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart of the Middle District. Following her prison sentence, Haydt will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The news release states that according to court records and evidence presented at her 2017 trial, Haydt worked at Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center in Dothan with Sylvio Joseph King. The two became friends and Haydt told King about the troubled relationship she was having with her long-time boyfriend and father of her unborn child. Haydt was distraught because her boyfriend would not agree to marry her and he ultimately ended their relationship.

In June 2017, their child was born, and the ex-boyfriend filed for custody. The jury saw numerous texts from Haydt to King during this time expressing concern over losing custody of her infant child and that she wanted her ex-boyfriend out of the picture.

Those texts continued for several weeks until Haydt suggested they begin using the Snapchat app to communicate. One of the features of Snapchat is that pictures and messages are usually only available for a short time before they become inaccessible to recipients.

The news release said with Haydts encouragement to eliminate her ex-boyfriend, King began to purchase materials needed to construct a pipe bomb. Haydt provided King with her ex-boyfriends address and, during the early morning of Oct. 23, 2017, King placed the explosive device in the ex-boyfriends work truck parked at his home.

Evidence showed that King detonated the bomb while the ex-boyfriend was driving to work. Shrapnel from the device was blasted into the ex-boyfriends back and hip area, but he survived. After the explosion, King sent Haydt a message that read, boom, I felt that from 120 feet away.

Law enforcement became suspicious of Haydts involvement because she gave numerous conflicting statements during interviews and, when agents checked her cell phone, they discovered she had deleted text messages she exchanged with King the day of the bombing and before. She had also deleted the Snapchat app.

However, evidence of their prior communications remained on Kings phone. King also testified during the trial confirming Haydts involvement.

A jury found Haydt guilty of conspiracy, malicious use of an explosive, and concealing the commission of a felony.

King was sentenced on Nov. 4, 2021, to 108 months in prison for his role in the bombing.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Houston County Sheriffs Office, the Dothan Police Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), with assistance from the FBI and the Alabama Fire Marshals Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and B. Chelsea Phillips prosecuted the case.
MONTGOMERY  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will temporarily close its driver license examining offices statewide beginning this Monday, April 18, to install a new license system.

Plans are to reopen the offices on Tuesday, April 26, according to ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor in a news release.

In February, state officials announced the new ALEA Driver License System, known as LEADS, which will revitalize the current system that has been in place for nearly two decades.

We understand that it may cause an inconvenience to some citizens that will not have full access of the Driver License Divisions resources and capabilities, but we assure everyone the result will be impressive, providing significant improvements for both citizens as well as Driver License employees across the state, Taylor said.

According to the news release, during the temporary closure, ALEA driver license examiners will be available to administer Class D and CDL road skills tests. However, citizens who completed these tests will not be issued a copy of their license until offices are reopened. County offices will remain open during the transitional period but strictly for revenue and probate services.

Once LEADS is live, citizens will have access to a variety of new options and enhanced services such as allowing individuals the ability to pre-apply for an Alabama Driver License and enter all necessary information prior to visiting a local office.

Taylor said LEADS is an example of ALEAs commitment to improving customer service through the enhancement and utilization of technology, as well as focused communication, to effectively achieve the agencys mission of providing quality service for all.

Director of ALEAs Department of Public Safety Col. Jimmy Helms said, The modernization of our driver license system has been one of the top priorities since the beginning of my administration, and I would like to take this opportunity to assure everyone this will be the first of many steps within ALEAs plan to continue to enhance the driver license experience for all Alabamians.

Helms added the upcoming driver license office closure may affect several industries and encouraged everyone to begin making preparations now to reduce the potential for any negative impacts.

For further information on LEADS and project updates, visit: alea.gov.
MONTGOMERY - Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama will later this year begin building the Electrified Genesis GV70 and the hybrid version of the Santa Fe, the company announced Tuesday.

The vehicles will join the Elantra sedan, Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs and Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle on the Montgomery assembly line.

The addition of the Electrified GV70 and Santa Fe Hybrid marks the beginning of Hyundais electric vehicle production in the United States. Hyundai plans to invest $300 million and create 200 jobs at its U.S. manufacturing center.

Hyundai Motor Company is taking its first steps toward bringing electric vehicle production to the United States. We are excited to showcase our team members in producing electric vehicles here in Alabama, said Ernie Kim, President and CEO  Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.

Over the years, we have developed an enduring partnership with Hyundai, and its been great to witness the profound economic impacts of the companys continued investments in Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey said.

Hyundais new growth plans in Montgomery will help prepare the states auto industry for the EV revolution while also aligning with our strategic initiatives such as Drive Electric Alabama. This is another major milestone for our friends at Hyundai, Ivey added.

Hyundai and Montgomery have a powerful partnership, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this relationship in the coming years and working to support this tremendous investment.

HMMA will begin plant expansion projects ranging from additional warehouse space to enhanced assembly processes to support electric vehicle production. The Santa Fe Hybrid will begin production in October 2022 and the Electrified GV70 will roll off the assembly line in December 2022.

The 2023 Electrified GV70 will begin arriving in U.S. dealerships in 2023. The 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid is available at all U.S. dealerships.
The State Department is taking action against Peoples Republic of China, or PRC, officials for repressing predominantly Muslim Uighurs, members of other ethnic and religious minority groups, and religious and spiritual practitioners inside and outside of Chinas borders, including within the United States.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on March 21 that the United States rejects efforts by PRC officials to harass, intimidate, surveil, and abduct members of ethnic and religious minority groups, including those who seek safety abroad, and U.S. citizens, who speak out on behalf of these vulnerable populations. We are committed to defending human rights around the world and will continue to use all diplomatic and economic measures to promote accountability.

The newly-announced visa restrictions will be imposed against PRC officials who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing religious and spiritual practitioners, members of ethnic and religious minority groups, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, labor organizers, civil society organizers, and peaceful protestors in China and beyond.

We again call on the PRC government to cease its acts of transnational repression, including attempting to silence Uighur American activists and other Uighur individuals serving the American people by denying exit permission to their family members in China, said Secretary Blinken.

The United States reaffirms its support for those who speak out despite the threat of retaliation. More than one million predominantly Muslim Uighurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups are in extrajudicial internment camps and an additional two million are subjected to so-called re-education training. Secretary Blinken reiterated his call to the PRC government to end its ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, repressive policies in Tibet, crackdown on fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, and human rights violations and abuses, including violations of religious freedom, elsewhere in the country.

As this recent action illustrates, the United States will continue to work, alongside the international community, to promote accountability for PRC officials responsible for atrocities and human rights violations and abuses wherever they occur, including within China, the United States, and elsewhere around the world.
ELKO  Nevada Humanities, in partnership with the Humanities Center at Great Basin College, the Nevada Arts Council and Great Basin College, is hosting an online evening of poetry and conversation with in-person watch parties held across Nevada from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27.

The event, titled Love, Land, and Language: A Reading and Conversation with Natalie Diaz, will feature the author of Postcolonial Love Poem for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2021, and will be moderated by Gailmarie Pahmeier, the Nevada Poet Laureate and 2016 Nevada Writers Hall of Fame inductee.

Participants can join poet Pahmeier in person at Great Basin College in Elko, in the High Tech Center, Room HTC 120, where she will speak with Diaz via Zoom.

Participants can also join an in-person watch party livestream from the colleges many satellite locations in Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, and Pahrump, along with Nevada State College in Henderson; or watch online via the platform Bluejeans from across Nevada and beyond.

All modes of participation require advance registration at nevadahumanities.org.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Nevada Humanities is honored to join poet Natalie Diaz with Nevada Poet Laureate Gailmarie Pahmeier to discuss language, the open spaces of the West, and the critical need for all our voices to be heard, states Christina Barr, executive director of Nevada Humanities. We hope you will be able to join us in the location and format that best works for you.

One of the silver linings of the pandemic, as so many events moved online, was that those of us in the rural areas got to participate in amazing discussions. By partnering with Nevada Humanities and the Nevada Arts Council, a smaller organization like the Humanities Center at GBC can actively participate to bring together two amazing poets, live from Elko and virtually, in a statewide event, stated Gail Rappa, Humanities Center Coordinator at Great Basin College. These types of partnerships are part of the commitment by all three organizations to ensure rural Nevadans have a seat at the table in the arts and humanities, and we are thrilled to be part of it!

There are two additional events being planned that feature either Nevada poet Pahmeier or the poetry of Diaz.

At 6 p.m. April 26 at the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Pahmeier will be joined by Nevada Arts Council Literary Fellow Justin Evans where they will each share their work in a free poetry reading in a hybrid in-person/online event. An Evening of Poetry with Gailmarie Pahmeier and Justin Evans is a free event and can be attended either in person or online.

From 5:30-7 p.m. April 28 on Zoom, the Humanities Center at Great Basin College Book Club will be hosting a discussion featuring the book Postcolonial Love Poem by Diaz. This event is open to all readers who want to experience a deeper dive into Diazs poetry. This program is free and open to all. To learn more about this event visit humanities.gbcnv.edu/book_club_books for a link to join the discussion at the appropriate time.

Natalie Diaz is Mojave and an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Tribe. Her first poetry collection, When My Brother Was an Aztec, was published by Copper Canyon Press, and her second book, Postcolonial Love Poem, was published by Graywolf Press in March 2020. She lives in Phoenix.

A 2016 inductee into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame, Pahmeier has published three full-length works of poetry, The Rural Lives of Nice Girls, The House on Breakaheart Road, and Of Bone, Of Ash, Of Ordinary Saints: A Nevada Gospel, as well as three chapbooks  short collections of poems with a unifying theme.

She served as inaugural Reno Poet Laureate, 2015-2017. In September of 2021, Gov. Steve Sisolak, appointed her Nevada Poet Laureate. Now Emerita, Pahmeier taught creative writing and contemporary literature at the University Nevada, Reno, where she received the University Distinguished Teacher Award and the Alan Bible Teaching Excellence Award, among other distinctions. She holds a bachelors degree in creative writing from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arkansas.



Elko High School Performing Arts Building:

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By Trend

In the first quarter, state budget revenues exceeded the forecast by 6.3 percent, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov said on April 12 at a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, dedicated to the results of the first quarter of this year, Trend reports.

"In the first quarter, state budget revenues exceeded the forecast by 6.3 percent, or 418 million manats, with budget revenues amounting to 7.1 billion manats.

I would also like to note that the forecast on revenues has been exceeded by the State Tax Service by 539 million manats, or 23.8 percent, and by the State Customs Committee by 236 million manats, or 23.7 percent. On social insurance premiums, 1.41 billion manats was executed against the forecast of 961 million manats. I should note that the bigger share of over-fulfillment of forecasts for the State Tax Service, i.e. by about 90 percent, is due to increased revenues in the non-oil sector. In general, revenues from the non-oil sector in the first quarter accounted for more than 80 percent of total revenues and more than 80 percent of total tax revenues. Under such circumstances, the State Oil Fund transfers into the state budget were executed by 2.757 billion manats against the planned 3.180 billion manats, i.e. 13 percent, or 423 million manats less. This is due to the fact that state budget execution has been very high," the minister said.




BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  State environmental officials unlawfully approved a large copper mine in central Montana despite worries that mining waste would pollute a river thats popular among boaters, a state judge ruled.

Officials with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality failed to conduct an adequate review of the proposed Black Butte mine north of White Sulphur Springs, Judge Katherine Bidegaray said in Fridays ruling.

Work began last year on the mine along a tributary of the Smith River, a waterway so popular among boaters that the state holds an annual lottery to decide who can float down it.

The underground mine sponsored by Vancouver-based Sandfire Resources is on private land and would extract 15.3 million tons of copper-laden rock and waste over 15 years  roughly 440 tons a day.

Environmentalists had sued over potential pollution from the mine and asked Bidegaray to reconsider its permit.

Bidegarays ruling leaves that permit in place for now. She asked the two sides in the case to submit legal briefs within 45 days to address what should happen next.

State officials said the mine permit includes requirements that will protect the Smith River. They plan to appeal the ruling, Department of Environmental Quality Director Chris Dorrington said.

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The land that was to become Arizona territory in 1863 and a state in 1912 was, for centuries before, a destination for multiple Spanish explorations in search of gold, and also served as a prominent area for notable silver processing techniques  and stories of lost treasure.

Beginning on April 12, 1539, Fray Marcos de Niza  sent by Viceroy Mendoza  traveled into Arizona on an expedition reaching the Zuni pueblos in New Mexico. De Niza was credited with being the first European to explore west of the Rockies.

De Nizas report of gold and silver utensils initiated the expedition of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado the following year. The expedition included 250 cavalrymen, 200 foot soldiers, 1,000 Indians, and 1,000 horses and mules. While the expedition mapped the region from eastern Arizona to Kansas, a distance of over 1,500 miles, it failed to uncover previously anticipated mineral wealth of the fabled renowned Seven Cities of Cibola.

Bartolome de Medina of Pachuca, Mexico, is credited in 1557 with the invention of what became known as the patio process. It involved the amalgamation of silver sulfide low grade ore using a combination of salt, water, copper sulfate and mercury spread 1 or 2 feet high on an open floor or patio and crushed by burros hooves using an arrastra. Long-term sun exposure coupled with consistent crushing ensured that the silver ore binded with the mercury, forming an amalgam from which the mercury was later separated by the application of heat.

This processing method proved invaluable for recovering silver, though it did take longer to treat the ore and was eventually improved with pan amalgamation invented by Alvaro Alonso Barba in the early 1600s. While retaining the mixtures of salt, water, copper sulfate and mercury with ground silver ore, it supplanted the outdoor patio with the use of heated shallow pans instead of reliance on the sun. This led to a reduction of the amalgamation process from a week to less than a day.

These processing methods saw practical application in later Spanish explorations. Antonio de Espejo discovered one of the earliest silver deposits in Arizona near the headwaters of the Verde River in 1582, which may have been the same location of the renowned United Verde Mine 300 years later. Espejo also documented the Verde River salt deposits.

The exploration of Juan de Onate in 1604 along the Santa Maria and Bill Williams rivers in present day Mojave County reported rich silver ore, possibly in the Aquarius and Hualapai mountains.

The arrival of Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino in 1691 and subsequent mineral exploration and mining of silver ore in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson followed in the decades thereafter. With renewed mining interest, Jesuits founded a series of missions along the Santa Cruz River including San Felipe Guevavi and San Xavier del Bac.

The discovery of the Bolas y Planchas de Platas (Balls and Plates of Silver) in northern Sonora, 15 miles southeast of Nogales, occurred in 1736. The discovery was noteworthy, including slabs of silver weighing up to 2,700 pounds.

The area, comprised of a ranch and surrounding hills, was known to the Spanish as Arissona from the Papago (now Tohono Oodham) term Arizonac.

This discovery fell under the jurisdiction of Captain Juan Bautista de Anza, employed by the Spanish colonial government, who declared it for the Spanish crown and sparked further exploration by his son Juan Bautista de Anza II, who went on to chart a route from Sonora to California in the 1770s.

When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1823, the missions were abandoned, and no protection was afforded to the Spanish-Mexican miners in Arizona. The area became untenable to mining due to raids by Apaches and outlaws. Mining would reconvene under more favorable protections when the area was acquired by the United States after the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1854.

One of the most enduring mining legends in Arizona involves the lost mines of the Peralta family. The story begins with Don Pedro, who left his homeland in Barcelona, Spain, in 1757 aboard a Spanish galleon arriving in La Ciudad de Chihuahua, where he acquired multiple silver mines.

His son Manuel became a mine operator. So too did his son Miguel and his three sons who followed, Manuel, Pedro and Ramon, who moved forward on an expedition in 1846 to uncover gold deposits which they discovered at Mormon Flat in Arizona.

The rich gold ore originating from an 18-inch vein and valued at several thousand dollars was milled in arrastres operated by the Peralta brothers. Additional out-croppings of gold-bearing quartz were discovered by Pedro Peralta upon a black-topped mountain west of Weavers Needle, also known as La Sombrera.

Pedro drew up maps and markers to the location while shipping gold to his brothers for processing. Two sons successfully returned to their home in Mexico with some gold from their placer mining operations, while Pedro returned to Chihuahua to muster 68 men and several hundred mules to mine the deposits upon his return in 1848. Apaches ambushed the miners, killing them onsite.

Pedro is said to have buried the gold while his entourage fought a rear guard action. This gold, and the later link in the 1870s between Peraltas maps, Jacob Waltz The Dutchman and his partner Jacob Weiser, would evolve into the modern day quest to find a purported gold cache valued at perhaps $200 million.

William Ascarza is an archivist, historian and author of seven books available for purchase online and at select bookstores. These include his latest, In Search of Fortunes: A Look at the History of Arizona Mining, available through M.T. Publishing Co. His other books are Chiricahua Mountains: History and Nature, Southeastern Arizona Mining Towns, Zenith on the Horizon: An Encyclopedic Look at the Tucson Mountains from A to Z, Tucson Mountains, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum with Peggy Larson and Sentinel to the North: Exploring the Tortolita Mountains. Email William Ascarza for a signed copy of his publications at AZMiningHistory@gmail.com

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ELKO  An Elko man died Thursday evening when his motorcycle crashed on Mountain City Highway about five miles north of Elko, according to Nevada State Police.

Preliminary investigation determined that a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling southbound on State Route 225 in a curved section of the highway and failed to negotiate a turn at approximately 7:14 p.m., stated NSP. The motorcycle crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The motorcycle re-entered the roadway in a broadside skid and then overturned.

Matthew Surdahl, 30, was ejected as the motorcycle overturned. He succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Impairment is suspected, stated NSP.

The crash is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command East Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information regarding the crash, is asked to contact Trooper Mitch Payne of the NHP Elko Office at 775-753-1111.

Several other fatal crashes have occurred on the curvy section of highway that snakes through the Adobe Range.

They include a Henderson driver who crashed into a large boulder while towing a boat in July 2021; an Idaho man whose Toyota Corolla veered off the road and struck a fence in June 2020; and an Elko man who was killed in October 2020 when his southbound Harley-Davidson crossed the centerline and struck a Dodge pickup.

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SPRING CREEK  Assembly candidates provided different views of what would be the biggest issue they would tackle if elected to serve in the Nevada Legislature as they faced off at a candidate forum Tuesday night, but all said they were ready to represent rural Nevada.

The economy. Definitely the economy, said Bert Gurr, a longtime Realtor who is running as a Republican and added a second key issue  water.

He said water concerns will be major as the state and communities such as Spring Creek face shortages, and it is almost impossible to obtain water for housing developments, not just in Elko County but the rest of District 33. He said the economy will suffer because of it.

The City of Elko has available water, but that is only for the city, Gurr said.

The other Republican seeking the Assembly District 33 seat now held by John Ellison, R-Elko, is Nicole Sirotek, a patient advocate and registered nurse. She said the biggest issue as the narrative shifts with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic is the continued assault on the middle class. Ive dealt with people who have to choose between gas in the tank or food on the table.

She said she is seeing a continuous assault on the middle class. Weve had wasteful spending, excess taxation, and weve forgotten what trade schools are.

We have to work collaboratively and effectively without sacrificing our values. We have to protect the middle class. The middle class is the backbone of this country, she said.

The only Democrat running for Assembly, John Doc Garrard, said the top issue in one word is children. The youth in this community need to be taken care of, and the elderly in the community need to be taken care of. If we dont protect both ends of the spectrum, what good does it do to take care of the middle?

Garrard said we need to start acting like a village. In speaking about his work as a paramedic, he said, I dont check your wallet to see how you vote. I dont look at your face to see what color you are. I dont see what language you speak. I speak five.

The district that one of the three will represent is 500 miles long and roughly 250 miles wide, said Gurr, who told the debate audience that we as Republicans face many, many challenges in the Nevada Legislature and the assembly representative from the 33rd district will be only one voice among 41 others in the assembly.

He said that in the 2021 session, Republicans offered 126 bills; 60 were heard and 33 passed, and he agreed with Sirotek that the assembly representative will need to work collaboratively with the others in the Legislature.

Looking at the question of how to protect the gold mines that are a major economic driver in rural Nevada, Garrard said he wants to see more of the mining revenue stay in the communities rather than go back to company headquarters in foreign countries.

I want a little bit of that trickle from gold to come back to us, said Garrard, adding that he is not trying to take jobs from anybody but suggesting a system such as in Alaska where oil revenues are shared with citizens.

Barrick Gold Corp., which operates Nevada Gold Mines in a joint venture with Newmont Corp., is based in Toronto, but Newmont is based in Denver. Kinross Gold Corp., owner of the Bald Mountain and Round Mountain mines in rural Nevada, also is Canadian based, while KGHM that owns the Robinson Mine near Ely is based in Poland.

Other mining companies with interests in rural Nevada are based in the U.S., such as Coeur Mining, Chicago; SSR Mining, Denver; and Hecla Mining, Idaho; while First Majestic Silver is Canadian.

Gurr said the gold mines provide money and jobs, and the mines have been taxed and taxed, including in the most recent legislative session when mining companies agreed to an excise tax for education in lieu of attempts to raise the net proceeds of minerals tax from 5% upward or even substitute a gross proceeds tax.

The new tax goes to the state coffers designated for education, and Gurr said there needs to be clarity to be sure the money is used the way it is planned.

He also suggested the Nevada Board of Education isnt needed anymore, and he said he doesnt want more taxes on agriculture.

Sirotek said taxation is excessive and too much tax will cripple any industry, which she said could lead to companies packing their bags and leaving Nevada. Mines already are taking more from paychecks for medical coverage than they did in the past, she said.

Sirotek urged more effective polices for the state, including the prevention of wasteful spending, and warned that lawmakers shouldnt slaughter the golden goose.

Addressing a question on gun violence and guns in school, Gurr said the Elko County School District has trained officers at the schools, and parents need education on guns, but he doesnt want to see the state mandate anything to locals.

He said that everybodys got to be involved. It doesnt make sense to have the state running our business.

Guns are machines. Are you going to address guns or violence? We need take care of our youth. We need to focus on violence, not guns, stated Garrard, who said he is retired military. I am not against guns. They are no different than a monkey wrench.

Sirotek, who volunteered as a nurse in New York City during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, said gun safety should be the parents job, and we dont need implementation of firearm policy, we need more responsible gun owners. Its not guns that kill anyone; its a person.

On the question of how to address aging infrastructure, Sirotek stressed the need to work collaboratively with other lawmakers to find the money because we have to take a piece of the pie from somewhere else.

Gurr said our infrastructure is aging. Spring Creeks is aging. Infrastructure is a big, big issue, and funds at the state level should be looked at immediately.

He said U.S. Highway 93 is bad, and he recently drove U.S. Highway 95, and thats bad.

Garrard called attention to the need for a van to transport veterans.

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ELKO  All of the candidates for sheriff agree that Elko County is and should be a constitutional county but not all of them agree with joining the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.

Last summer, Sheriff Aitor Narvaiza met the groups founder, Richard Mack, and took the proposal to join his organization to Elko County Commissioners, which they approved.

Former deputy John Gaylor  one of three men challenging Narvaiza as he seeks a second term  said many groups consider the association to be a right-wing organization.

Theres a lot of corporations and businesses that cant donate to an organization thats aligned with a right-wing organization  they wont do it, thats just their company policies, he said at Tuesday nights candidate forum sponsored by the Spring Creek Association.

To be a constitutional county  all you have to do is stand up for your constituents in your county and say were a hundred percent constitutional county, Gaylor added. Absolutely I would defend the Constitution.

I did make Elko County a constitutional county, said Narvaiza, but that does not mean we are a bunch of cowboys wielding guns, kicking in doors, OK?

He said he swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution when he became a citizen in 1975 and again when he was elected sheriff, and he will continue to uphold it.

If the government is overreaching its my job to protect the people of the United States and the people of Elko County, he said. We will follow that Constitution of the United States no matter what the hell happens.

Sgt. Mike Silva also said the countys designation deprives us of funding from businesses that want to provide donations, services in a partnership with the sheriffs office, because we have sided with a group or groups that businesses dont want to be affiliated with.

Silva said if a judge finds something unconstitutional, as sheriff he would follow that judges orders until the laws can be rewritten.

Deputy Shawn Sherwood said he would support the U.S. and Nevada constitutions and individual rights. He said its up to the legislative branch to change laws, and if they are wrong the Supreme Court helps us make those decisions whether or not that needs to be changed.

The candidates also had varying opinions about handling nuisance issues in Spring Creek, such as dogs running at large and children driving motorcycles and ATVs on the streets.

Silva said parents need to be held accountable for their children. Staffing to handle dog issues could be increased by cross-training animal control officers and civil deputies.

Sherwood said such crimes could be handled more efficiently with deputies placed at a substation in Spring Creek.

Maintaining a public nuisance is a crime, he said. We need to deal with that crime and make sure offenders pay their citations.

Sherwood also suggested the county could partner with the City or set up its own animal shelter in Spring Creek through a nonprofit.

Gaylor said ATV violations often occur because people dont realize they are being a nuisance, and nuisance crimes are typically someone thats not willfully violating the law.

You either educate your neighbor or you educate your offender on when and where you can do these types of activities, he said.

Narvaiza agreed that kids often dont realize what they are doing is wrong, and he said deputies must be able to identify an offender in court or theres really not much we can do.

You get these kids, little kids, riding motorcycles, riding side-by-sides, most of em are 7, 8 years of age. We catch em riding, we make contact with the parents, say Hey, make sure your kids stay off the road, make sure theyre not hot-rodding. Some parents get really upset, he added. Its frustrating for everybody.

In other remarks at the forum, Gaylor said better connections with the community would help reduce crime. He suggested equipping deputies with computers so they could write reports in the field. Grant writing could also help fund additional staff. Gaylor also said he would work on morale issues, and that mental health services were important at the jail, pointing to five inmate deaths over the past four years.

Narvaiza said he has been trying to reduce crime through saturation patrols and use of a SET team (special enforcement team) that has been tackling issues such as a rash of graffiti in Spring Creek. He said the department has implemented a mental health program for employees and has been working with the hospital and Medallus to see that inmates are getting the care they need. Yes, weve had suicides [at the jail] but weve also had lieutenants who failed to do their job as well, Narvaiza said.

Silva said he worked in the jail for 19 years and led the Detention Response Team. The jail is the biggest liability for this county, he said. The lawsuits that you are paying for are outrageous. Silva said he would work closer with the mines and with property owner associations to find ways to increase staffing in the sheriffs office.

Sherwood said if elected he would launch a crime prevention initiative and work closer with the Elko Police Department on handling property crimes. He suggested putting substations not only in Spring Creek, but places like Ryndon or Elburz to reduce response times. Our populations doing nothing but growing out here, he noted.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is still wreaking havoc across the globe. However, it cannot prevent China-Africa cooperation from growing in both depth and substance.

The just-concluded China-Africa conference on civilization dialogue has become a new platform for strengthening exchanges between cultures and civilizations, seeking wisdom that contributes to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

China-Africa ties are built on the long history of exchanges between the two civilizations, which have been embracing mutual cooperation, equal partnership and solidarity to advance their relations in a turbulent international order.

China and Africa are close friends, reliable partners and good brothers. They stand together in terms of mutual assistance, team up amid difficulties and treat each other with sincerity.

In early January, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward a proposal called "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" (HoA), which is expected to play a big role in promoting regional peace, development and stability.

The proposal aims to support countries in the region to jointly tackle security, development and governance challenges, earning it a warm welcome in the HoA.

China believes that Africans, as their own masters, should have the final say in their own affairs.

To this end, China actively promotes the countries in the region in strengthening intra-regional dialogue, suggesting they hold peace conferences and reach political consensus on jointly safeguarding peace and security.

Peace and development cannot be achieved amid poverty.

In late February, as some African countries battled drought, China announced it would provide emergency food aid to Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Meanwhile, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, built by Chinese enterprises, together with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, have also helped boost the local economies and create job opportunities.

China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, and China has always respected and supported Africa. Together with the countries in the region, China will continue to work tirelessly and play a constructive role in bringing peace and development to the HoA.
The US' anti-dumping duties on Vietnam's honey exporters have been cut by almost sevenfold. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), this is part of the DOCs final conclusions on tax rates in the anti-dumping investigation against honey imported from Argentina, Brazil, India, and Vietnam.

Accordingly, the anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese businesses were cut down to 58.74 - 61.27 percent from 410.93 - 413.99 percent in the preliminary conclusions.

This will help Vietnams honey industry maintain export to the US, the MoIT said, noting that it welcomes the DOC listening to relevant parties opinions and adjusting part of its calculation methodology.

However, the MoIT held that this result has yet to truly reflect Vietnams honey production and export.

In the US, there are two agencies taking part in an anti-dumping probe, namely the DOC that determines anti-dumping duties and the International Trade Commission (ITC) that assesses damage suffered by domestic industries.

Anti-dumping measures will officially come into force on the basis of final conclusions on anti-dumping duties and losses to domestic industries in the US.

The ITC is investigating the losses to the USs honey industry and expected to issue final conclusions on May 23.

Vietnam exported 56,133 tonnes of honey worth about 82.1 million USD to the US in 2021, according to the ITC.

The MoIT said in the time ahead, it will continue working with relevant ministries and sectors, the Vietnam Beekeeperss Association, and exporters to keep sharing information with the US agencies in the following stages of investigation in order to help Vietnams honey industry be treated equally in this case as in line with regulations of the World Trade Organisation.

Tourism services enjoy dramatic recovery

Major tourist destinations across Vietnam were packed with holidaymakers during the three-day national break running from April 9 to April 11 to commemorate the ancestral anniversary of Hung Kings, marking the start of a strong recovery for the domestic tourism sector, reported VOV News.

Tens of thousands of people have flocked to Hoi An - a UNESCO-regconised heritage site in central Vietnam during the national break on April 9-11.

With COVID-19 impacting the country for more than two years, tourism was one of the hardest hit economic sectors. Efforts to reopen tourism services were jeopardised by subsequent waves of the virus, as well as disease prevention measures and a reluctance among tourists.

This year the situation is totally different as localities have been implementing the Governments strategy of living safely with the virus. Localities have gradually resumed the majority of services, with tourism recovery considered as a spearhead sector in relation to the economic recovery process. The Government has also eased COVID-19 prevention and control measures to create the conditions in which people can freely participate in the tourism market.

Sam Son beach in Thanh Hoa province has become crowded over recent days packed full of visitors from various localities. Minh Hoa, a visitor from Hanoi, said she was happy to return to her favourite beach after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.

When the disease showed signs of abating, we booked the ticket immediately, and if everything is fine we plan to make longer trips to other places this summer, said Hoa.

Meanwhile, Vung Tau city in the south which is famous for beaches with crystal-clear water attracted 37,000 holidaymakers during the three-day break, a record surge in recent years. Likewise, all lodging facilities in other tourist destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat were fully booked, signaling a substantial recovery of local tourism services.

The sector has set a target of receiving 65 million visitors, including five million foreigners, this year. The target, according to economic experts, will be achievable thanks to the sectors post-pandemic stimulus programme, along with the strong resolve from the Government, ministries, localities, and travel businesses.

The crowding of major tourist destinations nationwide during the April 9 to April 11 national break will serve to herald a strong recovery for the tourism sector. It represented a major test for the sector and localities especially when people enjoy a four-day national break, starting on April 30 to mark National Reunification Day and May Day. In addition, many localities are launching summer festivals to anticipate the upcoming peak tourism season.

Vietnam strives to expand markets for seafood exports

Vietnams seafood exports made a strong recovery in the first quarter of 2022, with total revenue reaching 2.4 billion USD, up 38.7% year on year. Such an impressive result was thanks to strong growth in the export of shrimp and shark catfish, reported Nhan Dan News.

Processing tuna for export at BIDIFISCO

Catfish exports during the January-March period soared by 88% to 646 million USD, while shrimp exports saw decent growth in major markets such as the US, the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, and the UK.

The US remained the largest importer of Vietnamese shrimp, accounting for 21% of the total exports, while Vietnam continued to be the fourth largest provider of shrimp for the US. Vietnams total shrimp export revenue for 2022 is expected to reach 4 billion USD, up 3%.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also somewhat affected Vietnams seafood exports, although these two markets accounted for a very small portion of Vietnams total exports since the conflict drove fuel prices and other input costs, hurting businesses profits.

The Russian market, for example, accounted for 3% of Vietnams annual seafood exports. When the conflict broke out, all exports to Russia were cancelled due to risks related to banking, a shortage of container ships and high costs. Exporters to this market are monitoring the situation to deal with stockpiles and are trying to export to other markets.

Besides Russia, exports to China are also facing hurdles due to its zero-COVID policy. Furthermore, rising fuel prices have led to higher shipping costs, which will be a long-term problem for Vietnamese exporters.

Carnival Ha Long 2022 spotlights SEA Games 31

The upcoming Ha Long Carnival, a highlight of the Ha Long  Quang Ninh tourism week 2022, is expected to be a warm welcome to athletes competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) hosted by the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh this May, reported Vietnam News Agency.

At the press conference. (Photo: VNA)

At an April 12 press conference on activities during the tourism week, which will take place on the occasion of the National Reunification Day (April 30) and the May Day (May 1) holidays, the organiser unveiled the theme of the carnival that spotlights SEA Games 31.

Accordingly, the carnival aims at promoting Ha Long, home to the World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, as a safe and friendly destination. With the participation of about 2,000 actors, the event will run at the Dai Duong (ocean) Park in Bai Chay ward. It is expected to be rounded off with a firework.

On the occasion, the city will kick off the operation of its one-year pilot floating night street, which features 30 boats serving food from 5:30pm to 11pm every day.

The tourism week will also treat visitors to a series of activities, including a kite flying festival, a dancing festival, a photo exhibition, and a trade fair.

In 2022, Quang Ninh aims to host over 10 million tourists, including 1.5 million foreigners. As a result, its tourism revenue is targeted at some 21 trillion VND (917.43 million USD).

Hanoi plans to build more bus stations in city gateways

Giap Bat bus station in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi plans to build new bus stations at gateways to the city as part of a newly-approved master plan of bus stations, parking areas and logistics centres until 2030 with a vision to 2050, reported Vietnam News Agency.

The plan covers all administrative area of the capital city with consideration of impacts on nearby areas in the Hanoi capital region.

Under the plan, intercity bus and truck stations are arranged at the intersections of radial axes along the east-west and north-south direction and Ring Road No.4.

The new stations will be connected with public bus system of the city and stations of urban railway lines, thus gradually replacing existing stations locating deep inside the city.

Existing intercity bus stations inside the Ring Road No.3, namely Gia Lam, My Dinh, Giap Bat and Nuoc Ngam, will be temporarily used before the new ones are put into use.

In the future, they are expected to be replaced by Dong Anh, Co Bi and Ring Road No.4 stations. More bus stations will be built in the future in gateways into the city in the north, east, west and south.

The city has also set out solutions to call for investment from businesses and community for the construction of the new stations and car parks, with priority given to the building of smart underground and multi-storey parking areas./.
Vietnams molluscs exported to 42 markets. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

The countrys main export products are clams, oysters, snails and scallops.

Three factories processing molluscs for export equipped with modern technology and equipment are Thanh Hoa Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company, Ben Tre Fisheries Joint Stock Company and Lenger Vietnam Fisheries Co., Ltd., Mr. Khoi added.

Regarding specific export figures, a representative of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that in 2021, Vietnams bivalve mollusc export value reached 141.6 million USD, an increase of 35%. compared to 2020. In which, clam is the main product, accounting for 73% with nearly 103 million USD, followed by scallops and oysters.

The main import markets of bivalve molluscs are the EU (Spain, Portugal, Italy), the US, Japan, Taiwan (China) and the Republic of Korea.

In order to achieve export value of bivalve molluscs of over 141 million USD, in recent years, coastal provinces and cities have promoted the production and development of molluscous farming.

Vietnam has many favorable factors for the development of cultured molluscs such as clams, scallops, oysters, clams, snails, green mussels, pearl mussels and jumping snails.

The country owns natural potential of 3,200-km coastline, 112 estuaries, 660,000 ha of tidal flats with 2,200 species of molluscs. People have experience in a variety of production and commercial farming operations. Besides, the technique of raising molluscs is simple and production costs are low./.
At the signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh

as part of the visit. (Photo: VNA)

The visit opened a series of activities to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022, the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, 45 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and 55 years of the Thanh Hoa - Houaphanh partnership.

At their talks between the Thanh Hoa delegation with their peers in Houaphanh, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen communications and education on the traditional ties between Vietnam and Laos as well as Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh.

They concurred to encourage and create favourable conditions for businesses and investors of both sides to operate in each others market, while granting more scholarships to officials and students to study in each others country.

They will work closely together to organise joint cultural, art and tourism activities, while increasing border patrols to build a shared border of peace and stability.

On this occasion, Thanh Hoa handed over to Houaphanh four projects built at a cost of over 182 billion VND (nearly 8 million USD) of non-refundable aid from Thanh Hoa, which were constructed between 2016 and 2020.

Addressing the handing-over ceremony, Tuan underlined that the four works are evidence for the close relations and solidarity between the Party Organisations, administrations and people of Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh. He pledged that Thanh Hoa will continue to assist the Lao neighbouring province to boost socio-economic development and protect security-defence.

For his part, Vanxay Phengsoumma, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Houaphanh thanked the Party Organisation, administration and people of Thanh Hoa for supporting Houaphanh in all periods, which has greatly contributed to the socio-economic development and defence-security protection of Houaphanh. The assistance reflects the sound friendship between the two countries and between Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh in particular, he stressed./.
Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh congratulated Ambassador Sinchai Manivanh and all staff of the Lao Embassy

(Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh congratulated Ambassador Sinchai Manivanh and all staff of the Lao Embassy, with wishes for a healthy, happy and successful new year.

Mr. Thanh highlighted the significance of the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and suggested the two sides' representative agencies further promote the tradition of solidarity, and mutual support during their mission in Australia.

The Lao Ambassador expressed his pleasure when welcoming the delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra with congratulations on the New Year, right after presenting his credentials and appreciation in Vietnamese for the cordial New Year wishes of Ambassador Nguyen Tat Thanh.

The Lao Ambassador emphasized that 2022 is a year of special significance for the two peoples of Laos and Vietnam because it marks the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam - Lao diplomatic relationship (September 5, 1962 - September 5, 2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 - July 18, 2022).

In that spirit, the two Ambassadors agreed that the embassies of the two countries would coordinate to organize special friendship events and strengthen coordination and mutual support to fulfill tasks and serve the interests of each country and of the ASEAN community.

On this occasion, the two Ambassadors reviewed the positive and outstanding developments of the Vietnam  Laos solidarity and special relationship.

In the complicated context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides still maintained many important diplomatic activities, demonstrating the reliable and close cooperation between the two countries./.
By Azernews





By Laman Ismayilova

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry intends to expand cooperation with the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan. Many projects and initiatives have been carried out in the country within this partnership.

The Culture Minister Anar Karimov has recently met with the head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko to discuss prospects of cooperation.

The meeting covered partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU Delegation in humanitarian and cultural spheres as well as demining of the Azerbaijan's territories liberated from the Armenian occupation.

Speaking about the EU's support in mine clearance, the Culture Minister Anar Karimov expressed his gratitude for the work done in this area.

Notably, the EU supports the demining in Azerbaijan's territories that were occupied by Armenia for almost thirty years.

For this purpose, the European Union (EU) allocated 2.5 million for mine clearance in the Karabakh region.

The EU also supports Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) in the mine clearance.

Moreover, the EU provided 1.5 million for humanitarian demining purposes, as well as 500,000 through UNICEF.

At the meeting, Anar Karimov touched upon the joint cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan in the humanitarian and cultural spheres, has always been developing at a high level.

He shared his views on the Baku Process initiated by the President Ilham Aliyev. He stressed Azerbaijan's contribution to intercultural and interreligious dialogue at the international level.

Speaking about the global campaign "Peace4Culture" Anar Karimov noted that it focuses on providing peace in the region as well as to preserve culture.

Karimov invited the European Union to participate in a number of similar international initiatives put forward by the ministry.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Peter Michalko stressed that the European Union attaches great importance to cultural projects with Azerbaijan.

The meeting continued with a discussion of future prospects for cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.
By Wang Xinyuan, Gu Siyu and Wang Ruoxin

The privatization of prisons, including immigration detention centers and related services, has largely gone unnoticed until recently, as corruption, violence and human rights violation scandals constantly emerge, adding stains to the US governments commitment to the rule of law.

Calls have been heard from both within the US and across the international community to correct the current criminal justice system in the US. More and more questions have been raised regarding transparency of the industry. There even are voices for ending the private for-profit prisons in the country.

Here is a brief timeline of the development of Americas private prison industry that may tell the whole story.

Concerns of relative NGOs & international community

Many organizations have been established in advocation of reforming the criminal justice system, such as Abolish Private Prisons (since 2015), Sentencing Project (since 1986), Penal Reform International (since 1989), and the Innocence Project (since 1992).

These organizations use legal disputes, impact litigation and advocacy as well as educational events to raise public awareness of problems with the criminal justice system and push state and federal governments toward reforms.

Actions like Support the COVID-19 Safer Detention Act" and the "First Step Implementation Act, Sign up to get involved in wrong convictions, The private prison abolition movement, and numerous others are ongoing.

Concerns of human rights experts

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts have been appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in recent years to examine and report back on US correctional facilities.

A group of UN independent human rights experts on Feb. 4, 2021 urged the US government to end the outsourcing of all detention centers, including those holding migrants and asylum seekers, after the US announced the decision to stop using privately-run federal prisons.

Given the magnitude of mass incarceration in the US, this decision will benefit only the very small percentage of federal prisoners who are held in private prisons, and specifically excludes vulnerable people held in migrant and asylum centers who are at particular risk of serious human rights violations, said Jelena Aparac, Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries.

In a statement released on Jan. 10, 2022, the experts called on the US to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and declared that two decades of practicing arbitrary detention without trial accompanied by torture or ill treatment is simply unacceptable for any government, particularly a government which has a stated claim to protecting human rights.

Concerns of the media

Research and journal articles concerning the shocking inhumane incidents in US private prisons have appeared in mainstream media since around 2016, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, etc., while plenty still remain uncommitted.

American Prison: A Reporters Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment by Shane Bauter, an American journalist, was published in 2018, revealing how private prisons became entrenched in the southern part of the country as a systemic effort to keep labor force in place in the aftermath of slavery, and how the echoes of these shameful origins linger.

The National Public Radio described the book as an enraging, necessary look at the private prison system, and a convincing clarion call for prison reform.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Wei Gang (R) speaks with a staff member in the office of neighborhood committee at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022. Wei Gang, 78, is a volunteer working on the frontline of Shanghai's fight against the COVID-19.

Wei Gang devoted himself to volunteering after his retirement in 2004. Although he was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and experienced a difficult period of fighting against the disease, he continued the volunteer work as soon as his condition improved. In recent years, Wei has led a mediation team to help solve more than 400 neighborhood disputes.

After a resurgence of COVID-19 hit Shanghai, Wei Gang volunteered to help his neighborhood committee on anti-epidemic works. "Cancer didn't beat me down, and COVID-19 won't either." (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang (L) speaks with a staff member in the office of neighborhood committee at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022.(Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang (L) registers information to make a pass for a resident who requires emergency treatment at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang answers a phone call from residents in the office of neighborhood committee at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang (L) explains epidemic control policy to a resident at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022.(Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang broadcasts tips to residents at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Wei Gang answers a phone call from residents in the office of neighborhood committee at a residential area in Baoshan District of Shanghai, east China, April 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Editor: GSY
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a section of a tropical rainforest national park to learn about efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity in Wuzhishan, south China's Hainan Province, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

HAIKOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has stressed the importance of boosting national park development in Hainan Province.

Xi made the remarks during his visit to a section of a tropical rainforest national park in the city of Wuzhishan on Monday.

Xi highlighted the need to fully understand the strategic significance of Hainan's national park development to the country, and urged continuous and solid efforts in this regard.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a section of a tropical rainforest national park to learn about efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity in Wuzhishan, south China's Hainan Province, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: ZAD
People talk at a booth of Uganda during World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

Tourism ministers and officials from a number of African countries on Monday joined a tourism roundtable, highlighting green tourism and connectivity for Africa's tourism growth.

CAPE TOWN, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Tourism ministers and officials from a number of African countries on Monday joined a tourism roundtable here, highlighting green tourism, connectivity, among others, for Africa's tourism growth.

An African ministerial roundtable with the theme of tackling challenges for future investments in Africa's tourism industry was held in Cape Town International Conference Center during the three-day World Travel Market Africa, where the officials participated in-person or virtually.

There are only about 70 million travelers among Africa's 1.3 billion people while only 26 African cities are connected to international standards, thus, African countries need to improve connectivity by air and open up their sky to establish a domestic market, said Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya.

In this way, airfare can be affordable and Africa will be able to move from an expensive destination to an affordable destination, not only for foreigners but also for domestic people, according to Balala, who also suggested relaxing visa regimes in Africa.

People stand by a robot at a hotel chain's booth during World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

Ministers also spoke of the need of "going green" in the tourism sector. Botswana looks at sustainability as a key to facilitating the growth of tourism sector, said Botswana Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Philda Kereng.

"We have to conserve and preserve national resources, on the base of which we are developing and serving products," she said, adding that the southern African country has revised its tourism policy to make it responsive and resilient to climate change.

"Going green is the way for tourism development that is based on the natural resources," she said.

The Kenyan minister also said that Africa could utilize its vast solar energy potential and become a leader in green tourism.

The participants also talked about the need for an African coordinated COVID-19 protocol framework, digitalization in the tourism sector and a central financing institution for tourism.

World Travel Market Africa includes a business-to-business tourism exhibition and other events, to bring benefits and opportunities to travel professionals in Africa.

Editor: WXL
UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The Colombian peace process has set an example of ending a conflict and building peace through dialogue and negotiation, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said on Tuesday.

China commends the Colombian government and other relevant parties for their efforts in implementing the peace agreement. China welcomes the positive progress over the past five years, he said.

Colombia held its congressional elections last month. Special electoral districts in rural conflict-affected areas were established with 16 seats in the House of Representatives. More than 10,000 former combatants have been reintegrated and tens of thousands of rural families are gradually abandoning illegal crops. The number of former combatants who join the productive projects is on a steady rise. These achievements should be treasured, Zhang said.

"The peace agreement embodies the common aspiration of the Colombian people for lasting peace and development, and will play an irreplaceable and important role in achieving long-term national stability and regional peace and stability," said the envoy.

The full implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is a long-term and comprehensive process. There is still a long way to go to deepen and consolidate peace, and it requires relentless efforts by all parties in Colombia and the international community, he said.

Accelerating development is essential for consolidating peace dividends and ending violent conflicts. China hopes that the Colombian government will overcome the challenges of current global crises in energy, food, and supply chains and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerate land distribution and rural reforms, ensure the sustainability of illicit crops substitution, expand basic social services in former conflict areas, and promote balanced development in all regions, he said.

China supports Latin America in speeding up regional integration and hopes that regional countries will play an active role in helping Colombia fully tap its potential in development so as to eliminate the root causes of violent conflicts, he said.

"The peace process in Colombia is irreversible. This is a consensus shared by people from all walks of life in Colombia as well as the international community," Zhang said.

China hopes the Colombian government and people will score greater achievements in their state-building and development. China is ready to work with the international community and will respect the leading role of the Colombian government and people in implementing the peace agreement and play its constructive role in Colombia's journey toward comprehensive peace, stability and development, he said.

Editor: WPY
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says that one million people have already registered as new internally displaced persons.

"We support internally displaced persons, one million people have already officially registered," Shmyhal said in his address on Tuesday evening.

The Prime Minister also noted that in the frontline cities, the authorities continue to distribute free food packages.

"The state buys products mainly from Ukrainian manufacturers in order to load them with orders. For most positions, we purchased from 30 to 80% of everything needed," he said.

In addition, Shmyhal said that more than 5,000 employers have already applied for clarifications on obtaining compensation for the employment of displaced persons.
Nova Poshta joined the UN World Food Programme (WFP), as part of cooperation, the company receives food from European countries, forms food packages from them and delivers them to settlements according to the UN vision, primarily to Ukraine's hot spots.

As the Nova Poshta press service reported on Wednesday, the company provided its production facilities in western Ukraine for the needs of the UNHCR and the UN Refugee Agency.

It is noted that the UN is compiling a list of priority cities and towns, focusing on the places of hostilities and regions that are threatened with a humanitarian catastrophe.

As of the beginning of April (in one week of cooperation), Nova Poshta prepared and delivered about 25,000 food packages to Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions.

In addition, the company transported more than 420 tonnes of household goods from the UNHCR to the IDPs.

Until the end of this month, Nova Poshta plans to deliver about 300,000 more sets to Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

"According to statistics, more than 10 million of our citizens have already been forced to leave their homes, hundreds of thousands still remain in dangerous cities and in conditions close to a humanitarian catastrophe, and we cannot stand aside. Even at the beginning of the war, we began transporting humanitarian aid across country and from abroad. We are now joining the UN programme. We are doing everything possible to make life at least a little easier for the Ukrainians most affected by the war," Oleksandr Bulba, CEO of Nova Poshta, is quoted as saying.

In the nearest plans of the company  to start cooperation with other international organizations to provide Ukrainians with universal assistance.
JSC Ukrzaliznytsia has received 15 Starlink devices from the Ukrainian software company N-iX.

According to the Ukrzaliznytsia website, the IT company handed over 10 first generation Starlink devices and five more second generation devices.

"I thank all our partners and businesses for supporting Ukrzaliznytsia in this difficult time. The railway became the first state-owned company to use Starlink during the war. We received the first station in early March, immediately after Mykhailo Fedorov," head of the company Oleksandr Kamyshin said.

He also added that these systems are used for stable and reliable communication of critical systems that ensure the operation of the railway.

"This is an opportunity to build new ultra-modern system solutions," Kamyshin emphasized.

Starlink is a global satellite system for Internet access in remote corners of the Earth.

N-iX is one of the largest IT companies in Ukraine, founded in 2002. The company provides software development services and expertise in cloud solutions, data engineering and other emerging technologies. The company has offices in the United States, Sweden, Malta, Poland, Bulgaria and Ukraine.
An enemy shell hit an old mill in Dnipropetrovsk region at night, no one was injured, head of the regional military administration Valentyn Riznychenko said.

"We have one night alarm and one 'arrival', unfortunately. In Synelnykove district, an old mill was hit. People were not injured," he wrote on his telegram channel on Tuesday morning.

Riznychenko also said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are working in Kherson region, and asked people not to worry.

"Along with us, in Kherson region, our military are preparing the orcs, so it's a little loud in our border villages. This is our Armed Forces. Don't worry," he wrote.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has expressed hope that Ukraine will receive the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union no later than June 2022.

"We met with the leadership of the European Union in Kyiv. We received a questionnaire that must be filled out to obtain the candidate status for EU membership. We started working on it. We expect that Ukraine will be able to receive such a status no later than June of this year," Shmyhal said in his address on Tuesday evening.
By Azernews





Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has described his phone conversation with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on April 11 as constructive, Trend reported on April 13.

"As a follow-up to the agreements reached, I had a telephone conversation with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. We discussed a number of practical steps. I think that the talks with the Armenian foreign minister were professional and constructive. The next steps will be taken. Azerbaijan has shown goodwill. We will move forward in this direction once we see the other side's positive steps," Bayramov told journalists in Baku.

He noted that progress was made on the five key items put up by Azerbaijan at the Brussels meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, which are also favorable for Armenia.

"Everyone knows that Azerbaijan has always been a supporter of the normalization of relations with Armenia," Bayramov said.

Further efforts are anticipated to be taken in the restoration of relations between the two nations, the minister added.

"A meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia was held on April 6 at the initiative of EU Council President Charles Michel. During the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries were instructed to begin work on a peace agreement. We consider this a very important step," he said.

Speaking at a Baku-based UN conference on April 13, Bayramov said that Azerbaijan has always adhered to UN principles.

"Azerbaijan has always been committed to establishing peace, strengthening diplomatic relations with other countries and the Charter of UN," Bayramov stressed.

The minister described the conference being held at ADA University as part of a series of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan's UN membership.

Bayramov recalled that ADA University hosted a conference on the simulation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) model in 2022 as well.

He stressed that Azerbaijan prioritizes initiatives within the framework of the NAM.

ADA University hosts a Model UN conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UN-Azerbaijan partnership on April 13.

The conference was co-organized by the UN Office in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, ADA University and ADA Model United Nations (ADAMUN).

The opening ceremony is attended by over 120 government and UN officials, as well as academicians, civil society and media representatives.
U.S. President Joe Biden declared Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions "genocide," the first time he's publicly invoked the phrase since Putin began his deadly assault on Ukraine, CBS News reported.

Biden made the remarks about Russia's actions during a speech in Iowa about his administration's efforts to combat high prices for goods. The Labor Department announced consumer prices rose 8.5% in March over a year ago, the highest jump in four decades. The Biden White House has taken to declaring price jumps at the gas pump and elsewhere the "Putin price hike," although the price of gas and other key household expenses were on the rise before Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

"Your family budget your ability to fill up your tank, none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide half a world away," he said.

In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the statement of Biden.

"True words of a true leader Biden. Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil," the head of state wrote on Twitter.

He said that Ukraine is grateful for U.S. assistance provided so far and "we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities."
Head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) Ivan Bakanov has said that the operation to detain People's Deputy of Ukraine, former co-chairman of the Opposition Platform for Life party Viktor Medvedchuk was carried out on behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. The message was posted to the SBU's Telegram channel on Tuesday evening.

"I thank all the SBU employees, in particular, the investigators and counterintelligence officers of the Ukrainian intelligence services, who, following the instructions of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, proved their professionalism and carried out this lightning-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation to detain MP Medvedchuk. Not a single traitor will escape punishment. They all will answer to the fullest extent for their misdeeds pursuant to the law of Ukraine," Bakanov said.

The SBU's message is illustrated with a photograph of Medvedchuk in camouflage uniform and handcuffed. It also contains text that reads: "You can be a pro-Russia politician and work for an aggressor state for years. You can be a recent fugitive. You can even wear a Ukrainian military uniform to disguise yourself. But will it help you get away from punishment? Handcuffs are waiting for you. And traitors to Ukraine like you! Pro-Russia traitors and agents of the Russia's intelligence services, remember  there are no statutes of limitations for your crimes. No matter where you hide, we will find you!"

Earlier, on Tuesday evening, a photograph of Medvedchuk in military uniform and handcuffs appeared on the Zelensky's Telegram channel. It was accompanied by the text "A special operation was carried out thanks to the SBU. Well done! Details later."
Units of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, defending Mariupol, besieged by Russian invaders, broke through to join forces with the Azov Regiment, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Arestovych said.

"In Mariupol, units of the 36th Marine Brigade, as a result of a complex and very risky maneuver, broke through to connect with the Azov regiment, which professionally provided this event," Arestovych wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

He said that the results of the breakthrough are that Azov received significant reinforcements, the 36th brigade avoided defeat in parts and received additional serious opportunities, "actually gained a second chance", the defenders of the city, now together, seriously strengthened their defense area.

"In general, the citys defense system has grown and strengthened. This is what happens when officers do not lose their temper, but firmly maintain control of the troops. Let's not lose ours'. The army knows what it is doing," Arestovych said.
Ukraine should receive candidate status now, its membership in EU signed with blood - faction of European People's Party in European Parliament

The faction of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) in the European Parliament believes that Ukraine should now receive the status of an EU member candidate, since it paid for its position with blood of the murdered Ukrainians.

"The EU has to grant political protection to Ukraine now. This includes immediate candidate status. Ukraine has signed its membership of the EU with its blood - it's our responsibility towards murdered Ukrainians to grant it," the party said on Twitter on Tuesday.

The EPP stated this position in reaction to the post of former press secretary of the President of Ukraine Yulia Mendel with reference to the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Matti Maasikas about the chance of our country "to become an EU candidate country in a few weeks, possibly as early as June."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European Union to find tools that could stop the deportation of Ukrainians to Russia and return the deportees home.

"I urge at the level of the European Union to find such instruments of influence on Russia that could stop the deportation, return all the deported people home. The European Union has the power to ensure this," he said on Wednesday, speaking via video link in the Estonian Parliament.

"The European Union must use this power. Until Russia returns the forcibly taken Ukrainians, until it returns thousands of stolen children, it should not receive any money from European states and companies. The European Union does not have the right to sponsor the deportation," Zelensky also said.

According to him, "today, more than 500,000 Ukrainians have been forcibly displaced. Imagine how much it is. As if the occupiers set the goal of taking out all of Tallinn, a third of all your citizens."

"Ukrainians are deprived of documents, they take everything, they try to transport them to remote regions of the Russian Federation, they interfere in every way with attempts to return to Ukraine, they separate children from their parents and want to send them to Russian families for illegal adoption," the president said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in front of the Estonian Parliament via video link, thanked for military support, assistance to temporary Ukrainian migrants and the rejection of Russian energy sources.

"Estonia was one of the first states in the world to provide Ukraine with the necessary assistance. It's true. In particular, defense assistance. I am grateful to you for your sincere support of our migrants... I am grateful to you for giving up Russian energy resources and that source of petrodollars for Russia, which make it self-confident and unwilling to seek equal relations with other nations," the head of state said.
The United States is ready to consider the possibility of supplying Ukraine with longer-range weapons capable of striking airfields in the territory of the Russian Federation, Voice of America said on Wednesday, citing U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

She said during a Defense Writers Group event on April 12 that the United States will continue to look at the types of capabilities that the Ukrainians are asking for in terms of giving them a little more range and distance.

"Those are presidential decisions," Hicks said of the new aid packages, and "I don't want to get in front of those." However, the Pentagon is "moving quickly" on weapons that would "provide a little more range and distance" than what has been given to date, and "you'll see more in the coming days," she told defense reporters.

The United States is reviewing "a wide range of systems," for Ukraine, she said. In addition to weapons and cash aid, the United States has been providing intelligence assistance to Ukraine, "which I would call 'high-end' help," Hicks said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is disappointed with the unwillingness of French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the genocide of Ukrainians by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said.

"The reluctance of French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the genocide of Ukrainians after all the frank statements of the Russian leadership and the criminal actions of the Russian military is disappointing. Ukraine and Russia are historically close for objective reasons, but the myth of two brotherly peoples of Russia and Ukraine began to collapse after the occupation of Crimea and aggression in Donbas in 2014. Then the Russian 'brothers' allegedly came to defend the Russian-speaking population. But in eight years they killed 14,000 Ukrainians," Nikolenko told the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Wednesday.

He stressed that this myth was finally destroyed when the first Russian missiles flew at Ukrainian cities in February.

"Brotherly' people do not kill children, do not shoot civilians, do not rape women, do not maim the elderly and do not destroy the houses of other 'brotherly' people. Even the most bitter enemies do not resort to atrocities against defenseless people. So far, there are neither moral nor real grounds to talk about 'brotherly' ties between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples," Nikolenko said.
A former deputy of Kherson regional council from the Opposition Bloc political party urged local residents to support the aggression of the Russian Federation and voluntarily agreed to head the occupying power in one of the cities of the region, Prosecutor General's Office reports.

"Under the procedural guidance of the prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office, the former deputy of Kherson Regional Council from the Opposition Bloc political party was notified of suspicion of high treason and collaboration activities (part 2 of Article 111, part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)", a message posted on the telegram channel of the Prosecutor General's Office says.

According to the prosecutor's office, the deputy of Kherson Regional Council of the 7th convocation joined in organizing and holding mass events in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson in support of the aggressor state and its occupying troops, calling on residents to obey and accept the "Russian world".

"Having political experience, the suspect agreed with the military of the Russian Federation on the provision of forceful conditions for him to lead one of the cities of Kherson region. With the help of weapons, the occupiers forced local governments and utilities to recognize him as the new head of the city. After that, he voluntarily assumed the position of head in created by the occupation administration of the aggressor state," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings is carried out by the SBU Department in Kherson region.
German parliament has agreed on the supply of heavy military equipment to Ukraine, member of the Bundestag from the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and member of the parliamentary group on defense policy Markus Faber said.

"Dear friends, Germany will now quickly supply heavy equipment to Ukraine. I am glad that we from the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag were able to convince our coalition partners of this," Faber tweeted on Wednesday.

According to him, in terms of logistics and time, this task will not be easy, "but we are finally starting."

"Ukrainians need our material assistance to protect their republic from a neighboring dictatorship. Like many other democracies around the world, we give them this," Faber said.
Azerbaijan has enough food supply today, Azerbaijani PM Ali Asadov said on April 12 at a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, dedicated to the results of the first quarter of this year, Trend reports.

Will be updated
At least two enemy aircraft shot down in Kharkiv region - Synehubov

On Wednesday, April 13, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down two enemy aircraft in Kharkiv region, head of the regional military administration Oleh Synehubov said.

"Today, the mobile units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down two Russian aircraft that attacked the settlements of Kharkiv region. We believe in our Armed Forces of Ukraine, protecting Kharkiv region around the clock," Synehubov wrote in his Telegram channel.
The Russian occupiers in Ukraine are placing equipment and manpower directly in residential areas, on the premises of agricultural enterprises, energy and social infrastructure facilities, thereby disregarding the norms of international humanitarian law.

Continued violations of the customs of war by the troops of the aggressor country of the Russian Federation in the invasion of Ukraine are reported in a summary on the Facebook page of the General Staff of the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) on Wednesday.

"Thus, in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, the occupiers use the premises of agricultural enterprises, energy and social infrastructure facilities, the central areas of settlements. There have been cases of the enemy conducting combat operations in civilian clothing," the General Staff report stated.
The EU Council announced on Wednesday that it had agreed on a third tranche of EUR 500 million in aid to Ukraine, thereby increasing it to EUR 1.5 billion.

EU diplomat Josep Borrell, the initiator of this additional funding, said that with this new additional EUR 500 million, the EU has committed a total of EUR 1.5 billion to support the supply of military equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine by EU member states. The next weeks will be decisive. He said it is imperative that the EU continues and builds up its military support to Ukraine in order to protect its territory and population.

The council's communique said the agreed measures will finance both the supply of personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel by EU countries, as well as lethal equipment for defensive purposes.

The duration of these assistance measures is extended by one year.

Previous assistance measures, recalled in the message of the EU Council, were agreed on February 28 and March 23, 2022.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili confirmed to Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk on Wednesday that a Georgian parliamentary delegation would visit Kyiv in the near future.

"I spoke with my Ukrainian counterpart today, and I confirmed my readiness to visit Ukraine in the near future together with a parliamentary delegation," Papuashvili said in a statement on social media.

"I want to repeat once again that support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people is our human and historical duty, which we will certainly fulfill," he said.

The Georgian parliament is currently discussing the composition of the delegation, which representatives of all opposition factions are willing to join.

Relations between Tbilisi and Kyiv deteriorated after the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 1 that the Ukrainian ambassador was recalled from Georgia for consultations over the Georgian government's decision not to join the sanctions on Russia and to hinder Georgian volunteers from travelling to Ukraine.
If Ukrainian freedom fails, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Baltic states to become targets for Russia, so West should give Kyiv weapons now  Zelensky

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that if the Ukrainian people lose the war with Russia, Poland, Moldova, Romania and the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) will become the next targets for Moscow's aggression.

"We have been defending against Russia many times longer than the invaders planned. We have destroyed an amount of enemy equipment that most armies in Europe simply do not have. But this is not enough. Russia still has the strength to attack and it does not plan to be limited to Ukraine. Poland, Moldova, Romania and the Baltic states will be the next targets for Russia if Ukrainian freedom fails," Zelensky said in a video statement on Wednesday.

According to the head of state, the events in Bucha and Mariupol demonstrated Russia's true intentions to the world.

"Only the force of arms can stop this. And it needs to be done now. Ukraine needs to be armed now. We need heavy artillery, heavy armored vehicles, air defense systems and combat aircraft. Everything that can push back Russian troops and stop Russia's war crimes," Zelensky said.

He said the Ukrainian army needs artillery mounts (caliber 155 mm) and ammunition for them, artillery shells (caliber 152 mm), which require "as many as possible," "Hailstones," "Smerch," "Hurricane" or American M142 HIMARS, armored vehicles (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and others), tanks (T-72, American or German counterparts), air defense systems (S-300, Buk or similar modern Western air defense systems), and combat aircraft, which can unblock Ukrainian cities besieged by Russian invaders.

"Freedom must be armed no worse than tyranny. Western countries have everything to ensure this. And therefore it also depends on them when tyranny loses and how many people we can save. Arm Ukraine now to protect freedom!" Zelensky said.
Russia is deliberately, purposefully and extremely cruelly destroying the Ukrainian nation, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said and called for weapons to be provided to Ukraine for the fight.

"The horrors of war that Ukraine has suffered could not have been committed by human beings. The creatures that did this do not deserve the name. This is a conscious, targeted and extremely brutal annihilation of the Ukrainian nation. Ukraine will resist. Truth will win!" Nauseda said on Twitter on Wednesday.

The president also pointed to the need to immediately provide weapons to Ukraine.

"Russian tanks destroyed by Ukrainian army in Dmytrivka. Heroism, love of freedom and Homeland always triumph over savagery. Ukraine needs weapons for their fight here and now," Nauseda said.
EU assists Ukraine in investigating war crimes committed by Russian occupiers  all those responsible to be brought to justice

The European Union is working concretely to assist Ukraine in investigating war crimes committed by Russian aggressors in Ukraine to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

A number of announcements regarding this work in Brussels on Wednesday were made by representative of the European Commission Christian Wiegand.

The official said that yesterday, European Commissioner Didier Reynders sent a letter to the justice ministers of the EU member states with proposals for further coordination at the political level. Gathering evidence and supporting the investigation of crimes of war is another area where the Commission, together with Member States and partners, can take the necessary actions.

According to Wiegand, in the letter, the European Commissioner asked the ministers to help satisfy the list of requests received from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General.

The representative of the European Commission said that this includes documents needed to investigate crimes of war, experts with forensic experience, equipment for secure storage of evidence, secure lines of communication and training for investigators. The EU also calls on Member States to help with this request and it will continue to coordinate these efforts, the official said.

Wiegand also announced work to amend the legislation governing the activities of the EU agency that deals with judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the authorities of Eurojust member states, in order to provide "legislative opportunities for the collection and storage of evidence of war crimes, in particular, audio and video recordings.

He said that while Eurojust has practical experience in international crimes, the existing legislation does not provide for a situation of this magnitude and crimes of this degree. The European Commission wants to make this proposal in the coming days, Wiegand said.

In addition, the representative of the European Commission said the EU has already established a joint investigation team with Ukraine to collect evidence and investigate the crime of war, which will also cooperate with the International Criminal Court. Wiegand said this team, with the support of Eurojust, will be a hub for a quick exchange of information between prosecutors. The work continues, and the commission supports Ukraine by providing experts and equipment.

According to him, the commission supports all these efforts financially through the financing of equipment, the work of experts, and the training of local authorities in order to investigate war crimes.

The representative of the European Commission said the EU is also launching a fund worth EUR 7.5 million to support the investigation, the collection of information regarding the missing.

Wiegand said there will be no impunity for those responsible for the brutality and war crimes in Ukraine  they will be held accountable.

More news:

https://t.me/interfaxuk_eng

https://t.me/interfaxua

https://t.me/interfax_uk
On April 13, the Russian Armed Forces shelled Nemyshliansky district of Kharkiv, causing civilian casualties.

"As a result of the shelling, a 65-year-old woman and two men (20 and 30 years old) were killed in Nemyshliansky district. Four people were wounded (the youngest is 17 years old, the oldest is 75 years old. A house and a car were damaged," Dmytro Chubenko, spokesman for Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office, told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Zelensky, Biden discuss package of defense, possible macro-financial support, agree to tighten sanctions against Russia

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed with U.S. President Joe Biden an additional package of defense and possible macro-financial support for Ukraine, as well as tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation.

"Continued constant dialogue with the President of the USA. Assessed Russian war crimes. Discussed additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid to Ukraine. Agreed to enhance sanctions, " Zelensky wrote on Twitter.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron developments in the Ukraine crisis as well as Egypts scheduled hosting of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November.
By Azernews





By Vugar Khalilov

Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has stated that Azerbaijan promotes both regional and global peace, the ministry reported on April 13.

Bayramov made the remarks at a Baku-based Model UN conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UN-Azerbaijan partnership, the report added.

We actively contribute to sustainable development and engage at all levels in a wide-reaching UN agenda. We promote peace in our region and beyond, develop our bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries, participate in the UN peacekeeping operations, fight the COVID-19 pandemic and respond to humanitarian appeals, Bayramov stressed.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan is a strong proponent of multilateralism and an active advocate of intercultural communication.

Since joining the United Nations in 1992, Azerbaijan has made every effort to preserve and promote strict adherence to the UN Charter's aims and values as a responsible member of the international community, Bayramov said.

Azerbaijans NAM chairmanship

Bayramov recalled that Azerbaijan's assumption of the Non-Aligned Movement (the world's second-largest political organization) chairmanship coincided with one of the most important global concerns of the time - the COVID-19 pandemic.

We managed to transform the new challenges into cooperation opportunities. Multilateralism received a new boost through several significant initiatives of global scale put forward by His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev as chair of NAM, the minister stressed.

Highlighting the importance of the NAM, Bayramov said that besides the ongoing pandemic, mankind is facing challenges such as the international security system is being tested by aggressive tactics from various sides. The rising disparities underline the Non-Aligned Movement's legitimacy and historical significance, he stressed.

NAM Youth Network

The minister noted that Azerbaijans chairmanship encouraged global youth cooperation and led to the formation of the NAM Youth Network in October 2021. The network brings together young people from NAM member countries to promote the organizations goals and principles, which are nearly identical to those contained in the UN Charter.

Motivated by the Model UN simulation experience, for the first time in the 60 years-long history of NAM, we developed the Model NAM Simulation Exercises. In February this year [2022] at this very university we have inaugurated the first-ever in-person NAM Model Simulation Conference, Bayramov emphasized.

The minister appreciated the importance of the simulation exercises in terms of improving young peoples practical skills to become real leaders in the future. The simulation games provide opportunities for young participants to test their abilities in dealing with difficult global problems, he said.

The ADAMUN Simulation Conference will enable the young participants to gain relevant experience in understanding the working methods and principles of various UN bodies. It will help the participants to get acquainted with the political dynamics of the United Nations and to strengthen their negotiation and problem-solving skills. It will also enable the participants to better understand the interests, concerns and sensitivities of individual UN Member States related to the global agenda issues, Bayramov underlined.

Furthermore, Bayramov thanked the UN Country Team in Baku led by Vladanka Andreeva for their commitment to promoting Azerbaijan-UN cooperation, as well as organizing the conference.

Together with the UN Country Team in Baku we organize a series of events to celebrate this remarkable anniversary. The Simulation Conference that we are inaugurating today is one of those events that bring together promising young minds, he said.

Bayramov also expressed his gratitude to ADA University, volunteers and support team members for their contribution.

Addressing the event UN resident coordinator in Azerbaijan, Vladanka Andreeva said that the organization will further cooperate with Azerbaijan on peace-building issues.

"Contribution to peace-building is one of the main principles of the UN, and we hope to continue further successful cooperation with Azerbaijan in this area," she said.

She emphasized that the United Nations and Azerbaijan are working together to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals.

Andreeva highlighted the importance of 2022, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Azerbaijans admission to the organization.

In this regard, various events will be held throughout 2022, one of which is today's conference, Andreeva said.

Furthermore, the resident coordinator discussed global challenges such as food shortages and unemployment, which she believes are main topics in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

ADA University hosts a Model UN conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UN-Azerbaijan partnership on April 13.

The conference was co-organized by the UN Office in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, ADA University and ADA Model United Nations (ADAMUN).

The opening ceremony is attended by over 120 government and UN officials, as well as academicians, civil society and media representatives.

On April 12, President Ilham Aliyev outlined the significance of Azerbaijan-UN relations.

First of all, an international event has recently been held in Shusha under the UN auspices - an event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijans membership in the UN. It was a very significant event. It showed yet again that the UN is a body that fully recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he said.

Azerbaijan has been a UN member since March 2, 1992, when the UN General Assembly admitted the country during its 46th session.

In May 1992, the country established its Permanent Mission in New York City. Azerbaijan applied to the UN General Assembly for membership on October 29, 1991, shortly after gaining independence from the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2012-2013.

The country reached out to the international community, particularly Europe, through the United Nations. Azerbaijan improved its relations with the United Nations by collaborating with UN agencies and bodies such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Food Programme, and the financial institutions of the United Nations.
Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW) said it will receive over the Eid El-Fitr holiday complaints, inquiries, reports or distress messages from girls and women to solve any crisis related to domestic violence by communicating with the concerned authorities.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Mali could collapse if a UN peacekeeping mission withdrew, but suggested an option could be to replace it with an African Union force backed by a tougher operating mandate.
State-owned Bank Misr has carried out an ownership transfer transaction for fellow state-owned Banque du Caire in a deal valued at EGP 6.9 billion, the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX) announced on Thursday.
Egyptian film critic Ahmed Shawky was chosen last week to head the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) competition at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival.
Belarus' leader defended Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said he was doing ``everything'' to stop the war in a sit-down interview with The Associated Press on Thursday.
Cairo and Moscow are keen to protect bilateral economic relations from the fallout of the war in Ukraine.

On 9 March, days after Egypt joined 140 countries voting for a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a halt to the war in Ukraine and an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin talked by phone.

The conversation was the first between the two leaders since the eruption of the war in Ukraine on 24 February. The last time they spoke was in December 2021, when they discussed ways to boost Egyptian-Russian military, economic, business, industrial, and energy cooperation. They also reviewed Russias growing projects in Egypt, including the $26 billion Dabaa nuclear power plant, and investments in the Suez Canal Economic Free Zone.

Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said the 9 March conversation touched on enhancing strategic cooperation between the two countries through joint development projects currently underway, and confirmed the strength of the deeply rooted relations between the two states.

A Kremlin statement gave more details. It said the two presidents discussed further development of the strategic partnership between Russia and Egypt, including major joint projects in nuclear energy and industrial production. Both parties also expressed interest in continuing close cooperation in areas of tourism and agriculture, said the Kremlin, and the two presidents agreed to maintain contacts at various levels to discuss the development of bilateral relations.

Since the outbreak of war, Egypt has taken a neutral line. Although it voted in favour of the anti-Russia UN resolution on 3 March, it also said it rejected economic sanctions outside the framework of the international multilateral system given that they aggravate the suffering of civilians.

In their most recent phone call, Al-Sisi and Putin were keen to stress that there is a strategic partnership between the two countries and that they are keen to preserve and consolidate it, said Gamal Zahran, a professor of political science at Suez Canal University.

According to Zahran, President Al-Sisi also used the call with Putin to clarify the position Egypt and most Arab countries had taken in the UN General Assembly, and stress that condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine did not mean Egypt was joining the West in its economic war against Russia.

Journalist Abdallah Al-Sinnawi pointed out that Egypt and other Arab states have been developing stronger ties with Russia and China in recent years. Arab Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have become increasingly aware of the dangers of depending on just one superpower, and as a consequence have been keen to forge closer relations with Russia and China.

Russia was the first to support Egypts revolution in 2013 and moved to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation in 2014, said Al-Sinnawi. Putin was also the first world leader to congratulate Al-Sisi on his election as president of Egypt in June 2014, and the two countries have coordinated policies on Libya. Cairo also supported Moscows role in Syria.

Political and military commentator Samir Farag stressed the importance of Egypts 2014 decision to diversify its arms suppliers.

Instead of depending for military support on one source, Egypt under Al-Sisi sought to seek other reliable army suppliers, turning to Russia, China, and France, said Farag.

Timothy Kaldas, a policy fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, noted in a press interview that since coming to office in 2014, President Al-Sisi has worked to forge close relations with Russia in a variety of fields, including not just arms, but also energy, transport, and agriculture.

Al-Sisi has sought to use his relations with Russia and China to help Egypt absorb Western pressure in the area of human rights and the harm this pressure could cause Egypts internal security and economic needs.

Over the past eight years Egypt has also become a major buyer of Russian wheat and train carriages, and opted for a Russian company, Rosatom, to construct its first nuclear power plant at Dabaa near Alexandria. Just as significantly, says Farag, Russians now represent the bulk of foreign tourists to Egypt.

Gregory Borisenko, Russias ambassador in Cairo since 2020, told Sky News Arabia last week that Egyptian-Russian relations prospered greatly in 2021.

Close personal relations between the presidents of the two countries have pushed economic and military cooperation between Egypt and Russia to new heights, said Borisenko. The commercial exchange between the two countries hit $3.5 billion between January and September 2021, and in April 2021 Moscow announced the return of direct air flights between Russian cities and Egypts Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Zahran and Al-Sinnawi both warn that Egypts relations with Russia could face a setback if the Ukraine war continues for long and Western sanctions begin to bite.

Progress in the construction of the Dabaa nuclear plant could slow, and importing wheat from Russia will become very difficult now Russian banks have been excluded from the SWIFT payment system. Russian tourists could also find it hard to come to Egypt, said Al-Sinnawi.

The Russian industrial area in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, construction of which was scheduled to be complete this year, and which was predicted to attract $7 billion in investments, is now expected to come to a halt.

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala Al-Said said last week that there was no doubt that sanctions against Russia would negatively affect Egypts vital tourism sector. On 5 March, Russias Ural Airlines announced that it was suspending flights to Egypt from 14 March to 20 May.

Zahran is also concerned that the West may try to pressure Egypt to do more to isolate Russia. This conflict could end up polarising the world, leading to new alliances and arrangements which will compound the challenges Cairo faces. Egypt might find itself obliged to scrap its strategic relations with Russia, he says.

Al-Sinnawi argues that Egypt should endeavour to maintain its extensive ties with both Russia and the West. I think it is in Egypts strategic interest to maintain a neutral line even if the conflict continues for some time, he said.



*A version of this article appears in print in the 17 March, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egypt has strongly condemned recent Israeli escalation in the Palestinian territories, including settlers storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque under the Israeli police protection and the continued targeting of Palestinian citizens.

In a statement on Sunday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an immediate halt to the ongoing escalation, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and the Christian and Jewish feasts.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez warned against slipping into cycles of violence that preclude the desired stability and perpetuate the climate of tension that will only lead to more mutual escalation.

Hafez highlighted the need for adherence to the rules of international law to provide the required protection for Palestinian civilians.

The spokesman also called for stopping any practices that violate the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and other religious sanctities as well as the identity of East Jerusalem city.

Early Thursday, hardline Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben Gvir along with a number of settlers entered Al-Aqsa Mosque yard escorted by heavy security in a clear act of provocation.

Dozens of Israeli settlers also stormed the mosque on Sunday, which marks the second day of the holy month of Ramadan, under heavy police protection, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

During his Thursday tour, Gvir said that his visit seeks to deliver a message for the Israeli state to not give in to those terrorists who want to murder us all.

He called Hamas and the Waqf Muslim authorities who administer the religious sites in the area terrorists, saying whoever controls the Temple Mount controls the land of Israel, Times of Israel reported.

Gvir, whose similar visits to sensitive parts in Jerusalem are believed to have a role in the Israeli aggression on Gaza enclave in May last year, led a march in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood under police protection last month.

The Israeli bombing campaign of Gaza  the most serious Israeli assault on the strip since 2014  killed more than 250 Palestinians, destroyed 2,000 residential and commercial buildings, and left thousands homeless.

Egypt brokered a ceasefire in May to end the 11-day aggression and has sent high-level security delegations to the Israeli and Palestinian territories over the past year to ensure the ceasefire would not be breached in the future.

Egypt has also highlighted the need for the revival of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and the implementation of the two-state solution that involves the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders as the only way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

Egypt has repeatedly condemned the Israeli unilateral measures in Palestine, including attempts to evict Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and plans to build new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Egypt has warned that such steps undermine the chances of the two-state solution at a time when a number of international parties are exerting tireless efforts to revive the negotiations path between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

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The Egyptian government allocated EGP 1.1 billion for the General Authority for Supply Commodities and the Agricultural Bank of Egypt in order to finance local wheat crop procurement from farmers, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait announced on Monday.

The action came as per the directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to facilitate local wheat supply procedures amid the ongoing global crisis, the minister said.

The General Authority for Supply and the Agriculture Bank of Egypt will disburse this allocation as down payments to farmers, as the wheat harvest season began on 1 April  two weeks ahead of schedule.

Maait expounded that the government targets supplying roughly six million tonnes of local wheat at a total cost of EGP 36 billion in 2022, adding that the price of local wheat supply has increased by EGP 1,100 per tonne in 2022 compared to 2021.

The Cabinet said in March that it will extend an incentive valued at EGP 65 per ardeb (One ardeb is equivalent to 150 kg) to incentivise farmers to increase the wheat quantities they sell to the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade.

The finance ministry is following up with the supply ministry on the daily local wheat supply situation, through which it is providing sums to finance further procurement for the sake of providing sufficient liquidity to farmers dues immediately, said Maait.

Egypt is the largest importer of wheat globally with a total of 12 to 13 million tonnes of wheat imports per year, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) in 2020  an online data visualisation platform focused on the geography and dynamics of economic activities across the globe.

As per the UNs Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO) data, Egypt imports over 80 percent of its needs of wheat from two key markets - Russia at 50 percent and Ukraine at 30 percent.

However, Egypt exported wheat in 2020 with a total cost of about $5 billion, according to the OEC, with Japan, Australia, the UAE, Canada, and Belgium being the primary markets of Egyptian wheat.

The minister explained that the states budget is able to deal positively and flexibly with the ongoing global economic crisis, pointing out that the governments priorities in this regard is sustaining the strategic stockpile of wheat and fulfilling citizens basic needs amid the current exceptional position of the global economy.

In March, Maait said that the global wheat price in global markets - especially due to disruption in wheat supply lines from Baltic countries amid the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian war - is anticipated to push up the cost of Egypts imports of the strategic commodity by about EGP 12 to 15 billion.

The minister also noted that Egypt will have enough wheat reserves to cover eight months of the local markets needs after the local harvest is delivered by mid-April.

To cope with the ongoing crisis, Egypts government seeks to import wheat from alternative markets, such as India  the second largest wheat producer globally  to fulfil domestic market needs.

Moreover, Egypts Ministry of Trade and Industry banned in March the export of wheat, fava beans, lentils, pasta, and all kinds of flour for three months from April to June.

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By Azernews





By Sabina Mammadli

The Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz foreign ministries have discussed bilateral relations and the expansion of political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has reported.

The political consultations were held via videoconference on April 12.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, while the Kyrgyz side was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Aibek Moldogaziyev.

Furthermore, the deputy ministers had an exchange of views on promoting cooperation within regional and international organizations.

During the meeting, the importance of mutual visits and meetings in terms of developing bilateral cooperation was also emphasized.

The trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan amounted to $9 million in 2021.

Earlier, the two countries agreed to boost ties by activating the work of the joint intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, and by paying attention to the issues of mutual exports and imports of goods and products from Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan.
Economic sanctions have been increasingly used as punitive measures against countries or regimes since the 1950s but their efficacy is still open to debate.

The West is training its guns on Russia with five rounds of sanctions since Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, but experts warn that they may not immediately help stop the war.

Sanctions have been used on an average of 30 times annually between 1950 and 1990 in over 1,101 conflicts, according to the Global Sanctions Data Base (GSDB), which keeps a detailed record.

They have been used against apartheid-era South Africa, former Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi and during the Cuban missile crisis.

The sanctions against Russia include asset freezes, the exclusion of several banks from the SWIFT messaging system, a coal embargo and new restrictions on investments.

European ports have closed to Russian ships, there is a 10-billion-euro ($10.9 billion) ban on exports to Russia, including high-tech goods, and the US Treasury has blocked Russia from using dollars held in US banks to make payments on its foreign debt.

But will they work?

"Sanctions can't turn back tanks, at least not immediately. And we know that the full effects of sanctions won't be felt for weeks, months and years," Juan Zarate from the Center for Strategic and International Studies told AFP.

"This tool boomed when military responses were no longer very popular," said Olivier Dorgans, a Paris-based expert on international financial disputes.

And their use is growing given that the global economy is changing, said Erdal Yalcin, a professor of international economy at Germany's Constance University.

"Over the last 20 years, the world increased in financial integration. Every country is linked to the banking system... The temptation to punish a country with economic instruments has increased," he said.

Apart from aiming to end wars, sanctions have also been used in attempts to stop human rights abuses and to restore democracy.

In a recent interview with AFP, Gary Hufbauer from the Washington-based Peterson Institute, who has written a book on sanctions, said they were only effective in less than one-third of cases when they were used to stop a conflict, especially if they were imposed on small countries.

Unsuccessful at times

"Sanctions are very efficient in terms of economic damage," Yalcin said but warned that "in terms of political change, the success rate is between 30 and 40 percent."

"It is also very difficult to measure the success of sanctions, they come sometimes with other measures, military actions for example in the case of Kuwait," he said.

"Sometimes it also takes time before we observe policy changes, between five and 10 years. The range of time is very broad and sometimes there is no success, like for Cuba."

International sanctions have failed to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, while they have arguably had more of an effect upon Iran by at least bringing it to the negotiating table.

Russia has already felt the economic bite of sanctions.

The World Bank has forecast an 11.2 percent decline in GDP for Russia this year and S&P Global has placed Russia under a "selective default" rating after Moscow said it had repaid about $650 million in dollar-denominated debt in rubles

But the Russian currency has staged a spectacular comeback after a historic collapse on the back of strict capital controls and energy exports.

Zarate said the sanctions regime was not "complete".

"European restrictions on imports of oil and gas would be a major step and a significant measure that would affect Russian revenues," he said.

"It will add a dimension to sanctions that will have ripple effects, including closing gaps with respect to Russian banks that have not been sanctioned or not been deSWIFTED ... Ultimately it will weaken the Russian economy," Zarate said.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Tuesday that he had offered to visit Ukraine with other EU leaders, but Kyiv had told him his trip was "not wanted".

The snub comes as Steinmeier, a former foreign minister, is facing criticism at home and abroad for his years-long detente policy towards Moscow, which he has since admitted was a mistake.

Speaking during a visit to Warsaw, Steinmeier said he had planned to travel to Kyiv with the presidents of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this week "to send a strong signal of joint European solidarity with Ukraine.

"I was prepared to do this, but apparently, and I must take note of this, this was not wanted in Kyiv," he told reporters.

Germany's topselling Bild newspaper quoted an unnamed Ukrainian diplomat as saying: "We all know of Steinmeier's close relations with Russia here... He is not welcome in Kyiv at the moment. We will see whether that changes."

The embarrassing rejection comes as Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under fire for not having travelled to Ukraine himself so far, unlike British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen.

Steinmeier, a Social Democrat serving his second stint as German president, was a foreign minister in two of former chancellor Angela Merkel's governments. He has long been known for his Moscow-friendly stance.

He has been a leading advocate of the "Wandel durch Handel" (Change through Trade) concept, which argues that fostering close commercial ties can help spur democratic reforms.

Steinmeier also championed the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, which has now been halted over Moscow's aggression in Ukraine.

Steinmeier recently admitted that his rapprochement approach towards President Vladimir Putin had been misguided.

"I still hoped that Vladimir Putin possessed a remnant of rationality," he told Der Spiegel weekly in an interview.

"I did not think that the Russian president would risk his country's complete political, economic and moral ruin in the pursuit of an imperial delusion."

But he added that his own support for Nord Stream 2 "was a mistake, clearly".

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Natural gas giant Algeria has agreed to boost deliveries to Italy as European countries seek to reduce their reliance on Russian imports over the Ukraine war. But experts say the North African country, despite its vast natural gas reserves, is already exporting at close to full capacity.

Can Algeria Meet Its Latest Commitments?

Algeria possesses almost 2.4 trillion cubic metres of proven natural gas reserves and is Africa's largest gas exporter.

It is responsible for almost 12 percent of the European Union's gas imports -- against almost 47 percent from Russia, according to early 2021 figures provided by Eurostat.

Few details have been released on the deal between Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach and Italian major ENI, announced by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Algiers on Monday.

ENI said in a statement that the firms had agreed to boost deliveries to Italy through the Transmed undersea pipeline by "up to nine billion cubic metres per year" by 2023-24.

It did not specify a baseline figure or the volume of total deliveries.

Aydin Calik, an analyst at the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES), said the deal's precise impact on quantities of gas to be pumped through the pipeline was unclear.

According to MEES figures, in 2021 Transmed only had spare pipeline capacity of 7.8 billion cubic metres per year -- short of the nine billion of extra deliveries cited by ENI.

Experts also say a lack of foreign investment in new infrastructure and the need to cover growing domestic consumption will limit the gas available for export.

"Rising domestic demand and maturing natural gas fields continue to weigh heavily on volumes available for export," said Calik.

"And while projects are underway to sustain export levels, the big additions aren't scheduled until 2024."

How Will The Deal Affect Gas Prices?

Gas price futures currently trade around 100 euros per megawatt hour, five times higher than this time last year.

According to a statement by Sonatrach, Monday's deal allows it and ENI "to determine natural gas sales price levels in line with market data for the year 2022-2023".

Calik said this could mean that Sonatrach has also secured a price rise for the gas it sells to Italy.

"But the thing is that we don't exactly know the details of the deal," he added.

Anthony Dworkin, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said Algeria wants to make the most of opportunities to increase gas shipments to Europe and raise money to invest domestically.

But "it also wants to make clear that it is a reliable energy partner to Europe," he said.

That is despite Sonatrach warning earlier this month it could increase the price of its gas sales to Spain, after Madrid dropped decades of neutrality and backed Algeria's arch-rival Morocco over the sensitive Western Sahara issue.

"Prices may go up, but there is every indication that Algeria will honour its commitments -- and there is a price review built into the contracts," Dworkin said.

"Gas prices have increased anyway, so it is not surprising that Algeria might want to increase them."

Will The Deal Hit Algeria's Ties With Russia?

While Monday's deal helps Italy reduce its reliance on Russian gas, Algeria has a long-standing relationship with the Kremlin which experts say it is unlikely to burn.

Dworkin said the North African country was "likely to continue to pursue a balanced policy based on maintaining relationships with both Russia and Europe".

"It will probably try to avoid rhetoric that obviously suggests it is helping Europe in light of the war in Ukraine, but the deal with Italy showed that Algeria will remain a pragmatic actor," he told AFP.

He noted that the country buys most of its arms from Russia but also some from Italy and Germany, and that it had voted against or abstained from United Nations resolutions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

"These are ways in which it preserves its ties with Russia," he said, noting that the relationship does not require Algiers to deprive itself of "commercial opportunities for lucrative exports".

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Fresh clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants rocked the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday as a Palestinian was killed after stabbing an Israeli police officer, adding to a surging death toll.

Israeli troops launched a fourth day of military operations around Jenin after an assailant from the flashpoint district last week shot and killed three people in a Tel Aviv bar in the latest of a spate of attacks that have stunned Israel.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett -- who warned in response that there would "not be limits for this war" -- vowed during a visit to the Tel Aviv shooting scene overnight: "We will not let our enemy stop our lives.

"We will fight where they are located, in their bases, at their source -- and, please God, we will win."

In Tuesday's battles, which raged for a fourth day, Israeli soldiers "fired live bullets, stun grenades and tear gas," the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

The Israeli army said its soldiers fired "live ammunition toward suspects who hurled explosive devices at them as well as toward armed suspects in the area", and arrested 20 Palestinians.

A makeshift barricade of car tyres blocked a road to the Jenin refugee camp, where a wall poster hailed the Tel Aviv shooter, Raad Hazem, 28, who was killed after a massive all-night manhunt last Friday.

The latest violence to rock Israel came in the Mediterranean port city of Ashkelon, where police said an officer was checking a Palestinian man in his 40s who then "pulled out a knife and attacked the officer".

The policeman "fired and neutralised the suspect, whose death was declared on site", police said, adding that the officer was hospitalised with light wounds from a kitchen knife.

Police said the man was from occupied Hebron -- a powder keg where around 1,000 Jewish settlers live under heavy military protection among 200,000 Palestinians.

Palestinian youth have also clashed elsewhere with Israeli security forces, including in Ramallah, where they threw rocks and were met with tear gas.

'Cycle of violence'

The rise in violence comes during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and days before the Jewish festival of Passover and Christian Easter.

Last year during Ramadan, tensions in Jerusalem flared into 11 days of war between Israel and the Hamas militant group ruling the Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops and police have stepped up operations over the past three weeks in which four shooting, stabbing and car-ramming attacks have left 14 people dead.

Over the same period, Israeli forces have killed 15 Palestinians, including assailants, according to an AFP tally.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz visited an area Tuesday where a barrier that runs roughly along the West Bank border is to be extended by 40 kilometres (25 miles) in coming months under a plan approved Sunday.

Israel started building the controversial, more than 500-kilometre barrier, part wall and part fence, 20 years ago after a spate of deadly Palestinian attacks.

The army said that, following the recent attacks in Israel, it would reinforce the barrier with additional troops.

Palestinians say the barrier's construction grabbed nearly 10 percent of the West Bank, and the International Court of Justice ruled it illegal.

Militant group Islamic Jihad, meanwhile, hailed the Palestinian response to Israel's military incursions in Jenin and other cities.

"We salute our people who stand like an unyielding barricade in the face of the Zionist enemy's terrorism," it said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres followed "with deep concern the escalating violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel," said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"He is appalled by the increasingly high number of casualties, including women and children," Dujarric added.

Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh charged that Israel's actions "will lead to a dangerous and uncontrollable escalation" and cause a new "cycle of violence".

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Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri is in the US capital this week for a new round of talks with US officials.

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri arrived in Washington DC on Tuesday for talks with his US counterpart Antony Blinken and other US officials and congressional members.

A Foreign Ministry statement released on Monday said Shoukri would be in Washington this week for an official visit. This visit comes in the framework of intensifying communications and consultations between the two friendly countries  Egypt and the United States  as well as reinforcing the distinguished strategic relations between them, and exchanging views about a number of important regional and international issues of mutual concern, the statement said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Hafez pointed out that while in Washington Shoukri would meet Blinken and a number of US administration officials, in addition to holding meetings with several US Chamber of Commerce members, think tanks, and strategic research centres.

A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo (AmCham) paid a Door Knock Mission visit to Washington between 28 March and 2 April to boost economic and investment relations between Egypt and the US. The delegation, led by AmCham President Tarek Tawfik and President of the Egyptian-American Businessmen Council Omar Mehanna, said the visit to Washington had focused on attracting new American investments to Egypt. It also discussed how Egypt has been negatively impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war as it is the worlds largest importer of wheat and that 80 per cent of its wheat imports are from Russia and Ukraine, not to mention that 20 per cent of Egypts tourist inflows originate from those two countries, an AmCham report said.

The last meeting between Shoukri and Blinken was just two weeks ago when they attended the 27-28 March Negev summit in Israel. They joined the foreign ministers of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco to discuss a number of key issues, including Iran, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the war in Ukraine. Spokesperson Hafez tweeted that Minister Shoukri and his US counterpart Antony Blinken held talks during the summit to tackle a number of international and regional issues as part of maintaining consultation and coordination concerning issues of mutual concern.

Shoukris last visit to Washington was in November 2021 when he and Blinken kicked off the first round of the US-Egyptian strategic dialogue under the administration of US President Joe Biden. An official statement said Shoukri and Blinken noted that 2022 would mark the centennial of US-Egypt diplomatic relations and reaffirmed the importance of the US-Egypt strategic partnership and identified areas in which to deepen bilateral and regional cooperation, including economic and commercial affairs, education, cultural issues, consular affairs, human rights, justice and law enforcement, and defence and security. They also agreed to hold the dialogue on a regular basis.

Mohamed Al-Orabi, a former foreign minister of Egypt, said regular consultations between Egypt and the United States and talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries were important to maintaining strong relations between the two countries. As we are seeing quick developments at both regional and international levels, the most dramatic of which is the war in Ukraine, so it is important that the two countries discuss these developments and exchange views on them, Al-Orabi said.

Tarek Al-Khouli, a member of the House of Representatives Committee of Foreign Affairs, believes that the war in Ukraine will be on the top of the agenda of the talks in Washington this week. The meeting with Blinken in Washington also comes a few days after Shoukri and other Arab foreign ministers visited Moscow to hold consultations on the war in Ukraine.

Al-Khouli said he believed there was agreement in Egypt that sanctions against Russia had caused harm to national economies around the world, including Egypt. Though Egypt voted in favour of condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine in the UN General Assembly early last March, it rejected the anti-Russia economic sanctions as they are outside the framework of the international system, and that these kinds of sanctions always cause adverse humanitarian effects, Al-Khouli said, expecting that the discussions between Shoukri and Blinken on the issue will be intense.

Al-Khouli believes that other regional issues such as elections in Libya, political developments in Sudan, and conflicts in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen will also be on the agenda of Shoukris talks in Washington.

Al-Khouli also noted that climate change will be a major topic of discussion as Egypt is scheduled to host the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November. It is clear that the US allocates great importance to this conference and that this is clear in the fact that Egypt and the US set up a joint working group to coordinate climate policies ahead of the COP27 summit, said Al-Khouli.

US Climate Envoy John Kerry paid a two-day visit to Egypt in February during which he held talks with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Shoukri who is the COP27 president. Kerry, a former US secretary of state and presidential candidate, said the US is confident Egypts leadership of COP27 will give much needed momentum to international efforts on climate change.

Many local political analysts, however, believe that the relations between Egypt and other Arab-US allies  particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  on one hand and President Biden on the other are not as warm as they were with his predecessor Donald Trump. Prominent Egyptian political thinker and Senator Abdel-Moneim Said said in a TV interview that the US is aware of Egypts influence in the Middle East and the Arab world and this explains why it is always keen that the two countries hold talks on a regular basis to exchange views and maintain coordination.



*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Vladimir Putin vowed Tuesday that Russia's bloody offensive in Ukraine would continue until its goals are fulfilled and insisted the campaign was going as planned, despite a major withdrawal in the face of stiff Ukrainian opposition and significant losses.

Russian troops, thwarted in their push toward Ukraine's capital, are now focusing on the eastern Donbas region, where Ukraine said Tuesday it was investigating a claim that a poisonous substance had been dropped on its troops.

It was not clear what the substance might be, but Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24, with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government, and installing a Moscow-friendly regime.

In the six weeks since, Russia's ground advance stalled, its forces lost potentially thousands of fighters, and the military was accused of killing civilians and other atrocities.

Putin insisted Tuesday that his invasion aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed rebels and to ``ensure Russia's own security.''

He said Russia ``had no other choice'' but to launch what he calls a ``special military operation,'' and vowed it would ``continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.''

For now, Putin's forces are gearing up for a major offensive in the Donbas, which has been torn by fighting between Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists' claims of independence.

Military strategists say Russian leaders appear to hope local support, logistics, and terrain in the region favor Russia's larger and better-armed military, potentially allowing its troops to finally turn the tide in their favor.

In Mariupol, a strategic port city in the Donbas, a Ukrainian regiment defending a steel mill claimed a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. It indicated there were no serious injuries.

The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified.

It came after a Russia-allied separatist official appeared to urge the use of chemical weapons, telling Russian state TV on Monday that separatist forces should seize the plant by first blocking all the exits.

``And then we'll use chemical troops to smoke them out of there,'' the official, Eduard Basurin, said. He denied Tuesday that separatist forces had used chemical weapons in Mariupol.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions _ which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons _ had been used in Mariupol.

Much of the city has been razed in weeks of pummeling by Russian troops. The mayor said Monday that the siege has left more than 10,000 civilians dead, their corpses ``carpeted through the streets.'' Mayor Vadym Boychenko said the death toll in Mariupol alone could surpass 20,000 and gave new details of allegations by Ukrainian officials that Russian forces have brought mobile cremation equipment to dispose of the corpses.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, acknowledged the challenges Ukrainian troops face in Mariupol.

He said on Twitter that they remain blocked and are having issues with supplies, while Zelenskyy and Ukrainian generals ``do everything possible (and impossible) to find a solution and help our guys.''

``For more than 1.5 months our defenders protect the city from (Russian) troops, which are 10+ times larger,`` Podolyak said in a tweet. ``They're fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.''

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the use of chemical weapons ``would be a callous escalation in this conflict,'' while Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it would be a ``wholesale breach of international law.''

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the US could not confirm the drone report. But he noted the administration's persistent concerns ``about Russia's potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine.''

Britain, meanwhile, has warned that Russia may resort to phosphorus bombs, which are banned in civilian areas under international law, in Mariupol.

Most armies use phosphorus munitions to illuminate targets or to produce smoke screens. Deliberately firing them into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

``Once you start using the properties of white phosphorus, toxic properties, specifically and deliberately, then it becomes banned,'' he said.

In the face of stiff resistance by Ukrainian forces bolstered by Western weapons, Russian forces have increasingly relied on bombarding cities, flattening many urban areas and leaving thousands of people dead.

The war has also driven more than 10 million Ukrainians from their homes _ including nearly two-thirds of all children.

Moscow's retreat from cities and towns around the capital, Kyiv, led to the discovery of large numbers of apparently massacred civilians, prompting widespread condemnation and accusations that Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine.

Reports have primarily focused on the northwestern suburbs such as Bucha, where the mayor said 403 bodies have been found. Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk feared the toll would rise as minesweepers comb through the area.

Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said Tuesday that it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast.

The prosecutor's office said the bodies of six civilians had been found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and that Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people, including a 13-year-old boy.

In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed, including two children, when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.

Putin falsely claimed Tuesday that Ukraine's accusation that hundreds of civilians were killed by Russian troops in the town of Bucha were ``fake.'' Associated Press reporters saw dozens of bodies in and around the town, some with hands bound who appeared to have been shot at close range.

The Russian leader spoke at the Vostochny space launch facility in the country's Far East, during his first known foray outside Moscow since the war began. He also said that foreign powers wouldn't succeed in isolating Russia.

He said that Russia's economy and financial system withstood the blow from what he called the Western sanctions ``blitz'' and claimed they would backfire by driving up prices for essentials such as fertilizer, leading to food shortages and increase migration flows to the West.

Addressing the pace of the campaign, Putin said Russia was proceeding ``calmly and rhythmically'' because it wanted to ``achieve the planned goals while minimizing the losses.''

While building up forces in the east, Russia continued to strike targets across Ukraine in a bid to wear down the country's defenses.

Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday that it used air and sea-launched missiles to destroy an ammunition depot and airplane hangar at Starokostiantyniv in the western Khmelnytskyi region and an ammunition depot near Kyiv.

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US President Joe Biden has for the first time accused Vladimir Putin's forces of committing genocide in Ukraine, where Russia is intensifying its campaign to take the strategic port city of Mariupol.

Biden's accusation comes as Moscow -- already accused by the West of widespread atrocities against civilians -- is feared to be readying a massive onslaught across Ukraine's east that Washington warned might involve chemical weapons.

"Yes, I called it genocide," Biden told reporters on Tuesday, hours after employing the term during a speech in Iowa -- its first use by a member of his administration.

"We'll let the lawyers decide internationally whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me," Biden said. "It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian."

President Volodymyr Zelensky -- who has repeatedly accused Moscow of attempted "genocide" -- swiftly responded by tweeting at Biden: "True words of a true leader."

"Calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil," Zelensky wrote -- renewing his appeal for more heavy weapons to "prevent further Russian atrocities".

Biden had previously described Putin as a "war criminal" as the discovery of hundreds of civilians reportedly killed in Bucha, outside Kyiv, sparked global revulsion.

But he had stopped short of using the term "genocide," in line with longstanding US protocol, because of its strict legal definition and the heavy implication the accusation carries.

Tunnel warriors

While the toll on towns occupied during the month-long offensive to take Kyiv like Bucha is still coming to light, the heaviest civilian toll is feared to be in Mariupol, where Zelensky said he believed Russia had killed "tens of thousands".

Moscow is believed to be trying to connect occupied Crimea with Russian-backed separatist territories Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas, and has laid siege to the strategically located city.

Experts say its fall is inevitable, but as fighting drags toward its seventh week, the Ukrainian army is still clinging on.

On Wednesday the Land Forces of Ukraine said on Telegram that air strikes on the city continued, particularly targeting its port and the huge Azovstal iron and steel works.

The latter maze-like complex has been a focus of urban resistance in Mariupol, with fighters using a tunnel system below the vast industrial site to slow Russian forces down.

"It's a city within a city," said Eduard Basurin, a representative for pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.

"There are several underground levels that date back to Soviet times which you can't bombard from above. You have to go underground to clean them out, and that will take time."

Above ground, AFP journalists in Mariupol as part of a Russian military embed saw the charred remains of the city, including the theatre where 300 people were feared killed in Russian bombardment last month.

Reports emerged on Monday from Ukraine's Azov battalion that a Russian drone had dropped a "poisonous substance" in the area, with people experiencing respiratory failure and neurological problems.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was unable to confirm the allegations, but that Washington had "credible information" Russia might use tear gas mixed with chemical agents in the besieged port.

The world's chemical weapons watchdog said it was "concerned" by the unconfirmed reports coming from Mariupol, and was "monitoring closely".

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warned the use of such weapons by Moscow would "elicit a response not just from the United States, but from the international community," without elaborating.

'Devil incarnate'

Heavy bombardment continued across the east as civilians were urged to flee ahead of an expected Russian troop surge around the Donbas region, notably near the town of Izyum.

US private satellite firm Maxar Technologies published images it said showed ground forces moving towards Russia's border with Ukraine, likely in preparation for an offensive.

In Ukraine, Maxar said it had noted convoys of military equipment travelling in and near the Donbas region -- adding they comprised of around 200 vehicles including tanks, artillery and armoured personnel carriers.

Heeding the calls from authorities to flee, a steady stream of residents left by bus and train from the cities of Kramatorsk and neighbouring Sloviansk.

Kramatorsk is the Ukrainian military's main hub for its operations in the east, and so potentially a key target.

"What is happening is inhuman, (Putin) is a fascist. I don't know what to call him -- a devil incarnate," said 82-year-old Valentina Oleynikova, who was fleeing the city with her husband.

With little hope of a quick end to fighting, Putin pledged Moscow would proceed on its own timetable, rebuffing repeated international calls for a ceasefire.

"Our task is to fulfil and achieve all the goals set, minimising losses. And we will act rhythmically, calmly, according to the plan originally proposed by the General Staff," he told a news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

'They will remember'

Putin also dismissed as "fake" claims that hundreds of civilians were killed in Bucha under Russian occupation.

Bucha Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said more than 400 people had been found dead after Moscow's forces withdrew, and 25 women reported being raped, as the town prepares for the return of residents who fled the fighting.

"What people will find in their homes is shocking, and they will remember the Russian occupiers for a very long time," he said.

In nearby Gostomel, war crimes investigators were beginning a grim probe, exhuming bodies to document the cause of death.

One of those was that of the mayor, who the council said was "handing out bread to the hungry" when he was shot by Russian forces.

His is among the fates that are known.

"The town council has counted the number of missing at up to 400," said regional prosecutor Andriy Tkach. "Perhaps not all the bodies are found."

Zelensky sounded the alarm Tuesday about snowballing allegations of rape and sexual assault by Russian forces.

"Hundreds of cases of rape have been recorded, including those of young girls and very young children. Even of a baby," the Ukrainian leader told Lithuanian lawmakers via video link.

Tycoon swap

In a separate development, Zelensky has offered to swap a pro-Kremlin tycoon -- arrested after escaping from house arrest -- for Ukrainians captured by Russia.

Zelensky posted a picture of a dishevelled-looking Viktor Medvedchuk -- one of the richest people in Ukraine, who counts Putin among his personal friends -- with his hands in cuffs and dressed in a Ukrainian army uniform.

"I propose to the Russian Federation to exchange this guy of yours for our boys and our girls who are now in Russian captivity," Zelensky said in a video address on Telegram.

Medvedchuk, a hugely controversial figure in Ukraine, was under house arrest over accusations of attempting to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.

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As Europe aims to wean itself off Russian fossil fuel because of the Ukraine invasion, Israel hopes to help fill the gap with gas from its offshore reserves.

EU states remain divided on the time scale, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc hopes to phase out its dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027.

Israel could build one or more pipelines, potentially via Greece or Turkey, or increase the quantity of gas piped to Egypt to be liquified and shipped off, say officials and experts.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said after a recent visit to Athens that "the war in Ukraine stands to change the structure of the European and Middle Eastern energy market".

"We are also examining additional economic cooperation, with an emphasis on the energy market."

Israel has worked for years to create gas export routes, with mixed results so far.

Turkey, whose ties with Israel have recently thawed after over a decade of rupture, has expressed new interest in a pipeline, and its energy minister is expected in Israel in the coming weeks.

During the years of diplomatic alienation from Turkey, Israel signed an accord with Greece and Cyprus in 2020 aiming to build the EastMed pipeline through those two countries from Israel to Europe.

Turkey opposed the project, and a senior US diplomat said last week it would be too expensive and take too long to build.

Energy Minister Karine Elharrar also hailed the potential for gas sales to Europe, telling the French Association of Defence Journalists that "we have the ability and we will try to do as much as we can".

Regional alliances

With both Greece and its regional rival Turkey vying to be the conduit for the gas, Israel would have to tread carefully amid the regional alliances it wishes to uphold and strengthen.

Major gas finds in the eastern Mediterranean -- nearly 1,000 billion cubic meters (bcm) -- have in the past decade turned Israel from a natural gas importer into an exporter.

It now sells small quantities from its two major offshore fields, Leviathan and Tamar, to Egypt and Jordan.

Israel's domestic consumption over the next three decades would leave some 600 bcm available for export, said opposition lawmaker Yuval Steinitz, Israel's energy minister until last year.

"In 2016 the pipeline to Turkey was examined, including with Turkey and commercial companies," said Orit Ganor, director of natural gas international trade at Israel's energy ministry.

"The project didn't reach fruition mainly due to economic reasons."

Ganor said "the EastMed pipeline is still an option, and the company advancing it, Poseidon, is in the final stages of geophysical and geotechnical surveys of the pipe's route in our waters and those of Greece and Cyprus".

No financing has been secured for the project, which Steinitz said would cost about $6 billion and take around four years to complete.

He said there was also agreement with Cairo on a seabed pipeline from Leviathan to Egypt's liquification plants that would allow for greater exports to Europe.

'Catch-22'

Israel's Leviathan field, which would be the source for European exports, is operated by an Israeli-American consortium including NewMed Energy and US major Chevron.

NewMed Energy CEO Yossi Abu recently stated his ambition of "bringing Israeli gas to Europe and Asia".

Experts say Israel's current gas fields represent a third of potential reserves, but a means to sell future finds would be needed to encourage further exploration by private companies.

The state of Israel provides exploitation licenses and regulatory support, but does not drill for gas or build pipelines.

"There's a 'Catch-22' here," said Elai Rettig, a political scientist at Tel Aviv's Bar-Ilan university.

"You need to find a customer that will agree to pay for this very, very expensive pipeline, and they won't do it until you show them you've found enough gas to justify it.

"And you won't find enough gas to justify it until you show that there's someone to sell the gas to."

Europe's efforts to diversify gas imports began before the Ukraine war when it "experienced harsh weather and gas prices rose significantly," said Ganor, the energy ministry official.

Steinitz said a pipeline to Turkey would cost $1.5 billion and take two to three years to build.

Israel "could definitely be a serious factor in creating more independence and a wealth of energy sources for Europe," he said.

He said Israel could even export via Greece, Turkey and Egypt at the same time because "we have enough gas to export through the three channels".

Rettig stressed Israel's need for "balance" between Turkey and Greece and to "continuously talk to both sides and to reassure them that one doesn't come at the expense of the other".

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Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday during his official visit to Washington DC to cement bilateral strategic relations.

Shoukry and Blinken tackled a number of regional and international issues, said Ahmed Hafez, foreign ministry spokesman.

The two officials underlined the importance of continued political consultations and coordination on issues of mutual concern, Hafez added.

Egypt and the US mark in 2022 their centennial diplomatic relations, established in 1922.

Shoukry began his official visit on Tuesday with meetings with US officials, including Senior Adviser to the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate David Thorne.

He participated in a symposium at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, where he highlighted the depth of Egypts strategic relations with the US.

He also discussed Egypt's vision on regional issues and challenges.

Later on Tuesday, Shoukry had a meeting with representatives of American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Washington on means of boosting economic and trade ties between the two countries and the comprehensive development boom in Egypt. Given Egypts upcoming hosting of the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27), scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November, the meeting tackled the US companies' efforts to achieve sustainable development in Egypt, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

The total two-way trade in goods between the US and Egypt was $8.6 billion in 2019, according to the US Department of State.

Shoukrys last visit to the US was in November 2021 when held talks with Blinken and kicked off the first round of the US-Egyptian Strategic Dialogue under the administration of US President Joe Biden.

The last meeting between Shoukry and Blinken was in late March on the sidelines of the Negev summit in Israe

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Ahmed Dashs participation in the project will officially kick off with the live broadcast transmitted by UNICEF Egypt on their social media on Thursday at 3pm. The live broadcast will include a talk with Dash on solid waste management and its relationship to climate change.



The Shabab Balad initiative is an Egyptian version of UNICEFs international Generation Unlimited Initiative, which was launched by the UN in 2018 and operates in over 50 countries worldwide.



Announced during the World Youth Forum, which took place in Sharm El-Sheikh earlier this year, the Shabab Balad Initiative is the first offspring of the Generation Unlimited Initiative in the region.



According to UNICEFs website, Shabab Balad is the first public-private partnership platform for youths that was created to give young people a platform to express themselves and find opportunities.

The initiatives bold goal is to have every boy and girl in the world have the opportunity to attend school, learn, or train so they can have a suitable job by 2030.

Born in October 2000 and one of the youngest talents in the country, Ahmed Dash began acting in television commercials at a young age. He then made his acting breakthrough in Amr Salamas film Excuse My French, followed by roles in over 20 films and television series in which he acted alongside the best-known Egyptian artists.

His other significant works include roles in Photocopy (2017)  which was directed by Tamer Ashri and starred Mahmoud Hemeida and Sherine Reda  as well as Peter Mimis Casablanca (2019), starring Amir Karara.

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By Azernews





By Orkhan Amashov

President Aliyev is a statesman of the sui generis type. As with any other politician or, in fact, any other human being who ever trod the earth, he is a man of his age, inevitably shaped by its circumstances. However, what is profoundly different about him is that he belongs to the cast of illustrious personages who are not merely good at recalibrating, but also in inducing those changes and putting in place those patterns necessary to influence historic processes.

The issues that have been touched upon during the course of the President's recent meeting with certain members of his government, dedicated to the first quarter of the year, were pervasive and all-embracing, and it is not the object of the author of this piece to reflect upon them in their full entirety. Instead, my focus is going to be centred upon some of the central elements in relation to foreign policy and related matters.

Polite death warrant

As a paragon of moderation, President Aliyev has refrained from delivering a final coup de grace to the beleaguered and misbegotten OSCE Minsk Group in any formal way. But what he said was no less forceful than an open death warrant. Aliyev confirmed that the OSCE Minsk Groups mandate to resolve the Karabakh conflict is de jure in force, but invalid de facto, and that the entity in question and its co-chairs are virtually non-functional. Indeed, the word virtually is a manifest understatement.

The President continued, stating that he had only one meeting with the co-chairs after the war. One could surmise that there was no need for him to clearly state that he did not have any appetite to meet any of them again. His disinclination in that regard was obvious enough not to be in need of a verbal manifestation.

The President has made a fine distinction between the OSCE Minsk Group and the OSCE itself. The cumulative effect of his views was that the former is irrelevant, yet the latter, the organisation itself at large, could potentially play a role in the post-conflict normalisation, albeit in another guise.

Nuances were not lost on a discerning observer. Aliyevs verdict was clear and frank, and one does not need to read between the lines to see the gist. One can infer that, from what has been said, it is not for Baku to officially disband the OSCE Minsk Group. It is already a carbuncle on the face of humanity which should be lanced like a boil - but that should be undertaken by the OSCE, in recognition of this failure.

Conflict over, post-conflict normalisation underway

Yet again, for the benefit of those who have not yet adapted to the post-war realities and for the sake of additional reiteration, attention has been drawn to the fact that the conflict is over and what we are dealing with now is a post-conflict process.

This vital terminological standard set out by Baku has received a due approbation in the latest Brussels summit and everyone was able to ascertain that the final communique did not contain the expression Nagorno-Karabakh, as a result of Azerbaijan's indefatigable determination to utilise the correct nomenclature.

The March exchange between Baku and Yerevan, which entailed Bakus five-point proposal and Yerevans reluctant acquiescence, which later received another official sounding in Brussels, has also received a Presidential ascent. The crux of the matter is that Armenia has de facto agreed to conduct further normalisation on the basis suggested by Baku.

Ilham Aliyev's "no-nonsense" approach was clear in the remark to the effect of the importance of not wasting time. Any format or construct proposed on the way forward must have a practical value. Enough precious time has been lost during the past years to fall into the trap of procrastination. The President's dictum has gone home unmistakably.

Whilst reinstating his own terminological tenets as to the now former conflict, the President was also critical of the lack of uniform application of the notions of justice abroad. Indeed, if it is not a sign of hypocrisy that Turkish "Bayraktar" drones are described as "deadly weapons" in the context of the Second Karabakh War and in Ukraine they are transformed into "angels", then what is it? The President was rightly indignant, and so must be all those imbued with a sense of fairness.

Magnanimity within limits

It is one thing to live in the past and continuously dwell on misfortunes, imagined or real, of a bygone age, yet completely another to remember and act upon what should not be forgotten. One element is very clear: Armenia should not be allowed to have access to military capabilities to engage in any act of aggression, and if any measure to this effect is taken, Baku, as the President said, would consider this as "unfriendly" behaviour.

Indeed, revenge is a consuming feeling and hatred is counter-productive, particularly when a vast proportion of one's emotional resources is spent on it. Yet justice must be served, and legal cases enacted against those Baku strongly believes to be war criminals. Nothing is forgotten. Neither the malicious deeds of Serzh Sargsyan, a crime-soaked product of the darkest vomitorium of Hell, or anyone else for that matter.

April hath (has) put a spirit of youth in everything , said Shakespeare whilst addressing the unmistakable tenets defining a fair youth. Our world is not young, and Azerbaijan's once intractable problems are not new either. But optimism and elation, however reserved, always have some freshness in them, elucidating the world in a different light.

For all the ongoing turmoil entrapping humanity at present, and despite Azerbaijans own specific challenges, this April makes one feel rejuvenated and hopeful. The tentative assumptions as to the effect of Armenia finally orienting itself towards the right course and the results of the recent Brussels summit form the basis of something akin to unbridled optimism. And the President's latest deliberations... They have added a reassuring approbation. And now that we are here, the nation dares to hope for even better.
Egypt offered its condolences on Wednesday to South Africa and the Philippines over the floods that wreaked havoc in some provinces in the two countries, claiming many lives.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt expressed its condolences to South Africa over the floods in KwaZulu-Natal province, which resulted in many casualties and the destruction of facilities, homes, and infrastructure.

Related Durban cleans up after record floods hit South Africa

Egypt, as a government and people, offers its sincere condolences to the government and people of the South African Republic and to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured, the statement said, stressing that Egypt stands by South Africa in such painful affliction.

In a separate statement by the foreign ministry, Egypt also expressed its solidarity with the Philippines after the country was overtaken by a storm that resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

The death toll from the heavy floods and landslides in both countries has exceeded 115, while many have been reported missing.

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Egypt condemned on Wednesday Israeli escalations in the occupied West Bank, including the use of force against Palestinians, which has led to a number of deaths, injuries and the detention of dozens of Palestinans.

In a statement, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez asserted Egypts rejection of any inciting, including calls by right-wing Israeli settler groups to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Hafez stressed the necessity of containing these dangerously escalating developments.

Right-wing Israeli settler groups called this week for organising a mass storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Jewish Passover and to offer animal sacrifices in its courtyards.

Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian in the city of Nablus on the fifth day of military operations in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said on Wednesday.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported 31 people injured at the site and in a nearby village, including 10 people hit with live ammunition.

The Israeli military has stepped up raids and arrests across the occupied West Bank after four attacks in Israel in the past three weeks left 14 people dead, including in a shooting spree last week in the heart of the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv.

Israeli forces have killed 16 Palestinians, including assailants, in the same period, according to an AFP count.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club reported 14 new arrests overnight across the West Bank.

Earlier in April, Egypt condemned the Israeli escalation in the Palestinian territories, including settlers storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection and the continued targeting of Palestinian citizens.

Egypt has repeatedly called for the revival of direct peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to reach a two-state solution along the borders of 1967.

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Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday with Senior Adviser to the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate David Thorne as part of his official visit to the US that aims to the strengthen US-Egyptian strategic relations.

At the beginning of his visit to the US, Shoukry participated in a symposium at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Hafez said on his Twitter account Tuesday.

Shoukry highlighted during the symposium the depth of Egypts strategic relations with the US.

He also discussed Egypt'ss vision towards the most prominent issues and challenges in the region, as well as the country's role at the regional and international levels.

The Egyptian FM is scheduled to meet with multiple senior US officials, including his US counterpart Anthony Blinken.

Shoukry's visit aims to intensify communications and consultation as part the Egyptian-US strategic relations in order to exchange visions about the regional and international issues of common interest, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

Shoukry last visited Washington in November 2021, where he held talks with Blinken as part of the US-Egyptian Strategic dialogue.

Last month, Shoukry held a video conference with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, where they highlighted the importance of activating the US-Egypt Climate Working Group to face climate change at the earliest opportunity.

Ahead of Egypts scheduled hosting of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Cairo and Washington agreed on the formation of a joint working group on climate change, affirming the two countries commitment to cooperate closely on climate issues.

Shoukry affirmed to Kerry in the video conference that Egypt will work during its presidency of COP27 on achieving outcomes that reflect the international ambitions in the face of climate change while giving a special importance to supporting developing countries, especially in Africa.

Shoukry, the president-designate of COP27, also met with Kerry last year to discuss boosting cooperation over climate change.

Egypt has the chance to become a pioneer in solar and renewable energy, Kerry said, asserting the countrys capabilities to lead in the country's clean energy transition.

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Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US counterpart Antony Blinken discussed on Wednesday different aspects of Egypt-US strategic relations as well as a number of regional and international issues, commemorating the centennial of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1922, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.

There is a lot of history, but, I hope, a lot of good history we can actually make together in the months and years ahead, Blinken told the media before the meeting with Shoukry in Washington DC.

During the meeting, Blinken presented a gift to Minister Shoukry: the copy of a letter from former US President Warren G. Harding to King of Egypt Ahmed Fouad I recognising Egypts independence and sovereignty and the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Blinken also gave Shoukry a letter from former US Secretary of State Charles Hughes to Egypts former Prime Minister Abdel-Khalek Tharwat Pasha congratulating him on Egypts independence.

During the meeting, Minister Shoukry asserted the importance of continued consultation and coordination between the two countries in different areas of bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

The strategic partnership that exists now between Egypt and the United States over four decades has been mutually beneficial, and I believe there is much more work for both of us to do to further strengthen the relationship, and also to deal with the various challenges that I believe we can only meet through the continuing of our cooperation and our interaction, Shoukry said before the meeting.

The meeting also dealt with human rights issues and the two countries perspectives on the matter, with Shoukry stressing the importance of dealing with human rights through a comprehensive perspective that considers the differences between societies.

The two officials also discussed the latest developments internationally and regionally and agreed to continue to work and coordinate to face the challenges in the region as well as to limit the negative impacts of current crises, whether regionally or internationally.

Shoukry's last visit to Washington was in November 2021, when he and Blinken kicked off the first round of the US-Egyptian Strategic Dialogue under the administration of US President Joe Biden.

This is the second day of the Egyptian FMs visit to Washington, which kicked off on Tuesday with meetings with US officials, businessmen and think tank members, including Senior Adviser to the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate David Thorne.

Shoukry also had a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Washington on means of boosting economic and trade ties between the two countries and the comprehensive development boom in Egypt. Given Egypts upcoming hosting of the 27th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27), scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh in November, the meeting tackled the US companies' efforts to achieve sustainable development in Egypt, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

The total two-way trade in goods between the United States and Egypt was $8.6 billion in 2019, according to the US Department of State.

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President Muhammadu Buhari vowed on Tuesday there would be no mercy for those behind the killings of more than a hundred people in a series of attacks in central Nigeria.

Gunmen raided and ransacked a group of villages there, local sources said, in one of the worst attacks this year blamed on heavily armed criminal gangs.

Condemning what he called the "heinous" killings, Buhari promised that the perpetrators would receive "no mercy".

"They should not be spared or forgiven," he said in a statement.

Sunday's attacks in Plateau State and a high-profile kidnapping raid on a train in neighboring Kaduna State have highlighted intensifying insecurity in northwest and central regions of Africa's most populous nation.

On Sunday, gunmen attacked more than four villages in Plateau, leaving more than 100 people dead with scores of homes destroyed, two local community leaders and the commander of a local vigilante force said Tuesday.

Details of the attack were still sketchy, with local officials and security forces confirming the assault but declining to give a death toll.

"Many people were killed with houses and properties destroyed," Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong said in a statement that condemned the violence but gave no precise toll.

One local community leader, Malam Usman Abdul, told AFP on Monday that 54 dead bodies were found at Kukawa village, 16 local vigilantes were also found dead at Shuwaka village, and 30 villagers were recovered at Gyambahu and four more were found around other villages.

"People are still looking for their family members," he said.

Bala Yahaya, the operational commander of the local vigilantes who work with security forces told AFP they had recovered 107 bodies, including 16 members of his group.

Another community leader gave a similar figure for the number of fatalities.

Mass Burials

Residents said there were mass burial services on Monday for the victims of the attack in four adjoining villages.

Security forces and local government officials did not respond to requests for confirmation of a toll.

Major Ishaku Takwa, the military spokesman, said on Monday that many villages had been ransacked but that the number of casualties was still being verified.

Northwest and central states in Nigeria have long struggled with a security crisis that has emerged from tensions and clashes between farmers and herders over water and land.

Tit-for-tat revenge killings spiralled into broader criminality as gangs known locally as bandits with hundreds of members targetted villages for raids, mass kidnapping and looting.

Despite a military campaign to flush them out of their forest hideouts, attacks by bandit gangs have intensified.

Last month, gunmen blew up rail tracks and attacked a train between the capital Abuja and the northwestern city of Kaduna, killing eight people and abducting an unspecified number of other passengers.

They later released videos showing their hostages.

The train attack came two days after bandits killed a security guard at the perimeter fence of Kaduna's airport, prompting two local airlines to temporarily halt flights into the city.

Nigeria's overstretched security forces are already battling a grinding 12-year jihadist insurgency in the country's northeast, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province are operating.

The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and forced around 2.2 million more people to flee their homes since it erupted in Borno State in 2009.

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More than 110 MPs, journalists and campaigners frustrated by escalating government secrecy have signed an open letter warning that the UKs freedom of information (FoI) laws are being undermined by a lack of resources and government departments obstructing lawful requests.

The letter calls for better enforcement of transparency rules.

The letter, which was coordinated by the online news organisation openDemocracy, says the current approach to enforcing the FoI Act is clearly not working.

The signatories addressed their letter to the new information commissioner, John Edwards, who is responsible for enforcing the FoI law, which grants members of the public the legal right to request official information from public bodies.

Edwards organisation, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), reviews complaints against public bodies that have refused FoI requests and can order them to release material if they have failed to comply with the law.

The letter urges Edwards to defend the publics right to know, including allocating more resources to investigate complaints about secrecy in Whitehall.

The open letter calls for the ICO to assign more resources to FoI casework, monitoring of public bodies that fail to comply with the law, and stronger enforcement protocols for government bodies that repeatedly flout the law. It also recommends the extension of the FoI to cover private companies that provide public services.

In response to the letter, Information Commissioner John Edwards said: We acknowledge the concerns expressed in this letter. FoI plays an important part in civic engagement and holding public services to account, and we share the desire to see the law work effectively.

He continued: We all benefit from a modern law, and I think there are suggestions in this letter that warrant further consideration.

Last year a judge accused the Cabinet Office of having misled a tribunal about the operation of an alleged blacklisting system for FoI requests from journalists, called Clearing House, and described a profound lack of transparency surrounding the unit, according to The Guardian newspaper.

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Last week the Coordination Committee of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) endorsed the joint nomination of Egypt and the European Union (EU) to chair the organisation. The move honours Egypts efforts to combat terrorism and opens the door for more cooperation with the EU in the field.

Commenting on the endorsement, the Foreign Ministry said the new position is confirmation of the appreciation of the GCTF of the prominent role played by Egypt in countering terrorism on the regional and international levels and its constant efforts to do so.

Alaa Abed, first deputy to the president of the Arab Parliament and head of its counter-terrorism and extremism committee, said the endorsement was an acknowledgement of the successes that Egypt has achieved in combating terrorism on the national and international levels.

He said in a statement that Egypt presented a unique example of combating international terrorism.

Casting light on Egypts expected role during its term as a co-chair of the forum, the Foreign Ministry stated that the country intends to build on the special expertise it has gained in the field of counter-terrorism in order to implement the CTGFs Strategic Vision 2021-31.

Egypt will work on boosting the effectiveness of the international system to fight terrorism and back the efforts of member states to implement the UN global counter-terrorism strategy, in addition to enhancing attention to the African continent and to the needs of the developing countries, the ministry statement said.

Egypt is a founding member of the 30-member GCTF that was established in 2011. Its mission is to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by mobilising expertise and resources to prevent, combat, and prosecute terrorist acts and counter incitement and recruitment to terrorism.

It carries out its mission in coordination with UN agencies and regional and international organisations.

The joint bid to chair the GCTF was first raised at meetings of an EU working party on terrorism in October and November last year. It was proposed by France as the current head of the EU Councils rotating presidency in January.

Egypt and the EU will succeed Canada and Morocco as co-chairs. For Egypt, the chairmanship will start in March next year and end in March 2025, while the EU will assume office in September this year until September 2024.

The GCTF has five working groups. Egypt has been co-chairing, along with the EU, the working group whose mission is the anti-terrorism capacity-building of the East African states since 2017. From 2011 to 2017, Egypt and the US co-chaired the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law working group.

Last year, Egypt took part in various meetings co-chaired with the EU including a workshop on Strengthening Civil Society: National and Regional Approaches to Dialogue and Community Resilience in East Africa in March.

The workshop provided recommendations for various stakeholder groups, including civil society, women, and youth among others, on how best to engage in dialogue and resilience building in the region.

In September, Egypt also took part in a fourth regional meeting on the nexus between terrorism and transnational organised crime (TOC), one of the key targets of the working group in 2021-22.

Egypt has also been active outside the GCTF, where other efforts to combat terrorism have included issuing the second national report on state efforts to combat terrorism during 2021 and making it available in Arabic and English to all Egyptian missions abroad and in foreign missions in Egypt.

The report casts light on efforts made to combat terrorism throughout 2021 and the role that Egypt has played on the regional and international levels.

On the international level, Egypt took part in the UN Second Counter-Terrorism Week in June last year, during which it took part in the seventh review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS).

The document is reviewed every two years, making it a living document attuned to member states counter-terrorism priorities. Egypt was keen to include the priorities of the Arab and African countries in the document.

As part of the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State, Egypt took part in a ministerial meeting held in Rome in June last year and other periodical meetings that aim to boost the efforts of member states.

On the African level, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri chaired the African Unions (AU) Peace and Security Councils virtual session on countering extremist ideology and terror finance in November last year. He underlined the necessity of intensifying coordination between the African countries to eliminate all forms of terrorism. Egypt assumed the rotating presidency of the council in November.

The inauguration of the Sahel and Sahara Counter-Terrorism Centre in Cairo in November was proof on the ground of how Egypt is working towards urgent cooperation in Africa to combat cross-border terrorism.

The purpose of the centre is to coordinate the efforts of the members of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States and to exchange information that will help them confront terrorism.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Together with the vast majority of Arab countries, Egypt has been trying to maintain an extremely difficult balance in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Last week it could not but abstain during a vote on a US-drafted resolution at the 193-member UN General Assembly to suspend Russias three-year membership in the UN Human Rights Council.

The US-EU Resolution received 93 votes, while 24 countries voted no, and 58 abstained. A two-third majority of the voting members present was needed to suspend Russia from the 47-member Geneva-based body and, since abstentions do not count, it was passed.

As the Egyptian envoy to the United Nations explained in a statement before the vote, Egypts decision is not a response to the Ukraine crisis itself, and does not imply any loosening of Egypts commitment to refraining from the use of force or its rejection of any violation of the sovereignty of nations. Instead, it is more of a warning against the abuse of UN mechanisms and agencies to achieve political goals, setting a dangerous precedent for the future.

The resolution was seen to constitute a dangerous turning point on the path of the UN, according to Egypts UN ambassador, who also noted that the international communitys reliance on the UN to establish international modus operandi is at stake.

The organisations respect for its charter, rules and procedures has redoubled the international communitys dependence on it to consolidate the international modus operandi, Egypts Permanent Representative to the UN Osama Abdel-Khalek said. This has been based on rules and mechanisms that it relies on for the proper management of international relations and the maintenance of international peace and security, he added. The resolution approved under tremendous US pressure meant that the international dependence on the UN for these reasons is now under threat.

Still, another key reason why Egypt and the majority of Arab countries abstained were the flagrant double standards the US and other Western nations have applied while pushing for a favourable vote for the Russia resolution. Citing alleged violations of human rights by Russian forces in Ukraine, the US and its allies, including nearly two dozen mini-island states, such Tuvalu, Nauru, Andorra, Micronesia, Kiribati and Tonga who always vote US, said Moscow did not deserve a seat at the UNHRC.

Only a few years ago, ironically, former US president Donald Trump proudly announced in 2018 the suspension of US membership in the same UN body because its resolutions have been repeatedly critical of Israel, its occupation of Palestine and its inhumane, racist practices against the Palestinian people living in their homes in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

All demands to investigate horrific killings of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan by occupying US forces were limited to statements by international human rights organisations, without even the slightest hope of reaching any international tribunal or body due to the US veto power and influence.

As a matter of fact, the United States has passed legislation that criminalises and prevents any attempt to pursue American citizens charged with human rights violations oversees. Trump went as far as threatening to arrest and sanction judges and other officials of the International Criminal Court if it moves to charge any American who served in Afghanistan with war crimes.

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton bluntly stated: If the court comes after us, Israel or other US allies, we will not sit quietly. We will ban its judges and prosecutors from entering the United States. We will sanction their funds in the US financial system, and we will prosecute them in the US criminal system.

In his statement, Abdel-Khalek rightly warned against double-standards in dealing with human rights violations worldwide, saying that on many occasions, less decisive and more lenient decisions were taken regarding clear human rights violations in the not-so-distant past.

Egypts principled and consistent stance rejects this approach as it involves a waste of the purpose for which the organisation, its agencies and organs were established and as this leads to squandering its credibility and international multilateral action.

Egypt has nonetheless stressed its firm rejection of any human rights violations in Ukraine. However, such allegations must be fully investigated, considering that both sides have happily used misinformation in the ongoing war.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Egypt has highlighted the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic solutions to settle the crisis, supporting all endeavours that might accelerate a political settlement.

Last week, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri held talks as part of the Arab Leagues Ukraine crisis group separately with the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers, in Moscow and Warsaw, respectively, to push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Early in March, along with 140 countries, Egypt voted for a UN Resolution calling for a halt to Russias invasion and an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from its western neighbour. However, Egypt also warned against economic sanctions that are not based on the mechanisms of the multilateral international system.

It remains clear that all world efforts at this stage should be to bring a speedy end to this military confrontation in Ukraine, instead of widening the gulf between the warring sides, and pushing them to adopt more stubborn stands.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 14 April, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

Biden accuses Russians of 'genocide'

US President Joe Biden accuses Russian forces of committing genocide in Ukraine, the first time his administration has used the term.

"Yes, I called it genocide," Biden tells reporters travelling with him in Iowa when asked about his use of the term during an earlier speech.

"It's become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky swiftly responds: "True words of a true leader."

Ukrainians 'surrounded' in Mariupol

Ukrainian forces are "surrounded and blocked" in Mariupol as Russian forces push to take the southeastern port city, Mykhaylo Podolyak, an official from Zelensky's office, tweets.

Zelensky says he believes "tens of thousands" of people in the city have been killed and makes another plea for weapons.

'Credible information' on chemical weapons

The United States has "credible information" that Russia "may use... chemical agents" in its offensive to take Mariupol, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.

He tells reporters he is not able to confirm accusations that Moscow has already used chemical weapons there.

The world's chemical weapons watchdog, the OPCW, says it is "concerned" over reports of the use of chemical weapons in Mariupol.

'All options on table'

Britain's armed forces minister James Heappey tells Sky News that if evidence of chemical weapons use emerges, "all options are on the table" as a response.

"There are some things that are beyond the pale, and the use of chemical weapons will get a response," he says.

Over 400 bodies in Bucha

The mayor of the town of Bucha, where dozens of bodies were found after Russia's withdrawal from northern Ukraine, says more than 400 people have been found dead so far and 25 women have reported being raped.

Zelensky says investigators have received reports of "hundreds of cases of rape" in areas previously occupied by Russian troops, including sexual assaults of small children.

Burials in east

Around 400 civilians have been buried in the town of Severodonetsk near the frontline in eastern Ukraine since the Russian invasion, the governor of the Lugansk region, Sergiy Gaiday, says.

Rape allegations

Zelensky says hundreds of rapes by Russian forces have been recorded, including of very young children and "even of a baby".

Invasion going 'calmly': Putin

Putin says Russia's offensive is proceeding "calmly" and according to plan, with the goal of "minimising losses".

During a televised press conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin dismisses reports of the discovery of hundreds of bodies of civilians in Bucha as fake.

Residents flee east

Residents stream out of east Ukraine's Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as fears grow the cities will be key targets of a major new Russian offensive.

The Pentagon says Russia is building up its forces in the eastern Donbas region, as it switches its focus to a region where pro-Russian rebels have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Talks 'extremely difficult': Kyiv

Kyiv says talks with Russia to end the war are "extremely difficult".

"Negotiations are extremely difficult," Ukrainian presidential adviser Podolyak says.

Putin says Ukraine's "inconsistency on fundamental points" is creating "certain difficulties in reaching final agreements".

German president 'not wanted' in Kyiv

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says he offered to visit Ukraine with other EU leaders but was told by Kyiv his trip was "not wanted".

Steinmeier, a former foreign minister under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel, was long known for championing ties with Moscow. The snub comes as Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under increasing pressure for not having visited Ukraine.

Tycoon swap offer

Zelensky offers to swap pro-Kremlin tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, who was arrested after escaping from house arrest, for Ukrainians captured by Russia.

Over 870,000 returnees

More than 870,000 Ukrainians who fled abroad since the start of the war have returned to the country, Ukraine's border force says.

Spokesman Andriy Demchenko says that 25,000 to 30,000 Ukrainians are returning each day, with growing numbers of women, children and elderly among them.

In total, more than 4.6 million Ukrainians have now fled their country, the United Nations says.

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By Trend

A meeting dedicated to the results of the first quarter of 2022 chaired by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was held on April 12, Trend reports.

Speaking at the meeting, the president, in particular, noted that Azerbaijan has continued its contacts and active cooperation with international organizations, and the world's leading international organizations have acknowledged the new realities.

Our contacts with the European Union have intensified after the war. The European Union has also accepted the realities of the post-conflict period. At the initiative of the President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel, trilateral meetings were held in December and April, Ilham Aliyev stated. Information about the meetings has been provided, so I dont want to talk much about that. But, of course, both the experts and the Azerbaijani public could see that the final communique did not contain the expression "Nagorno-Karabakh", which is quite natural. Because Azerbaijan expressed its protest, so there is no word "conflict" either. This is natural, because there is no conflict. The conflict has been resolved.

The European Union is now working on normalizing Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, and these issues were discussed at the April meeting, on 6 April, the Azerbaijani president said. As you may know, Azerbaijan has made a proposal consisting of five principles to normalize relations between the two countries, and the Armenian side welcomed this proposal. These statements had already been made before the Brussels meeting.

At the meeting in Brussels, I wanted to clarify this for myself and I did. Armenia accepts the five principles. So the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized and Armenia renounces its territorial claims to Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev also noted. In other words, if it accepts the five principles  as it was confirmed at the April meeting  then these are part of these five principles. This is a very positive thing, and I think that it is a key condition for the normalization of bilateral relations.

It was agreed that working groups would be established both on the border and for the preparation of a peace agreement. As you know, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia have recently had a telephone conversation, which I think was the first time it happened in the last 30 years. We also welcome that, Ilham Aliyev added.

According to Igor Korotchenko, a political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Russian National Defense magazine, the meeting in Brussels showed that the consistent policy pursued by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev is not just correct, but the solely right policy, which has given concrete results.

"An obstacle to peace, security and constructive cooperation in the region was the position of Yerevan, which in every possible way sabotaged the implementation of all agreements on a peaceful settlement, Korotchenko said. Obviously, today Nikol Pashinyan [Armenian prime minister] has already found himself in a situation where the success of Azerbaijani diplomacy and politics have made further delays pointless.

Let's hope that Yerevan will start implementing all its obligations in practical terms, despite the dangerous and provocative attempts of the Armenian opposition to interfere with the peace process," the analyst noted.

He stressed that lately Azerbaijan has purposefully, consistently and fundamentally defended the need for Armenia to fulfill its obligations under the trilateral statement [signed between Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], as well as under subsequent agreements [between the leaders].

"The consistent and systematic work of Azerbaijani diplomacy, the strict suppression of both political and military provocations, the appeal to the norms of international law and the strict observance of these norms is a fundamentally justified position of Azerbaijan from absolutely every point of view, Korotchenko said. Just like Azerbaijan gained victory in the second Karabakh war, today we see that diplomatically, Armenia is forced - whether it wants it or not - to recognize the existing realities.

Besides, according to the analyst, without opening transport communications, Armenia as a state can get itself into various kinds of problems.

"I hope that Armenia will start opening transport communications, sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan and consolidate the course towards peace and the renunciation of territorial claims at the constitutional level and the level of other legislative acts, he said.

Peace and tranquility in the South Caucasus is extremely important for everyone, including Russia. We welcome practical implementation of all obligations by Armenia, as a result of which, as we expect, from now on there will be peace in the South Caucasus," Korotchenko said.
Russia's defence ministry said Wednesday more than a thousand Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered in Mariupol, a strategic port city in eastern Ukraine that has been besieged by Moscow's troops for over a month.

"In the city of Mariupol... 1,026 Ukrainian servicemen of the 36th marine brigade voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said that the soldiers surrendered near the "Mariupol Metallurgical Plant named after Illich", a large steel factory.

Among the troops were 162 officers and 47 were women, the ministry added. More than 100 were wounded.

Russia is believed to be trying to connect occupied Crimea and Moscow-backed separatist territories Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbas and has laid siege to Mariupol at the start of its military operation.

Thousands of civilians are believed to have died in the city, which has seen some of the most intense fighting in the conflict.

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US President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery and helicopters, to bolster its defenses against an intensified Russian offensive in the country's East.

Biden announced the aid after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate the delivery of the assistance, which he said included artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers, as well as helicopters.

``This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine,'' Biden said in a statement.

Biden said the US will continue to work with allies to share additional weapons and resources as the conflict continues.

``The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion,'' Biden said.

``It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now.''

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The presidents of four countries on Russia's doorstep headed to Kyiv on Wednesday in a show of support for Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue his bloody seven-week offensive until its ``full completion.''

The presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia _ all NATO countries that worry they may face Russian attack in the future if Ukraine falls _ were due to meet the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops surrendered in the besieged port of Mariupol. The information could not be verified, and it's not clear how significant it would be, if true.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. In the seven weeks since, the ground advance stalled and Russian forces lost potentially thousands of fighters _ and the war has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee, rattled the world economy, threated global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Russia's actions in Ukraine ``a genocide'' for the first time, saying ``Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.''

Zelenskyy applauded Biden's use of the word, saying ``calling things by their names is essential to stand up to evil.''

``We are grateful for US assistance provided so far and we urgently need more heavy weapons to prevent further Russian atrocities,'' he added in his tweet.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the leaders headed to Ukraine on Wednesday had ``a strong message of political support and military assistance.''

Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Poland's Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia also plan to discuss investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, including the massacre of civilians.

Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, and on Tuesday insisted Russia ``had no other choice'' but to invade and that the offensive aimed to protect people in parts of eastern Ukraine and to ``ensure Russia's own security.'' He vowed it would ``continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set.''

He insisted Russia's campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal and significant losses.

Thwarted in their push toward the capital, Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Russian-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists' claims of independence. Military strategists say Moscow believes local support, logistics and the terrain in the region favor its larger, better-armed military, potentially allowing Russia to finally turn the tide in its favor.

Britain's defense ministry said Wednesday that ``an inability to cohere and coordinate military activity has hampered Russia's invasion to date.'' Western officials say Russia recently appointed a new top general for the war, Alexander Dvornikov, to try to get a grip on its campaign.

A key piece to that campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have besieged and pummeled since nearly the start of the war. Pockets of the city appeared to be still under Ukraine's control _ but it's not clear how many forces are still defending it.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade had surrendered in the city. It was unclear when the alleged surrenders occurred.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the allegation, but said in a post on Twitter that elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a ``risky maneuver.''?

Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said on Twitter that the city's defenders were short of supplies but were ``fighting under the bombs for each meter of the city. They make (Russia) pay an exorbitant price.''

Ukrainian forces in Mariupol have alleged that a drone dropped a poisonous substance on the city. The assertion by the Azov Regiment, a far-right group now part of the Ukrainian military, could not be independently verified. The regiment indicated there were no serious injuries.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday officials were investigating, and it was possible phosphorus munitions _ which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons _ had been used in Mariupol, which has been pummeled by weeks of Russian assaults.

Deliberately firing phosphorus munitions into an enclosed space to expose people to fumes could breach the Chemical Weapons Convention, said Marc-Michael Blum, a former laboratory head at the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Western officials warned that any use of chemical weapons by Russia would be a serious escalation of the already devastating war. Zelenskyy said that while experts try to determine what the substance might be, ``The world must react now.''

In Washington, a senior U.S. defense official said the Biden administration was preparing another package of military aid for Ukraine to be announced in the coming days, possibly totaling $750 million. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet publicly announced.

Biden used the word ``genocide'' about Russia's actions during a visit to Iowa. He said it would be up to lawyers to decide if Russia's conduct met the international standard for genocide, but said ``it sure seems that way to me.''

Neither he nor his administration announced new consequences for Russia or assistance to Ukraine following the assessment.

An investigation into war crimes is already underway in Ukraine, including into atrocities revealed after Moscow's retreat from cities and towns around Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said evidence of ``inhuman cruelty'' toward women and children in Bucha and other suburbs of Kyiv continued to surface, including alleged rapes.

More than 720 people were killed in Kyiv suburbs that had been occupied by Russian troops and over 200 were considered missing, the Interior Ministry said early Wednesday.

In Bucha alone, Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk said 403 bodies had been found and the toll could rise as minesweepers comb the area.

In the Chernihiv region, villagers said more than 300 people had been trapped for almost a month by the occupying Russian troops in the basement of a school and only allowed outside to go to the toilet or cook on open fires.

Valentyna Saroyan told The Associated Press she saw at least five people die in Yahidne, 140 kilometers (86 miles) north of Kyiv. In one of the rooms, the residents wrote the names of those who perished during the ordeal _ the list counted 18 people.

Ukraine's prosecutor-general's office said Tuesday it was also looking into events in the Brovary district, which lies to the northeast of the capital. It said the bodies of six civilians were found with gunshot wounds in a basement in the village of Shevchenkove and Russian forces were believed to be responsible.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Russian forces fired on a convoy of civilians trying to leave by car from the village of Peremoha in the Brovary district, killing four people including a 13-year-old boy. In another attack near Bucha, five people were killed including two children when a car was fired upon, prosecutors said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said humanitarian corridors used to get people out of cities under Russian attack will not operate on Wednesday because of poor security.

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Russia said Wednesday it had introduced sanctions against 398 members of the US Congress in retaliation against Washington's punitive measures over Ukraine and said more sanctions would follow.

"Taking into account the sanctions the US is constantly introducing, further announcements of Russian countermeasures are planned in the near future," the foreign ministry in Moscow said in a statement, adding the sanctions included a ban on entry.

In a separate statement, the foreign ministry said that it had introduced sanctions against 87 members of the Senate of Canada, and more measures will be announced soon due to Ottawa's "short-sighted" policies.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to pro-Western Ukraine on February 24, the West slapped debilitating sanctions on Moscow including the exclusion of several banks from the SWIFT messaging system, a coal embargo, and new restrictions on investments.

In a coordinated action, Western countries have also announced the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats suspected of spying.

On Wednesday, Russia said it was expelling a senior Czech diplomat from the EU country's embassy in Moscow in a retaliatory step.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Moscow will be looking into alternative markets for its energy exports after Western capitals sanctioned Russia over its military operation in Ukraine.

Since Moscow's troops moved into its pro-Western neighbour on February 24, Russia has faced a barrage of unprecedented sanctions, including embargoes on its energy exports.

"We have all the resources and opportunities to quickly find alternative solutions," Putin said during a televised government meeting on the development of the Russian Arctic.

"As for Russian oil, gas and coal -- we can increase their consumption on the domestic market... and also increase the supply of energy resources to other parts of the world, where they are really needed," Putin added.

As part of its sanctions on Russia, the United States banned the import of Russian oil and gas, while the European Union and Japan banned the import of Russian coal.

The EU -- which receives 40 percent of its gas supplies from Russia -- has resisted calls to turn off the taps immediately but is seeking to gradually wean itself off deliveries from Moscow.

Germany has also scrapped the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was set to increase Russian gas supplies to the European Union.

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EgyptAir announced in a statement on Wednesday that it will be operating direct flights between Cairo and the Libyan city of Benghazi as of 18 April.

The company said that the decision is part of its keenness to boost its presence in Africa.

EgyptAir Chairperson Amr Abul-Enein said that the Egyptian flag carrier gives special importance to strategic points, such as Benghazi, to serve Egyptian expatriates and increase trade exchange between the two countries.

A daily fight will be operated between Cairo and Benghazi via a modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft, said the statement.

The company urged its clients to reserve their tickets by contacting its customer service center on 1717, accredited tour operators, or its website for reservations.

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Cairo hosted on Wednesday a round of dialogue between Libya's two rival governments with the aim of resolving disputes over the draft constitution, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The UN-brokered meetings in Cairo urge the international community to support institutions representing the Libyan people to back consensus among Libyan parties as the only way to end the crisis.

The head of the Egyptian National Committee on Libya conveyed to the participating Libyan parties President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis support, affirming Egypts keenness to provide all possible support to the Libyan people in a way that helps achieve peace and stability in Libya.

Representatives of Libya's two rival governments will try to reach an agreement on holding national elections, after attempts towards unity in the past year came to a deadlock, following a decade of civil war.

The Egyptian-sponsored talks will extend for a whole week under the supervision of the UN Adviser on Libya Stephanie Williams, where a joint committee comprising 24 members of parliament and the Supreme Council of State selected for this purpose will negotiate to resolve the contentious articles in the draft constitution, according to Al-Arabiya.

"The ultimate solution to the issues that continue to plague Libya is through elections, held on a solid constitutional basis and electoral framework that provides the guard rails for an electoral process," Williams said in the opening session of the talks in Cairo.

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New Zealand is reopening its international borders to vaccinated travelers from Australia Tuesday after more than two years of COVID-19 isolation. New Zealand has had some of the world's toughest virus control measures. Also, New Zealand's agriculture minister Damien O'Connor said that starting Tuesday would be exemptions for some overseas farm workers to help ease labor shortages.

Under a staged reopening of its borders, Australian citizens and permanent residents along with some temporary workers and students from anywhere in the world are now allowed into New Zealand. They must have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination and take a coronavirus test when they arrive.

Vaccinated visitors from visa-waiver countries, including the United States and Britain, will be permitted to travel to New Zealand on May 1. Also starting Tuesday, exceptions are being made to boost the country's agricultural workforce.

They allow for more than 1,500 experienced overseas staff from the Philippines and other countries to travel to New Zealand for jobs in the dairy, meat processing and forestry sectors.

Chris Lewis, a spokesperson for the Federated Farmers organization, a farmer advocacy group told Radio New Zealand that the changes will help livestock producers when the calving season begins in July.

"It is a welcome announcement. We have been advocating for this for a long, long time, asking for more international staff. So, yes, we are very pleased, but we have just got to get them in before calving starts. That is the key for us," he said.


New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the suspected gunman who opened fire on a Brooklyn subway train during the morning rush hour is dangerous and still on the loose.

"We are asking individuals to be very vigilant and alert," Hochul told reporters at the scene of the investigation. "This is an active shooter situation."

"There are currently no known explosive devices on our subway trains," Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. Early reports said explosive devices may have been involved.

While the gunman's motive is not yet known, the commissioner said the incident is not being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time.

The attack in the 36th Street Station in the ethnically diverse working class Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn left 16 people injured, 10 of them from gunshot wounds. Police said five are in critical, but stable condition.
Britain's prime minister and finance minister will have to pay fines for attending parties and violating the country's lockdown rules, the government said Tuesday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have been under investigation for 12 parties at both No. 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, some of which were attended by the ministers and their staff.

"The prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer have today received notification that the metropolitan police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices," a government spokesperson said.

Police said some 50 people would face fines or other penalties over the parties.
By Azernews





By Vafa Ismayilova

Armenia has accepted the new realities created by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the 44-day victory war in 2020. After a trilateral meeting with Aliyev and EU Council President Charles Michel in Brussels on April 6, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan admitted that Armenia has no alternative but peace.

Pashinyan made everything clear by the very fresh statement he made in Yerevan on April 13. He once again welcomed the five-point principles recently offered by Azerbaijan to reach peace between the sides.

We promptly discussed the proposals and acknowledged that there is nothing unacceptable for Armenia in them, especially since de jure Armenia recognized the territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan by ratifying the Agreement on the Formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States back in 1992, and this recognition is still today part of our domestic legislation, the Armenian PM said.

He reiterated his agreement that the two foreign ministers should begin preparations for a peace treaty.

"What this means, what the format will be, what the deadlines will be, all of this is still up for debate. However, signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan as soon as possible is part of our plans," he said.

He described the main goal of Yerevan's strategy as analyzing Azerbaijan's position and determining Armenia's official position on the border issue.

In order to be as legitimate as possible in our position, it is necessary to use only facts and arguments that have a legal basis in defining the borders. We want to ensure that this legitimacy is recognized by the international community and reach an agreement with Azerbaijan on this basis," Pashinyan said.

In his opinion, there are very few countries in the world today that are satisfied with their borders and consider them fair. Pashinyan assured that he has to repeat that the peace agenda for Armenia has no alternative.

Some experts in Azerbaijan believe that now the main task is to speed up the work of the working groups. Because there are many forces that want to hinder this process. These are the radical opposition in the person of Armenia's "Karabakh clan", the separatists in Karabakh, the Armenian lobby in the world and the centers in Russia. Together, they will try to impede direct dialogue and discussions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Some groups rule out any significant obstacles, stressing that there is a high probability that Azerbaijan and Armenia will be able to agree and sign a peace treaty in the near future.

The fact that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also stressed Armenias positive stance on Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization gives grounds to say that this historic day is drawing closer.

Armenia accepts the five principles. So the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized and Armenia renounces its territorial claims to Azerbaijan. In other words, if it accepts the five principles  as it was confirmed at the April meeting  then these are part of these five principles, he said.

The president underlined that this is a key condition for normalizing bilateral relations. He also added that it was agreed that working groups would be formed on the border issues and the preparation of a peace agreement. In this regard, he noted that the working groups to be set up by late April should start their work soon.

As you know, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia have recently had a telephone conversation, which I think was the first time it happened in the last 30 years. We also welcome that, Aliyev said.

The future of Armenia depends on relations with its neighbors against the backdrop of the latest global turbulence. Armenias development is doomed to failure without normalized relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The imminent peace treaty is the last chance for Armenia as the country will either develop or it will be trapped in a deadlock.

The state policy pursued by Azerbaijan immediately after the war, which continued for about two years, the country's leaderships activities in international organizations, relations with great powers in a bilateral format, the progress and developments in Karabakh and East Zangazur led to the current realities.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Council President Charles Michel met in a trilateral format in Brussels on April 6.

The meeting was held for a continuation of the discussions on the situation in the South Caucasus region and the development of EU relations with both countries.

The leaders took stock of developments since their last meeting in Brussels in December 2021 and their videoconference, together with French President Emmanuel Macron, in February 2022. They reviewed progress on the implementation of undertaken commitments. The leaders discussed the recently reported tensions and reiterated the necessity of adhering fully to the provisions of the 9/10 November 2020 trilateral statement.

Both Aliyev and Pashinyan expressed a willingness to work quickly toward a peace agreement between their countries. To that end, it was decided to instruct foreign ministers to begin work on drafting a future peace treaty that would address all of the issues.

At the same time, it was also agreed to convene a Joint Border Commission by the end of April. The Joint Border Commission's mandate will be to: delimit the bilateral border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and ensure a stable security situation along and in the vicinity of the borderline.
President-elect Yoon Seok-youl spent around W3 billion less than his rival Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Minjoo Party on his presidential election campaign (US$1=W1,232).

The National Election Commission said Tuesday that the MP spent W43.9 billion on the election campaign but the main opposition People Power Party only W40.9 billion.

Political parties' campaign spending is fully reimbursed by the state if their candidate wins more than 15 percent of total votes. They get half their money back if their candidate wins 10 to 15 percent.

Yoon won 48.56 percent of the votes and Lee 47.83 percent, so both will be fully reimbursed.

The PPP's spending increased by around W6.7 billion compare to the previous presidential election, while the MP's saw a W4.3 billion decline.

Justice Party presidential candidate Sim Sang-jung, who won only 2.3 percent of total votes, will not get any money back, while minor People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and the minor New Wave Party's Kim Dong-yeon were not eligible for reimbursement because they dropped out of the race.
Yoon arrived at Park's home in the suburb of Dalseong at 2 p.m. accompanied by Kwon Young-se, the vice chairman of his transition team, while Park's trusted lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha also attended the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after their 50-minute meeting, Yoon said he told her he felt "sorry and regretful" for what happened between them. He also invited Park to his May 10 inauguration ceremony. Park said she will attend if possible.

Yoon had been head prosecutor in the investigation of corruption and abuse of power that drove Park out of office in 2016 and landed her in jail, but Park was paroled in a New Year's amnesty last year and went home earlier this month.

The meeting reportedly took place in an amicable atmosphere. Park was quoted as saying, "This is the first time I've met you, but it seems like I've known you for a long time because I've seen you on TV so many times."

Kwon said, "It could have been an awkward meeting, but they discussed things that were surprisingly congenial. The president-elect reiterated that he was very sorry for the ill-fated relationship between the special prosecutor and the suspect in the past."

The lawyer quoted the president-elect as telling Park that he always felt sorry for what happened, adding that Park's achievements had not properly been publicized and pledging to make that happen.

Park became Korea's first elected president to be removed from office when it emerged that she had extorted billions from conglomerates and state agencies and surrounded herself with an operetta court of clowns and hangers-on who ruthlessly exploited their connections, led by her toxic confidante Choi Soon-sil.

But she remains revered by many elderly hardline conservatives whose support Yoon apparently wishes to shore up with his gesture of reconciliation.
Visiting a makeshift hospital at Shanghai New International Expo Centre

By:Zhao Chunyuan | From:english.eastday.com | 2022-04-13 20:23

On April 10, 2022, a reporter visited the N3 area of the makeshift hospital at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is managed by Team 1 of the Jiangxi medical team, composed of Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. A total of 168 medical workers here have carried out medical treatment work. The photo shows COVID-19 patients in the N3 area.

Medical workers from Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital communicating with COVID-19 patients who will be discharged from the hospital.

A COVID-19 patient is accompanying a child who is studying while being treated.

Medical workers monitoring personal health data in the workroom.

A COVID-19 patient working while being treated.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 13, 2022 - 21:26 | All, Japan

A former SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. deputy president was indicted Wednesday in a deepening trading scandal over alleged market manipulation at the major Japanese brokerage.

Toshihiro Sato, 59, who supervised the equity department, is suspected of colluding in placing large buy orders for an individual stock before the end of trading on April 8, 2021.

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office also indicted the company and Makoto Yamada, 44, the former head of the equity trading section.

According to the indictment, Yamada was involved in "block offerings" for transactions with five stock issues from October 2020 to April 2021 to prop up the prices before selling in violation of the financial instruments and exchange law, while Sato was involved in one of the five cases.

In block offerings, a brokerage mediates trading between large shareholders who want to sell chunks of shares and investors hoping to buy them during off-hours trading. The brokerage profits from the difference between the purchase and sale prices.

Yamada, who allegedly played a leading role in manipulating the five stock issues, and Sato told investigators they were "not aware of any illegality" in the transactions, according to sources.

"We recognize that we are bound to be held responsible as a company. We take the situation very seriously and deeply reflect on what we have done," SMBC Nikko said in a release.

Prosecutors have already indicted five of the company's employees, including Yamada, believing they systematically conducted similar transactions with five other stock issues on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange from December 2019 to November 2020. The company itself was also charged at that time.

While block offerings are commonplace and legal, the prosecutors suspect that the stock prices were illegally propped up so the transactions would not fall through.

Sato approved the transactions after being informed about them by Yamada via email, according to people close to the matter.

Related coverage:

Financial watchdog may punish SMBC Nikko for alleged market rigging

SMBC Nikko Securities deputy chief arrested for alleged market manipulation
KYODO NEWS - Apr 13, 2022 - 01:02 | All, Japan

A Chilean man on Tuesday was sentenced to 28 years in prison for murdering his former girlfriend, a Japanese woman who came to Besancon, eastern France, as an exchange student in 2016 and went missing at age 21 later in the year.

The ruling by a local French court came a day after prosecutors demanded lifetime imprisonment, the maximum sentence, for Nicolas Zepeda Contreras, 31, claiming the murder of Narumi Kurosaki was premeditated.

France does not practice capital punishment.

Zepeda has repeatedly denied the allegation, and on Tuesday, he reiterated in court that he was not a murderer.

The prosecutors had indicted him believing that he murdered Kurosaki over a quarrel. Her body was never found despite a massive search by investigators.

The judge and jurors reached the decision after five hours of deliberation. The court did not disclose the reasoning behind the ruling.

After the ruling, a lawyer representing Kurosaki's family said she was relieved, as the family had been concerned about the potential impact of the defendant's denials of the allegation.

Zepeda's lawyer said she will discuss with the defendant whether to appeal the ruling.

Zepeda came to Japan to study at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo in 2014 and started dating Kurosaki, who was a student at the university.

She later went to France as an exchange student in September 2016. They broke up in fall of that year.

Kurosaki has been missing since she dined with Zepeda and returned with him to her university dorm in Besancon on Dec. 4, 2016. Some students who were at the dormitory told investigators they heard a scream, which served as circumstantial evidence pointing to Zepeda as the suspected killer.

Shortly after Kurosaki's disappearance, Zepeda returned to his native Chile.

French authorities launched an official murder investigation after the suspect was extradited from Chile in July 2020. The trial started in late March this year.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 13, 2022 - 22:54 | All, Japan, World

A Chilean man lodged an appeal on Wednesday over a ruling sentencing him to 28 years in prison for murdering his former girlfriend, a Japanese woman who came to France as an exchange student in 2016 and later went missing, his lawyer said.

Nicolas Zepeda, 31, has consistently denied the allegation that he had killed Narumi Kurosaki, who came to study in Besancon, eastern France, and went missing at age 21 in the same year.

A local French court on Tuesday handed down the prison term to Zepeda and determined that his crime was premeditated, in line with what prosecutors had claimed.

But the sentence by the court, which deals with the most serious crimes, turned out to be lighter than the lifetime imprisonment, the maximum sentence, that prosecutors had sought.

The appeal will be examined again by a jury.

France does not practice capital punishment.

The prosecutors had indicted him believing that he murdered Kurosaki over a quarrel. Her body was never found despite a massive search by investigators.

The court did not disclose the reasoning behind the ruling, made following five hours of deliberations involving judges and jurors in a trial that began in March.

Zepeda came to Japan to study at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo in 2014 and started dating Kurosaki, who was a student at the university.

She later went to France as an exchange student in September 2016. They broke up in fall of that year.

Kurosaki has been missing since she dined with Zepeda and returned with him to her university dorm in Besancon on Dec. 4, 2016. Some students who were at the dormitory told investigators they heard a scream, which served as circumstantial evidence pointing to Zepeda as the suspected killer.

Shortly after Kurosaki's disappearance, he returned to his native Chile.

French authorities launched an official murder investigation after the suspect was extradited from Chile in July 2020.

Related coverage:

Chilean man gets 28 yrs in prison for killing Japanese ex-girlfriend

Life term sought for Chilean accused of killing Japanese woman
KYODO NEWS - Apr 13, 2022 - 20:20 | All, World, Japan

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Yen tumbles to nearly 20-yr low against U.S. dollar

TOKYO - The Japanese yen plunged to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in nearly 20 years on Wednesday, as investors unleashed the currency after the Bank of Japan governor expressed the intention to continue Japan's ultraeasy monetary easing.

The currency sank to the lower 126 yen level against the dollar, its lowest level since May 2002, as the unit continued its fall amid prospects of a widening monetary policy gap between Japan's central bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve, which has started tightening its monetary policy to curb rising inflation.

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Japan enacts law to allow SDF to engage in foreigner-only rescues

TOKYO - Japan on Wednesday enacted a law to allow the Self-Defense Forces to conduct rescue missions for foreign nationals only, after Tokyo failed to evacuate many of its local embassy staff in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power last August.

The House of Councillors passed a bill to remove a restriction in the law on SDF operations limiting the rescue of non-Japanese individuals to those accompanying Japanese citizens.

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Japan, Greece vow to resolutely deal with Russian invasion of Ukraine

TOKYO - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias pledged Wednesday to work together to resolutely deal with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, criticizing it as a serious breach of international law.

Hayashi said at a press event after meeting with Dendias in Tokyo that the foundation of the international order has been threatened by Moscow's invasion of its neighboring nation since late February, calling for unity within the international community.

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U.S. carrier, Japan defense force vessels conduct drills in Sea of Japan

TOKYO - The United States and Japan have been conducting a joint naval exercise involving a U.S. aircraft carrier and vessels of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Sea of Japan, the U.S. 7th Fleet said Wednesday, amid North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

The strike group of the nuclear-powered carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, started the exercise on Friday last week with MSDF, according to the U.S. 7th Fleet. It is the first deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the waters off the Korean Peninsula since November 2017, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

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Australia asks Solomon Islands not to sign security pact with China

SYDNEY - Australia on Wednesday asked the Solomon Islands not to sign a proposed security agreement between the Pacific Island nation and China, which Canberra fears could lead to the establishment of a Chinese military presence on the island.

The proposed deal was agreed upon by the two countries on March 31 and established a framework that could allow Beijing to deploy forces to "protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands," according to a draft official document leaked on social media.

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S. Korea's Yoon picks Park, Kwon as foreign, unification ministers

SEOUL - South Korea's President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday nominated veteran lawmakers Park Jin and Kwon Young Se as foreign minister and unification minister, respectively, in his new administration to be launched next month.

Park, a four-term lawmaker of Yoon's People Power Party, is an expert on the U.S.-South Korea relationship, the incoming leader said at a press conference, adding that Park could "normalize (South Korea's) foreign affairs based on his rich experiences."

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H.K. leadership hopeful Lee nominated by over half of voters

HONG KONG - John Lee, the Hong Kong government's former No. 2, officially submitted Wednesday his bid to become the city's next leader with nominations from a majority of the total voters, making him the clear frontrunner in the election slated for May 8.

Lee, a security hard-liner widely seen as the only candidate favored by the mainland government, has received 786 nominations from 1,454 members of the Election Committee, tasked with selecting the city's chief executive in the upcoming election, according to local media reports.

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U.S. human rights report says China continues "genocide" on Uyghurs

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that acts of "genocide" have continued against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China's far-western Xinjiang region, revealing the findings in its latest annual human rights report.

China immediately criticized the United States, saying the report is "full of political lies and ideological prejudice."
Photo taken on Jan. 16, 2022 shows tourists visiting Dune 45 of Sossuvlei at the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Namibia is exploring ways to grow its base for China as a key source market for its tourism and hospitality sector following disruption by the COVID-19.

WINDHOEK, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is exploring ways to grow its base for China as a key source market for its tourism and hospitality sector following disruption by the COVID-19.

Nelson Ashipala, manager for corporate communications at Namibia Wildlife Resorts, said Friday that China is part of the country's short and long term strategy geared towards the revival of the sector.

Strategic interventions include a targeted marketing approach and nurturing partnerships."Amid COVID-19, a new phenomenon, we are exploring new ways to establish such collaborations. China is very much on our radar exploring new ways and means," he said.

According to Ashipala, the hampering of COVID-19 on travel has been negative towards the sector's accomplishments, particularly on international travel and markets, including China.

Tourists visit the sea of lilies at Sandhof farm of Maltahohe, south Namibia, Jan. 24, 2022. The sea of lilies reappeared here recently because of abundant rainfall. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Tourist arrivals to Namibia from all markets severely fell in 2020. Although initially observing a 26.1 percent positive growth in 2019, the 2020 arrivals from China were not spared, observing a 91.9 percent decrease, according to the Tourist Statistical Report 2020. Before that, Chinese tourists were among those that frequently visited Southern African nations.

"For now, though, it is starting to pick up, and we are seeing some travellers returning, mostly after we started to relax COVID-19 rules and procedures. Seeing flights returning is also a welcoming gesture," Ashipala said.

So far, Namibia has witnessed a positive trend in international tourists' arrivals in 2021. Tourist arrival trends from January to December 2021 indicate an upward increase of 37.81% compared to 2020 figures. 
Security personnel wearing face masks walk past a hospital in Quito, Ecuador, March 17, 2020. (Photo by Santiago Armas/Xinhua)

In an effort to stimulate the economy, Ecuador has eliminated capacity restrictions in open and closed spaces for public events, businesses and leisure activities.

QUITO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- President Guillermo Lasso said Tuesday that as Ecuador is seeing a low level of new COVID-19 infections, people can return to normal life in May if the trend continues.

"Ecuador has reached a very low level of infections, no more than 5 percent, with one of the best indicators in the region," Lasso told media.

"We will probably wait to reconfirm all the positive trends until May, and then we will make a decision for absolute and complete normalcy," he added.

The decline in infections is attributed to the mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which has fully immunized 85 percent of the target population over five years old, or 16.1 million people.

In an effort to stimulate the economy, Ecuador has eliminated capacity restrictions in open and closed spaces for public events, businesses and leisure activities.

As of Monday, the South American country had reported 854,252 COVID-19 cases with 25,215 deaths, according to the Ministry of Public Health. 
Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo (R) and Chinese ambassador to Malawi Liu Hongyang pose for photos after a signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Malawi, March 23, 2022. Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation on Wednesday in Lilongwe, becoming the latest country to join the multinational project. (Chinese Embassy in Malawi/Handout via Xinhua)

LILONGWE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation on Wednesday in Lilongwe, becoming the latest country to join the multinational project.

At the signing ceremony, Malawi's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo pointed out that joining the BRI will provide new impetus for cooperation between the two countries.

She calls for more bilateral cooperation in poverty reduction, agriculture, infrastructure, health care and other fields.

"Malawi Government remains committed to strengthening its relations with the People's Republic of China at both bilateral and multilateral levels on matters of shared interests," said the minister.

Chinese ambassador to Malawi Liu Hongyang said China stands ready to link the BRI with Malawi's 2063 Vision, and contribute to Malawi's building of an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation.

Over 170 countries and international organizations have so far signed BRI cooperation agreements with China.

Tembo applauded Liu's contributions to the development of China-Malawi ties since his appointment in August 2018.

She hailed the Chinese envoy for facilitating several infrastructural projects in Malawi through grants and concessional loans during his tenure of office.

She listed some of the key infrastructural projects including the Lilongwe Water Program worth 67.7 million U.S. dollars concessional loan, the construction of a dual carriageway in Lilongwe worth 50 million dollars grant and a 15 million dollars grant for the construction of 5 community technical colleges in the country.

"Ambassador Liu has contributed greatly to the Malawi-China relationship since his appointment in 2018," Tembo said. 
By Trend

Proposals of Azerbaijan regarding the basic principles of the peace agreement dont contain anything unacceptable for Armenia, the countrys Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, Trend reports referring to the Armenian media.

Pashinyan made the statement during his speech at the National Assembly on April 13, presenting the results of the implementation of the government's program in 2021.

According to him, on March 10, one of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group handed over the proposals of Azerbaijan on the basic principles of the peace agreement to Armenia.

The prime minister reminded that the principles are as follows:

- Mutual recognition of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders and political independence of each other;

- Mutual confirmation of the absence of territorial claims against each other and acceptance of legally binding obligations not to raise such a claim in the future;

- Obligation to refrain in their inter-state relations from undermining the security of each other, from the threat or use of force both against political independence and territorial integrity and in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the UN Charter;

- Delimitation and demarcation of the state border, and establishment of the diplomatic relations;

- Unblocking the transportation and other communications, building other communications as appropriate, and establishing of cooperation in other fields of mutual interest.

We promptly discussed the proposals and acknowledged that there is nothing unacceptable for Armenia in them, especially since de jure Armenia recognized the territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan by ratifying the Agreement on the Formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States back in 1992, and this recognition is still today part of our domestic legislation, added Pashinyan.
Tourism ministers and officials from a number of African countries attend an African ministerial roundtable in Cape Town, South Africa, April 11, 2022. An African ministerial roundtable with the theme of tackling challenges for future investments in Africa's tourism industry was held in Cape Town International Conference Center during the three-day World Travel Market Africa, where the officials participated in-person or virtually. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

CAPE TOWN, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Tourism ministers and officials from a number of African countries on Monday joined a tourism roundtable here, highlighting green tourism, connectivity, among others, for Africa's tourism growth.

An African ministerial roundtable with the theme of tackling challenges for future investments in Africa's tourism industry was held in Cape Town International Conference Center during the three-day World Travel Market Africa, where the officials participated in-person or virtually.

There are only about 70 million travelers among Africa's 1.3 billion people while only 26 African cities are connected to international standards, thus, African countries need to improve connectivity by air and open up their sky to establish a domestic market, said Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya.

In this way, airfare can be affordable and Africa will be able to move from an expensive destination to an affordable destination, not only for foreigners but also for domestic people, according to Balala, who also suggested relaxing visa regimes in Africa.

Ministers also spoke of the need of "going green" in the tourism sector. Botswana looks at sustainability as a key to facilitating the growth of tourism sector, said Botswana Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Philda Kereng.

"We have to conserve and preserve national resources, on the base of which we are developing and serving products," she said, adding that the southern African country has revised its tourism policy to make it responsive and resilient to climate change.

"Going green is the way for tourism development that is based on the natural resources," she said.

The Kenyan minister also said that Africa could utilize its vast solar energy potential and become a leader in green tourism.

The participants also talked about the need for an African coordinated COVID-19 protocol framework, digitalization in the tourism sector and a central financing institution for tourism.

World Travel Market Africa includes a business-to-business tourism exhibition and other events, to bring benefits and opportunities to travel professionals in Africa. 

People visit World Travel Market Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, April 11, 2022. An African ministerial roundtable with the theme of tackling challenges for future investments in Africa's tourism industry was held in Cape Town International Conference Center during the three-day World Travel Market Africa, where the officials participated in-person or virtually. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)
BUENOS AIRES, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Extinct in the wild, Argentina's unique self-cloning Apipe snail survives only at a wildlife haven in the country's capital Buenos Aires.

Called Ecopark, the former city zoo-turned-conservation center carries out the task of protecting and breeding some endangered native species.

Run by the Buenos Aires Environment Secretariat, Ecopark has launched various fauna protection schemes, including creating a Wild Animal Genetic Resources Bank with more than 7,400 samples from 550 specimens, belonging to 98 different species of wildlife.

Two of the park's top programs aim to conserve the Valcheta frog and the Apipe snail, "two endemic species in critical danger of extinction. In fact, the Apipe snail is already completely extinct in the wild," Ecopark's Wildlife Conservation and Management Manager Tomas Sciolla told Xinhua.

"Both species are only found in Argentina and only in very particular waterways," he said.

"All species have a role to play in the ecosystem where they evolved," he added. "We often don't fully understand that role, but it is important to realize that each one fulfills a function that cannot be replaced."

Protecting such species is not only good for the environment, but potentially beneficial to the life on earth, given their singular traits, Sciolla noted.

Apipe snails, for example, "are all female. They reproduce through something called parthenogenesis. In a way, you can say they are all clones of themselves. It is a unique species in the world and it is important that we try to preserve it," said Sciolla.

The snail's natural habitat in northeast Argentina's Parana River was destroyed during the construction of the Yacireta dam, so it now survives only at the park.

Ecopark was created after city authorities proposed transforming "the old zoo into a center for the conservation and rescue of native species" several years ago, said Sciolla.

It features diagnostic laboratories, a biotechnology center, a breeding program and an animal hospital on an 18-hectare site in the Palermo district in northern Buenos Aires.

"We have more than 13 conservation programs, especially to recover animals that are endangered around the country and reintroduce them into their ecosystems," Sciolla said. 
ISTANBUL, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB) has been gaining popularity in the global market, and has made major breakthroughs in internationalization, a Turkish financing expert has said.

As China's economic fundamentals are sound, RMB assets are becoming increasingly attractive to global investors, said Halit Dover, assistant general manager of the Turkish subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"Foreign investors actively allocate RMB assets and the use of RMB under capital items, such as securities investment, has become the main driving force for the growth of cross-border RMB receipt and payment," he said, noting that more and more market players prefer to use the RMB in cross-border trade and investment.

The RMB became the fourth most active currency for global payments by value in December 2021, showed data from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), a global provider of financial messaging services.

These achievements demonstrate that China's economy is getting ever stronger, he said. "In recent years, China has continued to deepen its financial market reforms and the external attractiveness of the RMB has been further enhanced."

"Complementary with the continuous improvement of RMB activities in the new future, the RMB assets will also be favored by overseas institutions more and more," he said.

Noting China is Turkey's second largest trade partner, the expert called on the two countries to tap potential to use the RMB more in trade transactions.

The trade volume between China and Turkey exceeded 34 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, up 42 percent year-on-year, but the use of the RMB only accounted for about 1 percent in their trade settlements, he noted. "This market has a huge potential for further growth in RMB use." 
Aerial photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows a view of the container wharf of Qinzhou Port, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

CHONGQING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A truck carrying 26 tonnes of blood oranges left southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Tuesday for Qinzhou port on the country's southern coast, from where they will be shipped to Singapore.

The whole journey via the land-sea transport service will take around six days.

In the past, exported blood oranges often suffered damage during transport. The land-sea freight service can reduce the losses and save loading costs, according to the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Chongqing Co., Ltd.

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is a trade and logistics passage jointly built by the provincial-level regions of western China and ASEAN countries. Chongqing Municipality is the center of operations for the corridor.

"Blood oranges have a good market in Southeast Asian countries," said Qin Zhaohong, head of the Chongqing Zhaohong Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., the exporter of the oranges.

Qin said the company had signed a cooperation agreement involving the export of 3,000 tonnes of blood oranges with the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Chongqing Co., Ltd.

Blood oranges, or raspberry oranges, are signature products of Chongqing's Rongchang District, with a planting area exceeding 20,000 mu (about 1,333 hectares). The fruits have been exported to many countries including Thailand and Indonesia. 
Photo taken on March 29, 2022 shows packages of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

Cambodia achieved strong COVID-19 herd immunity in just about eight months after its launch of the inoculation drive, enabling Cambodia to reopen the country in all sectors since November 2021, and maintain normal socio-economic activities up until now, said the PM.



PHNOM PENH, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said here on Tuesday that the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines has helped revive all socio-economic activities in the Southeast Asian nation.

Cambodia launched a national vaccination campaign in February 2021, with China being the key vaccine supplier and most of the jabs used in the country's immunization program are Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines.

According to the prime minister, the southeast Asian nation achieved strong COVID-19 herd immunity in just about eight months after its launch of the inoculation drive.

Hun Sen said this brilliant achievement has enabled Cambodia to reopen the country in all sectors since November 2021, and maintain normal socio-economic activities up until now, despite continued threats from the spread of COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant of the virus.

"This reflects the effectiveness of vaccines, which have allowed Cambodia to live with COVID-19 in a new normal, in a resilient and safe manner," he said during a handover ceremony of 325,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine donated from India.

"As a result, recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has forecasted that Cambodia's economy will likely grow by 5.3 percent and 6.5 percent in 2022 and in 2023, respectively," he added.

A woman buys raw oysters at a street-side seafood market at Tralork Bek area in Tuol Kork district in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)



Meanwhile, Hun Sen also called on people to continue to strictly take health measures, especially in celebrating the Khmer New Year on April 14 to 16.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Cambodia Li Ailan on Sunday praised Cambodia for achieving the impressively high COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

"The successful vaccine rollout helped save many lives, protect health and contribute to economic recovery," she wrote on social media.

Cambodia has so far administered one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 14.84 million people, or 92.8 percent of its 16 million population, the health ministry said, adding that of them, 14.1 million, or 88.1 percent of the population, have been fully vaccinated with two required shots.

The kingdom reported 17 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, all being infections with the Omicron variant, with no new fatalities, the health ministry said, adding that to date, the country has recorded a total of 135,980 cases with 132,666 recoveries and 3,055 deaths.
WINDHOEK, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibia health authorities are currently working closely with the University of Namibia (UNAM) for genomic surveillance and testing of samples from school clusters, following the detection of new COVID-19 variants in Botswana, an official said Wednesday in Windhoek, capital of Namibia.

Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula in the country's 42nd COVID-19 public update statement said 37 samples have been submitted for genomic sequencing to test for the variants.

"On April 11, 2022, Botswana announced the presence of a new sublineage of Omicron variant in four individuals, which has been designated as Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. This sub-lineage of Omicron has been detected previously in South Africa, Denmark, Scotland and England from Jan. 10, 2022," he explained.

According to Shangula, the variants are still being studied in terms of disease spread and virulence.

While addressing the nation, Namibian President Hage Geingob urged the people of the country to get vaccinated ahead of winter.

"The invisible enemy of COVID-19 is still among us. Ahead of winter, extra vigilance is required and vaccination is the only defense against COVID-19," he stressed.

According to President Geingob, all of Namibia's public health measures will remain unchanged and are extended to May 15, 2022. 
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis speaks at a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (not in the picture) in Bucharest, capital of Romania, on April 12, 2022. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that his country has decided to extend the capacity of nuclear energy by building small and modular nuclear power plants in a relatively short time. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

BUCHAREST, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that his country has decided to extend the capacity of nuclear energy by building small and modular nuclear power plants in a relatively short time.

"We, in Romania, have decided to invest also in renewable energy, but also in civilian nuclear energy," Iohannis told a joint press conference with visiting Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

"We will extend the capacity of the Cernavoda Power Plant, probably in a relatively short time frame. We will have small, modular nuclear plants which can be used to fulfill the needs of the energy grid," Iohannis said.

According to him, the country will also finance and develop green energy, "we will have renewables and certainly we will have a higher and higher production in hydrogen."

"It is important to have a powerful European energy market, to have energy available at prices established in an intelligent and transparent manner," he added.

The Belgian prime minister said that his country took the decision to extend the functioning of nuclear power plants, as the nuclear energy factor is not ignored at the European level, but part of its energy mix.

On Monday, European Union foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement on sanctions targeting Russia's oil and gas.

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Monday that these sanctions would cause an "asymmetric shock" between EU countries since central and eastern European member states are "heavily dependent" on Russian energy imports. 

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo speaks at a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (not in the picture) in Bucharest, capital of Romania, on April 12, 2022. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that his country has decided to extend the capacity of nuclear energy by building small and modular nuclear power plants in a relatively short time. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (R) and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attend a joint press conference in Bucharest, capital of Romania, on April 12, 2022. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that his country has decided to extend the capacity of nuclear energy by building small and modular nuclear power plants in a relatively short time. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Israeli army forces and Palestinian protesters clash near the West Bank city of Nablus, April 13, 2022. Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a press statement that Mohammed Assaf, a 34-year-old lawyer, was killed after he had been shot in the chest, while 31 others were injured, including 11 by live ammunition.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli army forces stormed Nablus and three villages around the city to arrest Palestinians, who are wanted by the Israeli security forces, as fierce clashes broke out with dozens of Palestinian protestors.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society affirmed that 17 were injured by Israeli soldiers, including 11 by live ammunition and six by rubber bullets, while dozens suffered suffocation after inhaling teargas fired by the soldiers.

The eyewitnesses said that the clashes came as Israeli soldiers conducted arrest raids and secured the restoration of a shrine in Nablus after it was vandalized twice by Palestinians in recent days.

There has been no immediate Israeli army comment on the incidents in Nablus. However, Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army conducts daily raids in cities, towns, and villages in the West Bank to arrest Palestinian activists.

Tension between Israel and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the past three weeks.

On Monday, Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh warned that the Israeli escalation measures in the Palestinian territories would push the matters to "an uncontrollable situation." 

Israeli army forces and Palestinian protesters clash near the West Bank city of Nablus, April 13, 2022. Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Palestinian protesters and a medic help injured men during clashes with Israeli army forces near the West Bank city of Nablus, April 13, 2022. Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Relatives of Mohammed Assaf mourn during his funeral near the West Bank city of Qalqilya, on April 13, 2022.

Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a press statement that Mohammed Assaf, a 34-year-old lawyer, was killed after he had been shot in the chest, while 31 others were injured, including 11 by live ammunition. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Mourners carry the body of Mohammed Assaf during his funeral near the West Bank city of Qalqilya, on April 13, 2022.

Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian and injured 31 others on Wednesday morning during clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, said medics and eyewitnesses.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a press statement that Mohammed Assaf, a 34-year-old lawyer, was killed after he had been shot in the chest, while 31 others were injured, including 11 by live ammunition. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Photo taken in May, 2021 shows a Hainan gibbon and its baby ape in south China's Hainan Province. (Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park/Handout via Xinhua)

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- With more Hainan gibbon infants spotted and new macrofungi species discovered, the construction of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park has made significant contribution to the local biodiversity.

The national park in south China's tropical island province of Hainan confirmed Tuesday that a gibbon cub was born earlier this year. Last year, two Hainan gibbon cubs were monitored in the park.

The staff members of the park administration spotted the newborn gibbon on Jan. 24 during routine monitoring. After two months of observation, it was confirmed that the gibbon population has increased to 36 in five families on the island.

The national park, covering 4,269 square km, is home to the most concentrated and well-preserved tropical rainforests in China. As one of the country's first group of five national parks officially established last year, the park is the only habitat of Hainan gibbons, a rare primate.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 4, 2020 shows the view of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

In recent years, Hainan has promoted the construction of the park, strengthening the restoration of tropical rainforest and carrying out ecological relocation projects in core protected areas.

In late March, researchers discovered eight new macrofungi species in the park. These can decompose cellulose and lignin and play a significant decomposition role in the tropical rainforest ecosystem.

Huang Jincheng, director of the Hainan Forestry Department, said efforts will be made to complete the ecological relocation in the park's core areas and close all small hydropower stations inside the park this year.

"Better construction of the park means better protection of Hainan biodiversity and genetic resources," Huang added. 
By Trend

In a bid to boost regional connectivity in the northeast, light transport aircraft will be operational from April 12 in Arunachal Pradesh.

This was stated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday.

Scindia said, Arunachal Pradesh is set to create history in aviation on April 12 as light transport aircraft will be operational to boost regional connectivity in the northeast.

Alliance Air will fly two of its first indigenously-built Dornier 228 aircrafts to Arunachal Pradesh on April 12.

The 17-seater non-pressurized Dornier 228 with an AC cabin is capable of day and night operations. The light transport aircraft will facilitate regional connectivity in northeastern states.

On Thursday, these two aircraft were handed over to Alliance Air.

According to Scindia, Alliance Air will initially be flying from Dibrugarh to Pasighat. In the next 15 to 20 days it will fly to Tezu and then to Ziro in the first phase. In the second phase, it will connect Vijaynagar, Mechuka and other places.

The Minister said the government is not only looking forward to connecting the northeast with other parts of the region as well as the country but also with international destinations around there through UDAN international in the coming days.

Notably, a lease agreement was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Alliance Air Aviation Limited in September 2021 for the supply of two civil Dornier 228 aircraft.
Oil derricks operate in Three Rivers, Texas, the United States on Feb. 24, 2022. (Photo by Nick Wagner/Xinhua)

Actual price outcomes will depend on the degree to which existing sanctions imposed on Russia, any potential future sanctions, and independent corporate actions affect Russia's oil production or the sale of Russia's oil in the global market, said the report.

HOUSTON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasted in a report on Tuesday that the global crude oil price will decline to below 100 U.S. dollars in 2023.

In its April's Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA said Brent crude oil price will average 108 dollars per barrel in the second quarter of 2022, 102 dollars per barrel in the second half of this year and further decline to 93 dollars per barrel in 2023.

"However, this price forecast is highly uncertain," said the report, citing heightened levels of uncertainty resulting from a variety of factors including the Ukraine crisis.

Actual price outcomes will depend on the degree to which existing sanctions imposed on Russia, any potential future sanctions, and independent corporate actions affect Russia's oil production or the sale of Russia's oil in the global market, said the report.

Furthermore, the degree to which other oil producers respond to current oil prices, as well as the effects macroeconomic developments might have on global oil demand, will be important for oil price formation in the coming months, the report added.

However, the rising consumption going into the summer, falling oil production in Russia, and the risk of supply outages amid low global inventory levels will support crude oil prices in the coming months, the report forecasted, adding that the release of strategic reserves by the United States will limit upward price pressures.

The report expected global oil inventories will build at an average rate of 0.5 million barrels per day (b/d) from second quarter of 2022 through the end of 2023.

The report also assumed the U.S. economy will grow 3.4 percent in 2022 and 3.1 percent in 2023, following a growth of 5.7 percent in 2021, noting a wide range of potential macroeconomic outcomes could also significantly affect energy markets during the forecast period.

According to the report, the Brent crude oil spot price averaged 117 dollars per barrel in March, a hike of 20-dollar per barrel from February.

A person pumps gas at a gas station in the Brooklyn borough of New York, the United States, on March 8, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

OECD commercial oil inventories were at 2.61 billion barrels at the end of March, up slightly from February, which was the lowest level since April 2014, the report estimated.

The report said 98.3 million b/d of petroleum and liquid fuels were consumed globally last month, an increase of 2.4 million b/d from March 2021.

Global consumption of petroleum and liquid fuels will average 99.8 million b/d for all of 2022, a 2.4 million b/d increase from 2021, the report said, down by 0.8 million b/d from last month's forecast as a result of downward revisions to global GDP growth from Oxford Economics.

However, the report expected that global consumption of petroleum and liquid fuels will rise by 1.9 million b/d in 2023 to average 101.7 million b/d.

The report also forecasted that Russia's oil production will decline by 1.7 million b/d from February 2022 to the end of 2023, but global oil production will nonetheless increase as a result of higher production elsewhere, mostly from the United States and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

The EIA is a statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. 
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- China's total imports and exports expanded 10.7 percent year on year to 9.42 trillion yuan (1.48 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2022, official data showed Wednesday.

In the period, exports surged 13.4 percent year on year to 5.23 trillion yuan, while imports rose 7.5 percent to 4.19 trillion yuan, according to the General Administration of Customs. 
* Xi said that Hainan will become a paradigm of reform and opening-up in the new era.

* Xi said seed resources must be "firmly held in our own hands" to ensure food security.

* Efforts should be made to unswervingly safeguard national security, identify and guard against major risks, and coordinate reform, development and stability, Xi said.

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for accelerating the development of Hainan into a free trade port with Chinese characteristics and global influence.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday.

He demanded deeper reform and opening-up across the board, continued innovation-driven development, coordination between COVID-19 response and economic and social development, as well as a balance between development and security.

Xi said that Hainan will become a paradigm of reform and opening-up in the new era.

Xi went to the cities of Sanya, Wuzhishan and Danzhou.

While visiting a seed laboratory in Sanya on Sunday, Xi said seed resources must be "firmly held in our own hands" to ensure food security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a seed laboratory to learn about seed industry innovation in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

He stressed achieving self-reliance in seed technology and ensuring that China's seed resources are self-supporting and under better control.

Xi then travelled to a research institute of the Ocean University of China to learn about the development in marine science and technology.

Via video link, Xi talked to the staff working on the Deep Sea No.1, the country's self-operated deep-water gas field, and extended greetings to them.

Calling for more ground-breaking sci-tech innovation, Xi said China must strive to exploit petroleum and natural gas resources with its own equipment to ensure the country's energy security.

During Sunday's inspection, Xi stopped by an evergreen tree which he planted 12 years ago and tended to it. He told local officials to make ecological conservation an important task.

On Monday, Xi went to an international duty-free shopping mall in Sanya to inspect the offshore duty-free policies. He stressed leveraging the advantages of China's huge market size, fostering a favorable market environment with the rule of law, and attracting customers with trusted business operations and quality services

Inspecting a tropical rainforest national park in Wuzhishan, Xi highlighted the importance of tropical rainforest preservation, and the synchronized progress of ecological conservation, green development and people's well-being.

In the village of Maona, Xi visited the home of a family of the ethnic Li people, checking their courtyard, living room and bedrooms. At a tea-making workshop, Xi took part in frying tea leaves and bought two packets of tea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting Maona, a village in the city of Wuzhishan, to learn about the alignment of rural revitalization with the achievements in poverty alleviation during his inspection tour in the southern province of Hainan, April 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

While speaking with local officials, Xi said a contingent of competent officials, with a strong record of political integrity and excellent conduct, must be trained to assist in rural revitalization.

"We have attained a moderately prosperous society in all respects and will continue to promote common prosperity for all the people as we are developing a modern socialist country," Xi said at the village's public square, urging solid efforts to consolidate poverty relief achievements and align them with the full advancement of rural revitalization.

He said officials at all levels should spare no effort in ensuring good lives for the people.

During the trip to the Yangpu economic development zone in Danzhou on Tuesday, Xi visited an exhibition hall and a container terminal, where he learned about the development of the zone. Xi urged efforts to better serve the construction of the new land-sea transit routes for western China and the Belt and Road Initiative.

On Wednesday morning, Xi heard work reports from the provincial Party committee and the provincial government, acknowledged the progress made by Hainan and encouraged it to build the free trade port into a shining Chinese model in the world.

Xi described developing the Hainan free trade port as a complex and systematic project that requires long-term preparation and endeavors.

Photo taken on Dec. 5, 2021 shows the Yangpu Bonded Port Area in Yangpu, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Xi said the integrated institutional innovation must be placed in a more prominent position. He called for ensuring the smooth launch of independent customs operation of the free trade port as scheduled.

Efforts should be made to unswervingly safeguard national security, identify and guard against major risks, and coordinate reform, development and stability, Xi said.

He stressed that Hainan should step up its construction of a modern industrial system, focusing on tourism, modern services industry, high-tech industry, and tropical high-efficiency agriculture.

Work should be done to eliminate institutional barriers in all aspects and open up wider at a higher level, Xi said.

Xi also demanded a deepened fight against pollution and solid efforts to develop the national ecological conservation pilot zone in Hainan.

He said cultural and ethical progress must be advanced in tandem with the deepened reform and expanded opening-up.

He urged efforts to solve the urgent problems and worries of the people, and actively explore ways to achieve common prosperity.

The policies of reducing burdens, stabilizing jobs and increasing employment should be sustained, Xi noted, stressing the importance of work to improve the mechanism ensuring the supply and stabilizing the prices of important commodities for people's livelihoods.

Aerial photo taken on March 23, 2022 shows the Yazhou Bay science and technology city in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua)

Xi also stressed advancing the full and rigorous governance over the Party at all fronts and maintaining tough crackdown on corruption, in particular fixing loopholes in land lease, real estate development, investment attraction, and project development.

As the world is still facing the severe challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, prevention and control efforts should not be relaxed, Xi said.

In response to new features of the mutated virus, Xi stressed the need for efforts to enhance capabilities in scientific and precise prevention and control, improve various contingency plans, and strictly implement regular prevention and control measures to minimize the impact of the pandemic on economic and social development.

(Video reporters: Yin Jiajie, Liu Chang, Zhou Xuan, Guo Liangchuan, Fang Kuan, Wu Maohui, Li Duojiang, Du Rui, Ju Xiaoyan; video editors: Peng Ying, Ming Dajun, Li Qin)
Photo taken on Nov. 9, 2021 shows a view of the south square of the National Exhibition and Convention Center, the main venue for the 4th China International Import Expo, in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- As the global community is struggling to weather the combined impact of the Ukraine crisis, the still-evolving COVID-19 pandemic and a reeling global economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently put forward a series of proposals, seeking to improve global cooperation and coordination.

Xi's ideas have offered a deeply troubled world a strong sense of certainty. The following are some highlights of his remarks on multiple occasions.

A worker transfers China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 17, 2021. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

On the COVID-19 pandemic:

"Strong confidence and cooperation represent the only right way to defeat the pandemic. Holding each other back or shifting blame would only cause needless delay in response and distract us from the overall objective."

-- Remarks in a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session on Jan. 17.





"The COVID-19 pandemic proves once again that virus respects no borders and humanity shares a common future. China will continue to provide vaccines and anti-epidemic supplies to Central Asian countries, and step up joint production and technology transfer with respect to COVID vaccines and medicines."

-- Remarks at the virtual summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Central Asian countries on Jan. 25.

Robotic arms assemble engines on an assembly line at a workshop of the Weichai Power Co., Ltd. in Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

On global economic recovery:

"In the context of ongoing COVID-19 response, we need to explore new drivers of economic growth, new modes of social life and new pathways for people-to-people exchange, in a bid to facilitate cross-border trade, keep industrial and supply chains secure and smooth, and promote steady and solid progress in global economic recovery."

-- Remarks in a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session on Jan. 17.





China stands ready to work with all parties to uphold true multilateralism, safeguard international equity and justice, and defend the legitimate rights and common interests of emerging economies and developing countries, so as to actively contribute to the steady recovery of the world economy and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

-- Remarks during a phone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on March 18.

Workers load a container onto a train at Urumqi China-Europe Railway Express Hub in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

On international relations:

Despite the multiple challenges that face the world, China and Russia have stayed true to their original aspirations and maintained the steady development of bilateral relations.

-- Remarks during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 4.





The combined impact of major global changes and the pandemic, both unseen in a century, has brought multiple global challenges that need to be addressed through global cooperation.

China and the European Union (EU) share much common understanding on promoting peace, seeking development and advancing cooperation. We need to shoulder our responsibility to bring more stability and certainty to a turbulent and fluid world.

It is important for the two sides to enhance dialogue, stay committed to cooperation, and promote steady and sustained progress of China-EU relations.

-- Remarks at a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on March 8.





There have been and will continue to be differences between China and the United States. What matters is to keep such differences under control. A steadily growing relationship is in the interest of both sides.

-- Remarks during a video call with U.S. President Joe Biden on March 18.

Photo taken on March 7, 2022 shows a view of the third round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. (Belta news agency via Xinhua)

On the Ukraine crisis:

We need to jointly support the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and encourage the two sides to keep the momentum of negotiations, overcome difficulties, keep the talks going and bring about peaceful outcomes.

We need to call for maximum restraint to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis. China has put forward a six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and stands ready to provide Ukraine with further humanitarian aid supplies.

We need to work together to reduce the negative impact of the crisis. Relevant sanctions will affect global finance, energy, transportation and stability of supply chains, and dampen the global economy that is already ravaged by the pandemic. And this is in the interest of no one.

We need to actively advocate a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

-- Remarks at the virtual summit with Macron and Scholz on March 8.





"All sides need to jointly support Russia and Ukraine in having dialogue and negotiation that will produce results and lead to peace." The United States and NATO should also have dialogue with Russia to address the crux of the Ukraine crisis and ease the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine.

-- Remarks during the video call with Biden on March 18. 
Meat products are seen on shelves at a supermarket in Wellington, New Zealand on April 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

The upgraded China-New Zealand FTA makes exporting to China easier and reduces compliance costs for New Zealand exporters by addressing a range of non-tariff issues. "We are definitely optimistic about post-COVID exports, as Chinese consumers return to restaurants and enjoy celebrating together again," said a manager in New Zealand's lobster company.

WELLINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's lobster exporters are optimistic about post-COVID exports to China, boosted by an upgraded free trade agreement (FTA) that entered into force last week.

"We are definitely optimistic about post-COVID exports, as Chinese consumers return to restaurants and enjoy celebrating together again," Fiordland Lobster Company General Manager Andrew Harvey told Xinhua on Tuesday.

The company is New Zealand's largest exporter of live rock lobsters. Harvey noted that China's National Day Golden Week in October is always one of the most important events on the calendar for lobster exports.

"We're optimistic that it will be again this year, if COVID-19 allows," Harvey said. His company started lobster export to China in the 1990s.

A recent good news for New Zealand's export sector is the protocol on upgrading the China-New Zealand FTA taking effect last Thursday.

The upgraded FTA makes exporting to China easier and reduces compliance costs for New Zealand exporters by addressing a range of non-tariff issues, such as a six-hour limit on customs clearance of perishable goods and proper storage while pending release.

People wearing face masks are seen in a supermarket in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 19, 2021. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

"This will give New Zealand exporters, especially exporters of fresh seafood and fruit, more confidence that their cargo will be processed with minimal delay and reduce spoilage, which will save time and money," Huang Yuefeng, the economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy in New Zealand, told Xinhua.

Over the last two years the COVID-19 pandemic has led to frequent interruptions and challenges for lobster exports, Harvey said.

"Fortunately, the governments of New Zealand and China have both handled COVID-19 pretty well, so overall business has been able to continue through the challenges," Harvey said, adding that both New Zealand exporters and Chinese importers have experience in handling COVID-related conditions.

The lobster fisheries in New Zealand are very healthy, and demand from Chinese consumers is good when restaurants are open, "so we just need to manage the COVID-related challenges that come up. Those are unpredictable," Harvey said.

They are ready to react quickly to changing conditions and work closely with their Chinese importer clients, he said.

New Zealand's rock lobster export industry is estimated at around 300 million New Zealand dollars (roughly 205 million U.S. dollars) per annum, statistics show.

China is New Zealand's largest export market for lobsters, Harvey said, noting that wealthy lobster consumers are mainly from southern Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, where seafood consumption is traditionally large.

Helicopters and insulated trucks are used to fly live lobsters from the depots to one of the company's exports packing factories in New Zealand in order to keep lobsters fresh, he said. "Lobsters cannot be bred artificially and must be caught in remote sea areas."
NEW YORK, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said Tuesday evening they are seeking Frank James, a "person of interest," in connection to a subway shooting in New York City's Brooklyn that left more than 20 people injured.

"Mr. James is just a person of interest we know right now who rented that U-Haul van in Philadelphia," NYPD's Chief of Detectives James Essig said at a press conference Tuesday night.

The police said a key to the van was found in a collection of belongings on the train that they believe belonged to the gunman.

"We are endeavoring to locate him to determine his connection to the subway shooting, if any," Essig said.

The authorities are offering a 50,000 U.S. dollars reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in the shooting.

During the rush hour Tuesday morning, a man opened fire and threw a smoke canister aboard the moving train, according to the police.

The Fire Department said that five victims were in critical condition, but none were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

The attack triggered a massive law enforcement response to Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood and a manhunt for the suspect.

The gunman, who police said was wearing a construction vest and gray hooded sweatshirt, was using a handgun, and fled the scene. Any possible motive was still unknown.

Tuesday's attack came as the city is struggling to cope with a rise in shootings. Citywide shooting incidents increased by 16.2 percent in March from a year ago, showed NYPD data. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, communicates with staff members at an international duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 11, 2022. Xi made an inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

HAIKOU, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday inspected an economic development zone in the city of Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

During the inspection in the Yangpu economic development zone, Xi visited an exhibition hall and a container terminal, where he learned about the zone's development and the building of the free trade port with Chinese characteristics. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a container terminal of the Yangpu economic development zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi made an inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a container terminal of the Yangpu economic development zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi made an inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a container terminal of the Yangpu economic development zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi made an inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Yangpu economic development zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, April 12, 2022. Xi made an inspection tour of south China's Hainan Province from Sunday to Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
HANOI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam recorded 24,623 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, up by 1,819 cases from Tuesday, said its Ministry of Health.

The new infections are all domestically transmitted.

Vietnamese capital Hanoi remained the epidemic hotspot with 1,727 new cases reported on Wednesday, followed by the northern Phu Tho province with 1,627 and the central Nghe An province with 989.

The new infections brought the total tally to 10,297,587 with 42,878 deaths. Nationwide, as many as 8,770,994 COVID-19 patients, or 85 percent of the total infections, have so far recovered.

More than 208.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the Southeast Asian country, including nearly 191.6 million shots on people aged 18 and above, said the ministry.

Vietnam has by far gone through four coronavirus waves of increasing scale, complication, and infectivity. As of Wednesday, it has registered approximately 10.3 million locally transmitted COVID-19 cases since the start of the current wave in April 2021, said the health ministry. 
Local officials visit the hospital where the injured in a bus crash are treated in Aswan, Egypt, on April 13, 2022. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Ahmed al-Afyouni/Xinhua)

CAIRO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua.

Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson.

More than a dozen French and Belgian tourists had broken bones and bruises after the accident, and they were taken to a local hospital for treatment and are now in stable condition, the spokesperson said. 

Firefighters work on a tourist bus burnt down in Aswan, Egypt, on April 13, 2022. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Ahmed al-Afyouni/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows a tourist bus on fire in Aswan, Egypt. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Ahmed al-Afyouni/Xinhua)

Traffic police are seen at the scene of a bus crash in Aswan, Egypt, on April 13, 2022. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Radwan Abo Elmagd/Xinhua)

Staff members check the scene of a bus crash in Aswan, Egypt, on April 13, 2022. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Radwan Abo Elmagd/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows a tourist bus burnt down after a crash with a lorry in Aswan, Egypt. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Radwan Abo Elmagd/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows a tourist bus burnt down after a crash with a lorry in Aswan, Egypt. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Radwan Abo Elmagd/Xinhua)

Photo taken on April 13, 2022 shows a tourist bus burnt down after a crash with a lorry in Aswan, Egypt. Ten people were killed in a bus crash in southern Egypt on Wednesday, a spokesperson with the governor's office of Aswan Province told Xinhua. Five Egyptians and five tourists, including four French and one Belgian, died after a tourist bus heading to Aswan Province was hit by a lorry, according to the spokesperson. (Photo by Radwan Abo Elmagd/Xinhua)
UNITED NATIONS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- UN agencies are warning that millions of Somalis are at risk of sliding into famine as a result of a prolonged drought, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.

The impact of the drought continues to destroy lives and livelihoods, and growing needs outpace available resources for humanitarian assistance, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Children's Fund, and the World Food Programme are calling for urgent funding to scale up assistance, said the spokesman.

The appeal comes on the heels of a report that found 6 million Somalis, or nearly 40 percent of the population, are facing extreme levels of food insecurity. In addition, famine conditions are likely in six areas of the country. This is nearly a two-fold increase in the number of people facing extreme levels of acute food insecurity due to the drought and other shocks since the start of the year, he said.

Guterres made a phone call with Somali President Mohamed Farmajo on Monday. Guterres expressed his solidarity with Somalia in the face of increased Al-Shabab attacks and the drought the country is facing.

The UN chief also expressed his support for the new African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and the hope that Somalia would be able to ensure its own security as soon as possible. Guterres expressed the hope that there would be a swift conclusion to the electoral process and that any outstanding issues must be addressed through dialogue. 
By Trend

The leadership of Swedens Social Democratic Party has decided that Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will aim to apply in June of this year to join NATO, Trend reports with reference to Reuters.

The application is planned to be filed at a NATO meeting in Madrid on June 29-30, the report said.

The Aftonbladet newspaper earlier reported that the party said it will hold a meeting on May 24 where representatives of the 26 party districts will discuss the partys stance on NATO membership. Before then, a survey of the partys rank and file members will be conducted to see what they think about the issue.




BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said that the country will roll out measures to boost consumption, as part of efforts to keep the fundamentals of the economy stable and improve people's livelihoods.

"Consumption is a steady driver of economic growth and bears on ensuring and improving people's livelihoods," Li said while chairing a State Council executive meeting.

The meeting decided on measures to counter the impact of COVID-19 and boost the recovery and growth of consumption.

The abundant provision and stable prices of essential consumer goods should be ensured, said Li.

A host of large-scale warehouses with comprehensive functions will be scientifically planned and built on the outskirts of cities to mobilize living necessities in case of emergency, he said.

The meeting also noted that new types of consumption should be promoted and the integration of online and offline consumption should be accelerated.

Consumption in key areas should be expanded, said Li, adding that consumption in the service sectors, such as medical, health, elderly and child care, should be propelled, and spending on automobiles and home appliances should be encouraged.

The consumer spending potential of counties and townships will be further tapped, according to the meeting.

Li stressed increasing export tax rebates to promote foreign trade development, adding that the business environment for foreign trade will be improved on multiple fronts.

Enterprises with better credit records will enjoy greater facilitation in customs clearance and tax refunds, he said, noting that malpractice such as false exports and fraudulent tax rebates will be punished to the full extent of law.

The premier also underscored that financial support to the real economy should be stepped up to drive down market entities' financing costs.

Major banks are encouraged to lower their provision coverage ratio in an orderly manner, he said.

The meeting also decided to use monetary policy tools like reserve requirement ratio cuts at an appropriate time to increase the credit input capacity of banks, strengthening financial support to virus-hit sectors, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals. 
ABIDJAN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Patrick Achi, presented to the President his resignation and that of his government at the start of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday in Abidjan.

"You have clearly expressed your desire to carry out a reorganization of the government, so I would respectfully submit to you my resignation as Prime Minister as well as that of the entire government," said Patrick Achi to Alassane Ouattara, President of Cote d'Ivoire.

Patrick Achi was appointed Prime Minister, head of the government, following the death of his predecessor Hamed Bakayoko on March 10, 2021.

"Mr. Prime Minister, you have just handed in your resignation as well as that of your government, I accept it in order to strengthen the effectiveness of the government's action", replied President Ouattara.

Ouattara said he decided to reduce the number of government ministers, taking into account the current global economic situation, adding that it is imperative to reduce state spending while redirecting it towards social and security resilience.

"I will proceed next week to the appointment of a new Prime Minister who will have to offer me around thirty members", said Ouattara. 
SHENZHEN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- South China's metropolis of Shenzhen, a technological powerhouse, saw 27,000 returned overseas Chinese students settle down locally last year, an increase of over 30 percent year on year and marking a record high, according to the municipal human resources and social security bureau.

The city, home to a bevy of Chinese startups and tech heavyweights, including Huawei and Tencent, is an attractive choice for job seekers because of its fast developing industries such as software and information technology services, finance, education and manufacturing.

In 2021, the returned overseas Chinese students, who gained residency in Shenzhen, had graduated from universities in nearly 60 countries and regions around the world. The average age of the cohort is about 27 years old, with over 95 percent aged under 35 and over 80 percent having a master's degree or higher education background.

Ma Shaohui, 24, one of the new residents, said he was employed by a high-end manufacturing enterprise in Shenzhen, which met his job expectations.

"I also had job opportunities in several other cities, but Shenzhen won with its sound entrepreneurial environment," said the young graduate from the National University of Singapore.

His schoolmates working in Shenzhen told him the city is friendly to newcomers, which he found to be true through his experience of settling down, getting a new ID card, and applying for talent subsidies. 
A truck loaded with food for Shanghai drives into a ship at Dalian Port, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 12, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Volunteers transport vegetable in an agricultural products distribution center in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 11, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Trucks loaded with food for Shanghai are seen before shipping at Dalian Port, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 12, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Trucks loaded with food for Shanghai are seen before shipping at Dalian Port, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 12, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Aerial photo shows volunteers sorting vegetable in an agricultural products distribution center in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 11, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

A volunteer sorts vegetable in an agricultural products distribution center in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 11, 2022. The commercial department of Liaoning organized about 2,300 tons of rice, flour, cooking oil, vegetables and other food for citizens in Shanghai to overcome a local COVID-19 resurgence. The first batch of 900 tons of living materials were shipped from Dalian on Tuesday. (Xinhua)
A Ghanaian student learns to operate a training facility at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

ACCRA, April 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country.

According to the Chinese contractor, the AVIC International Holding Corporation, the project that commenced construction in November 2019 mainly included the building of a new examination center for Ghana's Ministry of Education, as well as training centers for 15 vocational institutions.

The contractor said it has implemented the cooperative project with funding support in the form of a concessional loan from China.

In the meantime, the company has provided 69 sets of modern training equipment for 23 vocational institutions that will be used to train local teachers and students in relevant majors, ranging from machinery processing, electrical works, welding, auto repair, to civil engineering.

During the commissioning ceremony in Kumasi, the second-largest city in Ghana, Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum, who relayed a message from Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said that technical and vocational education and training is a key catalyst for the country's industrialization and will create decent job opportunities for the citizens.

The minister commended the Chinese government for its support of the Ghanaian government's technical and vocational education transformation agenda.

In his speech, the Chinese ambassador to Ghana Lu Kun said the project marked huge progress for Ghana's vocational education.

"Through this project, the abilities and skills of technical workers in Ghana will be greatly improved, which will strongly support Ghana's economic and social development," Lu said. 

Photo taken on April 12, 2022 shows the training facilities at a Chinese-built training center at the campus of Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

A Ghanaian teacher operates a training facility at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

A Ghanaian teacher shows parts of a training facility at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

A Ghanaian teacher and several students pose for a group photo in front of training facilities at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

A Ghanaian student poses in front of a training facility at a Chinese-built training center in Kumasi Technology University, in Kumasi, Ghana, on April 12, 2022. A Chinese-built vocational institutions upgrade project in Ghana was completed on Tuesday, injecting a new impetus to the development of vocational education in the West African country. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)
CHONGQING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A truck carrying 26 tonnes of blood oranges left southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Tuesday for Qinzhou port on the country's southern coast, from where they will be shipped to Singapore.

The whole journey via the land-sea transport service will take around six days.

In the past, exported blood oranges often suffered damage during transport. The land-sea freight service can reduce the losses and save loading costs, according to the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Chongqing Co., Ltd.

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is a trade and logistics passage jointly built by the provincial-level regions of western China and ASEAN countries. Chongqing Municipality is the center of operations for the corridor.

"Blood oranges have a good market in Southeast Asian countries," said Qin Zhaohong, head of the Chongqing Zhaohong Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., the exporter of the oranges.

Qin said the company had signed a cooperation agreement involving the export of 3,000 tonnes of blood oranges with the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Chongqing Co., Ltd.

Blood oranges, or raspberry oranges, are signature products of Chongqing's Rongchang District, with a planting area exceeding 20,000 mu (about 1,333 hectares). The fruits have been exported to many countries including Thailand and Indonesia. 
TOKYO, April 13 (Xinhua) -- An emergency plan was approved Wednesday by an advisory panel to Japan's health minister to increase the government-controlled costs for dental treatment using silver fillings containing Russian-produced palladium.

The increased costs which will be passed on to Japanese consumers requiring the dental fillings and are covered by Japan's National Health Insurance system, are a result of prices for palladium surging due to the situation in Ukraine and the fact that Russia is Japan's second-largest supplier of the rare metal.

Dentists' payments for using silver fillings are reviewed four times a year as the cost of the rare metal fluctuates with market moves, which are currently extremely volatile.

With the government concerned over a lack of supply of palladium amid surging costs, Japan's health ministry said it will increase the amount again by around 8 percent from the 3,149 yen (25 U.S. dollars) per gram price that was set in April.

In 2021, the government said that 34.5 percent of its palladium was imported from Russia, compared to 48.8 percent that came from South Africa, with informed sources saying that rare metal's price increase predates the Ukraine situation.

On March 31, the Japanese government outlined its intention to secure a number of strategic commodities and energy resources such as crude oil and natural liquified gas that can be procured from countries that can produce them stably.

The government named palladium among its seven strategic commodities that it is looking to other countries to supply. Enditem

.
ATHENS, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Greece will accelerate the exploration for hydrocarbon reserves procedures as part of efforts to achieve energy security amidst a testing international environment, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Tuesday.

"We need to know as a country with certainty whether there are (natural) gas reserves that are economically viable (to extract). We will know this for sure by the end of 2023," he said during a visit to the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management (HHRM) company, according to Greek national broadcaster ERT.

In such explorations there are no guarantees for the outcome, the Greek leader noted, adding however that indications so far support a cautious optimism.

According to studies by HHRM and the Athens-based nongovernmental organization Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE) Greek reserves may be worth 250 billion euros (270.7 billion U.S. dollars), Greek newspaper "Kathimerini" (Daily) reported on Tuesday.

Due to the enormous increase in energy costs lately, Greece reviewed its strategy, Mitsotakis explained. In addition to seeking an important role in the energy landscape as a transfer hub, the country will also boost efforts to determine whether it can also be a natural gas producer in the future, he said.

One land area and five offshore areas mainly in western Greece and off Crete island were chosen for the accelerated explorations, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Concessions for exploration in these areas have been awarded in the past and there were already ongoing seismic surveys, AMNA noted. (1 euro= 1.08 U.S. dollars) 
BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Relevant parties are working to broker a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, whose latest developments are as follows:

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at a joint press conference that it was important to deepen integration between Russia and Belarus in the face of all-out Western sanctions.

Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hosted the joint press conference at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East, Sputnik News reported.

"We will continue to jointly oppose any attempts to slow down the development of our countries or artificially isolate them from the global economy," Putin said.

- - - -

Ukraine's negotiating position at the peace talks with Russia remains unchanged, the head of the Ukrainian delegation David Arakhamia said Tuesday.

"The Ukrainian side adheres to the Istanbul Communique and hasn't changed its position," Arakhamia wrote on Telegram.

The only difference is that the Ukrainian side does not take into account all the additional issues that were not included in the Istanbul Communique. This may have led to a misinterpretation of the current state of the negotiation process, he said.

- - - -

Ukraine has tightened security measures on the borders with Belarus and Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, the Ukrinform news agency reported Tuesday.

"The security measures have been strengthened to prevent escalation in these areas," Andriy Demchenko, the spokesman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, was quoted as saying.

There is a possibility of a military invasion from Belarus to Ukraine, Demchenko said.

- - - -

Ukraine's gross domestic product will shrink by 45.1 percent this year due to the conflict with Russia, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Monday, citing a recent World Bank report.

In its report, the bank has projected that the poverty rate in Ukraine will increase from 1.8 percent in 2021 to 19.8 percent in 2022.

- - - -

The outlook for the global economy has darkened since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the World Trade Organization said in its annual trade statistics and outlook report published on Tuesday.

Global gross domestic product at market exchange rates is projected by the WTO to grow by 2.8 percent in 2022, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous forecast of 4.1 percent. Growth is expected to pick up to 3.2 percent in 2023, close to the average rate of 3.0 percent between 2010 and 2019. 
Hawaii: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid a visit to the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday.

Singh was greeted by Commander, US INDOPACOM Admiral John Aquilino upon his arrival from Washington, DC. The USINDOPACOM and the Indian military are involved in a variety of military exercises, training events, and exchanges.

Before returning to India, Singh paid a visit to the USINDOPACOM headquarters, the Pacific Fleet, and the training facilities in Hawaii. During his brief visit to Hawaii, he was also scheduled to lay a wreath at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and visit the US Army Pacific and Pacific Air Forces Headquarters.

In the presence of Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US President Joe Biden conducted a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC on Monday.

On April 11, Singh and Jaishankar co-chaired the 4th India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue with their US counterparts. Following the meeting, a joint statement was released. Rajnath Singh met individually with US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in the Pentagon before the 2+2 Dialogue.

Singh said in a joint statement that they had a "very important and in-depth talk" that will help keep the momentum of the India-US relationship going and move the work forward. He stated, "Our two major nations have complementary interests and a common desire to attain mutual goals." They discussed a variety of bilateral, defence, and global matters, said Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath welcomes US defence firms to invest in India

US keeping an eye on growth in human rights violations in India: Blinken

Now 300 weapons and defence equipment will be manufactured in India
By Trend

A man has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for threatening to kill Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Trend reports citing Euronews.

Manuel Murillo Sanchez was found guilty by Spain's National Court of preparing to commit assassination and illegal weapons offences.

The 65-year-old former security guard from Tarrasa was arrested in 2018 after making deaths threats in a WhatsApp group.

The court heard how Murillo Sanchez had offered to act as a "sniper" and "hunt down" the Spanish PM "like a deer".

The suspect's comments came after the Spanish government had ordered for the remains of former dictator Francisco Franco to be exhumed.

The court rejected his defence that he had been intoxicated when sending the WhatsApp messages and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison for attempted murder.

He was also given a five-year sentence for possessing illegal weapons and banned from owning any firearms for eight years. The verdict is subject to appeal.
PRAGUE: The Central 5 (C5), a group of five Central European countries, met in Stirin, near Prague, to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, support for Ukraine, and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a statement following the meeting on Tuesday that the Czech Republic aims to host an international donors' conference and that one of the priorities of its EU Presidency would be to help Ukraine. "We must help Ukraine on its route to EU membership," Lipavsky said, as per reports.

The C5 was formed in 2020 with the primary purpose of fostering close cooperation in the battle against the pandemic amongst the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as its humanitarian and geopolitical ramifications, will be reflected in the goals of the Czech EU presidency, which will take place in the second half of 2022, said Lipavsky. Energy security, refugee assistance, and the battle against hybrid threats will be among them.

According to the Czech News Agency (CTK), Lipavsky aims to push the subject of having Russia's oil imports to the EU halted during his country's EU leadership. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto emphasised that his country cannot authorise sanctions related to oil and gas exports because Budapest regards its own energy security as an untouchable red line.

Slovakia's Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok stated that cutting oneself off from Russian oil and gas supplies is vital, but it cannot be done overnight.

Russia: Tough talk probable at first India-US 2+2 under Biden: Jen Psaki

EU approves Russia coal ban, proposes more arms to Ukraine

Ukraine's negotiating posture with Russia remains unchanged: chief negotiator
TEHRAN:: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, lauded the country's negotiating team for standing firm against "excessive demands" during discussions to save the 2015 nuclear deal.

"Negotiations are progressing well," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his official website on Tuesday, report said. Iranian negotiators will continue to resist such demands, according to the Iranian leader.

Regardless of the outcome of the Vienna discussions, which have been ongoing since last year between Iran and other key signatory parties to the 2015 pact, technically known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Khamenei instructed President Ebrahim Raisi's cabinet to deal with the country's challenges (JCPOA).

In May 2018, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran, causing the latter to back out of some of its nuclear commitments.

Eight rounds of discussions between Iran and the other JCPOA countries, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and Germany, have been held in the Austrian capital of Vienna since April 2021 in order to revive the pact. Indirectly, the United States has been involved in the negotiations.

Tehran seeks protection of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan

US seeks to impose new conditions for lifting anti-Iran sanctions: Iran FM

Iran sanctions 15 more U.S officials after nuclear deal stalls
The US enjoys a "strong military-to-military relationship" with the Pakistan Army, and "we have every expectation that will be the case in the future," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said

The remarks from the top Pentagon official come only two days after Shehbaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, succeeding Imran Khan, who was deposed by parliament last week.In a press conference on Tuesday, Kirby said the US and Pakistan shared interests in "that part of the world" in terms of security and stability.

"We acknowledge Pakistan's importance in the region. We acknowledge that Pakistan and its people have been victims of terrorist acts within their own country "Added he.

Kirby declined to comment when media asked about Shehbaz Sharif's election as prime minister and claims made by the former premier Imran Khan against the US for its role in regime transition. He said, "I think you can appreciate that we're not going to touch on domestic issues in Pakistan."

When asked if the US was prepared if Pakistan's military intervened in street protests organised by former Prime Minister Imran Khan "with his very large crowd of followers," Kirby responded no. "And I'm not going to become involved in Pakistan's internal domestic politics again," he declared.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, previously stated that a democratic Pakistan was essential to US interests.

Ukraine's negotiating posture with Russia remains unchanged: chief negotiator

Indonesian parliament passed a bill dealing with sexual violence

Tehran seeks protection of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan
Ukraine's MFA condemns Macron's statement calling Russians and Ukrainians brothers 13 April, 18:32 Emmanuel Macron (Photo:REUTERS/Johanna Geron)

There are now no longer any moral or actual grounds to call the Russian and Ukrainian peoples "brothers," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Facebook on April 13.

He was reacting to an earlier statement by French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukrainians and Russians were brothers.

In a television interview with public broadcaster France 2 on April 13, Macron refused to describe Russian actions in Ukraine as "genocide," adding that he "would be careful with such terms today because these two peoples (Russians and Ukrainians) are brothers."

 

"Ukraine and Russia are historically close for objective reasons, but the myth of the two fraternal peoples of Russia and Ukraine began to crumble after the occupation of the Crimea and the aggression in the Donbas in 2014," Nikolenko said.

He stressed that the Russian "brothers" had allegedly come then to protect the Russian-speaking population. However, 14,000 Ukrainians have been killed over eight years.

"This myth was finally shattered when the first Russian missiles flew into Ukrainian cities in February," Nikolenko said.

Fraternal' people do not kill children, do not shoot civilians, do not rape women, do not mutilate the elderly and do not destroy the homes of other 'fraternal' people. Even the fiercest enemies do not resort to atrocities against defenseless people."

He added that Macron's unwillingness to recognize the genocide of Ukrainians was disappointing.

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Fortune Business Insights

The US sleep disorder clinics market size was USD 8.62 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 9.20 billion in 2021 to USD 15.92 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 8.2% during the 2021-2028 period.

Pune, India, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US sleep disorder clinics market size was USD 8.62 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 9.20 billion in 2021 to USD 15.92 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 8.2% during the 2021-2028 period. This vital information is presented by Fortune Business Insights, in its report, titled, US Sleep Disorder Clinics Market, 2021-2028. Factors such as rising incidences of heart diseases & nerve disorders and increasing awareness among the general population will increase the footprint of the market during the forecast period. Additionally, the rising shift of patients toward telemedicine & home sleep testing services will fuel the growth of the market.

Industry Development

June 2021: Marshall Medical Centers announced a partnership with Mayo Medical Laboratories for expanding its patient base by increasing access toward laboratory tests of Mayo Clinics.





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Rising Prevalence of COVID-19 & Decreased Patient Visits to Increase Market Volume

The outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to impact the growth of the market in terms of volume due to reduced patient visits and increased focus on other forms of diseases. Additionally, major surgeries were postponed toward home sleep apnea testing centers due to attained focus on curbing the spread of the virus. However, as the pandemic looms on, the market of U.S. sleep disorder clinics is expected to pave a revival due to rising reimbursement policies and the increasing number of telehealth services.

Ownership, Application, And Payor Are Studied

Based on ownership, the market is divided into independent, hospital-owned, and others.

Story continues

With respect to application, the market is broken down into consultations, sleep testing, CPAP therapy, and others.

By payor, the market can be segmented across public health insurance and private health insurance/out-of-pocket.





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Report Coverage

The market for the U.S. sleep disorder clinics contains a comprehensive view by encompassing critical aspects such as growth rates and leading market players. Additionally, the report also contains future industry trends and ongoing industry development to provide the reader with an analytical view. Also, the report presents factors that are expected to affect the market in a positive/negative manner during the forecast period.

Rising Prevalence of Sleep Disorders to Augment Market Share During Forecast Period

The increasing number of patients in the U.S. associated with various sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia among others will boost the US Sleep Disorder Clinics Market growth during the forecast period. Additionally, the rising economic burden of sleep disorders triggered the government toward improving awareness regarding these disorders. Favorable government policies and improved flow of patients in the U.S. will further fuel the growth of the market.

However, the limited number of sleep physicians will limit the growth of the US Sleep Disorder Clinics Market share during the forecast period.





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Diversified Product Portfolio & Expansion of Services to Bolster Market Share for Prominent Players

The U.S. sleep disorder clinics industry is highly shattered due to the presence of many large, mid-sized, and small clinics providing several services. The dominant players are striving to present a robust portfolio by integrating the latest generation of products to maintain the optimal level of the consumer base. For example, in September 2019, SleepMed and NovaSom announced their partnership toward combining their BioSerenitys technology and cloud platform for offering precise diagnostic services for various obstructive sleep apnea in the U.S. Other players are focused on employing tactics such as mergers & acquisitions, improved product launches, and rising activities among R&D. Additionally, players are also focused on expanding the number of laboratories in every region to make access to products & services readily available.

List of Key Players Present in the Market

SleepMed (Columbia, U.S.)

Koala (Kansas City, U.S.)

Marshall Medical Centers (Boaz, U.S.)

UAB Health System (Birmingham, U.S.)

The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston (Alabama, U.S.)

Grand View Health Clinics (Pennsylvania, U.S.)

AU Health (Georgia, U.S.)

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. (Oklahoma, U.S.)

Clark Memorial Health (Indiana, U.S.)





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Table Of Contents :

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Market Trends

Key Insights Prevalence of Key Sleep Disorders, U.S., 2020 Number of Sleep Technicians, 2020 Number of Sleep Clinics, 2020 Average cost of Key Services in the U.S., 2020 Reimbursement & Regulatory Overview Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Sleep Disorder Clinics Market Key Industry Developments  Mergers, Acquisitions, Etc.

US Sleep Disorder Clinics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028

Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Ownership



Independent Hospital-owned Others



Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Application



Consultations Sleep Testing CPAP Therapy Others



Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Payor



Public Health Insurance Private Health Insurance/ Out-of-pocket

Competitive Analysis

Key Industry Developments U.S. Market Share Analysis (2020) Company Profiles (Overview, Services, Recent Developments, Strategies, financials (Based on Availability)) SleepMed Koala Marshall Medical Centers UAB Health System The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston Grand View Health AU Health Graymark Healthcare, Inc. Clark Memorial Health



Toc Continue..





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ReportLinker

Aerosol Cans Market Research Report by Type (Necked-in, Shaped Wall, and Straight Wall), Material, Propellant Type, Can Type, Application, Region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Aerosol Cans Market Research Report by Type, Material, Propellant Type, Can Type, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262385/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Aerosol Cans Market size was estimated at USD 10.80 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 11.25 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 4.33% to reach USD 13.94 billion by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Aerosol Cans to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type, the market was studied across Necked-in, Shaped Wall, and Straight Wall.



Based on Material, the market was studied across Aluminium, Plastic, and Steel-tinplate.



Based on Propellant Type, the market was studied across Compressed Gas Propellant and Liquefied Gas Propellant.



Based on Can Type, the market was studied across 2 Piece and 3 Piece.



Based on Application, the market was studied across Automotive, Healthcare, Household Care, and Personal Care.



Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



Cumulative Impact of 2022 Russia Ukraine Conflict:

We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia.



This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for Aerosol Cans market considering the current update on the conflict and its global response.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Aerosol Cans Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Competitive Scenario:

The Competitive Scenario provides an outlook analysis of the various business growth strategies adopted by the vendors. The news covered in this section deliver valuable thoughts at the different stage while keeping up-to-date with the business and engage stakeholders in the economic debate. The competitive scenario represents press releases or news of the companies categorized into Merger & Acquisition, Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership, New Product Launch & Enhancement, Investment & Funding, and Award, Recognition, & Expansion. All the news collected help vendor to understand the gaps in the marketplace and competitors strength and weakness thereby, providing insights to enhance product and service.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Aerosol Cans Market, including Avon Crowncaps & Containers, Ball Corporation, CCL Industries Inc., Colep Scitra Aerosols, CPMC Holdings Ltd. by COFCO Packaging, Crown Holdings, Inc., DS Containers, Inc., Exal Corporation by Trivium Packaging, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Mauser Packaging Solutions, Midascare Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Nampak Limited, Sexton Can Company Inc., Shenzhen Huate Packing co., Ltd., Spray Products Corporation, Trimas Corporation, Unilever PLC, and WestRock Company.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Aerosol Cans Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Aerosol Cans Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06262385/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Brazilian music producer Lucas Mayer was trying to sell his music as NFTs when he became frustrated with trying to get an artist to make art for the audio of the NFT  or non-fungible token- while also divvying up the crypto royalties from the sale. Thats when he decided there needed to be a marketplace that made all of this seamless while allowing artists and fans to get their appropriate share of royalties in crypto.

I wanted to create an NFT marketplace only for musicians and music marketing, Mayer told Yahoo Finance in an interview. So we started as a marketplace and now were helping artists [and fans] receive money in crypto instead of through Paypal.

Mayer, who is behind the global music production house DaHouse for commercials for Ford, Doritos, Kia and more, created the NFT music platform Phonogram.me. Its an NFT marketplace made for musicians to sell their music, royalties, tickets for events, backstage passes, artwork, and more.

Artists can distribute their songs through Phonogram.me across major global streaming platforms like Spotify and collect their royalties in crypto. Fans can invest in artists music and get paid a portion of royalties alongside the artist as listeners stream the music. The more plays the artists get, the more fans profit alongside them.

Using smart contracts, Phonogram.me is able to register the song in the blockchain and automatically divvy up the correct percentages of royalties in crypto between parties who are owed.

When the money arrives, because of this smart contract, it's already split between all the properties so everybody who has a part in that song gets their share in their crypto wallet, Mayer said.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Phonogram.me also prides itself on cutting taxes independent artists have to pay for traditional music distribution platforms by 30% to 50%. And thanks to crypto theres no foreign exchange rate to deal with and no service fees for going through outside payment services like Paypal.

Story continues

Mayer is also working on a direct bank transfer. In Brazil, users can add their bank accounts on the Phonogram.me platform and directly convert the crypto into Brazilian currency into their accounts. Mayer and his team are trying to see if they can configure the same solution in other countries that have different rules.

The site opened in the U.S. and worldwide late last month after completing a testing phase in Brazil first. Users who sign up on Phonogram.me will set up a digital wallet associated with the site where royalties in crypto they are owed will automatically be deposited in their wallets.

He says artists from Russia are messaging him because they cannot receive money from banks from other countries, and are eager to receive monies in crypto. He says they have more than 60 releases from Russia already on the line.

Mayer also has a marketplace in the works called Gogram.me that will be an NFT ticket site where fans can buy tickets for concerts, but also purchase and resell those tickets.

Imagine that you're scalping, he said. The band is not earning money from the second selling because it's not connected with them. But when we have something in the blockchain and you'd have to sell it as an NFT, the band makes money off all the additional sales so its a good deal."

YF Plus

Jennifer Schonberger covers cryptocurrencies and policy for Yahoo Finance. She has been a financial journalist for over 14 years covering markets, the economy and investing. Follow her at @Jenniferisms.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube
President Joe Biden has described the actions of Vladimir Putins army in Ukraine as genocide for the first time. In remarks in Iowa concerning gas prices, the president said: Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank  none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away.

Mr Biden has used the phrase war crimes before, but the administration has until now steered away from the term genocide when talking about the actions of Russian troops on the ground in Ukraine.

The White House is managing the fallout from new data showing that consumer prices last year rose at their fastest clip since 1981, wiping out many of the pay rises Americans had received during the post-Covid recovery. The numbers come just as a new poll shows Mr Bidens already low approval rating sinking to new depths.

His overall rating now stands in the low 40s, having plunged below the 50-point mark around the time of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The electorate apparently hold him in even lower esteem when it comes to his handling of specific issues like crime and immigration.

Key points

Biden calls Putins invasion of Ukraine genocide'

US inflation hits 40-year high

Biden unveils regulations targeting ghost guns

Biden nominates Obama-era US attorney to lead ATF

Saudi TV mocks Biden and Harris

07:02 , Stuti Mishra

A state-owned TV channel in Saudi Arabia mocked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris with a Saturday Night Live style sketch, showing the president as a clueless old man falling asleep on the podium.

The video clip is from Studio 22, which was broadcast on the Saudi government-owned television conglomerate MBC and shows two actors playing President Biden and Kamala Harris.

While Mr Biden is shown struggling to give a statement on Russia as he fumbles and falls asleep, Ms Harris is seen often correcting the president, waking him up and bringing him back when he wanders off the stage.

A Saudi TV station mocks Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

pic.twitter.com/fh0otA77am  Greg Price (@greg_price11) April 12, 2022

Bird appears to poop on Joe Biden in Iowa

Story continues

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

President Joe Bidens day in Iowa took a colourful turn when he was pooped on by a bird while speaking to a crowd in a barn about his plan to help Americans struggling with soaring inflation.

Abe Asher has more:

Bird appears to poop on Joe Biden during presidents inflation speech in Iowa

Biden may meet families of North Korea abductees in Japan

06:00 , Stuti Mishra

The Japanese government will work toward realising a meeting between US president Joe Biden and families of those abducted by North Korea during his planned visit to Japan, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Wednesday.

Mr Biden is set to visit Japan at some point this year for a planned meeting of the so-called Quad security group that includes Australia, India, Japan and the US but no specific date has been announced for the meeting.

He alluded to the potential timing of the visit when he told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi this week that he looked forward to seeing him in Japan on about 24 May.

Previously, family members of those abducted by North Korea decades ago met with former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Biden ratchets up rhetoric, says Putin committing genocide in Ukraine

05:30 , Stuti Mishra

President Joe Biden ratcheted up his rhetoric against Vladimir Putin and accused Russia of committing a genocide in Ukraine for the first time on Tuesday.

Mr Biden was speaking in Iowa about the continued effects of inflation, which the White House has pinned as an effect of Mr Putins invasion, and declared that American consumers should not pay the price for the actions of a dictator declaring war against a sovereign country and its people.

Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank, none of this should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away, declared the president on Tuesday.

Yes, I called it genocide, he told reporters. Its become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian.

John Bowden has the latest:

Biden says Putin, Russia committing genocide in Ukraine

Biden speaks about New York subway shooting

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

In Iowa, President Joe Biden remarks on this mornings shooting on the New York subway in Brooklyn.

Jill and I  my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma. We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them. My team has been in touch with the New York police commissioner and the Department of Justice is working with the NYPD on the ground. Theyre going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days.

The perpetrator of the attack remains at large.

Heres our latest coverage of the incident:

Gun found as hunt for Brooklyn subway shooting suspect in gas mask continues

White House condemns disturbing abortion ban in Oklahoma

04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

An Oklahoma law criminalising abortion care as a felony with 10-year prison sentences and $100,000 fines for healthcare providers marks an unconstitititional attack on womens health, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House condemns Oklahomas disturbing law making abortion illegal

NY Lieutenant Governor arrested for bribery conspiracy

03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The second-most-senior official in New York state, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, has been arrested on a charge that he wrongfully directed state funds to a real estate investor in Harlem in exchange for pushing through thousands of dollars of illegal contributions to a failed political campaign of his own.

Gustaf Kilander reports:

New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigns after arrest in finance scheme

Is Joe Biden the new Jimmy Carter?

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The fact that inflation is at its highest since late 1981 is already drawing comparisons between Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor Jimmy Carter, who presided over a period of economic malaise that turned around under Ronald Reagan.

With Joe Biden as president, were seeing Jimmy Carter 2.0.



We have a weak president, skyrocketing inflation, and tragic disasters abroad. pic.twitter.com/HahcnWbGNq  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 30, 2022

But even if the comparison is apt, that doesnt necessarily mean its all bad news for Democrats...

The Democrats wound up with 269 House seats after the 1982 midterms  a level they have not reached since https://t.co/g4eZn4QpXh  Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) April 12, 2022

ICYMI: US consumer price inflation at four-decade high

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The news is out: inflation in the US jumped 8.5 per cent last year, a figure unseen since the deep economic malaise that still lingered in 1981.

Costs for food, gasoline, housing and other goods all surged, meaning that what pay rises people had received during the post-Covid economic revival were overriden.

Eric Garcia reports:

US Inflation rate jumps by 8.5 per cent in 40-year high in bad news for Joe Biden

Why is US inflation is so high, and when might it ease?

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Another month, another four-decade high for inflation.

For the 12 months that ended in March, consumer prices rocketed 8.5%. That was the fastest year-over-year jump since 1981, far surpassing Februarys mark of 7.9%, itself a 40-year high.

Even if you toss out food and energy prices  which are notoriously volatile and have driven much of the price spike  so-called core inflation jumped 6.5% in the past 12 months. That was also the sharpest such jump in four decades.

EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease

Why is Biden allowing more ethanol in gasoline?

Wednesday 13 April 2022 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The Biden administration says it will suspend a federal rule that bars higher levels of ethanol in gasoline during the summer. The move, which President Joe Biden announced during a Tuesday visit to Iowa, is intended to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russias war with Ukraine. Iowa is a key producer of the corn-based fuel additive.

EXPLAINER: Why Biden is allowing more ethanol in gasoline

South Dakota attorney general impeached over fatal crash

Tuesday 12 April 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The South Dakota House on Tuesday impeached state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg over a 2020 car crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he might have struck a deer or another large animal.

Ravnsborg, a Republican, is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota history. He will at least temporarily be removed from office pending the historic Senate trial, where it takes a two-thirds majority to convict on impeachment charges. The Senate must wait at least 20 days to hold its trial, but has not yet set a date.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest last year to a pair of traffic misdemeanors in the crash, including making an illegal lane change. He has cast Joseph Boevers death as a tragic accident.

In narrowly voting to impeach Ravnsborg, the Republican-controlled House charged him with committing crimes that caused someones death, making numerous misrepresentations to law enforcement officers after the crash and using his office to navigate the criminal investigation. A Senate conviction would mean Ravnsborg would be barred from holding any state office in the future.

When were dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone, said Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment.

AP

Bird poops on Biden during presidents speech

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:48 , David Taintor

In some circles, its considered good luck. But during Mr Bidens speech on energy prices today in Iowa, cameras picked up bird droppings falling on the presidents jacket. Watch below:

BREAKING: Bird poops on Biden in the middle of his speech pic.twitter.com/8R1Ajr4M3H  The First (@TheFirstonTV) April 12, 2022

Biden praises civilian heroes in Brooklyn subway shooting attack

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden praised first responders who responded to a gunman who opened fire on a crowded subway in New York City.

Jill and I  my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma, he said. We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had previously said the president has been briefed on the latest developments with respect to Tuesdays shooting.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden praises civilian heroes in Brooklyn subway shooting attack

Biden praises civilian response to New York subway shooting

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:39 , Oliver O'Connell

Biden says Putin, Russia committing genocide in Ukraine

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden ratcheted up his rhetoric against Vladimir Putin and accused Russia of committing a genocide in Ukraine for the first time on Tuesday.

John Bowden has the latest.

Biden says Putin, Russia committing genocide in Ukraine

Fox News host complains about ghost gun crackdown during Brooklyn subway shooting coverage

Tuesday 12 April 2022 22:01 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox Business linked its coverage of the Brooklyn subway mass shooting with efforts to regulate so-called ghost guns.

As a live stream of Brooklyn showed the massive police response to the shooting, anchor Stuart Varney called on Fox News Brian Kilmeade to discuss Joe Bidens push against the untraceable firearms.

Justin Vallejo reports.

Fox complains about ghost gun crackdown amid live stream of Brooklyn shooting

Biden says EPA to issue waiver on ethanol levels in gasoline

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden announced that the EPA plans to issue an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 gasoline  gasoline that uses more ethanol from home-grown crops, and is about 10 cents a gallon cheaper than other types of gas.

Today, President Biden announced that the EPA plans to issue an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 gasoline  gasoline that uses more ethanol from home-grown crops, and is about 10 cents a gallon cheaper than other types of gas. pic.twitter.com/j7C8YqmQnT  The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 12, 2022

Biden in Iowa: Filling up your tank shouldnt hinge on dictator committing genocide

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:47 , Oliver O'Connell

In further comments in Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden says: Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank  none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away.

This is believed to be the first time Mr Biden has used the word genocide to describe the actions of Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.

President Biden labels Putin's invasion of Ukraine a "genocide" for the first time:



"Your family budget, your ability to fill up your tank  none of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war and commits genocide a half a world away." pic.twitter.com/RlOpN3OpMi  The Recount (@therecount) April 12, 2022

Biden speaks about New York subway shooting

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:27 , Oliver O'Connell

In Iowa, President Joe Biden remarks on this mornings shooting on the New York subway in Brooklyn.

Jill and I  my wife and I are praying for those that are injured in all of those touched by the trauma. We are grateful for all of the first responders who jumped into action, including the civilians. Civilians who did not hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them. My team has been in touch with the New York police commissioner and the Department of Justice is working with the NYPD on the ground. Theyre going to continue to stay in close contact with New York authorities as we learn more about the situation over the coming hours and days.

The perpetrator of the attack remains at large.

Heres our latest coverage of the incident:

Gun found as hunt for Brooklyn subway shooting suspect in gas mask continues

Trumps move to Florida may have been unexpected gift to Manhattan DA

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trumps move to Florida may have given New York prosecutors extra time to carry out their flagging investigation into the former president under an obscure law.

Officials in New York usually have five years from the date of alleged crimes to file charges for most felonies, but Mr Trumps move to Florida, made permanent in 2020, could give officials an extra five years.

And they need all the time they can get.

Josh Marcus reports.

Trumps move to Florida may be unexpected gift to New York Trump Organization probe

Can the US military really tackle the climate crisis with new strategy?

Tuesday 12 April 2022 21:02 , Oliver O'Connell

The Army has released its strategy to cut carbon; Navy and Air Force are in the works. But with most operations exempt from federal emissions targets and alternative fuels not yet viable, can the US military really tackle its self-described urgent threat, writes senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle.

The Catch-22 of the US militarys climate plans

White House condemns Oklahomas disturbing abortion ban

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:43 , Oliver O'Connell

An Oklahoma law criminalising abortion care as a felony with 10-year prison sentences and $100,000 fines for healthcare providers marks an unconstitititional attack on womens health, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Alex Woodward reports.

White House condemns Oklahomas disturbing law making abortion illegal

Parkland parent tells of touching moment Biden called his wife

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, has been a vocal gun control campaigner since her death.

On Monday he was at the White House for President Joe Bidens announcement regarding ghost guns and the ATF and shared this touching moment.

Truly cannot believe what @POTUS did today. After announcements by him on the ATF & ghost guns, we went into Oval Office for photos. When he learned it was my wedding anniversary, he picked up the phone & called my wife to wish her a Happy Anniversary. What an amazing person.

Truly cannot believe what @POTUS did today. After announcements by him on the ATF & ghost guns, we went into Oval Office for photos. When he learned it was my wedding anniversary, he picked up the phone & called my wife to wish her a Happy Anniversary. What an amazing person.  Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) April 11, 2022

Mr Guttenberg also appeared on MSNBC to talk about Mr Bidens action on ghost guns. He said: Theres not a single thing [Biden] did today that puts anybodys rights  Second Amendment right  at risk, none of it. This is about protecting our rights to live, our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

"There's not a single thing [Biden] did today that puts anybody's rights -- Second Amendment right -- at risk, none of it. This is about protecting our rights to live, our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - @fred_guttenberg w/ @NicolleDWallace pic.twitter.com/3w8uvueNke  Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) April 11, 2022

Manchin slams Biden administrations inflation response

Tuesday 12 April 2022 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin released a statement on todays record-high inflation numbers slamming the response of the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve and saying it is a disservice to the American people to act as if inflation is a new phenomenon.

The senator also used the news to push for his own energy policy plans to bring down high prices demanding immediate action.

West Virginia Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin (AP)

Here is the statement in full:

Let me be clear, inflation is a tax and todays historic inflation data tells another chilling story about how these taxes on Americans are completely out of control. Hard earned wages and financial savings are disappearing faster every month as prices continue to climb, while the pain and frustration of spending more on everyday items lingers over us all, especially among those who can afford it the least. Americans are seeing some of the largest increases in goods such as gas up 48%, beef up 16%, chicken and milk up 13%, and staples like coffee and eggs are up 11%.

When will this end? It is a disservice to the American people to act as if inflation is a new phenomenon. The Federal Reserve and the Administration failed to act fast enough, and todays data is a snapshot in time of the consequences being felt across the country. Instead of acting boldly, our elected leaders and the Federal Reserve continue to respond with half-measures and rhetorical failures searching for where to lay the blame. The American people deserve the truth about why record inflation is happening and what must be done to control it.

Here is the truth, we cannot spend our way to a balanced, healthy economy and continue adding to our $30 trillion national debt. Getting inflation under control will require more aggressive action by a Federal Reserve that waited too long to act. It demands the Administration and Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, support an all-the-above energy policy because that is the only way to bring down the high price of gas and energy while attacking climate change. The United States of America is equipped to be energy independent from Russia and other terror-sponsoring countries while also working to fight global climate change and break our dependence on the critical mineral supply change from China.

The inflation number today is only the beginning unless we take immediate action to address the pain being felt across our nation. This is one problem facing the American people that one political party alone cannot fix. The American people cannot wait any longer.
SAO PAULO, April 13 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA said late on Tuesday its board has approved the execution of equity swaps with lender Banco Santander Brasil SA totaling up to 6.7 million common shares in the firm.

The transaction will be settled in cash within a maximum period of 18 months, Embraer said in a securities filing.

The purpose of the deal is to neutralize potential stock price oscillation in view of future payments to be made by the company within the scope of its long-term incentive plans, the planemaker added.

Brazil-traded common shares in Embraer closed at 13.56 reais ($2.90) each on Tuesday.

($1 = 4.6735 reais) (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Jason Neely)
Key Insights

WTI oil rallies as China eases the lockdown in Shanghai.

This rally provides support to oil-related stocks and pushes Chevron closer to all-time highs.

Analyst estimates keep moving higher, and Chevron has a good chance to test new highs.

Chevron Stock Rallies As WTI Oil Gets Back Above The $100 Level

Shares of Chevron gained strong upside momentum after WTI oil returned to the $100 level.

The recent pullback in the oil market failed to put any material pressure on Chevron stock as traders prepared for a new world, in which oil prices would stay elevated for many months.

Analyst estimates continue to move higher at a robust pace. In the current year, Chevron is expected to report earnings of $13.44 per share, so the stock is trading at roughly 13 forward P/E.

It should be noted that at the start of this year analysts expected that Chevron would report earnings of less than $10.00 per share, so estimates are changing fast.

Whats Next For Chevron Stock?

China eased the lockdown in Shanghai, while the psychological effect of the release of oil from strategic reserves seems to be over, and traders focus on geopolitical tensions and energy scarcity.

In this environment, oil-related stocks will be in demand. Stocks of oil majors like Chevron are an obvious choice for those who are willing to get exposure to the sector but are not ready to get into the financial details of smaller companies.

Despite the strong rally in 2022, Chevron remains modestly valued, so the recent rise in Treasury yields does not present a threat to the stock. In case WTI oil settles above the $100 level and begins to move towards the $110  $120 range, Chevron and other major oil stocks like Exxon Mobil will get more support.

For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
By Trend

Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kal?n and Secretary-General of Italy's Foreign Ministry Ettore Sequi on Tuesday discussed bilateral ties, the situation in Ukraine war and developments in Libya, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

In a meeting in the capital Ankara, the two officials talked about the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.

According to a statement released by Ankara, the reflections of the war on food security, energy security and the global economy were evaluated.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine sent energy and food prices soaring, Oxfam warned that fallout from the conflict, growing inequality and the COVID-19 pandemic could push more than a quarter of a billion people into extreme poverty this year.

Concern was expressed about the increasing number of Ukrainian refugees, the statement also added.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 13, 2022) - Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CEM) ("Constantine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce plans for the Palmer Project located in Southeast Alaska ("Palmer" or "Project"). A budget of US $17.98 million for the 2022 work program (the "2022 Program") has been approved by Constantine Mining LLC ("Constantine Mining"), which includes plans for a surface exploration drilling program, continuing baseline environmental work and preparation for the development of an underground incline (ramp) for future exploration and definition drilling.

The multi-purpose 2022 Program focuses on construction preparations for the initiation of an underground exploration program, expected to start in mid 2023. The major items in the program include:

1) Completing the construction of the final one kilometer of the underground portal access road.

2) Construction of facilities for an updated Wastewater Design Discharge System upon regulatory approval of new design documents and related supporting documents from ongoing hydrological studies of the area.

3) Construction of a 50-60 person camp to support the underground exploration activity planned for 2023.

4) A surface exploration drilling program planned to test for: i) the offset of the large South Wall deposit; and ii) exploration targets that include Terminus and Jasper Mountain that can be tested from surface and are readily accessible from the planned underground exploration development.

Garfield MacVeigh, President and CEO of Constantine states, "This is the single largest Palmer program and budget, and it will set the stage to initiate underground exploration to provide essential technical information to be included in a future feasibility study. It is our intention that the conceptual aspects of the current preliminary economic assessment, with its guidelines for further work, will be replaced with much more detailed on-site and off-sight studies and cost estimates in a feasibility study."

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The Company's joint venture partner, Dowa Metals & Mining Alaska Ltd., has committed to fund the entire 2022 Program. Constantine has elected to not contribute to the funding of the 2022 Program at this time, but has the option to pay its share of 2022 Program expenses, in whole or part, prior to December 31, 2022 to minimize or eliminate project dilution. Dilution is pro-rated according to each party's relative contributions to Project expenditures and will be determined upon completion of the 2022 Program. Constantine is the operator of the Project and will manage the 2022 Program.

About Palmer

Palmer is a high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide-sulphate ("VMS") project located in a very accessible part of coastal Southeast Alaska, with road access to the Project and within 60 kilometers of the year-round deep-sea port of Haines.

In 2019, the Company reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment ("2019 PEA") for the Project with a post-tax NPV 7% of US$266 million (see Company news release dated June 3rd, 2019). The 2019 PEA was amended, and replaced by, a technical report dated March 7, 2022, and entitled "Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report Palmer Project Alaska, USA" (the "Amended PEA") and filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on March 11, 2022 (see March 11, 2022 news release). The Amended PEA outlined the potential for a low capex, low operating cost, high margin underground mining operation with attractive environmental attributes. Metal prices used were copper at $2.82/lb, zinc at $1.22/lb, silver at $16.26/oz, gold at $1,296/oz, and barite at $220/tonne.

The Amended PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that Amended PEA results will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Exploration work at Palmer has outlined 4.68 million tonnes of indicated resources grading 5.23 % zinc,1.49 % copper, 30.0 g/t silver, 0.30 g/t gold and 9.6 million tonnes of inferred resources grading 4.95 % zinc, 0.59 % copper, 69.3 g/t silver, 0.39 g/t gold1. VMS deposits are known to occur in clusters, and with at least twenty-five separate base metal and/or barite occurrences and prospects on the Project, there is abundant potential for discovery of multiple deposits.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Vande Guchte, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About the Company

Constantine is a mineral exploration company led by an experienced and proven technical team with a focus on the Palmer copper-zinc-silver-gold-barite project being advanced as a joint venture between Constantine and Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd., with Constantine as operator.

In 2019, Constantine successfully spun-out its gold assets into HighGold Mining Inc. that included the high-grade Johnson Tract project in south-central Alaska and the Munro-Croesus Gold property which is renowned for its high-grade mineralization in the Timmins area, Ontario.

In 2020, the 100% owned Big Nugget Gold project, located 8 kilometers east of our flagship Palmer Project, was recognized as a potential gold lode source area, immediately upstream from the historic Porcupine Gold Placer operations and is an attractive drill target opportunity.

In 2021, Constantine announced the acquisition of the Bouse Cu-Au Property in southwest Arizona and the Hornet Creek Cu-Au property in west-central Idaho, and earlier this year announced the acquisition of the Yuma King Cu-Au property in southeast Arizona.

Management is committed to providing shareholder value through discovery, meaningful community engagement, environmental stewardship, and responsible mineral exploration and development activities that support local jobs and businesses.

Please visit the Company's website (www.constantinemetals.com) for more detailed company and project information.

On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd.

"Garfield MacVeigh"

President

For further information please contact:

Garfield MacVeigh, President or Michael Vande Guchte, VP Exploration

Phone: 604-629-2348. Email: info@constantinemetals.com

1 For details of the mineral resource estimate for the Project including the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied and key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resource, please refer to the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Resource Estimate to include the AG Zone for the Palmer Exploration Project" dated effective December 18, 2018 (the "Palmer Technical Report"). The Palmer Technical Report is available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Mineral resources as reported are undiluted. Mineral resource tonnages have been rounded to reflect the precision of the estimate. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Notes:

Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements")." Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the scope of the 2022 Program; Dowa Metals & Mining Alaska Ltd. funding the entire 2022 Program and the resulting dilution of Constantine's interest in Constantine Mining; the completion of the 2022 Program; the continuation of Constantine as Operator of the Project to oversee the 2022 Program; the anticipated results of the 2022 Program, and the preparation of a feasibility study for the Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include availability of contractors, actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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/120278
To get a roundup of TechCrunchs biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PT, subscribe here.

Welcome to the Daily Crunch for Tuesday, April 12, 2022!

This week, the Found team released one of our favorite episodes of the podcast. In it, Jordan and Darrell spent an hour with Dylan Field, the founder of Figma. They dug into the journey of how a 20-year-old founder who had the idea to turn design into a multiplayer game built the de facto standard tool for collaborative design.

Meanwhile, we've been watching the utter train crash that is the WeCrashed dramatization of the soaring highs and subterranean lows of WeWorks rise and fall on Apple TV+. Yes, its fiction, but we couldnt put our popcorn away. Also, The Dropout on Hulu is worth a watch, as Amanda suggested last month: Just because you know how the story ends doesnt mean that its not fun to watch how it all went so horribly wrong.

Remember to drink a glass of water every now and again; you cant live on psychedelic mushrooms and Red Bull alone - Christine and Haje

The TechCrunch Top 3

NFT holders seek use for Bored Apes : Our cryptocurrency reporter, Jacquelyn Melinek, had two crypto-related stories today that dug into some of the industrys nuances. While NFT sales are down, she notes that blue-chip NFT projects like the Bored Ape Yacht Club and others are doing pretty well, so holders of these NFTs are looking for new ways to use them, treating them as collateral. Her other story finds investors like BlackRock and Fidelity pumping $400 million into Circle, a stablecoin issuer.

Bosch beats out other bidders to acquire Five.ai : It was a match made in self-driving car heaven: Five was looking for a buyer and Bosch is a big player in the space. We report this deal follows other autonomous vehicle M&A news and hints at further consolidation in the lanes ahead.

Pylon charging up Egypts utilities: This story about a small round for an Egyptian startup caught our eye due to the sheer size of the market potential. We report that the company calculates hundreds of billions of losses (in dollars) across emerging markets per year. Its a massive opportunity to increase the aggregate revenues and top line of those utilities by 50%. The company estimates the market is $20 billion and it is only going after a quarter of it currently. Pylon has already deployed 2 million meters across two continents and expects to do 3 million more by next year.

Story continues

Startups and VC

Some super fun hardware stories today  Brian explored how PitchCom is changing the fabric of baseball, a sport thats been stuck in the time before technology in many ways. Meanwhile, Miso launched a coffee monitoring system -- the internet-of-caffeine-gives-you-wings, if you will.

In the softer, darker underbelly of tech, theres a flurry of updates from the world of cybersecurity. Russian hackers tried to take down a Ukraine energy provider, showing a new frontier of cyber warfare. A somewhat scary set of vulnerabilities in Atheon hospital robots means that someone can take control of them  in some cases remotely. Trying to counteract all of this is HacWare, which just raised a $2.3 million round to expand training around cybersecurity threats. In addition to the training angle HacWare does, Prelude just raised a beefy $24 million round to do continuous, automated penetration testing against companies to harden their defenses against cyber attacks.

Moar news? You want moar news? OK, fine. Weve got buckets of the stuff:

Mayfields Arvind Gupta discusses startup fundraising during a downturn

a rubber duck sits in a lonely puddle

Image Credits: diephosi (opens in a new window) / Getty Images (Image has been modified)

Arvind Gupta, an investor at Mayfield Fund and founder of accelerator IndieBio, reviews several hundred pitch decks each year.

In 10 days, I can do the primary research and work with the founders to come to a conclusion there. For a larger Series A check, it could take a little bit longer than that, but not that much.

In a TechCrunch+ Twitter Space last week with Senior Editor Walter Thompson, Gupta talked about how the downturn is affecting seed- and early-stage funding, what he's looking for, and candid advice for first-time founders trying to raise during a correction.

"You can still finance hopes and dreams, but just with smaller dollars, and youre generally going to give up a little bit more of your company in terms of dilution during an economic downturn," said Gupta.

"I expect that to start happening as well in the next year.

(TechCrunch+ is our membership program, which helps founders and startup teams get ahead. You can sign up here.)

Big Tech Inc.
The Arizona Democratic Party has thrown in the towel at the Capitol before this year's legislative races have begun.

With just over six months to go until the November election, Democrats have already given up any hope of seizing control of the Arizona Legislature.

Granted, it was always going to be a long shot, what with new political districts that favor Republicans, the GOPs historical advantage in voter turnout and the usual midterm fate that befalls the party in charge in Washington.

But the Arizona Democratic Party has thrown in the towel even before this years legislative races have begun, not even bothering to field enough candidates to at least try to win a majority in the Arizona House.

Some Democrats are privately fuming.

All hell is breaking loose in the Democratic Party right now  , one party insider told me. Incompetence I can deal with. But stupidity just does not make sense.

How do you win without enough candidates?

Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Raquel Teran could not be reached for comment. Party spokeswoman Morgan Dick, however, praised the 94 Democrats who are running for the Legislature.

Were confident voters will elect candidates who share their values, and those candidates will be Democrats, she said, in a statement. Despite a vitriolic atmosphere, Arizona Democrats have fielded an impressive slate of candidates across Arizona and we are ready to win majorities in the legislature.

Its difficult to see how you will win a majority when you dont even field enough candidates in the races that could get you there. If there is such a thing as political malpractice, this is it.

Democrats are currently two votes shy of a majority in both the House (31-29) and Senate (16-14). In other words, theyre basically irrelevant.

As long as Republicans stick together on issues like education funding, abortion and tax cuts for the states richest residents, Democrats are mere bystanders in the hallways of power.

So it only makes sense that they would go full tilt toward trying to pick up a couple of seats in each chamber in 2022.

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They best they can do is tie, and that's if pigs fly

It was never going to be easy. Newly drawn political districts give Republicans 13 safe districts (meaning 26 seats in the 60-member House) to the Democrats 12 (24 seats). The remaining five districts are considered competitive. (Districts, 2, 4, 9, 13 and 16, for those who are keeping track.)

That is 10 seats in the House, theoretically up for grabs by either party. Yet Democrats are only fielding candidates for six of those 10 seats, meaning the absolute best they can hope for is a 30-30 tie.

And that, only if pigs start flying in circles around the state Capitol because four of those five competitive districts lean Republican.

In the Senate, Democrats are at least running a candidate in each of the five competitive districts, giving them an outside chance of winning a majority, assuming they can ground those joyriding pigs in mid loop-de-loop.

But the race to seize control of the House is over even before it has even begun, leaving some party operatives either scratching their heads or grinding their teeth.

The ones who are old-timers like me, were sitting back and saying Oh my god, not again,  longtime Democratic consultant Bob Grossfeld told me. Its like the opportunities come along pretty frequently  but its just blown up, merely because of an inability to carry offense or just carrying lousy defense and I cant tell the difference right now.

Democrats' plan: Become e more irrelevant

Some activists tell me that the strategy of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee was focused not on winning a House majority but on winning individual seats  fielding only one candidate for a districts two seats and thus increasing that candidate's odds of victory.

What they cannot explain is Legislative District 13, the most competitive district in the state. Democrats already have one seat in this Chandler district, with Rep. Jennifer Pawlik. For some reason understood only by the gurus of the Democratic Party, they decided not to run a second candidate to try to snag the other seat.

Did I mention political malpractice?

Democratic consultant Chad Campbell says the single-shot strategy makes sense in the long run. It gives Democrats a chance to get a foothold in those Republican leaning competitive districts in 2022, when Republicans have an inherent advantage, and then build on that in future years.

Its a strategic approach to changing a district over time, as opposed to going in with two candidates and losing both seats, Campbell told me. It can be counter intuitive but done correctly it can work and then you can start to change the political leanings of the district over a couple of cycles.

So give up and hope for the best in 2024 or 2026?

The strategy of the party that in 2020 came oh so close to finally winning a seat at the table is to retreat, rendering Democratic legislators even more irrelevant than they already are?

What genius drew up this plan?

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Democrats have already given up on winning the Arizona House this year
EPCOR Utilities Inc

Agua Fria Facility Named Arizona Large System of the Year

White Tanks Water Treatment Facility

EPCORs White Tanks Water Treatment Facility sits at the base of the White Tank Mountains in the greater Phoenix metropolitan areas West Valley. The plant treats and delivers 26.7 million gallons of water daily to nearly 100,000 people across EPCORs Agua Fria water district.

White Tanks Water Treatment Facility

EPCORs White Tanks Water Treatment Facility sits at the base of the White Tank Mountains in the greater Phoenix metropolitan areas West Valley. The plant treats and delivers 26.7 million gallons of water daily to nearly 100,000 people across EPCORs Agua Fria water district.

PHOENIX, April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AZ Water Association honored EPCOR USA (EPCOR) today with 42 safety and operational excellence awards at the Associations 95th Annual Water Conference and Exhibition in Phoenix.



Each year the AZ Water Association recognizes public and regulated water and wastewater providers with safety accolades in four categories: water distribution systems, water treatment, wastewater collection systems and wastewater treatment. The new honors for EPCOR bring the companys total number of awards from AZ Water to 246.

In addition to 41 individual facility awards, EPCORs Agua Fria water distribution system received recognition as the Large System of the Year for 2022. Employees there identified an innovative plan to expand the ability to move water throughout the district during the annual maintenance shut-down of the systems White Tanks Water Treatment Facility. Their work ensured customers in this fast-growing service district were never without clean water during the temporary maintenance shutdown.

EPCOR President Joe Gysel said, Were very pleased to receive these honors from the AZ Water Association. Our team works hard to put our commitment to excellence into action every day, and we think the individual facility awards and special spotlight on Agua Fria demonstrate that. We appreciate the AZ Water Association encouraging and recognizing outstanding operations and safety in our industry.

EPCORs 2022 safety and operational excellence awards by category and service district are:

Water Distribution System Agua Fria, Anthem, Fountain Hills, Lake Havasu, Paradise Valley, Rio Verde, Sun City, Sun City West, Tubac, Willow Valley Water Treatment Anthem, Agua Fria White Tanks, Fountain Hills  Shea,

Gateway, Lake Havasu, Paradise Valley, Parker Strip, Rio Verde, San Tan (Anthem Water System), San Tan (Main Water System), Sun City, Sun City West, Tubac, Willow Valley Wastewater Collection System Agua Fria, Anthem, Luke 303, Rio Verde, Sun City, Sun City West Wastewater Treatment Anthem, Luke 303, Northwest Valley WRP, Rio Verde, Russell Ranch, San Tan Anthem WRP, San Tan Pecan WRP, San Tan Section 11 WRP, San Tan WRP, Verrado WRF, Wishing Well









The AZ Water Association is an educational nonprofit organization founded in 1928 with the aim of preserving and enhancing Arizonas water environment. The Association has expanded to a current membership of over 2,200 Arizona water and wastewater industry professionals. Awards are made on the basis of operations, experience, adherence to regulatory standards and other criteria.

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For further information, please contact:

Rebecca Stenholm

Director, Public & Government Affairs

EPCOR USA

O 623.445.2424 | C 602.390.5662 | rstenholm@epcor.com

About EPCOR USA

EPCOR is among the largest private utilities in the Southwest and the largest in Arizona, providing water, wastewater and natural gas service to approximately 780,000 people across 42 communities and 18 counties in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. With corporate offices in Phoenix, EPCOR employs approximately 425 people.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4509ef90-ed44-4b53-a044-a4adc561c14c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/968582a0-d313-4d3b-9d01-33f01c71607e




Ferrari N.V.

Maranello (Italy), 13 April 2022 - Ferrari N.V. (Ferrari or the Company) (NYSE/EXM: RACE) announced today that all resolutions proposed to Shareholders at the Ferraris Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the AGM) held today virtually were passed.

The Shareholders approved the 2021 Annual Accounts, expressed a positive advice with respect to the Remuneration Report 2021 and approved a dividend in cash1 of Euro 1.362 per outstanding common share, totalling approximately Euro 250 million. The outstanding common shares will be quoted ex-dividend from April 19, 2022. The record date for the dividend will be April 20, 2022 on both EXM and NYSE and the dividend on the outstanding common shares will be paid on May 6, 2022. Shareholders holding the Companys common shares on the record date that are traded on the NYSE will receive the dividend in U.S. dollars at the official European Central Bank EUR/USD exchange rate of April 14, 2022.

The AGM appointed all Ferrari directors standing for election. John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna were elected as executive directors of Ferrari. Piero Ferrari, Delphine Arnault, Francesca Bellettini, Eduardo H. Cue, Sergio Duca, John Galantic, Maria Patrizia Grieco and Adam Keswick were elected as non-executive directors of Ferrari. In addition, the Shareholders appointed Ernst & Young Accountants LLP as Ferraris independent auditor for 2022 financial year until the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and the AGM appointed Deloitte Accountants B.V. as Companys independent auditor for 2023 financial year from the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders until the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

The AGM renewed the existing delegations to the Board of Directors of the Company of the authority to issue common (for a period of 18 months from the date of the AGM) and special voting shares (for a period of 5 years from the date of the AGM), to grant rights to subscribe for common and special voting shares, and to limit or exclude pre-emptive rights for common shares (for a period of 18 months from the date of the AGM), subject to certain maximum amount thresholds. Furthermore, the AGM renewed, for a period of 18 months from the date of the AGM, the existing authorization of the Board of Directors to repurchase up to a maximum of 10% of the Companys common shares issued as of the date of the AGM. Pursuant to the authorization, which does not entail any obligation for the Company but is designed to provide additional flexibility, the Board of Directors may repurchase common shares in compliance with applicable regulations, subject to certain maximum and minimum price thresholds.

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The Shareholders further approved the awards of (rights to subscribe for) common shares in the capital of the Company to the executive directors.

Details of the resolutions submitted to the AGM are available on the Companys corporate website at https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/corporate.

Concurrently with the AGM, the Company published its 2021 Sustainability Report. This Report was prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, the main international framework for reporting on governance, environmental and social themes.

To view the 2021 Sustainability Report online, please visit the following link: https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/corporate/financial-documents .

________________________________________

[1] The coupon number of the dividend is 7 (seven).

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Groups current expectations and projections about future events and, by their nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: volatility and deterioration of capital and financial markets, including possibility of new Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, changes in commodity prices, changes in general economic conditions, economic growth and other changes in business conditions, weather, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, changes in government regulation, production difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints and many other risks and uncertainties, including the risks related to Covid-19 outbreak and/or the current geopolitical tensions and conflicts in Ukraine, most of which are outside of the Groups control.

Attachment




The first bus carrying migrants processed by federal immigration authorities in Texas arrived in Washington on Wednesday, part of Gov. Greg Abbott's new policy to provide migrants with free transportation to the nation's capital.

The migrants, who are from Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, were dropped off blocks from the U.S. Capitol, according to Abbotts office, adding that a second bus is en route to Washington. Fox News reported that the migrants originally boarded the bus in the Del Rio area.

Abbott launched the effort in response to the Biden administration's plans to end the pandemic-era Title 42 program, which authorized immigration officials to expel migrants, even those seeking asylum.

More: Gov. Abbott said migrants will be bused to Washington. Then his office clarified his remarks.

"As the federal government continues to turn a blind eye to the border crisis, the State of Texas will remain steadfast in our efforts to fill in the gaps and keep Texans safe," Abbott said in a statement Wednesday after the bus arrived in Washington. "By busing migrants to Washington, D.C., the Biden Administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden Administrations failure to secure our border."

Abbott also tweeted: Biden refuses to come see the mess hes made at the border. So Texas is bringing the border to him.

First Texas bus drops off illegal immigrants blocks from US Capitol in Washington, DC.



Biden refuses to come see the mess hes made at the border.



So Texas is bringing the border to him.https://t.co/wHZkwnD305  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 13, 2022

More: 'Its going to affect all of us': Frustration grows as trucks block Texas-Mexico border

Story continues

Who is paying to charter Texas-Mexico border migrants to D.C.?

After Abbott announced the directive last week at a news conference in Weslaco, his office later clarified that the bus trips are voluntary and those eligible for the trip must have been processed and released by federal immigration authorities.

Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to facilitate and coordinate the logistics of chartering buses to take migrants to Washington.

The agency has not responded to the American-Statesmans questions regarding which charter companies have been hired for the trips to Washington, how much the effort is costing and where the money is coming from.

Fox News aired live footage of migrants stepping off the charter bus outside of a building that houses multiple news organizations, including Fox News, NBC News, and CSPAN, according to Fox anchor John Roberts.

The first bus of illegal immigrants from Texas arrived near Union Station on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. this morning  23 migrants were on board for the 1700+ mile drive from Del Rio. pic.twitter.com/l8AjGf1hpd  Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) April 13, 2022

Texas Governor @GregAbbott_TX carries out his pledge to transport illegal migrants to Washington, DC. The bus pulled up right in front of the building that houses @FoxNews , @NBCNews and @cspan pic.twitter.com/KsrP04LSuw  John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) April 13, 2022

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant plan criticized

CNN reporter Priscilla Alvarez spoke to some of the migrants, five of whom said they were from Venezuela and had arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday.

They are seeking asylum and were released from custody while they go through their immigration proceedings, Alvarez tweeted. After being released, the migrants said they were offered a bus ride to Washington DC. It was voluntary.

The migrants told Alvarez they were provided with food and water during the 30-hour journey, and that many were planning on traveling to other U.S. cities from Washington.

Many conservatives have applauded Abbott for initiating the program.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, reacted to the news of the first bus arriving in Washington, tweeting: "Under President Biden's open-border agenda, every city is now a border city. Texas should not bear the burden of Democrats' failed immigration policies."

Under President Biden's open-border agenda, every city is now a border city.



Texas should not bear the burden of Democrats' failed immigration policies. https://t.co/piyedu16Dv  Rep. Roger Williams (@RepRWilliams) April 13, 2022

However, other Republicans responded with more skepticism, including state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, who called it a gimmick.

Democrats and immigrant rights organizations have widely denounced Abbotts initiative, labeling it a political stunt.

Greg Abbott sending a bus full of migrants to Fox News HQ proves what we already know: Operation Lone Star is nothing more than a taxpayer-funded publicity stunt.



Texans deserve better. #txlege #AbbottFailedTexas https://t.co/xgw1pHWLPZ  Texas Democrats (@texasdemocrats) April 13, 2022

Of *course* Greg Abbott ordered the bus with migrants on it to show up in front of Fox News headquarters here in DC. It's an incredibly dehumanizing and cynical stunt, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council, wrote in a Twitter thread.

Abbott's plan is, ironically, 95% of the way to a good idea. It's the last 5%, where the drop-offs are deliberately in front of Fox News HQ and local NGOs aren't notified, that turns it from a good idea to a deliberate cruelty that treats human beings like pawns. Disgusting.

When asked at a press briefing to respond to the bus arrival, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "These are all migrants who have been processed by CBP and are free to travel, so it's nice the state of Texas is helping them get to their final destination as they await their outcome of their immigration proceedings. And they're all in immigration proceedings.

Edna Yang, co-director of the immigration rights nonprofit American Gateways, said that while the program is technically legal as long as the migrants voluntarily agree to the trip after having been processed by federal authorities, its not necessarily a viable or practical solution to the issues at the southern border.

It seems kind of confusing and counterintuitive, Yang said. It really should be, you know, This is how you apply for asylum. Here are your legal rights. This is what you're entitled to. Do you have community and family here in the United States, how can we help you rejoin that community and family so that you have stability and safety and that you're able to access our justice system in the manner that you are allowed to do so under our laws?

Yang said that federal authorities typically don't provide free transportation for asylum-seekers to cities across the country after they are released from custody. She says generally it is nonprofit and aid organizations that provide resources for migrants, including transportation to connect with family or other community members in the U.S.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: First bus of Texas-Mexico border migrants arrive in Washington, D.C.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NATSO, representing truckstops, travel plazas and off-highway fuel retailers, and SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers commended the Biden Administration for permitting year-round sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15). The industry cautioned, however, that ongoing impediments related to infrastructure compatibility could limit market penetration of higher blends of ethanol being sold in the United States.

NATSO Logo (PRNewsfoto/NATSO, Inc.)

The fuel retail industry advocated for year-round E15 sales to help lower fuel prices for consumers while enhancing the industry's fuel options and improving the carbon intensity of those fuels.

"We support removing unnecessary regulatory barriers to the sale of higher ethanol blends. E15 offers retailers an opportunity to diversify fuel options and improve gasoline's emissions characteristics while lowering costs for consumers and enhancing America's energy security," said David Fialkov, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for NATSO, speaking on behalf of NATSO and SIGMA. "Fuel retailers will continue to face obstacles to investing in E15, primarily in the form of infrastructure compatibility concerns and associated liability exposure. While today's announcement is positive, until these obstacles are removed, they will impede the sale of higher ethanol blends."

Specifically, fuel retailers must grapple with a state-by-state patchwork of expensive infrastructure compatibility requirements. Fuel retailers also face liability concerns if consumers misfuel their vehicles, potentially voiding their manufacturer's vehicle warranty.

The industry looks forward to working with the Administration, lawmakers and all industry stakeholders to address these outstanding concerns.

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. Contact: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, Vice President, Public Affairs.

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SIGMA: AMERICA'S LEADING FUEL MARKETERS represents a diverse membership of approximately 260 independent chain retailers and marketers of motor fuel. While 67 percent are involved in gasoline retailing, 83 percent are involved in wholesaling, 56 percent transport product, 39 percent have bulk plant operations, and 20 percent operate terminals. Member retail outlets come in many forms including truckstops, traditional "gas stations," convenience stores with gas pumps, cardlocks, and unattended public fueling locations.

Contact: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman

Vice President, Public Affairs

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SOURCE NATSO, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC, April 13, 2022 /CNW/ - LNG Canada announces Jason Klein as new CEO, effective immediately.

LNG Canada CEO, Jason Klein (CNW Group/LNG Canada Development Inc.)

LNG Canada announces Jason Klein as new CEO, effective immediately.

Mr. Klein brings to the position a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of liquified natural gas (LNG), its role in the global energy transition to lower carbon energy and the part LNG Canada will play in that transition. He joins LNG Canada from Shell Canada, where he served as VP Canada Integrated Gas, accountable for developing Shell's Integrated Gas business, including oversight and governance of the LNG Canada project.

One of the largest private investments in Canadian history, LNG Canada is a long-life asset with a 40-year export license that will initially produce 14 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) LNG for export. It reached a final investment decision in October 2018 and is currently under construction in Kitimat, British Columbia, in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.

"I'm excited to join the team, especially at this time with construction in Kitimat progressing steadily and safely towards completion and the organization preparing for decades of successful operations," said Mr. Klein. "LNG Canada and its joint venture participants are committed to setting the benchmark for economically, environmentally and socially responsible LNG development in Canada, creating a positive and lasting legacy with First Nations, the local community and all British Columbians based on our values of safety, collaboration, respect and transparency."

Klein began his career with Shell in 2016, following its global acquisition of BG Group where Jason held assignments in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia in roles spanning the legal function, upstream operations and LNG developments over a period of 13 years (starting in 2003). Following the BG takeover, Klein became Vice President US LNG within Shell's Integrated Gas business, responsible for leading its development of the Elba Island LNG project near Savannah, Georgia. He subsequently became U.S. Chief of Staff and VP US Energy Transition Strategy. He has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law.

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"Jason takes over accountability for LNG Canada at a very important and active time," said Susannah Pierce, Shell Canada Limited President and Country Chair. "He has extensive background in natural gas and LNG and a commitment to ensuring LNG Canada's relationships with First Nations, communities and other stakeholders remain strong and resilient. He is also keenly aware of the important role lower carbon LNG can play in the energy transition, and I am confident he will continue to look for ways to ensure LNG Canada remains a top performer in this regard."

Now 60% complete, the LNG Canada project remains on track to deliver its first cargo by the middle of this decade. With approximately 5,000 highly skilled Canadians currently employed at its Kitimat site, the project is delivering substantial economic benefits to British Columbia and to Canada. The cumulative value of its contracts and subcontracts to local, Indigenous and other businesses to date exceeds $3.6 billion, and includes $2.8 billion to Indigenous-owned and local area businesses.

Klein takes over from Interim CEO Steve Corbin, who returns to his role of Vice President and Executive Project Director.

"I would like to thank Steve for his leadership as Interim CEO during the transition and his sizeable contributions to our execution success as VP and Executive Project Director," said Klein.

About LNG Canada

The LNG Canada joint venture is building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada, in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. It will initially consist of two LNG processing units, referred to as "trains." LNG Canada is a joint venture comprised of Shell plc, through its affiliate Shell Canada Energy (40%); PETRONAS, through its wholly-owned entity, North Montney LNG Limited Partnership (25%); PetroChina Company Limited, through its subsidiary PetroChina Kitimat LNG Partnership (15%); Mitsubishi Corporation, through its subsidiary Diamond LNG Canada Partnership (15%); and Korea Gas Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Kogas Canada LNG Partnership (5%). It is operated through LNG Canada Development Inc.

LNG Canada logo (CNW Group/LNG Canada Development Inc.)

SOURCE LNG Canada Development Inc.

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MCH Group AG





MCH Group plans a further capital increase with the support of its two main shareholders





MCH Group is planning a further capital increase in order to secure liquidity for the refinancing of its CHF 100 million bond and the further development of the company. The government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt is asking the cantonal parliament to participate in the planned capital increase with an amount of up to CHF 34 million. Under this condition, Lupa Systems will also invest up to CHF 34 million in the company. The capital increase is to be carried out with subscription rights for all shareholders.

Following the pandemic-related losses of the past two years, a financial package of measures is required in order to secure the refinancing of the CHF 100 million bond due in May 2023 and the necessary investments in the company's growth. The focus is on strengthening the capital base with downstream renewal of debt financing. As a first step, MCH Group is planning a further capital increase with subscription rights for all shareholders.

"We have laid the foundations for a successful future during the extremely difficult pandemic years. We have ambitious growth targets, a convincing strategic framework and a concrete implementation plan", says Andrea Zappia, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MCH Group. "The fact that the government of Basel-Stadt as well as Lupa Systems are willing to invest up to CHF 34 million each in MCH Group as part of the planned capital increase underlines that they have every confidence in the path we are taking."

In 2020, the Canton of Basel-Stadt (subject to the approval of the competent bodies) and Lupa Systems had agreed to support the refinancing of the bond in equal parts if the company were unable to refinance it itself. This so-called "backstop" will enable the company to grow after the pandemic.

The government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt is therefore proposing to the parliament that the canton participate in the planned capital increase through the acquisition of new capital shares in the amount of up to CHF 34 million. This means that the public entities participating in the MCH Group will continue to hold at least 33.34 % of the shares and voting rights.

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In the 2020 capital increases, the Canton of Basel-Stadt had converted CHF 24.2 million of an existing interest-free loan of CHF 30 million into equity. When it joined MCH Group, Lupa Systems had envisaged a maximum investment amount of CHF 75 million and had invested CHF 48 million as part of the capital increases in 2020. In the case of the capital increase now planned, Lupa Systems is also willing to invest up to CHF 34 million, in the same way as the Canton of Basel-Stadt, and thus to go beyond the originally planned maximum investment amount, if necessary.

Furthermore, the government is proposing to the parliament that repayment of the remaining loan of CHF 5.8 million that was not converted into equity in 2020 should be waived. This had likewise been envisaged in 2020 already and is now also justified by the fact that MCH Group was not entitled to Corona hardship funds from the Swiss Confederation due to the participation of the public entities.

Once a legally binding parliamentary decision has been taken, MCH Group will submit the capital increase to its shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The concrete modalities  in particular the issue price and the requirements under takeover law  will be drawn up in the coming months.













Contacts



Media Relations:

Emanuel Kuhn

Head of Corporate Communications

+41 58 206 22 43

emanuel.kuhn@mch-group.com

Investor Relations:



Christian Jecker

+ 41 58 206 22 52

christian.jecker@mch-group.com




DHAKA, Bangladesh, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Milvik, the leading digital healthcare solutions provider in Bangladesh, has launched the Milvik Health+ App to enhance accessibility to high-quality healthcare while allowing customers to enjoy more benefits from their Milvik health subscriptions through the Health Wallet feature.

MILVIK LAUNCHES HEALTH+ APP WHICH INCLUDES A HEALTH WALLET

The Milvik Health+ App is the first-of-its kind that combines payment tools and e-commerce for healthcare. Customers can

Manage their Milvik health subscriptions in terms of payment flexibility and updating the details of family members covered by their subscriptions;

Earn and use Health Points;

Visualise health savings;

Keep track of upcoming doctor consultations and follow-up calls as part of Milvik's proactive tele-medicine service;

Speak to Milvik doctor; and

Access their medical history with Milvik.

Health Points collected with every subscription payment made can be used for redemption of healthcare products such as medicine, medical equipment, health and fitness wearables, oral and eye care products, and nutritional items. Thus, lowering healthcare costs for consumers.

"With the Milvik Health Wallet, we will be able to provide a wider spectrum of healthcare benefits to our customers and make healthcare more accessible. It also creates more opportunities for public-private partnerships as we remain focused on democratizing healthcare in Bangladesh," said Ankur Basu, Country Manager of Milvik Bangladesh.

Providing more insight on the Milvik Health Wallet, Reynold D'Silva, Global Chief Growth Officer and Managing Director (Asia) of Milvik Bima, shared, "This is one of our most promising initiatives in bringing fintech innovation into the field of digital health which can narrow the heathcare access gap. The launch in Bangladesh has been well received, and our focus in the immediate term will be on rapidly rolling-out the Health Wallet to our other markets."

Milvik Bangladesh is working with ACCESS Health International, a non-profit think tank, advisory group and implementation partner with a mission to improve access to high quality and affordable healthcare, to explore public-private funding opportunities. "BIMA's Health Wallet facilitates a direct-to-consumer avenue for health funding program implementation, which is one of the most critical aspects of healthcare funding. We look forward to working with Milvik Bangladesh to make healthcare more affordable," said Adrienne Mendenhall, ACCESS Health's Global Business Development Lead.

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About Milvik

Milvik is a subsidiary of Milvik Bima.

Founded in 2010, Milvik Bima is democratizing healthcare in emerging markets through technology that enables affordable and accessible healthcare solutions. With a focus on proactive care, Milvik Bima's healthcare solutions comprises telemedicine, specialist care, health-screening, personalized health programs, medicine delivery, laboratory testing and insurance.

Operating in 9 countries across the Asia and Africa region, Milvik Bima's vision is to provide 100 million people with affordable access to high-quality healthcare by 2026. Milvik Bima entered the Bangladesh in 2012. For more information on Milvik Bima's work in Bangladesh, please visit www.milvikbd.com

SOURCE Milvik Bima
Fasset, a global digital asset gateway, has announced its entrance into the European Union (EU) after it secured a cryptocurrency authorisation. With the authorisation, Fasset will strengthen its global operations to serve the growing digital asset sector in the EU market and beyond.

Fasset previously secured three separate full authorisations from the Labuan Financial Services Authority and as part of the companys long-term growth strategy, this latest milestone will allow Fasset to bring its frictionless digital asset services to more retail and institutional investors across the world as it strengthens its presence globally.

Celebrating the achievement, Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Fasset Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and former Advisor to the UAE Prime Ministers Office said: The digital asset sector has become an undeniable force in todays financial and technological landscape. The EU is a hotbed for crypto activity, with a number of member states leading the charge in both innovation and implementation.

With this licence, Fasset can continue on its mission of enabling greater access to crypto assets, bringing investors a step closer to the future of finance. The EU will serve as a cornerstone as we look to connect the remittance corridor between the West and the East.

EU global leader

The EU continues to be a global leader in digital asset adoption with Central, Northern and Western Europe outpacing all other regions to be the biggest cryptocurrency economy in the world. Representing a quarter of global cryptocurrency activity worth over $1 trillion, the EU is already an established hub for digital assets and a thriving market for growth and innovation in emerging technologies, playing an influential role in steering the future of finance.

Launched in 2019, Fasset is a multi-country digital asset gateway that aims to connect the next billion to buy, sell, send and store digital assets such as cryptocurrency and real-world asset tokens. Bringing easy, free, and frictionless access to digital assets, Fasset is providing people in frontier markets with the knowledge and the tools to build a better future.

A leader in asset tokenisation, Fasset built the worlds first comprehensive ecosystem dedicated to merging digital asset innovations with the real economy.

Previously partnering with Middle East fintech company Infinios (formerly known as NEC Payments), Fasset successfully completed the first Proof-of-Concept tokenisation of a Tesla charging unit in a move to accelerate progression of the electric vehicle (EV) industry in pursuit of creating a more sustainable future.-- TradeArabia News Service
Black youth are almost 6X more likely to drown than White children

PORTLAND, Ore., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KEEN, Inc. (KEEN), the global footwear brand on a mission to make outside inclusive and accessible to all, today announced its "Making Waves" partnership with Outdoor Afro , the nation's foremost not-for-profit organization celebrating and inspiring Black connections and leadership in nature, and the YMCA , the leading U.S. nonprofit committed to strengthening communities. The national program, which aims to impact 100,000 Black youth and their caregivers over the next 10 years, launches with an awareness and fundraising campaign highlighting the alarming statistic that Black children are nearly 6X more likely to die from drowning than white kids, according to the CDC . A limited edition Outdoor Afro x KEEN sandal collection releases April 12 in support of the program and is designed to increase attention while helping to raise funds for Swimmerships, scholarships for swimming lessons happening primarily at YMCAs.

"These alarming statistics demanded action," said Rue Mapp, founder, and CEO of Outdoor Afro. "We need to stop the drownings and give kids confidence in and around the water. It's about saving lives and enabling stronger connections to our waterways and the outdoors. This is an important step in the right direction. We are most grateful that our partner of a decade, KEEN, has supported Making Waves for the last three years, and are excited that the YMCA is adding its strength to the effort. It's great to see this all coming together."

Outdoor Afro created Making Waves in 2019 with KEEN and the YMCA first supporting a pilot program in New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Phoenix in 2021. The expanded partnership will now help Outdoor Afro grow in key markets across the country in 2022. Kids and their caregivers may sign up for Swimmerships on Outdoor Afro's website beginning this summer. Each Swimmership provides a new swimmer with a full swim course of 8-10 lessons. Swim lessons take place at local YMCA's and select community pools. Individuals may sponsor a swimmer on Outdoor Afro's website . $10 = a lesson, $100 = a Swimmership, $1,000 funds a full class.

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"The statistics speak for themselves," says Erik Burbank, vice president of the KEEN Effect. "We're proud to be supporting Outdoor Afro on this movement, and it's really motivating to have the YMCA joining the effort. Having a partner that can help us scale the program over time reinforces our ability to create change and have a significant effect on this issue."

"As the nation's largest and best-in-class provider of swim lessons, the Y has decades of experience working to address and eliminate the disparities associated with swimming," noted YMCA of the USA Director of Movement Engagement, Innovative Priorities & Aquatics Safety Lindsay Mondick. "This initiative is what the Y is all aboutmaking meaningful impact on communities and creating connective learning opportunities for alland our expertise around water safety and drowning prevention makes this partnership a perfect fit."

The YMCA over the years has worked to increase participation in swimming among Black children and reduce drowning rates in those and other communities of color. Through public service campaigns, inspiring storytelling across multiple platforms, and partnering with the CDC to explore and analyze the barriers that Black/African American families face with swimming, the Y has made a difference in these areas. The YMCA's commitment is to help all children become strong, confident swimmers and reduce water-related injuries in every community.

The Outdoor Afro x KEEN sandal collection features artwork from Outdoor Afro volunteer leader Leandra Taylor. Taylor has been an inspiration, teacher, and friend to kids hungry to learn about the outdoor experience. Her art is incorporated in silhouettes for the whole family, including Newport H2 for men; Astoria West for women; Newport H2; and Stingrays for kids. The collection will be available on keenfootwear.com and at retailers across the U.S., as well as select retailers in Canada, Europe, and Japan. One percent of all sales will go to fund new Swimmerships. To learn more or to sign up for a Swimmership, please visit .

Go to outdoorafro.com , www.ymca.org and www.keenfootwear.com/the-keen-effect/ for additional information.

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SOURCE KEEN, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 13, 2022 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Cybin and Baroyeca Gold & Silver on their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Cybin (NEO:CYBN) announces positive results from a pharmacokinetic study of CYB004

Cybin (CYBN) has announced positive preclinical data from a pharmacokinetic study of its proprietary deuterated dimethyltryptamine (DMT) molecule, CYB004. When inhaled CYB004 demonstrated significant advantages over both IV DMT and inhaled DMT, including a longer duration of action, and improved bioavailability. CEO Doug Drysdale sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the news.

For the full interview with Doug Drysdale and to learn more about Cybin's news, click here.

Baroyeca Gold & Silver (TSXV:BGS) provides an update on exploration at the Atocha and Santa Barbara projects

Baroyeca (BGS) has provided an update on exploration work at the flagship Atocha project and upgrades at the Santa Barbara Project. Baroyeca has finished the phase 1 drilling campaign at Atocha and is now resuming ground exploration activities. Baroyeca President Raul Sanabria sat down with Dave Jackson to discuss the updates.

For the full interview with Raul Sanabria and to learn more about Baroyeca's news, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

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DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

Brianna Anthony

brianna.anthony@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/697364/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-Interviews-with-Cybin-and-Baroyeca-Gold-Silver




RIBER

Press release



Strong full-year earnings growth for 2021

Revenues up 3%, driven by the diversification of the product mix

Gross margin up 5.3 points

Operating income of 1.3m, slightly higher than the target set

Net income multiplied by 5 to reach 1.5m

Outlook for revenue and profitability growth in 2022

Proposed payout of 0.05 per share

Bezons, April 13, 2022 - 8:00am - RIBER, the global leader for molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) equipment serving the semiconductor industry, is releasing its full-year earnings for 2021.

(m - at December 31) 2021 2020 Change Revenues 31.2 30.2 +3% MBE systems revenues 17.4 18.2 - 4% Services and accessories revenues 13.8 12.0 +15% Gross margin

% of revenues 11.1

35.4% 9.1

30.1% +21% Operating income

% of revenues 1.3

4.1% 0.7

2.3% +83% Net income

% of revenues 1.5

4.7% 0.3

0.9% +465%

Revenues

2021 full-year revenues came to 31.2m, up 3% from 2020. Sales of MBE systems are down 4% following the export licenses rejected by the French authorities for a total of 9m in 2021, and totaled 17.4m, with eight machines delivered, versus 10 in 2020. Sales of services and accessories maintained their strong growth (+15%), climbing to 13.8m, representing 44.2% of the Companys total revenues in 2021.

Earnings

The gross margin came to 11.1m, representing 35.4% of revenues, up +5.3 points compared with 2020 (30.1%), thanks to the favorable change in the product mix and the increase in the value of the systems sold.

Operating expenditure increased by 1.4m (9.8m in 2021, versus 8.4m in 2020), due to the ramping up of R&D investments to reach 12% of revenues in 2021 (3.8m; +80%). Sales and marketing costs (-4%) and administrative costs (-6%) are down slightly.

In this context, operating income came to 1.3m, compared with 0.7m in 2020, up +83%.

Net income totaled 1.5m, compared with 0.3m in 2020. In 2021, it included +0.4m of financial income and expenses, linked primarily to the revaluation in euros of receivables denominated in US dollars.

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Cash flow and balance sheet

The cash position at end-2021 is positive, with 5.8m, down 2.2m from the end of 2020. This change reflects a strong growth in cash flow from operations, the increase in working capital requirements and the ramping up of investments.

The Groups net financial debt represented 2.4m at December 31, 2021. Shareholders equity came to 19.8m, up 0.8m from 2020. This change is linked to earnings for the year and the distribution of amounts drawn against the issue premium for 2020 to shareholders.



Order book

The order book at December 31, 2021 is up 3% to 14.8m, including three orders for MBE systems (7.9m), with one production system, and a robust level of orders for services and accessories (6.9m).

This order book does not take into account the additional orders for six systems (five research and one production) announced during the first quarter of 2022, for a total of around 9m.

Outlook

In view of these elements, the Company is forecasting growth in both revenues and profitability for 2022 compared with 2021.

Alongside this, the Company expects to continue to record new orders during the second quarter of 2022 thanks to a strong pipeline of prospects.

Over the longer term, in an environment supporting the emergence of a European semiconductor industry, RIBER is moving forward with a project for profitable growth built around its technological and industrial know-how, as well as its capacity for innovation. Driven by new information technologies, the Company is rolling out a strategy focused on further strengthening its leading position for MBE, achieving regular growth in its service activities and maintaining a robust level of R&D investment to expand its portfolio of technologies and applications.

Distribution of amounts drawn against the issue premium account

Illustrating its confidence in the Companys future, the Executive Board will submit a proposal to shareholders at the General Meeting on June 21, 2022 to approve a cash payout based on reimbursing part of the issue premium for 0.05 per share. It will be released for payment on July 4, 2022.



Next dates

April 29, 2022, 8:00am: 2022 first-quarter revenues and 2021 annual financial report

June 21, 2022, 10:00am: General Meeting

The annual financial statements were approved by the Executive Board and, on April 12, 2022, were also approved by the Supervisory Board. They will be incorporated into the 2021 annual financial report, which will be available from April 29, 2022 in French on the Company's website (www.riber.com).



About RIBER

RIBER is the global market leader for MBE - molecular beam epitaxy - equipment. It designs and produces MBE systems and evaporators for the semiconductor industry. It also provides technical and scientific support for its clients, maintaining their equipment and optimizing their performance and output levels. Through its high-tech equipment, RIBER performs an essential role in the development of advanced semiconductor systems that are used in numerous consumer applications, from information technologies to 5G telecommunications networks, OLED screens and next-generation solar cells.

RIBER is a BPI France-approved innovative company and is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR0000075954).

www.riber.com

Contacts

RIBER: Stephane Berterretche | tel: +33 (0)1 39 96 65 00 | invest@riber.com

CALYPTUS Cyril Combe | tel: +33 (0)1 53 65 68 68 | cyril.combe@calyptus.net

Attachment




HMG Strategy

This custom networking event will also explore recommendations for approaching the global war for talent from a female leaders perspective

The 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit

Join the top global female technology executives as we share share recommendations for making hybrid work environments more inclusive and equitable for employees along with the hard-fought lessons they've experienced scaling the ladder of success in a male-centric C-suite.

WESTPORT, Conn., April 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 digital platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is excited to be hosting its 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit on April 27. HMG Strategys highly interactive events bring together the worlds most distinguished and innovative security and business technology leaders to discuss the most pressing leadership, innovation, strategic, cultural, technology and career challenges and opportunities that they face today  and into the future.



The 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit will bring together the top female technology leaders from around the world who will share their recommendations for making hybrid work environments more inclusive and equitable for employees. Global female tech executives will also discuss their hard-fought lessons scaling the ladder of success in a male-centric C-suite.

Female technology leaders have a unique and compelling perspective on fostering cultural change, along with the importance of making hybrid work environments more inclusive and equitable for all employees, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO at HMG Strategy. Our Global Women in Technology Summits place a unique lens on the challenges and opportunities facing female technology leaders in their roles in both the C-suite and in leading across the organization along with orchestrating change across the enterprise.

World-class CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will be speaking at the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit will include:

Diane K. Adams , Chief Culture and Talent Officer, Sprinklr

Renee Arrington , President, COO & Director, Pearson Partners International, Inc.

Dora Boussias , Transformational Leader, Data Strategy & Architecture, Stryker

Cindy Finkelman , Strategic Advisor, Mantissa Group LLC

Mamar Gelaye , VP  Ops Tech IT, Amazon

Karen Gibson , SVP  Digital Health, Quidel

Daphne Jones , Board Member; Founder, Destiny Transformations Group

Lori Lagares , VP of Customer Success, Nexthink

Lesley Ma , CIO and Chief Continuous Improvement Officer, NSF International

Alexa Raad , Chief Policy and Regulatory Affairs Officer, HUMAN Security

Sabina Schneider , Chief Solutions Officer, Globant

Rhonda Vetere , EVP & CIO, Herbalife

Cindy Warner , Strategic Board Member, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Kelley Watson , Director, Workplace Solutions, Southern Company

Jennifer Wesson Greenman, CIO, Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global



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Valued Partners for the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit include Akamai, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Fortinet, Globant, Nexthink, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Skybox Security, SnapLogic, Sprinklr, Strata, Tonkean, Upwork, Zoom, and Zscaler.

To learn more about the 2022 HMG Live! Global Women in Technology Summit and to register for the event, click here.

HMG Strategy is also excited to be hosting its 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit on April 21 at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park, CA.

The 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will bring together the top minds and innovative leaders from Silicon Valley to explore effective techniques used by technology and innovation executives to foster creativity between their teams to help accelerate the 21st century business.

World-class CIOs, technology executives and industry experts who will be speaking at the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit will include:

Snehal Antani , Co-Founder and CEO, Horizon3.ai

Shaun Braun , SVP of Digital Transformation, 3M

Andrew Bray , Vice President, Head of Information Systems Division, Renesas Electronics

Steve Caliger , Managing Partner, The Loring Group

Paul Chapman , VP, CISO, Cisco

Ekta Chopra , Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty

Stuart Evans , Director of the Emirates, Carnegie Mellon University i-Lab

Patty Hatter , Chief Customer Officer, Palo Alto Networks

Rohit Jain , Senior Management  IT, Upwork

Mike Josephson , Manager, Solution Architecture, OutSystems

Sineesh Keshav , CTO & CIO, Prologis

Zoe Koven , VP, Customer Advocacy, Zendesk

Tony Leng , Managing Director, Practice Lead and OMP, Diversified Search

Ralph Loura , SVP & CIO, Lumentum

Jeff Miller , CIO, Quantinuum

Michael Nixon , VP of Product Marketing, SnapLogic

Gautham Pallapa , Senior Executives Advisor, VMware, Inc.

Rusty Patel , SVP & CIO, Tenneco

Michael Piacente , Co-Founder and Managing Director, Hitch Partners

Sahaar Rezaie , Executive Director, Genesys Works

Trevor Schulze , CIO, Alteryx

Piyoush Sharma , Co-Author, The Purple Book of Software Security, Head of Enterprise Security & Technology Operations, Zuora

Muddu Sudhakar , CEO, Aisera

Josh Tamayo-Sarver , VP Innovation, Inflect Health

Hugo Vliegen , VP, Product Management, Aryaka

Sandeepa Wijesekara , CTO, Home Care Assistance

Tony Young, CIO, Sophos



Valued Partners for the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit include Aisera, Akamai, Aryaka, BetterCloud, Darktrace, Globant, Moveworks, Nutanix, OutSystems, Palo Alto Networks, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, Skybox Security, SnapLogic, Sprinklr, Strata, Synopsis, Tonkean, Upwork, Zendesk, Zoom, and Zscaler.

To learn more about the 2022 Silicon Valley Global Innovation Summit and to register for the event, click here.

To learn about all of HMG Strategys Upcoming CIO & CISO Summits, click here .

About HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the world's leading digital platform for connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 400,000 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

HMG Strategys global media model generates more than 1 million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands.

HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives with strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years.

HMG Strategys regional and virtual CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent.

HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led research services such as its CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) program which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles.

HMG Strategys Global Peer Actionable Insights Services Stack is a unique set of research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global geo-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries.

HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return.

HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a new webinar series thats designed to connect enterprise technology and security leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world.

To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust for HMG Strategy's unique business model, click here .

Contact: Tom Hoffman, VP, Research, HMG Strategy: tomhoffman@hmgstrategy.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db6ea428-bc25-4ac1-8373-e82250ae74f7




Texas Gov. Greg Abbott followed through on his cruel promise to dump asylum seekers and migrants in the capital with the first busload conveniently arriving outside Fox News office on Wednesday morning.

Abbott vowed last week to bus them to the Capitol steps in response to the Biden administrations decision to end Title 42, a pandemic-era emergency order implemented by Donald Trump that allowed migrants to be sent back to Mexico at the border, even if they were seeking asylum.

To help local officials whose communities are being overwhelmed by hordes of illegal immigrants who are being dropped off by the Biden administration, Texas is providing charter buses to send these illegal immigrants who have been dropped off by the Biden administration to Washington D.C., he said.

Texas Governor @GregAbbott_TX carries out his pledge to transport illegal migrants to Washington, DC. The bus pulled up right in front of the building that houses @FoxNews , @NBCNews and @cspan pic.twitter.com/KsrP04LSuw  John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) April 13, 2022

We are sending them to the United States Capitol where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border.

Around 30 people got off the bus when it pulled up at about 9 a.m. in front of the Hall of the States building, which houses Fox News, MSNBC and C-SPAN, a few blocks away from the Capitol. Fox News reported that officials cut off their wristbands and told them they were free to go.

Zachary Petrizzo for The Daily Beast

Eleven migrants who spoke to The Daily Beast at Union Station said they wouldnt be staying in the D.C. area. Instead, the group was planning to split up as Catholic Charities help them travel to New York City and Miami.

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Alexande Alberto, Alejandro Rivero, and Ledinyek Ricoall from Venezuelasaid they were dropped off in D.C. without any resources. Gentlemen of the church are good people, Rivero told The Beast. We are without resources, and we want to achieve.

Father John Enzler of Catholic Charities told The Daily Beast that another two buses are expected to arrive from Texasone later Wednesday and one on Thursday morning.

Its not well organized, he said. Enzler added that his organizations facilitiestotaling 34 sites in D.C.are mostly full but will look to transition migrants.

Zachary Petrizzo for The Daily Beast

Everybody [will] go somewhere else, Ivan Calderon, an immigrant from Colombia, told The Daily Beast in comments translated by a Univision reporter. It was crowded, he added when asked about the conditions on the bus. The voyage took approximately 4 or 5 days, Calderon noted.

Those that spoke with The Daily Beast said they had come from Colombia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba.

Multiple advocacy groups had decried Abbotts stunt as callous, pointless and possibly illegal as states cant enforce federal immigration law.

Zachary Petrizzo for The Daily Beast

There is no one to help them, a volunteer with the Catholic charity lamented to The Daily Beast, adding that the bus was sent by the Texas governor just to dump the migrants off at the Hall of the States building with no assistance.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here

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Apple CEO Tim Cook. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at a privacy conference on Tuesday about potential new antitrust laws.

The laws may force Apple to let users download apps from places other than the App Store, Cook said.

Cook said those laws could weaken privacy and security for iPhone users.

Apple CEO Tim Cook warned lawmakers on Tuesday that legislative attempts to crack open Apple's walled garden could have "unintended consequences" for people's privacy.

"We are deeply concerned about regulations that would undermine privacy and security in service of some other aim," Cook said during a speech at the International Association of Privacy Professionals conference.

"In Washington and elsewhere, policymakers are taking steps in the name of competition that would force Apple to let apps onto iPhone that circumvent the App Store through a process called sideloading," Cook said.

Currently, iPhone users cannot sideload any apps onto their device. So for example, they can't download an app to iPhone from a website on a browser.

Cook said enabling sideloading on iPhones would mean "data-hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will."

He also said it would mean weaker security for users, as bad actors could also circumvent the App Store's vetting process.

"Proponents of these regulations argue that no harm would be done by simply giving people a choice but taking away a more secure option will leave users with less choice," he said.

"If we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhone the unintended consequences will be profound," he added.

Cook did not specifically name any policymakers or prospective laws but a US bill introduced in August called the Open App Markets Act specifically targets Apple and Google's App Stores. If it passes, the law would force the companies to allow sideloading.

Developers have complained about the degree of control Apple exerts over its App Store, saying it amounts to anti-competitive conduct. Fortnite maker Epic Games sued Apple in August 2020 over its requirement that developers use its payment system for in-app transactions, which levies a 15% to 30% charge on payments.

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Spotify filed an official antitrust complaint with the European Union in March 2019, saying that the charge meant it had to raise prices while also facing direct competition from Apple, which has its own music-streaming platform, Apple Music.

The EU reached its preliminary conclusion in April 2021 that Apple's rules did indeed breach European competition law.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Pentagon is seen on Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Arlington, Va.

The Pentagon plans to hold a classified meeting of top weapons makers Wednesday to discuss how the U.S. can speed up production to help Ukraine in its war with Russia, a defense official confirmed to The Hill.

The Defense Department will convene a meeting of our largest prime contractors, to enable a classified discussion of DoD requirements across broad portfolio areas, the official said in a statement.

On the table will be industry proposals to accelerate production of existing systems and create new ones critical to the Pentagons ongoing security assistance to Ukraine and allies, they said.

The official did not say which companies would attend, but Reuters, which first reported on the gathering, noted that representatives from eight prime defense contractors would be there.

The United States and other countries have surged weapons to Ukraine following Russias invasion on Feb. 24, drawing questions on resupply efforts and plans should the war stretch into years.

Since the war began, the Pentagon has already sent some $1.7 billion in lethal aid to Ukraine, an arsenal that includes more than 5,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles and more than 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

To obtain these weapons, defense officials have been in near daily communication with weapons makers  Raytheon and Lockheed Martin make Javelins while Raytheon makes Stingers  to buy equipment to send to Ukraine and replenish those taken from the Pentagons own stocks for the effort, according to the official.

The meeting on Wednesday will continue those discussions and ensure the United States is able to support the long-term needs of the Ukrainian people, our own national security needs, and those of our Allies and our partners, they added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
-- Novel cell therapy company launched out of Versants Ridgeline Discovery Engine --

-- Cimeio developing Shielded-Cell & Immunotherapy Pairs aimed at revolutionizing cell therapeutics --

-- Applications in rare genetic diseases, hematologic malignancies and autoimmune disorders --

BASEL, Switzerland & BOSTON, April 13, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Versant Ventures announced the debut of Cimeio Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing a novel approach to cell therapies. Versant has made a $50 million Series A commitment to Cimeio, which is the most recent start-up to emerge from the firms Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel, Switzerland.

Cimeios platform has the potential to transform the treatment of patients with rare genetic diseases, hematologic malignancies and autoimmune disorders. The companys initial focus is on a novel approach to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants and adoptive cell therapy (ACT).

HSC transplants are the only curative treatments for certain debilitating and life-threatening diseases, but many patients are ineligible due to the intensive chemotherapy and radiation conditioning required. While targeted therapeutics have recently emerged as alternatives to harsh conditioning agents, these have fallen short due to the absence of sufficiently selective targets. Furthermore, there are few options for salvaging unsuccessful transplants or for dealing with residual or recurring disease.

Cimeio seeks to transform HSC transplant and ACT eligibility and outcomes with its cell-shielding technology and precisely paired immunotherapies. The companys proprietary immunotherapies deplete diseased cells, while its cell-shielding technology protects healthy transplanted cells and allows them to engraft. Because the transplanted cells are shielded, the immunotherapy can continue to be safely administered post-transplant to boost engraftment or to treat minimal residual disease.

"Our Shielded-Cell & Immunotherapy Pairs represent a fundamentally new approach to cellular therapy," said Cimeio CEO Thomas Fuchs. "We believe our technology platform has the potential to significantly improve HSC transplant, and will one day allow it to be given as an outpatient procedure in some circumstances."

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"Making cell therapies effective and practical for large numbers of patients is an important element of Versants company creation activities, and we are confident that Cimeio is well-positioned to use its powerful platform to generate a pipeline of cellular and paired immunotherapy candidates for a range of diseases," added Alex Mayweg, Ph.D., Managing Director at Versant and a Cimeio board member.

Cimeio Technology Platform

Cimeios shielding technology was discovered and developed in the labs of founder Lukas Jeker, M.D., Ph.D., Professor at the Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Head of Experimental Transplantation Immunology & Nephrology at the Basel University Hospital, and Senior Vice President of Gene Editing at Cimeio.

"We were able to specifically edit a cell surface receptor in a way that completely prevented antibody binding while keeping the receptor functional. This type of epitope editing could allow the shielding of any cell surface receptor, which gives our technology much broader application than removing a target entirely," said Dr. Jeker.

Cimeio uses gene editing tools to insert novel protein variants into HSCs or other types of cells, allowing the cells to maintain their function while making them resistant to depletion by the paired immunotherapy. Cimeios platform has effectively shielded cells from depletion mediated by antibodies, T-cell engagers, ADCs, and CAR-T cells in preclinical studies. The company is advancing its first programs towards clinical development in 2023.

Leadership and Operating Plans

Cimeio has built a leadership team of disease area and cell therapy veterans, and has assembled a scientific advisory board of gene editing and HSC transplant experts.

Management

Thomas Fuchs, CEO. Mr. Fuchs joined Cimeio from Genentech/Roche where he led its Hematology Franchise and was responsible for the portfolio strategy and life cycle management for the disease area.

Stefanie Urlinger, Ph.D., SVP Biology. Dr. Urlinger is a protein engineering expert who has led the discovery of dozens of antibodies during her time at Morphosys and iOmx, and works closely with academic founder Dr. Jeker.

Lukas Jeker, M.D., Ph.D., SVP Gene Editing. Dr. Jeker is a world leader in the field of applied genome editing and Professor of Experimental Transplantation Immunology & Nephrology at the University of Basel. Earlier in his career he conducted research in the lab of Jeff Bluestone at the University of California San Francisco as a post-doc and later an Assistant Adjunct Professor.

Daniel Stark, Ph.D., Chief Manufacturing Officer. Dr. Stark formerly was head of Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) at Novartis Cell & Gene Therapies, where he oversaw CMC for Kymriah and Novartis pipeline of cellular therapies.

Thomas Winkler, M.D., CMO. Dr. Winkler is a physician-scientist who spent 11 years conducting basic and clinical research related to various benign and malignant hematological diseases, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD, and later led early stage and pivotal studies at Agios and AstraZeneca.

Tristan Imbert, CFO. Mr. Imbert previously was Senior Vice President and CFO of Novartis Gene Therapies, where he oversaw the scale up and commercialization of Zolgensma.

SAB

Chairman Fyodor Urnov, Ph.D., is Scientific Director at the Innovative Genomics Institute and Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Urnovs research is focused on development and advancement to the clinic of novel approaches to treat human disease using CRISPR-based genome and epigenome editing.

Jeff Bluestone, Ph.D., President and CEO of Sonoma BioTherapeutics. Dr. Bluestone is one of the leading immunologists in the field of T cell activation and immune tolerance research that has led to the development of multiple immunotherapies.

Toni Cathomen, Ph.D., Director at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy and a Professor at the University of Freiburg. Dr. Cathomens research is focused on improving CRISPR-Cas platforms for therapeutic applications in human stem cells.

Corey Cutler, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cutlers research is focused on developing novel methods of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis and therapy, transplant for the myelodysplastic syndromes, and decision theory in stem cell transplantation.

Suneet Agarwal, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Program Leader for the Stem Cell Transplant Center at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School. Dr. Agarwals research is focused on developing innovative therapies using novel medications or a patient's own cells to treat genetic blood disorders.

Cimeio is located in Boston, MA, and Basel, Switzerland, and is rapidly expanding its research and CMC teams to advance its three lead programs and expand its portfolio. Cimeio also has active research collaborations with Dr. Jekers lab, with Matt Porteus, M.D., Ph.D., at Stanford University, and with Dr. Cathomens research group.

About Cimeio Therapeutics

Cimeio Therapeutics is an applied gene editing, cellular, and immunotherapy company developing a portfolio of Shielded-Cell & Immunotherapy Pairs for patients with debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Cimeios proprietary technology platform is based on the discovery of novel protein variants, which when inserted into cells allow them to preserve function while resisting depletion by a precisely paired immunotherapy. This technology has significant therapeutic potential, which Cimeio is using to develop curative treatments for patients with genetic diseases, hematologic malignancies, and severe autoimmune disorders. For more information, please visit www.cimeio.com.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005034/en/

Contacts

Steve Edelson

sedelson@versantventures.com

415-801-8088
Much warmer than average temperatures will dominate Fredericksburgs midweek weather.

A warm front is perched across northern Maryland this Wednesday morning, opening the door for gusty southwest winds to push very warm air into the Fredericksburg area. After morning lows in the mid-50s temperatures this afternoon will soar into the mid-80s, the warmest readings of the year so far. Skies will be only partly sunny as this mornings high clouds give way to lower and thicker coverage by sunset.

Tonight those gusty southwest winds will continue, lasting through much of Thursday. A cold front will then approach the region tomorrow, passing through the Fredericksburg vicinity during mid-afternoon. That boundary will interact with the available warmth and moisture to bring showers and storms into the area. High temperatures Thursday will top out around 80 degrees under mostly cloudy skies before the cold front arrives.

This cold front is part of the system that spawned a severe weather outbreak across the Plains and Midwestern states during the first half of the week. However, the bulk of that systems energy will miss the Fredericksburg area, so only a limited potential for severe weather is expected here. Per the graphic the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Marginal Risklevel 1 of 5for severe storms on Thursday across Virginia.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms could develop along the cold front, with damaging straight line winds being the main threat along with the always dangerous lightning. Western Stafford and Spotsylvania County residents should keep an eye on the sky anytime after 2 p.m. Thursday, with slightly later arrival times for folks along and east of I-95. Showers and storms will move completely out of the area by midnight.

Friday then looks calm and sunny with afternoon highs in the low 70s, with the upcoming weekend weather also appearing decent. Fridays Weather Blog will take a look at those details. Meanwhile, keep those warning sources close at hand on Thursday, and take shelter if a severe warning is issued for your locale.
Are we a campaign finance reform backwater?

Virginias venerable General Assembly has mostly wrapped up. And though our legislature has served the commonwealth well over its more than 400-year history, our current campaign finance laws are missing in action.

Everyday Virginians across all political perspectives want reform, and they said so in a 2021 poll commissioned by nonpartisan groups the VA Chapter of American Promise and Virginia Our Way.

Conducted by the renowned Wason Center at Christopher Newport University, the polling shows that this is an area of bipartisan agreement. Nearly 80% of Virginians agree that we need to reduce the influence of large donors; 88% want full disclosure of donors.

After the most expensive election in Virginias history, 2022 should have been the year for reasonable, bipartisan reforms. But of the 24 campaign finance bills introduced this session, only four remain viable.

These four bills support better monitoring of campaign funds, some improvement in disclosure requirements and the continuation of a legislative study committee.

Are we a backwater? The answer is a resounding yes. Virginia is a statistical outlier on good governance legislation. And thanks to the House Privileges and Elections committee, the 2022 General Assembly continued that trend.

This House panel killed 13 common-sense campaign finance bills this session, including a popular bill, introduced six years in a row, which would have banned personal use of campaign finance donations. This bill passed the Senate and was killed in the panel on a party-line vote.

Lets be clear; our legislators, are complicit in the demise of key campaign finance bills, like the status quo. Unlike other states, here politicians have unrestricted access to campaign funds and no limitations on how they can use them.

Joshua Cole

Stafford
UK-based Medovate, a dynamic medical device development firm, has reached a deal with Aksia Healthcare to distribute its Safira (Safer Injection for Regional Anaesthesia) product range in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain.

Safira is a revolutionary Class II medical device system which is transforming regional anaesthesia around the world by making it a one-person procedure and incorporating a built-in safety system to automatically limit injection pressure.

Following regulatory approvals, Safira will become available through Aksia Healthcare in these three key Middle East markets.

Award-winning system

Developed in collaboration with clinicians from the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, the award-winning system puts full control of the injection in the hands of the anaesthesiologist, freeing up the previously required assistant to carry out other tasks. The system also helps to improve patient safety by reducing the risk of nerve damage as it automatically limits injection pressure to less than 20psi.

Speaking about their partnership with Aksia Healthcare Chris Rogers, Sales and Marketing Director, at Medovate, said: This agreement will allow patients and clinicians in both governmental and private facilities to benefit from the value that Safira brings to safer regional anaesthesia.

Ahmed Sallam, Managing Director of Aksia Healthcare, added: There is a real need for a system like this, not only to help improve patient safety but also to have a huge impact on the way regional anaesthesia is carried out by anaesthesiologists.

Demonstrated live

Safira was demonstrated live at Arab Health 2022 by one of its inventors, Dr Emad Fawzy, a Consultant Anaesthesiologist, at the flagship Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Fawzy added: I am delighted that this pioneering UK-developed medical system will soon be available to use across more Middle East states. The system has already been used by clinicians across the world and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are expecting a large demand for it from Middle Eastern clinicians as it has a huge impact on patient safety.

Safira has the potential to make a significant impact by making injection during regional anaesthesia safer, reducing the risk of nerve injury from injection at high pressures. It won the UK HSJ Patient Safety Innovation of the Year award in 2021.

Recent publications

Recent publications, including a joint statement by the American Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Management (ASRA) and the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA), have recommended regional anaesthesia be considered whenever surgery is planned for a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patient. This is because it preserves respiratory function and avoids aerosolisation and the potential for transmission of Covid-19 compared to general anaesthesia.

As demand for such procedures continues to grow steadily, Safira has the potential to make a significant impact, including in the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia in 2020 there were just under 3,500 practising anaesthesiologists and research conducted in 2012 showed 88% of anaesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia were practising regional anaesthesia on a daily basis. The global ultrasound guided regional anesthesia market is growing and is forecast to register a CAGR of 5.8% through to 2028.

-- TradeArabia News Service
Years ago, Lindy Hoyer taught swimming lessons at a YMCA in Lincoln.

But Hoyers career path would take her  not necessarily to water  but to the field of childrens museums.

There, shed hone leadership skills that have brought her to the Fremont Family YMCA, where shes begun serving at its new chief executive officer.

Hoyer graciously responded to the Fremont Tribunes Question and Answer request.

And in true grandmotherly form, Hoyer provided her answers with a toddler granddaughter in her lap.

Q. Are you from Fremont, originally? What is your educational background?

A. I grew up in Eagle, Nebraska, and attended Eagle Elementary and Waverly Junior/Senior High School.

From there, I attended Doane College (now University) and earned a bachelors degree in theater and English.

I have lived in Omaha and Lincoln, working for the childrens museums in both cities since graduation from Doane.

After living and working in Omaha for the past 20-plus years and after retiring from my career as the director of Omaha Childrens Museum, I began to explore options for the next chapter of my life and career.

I knew in my heart that I wished to return to my small community roots, and as a lifelong Nebraska native, I felt pretty confident that remaining in my home state was important to me.

Q. What brings you here?

A. When I saw that the Fremont Family YMCA was looking for its next CEO, I felt this was a great opportunity for me to fulfill my goals for the next chapter of my life and career.

I see Fremont as the perfect community in which to live, work, play and worship. I love the way YMCAs across the nation serve the communities they are in and am particularly intrigued in the manner in which the Fremont Family YMCA benefits from a generous and active community.

Q. Tell us about your immediate family.

A. I am the mother of Marc Hoyer, who is finishing his freshman year at Doane University. He is majoring in music education and is a student athlete on the dance team.

In addition to Marc, I have helped raise four stepdaughters, two of whom live in the Omaha area, one in Oklahoma and the other in Texas.

I am proud Grammy Lin to my 15-month-old granddaughter, Charlotte (Charlie) Piskorski.

Family is very important to me, and I am pleased that my two sisters and their families all live within an hour drive of me and my brother and his family live in north central Nebraska. It makes gathering for traditional holidays and those we make up just so we can gather much easier for all.

Q. Do you have a history with the YMCA?

A. My early work history included teaching swim lessons at the Northeast YMCA in Lincoln after graduating college and before starting my career in the field of childrens museums.

Q. What is your work

history?

I took my first role at Omaha Childrens Museum as an administrative assistant, not knowing then what a perfect career launch that would be.

At the time I joined the Omaha Childrens Museum, the field was just blossoming and there were a handful of childrens museums around the country.

Over the years, the field grew and I grew along with it.

My roles in the two childrens museums I worked at in Nebraska included volunteer management, guest services, program planning and delivery, exhibit design and installation, marketing, PR, fundraising and community relations.

One might say I grew up in the childrens museum field.

The past 20 years were spent at Omaha Childrens Museum as the executive director and growing the organization while honing leadership skills that have prepared me to embrace this new opportunity at Fremont Family YMCA.

Q. What are you looking forward to in this position?

A. What I most look forward to in the role of CEO of Fremont Family YMCA is getting to know the people who make it special.

Q. What would you like the community to know about what the YMCA is up to?

The Fremont Family YMCA is known for being the largest Y facility in the nation, and that is quite impressive.

However, the Y is so much more than a building and it is the people who are the Fremont Family YMCA.

Joining the team and getting to know the staff, working with the committed individuals serving on the board of directors and meeting those in the community who take pride in what has been built to serve the youth and families of Fremontthese are just a few of the things that make this a special opportunity for someone like me.

Q. Anything else you would like to share with the community?

A. It is my intent to continue the tradition of being the community focused, youth-centered and family friendly YMCA that the community has supported and relied upon for many years.

I hope to hear from those in the community about how the Y can best serve you now and into the future.

And mostly, I look forward to joining the community of Fremont as a citizen and contributing member of the fabric that makes Fremont and great place to live, work, play and worship.

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Its 965 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska to the border town of Del Rio, Texas. But that doesnt mean our nations border crisis isnt felt a thousand miles away. The Biden-Harris Administrations failure to secure our broken southern border has caused a host of issues. Its weakened our national security and overwhelmed our court system. Its strained our economy. Most devastating, however, is the human cost its imposed. Our failure to secure the southern border has enabled sophisticated drug trafficking to run rampant. These deadly drugs are killing Nebraskans, leaving a wake of devastation throughout our communities.

On April 6th, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued a letter to all local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to warn them of the uptick in mass-overdose events across the United States. Omaha, Nebraska was one of the seven mass-overdose events in January through March 2022 that caused alarm. In February, four Nebraskans overdosed at the same apartment complex after ingesting cocaine that they did not know was mixed with fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Drug cartels in Mexico are mixing it into common street drugs to make them cheaper, more addictive, and more powerful.

Its also making them far more deadly.

Taryn Lee Griffith was just 24 years old when she died of an overdose last December. She took a prescription pill while out with friends, not knowing it was a counterfeit that had been made with fentanyl. Once you met Taryn, youd never forget her. She had a personality that drew peoples attention the moment she walked into a room, and a big heart for others, her father Mike said when describing his daughter. She took what she thought was a Percocet while out with friends. She didnt know it was a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl. It cost a wonderful young woman her life and two girls their mother.

Taryns youngest daughter was just six months old when her mother died. She and her five-year-old half-sister will have to get to know Taryn through photos and stories told by family and friends. Illicit drugs rob children of their parents and parents of their children. They rob communities of friends, coworkers, and neighbors. And fentanyl is now a hidden ingredient in these drugs. The DEA is warning all law enforcement to treat every street drug they encounter as if it has fentanyl in it, because it likely does.

Mexican cartels have taken advantage of weak border enforcement to surge the flow of fentanyl in the U.S. In January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a 1,066% increase in the amount of fentanyl confiscated in South Texas in the 2021 fiscal year. Weve seen a staggering increase here in Nebraska as well. Last year, Omaha DEA seized 26 kilograms of fentanyl. Thats more than ten times the amount seized in 2020, and its the equivalent of 13 million lethal doses.

The problem is only getting worse. As of late March, Omaha DEA had already taken over 100,000 fentanyl pills off Nebraskas streets this year. Thats more in under three months than Omaha DEA seized in all of 2021. In just one day, troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol found 25,000 fentanyl pills after stopping a vehicle for speeding on I-80 near Lexington.

The influx of fentanyl isnt limited to our biggest cities. In Phelps County, law enforcement found fake prescription pills that tested positive for fentanyl while investigating two deaths earlier this year. This prompted Phelps County agencies to issue a public safety alert last month to warn residents about the drug. The Nebraska State Patrol and Holdrege Police Department are conducting an investigation to track down the drug supplier.

From 2014 to 2019, most fentanyl entered the U.S. by international mail directly from China. Now, its being shipped from China to Mexico, manufactured into pills at illegal labs, and then smuggled across the border. With border agents and local law enforcement overwhelmed by the surge of illegal immigration, its easier than ever for cartels to bring fentanyl into the U.S.

The failed policies of the Biden-Harris Administration have exacerbated our countrys drug problem and caused a humanitarian crisis on the border. Instead of tightening border security, the President is making it even easier to enter the country illegally by getting rid of Title 42. The Biden Administration has announced its intention to end the policy on May 23rd.

Title 42 has been in place since March 2020. To protect public health, it authorizes border agents to deport illegal immigrants as soon as theyre taken into custody. Through February 2022, over 1.7 million illegal immigrants have been removed under Title 42. Most Title 42 expulsions involve single adults, the most likely demographic to smuggle drugs into the country.

Ending Title 42 incentivizes illegal immigration by decreasing the likelihood of deportation. As more people attempt to cross the border illegally, there will be additional strain on our federal, state, and local law enforcement along the border. These agencies are already stretched thin. Adding to their workload will further diminish their capacity to stop drug trafficking and will create conditions where drug cartels can thrive.

I urge the Biden Administration to reconsider its decision to terminate Title 42. We should not end the policy without first addressing how to stem the tide of illegal immigration thats likely to follow suit. If the President fails to do so, our fentanyl epidemic will only get worse.

If you have questions about this topic, or any other issue, please email pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2244.

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Reporter

Stephanie Earls is a news reporter and columnist at The Gazette. Before moving to Colorado Springs in 2012, she worked for newspapers in upstate NY, WA, OR and at her hometown weekly in Berkeley Springs, WV, where she got her start in journalism.
Workers try to separate the first group of bison in holding pens before being loaded onto trailers during an event to recognize the donation of Denver Mountain Park bison to the Northern Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, as well as to the TallBull Memorial Council on Monday, March 21, 2022, at Genesee Park in Golden, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Denver Gazette)
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, has said a team from UAE University has won the fourth edition of Al Robot.

AI Robot is EGAs annual competition that challenges students from UAE universities and higher education institutions to design and build industrial robots for use at EGAs aluminium smelters.

The winning team members from UAE University were Nasmah Baalfaqih, Aamna Ali Alshehhi, Rashfa Baalfaqih, Huda Al Khawaja, Lobna Shaikhoun and Muthanna Aziz, supervised by Dr Waleed Ahmed. Their prototype, powered by solar energy, will be further developed for long-term use within EGAs operations.

Applying academic learning

The Al Robot competition enables young engineers to practice applying their academic learning in the real world, including Industry 4.0 skills that are set to be vital to the UAEs industrial future and for the country to achieve the goals of Operation 300bn.

EGAs Chief Executive Officer, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, said: I congratulate the team from UAE University on winning this years edition of our Al Robot competition. At EGA, our aim is to be the technology pathfinder for our global industry over the decades ahead. We are just one industrial company amongst many in the UAE that must use innovation and technology to drive global competitiveness.

We need the best young science, technology, engineering and mathematics minds to pursue careers in industry if we are to grow our national industrial sector for the benefit of everyone. I hope this competition has helped inspire these young people to consider what they can contribute.

Cleaning silt and mud

In this years competition, student teams were challenged to develop a robotic machine capable of cleaning silt and mud from the aeration basin at EGAs Al Taweelah site. Aeration increases the amount of oxygen in the water, safeguarding the marine environment.

The judging panel consisted of EGA engineers and technologists.

Three finalist teams  the first-place winners from UAE University, as well as teams from Abu Dhabi University who came second and third - developed prototypes for trial on-site at EGA. The finalist teams won cash prizes worth AED100,000 ($27,226) in total.

EGAs technology development team works extensively with universities in both the UAE and internationally, to combine the latest academic thinking with the companys industrial expertise.

Academic partnerships

EGAs academic partnerships include Khalifa University, the American University of Sharjah, Rochester Institute of Technology and Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE, and the University of Auckland, University of New South Wales, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

EGA also engages with students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through its Ambassador Programme, which sees young UAE National engineers discussing with students the practical application of their studies in industry.

The objective of the programme is to encourage young people to continue their interest after graduating and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, all critical fields for the development of the UAEs industrial economy.-- TradeArabia News Service
Fighting through tears, Jessica Chavez recounted before a panel of Colorado lawmakers how her daughter, Yesenia, fatally overdosed in July after taking a fentanyl pill she thought was Percocet.

Before her death, Yesi, as her friends called her, had texted her family's pastor, Chavez told lawmakers. The 21-year-old told him that she wanted "to do more for God." The pastor told her to come by the church on Saturday, just a few days away.

Yesi died that Thursday. Three months before, her boyfriend had fatally overdosed in his childhood bedroom.

"That was the last text," Chavez said. "That Saturday never came for her."

Chavez was among several parents who testified before lawmakers Tuesday about losing their children to fentanyl. They joined an array of experts, law enforcement and health officials who took turns in offering strategies but often battling Tuesday over the legislature's response to surging fentanyl overdoses. The hours-long hearing revealed the deep policy disagreements among many on the front lines of the spiraling crisis.

The meeting was the first public discussion on the legislature's sweeping fentanyl legislation, House Bill 1326, which combines tightening of criminal penalties for distributing fentanyl with harm-reduction efforts. Though they broadly agree about the severity of the crisis and need for a robust response, officials on the public health and criminal justice sides repeatedly squared off over questions about the role of criminal penalties and incarceration in confronting the challenge.

The debate comes against a backdrop of surging fentanyl overdoses, both in Colorado and nationwide. Nearly 900 Coloradans fatally overdosed after ingesting fentanyl in 2021, a number that's quadrupled since 2019. Though Colorado's fatal overdose rate for synthetic drugs, of which fentanyl is the most prevalent, is below the national average, the state's rate has grown faster than nearly any other state since 2018.

Many in law enforcement  from Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen to Attorney General Phil Weiser  have maintained the proposed legislation doesn't go far enough and that it should make possession of any amount of pure fentanyl a felony. Currently, possessing 4 grams or fewer is a misdemeanor, a change the legislature made in 2019, when lawmakers passed a bipartisan measure to de-felonize some drug possession.

Harm reduction and health experts, including several physicians who spoke Tuesday, sharply criticized the tougher criminal penalties already in the bill, let alone efforts to toughen criminal sanctions.

Those diametrically opposed positions, expressed in press conferences and public statements since the bill was first unveiled last month, were on full display Tuesday.

Speaker Alec Garnett, the bill's co-sponsor, opened the hearing by urging the public not to lose sight of the bill's grand aim because of disagreements over when, how or to what degree low levels of possession should be a felony. But that disagreement overshadowed much of the hearing.

Three Denver physicians, all of whom work with people who use illicit substances, testified that no evidence exists indicating incarceration and mandatory treatment work to slow drug use and overdoses. They argued the public health measures in the bill, including more money for Naloxone and fentanyl test strips, don't outweigh the damage they said tougher penalties, if adopted, would do.

They argued the proposal would send more people to prison and lead to more fatal overdoses, not fewer.

Research has consistently shown that people with opioid-use disorders are 40 times more likely to fatally overdose shortly after leaving incarceration than the rest of the population. Others noted that people with felony convictions have a harder time securing employment and housing, stresses that further complicate efforts at sobriety.

"There's robust data to show these types of supply-side interventions do nothing to decrease drug use," said Sarah Axelrath, a physician who works with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. "Arresting people who are distributing and focusing on other supply side to substance-use disorders does not reduce drug use and does not stop new people from initiating drug use."

Josh Barocas of the CU Medical School said criminalization "doesn't work" and that "the best scientific evidence doesn't support it."

As he spoke, a man in the audience interrupted him.

"No one wants fentanyl, you f***ing idiot," the man shouted.

Lisa Raville, one of Colorado's most vocal and active harm reduction experts, said if treating drug use as a criminal justice matter worked, "we would've gotten this under control a long time ago." She advocated for safe-use sites  meaning places where users can take illicit substances under the watchful eye of providers  and a state-controlled supply of pharmaceutical-grade drugs, rather than the deadly supply of illicit fentanyl flooding the drug market.

But law enforcement and several district attorneys said that fentanyl is so strong  2 milligrams is considered a potentially lethal dose  that no amount is safe. Any state response, they argued, should match the severity of the crisis and confront the deadliness of the drug. They also said incarceration can be an impetus for users to get clean and begin the road to recovery.

Deputy Chief Adrian Vasquez of the Colorado Springs Police Department told the committee that any possession of fentanyl should be a felony, that there is no relatively safe amount of fentanyl and public policy should demonstrate its seriousness.

District attorneys from Adams, El Paso and Arapahoe counties, for example, asked for an amendment to make mandatory any sentence for someone who deals fentanyl resulting in death. The bill, as introduced, states that charge would not result in a mandatory minimum sentence.

George Brauchler, a former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, denied that a tougher charge for low-level possession is an attempt to "felonize" addicts. No one goes to prison for simple possession, he insisted. If lawmakers are concerned with whether jails would fill up with addicts, Brauchler suggested putting a sunset on the bill and reviewing its effects in two years.

Lets see if we fill up a single prison bed with one addict, he said.

In response to a question from Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat, district attorneys from Boulder and Mesa counties said they do not see criminal cases that involve pure fentanyl.

District Attorney Dan Rubinstein of Mesa County said pure fentanyl is so potent that its completely useless to have around and its only intended use is for mixing with other drugs. He also noted that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is unable to test the purity or level of fentanyl in a pill.

Weaved between the testimony of experts and advocates were those families and friends left behind by loved ones who'd fatally overdosed.

Me and my peers are scared and dont know what to do or who to turn to, said Bo Gribbon, a resident of Denver who said he has lost six friends to fentanyl. He advocated for harsher penalties, particularly for dealers.

Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, asked if education about whats in the drug would make a difference.

Yes, Gribbon said, before adding that most people know that what theyre taking contains fentanyl.

The drug is often pressed into pills that resemble legitimate oxycodone pills, and it's also increasingly being mixed into other drugs, from methamphetamine and heroin to cocaine, pills that resemble Xanax and even black market marijuana.
With more federal funding than ever before flowing into charitable housing programs from coronavirus pandemic relief money, community leaders expect a new cooperative effort to get more homeless people into stable housing to make a noticeable difference.

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, someplace to lay their head, to have a stove to cook a warm meal for their families, to nurture their children, Dominique Jackson, regional administrator for the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, said Tuesday in announcing the new program at City Hall.

Colorado Springs is one of the first communities in the state to answer the call to action of the House America initiative, she said at a news conference.

House America, a project of HUD and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, is pushing for leaders of municipalities, counties, states and tribal nations to use COVID impact dollars to adopt a "Housing First" approach to help the homeless.

The Housing First model of the National Alliance to End Homelessness quickly moves homeless people into permanent housing before addressing problems such as substance abuse, mental illness or employment, and not requiring sobriety, a job or a clean record.

Colorado Springs initiative has been named Homeless to House, said Steve Posey, the citys community development director.

The city, the Colorado Springs Housing Authority and the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care will work collaboratively to change lives, he said.

The agencies will determine how to spend $5.7 million in additional HOME grants from HUD, to fund key projects under the House America challenge.

HOME grants fund building, buying and rehabilitating affordable housing and provide direct rental assistance to low-income residents teetering on the edge of losing their residence.

Also, the local housing authority has 101 additional emergency housing vouchers that need to be fully utilized by September 2023, Posey said.

Nationwide, the government has issued 70,000 emergency housing vouchers and $5 billion in HUD HOME grants.

Posey expects that by mid-2024, 150 new permanent housing units will be online in Colorado Springs,

When combined with existing programs, including tax credits for affordable housing projects, the goal is that shelters no longer need to fill in as housing, Posey said. Were making it possible for everyone to choose a path from homelessness to home.

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said local service providers have significantly impacted housing and homelessness.

Affordable housing stock in the city has more than doubled in the past five years, he said, from 3,000 to 6,100 units, he said. And with about 750 emergency overnight shelter beds, there are enough sleeping quarters for anyone seeking such assistance, he said.

Suthers also cited early tallies of this years annual census of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people. While specifics wont be released for several weeks, Suthers said the number of unsheltered homeless has dropped significantly, indicating a decrease by as much as half in the population from what the community typically sees.

In recent years, 400 to 500 unsheltered homeless living on the streets have been counted, along with 1,400 to 1,500 sheltered homeless, who live in shelters, with relatives or other temporary settings.

The frame of a four-story, 50-unit supportive housing complex is rising near The Citadel mall. The Commons will accommodate about 120 people, from babies to elderly, said Beth Roalstad, executive director of Homeward Pikes Peak, which is building the project with Rocky Mountain Communities, a Denver-based nonprofit that will do property management.

Scheduled to open in December, the complex will provide one-, two- and three-bedroom units for homeless veterans, as well as families and singles chronically sleeping on the streets and in shelters.

Clients may enter in any condition, Roalstad said: "We're here to accept individuals into housing, not prevent them from getting housing."

Sixty-eight percent of chronically homeless people have mental health or substance abuse problems, she said.

The program will take referrals from the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care, a consortium of homeless agencies and others in the community working to end homelessness, and will accept people who have no income or insurance, people with criminal histories, those who have been evicted or have domestic violence issues.

They will receive case management, behavioral health counseling, treatment for substance abuse, health care, support groups, employment assistance, recreation and other services.

A second phase on the property will add 69 similar units.

The $18 million project broke ground last August and is scheduled to open in December, Roalstad said.
FILE  A woman pulls her bags past houses damaged during fighting in eastern Mariupol, Ukraine, Friday, April 8, 2022. Ukraine says it is investigating a claim that a poisonous substance was dropped on the besieged city of Mariupol. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday, April 12, 2022 it was possible that phosphorus munitions  which cause horrendous burns but are not classed as chemical weapons  had been used. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov, file)
Which will you serve at your festive Easter meal this year: ham or lamb? The holiday may start with dyed eggs, chocolate bunnies and a trip to church, but the centerpiece of the day is the meal that often features one of these two meats.

We talked to two experts about why this is and how best to enjoy both.

Lamb

I love Easter, because it gives us the opportunity to cook two of my favorite meats, lamb and ham, said David Cook, chef instructor and co-owner of Gather Food Studio & Spice Shop. Americans used to consume a lot of lamb. But according to the American Lamb Board, the average American only eats around a pound or less of lamb a year, compared to pork consumption at around 50 pounds a year.

Historically, lamb was the main course for Easter, which falls at the same time of year as the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates the liberation of Israelites and their exodus from Egypt.

The sacrificial lamb has always been an integral part of Passover, from a shank bone on the Seder plate to a roast on the dinner table, Cook said. Right around the time of World War II, lamb (was) raised for two things, wool and meat. But as the demand for wool was replaced by the use of synthetic fabrics, and rations for soldiers were primarily from mutton  an older, more mature lamb  the demand and taste for lamb in America started to diminish.

Cook especially loves to prepare roasted leg of lamb or a crowned rack for special occasions. For the leg, he suggests making small holes in it with a thin, sharp knife and then stuffing the holes with herbs and garlic cloves and slow-roasting it.

This is one of my favorite ways to cook a leg, he said. This gives the lamb even more internal flavor and makes for a delightful appearance when you slice it.

Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board, has her own ideas for cooking lamb.

Leg of lamb is the most traditional cut served at Easter celebrations. Both bone-in and boneless roasts are perfect for feeding a group, she said. I love to butterfly a boneless leg and have my husband grill it, so my ovens are freed up for sides.

She makes a simple marinade for the leg out of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs including mint.

Mint jelly used to be a traditional condiment to serve with lamb, and mint does go very well with the lamb flavor, she said. We like to modernize the pairing with fresh mint in marinades or serve a mint pesto with your holiday lamb to please all generations.

Cook also dresses up the mint jelly addition to lamb dishes.

A lot of people serve lamb with a side of mint jelly, but thats so old school, he said. For a beautiful color explosion, try a sauce like a roasted carrot beurre blanc, or pairing it with a freshly minced gremolata. The earthiness of the fresh herbs and the citrus zest will really enhance the natural flavors of lamb.

For smaller gatherings, Wortman goes with a rack of lamb.

Its another great choice for Easter and special occasions, especially if you have a smaller group, she said. One rack has eight chops that will serve four people and will cook quicker than a leg roast. Loin chops are super easy and great on the grill and the perfect 4-ounce serving. They are done in about 10 minutes.

For medium rare, the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees after the lamp rests 30 minutes covered with foil. Using a good meat thermometer, Wortman said, will ensure the lamb is cooked to your liking without having to poke or cut into the roast.

Ham

If pork is more your thing, you are not alone, Cook said. Hams are particularly popular for Easter dining.

He explained that before every house had a refrigerator, pigs were typically slaughtered in the fall. Meats had to be salted or sugared and curried to preserve them.

The pork would cure over the winter and be ready to cook in the spring, just in time for Easter, he said. Other types of hams we love to enjoy on Easter are smoked or even studded with whole spices, and then sauced with our favorite glaze.

Ham by far is probably the easiest entree to prepare. Because its been cured, smoked or baked its considered pre-cooked and ready to serve. You can doll it up with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries, topped with a brown sugar glaze and warmed. With spiral cut hams available, you dont even need to slice it.

Leftovers

Regardless of which meat you choose, make a lot so you can enjoy the tasty leftovers.

Ham sandwiches are gold, but you can also chop it up and add it to your favorite scalloped potatoes for a cheesy ham and potatoes youll never forget, Cook said. Or even switch out the chicken for ham in your next pot pie. My favorite is homemade ham and pineapple personal pizzas using naan bread.

For the leftover lamb, he continued, make gyros instead of buying them. Or chop up the lamb into bite-sized pieces and stew them in tomato sauce to put over pasta for a new spin on an easy weeknight ragu. You could also replace the beef with lamb and make a filling lamb stew.

If all this has made deciding between the two meats even more difficult, theres nothing stopping you from preparing both! Its doubtful that any of your guests will object.

Contact the writer: 636-0271.
A new office of judicial discipline  independent of the Colorado Supreme Court that currently presides over it  would be created under a sweeping Senate bill that includes a yearlong legislative inquiry into whether the process of investigating jurists has been effective or not.

Citing more than two years of jarring newspaper reports about allegations of covered-up judicial misconduct and other improprieties that resulted in several resignations and at least six investigations, bill sponsors said it was "important to establish a commission on judicial discipline that is independent from the judges and justices who are subject to the commissions oversight."

Senate Bill 22-201 would dissolve the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline that sits within the Judicial Department and create the new independent body with $400,000 in initial funding from the states general fund. Currently the commission is funded from attorney registration fees doled out by the Supreme Court.

The current discipline commission is made up of 10 people  four judges appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, two lawyers and four citizens appointed by the governor.

Although the bill doesnt take aim at the makeup of the new body, an investigative commission made up of four state senators and four state representatives will spend a year looking into whether that should change, especially whether the supreme court should continue to control which judges serve on it.

That legislative panel will also study more than a dozen other aspects of the commission and how it does its job  particularly whether the supreme court gets to decide whether a judge is disciplined or not. The commission currently only recommends discipline and gives that recommendation to the supreme court to decide any punishment.

Most judicial discipline is kept secret, although public sanctions can be issued.

The Judicial Department on Tuesday gave broad approval to the legislation, saying it was "crucial to the publics trust in our system of justice that there can be no question that the body charged with investigating allegations of impropriety of judicial officers in Colorado is independent of the judiciary," according to a statement.

The department also welcomed the legislative committee that will conduct the study, and that the results of the department's own investigations into the scandal will be "taken seriously" and "hopefully inform the work of the interim committee."

Bill sponsors Sen. Pete Lee, a Democrat, and Republican Sen. Bob Gardner, both from Colorado Springs, were part of a group of legislators and other state officials who last year drafted the requests for proposals from companies to investigate the cover-up allegations. The two companies selected began their work last fall.

At the root of the legislation are allegations the Judicial Department in 2019 gave a $2.5 million contract to a former department official who was being fired but threatened a tell-all sex-discrimination lawsuit that would offer details of judicial misbehavior that had gone unpunished for years. The contract was allegedly approved by then-Chief Justice Nathan "Ben" Coats. He and the other justices were aware of a memo that contained the allegations of misbehavior that was to be included in the threatened lawsuit, according to depositions from a different lawsuit.

"Today we introduced a bill to create a judicial discipline office in Colorado which is independent financially and functionally from the judicial branch," Lee said in a statement to The Denver Gazette. "An independent judiciary is foundational to a democratic republic and indispensable to maintaining public confidence in the judiciary."

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, who chairs the House judiciary committee. Lee chairs the Senates judiciary committee.

In January, members of the judicial discipline commission, a normally secretive group that rarely makes public appearances, spoke to legislators about troubles they were having investigating the alleged cover-up. Specifically, the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, which controls the commissions funding, would not pay for lawyers the commission hired to investigate.

The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel is controlled by the Supreme Court.

The commission members also said the high court was attempting to control how it did its job and what it could investigate, despite a state constitution that mandates its independence.

Although the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel also hired outside lawyers to investigate the circumstances around the contract and alleged cover-up, it would not share its findings with the commission. Additionally, the two companies hired by the Judicial Department to investigate are reporting directly to the department and not sharing any of the materials it gathers with any other investigator.

The bill also would require the three stages of review that a judge goes through  a nominating commission, a performance review commission for retention, and the disciplinary body  to share whatever information they have that would be pertinent to the work of the other.

Currently, a judge appearing before a performance review body for reelection could receive a sterling review because disciplinary information that is kept secret might not be shared with it. Or information about a judges alleged misconduct might come before the performance commission and not be shared with the disciplinary body.

Additionally, the bill would require the new disciplinary office to annually let legislators know the demographics of disciplined judges in an effort to combat any potential bias.

One of six investigations into the contract and alleged cover-up has already made recommendations for a criminal inquiry. The others are at various stages of completion and are expected to culminate sometime this summer.
Legislation to shorten Colorado's residency requirement for in-state college tuition passed a major hurdle Tuesday, receiving approval from the state House of Representatives.

If enacted, House Bill 1155 would make students eligible for in-state tuition if they have lived in the state for at least one year prior to enrollment  instead of the current three years. Students would also need to have graduated from a high school or completed a high school equivalency exam in Colorado.

Every Coloradan should have access to higher education opportunities that will set them up to thrive, said bill sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. By reducing the cost of higher education, well prepare more students for success and open the door for more high school graduates to access the education they need to secure better paying jobs and address our workforce shortage.

More than 200 additional students would be eligible for in-state tuition each year under the bill, according to state estimates.

This comes as Colorado's annual college enrollment has decreased each year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, falling by 5.2% from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to data from the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

The bipartisan-sponsored bill passed the House in a 41-19 vote Tuesday, with only Republicans voting in opposition.

Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, said she voted against the bill because it would also build off of the ASSET Bill passed in 2013, which allowed undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition. The new bill would remove ASSETs requirement that undocumented students be admitted to college within one year of graduating high school in order to receive in-state tuition.

Bill sponsor Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, urged his Republican colleagues to put aside their opinions on immigration to support the bill, saying it would bolster the states workforce to make sure local businesses can find and retain employees who already live in their communities.

We truly need this, Will said. Having a workforce in these mountain communities is critical and this really helps with serving our businesses.

Besides Will, only two Republicans voted in support of the bill Tuesday: Rep. Richard Holtorf of Akron and Rep. Janice Rich of Grand Junction.

Other Republican opponents argued that expanding in-state tuition could push the cost difference onto other Coloradans; however, the state estimates the bill would increase the number of students enrolled in higher education, actually increasing the amount of tuition revenue collected and spent by schools.
Its time, Fort Carson Garrison Commander Col. Nathan Nate Springer says, to retire from 23 years of service to the Army, put down roots in Colorado Springs and continue on a straight line to a different but familiar form of service.

Springer, 45, has accepted the position of president and CEO of Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, officials announced Wednesday.

Its the right job, he said in an interview. Ive focused on military families for years; now Ill just shift to focusing on families of southern Colorado.

You cant turn off service.

Springer will succeed the retiring Lynne Telford at Care and Share and will start his new role on July 25. He will leave the post as Fort Carsons chief commander on July 19.

Springer was among 30 candidates and five finalists, the organization said. He became the top choice because of his high service orientation to the community, said board chair Tim Sullivan.

We are confident that his leadership will continue to grow and enhance the mission of Care and Share to fight hunger in southern Colorado, Sullivan said.

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado is headquartered in Colorado Springs and distributes food to 273 charitable food pantries and other free meal programs in 31 counties, from Montezuma to Baca to Cheyenne to Gunnison counties.

Springer said he looks forward to fulfilling the organizations mission that no one in southern Colorado should go hungry.

Ive lived all over the world, from the Middle East to Africa to South Asia and the Pacific, and Ive seen food insecurity all over the world, he said. Its an honor to be able to serve the people of southern Colorado and fight hunger. Its such a noble cause.

Telford, who had led Care and Share for nearly 11 years, announced in January that she would retire this year after the board found her successor.

At age 67, Telford decided to exit this year because she believes the organization is strong and in good shape, and she wants to spend time with family and friends.

As prices at the grocery stores continue an upward climb, Springer said its going to become harder for people to buy food and for Care and Share to meet the needs.

No ones going to replace Lynne Telford  shes such a great leader in our community, he said. But what you can do is carry on the legacy she started and try to reach as many people as you can help.

Springer became garrison commander, similar to a mayor, at Fort Carson on July 8, 2020, and oversees the 4th Infantry Division's 1,500 civilian employees and 72,000 soldiers and families.

He also runs the social programs at the installation, such as housing, child care, spousal employment and food insecurity.

This is going to be a great transition, Springer said. "Its not much of leap.

To help him prepare for the career change, Springer said he plans to volunteer at Care and Share over the next few months, working in the distribution centers in Colorado Springs and Pueblo and getting to know the staff and volunteers.

Theyre the ones who make it run and are so important to the operation, he said. They all have a similar trait  they have big hearts and want to make a difference in the community. And they do.

Who couldnt get behind that?
The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has signed an agreement with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam for a period of five years aimed at ensuring improved training for seafarers, and recognition of certificates by both the parties.



As part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) MoU, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam will issue a Certificate of Recognition as an evidence of the acknowledgement for the national certificates issued by both the nations.



The agreement aims to establish measures to ensure that seafarers are educated with appropriate knowledge of the maritime legislation, and are given training about the maritime laws and regulations to ensure that they acquire the required capabilities for the functions they are permitted to perform.





Both the parties are required to ensure that the training and assessment of the seafarers as required under the STCW Convention is administered, supervised, and monitored in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Code.



The agreement allows both parties to request access to the output of the trainings and assessments carried out by each other, in order to ensure that both parties comply to the highest standards. Information about the certificates awarded to these seafarers at the end of their training will be recorded in registers, and will be made available for verification as required by the STCW Convention.



More importantly, both countries will ensure that the ones providing the training and doing the assessments are qualified in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Code for the type and level of training or assessment involved. Additionally, the agreement also permits both the parties to carry out periodic inspections of the training facilities and procedures employed by one another, in order to ensure that the training and assessments are taking place in line with high quality standards.



Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure said: The UAE has always been at the forefront of ensuring the progress of the global maritime sector, while also ensuring the welfare of our seafarers around the world. As a result of our collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, we look forward to providing better training to our seafarers, along with improved facilities, and more recognised certification for their nature of work.



As part of our agreement, we will be communicating with each other regarding our training and certification procedures, and will look forward to learning from one another, and also discuss better ways to enhance theoretical and practical knowledge of our seafarers.



Dr. Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II, Brunei Darussalam said: Seafarers are at the heart of the maritime industry and are essential to ensure the continuity of the global supply chain. As authorities overlooking all the matters that take place in the maritime sector, it is our responsibility to ensure that we work towards their wellbeing.



As agreed with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, in addition to recognising the national certificates for seafarers issued by either of the countries, we will also work towards strengthening the technical and administrative procedures involved in providing these certificates by regularly evaluating the quality standards these trainings and assessments meet. This will significantly upgrade the skills of our seafarers as they will receive higher quality of training, supported by much better training facilities and assessment criteria.



The UAE has always been at the forefront of supporting the seafarers community and has launched various initiatives that work towards their betterment. By launching the Supporting our Blue Army initiative, the nation has worked towards improving the quality of life for seafarers and protects their rights with ship owners and operating companies.



Through agreements such as the one with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam, the UAE aims to recognise and appreciate marine crews, and put them on an equal footing with priority categories.  TradeArabia News Service
Adnoc Logistics & Services (Adnoc L&S), the logistics arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), has signed a ship building contract for the construction of two 175,000-cu-m LNG vessels that will join its fleet in 2025.



The purchase, part of the company's broader growth and expansion strategy, further reinforces its position as the UAE's leading shipping and maritime operator, reported Emirates News Agency WAM.



The new LNG vessels will be crucial enablers of Adnoc's 2030 growth strategy, supporting its existing LNG business and its ambitions to grow its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production capacity. They will be built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in China.



In 2020, Adnoc L&S started a strategic growth programme to expand and diversify its shipping fleet and offer a broader service to its customers while supporting and enabling the growth of Adnoc's upstream production capacity and the expansion of its downstream and petrochemical operations.



Adnoc L&S has the largest and most diversified fleet of vessels within the Middle East. Its trading fleet transports crude oil, refined products, dry bulk, containerised cargo, LPG, and LNG to global markets through its owned chartered vessels.



Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of Adnoc L&S, said: "The expansion and modernisation of our LNG fleet will be a key enabler of Adnoc L&S' growth strategy. This acquisition helps future-proof our fleet with more sustainable, modern vessels capable of serving our customers for the next 25 years and deepens our partnership with Jiangnan Shipyard."



Lin Ou, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard, said: "We are extremely proud to continue our relationship with Adnoc L&S. This order for large LNG carriers is another milestone in the strategic portfolio of Jiangnan shipyard. We are committed to delivering these vessels on time, with good quality and ensuring the highest possible customer satisfaction.



The new-build LNG vessels are significantly larger than the current Adnoc L&S fleet of LNG vessels, which have a capacity of 137,000 cu m each. Each of the new build vessels will carry enough LNG to power 45,000 homes for a year. The acquisition of larger, more energy-efficient vessels will allow Adnoc L&S to meet growing customer demand while improving the environmental footprint of its fleet.



The new vessels' engine technology will slash emissions ( CO2, NOX and SOX ) and in combination with the innovative Air Lubrication System, further, reduce fuel consumption by at least 10 percent. These vessels will also feature partial reliquefication systems, which further reduce emissions and conserve the cargo.



Jiangnan Shipyard was previously commissioned by Adnoc L&S in 2020 to build five Very Large Gas Carriers for AW Shipping, ANDOC L&S' Joint Venture company with China's Wanhua Chemical Group.



Over the past 24 months, Adnoc L&S acquired 16 deep-sea vessels, including eight Very Large Crude Carriers in 2021, adding 16 million barrels of capacity, six product tankers, which expanded the product tanker fleet capacity to over 1 million metric tonnes, in addition to five Very Large Gas Carriers for AW Shipping.
Members of Colorados House Judiciary Committee begin debate on the fentanyl bill Tuesday. One principle should guide them: the desire to save lives.
Legislation to protect sex workers from violent crime is on its way to the governors desk after receiving approval from the lawmakers on Wednesday.

House Bill 1288 would allow sex workers to report violent crimes without fear of being arrested by granting victims and witnesses of violent crime immunity from prostitution-related charges when reporting to police. The bill was unanimously passed in the Senate and the House.

Sex workers are victims of crime almost every single day, said bill sponsor Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. Just because you do that kind of work, doesnt mean that you should not elevate your hand when you are experiencing sexual assault. It shouldnt be about your profession that you are chilled and silenced.

Supporters of the bill described sex workers as easy targets who are specifically chosen by criminals because they are less likely to go to the police.

Of adult sex workers, 82% have been physically assaulted, 83% have been threatened with a weapon, 68% have been violently raped and 84% were or are currently homeless, according to the Academic Journal of Womens Health.

In addition to receiving bipartisan support, the bill also has bipartisan sponsorship, with two Republican men and two Democratic women leading the legislation.

We feel this is a very, very important bill, said bill sponsor Sen. Jim Smallwood, R-Parker. When I was talking to members of my caucus, they were concerned about two items  immunity from what and for what witnessed offenses. This is very limited.

Under the bill, victims would receive immunity from prosecution-related charges when reporting crimes including human trafficking, stalking, kidnapping, assault and murder.

Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, led the drafting of the bill. Titone said she started working on the bill last year after her friend, Pasha Ripley, told her about when she was brutally beaten and raped by a client while Ripley was a sex worker.

The last thing he said as he walked out the door was, Who are you going to tell? What are you going to do? Because if I go to the police, its very likely that I would be arrested, Ripley said while testifying in support of the bill during a committee meeting.
The Colorado Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve Mitchell High Schools comprehensive plan for improving student outcomes, essentially giving the school a two-year reprieve from an accountability process that could have resulted in its closure.

Principal George Smith, Colorado Springs District 11 interim superintendent Nicholas Gledich and several district representatives attended an early action hearing before the board, during which they presented a case for an innovation pathways plan for the school.

If a school is rated in one of the bottom categories for more than five years, the state moves into direct action, which could include management by an outside agency, conversion to a charter school, or closure. A school can request an early action hearing before its five-year clock runs out.

Mitchell received a fourth consecutive priority improvement rating in 2019. The schools accountability clock was paused for 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, the district made a radical personnel move: Mitchell staff members were informed that they would be released from their work assignments at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Those who wished to remain at Mitchell had to reapply.

Smith assumed leadership at Mitchell  with a reconstituted staff  in the fall semester and began instituting changes aimed at establishing a culture of trust, in which students, teachers and staff developed high expectations of themselves and of each other.

The principal focused on what he called his five pillars of turnaround: culture change, quality instruction, talent development, improved leadership capacity and community involvement.

We have to restore trust, and we have to extend trust to one another, Smith told The Gazette in October.

The work has begun to pay dividends. A state review panel visited Mitchell in late September and observed early indicators of change, including improved morale and staff support of Smith. Additionally, about two-thirds of Mitchells seniors have applied for college  a sign that students can identify and realize their potential, Smith said.

At the Tuesday hearing, D-11 board president Parth Melpakam told the state board that Mitchell's midyear data looks really promising.

School and district leaders gave a presentation outlining the plan before fielding questions from state board members. The plan will allow Mitchell greater flexibility in hiring staff and allocating resources, officials said.

The board members said they were impressed with the progress Mitchell has made, as well as the staffs commitment to growth.

You got rid of barriers and excuses, said board member Joyce Rankin. If this isnt a recipe for success, I dont know what is.

Mitchell and district leaders will again appear before the state board after the 2024 school performance frameworks are released.
The searing pace of technological change in the global engineering, construction and infrastructure sector is increasing faster than ever before, with the potential for new disruptors entering the market.

The disruptors are driving changes to business models across the sector leading to many new challenges and opportunities for companies, says International engineering federation FIDIC.

FIDICs latest State of the World Report, Digital disruption and the evolution of the infrastructure sector, the sixth in the series of reports on the key infrastructure issues facing the world, explores the pace of technological change, highlighting that not only is the pace of change significant, but that new entrants to a dynamic digital market mean that many of the technology companies used today may not be those that the industry has to deal with in ten years time.

Role of technology

The report also discusses the role of technology as a potential disrupter to the engineering, construction and infrastructure sector and the potential for this to make companies and the sector as a whole change their business models as a result of shifts in technology, data and how customers and clients access and use information in the future.

The Digital disruption and the evolution of the infrastructure sector report makes a series of recommendations to help the sector embrace current and future technological challenges and engage proactively going forward. They are:

*Using FIDICs newly established Global Leadership Forum, research will be commissioned on providing a wider and more strategic view of what the infrastructure sector will look like over future years to consider the technology and data findings in this report.

*FIDIC will develop templates to assist its member associations and also engineering firms to develop structures to help them manage their social media and communications for both internal and external strategies.

*FIDIC has established a new Digital Transformation Committee to monitor and aid the sector in meeting the challenges of meeting the sustainable development goals and net zero in the light of the industrys ongoing and future technological and data developments.

*The new FIDIC Digital Transformation Committee will create a task group to deliver a digital version for all FIDIC contracts by working with industry partners and education establishments.

Crucial issue

Commenting on the launch of the report, FIDIC president Tony Barry said: This report deals with a crucial issue for our industry, that of digital transformation, which has the potential to influence significant changes to the way we work and do business. It asks the key question of whether our sector embraces data and technology to become one that provides a progressive set of solutions, with companies embracing technology and new ways of working or whether there are areas of the sector where disruptors are likely to take hold. These are key questions for our industry and I look forward to this report adding and augmenting the discussions we are all grappling with around these important issues.

FIDIC chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin said: Change in whatever form it takes will always happen and the highly evolving digital and technology sector means that this change is taking place at a faster pace than ever before. FIDIC is keen to ensure that as a global sector we facilitate open discussions on the key issues we face and take a proactive role in influencing how that change occurs to ensure we get the best outcomes for the wider infrastructure sectors, clients and end consumers while continuing to meet the significant challenge of meeting the sustainable development goals and net zero.

FIDIC will ensure that this latest report continues to form a growing bank of evidence and engagement with the widest set of stakeholders in the infrastructure sector on digital and technology issues to ensure that we can meet the significant challenges ahead of us.-- TradeArabia News Service
A person and an El Paso County Sheriff's Office K9 were shot and killed in Manitou Springs on Monday night after a suspect fired at officers, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Manitou Springs police officers and El Paso County sheriff's deputies responded to a business on the 900 block of Manitou Avenue to a report of a person menacing others with a firearm.

Shortly after arrival, officers were shot at by the suspect, according to CSPD. An El Paso County sheriff's K9, Jinx, was struck and killed.

At least one Manitou Springs police officer and at least one El Paso County sheriff's deputy returned fire, striking the suspect.

Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and the person died at the scene.

The involved officers and deputies have been placed on administrative leave. Per Colorado Revised Statute 16-2.5-301, the Colorado Springs Police Department is the lead investigative agency for this officer-involved shooting.

The last officer-involved shooting in Manitou Springs was in 2013, officials said.

A funeral procession was held in Colorado Springs on Tuesday morning for Jinx. It started at 5520 N. Nevada Ave., moved south on Nevada Avenue, turned west on East Vermijo Avenue and concluded at the Sheriff's Office.

Jinx joined the Sheriffs Office in March 2020 and was just over 3 years old.

"The El Paso County Sheriffs Office is heartbroken to announce that K9 Jinx was killed in the line of duty last night," the Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. "The loss of K9 Jinx cannot be put into words as his passing leaves a hole in our EPSO Family. Our thoughts go out to his handler, his family, and the EPSO K9 Unit. Good boy, Jinx. Rest easy."

As part of the effort to help the community "process the tragedies," Manitou Springs officials Tuesday morning announced a partnership with UCHealth to provide behavioral health support to residents at no cost Tuesday and Wednesday at City Hall.

The city also canceled its regular work session scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Megan Raser, 4, and Silas Raser, 20 months, play at a park inside the Promontory Pointe neighborhood in Monument while construction goes on nearby in 2014. The Monument Board of Trustees at its April 4 meeting approved an increase to the fee schedule for home builders.
U.S. intel: Russia and China look to militarize and dominate space
Kaspersky researchers have warned about the BlackCat ransomware group, which targets corporate environments in a new report A bad luck BlackCat.

The complexity of the malware being used, combined with the vast experience of the actors behind it, make the gang one of the major players in todays ransomware market.

The tools and techniques the group deploys during their attacks confirm the connection between BlackCat and other infamous ransomware groups, such as BlackMatter and REvil.

Rust programming language

The BlackCat ransomware gang is a threat actor that has been operating since at least December 2021. Unlike many ransomware actors, BlackCats malware is written in Rust programming language.

Thanks to Rusts advanced cross-compilation capabilities, BlackCat can target both Windows and Linux systems. In other words, BlackCat has introduced incremental advances and a shift in technologies used to address the challenges of ransomware development.

The actor claims to be a successor to notorious ransomware groups like BlackMatter and REvil. Telemetry suggests that at least some members of the new BlackCat group have direct links to BlackMatter, as they use tools and techniques that had previously been widely used by BlackMatter.

Two incidents

Kaspersky researchers shed some light on two cyber-incidents of particular interest. One demonstrates the risk presented by shared cloud hosting resources and the other demonstrates an agile approach to customised malware being re-used across BlackMatter and BlackCat activity.

The first case looks at an attack against a vulnerable ERP (enterprise resource planning) provider in the Middle East hosting multiple sites. The attackers simultaneously delivered two different executables to the same physical server, targeting two different organisations virtually hosted on there. Even though the gang misunderstood the infected server as two different physical systems, the attackers left tracks, which were important for determining BlackCats operating style.

Kaspersky researchers determined that the actor exploits the risk of shared assets across cloud resources. Additionally, in this case, the group also delivered a Mimikatz batch file along with executables and Nirsoft network password recovery utilities. A similar incident took place in 2019 when REvil, a predecessor to BlackMatter activity, appeared to penetrate a cloud service that supports a large number of dental offices in the US. It is most likely that BlackCat has also adopted some of these older tactics.

Oil, gas and mining firm

The second case involves an oil, gas, mining and construction company in South America and reveals the connection between BlackCat and BlackMatter ransomware activity.

Not only did the affiliate behind this ransomware attack, (which appears to be different from the one in the previously mentioned case), attempt to deliver BlackCat ransomware within the targeted network but it also preceded its delivery of the ransomware with the installation of a modified custom exfiltration utility, which people call Fendr.

This utility, which is also known as ExMatter, had previously been used exclusively as part of BlackMatters ransomware activity.

Unusual programming language

After the REvil and BlackMatter groups shut down their operations, it was only a matter of time before another ransomware group took over their niche. Knowledge of malware development, a new written-from-scratch sample in an unusual programming language and experience in maintaining infrastructure are turning the BlackCat group into a major player in the ransomware market.

By analysing these major incidents, we highlighted the main features, tools and techniques used by BlackCat while penetrating their victims networks. This knowledge helps us keep our users safe and protected from known and unknown threats. We urge the cybersecurity community to join forces and work together against new cybercriminal groups for a safer future, comments Dmitry Galov, security researcher at Kasperskys Global Research and Analysis Team.-- TradeArabia News Service
A former Martinsville physician has been cleared by the Virginia Board of Medicine and has filed suit against Sovah Health for wrongful termination.

Dr. James M. Isernia has been cleared by the Virginia Board of Health Professionals of a complaint filed against him by his former employer, Sovah Health, and last week filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeking an undetermined amount of money and punitive damages against Sovah and its various subsidiaries.

The Martinsville Bulletin obtained copies of the documents on file with the Danville division for the Western District of Virginia, where Isernia is demanding a trial by jury.

In December 2020, Sovah Health launched an internal audit into Isernias prescribing practices and claimed that improvements were not evident from earlier recommendations and that Isernia had failed to comply with the best practices and tenets of chronic opioid management per CDC, state-specific regulations, and practice-specific standards of practice, records show.

The audit claimed Isernia prescribed controlled substances 420 times in May 2020 and that he failed to use the electronic prescriptions for controlled substance functionality when doing so.

Based upon the information available for its review, the Board has determined that it will end its inquiry at this time, wrote Virginia Board of Medicine Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Deschenes, in a letter to Isernia dated March 2.

Should additional similar complaints be received in the future, the Board may again review the information in this case for evidence that pertains to a violation of the law or regulations relating to the healing arts, wrote Deschenes. The disposition taken in this matter is not a disciplinary action.

Isernias lawyer, Thomas Strelka, said by telephone Thursday afternoon, No punishment. License all good. The nonsense he was accused of has been dismissed.

Isernia was placed on administrative leave Dec. 21 and terminated Jan. 4 by Sovah Health, records show.

Since his wrongful termination, Dr. Isernia has been contacted by former patients who have indicated that under their current care regiments, and in contrast to their care under Dr. Isernia, they are receiving greater volumes of opioids including the additions of Benzodiazepines in some cases, the lawsuit states. This contrasts the moderate and reasonable calculated treatment as per the standard of care in Virginia, in which Dr. Isernia treated his patients prior to his wrongful termination and supports a finding that the fabricated complaint by Sovah was a mere pretext masking invidious retaliation.

Sovah at large is named specifically in the suit as Danville Regional Medical Center, LLC, HSCGP, LLC and John Doe Corporations whose true names are unknown, but are then defined as SOVAH, jointly and severally, later in the complaint.

Sovah named three people within its organization as having knowledge about the facts in its complaint of Isernia to the Department of Health Professions in Richmond dated April 5: Miyoski Whitlock, Carole McGovern and Alan Larson.

According to Sovah Healths website, Larson is the market president and CEO of Sovah Health-Danville, Miyoski is listed as the market employee relations manager and McGovern is the director of physician services in Martinsville.

The Bulletin contacted the offices of Larson, Miyoski and McGovern seeking comment and left voicemail messages, but received no return calls.

The Bulletin also reached out to Sovah Health marketing coordinator Hailey Fowlkes by email and phone for comment Thursday. She returned the email shortly after 3 p.m. and asked for the Bulletins deadline stating she needed to have some conversations internally, but the deadline passed and despite two more attempts by the Bulletin for comment, Fowlkes did not provide anything.

Isernias lawsuit against Sovah does not seek a specific amount of money, but asks for damages an injunction to restrain Sovah from repeating the action against Isernia, reinstatement to the same position or an equivalent position, compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other remuneration including interest, attorney fees and costs, back pay, front pay, actual damages, general damages, compensatory damages and punitive damages as the Court would deem appropriate.

Carolina Health Specialists of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has welcomed Isernia on their website as a new physician accepting new patients beginning June 1.

Holly Kozelsky also contributed to this report. Bill Wyatt is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at 276-638-8801, Ext. 2360. Follow him @billdwyatt.

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For the relative few paying attention, it seems impossible to keep up with the violence against Christians happening in Nigeria.

A priest is killed; people are kidnapped; its a place of unrelenting terror. Im glad we care to light buildings in the colors of the Ukrainian flag here in the United States, but Ukrainians are far from the only people suffering in the world today.

At St. Patricks Cathedral in New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan recently talked about the death of Christ and the Christians need to die to the world in order to follow Christ. If youre a Nigerian Christian attacked because of your faith, dying to the world can be literal, not just a metaphor.

Also in New York, Cardinal Dolan was present for the premiere of a documentary on Pope Francis recent visit to Iraq. The long-suffering Christians in that country are mostly forgotten  Americans often are surprised to learn that there are any Christians in Iraq at all. In the wake of terrorist genocide, the population of Iraqi Christians has nearly been decimated, between the deaths and the fleeing. But the Catholic Chaldean Church there rose to the occasion, building a university and hospital providing some hope of a future for Christians in that country.

The film was produced by Stephen Rasche, director of the Institute for Ancient and Threatened Christianity and author of The Disappearing People: The Tragic Fate of Christians in the Middle East. Rasche was one of the first people to go back into Iraqi churches that had been desecrated by the Islamic State terrorist group. The photos and videos he took on his phone ultimately became part of the documentary.

There was a moment where the United States was paying some attention to the persecution of Christians in Iraq. But even during the Trump administration, which talked so much about religious freedom, we could have been better to the Iraqi Christians whose future in Iraq remains uncertain.

The Francis in Iraq documentary, which will tour universities and other venues in the coming months, is a reminder that there is suffering in the world that does not make the news every day. The Christians in Iraq were overjoyed that Pope Francis took the time to visit them. At the time, the media was critical of the popes visit, both because of security and COVID-19. But he went, and as testimony in the film makes clear, it gave Iraq Christians courage. It was the encouragement they needed.

As for the Nigerians, the United States inexplicably recently removed its designation as a country of particular concern. Our government has explained some of the Fulani terrorist violence against Christians as somehow the result of a struggle for resources instead of an existential threat to a population. As Lela Gilbert, author of Saturday People, Sunday People: Israel through the Eyes of a Christian Sojourner, recently wrote: These explanations from diplomats ignore the anti-Christian nature of the violence, which is clearly indicated by the torching churches, kidnapping of infidel pastors and priests, and cries of Allahu Akbar that accompany massacres.

As we rally to pray and support the Ukrainians, try not to forget there is a lot of suffering to go around  people targeted because of their culture or religion. Remember them in prayer or other support. They show us how to live. Stripped of the distractions, the persecuted for their faith know whats most important: interior freedom, even under the threat of extermination.

Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolans pro-life commission in New York. Contact her at klopez@nationalreview.com.
DANVILLE, Va.  When Taylor Herndon glanced in her rearview mirror at her husband riding his motorcycle behind her vehicle on Franklin Turnpike on April 2, he looked so peaceful.

She was about 50 feet ahead of him.

But just 15 seconds later when she looked back at him again, tragedy struck, shattering that tranquility.

Something told me to look up, and we saw him on the ground, Taylor recalled Friday morning.

A car making a left turn into the parking lot at Shadowwood Mart pulled out in front of Taylors husband, 26-year-old Tyler Herndon. To avoid hitting the car, Tyler tilted his bike and laid it down to the right, rolling underneath the car. The vehicle drove over Tyler, but did not hit him, Taylor said.

Tyler went underneath the front of the car and somehow, the car did not run over him, she said. It did not touch him.

They and their three daughters had just left their 4-year-old daughters T-ball practice at Twin Springs Elementary School. They were heading to Old Dutch Supermarket at West Main Street to pick up some steaks.

The last thing we said to each other, we said, Goodbye, I love you, Taylor said. He said, See you there, and I said, Ill see you there.

The driver of the vehicle, a black, four-door 2012-16 Buick Verano with tinted windows, has not been found or identified, but authorities have located the vehicle. The vehicle entered the Shadowwood parking lot, left, and headed toward Piney Forest Road after the wreck, she said.

Since the incident, the Danville Police Department has been inundated with calls and tips about the wreck, said department spokesman Capt. Steve Richardson.

More than 100 calls and tips regarding the wreck and the vehicle have poured into the department, he said.

Were still working on determining how the accident happened, Richardson said, adding that the department is looking for witnesses.

So far, the department is viewing the case as a potential hit-and-run and traffic accident, he said.

The incident happened at 3:42 p.m. April 2, and Tyler Herndon was declared dead by doctors at 12:31 p.m. Tuesday, Taylor Herndon said, adding that she believes he died at the scene of the wreck.

Tyler, who Taylor described as selfless, was an organ donor, she said. In fact, the boyfriend of a woman who helped out at the wreck scene has already received one of Herndons kidneys, his wife said.

Tyler also was able to donate his heart, liver, pancreas and his other kidney, according to his family.

Taylors father, who also rode motorcycles, was in a bad motorcycle wreck before she was born, she recalled.

He would warn him [Tyler], Its the other person you have to look out for, Taylor said.

Immediately following the wreck, Taylor drove up next to her husband, dashed out of her car to him and started hitting his chest.

I just kept yelling at him, I just kept yelling, Tyler! Tyler!, she said.

The couple, who had been married since Feb. 1, 2019, met through mutual friends in October 2013, when she was 17 and Tyler was 18.

I was just starting my senior year of high school, she recalled. Some friends of mine and I needed a ride to a party.

Tyler came to pick them up in his Ford Ranger pick-up truck and he picked Taylor to ride in front with him, she said.

I clicked with him, Taylor said. We talked every day from then on.

They began dating the following November and would have three daughters together, Addyson, 5; Makenzie, 4; and Layla, 2.

Tyler dreamed of growing and dispensing medical and recreational cannabis, Taylor said.

He wanted to have his own medical marijuana dispensary, warehouse, brand, she said. He wanted to go big.

Taylor and her late husbands younger brother plan to make that dream happen.

I have to keep that going for him, she said.
GREENSBORO  The Middle College at N.C. A&T has a new name that honors the students who started the sit-in movement.

The Guilford County Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to rename the school the "A&T Four Middle College at North Carolina A&T State University."

The board, however, did not take a vote on a prior recommendation to rename the Middle College at Bennett for former county commissioner and civil rights leader Carolyn Coleman.

According to Wanda Edwards, the district's director of communications, the naming committee decided not to move forward with the proposal because the district is concerned that the school, which serves females, may not have enough students to open next year.

The school relies on students applying to attend rather than drawing from an attendance zone. According to Edwards, there has been declining enrollment during the last few years because the Bennett College campus was closed to in-person learning during much of the pandemic.

The district is waiting to see if enough students enroll before moving forward with renaming, according to Edwards.

The A&T Four  Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond  launched the sit-in movement in 1960 when the A&T students sat down at the segregated F.W. Woolworths lunch counter in downtown Greensboro.

The A&T Four Middle College is an all-male public high school located on A&T's campus. Students have the opportunity to take university classes at A&T and earn up to two years of college credit.

While the name change is effective now, it will not affect this year's diplomas or other official documents. The district will officially transition to the new name on July 1.

"I love the name change," said Trevor Rice, an A&T Four Middle College senior who came to the meeting on Tuesday.

Later in the meeting, Superintendent Sharon Contreras announced the federal waivers that had allowed this school district and others to provide free meals to students during the pandemic will soon expire.

Some schools in low-income areas will still be able to provide free meals to students through the Community Eligibility Provision which existed during the pandemic. At other schools, not all families have free lunch applications on file and many will need to apply and have their eligibility determined in order to continue to receive free meals throughout the next school year.

Contreras did not deliver her annual budget recommendations at the Tuesday meeting.

That is now planned for the board's meeting on April 26.

Contact Jessie Pounds at 336-373-7002 and follow @JessiePounds on Twitter.
WINSTON-SALEM  A former University of North Carolina School of the Arts faculty member is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in a child sex trafficking case related to his student.

In seeking prison time, prosecutors are citing interviews with four women who Stephen Shipps taught while a professor at the elite arts campus. The violinist sexually abused each of them while they were underage students, the women say.

Shipps, who worked at UNCSA from 1980 until the University of Michigan hired him in 1989, was a brazen abuser known for sexually assaulting students during lessons, the women told prosecutors. Anyone who studied or worked at the renowned conservatory during Shipps tenure wouldve known, according to a sentencing memo federal prosecutors filed Tuesday.

In a case concluding in Michigan, Shipps faces prison time after pleading guilty to one federal charge of transporting a underage student across state lines to engage in sexual relations.

Former UNCSA students told federal prosecutors that the school was just one step in Shipps decades-long stint of leveraging violin careers to prey on young musicians. One woman was 16 when she enrolled under Shipps. He had her babysit for his family, and eventually twisted their relationship into a sexual one, she said in court papers.

The girl worried that UNCSA would expel her if she spoke up, according to the memo.

Another woman was 17 when Shipps started touching and kissing her after rehearsals, according to the memo, and demanded that she touch him as well. It became a regular part of their lessons.

But when she stayed briefly at his home, Shipps invited her to his bed and tried to have sex with her, she told prosecutors. The girl refused, and stayed in her room at the house for the next 24 hours.

A third woman, who said she studied under Shipps at UNCSA and at his previous job, recalled him asking her for a kiss while driving her home. He escalated his advances and, when she was 15 or 16 years old, touched her and told her that it was tragic that they couldnt have sex, prosecutors allege in the memo. They were having sex by the time she turned 18, she said.

The fourth woman described both abuse and trafficking from Shipps.

She was 17 when the teacher invited her to stay with him over spring break and had sex with her, according to the memo.

At one point Shipps sent her to a Wisconsin colleague for supplemental lessons, she said. The other teacher plied her with alcohol, chased her around his house and raped her, according to the memo. He also stole her shoes and clothes so that she couldnt escape the home.

The woman told prosecutors that she believes Shipps coordinated the assault.

Prosecutors are asking the court to lock Shipps away for 68 months. As part of his plea agreement, Shipps conceded to a sentence between 57 and 71 months. Prosecutors petitioned for the higher end of that range because Shipps was in a position of power over his victim in the federal court case, and she was only 15 when he first made advances on her.

While federal authorities didnt arrest Stephen Shipps until 2020, the crimes for which they charged him date back to 2002, before Congress instituted a 10-year minimum prison sentence for federal child sex trafficking. So theres no legal minimum or maximum punishment.

And though Shipps claimed that he stopped abusing students after 2002, his attorney admitted in a memo that his client had a habit of molesting young violinists until then. He hasnt been charged in any other cases.

North Carolina law doesnt require UNCSA to preserve most decades-old staff records. The school said in 2018 that it had no surviving reports of allegations against Shipps.

Since then, records from a 1995 UNC System investigation uncovered by reporters revealed eight complaints against him, and three women accused him of sex abuse in a 2021 lawsuit.

UNCSA condemns the alleged actions by Stephen Shipps, school spokeswoman Katherine Johnson wrote in a Wednesday statement. The accounts described by our alumni are disturbing and run counter to the institutional values we hold.

One alumna, Stephanie Silverman, wrote a letter to the court about Shipps extraordinary, tenacious, decades-long track record of abuse asking them to sentence him to the longest prison term possible. His actions had herded her classmate into a serious eating disorder and pattern of self-harm, and made it impossible to play her once-beloved violin.

Shipps never abused Silverman but preyed on at least three of her classmates, she wrote, and nothing changed when she told adults about it.
RALEIGH  Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, has been removed from North Carolinas list of registered voters after documents showed he lived in Virginia and voted in that states 2021 election, officials said Wednesday.

Questions arose about Meadows last month after it was revealed by The New Yorker that he may have been registered to vote in two states. State Attorney General Josh Steins office asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into Meadows voter registration, which listed a home he never owned  and may never have visited  as his legal residence.

The revelation is shocking in the face of how Meadows has consistently insisted that the results of the 2020 presidential election were fraudulent. He frequently raised the prospect of voter fraud even before the 2020 presidential election, as polls showed Trump trailing Joe Biden, and in the months after Trumps loss, to suggest Biden was not the legitimate winner. In his 2021 memoir, he repeated the baseless claims that the election was stolen.

Public records indicated Meadows had been registered to vote in Virginia and North Carolina, where he listed a mobile home he did not own as his legal residence weeks before casting a 2020 presidential election ballot in the state.

Meadows listed a mobile home in Scaly Mountain  an unincorporated community in Macon County  as his physical address in September 2020 while he was serving as Trumps chief of staff in Washington. Meadows later cast an absentee ballot for the general election by mail.

The New Yorker spoke to the former owner of the Scaly Mountain property, who indicated that Meadows does not own the home and never has. The previous owner said Meadows wife rented the property for two months at some point within the past few years but only spent one or two nights there. Neighbors said Meadows was never present, The New Yorker reported.

The New Yorker story doesnt identify the former owners name, saying she requested that her name not be used.

In announcing his removal from the voter rolls, the Macon County Board of Elections said it had received no formal challenge and was referring the matter to the SBI, state officials said Wednesday.

Ashley Welch, Macon Countys district attorney, had asked the attorney generals office to handle any investigation into Meadows voter registration, recusing herself from the matter because Meadows contributed to her campaign and appeared in political ads endorsing her.
A gunman in a construction vest donned a gas mask, set off a smoke canister on a rush-hour subway train, and shot at least 10 people early this morning, said media reports, citing US authorities.

The shooter was at large after leaving wounded commuters bleeding on a Brooklyn platform while others ran screaming.

Five people were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least 16 in all were injured in some way in the attack that began at 08:30 on a train that pulled into the 36th Street station in the borough's Sunset Park neighborhood.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said that the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. FBI agents and members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force surveyed nearby businesses, interviewing witnesses and searching for surveillance footage.

Police helicopters hovered overhead for hours as authorities searched for the shooter, who has not been identified. The motive remains unknown.

Investigators recovered a firearm at the scene, along with multiple smoke devices and other items they are analysing, according to two law enforcement officials who were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
This month, President Joe Biden and the U.S. Senate made Supreme Court history. Now it may be the Western District of North Carolinas turn.

The 150-year-old federal court district, which stretches from east of Charlotte to the Tennessee and Virginia state lines, has never had a woman or a person of color serve as a trial judge. While other federal court districts in North Carolina and across the Southeast have added racial and gender diversity to their benches, the Western Districts judges have remained exclusively white and male dating back to 1872.

Biden now has an opportunity to change that.

In February, U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn of Asheville announced that he intends to move to senior status, which would allow him to carry a lighter case load and would create a vacancy on the Western District bench.

Cogburn, who was nominated by Barack Obama, apparently added a caveat to his announcement: The judge said he will give up his seat only if Bidens nominee  almost certainly a Democrat  is approved by the U.S. Senate. Otherwise he will remain in his job, according to several people familiar with Cogburns plans.

The choice of Cogburns replacement also could prove historic. The country is divided into 94 federal court districts. The Western District of North Carolina is one of only four that has never had a woman or person of color serve as a trial judge. The others are Idaho, North Dakota and the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The 32 counties of the Western District are home to more than three million people, including the large and diverse urban areas of Charlotte, Asheville, Gastonia and Monroe. Veteran lawyers who practice here say its time for the local federal bench to look more like the people it serves.

Lord yes, its important, said Charlotte attorney James Ferguson, for decades one of North Carolinas most prominent Black attorneys. Its one thing if we hadnt had any qualified candidates. But for many years, weve had many African-American lawyers, highly qualified, who have never even been thought about for such a position. Now at least, people are talking about them.

People, both black and white, realize how important it is to have all segments of our society represented on the federal bench. For the first time there is serious talk about submitting their names to the president.

Veteran Charlotte trial attorneys Claire Rauscher and Chris Fialko, both white, echoed the sentiment. Rauscher, former head of the districts Federal Public Defenders Office, called it highly significant for the federal bench to reflect the composition of the community.

Fialko said it would be healthy for the Western District to add a judge with a different perspective and life experience.

To be blunt, Im hoping the nominee is a minority who has not been a career prosecutor, he said.

Four of the five full-time Western District trial judges were either U.S. attorneys or spent part of their careers as federal prosecutors. They operate one of the staunchest law-and-order federal court districts in the country.

In fiscal 2019, the mean prison sentence there was 55% higher than the national figure, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The districts rate of pretrial detention was the fourth highest in the country.

In 2020, Western District judges ranked last in their rate of compassionate releases granted to inmates for COVID-19 or other reasons.

Biden, by many accounts, has submitted the most diverse list of judicial nominees in U.S. history, including the first Muslim-American judge, the first LGBTQ woman to serve on a federal appeals court and, of course, Ketanji Brown Jackson. In a break from the norm, about 30% of Bidens judicial nominees  including Jackson  have backgrounds as public defenders.

While a lower-profile appointment than some, the Western District has attracted an equally diverse list of candidates, according to people familiar with the process. They include Carla Archie, Mecklenburg Countys senior resident Superior Court judge, who is Black. Archie is believed by many to be the frontrunner for Cogburns seat.

Federal court appointments, which are lifetime and ostensibly nonpartisan, have given rise to some of the most bitter partisan political fights in the country.

Up to now, 59 of Bidens 83 judicial nominees have been approved by the U.S. Senate.

Both Houses of Congress are up for grabs in November. Should Republicans regain the Senate, Bidens choices for court seats face a far more uncertain path, adding urgency to the timing of his Western District choice. In the end, the states Democratic congressional delegation will send three names to the White House for consideration.

Many expect Democratic Congresswoman Alma Adams of Charlotte to play a major role in the selection of the nominee.

In an added complication, North Carolina has two Republican U.S. senators, Thom Tillis, who was reelected in 2020 to a six-year term, and Richard Burr, who will leave office at years end. As part of Washington tradition, the White House consults with a states senators before choosing a judicial nominee.

Tillis spokesman Adam Webb sounded a diplomatic tone on Tuesday.

Senator Tillis plans to work with Senator Burr and the White House to help select the best candidate to serve the people of the Western District of North Carolina, Webb said. He looks forward to this process and ensuring that the next District Court judge is nominated and confirmed in a timely manner.
ASHEBORO  Though reports of a highly contagious avian flu have slowed in the past week, the North Carolina Zoo is not yet ready to reopen its popular aviary, the parks chief veterinarian says.

Dr. Jb Minter, chief vet and director of animal health at the N.C. Zoological Park outside Asheboro, said he is monitoring alerts from the USDA about confirmations of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The alerts have slowed, he said, but its not yet safe to allow visitors back into the aviary, where they could inadvertently spread disease to the zoos collection.

The park closed the aviary in January after the USDA reported that testing had uncovered the avian flu in wild birds in North Carolina. It has since been confirmed in eight commercial flocks of turkeys and broiler chickens in the state  all in Wayne and Johnston counties. The most recent confirmation reported by the USDA was last week.

As long as the USDA remains on high alert, well remain on high alert, Minter said.

The R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary, named for the Winston-Salem tobacco company that originally funded it, was the zoos first permanent indoor exhibit when it opened in 1982. The glass-domed building is a tropical paradise thats home to about 100 birds of some three dozen species, along with more than 3,000 exotic plants including coffee trees and a 30-foot fig tree.

The building underwent a two-year, $850,000 overhaul that was completed in 2000 and is one of the most popular exhibits at the zoo.

It was closed when the avian flu surfaced several years ago, and again when it appeared this year because the virus is easily spread. Its transmitted primarily through bird feces. As birds migrate, so does the virus, turning up in flocks of wild ducks and geese, for instance, and then appearing in commercial and backyard flocks.

A visitor with traces of infected bird poop on their shoes could track it into a hen house  or the Forest Aviary  where it could spread through the avian population.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a mutation of a more common, less virile avian flu. While it doesnt pose a known health threat to humans, it can wipe out a flock of birds. When its found, the animals are destroyed to stop further spread.

If it got into the zoo, we dont even know what it would do in some of these species, Minter said.

And the state-owned park doesnt want to find out. Just as COVID-19 can be asymptomatic in some people who catch the virus, its possible this strain of bird flu could have essentially no impact on some birds and kill others.

Among the birds in the aviary are some geriatric specimens that might be more vulnerable to an illness, Minter said.

Weve got a couple of flamingos in their 40s, a wattled crane in its late 30s, he said.

It would be costly to replace the birds in the exhibit, if its even possible, Minter said. When the aviary opened, zoos were more able to procure exotic species from the wild than they are under current regulations. Moreover, he said, there are birds in the aviary that have lived there for one, two or three decades, and while theyre not pets, theyre part of the valued zoo family.

For now, Minter said, the aviary will continue to be open only to keepers, horticulturalists and maintenance crews. They will follow biosecurity protocols to make sure they dont contaminate the building. Those who enter the building cover their shoes or wear shoes that arent used anywhere else.

The zoo has a small collection of birds that live outside the confines of the aviary, including a red-tailed hawk and barred owl. For now, Minter said, the zoo has stopped ambassador programs that had keepers taking those birds out into the zoo where visitors can see them.

This has been a pandemic on top of a pandemic, Minter said.
Five of the eight candidates running for three seats on the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees outlined their goals in a forum in which they also discussed their thoughts on the role the school plays in the community, teaching race relations and policies encouraging self-awareness.

Mondays 90-minute forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area, YWCA Helena and Montana Women Vote. Jen Gursky, executive director of the Helena YWCA, served as moderator.

Those attending the online discussion, which was held via Zoom, included incumbents Siobhan Hathhorn and John McEwen. Also participating were Lois A. Fitzpatrick, Kalli Kind and Kay Satre.

Candidates Robert J. Durrant, Matt Gorecki and Greg L. Guthrie did not attend.

Election Day is May 3. This election is by mail-in ballot, which will be mailed April 18. Late registration is in-person-only from now until noon May 2 at the election office, Room 168 of the City-County Building, 316 N. Park Ave, 447-8339. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Library's YouTube channel and the local LWV website.

Fitzpatrick has lived in Helena since 1976 and said her two daughters have gone through the Helena school system, have master's degrees and are very successful. Three of her five grandchildren are in the school system.

She is a librarian and has been on the faculty of Carroll College for 34 years and is a professor emeritus. She has also been a lobbyist for the Montana Library Association.

As a school board trustee, Fitzpatrick said she wants to do an in-depth look at the budget and see where things may better be used.

I would like to make sure the children, faculty and staff are given the resources that they need to be able to teach completely in the school system, she said. I would like to see the joy continue with children learning 

Hathhorn said she was born in a small village in Alaska where her parents were teachers. She and her husband moved to Helena in 1989, where they raised their two daughters, who went through the Helena public school system. She worked in engineering firms for 12 years then switched careers and got into education.

She worked at some schools in the Helena school district and was principal for three years at at elementary school in Cascade. She is seeking a second term on the school board.

Hathhorn said her No. 1 priority is academic excellence.

What that means to me is that every child who enters our school system at any point has multiple opportunities to reach their highest potential, she said

Kind said she is a product of the Helena school district and graduated from Capital High School in 1992. Her two daughters will be fourth-generation products of the Helena school district.

She got an engineering degree in college and said she was facilities director for the district during the elementary school bond election, oversaw the $62 million bond and managed the construction and upgrades of schools. She said the projects were finished on time and under budget. She said in 5 1/2 years she worked under four superintendents, so she understands the inner workings of a school district. She believes that experience makes her an asset.

As a trustee she would concentrate on ensuring that every action the board takes remains focused on students, she said.

At the heart of it all is students, Kind said, adding it was important to look at ways to retain and recruit talented educators.

Its huge for me, she said.

McEwan said he was born and raised in Eastern Montana and has been on the board for one term.

He said he wants to continue to focus on the basic purpose of public education, which is to give students the tools to participate in "our economy" and culture and have the basics for a healthy lifestyle.

He said the district needs to establish priorities. He said some of the buildings need some work and there are one or two buildings the district maybe does not need.

And finally, it is important our workers have the resources to do their work, McEwan said. The fundamental function of management is to give employees the resources to do their jobs and I continually ask that question in each of the budget sessions that we have.

Satre said she graduated from Helena schools, as did her three children. She said she is a soon-to-be retired Carroll College professor, where she taught literature and writing for more than 30 years. She wants to apply her knowledge of education while serving on the board.

She said she is a big believer in public education because it gives children the chance to grow under the guidance of professional educators. Satre said she has a positive view of education in the Helena district and is eager to climb aboard.

Satre said the district needs to address public stresses such as student learning losses. She wants to see communication improve between leadership and parents. She also said a comprehensive facilities master plan process is underway. She said shifts in population are putting pressure on some district facilities. She said 60% of K-8 students live north of Custer Avenue but only three elementary schools are north of Custer. She said many of the buildings have been upgraded, but are still old.

These are big challenges, we have to tackle them, she said.

Candidates were asked their thoughts on school boards being asked by parents to remove some books from libraries.

Kind said nationwide she is seeing a lot of rush to judgment. She said the board needs to be good listeners and understand the concerns. She said it was important to not make a decision based on emotion.

McEwan said Helena has a robust policy regarding library materials and it contains a reference to national standards. He said there is a process outlined if a book is challenged. He said the policy provides for having a wide range of materials available to students that enhance basic curriculum.

Satre agreed the district does have a robust policy. She said books are resources and every effort should be made to provide all points of view. Policies do not arrive in a vacuum and are through layers of input and feedback, she said. She said the district should follow the process of the policy.

Fitzpatrick said as a librarian she has seen books be questioned. She said librarians are professionals and they do know what they are doing. She said you cant take one section of a book out, or one picture or one word. She said you have to take the book as a whole.

Hathhorn said the books are not just randomly placed in a library. She said they are vetted by a librarian who spent time making sure they are right for the children's maturity level and offer many points of view. She said parents have the right to request their child not have access to check out library material. She said the board is ultimately responsible for removing books.

The candidates were asked about teaching race relations in schools.

McEwan said he was not against teaching about race relations. He said he has reviewed the districts social studies curriculum and students are going to learn who we are, where we have been and how people have been treated.

I am not against solid learning about our culture and our government  he said. He said there have been no issues in Helena Public Schools in regard to curriculum.

Satre said she believes in teaching race relations as part of history and said district policy aligns with that. She said the policy reflects that race is an issue that has a place in the classroom.

But she said it should be age appropriate.

Fitzpatrick said she is not opposed to race history being taught in schools.

By knowing what has happened in the past, we can correct (the) present and future and that is how we have to do it, she said.

She said it is not just related to history and social sciences, but literature should also be included.

Hathhorn said the state has adopted common core standards and the district comes up with curriculum to meet those standards. Teachers are doing what is guided by upper level professionals.

In these times it is super important to have a balanced approach, she said.

Kind said people need to understand the curriculum is set by state and national standards. She said Helena has incredible educators and there are a lot of processes in place to work with parents over concerns.

She said there are incredible lessons in history that help people understand how we got we are.

The candidates were asked about a strategic priority for Helena schools that encourages student self-awareness, self-regulation and social awareness. They were asked if they support this priority to include awareness and acceptance of a child born with a different sexual orientation.

Satre said she was happy to see the priority on the schools website. She said it encouraged an open and accepting environment for students who are LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning or queer).

I think it speaks to the importance that there are all kinds of diversity and our schools need to support that, she said.

The school offers opportunities for students that are open to race, class, sex, gender and difficult abilities.

Satre said discussion in the classroom would promote awareness.

Fitzpatrick said these policies are saying to the child: You are you. You are important. Someone else might be a little different, but you know, they are just as important.

She said a lot of students are scared.

Fitzpatrick said they will learn there is diversity and the district needs to foster understanding and caring.

Hathhorn said there are more and more students who have had a rough start.

The work that educators are doing to make the school a better place to be socially is remarkable, she said.

Public schools are wonderful because everyone is included, she said. And that means everyone.

She said it always boils down to respect and making sure everyone is heard and has a voice.

Kind said the mental, social and emotional health of students is a top priority.

She said those needs may have multiplied due to COVID-19. She said there is more than talking of sexual orientation.

Lets talk about suicide and lets talk about emotional illness, she said, adding there are so many struggles for students that come to the forefront. She said schools are trying to make people the best versions of themselves.

McEwan said we are all in this together and that is what we want our children to learn.

He said he assumes that if we are doing it correctly, that once children reach high school, they dont care about all these differences that get people caught up in arguments.

He said that if schools do not teach collaboration skills, then children will fail in the workplace.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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A recent outbreak of Covid-19 cases among officials in Washington, with dozens testing positive after attending the Gridiron Club Dinner, has put the concept of Covid-19 superspreading back in the spotlight.

Covid-19 superspreading, which involves the virus spreading at a single event on a larger scale than what is typically expected, is still possible and poses a risk. But in this stage of the pandemic, a large event may not necessarily be an invitation to widespread, unchecked illness -- if people use tools now available to limit risk, according to public health experts.

Now, there are more tools to curb the spread of Covid-19: authorized vaccinations that limit illnesses and infections, robust supplies of at-home tests that can indicate whether someone needs to isolate, face masks to wear in high-risk situations and therapeutics that can reduce severe disease.

"We used to be concerned because these superspreading events would put a lot of people in the hospital and as a consequence, some in intensive care units, and even some people dying. This is less likely to happen now," said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "Given the level of natural immunity as well as vaccination in our communities, most people infected now are going to get mild illness that doesn't require them to be hospitalized."

Meanwhile, it's also more complicated to pin Covid-19 cases to specific events. Contact tracing has virtually disappeared, and people can encounter Covid-19 in any number of circumstances as workplaces, shops and restaurants reopen and masks come off.

But by using the right tools at the right times, there are hopes that Covid-19 superspreading could become a thing of the past.

'The pandemic isn't over'

Earlier in the Covid-19 pandemic, superspreading at business conferences, political events and even choir practice helped shape understanding of just how transmissible the coronavirus could be.

In one case, a biotech conference was attended by 200 people in late February 2020 and may have been connected to about 20,000 Covid-19 cases in the Boston area, according to research from the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard University and other institutions.

A report published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May 2020 described how a symptomatic person with Covid-19 attended a choir practice in Washington state. Afterward, about 87% of the other choir members developed Covid-19.

But those superspreading events happened before it was exactly clear how the virus spread and who was most at risk, and long before Covid-19 vaccines were made available in December 2020.

"The pandemic isn't over. We're still going to see cases of this virus spreading, and we have to continue to be vigilant. We have to continue to be careful," Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House's new coronavirus response coordinator, said on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday.

Jha said he is not aware of anyone getting severely ill after the Gridiron dinner in Washington. "As long as people are vaccinated and boosted, we now have a lot of treatments available, put that together, and the good news is, no one out of that so far has gotten particularly sick.

"And that's what we have to be tracking -- making sure that when there are outbreaks, we can take care of people."

Some infectious disease experts argue that despite greater access to vaccines and testing, Covid-19 superspreading events aren't over.

"I do think this event in Washington was akin to a superspreading event. It was clearly an event where people were gathered together, and the virus attended and made itself known to a lot of people and infected people," Schaffner said.

Covid-19 superspreading events are not "a thing of the past," he said. "So do they still happen? Sure. How important are they? Well, they put a fair number of people out of commission for a while, at least having to isolate at home because they were infected."

The United States is averaging more than 38,000 new Covid-19 cases per day and about 515 new Covid-19 deaths per day, according to CNN's analysis of data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Johns Hopkins University. The Department of Health and Human Services says there are more than 14,700 people hospitalized with Covid-19.

About 66% of the US population is fully vaccinated.

"Although I don't think superspreading events will cause surges in hospitalizations, they may continue to augment and accelerate transmission of the virus, causing milder disease in our communities," Schaffner said.

As we transition to living with Covid-19 long-term, there will be more chances to encounter someone with a mild -- but still transmissible -- infection through everyday activities like going to school, the office, a neighborhood block party, church, a sporting event or happy hour.

But there are also more chances to identify them.

"We're much more likely now to find people who are positive but asymptomatic than we were two years ago," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. But identifying several cases around the same time at the same place does not necessarily mean all of those people were infected at the same event.

"Is that a superspreading event? Some of them may have gotten infected someplace else before they came together -- unless, of course, they test themselves before they go," Benjamin said.

'Outbreaks can happen'

The concept of a superspreading event "is not new," said Keri Althoff, epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

"In history, we identify individuals who were superspreaders," she said. "For example, Typhoid Mary."

The world's understanding of superspreading events dates back to Mary Mallon, commonly known as "Typhoid Mary." Mallon was born in Ireland in the late 1860s and emigrated to the United States, where she worked in a variety of domestic positions for wealthy households before becoming a cook. Researchers have found that Mallon unknowingly carried the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which causes typhoid fever. As a cook, she spread the illness to others -- leading to an outbreak in New York.

"She infected hundreds, if not thousands, of people with typhoid because she carried it in her gallbladder and she worked as a cook. Wherever she went, people would get sick," said Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The New York Health Department forced Mallon to quarantine.

"She was exiled for decades because she kept infecting others with typhoid," Althoff said. "She was asymptomatic."

Mallon's case is an example of how pathogens can spread on a far-reaching scale, leading to a superspreading event. But she is also an example of how the term "superspreader" can isolate and stigmatize those carrying pathogens, even unknowingly.

In the case of Typhoid Mary, the term "superspreader" was used to describe a person, whereas more recently, the term is being used to describe an event during which many people are infected, probably from more than one infected person at the event. Many experts call the term problematic when used to blame on a person for having an illness.

Althoff thinks the United States is at a point where Covid-19 superspreading events are shifting to a thing of the past as the coronavirus circulates widely in our communities.

Events that result in a larger number of infections that wouldn't otherwise have happened can be better described as outbreaks, Althoff said, similar to how we see outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases like measles or flu.

"Very early in the pandemic, when the case numbers were low, we saw and investigated superspreading events, and those investigations provided important information about the virus when we knew very little," Althoff said. "Large-scale outbreaks continue to provide information about how this variant is interacting with a population that has a much higher level of population immunity now than what we had in the beginning of the pandemic."

So now, when clusters of cases emerge, "instead of 'superspreader,' I think the word 'outbreak' is a bit more reasonable," Althoff said. "Outbreaks can happen whenever we find ourselves in higher-risk settings."

How Covid-19 spreads now

Though "superspreading" events were seen as drivers of Covid-19 transmission early in the pandemic, they are of "much less concern" now, according to Malani.

"A lot of transmission during the Omicron and BA.2 era has been household contact, where the entire family or your household unit gets infected. But really, what I see -- and I emphasize this over and over -- is that it is social gatherings that are unmasked," Malani said.

A big difference between the social gatherings happening now and the weddings, funerals or choir practices during the pandemic's earlier days is that many people now have some immunity against Covid-19 from getting vaccinated, being infected or both.

Based on information from blood samples, about 95% of Americans 16 and older have antibodies against Covid-19 as of December, the most recent date that data is available, according to estimates from the CDC.

The current Covid-19 vaccines are more effective at preventing severe Covid-19 leading to hospitalization or death, but they also offer protection against infection in the first place. And "staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination also means you are less likely to spread the disease to others and increases your protection against new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19," according to the CDC.

"What is happening at this point in the pandemic is that people are able to protect themselves differently," Malani said, adding that people now can gauge their risk for Covid-19 before attending an event by finding out whether others have been tested or vaccinated.

Many Covid-19 outbreaks still happen in pockets of the United States where there are many unvaccinated people, Benjamin said.

"In those areas of the country, those communities where we still have people unvaccinated and numbers of people unboosted, in those cases, we're certainly going to see bigger, larger numbers of people who test positive," he said. Superspreading could be more likely in such communities.

Although superspreading events are no longer as much of a concern now as they were earlier in the pandemic, they "are still going to occur," Benjamin said. "They're definitely going to be one of the patterns we're going to see for some time to come from the disease, as long as we still have a variant out there that's highly infectious and a variety of people in various stages of immune protection."

The-CNN-Wire

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A union representing Montanas public employees and a statewide news outlet last week filed a lawsuit alleging the Board of Education violated Montanas open meeting laws with a vote it took in March.

The Montana Federation of Public Employees and the Daily Montanan filed the complaint in Lewis and Clark County District Court on April 8. It names the board and its members as defendants. The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit, online news outlet focusing on state policy and politics that is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit.

The complaint alleges that a hotly contested vote on March 10 to reject an advisory councils modifications to the Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics wasnt properly noticed to the public. The board had listed it as an informational item on its agenda and had not indicated it would take a vote on the matter.

Gov. Greg Gianforte has voiced concerns with the February decision by the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council to include the word equity in the code of ethics. Lt. Gov. Kristin Juras had submitted a memo arguing that the Board of Education was the correct body to make that decision, and urged the board to invalidate the advisory councils updates and take up the matter itself.

The board voted in a 4-3 decision to move the item to its action agenda, meaning it could take a vote on it.

At the time, the boards legal counsel, Katherine Orr, warned that the vote hadnt been publicly noticed and that moving ahead with it was a very dangerous path to take.

I think its established in the law that a decision on these action items today would be invalidated, because there hasnt been any public notice, Orr said.

The boards chair, Tammy Lacey, also argued strongly against taking action on the governors proposal, telling the board she knew that some people would have attended the meeting to provide public comments had it been on the action agenda.

I think having action today without public participation, public comment and all of the information before us, I dont think it clarifies it and I dont think it allows for public participation, Lacey said.

Juras, who was present as the governors office representative to the board, argued that because the item had been on the informational agenda, and her legal memo had been included in the boards packet, the public had been given ample warning.

We requested it be included in the packet so that the public would have the opportunity to read that and make public comments on it, Juras told the board at the time. So the public has been given notice of this matter and does have the opportunity to make public comment after reading the materials.

The complaint notes that no one spoke about the agenda item when public comment was called for at the meeting.

The Daily Montanan and MFPE allege that the boards actions violated Montana Constitutions right-to-know provisions in Article II, Sections 8 and 9. The complaint also cites the states Sunshine Laws that set forth requirements for public participation and providing notice of official meetings.

The public was deprived of their constitutional and statutory rights to receive notice of proposed action to be deliberated upon in a meeting of the state government agency, and to have a meaningful opportunity to participate as representatives of the news media, Montanas largest labor union and the public, the complaint states.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to find the boards actions unlawful and to void its March votes to modify the agenda and to reject code of the ethics update. Theyre also asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting the board from amending its action agenda or taking further action without proper public notice or without reasonable opportunity for public participation until the lawsuit is resolved.

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I have been the executive director of NAMI Montana since 2008. Montana State Hospital is Montanas safety net to prevent tragedy in adults with mental health conditions. It is terrifying for us and the families we serve to see the facility in a tailspin. Admissions to the hospital are restricted to people that have had a mental health professional, county attorney and judge unanimously determine that there is an imminent risk of injury or death if the person is not hospitalized. While Montana State Hospital has never been perfect, the administration and staff have for decades risen to the task of preventing horrible situations from becoming tragic.

Montanas publicly funded mental health treatment system is a Hunger Games for resources between public institutions, like Montana State Hospital, and community behavioral health providers. Montana State Hospital has always been funded with almost no margin for error or unforeseen events. If there was an extra nickel, it was given to another entity that needed it. While NAMI Montana and other mental health advocates have had our advocacy successes, we have not been able to alter the overall funding struggles of our public mental health treatment system.

Those systematic funding issues may or may not be addressed in my lifetime. However, I believe that Montana State Hospital would not be in the horrible situation it is now without the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive workforce challenges that followed. The hospital may have been due for a new administrator, but it would not have been an existential crisis that threatened the hospitals existence and the lives of everyone who relies upon it.

NAMI Montana asks Gov. Greg Gianforte to tell Montanans his administrations plan to save Montana State Hospital. Gov. Gianforte is the only one with the position and power to save this institution that Montana families and communities rely upon to prevent tragedies. The Montana Legislature doesnt meet until January of 2023 and anything they implement wouldnt take effect until the following summer or fall. This crisis will not wait until then to be solved.

NAMI Montana asks Gov. Gianforte to tell the public what his plans are to save Montana State Hospital because so many families and organizations rely upon it such as: hospitals, law enforcement, crisis facilities, mental health centers, group homes, jails, nursing homes, the Veterans Administration and others.

There is no one else that can serve the broad range of people receiving care at Montana State Hospital, but there will be a lot of organizations asked to if we let that critical state resource collapse. Gov. Gianforte, please tell us all your plan to save it.

Matt Kuntz, JD, is executive director of NAMI Montana.

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DECATUR  Archer Daniels Midland Co. announced plans to invest $300 million to expand its alternative protein production capacity in Decatur, bringing new jobs to the city and new building projects.

And the company also said it would open a new "Protein Innovation Center" in Decatur.

ADM did not specify how many new jobs its big investment will create, but said the new positions would create opportunities for those with technical skills.

"We will look to hire a mix of scientists, engineers and lab technicians for the new Protein Innovation Center," a company spokesperson told the Herald & Review Wednesday.

And those jobs will come in addition to employment opportunities created by construction work associated with the investment. The spokesperson said the existing Decatur Science & Technology Center building on Brush College Road will be expanded to accommodate the Protein Innovation Center.

The company will also be carrying out "modifications and improvements" to the firm's existing soybean extraction plant.

The global trends of food security and sustainability are driving structural changes in the food industry, including strong growth in alternative proteins, and were investing to ensure ADM remains a leader in this vast and exciting space, said Leticia Goncalves, ADMs president of Global Foods, in a statement.

The production increase represents a significant expansion of ADMs alternative protein capabilities. ADM said the project, expected to be complete in 2025, would strengthen the company's ability to meet global demand by increasing soy protein concentrate capacity and nearly doubling extrusion capacity at its Decatur complex.

Last year, ADM acquired Sojaprotein, a European provider of non-GMO human nutrition protein solutions. Between the two investments, the company said, it will increase its global alternative protein production capacity by more than 30%.

ADM said the new Decatur Innovation Center would bring together labs, test kitchens, and pilot-scale production capabilities.

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DECATUR  Two arrest warrants have been issued in connection with the March 5 fatal shooting of Kemareon L. Rice.

Decatur police said in a news release that warrants have been obtained for Travell D. Washington, 21, and Freiashya L. Ayres, 22. Both are wanted on preliminary charges of murder.

Officials have said Rice, 17, died from a single gunshot to the back while he was on the parking lot of a business in the 1900 block of South Mount Zion Road.

Decatur police reports said officers responded at 9:30 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the parking lot and chased down the vehicle Rice was in, pulling it over at Fitzgerald Road and Davis Street.

Rice died at the scene after attempts by emergency personnel to revive him were unsuccessful.

This investigation is still ongoing and additional arrests are possible, Lt. Brian Cleary said. Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the location of the wanted individuals are asked to call the Decatur Police Department at 217-424-2734 or CrimeStoppers at 217-423-8477.

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ARGENTA  Traffic along Interstate 72 will be diverted to Illinois 48 for an extended period while crews replace damaged concrete barriers near the Cisco/Weldon exit.

Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation and other emergency responders are on the scene of a semitruck crash in the eastbound lane at milepost 154. State Police said the truck struck concrete barriers in a construction zone.

State Police are urging caution and for motorists to seek an alternate route.

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ekar, the Middle East's first and largest personal mobility company, has launched peer-to-peer carsharing in Saudi Arabia.

The company said vehicles previously inspected and installed with a telematics unit or 'health tracker' by the ekar operations team can be instantly activated on its app. Its 270,000 members can then seamlessly book, unlock, and pay for the rental of personally owned vehicles via the ekar app.

Unlike traditional peer-to-peer companies, ekar's digital solution removes the host and renter's need to meet in person for the clumsy and often time-consuming 'key handover'.

Also when their personally-owned vehicles are not in use, Saudi 'hosts' can now earn money by renting them out on ekar platform, it stated.

According to eker, its peer-to-peer is entirely contactless. The car keys are safely locked in an otherwise immobilised vehicle, only accessible via the app's direct integration with the vehicle's onboard computer, enabling the hosted car to be unlocked and driven.

Without the app's authentication, cars are locked, totally immobilised, and will not start, thus preventing any unauthorised access or theft. ekar's proprietary AI constantly tracks and analyzes a wealth of data, including location, time, driver information, driver behaviour and scoring, and vehicle identification. Cars are also fully insured should damages occur during or between rentals, it stated.

"Ride-hailing companies did an excellent job introducing the gig economy to car owners, allowing them to become chauffeurs and make additional income. ekar hosts, on the other hand, can inject their cars into ekar's platform from the comfort of their couch, and we handle the rest," remarked Vilhelm Hedberg, the founder of ekar.

A car owner can now spend their valuable time on other activities, rather than chauffeuring, and enjoy high yielding passive income on assets they already own," stated Hedberg.

Since its inception in 2016, ekar has grown from a 15-vehicle pilot programme with Etihad Airways to a multi-country service used by more than 270,000 registered members and booked 1.7 million trips. It operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Malaysia with plans to further expand into Egypt and Turkey.

According to industry experts, peer-to-peer carsharing is poised for explosive growth, gaining popularity in both developed and developing countries and bolstered by the rise of smartphone technology and social networks.

As per a report by Accenture, the number of peer-to-peer carsharing vehicles globally grew from 200,000 in 2015 to more than 440,000 in 2021. That figure is expected to more than double by 2025, to approximately 990,000 vehicles (source).

According to eker, there are two distinct peer-to-peer hosting options: short-term and long-term.

Short-term hosts commit cars for a minimum of eight hours, eight days a month from their location of choice, typically outside of a home or office. Bookings can only be terminated in a system-generated geo-fenced area around which the car was initially activated.

This system is a station-based rental, which benefits the host who will want convenient access to their vehicle once completed with its booking. The renter will incur penalties for a car driven for longer than the allotted host's booking time. The average break-even for a vehicle to pay for its monthly cost is nine rentals.

Long-term hosts, or 'ekar Entrepreneurs', dedicate their vehicles for a minimum of one month to Riyadh's ekar free-floating carsharing system. These committed cars can enjoy returns as high as 10,000 Riyal per month, depending upon the car type and hosting duration.

All hosts have remote access to ekar Mobility OS, which will provide them with their cars' instant performance and earnings metrics, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
An attorney for the family of a 26-year-old Amazon contractor who died in a Madison County Amazon warehouse collapse in December alleged Tuesday the facility showed signs of structural issues.

A government engineer who responded to the scene of the warehouse collapse Dec. 10 in Edwardsville found structural concerns regarding the facilitys support columns, according to a copy of the engineers report released by Jack Casciato, an attorney with Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices.

I became concerned when I noticed that none of the columns appeared to be ripped or torn from the base, the engineer wrote in a four-page report from West County EMS & Fire. This was especially concerning to me knowing that the International Building Code (IBC) requires structural members to be secured against uplift from wind loads, among other things.

The engineer wrote there was no weld or bolted connection at the base of any column, but only a bead of what appeared to be some sort of caulk around the column at the finished floor line. Examination of the empty pockets where the columns once stood also revealed no evidence of positive securement, the engineer wrote.

Casciato, who obtained the report through a Freedom of Information Act request, represents the family of Austin McEwen, one of six workers at the Amazon warehouse who died in the tornado. An initial lawsuit filed in Madison County Circuit Court in January alleges the Amazon facility had inadequate emergency plans and no basement shelter. The lawsuit alleges McEwen and others were told to shelter in a bathroom during the storm.

In a news conference Tuesday, Casciato said holiday profits took precedence over worker safety on the day of the tornado. Delivering packages that day was more important than safety, he said.

In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company continues to focus on supporting our team and all those affected by this tragic natural disaster.

Investigators continue to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of the building and debris  so its premature and misleading to suggest there were any structural issues, Nantel said.

She said construction of the building was completed in 2018 in compliance with all applicable building codes as documented by the city and the original owner and that the building passed city inspections again when Amazon leased the building in 2020.

Amazon is also facing scrutiny over its Edwardsville facility from Congress. Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform have requested documents from Amazon regarding its labor practices, citing the companys response to the tornado strike.

In a March 31 letter to CEO Andy Jassy, committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush wrote they were concerned by recent reports that Amazon may be putting the health and safety of its workers at risk, including by requiring them to work in dangerous conditions during tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme weather.

The representatives requested documents from the company by Thursday.

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The people who come to the U.S.-Mexican border requesting asylum (or at least temporary refuge until they can go home) are fleeing for their lives. Their family members have been killed. Their homes and businesses have been destroyed. They have received death threats. They have been attacked with bombs and machine guns.

Yet to hear immigration hardliners tell it, migrants and refugees are an invading force. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, running for the U.S. Senate, has issued a legal opinion claiming that the state is under invasion and is therefore permitted, under the Constitution, to engage in war against smugglers and cartels. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has enacted a series of anti-immigrant measures that include increased military activity on the border.

These politicians are also upset about President Joe Bidens plan to end Title 42, the pandemic-era public-health rule that has allowed the government to expel migrants and refugees immediately, regardless of circumstances. Arizona, Louisiana and Missouri are suing to keep the administration from ending the program.

Title 42, Remain in Mexico and other Trump-era policies have resulted in some 75,000 refugees from Central America, Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and other places languishing in dangerous camps and shelters in Mexico for months or even years. Some have become victims of extortion, rape and murder. Human rights advocates are speaking out against these atrocities and calling for greater protections for migrants and refugees.

Title 42 is no longer required from a public health standpoint, if it ever was, and must end.

But should Biden end Title 42 by May 23 as promised, theres concern about a renewed flood of migrants  another word that grossly mischaracterizes the situation.

For comparison, Poland, a country of about 38 million, has taken in more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees in the past six weeks. These refugees may not ever be able to go home again. Germany, with a population of 83 million, took in 1 million permanent refugees during the first few years of the Syrian civil war.

Meanwhile, the United States, a country of about 330 million, has in recent years been accepting less than 100,000 asylum seekers a year.

We can do this, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said on April 5, when asked on NPR about the potential surge of asylum seekers after Title 42 is rescinded. Just give us the resources.

As Romero noted, the border has seen migrant surges before, under President Barack Obama in 2014 and President Donald Trump in 2018-19. Tucson and other cities responded both times with a network of public and private agencies and faith-based groups to provide shelter, food, transportation, health care, legal aid, counseling and other services. These groups are mobilizing again.

Chris Magnus, the former Tucson police chief who is now head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, says his agency is prepared to handle any surge. He says CBP will be able to process up to 18,000 migrants a day at the southern border, more than twice as many as the current 7,100. Hes hiring more personnel to take asylum claims and reduce the backlog. Magnus is also eager to work with local communities and nonprofits, which are expected to receive about $150 million in new FEMA funding to provide services to migrants.

On the border, we have shown we have the resources and the ability to meet the needs of desperate people. The only question is, do we, as a nation, have the heart?

Miriam Davidson is author of The Beloved Border: Humanity and Hope in a Contested Land.

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On a historic day in which she took her daughter thrift shopping, Mychael Jefferson-Reese could not have been more fashionably attired.

Im wearing my confirm KBJ shirt today, the public defender said, joy palpable in her voice.

Shed been at home earlier Thursday when Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Although the confirmation was a fait accompli, it was hard for me to believe that she would be confirmed until she was confirmed, Jefferson-Reese said. And to watch the first Black female vice president read that to the Senate was amazing. ... Its a moment in history.

Soon, America will have an associate justice on the Supreme Court who not only looks like Jefferson-Reese, but is a former federal public defender. Not since Thurgood Marshall, the first Black associate justice, retired in 1991 has the Supreme Court had someone in its ranks who represented indigent criminal defendants. The high court has historically been the terrain of former prosecutors in a criminal justice system fraught with racial inequities. You can argue the intentionality, but America undeniably gets the system it creates.

Jefferson-Reese, 43, began her law career as a civil litigator in Ohio before returning to Virginia to work in the Petersburg Public Defenders Office and later in the Richmond Public Defenders Office. Last year, she took the job as the chief public defender in the new Chesterfield County Public Defenders Office, representing people who otherwise could not afford a lawyer.

The bench needs to be as diverse as the people it serves, said Jefferson-Reese, a graduate of Chesterfields Meadowbrook High School, the University of Richmond and the University of Dayton School of Law. Doing that work gives you a different view on humanity, and I think that perspective is desperately needed on the bench.

Anytime opportunity expands enough to shatter a glass ceiling, Im here for it. Thursday was a supreme moment for the American dream.

Today, there are millions of girls across America watching Ketanji Brown Jackson, and thinking that could be me, said state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond in a statement Thursday. The history made today isnt just about breaking a glass ceiling for Black women, its about building a ladder to lift up those who follow. This is a momentous day for our nation that will be remembered for years to come.

Unable to mount a substantive argument against Jacksons confirmation, some Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee settled for political grandstanding. Their interrogations, largely irrelevant to the matter at hand, attempted to provoke the nominee with spurious attacks or tarnish her with guilt by association with, well, Blackness. In the favorite dog whistle of the political right, they sought to conflate KBJ with CRT.

By the numbers, Jacksons nomination was settled business in a Senate controlled by Democrats. The Supreme Courts ideological profile will remain unchanged, with Jackson replacing the retiring liberal associate justice Stephen Breyer. The hostility on display was performative and pointless, beyond the spectacle of the blatant disrespect of a Black woman with impeccable credentials and  as we witnessed  unflappable judicial temperament.

If Republicans were truly interested in the rule of law, theyd be all in on the congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection instead of attempting to obstruct it. And theyd be alarmed, as we all should be, that the wife of associate justice Clarence Thomas avidly participated in attempts to overturn a presidential election.

Instead, they took the low road during this moment of Black Girl Magic. African American women, to paraphrase Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., werent going to let the Judiciary Committee nastiness steal Thursdays joy.

McClellan said she choked up when she told her children, ages 11 and 6, the news of our next Supreme Court justice.

As a Generation X Black female lawyer raised by educators who endured Jim Crow, it was quite an emotional moment, McClellan said. Not only because she is the first, but because she reflects my perspective. I could never relate to a U.S. Supreme Court justice before. And for someone in my profession, this is a profound moment.

When McClellans parents were children, they did not believe it was possible for our nation to have a Black man as president, a Black woman as vice president or a Black woman as a Supreme Court justice, she said. But they raised McClellan to believe that one day it would be possible. And now it has come to pass for her children.

Indeed, it was Vice President Kamala Harris, whose parents were Jamaican and Indian immigrants, who presided over Jacksons confirmation. The change McClellan speaks of elates some folks, alarms others, and fuels still others to violence and insurrection.

What we should fear most is stunted dreams and stymied possibility. That could be me, when realized, is what makes America great.

Michael Paul Williams is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Va.; read more of his columns on Richmond.com.

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A Glade Spring man is in custody facing felony charges including rape Tuesday after a report of a missing person being held against their will.

According to a press release from the Washington County Virginia Sheriffs Office, Houston Everett Norris, a 37-year-old white male resident of Glade Spring, was arrested and charged with abduction, malicious wounding, and rape.

The arrest comes after the sheriffs office received a complaint Monday of a reported missing person being held against their will and assaulted in Glade Spring, Virginia. The Washington County Sheriffs Office located the victim and verified the complaint.

After a search for Norris that lasted only a few hours, he was located and arrested.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  A representative for the Northeast Tennessee Regional Hub came before the Bristol Tennessee City Council on Tuesday with an invitation to join a new Tri-Cities economic development initiative, but some members of Council felt the group known as The Hub was not giving Bristol, Tennessee a fair shake.

Will Barrett, who would be representing the Bank of Tennessee on the executive board of the Hub, presented the plan to the council. Barrett explained the Hub, which has yet to file for nonprofit status, hopes to bring together the various private and public sectors across the Tri-Cities to coordinate and collaborate as one voice.

Its temporarily called the Northeast Tennessee Hub, Barrett said. The idea is to create a forum, a venue to have public, private and social sector voices together to agree on what the regional strategy is, to prioritize, to help allocate resources, to have the voice.

The board was shocked to see Kingsport and Johnson City were going to be offered permanent seats in the Hub while Bristol was only offered a temporary position with a rotating seat.

Vice Mayor Vince Turner went as far as to refer to the offer as a slap in the face. However, he did signal that he is not against the idea of the Hub altogether.

Theres a lot of good that can come out of this, and its not that Im against it, Turner said.

Barrett clarified that the Hub is a work in progress. There are currently no bylaws, and no CEO, with only a vision of what the organizational structure might look like.

This is an organization from an envisioning perspective that has an executive board, has an advisory board, hopefully, some committees and designated groups that are more functional specific, as well as a broader grassroots force mechanism that needs to be figured out and established, Barrett said.

According to the documents Barrett handed to City Council, the private sector would have four seats, listed in the handout as Eastman, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bank of Tennessee and one slot left to be determined. There would be two social seats, which were listed in the materials as Ballad Health and ETSU. Finally, there are five public seats that are intended for the designees from Sullivan County, Washington County, Kingsport and Johnson City, as well as the above-mentioned rotating mayoral seat set aside for Bristol, Tennessee.

On multiple occasions during their discussion, City Council made clear to Barrett that not having a permanent seat on the executive board would be a nonstarter. In addition, council member Margaret Feierabend explained to Barrett that although Bristol, Tennessee is the smallest of the Tri-Cities, this does not accurately reflect the city and what they as a council have achieved.

If youre going by size, thats one thing. But if youre going by what the assets are and the participation level, Feierabend said, we have to play like were one of the big boys.
Meet two of the three candidates for District 1 Sullivan County Commissioner, all Republicans. The victor in the May 3 Republican primary will run unopposed in the Aug. 4 general election.

Early voting can be done at the Sullivan County Election Commission office in Blountville from April 13 to 28, or at the Civic Auditorium in Kingsport and the Slater Center in Bristol from April 21 to 28.

Only select races  primarily Bristol districts and contested races  are featured in this series.

Tamra Jessee

Candidate Tamra Jessee did not submit a questionnaire.

Sabrina S. Brown

Why do you choose to live in Sullivan County? I moved here in 1989 and fell in love with the people and community of Sullivan County. I have worked hard to give back to the community and provide employment opportunities. I raised my two sons here in Sullivan County. My sons attended public schools, as my grandchildren do now.

What makes you qualified for office? I have three decades of financial experience. I have also held down three and four jobs at one time to make ends meet. I am not a stranger to hard work.

If elected, what would be your main goals while in office? I shall hold the voters concerns to the highest regard. I will work to reduce unnecessary spending while maintaining the quality of government services needed. I want to reach out to industries that would add to our community and workforce. I will encourage more vocational training in all areas of employment at the middle school and high school levels. I will allocate as much as possible to the education of our youth and the future of Sullivan County. I believe that you do not need a college education to get a job. I will support multigenerational businesses along with new businesses.

Tourism and recreation are important to our economy. Let us make Sullivan County a day-trip destination for the region. I would like to provide resource information to those vacationing or moving into our area. How do we keep people coming here? By making Sullivan County the best that we can. I am fighting for the heritage, present and future of our county.

I would like to bring awareness to domestic violence  also suicide awareness for our youth, adults and especially our military. I will help to budget money the best possible way without letting one part fall by the wayside. We cannot fund all the money for one project or one budget; we must have funds to repair a pothole, replace a guardrail after an accident or for our first responders when there is an emergency. I will make decisions to fund the proper amounts needed to meet the needs of all departments while protecting the taxpayers from paying more taxes to the best of my abilities.

Anything else youd like voters to know? There is always a solution, and I am willing to work with my fellow commissioners to find the best allocation of funds possible. I know I am not the smartest person in the room, and we all can learn something from one another. We each have something to offer.

What makes us special is not just the majestic mountains, our picturesque lake and rolling fields. Our greatest asset is our people, the heartbeat of Sullivan County. I will not take my responsibility lightly and will listen to the voice of the community. I will hold the office with dignity, honesty and hard work. I believe in the right to live, worship, to bear arms and especially the right to vote. We each have a voice; let it be heard by voting for the candidate you know will do the best job.

I am a charter member of the Tennessee Marina Association and a volunteer charter member of Holston Valley Rescue Squad. I am a member of Painter Creek Church of Christ.

David Hayes

Why do you choose to live in Sullivan County? I am a lifelong resident of Bluff City. I am a proud graduate of Sullivan East High School. I am a husband and a father of one. My daughter is currently attending East High School.

What makes you qualified for office? I have been employed with the Sullivan County Highway Department since 2017. My day-to-day operations serving the citizens through the highway department gives me a unique perspective as to what is needed in our community.

If elected, what would be your main goals while in office? If elected, I will work closely with the highway commissioner and the sheriffs department to make sure our public safety and infrastructure is a priority. Most importantly, I will listen to your needs and concerns and be your voice on county issues.

Anything else youd like voters to know? I love my community and will do everything in my power to make it a better place to live and work.
If you want justice, go get it. Thats the advice of Taylorsville resident Lisa Hollifield.

She lost her mother and two sisters in a 1997 DWI vehicle crash. Her work helped bring the case to a close 25 years after their deaths.

A couple days after New Years (Day), I decided it was time for a resolution, Hollifield, 51, said. So, I called up Hickory (police) and I told them, This is the year. This is going to be the 25-year mark. Its got to end.

Maria Self, 50, Kathy Styles, 31, and Ruth Self, 23, died on Feb. 17, 1997. Javier Uresti was a suspect in the wreck that killed the three women. Self and her two daughters were crossing Tate Boulevard on Ninth Street Lane SE, in a Geo Metro when they were hit by a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Uresti, a news release from the Hickory Police Department said.

In a Hickory Daily Record article from March 11, 1997, police said the results from a blood alcohol test administered on Uresti came back at 0.16, which was twice the legal limit. In the article, police said Uresti reportedly ran a red light around 10 p.m., hitting Selfs car. There were three passengers in Urestis truck, including his 2-year-old daughter, who also were injured, police said in a Hickory Daily Record article from Feb. 19, 1997.

At the time of the accident, police received conflicting reports about who was driving the truck, police said in the March article. The police department investigated further before charging Uresti on Feb. 20, 1997, with three counts of second-degree murder.

Hickory Police Chief Thurman Whisnant said last week that Uresti fled before enough evidence was obtained for his arrest.

In February of this year, Hollifield searched the name of Urestis daughter on Facebook to see if she could find her. Seven names popped up in the search. One of the names was linked to the Hickory area. Hollifield sent a message, she said.

At first she didnt say whether she knew him or not, Hollifield said. But then, the next day, she said she didnt know anything about the accident because it was kept from her and she told me how he had died.

Urestis daughter informed Hollifield that Uresti died July 1, 2020, after a car accident in Mexico. Urestis daughter also sent Hollifield a copy of his death certificate through Facebook Messenger.

Hollifield said she took this information to the Hickory Police Department, which confirmed Urestis death on March 30. Police could not confirm how Uresti died, Whisnant said.

Hollifield said she was glad the search was over. Her efforts to find Uresti were motivated by her desire to find closure for her niece and nephew, whose mother was Kathy Styles. They were 9 and 4 at the time of their mothers death. Kathy Styles daughter, Felicia Styles, 34, said she feels Uresti got off too easy and justice should have been served a long time ago.

He got to live freely being down there. He got to have his (family) and his life, Styles, a Hickory resident, said. My mom didnt get to have that choice. She missed out on four grandkids and she didnt get to finish watching me or my brother grow up.

Hollifield said after the accident she was full of hate and wanted revenge. She said she has since let go of that hatred for her own peace of mind.

Hollifield offered advice to people who are still looking for justice in old cases. I always made sure Hickory police knew exactly who I was, Hollifield said. Every time someone new would come in, I would make sure they knew. Same thing for the district attorney, I always made sure they knew who I was. If you want justice, you get it. You go fight for it. You keep fighting for it and dont give up ever.

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MORGANTON  The Carolina Caring Foundation announces Flights & Bites, a special fundraising event celebrating Burke County, on Thursday, May 19, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Silver Fork Vineyard and Winery, 5000 Patton Road in Morganton.

The evening will feature a five-wine flight pairing and winemaking discussion by winemaker Jennifer Foulides, owner of Silver Fork Vineyard and Winery. Guests will enjoy hors doeuvres from Queens Catering while being entertained by the Joseph Hasty & Centerpiece Jazz Trio.

The event will also showcase the talents of Burke County artisans with a silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets are $75 per person. Funds raised will help to provide palliative care, hospice and bereavement services to Carolina Caring patients who otherwise would not have access to care.

For more information, visit CarolinaCaring.org/flights or send an email to abeatty@carolinacaring.org.

Carolina Caring, founded in 1979, is an independent, community-based, nonprofit health care provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care and grief counseling. Currently, Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte region. For more information about Carolina Caring, call 828-466-0466 or visit CarolinaCaring.org.
The Chamber of Catawba County held a large in-person event for the first time in 777 days on Wednesday. The subject at hand: the future of Catawba County.

The Future of Catawba County Summit, held virtually for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together about 200 business, government and community leaders at the Hickory Metro Convention Center.

During the four-hour meeting, leaders spoke on the most pressing issues facing Catawba County and the surrounding region: housing, education, tourism, transportation and the economy.

Lindsay Keisler, the president and CEO of the chamber, said the turnout conveyed the communitys interest.

That shows we have engaged business and community leaders in Catawba County who are interested in the future of Catawba County and this region, Keisler said

Data on demographic and business trends for the region laid the groundwork for discussions. Data showed Catawba Countys population grew only slightly from 2010 to 2020, Anthony Starr, president of the Western Piedmont Council of Government, said.

The numbers we have would have been way stronger if the census would have occurred two years later, its right there on the (cusp), the timing of it was that it didnt quite capture the growth that is coming, Starr said.

Starr also shared housing demand, cost data and jobs data. Starr said there are about 7,000 open jobs in Catawba County. Thats approximately three jobs for every unemployed person.

Baby boomers all across the county are retiring, and it presents a serious economic development challenge, Starr said. People are retiring faster than we can fill those jobs.

There is hope, Starr said. Within the next 10 years Catawba Countys population of people 25 to 44 years old is projected to grow by about 11%, he said.

The need to grow the labor force and bring businesses and workers to the area was a topic throughout the meeting.

Lat Purser, CEO of Lat Purser & Associates Inc., a commercial real estate firm, spoke on the housing trends in the area. He said he expects the need for homes and the growth in the area will continue for decades, and Hickory isnt unique.

Were all getting hit with growth and its going to continue for a decade or two more, Purser said. You cant hide from it. It has to be smart growth.

The meeting brought leaders together to look into the countys future to see how that smart growth could look.

Lori Alala, chair of the chambers board, said its important for the area to keep growing.

We want to be comfortable asking questions that we dont know the answer to, while remaining focused on working together, she said.

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The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

World Dairy Expo is pleased to welcome Jenna Langrehr as the organizations new Communications Specialist. In this role, Langrehr will engage with Expos audience on social media, write press releases, and design materials in preparation for the annual event.

Langrehr is a May 2021 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning degrees in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication. During her time at UW-Madison, she was an active member of Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and served as the Public Relations Director for Babcock House. Most recently, she was the Marketing Communications Specialist at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

No stranger to Expo, Langrehr has exhibited at and attended the event for much of her life. She grew up on her familys registered Guernsey farm in West Salem, Wisconsin, showing her bred and owned animals at the county, state, and national levels. She has been active in both the Wisconsin and American Guernsey Association and served as the 2018 Wisconsin Guernsey Princess.



As someone who has experienced World Dairy Expo from multiple perspectives, I am excited to join the Expo team and take part in creating the place where the global dairy industry meets, says Langrehr. I look forward to contributing to the efforts of planning, promoting, and executing this event that holds so many great memories for me!

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The dairy industry will return to Madison, Wisconsin for the 55th event, October 2  7, 2022, when the worlds largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube for more information.




While home minister Amit Shah said that 77 people have been arrested, claims on social media said that most held are Muslims.

Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  Anti-Muslim violence was reported during Navratri celebrations in India between April 10 and 11.

According to multiple reports, rabble-rousing Hindutva mobs intruded into Muslim localities, attacking a mosque and setting afire Muslim homes. The violent incident left one person dead while damages to a mosque and Muslim properties were reported from various states.

While home minister Amit Shah said that 77 people have been arrested, claims on social media said that most held are Muslims.

In Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal and Goa, reports said that saffron-clad Hindutva mobs marched the streets, raising provocative slogans.

Videos of violence and arson went viral on social networking sites while people claimed massive clashes broke out in Madhya Pradeshs Khargone that left several people injured and homes and a mosque damaged.

A video showed a mosque in Khargone engulfed in flames with smoke rising from the site. Another video showed youths pelting stones at Muslim homes while police watched. Stone pelting incidents were also reported near the towns Ayesha Yesha Masjid.

Massive clashes broke out in Madhya Pradeshs Khargone that left several people injured and homes and a mosque damaged.

Indian Express reported that a total of 10 houses were burnt down while several people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. Clashes broke out near Talab Chowk mosque when some people opposed the provocative songs being played during the procession.

Notably, Kapil Mishra, BJP leader and a known provocateur, was in Khargone to attend the Shriram Janmotsav Shobha Yatra procession which preceded the violence.

Accusing the police of mishandling the situation, Ravi Joshi, a Congress MLA said if they had ensured law and order when the procession was being carried out the violence would not have taken place. He noted that there were hardly any police personnel at the spot.

Violence was also reported in the Sedhwa area, 60 kilometres from Khargone. Videos showed youths injured in the violence bleeding.

Sunday was a tense day in Gujarats Anand and Sabarkantha districts where clashes were witnessed in Khambhat and Himmatnagar towns. One person died in Khambhat town. His identity was not immediately known.

Reports and videos showed shops and vehicles on fire as the mobs rampaged through the streets. The police fired teargas shells and lathi-charged crowds to control the situation.

The situation turned ugly in Himmatnagar around noon when a religious procession on bikes and cars reached a predominantly Muslim locality, Chhaparia. Soon after stone-pelting, vandalism and arson led to clashes. VHP members also took out a rally in the area which also resulted in violence, reports said.

Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), a civil society group in Ahmedabad, wrote a letter to the Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) demanding measures to ensure security is restored in areas hit by violence.

We demand action against the anti-social elements who in the garb of religious programmes had been trying to disrupt peace and harmony in Gujarat. All CCTV footage in Himmatnagar should be checked and those caught carrying weapons without permission should be booked and arrested, the letter said.

Reports of communal violence during a Ram Navami procession were also received from West Bengals Howrah. WB police said they were taking measures to ensure normalcy.

Similarly, stone pelting was witnessed in Jharkhands Lohardaga during religious marches. According to ANI, one person succumbed to his injuries in the town.

Vasco town of Goa also reported tensions after two groups of different communities clashed with each other. Herald Goa, a local news portal said that the situation deteriorated at around 8:30 pm when a Ram Navami rally reached Islampur-Baina. The participants complained that locals pelted stones at them. However, a Muslim youth said that they were assaulted by Hindu revellers without any rhyme or reason. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in New Delhi. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi
The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

TechMix Europe is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Nikolaus (Niko) Brunner (DVM) to the international team in the role of Ruminant Health Business Manager. Dr. Brunner will be responsible for business efforts in central Europe including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and the Benelux region. Additionally, Dr. Brunner will be part of the TechMix Dairy Technical & Innovation team to support European and global business expansion efforts.

Dr. Brunner has his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Leipzig University, Germany, which included a study session at the Upsala University in Sweden. The professional background of Dr. Brunner includes key technical and leadership roles at CEVA, Vetoquinol, Bayer and Elanco. Employment experience with these global pharmaceutical companies, has laid the foundation of business principles that have led to extensive success in product development, marketing, and enthusiastic team leadership.



Dr. Brunners deep passion for dairy cows has been the catalyst for his work across Europe (Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, The Netherlands) and the USA.

The addition of Niko to the TechMix International team will further strengthen our presence and technical capabilities in the dairy sector, not only in Europe but on a global scale. Niko has extensive large dairy experience which will allow him to bring solutions to customers and better support our distributor relations in our key markets, says David Muysson, TechMix COO and International Director.

For more information, visit: http://www.techmixglobal.com


The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman.

An upcoming virtual event will examine the role of undocumented immigrant workers in the Wisconsin dairy industry. Set for 7pm on Tuesday, May 3rd, the webinar will feature a conversation centered on the short documentary Los Lecheros. Registrants will receive a link to view the documentary in advance.

A collaboration between Twelve Letter Films and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, Los Lecheros focuses on some of the workers and farmers struggling to survive amidst shifting policies. Immigrants make up over half of U.S. dairy workers. Many Wisconsin farm owners, like film protagonist John Rosenow, insist that immigrants are critical to the success of their farms. Workers, like Miguel Hernandez, who spent 16 years on a Wisconsin dairy farm, and Guillermo Ramos, who manages a 1,000-cow farm, are weighing the options for their families and their jobs amidst fears of deportation and family separation.



The webinar will feature a panel, moderated by Dee Hall of Wisconsin Watch. Panelists will include John Rosenow, Buffalo County dairy farmer; Nick Levendofsky, Wisconsin Farmers Union government relations director; and Ruth Conniff, journalist and author of Milked. The panelists will discuss policies and new developments around work visas, as well as the powerful personal relationships farmers in Wisconsin are building with families in Mexico.

This event is being organized by the Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, The Farley Center, and Wisconsin Farmers Union. RSVP at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/events.



The Farley Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecological sustainability, social justice and peace. It is located outside of Verona Wisconsin in the Town of Springdale on 108 acres of beautiful farm and wooded land. www.farleycenter.org

The Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP) is a local Mt. Horeb area democracy-in-action group advocating progressive government policies that work for a sustainable future. www.swwap.org

Wisconsin Farmers Union, a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement. www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com




Ann Street United Methodist Church335 Ann St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Randy L. Wall. In person and Facebook Live worship 11 a.m. at Ann Street Church. Sermon: It Is Finished. Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 and John 19:28-30.

Bethpage United Methodist Church109 Fellowship Ave. at West C St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Gary MacDonald. Christian education at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. As an act of caring for yourselves and others, you may choose to wear a mask during indoor worship. However, at this time, mask wearing is not required.

Bogers Chapel United Methodist Church1775 Flowes Store Road E., Concord. Pastor: Pastor Eric Shaver. Worship service is at 10 a.m. in-person or Facebook. Masks are optional. Sermon: He Has Risen. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43.

Crossroads Church220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. Pastor: Lowell McNaney. Live worship streamed on Facebook, Crossroads Concord Church app or mycrossroads.co website at 9:30 a.m. and 11:11 a.m.

Crown Pointe Baptist Church703 Tennessee St., Kannapolis; Pastor: Rev. Doug Crawley. Worship service at 10 am. Message is The Reality of the Resurrection. Luke 24: 13-48

Eastside Missionary Baptist Church199 Elgin Drive, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Stephen Burrow. In person services: Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Worship services 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recorded worship services and other information at EastsideMissionaryBaptist.org. Practice social distancing.

Epworth United Methodist Church1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Bill Roberts. Church has reopened its 10 a.m. worship service for attendance. Epworth UMC continues to follow the appropriate COVID-19 social distancing guidelines as outlined by the N.C. governor and the CDC. Sermon: Early on the First Day. Scripture: John 20:1-18.

Forest Hill United Methodist Church265 Union St. N., Concord. Senior Pastor: Rev. Mandy Jones. Associate Pastor: Rev. Wes Judy. We are open for in-person worship. Contemporary worship, 9 a.m. Sunday school/small groups10 a.m. Traditional worship11 a.m. Both the contemporary and the traditional worship services will also be livestreamed at foresthillumc.org or facebook.com/foresthillumc, in case you dont feel like being here in person.

Harmony United Methodist Church101 White St., NW, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Thad Brown. Service is held in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sermon: The Biggest Promise. Scripture: Matthew 28:1-6; Acts 2:25-32; Acts 2:36; Acts 13:35; Acts 13:36-39; Luke 9:22; Hebrews 9:26b-28; John 14:6. Service is live on Facebook.com/HarmonyUnitedMethodistChurch and we welcome all who are unable to join us in person to worship with us online.

Jackson Park United Methodist Church715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor Laurie Knoespel. Adult Sunday school 9:30 a.m. In-person worship service 10:30 a.m. Nursery will be provided during worship service. Replay on Facebook Monday at 5 p.m. Sermon: New. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:9-28 and John 20:1-18.

McGill Baptist Church5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, in-person services. Pastor: Rev. Steve Ayers. If you have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine, please wear a mask. McGill will stream a worship service Sunday at 10 a.m. on www.facebook.com/mcgillbaptistchurch/ and on YouTube. The services will be live and also available on recording afterwards.

Midway United Methodist Church108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Craig Allen. Sunday school at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for worship. At this time masks are required and congregants are asked to social distance in the pews as COVID-19 precautions are in place. Services are also livestreamed on the web at midwayunitedmethodistchurch.org or facebook.com/midwayUMC.Easter (10:30 a.m.) Sermon: Let It Sink In. Scripture: Acts 10:34-43; Luke 24:1-12.

Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Joel Locklear. Sunday school at 10 a.m. (adult and children classes.) Worship at 11 a.m. in person or Facebook. Masks are optional and social distance. If you have not taken the COVID vaccine, wear a mask.

Multiply Church Concord150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Douglas Witherup. 8:30 a.m. service held at 280 Concord Pkwy S, Suite 15, Concord. Services at 150 Warren C Coleman Blvd N, are worship and sermon at 9:30 a.m. and worship and sermon at 11:15 a.m.

New Gilead Reformed Church2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road. 9:40 a.m. Bible study. Childrens Bible school at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. Inside worship, Facebook worship, drive-in worship at 1600 AM radio.

Oak Grove Baptist Church200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. Pastor: Rev. Franklin D. Watkins. 10 a.m. In-person worship service and Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Sermon: Its Not What It Looks Like. Scripture: John 20: 1-18.

Second Presbyterian Church1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Pastor: Sue Black. Assistant Minister: Rev. Aaron Price. Breakfast at 10 a.m. prepared by the men of the church. Worship 11 a.m. in sanctuary and on Facebook Live. Second Presbyterian welcomes Pastor Sue Black as the new pastor. Sermon: He Is Risen. Scripture: Mark 16.

St. Johns Reformed Church901 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Chris King. Easter Sunday services: Sunrise service, followed by breakfast at 7 a.m. Easter worship service at 10:30 a.m. Scripture: I Corinthians 15:20-24.

Information for Sermon topics must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Email your topic to jstamey@independenttribune.com

Information for Sermon topics must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Email your topic to jstamey@independenttribune.com
Actor-director Ron Howard had a "family adventure" on the North Carolina coast over the weekend and has been gushing about the experience on social media.

It could be considered a quasi-homecoming for the two-time Academy Award winner, who famously got his start as a child actor on The Andy Griffith Show  a series based on the fictitious North Carolina town of Mayberry.

Howard tweeted a photo Monday, April 11, of himself and reported he and his wife, Cheryl, visited Manteos Burrus House Inn over the weekend. The island is between the mainland and the Outer Banks.

He also mentioned North Carolina native Andy Griffith, who was living on Manteo at the time of his death in 2012.

Cheryl & I had a great weekend at #BurrusHouseInn #ManteoNC. The Inn deserves (its) high rating on Trip Advisor, wrote Howard, who lives in California.

#AndyGriffith always spoke so lovingly of beautiful Manteo. Terrific for fishing & family adventure. Not far from #KittyHawk of #WrightBrothers 1st flight fame.

Howard didnt say if he went fishing along the Outer Banks, which is believed to be the East Coast mating spot for great white sharks.

The Burrus House Inn also shared the photo on Facebook, but did not give specifics about Howards stay.

We sure did enjoy having Ron and Cheryl Howard this week at The Burrus House Inn. We hope they left loving our little slice of heaven we call the Outer Banks, the inn wrote.

Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, and starred in 239 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, before moving onto shows such as Happy Days and an even more successful career as a director.

Among his best known films as a director are Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  Two Illinois men who helped bomb a Minnesota mosque in 2017 were sentenced Tuesday to about 16 years and roughly 14 years in prison  far below the 35-year mandatory minimum that each man faced  after victims and prosecutors asked for leniency because the men cooperated and testified against the mastermind of the attack.

Michael McWhorter, 33, was sentenced to just under 16 years in prison and Joe Morris, 26, was sentenced to about 14 years in prison. Both testified in the 2020 trial against Emily Claire Hari, the leader of a small Illinois militia group called the "White Rabbits." Morris and McWhorter are both from Clarence, an unincorporated community in Ford County.

Hari was convicted in late 2020 and sentenced last year to 53 years in prison for the attack on Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, a mosque in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington.

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank said Tuesday that the men's "substantial assistance" allowed him to issue penalties below the statutory minimums called for in the domestic terror case, the Star Tribune reported.

No one was hurt in the Aug. 5, 2017, explosion after a pipe bomb exploded in the imam's office as worshippers gathered for early morning prayers, but community members where shaken by the incident and the mosque's executive director testified at Hari's trial that it has led to diminished attendance due to fear.

Attorneys for McWhorter and Morris both asked Frank for 10-year sentences, citing their clients' testimony against Hari. Prosecutors requested leniency because of their cooperation.

"Both Morris and McWhorter have expressed remorse for their participation in the bombing and have accepted responsibility for their actions," prosecutors said in court filings prior to sentencing. "The government acknowledges and greatly respects Dar Al-Farooq's ability to forgive their attackers and to use this act of terrorism as a platform to promote mercy."

Imam Mohamed Omar, executive director of Dar Al-Farooq Center, sent a letter to fellow clergy and faith leaders, asking them to sign an open letter urging forgiveness. Omar called McWhorter and Morris two young men who "temporarily were plunged downwards into the darkness of Emily Hari's world."

"The harm that was done is real, the crime that was committed is real, the horror of what happened that day is real, but what's also real is our opportunity to offer real forgiveness, and lead by example," the letter said. "We believe that only through forgiveness can we have any real chance to heal and move forward."

McWhorter and Morris both pleaded guilty to multiple counts in 2019.

At Hari's trial, their testimony showed that Hari told them to throw the pipe bomb into the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center while Hari waited in a rented truck. Morris testified that Hari told him that the mosque was training ISIS fighters  something the the mosque has denied and prosecutors have never alleged.

Hari was the leader of a group called the "White Rabbits 3 Percent Illinois Patriot Freedom Fighters." In addition to the mosque bombing, the group also robbed a Wal-Mart with airsoft guns, tried to extort the Canadian railroad, invaded homes and attempted to firebomb a women's health clinic in Champaign, Illinois.

Chris Madel, McWhorter's attorney, said in court filings that McWhorter committed the crimes "at the invitation, direction and plan" of Hari. Madel said his client was manipulated by Hari's lies about Muslims.

Morris' attorney, Robert Richman, said his client has a "reduced mental capacity" and had suffered from undiagnosed mental illness, including schizophrenia and depression, Richman wrote in court documents that Hari took advantage of Morris's illness, telling him to follow the "angels" speaking to him.

Hari also exerted a special power over Morris, said Richman in the filing. "No one in the world was closer to him. When Hari told Joe to do something, Joe did it. Hari was a hero to Joe. He felt that Hari accepted him.  Given the despair of self-loathing in which Joe was mired for most of his life, one can only imagine how refreshing it was to be accepted by Emily Hari."

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Lawrence Joel was not the only Winston-Salem native to be awarded the Medal of Honor. In 2015, Sgt. Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the so called Harlem Hellfighters, was awarded the medal posthumously.

According to research from Fam Brownlee, a local historian, Johnson was born in Winston around 1892. His family moved to Albany, New York, when he was a teenager.

War had broken out in Europe in 1914, though the United States did not enter the war until April 6, 1917.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army June 5, 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment  an all-black National Guard unit that would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment, according to an army.mil biography of Medal of Honor recipients.

His unit served with a French colonial unit.

On May 15, 1918, then-Pvt. Johnson was on sentry duty on the front lines in Western France. He and another soldier were attacked by a German patrol of at least 12 soldiers. The other solider, Pvt. Needham Roberts, 17, of Trenton, New Jersey, was wounded by shrapnel, leaving Johnson to fight off the invaders.

A Defense Department article on Johnson said he killed one German with a rifle shot, knocked another one down using his rifle as a club, killed two with a bolo knife, and killed one with a grenade.

After that fight Johnson had a nickname, Black Death.

In his book, Rank and File: True Stories of the Great War, Theodore Roosevelt wrote that Johnson was, one of the five bravest soldiers in the war.

Here is Johnsons Medal of Honor citation:

While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Private Johnson mounted a brave retaliation, resulting in several enemy casualties.

When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat.

Wielding only a knife and gravely wounded himself, Private Johnson continued fighting and took his bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldiers head. Displaying great courage, Private Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated.

Private Johnsons extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

He was one of the first Americans to receive the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, Frances highest award for valor.

Johnson sustained 21 combat wounds and was not able to return to his pre-war job as a redcap porter at Union Station in Albany. He died July 1, 1929 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

He was not awarded the Purple Heart until 1996, then received the Distinguished Service Cross, the armys second highest award for valor, in 2002. The Department of Defense reviewed Johnsons war record at the behest of politicians and members of the public.

After 97 years, President Barack Obama presented Johnsons Medal of Honor to Command Sergeant Major Louis Wilson of the New York National Guard, in June 2015. Johnson had no known descendants.

We are a nation  a people  who remember our heroes, Obama said during the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House. We never forget their sacrifice, and we believe its never too late to say, Thank you.

Email: AskSAM@wsjournal.com Write: Ask SAM, 418 N. Marshall St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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A Winston-Salem man has been acquitted of all criminal charges that resulted from his arrest at Cooks Flea Market in June 2020.

His attorney previously accused an off-duty sheriffs deputy of using excessive force and called the incident another example of law-enforcement officers disproportionately assaulting Black men.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. denied the allegations of excessive force, and the sheriffs office and the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office later cleared the deputy, Troy Curry, who is white.

On Friday, Charles Redell Moody, a 28-year-old Black man who goes by CJ and lives on Arlington Drive, had a bench trial in Forsyth District Court on charges of resisting a public officer and second-degree trespassing. After Assistant District Attorney Derek Murray finished presenting the states case, James Quander, Moodys attorney, made a motion to dismiss the charges.

Quander said Monday that he argued Murray failed to prove his case.

The argument was that there had been no sufficient evidence to show (Moody) was trespassing and, therefore, the officer did not have the right to grab him, and CJ had the right to defend himself, Quander said.

Judge Carrie F. Vickery of Forsyth District Court granted Quanders motion, and the criminal charges against Moody were dismissed.

Moody, a musical artist who also goes by CJ da Juice, said Tuesday he is glad he got to clear his name.

It was getting stressful not being able to give people a solid answer to what was going on because it had dragged out for so long, Moody said. It got overwhelming for it to be two years over such petty charges.

Murray could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kimbrough issued this statement on Tuesday: We respect the opinion of the judge. We will continue to do what is moral, what is legal, and what is right.

Kimbrough said in the statement that Curry was never removed from active duty.

A review of the entirety of the incident showed the Deputy acted appropriately, based on our policy, procedure and the law.

Moody was arrested on June 27, 2020, at Cooks Flea Market after the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office alleged that Moody repeatedly refused to leave and resisted arrest. The sheriffs office said he was asked to leave after refusing to comply with the statewide mask mandate that was in place at the time. The arrest was captured on a video widely shared on social media.

Moody told the Winston-Salem Journal in 2020 that he was never asked to leave and he never refused to wear a mask. He told the Journal that he was trying to get money out of an ATM machine to pay for used tires for his car and told employees that he would be willing to buy a mask once he got the money.

At no time was there ever a verbal or a physical confrontation or an argument or a refusal from me to do anything with anybody until that officer approached and grabbed me, Moody said at the time.

Curry, who was working security at the flea market, is shown with his left arm cupped under Moodys armpit and his left hand curved around Moodys neck. Currys other hand is grabbing at Moodys right arm and he is telling Moody to place his hands behind his back so he can be handcuffed. Then Curry lifts Moody up and toward a wall, and the two men struggle.

Quander said at a news conference several days after the incident that what happened to Moody was another example of law-enforcement officers assaulting Black men.

Moodys arrest happened in the midst of protests during the summer of 2020 over the death of George Floyd. A white Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, placed his knee on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes, killing him. Chauvin was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison.

The issue is that on the heels of what weve been doing and protesting for for the last five to six weeks and what should have been protested for the last 30, 40, 50, 100, 200 years is the carte blanche authority that police officers have to resort to physical violence early in encounters with Black males, to end every police encounter with physical dominance of Black males, and that is simply unacceptable at this age, Quander said at the news conference in July 2020.

Kimbrough held a news conference on June 29, 2020, where he said he reviewed body-camera footage and determined that Curry did not use excessive force. He also said he consulted with the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office, which also determined that Curry acted properly and did not use excessive force.

At that news conference, Kimbrough was joined by four Black leaders who agreed that this was not an example of excessive force  the Rev. Alvin Carlisle, who was then president of the local chapter of the NAACP; Bishop Todd Fulton, who was then social-justice chairman of the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity; James Perry, the president of the Winston-Salem Urban League, and Al Jabbar, a community activist.

Moody said Tuesday he is happy that the truth is out. He said so much of what happened had been misconstrued.

Im glad that its over, he said Tuesday. I definitely dont want it to happen to the next person whos walking around without a mask.

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On Jan. 6, 1943, the Feast of the Epiphany, Vojtech Sailer, a doctor from the Czechoslovakian village of Podebrady was arrested by the Gestapo and thrown into a Nazi concentration camp for his role in supporting the Czech resistance.

Because of his medical expertise, Sailer was chosen to become the camp doctor, treating the wounds and ailments of political prisoners. Routinely tortured and beaten, Jewish prisoners were denied regular medical care, though Sailer managed to treat many of them secretly.

Sailer endured a nightmarish existence in the prison camp, which was in the town of Terezin, about 30 miles north of Prague. At that time, Terezin had been turned into a Jewish ghetto, where Jews were sent temporarily before being deported to Auschwitz and other extermination camps.

Through the window of the camp infirmary, Sailer watched guards form a circle around the Jewish prisoners and command them to run. As they ran, the guards beat them with clubs, lassos, blackjacks and other weapons. Any prisoner who fell was immediately pummeled to a bloody pulp.

When the guards grew tired of this game, they gave weapons to the prisoners and ordered them to beat each other, which they did with little strength or conviction.

They were then ordered to stand in front of a fire hydrant and keep their faces aimed toward the spray of water, causing some to bleed from the force.

Sent to Nuremberg for trial in 1945, Sailer was released and returned to Podebrady where he practiced medicine in what was then communist Czechoslovakia.

His experience in the Terezin camp, where 2,600 prisoners died, remained with him, and in 1972, he published a memoir Doctor in Terezin, which was published in Czech.

Mindful of how history can distort the past, Sailer dedicated the book to young people for a specific reason  so that the story of those who suffered and died for the liberation of Czechoslovakia would never be forgotten.

A sobering, eyewitness testimony to the horrors of the Holocaust, the book did not create much of a splash upon release. Sailers story may well have been lost if not for the efforts of three generations of Sailers, including his grandson, Voyta, a doctor who lives in Lewisville, and his great-grandson, Nicholas, who grew up in the area and now lives in Raleigh.

In 2020, 75 years after the end of World War II, Voyta and Nicholas Sailer published the first English version of Doctor in Terezin, completing a years long, painstaking effort to keep alive the story of Vojtech Sailer.

The project brought father and son together to remember a man that Voyta barely knew and Nicholas never met.

It gave me a proud gratitude for how my great-grandfather stepped up in a moment of history where it would have been sufficient for him to just get through it, Nicholas said. He did more than that. He made the lives of a lot of prisoners a lot better. And he took risks, especially with the German authorities.

Voytas father, Vojtech Sailer Jr., also a doctor, left Czechoslovakia in the 1960s and eventually settled in Columbia, S.C., via Ethiopia and Texas.

Dad got the idea he wanted to publish the book in English, and he set off to translate it himself, Voyta Sailer said.

Publishers rejected the English-language version of the book, in part because the translation was quite clunky, Voyta Sailer said.

After the rejection, the manuscript was filed away among papers. At some point, Voytas father began to suffer from dementia, and he could not remember where he put it.

The manuscript appeared lost.

About five or six years ago, we started moving stuff out of his office and found it, Voyta Sailer said. So I got ahold of it and knew right away I wanted it to be put in on a computer document.

The idea was to publish the manuscript as Voytas father had translated it.

Thats when Voytas son, Nicholas urged him to think again.

He kept on me to change some of it, Voyta said. The Czech and English grammar is almost opposite. You say it one way in Czech and its the opposite in English. And my father wrote English in a very Czech way.

Nicholas, a video producer, saw the value in polishing the translation, a process he knew would be a labor-intensive project but necessary to strengthen the story.

We realized that preserving it in this way and creating a language that was more accessible would be a significant thing, Nicholas said.

Getting the language right meant occasionally consulting with Czech friends. After a while, Nicholas better understood the rhythm of his grandfathers odd Czech-to-English translation.

With Voytas wife, Laura, handling the typing, the English translation of Doctor in Terezin took nearly two years to complete.

Both Voyta and Nicholas knew something of Vojtech Sailers work in the prison camp but translating the book gave them a deeper appreciation of his heroism. For instance, in some cases he and other members of the medical team would bandage a healthy Jewish prisoners face to make it appear he had an infectious skin disease, excusing him from a work day.

In another case, Sailer went above and beyond his duty to treat mange on the dog of the camps infamously brutal commander, Heinrich Jockel. Though resentful he was forced to spend so much energy on the dog, Sailer knew that if the dog got cured, Jockels satisfaction might show on behalf of the infirmary and in the long run meant a gain for the prisoners.

Sailer later testified against Jockel, who was found guilty for the mistreatment and murder of prisoners and executed by hanging in 1946.

Besides preserving the history of a family member, Voyta and Nicholas see the value in telling Vojtech Sailers story in an age when the facts of the Holocaust are denied or distorted in half-baked conspiracy theories.

Voyta drew parallels between Vladimir Putins push to invade Ukraine with the Adolf Hitler-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. In both cases, a despot instigated war to try to overtake an independent country based on historic ties.

Over the last 10 years and over the next 10 years, the people who experienced World War II are passing on, Nicholas said. This makes you realize that stories of this nature are becoming more and more important and are taking on a different kind of significance. Hopefully, this story joins a chorus of memories and accounts that shape an accurate picture of what happened.

Voyta and his wife, Laura, spent a day in Terezin a few years ago, and found Vojtech Sailers name listed on a plaque.

Talk about emotional, Laura said. It was powerful.

Nicholas visited Terezin about 10 years ago, before he understood the depths of his great-grandfathers story.

One day, he hopes to return with his father and retrace some of his great-grandfathers footsteps along the Ohre River.

In a delightful and unexpected way, this brought us closer together, Nicholas said. It allowed us to see the things we have in common, which is our heritage.

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Could be worse

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican Partys guiding light, finally took on the task that most Republicans had been avoiding. She answered the question, What is a woman?

At a Republican assembly in Georgia earlier this month, she explained: Im going to tell you right now what is a woman. We are a creation of God. We came from Adams rib. God created us with his hands. We may be the weaker sex, we are the weaker sex, but we are our partners, our husbands wife.

So, to summarize, to be a woman, you have to be weak. You have to be married  to a man, so no lesbians allowed. And you have to believe in the creation myth.

I dont know, maybe its me, but I feel like that definition leaves out a whole lot of women. But on the other hand, she didnt say you have to be white, so maybe its a wash.

Bethany Pare

Winston-Salem

No change for me

I have a problem with your approach to electric vehicles, as exemplified by the April 11 story Triad unplugged. What if I dont want an EV? What if I look at its price tag, its thus-far unsupported recharging infrastructure, the inconvenience of pausing to recharge it and decide that I just dont want it? What if I like my old, reliable, fossil-fuel-fueled vehicle? Am I going to be forced to change over by the progressive culture, just like I was with a smartphone?

The only reason were switching the whole automobile industry, I believe, is so Detroit can make money. But some things work just fine and dont need to be changed.

Gary C. Parent

Winston-Salem

Qualified and capable

It made me feel so good to watch the White House ceremony to honor soon-to-be Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson! She is so qualified and capable.

Im debating with myself whether the Republican obstruction to her nomination was just the Republicans typical disrespectful obstruction or whether it construed actual racism.

I know how much the Republicans hate the race card, but they sure seem to invite it to be played a lot.

Jacksons confirmation is a great victory for Black people. And Republicans are acting as if its a loss for them. So does it follow? Is it fair? Im starting to think so.

The Republican Party is going out of its way to be disrespectful to Black people, to Democrats (including the president of the United States), to LGBTQ youth  and deadly to them  but we never hear them renounce their colleagues who attended white supremacist rallies. They support a president who tried to overthrow the U.S. government to remain in power. Do they even like America? I think its fair to ask.

Patricia Branch

Winston-Salem

Look it up

The day after some celebrated the first openly gay woman winning an Oscar (NC native (Ariana) Debose makes history, March 29), others celebrated Floridas Dont Say Gay bill being signed into law.

For years we tried to legislate, teach and pray the gay away. Religion shamed and society made laws. Neither worked because, as research has shown, it is far deeper than choice.

A neuropsychiatrist could explain the intricacies of the brains delicate wiring and possibly help us understand why we differ.

A pediatric surgeon could explain the frequency of babies born with a disorder of sex development. At a moment of great joy for parents, something is amiss and an extra chromosome has caused confusion. It happens for 1 in 1,500 births. Although doctors and parents try to fix it, sometimes children grow to feel gender dysphoria, a mismatch with what we think they should be. Why make it harder on them?

Look up these words: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, cisgender, gender diverse, gender expression, gender identity, nonbinary and sexual orientation. Feeling confused? At least you are trying.

Children develop at their own pace, with their own thoughts, no matter how much we try to control them. The best way to help them grow into healthy adults is to love them unconditionally.

We cant fix everything with a law. But we can expand our understanding.

We can hone our empathy. Look that up. We need more of it.

Kathy Cooper

Winston-Salem
Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham

Yields 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 bone-in fully cooked ham (about 5 pounds)

(about 5 pounds) 1 cup apple cider

 cup dark brown sugar

 cup bourbon (Kentucky)

(Kentucky)  cup honey

 cup Dijon mustard

4 sprigs fresh thyme

| Preparation | Place the ham in a large slow cooker. Whisk the apple cider with the brown sugar, bourbon, honey and Dijon mustard. Slowly pour over the ham. Scatter the thyme sprigs into the slow cooker.

Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until very tender. Remove ham to rest on a cutting board.

Pour the remaining cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced.

Cut the ham into chunks or slices. Brush the cut pieces with the cooking liquid before arranging on a platter. Serve warm or room temperature.
OMAHA  A nonprofit group has begun planning an estimated $50 million inpatient behavioral health facility for children on the campus of Immanuel Medical Center in north-central Omaha.

The center will be operated by CHI Health.

Omaha philanthropist Ken Stinson said the facility will have 36 to 40 beds and serve children ages 5 to 18 who are experiencing mental health challenges. Thats double the 18 beds for children and adolescents currently available at Immanuel.

Stinson, former Kiewit Corporation chairman and CEO, said he took the lead on the project about nine months ago, based on his interest in mental health care. He has formed a nonprofit group to plan, design and raise money for the facility.

The notion of building a new mental health center for adolescents has been in the works for four or five years, he said. But the need recently has become clearer.

There is a general consensus that the increase in mental health problems among young people has been going on for a decade or more, Stinson said. Some see social media as a main contributor to the problem, and experts agree the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated it.

I think its an important issue, Stinson said, and its become more important with the ramifications of the pandemic.

Indeed, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory in December to highlight the urgent need to address the nations mental health crisis among youths.

In early 2021, emergency room visits in the U.S. for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher for adolescent girls and 4% higher for adolescent boys compared to the same period in 2019, according to research cited in the advisory. From 2009 to 2019, the proportion of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%, and the share seriously considering attempting suicide increased by 36%.

Stinson and Rhonda Hawks, another Omaha philanthropist and mental health advocate, led a previous campaign that in 2008 led to the opening of the 64-bed Lasting Hope Recovery Center, an inpatient adult treatment center near downtown.

Lasting Hope Recovery Center also is operated by CHI Health, which is the largest provider of inpatient mental health care in Nebraska.

The group is staying on brand with the new facility, which will be called the Lasting Hope Center for Children and Families.

Stinson said he put together a team of health care professionals, business leaders and educators to develop the plan for the facility. The group hired HDR Inc. to conduct a study on the demand for beds. It also has completed a study of the mental health care workforce in Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, which covers Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Dodge and Washington counties.

In addition, the group is working with educators at Metropolitan Community College, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Creighton University, Bellevue University and Iowa Western Community College, who are focusing on ways to expand their output of mental health care workers.

Stinson said it is still early, but the collaborators are becoming comfortable that they will be able to staff the new facility when it opens, likely in a couple of years.

Meanwhile, the group has hired Kiewit to serve as contractor and HDR to design the facility. A portion of the estimated $50 million cost will be covered by a share of the $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds designated for mental health projects in the state. The Legislature last week approved LB1014, which lays out how the states share of those federal dollars are to be spent.

Stinson said the group has other preliminary commitments from other potential funders. Fundraising will begin in the next several months.

The group also is looking at state-of-the-art facility design and best practices, working with a group from Boston led by Dr. David Rubin, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Program.

Robin Conyers, CHI Healths vice president of behavioral health services, said the current pediatric psychiatric unit at Immanuel was set up on a medical-surgical floor. It has no access to the outdoors.

Children and families currently come through the hospitals emergency room to get to the unit, which isnt necessarily an ideal experience for kids and families in crisis.

The new facility will have a pediatric assessment center, where kids can be seen and stabilized and either admitted or referred for other care. The facility also will consolidate all of the campus child services, Conyers said, creating a one-stop shop for families and providing a full continuum of training opportunities for Creighton University child psychiatry residents and fellows.

Conyers said the new facility will have all private rooms. The existing unit has semiprivate rooms. That can create capacity challenges, given the need to avoid mixing patients of different genders and ages.

We know that weve had these services in our organization for 100 years, Conyers said, but what were currently doing is not enough, and the pandemic has exacerbated that for us.  Were honored to have the opportunity to provide this to our community.

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An ember from a fire pit that hadn't been used since Monday night caught a house on fire in south Lincoln on Tuesday, causing $40,000 in damage, according to officials.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue Capt. Nancy Crist said the instance served as a reminder of the dangers of recent high winds, which investigators determined had carried the ember from the backyard pit hours after it was last used.

Still, she said, the fire at 3230 Loveland Drive "certainly could have been a much bigger problem for homes all around."

Crews responded to the house at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after residents smelled smoke but couldn't find a source of flames. First responders found the fire burning on the exterior siding along the house's chimney and contained it there, Crist said.

No one was injured in the fire, though residents were relocated.

Crist used the incident to remind Lincoln residents to douse backyard fire pits in water after use.

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Majdal Elias showed no emotion when the bailiff read the jury's verdict late Wednesday morning in a third-floor courtroom.

Guilty of second-degree murder of 15-year-old Ali Al-Burkat.

Guilty of use of a firearm to commit the crime.

Guilty of unlawful discharge of a firearm into a vehicle.

And guilty of use of a firearm to commit that crime.

At the first "guilty," Al-Burkat's family and friends in the courtroom began reacting, some quietly hugging and crying, at the conclusion of an emotional week-and-a-half-long trial where the defense argued the government got it wrong and Elias wasn't the shooter.

Outside the courtroom, a group of Al-Burkat's friends and family gathered, one wearing a "Long Live Ali" sweatshirt, shaking hands with and hugging the prosecutors and lead investigator, Chris Milisits, for their work.

Elias, an admitted drug dealer, already is serving 19 to 33 years in prison on drug and gun charges.

Now, at his sentencing in May he'll face another 33 years to life for Al-Burkat's killing Sept. 29, 2019.

Police initially arrested Elias in connection to a search of his apartment at The Links a month later, where they found a quarter pound of cocaine, an AK-47-style rifle, a handgun, just less than a pound of marijuana and $25,000 in cash, and in a search of a relative's house across town found more of his drugs and guns.

But at the trial that started April 4, Elias was accused of shooting into a carload of teens and a 20-year-old, killing Al-Burkat.

The four in the Chevy Malibu had been part of a plot to rob another drug dealer who lived in an apartment on the other side of The Links that night. But the driver, Mohammed Al-Haidari, his face partially covered with a T-shirt, missed his turn and ended up circling the complex, which is when the SUV ended up behind them.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jeff Mathers said Elias, in his silver Ford Explorer, must have seen them and thought they were there to rob him. At first he passed them, then followed as they turned back down North Seventh Street to try to find their intended victim. But at the turn, Elias pulled up beside them and said: "You're busted," then started firing.

One of the shots into the Malibu's trunk struck Al-Burkat in the back, quickly killing him.

Cameras in the area caught glimpses of Al-Haidari fish-tailing off the road trying to get around the SUV after speeding away only to discover the road was a dead-end.

Defense attorney Chad Wythers argued there was reasonable doubt because the teenage brothers in the front seat of the Chevy Malibu that night couldn't ID Elias as the shooter.

But the state pointed to a disposable gun magazine with his DNA on it found on the side of the road a mile away, and to jail calls about a map Elias sent to an ex-girlfriend from jail and calls trying to get her to follow it to a field near his apartment, where they think he ditched the gun.

All the facts point to one thing, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Morgan Smith said in closing arguments Tuesday: "Majdal Elias shot and killed Ali Al-Burkat."

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An ambitious plan to narrow disparities at Lincoln Public Schools  from the graduation rate to the hiring of diverse staff  is moving forward, providing key insight into some of the district's priorities as it enters a new five-year strategic planning process this summer.

Officials presented a draft of the plan Tuesday to the Lincoln Board of Education, which last summer established four equity goals as part of its annual priority-setting work.

Those goals aim to close gaps based on race in four distinct areas: The graduation rate, student behavior, honors course enrollment and hiring of certificated staff.

Last August, LPS laid out specific benchmarks it wanted to achieve and formed four committees  comprised of staff, students, community members and others  to pull together plans. The result: A 32-page document outlining steps to reach those equity goals.

* Raising the four-year graduation rate to 87% for all students, while cutting the difference between that overall rate and the rate of individual subgroups by 50%.

* Reducing total suspensions by 20% and disproportionality ratios to 1.2 or less for all subgroups. A ratio of 1.2 indicates a student group is 1.2 times more likely to be suspended.

* Reducing disproportionality by 75% between all students who have completed at least one honors course and each subgroup.

* Increasing the percentage of nonwhite certificated staff from 6.5% to 8.1%.

The committees met multiple times over the past five months to study data, conduct research and meet with stakeholders before recommending formal action steps.

"In some sense, individual schools have been working on these things for a period of time, but it hasn't been systematic, districtwide. And these have been longstanding disparities that are long overdue to be addressed," said Matt Larson, associate superintendent of instruction.

While the plan is broad in scope, it presents some insight into the district's vision for the future at a time when it's getting ready to welcome a new superintendent and craft a new five-year strategic plan.

"We hope this is a living, breathing document" that shows the district is putting its words into action, said Sarah Salem, director of continuous improvement and professional learning, during her presentation at the LPS board meeting Tuesday.

The "All Means All Action Plan" lists a number of strategies for each of the four goals.

Graduation rate

To tackle disparities in the graduation rate, committee members recommended evaluating the transition process for students at key junctures, such as the move from eighth grade to high school.

The committee also looked at expanding graduation pathways for students and professional-learning opportunities for new teachers.

The district already has programs in place  such as the college-readiness class AVID piloted at Lincoln Northeast  to expand upon, said Pat Hunter-Pirtle, director of secondary education and committee co-chair. AVID will be offered at 12 schools in the fall.

LPS' four-year graduation rate dropped slightly last year to 81.9%, down from the 83.6% rate in 2018-19 that the district used as a pre-pandemic baseline in the report.

Disparities also persisted. In the 2020-21 school year, 85.8% of white students graduated in four years. That's higher than their peers who are Black (64.9%), Hispanic (72.2%), Native (52.6%) and mixed race (71.3%). Only Asian students had a higher graduation rate at 92.5%.

"Ideally, there shouldn't be disparities," Hunter-Pirtle said. "That might be somewhat pie in the sky, but there shouldn't."

The goal is to cut the difference between the all-student graduation rate and all subgroups by 50%, meaning the target for nonwhite student groups would be anywhere from 76%-80%.

Student behavior

Disparities also exist in LPS' out-of-school suspension rate.

Less than 4% of all students receive out-of-school suspensions  handed down for more serious offenses  but students of color are suspended at a higher rate than their white peers. Black students, for example, were suspended last year at a ratio of 2.1, meaning they were 2.1 times more likely to be suspended than all other students.

The district would like to drop all ratios below 1.2, and the overall number of suspensions by 20%. To do so, the committee tasked with the issue recommended training staff in restorative and trauma-informed practices and ensuring a uniform system of support is implemented in each building.

The committee also recommended convening a committee to revise the LPS code of conduct to reflect restorative language.

The work to reduce suspensions is even more important given the increase in behavioral and mental health issues among students during the pandemic, said Russ Uhing, director of student services and committee co-chair.

"We had more kids coming back more anxious, not only social anxiety but also around COVID and things as well," Uhing said. "So we did see an increase in behavior (issues) at the start of the school year."

Honors course enrollment

More than 40% of LPS middle and high school students complete honors courses each year. Those include Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual-credit and differentiated classes.

Students of color, however, have historically lagged behind in honors course enrollment.

The committee tasked with this goal recommended improving communication about honors courses to students of color. Committee members also recommended growing awareness of the district's gifted program.

The committee conducted its own research into the issue, including surveying other school districts to learn about best practices, said Takako Olson, director of curriculum and instruction and committee co-chair.

Other action steps include establishing consistent districtwide practices to identify and recruit students of color into honors courses and the gifted program and providing teachers with additional professional development. Additionally, staff are exploring the idea of paying for AP test fees.

Hiring of certificated staff

Employing staff that accurately represents the student body has long been a challenge at LPS.

Roughly 94% of certified staff  which includes administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers and others  are white, compared with just 64% of students.

Retaining staff across the board is another challenge, although in recent years teachers of color have had higher retention rates than their white peers, said Vann Price, director of diversity, equity and inclusion and committee co-chair.

Committee members recommended expanding recruiting efforts and outreach to LPS students and candidates from diverse backgrounds and ensuring culturally responsive interview practices, including awareness of implicit biases.

Another recommendation included increasing support for teachers of color, including creating an optional dual-mentoring program to match teachers and mentors of color.

Price said a diverse staff helps all students, much like the movement to make sidewalks accessible helped more than just those with mobility challenges.

"I see this as that same thing. When we improve instruction, when we improve the number of staff within the district that represents the students we serve, it not only is going to help the students of color, it's going to help us all," Price said. "I just think it's a win-win."

Next steps

Discussions on how to implement the plan will begin this summer, but it won't be a one-and-done process.

"Not everything can be implemented in the first semester (this fall)," Salem said. "We've got to, as a district, identify for schools what are going to be the things that we start working on right away and what might take a year to implement."

Professional development workshops in the summer will focus on the four goals and conferences held each fall with principals will include discussions concerning individual schools' progress. Schools will have their own equity benchmarks outlined in school improvement plans as well, Salem said.

Some of the strategies, such as expanding the AVID program, would require budget requests that would have to go before the board for approval.

Board member Lanny Boswell signaled his support for the plan last month during a meeting of the board's student learning committee.

"I think it's up to us as a board to make sure that we're using this plan to guide the decisions that we make," he said.

Annie Mumgaard, a school board member who also serves on the student learning committee and has been a vocal advocate for the board's equity work, said "it feels like something has changed" in LPS' approach to equity.

"This just really feels like forward motion," she said.

While a more definitive timeline will be laid out in the strategic plan, officials reiterated that the work will be ongoing and the board will receive annual progress reports.

"We didn't get to where we got overnight and we won't completely close the disparities overnight either," Larson said. "But what will be important is that everyone continuously works on this and we do make progress  measurable progress."

Contact the writer at zhammack@journalstar.com or 402-473-7225. On Twitter @zach_hammack

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ELWOOD  Firefighters from more than 25 Nebraska departments joined family and friends Wednesday to honor the life of Elwood Fire Chief Darren Krull.

Krull died April 7 when the SUV he was riding in collided head-on with a truck hauling water to the wildfire near Elwood that spread rapidly and has now burned 35,000 acres.

At the entrance to town, fire departments from Holdrege and Broken Bow teamed up to stretch an American flag between their aerial ladder trucks on Nebraska 23. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from more than two dozen volunteer fire departments lined a residential side street and wrapped around a town block.

At the Elwood Fire Hall, a black sash draped the front door and the truck bay doors.

An estimated 250 people packed the sanctuary and fellowship room of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. In front of Krulls flag-draped casket, the Rev. Aaron Witt read a portion of the Firefighters Prayer, ... Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age ...  and from John 15:13, which reads, Greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones friends.

Its the love of God, Witt said, that worked in Krull and in all firefighters, giving them the strength to answer a call anytime of the day or night, leave their families to help someone else and run into flames while others run out.

When people go out to fight those fires, we see God. When we see people volunteering and giving food and supporting our communities, we see God, Witt said.

Krull grew up in Glenvil, graduating from Sandy Creek High School in 1986. He joined the Glenvil Volunteer Fire Department and later moved to Overton, where he became the fire chief in 2003. He later moved with his family to Elwood, the Gosper County town of 700 people where he worked as the manager of the town's Aurora Cooperative.

He had been the Elwood volunteer department's fire chief since 2018.

Firefighting was Krulls passion, Witt said, but his life was his family. He loved being a mentor and teacher, but also enjoyed spending time with his eight grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Cheryl, woodworking and cooking.

Krull was known to take meals to Gosper County dispatchers who were scheduled to work on holidays. He even taught his corgi mix dog, Ace, how to pray before meals.

Earlier, Elwood Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Clause said Krull was always mellow on the scene of a fire, no matter how crazy the situation was. He knew how to keep the other firefighters calm and their heads level.

He was a great leader for the department, Clause said.

At the end of the service, Witt had firefighters stand and read the Firefighters Prayer in its entirety. Tears flowed as a Gosper County dispatcher gave a final page for Krull across emergency radios.

Krull was to be buried later Wednesday at Hanover Cemetery near Glenvil.

Later Wednesday, Florida teenager Zechariah Cartledge of Running 4 Heroes was to run 1 mile carrying an American flag in Krulls honor.

According to the Running 4 Heroes Facebook page, Cartledge runs 1 mile for every first responder who dies in the line of duty.

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With warmer temperatures and abnormally low precipitation projected through June, Lincoln officials on Wednesday urged residents to begin water conservation efforts now as a potentially dry summer looms.

The city's request, announced in a news release Tuesday morning, was made in coordination with experts across the Lower Platte River Drought Consortium, a group of agencies that works together to sustain public water supplies in the lower Platte River basin.

The non-mandatory water conservation plan largely focuses on yard maintenance, which officials say can account for more than 50% of Lincoln's daily water usage on hot summer days.

Much of this water is wasted through overwatering, evaporation and faulty sprinkler systems, Lincoln Water System Superintendent Steve Owen said in the news release.

The city asked residents to avoid water-wasting pitfalls by watering lawns only when necessary, and doing so in the early morning hours to circumvent quick water evaporation.

Officials also recommended residents avoid watering on hot or windy days to reduce evaporation, minimize grass fertilization in the summer months, only cut a third of grass height when mowing and sharpen mower blades to avoid injuring grass.

A complete list of water conservation methods is available on the city's website.

In 2019, Lincoln mandated a 50% reduction in water use by residents and a 25% reduction by commercial users amid record flooding on the Platte River near Ashland, the root of the city's water supply system.

Prior to that, Lincoln has mandated conservation in drought years. The current U.S. Drought Monitor has 96% of Nebraska in some stage of drought.

The Platte River, which also draws water from snowmelt in Colorado, is a water source for Fremont and Omaha, as well as a source of irrigation.

Last June, around 1,800 customers of the rural water district that serves Bennet, Panama and Roca were banned from watering their lawns at all for more than two weeks.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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The Lee Weather Team has launched a fast-paced weekly podcast that tackles hot topics (and cold!) plus whats trending in meteorology, science and climate.

The team features Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group based out of Chicago; Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma; Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J.; and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia.

The show isn't limited to hard science as our hosts will host a variety of guests to share stories that will tug at your emotions from stories out in the elements.

"We want to talk about topics that really either stimulate a conversation or we're going to talk about stories that you as the listener really can really follow along in your head to (and) kind of make you zone out for a few minutes and hear those stories," Martucci said of the show's goals during the initial podcast. So you don't miss an episode, be sure to subscribe to Across the Sky on Apple, Google, Spotify or wherever you get your shows. An RSS feed is also available.

The Lee Weather Team brings deep meteorological knowledge thanks to varied backgrounds and work stops along the way.

Holiner joined the company in September 2021 as the Midwest chief meteorologist and covers weather and climate for 32 communities across six states. Originally from San Antonio, Matt earned his bachelor's degree in geological sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and his master's degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. He interned at CNN and The Weather Channel before becoming a television meteorologist at WWBT in Richmond, Virginia, KYOU in Ottumwa, Iowa, WXIX in Cincinnati, Ohio, and KRGV in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.

Lang, also a San Antonio native, joined the Tulsa World in September after stops at KJRH in Tulsa, 7News in Denver, WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee, and KAVU in Victoria, Texas. Lang earned a Bachelor of Science from University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University.

New Jersey-native Martucci joined The Press of Atlantic City in 2017 and is currently the host of the Something in the Air podcast. A 10-time New Jersey Press Association Award winner, Martucci earned a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University and has done extensive weather work in the New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets.

Sublette, born and raised in Richmond, worked as broadcast meteorologist for 20 years in Virginia at stations serving Roanoke and Lynchburg. Before coming home to Richmond in December, he was a meteorologist at Climate Central, a science and communications non-profit studying and communicating the science and impacts of climate change. Sean has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in meteorology from Penn State.

Follow the hosts on Twitter

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President Joe Biden said Tuesday his administration will suspend a federal rule that bars higher levels of ethanol in gasoline during the summer. The move, which Biden announced during a visit to Iowa, is intended to tamp down prices at the pump that have spiked during Russias war with Ukraine. Iowa and Nebraska are key producers of the corn-based fuel additive.

A look at how the decision to authorize summer use of E15 will impact gas supplies, prices and the environment.

WHAT ACTION IS BIDEN TAKING?

Most gasoline sold in the U.S. is blended with 10% ethanol. At Biden's direction, the Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver to allow widespread sale of 15% ethanol blend that is usually prohibited between June 1 and Sept. 15 because of concerns that it adds to smog in high temperatures.

Senior Biden administration officials said the move will save drivers an average of 10 cents per gallon at 2,300 gas stations that sell E15.

WHY IS BIDEN DOING THIS?

Lawmakers from both parties, including Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, and ethanol advocates have urged Biden and the EPA to allow year-round sales of E15, calling it a cheaper and readily available domestic alternative to traditional gasoline. The U.S. has banned imports of Russian crude oil since that country's late February invasion of Ukraine, disrupting global markets and raising prices.

If President Biden is serious about driving down costs for Americans, he should allow the sale of E15 during the summer, throughout the energy crisis and beyond. Doing so would be good for families, the environment, and rural America, Fischer said.

She is the lead sponsor of the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to extend a waiver that would allow higher-ethanol fuel blends above 10% year-round.

Ethanol groups called Biden's action a major win for American drivers and U.S. energy security. "It means cleaner options at the pump and a stronger rural economy, said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, a biofuel trade group.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT?

Administration officials say the short-term move will have little effect on the environment and that the EPA will work with states to "ensure there are no significant air-quality impacts through the summer driving season.''

Environmentalists questioned that, saying ethanol production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion and raises prices for corn and other crops.

The ethanol lobby will be happy and kids with asthma will be sicker,'' said Dan Becker of the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group.

A recent report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences revealed that the federal ethanol mandate inflated corn prices by 30% from 2008 to 2016, made corn-based ethanol more carbon-intensive than gasoline and increased annual fertilizer use by up to 8%, polluting waterways.

HAS EPA DONE THIS BEFORE?

The EPA has lifted seasonal restrictions on E15 in the past, including after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Trump administration allowed for year-round E15 sales starting in 2019, but a federal appeals court struck down the policy change in July 2021, saying the EPA overstepped its authority.

The decision dealt a significant blow to the ethanol industry and corn farmers who had anticipated increased ethanol demand through year-round sales of the higher blend.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM TRUMP'S ACTION?

Senior Biden administration officials said they expected the EPA waiver to survive a likely court challenge, saying that unlike the open-ended Trump rule, the action is limited to this summer and is prompted by a supply disruption caused by the war in Europe.

But critics said the only emergency is Biden's dropping poll numbers.

Emergency fuel waivers are reserved for acute supply disruptions, such as those resulting from a hurricane, said Chet Thompson, president & CEO of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which represents petroleum refiners.

An additional three months of E15 sales wont do anything to address high crude oil prices, and 98% of retail (gas) stations cant even sell the fuel,'' Thompson said. This is politics, not a real solution for drivers.

WILL E15 HURT MY CAR'S ENGINE?

E15, often sold at the pump as Unleaded 88, for its octane rating, can safely be used in all cars, trucks and SUVs from 2001 on. The ethanol industry says the fuel is one of the most tested in history and has no effect on vehicle drivability.

There is no noticeable difference between the mileage achieved when using E15 and mileage when operating on E10.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF E15 GAS?

E15, or Unleaded 88, typically sells for 10 cents a gallon less than E10, the standard formulation for U.S. cars. The price difference between Unleaded 88 and conventional gasoline without ethanol is around 40 cents.

CAN I USE E15 IN MY LAWNMOWER?

E15 has not been approved by EPA for use in non-automotive engines such as boats, motorcycles, lawn mowers and other small engines. E10, the standard ethanol formulation, is approved for small engines.

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An attorney hired by a special legislative panel said former state Sen. Mike Groene acted inappropriately in taking photos of a female staff member without her knowledge or permission.

Tara Paulson, an attorney specializing in employment matters at Rembolt Ludtke in Lincoln, called the North Platte lawmakers conduct boorish, brainless and bizarre in a report read at the Legislature on Wednesday.

But the 24-page report said Groene's actions did not constitute workplace harassment or discrimination under the Legislature's policies.

The executive summary of the report was read aloud by Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart shortly before lawmakers adjourned on Day 59 of the 60-day legislative session.

Wishart, one of three senators named by the Executive Board to the special panel along with Sens. Tom Briese of Albion and John Arch of La Vista, said Paulson was hired to investigate claims of unlawful sexual discrimination or harassment made against Groene in February.

Kristina Konecko, a staff member who worked in Groenes office whose duties included working on his laptops, discovered photos of herself apparently taken by the conservative senator, according to the investigation.

Some of the photos dated back to 2018, Konecko told Paulson, and many were sent from his legislative email to his personal email account. She found the emails and photo attachments on several occasions in January and February, the report states.

After finding images of herself sent between Groene's email accounts on Feb. 1, 3 and 4, Konecko reported her findings to both the attorney for the Executive Board and the Legislature's affirmative action officer on Feb. 4, a recess day for the Legislature.

In discussion with the legal counsel and the affirmative action officer, Konecko later agreed not to report to work in Groene's office between Feb. 7 and Feb. 25, but continued to meet with those individuals to pursue an informal resolution.

According to the report, Konecko's concerns were also relayed to Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango, chairman of the Executive Board. After receiving a written report on Feb. 7, Hughes took immediate and prompt steps to investigate in a confidential manner.

The informal workplace resolution pursued by Konecko was later made public following a story that appeared on Nebraska Sunrise News' website, Paulsons report said.

The publicity led to Hughes suggesting a formal investigation on Feb. 18  which Konecko agreed to  Paulson wrote, since the protection of her identity was no longer possible.

Groene resigned Feb. 21. On Feb. 22, the Nebraska Attorney General's Office asked the State Patrol to investigate whether a crime had been committed.

As part of investigation, the Executive Board convened the Special Personnel Panel, which hired Paulson on Feb. 28 to investigate and provide a written report and recommendations for remedial actions to be considered by the Executive Board or the full Legislature.

Paulson's investigation included reviewing 50 pages of screenshots taken from Groene's laptop that contained photos of Konecko  the report states she was fully clothed in each  and interviewing 10 employees of the Legislature and several senators.

Several of the individuals interviewed said Groene had spoken to them about the allegations, told them "there was more to the story," or wished it would go away.

One employee interviewed told Paulson they had not seen the photographs, but said Groene told them he wished he hadn't taken them and later texted them on Feb. 18 saying "I hope your God is happy. My god forgives."

Another employee said Groene "admitted ... that he had screwed up and/or made a mistake." The employee also described Groene as "almost abusive" to work with, but said he treated Konecko "more like a daughter."

Paulson also interviewed a witness  who from the context in the report and statements made on the floor of the Legislature, appears to be Hughes  who told her Groene did not deny the allegations made against him and agreed his behavior was inappropriate and that he regretted his actions in a meeting in an office Feb. 9.

Hughes later accompanied Groene to the legislative technology office, where his cellphone and laptops were searched.

As part of her review, Paulson also examined the Legislatures policies related to workplace harassment, technology and workplace harassment training logs, the executive summary states.

In a footnote, Paulson noted that each of the witnesses interviewed had completed the workplace harassment training in February 2022 with the exception of Groene. He had previously participated in workplace harassment training conducted in the previous two-year legislative cycle, however.

My investigation revealed that Mr. Groene did take photographs of the complainant without her authorization or knowledge, Paulson wrote. Mr. Groenes actions can be described as boorish, brainless and bizarre, especially for the workplace.

Paulson said there was no evidence to suggest the photographs were shared with any other state senators or employees of the Legislature, but noted she had not reviewed evidence gathered by the Nebraska State Patrol, which is conducting its own investigation into Groenes actions.

In March, the State Patrol obtained a search warrant to continue its investigation into whether or not Groenes actions amounted to a crime.

State Patrol Sgt. Stacie Lundgren, in the search warrant filed in Lancaster County District Court, said there was probable cause to believe evidence of official misconduct and oppression under color of office would be found on Groenes state-issued laptops.

Investigators seized HP and MacBook computers to search through documents, records, emails and internet and social media history, according to court records.

If further evidence comes to light, Paulson said she reserved the right to reopen the investigation and reevaluate her conclusions if requested by the Executive Board.

Her findings, read by Wishart on Wednesday, were mixed.

Paulson said Groenes conduct was wholly unprofessional and inappropriate.

In the private sector, the conduct of Mr. Groene would most certainly result in disciplinary action up to and including termination, Paulson wrote. If Mr. Groene had not resigned, his conduct would likely have led to corrective action such as reprimand, censure, or expulsion.

However, according to relevant legal standards and the Legislatures workplace harassment policies, Mr. Groenes conduct does not constitute unlawful discrimination or harassment, she added.

Shortly before resigning in February, Groene told the Omaha World-Herald he had made a mistake and planned to resign, but downplayed "the seriousness of the crime," saying he was going to step away to spare his family from being in the public eye.

He also withdrew from running for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

On Wednesday evening, in a statement sent out by his legal team at Mattson Ricketts law firm in Lincoln, Groene appeared to back away from those statements.

"For the last two months, my name has been drug through the mud in a political witch hunt," he said. "From the beginning, I did nothing unlawful. In no manner did I harass any employee."

Groene, contradicting Paulson's findings  the report notes Groene declined to participate in the formal investigation despite multiple verbal and written requests  accused employees of the Executive Board and "a member of my staff" of breaking into his work computer and invading his privacy.

He also lashed out at Hughes, Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, and Gov. Pete Ricketts  though not by name  who encouraged him to resign "without due process."

"In retrospect, I should not have," he said. "Americans have rights to their privacy, but apparently not in the Nebraska Legislature."

Wishart, who worked as a staff member in the Legislature before she was elected to represent parts of Lincoln and Lancaster County, urged her colleagues to read the report in its entirety.

Echoing other senators who described the need for greater workplace harassment and discrimination protections, Wishart said the Legislature will also move forward on recommendations made by Paulson to improve the body's process.

Those recommendations include centralizing human resources to provide consistency in the application and interpretation of policies and create an appropriate reporting chain, continue to provide regular sexual harassment training for all employees and senators, and revise the Legislature's Workplace Harassment Policy to provide greater clarity to employees and supervisors.

Wishart said lawmakers plan to address several of the recommendations in the interim.

Its clear we have a lot more work to do to improve workplace culture and environment at the Legislature and that will be continued in the recommendations in this report and the interim studies introduced, she said.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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Perth and Toronto-based Lepidico (ASX:LPD) is a lithium development company which owns and operates the Karibib Lithium Project (KLP) in Namibia. Lepidico Ltd is focussed on exploration, development and production of lithium chemicals, principally lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide as well as saleable by-products. Lepidico owns the L-Max(R) Process technology which is a metallurgical solution for lithium carbonate production from mica ores. More recently Lepidico has added LOH-Max(TM) to its technology base, which produces lithium hydroxide and importantly without without by-product sodium sulphate. The Company is currently conducting a Feasibility Study for a 5,000 tonne per annum (LCE) capacity Phase 1 lithium chemical plant, targeting commercial production for 2021. Feed to the Phase 1 Plant is planned to be sourced from the Karibib Lithium Project in Namibia, 80% owned by Lepidico and/or the Alvarroes Lepidolite Mine in Portugal under an ore access agreement with owner- operator Grupo Mota.

Phase 2 L-Max(R) Plant Scoping Study

Further desktop work is planned to be undertaken in the second half of 2019 with the objective of developing scoping study level capital and operating cost figures for a hybrid LOH-MaxTM-L-Max(R) plant, with configurations ranging from 10,000tpa to 20,000tpa lithium hydroxide.

The Company's shares are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and also in Germany on the Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Xetra and Tradegate stock exchanges.
Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday celebrated enactment of the largest tax cuts in Nebraska history with an elaborate ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, where he signed the bill into law with applauding state senators and business and agricultural leaders at his side.

Ricketts described the moment as historic and Speaker Mike Hilgers of Lincoln said the tax reduction package provides an opportunity to "have a transformative impact" on the near-term future of the state.

The $900 million tax cut bill (LB873) provides targeted personal and corporate income tax reduction by reducing the top income tax rates for individuals and corporations, generates additional property tax relief through new state income tax credits based on community college property taxes paid and will gradually eliminate state income taxation of Social Security benefits.

The stage was set for substantial tax relief when "Nebraska came through the (coronavirus) pandemic very strong," Ricketts said, and subsequent economic growth helped fuel more than a billion dollars in increased revenue over the biennium that exceeds state budget requirements.

"We need to turn that money back to the people of Nebraska," the governor said.

Ricketts singled out members of the Legislature's Revenue Committee who fashioned the package, with special attention focused on Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the committee chairwoman, who led the way in constructing the final proposal though sometimes intense negotiations.

The governor praised Linehan for "her great work."

Hilgers said Linehan "will go down (in Nebraska history) as one of the great legislators."

In turn, Linehan said: "I want to thank everyone for not giving up."

Missing from the ceremony was one of the chief architects of the compromise plan, Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, who was attending the funeral of his nephew, Darren Krull, chief of the Elwood volunteer fire department, who died in a head-on highway crash while responding to a fire in central Nebraska.

Dozens of senators and major supporters of the proposal attended the ceremony and received signed copies of the bill from the governor.

Bryan Slone of Omaha, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, said the state's performance during the pandemic and the Legislature's fiscal discipline "led us to where we are today."

"I believe we were the Number One state in terms of coming out of the pandemic," he said.

Mark McHargue of Central City, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, praised successful enactment of the tax package as "a team effort."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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MINDEN  Pioneer Village claims its collection of antiques is so vast that visitors to the Minden attraction can see how America grew.

In three to four months, viewers of the popular History Channel program, American Pickers, will get a glimpse of what Pioneer Village has to offer.

A production crew, along with two of the shows stars, Mike Wolfe and Robbie Wolfe, was in Minden on Tuesday filming Pioneer Village highlights.

Among other things, the stars interviewed members of the board of directors of Pioneer Village.

The board announced earlier this year its plans to clean up and organize displays to breathe new life into the attraction that opened in 1953, and now houses more than 50,000 items on its 20-acre complex.

Cody Holland, "American Pickers" production supervisor, said the Minden shots are part of a sweep across the Southwest and Midwest sections of the United States. The headquarters for "American Pickers," the Antique Archaeology shop, is in Le Claire, Iowa. Recently a second location was added in Nashville, Tennessee.

Without clearance from the History Channel, Holland was not able to describe what was involved in Tuesdays filming. He said no access to the stars was possible and that Pioneer Village board members' access was restricted until approved by the History Channel.

Were here and were excited about it, Holland said.

Minden residents said they are excited to have the popular History Channel show in their town.

Faith Hampton immediately recognized the familiar silver Antique Archaeology van parked outside Pioneer Village on Monday night and snapped a photo for Facebook.

We were driving by on the way home from the lake. We saw the camera crew. There were maybe two or three, Hampton said. We thought it was kind of neat. We watch the show regularly.

"American Pickers" follows antique and collectible buyers as they search the United States for rusty gold and buy  or pick  various items for resale, or for clients or for their personal collections.

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ARAPAHOE  On Tuesday, the blaze that charred some 35,000 acres across Gosper and Furnas counties and destroyed at least eight homes and dozens of other buildings was 75% contained.

That final 25% proved elusive, however, particularly as winds howled at 50 mph, first from the south and later from the northeast.

Throughout the afternoon, volunteer fire departments  at least 40 agencies responded to the blaze after it started Thursday at about noon  chased hot spots through the deep ravines and creek beds north of Arapahoe.

At times Tuesday, U.S. 283 north of the town of more than 1,000 people was shut down as wind-whipped dust and ash reduced visibility.

By evening, the Furnas County Sheriff's Office had barricaded U.S. 6 east of Arapahoe as a dust cloud hurtled toward Kansas.

"The wind's not helping us," said Arapahoe Fire Chief Brian Sisson. "We need moisture. We're fighting hot spots and rekindling trees we didn't catch the first time."

Wildfires aren't uncommon in Furnas and Gosper counties, where the rural fire district stretching from Holbrook in the west to Edison in the east will be called to burning fields spanning 25 acres.

But the inferno that ignited after 60 mph winds knocked a dead tree into a power pole southwest of Elwood created something Sisson and others in the department had never seen before.

"I don't know if you can ever prepare for something like this, honestly," Sisson said. "We're prepared for grass fires, but not to this magnitude. With the wind, it just moves so quick."

Two hours after the fire had started, the wind had pushed it 4 miles south, across rangeland and woody areas, with no signs of it stopping.

Each time the departments created a firebreak to contain the blaze, embers tossed by the wind would ignite a new area, forcing the firefighters to continue playing leapfrog, Sisson explained. "I've never been a part of something like that."

Sisson and Wes Hock, a co-incident commander, said firefighters, farmers and others with access to heavy equipment were eventually able to funnel the fire into a valley running to the east of U.S. 283.

Near dusk Thursday, as it crept toward Edison and the Republican River, the fire began to head into four separate directions, Sisson said, but with winds dying down, the volunteer firefighters were able to stop it from spreading further.

"Without everyone who showed up," the chief said, "I don't think we could have got it stopped."

By Friday, the growing number of crews began working to tamp down the fires still raging across the countryside.

Windy conditions prevented the Nebraska National Guard from providing aid from the sky, but beginning Saturday, the Guard's Blackhawk helicopters, were dumping 600 gallons of water per run.

On Saturday alone, with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency helping coordinate efforts, the National Guard made 71 drops on hot spots east and north of Arapahoe.

Sisson said some of those runs were short  the helicopters dipped into farm ponds and traveled less than a quarter-mile to dump water on a burning area instead of flying north to Elwood Reservoir or Johnson Lake near Lexington.

"They really hammered it down there on the river bottom," he said.

As many as 56,000 gallons of water was dropped by the National Guard through Sunday, with crews continuing work Monday before returning to Lincoln.

Meanwhile, on the ground, farmers filled tankers and left them in easily accessible areas for fire crews, eliminating the need to make the 20-mile trip to town to refill.

The combined efforts  local crews, the National Guard, and farmers and Good Samaritans  led the state to put containment at 50% on Monday.

Sisson said the around-the-clock battle will continue until the area gets some much-needed rain.

"I'm praying for moisture  I know everyone across the state is," he said. "I hope this isn't a sign of what this year's going to be like."

Even as efforts to contain the blaze continue Wednesday, crews will remember Elwood Volunteer Fire Chief Darren Krull, who was killed in a crash blamed on dangerous travel conditions as the wildfire spread.

On Tuesday, Sisson said he's humbled and thankful for the response from across the state and beyond.

Fire crews from as far away as Gering, Alliance and Chadron have turned up to help out, while the community of Arapahoe has shown its support, offering free meals and coffee, or opening doors to give firefighters a place to rest.

"That's the kind of people we have down here and across the state," he said. "Willing to lend a hand and help out."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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A crowded field of 12 candidates is vying to succeed Pete Ricketts, who is term-limited out after eight years as governor of Nebraska.

On May 10, voters will pick one of nine Republicans to advance and one of two Democrats. The winners will join Libertarian Scott Zimmerman on the November ballot.

The Journal Star editorial board endorses a pair of state senators for their parties respective nominations -- Republican Brett Lindstrom of Omaha and Democrat Carol Blood of Bellevue.

Lindstrom stands out in the field of four high-profile GOP frontrunners for his almost eight years of legislative experience and a track record of focusing on taxes and economic development. In his campaigning, he's stayed in his lane, talking about issues that a governor can address, and he's avoided inflaming a culture war.

Jim Pillen in his editorial board interview came off more thoughtful and open-minded than his ad campaigns might indicate. Theresa Thibodeau served in the Legislature briefly as a Ricketts appointee but was defeated in her election bid in 2018. Her short time in the Legislature, however, gives her some insights other candidates might not have. Charles Herbster did not respond to invitations to talk with the editorial board.

Blood has served five years in the Legislature, and as a Democrat in Republican-dominated (though officially nonpartisan) body, she's had to learn how to work with others to get anything done.

Also running are Democrat Roy Harris of Linwood and Republicans Donna Nicole Carpenter of Lincoln, Michael Connely of York, Lela McNinch of Lincoln, Breland Ridenour of Elkhorn and Troy Wentz of Sterling.

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I am writing this to express my 100% support of Robert Borer for secretary of state. I have known Bob for the last two years, and he is a man of honest commitment to Lincoln and the state of Nebraska.

Bob has a rich background in firefighting. He was a captain before he retired and was awarded medal of freedom from President Bush for him and his team's outstanding bravery.

Bob has shown his willingness to fight for Nebraska on a daily basis with his concern for election integrity. He will go above and beyond the call of duty as he always has done. I will be voting for Bob on May 10. He truly is the better Bob!

Robert Borer has done extensive research to help find out info for Nebraskans. Let's vote in the right man for the job!

Sherrie Rogge, Lincoln

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A writer who spent summers in Ukraine dreams of bringing her own daughter there after the war.

As a Nigerian-Ukrainian child shuttling back and forth from Nigeria, where I lived most of the year, to Soviet-era Ukraine every summer, I held two impressions of the city of Kyiv  one had to do with the circus and the other with ice cream. Both were delightfully experienced by me there but neither had anything to do with books.

This was probably because our final destination was Byrlivka, an agrarian village outside Kyiv where my maternal grandparents lived and where I passed my days running through cornfields, reconnecting with old friends and, occasionally, swimming in muddy ponds.

As I grew older, I began taking note of the books that lined the shelves in my aunt's apartment in Kyiv where we always stayed briefly after arriving from Nigeria. Some of the books were bound in dark blue leather and etched with gold lettering.

What was inside them? Poetry and fiction, some science fiction, I was told, written by the Soviet writer Alexsey Nikolayevich Tolstoy. I'd heard of Leo Tolstoy, the famous writer with the same last name, but although they were distant relations their works seemed to be miles apart.

Eventually I moved to the United States to attend Calvin University in Michigan. By then, two events accelerated my reacquaintance with Kyiv and its illustrious writers: Ukraine had gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and I discovered the wildly imaginative work of Ukrainian-born writer Mikhail Bulgakov. Who could resist the large, fast-talking black cat in "The Master and Margarita"? Who doesn't enjoy satire mixed in with social commentary in fiction?

When I visited my family in Kyiv during college, I brought a copy of Bulgakov's novel, along with sage advice from an English professor. Go to Bulgakov's old house in Kyiv, he said, and if you're in luck like I was, you'll see a black cat behind the house after a tour. We laughed at the absurd coincidence. Or was it to be expected?

Bulgakov's yellow house, now designated a museum, was located on Andriivs'kyi Descent, a sloping cobblestone street that bustled with activity when I got there that year. Dozens and dozens of artists lined one side of the street with their paintings and crafts. Hawkers sold beautifully painted jewelry boxes and wooden religious icons which were in demand.

Musicians played instruments and sang songs as the magnificent domes of St. Andrews Church gleamed in the distance. I was enthralled by what felt like an outpouring of artistic energy in a country opening up to the world after independence.

About halfway down the street, I took the suggested tour of Bulgakov's house with a group of tourists, and learned, among other things, that Bulgakov had been a medical doctor and wrote two books before "The Master and Margarita."

One of them, a novel called "The White Guard," caught my attention and still resonates with me today, weeks into the horrifying Russian invasion of Ukraine. Set in Kyiv in 1918 after the October Revolution, the novel depicts a city under siege by various warring armies. The Turbin family at the novel's center lives in a house similar to the one I toured, and Kyiv is rendered in rich and immortalizing detail through the terror of war.

My own impressions of the city, whether they still involve circus feats or not, remain as vivid as ever, and in a time of peace  for which I am desperate  when I visit Kyiv with my young daughter, I plan to return to the Bulgakov Museum where I initially had no luck seeing that black cat. Superstition aside, perhaps a black cat sighting is still in my future.



Angela Ajayi is a Minneapolis-based writer and critic.

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YORKVILLE  An industrial project comparable in size to an Amazon warehouse could soon rise from farmland being purchased by a real estate developer along the I-94 corridor.

The Yorkville Village Board approved rezoning Monday night for a 400,000-square-foot facility planned at 2200 S. Sylvania Ave. by developer Wangard Partners Inc.

Located just south of the Grandview Business Park, the estimated $25 million project has no named tenants yet. But at 400,000 square feet, it offers room for multiple tenants  or one very large occupant.

It dwarfs the largest property of less than 300,000 square feet in the Grandview Business Park.

Julie Anderson, director of public works and development services for Racine County, compared the jumbo-sized project to an Amazon-sized warehouse facility.

There is an appetite for some of these really large buildings, Anderson said.

Still, the uncertain nature of the speculative construction project has some Yorkville officials seeking assurances to prevent unwanted tenants from moving in.

Keeping out the unacceptable

While approving the 26-acre project Monday night, Yorkville Village Board members sought an agreement with the developer on restrictions keeping out junkyards, explosives, fertilizers and other noxious industries.

Village attorney Tim Pruitt said the requested heavy industrial zoning probably warrants some precautions on the villages part.

Of the requested zoning, Pruitt said: That opens it up to a lot of uses that the board may be uncomfortable with.

Representatives of Wangard Partners told the Village Board that they would gladly accept deed restrictions precluding leases with any of the noxious industries deemed unacceptable.

Mark Lake, vice president of planning and development for Wangard, said the Wauwatosa-based developer has other properties in the area, and is working with several prospective tenants at numerous locations.

Lake said he expects the new building at 2200 S. Sylvania Ave. will wind up with multiple tenants. But he said it could be several months before those details are worked out.

Where they want to go, he said of his future tenants, were dealing with a number of locations.

Wangard expects to finish construction of the new industrial site by the end of 2023, although officials cautioned that a shortage of building materials could delay their plans.

Owned by the Borzynskis

The property is owned by David Borzynski and Joseph Borzynski, operators of Borzynski Farms Inc. The Mount Pleasant-based family farm business, specializing in cabbage production, has controlled as much as 3,000 acres in the area in recent years.

Stephanie Meiri, spokeswoman for Borzynski Farms, said company officials declined to comment about the deal with Wangard Partners.

The project also requires county approval.

According to Wangards proposal, bank financing should be readily available to complete the project, which is expected to create $25 million in new property value.

There is high demand for large-format industrial buildings built specifically to accommodate logistical and other associated services within the I-94 corridor, the company wrote.

The site, situated between Grandview Parkway and South Sylvania Road on the west side of I-94, will require sanitary sewer service as well as road improvements.

The Village of Yorkville has agreed to spend up to $450,000 to extend sanitary sewer service, while the developer has agreed to pay for extending roads to the site.

Village Engineer Mark Madsen told board members that other large developments in the area have involved similar cost-sharing agreements between the public and private sector to provide the needed infrastructure improvements.

Madsen said the village would complete the sanitary sewer upgrades on a schedule to fit with Wangards construction plans.

Theres a lot of precedent for these utilities to be done this way, he said. Its good planning and good common sense for development.

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CALEDONIA  A new wireless communications tower facility is coming to Douglas Avenue in Caledonia.

The Village Board approved conditional use and building, site and operation plans for a wireless communications tower facility with associated ground equipment located at 8338 Douglas Ave., between Seven Mile Road and the Milwaukee County line.

The tower is to be a 150-foot-tall monopole plus a 4-foot lighting rod, and would be located on the western portion of the property, which is already to the west of Douglas Avenue.

The applicant, Bridger Tower Corporation, will lease a 30-by-30 foot equipment area that will be fenced-in.

The villages Plan Commission had previously recommended approval of the request. The final Village Board approval came at its meeting on Monday, April 4, with a unanimous 5-0 vote. Trustees Dale Stillman and Kevin Wanggaard were excused.

Nuts and bolts

President of Bridger Tower Corporation Derek Dye initially declined to say for whom the tower was being built. But on Tuesday, employee Chad Krahel confirmed in a phone call it was being built for Dish Wireless, and that AT&T and Verizon may join in later.

Dye told The Journal Times this week that this is the first of the companys projects in Wisconsin. Bridger Tower is currently working on getting the structure built and shipped over.

Were looking forward to getting started, Dye said. I hope the community is supportive. I dont think there was much opposition. It seems like a pretty agreeable project. Were happy to be a good neighbor and get this project up and completed.

Questions

Three residents had previously visited Caledonia Development Director Peter Wagners office to ask questions about the development.

They walked away with no concern whatsoever, Wagner said.

Some residents were worried the development would increase property taxes of nearby parcels.

The answer is: not necessarily; the tower is taxed on its own, said Village President Jim Dobbs.

Other residents were worried about the condition of the property. Wagner said there is a quarterly maintenance plan which covers those concerns.

A complete and thorough maintenance program must be established to insure attractiveness. The continued positive appearance of buildings and property is dependent upon proper maintenance attitudes and procedures, village plans state.

Maintenance programs must include watering, maintaining and pruning all landscape planting areas, cleaning up litter, sweeping, cleaning and repairing paved surfaces, and cleaning, painting and repairing windows and building facade.

The proposed use will not adversely affect the surrounding property values, village officials said.

Due to the rural nature of this area, the proposed tower and equipment area will have little to no negative impact on surrounding area, Wagner wrote in a Plan Commission report from March 28.

The applicant is additionally to provide to the village, prior to the issuance of the permit, a $20,000 performance bond to guarantee that the tower and all supporting equipment, buildings and foundations will be removed when no longer in operation.

Illumination is not allowed; mobile service support structures must not be illuminated except as required by the Wisconsin Division of Aeronautics or the Federal Aviation Administration.

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KENOSHA  The Kenosha County Sheriffs Department on Tuesday announced Tuesday with deep sadness and sorrow the death of Detective Jeffrey S. Bliss, 46, a 23-year veteran of the department.

Detective Bliss was a valued member of the department, Sheriff Dave Beth wrote in a statement. We ask that Detective Bliss family and Kenosha Sheriffs Department members privacy be respected at this time.

Bliss died unexpectedly over the weekend. The Kenosha County Medical Examiners Office and the City of Kenosha Police Department determined Tuesday the cause of death was not self-inflicted and no foul play is suspected.

The wide-reaching impact Bliss had on the Kenosha County community became evident over the days following his death. Law enforcement and emergency service colleagues across departments mourned the loss of one of their own.

He was just an absolute great person  a top notch kind of guy and really enjoyable to work with, said Salem Lakes Fire Chief Jim Lejcar. He got along with everybody and the whole county is mourning his loss.

Lejcar said Bliss was present at every major emergency scene over the last 20 years and was in integral part of the Fire Investigation Task Force from its inception.

The service he provided was impeccable and the manner in which he did it was pretty special, Lejcar said.

Bliss is survived by his wife and son.

Hired in September 1998, Bliss was promoted to the rank of detective in 2009.

Bliss also served: the KCSD Tactical Response Team for 21 years as the lead trainer and team leader; as an 18-year member of the departments Honor Guard; as a 15-year member of the departments Hazardous Device Squad, having recently retired from being a Certified Bomb Technician, and Tactical Bomb Technician; and as a three-year active member of the departments Drone Unit.

Kenosha County Executive-elect Samantha Kerkman said she met with members of the Sheriffs Department to give them her regards. She also sends her condolences to his family.

My heart goes out to them, Kerkman said.

Kerkman said she first met Bliss while attending various events in her role as a Wisconsin representative.

He was always good natured and cared about what was happening in the community, Kerkman said, adding he wasnt one to complain, even when donning full Color Guard attire on the hottest of days. He is going to be greatly missed.

In December 2020, Detective Bliss received a Lifesaving Award for the administration of Narcan to a person who was displaying symptoms consistent with an opioid overdose. He was also recognized with a Certificate of Merit for the creation and implementation of a new training program to teach new and veteran deputies vital skills in the area of investigations. Detective Bliss was also an adjunct instructor for the Gateway Technical College Law Enforcement Academy.

He served the Village of Darien Police Department prior to joining the KSD.

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RACINE  Judge Robert Repischak lifted the suspension of proceedings in a homicide case on Monday after a defendant, Tamir Lenard Williams, 34, returned from treatment competent to stand trial.

Williams was charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the Aug. 28, 2021 shooting death of Andre Sandoval, 21, who had a reputation as having an incredibly high work ethic through both his work and as a volunteer within Racines Catholic community. Loved ones referred to him as a gentle giant.

The allegations are that Williams shot Sandoval after the 21-year-old refused to pay for a haircut. Williams had been a barber at Angels Beauty Salon, 2221 Durand Ave., Mount Pleasant.

With the suspension lifted, a preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. on April 20.

A mental health wait

Proceedings in the homicide trial were suspended in October 2021 after Williams was found not competent to stand trial. The examining doctors report indicated Williams was likely to regain competency with treatment.

However, Williams was not transported immediately due to overcrowding in mental health facilities operated by the Department of Health Services.

Williams had to wait more than three months before receiving treatment.

A person is deemed competent to stand trial when they are able to understand the proceedings, the charges against them and to participate in their own defense.

Competency is different that NGI, or being ruled not guilty by reason of mental defect, in which the defendants mental state at the time of the offense is closely examined as is their ability to tell right from wrong.

The shooting

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was dispatched on Aug. 28, 2021, to Angels Beauty Salon on the report of a shooting.

There they found Sandoval with a gunshot wound to the head. Life-saving measures were undertaken, but the young man was ultimately pronounced deceased.

According to an investigators report, Williams admitted to the killing, and was unemotional and showed no remorse for the shooting during an interview.

Video from the scene shows him surrendering to police.

According to the criminal complaint, Williams said Sandoval refused to pay for a haircut.

After Sandoval left the salon, Williams allegedly followed him out, carrying a backpack with a handgun inside it.

At that time, Williams was not legally allowed to possess a firearm due to a court-ordered harassment injunction in effect against him, according to law enforcement.

Police said that Williams claimed he feared Sandoval meant to do him harm even though Sandoval left the building without violence. When police asked him why he felt threatened, Williams allegedly did not respond.

Multiple witnesses identified Williams as an employee at the salon, identified him as the shooter and confirmed that Sandoval had been a customer at the salon moments before being killed, according to the criminal complaint.

Williams remains in custody at the Racine County Jail.

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Assyrians Rebuilding Churches in Iraq Destroyed By ISIS

Amid the rubble in the graveyard of the St. George Monastery in Mosul, a freshly painted white grave with a small red cross has become a sign of hope and perseverance.

After the Islamic terror group Islamic State (IS) destroyed both the graveyard and the monastery in 2014, financial aid from the U.S. has helped in rebuilding the site, along with the monastery of the Chaldean Antonian Order of St. Hormiz outside the city.

"IS used the monastery as a prison for Yazidis. One of the monks' cells was in use as a mosque and the brass statue of Saint George was melted down," said Samer Soreshow Yohanna, the abbot of the Chaldean monastery.

Luckily, however, on the day of the invasion in June 2014, two monks were able to escape with the most valuable old manuscripts. Abbot Samer is now overseeing the rebuilding of churches in Iraq. In Nineveh province alone, no fewer than 14 Christian buildings, belonging to different denominations, were destroyed.

The abbot recounts how, at the monastery, IS hired someone to remove the marble from the church on top of the hill. "When he used explosives, the dome turned over and killed the man," he said. And then, after the liberation in 2017, civilians stole whatever IS had left behind. It hurt the young priest, as he came here often as a boy; his father and sister were also buried in the now ruined graveyard.

Most of his family -- like so many Iraqi Christians -- had left Iraq even before IS came to power. In the years after dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled, their numbers dwindled from around 1.5 million down to 400,000 at most.

Before 2003, some 24,000 Christians were still living in Mosul. After the defeat of IS, a maximum of 350 returned. "For the daily mass, we now use one church with one priest. That's enough for the whole city," said Abbot Samer. But the restoration of other churches is proceeding nonetheless, mostly with foreign aid.

A sign of hope: Abbot Samer now oversees the reconstruction of churches in Iraq. "IS used the monastery of St. George in Mosul as a prison for Yazidis," the abbot of the Chaldean monastery says. "One of the monks' cells was in use as a mosque and the brass statue of Saint George was melted down." Luckily, however, on the day of the invasion in June 2014, two monks were able to escape with the most valuable old manuscripts.

Faith to build bridges

Before the Chaldean Bishop of Mosul, Najib Mikhael Moussa, celebrated the first mass in the rebuilt church of St. George's Monastery, he had already formally re-opened the Church of the Apostle Paul in Mosul. In his opening words, he reminded the Iraqi officials and military officers who had joined civilians to celebrate the re-opening that it was the local Muslims who cleaned up the churches after IS left. "Building bridges is not easy, but I am sure Mosul will be better than it was," he said.

The bishop also passed on the instructions Pope Francis gave him when he visited Mosul in 2021: work hard and make the city better and safer. "We want Christians to return voluntarily," he said.

The pope's visit -- and the broad support it received from Iraqis -- has been a beacon of hope for Iraq's Christians. As the pope pointed out, the reduction in the size of the Christian community had caused huge damage, "not only to the individuals and communities involved, but also to the community they left behind".

"We want Christians to return voluntarily": at the first mass in the rebuilt church of St. George's Monastery, the Chaldean bishop of Mosul, Najib Mikhael Moussa, reminded Iraqi officials and military officers present that it was local Muslims who cleaned up the churches after IS left. "Building bridges is not easy, but I am sure Mosul will be better than it was."

And that is why it is so important to rebuild churches and monasteries, even if there aren't enough Christians to fill them, said Bishop Najib's deputy, Father Boulos Thabet Habib.

Not just because some of them date back to the fifth century, but because this is heritage which belongs to Nineveh -- and not only to the Christians. "Rebuilding that heritage means rebuilding the whole community," he said.

Strength in diversity

Mosul has to regain its diversity, with Muslims and Christians living alongside Yazidis once again, said Father Boulos Thabet Habib. "For diversity sends out a powerful message against terrorism, against IS. If Christians return, it is a sign for Muslims, too, that it is safe," he said.

In the Christian town of Karamlesh, outside Mosul, where the deputy bishop is based, of the once 1,200 families who lived there before IS, only 190 have returned.

While the deputy bishop admits he cannot force people to return, he also said that throughout history "this is what we Christians did, many times. In the wake of destruction, we come back to rebuild."

His people now mainly want to erase the scars of the IS occupation. Everything has to go back to how it was, or better. That is the psychology of the Iraqis, the deputy bishop said. "They want to erase the past. They feel that painful memories make people feel bad."

It was the bishop himself who decided that the clock tower should be kept just as IS had left it in the church he had rebuilt at Karamlesh. The new bronze bell -- IS members stole all the bells to melt them down -- now hangs in an open, concrete tower and is operated by hand. For the deputy bishop, this symbolises what his community has survived, as well as its survival.

At the same time, it's important to counter the image that, with the Jews leaving Iraq in the last century, it's now the Christians' turn, said Abbot Samer. "Like the Christians, Jews were an important part of Mosul."

To prevent history from repeating itself, reconciliation has become of the utmost importance, he said. "We talk about the ties between us and the Muslims, but the wounds have not yet healed. Muslims have suffered more -- we only lost our properties," he said.

Signs of hope

Many Christians from Nineveh have built new lives in the neighbouring Kurdish region in Iraq, mainly in Ankawa, the Christian enclave of Irbil, its capital. Even Abbot Samer has his seat there, in a newly built monastery housing Chaldean priests who fled from Baghdad and Mosul.

He admits that many Christians fear that violence will return. "They only come back to Mosul to work; they won't live here. Those who go back are businessmen, to farm their land or to arrange for their pension. And they usually have no children," he said.

That is why the clergy must set an example and rebuild. "To give hope, we go first. We could say: go back and rebuild, and we will join you afterwards. But no, we need to do this together," he said.

Abbot Samer agrees with Pope Francis, who said, after leaving Iraq, that he had seen with his own eyes that "the church lives on in Iraq".

"My mother wants me to buy a house for her in Ankawa," said the abbot. "My sister has already visited me here five times. The community can grow again if people see signs of hope. If we build, we will make our own destiny."
RACINE  What should be done with a young man who participated in the fight but not the shooting that followed?

That was the question in the case of Alejandro Cardenas-Flores, 19, who was in Racine County Circuit Court on Monday for sentencing on the charge of first-degree reckless injury with use of a deadly weapon, as party to a crime.

Cardenas-Flores and two co-defendants began a fight with another young man and a friend of his that ended in gunfire on Oct. 31, 2020.

The victim survived the shooting.

Cardenas-Flores was also injured during the course of the fight. A witness told investigators the defendant appeared to be knocked unconscious and had to be dragged from the scene. Later, the defendant learned his leg was broken during the fight.

In court on Monday, the defendant apologized for his actions and said he wanted to be a better role model for his younger siblings.

Ultimately, Cardenas-Flores was sentenced to two years in prison, with credit for time served of 527 days, and four years of supervised release afterward. As such, he will serve fewer than 140 days in prison.

The sentence was less than the Racine County District Attorneys Office recommended but was more than was requested by the defense.

Judge Robert Repischak said, I have to impose a sentence reflective of what he actually did.

Recommendations

Assistant DA Lucas P. Bennewitz recommended the defendant serve five years in prison due to the serious nature of the offense.

Racine has a very serious problem with guns, he said, adding that the defendant was being part of the problem and not part of the solution by participating with two other people in the attack on the victim.

He was an active participant in the offense, Bennewitz added.

He later pointed out it was Cardenas-Flores who wielded a broom handle and struck the victim with it before a friend of the victims got the weapon and used it on Cardenas-Flores, knocking him out and breaking his leg.

Brian Dimmer, the defendants attorney, quoted a witness who said the fight may have lasted five to six minutes before one of the men pulled out a gun.

The victim was reportedly shot in the knee and the backside. He was not in court for the sentencing.

The same witness described Cardenas-Flores as unconscious on the ground by the time the victim was shot.

Dimmer asked for probation, noting the defendant was incarcerated for 19 months following the altercation while the case slowly made its way through the system during the pandemic.

Sentencing

Judge Repischak agreed the assistant DA on one point: the community is concerned about gun violence.

The sentence that is imposed when somebody engages in activities involving guns, and someone is injured, should reflect the seriousness of that activity, he said.

However, he continued, there are different levels of culpability.

The defendant did not possess a gun, did not handle a gun, did not provide a gun to any of the other individuals (and) did not cheerlead the individual who had the gun, Repischak said.

He noted the defendant was 18 years old at the time of the offense, was still in high school and had some work history with no criminal record.

Co-defendants

Jose Cardenas Jr., 18, the co-defendant in the case, pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless injury with use of a deadly weapon, a Category D felony, for shooting someone twice during a fight.

The additional charges of first-degree reckless injury with use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon were dismissed but read into the record.

Cardenas was originally charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide with use of a deadly weapon. The counts were reduced in a negotiated settlement with the state.

The defendant was sentenced in January to five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision with credit for time served.

Other defendant

Jerry Ramirez, 24, the person identified as having the a personal conflict with the victim, will be sentenced in June.

The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless injury with use of a deadly weapon, as party to a crime, in a negotiated settlement with the state.

The Racine County DAs Office indicated they will be recommending five years in prison for that case, as well.

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RACINE  Keep the penguins inside. For now at least.

Theres a highly virulent avian flu threatening the lives of tens of millions of birds across North America right now. Among the biggest threats are migrating wild birds and their feces.

The spread of the flu, which can cause sudden death in birds and has already been confirmed at a Racine County poultry farm, is believed to be from wild birds, largely through droppings, said Aszya Summers, curator of animal care and conservation education at the Racine Zoo.

NPR reported last week A highly pathogenic bird flu virus is tearing its way through U.S. farms and chicken yards, spreading to at least 24 states less than two months after the first outbreak was reported in a commercial flock. Nearly 23 million birds have died. Its the worst U.S. outbreak of the avian flu since 2015, when more than 50 million birds died.

Prices of eggs and chicken meat are already rising.

Among the precautions taken by the Racine Zoo is to keep the penguins inside before staffers hear back from experts about how susceptible the Antarctic flightless birds are to the epidemic.

Lessons from a 2014-15 avian flu, which led to the deaths of more than 51 million birds across the U.S., are still in place at the Racine Zoo as its staff considers taking further precautions.

Since 2015, guests entering the budgie (a type of parakeet native to Australia) aviary, where guests can typically get up close and personal with birds, in the Racine Zoo have been required to wear booties over their shoes and wash their feet briefly.

It makes sure that if you stepped in something (i.e., a wild bird dropping) outside, you dont bring it into the aviary, Summers said.

She described the epidemic situation still evolving and that the Racine Zoo, in addition to zoos and farms and other bird caretakers across the country, are currently reassessing their policies.

The Norco Aviary  Norco Manufacturing, Inc., donated to facilitate the creation of the aviary  usually doesnt open to the public until May anyway, Summers said. If/when it does open this year, it may be covered in a specially ordered tarp that will keep the droppings of wild birds out, protecting the animals in the Racine Zoos care. Keeping animals safe remains something we are hugely concerned about, Summers said.

Statewide

Wisconsin animal sanctuaries are taking precautions against the avian flu by limiting tours, closing aviaries and implementing other safety measures to protect birds against the highly contagious disease.

At the Heartland Farm Sanctuary in Verona, public and private tours are on hiatus. And, the sanctuarys chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and emus are quarantined in a barn for protection.

After a long winter, everybody wants to kind of get outside and stretch their wings, and its just not safe. So were keeping everyone indoors until its no longer a threat, sanctuary spokesperson Jamie Monroe said. We successfully navigated avian flu in 2015, so this is a road weve traveled before.

Milwaukee County Zoos aviary is temporarily closed to protect its birds, senior staff veterinarian Pamela Govett said. As states largest zoo, Milwaukee has a large number of birds, including flamingos, hornbills, vultures, penguins and ostriches, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

Avian influenza can be transmitted by feces, oral, nasal or respiratory secretions. And while we dont think that the people are going to be transmitting it to the birds, they could definitely track it in on their clothing and their shoes, Govett said.

The avian flu was initially detected in Wisconsin on a Jefferson County poultry farm. Its believed to have originated with wild birds. With spring migration in full swing, there is a risk of wild birds bringing the disease to new locations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Republicans are applauding Democratic Gov. Tony Evers for signing an anti-abortion provision into law, but genetic counselors are saying the measure to prohibit them from encouraging patients to obtain abortions has no practical effect.

Thats because genetic counselors  who interpret genetic testing results and tell families how, for example, a condition like Down syndrome could affect them  say they do not try to persuade expectant parents to receive abortions.

Still, the measure doesnt clarify what constitutes encouragement. And violating that prohibition could result in prison time.

Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, praised Republican lawmakers involved in the bill and even Gov. Evers in coming together to make this important pro-life safeguard a reality and a model for other states considering similar legislation.

Jacque did not write or co-sponsor the bipartisan bill, but he did submit an amendment that would have prohibited providers from performing an abortion on a woman if the person knows the woman is seeking an abortion solely because of the unborn childs race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex or potential disability. The amendment was not approved. The one that lawmakers approved states, A genetic counselor may not encourage an expectant parent to obtain an elective abortion.

Violating that provision could result in the genetic counselor licensure board, also created in the measure, to revoke a counselors license. Additionally, violators could face a $10,000 fine and a nine-month prison sentence.

Asked whether he thought genetic counselors encourage abortions, Jacque said, Oh, certainly. You wouldnt have to look very far. ... Theres evidence of pressure toward having an abortion that a number of individuals have shared publicly.

Asked to provide evidence, Jacque shared two studies about the impact of anti-abortion legislation on genetic counselors. Those included mention of abortion service referrals, which are not necessarily prohibited by the new Wisconsin law.

A referral likely doesnt constitute encouragement unless the genetic counselor specifically tries to sway the patient into getting an abortion.

Encourage is generally understood to mean to attempt to persuade, per Merriam-Webster, said Legislative Reference Bureau managing legislative analyst Jillian Slaight. The bill does not prohibit a genetic counselor from providing information about an expectant parents options.

The provision was a late amendment to a bipartisan measure, now 2021 Act 251, that adds Wisconsin to the majority of states that license and regulate genetic counselors. Under the measure, genetic counselors cannot practice without receiving a license through a regulatory board. The board will include four genetic counselors, two people licensed to practice medicine and surgery and one public member.

What may be considered encouragement is highly fact-specific and dependent on the circumstances in question, Slaight said. It would be up to the Genetic Counselors Affiliated Credentialing Board and the courts to determine if a violation of this prohibition occurred in any given situation.

A genetic counselor would not encourage someone to have an abortion, said Catherine Wicklund, who directs Northwestern Universitys graduate genetic counseling program. Abortion would be offered as a legal option, along with continuing the pregnancy or adoption.

As part of our training of genetic counselors we emphasize a non-directive counseling strategy in prenatal settings, she continued.

That follows a principle within the National Society of Genetic Counselors code of ethics that states genetic counselors should enable their clients to make informed decisions, free of coercion, by providing or illuminating the necessary facts, and clarifying the alternatives and anticipated consequences.

Another tenet in the ethics code is to respect clients beliefs and inclinations.

The Wisconsin Genetic Counselors Association and National Society of Genetic Counselors did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Zero effect

Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, D-Milwaukee, a member of the Assembly Regulatory Licensing Reform committee who supported the measure, said he double-checked with legislative lawyers and outside attorneys to make sure the anti-abortion provision was harmless before voting in favor of the bill.

Everyone  independently of each other without any sort of coordination  came up with exactly the same conclusion that the way that its written, it has substantively zero effect, he said.

No group registered in opposition to the bill. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin said in lobbying filings that they were neutral on the bill but opposed to the amendment. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin declined to comment for the story.

While the amendment at first blush does cause my stomach to become very uncomfortable, in conversations with folks, it does not sound like a genetic counselor would ever (encourage a patient to receive an) abortion because thats not within their purview, said Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, who supports abortion rights.

While the group didnt register in favor or against the bill, Pro-Life Wisconsin legislative director Matt Sande called the provision a step in the right direction.

He added that parents receiving a positive test result for a prenatal congenital condition should receive encouragement and educational resources, not the hopeless, life-destroying option of abortion.

Protecting access

A 2012 review found that over 60% of mothers receive abortions after a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Thats compared with less than 20% of pregnancies ending in abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback did not respond to questions about the anti-abortion provision, but said, Gov. Evers has and will continue fighting to ensure every Wisconsinite has access to quality, affordable health care, including reproductive health care and ensuring providers have the necessary training and resources to treat their patients.

She added that genetic counselors critical role in medical care led to Evers signing the bill to create a licensing process and credentialing board.

Throughout his time as governor, Evers has vetoed bills restricting access to abortion, including one that would have imposed criminal penalties on doctors who fail to give medical care in the extremely rare circumstance when a fetus is born alive following an abortion attempt.

He has also stated he would like to remove from Wisconsin law an anti-abortion measure that would take effect if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established a national right to abortion.

The 1849 law criminalizes doctors who perform abortions. Under the law, performing an abortion is a felony punishable by up to six years of combined prison and extended supervision.

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1. Yes. Raising the bar for future developments will boost the citys housing market.

2. Yes. It will help in newer areas, but more needs to be done to change Killeens image.

3. No. The new standards will just slow down homebuilding and drive away developers.

4.No. The ordinance will do little more than drive up the price of new homes in the city.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say what the effect will be until they have been in place for a while.

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 98F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
ARAPAHOE  The Road 739 fire was 75% contained Tuesday, but strong winds continued to cause problems for local fire departments.

Arapahoe Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Sisson reported that crews from Arapahoe, Cambridge, Holbrook and Edison continued to fight hot spots Tuesday afternoon and evening. The fire that began Thursday seven miles southwest of Elwood has burnt approximately 35,000 acres.

The National Guard and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency were able to leave the area Monday afternoon, but they are continuing to provide support to local crews, Sisson said.

We are still under a state declaration. We feel like we are back down to handling it with local mutual aid without burning local guys out, Sisson said.

Strong winds caused visibility issues from ash and dust leading to the temporary closure of Highway 283 between Arapahoe and Elwood and Highway 6 between Arapahoe and A Road.

The wind is really not in our favor, Sisson said. Think of a winter storm but with dirt.

Highway 283 reopened Tuesday evening, and Highway 6 reopened Wednesday morning.

In other related news, Gov. Pete Ricketts has ordered flags to fly at half-staff today to honor the passing of Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull.

Krull died as the result of a traffic accident involving a truck hauling water to the fire scene.

Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today.
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts has ordered flags to fly at half-staff today to honor the passing of Elwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darren Krull.

Susanne and I were heartbroken to receive news of the passing of Fire Chief Krull, said Ricketts. Our prayers go out to his family and community as they mourn his loss. The bravery shown by Fire Chief Krull exemplifies the selfless service that makes our state great.

"As we reflect on his heroic sacrifice, were reminded of the courageous firefighters working in harms way across Nebraska to protect lives and property. We salute their dedication and pray for their safety," Ricketts said.

Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today.
HOLDREGE  A Holdrege man was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Matthew Carpenter, 37, of Holdrege was sentenced Friday by United States District by Judge John M. Gerrard to nine years in federal prison for possession of five grams or more of pure methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Following his prison term, Carpenter will serve five years on supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

On Jan. 25, 2020, a Kearney Police Department officer attempted a traffic stop of Carpenter. Initially, he pulled over. Moments later, he sped away through a trailer court. The KPD officer caught up to the vehicle within a minute. Carpenter had left the car abandoned in the street with his passenger sitting in the car.

KPD officers were able to follow Carpenters foot tracks in the snow leading to a storage shed. Inside the shed officers found Carpenter hiding. Carpenter had a scale in his pocket. KPD also found three bags of suspected methamphetamine just inches from where Carpenter had been crouched down hiding.

The substance was sent to the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory where it was confirmed to be at least 52 grams, or 1.8 ounces, of pure methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
KEARNEY  Carly Fortune can describe her recent trip to Ireland with just three words.

It was perfect.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney senior knew she wanted to study abroad the moment she enrolled at UNK, and the Emerald Isle was at the top of her destination wish list.

Ireland has always been a trip Ive dreamed about, said Fortune, a Dalton native whod never traveled outside the U.S. before.

When she learned about the latest opportunity, I just knew that I had to go, she said.

Fortune and eight other UNK students spent 11 days in Ireland last month as part of an experiential learning course in business management and marketing.

Led by Lisa Tschauner, director of UNKs Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, the trip gave students a chance to explore a new country, develop international relationships and broaden their business knowledge.

Most every business now is a global business. Youre not restricted by borders and geographical limitations anymore. You can do business anywhere in the world, and you can also live and work anywhere in the world, Tschauner said. I think its very important for students to see beyond the state of Nebraska and beyond the United States. It makes the whole educational experience richer and more layered.

Tschauners course focused on design thinking, a problem-solving approach that prioritizes the consumers needs. The interdisciplinary class had students from a variety of majors, including social work, health sciences, business administration, business intelligence and industrial distribution.

Prior to the trip, her students visited Younes Hospitality, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Kearney Visitors Bureau, Pioneer Village and Minden Opera House to discuss local tourism strengths and strategies. In Ireland, they partnered with students and faculty at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, now part of Atlantic Technological University, to analyze tourism in that country and propose solutions to some ongoing challenges. They also worked directly with the Park Lodge Hotel, where the UNK group stayed.

Tourism in Ireland is very different than it is in Nebraska, said Tschauner. Our students were able to use their experiences in both locations to introduce new ideas that could benefit this client.

For instance, one student recommended the hotel consider a program similar to the Nebraska Passport, which promotes the states hidden gems by offering special deals and prizes for travelers who visit specific businesses and attractions.

The UNK group even saw some potential Passport destinations on the Aran Islands, where they toured a farm that produces goat cheese, a company that harvests seaweed and a business that offers luxury camping, also known as glamping.

They did their fair share of sightseeing, too.

The first day was spent in Dublin, where they toured the Guinness Storehouse, attended a service at St. Patricks Cathedral, looked at the Book of Kells at Trinity College and enjoyed the nightlife. They also went to the Cliffs of Moher and Killary Fjord and watched the St. Patricks Day parade in Galway.

The scenery is definitely something to remember, said Jairo Alvarez, a UNK senior from Lexington. It really did feel like a whole different world.

Like Fortune, it was his first time traveling internationally.

It was kind of a lot to take in, but in a good way, said Alvarez, whos studying business administration with a marketing emphasis and international business minor. Theres so much you can learn by studying abroad and you get to meet so many new people. Its a great way to expand your network.

Both UNK students were impressed by the hospitality they received.

I feel like I talked to the entirety of Ireland because the people are so friendly and outgoing, said Fortune, who was especially appreciative of the opportunity to interact with students from Galway.

Those are connections I think well hold throughout our lives, she said.

Fortune is also studying business administration with a marketing emphasis and minors in international business and Spanish. Shell cross another destination off her wish list when she travels to Costa Rica this summer through a study abroad program led by the UNK Department of Modern Languages.
Information Technology Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. April 13th, 2022 Courthouse Annex #310 and Zoom. Review of IT Bills; Directors Report/Project Updates; any other business

Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission bimonthly meeting 10:00 AM, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at AmericInn,1835 Rose Street, La Crosse, WI 54603 Note: We will be meeting in person. If you are unable to attend in person, you can also attend via Zoom. Direct Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85442068618?pwd=YTZIYVhWamNDa3g4L3NSck5od1Y0dz09 Go to: Zoom.us, click on join a meeting Meeting ID: 854 4206 8618Passcode: 732924 By Phone: 1.312.626.6799  Enter Meeting ID: 854 4206 8618

Vernon Manor/Vernon Acres Senior Living Trustees meets monthly to review/approve minutes, review bills and authorize payment. The trustees meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the Vernon County Highway Department, 1335 Railroad Ave., Viroqua. Action items under review are as follows: Meeting Minutes, Administrators Report, Monthly Bills, Financials, laundry water heater replacement, laundry heat/air conditioning unit, RFP Engineer for water run-off and redesign of parking lots, van/bus replacement, weekend warrior staffing, advertising mailer Vernon Acres, and Personnel Updates -positions part time Administrative Assistant, full time Cook, and part time Activities Aide. will be provided, confirm next meeting, adjourn.

Ag & Extension Committee meets at 11:00 a.m. April 14, 2022 1st Floor Erlandson Building. Review/Approve minutes from the January 13, 2022 meeting; Review bills/authorize payment; Educator Reports; Area Extension Director Report

Human Services Committee meets at 9 a.m. April 18, 2022, via in person/Zoom/phone. Secretarys Report; Approve Vouchers and Contracts; Discuss & Take Action on Nutrition Program Rates; Reports by Unit; Directors Report; Set next meeting date; Adjourn.

Highway Committee  April 18, 2022, will meet at County Highway Department on April 18, 2022 at 9:30 AM; Meet with consultants; hire highway operator positions; discuss and possible approval of pay-up medication; Commissioners Report

LEPC Committee meets at 2 pm April 18th, County Board Room of the Courthouse Annex and via ZOOM. Acceptance of Resignation of Committee member- ACTION ITEM; Identify and Confirm Compliance Inspector- ACTION ITEM; Identify and Confirm Coordinator of Information- ACTION ITEM; Strategic Plan review and Approval- ACTION ITEM; Tier 2 chemical reporting compliance update; HazMat Team training and HazMat Equipment Grant; Update on trade in of DJI drone; DNR Spill Reporting; Responses Made; Public Health Preparedness Update; Confirm next meeting date.

County Board of Supervisors meets at 9:30 am on April 19, 2022, in the County Board Room. Oath of office for the new board members; Introduction of the new board members; Election of Chair, 2nd Vice-Chair, and elected committees; Approval of Appointed Committees  General Government, Finance, Board of Health, Public Safety, Tourism and Economic Development; Approve minutes from prior meeting; Announcements; Administrators Report; Petitions; Resolution, Action Item  Fund Balance Policy 2013  2023; Ordinances; Memorials; Remonstrances; Reports of Standing or Special Committees; Set Next Meeting Date; Adjournment.

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Thank you to everyone who stopped by the library last week to help us celebrate National Library Week! The American Library Association created the celebration back in 1958 to showcase the resources available to anyone through their local public library. Today, libraries across the nation take time to observe the week through various events and activities. A special thank-you to the Friends of the McIntosh Memorial Library for serving cake and lemonade last Wednesday inside our lobby. We also gave away personalized pencils and bookmarks at the circulation desk.

Several fourth-grade students and family members joined us for a bus trip to the Hmong Culture and Community Center in La Crosse last Thursday to participate in the Hmong Education Project. The project offers teachings about Hmong history and culture through four interactive stations. Those stations include Hmong Story Cloth, Hmong Village, Laos Jungle, and Crossing the Mekong River/Living in Refugee Camps. The bus trip marked the first of several programs we intend to offer in 2022 in partnership with the Hmong Culture and Community Center and the La Crosse Public Library.

April is National Poetry Month, and we are celebrating with a Poet-Tree! Located directly across from the circulation desk the tree provides you with an opportunity to write on a cherry blossom anything related to poetry! Perhaps you have a favorite poem you would like to share with others or the name of a favorite poet. Help us fill up the Poet-Tree by the end of April by filling out a cherry blossom and placing it on one of the tree branches.

We still have space available if youre interested in our rubber cut stamp art class for adults this month. Intended for beginners the class is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. inside our program room. During the class Librarian Maggie will teach you how to carve your own stamp. A suggested stamp design is a leaf, or you are welcome to design your own. Due to space and supplies, the class size is limited to eight people. Register by stopping by the library or calling the circulation desk at 608-637-7151, extension 6.

Please remember McIntosh Memorial Library will be closed on Friday, April 15. The library will be open regular hours on Saturday, April 16.

To stay up-to-date on everything happening at the library, like the Viroqua Library page on Facebook, visit our website at www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, or visit us in person at 205 South Rock Avenue in Viroqua.

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Jackson County police announced Sunday that five people were arrested in a March 24 drug bust, but none has yet to be charged with a serious crime related to the arrests.

According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, police arrested Jackie Snow (age 42), Jonahtan Goetzke (34), Katherine Snow (59) and two people who have yet to be charged after executing a search warrant in the town of Komensky. As of Tuesday, none of the defendants have been charged with drug-related felonies.

According to court records, Goetzke and Jackie Snow were charged March 25 with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and felony bail jumping. Both are being held in the Jackson County Jail on $1,000 cash bonds.

Katherine Snow was charged April 8 with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jackson County District Attorney Emily Hynek said Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges may be filed.

An attempt Tuesday to reach Jackson County Sheriff Duane Waldera was unsuccessful. The Tribune has filed an open records request to obtain the police report on the arrests.

The press release says the search warrant was the result of a lengthy investigation and that drugs and drug paraphernalia were located at the scene. It says the five were taken into custody under various bookings that included active bench warrants, drug-related offenses, probation/parole holds and felony bail jumping.

The release also says the warrant led to a drug endangered children case based on evidence found at the scene.

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A 28-year-old La Crosse man accused of maintaining a drug operation across the street from an elementary school was bound over for trial in La Crosse County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Kareem Darvel Nellem faces felony charges of possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, manufacture and delivery of fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm. He also has an outstanding Illinois Department of Corrections warrant.

According to testimony from La Crosse Police Department drug investigator Andrew Tolvstad, police used a confidential informant March 29 to purchase 2.8 grams of fentanyl from Nellem for $240.

The transaction led police to a 218 S. 24th St. residence located across the street from Blessed Sacrament Elementary School. Police executed a search warrant and reportedly found 83 grams of fentanyl, 43 grams of marijuana, 42 grams of cocaine, a 9 mm handgun, drug packing supplies and multiple documents linking Nellem to the address.

Eighty-three grams of fentanyl is an extremely large amount, Tolvstad said.

Tolvstad said gem bags found at the residence matched the one used in the controlled buy.

Nellems defense attorney Tom Locante argued theres insufficient evidence to link Nellem with the confidential informant or anything seized at the residence. Nellem was not at the residence at the time the warrant was executed and was arrested at a La Crosse tavern a short time later.

I know probable cause is easy, but (prosecutors) havent made the connection, Locante said.

Judge Elliott Levine didnt dismiss Locantes arguments about whether Nellem was positively identified as the seller during the controlled buy. However, he still allowed the case to move forward.

It would be nice to have a little bit more detail, but for probable cause reasons, I think it reaches that level, Levine said.

Nellem is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $10,000 cash bond.

Alexis M. Compan, 20, La Crosse, was present during the search warrant and faces felony charges of possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. She is free on a signature bond and has an initial court appearance set for May 6.

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The first Bacon Fest takes over Loggers Field in La Crosse on Saturday, and tickets are sold out.

The River Valley Media Group has partnered with Festival Foods, Farmland Bacon and Copeland Park & Events Center to bring Bacon Fest to La Crosse on May 7.

A highlight of the event will be the official Bacon Eating Contest, sponsored by Festival Foods and Farmland Bacon. Fifteen contestants will compete to see who can consume the most bacon in five minutes. The winner will receive a trophy, and bragging rights as the first-ever Bacon Fest Bacon Eating Champion.

VIP and general admission tickets are sold out.

General admission gates open at 1 p.m., and ticket holders receive one free sample from all food vendor booths.

Food vendors will gather at Loggers Field, offering samples of their best bacon dish or overall bacon in this family friendly event, with trophies awarded to vendors in each category. There will be a Fans Favorite division, as voted on by all attendees as well as a Judges Choice in each category as voted upon by a panel of local judges.

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Three universities in the Washington, DC, region -- American, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins -- have partially reinstated campus mask mandates following an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the area, according to statements from the institutions.

American University (AU) reinstated an indoor masking requirement effective Tuesday, where "masks will be required in all campus buildings except when individuals are alone in private offices, inside residence hall rooms with only roommates, or when actively eating or drinking," according to an email shared with the AU community.

AU will revisit the mandate on May 9, the email said.

On April 7, Georgetown University (GU) reinstated an indoor mask mandate for its medical center and main campuses only, where they've seen a significant increase in Covid-19 cases, primarily among undergraduate students, according to a statement.

The requirement is in place "until further notice," GU said.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) reinstated their mask mandate on April 6 for all people "in common areas of residence halls or in university dining facilities, except when actively eating or drinking," according to an email to the university community last week.

JHU, located in Baltimore, around 40 miles north of DC, is monitoring conditions and consulting with health experts "in hopes of soon lifting the temporary precautions," spokeswoman Jill Rosen said.

JHU said its mandate follows travel-related Covid-19 cases reported since spring break. Both AU and GU noted the impact of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant in their masking rule announcements.

The highly contagious subvariant is the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States, causing more than half of all Covid-19 infections reported at the end of last month, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, cases are trending upward in more than half of states, though case numbers are still relatively low. With an average of around 34,000 new cases per day, the daily case rate in the US remains one of the lowest since mid-July.

On Monday, Philadelphia became the first major US metropolitan area to announce the return of mask requirements, noting its case count was 50% higher than 10 days ago. The city will reinstate masking indoors starting April 18.

Since the start of the month, "nearly 100 undergraduate students" -- residential and non-residential -- at JHU have had a positive Covid-19 test, JHU's student health vice provost Kevin Shollenberger said in the email. The university is requiring Covid-19 testing twice a week for undergraduates until April 22.

GU is requiring all undergraduate students to take a PCR test on April 18, after returning from Easter break, unless they've tested positive in the last three months, according to the university's statement.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The presidents of four countries on Russias doorstep visited Ukraine on Wednesday and underscored their support for the embattled country, where they saw heavily damaged buildings and demanded accountability for what they called war crimes carried out by Russian forces.

The visit by the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia was a strong show of solidarity from the countries on NATOs eastern flank, three of them like Ukraine once part of the Soviet Union. The leaders traveled by train to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, to meet with their counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and visited Borodyanka, one of the nearby towns where evidence of atrocities was found after Russian troops withdrew to focus on the country's east.

The fight for Europes future is happening here, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, calling for tougher sanctions, including against Russias oil and gas shipments and all the countrys banks.

Elsewhere, in one of the most crucial battles of the war, Russia said more than 1,000 Ukrainian troops had surrendered in the besieged southern port of Mariupol, where Ukrainian forces have been holding out in pockets of the city. A Ukrainian official denied the claim, which could not be verified.

And in the Odesa region, Gov. Maksym Marchenko said Ukrainian forces struck the guided-missile cruiser Moskva  the flagship of Russias Black Sea Fleet  with two missiles and caused serious damage. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the ship was damaged but not that it was hit by Ukraine  it said ammunition on board detonated as a result of a fire, the causes of which were being established. The entire crew was evacuated, it added. The cruiser usually has about 500 officers and crew.

Russia invaded on Feb. 24 with the goal, according to Western officials, of taking Kyiv, toppling the government and installing a Moscow-friendly one. But the ground advance slowly stalled and Russia lost potentially thousands of fighters. The conflict has killed untold numbers of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions more to flee. It also has rattled the world economy, threatened global food supplies and shattered Europe's post-Cold War balance.

A day after he called Russia's actions in Ukraine a genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden approved $800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, saying weapons from the West have sustained Ukraine's fight so far and we cannot rest now. The munitions include artillery systems, armored personnel carriers and helicopters.

Appearing alongside Zelenskyy in an ornate room in Kyivs historic Mariinskyi Palace on Wednesday, Nauseda, Estonian President Alar Karis, Polands Andrzej Duda and Egils Levits of Latvia reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and with military aid.

We know this history. We know what Russian occupation means. We know what Russian terrorism means," Duda said. He added that both those who committed war crimes and those who gave the orders should be held accountable.

If someone sends aircraft, if someone sends troops to shell residential districts, kill civilians, murder them, this is not war," he said. "This is cruelty, this is banditry, this is terrorism.

In his daily late-night address, Zelenskyy noted that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, visited the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where more than 400 bodies were found, on Wednesday as an ICC investigation gets underway. Evidence of mass killings of civilians was found there after the Russian retreat.

It is inevitable that the Russian troops will be held responsible. We will drag everyone to a tribunal, and not only for what was done in Bucha, Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.

He also said work was continuing to clear tens of thousands of unexploded shells, mines and trip wires left behind in northern Ukraine by the departing Russians. He urged people returning to homes to be wary of any unfamiliar objects and report them to police.

Also Wednesday, a report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found clear patterns of (international humanitarian law) violations by the Russian forces in their conduct of hostilities. It was written by experts selected by Ukraine and published by the Vienna-based organization, which promotes security and human rights.

The report said there were also violations by Ukraine, but concluded those committed by Russia are by far larger in scale and nature.

Ukraine has previously acknowledged that there could be isolated incidents of violations and said it would investigate.

Residents in Yahidne, a village near the northern city of Chernihiv, said Russian troops forced them to stay for almost a month in the basement of a school, allowing them outside only to go to the toilet, cook on open fires  and bury the dead in a mass grave.

In one of the rooms, they wrote a list of those who perished. It had 18 names.

An old man died near me and then his wife died next, Valentyna Saroyan said. Then a man died who was lying there, then a woman sitting next to me. ... Another old man looked so healthy, he was doing exercises, but then he was sitting and fell. That was it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his troops committed atrocities, saying Tuesday that Moscow had no other choice but to invade and would continue until its full completion and the fulfillment of the tasks that have been set. He insisted Russias campaign was going as planned despite a major withdrawal after its forces failed to take the capital and suffered significant losses.

Russian troops are now gearing up for a major offensive in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-allied separatists and Ukrainian forces have been fighting since 2014, and where Russia has recognized the separatists claims of independence.

A key piece of the Russian campaign is Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas and which the Russians have pummeled since nearly the start of the war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said 1,026 troops from the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade surrendered at a metals factory in the city. But Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraines interior minister, rejected the claim, telling Current Time TV that the battle over the seaport is still ongoing today.

It was unclear when a surrender may have occurred or how many forces were still defending Mariupol.

According to the BBC, Aiden Aslin, a British man fighting in the Ukrainian military in Mariupol, called his mother and a friend to say he and his comrades were out of food, ammunition and other supplies and would surrender.

Russian state television broadcast footage Wednesday that it said was from Mariupol showing dozens of men in camouflage walking with their hands up and carrying others on stretchers or in chair holds. One man held a white flag. In the background was a tall industrial building with its windows shattered and roof missing, identified by the broadcaster as the Iliich metalworks.

In a Twitter post, Zelenskyy adviser Oleksiy Arestovych did not comment on the surrender claim but said elements of the same brigade managed to link up with other Ukrainian forces in the city as a result of a risky maneuver.

Ukrainian officials have been investigating an allegation that a Russian drone dropped a poisonous substance on Mariupol.

In other developments:

 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is no chance at the moment for a humanitarian cease-fire in Ukraine, as the world body was seeking.

 The detention of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of a pro-Russian opposition party and a close associate of Putin, was being met with enthusiasm in Kyiv and irritation in Moscow. Analysts say Medvedchuk, detained Tuesday in an operation by Ukraine's state security service, could become a valuable pawn in Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war. Zelenskyy has proposed that Moscow could win Medvedchuks freedom by releasing Ukrainians now held captive.

Stashevskyi reported from Yahidne, Ukraine. Associated Press writer Robert Burns in Washington, and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lanka is suspending its repayment of foreign debt, including bonds and government-to-government borrowing, pending the completion of a loan restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund to deal with the island nations worst economic crisis in decades, the government announced Tuesday.

Sri Lankans in recent months have endured fuel and food shortages and daily power outages. Most of those items are paid for in hard currency, but Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy, saddled with dwindling foreign reserves and $25 billion in foreign debt due for repayment over the next five years. Nearly $7 billion is due this year.

Sri Lanka has had an unblemished record of external debt service since independence in 1948," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. Recent events, however, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout from the hostilities in Ukraine, have so eroded Sri Lanka's fiscal position that continued normal servicing of external public debt obligations has become impossible.

The ministry said the IMF has assessed Sri Lanka's foreign debt as unsustainable, and that staying current on foreign debt payments is no longer a realistic policy.

In addition to seeking help from the IMF, the government has turned to India and China for help in dealing with shortages.

The government intends to pursue its discussions with the IMF as expeditiously as possible with a view to formulating and presenting to the country's creditors a comprehensive plan for restoring Sri Lanka's external public debt to a fully sustainable position, the ministry said.

Central Bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told reporters that the announcement on suspending foreign debt payments was urgent because Sri Lanka is due to repay nearly $200 million next week and if the country can't raise that money, it would face a hard default leading to worse repercussions.

The Central Bank appealed to Sri Lankans living and working abroad to donate foreign currency into four government-run bank accounts set up for government officials to purchase essentials like food, fuel and medicine for distribution to the population urgently because talks with the IMF will take time to generate economic improvement. The Central Bank tweeted that a three-member committee will assure transparency in distribution of the funds and promised to make public quarterly financial statements.

Sri Lankans have been forced to wait in long lines to buy cooking gas, fuel and milk power and doctors have warned there is a catastrophic shortage of essential drugs in government hospitals.

Protesters camped out around the president's office for a fourth straight day demanded the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, holding him responsible for the economic crisis. Supporters of the protesters who are also calling on the ruling Rajapaksa family to quit supplied drinking water and food to the demonstrators. Muslim protesters broke their Ramadan fasting at the site to share food with people around them.

Much of the anger expressed in weeks of protests has been directed at the Rajapaksa family, which has held power for most of the past two decades. Critics accuse the family of borrowing heavily to finance projects that have earned no money, such as a port facility built with Chinese loans.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former president who is the current president's older brother, sought in a speech Monday night to reassure people that the government is working to resolving the country's financial problems.

We are embarking on an enormous program to overcome the crisis we face today. Every second spent by the president and this government is used up exhausting avenues to rebuild our country, he said.

Rajapaksa refused to yield power, saying the governing coalition will continue to rule Sri Lanka because opposition parties rejected its call for a unity government.

The crisis and protests prompted many Cabinet members to resign. Four ministers were sworn in as caretakers, but many of the key government portfolios are vacant.

Parliament has failed to reach a consensus on how to deal with the crisis after nearly 40 governing coalition lawmakers said they would no longer vote according to coalition instructions, significantly weakening the government.

But with opposition parties divided, they have been incapable of forming a majority to take control of Parliament.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A Wisconsin judge says the state Department of Natural Resources cannot enforce the states pollution law without first establishing a definitive list of hazardous substances approved by the Legislature.

Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren ruled Tuesday in favor of the states top industry lobby and an Oconomowoc dry cleaning business, finding the DNR cannot legally require cleanup of toxic PFAS compounds and other contaminants because they are not identified as hazardous substances.

Bohren said the DNR has a responsibility to enforce the law, but the current policy is invalid because the agency has not created a list of hazardous substances or explained how it determines when a substance is dangerous.

It isnt a game basically of take your best shot and see if youre a winner, Bohren said. It has to be that the responsible party and other members of the public know what the rules are ahead of time.

Assistant Attorney General Gabe Johnson-Karp said the state would appeal once Bohren issues a written order, which could negate the DNRs authority to require polluters to clean up spills.

Bohren agreed to put the order on hold until at least June 6 to avoid what Johnson-Karp said would be regulatory uncertainty caused by the potentially sweeping effects of the ruling.

There is significant concern about the impact this will have on properties currently in remediation (such as) brownfield projects, Johnson-Karp said.

A coalition of environmental and public health advocates warned the decision, if not reversed, would remove the only meaningful protection we have to address PFAS contamination.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which brought the lawsuit, said the decision assures the business community that regulators must operate within their own authority.

When the government ignores the rulemaking process, employers are left in the dark as to what regulations they must follow, said WMC spokesperson Scott Manley. Businesses cannot afford to have that kind of uncertainty, and we do not think it is too much to ask for DNR to simply follow the law as written.

PFAS pollution

WMC has sought to block the DNR from requiring cleanup of unregulated emerging contaminants, including PFAS, which has polluted groundwater in sites across the state, including Madison, Marinette, La Crosse and Wausau.

The plaintiffs claimed the DNR is subverting the law by requiring polluters to clean up spills without first defining what substances are hazardous.

State law requires anyone responsible for spilling a hazardous substance to clean it up under the oversight of the DNR.

Under state law, a hazardous substance is anything that can cause harm to human health and safety, or the environment, because of where it is spilled, the amount spilled, its toxicity or its concentration.

That could mean toxic chemicals or substances like manure, fertilizer or even milk spilled in a creek.

Saying the DNR seems to make determinations on a whim and a fancy, Bohren said the agency must draft administrative rules in order to require cleanup.

But that process takes years and is subject to political interference, which supporters of the law say would prevent the DNR from stopping ongoing pollution, requiring cleanup or even forcing polluters to provide bottled water when wells are contaminated.

The Department of Justice said WMCs claims border on the absurd, noting that polluters have complied with the spills law for more than 40 years all without any list from DNR stating which substances meet the statutes broad definition of hazardous substance.

Testing ordered

The ruling stems from a case filed last year by WMC and Leather Rich Inc.

According to the complaint, Joanne Kantor and her late husband operated the dry cleaning business for more than four decades before she decided to retire and sell the property in 2018.

Kantor informed the DNR that the site was likely contaminated with volatile organic compounds and entered a voluntary remediation program.

According to court documents, the DNR approved a cleanup plan but required additional testing for PFAS, which were commonly used in dry cleaning, without specifying which of the thousands of compounds to target.

DNR kept moving the goalposts, attorney Delanie Breuer told the court. They can decide unilaterally if somethings hazardous and then, poof, its a regulated contaminant.

State responds

But the state said thats a misreading of the law, which puts the burden of cleanup on polluters; the DNRs enforcement role is secondary.

Johnson-Karp said the plaintiffs essentially seek a permission slip for Leather Rich  and, by extension, anyone else in Wisconsin  to escape these undisputed statutory cleanup obligations, discharge toxic PFAS into the environment without consequence, and thereby threaten public health.

Johnson-Karp argued the Legislatures broad but unambiguous definition of hazardous substances precludes the sort of list WMC seeks, noting that polluters have adapted to the discovery of new hazards, such as PCBs.

As science evolves the Legislatures definition of hazardous substances still applies, Johnson-Karp said. What changes is the amount of knowledge of the world.

Second case

The case is one of two WMC has brought against the DNR in an effort to fight the regulation of PFAS.

Earlier this year, a Jefferson County judge sided with the industry group, ruling the state has the authority to test wastewater but cannot bring legal action against polluters without first establishing water quality standards.

WMC has also opposed the DNRs efforts to establish those regulations. In February, Republicans who control the DNRs policy board voted down groundwater standards for two PFAS compounds and dozens of other contaminants.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul last month sued Johnson Controls and Tyco Fire Products over the release of firefighting foam that has contaminated water in the Marinette area.

Its not clear if Bohrens ruling would affect that case.

Every Wisconsinite should be able to count on the safety of their drinking water, Kaul said in a written statement. But if this decision remains in effect, state laws protection of clean water would be substantially narrowed, endangering the health of Wisconsinites, and making it easier for polluters to escape accountability.

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MADISON  The ballots cast in the Racine Unified School District's $1 billion 30-year referendum, which passed by five votes in 2020 following a recount, will not be reviewed by an outside group, the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday.

This decision will likely allow RUSD to finally move ahead with projects put on hold while the fate of the referendum was in the hands of the courts.

With the Supreme Court ruling, it has also been affirmed that just any member of the public does not have the right to review ballots in a recount.

The group that brought the lawsuit alleged that votes were not counted properly either the first time (which found the referendum passed 16,748 votes to 16,743) or during a recount in Festival Hall (which found the referendum passed 16,715 votes to 16,710.)

Those seeking another recount  led by James Sewell of Racine, the late George Meyers, and former city aldermanic candidate Dennis Montey, with support from the local group H.O.T. (Honest, Open, Transparent) Government  had argued that fraud was committed by the Board of Canvassers, but had no evidence to back up the claim. Theres been no evidence of ballot tampering or anything of the sort present.

Sewell does not identify in his petition for review or brief precisely how the Board of Canvassers failed to follow its statutory duty in conducting the recount, he nevertheless claims error, wrote Justice Patience Roggensack, a conservative, in delivering the unanimous decision. All of the ballots were reviewed and recounted by hand in open sessions of the Board of Canvassers. Accommodations, including the use of large projection screens and moveable carts to transport ballots so that closer inspections could be made of requested ballots, were provided to participants in the recount.

Among the reasons the case was taken on by the Supreme Court was that it raised a novel argument about how recounts are to be conducted. According to state statute 7.54, In all contested election cases, the contesting parties have the right to have the ballots opened and to have all errors of the inspectors, either in counting or refusing to count any ballot, corrected by the board of canvassers or court deciding the contest. The ballots and related materials may be opened only in open session of the board of canvassers or in open court and in the presence of the official having custody of them.

Those seeking another recount argued that, since they demanded a recount in open court, one must be carried out in addition to the one carried out by the Board of Canvassers. The Supreme Court and attorneys representing RUSD disagreed. They said that since one or the other type of recount was carried out, the statute was followed.

The Supreme Court also ruled that the challenge was improperly raised since the allegations of errors were related to the Board of Canvassers that carried out the recount, but allegations of errors were not directly raised regarding the original count itself, which also found that the referendum had passed.

Today is a great day for Racine Unified students and for our entire community. We are eager to get to work creating excellent learning environments for our students! RUSD spokesperson Stacy Tapp said in an email. We will immediately begin reviewing our long-range facilities master plan and updating timelines and budgets. Much has changed in two years.

Among the edits to the districts future plans that have been instituted since the referendum passed but the challenge forced RUSD to pause have been changes to the order in which outdated schools are being closed.

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The gruesome images of slain civilians in Bucha and other liberated towns near Kyiv have been met with furious rhetoric from Western politicians.

Yet there is only one way to stop Vladimir Putins forces from committing more hideous war crimes.

It is not by placing more sanctions on Russia (though they are welcome). It is not the suspension of Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council (it should be suspended from the U.N. General Assembly). And it is not peace talks that Putin permits primarily to fool some European leaders.

Putin can only be stopped if Washington and NATO allies provide Ukraine with all the weapons it needs to defeat Russian forces. The critical battles will happen in the coming weeks in eastern Ukraine, as soon as Russian forces recoup from being pushed back from Kyiv.

Yet the most critical weapons systems and vehicles have yet to arrive.

How many Buchas have to take place for the West to do what we are asking? Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, asked plaintively at an emergency NATO meeting on Thursday.

That is the question NATO members need to answer  now.

In fairness, more Western weapons are pouring in every day, and the United States has committed $1.7 billion in defense aid to Ukraine this year. (Ukrainians tell me they are grateful Donald Trump is no longer president, since he justified Putins annexation of Crimea and praised the Russia leaders genius at the beginning of the current invasion. Trumps open disdain for Ukraine and for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his affinity for Putin have not been forgotten in Kyiv.)

Still, U.S. and NATO aid has ramped up much too slowly. In a bitter tweet, the anti-Russian chess star and opposition activist Garry Kasparov argues: The issue with Western response hasnt changed since Putin first invaded Ukraine in 2014: Horrified by what has happened, unwilling to act to stop it while it is happening, unable to plan so it doesnt happen again.

Each week, as NATO countries face more outrages by Putin, they up the ante with weapons delivery, but they always appear behind the need of the moment.

U.S. deliveries of Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger short-range antiaircraft missiles have been essential in helping Ukraine hold off the Russians and remain critical. But the systems necessary to defeat Moscow in upcoming battles still havent arrived.

Ukraine has been unable to close the skies to the missiles and bombs that have ravaged Kharkiv, Mariupol, and other cities. Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Greece have Russian-made S-300 anti-missiles systems, but have not been willing to loan them to Ukraine unless the United States is willing to loan those countries comparable systems in the meantime.

Nor has Kyiv received the anti-ship missiles it needs, immediately, to help save the port city of Odesa, even though the United States, Norway, and Poland have such systems.

The [U.S.] bureaucracy simply hasnt been told that its wartime, I was told by the former deputy secretary general of NATO, Alexander Vershbow. The MiG 29s [airplanes] havent moved, long-range air defenses havent moved. Its so frustrating. The pipeline of weapons is moving very slowly at a time when Russians are more vulnerable than they will be in a few weeks, said Vershbow, also a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, by which time the Russians will be capable of fixing their performance.

Indeed, as I have been speaking this week with Ukrainian friends and contacts in Kyiv, I have heard the same message over and over: We are expecting Putins forces to come back here after they regroup in Belarus.

That means the next few weeks are crucial, as Russian troops reorganize  and as many Russian soldiers, troops, and mercenaries move toward eastern Ukraine for a big land battle in the Donbas region. The Czech Republic has offered Ukraine desperately need tanks, but Ukrainians worry whether they will get there in time.

The Ukrainians believe Putins current goal is to expand Russian occupation of big swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, finally taking Mariupol and maybe Odessa, then enter into inconclusive peace talks that drag on for years. Ukraine would be left with a rump state, cut off from the sea, its infrastructure and economy destroyed, unable to join NATO or the European Union.

Flush with victory in Ukraine, Putin could then set his sights on territory in East European states and the Baltics, unconvinced that Washington would stand by their side.

On the other hand, a Ukrainian win in eastern Ukraine  a victory that delivers Russian troops another huge blow  would force Putin to rethink his strategy as his military flounders further.

But Ukraine cant win unless we and NATO allies treat their war with Russia with the urgency wed muster if U.S. troops were involved, giving Ukraine the tools for protecting their skies as well as winning land battles.

Indeed, Ukraines war is our war. If a vengeful, expansionist Putin, backed by China, is permitted to smash Ukraine, the United States will face a Eurasian alliance of dictators who believe they are tougher than Western democracies. And Russian war criminal Putin will almost surely challenge NATO forces (including ours) in the coming years.

Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the The Philadelphia Inquirer. Readers may write to her at: Philadelphia Inquirer, P.O. Box 8263, Philadelphia, Pa. 19101, or by email at trubin@phillynews.com.

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BOSTON (AP)  Russian military hackers attempted to knock out power to millions of Ukrainians last week in a long-planned attack but were foiled, Ukrainian government officials said Tuesday.

At one targeted high-voltage power station, the hackers succeeded in penetrating and disrupting part of the industrial control system, but people defending the station were able to prevent electrical outages, the Ukrainians said.

The threat was serious, but it was prevented in a timely manner, a top Ukrainian cybersecurity official, Victor Zhora, told reporters through an interpreter. It looks that we were very lucky.

The hackers from Russia's GRU military intelligence agency used an upgraded version of malware first seen in its successful 2016 attack that caused blackouts in Kyiv, officials said, that was customized to target multiple substations. They simultaneously seeded malware designed to wipe out computer operating systems, hindering recovery.

Authorities did not specify how many substations were targeted or their location, citing security concerns, but a deputy energy minister, Farid Safarov, said 2 million people would have been without electricity supply if it was successful.

Zhora, the deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communications, said the malware was programmed to knock out power on Friday evening just as people returned home from work and switched on news reports.

He said that power grid networks were penetrated before the end of February, when Russia invaded, and that the attackers later uploaded the malware, dubbed Industroyer2. The malware succeeded in disrupting one component of the impacted power station's management systems, also known as SCADA systems.

Zhora would not offer further details or explain how the attack was defeated or which partners may have assisted directly in defeating it. He did acknowledge the depth of international assistance Ukraine has received in identifying intrusions and the challenges of trying to rid government, power grid and telecommunications networks of attackers. The helpers include keyboard warriors from U.S. Cybercommand, which declined comment.

The Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine thanked Microsoft and the cybersecurity firm ESET for their assistance in dealing with the power grid attack in a bulletin posted online.

Officials said the destructive attacks had been planned at least since March 23, and Zhora speculated it was timed by Russia to invigorate its soldiers after they took heavy losses in a failed bid to capture Kyiv, the capital.

Zhora stressed that Russian cyberattacks have not successfully knocked out any power to Ukrainians since this invasion began.

GRU hackers from a group that researchers call Sandworm twice successfully attacked Ukraines power grid  in the winters of 2015 and 2016. U.S. prosecutors indicted six GRU officials in 2020 for using a previous version of the Industroyer malware to attack Ukraine's power grid by gaining control of electrical substation switches and circuit breakers.

In the 2016 attack, Sandworm hackers used Industroyer to turn circuit breakers on and off in a sequence designed to create a blackout, said Jean-Ian Boutin, director of threat research at ESET.

We know that Industroyer still has the capability to turn off circuit breakers, he said.

Working closely with Ukrainian responders, ESET also determined that the attackers had infected networks at the targeted plants with disk-wiping software.

Successfully activating the malware would have rendered plant systems in operable, seriously hindering remediation and recovery and destroying the attackers' digital footprints, Boutin said.

One of the destructive malware varieties used in the attack, dubbed CaddyWiper, was first discovered by ESET in mid-March being used against a Ukrainian bank, he said.

Western prosecutors blame Sandworm for a series of high-profile cyberattacks including the most destructive, the 2017 NotPetya wiper virus that caused more than $10 billion in damage globally by destroying data on entire networks of computers of companies doing business in Ukraine including those belonging to the shipper Maersk and the pharmaceutical company Merck.

Russias use of cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure during its invasion has been limited compared with experts pre-war expectations. In the early hours of the war, however, an attack Ukraine blames on Russia knocked offline an important satellite communications link that also impacted tens of thousands of Europeans from France to Poland.

In another serious cyberattack of the war, hackers knocked offline the internet and cellular service of a major telecommunications company that serves the military, Ukretelecom, for most of the day on March 28.

Zhora said the potential of Russian (state-backed) hackers has been overestimated and cited a number of reasons why he believes cyberattacks have not played a major role in the conflict:

 When the aggressor is pummeling civilian targets with bombs and rockets there is little need to hide behind covert cyberactivity.

 Ukraine has significantly upped its cyber defenses with the help of volunteers from sympathetic countries.

 Attacks as sophisticated as this effort to knock out power are complex and tend to require a lot of time.

This is not an easy thing to do, Zhora said.

Ukraine has been under steady Russian cyberattack for the past eight years, with Zhora noting that the attacks have tripled since the invasion when compared with the same period last year.

Russia has said its invasion was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine, a false claim the U.S. had predicted Russia would make as a pretext for the invasion. Ukraine has called Russia's assault a war of aggression, saying it will defend itself and will win.



Associated Press writer Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.
House Hunters on HGTV soon will follow a couples hunt for the perfect home near Lititz.

Their realtor, Andrew Bartlett, shared a few details before the episode premieres Wednesday, April 13.

Bartlett, a realtor with Keller Williams Elite, was working with the couple last year when he was approached to be on the show, he says.

His two clients are intensive care unit nurses at Lancaster General Hospital. One is a Warwick graduate who wanted to live close to family in the Lititz area. His girlfriend was more detail-oriented when considering their options.

Bartlett showed them more than five homes, including one a few houses from a family member. In this tight housing market, one of their offers wasnt the only proposal above the listing price.

While hes not allowed to talk about much more, Bartlett says the filming didnt take much time and the production crews were friendly. Things moved much faster than the time he was an extra in a restaurant scene on Chicago Fire.

The episode will air on HGTV at 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 13 and 1:30 a.m., Thursday, April 14. Bartletts planning a watch party Thursday in the office for clients and friends.

It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, he says. Its cool because everybody watches that show.

This isnt the first time the shows highlighted a local house search. In 2016, Michael and Victoria Miville debated buying a move-in-ready Colonial or a split-level home.
A convicted Lancaster County murderers life sentence was upheld by a state court earlier this month, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office.

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania ruled in an April 1 memorandum that 36-year-old Christopher James Lyles waived his weight of evidence claims by not raising them previously, the DAs office said in a news release.

Even if Lyles claims had been properly preserved, they would each lack merit, the court ruled.

Lyles, of Glen Mills, was sentenced to life in prison plus 12-and-a-half to 40 years after being convicted in 2020 of shooting and killing 52-year-old Dennis Pitch while invading his Narvon, Salisbury Township home in December 2016. Three other men were also charged for their roles in the killing, one of whom, Michael Patrick Baker, was sentenced to life in prison in December.

A trial for one of Lyles' other co-defendants, Kristopher Allen Smith, is scheduled to begin in a few weeks, a DA's office spokesperson said. Court dates for the fourth and final co-defendant, Brandon James Bills, are still pending.

Testimony from Bills and a fellow prisoner as well as cellphone location evidence all indicated Lyles was in the Narvon area around the time the killing took place, the DAs office said.

Lyles defense filed a post-sentence motion challenging that evidence as well as the constitutionality of his sentence and discretionary aspects of his sentence, all of which the court denied.

He then appealed, this time questioning the verdict relying on evidence gathered from cellphone location coordinates placing him at the crime scene and whether the prisoners testimony could be accepted.

Our rules of criminal procedure establish that a challenge to weight of the evidence must be preserved in a post-sentence motion, a written motion prior to sentencing, or an oral motion that precedes sentencing, the Superior Court wrote in its memo. Otherwise, if it is not raised with the trial court in any of these formats, it is waived.

The Court also wrote that Although Lyles filed a post-sentence motion, that motion contains three arguments wholly unrelated to the weight of the evidence assertion.

Lyles remains in state prison.
While Ukraine fights to stop the Russian invasion, Latvian actors for The Underwater Bubble Show kept the tour rolling with their performance last Saturday night at Harford Community College.

Latvia, like Ukraine, is a former Soviet republic which shares a border with Russia and is increasingly worried about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Riga, the Latvian capital, is about 630 miles from Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital under attack. The tiny country in the Baltic region has taken in Ukrainian refugees and, as a member of NATO, has sent aid to Ukraine.

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We knew about the war before we got on tour, said Enrico Pezzoli, Latvian actor and member of the theater troupe that performs The Underwater Bubble Show. It started a little bit before we arrived here.

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The actors for The Underwater Bubble Show, a family friendly underwater fantasy that takes place in Bubblelandia, were dedicated to keeping their commitments for the U.S. tour.

Dear friends Show must go on. We are coming to America with our beautiful show www.underwaterbubbleshow.com, the actors wrote on Facebook. We are very sad about our brothers and sisters in Ukraine,... but we are very happy that we can do our work that we love.

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For our work, it does not change anything, Pezzoli said. We are just performers. Even during World War II, there were a lot of performers still performing.

The colorful show features creatures such as seahorses, starfish, mermaids and more.

The character Mr. B finds himself transported as if by magic to Bubblelandia, a special, colorful, happy place to linger, savor and marvel but is, above all, a place to dream. The inhabitants carry Mr. B along his imaginary journey in the underwater world where fantasy becomes reality, and the audience is invited to follow along.

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The show is considered a modern fairy tale and contains references from classics such as Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Pan.

The actors wants to keep the show going no matter what, Pezzoli said. Life needs to go and life should move forward in any case, Pezzoli said.

We were not happy about life stopping, Pezzoli said. Even if we are sad about the conflict, we need to still work and be happy. You can only live once and we can not waste it.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved final guidelines for public proposals on how the county should spend a portion of the $106 million received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Applications for funding requests will be taken on a rolling basis starting immediately, with forms available on the countys website. The first round of proposals will be accepted through August 31.

A draft of the policy had been in review and open to community discussions for several weeks.

The commissioners made an adjustment on the final policy after hearing concerns from the community members over the initial language that said projects must be completed by the end of 2024.

I appreciate all of the feedback we received from the board, from staff and from the community, Commissioner Ray DAgostino said. All of those comments and questions were taken to heart and the changes weve had were made because of that.

In an April 4 letter, Lisa Riggs, president of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, had pointed to several concerns with the proposed guidelines, such as the spending deadline of 2024 and the difficulty of getting applications submitted for large broadband projects on a rolling timeline.

"It is helpful to see the alignment of the date tied to project spending to be consistent with what is in the final guidance from U.S. Treasury," Riggs said Wednesday. "EDC is continuing its discussions with the many partners and stakeholders interested in strengthening local broadband connectivity for residents and businesses."

Next steps

The ARPA funds will be granted as one-time payments, unless the request is a limited multi-year project that fits within the approved timeline.

Similar to federal CARES Act rules, the county must approve proposals and allocate its full ARPA budget by the end of 2024. However, payments can continue until the end of 2026.

County agencies have already submitted proposals for funding from ARPA dollars and another sizable portion of the budget will be used by the county in hiring, staff retention, as well as infrastructure projects, as stated in the approved guidelines.

To date, about $16.6 million of the countys ARPA allocation has been spent, according to a list of approved projects and expenditures on the county website, leaving a balance of approximately $89.4 million in the budget.

However, the commissioners have still not said how much of the total ARPA budget they will allocate to projects requested by community organizations and the public.

We dont know yet what the community has in store  we dont even know fully what the county will be using some of those funds for, DAgostino said.

The ARPA funds can only be spent on projects that are transformational and benefit the taxpayers of Lancaster County, according to the approved guidelines.

Eligible proposals need to focus on water, sewer, broadband, clean water, public safety, technology modernization, workforce training, affordable housing and public health improvements at hospitals or nursing homes.

A draft request form can be viewed on the county website at https://lanc.news/ARPAapp.

ARPA funding cant be the only source of funding for projects  proposals need to include partner organization or agency funding, as well.

Applications will be reviewed by county staff as they are submitted. After a review, the committee will make recommendations to the county commissioners on which projects meet funding criteria, at which point the board will hold public meetings for comment and final determination.

The commissioners have signaled there may be a second application period if funds remain uncommitted after Aug. 31.
Upper Leacock farmer Amos Miller said he may give up selling meat and poultry instead of complying with federal food safety laws.

Doing so would end a half-dozen years of efforts by federal regulators to bring him into compliance.

But a federal judge told Miller thats not what he or the federal government, not to mention Millers own attorney, want to see happen.

Nobody wants you to stop doing what you do. You just need to come into compliance, U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith told Miller during a three-plus hour hearing Tuesday.

The hearings purpose was for Smith to review how well Miller has been cooperating with a food safety expert he appointed to work with Miller.

Its been, in Millers own words, a struggle.

In a court filing late last month, Miller, who referred to himself as a real party in interest, acknowledged his noncompliance with Smiths court orders that he cooperate with the expert.

RPII wishes to disclose that he struggles with his own acknowledged weaknesses and internal conflict when facing the hard decisions whether and what to sell customers relying upon him to support their stated needs but that he must subordinate his struggle to the dictates of the court order, he wrote.

The reference to real party in interest and other language in the filing appeared to refer to Millers past reliance on sovereign citizen beliefs. They include the legally baseless assertion that individuals, and not courts or lawmakers, can decide what laws to follow.

$105,000 in fines and other costs

Tuesday's hearing bore out the difficulties Miller referenced in the filing.

According to testimony from George Lapsley, the expert, and Paul Flanagan of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, Miller has been selling meat and poultry that the government took possession of as part of the ongoing court case. Hes also not let them fully access the farm as required by court order.

The meat and poultry was shipped to customers in Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas. Other food was found at a trucking company, destined for distribution in Florida and Colorado.

Flanagan said it would be incredibly easy for Miller to become a federally inspected slaughterhouse  and that Miller had been partially compliant in the past.

Flanagan said he thinks Miller doesnt want to spend that money, but if he did, he would be able to recoup those costs and earn more money slaughtering for other farmers.

Miller said compliance would impact other parts of his business and have a negative effect on him. He said his customers demand nutrient dense food and view his products as medicine.

Flanagan said all food is nutrient dense and that he did not know what Miller meant by the term.

But at the end of the hearing, Miller indicated a willingness to try to work with Lapsley and inspectors. He also agreed to pay more than $105,000 in fines and costs as a good faith showing before next Fridays hearing. Another hearing is scheduled for April 22.

Miller was supposed to have paid $50,000 in March. However, he instead sent the check to his attorneys previous residence.

Miller said getting the money would be difficult. Through various online fundraising accounts, supporters have contributed more than $160,000 to support Millers business and legal fight.
A New Holland man will spend the rest of his life in prison for raping and sexually assaulting five children in Lancaster and Berks counties.

Gustavo A. Rendon, 52, of the 100 block of East Main Street, was found guilty in November of 30 sexual abuse charges for the incidents, which happened between 2003 and 2010, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill M. Spahn sentenced Rendon to 63-and-a-half years to 155 years in prison on April 11, the district attorney's office said. Spahn also ordered Rendon to pay $17,978 in restitution.

The prison time "effectively amounted to a life sentence," the district attorney's office said.

Prior to the sentencing, a licensed psychologist told the court during a direct and cross examination that his report found Rendon to fit the description of a sexually violent predator, according to the district attorney's office. All the children Rendon abused were 14 years old or younger.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick prosecuted the case and said that the victims, "showed incredible bravery to stand up to this man, probably for the first time, who has abused them for years." He also advocated for a sentence of up to 246 years in prison, saying a lesser sentence would "depreciate the living hell that these children suffered," the district attorney's office said.

Rendon also took the children to other locations where they were sometimes abused by other people, the district attorney's office said.

At the sentencing, Rendon asked if he could speak and face the victims, who were in attendance. Spahn denied his request and told him to speak to the court, the district attorney's office said.

Rendon spoke at length, but the release from the district attorney's office didn't include details of his comments.

State troopers were first made aware of the abuse after one of the victims reported it to a state senator's staff.

In the charging documents, investigators also pointed out that multiple girls said Rendon made them strip in front of groups of people, and some said he took photographs of them while they were nude.

The girls reported being assaulted in bathrooms, bedrooms and even inside a mens nursery at a church where they attended services, investigators said.

The assaults were reported in March 2020, and police arrested Rendon in April 2020.
HARRISBURG  Already exempt from most of the states open-records law, Pennsylvania state legislators would get what critics call an EZPass to obtain records and shorten appeals.

Lawmakers and top statewide elected officials could get records in five days instead of the 35 days citizens typically face in a proposed change to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

The current law, passed in 2008, requires government agencies to respond to records requests in five days. But it also allows them to take another 30 days for a host of reasons, including conducting a legal review. Experts say the 30-day extension has become a routine, automatic response from state and local agencies.

The new legislation to expedite requests from legislators, authored by Democratic Rep. Frank Burns of Cambria County, is scheduled to be considered by the House State Government Committee on Wednesday.

Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County, chairman of the State Government Committee, said he is bringing up Burns bill to take a whack at the (Wolf) administration for taking the 30 days automatically. Its not a special-treatment bill for legislators, he said.

The legislation would eliminate the 30-day extension for lawmakers requests.

But the bill would not change which records are considered public and would not affect citizens who use the law to access public documents.

My bill would prevent government agencies from running out the clock on elected officials who routinely have to cast time-sensitive votes, Burns wrote in a co-sponsorship memo filed last week.

Legislators sometimes cant obtain records with a a formal open records request before they must vote on a bill, Burns said. He said it happened to him and he had to vote without the information he needed on a Liquor Control Board-related bill.

An aide said it took 18 months for Burns to obtain the information he requested.

State legislators, committee chairmen and leaders can often cajole bureaucrats for records. They have attorneys at their disposal and may use subpoenas for information in rare cases. Burns said he paid for his own lawyer.

The current Right to Know Law only specifies that basic financial information in the General Assembly is subject to public disclosure. Lawmakers emails are exempt, while some email communications written by the governor and state agencies can be public records.

Burns bill is really remarkableit provides them (lawmakers) with an E-ZPass lane, said Eric Epstein, a longtime legislative critic who files about one Right-to-Know-Law request a week.

Parts of the Right to Know Law are broken. The answer is not to create a special class of requesters, said Epstein, a Democratic state House candidate in Harrisburg.

Andrew Christy, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union in Philadelphia, said the Legislature needs to address the underlying problem  the 30-day extension.

The Legislature is essentially trying to exempt itself from that, he said.

Gunita Singh, a lawyer for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, D.C., said to affirmatively draw distinctions among categories of requesters and to give priority to others can potentially impede the very purpose of these laws, which is to truly democratize vital information.

Public-records laws need to work for everyone who seeks to learn about the operations of government, Singh said.

In an interview, Burns said he is representing the interests of 62,000 constituents and others across the state when he requests public records.

His bill would also shorten the amount of time the Office of Open Records has to handle an appeal from legislators and elected officials from 30 days to five. Liz Wagenseller, the director of the office, said the shorter appeals window is an impossible deadline to meet. An amendment is pending to remove that provision.

As Lawmakers we are routinely forced to make decisions that affect people across Pennsylvania, said Burns. It is our job to make the most informed decisions possible on behalf of the people we represent. My bill simply shortens the timeline an agency has to provide public information to lawmakers; therefore this change would benefit all Pennsylvanians.

Sing said she was unaware of other states with laws to provide preference to public officials seeking records. Burns said the practice in many states is that agencies provide records to lawmakers facing an upcoming vote without requiring a formal request.

Bumsted is Harrisburg bureau chief of The Caucus, LNP's publication covering state government and politics. Follow him on Twitter @BEBumsted.
Pitching in Lititz: Dave McCormick campaigns for Republican nomination in the race for Senate [photos]
What: Pequea Valley school board meeting on April 5, in person and streamed online.

What happened: District Business Manager John Bowden gave an update on the preliminary budget for the 2022-23 school year. At this point, the anticipated expenses are $44.66 million. With no tax increase, revenues would stand at $43.91 million.

Background: The PA Act 1 Index for the district allows an increase of up to 3.4% in local taxes this year. In March, a draft of the budget projected a tax increase of as much as a 3.02%. The latest budget draft projects a 2.88% tax millage increase.

The cost: For a property assessed at $253,171  the district average  the increase would cost an extra $111, bringing the total tax bill to $3,983.

Revisions: Bowden expects there will be adjustments to the budget before it comes before the board for preliminary approval in May, and additional changes before final adoption in June.

Other business: The board approved undertaking a $40 million bond issue with proceeds to be used toward the high school/middle school construction and renovation project.

Next meeting: The school board will meet again at 7 p.m. April 14 at the district office, 166 S. New Holland Road, Kinzers.
PAFF and Ikea Present All Artists Have A Seat At The Table

World-renowned artists have transformed Ikea dining p ieces into one-of-a-kind designs in celebration of 30 y ears of t he Pan African Film & Arts Festival

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will present, All Artists Have a Seat at the Table, a new and innovative art program sponsored by Ikea in celebration of 30 Years of PAFF.

Under the direction of PAFF Art Director Allohn Agbenya, five esteemed artists are contributing their creativity to revamp an IKEA dining set. The furniture has been transformed into individual pieces of art inspired by the theme: PAFF 30, PAFF Roots.

The pieces were previously on display at four Ikea stores throughout Southern California and will be viewable at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza from Thursday, April 21, through Sunday, May 1.

Marc Brogdon, PAFF marketing director, said, One of my favorite African Proverbs says, A trees beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots. Utilizing our artists and Ikea wooden furniture to create powerful artwork is the perfect symbolism of our deep-rooted connection to the community.

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All Artists Have a Seat at the Table, is a celebration of PAFF and the artistry showcased over the years. For more than three decades, PAFF has united folks across the diasporacreating an inspiring platform for the partnership with Ikea.

The dining table is the universal space for gathering, our sustainable and accessible furniture provided the perfect blank slate for the artists to illustrate PAFFs rich legacy and commitment to bringing people together to share the Black experience, shared Kevin Matthews, Ikea U.S. regional marketing manager.

As the leader in life at home, we want to celebrate the importance of home and the role it plays for the many. This work naturally demonstrates our core value of togetherness in a vibrant and unique way.

As a curator and art director, I selected artists for the IKEA Project whose works of art present an array of diasporic characteristics that borrow from the broad field that is our celebrated history & traditions, said Agbenya.

Africa and her global artistic roots and outreach have been influential on every continent. Rich in texture, proverbial wisdom, beauty, and evolutionary flow.

The participating artists include Agbenya, a contemporary artist whose roots celebrate the fibers and cultural pride of West Africa and beyond. Born in Ghana, he now resides in Los Angeles.

Sandra Zebi is an artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who came to Los Angeles in 1986, intrigued and inspired by the cultural diversity that the city has to offer.

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Marvin Obasogie Aimiuwu started drawing and painting as a child in Nigeria, studied fine art in college, and has pursued artwork full time since coming to the United States.

Aziz Diagne is a multi-media artist from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up amid the traditional art forms of his homeland including rock carving, ceramic and wood sculpture, murals, tapestry, and Thiesoise (reverse painting on glass).

Charles A. Bibbs, a native son of Southern California, is an internationally acclaimed artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has made a significant impact on contemporary arts.

The full program for the 30th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival will take place in person and virtually, April 19  May 1, in Los Angeles at its flagship venues the Directors Guild of America, Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
World demand for batteries to power electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to increase sharply in the coming years. To prepare for this demand, some nations are seeking to increase their own ability to produce the materials needed to make the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are expected to remain the most widely used technology for EVs in the future. One of the main materials used to produce the batteries is lithium, a light metal substance. Other necessary materials include the metallic elements cobalt, manganese and nickel.

Prices for these materials have been rising as demand increases for EV batteries. The demand is expected to continue worldwide as major automakers keep expanding their EV production.

China is currently the world leader in the EV market. In 2021, 3.4 million of the vehicles sold in China were electric, a report by the International Energy Agency found. Europe was the second largest market, with 2.3 million electric vehicles sold. Worldwide, the report said 6.6 million EVs were sold that year.

Chinese companies currently produce the majority of materials used to make EV batteries, the mineral cobalt among them. The largest known supply of cobalt is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chinese companies control most of the cobalt mining operations there.

Another necessary material, lithium, is found in many parts of the world. But it is costly and difficult to collect. Australia is the worlds biggest producer of lithium. Other major suppliers include China, Argentina and Chile. China also largely controls the lithium supply chain.

Worldwide demand for lithium was about 317,500 metric tons in 2020. But industry estimates predict the demand could rise to more than six times that by 2030. Prices for lithium carbonate reached record highs in 2021, mainly because of strong demand from Chinese battery makers, Reuters news agency reports.

The worlds top nickel supplier is Indonesia, which produced about 1 million metric tons of the metal in 2021, the website Investing News reports. Other nations with large nickel mining operations include the Philippines, Russia, Australia, Canada and Brazil.

Most of the nickel used to produce EV batteries is expected to come from mining operations in Indonesia, Reuters reports. In recent years, several large Chinese mining companies have announced major investments in Indonesian nickel projects.

Officials in the United States and other countries have said they will seek to mine and process more materials at home to produce EV batteries. Being less dependent on supply from other countries can help nations avoid high prices and availability issues.

In February, U.S. President Joe Biden announced federal assistance programs to help companies mine and process lithium and other rare metals necessary to make EV batteries.

We cant build a future thats made in America if we ourselves are dependent on China for the materials that power the products of today and tomorrow, Biden said. And this is not anti-China, or anti-anything else. Its pro-America, he added.

Currently, only one active lithium mine is operating in the U.S., in the western state of Nevada. But new mining projects for lithium are now being developed in Nevada, Maine, North Carolina and California.

One way to collect lithium is through geothermal methods from underground water sources. One such U.S. operation, in the Salton Sea in the California desert, is expected to become operational next year. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press the effort may end up producing epic amounts of lithium.

Companies in other countries also plan to use geothermal methods to collect lithium.

In Britain, Cornish Lithium plans to start geothermal mining operations in southwest England in the coming years. A company official, Jeremy Wrathall, told the French news agency AFP the operation aims to provide a significant share of Britains lithium needs.

In Germany, a German-Australian partnership called Vulcan Energy Resources announced plans last year to geothermally collect lithium from an area in the countrys Black Forest area. Some scientists have estimated the area in southwest Germany could hold enough lithium to supply batteries for up to 400 million EVs.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and online sources.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

Quiz - Demand for Electric Car Batteries Drives Nations to Seek Own Materials Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

battery  n. a device that provides and stores electricity for certain electronic devices

supply chain  n. the system of people and things that gets a product from its place of manufacture to the person who buys it

geothermal  adj. of or connected with the heat inside the Earth

epic  adj. extremely large

significant  adj. important or noticeable
NYPD officers patrol platforms at the 36th Street subway station where a shooting attack occurred the previous day during the morning commute, April 13, 2022, in New York. Police continued to hunt Wednesday for the gunman who opened fire on a subway train in Brooklyn, an attack that left multiple people shot and once again interrupted New York City's long journey to post-pandemic normalcy. (John Minchillo / AP)

NEW YORK  A gunman in a gas mask and construction vest set off smoke grenades and fired a barrage of bullets in a rush-hour subway train in Brooklyn, wounding at least 10 people Tuesday, authorities said. Police were trying to track down the renter of a van possibly connected to the violence.

Chief of Detectives James Essig said investigators werent sure whether the man, identified as Frank R. James, 62, had any link to the subway attack.

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Authorities were looking at his apparent social media posts, some of which led officials to tighten New York Mayor Eric Adams security detail. Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the posts concerning.

The attack turned the morning commute into a scene of horror: a smoke-filled underground car, an onslaught of at least 33 bullets, screaming riders running through a station, bloodied people lying on the platform as others tended to them.

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In the train, Jordan Javier thought the first popping sound he heard was a textbook dropping. Then there was another pop, people started moving toward the front of the car, and he realized there was smoke, he said.

When the train pulled into the station, people ran out and were directed to another train across the platform. Passengers wept and prayed as they rode, Javier said.

Im just grateful to be alive, he said.

Five gunshot victims were in critical condition but expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Sewell said the attack was not being investigated as terrorism, but that she was not ruling out anything. The shooters motive was unknown.

Sitting in the back of the trains second car, the gunman tossed two smoke grenades on the floor, pulled out a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and started firing, Essig said. He said police later found the weapon, along with extended magazines, a hatchet, detonated and undetonated smoke grenades, a black garbage can, a rolling cart, gasoline and the key to a U-Haul van.

That key led investigators to James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin, the detective chief said. The van was later found, unoccupied, near a subway station where investigators determined the gunman had entered the train system, Essig said.

Rambling, profanity-filled YouTube videos apparently posted by James, who is Black, are replete with Black nationalist rhetoric, violent language and bigoted comments, some of them directed at other Black people.

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One, posted April 11, rails against crime against Black people and says drastic action is needed to change things. Another, from March 20, says the nation was born in violence, its kept alive by violence or the threat thereof and its going to die a violent death.

A Feb. 20 video says the mayor and governors plan to improve safety in New York Citys subway system is doomed for failure and refers to himself as a victim of the mayors mental health program. A Jan. 25 video  called Dear Mr. Mayor  is somewhat critical of Adams plan to end gun violence.

Investigators believe the shooters gun jammed, preventing the suspect from continuing to fire, said two law enforcement officials who werent authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

This photo provided by Will B Wylde, shows a person aided outside a subway car in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. A gunman filled a rush-hour subway train with smoke and shot multiple people Tuesday, leaving wounded commuters bleeding on a Brooklyn platform as others ran screaming, authorities said. Police were still searching for the suspect. (Will B. Wylde/AP)

The officials said authorities zeroed in on a person of interest after the credit card used to rent the van was found at the shooting scene.

The attack unnerved a city on guard about a rise in gun violence and the ever-present threat of terrorism. It left some New Yorkers jittery about riding the nations busiest subway system and prompted officials to increase policing at transportation hubs from Philadelphia to Connecticut.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced last fall that it had put security cameras in all 472 subway stations citywide, saying they would put criminals on an express track to justice. But at the station where the train arrived, the cameras apparently werent working.

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MTA system chief Janno Lieber told TV interviewers he didnt know why the cameras malfunctioned. But he said police had a lot of different options from cameras elsewhere on the subway line to get a glimpse of the shooter.

One riders video, shot through a closed door between subway cars, shows a person in a hooded sweatshirt raising an arm and pointing at something as five bangs sound. In another video, smoke and people pour out of a subway car, some limping.

Someone call 911! a person shouts.

Other video and photos from the scene show people tending to bloodied passengers lying on the platform  some amid what appear to be small puddles of blood  and another person on the floor of a subway car.

Rider Juliana Fonda, a broadcast engineer at WNYC-FM, told its news site Gothamist that passengers from the car behind hers started banging on the connecting door.

There was a lot of loud pops, and there was smoke in the other car, she said. And people were trying to get in and they couldnt, they were pounding on the door to get into our car.

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As police searched for the shooter, Gov. Kathy Hochul warned New Yorkers to be vigilant.

This individual is still on the loose. This person is dangerous, the Democrat said at a news conference just after noon. This is an active shooter situation right now in the city of New York.

Fire and police officials had responded to reports of an explosion, but Sewell said at the press conference that there were no known explosive devices. Multiple smoke devices were found on the scene, mayoral spokesperson Fabien Levy said.

After people streamed out of the train, quick-thinking transit workers ushered passengers to another train across the platform for safety, Lieber, the MTA chairman, noted.

High school student John Butsikaris was riding the other train when he saw a conductor urging everyone to get in. He thought it might be a mundane problem until the next stop, when he heard screams for medical attention and his train was evacuated.

Im definitely shook, the 15-year-old told The Associated Press. Even though I didnt see what happened, Im still scared, because it was like a few feet away from me, what happened.

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No transit workers were physically hurt, according to their union.

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In Menlo, Iowa, President Joe Biden praised the first responders who jumped in action, including civilians, civilians, who didnt hesitate to help their fellow passengers and tried to shield them.

Adams, who is isolating following a positive COVID-19 test on Sunday, said in a video statement that the city will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized, even by a single individual.

New York City has faced a spate of shootings and high-profile bloodshed in recent months, including on the citys subways. One of the most shocking was in January, when a woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a stranger.

Adams, a Democrat a little over 100 days into his term, has made cracking down on crime  especially on the subways  a focus of his early administration, pledging to send more police officers into stations and platforms for regular patrols. It wasnt immediately clear whether officers were already inside the station when the shootings occurred.

Danny Mastrogiorgio of Brooklyn had just dropped his son off at school when he saw a crush of panicked passengers, some wounded, running up the stairway at the 25th Street station. At least two had visible leg injuries, he said.

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It was insane, he told the AP. No one knew exactly what was going on.

Balsamo reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Karen Matthews, Julie Walker, Deepti Hajela, Michelle L. Price and David Porter in New York contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday defended the war in Ukraine as a "noble" mission, following claims of rape and violence against civilians and possible use of chemical weapons.

At a ceremony marking the 61st anniversary of the Soviet Union putting the first man into space, Putin said of the invasion, "Its goals are absolutely clear and noble." He added, "We didn't have a choice. It was the right decision."

The Russian president repeated his claim that the aim was to protect people in areas of eastern Ukraine and to protect Russias own security.

Since Putin sent Russian troops to Ukraine on February 24, about a quarter of Ukraine's 44 million population has been forced from their homes. Cities have been destroyed by airstrikes. And thousands of Ukrainians have been killed or injured.

Possible use of phosphorous

In the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the citys leader told the Associated Press that more than 10,000 civilians may have been killed in the war.

As the city prepares for another offensive, Ukraine and Western officials are investigating a claim that a poisonous substance was dropped on fighters defending the city. The fighters belong to the Azov Regiment, a far-right group that is now part of the Ukrainian military.

Pavlo Kyrylenko is governor of the eastern Donetsk area. He told CNN: "We know that last night around midnight a drone dropped some so-far unknown explosive device, and the people that were in and around the Mariupol metal plant, there were three people, they began to feel unwell.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said it was possible that phosphorous munitions had been used in Mariupol. She added, "official information will come later."

Earlier on Monday, Donetsk separatist leader Eduard Basurin spoke on Russian state television. He said the group will use chemical troops against Ukrainian soldiers at a large steel factory in Mariupol to smoke them out of there. He then told Russias Interfax news agency Tuesday that the separatist forces havent used any chemical weapons in Mariupol.

Russias defense ministry has not answered requests for comment. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said her country was working urgently to investigate the report. And U.S. defense department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the U.S. could not confirm the drone report out of Mariupol.

The use, production and storage of chemical weapons are banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention. Phosphorous is not considered a chemical weapon under the convention. The substance, however, can cause severe burning. Its use is banned in civilian areas.

Accusation of war crimes, rape

After failing to capture the capital city of Kyiv, Russia pulled back its forces from surrounding areas and centered its efforts in the east.

The withdrawal of Russian forces from towns around Kyiv brought more charges of war crimes, including murder and rape.

United Nations official Sima Bahous told the U.N. Security Council on Monday: "We are increasingly hearing of rape and sexual violence." Kateryna Cherepakha, president of rights group La Strada-Ukraine, told the council: "Violence and rape is used now as a weapon of war by Russian invaders in Ukraine."

Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador denied the accusations. And the defense ministry said Ukraine's government was being directed by the United States to present false evidence of Russian violence against civilians.

In Bucha, outside of Kyiv, the Associated Press reported that Russian troops had used a childrens camp as an execution ground during the month-long occupation. Near the front of the camp, Russian soldiers placed a toy tank. It looked to be connected to a fishing wire. The tank set-up may have been meant to kill or injure anyone who touched it.

I'm Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do wrote this story based on reporting from RFE/RL, Reuters and The Associated Press.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

noble - adj. showing or having quality that others admire

drone - n. a small aircraft that flies without a pilot

execution - n. the act of killing someone
A quiet monastery in the western Ukrainian village of Hoshiv has become a large playground for children. They and their families all had to leave their homes because of the war with Russia.

The Greek Catholic church of the Sisters of the Holy Family is about 100 kilometers from Lviv. The nuns there have given refuge to about 40 people fleeing fighting with Russian forces in eastern and central Ukraine.

The sound of birds and prayers are calming for 59-year-old Ryma Stryzhko, who fled from Kharkiv. It seemed that the planes were flying in the middle of the house. And you could hear the sound of bombing, she said. After what we saw, (the monastery) is a paradise.

The monastery was built after Ukraines independence in the early 1990s. The previous monastery in the village had been closed by communist officials when the area was part of the Soviet Union. The nuns were sent to prisons in Siberia.

All our prayers are now focused on peace in Ukraine, for our soldiers, for those innocent people who died, who were murdered, said Sister Dominica, the head nun.

Before the war, the 17 nuns led a peaceful life. In addition to their religious work, they grew vegetables, made their own food and painted. Now, they play with young children and provide support to the mothers. They also cook daily for the guests.

When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, the nuns told local officials they could house up to 50 people.

Many of the children who are now laughing and hugging the nuns arrived traumatized.

This is a new place for them. They came from cities where (there is shooting) and bombing, Sister Dominica said.

Even in the monastery, the nuns still get air raid notices on their phones. They warn the rest of the guests by ringing the monastery bells. It is a less traumatic sound than the loud sirens in the cities. Then the nuns lead the guests to an underground area.

But even when there are no sirens, children happily use the large underground space.

We play and read prayers," said Rostyslav Borysenko. The 10-year-old boy fled Mariupol with his mother.

Borysenkos mother is still waiting for news of relatives and friends who could not flee Mariupol.

Although the families are thousands of kilometers from most of the fighting, discussion at the dinner table mostly centers around the war.

While the families eat in the dining room, the nuns eat separately in the library. They sit at a long table under a painting of Jesus Christs Last Supper. Among them is 44-year-old Sister Josefa, who fled a Kyiv monastery on the first day of the war.

Its hard to leave the place you lived, she said. Although I can live here ... my heart is there. And Im waiting to go back.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

monastery  n. a place where monks live and work together

nun  n. a woman who is a member of a religious community and who usually promises to remain poor, unmarried, and separate from the rest of society in order to serve God

paradise  n. a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect

focus v. a main purpose or interest

traumatize  v. to cause to become very upset in a way that often leads to serious emotional problems

siren  n. a piece of equipment that produces a loud, high-pitched warning sound
American students had been learning from home for more than a year during the pandemic. When they returned to in-person learning, teachers began to see more behavioral problems.

Sarah Potpinka is an art teacher at Putnam High School in Connecticut. She said, Coming back into the building a lot of kids fell out of the good habits they had built up in previous years.

Potpinka said she saw more fights and arguments among students online and in person. Some refused to wear the required face coverings. Other students broke school rules by leaving in the middle of class to meet up with friends.

Obviously throughout this pandemic, the students spent a lot of time at home and because of that they lack in those social skills, said Danielle Trejo. She is a school counselor in Austin, Texas.

Mental health crisis

Bad behavior among students is part of what experts are calling a mental health crisis among children. Even before the pandemic, research found that bad behavior in the classroom was increasing.

Childhood depression is also a serious problem.

A group of mental health organizations says in a recent Hopeful Futures Campaign report that one in three students reported feeling lonely or hopeless. Half of all mental illness presents by the age of 14 but few students get the services they need. The report, released last month, also warns that suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 14 to 18 in 2019.

Richard Douglas is a school psychologist at Putnam High School with over 30 years of experience. He agrees that the mental health crisis existed before the pandemic.

Douglas said that during the pandemic there have been many things that disrupt families. More time at home could lead to more arguments with family members. A parent or family member could have gotten sick with COVID or lost a job, leading to more stress, Douglas said. At Putnam, many students also work to help pay for housing costs.

Douglas feels school officials provide enough support to deal with the crisis at Putnam. For the school of around just 250 students, there is also a counselor, social worker, and two recently hired interventionists. Interventionists help identify learning and behavioral problems among students.

But many school systems around the U.S. say they need more psychologists and counselors. The Hopeful Futures Campaign report says most American states do not provide enough resources for mental health support in schools.

Only Idaho and the District of Columbia go beyond the nationally recommended number of one psychologist for every 500 students. In some states, including West Virginia, Missouri, Texas and Georgia, there is only one school psychologist for over 4,000 students.

President Joe Biden has proposed $1 billion in new federal money to help schools hire more counselors and psychologists. And school systems have used pandemic aid to add mental health services.

Despite behavioral problems among students after returning to in-person classes, Potpinka said the change has been better for the students. She said it is easier to keep students engaged in schoolwork face-to-face. It is also easier to seek help for them when there is trouble.

Douglas added that school psychologists are now trying to undo the harm thats been done during the pandemic.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak wrote this story for VOA Learning English, with additional reporting by The Associated Press.

Quiz - US Schools Struggle with Behavior, But See Opportunity Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

habit  n. a usual way of behaving

obviously  adv. in a way that is easy to see, understand, or recognize

depression  n. a state of feeling sad

psychologist  n. a scientist who specializes in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior

disrupt  v. to interrupt the normal progress or activity of

stress  n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.

recommend  v. to suggest that someone do something

engage  v. to get and keep someone's attention, interest, etc.
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A juvenile was transported to the hospital Monday following a report of an overdose at Righetti High School, according to a Santa Barbara County sheriff's spokeswoman.
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Diboll residents share opinions on proposed livestock ordinance change

ARNOLD

DIBOLL  The Diboll City Council tabled a decision on an ordinance that would change the citys current law pertaining to livestock after Councilwoman Benita Sheffield Duffield and other residents expressed distaste for it.

The ordinance would change the minimum distance livestock need to be from businesses and places of residence  which is currently 200 feet  to 100 feet. This is a result of ongoing compliance issues the city has experienced. The city knows of four residents who are in violation of the ordinance, city manager Jason Arnold said.

One hundred feet was chosen because that is the minimum distance utilized by neighboring cities including Lufkin, Hudson, Huntington and Livingston, Arnold said.

If you were to modify that ordinance, it would not solve every compliance problem tonight  theres still going to be some issues  but we are confident that those that we are working with, its gonna be easier for them, he said. We are twice as restrictive as the cities that are close to us, and those have been tested and worked for them.

When the current ordinance was implemented, the council was told it was doing what neighboring cities were doing, Councilman Daniel Lopez said.

We find out its not what everyone else is doing, and that causes a little confusion and anger, he said. Its a fairly new ordinance, and at the time, its what everyone else was doing  now its not what everyone else is doing.

Resident Bentina Berry said before the ordinance was brought to her attention, she knew nothing about it.

Its concerning because this happens  things are being decided. And as a citizen I could do better by attending these meetings. But when something concerns the city, and not just my home, then I am concerned, and I wouldnt want any measure to be passed without full understanding, she said. Before you pass the measure on the animals, can we get a little information, and then we can all make a decision that affects all of Diboll?

Resident Patrina Mitchell asked why the issue of the residents who had not complied with the ordinance had been ignored if the city knew who they were.

Is it that individuals are only held to the Diboll city ordinance only depending on the person or who they know? she asked. Would any of you want this in your neighborhood, and when I say want this, I mean practically a petting zoo in your neighborhood, 200 feet, 100 feet from your home?

Resident Hopi Walls read a letter from her father who could not be present at the meeting. There are citizens in violation of the ordinance near her fathers home, she said.

There have been problems with some of the livestocks getting out and causing hazards to motorists driving through the area. A problem with foul odors also is a concern, the letter read. I urge the council not to change the current 200-feet limit to 100 feet. If the ordinance is changed, I support a change from 200 feet to 500 feet to make it less likely to encounter some of the hazards residents and other citizens have encountered under the current 200-feet distance.

Duffield asked whose decision it was to add the item pertaining to the ordinance to the meetings agenda.

It sounds like to me were trying to change an ordinance to accommodate violation instead of accommodating what the citizens may want, she said. Changing that from 200 to 100  we literally had a petting zoo before I continually complained, sent multiple pictures. This has been going on for two years.

If the ordinance is changed, people will be affected in ways that most of the councilmembers are not aware of, Duffield said.

Some of you live in HOAs, so you will not be affected in any way shape or form. If I am the only person voicing it, Im not sure why I wasnt in the conversation, because I shouldve been aware to say, Hey, this is a concern that I have continually heard and have voiced from my district, and it seems like District 3 doesnt exist with concerns that I bring, she said. If everyone on the council will tell me, one by one, do you want livestock in the matter thats sitting in front of my house in your neighborhood? If the answers yes, lets approve it.

Steve Davidson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas, introduced this years Youth of the Year, Diego Zarzoza, who is a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Diboll.

Mayor Trey Wilkerson presented Diego with an award.

Youth of the Year is the highest honor that a member can receive in our clubs, outstanding citizenship, outstanding character, his activities at the Boys and Girls Club, as well as school and in the community, Davidson said.

The council approved a six-month rental agreement with M&R Party Rent for the Lottie & Arthur Temple Civic Center. With this agreement, M&R has exclusive rights to the civic center and will serve as a booking agency for all of its customers, Arnold said. They will be responsible for setting up and tearing down events, he said.

Lopez asked if nonprofit organizations who utilize the center could still choose to forego the cleaning fee and clean themselves after their events.

We can work with M&R. Im sure we can take care of them, Arnold said. M&R has been nothing but flexible and easygoing. They understand that we work with a lot of nonprofits in town and that the civic centers a major platform for them, so I dont anticipate any issues.